Cobcast: Inside the Grind with the National Corn Growers Association

Hosted by National Corn Growers Association

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May 2026

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About the show

Big picture conversations about the future of agriculture with the National Corn Growers Association and its network of industry leaders. Join us every month as we explore new topics and advocate for America’s corn farmers. From the fields of the Corn Belt to the DC Beltway, we’ll make sure that the growers who feed and fuel America have a say in issues that are important to them. Founded in 1957, the National Corn Growers Association represents nearly 40,000 dues-paying corn farmers nationwide and the interests of more than 300,000 growers who contribute through corn checkoff programs in their states. NCGA and its affiliated state organizations work together to create and increase opportunities for corn growers, with a vision of sustainably feeding and fueling a growing world.

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60 recent

May 21, 202627 min

63. How We’re Tackling Sky-High Input Costs for American Corn Growers

American farmers are facing a profitability crisis in the current markets. Some economists estimate that growers could LOSE $100 per acre this year if costs and prices continue as they are. NCGA is always looking for ways to boost corn demand and increase prices for America’s crop. But with skyrocketing input costs, onerous duties on fertilizer, and the spiking cost of diesel fuel, our growers are feeling the pinch from both sides of the equation. So NCGA has convened a task force aimed at addressing those rising costs as well. And in this episode, we talk to NCGA First Vice President Matt Frostic, who’s leading this effort to find savings for American corn farmers. He’s joined by NCGA VP of Sustainable Production & Value Chain Engagement Sean Arians, NCGA’s staff lead on the task force, as well as NCGA staff economist Gretchen Kuck, to explore the tools that NCGA has at its disposal in this time of extreme difficulty. As always, NCGA’s greatest strength is the voice of its members. And you can get involved in this effort by clicking this link: https://ncga.com/membership/join-ncga

April 9, 202623 min

62. Athleisure Wear Made From Corn? How Cargill and HELM’s QIRA Technology is Making It Possible

With a record corn crop to move, the corn industry is on the hunt for new and innovative uses for America’s crop. And one solution may be found in one of the fastest-growing sectors of the clothing and textiles sector—athleisure wear. The popular clothing style—yoga pants, joggers, hoodies and more—combines high fashion with high-functionality and comfort, and has been gaining in popularity for years. But as with any product that is sourced from petrochemicals, there is an opportunity to replace the oil-based feedstock with one that is sourced from corn. And at Qore, a joint venture between Cargill and HELM, they’re working on making this a possibility. So in this episode, we talk to Andrea Vanderhoff, Director of Technology and Sustainability at Qore, to learn more about how their QIRA technology is opening new avenues for corn-based products to penetrate the textiles market, including in athleisure wear. And, NCGA Director of Outputs and Measurements Harley Janssen joins us as well to talk about the potential impacts and benefits for the corn industry. To learn more about Qore and QIRA, visit www.myqira.com

March 11, 202623 min

61. National Turkey Federation & Other Groups Join NCGA as Allies in the Agriculture Coalition for USMCA

The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, more commonly called the USMCA, has been undeniably good for American agriculture. And as we approach the sixth anniversary of its implementation, USMCA is undergoing its mandated review period, during which the parties will decide specifics about the agreement’s future. In order to ensure that agriculture’s voice is heard during this process, the National Corn Growers Association, the National Turkey Federation and many other ag stakeholders are banding together in support. So in this episode of the Cobcast, we discuss the Agriculture Coalition for USCMA with one of its key members—NTF President and CEO Leslee Oden, as well as NCGA’s Director of Public Policy, Trade, and Biotechnology Nancy Martinez. Together, we’ll recap what led us to this point, discuss the USMCA’s economic impact on the agriculture sector, and highlight the importance of predictability in trade agreements. We’ll also uncover a few key points where the agreement could be improved, discuss the process of lobbying for those improvements, and emphasize the value that industry-centered coalitions bring to the negotiating table.

January 29, 202628 min

60. The Next 250 Years of American Corn: Growing Demand to Meet Supply

The United States of America will be celebrating the 250th anniversary of its founding this year. And throughout the quarter-millennium since the Declaration of Independence was signed, corn farmers have been feeding and fueling a growing nation. But on the heels of another record corn crop in 2025, what’s it going to take to create enough new corn demand to keep up with the supply? In this episode of the Cobcast, we discuss the future of corn with NCGA Chief Economist Krista Swanson and VP of Sustainable Production Sean Arians. Together, we’ll explore the roots of this record production, the implications for supply and demand, and the opportunities for new markets, particularly in the biomaterials and ethanol sectors. And we’ll consider what new products might help drive agricultural success over the next 250 years.

December 23, 202514 min

59. A Holiday Message from NCGA President Jed Bower

2025 was some kind of year for America’s corn growers. A record crop was overshadowed by market concerns and uncertainty, and it seems like the roller coaster ride will continue into 2026. But through it all, NCGA’s volunteers and staff have been grinding it out on behalf of members, advancing a policy agenda to boost demand for America’s crop and protect growers’ ability to do their jobs. In this holiday message, NCGA President Jed Bower shares his thoughts on a couple of NCGA’s big wins from 2025, like opening new avenues for trade, reversing Mexico’s GMO corn ban, protecting access to crop protection tools, and advancing farm tax policy wins in Congress. And, we take a look ahead to the big priorities for 2026, including a nationwide, year-round E15 bill. Merry Christmas, happy holidays and a happy new year from all of us here at NCGA.

November 19, 202524 min

58. Connecting Regulators and Growers on Issues Like the ESA, with Becky Langer

For more than 50 years, the Environmental Species Act has regulated the way that farmers can use certain crop tools, like pesticides, herbicides and fungicides. But American farmers are experiencing the most significant change in ESA policy yet, as the judicial system compels the Environmental Protection Agency to adapt its policies and comply more precisely with the law as it’s written. So in this episode, we’re learning about how NCGA remains active in the public input process for this policy change, ensuring that growers do not lose access to the tools that help them feed and fuel the world. We’ll speak with Dr. Becky Langer, NCGA’s Director of Inputs and Innovation, about how the process is playing out, how NCGA has partnered with the EPA, and what the impact will be when it’s all said and done.

October 28, 202529 min

57. NCGA’s New President, Jed Bower, Is Up for the Challenge

American farmers face generational challenges in today’s market. And the new president of the National Corn Growers Association, Jed Bower, isn’t shying away from the big tasks ahead of him. Bower took the reins as NCGA’s top grower-leader effective October 1, on the same day that the U.S. federal government shut down over a funding negotiations standstill. And in this episode, he’ll explain why Congress needs to get back to work, reopen the government, and make progress on priorities that could help producers find their way back to profitability. Jed is joined by Lesly McNitt, NCGA’s vice president of public policy. Together they’ll discuss how to make progress on E15 ethanol blends, deals with new international trading partners, and federal financial assistance for farmers.

October 8, 202524 min

56. Consider Corn Challenge Winners: Promoting Innovative New Uses for Our Crop

Our ability to produce American corn is outgrowing demand for the crop. And if growers are going to get some relief from sagging corn prices, our nation’s innovators are going to have to find new uses for the commodity. Fortunately, corn is a versatile crop that can be processed into all manner of plastics, fibers and distillations. And with this year’s Consider Corn Challenge, the NCGA shined a spotlight on some of these innovations, while also incentivizing new research. So in this episode, we meet Curtis Firestone, the co-founder and CEO of Aerterra, an air filter manufacturer that sources its household and commercial products from the corn that we grow in our fields. The filters are eco-friendly, and can be used interchangeably with the petroleum-based versions that are standard in homes and businesses. We’ll be joined as well by Chad Epler, a farmer from southeast Kansas who serves as the chair of the NCGA action team dedicated research and new uses for corn. Together, we’ll discuss how the Consider Corn challenge is a game changer for innovators, how it’s moving the needle on corn demand, and what other future uses we’re pioneering.

August 11, 202523 min

55. Standing Up for Pesticides Targeted by the “Make America Healthy Again” Movement

“Make America Healthy Again” might sound like something we can all get on board with. But the MAHA Commission convened by President Trump and headed by HHHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has set its sights on some odd targets… …including two mission-critical pesticides for corn farmers, Glyphosate and Atrazine. Without citing scientific evidence, a report from the MAHA Commission seems to blame these safe and effective tools of agriculture for kids’ health problems. This is in spite of decades of EPA, USDA and FDA precedent that have established safe practices and regulations for their use. So in this episode, we hear from two key leaders at NCGA—VP of Public Policy Lesly McNitt and Director of Inputs and Innovation Dr. Becky Langer—about what the organization is doing to protect these important crop treatments. We’ll discuss why most folks don’t understand the importance and safety of pesticides, what the report means for corn growers, and how farmers can protect their access to these tools.

May 15, 202521 min

54. Opening New Markets for Corn in India, Vietnam and Beyond

Growers are hoping the recent rollout of a new U.S. trade deal with the United Kingdom is a sign of things to come. The agreement is the first trade pact with a new trading partner since 2012. And amid tariff uncertainty and unsettled markets, the presidential administration is signaling its desire to make trade deals with new countries a top priority. In particular, discussions are ongoing to open up new markets for corn in India and Vietnam, representing a potentially huge boost for the American corn industry. So in this episode of the Cobcast, we’re talking to two top experts on international trade: Andrew Brandt, the Director of Trade Policy at the U.S. Grains Council; and Nancy Martinez, the Director of Public Policy, Trade and Biotechnology at the National Corn Growers Association. Together, we’ll answer many of the distinct trade questions on growers’ minds at this moment, like what are some other possible destinations for corn exports? What could potential deals look like with these new countries? And what does it all mean for folks who are just getting a crop in the ground?