A Wake Up Call: RFA says demand is not keeping up with the corn supply

The Renewable Fuels Association is also concerned with the record corn crop, calling this month’s WASDE report a wake up call.

“Demand is not keeping up with the corn supply, period. And we knew that was a problem heading into harvest. And then, of course, we saw these huge numbers printed yesterday by USDA, and we think that should serve as a wake-up call to both Congress and the administration,” said RFA’s Geoff Cooper.

Cooper is calling on Congress to remove the regulatory barriers to higher ethanol blends. He also wants to see updates to pump labeling, saying just a little work could open the gates for U.S. ethanol.

Related Stories
Record ethanol production and improving blending demand continue to support corn usage despite rising short-term inventories.
Freight volatility increasingly determines export margins, making logistics costs as important as price in marketing decisions.
USDA flash corn sales, Cattle on Feed and Inventory reports, and beef packer antitrust concerns dominate January agricultural market news.
Larger grain stocks increase supply pressure, but strong fall disappearance — especially for corn and sorghum — suggests demand remains an important offset.
Record corn and sorghum crops boost feed grain supplies, while reduced soybean and cotton production tighten outlooks for oilseeds and fiber markets.
Lewis Williamson with HTS Commodities joined us to provide analysis on the January WASDE report and expectations for grain markets going forward.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Farm legal expert Roger McEowen discusses the EPA’s rescission of the 2009 endangerment finding on greenhouse gases and what it could mean for agriculture and rural America.
Chef and influencer Marcia Smart joined us to discuss Italian-inspired beef dishes, nutrition for active lifestyles, and how global events shape home cooking.
The USDA says the framework is about “ending abusive government overreach” and “protecting farmers, families, and private property.”
Farm numbers still favor small operations, but production, resilience, and risk management are increasingly concentrated among fewer, larger farms.
Wed, 2/18/26 – 7:30 PM ET
Agriculture Shows
Special 3-part series tells the story of the Claas family’s legacy, which changed agriculture forever.
From soil to harvest. Top Crop is an all-new series about four of the best farmers in the world—Dan Luepkes, of Oregan, Illinois; Cory Atley, of Cedarville, Ohio; Shelby Fite, of Jackson Center, Ohio; Russell Hedrick, of Hickory, North Carolina—reveals what it takes for them to make a profitable crop. It all starts with good soil, patience, and a strong planter setup.
Champions of Rural America is a half-hour dive into the legislative priorities for Rural America. Join us as we interview members of the Congressional Western Caucus to learn about efforts in Washington to preserve agriculture and tackles the most important topics in the ag industry on Champions of Rural America!
Featuring members of Congress, federal and state officials, ag and food leaders, farmers, and roundtable panelists for debates and discussions.