NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RFD-TV) — Jed Bower, the incoming president of the National Corn Growers Association (NGCA), joined us on Wednesday’s Market Day Report for his sector’s perspective on the ongoing government shutdown, rising input costs, and trade uncertainty for commodity crop growers.
“I think it’s a lot of worry and a lot of scared,” Bower said in his interview with RFD-TV News. “You know, as we hear this term crisis, I mean, it gets louder and louder every day. As you mentioned, we’re looking at the largest decline in years. We haven’t seen inputs fall off quite like that.”
The NGCA recently formed a task force to address the skyrocketing cost of inputs, such as steel and fertilizer – many of which are rising exponentially due to the Trump Administration’s retaliatory tariff strategy – that are squeezing corn growers.
“We do applaud the administration, and the [ag] secretary, [Brooke Rollins] -- they’re out beating the bush around the world,” Bower said. “We’re seeing truly record exports in the corn sector. But, man, the price farmers are getting – it is just not making any sense for what it’s going to cost us to put next year’s crop out. And we appreciate, you know, some of the comments made by the Secretary and the Deputy Secretary about diving into this more and seeing why there’s such a broad, broad distance between what we’re able to sell our product for and truly what it’s going to cost us to put next year’s crop out.”
According to recent research, corn growers could spend up to 40 percent of their budgets on fertilizers alone.
API said it stands ready to work with Congress to develop a balanced approach to E15 legislation that promotes fuel choice, supports investment certainty, and contributes to a stable and fair marketplace for American consumers.
October 21, 2025 12:39 PM
·
In the meantime, Senate Majority Leader John Thune is asking that farmers be allowed to use marketing assistance loans to help stay afloat.
October 21, 2025 11:57 AM
·
Beef industry groups seem to agree — market-based pricing, not federal intervention, best supports rancher livelihoods and long-term beef supply stability.
October 21, 2025 11:22 AM
·
Cattle groups say additional imports would offer little relief for consumers but could erode rancher confidence as the industry begins to rebuild herds.
October 21, 2025 11:06 AM
·
Bioethanol is becoming a global standard. For growers, that boom comes as drops in Mississippi River levels and in soybean demand occur in tandem, leaving barge space for corn and wheat.
October 20, 2025 01:32 PM
·
The government shutdown has touched nearly every sector of the ag industry since it began, and now impacts are spilling over into dairy.
October 20, 2025 12:46 PM
·
Southern farms are deepening online engagement for cost savings and market access, while higher-cost precision technologies face renewed scrutiny amid tight budgets.
October 20, 2025 11:22 AM
·
Global trade teams and summit discussions highlight expanding opportunities for U.S. corn and ethanol exports as nations explore renewable fuel options and reduced-carbon energy pathways.
October 20, 2025 11:17 AM
·
Slightly higher output amid softer gasoline pull points to steady corn grind — watch regional stocks and export pace for basis clues.
October 17, 2025 04:59 PM
·
