KCGA Member Update -- May 24, 2019
"Rain, rain, go away." In Kansas, where we often experience droughts, that's a nursery rhyme we normally avoid. We think it's time to temporarily suspend that rule. We hope the weather cooperates and allows everyone to wrap up planting season soon! Be safe out there! Share your stories with us on social media!
KCGA Statement: USDA Announces Market Facilitation Program Round 2
The Kansas Corn Growers Association said today the Trump Administration’s announcement of up to $14.5 billion in Market Facilitation assistance could be helpful for corn farmers impacted by market losses that are due in part to recent tariff increases and a trade dispute with China.

“It will be a while before we know how much assistance corn farmers will receive. We hope it more equitably reflects the market losses we’ve incurred than the program last fall that gave corn farmers a penny a bushel. We do respect USDA’s announcement today, which was intended to avoid impacting planting decisions.” KCGA CEO Greg Krissek said. “The best solution would be to address the ‘perfect storm’ of issues that are destroying demand for corn and products we make with corn, like ethanol.”

The program could provide some much-needed relief to corn farmers who are struggling with depressed foreign and domestic markets for corn and ethanol. Corn farmers are facing what is being called a “perfect storm” of issues.

“As farmers, we always face uncertainty. In addition to weather issues that are slowing planting; we continue to deal with many issues that are hurting exports as well as domestic markets for our crop,” Kansas Corn Growers Association President Steve Rome, Hugoton, said. “Except for the weather, much of this uncertainty falls on the shoulders of our government. A lot of this uncertainty can be lifted simply by helping us have access to markets for our corn, ethanol, red meat and other corn products. This aid will help, but market access is the type of aid our farmers prefer.”
Rep. Marshall Introduces Renewable Fuels Bill
Representative Roger Marshall is among the U.S. House Members introducing The Renewable Fuel Standard Integrity Act of 2019, which would set a deadline for refineries to apply for Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) waivers and bring much-needed transparency to the wavier process. 
Kansas Biofuels Week Begins on Sunday!
Kansas Corn and partnering biofuels groups will raise awareness of biofuels during Kansas Biofuels Week beginning May 26. Recognizing the many benefits biofuels provide to the Kansas economy, agricultural industry, energy consumers and environment, Governor Laura Kelly has proclaimed the week of May 26, 2019 as “Biofuels Week.” Kansas Ag Secretary Mike Beam presented the proclamation to biofuels groups early this week. Watch Kansas Corn social media for great biofuels information throughout the week!
Corn Challenge Update
The new 2019 Kansas Corn t-shirts have arrived! Want one in your closet? Be part of the Kansas Corn Challenge. Click here to learn more about the challenge and the new opportunities to gain points through public posts on social media.
Kansas Corn Staff Updates
Tarra Rotstein, Communications Specialist
Former intern, Tarra Rotstein, has joined the Kansas Corn Team as communications specialist in the Manhattan office. Tarra is a recent graduate of Kansas State University in the agricultural communications and journalism with a secondary major in global food systems leadership.

Avery Aust, Grower Services Intern
Avery Aust, from Louisburg, KS, is a junior at Kansas State majoring in Ag Business. She is passionate and fascinated with the challenge of how to meet the demand of feeding a rising global population. Avery says agriculture is a key component of her family and her life.
Angela Dailey, Former Grower Services Intern
Last week we said goodbye to Angela Dailey who had served as our grower services intern in the Manhattan office since February 2018. Angela recently graduated from Kansas State University and is transitioning into her full-time employment in ag lending in Kansas City. We are excited to see Angela begin her career. We know that her future is very bright!
Register for the Corn-Fed Beef Social: June 4 in Garden City
We are looking forward to being back at Beef Empire Days again this year on Tuesday, June 4 at the Finney County Fairgrounds in Garden City. This year the social will follow the Live Show and run until 6:30 with heavy beef appetizers from Webb’s BBQ and also feature a tasting from our friends at Boot Hill Distillery. To make sure we have plenty of food and refreshments, please register online here.
Seed to STEM 2019 Summer Workshops
Kansas Corn will host a total of 115 middle school and high school science teachers at our Seed to STEM Summer Workshops being held in Olathe on May 30-31 and at Maize on June 4-5. The workshops offer tracks for middle school and high school science teachers. For the first time, we are also offering Seed to STEM 2.0 workshops for returning teachers. In addition to classes which focus on labs on corn, biotechnology and ethanol, the participants will tour a farm and an ethanol plant. Special thanks to Finley Farms at Edgerton and the Dennis Gruenbacher Farm at Colwich for hosting the teachers, and to East Kansas Agri Energy, Garnett and Kansas Ethanol, Lyons for hosting ethanol plant tours. Learn more about our award-winning STEM education programs here!
A Little Extra Reading
  • Check what's ahead with the Kansas Corn Weather Adviser, an excellent resource created specifically for Kansas Corn members by BlueWater Outlook. Be sure to sign up for the email weather updates that are tailored to Kansas corn farmers.
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