News

Demand is key in 2015

For the second straight year, American corn farmers have produced a record crop.  Chris Novak, CEO of the National Corn Growers Association says looking to 2015 the key is demand.  “How we can continue to grow our biofuels market is going to be important to the success of corn farmers,” he says.  “Ensuring that we have open access to international markets is another critical piece to helping to find a place to put this bountiful crop that we harvested in 2014.”

He tells Brownfield, potential trade agreements like the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Transatlantic Investment Partnership (T-TIP) provide opportunity for greater market access.

But, Novak says agriculture groups feel both need Congress to give the President Trade Promotion Authority.  “In order for us to conclude negotiations that are going to be critical to opening new markets, Congress has to act,” he says.  “Give the President the authority to be able to push forward these trade agreements.”

Novak spoke to farmers at the AgriBusiness Council of Indiana’s annual conference this week.