Corn Congress debates resolutions

By the time most resolutions reach Corn Congress at the Commodity Classic, National Corn Growers Association delegates have smoothed most of the rough edges. Cleaning up the final language is the only thing that remains to be debated. 

This was not the case for at least one resolution this year.

The new resolution put before Corn Congress delegates stated that NCGA supports mandatory base acre updates. This resolution originated in South Dakota last summer and was turned over to the Risk Management Action Team last July. The idea was to update base acres so they more accurately represent what agricultural production looks like today.

One delegate from South Dakota said his base acres were set in place years ago with crops they don’t even grow anymore. He did not want to be paid for something he had not planted for 20 years.

Many delegates who spoke in favor of the resolution said it was a matter of integrity. They did not want it to look like they were working the farm program.

If base acres were changed it could result in reduced payments to corn farmers in some regions of the country. A delegate speaking against the resolution reminded the group that the Corn Congress represents all growers not just their own individual farms. He could not vote for a resolution that might hurt some producers.

A delegate from Indiana was against anything mandatory. He preferred making the updates voluntary.

After vigorous debate from both sides of the issue the resolution failed. It was a close vote but the Corn Congress delegates voted down the proposed resolution.

Kevin Skunes, NCGA president from Arthur, North Dakota, said this was the best debate in years by Corn Congress delegates.

Regardless of the outcome for the resolution a debate like this is positive for a grassroots organization like NCGA.