NCGA president understands challenge

When Jed Bower accepted the reins to be the new president of the National Corn Growers Association, he understood the challenges farmers have with low grain prices and persistently high input costs.

But few people can handle the challenges like Bowers, who draws on the personal challenges he has already faced. Bower, who became NCGA president Oct. 1, is a fifth-generation farmer with a base operation in Washington Court House, Ohio. He grows corn and soybeans on what he considers a small operation compared to other producers.

His story is different than most producers. There wasn’t room on the family operation when he got out of school, so he joined the military. However, while in the military, his dad was injured in a motorcycle accident and succumbed to the injuries.

“At that time, I was 24 years old, and my grandfather had passed away a couple of years prior, so I didn’t have any real family support as far as the knowledge on our farming operation,” said Bower, who is now 45. “I knew the basics. I knew how to run the equipment.”

The business side took him time to learn, and he was thankful for neighbors who served as informal mentors.

“I had some great neighbors that truly stepped in and took me under their wing and gave me guidance and encouraged me,” Bower said, remembering they also suggested he become active in grower organizations.

An advocate

Over the next year he plans to be an advocate for corn farmers and to be a good listener.

“The farm economy is in dire shape right now and when you talk to people across the country, that’s a pretty common message as we move forward,” Bower said. “As we talk on the corn side, we need markets, we need demand and we need to put a check on input costs.”

The price a farmer receives for corn is not in balance with inputs, and he said that is a common theme he hears from other commodity groups.

“There’s definitely more frustration right now, but I truly look forward to having those conversations with all the players and try to come up with solutions,” Bower said.

The NCGA is continuing to push its priorities and sharing them regularly with the Trump administration. That includes the need to build demand around the world by opening new markets, adding value and using trade missions. He commended Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins for listening and for working to expand trade missions.

“We need that and I appreciate that tremendously—what they are doing because Brazil has been beating us to the punch on all our trade partners,” Bower said. “It’s nice that our secretary is out there talking about how great the American farmer is and how good our products are. We’ve got to explain to buyers around the world that we are their most reliable source. American corn farmers are hands down the best corn farmers in the world.”

Corn opportunities

Corn farmers are not alone as he believes other commodity groups have a similar message and one the Trump administration is starting to carry out.

Also, the story is not only about exports, he said. The livestock industry is the top user of corn. Even with high beef prices, American consumers want high-quality beef that is made possible with corn. The use of dry distiller’s grain not only has been popular in the United States, but is growing in importance in Asian markets.

The other product made with corn is ethanol that continues to grow in usage here and abroad. The global aspect is a bright spot.

“These countries are seeing how it’s cleaning up their air,” Bower said. “We still need more ethanol production here, too. It truly costs the taxpayers nothing.”

The NCGA continues to take the lead in pressing for additional ethanol production and usage, he said.

What’s ahead

Past presidents have been wonderful to work with as they recognize a president is going to have moments of frustration and they go out of their way to help, he said.

“I’m partial, but I’d put the NCGA staff against anybody else,” Bower said. They are truly wonderful. They make our jobs a lot easier than it would be otherwise.”

As he thought about the year ahead, Bower recognizes the year will go fast and he was humbled that fellow corn growers have put their faith in him. He pledged to serve them to the best of his ability.

Dave Bergmeier can be reached at 620-227-1822 or [email protected].