Colorado Corn Promotion Council Executive Director Nick Colglazier. He discussed the impact of the U.S. government shutdown and a recent trade mission to Mexico led by the Colorado Corn Promotion Council and the U.S. Grains and Bioproducts Council. The mission highlighted Mexico's significant corn imports, totaling 984 million bushels last year, and the need for U.S. corn to meet Mexico's growing feed demand due to an ongoing drought. Key meetings included discussions with Mexican government officials and industry associations, focusing on maintaining trade relationships, ethanol market opportunities, and the potential for increased U.S. corn and ethanol exports to Mexico.

Nutrien Ag Solutions, Director of Product Management for the Nutrien Ag Solutions Hub, discussed the evolution of digital technology in agriculture. The Nutrien Hub, launched in May, consolidates multiple ag tech tools into one platform, offering services like credit applications, online payments, weather insights, and crop planning tools. It aims to enhance grower-crop consultant collaboration and decision-making. Feedback has been positive, particularly on financial transaction management. Future developments include AI-driven insights and soil sample results. Garlich emphasized the importance of usability and security, ensuring the tool is accessible to all generations and adheres to industry standards.

Dave Newcomb, Agriculture Rescue Program Manager at the Illinois Fire Service Institute, discussed the institute's training programs, which trained over 58,000 students last year. The institute offers over 80 courses, including grain bin rescue and machinery incident response. Newcomb highlighted the issue of grain entrapment, noting three recent incidents in central Illinois, with an average of 25-30 engulfments annually.  

The institute aims to reduce tuition costs for volunteers with support from the Illinois Corn Growers.

David Grindle, President and CEO of the International Association of Fairs and Expositions, discussed the organization's role in supporting fairs since 1884. He highlighted the economic impact of fairs, noting that the average U.S. fair runs for 6.6 days, generating $30 billion annually, and fairgrounds contribute $52 billion and 343,000 jobs. Grindle emphasized the importance of volunteer efforts, with 101 fairs in Illinois alone generating significant local economic benefits. He also mentioned unique cultural events at fairs, such as Wife Carrying races in Scotland and Australia.

Troy Schneider, a past president of the Colorado Corn Promotion Council and current board member of the National Corn Growers Association, discussed recent legislative efforts in Washington, DC. Key points included the push for year-round E15 fuel to stabilize prices and reduce EPA waivers, the need for a comprehensive farm bill to address agricultural concerns, and the impact of high input costs on farmers. Despite strong corn demand, high input prices and low commodity prices are straining the farm economy. Schneider also highlighted the discrepancy between USDA's projected farm income and actual farmer experiences, emphasizing the need for long-term policy solutions.

Amy France, Chair of the National Sorghum Producers, discussed the recent MaHA report, emphasizing sorghum's unique benefits and the need for better education on its role in healthier diets. She highlighted a potential crisis due to a 23% yield increase and the loss of the Chinese market, which historically accounted for 50-70% of U.S. sorghum exports. France stressed the urgency of diversifying markets, including Mexico, Vietnam, and India, to avoid a market glut and potential elevator closures. The association is working closely with the administration to address these challenges and encourages members to share their stories to strengthen their advocacy efforts.

Austin Gellings, Senior Director of Agricultural Services at the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, discusses the updated report on precision agriculture. The report highlights the significant benefits of precision ag technologies, including a 6-7% increase in productivity using fewer acres, avoiding 11.4 million acres of land (equivalent to five Yellowstone National Parks), and reducing herbicide use by 54 million pounds and fertilizer use by 4 billion pounds. The study projects that a 90% adoption rate of these technologies could further enhance efficiency. The report aims to advocate for technology adoption to mitigate risks and engage the next generation in farming.

Eric Snodgrass, Senior Science Fellow at Nutrien Ag Solutions, discussed the unpredictable 2023 weather season, which initially raised drought concerns but was later alleviated by significant rainfall in April and May. He highlighted the impact of the Bermuda High and Gulf of Alaska temperatures on Midwest weather. Snodgrass noted the importance of monitoring local and ocean conditions for future predictions. He also discussed the potential impact of hot nights on pollination and yield, and the upcoming planting season in South America, emphasizing the need for timely rainfall. 

Duane Stateler, president of the National Pork Producers Council, discussed the challenges of passing the Farm Bill and the impact of Proposition 12 on the pork industry. He expressed skepticism about the bill's passage by year-end, highlighting Proposition 12's cost implications and the Save Our Bacon Act as potential solutions. Statler noted that Proposition 12 has disrupted supply chains, increased costs, and created operational inefficiencies. He also addressed workforce issues, emphasizing the need for a stable workforce, particularly in rural areas, and the impact of immigration policies on the industry's labor 

Nick Colglazier,  executive director of the Colorado Corn Promotion Council, discussed the recent rebranding of the United States Grains Council to the United States Grains and Bio Products Council. He highlighted the significant increase in U.S. ethanol exports, with 1 billion gallons exported in the first half of 2025 and a projected 2 billion for the year. The council's efforts are focused on expanding ethanol use globally, particularly in countries like Canada, Japan, Vietnam, and Indonesia.