Kansas Corn

Congratulations to Zeb Scheibmeir of Piqua on winning 3rd place in the Southeast District dryland category of the 2025 Kansas Corn Yield Contest. Zeb owns and operates Scheibmeir River Property Farms and is a first-generation farmer raising corn, soybeans, wheat and milo. He and his wife Chera have 2 daughters, Zoey and Scarlett.

Brett Grauerholz and Josh Roe met with Sharice Davids this morning in Washington, D.C. to talk about priorities for Kansas corn farmers. They thanked her for supporting the Farm Bill in committee and for her creative efforts to help move year-round E15 forward as part of the legislation. Kansas corn growers appreciate leaders willing to think outside the box to expand ethanol access and strengthen demand for corn.

Happy National Agriculture Week to the men and women who feed and fuel the world 🇺🇸🌽

Kansas corn farmers rely on strong markets and sound policy. That’s why Brett Grauerholz and Josh Roe met with Derek Schmidt this morning in Washington, D.C. The conversation focused on issues that directly impact Kansas farms; passing year-round E15 legislation to expand ethanol demand, strengthening international trade opportunities for corn, addressing rising fertilizer and input costs, and growing markets for biobased products made from corn. KCGA is committed to making sure farmers’ voices are heard where decisions are made.

This St. Patrick’s Day, follow the rainbow… and you might just find a field of Kansas corn. 🌽☘️ From renewable fuels to livestock feed and everyday products, Kansas corn helps create value far beyond the farm. We may not have pots of gold, but Kansas farmers know the real treasure is growing a crop that fuels our communities.

Congratulations to Aaron Pauly of Sedgwick County on winning 3rd place in the South Central District dryland category of the 2025 Kansas Corn Yield Contest. Aaron is the 4th generation to farm in Sedgwick County since his great-grandfather moved to their current farm headquarters in 1918. Historically they have raised corn, wheat, milo and soybeans. 2026 will mark the first year that wheat is not in the rotation and they will just raise corn and soybeans. His wife is a nurse anesthetist and they have two young boys that help with farming when they aren't in school or participating in a variety of activities.

KSNT talked with Jeff Albers, a farmer and Kansas Corn leader from Denton, KS. High input costs, especially fertilizer, were the topic, but Albers also noted that farmers place taking care of the land as a priority even in these tough times. Listen to the full story at: ksnt.com/news/kansas/we…

Kansas farmers gathered in Ottawa last night to kick off the 2025 Farm Profit Seminars. David Schemm opened the evening with updates on producer programs and recent changes at the Farm Service Agency. Market analyst Darrell Holaday of Advanced Market Concepts, Inc. followed with a market outlook, highlighting the beef industry as one of agriculture’s bright spots right now. Holaday noted that strong beef quality is helping drive demand. In fact, for the first time ever, 90% of last week’s beef graded Choice, compared to just 45% in 1996—a sign of how far the industry has come. Join Kansas Corn next Thursday, March 19 in Alma for the next Farm Profit Seminar to hear the latest market insights and program updates impacting your operation.

Congratulations to Joe Schlessiger of Barton County on winning 1st place in the Central District irrigated category of the 2025 Kansas Corn Yield Contest. Schlessiger Farms is a 5th generation farm and cattle operation based in Ellinwood and Claflin. Joe and his wife Tricia farm with John and his wife Laura and Joe's son James. Joe and John's grandpa planted their first irrigated corn crop in 1976.

Today, NCGA partnered with the National Foreign Trade Council to host a panel discussing the importance of USMCA renewal. NCGA First Vice President Matt Frostic, of Michigan, spoke about the importance of the agreement to the success of corn farmers. Mexico is the number one export destination for U.S. corn and Canada is the number one export destinatoion for U.S. ethanol.

KCGA joins corn growers nationwide in calling on AG @PamBondi & the @JusticeDept for transparency on the investigation into fertilizer market concentration & the “duopoly” squeezing farmers. America’s farmers need more than a memo - they need results. ➡️Read the letter: bit.ly/3PefhiW

Great day in Topeka today with the KS Senate passing the ethanol tax credit bill 38-1! I didn’t have it on my bingo card that a tax credit for the purchase of gun safes would be amended! However, as a shooting sports instructor that teaches firearm safety to youth, I can get behind that! Special thanks to our partners at @RenewKansas and of course Senator @CarynTysonKS, Chair of the Senate Tax Committee for hearing and carrying the legislation. Looking forward to working with the house to get this across the line!

Kansas corn growers need strong markets, and that message is being told to leaders in Washington, D.C. NCGA President Jed Bower, testified before the Senate Agriculture Committee today highlighting the need for expanded markets for corn. One key priority: year-round access to E15. Allowing E15 sales all year could lower fuel costs for consumers while creating stronger demand for corn at a time when farmers are facing rising input costs and tight margins. Bower also emphasized emerging opportunities for corn-based ethanol in sustainable aviation fuel, marine fuel, and biobased products—markets that could drive significant new demand for U.S. corn in the years ahead. Advocacy like this helps ensure the voice of corn growers—including those here in Kansas—is part of the conversation about the future of energy, innovation and agriculture.

Ohio farmer and National Corn Growers Association President Jed Bower today weighed in on fertilizer prices and availability. Learn more about what he had to say: bit.ly/4lhKHAU

Kansas farmers know that growing a great crop is only part of the job, building demand for that crop is just as important. Former Kansas Corn Commissioner Terry Vinduska continues to champion Kansas corn through his work with the U.S. Grains and Bioproducts Council. By strengthening relationships with international customers and promoting the value of U.S. corn, he’s helping open doors for new markets and long-term demand. That work helps ensure Kansas corn has a strong future both at home and around the world. Watch Terry share an update on how farmer leaders are working globally on behalf of U.S. agriculture. 🌎🌽

KCGA CEO Josh Roe testified today before the Kansas Senate Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources in support of HB 2476. The bill ensures crop health products used in Kansas are regulated through the science-based federal system. Roe highlighted how Kansas farmers rely on tools like glyphosate and atrazine to make conservation practices like no-till farming possible; protecting soil, reducing erosion and improving water use efficiency. Protecting access to these tools ensures farmers can continue producing safe, affordable food and fuel while caring for the land.

Congratulations to Darah and Taylar Bohl from Smith County on sweeping the North Central irrigated category of the 2025 Kansas Corn Yield Contest. This season they dialed back seed population while pushing fertility, trusted later fungicide timing with late-season rains, and rode a stop-and-go harvest thanks to high moisture. Harvest started later than usual, but the results spoke loud with their Dekalb corn performing exceptionally. They also expanding their harvest crew, adding daughter Ainslee Dean right in the middle of it all. She joins big sister Maevery as the 6th generation HB Family Farms and it’s 109 year legacy.

Kansas corn farmers need markets—and they need them now. The Kansas Corn Growers Association appreciates Representatives Tracey Mann and Sharice Davids voting in favor of the Farm Bill in the House Agriculture Committee this week. But we remain frustrated by the continued lack of progress toward year-round access to E15. At a time when farm country is facing serious economic pressure, expanding access to E15 would create critical demand for corn, strengthen rural economies and provide consumers with a lower-cost fuel option. Read KCGA's full statement at kscorn.com/2026/03/05/far…

You may be hearing a lot about “45Z” in ag policy news lately and wondering what it means for your farm. Last week at National Commodity Classic, we caught up with Lane Howard from the National Corn Growers Association to break it down. The 45Z tax credit could play an important role in the future of ethanol and corn demand. But grower participation will depend on how Climate/Conservation Smart Agriculture is defined because those definitions will determine which on-farm practices qualify as low carbon intensity. Lane is part of the team working to make sure the guidelines reflect real, practical farming practices happening on family farms every day so Kansas corn growers can participate and benefit.

Yesterday, the Kansas Corn Commission met in Manhattan to review ongoing research projects, evaluate program investments and receive updates on international trade missions. Biggest takeaway is we’re focused on strengthening demand and profitability for Kansas corn. From supporting cutting-edge agronomic research to expanding export opportunities and building new markets, your farmer-led Commission is working to protect and grow the future of corn in our state. We’re committed to making every penny per bushel count.