Kyla Hamilton, a TCPA board member, and her husband Cole attended the presidential visit on behalf of the ethanol and corn industry in Texas. The Shallowater farmers said having the ethanol industry represented in America’s energy conversation is imperative.

Ethanol’s role in energy production is key to ensuring America’s national security. Corn farmers found ways to produce more crops with less land, which has reduced ethanol’s carbon footprint. Now, ethanol is creating 41 percent lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions than baseline gasoline. Because of efforts such as these, for the first time since 1970, annual gross energy exports officially passed gross energy imports, which made America the dominant energy-producing nation in the world.

Trump said:

“With the tremendous progress we have made over the past three years, America is now energy independent. Instead of relying on foreign oil and foreign energy, we are now relying on American energy and American workers like never before.”

In addition to the industry’s accomplishments, Trump briefed the recent deregulatory actions taken by his administration. He read his plan to benefit American consumers and the energy sector by lowering costs, expediting projects and extinguishing unnecessary regulatory hurdles.

As a farmer who has traveled to D.C. to advocate for building trade relationships though the United States Mexico and Canada (USMCA) trade agreement, Hamilton was most excited to witness the signing of policy that will lay a fuel pipeline directly to Mexico.

“Even though the event took place in the West Texas dust, it was a breath of fresh air to be in attendance,” Hamilton said. “This was the first time I have seen as many people on the same page in the same place focused on one issue for one hour in a long time.”

Hamilton said she hopes the President follows up by continuing to drive the conversation and efforts to progress the energy industry to utilize environmentally friendly, renewable fuels such as ethanol. Infusing the energy market with clean-burning ethanol supports both America’s energy independence and benefits the environment for generations to come.

Hamilton said:

“Our industry is in the middle of a huge forward push for progressive fuels. I hope ethanol continues to be a part of the conversation for our administration, so farmers feel supported and encouraged to contribute to the movement.”

TCPA remains hopeful that the administration continues its support of this valuable corn market by ensuring the original intent of promoting domestic ethanol production through the Continuing this dialogue with the administration and legislature is a key part of the association’s efforts.

Source: Texas Corn Producers

The post Texas Corn Producers attends presidential visit to Texas appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

Texas corn farmers welcome news that USMCA will be advancing in Congress. We appreciate the bipartisan effort of House leadership and the administration to reach an understanding and move this important agreement to reach stability in the trade relationship with our neighboring countries. TCPA particularly appreciates the leadership of Texas congressional members who recognize the value of these trade relations to our state and led the call for USMCA to proceed in D.C.

TCPA and fellow agricultural interest associations continue to assert the value of maintaining and growing agricultural export markets – and Mexico and Canada are key markets for Texas farmers. Securing trade relations is certainly needed as farmers continue facing volatile economic conditions – offering a glimmer of hope in an otherwise grim market.

Mexico and Canada account for 29% of all U.S. agricultural exports. With U.S. corn and corn product exports valued at $3.3 billion, Mexico was the top market in 2017/2018. With its obvious geographic opportunities for Texas, the Mexican market is of vital importance for corn farmers – impacting farmers and regional economies significantly.

Source: Texas Corn Producers

The post Texas corn farmers welcome news on movement toward USMCA ratification appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.