In this episode of the Iowa Ag Podcast, host David Geiger sits down with Mark Mueller, president of the Iowa Corn Growers Association, to talk about the economic and policy pressures facing corn farmers today. From ethanol policy and year-round E15 access to international trade opportunities, Mueller explains how expanding markets for corn could help support farm profitability during a period of tight margins.

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The conversation also explores a topic Mueller believes is just as important as policy: communication. Farmers today wear many hats, from agronomists and mechanics to ambassadors for agriculture. Mueller shares why it's increasingly important for farmers to engage with consumers, lawmakers, and their communities to explain how modern agriculture works and why trust between farmers and the public matters more than ever.

Chapters:

00:00 - Welcome and Introductions

00:23 - Mark Mueller Background

01:19 - Diversifying with Dairy

02:30 - E15 Status and Stakes

05:47 - Consumer Choice and Myths

08:18 - Beyond Ethanol Demand

10:04 - Advocacy from Iowa to DC

14:18 - Exports and Global Markets

15:31 - India Opportunity and DDGs

17:37 - Trade Deals and USMCA

19:33 - Mexico GMO Corn Tensions

20:42 - GMO Safety Record

21:18 - Europe Trade Narratives

23:00 - Misinformation and Fear

24:32 - Explaining Modern Farming

26:09 - Trust and Farmer Outreach

28:04 - Global Standards and Premiums

30:18 - Farming Hats and Reality

32:11 - Engaging Politics and Policy

34:01 - Planting Season Stress

36:51 - Closing and Wrap Up