Like many parts of the economy, the spread COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on the US corn ethanol industry. Stay-at-home orders issued beginning in mid-March had an immediate impact on passenger travel and fuel use. In response, ethanol production was quickly curtailed dramatically reducing corn use and price.
Get To Know Your Council Members:
District 5 – Terry Wehlander
North Dakota is divided into seven districts. These districts elect a member to serve producers on the North Dakota Corn Utilization Council. Terry Wehlander of DeLamere, ND represents those producers in District 5. District 5 is comprised of Ransom and Sargent Counties. (more…)
On top of the many changes the world has seen these past few months, NDCGA has been busy with its own staffing transformation. Two new staff members were recently hired, filling the gaps in the Fargo office.
Taking on the role of Executive Director is Brenda Elmer, who joined the Association in April. Brenda oversees the effective operation of the Association and serves as the point of contact for state and national policy issues affecting North Dakota’s corn industry.
Brenda is a graduate of Hamline University Graduate School in St. Paul, MN, with a master’s degree in public administration, and Minnesota State University Moorhead where she got her undergraduate degrees in both mass communications and political science.
She has more than years of public policy experience at the federal, state, and local levels. She previously served as the North Dakota regional director for a national construction association, and she also worked for an international non-profit based in Fargo doing project management and government relations. She worked at the Minnesota legislature as a policy staffer, a regional director for a Minnesota member of Congress, and was a local elected city council member. Brenda grew up on a corn, soybean, and beef cattle farm in northeastern South Dakota.
“We are excited to have Ms. Elmer lead our Association. She brings a wealth of experience and expertise in management and in the advocacy arena and will no doubt put that to work promoting the corn industry in our state and in Washington, D.C.” stated North Dakota Corn Growers Association President Rob Hanson.
Completing the Association staff is Kari Schiefelbein. She started in June as the new Growers Services Specialist. Her responsibilities include overseeing and promoting membership, managing finances, and creating content for social media, the NDCGA website, and the CornTalk magazine.
Prior to joining the Association, Kari grew up on her family’s farm, Schiefelbein Farms, in central Minnesota where they raise Black Angus cattle. Kari moved to Fargo/Moorhead to attend Minnesota State University Moorhead from which she recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English and mass communications.
President Hanson also noted, “Kari has hit the ground running in services to our growers, working hard on events and publications and membership in the first weeks on the job. She comes with a fresh perspective and experience in communications that will help take the Association to the next level.”
Brenda Elmer, Executive Director
Kari Schiefelbein, Growers Services Specialist
FARGO, North Dakota — June 25, 2020 — The North Dakota Corn Utilization Council elected leadership for the year ahead at their spring board meeting on March 18, 2020. New leadership took effect April 1, 2020. (more…)
North Dakota is divided into seven districts. These districts elect a member to serve producers on the North Dakota Corn Utilization Council. Tysen Rosenau of Carrington, ND represents those producers in District 4. District 4 is comprised of Eddie, Foster, Griggs, Stutsman and Barnes Counties.
North Dakota is divided into seven districts. These districts elect a member to serve producers on the North Dakota Corn Utilization Council. William Wagner of Neche, ND represents those producers in District 3. District 3 is comprised of Williams, Divide, Burke, Mountrail, Ward, Renville, Bottineau, McHenry, Rolette, Pierce, Benson, Towner, Cavalier, Ramsey, Pembina, Walsh, Nelson and Grand Forks Counties.
Because of difficult harvest conditions last fall, grain may have been stored with higher than normal moisture content, which could pose a danger to anyone working around the grain. (more…)
The North Dakota Corn Utilization Council publishes an annual report and year in review at the end of each fiscal year. To receive a free copy of a report, or to sign up for future free publications from the North Dakota Corn Utilization Council please send a note to or call 701-566-9322.
View the 2019 Annual Report online below. (more…)
The Expo is a full day of FREE events designed to make you a better producer, all under one roof – the Fargodome. The Expo features informative breakout sessions on current issues affecting your operation, nationally-acclaimed speakers covering important topics and a trade show featuring companies showcasing emerging technologies and products. You will have the opportunity to network with your peers and industry experts at these sessions and during a provided breakfast and lunch. Read on to discover just what Expo has to offer you! (more…)
NDSU Extension’s grain drying expert offers advice on drying crops.
The moisture content and temperature of grain play a big role in how long that grain can be stored without significant deterioration.
Air drying is one way to reduce the moisture in grain. However, natural-air drying is not effective during the winter, according to Ken Hellevang, North Dakota State University Extension agricultural engineer and grain drying expert. The cold air does not hold enough moisture to accomplish in-bin drying. (more…)
