US farmers sound alarm on catastrophic issue facing corn

Published

3 years ago

February 1, 2023

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close video Mexico ban on genetically modified corn could ‘corn-er’ the US market

FOX Business’ Madison Alworth speaks to Hinkel Farms’ Elizabeth Hinkel, who warns their corn crop faces a shortage risk over a proposed regulation.

A regulatory move within Mexico’s agricultural sector has U.S. farmers concerned it will "corn-er" their corn crop production.

"Most farmers, my generation and younger, have never even used conventional corn. We're not set up to do it. We don't have the equipment to do it," Hinkel Farms' Elizabeth Hinkel told FOX Business’ Madison Alworth on "Mornings with Maria" Tuesday. "So it would be a huge investment if we had to go back to growing conventional. And on top of that, our yields would be decreased."

American farmers are headed to Capitol Hill to voice concerns about Mexico’s proposed ban on U.S. imports of genetically modified corn, reportedly warning the move could become the most catastrophic thing to happen to corn farmers.

Mexico represents America’s biggest buyer of corn, purchasing more than $10 billion worth of yellow and white U.S. corn last season alone.

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"Even though here in Pennsylvania, our corn stays fairly local, our price is still determined by the board," Hinkel explained. "So if that price goes down, it's going to affect farmers all over the United States, no matter where their corn is being sold."

Mexico’s proposed ban on genetically modified corn will “affect farmers all over the United States,” Hinkel Farms’ Elizabeth Hinkel said on “Mornings with Maria” Tuesday, January 31, 2023. (Getty Images)

Farmers remain husky about Mexico’s GMO ban as they fear it’ll hit their bottom line.

"I just can't even picture in my mind what this is going to do," Hinkel said. "It's farmers from one end of the United States to the other. It doesn't matter where you sell it or what it's used for, it's going to have an effect."

With the ban set to take effect in 2024, Mexico has claimed that the regulation would help increase its own domestic production. Last week, U.S. trade representative Jayme White met with Mexico’s Under Secretary of Economy for Foreign Trade Alejandro Encinas to further discuss the GMO decision and the countries’ future relations.

Mexico purchased more than $10 billion worth of U.S. corn in the 2022 season. (Getty Images)

Following the meeting, the USDA released this statement: "Mexico's proposed approach, which is not grounded in science, still threatens to disrupt billions of dollars in bilateral agricultural trade, cause serious economic harm to U.S. farmers and Mexican livestock producers, and stifle important innovations needed to help producers respond to pressing climate and food security challenges."

A fifth-generation Nebraska corn farmer, who mainly grows white corn for Mexican consumption, noted he wouldn’t switch to growing non-GMO corn due to environmental and financial consequences.

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Host Mike Rowe showcases grocery store items containing corn and the men and women keeping this prevalent ingredient in regular supply on How America Works.

"Our destinies are tied together. They need us as much as we need them," Nebraska Corn Growers Association Chairman Andy Jobman also told Alworth on Tuesday. "And so we really need to come to the table and just resolve this issue and allow GMO corn to continue going into Mexico."

As Mexico prepares for the potential ban, the country, in the meantime, has passed regulation that discourages exports, including a 50% tariff on any white corn leaving the nation.

Sports

Mets sit banged up McNeil, Nimmo vs. Nationals

Published

2 hours ago

August 21, 2025

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Mets sit banged up McNeil, Nimmo vs. Nationals

Associated Press

Aug 21, 2025, 03:26 PM ET

WASHINGTON — Jeff McNeil has a sore right shoulder, the latest nagging injury for the New York Mets as they try to recover from a late-summer swoon.

McNeil was out of the lineup for Thursday’s series finale at Washington, with Brett Baty starting at second base. One of the Mets’ most consistent hitters, McNeil went 4 for 8 with a homer, two doubles and five RBI in the previous two games against the Nationals.

“It doesn’t bother him to swing the bat. It’s just more the throwing,” manager Carlos Mendoza said.

The shoulder problem began late last week, Mendoza said, which is why McNeil started at designated hitter on Saturday and Sunday.

Brandon Nimmo was also out of the lineup Thursday with the stiff neck that forced him to leave Wednesday night’s game in the second inning. Tyrone Taylor started in left field.

“We didn’t see much improvement overnight,” Mendoza said of Nimmo.

McNeil has experience in left, but the shoulder problem means he’s not an option there for now.

New York’s series at Washington began Tuesday with the news that catcher Francisco Alvarez has a sprained ligament in his right thumb that will require surgery. Alvarez is hoping he can play through the pain after a stint on the injured list.

Backup catcher Luis Torrens had a rough night Wednesday that included getting hit in his receiving hand by a bat on a catcher’s interference play, but Mendoza said Thursday that Torrens was “fine.”

The Mets had a three-game winning streak before Wednesday night’s loss, but the team with the biggest payroll in the majors is just 5-15 since July 28. New York entered Thursday trailing Philadelphia by 6 1/2 games in the NL East and was one game ahead of Cincinnati for the final wild-card spot.

Science

Rice University Scientists Confirm Flatband Discovery in Kagome Superconductor

Published

2 hours ago

August 21, 2025

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flatband states in CsCr₃Sb₅, a kagome superconductor. This experimental validation connects lattice geometry with emergent superconductivity, opening new pathways for engineered quantum materials, superconductors, and advanced electronics.

World

Israel maintains pressure on Gaza City as ‘first stages of attack begin’

Published

2 hours ago

August 21, 2025

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Israel maintains pressure on Gaza City as 'first stages of attack begin'

Gaza City residents say Israel carried out intense overnight bombardments as it prepares a controversial offensive to take control of the area.

Sixty-thousand reservists are being called up after Benjamin Netanyahu‘s security cabinet approved the plan earlier this month.

UN chief Antonio Guterres has warned of more “death and destruction” if Israel tries to seize the city, while France’s Emmanuel Macron said it would be a “disaster” that would lead to “permanent war”.

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Hundreds of thousands of people could end up being forcibly displaced – a potential war crime, according to the UN’s human rights office.

Gaza’s health ministry said at least 70 people had been killed in Israeli attacks in the past 24 hours, including eight people in a house in the Sabra suburb of Gaza City.

Israel currently controls about 75% of the Gaza Strip, but Prime Minister Netanyahu has said Israel must take Gaza City to “finish the job” and defeat Hamas.

Mr Netanyahu and his ministers are due to meet on Thursday to discuss the plans, according to Israeli media.

Military spokesperson Effie Defrin said earlier that “preliminary operations and the first stages of the attack” had begun – with troops operating on the outskirts of Gaza City.

Israel has said it will order evacuation notices before troops move in but satellite images show thousands of people have already left.

Residents said shelling has intensified in the Sabra and Tuffah neighbourhoods and that those fleeing have gone to coastal shelters or to central and southern parts of the Strip.

The decision to stay or leave is an agonising choice for many.

“We are facing a bitter-bitter situation, to die at home or leave and die somewhere else, as long as this war continues, survival is uncertain,” said father of seven Rabah Abu Elias.

“In the news, they speak about a possible truce, on the ground, we only hear explosions and see deaths. To leave Gaza City or not isn’t an easy decision to make,”

Most of the Israeli reservists being summoned are not expected to be in a frontline combat role and the call-up is set to take a while.

The window could give mediators more time to convince Israel to accept a temporary ceasefire.

Hamas has already agreed to the proposal – envisaging 10 living hostages and 18 bodies being released in return for a 60-day truce and the freedom of about 200 Palestinian prisoners.

Israel hasn’t officially responded, but insists it wants all 50 remaining hostages released at once. Only 20 of them are still believed to be alive.

The war started nearly two years ago when a Hamas terror attack killed about 1,200 people and kidnapped around 250.

More than 62,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war, according to Gaza’s health ministry.

The figure doesn’t break down how many were Hamas members, but it says women and children make up more than half.

Two more people also died of starvation and malnutrition in the past 24 hours, the ministry said on Thursday, taking the total to 271, including 112 children.

COGAT, the body controlling aid into Gaza, said 250 aid trucks entered on Wednesday, with 154 pallets air-dropped.