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Corn Growers grade presidential candidates

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) project to grade the leading 2012 presidential candidates on their ag policy positions is complete and the results were revealed today by the Iowa Corn Growers Association.

The highest grade on six ag issues: energy, farm programs, trade, EPA and transportation went to Newt Gingrich, who got an A; followed by Rick Santorum, A-minus; President Obama and Mitt Romney, each got a B; Michelle Bachman, D Plus; and, Ron Paul and Herman Cain, both had Ds.

Mindy Larsen Poldberg, director of government relations for Iowa Corn Growers, says the results are not meant to be an endorsement of any of the eight candidates but to inform farmers, Iowans and all voting Americans.

“Agriculture issues are often not the top-line issues for the campaigns and may not make the headlines. So, we think it’s important to be able to provide a tool where in one place a farmer can evaluate (candidates) only based on ag policy, ” Poldberg says.

Iowa Corn Growers President Kevin Ross of Minden, Iowa, says it’s important for the ag industry to take notice, “It’s not an endorsement but this is something I think that everybody in agriculture should look it. Not only farmers but agribusiness in Iowa because ag is such a huge part – in my opinion, this thing should be used and looked at pretty seriously,” says Ross.

A bipartisan committee of growers and Iowa Corn staff determined the grades based on survey responses from the candidates and – in the case of no responses – the public record. The results are being shared with growers nationwide.

While Iowa Corn Growers carried out the Corn Caucus Project Presidential Report Card, they were assisted by the Nebraska, Illinois, Minnesota and Kentucky Corn Growers Associations.

 AUDIO: Mindy Larsen Poldberg, Kevin Ross, Amanda Taylor (35:00 mp3)

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