For more than 100 years, the NGFA has been a voice of the industry and supporting its members with its arbitration system, training and other member benefits.
In operation since 1896, the NGFA Arbitration System is the quick, inexpensive and practical alternative to resolving trade disputes in court. Cases are heard and decided by industry volunteers who know the business – not by unpredictable judges and juries with no expertise in the industry. Increasingly, the system resolves disputes between grain companies and producers.
This unique and historic agreement between the NGFA and all Class I North American railroads, as well as a handful of shortline/regional railroads, for the first time provides rail shippers/receivers a practical way to resolve disputes with their rail carrier. This service is available only to NGFA member companies.
Grain, feed, barge and barge freight trade rules reflect historic industry practices and minimize the potential for disputes by making clear the rights and obligations of buyer and seller. The NGFA Trade Rules are referenced in many grain purchase contracts.
The NGFA’s newsletters and bulletins provide timely information on current issues impacting your business. In addition, this website provides important information on legislative and regulatory issues, industry news, reference and historical materials, and much more.
The NGFA offers a full roster of professional development and training opportunities each year in areas like safety, health and environmental compliance; transportation; trade rules and dispute resolution; risk management; feed quality assurance programs; and other fields. Key executives, managers and personnel all will find relevant and affordable seminars and workshops.
The NGFA’s two major meetings each year offer excellent programming and business information, together with opportunities to develop and maintain critical industry business contacts. The NGFA Annual Convention in March, and the NGFA’s Country Elevator/Feed Industry Council conference in December, provide excellent business and social settings. The NGFA Trade Show at the December conference is a valuable opportunity for product/service suppliers to showcase their offerings to the year’s biggest and best meeting of feed and country elevator personnel.
The NGFA is “Your Washington Office.” Experienced professional staff represent the industry’s interests on Capitol Hill and before regulatory agencies. Staff always are available to answer any question – the NGFA is known for its excellent customer service to members. The common thread of NGFA’s representational activities: advocating policies and regulations that make sense in the “real world” to spur economic growth and promote private sector solutions.
The NGFA is a full-service organization whose programs, services and products protect and enhance members’ businesses.
More than 300 top managers and industry experts serve on NGFA committees that identify and act on industry issues and concerns. Through these committees, the industry achieves consensus on policy, pursues mutual goals and resolves shared problems. Issues in which the NGFA exerts a predominant leadership role include:
The NGFA promotes the highest ethical business conduct. To assist members in daily business, the NGFA provides:
The NGFA proactively advances employee safety and health, facility security, efficient operations and environmental compliance.
The NGFA provides timely, accurate and relevant information to help managers make sound business decisions and avoid information overload that strangles operating efficiency.
The NGFA’s proactive public relations program fosters a greater appreciation of the role its members play as responsible participants in the food and feed chain. The NGFA provides the media with the industry’s perspective on important public policy issues. It also educates youth, consumers and government leaders about the industry and the food/feed chain.
The NGFA’s office is the “Washington headquarters” for the industry, working to develop and execute strategies to successfully resolve industry issues. The Association’s 13-member professional staff includes specialists in grain operations, feed and feed ingredient manufacturing, legislative affairs, government relations, engineering, economics, law and communications. The NGFA’s staff is a liaison between industry and government, and assists member companies in accessing information and solving problems.