It might be safe to say that many corn growers in the Midwest weren’t particularly pleased with all of this year’s Super Bowl commercials.
An Agri-Pulse report says the most notable thing for Midwest farmers appeared to be a “war on corn” launched by the Bud Light ads promoting the fact that no corn syrup is used in making that particular brand of beer.
National Corn Growers Association CEO Jon Doggett had something to say. Doggett took his concerns directly to Anheuser-Buch, who manufactures Bud Light.
He didn’t wait long either, showing up for a face-to-face meeting on Monday, the day after the ads ran.
A spokeswoman for the NCGA says the discussions were productive, adding that the two sides “plan to speak again soon.”
An Anheuser-Busch spokesman issued a statement to Agri-Pulse, attempting to soothe the hurt feelings of American corn growers.
According to the spokesman, the company bought “more than 1 billion pounds of corn ingredients in 2018. We fully support corn growers and will continue to invest in the corn industry.”
Another Anheuser-Busch ad promoted Michelob Ultra Pure Gold as organic, using the USDA Organic Seal in the advertising. The Organic Trade Association was thrilled that a beer made from organic rice and barley malt got that kind of exposure.
