National Feed and Grain Association

What National Feed and Grain Association does

The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) is a non-profit trade association founded in 1896 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. It represents approximately 700 member companies across the U.S. grain, feed, processing, and export value chain, including country elevators, feed mills, grain merchandisers, exporters, futures brokers, and transportation providers. NGFA operates 24 state and regional affiliate organizations and is supported by 11-50 employees (approximately 12 named staff in available data).

NGFA's core offerings include federal and state government advocacy, a compulsory arbitration system (established 1901) for Active members, standardized trade rules (including Rail Arbitration Rules adopted 1998), safety and regulatory training, and the National Grain and Feed Foundation (NGFF, established 1965). Its technology platform, the Barge Digital Transformation (BDT) initiative operated through National Grain and Feed Digital Solutions (NGFDS), digitizes barge trade documentation and settlement workflows. The association also runs the Committee Apprentice Program (CAP) and a scholarship partnership with MANRRS to broaden industry workforce participation.

Revenue is generated primarily through membership dues scaled by individual member-company size metrics — bushel throughput, storage capacity, and gross revenue — with auxiliary income from training programs, the BDT platform, and the Foundation. The association is governed by a committee-based grassroots structure that embeds members in policy formulation and trade-rule development.

Name

National Feed and Grain Association

Legal name

National Grain and Feed Association

Website

https://ngfa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1896

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The National Grain and Feed Association is a 129-year-old U.S. non-profit trade association representing approximately 700 grain, feed, processing, and export companies, providing advocacy, compulsory arbitration, standardized trade rules, safety training, and the Barge Digital Transformation platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Arlington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues paid by companies across multiple categories (Active, Brokers, Allied, Associate, Lender, Transportation, Rail Carrier, Affiliated Association). Dues are determined by an investment worksheet calculating amounts based on the company's annual bushel throughput, licensed storage capacity, and gross dollar revenue. Broker membership dues are based on annual customer fees and commissions. Lender dues are based on annual loan volume. Transportation and Rail Carrier dues are based on annual business/sales volume.
2. Arbitration and Trade Rules Services: NGFA provides arbitration services for resolving disputes involving grain, feed, barge, barge freight, and rail freight transactions. Trade Rules training courses and seminars are offered. Rules booklets and publications may be ordered. The arbitration system has been formally established since 1901, with use compulsory for Active members.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit trade association that provides advocacy, standardized trade rules, and a compulsory arbitration system to approximately 700 member companies across the U.S. grain, feed, processing, and export value chain. It delivers member services including policy advocacy in Washington D.C., safety training resources, leadership development (Committee Apprentice Program), industry events and conferences, and educational courses on trade rules and FSMA compliance.

Product overview

The National Feed and Grain Association (NGFA) is a trade association, not a technology product company. NGFA operates as a single, unified membership organization offering advocacy, arbitration, and trade rules services to approximately 700 member companies in the grain and feed industry. The core offerings include: Advocacy Services (representing members on Capitol Hill and federal agencies on trade, transportation, farm bill, and feed policy), the Arbitration System (established 1901 for dispute resolution in grain/feed/barge transactions), and Trade Rules (five sets of rules facilitating grain and feed product transactions). Supporting services include the Committee Apprentice Program (leadership development), the National Grain and Feed Foundation (research and education initiatives), Safety Training and Resources (including Harvest Safety Week and regional seminars), Trade Rules Training courses, and FSMA compliance tools. NGFA is fundamentally a membership-based trade association structured around advocacy, not a platform or software product.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Advocacy Services Represents NGFA's voice on Capitol Hill and before federal agencies (USDA, FDA, STB, EPA, OSHA, FGIS, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers), championing policies on trade, transportation, farm bill, USGSA reauthorization, and the Innovative FEED Act for grain and feed industry members.
• Arbitration System A formal arbitration system, established in 1901, providing a fair, cost-effective, and timely way to resolve disputes involving grain, feed, barge, barge freight, and rail freight transactions. Use is compulsory for Active members under NGFA's Bylaws.
• NGFA Trade Rules Five standardized sets of trade rules (Grain Trade Rules, Feed Trade Rules, Barge Trade Rules, Barge Freight Trade Rules, and Secondary Rail Freight Trade Rules) that facilitate purchase and sale of grain and feed products and provide a foundation for dispute resolution.
• Committee Apprentice Program (CAP) A two-year leadership development program cultivating future industry leaders. CAP Year #1 targets professionals with 5-10 years of experience and includes a DC Experience; CAP Year #2 offers advanced leadership development with a 12-month Leadership Transformation Program facilitated by People Spark Consulting and $2,500 scholarships from the Foundation.
• National Grain and Feed Foundation (NGFF) The 501(c)(3) charitable arm of NGFA supporting education, safety research, and industry advancement initiatives, including scholarships, safety training modules, FSMA compliance tools, and partnerships with universities such as Purdue and the University of Minnesota.
• Safety Training and Resources Safety programs including Harvest Safety Week (premier annual safety project), more than 60 regional safety seminars conducted locally and regionally, safety training modules (Slips/Trips/Falls, Lockout/Tagout), and grain handling facility safety guidance.
• Trade Rules Training Courses Educational courses including the Grain Trade Rules Course and Trade Rules Seminar providing practical guidance on understanding NGFA Trade Rules, contracting principles, and trading practices for grain, feed, barge, barge freight, and rail freight transactions.
• Events and Conferences NGFA hosts industry events including the Annual Convention, the Commercial e-Bulletin Board (CEC), the Summer Legislative Fly-In in Washington D.C., and the Foundation's annual golf tournament, facilitating networking, education, and governance meetings for grain and feed industry professionals.
• FSMA Hazard-Assessment Tool An online Scientific Literature Database Tool developed with the University of Minnesota's Center for Food Safety and Animal Health that helps NGFA members comply with the FDA's Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) animal food rule.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1.16 million U.S. jobs and more than $400 billion in economic impact attributed to the grain and feed industry NGFA represents.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

35 partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Alabama Feed and Grain Association (OABA)minorOthersState affiliate association for Alabama. NGFA partners with 24 state and regional associations covering 10,000+ grain and feed companies nationwide.
• Agribusiness Association of IowaminorOthersIowa state affiliate. NGFA partners with 24 state and regional associations covering 10,000+ grain and feed companies nationwide.
• Arkansas Drier and Warehouseman's AssociationminorOthersArkansas state affiliate. NGFA partners with 24 state and regional associations covering 10,000+ grain and feed companies nationwide.
• Colorado Grain and Feed Association (CGFA)minorOthersColorado state affiliate. NGFA partners with 24 state and regional associations covering 10,000+ grain and feed companies nationwide.
• Georgia Feed and Grain AssociationminorOthersGeorgia state affiliate. NGFA partners with 24 state and regional associations covering 10,000+ grain and feed companies nationwide.
• Grain Elevator and Processing Society (GEAPS)minorOthersProfessional association affiliate. NGFA partners with 24 state and regional associations covering 10,000+ grain and feed companies nationwide.
• Grain and Feed Association of IllinoisminorOthersIllinois state affiliate. NGFA partners with 24 state and regional associations covering 10,000+ grain and feed companies nationwide.
• Indiana Agribusiness CouncilminorOthersIndiana state affiliate. NGFA partners with 24 state and regional associations covering 10,000+ grain and feed companies nationwide.
• Kansas Grain and Feed AssociationminorOthersKansas state affiliate. NGFA partners with 24 state and regional associations covering 10,000+ grain and feed companies nationwide.
• Michigan Agri-Business AssociationminorOthersMichigan state affiliate. NGFA partners with 24 state and regional associations covering 10,000+ grain and feed companies nationwide.
• Mid-South Grain AssociationminorOthersMid-South regional affiliate. NGFA partners with 24 state and regional associations covering 10,000+ grain and feed companies nationwide.
• Minnesota Grain and Feed Association (MGFA)minorOthersMinnesota state affiliate. NGFA partners with 24 state and regional associations covering 10,000+ grain and feed companies nationwide.
• Missouri Agribusiness AssociationminorOthersMissouri state affiliate. NGFA partners with 24 state and regional associations covering 10,000+ grain and feed companies nationwide.
• Montana Grain and Feed AssociationminorOthersMontana state affiliate. NGFA partners with 24 state and regional associations covering 10,000+ grain and feed companies nationwide.
• Nebraska Dry Bean Growers Association / North Dakota Grain Dealers AssociationminorOthersNebraska/North Dakota state affiliates. NGFA partners with 24 state and regional associations covering 10,000+ grain and feed companies nationwide.
• Northeast Agricultural AllianceminorOthersNortheast regional affiliate. NGFA partners with 24 state and regional associations covering 10,000+ grain and feed companies nationwide.
• Oklahoma Agribusiness AssociationminorOthersOklahoma state affiliate. NGFA partners with 24 state and regional associations covering 10,000+ grain and feed companies nationwide.
• Ontario Agri-Business Association (OABA)minorOthersOntario, Canada affiliate. NGFA partners with 24 state and regional associations covering 10,000+ grain and feed companies nationwide.
• Pacific Northwest Grain and Feed Association (PNWGFA)minorOthersPacific Northwest regional affiliate. NGFA partners with 24 state and regional associations covering 10,000+ grain and feed companies nationwide.
• Rocky Mountain Agribusiness AssociationminorOthersRocky Mountain regional affiliate. NGFA partners with 24 state and regional associations covering 10,000+ grain and feed companies nationwide.
• South Dakota Agri-Business AssociationminorOthersSouth Dakota state affiliate. NGFA partners with 24 state and regional associations covering 10,000+ grain and feed companies nationwide.
• Southeastern Grain and Feed AssociationminorOthersSoutheastern regional affiliate. NGFA partners with 24 state and regional associations covering 10,000+ grain and feed companies nationwide.
• Tennessee Grain and Feed AssociationminorOthersTennessee state affiliate. NGFA partners with 24 state and regional associations covering 10,000+ grain and feed companies nationwide.
• Western Agribusiness AssociationminorOthersWestern regional affiliate. NGFA partners with 24 state and regional associations covering 10,000+ grain and feed companies nationwide.
• Waterways Council, Inc. (WCI)minorOthersNGFF provides $25,000 annually to WCI to support an ongoing educational campaign highlighting the importance of waterways transportation to agricultural producers and agribusinesses. WCI secured legislative successes like the 2024 Water Resources Development Act's cost-share change.
• Pacific Northwest Waterways Association (PNWA)minorOthersNGFF supports PNWA's public education campaign promoting the Snake River system through media campaigns. PNWA is a partner in the Foundation's waterways education efforts.
• Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS)minorOthersNGFF has offered three $5,000 scholarships for up to two years to exceptional undergraduate and graduate student members of MANRRS since 2022, promoting careers in the grain and feed industry. Students receive networking and mentorship opportunities through complimentary NGFA Annual Convention and Summer Legislative Fly-In attendance.
• National Pork BoardminorOthersNGFF donated $60,000 to the National Pork Board, which was used to pursue Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV) research that infected swine herds in the United States.
• People Spark ConsultingminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerNGFA's CAP Year #2 program includes a 12-month Leadership Transformation Program facilitated by People Spark Consulting. The Foundation provides $2,500 scholarships to cover the People Spark Leadership training for all CAP Year #2 participants.
• U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)minorOthersNGFA represents members' interests with USDA on official grain inspection and weighing issues, grain grading practices, agricultural biotechnology, and crop technology matters. NGFA also works with USDA's Agricultural Trade Advisory Committee.
• Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS)minorOthersNGFA's Grain Grades and Weights Committee serves as the principal liaison to USDA's Federal Grain Inspection Service on official grain inspection and weighing issues to facilitate orderly marketing.
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)minorOthersNGFA engages with the FDA on feed safety, model feed laws, labeling, ingredient definitions, and other feed regulatory issues through its Feed Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Subcommittee.
• Surface Transportation Board (STB)minorOthersNGFA's Rail Shipper-Receiver Subcommittee interacts with the federal Surface Transportation Board on rail policy and service issues, and CAP Year #1 participants visit STB during the DC Experience.
• U.S. Army Corps of EngineersminorOthersNGFA's Waterborne Subcommittee serves as a liaison with Congress and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on advocating for improvements to U.S. inland waterways and ports.
• Agricultural Transportation Working GroupminorOthersNGFA coordinates the Agricultural Transportation Working Group, comprised of about 30 national producer and commodity groups and agribusiness organizations, to coordinate on rail, truck, barge, and vessel transportation matters.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• American Farm Bureau Federation: The largest U.S. general agricultural trade association, representing farmers and ranchers across all commodities. Directly comparable to NGFA as a membership-based advocacy organization for U.S. agriculture, though broader in scope (all of agriculture vs. NGFA's grain/feed focus).

Direct peers

• American Feed Industry Association (AFIA): The leading U.S. trade association for the animal feed and pet food manufacturing industry. Directly comparable to NGFA's feed-side membership, providing advocacy, safety, and regulatory services to feed manufacturers — overlapping with NGFA's Active feed mill members.
• U.S. Grains Council: A non-profit trade association that develops export markets for U.S. grains and ethanol. Directly comparable to NGFA on the grain export/market development side, with overlapping membership among U.S. grain exporters and merchandisers.
• National Corn Growers Association: Commodity-specific trade association representing U.S. corn growers. Directly comparable to NGFA in its grain-focused advocacy and market development mission, though representing producers rather than the elevator/merchant side of the value chain.
• North American Export Grain Association: A trade association of U.S. and Canadian grain exporters focused on international grain trade policy. Directly comparable to NGFA on the export segment, with overlapping exporter members (e.g., United Grain Corporation's CEO serves on both organizations' boards).
• Grain Elevator and Processing Society (GEAPS): An international professional association for grain handling and processing professionals. Directly comparable to NGFA on the grain operations side, providing training, safety, and networking — explicitly listed as an NGFA state/regional affiliate partner.
• National Association of Wheat Growers: Commodity-specific trade association for U.S. wheat producers. Comparable to NGFA's grain-focused advocacy role, though representing wheat growers rather than the broader grain handling/feed industry.
• American Soybean Association: Commodity-specific trade association for U.S. soybean farmers. Comparable in grain commodity advocacy role to NGFA, with overlapping coverage of the soybean value chain that flows through NGFA member elevators and exporters.

Others

• National Grain and Feed Digital Solutions (NGFDS): NGFA's affiliated 501(c)(6) organization that administers the Barge Digital Transformation (BDT) trading platform. Ecosystem/affiliated entity rather than a true peer, but highly relevant as NGFA's digital trade infrastructure arm.
• Waterways Council, Inc. (WCI): A national public-policy organization advocating for U.S. inland waterways infrastructure. An ecosystem partner receiving $25,000/year from NGFF for joint public education — comparable as an adjacent agricultural transportation advocacy organization.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NGFA
• YouTubevimeo.com/grainandfeed
• Facebookfacebook.com/nationalgrainandfeedassociation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-grain-and-feed-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about National Feed and Grain Association