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Corn Growers Urge EPA to Allow Higher Ethanol Blend in Gasoline
 April 22: The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) submitted comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today, urging the agency to grant the recent waiver application that would allow for an increase of ethanol blends of up to 15 percent.
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ND Grower Testifies on Importance of Federal Crop Insurance Program
 April 22: National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) Public Policy Action Team Vice Chairman Mike Clemens testified before the House Agriculture Subcommittee on General Commodities and Risk Management, emphasizing the importance of the federal crop insurance program to the viability of corn growers' farm operations.
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The Week Ahead ...
April 27-29: The National Association of Farm Broadcasting will hold its Washington Watch conference in our nation's capital and NCGA First Vice President Darrin Ihnen and NCGA policy staff will take part in policy interviews with members of the agriculture media.
April 28: NCGA President Bob Dickey will chair a discussion group at the Farm Foundation's Agricultural Research & Productivity for the Future conference at the National Press Club in Washington.
April 29: NCGA Past President Fred Yoder will testify at a congressional hearing on "Climate Change Solutions for Small Businesses and Family Farmers" in Washington. The hearing will examine the role of small businesses in addressing climate change and examine policy solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while creating opportunities for entrepreneurs.
April 30: The U.S. Department of Agriculture releases its historical track record reports for grain stocks and crop production.
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NCGA: California Fuel Decision Harmful to Growers, Economy
April 24: The California Air Resources Board's approval Thursday of regulations to implement a new Low Carbon Fuel Standard is bad news for farmers and the national economy, ignoring expert scientific testimony and modern agriculture trends, National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President Bob Dickey said.
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NCGA Sponsors Ag Innovation Showcase
April 23: The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is sponsoring the 2009 Ag Innovation Showcase, to be held May 18-19 at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center's Bio Research and Development Growth Park in St. Louis. NCGA members can receive a 30 percent discount when registering by entering coupon code CMAG09. For more information or to register, visit www.agshowcase.com.
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Weather Slows or Delays Corn Planting
in Many States
April 21: While wet weather has kept corn planting progress well below the five-year average, farmers now have a higher percentage of acres planted than at the same time last year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported Monday. An April 19 survey shows that five percent of corn acres have been planted, compared to 4 percent in 2008 and an average of 14 percent over the years 2004-2008 .
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Farmer-Leaders Attend Farm Storage Facility Loan Program Meeting
April 21: National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) Corn Board Member Bart Schott, and Public Policy Action Team Member Anthony Bush and others attended the Farm Service Agency's (FSA) public meetings last week on the Farm Storage Facility Loan Program, to urge expedited implementation of the program.
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NCGA Comments on Flaws in California's Proposed Low Carbon Fuel Standard
April 20: In formal comments submitted to the California Air Resources Board, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) pointed out significant flaws in the organization's proposed low carbon fuel standard that can severely harm the domestic biofuels industry and increase reliance on foreign oil.
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