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NCGA urges farmers and all interested parties to contact the EPA by July 20 to support an increase in the allowable ethanol blend for gasoline.
This is crucial for the corn ethanol industry and to support energy security and a vibrant rural economy.
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About Us
Founded in 1957, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) represents approximately 35,000 dues-paying corn growers and the interests of more than 300,000 farmers who contribute through corn checkoff programs in their states. NCGA and its 48 affiliated state associations and checkoff organizations work together to help protect and advance corn growers' interests.
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NCGA Stresses Ag's Environmental Role
National Corn Growers Association Past President Fred Yoder testified Thursday evening before the House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture regarding climate change legislation currently being considered by Congress.
Yoder emphasized the important role agriculture can play in reducing green house gas emissions. "In the near term, greenhouse gas reductions from livestock and agricultural conservation practices are the easiest and most readily available means of reducing greenhouse gas on a meaningful scale," Yoder said.
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Steve Ruh, right, testifies on the Renewable Fuel Standard.
NCGA Testifies on Proposed RFS Rules
NCGA Ethanol Committee Chairman Steve Ruh this week delivered testimony during the Environmental Protection Agency's public hearing on the proposed rulemaking concerning the Renewable Fuel Standard program.
"We feel strongly that we should continue to work together to build a stronger, greener economy," Ruh said. "However, NCGA continues to have serious concerns regarding several assumptions in the proposed rule and the potential impacts these could have on corn growers and the ethanol industry. It is imperative that we recognize the significant role of the ethanol industry in promoting energy independence.
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Fred Yoder, an NCGA past president, makes a point during a Capitol Hill briefing for congressional staff.
Farmers, Lawmakers Boost Corn in Capitol
Corn farmers and two veteran corn-state congressmen asked the federal Environmental Protection Agency to reconsider new rules on ethanol in light of the phenomenal productivity and declining environmental impact of America's largest crop. Reps. Leonard Boswell (D-Iowa) and John Shimkus (R-Ill.) said farmers don't get enough credit for growing more corn every year on the same amount of land with less energy and fewer resources.
The congressmen spoke at a Capitol briefing sponsored by the Corn Farmers Coalition, an alliance of national and state corn-grower groups that includes NCGA.
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Bart Schott Elected Next NCGA First VP
 The NCGA Corn Board has elected Bart Schott of Kulm, N.D., to the position of first vice president for the 2010 fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1. Schott and his family are third- and fourth-generation farmers raising no-till corn, soybeans and wheat. He also runs a seed business.
"I am honored and humbled to be selected by my fellow board members to serve as the next first vice president of NCGA," said Schott. "We live in dynamic times and I'm excited to be a part of the change that can bring both opportunities and challenges for corn farmers and our customers in producing food, feed and fuel for our nation and the world."
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NCGA Land Use Conference, Aug. 25-26
NCGA will hold a conference on land use and climate impacts of corn-based ethanol. Scheduled for Aug. 25-26 in St. Louis, it will provide sessions on such topics as land use change, nitrous oxide, new technologies and their effect on greenhouse gas emissions, domestic and international yields, satellite data and land conversion greenhouse gas emission factors, defining renewable biomass and distillers grains.
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USDA Slightly Decreases Crop Projection
In its monthly projection of field corn supply and demand, the U.S. Department of Agriculture provided revised production projections due to weather issues in several corn production states. Corn production for 2009 is projected at 11.9 billion bushels, down 155 million from last month's projection yet still the third-largest on record. The national average yield is projected at 153.4 bushels per acre, 2 bushels lower because of continued planting delays through late May that reduced yield prospects, especially for the eastern Corn Belt.
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Webinar to Offer ACRE Answers
Does it make sense to enroll your farm in the Average Crop Revenue Election program for 2009? If you have more questions than answers, mark your calendar for a free "Ask the Experts" webinar session, 8-9 a.m. CDT Wednesday, July 1. The session is open to the public and is especially recommended for farmers, landlords and Farm Service Agency personnel looking to get added insight into the new farm safety net program.
The DTN Webinar, cosponsored by NCGA, the American Soybean Association and the National Association of Wheat Growers, will feature Dr. Carl Zulauf, Ohio State University ag economist and one of the architects of ACRE. NCGA was one of two farm organizations who spearheaded the drive for the innovative farm bill program.
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Meet Don Glenn, Board Candidate
 Seventh in a series of profiles of candidates for the NCGA Corn Board. The election will be held at July's Corn Congress in Washington.
Don Glenn, of Hillsboro, Ala., is a board member and former president of the Alabama Soybean and Corn Association, a board member of Alabama Soybean Producers, a member of the NCGA Production and Stewardship Action Team, and a former member of the NCGA Ethanol Committee.
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