NCGA Corn Action News: Friday, September 11, 2009

USDA: Record Corn Yield

Record high yields are on course to set another corn supply record, the National Corn Growers Association said today, commenting on new reports from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that even further increased their estimate of corn production and yield in the 2009 crop. If realized, this will be the highest yield on record and corn production will be the second largest, behind 2007.

"We are proud of our growers' accomplishments this year. The new USDA estimates excite us as they reflect not only record growth but also the hard work that we as growers put into our fields," said NCGA President Bob Dickey, a grower in Laurel, Neb. "While this is a great accomplishment by our farmers, it also benefits American consumers as it forecasts an abundant supply of this staple crop."

Corn production is forecast at 13 billion bushels, up 2 percent from last month and 7 percent higher than 2008. Based on conditions as of Sept. 1, yields are expected to average 161.9 bushels per acre, up 2.4 bushels from August and 8.0 bushels above last year. Although production is slightly behind 2007's record, that year saw 6.5 million more acres harvested at a lower average yield.

USDA projections of area planted and harvested remained stable from August. More importantly, it raised projected yield from 159.5 bushels per acre up to 161.9 bushels per acre. This would indicate a record yield. Previously, the highest average yield was recorded in 2004 at 160.4 bushels per acre. Projected corn production increased slightly from 12.761 billion bushels to 12.954 billion bushels. The largest corn crop was harvested in 2007, at 13.038 billion bushels. Total corn supply estimates for the 2009 marketing year increased again to predict an even high record at 14,660 billion bushels, a 164 million bushel increase over August as lower carryin and imports partly offset the higher production forecast.

Additionally, the USDA revised estimates for corn demand. Corn use is projected at a record 13.0 billion bushels, up 150 million bushels from last month and 980 million bushels higher than in the 2008 marketing year. Feed and residual increased by 50 million bushels on higher expected production. Exports are projected to be 2.2 billion bushels, 100 million bushels higher, with higher projected imports for Canada and lower production in South America. Ending stocks are projected 14 million bushels higher.

The average farm price is projected at $3.35 per bushel, down 15 cents from the August report.

NCGA Membership Reaches New Height

With rolls listing 36,378 growers at the end of August, NCGA now enjoys record membership. The previous record of 35,046 was set in September 2008.

"We are excited to see that, even in the current economic climate, growers want to personally support our activities," said NCGA President Bob Dickey. "Increased grower involvement demonstrates the value members believe NCGA staff in St. Louis and Washington and the dozens of corn growers who lead the organization provide our industry."

NCGA membership offers many benefits, including leadership opportunities, academic scholarships and discounts. Members play an active role in organizational leadership by shaping the direction of activities and influencing public policy that affects all farmers. Through the Academic Excellence in Agriculture Scholarship program for ag college students, NCGA fosters tomorrow's leadership. Additionally, membership provides valuable discounts with companies such as Dell, Cabela's, Ford and Enterprise.

Also this year, a record number of growers entered the National Corn Yield Contest, which requires NCGA membership. An initial count indicates submission of approximately 6,900 entries, nearly 200 above last year's number.

In addition to representing individual members, NCGA works as a federation of the many state-level grower associations and checkoff boards. More than 300,000 growers contribute to state and national organizations through corn checkoff funds in their states.

"NCGA shapes the markets, policy and the image of corn and the American farmer to foster the growth of agricultural in the U.S." Dickey said. "Membership serves an essential function in this, and all, grassroots organizations. We are excited to see that so many people want to join our movement."

Grower Testifies on Climate Change

The Senate Agriculture Committee continued its discussions on climate change today with a hearing entitled "Carbon Markets and Producer Groups" and NCGA Past President Fred Yoder testified on behalf of corn farmers. The Senate Agriculture Committee began its series of climate change hearings in July following House passage of the American Clean Energy and Security Act.

Yoder testified on the importance of a properly structured agricultural offsets market under the jurisdiction of the USDA and urged the Senate to include such language in their version of the climate bill. He also stressed the significance of agriculture being exempted from a greenhouse gas emissions cap while also creating economic opportunities for producers to sell carbon credits.

One of the major areas of concern raised by Yoder during the hearing was that the House language that would penalize early actors who commenced no-till or other conservation practices earlier than 2001 and would be prohibited from participating in a carbon market.

"We are pleased that the Senate Agriculture Committee is actively involved in the climate change negotiations in Congress. Agriculture should be considered a significant part of the broader solution as we evaluate ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions," Yoder said in his prepared remarks. "Our nation's corn growers should have the opportunity to make significant contributions under a market based cap and trade system through sequestering carbon on agriculture lands."

Yoder also took the opportunity to urge members of the committee to block the EPA from considering indirect land use change when calculating carbon impacts from corn-based ethanol.

"NCGA disputes recent data that would suggest a direct correlation between domestic ethanol production and international deforestation," Yoder said. "The language in the House bill is a step in the right direction towards sound science and a more rational life cycle analysis. We would urge the Senate to include the same provision in its version of the climate bill."

NCGA Adds Two for Communications

Dixson and Powers

The National Corn Growers Association has added two new managers, each with agriculture marketing experience, to fill vacant positions on its award-winning communications team as it works to promote the image of corn farmers and the importance of U.S. corn and corn products.

Pictured are Cathryn Wojcicki Dixson, left, and Susan Powers.

Susan Powers joins the organization as a communications manager for events and other marketing communications initiatives, bringing with her two decades of experience in a broad range of corporate, association and agriculture communications. Cathryn Wojcicki Dixson starts with NCGA as a communications manager for editorial, managing NCGA's editorial calendar and major publications, as well as other assignments.

Previously, Powers has served as an account executive at Rose Design, where she has worked on events and other marketing projects for various ag clients. She has worked as the agency lead for Monsanto trade show communications at both Commodity Classic and the Farm Progress Show, two events that are a top priority for NCGA. Powers also has worked at Monsanto directly in a number of roles, as well as at Osborn & Barr Communications and the American Soybean Association. She holds a master's degree in political science from New York University and a bachelor's degree in politics from St. Mary's College, Notre Dame.

Most recently, Dixson was a communications associate at the U.S. Soybean Export Council, where she managed various writing projects, worked with the news media and represented the organization at industry events. She also worked as an account executive at Musen & Steinbach, a St. Louis-based marketing communications company. Dixson holds a master's degree in media communications from Webster University.

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