NCGA Corn Action News: Friday, October 2, 2009

As South Dakota corn grower Darrin Ihnen assumes the National Corn Growers Association presidency, he looks forward to both continuing successful initiatives from last year and engaging growers further.

"Farmers are entering what is predicted to be a near-record harvest with record yields despite a very wet spring," said Ihnen. "We need to continue our efforts to inform both the government and the public of how corn growers are increasing yields and decreasing inputs and land used. What we are doing as an industry is truly remarkable."

Ihnen and his wife, Becky, farm corn, soybeans and wheat in Hurley, S.D. They also have a hog finishing operation and a cow/calf operation. He attended South Dakota State University where he studied agribusiness.

Ihnen has a strong record of service to his fellow farmers. In addition to his service as the vice president of the NCGA Corn Board in 2009, he also served NCGA as a member of the Public Policy Action Team, Biotech Working Group and as the Corn Board liaison to the Ethanol Committee and the U.S. Meat Export Federation. Ihnen is also a current member of the Sweetener Coalition, the board of directors for an ethanol and the South Dakota Corn Utilization board of directors. He is also a former member of the South Dakota Corn Growers Association.

Ihnen's distinguished and tireless service influences his goals for this year. "Participation benefits both the growers themselves and the industry as a whole. Grower participation is vital to us as a grassroots organization." He went on to note that he feels the trend toward grower engagement has already begun - as evidenced by record membership levels in 2009.

Click here for a radio interview with Darrin Ihnen.

Past President Looks Back on Eventful Year

NCGA Chairman Bob Dickey

As NCGA wrapped up its 2009 fiscal year, outgoing NCGA President Bob Dickey recently reflected on a successful year in which leadership addressed many vital issues, setting the stage for further policy successes.

"Since October 2008, we have seen huge shifts in the political and social landscapes," said Dickey, a grower from Laurel, Neb. "Together, our board worked tirelessly to ensure that future generations of growers would benefit from intelligent public policy decisions."

Today, business success and profitability for producers hinges on the attitudes and actions of our elected officials. Recognizing this, NCGA board and staff worked together to build and maintain relationships during the administration change.

In 2009, corn farmers promoted energy independence and economic growth in rural America by supporting efforts to increase ethanol blends. NCGA called on members to flood the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with comments supporting higher ethanol blends in gasoline. Thousands answered and showed the agency the importance of this initiative to both farmers and the country.

"As corn farmers, we are better equipped than many groups when making our case to the government and the public," Dickey said. "The truth is on our side. The more that people understand how modern producers grow more corn with less land, pesticides and fertilizers, the more that they support us."

Click here for a radio interview with Bob Dickey.

NCGA Signs Taiwan Trade Agreement

The National Corn Growers Association signed a joint agreement with members of the 2009 Taiwan Agricultural Trade Goodwill Mission Friday afternoon that commits the buyers to a nearly 400 million bushel purchase of U.S. corn over two years. The agreement, signed by NCGA Corn Board member Mike Geske, represents a renewal of Taiwan's commitment to U.S. corn growers.

For the official signing ceremony, representatives from NCGA, Taiwanese industry, Missouri government and other commodity groups met with Missouri Governor Jay Nixon at his Jefferson City office. There, Geske expressed gratitude to the team for their loyalty on behalf of NCGA's more-than 36,000 members. Following a brief round of speeches, he signed the official communiqu�. This annual event helps both parties renew the relationships that facilitate trade.

"Meeting with the Taiwanese is vital to ensuring continued goodwill," Geske, a past president of the Missouri Corn Growers Association, said. "Due to our historic relationship, the Taiwanese purchase U.S. corn even when it proves more expensive. By expressing our gratitude to the buyers and the government, who has lowered tariffs, we solidify our commitment to their region."

New Action Teams, Committees Named

The NCGA Corn Board this week announced the members and leaders of the organization's action teams, committees and working groups for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1.

"We are incredibly lucky to have so many committed volunteers who want to lead our organization and their industry," said Darrin Ihnen, who becomes NCGA president on Thursday. "Our grower-leaders are the foundation for our successful grassroots efforts. Through their dedication, hard-work and insight, we will together affect positive change and create a brighter future."

Click here for a list of current team and committee members.

Video Demonstrates Grower Sustainability

A new NCGA video on the subject of increasing sustainability in agriculture will make its television debut Oct. 3 on the program This Week in Agribusiness. The short video features family farmers telling the story of how better management and modern technology spells good news for both consumers and the environment.

"The only thing as important as growing a crop and getting a fair price is doing so in a way that is socially responsible and assures opportunities for the next generation of farmers and consumers," said NCGA President Darrin Ihnen. "Sustainability isn't some buzz word or novelty for a corn grower. We are living this every day and trying to do a better job with each crop we grow."

This Week in Agribusiness will air the video on Direct TV Channel 345 (RFD-TV) and Dish Network Channel 231 (RFD-TV) at 7 a.m. CDT Saturday, Oct. 3; 5 a.m. and 8 p.m. CDT Sunday, Oct. 4; and 8 a.m. CDT Monday, Oct. 5. It also airs on 20 TV stations in the Midwest and Great Plains regions. Click here for details on the program.