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Friday, March 26, 2010
Support Efforts to Extend Ethanol Tax Credit
 
Following yesterday's introduction of legislation by Reps. Shimkus and Pomeroy to extend the ethanol tax credit, NCGA urges members and backers to voice their support.  Growers and their allies can contact their Congress members to explain why H.R. 4940 is crucial to the ag industry by utlizing NCGA's letter assistance resource for VEETC legislation, click here.
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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Reps. Pomeroy, Shimkus Introduce Legislation to Extend the Ethanol Tax Credit
 

VEETC Announcement

From left to right: RFA President Bob Dinneen, Congressman John Shimkus (R-Ill.), NCGA President Darrin Ihnen, Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis, Congressman Earl Pomeroy (D- N.D.)
 

Reps. Earl Pomeroy (D-N.D.) and John Shimkus (R-Ill.) introduced H.R. 4940, The Renewable Fuels Reinvestment Act. Among other items, the legislation would extend until 2015 the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit, which is currently set to expire at the end of 2010. The National Corn Growers Association thanks them for listening to the concerns of growers and for their support of the ethanol industry.

"NCGA applauds the work Congressmen Pomeroy and Shimkus have done to introduce The Renewable Fuels Reinvestment Act," said NCGA President Darrin Ihnen, a grower from Hurley, S.D. "The extension of VEETC would contribute to energy independence, create and secure thousands of jobs in rural America and allow for a stronger agriculture sector. This issue is a top priority for our organization and recently our members have sent hundreds of letters and made countless phone calls to Capitol Hill urging Members of Congress to support a multi-year extension of VEETC."

Specifically, H.R. 4940 would extend the $0.45 per gallon tax credit available to oil and gasoline refiners for each gallon of ethanol they blend through 2015. The legislation would also extend the Small Producers Tax Credit until Jan. 1, 2016, which is available on the first 15 million gallons of ethanol produced by ethanol companies producing no more than 60 million gallons per year.

For the whole story, click here.

Exploring the Future of Sustainability

The National Corn Growers Association participated in a workshop and plenary meeting this week in Washington of the Field to Market Keystone Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture. The meetings addressed a wide variety of sustainability issues, such as maintaining a proactive approach and updating data that affect growers in their own operations.

"The sustainability movement is rapidly gaining momentum," said NCGA Corn Board member Mike Geske of Missouri, who attended the meeting with CEO Rick Tolman and Director of Public Policy Rod Snyder. "By participating in Field to Market, NCGA helps growers find ways to show how modern farming practices are truly sustainable. It is crucial that we take part in this conversation because if we as growers do not participate anti-agriculture forces will define the parameters of sustainability for us."

During the Ecosystems Workshop, which was held at the American Farm Bureau Federation's headquarters, participants from environmental groups, agricultural associations and government entities discussed the emerging ecosystems services industry. As interaction between the public and land owners over environmental practices increases, growers have a unique opportunity to shape the future of this interaction. By finding situations where public environmental concerns and private farming practices intersect, growers may be able to develop a future source of supplemental income through positively affecting air and water quality and decreasing greenhouse gases.

For the whole story, click here.
 

Secretary of Ag Seeks Out Grower Opinions

Click here for related audioNational Corn Growers Association President Darrin Ihnen and other ag industry leaders met with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson today. The meeting, instigated by Vilsack, opened a dialogue between the administration and grower leaders allowing agricultural interests direct access to those who regulate their industry.

Ihnen characterized this meeting as both a rare opportunity and a clear sign that high ranking federal officials are interesting in learning about growers' concerns. He went on to explain that these newly opened lines of communication can directly affect policies that impact growers on their own farms.

"Agricultural leadership was in front of two cabinet level positions at the same time," said Ihnen. "That shows some seriousness from their end and that they do want to hear from and better understand agriculture."

For the whole story, click here.
 
Investigate the Future of Wet and Dry Milling
 

With the 2010 Corn Utilization and Technology Conference quickly approaching, the time to register is now. Over the coming weeks, chairs heading the 10 technical sessions will explain what attendees can expect to learn from their sessions during the conference. This week, Charles Abbas, chair of the Advances in Processing Technologies for Wet and Dry Milling Technical Session, talks about the learning opportunities that his session will offer.

Designed to provide a look at unique applications to the milling process and a vision of the future, the session will include a review of the wet and dry milling operations with new data on improved fractionation processes for dry mills, such as corn oil extraction. It will also include a visionary discussion of the future of the hybridization of wet and dry mills into an integrated biorefinery.

For the whole story, click here.
 
Advice for Industry from Ag Media
 

Off the Cob LogoWith mainstream media attacks on the rise, the role of agricultural media becomes increasingly important to the farming community. Serving as unbiased reporters or editorial advocates, ag reporters provide a counterbalance to the misinformation and half-truths common in documentaries, news stories and on television.

During Commodity Classic, "Off the Cob" caught up with Cindy Young, a reporter for Brownfield based in Jefferson City, Mo. A longtime journalist and grower, Cindy offered her perspective on the role of ag journalists today and her advice on what the ag industry must do to ensure the public hears their story.

To hear the whole story, just click on the "Off the Cob" logo.
 
Promoting Growers and Industry Collaboration
 

Agri-Industry CouncilThe Agri-Industry Council (AIC) of the National Corn Growers Association held one of its twice-yearly meetings last week in Washington, where grower leaders and industry representatives discussed key issues impacting corn and U.S. agriculture overall.

"The council is a perfect forum for sharing ideas, learning from others and focusing on ways to work together," said NCGA Chairman Bob Dickey, AIC co-chairman and a corn grower from Nebraska. "Our annual Washington meeting, which traditionally addresses ag policy, always provides a stellar opportunity to hear from insightful speakers and collectively determine ways to more effectively work with our national legislators for a stronger corn industry."

For the whole story, click here.
 Meet the Candidates
Advocating Constructive Engagement
 

Lynn ChrispA strong believer in constructive engagement and advocate of grower activism, Lynn Chrisp wishes to bring his dedication and experience to the National Corn Growers Association Corn Board.  Chrisp, who has been involved with farm organizations since the mid 1980s, previously chaired NCGA's National Corn Yield Contest and served for eight years on the Public Policy Action Team.

While on the Public Policy Action Team, Chrisp helped guide NCGA through two farm bills, the approval of the ACRE program and through a close look at crop insurance reform.  He sees this experience as proving the perspective, knowledge and skill set necessary to effectively function as a Corn Board member.

Additionally, Chrisp currently serves as the vice chair of the Southern Public Powers Board of Directors.  In this role, he deals with myriad of issues faced by a publicly owned power provider.  Often, these issues also affect corn growers, such as climate change and cap-and-trade
legislation.  Chrisp feels that this position provides him with a unique perspective on pressing issues that could benefit the Corn Board.
 
Click here for more about Lynn Chrisp.
 WWW.CORNCOMMENTARY.COM
This Week's NCGA Blog Highlights
 
While the Kill Bill Trans Am promotes ethanol...the Beatles talk fibs, faux pas and science...a New York senator needs a lesson on corn ethanol...which he could get by reading this article...and Michigan hosts a meat-in...
 
Click here for more.

 A Look Ahead
March 28 through April 2
 
Sunday, March 28 through Wednesday, March 31, the Production and Stewardship Action Team meets in Williamsburg, Va.
 
March 28 thorough March 31, the Public Policy Action Team Meets in Washington, D.C.
 
Monday, March 29 through Thursday, April 1, the Research and Business Development Action Team meets in Indianapolis, Ind.
 
March 31, the USDA releases its annual Prospective Planting Estimate.