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Write Your Local Paper About Importance of Farming
We're inviting you to send a letter to the editor of your local newspaper and other local media outlets, stressing the importance of modern farming to not just feed the world, but clear the air, based on a new Stanford University study. This study states that, if not for increased yields, additional greenhouse gas emissions from clearing land for farming would have been equal to as much as a third of the world's total output of greenhouse gases since the dawn of the Industrial Revolution in 1850.
Click here to send a letter to the editor. |
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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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Telling the Story of a Modern Ag Marvel
 Those with an interest in knowing more about America's family farmers and the positive contribution they make to the nation's economy won't want to miss the 2010 edition of the Corn Farmers Coalition's Corn Fact Book.
The educational publication, funded by corn checkoff programs in 14 different states, has been widely distributed in Washington as a part of a large advertising campaign that has included, print, radio, online and large scale outdoor messages. It is now available to the general public.
"This publication is full of interesting facts on the technology and innovation that allow us to grow corn for food, feed, and fuel but it also tells the story of who grows corn today," said Keith Hora, a Washington, Iowa farmer featured in the Corn Fact Book. "It also explains how farmers in the US have become the most productive in the world, and the economic benefits farmers and the general public receive as a result of our efforts. It truly is an American success story."
Among the facts chronicled: Seven of the largest corn crops in history have been produced in the last seven years, despite less-than-ideal weather and on virtually identical acreage. And 90 percent of all U.S. corn is still produced by family farmers. The Corn Fact Book highlights a few farmers and tells a bit of their story and how it benefits us all.
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Call for Immediate E12 Approval
Three major farmer and ethanol groups called on Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson to formally approve the use of E12 (12% ethanol) in the nation's gasoline supply. The groups, American Coalition for Ethanol, National Corn Growers Association and the Renewable Fuels Association, in a formal letter to the EPA Administrator wrote, "based on the EPA's delay in acting upon the full E15 waiver and on our concerns that the Agency will restrict the use of E15 to cars made in 2001 and thereafter, we encourage the EPA to formally approve the use of E12 for all motor vehicles as an immediate interim step pending any ongoing additional testing on E15."
The groups pointed to President Obama's stated goal of reducing reliance on oil imports and reiterated that expanded use of domestically produced ethanol will help accomplish that goal. According to the letter, "Decreasing dependence on foreign oil is a key to this country's environmental, energy and security policy, and the EPA must provide a practical and workable solution to the ethanol blend wall issue and do so soon. Allowing E12 for all motor vehicles as an interim step to a full waiver for E15 is a reasonable and defensible first step to solve the immediate problem."
The groups' letter reviewed previous EPA findings, policy positions and research to demonstrate the reasonableness of approving E12 for use in the nation's automobile and light truck fleet.
"The EPA has a clear basis and the authority to approve E12. While we think delay on E15 is unnecessary and will slow progress on expanding the use of ethanol, we all agree that approval of E12 is a vital interim step that EPA can and should take," the groups wrote. All three groups remain fully committed to efforts to approve the use of E15 for all vehicles.
Read the letter in its entirety here. |
House Agriculture Committee Passes Chesapeake Bay Legislation
The House Agriculture Committee voted to pass The Chesapeake Bay Program Reauthorization and Improvement Act, H.R. 5509. The bi-partisan bill addresses water quality challenges in the Chesapeake Bay and establishes a workable nutrient trading program under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which will provide incentives for producers to implement additional conservation practices on their land.
"We appreciate the committee's work on this important piece of bipartisan legislation," said Production Stewardship Action Team Board Liaison Jamey Jamison. "This bill uses a common sense approach to improving water quality while maintaining a strong farm economy."
H.R. 5509 would also create a federal advisory committee to oversee the Chesapeake Bay program and to ensure scientific and fiscal accountability. Most importantly, the legislation provides for assurance standards that help hold growers harmless under the Clean Water Act when approved conservation plans are met. NCGA sent a letter earlier today to every member of the House Agriculture Committee urging them to support this legislation.
The bill now moves to the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee for further consideration. No additional action will be taken until after the August recess. A companion bill has not yet been introduced in the Senate. |
Off the Cob: A Look Ahead
 As the final quarter of the 2010 fiscal year opens, Off the Cob caught up with current National Corn Growers Association First Vice President Bart Schott during the recent Corn Board meetings held in Washington. On October 1, Schott moves into the role of NCGA President.
During this interview, he speaks about his outlook going into the new year and his expectations for the Corn Board in 2011.
"What the Corn Board accomplished this week shows what you can get done when you have the right group of people," Schott said about his colleagues. "I am excited about the four new members coming onto the board who are dedicated and ready to go to work. I am really excited about taking on my new leadership role and working with both the new and old board members."
For the whole story, click on the Off the Cob logo. |
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Seeking a Few Good Growers
NCGA is seeking applications from members interested in working on an NCGA action team or committee in the 2011 fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1. This service provides growers an opportunity to play an active role in shaping the future of their industry and to become a part of the national agricultural leadership community.
Positions are available on all teams and committees: Production and Stewardship Action Team, Research and Business Development Action Team, Public Policy Action Team, Grower Services Action Team, Biotechnology Working Group, Ethanol Committee, Joint Trade Policy A-Team and CornPAC.
Action team and committee applications are available online at the NCGA Insider Web site. Deadline for receipt of applications in the NCGA St. Louis office is Wednesday, Sept.1. Interested parties can contact Kathy Baker at the NCGA office with questions, at (636) 733-9004. |
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Crop Progress Advances; Quality Questionable
Warm weather last week helped push the corn silking percentage up from 65 to 84 percent according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture report on crop conditions released on Monday. With the silking percentage increase, the crop, nationally, is still running ahead of the five-year average of 74 percent silking at this time.
The next major indicator of progress after silking, the dough stage, is also running ahead of schedule throughout much of the country. Nationally, the 17 percent of the crop is at the dough stage while the five-year trend is at only 13 percent. Illinois is a full 20 points higher than average with 41 percent of the corn crop at dough stage.
While progress indicators are above average, reports on the crop condition provide cause for some concern. Nationally 30 percent of the crop is rated only fair or below. In Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky and Ohio, 30 to 39 percent of the crop is rated fair or below. Missouri and North Carolina are currently projected to have the worst crop conditions with 50 and 75 percent of the crop considered to be of only fair or less quality. |
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Telling the Story One Tweet at a Time
 When Tom Tibbits gets his corn in - or is battling the weather to manage his crops - chances are he'll tweet about it.
Tom farms with his dad John and granddad Riley near Minneapolis, Kansas and enjoys having conversations on Twitter (his handle is @ksfarmboy), but also takes the time to write a blog that includes a number of photos in addition to an explanation.
"Pictures give people a chance to see what's happening instead of me just explaining it in words," he said. "It really helps tell the story."
For the whole story, click here. |
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