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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 Supports New Pesticide Legislation
New bipartisan legislation offers a common-sense approach to pesticide regulation for farmers while still working to ensure safe food for American consumers, the National Corn Growers Association said today. The association commended Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) and Ranking Member Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) for introducing S. 3537, a bill that would overturn a court decision regarding permits for pesticide applications.
"NCGA is pleased that Senators Lincoln and Chambliss have taken a bold step towards restoring common sense pesticide regulations and appreciates the bipartisan effort," NCGA President Darrin Ihnen, a farmer in Hurley, S.D., said. "The new permitting program is scheduled to take effect in April 2011, and it is imperative that Congress take action on this bill prior to that date."
The legislation amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act by stating, "Not withstanding any other law, no permit shall be required for the use of a pesticide that is registered or otherwise authorized for use under this Act, if that use is in accordance with [the label]."
Under the federal court ruling, pesticide applicators would have to apply for a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Clean Water Act permit if the chemical reaches a body of water, including ditches and culverts. The decision created unnecessary regulatory requirements and also exposed growers to citizen action suits under the Clean Water Act. An EPA draft rule released in June established a relatively narrow federal NPDES program for pesticides; however, future courts could expand the requirements for spray drift and runoff, as well as direct aquatic applications.
"We intend to fully support this legislation throughout the process and urge its swift adoption by the Senate," Ihnen said.
For the whole story, click here. |
The Economics of Cob-based Fuel
Producing a significant amount of ethanol strictly from corn cobs is possible but would require a specific set of circumstances to be economically feasible. In a report released by Purdue University's Department of Agricultural Economics,researchers concluded that harvesting corn cobs for use as an ethanol feedstock would only prove fiscally advantageous for farmers should a combination of factors coincide. The paper went on to note that the current government incentives for a possible cob-based advanced biofuel would offset collection costs enough to make this an attractive fuel source.
"As we explore innovative ways to use corn, our most abundant feedstock, to produce renewable energy, we have to remain flexible and dedicated," said National Corn Growers Association Ethanol Committee Chair Jon Holzfaster. "Currently, our society places an extremely high priority on developing alternative fuel sources. New cob-based biofuel continues our tradition of working towards the goals of the RFS2, keeping our resources at home and developing new jobs in the U.S."
For the whole story, click here. |
Ethanol Indsury Honors NCGA
In the wake of the Senate's announcement Tuesday afternoon that it would not move forward on energy legislation until September, the National Corn Growers Association has reiterated its stance on the importance of extending ethanol incentives.
"NCGA is disappointed that the Senate will not consider an energy package until at least September," said NCGA First Vice President Bart Schott. "However, we are hopeful this will allow for future discussions on how ethanol can contribute to our nation's energy policy and our energy security in a broader energy package."
Schott pointed out that the U.S. ethanol industry supports nearly 400,000 American jobs across the nation. In the past year alone, ethanol added more than $50 billion to the national Gross Domestic Product and displaced the need for more than 360 million barrels of imported oil, valued at $16 billion. This is one of many reasons Congress should extend VEETC which is set to expire at the end of 2010. If VEETC is allowed to expire, it will result in a 38 percent reduction in ethanol production volume.
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While U.S. corn can already be found in Taiwan in the form of plastic cups, containers and similar products, it now has the opportunity to spread to other parts of Asia as the demand for polylactic acid products grows. Recently, China's Xiamen Wei Meng Environmental Materials Co. Ltd., a subsidiary of Taiwan's Wei Mon Industry Co. Ltd., announced the production and marketing of PLA products.
Derived from corn, PLA goods are gaining in popularity across Asia due to their biodegradable characteristics. Taiwan is a regional pioneer in the bioplastics industry because of its relationship with NatureWorks LLC, based in Blaire, Neb., which uses corn grown in the United States to create PLA materials under the brand name Ingeo.
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With Ethanol, Now Is the Time for Truth
The following article by National Corn Growers Association President Darrin Ihnenoriginally appreaed on The Hill's Congress Blog.
Editorialists around the country are opining about tax incentives for ethanol that are expiring at the end of the year. Unfortunately, many of the articles we're seeing don't get the facts quite right. The New York Times, for example, asserts that the Renewable Fuel Standard mandates the U.S. production of up to 15 billion gallons of corn ethanol, which it does not. The RFS is silent on corn as a feedstock and silent on domestic production.
The Renewable Fuel Standard is important, but limited in scope. When Congress reconvenes in September, we at the National Corn Growers Association will continue our drive for an extension of the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit to encourage fuel blenders to use ethanol. Those who clamor for a "level playing field" or who assert that the "free market" should decide ignore the many benefits, via subsidy and other federal government protections, offered to Big Oil that protect its monopoly on our gas tanks.
For the blog post in its enirety, click here. |
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For Virginia Farmer, No-Till Makes a Difference
 "Taking our operation to 100 percent no-till has reduced at least two trips across the field and in many places more. This saves us in fuel and equipment wear," said Calvin Haile of Dunnsville, Va. Calvin, who farms with his father, James, said no-till also prevents erosion on their farm in Virginia's Northern Neck, alongside Chesapeake Bay.
The Hailes grow corn, wheat and soybeans on 2,500 acres, which is about the average size for a farm in Virginia. Calvin also offers custom services to other farmers. The farm has three full-time employees and two part-timers. Calvin said he uses a nutrient management plan to ensure that he spreads fertilizer efficiently and uses only what is necessary to meet the plants' needs. He also plants winter cover crops that fertilize the fields naturally and help hold soil moisture in place, while insect-resistant seed has reduced his pesticide use 10 percent.
In the photo, Calvin is shown with his wife Noel, father James and mother Gerry. Calvin and Noel's children are, from left, Jackson, James III, Brooke and Sydney.
For the whole story, click here. |
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