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Friday, September 17, 2010 |
Support Efforts to Extend Ethanol Tax Credit
In order to further legislation introduced by Reps. Pomeroy and Shimkus that would extend VEETC and the secondary tariff, NCGA urges members and backers to voice their support by urging their member of the House of Representatives to co-sponsor H.R. 4940. Growers and their allies can contact their representative and express why H.R. 4940, The Renewable Fuels Reinvestment Act, is crucial to the ag industry by utilizing NCGA's letter assistance resource (click here). |
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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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Symposium Will Provide a Look at Connections Between Ag and Energy
The National Corn Growers Association is planning a conference on agriculture and energy this fall in our nation's capital. The 2010 Ag Energy Symposium, a free one-day briefing event for Washington policy makers, provides an up-close and in-depth look at key bioenergy sustainability issues, helping bridge the gap between research and policy.
"Whether it is corn or a number of other products, modern American farming provides much more than just food on the table," said NCGA President Darrin Ihnen. "Meeting renewable fuel needs and promoting energy independence is very important to our growers, especially when you consider the many economic and environmental benefits. This meeting will bring crucial information about that to those who legislate and regulate about energy and agriculture."
The free day-long symposium includes guest speakers and panels on these four topics:
· Carbon Neutrality. Panelists consider the ways in which the U.S. corn crop (both grain and stover) absorbs and sequesters carbon. Corn growers have an important and positive role to play in helping reduce or prevent climate change.
· Biomass. Domestic, renewable biomass from farms and forests provides a number of opportunities for providing energy and fuel to American consumers.
· Life Cycle Analysis. Life cycle analysis gives us a complete picture of the impact of fuels, and there are numerous ways to do this. Any application of life cycle analysis should be conducted consistently across the board for all fuels being compared, as much as possible.
· Indirect Land Use Change. Because of increases in biomass production per acre, the theory of indirect land use change has yet to be proven. On the other hand, we do need to consider about the global and indirect land-use impacts of pending legislation or regulations.
More information will be released as the date approaches. |
A petition to allow manufacturers the option of using the term 'corn sugar' as an alternative name for high fructose corn syrup helps bring clarity to the hot-button issue and emphasize the natural similarity between HFCS and sugar, NCGA said. The petition was filed by the Corn Refiners Association with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
"NCGA hopes that the FDA will recognize that allowing manufacturers to use the term 'corn sugar' helps clarify the true nature of this product," said NCGA President Darrin Ihnen. "The current naming system, which uses the term 'high fructose corn syrup,' leads consumers to believe that this product is higher in fructose than other sweeteners. We know that this is simply not true."
Contrary to widespread consumer belief, high fructose corn syrup is not higher in fructose than other commonly used nutritive sweeteners, including table sugar, honey and fruit juice concentrates. Like table sugar, it is roughly half glucose and half fructose and is metabolized by the body in the same way as regular table sugar. In fact, the high fructose corn syrup used in many foods, including baked goods, is lower in fructose than table sugar.
Independent research demonstrates that the current labeling confuses American consumers. For example, nearly 58 percent of respondents believed high fructose corn syrup has more fructose than other table sugars when high fructose corn syrup and table sugar actually contain approximately the same amount of fructose.
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Don't Miss a Chance to Improve Crop Insurance
If farmers had a chance to directly impact the way crop insurance is structured, would they? Growers across the country have just this sort of opportunity right now. The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation is considering a method to increase Actual Production History yields used in crop insurance programs to reflect trends in yields through time. To implement this potential endorsement most effectively, FCIC needs direct feedback from producers.
By completing this brief survey, growers can exert the influence that they have as a whole. This 11 question survey takes only five minutes to complete, with the last question provides an opportunity to submit personal opinions about federal crop insurance directly to FCIC. The Centrec Consulting Group, LLC will assist in administering the survey which is designed to improve the performance of crop insurance for producers.
Three respondents will receive $50 each for completing the online survey. On Sept. 30, the winners' names will be drawn randomly from the names provided and contacted by e-mail. All names and e-mail addresses will be kept confidential and will not be given to a third party. In addition, contact information will not be used in summarizing the survey results. |
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Training Champions at Advanced Leadership
 From left to right: Chad Blindauer, Brandon Hunnicutt, Pam Johnson, Chip Bowling, Anthony Bush and Bill Hoffman While summer winds down, a select group of growers are ramping up their efforts to become the most effective leaders possible through a new NCGA training program. NCGA's Advanced Leadership Training Program, sponsored by Syngenta, launched last week in Minneapolis, Minn. The session helped qualified and motivated candidates finely hone their leadership skills and prepared them to lead the industry forward.
"While observing the participants, I have noticed how intense the training is," said NCGA President Darrin Ihnen. "This program is fostering the leaders NCGA needs to succeed in the future. I know that they are peraonally grateful Syngenta has created this program, but NCGA also realizes that the leaders that come from this program are a great benefit to the organization. "
During the course, a small group of active grower leaders tackled tough leadership issues such as organizational troubleshooting, positive negotiations and advocacy communications. Additionally, the group attended an in-depth media training course and toured Syngenta's Stanton, Minn., research facility.
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 Fulfilling a Lifelong Dream
The National Corn Growers Association says goodbye to Research and Business Development Manager Robyn Stevens as she departs to begin training for the U.S. Agency for International Development. In her new position, Stevens will work overseas managing agricultural projects in developing nations.
During her time with NCGA, Stevens gained tremendous experience in domestic production that she will carry to areas in need as she realizes a lifelong goal of applying her skill set to assist in agricultural development. Her passion comes from a belief that research is the single biggest asset to agriculture without which the world will fall behind.
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