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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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Surplus and Ample Production Ensure U.S. Corn Growers Meet All Needs
U.S. corn farmers will be able to meet all demands for food, feed, fuel and exports, the National Corn Growers Association said in response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's reduced projection for 2010 corn production, announced this morning. The harvest of 12.7 billion bushels, the third-largest crop in history, will still provide a surplus, or ending stocks, of nearly 1 billion bushels.
"Our farmers are working hard to bring in a great crop this year, despite the many challenges," NCGA President Bart Schott, a grower in Kulm, N.D., said. "We have had many reports of lower yields and, at the same time, are hearing stories of higher-than expected yields in some areas. This may not be a record year, but we're bringing in the corn and meeting all needs, even for our export markets."
The USDA reduced the estimated 2010 national average corn yield from 162.5 to 155.8 bushels per acre and overall corn production from 13.2 billion to 12.7 billion bushels. Corn use for the 2010 marketing year is projected at 13.5 billion bushels. Beginning stocks of 1.7 billion bushels help ensure all needs are met. Click here for USDA's crop production report. Click here for USDA's supply-and-demand report. For the whole story, click here.
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Make Grain Bin Safety a Harvest Priority
As harvest continues in full swing across the country, the National Corn Growers Association joins OSHA - the Occupational Safety and Health Administration - in reminding farmers of the dangers of grain bin entrapment. In 2009 alone, 38 grain bin entrapment incidents were reported nationwide and studies show this number is continuing to rise year after year. "Bin engulfment is always a concern around harvest but we want to remind farmers that it can be prevented," NCGA President Bart Schott said. "With the help of OSHA and several agriculture organizations, we are now equipped with safety DVDs, bin-entry procedure safety tips and fact sheets. We encourage all farmers to be mindful of the dangers of engulfment and wish everyone a safe and bountiful harvest." While OSHA recommends never entering a grain bin, below are proper and required grain bin-entry procedures that could help save a life: 1. Stay out if possible. Develop a "Zero Entry" mentality
2. If you must enter, do not enter alone
3. Before entering, ensure the entrant and observer are properly trained
4. Follow and post entry permit
5. Lockout unloading equipment before entering
6. Secure the lifeline properly |
Biotechnology Helps Maintain Market Stability
In a recent interview with the Financial Times, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack stated that recent global grain price increases do not indicate a repeat of the 2007-2008 price hikes. Vilsack explained that while Russia's current ban on grain exports did, in part, cause prices to spike, larger global stocks will cause prices to stabilize over time.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture stocks report issued September 30 indicated that U.S. grain supplies of corn, wheat and soybeans are higher than they were last year at this time. Thus, the report confirmed the validity of Vilsack's statement in regards to stocks in the U.S. Currently approximated at 1.71 billion bushels, U.S. grain stocks are up 2 percent from last year and roughly 321 million bushels more than previous estimates.
"I believe what we're seeing from a stocks figure supports the Secretary's position and confirms that the United States is a reliable supplier of feed grains," said Thomas C. Dorr, president and CEO of the U.S. Grains Council. He went on to explain that perception, not the reality of the situation, has triggered these price increases. "It is clear that food security and political stability are interconnected. Any upset in the global food supply chain provokes a worldwide response that goes well beyond the commodity market price."
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National Corn Yield Contest: Moving Forward, Setting Records
 NCGA announced that Kyle Fergason has been promoted to National Corn Yield Contest Manager and will handle the day-to-day operation of this popular program. Formerly the NCYC Specialist, Fergason has worked for NCGA since August 2009.During this time, he developed the knowledge and skill set necessary to successfully manage contest operations.
"Since his first day, Kyle has dedicated himself to learning about the contest while continually increasing his responsibilities, " said Director of Production, Stewardship and Livestock Max Starbuck. "We are pleased with his progress and impressed by his strong work ethic. Kyle has an excellent rapport with the entrants, and we look forward to working with him in this new role."
Ferguson begins in this new role as the 2010 NCYC continues to grow. With 7,118 entries, the 2010 NCGA National Corn Yield Contest set a new participation record again this year. The 2009 contest received a then-record number of entries with 6,958 participants.Harvest forms are due December 1. With harvest progress significantly ahead of the five-year trend in many states, completed harvest forms are already rolling into NCGA headquarters.
Traditional harvest forms are available on the NCGA website or contestants can choose to submit data electronically through the site also.
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Taking Sustainability Facts to the World Stage
The National Corn Growers Association brought international attention to the sustainability of U.S. corn farming this week when Vice President of Production and Utilization Paul Bertels gave a presentation to Conservation International's Business and Sustainability Council. Speaking to a broad range of representatives from influential international corporations and organizations such as Walmart, Conservation International and members of the hospitality and banking communities, Bertels explained that U.S. corn farming is clearly sustainable as it continues to produce more crop using fewer inputs.
The overall conference addressed global sustainable agricultural trends and best practices and built a shared understanding of the importance of maintaining healthy ecosystems for long-term agricultural sustainability. Using data from the initial Field to Market: Keystone Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture study, along with information from other credible sources, Bertels walked the group, composed mainly of industry stakeholders unfamiliar with farming practices, through trends in U.S. production, emphasizing how yield increases and input decreases continually improve sustainability.
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Say Yes to Tested E-15 By Rick Tolman
CEO, National Corn Growers Association A group of ethanol opponents composed primarily of the petroleum industry and environmental extremists have clamored to the White House, asking President Obama to make the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency "follow the science" and not allow "untested" higher blends of ethanol to be put on the market. We agree, Mr. President. American drivers should not be exposed to fuel blends that are untested and are possibly unsafe. And that's why the National Corn Growers Association strongly supports the EPA's approval of E-15 for motor vehicles - a fuel blend that has been thoroughly tested. Part of the reason the EPA has acted so slowly was because it wanted to make sure it had significant research in place, and unfortunately ethanol opponents do not really want to respect the scientific process. However, even without looking at the EPA's and the Department of Energy's body of research on E-15, we know there is already a strong set of independent evidence in favor of higher blends. In September 2010, the automotive engineering firm Ricardo found that moving from 10 percent ethanol in gasoline to 15 percent will mean little, if any, change in the performance of older cars and light trucks, those manufactured between 1994 and 2000. |
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