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Friday, February 4, 2011
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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The Zeug Family of Walnut Grove, Minn.
DeVonna Zeug, pictured here with her family, works tirelessly to ensure that her children can carry on the family's farming tradition. The family opened their farm to Field Notes as well as a German exchange student. (also pictured here)

Field Notes Opens the Gate: Meet Agvocate and Family Farmer DeVonna Zeug

Every Friday, NCGA visits with the farmers who have opened their gates to Field Notes, a series that will follow a handful of corn farmers from across the country from winter planting preparations through harvest. While these growers come from diverse geographic areas and run unique operations, they share a common love for U.S. agriculture and the basic values that underpin life in farming communities.

Today, Off the Cob speaks with DeVonna Zeug, a fifth-generation farmer in Walnut Grove, Minn. Zeug works both on and off the farm while serving her fellow growers as an industry advocate.

"If I am not going to do it, who is?" said Zeug. "I took a leap of faith a few years ago and decided I needed to do something to fight for future corn farmers."

Zeug stressed the importance of education to defending the modern farm. With 98.5 percent of Americans uninvolved in agriculture, the vast majority of the country no longer has the firsthand experience of prior generations. Through her service, Zeug helps provide state and national legislators, along with the public, the information that they need to understand the issues facing farmers and the science behind modern agriculture.

Additionally, Zeug spoke specifically on policy issues, such as water qualities, that impact growers, and on the importance of defending fertilizers and chemicals already scientifically shown to be safe.

Meet Zeug and learn about her family farm by clicking here for the full Off the Cob interview.

Stay tuned over the coming weeks as Field Notes introduces the growers who will open their farms, families and communities up this year and meet the true faces of modern American agriculture.

 

National Corn Growers Association Becomes Official Partner of NASCAR

As the 2011 NASCAR season launches with a new, greener fuel, the nation's corn growers are joining forces with NASCAR to promote the use of corn-based American ethanol. As an Official Partner of NASCAR, The National Corn Growers Association will leverage its relationship to spread the message to NASCAR fans around the country about the role American farmers play in the development of ethanol.

Click here to listen to the Feb. 3 news conference announcing this partnership.

In December 2010, NASCAR unveiled its landmark partnership with American Ethanol just weeks after announcing a 2011 switch in its three major national series to Sunoco Green E15, a new 15 percent ethanol blend fuel made with corn grown in the United States. Growth Energy, a leading ethanol advocacy organization, created the American Ethanol partnership to push for broad acceptance of a renewable domestic fuel for all American motorists.

"We're greatly excited about this opportunity to help educate NASCAR fans at the race tracks and around the country about the great work of our corn growers in feeding and fueling the world," said NCGA Chairman Darrin Ihnen, a family farmer from Hurley, S.D. "Ethanol is a growing use for corn, and provides us a domestic, renewable fuel that reduces emissions and creates jobs right here at home. We are encouraging corn farmers nationwide to watch the Daytona 500 on Feb. 20, and be proud of their role in fueling NASCAR and the nation."

For the whole story, click here.

NCGA, NGFF Debut Joint Farm Grain Bin Safety Video

The National Corn Growers Association and the National Grain and Feed Foundation, the research and education arm of the National Grain and Feed Association, unveiled a joint video project to promote awareness about grain bin safety on the farm today.

To view the video, click here.

The two organizations teamed up in November to develop the video in response to an increase in U.S. fatalities and injuries associated with entry into grain bins.

"In 2010 we saw a record number of farmers becoming engulfed in grain bins and we decided it was time to have a proactive role in creating awareness about the serious nature of this issue," NCGA President Bart Schott, a grower from Kulm, N.D., said. "We hope that this video makes farmers stop and think twice before the next time they put themselves in danger."

For more information on the video, click here.

The video is available at NCGA.com and on NCGA's YouTube channel. The two organizations teamed up in November to develop the video in response to an increase in U.S. fatalities and injuries associated with entry into grain bins.

NCGA Leadership Examines U.S. Corn, DDGS Markets in China 

The potential for China to become a regular importer of U.S. corn, as well as market opportunities for U.S. distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS) in China, were key segments of a trade mission NCGA leadership participated in last week with the U.S. Grains Council.

"China and its potential market development have always been exciting, but there has always been a sense that corn imports are a few years out," said Rick Tolman, CEO of the National Corn Growers Association. "What we heard on this trip, however, is that there is real opportunity now."

Tolman, as well as NCGA President Bart Schott and First Vice President Gary Niemeyer, joined Council officers and farmer leaders on the Council's Officer's Mission to Asia.

Traders and industry experts in China told the group that China is short 10 to 15 million metric tons (394-590 million bushels) in corn stocks and may need to purchase corn this year, perhaps as much as 3 to 9 million tons (118-354 million bushels). Even on the low end, that would be a sizeable increase from 2010 imports, which totaled nearly 1.5 million tons (59 million bushels) of U.S. corn.

"The Chinese want to import corn, but they understand it will affect the trade and their market," Schott said. "Being on this mission with the Council was positive because Chinese buyers want to know us on a personal level. They realize that we are an interested in the growth of their markets."

For the whole story, click here.

NCGA Recognizes Top Membership Recruiters 

Each year, NCGA recognizes the hard work of grower members who recruit colleagues into the association. At a time when the industry is breaking production records, membership in NCGA is an important tool for growers. Strong recruitment and retention work in 2010 helped NCGA set a new membership record of 36,216 in August.

"While many organizations have seen their membership decrease as people had to find ways to cut back, the fact that our roles continue to grow is a testament to how vital our members feel their investment in NCGA is to corn farming," said Brandon Hunnicutt, chairman of NCGA's Grower Services Action Team. "Through our efforts on Capitol Hill, in the industry and with the public, NCGA works tirelessly to defend corn farmers and create new opportunities for them to flourish. Programs such as Leadership at Its Best, the National Corn Yield Contest and scholarship opportunities allow growers to benefit from membership in a personal way while growers across the country benefit from the positive force for change the association acts as throughout the industry."

For 2010, NCGA recognized the top three recruiters, based on the number of growers each one recruited and the number of points earned for recruitment and retention:

Keith Alverson, Chester, S.D. (325 members, 1177 points) Connie Mulder, Renville, MN (84 members, 440 points) Robert Nelsen, Westbrook, MN (85 members, 415 points)

NCGA also honors states for their recruitment achievements through two awards. In 2010, Georgia showed the greatest percentage of increase in NCGA membership with 50 percent growth. Missouri experienced the greatest national numeric increase with 253 more members than 2009. Both these states and the top recruiters will be honored during Commodity Classic at the NCGA Awards Banquet.

The 2010 Membership Program was sponsored by Syngenta. Click here for information on how to become an NCGA member.

Industry-Leading Trade Show Highlights Commodity Classic Agenda

Commodity Classic LogoThere is still time to register for the 16th Annual Commodity Classic to be held March 3-5 in Tampa, Fla. Commodity Classic is the premier convention and trade show of the U.S. corn, soybean, sorghum and wheat industries.

Each year, the industry gathers at Commodity Classic to experience, learn and share information about issues, technology and trends in U.S. agriculture. Attendees can get ahead of the curve by participating in a number of learning center sessions, including: It's a Jungle Out There - Blazing New Trails for Agriculture; Marketing + Discipline = Better Profitability; and The Future of Crop Insurance is Now!

"Learning Center Sessions provide attendees with an unbiased look at a number of different issues that can affect their operations," said Commodity Classic Co-Chair Theresa Schmalshof. "We present topics that not only impact the here and now, but also what growers might expect to deal with in the future."

For more information on Commodity Classic, please visit www.commodityclassic.com.

Corn Commentary New 

On NCGA's award-winning blog, Corn Commentary, our intrepid blogger roots for the farmers behind the Super Bowl buffet and takes on Oprah for asking growers to go vegan on a set once decorated completely in Godiva chocolate.