NCGA CEO Testifies in Support of Pending FTAs Before House Ag Committee

National Corn Growers Association CEO Rick Tolman today testified before the House Agriculture Committee during a hearing to review pending free trade agreements with Korea, Colombia and Panama. The hearing focused on the impact and advantages these agreements would have for the agriculture industry.

"Increased production and a consistent product make the United States a reliable supplier of corn in the world market," Tolman said. "Beyond increasing domestic and international demand for corn, passing these FTAs also benefits our customers in the livestock and poultry industries. Developing new markets for our country's agricultural products will help our sector lead the nation in economic growth and international competitiveness."

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USDA Expects Record Corn Crop in 2011

This week's projection of a record 13.5 billion bushel corn crop for 2011 provides further evidence that corn growers will be able to meet all needs for food, feed and fuel yet again, despite weather challenges that delayed planting in much of the Corn Belt, the National Corn Growers Association said. A strong corn market that has led to higher expected corn acres will help boost the corn supply.

"It's busy season for growers throughout the Corn Belt," said NCGA President Bart Schott of Kulm, N.D. "We work long days and nights when the weather is just right, or just good enough. The good news is that there are still many months to go for this bin-buster crop to emerge and become one for the record books. You can't determine a crop size or crop quality based solely on the date it gets into the ground."

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Growers Make Remarkable Planting Progress in Key Corn States

In the past week, corn growers nationwide hit their fields in earnest and planted more than a quarter of their 2011 crop, finally enjoying a break from cold, wet weather. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that, as of May 8, 40 percent of the 2011 corn crop has been planted, compared to 13 percent May 1.

"It's great to see our farmers get the chance to get out and plant," said NCGA First Vice President Garry Niemeyer, a grower in Auburn, Ill., who reports that he is virtually finished with his corn planting. "We have several key corn states where our growers were able to take advantage of good weather to start catching up. It's amazing to see how much they were able to accomplish in one week, something that would have been unheard of not too many years ago."

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NCGA Grows Membership Value

Membership in state and national corn growers associations is a solid investment in an important industry and a strong benefit for individual growers, as shown by the rising number of those who join and get involved, NCGA points out.

"In the six decades that NCGA has been giving voice to America's corn farmers on Capitol Hill and across the country, we have seen our industry's value increase across the globe," said Brandon Hunnicutt, NCGA Grower Services Action Team chair. "Our numbers continue to grow, and I think that is a pretty good indication of the value growers see in NCGA and state association membership."

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Corn Board Candidate Barbre Offers Experience, Perspective and Dedication

This is the first in a series profiling candidates for the 2012 Corn Board.

For more than 16 years, Martin Barbre has dedicated himself to the service of his fellow corn farmers. Now, Barbre hopes to continue applying this experience as a member of the 2012 National Corn Growers Association Corn Board.

"As corn growers, we understand the importance of working at both the state and federal levels to ensure that regulations and legislation reflect the realities and the science underpinning modern agriculture," said Barbre. "I have served on a variety of teams and committees during my tenure at both the Illinois Corn Growers Association and NCGA. The deepened understanding of complex issues in areas such as ethanol, biotechnology and trade and public policy, coupled with my dedication to our industry, would guide my service."

To learn more about Barbre, click here.

This week, Off the Cob launched a spring series featuring executives from organizations representing corn growers at the state level.  Please look for additional perspectives from all of NCGA's state affiliates over the coming weeks.

For Farmers, Flooding Problems Do Not Recede with the Water

While national media attention follows the rising water levels on the Mississippi River toward the Delta, farmers in Missouri continue to deal with the flooding resulting from the Army Corps of Engineers' decision to open the Birds Point-New Madrid Floodway. This action resulted in the immediate flooding of 130,000 acres of farmland, but the ramifications will be felt for many years, according to Missouri Corn Growers Association CEO Gary Marshall.

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In Illinois, Farm Groups Work Together to Educate Consumers

In this installment, Illinois Corn Marketing Board Executive Director Rod Weinzierl speaks about Illinois Farmers, a statewide initiative uniting several farm groups to educate consumers. Focusing on urban areas, this campaign presents the facts and stories behind modern agriculture.

To listen to the interview, click here.

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