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Growers See First-Hand How NASCAR Highlights Importance of American Ethanol
Last weekend, more than 100,000 fans, including more than 1,100 American Ethanol supporters, cheered on Clint Bowyer as he drove a special-edition version of his No. 33 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet, featuring an American-Ethanol paint scheme, during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series STP 400. More than 500 farmers had the opportunity to get an up-close look at how the American-Ethanol NASCAR partnership provides ethanol many high-profile opportunities to educate a fan-base of more than 80 million on the benefits of ethanol.
Race attendees noticed the prominence of American Ethanol from the time they entered the midway until they departed the track. With activities ranging from autograph signings to a massive American Ethanol banner on the backstretch grass, racing fans noticed the major role ethanol plays in NASCAR at every turn.
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Early Entry Deadline Extended for National Corn Yield Contest
 Due to delays in the planting season for many corn growers, the early entry deadline for the 2011 National Corn Yield Contest has been extended 10 days, to June 25, NCGA announced. Until that date, the fee is $80 per entry; entries submitted online or postmarked after that date will be subject to the standard entry fee of $110 per entry.
"We recognize a lot of our growers have had challenges in the field this spring, and we want to give them more time to save money on the contest," said Steve Ebke, chairman of the Production and Stewardship Action Team. "The contest has remained one of the most popular membership and educational programs for the organization, and it's great to see so much growing interest year after year. We salute our growers' hard work in the field and their loyal interest in the yield contest."
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USDA Crop Report Notes Weather Impact on 2011 Planting Season
The U.S. Department of Agriculture today reduced its projection of corn acres this year, based on the impact of weather and flooding during the spring. Despite this, USDA is still expecting a record crop of 13.2 billion bushels, NCGA noted.
"As corn growers, we continue to face the same question: 'Will there be enough corn?' Reports this early in the season do not always take into account the stronger impact good summer weather has on a corn crop than the planting completion date," said NCGA President Bart Schott, a North Dakota corn grower. "We know that there are many things farmers can do in the months ahead to help ensure the record crop the USDA is projecting and that there is enough corn for all needs."
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Save the Date for 2012 Corn Utilization and Technology Conference
 NCGA announced that the 2012 Corn Utilization and Technology Conference will be held June 4-6 in Indianapolis. With a theme of "Back to the Grind," the biennial conference will feature the cutting-edge technologies and new uses that continually improve and dynamically change the corn industry.
The 2012 Corn Utilization and Technology Conference will debut a third tier of presentation options offering participants the opportunity to hear the latest on mycotoxin research. The Aflatoxin Mitigation Center of Excellence continues to emphasize the importance of developing methods to mitigate and control mycotoxin development in all phases of production and processing.
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Brush Up on the Basics with Social Media Webinar
 NCGA's 2011 Social Media Training Program will feature a webinar next week that will provide a social media and agriculture recap. The program is generously supported by Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont Business, and is the sixth of 12 free hour-long online learning sessions underway monthly through 2011.
"Even if you have attended the previous webinars, this session will build on your existing knowledge while reinforcing the tools necessary to successfully use social media to agvocate," said Grower Services Action Team Chair Brandon Hunnicutt, a farmer in Nebraska very active in social media. "I find that even though I have used social media for years there are still many tips and techniques that I can use to improve my online presence."
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Great Planting Progress Seen in Warmer Weather
Farmers in the top corn states made good planting progress last week in several key areas, including the eastern Corn Belt, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported in its weekly crop report. Ohio planted 39 percent of its corn acres last week, and 13 of the top 18 states are 90 percent or more planted. The crop is now 94 percent planted nationwide, only 4 points below average.
According to NCGA estimates, more than 6.5 million acres of corn were planted last week, with about 5.5 million left to plant, based on the USDA's acreage expectations from March. Of this remaining acreage, 1.5 million are in Ohio and another 1 million are in Indiana.
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Nebraska by the Numbers
 Off the Cob spoke with Nebraska Corn Board Executive Director Don Hutchens for a look at Nebraska corn production by the numbers. The third largest corn producer in the United States, Nebraska ranks second in both cattle-on-feed and ethanol production also. The unique balance of value-added products provides perspective on the relationship between farmers and those who use their bounty.
Hutchens noted that the presence of ethanol plants in a livestock intensive area benefits both parties as ethanol production results in a co-product called dried distillers grains. DDGs provide livestock with an affordable, high-quality protein source while simultaneously adding a new revenue stream for ethanol producers.
To listen to this edition of Off the Cob, click here.
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Speaking ardently about his desire to continue fighting for farming, Bob Bowman explains that the first time that he saw how the system worked, how it could be effective and how grower advocacy creates positive change, the desire to serve his fellow farmer as a leader and advocate got into his blood. Now, he wishes to contribute his experience, dedication and insight by serving as a member of the 2012 NCGA Corn Board.