Get Blogging with Social Media Webinar
The National Corn Growers Association's 2011 Social Media Training Program will feature a webinar next week that will offer a comprehensive view of how to create an effective, successful blog. The program is generously supported by Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont Business, and is the eighth of 12 free hour-long online learning sessions underway monthly through 2011.
"Blogs have become a mainstream source of information over the past decade," said Grower Services Action Team Chair Brandon Hunnicutt, a farmer in Nebraska very active in social media. "This webinar can help growers elevate their involvement by publishing a blog that shares the story of modern agriculture. Our critics have already mastered this medium; it is essential that farmers effectively use this tool in relaying our narrative."
For the whole story, click here.
Despite Challenging Weather, U.S. Corn Farmers Forecast to Produce Third Largest Crop on Record
U.S. corn farmers are still on track to produce the third largest crop on record despite difficult growing conditions that have plagued much of the Corn Belt since planting according to USDA reports released today. Projected at 12.9 billion bushels, the total 2011 U.S. corn crop will only be 1.3 percent, or 177 million bushels, below the record set in 2009.
"This report confirms again that U.S. farmers continue to work hard to produce the most abundant, affordable crop possible," said NCGA President Bart Schott. "While many of us have faced extreme drought or severe flooding, we have persevered and, through the use of improved technologies and practices, we will nearly reach the crop record set under more favorable conditions. It is important that the 98.5 percent of the population totally removed from agriculture understand that farmers, due to the triumphs of modern agriculture, can and will meet all demands for food, feed, fuel and fiber."
For the whole story, click here.
Billion Ton Study Update Reaffirms U.S. Biomass Resources Ability to Meet Energy Goals
A recent update to the Department of Energy's Billion Ton Study, which was first conducted in 2005, reaffirms that America has the biomass resources needed to meet oil and other fossil fuel replacement goals outlined in the 2007 Energy Bill's Renewable Fuel Standard 2.
For a full copy of the DOE analysis, click here.
Stating that there are sufficient biomass feedstocks to meet expanded renewable fuel standard, the study found that, given a $60 per dry ton price, biofuel feedstock could be plentiful enough to produce nearly 70 billion gallons per year of biofuels by 2022 and substantially more by 2030.
For the whole story, click here.
Transportation Secretary Announces No Additional Regulations to be Placed on Farm Vehicles
One week after NCGA President Bart Schott sent a letter to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration outlining concerns on the proposed guidance for operators of farm vehicles and off-road agricultural equipment, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood released a statement saying no further regulations would be placed on the transport of agricultural products. Secretary LaHood also mentioned that more than 1,700 comments from agricultural organizations and members of Congress were received, with the majority requesting that states maintain their ability to preserve existing agricultural exemptions.
"We have no intention of instituting onerous regulations on the hardworking farmers who feed our country and fuel our economy," Secretary LaHood said in a statement. "Farmers deserve to know that reasonable, common sense exemptions will continue to be consistently available to agricultural operations across the country, and that's why we released this guidance."
For the whole story, click here.
NCGA Stresses Real World Implications of CME Trading Change
NCGA expressed its disagreement with the Commodities Futures Trading
Commission's decision to raise the daily trading limit on corn. Under the CME Group plan approved by the U.S. futures regulator, the trading limit will rise from 30 cents per bushel to 40 cents per bushel, beginning August 22. NCGA believes that this will not aid price discovery and that, ultimately, growers will bear the cost.
"We believe that this rule change could negatively impact farmers by needlessly increasing market volatility and adding unnecessary risk," said NCGA President Bart Schott. "NCGA understands that both non-commercial traders and speculators play a valuable role in the futures market, but we also understand the importance of daily price limits, which serve as a check against irrational price runs."
For the whole story, click here.
Racing through Corn Fields; Iowa Race Shines Spotlight on Ethanol
NASCAR drove ethanol into the spotlight again last weekend at the Iowa Speedway as Nationwide series drivers raced to victory powered by Sunoco Green E15, a 15 percent ethanol blend, during the U.S. Cellular 250 in Newton, Iowa, presented by Enlist Weed Control. American Ethanol and Iowa Corn took the spotlight during these festivities as Kenny Wallace's No. 09 car featured unique artwork promoting the organizations.
"Kenny is passionate about racing and also about telling the American family farmer story," said Dick Gallagher a farmer from Washington and chairman of the Iowa Corn Promotion Board. "Our sponsorship of American Ethanol and Kenny Wallace are key to showcasing the power and performance of ethanol to consumers."
For the whole story, click here.
Programs Help Corn Associations Grow Leaders
Because it is a grassroots-driven organization with growers comprising the board of directors and the larger body of policy delegates, NCGA offers a pair of programs aimed at helping members become leaders, passing along important skills in the area of communications, parliamentary procedure, public policy and even professional etiquette.
"Building a strong grassroots leadership is an important part of growing a respected and professional association," NCGA President Bart Schott said. "Our grower leaders serve a great role as industry spokespersons and valuable thought-leaders, and we give them the opportunity to learn leadership and practice what they learned in several important ways."
For the whole story, click here.
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