Corn Yield Contest on Track for Another Record Year

As the season wanes, but things are heating up for the National Corn Growers Association's National Corn Yield Contest this August. While entries are still processing, preliminary reports indicate that members submitted approximately 8,300 valid entries forms this year. If this proves accurate, the 2010 contest would break the previous entry record set in 2010 with 7,125 entries.

While in its 47th year, participation in the contest has skyrocketed since 2007, when only 4,932 entries were submitted. Should entries exceed 8,300, the contest would have grown more than 68 percent in only five years and upheld its traditional status as the most popular program among members.

The contest, which bestows awards in a variety of categories and across a range of geographical areas, provides farmers with both a chance to compete and with a tool through which they can find the best ways to increase yields throughout their operations - thus increasing efficiency, productivity and profitability.

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NCGA Announces Second Class for Advanced Leadership Training

While summer winds down, growers are ramping up their efforts to become the most effective leaders possible through NCGA's Advanced Leadership Training Program, co-sponsored by Syngenta. NCGA announced the second class, which will meet this September in Greensboro, N.C., to hone their leadership skills and prepare to lead the industry forward.

"As a graduate of the NCGA Leadership Academy, I understand the important role these programs play in developing the skill set required of an effective leader," said NCGA President Bart Schott. "This program develops the leadership NCGA needs to succeed in the future. We are grateful for Syngenta's continued sponsorship of this key program."

During the nearly week-long course, a small group of active grower leaders will tackle tough leadership issues, such as organization design and behavior, troubleshooting, positive negotiations and advocacy communications.

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NCGA President Highlights NASCAR Partnership, Collaborative Efforts

NCGA President Bart Schott presented on NCGA Initiatives in NASCAR, advocacy and policy to the American Coalition for Ethanol's "Rooted in America: 24th Annual Ethanol Conference" in Des Moines, Iowa this week. During his presentation, Schott explained the incredible media attention that NCGA and its American Ethanol alliance partners, have drawn to both the importance and performance of this renewable, domestic biofuel.

Schott began with a brief overview of how the partnership was formed. In order to capitalize on the opportunity to reach NASCAR's loyal fan base of more than 80 million, the groups formed American Ethanol and became an official NASCAR sponsor.

As part of its overall Green Initiative, NASCAR switched the fuel used in every car in all three series to the Sunoco Green E15 blend in 2011. The move to an ethanol blend created a natural opportunity to partner on an initiative highlighting both the sport's dedication to a cleaner environment, the many environmental and security benefits of ethanol and the important role American farmers play in the national movement toward biofuels.

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NCGA Agri-Industry Council Meets in Tucson

NCGA and senior staff recently gathered with representatives of 12 leading agribusinesses for the biannual NCGA Agri-Industry Council meeting to discuss vital issues facing agriculture, share information on their companies and sectors, hear from recognized speakers and learn from NCGA about its current initiatives. The Agri-Industry Council was established in 2007 to facilitate dialogue between agribusinesses and NCGA to collectively address issues of mutual concern.

"From improved seeds to modern machinery, U.S. agri-business works hard to improve farming," said NCGA President Bart Schott. "These meetings bring key leaders from across the industry together so that we move forward with a better understanding of the big picture and can coordinate to build a brighter future."

Over the course of the meeting, attendees heard from government relations professionals and NCGA's Washington staff on the current legislative environment and how it will impact farmers. NCGA officers, staff and consultants provided updates on the organization's involvement in the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance and the crop outlook.

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Biotech Acres Continue to Grow Globally

As demand for corn and other crops continues to grow, farmers are meeting the challenge through the use of biotech crop varieties. Producing higher yields and alleviating stressors, the scientifically designed crops are growing in popularity the world over as farmers see firsthand their many advantages.

"Biotechnology has helped me produce more corn more consistently," said South Dakota farmer Chad Blindauer, chair of NCGA's Trade Policy and Biotechnology Action Team. "It has helped me become a better farmer, a more efficient farmer, and I believe that is why we've seen biotech crops adopted at such a rapid rate not only here in the United States, but in a couple dozen countries around the world."

In 2010, just 15 years after the first biotech crops were commercialized, farmers in 29 countries planted and produced biotech crops on 366 million acres, according to a report published earlier this year by the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications.

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