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Friday, October 14, 2011

Help Spread the Facts About Sustainability

 

NCGA is kicking off a series of PowerPoint presentations on various topics that you can use in local meetings, such as with service organizations. The series kicks off with a PowerPoint file on sustainability, which you can download hereEach slide includes notes for those giving the talk. For more information or to recommend topics to cover, contact the NCGA Communications Office at [email protected]. 

NEWS STORIES

NCGA Praises Congress' Passage of Korea, Colombia and Panama FTAs

 

The National Corn Growers Association praised passage of the free trade agreements in the House and Senate.  The White House transmitted the FTAs with Korea, Colombia and Panama to Congress last week.

 

"The three free trade agreements with Korea, Colombia and Panama provide great opportunities for America's farmers," NCGA President Garry Niemeyer, a corn farmer from Auburn, Ill., said.  "Passage by Congress ensures our industry continues to lead the nation in economic growth and international competitiveness.  In addition, this action shows members of Congress understand the importance of the FTAs to rural America."

 

Statistics show passage of the three FTAs could create 250,000 American jobs and add an additional $13 billion annually in exports.  The United States continues to be the largest producer and exporter of corn in the world, exporting 50.4 million metric tons last year.

 

Since the EU-Korea trade agreement went into effect July 1, European exports to Korea have increased 36 percent from a year earlier. U.S. farmers have already lost more than $1 billion in sales to Colombia in the two years since that country implemented a trade deal with Argentina and Brazil. The Colombia-Canada Free Trade Agreement that took effect August 15 has also put U.S. workers and farmers at a disadvantage.

 

"Prior to Congress' passage of the FTAs, farmers watched as other nations received access to markets over the United States," Niemeyer said.  "We need to keep and create jobs in America.  The FTAs will help us achieve that."

 

Easing in Demand Means U.S. Corn Supply Higher for 2011

 

Red barn and corn fieldsU.S. corn supplies have eased with larger projected ending stocks for both the 2010 and 2011 marketing years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported this week. Ending stocks for 2010, reported on Sept. 30, remain at more than 1.1 billion bushels, up more than 200 million bushels since the Sept. 12 WASDE estimate, and ending stocks for 2011 were increased nearly 200 million bushels to 866 million bushels.

 

While 2011 acres planted and harvested were decreased slightly, a consistent yield projection has brought 2011 production down 1 percent to 12.4 billion bushels.

 

"The hard work and dedication of U.S farmers yet again provides an abundant corn crop in 2011 even in the face of some of the worst growing conditions in recent memory," said NCGA President Garry Niemeyer. "As always, U.S. farmers are ready and able to meet all demands for food, feed, fiber and fuel proving media reports of shortages inaccurate and providing for our neighbors, be they next door or in the next state."

 

For the whole story, click here.

 

NCGA Corn Board Member Shares Perspective on Future of Farming

 

GeskeNCGA Corn Board member Mike Geske answered questions on what farmers will need to maximize productivity and profitability over the next five to ten years at the World Food Prize's Truth About Trade and Technology 2011 Global Farm Roundtable, held this week in Des Moines. 

Responding to inquires from an international panel, Geske stressed the myriad of benefits that biotech crops provide growers, the need for a streamlined approval process for new traits and the importance of trade associations to American farmers. 

 

He noted that participants found information on NCGA efforts to educate farmers on the uses and applications of social media especially interesting.

 

"While there are certainly challenges specific to farming different crops in many geographical areas, events such as this clearly show that we face many common challenges as growers," said Geske, a corn grower in Missouri. "While sharing our common experiences is inspiring, working together to find solutions helps us overcome the obstacles to a productive future for our industry."


For the whole story, click here.

 

Now Accepting Applications for the 2013 Corn Board

 

The National Corn Growers Association Nominating Committee is now accepting applications from members for the 2013 Corn Board.  Through the Corn Board, members can become an integral part of the organization's leadership. Click here for the application, which provides complete information on requirements, responsibilities and deadlines.

 

The NCGA Corn Board represents the organization on all matters while directing both policy and supervising day-to-day operations.  Board members serve the organization in a variety of ways.  They represent the federation of state organizations, supervise the affairs and activities of NCGA in partnership with the chief executive officer and implement NCGA policy established by the Corn Congress. Members also act as spokespeople for the NCGA and enhance the organization's public standing on all organizational and policy issues.

 

Applications are due Friday, Jan. 13. Nominated candidates will be introduced at the March 2012 Corn Congress meeting, held in conjunction with the Commodity Classic in Nashville, Tenn. Corn Board members will be elected at the July 2012 Corn Congress in Washington, and the new terms begin Oct. 1.

 

For more information, growers may contact Kathy Baker at NCGA's St. Louis office at (636) 733-9004.

 

Field Notes Reflects with Minnesota Farmer Zeug on the 2011 Growing Season

 

Field Notes opened the farm gate this spring and provided followers with an inside look at the activities of several farmers from a variety of geographical areas. With harvest well underway this week, we caught up with Minnesota grower DeVonna Zeug to review this year's growing season on her farm and to take a look at pictures she took this harvest.

 

For Zeug, an uncharacteristically wet spring delayed planting.  She did manage to get the crop into the ground, albeit behind schedule, but the wet weather persisted. 

 

"After such a wet spring and a late planting, it would have really helped the crop if conditions improved," she said.  "But the spring storms seemed to stretch into summer.  Then, the rain wasn't our only issue as these stronger bouts brought hail, straight-line winds and a few green snaps. 

 

For the whole story, click here.

 

To view photos of the Zeug's farm this harvest, please click here.

STATE NEWS ROUNDUP
Corn Commentary New

At NCGA's award-winning blog, Corn Commentary, our dedicated team of bloggers talk about everything from corn stocks to corn mazes. Click here for the scoop.

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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.