Grower Leaders Talk Priorities, Policies
The National Corn Growers Association's annual Priority and Policy Conference took place this week in St. Louis, bringing farmer leaders from many corn states to begin the discussion of state and national priorities for 2013 and NCGA's policies on such subjects as trade, ethanol and biotechnology.
"This meeting is an important opportunity for us to learn from leaders in our state organizations about their concerns and work together on a consensus for moving forward in the months ahead," said NCGA President Garry Niemeyer, a grower from Auburn, Ill. "It comes at an important time for our industry, with a new round of farm bill discussions on the horizon and presidential campaign underway. There's much to discuss and much to take action on this week."
The meeting is for chairs, presidents and executive directors of NCGA's state organizations, as well chairs of the organization's action teams and committees, and this year in included a visioning session during which the leaders began the process of creating a new strategic plan for the association. In addition, as part of a collaborative initiative with the U.S. Grains Council, the Priority and Policy Conference also included leadership from that organization for a discussion of USGC priorities and trade issues.
Click here for photos from the event.
USDA Revises 2011 Corn Crop Upward
In its annual report on crop production released Thursday morning, the U.S. Department of Agricultural slightly increased its previous estimates of corn production and average yield, now reporting a crop of 12.4 billion bushels harvested on 84 million acres, for a yield of 147.2 bushels per acre. This demonstrates the resilience of corn and corn growers despite significant weather challenges throughout the growing season, NCGA said.
"Despite lost acres and a 2011 yield that's 5.6 bushels below the 2010 average, the corn crop itself is only one percentage point below last year's number," NCGA President Garry Niemeyer said. "A lot of people, including the grain market, expected a much different report, and that explains the price drop on corn futures, but we see this as a positive sign and even further reason to expect that we will continue to meet all needs into the foreseeable future."
In the World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report, also released Thursday, the USDA reported that corn use for the 2011-12 supply is raised with exports projected at 50 million bushels higher, reflecting the strong pace of sales to date and reduced prospects for Argentina. Ending stocks are projected 2 million bushels lower at 846 million bushels.
Click here for the USDA's Crop Production Annual Summary. Click here for the USDA's World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates Report.
Kansas Joins CommonGround Program
The Kansas State University Lady Wildcats may have shot better hoops than the University of Kansas Lady Jayhawks Saturday night, but the real winners were the farm women who started a conversation about food at Allen Fieldhouse prior to the game. Teresa Brandenburg, Kara James and LaVell Winsor hosted dinner to launch the Kansas arm of the CommonGround program, a national grassroots movement designed to bridge the gap between the women who grow food and those who buy it.
The event brought together members of the media, academics and government officials to discuss modern farming. During the dinner, guests were invited to partake in conversation about farming and food while enjoying delicious food and the company of the new Kansas CommonGround volunteer farmers.
The reason Kansas became a part of the CommonGround movement was clear during dinner as Alton, Kan., CommonGround volunteer Teresa Brandenburg explained. "Many consumers are confronted by a barrage of inaccurate information and rumors about food," she said. "All three of us (volunteers) want to share our stories and personal understanding of agriculture and food. Who is better to tell that story than someone like me, a mom and a farmer?"
Click here for the whole story.
New Staff for National Corn Yield Contest
NCGA this week welcomed Rachel Jungermann as the new Corn Yield Contest Manager. Jungermann, who has experience in agronomy data support and collection, enters this role with a strong background in many areas crucial to the success of the continually growing National Corn Yield Contest.
"Rachel will be a valuable addition to our team and play a key role in ensuring the continued success of the contest," said Director of Production, Stewardship and Livestock Max Starbuck. "In 2011, the contest set yet another record with 8,431 entries, up an incredible 70 percent in only four years. We strive to ensure that, even with this rapid expansion, the contest maintains its integrity and are confident that Rachel will help us achieve this goal."
Jungermann earned a Master of Business Administration Degree from Lindenwood University and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Business from Missouri State University, where she also minored in Agronomy. A former 4-H and Future Farmers of America member who raised hogs for competition, Jungermann grew up on a farm by Moscow Mills, Mo. Her family grows corn, soybeans, wheat and hay in addition to raising cattle.
