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Texas Grower Leader Enters Food-and-Fuel Fray
 Ongoing media coverage on corn usage tends to sensationalize trends by pitting demand from the ethanol industry against that from livestock, but Corn Board member Wesley Spurlock, a Texas farmer, has been speaking to groups across the Midwest on why this so-called "feed versus fuel" debate is based in fallacy. Explaining how U.S. corn farmers continue to grow a crop abundant enough to meet all growing demands, he has gained attention from industry publications looking to find the truth behind the headlines.
With further coverage of his success in combating the misinformation plaguing this debate pending, Off the Cob caught up with Spurlock to discuss how corn farmers are growing a larger crop on the land already in production while decreasing inputs used. During this interview, he discussed the innovations facilitating increased yield trends, how the Texas drought plays a major role in recent cattle industry shifts, and the amazing story of modern American agriculture.
"To put it simply, growth in demand from the ethanol industry has mirrored an increase in productivity that yields larger corn crops," Spurlock said. "We are still supplying the livestock industry with the corn that they need for feed, but we now have a market that utilizes an increasingly abundant resource to help solve our energy problems also."
To listen to the interview, click here.
For the whole story, click here.
Functional Genomics Tool One Step Closer to Realization
Today, Off the Cob speaks with Dr. Jack Gardiner, the curator of the Maize Genome and Genetics Database, where NCGA has funded activities that will add functional genomic software tools into the preexisting USDA ARS database. When completed, these tools will allow researchers to easily isolate and examine manageable data sets, thus decreasing the time and effort needed to utilize the massive amounts of genomic data on corn and produce results that will aid farmers.
As work toward this eventual goal chugs along, Gardiner explains progress to this point.
"First, we wanted to focus on updating our genome browser," he said. "The maize genome is similar to that of humans in the fact that they have about the same amount of DNA. So, we originally had to develop a genome browser that would show the 10 sequences for the 10 chromosomes of maize. This tool gives us a sliding window allowing researchers to look at any region of the maize genome at the DNA level. Right now, we are updating the original version of the browser so that it will do a much better job of displaying the functional genomics data."
To listen to the interview, click here.
For the whole story, click here.
Talking Production Trends with Country's Oldest Corn Club
 Recently, former NCGA Corn Board member Jamie Jameson enjoyed a unique honor when he presented an address on the past and future of corn production in Maryland during the Talbot County Corn Club's 60th Anniversary Dinner. Reportedly the oldest organization of its kind in the nation, the club members looked to NCGA as a resource for an analysis of the production and use trends they have witnessed first-hand through their on-going county-wide yield contest.
Off the Cob caught up with Jameson to explore his thoughts on the experience and the value that yield contests, held at the county, state or national level, offer farmers.
"Since this club was founded, we have seen a marked improvement in corn yields, corn varieties and in the treatments used," said Jameson. "It has been quite an evolution that has brought us to many of today's practices, such as no-till farming. It was rewarding looking back at this process with many familiar faces that I met through my service as a grower leader at both the state and national level and through my involvement in NCGA's corn yield contest."
To listen to the interview, click here.
For the whole story, click here.
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Corn's second-largest livestock market is set for a rebound, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture reports released earlier this week. With poultry forecast to consume more than 1.2 billion bushels of corn in the 2011-2012 marketing year, the significant recovery in broiler production since its September low benefits poultry producers and corn farmers alike.
Members of NCGA's top leadership departed on a mission to Brazil and Argentina this week, where they are working with agricultural officials to discuss how the three corn exporting nations can work together to help meet the growing global demand for food, feed and fuel.
