Still Time to Register for Commodity Classic

Earlty registration may be over, but there's still time to sign up to come to Commodity Classic! The once-a-year, can't-miss event runs from March 1 through March 3 in Nashville, Tenn.  Offering growers like you a chance to see the latest innovations first-hand and hear game-changing ideas, Classic will once again bring farmers together with ag leadership, agribusiness and one another for learning sessions, an incredible trade show and a chance to see the legendary Grand Ole Opry.

Visit www.commodityclassic.com today to register.

Corn Growers Help Provide Energy Independence

National Corn Growers Association Chairman Bart Schott released the following statement in response to President Obama's State of the Union address Tuesday night, where the president called for an "all-of-the-above" policy to promote domestic energy.

"The National Corn Growers Association is pleased to hear President Obama's continued commitment to the nation's energy independence during his State of the Union address. Corn farmers and the American ethanol industry answered the call nearly 30 years ago to provide feedstock for a domestically produced renewable energy source. Today, that same feedstock constitutes more than 10 percent of the nation's fuel and continues to provide a bountiful supply of corn to our long-term customers.

"The corn ethanol industry has proven that good government policy sends signals to the market place for producers to increase production and efficiencies. As family corn farmers have risen to the challenge to meet our nation's energy needs, we are hopeful the direction the President has outlined offers similar opportunities for others to expand our energy independence."

Farmers Get Taste of Leadership in Washington

A select group of growers came to Washington this week for the second session of NCGA's Leadership Academy, sponsored by Syngenta. Participants now join more than 500 colleagues who have graduated from this program in the past 25 years.

At the meeting, participants got an up-close look at NCGA from Chairman Bart Schott, also a Leadership Academy alumnus. NCGA staff in Washington also provided briefings on current issues facing corn farmers on Capitol Hill. The training also included panels designed to explain how lobbying works and the role lobbyists play in the federal government. Finally, the group had a chance to implement their knowledge, along with the skills honed during the first session in August, as they visited with their representatives in Congress.

"As a Leadership Academy graduate, I have a deep appreciation for the expertise attendees develop in such a short time, and of the ability of Syngenta and other presenters to hone in on what is most needed," Schott said. "I am proud that so many promising leaders choose to get involved and attend the program. When these volunteers come together, you can feel their passion for the industry. It is heartening to know that such strong leaders will carry on our mission well into the future." 

Click here for the whole story.

Racing Partnerships to Promote Ethanol

In a nod to its commitment to the sport, the American Ethanol partnership, which includes the National Corn Growers Association, on Saturday announced that it will continue relationships with Richard Childress Racing and RAB Racing for the 2012 season.

Austin Dillon, 2011 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Champion, will drive the No. 3 Chevrolet during the 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series season with American Ethanol serving as the primary sponsor for six races as well as one race in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2012. Dillon's No. 3 American Ethanol Chevrolet paint scheme was unveiled at the event.

"I'm proud to carry the American Ethanol colors in NASCAR," said Dillon. "Growth Energy is committed to clean air, and as an avid outdoorsman I truly appreciate their desire to protect our nation's air and water for future generations. I commend the work they do and I am looking forward to representing American Ethanol, Growth Energy and the National Corn Growers Association."

In addition to American Ethanol's partnership with Dillon, the organization will serve as an associate sponsor with the entire RCR family of drivers. Team owner Richard Childress as well as RCR's Sprint Cup Series veterans Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton and Paul Menard will also serve as spokesmen for the cause. 

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Growers Learn from California Citrus Farmers

The National Corn Growers Association's Research and Business Development Action Team investigated plant nitrogen use efficiency at its meeting this week in Fresno, Calif. Team members toured Biagro Western, where they saw several varieties of citrus crops, and heard a presentation on nitrogen efficiency in plants.

Biagro is commercializing a metabolite, developed by Pat Unkefer of Los Alamos National Laboratory's Bioscience Division, that modifies a plant's metabolism by raising the amount of carbon dioxide the plant takes from the air and nitrogen from the soil.

"Although not much field testing has been done on corn, the team encouraged Biagro scientists to do more," said team Chair DeVonna Zeug, a grower from Minnesota. "Farmers welcome technologies that can help reduce the cost and environmental pressure of inputs such as nitrogen."

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Grower Action Team Stewards Sustainability

NCGA's Production and Stewardship Action Team also traveled to Fresno, Calif., this week to tackle issues related to sustainability, water quality and other conservation and environmental concerns.

At the meeting, Gary Edwards and Ken McCauley, who serve as NCGA organizational appointees on two sustainability initiatives, spoke to growers about sustainability efforts in the agricultural industry.

McCauley, an NCGA past president who farms in eastern Kansas, discussed the importance of corn farmers playing an active role in the development of farm management systems that will help producers to achieve verifiable sustainability outcomes that satisfy performance expectations of manufacturing supply chains and still maintain farm productivity.

Such is the mission of the National Institute of Sustainable Agriculture, McCauley noted, which expects to implement model systems developed through producer leadership and participation in November of 2012 across a variety of crops and regions. McCauley stressed the importance of farmers making sure sustainability efforts in production agriculture do not run counter to yield and operational productivity. 

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Growers Talk Trade, Biotech in Florida

NCGA's Trade Policy and Biotechnology Action Team convened this week in Orlando, Fla., to review the organization's policy and recommendations coming out of the Priority and Policy Conference held earlier in January. Additionally, team members met with representatives from government and industry to explore current challenges and opportunities in the areas of trade and biotechnology.

Looking at a variety of issues including how to best support agricultural exports, stress the importance of refuge compliance and facilitate successful communication across the biotechnology value-chain on their issues, the team will use its in-depth knowledge of the subject matter to develop the nuanced, strategic suggestions needed to guide NCGA policy effectively.

"During the winter months, it can begin to feel like farmer leaders spend a large amount of time participating in meetings for a variety of agricultural groups," said team Chair Chad Blindauer. "As my involvement has increased, I have come to appreciate the breadth and scope of the issues facing farmers today. By developing teams with specialization in major areas of opportunity and taking the time to analyze the issues in a critical, thorough manner, we are able to effectively provide input to shape NCGA policy and, subsequently, maximize the effectiveness of farmer-funded market development and production activities." 

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Now in its 55th year of operation and going strong, the National Corn Growers Association continues its role in creating and increasing opportunities for its farmer members, and a new series of interviews with current and former grower leaders demonstrates this success.

From the introduction to the series:

Corn growers have increasingly stepped beyond the farm itself to influence changes that affect their ability to operate. One of the most important steps came in 1957, when farmers saw the need for a stronger voice on corn issues in Washington and decided to establish the National Corn Growers Association.

It has been farmers, in each generation since then, who have spoken for their neighbors and their industry on a roster of issues that began with agricultural policy and now includes infrastructure, energy, biotechnology, conservation, research, and education about production agriculture.

Their stories are a study in grower initiative, leadership, and change. In the weeks to come, NCGA will share some of the corn industry's success in the words of the farmers who experienced this innovation and change first hand.

Reuters: Corn Growers Say Higher Yields to Boost Ethanol

Bloomberg: Argentine Corn Farmers Face Renewed Heat Wave Amid Drought

Farm Progress: Farm Groups Respond Positively to State of the Union Address

Corn and Soybean Digest: NCGA CEO Credits Success to Grower Leadership

Autoweek: American Ethanol to Sponsor Austin Dillon