House Science Committee Passes Legislation Hampering Higher Blends
The House Science Committee passed a piece of legislation this week that will require the Environmental Protection Agency to conduct additional testing on E15 before allowing use of the blend. H.R. 3199 is sponsored by James Sensenbrenner(R-WI) and includes an additional six cosponsors. The legislation was passed by a vote of 19-7.
"NCGA is disappointed to see the House Science Committee vote in favor of a piece of legislation that will hamper consumer choice in fuel," National Corn Growers Association President Garry Niemeyer said. "The EPA has thoroughly tested and approved the use of E15 in motor vehicles. This legislation will create further government bureaucracy and generate unnecessary costs to American taxpayers for something that has already been appropriately vetted."
The bill will require the EPA to task the National Academies of Science with conducting further research that would compare mid-level ethanol blends to blends containing 10 and zero percent ethanol. The National Academies would be required to report their results to the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology 18 months after enactment of the legislation.
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Report Reflects New Bt Corn Requirements Implemented to Improve Refuge
As planting for the 2012 season approaches, NCGA notes that newly revamped on-farm refuge assessments are part of the enhanced Compliance Assurance Program (CAP) implemented last year, which is designed to improve compliance with Insect Resistance Management (IRM) requirements. Corn growers found to be out of compliance with refuge requirements will be checked more frequently by the Bt corn registrants and have a higher probability of losing access to Bt corn if compliance is not established and maintained.
The Agricultural Biotechnology Stewardship Technical Committee (ABSTC), a consortium of Bt corn registrants, submits an annual CAP report to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) describing industry-coordinated compliance assurance efforts for Bt traits. The year's report is the first following the implementation of the enhanced CAP.
"To implement the CAP, technology providers made some major changes to their procedures last year as directed by EPA," said Mike Smith, ABSTC IRM subcommittee co-chairman. "One of the changes was the selection process for on-farm assessments. In past years, we've randomly selected those participants, but in 2011 we used a more targeted approach and conducted assessments based on purchase history, and, as anticipated, using this methodology resulted in the identification of more non-compliant growers than in years past. Changes were also made to the grower survey and included more Bt corn products with differing refuge requirements."
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Volunteers Bring Energy, Talent to Shared Voices Conference
Farm women volunteers involved in the CommonGround outreach program, along with state and national staff, met in Charleston, S.C., to share their experiences with the program and welcome new members last week. Over the course of three days, the participants worked intensively on the tools that they use to share their personal story and that of modern farming with urban and suburban moms through sessions on social media, public speaking and interview skills. CommonGround is a joint program of the United Soybean Board, the National Corn Growers Association and state affiliated organizations.
Also at the meeting, industry experts presented to the group on a variety of relevant topics, including the use of social media in grassroots movements and the science of food safety.
"The energy and passion these volunteers bring to CommonGround is inspiring," said NCGA First Vice President Pam Johnson. "The farmers leading our organization have seen first-hand the importance of connecting with modern consumers, and, after having a chance to really interact with the people who truly are the CommonGround movement, I have faith that their enthusiasm, sincerity and dedication will connect with women just like them who have concerns about the food that they serve their families every day."
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Public Policy Action Team Meets as Farm Bill Discussions Continue
As Congress continues the 2012 farm bill process, members of the NCGA's Public Policy Action Team met in Washington this week to hear more about the subject from experts from inside the beltway. PPAT's mission is to offer direction to NCGA efforts to address public policy issues. The action team is comprised of 17 growers and staff from across the country.
"We came together in Washington this week to review current farm bill proposals and discuss timing and framework," NCGA PPAT Chair Anthony Bush, a farmer from Mount Gilead, Ohio said. "Our agenda was filled with briefings from Capitol Hill staff. The staff have very demanding schedules and we greatly appreciate them taking time to speak with us. Those relationships are invaluable, especially at a time such as this."
PPAT heard from House and Senate Ag Committee staff and experts on farm and risk management policy. Members were also briefed on other farm bill proposals and had the opportunity to compare those with NCGA's policies. The action team is credited with developing NCGA's farm bill proposal, the Agriculture Disaster Assistance Program, which has been used as a guiding framework for the organization's farm bill efforts.
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Meeting Focuses on Membership, Leadership, Communications
NCGA's Grower Services Action Team met in Kissimmee, Fla., this week to review programs under its jurisdiction related to membership, leadership and communications. The meeting followed the biennial Membership Symposium in which association and staff from around the Corn Belt talked about ways to recruit, retain and engage grower members.
"We had a terrific set of meetings this week at a great time to celebrate record membership for NCGA, record program participation, record state corn checkoff investments and, in a few weeks, a Commodity Classic convention and trade show that also will be a record-breaker," said Brandon Hunnicutt, chairman of the Grower Services Action Team. "We're looking forward to some great new member benefits rolling out shortly and doing all we can to make our programs better than ever before, building leaders and communicating the importance of corn and American agriculture to audiences nationwide."
Participants got a first-hand look at a local phosphate fertilizer mine and how these mines are reclaimed for various uses, such as estuaries, pasture land, orange groves or other ag uses. The Hookers Prairie mine toured by the team (click here for photos) has the capacity to produce 2 million tons of phosphate each year.
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Ethanol Committee Explores Biofuels Climate, New Opportunities
NCGA's Ethanol Committee met in Kansas City, Mo., this week to review programs to promote legislation and support opportunities that foster this important market. With guest speakers including PRX economist Bill Hudson and representatives from the farm machinery and aromatics industries, the attendees updated themselves on the latest information on the markets and opportunities while staff provided input on the legislative climate in Washington.
"The market for ethanol has grown exponentially over the past decade, thus utilizing an abundance of corn to meet the already-present need for a renewable, domestic biofuel," said Chad Willis, chairman of the Ethanol Committee. "Now, we face a myriad of challenges and opportunities as those in the industry continue to innovate while some outside of it continue attempts to deny ethanol's incredible value to our nation."
Participants got a first-hand look at the LifeLine Foods business model in St. Joseph, Mo., exploring the possibilities for creating even more food and fuel from every kernel of corn. The company, which produces products for both domestic and international markets, is unique in creating both ethanol and corn-based food products by using the separate components of corn to their fullest capacity.
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New Staffers Bring Expertise, Enthusiasm
NCGA welcomes Dr. Pam Keck, who joins the organization as director of biofuels programs and business development. Keck, a multi-faceted scientist and educator, brings more than 20 years of experience in the agricultural and biofuels industry, academia and not-for-profit research to the position.
"Pam is an incredibly valuable addition to our team, and we are excited to be able to utilize her broad knowledge base to further enhance our biofuels program," said NCGA Vice President of Production and Utilization Paul Bertels. "She is uniquely suited to the position because, in addition to her scientific achievements, Pam also excels as a communicator, thus facilitating the informed discussion and decision-making that are crucial in this area."
Keck most recently contracted with Monsanto, coordinating an outreach program that brought together schools and scientists. She has previously taught chemistry at Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville and at Lewis and Clark Community College. She has also served as assistant director of workforce development and scientific projects at the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center.
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Purdue Honors NCGA CEO for Outstanding Service to Agriculture, Community
Last week, the Purdue University Agricultural Alumni Association awarded NCGA CEO Rick Tolman a Certificate of Distinction, the highest honor it bestows. The association conferred this award in recognition of his exemplary and longstanding service to both the agricultural industry and his community.
"Purdue Ag Alumni is honored to present such a distinguished group of professionals with our highest award, recognizing the many ways they have gone beyond the normal call of duty to perform their jobs and to serve others," said Donya Lester, the association's executive director. "Recipients represent the highest degree of achievement and commitment to our industry. Their leadership and their values of citizenship and service have transformed businesses, organizations and communities, and they are an inspiration to all of us who work in agriculture and natural resources."
Under Tolman's leadership, NCGA has grown in membership, checkoff funding and has increased its annual meeting in both size and stature. These accomplishments allow the organization to more fully achieve its mission of increasing opportunities for corn growers across the nation.
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NCGA President Invites Farmers to Join Him in Making Their Concerns Known
Last week, NCGA President Garry Niemeyer, along with other members of the organizations leadership, took time away from his farm again to meet with federal legislators in Washington DC for discussions on issues affecting corn farmers across the country. During this visit, he also took time to speak on the importance of helping government officials understand how potential legislation and regulation could impact farmers. Stressing the key role that grassroots activism plays in the development of government policies, Niemeyer encouraged his fellow growers to cultivate the relationships that will help farming grow.
To listen to the full interview, please click here.
Explaining this trip in particular, he noted that making an impact on the Hill requires sustained efforts.
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