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NCGA First VP Testifies Before Senate Ag Committee on Farm Bill Priorities
 Yesterday, National Corn Growers Association First Vice President Pam Johnson testified before the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. Johnson participated in the final series of farm bill hearings focusing on the Commodity Title.
"NCGA has invested time and resources to develop and analyze concepts for a new farm bill that would help farmers in times of need and be a good investment of taxpayer dollars," Johnson, a grower from Floyd, Iowa said during her testimony. "We learned that risk management is the number one priority and that federal crop insurance is the cornerstone of a sound farm safety net for the future."
Johnson also stated NCGA has called for a transition away from the direct payments to a revenue-based risk management tool that complements crop insurance. Growers decided it was time to move toward a farm policy that better addresses today's production and volatile market risks, such as the Aggregate Risk and Revenue Management program. This legislation was proposed by Senators Brown, Thune, Lugar and Durbin last fall.
"NCGA appreciates the difficult task before your committee to write a comprehensive and balanced farm bill, especially under the current budget constraints," said Johnson. "But, we urge Congress to pass a farm bill this year. We look forward to working with the Senate Agriculture Committee and other agriculture organizations to craft new farm legislation."
To read the entire testimony, click here.
NCGA Praises Korea FTA Taking Effect
After being passed by Congress last fall, the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement took effect this week. NCGA praises the full implementation of the FTA and thanks the two countries for working together on this achievement.
"NCGA greatly appreciates all the work put forth to fully implement the U.S./Korea FTA," said Chad Blindauer, chair of NCGA's Trade Policy and Biotechnology Action Team. "Korea is an important market for America's corn farmers and we will now see expanded opportunities for corn and corn co-products. We thank United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk and the Congressional leaders that were dedicated to seeing the FTA completed and implemented."
Korea is currently the United States' third largest corn market and is a potentially important market for distillers grains. Imports of U.S. corn for feed, as well as distillers grains, will now be guaranteed to enter duty free immediately. The United States exported 241 million bushels of corn to Korea in marketing year 2010/11.
NCGA Urges FCC to Withdraw LightSquared's Conditional Waiver
NCGA and several other agriculture industry groups today sent comments to the Federal Communications Commission on LightSquared's conditional authorization. The comments urged the FCC to withdraw the conditional waiver granted to LightSquared in 2011 and modify LightSquared's satellite license to prohibit the building of a ground-based network.
"We urge the FCC to adopt both proposals because of the overwhelming evidence that LightSquared's proposed ground-based network would cause severe interference to virtually all uses of GPS," the comments state. "High-precision GPS technology is vitally important to American agriculture, and would be gravely harmed by LightSquared's plans."
NCGA has previously expressed support for broadband access for rural America but also believes precision farming must be protected. The comments state that a recent economic study that reviewed crop yields from 2007-2010 found that use of precision GPS technology, at adoption rates of 60 percent, increased U.S. farm revenue by approximately $20 billion per year, the equivalent of nearly 12 percent of total annual production.
For the whole story, click here.
NCGA Extends CUTC 2012 Early Registration Deadline
 NCGA announced this week that the early registration period for 2012 Corn Utilization and Technology Conference has been extended by one week and will now close on Friday, April 6. The biennual event will be held June 4-6 in Indianapolis. With a theme of "Back to the Grind," CUTC will feature the cutting-edge technologies and new uses that continually improve and dynamically change the corn industry.
"The deadline extension means that more attendees will have access to the valuable savings that early registration offers," said NCGA Research and Business Development Action Team Chair DeVonna Zeug. "CUTC remains at the forefront of technology, fostering innovative ideas and important networking connections necessary to move the industry forward."
The 2012 Corn Utilization and Technology Conference adds a third tier of presentation options offering participants information on and analysis of the latest on mycotoxin research. These new offerings have been included to complement work on the Aflatoxin Mitigation Center of Excellence, which continues to emphasize the importance of developing methods to mitigate and control mycotoxin development in all phases of production and processing.
For the whole story, click here.
NCGA Adds Discounts with Enterprise to Membership Benefits Portfolio
The benefits of NCGA membership continue to grow with the recent announcement of a new partnership with Enterprise Leasing. Through the program, NCGA members and their immediate families are eligible to take advantage of reduced lease and purchase rates on cars and trucks from Enterprise's extensive vehicle fleet. The program also features flexible funding options and many additional perks.
"It is an exciting time to be a NCGA member for many reasons," said NCGA Growers Services Action Team Chair Brandon Hunnicutt. "In addition to benefitting from the association's work in research, market development, communications and stewardship, members now have a deep benefits portfolio custom designed to bring the greatest possible value to farmers on the goods and services that they already require. At every turn, we seek to serve our organization of creating and maintaining opportunities for corn farmers."
For the whole story, click here.
NCGA Launches Office Depot Membership Program
Through a new membership benefit recently added by NCGA, farmers belonging to NCGA can save on the office supplies they need to run an effective operation when they shop at Office Depot. The Office Depot/NCGA Rewards Platinum Program offers members and affiliated state corn organizations unbeatable deals on more than 50 office essentials, great deals on virtually everything Office Depot sells and award-winning customer service.
"When we came across this opportunity, we felt that it was a perfect fit," said Brandon Hunnicutt, chairman of NCGA's Grower Services Action Team. "We understand that farmers are the small businesses that power much of our economy. Running a modern operation requires the office essentials offered through this program at a discount that will help keep more hard-earned money in our pockets."
For the whole story, click here.
Training Champions: NCGA Advanced Leadership Program Graduates Second Class
 As many growers prepare for planting, a select group channeled their energy into becoming the most effective leaders possible through the National Corn Growers Association Advanced Leadership program, sponsored by Syngenta. The program's second class completed the second and final phase of its training last week in Washington. The session helped qualified and motivated candidates finely hone their leadership and lobbying skills and prepared them to lead the industry forward.
During the course, a small group of active grower leaders explored the current political climate while learning to improve their skills in many areas such as dealing with legislators and their staffs, the environmental community, regulators and state and national staff. While there, the six participants participated in a variety of exercises, including a public speaking and presentations training program created by the American Farm Bureau Federation, and sessions on topics including domestic hunger programs, options for navigating the farm bill through Congress and the challenges of the federal budget.
In addition to in-depth consideration of the complexities of current political issues impacting farmers, participants got a glance of government in action through a visit to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, where they met with USDA Chief of Staff Krysta Harden. Following the tour, class members split up to shadow NCGA's Washington staff for a look at a day in the life of a lobbyist.
For the whole story, click here.
Dillon Finishes Strong in Debut of the American Ethanol No. 3 Chevy
 Last weekend marked major milestones for both NASCAR driver Austin Dillon and the American Ethanol partnership as the 21-year-old sensation made his first Nationwide Series start at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway while sporting an American Ethanol paint out on his No. 3 Chevrolet Impala. Born a racer, son of former driver and RCR general manager Mike Dillon and grandson of Richard Childress, Dillon shone a spotlight on his developing talent and his dedication to clean-burning, domestically produced ethanol.
"This was a big weekend for ethanol in NASCAR, with Austin Dillon racing his No. 3 American Ethanol car to another strong finish. With three races down in the Nationwide season, he is already exceeding our expectations," said Martin Barbre, chairman of the National Corn Growers Association NASCAR Advisory Committee. "He ranks second in driver points in his rookie season and is proving to be a great spokesperson for the performance, economic and environmental benefits of Sunoco Green E15."
Dillon came in seventh place, after running as high as third, the third strong showing of his rookie season. Following the race, he partnered with fellow ethanol supporter Kenny Wallace to give ride-alongs on the Vegas track to lucky fans interested in feeling the speed ethanol powers. To watch, click here.
For the whole story, click here.
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