USDA Predicts Four Percent Increase in Planted Corn Acres for 2012

American farmers expect to plant nearly four million more acres of corn in 2012, a four percent increase from 2011, according the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Prospective Plantings report released today.   If realized, it will be the highest corn planting in the United States since 1937, when 97.2 million acres were planted.  In recent years, the record corn planting was in the spring of 2007 when U.S. growers planted 93.527 million acres.

"Even after a difficult growing season last year, farmers harvested a bountiful crop to meet all needs, and it seems that they are on track to break records in 2012," National Corn Growers Association President Garry Niemeyer said.  "This report shows that the innovative American farmer understands the increasing global demands of corn for food, feed, fuel and fiber and that they see the importance of meetings those needs."

The USDA's estimate for 2012 is for 95.9 million acres to be planted in field corn.  Assuming the five-year average 92 percent harvest rate holds and the projected trend yield of 164 bushels per acre is achieved, farmers will harvest 14.46 billion bushels. 

For Historical Planting by Acreage for 2007-2011, click here.

For the full Prospective Plantings report, click here.

For the full Grain Stocks report, click here.

For the whole story, click here.

Senators Propose New Farm Bill Proposal

As Congress prepared to depart Washington for a two-week recess, Sens. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.), Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and John Hoeven (R-N.D.) introduced a new farm bill proposal, the Revenue Loss Assistance and Crop Insurance Enhancement Act of 2012.  The legislation would include a farm-level revenue-based program, a narrower band of coverage and a reduced percentage of planted acres eligible for payments.

"The National Corn Growers Association has advocated for a revenue-based risk management tool at the crop reporting district that provides assistance only when it is needed," NCGA Public Policy Action Team Chair Anthony Bush said.  "The NCGA Corn Board voted in December to support the Aggregate Risk and Revenue Management legislation as introduced by Senators Brown, Thune, Durbin and Lugar."

The new legislation comes two weeks after the Senate Ag Committee's final farm bill hearing.  The House Ag Committee will continue field hearings over the next month.  NCGA strongly urges Congress to write and pass a new farm bill this year.  

In Letter and Capitol Visits, NCGA Reinforce Renewable Fuel Standard

NCGA has joined forces with biofuels organizations and renewable energy advocates to highlight the role the Renewable Fuel Standard plays in moderating gasoline prices, reducing foreign imports, and supporting the advanced and cellulosic biofuels sector.

In a letter sent to Congressional leaders earlier this week, NCGA, the American Coalition for Ethanol, Advanced Ethanol Council, Biotechnology Industry Organization, Growth Energy, Renewable Fuels Association, 25x'25 Alliance and Energy Future Coalition are urging Congress to support the RFS and reject attempts to reduce, waive, or eliminate it.

Click here for the letter.

"Today, ethanol is approximately $1 cheaper than gasoline and blending ethanol into U.S. gasoline saves consumers at the pump," the groups said. "Thanks in part to the RFS, U.S. oil imports fell below 50 percent in 2010 for the first time since 1997, and, oil imports stand at just 45 percent today. Ethanol accounts for 81 percent of all new domestic fuel production since 2005."

For the whole story, click here.

CFC Looks at Attitudes Toward, Understanding of, Farming

Washington policy makers and influencers continue to hold family farmers in high regard, according to focus group research conducted for NCGA last week.  The Washington-based focus group participants provided valuable insight into federal legislative and regulatory perspectives that will guide improvements and updates made to the advertisements placed there this summer through the Corn Farmers Coalition program.

"Awareness of how much farmers contribute to the national economy is growing in Washington," said NCGA President Garry Niemeyer.  "As the Corn Farmers Coalition enters its fourth year, we are seeing positive movement, with this focus group demonstrating a much better understanding of the prevalence of family farms and of the role that they play in building a successful future for our industry.  This important shift in attitudes and perception is due, in large part, to the incredible work done in the first three years of this grower-driven campaign."

The research also showed that federal policy makers, and those who influence them, recognize the current trend toward successful farming operations with many noting that it is a great time to be a corn grower.  While recognition that agriculture is currently flourishing in the United States is on the rise, many also indicated a sense that, in large part, farmer's futures remain at risk because of the high costs associated with farming.

For the whole story, click here.

Positive Poultry Trends Could Create Stable, Strong Demand for Corn

A resurgence in the U.S. poultry industry, and the subsequent increased demand for feed, drove corn demand higher in February according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture report released this week.  With broiler and young turkey slaughter up 3 and 7 percent over last year at this point respectively, the ProExporter Network estimates that U.S. poultry will consume more than 1.2 billion bushels of corn this marketing year, driving roughly 9.5 percent of total U.S. corn demand.  Estimates of corn demand from poultry are almost 30 million bushels higher than 2010-11 marketing year.

"With all of the strong indicators coming from the dairy and animal ag sectors, it may seem repetitive, but sustained success in all sectors is crucial to a healthy agricultural economy," said NCGA President Niemeyer.  "With the poultry, cattle, swine and dairy sectors all reporting evidence of positive trends, we see a strong future for corn with growing demand for the crop which we continue to produce at near-record levels while decreasing inputs such as fertilizer and chemicals."

Despite a slight drop in broiler slaughter and chicken average live weights from January 2012, the industry appears stronger than it did at February's end 2011 with slaughter 3 percent higher and comparatively higher average live weights.  Since late in the fall of 2011, the broiler industry has undergone a significant reduction.  This data seems to indicate a possible a return to an expansion phase.

For the whole story, click here.

Corn Refiners Ask Court to Dismiss Case, Saying Claims Unprecedented

Last week, a group of corn refiners asked a federal judge in Los Angeles to dismiss claims brought by the processed sugar industry based on statements made by the Corn Refiners Association, the companies' trade association. An earlier version of these same claims was already dismissed by the court in October 2011.

"Through their work, the corn refiners aim to provide public information on one simple fact about sugar- that it is nutritionally equal whether it comes from corn, cane or beets," said NCGA President Niemeyer. "Like CRA, NCGA also works tirelessly to provide factual, accessible information to consumers on important food issues.  We understand the importance of the CRA's work and hope that, as this case proceeds, many more come to value the importance of informative campaigns on food run by the very people who grow it."

CRA President Audrae Erickson said the processed sugar industry's attempt to hold the individual companies liable for CRA's statements is "unprecedented." She added that the CRA is attempting to inform consumers about an important public health issue and that it is wrong for the processed sugar industry to attempt to stifle this educational campaign.

For the whole story, click here.

Reclassification Opens Pathway to Easier Export for Corn Gluten Products

Last week, a key working group of the International Maritime Organization recommended approval of a U.S. proposal that corn gluten feed and corn gluten meal be reclassified in the official IMO code to make transport of these quality feed ingredients simpler, by eliminating a requirement that these cargoes be loaded on vessels with specialized fire suppression equipment.

The proposal was based on the results of tests organized by the U.S. Grains Council, of which NCGA is a founding member, in cooperation with a number of U.S. producers, marketers and shippers of CGF and CGM.

"For corn gluten to be loaded with these specifications, it would have significantly raised the cost of exporting U.S. corn gluten feed and corn gluten meal," said Erick Erickson, USGC director of programs and planning. "This would reduce the attractiveness of these products to feed manufacturers."

For the whole story, click here.

Improvements to Inland Waterways System Remain Crucial

With a wide variety of pressing issues facing the federal government over the coming months, funding for desperately needed lock and dam improvements remains a high priority for the nation's corn farmers according to the National Corn Growers Association.  With the country's inland navigation system moving more than a billion bushels of grain per year, about 60 percent of all grain exports, farmers understand the importance of a functional waterways system.

"Our inland waterway system plays a crucial role in the nation's economy, and we must act now to help our leaders understand that funding improvements is critical to maintaining our industry's viability," said NCGA President Garry Niemeyer.  Achieving our goal is not only important for farmers and shippers, our nation as a whole will benefit from the job creation and shipping efficiencies this project would generate."

The country's inland navigation system plays an even more visible role in the economy also, moving more than a billion tons of domestic commerce valued at more than $300 billion per year.  Yet, investment in the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Waterways has not kept pace with the needs of the transportation sector.  Designed to last only 50 years, much of the lock system is approaching 80 years old and signs of deterioration are readily apparent.  

For the whole story, click here.

USFRA Breaks through in Changing the Conversation about How Food Is Grown

The movement to raise the voices of America's farmers and ranchers and facilitate the dialogue about today's food is gaining momentum. The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance, a unique organization that is a collaboration of more than 75 farmer- and rancher-led organizations and agricultural partners, is creating new ways for farmers and ranchers from all types of agriculture to reach consumers - whether that's in the national news scene, popular culture or social media.

"We're changing the conversation about how food is grown and raised," said Bob Stallman, chairman of USFRA and president of the American Farm Bureau Federation. "Farmers and ranchers are telling their own stories and leading the dialogue on some of the hottest topics about food. In six months, we've been able to provide more powerful ways for farmers and ranchers to get involved, add their voices and provide their perspectives to an audience that may not have experienced this first-person interaction with the people who grow their food."

Research shows consumers welcome the opportunity to talk to "real" farmers and ranchers and turn the conversation from one that is often strained to one that is constructive, where all viewpoints are welcome.  

For the whole story, click here.

Save the Date! Commodity Classic 2013 Rides in on a Wave of Success

Mark your calendar today for Commodity Classic 2013! Building upon record-breaking numbers in 2012, next year's event, scheduled for February 28 through March 2 in sunny Kissimmee, Florida, promises to be a winner.

"There is already a great buzz building for next year's trade show," said 2013 Commodity Classic Co-Chair Mark Schwiebert.  "Last week, our committee traveled to Kissimmee to tour the facilities, which I can guarantee are top-notch.  With another broad offering of learning opportunities, a continually evolving tradeshow and the incredible Florida weather, we are on track for another year of helping farmers find the technologies, acquire the knowledge and build the relationships that will kick off another successful year."

The 2012 Commodity Classic surpassed all previous turnout records with a total of 6,014 attendees, representing a 25 percent increase from last year's record of 4,826 attendees. Once again, farm families comprised more than half of the participants, with 3,505 growers, spouses and children attending.

For the whole story, click here.