NCGA Corn Action News for July 6, 2012

Friday, July 6, 2012

Tell Congress: We Need a Farm Bill Now

Our nation's corn crop is especially challenged this year by heat and drought conditions in most of the country's corn-growing area. Even though corn farmers have done all they can to grow a record crop, including planting the most corn acres since 1937, the the deteriorating crop condition points to the need for a safety net for farmers that is simpler, faster, smarter and more predictable. It's time for the House and Senate to work together and pass a farm bill before the current one expires. Join us in urging them to action; it just takes a few minutes to let them know you care ... and you're watching. Click here to send your lawmakers an email.

TOP OF THE NEWS

2012 Corn Fact Book Tells Amazing Story of Ag Innovation

Information on America's family farmers and the positive contribution they make to the nation's economy is now just a click away as the 2012 edition of the Corn Farmers Coalition's Corn Fact Book is available online. The educational publication, funded by corn checkoff programs in 14 states, is being widely distributed in Washington in support of a major educational campaign that includes print, radio, online and large scale messages in public transit stations.

"The Corn Fact Book provides the hard data about the corn industry not often presented to urban audiences, but it also gives real insight into the family farmers who make agriculture a thriving, vital part of our nation's economy and culture," said National Corn Growers Association President Garry Niemeyer. "This publication celebration the amazing advances farmers have made in growing more while using fewer resources and inputs. It is the modern-day success story of U.S. family farmers, demonstrating what we can all achieve together through hard work and dedication."

Centered on key facts from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency, this publication chronicles how farmers have used generations of knowledge and married it with modern technology and innovation to provide plenty or corn for our expanding list of uses.

Click here for more information.

NCGA Pleased to See House Ag Unveil 2012 Farm Bill

National Corn Growers Association President Garry Niemeyer released the following statement Thursday in response to the House Agriculture Committee's proposed 2012 farm bill:

"The National Corn Growers Association is pleased to see the House Agriculture Committee propose their version of the 2012 farm bill. Our board is assessing similarities and differences between the legislation and our grower-developed policy. NCGA continues to call on Congress to pass a new farm bill this year."

NCGA Congratulates New U.S. Grains Council CEO

NCGA congratulated Thomas N. Sleight on his selection as the new president and CEO of the U.S. Grains Council. Previously the vice president of operations and membership, Sleight has a cumulative 18 years of service with the Council both in the Washington office and abroad.

Sleight initially joined the Council in 1983 and has served in multiple capacities, including successful assignments in program operations in the Washington office, international program direction in the field, communications, membership and administrative functions. After leaving for stints with other agricultural organizations, he returned to the Council in November 2010.

Click here for more information.

American Ethanol Wins with Austin Dillon, NASCAR Fans in Kentucky

Dillon Wins Last weekend, American Ethanol raced into the Kentucky spotlight as spokesman Austin Dillon triumphed with a first-place finish in the NASCAR Nationwide Series Race. Immediately following the victory, which pushed Dillon into first-place in the overall standings for the series, he thanked his sponsors for their support, mentioning American Ethanol by name.

"While it is always exciting to see how NASCAR fans are beginning to really embrace ethanol, this weekend was exceptional," said National Corn Growers Association NASCAR Advisory Committee Chair Martin Barbre. "Between Austin's win and the American Ethanol hoopla in the campgrounds, the energy growing behind both ethanol and the corn farmers who make it possible was palpable. Our work is really gaining momentum and, like the cars it sponsors, will soon bring home another win for rural America."

Click here for more information.

NCGA Set New Membership Record in June

The National Corn Growers Association reached a new record high number of members, 37,447, at the end of June. The previous record of 37,231 was set in March 2012.

NCGA membership offers many benefits, including leadership opportunities, academic scholarships and discounts. Members play an active role in organizational leadership by shaping the direction of activities and influencing public policy that affects all farmers. Additionally, membership provides valuable discounts with companies such as Office Depot, Dell, Cabela's, Ford and Enterprise, and special access to official NASCAR information, including discounted tickets and merchandise.

In addition to representing individual members, NCGA is part of a federation in cooperation with many state-level grower associations and checkoff boards. More than 300,000 growers contribute to state and national organizations through corn checkoff funds in their states.

FIELD NOTES

Field Notes Looks at How Hot, Dry Conditions Take a Toll on Farmers Too

The National Corn Growers Association continues the second season of Field Notes, a series that takes readers behind the farm gate to follow the year in the life of American farm families. While these growers come from diverse geographic areas and run unique operations, they share a common love for U.S. agriculture and the basic values that underpin life in farming communities.

As much of the Corn Belt continues to experience dry, hot conditions, Field Notes checked in with Missouri farmer Billy Thiel. Thiel noted that, despite significant drought damage, farmers will still produce a corn crop this year. Always positive, he also noted that input costs should decrease next year as plants take advantage of residual fertilizer.

For the audio interview, click here.

Next, Field Notes caught up with North Dakota farmer James Aarsvold. Earlier in the day, Aarsvold's fields benefited from six-tenths of an inch of badly needed rain. This moisture, although minimal, will aid the plant during the critical tasseling period.

For the audio interview, click here.

Stay tuned over the coming weeks as Field Notes follows the growers who have opened their farms, families and communities up this year and meet the true faces of modern American agriculture.

CONVERSATIONS WITH THE CANDIDATES

NCGA reminds readers that its annual series profiling candidates for next year's Corn Board is still available online by clicking here. These interviews, which aired over the past next two weeks, present a chance to learn more about the viewpoints and values of the association's prospective leadership. The election will be held July 18 at Corn Congress in Washington, D.C.

NCGA's intrepid bloggers took a look at the important topics of the day and explored their relevance to the ag community. Taking a scientific bent, the team explored new research on how cattle can benefit from an ethanol coproduct, the biological controls for aflatoxin and on a possible factor contributing to global warming- all the hot air generated by the media. You can enjoy these posts by clicking here.

About Us

Founded in 1957, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) represents 37,000 dues-paying corn growers and the interests of more than 300,000 farmers who contribute through corn checkoff programs in their states. NCGA and its 48 affiliated state associations and checkoff organizations work together to help protect and advance corn growers' interests.