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Friday, July 20, 2012
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NCGA Launches Online Drought Resource
 
In light of ongoing drought conditions, NCGA now offers an online repository of constantly updated information and perspectives. To learn more, click here
TOP OF THE NEWS

Corn Congress Charts the Course for Organization, Brings Grower Issues to DC

 

Head Table This week, grower leaders and staff from state and national corn associations gathered in Washington D.C. for a series of team and committee meetings, Capitol Hill visits with lawmakers and the semi-annual Corn Congress, where grower-leaders from 28 states elected four new members of the National Corn Growers Association Corn Board. 

 

During proceedings, Corn Congress delegates ratified Martin Barbre, an Illinois grower, to serve as the new first vice president elect for the 2013 fiscal year.  Additionally, the delegates elected Anthony Bush of Ohio, Don Elsbernd of Iowa and Kevin Skunes of North Dakota. Current board members Keith Alverson of South Dakota and Mike Geske of Missouri were re-elected.

 

"Each year, we have a terrific slate of candidates for the Corn Board, growers who have already had an impressive career of volunteer service for American agriculture," NCGA Chairman Bart Schott, who chairs the nominating committee, said. "It's inspiring to see such an interest on the part of these growers, especially at a time when our industry faces so many challenges. They are all going to be a great addition to the board, and do great things for all farmers."

 

For more information about the fiscal year 2013 Corn Board members elected this week, click here.

 

For more information on newly ratified 2013 NCGA First Vice President Elect Martin Barbre, click here.

 

The NCGA Corn Board represents the organization on all matters while directing both policy and supervising day-to-day operations. Board members represent the federation of state organizations, supervise the affairs and activities of NCGA in partnership with the chief executive officer and implement NCGA policy established by the Corn Congress. Members also act as spokespeople for the NCGA and enhance the organization's public standing on all organizational and policy issues.

 

The week kicked off with action team and committee meetings during which each group carefully considered the current issues and opportunities most relevant to farmers in their target area.  Specifically, the farmer-led teams discussed changing situations, and the possible ramifications of these changes, in areas including public policy, ethanol, biotechnology, government regulation, trade and grower services. After both discussion and expert presentation, the teams decided upon any policy changes to recommend to Corn Congress as a whole for adoption.

 

For more information on the NCGA action team and committee meetings, click here.

 

Stabenow and Niemeyer Following the action team and committee meetings, the 127 delegate body of Corn Congress convened to review NCGA policy and elect the aforementioned leadership.  During this session, the delegates reviewed current organizational policy, demonstrating their support by making few substantive policy changes. 

 

During Corn Congress, attendees enjoyed presentations from industry and government notables including Sharon Bomer Lauritsen from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, U.S. Grains Council Chairman Wendell Shauman and Sen. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, who NCGA honored with the 2012 President's Award for her work advancing issues important to growers and agriculture.

 

For more information on NCGA's President's Award and Sen. Stabenow, click here.

 

For nearly a full working day, delegates, staff and attendees deepened their interaction with the federal government through visits to their state's House and Senate legislation on Capitol Hill.  Lobbying for the swift passage of a farm bill and stressing the importance of ethanol to our nation's rural economies and energy security, these delegations took grower concerns directly to federal legislators.

 

Click here to view photos from all of this week's activities.

 

Drought, Food Prices and the Renewable Fuel Standard

 

NCGA President Garry Niemeyer released the following statement yesterday in response to media coverage and Capitol briefings on the drought, food prices and the Renewable Fuel Standard.

 

"This is a time when farmers and ranchers are suffering the nation's worst drought in years, covering nearly two-thirds of our country's land mass. Like any crisis, it has led to numerous inaccuracies and exaggerations, especially when it comes to the impact on food supply and retail food prices.

 

"Yesterday at the White House, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack noted that farmers only receive a fraction - about 14 cents - of every dollar spent on food at the grocery store. Look at corn, for example, which even at its current price is an inexpensive food ingredient. The corn in a box of Corn Flakes only costs about a dime, and there's just over a quarter's worth of corn in a pound of beef.

 

"When it comes to the Renewable Fuel Standard for ethanol and other biofuels, now is not the time for changes. It's working. The RFS is revitalizing rural America, reducing our dependence on foreign fuel and reducing the cost of gasoline. Making changes to the RFS now would only ensure that consumers suffer due to significantly higher fuel prices.

 

"And while it is true that our corn crop is suffering, it's still in the field.  We won't know the actual size of the 2012 corn crop until months from now. In the meantime, the market is working. All corn users are responding to market signals. Ethanol production and exports are down. In addition, there is currently an ethanol surplus in the United States that will further reduce demand on the 2012 corn crop.

 

"Given the challenges of the drought and suffering of all farmers, now more than ever, U.S. agriculture needs to pull together.  NCGA will continue to help lead the way in trying to unite, rather than divide, American agriculture."

 

NCGA Urges Congress to Grant Russia Most Favored Nation Status

 

The Senate Finance Committee marked up legislation Wednesday to grant Russia permanent Most Favored Nation status.  In December 2012, Russia was invited to join the World Trade Organization.  However, if the United States does not take steps to lift the Jackson Vanik amendment and grant Russia MFN status, U.S. farmers will not be able to take advantage of Russia's accession to the WTO.

 

NCGA urges Congress to take immediate action to repeal the Jackson Vanik amendment thereby allowing farmers to take advantage of a more open and level playing field.

 

"When Russia joins the WTO it must abide by stricter sanitary and phytosanitary obligations," Chad Blindauer, Chair of NCGA's Trade Policy and Biotechnology Action Team, said.  "This accountability will greatly help U.S. farmers and ranchers, including those with livestock.  We are encouraged that the legislation requires our trade representative to negotiate a bilateral agreement so Russia recognizes our sanitary and phytosanitary measures as equivalent to its own."

 

Russia is expected to meet the July 23rd deadline for notifying the WTO that it has accepted the terms of its membership.  After 30 days, Russia will become a full WTO member, regardless of whether Congress has acted on permanent MFN status.

Corn Commentary New
NCGA's intrepid bloggers took a look at the important topics of the day and explored their relevance to the ag community. This week, the drought took center stage as USDA reduced yield forecasts and an army of armchair economists spewed even more hot air. From food prices to final production, find out why reason says to "Keep Strong. Carry On." 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.
 
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