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America Needs a New Farm Bill
National Corn Growers Association President Garry Niemeyer released the following statement Friday in response to a decision by the House of Representatives to take up a one-year extension of the farm bill:
"America's farmers need a new farm bill that will allow them the ability to make sound business decisions for the next five years. An extension of current law fails to provide the needed level of certainty. The National Corn Growers Association has strongly advocated programs, such as direct payments, be reformed into more efficient farm policy that will be responsive to taxpayers.
"It is important to get to conference and pass a bill before the current law expires September 30. Continuing outdated farm policies will negatively impact agriculture, the federal budget, consumers and the economy."
NCGA Thanks USDA Secretary Vilsack for Drought Efforts
As the drought continues throughout the country, National Corn Growers Association President Garry Niemeyer sent a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack Friday, thanking him for his efforts. The Secretary has communicated with the public about the drought and carefully explained potential impacts.
"NCGA thanks you for your calm and reasoned leadership during this time of drought," Niemeyer stated in the letter. "America's corn farmers greatly appreciate your efforts to keep commodity markets stable, alleviate consumers' concerns about food prices and aid farmers and livestock producers."
Secretary Vilsack has participated in several high level meetings on this topic, including briefing President Obama. The Secretary has also been a committed supporter for American agriculture on this topic during recent interviews with CNBC and a press briefing at the White House. In addition, the Secretary called a special meeting of the White House Rural Council today to discuss how federal agencies can work together to respond to the drought.
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Corn Yield Contest Reports Near-Record Entries
 The summer may be too hot and dry for many farmers across the Midwest, but the National Corn Growers Association's National Corn Yield Contest reports indicate that many growers remain engaged in the annual program, with near-record participation at the initial entry count. While entries are still processing, preliminary reports indicate that members submitted approximately 8,071 valid entries forms this year. If this proves accurate, the 2012 contest would approach the previous entry record set in 2011 of 8,425 entries, and far exceed the previous record set in 2010, of 7,125 entries.
"The ever increasing popularity of the contest astonishes me and is truly a testament to its reputation for excellence," said Brandon Hunnicutt, chairman of NCGA's Grower Services Action Team. "Through its long history, this program has always provided growers a chance to celebrate success and explore better production methods. As we must continually increase yields to meet growing demands, the contest provides an exciting vehicle to improve growing methods."
While in its 48th year, participation in the contest has skyrocketed since 2007, when only 4,932 entries were submitted. Should entries exceed 8,100, the contest would have grown more than 64 percent in only six years and upheld its traditional status as the most popular program among members.
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USFRA Looking for the Faces of Farming and Ranching
At the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance's recent Food Dialogues event in Los Angeles, the organization announced that it is looking for the "Faces of Farming and Ranching" to help put a real face, and even "heart," on agriculture. A proud affiliate and board member of USFRA, the National Corn Growers urges interested farmers to consider this opportunity.
"I've met a lot of corn growers with inspiring stories to share about what they do and the passion that helps make their stories more meaningful," said NCGA Chairman Bart Schott, a grower from North Dakota who also serves as USFRA vice-chair. "This is a terrific opportunity to help them share their personal story with new, larger audiences while helping highlight agriculture's continuous commitment to improvement. Now is the time to raise our voices and tell our real story."
USFRA is looking for standout farmers and ranchers, farming-ranching couples and/or families who are proud of what they do, eager to share their stories of continuous improvement with others and are actively involved today in telling those stories. As USFRA is committed to showing the incredible diversity within American agriculture, farmers and ranchers from different commodity groups, production practices, sizes and geographies are encouraged to apply.
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Family Farmers, American Ethanol Deserve Victory Lap for Chicagoland Efforts
 It was a great weekend of NASCAR action for corn growers at Chicagoland Speedway. From the American Ethanol NASCAR Camping Truck Series race on Friday to Kenny Wallace's fourth place showing in Sunday's Nationwide Series race, the Illinois Corn Marketing Board, the National Corn Growers Association and the American Ethanol Alliance worked together to push consumer awareness efforts into overdrive.
Friday night, Illinois corn farmer Donna Jeschke signaled for the action to start as she waved the green flag for the American Ethanol 225 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race. A current ICMB director, Jeschke noted that promotions such as the race, which included a special paint out on RAB driver John Wes Townley's No. 9 Toyota Tundra, put farmers out in front of the public and create awareness of the amazing story of how America's farmers put food on their tables.
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This week, Field Notes caught up with Don Rutledge, who farms in Colorado. Facing dry, hot conditions, Don talks about how irrigation is saving his corn crop.
