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NCGA Addresses Concerns, Urges Cooperation in Light of Corn Crop Estimates
National Corn Growers Association President Garry Niemeyer released the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture reports released this morning which further decreased the estimated U.S. corn production in 2012.
"Farmers across the country are coming to grips with the full impact of this devastating drought. The August USDA crop report confirms our concerns that corn production may be several billion bushels less than previously anticipated, due to a summer heat wave which kept temperatures well above normal and offered only sporadic rain.
"Our nation's farmers have done all they can to increase the corn supply, planting the most corn acres our country has seen since 1937 this year. Thankfully, this additional acreage and innovative agronomic practices will make an important difference, and we remain hopeful that above average yields in some areas will further augment the crop. At the same time, we recognize that it will not fully cover yield concerns.
"Without advanced seed technology, including biotechnology and new genetics which help corn plants use water more efficiently and better tolerate extreme heat and other drought conditions, production losses would be much greater.
For the full statement, click here.
NCGA Sets Record Straight on House Letter Urging EPA to Waive RFS
Last week 154 members of the House of Representatives sent a letter that included inaccuracies to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson urging a waiver of the Renewable Fuel Standard. NCGA President Niemeyer sent a letter to every member of the House of Representatives setting the record straight.
"Unfortunately, the letter sent to EPA Administrator Jackson did not provide accurate information about the amount of corn used to produce ethanol or livestock feed," Niemeyer stated in the letter. "Furthermore, it lacks a comprehensive description of the "burden of proof" required under the RFS waiver provisions. The letter relies on long discredited claims that opponents of the RFS have continued to reference in their on-going efforts to repeal the RFS."
Niemeyer also pointed out research has shown that increased worldwide demand and the rising cost of oil and other inputs have had far greater effect on the price of corn than the ethanol volume requirements of the RFS. In addition, he added NCGA believes that it is premature for EPA to waive the RFS provisions at this point in time. This year's corn crop has yet to be harvested so it is too early to determine how much corn will be available this year.
For the whole story, click here.
NCGA Seeks Growers for Action Teams, Committees
NCGA is seeking applications from members interested in working on an NCGA action team or committee in the 2013 fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1. This service provides growers an opportunity to play an active role in shaping the future of their industry and to become a part of the national agricultural leadership community.
"As a grassroots organization, NCGA relies on its members to step forward and take an active role in developing the policies that will lead our industry forward," said NCGA First Vice President Pam Johnson. "This year, we have opportunities in all of the areas the organization touches, thus allowing members to take their involvement to the next level while exploring in great depth the areas which interest them the most."
Positions are available on all teams and committees: Production and Stewardship Action Team, Research and Business Development Action Team, Public Policy Action Team, Grower Services Action Team, Ethanol Committee, Trade Policy and Biotechnology Action Team and CornPAC.
For the whole story, click here.
NCGA Adds Discounts on Hotels Worldwide to Membership Benefits Portfolio
The benefits of NCGA membership continue to grow with the recent announcement of a new benefit offering members the chance to save drastically on reservations at any hotel around the world, anywhere and at any time. Through the program, NCGA members, their family and their friends have unlimited access to discounted hotel rates online or over the phone that can be used for business or leisure travel. Offering discounts that are, on average, ten percent deeper than other online travel sites, members now have access to exclusive savings.
"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. We understand how hard our members work for every dollar and, at every turn, we look for ways to help them stretch if further."
Access to the discounted rates is available online through the Membership Benefits section of the NCGA website or over the phone at 800-892-2136. To access either system, members should first call NCGA Marketing Department Administrative Assistant Jo Lynn Dollar during normal business hours at 636-733-9004 to obtain the necessary login credentials.
For the whole story, click here.
Up-and-Coming Grower Leaders Get Taste of Leadership at Its Best
 Growers gathered this week in Greensboro, N.C. for the first session of the NCGA Leadership Academy, co-sponsored by Syngenta. Upon completion of the program in January, the participants will join more than 500 colleagues who have graduated from this program in the past 26 years.
At the meeting, participants got an up-close look at NCGA from President Niemeyer, who is also a Leadership Academy alumnus. Farmers took part in media training and public speaking exercises as well as association management skill building. In addition, the class looked at future trends that will impact the industry and a comprehensive economic forecast from futurist Bob Treadway.
"As a Leadership Academy graduate, I have a deep appreciation for the confidence and skills attendees develop in such a short time, and of the ability of Syngenta and other presenters to hone in on what is most needed," Niemeyer said. "As NCGA president, I am excited to see new leaders who want to take on an active role in the association. When these volunteers come together, you can feel their passion for the industry. It is heartening to know that such strong farmer leaders will carry on our mission well into the future."
For the whole story, click here.
CommonGround Connects Farm Moms with Moms Interested in Their Food
 CommonGround, first created through a partnership among the National Corn Growers Association, the United Soybean Board and their state affiliates, has grown into a movement of more than 50 women from a diverse group of farming operations. These passionate volunteers give of their time and open their lives to start real conversations with moms about farming and food.
This week, CommonGround volunteer and Kansas farm mom LaVell Winsor spoke with the National Association of Farm Broadcasters about the program, saying consumers domestically and internationally have many questions about how farm families like hers grow food.
"Only one to two percent of our population farms," Winsor explained. "So, the 98 to 99 percent of people who do not have a farm background could be two, three or maybe even four generations removed from agriculture. It makes sense that people have many legitimate questions about where their food comes from and what type of farm grows it. As CommonGround volunteers, we try and help answer those questions by explaining what we do on our farms and why we do these things."
To listen to the full interview, click here.
For the whole story, click here.
NCGA Shares Farmer Perspective on 2012 Crop to Ethanol Industry
 This week, NCGA CEO Rick Tolman shared the farmer's perspective to the American Coalition for Ethanol's conference while addressing the group on the 2012 corn crop, the drought and NCGA's support for ethanol and all markets for U.S. corn.
Speaking on Friday morning, Tolman stressed the importance of withholding judgment on the final size of the total corn crop until more complete information is available and harvest is complete. Reiterating NCGA's support for the ethanol industry and the Renewable Fuels Standard, he reminded attendees that a few short months ago it appeared that farmers would produce a record crop, far exceeding forecast demand. Despite the significant short-term impact of the drought, he noted that conditions will improve, production will increase and ethanol will remain a key market for corn.
For the whole story, click here.
New Drought Resources Announced by White House
During a White House Rural Council meeting this week, President Obama outlined new disaster assistance efforts for those impacted by the drought. Obama established the Rural Council in June 2011 to coordinate programs across government, to encourage public-private partnerships and to promote further economic prosperity and quality of life in rural communities nationwide. It is chaired by Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.
According to a White House release, USDA will use nearly $16 million in financial and technical assistance to immediately help crop and livestock producers in 19 states cope with the impacts of the drought. In addition, USDA will initiate a transfer of $14 million in unobligated program funds into the Emergency Conservation Program. These funds can be used to assist in moving water to and providing forage for livestock and rehabilitating lands severely impacted by the drought. These combined efforts should provide nearly $30 million to producers affected by drought conditions.
For the whole story, click here.
U.S. Grains Council Elects 2012/2013 Leadership
 During the U.S. Grains Council's 52nd Annual Board of Delegates meeting in Vancouver, Wash., members voted in a new slate of board of directors, selecting Don Fast as Chairman.
"We congratulate the new officers of the U.S. Grains Council and look forward to working with them to increase opportunities for U.S. corn farmers," said NCGA President Garry Niemeyer. "NCGA and the Council have historically enjoyed a productive, successful relationship, and these new officers will help us continue this legacy."
For the whole story, click here.
New Faces, Features in Eighth Season of America's Heartland
 KVIE Public Television, producers of America's Heartland, announced new consumer features, themed episodes, and new hosts as it premieres an unprecedented eighth season of the public television series celebrating U.S. agriculture starting the week of Sept. 10. NCGA is a proud promotional partner of this important effort to educate audiences about today's agriculture.
During Season 8's 22 new episodes, veteran reporters Jason Shoultz, Sarah Gardner and Rob Stewart are joined by Sharon Vaknin, video host and editor at CNET and a popular online chef. Vaknin debuts in Episode 801 as the host of Farm to Fork, where she introduces viewers to real-life farmers or ranchers to learn about the products they grow or raise. Together, she and her guests then prepare some delicious dishes using those same ingredients. All of the recipes will be posted on the America's Heartland website.
For the whole story, click here.
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