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October 26, 2012

CommonGround Opens Dialogue with Consumers on Benefits of Biotech

 

It is hard to ignore the fact that the topics of GMOs (genetically modified organisms) and biotechnology are getting a lot of attention. Every day there seems to be more information from all kinds of sources bombarding people about GMOs and biotech. How do consumers know what to believe?

 

As people raising America's food, CommonGround farmer-volunteers want to assure grocery shoppers that biotechnology is not something to worry about or fear. Plants and seeds have been genetically altered by farmers for the last 10,000 years through selective breeding. Modern biotechnology simply offers a quicker, more efficient path to accomplishing the same goals.

 

Click here for the full story.

 

To learn more about this program, a joint project of the National Corn Growers Association, the United Soybean Board and their state affiliates, click here.

NCGA in the News

Farm Bill Expiration Impacts Export Programs

 

The expiration of the 2008 farm bill on Sept. 30 brought with it the end of funding for the Foreign Market Development program and the Market Access Program.  These two programs leverage farmer and agribusiness investments to build an active outreach program in more than 50 countries.

 

MAP and FMD cooperators, like the U.S. Grains Council and U.S. Meat Export Federation, employ staff around the world, build and defend U.S. market share of corn and related co-products and directly foster sales opportunities for U.S. products. Although the United States Department of Agriculture and the Foreign Agricultural Service have enabled the temporary continuation of FMD, available funds will run out in the coming months.

 

To learn more, click here.

NCGA Welcomes Officials from Philippines 

 

Nathan and Team 10-19-12

Last week, NCGA hosted a team of government officials from the Philippines brought here by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service to look at current trends and legislation relating to biotechnology and to examine the effects biotechnology has on small farms and rural incomes. In helping develop the knowledge base necessary to create science-based regulations abroad, NCGA increases opportunities to commercialize biotech crops abroad.

 

To learn more, click here.

States Corn Groups Lay Groundwork for Higher Ethanol Blends
  E15
State corn associations across the country are working diligently to make the increased use of higher ethanol blends a reality through programs to put the necessary infrastructure in place. Laying the groundwork for a shift toward greater use of the domestically produced, environmentally friendly biofuel, a wide variety of programs currently underway will help fuel tomorrow with E15 and midlevel blends while providing easier E85 access for the eight million flex-fuel vehicles.

To learn more, click here.

EU Market Opens for U.S. Corn Co-products
 
NCGA recognizes the European Union for opening its markets to U.S. corn-based ethanol co-products, including distillers dried grains with solubles and corn gluten feed, through the official approval of MIR 162 Agrisure Viptera, a Syngenta corn variety.  The decision follows years of industry leadership and efforts orchestrated by the U.S. Grains Council, of which NCGA is a founding member, and its partners in the EU, including grain trade association COCERAL, feed millers association FEFAC and the Irish Feed Millers Association.
 

USGC experts note that, should the approval process remain sluggish with this trade block, sales of U.S. co-products into the EU could again stall as new biotech products hit the U.S. market in 2013.

 

To learn more, click here.

Corn Commentary New
On Corn Commentary, you can always get the latest news on the situations impacting today's farmer. Whether delving into the details of pending legislation or exploring how to agvocate more effectively, Corn Commentary offers a fresh perspective. 

Click here to explore our blog posts on a variety of interesting, insightful topics.
Reminders and Updates
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Field Notes Explores Life After Harvest
 
With harvest nearing completion across the Corn Belt, Field Notes catches up with farmers from Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky and finds out that, while many combines may be idle, farmers have work to do year round. 
 
To get the whole story and listen to the interviews, click here.

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CTIC Turns 30

The Conservation Technology Information Center is celebrating its 30th anniversary in St. Louis, as it continues its mission to champion, promote and provide information on technologies and sustainable agricultural systems. 
 
To find out more about CTIC, click here. 
Scholarship Program Logo
Apply Now!

NCGA and BASF Corporation will again award five $1,000 scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a degree in an agriculture-related field during the 2013-14 school year. 

 

Click here for full regulations and to access the application.


NCYC Short
 
Harvest Forms Online

With USDA reports indicating that corn harvest is now almost 90 percent complete, NCGA reminds 2012 National Corn Yield Contest entrants that harvest forms must be submitted within a week of harvesting. 

 

In order to make submission simpler, harvest forms are available online. Click here to access online harvest forms, PDFs and official rules.

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