NCGA Corn Board Elects Chip Bowling as Next Farmer to Help Lead Organization

The National Corn Growers Association's Corn Board has elected Chip Bowling of Maryland to become the organization's first vice president for the next fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1.

"I am honored that my colleagues on the board have placed their trust in my ability and dedication to moving our association's mission forward and creating greater opportunities for corn growers across the country," said Bowling. "At the same time, I realize that farmers face many challenges right now as threats to the Renewable Fuel Standard abound and we continue operating without a new, five-year farm bill. I look forward to working with our grower leadership over the coming years to find innovative, impactful ways to deal with the situations at hand and those which will certainly arise in the future."

A farmer for more than three decades, Bowling is a third-generation farmer who operates a 1,400-acre grain farm growing corn, soybean, wheat, barley and grain sorghum only an hour's drive outside of Washington, D.C.

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NCGA Congratulates Senate on Farm Bill Passage, Urges House Action

NCGA congratulates the Senate on passage of the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act (2013 farm bill). The legislation was agreed to by a vote of 66-27. NCGA now urges the House of Representatives to quickly follow suit.

"America's farmers greatly appreciate the leadership and bipartisan efforts by the Senate to complete their work on the farm bill," NCGA President Pam Johnson said. "We also recognize the efforts put forth to address regional concerns to ensure all areas of the country are adequately represented in the final language."

NCGA has worked to advance market-oriented reforms in commodity programs to address significant gaps in the farm safety net. The revenue-based Agriculture Risk Coverage Program, designed to complement producers' individual crop insurance policies, will provide protection against multi-year price and production declines that adjusts with the marketplace. This signature reform, coupled with a strong federal crop insurance program, will result in substantial budget savings for taxpayers and more effective risk management tools for corn growers.

"This legislation is long overdue and our work is still not done," Johnson said. "Our focus now turns to the House of Representatives with hopes that they schedule floor time to consider the legislation as soon as possible. We look forward to continuing to partner with agriculture advocates to pass a new common-sense, reform-minded farm bill."

Corn, Soybean, Sunflower and Canola Growers Press House on Farm Bill

In a letter to lawmakers, the National Corn Growers Association, the American Soybean Association, National Sunflower Association and the U.S. Canola Association urged the House of Representatives to quickly consider and pass H.R. 1947, the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management ("FARRM") Act.

"Our organizations support many of the programs included in H.R. 1947, as reported by the Committee on Agriculture. The bill would consolidate conservation programs, reauthorize and fund agricultural research, energy, and export promotion programs, and make improvements in federal crop insurance. We strongly support these provisions, and ask that you oppose any amendments which would eliminate or weaken them," said the groups in the letter.

"We were pleased to see the 2013 farm bill pass with such strong support in the Senate last week and urge the House to swiftly follow suit," NCGA President Pam Johnson, a corn farmer from Floyd, Iowa said. "Passing a comprehensive, market oriented farm bill is critically important to not only agriculture but to every American. We encourage the House to adopt policy that will be both responsive to taxpayers and effective in helping farms remain viable and productive."

A full transcript of the letter is available by clicking here.

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Austin Dillon Drives Home the Benefits of Ethanol in Michigan 

E15 will race into the spotlight this weekend as Austin Dillon pilots the No. 33 American Ethanol car in NASCAR®'s Quicken Loans 400 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan. Pulling double duty as he attempts to make his second career Sprint Cup start in the American Ethanol Chevrolet, Dillon will look for victory while sporting the black and green colors of American Ethanol on Sunday and during the Nationwide Series race on Saturday in the AdvoCare/American Ethanol No. 3 car.

"Fans are going to love seeing American Ethanol on the car. We ran an American Ethanol paint scheme in Michigan last year, and it was really neat to get feedback from our fans. We went out to some camp sites during the race weekend, and the fans were really positive and excited," Dillon said. "There are a lot of people that are passionate about NASCAR who have become really interested in ethanol and want to learn about it because they see it on the racetrack running well. It's cool that I'm able to help show the benefits of a clean fuel that runs good."

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NCGA Briefs Hill Staff on Sustainability in Agriculture and the Renewable Fuel Industry

NCGA brought the story of how America's corn farmers are growing corn in an increasingly sustainable manner to Capitol Hill staffers as part of a panel sponsored by Fuels America. NCGA Director of Public Policy Rod Snyder, along with other energy and agriculture representatives, provided an update on important issues shaping agriculture and the renewable fuel industry in America.

"As Congress makes long term policy choices about renewable fuels production in the United States, it is important to keep in mind that farmers are producing corn and other ethanol feedstock more sustainably than ever before," said Snyder. "Farmers continue to create more with less by reducing soil erosion, water use and energy use per bushel."

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Planting Delays May Impact Production But Projections Still Indicate a Record Corn Crop

Despite weather-related planting delays this year, U.S. farmers are still on track to produce a record corn crop, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates released this week. While the report projects average yields will not break previous records at 156.5 bushels per acre, strong yields coupled with record plantings will help farmers produce a record total corn supply of 14.0 billion bushels, three billion bushels more than last year.

"While projections were lowered to reflect the anticipated impact planting delays will have upon our corn crop, the fact that U.S. farmers are anticipated to produce a record crop even facing such obstacles is a testament to the tenacity of farmers and innovation of agribusiness," said NCGA President Johnson. "Farmers merge cutting-edge technology and ever-improving practices to create a dynamic industry capable of operating at a level unthinkable only a few decades prior. Now, we wait to see how the weather will unfold this summer while still remaining diligent in our work and striving to produce that abundance for a world with constantly increasing food, feed and fuel needs."

For the full report, click here.

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Last Call! 2013 Yield Contest Early Registration Saving Close This Week

With only one day left to take advantage of the early registration discount, the National Corn Growers Association reminds those interested in the 2013 National Corn Yield Contest that time remains to enjoy valuable savings while participating in this popular program. The online entry format makes entry quick and simple, but growers wishing to take advantage of the reduced $80 per hybrid entry fee must do so by June 15. After that, NCGA will continue to accept entries until the July 12 deadline, but fees will return to the normal rate of $110 per hybrid.

"The online entry option makes taking advantage of the early entry discount easier than ever," said NCGA Production and Stewardship Action Team Chair Dean Taylor. "As farmers across the country wrap up corn planting, I encourage members to take advantage of the discount, use the easy online form and become a part of the contest. Also, I encourage non-members to explore the many benefits that NCGA members enjoy and consider joining both the association and entering the contest."

To enter today using the online form, click here. For access to additional contest information, rules and forms, click here.

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USFRA Brings Bloggers to the Farm to Share Dinner, Dialogue

Last week, the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance hosted a dinner for 40 select bloggers who attended the BlogHer Food Conference in Austin, Texas. Held on a small urban farm, the dinner brought celebrity chef Danny Boome, USFRA Faces of Farming and Ranching winners Chris Chinn and Will Gilmer, representatives from the pork industry, Texas cattle ranchers and CommonGround volunteers together with food-centric female bloggers for a farm-fresh meal and fresh conversation on farming.

Following a brief tour of the facilities, which grow organic vegetables and raise chickens for egg and meat production, the bloggers sat at the table with the farmers, who grow a variety of crops in addition to raising beef cattle and hogs, to discuss topics that currently are heating up food discussions on the internet. Questions surrounding the idea of "factory" versus family farming, genetically modified crops, animal welfare and the use of pesticides and fertilizers drew significant attention that led to thought-provoking dialogue.

USFRA hosted this event as part of an ongoing effort to bring farmers and ranchers into conversations about food and farming. To learn more about their activities, click here.

NCGA Announces Advanced Leadership Participants

NCGA announced participants for the fourth class of NCGA's Advanced Leadership Program, co-sponsored by Syngenta. This year's class includes seven Leadership at Its Best graduates who will undergo intensive training in order to hone their media, leadership and lobbying skills and prepare to lead the industry forward.

"We are excited to see another class of leaders who seek to truly elevate their skillset and further their work on behalf of U.S. farmers," said NCGA President Pam Johnson. "NCGA depends upon grassroots leadership, and, as a graduate of the program, I personally understand the important role this program plays in helping develop the skills and build the relationships necessary to lead such a dynamic organization in an ever-changing environment."

This year's Advanced Leadership Class includes: Jedediah Bower (Ohio); William Christ (Ill.); Jerry Lee Demmer (Minn.); John Linder (Ohio); Debra Keller (Iowa); Bruce Rohwer (Iowa); and Chad Willis (Minn.).

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NCGA Brings Corn Farmers Perspective to Fuel Ethanol Workshop

This week, NCGA brought the corn farmers' perspective to leaders and innovators in the ethanol and related industries as they met in St. Louis for the 29th Annual International Fuel Ethanol Workshop and Expo, the largest ethanol conference currently in the world. For four days, attendees participated in a variety of sessions on topics ranging from regulatory compliance, improving nutritional quality in distillers' dried grains and technological innovations. In addition to these panel-led sessions, the conference also offered industry tours and the opportunity to speak with vendors about new products.

Yesterday, a select group of industry members came together at the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center on Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville's campus to learn more about new technology in fuel and feedstocks. During this event, NCGA Director of Biofuels Dr. Pam Keck, Director of Biofuels spoke on the role of corn as a feedstock for ethanol production. She was joined in this discussion by John Duff of the Sorghum Checkoff and Bob Randle of Genera Energy, a feedstock supplier to the cellulosic ethanol industry. Each presenter focused on the most recent developments in their respective areas and outlined how their organizations promote use of their respective feedstocks for ethanol production.

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As Corn Planting Nears Completion, Farmers Focus on Crop Condition 

Farmers charged ahead with corn planting despite delays and are nearly complete with a full 95 percent of corn acres planted according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture report released this week. Since last week, planting progress increased by four points to close in on the five-year average of 98 percent at this point. At the same time, corn emergence also rose by 11 points to 85 percent, only trailing the five-year average by seven points despite planting delays.

"The progress we are seeing is a positive indication that many farmers are deciding to move ahead with corn acres despite delays," said National Corn Growers Association President Pam Johnson, a grower in Iowa. "With progress still underway in some areas and many expecting favorable conditions, it is still possible that we will see a bountiful harvest. Early season weather always leads to speculation, but the remainder of the summer's circumstances are what really impact the health of a crop. Now, we just need to hope for timely rains and well-timed weather."

To view the full report released today, click here.

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