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Friday, June 21, 2013

NCGA Disappointed in House Failing to Pass Farm Bill

 

National Corn Growers Association President Pam Johnson released the following statement in response to the House of Representatives failing to pass the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act (2013 farm bill):

 

"The National Corn Growers Association is extremely disappointed to see the House of Representatives fail to pass the 2013 farm bill.  Up to the last minute our organization has actively and consistently called for passage of the legislation.  We will be engaged in all efforts needed to secure passage in the House and bring the bill to Conference." 

 

NCGA Comments to House Committee on Importance of RFS 

 

NCGA today submitted comments to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on the important role the Renewable Fuel Standard plays in our nation's broader energy policy. In these comments, submitted in response to the committee's recent white paper on energy policy, NCGA addressed the important role that the RFS continues to play in meeting federal goals of increasing national security by improving energy and economic security.

 

NCGA notes in the comments that the government continues to invest in alternative energy sources with the goal of increasing national security by increasing energy security and thus decreasing our reliance upon foreign energy sources. Given this objective, NCGA then looks at initiatives which are effectively improving domestic energy supplies today.

 

"One of these initiatives is the RFS, which has contributed to U.S. energy security by providing an affordable domestically produced alternative to oil while decreasing greenhouse gas emissions," the comments, in the form of a letter from NCGA President Pam Johnson, state. "Another mechanism has been through the Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards, which decrease vehicle fuel consumption through increased mileage requirements. The continued support of methods to decrease the use of and provide alternatives to the consumption of energy while preserving the environment is critical to sustaining the planet for future generations - something farmers have been doing for generations."

 

To read the full comments as submitted, please click here.

 

Click here to review previous white papers and responses from NCGA.

 

For the full story, click here.


Soy, Corn, Sunflower and Canola Growers Comment on Withdrawal of Gibbs Amendment on Market-Oriented Farm Policy

 

As part of its debate earlier this week on the 103 amendments to the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013, the House of Representatives concluded consideration of an amendment offered by Representative Bob Gibbs of Ohio that would set target prices for all crops at 55 percent of the five year rolling Olympic average. After the amendment was offered, House Agriculture Committee Chair Frank Lucas of Oklahoma requested that Rep. Gibbs withdraw his amendment with the promise that he will work with Rep. Gibbs in the conference committee to see enacted an "equitable and market-oriented farm bill". Leaders from the American Soybean Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Sunflower Association and U.S. Canola Association released the following statement on the withdrawal of the Gibbs Amendment:

 

"Our collective groups believe the Gibbs amendment would have received strong support on the House floor, and would have made the 2013 farm bill a better piece of legislation overall.  As proponents of market-oriented farm policy, we are disappointed to see the amendment withdrawn and we thank Rep. Gibbs for his continued advocacy. We expect Chairman Lucas to respond to the farm policy concerns raised by the amendment during Conference on the farm bill, as he committed to do during his colloquy today with Rep. Gibbs. The final farm bill must be more equitable and market-oriented than the current Price Loss Coverage program in the House bill."

 

Making every drop count: NCGA Tools for Water Quality

  

Screen Shot To help corn farmers enhance their understanding of water issues and ways to enhance water quality on their farms, NCGA has added a video and an interactive educational module to its online learning tools concerning water quality management.

 

"NCGA is dedicated to continuous improvement, education and supporting water conservation and input management," said Dean Taylor, chair of the Production and Stewardship Action Team. "Our goal in producing these tools is to communicate the actual production related practices farmers are successfully implementing related to water quality."

 

The video, titled "Driving Change," showcases NCGA members describing the practices they are implementing to enhance water quality on their farms and in their area. The 30-minuteNCGA Water Issues Learning Module was developed to help farmers better understand water quality issues and best practices.

 

For the full story, click here.

 

NCGA Hosts Department of State Sponsored Team 

 

This week, NCGA hosted a team organized by the U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program for discussions on sustainable agriculture, efforts towards conservation, agricultural productivity, marketing and policy advocacy. With participants from Fiji, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Tajikistan who work in academia, agriculture and for non-governmental organizations, these dignitaries brought insightful questions and a deep appreciation for the opportunity to the discussion.

 

NCGA Director of Biotechnology and Economic Analysis Nathan Fields walked the group through subject matter while fielding questions on many related topics. Team members expressed particular interest in the effectiveness of biotechnology, the science behind the products and the approval methods in place for biotech traits in the United States.

 

For the full story, click here.

 

Museum Tour Provides Perspective on Importance of Biotechnology

  

1960 hog lift Last week, the NCGA Corn Board had a unique opportunity to explore the importance of biotechnology while visiting the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates in Des Moines, Iowa. While there, the group learned about the lasting legacy of Dr. Norman Borlaug and the contributions to society made by the scientists which the prize honors.

 

In 1970, Dr. Borlaug was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for a lifetime of work to feed a hungry world. Although a scientist with outstanding contributions, perhaps Dr. Borlaug's greatest achievement has been his unending struggle to integrate the various streams of agricultural research into viable technologies and to convince political leaders to bring these advances to fruition.

 

For the full story, click here.

 

During a tour of the museum, the team also had a chance to see a painting  (shown above right) depicting the 1960 Hog Lift, which was organized by NCGA's first president, Walter Goeppinger. The Hog Lift brought hogs from Iowa to its sister state in Japan, Yamanashi Prefecture, after it suffered severe typhoon damage that decimated herds. Goeppinger served NCGA as president for 17 years and as chairman for an additional three. 

 

As Corn Emerges, Crop Condition Forecast Remains Strong

 

With U.S. corn planting complete, the crop is maturing well and continues to appear in good condition according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture report released early this week. Since last week, corn emergence rose by seven points to 92 percent, only trailing the five-year average by only five points despite planting delays.

 

"Farmers are watching the weather and monitoring crop progress closely in the hopes that favorable conditions will help plants thrive despite planting delays," said NCGA President Pam Johnson, a grower in Iowa. "Early season weather always leads to speculation about the potential size of a year's crop, but the remainder of the summer's circumstances play the crucial role in determining how much spring plantings will yield."

 

To view the full report released today, click here.

 

For the full story, click here.

Meet the Corn Board Candidates

These articles and podcasts are the first four in a series profiling candidates for the 2014 Corn Board.

 

Ronnie Burleson

 

Ronnie Burleson An active listener who aims to find solutions that benefit all farmers, Ronnie Burleson volunteers long hours to the service of farmers in his home state of North Carolina. Now, after more than two decades of membership, he wishes to contribute his perspective, hard-work and insight by servicing as a member of the 2014 National Corn Growers Association Corn Board.

 

"A leader has to be a good listener who is able to look at the picture as a whole and not take a narrow sighted view," said Burleson. "As a member of the Corn Board, you have to be a passionate person for what you believe in while being compassionate to how others are affected by your decisions."

Burleson now serves as president of both the Corn Growers Association of North Carolina and of the North Carolina Cotton Producers Association. He also serves as a director on the boards of the North Carolina Farm Bureau, National Cotton Council and Southern Cotton Growers.

 

To listen to the full interview with Burleson, click here.

 

For the full story, click here.

 

Rob Elliott

  

Rob Elliott 2013 A critical thinker who aims to create consensus and balanced solutions, Rob Elliott brings both passion for agriculture and a calm, nuanced approach to his work on behalf of farmers. Now, he wishes to continue his service as he runs for a second term on the National Corn Growers Association Corn Board.

 

In running for a second term, Elliott desires to help his industry address the challenges it faces. Particularly, he sites public awareness of agriculture as one of the most important issues which must be addressed to build a better future.

 

"Our society has a shifting dynamic, and I think that public perception is going to continue to be one of our biggest challenges," said Elliott. "We live in a world where people removed from the farm seem not to have an understanding of where food comes from or what agriculture is really all about. Some of that crowd tends to want to dictate to farmers how we should conduct our business. From the market place to public policy arenas, one of our biggest challenges as farmers today is learning to tell our story in a world that, largely, does not understand us."

 

To listen to the full interview with Elliott, click here.

 

For the full story, click here.

 

David Howell

  

david howell An experienced leader with broad perspective, David Howell brings a deep appreciation for the importance of forward-looking policy that benefits all American farmers to his work. Now, he wishes to serve his fellow farmers as a member of the National Corn Growers Association Corn Board.

 

David is running for election to the Corn Board because he feels that agriculture and corn farming have been good to his family for generations. As he has been fortunate enough to have children that have the desire and ability to take over management of the family operation, he wants to devote time back to the service of that industry and use his accumulated experience and leadership skills to the fullest of his ability.

 

"I will strive to position the American corn producer to provide and improving a reliable level of nutrition for a rapidly growing world population," said Howell. "By working through science and technology, we can increase producing while acting as good stewards of the land. To reach that better tomorrow, we must work to break down constraints on world trade, provide the necessary risk management techniques and promote government policy that allows producers to survive the volatility inherent in commercial agriculture."

 

To listen to the full interview with Howell, click here.

 

For the full story, click here.

 

Kevin Ross

  

Kevin Ross Kevin Ross offers a unique combination of attributes, bringing both the energy of youth and seasoned experience of a veteran leader to his service of other farmers. Having already served farmers in his home state as president of the Iowa Corn Growers Association by the age of 33, he now hopes to serve his fellow farmers across the country as a member of the National Corn Growers Association Corn Board.

 

Ross decided to run for election to the Corn Board because he wants to contribute to the greater good for the future of agriculture, solidifying the ability of future generations of farmers. Through his service, he hopes to add to the strength and reputation of the organization, which he sees as agriculture's most respected voice representing farmers today.

 

 "For me, leadership requires a great amount of accountability and responsibility, especially at the national level," said Ross. "It is more than just being able to put in the time.  A good leader has to be forward-facing also by looking at the people who will lead after you and fostering their skills to ensure that a grassroots organization has the continuous, competent leadership necessary to serve America's farmers."

 

To listen to the full interview with Ross, click here.

 

For the full story, click here.

 

The NCGA Corn Board election takes place at the July 17 Corn Congress session in Washington.

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.  Check out this week's featured offerings:
 
 

 

Click here to explore our blog posts on a variety of interesting, insightful topics.
Field Notes

The National Corn Growers Association has launched its third season of Field Notes, a series that takes readers behind the farm gate to follow the year in the life of American farm families. While these growers come from diverse geographic areas and run unique operations, they share a common love for U.S. agriculture and the basic values that underpin life in farming communities.

 

Today, Field Notes checks in with three farmers to find out how about the condition of the corn crop in a variety of areas. While they all experienced cool, wet conditions this spring during planting season, changing conditions in their respective areas have led to a diversity of opinion on how their harvests might be this year.

  

Jennie Schmidt For Jennie Schmidt, who farms in Maryland, the possibility of slow growth and a growing season which could be cut short by weather unique to her coastal area lead not only to concern but also to action.

 

"In the last ten days, I have had eleven inches of rain. So, things are slow, and things are wet," Schmidt explained. "The cool, wet weather the past few weeks has slowed growth. This is a hard year to really call. We have to consider the possibility of hurricanes in the fall here. Two years ago, a hurricane flattened late corn in the field. It is worrisome, but we plan to improve the corn's standability through an aerial fungicide application. Hopefully, should the worst happen, this will give the crop a better chance of surviving the storm."

 

To listen to the full interview with Schmidt, click here.

  

Rob Korff In Missouri, Rob Korff is also dealing with wet weather that has flooded areas of his farm, necessitating replanting in parts. While the Missourian does not face hurricanes in the fall, he has serious concerns that this summer's overabundance of moisture will take a heavier toll on his crop than last summer's drought.

 

"This look pretty poor in my location," said Korff. "We have had several rounds of heavy rain and, while some of the corn looks respectable, there are a lot of flooded out spots that need to be replanted. We still have soybeans to plant first though, and the calendar is getting late. It has been a really frustrating spring here in Missouri."

 

To listen to the full interview with Korff, click here.

  

Brian Scott Indiana farmer Brian Scott may have a few areas damaged by rain, but the majority of his corn crop appears to be in excellent condition at this point. Should good weather hold, he hopes to have a plentiful, quality crop at harvest this year.

 

"Some of the crop got too much rain, slowing growth and making it harder for the roots to find the nitrogen that the plant needs," explained Scott. "Those plants have turned yellow, but most of the crop has found that nitrogen, grown and turned a lush green. Now that almost all of the plants have spread their leaves, they form a canopy that shades out weeds. So, it's looking pretty good overall."

 

To listen to the full interview with Scott, click here.

 

Stay tuned over the coming weeks as Field Notes follows the growers who have opened their farms, families and communities up this year and meet the true faces of modern American agriculture.

NCGA Weekly Program Spotlight
The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance, of which the National Corn Growers Association is a founding member, consists of more than 80 farmer - and rancher-led organizations and agricultural partners representing virtually all aspects of agriculture working to engage in dialogues with consumers who have questions about how today's food is grown and raised. USFRA is committed to continuous improvement and supporting U.S. farmers and ranchers efforts to increase confidence and trust in today's agriculture. Click the logo for more information.

 

US Farmers and Ranchers Alliance