NCGA Urges House to Pass Split Farm Bill In Order to Get to Conference

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

"The farm bill affects every American; those who eat and those who produce. We view the proposed actions to be taken on the floor of the House today with disappointment.  Legislation that for decades has been a bright spot for how our Congress should work - in a bipartisan, bicameral manner - is now stuck in a morass of petty bickering and political gamesmanship.  We do not believe that the link between farm programs and nutrition programs should be severed.  We see benefits beyond the political in keeping the ties between those who produce food and those who need it. 

"Moreover, we have serious disagreement with Title I of the legislation the House will consider today.  We should not miss the opportunity to work towards meaningful reform of agricultural policy that is more market oriented and less costly to the American taxpayer.  Additionally we oppose the move to repeal the 1949 permanent farm bill law.  The actions surrounding the deliberation of this farm bill prove that the Congress must have some mechanism to force action.

"While we disagree with the policies of the legislation and are dismayed with the process that leads us to this sad situation, we see no other way to move the farm bill to a conference with the Senate unless the House approves the bill before it today. 

"We urge members of the House to approve the bill and we expect immediate action by a conference committee to secure a five year farm bill we can support. However, our action in no way reflects our approval of its contents or the manner in which it came to the floor.  Unless significant change is made to the bill in the conference committee, we will strongly urge its rejection by the Senate and the House."

The House passed the split version later that day.

NCGA Comments on Proposed RFS Pathways and Standards

NCGA submitted comments in the form of a letter from President Pam Johnson today to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on the "Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives: Renewable Fuel Standard Pathways II and Technical Amendments to the RFS 2 Standards." In these comments, NCGA addresses EPA's requests for comments on sections of the Agency document addressing approving cellulosic volumes from cellulosic feedstocks, proposed regulatory amendments related to biogas, amendment to the definition of ''crop residue'' and definition of a pathway for corn kernel fiber, and consideration of an advanced butanol pathway.

The letter begins by detailing the important benefits that corn ethanol offers the nation in terms of its economic and energy security. Explaining how growers are meeting the demand for corn in a sustainable manner, it notes the importance of ethanol to our environment and the greenhouse gas reductions it continues to accomplish. It also commends the Agency on the proposed rule, on its recognition of the benefits of ethanol in transportation fuel, and its continued support for the Renewable Fuel Standard regulation. 

To read the full comments, click here.

For the full story, click here.

NCGA on Tour to Support Soil Health

The Conservation Technology Information Center completed another successful Conservation in Action Tour this week of the Indian Creek Watershed in Livingston County, Illinois. Area producers and regional experts in the fields of soil health, nutrient management and drainage water management shared success stories with participants from more than 20 states in an event co-sponsored by the NCGA.

"Although NCGA has been a part of CTIC since its beginning over thirty years ago, this was the first time we've participated as a sponsor of the action tour," said Dan Cole, NCGA Production and Stewardship Action Team member. "When CTIC approached us with the opportunity to sponsor the tour's stop highlighting soil health, we enthusiastically jumped on board. Farmers know how important soil health is to the preservation of our natural resources, the sustainability of our agricultural industry and the business of farming."

For the full story, click here.

Crop Condition Remains Solid Across the Country

The U.S. corn crop remains in good condition despite slow progress toward maturity, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture report released this week. While corn silking reports indicate progress to be 14 percentage points behind the five-year average of 20 percent at this point in the season, crop quality forecasts held strong - with reports indicating 68 percent of the crop to be in good-to-excellent condition. Last year at this time, only 40 percent of the crop still fared as well.

"Corn farmers planted a record number of acres this year despite facing difficult weather in many parts of the country," said NCGA President Pam Johnson, a grower in Floyd, Iowa. "While we look forward to seeing more extensive estimates of the crop which will be released later this week, we are encouraged by reports that the crop condition remains solid throughout the country. Should favorable weather continue to fuel growth, U.S. corn farmers could produce a record crop in 2013."

To view the full report released today, click here.

For the full story, click here.

Colombian Importer Buys U.S. Corn for the First Time in Two Years

Last week, a large Colombian importer, with the guidance of the U.S. Grains Council, of which the NCGA is a founding member, networked with U.S. grains exporters in Texas, Alabama and Louisiana resulting in the purchase of more than 787,000 bushels of U.S. corn. This was the importer's first purchase of U.S. corn in more than two years. With seven plants in Colombia, this importer is the largest animal feed manufacturer in Colombia and, thus, the relationship could lead to an important increase in U.S. corn exports to the country.

In 2008, U.S. corn imports accounted for 80 percent of the Colombian corn market. The delay in ratification of the U.S.-Colombian Free Trade Agreement contributed to a decline in U.S. market share. By 2011, U.S. corn accounted for only 21 percent of that market.

For the full story, click here.

Corn Congress Delegates to Elect Five to 2014 Corn Board

Next week, delegates attending the National Corn Growers Association Corn Congress in Washington will elect five farmers to serve on the organization's Corn Board.  Taking office on Oct. 1, the start of NCGA's 2014 fiscal year, the leaders selected will help shape the policies that guide the organization and will best serve corn farmers across the United States.

Corn Board Candidates for 2014 are Ronnie Burleson, Richfield, N.C.; Rob Elliott, Cameron, Ill.; Jon Holzfaster, Paxton, Neb.; David Howell, Middletown, Ind.; Kevin Ross, Minden, Iowa; Gary Schmalshof, Adair, Ill.; Wesley Spurlock, Stratford, Texas; and Paul Taylor, Esmond, Ill. The four new members receiving the most votes will serve three-year terms, while the candidate elected to the board receiving the fewest votes will serve a one-year term beginning the same day.

"NCGA has historically been blessed with a large pool of quality, skilled candidates willing to serve their fellow farmers by stepping into an active leadership role, and this year proves no exception," said NCGA President Pam Johnson. "The candidates' willingness to dedicate this amount of time and energy serves as a testament to NCGA and the effectiveness of our efforts on behalf of corn farmers."

Burleson currently 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.  Together with his son, brother and nephew, he farms 4,000 acres of corn, soybeans, wheat and cotton, raises beef cattle and operates a family-owned cotton gin.

Running for a second term on the Corn Board, Elliott currently co-chairs the Commodity Classic Committee for 2014 and is vice chair of the NASCAR Advisory Committee in addition to serving on the board. Previously, he served as the organizational representative to the Waterways Council. In his home state, Elliott has served as president of the Illinois Corn Growers Association. With two brothers, his 88-year-old father and a nephew, he farms corn and soybeans while running a growing seed business in Warren County, Ill.

A current Corn Board member, Holzfaster is also running for reelection. Holzfaster owns and operates the same farm in southwest Nebraska that his family has for three generations. On their farm, they produce corn, popcorn, soybeans, dry edible beans, wheat and alfalfa.  Together, his family also operates a 1,000-head non-commercial feed yard that utilizes feed produced on the farm. He currently chairs the NASCAR Advisory Committee and has previously chaired NCGA's Ethanol Committee and the Nebraska Corn Board.

Howell currently serves on NCGA's Trade Policy and Biotechnology Action Team. He also serves on the board of directors of the U.S. Grains Council, Indiana Corn Growers Association and Indiana Corn Marketing Council. He operates a first-generation family farm, which he founded with his wife in Middleton, Indiana. Along with their two sons, they grow corn and soybeans as well as processing tomatoes and pumpkins marketed to major retailers nationwide. Additionally, the family also has agricultural interests in Brazil that produce corn and soybeans.

Ross, a sixth-generation family farmer in southwestern Iowa, currently serves as a director of the Iowa Corn Growers Association and on NCGA's Public Policy Action Team. Along with his wife, Sara, he grows corn, soybeans, alfalfa and runs a cow/calf operation. In addition to his past presidency of the Iowa Corn Growers Association, Ross previously served as chair of the Iowa AgState Initiative and on NCGA's Ethanol Committee.

Schmalshof, a previous member of NCGA's Trade Policy and Biotechnology Action Team, has served his home state for more than a decade as a member of the Illinois Corn Marketing Board, which he chaired for a term.  Additionally, he has worked extensively promoting U.S. agriculture abroad through his activities on the executive committee of the U.S. Grains Council.  A farmer from Adair, Ill., Schmalshof farms while running trucking, seed and crop insurance businesses with his two sons and wife, former NCGA Corn Board member Theresa.

Current Corn Board member Spurlock is running for reelection this year also. Spurlock chairs NCGA's Finance Committee and sits on the board of both the Texas Corn Producers Board and Corn Producers Association of Texas in addition to farming and managing 9,600 acres of irrigated corn, cotton, wheat and grain sorghum in the upper Texas panhandle.  

Having already served as president of the Illinois Corn Growers Association and the Wisconsin Soybean Growers Association, Taylor now acts as vice chair on NCGA's Ethanol Committee. On land that has been in his family for more than 100 years, he raises corn, seed corn, food grade non-GMO soybeans and canning vegetables for Del Monte including sweet corn, lima beans and green peas. While he no longer raises livestock personally, he continues to value that component of our agricultural system.

The NCGA Corn Board represents the organization on all matters while directing both policy and supervising day-to-day operations. Board members represent the federation of state organizations, supervise the affairs and activities of NCGA in partnership with the chief executive officer and implement NCGA policy established by the Corn Congress. Members also act as spokesmen for the NCGA and enhance the organization's public standing on all organizational and policy issues.

For more information on all of the candidates, click here.