Our View: More Voices, More Action

By Pam Johnson

President, National Corn Growers Association

As NCGA president, I was very proud when we announced last week that NCGA had reached a record membership of more than 40,000 active members. This milestone is the result of a lot of hard work, and the work of many hands - our recruiters who reach out across their fields to their neighbors and friends, our state and national staff who implement so many important programs, and our grower-leaders who have led NCGA and its state affiliates.

There could not be a better time, or a more important time, to have these new members. For if there is anything we have learned, it's that farmer voices are respected and followed. And now is the time for us to raise our voices, as we face two significant challenges in the weeks ahead.

First, there is the farm bill; or, rather, the lack of a farm bill. The currently extended 2008 farm bill expires on September 30 and Congress is significantly split on a future direction. With members of Congress back home this month and returning to the Capitol after Labor Day, we need to remind them again and again why a farm bill is important.

Many of us have representatives and senators who are on our side very vocal on the issue, and we need to thank them and challenge them to work with their friends in Congress to get more Yea votes on the farm bill.

Second, we have the Renewable Fuel Standard, under assault by Big Oil and others. Corn growers were instrumental in the creation of the modern ethanol industry, and America needs a fuel that is domestic, renewable, and an important contributor to our rural economy. Regardless, ethanol and the RFS are now under attack in the mainstream news media and on Capitol Hill.

Now is the time for action. I urge all our 40,000 corn growers and those who support them to get involved, whether by reaching out to their lawmakers, getting active in social media like Facebook or Twitter, or volunteering time and talent for their state corn grower associations. Opportunities for engagement are numerous, and we cannot win the battles ahead without our grassroots - you and your neighbors getting more involved.

Thank you for your membership and for your action in the weeks to come.

NCGA Supports Senators Effort to Ensure Market Access for Ethanol

The National Corn Growers applauds U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D - MN) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) for their efforts to ensure consumers have access to homegrown, renewable biofuels. In a letter sentearlier this week, the senators called on the Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission to investigate possible anticompetitive practices by oil companies that limit consumers' access to biofuels, such as ethanol.

"NCGA firmly supports efforts to ensure that Americans have options at the fuel pump," said NCGA President Pam Johnson. "America's farmers work diligently to provide renewable, environmentally responsible biofuels, and we applaud the efforts of Senators Klobuchar and Grassley to help ensure that consumers can choose to use those government approved fuel options."

In a bipartisan letter to Attorney General Eric Holder and FTC Chairwoman Edith Ramirez, Senate Antitrust Subcommittee Chair Klobuchar and Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Grassley urged the Administration to take action to address recent reports indicating that oil companies may be undermining efforts to distribute renewable fuels, including higher ethanol gasoline blends, that help boost our nation's energy security and lower the price of gas for consumers.  In many cases, franchise agreements have been changed in order to force gas stations to remove E85 and E15.

For the full story, click here.

Wallace Goes Full Throttle for American Ethanol at Bristol

Bristol Motor Speedway will see a familiar face and a familiar brand Saturday for the Food City 250, as American Ethanol joins forces once again with veteran driver Kenny Wallace.  Wallace climbs back behind the wheel of the No. 29 RAB Racing American Ethanol Toyota Camry.

"I'm so excited to be going to Bristol Motor Speedway, the ultimate short track, for grassroots racing just like I grew up on. The night race at Bristol is absolutely electrifying, and I'm really excited to be a part of it and looking forward to showing off our new American Ethanol paint scheme," said Wallace. "It's been almost a full year since I've raced an American Ethanol Camry, and I'm so happy to be debuting a brand new paint scheme for them on a very special day for me, my 50th birthday."

Wallace, a veteran of the .533-mile oval, has not only won at "Thunder Valley", but has finished in the top ten in half of his Nationwide Series starts (18 of 36). Additionally, Wallace has two top-ten finishes and two laps led in Sprint Cup Series competition at Bristol Motor Speedway.

For the full story, click here.

USFRA's Food Dialogues Go Regional

Following the success of the Food Dialogues event series, the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers and some of its affiliates have kicked off a series of regional events to bring communities together to talk about food and farm issues.

"We're very proud to be part of USFRA and bring the conversation about food and farming from our fields to homes across America," said NCGA Corn Board member Mike Geske, a Missouri corn farmer and member of USFRA's board of directors. "These regional events help us spread the dialogue so we can hear from more people and share our stories about farming and ranching."

These events kicked off last week with The Food Dialogues: Ohio, held in Columbus. This event features two discussions focused on biotechnology and sustainability to be moderated by local talk radio host Joel Riley.

For the full story, click here.

Save Time! Yield Contest Harvest Form Now Available Online

With the corn harvest underway in some areas and soon to begin in others, NCGA announces that online harvest forms for the 2013 National Corn Yield Contest are now available.  While the harvest information form deadline may seem distant, entrants are asked to report within seven days of their final yield check or by Nov. 22, whichever comes first.

"While a few areas have begun to harvest already this year, we ask contest applicants to submit harvest forms within one week of their final yield check to allow NCGA staff adequate time to thoroughly review each form," said Dean Taylor, chairman of the NCGA Production and Stewardship Action Team. "The National Corn Yield Contest plays a significant role in recognizing excellence and finding new, more productive techniques. We hope that growers continue to support the contest by seeing their entry through and submitting their completed harvest data forms."

Click here for the 2013 National Corn Yield Contest Online Harvest Form.

Click here for more information on the National Corn Yield Contest.

For the full story, click here.

Apply for NCGA Action Team, Committee Positions Today!

NCGA is seeking applications from members interested in working on an NCGA action team or committee in the 2014 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 Martin Barbre. "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. I encourage those interested to apply prior to the August 30 deadline to ensure consideration."

For the full story, click here.

Congressional Staffers See Ag in Action

A proud member and sponsor of the St. Louis Agribusiness Club, the National Corn Growers Association took part in the club's Agmazing 500 Educational AgriBusiness Tour for congressional staff members. Club members hosted 15 staff members from Missouri, Illinois, Arkansas, Iowa and Indiana congressional offices.

A highlight of the tour was a visit to Larry Hasheider's farm in Okawville, Ill.

"We are thrilled and honored to open up our farm and share what we do with those responsible for educating their representatives on agricultural interests in their districts," said Hasheider. "We know the political reality of declining rural populations means agriculture has less influence on Capitol Hill. We hope that efforts such as this tour will give these staffers the ammunition they need to convince their bosses that maintaining a prosperous agricultural industry is strategic to the well-being of this country."

For the full story, click here.

Colombian Team Visits NCGA for Update on Crop Condition

This week, a team of Colombian grain buyers, organized by the U.S. Grains Council, visited the National Corn Growers Association for discussions about the 2013 corn crop and U.S. corn markets. The discussion, part of an effort to enhance interest in sourcing feed grains from the United States, comes as a direct result of the distinct trade advantage the country now enjoys because of trade policies recently enacted.

The meeting, led by NCGA Vice President of Production and Utilization Paul Bertels, included analysis of the record crop forecast by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, an examination of the reliability of U.S. corn suppliers and conversations about the advantages of sourcing corn from the United States.

For the full story, click here.

Scouting is Key to the Success of Late-Planted Corn

While much of the Midwest experienced a cool, wet spring, farmers should still remain vigilant in monitoring for corn rootworm pressure. Last summer, the stress of the drought may have intensified stress on the corn crop and resulted in small root masses and heavy corn rootworm pressure, but the possibility of corn rootworm remains even under the less conducive circumstances of 2013.

Since adult corn rootworm beetles prefer to feed on pollen and fresh corn silks, late planted corn can act as a trap crop for adult corn rootworm beetles. The increase in beetles may lead to increased silk clipping, interfering with pollination and leading to a high number of egg-laying females. Diligent scouting remains the farmer's best defense against this threat.

Farmers should consider scouting sooner rather than later as August marks the peak of adult corn rootworm beetle activity. Given the planting delays experienced this spring, continuing scouting into September is advisable as beetle activity may also peek later in 2013.

For the full story, click here.

Corn Crop Condition Holds Strong as It Matures at Slow, Steady Pace

The U.S. corn crop continued to make steady progress toward full maturity last week while remaining in good condition, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture report released Monday. The percentage of the corn crop doughing increased by 20 points last week, yet progress still lags behind the five-year average by 13 points.  Reports also indicate that the crop condition remains nearly unchanged from the previous week with 61 percent of the crop forecast to be in good-to-excellent condition. Last year at this time, only 23 percent of the crop still fared as well.

"As the summer passes, we are pleased to see that the crop condition across the country remains strong," said NCGA President Johnson. "Despite wet, cool conditions this spring and, for some, this summer, farmers forged ahead to plant a near-record number of corn acres. Should favorable weather continue to fuel growth and maintain quality, 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.