Media Focus on Wallace and American Ethanol Increasing

American Ethanol spokesman Kenny Wallace will be making his 898th career NASCAR ® start tonight from the Richmond International Raceway. He will race into the spotlight in the No. 29 American Ethanol Toyota Camry, on the track where he boasts three wins, 18 top-ten finishes and 432 laps lead.

This race leads up to a major milestone as Wallace nears 900 career starts, with only a handful of drivers crossing that plateau. Wallace, who has raced the better part of four decades, has had an impressive career across all NASCAR® circuits. In the midst of the expanding media attention as he approaches the magic 900, he continues to promote the use and benefits of E15 and American Ethanol.

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To watch tonight's Nationwide Series race in Richmond, Va. tune in to ESPN2 or MRN radio at 6:30 p.m. (CDT).

MAIZALL: Exporters Alliance Swinging Into Action

After two years of discussions, MAIZALL will begin actively working on behalf of corn farmers in North and South America soon, commencing activities in Korea and China. Earlier this year, the U.S. Grains Council joined NCGA, MAIZAR and ABRAMHILO, the leading corn producer's organizations in Argentina and Brazil, formally announced the creation of MAIZALL as a strategic alliance focused on food security, market access and biotechnology. Since then, the organizations' efforts have focused on governance issues, bylaws, articles of incorporation and funding. The efforts currently in the final phase of planning will mark the organization's first efforts in pursuit of its mission.

Currently, NCGA President Pam Johnson, USGC Chairman and MAIZALL President Julius Schaaf and USGC Vice Chairman Ron Gray are leading the U.S. team in Panama as the MAIZALL board of directors formalizes articles of incorporation and plan the organization's first mission, which will visit Korea and China in October. While in Korea and China, the team will meet with buyers and government officials to discuss regulatory and technology issues, and will participate in the China Food Security Strategy Summit in Beijing.

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NCGA Sets another Membership Record

Membership at NCGA reached a new all-time high with 40,244 on the rolls as August closed. This further builds upon the membership milestone achieved in July, when rolls surpassed 40,000 members for the first time.

"The record set last month confirms  the move past the 40,000 member mark last month was not a fluke but, instead, was indicative of a trend upon which we will keep actively building," said NCGA Grower Services Action Team Chair Brandon Hunnicutt. "Whether working to promote research that increases opportunities or voicing the support of America's farmers for the Renewable Fuels Standard and farm bill in Washington, NCGA draws upon the strength of its more than 40,000 members so that, together, we can accomplish much more than we ever could acting alone."

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Corn Crop Matures, Maintains Quality in August Heat

The U.S. corn crop made steady progress toward maturity last week while remaining in good condition, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture report released Tuesday. The percentage of the corn crop denting increased by 19 points last week, while the percentage of corn doughing further narrowed its lag behind the five year-average to only five points.  Reports also indicate that the crop condition remains almost unchanged from the previous week with 56 percent of the crop forecast to be in good-to-excellent condition. Last year at this time, only 22 percent of the crop still fared as well.

"While the crop condition remains strong, farmers understand how weather can play an important role at any point during season," said NCGA Chairman Garry Niemeyer, a grower in Auburn, Ill. "Planters across the country persevered a late, wet season. Now, some face dry conditions that may also impact corn growth. It is important to remember though that, even facing these obstacles, U.S. farmers planted a record number of corn acres which could produce a record crop in 2013, beating even 2009 when we grew a little more than 13 billion bushels."

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To view the full report released Tuesday, click here.