National Corn Yield Contest Sets New Participation Record

The National Corn Growers Association's National Corn Yield Contest set a new entry record in 2013 with 8,827. This surpasses the previous record of 8,431 entries, set in 2011, and far outstrips the 8,263 entries received in 2012.

"The contest continues to grow in popularity undeterred by challenging planting weather like that which many saw this year," said NCGA President Pam Johnson. "By nature, farmers are optimists who act humbly while taking great personal pride in their work. NCGA is proud to offer the contest to our members and, in doing so, recognize the excellence that abounds in American agriculture today."

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NCGA Brings a Farmer's Voice to Climate Change Discussion

This Monday, NCGA President Pam Johnson joined world leaders from business and government and America's top faith, military, agriculture and health representatives at the Opening Ceremony for Climate Week NYC 2013. In its fifth year, Climate Week NYC provides a global summit for government, business and thought leaders to drive innovation, build coalitions and deliver practical solutions. 

"Modern agriculture isn't the problem; it's the solution," Johnson explained. "We are producing more grain on limited arable acres."  

Johnson, who spoke alongside international notables including former United Kingdom Prime Minister Tony Blair, President of World Bank Jim Kim, U.S. Special Envoy for Climate Change Todd Stern and many others, brought the story of American corn farmers to the panel. In her remarks, she stressed the scientific and technological advances agriculture uses to increasing demands and an ever-changing environment.

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NCGA Action Teams, Committees Announced for 2014

An updated slate of farmers will serve their industry as members of NCGA's action teams and committees in the next fiscal year, which begins Tuesday, actively shaping the future of their industry by guiding programs carrying out the policies and priorities that guide NCGA.

"We're going to be facing a lot of challenges and opportunities in the year ahead, and it's great to have such smart and dedicated farmer-leaders helping this organization carry out its mission," said Illinois corn grower Martin Barbre, who becomes NCGA president on Oct. 1. "We had so many terrific volunteers and are excited to be kicking the year off with this team of leaders. As often happens, we had more outstanding candidates than we had positions for, and we encourage them to stay active in their state and national associations."

For the full story and team list, click here.

Working to Find Practical Solutions to Herbicide Resistance

Thursday in Washington, NCGA participated in important discussions aimed to develop a plan for dealing with herbicide resistance. The workshop, which included participants from academia, government and agribusiness, brought key stakeholders together to examine the economic and sociological dimensions of resistance management, the factors and actors necessary to implement successful plans and possible incentives and outreach efforts to facilitate a successful overall strategy.

NCGA Director of Biotechnology and Economic Analysis Nathan Fields participated in the series of in-depth discussions, bringing the perspective of America's corn farmers to the table. "U.S. corn farmers realize the importance of herbicide resistance management because they see the impact of this problem in their fields every day," said Fields. "They are highly motivated to find and implement strategies that will effectively manage this issue. In finding an overall strategy, we must find something practical to implement on the ground that takes the daily realities of farming into consideration."

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American Ethanol Rolls into Delaware

American Ethanol will tackle the Monster Mile in Dover, Del., this weekend, both on track and with its 10th major activation of the NASCAR season. More than 100,000 fans are expected to visit the one-mile concrete track, dominated by Miles the Monster, during the three race events including: the K&N Pro East "Drive Sober 150" Sept. 27; the NASCAR Nationwide Series 5-Hour Energy 200 Sept. 28; and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AAA 400 on Sept. 29.

American Ethanol spokesman Austin Dillon, driver of the #3 car, finished in second place in last week's race in Kentucky, bringing him within 15 points of moving into first place in the hunt for the NASCAR Nationwide Series 2013 Championship.

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International Team Talks U.S. Corn Farming with NCGA

A team organized by the Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program to examine agricultural trade and food safety visited NCGA this week for discussions about improving the economic outlook for farmers and enriching the quality of farm family life. The discussion, part of an effort to enhance international understanding of U.S. policies and systems that regulate and support agriculture, included participants from Argentina, Austria, Morocco, Portugal, Serbia, Tunisia, Turkey and Venezuela.

The meeting, led by NCGA Director of Biotechnology and Economic Analysis Nathan Fields, included an overview of NCGA, of U.S. corn supply and demand, and of how NCGA works to develop markets and improve efficiency of corn production.

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Plant Genomics Congress Is in Session

NCGA joined researchers from universities and private business, equipment manufacturers and software companies this week in St. Louis, at The Plant Genomics Congress USA. The Plant Genomics Congress USA agenda contained a great line-up of speakers who addressed how Next Generation Sequencing technologies continue to transform plant science. The speakers also examined the latest NGS technology platforms as well as tools to aid data analysis.

"Understanding the latest in genomic technology helps NCGA select the best research to support and give informed advice to USDA," said NCGA Director of Research and New Uses Rick Vierling. "The publishing of the maize genome was just the beginning, like most discoveries, knowing more information leads to more questions."

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USGC Strengthens Ties to Largest U.S. Corn Importer

The U.S. Grains Council, of which NCGA is a founding member, is working to recapture market share in Japan, the largest market for U.S. corn. As a part of these efforts, the Council recently brought a team of Japanese corn millers to Illinois and Iowa for a firsthand look at corn production that helped to rebuild their confidence in U.S. suppliers.

Over the past year, drought-related supply strains and the emergence of competitive suppliers have hit U.S. share of the Japanese market for corn imports. Traditionally, the United States has supplied more than 95 percent of the corn used by the Japanese milling industry but, in 2012, market share fell to only 80 percent.

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Harvest Progresses as Quality Remains High

With harvest now underway across the country, the condition of the corn crop remains strong, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture report released this week. With 55 percent of the crop in good or excellent condition, 40 percent of the crop had reached full maturity and 7 percent of all corn acres had been harvested by September 22.

"With harvest now underway, we grow closer by the week to having an accurate assessment of the 2013 corn crop," said NCGA President Johnson. "The reports of a quality crop bolster our hopes for our nation's supply, but it is imperative that we keep in mind how much can change should the weather shift before harvest is complete."

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Click here for the USDA's weekly report on crop progress.

Click here for the U.S. Drought Monitor website.

As the fiscal year comes to an end, the National Corn Growers Association's Corn Board prepares to seat new members and officers on October 1.  When the 2013 Executive Committee steps down, NCGA Chairman Garry Niemeyer will complete his term on the Corn Board, passing the role of chairwoman to current President Pam Johnson.

The Off the Cob podcast series sat down with Niemeyer to discuss his insight into the future, which he bases in what he learned over the past three years, and to discuss how members can work together to make NCGA an even more effective advocate for farmers. 

To listen to the whole interview, click here. 

Reflecting upon his time on the Corn Board, Niemeyer explained that, while NCGA works simultaneously on a multitude of issues, it is crucial that the organization pushes ahead on farm bill legislation.

"While NCGA has many issues out there we must address, one of our biggest priorities out there now is getting a five-year farm bill passed," said Niemeyer. "Our inability to do so for the past few years was probably my greatest frustration during my time as an officer. Crop insurance remains our top priority in a farm bill. Ironically, looking at my own operation, I realized that I have had crop insurance for twenty years, but I had never received a payment until the weather in my area became difficult during the past two or three years. It may be easy to forget how important crop insurance actually is, but it is incredibly important to have when you need it."

In addition to the farm bill, he stressed the importance of remaining vigilant in efforts to defend and grow the ethanol industry.

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