NCGA's Mission: To Create and
Increase Opportunities for Corn Growers
This is Corn Commentary, the weekly newsletter for state and national
grower leaders of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA). For
complete stories and updated NCGA information, visit www.ncga.com or
the NCGA Leader Resource Center, www.insidencga.com.
IN THIS ISSUE:
- NCGA, Corn Board Address Top Issues During Washington, D.C., Visit
- NCGA Dickey Talks WRDA in Transportation Capabilities Web Seminar
- NCGA Attends Informa Economics Transportation Roundtable
- NCGA, U.S. Corn Coalition Disappointed in Canadian Ruling
- NCGA Testifies Before EPA on Positive Use of Biotech
- NCGA to Participate in Web Seminar on U.S. Transportation Capabilities
- NCGA Attends Maize Genetics Conference, Gains Recognition for Leadership Role
- NCGA Welcomes NRCS’ Energy Estimator for Nitrogen
**********************************
NCGA Corn Board Addresses Top Issues During Washington, D.C., Visit
The NCGA Corn Board met this week in Washington, D.C., to address a number of issues important to the nation’s corn producers. Corn Board members attended the National Agriculture Week kickoff luncheon, held normal business meetings, attended a joint NCGA--U.S. Grains Council (USGC) Trade School and visited congressional offices to discuss NCGA’s top priorities with lawmakers and their staffs. (More On This Story) |
 |
Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns and NCGA Chairman Leon Corzine took time before the National Ag Day Luncheon today to talk on a variety of agriculture and corn industry issues. |
NCGA’s Dickey Talks WRDA in Transportation Capabilities Web Seminar
Highlighting the importance of the inland waterway transportation system and how drastically the infrastructure on the Upper Mississippi and Illinois rivers is in need of modernization, NCGA Corn Board member Bob Dickey educated nearly 90 participants this week in a Web seminar discussing U.S. transportation capabilities. (More On This Story)
NCGA Attends Informa Economics Transportation Roundtable
The NCGA last week attended an Informa Economics roundtable discussion in Washington, D.C., on national transportation issues, in which officials portrayed a less-than-rosy picture for the nation’s transportation industry. (More On This Story)
NCGA, U.S. Corn Coalition Disappointed in Canadian Ruling
The NCGA, as part of the U.S. Corn Coalition, expressed disappointment today in the final ruling by the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA), upholding provisional duty of $1.65 per bushel on U.S. corn. The decision comes in response to allegations that U.S. dumping and subsidizing of grain corn harms Canadian producers. (More On This Story)
NCGA Testifies Before EPA on Positive Use of Biotech
Stressing the importance of a science-based regulatory system and continued access to biotechnology, NCGA Corn Board member Dave Nelson testified today before a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Scientific Advisory Panel. This panel is gathering input on a new Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) rootworm technology, MIR 604. (More On This Story)
NCGA to Participate in Web Seminar on U.S. Transportation Capabilities
Adding their voice to the expanding discussion on U.S. transportation capabilities, the NCGA will be participating in the Web seminar “Commodities: From Origin to Destination,” Wednesday, March 15, at 1 p.m. (EST). NCGA Corn Board member Bob Dickey will discuss why transportation, namely the transportation infrastructure on the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, is vitally important to the corn industry, agriculture and consumers. (More On This Story)
NCGA Attends Maize Genetics Conference, Gains Recognition for Leadership Role
Celebration about the National Science Foundation beginning its mapping of the maize genome highlighted the 48th Annual Maize Genetics Conference in Monterey, Calif., last week. NCGA Director of Research and Business Development Nathan Fields and Research and Business Development Action Team member Pam Johnson attended the conference on behalf of NCGA, which has been a leader in funding maize genetics research. (More On This Story)
NCGA Welcomes NRCS’ Energy Estimator for Nitrogen
The NCGA calls the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Energy Estimator for Nitrogen a helpful tool that identifies potential cost savings associated with nitrogen fertilizer application. (More On This Story) |
AROUND THE CORN BELT
News
from State Associations
Nebraska:Market development in California has been a top priority on the Nebraska Corn Board’s agenda in recent weeks. Promotional efforts were sandwiched in and around two major agricultural events held in the Golden State. In mid-February, the Nebraska Corn Board exhibited at the annual World Ag Expo farm show in Tulare, Calif., which is billed as the “World’s Largest Agricultural Exposition.” During the Commodity Classic, the Nebraska Corn Board sponsored a bus tour for Nebraska corn producers that included visits to dairy farms in the Ontario-Chino-Corona area, just outside of Los Angeles. The state of California buys more Nebraska corn than any other state in the U.S, with purchases totaling 146 million bushels in the 2004-2005 marketing year.
Minnesota: The "Miracle of Birth" exhibition, where up to 160 farm animals are born during the 12 days of the internationally acclaimed Minnesota State Fair, attracts more than 40,000 visitors every day. Minnesota Corn Growers Association and Minnesota Corn Research & Promotion Council have approved a $100,000 grant toward the $1.5 million project of enlarging and updating the "Miracle of Birth" Center. The new facility will be ready in time for the 2006 Minnesota State Fair.
Iowa: Agriculture is a major land use activity in the Missouri River basin. David Sieck, corn grower from Glenwood, Iowa traveled to D.C. to testify before the U.S. House Committee on Small Business. Sieck, representing the Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) spoke in opposition to a plan by the federal government to implement forced flooding of the Missouri River as early as May 2006. The proposed spring rise is in response to concerns over low pallid sturgeon populations. In 2005, the U.S. Geological Survey completed an extensive research project to learn more about the reproductive habits of the pallid sturgeon. Their published report corresponded with previous studies that indicated no correlation between sturgeon spawning and a spring rise. While the ICGA recognizes the importance of preserving natural resources and maintaining proper species levels, Sieck notes, we believe it is vital to maintain a strong and predictable river system. Purposeful flooding by the federal government could potentially alter delicate species relations, threaten farm ground, endanger rural river communities and businesses, and ultimately disrupt the navigability of the Missouri River.
Illinios:Yesterday, the members of the House Transportation Committee voted unanimously to send HB 708 to a full vote on the House Floor. This bill will amend the Illinois Vehicle Code to provide a complete exemption from the hours of service driving time limitations for deliveries of Ag inputs, livestock, feed and non-processed foods so long as the distribution of these inputs occurs within a 100 mile radius. This exemption will also be good for the entire calendar year. This legislation will provide significant regulatory relief for the companies that deliver anhydrous ammonia to the Ag retailers. HB 708 has already passed the Senate. |
|
KEY ISSUES
