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:
- USDA Issues First Forecast of 2006-07 Corn Crop, NCGA Notes
- Dalton Says NCGA Benefits from Leadership’s Synergy
- Army Corps of Engineers Begin Spring Rise Today, NCGA Notes
- NCGA Applauds House Democratic Rural Working Group Biofuels Plan
- NCGA Pleased by House Committee Vote to Eliminate Moratoria on Natural Gas Development
- Pump Tour Stops in Kansas Friday; Drivers to Fill Up on E85 for $1.85
- NCGA Opposes Efforts to Remove Ethanol Import Tariff
- Farm Bill Feedback Form Offers Opportunity for Producer Input, Notes NCGA
- Momentum Continues on WRDA; NCGA Encourages Use of Toll-free Number
- NCGA Supports Senators’ Efforts to Keep Ethanol Tariff
- Majority of the Corn Crop Planted, NCGA Notes
- 60 Minutes, Dateline Report on Ethanol, NCGA Notes
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USDA Issues First Forecast of 2006-07 Corn Crop, NCGA Notes
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today released its monthly World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimate (WASDE), which included the first estimate of the 2006-07 corn crop, the NCGA notes. (More On This Story)
Dalton Says NCGA Benefits from Leadership’s Synergy
If re-elected to the NCGA Corn Board, Cal Dalton wants to help corn growers develop economical, political and educational opportunities for themselves and their farming operations. He believes a Corn Board member should be a visionary leader able to communicate NCGA’s philosophy to other corn growers and the public. (More On This Story)
Army Corps of Engineers Begin Spring Rise Today, NCGA Notes
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began its first-ever “man-made” spring rise from the Missouri River reservoir system today in an effort to promote the spawning of the endangered pallid sturgeon, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) notes. (More On This Story)
NCGA Applauds House Democratic Rural Working Group Biofuels Plan
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is encouraged by provisions in the House Democratic Rural Working Group biofuels plan introduced Thursday. The plan calls for increasing the renewable fuels standard (RFS), providing incentives for flexible fuel vehicles, pumping more money into biofuels research and encourages more farmer-owned investment in biofuels plants. (More On This Story)
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National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) staff met with Korean representatives to discuss trade, ethanol and biotechnology at NCGA headquarters in St. Louis on Thursday. The trip was sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program. Attending the meeting were, form right to left: Jeong Sang Ahn, chief assistant for National Assembly member Chung Duck Koo; Jeong Hwa Hwang, deputy director, fiscal planning division, Ministry of Finance and Economy; Yun Jae Lee, deputy director, banking supervision policy division, financial supervisory commission; Won Hag Seo, chief assistant for National Assembly member Kim Jung Hoon; Rick Tolman, NCGA CEO; Paul Bertels NCGA director of biotechnology; Hyun Chul Ha, chief assistant for National Assembly member Kim Aae Sil. |
NCGA Pleased By House Committee Vote to Eliminate Moratoria on Natural Gas Development
In a move that would expand domestic supplies of natural gas, a key component for the production of anhydrous ammonia, the main source of nitrogen for corn production, the House Appropriations Committee voted to eliminate the moratoria on the drilling and exploration of offshore natural gas, notes the NCGA. (More On This Story)
Pump Tour Stops in Kansas Friday; Drivers to Fill Up on E85 for $1.85
The NCGA sponsored AgriTalk Pump Tour stops in Great Bend, Kan., Friday and flexible fuel vehicle (FFV) drivers can fill up and save on reduced E85 prices. (More On This Story)
NCGA Opposes Efforts to Remove Ethanol Import Tariff
The NCGA today came out in opposition to efforts to remove the import tariff on ethanol. In a letter to House and Senate leadership, NCGA along with the Renewable Fuels Association and the American Farm Bureau Federation urged officials to oppose efforts to remove the import tariff, stating removal will neither boost ethanol supplies or lower gas prices. (More On This Story)
Farm Bill Feedback Form Offers Opportunity for Producer Input, Notes NCGA
Corn producers unable to attend farm bill field hearings can still be heard. The House Committee on Agriculture this week launched a Web-based farm bill feedback form to give producers the opportunity to have a voice in the development of the next farm policy legislation. The NCGA encourages corn growers to log on to the form and give their input on how farm programs are working for their farms. (More On This Story)
Momentum Continues on WRDA; NCGA Encourages Use of Toll-free Number
Following two strong campaigns to bring to the forefront the importance of modernizing the navigation infrastructure and improving the ecosystem on the Upper Mississippi and Illinois rivers, the NCGA is encouraging corn growers to continue the push for passage of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) by calling 1-888-WHY-CORN and asking Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist to bring the bill to the floor. (More On This Story)
NCGA Supports Senators’ Efforts to Keep Ethanol Tariff
The NCGA applauds Sens. Charles Grassley (D-Iowa) and John Thune (R-S.D.) for their letter supporting the secondary tariff on imported ethanol. (More On This Story)
Majority of the Corn Crop Planted, NCGA Notes
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Crop Progress report released today, the top 18 states for corn production have planted 70 percent of the corn, the NCGA notes. Twenty-five percent of the corn in those states has emerged. (More On This Story)
60 Minutes, Dateline Report on Ethanol, NCGA Notes
CBS’ 60 Minutes and NBC’s Dateline profiled the ethanol industry on May 7, the NCGA notes. (More On This Story)
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AROUND THE CORN BELT
News
from State Associations
Nebraska: The new PLA carpet in the Nebraska Corn Board offices, as well as the adjacent offices of the Department of Economic Development (DED), is causing quite a stir in the Nebraska State Office building in Lincoln. As word spreads about the carpet made from corn, many state employees just have to see it for themselves. “The PLA carpet has been getting a lot of attention. Everyone is impressed when they see it,” said Kelly Brunkhorst, ag promotion coordinator for the Nebraska Corn Board. “The carpet is actually a hybrid blend—15 percent PLA and 85 percent nylon. What makes it even more special is that it’s made from corn grown right here in Nebraska. The PLA used in the carpet is produced by Cargill’s NatureWorks plant at Blair.”
Colorado: “It’s a victory for Colorado drivers and anyone who values clean air,” said Trent Bushner, President of the Colorado Corn Growers Association as the Colorado Senate put its final stamp of approval on SB138, a bill that requires the use of ethanol in 75% of the gasoline sold in the state in winter months. The bill now goes to the governor for signature or veto. The bill encourages ethanol for the value it brings to rural economies, especially in Eastern Colorado. Every ethanol plant adds 40 permanent jobs and $141 million to the local economy. The plant in Sterling, Colo., buys 80 percent of its corn locally, adding as much as 20 cents per bushel to the corn price. Gov. Bill Owens has threatened to veto the bill. The corn growers plan a state-wide media campaign to get the governor to sign the bill.
Illinois: The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is partnering with the Illinois Departments of Agriculture and Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the Illinois Corn Growers Association, and the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center (NCERC) to host a “Building an Ethanol Plant in Illinois” workshop designed to highlight ethanol production as a way to improve the agricultural economy while benefiting the environment. The workshop will be held on Wednesday, May 24 at the National Corn-To-Ethanol Research Center at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The ethanol workshop is designed to educate ethanol production companies, farmer co-ops, financial institutions and design and building consultants on the steps to constructing, operating and maintaining a successful ethanol plant. The workshop will promote best practices that reduce environmental releases and enhance energy efficiency. Topics will address issues such as siting ethanol plants, construction permits, grants, financing, and the use of different fuel sources will be addressed. The general public is invited to attend this open workshop. Seating is limited to those with interest in building an ethanol plant in Illinois. To register contact the Illinois Corn Growers Association at (309) 557-3257 or e-mail bhansen@ilcorn.org to reserve a space no later than Monday, May 22.
DID YOU KNOW?
The National Association of Wheat Growers will join NCGA and the American Soybean Association at the 2007 Commodity Classic in Tampa, Fla.., March 1-3. For more information, visit www.commodityclassic.com
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KEY ISSUES
