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:
- Increases in 2006 Corn Acreage, Biotech Plantings Anticipated, NCGA Notes
- Timmons Aims to Contribute to Corn Grower’s Dialogue, Build Consensus
- NCGA Pleased with House Passage of Natural Gas Legislation
- NCGA Growers Wrap Up European Mission on Biotechnology
- NCGA Applauds Opening of Midwest Ethanol Corridor
- WTO Negotiations Under Way, NCGA Continues Market Access Message
- NCGA Continues Strong Message of Support for Natural Gas Legislation
- NCGA Reminds Growers of June 30 CRP Re-enrollment
- Early Entry Deadline for NCGA Corn Yield Contest is July 1
- NCGA Attends Fuel Ethanol Workshop
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Increases in 2006 Corn Acreage, Biotech Plantings Anticipated, NCGA Notes
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released its revised 2006 crop acreage report today, expecting increases in total acreage and biotech acreage, the NCGA notes. (More On This Story)
Timmons Aims to Contribute to Corn Growers’ Dialogue, Build Consensus
If elected to the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) Corn Board, Bob Timmons hopes to contribute to the dialogue that among corn growers that makes NCGA a leading agricultural organization. (More On This Story)
NCGA Pleased with House Passage of Natural Gas Legislation
House passage on Thursday of the Deep Ocean Energy Resources Act (DOER), legislation that will increase exploration, development and production of oil and natural gas in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), is a important step toward securing more domestic supplies of natural gas and oil and aiding in decreasing dependence on foreign sources of energy, according to NCGA) Corn Board member Garry Niemeyer. (More On This Story)
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NCGA members and staff visited France, Belgium and Germany on a mission with members of the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) to learn more about trends in biotechnology acceptance in Europe. From left to right: NCGA members Fred Yoder, Tim Kreynus and Ron Olson; NCGA staff June Silverberg; ASTA staff Alexis Ellicott; ASTA representatives Jimmy Dodson, Ken Rulon and Don Lathan. |
NCGA Growers Wrap Up European Mission on Biotechnology
A joint mission of the NCGA and American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) toured France, Belgium and Germany to learn about trends in biotechnology acceptance in Europe. (More On This Story)
NCGA Applauds Opening of Midwest Ethanol Corridor
The NCGA welcomes the establishment of the Midwest Ethanol Corridor by VeraSun and Ford. The two companies officially opened the corridor today at a press conference in Alton, Ill. (More On This Story)
WTO Negotiations Under Way, NCGA Continues Market Access Message
The NCGA today maintained its position that the World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations must produce the market access provisions proposed by the United States in October 2005. (More On This Story)
NCGA Continues Strong Message of Support for Natural Gas Legislation
In anticipation of the vote on H.R. 4761, the Deep Ocean Energy Resources (DOER) Act, the NCGA sent Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) and House Majority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) today a letter supporting and encouraging swift action on the legislation, which will promote the development of domestic energy resources and secure future economic growth. (More On This Story)
NCGA Reminds Growers of June 30 CRP Re-enrollment Deadline
The NCGA reminds members with Conservation Reserve Program contracts expiring between 2008 and 2010 they have until June 30 to apply for re-enrollment or extension. (More On This Story)
Early Entry Deadline for NCGA Corn Yield Contest is July 1
The NCGA reminds growers the July 1 early bird entry deadline is days away for producers to enter the 41st annual National Corn Yield Contest (NCYC). (More On This Story)
NCGA Attends Fuel Ethanol Workshop
NCGA Ethanol Committee Chairman Bruce Noel represented the organization at the Fuel Ethanol Workshop in Milwaukee, Wis., last week, highlighting corn growers’ ability to meet increasing market demands and the importance of grower ownership in ethanol plants. (More On This Story)
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AROUND THE CORN BELT
News
from State Associations
Maryland: The Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board (MGPUB) has awarded nearly $340,000 to organizations across the state to increase the profitability of Maryland grain production, expand the utilization of grain and to improve public understanding of agriculture using checkoff funds to support market development, education, and research. Grant funds are made available through the Maryland grain checkoff program. Funds from the 2005 harvest year were allocated to projects in the areas of education ($91,900), research ($103,800), and market development ($143,700). With the strong emphasis on energy, a majority of the funding was awarded to efforts that advance products such as ethanol and biodiesel.
Illinois: Two at-large positions on the Illinois Corn Growers Association (ICGA) Board of Directors are elected each year at their annual meeting. In order to run as an at-large director, the bylaws require that a person indicate his intent in one of two ways: 1) appear at a scheduled board meeting on or before the August meeting (s Aug. 24-25 at the ICGA Office in Bloomington) or, 2) file a petition with 25 signatures of current members in their district. Petitions, which can be obtained from the State Office by calling 309-557-3257, are due in the state office no later than Sept. 1. If you are looking for an opportunity to enhance the profitability of corn farmers, to make new contacts, develop a strong sense of personal mission, and add to committee and board experience, ICGA encourages you to seek election. At-large directors are elected at the annual meeting which will be held this year on Nov. 21 at the Doubletree Hotel in Bloomington. Each candidate is allowed time to make a short presentation to the members present indicating their reasons for seeking election.
North Dakota: Get ready for a fun day of socializing with your fellow corn growers while playing golf at the N.D. Corn Classic at the Jamestown Country Club on Wednesday, July 19. The day will be filled with food, fun & prizes. Your day includes: lunch, cart, 18 holes of golf, and steak dinner for $60 per person. This is a best-ball tournament. Registration and lunch begin at 11:30 a.m. with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. Steak dinner begins at 5:30 p.m. The N.D. Corn Classic is open to North Dakota Corn Growers Association members, their immediate family members and corporate sponsors. If someone on your team is not a member, have them become one today. Contact Sharon Wieland at 701-239-7259 for more information.
Did You Know?
The National Corn Growers Association will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2007. In 1956, Iowa farmer Walter Goeppinger began to organize the association with corn farmers from nine states because of minimal public recognition, appreciation and political support U.S. corn growers received in producing America’s largest crop. One year later, NCGA was formed, with offices in Boone, Iowa. In 1984, leaders moved the headquarters from Iowa and established a national office in St. Louis, Missouri.
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KEY ISSUES
