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 Pamphlet Highlights Advantages of Feeding Distillers Grains
- NCGA Leaders Praise Johanns, Dorr for USDA Ventures
- NCGA, Ag Transportation Working Group Voice Concerns over Transportation Issues to USDA
- NCGA Leaders Visit with Johanns at Farm Progress Show in Iowa
- NCGA Comments on Proposed CAFO Rule
- Drought Aid Package Available for Producers and Ranchers, Notes NCGA
- NCGA, Commodity Groups Oppose Elimination of Commitments of Traders Reports
- NCGA Reviews Draft 2007 Farm Bill Proposal with Ag Groups
**********************************
NCGA Pamphlet Highlights Advantages of Feeding Distillers Grains
The NCGA reminds growers and its livestock partners that it has produced a pocket-sized reference guide for basic distillers grains feedings recommendations for livestock. (More On This Story)
NCGA Leaders Praise Johanns, Dorr for USDA Ventures
NCGA First Vice President Ken McCauley and incoming First Vice President Ron Litterer met with Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns and Under Secretary of Rural Development Tom Dorr at the Farm Progress Show in Amana, Iowa, on Wednesday to discuss Department of Agriculture efforts to promote renewable energy and rural development. (More On This Story)
NCGA, Ag Transportation Working Group Voice Concerns over Transportation Issues to USDA
The NCGA, as part of the Ag Transportation Working Group, urged U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns to address serious transportation challenges on behalf of the agriculture industry. (More On This Story)
|
 |
National Corn Growers CEO Rick Tolman (second from left) and Director of Industry Relations Tim Brackman (far right) discussed NCGA, its mission and issues with Chaoming Li (second from right) from the Beijing Rihuajia Agriculture Sci-Tech Co. Ltd and interpreter Sher Lee in NCGA’s headquarters in St. Louis. |
NCGA Leaders Visit with Johanns at Farm Progress Show in Iowa
NCGA leaders are touring the grounds at the 53th annual Farm Progress Show in Amana, Iowa, this week to visit with fellow farmers, agribusinesses and Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns. (More On This Story)
NCGA Comments on Proposed CAFO Rule
The NCGA this week submitted comments to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding the proposed Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) rule published in the Federal Register on June 30, 2006. Corn growers expressed their support for voluntary, locally-led, incentive-based programs which recognize the unique abilities and limitations of farmers. (More On This Story)
Drought Aid Package Available for Producers and Ranchers, Notes NCGA
In an effort to assist those farmers and ranchers who have been negatively impacted by drought and other weather related events this season, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced a $780 million drought assistance package, notes the NCGA. The funding package utilizes new, refocused-unused funds and accelerated payments. (More On This Story)
NCGA, Commodity Groups Oppose Elimination of Commitments of Traders Reports
The NCGA and other agriculture groups sent a letter to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Acting Secretary Eileen Donovan recently, citing the importance of Commitments of Traders (COT) Reports to agricultural producers and the need for more details within the reports. (More On This Story)
NCGA Reviews Draft 2007 Farm Bill Proposal with Ag Groups
The NCGA Public Policy Action Team (PPAT) on Thursday reviewed its revenue-based 2007 farm bill draft proposal with commodity group representatives in Des Moines, Iowa. (More On This Story)
|
AROUND THE CORN BELT
News
from State Associations
Minnesota: Reports are coming in from central Minnesota and other drought-affected areas of the increasing occurrence of corn smut. Corn smut generates a film of black spores that can cover the kernels, the tassel and even the leaves of the plant. The disease often is more of a nuisance than a threat of yield loss, according to University of Minnesota Agronomist Dale Hicks. "Almost anywhere that there has been damage to corn, you will see some smut," said Hicks. "The dry areas generate the kind of stress where you will see smut. The plants are barren, there's no grain to fill, but the leaves are still photosynthesizing, with nowhere to dump it, and it ends up feeding this disease." Corn smut spores form galls on the corn plant wherever the spore touches, but the disease does not spread and overtake the plant, according to Kansas State University's (KSU) online database of vegetable diseases. No chemical inputs can control the disease, and KSU recommends scouting the galls and destroying them. Spores can over winter as long and five to seven years.
Nebraska: With the approval of two additional grants this year, the Nebraska Corn Board has now surpassed $1 million in grants received since being awarded its first grant two years ago. The most recent grants were awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Emerging Markets Program and National Resources Conservation Service. “When we first started applying for grants, we would not have set this as a goal so early, but we are delighted at where we have come in just two short years,” stated Don Hutchens, executive director of the Nebraska Corn Board. “These grants allow producers'’ checkoff dollars to be extended further, and also allow us to address key issues within the corn, livestock and ethanol industries.” The six grants totaling more than $1.1 million are managed by Kelly Brunkhorst, ag promotions coordinator with the Nebraska Corn Board. “As we look to the future, we will continue to pursue additional grant opportunities, as long as they address concerns of the corn, livestock or ethanol industries and make economical sense,” said Brunkhorst.
|
|
KEY ISSUES
