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:

• Report Highlights Benefits of DM&E Upgrade and Expansion, NCGA Notes
• Trade Negotiations Focus on South America, East Asia
• Commodity Classic Brings NCGA Members Together for ‘Bounty on the Day’
• NCGA Urges More Reliable, Affordable Grain Transportation
• UL, DOE Gather E85 Authorization Feedback, Notes NCGA
• NCGA Highlights Economic Uses for Missouri River Recovery Implementation Committee
• South Korea Reopens Market to U.S. Beef, NCGA Notes
• NCGA Reacts to RMA Proposal to Crop Insurance Policies

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Report Highlights Benefits of DM&E Upgrade and Expansion, NCGA Notes
The NCGA applauds a report released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture today highlighting the benefits to agriculture of upgrading and expanding the Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern (DM&E) railroad. (More On This Story)

 Trade Negotiations Focus on South America, East Asia
The NCGA and other agricultural groups are urging Congress to grant Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) status to Vietnam and to move forward on trade agreements with Colombia and Peru. Congress is scheduled to vote later this month on PNTR status with Vietnam. (More On This Story)

Commodity Classic, the joint trade show and convention of the National Con Growers Association, the American Soybean Association and the National Association of Wheat Growers, will take place March 1-3 in Tampa, Fla. For more information, visit www.commodityclassic.com.

Commodity Classic Brings NCGA Members Together for ‘Bounty on the Bay’  
There is plenty of “Bounty on the Bay” for NCGA members who attend the 11th annual Commodity Classic March 1-3 in Tampa, Fla., as producers will have opportunities to network with agribusiness leaders, attend educational sessions and increase profitability on their farms. (More On This Story)

NCGA Urges More Reliable, Affordable Grain Transportation
The NCGA cited much-needed improvements in capacity and the high cost of shipping grains as key transportation problems in comments to the Surface Transportation Board (STB), which is holding a hearing today on the issue of rail transportation of grain. (More On This Story)

UL, DOE Gather E85 Authorization Feedback, Notes NCGA
Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and the U.S. Department of Energy are holding hearings this week to gather more feedback on the development of authorization for E85 equipment, the NCGA notes. The meetings, scheduled for Nov. 1-2 at the UL company headquarters outside of Chicago, will include representatives from oil companies, automakers, researchers and industry stakeholders. (More On This Story)

NCGA Highlights Economic Uses for Missouri River Recovery Implementation Committee
The NCGA is encouraging proper economic management as a priority for the Missouri River. (More On This Story)

South Korea Reopens Market to U.S. Beef, NCGA Notes
South Korea accepted the first shipment of U.S. beef Monday, almost three years after the country closed its borders to the product, the NCGA notes. (More On This Story)

NCGA Reacts to RMA Proposal to Crop Insurance Policies
In comments to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency (RMA), the NCGA noted RMA is taking steps in the right direction in efforts to combine revenue and yield protection but cautioned more adjustments in current premium discounts must be made to reflect corresponding reductions in risk exposure. (More On This Story)