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Phone: (636) 733-9004
FAX: (636) 733-9005

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Washington, DC 20001

Phone: (202) 628-7001
FAX: (202) 628-1933

©National Corn Growers Association | corninfo@ncga.com

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 Discusses Trade with Japanese
NCGA Commends USDA Proposed Increase in Renewable Energy Funding
Registration Continues for NCGA Trade and Farm Policy Conference
NCGA ‘Eager to Support’ Bush’s Biofuels Initiative
NCGA Asks for Commitment to Corn Research
Energy, Renewables Legislation Included in House “100 Hour” Agenda

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NCGA Discusses Trade with Japanese
Three days of meetings and discussions with representatives of the Japanese government, and food and feed industries has convinced National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President Ken McCauley that the trade relationship between the two countries remains strong. (More On This Story)

National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) First Vice President Ron Litterer (right) and NCGA Research and Business Development Action Team Chairwoman Pam Johnson were in Washington, D.C. this week meeting with Congressional and administration officials. The growers also met with USDA Secretary Mike Johanns (left) on Wednesday to talk about renewable fuels and the corn supply and demand, research and farm bill recommendations.

NCGA Commends USDA Proposed Increase in Renewable Energy Funding
NCGA’s efforts to gain more funding for ethanol research bore fruit this week, as Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns announced plans to propose $1.6 billion in new funding for renewable energy, as part of U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 2007 farm bill recommendations. (More On This Story)

Registration Continues for NCGA Trade and Farm Policy Conference
Registration is underway for the NCGA Trade and Farm Policy Conference Feb. 21 – 22 at the Renaissance Hotel at the Airport in St. Louis. Deadline for registration is Jan. 31. (More On This Story)

NCGA ‘Eager to Support’ Bush’s Biofuels Initiative
The NCGA characterized President George W. Bush's call for increased production of biofuels as a bold and vital step toward U.S. energy security and one that that will strengthen agriculture. (More On This Story)

NCGA Asks for Commitment to Corn Research
As corn is called on to serve as a food, feed and energy source, the NCGA is calling on the federal government to increase research funding for corn. (More On This Story)

Energy, Renewables Legislation Included in House “100 Hour” Agenda
Energy and renewable fuels were key legislative issues addressed as House Democrats finalized their “100 Hour Agenda” last week, notes the NCGA. (More On This Story)

AROUND THE CORN BELT
News from State Associations

Indiana: The Indiana Corn Growers Association praised the Indiana House Agriculture Committee for action taken Jan. 25, to approve a new corn checkoff program for Indiana. By a vote of 10-1, the Committee approved Rep. Don Lehe's (R- Brookston) bill to provide for the checkoff to be collected automatically when corn is sold. The proposed program mirrors existing checkoff programs in Illinois, Ohio, Iowa, Minnesota, and Kentucky. The program would remain voluntary - with farmers having 180 days to file for a refund of any checkoff dollars contributed.

Michigan: Michigan’s corn producers expressed optimism for increased corn demand as Liberty Renewable Fuels, LLC, announced plans for a public offering of stock participation in the central Michigan ethanol production plant. “This is exciting news for corn producers across the state,” said Bruce Noel, who serves as chairman of the NCGA Ethanol Committee. “It’s exciting to have a new ethanol project announced as our organization continues to assist growers and industry partners interested in building corn processing facilities and developing new uses for Michigan corn,” said Jody Pollok, Corn Marketing Program of Michigan executive director. “Last year alone, approximately 280 million bushels of corn were grown on Michigan farmland and only approximately 30 million bushels were used in-state for ethanol production.” There are two additional plants under construction in the state along with several other plants in the developmental stages, said Pollok.

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Next Week
Jan. 28-Feb.1:	Leadership Academy in Washington, D.C.
Jan. 29:	Public Policy Senior Director Sam Willett meets with Wisconsin Farm Bureau task force in Washington, D.C.
Jan. 29:	Director of Ethanol and Business development Geoff Cooper attends the BIOFUELS meeting in Martin, Tenn.
Jan. 30-Feb. 1:	Public Policy Director Lisa Kelley attends a WCI meeting on upper Midwestern transportation in Chicago.
Feb. 1-2:	NCGA President Ken McCauley attends the Cattlemen’s Annual Convention in Nashville, Tenn.
Feb. 1-2:	Director of Ethanol and Business development Geoff Cooper addresses the Wisconsin Corn/Soy EXPO in Wisconsin Dells, Wis.
Feb. 2:	NCGA President Ken McCauley attends the Alabama Soybean and Corn Association annual meeting in Huntsville, Ala.
Calendar information is available on the NCGA Leader Resource Center, http://www.insidencga.com © 2005 National Corn Growers Association