For 2007, U.S. Corn Growers Celebrate a Record Harvest
Corn production in the United States hit a record high in 2007, at a projected 13.074 billion bushels, the U.S. Department of Agriculture stated in its annual crop production summary released today. Average yield was second highest on record, at 151.1 bushels per acre. While these figures were both decreased from November estimates, they are still significantly higher than 2006, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) noted.
“2007 was a terrific year for corn production,” said Ron Litterer, NCGA president and a grower from Greene, Iowa. “We planted more acres, showing we can meet all market demand. We’re excited about 2008 but we know we have many challenges ahead of us.”
The USDA reported that, of 93.6 million acres planted, 86.5 million were harvested. In its World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimate, also released today, the USDA reports a projected total supply (including carry-in, production and import) of 14.393 billion bushels. Of this, 5.95 billion bushels are projected for feed and residual, 3.2 billion bushels for ethanol and coproducts and 1.355 billion for other domestic food, seed and industrial use. Further, 2.45 billion bushels are projected for export and a carryover, or surplus, of 1.438 billion bushels is expected. The season-average farm price for corn is projected at $3.70 to $4.30 per bushel.
Click here for the USDA’s 2007 Crop Production Summary.
Click here for the World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates.
NCGA Releases 2007 Annual Report, 2008 Perspectives Audio Reports
The NCGA has published its annual report for the 2007 fiscal year, recalling a number of important victories in the midst of attacks from industry critics, and a series of audio reports on 2007 accomplishments and 2008 challenges.
“Corn growers had much to celebrate in 2007, a year of high yields on the farm and high-fives on Capitol Hill for getting our voices heard,” writes Ken McCauley, NCGA president for 2007, in his cover letter in the annual report. “We responded to market demands with a record crop, setting the stage for record net-farm income.”
The annual report details progress of the action teams, committees and working groups NCGA members organized for a number of areas, such as trade, ethanol, biotechnology and public policy. Click here to download a copy of the annual report, and click here to download and listen to the audio reports.
Commodity Classic Early Registration Deadline Fast Approaching
Just one week remains on the early Commodity Classic registration discount. Registering by Jan. 16 could save members and non-members up to $50, spouses and older youths (16 and older) up to $45 and children (15 and under) up to $20.
Housing reservations must also be received by Wednesday, Jan. 16, as reservations made after the deadline are based on availability and hotel group rates are not guaranteed.
Commodity Classic, the annual convention and trade show of the American Soybean Association (ASA), the NCGA, and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG), will be held Feb. 28-March 1 in Nashville, Tenn.
“We encourage everyone to register early for Commodity Classic and save money,” said Commodity Classic co-chair and NCGA Corn Board member Theresa Schmalshof.
NCGA has several events lined up in Nashville before and during Commodity Classic. “NCGA’s CornPAC Auction will be held Feb. 27,” Schmalshof added. “There will be two NCGA Corn Congress sessions where our delegates will work on key issues. NCGA will honor the National Corn Yield Contest state and national winners at a breakfast and awards banquet, and we will recognize the backbone of our organization—the recruiters who keep our membership strong.”
Commodity Classic will feature valuable educational sessions, a trade show, association banquets, entertainment events, and important networking opportunities. For more information, please visit www.commodityclassic.com. |
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AROUND THE CORN BELT
News from State Association
MICHIGAN: The future of research, market development, education and new uses for Michigan corn will soon be in the hands of the state’s corn farmers. The Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) will soon begin conducting the referendum vote for the Corn Marketing Program of Michigan (CMPM), the state’s corn check-off program. The vote will be Jan. 28 through Feb. 8, 2008.
The CMPM was created under the Agricultural Commodities Marketing Act, 1965 P.A. 232. This law allows for the establishment of check-off programs, like the CMPM, for commodities grown in Michigan and sold. Since the CMPM is a mandatory check-off, every five years Michigan’s corn farmers are asked if they want to continue to invest one penny per bushel in research, market development, education and new uses for corn.
In order for the program to continue, the referendum must pass by a majority of both the popular and corn production voted. The last vote was in 2003, when more than 73 percent of corn farmers and 70 percent production voted yes. Farmers that sell more than $800 worth of corn will receive a referendum ballot in the mail from the MDA. The ballot will be mailed out to growers on Jan. 25, 2008. This ballot must be completed and date stamped between Jan. 28 and Feb. 8, 2008 for the vote to count. If you do not receive a ballot, please contact Deb Merrill at MDA at 1-800-292-3939. For More information on this matter, (Click Here)
MINNESOTA: Senator Amy Klobuchar will appear at MN Ag EXPO on Friday, January 11, to talk to Minnesota corn growers about the advances achieved in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 and the advances anticipated in the Farm Bill, which undergoes conference deliberation later this month.
MN Ag EXPO is the two-day educational and trade show, during which Minnesota Corn Growers Association holds its annual meeting.
Klobuchar and other members of the Senate Agriculture committee celebrated the farm-friendly Energy Bill, passed on December 19, for creating a five-fold increase in the minimum requirement for biofuels use, up from the current level of 7.5 billion gallons annually to 36 billion gallons a year by 2022. The requirement stairsteps upward over the next 15 years, and includes a substantial space for growth of biodiesel and cellulose-based ethanol.
In particular, Klobuchar contributed two renewable energy provisions to the new energy act. One is an incentive program that will reward station owners for installing pumps for E85 and Biodiesel. The other prohibits oil companies from blocking station owners from installing renewable energy infrastructure. The language also forbids oil-company franchised stations from prohibiting the installation of E85 pumps underneath the canopy. In addition, it also forbids any limits the oil company would impose in terms of signs, logos or stickers that alert customers to E85 or biodiesel pumps.
Click here - for more information |
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EPA: Ethanol Helps Clear the Air, Ground and Water
A new study by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency confirms corn ethanol additives in gasoline have helped clear the air, ground and water, and the NCGA hailed this latest report as further proof that ethanol is good not just for energy security, but a cleaner environment.
“Once again, we have solid evidence of the many environmental benefits of ethanol,” said Ron Litterer, NCGA president. “The research is clear, and our growers are excited about meeting the demands of an expanded renewable fuels standard while still providing ample food and feed for domestic and export needs.”
The EPA study looks at the success of clean-fuels programs implemented by the agency, including the replacement of MTBE with ethanol. MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether) has been a cause for concern because of groundwater contamination.
According to the study, these programs exceeded expectations in reducing ozone pollutants and air toxics, and the research found that emission reductions were often significantly greater than regulatory requirements. In 1996, about 11 percent of the RFG sold contained ethanol while virtually all the remainder contained MTBE. By 2005, the ethanol share increased to about 53 percent, with corresponding decreases in MTBE
Click here for information on the EPA research.
NCGA Urges Congress to Adopt a Strong Revenue-based Safety Net Program in the 2008 Farm Bill
With the House of Representatives reconvening Jan. 15 and the Senate following suit on Jan. 22, the NCGA is hopeful the 2008 Farm Bill will provide farmers with better targeted and more reliable protection against crop losses. NCGA urges Congress to address producers’ risk management needs and commodity prices with an optional revenue-based safety program when the farm bill goes to the House and Senate conference committee.
“The conference committee negotiations are a critical part in the writing of the farm bill,” said NCGA President Ron Litterer. “NCGA looks forward to working with the House and Senate conferees and ensuring that an improved risk management tool is included in the farm bill.”
Acting U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner noted in a speech last week before members of the South Dakota Corn Growers Association that the farm bill needs additional work to ensure it is not vetoed by the president. A Senate spokeswoman said that work is taking place.
“Staff is working to shape up issues for the members to discuss,” Kate Cyrul, majority communications director for the Senate Agriculture Committee, told an agricultural trade publication. “Pre-conference negotiations started the week immediately following Senate passage of the farm bill. In fact, the four principals –– Sens. Harkin, Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), Reps. (Collin) Peterson (D-Minn.) and (Bob) Goodlatte (R-Va.) –– met the week of Dec. 17 to lay the ground work for the staff work now going on."
NCGA is hopeful the conference committee will work with the administration and move quickly to resolve issues with the House and Senate versions of the farm bill.
Deadline Extended for NCGA/BASF College Scholarship Program
At the request of college financial aid administrators, the application deadline has been extended for the NCGA Academic Excellence in Agriculture Scholarship Program. Sponsored by chemical company BASF, the program awards five $1,000 scholarships annually to students pursuing a degree in an agriculture-related field.
Applicants must be entering at least their second undergraduate year, and they or a parent or legal guardian must be an NCGA member. Entries must be postmarked Friday, Feb. 1, at the latest. Complete rules are in the application packet at www.ncga.com/scholarship, and winners will be notified in February and recognized at the Commodity Classic in Nashville.
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KEY ISSUES
