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:

• To Wisconsin Grower, Sustainability is Key to Protecting Farming’s Future
• 2007 Photo Contest Gallery Available Online
• NCGA Recognizes Top Membership Recruiters
• There’s Something for Everyone at 2008 Corn Utilization and Technology Conference
• NCGA Recognizes Seed Companies for Corn Yield Contest Success

**********************************

To Wisconsin Grower, Sustainability is Key to Protecting Farming’s Future

For Wisconsin corn producer Tom Novak, growing corn may be a family tradition, but the way it’s grown isn’t. Novak’s experience has taught him farming is not a static industry, but one where new research and technology take growers to fields their grandparents couldn’t imagine. An end to major soil disruption is one example.

“The moldboard plow was put to death on our farm nearly 20 years when I was still a college student,” Novak remembers.  “There really wasn’t ever a reason to moldboard-plow our soils in the first place, but it was what Grandpa did since the 1940s and it was a ‘tradition’ carried on by the next generation until the third generation started asking questions.”

As many corn growers have done, Novak experimented with various tilling methods before deciding to do what comes natural – no tilling.

“We adopted conservation tillage for awhile then started no-tilling soybeans into corn stalks in the early 1990s, then tried no-tilling corn into soybean stubble,” Novak said. “We finally completed the circle by no-tilling corn into corn fields.  No-tilling all of our crops and rotations works without yield loss or soil loss on all of our well-drained sandy loam and loam soils.”

In addition, Novak’s farm has worked with the University of Wisconsin’s Extension program on nitrogen studies and succeeded in netting strong results with reduced fertilizer inputs.

“We have shown consistently in our area that we can be 20 to 40 units of nitrogen per acre below university recommendations if the nitrogen is applied side-dress when the corn is 12 to 20 inches tall,” Novak said. For More on this story, (Click Here).

NCGA Recognizes Top Membership Recruiters

Each year, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) recognizes the hard work of grower-members who recruit colleagues into the association. At a time when the industry is breaking production records, membership in NCGA is an important tool for growers. Strong recruitment and retention work in 2007 netted an impressive 3.9 percent growth in members over the closing 2006 figure.

“The value of an NCGA membership is clear to those who join us in our work,” said Matt Gibson, chairman of NCGA’s Grower Services Action Team (GSAT). “They not only get the tools and information to help them do their job better, but they have the opportunity to take a leadership role in their industry. We salute our members who are active recruiters for their efforts in expanding the base and the strength of our organization.”

For 2007, three recruiters were singled out for recognition based on the number of growers each one recruited and the number of points earned for recruitment and retention:

• David Leiseth, Hayti, S.D. (393 recruits)
• Douglas Toreen, Bird Island, Minn. (276 recruits)
• Anthony Bush, Mount Gilead, Ohio (265 recruits)

Also, NCGA congratulates its top Hall of Fame recruiter for 2007, Leslie Roach of Wheatland, N.D., (403 recruits).  NCGA has also inducted four more recruiters into its Recruiter Hall of Fame, based on their successful recruitment history: Douglas Toreen, Bird Island, Minn.; Sam Creed, Fairfax, Mo.; Larry Jons, Central City, Iowa; and Dale Tolifson, Benson, Minn.

All these recruiters will receive up to $1000 towards expenses at the 2008 Commodity Classic, in Nashville, Tenn., where they will be recognized for their achievement.

There’s Something for Everyone at 2008 Corn Utilization and Technology Conference

With a theme of “Corn: New Horizons,” the 2008 Corn Utilization and Technology Conference (CUTC), scheduled for June 2-4, will emphasize the importance of identifying the next generation of technologies to sustain corn as nature’s feedstock of the future. Presented by the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), CUTC has been expanded to include new topics that will be of value to many audiences, such as ethanol producers and livestock interests. Registrations are being accepted now.   

“Now, more than ever before, it’s extremely important to see new technologies in the pipeline,” said CUTC Chairman Fred Yoder. “We anticipate record attendance and are thrilled to be offering an expanded portfolio of technology. Attendees will be impressed by all of the possibilities that are on the horizon.”

The conference has been increasingly recognized as an important industry networking event. Attendees will have the chance to meet with hundreds of valuable business contacts, identify potential new customers, and learn how new technologies will enhance the value of corn. CUTC will also offer exhibitors presenting new technologies and equipment, posters demonstrating cutting-edge technology, and a golf tournament at Tiffany Greens, one of the top courses in the state. 

CUTC will be held at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown in Kansas City, Mo. Visit www.corntechconf.org to register or for more information.    

NCGA Recognizes Seed Companies for Corn Yield Contest Success

Each year, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) recognizes seed companies for their contribution to the high corn yields seen in the National Corn Yield Contest, as reflected in the number of entries using that company’s seed. Without their help, the 2007 contest would not have been the success it was, with nearly 5,000 entries.

"We're very pleased with the level of interest and participation in the 2007 contest,” said Steve Ebke, vice chairman of NCGA's Production and Stewardship Action Team and a grower from Daykin, Neb. “NCGA appreciates the significant role the seed industry plays in making the contest competitive and successful." 
NCGA announced the following categories and winners for 2007.

• The Bronze Award is given to those with 50 or more entries. Four companies won in the 2007 contest: Asgrow; Crow’s Hybrid Corn Co.; Garst Seed Co.; and Midwest Seed Genetics, Inc.
• The Silver Award is given to seed companies with more than 250 entries. For 2007, the Silver Award winner is DEKALB.
• The Presidential Award, the highest award possible, goes to companies with more than 1,500 NCYC entries. This year, the award goes to Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc., a subsidiary of DuPont.

"The high-quality seed from these companies allowed our grower contestants to achieve impressive yield levels," Ebke said. These six companies will be recognized Feb. 29 at the 2008 Commodity Classic.

• Farmers Benefit From Ethanol
• Activists Get Their Way in France
• FlexFuel Ferrari
• Got Ethanol?
• Book Discusses Sustainability of Ethanol
• Corn Hits a High Note
• POET Optimistic About Corn Ethanol Future

To provide feedback to any of comments on this week’s Corn Commentary blog, please (click here).