Survey Finds Farmers Becoming More Sustainable
Farmers are adopting best management practices in record numbers, according to a survey just released by the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) and The Fertilizer Institute (TFI). The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) hailed this survey as further evidence that growers are doing the right thing.
Among the results:
- More than three-quarters of those responding have conservation plans.
- Three out of five have fully adopted nutrient management plans.
- More than half of row crop producers who responded to the survey have fully adopted conservation tillage, nutrient management, grassed waterways and integrated pest, disease and weed management.
“Our growers know that successful farming requires proper stewardship of our land, air and water,” said David Ward, Chairman of NCGA’s Production and Stewardship Action Team. “This further confirms that we are seeing positive trends, and we continue to employ increased fertilizer efficiency and reduced use of pesticides and herbicides.”
NCGA promoted this new CTIC/TFI survey to its membership, and approximately 2,000 farmers nationwide responded to the survey in late 2007, representing 2.5 million acres of farmed cropland. Survey respondents had an average of 29 years of farming experience, and 75 percent of those answering the survey farm a corn-soybean rotation or a corn-soybean-wheat rotation. Seventy-nine percent had at least some college education.
Last year, NCGA joined a new agricultural sustainability initiative managed by the Keystone Center. One of the goals of this effort is to increase productivity to meet future nutritional needs while decreasing impacts on the environment, including water, soil, habitat, air quality and climate emissions, and land use.
Click here for more information on the CTIC/Fertilizer Institute survey.
Click here for more information on the Keystone initiative.
Click here for more information on NCGA and conservation.
Deadline Approaches for USDA’s Important 2007 Census of Agriculture
The Feb. 4 deadline is approaching for corn growers to get their voices heard in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 2007 Census of Agriculture. Conducted every five years by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, the census provides detailed data covering nearly every facet of U.S. agriculture.
Information from the census helps government organizations, lawmakers and town planners plan for future facilities, services and community growth and also influences policy decisions that can have a tremendous impact on farmers and their communities. Also, census information influences community growth because many companies review this data when determining where to establish their businesses.
Farmers can return their forms by mail or, for the first time, have the convenient option of filling out the census online. USDA will release census data, in both electronic and print formats, beginning in February 2009. Detailed reports will be published for all counties, states and the nation.
NCGA: President Bush’s State of the Union Address Strong on Free Trade, Biofuels
In his final State of the Union message before Congress, President George W. Bush addressed the importance of breaking down barriers to trade and building a future of energy security. National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President Ron Litterer was pleased that the president addressed two important issues for corn growers.
“NCGA supports the Bush administration’s push for approval of the Colombia, Panama, and Korea free trade agreements,” said Litterer. “Removing trade barriers between these countries will create important new export opportunities for corn growers – and corn customers such as livestock producers.”
On trade, President Bush made the following comments: “We're working for a successful Doha Round of trade talks, and we must complete a good agreement this year. At the same time, we're pursuing opportunities to open up new markets by passing free trade agreements…. I thank the Congress for approving a good agreement with Peru. And now I ask you to approve agreements with Colombia and Panama and South Korea.”
President Bush also thanked Congress for passing new energy legislation and called for the continued development of renewable fuels.
“To build a future of energy security, we must trust in the creative genius of American researchers and entrepreneurs and empower them to pioneer a new generation of clean energy technology. Our security, our prosperity, and our environment all require reducing our dependence on oil.”
Click here to read the entire transcript of last night’s State of the Union address or view more information about it.
NCGA Congratulates Secretary of Agriculture Edward Schafer on Confirmation
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) congratulates Edward Schafer on his confirmation yesterday as the 29th U.S. Department of Agriculture secretary. Schafer, a former two-term North Dakota governor, was confirmed by unanimous Senate consent.
"Our members look forward to working with Secretary Schafer to finalize farm bill negotiations and to collaborate on agriculture issues important to corn growers, such as rural development, trade, and conservation," said NCGA President Ron Litterer. "We hope to have a strong and productive working relationship with the secretary."
Schafer succeeds Mike Johanns, who resigned last September.
NCGA Publications Take Top Prize in Competition
Two publications of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) took first place awards in the Region II “Best of NAMA” competition, sponsored by the National Agri-Marketing Association. The 2007 World of Corn won under the category of Unique Print Advertising and NCGA’s 50th Anniversary 2006 Annual Report won under the category of Annual Reports. Both publications were designed by David & Associates of Hastings, Neb.
“We’re proud of our work and appreciate the assistance we have from our terrific vendors,” said Mimi Ricketts, NCGA’s director of communications. “World of Corn is an important document, synthesizing and presenting the most important industry statistics in a clear and readable manner, and our annual report last year highlighted our organization’s great history in representing U.S. corn growers for 50 years.
“The real accomplishment, however, is the work of U.S. corn producers in meeting the needs of food, feed, fuel and fiber.”
National “Best of NAMA” winners will be announced April 16 at the 2008 Agri-Marketing Conference and Trade Show in Kansas City. Region II encompasses all NAMA chapters in nine states.
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