NCGA News












July 3 , 2003 * Volume 10* Number 26

NCGA's Mission: To Create and Increase Opportunities
for Corn Growers in a Changing World

This is Corn Commentary, the weekly newsletter for state and national grower leaders of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) available via the U.S. Postal Service. For complete stories and updated NCGA information, visit www.ncga.com or the NCGA Leader Resource Center, www.insidencga.com.

IN THIS ISSUE:

  • NCGA Calls EU Labeling Law Too Costly for Corn Growers
  • Aylesworth Resigns from Indiana Corn
  • Nebraska Corn, Grains Council Hosts International Journalists on Biotech Mission
  • Aflatoxin Talked Up at USDA Listening Session
  • One Deadline Remaining to Register for NCGA’s Corn Yield Contest
  • Dalton to Use Communication, Decision-Making Skills in Corn Board Re-Election Efforts
  • Dickey to Use Experience in State Legislature During Corn Board Election
  • Watch AgDay "Seeds of Tomorrow" on July 4th
  • LRC Provides Corn Grower Leaders with Online Access to NCGA information

NCGA Calls EU Labeling Law Too Costly for Corn Growers

NCGA said Wednesday’s European Parliament vote for mandatory labeling of biotech crops is too costly for growers and will further prohibit exportation of biotech crops to European countries. The new law establishes strict labeling laws on food derived from biotechnology and stringent traceability regulations. (More On This Story)

Former Indiana Corn Growers Association President Mike Aylesworth (left), seen here in July, 2001, at Corn Congress in Washington, D.C., presents the President of the National Coalition for Food and Agricultural Research Terry Wolf with a cigar, symbolizing the birth of the Indiana corn checkoff. Aylesworth officially resigned from his post with Indiana effective July 1.

Aylesworth Resigns from Indiana Corn

July 1 was a sad day for the Indiana Corn Growers Association (ICGA) and the NCGA as Michael Aylesworth officially resigned from his duties as Indiana chairman due to hardships brought on by three consecutive years of drought. For Aylesworth, leaving Indiana Corn was a necessary step. (More On This Story)

Elliot Jagels (l) and Ayo Akinfe, a journalist from the United Kingdom, tour NCGA member Mark Jagel's farm during a recent tour of Nebraska by European journalists hosted by the Nebraska Corn Board and the U.S. Grains Council.

Nebraska Corn, Grains Council Hosts International Journalists on Biotech Mission

Journalists from four continents took a first-hand look at how Nebraska corn producers, grain handlers and seed scientists are helping ensure the safety and beneficial use of biotechnology-based corn. (More On This Story)

Aflatoxin Talked Up at USDA Listening Session

Aflatoxin was in the air Monday, or so to speak, when the Multi-Crop Aflatoxin Working Group presented comments on aflatoxin elimination at a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) stakeholder listening session in Denver, Colo. (More On This Story)

One Deadline Remaining to Register for NCGA's Corn Yield Contest

Corn growers, check your calendars. Only one deadline remains to enter the NCGA’s 2003 National Corn Yield Contest (NCYC). As of July 1 682 entries have been received, with nearly 3,000 expected before the final Aug. 1 deadline. (More On This Story)

Cal Dalton

Dalton to Use Communication, Decision-Making Skills in Corn Board Re-Election Efforts

Cal Dalton has served in many leadership capacities and believes communication skills and knowledge-based decision-making are his strongest attributes. In his bid for re-election to the NCGA Corn Board, Dalton said he would like to help other corn growers to develop economical, political and educational opportunities for themselves and their farming operations. (More On This Story)

Bob Dickey

Dickey to Use Experience in State Legislature During Corn Board Election

If elected to the NCGA Corn Board, Bob Dickey has said he would serve to the best of his ability to make a positive difference. His personal expectations of a board member are the ability to demonstrate leadership skills and a strong sense of character and integrity. He believes his experience as a Nebraska State Senator would be helpful for NCGA in Washington, DC, and state legislative affairs. (More On This Story)

Watch AgDay "Seeds of Tomorrow" on July 4th

PLANT yourself in front of the TV on July 4th, and watch SEEDS OF TOMORROW. (More On This Story)

LRC Provides Corn Grower Leaders with Online Access to NCGA information

The NCGA Leader Resource Center (LRC) is the online resource for state and national corn grower leaders. The LRC is available to state board members, Corn Board, national team, committee and working group members, Corn Congress delegates and state and national staffs. The site is available at http://www.insidencga.com by subscription only. If you need your username or password reset or need assistance using the site, please contact membership@ncga.com.

Recent information added to the site includes:

AGENDAS
July 2003 Meetings in Washington DC:

- Corn Board
- Corn Congress (PDF)
- Grower Services (PDF)
- Production and Stewardship (PDF)
- Agenda, Public Policy (PDF)
- Research and Business Development (PDF)
- Biotechnology Working Group (PDF)
- Ethanol Committee (PDF)
- Corn Yield Contest (GSAT/PSAT) (PDF)
- Mycotoxin Task Force (PDF)
- Trade Task Force (PDF)

CORN BOARD
- NCGA Corn Board Visit to Michigan State University (PDF)
- Corn Board Conference Call Minutes, May 13, 2003 (PDF)
- Strategic Plan (Interim Edition) June 2003, for Corn Congress ratification, July 2003 (PDF)

CORNPAC
- New NCGA CornPac Leader Team page now available

MEMBERSHIP RECRUITING
- June 03 Membership Report (PDF)
- June 03 State Growth Trends Comparison (PDF)
- June 03, 4 year comparison (PDF)
- June 03 Cumulative Recruiter by Point (PDF)

PUBLICATIONS
NCGA "Big Rock" Brochures - Updated June 2003:
- Biotechnology (PDF)
- Ethanol (PDF)
- New Uses (PDF)
- Farm Policy (PDF)
- Trade (PDF)
- Transportation (PDF)

FARM AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
- Payment Limitations Spreadsheet (from KSU in Excel format) - July 2003

RESEARCH & BUSINESS DEVELOP ACTION TEAM
- Research Friday Update Volume 3 Number 16 (PDF)

For more information, please contact the lead staff for your area of interest, Gary Bradley, NCGA Communications, at 636-733-9004, bradley@ncga.com or Rodger Mansfield, NCGA Technology, 636-733-9004, mansfield@ncga.com

Of Special Interest:

To View the Profiles of All the 2003 NCGA Corn Board Candidates, Click HERE!

NCGA THIS WEEK

  • July 8-9 NCGA President Fred Yoder will attend a meeting of the Agriculture and Food Biosecurity Planning Committee in Minneapolis.
  • July 10 NCGA Director of Development Tom Slunecka will attend a Commodity Classic Grower Committee Meeting in St. Louis.
  • July 11 NCGA staff begins departing for Corn Congress in Washington, D.C.

More calendar information is available on the NCGA Leader Resource Center, http://www.insidencga.com

© 2003 National Corn Growers Association



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