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April
2, 2004 * Volume 11* Number 12
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). For
complete stories and updated NCGA information, visit www.ncga.com or
the NCGA Leader Resource Center, www.insidencga.com.
IN
THIS ISSUE:
• NCGA Hails Passage of Highway Bill
• Senators, Stakeholders Call of Lock Modernization Provisions in 2004
WRDA
•
NCGA’s Research and Business Development Action Team Discusses
New Uses, Markets for Corn
• Report Shows Steady Increase in Use of Biotech Hybrids, NCGA Notes
• NCGA Encouraged by Cheney Remarks on Trade and Energy
• NCGA Urges Growers to Voice Support of ESA Counterpart Regulation
• Public Has High Opinion of U.S. Farmers, NCGA-Funded Survey Says
• LRC Provides Corn Growers Leaders with Online Access to NCGA Information
NCGA Hails Passage of Highway Bill
The NCGA today
applauded the House of Representatives for its approval of a transportation
reauthorization bill (H.R. 3550) that extends and
revises the ethanol tax incentive. The bill passed on an overwhelming
vote of 357-65. (More
On This Story)
Senators, Stakeholders
Call for Lock Modernization Provisions in 2004 WRDA
In a congressional hearing Wednesday on the Water Resources Development
Act (WRDA), lawmakers and key stakeholder witnesses stressed the importance
of modernizing the aging locks and dams system, particularly on the
Upper Mississippi and Illinois rivers. (More
On This Story)
NCGA’s
Research and Business Development Action Team Discusses New Uses,
Markets for Corn
The NCGA Research and Business Development Action Team (RBDAT) met
last week in Lansing, Mich., to discuss future projects and ongoing
checkoff-funded research initiatives. (More
On This Story)
Report Shows Steady
Increase in Use of Biotech Hybrids, NCGA Notes
Corn growers intend to plant biotech corn seed on 46 percent of
their acreage this year, up 6 percent from 2003, according to a
prospective
plantings report released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA). The report proves more farmers are embracing the use of biotech
seed, according to the NCGA. (More
On This Story)
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| Members of
the Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) were in Washington,
D.C., this week to meet with lawmakers and key decision-makers.
From left are: Gene Sandager, Duane Adams, Bruce Stockman, Andy
Quinn, Gerald Tumbleson and Ron Obermoller. |
NCGA Encouraged by Cheney Remarks on Trade and Energy
In a speech attended by several NCGA staff members, Vice President
Dick Cheney said Tuesday the administration continues to pursue free
trade opportunities and energy legislation that promotes the use
of new energy sources. (More
On This Story)
NCGA Urges Growers
to Voice Support of ESA Counterpart Regulation
The NCGA is encouraging
its members to voice their support of a proposed rule that would
simplify the Environmental Protection Agency’s
(EPA) pesticide regulatory program and bring it into compliance with
the Endangered Species Act (ESA). (More
On This Story)
Public Has High Opinion of U.S. Farmers, NCGA-Funded Survey Says
The U.S. public generally has a high opinion of farmers and ranchers,
according to the results of a recent survey partially funded by the
NCGA. (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. Check for new
and updated on the main page in the “What’s New” section.
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 updates to
the site include:
CORN BOARD
• NCGA Corn Board Meeting - March 17, 2004 (PDF, Interim Approval)
FARM & RURAL
DEVELOPMENT
• Promar International Risk Management Tools Survey, Feb. 2004 (PDF)
GROWER SERVICES ACTION TEAM
• Meeting Report - March 2004 (PDF)
PRODUCTION & STEWARDSHIP
ACTION TEAM
• Meeting Summary - March 22 - 24, 2004 - Ft. Worth, TX (PDF and Word
formats)
STATE STAFF MEETING - APRIL 2004
Of Special Interest:
 Click
Here To
View Your Local Weekend Weather Forecast
Next Week:
April 6-8, NCGA and State Staff attend All State Staff Meeting in
St. Louis, Mo.
More calendar information is available on the NCGA Leader Resource
Center, http://www.insidencga.com
© 2004 National
Corn Growers Association
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