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June
4,
2004 * Volume 11* Number 21
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.
ASA Urge Secretary Thompson to Clarify Statement on Farm Support
Programs
•
NCGA Rebuts Inaccurate Time, ABC Reports on Obesity
•
Ethanol Reduces Average Gas Price by 30 Cents Per Gallon, According
to Analysis
•
Energy Legislation Returns to Spotlight During House’s ‘Energy
Week,’ Notes NCGA
•
NCGA, ASA, NPPC Officers Meet to Discuss Critical Issues
•
NCGA Hosts International Journalists as Part of Biotech Media Tour
•
U.N. Report Favors Global Use of Biotech Crops, NCGA Notes
•
Canadian Livestock Producers Express Interest in DDGS
NCGA,
ASA Urge Secretary Thompson to Clarify Statement on Farm Support
Programs
In a letter today to Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy
Thompson NCGA and the American Soybean Association (ASA) sought
clarification
on remarks attributed to the secretary at the ABC/Time Summit
on Obesity under way this week in Virginia. (More
On This Story)
NCGA Rebuts Inaccurate Time, ABC Reports on Obesity
Federal farm support programs and the corn industry are under attack
this week as Time magazine and ABC News kicked off a “Summit
on Obesity” in Williamsburg, Va., yesterday. In separate
reports this week coinciding with the summit, both news organizations
attempted to link the U.S. obesity epidemic to farm support programs
and high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS). (More
On This Story)
Ethanol Reduces Average Gas Price by 30 Cents Per Gallon, According
to Analysis
As millions of U.S. motorists took to the highways over Memorial
Day weekend, the NCGA reminded travelers that ethanol is helping
to moderate record gasoline prices. (More
On This Story)
Energy
Legislation Returns to Spotlight During House’s ‘Energy
Week,’ Notes NCGA
NCGA is encouraged by the House of Representatives’ announcement
this week that it will begin “Energy Week” June 7 to
discuss the escalating U.S. energy crisis. (More
On This Story)
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| Officers
from NCGA, the American Soybean Association (ASA) and the National
Pork Producers Council met Wednesday in St. Louis. From left
are NCGA Chairman Fred Yoder, ASA President Ron Heck, NCGA
President Dee Vaughan and ASA Chairman Dwain Ford. |
NCGA, ASA, NPPC Officers Meet to Discuss Critical Issues
Officers from NCGA, ASA and National Pork Producers Council (NPPC)
met Wednesday in St. Louis to discuss issues of mutual interest,
including trade, dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) and
rural development. (More On
This Story)
NCGA Hosts International Journalists as Part of Biotech Media Tour
In visits to the NCGA and several St. Louis-based biotechnology companies
Tuesday, a group of international journalists learned how biotechnology
is revolutionizing U.S. and global agriculture. (More
On This Story)
U.N. Report Favors Global Use of Biotech Crops, NCGA Notes
Agriculture will have to sustain an additional 2 billion people over
the next 30 years, reconfirming the NCGA assertions that biotechnology
will play an important role in meeting future needs. In its annual
report, “The State of Food and Agriculture 2003-04,” the
United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) noted
biotechnology holds great promise, but more research is needed
in crops of importance
to the developing world. (More
On This Story)
Canadian Livestock Producers Express Interest in DDGS
There is support within Canada to expand ethanol production and the
use of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), according
to U.S. Grains Council staff and representatives who traveled
to the country last week. Specifically, the Council provided information
about DDGS to potential users in Canada and assessed opportunities
to export DDGS to the Eastern Canadian region. The feed millers
the Council met with expressed interest in using DDGS, particularly
if they can source the product at the right price. “There
is enormous untapped potential in this market,” said Jim
Jolly with Council member Land O’Lakes, Inc. “There
are over 4 million pigs in Ontario and they have not even begun
to use this product. Additional opportunities exist for poultry
and dairy.” The Council met with representatives of the Ontario
Ministry of Food and Agriculture and other organizations including
the Canada Renewable Fuels Association, the Ontario Agribusiness
Association and the Ontario Corn Producer’s Association.
Canada is one of the top U.S. corn customers, importing 2.9 million
metric tons (114 million bushels) of corn in 2002/03.
Story courtesy of U.S. Grains Council
Of Special Interest:
 |
To View Your Local Weekend Weather Forecast, (Click
Here)
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Next Week:
| June 7-9 |
Corn Utilization and Technology Conference in Indianapolis,
Ind. |
| June 7-9 |
NCGA Director of Biotechnology Nathan Danielson and Director
of Public Policy Hayden Milberg attend BIO meeting in San Francisco,
Calif. |
| June 7-8 |
NCGA Director of Public Policy Betsy Croker attends Conservation
Reserve Program conference in
Ft. Collins, Co. |
More calendar information is available on the NCGA Leader Resource
Center, http://www.insidencga.com
© 2004 National Corn
Growers Association
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