May 6, 2005 * Volume 12 * Number 17

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:

• NCGA Urges Members to Attend Corps Public Meetings on Locks
• Minnesota on Brink of Historic Renewable Fuel Requirement, Notes NCGA
• Increased Ethanol Usage Would Reduce Gas Prices, According to Consumer   Federation of America Study
• NCGA Unveils Updated Ag Biotech Reference Guide
• NCGA Announces Healthcare Discount Program for its Members
• Railroad Competition Vital to Corn Growers, Notes NCGA
• Corn Crop Planting 52 Percent Complete, but Cold Snaps Concern Some NCGA   Members
• NCGA-Sponsored Ethanol Pump Tour Stops Friday in North Dakota
• NCGA President, Staff Participate in Farm Broadcasters, Issues Forum

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NCGA Urges Members to Attend Corps Public Meetings on Locks
The NCGA is encouraging its members to voice their support and provide comments for lock construction during two Army Corps public meetings held by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on May 10 and 11. (More On This Story)

Minnesota on Brink of Historic Renewable Fuel Requirement, Notes NCGA
Minnesota is steps away from enacting legislation that requires 20 percent ethanol in the state’s fuel, the NCGA notes. The state Senate Tuesday night and the House voted Thursday to endorse the legislation, which will now move to Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s desk for signing. The signing ceremony is expected on May 10 at a local metro E-85 fueling station. (More On This Story)

Increased Ethanol Usage Would Reduce Gas Prices, According to Consumer Federation of America Study
Motorists could be saving as much as 8 cents per gallon on the price of gasoline at the pump if oil refiners would blend more ethanol into their gasoline supplies, according to a study released Thursday by the Consumer Federation of America (CFA). (More On This Story)

NCGA Unveils Updated Ag Biotech Reference Guide
The NCGA has unveiled the revised Ag Biotech Reference Guide, sponsored in part by the U.S. Grains Council, and created as an easy-to-use, one-step resource for people of all levels of biotechnology understanding. (More On This Story)

NCGA Announces Healthcare Discount Program for its Members
The NCGA is pleased to announce an arrangement with AmeriPlan USA that offers NCGA members significant savings on healthcare costs, including prescription drugs as well as vision, dental and chiropractic care.(More On This Story)

Railroad Competition Vital to Corn Growers, Notes NCGA
Corn growers depend on reliable, cost-effective transportation whether by barge truck or rail to receive farm inputs and to deliver their crops. That is why legislation like the Railroad Competitive bill introduced in the Senate last week is vital to growers of all commodities not just corn, according to the NCGA. (More On This Story)

USDA reports 52 percent of corn planting is complete. However, cold temperatures around much of the Corn Belt concerns growers. Corn Crop Planting 52 Percent Complete, but Cold Snaps Concern Some NCGA Members While the USDA reports corn planting is 52 percent complete and emergence is already under way in much of the nation, some members of the NCGA are concerned about the effects recent cold snaps may have on the crop that is already in the ground. (More On This Story) NCGA-Sponsored Ethanol Pump Tour Stops Friday in North Dakota The annual Ethanol Pump tour, sponsored in part by the NCGA, continues to roll through the Midwest, stopping Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Valley Co-op in Valley City, North Dakota. The tour will be in conjunction with the co-op’s E-85 grand opening. E-85 fuel will be discounted to $1.49 a gallon for the event. (More On This Story) NCGA President, Staff Participate in Farm Broadcasters, Issues Forum NCGA President Leon Corzine along with the Washington, D.C., staff tackled questions Sunday from more than 36 farm broadcasters on a NCGA’s key legislative issues, including energy, locks modernization, the agriculture budget and the Central American-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) at the National Association of Farm Broadcasters’ (NAFB) annual issues forum” in Washington.. (More On This Story)

AROUND THE CORN BELT News from State Associations Michigan Corn Growers Have Opportunity to Test Their Skill and Knowledge Have you ever wondered how your corn yields have fared as compared to growers from across the nation? Michigan Corn Growers Association (MCGA) members have that opportunity in the National Corn Growers Association Corn Yield Contest (NCYC). Fuel, Fertilizer Price Increases to Cost Farmers If Central Illinois farmers want to offset the increasing cost of fuel and fertilizer this year, they’ll have to market corn at 8 cents to 9 cents more per bushel, according to an article published in the Bloomington Pantagraph this week.

Of Special Interest:

To View Your Local Weather Forecast, (Click Here)

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

© 2005 National Corn Growers Association

ST. LOUIS OFFICE

WASHINGTON D.C. OFFICE