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January
21, 2005 * Volume 12 * Number 3
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:
·
Steakholders to Examine Biotech Regulatory Process
at NCGA Conference
·
Logo Bearing Merchandise, Apparel Available at NCGA CORNer Store
·
New Study Underscores Economic Impacts of Ethanol Industry
·
NCGA CEO Discusses Corn Technology Trends During Sky Radio Interview
·
NCGA Congratulates Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns on Confirmation
·
State Legislators, Governors Show Support for Ethanol, NCGA Notes
·
Commodity Classic Just 34 Days Away;Book Rooms Now to Save
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Stakeholders
to Examine Biotech Regulatory Process at NCGA Conference
In
an effort to address the regulatory issues surrounding new agricultural
biotech products, the NCGA is sponsoring the Second Generation Ag Biotech
Conference March 15 in Washington, D.C. (More
On This Story)
Logo-Bearing
Merchandise, Apparel Available at NCGA CORNer Store
Merchandise
and apparel bearing the logos of the NCGA and its affiliated state organizations
are now just a mouse click away. The items, ranging from coffee mugs
and mouse pads to T-shirts and baseball caps, are available for purchase
through NCGA’s new CORNer
Store Web site. (More
On This Story)
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| Ethanol
plants have a significant impact on the economy, according
to a new study by Iowa State University. |
New
Study Underscores Economic Impacts of Ethanol Industry
A
recent study conducted by researchers at Iowa State University
highlights the ethanol industry’s enormous impact on the
economy. While the study focuses solely on Iowa’s ethanol
industry, a leader from the NCGA said the findings provide insight
into the significant economic impact ethanol has on rural communities
across the nation. (More
On This Story)
NCGA
CEO Discusses Corn Technology Trends During Sky Radio Interview
The
NCGA is taking its message to the skies. During the next three
months, travelers on United Airlines and Northwest Airlines will
have the opportunity to hear NCGA CEO Rick Tolman discuss the
latest developments in corn technology on Sky Radio, an in-flight
radio network that reaches millions of listeners each year. (More
On This Story)
NCGA
Congratulates Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns on Confirmation
The
NCGA congratulates Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns today
on his unanimous confirmation by the U.S. Senate Thursday. (More
On This Story)
State
Legislators, Governors Show Support for Ethanol, NCGA Notes
In
response to increasing consumer demand for clean-burning, renewable
motor fuels, elected officials in several states recently announced
support for legislation requiring that at least 10 percent ethanol
be blended into every gallon of gas pumped in their respective
states. (More
On This Story)
Commodity
Classic Just 34 Days Away; Book Rooms Now to Save
Have
you reserved your hotel room for Commodity Classic yet? The first
housing deadline is rapidly approaching. The Commodity Classic
group hotel rates are guaranteed through Jan. 26, so make your
reservations immediately to save. Any cancellations received by
Jan. 26 will not be charged a fee; afterwards, a $100 cancellation
fee applies. Commodity Classic Housing Bureau will continue to
accept reservations via fax or mail through Feb. 14. Call (330)
405-7875 for more information or to make your reservations.
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AROUND
THE CORN BELT
News
from State Associations
KANSAS:
A bill that would repeal a law requiring fuel containing alcohol
to be labeled was introduced in the Kansas Senate Agriculture
Committee Wednesday. The bill is backed by the Kansas Corn Growers
Association and several other groups that support the use of
ethanol. Supporters of the bill argue that the labeling law
served its original purpose and is no longer needed.
MINNESOTA:
Last week, an overwhelming majority in the Minnesota Senate
Agriculture committee passed an E-20 bill that would require
all Minnesota gasoline to contain 20 percent ethanol by Jan.
1, 2012. The requirement would go into effect unless, by Dec.
31, 2010, 20 percent by volume of all vehicle fuel sold in
the state is ethanol. The Minnesota Corn Growers Association
supports the measure.
WISCONSIN:
State Rep. Steve Freese and Sen. Sheila Harsdorf
introduced a bill Wednesday calling for a state E-10 requirement.
The bill enjoys the full support of the Wisconsin Corn Growers
Association. The Freese-Harsdorf proposal is actually based
on the current law in Minnesota. Wisconsin has three ethanol
plants in operation, with more on the drawing boards.
COLORADO:
Viaero Wireless (formerly Cellular One) of Fort Morgan is
offering a special deal to members of the Colorado Corn Growers
Association. The new discount package is only available to
CCGA members. Viaero Wireless will be on-hand at the Colorado
Corn Annual Meeting Jan. 24 in Fort Collins to show members
the phones they have available and talk about the package.
IOWA:
With 864 million gallons of production capacity now on line,
Iowa has surpassed Illinois as the nation's top ethanol producing
state, according to the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA).
In November, Iowa sales of ethanol-blended fuel set a new
record of 96.4 million gallons, representing almost 40 million
bushels (mbu) of corn use. At the same time, the ethanol fuel
market share hit 69% in Iowa, another monthly record.
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Of
Special Interest:
Next
Week:
| Jan.
24-26 |
Grower Services
Action Team meeting in Anaheim, Calif. |
| Jan.
24-25 |
NCGA Director
of Biotechnology Nathan Danielson attends Colorado Corn Growers
Association annual meeting in Fort Collins. |
| Jan.
26 |
NCGA President
Leon Corzine and Director of Commercialization John Caupert attend
Ethanol Research Advisory Board meeting at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville. |
More calendar information
is available on the NCGA Leader Resource Center, http://www.insidencga.com
© 2005 National
Corn Growers Association
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