NCGA News












August 12, 2005 * Volume 12 * Number 31

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 Regards Farm Bill Sessions as Key Opportunity for Farmers to Offer Suggestions
• August WASDE Report Gets Mixed Reviews from NCGA
• NCGA Sees Great Potential in $35 Million NSF Grant for Plant Genome Program
• Value-Added Agriculture Focus for NCGA at Maryland Grain Producers Commodity Classic
• NCGA Applauds Mapping of Rice Genome, Pushes for Corn Genome Mapping
• NCGA Notes Increase in Biotech Plantings, According to NASS Survey
• NCGA Invites Members to Showcase Agriculture in Photo Contest
• NCGA Hails Historic Energy Bill Signing
• Paul Ryan Selected as “America’s Heartland” Host

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NCGA Regards Farm Bill Sessions as Key Opportunity for Farmers to Offer Suggestions
As the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) continues to hold farm bill listening sessions around the United States, the National Corn Growers Association considers the open forums a great opportunity for family farmers to offer suggestions and opinions on the future of farming. (More On This Story)

August WASDE Report Gets Mixed Reviews from NCGA
After reviewing the August World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report released today, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) today expressed concern over a forecasted drop in corn production but was optimistic about a projected potential for increased exports. (More On This Story)

NCGA Sees Great Potential in $35 Million NSF Grant for Plant Genome Program
Diligent work by the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and its affiliated state corn grower associations to ensure continued funding for the Plant Genome Initiative reaped even greater rewards last week when the National Science Foundation (NSF) announced a $35 million grant from the U.S. government. (More On This Story)


NCGA Corn Board member Jamie Jamison discusses the Future Structure of Agriculture Task Force report “Taking Ownership of Grainbelt Agriculture” at
the Maryland Commodity Classic July 28.

Value-Added Agriculture Focus for NCGA at Maryland Grain Producers Commodity Classic
National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) Corn Board member Jamie Jamison spoke to attendees at the Maryland Commodity Classic on July 28 on how the NCGA Future Structure of Agriculture Task Force report “Taking Ownership of Grainbelt Agriculture” can be applied to corn states like Maryland. (More On This Story)

NCGA Applauds Mapping of Rice Genome, Pushes for Corn Genome Mapping
On the heels of the breakthrough news of the completion of the genetic map of the rice plant, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is advocating harder than ever for funding to finish the mapping of the corn genome. (More On This Story)

NCGA Notes Increase in Biotech Plantings, According to NASS Survey
In the June Agricultural Survey, the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) announced the total percentage of biotechnology corn acreage rose to 52 percent in 2005, a 5 percent increase from 2004, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) notes. (More On This Story)

NCGA Invites Members Showcase Agriculture in Photo Contest
As a way to showcase and capture agriculture, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is encouraging corn growers from around the country to click their way into the winner’s circle in the “Gallery of Corn” photo contest. (More On This Story)

NCGA Hails Historic Energy Bill Signing
National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President Leon Corzine said today’s historic signing of a national energy policy that includes domestic renewable fuels provisions signifies a huge win for the nation’s future and the future of corn growers. (More On This Story)

Paul Ryan Selected as “America’s Heartland” Host
“America’s Heartland,” a program commemorating American agriculture and supported in part by the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), will be hosted by Paul Ryan, a veteran Emmy-winning broadcast journalist with more than 35 years of television experience. (More On This Story)

 

 

AROUND THE CORN BELT
News from State Associations

Colorado: To show support for E85 ethanol and Colorado Corn, Grand Valley Hybrids recently had a vehicle wrap of a cornfield and the slogan “Powered by E85” applied to the tailgates and side panels of two pick-ups. The pick-ups are flex-fuel vehicles that run on E85. According to Jim Lengel, Grand Valley Hybrids district sales manager, “We had the wraps put on these pick-ups to help raise awareness about E85. We wanted everyone who saw us to know that we were using ethanol.” Paul Kasper, Grand Valley representative added, “E85 not only runs great in our pickups and costs less than unleaded, but it also helps agriculture and American energy independence.”

Iowa: The Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) has scheduled six farm roundtable meetings across the state for producers to discuss high priority policy issues like the upcoming farm bill and requiring renewable fuels usage in Iowa. The 2005 roundtable schedule is:

  • Aug. 29, Iris Restaurant, 915 W. Washington, Mount Pleasant, at 6 p.m.
  • Aug. 30, River City Star Boat, 151 Freedom Park Road, Omaha, at 3 p.m.
  • Sept. 1, Lyle Recker Farm, 5197 “I” Avenue, Arlington, at 6 p.m.
  • Sept. 6, H&K Feedlot, 7753 NE 134th Avenue, Maxwell, at 6 p.m.
  • Sept. 7, Alle Mansion, 1 mile south of Newell, at 6 p.m.
  • Sept. 8, Holiday Inn, 5202 Brady Street, Davenport, at 3 p.m.

To attend a roundtable, growers are asked to rsvp to the Iowa Corn office at 515-225-9242 or e-mail aotto@iowacorn.org by Aug. 28.

Minnesota: The 550 guests expected Thursday on three golf courses in or near the southwest Minnesota city of Jackson will feel well-cared for as they make their way through nine holes of golf, take part in fun contests and partake of two superb farm-style meals (Pork Burgers and Sweet Corn for lunch, Ribeye steak for dinner). The 23rd annual Corn Cob Open remains a "premier" ag event that attracts agricultural leaders, agribusiness sponsors and public officials from around Minnesota and across the country. The event takes place at Jackson Public Golf Course, Emerald Valley Country Club and Loon Lake Golf Club and lasts from sunup to sundown, wrapping up with various golf shooting contests and an awards ceremony that begins at 8 p.m.

 

Of Special Interest:

To View Your Local Weather Forecast, (Click Here)
Next Week:
Aug. 16:
NCGA’s Corn Board member Bob Dickey and Director of Livestock and Economic Development Max Starbuck will attend USB Summer States Coalition Meeting in St. Louis, Mo.
Aug. 16-18
NCGA Director of Commercial Development Geoff Cooper, and growers members Daryl Haack and Lee Klein, attend ACE conference in Omaha, Neb.
Aug. 17-21:
NCGA Leadership Academy, Greensboro, N.C.

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

© 2005 National Corn Growers Association



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