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 Welcomes News of Grants for Maize Genome Research
- NCGA
Applauds Crowder Nomination as USTR Chief Ag Negotiator
- McCauley
Stresses Safety Net Need in 2007 Farm Bill at NAFB Panel
- NCGA
Applauds $5.3 Billion Increase in Corps Budget
- NCGA,
Farmers Celebrate the Magic of Success at Commodity Classic
- NCGA
Disappointed By Canadian Ruling
- NCGA
Applauds Legislation Ramping Up Production of Flex-Fuel Vehicles
- NCGA: USDA
Forecast of 11 Billion Bushels Good for Corn Growers
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NCGA Welcomes News of Grants for Maize Genome Research
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) welcomed news this week
that two major grants totaling $132 million for corn genome and plant
genome research have been awarded. House and Senate conferees agreed
to give $100 million to the Plant Genome Research Program for Fiscal
Year 2006, which aims to improve the genetic quality in plants. The
National Science Foundation (NSF), the U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) have awarded $32 million
to university and private laboratory researchers to map the maize genome.
(More
On This Story)
NCGA Applauds Crowder Nomination as USTR Chief Ag Negotiator
The National
Corn Growers Association (NCGA) applauds President George W. Bush’s
nomination of Richard Crowder as Chief Agricultural Negotiator for the
U.S. Trade Representative. (More
On This Story) |
NCGA First Vice President Ken McCauley (far right) speaks about the
2007 farm bill to the National Association of Farm Broadcasters in Kansas
City, Mo., last week. Also on the panel were, from left to right, John
Thaemert, National Association of Wheat Growers president; Bob Metz,
American Soybean Association president; and Mary Thatcher of the American
Farm Bureau.
McCauley Stresses Safety Net Need in 2007 Farm Bill at NAFB Panel
National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) First Vice President Ken McCauley
emphasized the importance of an adequate safety net in place for the
upcoming farm bill during a panel discussion Friday at the National
Association Farm Broadcasters NAFB National Convention in Kansas City,
Mo., last week. (More
On This Story)
NCGA Applauds $5.3 Billion Increase in Corps Budget
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) applauds Congress’ decision
this week to increase the Army Corps of Engineers’ budget to more
than $5.3 billion, some of which will help repair locks on the Mississippi
River. Congress gave the Corps more than $1 billion above President George
W. Bush’s proposal. (More
On This Story)
NCGA, Farmers Celebrate the Magic of Success at Commodity Classic
Corn and soybean farmers who attend the 10th anniversary Commodity Classic,
March 2-4, 2006, in Anaheim, Calif., will celebrate “the magic
of success” at this year’s event, presented by the National
Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and the American Soybean Association
(ASA). Through powerful educational sessions, growers will learn from
respected industry leaders about how to improve farm efficiency and
profitability. (More
On This Story)
NCGA Disappointed By Canadian Ruling
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) expressed disappointment
in Tuesday’s ruling by the Canadian International Trade Tribunal
(CITT) that there is sufficient evidence suggesting U.S. corn growers
are dumping and subsidizing unprocessed grain corn into Canada. (More
On This Story)
NCGA Applauds Legislation Ramping Up Production of Flex-Fuel Vehicles
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) applauded legislation introduced
by Sens. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) and Barack Obama
(D-Ill.) on Thursday calling for all new gasoline-powered vehicles
sold in the United States to be E85-compatible within 10 years. (More
On This Story)
NCGA: USDA Forecast of 11 Billion Bushels Good for Corn Growers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics
Service (NASS) released its November crop production numbers, and the
forecast is good for the U.S. corn grower, the National Corn Growers
Association (NCGA) notes. Corn growers are on pace to produce 11.032
billion bushels, the second-biggest crop on record and an average of
148.4 bushels per acre. (More
On This Story)
There will not be a Corn Commentary next week because of the Thanksgiving
holiday. The next Corn Commentary will be Dec. 2. |
AROUND THE CORN BELT
News
from State Associations
Illinois: Congressman Ray LaHood (R) will be the wrap-up speaker
for the Illinois Commodity Conference scheduled for Nov. 22, 2005,
at the Radisson Hotel in Bloomington, Illinois. Rep. LaHood, who
serves on Appropriations and the Select Intelligence Committees,
is a long-term agricultural advocate and an outspoken supporter of
renewable fuels and river transportation, both issues with a high
priority for Illinois farmers. He is scheduled speak at 2:45
p.m. ICC is sponsored by the Illinois Corn Growers Association, Land
of Lincoln Soybean Association, Illinois Beef Association, Illinois
Pork Producers Association, Illinois Milk Producers’ Association
and the Illinois Wheat Association. The conference begins at 10 a.m.
with remarks by Jim Wiesemeyer, Washington DC Editor of Pro Farmer
Magazine and Informa Economics. Other speakers include Paul
Ellinger, associate professor with the University of Illinois Department
of Agricultural & Consumer Economics, will provide a financial
analysis of Illinois farms and what it means growers as planning
begins for the 2006 growing season. Another recent addition
to the program is Scott Stuart who serves as the president and chief
executive officer of the National Livestock Producers Association,
a position he has held since 1992. Stuart will address the significance
of the evolving animal identification issue for Illinois livestock
producers.
Minnesota: A robust member-driven resolutions process is what makes
Minnesota Corn Growers Association and National Corn Growers Association
grassroots organizations, capable of taking the voice of the farmer
to St. Paul and Washington. Because of this philosophy of driving
policy from “the bottom-up,” the 5,100 state members
and 35,000 national members can send a very clear message to lawmakers
about what's important to them. As vice president of MCGA, Curt Watson
will conduct the Dec. 6 resolution meeting, which will take place
in New Ulm, at the Holiday Inn, with registration starting at 8:30
a.m. Anyone interested in attending should call MCGA offices in Shakopee
at 952-233-0333 to assure that everyone can have lunch. Although
delegates for the resolution meeting have been selected by the county
corn organizations, according to Watson, “We encourage all
interested members to come and observe these proceedings, and see
how our message to the state and federal government is shaping up.” The
resolution meeting is the second step in a series that leads ultimately
to national policy directives that indicate what the staff of NCGA
should be doing, and the message they will take to lawmakers. Several
times a year, grower leaders from around the nation, including more
than a dozen from Minnesota, will head to Washington to meet personally
with their state's congressional delegation and agency officials,
to bring the grassroots message to them.
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KEY ISSUES
