NCGA's Mission: To Create and
Increase Opportunities for Corn Growers
Happy Holidays
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 Corn Board Applications Due Jan. 13
- NCGA Welcomes Web-based Tool that Compares Fuel Usage
- NCGA Finds WTO Disappointing on Market Access
- NCGA Encourages Members to Push for Natural Gas Legislation
- NCGA Applauds Crowder as USTR Chief Agricultural Negotiator
- NCGA Opposes U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Missouri Annual Operating Plan for 2006
- NCGA Staffers Attend “Energy from Agriculture” Conference
- NCGA, Ag Coalition Urges Change to Spill Prevention Rule
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NCGA Corn Board Applications Due Jan. 13
Time is winding down for corn growers’ opportunity to join the NCGA’s Corn Board for fiscal year 2006-2007. (More On This Story)
NCGA Welcomes Web-based Tool That Compares Fuel Usage
The NCGA applauds the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) introduction of “Energy Estimator,” a Web tool designed to help farmers compare fuel usage in various tillage practices.. (More On This Story)
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Shipping corn to new markets remains an NCGA goal in the World Trade Organization talks, which were held in Hong Kong last week. More WTO negotiations are scheduled for early 2006.
NCGA Finds WTO Disappointing on Market Access
The NCGA, while applauding the tireless efforts of World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiators to move the process forward and being steadfast in advancing U.S. agricultural needs, said today that not resolving the market access issue – one very important to corn growers – was disappointing. (More On This Story)
NCGA Encourages Members to Push for Natural Gas Legislation
As Congress prepares to adjourn for the year, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is encouraging members to contact their legislators while they are home and urge them to prepare to tackle the issue of increased development of domestic natural gas production when they return to Washington, D.C., in January. (More On This Story)
NCGA Applauds Crowder as USTR Chief Agricultural Negotiator
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is pleased with Senate confirmation yesterday of Dick Crowder as the U.S. Trade Representative Chief Agricultural Negotiator. (More On This Story)
NCGA Opposes U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Missouri Annual Operating Plan for 2006
The NCGA recently submitted comments to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers opposing the draft Missouri River Annual Operating Plan (AOP) and flexible criteria supplement for 2005-2006. (More On This Story)
NCGA Staffers Attend “Energy from Agriculture” Conference
The potential of U.S. agriculture to supply significant amounts of renewable energy was among the main topics discussed at the “Energy from Agriculture” conference in St. Louis last week. The event, attended by several NCGA staff, was sponsored by the Farm Foundation and U.S. Department of Agriculture. (More On This Story)
NCGA, Ag Coalition Urges Change to Spill Prevention Rule
The NCGA, as part of the Agriculture Coalition on Spill Prevention Control & Countermeasure (SPCC), expressed concerns with recently announced spill prevention regulations by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) this week before a Senate hearing. (More On This Story)
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AROUND THE CORN BELT
News
from State Associations
Illinois: In addition to exploring the latest information on nutrient and conservation practices, producers can find out whether new opportunities in "carbon trading" can pay big dividends at the upcoming Illinois Regional Tillage Seminars in February. This year's series of five seminars, to be held across the state, will feature the latest research, technology and cost-saving techniques available to farmers interested in the economic and environmental benefits of conservation tillage, including no-till and strip till. The dates and locations for the seminars are as follows:
- February 6, 2006. Klehm Arboretum, Rockford, IL
- February 7, 2006. Celebrations 150, Peru, IL
- February 8, 2006. Holiday Inn, Urbana, IL
- February 9, 2006. Monroe Extension Office, Waterloo, IL
- February 10, 2006. Evergreen Christian Church, Salem, IL
Iowa: The Iowa Corn Growers Association will be working with Iowa lawmakers during the 2006 legislative session to pass an Iowa Renewable Fuels Standard requiring 25 percent total renewable fuel usage by the year 2015. The percentage is not on a per-gallon basis, but rather a total gasoline usage basis. The 25% requirement could be achieved by using both E85 and E10. A proposed schedule for the increase in fuels would be established with a minimum of 10% total usage by 2008, 15% total usage by 2010, 20% total usage by 2012, and 25% total usage by 2015.
Michigan: Every year the Corn Marketing Program of Michigan (CMPM) teams up with the Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee and Michigan State University Extension to bring check-off funded research results to producers across Michigan. This is the sixth year that check-off funded research has been presented at the Corn and Soybean Winter Research meetings. The information collected from MSU researchers funded through the corn and soybean check-offs will be highlighted. Join the CMPM at the Corn and Soybean Winter Research Meetings, which begin at 9:00 a.m. and conclude at 3:30 p.m., in the following locations:
- January 9, 2006 – Trestle Stop, Hamilton MI, Dennis Pennington (269) 945-1388
- January 10, 2006 – Zehnder’s Restaurant, Frankenmuth MI, Mark Seamon (989) 758-2500
- January 13, 2006 – Cabela’s, Dundee MI, Ned Birkey (734) 240-3170
- January 20, 2006 – Peacock Ridge, Marcellus MI, Dan Rajzer (269) 445-4438
Missouri: Missouri high school and college students may now apply for one of six Missouri Corn Scholarships. The Missouri Corn Growers Association and Missouri Corn Merchandising Council will award four $750 scholarships to graduating high school seniors and two $750 scholarships to college juniors in the year 2006. Scholarship applications are now available for download at www.mocorn.org. For those without Internet access, please call (573) 893-4181 to request an application
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