NCGA Prepares for Corn Congress

Officials of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) are preparing for their annual Corn Congress July 16-17 in Washington D.C. NCGA members from 26 states will be represented at the two-day event. For more details, go here.

NCGA, Checkoff Money Benefits Growers Through Research

While ethanol has received the lion's share of attention recently, it is by no means the only iron in the fire when it comes to research projects being conducted by the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA). Thanks to funding from corn farmers who are represented by the 20 checkoff boards, NCGA is able to research new markets for corn. NCGA leverages several hundred thousand dollars of that checkoff money for use in multi-million dollar research efforts. For details, go here.

USDA Projects Higher Corn Prices

In a report issued earlier this week, the USDA is projecting an increase of 10 cents in corn prices over the average a year ago. The department projected this year's average corn price at $1.95 a bushel, 5 cents over last month's forecast and 6 cents above the government-guaranteed minimum. Last year, corn prices averaged about $1.85 a bushel. Farmers are expected to harvest 9.5 billion bushels of corn this year, 80 million bushels less than the department projected in June.

Senate Ag Committee Chairman Voices Support for Genome Research

On Thursday, the Senate Agriculture Committee held the confirmation hearing for Dr. Joseph Jen for the position of Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics and for Indiana farmer Jim Moseley for the position of Deputy Secretary of USDA. Senate Ag Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) opened the hearing with comments directed to the importance of plant, animal, and microbial genomics. He stated that USDA has yet to provide true leadership for the plant, animal, and microbial communities by investing in genomics research. Further, he stated that USDA's investment of resources is a pittance compared to investment in human genome. Harkin then asked Dr. Jen what steps he would take to elevate USDA's role and resources in plant, animal, and microbial genomics. Dr. Jen agreed that this was a high priority, that a long-term strategy was needed, and that he hoped to catch-up while he was at USDA. Perhaps, genomics and plant biotech funding will take off under the new Administration. Chairman Harkin's comments reinforce the NCGA's efforts to elevate these issues since he obviously felt that it was important enough to be his primary issue at the hearing. It is significant as well that the incoming Deputy Secretary for the Department is now keenly aware of the importance of genomics.

NCGA Continues to Promote Ethanol as Vital Part of Energy Plan

It seems everywhere we turn these days, we're hearing about how we're not only running low on finite supplies of oil, but how additional drilling is damaging the environment. This is why ethanol should be a key component of a rational, sustainable national energy policy, said Boyd Smith, a farmer from York, Neb., and vice chairman of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) Customer & Business Development Action Team. For more information on this story, go here.

NCGA to California: Ethanol Supplies and Transportation Can Meet Driver's Needs

Consumers in California and across the nation can breathe a little easier now that abundant, economically priced, environmentally friendly, renewable ethanol is available to meet motorists' needs. However, some California officials have their facts wrong about ethanol. "California officials seem to be manufacturing so-called facts about ethanol availability, transportation and pricing," said John McClelland, NCGA director of energy and analysis. For more information on this story, go here.

Corn Growers Grassroots' Efforts Again Deter Waxman Amendment on Oxygenate Opt-Out

Several of ethanol's strongest supporters on the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Air and Energy stood firm and deterred the latest amendment from Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA). During Thursday's markup of an energy bill, Waxman introduced an amendment that would have allowed states to opt-out of the RFG oxygen requirement by filing a request with EPA. Three other California Republicans on the subcommittee - Christopher Cox, George Radanovich and Mary Bono - supported Waxman's amendment. But he withdrew the amendment before a vote was called due to the strong opposition marshaled by Reps. John Shimkus (R-IL), Greg Ganske (R-IA), and Ted Strickland (D-OH). Due to the work done by NCGA and grassroots growers, Waxman withdrew the amendment because he knew he would lose the vote. Waxman can, however, bring up his amendment for a vote during the bill's markup before the full committee next Wednesday. Growers should contact members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and emphasize our opposition to Waxman's amendment.

NCGA Applauds UN Report Recognizing Biotech's Ability to Feed the World

Biotechnology continues to be a major focus in both agricultural and mainstream media. The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) held its 2001 conference in San Diego two weeks ago. Also, leaders of the European Union (EU) have stated publicly they want to incorporate biotechnology into food production, even though myths continue to color the European people's view of biotech foods. Earlier this week the UN released a report showing the benefits of biotech crops to boost food global production. For more details, go here.

For Senate Agriculture Committee, NCGA Details its Vision of the Next Farm Bill

Battle Creek, Neb., farmer and National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President Lee Klein shared NCGA's vision of the next farm bill with the Senate Agriculture Committee today in Washington, D.C. Joined by Ron Litterer, vice chair of NCGA's Public Policy Action team and a Greene, Iowa, farmer, Klein detailed what corn producers expect from the next farm bill: "Simply, our growers want a farm program that ensures America's farmers are globally competitive, market responsive and environmentally responsible. This program must provide producers with access to world markets, access to capital, access to advances in technology and risk management in a sustainable and environmentally sound manner." For more details on this story, go here.

House Soundly Defeats Royce Amendment Threatening MAP Funding

The U.S. House of Representatives Wednesday night defeated - by a vote of 341-85 - an Agriculture Appropriations amendment that would have eliminated funding for the Market Access Program (MAP). For more information, go here.

Senate Consideration of Energy and Water Appropriations Bill May Prompt Missouri River Fight

Following action this week by the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Subcommittee on Energy and Water, S. 1171, the FY2002 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill will be considered by the full Senate on Monday. The bill contains funding for the completion of the Upper Mississippi Navigation Study. The bill and the accompanying report also contain some troublesome provisions regarding the Mississippi and Missouri rivers that could become subject to controversy next week on the Senate floor.

NCGA Explains Strength of Organization to International Visitors

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) not only represents the nations corn growers domestically and but internationally, too. For more information on how the NCGA explains corn grower issues to international visitors, go here.

Faulkner Appointed to New Post by DOE Secretary

Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham has named Doug Faulkner as principal deputy assistant secretary for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Faulkner will report directly to Assistant Secretary of Energy Dave Garman in areas of conservation as well as finding alternative sources of energy to compliment traditional ones. For more details, go here.

NCGA This Week

• July 14-17 Corn Congress, Washington D.C.
• July 14-15 Customer & Business Development Action Team meeting, 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
• July 14-15 Production & Stewardship Action Team Meeting
• July 15 Grower Services Action Team meeting, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
• July 15 Public Policy Action Team meeting, 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
• July 16 Session I, Corn Congress
• July 17 Session II, Corn Congress

ST. LOUIS OFFICE

WASHINGTON D.C. OFFICE