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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more
information contact:
Jody E. Pollok, MCGA, (517) 668-2676
Michigan
Corn Producers Host National Research Meetings
DEWITT, MICH. (March
15, 2004) – State producer dollars invested in research for new
uses and new markets for corn have already resulted in the development
of corn-based degradable plastics, carpeting, clothing, salt and ethanol.
The next big breakthrough could very well come from a series of meetings
held in Michigan just last week.
“Although
Michigan ranks 11th in terms of corn production, we strive to be at
the forefront of research and market development,” said Clark
Gerstacker, Treasurer of the Corn Marketing Program of Michigan (CMPM)
and a producer from Midland. “Everyone has heard that it’s
vital in today’s economy to attract as many industries to our
state as possible. The check-off works hard to make Michigan the first
choice for emerging corn-based industries developed through state-funded
research.”
Through funding
by CMPM, leveraged with other state dollars through the National Corn
Growers Association (NCGA), NCGA’s Research and Business Development
Action Team identifies opportunities to increase the utilization of
corn with the potential to add even more value to this versatile grain.
Last week, the 14-member team met in East Lansing to review the current
research projects and budget. While in the state, they also toured the
Dow Chemical Company in Midland and Michigan State University in East
Lansing.
“It is a positive
reflection on Michigan as a whole when we are recognized and asked for
our participation in national activities,” said CMPM Executive
Director Jody E. Pollok, who also serves as the state staff on the action
team. “NCGA action teams take the lead in problem solving and
setting the direction of the industry for corn growers across the nation.
We continue to work diligently to ensure the projects that Michigan
deems important receive the attention they deserve.”
Gerstacker serves
as Vice Chair on the action team. “This team implements the overall
direction of investments in research and projects that increase the
utilization of corn,” Gerstacker explained. “We look at
areas such as research, corn processing and genome research. Current
research projects, such as mapping the corn genome and developing corn
biorefineries, will add to the number of corn uses and could yield endless
possibilities.”
The research areas
the team focused on last week may lead to exciting future possibilities
for Michigan’s corn producers. “One of the top priorities
we’ve had on the national level for the past few years is mapping
the corn genome. Once the corn genome is mapped, it will provide us
with the baseline information as to how the corn plant really works
and what properties it possesses,” said Gerstacker. “This
project is not only allowing us to understand corn, but is expanding
our capacity to sequence other important genomes. As a result of the
corn genome, new tools have been developed that will allow other crops
to be sequenced much more quickly and effectively. When we understand
that information, the sky truly is the limit.”
Gerstacker explained
the efforts to sequence the genome could be realized as early as 2007
because of a recently established research database. Information already
available in the public domain will compliment data provided by Ceres,
Inc., Monsanto Company, and Dupont subsidiary, Pioneer Hi-Bred International,
Inc. All data will be available to researchers through a searchable
database on the Web once they complete a licensing agreement that will
be downloadable on the NCGA website, www.ncga.com, and will be housed
at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center.
(more)
“This database will go far in accelerating the identification
of genes within the entire corn genome,” Gerstacker said. “Genome
mapping will further the recognition and understanding of traits that
will enhance corn’s position as the ideal crop for food, feed,
fuel and industrial uses.”
Headquartered in
DeWitt, CMPM is a legislatively-established statewide program that utilizes
one-cent per bushel of Michigan corn sold. Investments are made in the
areas of research, education and market development in an effort to
enhance the economic position of Michigan corn producers. CMPM works
cooperatively with the Michigan Corn Growers Association (MCGA), a grassroots-membership
association representing the state’s corn producer’s political
interests. For more information on CMPM and MCGA visit the web site
at www.micorn.org.
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The National Corn
Growers Association mission is to create and increase opportunities
for corn growers in a changing world and to enhance corn’s profitability
and usage. NCGA represents more than 33,000 members, 25 affiliated state
corn grower organizations and hundreds of thousands of growers who contribute
to state checkoff programs.
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