Ethanol Rocks

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Chuck

Okay, I think most of us will agree that a little ethanol on the rocks, rocks. Sorry, couldn’t help it . Ethanol Rocks is actually a National Corn Growers Association video contest.

NCGA is conducting a nationwide competition to promote the advantages of ethanol in motor vehicles. The NCGA “Ethanol Rocks” Video Contest invites high school and college students to produce a promotional video that highlights the benefits of this fuel. NCGA acknowledges the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association for sharing its success with the “Fuel the Future” video competition.

Eligibility

Active high school (grades 9-12) and college students, individually or collectively, are eligible to submit entries. One $1,500 first place award and one $500 second place award will be issued in both the high school and the college level categories. Each award will be issued as one lump-sum payment, i.e., no multiple distributions of winnings. Students from all scholastic backgrounds/majors are eligible to enter, individually or through organizations, e.g., A/V classes, Ag Clubs, FFA, Science Clubs, Art Classes. Appropriate tax on the awards will be the responsibility of the winners.

Get more information here and entry form/rules here.

Farm Bill Work This Week

Posted on April 23, 2012 by Cindy

While farmers are busy getting crops in the ground this week, members of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees will be busy trying to get a 2012 Farm Bill off the ground.

As the Senate Ag Committee released a draft proposal on Friday, several agricultural organizations sent a letter to the leadership thanking them, while at the same time expressing a few concerns.

Co-signed by eight organizations, including the American Farm Bureau Federation and the National Corn Growers Association, the letter commended the committee for adhering to its original proposal of $23 billion in deficit reduction, and for not proposing to restructure the federal crop insurance program or to reduce its funding for deficit reduction purposes.

“Even with the clear and real need to reduce our federal deficit, it remains in the best interest of our nation to help ensure a basic level of risk management for farmers and our food supply,” said American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman. “Farming is a risky business. There is no doubt about that, and crop insurance is a key principle in the goal to provide farmers a dependable safety net.”

In response to concerns from other commodity groups about a revenue-based approach, the groups advocate making changes in the crop insurance program to enhance its viability as a risk management tool, while maintaining the effectiveness of the existing program for other commodities. The groups do not, however, support program alternatives that tie current-year production to fixed price supports, which can distort planting decisions and production between commodities when market prices decline.

“NCGA strongly believes a farmer should be able to absorb a price or yield loss in any given year,” said NCGA President Garry Niemeyer, a corn grower from Auburn, Ill. “However, we are trying to protect farmers, especially young farmers, when they are facing these types of losses multiple years in a row.”

In addition to crop insurance, the groups are calling for planting flexibility for farmers as well as a new program to complement the risk protection provided under crop insurance and the continuation of the marketing loan program, urging the Committee to oppose any changes in current law regarding payment limitations or eligibility for farm programs based on Adjusted Gross Income. “Currently, 98 percent of U.S. producers participate in the farm program and comply with their conservation requirements,” stated the groups in the letter. “It is important that farmers remain in the program so that our country can maintain conservation compliance on agricultural lands.”

Read the letter here.

Just Say NO to No HFCS

Posted on April 9, 2012 by Cindy

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is urging the food industry to stop the anti-high fructose corn syrup marketing “scam.”

In recent letters to food marketers, NCGA called on them to stop marketing products as not containing high fructose corn syrup, implying there is something especially unhealthy or unnatural about corn sugar.

“Such innuendos are not scientifically supportable and they are offensive to the hundreds of thousands of U.S. consumers that grow corn as well as the many others in rural communities,” NCGA CEO Rick Tolman wrote in letters to the chief marketing officers at Welch Foods and Dean Foods, producers respectively of Welch’s Natural Spreads and TruMoo Chocolate Milk, just two examples of anti-HFCS marketing. “Your focus on health and nutrition are commendable and supportable. Those points can all be well made without the reference to HFCS.”

While the March 21 letters did lead to a dialog with Dean Foods, their response to-date has been unsatisfactory, Tolman noted in a follow-up letter.

“As you pointed out, you are a significant user of HFCS in other products and are familiar with the science supporting the manufacturing, safety, and functional properties of HFCS. Therefore, you know there is no scientific basis for the preference you see from consumers. It is a misperception. A big part of that problem is that the type of advertising you are doing with respect to HFCS perpetuates this misperception. That is our concern. You are using a misperception to differentiate your product and therefore helping to perpetuate that misperception.”

Read the letters here.

American Ethanol on the NASCAR Track

Posted on March 19, 2012 by Cindy

The American Ethanol No. 3 Chevy made its debut recently at the Las Vegas Nationwide Series Sam’s Town 300 with rookie driver Austin Dillon finishing strong in 7th place.

Representatives of American Ethanol partners, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and Growth Energy, were at the March 10 race – pictured here with RCR team owner (and Dillon’s grandfather) Richard Childress (left) are Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis next to Dillon and Illinois corn farmer Martin Barbre, chairman of NCGA’s NASCAR Advisory Committee on the right.

The excitement surrounding the second year of the American Ethanol partnership was evident at the Commodity Classic, where I talked to Tom Buis about how NASCAR is helping the ethanol industry by spotlighting 15% ethanol blended motor fuel (E15) which is what NASCAR uses in all races. “A lot of our promotion and activities this year, now that E15 is approved to go in the marketplace, will be connecting the fans and the viewers to the fuel they’ll soon be able to see in their retail areas,” Tom said. “There’s no sport more American than NASCAR and there’s no fuel more American than ethanol.”

Best of all, Tom says with gas prices up and ethanol priced $1 less than gasoline, E15 will save consumers money at the pump.

In this photo from Classic, Tom is holding one of our ZimmComm photo calendars, which featured a couple of American Ethanol photos. We still have a couple of calendars left if you want to buy one – click here.

Listen to my interview with Tom here: Interview with Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis

Ag Groups Testify at Senate Farm Bill Hearing

Posted on March 16, 2012 by Cindy

The Senate Agriculture Committee heard testimony from farmers and farm organizations Thursday on risk management priorities for the 2012 Farm Bill.

Among those who testified was National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) First Vice President Pam Johnson. “NCGA has invested time and resources to develop and analyze concepts for a new farm bill that would help farmers in times of need and be a good investment of taxpayer dollars,” said Johnson, a grower from Floyd, Iowa. “We learned that risk management is the number one priority and that federal crop insurance is the cornerstone of a sound farm safety net for the future.”

Johnson says corn growers support a transition away from the direct payments to a revenue-based risk management tool that complements crop insurance, such as the Aggregate Risk and Revenue Management program proposed by Senators Brown, Thune, Lugar and Durbin last fall. “NCGA appreciates the difficult task before your committee to write a comprehensive and balanced farm bill, especially under the current budget constraints,” said Johnson. “But, we urge Congress to pass a farm bill this year. We look forward to working with the Senate Agriculture Committee and other agriculture organizations to craft new farm legislation.”

American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) President Bob Stallman told the Senate panel that national farm policy must strike a balance between the need for a strong, effective safety net to protect farmers and ranchers against catastrophic revenue losses and fiscal soundness for the nation.

“Continuation of a multi-legged stool remains the best approach for providing a fair and effective safety net,” Stallman said. “This should consist of a strong crop insurance program, continuation of the current marketing loan provisions and a catastrophic revenue loss program.”

Stallman said AFBF supports a “deep loss” program that would “not provide producers with payments as often as other proposals contemplated, it would provide more coverage in times of catastrophic losses when assistance is most critical.”

In addition, “As a general farm organization, we place high priority on ensuring the new farm bill benefits all agricultural commodity sectors in a balanced, coordinated manner,” Stallman said. He urged coverage for five fruits and vegetables – apples, tomatoes, grapes, potatoes and sweet corn – in new national farm policy and he expressed Farm Bureau’s support for the concepts included in a bill introduced by Rep. Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) that would reform and improve the dairy program.

2012 Classic Officially a Barn Buster

Posted on March 8, 2012 by Cindy

It’s official now – the 2012 Commodity Classic was a major record-breaker.

Final attendance at the event surpassed all previous turnout records with a total of 6,014 attendees, up 25 percent increase from last year’s record of 4,826 attendees. Once again, farm families represented over half of the participants, with 3,505 growers, spouses and children attending.

“We broke records in every category,” said Commodity Classic Co-chair Martin Barbre. “However, the most exciting number was beating last year’s record of first-time attendees by 48 percent. It’s very gratifying to see that Commodity Classic’s appeal continues to grow.”

This year’s show also experienced the highest number of exhibitors ever. The 963-booth trade show was sold out with a waiting list ready to take advantage of cancellations. There was also a record number of media attending the event – 156 total, compared to the previous record of 145 last time it was in Nashville in 2008.

Another record I would add for the 2012 Commodity Classic would be the most people at the event ever having to be herded into a basement ballroom for a tornado warning!

Commodity Classic is presented annually by the National Corn Growers Association, the American Soybean Association, the National Association of Wheat Growers and the National Sorghum Producers. Next year, the event will be held February 28 to March 2 in Kissimmee, Fla.

2012 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Coverage of the 2012 Commodity Classic Show is sponsored by BASF and New Holland

Partnerships at Commodity Classic Important to BASF

Posted on March 6, 2012 by Cindy

BASF Crop Protection is one of the biggest sponsors of Commodity Classic, encompassing everything from the hotel shuttle buses to scholarships and other awards programs to the final banquets.

BASF participated in both the American Soybean Association (ASA) and National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) banquets during the 2012 Commodity Classic and was honored to have company executives speak during those events about the importance of partnerships aimed at strengthening the future of agriculture. BASF Senior Vice President North America Crop Protection Nevin McDougall (pictured) spoke at the ASA banquet, while Paul Rea, Vice President U.S. Crop Protection, spoke at the NCGA banquet.

Nevin says BASF’s partnerships with ASA and NCGA showcase how they are sustaining and supporting the future of agriculture. “The future for BASF is very bright,” Nevin said. “The ag economy in North America is very robust and with our investment in R&D and bringing new solutions that can help growers be more efficient and more productive with less impact on the environment we’ll help them to achieve the goal of feeding the world.”

Listen to or download a quick interview with Nevin here: BASF Senior VP Nevin McDougall

We sincerely appreciate our partnership with BASF as well, which helped to bring coverage of the Commodity Classic to AgWired readers. Thanks BASF!

2012 BASF Science Behind Photo Album

Coverage of the 2012 Commodity Classic Show is sponsored by BASF and New Holland

2012 Farm Bill Priorities From Commodity Classic Groups

Posted on March 2, 2012 by Chuck

It’s almost like a tradition now. The Presidents of the farm organizations that participate in Commodity Classic take the stage for a few minutes of lighthearted discussion about their priorities. Emceeing the general session with them this year again was Mark Mayfield. You can listen to their interaction below. All of the organizations released a joint statement yesterday about their farm bill priorities which I’ve included below as well.

First up on the stage with Mark was Gary Niemeyer, a corn grower from Auburn, Ill and President of the National Corn Growers Association.

Listen to Gary’s comments here: Comments from Gary Niemeyer

Next up on stage was Steve Wellman, soybean farmer from Syracuse, Neb. and President of the American Soybean Association.

Listen to Steve’s comments here: Comments from Steve Wellman

Next we heard from Terry Swanson, a sorghum grower from Walsh, Colo. and President of the National Sorghum Producers.

Listen to Terry’s comments here: Comments from Terry Swanson

Finally, we heard from Wayne Hurst, a wheat producer from Burley, Idaho and President of the National Association of Wheat Growers.

Listen to Wayne’s comments here: Comments from Wayne Hurst

“Commodity Classic provides our organizations an opportunity to come together to discuss important policy issues facing our industry. As Congress continues work on the next farm bill, our organizations agree that an affordable crop insurance program is our No. 1 priority. We also stand ready to work with House and Senate Ag Committee leaders to create farm programs that provide risk-management tools to growers when they are facing a loss beyond their control.

“We urge Congress to pass a new farm bill this year to provide the level of certainty in America that a short-term extension cannot.The nation is currently facing record high federal deficits and this requires difficult decisions. We stand ready to do our part to develop more efficient farm policy that will be responsive to taxpayers and effective in helping farms remain viable and productive.

“Our organizations represent more than 70 percent of all crop acres in the United States. Agriculture is a bright spot in our nation’s economy, sustainably meeting the expanding demands to provide food, feed, fuel and fiber to the world. We are pleased to see the Senate and House Agriculture Committees have produced such an aggressive schedule and we thank them for their efforts.”

2012 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Coverage of the 2012 Commodity Classic Show is sponsored by BASF and New Holland

BASF Supports Scholars with ASA, NCGA and Now NAWG

Posted on March 1, 2012 by Cindy

BASF Crop Protection is expanding its support of young people pursuing careers in agriculture by joining with the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) Foundation to establish a memorial scholarship to honor longtime wheat industry friend and BASF employee Jerry Minore. As a BASF Senior Market Manager, Minore was a liaison to the wheat industry, including NAWG and the Foundation, and an advocate for wheat growers.

Paul Rea, Vice President of U.S. Crop Protection for BASF, says Jerry passed away suddenly just a few weeks ago. “It was a real loss and everyone was looking for a way we could remember his service so what better way than to award a memorial scholarship in his name,” said Paul.

Listen to or download Paul talking about BASF’s commitment to the future of agriculture and the new scholarship: BASF VP U.S. Crop Protection Paul Rea

BASF has funded the Jerry Minore Memorial Scholarship for up to $5,000 per year the next three years. Applications for the scholarship program will be accepted through the end of 2012, with the first recipients to be announced at next year’s Commodity Classic.

This year, for the fifth consecutive year, BASF partnered with the American Soybean Association (ASA) and the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) to present another six students with scholarships.

Recipients of the $1,000 NCGA scholarships, pictured here with Paul Rea and NCGA Chairman Bart Schott, are (left to right): Andy Chamra, a junior at Iowa State University pursuing agricultural business; Denise Beam, a sophomore at Pennsylvania State University pursuing a degree in animal sciences with an agricultural business management minor; Gracie Weinzierl, a sophomore at Illinois State University majoring in agricultural education in addition to crop and soil science; Andrew Perry, a sophomore at the University of Missouri-Columbia, studying agricultural economics and plant science; and Bethany Olson, a junior at Iowa State University specializing in agricultural business and international agriculture.

Melissa Schenck of Boston, Kentucky – pictured here with Paul and ASA president Steve Wellman – was chosen as the 2012-2013 ASA SOY scholarship recipient. Schenck, a senior at Nelson County High School, will pursue a degree in agriculture communications at Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky, beginning this fall.

Melissa says she plans to go to Murray State University and major in ag communications or ag business. “Getting a scholarship from ASA and BASF means that college is going to be easier to pay for,” she said. “This scholarship has taken a load off my shoulders” and her parents too! She’s never been to Commodity Classic before and is really enjoying it.

Listen to or download an interview with Melissa here: ASA-BASF Scholarship Winner Melissa Schenck

See video of all scholarship winners here:

2012 BASF Science Behind Photo Album

Coverage of the 2012 Commodity Classic Show is sponsored by BASF and New Holland

Ready For Record Commodity Classic

Posted on March 1, 2012 by Chuck

ZimmCast 340 I’d like to thank New Holland for sponsoring the media room at Commodity Classic once again this year. And I’d especially like to thank them for being one of our sponsors for AgWired coverage of the event again this year. New Holland was one of the first companies to support our unique brand of “live” event blogging. This is the 7th year the company has been our sponsor for Commodity Classic. Thank you to Gene Hemphill and to Abe Hughes. I’m looking forward to seeing Abe this afternoon in the New Holland exhibit at the trade show. Now back to our program.

Here are (l-r) Patrick Delaney, Communications Director, American Soybean Association and Ken Colombini, Communications Director, National Corn Growers Association. These two organizations coordinate the media room that we have the privilege to work out of. Cindy caught up with both of them yesterday to find out how attendance at this year’s Classic is looking as well as what some of the important issues are facing each farm group.

Listen to this week’s ZimmCast here: A Look At 2012 Commodity Classic

Thanks to our ZimmCast sponsor, GROWMARK, locally owned, globally strong, for their support.

The ZimmCast is the official weekly podcast of AgWired. Subscribe so you can listen when and where you want. Just go to our Subscribe page.

Coverage of the 2012 Commodity Classic Show is sponsored by BASF and New Holland

Commodity Classic Preview From NCGA President

Posted on February 28, 2012 by Cindy

Getting to the Commodity Classic in Nashville a day early to attend the Bayer CropScience Ag Issues Forum, I was happy to find National Corn Growers Association President Garry Niemeyer of Illinois available to do some pre-convention interviews.

Garry is looking forward to a great, big Classic this year – with registration already at a record level. “We have 5,400 people showing up for this – the largest by almost 25% that we’ve ever had,” Garry told me. And that’s just pre-registration! Actual numbers will increase this week with on-site registrations.

Garry says NCGA will be setting policy this week at the meeting and among the main issues will be recommendations for a 2012 Farm Bill, assuming there is one this year. “We have adopted the Aggregate Risk and Revenue Management program that has been put forth by Senators Brown, Thune, Durbin and Dick Lugar. Hopefully, we’re going to move that policy forward because that makes the most sense to us,” Garry said.

Other issues of concern to corn growers include maintaining the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2) and protecting against government over-regulation.

Listen to or download my interview with Garry here: Garry Niemeyer Interview

The Commodity Classic – which is the annual meeting of corn, soybean, wheat and sorghum producer organizations – officially kicks off on Thursday. Our coverage this year is once again sponsored by our good friends at BASF and New Holland.

Coverage of the 2012 Commodity Classic Show is sponsored by BASF and New Holland

Getting Social with NCGA and GROWMARK

Posted on February 13, 2012 by Cindy

ZimmCast 337 In this week’s ZimmCast you can hear about how GROWMARK is using social media to create a buzz and how the National Corn Growers Association is using social media for membership recruiting and grower services.

At the NCGA biennial Membership Symposium last week in Florida, Chuck talked with Director of Development Tim Brackman and Nebraska Corn Growers Association chairman Brandon Hunnicutt about the symposium program that featured a variety of topics, including use of social media. Brandon is pictured here on the left with Tim on the right.

Meanwhile, at the at the Pursuit of Maximum Yields event last week in Iowa, I interviewed GROWMARK Electronic Communications Specialist Heather (Miller) Thompson about how the GROWMARK system is using social media and smartphone tools, like Facebook, Twitter and QR codes. They are also promoting CropNAtion, a social site for agriculture introduced last year. “That’s still really in it’s infancy,” Heather said. “We’re trying to get word spread about it to get a base and also waiting for an iPhone and Android app that should be out any day now.”

Listen to this week’s ZimmCast here: ZimmCast with NCGA and GROWMARK

Thanks to our ZimmCast sponsor, GROWMARK, locally owned, globally strong, for their support.

The ZimmCast is the official weekly podcast of AgWired. Subscribe so you can listen when and where you want. Just go to our Subscribe page.

Commodity Classic to Feature Night at the Opry

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Cindy

Some of Nashville’s top talent will take the stage at the Grand Ole Opry for the 2012 Commodity Classic Evening of Entertainment on March 3, sponsored by Monsanto.

commodity classic Entertainers in the lineup for the evening include Darryl Worley, John Conlee, Sarah Darling, Mike Snider, and Joey+Rory. (We just saw Joey+Rory, best known for their hit “Cheater, Cheater, last week in Nashville at the Cattle Industry Convention – they’re great!)

“The Evening of Entertainment will cap off three days of learning sessions, policymaking, networking and a sold-out, record-setting trade show that has the 17th annual Commodity Classic on pace to be the largest in history,” said Commodity Classic co-chair Jeff Sollars.

Commodity Classic will be held March 1-3 at the Gaylord Opryland Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn., and is presented annually by the National Corn Growers Association, American Soybean Association, National Association of Wheat Growers and National Sorghum Producers.

2011 National Corn Yield Contest Winners Announced

Posted on December 21, 2011 by Cindy

Despite a challenging growing season, winners in the 2011 Corn Yield Contest still averaged well over 300 bushels an acre – some over 400!

Advanced production techniques, informed growing practices and improved seed varieties helped corn growers achieve high yields in the National Corn Growers Association 2011 National Corn Yield Contest. Despite the challenging weather conditions that plagued the Corn Belt throughout the year, entrants continued to far surpass the national average corn yield, even doubling it in some circumstances.

The National Corn Yield Contest is in its 47th year and remains NCGA’s most popular program for members. With 8,425 entries, the 2011 NCGA National Corn Yield Contest set a new participation record again this year. This is a 18 percent increase over 2010 (7,125) and an incredible 70 percent increase over 2007 (4,932). The 18 winners in six production categories had verified yields averaging more than 313.107 bushels per acre, compared to the projected national average of 146.7 bushels per acre in 2011.

While there is no overall contest winner, yields from first, second and third place farmers overall production categories ranged from 277.5 to 429.0 bushels per acre.

See a list of all the winners.

Rick Tolman Receives St. Louis Agribusiness Leader of the Year Award

Posted on December 13, 2011 by Chuck

Today the St. Louis Agribusiness Club presented its annual Agribusiness Leader of the Year Award to Rick Tolman, CEO, National Corn Growers Association. Here’s Rick with his award which was presented by past St. Louis Ag Club President Stephanie Regagnon, Solutia, Inc.

I spoke with Rick right after he received his award. He says that he’s “very moved and surprised and it’s a great honor.” He also says that it’s a tribute to the National Corn Growers because I have a great group of volunteer leaders that I work with and a staff that I work with and they make me look good and make the organization look good. But it’s a real honor for our association to be recognized.”

I asked him about the 2012 Commodity Classic since registration just recently opened. He says it’s going to be a good one with a record number of exhibitors already signed up. He also talks about priorities in the coming year for NCGA.

You can listen to my interview with Rick here: Rick Tolman Interview

You can find more photos from the meeting here: St. Louis Agribusiness Club Meeting Photo Album

Super Committee Heading for Super Failure?

Posted on November 21, 2011 by Cindy

With a deadline looming for the so-called “super committee” to make super cuts in the federal budget, all signs are pointing to a super failure.

ncga at nafb The committee was charged with making cuts that ideally would mean a new Farm Bill and that was a major topic of discussion with farm group representatives at the recent National Association of Farm Broadcasting Trade Talk.

“Passing farm bills usually takes about 15 months, and ironically, this one – if it happens – will be one of the quickest ever in history,” said National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) president Garry Niemeyer of Illinois, pictured here being interviewed with first vice president Pam Johnson of Iowa. He is concerned about budget cuts hitting agriculture more than other areas. “Everybody thinks that farmers are flush with money, which makes it pretty tough,” he said.

Listen to my interview with Garry here: NCGA president Garry Niemeyer

If, as it appears, the super committee breaks down and comes up with nothing, American Farm Bureau Federation economist Bob Young says it’s a whole new conversation as far as a farm bill is concerned. “Then we’ll be back to standard process and a much more challenging environment to write a farm bill with this Congress,” he said, noting that the agriculture committees have proposed cuts of about $23 billion for farm and food programs, which the industry believes would be fair.

“We want the super committee to work,” Young added. “If the United States cannot get our act together, the markets are going to be pretty exciting, which might be a polite way of putting it.”

Listen to my interview with Bob here: Bob Young with AFBF

2011 NAFB Convention Photo Album

Coverage of the NAMA Trends in Agriculture & NAFB Convention is sponsored by BASF

Agriculture Groups Praise Passage of Trade Pacts

Posted on October 12, 2011 by Cindy

Agricultural interests have been trying for nearly five years to get Washington to act on three free trade agreements and finally in just over a week they have been sent to Congress and passed by significant majorities.

The trade agreements with South Korea, Panama and Columbia were each voted on separately and passed in rapid succession Wednesday, first by the House and then by the Senate. The votes in the House were 278-151 for South Korea, 300-129 for Panama and 262-167 for Colombia. In the Senate, it was 83-15 for South Korea, 77-22 for Panama and 66-33 for Colombia. The president is expected to sign them.

Farm groups were quick to praise the long-awaited action that is expected to mean increased exports for a variety of agricultural commodities.

“The three free trade agreements with Korea, Colombia and Panama provide great opportunities for America’s farmers,” said National Corn Growers Association President Garry Niemeyer of Illinois, adding that U.S. farmers have been standing by watching other nations receive increased access to these markets as the FTAs waited in limbo.

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President Bill Donald of Montana was pleased to see Congress put differences aside to pass the trade deals. “For too long, the trade agreements have been collecting dust,” he said, noting that cattlemen have a lot to gain when the agreements are fully implemented by reducing and eliminating import tariffs on U.S. beef imposed by Colombia (80 percent), Panama (30 percent) and South Korea (40 percent).

Pork producers also have much to gain under the agreements, according to National Pork Producers Council president Doug Wolf of Wisconsin who called passage of the FTAs “one of the greatest victories ever for the U.S. pork industry” since it is expected to add more than $11 to the price producers receive for each hog marketed.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says passage of the agreements means over $2.3 billion in additional exports for American agriculture as a whole. “Immediately upon implementation of these agreements, the majority of American products exported to Korea, Colombia and Panama will become duty-free,” said Vilsack. “With record agricultural exports supporting more than a million jobs here at home, passage of these deals will contribute to a positive U.S. trade balance, create jobs, and provide new income opportunities for our nation’s agricultural producers, small businesses, and rural communities.”

The only question is, what took so long?

Corn and Cattle at Odds Over Renewable Fuels Standard

Posted on October 6, 2011 by Cindy

Corn growers and cattle producers are at odds over new legislation introduced in the House that would change the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS2).

The bill, sponsored by Reps. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) and Jim Costa (D-CA), would allow Congress to reduce the RFS requirement for ethanol whenever corn stocks are tight.

Speaking on behalf of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) during a press conference announcing the legislation, California beef cattle producer Kevin Kester said it would provide relief from tight corn supplies.

“Cattlemen are not opposed to ethanol and we’re not looking for cheap corn. We simply want the federal government to get out of the marketplace and allow the market to work,” Kester said.

Officials with the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) say the measure would significantly weaken the RFS. “The U.S. ethanol industry is an integral part of job creation and economic opportunity throughout rural America,” said NCGA President Garry Niemeyer of Illinois. “This legislation would put progress made by the ethanol industry in jeopardy.”

The RFS came into effect in 2005 and was reauthorized and expanded in 2007 to require the use of 12.6 billion gallons of corn ethanol this year and 13.2 billion gallons in 2012, topping out at 15 billion gallons in 2015.

The Goodlatte-Costa bill would require a reduction in the RFS when the stocks-to-use ratio drops below 10 percent, up to a 50 percent reduction if the ratio falls below 5 percent. Under the current corn supply, the reduction would be 15-25 percent.

Corn Grower Leaders Reflect on Serving Industry

Posted on September 29, 2011 by Cindy

As the National Corn Growers Association prepares to start a new fiscal year this weekend, some old faces (not OLD old!) are being replaced with new ones on the Corn Board. “Off the Cob” podcaster Cathryn Wojcicki did interviews with three retiring board members to find out what they learned and experienced through service and to ask for any advice that might benefit farmers considering stepping up to a leadership role.

Over the last several years, Iowa farmer Daryl Haack served as the Corn Board’s liaison to NCGA’s Public Policy Action Team, chaired the Ethanol Committee, and represented the organization to the Rail Energy Transportation Advisory Committee, the BNSF Railway Ag Business Council and the U.S. Meat Export Federation.

Daryl says that while board involvement does require a significant time investment, serving on the Corn Board presents an unparalleled opportunity to enrich the lives of its members through opportunities to work with some of the most influential individuals both in the industry and in the country as a whole. “If you do have the time to get involved, the Corn Board presents a unique opportunity in that it allows you to meet people with whom you may not ever have another opportunity to interact,” he said.

Listen to Daryl’s comments here: Daryl Haack

ncga leaders During his tenure on the Corn Board, Minnesota farmer Jerry Larson chaired NCGA’s Finance Committee and served on the Association Relations Committee, Ethanol Committee and Research and Business Development Action Team.

Jerry stresses that potential leaders must understand the value of communications to all stakeholders. “It is of the utmost importance that we communicate our message back home, be it state-by-state, farmer-to-farmer, or even to the general public,” he noted.

Listen to Jerry’s comments here: Jerry Larson

Finally, Off the Cob spoke with Dave Nelson, a farmer from Belmond, Iowa who served as the Corn Board liaison for the NCGA Research and Business Development Action Team, the Ethanol Committee and the Biotechnology Working Group, and as NCGA’s liaison to the National Pork Producers Council.

“During my years on the Corn Board, we saw some very good times for corn growers,” Dave said. “We saw the market for corn expand and ethanol become a mainstay, both utilizing corn and marrying with the livestock industry in the use of distillers dried grains as a valuable feed source.”

Listen to Dave’s comments here: Dave Nelson

More info from NCGA here.