The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) today announced the promotion of Jon Doggett to Executive Vice President, effective January 1. Doggett has served as Vice President of Public Policy since July 2002, where he directs all aspects of NCGA efforts involving the federal government. He was also named one of Washington’s Most Influential Lobbyists by The Hill newspaper. In his …
Commodity Classic Gets New Mobile App
Attendees of the upcoming Commodity Classic will have an easier time planning their schedules during the event. The mobile app, which can be downloaded from a variety of operating systems’ app stores, will give attendees fresh information on sponsors, trade show floor events, locations for sessions and exhibits, and other up-to-the-minute information on the nation’s largest farmer-led, farmer-focused convention and …
NCGA President Discusses Issues
Transportation, trade, biotechnology, regulations, and soil health were just a few of the issues on the mind of National Corn Growers Association president Chip Bowling at the recent National Association of Farm Broadcasting convention. Talking transportation first, Bowling says they were surprised when the Army Corps of Engineers told them earlier this month that they would be closing the Mississippi …
Getting to Know the New NCGA CEO
The new CEO of the National Corn Growers Association had his first chance to visit with members of the agricultural media during the National Association of Farm Broadcasting convention last week in Kansas City, but most of us already know him pretty well. Chris Novak previously served many years as chief executive officer of the National Pork Board and prior …
Slight Decrease in Corn, Increase in Beans
The November crop forecast from USDA calls for a slightly lower corn crop but a slightly higher soybean crop. Corn production is now forecast at 14.4 billion bushels, just a bit lower than last month, but still three percent higher than last year, with yields now expected to average 173.4 bushels per acre. If realized, this will still be the …
USFRA Names Executive Committee
The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA®) has announced its new 2015 Executive Committee members and Nancy Kavazanjian, farmer director of the United Soybean Board, was named as Board chairperson. As chair, Kavazanjian will work closely with the CEO of USFRA and members of the Board in providing thought leadership and serve as a national consumer spokesperson on behalf of …
Ag Groups Urge President to Reject Biofuels Cuts
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and several other agricultural sent a letter to President Obama last week asking him to intervene with the Environmental Protection Agency regarding its proposed cuts in the 2014 volume obligations for the Renewable Fuel Standard. “The blending targets and the methodology in your administration’s proposed rule are already causing significant harm to the biofuel …
Election Aftermath Thoughts
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) may well speak for all of America with its statement following Election Day 2014 – Time to Get to Work! “Washington may look different come January, but fundamentally, things have not really changed,” said NCGA president Chip Bowling of Maryland. “There is no sign that the gridlock of the past few years will diminish. …
Corn Growers Part of White House Women in Ag Event
A Past President of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) was part of a White House ceremony last week recognizing women is agriculture. Pam Johnson joined U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden for the Dialogue on Women Leaders in Agriculture, along with more than thirty participants representing ag associations, businesses and higher education, including …
Corn Growers in the Sunbelt
The National Corn Growers Association had a presence last week at the Sunbelt Ag Expo in Moultrie, Georgia for the first time. NCGA president Chip Bowling of Maryland visited with attendees at the event, including USDA Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden who grew up on a Georgia peanut farm, and got to see some crops he doesn’t normally see. “I got …