The National Corn Growers Association and National Corn Yield Contest State Award Winners Breakfast was help this morning during the 2013 Commodity Classic.

The breakfast recognizes corn growers for their outstanding accomplishments during the past year. It also allows state winners to compare notes and pick up some tips of the trade. Check out the National Winners and State Winners.

Neil Bentley, Marketing Director for BASF’s US Crop Business, addressed attendees and shared how excited he was that BASF was a sponsor of the contest. In an interview with me he also explained some challenges growers across the country are facing and what BASF is doing to help hedge those challenges.

“BASF is really proud to be a sponsor fo the NCGA and the state yield contest winners. It’s really about bringing out the best of the best in terms of corn production. The growers face a lot of challenges out in the marketplace and we know that average doesn’t cut it, so BASF is really proud to be here and be a sponsor of this event to really celebrate those growers who are doing more than average each and every day.”

“Growers face volatility and that’s really a key standard issue within the US market, whether it is commodity volatility or weather volatility, these are really things that growers face each and every day and at BASF we are really trying to find the solutions that can help growers overcome these risks especially when it relates to yield in creating more than what the grower would have expected. Our mission at BASF is to help growers get the most from every acre. And each and every day we are spending more than $2 million in research and development to find these solutions to help growers get more and overcome these risks.”

You can find my interview with Neil here: Interview with Neil Bentley

BASF at 2013 Commodity Classic Photos

2013 Commodity Classic Photo Album