The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced they will not be finalizing the 2014 applicable percentage of standards under the 2014 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) until next year. They also announced that the compliance deadline for 2013 RFS standards will also take place in 2015. Both corn and soybean groups reacted to the announcement, which impacts ethanol and biodiesel production …
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 …
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 …
Forum Looks at Future of Corn Farming
What does the future hold for corn farmers? That was a question addressed at the Bayer CropScience Corn and Soybean Future Forum in Frankfurt, Germany last week, and some farmers gave their views. Among them was Iowa Corn Growers chairman Roger Zylstra, who farms in Jasper County, who talked about the opportunities and challenges of sustainable corn production. “There are …
Bayer CropScience Dedicated to Corn & Soybeans
Providing the welcome address at the 2014 Bayer CropScience Corn & Soybean Future Forum is Mathias Kremer, Head of Strategy. In his comments Mathias talks about the company outlook for the growth of the corn and soybean markets. Additionally, he says they are investing a billion euros in research and development. Listen to my interview with Mathias to hear a …
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 …
Registration for BASF Xanthion™ In-furrow Fungicide
Corn growers now have access to a first-in-its-class in-furrow fungicide for 2015. BASF Xanthion™ In-furrow fungicide has received Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registration for use on corn. According to BASF, Xanthion will provide corn growers with an additional tool to protect their seed investment and maximize yield potential in the 2015 season. “Different than other early season crop management treatments, …
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 …
NCGA Staffer on CTIC Tour
2014 CTIC Conservation in Action Tour Photo Album Many of the participants at last week’s CTIC Conservation in Action tour of the Florida Everglades Agricultural area were from the Midwest and they were very interested in some of the very different crop production they saw in the Sunshine State. CTIC board member and National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) Soil Health …