The National Corn Growers Association recently joined with the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and the American Seed Trade Association to host officials from EPA and USDA for demonstrations on planting practices, seed treatments, and equipment innovations in an effort to help them understand modern farming. The event took place on the working farm of NCGA Chairman Chip Bowling in …
Ag Groups Showcase Sustainability, Technology
The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA), the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), and the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) hosted a field day for officials at the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Pesticide Programs. Participants got to observe seed treatments, planting practices, equipment innovations and product demonstrations– all using the most cutting-edge technology available. …
#Plant17 Progress Underway
#Plant17 is officially underway now with the latest crop progress report issued yesterday from USDA. Corn planting at three percent nationwide as of April 9 is a point behind last year at this time but exactly on target with five-year average. Texas, where National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) president Wesley Spurlock farms, is well ahead of both last year and …
Ag Groups Applaud EPA Decision on Chlorpyrofis
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently dismissed a petition regarding the crop protection tool chlorpyrifos, a decision the National Corn Growers Association and American Farm Bureau Federation have praised. The Obama administration had considered a ban on chlorpyrifos in 2015, but the decision had not been finalized. “We are pleased with the EPA’s decision today to deny a petition against chlorpyrifos …
Busy Week for Ag on the Hill
National Ag Week was a busy one for agriculture on Capitol Hill. National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) First Vice President Kevin Skunes of North Dakota spent the week visiting Congressional offices on behalf of both the corn growers and the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE). “Ethanol is our number one priority,” said Skunes. “We need to have this outlet for …
Second Biggest @ComClassic Ever!
Despite some challenging economic times in farm country this year, thousands headed to San Antonio earlier this month to “Farmer Up!” and attend the 2017 Commodity Classic. The final total for attendance was 9,303 – second only to last year’s Classic in New Orleans. That total included over 4100 growers and 920 first time attendees. “Commodity Classic continued in its …
Scholarship Recipients Honored at #Classic17
The National Corn Growers Association and BASF have given five undergraduate or graduate students studying agriculture the William C. Berg Academic Excellence in Agriculture Scholarship. These passionate and motivated students were presented with their $1,000 scholarships at a ceremony during the recent 2017 Commodity Classic in San Antonio, Texas. “Our industry needs a well-educated and dedicated group of future leaders …
NCGA Study Shows Crop Insurance Returns Decreased
Since the renegotiation of the Standard Reinsurance Agreement in 2010, private crop insurance company returns have significantly decreased, says a new study by the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA). Current returns are inline with standard established by the USDA’s Risk Management Agency, averaging around 1.5 percent- a decrease of 12.6 percentage points. “The federal crop insurance program is the cornerstone …
#Classic17 General Session
A time-honored tradition of the Commodity Classic general session is the talk show style interviewing of the sponsoring organizations’ representatives – a panel which has grown to five now with the addition of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers last year. Appearing on the stage with emcee Mark Mayfield this year were: American Soybean Association president Ron Moore of Illinois National …
ASA and NCGA Talk Priorities at #Classic17
A new farm bill, growing export markets, maintaining the Renewable Fuel Standard, taxes and regulatory reform are just a few of the top priorities for corn and soybean farmers in 2017. American Soybean Association president Ron Moore of Illinois, vice president John Heisdorffer of Iowa, and chairman Richard Wilkins of Delaware discussed some of those big issues during a press …