Atrazine is once again under attack with a recent report from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) highly critical of the ag herbicide. National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) has been fighting for the right of growers to use atrazine and to learn more I spoke with Kevin Skunes, the first vice president elect for NCGA and a farmer from Eastern …
NCGA Shares Messages & Priorities at #FarmProgressShow
Several members and staff from the National Corn Growers Association spent time with media, farmers, industry partners and academics during the 2016 Farm Progress Show to share the organization’s key priorities and messages. The clear intent of our effort is to communicate the economic challenges farmers are facing and leverage NCGA’s position as a thought leader to raise awareness and …
NCGA Leaders Learn New Skills
This week marked the inaugural meeting of NCGA’s 2016 Leadership Academy. Eighteen aspiring leaders met in Greensboro, North Carolina for a session sponsored by Syngenta. They are part of more than 500 participants of this program over the last 30 years. The meeting included a talk from NCGA First Vice President Wesley Spurlock, a Leadership Academy alumnus. He offered the …
#RFS Celebrates 11 Years
Today is the 11th anniversary of the day the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) was signed into law. Ethanol advocates are celebrating the energy policy stressing that the legislation provides Americans with increasing energy security, cleaner air and more affordable fuel options at the pump. Biofuel advocates are noting that in nearly a decade, the RFS continues to drive U.S. job …
#GMO Disclosure Bill Signed Into Law
USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is now in charge of developing a national mandatory system for disclosing the presence of bioengineered material under the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Law, which was signed without fanfare on Friday by President Obama. USDA has formed a working group to develop a timeline for rulemaking and to “ensure an open and transparent process for …
Corn Congress Elects Five Growers to Corn Board
The National Corn Growers Association‘s Corn Congress elected five new farmers to serve on the Corn Board this week. The new board members will begin their terms on October 1; the start of the NCGA’s fiscal year. New members are: Chris Edgington of Iowa, Don Glenn of Alabama, Tom Haag of Minnesota and John Linder of Ohio. A current board member, …
Senator Donnelly Receives NCGA President’s Award
U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly of Indiana has earned the President’s Award by the National Corn Growers Association. Chip Bowling, president of NCGA, explains that the honor is given to leaders who strive to advance important issues to corn farmers and agriculture. “Senator Donnelly is a true advocate for farmers in Indiana and throughout the country,” said Bowling. “He is one of …
NCGA, ASA Submit Comments On Proposed 2017 #RFS
The comment period for the proposed renewable volume obligations (RVOs), or the amount of renewable fuels to be blended in the U.S. gasoline supply as required by the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for 2017 came to close on July 11, 2016. While the fuel volumes for first generation biofuels, that includes corn-based ethanol, were slightly higher than for 2016, at …
Senate Vote on #GMO Labeling Expected This Week
The Senate is scheduled to vote to limit debate on the GMO labeling compromise from Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow this week and agricultural organizations are urging their members to contact their senators about it. If the vote for cloture achieves 60 votes tomorrow after the Senate returns from the Independence Day recess the …
Industry Pleased with #GMO Labeling Compromise
Leadership of the Senate Agriculture Committee Thursday announced a bipartisan compromise on GMO labeling legislation in advance of the pending implementation of a state law in Vermont. “Our marketplace – both consumers and producers – needs a national biotechnology standard to avoid chaos in interstate commerce,” said Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS) about the compromise reached with Ranking …