Kevin Skunes will step up as the National Corn Growers Association first vice president on Oct. 1. Skunes currently serves as board liaison to the Grower Service Action Team and representative to the National Pork Producers Council, and has previously been on the Corn Board, the Association Relations Committee and the Finance Committee. “I am deeply honored that my colleagues …
NCGA Takes Farmers to Trade School
Last week’s National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) Trade School brought more than 50 farmers, ranchers and representatives of state agriculture associations to Washington in order to deepen their knowledge about trade issues and drum up support for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) on Capitol Hill. “Trade policy has a significant impact on me as a farmer. The success of my business …
#Corn and #Soy Groups Back #RFS
Leaders for the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and American Soybean Association (ASA) were among the more than 120 who testified at an EPA field hearing in Kansas City in support of statutory volume obligations for biofuels under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). NCGA president Chip Bowling of Maryland urged EPA to follow the law and finalize the 2017 conventional …
#Biofuel Supporters Rally for Higher Blends at Hearing
Over 120 biofuels advocates spoke out today at an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) field hearing on proposed 2017 targets under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and several high profile supporters spoke at a Fuels America press conference. Among the supporters was Nebraska governor Pete Ricketts. “A strong RFS means more jobs here at home, greater energy security, and a cleaner …
Get Corny with #CUTC16
Corn technology might conjure up many different ideas in your mind. Think ethanol, feed for animals, boiled corn for the table and much more. Follow along this week as I attend the Corn Utilization Technology Conference and we’re going to learn about a lot more than that. Session topics at the CUTC will cover wet and drying milling technology, traits/breeding/biotechnology, …
EPA Atrazine Assessment Criticized
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released a draft ecological risk assessment on the pesticide atrazine which is being criticized by the makers and users of the important crop protection chemical. In issuing the report, EPA opened the docket for a 60-day public comment period within one week and stated that a Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP) on atrazine will be …
Mary Hagan Joins NCGA
We welcome Mary Hagan who has been hired as the new Vice President of Communications for the National Corn Growers Association. “Mary has over 20 years of experience developing and implementing complex communication strategies with high profile agriculture and consumer products companies,” said NCGA Chief Executive Officer Chris Novak. “She excels at collaboratively leading teams in creating communications that drive …
NCGA Yield Contest Entry Now Open
#Plant16 is moving ahead and the National Corn Growers Association is getting their yearly National Corn Yield Contest underway as well. Participants in this year’s contest can register now through June 30th to save on entry fees. The early-bird fee is only $75, promising to save growers money for taking the time to register sooner rather than later. “We are …
NCGA Launches Photo Contest
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is calling on photographers to help tell the story of farming field corn in America through photos in the third annual Fields-of-Corn Photo Contest. This contest intends to help capture high-resolution photos of corn growth from seed to harvest, as well as the families that grow it. The contest is officially open, and interested …
Corn Prices Projected to Decrease
While optimists hoped the increased demand for ethanol would help drive corn prices, the USDA reports say it won’t be enough to off-set other factors. Demand estimates are lower by 24 million bushels of corn, and ending stocks are higher by 25 million bushels. Production estimates remain unchanged from March. “U.S. corn farmers have indicated their intention to grow another …