Soil Health Summit Starts Today

Chuck Zimmerman

My current home is the Alexander in Indianapolis where the Soil Health Partnership is about to kick off the 2016 Soil Health Summit. Cindy attended the first one last year. It’s my turn this year. I’ll be sharing interviews with staff, supporters and farmer who are participating in the organization’s work. Here’s what the SHP 5 year initiative says: Over …

Ag Groups, Conservation, Environment, NCGA, Soil, Soil Health Partnership

What Now for WOTUS?

Cindy Zimmerman

As expected, President Obama yesterday vetoed a disapproval resolution passed by Congress that would have nullified the controversial clean water rule by EPA, better known as Waters of the U.S. or WOTUS. “Because this resolution seeks to block the progress represented by this rule and deny businesses and communities the regulatory certainty and clarity needed to invest in projects that …

Environment, EPA, NCGA, Water

NCGA Gains Insight During Priority and Policy Conference

John Davis

Members of the National Corn Growers Association were able to gain some great insights during their recent annual Priority and Policy Conference held in St. Louis. This news release from NCGA says the meeting brought together a wide array of stakeholders for discussions on the direction and the future of the organization. “This meeting consistently provides a chance for NCGA …

Ag Groups, NCGA

NCGA: Boosting Corn Utilization Key Success Strategy

John Davis

National Corn Growers Association leaders say the corn industry needs a better plan than hoping bad weather fixes weak prices, as some market analysts have suggested. This news release from the group says it has recommitted to boosting corn utilization as a key strategy in achieving a healthy and viable corn industry long term. “To successfully address farmer’s income you …

Ag Groups, Corn, NCGA

New Record Set In NCGA Yield Contest

Taylor Truckey

A record corn yield of 532 bu/acre has set a new all-time high in 51 years of the NCGA National Corn Yield contest. Improved seed varieties, advanced production techniques and innovative growing practices helped corn growers achieve ever-higher yields with an additional five national entries surpassing the 400-plus bushel per acre mark. “The contest does more than just provide farmers …

Corn, NCGA

NCGA Action Team Talks Trade and Tech

Kelly Marshall

National Corn Grower’s Association‘s Trade Policy and Biotechnology Action Team met in St. Louis this month.  During their meeting the team reviewed policy for NCGA, discussed the progress of current programs and heard about upcoming challenges from others in the industry. Using their combined knowledge of agriculture the team made new recomendations for the Coarn Board to use when shaping …

Ag Groups, NCGA

AFBF and NCGA Comment on Year End Legislation

John Davis

Farm groups are reacting to the omnibus spending bill that avoided a government shutdown. Just as it’s being touted as giving some to both Republicans and Democrats, the compromise deal has its ups and downs for agriculture, and Farm Bureau and the National Corn Growers Association have both weighed in on those ag ups and downs. Farm Bureau officials are …

AFBF, Ag Groups, NCGA, politics, Water

UAS Registration Required By FAA Starting Dec 21

Taylor Truckey

Today the FAA announced new regulations requiring drone (UAS) registration for recreational and hobby users of UAS. The registration process is for owners of small unmanned aircraft weighing more than 0.55 pounds and less than 55 pounds, including payloads such as on-board cameras or sensors. Those 13 and older who have purchased a drone prior to December 21, 2015, must …

Ag Groups, Agronomy, NCGA

Corn Growers Talk Sustainability at Climate Change Talks

John Davis

American corn farmers were talking about just how sustainable U.S. agriculture is during the recent COP21 United Nations climate talks in Paris this week. The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) says the group shared U.S. corn farmers’ perspectives on a wide array of sustainability and environmental issues. The event, hosted by Field to Market, Business for Social Responsibility and Pepsico, …

Corn, NCGA, Sustainability

#Ag Industry Reacts to @EPA #RFS Final Rules

Joanna Schroeder

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the much anticipated final volumetric rules today under the Renewable Fuels Standard for 2014, 2015 and 2016. While the RVOs (renewable volume obligations) were an improvement over the proposed rules released in May of this year, the #Ag industry is calling on the EPA to further strengthen the legislation and further increase all four …

AFBF, Agribusiness, ASA, Biodiesel, Biofuels, Ethanol, NCGA, USDA