The National Corn Growers Association is the latest group to join a lawsuit to overturn the “Waters of the U.S.” (WOTUS) rule. Chip Bowling, president of NCGA and a farmer from Newburg, Maryland, says the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are overstepping their limits with the rule. “Farmers need clarity and certainty about their … Read More
Lower Corn Acres This Year
Wet weather in the corn belt and plenty of carry over has pushed down the number of acres of corn planted this year. But the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) says there’s plenty of the crop for all uses from the grain. Citing the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Acreage report, NCGA says total corn planting in the United States … Read More
Corn Farmers Learn About Drones
National Corn Growers Association president Chip Bowling got a first-hand drone demo in his home state of Maryland last week. The demonstration was one of several educational tours for NCGA board members highlighting advances in technology and sustainability, as well as diversified farming operations. Bowling, left, got a lesson in flying an unmanned aerial system from Matthew Creger of Maryland-based … Read More
NCGA Talks Sustainability at the White House
NCGA and more than a dozen other organizations met at the White House to discuss the role of the federal government in advancing sustainability in agriculture. Dr. Nick Goeser, a member of the Roundtable panel, highlighted NCGA’s participation in Field to Market, as well as the Soil Health Partnership programs. “Everyone across the ag supply chain has a role to … Read More
2,4-D and Dicamba Reports to Be Released
The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) will soon be releasing another report. An earlier report, released in March, categorized the herbicide glyhosate as “probably carcinogenic to humans,” a category shared by aloe vera and coffee. The upcoming report will be the results of their review of 2,4-D and dicamba. Farm organizations are concerned. National Corn … Read More
Canada Shows COOL Reform Needed Now
Chip Bowling, Maryland farmer and president of National Corn Growers Association has released a statement in response to the announcement that Canada plans to seek retaliation against the US for COOL violations. “Ag trade is a vital part of the U.S. economy. Retaliation by Canada will have a significant impact on American farmers and ranchers, threatening rural economies as well … Read More
Corn Planting Almost Done, Long Summer Ahead
Corn planting is almost done, well ahead of schedule, but there’s a long summer ahead for farmers. This news release from the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) says planting progress advanced 10 more points since the previous week to a total of 85 percent planted, but NCGA offered cautious optimism with the report. “Despite some areas where persistent rains have … Read More
Corn Growers Support WOTUS Re-do
The National Corn Growers Association is urging Congress to support a bill to require the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers to withdraw the proposed Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule. They are further requesting that the groups collaborate closely with states and other stakeholders in the process of developing a new rule. In a letter to Congress, NCGA President Chip Bowling noted … Read More
Corn Planting and Emergence Move Ahead
As of Sunday, 75 percent of the nation’s corn acres were planted, according to the latest USDA crop progress report, which is up 20 percent from the previous week, and 18% ahead of the five year average. Emergence is now also head of average at nearly 30% as of May 10. “This planting season, farmers showed what is possible with … Read More
Precision Means Speed and Sustainability
Corn farmers made planting progress last week that was unimaginable even just a decade ago. Martin Barbre, Chairman of the National Corn Growers Association, says he is close to 75% planted on his farm in Carmi, Illinois. “We’ve got guys all the way from 50 percent to 100 percent done,” he said. “Things are really rolling good.” Barbre adds that … Read More