According to new USDA forecasts, increases in corn acres, both planted and harvested in the U.S., led to higher production and lower prices. Despite a 30-million-bushel overall increase in demand, corn price forecasts for the 2016/2017 crop year fell ten cents to $3.40 per bushel. The 2016/17 season-average corn price received by farmers fell and is now projected to be … Read More
NCGA Applauds New FAA Rule On Drones
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has officially announced its final rule, effective this August, governing commercial uses of small unmanned aerial systems (UAS), or drones. “We’re pleased that the FAA recognizes the important commercial applications for UAS technology, and has created rules that will put the technology in farmers’ hands,” said Maryland farmer Chip Bowling, President of National Corn Growers … Read More
NAGC Officially Opens Its Doors
The National Agricultural Genotyping Center (NAGC) will open its doors this week, and government and industry representatives will be on hand for the facility’s grand opening. North Dakota Ag Commissioner Goehring, Fargo Mayor Mahoney, and several representatives of both legislative staff and agricultural association leadership were present to discuss the center’s possibilities during a tour of the state-of-the-art laboratories. “This … Read More
It’s Pollinator Week!
This week has been designed as Pollinator Week by the Honey Bee Health Coalition. The organization hopes to use this time to highlight the importance of the honeybee to agricultural crops and the increased stresses that have been placed on the bees in the last ten years or so. Many organizations have joined the Honey Bee Health Coalition to help … Read More
NCGA Elects Next Farmer/Leader
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 … Read More
NCGA Trade School Highlights Importance of Policy
The National Corn Growers Association hosted Trade School in Washington D.C. last week. More than 50 farmers, ranchers and ag professionals took the opportunity to learn more about trade issues and rally support for TPP. “Trade policy has a significant impact on me as a farmer. The success of my business and the livelihood of my community depend on expanding … Read More
Summer Events and Contests for Corn Growers
A series of field days are being offered throughout Illinois this summer, allowing interested Illinois farmers an opportunity to learn more about progressive agricultural practices and ways to improve the health of their soil. The series, sponsored by Soil Health Partnership, will showcase how changing nutrient management and tillage strategies, along with cover crop adoption, can create lasting economic and … Read More
Comment Period Opens on RFS
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released a proposal to cut corn ethanol in the Renewable Fuel Standard by nearly 200 million gallons. The comment period for this proposal is opened to the public, now through July 11. The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) urges farmers and consumers to submit a comment as soon as possible. The NCGA has created a webpage … Read More
NCGA Disappointed in Failure to Support Waterways
Last week the House of Representatives failed to pass the FY17 Energy and Water Appropriations bills and the National Corn Growers Association is not pleased. They, along with 19 other agriculture groups, sent a letter to the House Appropriates Committee earlier this spring to express the need to support revitalization of the deteriorating inland waterways infrastructure. “Our association remains resolute … Read More
NCGA Joins Fight for the Nation’s Inland Waterways
The National Corn Growers Association participated in Infrastructure Week, joining many other groups to point out the importance of the nation’s inland waterways. More than 60 percent of U.S. grain exports are moved by barge, making waterways of vital importance to agriculture. Farmers depend on the system to deliver crops to the global marketplace, and businesses rely on the rivers … Read More