A Farmer Each Friday

Nov. 20: Every Friday, NCGA features a profile of one of our country’s corn farmers that provides a look the future of agricultural leadership. Today, we meet Minnesotan DeVonna Zeug, who is making ag leadership a family affair.

Genome Released

Nov. 19: Dedicated and persistent efforts on the part of the National Corn Growers Association come to fruition as results of the Maize Genome Sequencing Project become available to the public. A longtime advocate of increasing access to agricultural data, the NCGA worked tirelessly for 12 years to obtain the funding necessary to complete this first comprehensive gene map of North American corn.

Classic Registration

Nov. 19: Online registration for the 2010 Commodity Classic opens at 9 a.m. CST Thursday, Nov. 19. Space is limited and hotel rooms are sure to go fast. In addition to booking a room, attendees need to register for Commodity Classic in order to attend the trade show and take advantage of the many education sessions, banquets and entertainment events. The 2010 Commodity Classic will be held March 4-6 in Anaheim, Calif.

Corn Yield Contest

Nov. 18: Only two weeks remain for growers participating in the 2009 National Corn Yield Contest to complete the necessary harvest forms. The National Corn Growers Association reminds entrants that the online harvest form can help speed up their reporting of corn harvest information as the crucial Dec. 1 deadline approaches, and the deadline will not be extended because of the late harvest.

Harvest Progress

Nov. 17: Favorable harvest conditions across the Midwest over the past two weeks allowed growers to make considerable harvest progress – even at night – bringing in more than a quarter of the crop since the beginning of November. However, they are still well behind the normal pace, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reports. Click here for harvest progress details.

Ethanol Resources

U.S. corn growers are proud to work hard and be able to meet the demand for corn for food, feed, fuel and fiber. We’re also proud of the important role corn ethanol plays in reducing our nation’s dependence on foreign oil, in helping protect the environment and in boosting our nation’s economy. These resources were prepared to help you understand the truth regarding ethanol’s positive impact.

Sustainability

As the original environmentalists, corn farmers are continuing their work as stewards of the earth’s natural resources. The recent Field to Market report cites growth in sustainability by corn farmers across five areas (water use and quality, land use and biodiversity, soil loss, energy use and climate impact).

Click here for more information about land use and other sustainability issues.

Audio report.

ACRE Resource Center

The Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) Program, adopted by Congress in the 2008 Farm Bill, represents a fundamental reform in U.S. farm policy. With rising input costs, greater market volatility and other operational challenges, this program provides an additional risk management tool for producers. While federal crop insurance offers substantial protection for crop failure, ACRE is intended to address less significant losses not adequately covered otherwise.

America’s Heartland

NCGA is proud to be a promotional partner of America’s Heartland, the award-winning half-hour weekly television series, now in its fifth season, that provides a fascinating look behind the scenes of America’s farms and ranches.

Click here for more information and to watch episodes online.

Corn Yield Contest

The premier event of every corn growing season for 44 years, the National Corn Yield Contest (NCYC), offers challenges and rewards to each entrant! Last year (in 2008 contest) more than 6,000 growers accepted the challenge to test their corn production skill and knowledge by competing with proven winners to reach the ultimate goal of CHAMPION. National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) wants to challenge you to take advantage of this opportunity to explore new ideas and production techniques, while gleaning knowledge to enhance your future yield potential.