National Corn Growers Publishes Processors' Rules

September 16, 1999

The National Corn Growers Association has published a summary of what processors have made public about their marketing plans for hybrids. Five companies' guidelines are detailed.

Archer Daniels Midland: ADM now advises grain suppliers to segregate all conventional and genetically enhanced grain to take advantage of niche market and potential emergent premium pricing opportunities, says NCGA. In most cases, ADM elevators will continue to accept European Union approved genetically enhanced grain with the understanding that the producer must identify all corn deliveries as either genetically enhanced or conventional.

Cargill: Cargill will accept all genetically enhanced corn on contract which has been approved for commercial sale in the United States; the company also will work with producers to help channel their harvested corn to non-EU markets or for domestic use. Growers delivering grain to market must identify that the shipments do not contain unapproved hybrids so it can be channeled to appropriate markets, says NCGA.

ConAgra: ConAgra is accepting, until further notice, genetically enhanced corn with no additional handling fee. ConAgra Grain will separate or "identity preserve" this corn for sale in markets that have approved the use or import of corn with traits developed through biotechnology. ConAgra will provide identity preservation for unapproved export corn with the understanding that the producer will identify the delivered corn as genetically enhanced.

Consolidated Grain and Barge: Consolidated is accepting EU-approved genetically enhanced corn and will work with growers to identify appropriate markets to channel EU unapproved grain. Growers should be prepared to take advantage of attractive premium opportunities which may emerge for conventional corn, but the company warns that the premium price structuring may be volatile, says NCGA. Company officials encourage growers to harvest and store unapproved grain separately and contact their local elevator prior to sale and delivery of any unapproved genetically enhanced harvested grain. CGB requires growers to identify loads containing unapproved genetically enhanced grain.

AE Staley: Staley will not accept any EU unapproved corn hybrids at any of their plants or elevators, says NCGA. The company continues to accept all EU approved corn hybrids.