February 28, 2003

National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President Fred Yoder convened NCGA state delegates this week for an issues briefing and open forum on policy prior to the first session of Corn Congress which began Thursday. During the session Yoder and NCGA action team and committee chairs reviewed NCGA issues, as well as the organization's policy and resolution process.

NCGA action teams and committees include research and business development, production and stewardship, public policy, ethanol and biotechnology.

"We really want the very best policy for NCGA," Yoder told the delegates, who will be voting on NCGA policy this week. Ethanol and the renewable fuels standard (RFS) were high on the list of issues discussed.

According to NCGA Ethanol Committee Chair Duane Adams, the committee is proposing a resolution this week that would call for enactment of the RFS this year and increasing the ethanol requirement to 3 billion gallons by the end of 2005 and 5 billion gallons by 2010.

Gary Davis, Research and Business Development Action Team chair, said the team is focused on 11 projects that are "targeted, interrelated and built on the action team's mission to build a renewable industry with corn as a chief feedstock.

Highlights of the teams accomplishments include introduction at Commodity Classic of the Corn-Based Products Guide, an online database of nearly 600 products made from corn, the kick off of the Technology and Commercial Development Center, an online resource for growers. Both can be accessed by visiting www.ncga.com.

NCGA Public Policy Action Team (PPAT) discussions included crop insurance and disaster assistance, which, according to PPAT Chair Ron Litterer, will be the main focus of the committee this year.

"We have made substantial improvements in recent years, but we still have some issues to work on," said Litterer.

Trade Task Force Committee Chair Doug Boisen talked with delegates about the future of agriculture in relation to trade. "No other industry deals more in trade than U.S. agriculture," said Boisen. "Corn producers heavily rely on good trade agreements."

When discussions switched to the importance of biotechnology for growers, Biotechnology Working Group Chair Leon Corzine said it is an issue that "will affect the industry for years to come." Corzine encouraged delegates to pay special attention to biotech resolutions because "the rest of the world is taking a look at our policy. What we do this week will help determine the focus of biotech and its implications for producers."

Growers Services Action Team Chair Mark Garber said the team focuses its efforts on communications, leadership and membership. NCGA's recent agreement with AgriStar for internet services for NCGA members.

Gene Baumgardner, chair for Production and Stewardship Action Team, said the team has implemented a mycotoxin task force, which will hold its first meeting at Commodity Classic.