Ag Industry News and Events - Page 21

STATEMENT FROM PRESIDENT
MARK RECKER

We would like to thank Senator Ernst for introducing the CREAATE ACT, a bill to increase investment in two federal U.S. Department of Agriculture programs vital to U.S. agricultural exports, the Market Access Program (MAP) and the Foreign Market Development (FMD) Program. These initiatives support the promotion of corn in all forms in international markets.

To help haul in this year’s harvest, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed into effect today a proclamation granting a temporary 60-day weight limit exemption for trucks on Iowa roads. The 2017 Harvest Weight Proclamation specifically increases the weight allowable for shipment of corn, soybeans, hay, straw and stover, by 12.5 percent per axle (up to a maximum of 90,000 pounds) without the need for an oversize/overweight permit.

A trade team from the Taiwan Feed Industry Association visited Iowa this week and met with Iowa Corn leaders as part of a Goodwill Mission to build contacts between Taiwanese agricultural leaders and Iowa farmers and suppliers. As part of this mission, the delegation met with Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, Iowa Corn Promotion Board (ICPB) and U.S. Grains Council (USGC) in taking part in a signing ceremony held today.

Kent Corporation is committing $8 million, the Iowa Corn Promotion Board $4 million and Sukup Manufacturing Co. $2 million in support of a new Iowa State University educational and research facility for feed milling and grain science.

The Iowa Corn Growers Association and the Iowa Corn Promotion Board are proud to partner with Learfield on behalf of both Iowa State University and the University of Iowa Athletic Departments for the title sponsorship of the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series™. One of the first events in the in-state rivalry series is the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series volleyball game which will take place on September 8 in Iowa City followed by the football game happening on September 9 at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa with kickoff at 11 a.m. Central.

STATEMENT FROM CHAIRMAN KURT HORA

On behalf of Iowa’s corn farmers, we congratulate Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey on his appointment by U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC). Throughout his distinguished tenure as Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, he has been a tireless advocate for Iowa’s corn farmers, and we are thankful to have someone with such a deep agricultural leadership background in this vital position.

STATEMENT FROM PRESIDENT MARK RECKER

With less than 48 hours remaining, I call on all farmers to submit comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the proposed Renewable Volume Obligations (RVO) for the 2018. To submit a comment, go to www.ncga.com/rfs.

STATEMENT FROM PRESIDENT KURT HORA

In the best interests of Iowa’s corn farmers, the Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) has consistently and transparently sought to provide funds in the defense of the drainage districts who were sued in the Des Moines Water Works lawsuit. With the lawsuit’s dismissal, we must keep progressing forward. To this end, ICGA has contributed $20,000 to the County Boards of Supervisors in Calhoun, Sac and Buena Vista Counties. We hope by settling the remaining financial obligations of the impacted drainage districts, we can focus on the important task of continuing to improve water quality.

Delegates Help Prioritize Corn Policy Issues for Coming Year

Continuing the legacy became the theme echoed many times throughout the 2017 Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) Grassroots Summit which took place this weekend in Altoona. While celebrating the many achievements of the last 50 years, ICGA delegates set the direction for the policies and priorities in the coming year.