Ag Industry News and Events - Page 21

As the 2016 Iowa legislative session nears its end, the Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) President Bob Hemesath, a farmer from Decorah, says notable progress occurred on many legislative issues positively impacting agriculture.

Even before Iowa farmers received a jump start on planting last week, many within the agricultural industry started placing their bets on what this season may hold. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service predicts that U.S. corn growers will plant 93.6 million acres of corn this year, the first increase in corn planted acreage since 2012 and, if predictions are correct, this year’s crop will be the third largest corn acreage since 1944.

Iowa farmers received a jump start on corn planting last week with a streak of sunny, dry weather days. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service Weekly Crop Progress Report issued on Monday, 13 percent or 13.9 million acres of Iowa’s corn crop has been planted.  A feat significantly ahead of the five-year average of 3 percent planted by mid-April. Rain throughout the state this week hampered some progress although with sunshine in the forecast for this weekend has many farmers remaining optimistic.

Since 1978, Iowa corn growers have elected their peers to serve on the Iowa Corn Promotion Board (ICPB) to oversee the investment of funds generated by the Iowa corn checkoff. As established by Iowa Code, a portion of the board seats are up for election each year.

Members of the Iowa Corn Leadership Enhancement and Development (I-LEAD) program recently traveled to Malaysia and the Philippines on an international trade mission to gain first-hand knowledge of the significant market potential for U.S. agricultural exports to the region.

More than 100 Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) members descended upon the State Capitol on Wednesday, March 30th for the second “Iowa Corn Day on the Hill” lobbying event. This delegation included ICGA Board of Directors, county leaders and student FFA members from across the state.

Media Advisory - Tomorrow at noon the Soil Health Partnership (SHP) will provide farmers the opportunity to participate in virtual field day where they will learn about the latest conservation practices catching on in Iowa and beyond including cover crops, nutrient/soil management, and precision business planning. This is a free event you can participate in from your phone, computer or tablet.

More than 80 Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) members will descend upon the State Capitol for the second “Day on the Hill” lobbying event this year. As a long-standing, well-respected agricultural organization, the Iowa Corn Growers Association serves as a collective voice for Iowa’s corn farmers on agricultural issues at the state and federal level. Grassroots members from across the state are the backbone of our organization and the driving force behind our policy development and implementation efforts. We continue to work towards fair policy that protects the interest of our members and the Iowa corn industry.

As President Barack Obama and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack wrap up their historic visit to Cuba this week, Iowa’s farmers continue to closely follow these developments and stand poised to expand agricultural exports to the country and the rest of the region.

Today, both the Iowa House and Senate passed a one year, full coupling of Section 179 to the federal provision allowing farmers and small businesses to expense and depreciate capital expenses on their tax returns. The Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) thanks the House and Senate leaders for swiftly bringing this to a vote on the floor, and also appreciates those who voted for the passage of both bills.