Nebraska corn farmers investing nearly $3 billion to plant 9.9 million acres

Nebraska’s corn farmers intend to plant 9.9 million acres of corn this year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said yesterday.

It takes about $280 per acre to get the corn crop planted and off to a good start, meaning Nebraska corn farmers plan to invest nearly $2.8 billion this spring.

“Farmers make this multi-billion dollar investment every spring in the hope of producing more corn per acre, as they strive to improve every year,” said Kelly Brunkhorst, the Nebraska Corn Board’s director of research.

Good prices are the market signal for more corn acres, yet planting numbers can change depending on springtime weather. Last year’s March estimate, for example, was higher than previous years’ planted acres which came in at 10 million acres, the most since 1933.

Nationally, USDA said farmers intend to plant 97.3 million acres this year, up slightly from last year’s 97.1 million acres. If realized, it will be the most planted acres in the United States since 1936 when an estimated 102 million acres were planted.

“On the top of farmer’s minds is getting this year’s crop into the ground, but the below normal temperatures and lingering drought will probably delay this year’s start to the planting season,” Brunkhorst said.  “This is completely opposite of the situation farmers faced last year.” 

Historically in Nebraska, farmers begin planting in mid-April and wrap up as quickly as possible in May.

On average, farmers spend about $280 per acre to get the crop in the ground and off to a good start, based on estimates calculated by the University of Nebraska Extension. Multiplied by the 9.9 million acres USDA estimates Nebraska farmers will plant this year; provides the nearly $2.8 billion investment by the state’s corn farmers. That figure does not include land costs, labor or equipment – it’s purely inputs like seed and fertilizer.

“Those are the things farmers buy every year from their cooperative or other companies,” Brunkhorst said. “If you figure a 2.5 multiplier, the full economic impact of planting reaches some $7.0 billion. Yet the economic value of that crop is even greater, when harvested and that corn is converted to meat, milk and eggs, ethanol, distillers grains, bioplastics and more. Corn is the foundation for all of that, so getting the crop in the ground and off to a good start this spring is critical. Then it’s up to the weather through the growing season to harvest.”

USDA today also reported corn stocks, or the amount of corn in storage in Nebraska and across the country. Nationally, stocks as of March 1 were 5.4 billion bushels, down 10 percent from last year.

In Nebraska, there were 589.7 million bushels in storage as of March 1, 14 percent less than a year ago. Of that, 285 million bushels were stored on farms, and 304.7 million were stored off-farm.

Agribusiness Virtual Roundtable–David Bracht

*The Business Leaders "Virtual Roundtable" discussion was gathered for the Spring 2013 CornsTalk publication. The responses of these business associates were consolidated for the publication, but you can find the full responses through this blog series.

David Bracht, Partner, Stinson Morrison Hecker, LLP

Also: Chairman of the Agriculture Council of Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce

How does Nebraska's strength in agriculture—and corn, livestock and ethanol specifically—influence your business/organization? How does the fact that you are located in Nebraska provide a competitive advantage or growth opportunities for you?

As a lawyer focusing on agriculture (and an ag-lender before that) Nebraska is a near ideal place for me to develop my career. Nebraska has a very diversified agriculture industry, including livestock, grain and, more recently, renewable energy. This means that as markets change and, as we experienced in 2012, weather events occur, the broader agriculture industry in the state is more balanced and stable.

What should Nebraska do to leverage its strength in agriculture to enhance economic vitality across the state—and position the state for long-term success in meeting global demand for food, feed and fuel?

The strength of Nebraska’s agriculture industry helps the economic vitality of the state in many ways, including:

The fact that Nebraska has such a diverse agriculture base, and several sectors that lead the nation, allows for synergies between those sectors. For example, Nebraska’s number two position is ethanol is in part the result of Nebraska’s strong cattle industry and irrigated corn production, which gives the state a competitive advantage over the industry in other states. Nebraska’s cattle feeders highly value the wet distillers grains produced by the ethanol industry, which is both a better feed product and cheaper to produce than dried distillers grains. On the grain side, Nebraska’s irrigated corn producers can assure the ethanol plants a consistent supply of high quality corn, even during years of drought like 2012. We should continue to look for new ways to take advantage of other potential synergies between our agriculture sectors.

Nebraska’s diverse agriculture base also supports a broad range of industries throughout the state, and by doing so contributes to the economic vitality of the state. This is especially true as more of our agriculture commodities are processed in Nebraska. While ethanol and biodiesel are recent examples of new industries supporting our rural communities, Nebraska’s meat processing industry has supported employment and businesses in several communities for decades and is a direct result of the state’s successful cattle and hog industry (which is in turn supported by Nebraska’s grain and ethanol industry.) We should continue to look for other opportunities to take advantage of our natural resources or geographic locations, for instance by expanding our dairy industry (both production and processing.)

What do you think Nebraska consumers—especially those in urban areas—need to better understand about Nebraska agriculture and your organization's relationship to agriculture?

The number of Nebraskans who have had personal, firsthand farming experience continues to decline (both in what we traditionally think of urban areas like Omaha and Lincoln, and in smaller communities elsewhere in the state.) Without that experience, it is more important than ever for agriculture organizations to develop outreach opportunities to help consumers learn more about all that Nebraska farmers do to produce safe and healthy products. My firm can help that process through communicating with our staff and, more broadly, introducing our agriculture clients to our other clients.

While many Omaha business people and residents may not realize it, Nebraska’s agriculture industry is the basis for a significant portion of the economic activity in the greater Omaha area. Omaha has several national and international companies directly involved in food and agriculture, along with many more that support those businesses and the other agriculture-based companies and producers in the state. My personal and firm practice focus on agriculture offers an opportunity to increase the awareness of the relation between Omaha’s economy and agriculture.

How important is it that Nebraska corn farmers continue to invest in the future of their industry through their checkoff?

Developing new uses for the agriculture products grown or raised in Nebraska is a driving force behind the state’s strong rural economies. Ethanol is the most recent example of how a new industry can develop from new uses of farm products to support growth in our rural communities. Technological advances in the future can provide ways for farm products to be natural alternatives for many of the things consumers need, further supporting new agri-businesses but support and research dollars are needed for those products to be identified and developed.

What concerns you most about the future of agriculture in Nebraska? And what will it take to address those concerns?

While not a “concern,” the declining number of young people with direct agriculture experience poses both a challenge and an opportunity for agriculture. My farm experience and my education at the University of Nebraska Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources have proven very valuable to me in my career. I’ve been able to use my perspective and knowledge to help the non-agriculture professionals I am dealing with understand and appreciate the position of my agriculture-related clients. Agriculture organizations and educational institutions that can foster a similar understanding in people with different backgrounds will both provide opportunities for the individual, and serve the greater good of the agriculture community.

Any other comments or perspectives regarding Nebraska agriculture that you wish to share.

I want to compliment the Nebraska Corn Board for its work to support Nebraska agriculture. I have benefited both personally and professionally from products and markets developed because of the foresight of the Corn Board and staff.

The unpopular facts about GMOs

What is the big fuss about GMO crops, anyway?

Are GMOs good or bad? That question just doesn’t make sense.

Direct genetic modification is a technology, not a product. 

Think of the difference between a typewriter and a computer. They’re two different technologies that can be used to write a book. But it makes not sense to ask, “Are books written on computers good or bad?”

Using genetic modification let’s us “copy and paste” a specific gene that makes it better.

How does this work in corn? To make Bt corn, researchers flipped one gene from a naturally occurring soil bacteria and pasted it in traditional corn to make caterpillars stop eating it. Simple. We get a corn that is unchanged and we get a better corn.

Check out more with this inFact video with Brian Dunning:

Free Farm Safety Clinics Focus on Grain Handling

The grain that Nebraska farmers grow can turn deadly in an instant. Grain entrapments kill or injure dozens of people each year, so it's important for farmers and others who handle grain to learn how to safely manage themselves and their operations.

A series of free farm safety clinics focused on grain handling safety are being held this week, hosted by the Nebraska Corn Growers Association, Nebraska Corn Board and GSI. Each clinic will include training in confined space safety, flowing grain safety, rope and harness techniques and hands-only CPR.

The schedule of free farm safety clinics is as follows:

Tuesday, March 26: Kearney Held at and sponsored by M&N Millwright at 8050 East Highway 30.

Wednesday, March 27: Crete Held at the Saline County Fairgrounds Exhibition Hall and sponsored by Northern Agri Services.

Thursday, March 28: Norfolk Held at the Ag Complex at Northeast Community College and sponsored by Peterson Ag Systems, Inc.

The training runs from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. each day. A complementary lunch is included. Training is being provided by the Safety and Technical Rescue Association (SATRA) and the American Red Cross. For more information, visit necga.org.

"These are potentially life-saving procedures that every farmer—and every person who handles grain in a farm operation—should know," said Joel Grams of Minden, president of the Nebraska Corn Growers Association. "With just one misstep or just a moment of distraction, you could find yourself or someone you know in a grain entrapment emergency. This free safety training will help farmers and others learn how to avoid a life-threatening situation—and how to respond if one occurs."

According to the Agricultural Safety & Health program at Purdue University, the five-year average of reported grain entrapment incidents—both non-fatal and fatal—is just over 36 per year. While the total number in 2011 was lower than in previous years, the five-year average has remained at 36.6 incidents annually. Purdue researchers believe the actual number could be as much as 30 percent higher if all incidents were reported.

The average age of a person involved in a grain entrapment is 41 years old—and there is a trend toward more owners, operators and managers being involved in entrapments.

Other blogs on grain bin safety:

Farmers urged to take precautions when unloading grain bins

Farmers encouraged to focus on safety around grain bins

Podcast: Farmers urged to be safe while cleaning out grain bins

Nebraska Agriculture & You magazine

You will see a new magazine circulating around the state starting during National Ag Week in venues such as doctors and dentist offices that focuses on Nebraska agriculture.

Nebraska Agriculture & You features a story about Nebraska Corn Board director, Mark Jagels and his use of technology on his family farm with the story, Farming in the Digital Age.

Check out www.NEagriculture.com for more on the magazine.

What FFA means to me.

*Guest post by Nebraska State FFA Association President, Alix Mashino

Every day of the year I am so blessed to be a part of the FFA Organization. During National Ag Week especially, I am reminded of how necessary it is when it comes to the future of the agricultural industry. For those of you unaware about the specifics of the National FFA Organization, here’s a quick summary…

Well, first off, it is not just the "Future Farmers of America", as it once was thought of. While the National FFA Organization is still is based on "achievements won by the present and past generations of agriculturists" (straight from the FFA Creed) with that comes so many more opportunities made available to anyone from every walk of life. The National FFA Organization is dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. Through the National FFA Organization I have learned, and am still learning, so many life skills that will carry me far beyond the dirt roads of where I grew up.

Just as the American flag is a representation of what it means to be an American, the FFA emblem plays a similar role in the hearts of FFA'ers across the nation (including Puerto Rico!) Here's a look at what elements come together to represent the history, goals, and future of this organization.

The cross section of the ear of corn: "Unity"

• Whether you live in Maine, Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, or one of the states in between, corn is grown somewhere in your state. Corn signifies unity and, from the first Thanksgiving feast on, it has historically served as the foundation crop of American agriculture.

The rising sun: "Progress"

• The rising sun signifies progress and holds the promise that tomorrow will bring a new day, shining with opportunity. I have a feeling the creators of this emblem would be in total shock if they saw how the industry of agriculture has developed in this technological age and how it's evolved to meet the next generation of consumer demands.

The plow: "Labor and Tilling of the Soil"

• The FFA Organization is founded on agriculture, the backbone of our country. Without the labor and tillage of the soil done by our forefathers, our country would not be where it is today.

The eagle: "Freedom"

• The eagle reminds each and every FFA member that they have the freedom to explore new horizons for the future of agriculture.

The owl: "Knowledge"

• As the time-honored symbol of wisdom and knowledge, the owl symbolizes the knowledge required to be successful in the agricultural industry.

"Agricultural Education" and "FFA"

• The words "Agricultural Education" and the letters "FFA" are emblazoned in the center of the emblem to signify the combination of learning and leadership necessary for progressive agriculture.

Podcast: Farmers Feed US

In this podcast, we are celebrating Ag Week and food by supporting Farmers Feed US – where you can win free groceries for on whole year! Kelsey Pope, directory of advocacy & outreach for the Nebraska Corn Board gives details on how to register to win at FarmersFeedUS.org/ne.

Food has become a very hot topic over that past few years—how it's grown. Where it comes from. Who's growing it. As a result, there has been a lot of misinformation and misunderstanding about farms and ranches in America and Nebraska.

To help tell this story, the Nebraska Corn Board has joined with the Center for Food Integrity—plus Nebraska based groups including A-FAN, Nebraska Soybean Board, Nebraska Pork Producers, Midwest Dairy Association and B&R Grocery. It's part of a national initiative called Farmers Feed US—and Nebraska is taking part by offering you the opportunity to win a year's worth of free groceries.

Click here for the podcast.

Nebraska Corn Kernel podcasts are also available on iTunes! Click here to subscribe.

Why is agriculture special to me?

A few of the directors on the Nebraska Corn Board took time for National Ag Day to share why agriculture is important and special to them. Also for Ag Day, read a news release on how Nebraska Corn Checkoff Investments Create Economic Opportunity for the Entire State.

“You have your business your work your kids your parents all together working and playing together to produce food to feed for the world.” – Dave Nielsen, Lincoln, NE
The next generation: Dave’s daughter, Taylor with her show steer

“Ag is important because we, as producers, provide a safe and high quality product, that we take great care and pride in raising.  Long hours harvesting, feeding cattle in all kinds of weather, and seeing the benefits of our labor, gives Ag producers great satisfaction, in feeding the world with a safe, wholesome product.” – Mark Jagels, Davenport, NE

Feeding cattle in the Nebraska winters.

“Agriculture is special to me because what I do is take a seed and grow nurture that seed into products that are used to make food and fuel that is consumed worldwide. I have been fortunate to have been born to parents whose only desire was to give us the opportunity to use the land, as they have, to earn their livelihood and maintain it for the next generation.” – Curt Friesen, Henderson, NE

Curt tweeted (@CaptainCorn) a picture doing winter maintenance on an irrigation power unit. It is 37 years old 292 Chevy and still going strong!

"Agriculture has been a tremendous success story over the years. When I started farming in the 1960's, one farmer fed 50 people. Today, one farmer feeds 155 people!" - Bob Dickey, Laurel, NE

Celebrating the role of agriculture

*Special post by Senator Mike Johanns

Each morning, while the rest of the world is still fast asleep, ag producers across Nebraska are up, checking on their herds or preparing their equipment for a long day in the fields.  Careers in farming or ranching offer few days off.  Cattle still need to be fed on Christmas morning. Crops, ripe for harvest, don’t care about your vacation plans. A break from the fields on a rainy day is an opportunity to get caught up on equipment maintenance. And animals don’t need veterinarians only between 9 and 5.

For 365 days a year, farmers toil with the earth and tend to their livestock to provide food and fiber for the rest of the world, but how often do we consider how the produce gets to the supermarket? One day in particular is devoted to raising this awareness.

March 19 marks the 40th National Ag Day, a time to celebrate the hard work by America’s ag producers to provide safe, abundant and affordable food supplies, and an opportunity to reflect on how the products we depend on every day reach store shelves.

In Nebraska, where nearly 47,000 farms and ranches form a patchwork across the state, we are well versed in the chain of events that must occur before food can reach the table, but in many places across the country, where farmland gives way to pavement, this important work can easily be taken for granted. National Ag Day offers a chance for all Americans to learn about the important role agriculture plays in our country, not just in feeding and fueling the world, but also by providing jobs at home and strengthening relationships abroad.

Agriculture dominates Nebraska’s economy.  The state leads the nation in red meat production at more than 7 billion pounds a year. It also produces more popcorn and Great Northern beans than any other state, and ranks fourth in total land mass used for ag production. That’s a lot of livestock and cropland to maintain. But all that hard work can pay off. Nebraska’s agriculture receipts total more than $21 billion a year—a huge part of the state’s economy. And our state’s $6.9 billion in ag exports generates $9.3 billion in economic activity at home.  A third of all jobs in Nebraska are tied to agriculture, and the state enjoys one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country: 3.8 percent, compared with 7.7 percent nationally.

The benefits of American agriculture go far beyond our borders. We produce more food than we consume and we continue to foster trade opportunities that help feed the world while strengthening our economy. At home, places like the University of Nebraska are researching new ag techniques to help farmers grow more food on less land using fewer resources to continue feeding a growing global population.

Many ag organizations will be descending upon Washington to help tell the story of the important role agriculture plays in our country’s prosperity. It couldn’t come at a better time, as lawmakers continue to craft a new fiscally-responsible, reform-minded farm bill that focuses on needed risk management tools, and better reflects the state of the ag industry. Ag producers work hard year round to provide necessities to our nation. We all benefit from the fruits of their labor.  It’s time Washington returns the favor by passing a responsible five-year farm bill.

An Interns experience at Commodity Classic 2013

My experience at the illustrious 2013 Commodity Classic will be one that I will never forget and hopefully can experience again. It didn't necessarily start off real great, having to be at the airport at 4 am is not really my idea of a good time but you know what they say.. no pain no gain! Ohh and did I mention that I that I tried to carry a box cutter through airport security? Yeah it was an accident but still not my best move. But when I finally got to Florida it was definitely worth it, 75 degrees and sunny! Everything there was so green compared to dry, brown Nebraska.

My first meeting I attended was on Wednesday afternoon, the Nebraska Corn Growers Association and the Nebraska Corn Board members met to have their state caucus to discuss the policies that they would be introducing during Corn Congress. Now, did I understand everything they were talking about, absolutely not, but it still was cool to sit and try to understand what their role would be in Corn Congress. That night we helped with and attended the Corn PAC (political action team). That was pretty amazing to see over 400+ people there to support NCGA’s political campaign. Turns out that night they made $135,000 on selling 80 items, not bad!

Hotel that we stayed at and where Commodity Classic
was held, definitely fancy! 

Thursday morning was one of the mornings I was looking forward to, Corn Congress. Although Thursday’s session wasn't quite what I expected, a lot of discussions which I didn't understand but non-the-less great to witness. Thursday afternoon I visited the trade show, spent a good 2.5+ hours down there just walking around looking at stuff, collecting free giveaways, and people watching. The trade show was probably one the most impressive one I've ever been too, I’m sure I would be even more impressed if I would've known what half of stuff there even did!

Friday morning I attended one of my favorite sessions, the general morning session. That morning we heard from each of the presidents of the four national commodity organizations, we also heard from Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack (he was speaking on the Friday that the sequester was going into effect) even though he was not in a very cheery mood. Lastly we heard from a man named Chad Hymas who talked about a farmer’s real crop being his family, that family should be the thing that every farmer should be worried about growing. The rest of that afternoon I spent going to a few different learning center sessions. These are hour-long session that have a few different speakers but will discuss one main topic, anything from farm communication to the new technologies available for your crop. Later that night was the NCGA awards banquet where they announced the winners of the corn yield contests. It was amazing to hear a lot of these contestants getting 350+ bu/acre yields, I have faith that our commercial producers will be closing in on this number in the foreseeable future.

There were even alligators INSIDE the hotel,
that's wild!

The last thing worth mentioning is the last session of Corn Congress on Saturday. This session was definitely interesting. In this session they finished up with their amendments to their policy book and gave updates from each committee. It really is amazing to see how much NCGA is getting accomplished with the resources they have and with the help they receive from each state’s board.

I’m going share with you a few of my closing thoughts on the whole trip.

1. I visited with Pam Johnson, president of the NCGA board, one night to ask her about her password and what it meant. She told me that style and grace was her password. That if a woman wants to be successful in this industry, or any, that this is something important for gaining respect and breaking the glass ceiling for women. I thought Pam was such a sweetheart but then hearing her talk at the general session I realized they took her seriously. She knew what she was talking about and was more than willing to stand up for the industry. She was inspiring to say the least.

2. A common theme from numerous speakers throughout the event is that we need to increase our grassroots efforts. That we need people to be making calls into their Senators to get a Farm Bill worked on and to get this sequester fixed.

3. I got to spend a lot of time getting to know our board members, Nebraska Corn Growers board members, and both staffs and was amazed at the passion that was shown for the future of not only the corn industry, but Agriculture in general. They are doing their best to ensure that our future generations of producers have a chance to be successful and do what they love. So as a future producer, hopefully, I just wanted to say thank you too both boards and staff for all the work that they have done and are doing. I enjoyed getting to know you all a little better, hopefully you’re not too sick of the intern!

A City With a Mind of its Own

Guest post by Lance Atwater from A Growing Passion blog

When I think of our nation's capital, the first thing that pops into my mind is Capitol Hill. I then think of the White House followed by the national monument. For the first time ever, I was able to actually see these things up close instead of just seeing them in pictures or hearing people talk about them. However, there is way more to D.C. than just interesting architecture. Unfortunately, there is also the politics.

A couple of weeks ago I was invited to participate on the Nebraska Corn Growers Association's leadership trip to Washington D.C. where we met with Nebraska's senators and representatives. We also met with different agriculture organizations, such as the Animal Agriculture Alliance and learned about what they do and also some of the issues they deal with on a daily basis. We also met with the National Corn Growers Association and learned about some of the policy issues they are dealing with and what they are doing to represent America's corn farmers on the "hill". Our group also met with the Renewable Fuels Association as well as the U.S. Grains Council, and even went to the Japanese Embassy and met with the First Secretary of Agriculture. I found all of these visits very interesting, and it amazed me at how many issues there are. Yet, I was also impressed at what these organizations are doing for agriculture, such as solving issues and opening up new markets here in the U.S. as well as overseas. After visiting with all the organizations, I felt like agriculture was being represented well, especially America's corn farmers thanks to the National Corn Growers Association.

Yet, even though we have some great people representing a great industry, it doesn't stop the politics of D.C. Unfortunately, some in D.C. (cough cough... Politicians) think they know what is best for America, and sometimes even think they know what is best for certain industries. A couple of the big topics for us was the farm bill and the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS).

Unfortunately, congress has still failed to pass a farm bill that not only affects farmers and ranchers, but affects ALL of America. The farm bill provides the assurance that food, fuel, fiber, and feed will be produced as well as providing jobs for all sorts of Americans. However, our elected politicians don't seem to understand this and are instead worried about picking fights with the party across the isle. The second issue that is near and dear to agriculture is the Renewable Fuels Standard. Sometimes I don't think people realize how America has benefited from the Renewable Fuels Standard. It has created jobs in rural communities as well as paving the way for clean energy. It has also allowed ranchers and cattle feeders to purchase a different feed source that is the by-product of ethanol production. Unfortunately, some in D.C. don't understand this and want to repeal the RFS. If the RFS is repealed, it could have a major impact on rural America, and not in a good way. Fewer jobs will be created and more people will move away. So it is important that folks in D.C. realize how valuable the RFS is to America, especially rural America! A person told me a great saying that relates well to the RFS "Don't fix something that doesn't need fixed", which I don't think some in D.C. realize.

The Nebraska Corn Growers Association (NeCGA) leadership trip was a great experience and showed me how important it is for people involved in agriculture to get involved with grassroots organizations, such as the NeCGA. It also made me realize that D.C. definitely has a mind of its own at times and can lose touch of what is important, such as getting a farm bill passed and leaving the RFS alone. Yet, while D.C. can have a mind of its own, it is still a neat city and one that is definitely full of history!

A special thanks to the Nebraska Corn Growers Association for inviting me to participate and also to the Nebraska Corn Board and Farm Credit Services for sponsoring the trip!

Read more of Lance’s post here.

World of Corn gives up-to-date facts, figures

While U.S. corn farmers faced the worst drought in decades in 2012, they managed to produce the eighth largest crop on record (10.78 billion bushels).

The National Corn Growers Association recently released its newest edition of the World of Corn. This statistical look at the corn industry, both domestic and worldwide, features a wide array of information on corn production and usage along with insight into the many ways in which corn touches our lives every day.

“Corn is part of who we are as Americans,” NCGA President Pam Johnson and Chief Executive Officer Rick Tolman note in the introduction. “From the first tall, leafy stalk domesticated by early Americans to the cutting-edge varieties that help our nation’s most widely grown crop thrive today, corn feeds innovation and fuels our economy.”

World of Corn is a respected collection of the most important statistics about corn production, exports and consumption, providing key information in a readable format, comparing numbers and trends across the years.

This year, NCGA proudly offers an interactive online presentation of the World of Corn that allows users to easily locate information or to explore the limitless possibilities the crop offers at their leisure. The new format offers improved navigability with an elegant user interface.

To explore the World of Corn online, click here.

This year’s publication, which was generously co-sponsored by Monsanto, was distributed in select Farm Futures publications and at the 2013 Commodity Classic in Kissimmee, Fla. A special edition of the World of Corn featuring statistics in metric measurements will soon follow.

Wordless Wednesday | meet a corn farmer

In the Nebraska Farmers Feed US program, you can tour Kyle Cantrell’s corn and beef operation near Merna, Nebraska. Then register to win FREE groceries for a year!

Podcast: Video helps farmers invite lawmakers to farms

 In this podcast, Brandon Hunnicutt, a farmer from Giltner and member of the Nebraska Corn Growers Associations, outlines a video of a Nebraska-focused project that was nominated for a national award recognizing campaign management and political consulting. 

The focus of the video was to help farmers learn how to invite lawmakers and other influential people to the farm and conduct a farm tour that can really make an impact on them. The video, supported by the National Corn Growers Association, features Nebraska Senator, Mike Johnanns and several members of the Nebraska Corn Growers Association. Watch the video below or by going to the NeCGA YouTube page.


As grassroots advocates, it is important for Nebraska Corn Growers Association members to open up their farms and invite decision makers to a tour. This allows our lawmakers and regulators to see firsthand how your operation works, and how rules and regulations they pass will impact your family farm.

Find out more at Grassroots in Action. 

Click the icon above for the podcast.