Make sure the corn you grow has a place to go

The Nebraska Corn Board wants farmers to make sure that the corn they grow has a place to go.  In an effort to ensure the U.S. corn industry maintains important international trade markets, the Nebraska Corn Board is urging growers to follow stewardship protocols for U.S.-grown biotech hybrids yet to be approved in major export markets away from export channels.

Cutting-edge corn hybrids, such as Agrisure Duracade, a corn rootworm (CRW) control technology that has been approved in the U.S., are becoming more available options for farmers. While being approved in the U.S. and Japan, Agrisure Duracade does not have a synchronized regulatory approval in China –a growing market for U.S. corn - and having it enter the Chinese market would be detrimental.

At this point, China has closed its market to both corn and distillers grains from the United States due to traits that have not been approved by their government.  The lack of approval affects both Nebraska corn farmers and Nebraska ethanol plants.

“Farmers are in the most global business of anyone in our economy today. One out of every three farm acres planted in this country goes for exports,” said Tom Sleight, president and CEO of U.S. Grains Council. “It’s critical to our trading relationships that all corn producers heading in to harvest be mindful of the varieties they are growing and closely follow the stewardship agreements they have committed to.”

The Nebraska Corn Board is encouraging farmers to take three important steps this harvest season when it comes to marketing Agrisure Duracade:

1. Re-read the stewardship agreement you signed to understand your obligations.
2. Visit with your elevator or ethanol plant about their harvest policies.
3. If your first purchaser has channeling requirements, follow them.  Deliver Agrisure Duracade to the right place—and make sure the corn you grow has a place to go.

There are more than 800 outlets accepting Agrisure Duracade. Elevators across Nebraska have been calling farmers to follow up on what they are growing and locations at which they are accepting this hybrid.

“Biotechnology has been a great thing for corn farmers—and will continue to be, so long as everyone in the chain from farmers to elevators follow the rules and do our part to be responsible stewards,” said Tim Scheer, farmer from St. Paul and chairman of the Nebraska Corn Board. “As we harvest this year's crop, know what you need to do to deliver Agrisure Duracade to the right place—and keep biotechnology working for all of us.”