Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) delegates joined with other corn farmer members from 26 states representing the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) at the annual Commodity Classic meeting in Phoenix, Arizona, this week. Iowa's grassroots policy process brought forth four resolutions that were accepted by the national delegation on Thursday, February 26, 2015.

NCGA farmer delegates discussed a variety of issues related to ethanol, crop insurance, transportation infrastructure, biotechnology, conservation practices and farmer access to technology. The Iowa resolutions that were passed by the delegate body included:

IOWA CORN: Several key policy resolutions introduced by the Iowa Corn Growers Association were adopted by NCGA during this week's Commodity Classic. Also, Iowa winners in the 2014 national corn yield contest were honored. The national corn contest is in its 50th year.

NCGA should pursue an "act of God" variance for extreme weather effects affecting conservation compliance regulations.

Federal jurisdiction over navigable waters of the United States under the Clean Water Act should not be expanded in scope.

Support individual and commercial access to Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) technology as a tool for farmers to manage their farm operation for production and research. Any access should be with the agreement of the landowner and/or farm tenants.

Iowa resolution regarding crop insurance prompts discussion
In addition, ICGA proposed a resolution that was passed by the Iowa delegates at the ICGA's annual meeting last August in Des Moines. This resolution brought extensive discussion by the NCGA delegates. It has been referred to the NCGA's Public Policy Action Team for further review and potential revision. The resolution is:

For production units that receive "prevent plant" benefits under the federal crop insurance program, the assigned yield for that year should be in the range of 60% to 75% of the farm's current APH for the crop involved.

"In Iowa, the policy process starts with the grassroots through our membership survey and at our local roundtable meetings. The resolutions then move to the Iowa Corn Annual Meeting, and now they move onto national policy development during the Corn Congress at Commodity Classic," says Jerry Mohr, a farmer from Eldridge and current ICGA president. "Iowa farmers are bringing concerns and policy positions that matter back at home in Iowa, to this national platform."

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The new NCGA policy document will be posted at www.iowacorn.org/policy when it becomes available. For information on upcoming policy meetings in your area, contact the ICGA at 515-225-9242 or by email at [email protected].

Iowans honored at Commodity Classic for corn yield achievement
Iowa farmers as members of the Iowa Corn Growers Association who participated in the National Corn Growers Association 2014 National Corn Yield Contest, and finished with outstanding yields, are being honored this week. The 12 Iowans are being recognized at the Commodity Classic in Phoenix, Arizona.

Growers are being applauded for using advanced production techniques, informed growing practices and improved seed varieties to achieve high yields. Entrants from across the U.S. continue to surpass the national average corn yield, setting a contest record and a new all-time high yield of 503 bushels per acre. Additionally, a record six national entries surpassed the 400-plus bushel per acre mark.

Top yield winners for 2014 from Iowa include:
Dave Price of Clarinda in southwest Iowa, produced 308.84 bushels per acre in the AA Non-Irrigated division.

TNT Farm Partnership of Washington, in southeast Iowa, produced 284.19 bushels per acre in the AA No-Till/Strip-Till Non-Irrigated division.

LCL Farms Inc. of Keokuk, in the southeast corner of Iowa, produced 272.83 bushels per acre in the No-Till/Strip-Till Irrigated division.

Thomas Hotz of Lone Tree in southeast Iowa produced 251.55 bushels per acre in the Irrigated division.

NCGA president Chip Bowling, a farmer from Newburg, Maryland, says, "For five decades, NCGA's National Corn Yield Contest has provided corn growers the opportunity to compete with their colleagues to grow the most corn per acre, helping feed and fuel the world. This has given participants not only the recognition they deserved, but the opportunity to learn from their peers."

NCGA National Corn Yield Contest celebrating its 50^th year
State winners are recognized at the contest breakfast at Commodity Classic and national winners receive awards at the NCGA Awards Banquet there. Winners also receive national recognition in publications such as the NCYC Corn Yield Guide, as well as cash trips or other awards from participating sponsoring seed, chemical and crop protection companies.

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The National Corn Yield Contest is in its 50th year and remains NCGA's most popular program for members. "Many of our members first joined ICGA so they could participate in the National Corn Yield Contest and test their skills as a farmer," says Iowa Corn Growers president Jerry Mohr. "Today, as those participants work to achieve greatness in the field, they also support the largest grassroots corn association. We congratulate them on their success." 

For a complete list of national and state winners, visit www.ncga.com. For information about the Iowa Corn Growers Association visit www.iowacorn.org.