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Corn Grower Investment in Agriculture Literacy Amplified Through Partnerships
KyCorn wants to thank Kentucky’s farm community for continuing this project that is educating the next generation of consumers.
America’s Farmers: Resilient Throughout the COVID Pandemic
USDA explains the impact of COVID on the agricultural community.
Next Generation Fuels Act Introduced
The Kentucky Corn Growers Association applauds the introduction of The Next Generation Fuels Act. This legislation, that was introduced yesterday in the U.S. House of Representatives, will boost long term corn demand for clean, affordable ethanol.
Investments that Move Corn
With corn harvest in full swing, it is a great time to focus on how the Kentucky Corn Promotion Council is continuing to invest in projects that will increase corn demand. KyCorn is focused on rebuilding markets for corn farmers by growing ethanol utilization, increasing exports of corn and corn products, finding new uses for corn, and building upon our relationships with animal agriculture partners.
EPA Announces Interim Decision on Crucial Crop Protection Tools
Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a long-awaited interim decision regarding the reregistration of the triazines: atrazine, propazine, and simazine. After years of research and public comments from the agriculture community, EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler declared these fundamental crop management tools safe for continued use in controlling resilient weeds.
September Issue of Corn and Soybean News
Read about pre-harvest disease scouting observations, The known and unknown: Choosing herbicide tolerance packages for 2021, weed science plot walk videos, nitrogen management, and more.
August Issue of Kentucky Corn and Soybean News
Read about field checks and soil testing, rye cover crops in the latest issue from UK Grain Crops.
Spotted Corn Leaves: Disease or Something Different?
Over the past few weeks, there have been increased reports of spotting on corn leaves across the state. Symptoms include tiny tan to brown spots with a darker brown margin.
KyCorn partners with Casey’s General Store for E15 and E85 pump conversions
KyCorn is facilitating several conversions of the fuel pumps at Casey’s General Store throughout Kentucky to enable offerings of both E15 and E85.
CORE Program connects young farmers with association leaders and experts
Session 4 of the current CORE Farmer Program class was held in late-July with farm visits and in-field practicals. The group began the learning adventure in Princeton, where Dr. Lloyd Murdock spent a few hours with the participants talking about Kentucky soils. Dr. Chad Lee spend some time with them in corn fields as well.
Enter the 2020 Kentucky Corn Yield Contest
Rules and entry form are available for 2020 Kentucky Corn Yield Contest. Deadline is November 16.
Fields of Corn Photo Contest is Taking Entries Through November 30
Calling all photographers!
NCGA Releases Mid-Year Report for 2020
2020 began with reason for optimism in our industry. The signing of the USMCA trade deal, emerging corn purchases by China, a successful challenge to EPA granting RFS waivers and approval of year-round sales of E15 had us all looking for an economic rebound. Then the unthinkable happened as a pandemic stunned the world.
UK research: cover crops, no-till could slow climate change
Cover crops combined with no-tillage systems can increase soil organic carbon, which could help slow climate change on farms, according to a recent study by University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment scientists.
Southern Rust Confirmed in Kentucky
Southern rust of corn, caused by the fungus Puccinia polysora, was confirmed in Caldwell and Daviess counties in Kentucky on July 20, 2020.
Linking Agriculture For Networking and Development (LAND) Forums To Be Held This Summer
These forums are intended to bolster existing collaboration between the two sectors to develop and expand upon the existing supply chain for agricultural products to the manufacturing sector.
CORN LEADERS TACKLE PROFITABILITY CRISIS DURING TWO-DAY MEETING
The Kentucky Corn Growers Board of Directors and the Members of the Corn Promotion Council met July 8 and 9 in socially-distanced fashion at the UK Research and Education Center (the Kentucky Corn Growers Conference Room, actually).
Enter the National Corn Yield Contest Now and Save
Enter before June 30 to save on the entry fee.
Corn and Soybean News – June 2020 Issue
Read the latest issue of UK Grain Crops Corn and Soybean News.
Analysis Projects $89 Per Acre Losses for 2020 Corn Crop Due to COVID-19
Over the Horizon: Commentary by Trend Talk Futurist Bob Treadway
KyCorn asked futurist Bob Treadway to provide the same advice to our members that he provided to the National Corn Growers Association.
Statements on Dicamba Ruling
See the recent statements on the Dicamba ruling from the National Corn Growers and the EPA
USDA seeks feedback from producers about crops and stocks
During the next several weeks, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will conduct the June Agricultural Survey. The agency will contact 2,000 producers across Kentucky to determine crop acreage and stock levels as of June 1, 2020.
Just How Cold was Friday Night & Saturday Morning?
Freeze damage to crops occurs from a combination of cold temperature, the duration of the cold temperature and the crop growth stage. Matt Dixon, Senior Meteorologist with the UK Ag Weather Center, compiled temperatures across Kentucky.
U.S. Red Meat Exports Remain Strong Despite COVID-19
Demand for high-quality red meat from the U.S. remained strong in the first quarter of 2020, despite CoVID-19-related disruptions in export markets. Through March, U.S. exports of both pork and beef were on a record pace and accounted for a growing share of U.S. production, even with record production levels.
Grains Go With The Flow: U.S. Inland Waterway System Operating Normally During COVID-19
Flowing from farms in the Corn Belt down to the Mississippi River and into ports on the Gulf of Mexico, more than 12,000 miles of marine highways are a crucial part of the U.S. grain supply chain – one that has continued to operate in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Corn-Ethanol Partnership Helps Kentucky Proud Farmers’ Markets
As Commonwealth Agri-Energy has diverted their 200-proof ethanol product to fill the need hand and surface sanitizer, an idea formed to provide the product to Kentucky’s many farmer’s markets and livestock sale barns as they begin to open back up to the public.
COVID-19 Continues to Create Havoc for Ag and Food Markets
While the demand for some foods like beef and seafood tend to be more responsive to income changes, total food consumption doesn’t change much in an economic downturn compared to other vulnerable sectors of the economy like travel, entertainment, housing, and manufacturing.
2019/2020 Corn Export Cargo Quality Report Released And Promoted Virtually
The 2019/2020 U.S. corn crop faced many challenges, including late planting, delayed maturation and late harvests. Even with these challenges, data compiled in the U.S. Grains Council’s (USGC’s) 2019/2020 Corn Export Quality Report indicate the majority of the crop – 71.2 percent of samples tested – still had a test weight at or above the limit for U.S. No. 1 grade corn, indicating good quality and demonstrating the resiliency and reliability of the United States as a global grain supplier.
NCGA Analysis shows $50 per acre revenue declines for corn due to COVID-19
Analysis released by the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) today showed cash corn prices have declined by 16 percent on average, with several regions experiencing declines of more than 20 percent, since March 1 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The analysis projects a $50 per acre revenue decline for the 2019 corn crop.
USDA Announces Coronavirus Food Assistance Program
This new U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) program will take several actions to assist farmers, ranchers, and consumers in response to the COVID-19 national emergency.
Commonwealth Agri-Energy Meets Higher Demand for Hand Sanitizer with Local Corn
Commonwealth Agri-Energy began selling several 270-gallon totes of 200-proof alcohol to local craft distillers last month. Demand has grown to the point they are now loading 8,000- gallon tanker trucks daily to serve packagers across the Southeast.
FSA Makes Changes to Farm Loan, Disaster, Conservation and Safety Net Programs to Make it Easier for Customers to Conduct Business
USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) county offices are open in Kentucky by phone appointment only until further notice, and FSA staff are available to continue helping agricultural producers with program signups, loan servicing and other important actions.
USDA Announces Loan Maturity for Marketing Assistance Loans Now Extended to 12 Months
Agricultural producers now have more time to repay Marketing Assistance Loans (MAL) as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s implementation of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020. The loans now mature at 12 months rather than nine, and this flexibility is available for most commodities.
Latest WASDE Report
USDA published the latest WASDE report, which you can read in full here. The report included the following information on corn.
Proper grain bin management saves lives
This spring, grain producers across the Midwest, including those in pockets of Kentucky, are dealing with grain quality issues in storage bins that are causing problems during unloading.
Corn and Soybean News – Latest Issue
Corn, Soybean Fungicide Efficacy Guides Available, Management of Soybean Cyst Nematode, To Pre or Not to Pre?, Soil, Plant Labs Discuss Changes Amid COVID-19
Planting Contingency Plant a Must This Spring
Farmers may feel the odds are in their favor to stay healthy because of the remote nature of their business, but being wrong can create some serious complications. Most of these issues can be avoided with a formal contingency plan for the farm.
Plans for Plant Disease Diagnosis During the COVID-19 Threat
With consideration of both our responsibilities as plant doctors for the Commonwealth and our responsibilities to safeguard our own health and that of others, we have prepared guidelines for managing our responsibilities during this pandemic.
Leopold Conservation Award 2020 Call for Applications
If you, or someone you know, is a Kentucky landowner who is committed to land management practices that increase conservation, we invite your application for the Leopold Conservation Award. The deadline has been extended to April 15th.
White House/EPA Decision To Not Appeal SRE Ruling is Great News for Corn Farmers
Ethanol and farm groups today welcomed the Trump administration’s decision not to seek a re-hearing of a recent ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit that struck down certain small refinery exemptions (SREs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard.
Kentucky Ag Lenders Tell KDA They Are Unified In Getting Through COVID-19 Pandemic
Leaders of the three farm credit organizations have told the Kentucky Department of Agriculture that they recognize the significant stress the pandemic is putting on farmers across Kentucky and are committed to standing by customers until this situation is resolved.
U.S. Grains Council Sends Letter To Global Grain Customers
The U.S. Grains Council reported that they we have received an increasing number of questions from overseas buyers and embassies about what is happening in the U.S. related to grain exports. The following letter was sent this afternoon to address those questions.
NCGA COVID-19 Task Force Convenes
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is moving quickly in its efforts to better understand the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the nation’s corn growers.
Crops Marketing and Management Update
This month’s newsletter, from Dr. Todd Davis, includes analysis on WASDE, basis, projected futures trading ranges to harvest, risk management opportunities, and more.
COVID-19 and its Impact on Grain and Ethanol Markets
An update from several sources regarding COVID-19 and its impact on grain/ethanol markets and scheduled education events.
Corn Growers Welcome USDA Action to Increase Biofuel Use
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue last month announced plans to increase biofuels usage in USDA vehicles, directing the department to acquire alternative fueled vehicles when replacing conventionally fueled vehicles.
KyCorn Showcases Ethanol Programs with Record Commodity Classic Crowd
Miles from home, KyCorn had the opportunity to showcase it’s ethanol programs with the nearly 4,700 farmers who attended this year’s Commodity Classic in San Antonio.
2020 Potential RP Projected Prices and Revenue Guarantees for Corn and Soybeans
The projected prices for revenue protection (RP) insurance for corn and soybeans are currently being determined. RP insurance initial price guarantee is the average of the closing prices for the December and November futures contracts for corn and soybeans, respectively,
IPM Training School Returns to Princeton
The University of Kentucky’s IPM Training School is scheduled for March 12 at the UK Research and Education Center in Princeton.
Tenth Circuit Court Strikes Down EPA Small Refinery Exemptions
In a decision that is expected to broadly impact the Environmental Protection Agency’s approach to granting small refinery exemptions (SREs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit late on Friday struck down three exemptions that were improperly issued by EPA.
Kentucky Corn Yield Contest Winners Announced for 2019
Winners of the 2019 Kentucky Yield Contest were honored the evening of Jan. 16 at the Kentucky Commodity Conference in Bowling Green, where they received a cash award from KyCorn and trophies sponsored by KyCorn, DuPont Pioneer and Whayne Agri-Business.
NCGA Statement: Senate Passes USMCA
National Corn Growers Association President Kevin Ross today thanked members of the U.S. Senate for their bipartisan approval of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Ross made the following statement.
KyCorn Thanks Roberts and White for Leadership
The Kentucky Corn Growers Association Board of Directors thanked KyCorn President Mark Roberts and Treasurer Dustin White for their leadership and service to the organization at the KyCorn Annual Meeting on Jan. 16. Both completed three consecutive terms in December.
Phase One Trade Deal With China Promises Ag Sales, Structural Reform
President Donald Trump and Chinese Vice Premier Liu He signed a “phase one” trade deal Wednesday at the White House, an agreement that should pave the way for China to uphold its pledge to purchase up to $80 billion in agricultural goods over the next two years and make structural changes that should provide U.S. grains products improved access to the Chinese market over the long term.
Kentucky Leopold Conservation Award Seeks Nominees
Know a Kentucky farmer or forester who goes above and beyond in the care and management of natural resources? Nominate them for the 2020 Kentucky Leopold Conservation Award®.
Triazine Network: EPA Takes Reasonable Approach in Atrazine Decision
The Atrazine Preliminary Interim Decision (PID) document published today in the federal register supports EPA’s commitment to use credible scientific research in setting a reasonable aquatic ecosystem Level of Concern (LOC) for atrazine.
EPA Takes Steps to Provide Needed Clarity and Certainty for U.S. Agriculture
Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing two important actions that will help the agricultural sector protect crops from pests and weeds. Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), EPA is approving the use of 10 pesticide products on hemp in time for the 2020 growing season.
National Corn Yield Contest Winners Announced
Kentucky NCYC winners are announced.
Farmers Learning from Farmers: CORE Farmer Program Kicks Off Class V
Seventeen farmers and agri-business leaders began their two-year educational journey in December with Session 1: “Coping with a Difficult Grain Economy.”
NCGA Leadership Symposium Helps Kentucky Address Grower Needs
Richard Preston, Joseph Sisk and Laura Knoth spent a couple of cold days in St. Louis this week attending the NCGA Leadership Symposium along with leaders from Corn Growers’ Associations across the country.
Early-Riser Session for Kentucky Commodity Conference Brings International Farming Perspective
Farming is a challenge. We are at a low point in the cycle of grain prices and making a profit is not easy right now. But, it could be worse. We are going to talk to a couple people who are living in that worst situation right now and learn how they are making farming work.
Scholarships Available for KyCorn Member Families
KyCorn has several scholarship opportunities for KyCorn member families.
Research Report: Corn Starter Impacts Early Season Plant and Soil Properties
Early planted corn in no-tilled fields and limited drainage typically have the greatest chance of response from starter fertilizers.
Crop Production Report Shows Strong Corn and Soybean Yields
Corn production in Kentucky is forecast at 257 million bushels, down 1 percent from the October forecast and up 19 percent from the previous crop. Yield was estimated at 177 bushels per acre, down 1 bushel from last month and up 2 bushels from the 2018 level. Acres for harvest as grain were estimated at 1.45 million acres, up 220,000 acres from 2018.
Grain Crops Update: Exponential production increases seen over past 40 years
There is no doubt that Kentucky’s agricultural industry has changed dramatically over the past several years going from a tobacco-dominant ag economy to one of the most diverse agricultural environments in the country. One area that has seen exponential growth is grain production.
KyCorn President Responds to EPA Rule on Refinery Waivers
I’m frustrated and perplexed by EPA’s proposal to resolve the destroyed ethanol demand caused by the agency’s refinery waivers. It is clearly not what President Trump described to our industry leaders that his administration would be doing, just 10 days prior.
KyCorn and NCGA: Farmers Thank Trump Administration for Listening and Upholding the RFS
The Kentucky Corn Growers and National Corn Growers Associations welcomed an announcement from President Trump today directing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to follow the letter of the law and keep the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) whole.