February 25, 2023

IN THIS ISSUE

• CCAC Supports Three FFA Chapters Through Grants
• Neil Caskey Named CEO of National Corn Growers Association
• As Mexico Implements New Decree, NCGA Amplifies Call for Biden Administration to Initiate Dispute Settlement Under USMCA
• Coalition Releases Farm Bill Policy Recommendations to Help Create Economic Opportunities and Address Climate Change
• Colorado State University’s Annual Custom Rates Survey Now Available
• UNL Conducting Cutworm Survey
• History Colorado’s Centennial Farms & Ranches Application Now Open

CCAC Supports Three FFA Chapters Through Grants

The Colorado Corn Administrative Committee is pleased to announce that three Colorado FFA chapters have been awarded a grant to help them give students more opportunities. 

“The Colorado Corn Administrative Committee is proud to provide grants to these FFA Chapters, so they have the tools to develop agriculture’s leaders of the future,” said Nicholas Colglazier, Executive Director for the CCAC.

The three chapters who were awarded a grant include:  

• SOROCO FFA (Oak Creek, CO): To improve the capabilities of Soroco Meats (Food Processing Lab and Store Front), which provides lab-based facilities for students to practice food processing, packaging, safety and marketing standards. 
• North Fork FFA (Hotchkiss, CO): To purchase laptops and Microsoft Design Edge, to improve students' technology and design skills in the use of the Plasma CAM equipment and learn career-ready skills in this area.  
• Bethune FFA (Bethune, CO): Addition of CNC Plasma cutter as 2nd phase of tech and equipment upgrades to give students opportunity to acquire skills in metal fabrication. 

Read more...

Neil Caskey Named CEO of National Corn Growers Association

Neil Caskey, a long-time professional in the agricultural arena, has been tapped to lead the National Corn Growers Association as its new CEO, according to the organization’s board of directors. Caskey will assume the role on Monday, February 27.

NCGA board members say they are pleased to name someone of Caskey’s caliber to the top job.

“Neil’s experience in agriculture is extensive, and he is well known as someone who gets the job done well,” said NCGA President Tom Haag. “The board and I are certain that Neil will usher in new ideas and take the organization to new heights.”

Caskey has served as NCGA’s vice president of communications and industry relations for over four years and spent over a decade promoting agricultural issues as executive vice president at OBP Agency, a leading advertising and public relations firm.

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As Mexico Implements New Decree, NCGA Amplifies Call for Biden Administration to Initiate Dispute Settlement Under USMCA

Mexico officials issued a new decree on Monday calling for a ban on imports of biotech corn used for certain purposes, effective today. The decree also indicated the Mexican government would continue to allow imports of biotech corn used as animal feed while exploring substitutes.

NCGA expressed serious concern with the accelerated implementation timeline.

“The Biden administration has been more than patient with Mexico as U.S. officials have sought to enforce a rules-based trading system and stand up for American farmers,” said National Corn Growers Association President Tom Haag. “The integrity of USMCA, signed by Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador himself, is at stake. Singling out corn – our number one ag export to Mexico – and hastening an import ban on numerous food-grade uses makes USMCA a dead letter unless it’s enforced.”

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Coalition Releases Farm Bill Policy Recommendations to Help Create Economic Opportunities and Address Climate Change

The Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance released policy recommendations for the 2023 farm bill. The National Corn Growers Association serves on the alliance’s steering committee and was active in the development of the recommendations.

NCGA said that the report couldn’t have come at a better time.

“Corn growers are committed to helping advance a farm bill this year,” said NCGA President Tom Haag. “These recommendations will help members of Congress working on the farm bill understand the types of voluntary conservation and climate policies that can support growers and help us maximize our stewardship efforts.”

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Colorado State University’s Annual Custom Rates Survey Now Available

Colorado State University Extension conducts an annual survey of custom rates charged for various crop and livestock operations and lease arrangements in Colorado in the preceding year. Data is collected from agricultural producers, landowners and managers, lenders, agricultural consultants, machine operators, and Extension agents. Results of the survey are used by producers, ag lenders, county assessors, the Colorado Department of Agriculture, land appraisers, and more. Custom Rates in Colorado is one of the most widely used publications available from the CSU Agriculture and Business Management Team.  

Take just 10 minutes to complete the survey by March 10, 2023.

UNL Conducting Cutworm Survey

The University of Nebraska Panhandle Research and Extension Center Entomology lab is conducting a survey about producer needs/perceptions/practices regarding the control of the Western bean cutworm in dry bean and/or corn.  

Your answers to their survey will help direct future extension and research efforts. 

Participants may be entered to win one of twenty $100 Amazon gift cards.  (only one response per operation, please).

Take the Survey 

History Colorado’s Centennial Farms & Ranches Application Now Open

The 2023 applications for Colorado's Centennial Farms & Ranches program have been opened. Centennial Farms & Ranches program, a joint initiative of History Colorado and the Colorado Department of Agriculture, honors the contributions of the state’s ranching and farming families who have withstood the pressures of growth, changes in farming methods, drought, and economic conditions to preserve important pieces of our state's commercial and cultural history.

In 2022, the Centennial Farms & Ranches program was expanded to recognize four categories of honorees associated with the agricultural history of the State of Colorado:

• Centennial Farms or Ranches – farms or ranches that have belonged to the same family for at least 100 years, and are currently working farms or ranches
• Centennial Families – families with agricultural experience in Colorado that spans 100 or more years (eg. 1923-present), not necessarily as landowners
• Centennial Farmers or Ranchers – individuals 100 years of age or older who have spent a majority of their life in agricultural pursuits within the State of Colorado, even if they were not landowners
• Centennial AgriBusiness – organizations or businesses that have been in operation for 100 or more years and primarily serve the agricultural community in Colorado (examples: seed companies, farm implement manufacturers, Farm Bureaus, etc.)

The expansion of the Centennial Farms and Ranches program allows for a more equitable celebration of the diverse farming and ranching families who sustain the Centennial State. Broadening this program provides a chance to celebrate the contribution and accomplishments of Coloradans who did not historically have the opportunity to own property–whether for economic, political, or discriminatory reasons.

To earn recognition within the Centennial Farms and Ranches Programs, applicants must submit an application and provide verification of eligibility. A complete list of eligibility requirements can be found in the 2023 Centennial Farms & Ranches Application.

Awardees will be honored for their perseverance and resilience through the changing times at the Colorado State Fair, held every August in Pueblo, CO.

The deadline for applications is May 1, 2023. To apply or learn more, please visit h-co.org/CentennialFarms or call (303) 866-3392.

UPCOMING DEADLINES

• Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) Programs – March 15, 2023

UPCOMING EVENTS

March 21

• National Ag Day

March 22

• Colorado Ag Day at the State Capitol