Welcome to “Off the Cob”, an original podcast series produced by the National Corn Growers Association. This series features interviews with grower-leaders on hot topics in agriculture and will expand media options for those wishing to further their knowledge of the industry.

Off the Cob caught up with Bertels this week to discuss his vision for the department, if the name change plays into a shift in functionality and on his personal insight as a farmer into this year’s crop. Click here to listen to his interview

As the final quarter of the 2010 fiscal year opens, Off the Cob caught up with current National Corn Growers Association First Vice President Bart Schott during the recent Corn Board meetings held in Washington. On October 1, Schott moves into the role of NCGA President. During this interview, he speaks about his outlook going into the new year and his expectations for the Corn Board in 2011.
To listen to a farewell interview with Theresa, click here.
To listen to a farewell interview with Mark, click here.
To listen to a farewell interview with Jamie, click here.

Corn farmers from across the country will gather in Washington the week of July 12 for a series of team and committee meetings, Capitol Hill visits with lawmakers and the semi-annual Corn Congress, where grower-leaders from 28 states will elect four new members of the National Corn Growers Association Corn Board. Click here for an audio preview from NCGA President Darrin Ihnen.

As the nation closely examines its fuel options, many are beginning to take a second look at ethanol, a renewable, sustainable, home-grown fuel option. In light of this, “Off the Cob” caught up with Missouri Corn Growers Association Deputy Director Gary Clark to talk about the ethanol situation in his home state. To hear the entire interview, click here.

To provide some insight into who these leaders are and why they serve, “Off the Cob” sat down with current president Darrin Ihnen to talk about his farming operation and his experiences as NCGA President thus far. To hear the whole story, click here.

During a recent meeting that brought state and national staff together, the National Corn Growers Association’s “Off the Cob” series caught up with Indiana Corn Growers Association and Indiana Corn Marketing Council Executive Director Mark Henderson for an update on corn related activities in his state.

To listen to the full interview, click here.

“Off the Cob” sat down with National Corn Growers Association CEO Rick Tolman to talk about the importance of cooperation in agriculture. Tolman spoke of the conditions that underlie the trend toward cooperation and of the opportunities that can arise from adversity.click here.

During a recent meeting that brought state and national staff together, the National Corn Growers Association’s “Off the Cob” series caught up with Texas Corn Producers Board and Corn Producers Association of Texas Executive Director David Gibson for an update on corn related activities in his state. To listen to the full interview, click here.

During a recent meeting that brought state and national staff together, the National Corn Growers Association’s “Off the Cob” series caught up with Indiana Corn Growers Association and Indiana Corn Marketing Council Executive Director Mark Henderson for an update on corn related activities in his state. To listen to the full interview, click here.

During a recent meeting that brought state and national staff together, the National Corn Growers Association’s “Off the Cob” series caught up with South Dakota Corn Growers Association Executive Director Lisa Richardson for an update on corn related activities in her state. To listen to the full interview, click here.

During a recent gathering of state and national leadership, Missouri Corn Growers Association CEO Gary Marshall sat down for an “Off the Cob” interview discussing state issues affecting growers. Marshall said that issues affecting livestock and ethanol production, two of corn’s biggest markets, are at the top of their list. To listen to the full interview, please click here.

While many organizations are seeing membership decline, the National Corn Growers Association continues to grow. In 2009, the association set a new record with over 36,000 active members. This growth speaks highly to the value that corn growers see in NCGA’s work on their behalf.Click here to listen

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s estimate of corn acreage to be planted this year clearly shows that farmers believe that the corn crop will be profitable this year, the National Corn Growers Association said. Farmers are expected to harvest more than 13.3 billion bushels from 88.8 million planted acres. This is up 3 percent from both last year and 2008.Click here to listen

With mainstream media attacks on the rise, the role of agricultural media becomes increasingly important to the farming community. Serving as unbiased reporters or editorial advocates, ag reporters provide a counterbalance to the misinformation and half-truths common in documentaries, news stories and on television.Click here to listen

“Farmers in the United States are well-positioned to benefit from trade with Cuba,” said Yoder. “U.S. suppliers can reach Cuba’s three main ports in just one day or less. This past year alone, we exported nearly 28 million bushels of corn to the country. Our team believes that this number can increase considerably, but current U.S. policy hampers our ability to reach this market. If the United States does not become the supplier of choice, someone else certainly will.”To listen to the full interview, please click here.

Recently, we interviewed Public Policy Action Team Chairman Anthony Bush about the estate tax, Section 179 Capital Cost Recovery and the capital gains tax. Click here for the podcast.

With the final early registration deadline for Commodity Classic approaching on February 10, “Off the Cob” spoke with NCGA Commodity Classic Committee member Martin Barbre, a grower from Carmi, Ill. During the interview, Barbre spoke about what Commodity Classic offers growers and its importance to the industry. He also outlined exciting opportunities to gain information or enjoy entertainment.
To listen to the complete interview, please click here.

The second installment looks at the purpose and goals of NCGA’s Annual Priority and Policy Conference, which runs from January 12 to January 14 in St. Louis, Mo. this year. NCGA President Darrin Ihnen, a grower from Hurley, S.D., provides an explanation of conference activities speaks about his goals and addresses the importance of collaboration between the national and state associations.
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The first piece looks at the history and future of the maize genome sequencing project with former Research and Business Development Action Team Chair Pam Johnson, a grower from Floyd, Iowa. Johnson shares the unique perspective that she gained on the project while working tirelessly to help NCGA find the funding necessary to complete the monumental collaborative effort.
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