NCGA, Michigan Corn Growers Promote Renewable Vision at Bio-Economy Conference (9-21-06)

National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) CEO Rick Tolman reiterated the organization’s position that U.S. corn growers will be able to supply enough corn to all markets in a presentation at the Michigan Bio-Economy Summit in Lansing, Mich., on Wednesday.

The summit brought together principal state and national commercial and industrial leaders in the fields of renewable fuels, biotechnology, methane production and research.

Tolman gave a presentation on grain availability, which included NCGA’s 15x15x15 vision: 15 billion bushels of corn and 15 billion gallons of ethanol by 2015.

“The conference provided NCGA and the Michigan Corn Growers Association (MCGA) a great opportunity to repeat a key message corn producers have been saying for months: We will have enough corn to supply our markets,” said Tolman. “Corn growers will harvest the third consecutive crop of more than 11 billion bushels this fall. Corn producers are ready, willing and able to meet the demands of the marketplace.”

Tolman said research is allowing corn growers to make such predictions.

“There are so many traits in the pipeline that will allow growers to produce more,” he said. “With science working on our behalf, we will have the ability to produce and meet the needs and demands of our customers.”

MCGA Executive Director Jody Pollok, NCGA Ethanol Committee Chairman and MCGA member Bruce Noel and other Michigan corn growers also attended the conference.

“On behalf of the state’s corn producers, MCGA was glad to participate and work with other agricultural partners to show the importance of a bioeconomy in Michigan,” said Pollok. “Michigan farmers produce 125 commodities. With that kind of production diversity and the support of Michigan State University researchers and the state government, our state is well-positioned to take advantage of bioeconomy opportunities.”

More than 250 people attended the conference, including Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D). She opened the event with a speech highlighting the importance of biofuels to Michigan.

“It was exciting to be at a conference that is focusing on the future bioeconomy and making items from plant-based materials,” Tolman said.