First there was body-shaming, next came pet-shaming. The propagation of untruths on social media in the form of memes has become a national pastime. It was all harmless fun until our nation’s farmers became the next target of a group of mean-spirited internet trolls. But corn farmers are fighting back in an unprecedented fashion. In order to raise awareness of …
There’s Good Reason to End the Agriculture Versus the Environment Fight
Suzy Friedman, director of sustainable agriculture at the Environmental Defense Fund, authored this post which originally ran in AgriPulse and on the EDF Growing Returns blog. NCGA has been allowed to share it on Corn Commentary with EDF’s permission. On paper, I appear to be the picture perfect stereotype of an east coast liberal: I’ve been working at environmental nonprofits …
Happy Corndog day
Every dog truly has their day, even corndogs. This year, those inflicted with March Madness will be adding America’s favorite treat on a stick to their March 18th menus for National Corndog Day. The first National Corndog Day took place in 1992 in a Corvallis, Oregon basement on the first Saturday of the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Championship. College …
Corn and Animal Agriculture – Poised for Success
Commentary by Chris Novak, Chief Executive Officer, National Corn Growers Association In less than a week’s time, colleagues in the cattle industry will head off to Nashville, Tennessee to participate in the 120th Cattle Industry Convention and Trade Show. Further south, our friends in the poultry industry will head to Atlanta, Georgia for the largest annual trade show for the …
Less Than a Lemonade
Guest Blog from CommonGround Kansas Have you ever wondered how much weed killer farmers apply to their fields? CommonGround Kansas volunteers answered that question with a helpful visual — a cup of lemonade and a football field — before the Kansas State vs. Missouri State football game in Manhattan, Kan., Sept. 24. Football fans braved thunder and pouring rain during pre-game festivities, …
Changing the World Through Farming and Food
By Lauren Stohlmann We’re really quite lucky Matt Stasiewicz didn’t decide to become an automotive engineer. The work he’s done for agriculture is extensive and valuable for human health. Not that understanding engines isn’t important work, but creating a single-kernel sorter to reduce mycotoxin levels in market corn from Eastern Kenya, might be a bit more life-changing. Stasiewicz originally enrolled …
Refinery Shutdown Like a E15 Advertisement
If you live in the heart of the Midwest soaring fuel prices are a reality, not a nightmare, figment of your imagination or Wile E. Coyote cartoon. An equipment failure at one the region’s largest oil refineries caused an immediate and painful spike at the gas pump for consumers across the Midwest this week. The BP Whiting Refinery located on the …
Corn’s Big Change: Why Mutants are Good
By Tom Mueller EXTRA, EXTRA, read all about it! Plant scientists identify the gene mutation that turned grass into corn! Not exactly the headline heard or seen on any news outlet this week. So, what’s the big deal? Washington Post journalist Robert Gebelhoff captured the significance in a recent Speaking of Science column. In the article, University of Wisconsin-Madison researcher …
Monday’s Maize Mutant: HM1
Cochliobolus carbonum is a fungus that causes northern leaf spot and ear rot disease in corn. The fungus produces a toxin that is highly destructive to corn ears and leaves. The HM1 gene in corn is responsible for resistance or susceptibility to the fungal plant pathogen. Corn lines that are resistant to C. carbonum and its toxin can become susceptible …
America’s Farmers Thrown Under the Train Instead of Posted on It
American corn farmers do not often see how their lives might be impacted by high profile, First Amendment debates in the media. While we each value our Constitutional rights and deeply cherish liberty, our messages about growing food and stewarding the land generally do not stir up mainstream debate to a degree that lands us on the national stage. Today, …