NCGA president stresses education to consumers

By Jennifer Bremer

National Corn Growers Association president, Darrin Ihnen, of Hurley, SD, said during a news conference, that corn producers continue to show everyone how they can produce more with less.

"Comparing 2009 to 2007, we produced the same amount of corn—13 billion bushels—in 2009 on 7 million fewer acres. This shows the continued innovation by seed companies and good management by corn producers," he said.

He also discussed the push by NCGA to get the ethanol blend to 15 percent.

"Our cars can handle it and it would be good for producers," he added.Ihnen said consumers could expect to see 15 percent blended ethanol as soon as late summer.

He also stressed that corn producers and all farmers need to speak out for the agriculture industry.

"We are the best spokespeople for our industry. We need to tell the public what we do and how important it is for the future," he said.