Search Site   
Current News Stories
Solar eclipse, new moon coming April 8
Mystery illness affecting dairy cattle in Texas Panhandle
Teach others to live sustainably
Gun safety begins early
Hard-cooked eggs recipes great for Easter, anytime
Michigan carrot producers to vote on program continuation
Suggestions to celebrate 50th wedding anniversary
USDA finalizes new ‘Product of the USA’ labeling rule 
U.S. weather outlooks currently favoring early planting season
Weaver Popcorn Hybrids expanding and moving to new facility
Role of women in agriculture changing Hoosier dairy farmer says
   
News Articles
Search News  
   
Michigan Commodity Report - Nov. 7, 2012
 
From the Michigan Corn Growers Assoc.

This year’s busy election cycle included many critical agriculture-related issues that help emphasize how important the Michigan Corn Growers Assoc. (MCGA) is in providing a unified voice on issues that affect you, our state’s corn growers, and the corn industry.

Through your MCGA membership, we are able to do crucial policy work on your behalf in both Lansing and Washington, D.C. That policy work will be highlighted at the upcoming MCGA Annual Meeting scheduled for Feb. 4, 2013, at Radisson Hotel in downtown Lansing.

As in the past, this year’s MCGA Annual Meeting will include a variety of speakers and discussions about critical issues and concerns to our growers. The annual meeting gives our members an opportunity to speak face-to-face with state lawmakers as well as national corn leaders.

Michigan corn growers are in for an entertaining meeting this year, highlighted by the appearance of our keynote speaker, popular NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace. Wallace is one of the racing series’ biggest supporters of farmers and ethanol, having driven the Family Farmers No. 99 car as well as the No. 09 American Ethanol car in the past.

Wallace will be on hand to deliver his usual humorous racing and homespun tales, and also to participate in a question-and-answer session with our growers.

NASCAR is in its second season of using Sunoco E-15 ethanol blended racing fuel for all three of its racing series – the Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Truck Series.

In addition to the legislative and educational presentations and our keynote speaker, MCGA members will recognize Friend of Corn award recipients; state Corn Yield Contest winners; Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) verified farms; and the 2012 MCGA scholarship recipients.

Board members will also conduct the annual business meeting, which includes filling board member positions up for reelection.
MCGA members may attend the Annual Meeting free of charge, and non-MCGA members may attend at a cost of $20 per person. If you would like to become a member and vote during the business session of the Annual Meeting, you can sign up to be a member.
Membership in the MCGA is $60 for one year, $155 for three years or $500 for a lifetime. Students may join the association at a cost of $20 for a one-year membership. For information about the MCGA Annual Meeting or to register, please call the Corn Office at 888-323-6601.

Safety means successful harvest

As corn farmers across the nation are still harvesting, it is important to remember to focus not only on filling your bins, but also to follow important safety precautions that could save lives.

Preventing accidents is the first step toward a safe harvest. The National Safety Council makes these safety recommendations:

•Inspect all harvest equipment, make sure shields and guards are in place and that the seatbelt works properly if applicable

•Never lean or step over a power takeoff (PTO) shaft while it is operating

•Do not wear loose-fitting clothing around PTO shafts or other moving parts

•Keep long hair tied back or under a cap

•Check fire extinguishers and smoke detectors to ensure they are working properly

•Remind all farm employees about farm safety and ensure they have had all appropriate training

•Keep all bystanders and others away from all equipment during operation

•Follow all safety guidelines set by the equipment manufacturers

We realize what a hectic time of year this is for all farmers; however, we need to make sure we take time to slow down to ensure it is a safe harvest.

Events and trade shows

Be sure to come and visit Michigan Corn as we attend a variety of events over the next few months.

We will be manning booths at the Michigan Farm Bureau Annual Meeting’s Taste of Michigan event in Grand Rapids on Nov. 29 and at Thumb Ag Day in Ubly on Dec. 12.

As always, if you have any questions about upcoming events, would like to join the MCGA or if you have any questions or suggestions for the CMPM or MCGA, please call 888-323-6601 or visit us online at www.micorn.org
11/7/2012