St. Louis, Missouri
August 17, 2007
With some farmers harvesting corn
already and others preparing to harvest,
the National Corn Growers
Association (NCGA) reminds farmers of the importance of
directing their harvest to the proper channels for domestic use
and exports. Growers need to be especially aware of which
hybrids have not yet received full regulatory approvals in the
European Union (EU) and Japan.
For example, hybrids containing the AgriSure™ Rootworm trait
received full regulatory approvals in the United States in time
for planting this spring, but still lack approval for import
into Japan – the largest market for U.S. corn – and the European
Union (EU).
“It is important that growers who planted these hybrids develop
a marketing plan for the grain,” said Martin Barbre, chairman of
the NCGA Biotechnology Working Group. “Growers who still need
help finding an approved market for any hybrids also bearing the
Market Choices™ logo should contact their seed dealer or the
American Seed Trade Association.”
Japan and Europe are leading markets for corn gluten feed (CGF),
and distillers dried grains (DDG). To protect these markets,
many wet mills will not accept grain produced from hybrids not
approved for export to those markets. Likewise, ethanol dry
mills that may export DDGs may also refuse to accept this grain.
Paul Bertels, NCGA director of biotechnology and business
development, suggests growers contact their marketing partners,
local grain elevators, seed companies or the NCGA Web site to
learn more about which markets are approved for biotech corn
exports.
Barbre said the effects of a biotech shipment going to the wrong
place could be devastating.
“We need to make sure the corn gets to the correct markets,” he
said. “A mistake can affect everyone’s bottom lines, and exports
could be affected in the future.”
NCGA urges farmers to direct hybrids not approved for EU export
into these markets: a farmer’s own livestock rations; domestic
livestock feeding channels; or elevators accepting grain not yet
approved for EU export. NCGA suggests that growers visit the
American Seed Trade Association Web site,
http://asta.farmprogress.com, for more information about the
grain facilities accepting hybrids not yet approved for export
to the EU.
NCGA’s
Know Before You Grow database is continually updated with
the current regulatory status of hybrids from participating seed
producers. |
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