Page 22—Corn Talk, Lancaster Farming, Saturday, March 4, 2000 ST. LOUIS, Mo.-The fal lowing is position of the Na tional Corn Growers Association on the availabil ity and use of biotechnology forU.S. agriculture. Biotechnology and Bushels Farmers are accustomed to assuming and managing risk. However, few cropping sea sons have appeared as risky as the 2000 season because of concerns about the produc tion and marketing of biotech corn. While farmers recognize the safety, benefits, and po tential of biotechnology, we also recognize that activist organizations have clouded the domestic and interna tional acceptance of biotech products. This has created uncertainty and questions for everyone who grows, mar kets, and handles corn. How ever, it must be emphasized that there have been no prob lems of food safety or quality with any biotech corn prod uct. National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) advo cates the continued availabil ity of federally regulated and approved seed and crops pro duced through biotechnol ogy. NCGA supports the science-based regulatory pro cess and stands behind the system that approves these new tools for agriculture and food production. New Board Members CAMP HILL (Cumberland Co.)-The Pennsyl vania Master Corn Growers Association (PMCGA) con ducted an election for board members at the recent Penn sylvania Corn and Soybean Confer ence. Elected to the board for a three year term in the pro ducer category were Chris Kimmel, Arm strong County; Jef frey Werner, Lebanon County; and D. Richard Snyder, Lycoming County. - The industry rep resentative elected to the board was Mike Kuhns of Lewisburg. Elected to the board for the education category was Thomas Murphy of Trout Run, Lycoming County. Elections were conducted for the first time at the annual meeting this year. NCGA Offers Statement On Biotechnology NCGA recognizes that the use of these biotech products is an individual decision, based upon the benefits of agronomic traits, such as higher yields from pest con trol that a hybrid may offer and the marketing options available for that hybrid. For 2000, there is the risk that some markets may change between planting and harvest. Some processors and grain companies could change acceptance policies or may change delivery points for hybrids considered con ventional, those approved for export to the European Union (EU), and those not yet approved for export to the EU. Farmers will need to ac tively and aggressively track the marketing opportunities available throughout the 2000 growing season. Know Before You Grow NCGA recommends that as you select hybrids you do so with the full knowledge of whether the number is con ventional, one approved for EU export, or one not yet ap proved for EU export. The NCGA website, www.ncga.com, lists the hy brids not yet approved for EU export. In 1999, less than 5 percent of the U.S. corn crop came from hybrids not yet approved for European export. NCGA recommends that growers read their grower agreements before planting and are fully aware of the re quirements of these agree ments. It is vital that hybrids awaiting EU approval are kept out of export and pro cessing channels. Know Where to Go If you grow hybrids not yet approved for export to the EU, NCGA urges you to funnel these hybrids into one of three markets. Those mar kets are (1) to feed these hy brids in your own livestock rations, (2) to sell into domes tic livestock feeding channels or (3) sell to elevators accept ing grain not yet approved for EU export. Visit the American Seed Trade Associ ation website by its link through the NCGA website or at http://asta.farmpro gress.com for more informa tion about the grain facilities accepting hybrids not yet ap proved for export to the EU. This marketing discipline will ensure the integrity of the U.S. grain supply and will demonstrate the respect U.S. corn farmers have for the de sires and preferences of our customers. Insect Resistance Management To prevent development of European corn borer resist ance to Bt, farmers must follow the requirement, founded upon science-based regulatory agency review and upon advice from industry, to plant a 20 percent refuge of non-Bt hybrids in the Corn Belt and a 50 percent refuge in the Cotton Belt. Voluntary Labeling Although food safety is not the issue, NCGA policy sup ports consumer choice through standards for goods that do not contain products of biotechnology. Consistent with current U.S. Food and Drug Administration regula tion, NCGA supports volun tary labeling for foods and agricultural products that identifies attributes that are important to consumers and that accurately conveys in- 300 gallon SINGLE AXLE HCM SERIES SPRAYERS t »^ oo^ Duty-Bound Sprayers t 300 gallon elliptical polyethylene tank with deep sump for complete chemical removal. I Jet agitation - for thorough mixing and excellent chemical suspension. > 10” fillwell with no splash cover. I Adjustable wheel spacmgs for row crop applications I Single axle trailer with 27” ground clearance, three ton hub and spindles and 15”x8” wheels. I Large front mounted step, platform, and safety rail for easy filling. % Three section boom control. *2l/2 gal clean water tank for safety. % Available with 21 ’ and 28’Truss-T- Boom with 1/2” plumbing and conventional nozzles % Available with 28’, 30’, 40’, and 45’ heavy duly truss booms with boom skids 3/4” boom plumbing, and for transport . diaphram check nozzles Wholesale Distributor HAMILTON EQUIPMENT, Inc. 567 South Reading Road, Ephrata, Pa. 17522 717-733-7951 MARYLAND Whiteford - Deer Creek Equipment PENNSYLVANIA Altoona - Hines Equipment Carlisle - Gutshall’s, Inc Cresson - Hines Equipment Easton - Forks Equipment Fairmount City - Miller's Equipment Honesdale - Marshall Machinery Honeybrook - Dependable Motor Co Johnstown - Hines Equipment Lebanon - Umberger’s of Fontana Lititz - Binkley & Hurst Bros Lynnporl - Kermit K. Kistler.lnc Marion Center - Allegheny Farm Service Oley - Pikeville Equipment Oxford - Deer Creek Equipment Turbotville - Ag Resources Washington - Bull International Williamsburg - Lonqnecker’s. Inc formation without being mis leading. NCGA believes labeling of nonbiotech prod ucts provides a framework for consumer protection and choice. In contrast to the volun tary labeling supported by NCGA, the European Union, Japan, South Korea, Austra lia and New Zealand have enacted mandatory food la beling to identify biotech ingredients. Some food man ufacturers and retailers are reacting to these new labeling requirements that claim to be “free” of biotech material. The desire to market non biotech food will increase demand for identity preserved, conventional corn and for substitute food ingredients. Some grain handlers and processors have recom mended segregating conven tional and biotech hybrids. Segregation and the more management-intensive iden- IDBFT Flotation boom mount is standard on truss booms. Pump Packages I Demco single piston pump with electric shut-off. I Hypro belt driven centrifugal pump I Hypro PTO driven roller pump I Ace hydraulic driven centrifugal ou mo. AUTHORIZED DEALERS Segregation (Turn to Page 23) Hcmm f ***' ! ’ 410-452-5252 814-742-8171 717-249-2313 814-886-4183 .610-252-8828 814-764-5159 .570-729-7117 .610-273-3131 ,814-262-0137 .717-867-5161 .717-626-4705 .610-298-2011 .724-397-2660 .610-987-6277 .610-932-8858 .570-649-5161 .724-222-0450 .814-793-3731
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers