CALF_News_April_May_2019

24 CALF News • April | May 2019 • www.calfnews.net T he National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) took an active and visible part in the 2019 Cattle Industry Conven- tion, expressing support of the industry that uses more than one billion bushels of U.S. corn each year. Gary Porter is a Corn Board member and representative to the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA). Porter, along with Kevin Ross, NCGA first vice president, and Sarah McKay, NCGA director of market devel- opment, traveled to New Orleans to relay the importance of cattle to corn growers in the United States. Changing times Corn is now, like milk, broken down into components. This broader utilization of corn fractionation will improve the value of corn in beef cattle diets. Of course, cattlemen have come to use and appreciate distiller’s grains. Wet or dry, beef cattle are the largest users of this ethanol co-product. Porter explained that the dairy industry is increasing its usage, and the NCGA is working closely with that segment of animal agriculture in formulation of high-tech rations. Cracked corn continues to be used in cattle rations as a valuable energy source. Steam flaking is also used to add digestibility to rations. It has become a popular method of corn processing in larger feedlots. Educational programs for beef cattle producers The NCGA is currently entering its second year of the Cattlemen’s Educa- tion Series, offered in partnership with NCBA. The Feed, Food and Industrial Action Team (FFIAT) is once again sponsoring the program, giving NCBA state affiliates an opportunity to grow their education on topics that improve cattle production efficiency, profitability and sustainability. In the past year, 21 state affiliates have taken advantage of the NCGA’s offer, and each respective Cattlemen’s Educa- tion series has averaged 200 attendees. Since these programs cost money to produce, NCBA state affiliates may apply for grants ranging in value from $2,000 to $4,000. Variables contributing to costs of a given event may be anticipated participation and size of membership. Available topics include nutrition, cattle manage- ment, traceability issues and genetics, among others. “Beef is one of the largest customers of the US corn farmer. It’s important to engage with this large end user of corn,” Porter said. The partnership between NCBA and NCGA builds on other suc- cessful programs sanctioned by NCBA’s Producer Education Program. They include Stockmanship and Stewardship, Cattlemen’s College, the Cattlemen’sWebi- nar series, and the Beef Checkoff-funded Beef Quality Assurance program. NCGA is seeking out opportunities to share research on the value corn and corn- based feed ingredients provide in cattle rations. Collaboration within agriculture is a positive way for corn farmers to inter- act with their cattle industry peers. The value of exports The NCGA also works closely with the United States Meat Export Federa- tion (USMEF). It is estimated that red meat exports have added 39¢ per bushel to the U.S. corn crop. This includes beef and pork exports. Beef ’s share alone is an estimated 11¢. The key here is corn-fed beef quality, a standard that other coun- tries have not been able to match. The National Corn Growers Associa- tion is active in the pursuit of not only grain exports, but also red meat. An example of their aggressive and innova- tive style of selling is educational efforts directed at international meat buyers. The NCGA FFIAT worked with USMEF to host an educational session and tasting of U.S. corn-fed red meat during the World Meat Congress. Virtual reality goggles were provided in partner- ship with the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance to show potential export cus- tomers U.S. production methods. Addi- tionally, the session hosted a presentation on the quality and value of corn-fed meat, followed by a dinner featuring corn-fed beef and pork. Face-to-face interaction in meetings with potential export market custom- ers is seen as doubly important in this day of electronic communication. The virtual reality tours and cooperation with the USMEF proves that corn growers are cognizant that animal agriculture accounts for nearly 46 percent of the annual U.S. corn and distiller’s grains (DDGS) utilization. Beef cattle are corn’s largest individual customer when DDGs are taken into account. Efficiency Historically, each year there is a 1.1 percent gain in corn yield. Corn is being raised on fewer acres, using fewer nutri- ents. This efficiency is in large part due to technological advances and improved management practices, which is expected to continue into the future. Members of the National Corn Growers Association at the 2019 Cattle Industry Convention included Sarah McKay, NCGA director of market development, and Gary Porter, a Corn Board member and representative to NCBA. By Patti Wilson Contributing Editor NATIONAL Corn Growers ASSOCIATION Pulling for the Cattle Industry Continued on page 25 