The Wisconsin Corn Growers Association is moving along almost as quickly as the corn crop this year. WCGA President Doug Rebout of Janesville says that while this a year unlike any other, the Association is doing everything they can to keep growers engaged. Normally, the Corn Growers head to Washington, DC this time of year for their annual “Fly-In.” but, this year the event will be going virtual much like most other events. Rebout says that WCGA will be able to use a service such as Zoom or Skype to meet with lawmakers.
As far as the issues impacting corn growers, Rebout says “it’s the same issues as always with trade and everything.” He adds that with ethanol demand down drastically this year that has left a lot of farmers scratching their heads, trying to figure out where they can send their corn. “And that leads us back to trade,” Rebout says. He makes it very clear that trade is essential to Wisconsin corn, especially with ethanol demand plummeting.
One positive, though, is that the corn crop is looking so healthy this year. “The corn is looking excellent, Rebout says, “we’ve been getting beautiful rain, they look like their forming nice ears, and it looks like it’s going to be a really good year.” According to the latest crop progress report, corn silking was 84%, 16 days ahead of last year and 6 days ahead of the 5-year average. Corn at dough stage was 19%, 11 days ahead of last year and 4 days ahead of the average. Corn condition was rated 81% good to excellent statewide, down 1 percentage point from last week.
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