As you may already know, the Virginia Corn Board (VCB) manages and approves the allocation of corn check-off funds to eligible programs throughout the state on an annual basis.

The funds the Board allocates for annual projects are provided through a one cent per bushel check-off on corn grown in Virginia, collected by the buyer at the first point of sale. The check-off assessment is collected only on corn that is sold by the producer.

Livestock producers that utilize their on farm-produced corn are not subject to the check-off.

The Corn Board members are gubernatorial appointees normally selected from nominations provided by organizations representing corn producers (such as VGPA). The Board consists of seven producer representatives, plus one seedsman, processor, country buyer, and exporter.

The current Board membership includes:

• L. Wayne Kirby,Chair (Area IV Producer);

• Gerry Underwood, Vice-Chair (Exporter);

• David Coleman (Country Buyer);

• William C. "Sparky" Crossman, III (Area III Producer);

• Virginia P. Barnes (Seedsman);

• Heath Bray (Processor);

• Wallick Harding (Area VI Producer);

• L. Hayden Eicher (Area V Producer);

• G. Henry Goodrich (Area II Producer);

• W. Lyle Pugh Jr. (Area I Producer);

• Wesley S. Marshall (Area VII Producer);

• Phil Hickman, Program Director;

For 2012, the Corn Board has approved funding for a total of eleven projects from around the state aimed at improving the production, science, marketing, and public opinion of Virginia corn.

The total funding dollars for these projects amounts to $348,052. On Dec. 4, 2012 the funding recipients will present the results and findings of their projects to the Corn Board for their review.

Below is a brief summary of the approved projects for 2012. For further information, please contact Phil Hickman, Program Director 804-371-6157.

• Systems for Control of Broadleaf Weeds & Troublesome Grasses in Corn—Henry Wilson

This research will be conducted on the Eastern Shore to investigate herbicide programs for control of Texas panicum and broadleaf signal grass. The study will also investigate new postemergence herbicides in non-transgenic corn to see if good control can be achieved at lower production costs.

• Increasing Corn Productivity in Virginia —Mark S. Reiter

The overall objective of this project is to purchase a corn head for a new plot combine to be used in Extension projects across the Commonwealth.

• On-Farm Evaluation of Corn Production Strategies— Keith Balderson

This project will involve installation of on-farm research and demonstration plots that aim to help farmers develop management systems that give economically viable yields and minimize negative environmental effects.

• Education Program— Ozzie Abaye

The Program will give students a strong background in crop analysis, specifically plant and seed identifications, seed analysis and commercial grain grading.

• Survey of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Halyomorpha halys, and Injury to Post-Emergence Corn and Kernels at harvest in Eastern Va.,, and Survey of Sugarcane Beetle, Eutheola Regiceps, Injury to Corn Seedlings in Eastern VA — Roger Youngman

The survey will focus on brown marmorated stink bug damage to corn seedlings and kernels harvested in Essex County. The study will also survey viability of two commercially available insecticide treatments, and make all findings available in the VCE Pest Management Guide for 2013

Corn hybrid evaluation

• Corn Hybrid Evaluations, Management Research, & Overall Corn Extension Program- Wade Thomason

Corn hybrid evaluations will be conducted at seven statewide locations. The study will produce unbiased, multi-company information that Virginia producers can use to select their corn hybrids.

• The Virginia Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom

The program will teach youth about agriculture by providing 1,350 copies of The Tortilla Factory

• National Corn Growers Association— National Corn Market Development Programs.

NCGA's implements its mission of creating and expanding opportunities for corn growers by:

Keeping farmers on the cutting edge of technology;

Providing innovative research to improve and increase market opportunities;

Reach mainstream audiences with positive messages about corn production;

Maintaining relationships with key markets, including livestock and poultry, processing for human consumption and foreign export markets.

• U.S. Grains Council — For 2012, four priorities have been identified through the Council's strategic plan and global market analysis:

Trade policy engagement;

Developing markets, enabling trade;

Utilizing new capacities and new markets resulting from the Panama Canal expansion;

Providing transparent, quantifiable and consistent data-driven performance measurements for USGC's work;

• Virginia FFA Foundation —Support for Agronomy CDE contest.

Funding to support the FFA's participation in the agronomy career development event during the State FFA Convention.

• Virginia Grain Producers Association—Market Infrastructure, Media, Information Technology & Influence

Work with consumers and customers to help develop market infrastructure to increase and promote the use of Virginia Grains;

Utilize media to pro-actively present information to producers, consumers, the general public, and decision makers about the value of Virginia corn production, as well as promote key industry news and events to media outlets;

Develop internal and external information resources to effectively communicate with producers, industry, decision makers and other key interest groups;

Continue efforts to provide a voice for Virginia grain producers and associated industries by affecting a positive change within agencies and organizations that have a direct impact on Virginia's grain industry.