Farm Compliance

Washington, DC - National Corn Growers Association Chief Executive Officer Rick Tolman last week took part in Vegetalia, a major farm show in northern Italy. At the show, he gave participants three presentations on U.S. agriculture - covering production, technology and biofuels - and learned about some of the key differences between farming in Europe and the United States.

“It really put our growers’ challenges in perspective,” Tolman said. “European growers have to deal with enormous restrictions on biotechnology that are really impacting their ability to increase production. The farmers in the European Union would gladly trade places with our growers in terms of the tools and new technology we have access to now, and what is coming our way here in the United States.”

Tolman noted that corn yields, which were rising in the 1990s, had flattened and are now decreasing, as growers in Europe are facing problems from pests they should be able to control with the right technology. He also said that, as in the United States, some conservation practices, especially related to tillage, are growing more common.

The Vegetalia conference and trade show is held every year in Cremona, Italy, and draws visitors from agricultural interests worldwide. One day during the conference was dedicated specifically to worldwide challenges and solutions in producing corn.