FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 30, 2007

CONTACT: Becky Grisham, Missouri Corn Growers Association, (573) 893-4181 or (800) 827-4181

CORN GROWERS RESPOND TO MARKET DEMAND IN LARGE FASHION

Responding to increasing demand and stronger market prices nationwide, corn growers in Missouri are embarking on the biggest corn planting season since 1963. This is according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s planting intentions report released this morning.

"Today’s report reaffirms that corn growers make their planting decisions based on the market," said Gary Marshall, chief executive officer with the Missouri Corn Growers Association and the Missouri Corn Merchandising Council. "If the weather cooperates, Missouri could be looking at more than 750,000 additional corn acres over last year’s crop. If that number becomes a reality, there will be plenty of corn to go around for feed, food and fuel."

According to the highly anticipated report, Missouri farmers are expected to plant 3.4 million acres in 2007. That is an increase of 26 percent from last year and 10 percent more than 2005. Overall, corn growers in the U.S. are expected to plant 90.5 million acres. If realized, this would be the highest acreage since 1944.

"This is particularly good news for our friends in the livestock industry," said Marshall. "It provides added reassurance that their feed needs can be adequately supplied by Missouri corn growers."

In 2006, Missouri corn farmers harvested over 2.6 million acres of corn, producing 363 million bushels with a value of more than $1.1 billion to the state’s economy. To learn more about the Missouri corn industry, visit www.mocorn.org.