STATEMENT REGARDING USDA MARCH PROSPECTIVE PLANTINGS REPORT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Tricia Braid
                 (309) 557-3257

Bloomington, Ill.—Illinois Corn Growers Association President Paul Taylor, a family farmer from Esmond, IL, issued the following statement today regarding the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s March Prospective Plantings Report.

“Today’s report from the USDA shows that America’s corn farmers are eager to accept the task of producing another corn crop, despite the rough experience most of us had in 2012. We saw a decline in acreage intended for corn in Illinois, contrary to the national trend. I think that illustrates the challenges a corn-after-corn plan has presented some of our farmers.

As much as anybody, as farmers we hope to see a return to at least trend-line yield, if not better, for 2013. Mother Nature certainly threw us a curve ball in terms of last year’s heat and drought. We’re getting a slower start this season, but we continue to be optimistic that we’ll produce a crop that can satisfy all our customers' needs.

Most of all, we look forward to delivering a quality crop to our valued customers, while farming in a manner that protects the land and our environment for future generations to come.”

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