NECC29: Northeastern Corn Improvement Conference
(Multistate Research Coordinating Committee and Information Exchange Group)
Status: Inactive/Terminating
NECC29: Northeastern Corn Improvement Conference
Duration: 10/01/2008 to 09/30/2013
Administrative Advisor(s):
NIFA Reps:
Non-Technical Summary
Statement of Issues and Justification
The Northeastern Corn Improvement Conference (NECIC) is an organization that facilitates information sharing and research collaboration on the most important agricultural crop in the northeastern U.S. The annual meeting of this group provides a crucial forum for networking among many of the key scientists associated with corn production in the northeastern US and eastern Canada. NECIC provides an opportunity for maintaining close connections among both public and private sector researchers in the region, and for keeping abreast of national corn improvement research and developments through the Inter-regional Corn Improvement Conference (held every fourth year with the North Central Corn Breeding Research Committee). As such, the NECIC is a vital organization supporting regional research efforts that are key to northeastern U.S. agriculture.
Objectives
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Hold an annual meeting where northeast corn breeders, geneticists, pathologists, physiologists, entomologists, and agronomists from the public and private sector can exchange their current research results using an oral presentation format and accompanied by a printed Conference Proceedings within one year of the meeting date.
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Encourage more public sector members to become participants in NECIC.
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Monitor and share information about the spread of pests specific to the northeastern US and eastern Canada and conduct coordinated research on their management.
a) Roundup resistant weed management.
b) The impact from the increasing use of corn foliar fungicides as plant health enhancers when diseases are not present.
c) Refuge management practices.
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Conduct multi-state research and share information about corn management practices.
a) Adoption of GMO hybrids and their impact on corn production in the region.
b) Fertility management in the nutrient sensitive Chesapeake Bay drainage area.
c) Seed sources and management practices for an expanding organic production sector.
d) Stay abreast of the changing corn demand and supply situation that has occurred with the rapid growth by the ethanol industry.
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Exchange corn germplasm among breeders in the region for evaluation and breeding purposes.
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Provide graduate students with research and professional development opportunities.
Procedures and Activities
A 2-day annual meeting is held (generally during February) at a location determined by the incoming Chair of the group. This meeting includes research presentations by regular members and graduate students often offering them one of the first opportunities to make an oral presentation in front of their scientific peers. In addition, reports about corn production are given by the respective state and provincial members during the business meeting.
Expected Outcomes and Impacts
- Exchange of ideas and information/data among the region's corn workers.
- The region's corn workers keep abreast of emerging production issues regionally, nationally, and internationally.
- Exchange of germplasm to contribute to regional breeding efforts.
- Region-specific research results that provide corn growers guidance on crop and pest management.
- Professional development of graduate students.
Projected Participation
View Appendix E: ParticipationEducational Plan
All scientific presentations and reports from both public and private sector participants are summarized in an annual proceedings volume that is made available to participants and other interested parties.
Organization/Governance
The NECIC has two officers, chair and secretary. At each annual conference, a business meeting is called by the chair. The chair's primary responsibilities are to organize the annual conference and business meeting and coordinate publication of the proceedings. The secretary takes the minutes and handles any routine correspondence and at the end of the meeting, assumes the position of chair for the next year's NECIC. At the business meeting, a new secretary is elected for the following year. That person also becomes the chair-elect, serving the first year as secretary and the second year as chair. Both public and private sector participants will be encouraged to serve in these capacities, in order to continue the strong tradition of involvement from both of these groups. Administrative guidance will be provided by an assigned Administrative Advisor and a CSREES Representative.