The new president of the National Corn Growers Association says growing demand continues to be a big priority for farmers. “The crop is bigger than we’ve seen before, we just keep being able to produce these records,” said Wesley Spurlock, a corn farmer from Texas who just took over as NCGA president at the beginning of October. “Demand is what …
Addressing Sustainability with International Buyers
Addressing the issue of sustainability with international buyers of U.S. grains at the Export Exchange 2016 was Field to Market data and technology director Paul Hishmeh. Field to Market focuses on quantifiable sustainability in agriculture and Hishmeh brought an overview of what that looks like to the conference, which is co-sponsored by the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) and the Renewable …
How Will Election Impact Trade?
Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Bob Dinneen had the challenge of talking about the U.S. presidential election to an international audience at Export Exchange 2016 this week in Detroit. “I know half of you are sick to death of the election and just want it over, and half of you are watching in somewhat bemused amazement wondering what is …
Event Seeks to Boost Exports
Hundreds of buyers and sellers of U.S. coarse grains and ethanol co-products have arrived in Detroit for Export Exchange 2016 and even though they are from more than 30 countries they are busy making connections and building relationships. The event, which has been held every two years since 2010, is co-sponsored by the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) and the Renewable …
Cuba – Oh the Possibilities
Throughout my life I have viewed Cuba as a piece of history, a far off distant land. Today, the country is being discussed in every agricultural circle I come across. The possibilities of future trade with our neighbor creates great opportunities for American farmers and ranchers. The House Agriculture Committee held a hearing earlier this week exploring the benefits of …
#USSoy – A People to People Business
A fifth generation farmer from North Dakota, Bob Metz, is proud to say all four of his children are all involved in production agriculture. Bob’s a soybean grower, current United Soybean Board Director and former U.S. Soybean Export Council member, who is truly passing on his passion and commitment to agriculture for generations to come. I met him at the …
Putting a Face on the American Soybean Farmer
Missouri soybean grower, Todd Gibson, has worn many leadership hats throughout the soy community at the state and national levels. His farm is located just east of Kansas City in the heart of Midwestern crop country. He was just elected to the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) board and shared more about his commitment to the industry during the 2016 …
Why Chinese Choose #USSoy
During the 2016 U.S. Soy Global Trade Exchange in Indianapolis, buyers from China committed to buy nearly $1.8 billion worth of U.S. soy, totaling 146 million bushels of new crop U.S. soybeans. Several of these commitments were made official at a signing during the event, hosted by the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC). Sherwin Li, Vice General Manager, Chinatex Grains …
Shipping Soy and Other Specialty Grains
For the 4th year in a row U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) has joined forces with the Midwest Shippers Association (MSA) to host the U.S. Soy Global Trade Exchange and Midwest Specialty Grains Conference. Sometimes it’s easy to forget how our products get from point A to point B. We put our heart and soul into production and neglect the …
Meet Arkansas Farmer & New USSEC Vice Chairman
Corn, soybean, rice and cotton farmer, Derek Haigwood, is the newly elected vice chairman for the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) and calls Arkansas home. I met up with Derek during the 2016 U.S. Soy Global Trade Exchange to learn more about the organization and how he plans to serve. Derek said he is honored to work hand-in-hand with USSEC …