Need For More Exports

Chuck Zimmerman

USGC International Marketing ConferenceThe new U.S. Grains Council senior vice president of operations and industry relations is Keith Heffernan, pictured in the middle here. He was chief of staff for the Farm Credit Administration. Keith was also the first executive director for the Iowa Corn Growers Association; director of public affairs for the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation; assistant director for the Center of Agricultural and Rural Development at Iowa State University; and chief of staff for USDA’s Rural Development. In other words, he’s got a lot of qualifications to work in this new position.

I spoke with Keith here at the International Marketing Conference. He says participation is good and there’s a lot of excitement about exports. Looking forward he says there will be more attention and need for attention on exports.

USGC International Marketing Conference Photo Album

You can listen to my interview with Keith below.

Ag Groups, Audio, Corn, Grains, USGC

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • The world’s largest annual farm equipment show delivered on its promise to power global agriculture. The show opened under rainy skies, but the weather didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of show-goers seeking money- and energy-saving technology.
  • Here is an invitation from USDA to attend a Rural Summit with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in Hillsboro, Mo., on Feb. 26, 2010. If you are interested, please register here.
  • Terra Industries Inc. announced that the Company’s Board of Directors has unanimously approved a definitive merger agreement under which Yara International ASA will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Terra common stock for US$41.10 per share in cash.
  • USDA had taken the first step toward implementing a plan to address veterinary shortages throughout rural America by repaying the student loans of qualified veterinarians in return for their services in areas suffering from a lack of veterinarians.
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    Learn About Trade With Mexico

    Chuck Zimmerman

    USGC International Marketing ConferenceHere at the U.S. Grains Council International Marketing Conference n this morning’s general session we had a panel discussion on trade with Mexico. In the discussion attendees were able to ask questions and answers. In fact, it was mostly a Q&A session. Allan Mustard, Minister Counselor, Office of Agricultural Affairs, US Embassy, Mexico City, introduced our panel.

    Our panelists and their specialties included:

    Enrique Dominguez (Director – pork producers confederation)
    Discussion topic
    -Excessive exports of pork into Mexico (why and what is causing in terms of jobs and capital loss)
    -How long will that tendency last and what effects will result (everybody is asking this question)
    -What can be done from a regional point of view (north America, NAFTA to correct this issue)

    Ricardo Calderon (Executive Director APPAMEX – grain traders association)
    Discussion topic
    -Integration of the market MEX-USA, trends and role of different actors.
    -Obstacles that can disrupt trade (which ones can be prevented)
    -Future of grain trade MEX-USA
    -How to keep free flow of feed grains

    Carlos Lopez Coello (Scientist UNAM – National University of Mexico poultry specialist)
    Discussion topic
    There are 5 areas in developed countries where commercial poultry has received special attention, attributed in large part by consumer demand
    1. Animal Welfare.
    2. Environment Conservation.
    3. Food Safety.
    4. Traceability.
    5. Animal and Human Health.

    You can watch or listen to the Mexican trade panel. I recorded our live feed.

    USGC International Marketing Conference Photo Album

    You can also download and listen to the Mexican trade panel audio only.

    You can also find photos online in the USGC photo set.

    Ag Groups, Audio, Grains, International, Trade, Video

    The Ethanol Industy Outlook From Reverand of Renewable Fuels

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Cindy is working at the National Ethanol Conference and captured the speech from the Reverand of Renwable Fuels, RFA President and CEO, Bob Dinneen, who faced a much happier crowd than last year for the opening session of the 15th Annual National Ethanol Conference.

    “A year ago, at this event, we met amidst the worst economic climate since the Depression. Commodity markets were in upheaval, investment dollars had evaporated, gasoline demand was falling, production costs were rising, plants were closing and the very foundation of our industry and our economy was shaking,” said Dinneen. “At that time, I summoned Winston Churchill to admonish you, ‘When you‟re going through hell, keep on going!'”

    Dinneen was happy to report that the industry did persevere and survive, “And now, I can say, with confidence and conviction, that the state of the U.S. ethanol industry is strong,” he said.

    Among the accomplishments for the industry, Dinneen noted 15% growth, reopening 14 plants that had been previously idled, starting up 8 new plants, and adding1.5 billion gallons of capacity. The ethanol industry contributed $53.3 billion to the economy, along with 400,000 jobs and replacing 364 million barrels of oil.

    There is an online photo album started from the event for your viewing pleasure: 2010 National Ethanol Conference Photo Album

    Listen to Bob’s speech here:

    Audio, Ethanol, RFA

    Live From USGC International Marketing Conference

    Chuck Zimmerman

    We’re going to be broadcasting the final general session from the U.S. Grains Council Marketing Conference.

    Post Update We were live. Now we’re recorded.

    The Chairman for the U.S. Grains Council is Rick Fruth. Rich took the stage today to speak to attendees of the International Marketing Conference and Membership Meeting. I have recorded his comments for you in video and audio. I also spoke with him during a break to see what he considers the challenges and opportunities for the U.S. Grains Council.

    You can watch or listen to Rick’s comments here:

    You can also download (mp3) and listen to Ricks’s remarks here: international-10-fruth-stage.mp3

    You can also download (mp3) and listen to an interview I conducted with Rick here: international-10-fruth.mp3

    You can also find photos online in the USGC photo set.

    Ag Groups, Audio, Corn, Grains, Video

    Live From National Ethanol Conference

    Chuck Zimmerman

    While I’m attending the Grains Council Conference, Cindy and Carly are covering the National Ethanol Conference. They’re broadcasting the opening general session live right now. Afterward we’ll be posting a recording of it for you you to view at your leisure.

    *Post update*

    Below is the recorded video of the opening general session which includes comments from Renewable Fuels Association chairman Chris Standlee, President and CEO Bob Dinneen and part of the first session on the RFS2.

    Watch live streaming video from zimmcomm at livestream.com
    Equipment, Video

    Zimfo Bytes

    Melissa Sandfort

      Zimfo Bytes

    • DuPont announced the creation of an advisory committee on Agricultural Innovation & Productivity for the 21st Century, chaired by former U.S. Senator Thomas A. Daschle, as part of the company’s focus to meet the world’s increasing demands for food, feed, fiber and fuel.
    • Novus International, Inc., is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Geoffrey Zanton, Ph.D as Manager, Ruminant Nutrition.
    • Syngenta Seedcare announced that Dynasty seed treatment fungicide has been approved by the EPA for use on sorghum.
    • Winners of the World Ag Expo FFA Toyota Tundra Giveaway, its daily registration prize and the 2010 West Coast Nationals Power Pulling Series have been named. Click here for more information.
      Zimfo Bytes

      USGC Is International Marketing Partner for NCGA

      Chuck Zimmerman

      USGC International Marketing ConferenceOne of the founding members of the U.S. Grains Council is the National Corn Growers Association. Attending the USGC International Marketing Conference is NCGA CEO Rick Tolman, seen here addressing one of the meetings.

      Rick, who worked for USGC for many years, says that NCGA considers the Grains Council their international trade partner. The two organizations have a very strong working relationship. He says one of the things he’s really happy to hear discussed here at this meeting is how well exports of DDGS have been due to the efforts of the Grains Council. That’s good news for corn growers for whom the production of ethanol is so important right now. He says that the Grains Council is looking at other value added products they can promote for export too.

      USGC International Marketing Conference Photo Album

      You can listen to my interview with Rick here:

      Ag Groups, Audio, Corn, Grains, NCGA, Uncategorized

      International Grain Marketing Overview

      Chuck Zimmerman

      USGC International Marketing ConferenceHere at the International Marketing Conference and Membership Meeting of the U.S. Grains Council we received an international program overview which consisted of presentations from various country directors. Seen here is Dr. Hussein Soliman, Egypt Director.

      Each presenter gave an overview of their region, the projects they’re working on and the outlook for the future.

      I have recorded their presentations for you so that you may listen to them or download.

      Download Global Coarse Grain Outlook – Erick Erickson, USGC Special Assistant for Planning, Evaluation and Projects (mp3) or just listen:international-10-erickson.mp3

      Download ROW Program Summary – Chris Corry, USGC Senior Director of International Operations for Rest of the World (mp3) or just listen:international-10-corry.mp3

      Download Addressing Market Competition – Dr. Hussein Soliman, USGC Director in Egypt (mp3) or just listen:international-10-soliman.mp3

      Download Update on Latin America and the Caribbean Region – Kurt Shultz, USGC Director in Latin America and the Caribbean Region (mp3) or just listen:international-10-schultz.mp3

      Download Asia Program Overview – Mike Callahan, USGC Senior Director of International Operations for Asia (mp3) or just listen:international-10-callahan.mp3

      Download Building The Engines That Drive Demand – Cary Sifferath, USGC Senior Director in China (mp3) or just listen:international-10-sifferath.mp3

      Download Outlook: Competition – Adel Yusupov, USGC Regional Direction in Southeast Asia (mp3) or just listen:international-10-yusupov.mp3

      USGC International Marketing Conference Photo Album

      Ag Day, Audio, Grains, USGC

      Carole Brookins Keynotes USGC Conference

      Chuck Zimmerman

      USGC International Marketing ConferenceThe Hon. Carole L. Brookins, Managing Director of Public Capital Advisors, LLC, gave the keynote speech at 7th International Marketing Conference in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Her presentation is filled with facts, figures and her personal outlook on the future. She brought the group a unique perspective about how we may not agree with a lot of what is happening on issues like climate change but there are considerations that we should be making that include ways to profit in spite of them.

      She summarizes challenges facing the industry that include energy security movements, groups pushing consumers to a vegetarian diet, consumer perception that food is bad and more. So from one of her slides she offered the following:

      Where Do We Go From Here?

      • Re‐balancing the global axis of power and markets
      • Re‐inventing energy and technology that Runs our world
      • Restructuring production and markets for the food we eat, where we produce it, who controls it and how it is traded.

      Both Your Risk and Reward will be Multiplied. Your Complexity of Choices and Competition will be Magnified.

      You can watch or listen to her full presentation:

      USGC International Marketing Conference Photo Album

      You can also listen to Carole’s remarks here:

      Ag Groups, Audio, Grains, USGC, Video