Corporate Council on Africa Calls for American Investment and Exchange

Laura McNamara

Agriculture is an industry in Africa that’s poised to flourish… if the U.S. would simply get involved. That’s what the Corporate Council on Africa believes and that’s why it’s hosting the
2008 U.S. Africa Agribusiness Forum in partnership with the World Trade Center Illinois.

CCA President and CEO Stephen Hayes says his organization has been the voice for the vision of American and African commerce for 15 years. Often times, Stephens says, his organization has been the lone voice. Established in 1993, the CCA now consists of 180 major corporations that represent more than 85 percent of all U.S. foreign direct investment in Africa. But, Stephen explains, the CCA is not just made up of large corporations. A third of the companies involved with the CCA are small businesses involved in Africa.

Now, Stephen says, its time for America and Africa to work together in developing and modernizing the agricultural sector within Africa.

Stephen’s opening remarks officially kicked off the activities of the first U.S. Africa Agribusiness Forum. You can listen to Stephen’s introduction here:
usafag-08-hayes.mp3

2008 U.S. Africa Agribusiness Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the 2008 U.S. Africa Agribusiness Forum is sponsored by:
Novus International

Ag Groups, Agribusiness, Audio, Farming, International

Courting Commerce between Africa and the U.S.

Laura McNamara

People from all walks of life, as World Trade Center Illinois Agribusiness Director Chuck Hartke puts it, are gathering in a first-of-its-kind forum in Chicago this week in an effort to grow agricultural exchange and commerce between the U.S. and Africa. Chuck says the 300 participants of the 2008 U.S. Africa Agribusiness Forum have come together to explore how America can play a key role in developing rural agriculture in Africa.

African countries are asking for help and Chuck says the American Midwest, particularly Illinois, possesses the resources to help. Chuck says the top of the line production facilities, quality food products, machinery and equipment available in the Midwest are an example of what’s needed and what’s achievable throughout Africa.

Chuck explains that a continent that’s four and a half times the size of the U.S., with ample fertile land, has the untapped potential to not only solve its own hunger issues, but become a global player in food commerce.

Right now, though, Chuck says the reality is a continent of 900 million African people who, as a majority, aren’t even able to feed themselves. But, he says this forum is meant to spark dialogue and courtship that spans the Atlantic Ocean.

Chuck says Africa represents a huge portion of land that’ s not contributing to the global food source and its time for the U.S. and Africa to work together to capitalize on the economic opportunities for agribusiness between the two nations.

I spoke with Chuck during a break from this morning’s sessions and workshops. You can listen to my interview with Chuck here:
usafag-08-hartke.mp3

2008 U.S. Africa Agribusiness Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the 2008 U.S. Africa Agribusiness Forum is sponsored by:
Novus International

Ag Groups, Agribusiness, Audio, Farming, Food, International

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Merial announces the introduction of a combination radio frequency identification (RFID) tag and tissue collection device for use with the IGENITY® profile. Producers can now collect a tissue sample needed for the comprehensive IGENITY profile and apply an RFID tag in one simple and efficient step. Standard IGENITY tissue collection devices are still available.
  • The American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers (ASFMRA) announces Summer Education Week ’08 held July 14-18, 2008, at the Embassy Suites Omaha Downtown/Old Market, Omaha, Neb. ASFMRA will premiere the new Requirements of UASFLA – The “Yellow Book”, which includes material that will give attendees an increased understanding of the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions. Registration and fee information can be found here.
  • BASF SE and Monsanto Company have signed an exclusive agreement for a new fungicide seed treatment solution for soybeans in the United States. The new product contains BASF’s top-selling fungicide F 500®, the same active ingredient found in Headline® fungicide with its disease control and plant health benefits. The treatment will provide soybean farmers with early-season disease protection which results in improved stand and extra vitality.
    Zimfo Bytes

    From African Farm to American Fork

    Laura McNamara

    The Corporate Council on Africa wants U.S. investors to realize their potential in African agribusiness opportunities. That’s why the CCA is showcasing the African food value-chain at the 2008 U.S. Africa Agribusiness Forum. The CCA wants public and private sectors alike to cross borders and bring “farm to fork.” I’ll be covering the forum here at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago throughout the day Thursday and Friday.

    Highlights of the Forum will include industry-specific sessions, panels to address cross-cutting issues, such as finance product innovation, pharmaceutical and biofuel industry growth, carbon trading, production technology, and certification; as well as networking opportunities. Industry experts will share best practices and the latest trends in the field.

    These are a few examples of how the 2008 U.S.-Africa Agribusiness Forum will help companies gain the competitive edge on investing in Africa by becoming more knowledgeable about the African agribusiness marketplace.

    2008 U.S. Africa Agribusiness Photo Album

    AgWired coverage of the 2008 U.S. Africa Agribusiness Forum is sponsored by:
    Novus International

    Ag Groups, Agribusiness, Farming, Food, International, Novus International

    Valley Tracker Mobile

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Valley Tracker MobileOkay, so you can get your markets, make phone calls, take video and pictures, email, text, browse the web, edit documents, listen to music and podcasts and now you can control your irrigation equipment. All from your phone.

    With the introduction of Valley Tracker Mobile, irrigators now have access to the latest technology for remote management of their pivots and linears.

    The Tracker Mobile feature is a combination of Smartphone/PDA technology that uses Web access to retrieve monitoring and control options from the Valley Tracker. It provides irrigators with additional visual access to irrigation information from the convenience of their Smartphone or PDA.

    “Valley Tracker Mobile makes monitoring and controlling irrigation equipment easier than ever,” said Mark Ringenberg, Product Application Manager-Valley Controls. “Using a Web-enabled Smartphone with a Windows mobile browser, an irrigator can follow the status of each pivot and control its operations with just a touch, no matter his or her location.”

    Agribusiness

    Enjoying The San Fran Bay Sights

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Berkeley MarinaSo another conference is over and tomorrow I’ll be moving on to Jackson, MS for the Appaloosa Horse Club National Show. This will be the first time it’s being held there and from what I’ve heard already, things are going well.

    It’s going to be culture shock going from Berkeley Marina to the hot southeast but I can handle it.

    So, I’ll be seeing you from there.

    Transition To A Bio Economy Photo Album

    Uncategorized

    Farm Foundation Conference Wrap

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Corny GallagherHere’s my wrap up post from the Farm Foundation Transition To A Bio Economy conference. I learned a lot from the presentations here and hope the interviews have helped you too.

    I spoke with board member, Cornelius Gallagher, who helped summarize the event. He says the conference brought together world class leaders who were able to listen to some fantastic presentations. I’ve posted interviews with almost all of them so please scroll back through them.

    Corny, as he likes to be called, says that the conference accomplished what it was supposed to which is bringing leaders together to foster knowledge and provide attendees with a better understanding in a broad sense of the bio economy.

    The next conference in the series will be held October 15-16 in St. Louis.

    You can listen to my interview with Corny here: ff-bio-08-gallagher.mp3

    You can also download the interview using this link (mp3).

    Transition To A Bio Economy Photo Album

    Ag Groups, Audio, Farm Foundation

    Research Needed For Ethanol Company Success

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Peggy CaswellWhat we know and what we need to know was Peggy Caswell’s, USDA-ERS, topic here at the Farm Foundation Transition To A Bio Economy conference. She says we need to know things about how farmers or the providers of biofuels and feed stocks are going to have to change the way they do business. She used the example of having to look at different types of contracts and financing.

    She said that ethanol companies are going to need a consistent and reliable source of product and that farming by nature is very variable. So farmers will be taking big risks and that’s why contracting will be necessary. She also calls for a lot more research, something we heard earlier in the program from other speakers.

    You can listen to my interview with Peggy here: ff-bio-08-caswell.mp3

    You can also download the interview using this link (mp3).

    Transition To A Bio Economy Photo Album

    Ag Groups, Audio, Farm Foundation, USDA

    Biofuel Investment By Oil Company

    Chuck Zimmerman

    We heard from Chevron here at the Transition To A Bio Economy conference since according to Paul Bryan, the company has made a major commitment to biofuels. He says they created a biofuels business unit about 2 years ago. Their focus is on 2nd generation biofuels that use non-food crops.

    His talk focused on the integration in the biopetroleum business. He describes that as using bio-derived fuels that work with the existing petroleum infrastructure. One of the projects they’re involved with uses micro algae and he’s saying that it will be about 5 to 15 years before it’s in full volume production.

    You can listen to my interview with Paul here: ff-bio-08-bryan.mp3

    You can also download the interview using this link (mp3).

    Post Update: Photo removed at Mr. Bryan’s request.

    Transition To A Bio Economy Photo Album

    Ag Groups, Audio, Farm Foundation

    Investor Interest in Ethanol Drops

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Chris GroobeyThe issue of investment and financing for ethanol plants and bio refineries in general was addressed today by Chris Groobey, Baker & McKenzie, LLP. He works on project financing with investors and lenders and mostly in renewable fuels. He painted a pretty bleak picture.

    In fact, he says the New York investment community is not interested in biofuels right now. He says they’re tapped out and that ethanol and biodiesel are not of interest to them at all. So with that being said, what’s next? He says there needs to be a combination of making more money from existing plants by co-locating other facilities or finding other sources of income from the same plant. He also thinks there needs to be more and bigger business structures.

    He says this means we’re returning to more traditional models of rural development that take a longer term view. He recommends growing local agriculturally skilled management teams with people who understand farm risk.

    You can listen to my interview with Chris here: ff-bio-08-groobey.mp3

    You can also download the interview using this link (mp3).

    Transition To A Bio Economy Photo Album

    Ag Groups, Audio, Ethanol, Farm Foundation