The Illinois Corn Marketing Board has selected officers for the coming term. Paul Jeschke from Mazon, Illinois was elected to serve as Chairman. Don Duvall will fill the position of Vice-Chairman, Roger Sy as Treasurer, and Dirk Rice will be Secretary.- American Soybean Association (ASA) President Ron Moore confirmed 19 growers from across the nation to lead the ASA’s World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH) Program Committee in 2017-18. The committee will focus on long-term market development and finding new markets for U.S. soy.
USDA Making the Most of Tax and Checkoff Dollars
Michele Kennedy Kouadio works with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Services, specifically interacting with the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) and watching how the organization uses tax payer dollars to promote exports around the world. Kouadio also helps create a better understanding of U.S. soy for international customers and helps growers here diversify soybeans to meet demands, so for her the 2017 U.S. Global Trade Exchange in Omaha, Nebraska is an important event.
“It gives me an opportunity to see our U.S. farmers in action as they interact with and answer questions of our international buyers who are here,” Kouadio said. “Right now we have an audience of about 300 people and we have buyers from roughly 55 countries. The U.S. soy family is active in those markets and we do this through U.S. tax payer dollars, but also through the United Soybean Board from farmer checkoff dollars.”
Making the most of those dollars means building relationships with buyers and helping them understand the value of the U.S. soybean. International customers at the U.S. Soy Exchange are very appreciative of what they learn at the conference, Kouadio said. And that encourages them to increase their purchases from the U.S.- something the USDA can be happy about as well.
Learn more about tax and checkoff dollars at work in Jamie’s interview with Kouadio here: Interview with Michele Kennedy Kouadio, USDA
You can find photos from the event here: U.S. Soy Global Trade Exchange Photo Album
GROWMARK CEO Reports at Annual Meeting
The CEO for GROWMARK is Jim Spradlin. Jim took the stage at the annual meeting here in Chicago to report on how GROWMARK is maintaining a focus on its core values while adapting to changing market conditions, leadership and the importance of engaged employees, implementing a strategic plan and being mindful of environmental concerns. He told me that GROWMARK has started a multi-year process to update its information technology system which is the software that runs in the background of the organization.
Jim also comments on the recent announcement of a grain partnership with COFCO International Limited. He says the project was about a year in the making and is a mutually beneficial agreement that opens up new opportunities for midwest grain producers.
You can listen to my interview with Jim here: Interview with Jim Spradlin, GROWMARK
You can find photos from the events of the annual meeting here: 2017 GROWMARK Annual Meeting Photo Album
Brazil Tweets Tariff Decision
A tweet from Brazilian Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply Blairo Maggi late yesterday afternoon informed the world that Brazil’s foreign trade chamber has approved a 20 percent tariff on U.S. ethanol imports after a 600 million liter tariff rate quota.
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), U.S. Grains Council (USGC) and Growth Energy issued a joint statement on the decision.
“We are disappointed and discouraged to see the ruling out of Brazil today imposing a tariff on U.S. ethanol. Given the tremendous volume of information we provided to Brazil that demonstrated how misguided a tariff would be, it seemed politics prevailed today and Brazilian consumers lost. Imposing tariffs on U.S. ethanol imports will hurt Brazilian consumers by driving up their costs at the pump. Additionally, this action goes against Brazil’s longstanding view that ethanol tariffs are inappropriate and will effectively close off an open and bilateral trading relationship that benefits all sides. We strongly urge this recommendation to be reversed as soon as possible and will work to that end through all available pathways.”
RFA CEO Bob Dinneen (@ethanolbob) had his own tweet in response to the decision:
“Brazil just hurt their own consumers by imposing a quota and tariff on US #ethanol – the lowest cost octane on the planet. #foolish”
USB Names Ruhland as New CEO
The United Soybean Board (USB) has named Polly Ruhland as the new chief executive officer (CEO) of the checkoff organization, effective November 1, replacing retiring John Becherer. Ruhland has served as CEO of Cattlemen’s Beef Board since 2011.
“Polly exceeded all of the attributes for what we as a board were looking for in a new CEO to lead us into the future,” says John Motter, USB chair and soybean farmer from Jenera, Ohio. “Polly brings a platform of experience and expertise that parallels the opportunities and challenges facing the soy industry – building demand in domestic and global markets, creating consensus throughout the commodity supply chain, solidifying partnerships with national and state organizations and being an industry catalyst.”
In accepting the position, Ruhland said, “USB’s innovation and agriculture industry leadership attracted me to this opportunity. I am looking forward to working alongside farmer leaders and organizational partners to take USB into a bright future.”
John Becherer has served USB for the last 23 years and will work with USB to support the transition and the incoming CEO until his retirement at the end of the year.
Baize Offers View of Soy Past and Future
When John Baize walked the halls speaking with attendees of the 2017 U.S. Soy Global Trade Exchange, it wasn’t just some nice thoughts. Baize comes from 38 years of working the global market on behalf of soybeans and other farm products.
That experience gives him a great him not just a good view of the past, but also of the future.
“By all accounts we are going to continue to see the global economy grow,” Baize said. “We’re seeing continuous growth in the GDP in countries all throughout Asia, particularly in the Asian sub-continent- southeast Asia, certainly in China, and elsewhere. When you see more per capita income in developing countries, the first thing that is going to happen is they’re going to improve the quality of their diet, which means more animal protein in the diet, it’s going to mean more vegetable oil in their diet, and I think that’s where the future is going.”
The global demand for soybeans is growing twice as fast as corn, and four times faster than wheat, rice, or cotton. The U.S. has taken advantage of that market share through its agreements with Columbia, Morocco, and Korea. In Baize’s opinion, missing out on TPP isn’t a huge factor for the soybeans either, since the U.S. already has good access to Japan, southeast Asia and the agreement didn’t include China.
Listen to Baize’s predictions for 2018 in Jamie’s full interview here: John Baize, John C. Baize & Associates
You can find photos from the event here: U.S. Soy Global Trade Exchange Photo Album
Preview of GROWMARK Annual Meeting
Just prior to the start of today’s GROWMARK Annual Meeting I spoke with John Reifsteck, Chairman/President to get a preview. I’m a first time attendee, so I needed it!
The theme for this year’s meeting is Execute with Excellence. John says that for GROWMARK it is not something you say or do once but it’s a habit. “We think it’s important for us to be successful, to help our customers, to help our owners, that we execute the things we do with excellence.”
Besides the annual business meeting this morning the program will move to an Agribusiness Symposium with speakers to motivate and inform attendees.
You can listen to my interview with John here: Interview with John Reifsteck, GROWMARK
You can find photos from the events of the annual meeting here: 2017 GROWMARK Annual Meeting Photo Album
Precision Ag Bytes 8/23
The application deadline for the Award for Conservation Excellence (ACE) is August 31, 2017. This non-profit award acknowledges exceptional contribution to wildlife conservation and is presented by Banovich Wildscapes Foundation and Southeastern Wildlife Exposition and sponsored by Cabela’s Outdoor Fund and the Cabela Family Foundation.- Monsanto Company has reached a global licensing agreement with biotechnology company, ToolGen, Inc., The agreement includes the use of ToolGen’s CRISPR technology platform to develop agricultural products.
- NRGene, the worldwide leader in genomic assembly and analysis, has provided scientists with the complete genome of Italian ryegrass, one of the most important forage crops in temperate regions worldwide. This task was previously impossible but was accomplished with DeNovoMAGICTM 3.0.
- Vermeer is pleased to introduce the latest 5 ft by 4 ft balers, the 504R Classic and the 504R Premium. These introductions complete the brand’s 504R baler platform by adding an economical, entry-level option, as well as a top-of-the line baler.
- AgBiome announced that Howler fungicide received registration from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Howler is a biological fungicide that is highly effective against fungal diseases common to high-value crops.
Midwest Seed Genetics Humbled By Reception
Just a few weeks ago we announced the comeback of seedsmen Don Funk, who is leading a team of entrepreneurs in the launch of Midwest Seed Genetics. While attending the 2017 U.S. Soy Global Trade Exchange, I ran into Wayne Hoener, Midwest Seed Genetics, we sat down to learn what’s happened since their debut.
“It has been overwhelming and we are so humbled by this reception. I can hardly keep up whether it’s a text, email or phone call. That just tells us that the grower today is looking for a change. What we are doing isn’t rocket science. We are just trying to match really good, elite products with a component story and option for growers that’s best for them. We also want to be surrounded by great people. It’s that simple.” Hoener said.
Midwest Seed Genetics has taken on an outward focus. They do the things that growers tell them they want, not what they decide is good for them.
“We believe our seed industry has forgotten there is a use for every bit of this grain we produce in this world,” Hoener said. They want to equally focus on the consumer, the poultry and hog integrators, etc. What are they wanting in the products?
Listen to my complete conversation here: Interview with Wayne Hoener, Midwest Seed Genetics
You can find photos from the event here: U.S. Soy Global Trade Exchange Photo Album
Commerce Finds Unfairly Subsidized Biodiesel Exports
The preliminary determination of the U.S. Department of Commerce is that exporters of biodiesel from Argentina and Indonesia did receive “countervailable subsidies” and may allow for collection of retroactive duties.
“The U.S. values its relationships with Argentina and Indonesia, but even friendly nations must play by the rules,” said Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross. The department determined that both countries subsidized exports by as much as 68 percent, and that “critical circumstances exist” that would pave the way for imposing duties going back to May 2017.
“The Commerce Department has recognized what this industry has known all along—that foreign biodiesel producers have benefited from massive subsidies that have severely injured U.S. biodiesel producers,” said Doug Whitehead, chief operating officer of the National Biodiesel Board, on behalf of the NBB Fair Trade Coalition.
As a result of Commerce’s ruling, importers of Argentinian and Indonesian biodiesel will be required to pay cash deposits on biodiesel imported from those countries once the preliminary determination is published in the Federal Register sometime next week and rates for Argentina will apply retroactively 90 days from the date of the notice. Imports of biodiesel from Argentina again jumped 144.5 percent following the filing of the petitions.