Nebraska Corn & Soy Grows Future Leaders

AgWired Precision, Audio, Corn, Soybean

Lori Luebbe, Executive Director for the Nebraska Soybean Association, attended the 2017 U.S. Global Soy Trade Exchange with agriculture students participating in the Nebraska Corn & Soy Ambassador Program. The program is a co-sponsored partnership that reaches out to agriculture majors from the University of Nebraska to show them different aspects of the soy and corn checkoff organizations and teach them about career opportunities. It also strive to give students a bigger view of ag, Luebbe says- something more than what they get within a specific major.

Two of the members of this year’s ambassador program can vouch for the effectiveness of the program. “We’ve learned about the economic part of the ag world; today we’ll learn about the farming part of the ag world with Prairie Land Dairy. Here we’re learning about globally how important agriculture is around the world and how it’s a big impact on today’s economy,” says Kenzie, an Ag Education major. “The reason I mostly did this is to grow my knowledge as an educator. I hope to teach kids what I’m learning here today.”

Emily, an Agriculture and Environmental Sciences Communication major, appreciates the relationships she’s building. “I applied personally because I knew this would be a great connection to meet people in the industry- which is great for my major- and just to find further connections in the ag industry. It’s a great learning opportunity. We’ve learned a lot about social media and how to advocate individually, which is awesome.”

Luebbe hopes this program is providing a wide variety of educational information, but she’s also focused on growing leaders. These students will be well-placed to serve as future board members she says.

Listen to Jamie’s full interview to hear more about the program: Interview with Lori Luebbe, Nebraska Corn & Soy Ambassador Program

You can find photos from the event here: U.S. Soy Global Trade Exchange Photo Album

USDA Making the Most of Tax and Checkoff Dollars

AgWired Precision, Audio, Soybean

Michele Kennedy Kouadio works with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Services, specifically interacting with the United Soybean Export Council 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 gets me an opportunity to see our U.S. farmers in action as they interact with and answer questions of our international buyers who are are here,” Kouadio said. “Right now we have an audience of about 300 people and we have buyers from, say, 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 Trade 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

USB Names Ruhland as New CEO

AgWired Animal, AgWired Precision, CBB, Soybean, USB

PollyRuhlandThe 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

AgWired Precision, Audio, Soybean

When John Baize spoke to 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 marketshare through it’s 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

Precision Ag Bytes 8/23

AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes

  • 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.

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Midwest Seed Genetics Humbled By Reception

Agribusiness, AgWired Animal, AgWired Precision, Grains, Soybean, USSEC

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

Nebraska USFRA Food Dialogues to Focus on GMOs

AgWired Animal, AgWired Precision, Soybean, USFRA

The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) is joining with the Nebraska Soybean Board to host a “Food Dialogues: Pivoting the GMO Conversation” at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln September 6 from 1:00-2:30 pm.

Among the Dialogue participants will be Hilary Maricle, a Nebraska cattle, corn, pig and soybean farmer and CommonGround volunteer; and USFRA Face of Farming & Ranching Jeremy Brown, an organic cotton farmer from Texas.

The Dialogue will be livestreamed on USFRA’s Facebook page for those unable to be there in person. Find out more here.

U.S. Grain Inspection – What to Expect

Ag Group, AgWired Precision, Audio, Exports, GIPSA, Grains, Soybean, trade, USDA, USSEC

One of the breakout sessions during the 2017 U.S. Soy Global Trade Exchange provided an overview on how the soy and grain inspection system operated. This gave U.S. growers a better understanding of how their grain was managed once it left the farm and more importantly provided international buyers with the information needed to ensure they were getting a quality product.

Director, USDA Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) Office of Dept. Initiatives and International Affairs, Byron Reilly, said, “The federal grain inspection service is an impartial third party to the sale of a contract. We don’t see the particulars of the contract. We only look at the grain quality requirements that the buyers want us to look for.”

Reilly also reminds parties involved that the cost of these services is included in the price per ton. His office also helps organizations like U.S. Soy Export Council (USSEC) with their market development activities in other countries holding hands-on grain inspection seminars with attendees.

Listen to my complete interview with Reilly here: Interview with Byron Reilly, USDA, GIPSA

You can find photos from the event here: U.S. Soy Global Trade Exchange Photo Album

Nebraska Proudly Hosts #USSoyExchange

Ag Group, AgWired Precision, Audio, Exports, Markets, Soybean, trade, USSEC

To kick off the 2017 U.S. Soy Global Trade Exchange, Nebraska Lieutenant Governor Mike Foley provided opening remarks to the international and domestic soybean audience. I was able to speak with the Lt. Governor who shared how proud the state is of its agricultural industry. He said, “It’s really the backbone of our economy. We like to grow things.”

“It’s a big deal for us to have so many importers, people from a variety of countries here to learn more about agriculture in Nebraska. We want them to learn about the safety and quality we have in the production of our goods. I think as they spend more time here, they will want to buy more and more of our goods,” said Lt. Governor Foley.

The state’s water supply and growing conditions are also something to brag about. Finding more international markets helps Nebraska build its economy and hosting conferences like this gives a voice to the farmers and ranchers throughout the state.

Listen to our complete conversation with Nebraska Lieutenant Governor Mike Foley here: Interview with Nebraska Lt. Gov. Mike Foley

You can find photos from the event here: U.S. Soy Global Trade Exchange Photo Album

GROWMARK and COFCO Announce Grain Partnership

AgWired Precision, Audio, Exports, Grains, Growmark, transportation

GROWMARK and COFCO officials sign agreement

A new grain partnership was created on Friday between agricultural cooperative GROWMARK, Inc. and global supply chain agribusiness COFCO International Limited (CIL) providing a direct link from farmers in the Midwest to the global marketplace, and China in particular.

“We now have a direct pipeline from our growers to the end user,” said Brent Ericson, GROWMARK Senior Vice President, Member Business, who notes that China is the largest soybean importer in the world and the second largest agricultural export market for the United States.

The partnership includes joint ownership and operation of the barge, truck, and rail terminal at Cahokia, Ill., with frontage on the Mississippi River, as well as a grain origination agreement. The facility has 6 truck receiving lanes, a railroad loop track spanning 34,500 feet with two rail pits, allowing for simultaneous unloading of two shuttle trains of grain and grain products, and two 1,600 t/hour barge loading belts serving two barge loading docks.

Ericson believes Cahokia will play a key role in originating grain for the international markets driving global demand, and provide a win-win situation for both organizations. “It’s a really impressive facility in an area that there’s a lot of grain that moves through on its way to the Gulf of Mexico,” said Ericson.

CIL’s Cahokia facility receives grain via rail and truck for transloading to barges destined for export. The site is served by the Alton & Southern railroad and is able to receive product from all Class I railroads.

Audio file: Interview with Brent Ericson, GROWMARK