GEAPS board of directors names new directors, officers

The GEAPS Associates board of directors ratified the results of the Associates board election during their meeting on February 25 at GEAPS Exchange 2013 in Louisville, Ky.
The following five associate members were named as 2013–2016 Associates board directors:

• Rick Fifer, 4B Components Ltd., Cornbelt Chapter
• Cheryl Lansink, Comco, Siouxland Chapter
• Robert Paige, Hazmasters, Canadian Prairies Chapter
• Daryl Watts, RCI Safety, North Iowa Chapter
• Ed Zdrojewski, Grain Journal, Cornbelt Chapter
Jeffrey Roumph, WD Patterson Co. Inc., Kansas City Chapter, was chosen as Associates board secretary and is now on the succession path for the 2015–2016 Associates board presidency.
Also at the meeting, 2012–2013 Associates board secretary Robert Klare, River Consulting, Gulf South Chapter, succeeded to the position of 2013–2014 Associates board vice president. Completing the 2013–2014 roster of Associates board officers is Scott Chant, Safe-Grain/Maxi-Tronic, Seaway Chapter who as 2012–2013 Associates board vice president succeeded to the position of 2013–2014 Associates board president.
The Associates board of directors, elected by Associate members, represents their interests in the evolution and advancement of GEAPS’ strategic plan. The Associates board advises the International board of directors about the interests, needs and priorities of Associate members in supporting the development and implementation of programs and services that best serve GEAPS’ core purpose: providing forums that promote innovation and facilitate the exchange of ideas and information about grain industry operations safety, health, efficiency and environmental responsibility. 

Grain aphids could be greater threat to 2012 grain harvest

The 2012 harvest may see a greater and more challenging aphid migration into cereal crops as a consequence of growing instances of pyrethroid resistance in the grain aphid (Sitobion avenae), according to the Home Grown Cereals Authority and the Insecticide Resistance Action Group.
This could have implications for barley yellow dwarf virus control this autumn, said the two groups. Home Grown Cereals Authority-supported testing carried out by Rothamsted Research has shown that aphids carrying the kdr mutation — associated with resistance to pyrethroids — have increased in frequency in 2012. The mutation was first identified in the UK in 2011,mostly in East Anglia.
Two new publications have been released which will assist with management of grain aphids in autumn 2012, including best practice measures to limit the risk of resistance and strategies that could be deployed if resistance is suspected during the autumn spraying period. A new Home Grown Cereals Authority publication contains the latest information on aphid management in both cereals and oilseed rape. A new Insecticide Resistance Action Group publication provides specific advice on the control of grain aphid populations that may contain individuals with resistance to pyrethroid sprays.

Federal subsidies to grain farmers may be cut

Federal subsidies to producers of corn, soybeans and other crops may be cut, according to a report.
“We are not going to have any new money; we’ll probably have less money,” said Collin Peterson, D-Minn., chairman of the House Agriculture Committee.
His remarks were delivered during a hearing in Washington D.C. to gather opinions from farmers on U.S. agriculture policy.
In 2009, the USDA expended $15.4 billion on all support programs including food stamps and farm subsidies. Growing budget deficits make subsidies appear unpopular from a political standpoint and coupled with complaints from trading partners over subsidies, reductions are inevitable. Congress is aiming to approve the next Farm Bill before September 2012.
If subsidies are selectively reduced, farms will naturally select crops which offer the optimum return commensurate with expenditure and risks. This may impact availability of ingredients and may alter the price structure of livestock production.

World grain supplies increase

International Grains Council (IGC) noted at its latest meeting that world grain stocks were expected to increase further at the end of 2009/10, to 373 million metric tons, mainly resulting from more ample wheat supplies.
The outcome of the global maize harvest would depend on southern hemisphere crops early in 2010, plantings of which had been reduced, but this year’s big rise in U.S. output was offset by marked falls in China and the EU. For 2010/11, a slight reduction in the total wheat area was forecast. With an assumed return to average yields following the highs seen in 2008 and 2009, this was expected to result in a crop of 645 metric tons, 3.5% lower than the past year’s, likely leading to a minor decline in world stocks. World trade in wheat in 2010/11 was forecast to be only slightly smaller than the estimate for the current year.
The Council also examined the factors likely to affect supply and demand in the next five years. It noted that grain availabilities were currently more ample than forecast a year ago, with the secretariat assuming that output would rise by 1.5% annually to 2014/15. Improved economic activity should boost grain demand but a slowdown in the expansion of the ethanol sector may contain growth.
Feed demand was expected to increase, although this would be affected by the increased use of industrialco-products such as distillers dried grains, as well as oilseed meals. Global stocks were projected to recede, mainly because of tightening maize inventories. World trade in grains was expected to rise by 2% annually.
Members of the Council also reviewed the global oilseeds situation, with another year of very big purchases by China helping to lift world trade in soyabeans in 2009/10 to a record 78 million tons from 76.8 million tons in 2008/09.

Drought decimates Argentine grain output

After a hard drought and a year-long conflict between the government and the rural sector, the once thriving industry suffers a setback. Read the full article in Feed International.

PAVA conducts talks with Japanese partners

Grain processor PAVA negotiated with one of the largest Japanese corporations as part of the company’s policy to expand international partnerships.
The meeting was held in Barnaul, Russia, where PAVA headquarters are located.The agenda of the meeting included a number of issues including potential trading cooperation and financial partnerships regarding PAVA’s new projects. Current business strategy of the grain processor is based on implementation of two projects: “Russian Agricultural Division” (expansion of land bank and farming) and “Grainvest” (deep wheat processing that involves reconstruction of some facilities).

Vietnam to regulate feed industry

According to reports, the Vietnamese government will begin regulating animal feed costs. Domestic market prices for feed are 10% to 15% higher than in nearby countries.
The Viet Nam Feed Association claims costs are higher due to the need to import half of the raw materials needed in feed production. With no domestic competition, foreign companies charge higher prices.The association says the country imports 3.7 million tonnes of grain to produce feed. The industry is asking for government help to encourage investment in raw material production.

Russian company sells shares, land access

Reports say Russian grain processing firm Pava is seeking Gulf region investors via a share sale. The sale is hoped to raise 100 million euros by granting access to valuable farmland.
The funds would be used to invest in technology and triple the company’s farmland. This move would circumvent Russian law that prevents foreign investors from owning farmland.
The deal could allow Gulf investors to use 1.24 million acres of Russian land to increase their food supplies.

Russia to increase grain production

Elena Skrynnik, the Minister of Agriculture of Russia, announced the country would grow up to 120-125 million tons per year of grain in 10-15 years, say reports. This gain will come from the use of additional lands and increased yields.
These volumes will allow Russia to double current exports to 40-50 million tons to Central and Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Southern Europe and Africa. It may also spur the modernization of grain storage and transportation in Russia.