Virtual GTE comes to a close – sort of

By Shane Frederick, SSGA Communications Manager

The 2020 U.S. Soy Global Trade Exchange & Specialty Grains Conference wrapped up on Thursday after four days of bringing together U.S. growers, processors and exporters with international buyers on a virtual platform.

In all, more than 1,500 attendees from 61 countries were registered for the GTE, which was co-hosted by the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) and the Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance (SSGA). Going into the final evening sessions, more than 1,000 unique participants were counted. However, more were expected Thursday night as well as over the next month, as the GTE platform remains open to registrants with its features available on-demand for the next 30 days.

“We promised that we’d deliver the next best thing to being together in one geographical location by creating a unique online space for us all to gather virtually,” SSGA Executive Director Eric Wenberg said in his closing comments. “I believe we did that, and I hope you thought so, too.”

Wenberg and SSGA Chair Curt Petrich participated in a media panel, along with USSEC CEO Jim Sutter and USSEC Chair Monte Peterson, on U.S. Soy resiliency in which they discussed the virtual GTE, as well as the state of the industry during COVID-19, which has actually seen rising global demand for U.S. Soy.

“In the food sector, when we talk about soy, that’s a core ingredient in daily diets,” Petrich said, citing increased interest in natto beans from Japanese customers as an example. “What we have seen is an increase in demand … and an increase in interest in the 2020 crop. There’s been a good, solid, strong demand within the current situation.”

Paralympic dreams

The day began with an inspirational session, as Kevan Hueftle, a Nebraska rancher and farmer, told his story of overcoming adversity to compete as a sprinter on the international stage. In 2019, Hueftle, a below-the-knee amputee, won gold and silver medals at the Para-Pan Am Games in Peru and also competed in the Para-Athletics World Championships in Dubai.

Hueftle, who lost his foot in a 2005 hunting accident and, later, began competitive running while recovering from alcoholism, was set to compete in the U.S. Paralympic Trials this year, but the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics were postponed to 2021 due to COVID-19.

“I just like to compete,” Hueftle, 35, said. “If you line me up with somebody on the track and we’re even close to each other, I’ll beat you to the finish line. That’s how I view life, anyway. I might not be the fastest or the biggest or anything like that, but I’m not going to be outworked. That’s not going to happen.”

Hueftle will go for gold next year. If he indeed makes it to Tokyo, he will be competing around the same time as next year’s GTE!

Food soya outlook

The third of SSGA’s three breakout sessions took place on Thursday with a food soya exporter outlook. Wenberg moderated a panel that included representatives from four soy-producing regions of the United States. The group included Travis Meyer of Brushvale Seed (Minnesota, North Dakota), Adam Buckentine of The Redwood Group (Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri), Steve Herr of Star of the West (Michigan, Ohio, Indiana) and Tom Taliaferro of Montague Farms (Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina).

The group reported on crop conditions in their respective areas and also discussed the current state of transportation and shipping logistics.

“The quality of the crop looks very, very good,” said Herr, who also noted that Star of the West is celebrating its 150^th year of business. “Overall, crops throughout the Midwest look very, very good. Compared to 2019, it’s in very good shape. Growers are looking forward to seeing how the crop continues to mature as we get to harvest time.”

All noted growing interest and opportunities for identity-preserved (IP) soybeans going forward.

“Planning and communication will be the key to success,” said Buckentine, who is a member of SSGA’s Board of Directors.

Wrapping up

Thursday’s other sessions included a USSEC breakout on U.S. Soy oil and general sessions featuring U.S. Trade Representative Chief Agricultural Negotiator Gregg Doud, who shared his perspective on the current state of U.S. trade policies, including the Phase One agreement with China, and ConsiliAgra’s Emily French, who gave a market outlook and shared strategies to position for the 2021 marketing year.

Go to the GTE website to learn more and to see the full agenda. Use the hashtag #USSOYexchange on social media to find out more information.