SSGA Zooms around the world

June already has been a busy month for the Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance staff, board directors and members, who have been and will be Zooming around the world to promote U.S. Identity Preserved field crops and the IP system. 

On June 1, SSGA had three representatives presenting online at the Southeast Asia Soy Excellence & Protein Summit, which was put on by the U.S. Soybean Export Council. The trio spoke during a session called “U.S. Soy – Your Complete Solution Provider for Food Grade Soybeans.” 

SSGA Executive Director Eric Wenberg presented on transportation, including the benefits – and current challenges – of containerized shipping. Containers are vital for IP exporters, Wenberg said, explaining to potential buyers of U.S. Identity Preserved field crops how containers are sealed, protected and secure “for your use.” 

Transportation is not without its issues, as SSGA has documented well over the last year-plus. “Speak up, ask for service at the destination port you want, work with your seller, and plan ahead,” Wenberg said. 

Hoa Hunyh, SSGA IP technical adviser for Southeast Asia, discussed the U.S. IP system, touting the traceability, consistency and quality of IP soybeans and specialty grains from the United States, as well as the core values of IP for SSGA’s exporter members. 

“IP is the sweet spot,” Hunyh said. “It makes delicious products. … There’s a revolution in variety-specific soybeans.”  

Rob Prather, SSGA Vice-Chair and Chief Strategic Ambassador at Global Processing presented IP and variety-specific soybean supply and demand and production for FY 21/22, including some of the challenges U.S. exporters are facing in shipping. 

“The future is bright,” Prather said. “But act now, rather than reacting later.” 

Bridge2Food 

On Tuesday (June 8), SSGA board director Raquel Hansen gave the first of three SSGA talks at the Bridge2Food Plant-Based Foods & Proteins Exhibition for Europe. In a virtual presentation and discussion, Hansen showed photos from her Minnesota farm and discussed the U.S. IP system that she and her family practice in a presentation called “U.S. Identity Preserved – Added Attention. Added Advantage.” 

Sessions on Wednesday (June 9) will include SSGA presentations from Eugene Philhower, SSGA IP technical adviser for Europe (“U.S. Identity Preserved – More You Should Know”), and Bryan Stobaugh, SSGA Agronomy Action Team Chair and Director of Licensing and Genetics for Missouri Soybean (“U.S. Identity Preserved – From the Ground Up”). 

Northern Crops Institute 

Starting Sunday (June 13), Northern Crops Institute of Fargo, North Dakota, will be putting on a virtual Identity Preserved/Food Grade Soybean Procurement course for foreign buyers. SSGA will give two presentations as part of the course. Adam Buckentine, SSGA board director and Director of Food Soy and Organics at The Redwood Group will present “Introduction to Identity Preserved Soya – Investing in Higher Quality Delivers Higher Value.” And Bruce Abbe, SSGA adviser for trade and transportation, will present “Understanding Container Freight Transportation and Recent Challenges.”