SSGA press release earns national merit honor

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The Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance and Ag Management Solutions captured merit honors (second place) at the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) 2022 Agri-Marketing Conference Best of NAMA awards ceremony on April 6 in Kansas City, Missouri.

SSGA received the award in the News Release – Ag Media category for its October 2020 press release that was one of the first sound the alarm on the container shipping and global supply chain crisis. The release, “Suspension of overseas ag container shipments is blow to U.S. ag community” helped SSGA increase its presence in national media, as well as ag and shipping trade media as the story gained attention and traction, resulting in interview requests and opportunities for SSGA board directors, members and the executive director.

SSGA’s position as an advocate on behalf of its exporter members through this release and has continued to be a reliable source of information on the issue of container shipping as supply chain issues worsened over the ensuing 18 months, as it and follow-up press releases resulted in a total of 250 million media impressions.

“Our team and the team at Ag Management Solutions have helped put SSGA on the map over the last two years,” SSGA Executive Director Eric Wenberg said. “They make sure that the voice of our alliance and our members is communicated to a national audience within the agricultural and ag shipping communities and beyond. It’s gratifying to see them recognized by their peers for their tremendous work.”

This was the first year Mankato, Minnesota-based Ag Management Solutions submitted SSGA entries to NAMA. The release also took merit honors during the Region 3 Best of NAMA awards, where it also took first place for its E-News in the category of Company and Association Newsletters – External.

Abbe steps down as SSGA adviser

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Bruce Abbe, the longtime leader of the Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance’s (SSGA) predecessor organization, has stepped down as SSGA’s strategic adviser for trade and transportation.

Bruce AbbeSSGA is grateful for Abbe’s service as it has grown into a national business organization.

Abbe has been in his advising role since SSGA was formed in 2019 as a merger between Midwest Shippers and the Northern Food Grade Soybean Association. Abbe was the president and CEO of Midwest Shippers for more than a decade prior to the merger.

“Bruce showed me the path ahead when I became director of SSGA three years ago,” said Eric Wenberg, SSGA executive director. “He has been a constant adviser and friend as we took on more and bigger tasks. What I understand about intermodal shipping comes from him.”

Abbe has more than 35 years of professional experience in public affairs, communications, trade promotion and organizational management for agricultural business organizations. In 2020, he received the William K. Smith Distinguished Service Award for outstanding leadership and contributions to private sector freight transportation from the University of Minnesota Center for Transportation Studies. Later that year, SSGA awarded him with its first SSGA Alliance Honor for Advancing Transportation.

SSGA will continue to lean on Abbe’s expertise in training, presentations, events and projects as it looks to update the advisory position. SSGA has truly grown into an organization that tackles shipping and transportation issues at a national level. As SSGA conducts a search, Katelyn Engquist will be the staff lead for SSGA’s Competitive Shipping Action Team on behalf of chair Darwin Rader. The action team follows and listens to major concerns of SSGA members seeking container supply chain solute ions and solutions to other present-day problems, as well as educates customers about container shipping in order to build a brighter future for intermodal exports of high-quality grains and oilseeds.

Please wish Bruce well and express your thanks, as we do to him at bruce@abbecommunications.com. For more information on SSGA’s Competitive Shipping Action Team, reach out to Katelyn at kengquist@soyagrainsalliance.org or Darwin at darwinr@zfsinc.com.

U.S. exporters and Chinese importers talk IP

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Nearly 150 people met online on March 30 for an U.S. Identity Preserved webinar and IP B2B meetings between SSGA-member exporters and potential buyers from China.

The event was held in coordination between SSGA, the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) and the China Chamber of Commerce of Import and Export of Foodstuffs, Native Produce and Animal By-Products (CFNA).

Following remarks from USSEC CEO Jim Sutter, CFNA President Cao Derong, U.S. Embassy Beijing Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Bobby Richey and SSGA Executive Director Eric Wenberg, watched and participated in three presentations about U.S. Identity Preserved field crops. SSGA Chair Rob Prather of Global Processing gave an overview of IP soybeans and grains. SSGA Secretary/Treasurer Colby Eymann discussed IP traceability and sourcing and Hua (Elsa) Xu of Hang Tung Resources talked about IP transportation.

“SSGA’s mission is to work with all our partners … to act as your expert in helping you learn how to purchase identity preserved field crops from the United States and how to profit by including them in the food products you manufacture,” Wenberg told the group. “What we are trying to do is explain in a structured way how the high-quality specialty field crop market means paying a bit more in advance can do for you.”

The webinar was followed by IP B2B matchmaking sessions between SSGA member suppliers and Chinese food manufacturers. Those who were not involved in the B2B meetings stayed on and participated in Q&A to learn more about U.S. Identity Preserved practices and efficiencies.

SSGA applauds Senate passage of Ocean Shipping Reform Act

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The Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance applauds the United States Senate for passing its version of Ocean Shipping Reform Act.  

The bipartisan bill, co-sponsored by Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and John Thune (R-S.D.), was passed by unanimous consent on Thursday. It would provide the Federal Maritime Commission with new, additional enforcement authority, ensure a more competitive global ocean shipping industry and provide relief to U.S. exporters, including SSGA-member agricultural exporters, who have struggled with significant supply chain disruptions over the past two years.

“Our members and others have been waiting for the hope of relief,” SSGA Executive Director Eric Wenberg said. “We have been consistently messaging that we’ve needed it, and we thank Sen. Thune and Sen. Klobuchar for their leadership on this matter. We believe in the Federal Maritime Commission’s ability to act on behalf of U.S. companies, and this reform will give FMC the tools it needs.” 

The U.S. House of Representatives passed its version of Ocean Shipping Reform Act in December. The bill now goes to conference committee to work out differences between the two bills.  

“This needs to pass the House and Senate conference with speed so a workable bill that provides relief gets sent to President Biden’s desk as soon as possible,” Wenberg said. 

The Senate bill provides FMC with additional enforcement tools to address unreasonable and unfair ocean carrier practices that have been harmful to U.S. exporters, including prohibiting carriers from unreasonably declining opportunities to U.S. exports. 

In a statement, Thune said, if passed, the act “would level the playing field for American farmers, exporters and consumers by making it harder for ocean carriers to unreasonably refuse goods that are ready to export at U.S. ports.” 

Added Klobuchar: “Congestion at ports and increased shipping costs pose unique challenges for U.S. exporters, who have seen the price of shipping containers increase four-fold in just two years, raising costs for consumers and hurting our businesses.” 

SSGA has supported passage of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act and was among the first groups to sound the alarm on the supply chain crisis in October 2020 and has continued to work on behalf of its members who export high-quality, Identity Preserved grains and oilseeds to help them meet the needs of their overseas customers. 

Lack of service, carrier cancelations, delays and rising freight rates and fees have “reached a condition critical situation,” said SSGA Chairman Rob Prather, chief strategic ambassador for Iowa-based Global Processing, affected business and have had a human toll, as well, causing hardships to logistics staffs, farmers, truckers, suppliers and customers both in the U.S. and abroad. 

“This isn’t just a global supply chain issue; it’s a global food supply security issue,” Prather said. 

SSGA to hold webinar, IP B2B for China

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On the heels of our virtual, business-to-business matchmaking meetings in Southeast Asia in 2021, the Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance will host a U.S. Specialty Soya and Grains Webinar and IP B2B – China on March 30 (March 31 in China).

The informational webinar portion of the event will take place 8-9:30 p.m. CDT (9-10:30 a.m. China Standard Time) and is open to all. The webinar will showcase the U.S. Identity Preserved system and highlight the traceability, reliability and safety of IP soya and specialty grains from the United States.

IP B2B matchmaking sessions will start immediately after the informational webinar. IP B2B provides SSGA member companies that supply U.S. Identity Preserved field crops one-on-one meetings with foreign food manufacturers. IP B2B is limited to pre-registered importers and exporters.

The event will be held in coordination with U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) and China Chamber of Commerce of Import and Export of Foodstuffs, Native Produce and Animal By-Products (CFNA) and will include presentations and remarks from IP experts, representatives of SSGA and industry members.

An agenda can be found on the registration page.

Federal Maritime Commission chair, Surface Transportation Board member to appear at Transportation Go!

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Daniel Maffei, Robert Primus to discuss agricultural transportation issues

Transportation Go!, the premier conference for soybean and grain transportation and trade issues in the Upper Midwest, is pleased to announce that Federal Maritime Commission Chairman Daniel B. Maffei and Surface Transportation Board member Robert E. Primus have agreed to appear at this year’s conference, March 3-4 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The Transportation Go! conference is focused on improving the competitive shipping environment for U.S. agriculture shippers and exporters everywhere with an emphasis on the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence Seaway.

Surface Transportation Board member Robert Primus

Federal Maritime Commission Chairman Daniel Maffei

Maffei has been invited to discuss FMC’s efforts to find solutions to the global container shipping crisis and to protect the ability of U.S. inland agriculture container export shippers to serve their food manufacturing customers overseas.

Primus has been asked to address initiatives aimed at increasing competition and options for railroad service of agriculture shippers, including connectivity improvements among Class I railroads, regional and short line railroads and intermodal service.

“The future of agriculture comes from the future of transportation,” said Eric Wenberg, executive director of the Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance, host of the Transportation Go! conference. “We can’t build the future of agriculture without these organizations and leaders helping us.”

Maffei was designated as FMC chairman by President Biden in 2021. He was first nominated to serve on the commission in 2016 by President Obama and again in 2019 by President Trump.

Primus was STB vice-chairman in February of 2021 – January 2022, shortly after being confirmed by the U.S. Senate as a board member in January 2021.

“Making a difference in agriculture means being vocal to build a solution,” said Bruce Abbe, SSGA strategic adviser for trade and transportation. “We are grateful that Chairman Maffei and STB member Primus are traveling to speak to our group and help build a reliable, efficient North American agricultural supply chain.”

Formerly known as the Northern Commodity Transportation Conference, Transportation Go! will bring in the industry’s top stakeholders, from boots-on-the-ground commodity growers and organizations to traders and shippers of specialty crops, along with representatives from key ports along the Great Lakes and more.

This highly engaging conference will provide the opportunity for in-depth discussions about the global supply chain and how it affects the vital movement of agricultural products both domestically and around the world. It will be an opportunity for attendees to weigh in on solution-seeking ideas and identifying priorities.

Besides presentations from Maffei and Primus, Transportation Go! will feature a robust agenda that includes discussion on these topics and more, including a market development and outlook panel featuring commodity organization leaders from the U.S. Grains Council, U.S. Wheat Associates and the U.S. Soybean Export Council.

Transportation Go! will take place March 3-4 at the Hyatt Regency in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Register today at transportationgo.com. Early bird pricing is available through Feb. 8. Special hotel rates are also available through Feb. 11.

For specialty ag exporters, supply chain delays remain major crisis

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Situation has reached ‘condition critical,’ in some areas SSGA chairman says

The holiday rush may be behind us, but the supply chain crisis has not subsided, especially for many U.S. agricultural processors located in the Upper Midwest.

Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance (SSGA) members who export high-quality, Identity Preserved grains and oilseeds continue to have major difficulties getting the equipment they need to fulfill their orders and meet the needs of their overseas customers.

Many containers bringing consumer imports to the U.S. continue to be sent back overseas empty instead of inland where ag processors have supplies ready to be shipped.

“Specialty agriculture needs containers for food grade exports due to a food supply chain that has reached a condition critical situation,” said Rob Prather, SSGA chairman and chief strategic ambassador for Global Processing, an Iowa-based company that grows, processes and supplies Identity Preserved, non-GMO soybeans and soy ingredients. “This isn’t just a global supply chain issue; it’s a global food supply security issue.”

The United States produces the finest agricultural products in the world, including Identity Preserved soybeans and specialty grains used around the globe by food and beverage manufacturers. SSGA members’ customers abroad specifically want these products. They’ve ordered them, and they’re waiting for them.

Specialty crops shipped via container are a growing market because of consumer demand around the world. The United States must be a reliable supplier, and that means the supply chain must work for everybody. It is wrong for shipping lines, which have been enjoying record profits throughout this crisis, to deny service to ag exporters. Some SSGA members have reported they are able to ship just 40-60% of their orders because of these continuing supply chain issues.

“Dialogue must continue, and SSGA is calling on companies throughout the supply chain to participate and find ways to reposition containers where possible and unclog this system, which is so vital to the global food supply,” said Eric Wenberg, SSGA executive director. “As an American, I am surprised that one our country’s top exports is air -– in the form of empty containers. Let’s slow down the system enough so we can put something in those empty containers.”

SSGA was among the first groups to sound the alarm on the supply chain crisis, and that was 15 months ago. Continued lack of service, carrier cancelations, delays and rising freight rates and fees have made the situation as difficult as it’s ever been, according to some SSGA members.

This hasn’t just affected business either. There are real people working to make sure every link in the supply chain remains strong, and the human toll has caused hardships to logistics staffs, as well as farmers, truckers, suppliers and customers.

SSGA supported the Ocean Shipping Reform Act that overwhelmingly passed the U.S. House of Representatives in December and is encouraging the Senate to move forward with the legislation, which would strengthen the Shipping Act and prohibit ocean carriers from unreasonably declining opportunities for U.S. exports.

More solutions are needed and fast. While time is of the essence, SSGA is hosting a shipping conference, Transportation Go, March 3-4 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and encourages anyone interested in solving this crisis to join us bring your best ideas to the table. More information at transportationgo.com.

SSGA communications team awarded

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The Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance received two awards, including a first-place finish at the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) Region 3 Best of NAMA 2021 awards, which were announced during an event on Jan. 18.

Working with Ag Management Solutions (AMS) in Mankato, Minnesota, SSGA was recognized for its twice-monthly e-newsletter, which received first place in the category of Company and Association Newsletters – External.

SSGA also received a merit award in the press release category for its Oct. 23, 2020 release which sounded the alarm on the supply chain crisis for ag shippers.

“Our team and the team at Ag Management Solutions have helped put SSGA on the map over the last two years, making sure that our alliance’s work and opportunities are communicated to a wide audience and that our members have a strong voice within the agricultural community,” said Eric Wenberg, SSGA executive director. “It’s gratifying to see them recognized by their peers for that effort.”

This was the first year AMS submitted SSGA entries to NAMA. Both of SSGA’s regional winners will move on to the Best of NAMA national competition. Those awards will be unveiled April 6-8 in Kansas City, Missouri.

SSGA elects board members; Prather chosen as chair

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Rob Prather

Rob Prather

The Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance added one new member to its Board of Directors, re-elected two others and tabbed Rob Prather of Global Processing as its new board chair during its 2021 Annual Meeting on Friday.

Prather and past chairman Robert Sinner of SB&B Foods were re-elected to the board, and Bryan Stobaugh of the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council was elected to a third open seat.

Following the business meeting, the Board of Directors elected officers, and Prather was voted in as chair, moving up from his position of vice-chair.

“I’m humbled,” said Prather, chief strategic ambassador for Iowa-based Global Processing. “There’s definitely some big shoes to fill. I’m excited to be staying in the leadership. With the COVID-stunted progress that we’ve had, some things just didn’t quite get done. I’m excited that the U.S. Identity Preserved brand did get done – that was awesome – but I think there’s a lot more to do. Consistency and familiarity are what the people we deal with need, and I’m glad to be able to help provide that.”

Adam Buckentine of The Redwood Group was elected vice-chair and Colby Eymann of Scoular was elected secretary/treasurer.

“I’m really looking forward to continuing the work that’s already been happening at SSGA,” Buckentine said. “There’s a ton of great projects that are going on, and I’m going to do my best to use some of the knowledge that I’ve gained over the years in this industry to contribute.”

Earlier this year, Eymann was appointed to the board of directors following the resignation of Raquel Hansen. Eymann will complete the remaining two years of that seat’s term.

“I’m really excited and honored to join the board of directors here at SSGA,” Eymann said. “I think what’s really got me excited is the role of the U.S Identity Preserved brand and, together with Rob, as the chairman, and the rest of the board, pushing that out for U.S. soy and specialty grains.”

Stobaugh, who has served as chair of SSGA’s agronomy action team, was elected to the seat held by retiring board director Rick Brandenburger of Richland IFC. Other members of the SSGA Board of Directors include Darwin Rader of Zeeland Farm Services, Keith Schrader of Wheeling Grain Partnership and Andy Bensend of AB Farms.

“This is a group of such smart, talented people,” SSGA Executive Director Eric Wenberg said. “They not only represent all of the areas vital to SSGA and its members, but they have a passion for what they do. And that will only serve our membership and help our alliance grow and grow stronger going forward.”

SSGA’s annual meeting took place Friday at the Hyatt Regency in Bloomington, following the U.S. Identity Preserved launch event on Thursday in Minneapolis.

Besides board elections and the annual member business meeting, Friday’s agenda included several speakers and presenters, including: keynote speaker Sara Baer-Sinnott, president of Oldways/Whole Grains Council; ally spotlight speaker Ed Beaman, COO of U.S. Soybean Export Council; Molly Burns, branded program manager for Food Export-Midwest; Minnesota farmer and SSGA board member Keith Schrader; agronomists Dr. Tom Peters of North Dakota State University/University of Minnesota and Dr. Kate Warpeha of University of Illinois Chicago.

SSGA also announced its annual Alliance Honors, recognizing those who have made significant and sustaining contributions to the U.S. IP industry in 2021.

SSGA awards second annual Alliance Honors

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During Friday’s Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance annual meeting, the second annual SSGA Alliance Honors were awarded. The Alliance Honors gives the SSGA Executive Committee the opportunity to recognize those who have made significant and sustaining contributions to the U.S. IP industry in 2021. These awards recognize stewardship, as well as advancements in transportation, I.P. and SSGA as an organization.  

SSGA Alliance Honor for Advancing SSGA 

Mihiri Mendis, Ph.D., Product Development and Quality Assurance Manager, Richland IFC Inc.; Wahpeton, North Dakota. 

Mihiri Mendis receives this year’s Alliance Honor for Advancing SSGA. As a volunteer supporting SSGA in its negotiations with USDA’s Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, Dr. Mendis taught the industry and USDA many things we didn’t know about successful quality plans. She drafted significant new work on behalf of SSGA that convinced APHIS about the professionalism and standards our member companies maintain. Her time, dedication, creativity, and education steered us to make a significant breakthrough in this new program and taught SSGA staff and leaders about the industry they represent. SSGA thanks Dr. Mendis, and Richland IFC for their contribution to SSGA this year.  

SSGA Alliance Honor for Advancing IP 

United States Soybean Export Council, Southeast Asia Team; Singapore and regional representatives 

USSEC’s Southeast Asia team is recognized with the Alliance Honor for Advancing IP. The group has devoted itself to global education and regional marketing as host of the food soybean topic in the U.S. Soy Excellence Centers. The team assisted SSGA with five regional meetings for the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand that resulted in millions of dollars of new sales by U.S. exporters of soybeans and specialty grains. The USSEC team provided tireless support in educating importers interested in sourcing IP field crops from the United States. And when we say “tireless,” that means working against all obstacles of time, day or night, considering the 12-hour time difference between the U.S. and Singapore and the other countries in the region.  

SSGA Alliance Honor for Advancing Transportation  

Darwin Rader, International Sales Manager, Zeeland Farm Services; Michigan and Iowa 

Mr. Rader is recognized with the Alliance Honor for Advancing Transportation. As chair of SSGA’s Competitive Shipping Action Team in 2021, he presided over the team, assisted staff and represented the industry at national and regional events, including the Global Trade Exchange & Specialty Grains Conference this summer in St. Louis. He was giving of his time and expertise, granting media interviews and participating on panels, in meetings, in strategy sessions and more. His voice is a powerful and insightful one in explaining and seeking solutions for the current global supply chain crisis. Mr. Rader always remembers to consider the people working in transportation and has been vocal in sharing the personal cost the past year’s difficulties have had on staff and families as businesses struggle to stay afloat. SSGA thanks Darwin Rader for his courage and conviction. 

SSGA Alliance Honor for Stewardship  

Andy Bensend, grower, entrepreneur, AB Farms & AB Farm Services; board member Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board; Dallas, Wisconsin 

Andy Bensend is recognized with Alliance Honor for Stewardship. Mr. Bensend chaired SSGA’s Governance Action team and advocated tirelessly on behalf of premium field crop growers in meetings, presentations, and financial grant applications this year. With his leadership, the governance team oversaw a successful rewrite of SSGA’s bylaws and an update in the organization’s strategy and goals. Mr. Bensend made phone calls, sent emails, and attended meetings that resulted in new financial contributions from members, and he committed his time to finding new members. Mr. Bensend provided staff education, insight, and content to SSGA outreach, ensuring the grower voice is part of the agronomy work we do as we seek ideas and solutions to challenges in the premium field crop industry. SSGA thanks Andy Bensend for his willingness to speak hard truths and advocate for SSGA.