SSGA set for Manila mission

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The Philippines were one of the first countries SSGA explored to learn about Southeast Asian markets for identity preserved (IP) field crops and the first to participate in the IP B2B virtual business events during the pandemic. Now, the alliance will visit Manila, that country’s capital, Aug. 6-10 for a series of meetings and U.S. Identity Preserved Workshops with food manufacturers to promote high-quality, traceable grains and oilseeds from the United States and the U.S. Identity Preserved assurance plan and brand label program.

The delegation includes SSGA board directors Chuck Kunisch (Michigan Agricultural Commodities) and Bryan Severs (Illinois Soybean Association), IP consultant Rob Prather and SSGA Manager of Strategic Programs Shane Frederick, along with representatives of the organization’s global management team.

“We look forward to the opportunity to sit down with food businesses and not only talk about the U.S. Identity Preserved system, companies and crops, but listen to those companies and better understand how we can assist them in communicating the U.S. IP quality and value message to their own customers,” Frederick said.

SSGA plans meetings with a variety of importing companies, U.S. cooperator organizations working in the Philippines and elsewhere in Southeast Asia, and officials with USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service posted in Manila.

SSGA also held a U.S. IP workshop in Tokyo during the FoodEx Japan trade show in March and is planning another for Kathmandu, Nepal, in September, hitting each of its primary target regions – North Asia, Southeast Asia and South Asia before holding the second Identity Preserved International Summit Feb. 18-20, 2025 in Honolulu, Hawaii.

SSGA’s 2024 IP Workshops have been sponsored by the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council, North Dakota Soybean Council and Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board as part of their support of the Identity Preserved International Summit.

The U.S. Identity Preserved program receives support from the Illinois Soybean Association, Michigan Soybean Committee, Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, South Dakota Soybean Checkoff and Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board, along with funding from a USDA Agricultural Trade Promotion grant and added support from the U.S. Soybean Export Council.

SSGA earns praise at Attaché Seminar

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SSGA had a chance to showcase itself as the U.S. Identity Preserved Alliance and differentiate identity preserved (IP) field crops to USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) attachés during the U.S. Agricultural Export Development Council’s annual Attaché Seminar on July 10-11 in McLean, Virginia.

SSGA sponsored and put on an immersion training session for attachés at the beginning of the conference. During the invitation-only session, SSGA staff and contractors discussed the U.S. Identity Preserved assurance plan and brand mark; talked about retail package labeling; and demonstrated how IP field crops are differentiated through segregation, technical handling and traceability, giving customers choice for the ingredients in their high-quality food products.

Speaking on behalf of SSGA were Executive Director Eric Wenberg, Manager of Strategic Programs Shane Frederick, IP technical experts Raquel Hansen and Rob Prather and ICC global management contractors Susan Weller and Amy Burdett.

The training included hands-on experiences for attendees. Hansen asked the group to soak identity preserved and commodity soybeans in hot water at their tables to demonstrate the impressive consistency of IP beans that buyers appreciate. Prather did a grading sample, putting corn through a sieve to show the difference between a No. 1-graded field crop and a cleaner, “above-grade” IP product ready for specific food uses.

“This was a unique opportunity to introduce or, in some cases, re-introduce SSGA to FAS officers who are posted around the world,” Frederick said. “The more they know about this organization, its members companies and identity preserved crops, the more tools they have to assist companies in their assigned countries and connect them with U.S. exporters who can supply them with high-quality ingredients for their own high-quality food products.”

Additionally, there is a quality and traceability with the U.S. Identity Preserved brand that should resonate not just to the food manufacturer but to the consumers who purchase the finished product.

“Customers want to know where their food comes from and how it’s produced,” Frederick said.

SSGA received high marks for the presentation, according to initial post-session surveys.

Said one attendee: “The useful presentations (gave a) more clear explanation of what SSGA wants to accomplish.”

Said another: “Very informative about a growing segment of U.S. agriculture.”

The U.S. Identity Preserved program was created with USDA Agricultural Trade Promotion grant funding.

During a breakout session of Attaché Seminar, SSGA Manager of Transportation and Regulatory Affairs Gary Williams presented and moderated a panel entitled “A Global Look at Transportation Issues.” The panel featured Williams, Federal Maritime Commission Commissioner Max Vekich and Port of Virginia Director of Strategic Accounts Tyler Bemis.

Current challenges and opportunities and an outlook of global ag shipping were discussed, along with updates on the Ocean Shipping Reform Act that was signed into law in 2022. Williams and SSGA Chair Bob Sinner also visited other officials in Washington, D.C., to update them on programs and priorities of SSGA regarding agriculture shipping.

SSGA also joined USSEC and ASA-WISHH to sponsor the coffee and tea available throughout the seminar.

NCI IP course provides hands-on learning

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Food manufacturers and others from seven Asian countries seeking to elevate their products with high-quality, identity preserved (IP) soybeans, completed a Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance (SSGA)-sponsored course last week at Northern Crops Institute (NCI) in Fargo, N.D.

The annual IP/Food Grade Soybean Procurement Course focuses on sourcing and purchasing high-quality, IP soybeans for food products, equipping buyers with the knowledge and skills to navigate this specialized market. It also gave participants opportunities to tour two IP supplier facilities in the immediate area and hear from other companies operating in North Dakota and Minnesota.

Participants hailed from Japan, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar and also included SSGA’s three international representatives, who traveled from Japan, Korea and Thailand to take the course.

“The course was a unique opportunity to learn the process of IP from the exporters and the producers and to meet SSGA members,” said Kraipob Pangsapa, SSGA’s Southeast Asia international representative. “This is information we can take to international customers in our regions and spread the message of U.S. Identity Preserved.”

Presenters instructed participants about cash and futures markets, soybean breeding, transportation, contracts, pricing and economic advantages of using identity preserved oilseeds for food manufacturing. Food scientists gave demonstrations on soy milk and tofu processing and some presentations included hands-on learning, such as SSGA IP expert consultant Raquel Hansen’s demo about grading soybeans. Tours included facilities and farm fields at Brushvale Seed and SB&B Foods, both SSGA members. Other SSGA member companies included in the program included Grain Millers, Genesis Seed Solutions, HC International and Richland IFC.

“The NCI course is very near and dear to the hearts of SSGA members,” said Shane Frederick, SSGA manager of strategic programs, “as it gives them a chance to get in depth with attendees and showcase the many advantages of identity preserved soybeans. Also, they get to emphasize the IP procurement process, which encourages working closely with suppliers and contracting ahead.”

Frederick highlighted the U.S. Identity Preserved assurance plan and brand/label program and also spoke on the economic benefits that come with paying more up front for a premium product.

In addition, having SSGA’s in-country representatives take the course and speak directly with suppliers and buyers was a great way to enhance the U.S. Identity Preserved program, Frederick said.

“Our Southeast Asia and North Asia representatives came away from this with creative ideas about how they can further communicate the U.S. Identity Preserved message to customers and consumers abroad, as well as help suppliers and customers throughout the IP process,” he said.

The course was sponsored by the North Dakota Soybean Council and SSGA. Participants came to the course with the assistance of U.S. Soybean Export Council, the American Soybean Association’s World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH) and SSGA.

IP workshops to be held in Manila and Kathmandu

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Identity Preserved International Summit Workshops are being planned for Aug. 8, in Manila, Philippines and Sept. 19 in Kathmandu, Nepal. The workshops will introduce SSGA, its members and the U.S. Identity Preserved assurance plan and brand mark with presentations on IP advantages (quality, traceability, economics), contracting, farming practices, crop updates and labeling. These events will be an excellent primer for the Identity Preserved International Summit that is scheduled for Feb. 18-20, 2025, in Honolulu, Hawaii.

The Aug. 8 workshop for Philippine food manufacturers will reconnect the alliance with the market, following up on the virtual IP B2B in 2021 and SSGA’s participation in the USDA Trade Mission to the Philippines in 2022.

The Sept. 19 event will build on Nepal’s first import of U.S. identity preserved soybeans that took place in March. The response to the soy foods made from this transaction has been so positive that a second container has been purchased. The Kathmandu seminar is expected to attract 50-60 importers, processors and retailers from Nepal and India. Participants will have the chance to sample a range of products, such as soy milk, tofu, yogurt, soft serve, nuts and flour.

Any SSGA members interested in participating in either meeting should reach out to Shane Frederick, SSGA manager of strategic programs. In addition to the workshops for invited guests, SSGA’s U.S. delegation will schedule additional meetings and tours. More details coming soon.

SSGA’s Identity Preserved International Summit Workshops have been sponsored by the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council, North Dakota Soybean Council and Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board.

Save the date for SSGA’s 2025 events

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SSGA has announced dates for three events in 2025. The Identity Preserved International Summit will return Feb. 18-20 in Honolulu, Hawaii. SSGA’s annual meeting will be held March 11, followed by Transportation Go! March 12-13 in Minneapolis.

In January 2023, more than 150 people, including 50 foreign buyers, participated in the inaugural Summit, traveling from the U.S., South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar and Cambodia for discussions and networking, along with presentations on supply, transportation, crop conditions and availability and more.

SSGA invites food manufacturers; grain and oilseed buyers and sellers; and transportation, equipment, seed and input companies from around the world to experience the U.S. Identity Preserved field crop industry through educational seminars, networking opportunities, agricultural tours and more.

“These are the best companies in the world who do this – on both sides of the ocean,” SSGA Executive Director Eric Wenberg said. “The Identity Preserved International Summit will again give them a chance to have real dialogue about one of the fast-growing sectors of agriculture.”

More information, as well as registration, will be released soon about the Summit.

SSGA will again hold its annual meeting and Transportation Go! back-to-back, March 11-13, 2025, in Minneapolis.

SSGA’s 2024 annual meeting included a 5-year anniversary celebration, as well as Board of Director elections and breakout sessions about agronomy and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s High Quality Specialty Grains program that SSGA administratively supports. Transportation Go! 2024 united about 120 growers, port authority representatives, shippers, suppliers and others for solution-seeking discussions around transportation of agricultural products.

SSGA celebrates 5 years, holds board elections

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Since its inception 5 years ago, the Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance (SSGA) has led the way.

In 2019, the Midwest Shippers Association and Northern Food Grade Soybean Association (NFGSA) merged to form SSGA. Originally coined as the premier business alliance of U.S. companies focused on production, processing and shipping of specialty soya and grains worldwide, SSGA celebrated its accomplishments at its five-year anniversary celebration and annual meeting on March 12.

The meeting kicked off with agronomy presentations from Dr. Bryan Young, Purdue University; Dr. Andrew Scaboo, University of Missouri and Dr. Emily Bick from University of Wisconsin-Madison, who discussed innovations in pest management. Ohio farmer Chad Warner discussed his farm and the challenges and benefits of growing identity preserved in the producer interview.

Bob Sinner, SSGA chair, was joined by past chairs Curt Petrich and Rob Prather for a panel discussing the history of SSGA.

Led by Executive Director Eric Wenberg, the panel recounted the early days of the organization, when staff and board members tested out elevator pitches for what SSGA meant. Or when the newly hired Wenberg pointed out all of the reasons a program to assist with phytosanitary inspections would not work.

2024 SSGA Officers: Bryan Severs, secretary/treasurer; Bob Sinner, chair; Bryan Stobaugh, vice chair

That “impossible” phytosanitary program, now named the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) High Quality Specialty Grains (HQSG) program, launched in April 2023, generating nearly 1,700 phytosanitary certificates for U.S. companies exporting high-quality soybeans in containers. Eighteen companies are accepted to use the program, with several more in the certification process. SSGA administratively supports the HQSG program.

“This is the one organization that I have seen a direct ROI on an activity from,” Petrich said. “It’s created a much more efficient [processing] plant and has decreased costs by almost 70%.”

The trio of chairs also recounted other accomplishments of SSGA, such as the U.S. Identity Preserved assurance protocol and brandmark, SSGA University and SSGA advocacy around container shipping issues.

“SSGA has led the way,” Petrich added. “Without this organization a number of things couldn’t get done in this sector.”

SSGA also awarded its annual Alliance Honors. The Alliance Honors recognizes those who have made significant and sustaining contributions to the U.S. IP industry in 2023. These awards recognize stewardship, as well as advancements in transportation, IP and SSGA as an organization.

The Alliance Honor for Stewardship was awarded to the Illinois Soybean Association for their financial, physical and human resources to SSGA programs and meetings. The Indiana Crop Improvement Association was awarded the Alliance Honor for Advancing IP for its work to implement the U.S. Identity Preserved protocol, qualifying companies in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and others. Dr. Karl Kolb, president and chief technical officer of the High Sierra Group/Ceres University was awarded the Advancing SSGA honor for his volunteer work with SSGA to help a small U.S. tofu manufacturer overcome a difficult audit and inspection of its processing facility. The Alliance Honor for Advancing Transportation was awarded to Pamela Ryan of Stonebridge, Ltd., for leading the Competitive Shipping action team during a renewed shipping crisis.

Elections were held to fill two open seats on the SSGA board. Gail Donkers of the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council was reelected to the board and Bryan Severs of the Illinois Soybean Association joined the board.

Severs was later elected by his peers to serve as the SSGA secretary/treasurer. Bryan Stobaugh of the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council was tabbed as vice chair and Bob Sinner of SB&B Foods was re-elected to serve as the chair.

“Being able to work with the quality of people we have in the membership and on the board has been an honor,” said Sinner. “I am honored and humbled to serve as the SSGA chair for another year and look forward to what we can accomplish in 2024.”

SSGA promoting quality with U.S. Identity Preserved in Japan

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Alliance to present workshop for food manufactures, buyers during FOODEX trade show

The Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance (SSGA) is taking its Identity Preserved International Summit Workshop to Tokyo, Japan, on March 7 during FOODEX Japan 2024. FOODEX Japan is the largest annual food and beverage trade show in Asia, making it an ideal venue to host the Identity Preserved workshop.

“SSGA launched the U.S. Identity Preserved program a little over two years ago, and 15 certified companies now use the ‘Identity Preserved United States’ brand mark to signify the great quality and traceability of U.S. specialty soybeans and grains to international food companies and buyers,” said Shane Frederick, SSGA’s manager of strategic programs. “We are going to Tokyo to tell the U.S. Identity Preserved story and emphasize that when it comes to these premium U.S. field crops, quality doesn’t cost, it pays!”

Taking place at Tokyo Big Sight in Room 3, Hall 4, Second Foor, the Identity Preserved International Summit Workshop will feature educational presentations describing U.S. Identity Preserved protocol and labeling and includes translation and ample networking opportunities. With traceability at the heart of it all, the identity preserved process segregates crops and products throughout production, processing and distribution so customers receive the exact qualities and characteristics that they order.

“We’re building and growing a strong relationship between farmers and suppliers of U.S. specialty field crops and customers and consumers overseas,” said Bryan Stobaugh, SSGA board director and director of licensing and commercialization for Missouri Soybeans. “As the identity preserved association of the United States, SSGA has a ‘fork to farm’ focus that covers the entire IP value chain.”

Workshop presentations include:

  • Information about suppliers of identity preserved, variety-specific field crops, including U.S. companies and products certified with the Identity Preserved United States mark.
  • An explanation of the U.S. Identity Preserved system and assurance plan and how it assures quality and traceability.
  • Opportunities to include the Identity Preserved United States label on retail product packaging and how to communicate the mark’s message to customers.
  • Crop updates and outlooks from U.S. farmers.

Along with the Summit, SSGA will be exhibiting in booth E4-C12-34 at FOODEX March 5-8.

NCI to host on-demand and in-person soyfoods courses in 2024

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The Northern Crops Institute (NCI) will be hosting a variety of soyfoods courses in 2024, including; High Oleic Soyfoods, IP/Food Grade Soybean Procurement, INTSOY, and Plant-Based Texturized Protein Products. These courses offer opportunities to learn from both academic and industry professionals about soy from field to plate.

2024 NCI Soyfoods Courses

  • High Oleic Soyfoods (on-demand) course launched January 15, 2024 and is available now
  • IP/Food Grade Soybean Procurement (in-person) course will be held June 17-21, 2024
  • Plant-Based Texturized Protein Products (in-person) course will be held June 25-27, 2024
  • INTSOY (in-person) course will be held August 12-16, 2024

NCI’s on-demand courses allows participants to work through the course at their own pace and includes pre-recorded lectures and demonstrations, as well as a discussion board to ask questions and post comments. In-person courses will be held at the Northern Crops Institute in Fargo, ND, where participants will learn through lectures, presentations, and hands-on demonstrations. The INTSOY course includes visits to South Dakota and Minnesota.

These courses will benefit soy food companies, food R&D staff, dietitians, nutritionists, soy food product processors, personnel in the food industry, and more. Both domestic and international participants are welcomed to attend these courses.

“NCI’s soybean and soyfoods courses provide training to help participants learn about the quality of identity preserved (IP) food grade soybeans and how to utilize them in a variety of different food products. In-person courses incorporate lectures, activities and hands-on demonstrations so participants learn first-hand from experts how soybean quality impacts processing and final product quality,” says Brian Sorenson, NCI Program Manager.

Learn more about the soyfood courses NCI has to offer at https://www.northern-crops.com/courses.

SSGA growing opportunities at Minnesota events

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SSGA was greeted by enthusiastic audiences at two Minnesota events in January to discuss identity preserved field crops and opportunities for the upcoming growing season.

At MN Ag Expo Jan. 17-18, SSGA hosted a panel about options and opportunities for farmers to diversify their operation. Minnesota farmers Keith Schrader and Jon Thoreson spoke about the challenges, benefits and opportunities of growing identity preserved field crops while Mark Querna from Farmers Independent Research of Seed Technologies (FIRST) spoke about is third-party trials of non-GMO varieties.

Although growing identity preserved field crops requires extra care to ensure traceability, the panelists stressed that their operations would not undergo the extra work  if it didn’t make sense financially.

“It’s very beneficial for your farm but make sure you know the process,” Querna said about growing identity preserved.

SSGA Manager of Strategic Programs Shane Frederick moderated the panel, and representatives from several regional exporters also joined the conversations and were available to talk to growers interested in trying an identity preserved variety on their farm.

SSGA also exhibited at the MN Ag Expo trade show, a show that attracts more than 90 exhibitors and 1,600 growers and industry members from Minnesota and beyond.

At the Minnesota Organic Conference, put on by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Jan. 11-12, Frederick presented updates in specialty soybeans, which included organic food-grade soybeans exported by SSGA members, and highlighted SSGA programs that support the industry during a breakout session sponsored by the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council.

SSGA also exhibited at the MN Ag Expo trade show, an event that attracts more than 90 exhibitors and 1,600 growers and industry members from Minnesota and beyond.

NCI hosting high oleic soyfoods, soy food procurement courses

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Northern Crops Institute (NCI) recently launched an online course titled “High Oleic Soyfoods.” This online course is designed to introduce uses for high oleic soybean in food products and understand the impact of using high oleic soybean on processing, final product, and nutritional quality.

This course will be conducted using pre-recorded lectures and online activities for participants to complete as schedules allow during the length of the course. An ongoing Q&A discussion board and an opportunity for live interaction with presenters will be incorporated.

This course will benefit soy food companies, food R&D staff, dieticians, nutritionists and more!

This course will be offered online only. The deadline to register is Dec. 31, 2023. Learn more and register at this link.

NCI is planning their Food Soy Procurement Course for the week of June 17, 2024. SSGA members are encouraged to invite customers or prospective customers to take the course to learn about sourcing and purchasing high quality, identity preserved soybeans for food products. The course will begin in Fargo, N.D. and end in the Minneapolis area. NCI will also host Introduction to Soybean Course (INTSOY) starting on Aug. 12, 2024. Please reach out to Brian Sorenson at NCI for any questions about the 2024 courses.