General Mills commits to regenerative ag practices goal

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Company targeting 1 million acres by 2030

General Mills, Inc. announced today it plans to partner with organic and conventional farmers, supply chain partners and agricultural organizations to advance “regenerative agricultural practices” with the goal of having 1 million acres under the holistic approach to farming by 2030.

Regenerative agriculture farming methods are aimed at protecting and enhancing natural resources, soil health and productivity, and farming communities. Increasing crop diversity and adopting soil health production practices that focus on taking carbon from the air and storing it in the soil to improve climate change are important goals.

General Mills indicated it will partner with suppliers to increase adoption of key ingredients and crops, including oats, wheat, corn, dairy feed and sugar beets – all important crops for the company’s food products.

“As part of the food industry, we recognize that agriculture contributes to some of our most pressing sustainability challenges, and we believe that the most promising solutions start with healthy soil. We are on a journey to bring soil back to life through regenerative agriculture practices, which protect and intentionally enhance natural resources and farming communities. We believe that to generate positive impact at scale, all types of agriculture—organic and conventional—should be part of the conversation,” the company says.

Click here for more background on General Mills’ initiative.

Since 2015, General Mills has invested more than $4 million to advance soil health initiatives. Among its efforts General Mills is working with Gunsmoke Farms LLC to convert 34,000 acres of conventional farmland in South Dakota to certified organic acreage, using regenerative agriculture practices. General Mills also has developed The Soil Health Roadmap in partnership with The Nature Conservancy. The roadmap outlines steps to achieve widespread adoption of soil health systems on more than 50% of U.S. cropland by 2025.

For more information, read the World-Grain report here.

ASA disappointed no tariff conclusion

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After nearly three months of negotiations, President Trump and Chinese President Xi could not reach a conclusion and bring to an end tariffs imposed on soy growers by China since July 2018, a measure that would have brought great relief to soy growers.
Davie Stephens, a soybean grower from Clinton, Kentucky, and American Soybean Association (ASA) president stated, “We are glad that talks between these two countries will continue without the tariff hike previously expected at the 90-day deadline later this week, but we need resolution and are discouraged that it’s still hard to see a tangible end in sight.”

The Chinese government has recently announced and begun to make good on government-to-government commitments to purchase American soybeans totaling around 20 million metric tons (735 million bushels), which is a positive step. However, ASA continues to push for more than piecemeal purchases and see open access to the China market restored through the removal of tariffs.

The value of U.S. soybean exports to China has grown exponentially the past 20 years, from $414 million in 1996 to $14 billion in 2017. China imported 31 percent of U.S. production in 2017, equal to 60 percent of total U.S exports and nearly one in every three rows of harvested beans. Over the next 10 years, Chinese demand for soybeans is expected to account for most of the growth in global soybean trade, making it a prime market for the U.S. and other countries.

While ASA is pleased that the Administration has announced that negotiations have been positive and will continue past Trump’s imposed 90 day window, soy growers continue to urge the Administration to rescind the tariffs and instead make soybeans a part of reducing our trade deficit with China.

SSGA lands USDA ATP grant

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Grant to help grow specialty crop industry

Is there a better way to celebrate the announcement of a new agricultural alliance than to announce that alliance has landed a grant to help grow its industry at home and abroad?

Probably not; that’s why the Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance (SSGA) is excited to announce the new alliance has been awarded a $1.5 million Agricultural Trade Promotion (ATP) grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to begin operations.

“This grant will allow SSGA to communicate with buyers across the globe in a way that has never been done before,” said Tom Slunecka, acting executive director for SSGA. “We couldn’t be happier to be awarded this ATP grant, and we’re ready to roll up our sleeves and get to work.”

The ATP grant is a one-time opportunity created as part of the larger Trade Mitigation Program, which President Donald Trump and USDA crafted to help farmers hurt by the trade war with China. The grant awarded to SSGA is for the creation of a digital marketplace, as well as brand identity for U.S. identity-preserved soybeans, among other things.

“We’re excited to work closely with our Soy Family to serve and grow the specialty crops industry,” Slunecka said.

Two become one: Ag associations consolidate

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Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance focuses on growing identity-preserved industry

The Midwest Shippers Association (MSA) and the Northern Food Grade Soybean Association (NFGSA) have consolidated to form the Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance (SSGA), effective immediately.

“Selling ag commodities globally continues to be increasingly more difficult,” said Tom Slunecka, chief executive officer for Ag Management Solutions (AMS), which will handle management of SSGA. “It’s important to have a strong, focused organization that has the resources necessary to compete with other global entities. The consolidation of NFGSA and MSA will position SSGA as the market leader in the global food industry.”

SSGA represents producers, processors, shippers and industry members of identity-preserved (IP) soybeans and specialty grains from coast-to-coast. SSGA’s board will be comprised of directors from the two former boards; its members include specialty grains and IP soybean producers, processors, genetic/seed providers, export traders, international export companies and qualified state soybean boards (QSSBs).

Andy Bensend

“One of the most vital pieces of selling specialty soya and grains is to have a strong and flexible transportation system,” said SSGA board member Andy Bensend, a Wisconsin farmer who formerly served as MSA chair. “We’re excited for our SSGA members coast-to-coast. This consolidation will allow us to provide the production, processing and shipping resources our members need while maximizing the efficiencies of our two boards.”

Bob Sinner, NFGSA vice-chairman prior to consolidation, says the time was right for the two organizations to join.

Bob Sinner

“In order for farmers to have successful options to grow and sell value-added crops, it’s vital that this new organization be focused on helping our members both expand and find new markets while at the same time assisting our customers’ ability to access our products more efficiently,” said Sinner, president of North Dakota-based SB&B Foods, Inc. “SSGA is committed to providing the resources necessary for our members to thrive, and for our customers to easily find those high-quality products.”

SSGA received a $1.5 million Agricultural Trade Promotion grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to begin operations. This one-time opportunity was created as part of the larger Trade Mitigation Program, which President Donald Trump and USDA crafted to help farmers hurt by the trade war with China.

“Aided by the grant from USDA, SSGA will begin the process of creating a new electronic marketplace that will communicate to buyers around the globe in ways that have never been done before,” Slunecka said.

About Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance
SSGA is a national alliance of companies focused on production, processing and shipping of specialty soya and grains worldwide. Its mission is to provide resources that communicate the quality, diversity and availability of their products.