The transport of grains and concerns over competing logistics, even as a new U.S. bumper soy crop comes to market, were among the hot topics that drew the attention of conference goers and Southeast Asian trade team members at the U.S. Soy Global Trade Exchange and Midwest Specialty Grains Conference and Trade Show in Milwaukee.

“The grain industry needs to manage their logistics better than ever,” said Jay O’Neil, senior agricultural economist from the International Grains Program at Kansas State University and commodity consultant attached to the Southeast Asia trade team during the 2014 U.S. Soy Global Trade Exchange.  The exponential increase in crude oil movements via rail this year was cited by many analysts as the primary factor shoring up competition for rail cars in the Midwest and potentially disrupting grain transport
Despite the threats to the efficient carriage of grain, the fact that the U.S. has not incurred any demurrage costs arising from shipment delays, unlike its competitors, gives U.S. soy a competitive edge, shared Mike Steenhoek of the Soy Transportation Coalition
Additionally, agriculture is drawing the interest of more young adults and university graduates who care about having a reliable, quality food supply and want to be involved in that supply chain.  “Our U.S. suppliers are younger and ready to grow with you,” said Scott Sinner from SB&B
Participants from Southeast Asia had the opportunity to visit several Midwest grain elevators during their visit.  One of these was Northwest Grains International based in Arcadia, Wisconsin, which deals with both food- and feed-grade soy and does a large amount of trade with the Asian market.  Working with growers in a 100 mile radius, Northwest partners with Ashley Furniture Home Store and utilizes part of its fleet of dry-bulk 40-foot containers to send soy, grains and other agricultural by-products out by rail cars
In Winona, Minnesota, trade participants rode a ferry along the upper Mississippi River where they took in the spectacular sights and viewed the Winona river terminal of ADM Elevator from the river
“The visits to the elevator facilities and farmers have given me a firm understanding of how soybean meal is produced, traded and transported,” said feed nutritionist Ameer Pahm of livestock integrator San Miguel Foods in the Philippines.  “As long as U.S. soy remains competitive vis-à-vis other origins in terms of price and quality, we will continue to use their soymeal.”