12/09/13: Grain barge found adrift; new Cargill CEO; Taiwan to buy $4 billion in US ag products

A loaded grain barge has been apparently intentionally adrift in the Columbia river, Oregon, USA on Friday.

The crew of a passing tug boat spotted the 252-foot-long barge, which was floating unlit and unmanned near a staging area between Portland and Vancouver.

Tidewater Barge Lines staff members had reported the barge missing at about 10 p.m. on Friday.

The barge was towed back to the staging area where it had been moored.
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Cargill has named David MacLennan as its new CEO.

MacLennan, 54, has been with the company since 1991 and is currently Cargill's operating chief and president.

MacLennan will take up the role when current CEO, Gregory R. Page, retires on December 1, 2013.
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The Taiwan Feed Industry Association on behalf of the Taiwanese Agricultural Goodwill Mission has signed a letter of intent with the U.S. Grains Council committing to purchase 5 million metric tons (197 million bushels) of U.S. corn in 2014 and 2015. In addition, 0.5 million tons of distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) will be included in the memorandum.

The total value of intended purchases is estimated to be nearly $4 billion, making Taiwan's letter of intent evidence of a U.S. commitment to strengethen trade ties and maintain a well-established partnership with the nation.

“Over the last 40 years, Taiwan has been one of the most import export markets for U.S. coarse grains and products,” said Julius Schaaf, USGC chairman. “With Taiwan producing less than one percent of its needed grains, the United States is able to be a major supplier to the nation. In 2011-2012, Taiwan was the sixth-largest U.S. corn market, the third-largest U.S. barley market and the seventh-largest U.S. sorghum market. The Council is proud of the partnership we have had with Taiwan for many years and are excited for the possibilities that continue to grow from this partnership.”

The Council has played an integral role in building and sustaining close ties between the United States and Taiwan. Even though U.S. agriculture exports to Taiwan are facing increasing competition from other suppliers, the Council continues to offer customer service, through providing timely and objective market information and assuring the Taiwanese of the quality and reliability of U.S. coarse grains and products. Through this relationship, Taiwan has remained one of the most stable markets for U.S. agriculture.

English: Barge traffic on the Cumberland River at Smithland in Livingston County, Kentucky , USA. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers maintains the river for tug-and-barge navigation. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

GEAPS Exchange 2011: A great success

GEAPS Exchange 2011, held in Portland, Oregon, February 27, through to March 1, 2011 was a huge success for everyone involved. As predicted, Exchange 2011 welcomed a large number of attendees: over the Expo’s three days, 2,065 delegates, exhibitors and guests came to Portland for Exchange 2011, and 368 booth spaces were occupied by 264 companies.

Attendees enjoyed countless hours of networking and the largest-ever student day program, as well as 30+ hours of educational programming.

 Looking ahead to Exchange 2012 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, March 3-6, 2012 booth sales are already breaking records. During Exchange 2011, all 383 booths in the main hall were sold to 212 companies. An annex with an additional 62 booths will be opening later this summer and there are already many companies on the waiting list to select their booth location for 2012 once the annex becomes available. Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine and the International Milling Directory from Perendale Publishers