NAMA News November 2007
| Inside this Issue Time to register for the '08 Division Meeting Schwein meets with food aid stakeholders Schwein and Miller attend meeting about cross border trade with Canada Sustainability in the food industry 60 days to complete chemical registration USWBSI reports progress in research Generic marking for food aid bags Payment terms for food aid products Four candidates selected for K State position Bair speaks at the POGA conference Fourth quarter production data due Jan 30 2007 Economic Census forms due Feb 12 Siemer Milling Celebrates 125th Anniversary New Board member for Bunge Milling New flavor company created NAMA in the news Conference calendar Since the last newsletter |
The Ocean Course at the Ginn Hammock Beach Resort, location of NAMA's March 2008 Division Meetings and golf tournament. The resort and golf course are in Palm Coast, Florida, which is located in northeast Florida along the Atlantic Ocean. |
At this Holiday Season
Our thoughts turn gratefully
To those who have made
Our progress possible
Time to register for the 2008 Division Meeting
Information about NAMA’s 2008 Division Meeting has been sent by email. All information about the meeting is available on NAMA’s web site at http://www.namamillers.org/2008_Div_General_Info.html. To receive NAMA’s reduced group room rate, make your hotel room reservation before January 23, 2008. Meeting registration forms should also be sent to the NAMA office before January 23, 2008. The meeting location is Palm Coast, Florida at the ocean front resort, Ginn Hammock Beach Resort. Palm Coast is in northeast Florida, along the Atlantic Ocean. Check the NAMA website for more details or contact Terri Long, NAMA director of communications and meetings at 202.484.2200, ext. 11 or tlong@namamillers.org.
[NAMA officers visit Washington for meetings. NAMA chairman Rick Schwein, Grain Millers, Inc., and vice chairman John Miller, Miller Milling Company, represented NAMA at a series of meetings in Washington in November and early December. The next threearticles are about those meetings.]
Schwein meets with food aid stakeholders
Rick Schwein, Grain Millers, Inc. met with Jordan Dey, Director of the World Food Program Washington Liaison Office; Jonathan Dworken, Acting Director of the U.S. Agency for International Development, Office of Food for Peace; and the office of Congressman Tim Walz. His trip to Washington was a follow-up to the trip he made to Ethiopia in October with NAMA staff and staff members of World Vision.
In a letter sent to Jonathon Dworken, Schwein said, “I was personally moved by the excellent work being done by USAID and the Cooperating Sponsors to use America’s nutritional bounty to change the lives of some of the world’s neediest people.” In his letter and in the meetings held in Washington, DC, Schwein supported the continuation of social safety net projects using U.S. food aid resources. In addition he delivered NAMA’s message that we also “support development programs that can sustain livelihoods of the needy and put them on a track to long-term support for themselves and their families.”
Schwein and Miller attend meeting about cross border trade with Canada
Rick Schwein and John Miller along with Jane DeMarchi, NAMA Director of Government Relations, attended a luncheon meeting at the Canadian Embassy hosted by Ambassador Michael Wilson and twelve Canadian Consuls General from around the US. The discussion focused on North American manufacturing competitiveness and the impact of US regulations on cross border trade.
Industry leaders explore sustainability in the food industry
Rick Schwein and John Miller joined Betsy Faga, NAMA president, and Paul Green, NAMA trade consultant, at a Bayer CropScience meeting that brought together industry and association leaders to explore the impact that expanding consumer demands and global trade have on the food chain. A special focus was placed on understanding and addressing sustainability as it relates to each segment of the food industry.
60 days to complete chemical registration
Jane DeMarchi, NAMA director of government relations, has participated in numerous meetings regarding the registration of chemicals used by NAMA member companies as required by the Department of Homeland Security Chemical Security Regulations. The final Appendix A was published in the Federal Register November 21. Companies that possess chemicals above the thresholds stated in Appendix A now have until January 22, 2008 to register and complete the Top Screen. Registration instructions are available online at http://www.dhs.gov/xprevprot/programs/gc_1169501486197.shtm#1 Members have received periodic updates on the registration process and chemicals involved in the regulations. NAMA is currently working with DHS to clarify regulations on specific fumigation products. NAMA members who have questions about the registration requirements should contact Jane at 202.484.2200, ext. 13 or jdemarchi@namamillers.org.
USWBSI reports progress in research
The U.S. Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative (USWBSI) held its annual National Fusarium Head Blight Forum in Kansas City, Missouri. Jane DeMarchi, NAMA director of government relations and NAMA’s representative to the Executive Committee, attended the forum along with growers, millers and researchers.
The goal of USWBSI is to develop, as quickly as possible, effective control measures that minimize the threat of Fusarium head blight (scab), including the reduction of mycotoxins, to the producers, processors, and consumers of wheat and barley. Scab has infected U.S. wheat crops since at least 1917. Since that time, scab has caused more than $2 billion in yield and quality losses in 18 states.
In recent months NAMA has been actively engaged in providing guidance to USWBSI. At the request of Michael Pate, NAMA’s former representative to the USWBSI Executive Committee, and others, the USWBSI has undertaken a restructuring effort to focus on DON reduction, achieving short-term results and emphasizing greater integration between disciplines. NAMA is optimistic that, thanks in part to funding by the USWBSI, new wheat varieties will have better combinations of scab resistance, yield and milling and baking quality.
Jane DeMarchi also attended a meeting of the National Wheat Improvement Committee (NWIC). The NWIC discussed research on various wheat diseases and priority areas needing additional Federal budget dollars. The African stem rust disease Ug99 continues to be a significant concern to breeders. Little to no resistance to this disease exists in U.S. wheat currently.
NAMA is working to produce a generic marking for food aid bags
NAMA’s International Trade Committee met in Kansas City to discuss the acceptance and production of a more generic marking on U.S. food aid bags. Currently the marking requirements vary by agency, making it difficult for processors to maximize efficiency of the processing supply chain. A generic bag would cut lead times and costs to food aid programs. The committee is working to gain acceptance of a generic inkjet marking from both the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Agency for International Development.
NAMA opposes change in payment terms for food aid products
The payments on shipments of products specifically formulated for food aid programs and supplied by some of NAMA’s members have been governed by USDA/CCC terms, but all Federal programs are being pressured to move to strict adherence to Federal Acquisition Rules (FAR). Proposed movement to FAR regulations on payment terms for these export food aid products call for a delay in payment compared to current practice. The resulting interest cost of the delay and risk of late payment would immediately increase costs to the food aid program and result in less food for people in need of assistance. Therefore, NAMA will be requesting the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency Commodity Operations Division ask for public comment before the changes are finalized.
Four candidates selected for the K State department head position
Members of NAMA’s Kansas State Committee and NAMA president Betsy Faga have been actively engaged in the process to select a new Head of the Department of Grain Science and Industry. A K State search committee selected four candidates to interview. Stakeholders were invited to participate in the interview process by attending a seminar presentation by each candidate and a luncheon exclusively for stakeholders and the candidate. Candidates interviewed were Dr. Pavinee Chinachoti, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc.; Dr. Jon Faubion, Kansas State; Dr. Dirk Maier, Purdue University; and Dr. Elie Posner, Kansas State and consultant.
NAMA’s K State Committee met by conference call to discuss potential questions for candidates and after the interviews to discuss the qualifications of each candidate. A special thanks to Breck Barton, Cereal Food Processors; Steve Curran, General Mills; Steve Ellis, Horizon Milling; and Scott Martin, ConAgra for participating in various interviews. Others were able to have input by watching the candidate presentations online. Industry input was provided through completion of evaluation forms following the candidate presentations as well as individual company and a NAMA letter to Dr. Fred Cholick, Dean of the College of Agriculture, who will make the final decision. An announcement is expected in late December or early January.
Bair speaks at the POGA conference
Jim Bair, NAMA vice president, spoke at the annual Prairie Oat Growers Association (POGA) conference held in Winnipeg, Canada. NAMA is a sponsor of the conference. More than 200 oat growers, handlers and millers attended the conference. Also in attendance was Rosann Wowchuk, Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives Minister.
Bair presented information explaining the importance of Canadian oat growers to millers and U.S. consumers. As U.S. oat production continues to decline, that importance will increase. NAMA is encouraging the Canadian government to join NAMA in funding oat research that will benefit oat growers there.
 Jim Bair, NAMA vice president visited Can-Oat Milling while in Winnipeg for the POGA conference. Can-Oat Milling operates oat milling facilities in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Plant capacity is over 10,000 cwt of finished oat products per day, and the facility operates seven days per week. The product line includes old fashioned flakes; quick cooking oats; baby oat flakes; oat bran; oat flour; whole oat groats and steelcut oat groats. |
NAMA’s milling members are reminded to submit fourth quarter production data to the U.S. Census Bureau by January 30. Forms will be sent out on December 31. Completing these annual forms is required by law. It is also important to the industry that the data is as accurate as possible. The bureau uses the data to compile the quarterly U.S. Per Capita Wheat Flour Disappearance report. The 2007 third quarter report estimated production at 108,637,000 cwts. That is the largest output since the fourth quarter in 2000 when production was 109,673,000 cwts.
Please contact Edward Watkins at 301.763.4750 or cpisano@trilogyflavors.com with any questions about your submission.
2007 Economic Census forms due February 12
Every five years, the Economic Census collects data from American business. The data is vital to public policy formation. In return for providing data, the U.S. Census Bureau provides businesses with information they can use to assess and grow their business operations. The Census Bureau has launched a new web site, business.census.gov, to explain the economic census and how it benefits business. The site includes economic snapshots of selected industries and significant facts about every industry. Forms are due February 12.
| Siemer Milling Celebrates 125th Anniversary Rick Siemer, president of Siemer Milling Company, Teutopolis, IL, and NAMA director, presided over a gala dinner on November 6 as one of several activities to celebrate the company’s 125th anniversary. NAMA president Betsy Faga attended on behalf of the association. |
Rick Siemer, president, Siemer Milling Company and Betsy Faga, NAMA president on the occasion of the 125th Anniversary of Siemer Milling. |
Bunge Milling Company has named Todd Bastean as vice president and general manager. Bastean succeeds outgoing NAMA director Rodney Perry who has been promoted to vice president and general manager of Bunge Oils. Bastean has been with Bunge since 1992. Currently the vice president and general manager of Bunge Biofuels, Bastean has served in a number of roles including chief administration officer for Bunge Milling. Contact information is:
Todd Bastean, Vice President and General Manager
Bunge Milling Company
11720 Borman Drive, St. Louis, MO 63146
P: 314.292.2334; F: 314.292.2533
todd.bastean@bunge.com
We look forward to Todd’s participation in NAMA.
Citrus and Allied Essences Ltd. creates flavor company
Associate Member Citrus and Allied Essences Ltd. has created a separate identity for its flavor business. The new companion company is Trilogy Flavors, Inc. The new company will be the NAMA member. Following is the current contact information:
Trilogy Flavors, Inc.
Contact: Christopher Pisano, President
1304 Continental Drive, Abingdon, MD 21009
P: 410.612.0691; F: 410.612.9401
cpisano@trilogyflavors.com
NAMA in the news
Organic Food Still Not Mainstream
Read the full article at http://www.grainnet.com/articles/Organic_Food_Still_Not_Mainstream__NAMA_News_-49537.html
Grainnet - Decatur, IL
...As part of an agreement with the North American Millers' Association (NAMA), Harris Interactive (HI) conducted an online interview with more ...
November 13, 2007
Conference calendar
2008 Division Meetings, Palm Coast, FL
The Club at Hammock Beach
Visit the resort's web site at http://www.sanibel-resort.com
March 21-24, 2009
2008 Annual Meeting, Lake Tahoe, NV
Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe
Visit the resort's web site at http://laketahoe.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp
September 25-27, 2008
2009 Division Meetings, Ft. Myers, FL
Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa
Visit the resort's web site at http://www.sanibel-resort.com
March 21-24, 2009
2009 Annual Meeting, Washington, DC
Sofitel Lafayette Square Hotel
Visit the hotel's web site at http://www.sofitel.com/sofitel/fichehotel/gb/sof/3293/fiche_hotel.shtml
October 19-21, 2009
Since the Last Newsletter
Members who would like to review the activities of NAMA staff during the past month go to http://www.namamillers.org/mbr_SLN_11_30_07.cfm.
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