NAMA News March 2010
Inside this Issue
|  2010 soft wheat forecast panel: (from left) John Bartels, ConAgra Mills; Steve Gorman, Horizon Milling LLC/Cargill; Shawn Blume, Lansing Grain Company; Grover Van Hoose, The Mennel Milling Company; Connie Barr, Siemer Milling Company. |
NAMA names Mary K. Waters as new president
On April 5, 2010 Mary K. Waters will begin her new role as NAMA President. Ms. Waters joins NAMA from the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation where she has served as vice president for corporate relations since 2005. She has directed congressional, public outreach and communication efforts for the congressionally chartered company that provides a secondary market for agricultural mortgage loans.
"I look forward to using my leadership skills and agriculture industry experience in helping NAMA achieve its mission and goals," said Ms. Waters. NAMA Chairman John Miller, Miller Milling, commented "Her leadership roles in the public and private sectors, strong communications skills, and experience in Washington will be a valuable asset to NAMA and the future of our association. She joins an experienced and dynamic staff that will make for a very strong team to address our issues today and for the future." Read NAMA's news release at http://www.namamillers.org/PR_New_President_030210.html.
Ms. Waters succeeds Betsy Faga, who is retiring from NAMA after twelve years as president and forty years representing the milling associations. Ms. Faga will be continuing on a consulting basis during a transition period. NAMA will be recognizing Ms. Faga during the Leadership Meeting in early May and the Annual Meeting in mid-October.
2010 Division Meeting presentations available online
NAMA welcomed over 230 milling members, associate members, industry allies, and guests at the 2010 Division Meetings held at the W Fort Lauderdale in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Speakers included Julie Miller Jones, St. Catherine University; Richard Phillips, Grain Growers of America; Randy Strychar, Ag Commodity Research; Charlie Arnot, Center for Food Integrity; Michael O'Dea, FCStone; Ricardo Carvajal, Hyman, Phelps & McNamara; Mark Sorrells, Cornell University; and Ian Carter, London Agricultural Commodities. Their presentations are available online at http://www.namamillers.org/2010_Div_Presentations.html.
The Soft Wheat and Oat Divisions elected new chairmen for a two-year term. Elected were:
Soft Wheat Division: Tom Rogers, Wilkins-Rogers, Inc.
Oat Division: Mark Ramsland, General Mills, Inc.
Todd Bastean, who was elected mid-term, continues as chairman of the Corn Division
Special recognition and thanks were given to the outgoing chairs:
Soft Wheat Division: Greg Schlafer, General Mills, Inc.
Oat Division: Dan Ward, La Crosse Milling Company
Congratulations to the following on their golf awards:
Longest Drive – Kirk Stehr, Milner Milling, Inc.
Closest to the Pin – Mark Ramsland, General Mills, Inc.
Best Foursome – Bill Lindquist, Caravan Ingredients; Rick Markell, Hood Packaging Corporation; Justin Merner, Cargill Ltd.; Joseph Mitchell, Bartlett Milling Company
Panel projects lowest soft red winter wheat
production in 30 years
At NAMA's annual meeting of soft wheat millers, a soft wheat crop forecast panel projected that soft red winter wheat production in 2010 would be 288,636,000 bushels, down 28% (or 114,927,000 bushels) from 2009—making 2010 the smallest harvest since 1978. The widest production decline is expected in the Midwestern states of Illinois, Kentucky and Missouri, where collective production is expected to be 60,732,000 bushels. This is a decline of 39% from 2009 with 99,135,000 bushels harvested. To get more information on the panel's projections, please visit http://www.namamillers.org/2010_Div_Presentations.html/SoftWheatCropForecast2010.pdf.
Register now – 2010 Corn Dry Milling Conference
The 2010 Corn Dry Milling Conference, co-sponsored by NAMA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research (NCAUR), will be held on May 19-20 at NCAUR in Peoria, IL. The conference begins with a dinner the evening of May 19 with a full-day program following on May 20. Topics for discussion include food safety, sustainability, vomitoxin, diplodia, climate change, corn product consumption, latest advances in milling and product testing technologies, and advances in the science of corn production. In conjunction with the conference, NAMA milling and associate members will meet the evening of May 20. Program details and registration information are on NAMA's web site at http://www.namamillers.org/2010_CDMC_Schedule.html.
Grain industry urges Obesity Taskforce
to use uniform messaging
The grain industry, including NAMA, submitted joint comments in response to a request for comment on the Taskforce on Childhood Obesity's responsibilities and questions. The letter urged the taskforce to utilize existing nutritional tools and efforts put in place by USDA's Dietary Guidelines for Americans and MyPyramid Partner Program to ensure that all messaging is uniform and "streamlined." Several key areas noted for consideration include not using BMI as a measurement of success as it is inaccurate across multiethnic populations; supporting self-esteem and positive body images; increasing funding and accessibility for whole grain products via USDA Food Distribution Programs; expanding the Grain Purchase Program; incorporating enriched as well as whole grains in messaging; promoting physical activity; and developing more programs such as the Healthy Schools Partnership which works to educate students about dietary choices/nutrition. Comments can be viewed in full at:
http://www.namamillers.org/NewsArchives10/Comments_ObesityTaskForceMar2010.html.
Oat research funding steadily increasing
In early March NAMA and a small team of members and researchers lobbied Congress for continued funding of critical oat research projects. Participants included Bruce Roskens, PepsiCo/Quaker Oats; Dave Kendra, PepsiCo/Quaker Oats; Steve Harrison, Louisiana State University; and Paul Murphy, North Carolina State University.
Since NAMA began these efforts, oat research funding has steadily increased each year from $3,281,900 in 1999 to $5,061,600 in 2010.
Stephen Harrison, Louisiana State University (right); Dave Kendra, PepsiCo/Quaker Oats; and Paul Murphy, North Carolina State University in Washington, D.C. |
They visited the following offices:
Rep. David Price (D-NC) |
Additional meetings were held with Molly Jahn, USDA undersecretary for research, education and economics; Mark Poth, USDA-National Institute of Food and Agriculture; and Ed Knipling, administrator of USDA's Agriculture Research Service.
Dan Dye and Mark Kolkhorst elected to GFF Board of Trustees
The Grain Foods Foundation (GFF) held its Annual Membership and Board of Trustees Meetings in Boca Raton, Florida earlier this month. The following NAMA members were elected to the Board of Trustees:
- Dan Dye, Horizon Milling LLC/Cargill, was named as Trustee replacing Rick Schwein, Grain Millers, Inc.
- Mark Kolkhorst, ADM Milling Company, was named as Trustee replacing Rick Siemer, Siemer Milling Company.
- Other NAMA members serving as trustees of the Foundation include: Breck Barton, Cereal Food Processors, Inc., co-chair; Paul Maass, ConAgra Mills; Brian Rothwell, Bay State Milling Company; Charles Stout, Milner Milling, Inc., ex-officio.
Changes overdue for outdated wheat standards
and grading practices
NAMA submitted comments in response to the November 27, 2009 Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on wheat standards and grading practices published by USDA's Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA). Current wheat standards and testing methods are outdated and do not reflect buyers' and sellers' need for information on the true value of the grain. Specific suggestions were given in regards to flour yield, insect damaged kernels, live insect infestation, protein quality vs. quantity, mycotoxins, alpha amylase enzyme activity, and defining wheat of other classes. To view the comments, please visit http://www.namamillers.org/Comments_GIPSA_WheatStandards_Mar2010.html.
NAMA urges government funding of cereal crops research
NAMA and the National Oat Improvement Committee submitted a joint letter to Representative Tammy Baldwin expressing support for the National Barley Improvement Committee's appropriations request for the USDA-ARS Cereal Crops Research Unit (CCRU) at Madison, WI. CCRU was established in April 2007 with the goal of studying and identifying antioxidant chemicals in oats and barley that may play a role in protecting humans from degenerative diseases such as cancers and heart disease. "However, current funding is insufficient to meet a substantial increase in operating costs for the new building and maintain programs for seven CCRU scientists (currently only five positions are filled and two are vacant due to inadequate funding.)" Government funding is essential as oat research receives no private investment.
Industry supports Obama's pledge to double U.S. exports
A coalition of food/feed and agricultural industry organizations are in support of President Obama's pledge to double U.S. exports within five years as a way to create millions of new export-related jobs in this country. The coalition, of which NAMA is a member, sent a letter to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Republican Leader John Boehner, Majority Leader Harry Reid, and Republican Leader Mitch McConnell urging them to take the necessary actions to support this goal—including passing the pending free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea. These agreements would allow U.S. exports to be on par with other countries and compete effectively in the export market.
The letter also noted concern over recent legislation (H.R. 3012 and S. 2821) that would "require the Administration to demand the re-negotiation of all current pending trade agreements to modify provisions to permit inclusion of certain requirements." This legislation has the potential to drastically damage export relations and U.S. agriculture. To view the letter, please visit NAMA’s web site at http://www.namamillers.org/NewsArchives10/Ltr_FTA_Mar2010.html.
In Memory of Jim Sharp
NAMA was saddened by the passing of Board member Jim Sharp on March 4, 2010 after a two-month battle with heart disease. Jim was vice president of corporate purchasing for C.H. Guenther & Son, Inc., San Antonio, TX. Jim had been an active NAMA member since 1997. In 2008 he became a Board member and has been chair of the Ad Hoc Committee on Production Data and a member of the Ad Hoc Committee on Futures Markets. Our deepest sympathies go to Jim's wife, Joyce, and their family.
Jim Bair to serve as technical expert on wheat industry
NAMA Vice President Jim Bair has accepted an invitation from USDA's Karnal Bunt National Program Managers to serve as a technical expert on the U.S. wheat industry. Jim will be assisting the organization during USDA-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's review of their current Karnal Bunt (Kb) National Survey. It is expected the survey can be reduced due to no Kb detections in some southwest growing regions. USDA believes it must continue the current export certification program for Karnal bunt-free U.S. wheat. NAMA, on the other hand, believes Kb is a disease of only minor agronomic importance and of little or no consequence from a food quality standpoint, and therefore supports eliminating the Kb regulations.
Betsy Faga recognized by ABA for her leadership
and contributions to the baking industry
Betsy Faga, who is retiring as NAMA President April 5, was honored at the American Bakers Association's (ABA) 2010 Annual Convention. ABA President Robb MacKie and Chairman Chip Klosterman thanked Betsy for her work with the bakers and presented her with a plaque stating, "In recognition of outstanding leadership and contributions toward strengthening the baking industry."
 Robb MacKie, ABA president (left); Betsy Faga, NAMA president; and Jeb Bush, former Governor of Florida and ABA speaker. |
Betsy worked closely with ABA in the formation of the Grain Foods Foundation and continues the collaboration to increase consumption of grain-based foods. ABA and NAMA have developed a deeper relationship as the number of issues impacting both associations has increased including nutrition, food safety, biotechnology, workplace safety, and research.
Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City
to hold Economic Symposium
The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City is hosting the "2010 Economic Symposium: Farming, Finance, and the Global Marketplace." The conference is being held at the Federal Reserve Bank's head office in Kansas City, Missouri on June 8-9, 2010. Topics of discussion include the future of agricultural profitability, the changing structure of agriculture production and the implications for the global supply chain and agricultural finance industry. For more information please e-mail 2010AgSymposium@kc.frb.org.
Join NAMA on Facebook
NAMA has a page and a group on Facebook. Become a fan of NAMA. Join the NAMA group.
Conference calendar
Leadership Meeting, Washington, DC
The Donovan House
May 5-6, 2010
2010 Corn Dry Milling Conference, Peoria, IL
Embassy Suites Peoria
May 19-20, 2010
2010 Annual Meeting, Del Mar, CA
L'Auberge Del Mar Resort
October 14-16, 2010
2011 Division Meetings, Marco Island, FL
Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort & Spa
March 12-14, 2011
2011 Annual Meeting, Colorado Springs, CO
The Broadmoor Colorado Springs
October 6-8, 2011
2012 Division Meetings, Naples, FL
Naples Grande Beach Resort
March 10-13, 2012
The North American Millers' Association prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, marital or family status, age, disability, political beliefs or sexual orientation. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact NAMA at 202.484.2200 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to Betsy Faga, President, 600 Maryland Avenue SW, Suite 825W, Washington, DC, 20024 or call 202.484.2200 ext. 12. NAMA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Back to Top