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TEL: 202.484.2200
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EMAIL: generalinfo@namamillers.org

Industry Partners

NAMA News
December 2006

Inside this Issue

NAMA funds biofuels study
During NAMA’s Annual Meeting the importance of being informed about developments in ethanol and biofuels was highlighted, and the Corn Division established an Ad Hoc Committee for that purpose.

As one step in the education process, NAMA is joining nine other associations in funding a study at Iowa State University on the “Potential Significance of the Emerging Biofuels Sector to the U.S. Grain, Oilseed, Transportation and Livestock Sectors....”

The project will focus on determining the impacts of aggregate changes in biofuels production in the short to medium term (to 2010) on the agricultural sector with a focus on local and regional implications on the industry. The study will examine the impact on 1) the cropping mix in the U.S and abroad; 2) the competitiveness of traditional domestic users of grain; 3) demand for cultivated land; 4) the optimal location of livestock feeding operations; 5) demand for transportation services; and 6) input costs (grain, processed grain products, meats, byproducts) that are purchased by the food industry. The project is being coordinated by the National Grain and Feed Association. The study is scheduled for completion in mid-February. NAMA members can receive a copy of the study by contacting Terri Long, Director of Communications at tlong@namamillers.org or 202.484.2200, ext. 11.

Comments on proposed CBOT wheat contract changes finalized
NAMA members and others have been complaining that issues surrounding delivery are harming the Chicago Board of Trade wheat contract as a viable hedging tool. Very large long positions taken by index funds have contributed to the lack of convergence between the CBOT contract and the underlying cash market.

At a November public meeting NAMA vice president Jim Bair and others described dissatisfaction with the situation. In response, the CBOT informally proposed several possible steps it could take. NAMA’s response.

Oat pasta introduced at POGA conference
At the Prairie Oat Growers Association Inc (POGA) annual conference in Yorkton, Canada, Saskatchewan Cereal Chemist and oat nutrition specialist, Dr. Nancy Ames of the Cereal Research Centre in Winnipeg introduced a promising new oat product – oat pasta. The new product was featured at a luncheon attended by conferees.

The Chairman of NAMA’s Oat Division, Bruce Roskens, presented information on NAMA activities, focusing on the continued support for oat research. NAMA has been a supporter and sponsor of the Prairie Oats Growers Association since the beginning of POGA. Mr. Roskens congratulated POGA on its initiatives to become a vital funding source for the research, development, and promotion of oats and oat products and encouraged partnering with NAMA to advance common goals.

POGA's mission is "to develop and support partnerships in the agricultural industry that will enhance the profitability of oats for the producer by increasing the value of oats and oat products to consumers." Industry experts estimate that over 85 per cent of oats bought and processed in the world was represented among more than 230 people who attended the meeting.

NAMA delivers message about nutrition and AIDS
Corn soy blend (CSB), a highly nutritious product manufactured by some NAMA members for inclusion in US food aid programs, was served at a "broken bread meal" to 22,000 attendees at the Urbana 06 conference held in St. Louis, Missouri. Urbana is an organization of college students, young adults, high school seniors, pastors, church leaders, and missionaries. Their objective is to help Christians find their role as missionaries. The Urbana conference is one of the largest gatherings of mission organizations in the world.

NAMA has been working with the Urbana group to educate college students about the importance of nutrition to the treatment of HIV/AIDS. The “broken bread meal” was an opportunity for students to experience a typical food aid program meal that beneficiaries receive. World Vision and other Christian charities then hope to energize those individuals toward advocacy for AIDS and food aid legislation and appropriations.

NAMA trade consultant Paul Green and Bob Zachritz of World Vision, a private voluntary organization, spoke at a breakout session on the importance of nutrition to the treatment of AIDS. They stressed the need to carry their message to the public and the government. The message was heard by the students, who went away determined to spread the word. They plan to host “broken bread meals” at local campuses and to show the NAMA/World Vision presentation along side the meal. Thanks to NAMA members who donated the CSB. View the presentation.

Micro paper to be published in the Journal of Food Protection
The Micro paper (The Role of Microbiological Guidelines in the Production and Commercial Use of Milled Cereal Grains) has been accepted for publication in the Journal of Food Protection. The paper is expected to appear in print in a few months. NAMA Members will receive complimentary reprints of the article as soon as they are available.

Division Meeting registration forms sent by email
Plans for the 2007 Division Meetings being held March 10-13 at the Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota, Florida are underway. The hotel deadline is February 2. The preliminary program and hotel information are on NAMA’s website.

Confirmed speakers:

Mario Ferruzzi, Assistant Professor, Foods and Nutrition, Purdue University will brief the Corn Division on the progress of his research project examining the bioavailability of carotenoids in dry milled corn products.

Jeffrey Stewart, Science Director, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, will review current and future oat research in Canada for the Oat Division.

Edward Souza, Research Leader, Soft Wheat Quality Laboratory, ARS/USDA, is reporting to the Soft Wheat Division on the status of projects at the ARS/USDA lab in Wooster, Ohio.

James Banachowski, Transportation Mgr & Soybean/Wheat Merchandiser, Grain and Ethanol Group, The Andersons, Inc., will review changes to the CBOT Delivery System proposed by the Chicago Board of Trade at the joint General Session.

Dana Omland, Marketing Manager, Ontario Wheat Producers Marketing Board, Ontario AgriCentre, is reporting to the Soft Wheat Division on the Canadian Soft Wheat Crop Outlook for 2008.

Connie Barr, Vice President for Customer Service, Siemer Milling Company, will chair The Soft Wheat Crop Forecast Panel.

Registration forms have been sent through email. For a registration form, please contact Terri Long, Director of Meetings, at tlong@namamillers.org or 202.484.2200, ext. 11.

Technical Committee Meeting Agenda
NAMA’s Technical Committee is meeting prior to the start of the Division Meetings on Saturday, March 11 from 2:00-5:00 pm. Members will discuss current issues related to research, mycotoxins, and FDA regulations. Members of the committee planning to attend the meeting should contact Jane DeMarchi, Director of Government Relations, at jdemarchi@namamillers.org or 202.484.2200, ext. 13.

National workshop on plant breeding – February 8-9, 2007
USDA is taking an active role in developing a strategic response to declining investment in plant breeding in the US. The Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) of USDA and the Departments of Crop Science and Horticultural Sciences at North Carolina State University are organizing a national workshop entitled “Plant breeding: A vital capacity for U.S. national goals”. It will be held in Raleigh, North Carolina on February 8 and 9, 2007. For more information about the workshop, including agenda, speakers, registration fees and forms, go to www.plantbreedingworkshop.ncsu.edu or contact Ann Marie Thro, CSREES, 202.401.6702, athro@csrees.usda.gov or Tom Stalker, NCSU, 919.513.2929, tom_stalker@ncsu.edu.

Website trivia
Question: How do you find information on NAMA’s web site about a specific topic?
Answer: Use the search function to link you to all documents posted on the website that contain the keyword you entered (methyl bromide, food aid, microbiologics, etc.).

From Wheat to Flour survey
NAMA Board members received a survey about their use of the publication, From Wheat to Flour. Be sure you’ve provided your input. For another copy of the form, please contact Terri Long, Director of Communications at tlong@namamillers.org or 202.484.2200, ext. 11.

Conference calendar

2007 Division Meetings, Sarasota, FL
Ritz-Carlton Sarasota
March 10-13, 2007

2007 Annual Meeting, Savannah, GA
The Mansion on Forsyth Park
September 27-29, 2007

2008 Division Meetings, Palm Coast, FL
The Club at Hammock Beach
March 15-18, 2008

2008 Annual Meeting, Lake Tahoe, NV
Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe
September 25-27, 2008

NAMA in the news
Delay of APHIS Rule on Fee and Inspections on Northern Border
Grainnet, IL
... In comments submitted to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), the North American Millers' Association (NAMA) expressed concern that the ...
December 11, 2006

New Oat Variety, Called Baker, Released to Growers
Grainnet, IL
... The North American Millers' Association (NAMA) helped fund the research in developing the Baker oat. NAMA Vice President Jim Bair participated in a ceremony ...
Dec 11, 2006

CBOT Meets To Discuss Performance of Wheat Futures Contract
Wisconsin Ag Connection
... Jim Bair, vice president of the North American Millers' Association, attended a meeting of the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) where issues related to ...
Dec 12, 2006

Milling executives named to chair NAMA committees
World-Grain.com
... Stephen H. Wickes, Agricor, Inc., has been named chairman of the International Trade Committee (ITC) of the North American Millers’ Association (NAMA) for 2006-08 ...
December 13, 2006

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