NAMA News
October 2006
Inside this Issue
- Global agreement approves use of methyl bromide through 2008
- NAMA participates in Kansas celebrations
- NAMA Chairman visits Washington office
- DeMarchi named to USWBSI Executive Committee
- NAMA Co-Sponsors Aflatoxin Elimination Workshop
- WFC launches “Grain Talk” blog
- IFIC releases 2006 report on food biotechnology
- USWBSI report cites ways to control scab and DON in wheat
- Conference calendar
- Since the Last Newsletter
Global agreement approves use of methyl bromide through 2008
At a meeting in New Delhi, India the parties to the United Nations Environmental Program met to discuss the 2008 methyl bromide exemption requests of NAMA and other user groups from the US and elsewhere. While some foreign interests and activist groups were pushing hard for dramatic reductions, the quantities of the fumigant approved for NAMA and others were essentially the same as was requested by the US government. The US had requested an amount of the fumigant equal to 23 percent of what was used in the 1991 baseline year. 21 percent was approved.
Leading up to the negotiations, Jim Bair, as NAMA’s representative on the Crop Protection Coalition, helped conduct briefings for the White House, State Department and the Senate and House Agriculture Committees.
NAMA submitted its 2009 request in July of this year.
NAMA participates in Kansas celebrations
NAMA members and president Betsy Faga participated in a series of celebrations held in Manhattan, KS October 19-20.
Department of Grain Science and Industry Advisory Board
Approximately 60 representatives of the milling, baking, feed and bioprocessing industries participated in the annual strategic planning session held October 20 by the Department of Grain Science at Kansas State University. NAMA K State Committee members Craig Fischer, Breck Barton, Lynn Rundle, and Vance Taylor participated along with; NAMA president Betsy Faga; and representatives from ConAgra Mills, General Mills, Research Products Company, and Kice Industries.
Virgil Smail, Head of the Department, reported on a program to rebuild the Department. The total number of students in 1998 was at 200 (120 milling, 50, baking, and 30 feed) and dropped to 120 undergraduate students in 2005 (50 milling, 45 baking, and 25 feed). In May 2006, 23 undergraduate students graduated leaving enrollment at a total of 155 (78 milling, 33 baking, and 44 feed). Graduate students dropped from 81 students in 1992 to 20 in 2004. That number has grown to 34 in 2006. The number of students and faculty are once again increasing, but the job is not yet complete.
In addition to several general sessions a breakout session focused on research priorities and funding strategies.
Hal Ross Flour Mill dedication
The Hal Ross Flour Mill was dedicated Friday, October 20. It was at NAMA’s Annual Meeting in 2000 that representatives from ADM and Cargill each presented a $1 million check to kick off the fundraising for the mill. Cargill chairman Warren Staley and ADM’s vice president for corporate relations Brian Peterson were on hand at the dedication ceremony to complete the cycle. They were joined on the speaker’s program by Calvin Grieder, CEO, Buhler, S.A.; Hal Ross, benefactor; Jon Wefald, president, Kansas State University and Morton Sosland, Master of Ceremonies. The $10 million mill is the third of five buildings now completed in the new Department complex.
Dale Eustace retirement dinner
The evening of October 19 Dr. Dale Eustace, professor in Kansas State’s Department of Grain Science and Industry, was honored as he prepares for retirement after thirty-three years on the faculty. Former students, including a number of NAMA members; current students, colleagues and family members paid tribute to Dale for his legacy of learning and laughing.
Baking Hall of Fame
In March the American Society of Baking initiated the Baking Hall of Fame to chronicle the lives and achievement of those individuals who have made outstanding contributions to commercial baking. An exposition honoring the inductees was unveiled at the American Institute of Baking in Manhattan, KS on October 19.
NAMA Chairman visits Washington office
Rick L. Schwein, senior vice president of Grain Millers, Inc. and newly elected chairman of NAMA, began his term with a visit to Washington in mid-October. Rick and NAMA president Betsy Faga discussed short and long term plans for the coming year and reviewed current issues. A brief meeting with NAMA staff will be followed up with more extensive discussions on issues during a subsequent visit in December. Rick and Betsy also attended a meeting of the Alliance for Agricultural Growth & Competitiveness (AAGC), of which NAMA is a member. Cal Dooley, CEO of Food Products Association, spoke with the group about reforming the Farm Bill to be more market oriented.
DeMarchi named to USWBSI Executive Committee
Jane DeMarchi, Director of Government Relations, has been named as NAMA’s representative to the Executive Committee of the US Wheat & Barley Scab Initiative (USWBSI) for a 3-year term. She succeeds Mike Pate, Bay State Milling Company. Jane will bring knowledge of the Washington landscape to the committee’s work.
NAMA Co-Sponsors Aflatoxin Elimination Workshop
NAMA was a co-sponsor of this year’s Multi-Crop Aflatoxin Elimination Workshop held October 16-18 in Fort Worth, TX. Other sponsors were the National Corn Growers Association, Corn Refiners Association, National Grain and Feed Association, Pioneer, and Monsanto. The workshop brings together the university and government researchers on an annual basis to review projects and developments in their research work. Every four years the group is hosted by the corn-related organizations. The workshop also reviews research on fungal genomics and fumonisin.
WFC launches “Grain Talk” blog
The Wheat Foods Council launched a blog entitled “Grain Talk with Marcia Scheideman.” The blog is a forum for consumers and industry to address hot topics and controversial issues. Marcia Scheideman M.S., R.D., president of the Wheat Foods Council and blog author will publish bimonthly entries for a blog devoted to grains. Link to the blog
Blog topics will include:
- Impact of the reduced 2006 winter wheat harvest
- Use of non-traditional wheat varieties in new food products
- School menus and the integration of the 2005 Dietary Guidelines
- Enrichment and its positive impact on public health
IFIC releases 2006 report on food biotechnology
The International Food Information Council (IFIC) released its eleventh annual report entitled Food Biotechnology: A Study of U.S. Consumer Attitudinal Trends. IFIC’s mission is to communicate science-based information on food safety and nutrition issues to health professionals, media, educators and government officials.
USWBSI report cites ways to control scab and DON in wheat
The US Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative (USWBSI) cited concrete examples of some of the ideas for integrated approaches that can be used to control scab and DON in wheat in a report published following a workshop in August. The report is available online at Read the report.. The 2006 National Fusarium Head Blight Forum will be held December 10-12, 2006 at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel & Convention Center in Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina. Registration information
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
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