2004 Mexican Corn Team

Return to Home Page May 13, 2004
For Immediate Release Mexican Corn Buyers Study At Northern Crops Institute May 17-21 Fargo, ND, USA – Corn buyers from Mexico will learn more about importing U.S. feed grains as they study at Northern Crops Institute in Fargo, ND, May 17-21. Mexico is the world's number three importer of U.S. corn with purchases totaling 7.5 MMT a year, according to Dr. Ricardo Celma, U.S. Grains Council's Mexico and Central America regional director and escort for the group. U.S. Grains Council and the North Dakota Corn Utilization Council (NDCUC) sponsor the nine-member team. Instructors will address the procurement of feed grains in the U.S. grain marketing system through a variety of topics. They will focus on the feed grains outlook, mycotoxins, biotechnology, transportation, grading and inspection, logistics, basis and pricing strategies, commodity analysis, and contracts. “It is very important to make sure that the Mexican grain importers are well educated and up-to-date on the U.S. as a grain supplier, so that the Mexican companies can access our U.S. feed grains,” said Celma. He stressed the need for strong, long-lasting relationships to ensure that “we speak a common business language that supports a continuous development and growth of the U.S. feed grains suppliers as well as that of the Mexican companies that demand U.S. feed grains.” Jocie Iszler, executive director of the NDCUC, commented, “The North Dakota Corn Utilization Council is looking forward to showing corn buyers from Mexico the quality of corn produced in North Dakota. We see this trade team visit as an excellent opportunity for area corn producers and elevator managers to form business relationships.” “The last planting report predicted a 10% increase in corn acreage in North Dakota this year,” said Iszler. “Council directors predict a greater increase based on what they see going on in their respective districts. Last year, North Dakota harvested a record 130 million bushels of corn,” she concluded. Invited speakers will include: Dr. Michelle Mostrom, NDSU; Kimberly Vachal, Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute; Ray Grabanski, Progressive Ag; Ed Stallman, GIPSA/USDA; Brad Kjar, Alton Grain Terminal; Dr. William Wilson, NDSU; Dr. George Flaskerud, NDSU; Wallie Hardie, ND Corn Utilization Council; Pat Pithey, Cargill; and Bruce Moe, Land O'Lakes. Northern Crops Institute supports regional agriculture and value-added processing by conducting educational and technical programs that expand and maintain domestic and international markets for northern-grown crops. # # #

For Immediate Release

Mexican Corn Buyers Study At Northern Crops Institute May 17-21

Fargo, ND, USA – Corn buyers from Mexico will learn more about importing U.S. feed grains as they study at Northern Crops Institute in Fargo, ND, May 17-21. Mexico is the world's number three importer of U.S. corn with purchases totaling 7.5 MMT a year, according to Dr. Ricardo Celma, U.S. Grains Council's Mexico and Central America regional director and escort for the group.

U.S. Grains Council and the North Dakota Corn Utilization Council (NDCUC) sponsor the nine-member team.

Instructors will address the procurement of feed grains in the U.S. grain marketing system through a variety of topics. They will focus on the feed grains outlook, mycotoxins, biotechnology, transportation, grading and inspection, logistics, basis and pricing strategies, commodity analysis, and contracts.

“It is very important to make sure that the Mexican grain importers are well educated and up-to-date on the U.S. as a grain supplier, so that the Mexican companies can access our U.S. feed grains,” said Celma. He stressed the need for strong, long-lasting relationships to ensure that “we speak a common business language that supports a continuous development and growth of the U.S. feed grains suppliers as well as that of the Mexican companies that demand U.S. feed grains.”

Jocie Iszler, executive director of the NDCUC, commented, “The North Dakota Corn Utilization Council is looking forward to showing corn buyers from Mexico the quality of corn produced in North Dakota. We see this trade team visit as an excellent opportunity for area corn producers and elevator managers to form business relationships.”

“The last planting report predicted a 10% increase in corn acreage in North Dakota this year,” said Iszler. “Council directors predict a greater increase based on what they see going on in their respective districts. Last year, North Dakota harvested a record 130 million bushels of corn,” she concluded.

Invited speakers will include: Dr. Michelle Mostrom, NDSU; Kimberly Vachal, Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute; Ray Grabanski, Progressive Ag; Ed Stallman, GIPSA/USDA; Brad Kjar, Alton Grain Terminal; Dr. William Wilson, NDSU; Dr. George Flaskerud, NDSU; Wallie Hardie, ND Corn Utilization Council; Pat Pithey, Cargill; and Bruce Moe, Land O'Lakes.

Northern Crops Institute supports regional agriculture and value-added processing by conducting educational and technical programs that expand and maintain domestic and international markets for northern-grown crops.

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