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6th International Marketing Conference & 49th Annual Membership Meeting
February 7-11, 2009
Guatemala City Barcelo Hotel
Guatemala City, Guatemala
Downloadable Information & Registration Forms:
Registration Brochure (744KB PDF)
* Meeting Agenda
* Chairman's Message
* Hotel and Transportation Form
* Registration Form
* About Guatemala
* Optional Tours and Events
* Planning Guide
Online Registration
January 9, 2009
It was a rollercoaster week for corn as it started out weak, shot up, shot down and then ended the week just a couple of cents lower from where it ended last Friday. The week started out with mixed reports about the weather in South America and uncertainty about the direction of financial markets.
U.S. farmers have harvested their 2008 crop and are in the planning phase for this year's planting. In the meantime, U.S. Grains Council leaders consisting of barley, corn and sorghum producers are harvesting information in the Middle East this week as part of the 2009 Mediterranean Marketing Mission. "Just as farmers fertilize and plant for the variability of their land, so must we be prepared for the variability and volatility of these markets," said Dale Artho, USGC past chairman and Texas sorghum grower.
Wei Mon Industry Co. Ltd has recently announced its plan to increase imports and applications of U.S. polylactic acid (PLA), a biodegradable plastic-like material made from U.S. corn. "Pland Paper," the brand name of this environmentally friendly new product dubbed for its literal combination of PLA and paper, is the first ever 100 percent PLA coated paper made without any additives, making it 100 percent biodegradable.
After record U.S. grain exports in 2008, organizations that focus on spurring the flow of U.S. grain abroad will be looking at a few more challenges this year. According to Shannon Schaffer, U.S. Grains Council director of membership, who spoke during the American Farm Bureau Federation's 90th Annual Meeting, this year's global market dynamics "pose substantial challenges regarding exports."
"Corn food products have been steadily gaining recognition in Japan among both the professional and at-home bakers," said U.S. Grains Council Director in Japan Dr. Tetsuo Hamamoto. Imports of U.S. corn to Japan for food dry milling has increased by 17 percent in volume and 30 percent in value over the previous year, partially due to promotional activities by the Council, said Hamamoto. "Corn milled for cornmeal offers Japanese bakers a low-cost baking ingredient that is high in protein and dietary fiber."
The U.S. Grains Council has been developing global export markets for U.S. corn since 1960, according to USGC Senior Director of International Operations for Asia Mike Callahan. He said membership funds are put to work around the world to develop markets and enable trade, which translates into increased profitability for U.S. farmers. Callahan spoke today at the annual meeting of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association and the Minnesota Corn Research and Promotion Council. The gathering called the MN Ag EXPO was held in Morton, Minn.
The GRAINS Foundation is seeking help from U.S. Grains Council members to enhance the wellbeing of school children in Guatemala. The Foundation seeks cash donations that will be presented to an Indian school in Guatemala during the Council's 6th International Marketing Conference & 49th Annual Membership Meeting Feb. 7-11, 2009, in Guatemala City, Guatemala.