Trade Mission to China

Certainly the Chinese market for soybeans is big and it’s growing. If you look ahead you look at all the people and you look at all the development it’s amazing these cities that are as modern as any city in the world that I’ve ever been in and you see the growth continue and know there are some concerns around the recession and what it could do to demand. Undoubtedly, as we talked to people the demand for much of the meat products and some of the food products that they will continue to grow, maybe a little slower in the Chinese marketplace.

Expect growth in Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou that area of the new economic development zone area where there’s been a lot of growth. Yet we got to Chengdu that’s considered an area that’s lesser developed and we’re there and there’s a shopping mall that is as impressive as any street shopping area that we have been. It was hard to find anybody under 25 years old, everyone is carrying a bag this was an impressive sight in an area considered the Southwest a long ways away from the coast. Western restaurants there as well and they’re feeding and using meat supply that has to be fed imported soybean meal.

One of the refrains used a lot was, “We’ve seen the future of China and we are not going back to the way things used to be.” In fact, this is so institutionalized it was impressive to hear the word market used and price used so many times. We said is your business going to expand into integrated livestock production and they said was it depends on the markets, it wasn’t it depends on the government policy or it depends on the 5-year plan, it was depends on the markets. And we constantly heard that, and in fact one of the other phrases we heard when we asked what can we do better for you and they said oh that’s simple it’s all in the price well it got more complex when we started talking about delivery speeds, but certainly price matters and they are very much a market economy now.

China is still one country that remains a mystery to me in this information age, it’s one of history and tradition vs. future and change.

2007 Census of Agriculture

The 2007 Census of Agriculture has been released and illustrates an increased interest statewide in locally grown fruits and vegetables. Not only do specialty crops grow the Iowa economy, but they allow farmers to diversify their production. The Census shows the diversity of Iowa agriculture and the wide range of foods farmers grow and produce in the state.

To learn more visit: http://www.iowaagriculture.gov/

The 2007 Census of Agriculture can be found at http://www.nass.usda.gov/ia

Grain Storage

I’m consistently pleased by the feats we make here in Iowa with the agriculture industry and the sense of pride people have in their work. This year farmers across the state have invested millions of dollars in new storage capacity for corn and soybeans. As a result 225 million bushels in new grain storage was built in 2008. Farmers have likely invested more than $300 million in Iowa for new on-and-off farm storage. The new storage is a significant investment in the Iowa economy, when farmers profit they invest their money right here in the state. It’s a win-win!

To learn more visit www.iowaagriculture.gov

EPAʼs Emissions Regulation

The new emissions regulation announcement by the EPA that requires U.S. pork producers to file reports with the Environmental Protection and Community Right to Know Act highlights the potential impact these regulations can have on Iowa’s livestock producers and its important that they are following the issues and communicating with their producer organizations.

Secretary of Agriculture Nomination

Iowa is a national leader in agriculture, so it is very good news that an Iowan with a deep understanding of the issues facing farmers, renewable fuels and our rural communities will be leading the U.S. Department of agriculture at this challenging time. I congratulate Governor Vilsack look forward to working with him in his new role.

Iowa Christmas Fun

The Department had the opportunity to work with the Iowa Christmas Tree Growers Association again this year on their donations of trees for the Capitol Complex and “Trees for Troops” Program. In the true spirit of giving, Christmas tree growers gifted trees to military troops overseas and their families in the US through “Trees for Troops”.

A great tradition for many families is to select their fresh Christmas tree grown right here in Iowa. I’m certainly looking forward to choosing one for my home and encourage you to do the same.

Christmas is a time of family and fun, but it is also a great opportunity to enjoy many of the agricultural products that are produced in Iowa. A holiday ham, a warm cup of chocolate milk, a nice mug of hot apple cider, even a glass of wine can come from right here in Iowa.

So enjoy this time of year, and help celebrate Iowa agriculture and all it has to offer!

To learn more about choosing your own tree or other Iowa products visit: www.iowaagriculture.gov.