Food Dialogues series to continue in Minnesota

Aug 07, 2015

Event scheduled for Tuesday, August 11th

In an effort to create open avenues of communication when it comes to GMOs, animal health and food production, a panel of experts will hold discussions in Minnesota on Tuesday, August 11^th.

The discussion, entitled “Farm to Consumer: Bridging the Gap between Consumer Concerns and Food Production and Sourcing Decisions” is part of the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance’s Food Dialogues series.

The event will be moderated by Alan Bjerga, an agriculture policy journalist for Bloomberg and will feature:

Bertrand Weber, director of Minneapolis Public Schools Culinary & Nutrition Services
Bill Gordon, a corn and soybean farmer from Gordon Farms in Worthington, Minnesota
Greg Reynolds of Riverbend Farm in Delano, Minnesota
Jen Haugen, a Registered Dietician
Jorge Guzman, executive chef at Surly Brewing
Rochelle Krusemark, a corn, soybean, pork and beef farmer from Trimont, Minnesota
Steve Peterson, former director of sustainable sourcing at General Mills
Steve Polski, senior director of sustainability for Cargill

"We're excited that this panel line-up includes diverse and local perspectives on food production and sourcing," said Randy Krotz, CEO, U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA). "By bringing together voices from across the spectrum to a local setting, the discussion will dive deep into consumer concerns and what local food companies, large corporations, organizations and Minnesota farmers are doing to better adapt and communicate."

The panel discussion is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, August 11^th at the Mill City Museum with a check-in and reception beginning around 5:30pm and the discussions starting at 7:00pm.

People interested in attending the event must register; those who are unable to attend, a recording will be uploaded on Thursday, August 13^th.

Video: Will the 2025 USDA December Crop Report Be a Market Mover/Surprise?

Historically, the USDA December crop report is a non-event or another dud report as the USDA reserves any final supply changes to the final report in January of the following year in this case 2026. But after the longest U.S. government shutdown in history at 43 days and no October crop report will they provide more data/surprise and make an exception?
Our China U.S. soybean purchase tracker is now at 26.6% or a total of 3.2 mmt but for traders it’s taking too long to unfold.
The final Stats Canada production report was bearish canola and wheat projection a record crop in both (it adds to the global glut of supplies) and bullish local corn and soybean prices in Ontario/Quebec thanks to a drought. It will not help the fund flow short-term, the USDA may need to offset it?
A U.S. Fed interest rate cut of another 25-basis point next Wednesday (probability 87.1%) could help fund flow and sentiment in stock and ag commodities into year end.
More inflows into Bitcoin this past week saw prices rebound back above 90,000 with support at 82,000 and resistance at 96,000.
A V-shaped bottom in cattle suggest the lows are in after Mexico reported another new world screwworm case. Lower weights, seasonal demand and higher U.S. beef select/choice values with a continued closure of the Mexican border to cattle will result in a resumption of higher cattle futures into yearend.
Australia is expected to produce its 3rd largest wheat crop ever at 36 mmt adding to the global glut of supplies.
Reports of ASF in hogs in Spain the largest pork exporter in Europe could see the U.S. win more pork export business long-term.
If the rains verify into next week of 3-5 inches for Brazil it would go a long way to fixing the dry regions from the last 2-months, but the European weather model has been wrong for the past 2-months!
Natural gas futures are surging to the 3rd price count as frigid hold temps set in.
CDN $ is also surging to end the week on a very resilient economy and better employment numbers suggesting no interest rate cuts next week.
Finally, the CFTC report showed funds were net buyers of soybeans but sellers of corn, canola and wheat. In real time the funds have gone back to selling as they take some profits.