World Agricultural Outlook Board gets new Chairman

May 29, 2015

Dr. Seth Meyer will assume the role

Beginning May 31, 2015, the World Agricultural Outlook Board will have a new face as Chairman of the Board.

Chief Economist Robert Johansson announced the role will be filled by current Senior Economist with the Office of the Chief Economist, Dr. Seth Meyer.

"Dr. Meyer was selected as Chairman of the World Board because he brings to this leadership position 15 years of experience in domestic and global agricultural markets,” Johansson said. “He also served as a faculty member at the University of Missouri where his research, analytical and policy skills were very well respected and spent time abroad working at international organizations in the Philippines, Japan and Italy. His accomplishments have made his selection as Chairman an outstanding choice."

Part of Dr. Meyer’s responsibilities as Chairman of the Board will include forecasting the monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report. The next WASDE report is scheduled to come out June 10.

He will also be responsible for work related to the Joint Agricultural Weather Facility and act as Program Chairman during the USDA’s largest meeting – the Agricultural Outlook Forum, scheduled to take place February 25-26, 2016.

Before joining the USDA’s Office of the Chief Economist in 2013, Dr. Meyer worked as part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. For 12 years he worked with the University of Missouri’s Food and Agricultural Research Institute. While there, he analyzed policies affecting grains, oilseeds, cotton and commodity transportation.

Tell us your thoughts about Dr. Seth Meyer stepping into the role of Chairman of the World Agricultural Outlook Board. What kind of challenges would you like to see him tackle?

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