Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Speaker A: Welcome to Missouri Corn Talk, your go to weekly agriculture podcast, delivering timely updates on today's global markets and the partnerships helping strengthen Missouri's corn industry. I'm your host, David Geiger. One of Missouri corn's longest standing partnerships is with the US Grains and Bio Products Council, an organization that has spent decades opening doors for US Corn ethanol and other value added products around the world. Last week, growers and industry leaders gathered in Milwaukee for the council's 66th anniversary annual board of Delegates meeting to help set priorities for the year ahead with discussions centered on market development, trade policy and the future of global demand. Joining us today is Missouri Corn Board member Adam Kastner, a seventh generation corn farm from Carrollton. Adam also serves on the US Grains and Bioproducts Council ethanol Advisory team where he helps shape strategies to expand ethanol markets around the globe. Adam, thank you so much for joining us and going to take a Look at that 66th Annual Board of Delegates meeting that you all were at to help set priorities for the year ahead. First off, can you tell me about your experience getting into that meeting and what you guys were talking about and what was important to you that you talked about?
[00:01:09] Speaker B: We had three packed days of information and speakers and breakout sessions and whatnot. So kept us moving for three days. So the US Grains and Bioproducts Council is comprised of three different sectors. You have corn, barley and sorghum sectors in there. So corn sector segments. We talked about the current state of emerging markets and the corn sectors and outlooks for the corn sector whatnot with that. We had some discussion being in the area we were in, in the country, up by the Great Lakes. We had speaker there discussing shipping, cargo shipping on the Great Lakes Seaway, what they were trying to do up there, trying to help relieve some pressure off the Mississippi river, trying to export some grains and commodities through that channel, get that out to destination. So that was our whole, whole first day of the corn sector meetings was, was talk like that and just, you know, overall corn sector where, where we're
[00:02:06] Speaker A: at, where we're heading, definitely making sure you're covering some of the most important issues going on in that side of the industry. What really stuck out to you when you were speaking with folks over there?
[00:02:16] Speaker B: Well, I'd say one thing that really stuck out to me. So like I said before my intro, I sit on the ethanol action team. So we had jam packed afternoon of discussing ethanol, trying to discuss exports. So ethanol exports are currently for the physical year are up very strong. So that's very beneficial for corn Farmers out there. We're talking about new markets, existing markets, countries of growth, countries. You know, we have Mexico and Canada that we already have a lot of use going to, how we take care of those markets. Also focus on new markets, new emerging markets trying to supply ethanol to those growing countries that are upping their ethanol mandates and what that looks like for them. Another large topic of conversation is trying to get into that maritime industry there. So you know they're currently using heavier, lower refined bunker fuels that aren't as environmentally friendly. So start starting to try and look about seeing about getting ethanol and some multi fuel ships out there and start using that. So we could be burning ethanol, shipping cargo back and forth across the oceans. So that's one of the most exciting areas right now and potential growth for our industry.
So that's something that's very exciting we're looking forward to. Some of these shipping companies have some, some interest in this, you know, as they're looking at their carbon footprint and what they can do to be more environmentally sound.
So they're excited as well. But right now we're just trying to, it's a big change trying to change fuel systems in a, in a cargo world like that. So one thing we're fortunate with, with ethanol industry, we've got ethanol all across the globe already and a lot of infrastructure already set up. So once we get the engines in the ships capable of burning the ethanol and get them on board moving forward there, that's a potential huge growth for the ethanol industry.
[00:04:04] Speaker A: I'm glad you brought that up because it feeds into this larger idea that ethanol demand is more than what folks see normally, which is just the gas pumps, transportation fuel, it's moving into many and varied sectors. When you look at that as the, I guess the ethanol a team looking at more and different opportunities, what does it make you feel about looking into the future? Does it make you feel like we are on a good path forward or maybe there's a lot of work before we get to that point.
[00:04:37] Speaker B: It's very exciting. There's going to be a lot of work to be done. As any opportunities you have challenges. So something we're working through. But yes, I mean any way we can move ethanol, burn ethanol, that's a good day for the corn farmer. We're looking at like for the marine time, we're looking at sustainable aviation fuel even down as low as cooking fuel. So a lot of these developing third world countries are still using coal or wood fired stoves in their houses. So that's something ethanol surprised Me, it can go through a cook stove to be inside of a home. So you know, you don't utilize that many gallons of ethanol, but it's, it adds up to quite a bit, honestly. So we're looking at any and all avenues to move ethanol products. And you know, another one I'll mention that's coming forward is the bioplastics industry. As you know, plastic industry is looking for more environmentally friendly plastics. The ethanol is capable of filling some of those needs too, possibly. So that's another exciting avenue we're looking at as well.
[00:05:30] Speaker A: Big part of current ethanol work is being done on building global demand. As you talked about all this new and interesting products that are coming up, another aspect of global demand is just education, making sure folks know about it. What was the discussion like on outreach and making aware other countries, other people groups, what ethanol can do?
[00:05:57] Speaker B: Always a continued effort as education piece of ethanol. We're still battling the age old food versus fuel debate especially that's what we're coming up against in this marine time as we're looking expanding there. As you know, people are concerned that we're consuming our food system for our fuel system. A lot of what people don't understand is that in the ethanol process it's actually food and fuel. So once we, when we take a bushel of corn and convert that into ethanol, we end up with fuel and we end up with a byproduct called dry distillers, grains that gets fed to livestock. So a lot of the cattle, pork and chicken industry use that as feed avid. It's very, very nutrient dense feed additive that goes great into their rations. So trying to educate the general public, the consumers, these industries we're trying to break into, get them to understand that it's not just fuel when you're talking about ethanol, it's food and fuel.
[00:06:52] Speaker A: So Adam, as we look at this board of delegates meeting you attended, it really offered an opportunity for Missouri corn growers to have a seat at a table that's discussing many important issues going on with ethanol. What did you feel like you were able to bring in terms of perspective that they may not have had or ideas that you think are important for farmers in your area?
That may not be the same issues that are in other states and areas.
[00:07:23] Speaker B: It's, you know, just anywhere you can have your voice heard and be out there, help explain and educate and being better, well rounded to have those conversations with consumers. We're in a world market anymore, so it's not just, you know, what's going on Here at home, it's what's going on across the globe and being able to have those conversations with consumers and with our constituents and corn farmers here in Missouri. What's going on with the work we're doing, the work we're providing, trying to add value and dollars to our bushels of corn and help find a home for the bushels that we're growing here in Missouri and across the country.
[00:07:55] Speaker A: I want to speak on the partnership itself. The US Grains and Bioproducts Council is a location Missouri Corn has invested in for decades.
Why is it good to have these partnerships? Continue developing these partnerships and make sure there's some level of unity between different groups and state organizations.
[00:08:18] Speaker B: The US Grains and Bioproducts Council, they have staff located all across the globe, so their boots on the ground in these countries, across the globe, they have relationships with those local governments and entities. So they're having the conversations firsthand with these countries when we're trying to negotiate and move products in and out of their countries to them. It's largely a relationship based environment. So relationships they have are huge. Be able to get in and out of the ambassador's offices in these countries and have discussions with them about our products really help move the bushels into these countries. There's a lot of times we go on trade missions. We'll go over there with the U.S. grains Council staff and get in on some of these meetings and meet with these delegates and have these conversations where otherwise it would be hard to get into those offices and have those necessary conversations.
[00:09:10] Speaker A: Adam, is there anything else you'd like to share about this meeting and your experience here recently?
[00:09:16] Speaker B: It was a great meeting. The future is bright. Like I said earlier, you know, with any opportunities come challenges, but those are things we're excited about and looking forward to trying to come up with some, some new avenues for use of ethanol. The Missouri corn farmers, American corn farmers are very good at what we do in producing bushels. And we're just trying to help find avenues for our products. You know, whether it's a whole kernel or helping ship ethanol across the world, anything we can do to add value to that bushel or to that gallon of ethanol, we're working hard trying to make that happen and help make farmers prosperous.
[00:09:51] Speaker A: Missouri Corn board member Adam Kastner, thank you so much for joining us today.
[00:09:56] Speaker B: Thank you, sir.
[00:09:57] Speaker A: It is often said export markets don't happen overnight. They are built through relationships, education and long term partnerships throughout. Thanks to Missouri Corn's smart investment in the U.S. grains and Bioproducts Council, Missouri growers are continuing to help shape strategies that create new demand for corn ethanol and other value added products around the world. I'm David Geiger and that's all for this week's Missouri Corn Talk. This Missouri Corn Talk podcast is made possible by the Missouri Corn Merchandising Council and the Missouri Corn Growers Association. To learn more on if you'd like to become more involved with Missouri corn, visit mocorn.org thanks for listening.
