ND Department of Agriculture Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AUGUST 24, 2009

AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER DOUG GOEHRING RETURNS FROM FAR EAST CONFERENCE ENCOURAGED

BISMARCK – “U.S. production agriculture has advanced tremendously in the last decade. Implementing new practices, systems and technology we continue to improve our yields, quality and management techniques giving us the ability to provide food for a growing world,” said North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring upon his return from nine days overseas.

Goehring’s presence at the World Soybean Research Conference provided an opportunity to meet with representatives from around the world including researchers and academia.

The commissioner represented the United Soybean Board (USB) at its conference which is held every five years. This year’s six-day event was in Beijing, China.

“It is only through a visit to conferences and countries like these that we can appreciate the technology and infrastructure we have necessary to grow food, and then supply it to our consumers and the entire world,” he said.

Goehring also took the opportunity to meet with individuals to identify China’s and Korea’s needs concerning various commodities such as meat, wheat, corn, soybeans, sunflowers, peas and dry beans.

 “The trip was valuable to North Dakota, and these meetings always serve a purpose,” Goehring said. “I feel an obligation to our farmers and ranchers to do what I can to establish working relationships through friendships with foreign buyers, agriculture specialists and government dignitaries.”

As much as the commissioner would like to see North Dakota products exported to the Far East, it’s not an easy task.

“North Dakota has without a doubt the highest quality food,” he said, “But take for example Korean import tariffs that add 110 to 125 percent to the cost of a bushel of grain. This virtually doubles the price of grain to processors and ultimately the people.”

Past working relationships with Korea have resulted in the pending United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KFTA). Congressional approval of the Korean Free Trade Agreement would allow some U.S. commodities like wheat, corn and soybeans for crushing to be duty-free immediately. Other tariffs on dairy products like skim and whole milk powder and food-grade soybeans would be phased out over a five-year period.

Goehring said KFTA would add stability to agriculture markets that are currently experiencing an oversupply of product such as our dairy industry. It would have an immediate and significant impact on the price of fluid milk.

However, there is keen competition for exporting privileges to these countries, and the U.S. is not the only country that has been cultivating trade relationships with Korea; Australia, Russia, China, Mexico, Canada and other countries are actively seeking FTAs with Korea.

The commissioner continues to seek opportunities to cultivate relationships with buyers and governments that will benefit North Dakota and U.S. agriculture.

“It’s a work in progress to understand their needs and deliver on that promise,” Goehring said. “We can provide some of the highest quality products to the world; we just need access to the marketplace. It’s putting a face on our commodities.”

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MEDIA: For more information, or to schedule an interview, please call Lauren Strinden at (701) 328-4754.