05/20/08 U.S. Grains Council CEO talks barley

Farm and Ranch May 20, 2008 Like other grain growers, U.S. barley producers have seen record prices this marketing year with strong exports. The U.S. Grains Council promotes market development overseas for barley and its President and CEO Ken Hobbie was available to talk to farm broadcasters when they met recently in Washington D.C. Hobbie: "We are setting record paces as far as exports to Japan, which is of course a country that controls their barley imports through a food agency and a simultaneous buy-sell program. We have seen significant volumes going into Taiwan. We have a lot of interest in malting barley in Central and South America that are coming about as a result of the free trade agreements and the lowering of trade barriers there. This is a grain that is starting to get a lot of interest around the world." Hobbie acknowledges of course that Australia's recent droughts have helped U.S. exports. He says the U.S. Grains Council is working to keep those markets gained once world supplies return to normal. Hobbie: "That is exactly what we are looking to do is retain by showing them what a good quality barley we produce in the U.S." Hobbie says while they hear about high prices from overseas customers the greater concern is about access to supply. Back in March U.S. farmers said they intended to increase barley plantings three percent this year over 2007. The work of the U.S. Grains Council is supported by growers through such organizations as the Idaho and Washington Barley Commissions. I'm Bob Hoff and that's the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report on the Northwest Ag Information Network.