‘Time to Spare? Go by Air’

If four hours in an airport was the same as four hours in a dentist’s chair, no one would every worry about missing a flight.

Without going into a lot of detail, our original flight from Concepcion back to Santiago was apparently changed and no one told Dr. Soileau.  As he always does, he took it in stride.  Long story short, we made our flight, but found that some of group didn’t have seat assignments for the flight to Argentina.  But since we had a four-hour layover in Santiago, we figured no sweat; plenty of time to have those class members reticketed.  Again, Bobby took in in stride.

However, by the time we got through customs, had those class members reticketed and grabbed a bite to eat, we just had enough time to catch the plane.

We arrived at the hotel in Buenos Aires just after 1 a.m.  We got settled in and prepared for a city tour Sunday morning, followed by a four-hour bus ride to Rosario.

After five international tours with AgLeadership, there’s usually some “event” that makes for good blogging.  However, so far, our trip has been a smooth as I’ve ever experienced.  (So you know what that means.)

Since it’s Sunday and we’ll be on the road all day tomorrow, I won’t post again until late Sunday night, depending on the internet connection.  Thanks again for following us here.

Until next time…

Miss Bridget’s Class Inspires Video Lesson From Chile’

One of the things I enjoy most about my job is being able to give back to the farmers and ranchers who’ve given so much to me over my 26 years with the Farm Bureau.

You may have noticed the addition of videos to my blog over the last two days.  It’s something new I’m trying out on my fifth international tour with the LSU AgLeadership Development Program.  I’m always looking to give my blog followers a more interactive experience, something words and photos can’t always do.  I wanted you to experience a little of what the class experienced while traveling here, if only for 60 seconds or so.

There are three more new videos up today.  One gives a brief look at the Chilean eucalyptus tree harvest, while the other is a snippet from our tour of a Chilean sawmill.

The third video is a little more special.  It’s for Mrs. Bridget Veuleman’s first grade class at Lacassine Elementary.

Yesterday I had a chance to visit with Class XII member Troy Romero and found that some folks back home have been taking a keen interest in our South American tour.  It seems Mrs. Veuleman and her class, which includes Troy’s six-year-old daughter Sydnie, have been following our trip via my blog.  The class has been studying some aspects of U.S. and South American agriculture.

So what better way to learn a little about South American agriculture than with a video from someone’s who’s traveling here right now?

Troy recorded a message for his daughter Sydnie and all of Miss Bridget’s class.  It’s about the eucalyptus trees we saw last Friday.  Troy has undertaken what he calls “The Legacy Project,” one of his requirements for completion of the AgLeadership program.

The Legacy Project is all about ag education.  Last spring Troy began lecturing to high school seniors across Jeff Davis Parish about the importance of agriculture and why those young adults need to carry that understanding throughout their lives.

“I want them to understand the ag mindset,” Troy said.  “Throughout their lives they’re going to meet people who have no idea where a cow comes from.  They need to know that agriculture is important.”

Indeed.  Thanks Troy.

To see Troy’s lesson for Miss Bridget’s class and a shout out to his daughter Sydnie, click on his video.

Until next time…

Eucalyptus: Koalas Not Included

Neil Melancon, a member of Class XII touring Chile and Argentina, submitted today’s blog post.

Class XII started its touring day Friday, January 27 with a visit to the forestry stands of Forestal Mininco, a division of Empresas CMPC S.A.  With more than 1.2 million acres of timberland across Latin America, it is the second largest such company in South America, with shareholders across the globe.

Two different areas 20 miles from Los Angeles, Chile, were able to show the class almost every aspect of their eucalyptus harvesting operations.  The first site held year-old trees that had already grown six to seven feet.  In all, the varieties of eucalyptus grown here have a 14-year cycle, from seedlings to harvest.  While Monterrey pine still dominates Mininco’s stands, representing more than half the area of planted land in their Chilean territory, the fast-growing Australian tree is more suited to Chile’s export needs.

Vic Blanchard, land and forestry manager for A. Wilbert’s Sons Co., as well as a member of Class XII, said the primary value of eucalyptus came from its cellulosic content advantage.

“They’re getting between 200 and 250 tons per acre of cellulose with eucalyptus,” Blanchard said. “In some stands it’s as high as 350.  Pine in the U.S. gives a return of 90 to 100 green tons per acre and grows on a 15-year cycle.  We’re experimenting with eucalyptus back home, but the climate is better suited for it as well.”

Dennis “Scooty” Aucoin Jr., a pine harvester from Clinton, could find no flaw in the harvesting operations at the second site our class toured Friday.

“Everything I’ve seen is very modern,” Aucoin said.  “They’re using great equipment to cut, haul and chip the trees on-site.  They’re turning trucks around every 30 minutes, so it’s a fast operation.”

After a picnic lunch under the boughs of the mature eucalyptus, Class XII went to the sawmill in Mulchen, which moves 70,000 cubic meters of pine lumber per month.  State-of-the-art equipment sorted, washed and sawed the logs as class members watched.

The tour ended somewhat ironically where life begins for most of the timber seen today–the Carlos Douglas Seedling Nursery in Yumbel.  Class XII not only got to see the various growth stages of eucalyptus and pine seedlings, but each received a gift bag, courtesy of CMPC.

The class evidently got a head full of information during their 12-hour day today, as evidenced by the droopy eyes during the hour-long bus ride back to the hotel. Hey, at least the A/C was working this time.

Mike’s blog returns tomorrow…

La. Farmers See More Humble Side of Chilean Agriculture

There’s a prevailing thought among some U.S. farmers that American agriculture isn’t competitive when it comes to labor.

China has tens of millions of $2 a day farm laborers to work its crops.  In Thailand, India, Vietnam and similar countries it’s the same thing.  But on Thursday AgLeadership Class 12 found that cheap labor has done little to improve Chilean rice production.

With the average Chilean family operating on the equivalent of $15,500 U.S. a year, and farm families on about $8,500 a year, the country’s rice production still finds itself in something of a time warp.  The country’s rice producers know it and are clearly frustrated by it.

The reason is not a lack of cheap labor or land, but a combination of decades’ old technology and an inefficient use of resources, especially water.  In fact, there hasn’t been a new rice variety developed here in Chile’ in the last 25 years.  By contrast, the LSU AgCenter’s Rice Research Station in Crowley has released nearly 60 new varieties in the last 50 years, according to Dr. John Russin, vice chancellor and director of research and extension for the LSU AgCenter.

Chilean rice farmer Ulises Gutierrez, who grows rice on seven hectares, or about 17 acres outside Curico, in central Chile’, was clearly frustrated and a bit envious as he met with Louisiana rice growers in Class 12 Thursday.  He’s been growing rice for two decades. Rice and rice only.  He said a combination of poor weather conditions, limited resources and poor soil quality have kept him from rotating other crops like corn or soybeans on his land.

As Gutierrez told his story, it was clear he wanted us to know he was a good farmer; that he worked hard to provide for his family.  But his yields told an even sadder story.  While Chilean rice researcher Julieta Parada said the country’s rice growers average five tons per hectare, or 55 hundredweights per acre, Gutierrez’s yield last year was just one ton per hectare.  That’s just enough to take to local grocery stores and to provide a steady supply of rice for his family to eat.

Chile’ desperately wants to expand its rice production.  Today the country has only 25,000 hectares in production.  Those 62,000 acres produce only half the rice Chileans consume.  The other 50 percent is imported from Brazil and Argentina.

Like most South American countries rice is a staple at the Chilean dinner table.  But the Chilean rice industry hasn’t been able to overcome a variety of political, economic and environmental challenges that could lead to increased production.  The country is prohibited from growing GMO crops for human consumption and has had to battle environmental groups seeking to limit water and land use.   And while there are no GMO rice varieties, (unlike corn and soybeans), it gives you an idea of some of the hurdles the nation’s farmers are striving to overcome.

“When you see what they’re up against, it’s like they’re farming under the same conditions we were back in the 1950s,” said Matt Raley, retail sales and product manager for Raley Brothers LLC in Winnsboro.

Noble Guedon, who farms 1,800 acres of rice in Concordia Parish, said he found it hard to believe Gutierrez would continue to farm rice with such low yields year after year.  And despite a psychological economy of scale for a grower like Gutierrez, such low yields year in, year out seems like an exercise in futility.

“It’s seems like he’d be better off letting his land go to pasture and putting livestock on it,” Guedon said. “It’s just hard for him to be competitive.  I feel for him because when you think about it, it’s like he’s growing rice as a hobby.  A very expensive, not very productive hobby.”

The head of the Chilean Rice Growers Association told Class 12 that improved research and mechanization, combined with better resource management, are necessary if farmers here are to improve their position in the global marketplace.

“We have traveled to California and looked at their rice production,” said Ernesto Eguiluz.  “We want to come to Louisiana to look at your production methods.”

The AgCenter’s Dr. John Russin extended a personal invitation for Eguiluz to attend the Rice Research Station’s annual rice field day this June.  Russin, who did two tours in Afghanistan as part of USAID’s agricultural development program, said the AgCenter‘s charge to develop and share all aspects of production technologies to enhance growers’ bottom lines.

“It’s part of the AgCenter’s mission to help feed a world population that’s expected to double in the next 50 years,” Russin said.

Until next time…

The Fruit That Looms

Chile’ knows fruit.

It’s pretty keen on vegetables too.

The first thing you learn about Chile’ is that for a small country it has big ambitions.  A leader in world fruit production, the country is the fourth largest supplier of wine globally and ships hundreds of millions of boxes of fruit, worth hundreds of billions to the U.S. every year.

There’s a good chance those cherries you pay $4 a pound for at Albertson’s came from Chile’.  And next time you’re there, check the spirits department.  You’re likely to find some outstanding Chilean wines.

The narrow strip of land that holds South America’s west coast in check is a growing powerhouse when it comes to fruit and vegetable production.  Class 12 saw some of that Wednesday, January 25 as members visited the Lo Valledor fruit and vegetable market outside Santiago.  It’s like BR’s Red Stick Market on serious steroids.  Oh, and the constant stream of trucks moving product in and out of the venue each day makes it the only farmers’ market in the world that needs traffic cops.  Seriously.

We dodged every manner of vehicle as we toured the market this morning, from micro trucks to guys pulling and pushing handcarts.  But make no mistake, the organized chaos helps the market move 400 tons of fruit valued at more than $3.5 million U.S. every day during the peak season, which is right now.

Lo Valledor services about 100 Santiago-area fruit and vegetable farmers, giving them a market for their crops.  And we you find out those farmers are only growing their crops on five to 20 hectares (between 13 and 50 acres), you realize how much produce is needed to generate 400 to 500 tons a day during the peak season.

Chile’ is a world leader in fruit exports.  Nearly 80 percent of its fruit is exported annually, with more than 184 million boxes shipped to the U.S. each year.

And while some of those Chilean table grapes end up in the produce department of your local supermarket, a lot of those grapes end up across the aisle in the liquor department.

As the fourth largest exporter of wine, mostly vintages bound for the European market, the U.S. market has seen significant growth in Chilean wines in the last decade.  The Undurraga Winery is a perfect example of how Chile’ is crafting quality wines that find their way to your dinner or restaurant table.

David, our host and tour guide at Undurraga, told us the winery began operations in 1885 and produces Syrah, Merlots and Cab Sauvs.  On less than 400 acres the winery prides itself in being part of Chile’s 800 million liter wine exports a year.  That’s 176 million gallons of wine leaving Chile’ every year, bound for some other nationality’s candlelight dinner.

But the story of how Chile’ came to grow grapes at all is, in my opinion, the most fascinating story.  And if you’re Catholic you’ll both understand and appreciate my “Reader’s Digest” condensed version of the story.

According to Andres, our guide on the bus, Spanish explorers who landed in Chile’ in the mid-1600s had priests traveling with them.  Priests, whose sole purpose was to spiritually protect the success of the quest, as well as convert the indigenous peoples the Conquistadors encountered, needed wine for their church ceremonies.

Since it didn’t take long for the ship’s wine stores to run dry, the priests needed a steady grape supply that could only be grown locally.  According to Andres, the first vintages grown by the priests were known as “mission quality” wines, low-end varieties suitable for services at the mission.  (Hence the name.)

But then something interesting happened.  Seems the locals, as well as the Spanish who began to settle in the area, liked a glass or two every now and again.  Conquering people apparently makes you very thirsty.

Soon the wine industry was booming in Chile’ and across South America for that matter.  The church had a revenue stream, the soldiers were happy and farmers began showing up at the mission to help the clergy grow more and better grape varieties.

Today Chile’ continues to be a global player in wine production, hanging its corkscrew on some of the finest wines anywhere.  And it all started with a ritual that soon had the whole world communing over a fine meal and a glass of wine.

Until next time…

Touchdown Santiago

A good night’s sleep is sometimes overrated.

After an uneventful eight hours in the air, LSU AgLeadership Class 12 touched down at 6:55 a.m. Santiago time (3:55 a.m. CST) in the capital city of Chile.  While a few class members were able to sleep on the plane, many had a restless, fitful night.  And after a brief check in at the Torremayor Hotel, it was on to the U.S. Embassy to begin our 10-day tour of South America.

The embassy is located in the central business district of downtown Santiago.  No cameras, cell phones or other recording devices were allowed inside the facility.  It’s standard procedure for U.S. embassies to deny its own citizens the right to photograph what their tax dollars have built and paid for around the world.  That’s why you won’t see any photos of class members meeting with the ag attaches or ag counselors.

Be that as it may, USDA officials said that increased Chilean agricultural production and its related infrastructure are partly responsible for lowering Chile’s poverty rate from 39 percent to 13 percent in the last 10 years.  Much of the success in the country’s improved ag sector hinges on improved relations between farmers and the nation’s banking community.  Chile, we were told, has the most transparent banking procedures in all of Latin America.

In 2010 there was $15.1 billion in direct foreign investment in the ag sector.  That kind of investment shows the world Chile is the place to do business with its farming communities.

Following lunch, we visited the Fundacion Chile, a semi-private organization that vets new technologies and products for Chile’s agro-industrial, forestry and marine fisheries industries.  Lea Pollack, director of international development told the group Fundacion Chile is essentially a combination think-tank, R&D and manufacturing foundation, operating on a $40 million a year budget with 170 researchers and investment specialists.

One of the foundation’s most successful endeavors involved developing Chile as a leader in salmon production in the 1980s.  Its next major project involves developing solar energy from Chile’s vast northern deserts to generate power at a competitive cost without government subsidies.

We wrapped back at the hotel around 5 p.m.  Many of us probably retired to our rooms for a much-needed nap before dinner.

On Wednesday we’ll visit the Lo Valledor fruit packing facilities.  It’s one of the largest fruit processing plants in the country.  Following the Lo Valledor tour it’s on to Undurraga, one on of Chile’s largest vineyards.  Did anyone bring a corkscrew?

Stay tuned…

Drought Won’t Dampen Argentine Grain Production

If there’s one thing Louisiana farmers know about, it’s drought.

Last year Louisiana farmers and ranchers lost more than $250 million in crop and livestock production to cracked soil and parched pastures.  Weather is and always will be the dominant factor in the profitability of global agriculture.

Next week LSU AgLeadership Class 12 will see and hear firsthand how drought is impacting crops in Argentina.  The South American country has been like a corralled racehorse, ready to break away and run headlong into the global agricultural trading arena.  Currently the world’s third largest soybean-producing country behind the U.S. and top producer Brazil, Argentina is poised to flex its agricultural muscle.

But the 2012 growing season in Argentina is getting off to a very dry start.  The La Nina weather pattern has brought significant heat and dry weather across much of the country.  This week’s Bloomberg Businessweek report says the Argentine soybean crop could be short some four million tons, down from a projected 52 million tons to 48 million tons.  Corn production there is also expected to take a big hit, with estimates calling for a one-third smaller crop this year than last year’s record crop of 30 million tons. Argentina is the world’s second largest exporter of corn.

But for a country with a 365-day growing season, it’s just another hiccup in an otherwise perpetual farm production cycle.  Over the last 20 years South American countries like Brazil, Chile and especially Argentina have been diligently chipping away at U.S. global ag export dominance.  The ag minister of Argentina, Orberto Yauhar, has said Argentina has its sights set on Brazil in an effort to become the world leader in soybean production.

That’s a bold statement given Brazil’s tremendous farmland acres in production.  But nonetheless it shows that Argentina and its farmers know the value of the crops they produce.  And even if it’s an “ag pep talk” with little to back it up, it means a country of just over one million square miles is ready to pound its chest, no matter how small its chest might be.

Class 12 member Neil Melancon, host of “This Week in Louisiana Agriculture’s” Bottom Line segment, keeps a close eye on South American grain production.  In his weekly reports Neil will tell you that weather issues notwithstanding, Brazil, Argentina and Chile are the dominant players in global agriculture.

“We’re in their crosshairs,” Melancon said.  “They want to beat us at every turn.  This year the drought is impacting them, which is good for prices right now.  But should things turn around, their grain production could explode.  That’s going to affect U.S. farmers’ planting intentions this year.  The smart grain farmer is always keeping his eye on South America.”

To read the Bloomberg Businessweek story about how drought is impacting Argentina’s grain crops, click here http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-01-20/argentina-corn-soy-forecasts-cut-on-disastrous-drought.html

 

 

AgLeadership Class XII Prepares for South America

Any journey of exploration must always begin with a plan.

And a suitcase that weighs 50 pounds or less.

I trust you’re all making final preparations for our departure to Chile and Argentina Jan. 23. It’s going to be a great trip and I’m looking forward to traveling with each of you.

By now you’ve seen the email correspondence from Dr. Soileau outlining our travel schedule. Right now the weather across Chile is expected to be great during our first week. Highs in mid-70s and lows in the mid-50s. No rain is forecast for Santiago or Curico next week.

When Gene Adolph and I spoke the class a few months back we pointed out a few things I want to review with you before we leave. When Class XIII traveled to Chile and Argentina, the hotels were usually comparable to a two-to-three star U.S. hotel. However, amenities in the rooms were limited. As a reminder, unless things have changed since 2005, South American hotel rooms don’t have traditional wash cloths. Don’t ask me why, but they don’t. I experienced the same thing during my visit to Turkey last fall. You might want to bring a few cheap Walmart ones with you.

Also, when packing, don’t overestimate the clothes you’ll need. I’ve found there’s nothing more frustrating than realizing at the end of a trip that you packed a third more clothes than you actually wore. We’re all friends and if we see each other in the same jeans and shirts more than once it’s no big deal. Remember, we’re going to be touching the luggage every day, so the lighter you pack, the better.

Shoes are another story. We’ll need dress shoes, or their equivalent for the U.S. embassy visit. It’s likely the only time we’ll need them. However, in the past I’ve seen class members pull off a pair of work boots with a coat and tie. Remember to wear your heaviest pair of shoes on the plane. And speaking of the plane, you might want to wear a long-sleeved shirt or a light jacket. Since this is an international flight, you’ll be provided a blanket. Ear plugs and a sleeping mask couldn’t hurt either.

And speaking of the flight, it’s imperative that you get some sleep on the plane. We’ve got a full day ahead of us the morning we land. Also, you might want to throw a few snacks in your carry on. They’re good for the plane and for the long bus rides. Neil Melancon’s favorites are Tobasco-infused Slim Jims, japaleno pork skins and garlic-flavored spicy pickled quail’s eggs.

Finally a word about powering your laptops, cell phones and other electronics. I’ve purchased an iGO adapter. I got it from Office Depot for $20. It handled everything we threw at it in Turkey and didn’t burn up or throw the breaker to the entire hotel. You can charge iPhones via USB and it can handle most laptops without a converter.

If possible, get some rest over the weekend. It’s going to be a busy next 12 days. What with being interviewed for “This Week in Louisiana Agriculture,” taking in the sights and sounds of South America and enjoying the three hours bus rides, we want you to look and feel your best.

Until next time…

More Turkey Trip Photos

Louisiana Farm Bureau’s photostream on Flickr.

Turkey Trip Photos

Louisiana Farm Bureau’s photostream on Flickr.