(Photo: Rusty Halvorson)
GALCHUTT, N.D. (KFGO) — While a trade truce between the U.S. and China has been extended into early November, North Dakota soybean farmers are working to keep communication open with Chinese customers.
A delegation of Chinese industry leaders visited Richland County on Wednesday, stopping at the farm of Dallas Loff, treasurer of the North Dakota Soybean Council, near Galchutt. The group included representatives from the China Chamber of Commerce of Import and Export and state-owned COFCO Oils and Fats.
Loff spoke with the visitors about agronomy, the upcoming harvest and how his family raises soybeans, corn and sugarbeets. He said politics and trade negotiations were not part of the discussion.
(Photo: Rusty Halvorson)
“No, we didn’t get down into the nitty-gritty of talking any of the ‘not so fun’ stuff. They were just more interested in how’s the bean crop doing, how do I prepare as I get into harvest, what were some of the challenges that I faced during the growing season. Pretty entry-level stuff to us here in North Dakota, but to them it was intriguing.”
The Chinese delegation asked a wide range of questions, from cover crops and the cost of production per acre to the types of equipment used on the farm. They also toured the Minn-Kota Ag Products elevator along Highway 13 near Mooreton.
The North Dakota Soybean Council, which is funded by soybean checkoff dollars, oversees promotion, research and marketing programs. The Council’s mission is to expand partnerships, markets and opportunities for all North Dakota soybean growers.
Representatives from the U.S. Soybean Export Council also took part in Wednesday’s visit.
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