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2009 Annual Forum
View Abstract
Transportation Challenges/Opportunities Facing the Agricultural Industry
Eric Jessup, Washington State University, eric_jessup@wsu.edu
Scott Drumm, Port of Portland, scott.drumm@portofportland.com
April Taylor, USDA-Agricultural Marketing Service, april.taylor@usda.gov
Matt Harris, Washington State Potato Commission, mharris@potatoes.com
Robert Sinner, Sinner Brothers and Bresnahan, rsinner@sb-b.com
Mike Wong, Columbia Grain International, mwong@columbiagrain.com
This panel brings together five individuals with unique perspectives on emerging transportation issues, challenges and opportunities, especially as they relate to the movement of agricultural products to domestic and foreign markets. The panel includes:
- Scott Drumm – Manager, Economics and Research, Port of Portland, Oregon
Scott will be able to provide a regional perspective of the importance of ports to the movement of freight and particularly the importance of agricultural freight to the port and region. He'll be depicting recent and projected freight movements through the port, by mode and a general overview of future port initiatives/plans, challenges and opportunities. - April Taylor – Senior Research Associate, USDA AMS: Ocean Container Expert
April brings extensive knowledge regarding national and international container movements and will discuss information on recent container movements, including the proportion related to agricultural commodities and high value agricultural shipments. This will broaden the discussion from regional, to national and global.
Then we have three individuals with unique experiences related to how they market agricultural products and have overcome transportation/logistical challenges. These include:
- Matt Harris – Director of Trade, Washington State Potato Commission
The potato commission in Washington has been very innovative in how they identify and target international markets for high value potato products. Matt will discuss U.S./world potato movements and how they view the future for both container/bulk potato movements. - Bob Sinner – President, Sinner Brothers and Bresnahan
Bob has been very successful targeting niche markets, including utilizing high-value, identity preserved transportation services for movement of specialty agricultural products. - Mike Wong – Columbia Grain International
Mike is very knowledgeable regarding international grain markets and will be able to discuss emerging issues/trends in addition to challenges/opportunities.