Steven Edwardson (1), Greg Kessel (1); (1) North Dakota Barley Council, West Fargo, ND, U.S.A.
Malt and Grains
Poster
Barley production in the United States has declined at a rate of
310,000 acres per year since the mid-1980s. While production seems to
have stabilized in the area of 2.5 million to 3.0 million acres per year
over the past five years, barley growers have numerous opportunities to
produce other crops. This presentation explores the transition of
barley from a commodity crop to a specialty crop produced under
contract, and outlines the components of risk and profitability that
growers utilize in developing cropping plans that include barley and
competing crops. The importance of maintaining a stable supply of U. S.
malting barley production is also addressed.
Steven Edwardson serves as executive administrator of the North
Dakota Barley Council, a position which he has held since April 2004.
Steve and the North Dakota Barley Council directors work together in
developing markets for barley in malting, human food, and livestock
applications. Alliances with the U.S. Grains Council, universities, and
barley suppliers collectively assist in a balanced market development
program. Steve has experience in international trade and has conducted
business in Japan, Taiwan, Argentina, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
He has implemented educational programs in specialty crop contracting
and supply chain management, crop enterprise selection, and market
intelligence. Steve served for 12 years as vice president of research
and development for Minn-Dak Growers Ltd., a specialty crop company in
Grand Forks, ND. He also served as a commercial manager for Kings Inc.
(formerly a division of Associated British Foods) and as a farm
management specialist for the North Dakota State University Extension
Service. Steve holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in agricultural mechanization
from the Department of Agricultural Engineering at North Dakota State
University. Steve was raised on a small-grains farm near Carrington, ND.
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