C Magazine - Summer 2018

Tracking Trends

Rebecca Lentz 2018-07-31 17:04:59

Global and national trends will continue to create opportunities and challenges for U.S. agriculture. At CHS owner forums in May and June, attendees heard from CHS experts on ag and energy trends to watch.

Energy Demand and Fuel Efficiency

“Looking forward, domestic energy markets will be influenced heavily by demand trends,” said Darin Hunhoff , executive vice president, CHS Energy and Processing and Food Ingredients. More efficient cars and trucks, plus larger implements that take fewer trips across the field, are putting pressure on gasoline and diesel demand. The market shift toward SUVs has helped off set dropping gasoline demand, but diesel for ag use is on the decline.

More Income, Better Food

Population growth and increasing incomes around the world are contributing to growing demand for protein and vegetable oils with specific characteristics. “I’m excited about the supply chain system CHS has,” said John Griffith, senior vice president, CHS Global Grain Marketing and Renewable Fuels. “Our system has tremendous market share, and that will be even more important in the future than it is today.”

Consolidation in the Country

Fewer cooperatives and increased presence of companies based outside the U.S. are changing the complexion of rural America.

Ag Talent Needs

Agricultural employers must attract enough talent to fill the 39 percent gap between the jobs available each year and ag-degree graduates available to fill them, said Jay Debertin, president and CEO of CHS. “That will likely take thinking outside traditional methods for identifying employees and ag leaders.”

57,000 new jobs each year for people with ag-related degrees - Only 35,400 new graduates = 39% workforce deficit

Source: National Institute of Food and Agriculture and Purdue University

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