ISA Directors Reflect on Time in Brazil STORIES AND PHOTOS BY AARON PUTZE, APR
Iowa Soybean Association Directors Robb Ewoldt, Brent Swart, Tim Bardole and Warren Bachman and CEO Kirk Leeds participated in a two-week fact-f inding mission to Brazil in early February. The itinerary included:
Tours of several modern and highly diversified and efficient farms in west central Mato Grosso (including the world’s second large soy operation). The farms specialized in soybean, cotton, corn, sugar cane and cattle production.
Tour of a John Deere implement dealership in Campo Novo and sugar cane ethanol plant operated by Coprodia (will soon be opening a cornbased ethanol operation, perhaps in May).
Visit with representatives of Federation of Agriculture of Mato Grosso (FAMATO) and Aprosoja (soybean and corn farmers association of Mato Grosso) at their respective headquarters in Cuiaba.
Tour of the Amazon River near Manaus by boat (major export route for Brazilian soy and other agricultural commodities).
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From left: Tim Bardole, Brent Swart, Robb Ewoldt and Warren Bachman.
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