Anticipation 2012

For someone who has spent virtually their entire career in Agriculture, this time of the year has always been one of my favorites. By now most of the marketing plans for new products and old standbys are in place and inventory is being put in place in anticipation of a big season. Depending on where you are in the supply chain, you stand ready to make, sell, distribute, plant, and produce a safe abundant food supply for our country and the world. We all know that when spring season starts the time for planning is past and the time for execution has arrived.

While you’ve been planning for the spring season, the AgGateway management team has been making plans for 2012 as well. I want to take some time in this first newsletter of the year to talk to you about what’s on the agenda for what we think will be AgGateway’s best year yet!

When all is said and done, the greatest value AgGateway provides is connectivity. That is, giving the industry the ability to use networks to link computers to one another and provide information resources between computer systems and their final users. Connectivity is what makes doing business easier, more efficient and more effective. We have big plans for enabling more connectivity in 2012. In addition to the projects that are already underway, I’m very excited about four connectivity initiatives that we’ll undertake in 2012 to expand the use of eBusiness in Agriculture.

Initiative #1 is Seed Connectivity II.
In addition to manufacturers and distributors there is substantial participation from our Ag Retail members. The Ag Retail Council has been busy recruiting and explaining the value of eBusiness to Ag Retailers for the past several years. This year, those efforts are going to pay off in a big way for our retailer members in the SC II project! The project kicks off around the first of February; stay tuned to the website, Council meetings, and the newsletter for updates.

Initiative #2 is the Tonnage Reporting initiative.
Much of the groundwork for the reporting of fertilizer and feed tonnage to the states was done at the end of 2011. In 2012, we plan to conduct a pilot project with several states. Cutting the cost and improving the efficiency of reporting is in itself exciting, however, this year will mark the first time that AgGateway members will connect directly to state government agencies. That’s a big win for our members and the states!

Initiative #3, is the Crop Protection Canada Connectivity (CPCC).
This project is being lead and executed by the Canadian members of the Crop Protection Council. The CPCC project represents a major step forward for the crop protection industry in Canada. By streamlining its supply chain and moving toward more effective traceability of product information project participants will see significant operational efficiencies that will translate into considerable savings.

Initiative #4 is our new Enabling Services.
AgGateway will be completing the development of “assisted” and “self-directed” Enabling Services during 2012. When completed, these services will significantly enhance the speed and efficiency with which any Ag company can get connected, using any AgGateway supply chain standards and guidelines, independent of an industry project.

In addition to the major connectivity initiatives, AgGateway also has plans to make significant improvement to the website and by the end of the year, to complete the standards harmonization effort, and to initiate a new AgGateway Customer Support service that will create a centralized source for information and support for everything AgGateway. You’ll also see more educational, training, and promotional videos and presentations on the AgGateway YouTube channel this year.

Councils’ Planning
Also new in 2012 is the Grain Council. A group of grain companies is working on the formation of a Grain Council in AgGateway. The inclusion of grain in the AgGateway family is a significant step forward in achieving our vision. Look for more about their progress in future newsletters.

The other Councils are also busy finalizing their council specific goals for 2012. Your Council needs your help and input to set those goals and establish priorities for your segment. So get involved; put those Council meeting dates on your calendar.

I’m anticipating great progress in AgGateway this year! Remember, your company only benefits to the degree that you are involved and are actively taking advantage of what AgGateway offers. So get on board, get involved, and get connected! Have a great Spring! Rod