Understanding overseas needs

WAYNE, Neb. — When the opportunity came to join an agricultural trade mission to Indonesia, Doug Temme did not hesitate to attend, even with the Wayne County Fair around the corner.

“The overall hope that we could help get people connected and get products moved to other countries was the biggest thing,” Temme said.

To attend this trip, Temme, who serves on the county fair board, had to leave his 850-cow dairy in the hands of hired help. Temme left for the trip early July 13 and returned July 24.

“Without foreign trade, our markets would be a lot lower,” Temme said. “Anything we can do to influence or add to it is great.”

Though he traveled with a group from the Nebraska Beef Council, Temme said the process for trade is the same for all agricultural products, including dairy. There are many steps that have to be completed before a trade agreement can be made, from setting tariffs and quotas to understanding personal beliefs and country expectations.

The most important aspect of successful trade relations is knowing the certification requirements and cultural aspects for citizens of the country Temme said. Currently, the population of Indonesia is just shy of reaching 280 million, with more than 80% Muslim.

“Having a better understanding of the Muslim faith helps us to know what is all entailed for a positive trade arrangement,” Temme said.

With a majority of the population belonging to the Islam faith, it is important for U.S. exports to be halal certified.

“I learned a lot of interesting facts about what halal was and how much went into getting it certified,” Temme said. “We even saw water that was halal certified. Basically, that means the well where the water was taken out of did not have pigs within a certain distance of it.”

Along with matching the needs and wants of another country, it was also important to ensure the full use of all resources Temme said. This includes being able to find a trade agreement that allows for a two-way trade. Temme said most countries want this because it has potential to benefit everyone.

“For Indonesia it takes 45 days for a shipment to get there from the U.S.,” Temme said. “Australia could get it there in 10 days. That makes a big difference for us because there is a long wait time.”

Prior to this trade mission, Temme had the opportunity to attend two others. His first trip, to Japan, was with the Federation of State Beef Councils which is a division of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. The U.S. Department of Agriculture provides oversight for the organization.

The second trip for Temme was to Columbia, also with the Nebraska Beef Council and the Nebraska Department of Agriculture. Each of these trips provided Temme and his colleagues the opportunity to develop relationships that would normally be inaccessible.

Nebraska Beef Council members rotate who attends the trade mission trips according to member availability. Usually, 15-20 people participate.

The travel group included the Mark McHargue, the Nebraska Farm Bureau president, Director of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, Sherry Vinton, Lt. Gov. of Nebraska Joe Kelly, a salesperson and individuals able to halal certify products.

“There were also university professors that gave presentations talking about the difference between U.S. beef and grass-fed Australian beef,” Temme said.

He said getting this opportunity to talk with others from different countries allowed for connections to be built and mutual understanding to be cultivated.

“You meet people from around the world and you realize how much we are alike,” Temme said. “We are just trying to make a living. The difference in culture was a big thing to see.”