Past Tours of Brazil and Argentina with AGtivities
2009 Brazil/Argentina Agri-Energy and Food Study Trip
January 10 - 23, 2009
A growing world population with an increasing ability to afford a protein rich diet and ownership of automobiles has sent a message to the world’s farmers to ramp up production. This trip is designed to give the directors of the Corn Growers Associations of Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska the opportunity to learn how our counterparts in Brazil and Argentina are meeting this challenge. It will give them a chance to exchange ideas with government officials, industry leaders, and fellow farmers. They can use this occasion to establish valuable relationships that can be revisited in the future.
Brazil Bioenergy & Food Study Tour 2008
January 14 - 26, 2008
My professional and personal experiences through the years with farmers, agri-business and agricultural research people in Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay, have shown me how important it is to exchange information and ideas. My participation in this project will be that of providing the necessary contacts and arrangements for the workshop as well as organizing the trip.
Brazil Bioenergy Tour 2006
January 15 - 27, 2006
The Amazon rainforest is at the center of a number of concerns which could have a world wide impact on commodities, including soybeans and ethanol. Farming is considered by many to be a threat to the region, as is the reopening of highway 163 running north to the Amazon River. To better understand these issues we will spend a night and a day at a lodge in the rainforest, about a half hour boat ride from Manaus.
Brazil Soybean Rust Workshop 2005
February 13 - 24, 2005
Asian Soybean Rust has proved to be a major problem to soybean growers in many countries throughout the world, and most notably in Brazil. It was widely thought that rust would eventually be found here, and now it has been discovered in an experimental field in Louisiana. Fortunately, it has arrived at the end of our production year, giving us 4-5 months to prepare before the next planting season. We must use this window of time wisely. Chemical companies need to gear up production, sprayer companies need to be ready for increased sales, and government and private organizations need to coordinate their efforts to be ready. Gain practical, on-farm experience recognizing and treating rust.
Argentina Agriculture Tour 2004
February 29 - March 10, 2004
Upon arriving in Buenos Aires, we will board a comfortable tour coach and head north along the Parana river. Grain from Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay comes down this river on its way to overseas markets. We’ll stop in San Pedro to visit with our friends who raise corn, soybeans and peaches. By evening we will be in Rosario, a port city of a million people. Sidewalk cafes near our hotel offer a delightful place to dine on a warm summer evening.
Brazil Agriculture Tour 2003
February 16 - 17, 2003
Brazil is a vast country, and to be able to visit different regions in a few days, much of our tour will be done on a charter plane.
Argentina Agriculture Tour 2002
December 3 - 13, 2002
Seed corn, beans, machinery, rain forest waterfalls, and tango will be on the agenda as we tour this beautiful land, from the sweeping pampas, to the rain forest, and back to Buenos Aires, the "Paris of South America." Santa Fe and Buenos Aires lie in the Pampas, the Argentinean prairie. The province of Buenos Aires alone has two and a half times more farmland than Illinois. With no farm subsidies, Argentinean farmers have become efficient to survive a very competitive business. Smaller, more diverse farms have given way to larger and more efficient operations. This trip will give you the opportunity to ask Argentinean farmers about input costs, taxes, markets, competition, and what their future will be if prices for commodities stay at these reduced levels. With the widespread adoption of no-till farming practices, Argentina's once numerous farm machinery factories have been reduced to a few. Modern equipment, skilled and dedicated workers (many are family members), innovative manufacturing techniques, and the flexibility to meet the market demands, have allowed some of these plants to survive in a world of tremendous foreign competition.
Argentina Agriculture Tour 2001
December 4 - 14, 2001
Experience South American agriculture first-hand. You will have opportunities to interact with producers and ag suppliers throughout the tour. Learn about the latest technologies and production being used by South American farmers and how it may affect US producers. Talk with farmers about fertilizer and herbicide usage, marketing practices, and their plans for the use of new technologies. You will also have a traditional “parillada” (cookout) during your tour. In addition, shopping and touring of Buenos Aires along with a “tango show”, will be an exciting way to end your trip to Argentina. All transportation, lodging, breakfast, “parillada”, and one evening tango show and meal at Buenos Aires costs are included.
Argentina Agriculture Tour 2000
December 6 - 15, 2000
Experience South American agriculture first-hand. You will have opportunities to interact with producers and ag suppliers throughout the tour. Learn about the latest technologies and production being used by South American farmers and how it may affect US producers. Talk with farmers about fertilizer and herbicide usage, marketing practices, and their plans for the use of new technologies. You will also have a traditional “parillada” (cookout) during your tour. In addition, shopping and touring of Buenos Aires along with a “tango show”, will be an exciting way to end your trip to Argentina. All transportation, lodging, breakfast, “parillada”, and one evening tango show and meal at Buenos Aires costs are included. Join Larry Thurow of Parkland College for this exciting tour of Argentina.