THE Ag Coast of America is expanding to lead the world in food security, according the bi-state St Louis, Missouri region, which hopes to bring it all together, reports the American Journal of Transportation.
Located in the centre of the world's agriculture production, the bi-state St Louis region is recognised as a world leader in agriculture, said the report.
'The amount of river business in the St Louis region has disproportionately increased over the past three decades,' said Illinois's American Milling president David Jump.
'This region is a rail and interstate highway gateway. It is more cost-effective to move commodities into, out of and through St Louis by combinations of truck, rail and barge than points upstream on the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. Barge loading and unloading capacity has expanded in the St Louis area to take advantage of these train rates and barge freight rate adjustments,' Mr Jump said.
With the world population expected to grow by 25 per cent and exceed 10 billion people over the next 30 years, the need for efficient production and movement of food is more critical than ever.
Meeting that need has become a unifying mission for three economic development organisations in the St Louis region made up of St Louis Regional Freightway, the World Trade Center and 39 North.
Collectively, they aim to increase global agriculture production by cultivating the ecosystem within an expanded Ag Coast footprint that encompasses the region's unmatched concentrations of talent, capital, facilities, agtech companies and producers.
Currently, 50 per cent of US crops and livestock are produced within a 500-mile radius of the St. Louis region, including approximately 80 per cent of corn and soybean acreage. As a result, the region boasts a strong grower community, highlighted by the National Corn Growers Association, United Soybean Board and American Soybean Association being headquartered in the region.
Within close proximity are leading academic and research institutions and an abundance of agtech companies that provide a vast range of technological and innovation resources. Just as important as the production of food will be moving it across the globe, and the St Louis region is well equipped to handle the demand.
Said agronomist Sam Fiorello: 'The region's focus and success in growing our innovation community including talent, capital and critical infrastructure are accelerating discoveries that will benefit farmers around the world.
'The challenge is clear, we must produce more food and fuel with less impact on natural resources and the environment,' said Mr Fiorello, chief operating officer, Donald Danforth Plant Science Center and president of the BioResearch and Development Growth (BRDG) Park.
WORLD SHIPPING
Located in the centre of the world's agriculture production, the bi-state St Louis region is recognised as a world leader in agriculture, said the report.
'The amount of river business in the St Louis region has disproportionately increased over the past three decades,' said Illinois's American Milling president David Jump.
'This region is a rail and interstate highway gateway. It is more cost-effective to move commodities into, out of and through St Louis by combinations of truck, rail and barge than points upstream on the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. Barge loading and unloading capacity has expanded in the St Louis area to take advantage of these train rates and barge freight rate adjustments,' Mr Jump said.
With the world population expected to grow by 25 per cent and exceed 10 billion people over the next 30 years, the need for efficient production and movement of food is more critical than ever.
Meeting that need has become a unifying mission for three economic development organisations in the St Louis region made up of St Louis Regional Freightway, the World Trade Center and 39 North.
Collectively, they aim to increase global agriculture production by cultivating the ecosystem within an expanded Ag Coast footprint that encompasses the region's unmatched concentrations of talent, capital, facilities, agtech companies and producers.
Currently, 50 per cent of US crops and livestock are produced within a 500-mile radius of the St. Louis region, including approximately 80 per cent of corn and soybean acreage. As a result, the region boasts a strong grower community, highlighted by the National Corn Growers Association, United Soybean Board and American Soybean Association being headquartered in the region.
Within close proximity are leading academic and research institutions and an abundance of agtech companies that provide a vast range of technological and innovation resources. Just as important as the production of food will be moving it across the globe, and the St Louis region is well equipped to handle the demand.
Said agronomist Sam Fiorello: 'The region's focus and success in growing our innovation community including talent, capital and critical infrastructure are accelerating discoveries that will benefit farmers around the world.
'The challenge is clear, we must produce more food and fuel with less impact on natural resources and the environment,' said Mr Fiorello, chief operating officer, Donald Danforth Plant Science Center and president of the BioResearch and Development Growth (BRDG) Park.
WORLD SHIPPING