Thursday, Jan 18 Depart home for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil arriving early morning on Friday. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Friday, Jan 19 Free day. Saturday, Jan 20 - Morning Tour Kick-Off Breakfast Briefing Opportunity to meet and get to know the other international travelers on South American Smart Food and Fuel Tour. Overview of the tour with in-depth discussion about the various groups you will meet and the companies and regions you will be visiting. Briefing by your hosts: Dennis McKnight, President, The Innovators Ltd., and Dr. Marcos Fava Neves, Professor of Marketing, Department of Business Administration, University of São Paulo and Coordinator of Agri-Energy Research Group. Afternoon Private bus tour of Rio de Janeiro. Evening Welcoming Dinner at Porcão Churrascaria Authentic Brazilian barbequed beef served in an authentic Brazilian style - as much freshly cooked meat as you can eat is brought to your table and sliced onto your plate. Visit their website. Sao Paulo Sunday, Jan 21 Arrive in Sao Paulo early evening. Evening off. Monday, Jan 22 - Morning Briefing on the Brazilian Econony Overview of Brazilian economy and investment climate. Focus will be primarily on agriculture production, food processing and exports and growth of biofuels market. Presentations by: ° Mr. Marcio Francesquine, Trade Commissioner, Consulate General of Canada. ° Mr. Renato Cavalini, Brascan (Invited) Brascan arrived in Brazil more than 100 years ago, being one of the first multinationals to operate in the country. It has several businesses, in agribusiness (including cattle, land leasing for row, fruit crops and timber), energy and other investments. Brookield Asset Management (formerly Brascan) is focused on property, power and infrastructure assets, the company has approximately US$50 billion of assets under management Joint Presentations by Brazilian and countries represented on Smart Food and Fuel Tour ° Presentation on agribusiness in Brazil by the Brazilian Agribusiness Association-ABAG (Associação Brasileira de Agrobusiness) ° Brazilian Beef Export Industries Association (ABIEC) ° Brief overview presentations by Australian, Canadian and US participants Midday Sponsored Luncheon and Round Table Discussions Informal luncheon and get acquainted round table discussions with Brazilian agricultural leaders. Each round table is based on area of interest. Invited Brazilian Agricultural and Commodity Groups: ABIPECS - Brazilian Pork Producers and Exporters Association, and ABEF - Brazilian Chicken Producers and Exporters Association, Brazilian Agribusiness Association-ABAG, Brazilian Beef Export Industries Association (ABIEC) Evening Dinner at Fogo de Chão A dining experience like no other. Featured meats are seasoned to perfection and slow-roasted over an open flame to capture their individual flavor. Growing up in the mountainous countryside of Southern Brazil, the founders of Fogo de Chão were immersed in the centuries-old Gaucho culture, a rich blend of traditions from European immigrants and Brazilian natives. Visit their website. Ribeirão Preto Tuesday, January 23 - Morning Depart Sao Paulo for Ribeirão Preto. Tour of sugar cane fields and Santa Elisa ethanol plant The Saint Elisa Energy Company is one of the biggest in the sugar/energy sector. Their ethanol facility outside of Ribeirão Preto is the third largest in the world. Starting with up to 32,000 tonnes of sugar cane each day, the plant can produce 4 thousand 50 kg bags of sugar, 500,000 L of ethanol, 30 MWh of electricity for the local grid, as well as animal feed and thousands of jobs in the local economy. Visit their website (Portuguese). Afternoon Summit on Agricultural R & D for livestock, crops and dairy in Brazil by Embrapa and PENSA. Briefing being held at University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto campus Embrapa, the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation The Brazilian Farming Research Company, Embrapa, under the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Cattle and Supplying, was created in 1973. It is coordinated by the National System of Farming Research which consists of federal and state public institutions, universities, private companies and foundations, that cooperate to perform scientific research in the different geographic areas and fields of study. Research undertaken by Embrapa has resulted in soy being adapted to Brazilian growing conditions so that now this is the second largest soy producing region in the world. Beef and pork production has multiplied 3 times, poultry production has increased 10-fold, and milk production increased from 7.9 billion liters in 1975 to 21 billion liters in 2002. Visit their website. PENSA The University of São Paulo Agribusiness Studies Program (PENSA) is an organization that integrates the Business Administration and Economics Departments. PENSA works to create an interactive space for students, professors and agribusiness executives. They study the dynamics of agribusiness to provide public and private institutions with a basis for decision making and strategic planning, and they promote international links with organizations dedicated to the Agribusiness system studies and development. PENSA recognizes that each agribusiness sector has its own dynamics, but, at the same time, it is conditioned by limitation imposed by the inter-segment technological and economical relations. Visit their website (Portuguese). Interactive Session An interactive session will follow the presentations to allow for a free flow of ideas and identify mutual areas for potential shared research and development investment. To further the exchange of ideas, our delegation will also be making presentations on North American sectors of agribusiness of mutual interest. Networking Reception A networking reception will follow this session to allow for one on one discussions and an opportunity for participants to meet and connect. Wednesday, January 24 There are two options for this day based on your area of interest - Biofuels or Food. One-day Food Option Dreyfus Citrus Brazil is the largest producer of orange juice in the world. Just outside of Ribeirão Preto is Dreyfus Citrus processing plant in Bebedouro. One of the world's three largest orange juice processors, the company is responsible for more than 12 percent of worldwide production. Dreyfus, along with its main competitors, centers operations in the state of São Paulo because of ideal soil and weather patterns. Dreyfus has two processing plants as well as orange farms in the region. Farms are close to the processing plants, with an average distance of 150 kilometers - an advantage for field surveying and fruit logistics. Minerva Meats based in Barretos in the traditional beef growing area in the north of the state of São Paulo. Minerva has been in the cattle business for more than 40 years, initially in cattle farming and transport. In 1992 the group bought the meat plant in Barretos and completed an upgrade by installing modern processing technology, refrigeration and quality control systems. Their goal was to shorten the chain between producer and consumer. Today Minerva has a large share of the domestic market and exports to more than 40 countries on 5 continents. One-day Biofuels Option Full day of presentations, tours and discussions organized by AGRO-ENERGY RESEARCH GROUP, The University of São Paulo Agribusiness Studies Program (PENSA). The AGRO-ENERGY RESEARCH GROUP does ongoing research into agribusiness value chains which focus on renewable energy and sustainability. This interactive session will examine carbon credits, biodiesel, ethanol, the co-generation of energy with the bagasse of cane and the equipment and national technologies available and required in the production of biofuels. Bagasse (sometimes spelled bagass) is the biomass remaining after sugarcane stalks are crushed to extract their juice. A sugar factory produces nearly 30% of bagasse out of its total crushing. Many research efforts focus on using bagasse as a renewable feedstock for power generation and for the production of bio-based materials. Uberlandia / Catalao Thursday, Jan 25 Morning flight to Uberlandia, which is a commercial and transportation center for a vast livestock-raising and crop-farming area. The city of Uberlandia is a focus of biotechnology investment including leading research on cattle, soy and corn culture. The region was initially occupied by great free-wheeling beef ranches, which are still important for the economy of the region. Over the 1990s, extensive soy and corn farms occupied most of the farming land available. US multi-nationals have made significant investments in Brazil. We will meet with both Monsanto and Cargill who have research and food processing facilities in Uberlandia. Monsanto Genetic Laboratory Monsanto reopened in 2005 a molecular genetic laboratory in Uberlandia with the aim of carrying on base researches for the development of new soybean, corn and cotton transgenic seeds. In the past ten years Monsanto invested US$1bil in Brazil, in including the acquisition of five seeds companies in the period between 1995 and 1997, erection of a herbicides raw material plant in Camacari (Bahia) and research facilities in Uberlandia and Sorriso. Bus to Catalao for Farm Tour Traditionally a land of cattle raising, Catalão is still a great producer of meat and dairy products and poultry. There is large production of corn, soybeans, and wheat, with the latest technology of central pivot irrigation being used extensively. Cultivation of garlic has played an important role in the economy. We will visit a large, totally integrated farming operation with beef, pork, chickens, corn, soybeans and wheat production. The day will end with a barbaque feast. Friday, January 26 Tour of Cargill Uberlandia Biomass Residues Fuel Switch Project The Cargill Uberlandia Biomass Residues Fuel Switch Project is an energy industry and energy demand project. The Project aims to reduce fuel oil consumed for steam generation at the Cargill facility by installing a biomass-fueled boiler and consequently reducing CO2 emissions. The biomass-fueled boiler, which has an installed capacity of 95 tonnes/hour of saturated steam at 13 kgf/cm2, will replace three fossil fuel-fired boilers. Cargill's facility utilizes saturated steam to provide heat to its three production lines: soybean, corn and citric acid. In the baseline scenario, the steam needed is generated by these three fossil fueled boilers and a biomass boiler. With the modification from the Project activity, Cargill's plant will be able to supply most of its need for low pressure saturated steam with renewable energy sources. The facility is located in an area where biomass residues are abundant. Sadia Tour of one of the world's leading producers of chilled and frozen foods and Brazil's main exporter of meat-based products. Sadia is proud to have no less than 12 industrial plants in Brazil that together produce over 1.3 million tons of protein-based products coming from chicken, turkey, pork and beef, not to mention pasta, margarines and desserts. The company takes total control of all the links in a fully integrated production chain for both pork and poultry, from the breeding and raising of animals, through production in top-quality installations, to transport of the finished products. At all stages of production Sadia maintains the quality standards, animal welfare and food safety demanded by clients, markets and certification organizations around the world. Visit their website. Depart for Buenos Aries (via São Paulo). Buenos Aries, Argentina Saturday, Jan 27 & Sunday, Jan 28 Free Time Monday, Jan 29 - Morning Briefing on Argentina's Economy and Agricultural Sector TBA Briefing on Feedlot Industry Rodrigo Troncoso, General Manager, CAEHV - Argentina Feedlot Association The CAEHV was formed in 1997 by a group of cattle producers interested in maintaining and updating production methods, working effectively with government, and establishing and promoting standards of excellence. At present it has about 90 partners, including about 70 feedlots with a combined capacity of 370,000 head, as well as veterinary product laboratories and feed suppliers. Together they work towards international recognition of on-going efforts to produce the healthiest and most nutritious meat that science and technology can offer. Meet with IPCVA - Argentina Beef Promotion Institute The Argentine Beef Promotion Institute (IPCVA) is a public non-governmental institution funded through the collection of levies paid by both producers and packers. The IPCVA improves and consolidates the Argentine beef products image, taking into account the vast history and tradition of the country and the prestige Argentina has in worldwide markets. The IPCVA is committed to increase competitiveness throughout the beef chain by providing sectorial expertise and information for the decision making process in business, and by contributing to the creation of improved business environments, both in domestic and foreign markets. The Pampas Afternoon Depart Buenos Aires for The Pampas The Pampas are the wide, expansive plains that stretch outward from Buenos Aires. We will be heading out by bus to see this highly productive agricultural heartland of Argentina. Tuesday, Jan 30 BIONERG in Chacabuco This project first made headlines when young engineers built a prototype system for enabling farms to become energy self-sufficient. To start producing biodiesel, one or a few farmers could supply the sunflowers or soybeans, and then just flip a switch. Argentina's second largest seed producer, Don Mario, is now part of the team helping to commercialize the technology. Their first plant cost US$ 155,000 to build, and with a capacity of 500,000 liters of biodiesel per year the seed company expects to reduce its own fuel costs by 45%. BIONERG is beginning to look beyond Argentina, offering a consultancy service that provides complete engineering, operational and financial know-how for projects anywhere in the world. Depart for Buenos Aires Airport and for international travel home. Wednesday, Jan 31 Arrive home.