[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 220 (Wednesday, November 15, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 66496]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-9212]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Commodity Credit Corporation


Bulk Grain Available for Sale Online

AGENCY: Commodity Credit Corporation, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces that the Commodity Credit Corporation 
(CCC) will make available for sale a portion of its grain inventory 
beginning November 20, 2006, via the Internet at http://www.GrainLink.com. This is the first time that CCC will use GrainLink 
to provide online marketing services to sell bulk grain, including 
wheat, rice, soybeans, barley, corn, grain sorghum, and oats that CCC 
owns via the Internet. This notice is to announce the sale and 
introduce this new process to the industry.

DATES: Effective Date: November 15, 2006.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jose Gonzalez, Inventory Program 
Manager, Warehouse and Inventory Division, Farm Service Agency, USDA, 
STOP 0553, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-0553. 
Telephone: (202) 690-2534. E-mail: [email protected]. Persons with 
disabilities who require alternative means for communication (Braille, 
large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the USDA Target Center at 
(202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: CCC acquires bulk grain through the 
forfeiture of marketing assistance loans obtained in accordance with 
Title 1, Subtitle B, of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 
2002. CCC's general sales policy is to maximize the returns to the 
Corporation. The authorities for selling CCC-owned grain include the 
CCC Charter Act and section 165 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement 
and Reform Act of 1996. The regulations at 7 CFR part 1402 contain CCC 
policy for certain commodities available for sale by CCC.
    CCC has contracted with Farms Technology, LLC, of Overland Park, 
Kansas to provide online marketing services to sell CCC-owned bulk 
grain (wheat, rice, soybeans, barley, corn, grain sorghum, and oats), 
via an Internet based cash grain marketing platform called 
GrainLink.com. CCC will entertain offers from prospective buyers for 
the purchase of grain owned by CCC that is included in the inventory 
listed on GrainLink.com. Prospective buyers may also visit the DACO Web 
site at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/daco/default.htm to review the entire 
catalog of grain inventory. Under ``Related Topics'', click on 
``Procurement and Sales'' and then ``Sales'' to access inventories of 
various commodities. Parties interested in purchasing CCC-owned grain 
that is not available for sale via GrainLink.com may contact CCC 
merchandisers directly at (816) 926-3816 to discuss grain availability.
    A portion of CCC's grain inventory will be available for sale at 
http://www.GrainLink.com beginning November 20, 2006, from 9:30 a.m. to 
1:30 p.m. central daylight time (CDT). This inventory will be made 
available for advance review only, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. CDT, on 
November 16 and November 17, 2006. Additional CCC grain inventory may 
be placed on GrainLink at anytime following November 20, 2006, without 
prior notification to the public. Interested parties are encouraged to 
check the GrainLink Web site on a regular basis for inventory that may 
be made available for sale.
    To allow access to GrainLink's ``Real Time Bid Service'' Farms 
Technology requires users to enter into a participation agreement and 
pay a monthly subscription fee. There are no commission charges to 
place bids online; however, successful bidders are charged a commission 
fee of $.01 per bushel (wheat, barley, oats, corn, soybeans) or $.01 
per hundredweight (grain sorghum or rice) for completed sales.
    Additional information on Farms Technology services is available by 
contacting Jason Tatge, Chief Executive Officer, by telephone at (888) 
393-6471, or by e-mail at [email protected].
    Any questions about this notice may be directed to Jose Gonzalez by 
calling (202) 690-2534 or e-mail [email protected].

    Signed at Washington, DC, November 9, 2006.
Teresa C. Lasseter,
Executive Vice President, Commodity Credit Corporation.
[FR Doc. 06-9212 Filed 11-9-06; 3:40 pm]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P