Port Houston hosted the Texas Farm Bureau Ag Lead XIII members during their Southeast Texas session at the Bayport and Barbours Cut container terminals for a visit and tour.

The Bureau representatives discussed cotton, grain, beef and other agriculture products coming through the port as well as Port Houston container operations. The Bureau is a membership-based agricultural organization for independent farmers and ranchers.

Port Houston Senior Trade Development Manager Ty Reasonover provided a presentation and overview of the port’s history, structure and facilities. Chief Commercial Officer Ricky Kunz discussed port security, environmental and channel development efforts in the Houston port region. “Texas agriculture is marketable world-wide. The port delivers an efficient and cost-effective service to bring these products to market,” said Kunz.

Cotton and grain are two of the port’s historic specialized commodities. At Port Houston Facilities, most agriculture products are shipped by containers. Although, Port Houston also has a Public Grain Elevator facility operated by Louis Dreyfus for bulk grain exports. 

Texas is home to the largest cotton gin, according to the Bureau. “It’s important for these Bureau members to see how their production is directly tied to what we do here at the port,” added Kunz.