WeatherPredict Consulting Contract Addition

03 November 2009, 12:58am

Washington DC, November 3, 2009 – International Production and Assessment Division (IPAD), Office of Global Analysis (OGA), Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), announce WeatherPredict Consulting, Inc. (WeatherPredict) as the latest addition to the Prime Vendor Contract.

Under the contract, WeatherPredict Consulting, Inc. will provide the IPAD/Office of Global Analysis/FAS/USDA with weekly updates of surface wetness, surface temperature and snow cover for various global crop regions. WeatherPredict uses a proprietary technology to monitor ambient conditions for growing crops. The technology utilizes Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I) information, which is available in most weather conditions and is based upon a 20 year history of global data collection.

Robert Tetrault, IPAD/office of Global Analysis/FAS/USDA, Satellite Imagery Archive Manager, states, “The use of WeatherPredict’s unique products allows the crop analysts to receive important meteorological information across numerous growing regions which is critical in our operational global food security analysis.”

Craig Tillman, President of WeatherPredict Consulting Inc., said: "WeatherPredict's research and advisory efforts include cutting-edge capabilities with respect to predictive climatology and soil saturation data and analysis. We are delighted to have been selected to support the very important work of IPAD and the USDA."

The IPAD/Office of Global Analysis/FAS/USDA is responsible for global crop condition assessments and estimates of area, yield, and production for grains, oilseeds, and cotton. The primary mission of OGA is to target, collect, analyze, and disseminate timely, objective, useful, and cost-effective global crop condition and agricultural market intelligence information. One of OGA’s key missions is to provide unbiased commodity estimates and forecasts to create a marketing edge for U.S. producers in world markets. (Source: USDA and NASA) The Prime Vendor Contract vehicle allows them to obtain agriculture analysis solutions using satellite imagery and ancillary information quickly and cost effectively.

Derrick Williams, III, Division Director, IPAD, stated, “The purpose of this contract is to promote efficiency. We are making the best use of every taxpayer dollar. The Prime Vendor Contract helps the USDA achieve our goal – which is to have a contract in place that allows us to access products provided by the commercial industry and get the best price and performance possible. The Prime Vendor Contract provides the IPAD/Office of Global Analysis/ FAS/USDA with the best possible imagery based global agriculture analysis solutions at the best possible prices and meets our stringent delivery specifications and our client needs which range from Global Food Security to Climate Change.”

About IPAD/Office of Global Analysis/FAS/USDA:

International Production and Assessment Division (IPAD), Office of Global Analysis (OGA), Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), has the primary responsibility for USDA’s international activities—market development, trade agreements and negotiations, and the collection and analysis of statistics and market information. As such a primary mission of IPAD/Office of Global Analysis/FAS/USDA is to target, collect, analyze, and disseminate timely, objective, useful, and cost-effective global crop condition and agricultural production information. The purpose is to provide unbiased commodity estimates and forecasts to create a marketing edge for U.S. producers in world markets. For more information contact Robert Tetrault, Satellite Imagery Archive Manager at Robert.Tetrault@fas.usda.gov or call 202-720-1071.

About WeatherPredict Consulting Inc.

WeatherPredict Consulting Inc. is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd., a Bermuda-based holding company. WeatherPredict’s team of advanced scientists offers expertise in remote sensing, oceanography, meteorology, wind engineering, aerodynamics and computer simulation. WeatherPredict’s business focuses on modeling atmospheric hazards and vulnerability, and providing intelligence on atmospheric perils to a range of entities, including those that manage agricultural risks. For more information, visit their web site below.

WeatherPredict Consulting Inc.

Geo: International