USA: Montana governor asks for Anheuser-Busch barley commitment

Governor Brian Schweitzer is asking Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc. to honor its relationship with Montana farmers as the company wrestles with a buyout offer, Associated Press posted on July 9. He's urging company executives to keep them in mind when at the bargaining table, facing a possible European buy-out.

Schweitzer says Montana's decades-long relationship with Anheuser-Busch has been beneficial for the company and for barley farmers in the state.

Belgian brewer InBev SA is in the midst of trying to take over the maker of Budweiser. The contentious offer is heading to court. The turmoil has made some Northern Plains barley growers uneasy.

Roughly 25% of Budweiser beer is made with Montana barley. "They've invested a great deal of money in receiving stations in Fairfield, in Huntley, in Sidney," Schweitzer said. "And so we fully anticipate that whoever wins this battle that they will be committed to Montana. But I want to continue to work with them to make sure that Montana farmers continue to produce barley for Budweiser beer."

In a letter to the company, the governor asks it to honor the partnership as the buyout talks to continue.

Schweitzer says the company has at least $1.7 million in payroll and benefits in these communities. Montana barley is also sold to brewers in Mexico.

12 July, 2008