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| Ohio grain symposium planned for Dec. 16 |
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The Ohio Grain Farmers’ Symposium is an all-day affair slated for Dec. 16 at the Lima Convention Center in Lima, Ohio. Plan to be there for the 7:30 a.m. registration plus breakfast and a 30-exhibitor trade show. Then access the early bird marketing report with Steve Beier, account representative from the Andersons Grain and Ethanol Group.
At 9 a.m., the Washington D.C. outlook begins. Jon Doggert, the National Corn Growers Assoc. public policy expert shares his responsibilities for administration of trade, farm bill and legislative programs. Beverly Paul, of the American Soybean Assoc., plans to provide insight on legislative issues such as research, sustainability, nutrition, conservation, crop insurance, appropriations and aquaculture. Michael Bailey, executive director of the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board, will update the audience on recent board activities and decisions. After lunch, breakout sessions at 1:15 p.m. include “How to Tap Into Energy Efficiency Grants”, sponsored by Sukup. Ideas on installation of new energy efficient technology on your farm, plus advice on how to take advantage of a variety of energy grants, should help you wade through grant paperwork, if you are interested.
Also at 1:15 p.m., “Learn About Changes in Crop Insurance”, sponsored by Farm Credit. The third concurrent session “What’s Ahead for the Farm Bill,” features Carl Zulauf, professor at The Ohio State University and Joe Shultz, legislative assistant to U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio). Expect these two industry experts to take a look at some of the initial negotiations surrounding the upcoming legislation, as well as budgetary and political implications.
Three simultaneous sessions then begin at 2 p.m. “Consumer Attitudes and Your Farm”, presented by Charlie Arnot, CEO, Center for Food Integrity, is supported by Ag Credit. “What You Should Know About Watershed Rules”, will be sponsored by Agrotain International. Tom Menke, Menke Consulting (member of Brookside Consulting) relates to the issues surrounding the Grand Lake St. Mary’s watershed. Proposed new rules could greatly impact nutrient management plans and other rules for Western Ohio, as well as affect all other watersheds in Ohio. Kind of ties into the morning water quality session; just state versus federal regulations.
“Integrated Ag” supports the third 2 p.m. session, “The Enviros and Atrazine – What’s Behind the Backlash?” which is tackled by Jere White, executive director, Kansas Corn Growers Assoc. As one of the most popular herbicides used in the world, atrazine is used to stop weeds from competing with beneficial plants for food production. Consequently, its use has fostered the production of millions of tons of food products. White will explain why, in recent years, questions have been raised concerning atrazine’s impact on the environment.
Following another visit to the trade show, Cargill sponsors the 3:45 p.m. closing general session. Finally, the annual business meeting for corn/wheat and soybean groups will be conducted at 4:45 p.m. All farmers wanting to contribute their ideas to the process are encouraged to participate.
The registration deadline is Dec. 6. The cost is $35 member/$45 non-member of the Ohio Soybean Assoc. and/or the Ohio Corn Growers or Wheat Growers. Mail check (payable to the Ohio Soybean Assoc.) and registration to: Ohio Grain Farmers Symposium, 918 Proprietors Rd., Suite A, Worthington, OH 43085. You may also register by calling the Ohio Soybean Assoc. at 888-769-6446 or online at www.ohiograinfarmerssymposium.org
Last year’s excellent program is one of the primary reasons for my attendance this year. |
| 12/1/2010 |
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