BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Dates and itineraries for the Illinois Farm Bureau’s summer conference series have been announced.

On Aug. 7, the IFB will host their 2006 Commodities Conference at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield. That venue will also serve as the setting for the IFB Ag Leadership Summit the following day, Aug. 8.

According to John Hawkins, communications director for the IFB, “Illinois farmers have been told for decades that they are in a global economy, but the globe keeps changing.”

That’s why this year’s IFB Commodities Conference will address the competitive standing of U.S. agriculture.

General session speakers will include Vince Malagna, a LaSalle Economics representative, and Jim Grueff of Decision Leaders LLC and a former assistant deputy administrator with the USDA’s Foreign Agriculture Service. Malagna will examine the global economic outlook and will also discuss how economic growth and its impact on commodity prices will affect farm real estate values.

Grueff will discuss where U.S. producers stand in the global playing field and will offer examples of how U.S. competitiveness can be improved through domestic farm policy changes.

In addition, 15 breakout sessions will be offered.

At the IFB’s Ag Leadership Conference, Illinois agricultural leaders will learn the latest regarding domestic and international trends impacting future ag markets and industry competitiveness.

“IFB’s 2004 summit served as an important first step in what became a successful dialogue towards developing appropriate domestic farm program concepts. The goal of this year’s summit is to further inform that process and consider other issues and trends demanding appropriate public policy, program, and educational responses,” said Philip Nelson, IFB president.

Key items of discussion will include the 2007 Farm Bill and ongoing WTO agricultural trade issues.

Those wishing to attend both conferences can do so for a $50 registration fee, a savings of $10. Online registration is available at www.ilfb.org

For more information, call the IFB’s Tamara Wright at 309-557-3112.

This farm news was published in the June 28, 2006 issue of Farm World, serving Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee.