A-State Agribusiness Conference celebrates 20th year by focusing on latest farm issues
JONESBORO, Ark. -- Now in its 20th year, the Arkansas State University Agribusiness Conference will continue to do what it does best––deliver timely, up-to-date information on a variety of industry issues important to the farmers and agribusiness professionals of the Mid-South region.
This year’s conference will be held Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2014, at A-State’s Fowler Center and the Convocation Center on the Jonesboro campus. On-site registration begins at 7:45 a.m. in Fowler Center; lunch will be served at the Convocation Center at noon, with afternoon sessions to follow, ending at 4 p.m.
The morning general session will feature four speakers and a panel discussion. Agricultural economist and consultant David Kohl will make presentations on the impact of global trends on agribusiness and how to prepare the next generation for transition into a family farm business.
Other morning speakers include J.B. Penn, chief economist for Deere and Company; Dana Brooks, director of government relations for Elanco; and Michigan State University economist David Schweikhardt.
The afternoon program features a report from Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Butch Calhoun and three special-interest sessions:
- Carl Brothers of Riceland Foods, Jeff Johnson of Allenberg Cotton Co., and Billy Herrington of Price Risk Management Group will preview the market outlook for rice, cotton and other crops. Ed Fryer of Ozark Mountain Poultry will discuss the market for non-GMO (genetically modified organism) corn and soybeans.
- Ed Fryer will examine livestock market issues, as well as developments in the Arkansas poultry industry during the livestock industry session.
- Arkansas State’s College of Agriculture & Technology professors Steve Green, Elizabeth Hood and Kevin Humphrey will present an update on A-State’s bioenergy research.
Continuing education credits are available according to guidelines set by the Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy, the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers, the Arkansas Certified Crop Advisors and Arkansas Crop Consultants, and the Arkansas Department of Education.
Admission to the conference and luncheon is free, but pre-registration is encouraged. Detailed conference information and on-line registration is available here. For telephone registration, contact the College of Agriculture & Technology, 870.972.2085, or email pjohnson@astate.edu.
