The U.S. Grains Council’s (USGC’s) 56th Annual Board of Delegates Meeting scheduled for Louisville, Kentucky, from July 25-27, 2016, is slated to have a thought-provoking line-up of expert speakers offering members and other attendees insights into new and growing global demand for U.S. coarse grains and co-products.
Hot topics will include the current election cycle’s treatment of trade and the importance of trade to the U.S. economy, including the recently concluded Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations; a forward-looking examination of world markets in terms of feed grains in all forms; and updates from USGC staff members and commodity association partners.
Confirmed speakers include:
- A keynote presentation about trade’s impact on current U.S. policy and politics, including the importance of a positive trade environment, by journalist and businessman Ron Insana.
- An overview of top markets for U.S. grains in all forms, by USGC Chief Economist Mike Dwyer.
- A discussion about U.S. ag exports’ return on investment to the U.S. economy, by Dr. Gary Williams, Texas A&M Professor of Ag Economics & Co-Director of the Agribusiness, Food & Consumer Economics Research Center.
- An update on the USGC Tanzania Food for Progress program, by Tanzanian poultry producer Neema Minja and USGC Manager of Global Development Programs Anne Zaczek.
- A look at issues facing USGC’s affiliated commodity sectors and their respective shares of the global grain trade, by National Sorghum Producers (NSP) Chairman James Born; National Barley Growers Association (NBGA) Past President Doyle Lentz; and National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) First Vice President Wesley Spurlock.
- A conversation about chemical facts and myths and how they impact agriculture production, by McGill University Director for the Office of Science and Society Dr. Joe Schwarcz.
As a member-led organization, the Council depends on its delegates’ commitment and participation. Potential attendees are requested to register online and secure their hotel rooms as soon as possible, no later than June 28.
More information about the meeting is available online at www.grains.org/Louisville or on social media using the hashtag #grains16.