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Va. Grain Producers plans Feb. 7 conference in Williamsburg

1.22.2008

By Jane W. Graham
AFP Correspondent

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — Members of the Virginia Grain Producers Association will get to look into a crystal ball during its annual Grain and Soybean Conference Feb. 7.
Speakers for the event will be telling members about what they can expect in various sectors of the agriculture industry that affect their own part of it.
The speakers include Darin Newsome of DTN who writes a regular column in The Progressive Farmer and contributes to The Farm Journal. He will bring forecasts of what is going on in the commodity markets so they can plan for the next couple of years, said Molly Pugh, VGPA executive director.
She said another analyst, Jerry Gulke of Strategic Marketing Services, will talk to the group about fertilizer and input costs and how it is affecting the markets.
Gulke has a “unique prospective on the dramatic increases in fertilizer product costs.”
Don Mennel of Mennel Milling will outline his company’s plans for the Old Dominion elevator in West Point. He will also discuss the future of the company’s recently renovated Roanoke facility.
The members are looking forward to remarks by Mike Ward, executive director of the Virginia Petroleum Council, Pugh said. He is expected to discuss the future of renewable fuels.
Future technology panelists from Dow AgroSciences, Monsanto, Pioneer and Syngenta will also be discussing the future.
The grain producers will also hear from a representative of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
“We’re excited about this,” Pugh said of the foundation’s visit. “We feel our efforts are very much joined.”
These speakers will address more than 250 people at the joint meeting of the VGPA and the Virginia Soybean Association.
“This conference offers information tailored specifically for Virginia producers covering corn, small grains and soybean issues,” Pugh said.
“This is a chance for Virginia’s producers to learn more about important, current issues that affect the success of their operation. We have an outstanding program planned, and we encourage anyone involved in Virginia’s agriculture to attend this conference.”