Grainnet

Well over 300 people already have registered for the NGFA Country Elevator/Feed Industry Conference.

However, the weather-related late harvest for many NGFA members may be giving pause to some about signing up.

To help accommodate your harvest uncertainty, the early-bird rate has been extended to Mon., Nov. 16.

See the program highlights below for reasons not to wait on your registration!

Hotel Reminder!!!

The NGFA hotel block expires Nov. 5.

Call the Hyatt Regency Crown Center at 816-421-1234 or 800-233-1234 and identify with the NGFA for the special room rate of $129 + tax per night (single/double occupancy).

After Nov. 5, the hotel will accept reservations based on availability at the NGFA group rate.

JUST CONFIRMED!!!

NEW major sessions have been added to the Monday, Dec. 7 program focusing on the impact of this year's late - and potentially yield-reduced quality-challenged - corn and oilseed harvest.

In addition, a major session on grain and feed operations issues has been finalized for the Dec. 7 afternoon program.

These sessions alone will be worth the trip - this is timely information you can take home and put to work right away to enhance the safety and the profitability of your business!

Domestic and Global Market Trends

Given this year's harvest delays, there's major interest in the impact on corn and oilseed supplies to meet market demand.

What are the current trends shaping grain and oilseed markets?

What impact will these trends have on usage of corn for biofuels?

When may we see a turnaround in the hard-hit hog and dairy sectors?

And what are the longer-term trends for grain and oilseed markets around the world?

Our headline speaker will be one of the nation's most knowledgeable and insightful market analysts: Bill Hudson, Principal/Founder, The ProExporter Network

Managing and Sourcing Quality Grain in a Difficult Crop Year

This fall's high-moisture fall crop presents significant challenges to grain handlers concerning quality, grain drying and storage procedures.

This session will provide an important refresher on steps you can take when receiving and storing grain to maintain and preserve commodity quality to the maximum extent possible, avoid grain dryer fires, and originate and ship the quality needed to meet contract obligations.

Expert panelists will include: Dr. Dirk Maier, Head, Department of Grain Science and Industry, Kansas State University Robert Marlow, Regional Manager, The Andersons Inc.

Top Grain and Feed Operations Issues for 2010

A number of critically important operations issues of which managers and key employees should be fully aware have come to the fore recently and will affect grain and feed facility operations in 2010.

This is your best opportunity to receive a concise, boiled-down version of what you really need to know, presented by regulatory and industry experts you can trust.

Topics and speakers include: Moderator: Jess McCluer, NGFA Director of Regulatory Affairs

"OSHA and EPA Developments Affecting Grain Handlers"

Speaker: Kevin Danner, Environmental, Health and Safety Leader, West Central Cooperative

"Your Safety Matters"

Premier National Showing of New NGFA/GEAPS Safety DVD and Training Package

"EPA's Development of New Emission Controls for Feed Mills - What's the Latest?"

Speaker: Paul Luther, Environmental, Health and Safety Leader, Land O'Lakes Purina Feed LLC, St. Louis, Mo.

"Food Defense and Facility Security - NGFA's Guide and Its Relevance for Future"

Speaker: Randy Gordon, NGFA Vice President, Communications and Government Relations

Other program highlights include:

The Environment for Economic Recovery and Agribusiness Lending in 2010

Antony Bahr, Executive Vice President, Banking Services Group, CoBank

Farmer Contracting Basics - What We've Learned from Recent Market Volatility

Featuring David Barrett, partner, Barrett, Easterday, Cunningham & Eselgroth LLP and Joan Maclin, Senior V.P./General Counsel, The Scoular Co.

Reporting Product- Safety Incidents - What's Required for Elevators and Feed Mills

Dr. Faye Feldstein, Director of Food Defense, FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, and Dr. Kim Young, Deputy Director, Office of Compliance, FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine

Factors Shaping Ag Futures Markets in 2010

Matt Bruns, Vice President-Exports, Archer Daniels Midland Co., and Tom Fernandes, Manager of Operations, GreenHaven LLC

Prospects for Major Legislation in Congress in 2010 (Climate Change, Food/Feed Safety, Financial Regulatory Reform, Health Insurance, etc.)

Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo. (invited)

Sustainability Initiatives - What Will Buyers be Demanding of Suppliers?

Led by Ron Olson, General Mills Inc.

Click here to review a summary of each program topic, featured speakers and the conference schedule - and to access registration materials.

At the NGFA-member early-bird rate of $280, this day-and-a-half conference is a real value!

Don't wait - the Early-Bird rate expires on Nov. 16!

Your cost goes up $50 after Nov. 16!

Click here to register.

For more information, call 202-289-0873.

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• NGFA

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