December 14, 2007

Two national leaders in agri-business will be the keynote speakers at the 2008 Crop Technology Expo and Conference (Crop TEC) January 3-4 in the Gering Civic Center.

On January 3, the president of The Fertilizer Institute, Ford B. West, will speak about the current and future status of fertilizer. West will discuss global supply and demand factors driving fertilizer availability and cost, including ethanol's effect on demand as well as worldwide competition for nitrogen, phosphate and potash.

The Fertilizer Institute represents public policy, communication and statistical needs of fertilizer producers, manufacturers, retailers and transporters. Issues of interest to the industry include security, international trade, energy, transportation, the environment, worker health and safety, farm bill and conservation programs to promote the use of enhanced efficiency fertilizer.

On Jan. 4, conference attendees can gain a broader perspective on selling what they produce. Arlan Suderman, market analyst for Farm Futures Magazine, will address "Wall Street Meets La Salle Street: How Big Money Impacts Your Corn and Wheat Marketing." Farm Futures Magazine is part of Farm Progress Companies Inc., which also publishes Nebraska Farmer.

Crop TEC also will provide ag producers with a unique opportunity to learn from university and industry specialists; interact with business leaders; and network with other producers from the entire region, according to event chair Dean Yonts, irrigation systems engineer at the UNL Panhandle REC.

Both mornings of Crop TEC will be devoted to general sessions and then the featured speakers will present at lunch. Afternoons will be devoted to technical sessions with detailed, current, practical information for producers. Speakers will include UNL personnel, USDA NRCS, farmers, and regional agri-business leaders. Throughout the conference an agri-business expo will be open.

"Today's Challengers, Tomorrow's Opportunities" is the theme of the January 3 general session. UNL Plant Geneticist Deana Namuth will speak about future directions in seed technology. UNL Soil Scientist Richard Ferguson will discuss the status and potential for site-specific crop management. Don Wilhite, director of the UNL School of Natural Resources, will talk about climate change and its implications for agriculture and water resources.

Wilhite established the national Drought Mitigation Center, which is based at UNL.

"Marketing Crops in an Environment of Change" is the theme of the January 4 general session. Suderman, the keynote speaker that day, also will speak about "Corn and Wheat - the International Scene." Mike Hofer, vice president of agriculture for Western Sigar, will discuss sugar prices and expectactions for 2008. Paul Burgener, UNL ag economics research analyst, will discuss dry bean markets.

Afternoon concurrent sessions will include:

• Applying Precision Technology to Production Ag
• Seed Biotechnology Tools Workshop
• Water Resources in a Climate of Change
• Climate Change's Impact on Pest Management
• Ethanol Production and Use
• Glyphosate Use in Crop Rotations
• Variety Selection Process

Registration forms are available at the REC at 4502 Avenue I, Scottsbluff, or by calling the Center at 308-632-1316.

The pre-registration fee is $30 per person for both days if mailed by Dec. 21. For an additional $25 per person, certified crop advisers can receive up to 10 continuing education credits. Single-day registration is available for $20, if mailed by Dec. 21. At the door, registration is $45 per person for both days, or $30 per day.

Printable brochures and registration forms are also available on the Center's Web site at www.panhandle.unl.edu/croptec. This form can be printed, completed, and returned to the office. Checks for registration fees should be made payable to Crop Tec.

To reserve a booth or become a conference or meal sponsor contact Debra at the Panhandle Research and Extension Center at 308-632-1316.

News Release
Panhandle Research and Extension Center, Scottsbluff