It looks like Top Producer had a great seminar in Chicago.
In this picture the 2008 Top Producer of The Year Finalists shared their insights and management tips with the 521 attendees. (l-r) Leroy Shatto, Shatto Milk Co., Osborn, Mo.; Rob Barley, Star Rock Farms, Conestoga, Pa.; 2008 Top Producer of the Year Dave Minich, Minich May Family Farms, Logansport, Ind., and Greg Vincent, editor of Top Producer.
A record number of the nation’s most profitable farmers descended on Chicago last week to get a view of Ag’s New Sizzle at TOP PRODUCER’S annual seminar. The 521 participants discussed and were challenged on topics ranging from commodity marketing to business planning, as well as investment opportunities in the agricultural industry.
“Ag’s New Sizzle was our theme for this year’s conference, and the new sizzle was evident in the number and the professionalism of producers at the event,” said Greg Vincent, editor of TOP PRODUCER and the architect of this year’s event. “It was clear they want to get a handle on the hot opportunities the farm economy provides them, but they also want help managing the greater risks in these unprecedented times.”
These learning opportunities came from an excellent line up of speakers that included Ann Duignan, managing director of Bear Stearns; Purdue University Economist Mike Boehlje; American Farm Bureau Federation Chief Economist Bob Young; and TOP PRODUCER Seminar veteran and market analyst Jerry Gulke. In addition to hearing from these and other industry experts, attendees place great value on networking with other successful, like-minded producers.