Jim Wiesemeyer of Informa Economics told more than 300 attendees at the U.S. Grains Council‘s 49th Annual Board of Delegates Meeting in San Diego this week that there may be a few more tough years for the economy but there will eventually be a light at the end of the tunnel, and farmers will flourish.

“Once the US and world economy turns around, US agriculture will return in what I call perhaps the beginning years of the ‘Golden Era of Agriculture’ because of the rise of the rest,” Jim told me his main message was for the USGC delegates. “As Asian and Latin American countries increase their middle class, they’ll have the cash to buy good old protein products from the U.S.”

He urges producers and commodity groups to “think visionary” and consider all moves in terms of competitiveness. In addition, he strongly suggests that producers to put a pencil to the ACRE program – which he thinks will benefit many, especially Midwest corn growers – before the August 14 deadline.

See photos from the USGC Delegate Meeting here on Flickr.

Listen to or download my interview with Jim here: