The 2024 Commodity Classic blasted off into a new galaxy last week in Houston with the largest attendance ever at 11,500 attendees, smashing the previous record of 10,400 last year in Orlando. There were more than 4,600 farmers at the February 28-March 2 event this year along with exhibitors, industry stakeholders, and ag media. This year’s event featured more than …
#Classic22 Association Leaders on Stage
The 2022 Commodity Classic once again featured the leaders of each organization during the general session with emcee Mark Mayfield. Joining Mayfield were (LtoR) National Corn Growers Association president Chris Edgington; National Association of Wheat Growers president Dave Milligan; National Sorghum Producers chairman Kody Carson; American Soybean Association president Brad Doyle; and Association of Equipment Manufacturers ag sector chair Todd …
Commodity Group CEOs Meet the Press at #Classic22
The CEOs of the commodity groups that make up the Commodity Classic, together with the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, met the press this week to discuss a variety of issues impacting the industry. American Soybean Association CEO Steve Censky, National Corn Growers Association CEO Jon Doggett, National Sorghum Producers CEO Tim Lust, National Association of Wheat Growers CEO Chandler Goule, …
2021 Commodity Classic Will Be Virtual
Even though we all expected it, the news is still sad. Commodity Classic will be virtual in 2021. The annual conference and trade show was originally scheduled for March 4-6, 2021, in San Antonio, Texas. The new format is expected to be offered the first week in March 2021. The 2022 Commodity Classic will be held in New Orleans on …
Seeing Our Future Clearly at 2020 Commodity Classic
Thanks to a #Classic20 attendee for helping me with this photo outside the convention center in San Antonio. It’s kind of like déjà vu since the weather was pretty nice yesterday and now we’ve got a wind warning and temps dropping into the 20’s tonight. Same thing happened at the Cattle Industry Convention just 3 weeks ago. I’m getting ready …
Commodity Group Presidents on Stage at #Classic18
Each year at the Commodity Classic general session the presidents of the participating organizations are invited on stage to talk about their priorities and challenges. This year the participants were Kevin Skunes, NCGA, John Heisdorffer, ASA, Gordon Stoner, NAWG, Don Bloss, NSP and Bill Hurley, AEM. Moderating the session again this year was Mark Mayfield. The session is not only …
Commodity Classic Opens Next Week in Anaheim
Farmers and others in the agriculture industry are gearing up for this year’s Commodity Classic next week in Anaheim, Calif. The annual gathering of corn, soybean, sorghum and wheat growers will start a day early this year, kicking off with the official welcome reception on Monday evening instead of Tuesday and wrapping up with entertainment on Thursday night. U.S. Secretary …
NAWG President Resigns
The National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) this week announced the resignation of Kansas farmer David Schemm as president of the organization to “pursue other professional opportunities in his home state of Kansas.” “During his time as President of NAWG, David helped move the wheat industry forward, grew its presence on Capitol Hill, and improved its relationship with the media …
Communicating with the National Association of Wheat Growers
This week’s ZimmCast continues my series visiting with farm organization Directors of Communications. At the Farm Progress Show I sat down with Caitlin Eannello, National Association of Wheat Growers, to talk about her career choice and what the challenges of the job are. Caitlin does not have a farm background but does have a passion to help farmers and a …
Ag Groups Provide NAFTA Input
A number of agricultural organizations provided their input to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) this week regarding the upcoming negotiations to update the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). “NAFTA has been overwhelmingly beneficial for the vast majority of farmers and ranchers across the U.S. for decades,” said Colorado Farm Bureau President Don Shawcroft in comments on …