MN Wheat & Barley Growers Convention
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Prairie Grains is the
official publication of
the Minnesota
Association of
Wheat Growers,
North Dakota Grain
Growers Association,
South Dakota Wheat,
Inc., and the
Minnesota Barley
Growers Association.
In addition to an excellent general session program on Monday afternoon focusing on the farm bill, we have an ala carte menu of profit-focused workshops lined up for Monday morning.
We've also lined up some great food and entertainment interspersed throughout the program. The business session on Tuesday morning is your opportunity to get involved in your association through the development of state and national policy resolutions.
Be sure to register early to save money. And if you have any questions about the convention, feel free to call on the MAWG staff (toll-free 1-800-242-6118).
See you in Fargo!
ENHANCING PROFITS: A MARKET SHOWCASE
Check out this impressive list of intensive, profit-focused workshops scheduled for Monday morning (Nov. 28) at the MAWG convention. Sorry, you'll have to choose just two. But bring along a couple of neighbors, split up and hit them all!
1. Wheat Quality Basics -- Seems like every year there's something new to worry about when you market your grain. Used to be we just concerned ourselves with protein and moisture tests for wheat quality. But now you hear about everything from falling numbers tests to farinograph tests. At this hands-on workshop, cereal scientists will show you the rigorous tests a flour sample goes through to measure quality -- and explain why the results are important to millers and bakers.
2. Modern Marketing Alternatives: Squeeze every penny of profit from conventional crops -- This session will focus on alternatives to cash sales such as forward contracting, basis fixed contracts, future fixed contracts, delayed price contracts, minimum price contracts, hedging with futures, and hedging with options.
3. What do bakers think about your wheat -- In a recent survey, over 50 bakers commented on why they buy spring wheat flour and why it is important to them. Learn why some bakers are increasing their use of your wheat, and why some are reducing the amount they use. This session can give you insight into domestic demand for your wheat by helping you understand the economic decisions a baker goes through when purchasing flour.
4. Profits in ag processing and marketing -- An experienced investment analyst will provide up-to-date information on the profit potential of five leading ag processing companies. Learn about the future trends that may help these companies increase returns to their share-holders. An understanding of how these companies operate in the marketplace is vital for producers who want to move ahead in the ag industry.
5. A producer's perspective on Successful marketing -- Sit down with a cup of coffee and discuss successful marketing opportunities with four area farmers that have actually taken advantage of real opportunities. Learn the secrets and ideas that can help you improve your profits by marketing. Ideas include marketing plans, niche markets, organic markets, truck markets, alternative crop marketing and contracting.
6. Turning wheat into flour and barley into flakes -- Watch millers at the Roman Meal Milling Company turn spring wheat and barley into flour. This workshop gives you the special opportunity to tour the newest flour mill in Fargo. Get a first hand look at the facilities and equipment that mills, flakes, pearls and mixes the wheat and barley you sell. Visit with millers, cereal scientists and sales people that help bakers make high quality products out of your wheat and barley.
7. Wheat & Barley market outlook -- Hear the latest supply & demand information from a well-known wheat analyst, Helen Pound, from Goldenberg, Hehmeyer & Co. Helen's common sense approach to analyzing the market is very useful to all types of farmers. Understanding some of her insight can definitely give you an edge in your market decisions.
8. Identity preserved wheat: A Kansas reality -- Learn how Kansas wheat producers are developing a marketing system that allows them to sell their identify-preserved white wheat to bakers and other consumers. Their mission is to maximize producer profits. This is a unique opportunity to visit with a leading Kansas farmer about how identity-preserved marketing and toll milling can help maximize producer profits.
9. Ventures in value-added processing: both current and future -- Representatives from new and future processing cooperatives will be on hand to update growers on how their cooperative can return profits to its shareholders. Cooperatives could include Dakota Growers, Drayton Grain Processors, Pro-Gold, and a couple of new ventures that will be announced. Questions and answers will be encouraged.
10. Value-added Franchise opportunities -- Bread bakeries may well be the fastest growing franchise businesses in the country. Learn how these businesses have turned your wheat flour into profits. A representative from a leading bread franchise company will explain how they turn high quality wheat into high quality bread and sell directly to the consumer. Don't miss this opportunity to learn why consumers pay a premium for high quality bread. You may even get to sample a high quality, healthful, and fresh baked product.
PRELIMINARY CONVENTION PROGRAM
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28
7:30 a.m. Registration (Open throughout the day)
8:30 a.m. "Enhancing Profits: A Market Showcase"
Concurrent Workshop 1-5 (see descriptions on pages 12-13)
9:30 a.m. Coffee Break
10:00 a.m. "Enhancing Profits: A Market Showcase"
Concurrent Workshops 6-10 (see descriptions on pages 12-13)
11:30 a.m. "Pasta Power" Buffet
1:00 p.m. "The 1995 Farm Bill "
Bruce Randy Weber, Dep. Administrator, Commodity Operations,
ASCS-USDA, Washington, D.C.
1:15 p.m. "Federal Crop Insurance Changes for 1995"
1:30 p.m. "Conservation and Environmental Issues & the 1995 Farm Bill"
Margie Williams, Vice President for Public Affairs,
National Association of Wheat Growers, Washington, D.C.
1:45 p.m. "Panel Discussion and Q & A on 1995 Farm Bill "
Randy Weber, ASCS-USDA
FCIC Representative to be announced
Margie Williams, NAWG
3:00 p.m. Coffee & Snack Break
3:30 p.m. "Will a Trade Solution be Reached?"
Featuring representatives of the U.S.-Canadian Blue-Ribbon
Joint Commission on Grains.
4:30 p.m. MAWG and MBGA business meetings (Resolutions, elections)
5:30 p.m. Food, Folks & Fun Social
Malt beverages, hors d'oeuvres and a whole lot of fun
7:00 p.m. Sirloin steak supper & entertainment
Enjoy a great supper followed by entertainment by the
"Uffda Brudders." Five singers/actors from Britton, S.D.
in character deliver Norski humor and off-the-wall song lyrics; also perform serious country and gospel music.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29
7:00 a.m. Farmers' breakfast buffet
8:00 a.m. State Policy Update
Meet Bruce Kleven, new MAWG, MBGA state lobbyist. Briefings from several state lawmakers. Discussion on scab research activities.
10:00 a.m. MAWG business session
1995 Farm Policy Resolutions and Elections.
11:00 a.m. Convention closes
Free to attend Northern Ag Expo at the FargoDome.
1:00 p.m. Optional Research Reporting Session
University of Minnesota crop researchers will update the Minnesota Wheat Council on crop research projects. Open to the public.