59th Annual MGGA Convention & Trade Show set for next week

Special to the Daily News 

People can witness firsthand how Montana’s No. 1 industry is a tradition in transition at the Montana Grain Growers Association Annual Convention and Trade Show, scheduled for Dec. 2-4 at the Best Western Heritage Inn in Great Falls.

“If you’re a grain producer, this is the annual event you don’t want to miss,” said Great Falls-area farmer Charlie Bumgarner, who is also this year’s MGGA convention chairman.

Grain producers gather under one roof to network with growers from across the state, hear from some of the nation’s top agricultural experts and visit with nearly 70 agribusiness vendors who will share the latest in technology, innovations and crop inputs.

With more than 800 in attendance at last year’s event, the MGGA Convention is one of the largest agricultural gatherings in the state.

2014 Speaker Highlights:

• Gary Brester, Ph.D, MSU Ag Economist, leads Tuesday’s Intermediate Marketing Workshop.

• Two Biotechnology Experts: Tom Clemente, Ph.D, Center for Plant Science Innovation keynotes the MW&BC Program, discussing plant transformation through genetics. Terry Wanzek, Truth About Trade & Technology Board of Directors, will share how plant biotechnology can feed a hungry world.

• USDA RMA Administrator Brandon Willis and Montana FSA State Director Bruce Nelson will bring the latest information on the government’s implementation of the 2014 Farm Bill and what growers can expect going into 2015.

• Doug Hackney, Enterprise Group, shows farmers how to capture Big Data’s value without compromising proprietary information and intellectual property rights.

• Keira Franz, National Association of Wheat Growers’ policy adviser on conservation and environmental issues, joins Bill Harp, General Mills, and producer Will Roehm in a panel discussion on sustainability standards.

• Elaine Froese, an expert on farm family issues at all stages, brings a common sense approach to farm succession planning, helping families “Do the Tough Things Right.”

• John Miller, BNSF Group vice president of agricultural products, will discuss 2014’s rail service issues and fill listeners in on expectancies for 2015.

• Curt Barnekoff, CPA for Galusha, Higgins & Galusha, will talk about the new IRS repair and maintenance regulations, bonus depreciation rules and how the Affordable Care Act impacts options for those having full-time employees.

• Brett Wilson, BW Futures, asks the question, “Who Shot the Bull? What to Do With This Bear Market,” sharing insights on today’s commodity markets.

• Big Sandy farmer Bob Quinn joins Chouteau County FSA Director Bill Evans to discuss organic crop production methods as a profitable alternative for beginning farmers, land coming out of CRP or as another option on conventional farms.

• Cort Jensen, Chief Legal Counsel for the Montana Department of Agriculture, will share his thoughts on ag related bills to be addressed during Montana’s 2015 legislative session.

Bumgarner said, “Three nights of receptions and a live auction give producers a lot of time to catch up and have some fun, but at the same time, support MGGA’s state and national policy efforts. There is a camaraderie between producers that is felt at each convention, especially when we all work together to establish resolutions that set our organization’s policy direction for the next year. I can’t stress enough the importance of each producer’s input into this process.” 

For more information or to register, people can visit http://www.mgga.org or call MGGA at 406-761-4596. Free registration is available for the first 75 beginning farmers who attend. People can call the MGGA office to take advantage of this offer.