SD Corn Growers meeting to cover hot topics

Speakers will share their expertise about grain marketing, taxes, ethanol and exports at the 32nd annual meeting of the South Dakota Corn Growers Association on Jan. 20 at the Sioux Falls Convention Center.

Popular TV host Mike Pearson is back by popular demand to once again serve as master of ceremonies and moderate panel discussions. Another TV personality who’s making a return visit is John Phipps, the host of U.S. Farm Report, who was part of the 2013 program.

The morning’s grain marketing session will include presentations by Elaine Kub, author of Mastering the Grain Markets, and Angie Setzer, vice president of grain for Citizens Elevator in Charlotte, Mich.

All of the day sessions are free. South Dakota State University President Barry Dunn will talk during lunch about precision agriculture.

Phipps will kick off the afternoon session with his presentation, “What Could Possibly Go Right? Agriculture is Doomed. Or Maybe Not.” That will be followed by a three-member panel that will provide all you need to know about tax reform, ethanol and exports. Panelists are Emily Skor of Growth Energy, Mike Dwyer of the U.S. Grains Council and Patricia Wolff of the American Farm Bureau.

Pearson will wrap up the educational sessions with his presentation, “The Last Word.”

The activities will be capped with an evening banquet that will feature a meal, awards presentations and rock ‘n’ roll music by the Arch Allies. The keynote speaker will be Sarah Waltner, director of operations and manufacturing for Raven Industries. Jim Woster, a South Dakota agriculture advocate, will be master of ceremonies for the banquet.