NCGA Growers Will Experience the Magic of Success at Commodity Classic (2-23-06)

Only seven days remain until National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) members converge on Anaheim, Calif., for the 10th annual Commodity Classic, where corn growers will attend seminars about production, marketing, management and agriculture issues and visit more than 600 booths highlighting a wide variety of equipment, products and services that are important to farmers.

“Corn growers everywhere are excited for this first-rate agricultural event,” said Gerald Tumbleson, NCGA president. “It’s a highlight of the year on many of our calendars, as we have the opportunities to learn how to make our farms more profitable, discuss pertinent agricultural issues and tour the trade show floor to discover what new products are on the horizon.”

Commodity Classic is the annual convention and trade show sponsored by NCGA and the American Soybean Association. This is the 10th year of the partnership, and the 2006 Commodity Classic, “The Magic of Success,” is being held at the same time Anaheim’s Disneyland celebrates its 50th anniversary.

Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns will make his second appearance at Commodity Classic as the keynote speaker. Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty will participate in a lively discussion on renewable fuels. Dr. Jay Lehr will give a presentation on agriculture and the environment. And three country music stars—Lorrie Morgan, Michael Martin Murphey and Michael Peterson—will take the stage to entertain the crowds. California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has also been invited to participate in the renewable fuels discussion with Gov. Pawlenty.

Special events specifically for corn growers include:

March 1
NCGA issues briefing, 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
NCGA open forum and policy discussion, 1:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
CornPAC auction, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
March 2
NCGA Corn Congress, 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
March 3
National Corn Yield Contest state winners awards breakfast, 7 a.m. – 9 a.m.
National Corn Yield Contest national winners awards banquet, 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
March 4
NCGA Corn Congress, 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

NCGA will have a booth on the trade show floor. Growers will be able to send personalized messages to their members of Congress, urging them to pass the Water Resources Development Act in 2006 and to continue funding for the corn genome. Those who send a message will receive a whistle in the shape of a wooden boat with the NCGA logo and “Pass WRDA in 2006.” Growers also are eligible to register for a vintage convertible pedal car when they stop by the booth.

For more information about Commodity Classic, please visit www.commodityclassic.com.