Don’t Miss SDCGA’s 34th Annual Conference

For the first time ever, the South Dakota Corn Growers Association will hold its annual conference in spring – two months later than originally planned. And you won’t want to miss it.

After a January winter storm forced the conference to be postponed from its original date, the SDCGA rescheduled for March 27 at the Sioux Falls Convention Center. The event, typically held on a Saturday, will be on a Friday this time.

The lineup of presentations and entertainment for the 34th annual conference will remain the same.

“We had an exceptional lineup and when we had to postpone, we were concerned we would have to find new speakers or entertainment,” said Teddi Mueller, South Dakota Corn’s marketing director. “But we were very fortunate to have things fall into place. We’re gearing up for a great event, with top-notch presenters during the day and an evening banquet that’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Delaney Howell, co-host of the Ag News Daily podcast, will serve as master of ceremonies for the daytime presentations, which are free and begin at 10 a.m.

Morning sessions will include a grain marketing presentation by David Kruse of CommStock Investments and a weather marketing presentation by Don Day Jr. of DayWeather Inc.

The afternoon session will be a panel discussion of water issues. The three panelists will be Jeff Zimprich of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Sally Flis of The Fertilizer Institute and a representative of the Rinke Noonan Law Firm. Howell will be the day’s final speaker.

SDCGA President Doug Noem said the annual event is well-attended and well-received year after year.

“Our conference is always a great opportunity to catch up on important issues and collect information that will help with your plans and preparations. This year is no exception,” Noem said. “Not many events bring together such a strong and diverse group of experts.”

The evening banquet will include a social, dinner, awards and a silent auction. The keynote speaker will be Paul Mobley, photographer and author of American Farmer: The Heart of America. Capping off the banquet will be music provided by the Johnny Holm Band, back by popular demand.

The daytime session is free. Register by March 13 and you’ll also get a free lunch. Go to www.sdcorn.org or call the office at 334-0100. Tickets for the evening banquet are $60 for SDCGA members and $120 for non-members.

Speaker profiles:

Delaney Howell

Delaney Howell is co-host for the Ag News Daily podcast, co-founder of the Global Ag Network and former host of Market to Market. She was involved in agriculture from a young age, growing up on a grain, cattle, and hog farm in southeast Iowa, but it wasn’t until high school and college that her passion for the industry exploded.

David Kruse

David Kruse is president of CommStock Investments, his Northwest Iowa agricultural risk management company that provides an umbrella of services. In the past 30+ years, he has produced The CommStock Report, an opinionated ag commentary and market analysis available daily on many radio stations covering the greater Midwest.

Don Day Jr.

Don Day Jr. is president and chief meteorologist of DayWeather, Inc. For over 25 years, he and his meteorologists have provided customized broadcast weather services to more than 70 radio stations across Wyoming, Colorado and Nebraska with emphasis on the rural/ag listener. They also provide long-range and seasonal forecasts.

Jeff Zimprich

Jeff Zimprich, who grew up on a farm, is state conservationist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service of South Dakota. Before coming to work for NRCS in his home state in 2012, he served many years as a soil conservationist in Montana, Iowa and Illinois, as well as serving several details in NRCS national headquarters.

Rinke Noonan law firm rep

The Rinke Noonan law firm in Minnesota is a leader in agricultural and environmental law. The firm’s lawyers have years of experience dealing with a variety of agricultural issues, including the Clean Water Act, Swampbuster, watersheds, drainage, wetlands, conservation easements and pesticide use. They have litigated hundreds of cases.

Sally Flis

Sally Flis is senior director of agronomy at The Fertilizer Institute, whose mission is to represent, promote and protect the fertilizer industry. Sally previously consulted farms in New York and Vermont on nutrient management. Most recently, she provided technical support and marketing for feed and soil analysis services.

Schedule:

10 a.m. – Welcome: Delaney Howell, host of Ag News Daily podcast and co-founder of the Global Ag Network, master of ceremonies

10:05 a.m. – Marketing Session: David Kruse, president of CommStock Investments

11:20 a.m. – Weather Marketing Session: Don Day, Jr., president and chief meteorologist of Day Weather Inc.

12:20 p.m. – Lunch

1:45 p.m. – Water Panel

• Jeff Zimprich, state conservationist, NRCS
• Rinke Noonan Law Firm
• Sally Flis, senior director of agronomy, The Fertilizer Institute

3:45 p.m. – The Last Word: Delaney Howell

5:30 p.m. – Evening Banquet: Social, silent auction, dinner and entertainment

• Keynote Speaker: Paul Mobley, photographer and author of American Farmer: The Heart of America

Music by The Johnny Holm Band