Head of RMA, ag specialists will speak at annual meeting

The administrator of the federal Risk Management Agency will discuss crop insurance and other farm programs Saturday, Jan. 7 during the 26th annual meeting of the South Dakota Corn Growers Association (SDCGA) at the Sioux Falls Convention Center.

William Murphy, who was appointed administrator in 2009, will speak at one of four programs throughout the day. The other informational seminars will feature Mark Pearson, host of the syndicated TV show “Market to Market;” Brian Hefty of the TV show “Ag PhD” and the Hefty Seed Co.; and Jolene Brown, an ag spokeswoman and professional speaker from Iowa.

“Each year, a primary focus of our annual meeting is to bring in some of the industry’s top experts to provide valuable information that South Dakota producers can use to improve their operations,” SDCGA President Gary Duffy of Oldham said. “This year’s lineup will present a wealth of information on important topics, from markets to drainage, and from crop insurance to working together smoothly on a family farm.”

The theme of this year’s meeting is Winter Wonderland. During an evening banquet, the Corn Growers will present four annual awards: Legislative Appreciation; Excellence in Public Outreach; Excellence in Agriculture; and MVP in Agriculture. The banquet will include a dinner and musical performance by John Mueller’s Winter Dance Party, a tribute to rock ‘n’ roll pioneers Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper.

More than 1,000 farmers, industry partners and legislators are expected to attend the annual meeting, which is one of the largest one-day agricultural events in South Dakota.

Schedule:
8 a.m. – Resolutions meeting.

9 a.m. – “What’s Ahead for Agriculture?” Mark Pearson, a market analyst and host of the syndicated “Market to Market” TV show, will give a talk that focuses on energy security, food production, demographic changes, debt issues, grain production, livestock markets, the lost years and more.
10:45 a.m. – “Is Crop Insurance the Answer?” William Murphy, administrator of the Risk Management Agency, will share his insight and expertise about the agency, crop insurance, prevented planting and other programs.

12 p.m. – Luncheon, Corn Yield Contest Awards and “South Dakota Agriculture Update.” Walt Bones, state secretary of agriculture, will look back at agricultural accomplishments in 2011 and provide an update on what’s in the works. South Dakota winners of the Corn Yield Contest also will receive their awards.

1:15 p.m. – “Tiling: Flood Reduction, Soil Improvement and a Billion More Dollars Per Year for South Dakota.” Brian Hefty, manager of the Hefty Seed Co. and co-host of the “Ag PhD” TV show, will talk about drainage, new tiling technology that increases yields and improve the environment, and how to implement a drainage plan.

2:30 p.m. – “The Facts of Life: When Family and Business Collide.” Jolene Brown, an agricultural spokeswoman, farmer and professional speaker, will discuss the challenges of farming with family and offer advice on that topic as well as estate planning.

5:30 p.m. – Social.

6 p.m. – “Winter Wonderland” evening banquet. The banquet will feature dinner, awards presentations and a musical performance. John Mueller’s Winter Dance Party is a re-creation of the final tour of rock ‘n’ roll pioneers Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper, who died in a 1959 plane crash. The band will perform hits that include “That’ll Be The Day,” “Peggy Sue,” “La Bamba” and “Chantilly Lace.”