February 16, 2006

1:15 p.m.

2006 Retail Food Price Outlook
Ephraim Leibtag, Economist, Economic Research Service, USDA
PPT

Concurrent Sessions

1:45 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Rural America: Bio-fuel Production and New Energy Forms in Rural Areas
Moderator: Sara Wyant, Agri-Pulse Communications

Trends on Locally Owned and Financed Bio-diesel Plants
Warren Bush, Bush Law Offices
PPT   DOC

The Future of Wind Energy Development
Mark Willers, CEO, MinWind Energy, LLC
PPT

A Model for Transforming Successful Anaerobic Digestion to Electric Power Development
John M. McWilliams, Resource Planner, Dairyland Power Cooperative
PPT

Bio-based Products: Rural America An Example of U.S. Air Force Integration
Brian Joyner, Chief, Pollution Prevention, U.S. Air Force
PPT

Update on Ethanol Production and Its Impact on Rural Economic Development
Larry Schafer, Vice President, Renewable Fuels Association
PPT

Globalization: World Trade Organization ─ U.S. Agricultural Trade Agenda
Moderator: Ken Roberts, Associate Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service, USDA

Implications of the Doha Round for the U.S. Farm Bill and Vice Versa
Jeffrey J. Schott, Senior Fellow, Institute for International Economics
DOC

Big Picture Policy Viewpoint
Andy Stoler, Executive Director, Institute for International Business, Economics and Law, the University of Adelaide
DOC

Media Viewpoint
Elizabeth Becker, Former New York Times’ International Trade Correspondent, Journalist
DOC

Conservation: Putting Conservation on the Ground: Using Incentives to Increase Conservation Activities Moderator: Merlyn Carlson, Deputy Under Secretary for Natural Resources and the Environment, USDA

Participant Views of the Conservation Security Program
James O. Andrew, President & General Manager, Andrew Farms, Inc.
PPT

National Implementation of the Conservation Security Program
Craig Derickson, Conservation Security Program Manager, USDA
PPT

Conservation Security Program Participant Views from the Northwest
David Brewer, General Manager, Emerson Dell Farm
PPT   DOC

Science: Critical Research Needs in Veterinary Medicine and Coordinated Global Efforts to Combat an Avian Influenza Pandemic
Moderator: Ron DeHaven, Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA
PPT

Animal Health at the Crossroads. Findings from a NAS Study Suggest a New Framework
Sharon K. Hietala, Professor, Clinical Diagnostic Immunology, U.C. Davis
PPT

Worldwide Response and Coordination Efforts
Eric Hoffman, Associate Deputy Administrator, International Services, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA
PPT

Activities and Coordination to Address Highest Priority Gaps
Daniel Perez, Program Director, Prevention and Control of Avian Influenza in the United States, University of Maryland, Assistant Professor, Department of Veterinary Medicine
PPT

The Current State of Science on Avian Influenza
David L Suarez, Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory, Exotic, and Emerging Avian Viral Diseases Research, Research Leader, USDA
PPT

Markets: Livestock Markets and Mandatory Price Reporting: What Do the Reports Tell Us? What Else Would We Like to Know?
Moderator: Warren Preston, Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA

What Information is Useful for Cattle Feeders? What Does MPR Do for Us?
Jim Gill, Market Director, Texas Cattle Feeders Association
DOC

Does Mandatory Reporting Provide Improved Information in Cattle Markets?
Jim Mintert, Professor and Livestock Extension Specialist, Kansas State University
PPT

What Market Information is Needed in Hog Marketing?
Ron Plain, Professor and Extension Economist, University of Missouri
PPT

How Private Market Analysts Use Market News in Livestock and Meat Reports
Rob Murphy, Vice President, Informa Economics, Inc.
PPT   DOC

3:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Rural America: Regional Innovation in Rural Economic Development
Moderator: Allan Johnson, Deputy Under Secretary, Rural
Development, USDA

Rural Innovation Beyond the Academy
Karl Stauber, President & CEO, Northwest Area Foundation
PPT

New Tools for the Engaged 21 st Century Land Grand University
Victor Lechtenberg, Vice Provost for Engagement, Purdue University
PPT   DOC

Creating Jobs and Economic Development in Rural America
Bruce Peterson, Senior Vice President, Wal-Mart
PPT

Globalization: Shifting Trade Patterns for the U.S. and World: Anticipating and Managing Change
Moderator: Walter Armbruster, President, Farm Foundation

How Is Global Food Trade Shifting? What’s Behind It All?
Mark Gehlhar, Senior Economist, Market and Trade Division, Economic Research Service, USDA
PPT

Rapid Development of Brazil’s Processing and Supply Chain System: Implications for Brazilian Processed Food Trade
Mauro de Rezende Lopes, Research Project Manager and Studies Coordinator,Center for Agricultural Economics Studies, Brazilian Institute of Economics,The Getulio Vargas Foundation
PPT

Targeting Opportunities and Managing Change: A Perspective from Blue Diamond Growers
Dale Darling, Manager of International Sales, Blue Diamond Growers
PPT

Targeting Opportunities and Managing Change: A Perspective from General Mills
Shay Wyley, Director, Strategic Initiatives, International Division, General Mills
PPT

Conservation: USDA’s Conservation Role in Bio-fuel Production
Moderator: Marilyn Buford, National Program Leader, Quantitative Ecology, U.S. Forest Service, USDA

Crop Residues as a Bio-energy Feedstock: Effects on Soils
Susan S. Andrews, Soil Quality National Technology Development Team Leader, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA
PPT

Impacts of Bio-fuels Expansion on Land Use and Conservation Josh Roe, Research Associate, Department of Agricultural Economics, Kansas State University
PPT

Anerobic Digesters: Another Source of Renewable Energy
Dennis Haubenschild, Haubenschild Farms
PPT

Perennial Crops for Bio-fuels and Conservation
Gregory Ruark, Director, Forest Service, USDA Science: New, Emerging Products
DOC   PPT

Science: New, Emerging Products
Moderator: Carmela A. Bailey, National Program Leader, Agricultural Materials, USDA

The Commercialization of Guayle
Katrina Cornish, Senior Vice President, Research & Development, Yulex Corporation
PPT

Improving Biodegradable Cafeteria Ware
John Nevling, Vice President, EarthShell Corporation
PPT

Thinking Bio-renewables. Think Corn!
Julies Schaaf, Corn and Soybean Producer, Iowa Corn Promotion Board
PPT   DOC

New Uses for Animal Bi-products
Justin Barone, Environmental Quality Research Chemist, Agricultural Research Service, USDA
PPT   DOC

Markets: African Growth & Opportunity Act and Agriculture: Trade Works
Moderator: Mike Williams, Senior Associate, Carmen Group
DOC

Impact of AGOA on U.S. – Agricultural Trade
Patrick Dean Coleman, Director African Affairs, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative

Trade Enhancing Goals for Reducing Sanitary and Phytosanitary Barriers
Dan Sheesley, Deputy Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA
DOC

Challenges to U.S. – Africa Trade
Richard Olson, President, GANTEC, Inc.
PPT   DOC

Challenges to U.S. – Africa Trade
Kasasira Mwine, President & Founder, Commerce Africa

6:30 p.m.
Forum Dinner Speaker: Cal Dooley, President, CEO, Food Products Association
Domestic and Foreign Markets for Rural Prosperity
DOC

February 17, 2006

Commodity Outlooks

The USDA Cotton Outlook
Carol Skelly, Fibers Analyst, World Board, USDA
PPT   DOC  

Outlook for U.S. Livestock and Poultry
Joel Greene, Livestock, Poultry & Dairy Analyst, World Board, USDA
PPT   DOC   

Outlook for U.S. Dairy Markets
Shayle Shagam, Livestock, Poultry & Dairy Analyst, World Board, USDA
DOC

Grains & Oilseeds Outlook
Ed Allen, International Grains Analyst, Economic Research Service, USDA
PPT  DOC

Sugar Outlook
John M. Love, Sugar, Specialty Crops, and Lumber Analyst, World Board, USDA
DOC

February 17, 2006

Concurrent Sessions
8:15 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.

Rural America: Stakeholder Collaboration in Support of Agriculture and Rural Communities
Moderator: Charles W. Fluharty, Director, Rural Policy Research Institute
PPT

The Role of Rural Health Systems in Regional Innovation
Wayne Myers, Past President, National Rural Health Association
DOC

The Role of Counties in Building a Rural Regional Innovation System
Colleen Landkamer, President-Elect of National Association of Counties, Blue Earth County, Minnesota
DOC

Why Cities Care About the Future of Rural Governance
Jim Hunt, President, National League of Cities
DOC

Rural Innovation Through Regional Approaches
Matt Chase, Executive Director, National Association of Development Organizations
PPT

Globalization: Chinese Agriculture: Impediments to Growth
Moderator: Francis Tuan, Economist, Economic Research Service, USDA

Natural Resource Issues in China: Wind and Water Erosion
Mark Majerus, Plant Materials Center, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA
PPT   DOC   

China's Agriculture and Biotechnology: Achievements, Promises, and Barriers
Scott Rozelle, Professor of Agricultural Economics, U.C. Davis
PPT

China’s Livestock Industry Developments
Frank Fuller, Center for Agricultural and Rural Development, Iowa State University
PPT

Trends in Chinese Food Demand and Trade Patterns
Fred Gale, Senior Economist, Economic Research Service, USDA
PPT   DOC

Conservation: Future of Conservation Markets
Moderator: Mark Rey, Under Secretary for Natural Resources
and the Environment, USDA

Water Quality Trading and Other Economic Opportunities for Agricultural Producers
G. Tracy Mehan, Principal, The Cadmus Group, Inc.
DOC

Accounting Systems for Environmental Credit Trading
Bill Hohenstein, Director, Office of Global Climate Change, USDA
PPT

Building Coalitions to Develop Markets
Carolyn Brickey, Executive Director, Protected Harvest
PPT

Science: Cotton & Fibers Outlook
Moderator: Jim Martin, Director of Risk Management, Parkdale Mills

The USDA Cotton Outlook
Carol Skelly, Fibers Analyst, World Board, USDA
PPT    DOC

The WTO Agriculture Negotiations: Potential Implications for Cotton
Carol Goodloe, Senior Economist, Office of the Chief Economist, USDA
PPT   DOC

Cause and Effect in the Growth of U.S. Cotton Yields
Seth D. Meyer, Cotton Analyst, Food and Agriculture Policy Research Institute, University of Missouri
PPT

New Developments in Cotton Trade with China
Dale Cougot, Assistant Vice President of Paul Reinhart, Inc.
PPT   DOC

*Special technical session: The Challenges of Estimating China’s Cotton Consumption
Ms. Ying Yuan, Assistant Manager, China Textile Information Center
PPT   DOC

Markets: Grains & Oilseeds Outlook
Moderator: Bob Riemenschneider, Director, Grain and Feed Division, Foreign Agricultural Service, USDA

Grains & Oilseeds Outlook
Ed Allen, International Grains Analyst, Economic Research Service, USDA
PPT   DOC

The Outlook and Impact of Biodiesel on the Oilseeds Sector
John Baize, President, John C. Baize and Associates
PPT

Asian Feed Demand
Paul Aho, Poultry Industry Consultant, Poultry Perspective
PPT

Concurrent Sessions
10:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.

Rural America: Can Rural America Meet the Demand for Skilled Workers?
Moderator : Carol Whiteside, President, Great Valley Center

Growing a Rural Economy with an Entrepreneurial Community College
B. Carlyle Ramsey, President, Danville Community College
DOC

Talent Development Leading to Economic Growth in Rural Communities
Joe Sertich, President, Rural Community College Alliance
PPT   DOC

A Statewide Approach to Developing a Skilled Workforce
Douglas Ridge, Director of Employer Initiatives, Texas Workforce Commission
PPT

Globalization: The Implications of Global Macroeconomic Shocks on U.S. Agriculture
Moderator: David Stallings, Senior Analyst, Office of Chief Economist, World Board, USDA

The Macroeconomic Linkages to U.S. Agriculture
G. Edward Schuh, Regents Professor, Director of the Orville and Jane Freeman Center for International Economics, University of Minnesota
PPT

Exchange Rates, Foreign Income, and U.S. Agriculture
Terry Roe, Professor of Applied Economics, Co-Director of the Economic Development Center, Director of the Center for Political Economy, University of Minnesota
PPT

The Oil Shock of 2005: What it Means for U.S. Agriculture
Mathew Shane, Senior Economist for Macroeconomics, Economic Research Service, USDA
PPT

The Revalued Renminbi
Owen Humpage, Research Department, Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland
PPT

Conservation: Conservation Title of 2007 Farm Bill- Possibilities & Probabilities
Moderator: Bruce I. Knight, Administrator, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA

Maximizing Conservation Effects in the Next Farm Bill
Ferd Hoefner, Sustainable Agriculture Coalition
DOC

External Forces Affecting Conservation
Don R. Parrish, Senior Director, Regulatory Relations, American Farm Bureau Federation
PPT

Balancing Farm Bill Titles
Anne Simmons, House Agriculture Committee, U.S. House of Representatives

Science: Poultry & Livestock Outlook
Moderator: Terry Van Doren, Special Assistant to Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, USDA

Outlook for U.S. Livestock and Poultry
Joel Greene, Livestock, Poultry & Dairy Analyst, World Board, USDA
PPT   

U.S. Broiler Industry and the Avian Influenza Challenge
John Smith, Director of Health Services, Fieldale Farms Corporation
PPT   DOC

A New Look for the Canadian Pork and Beef Sectors
Kevin Grier, Senior Market Analyst, George Morris Centre
PPT

Markets: Horticulture: The Growing Importance of China
Moderator: Linda Calvin, Senior Agricultural Economist, Specialty Crops Branch, Economic Research Service, USDA

Horticulture in China: The Big Picture
Maurice House, Minister Counselor, Foreign Agricultural Service, USDA, Beijing
PPT

Horticulture in China: The Farm-Level Picture
John Chapple, General Manager, SinoAnalytica
PPT

Chinese Citrus Imports
Mike Wootton, Sunkist, Vice President for Corporate Relations, Sunkist
DOC

Chinese Frozen Strawberry Exports
Dave Yvanovich, Vice President and General Manager, Frozsun Foods
PPT  DOC

12:15 - 1:30 Luncheons

Grains and Oilseeds Luncheon
Moderator: Bill Tierney, Grains Analyst, World Board, USDA

Where Will the New Ethanol Plants Be?
Bill Holbrook, Holbrook Consulting Services, LLC
PPT   DOC

Horticulture Luncheon
Moderator: Lloyd C. Day, Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA

New Dietary Guidelines: Implications for Fruit & Vegetable Marketing
Elizabeth Pivonka, President, Produce for Better Health Foundation

Sugar and Sweeteners Luncheon
Moderator: Jennifer Ehn, Special Assistant to the Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services, USDA

The Future of Corn Sweeteners in International Trade and Mexico
Audrae Erickson, President, The Corn Refiners Association
PPT

Cotton and Fibers Luncheon
Moderator: Stephen MacDonald, Senior Economist, Economic Research Service, USDA

Perverse Effects and Unintended Consequences of U.S. Textile Trade Policy: The WTO, CAFTA, and Chinese Socks
Pietra Rivoli, Associate Professor McDonough School of Business, Georgetown University, and author: The Travels of a T-Shirt in the Global Economy
PPT

Poultry & Livestock Luncheon
Moderator: Howard Wetzel, Director, Dairy Livestock and Poultry Division, Foreign Agricultural Service, USDA

What Will We Do to Get the Beef Market Back?
Phil Seng, CEO and President, U.S. Meat Export Federation
PPT

Concurrent Sessions

1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Rural America: E-commerce & E-rural Economic Development
Moderator: Kip Pendleton, President, AgriStar Global Networks
PPT

Broadband Use by Rural Small Businesses
Steve Pociask, Teleonomic Research, Small Business Administration
PPT  DOC

Competing Globally from Kansas
Stan Thibault, President, Osborne Industries
PPT

Creating E-Based Jobs in Rural North Dakota
Jim Belquist, Executive Director, Rural Economic Area Partnership for North Dakota
PPT   DOC

Connecting the Entire Community
Jesse M. Deware IV, Jeffersonian Institute, Jefferson, Texas

Globalization: Sugar – What Does the Future Market for Sugar Look Like?
Moderator: Ron Lord, Deputy Director, Import Policies and Program Division , Foreign Agricultural Service, USDA

EU Sugar Policy Reform
Jean-Louis Barjol, Secretary-General of CEFS, European Federation of Sugar
PPT

What do Changes on the Trade Policy Horizon Mean for the U.S. Sugar Industry?
Margaret Blamberg, Executive Director, American Cane Sugar Refiners’ Association
PPT

The Brazil Perspective
Fernando Ribeiro, General Secretary, Sao Paulo Sugarcane Agroindustry Union (UNICA)
PPT

Policy Prospects in a Turbulent Market
Randy Green, President, Sweetener Users Association
PPT   DOC

Weather: Risks and Benefits
Moderator: Teresa C. Lasseter, Administrator, Farm Service Agency, USDA

The Science Behind the Atlantic Hurricanes and Seasonal Predictions
Gerald Bell, Meteorologist, National Centers for Environmental Prediction, NOAA, National Weather Service
PPT

Wind and Its Potential for Energy
David E. Stooksbury, Assistant Professor, Biological Agricultural Engineering, University of Georgia
PPT

Science: Bio-tech Development & Drought Tolerance/ Superior Corn & Soybean Varieties for Industrial Production
Moderator: Kay Walker Simmons, National Program Leader, Grain Crops, Agricultural Research Service, USDA

USDA Drought Tolerance Research Overview
Melvin J. Oliver, Plant Genetics Research Leader, Agricultural Research Service, USDA
PPT

Superior Breeds for Drought Tolerance
Wenwei Xu, Associate Professor of Corn Breeding & Genetics, Agricultural Research & Extension Center, Texas A&M University
PPT

Strategies in the Application of Biotech to Drought Tolerance
Marc Albertsen, Research Director, Pioneer Hi-Bred International Incorporated
PPT

Drought Tolerant Corn: Turning Imagination into Reality
Michael Stephens, Corn Technology Team, Monsanto
PPT

Markets: Dairy Outlook
Moderator: Howard McDowell, Senior Economist, Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA

Outlook for U.S. Dairy Markets
Shayle Shagam, Livestock, Poultry & Dairy Analyst, World Board, USDA
DOC

Behind the Trends: Long-run Shapers of the Dairy Industry
James Miller, Dairy Analyst, Animal Products Branch, Economic Research Service, USDA
PPT

Challenges Facing the Organic Milk Industry
Caragh McLaughlin, White Wave Foods
PPT   DOC

Concurrent Sessions

3:15 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.

Rural America: Next Generation of Farmers
Moderator: Marcia Taylor, Editor, Top Producer Magazine, Farm Journal Media

BIO Farming and Its Impact on Rural America: It’s Not Your Father’s Agriculture
Bill Horan, Horan Brothers Agriculture Enterprises
PPT

Benefits of Animal Agriculture to Rural America
Julie Maschhoff, Maschhoff's Pork Farm
PPT

Bringing Venture Capital to Rural South Dakota: The Joys and Pitfalls of Producer Projects and Lessons Learned
Christine Hamilton, Hamilton Farms
PPT   DOC

Taking Advantage of Niche Markets in Arkansas
Harvey Williams, Williams Farms
PPT

Successful Jump Start for Beginning Minority Farmers
Juan Marinez, Assistant to the Director, Michigan State University Extension
PPT

Globalization: Overview of USDA Homeland Security Efforts – Current and Future Initiatives to Protect the Agriculture and Food Sectors
Moderator: Sheryl Maddux, Acting Director, Homeland Security Office, USDA

Overview of USDA Homeland Security Efforts – Current and Future Initiatives to Protect the Agriculture and Food Sectors
(USDA speakers will address single topic)
PPT

Larry Granger, Associate Deputy Administrator for Emergency Management, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA

Osama El-Lissy, Director, Invasive Species and Pest Management, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA

Ralph Otto, Deputy Administrator, Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service, Plant and Animal Systems, USDA

Carol Maczka, Assistant Administrator, Food Safety and Inspection Service, Office of Food Defense and Emergency Preparedness, USDA

Joseph Spence, Deputy Administrator, National Program Staff, Nutrition, Food Safety and Quality, Agricultural Research Service, USDA

Risk: The Five Year Check-Up – An Evaluation of the Agricultural Risk Protection Act
Moderator: Beverly Paul, American Soybean Association

Five-year Review
Joe Glauber, Deputy Chief Economist, USDA
PPT

New Horizons for Revenue Insurance
Russell Redding, Deputy Executive Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
PPT

Science: Novel Applications of Agricultural Biotechnology: State of the Science and Societal Acceptance to Transgenic Animals and Regulatory Issues
Moderator: Steven Kappes, Deputy Administrator, Animal Production and Protection, USDA

Genetic Engineering Combats Mastitis Disease
Bob Wall, Research Physiologist, USDA
PPT   DOC

Genetically Engineered Animals and FDA Regulation
John Matheson, Senior Regulatory Review Scientist, Office of Surveillance and Compliance, Food and Drug Administration, Center for Veterinary Medicine
PPT

Animal Biotechnology: Public Policy and Public Perception
Michael Fernandez, Director of Science, Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology
PPT

Markets: Contract Procurement in the Livestock and Poultry Industries
Moderator: Amanda Taylor, Confidential Assistance to Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration Administrator, USDA

Alternative Marketing Arrangements in the Livestock and Meat Industries
Mary K. Muth, Program Director, Food and Agricultural Policy Research, RTI International
PPT

New Developments in Contract Relationships in the Swine
Industry
Dennis DiPietre, Consultant for Swine Industry, Knowledge Venture, LLC
PPT

A Lender's Perspective on Contract Poultry Production
Kenny Bounds, Vice President, Chief Development Officer, MidAtlantic Farm Credit
PPT

Forward Contracting and Captive Supplies: Why So Many Cattle Producers Are Willing To Do It
Jim Gill, Market Director, Texas Cattle Feeders Association
DOC