Informa’s industry experts will cover a wide array of topics, including the outlook for agricultural commodities, the economy, energy, transportation, as well as government policy and the lead up to the new farm bill and 2012 elections. Dr. Phillip Hargis, from Hargis and Associates, will discuss the impact increasing dry distiller’s grain (DDG) usage is having on broiler rations and how it affects usage of other grain and co-product ingredients.

In addition to detailed analysis and outlooks for the grain and oilseed sectors, the outlook for profitability and production in the livestock sector will be covered. Informa’s experts will present the outlook for cattle, poultry, and dairy industries for the remainder of 2011 and 2012, all of which will influence the feed markets.

Following the Symposium, Informa will present a seminar entitled "Basics of Agricultural Futures and Options Markets." Featuring Informa’s Senior Vice President, Dr. Rob Murphy, this seminar is designed to be a primer on the use of futures and options markets for hedging agricultural commodities. For those that are already familiar with these markets, this half-day seminar is the perfect refresher course to sharpen your understanding of how to best use these tools.

On Sunday, there is a golf outing at Summit Golf Club for those of you who arrive early. This will afford you the opportunity to have a little fun with other attendees and industry colleagues. Dinner will follow. Be sure to sign up on the registration form.

The agenda included in our brochure provides a glimpse of the conference presentations. This is a valuable information-packed program and we hope to see you in the Twin Cities at the end of August.