7:00 p.m.   -   9:00 p.m.

Are You Treating Your Soils Like Dirt?

Early Riser Production Session
7:00 a.m.   -   8:00 a.m.

Sponsored by Case IH

Speakers: Brian Hefty and Darren Hefty, co-hosts of Ag PhD TV

The biggest expense on most farms is fertilizer, but what do you really know about it? Brian and Darren Hefty, farmers and hosts of Ag PhD TV, will show you what it takes to maximize yields in the short term and build your soil for the long term. You’ll learn about common nutrient deficiencies, when the best time is to apply fertilizer, responsible nutrient management, and how to determine which nutrients will give you the best return on investment. Whether you rent your ground or you own it, you can’t afford to miss the lessons you’ll learn here.

         Brian and Darren Hefty

Championing Agriculture: Speaking Out for Agriculture

Sponsored by United Soybean Board/soybean checkoff

Speaker: Michele Payn-Knoper, Cause Matters Corp.

Frustrated by the way agriculture is portrayed in the media? This interactive session will challenge your thinking about how to more effectively build public awareness of agriculture through 6.5 steps that connect the farm gate to consumer plate. You’ll learn to identify key influencers, understand their hot buttons and speak their language. Create your own action plan to craft proactive responses to the rhetoric from agriculture’s critics as you evaluate case studies from “the other side." This session will help you protect your bottom line, agriculture’s reputation and your legacy.

Michele Payn-Knoper

Farming Your Online Community: Social Media & Beyond

Sponsored by United Soybean Board/soybean checkoff

Speaker: Michele Payn-Knoper

Today’s community isn’t happening across the fence, at the end of the driveway or even on Main Street coffee shops. Time constraints and generational transitions have led to the rapid growth of communities through Facebook, LinkedIn, blogging, Twitter, YouTube and other social networks. Certified Speaking Professional Michele Payn-Knoper will explain these tools and offer reasons why agriculture needs to utilize them. You'll learn from her experience developing online communities, review the proliferation of misinformation about agriculture, see examples of those who are using social media to benefit agriculture's image and how social networks are impacting popular opinion about what your family does on your farm.

Michele Payn-Knoper

Trade Show Grand Opening

2:00 p.m.   -   5:30 p.m.

Sponsored by Genuity™ SmartStax™ Corn from Monsanto

Genuity™ SmartStax™ Corn is proud to sponsor the 2010 Commodity Classic Grand Opening. Be on hand to learn about Genuity™ SmartStax™, the most advanced, all-in-one corn trait ever and how it helps reduce refuge to 5 percent in the Corn Belt. This is also a great opportunity to hear about other trait innovations in Monsanto’s growing product pipeline.

ASA Soy Social & Auction
6:30 p.m.   -   9:00  p.m.

Be sure to attend the ASA Soy Social & Auction– “California Dreaming.” A beach buffet will be served at 6:30 p.m. with a complimentary bar all evening. Participate in lively bidding on a wide variety of “must-have” items. The fifth annual Soy Social and Auction benefits SoyPAC, ASA’s political action committee. So, don’t miss the excitement and fun! For registration information, call (800) 688-7692.

7:00 a.m.   -   8:30 a.m.

Sponsored by Monsanto & United Soybean Board/soybean checkoff
Media Moderator: Al Pell, Agribusiness Director, U.S. Farm Report and AgDay Television

Special Appearance by: John Phipps, U.S. Farm Report host and Farm Journal/Top Producer columnist

Be a part of “U.S. Farm Report,” the weekly one-hour program produced by Farm Journal Media. See a television show in the making and ask questions of host Al Pell and a panel of commodity traders and analysts. Gain insight on futures, market trends and other agricultural issues as the experts debate topics that you present. Your questions will guide a lively discussion on grain futures, market trends and top-of-mind agribusiness issues. Highlights from this special television taping will air nationwide on the nation’s longest-running syndicated agricultural news program, U.S. Farm Report.

General Session

9:00 a.m.   -   11:00 a.m.

Sponsored by Dow AgroSciences, LLC and Commodity Classic

Rev-up your Commodity Classic experience with comedian Mark Mayfield as he hosts an intriguing and entertaining General Session. You’ll hear what is on the minds of our commodity group presidents, and learn more about the facts and fiction facing today’s farmers from Dr. Jay Lehr.

Climate Change: Are You Sure You Know What You Think You Know?

Sponsored by NAWG Foundation
Speaker: Laura Sands, Senior Associate at The Clark Group

There is both a lack of information and increasing misinformation regarding climate change legislation and its implications on agricultural operations. In this session, highly respected industry strategist, Laura Sands will provide a clearer understanding of where the policy process stands on climate change and renewable energy, and how it is likely to affect your operations.

          Laura Sands

American Soybean Association Awards Banquet

6:00 p.m.   -   8:30 p.m.
Sponsored by EMD Crop BioScience;
Pioneer, a DuPont Business; United Soybean Board/soybean checkoff

This event recognizes ASA membership and association outstanding achievements, leadership building and conservation stewardship, as well as industry accomplishments and support. In addition, this year’s program will include special recognition of ASA’s 90th Anniversary. John Phipps, host of "U.S. Farm Report" and contributing editor to Farm Journal and Top Producer, will join us as Master of Ceremonies. Known for his insightful commentary and humor, Phipps is sure to entertain.

National Corn Growers Association Awards Banquet

6:00 p.m.   -   8:30 p.m.
Sponsored by BASF, John Deere,

AVICTA Complete Corn and Quilt Excel

Join the excitement as we reveal the results of the 2009 National Corn Yield Contest. In addition to celebrating the triumphs of 2009’s outstanding yield producers, we will honor our top recruiters and state organizations for their accomplishments over the past year.

Kelly Rae is, without a doubt, one of Southern California’s favorite contemporary country artists. Whether performing on popular event stages or entertaining our troops overseas, Kelly and her band are all about music and having fun.

                        Kelly Rae

Marketing Strategies To Help You Navigate Through Tough Times

Early Riser Marketing Session

7:00 a.m.   -   8:00 a.m.

Sponsored by Corn & Soybean Digest and Channel – Monsanto

Facilitator: Greg Lamp, editor of Corn & Soybean Digest Presenter: Richard Brock, The Brock Report

Developing and then following a marketing program can mean the difference between making money on your crops, or dipping into the red. Following advice from marketing experts like Richard Brock can help farmers avoid common pitfalls and lock in reasonable profits. Richard Brock is a market analyst from Brock Associates and publisher of The Brock Report. He’ll discuss the world economic crisis and what it means to U.S. farmers, how to navigate the road ahead and how to develop a profitable marketing program in this environment.

             Richard Brock

Learning Center Sessions

11:00 a.m.   -   Noon

Outlook for Agriculture's Agenda in Washington, D.C.

Sponsored by Pioneer, a DuPont Business
Moderator: Sara Wyant, Agri-Pulse

Hear top Congressional staff and farm organization representatives discuss the outlook for action in 2010 on key issues affecting production agriculture. Will Congress move forward on climate change legislation and, if so, how will it impact farmers and energy and input suppliers? How will the ever-changing dynamics of biofuel production affect the competitiveness of U.S. ethanol and biodiesel producers? What are the prospects for rail transportation reform? Will proposals to regulate food safety change FDA’s oversight role at the farm level? These and other questions will be addressed by key staff from the House and Senate Agriculture Committees and the American Farm Bureau Federation.

              Sara Wyant

Farm Financial Strategies: Farm Continuation By Design

Speaker: Myron Friesen, Co-Owner, Farm Financial

Strategies, Inc.

This session will address recent changes to laws that affect farm families. Knowing the majority of land is owned by people over 60 years old, the question becomes, “Will your farm pass efficiently by design or crumble by default?” Real life examples and illustrations will be used to make farm continuation issues understandable and practical. We will discuss legal issues, ownership issues, family issues and possible solutions in regard to passing on the farm to the next generation. This workshop will apply to farming men and women of all ages.

            Myron Friesen

Fertilizer Supply and Demand:

How the Market Influences Your Input Costs

Sponsored by NAWG Foundation
Moderator: Jerry McReynolds, incoming president, NAWG

This session will focus on the make-up of recent changes in the fertilizer market. An expert panel will discuss the fertilizer industry landscape, the changes that have occurred in the past few decades, and how the changes affect the prices farmers pay for this vital input. Confirmed panelists include Ford West, president of The Fertilizer Institute, Dr. Tracy Blackmer, director of research at the Iowa Soybean Association On-Farm Network and Alex McGregor, president and chief executive officer of the McGregor Company.

Closing Learning Center Session

1:30 p.m.     -     3:30 p.m.

Controlling What You Can Control

Sponsored by, Water Street Solutions, and Farm Progress Companies

Moderator: Max Armstrong, Director of Broadcast Operations, Farm Progress

Panelists: Darren Frye, CEO, Water Street Solutions, Arlan Suderman, Market Analyst, Farm Futures Magazine, Tim Copeland, VP of Marketing at Great American Insurance Group and Mike Jacobson, Chairman, President & CEO of NebraskaLand National Bank

This session will bring the pieces together for controlling your financial destiny on the farm. We’ll focus on knowing your financial numbers, developing goals, key business metrics and how to build marketing and risk management strategies for your business success. We’ll also talk about profit opportunities you may be leaving on the table. Hosted by farm broadcast veteran Max Armstrong, we pool the expertise of those who have spent their careers helping farmers in these financial sectors.

Evening of Entertainment

8:30 p.m.   -   9:45 p.m.

Sponsored by Monsanto

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

For over forty years, the Grammy Award winning Nitty Gritty Dirt Band has entertained America with their unique style of finger-picking folk rock. They’ve successfully hit the top of both country and pop charts with tunes like Mr. Bojangles, Will the Circle be Unbroken and Baby’s Got a Hold On Me. Join us for this exclusive Commodity Classic event as the Dirt Band performs songs from their recently released CD Speed of Life and familiar favorites.