VALUE-ADDED OPPORTUNITIES IN AGRICULTURE - Agricultural ...

VALUE-ADDED OPPORTUNITIES IN AGRICULTURE:
ARE THEY PROFITABLE?
Wednesday, August 30, 2000
MORNING PROGRAM Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center (Sheridan Hall)
8:00-9:00 REGISTRATION AND VISIT EXHIBITS
9:00-9:30 GENERAL SESSION ONE
Moderator: Connie Fischer, KDOCH Ag Products Development Division
WELCOME
Lt. Gov. Gary Sherrer, KDOCH Secretary
William Kirk, USDA State Director
9:30-10:15 GENERAL SESSION TWO
Moderator: William Kirk, USDA State Director
Next Generation Cooperatives
Jill Long Thompson, Under Secretary, USDA Rural Development
In this keynote address, the Honorable Jill Long Thompson will inspire everyone in attendance
about the potential rewards of adding value to agricultural commodities by forming marketing
cooperatives. She has stated that encouraging marketing cooperatives could lead to a structural
change in the marketplace offering greater balance between farmers and buyers.
10:15-10:45 BREAK AND VISIT EXHIBITS
10:45-11:30 GENERAL SESSION THREE
Moderator: Dr. David Barton, KSU Agricultural Economics Department
Lessons Learned for Producers from a New Generation Cooperative
Dennis Sexhus, CEO, North American Bison Cooperative, New Rockford, ND
Dennis Sexhus will motivate his audience with success stories of value-adding business ventures
operating in the Northern Plains states. North American Bison Cooperative is an example of a
new generation cooperative that was successful in entering an undeveloped niche product
market. His expertise about cooperative formation should be beneficial and enlightening
LUNCH PROGRAM Memorial Union (Fort Hays Ballroom)
11:30- 1:00 GENERAL SESSION FOUR
Moderator: Galen Rapp, USDA Rural Development
What Does the Future Hold?
Edward Hammond, President, Fort Hays State University
Dr. Hammond has published and spoken nationally and is in demand as a consultant because of
his expertise as a futurist. He will give the luncheon presentation on technology advancements
and futuristic events as he looks into his crystal ball.
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AFTERNOON PROGRAM Memorial Union
1:10-2:00 BREAKOUT SESSION ONE
2:10-3:00 BREAKOUT SESSION TWO
3:10-4:00 BREAKOUT SESSION THREE
Participants chose one of the available
topics for each of the three afternoon
breakout sessions. Times and locations will
be provided at registration check-in based
on early registration feedback.
BUSINESS SESSIONS
Financing: Getting the Green Light from Your Banker
Jeff Kistner, CoBank, Omaha NE
Moderator: Galen Rapp, USDA Rural Development
Jeff Kistner will challenge producers and others with financial information that is needed when
expanding into value-added business ventures. Financing is a critical element for any business
and finding the money can sometimes be a real challenge. He will discuss these areas: formation,
feasibility, business plan, keys to success, and causes of failures.
Legal Perspective of Starting a Value-Added Business
Mark Hanson, Lindquist & Vennum, Minneapolis, MN
Moderator: Dr. David Barton, KSU Agricultural Economics Department
Mark Hanson will discuss the legal aspects to consider when becoming involved in value-added
processing and marketing businesses. He has worked with a significant number of value-added
cooperative endeavors, including several Kansas cooperatives.
Value-Added Marketing from a Retailer's View
Tom Moore, Ball Food Stores, Kansas City, KS
Moderator: Michael Boland, KSU Agricultural Economics Department
Ball Food Stores realize their customers will readily purchase locally grown meat and produce.
Tom Moore will inform his audience about his views on adding value to locally grown products
by marketing them through retail outlets. He will discuss the challenges and opportunities
producers face in adding value to their products through further processing and marketing.
Starting a Business
Darrell Holaday, Advance Market Concepts, St George, KS
Moderator: Connie Fischer, KDOCH Ag Products Development Division
Darrell Holaday will present the fundamental steps necessary to start a value-adding business,
the realities of running a business and the importance of a business plan. He brings experience
and expertise in business development and market consulting for value-adding business ventures.
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CROP SESSIONS
Adding Value to White Corn: Inside Look at Co-op Formation
Chris Williams, 21 st Century Alliance, Manhattan, KS
Moderator: Rita Bayless, KDOCH Ag Products Development Division
Chris Williams will describe the process of examining a new value-added venture through the
perspective of the successful 21 st Century Alliance model. The 21 st Century Alliance is an
organization of 775 producers, which has already created five value-added business ventures.
White Wheat Marketing Panel
Ronald Madl, KSU Wheat Research Center, Manhattan, KS
Curt Blades, Farmland Industries, Kansas City, MO
Terry Garvert, Cargill, Minneapolis, MN
Moderator: Brett Myers, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers
Dr. Madl will chair a panel discussion that will update us on the white wheat industry. Hear how
white wheat markets are developing and learn about the potential opportunity for adding value
for wheat producers. The panel will present the industry perspective from Curt Blades, Farmland
Industries and Terry Garvert, Cargill.
Ethanol Production
Ralph Groschen, Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture, St. Paul, MN
Dave Kolsrud, Agri-Energy LLC, Beaver Creek, MN
Moderator: Meleesa Younggren, KDOCH Ag Products Development Division
Ralph Groschen will provide a thorough update on the ethanol industry, including the
opportunities for increased ethanol production. Dave Kolsrud will provide important information
about developing and formulating a value-adding business venture that produces corn ethanol.
Containerized Grain Shipping
Jeff Scovill, CH Robinson, Eden Prairie, MN
Moderator: Jerry Dudley, KDOCH Ag Products Development Division
Jeff Scovill will provide information about exporting Identity Preserved grains in separated
containerized compartments.
LIVESTOCK SESSIONS
A Producer Marketing Association
John McNutt, Pork America, Iowa City, IA
Moderator: Ray Hammarlund, KDOCH Ag Products Development Division
Pork America is a national cooperative of pork producers organized to create opportunities and
optimize profitability for its members. John McNutt will explain how pork producers plan to
coordinate pork production, processing, distribution and marketing through relationships and
contracts that will significantly enhance the value of members' production. The immediate efforts
include pool marketing and cooperation with other groups across the country.
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An Organic Production and Processing Cooperative
Tim Griffin, CROPP, LaForge, WI
Moderator: David Coltrain, KSU Agricultural Economics Department
The demand for organic food products has greatly increased. Tim Griffin will provide an
overview of the development of the CROPP organic cooperative and the market potential for
organic products in the Upper Midwest. He will discuss organic production in general and
specifically describe organic dairy production, which has been a topic of interest for Kansas
producers.
Cattle Performance and Cattle Improvement Programs
Brian Bertelsen, U.S. Premium Beef, Dodge City, KS
Moderator: Dixie Russell, KDOCH Ag Products Development Division
Brian Bertelsen will discuss U.S. Premium Beef's philosophy that quality beef begins at the
ranch and ends with satisfied consumers. This philosophy is a commitment to select the right
genetics and to use the best possible production practices (beginning from the ranch and ending
at mealtime) to produce consistent, high-quality beef.
ALTERNATIVES SESSIONS
Industrial Uses of Agricultural Products
Holly Born, Program Specialist, AATRA, Fayetteville, AR
Moderator: Deanna Gerhardt, USDA Rural Development
Hoily Born will describe the services provided to producers by ATTRA and provide specific
examples of adding value to agricultural commodities. ATTRA provides the latest information
about sustainable agriculture free of charge to U.S. farmers, researchers, extension personnel,
agribusiness and others. Information Specialists answer requests with individualized research in
horticulture, agronomy, livestock production, integrated pest management and agriculture
information transfer.
Agricultural Merchandising on the Internet
Jennifer Mathes, Mathes Farms, Bartlett, KS
Moderator: Lee Masenthin, KDOCH Ag Products Development Division
Jennifer Mathes will explain how her family farm is using the Internet as a wonderful marketing
tool. This session will provide you with the opportunity to see what avenues are available in e-
commerce. Learn how to use the power of the Internet to market your product.
Hunting, Recreation and Agritourism
Keith and Debra Houghton, Ringneck Ranch, Tipton, KS
Moderator: Megan Kilgore, KDOCH Ag Products Development Division
Keith and Debra Houghton will tell about the exciting and increasingly important value-added
business of agritourism. Ringneck Ranch is a family-run business that was established in 1983.
Great hunting, pleasant accommodations, outstanding home cooked family-style meal service
and Kansas hospitality combine as a memorable experience for their customers.
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