MABA 2022 Winter Conference Agenda
The Winter Conference will once again feature more than 130 expert speakers.
In response to MABA member interest, a limited number of Winter Conference sessions will be broadcast via Zoom for optional remote viewing.
These include Applicator Training (Morning and Afternoon of January 10); the Luncheon Keynote (January 10); the Ag Tech Trends session (January 11); and the Soybean Production session (January 12). Registered attendees for the Monday package, and for the full conference will receive an optional link to view these sessions.
| Name | Description | Time | CCA Credits | RUP Credits | Room Assignment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Livestock Issues and Updates | A look at the latest in livestock production and processing in Michigan, including market briefings from industry leaders, an update from MSU and a federal policy update.
| 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM | 1.0 CM; 2.0 NM | Lansing Center 201 | |
| Grain Issues | Examine market drivers for grains, and potential changes and issues in the year ahead as market shifts create potential change in the landscape.
| 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM | 3.0 PM | Lansing Center 101-104 | |
| Fertilizer | Fertilizer markets have seen major shifts, complexity and turbulence during the past year, and that’s set to continue. We’ll welcome experts from across the nation to look at what’s happening with fertilizer and deliver information to inform your work. We will also provide an update on important state policies affecting fertilizer fees.
| 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM | 1.0 SW; 2.0 NM | Lansing Center 203-205 | |
| Applicator Training Session I | Join leaders from MABA member companies for a review of key safety, regulatory and legal requirements that go along with the commercial applicator business.
| 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM | 3.0 PM | 3.0 Category – 1A, Comm CORE, Priv CORE | Radisson Ballroom |
| Opening Luncheon | As we come together in-person for the first time since 2020, we'll open this year's Winter Conference with a discussion of the state of our industry, and hear from a leader in Lansing who has partnered with MABA members to educate state leaders about Michigan agriculture.
| 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM | 1.0 PD | Lansing Center Banquets 1-6 | |
| The Ag Economy in 2022 and Beyond | While many fundamentals of the ag economy are strong, we continue to feel the aftershocks of the COVID-19 pandemic and we’re all challenged to identify new economic baselines in agriculture. This session will look at economic factors both from anecdotal and data-driven perspectives, and will also cover credit considerations during a turbulent time for many.
| 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM | 1.0 CM; 1.0 NM; 1.0 PD | Lansing Center 202 | |
| Applicator Training Session II | Applicator Session II will feature a discussion and demonstration with area first responders on safety when working with RUP products and preventing accidents. We will also cover safety when transitioning between RUP products, including tank and nozzle cleanout.
| 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM | 1.0 SW; 2.0 PM | 3.0 Category – 1A, 6, Comm CORE, Priv CORE | Radisson Ballroom |
| Labor and Human Resources | This is without a doubt one of the most important and challenging topics affecting agribusinesses today. Uncertainty abounds, both with regard to the labor market and the regulatory landscape. We will hear from experts on all sides of this equation, and leave attendees with a sense of how to navigate a difficult hiring and retention situation.
| 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM | 3.0 PD | Lansing Center 101-104 | |
| Feed Industry Issues | Every sector is rife with change, and the feed industry is no different, with new ingredients, products and innovation spanning the industry. At the same time, it’s important to zero in on key needs that haven’t changed – biosecurity, site safety and beyond. This session will focus on all of this and more!
| 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM | 1.0 PM; 2.0 NM | Lansing Center 203-205 | |
| Pest Control and Agronomic Challenges | The proliferation of herbicide resistant weeds, emerging plant disease threats, and uncertainty of pesticide formulation options makes staying up to date on the latest in pest control essential.
| 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM | 3.0 PM | 3.0 Category – 1A, Comm CORE, Priv CORE | Lansing Center 201 |
| Name | Description | Time | CCA Credits | RUP Credits | Room Assignment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast Session | For this session we will be joined by Michigan’s Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman for an update on what’s happening in Lansing, following by keynote remarks from a leader in agricultural technology to look ahead at how new tech can drive success in our industry.
| 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM | .5 NM; .5 PD | Lansing Center Banquets 1-6 | |
| Michigan Millers Annual Meeting | The Winter Conference will once again host the Annual Meeting of the Michigan Millers Association, featuring a wide range of experts with updates on wheat research, market conditions and policies affecting those in the wheat industry.
| 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM | 2.0 CM; 1. 0 NM | 3.0 Category – 1A, Comm CORE, Priv CORE | Lansing Center 101-104 |
| Breakout: Seed Treatment Seminar | Join the Syngenta Seed Care Team at its seed treatment demonstration trailer on the MABA Trade Show Floor for this year’s Seed Treatment session. | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM | 0.5 PM; 1.0 CM | 2.0 Category - 4, Comm CORE, Priv. CORE | Trade Show Floor |
| Breakout: Grain Flow, Production, Planting Intentions and Beyond | Go in-depth on grain markets, the international picture and potential 2022 acreage shifts with a status update and look-ahead from Advance Trading.
| 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM | 1.5 CM | Lansing Center 7 & 8 | |
| Breakout: Social Media. Your Best Friend, Your Worst Enemy or Both? | As we have said for years, social media can be a minefield if used the wrong ways. At the same time, in today’s rapid-fire media and market environment, social tools can be a resource for intel, information and interaction in agriculture. This breakout discussion will consider how you can leverage social media to your advantage – and stay out of trouble!
| 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM | 1.5 PD | Lansing Center 203-205 | |
| Breakout: Cybersecurity Issues in Agriculture | In the wake of high-profile cyberattacks affecting agricultural interests – including in Michigan – it has never been more important to consider how to safeguard your business while preparing to respond if you are targeted.
| 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM | 1.5 PD | Lansing Center 204-205 | |
| Lunch in the 2022 Trade Show | Once again this year, join our 2022 Trade Show exhibitors for lunch on the trade show floor! | 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM | Lansing Center Exhibit A & B | ||
| Environmental Concerns and Considerations | From water quality to soil health to climate change, environmental topics in agriculture continue to impact every segment of our industry in some way. This session will cover a wide range of those issues from a policy perspective, along with planning and incident prevention.
| 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM | 1.5 SW; 1.5 NM | 3.0 Category – 1A, Comm CORE, Priv CORE | Lansing Center 204-205 |
| Trade and Cross Border Issues | Michigan remains a leading agricultural exporter, sending billions of dollars worth of goods around the world. Exports increased in 2020, even with market disruption. What changes and barriers are emerging for trade, and how do we navigate them?
| 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM | 1.0 SW; 1.0 CM; 1.0 PD | Lansing Center 201 | |
| Changing Trends in Food | Consumers continue to have growing interest in where their food comes from and how it was produced. Companies at all points on the ag value chain have taken interest, and the issue continues to evolve! We bring together a wide range of voices for this discussion on where demand trends are headed.
| 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM | 1.0 NM; 2.0 CM | Lansing Center 101-104 | |
| Logistics | One of the hottest topics of 2021 will be one of the hottest topics of 2022: How do we move products at a time when the global supply chain faces a historic disruption? Updates in this session include rail, water and truck transportation, labor issues and beyond.
| 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM | 1.0 SW; 2.0 CM | Lansing Center 203 |
| Name | Description | Time | CCA Credits | RUP Credits | Room Assignment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast Session | A focus on rural economic development: Our Wednesday breakfast session will include a federal policy update from Washington, DC, followed by a “fireside chat” on the future of our state’s small towns and rural communities with leaders working every day on those issues.
| 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM | 1.0 PD | Lansing Center Banquets 1-4 | |
| Focus on Michigan Dry Beans | 2021 was a banner year for Michigan’s dry bean farmers, with strong yields and high quality. Join this session for research, agronomy and market updates, and a look at efforts to promote beans around the world.
| 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM | 1.0 PM; 2.0 CM | 3.0 Category – 1A, Comm CORE, Priv CORE | Lansing Center 101-104 |
| Tax, Legal and Insurance Issues in Agribusiness | As always, many changes and issues affect business operations and decision-making. Join this session for a briefing on the latest tax, legal and regulatory issues facing food and agricultural businesses. This will be especially important in the wake of likely tax changes moving through Congress.
| 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM | 1.0 NM; 2.0 PD | Lansing Center 204 | |
| Soybean Production | MSU and Michigan Soybean Committee experts present the latest in soybean production research.
| 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM | 1.0 PM; 1.0 NM; 1.0 CM | 3.0 Category – 1A, Comm CORE, Priv CORE | Lansing Center 7 & 8 |
| Safety and Worker Regulatory Issues | Keeping everyone safe on the job is priority number one. Join safety experts to discuss key areas of focus for agriculture, and hear from state agency leaders who partner with our industry on the regulatory front.
| 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM | 1.0 CM; 2.0 PD | Lansing Center 203 | |
| Wednesday Lunch | Join us for our final keynote session of the Winter Conference, including both an update on what to expect from your association in 2022, and a focus on how agribusinesses and the nonprofit sector continue working together to safeguard our the land, air and Great Lakes.
| 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM | 0.5 SW; 0.5 PD | Lansing Center Banquets 1-4 | |
| Looking Ahead in Our Industry: The Next 1, 5 and 10 Years | The only thing certain about the future is change! Even as we manage day-to-day challenges in our industry, broader developments are unfolding that will fundamentally change agriculture in the next decade. This session spotlights leaders who are thinking about the “long term” future of agriculture and our economy.
| 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM | 1.0 SW; 2.0 PD | Lansing Center 201 | |
| Sugarbeets | Join Michigan Sugar Company for an agronomic update and a look at 2021 growing season results and the slicing campaign. This session will also include a briefing on investments and activities underway at Michigan Sugar, along with a review of federal policy affecting the sugarbeet industry.
| 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM | 3.0 CM | Lansing Center 204 | |
| Specialty Crop Trends and Production | As the second-most diverse agricultural state in America, Michigan counts specialty crop production as a core element of our industry. This session will focus on current issues in fruit and vegetable production and marketing in our state.
| 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM | 1.0 PM; 1.0 NM; 1.0 CM | 3.0 Category – 1A, 1B, 1C, Comm CORE, Priv CORE | Lansing Center 203 |