As many of you know, MN Ag EXPO 2015 is just around thecorner. This event joins farmers, agri-businesses and ag

enthusiasts who help strengthen Minnesota’s soybean industry.As a producer, I am confident you will find MN Ag EXPO avaluable investment for your operation. We’ve compiled anagenda that is educational, informative and entertaining for allwho attend.

This year’s MN Ag EXPO tackles some tough issues, liketransportation, weed resistance and labor laws, whiledelivering some of the things you’ve come to expect: the tradeshow, breakout sessions as well as theMinnesota Soybean Growers Association’sannual fundraiser, Beano & Vino WesternCasino. The event kicks off with ourannual meeting, and we encourage allMSGA members to attend. This is yourchance to learn a little more about howthe MSGA works on your behalf, and alsoa chance to provide valuable input to yourMSGA directors.

The MSGA continues its success as the largest soybeanmembership organization in the entire country. We maintainthat success because we tackle issues that pertain to soybeanfarmers and their profitability. Our work with industry leaders,partners and members of academia helps us all stay currenton issues facing soybean farmers. Many of those partners willbe at the trade show, which is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.Thursday. This year marks our largest tradeshow, with morethan 100 exhibitors, so you are assured of finding theinformation that works best for your operation.

We look forward to seeing you at MN Ag Expo, and thankyou for your support of the MSGA. Because of people like you,we are able to use one voice to advocate on behalf of allMinnesota soybean farmers.

Sincerely,George Goblish, PresidentMinnesota Soybean Growers Association

On behalf of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association andthe Minnesota Corn Research & Promotion Council, I invite

you to attend MN Ag EXPO 2015. If you’ve been to MN AgEXPO before, you’ll see that this year’sevent is bigger and better than ever. Ifyou’ve never attended MN Ag EXPObefore, you don’t want to miss this year’sevent.

We’ve put together a two-day programthat tackles key issues facing today’sfarmers. We’ve also packed the trade showfloor with companies and organizationsdedicated to helping you become a better farmer. And don’tforget MCGA’s silent and live auctions. Bid on several greatitems and help strengthen our organization in the process.

Please understand that all money raised via the silent andlive auction supports MCGA, not our Political ActionCommittee. If you’d like to support our PAC, you can do so byattending the PAC event on Thursday morning.

Finally, and this is important, several prominent agresearchers are joining us for MN Ag EXPO 2015. Asignificant portion of your corn check-off investment is used tosupport research that helps farmers become more efficient,protect environmental resources and grow the use of biofuels.

As we did last year, our annual meeting will kick off MN AgEXPO 2015, allowing attendees more opportunities to visit thetrade show, network, and attend informational sessions. Thankyou for your continued support. We hope to see you at MN AgEXPO 2015!

Sincerely,Bruce Peterson, PresidentMinnesota Corn Growers Association

Bruce Peterson

George Goblish

Welcome to MN Ag EXPO

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Best farmers, topresearchers, leadingagbiz to meet in MankatoBy MARIE WOODThe Land Associate Editor

The important issues that affect farmers today arethe same issues that has many Americans talking —transportation infrastructure, commodity marketsand climate change. These and other critical topics,chosen by farmers, will be addressed at the 2015 MNAg EXPO, Jan. 28-29 at the VerizonWireless Center, Mankato, Minn.

The 2015 MN Ag EXPO bringstogether Minnesota’s best farmers, topag researchers from the University ofMinnesota and our state’s leadingagribusiness companies for two fulldays of grassroots policy development,educational sessions and networking.

“All of these issues, we’re dealing with as farmers.We also come into contact with the general public.It’s nice to have background from experts. We try togather the facts so we know what we’re talkingabout,” said Bruce Schmoll, current board memberand past president of Minnesota Soybean GrowersAssociation.

MN Ag EXPO, a collaborative effort of the Min-nesota Corn Growers and Minnesota Soybean Grow-ers associations, has been expanding every year insize and scope. From the young farmer to longtimefarmer, there may be as many as 1,000 growers inattendance. The connections, education and researchprojects will offer cutting edge information that canbe used in your daily operation.

“We will have a number of researchers there. It’s agood way to visit with researchers to see what kindof projects they are doing,” said Bruce Peterson, pres-

ident of Minnesota Corn Growers Association.The researchers are also interested in learning

what growers would like to see researched.“They’re always looking at what’s the hot topic on

growers’ minds,” said Peterson.With a wide range of speakers, the central

Mankato location and entertaining events, Petersonsaid, “There will be something there for everybody.”

For many farmers, the MN Ag EXPO is a chance toget together with other producers.

“It’s a way to visit with other growers and see what

they’re thinking about for the upcoming growingseason,” said Peterson.Highlights

With more than 100 vendors at the trade show,growers can check out the latest products in onevenue.

“You can talk to vendors that have their booths andlearn the new technologies or new offerings. It’s alsoa chance to interact with other producers, growers,as well as livestock folks,” said Schmoll, who is alsothe vice chairperson of the U.S. Meat Export Federa-tion.

This year, a bonus market message has been addedto the trade show schedule. Mike Pearson, who grewup on an Iowa family farm and follows his dad’s foot-steps in hosting Iowa Public Television’s “Market toMarket,” will lead Wake up w/ the Morning Marketson the trade show floor. Pearson is known for enter-

taining while informing.An education session is dedicated to transporta-

tion infrastructure facing Minnesota farmers today— rails, roads and river. With 35 years of experiencein domestic and international commodity marketsand a strong background in grain transportation,Jay O’Neil will explain our competition in trans-portation.

“There are huge rail issues in northern Minnesotadue to the oil coming out of North Dakota,” saidVeronica Bruckhoff, MSGA director of industryaffairs and membership.

Evelyn Browning-Garriss, leadinghistorical climatologist, will deliver thekeynote address on the short and long-term factors that shape weather, cropsand investments around the globe.

Since many farms are expanding tobecome larger businesses, the Livingand Learning session addressesemployment laws.Stompin’ good time

At the end of the day, growers can let loose atsome fun events with a Western theme. Grab yourcowboy boots and hats for Beano & Vino WesternCasino Night on Jan. 28. And an Awards Banquetwill follow the day’s activities on Jan. 29.

At the Awards Banquet, you will be entertainedby emcee Damian Mason, known as “Agriculture’sProfessional Funny Man.” Owner and operator of abeef, grain and hay farm, Mason is passionate aboutthe industry of feeding, fueling and clothing theworld.

“We’re trying to make it fun. This is somethingyou will look forward to — to get together with peo-ple you met from last year. We want people to buildrelationships,” said Bruckhoff.

Check out the schedule in this special section for acomplete listing of events and times.

MN Ag EXPO 2015: Two days discussing top issues

DuPont PioneerMCGA/MSGA Banquet

SponsorMCGA Silent/Live Auction

Minnesota PorkDelegate Lunch & Dinner

Sponsor

Dow AgroSciencesAfternoon SponsorSpeaking Session

IntelliAirSponsor Speaking Session

North Dakota Soybean CouncilTransportation Speaker

Sponsor

Voyager BankDelegate Lunch Sponsor

CHSFarmLink LLCSyngentaAttendee Bag Sponsor

ADMPen Sponsor

USSECTrade Show Reception

Sponsor

Minnesota Corn Research & Promotion CouncilPlatinum Sponsor

Minnesota SoybeanResearch & PromotionCouncilPlatinum Sponsor

AGP IncSilver Sponsor

BNSF Railway IncSilver Sponsor

South Dakota SoybeanCouncilSilver Sponsor

Minnesota Farm BureauBronze Sponsor

United FCSBronze Sponsor

Gislason & HunterFriend of Ag Sponsor

Minnesota Milk Producers AssociationFriend of Ag Sponsor

Minnesota Wheat Growers AssociationFriend of Ag Sponsor

NCIFriend of Ag Sponsor

Minnesota Farmers UnionFriend of Ag Sponsor

Ag Country Farm Credit ServicesFriend of Ag Sponsor

Sponsors of the 2015 MN Ag EXPO

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It’s a way to visit with other growers and see whatthey’re thinking about for the upcoming growing season.

— Bruce Peterson

The following schedule of events for the 2015 MN Ag EXPOis subject to change.

Wednesday, Jan. 28 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Registration Open 11-11:30 a.m. Delegate Box Lunch 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. MCGA Delegate Session Noon-5:15 p.m. Living & Learning Session (See Living &Learning Schedule) 1:15-2:15 p.m. MCGA Annual Meeting 2:30-4:30 p.m. MSGA Delegate Session 3-8 p.m. Exhibitor Move-In 4:45-6 p.m. MSGA Annual Meeting 6-7 p.m. Delegate Buffet Dinner with Farm Bill update fromTom Sell, Combest, Sell & Associates and Dale Thorenson,Gordley Associates7:30-11 p.m. Beano & Vino Western Casino Night

Thursday, Jan. 29 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Registration Open 7:30-8:30 a.m. MN Corn PAC Event ($) 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Tradeshow Open 8-9 a.m. Breakfast in Tradeshow 8:15-9 a.m. Wake Up w/ the Morning Markets with MikePearson, representing the sixth generation of Pearsons rootedin Midwestern agriculture, Mike grew up on a family farm inIowa. He succeeds his father, Mark Pearson, who hosted theMarket to Market program for the past 20 years until hisdeath in June of 2012. 9:30-10:30 a.m. Keynote Speaker Evelyn Browning-Garriss Corn, soybean and wheat futures are at four-year lows whilecattle prices are at an all-time high. The developing El Niñoconditions continue to bring moderate temperatures andgood growing conditions for this year’s Midwestern and GreatPlains agriculture. Leading historical climatologist, EvelynBrowning-Garriss, will share her insights about the changingclimate – not just the mantra of “global warming” but theshort and long-term natural factors that are likely to shapeweather, crops and investments around the globe.10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. MCGA Silent Auction Open sponsored byDuPont Pioneer 10:30-11 a.m. Sponsor Session: Enlist Weed Control SystemOverview Ryan Keller, Enlist Field Specialist with Dow AgroScienceswill be on hand to give an overview and update of the EnlistWeed Control System. The Enlist Weed Control System is anadvanced herbicide and trait system that will deliverexceptional weed control. Enlist is a trademark of The DowChemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow.Regulatory approval is pending for Enlist cotton. Enlist Duoherbicide is not registered for sale or use in all states.Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine ifa product is registered for sale or use in your state. Alwaysread and follow label directions. 2014 Dow AgroSciencesLLC 11-11:30 a.m. Variety Plot Meeting 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Boxed Lunch in Tradeshow

12:30-1 p.m. MCGA Membership Meeting 12:30-1 p.m. Sponsor Session: IntelliAirGrowing your margins with automated bin managementtechnology IntelliFarms, maker of BinManager, will conductan abbreviated version of its IntelliFarms University GrainSchool curriculum, where you'll learn the science behinddrying and hydration, the economic benefits of optimal grainmanagement and how to use IntelliFarms' technology-basedsolutions to better manage your stored grain.2-3 p.m. Speaker/Panel SessionsBIG DATA: Understanding What it Means to Your Operation Where is our Competition in Transportation Today? with JayO’Neil who has 35 years of varied and extensive experience inboth domestic and international commodity markets. Graintransportation, Domestic and Export Grain Trading, RiskManagement, Hedging and Futures Trading expertise derivedfrom trading geographic markets across the nation and theglobe.3-4 p.m. Tradeshow Reception & Attendee Give-Away Drawing 4-6 p.m. MCGA Live Auction sponsored by DuPont Pioneer 6-8 p.m. MCGA/MSGA Banquet with Special Guest & EmceeDamian Mason (see more information above) Mason is a professional speaker, entertainer, writer,businessman and farm owner. Long before he enjoyedprofessional success in business or on the speaking circuit, hewas a farm boy. Mason is passionate about the industry offeeding, fueling and clothing the world. His presentations arefunny, smart, professional and respectful to the people ofagriculture.8-11 p.m. Entertainment Dueling Pianos

Living & Learning Session ScheduleMankato City Center Hotel (Please pick up name badge priorto attending) Noon-1 p.m. Lunch 1-2 p.m. Kids, Crops, Sows and Cows — Life Happens, Learnto Bounce with Susie O, who will share her wit and wisdom

from living on a working family farm. 2-2:45 p.m. Ultimate Guide to Critical Documentation forFarm Operations with Paul Schneider who will cover the nutsand bolts of required documentation for farming operationsand includes entity formation, leases and other commoncontracts, and options and rights of first refusal. 2:45-3 p.m. Break 3-4 p.m. Employer Survival Kit: How to Avoid CommonEmployment Law Pitfalls with Beth Serrill. This session is amust for any farm operation with employees. We’ll go overimportant topics which affect how you manage youremployees every day including workers compensation,unemployment, avoiding discrimination claims, ADAaccomodations, drug testing and the issue of categorizingemployees vs. independent contractors. Whether you have 1employee or 100, office staff or field laborers, do not missthis session! 4-4:15 p.m. Break 4:15-5:15 p.m. Don’t Lose the Farm: Litigation War Storiesfrom the Front Lines with Ben McAninch, Chris Roe andKevin Velasquez It’s no secret — family issues can be complicated. Thatcomplexity increases exponentially when dealing with estateplanning and family law issues such as divorce. Throw a fullfarm operation into the mix and ... well, you get the idea. Inthis session we’ll discuss real-life examples of how familyissues such as divorce can affect the family farm. Whathappens when a child with an interest in a family farm getsdivorced? What rights does that soon-to-be ex-family memberhave? And in what ways can that divorce affect the operationand other siblings? This is your opportunity to learn from themistakes of others. This interesting and entertaining session isone you won’t want to miss. *Dinner will be served at the Verizon Wireless Center at 6p.m. If you participate in the Non-Delegate Session, you areinvited to participate in the Delegate Dinner. Please registerfor that meal.

MN Ag EXPO 2015 schedule of eventsAwards Banquet Special Guest and EmceeThursday, Jan. 29, 6-8 p.m., Verizon Wireless Center Banquet Hall Damian Mason is a successful business person who delivers authenticity in a hilarious pack-age. He is a versatile crowd pleaser perfect for any time slot or audience. Damian’s programsare high energy, crowd interactive, comedy events with a powerful message sandwichedamongst the laughter. Audiences are entertained, enthused, and enlightened. Mr. Mason hasspoken to rave reviews in all 50 states and 8 foreign countries tallying almost 1,600 appear-ances. Known as “The Business Humorist” and “Agriculture’s Professional Funny Man,”Damian combines his sharp wit and intelligent humor with the two topics he knows best: agri-culture and business. They’re two completely different presentations with one common result:success. Business audiences take away usable points communicated through humorous stories. Damian talksabout customer service, un-complicating the transaction, working with determination versus excuses, seizingopportunity, and the importance of a healthy sense of humor. Agricultural crowds love Damian’s funny, ag themedmaterial but they respect his advocacy for the agricultural industry. There’s no denying Damian’s agriculturalrecord — raised on a dairy farm, degree in Agricultural Economics from Purdue University, owner and operator ofa beef, grain, and hay farm.

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www.MNAgEXPO.comRegister today for MN Ag EXPO 2015

By MARIE WOODThe Land Associate Editor

Farmers and ag industrypartners looking for a good ol’time will find it at the Beano &Vino Western Casino Night onJan. 28. So put your cowboy haton straight, slide into yourboots, hoot, holler and gamble for a good cause.

Now in its third year, Beano & Vino Casino Nightwill attract 300 or more people in the large poolsidearea at the Mankato City Center Hotel.

“It’s the all-fun, no-work event at the MN AgEXPO,” said Veronica Bruckhoff, director of industryrelations and membership for the Minnesota Soy-bean Growers Association.

Beano & Vino Casino Night is a fundraiser for theMSGA’s legislative efforts at the State Capitol.

“The revenue raised is for a good cause — our leg-islative efforts in St. Paul. Our main purpose is tomake agriculture better in the state of Minnesota.We want to make our legislators understand howimportant agriculture is in Minnesota,” said KurtKrueger, chairperson of MSGA Industry RelationsAction Team.

Organizers have made the event an exciting way tocontribute to the cause without robbing the bank.

For just $20, you receive a com-memorative mug that gets you freecocktails, beverages and appetiz-ers in the hospitality rooms. Your$20 also gets you gambling ticketsto play all the casino games.

Among the Vegas-style casinogames, the blackjack table has

been a big draw. Try your luck at roulette, craps andother games of chance.

“It’s just like Vegas, only you don’t have that longboring plane fight,” said Krueger.

This year, you can throw down another $20 for thewine pull. Various bottles of wine have been donatedso gamblers can blindly choose a bottle of wine worthanywhere from $10 to $100. Either way, players gohome with a bottle of vino.

For those who hit it big, gambling tickets can beused to make purchases at company stores for promo-tional items from the likes of Asgrow, DeKalb, Mon-santo, MEG Corp, NBB, REG and other generoussponsors. A silent auction and a live auction featur-ing a commemorative gun donated by Lincoln CountyCorn and Soybean Growers rounds out the evening.

Krueger has attended every casino night. Usually,he acts as a pit boss, making the rounds to see thateveryone’s having a good time. This year he’s trading

in the tuxedo for a badge and cowboy hat. Kruegerwill be working the room as a deputy straight out ofthe Old West.

“My whole purpose is to make sure everything isgoing smoothly and that there are a lot of smiles ontheir faces,” said Krueger. “First and foremost, wewant them to have a good time.”

Gamble for a good cause at Casino NightADM Advanced Bio Mktng AGP Inc Agri-Pulse Blue Earth CountyBroadhead Co. Brown County Soybean Chippewa County DeKalb/Asgrow Dow AgroSciences Faribault Co Growers FLMGislason & Hunter Grover Grain and Seed Kandiyohi CountyMartin County Soybean McLeod County MEG Corp Minnstar Bank N.A.

Minnesota Corn GrowersAssociation MN Future Farmers of America Monsanto Monsanto BioAg Murray Co GrowersNational Biodiesel Board Olmstead/South WabashaCountyOtter Tail/Grant CountyPennington/Red Lake Polk CountyREGRock CountySteele CountySwift County Waseca County Watonwan County Soybean

Beano & Vino Western Casino Night sponsors

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If you go Beano & Vino Western Casino Night Wednesday, Jan. 28, 7:30 to 11 p.m. Mankato City Center Hotel, Poolside $20 cost Cowboy hats and boots encouraged

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Hotel Information A block of rooms have been reserved forJan. 28-30.

The special room rate at Mankato CityCenter Hotel will be available until thegroup block is sold out. The special roomrate at the Hilton Garden Inn will beavailable until the group block is sold out.Both hotels are connected via skyway tothe Verizon Wireless Center.

Mankato City Center Hotel101 East Main Street Mankato, MN 56001 Phone: (507) 345-1234 $73/night + tax (standard room) $83/night + tax (poolside room)

Hilton Garden Inn20 Civic Center Plaza Mankato, MN 56001 Phone: (507) 344-1111 $74/night + tax Group Name: 2015 Minnesota Ag EXPO Group Code: AE5

Free bus transportation is being madeavailable for MN Ag EXPO attendees.Transportation reservation deadline isFriday, Jan. 9. Reserve your spot early.Schedules listed here are tentative.

Northern & Central MinnesotaTO MANKATO:Depart Red Lake Falls at 11:30 a.m. Jan.27, MN Wheat Growers parking lotStop Greg Leblanc Farm at noon Jan. 27Stop in Ada at 12:45 p.m. Jan. 27, WestCentral Ag Services parking lotStop in Barnesville at 1:50pm Jan. 27,Dairy Queen parking lotStop in Fergus Falls at 2:30 p.m. Jan. 27,Big Chief parking lotArrive in Mankato at 6:45pm Jan. 27FROM MANKATO:Depart Verizon Wireless Center 7:30 a.m.Jan. 30Coffee Stop in Hutchinson, 9 a.m.Stop in Fergus Falls at 11:45 a.m Jan. 30,Big Chief parking lotStop in Barnesville at 1 p.m. Jan. 30, DairyQueen parking lotStop in Ada at 2 p.m. Jan. 30, West CentralAg Services parking lotStop at Greg LeBlanc Farm at 2:30 p.m.Jan. 30Arrive in Red Lake Falls, 3 p.m. Jan. 30,MN Wheat Growers parking lotTo ride this bus, please contact MarleneDufault at (218) 253-4391.

Southwest MinnesotaTO MANKATO:Depart Worthington 8 a.m. Jan. 28, NewVision Co-op, 1301 County Road 5,WorthingtonStop in Fairmont 9:30 a.m. Jan. 28, Cargill Ag Horizons, 8334 430th Ave, Blue

EarthArrive at Verizon Wireless Center 11 a.m.Jan. 28FROM MANKATO: Depart from Verizon Wireless Center 7:15a.m. Jan. 30To ride this bus, please contact Lyle Rollagat (605) 261-4031 or Cathy Riley at (507)388-1635.

Southeast MinnesotaTO MANKATO:Depart Stewartville at 8 a.m. Jan. 28, AllAmerican Co-op, 113 4th St SE,StewartvilleStop in Owatonna at 9 a.m. Jan. 28Central Valley/Interstate Mills, 3301 NW21st Ave, OwatonnaArrive at Verizon Wireless Center at 10:45a.m. Jan. 28FROM MANKATO: Depart from Verizon Wireless Center at 7:30a.m. Jan. 30To ride this bus, please contact DanErickson at (507) 383-8389 or DougMonson at (507) 388-1635.

Western MinnesotaTO MANKATO:Depart Montevideo at 8 a.m. Jan. 28,Farmers Co-op, 4097 Hwy 212 S,MontevideoStop in Redwood Falls at 9 a.m. Jan. 28,Meadowland Farmers Co-op, 120 E Tin St.,Redwood FallsArrive at Verizon Wireless Center at 10:45a.m., Jan. 28FROM MANKATO: Depart from Verizon Wireless Center at7:45am, Jan. 30To ride this bus, please contact Cathy Rileyor Shawna Aakre at (507) 388-1635.

MN Ag EXPO hotel reservations

Need a ride to Mankato?

Living & Learning Session Wednesday, Jan. 28, 1-2 p.m.Mankato City Center Hotel Susie Oberdahlhoff (“Susie O”) lives on a workingfarm along with her husbandRichard. They raise hogs,cattle, and hay on theiracreage located in the ruralarea near Bowling Green, Mo.They are parents of two chil-dren, Melaney and Rick, andgrandparents to Taylor andTanner. Susie's career hastaken her to a broad range of agriculture organiza-tions including working for the Missouri BeefIndustry Council, Missouri Soybean MerchandisingCouncil, and Norman Robert Marketing & Commu-nications. In addition, she has done contract workfor the United Soybean Board, Missouri State Fairand Missouri Department of Agriculture. One of herfavorite community service volunteer activities wasserving on the Pike County Health Department,Home Health and Hospice board for 10 years andcurrently as a board member for the Pike CountyHospice Foundation. Susie is also a hospice volun-teer giving many hours to hospice patients andtheir families. When Susie isn't sharing her wit andwisdom with audiences across the country, you mayfind her doing one or more of the following activi-ties - perhaps at the same time: sitting with hos-pice patients, picking up her granddaughter atschool, mowing the yard, going to pig and steer

shows, baking cookies, recording church minutes,sending cards, chasing cows, picking up tractorparts, hunting antiques, paying bills, giving shotsto pigs, going to health board meetings, checkingin on her kids, reading to grandson, hunting for herblack shoes, cooking for two ... or ten, ordering cat-tle feed, planting flowers, getting her hair cut andof course ... housework!

Living & Learning Session Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2-5:15pmMankato City Center HotelPaul Shneider is an associate attorney at Blethen,Gage & Krause, Paul’s prac-tice focuses on helping busi-ness and nonprofit organiza-tions with their legal needs.He has advised clients onentity formation, corporategovernance, dissolution, andday-to-day business issues.Paul also helps businesseswith succession planning and individuals withestate planning, and has a diverse real estate prac-tice which includes representing clients in realestate transactions and easement and cartwayissues. A graduate of Gustavus Adolphus Collegeand the University of Minnesota Law School, Paulis active in the community serving on a United WayCommunity Impact Team, participating in the Gus-tavus Alumni Mentoring Program, serving as aLegalCORPS volunteer and serving as the currentSixth District Bar Association Secretary/Treasurer.

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Beth Serrill is a partner at Blethen, Gage andKrause and focuses herpractice in the areas ofEmployment Law and FamilyLaw. She represents compa-nies in all areas of employ-ment law including unem-ployment, discriminationand general liability issues.Beth works closely withhuman resource professionals to create policiesand anticipate and handle employee issues. Shealso handles complex business litigation as well asappeals. Beth has been named a Rising Star twiceby Minnesota Law and Politics and currently serveson for the YMCA Board of Directors and as theirPersonnel committee chair. She also serves on thePersonnel/Policy committee for the Southern Min-nesota Independent Living and Enterprises & Ser-vices (SMILES) board and is a member of theBoard of Directors for the Children’s Museum ofSouthern Minnesota.Benjamin McAninch is a partner with Blethen,

Gage & Krause, PLLP inMankato, MN and focuseson general civil litigation,insurance defense, estatelitigation and agricultural lit-igation. Prior to joiningBlethen, Gage and KrauseBen was a partner in theBirmingham, Alabama firm

of Starnes & Atchison (now Starnes Davis Florie),practicing exclusively in the area of medical mal-practice defense. Ben is a member of various barand civic organizations. He sits on the Board ofDirectors for the Minnesota Defense Lawyers Asso-ciation, Habitat for Humanity of South CentralMinnesota and the Bemidji State UniversityAlumni Association. Ben has been featured in theMankato Free Press Salute to Local Leadershipand has been named a Super Lawyer by MinnesotaLaw and Politics. Chris Roe is a partner at Blethen, Gage & Krause.Chris has a diverse practiceconsisting of agricultural,business, real estate andestate/trust clients. A largepart of Chris’ practice isdevoted to assisting individ-uals and businesses in theagricultural setting. Chris isa farmer himself; he and hisfamily operate Roe Farms a large crop/hog opera-tion near LeRoy, MN. He is routinely involved inagricultural, commercial and residential real estatematters such as purchase agreements, title opin-ions, title insurance, closings, tax appeals and realestate disputes. Chris also assists with estate plan-ning and estate administration needs includingwills, trusts, powers of attorney, health care direc-tives and probate matters. He has extensive experi-ence in estate/trust/inheritance disputes, will con-tests and guardianship and conservatorshipmatters. Chris is active in Kiwanis, serves as theTreasurer of the Mankato Kiwanis Foundation,serves on the Board of Directors of The Miracle

League of North Mankato (secretary), is a FinanceCommittee Member for Loyola Catholic School,serves as secretary for the Kiwanis Holiday Lightsorganization. Chris has been named a SuperLawyer by Minnesota Law and Politics.Kevin Velasquez has extensive experience litigatinga wide range of civil mattersin areas such as employ-ment law, family law, insur-ance disputes, auto acci-dents and general businessdisputes. Kevin has repre-sented clients in MinnesotaDistrict Courts, the Min-nesota Court of Appeals, theFederal District Court in Minnesota, the Eighth Cir-cuit Court of Appeals, the Department of Labor,the Department of Agriculture and in various formsof alternative dispute resolution. Kevin also coun-sels employers on a variety of employment mat-ters, including issues involving harassment, dis-crimination, wrongful discharge, sick and disabilityleave, wage and hour compliance, unemploymentinsurance, noncompetes and contract disputes.Kevin is involved in numerous professional associ-ations including the Minnesota State Bar Associa-tion (serving as Sixth District President in 2012),the Federal Bar Association, the MinnesotaDefense Lawyers Association, the DefenseResearch Institute and the Greater MankatoGrowth Young Professionals. Additionally, Kevinhas worked hard to give back to the region throughhis extensive involvement in community organiza-tions such as the Mankato YMCA Board of Direc-tors, the United Way Community Impact Commit-tee (Chair), Mankato Sertoma Club, and theMankato Diversity Council. Kevin was named aRising Star by Minnesota Law and Politics and hasthe honor of being named the Greater MankatoGrowth Young Professional of the Year for 2014.

MSGA Annual MeetingWednesday, Jan. 28, 4:45-6:00p.m., Banquet Hall EastHarmon Wilts grew up on a family farm in Kerk-hoven. He holds a Bachelorof Agricultural BusinessAdministration with empha-sis in agronomy from theUniversity of Minnesota anda Master’s Degree in Agricul-tural Education also fromthe University of Minnesota.Harmon spent the first 5years of his career working as a Regional ExtensionEducator with the University of Minnesota beforejoining DEKALB in 1994 as a Regional Agrono-mist. He has spent all of his years with Monsantoin Tech Development and Agronomy. Harmon iscurrently an Asgrow and DEKALB Technical Agron-omist in Minnesota. Harmon has been part of lead-ing teams over the years, including the NationalSoybean Germplasm Team. He has been a leadwith the sales teams and dealers in training on thelaunch of new soybeans. Harmon participated inthe (MARL) Minnesota Agriculture and Rural Lead-ership Program and in 2010 was part of the first

TD Global Exchange to Brazil and Argentina. Har-mon and his wife Gina have 3 daughters.

Delegate Buffet DinnerWednesday, Jan. 28, 6-7 p.m.,Banquet Hall West Tom Sell is cofounder and managing partner ofCombest, Sell & Associates,LLC. Before starting thefirm, Sell was deputy chiefof staff for the House Com-mittee on Agriculture, wherehe was instrumental in craft-ing the 2002 Farm Bill. Helater spent time as directorof intergovernmental affairsat the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Tom beganhis career in Washington shortly after graduationfrom Texas Tech University by serving in Congress-man Combest’s personal office, where he workedon a variety of issues, including environmental andinternational trade issues. In 2003, motivated by adesire to replant his family in their native WestTexas, Tom moved back to Lubbock and began hispursuit of a law degree at Texas Tech. He receivedhis Doctorate of Jurisprudence in 2006, and islicensed to practice in Texas. He continues to livein Lubbock with his wife, Kyla, and four youngchildren.Dale Thorenson joined Gordley Associates from the

office of Senator Byron Dor-gan of North Dakota, wherehe was responsible for farmpolicy and agricultural appro-priations. Before coming toWashington, he managed hisfamily’s farm in NorthDakota, and he brings ahands-on perspective to pol-

icy considerations. Dale’s practice areas includefarm policy, budget, and appropriations.

Wake Up w/the Morning Markets,Thursday, Jan. 29, 8:15-9:00 a.m.Verizon Wireless Center Arena Mike Pearson, Grinnell, Iowa, businessman andfarmer, follows in the foot-steps of his father as thenew host of Market to Mar-ket. Representing the sixthgeneration of Pearsonsrooted in Midwestern agricul-ture, Mike grew up on a fam-ily farm in Iowa. His wasinstilled with a strong workethic and, at the age of 12, he raised and exhib-ited the Grand Champion Market Hog at the Madi-son County Fair. After graduating from WintersetHigh School in 2003, Mike managed his family’sdiversified grain and livestock operation and pro-vided market updates and news reports for WOIRadio in Ames, Iowa. Upon graduation from Simp-son College, Mike entered the banking industry inGrinnell, Iowa. His financial experience includespersonal, commercial and agricultural lending.Mike and his wife, Heidi, live in Grinnell, Iowa,where they continue to build the Genuine Pearson

Cattle Company brand. Mike succeeds his father,Mark Pearson, who hosted the program for thepast 20 years until his death in June of 2012.Market to Market’s first host, Chet Randolph,hosted the series for its first 17 years.

Keynote Speaker, Thursday, Jan.29, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Verizon Wire-less Center Banquet Hall West Evelyn Browning-Garriss is a historical climatolo-gist who advises everyonefrom Texas cattle raisers toMidwestern utilities andCanadian banks aboutwhat the coming seasonwill bring. She has spentover 30 years as a busi-ness consultant, editorand author explaining theimpact of changing climate on economic andsocial trends. Editor of the Browning Newsletter,Evelyn has authored or co-authored five books onthe changing climate’s impact on water supplies,agriculture, business and terrorism. For the past20 years she has taught professional seminars,lectured and/or conducted international seminarsin the United States, Canada, England, Singa-pore, Korea, Central America and the PacificIslands. Her audiences have been as diverse asthe 5th Army Office of Civil Emergency Prepared-ness, Texas A&M University, the Ontario NaturalGas Association, the Alberta Irrigation ProjectsAssociation, the Cárilec organization of LatinAmerican electrical utilities, the National Insti-tute of Oilseed Products and the American FeedIndustry Association. She has consulted with themilitary, universities, municipal and provincialgovernments, public utilities and private busi-nesses such as Credit Suisse, Transcanada, Sco-tia Capital, Nomura and Mirae Assets. In additionto her work as editor of the Browning Newsletter,she does daily consulting and contract researchfor businesses and investors

Transportation Speaker, Thursday,Jan. 29, 1:30-2:30 p.m., VerizonWireless Center Banquet Hall West Jay O'Neil graduated from San Jose State Univer-sity in 1973 with a degreein Political Science-Inter-national Relations. He has37 years experience in theGrain business. Jay startedout of college with Conti-nental Grain Company inSan Francisco, CA. Heworked 4 years with Conti-nental Grain as a Grain Trader on the West Coastof the United States and then 7 years with thePillsbury Company of Minneapolis, MN as anExport Grain Merchandiser and Director of Over-seas Grain Sales. He served 3 years with the Fer-ruzzi Group of Ravenna Italy, in their New Orleansoffice, managing Feed Grain exports from theU.S. Jay was with Bartlett Grain Company for 17years and managed Grain Trading Groups andserved as General Manager of the Transportation

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360 Yield Center .............................................. 307Abdo, Eick & Meyers, LLP ................................ 407Advance Trading Inc. ........................................ 220Advanced Biological Marketing .......................... 413Ag Cab Lab...................................................... Ag Cab Lab TrailerAg Solutions/21st Century Ag ............................ 315Ag Concepts Corp ............................................ 216Agnition .......................................................... 215 & 217Agrasure .......................................................... 106Agriculture Utilization Research Institute............ 120AgStar Financial Services.................................. 302 & 304Alliance-Sel .................................................... 128American Coalition for Ethanol .......................... 319American Lung Association in Minnesota............ 437Bayer CropScience .......................................... 410Blethen, Gage & Krause.................................... 221Channel .......................................................... 115CHS INC Processing & Food Ingredient .............. 305CommonGround Minnesota................................ 321DeKalb/Asgrow ................................................ 400Dow AgroSciences/Mycogen Seeds .................... 201Ellingson Drainage............................................ 406Emerge Genetics .............................................. 409Environmental Tillage Systems .......................... 445FarmLink ........................................................ 103 & 105Gold Country Seed............................................ 318Gopher State One Call ...................................... 207Grain Millers Inc. ............................................ 208Green Energy Product ...................................... 306Grover Grain and Seed ...................................... 102Hefty Seed ...................................................... 310Henslin Auctions .............................................. 126Hodgman Drainage Company Inc ...................... 109I&S Group (ISG) .............................................. 124IntelliFarms by IntelliAir .................................. 202 & 204Kibble Equipment ............................................ 403Kluis Publishing .............................................. 110Letcher Farm Supply ........................................ 414Linder Farm Network ........................................ 100Minnesota Agriculture & Rural Leadership .......... 119Mathiowetz Construction .................................. 317McPherson Crop Management .......................... 107

Minnesota Department of Agriculture .................. 121 MEG Corp ........................................................ 421Midwest Shippers .............................................. 214Miller Legal Strategic Planning Centers................ 111Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association ........................ 418MCGA & MCR&PC.............................................. 439 & 441Minnesota Farm Bureau...................................... 303Minnesota Farmers Union .................................. 404Minnesota Pollution Control Agency .................... 411Minnesota Pork Board ........................................ 300Minnesota Soybean Growers Association .............. 101 & 200Minn. Soybean Research and Promotion Council .. 423 & 425MN Ag Water Quality Certification Program .......... 206MN Ag Water Resource Center ............................ 114MN Farm Network.............................................. 401MN Future Farmers of America .......................... 117MN Turkey Research & Promotion Council............ 219Minnesota Soybean Processors ............................ 408Monsanto BioAg ................................................ 402National Biodiesel Board .................................... 416Nutra-Flow Pure Grade Liquid Starter .................. 311Peterson Farms Seed.......................................... 218Pioneer ............................................................ 301Pluto Legal, PLLC .............................................. 211Principal Financial Group .................................. 308REG.................................................................. 210Renk Seed Company .......................................... 112Rinke Noonan Law Firm .................................... 415Roof Guard Company.......................................... 209South Central College Mankato Campus .............. Grain BinSouthern Minnesota Center for Agriculture .......... 429Speak for Yourself .............................................. 443Steffes Group Inc .............................................. 314 & 316SunOpta............................................................ 405Sungenta .......................................................... 205Thunder Seed Inc .............................................. 309Total Track and Tire ............................................ 122University Of Minnesota-Art Killam...................... 419U.S. Meat Export Federation .............................. 427University of Minnesota ...................................... 118USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service ...... 104USDA National Resources Conservation Service .... 108Ziegler CAT........................................................ 203

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and Export Divisions. For the past six years Jayhas operated his own private consulting companyand traveled to 28 different countries on marketand business development projects. Jay publishesa private weekly ocean freight and transportationreport. Jay is currently employed as the SeniorAgricultural Economist for the InternationalGrains Program at Kansas State University inManhattan, Kansas and serves as president ofO’Neil Commodity Consulting. Jay served formany years on the NGFA (National Grain & FeedAssoc.) Trade Rules committee. Jay is also a pastChairman of the NAEGA (North American ExportGrain Assoc.) Contracts and Arbitration Commit-tee and is an emeritus member of this commit-tee. Jay continues to serve as an arbitrator withboth the NGFA and NAEGA Trade Associations

Big Data in Ag Panel, Thursday,Jan. 29, 1:30-2:30 p.m., VerizonWireless Center - Banquet HallEast

Max Dougherty is the Climate Corporation’s West-ern Regional Service Man-ager for Asgrow and leadsthe sales team in Minnesota,Iowa, eastern Nebraska andSouth Dakota. He is respon-sible for the sale and serv-ices of Climate's advisoryservices portfolio, includingClimate Basic and Pro. Prior

to his current role, Max worked as a StrategicAccount Manager to commercially launch ClimatePro to dealers and farmers across the corn belt.Max grew up on a farm outside of Winterset, Iowa,attended the University of Minnesota and currentlyresides in Minneapolis. In his presentation, Maxwill discuss trends and advancements in technol-ogy, how they've enabled the development of newtools in precision agriculture and the impact theyhave on increasing efficiency in production. Inaddition, he will cover Climate services and thedata value stack, which is helping growers take

their data up the value stack and turn it intomeaningful insights and recommendations to man-age more effectively, increase production, prof-itability and efficiency.Jeremy Groeteke with DuPont Pioneer serves as

the EncircaSM services –business unit lead, oversee-ing decision services offer-ings within the northernbusiness unit. In this role,Jeremy is responsible forproviding support for thebusiness and commercialunits and working with com-

mercial unit sales leads and certified serviceagents to offer decision services to customers.Prior to his current role, Jeremy worked as anagronomy research manager for the DuPont Pio-neer Western Business Unit out of Lincoln,Nebraska since 2007. Jeremy holds Bachelor andMasters of Science degrees in Agronomy from the

University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and currentlyresides in Mankato.Charles Schleusner is Marketing Manager, Infor-

mation Solutions at JohnDeere’s Intelligent SolutionsGroup in Urbandale, IAwhere he directs productstrategy for out-of-the-cabtechnology solutions –including the MyJohnDeereOperations Center platform,the JDLink telematics suite,

AgLogic and Apex. Mr. Schleusner has worked instrategy development, marketing, alliance manage-ment and technology product development rolessince joining Deere in 2006. Prior to Deere heworked as a technology consultant and systemsintegrator with Andersen Consulting/Accenture.Charles continues his involvement in his familyfarming operation (corn, soybeans and sugar beets)in West Central Minnesota (Lake Lillian).

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Proud to be aJohn Deere Equipment Provider

to you –The Minnesota

Corn & Soybean GrowersSee us at the EXPO – Booth #403

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• Mankato • Minnesota Lake • Blue Earth• Sleepy Eye • Redwood Falls • Wabasso

• Montevideo • Bird Island

Driven by Innovation. Focused on Your Solutions.

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Primary Researcher:Marc HillmyerProject Name: Valueadded materials fromcorn stover

Primary Researchers:Alfredo DiCostanzo; JerryShursonProject Names: Value ofcattle manure as afertilizer and Recentdiscoveries on utilizationof oil-extracted distillersgrains

Primary Researcher:Jeff CoulterProject Name:Agronomic Managementfor Higher and MoreProfitable Corn Yields

Primary Researcher:Satish GuptaProject Name:Identification of ErosionMechanisms and VolumeLoss from River Banksand Ravines

Primary Researchers:

John Lamb; DanielKaiser; Brad CarlsonProject Name: Nutrientmanagement anddrainage research andextension on corn andsoybean in Minnesotaand Drainage and WaterQuality Outreach at theUniversity of Minnesota

Primary Researchers:Jeff Vetsch; FabianFernandezProject Names: Effectsof time of N applicationand Instinct on cornproduction and nitratelosses from tile drainageand In-Season NitrogenApplications When andHow They Work

Primary Researchers:Paulo Pagliari; JeffStrock; Bruce PotterProject Names: Carbon,nitrogen, phosphorus,and sulfur interactionseffects on soilbiochemical processesand corn grain yield and

Quantifying hydrolicimpacts of drainageunder corn productionsystems in the upperMidwest

Primary Researcher: Lisa BehnkenProject Name: Improvingthe profitability ofsoybean production inSouthern MN, TakeControl III

Primary Researcher:Bob StuparProject Name: Genetictransformation forsoybean improvement

Primary Researcher:Jim OrfProject Name: SoybeanBreeding and Genetics

Primary Researcher:Gary MuehlbauerProject Name: Noveltraits for soybeanimprovement throughfast neutron mutagenesis

Primary Researcher:George HeimpelProject Name: Biologicalcontrol of soybean aphidusing Asian parasitoids

Primary Researcher:Dean MalvickProject Name:Understanding andmitigating the impact ofroot disease on soybeangrowth and productivity

Primary Researcher:Robert KochProject Name: Screeningfor and characterizingresistance to soybeanaphid in new soybeangermplasm

Primary Researcher:Jodi DeJong-HughesProject Name:Maximizing soil warmingand health underdifferent tillage practicesin a corn-soybeanrotation

MCGA & MSGA researchUniversity of Minnesota corn & soybean research project displays

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