In The News

Mar 8, 2021

Author: Dave Buchholz

Farmers and other agricultural advocates who were unable to participate in the 2021 Special Edition of Commodity Classic can still take advantage of the more than 50 educational sessions that were offered during last week’s online event.  Every session is now available on-demand.   Registration for on-demand access is available through Friday, March 12.  Thanks to generous sponsor support, farmers can register at no charge.  The cost is $20 for all other registrants.   Once registered, you will be able to view any of the sessions on-demand through April 30, 2021.  Registration is available at CommodityClassic.com. A complete list of sessions is also available on this website.   Highlights include a keynote address from USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, a conversation between the farmer-leaders of the four commodity associations that present Commodity Classic, as well as the ag chair of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, and executive roundtables featuring top agribusiness...

Mar 4, 2021

Author: Dave Buchholz

The 2021 Special Edition of Commodity Classic—delivered digitally—is attracting nationwide and worldwide participation this week.  As of Wednesday morning, March 4, the total number of attendees was approaching 6,000—with more than 4,000 farms represented.  Attendees from 49 states and 24 countries are taking part in the first-ever digital version of America’s largest farmer-led, farmer-focused agricultural and educational experience, which began at noon Central on Tuesday, March 2.   The online event continues through 12:30 p.m. Central, Friday, March 5. Registrations are still being accepted at CommodityClassic.com.  A complete schedule of events is also available on that website.   The remaining schedule includes several Learning Center Sessions, What’s New Sessions, an Executive Roundtable, and a program on dealing with mental stress on the farm.  The 2021 Special Edition of Commodity Classic ends Friday, March 5 with the Closing General Session featuring a live keynote...

Mar 1, 2021

Author: Dave Buchholz

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack will provide the keynote address during the Closing General Session of the 2021 Special Edition of Commodity Classic, which is being delivered digitally March 2-5, 2021. The Secretary’s remarks will take place on Friday, March 5 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Central.   “We’re thrilled to welcome Secretary Vilsack back to Commodity Classic,” said John Linder, an Ohio farmer and president of the National Corn Growers Association. “He always provides an experienced, deep-inside-Washington perspective. With so much going on in our nation’s capital that impact their lives, the audience will be eager to hear his thoughts on the top issues facing our growers such as trade, renewable fuels, and regulatory initiatives.”   “Secretary Vilsack has been a strong voice and advocate for agriculture, and we’re looking forward to his joining us once again at Commodity Classic,” said Kevin Scott, a South Dakota farmer and president of the American...

Feb 23, 2021

Author: Dave Buchholz

Commodity Classic, in partnership with the National Association of Farm Broadcasters, has produced a powerful podcast program dealing with farm stress and mental health. The program entitled “Mental Health on the Farm” features four panelists, each with a unique and personal perspective on the issue.   The podcast is now available at CommodityClassic.com. The program is available as a full-length podcast for download (49 minutes) or in four individual episodes ranging in length from 11 to 13 minutes that can be played right on the Commodity Classic website.  Several radio stations across the Midwest will also be airing the program and/or offering it on their streaming or podcast platforms this week.   The program panelists include:   Ted Matthews, a rural mental health professional from Minnesota with more than 30 years’ experience;  Adrienne DeSutter, an Illinois farm wife who holds a master's degree in counseling;  Lowell Neitzel, a Kansas farmer who shares his story of...

Feb 22, 2021

Author: Dave Buchholz

Commodity Classic’s pivot from a live show—originally scheduled to take place in San Antonio— to a digital online format has created some unique opportunities, according to the two farmers who are co-chairing the 2021 Special Edition of Commodity Classic.   The 2021 Special Edition of Commodity Classic features more than 50 educational sessions that will be delivered digitally direct to farmers across the nation and around the world March 2-5, 2021. Registration is open at CommodityClassic.com and the first 5,000 farmers to register can do so at no charge.   Anthony Bush, an Ohio corn farmer and co-chair of the 2021 Commodity Classic, said this year’s digital event provides a platform for the event to bring together top agribusiness executives for a series of live, first-ever Executive Roundtables. “We will hear from CEOs from various stakeholders in our industry. I'm not sure what other venue would exist that we would be able to do this. I think that's going to be pretty...

Feb 19, 2021

Author: Dave Buchholz

With his pending return to the position of U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack may also be returning to Commodity Classic as the keynote speaker during one of its 2021 General Sessions.   Commodity Classic has extended an official invitation to Secretary-nominee Vilsack to speak with attendees during the 2021 Special Edition of Commodity Classic during the Closing General Session from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Central on Friday, March 5.    Vilsack has spoken at several Commodity Classic events over the years while he served with USDA under the Obama Administration.    Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this year’s Commodity Classic is being delivered digitally online March 2-5, 2021.     Registration for the 2021 Special Edition is available at CommodityClassic.com. Thanks to the generous support of sponsors, the first 5,000 farmers who register can do so at no charge.  All other attendees can register for $20. Registration includes access to the entire week’s program as...

Feb 17, 2021

Author: Dave Buchholz

What do the next 20 years look like in American agriculture?  Attendees at the 2021 Special Edition of Commodity Classic will have the opportunity to hear some of the top executives in agribusiness answer that question.   Three Executive Roundtables will be held during the 2021 Special Edition of Commodity Classic that will be delivered digitally March 2-5, 2021.  Each roundtable will be presented live and then archived for future viewing through the end of April.  More information is available at CommodityClassic.com.   The first Executive Roundtable takes place from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Central on Wednesday, March 3, and features top executives from the ag equipment industry, including John Deere, AGCO, Case IH and Kubota, discussing how changing farm demographics, consumer demands, and technology may impact the ag equipment industry and agriculture in general. The panel will be moderated by Charlene Finck of Farm Journal.   The crop production industry will take the...

Feb 9, 2021

Author: Dave Buchholz

Online Event Features 50+ Educational Sessions   The tentative schedule for the 2021 Special Edition of Commodity Classic has been announced. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this year’s event is being presented digitally on March 2-5, 2021.  The 2021 Commodity Classic, originally scheduled for San Antonio, Texas, in early March, is the Silver Anniversary of America’s largest farmer-owned, farmer-focused agricultural and educational experience.    Registration is now open at CommodityClassic.com.  Thanks to the generous support of sponsors, the first 5,000 farmers who register can do so at no charge.  All other attendees can register for $20.  The registration fee includes access to the entire week’s program as well as access to archived sessions through April 30, 2021.   “Education is a significant emphasis of this year’s Commodity Classic and that is clearly evidenced by the fact that we have more than 50 sessions scheduled over 3-1/2 days,” said Brad Doyle, an Arkansas...

Jan 19, 2021

Author: Dave Buchholz

Commodity Classic has set the dates for its 2021 Special Edition, which will take place March 2-5, 2021 as a digital experience.    Registration will open Tuesday, January 26, 2021 at CommodityClassic.com. The registration fee is waived for the first 5,000 farmers, thanks to the generous support of sponsors.  All other registrants and farmers after the first 5,000 will be charged $20. The registration covers all online educational sessions and events, as well as access to all archived sessions through April 30, 2021.   In October, Commodity Classic announced that it was pivoting to a digital event due to restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021 Commodity Classic, originally scheduled for San Antonio, Texas, in early March, is the Silver Anniversary of America’s largest farmer-owned, farmer-focused agricultural and educational experience.   The digital experience will focus on providing top-quality educational sessions and farmer networking opportunities that...

Nov 19, 2019

Author: Dave Buchholz

Some of the nation’s leading agriculture experts and well-known personalities will be featured on the Main Stage during the 2020 Commodity Classic held Thursday, Feb. 27 through Saturday, Feb. 29 in San Antonio, Texas. Established in 1996, Commodity Classic is America’s largest farmer-led, farmer-focused agricultural and educational experience.   The Main Stage, presented by Successful Farming® and Commodity Classic, is located right on the trade show floor.  Presentations are scheduled during trade show hours. The Main Stage line-up for 2020 includes:   Brian Hefty and Darren Hefty of Ag Ph.D. speaking about the relationship between fertility and high yields A farmer panel discussing the challenge of transitioning a farm operation to the next generation A discussion of the economic factors impacting machinery purchases A panel discussion on nutrient stewardship and conservation An update on new regulations governing lighting and marketing standards for on-road ag...