AGRIBUSINESS ENVIRONMENT AND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

SPECIAL TWO-SESSION TOPIC

2012 DROUGHT AND ITS IMPACT ON GRAIN WORLDWIDE

Speaker: Elwynn Taylor, professor of agronomy/extension climatologist, Iowa State University, Ames, IA

The drought in the U.S. had a major impact on the size and quality of grain in North America in 2012. Dr. Taylor will provide information on the drought’s cause and whether droughts will be a new trend the industry will need to be aware of moving forward.

Specific details about what topics will be covered in these two special sessions are still in development. An updated description will be posted on the GEAPS website,www.geaps.com, as soon as available.

INLAND TRANSPORTATION ISSUES

Speaker: Rick Calhoun, president of cargo carriers and senior vice president of grain and oilseed supply chain North America, Cargill Inc., Wayzata, MN

This session will discuss the current state of the U.S. transportation system and the challenges faced by shippers trying to compete in a world marketplace. What is going on in Washington and what needs to continue/change to keep us competitive? The overall focus will be on rail, waterways and ports. Projected challenges for shippers will also be addressed.

PANAMA CANAL EXPANSION AND EFFECTS ON RIVER, PORTS AND GRAIN SHIPPING

Speaker: Mara Eugenia de Snchez, forecast freight coordinator/leader of the dry bulk segment, Office of Market Research and Analysis (MEMS) Authority of the Panama Channel, Miami, FL

This presentation will be an update on the Panama Canal expansion. Mara will discuss how this will benefit U.S. grain exporters with the possibility of economies of scale derived from larger vessels and more transit capacity. She will begin with a brief overview on the evolution of tonnage through the canal, focusing on the main elements that are the basis of a change in the administrative policy of the Panama Canal Authority — a Panamanian autonomous entity.

DOT/COMPREHENSIVE SAFETY ANALYSIS 2010

Speaker: Frank Weber, safety manager, Ruan Transport Corporation, Brooklyn Park, MN

This presentation will include a review of SafeStat and the 2010 Comprehensive Safety Analysis (CSA). The speaker will review the CSA 2010’s effects on companies and drivers and its potential changes or enhancements. There will also be a short discussion on “hours of service” exemption for agriculture.

FACILITY OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT

DUST CONTROL METHODS

Speaker: Robert M. Frye, president, Industrial Accessories Co., Mission, KS

This session will present an overview of the dust control methods used by the grain industry over the past 60 years, including the newest technology. The methods discussed will include the use of food grade oil, water spray, cyclones and baghouses. There has been advancement in long bag technology for baghouses in the last 10 years. This session will cover the advantages and disadvantages of each of these dust control methods.

LINERS: LONG-TERM PROTECTION FOR YOUR ELEVATOR’S CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE

Speaker: Ted Sondgeroth, vice president of engineering, Intersystems, Omaha, NE

Grain is a highly abrasive material, and over the course of a year, thousands or millions of bushels of it are impacting critical portions of your elevator. Liners significantly reduce the wear on those impact zones and can save thousands of dollars in repair costs. This presentation will look at the various types of liners available on the market — UHMW, urethane, AR steel and ceramics — and the properties and pros and cons of using each.

CUTTING ENERGY COSTS AT YOUR GRAIN FACILITY

Speakers: Dr. Donald G. Colliver, associate professor, and Dr. Sam McNeill, associate extension professor, both in the Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Department, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY

Energy costs can take a serious bite out of a company’s bottom line, but the pain can be mitigated with modest investments in time and equipment. In this session, auditors will review a real grain facility. The session will be presented by industrial auditors who recently conducted an energy audit of a typical Midwest grain facility. They will review the steps of the audit, the areas that they focused on and the findings that were presented to their client.