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NGFA’s 2009 Country Elevator/Feed Industry Conference certainly lived up to its reputation as the premier event for those in the feed and grain industry.

There was something for everyone, from the top levels of management to staff newcomers, at NGFA’s educational program. Speakers covered a variety of topics, including politics, the economy, climate change and safety.

The broader theme tying all the sessions together was that 2010 will be a year full of changes for the industry, some positive, some negative, and some with consequences yet to reveal themselves.

For those who didn’t attend the event, here are some highlights of what you missed:

“Congressional Policy Agenda for 2010” — Keynote address by Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins

Rep. Lynn Jenkins’ (R-Kan.) message was loud and clear: The policies taking shape today will harm the feed and grain industry tomorrow. Jenkins lamented that the Obama administration is deeply out of touch with the needs of today’s feed and grain processors.

Jenkins feels that the 2009 stimulus package did little more than increase the cost of financial products and make credit unavailable to those who deserve it. Rather than getting us out of the financial crisis, it has made it harder than ever to stay in business because we are footing the bill for bailing out failing firms.

The proposed cap-and-trade policy to decrease climate change is another change Jenkins opposes.

“President Obama found that his policy would cost American families $1,700 a year,” said Jenkins. “Businesses that have to decrease their energy consumption will buy farmland to plant trees, but we need that land. Plus, this policy will only slow temperatures by 100ths of a degree by 2050.”

“Environment for Economic Recovery and Agribusiness Lending for 2010” by Antony Bahr, executive vice president, banking services group, CoBank

The one thing on everyone’s mind as we closed 2009 was the economy. After the financial roller coaster of 2009, which was spurred from the October 2008 stock market crash, many are looking for relief in the year ahead.

Bahr’s message was that the economy is, indeed, on the upswing, but we must be patient. Newly emerging economies, such as China and India will start the upward trend, but it may take another six to 12 months for it to trickle to the United States.

As far as the domestic economy is concerned, Bahr says things won’t improve until U.S. families and businesses can stand on their own feet without stimulus money. Another factor holding back growth: skyrocketing savings. Consumer savings are at a 30-year high, meaning less cash is being streamed into the economy.

Bahr says although the agribusiness sector should still be able to easily obtain credit in 2010, we were not entirely unaffected by the financial crisis. He predicts fertilizer, grain and petroleum prices will be volatile throughout the end of this year.

“Your Safety Matters” — a video produced by NGFA and GEAPS

The NGFA premiered their newest safety video following a presentation given by Kevin Danner, environmental, health and safety leader, West Central Cooperative, titled “OSHA and EPA Developments Affecting Grain Handlers.”

Danner says OSHA inspectors will be paying special attention to these safety aspects in the coming year: dust collection systems, sweep augers, fall protection systems and temporary storage.

Danner’s presentation segued into the presentation of “Your Safety Matters,” a video produced for grain and feed handlers by the NGFA and the Grain Elevator and Processing Society.

The video covers fires and explosions, safe bin entry, electrical equipment maintenance, safe manlift operating, first aid, emergency action plans, and truck, rail and ladder safety. The video is available in Spanish and can be purchased by calling NGFA at 202-289-0873.

“Reporting Food/Feed Safety Incidents to FDA — When is it Required, How is it Done?” by Kim Young, deputy director of compliance, office of surveillance and compliance center for veterinary medicine, FDA

In September of 2009 the FDA began requiring all food and feed facilities to report any incidences involving regulated foods to help protect the nation’s food supply. Reportable foods include anything used for food or drink for man or animal, or any components thereof.

To assist affected facilities, the FDA has launched an electronic portal to submit reports, called the Reportable Food Registry. Young says the registry has been successful so far. As of October 31, 2009, 166 reports had been filed; however, the system does have limitations.

The electronic portal version 2.0, due to launch midyear, will be more user-friendly, have an expanded Q&A section and screen shots available to show examples of correct reports. This version of the site will use the same URL as the current version: http://rfr.fda.gov.