CEC offers insights into rail, risk management, automation

From December 6-8, 2022, the National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) will host the 51^st Annual Country Elevator Conference and Trade Show in St. Louis, Missouri, at the St. Louis Union Station Hotel.

The only conference created solely for grain merchants, elevator operators, feed manufacturers, processors, and grain industry suppliers, features a trade show, two and a half hours of breakout sessions, and six hours of general session covering topics like railroad issues, lights out automation and risk management.

Breakout sessions will provide the opportunity for small-group deep dives into specific issues like sustainability, supply chain optimization and global grain markets.

Highlights of the conference agenda include:

• 2023 Ag Economy Outlook

Opening Session presented by Dr. Seth Meyer, chief economist, USDA

• The Elevator's Cut, Live from CEC

CEC’s first-ever live podcast recording. The Elevator's Cut is a grain merchandisers podcast where White Commercial Corp.’s Roger Gattis and Jason Wheeler capture the big topics and challenges of the grain industry with humor, pragmatism and simplicity.

• CHS' "Lights Out," Automation for After Hours Delivery

This session will provide an overview of CHS’ “Manless Rail Terminal,” how it was developed and how it is operated, presented by Jim Gales, PMP, Gales Design and Consulting, LLC.

• Class I Rail Panel: In Their Own Words

A gathering of national railroad leaders: Zac Roskilly, director, Wheat and Products, BNSF Railway; Jon Harman, managing director Marketing & Sales, Canadian Pacific Railway; James Wilson, director of marketing, Norfolk Southern Corp.; and Ryan Raess, general director - Grain, Union Pacific Railroad.

“We are looking forward to this year’s CEC program, which includes several in-depth discussions on priority issues facing the agricultural industry in 2023," said Paul Katovich, CEO of HighLine Grain Growers Inc. and NGFA Country Elevator Committee Chairman.

"As always, NGFA’s Country Elevator Committee and staff have organized this event to feature timely and actionable information that can make a difference in grain business operations and bottom lines. CEC is a great opportunity for grain and feed industry colleagues to connect, view the latest innovations in the trade show, and find new opportunities.”

The Country Elevator Conference will also host several receptions, breaks and networking events to give attendees the chance to connect with each other and exhibitors. More information about the conference can be found at ngfa.org/cec.

— Elise Schafer