Feed & Grain magazine hosted its second annual educational conference and trade show, Feed & Grain LIVE, at Prairie Meadows Casino and Hotel in Altoona, IA, from May 31 to June 2. The two-and-a-half-day event featured 14 hours of education, 11 hours of trade show and 55 exhibitor booths.
“We’re very proud of what was accomplished at Feed & Grain LIVE 2017,” said Elise Schafer, editor of Feed & Grain. “From the content of the education sessions to the event’s venue, central location and overall value, we’ve received overwhelmingly positive responses from those in attendance.”
The conference began with a Mycotoxin Testing Workshop, presented by Dr. Erin Bowers, post-doctoral associate with Iowa State University, sponsored by Neogen Corporation. This hands-on opportunity showed participants how to effectively prepare a grain sample, conduct a mycotoxin test and analyze the results. Attendance was limited to 30 people, allowing everyone to receive individual attention to help improve their testing technique.
Concurrent breakout sessions took place after the workshop and continued throughout the conference, covering an array of topics like OSHA regulations, advances in post-harvest grain handling, grain merchandising trends, emerging markets overseas and cross training employees.
Richard Sellers, senior vice president of public policy and education for the American Feed Industry Association, presented “President Trump and the Feed Industry: What’s Next?” Sellers described the Trump administration as unconventional, unpredictable and turbulent, but went on to highlight the opportunity for regulatory reform under the new administration.
Sellers also participated in a Food Safety Panel Discussion on day two of LIVE. Other panelists included Dr. Kim Koch, feed center manager-program director, Northern Crops Institute/North Dakota State University; David Fairfield, vice president of feed services, National Grain and Feed Association; and Robert Prevandar, managing director, global supply chain food safety, NSF International. The conference wrapped up with a general session on handling the everyday crisis by Greg Martinelli, trainer and coach, Ag Sales Professionals.
“We strive to continue to improve Feed & Grain LIVE. Our goal is to make this conference the best value in the industry,” Schafer said.
