Reporters invited to cover story opportunities at Michigan Wheat Program Annual Grower Winter Meeting

Lansing, Mich.  (March 13, 2017) – The Michigan Wheat Program’s Annual Winter Grower Meeting will have a variety of story opportunities for ag and agri-business reporters at its one-day session on Tuesday, March 14, at the Bavarian Inn Lodge in Frankenmuth.  The meeting is set for 9:00 a.m. to
4 p.m.  Some of the items to be presented that day include:

• Welcome by David Milligan, chairman of the Michigan Wheat Program and newly-elected as the first Michigan officer (secretary) on the National Association of Wheat Growers board of directors.
• Two keynote presentations by Ohio-based farm risk consultant Mike Mock, principle in Mock Consulting, Inc. Mock enjoyed a 40-year career with The Andersons, most recently as a grain merchandiser, and is very knowledgeable in helping growers develop risk management plans that blend high-quality crop insurance tools with a diversified approach to marketing.
• A keynote presentation by Steven Peterson, Minneapolis farmer and sustainability expert. Peterson was a former General Mills grain executive, who understands both sides of the sustainability discussion.  He will enlighten listeners on this buzzword, and what it means for the US food system.
• A grower panel discussion by Michigan’s national winners in the National Wheat Yield Contest moderated by MSU wheat specialist Dennis Pennington. Gordon Briggs from Scottville (Mason County) took 2^nd place nationally in the irrigated winter wheat category yielding 167.4 bushels per acre (170 percent above the Mason County average), and Dave Eickholt from Chesaning (Shiawassee County) who finished 5^th in dryland winter wheat with 147.7 bushels per acre (117 percent above the Shiawassee County average) will share tips on how they put up such strong numbers.
• Tips to maximize profitability by selecting the best wheat genetics for your farm, by Dr. Eric Olson, MSU wheat breeder.
• A presentation on the extraordinary disease challenges Michigan wheat growers faced in 2016, as presented by MSU wheat educator Martin Nagelkirk and Dr. Marty Chilvers;
• Dennis Pennington’s annual survey of wheat grower needs and focal points for 2017; and
• A presentation on the Michigan Wheat Program’s disease control work and an update on check-off activities by executive director Jody Pollok-Newsom.

In addition, the Annual Winter Grower Meeting will have a small trade show with 15 vendors expected.

Media interested in attending all or part of the Winter Grower Meeting should contact Jody Pollok-Newsom, MWP executive director, at (517) 490-0280.

The Michigan Wheat Program is funded by nearly 8,000 farmers who grow wheat in 50 of Michigan’s 83 counties. The Michigan Wheat Program board seeks to promote the state’s wheat industry by funding and supporting the strategic priorities of wheat farmers working with input suppliers, seed producers, millers, end users and consumers.  Research on wheat production practices and grower education has been an early priority for the organization.