Agenda: 2026Great Lakes YEN USA Wrap Up Meeting

Saginaw Valley Research & Extension Center • 3775 S. Reese Road, Frankenmuth, MI

Wednesday, February 18, 2026 • 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

8:30 a.m. – Registration

9:00 a.m. – Welcome and Introductions

  • Jody Pollok-Newsom, MI Wheat Program Executive Director

9:05 a.m. – UK YEN

  • Roger Sylvester-Bradley, ADAS, United Kingdom

9:35 a.m. – Program Overview/Data Analysis

  • Dennis Pennington, Michigan State University Wheat Specialist
  • Joanna Follings, Ontario Ministry of Food and Rural Affairs 

10:25 a.m. – Sponsor Comments, Eastman Co

10:30 a.m. – Break 

10:45 a.m. – Variable Rate Nitrogen on Wheat / On Farm Research

  • Rich Price, Michigan State University Extension

11:15 a.m. – Soil Health Testing for 2025 Results

  • Christine Charles, MSU Extension

11:45 a.m. – Sponsor Comments, Lisa Woodke, Star of the West

11:50 a.m. – Lunch

1:00 p.m. – YEN Grower Winners Awarded

  • Jody Pollok-Newsom, MI Wheat Program Executive Director
  • Alex Dacey, Grain Farmers of Ontario

1:15 p.m. – Program Overview/Data Analysis (continued)

  • Dennis Pennington, Michigan State University Wheat Specialist
  • Joanna Follings, Ontario Ministry of Food and Rural Affairs

2:00 p.m. – Sponsor Comments, Bryan Heffron, King Milling

2:05 p.m. – Break

2:20 p.m. – Grower Winner Panel, Moderated by Dennis and Joanna

  • Ben Wilson, Carson City, MI
  • Brad Kamprath, Ida, MI
  • Gordon Briggs, Scottville, MI
  • Rick Clifton, Circleville, OH

3:15 p.m. – Great Lakes YEN Dashboards

  • Alexandra Dacey, GFO Agronomy Project Coordinator

3:30 p.m. – Final Group Discussion

  • Dennis Pennington, Michigan State University Wheat Specialist
  • Joanna Follings, Ontario Ministry of Food and Rural Affairs

3:45 p.m. – What to Expect in the 2026 YEN Year

  • Jody Pollok-Newsom, MI Wheat Program Executive Director                                  

4:00 p.m. – Thank you & Adjourn