2013 Doane Outlook Conference Schedule

2013 St. Louis Outlook Conference
Key areas of Focus:

• Current situation and outlook for key commodities and agriculture as a whole for 2014
• “Wild Cards” that could sustain, accelerate or even reverse current trends and prudent tactical response as the cards are revealed.
• The real “megatrends” that should guide strategic planning in agribusiness.

Attendees: Agribusiness, Food Processors, Financial

Dates: October 21 & 22

October 21
12:30 – Myths and MegaTrends in Agriculture – Rich Pottorff will show the real megatrends and reveal  why “conventional wisdom” about some just aren’t true.  He will show the truth in the axiom that  it’s not so much what you don’t know that can bite profits; it’s what you think you know that isn’t so!

1:30 – MacroEconomic Outlook – Paul Christopher will provide his view of the broader economic environment and outlook in which U.S. and global agriculture will operate in 2014, with a focus on outlook for the “outside” markets that indirectly factor into commodity prices:  The DJIA, Energy, Precious metals & Forex value of the U.S. dollar.

2:15 – Break

2:30 – Update and Outlook for Global Weather:  Drew Lerner, President of World Weather Inc. (and Doane’s weather and climate consultant) will update current U.S. and global soil moisture balances as the 2013 growing season ends; the winter weather outlook – and weather “wildcards” he and his staff will be watching for first alerts of the 2014 outlook.

3:15- Agronomic Trends of Note:  Selected Crop Consultants will share what’s happening in soil management, crop rotation and production technology to stall, sustain or enhance trendline yields following the historic drought of 2012.

4:15-5:30 – Round Tables / Reception:  This is a free-flowing table-to-table networking opportunity where each table will be assigned a specific topic and attendees interested in that topic may sit down and “brainstorm” among themselves.  You’ll be free to stay at the table through the whole time, or “drop in” on different discussions for a few minutes each; your choice.


5:30 – Dinner / Networking

October 22

8:00 – Agriculture Policy – Pat Westoff will provide an update on the likely impact of new farm policies on agricultural decision-making by farmers, the future of the Conservation Reserve Program and other programs that affect acreage available for cropping, the security of net farm income, and winners and losers among various cropping, livestock, poultry and dairy operations in terms of the size and scope of the farm program safety net.

9:00 – Crops Outlook: Doane economists Martyn Foreman, Dan Manternach and Bill Nelson  will provide a succinct update of  their outlook and recommended pricing strategy for corn, wheat, soybeans & soybean meal in 2014.

10:00- Break

10:15 – Vegetable Oils Outlook: Doane Oilseeds Economist Bill Nelson will focus on the situation, outlook and recommended pricing strategy for key vegetable oils in 2014.

10:45 – Outlook for proteins: Doane livestock and dairy economists Martyn Foreman and Dan Vaught will offer the current production and price outlook for beef, pork, poultry and dairy in 2014.

11:30 – Managing Risks at the Producer Level: Moe Russell will provide in depth strategies and advice on alternatives to manage risk during uncertain times.

12:30 – Lunch

1:30–Trends in Food & Nutrition:  An examination of any discernible “trends” in per capita consumption of key food categories, the drivers behind these trends, and whether they are in the early, mid-term or late stage of development.

2:30 – USDA - Craig Morris (Deputy Administrator) Topic to be announced.  

3:30 – Closing remarks

3:45-4:15 - End of conference reception. Join us casual conversation to discuss key points and take away action items.