Colorado Ag Classic set for December 1 in Fort Collins

The 2005 Colorado Ag Classic will be held Thursday, December 1 at the Hilton Fort Collins in Fort Collins, CO. The event is jointly hosted by the Colorado Association of Wheat Growers (CAWG), Colorado Seed Growers Association (CSGA), Colorado Seed Industry Association (CSIA) and Colorado Sunflower Administrative Committee (CSAC).

Colorado State University (CSU) President Larry Penley has been invited to give the opening address at 9:15 a.m. on the University’s strategic plan for the period 2005-2010 (including the College of Agricultural Sciences, Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension).  U.S. Senator Ken Salazar (D-CO) has been invited to provide an update on present and future agricultural issues pending in Congress, including the 2007 Farm Bill.  Economist and Futurist Dr. Jay Lehr will give the keynote address entitled: “Farming was, is and Always will be a Great American Profession.” 

Breakout sessions after lunch will feature presentations on hard white wheat, wheat/sunflower agronomics, iFarm Field Economics Analysis Tool, surviving in agriculture, transitioning the farm to the next generation, seed certification and BLM/Forest Service native seed use.  Tours of the Colorado Seed Lab and National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation, a CAWG Policy Session and a Workers’ Compensation Safety Meeting will also be held during the day.    

The Colorado Ag Classic will conclude with a reception beginning at 5:00 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m.  Following dinner, Steve “Mudflap” McGrew from KYGO’s Morning Show will entertain the crowd with his stand-up comedian act.  CAWG sponsors will also be present with a mini-trade show at the reception and dinner and a silent and live auction will be conducted to raise money for CAWG’s state and national legislative efforts.

Early registration for the Colorado Ag Classic postmarked by November 18 is $100 per person or $170 for husband and wife.  Registrations postmarked after November 18 and at the door are $125 per person and $195 for husband and wife.  Spouses/children can attend just the reception and dinner for $40 per person.

Rooms can be reserved at the Hilton Fort Collins by Colorado Ag Classic attendees at a special rate of $84/single and $94/double per night, plus tax (single or double), on a space available basis.  Space is limited, so reserve your room now by calling 970-482-2626.  You must mention Colorado Ag Classic to receive the discounted room rate.  

For more information or to receive a registration form, please contact Colorado Wheat at 1-800-WHEAT-10 or visit www.coloradowheat.org.

Colorado Ag Classic Agenda

7:30 a.m.          Registration                 

8:00 a.m.          Workers’ Compensation Dividend Program Safety Meeting

9:00 a.m.          Welcome

9:15 a.m.          Dr. Larry Penley, President, Colorado State University (Invited)

9:45 a.m.          U.S. Senator Ken Salazar (D-CO) (Invited)

10:15 a.m.        Break

10:30 a.m.        Keynote Speaker:  Dr. Jay Lehr:  “Farming was, is and Always will be a Great American Profession”

12:00 p.m.        Lunch

1:00 p.m./         Breakout Sessions

4:00 p.m.                                 

              •       Hard White Wheat (HWW): Past, Present and Future, Dan Maltby, Manager of Southwest Grain Operations, General Mills

                •        Surviving in Agriculture, Aaron Sprague, Golden Plains Area Extension Agent

                •        iFarm Economics Package, Daniel Palic and Gale Dunn, USDA/ARS Great Plains Systems Research Unit

                •       Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Seed Buying Guide, Scott Lambert, BLM National Seed Coordinator

                •        Wheat/Sunflower Agronomics, Ron Meyer, Bruce Bosley, Jerry Johnson, CSU Extension Agents

                •        “Transitioning the Farm to the Next Generation”, Cliff P. Polk, CLU, Rocky Mountain Financial Group  

                •       Seed Certification, Brad Erker and Linda Munk, Colorado Seed Growers Association

4:00 p.m.

                •        Colorado Association of Wheat Growers Policy and Resolutions Session                     

                •        Colorado Seed Lab and National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation (NCGRP) Tour (Participants will be walking to labs, approximately 5 blocks)

5:00 p.m.          Reception

6:00 p.m.          Live Auction

6:30 p.m.          Banquet Dinner

8:00 p.m.          Entertainment:  Steve “Mudflap” McGrew from KYGO’s Morning Show-Comedian