Peer Advisory Groups, Some Differences

In the last post, I highlighted some of the common themes among successful groups. Now, I want to address some of the differences. The point of this is to emphasize that each group must develop their own identity and their own guidelines for operation.

Peer Advisory Groups, Common Themes

Earlier this summer, I attended a meeting on Peer Advisory Groups hosted by Danny Klinefelter at Texas A&M. Several types of Peer Advisory Groups were introduced and discussed that the meeting. All of these groups had different compositions and structures. The successful groups had some things in common. They are listed here in no specific order:

1. Time and Money: Members must contribute money and time; members have to pay a price in money and must attend the meetings in person. In addition, rotating responsibilities across the group was a good thing (for example, each meeting one person takes the notes, one person keep track of time and one person makes sure everyone is contributing, perhaps another person is in charge of food, etc.).

Commodity Classic, 2012

The 2012 Commodity Classic is in Nashville, Tennessee during March 1 - 3.

Producers from commodity groups representing corn, soybean, wheat and sorghum will be in attendance. Topics will range from production to finance to policy. The trade show will be large again.

More details about the Commodity Classic are here:

Images from the Last Meeting

The M.A.I.N. members met in Champaigne, Illinois on July 16, 2011.

Viewing soybean test plots at the University of Illinois.

Viewing test plots at the University of Illinois.

Emerson Nafziger, Univeristy of Illinois Professor, presents data from high-yield soybean tests.

Veiwing miscanthus test plots at the University of Illinois.

MAIN, Tentative Agenda for July 16, 2011

MAIN 16-Jul-11
Tentative Agenda

11:00   Welcome & Round of News [Focus on Beans: Summary of last year results and best practices, summary of this years planting (acres, number of plants/ac, planting date, N/P/K, treatments, etc,
- Comparative Slide.] MAIN Board/Chad Lee
11:15    Technical Presentation I:Emerson Nafziger
12:00   Lunch: I. Introduction of Each Person, where they farm, what they farm; II. Beans big picture talk (40 min)TBD/Possibly
Pete Goldsmith
1:30   Technical Presentation II: Seth Naeve
2:15   Break
2:30   Tour of FieldTrials & U. PlotsChad Lee
4:00   Production Practices (Comparison of Excel Files)Chad Lee
5:30   Adjourn

Super Bowl of Farming

This article talks briefly about what is needed mostly from a financial/budgeting perspective to win the Super Bowl of farming. It is short and to the point. Click here for the article. 

Long Road to Prosperity

There is an excellent article on prosperity in the DTN/Progressive Farmer by editor, Urban Lehner. It was posted on April 1, 2011.

Read it, when you get a chance.