November 6, 2014
From left to right: Bayer’s Michael Chmilewski; ASA’s First Vice President Wade Cowan; ASA Treasurer Richard Wilkins; ASA Chairman Danny Murphy and ASA President Ray Gaesser with Bayer’s Alan Ayers, Ph.D. Photo Credit: Chuck Zimmerman
Bayer CropScience hosted their Corn & Soybean Future Forum Oct. 29-31, in Frankfurt, Germany. The event brought together farmer-leaders, agronomists, scientists and Bayer industry representatives from all over the world to discuss the future of the corn and soybean industries and issues impacting these two major crops. A few of the major topics discussed during the various sessions at the conference included future innovations needed for agriculture and sustainable farming, issues relating to biotech acceptance in key export markets and among the general public, weed resistance management challenges, big data and technology advancements in agriculture, and the economic outlook for agriculture.
ASA President Ray Gaesser (IA) presented to the group on sustainable farming practices in the United States and the U.S. Soybean Sustainability Assurance Protocol. ASA Chairman Danny Murphy (MS), First Vice President Wade Cowan (TX) and Treasurer Richard Wilkins (DE) joined farmer-leaders from South America and industry representatives in panel discussions on future trends impacting corn and soybean markets, and challenges and innovation needs for sustainable farming. ASA staff members Bill Schuermann and Michelle Hummel also participated in the event.
“It’s important for us to take time, even during the busy harvest season, to meet with other farmer-leaders, agronomists and scientists around the world to share ideas and build relationships as we are all working together toward a common goal of sustainability and providing the food that feeds all of our families.”
Prior to the beginning of the Future Forum, ASA farmer-leaders and staff participated in a meeting with attendees from North America and Bayer CropScience executives to discuss challenges such as pollinator health concerns and specific regulatory and biotech acceptance challenges. After the Future Forum, ASA leaders also had the opportunity to meet with Bayer CropScience Chief Executive Officer Liam Condon. The meetings and discussions with Bayer CropScience executives and others in the industry were very insightful, and ASA appreciates the tremendous effort of the Bayer CropScience team to organize this event, and we thank them for inviting ASA’s participation.
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