"The Future of Soybean Seed Varieties, and the Renewed Interest in Conventional Traits in Breeding" is the theme for a roundtable panel discussion that will feature three of the most respected soybean seed industry leaders in the U.S. -- Bryan Gerard, President of JGL, Inc, in Green castle, IN; Dr. John Schillinger, president of Schillinger Seed, Inc. of West Des Moines, Iowa; and Dr. Jim Orf, agronomy research professor at the University of Minnesota.    Schillinger, who was a leader in developing the Round-up Ready herbicide resistant soybeans, now heads a seed firm devoted to developing conventional, value-added food grade soybeans.   Gerard heads one of the leading seed industry firms in the country and is at the center of the development pipeline,    Orf is one of the top public university breeders of soybeans whose work is known throughout the world.

"Quality Advantages of Food Grade Soybeans from the Upper Midwest" is the title of a presentation to be given Sept. 2 by Dr. Kow "Sam" Chang, cereal and food sciences research professor at North Dakota State University. 

"Golden Opportunities in Higher Value IP Corn", and "Emerging Opportunities in IP Wheat and Small Grains" are among other key topics for industry panel presentations.   International trade delegations will be attending.

"We have an outstanding program coming together for our 2009 Midwest Specialty Grains Conference and Trade Show," said Bruce Abbe, Executive Director of the Midwest Shippers Association, a regional trade association that hosts the annual event.  "In addition to top specialty grain industry representatives, we?ll hear from shipping industry and government leaders."

"But the most valuable information and connections for attendees will likely be with our many exhibitors at the Trade Show," Abbe said.  "It will feature a wide range of specialty grains industry processors and export trading firms; seed industry companies; grain and producer marketing firms; qrain quality control, handling and testing system suppliers; shipping and logistics service companies; research institutions; state, federal and international agencies and organizations."

"Our grains conference provides the central networking opportunity for producers, processors and traders, buyers, shippers and suppliers to the U.S. specialty grains industry.   If you have an interest in opportunities in higher value specialty grains, this is an event you will not want to miss."

Early sponsors of the event include the South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council, Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council; Poet Nutrition, the high-quality DDGS feed supplier; North Dakota Department of Agriculture: North Star Rail & Intermodal;  SB & B Foods of Casselton, N.D; with several other sponsors pending.

Exhibitors and attendees can go to www.grainconference.com to register, or email info@mnshippers.com for more information.