Is economic recovery taking root around the world, and how deep will those roots spread into agriculture?
North American industry experts will delve into the question of economic recovery at GrainWorld 2010. Through a series of sector outlooks and analysis, experts will discuss what global economic recovery will mean for agriculture and commodity prices.
GrainWorld, Canada’s leading annual grain-industry conference brings the grains, oilseeds and livestock industries together with farmers, academics and government policymakers. This year’s conference, which takes place Feb. 21-23 at the Fairmont Winnipeg, marks GrainWorld’s 20th anniversary.
“Over two decades, GrainWorld has examined profound change in Canadian agriculture, and in global supply and demand,” says Bruce Burnett, GrainWorld chair and the director of weather and market analysis for the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB). “One monumental shift has been in the former Soviet Union. When GrainWorld began, the Soviet Union was importing about 20 million tonnes of wheat. Today, the countries that comprise the former Soviet Union are exporting about 20 million tonnes of wheat.”
Today, the fast-changing world of agriculture is facing new global challenges. Richard Worzel, Canada’s leading futurist, will discuss how the rising economies in the developing world, such as China, India and Brazil, will soon change the face of agriculture on the Prairies. Worzel sees additional changes ahead for food and agriculture, driven by aging, health-conscious populations and rapid growth in computer technology. Worzel is the keynote luncheon speaker on Feb. 22.
On Feb. 23, Daryll Ray of the University of Tennessee will lead a discussion of food safety that will examine how safety concerns could affect agriculture. During the conference’s closing address, former Globe and Mail editor-in-chief Edward Greenspon will discuss changes in the Canadian political and economic landscape.
The main focus of the conference, as always, is a series of outlooks. Stewart Hall, an economist with HSBC Securities in Toronto, will provide a global economic outlook. Peter Hall, vice-president and chief economist of Export Development Canada in Ottawa, will provide a general commodity outlook. The CWB will provide outlooks on wheat, barley and ocean freight. Expert outlooks are also scheduled for beef, special crops, oilseeds, pork and weather.
GrainWorld registration is available online at www.cwb.ca/grainworld. For more information or to register, call Caroline Wiley, conference coordinator, at (204) 983-4236.
