Texas

Congressman Mike Conaway, U.S. Congressman and House Agriculture Committee member, and Teresa Lasseter, U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency (FSA) administrator will speak at the fifth annual Texas Commodity Symposium. The Symposium will be held Nov. 30 in the Grand Plaza Room at the Amarillo Civic Center in conjunction with the Amarillo Farm and Ranch Show. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m., and the Symposium will begin at 9 a.m. It is free to all and will conclude at 1 p.m. following a catered lunch.

The Symposium is hosted by Corn Producers Association of Texas (CPAT), Texas Grain Sorghum Association (TGSA), Texas Wheat Producers Association (TWPA), Plains Cotton Growers, Inc. (PCG) and the Texas Peanut Producers Board (TPPB).

"This year's program will allow producers to hear directly from a House Agriculture Committee member about plans for the 2007 farm bill and the rising costs of energy. Additionally, producers will learn the future plans of FSA directly from the new national administrator," said TWPA Executive Vice President, Rodney Mosier.

Other confirmed speakers include: Kel Seliger, Dist. 31 Texas State Senator, John Wood, Reserves and Production Division, U.S. Department of Energy--Energy Information Administration, Dallas, Texas, Bryan Daniel, Texas USDA Rural Development Director, John Fuston, Texas FSA executive director and Larry Butler, USDA NRCS Texas state conservationist. Chris Albracht, Morning Show Host and Program Director for KGNC Radio, will serve as the Master of Ceremonies for the event.

"The Texas Commodity Symposium provides a unique opportunity for producers to hear first-hand about issues affecting their operations," said David Gibson, CPAT executive vice president.

Speakers for this year's program will focus on state and national issues facing the agricultural industry. Topics will include updates on negotiations for the 2007 farm bill, solutions to rising energy costs, oil and gas supply trends, rural development opportunities, updates on key issues facing Texas legislators and FSA and conservation updates.

"The Symposium allows producers from all commodities to come together, exchange ideas and learn about the issues that impact their operations," said Steve Verett, PCG executive vice president.

All producers are encouraged to register early for a chance to win special door prizes. For more information, please contact Lauri Vaughn, Director of Communications for the Texas Wheat Producers at 806-352-2191 or e-mail (lvaughn@texaswheat.org).

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2005 Texas Commodity Symposium Program

Wednesday, Nov. 30

--8:30 a.m.: Registration;

--9 a.m.: Welcome and Introductions--Steve Verett, Plains Cotton Growers, Inc., Executive Vice-President; Sponsor Thank You--Master of Ceremonies, Chris Albracht, Morning Show Host and Program Director for KGNC Radio;

--9:10 a.m.: State FSA update, John Fuston, Texas State FSA Executive Director;

--9:20 a.m.: State conservation update, Larry Butler, NRCS Texas State Conservationist;

--9:30 a.m.: Rural development and energy alternatives, Bryan Daniel, Texas USDA Rural Development Director;

--9:50 a.m.: Registration update and sponsor recognition, M.C., Chris Albracht;

--10 a.m.: Oil and gas supply trends, John Wood, Director, Reserves and Production Division, Energy Information Administration, Dallas;

--10:30 a.m.: State Legislative Update, Kel Seliger, Texas State Senator;

--10:50 a.m.: USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) update, Teresa C. Lasseter, Administrator, USDA, FSA, Washington, D.C.;

--11:30 a.m.: 2007 farm bill and energy policy, Mike Conaway, U.S. Congressman, House Agriculture Committee member;

--12:30 p.m.: Lunch, Desperado's BBQ;

--1 p.m.: Individual commodity business sessions.