OABA Annual Conference Covers Trends, Technology And Tradition

OABA resizeMore than 300 Ohio AgriBusiness Association (OABA) members and industry professionals were on hand to engage in collaborative learning and networking at the organization’s third annual Industry Conference, February 4-5. This year’s conference focused on the trends, technology and tradition in Ohio’s agriculture industry and beyond.

“The 2015 OABA Industry Conference was a success in that it gave attendees an in-depth look into new methods, technology and practices applicable to their own businesses and organizations,” said Chris Henney, OABA president and CEO. “Leading industry experts from Ohio and across the country shared their insights and research pertaining to the trending topics in agriculture.”

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A popular topic discussed at the conference was that of fertilizer application and its effect on water quality, which has been a priority among Ohio’s ag leaders following the Toledo water crisis in August 2014. Several sessions at the conference focused on the subject, including “Stewardship in Crop Production Systems,” presented by Roger Elmore from the University of Nebraska, and the keynote address, given by Chris Jahn, president of The Fertilizer Institute, during the Industry Networking Dinner and Annual Meeting.

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“As is the case here in Ohio, many of the nutrient policy challenges we face today are watershed-specific,” said Jahn. “Getting it right requires a team effort, and the work that OABA and its members have done to support development of the 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Program shows the power of stakeholder driven solutions to tough environmental issues.”

In addition to water quality, current legislation, market updates and outlooks, crop diseases, UAVs and more were covered during the two-day conference. Presenters hailed from Ohio’s top agribusinesses and research institutions, including The Andersons, Inc., Cargill, The Ohio State University and the Ohio Department of Agriculture, as well as national organizations, such as The Nature Conservancy, Nutrient Stewardship Council and American Feed Industry Association.

“This is my third year attending the Industry Conference, and I thought the sessions were of very high quality and applicable to today’s agribusiness professionals,” said Bill Wallace, who works in wholesale inside sales for The Andersons, Inc. “I particularly enjoyed the sessions on water quality and UAVs, and the keynote speaker at the Industry Dinner.”

The fourth annual OABA Industry Conference will be held in 2016.

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