The following is a list of the seminars that will be conducted during World Ag Expo this year. Seminars will cover different topics each day. They will be held at the Expo Seminar Center. Individual information is included for the international trade, general agriculture and dairy seminars. For more information, visit www.worldagexpo.com International Trade Seminars Seminar Center, Tuesday, Feb. 8The Center for International Trade Development’s international trade symposium is focused on preparing you for the future in a global marketplace. Experts are here to tell you what your company can do to prepare for tomorrow’s global markets.

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Are global food safety and quality standards making the grade?
Learn what trading partners want to know about your food safety practices and what quality assurances are being implemented in the U.S. to ensure food safety and quality. Dr. Scott Hood from General Mills, Dr. Barry Eisenberg from United Fresh Produce Association and Scott Horsfall from the Leafy Green Marketing Agreement will discuss federal and state safety regulations, industry-developed standards, post- harvest quality assurance practices and traceability.

11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
How do major international food and agricultural supply chains select suppliers?
How to meet the needs of foreign buyers is the focus of this discussion. California has a reputation for producing a wide variety of high-quality food products, but foreign buyers have more choices than California. Learn how to beat competition and expand sales from a panel of representatives from major international supply chains. Mark Benjamin from Kenkko Commodities is the invited speaker.

12:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Trade barriers and free trade agreements: Leveling the playing field for U.S. producers
Achieve better understanding of trade barriers and free trade agreements from the chief agricultural negotiator at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Ambassador Islam Siddiqui will discuss whether Congress will enact free trade agreements made with Korea, Panama and Colombia and what other steps the federal government is taking to improve market access for California agricultural products. Ambassador Siddiqui will also reveal current efforts to level the international playing field for American producers and deliver jobs and economic opportunities.

12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Grow local, sell global: Hear from successful farmers who took a risk and are now branded worldwide
Transitioning from domestic sales to being an international supplier. Hear from a panel of farmers-turned- exporters to learn how they expanded their businesses by marketing their products internationally. Featured speakers are Don Barton, president of Gold River Orchard and Loren Booth of Booth Ranches.

1:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
“Cuba, A New Beginning” – Is there really a market for California there?
Hear the possibilities and learn how to be prepared to enter this market. This may be possible for the first time in 47 years as the Organization of American States is looking to expand Cuban participation. Even under current limitations this country purchased more than $4 billion worth of ag products from the U.S. between 2002 and 2008. With the embargo lifted, the question is – will California find a market there? Presenter is C. Parr Rosson, PhD, professor from Texas A&M.

General Agriculture Seminars
Seminar Center, Wednesday, Feb. 9
Water and air quality regulations are the top two issues facing California agriculture today. They will be the focus of presentations at the Seminar Pavilion at Median and East Greenbelt. And there will be a free lunch to go along with a presentation on global beef production and marketing.

9:30 a.m. – 10:55 a.m.
Air quality regulations: How will my operation be impacted?
Major drivers of air quality regulations in California – greenhouse gas reporting and AB 32 are the focus of presentations by Sayed Sadredin, executive of the San Joaquin Air Pollution Control District and Brad Miller, president of Environmental Concepts Company in Mission Viejo. Reporting of greenhouse gases by major sources is required by the California Global Warming Solutions Act – AB 32, which was signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2006. The state’s air resources board approved a mandatory reporting regulation in 2007 and it became effective in 2009. Learn what is in store for the valley and the state.

11:00 a.m. – 12:25 p.m.
Local and regional water supply conditions and outlook
Friant Water Authority General Manager Ron Jacobsma will lead a discussion on the outlook for surface water deliveries, the impact of the San Joaquin River settlement on water deliveries and the potential of the Temperance Flat Reservoir to improve water deliveries. Jacobsma has served in senior management positions at Friant for 21 years. Manager since 2003, he guided Friant through implementation of the historical settlement. Mark Larsen, general manager of Kaweah Delta Water Conservation District, will discuss the relationship of surface water deliveries and groundwater availability. He will also provide insight on impact of land use changes to future groundwater levels.

12:30 p.m. – 1:55 p.m.
Buy local: Boon or boondoggle?
Hear the challenges facing growers who want to market their crops outside of their local area, but are unable to secure buyers. California fresh fruit growers are finding themselves shut out of markets as East Coast grocery chains are sourcing fruit grown locally. Jim Prevor, founder and editor of Perishable Pundit will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the “buy local” movement and how it has impacted sales. Prevor is widely recognized as a leader in understanding and assessing the state of the perishable food industries and analyzing prospects for retail and food service venues. He recently led an effort to use the Internet to advance the interests of the fresh foods industry.

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Labor law and immigration: How will OSHA, ICE, DHS and card check affect your bottom line?
Learn about basic labor compliance and management practices from C. Bryan Little, chief operating officer of Farm Employers Labor Service and Fresno labor law attorney Ron Barsamian. They will provide information on keeping your workforce content and how to deal with farm worker advocates and union organizers. Little serves as director of labor affairs for California Farm Bureau Federation and has extensive experience in government and agriculture. Barsamian represents agricultural employers before the National Labor Relations Board and Agricultural Labor Relations Board.

Irrigation Seminars
Seminar Center, Thursday, Feb. 10
Efficient use of available water supplies has never been more important to agriculture. Speakers will provide information on the latest technology from the irrigation industry to help farmers produce more food and fiber in the face of reduced irrigation water supplies.

Dairy Seminars
Seminar Center
Attend Dairy Profit Seminars at World Ag Expo and hear some of the best speakers and analysts who will provide insight into the latest dairy industry developments. The dairy seminar sessions will be held at the newly fashioned Seminar Center located in the expansion area of the show grounds at R Street and Expo Lane, south of the 70,000 sq. ft. Farm Credit Dairy Center building that anchors the southeast corner of Expo’s footprint. The seminar program gets under way each day at 11 a.m. and concludes by 2:30 p.m. most days.

Tuesday, February 8
10:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Dairy and Air Quality – Where the industry stands
Regulatory pressure on San Joaquin Valley dairies due to the region’s historically bad air quality will be discussed by the leading University of California air quality researcher, Dr. Frank Mitloehner. Producers will hear about his latest research in quantifying air emissions from dairies and possible mitigation measures. Added to the mix is California’s dubious honor of being the first state to require dairies to take steps to improve air quality.

11:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
2011 Outstanding Dairy Industry Educator/Researcher
Dr. Frank Mitloehner, University of California – Davis

12:15 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Facing Challenges: Immigration compliance strategies (Lunch)
Learn the ins and outs of complying with current immigration laws, how to fill out I-9 forms and what to do when an employee’s name and Social Security number do not match. In addition there will be advice on dealing with government raids and audits and dairy employer rights and responsibilities in a government investigation. Speaker and labor attorney, Anthony Raimondo, will give practical advice on legal hiring and retention of employees. Joining Raimondo will be a dairy producer and representative from Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

1:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
Evolution of a feed program for K-State’s high-producing herd
Dairy professor, Dr. Evan Titgemeyer, will address balancing rations for a high-producing dairy herd and the outcome at Kansas State’s dairy. Using common sense when combining ration ingredients and the effect of the formulations on milk fat will be discussed. There will be an emphasis on relationships between diet and milk fat depression and between amino acid supply and milk protein concentration.

Wednesday, February 9
10:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Focusing on milk quality: Goals in a global marketplace
Are U.S. dairy producers ready to meet the global demand for milk quality? This seminar looks at the future of milk quality from the viewpoints of producer, veterinarian, processor and representative from the U.S. Dairy Export Council. As consumers become more aware of the source and quality of the food they eat, milk quality is coming under scrutiny at all levels of the supply chain. Tighter restrictions on somatic cell counts are looming in the U.S. as the European Union is already taking steps to require lower counts in milk from the U.S. Panelists for this important discussion are Nicole Ekblom, DVM Atwater-Merced Veterinary Clinic, Shawna Morris, vice president trade policy of U.S. Dairy Export Council; and dairy producer Chris Jongsma.

11:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
2011 Outstanding Dairy Producer of the Year
Stephen D. Maddox, Maddox Dairy, Burrell, California

12:15 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Food Economics and Consumer Choice: A Call to Action!
Speaker will be Rob Aukerman, president of U.S. operations at Elanco Animal Health.

1:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Surviving milk price wars: How can Dairies Make a Profit? (Lunch)
A look at economic and financial conditions facing the dairy industry will be discussed by a panel of financial experts from Genske, Mulder & Co., a CPA firm that represents 12 percent of the nation’s milk in 29 states.

Thursday, February 10
10:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
The skinny on fatty acids
Increase your understanding of fatty acids. Research shows the importance of individual fatty acids on rumen function and in reproduction. Nutritionist Jim Tully of Pine Creek Nutrition will share practical information on balancing fatty acids to maximize milk production.

11:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
2011 Outstanding Dairy Industry Service Awards
Rob Vandenheuvel, general manager (Milk Producers Council), and Syp Vander Dussen, president (Milk Producers Council)

12:15 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
How do you do it? The next generation takes over the dairy
Panelists will share stories of how their families have transitioned dairy management from one generation to the next. Learn how to execute the delicate act and make decisions that will keep your family working together. Moderator of this seminar will be Caroline Berry, founder of Next Step. Panelists will be Ben and Ken Curti, Lori Sousa Cardoza and Carl Sousa and Jody Graves.

Beef Seminars
Seminar Center, Wednesday, Feb. 9
Four seminars specifically designed for beef producers will be presented. From the changes in the industry to trends in the market, these four, 1.5-hour beef seminars will educate large-to-small herd producers on many important issues facing the U.S. beef industry today.

Hay and Forage Seminars
Seminar Center, Tuesday, Feb. 8
A special seminar series on hay, forage and silage will be presented which will both educate and inform producers on the many trends, issues and solutions facing the industry today. Want to know more about producing better forage for higher-quality milk production? Visit the Hay and Forage seminars at World Ag Expo.

Career and Education Seminars
Seminar Center, Thursday, Feb. 10
In addition to the Hilvers Career and Education Center, World Ag Expo is launching a career and education seminar series on Thursday of the Expo. Seminars are geared around prospering in tough economic times and finding your best career path.

World Ag Women Program
World Ag Women Pavilion,
Tuesday - Thursday 10:15 a.m. - 4 p.m.
TV media personalities including Stefani Booroojian, Channel 24; Faith Sidlow, Channel 24, and Jason Oliveira, Channel 30, will be assisting our chefs during their cooking demonstrations. PD