Policy, weather and market updates are on the agenda for the state's best source of crop and farm information. The Kansas Commodity Classic is set for Jan. 16 at the Hilton Garden Inn, Manhattan. The one-day event will feature expert industry speakers and offer tours of new and innovative buildings on the campus of Kansas State University and in Manhattan.

The Kansas Commodity Classic is the annual meeting of the Kansas Corn, Wheat and Grain Sorghum Associations and will be emceed by 2011 National Farm Broadcaster of the Year Greg Akagi with WIBW/Kansas Agriculture Network.

Well-known for his accurate and honest opinions of U.S. agriculture and national leadership, K-State honorary professor of agricultural economics Barry Flinchbaugh will highlight the Commodity Classic during the lunch on Jan. 16. His speech will focus on Congressional activities and discuss the fate of the Farm Bill, which passed on Jan. 1 following a one-year extension.

The Commodity Classic will also feature market updates from Bill Holbrook of Pro Exporter Network; weather information with Dave Relihan of WIBW Radio and a research panel from the corn, wheat and grain sorghum industries. K-State Grain Science and Industry Department Head Dirk Maier will provide a campus update and attendees will tour various areas of K-State campus including the International Grains Program, Hal Ross Flour Mill, Bioprocessing and Value-Added Processing facility, Kansas Wheat Innovation Center and the O.H. Kruse Feed Mill.

Commodity Classic is a free event that will take place at the Hilton Garden Inn, located at 410 S. Third Street in Manhattan and is sponsored by the Kansas Corn Growers Association, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association and Kansas Agriculture Network. The event is free to attend and includes a luncheon. Pre-registration is encouraged by calling (866) 759-4328.

Corn Events Set for January 15

The Kansas Corn Commission and Kansas Corn Growers Association will hold a joint meeting beginning at 1 p.m., Tues., Jan. 15 at the Hilton Garden Inn Conference Center in Manahttan. Evening corn events held at the same location include the Kansas Corn Dinner and the KCGA Annual Meeting.

All corn producers are invited to attend the annual Corn Dinner, sponsored by the Kansas Corn Commission. Greg Krissek from ICM, Inc. will give an ethanol update. Zarco 66 owner Scott Zaremba will be honored for his efforts to market E-15 fuel. Scott and Robert White from the Renewable Fuels Association will update growers on efforts to implement E-15 fuel.

All Kansas Corn Growers Association (KCGA) members are encouraged to attend the organization's annual meeting, which begins at 8 p.m. following the Corn Dinner on Jan. 15. Attendees will hear association updates and discuss and adopt resolutions that guide association policy throughout the year and elect board members for the southwest, south central and southeast districts.