Minnesota Crop Improvement Association annual meeting

The 2015 Minnesota Crop Improvement Association (MCIA) Annual Meeting will be held January 13 and 14 at the Bigwood Event Center in Fergus Falls, Minnesota.

An informative program, industry trade show and Awards Banquet has been planned for seed producers and processors.

Meeting highlights include:

• Awards Banquet, January 13th will feature Dr. Jim Orf as he reflects on his career of over 30 years as soybean breeder at the University of Minnesota. From the broad usage of publically developed varieties, the adoption of bio-technology and growth of food grade soybeans – his career spans a period of dramatic change in the soybean seed industry.

• How Will Sequencing the Soybean Genome Impact Plant Breeding? presented by Dr. Robert Stupar of the University of Minnesota. Learn how advancements in genomics research will yield major benefits for plant breeders and variety improvement.

• Barley Breeding at the University of Minnesota by Dr. Kevin Smith. The University of Minnesota has a long history of releasing highly regarded 6-row malting barley varieties. Hear what’s next for this program with two- row and winter barley.

• University of Minnesota – CFANS and MAES Update, Dr. Brian Buhr. Hear about exciting initiatives and changes at the University from the new Dean of the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) and Director of Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station (MAES).