BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — When farmers gather for the 2011 Illinois Commodity Conference Nov. 22, at the DoubleTree Hotel and Conference Center in Bloomington, a hot topic of discussion will be how recent free trade agreements (FTAs) with Colombia, Panama and South Korea could enhance their operations.

One of the key speakers for the conference, Dan Halstrom – senior vice president of marketing and communications for the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) – will examine ways the international organization is working to put more U.S. meat on tables throughout the world, including those countries for which the U.S. recently signed FTAs.

“(Halstrom) is going to give a snapshot of the current export status around the world for U.S. red meat. He’ll highlight certain markets where there are key developments, certainly Korea being a main one of those,” said Jim Herlihy, vice president of communications for the USMEF, from his office in Denver. “The (FTAs) will have a major impact on both the beef and pork industries here.”

According to Herlihy, Halstrom will also focus on markets in Japan, China and Mexico and how exports to those nations are returning value to producers. In addition, Halstrom will offer an overview of how the USMEF works internationally to increase opportunities for the export of U.S. meat.

“We work in market access, maintaining relationships in the event of impediment to our exports, research, marketing and connecting buyers and sellers,” Herlihy said. “A lot of what we do is facilitate the export process not only on the receiving end in the 80 countries around the world in which we operate, but also with the U.S. exporters. Smaller (exporters) may not have an international presence, so for them our ability to interact on their behalf in the international markets is critical.”

Additional presenters include Roger Cady, senior technical consultant for Elanco, and David Zach, described as a “professional futurist” in a press release.

“We’re excited about this year’s speakers,” said Matt Hughes, board chair for the Illinois Soybean Assoc. (ISA). “They are from extremely diverse backgrounds, which will help us all look at our operations from new perspectives. Too often, we get caught up in our routines and entrenched in old habits. This conference gives us an opportunity to reflect on those things and reevaluate the way we do business.”

The one-day event is centered on the theme “Gateway to the Future” and sponsored by the ISA, Illinois Beef Assoc., Illinois Corn Growers Assoc. (ICGA), Illinois Milk Producers Assoc., Illinois Pork Producers Assoc. and Illinois Wheat Assoc. Monsanto, Syngenta and Pioneer are also major sponsors of the Commodity Conference, which allows producers from all aspects of Illinois agriculture to convene in one setting each year for education, sharing and fellowship. “For that one day, it doesn’t matter what we grow – it’s all about collaborating for the benefit of the entire Illinois ag industry,” according to Jim Reed, ICGA president.

On-site registration for the conference begins at 7:30 a.m., with programs running from 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Cost is $65 before Nov. 14 and $90 thereafter, which includes a catered lunch.

Complete pre-registration information and the conference itinerary is available at www.ilcommodityconf.org or by calling 309-557-3703.