LANSING, Mich. — Michigan State University is getting ready to host its first annual Michigan Ag Commodities Educational Expo (MACEE), designed to reach out to a broad array of agricultural interests, according to Dale Rozeboom, a professor at MSU’s Department of Animal Science and extension specialist.

Rozeboom leads the work group that has put together plans for this event, which will take place Jan. 26, 2012, at the Lansing Center in Lansing.

“It is our first effort to have what we call an educational event,” Rozeboom said. “We call it an expo because we want to build on it. We think this will have broad appeal to a diverse audience.”

Topics at the one-day expo include a discussion of the Michigan agricultural commodity situation and outlook, with MSU faculty members Jim Hilker and Chris Wolf, who both work in the Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics at the university.

“We’ve got two talks that will discuss economic aspects of agriculture,” Rozeboom said. “One on price, costs of production and demand, another on the U.S. farm bill and government programs which support agriculture.”

Hilker’s and Wolf’s discussion will involve the market outlook for grains, meat, milk, hay and eggs.

Also speaking at the expo will be Sally Shaver, a former employee of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for more than 30 years. Shaver runs her own consulting firm. She will discuss the effect new federal air regulations will have on food prices and farm incomes.

“We’re looking forward to what Sally can share that day,” Rozeboom said.

Another topic will be “Lessons Learned from the 2011 Planting Season: Better Management in Poorer Weather Conditions.” Kurt Thelen, who is on faculty at MSU in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, will lead a panel discussion.

“It’s a production chain approach to dealing with how we get unique climate changes,” Rozeboom said. “2011 was very unique; we’ve got changing weather patterns.

“How does this affect grain farmers, as well as livestock farmers? We hope to have producers on the panel that use different approaches to crop production.”

A member of U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow’s (D-Mich.) staff will be on hand to discuss the 2012 farm bill. Stabenow herself won’t be there in person, but Rozeboom said he’s hoping to connect with her via a live video link.

Other topics to be discussed include: “Measuring What Matters in Sustainable Agriculture” with guest James McCarty of the Center for Agricultural and Rural Sustainability at the University of Arkansas; and “What Landowners Need to Know About Oil and Gas Leasing” with Curtis Talley, an MSU extension educator.

The expo will go from 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. The cost to attend the event is $75 for those who register by Jan. 5. After that date the cost is $90. Online registration is available; just go to http://bit.ly/ MACEE

Registration is also available by emailing Megghan Honke at honkemeg@ msu.edu or calling her at 517-353-3175, ext. 229.