LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Corn Growers Assoc. (MCGA) is getting ready for its annual meeting in Lansing on Feb. 7, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The MCGA promises a day of networking, information and much more.

The event will take place at the Thomas M. Cooley Law School at 300 N. Capitol Avenue. Both Lieutenant Gov. Brian Calley and Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Deputy Director Gordon Wenk will be on hand to talk about the future of agriculture in Michigan, said Dennis Raymo, a spokesman for the MCGA.

National Corn Growers Assoc. CEO Rick Tolman will also speak. “He’s going to provide an overview of the national scene and probably the international, as well,” Raymo said. “I’m sure he’s going to discuss the farm bill as well.”

Pat Feldpausch, president of the Michigan Corn Marketing Program (MCMP), will talk about his recent trip to Asian countries as part of a U.S Grains Council tour. He traveled to Japan, China, South Korea and Vietnam and will give a slideshow presentation. The MCMP is in charge of the corn checkoff program in the state.

“I’m going to be talking about the relationship with the people in the countries that I visited,” Feldpausch said.

He said 90 percent of the corn Japan imports is from the United States. He described it as a mature market; China, on the other hand, is not a mature market.

“Most of the grain China imports is soybeans and wheat,” he added. “But the potential is huge. They’re increasing the livestock that they raise and it’s getting to the point where they can’t feed them with their own grain. A lot of the children are going off to the city. They’re starting to consolidate their farms.”

He described South Korea as a developed country. “These countries are growing at such a rapid pace,” he said of South Korea and Vietnam. He said they always ask, “’How cheap can you sell it to us?’ They’ve got some money, but not a lot.”

Other guests include Virgil Robinson, Pioneer market analysis manager; he’ll be talking about marketing strategies. Jeff Sanborn, MCGA president, will give a presentation on ethanol and the state of the MCGA. There will also be a roundtable discussion with state legislators during lunch.

Registration is required and should be submitted to the MCGA’s office by Jan. 27. “If someone needed to register after that date they could call the office,” Raymo said.

Attendance at the meeting is free of charge to MCGA members. Non-members may attend at a cost of $20. An MCGA membership entitles one person to attend the conference. Members are also entitled to vote during the business session.

The cost of membership is $60 for a year, $155 for three years or $500 for a lifetime membership. Students may join the MCGA at a cost of $20 for a one-year membership.

Registration may be completed online at www.micorn.org or by calling the MCGA office at 517-668-CORN (2676).