A photo tour of 2024 Commodity Classic
Inez Hubka and George Hubka/MG News Service
This future wheat grower in training appears happy as he watches farmers from across the U. S. get their awards for producing high yielding quality wheat. Farmers were presented the awards from the National Wheat Foundation at the 2033 National Wheat Yield Contest Awards Reception held February 28th in Houston, Texas prior to the start of the 2024 Commodity Classic. High yield winners were honored with a glass engraved trophy and quality award winners received cash awards. The National Wheat Foundation was established in 1977 to advance wheat science, advance conservation of natural resources, develop new uses and markets for U. S. wheat, and provide educational services to promote the wheat industry. Farmers interested in entering the 2024 National Wheat Yield Contest should contact the National Wheat Foundation quickly as the entry deadline is fast approaching.
George Hubka/MG News Service
Some companies at the 2024 Commodity Classic go all out to get attendees involved in activities at their displays. Syngenta™ brought in William Biggfoote, CME (certified myth expert) as part of its Seedcare® (right) display. Visitors could test their knowledge against the CME, and if they beat him, would win a prize. Many company booths offered drawings for gift cards or free product samples. If one tired of cruising the acres of the tradeshow floor, they could attend many educational sessions on innovations in crop production methods. Plans for the 2025 Commodity Classic to be held in Denver, Colorado March 2 to March 4 are well underway.
George Hubka/MG News Service
Not everything at the 2024 Commodity Classic was always serious. After the event kicked off at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas on February 28th attendees could often see several characters roaming the halls or exhibit floor area. It wouldn’t be a bit unusual for anyone walking the halls between the tradeshow floors to see a stilt walker and his space buddy coming at them.
Inez Hubka/MG News Service
Several years back the 2024 Commodity Classic planning committee selected Houston, Texas to host the event and the title theme to be “New Frontiers in Agriculture.” From the record registrations signed up for the event prior to its start on February 28th and the sold out exhibit floor space it would appear they landed an “out of this world success.” Businesses such as Commstock Investments of Royal, Iowa were on hand on for the opening of a newly planned in 2024 “Wednesday Night Welcome Reception” on the tradeshow floor. Commstock’s Marlin Bohling (center) welcomed Marshall Landis (left) and Karrie Landis who farm near Three Rivers, Michigan to his booth to discuss grain market activity and various ways they can make plans to market their cash crop production for the highest amount.
George Hubka/MG News Service
After several years of planning the 2024 Commodity Classic kicked off in Houston, Texas on February 28th. Anyone walking on the street in front of the George R. Brown Convention Center would have no trouble knowing what was going on and where it was being held. These three farmers from central Georgia Ben Johnson (left) his son Sam (center) and Chip Roche (right) walking by the building on the day before the event’s opening on February 28th had no problem in learning the theme for the event “New Frontiers in Agriculture” from the banner on the convention center’s marque. From the opening on the next day, crowds would be filling the sidewalks and businesses nearby generating a large boost to the Houston economy because of the three-day event that also brought hundreds of attendees from foreign countries.
Inez Hubka/MG News Service
Almont, Michigan farmer garners second place National award at 2023 National Wheat Yield Awards Reception in Houston, Texas. Randy Eschenburg (center) was present his trophy second for place in the Winter Wheat Dryland division by Chandler Goule (left) National Wheat Foundation executive director and Bernard Perterson (right) at the reception held February 28th during the 2024 Commodity Classic event. Eschenburg who farms in St. Clair County, Michigan won the award with his yield of a measured 169.75 bushels per acre with his Michigan State whitetail variety. Eschenburg attributed his high yield to being able to select the best seed for his field and applying extra nitrogen fertilizer as needed during the growing season. The awards are sponsored by the National Wheat Foundation and others are encouraged to enter the 2024 Winter Wheat contest by contacting the NWF before the May 15, 2024, entry deadline.
George Hubka/MG News Service
Wayland, Michigan farmer bags double awards at 2023 National Wheat Yield Awards Reception in Houston, Texas. Nick Suwyn (center) was present his trophy for second place in the winter wheat irrigated division by Chandler Goule, (left) National Wheat Foundation executive director and Bernard Perterson (right) at the reception held February 28th during the 2024 Commodity Classic event. Suwyn who farms in Allegan and Barry County, Michigan won the award with his yield of a measured 171.71 bushels per acre with his DF Seeds DF-131 variety. Suwyn attributed his high yield to being able to apply extra irrigation water when needed in the dry months in the Barry and Allegan County area in the Spring season and applying Nitrogen fertilizer as needed determined by tissue testing of wheat plant leaves during the growing season. Suwyn’s entry also won him a National second place quality award for which he received an additional cash award in the soft winter wheat category. The awards are sponsored by the National Wheat Foundation and entries for the 2024 Winter Wheat contest may be made until May 15, 2024, by contacting the National Wheat Foundation.
George Hubka/MG News Service
Young soybean farmers Shawn (right) and Tera Baker (center) visit with Danny Brisky (left) from Columbus, Wisconsin at the conclusion of the 2023-2024 American Soybean Association ASA/Corteva Agriscience Young Leaders Program during the 2024 Commodity Classic held in Houston, Texas February 28 to March 1, 2024. They were members of the 40th group of young soybean farmer leaders to have been selected by the state soybean associations to participate in the program. The group of 45 participants, comprised of a married couple or one state member selected by the state soybean association, begins their studies with a fall meeting and concludes with a series of sessions during the Commodity Classic event the following spring. Young soybean farmers interested in participation in the program are encouraged to contact their respective state soybean associations for details.
George Hubka/MG News Service
