Martin attends Commodity Classic

ANAHEIM, California – Commodity Classic serves as an annual reunion for many farmers, giving them the chance to network with other ag professionals from across the nation.
The just-concluded event included an address from Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue, who referred to it as the “Disneyland of Agriculture.” Jim Martin, an Illinois Soybean Association district director from Livingston County, had the chance to attend Commodity Classic in California.
“We just got done sponsoring Professor Fred Below from the University of Illinois. He presented six secrets of soybean success and it was very well attended,” Martin told The Central Illinois Farm Network on Thursday afternoon.
Martin reports Sec. Perdue focused on the themes of regulation, trade and farm labor. Also, the new farm bill is on the top of everyone’s mind. Martin said he is happy to represent Livingston County soybean farmers and the other 40,000 soybean farmers in Illinois, which is the number one soybean producing state.
Many of the ISA board members, including Martin, had the chance to participate in a recent market study tour of South America.
“Soybeans looked very good in Brazil, but the group that was in Argentina noticed it was much drier and most farmers know that’s being reflected in our soybean market right now,” Martin added.