The annual Commodity Classic trade show was held Feb. 29-March 2 in Nashville, Tenn. at Opryland. It’s billed as “America’s largest farmer-led, farmer-focused convention & trade show.”
Attendance was over 5,400 making it the largest Commodity Classic in history, which set the tone for a bullish outlook on agriculture.
Two representatives from Focus Technology Group were on hand for the show—Chuck Buie, vice president of sales, and Mark Emery, vice president of client relations. Chuck and Mark spent four days visiting with growers, exhibitors, distributors, and other guests, while also attending educational seminars on industry trends, best practices, and new technology.
Below are 11 important takeaways from the 2012 Commodity Classic, courtesy of Mr. Buie and Mr. Emery.
1. Commodity prices are generally high, but manufactures and distributors feel comfortable about current prices and valuations on crops.
2. There is a general nervous feeling about a farmland real estate bubble. Some growers cautioned that land is getting too expensive, while rapid expansion continues. A market adjustment or crash may occur, warned some farmers.
3. The continued rise of petroleum and diesel prices hurts Ag margins, and puts extra strain on farmers.
Attendance was over 5,400 making it the largest Commodity Classic in history, which set the tone for a bullish outlook on agriculture.
Two representatives from Focus Technology Group were on hand for the show—Chuck Buie, vice president of sales, and Mark Emery, vice president of client relations. Chuck and Mark spent four days visiting with growers, exhibitors, distributors, and other guests, while also attending educational seminars on industry trends, best practices, and new technology.
Below are 11 important takeaways from the 2012 Commodity Classic, courtesy of Mr. Buie and Mr. Emery.
1. Commodity prices are generally high, but manufactures and distributors feel comfortable about current prices and valuations on crops.
2. There is a general nervous feeling about a farmland real estate bubble. Some growers cautioned that land is getting too expensive, while rapid expansion continues. A market adjustment or crash may occur, warned some farmers.
3. The continued rise of petroleum and diesel prices hurts Ag margins, and puts extra strain on farmers.
4. The micronutrient/specialty fertilizer and fungicide segments of Ag are growing rapidly.
5. Adjuvants and surfactants are making a comeback because of high commodity prices.
6. Distributor/retail consolidation continues to take place as small independents continue to get gobbled up by regional and national companies.
7. All growers desire precision agriculture, but it requires the right technology and quality data solutions for merging and synching machinery, data sets, and computer systems.
8. Suppliers and manufacturers of Ag products want to know more information about their supply chain end users and buyers—the farmers.
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| Precision ag technology makes farming operations more efficient and productive. |
9. Manufacturers and suppliers of Ag products desire better tools and technology to identify target customers and capture market opportunities.
10. Distributors of Ag products are interested in more online commerce and communication through a self-serve web portal where growers can go to shop and purchase products.
11. More Ag distributors and growers are using innovative tablet technology for accessing information and doing business.
About Focus Technology Group
Founded in 2001, Focus Technology Group Inc., based in Nashville, Tenn., provides data quality solutions to real business needs through its integrated data services, business intelligence applications, and supply chain marketing programs. FTG provides clients with technology solutions and services in areas such as data aggregation and cleansing, electronic data interchange (EDI), data analytics and reporting, CRM, marketing automation, and channel sales optimization. FTG serves four primary industries—animal health, pet specialty, agriculture, and health care.
Founded in 2001, Focus Technology Group Inc., based in Nashville, Tenn., provides data quality solutions to real business needs through its integrated data services, business intelligence applications, and supply chain marketing programs. FTG provides clients with technology solutions and services in areas such as data aggregation and cleansing, electronic data interchange (EDI), data analytics and reporting, CRM, marketing automation, and channel sales optimization. FTG serves four primary industries—animal health, pet specialty, agriculture, and health care.
