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Ag business conference draws record crowd

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By Steve Olson

More than 430 farmers, food processors, commodity brokers, and others in California agribusiness crowded the conference room of Fresno's downtown Radisson Hotel recently for the annual Agribusiness Management Conference hosted by Fresno State's Center for Agricultural Business.

The event normally draws approximately 300 participants from throughout the San Joaquin Valley. This year more than 400 showed up, hoping to gain insights from the "experts" on how to prepare or alter their business strategies in the midst of tenuous economic times, not only for agriculture, but for all businesses in California and the United States.

Specialists for a dozen of the state's leading agricultural commodities offered projections of what the marketplace will be like in 2002 and beyond.

"We're in for some very tough times," noted Barry Bedwell, a partner with Ciatti Grape Brokerage, the nation's largest wine, grape juice concentrate, and alcohol broker. California growers face looming water shortages, increased government regulation of farming practices, and greater foreign competition, Bedwell noted.

In addition, the state and national economy is on the brink of recession. If consumers continue to cut back spending, agriculture could suffer even bigger losses.

While most of the commodity outlooks ranged from mediocre to dismal, the advice given by speakers had a familiar, positive ring: remain resolute and hang in there, but not without careful planning and strategizing. Economist Vernon Crowder, senior vice president for Bank of America, offered a five-point strategy to help guide farm producers through difficult, changing times. They should seek ways to improve production efficiency, diversify, watch the market, engage in partnerships, and maintain a strong asset position, Crowder advised.

All speakers noted the overall stability of and need for California's agricultural industry, which feeds much of the nation and the world. "Agriculture can be a cyclical business, and those who will succeed must be innovative, flexible and creative through the down times," Barry Bedwell, a partner with Ciatti Grape Brokerage said.

The Agricultural Business Conference is sponsored by Fresno State's Center for Agricultural Business, the California Agricultural Technology Institute and Bank of America Corporation. More than two dozen area agribusinesses and ag-related organizations lend financial and/or service support to the event.

(Steve Olson is publications editor for the California Agricultural Technology Institute.)

Back to University Journal, 12/10/01 Issue