For 30 years, the Texas Plant Protection Association has provided the agricultural industry with grassroots support on numerous issues and offered educational opportunities to help farmers, consultants and others adapt to new technologies, legislation and changing public perceptions.

The annual conference has offered a platform for discussing emerging issues, including controversial policy, technical advances and new methods to deal with a host of production challenges.

The 30th annual conference, scheduled for Dec. 4 and 5 at the Brazos Center in Bryan, Texas, continues that trend, and features economist and futurist Dr. Jay Lehr, as keynote speaker. Lehr, Science Director, Heartland Institute will discuss Mega Trends in Agriculture.

 “Dr. Lehr makes people feel good about American Agriculture,” said Ray Smith, TPPA Board Chairman. “He combines five decades of expertise and experience in agricultural economics, agronomy, environmental science and business administration with the most contagious enthusiasm for the future of agriculture. He never fails to lift the spirits of the men and women working in every facet of agri-business today.”

Lehr’s talk will set the tone for the conference theme, Innovations in Texas Agriculture for a Profitable Ag Future. “With this theme, we are pleased with the lineup of outstanding speakers that will kick off our two-day December conference,” said Dr. Kranthi Mandadi, TPPA President.

The TPPA’s Conference Planning Committee has announced the agenda for the opening general session.

 Dr. Patrick Stover, Vice Chancellor and Dean, College of Agriculture, Texas A & M University opens the conference with a welcome and introductory comments.

Texas State Representative for the Bryan-College Station area, Kyle Kacal, will update attendees on state legislation that will have an impact on Texas agriculture.

 Mike Johnson, head of Crop Protection Field Development at Syngenta Crop Protection, will discuss Innovations in Ag Research and Development, followed by Loren Wernette, manager of Ag Digital Solutions, BASF, presenting Agricultural Marketing in the Digital Age.

 After lunch, three Texas A & M AgriLife Research and Extension scientists will discuss innovations that will have an impact on Texas agriculture in the future.

These presentations are: Unlocking Yield Potential by Translating Crop Microbiome Research into Healthier Soils and Biorational Products, - Betsy Pierson, Microbe Interactions, Department of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University

Adapting Remote Sensing from Research to Ag Applications - Juan Landivar, Resident Director, Texas A & M AgriLife Research & Extension Corpus Christi & Weslaco, Texas, et al         

Gene Drive Applications to Agriculture in Texas: Knowledge, Perceptions, and Values -  Zach Adelman, Associate Professor, Entomology            Department, Texas A & M University

Breakout sessions will include:

During the conference, agribusiness firms will have displays and will be available to discuss their products for Texas agriculture.

For three decades TPPA events have been successful because of broad support from many Texas agriculture leaders representing academia, Extension, Research, consulting, agribusiness, farmers, ranchers and regulatory.

For additional information: www.texasplantprotection.com   or email [email protected]