NAMA Spring Conference Unites Milling Industry in Florida

March 12, 2024 – Two hundred milling industry leaders and guests gathered in Florida for the North American Millers’ Association’s 2024 Spring Conference, which ended Tuesday.

“NAMA’s Spring Conference is a must-attend event for the entire milling value chain,” NAMA President Jane DeMarchi said. “From the educational speakers to the networking opportunities, everything about the program adds value for millers and their suppliers.”

Presentations during educational sessions held each day of the meeting focused on some of the most critical topics facing the agriculture and food industries today. Click here to review the full list of speakers. 

New speakers for 2024 included:

• The South American oat industry – Alex Strodthoff (Agrotop) 
• Challenges and opportunities in agriculture trade – William Wilson, PhD (North Dakota State University)
• Pet food trends – Michael Johnson (BSM Partners)
• Aligning suppliers and customers for sustainability goals – Allison Nepveux (Bayer)
• The Canadian wheat crop forecast – Warren Hayhoe (Parrish & Heimbecker) 
• Hard Wheat Crop Forecast – Justin Gilpin (Kansas Wheat)

The annual Soft Wheat Crop Report & Forecast was held on Tuesday morning. The panel of industry experts predicted U.S. 2024 soft red winter wheat production at 375,143,000 bushels, down 16.5% from 2023. They also forecasted a soft white winter wheat crop at 190,136,000 bushels, down 9% from 2023.

The 2024 Spring Conference was attended by milling companies, their suppliers,  and members of allied industry. During committee and division meetings, NAMA members aligned on priority activities for implementation of NAMA’s new strategic plan. Click here for a full conference agenda. 

NAMA members will next meet on April 30-May 2 in Washington, D.C. during the Washington Policy Conference. Millers will advocate for research, conservation, and international food aid policy priorities on Capitol Hill. For more information, visit https://namamillers.org/our-events/.

Spring Conference attendees at the Hilton Marco Island.

From left to right: NAMA Chair Brian Doyle (King Milling), NAMA President Jane DeMarchi, and NAMA Vice Chair Tedd Kruse (ADM).

The 2024 Soft Wheat Crop Report & Forecast panel at the NAMA Spring Conference, including, from left to right: Carl Schwinke (Siemer Milling), Jay McAllister (Mennel Milling), Andrew Rutter (Bartlett Milling), Mark Rossol (The Andersons), and Sam Doering (Ardent Mills).

About NAMA:

NAMA is the only national trade association that exclusively represents the interests of the North American wheat, corn, oat, and rye milling industry before Congress, federal agencies, and international regulatory bodies. Member companies operate mills in 32 states, Puerto Rico, and Canada, representing more than 90 percent of total industry production capacity.

The North American Millers’ Association is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Persons who require alternative means of communication for program information should contact [email protected] or 202-484-2200.