FARGO, N.D. -- The 53rd International Sugarbeet Institute comes to the Fargodome on March 25 and 26 in Fargo.
The ISBI is billed as North America's largest sugar beet trade show, with about 120 commercial exhibitors. The event typically draws more than 2,000 producers and industry experts from around the country. The event is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on March 25 and from 9 a.m. to mid-afternoon on March 26.
Speakers
This year's featured speakers focus on weather and the geopolitical factors affecting the sugar industry, and beet producers in particular.
At 2 p.m. on March 25, Mark Seeley speaks on "Evidence of a Changing Climate and Consequences for Agriculture."
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Seeley is a professor in the University of Minnesota's Department of Soil, Water and Climate. Since 1978, he's served as extension climatologist and meteorologist. He manages the Weather and Climate Education Program and works both in research and teaching. He is a weekly commentator on Minnesota Public Radio and has written a weekly newsletter, "Weather Talk," since 1992. He has been awarded the U of M Siehl Prize in Agriculture.
At 10:25 a.m., March 26, Luther Markwart, executive vice president of the American Sugarbeet Growers Association, will deliver his presentation, titled, "Sugar Industry Challenges in 2015: Trade, Congress, Politics and Biotech." Markwart was raised in eastern Michigan on a sugar beet and dairy farm. He graduated from Michigan State University and has been at his post since the early 1980s. He has held leadership posts in other sweetener-related groups, including chairing the American Sugar Alliance.
Markwart will talk about what the opening of trade with Cuba will mean to the industry, as well as recent development in Mexican trade disputes.
