Another record-setting Commodity Classic is underway in San Antonio where corn, soybeans, sorghum, and wheat growers are gathering from around the country.

“At last count, we had over 6500 people and typically we pick up another 500 or so once we get here, so 7000 people is within reach,” said Classic Co-Chair Rob Elliott, an Illinois farmer on the board of the National Corn Growers Association. The trade show will be the biggest ever, but perhaps most significant, there are about 1100 first time attendees and the mood is very upbeat. “We’ve got a lot of young people attending who haven’t been to Classic before.”

The event officially kicks off with the opening reception tonight but there were lots of meetings going on with all the four organizations involved in the Classic. Rob was heading into the NCGA issues briefing when we caught up and he says one of the biggest policy concerns facing them now that the farm bill is done is protecting the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). “Maybe we’ll have some impact on where EPA takes this thing yet,” said Elliott.

Listen to my interview with Rob here: [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/commodity-classic/classic-14-elliott.mp3″ text=”Interview with Rob Elliott, Classic Co-Chair”]
2014 Commodity Classic Photos