Fargo, ND, USA – Traceability software for grain elevators and port facilities will be highlighted at the Midwest Specialty Grains Conference August 23-25. Midwest Shippers Association will host the conference at the Ramada Inn Airport/Thunderbird Convention Center, Bloomington, Minn.

David Trueman, DB Information Systems (DBIS), Liverpool, England, will introduce CommTrac, a software system that provides operators of grain handling facilities with a total operations management solution. “From reception to delivery, CommTrac ensures that grain is handled efficiently while providing all of the quality assurance controls to guarantee segregation of differentiated grains,” he says. “The supply of differentiated products is only possible if segregation is achieved and can be proved using traceability.”

“CommTrac interfaces to truck scales, lab instruments and control systems. This system ensures that cross contamination is prevented and that clean-down procedures are carried out and recorded. Even in non-IP operations, CommTrac can deliver value by improving the accuracy of blending and preventing mistakes during harvest. Traceability is inherent within the system and operational efficiencies provide sufficient payback to justify investment,” Trueman concludes.

Dennis R. Thompson, Ph.D., chief executive officer of the Illinois Crop Improvement Association, will also address the conference during the traceability and food-safety segment. He will make a case for taking a strategic approach in supplying extended market channels. “Expectations have expanded beyond reliability of supply, official grading, logistics and price to include product and process documentation. We need to strive to achieve balance between what is operationally feasible, technically sound and economically acceptable,” he says.

Bob Zelenka, executive director of Midwest Shippers Association, encourages specialty (IP) grain growers to attend the conference.  “This event offers a great opportunity for specialty (IP) grain growers, both experienced and inexperienced, to learn more about this emerging agricultural industry and to network with other specialty (IP) grain growers, processors and over 35 specialty grain end-users from eight countries,” he says.  “If you are currently involved or considering getting involved in the specialty (IP) grain industry, this is a conference you won't want to miss,” he concludes.

Breakout sessions include Midwest quality advantage; global outlook for specialty grains; economics of growing and handling specialty grains; connecting buyers and sellers; protection/contracts; transportation and logistics; traceability and food safety; and buyer/seller issues in soybeans, flax, sunflowers, corn, and pulse crops. The conference also features a trade show and an optional Twin Cities-area tour of specialty processing facilities and grain plots.

Registration information is available at http://www.grainconference.com/ or by email to info@mnshippers.org .

Midwest Shippers Association is a regional cooperative association that promotes marketing of specialty grains from the upper Midwest.

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