Initial reports indicate total attendance at last week’s 2019 Commodity Classic in Orlando exceeded 9,100 including approximately 4,500 farmers. The farmer attendance figure ranks second highest in the 23-year history of Commodity Classic and total attendance ranks third. These numbers are still preliminary. Final attendance information will be available in 10 to 14 days.

“Farmers across the country are using new challenges in the industry as a launchpad for innovation, and that was clear this year at Commodity Classic, where interest in the educational sessions and new technologies was elevated to a new level,” said Wade Cowan, a Texas soybean farmer and co-chair of the 2019 Commodity Classic. “The energy and enthusiasm among farmers and agribusinesses alike made for some deep and engaging conversations and an overall very positive experience.”

“Commodity Classic is where farmers come to gain knowledge and insight—and this year’s educational line-up was focused on helping farmers gain an edge in a time of uncertainty,” said Wesley Spurlock, a Texas corn farmer and co-chair of the 2019 Commodity Classic.  “Every educational session is selected by farmers, for farmers—so the topics and speakers are relevant and important to a farmer’s bottom line.”

Additional highlights of the 2019 Commodity Classic included:

• A huge trade show with 404 exhibiting companies comprising a total of 2,105 booth spaces, encompassing the latest in technology, equipment, inputs, services and innovation in agriculture.
• A keynote address by Sonny Perdue, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, who also greeted farmers during a walkaround on the trade show floor
• More than 40 educational sessions covering a wide range of topics including soil health, farm policy, trade, yield barriers, farm transition and many more
• A three-day showcase of innovation, technology, equipment and groundbreaking ideas that are changing the face of agriculture and food production
• Dozens of opportunities for farmers from across the nation to network and learn from each other
• Meetings and policy development sessions involving the presenting commodity associations

The 2020 Commodity Classic will be held February 27-29, 2020 in San Antonio, Texas.  For more information and to sign up for email updates, visit CommodityClassic.com.

Established in 1996, Commodity Classic is America’s largest farmer-led, farmer-focused agricultural and educational experience.  Commodity Classic is presented annually by the American Soybean Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Sorghum Producers and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers.