Kick-off the 2006 Agribusiness Forum on November 14 with Jim Wiesemeyer, Informa Economics, for Global Forces Shaping Agriculture at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center in Kansas City.

The rapid emergence of the bio fuels industry has shifted production emphasis from food and feed to fuel. Global economic pressures are impacting where and how products are grown. And, consumer trends further compound this very complicated picture. Wiesemeyer will set the stage for our look at the Global Forces Shaping Agriculture as he explains the interaction of these global forces and Washington’s reaction. Wiesemeyer will also give attendees a fresh peek at how the election results will impact agriculture.

From his office in Washington, DC, Jim Wiesemeyer contributes daily to Informa Economics’ Morning Comments report, providing clients with the latest information on agricultural policy and trade developments. Since 1978, Wiesemeyer has frequently reported on and interviewed senior government officials, including Presidents Reagan and Carter, as well as several USDA Secretaries; he has traveled extensively in his assignments and is a frequent speaker on farm policy and trade issues.

Prior to joining Informa Economics, Wiesemeyer most recently was the Washington editor and bureau chief for ProFarmer, Inc. where he still contributes a daily analysis and commentary on policy and trade developments in his column Inside Washington Today. Also while at ProFarmer, he was the Washington editor for Oster Communication’s ProFarmer newsletter and Futures magazine. Wiesemeyer also was the Washington bureau chief for Futures World News (FWN), formerly owned by Oster. Prior to ProFarmer, he was a Washington editor with Doane’s Agricultural Report and Washington editor and managing editor of the Washington Farmletter. Wiesemeyer received his Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Southern Illinois University.

Informa Economics, Inc. (formerly known as Sparks Companies, Inc.) is a world leader in broad-based agricultural and commodity market research, analysis and consulting. Informa Economics, Inc. serves hundreds of firms and institutions worldwide from their headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee.