Seeing agriculture through a 30-year lens

Thirty years is long enough to see an industry change—and long enough to realize how fast it can happen.

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about 1996. Last month, I wrote about the 30th anniversary of MFA’s precision agriculture program. This month, we’re marking 30 years of Roundup Ready crops. And on a personal note, 1996 was also when I graduated from college and stepped into my first role in cooperative communications.

That was also the first year the Commodity Classic was held, combining separate annual meetings of the American Soybean Association and National Corn Growers Association into a single, larger event. Organizers say the move was made to increase attendance, create a stronger trade show, and provide a unified venue for farmers to learn about new products, practices and policy. Today, the event also includes the National Association of Wheat Growers, National Sorghum Producers and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers.

 More than 12,000 people attended the 30th anniversary of the Commodity Classic Feb. 25–27 in San Antonio, the largest ever. As I walked the enormous trade show, connected with colleagues and attended educational sessions, this year’s mood seemed a bit subdued in light of industry challenges—trade friction, higher input costs, shifting regulations and volatile markets—but, at the same time, felt cautiously optimistic.

As usual, innovation was a strong theme. Booths and “What’s New” sessions introduced novel technologies in seed and crop protection, such as BASF’s Nemasphere trait for soybean cyst nematode control and upcoming products from companies such as Valent, Bayer, FMC, Syngenta and Corteva. The latest advances in farm machinery were also on display, from John Deere’s 8 series tractors to Case IH’s new Nutri-Tiller strip-tillage machine.

MFA precision specialist Anthony Furlin and growers Mark and Kristi Urich were featured in The Fertilizer Institute’s booth to help promote nutrient stewardship. Mental health was also an important topic, and this year’s agenda included a candid program encouraging farmers and their families to look for early warning signs, take advantage of free rural resources and be willing to share their struggles with others. 

Policy discussions focused on strengthening grain markets, including a strong push for year-round sales of E15 gasoline nationwide to drive domestic demand. In her closing keynote, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins agreed that E15 would be a “win-win” for farmers and consumers, and also announced USDA’s “One Farmer, One File” initiative to streamline paperwork and improve service.

Though much has changed since the inaugural Commodity Classic, the spirit of agriculture—the purpose and progress, the collaboration and camaraderie—still feels the same. If 1996 taught us anything, it’s that one year can reshape the industry. And if 2026 has taught us anything so far, it’s that looking back helps us move forward with clearer eyes and smarter intentions. 

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Read more in the April/May Today's Farmer magazine HERE.

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