The annual Cornell Agribusiness Economic Outlook Conference will be held Tuesday, Dec. 12, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. hosted by Cornell's Department of Applied Economics and Management. Registration will begin at 9 a.m. in the foyer of the university's David L. Call Alumni Auditorium, Kennedy Hall.

At the morning plenary session, Steven Kyle, associate professor of applied economics and management, will provide the national perspective on the economy and agriculture. William Lesser, professor of applied economics and management, will discuss "Biotechnology: Current State of the Debate." Margaret Smith, associate professor of plant breeding and associate director of Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE), will chair a panel discussion on animal, plant and food-processing biotechnology.

There will be two, concurrent afternoon sessions on specific commodities:

• Grains and Feeds, Livestock and Dairy -- James Hilker, Michigan State University professor of agricultural economics, will describe the outlook for grains, feed and other farm outputs; Mark Stephenson, Cornell senior extension associate, will provide the dairy outlook.
• Fruit, Vegetables, Ornamentals, Produce Markets and Value-Added Apple Products -- Gerald White, professor of applied economics and management, will provide the fruit, grapes and wine outlook. Wen-Fei Uva, senior extension associate, will talk on vegetables and ornamentals. Edward McLaughlin, professor of applied economics and management, will address the dynamics of produce markets. Kristin Rowles, research support specialist, will speak on value-added apple products.

The conference preregistration fee is $40 if postmarked by Nov. 28. The registration fee is $50 if postmarked after Nov. 28 or if registering on-site. The registration fee for Cornell and CCE staff is $15. Box lunches will be available for $8, and parking permits will be available at $2 each. For further information or to request a preregistration form, contact Linda Putnam at (607) 255-8429 or Quinn Avery at (607) 255-1406.