ITHACA, N.Y. --Cornell University's annual Agribusiness Economic Outlook Conference will be held Tuesday, Dec. 10, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. On-site registration will begin at 9 a.m. in the foyer of the David L. Call Alumni Auditorium, Kennedy Hall.

The morning session will begin with a welcome by Andrew Novakovic, chairman of Applied Economics and Management (AEM) department; Steven Kyle, associate professor of AEM, will provide the national perspective on the economy and agriculture; Charles Nicholson, senior research associate in AEM, will discuss New York dairy plants; Brian Henehan, senior extension associate in AEM, will address agricultural strategic marketing; and Bruce Anderson, associate professor of AEM, will focus on agribusiness trends and developments.

There will be two concurrent afternoon sessions:

Grains and Feeds, Livestock and Dairy -- James Hilker, professor, Michigan State University, will discuss grains, feeds and other farm outputs; and Mark Stephenson, senior extension associate in AEM, will discuss the dairy outlook.

Fruit, grapes, vegetables, ornamentals and implications for local food economy -- Alison DeMarree, Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE), will present the fruit outlook; Barry Shaffer, CCE, will outline the grape outlook; Wen-fei Uva, senior extension associate, AEM, will focus on the vegetable and ornamental outlook; and Nelson Bills, professor, AEM, will address fruit and vegetable consumption and agricultural production in New York state and the implications for the local food economy.

The pre-registration fee is $50 if postmarked by November 26, and $60 after that date. The registration fee for Cornell and CCE staff is $25. Parking permits are $3. For further information or to obtain a pre-registration form, go to http://aem.cornell.edu/outreach/index.htm#outlook . For more information call Linda Putnam at (607) 255-8429 or Faye Butts at (607) 254-7412. Phone registrations will not be accepted.

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EDITORS: If you or a reporter would like to attend, please contact Blaine Friedlander at Cornell News Service, (607) 255-3290, for credentials.