Program | Agricultural Bankers Conference

7:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Conference Registration Open

7:30 AM – 8:00 AM

Power Breakfast

8:00 AM – 10:00 AM

Opening General Session

10:00 AM – 10:30 AM

Coffee Break with Exhibitors

10:30 AM – 11:30 AM

CONCURRENT SESSIONS I
More sessions to be announced.

Building Next-Level Bankers

Increased regulation, tighter margins and more competition pose challenges for all bankers. In a lively discussion with banking leaders who have “seen it all,” gain perspective on what it takes to rise above the noise and move forward.

Innovations in Agricultural Lending

A panel of experienced ag lenders will discuss their unique perspectives on using government lending programs. Gain practical insights, real-life examples and creative strategies to enhance ag loan portfolios. Discover how to navigate agency-related challenges and think outside the box to drive success in agricultural lending.

11:30 AM – 1:00 PM

General Session Luncheon

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

CONCURRENT SESSIONS II
More sessions to be announced.

Plow into Profits – Harnessing the Power of Ag Lending

What can your financial institution do to mitigate risk in lending while having profitable ag loan growth? Join us to discuss how loan pricing and product feature strategies can help drive profitable growth in today’s rate environment. We’ll also discuss how to best prepare your teams for future changes in ag lending culture.

2:00 PM – 2:45 PM

Afternoon Break with Exhibitors

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Concurrent Sessions III

4:15 PM – 5:00 PM

General Session

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Networking Reception

7:00 AM – 5:15 PM

Conference Registration Open

7:30 AM – 8:30 AM

Power Breakfast

8:45 AM – 10:15 AM

GENERAL SESSION
More sessions to be announced.

The Bruning Award Presentation

10:15 AM – 11:00 AM

Coffee Break with Exhibitors

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Concurrent Sessions IV
More sessions to be announced.

Swift Signs in Agriculture

As we enter our volatile commodity era, it's important that we can be courageous through the tough times and not just treat our clients like some situation to be handled. You've got no reason to be afraid, so avoid being on your own by learning tips of the trade from industry veteran ag bankers on lending during tough times in agriculture.

12:00 PM – 1:15 PM

GENERAL SESSION LUNCHEON

Sustaining Your Bank's Culture in the Ever-evolving NIL Environment      

 Maintaining a positive culture is difficult when facing external pressures like higher pay, increased remote work or expanded employee perks. In this session, learn how to better manage your bank’s existing culture and team chemistry, hire new employees that fit your culture and communicate your brand to attract new customers.

• Nate Franzen, President, Ag Banking Division, First Dakota National Bank

1:15 PM – 2:00 PM

Dessert and Coffee Break with Exhibitors

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

CONCURRENT SESSIONS V
More sessions to be announced.

Managing Commodity Prices with Better Mindset, Mechanics and Technology

In an evolving technological landscape, commodity marketing strategies are crucial for farmers looking to overcome compressed margins and capital constraints. With growing access to on-farm data and aggregation tools, learn to integrate precision farming, data analytics and risk management tools to optimize your output.

3:15 PM – 5:00 PM

GENERAL SESSION

ABA/Farmer Mac Ag Lender Survey Results

Explore results from the 2024 ABA/Farmer Mac Agricultural Bankers Survey and gain insights from experts on agricultural banking.

• Tyler Mondres, Senior Director, Research, American Bankers Association
• Jackson Takach, Chief Economist and Vice President of Strategy, Research, and Analytics, Farmer Mac

7:00 AM – 10:30 AM

Conference Registration Open

7:30 AM – 8:00 AM

Continental Breakfast

8:00 AM – 10:15 AM

GENERAL SESSION

The Blanchfield Award Presentation

Economic Realities: A Banker and Producer Action Plan

The ag industry is facing a cycle similar to 2013-2020, influenced by low prices, high costs and interest rates. Uncertainties like geopolitics and weather add additional anxiety. Dr. Kohl, in his 47th conference appearance, will discuss the impact of domestic and global economics on the financial bottom line and provide a “call to action” for customers and bankers amidst these changes.

• David M. Kohl, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Agricultural Finance and Small Business Management and Entrepreneurship, Virginia Tech

Weather Outlook

Don’t weather the storm alone! Examine long-range forecasts with Don Day, including important analysis on winter for the upcoming growing season and assessments on recently observed weather patterns. Don will also clarify the ocean and solar interactions with the climate.

• Don Day, President and Chief Meteorologist, Day Weather, Inc.

10:15 AM – 10:30 AM

Coffee Break

10:30 AM – 11:30 AM

CLOSING GENERAL SESSION

Leading No-Fail Teams

Hear from Ret. Navy Rear Adm. Scott Moore on how to recruit and train high-achieving, cohesive teams that exceed expectations. Scott will share nail-biting stories, operational skills and leadership experience from his service as a Navy Seal that emphasize the necessity of leadership, trust and peak performance.

• Scott Moore, Rear Admiral, USN (Retired)

11:30 AM

Conference Adjourns