Program | Agricultural Bankers Conference

8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Conference Registration Open

7:30 AM – 8:15 AM

Power Breakfasts

8:30 AM – 10:00 AM

General Session

Bruning Award Presentation

Agricultural Economics in an Uncertain Landscape

This session will deepen your understanding of the forces influencing your clients and communities and strengthen your role as a trusted financial partner in agriculture. We’ll examine key economic indicators — including land values, commodity markets, interest rates and farm income — and their implications for credit markets, risk management, strategic planning and how you can navigate opportunities. 

• Jason Henderson, Ph.D., Vice President, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Networking Break in The Hub

11:00 AM – 11:40 AM

Commodity Outlooks

Get the latest commodity updates on cattle, grain, and proteins. Each 40-minute session will be offered twice, so you can attend more than one. 

Cattle

Get a strategic overview of the current and future state of the cattle market, blending macroeconomic trends with micro-level herd data. You will gain insights into market direction, economic drivers, and the cash flow implications for producers and lenders so you have the tools to make informed financial decisions in a shifting agricultural economy.

• Dr. Andrew Griffith, Professor, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics

Grain: Corn, Wheat, Soy

Get ready for an engaging, discussion-driven look at the supply and demand fundamentals for corn, soybeans and wheat, and how global trade dynamics and timing influence each crop differently. From shifting export markets to evolving trade agreements, we’ll unpack what matters most and why. We’ll break down what to watch closely in the months ahead and share key takeaways to help you stay ahead of the curve. Bring your questions!

• Frayne Olson, PhD, Crops Economist and Marketing Specialist, NDSU Extension; Director, Quentin Burdick Center for Cooperatives; Professor, Agribusiness & Applied Economics, North Dakota State University

Proteins: Poultry, Pork

Join us for a focused outlook on the poultry and pork sectors, covering current industry conditions, export trends, and the economic forces shaping supply and demand. You’ll gain insights into key challenges, shifting profitability and the major trends driving change across both poultry and pork.

• Brian Earnest, Lead Animal Protein Economist, CoBank

11:50 AM – 12:30 PM

Commodity Outlooks

Get the latest commodity updates on cattle, grain, and proteins. Each 40-minute session will be offered twice, so you can attend more than one. 

Cattle

Get a strategic overview of the current and future state of the cattle market, blending macroeconomic trends with micro-level herd data. You will gain insights into market direction, economic drivers, and the cash flow implications for producers and lenders so you have the tools to make informed financial decisions in a shifting agricultural economy.

• Dr. Andrew Griffith, Professor, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics

Grain: Corn, Wheat, Soy

Get ready for an engaging, discussion-driven look at the supply and demand fundamentals for corn, soybeans and wheat, and how global trade dynamics and timing influence each crop differently. From shifting export markets to evolving trade agreements, we’ll unpack what matters most and why. We’ll break down what to watch closely in the months ahead and share key takeaways to help you stay ahead of the curve. Bring your questions!

• Frayne Olson, PhD, Crops Economist and Marketing Specialist, NDSU Extension; Director, Quentin Burdick Center for Cooperatives; Professor, Agribusiness & Applied Economics, North Dakota State University

Proteins: Poultry, Pork

Join us for a focused outlook on the poultry and pork sectors, covering current industry conditions, export trends, and the economic forces shaping supply and demand. You’ll gain insights into key challenges, shifting profitability and the major trends driving change across both poultry and pork.

• Brian Earnest, Lead Animal Protein Economist, CoBank

12:30 PM – 1:30 PM

Lunch and General Session

ABA/Farmer Mac Ag Lender Survey Results

Our panel of experts will showcase and analyze the results from the 2025 ABA-Farmer Mac Agricultural Bankers Survey. Gain insights on the state of agricultural banking from a survey of ag lenders across the country.

• Ryan Lee, Research Manager, American Bankers Association
• Jackson Takach, Chief Economist, Vice President, Strategy, Research and Analytics, Farmer Mac

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM

Dessert & Coffee Break in The Hub

2:30 PM – 3:15 PM

Concurrent Sessions III

Labor Challenges in Ag: What Bankers Need to Know

Explore the evolving labor landscape in agriculture, including the impact of immigration policy, H-2A visa updates and rising labor costs. This session will equip you with insights into legislative developments, risk exposure and strategies for managing labor-related expenses.

• Jonathan Sarager, Senior Director of Federal Government Affairs, Western Growers

Trends and Risks in Less Regulated and Vendor Financing

If conditions in the farm economy continue to worsen, more producers may turn to agricultural lending outside traditional financial institutions. This session will focus on lenders that are less — or differently — regulated than commercial banks and the Farm Credit System, including vendor financing, collateral-based lenders and private credit providers. We’ll examine these credit providers and the risks they pose and discuss experiences and share strategies for navigating them.

• Jennifer Ifft, Professor & Flinchbaugh, Agricultural Policy Chair

3:30 PM – 4:15 PM

Concurrent Sessions IV

Latest Developments in Distressed Agricultural Lending 

Learning from your mistakes is valuable, but so is learning from the mistakes of others. This session will cover the top agricultural lending disputes from the past year. Gain insights into common pitfalls, practical solutions to resolve disputes and best practices for managing risk in agricultural loans. You’ll leave with actionable strategies to enhance your lending practices and more effectively mitigate risks.

• Thomas Donaldson, Partner, Husch Blackwell LLP
• Michael Fielding, Partner, Husch Blackwell LLP

How to Use the Farm Financial Standards Council’s Recommended Financial Ratios

Hear the key financial ratios as recommended by the Farm Financial Standards Council, the predominant ratios used by ag lenders, issues with computation, variation across type and size of farms, and other stats.

• Todd Doehring, Director, Centrec Consulting Group 
• Pauline Van Nurden, Associate Director, Extension Economist, UM Center for Farm Financial Management

4:30 PM – 5:45 PM

General Session & Networking Event

Meet fellow bankers from across generations at this interactive networking session. Whether you’re new to the industry, attending the conference for the first time or a returning participant, this is a great chance to make new connections and reconnect with peers. A fun activity will help spark conversation!

6:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Reception in the Grand Hall 
Sponsored by Farmer Mac

Share your grand ideas with peers over light bites and drinks in The Grand Hall, a St. Louis landmark featuring a sweeping archway, 65-foot ceiling, fresco and art glass windows.

7:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Conference Registration Open

7:00 AM – 7:45 AM

Power Breakfasts

8:00 AM – 10:15 AM

General Session

8:00 – 8:15 AM

Blanchfield Award Presentation

8:15 – 9:15 AM

Navigate Through Economic Chaos

In times of volatility, standing still is not an option. Join us for a powerful and practical session that goes beyond survival mode. This keynote explores how ag bankers and their clients can not only navigate through economic disruption but reposition for growth amid uncertainty. From inflation to interest rates to geopolitical tensions, learn how to turn headwinds into tailwinds by sharpening the tools in your toolkit. Dr. David Kohl is back for his 48th year for a session grounded in data, experience and foresight.

• David M. Kohl, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Virginia Tech, AgriVisions, LLC

9:15 – 10:15 AM

High Impact Meteorology

We plan our operations based on weather averages and our experiences over recent growing seasons, but each year presents a new set of weather challenges. In this session, learn how to use the abundance of weather data to stay ahead of disruptive weather events. We’ll explore the resources available to monitor changes in longer-range forecasts. We’ll also discuss your state’s risk for severe storms and the next growing season in South America, which competes directly with our crops.

• Eric Snodgrass, Principal Atmospheric Scientist, Conduit Ag

10:15 AM – 10:30 AM

Coffee Break

10:30 AM – 11:30 AM

Closing General Session

From Football to Farming: Jason Brown’s Journey to Aid in Food Security

By swapping football for farming, Jason Brown found his life’s higher calling. The former NFL offensive lineman, who used to protect quarterbacks, is now protecting agriculture through First Fruits Farm. Watch his keynote address to learn how his passion for being part of something bigger than himself led him to support his local community. His story of farming, football and faith will inspire ag bankers like you to enrich the lives of those around you.

• Jason Brown, Founder, First Fruits Farm