National experts to help Iowa farmers manage risk in a downturned economy

Already facing a downturned ag economy, Iowa farmers are facing uncertain times when it comes to Presidential politics and the future of trade and interest rates.

Those issues and more are the subject of discussion at the 2016 Iowa Farm Bureau Economic Summit, titled, “Buckle Up for the Bumpy Ride,” June 27 in West Des Moines. The summit will feature the nation’s leading marketing experts to help Iowa farmers manage risks, not just today, but over the next several years.

One of the featured speakers at the IFBF Economic Summit is Dan Mitchell of the Cato Institute, a Washington, D.C. think tank. Mitchell keeps a close eye on politics and how it affects the economy and will share how the various candidates and their positions are likely to impact Iowa agriculture.

“It’s certainly been a very surprising year in politics,” said Dave Miller, Iowa Farm Bureau director of Research and Commodity Services. “But now that we have a good idea of who the candidates are for the November election, it’s important to examine their positions to see where they stand in areas critical to agriculture, such as international trade agreements, regulation and farm safety net programs.”

The summit will feature a range of Iowa-based and national experts, ranging from economist Nathan Kaufmann of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, Iowa State University’s (ISU) Chad Hart, and Charlie Happel, chief financial officer of Farm Bureau Financial Services who will address the overall economic climate. “The recovery in the overall economy has been pretty lukewarm,” said Miller. “So it’s important to see how that translates into things that are important to Iowa farmers, like consumer beef and pork demand, as well as the direction of interest rates.”

Mike Pearson of IPTV’s Market to Market will moderate the one-day event which will be held at IFBF headquarters, 5400 University Avenue in West Des Moines, June 27 beginning at 7:30 a.m. There will also be special panel discussions on key issues and experts to take questions. Summit registration, which includes access to all presentations and lunch, is $75 for Farm Bureau members and $100 for non-members. Register now for this essential risk management seminar. Visit https://www.iowafarmbureau.com/News/2016-Economic-Summit or call Lavonne Baldwin at 515-225-5633 or email lbaldwin@ifbf.org.