Iowa Farm Bureau's Economic Summit Agenda

7:00 AM: Buffet Breakfast and Coffee

8:00 AM: Welcome and Introduction

Christopher Pudenz / Economist / Iowa Farm Bureau
Tyne Morgan / Host / U.S. Farm Report

8:15 AM: World Macroeconomics, International Commodities, and Geopolitics 

Frank Kelly / Founder & Managing Partner / Fulcrum Macro - View Bio

There is no shortage of pressures on U.S. farmers stemming from international events. This session will dive into international trends and developments impacting commodities.

9:30 AM: Break with Refreshments

9:45 AM: Mexico - U.S. Agricultural Partnership

Luis Martinez Senties / Agricultural Counselor / Agriculture Office at the Embassy of Mexico in Washington, DC - View Bio
Brenda Martinez Vergara / Agricultural Advisor / Agriculture Office at the Embassy of Mexico in Washington, DC - View Bio

The United States and Mexico have a historic and important trading relationship. This session will highlight opportunities presented by U.S.-Mexico agricultural trade, and discuss what progress can we make going forward.

10:45 AM: Break with Refreshments

11:00 AM: Ag Lending / Real Estate Panel 

Moderator: Tyne Morgan / Host / U.S. Farm Report

Jim Knuth / Senior VP of Lending / Farm Credit Services of America - View Bio
Kent Stensland / Chief Credit Officer / Bank Midwest - View Bio
Travis Smock / Realtor & Land Agent / Peoples Company - View Bio
 
Generationally-high interest rates and the explosive growth in land values slowing down raise questions regarding the state of ag lending and ag real estate in Iowa. Three panelists will provide slightly different perspectives on the industry.

12:00 PM: Lunch and Networking

1:15 PM: KEYNOTE  

Fireside Chat with Austan Goolsbee / President & CEO / Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago - View Bio

Austan Goolsbee, President and CEO of the Chicago Federal Reserve Bank, will join IFBF President Brent Johnson for a “fireside chat” discussion about the U.S. macroeconomy, interest rates, and their impact on U.S. agriculture.

2:00 PM: Break with Refreshments

2:15 PM: Meat Supply Chain Panel

Moderator: Christopher Pudenz / Economist / Iowa Farm Bureau

Cattle Feeder: Don Gales / Chairman & CEO / Friona Industries - View Bio
Packer: Dr. Karl Skold / Head of Agricultural Economics / JBS - View Bio
Retailer: Jason Pride / Vice President of Meat & Seafood / Hy-Vee - View Bio

With the pork industry still reeling from one of its worst years ever, and beef prices at record highs, representatives from three key segments of the U.S. meat supply chain will discuss trends, challenges, and opportunities for their respective companies.

3:15 PM: Grain Marketing Is Simple (It's Just Not Easy) 

Ed Usset / Grain Marketing Economist & Author / Center for Farm Financial Management at the University of Minnesota - View Bio

Farmers have some tough choices to make this year when it comes to marketing their crops. This session will share practical wisdom on how to develop a pre-harvest marketing plan during challenging market conditions.

4:00 PM: Final Thoughts and Conclusion 

Zach Brummer / Farmer Education Program Manager / Iowa Farm Bureau