Schedule
The Agriculture Conference begins at 1:45 p.m. Tuesday, March 24, and concludes at 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 25.
Tuesday, March 24
| 9 a.m. to Noon |
(optional)
After a legislative briefing, join MBA staff at the Missouri Capitol to meet your lawmakers and discuss issues important to the banking community.
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| 1 p.m. |
Registration
Courtyard by Marriott | Columbia
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| 1:45 p.m. |
Farm Succession – Planning for Transition, Sweat Equity & Communication
Wesley Tucker, Farm & Ranch Transition Specialist | University of Missouri Extension
All farmers want to see their kids continue their legacy, but let’s be honest — how many of our client’s businesses would successfully make the transition today if dad or grandpa suddenly dropped dead of a heart attack? Would the business survive squabbles between farming and off-farm heirs? Farm succession and estate planning are not the same thing. If our clients want to avoid a “for sale” sign on their farm or ranch, they must make plans for farm succession. Wesley Tucker will dive into the very messy world of family business dynamics and give lenders tips and resources to help clients improve communication and deal with sensitive issues like sweat equity.
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| 5-6 p.m. |
Reception
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Wednesday, March 25
| 7 a.m. |
Breakfast
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| 8 a.m. |
The Pulse of Agriculture and Agricultural Lending
Dr. David Kohl, Professor Emeritus | Virginia Tech
In this dynamic and fast-paced session, Dr. David Kohl will provide his timely and insightful analysis of the general and agricultural economies — connecting global and national trends directly to the realities of rural businesses. With decades of experience and a pulse on ag lenders, producers, and industry shifts, Dr. Kohl will explore the key economic forces impacting your customers and portfolios.
Gain clarity on the lead and lag indicators that matter most in today’s uncertain environment, from interest rates to commodity cycles, consumer behavior and geopolitical risk. Dr. Kohl will break down current and future trends in land values, liquidity and credit quality — equipping you with the tools to ask the right questions and make proactive decisions.
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| 9:30 a.m. |
Break
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| 9:45 a.m. |
Plow into Profits – Harness the Power of Ag Lending
Rob Newberry, Senior Consultant | Abrigo
What can your financial institution do to mitigate the risk in lending while having profitable ag loan growth? What can lenders do to prepare their customers for potential market adjustments in commodity prices and changing interest rates? Should financial institutions’ credit policies or product offerings be updated to help mitigate additional credit risk Rob Newberry discusses these credit issues in more detail and then looks at how automation, loan pricing and product feature strategies can help drive profitable growth in today’s rate environment. He will discuss the changes in ag lending culture on the horizon and how to prepare your teams for whatever is in store.
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| 10:45 a.m. |
Break
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| 11 a.m. |
Renewables on the Farm: What to Know About Wind and Solar Leases
Connie Hayden, Founder & Partner | Haden & Colbert LLC
As renewable energy development accelerates across Missouri farmland, ag bankers are increasingly asked to evaluate the financial and legal impacts of wind and solar leases. Connie Hayden breaks down key legal provisions in energy lease agreements, including payment terms, easements, lien subordination, insurance, decommissioning and surface use restrictions. Learn best practices for reviewing lease documents, protecting the bank’s security interests and advising clients who are considering or negotiating these long-term contracts. This session provides legal insights that ag bankers need to make informed credit decisions in an evolving energy landscape.
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| Noon |
Lunch
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| 1 p.m. |
Legislative Update: Key Policy Developments Affecting Ag Banking
Jackson Hataway, President and CEO | Missouri Bankers Association
Ed Elfmann, Senior Vice President of Agricultural and Rural Banking Policy | American Bankers Association
Jackson Hataway and Ed Elfmann provide an overview of the most pressing advocacy issues facing ag bankers in 2026. Gain an understanding of how new policies at the state and federal levels may affect ag lending practices, compliance requirements and the broader farm economy.
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| 1:45 p.m. |
Break
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| 2 p.m. |
High Impact Meteorology
Eric Snodgrass, Senior Science Fellow | Nutrien Ag Solutions
Weather risk in production agriculture is ubiquitous, and the successful execution of a crop plan requires accurate weather forecasting and analysis. 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. Eric Snodgrass focuses on how to use the abundance of weather data to stay ahead to disruptive weather events. He discusses the limits of predictability for weather events and resources available to monitor changes in longer-range forecasts. Eric reviews the major lessons from the last growing season and talk about your state’s risk from severe storms, especially high winds, hail events and tornadoes. He talks about the big seasonal drivers like El Niño and La Niña, discussing the outlook for the next spring and summer. Eric will discuss the next growing season in South America, which competes directly with our crops. |
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| 3 p.m. |
Adjournment
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