8:00 a.m. Registration and Continental Breakfast

8:20 a.m. Welcome and Introduction

8:30 a.m. How to Stay on the Survival Island of
                  Agriculture

Producers and lenders are dealing with more uncertainty than ever as they work to sustain profits in today’s turbulent economic times.  Global changes are affecting your bottom line and no one connects the dots between those trends and your local community, farm operation, or lending institution better than Dr. Kohl.  Dave will provide specific financial and economic benchmarks to manage and build your financial fortress.  Agrilenders and producers will not want to miss this informative session on surviving the “new normal” for the U.S. economy and the structural changes taking place in agriculture.  

9:30 a.m. Ten Golden Rules of Ag Management

Rising input costs, volatile commodity prices, and uncertainty over land values can threaten your net worth and operational cash flow. Dr. Kohl’s straight-forward, no-holds barred, presentation will provide the financial tools needed to identify red flags and positive marketing opportunities.  Dave’s “Ten Golden Rules” will help the producer/lender team strengthen their financial positions.  Drawing on his experience as an agricultural economist and operator of his own farming operation, Dr. Kohl will provide financial scoring measures for large and small customers. Producers will learn what today’s lenders are looking for in financially healthy farm operations. Whether you are a producer, lender, or other ag service provider, you will benefit from this nuts and bolts session delivered in Dave’s attention-grabbing style!

10:45 a.m. The Impact of Government Policy on Your Farming Operation

Government policies have fundamentally changed the business model of agriculture. New programs, regulations, and incentives can make or break even the most efficient farm operations.  As a leading expert in the field of agricultural and food policy, Dr. Joe Outlaw will share important information from his work with congressional leaders and other policymakers on issues ranging from the next farm bill, to commodity programs and direct payments, to land values, to bio-fuel policies. If you are looking for the best insight into where farm policy is going and how it will affect your operation - you need to look no further than Joe Outlaw!

11:45 a.m. Lunch

1:15 p.m. Commodity Prices and Sustained Profitability in the Livestock Industry

Worldwide demand for food, fuel, and other inputs has changed the financial landscape for crop and livestock producers.   A new addition to the Mid-South Ag Finance Conference, nationally renowned expert Dr. Tom Elam will provide attendees with a fresh perspective on commodity prices, feeding costs, and major meat price trends.  If you are not managing risk you are taking it and Tom’s up-to-date session will provide livestock producers with an understanding of the primary drivers of commodity prices and volatility.  The “takeaway” tools from this session will also include today’s most effective methods for hedging price risk.

2:30 p.m. Question and Answer Session
3:00 p.m. Adjourn