Arkansas State University annual Agribusiness Conference will be held

The 25th annual Agribusiness Conference on the Arkansas State University campus is slated for Wednesday (Feb. 13). The conference is free to those that want to attend. To assist with planning, the conference organizers are encouraging those who plan to attend to register in advance.

The morning general session features four speakers and a panel discussion.

Ted Glaub, founder of Glaub Farm Management, LLC, will discuss the challenges and opportunities he sees in farming.

Agricultural policy and political analyst Jim Wiesemeyer will discuss the impact of the 2018 elections on the agricultural and rural economy.

Amanda Countryman, a professor of agricultural economics at Colorado State University, will review the theory of international trade, the recent history of U.S. trade policy, and the implications for farmers and agribusiness.

Mississippi State University economist Keith Coble will give an update on the lessons learned from the 2018 farm bill debate.

Conference director Bert Greenwalt will lead the discussion panel of general session speakers.The luncheon program will feature Tyne Morgan, host of the U.S. Farm Report television program.

The afternoon program features three concurrent commodity sessions.

Terry Harris and Grayson Daniels from Riceland Foods, Inc., will discuss rice and grain market issues. Graduate students Hunter Biram and Grant Wilson will present their agricultural policy research.

Jeff Johnson from Allenberg Cotton Co. and Gary Adams, CEO of the National Cotton Council, will discuss cotton industry issues .with University of Arkansas economist Scott Stiles.

Marvin Childers and Holly Rogers from The Poultry Federation and Michelle Bufkin and Cody Burkham from the Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association will discuss poultry and beef industry issue with A-State economist Mark Jordan.

A session on credit, tax, and legal issues for producers and agricultural lenders will feature presentations by Joe Verser and James Pierce of Arvest Bank, Charlott Jones, CPA with Jones & Company, Ltd., and R. Seth Hampton of Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC.