The 2025 Kansas Ag Bankers Conference convened with an exceptional line-up of presenters, 305 attendees and 45 tradeshow sponsors in attendance!
The conference started with KBA’s Kansas Ag Bankers Division President Brad Zimmerman, Farmers Bank & Trust, Atwood, welcoming attendees and introducing the conference sponsors. Following Zimmerman, KBA Chairman Gene Dikeman, Bank of the Plains, Hutchinson, thanked every banker for supporting Kansas agriculture and engaging with KBA on state and federal policy. The first day’s agenda featured insightful presentations from Dr. David Kohl, an update on federal policy from KBA’s President & CEO Doug Wareham and American Bankers Association SVP of Agriculture and Rural Policy Ed Elfmann, an overview of water from the Kansas Water Policy and Regulatory Landscape Panel, and inspiration from former Kansas City Chiefs long snapper Kendall Gammon.
On the second day of the conference, Randy Blach provided an in-depth analysis of the cattle and protein markets. Justin Trompke followed with an ag commodity markets update and also shared insights into global production. The Kansas Ag Bankers Division’s Annual Meeting brought members together to recognize this year’s Pioneer Award winner, Tim Ohlde, and elect next year’s board members and officers. Concluding the conference, Eric Snodgrass delivered an engaging presentation by highlighting global weather trends and their implications for agricultural operations in the state.
Thank you to all who attended the conference! We look forward to seeing you again next year from March 4-5, 2026!
Call to Action!
Please take a moment to send Kansas Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall a letter of thanks for being original cosponsors on the newly minted ACRE Act — S. 838!
Send a letter.
Access ACRE Advocacy Resources.
Brad Zimmerman, Kansas Ag Bankers Division President, Farmers Bank & Trust, Atwood
Conference Kickoff
Kansas Ag Bankers Division President Brad Zimmerman of Farmers Bank & Trust in Atwood kicked off the 2025 Kansas Ag Bankers Conference by welcoming attendees and expressing gratitude to our sponsors. Zimmerman also introduced the Kansas Ag Bankers Division Board of Directors and thanked them for their service and efforts to plan the conference.
Gene Dikeman, KBA Chairman, Bank of the Plains, Hutchinson
Staying Engaged in Ag Policy
KBA Chairman Gene Dikeman, Bank of the Plains in Hutchinson, spoke on the importance of staying engaged in ag policy. Chairman Dikeman highlighted that advocacy and awareness are key to supporting the future of ag banking.
Dr. David Kohl, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Virginia Tech
Ag Economics and Banking Circa 2025 and Financial Tool Kit for Ag Lending
Dr. David Kohl delivered two insightful sessions, providing a deep dive into the evolving landscape of ag economics and lending. In Ag Economics & Banking Circa 2025, he explored the key forces shaping agriculture and ag banking, from global trade policy to geopolitical shifts, highlighting both risks and opportunities in the industry.
In Financial Tool Kit for Ag Lending, Dr. Kohl emphasized the importance of financial and risk management in today’s ag economy. He shared practical tools for assessing risk, strengthening lender-borrower relationships and building high-performing lending teams. Attendees walked away with valuable strategies to navigate the challenges ahead.
Ed Elfmann, SVP of Agriculture and Rural Policy, American Bankers Association and Doug Wareham, President & CEO, Kansas Bankers Association
Federal Ag Policy Update
KBA President & CEO Doug Wareham (L) and American Bankers Association SVP of Agricultural and Rural Banking Policy Ed Elfmann (R) spoke on the reintroduction of the Access to Credit for our Rural Economies (ACRE) Act and urged attendees to contact their Senator and Representatives to thank them for their support of ACRE.
Connie Owen, Kansas Water Office; Doug Ray, Solutions North Bank; Earl Lewis, KDA-Division of Water Resources; Jay Meyer, Centera Bank; Ron Flowers, Community National Bank & Trust; and J.W. Wells, Kansas Bankers Association
Kansas Water Issues and Regulatory Landscape Panel
The Kansas Water Issues & Regulatory Landscape Panel featured an insightful discussion on water policy, regulation, and its impact on the banking industry. Panelists (L-R): Moderator J.W. Wells (KBA), Ron Flowers (Community National Bank & Trust), Connie Owen (Kansas Water Office), Earl Lewis (KDA-Division of Water Resources), Doug Ray (Solutions North Bank), and Jay Meyer (Centera Bank).
Kendall Gammon, Chiefs Radio Network
The Power of Emotional Strength
Rose Hill, Kansas, native and Chiefs Radio Network member Kendall Gammon closed out the day with insights on building stronger teams, enhancing communication and making meaningful connections.
Randy Blach, CattleFax
Cattle and Protein Market Situation and Update
Day two started strong with Randy Blach from CattleFax! He shared insights on the U.S. beef industry, highlighting tight cattle supplies and strong consumer demand driving another year of market success.
Justin Trompke, AgWest Commodities
Capturing Market Opportunity and Managing Risk in Tight Margins
Justin Trompke of AgWest Commodities broke down the key factors shaping today’s grain markets, including Brazilian corn production, the 45Z tax credit, USDA supply and demand estimates, and more. Trompke also emphasized the importance of strategic planning to help ag producers capitalize on opportunities.
Tim Ohlde, 2025 Pioneer Award Winner
Tim Ohlde, Board Chairman of Elk State Bank, Clyde was given the prestigious Kansas Ag Bankers Pioneer Award at this year’s Conference in Manhattan. With over 40 years in community banking, Tim has demonstrated exceptional professionalism and leadership in the industry. Tim has extensive agriculture lending knowledge — he was raised on a dairy farm a few miles from his current residence and has maintained his connection to agriculture. In his career, he has drawn on not only his farm background and experience but also his degree in Ag Education, with an emphasis in Ag Economics from Kansas State University. Congratulations, Tim!
Eric Snodgrass, Nutrien Ag Solutions
High Impact Meteorology
Eric Snodgrass wrapped up the conference with his insights on weather forecasting and analysis. He explored how the current wind stream patterns are affecting drought conditions across the United States and what ag producers need to look for in planning ahead for their production year.
Breakout Sessions
Farm Succession Planning
Lance Woodbury, Pinion
Future of Kansas Agriculture: Conservation, Policy, and Global Impact
Michael Thompson, Thompson Farms & Ranch LLC, and Randy Throener, Forvis Mazars
Crop and Livestock Insurance
Austin Tucker and Greg Bruna, Specialized Crop Insurance
Tools, Tech and R&D in Ag Technology
Randy Throener, Forvis Mazars, and Bryndon Meinhardt, KanEquip
Empowering Your Customers through Beginning Farmer Programs
Joshua Ridder, Kansas Farm Service Agency, and Rebecca Floyd, Kansas Development Finance Authority
Don’t Make That Mistake! Top Ag Lending Litigation Disputes from the Past Year
Michael Fielding, Husch Blackwell
Thank You to Our 2025-26 Kansas Ag Bankers Division Board of Directors!
President
Brett Wicker
Central National Bank, Gardner
Vice-President
Stephen Hendrickson
Citizens State Bank of Marysville, Hanover
Secretary/Treasurer
Julie Voelker
Solutions North Bank, Coffeyville
Past President
Brad Zimmerman
Farmers Bank & Trust, Atwood
Robert Rugan
Farmers Bank & Trust, Great Bend
Shelly Turner
Security State Bank, Scott City
Tricia Fowler
Dream First Bank, Arlington
Greg Saville
First National Bank and Trust, Phillipsburg
Evan Whetzal
First Heritage Bank, Seneca
Steve Howland
Equity Bank, Wichita
Andy Stegman
GNBank, N.A., Offerle
Kaycie Schilling
FNB Bank, Goodland
Brandon Grigsby
Stockgrowers State Bank, Ashland
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
