Pub. 7 2018 Issue 3

l e a d i n g a d v o c a t e f o r t h e b a n k i n g i n d u s t r y i n k a n s a s 10 I N THE FIFTH YEAR OF economic reset, the agricultural industry is forced to adjust and ag lenders need to understand trends in the market and successful strategy to help producers manage working capital and survive this economic cycle. On March 7-8, 2018, the KBA Ag Bankers Division (KAB) held their annual Conference in Manhattan with almost 300 attendees. The preconference area housed a small tradeshow with 20 vendor booths. There was special recognition of select Kansas bankers during the annual meeting, which took place on the second day of the event. KAB division presidents for each of the 10 years since the Kansas Ag Bankers moved under the KBA umbrella were recognized. A plaque with all their names was presented and will be on display in the KBA office. KAB Past Presidents: • Jerry Dreher, Emprise Bank, Iola • Tim Dainty, First National Bank of Girard • Dan Heinz, INTRUST Bank, NA, Wichita • Sid Graber, Citizens Bank of Kansas, Pretty Prairie • Matt Lee, Centera Bank, Satanta • Shan Hanes, Heartland Tri-State Bank, Elkhart • Troy Soukup, Citizens State Bank & Trust, Ellsworth • Doug Ray, Solutions North Bank, Norton • Marvin Anliker, American State Bank & Trust, Garden City • Mike Waldman, Community National Bank & Trust, Iola The Pioneer Award was also given during the annual meeting. This award was established to highlight the important role of today’s agricultural lender by annually recognizing a banker that exemplifies the best in agricultural lending by continually bringing credit to his/her profession and the entire agricultural banking community. The 2018 Pioneer award was presented to Jerry Renk, American State Bank & Trust Co., Great Bend. KAB President Michael Waldman opened the conference with welcoming comments and introductions. KBA Chairman Ron Johnson also made a few remarks to conference attendees. Dr. David Kohl was the opening speaker with a talk titled, “Top Economic Indicators for Agriculture.” Dr. Kohl addressed how international trade and the geopolitical economy effect productivity, efficiency and growth of the ag industry. He also discussed the ag economic cycles from 2006 through today and projected the cycle through 2025. He explained that technology effects growth along with other factors in the ag economic cycle. Relationship banking and character will once again play a significant role in ag banking, according to Kohl. There were two sets of breakout sessions that contained six presentations. Topics included: Moderated Commodity Group Update; The Truth About Trade, by Dr. Matt Roberts, Kernmantle Group; Risk Management, Crop Insurance Software, Strategy, by Jarrod Barnhart, Silveus; How is This Farm Crisis Different from the ‘80’s and What Lies Ahead, by Dr. Allen Featherstone, KSU; Water Policy and Land Values, by Susan Metzger, Kansas Department of Agriculture; and Generational Management, by Lonny Geiman, Bandura Plus. All the breakout sessions were well attended. “The Wild Side of Weather,” was presented by Eric Snodgrass, University of Illinois. Snodgrass is the 2018 KBA KANSAS AG BANKERS CONFERENCE Kay Andler, Denison State Bank, Holton; Jan Endicott, Stockgrowers State Bank, Ashland; and Maria Pfizenmaier, United Bank & Trust, Clay Center, network during a break. 2017-18 KAB President Mike Waldman, Community National Bank & Trust, Iola, and Eric Snodgrass, atmospheric scientist from University of Illinois, chat following the presentation titled, “The Wild Side of Weather.” Aren McBride, Citizens State Bank, Hugoton, and Humorist Rik Roberts pause for a photo after Aren won a door prize for his participation in the presentation.