Pub. 8 2019 Issue 2

March/April 2019 23 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 T he 2019 Kansas Ag Bankers Conference was held once again at the Manhattan Hilton Garden Inn March 6-7 with over 300 bankers in attendance and according to Dr. David Kohl, the Kansas Ag Bankers Conference is the largest state conference in the nation. This year’s event also set a record with 14 active exhibit booths. KAB President TJ Wilson, Morril and Janes Bank, Hiawatha, opened the conference with comments and introductions. KBA Past Chairman Ron Johnson also made a few remarks to conference attendees. The first presenter, Dr. David Kohl, shared how the agricultural industry is now in its seventh year of an economic reset with razor thin margins combined with increased volatility. Reminding the group that good times don’t last forever and neither do bad times, Kohl stressed that there will be many opportunities to succeed over the next five years but there will be even more opportunities to fail. Kohl states, “Many bankers stated that business IQ and financial acumen are dividing the profitable and not so profitable borrowers. As with the 1980s financial crisis, producers who are innovative, adaptable, and guided by sound business practices are operating sustainable businesses.” Kohl explains that agricultural trade will continue to be a major concern but it’s difficult to predict as negotiations on agricultural commodities are tied in with steel, aluminum and technology. What’s more, emerging trends such as process modeling and blockchain technology, which are being driven by Millennials, Generation Z and Generation A consumers, will change how food is produced and will further customize and personalize consumers’ eating experiences. The 2020s will be a period of transition for both producers and agricultural lenders. There were two breakout sessions that contained six presentations. Topics included: Generational Transition and Tax, Chuck Marshall and Kala Jenkins, KCOE Isom; Ag Lending/Mission Critical Limits for Ag Customers, Curt Covington, Farmer Mac; U.S. Economic Outlook and the Farm Economy, Jackson Takach, Farmer Mac; and The Girl Banker, Natalie Bartholomew, Grand Savings Bank. All the breakout sessions were well attended. “The Wild Side of Weather,” was energetically presented by Eric Snodgrass, University of Illinois. Snodgrass is a lead atmospheric scientist assessing and forecasting weather risks for the ag industry and he makes the case for a big weather event coming that will affect the ag market. He discussed global weather patterns and how they relate to spring and KBA AG BANKERS CONFERENCE Thank you to your 2018-2019 Kansas Ag Bankers Board for putting together another successful conference! Tim Ohlde (Country Banker Systems, Clyde) and Kelly Mason (Legacy Bank, Wichita). Dr. Matt Roberts (Kernmantle Group) concluded the conference with his outlook on the grain markets. Dr. David Kohl kicks off this year’s conference with his session, “The State of Agriculture and Ag Lending.” Natalie Bartholomew (Grand Savings Bank, Northwest Arkansas) after her presentation, “Calling All Girl Bankers.” KAB officers pose with Jake Worchester of the Kansas 4-H Foundation and local 4-H youth as they are presented with an award for 65 years of giving to Kansas 4-H. Lt. Col. Robert J Darling (USMC, Ret.) signs autographs after his inspiring talk, “24 Hours Inside the Presidents Bunker, 9/11, The White House.” Students from Fort Hays State University’s Robbins Banking Institute attend day one of the conference. 2019 KBA Pioneer Award winner Don Koops (The Farmers Bank, Osborn) and his family.