Pub. 8 2019 Issue 2

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 24 summer weather risks for ag production in the Midwest. While farmers certainly welcome warmer temperatures, the possible continuation of an active weather pattern could dash hopes of early spring fieldwork. “A very active weather pattern is setting up,” Snodgrass said. “We could see a parade (of rain and thunderstorms) through March into April.” That would delay fieldwork in most areas as soil already is saturated, with standing water and frozen ponds at many locations. The next presentation by Lieutenant Colonel Robert J. Darling kept the group on the edge of their seats as he described the enormity of the crisis leadership decisions made on behalf of all Americans during the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Vice President Dick Cheney and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in a bunker underneath the White House. “I watched and witnessed our nation’s leaders making the most unbelievable crisis- leadership decisions,” says Darling, a retired Marine helicopter pilot who, that morning, had been responsible for the logistics of President Bush’s trip to Florida. Darling adds, “There are some days I think Americans are starting to forget about 9/11, and then I stop for a second and realize that we really are not. People remember the day it all changed... it’s something we are all still living with today.” After the session he autographed his book, 24 Hours Inside the President's Bunker, 9/11/01: The White House for any attendee interested in obtaining a copy. The first day wrapped up with an evening reception and tradeshow. This year was a record breaker with 19 sponsors and 14 exhibitor booths. Thanks to the following sponsors: Diamond - Silveus Insurance, Farmer Mac Group; Platinum – Kansas Corn, Bankers’ Bank of Kansas, Country Banker, Security 1st Title; Gold – INTRUST, First National Bank of Hutchinson, Ag Risk Solutions, Bankers Healthgroup Care; Silver – Graduate School of Banking Colorado, Kansas Wheat, AgWest Commodities, KBA Insurance, Kansas Soybean, Purple Wave, BigIron Auctions, AuctionTime.com, FHSU. Day two started with Randy Blach, CattleFax, as he opened his outlook stating, “We think the beef industry will continue to be profitable. We are optimistic about that. We expect cow- calf producers will continue to be profitable going into the early part of the next decade." Stockers and packers are also expected to fair profitably, while feeders may have tighter margins. Blach attributes the largely favorable forecast to export and demand growth. But he cautions that cyclical price risks and volatility will continue in the marketplace. Record large beef production is expected in 2019 at 27.3 billion pounds. Domestic beef, pork and poultry production is slated for 1.8% increase in 2019, resulting in 103.37 billon pounds of animal protein. He predicts the cattle industry will remain profitable but sees potential cyclical price risk into early 2020. The 2019 annual meeting of the Kansas Ag Bankers Division was called to order by members of Kansas 4-H Youth who led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance, as well as the 4-H Pledge. Jake Worcester, President & CEO of the Kansas 4-H Foundation presented an award to KAB for 65 continuous years of donations to the Foundation. KAB is proud to be the longest running donor in the 66-year history of the Kansas 4-H Foundation! The annual meeting was led by KAB President TJ Wilson, Morrill and Janes Bank, Hiawatha. The Pioneer Award was presented to Donald Koops, Senior Vice President at The Farmers Bank in Osborne, Kansas. 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. Following the nominating process, Elsa Havel, Grant County Bank in Ulysses, was inducted in as the new KBA Kansas Ag Bankers Division President. Next up, a panel discussion was moderated by TJ Wilson. The panel included Ryan Flickner, Kansas Farm Bureau, highlighting the 2018 Farm Bill/ Ag Producer Sentiment; Ed Elfmann, VP of Government Relations, ABA providing an update from Washington D.C.; and Dr. Matt Roberts, Kermantle Group sharing his views on trade. Dr. Matt Roberts closed the conference with his interpretation of the grain markets. He believes that the ag economy is already in a state of recovery. “We are constantly surrounded with doom and gloom. You would think we are on the precipice of a new dark age,” Roberts said. “But look at the data. You quickly come to the conclusion that we’re living in the most peaceful and prosperous time in human history.” Even with his enthusiasm for the future of the ag economy, Roberts said that these next few years will be the making or breaking point for many in the industry. In the long-term, Roberts said, agriculture is simply in what economists call a “supercycle.” Every two to three decades, there will be a massive demand followed by an oversupply. The real question is not if we are going to get out of this, but when, Roberts said. The next Kansas Ag Bankers Conference will be on March 4-5, 2020 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Manhattan, Kansas. Shan Hanes (Heartland Tri-State Bank, Elkhart), TJ Wilson (Morrill & Janes Bank, Hiawatha) and Tim Smith (First State Bank, Plainville).