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| Wednesday, August 20, 2025 |
| 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. |
Registration and Refreshments
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| 10:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. |
Welcome and Introductions
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| 10:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. |
Opening Session – TBA
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| 11:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Legislative Update: Key Policy Developments Impacting Ag Banking
Ben Jackson, EVP, Government Relations, Illinois Bankers Association
Ed Elfmann, SVP, Agricultural and Rural Banking Policy, American Bankers Association
An overview of the most pressing advocacy issues facing ag bankers in 2025. Gain an
understanding of how new policies at the state and federal levels may impact ag lending
practices, compliance requirements, and the broader farm economy.
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| 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Networking Lunch |
| 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Farm Business Success & Income Outlook: Strategies and Risks for 2025
Bob Rhea, CEO, Illinois Farm Business Farm Management Association
Gary Schnitkey, UofI Professor; farmdoc
This session highlights the top 10 data-driven strategies for Illinois farm business success
in 2025, focusing on actionable approaches for lenders to help clients manage risk,
leverage estate planning, and navigate rising debt and input costs. Analysis of grain farm
income forecasts for 2024 and 2025 provides context on profitability trends, with special
attention to market volatility, weather patterns, and financial management practices
relevant to Illinois producers. The discussion equips ag and commercial lenders with
insights to support farm clients in making informed decisions amid evolving economic and
operational challenges.
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| 2:30 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. | General Session - TBA |
| 3:15 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. | Break (Open Bar) |
| 3:45 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. | Business & Economic Outlook
Dr. David Kohl, Professor Emeritus, Virginia Tech NOT AgriVisions, LLC
The COVID-19 black swan landed like no other bird creating economic, financial, social,
and emotional anxiety in its wake. This major disruptor created challenges for some but
opportunities for others. What will be the future of global and domestic economics, trade,
land values, customer behaviors, and everything in between? Come join us to discuss
the four pillars of success for converting economic uncertainty and disruptions into
business opportunities.
A high business IQ will be one of the common denominators of success. What are the
components of a high business and financial IQ that provide resiliency and agility to
navigate accelerated change that has been created by the pandemic? Tune in to this
informative session with Dr. Kohl to learn some action items that will position your
business and management team to navigate the economic white waters of the decade of
the 2020s. Join Dr. David Kohl, Virginia Tech Academic Hall of Famer, for his views and
perspectives that will impact producers, ag lenders, and agribusinesses.
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| 4:45 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Networking Reception |
| Thursday, August 21, 2025 |
| 8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. |
Breakfast Buffet
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| 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. | 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
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| 9:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. | General Session - TBA
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| 9:30 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. | Break
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| 9:45 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. |
Grain Markets Outlook
Matt Bennett, AgMarket.Net®
Gain a comprehensive, real-world perspective on the current and upcoming grain
markets in this session led by Matt Bennett of AgMarket.Net®. "Grain Markets Outlook"
delivers timely analysis of key drivers shaping the corn and soybean markets, including
U.S. and global supply and demand trends, acreage shifts, yield projections, and the
impact of weather and policy changes. Matt draws on his extensive experience as a
producer, grain marketing consultant, and risk management strategist to break down
USDA reports, market fundamentals, and price action scenarios relevant to producers, ag
lenders, and agribusiness professionals.
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| 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | Fireside Chat
Matt Bennett & Eric Snodgrass |
| 11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. |
High Impact Meteorology
Eric Snodgrass, Sr. Science Fellow, Nutrien Ag Solutions
Weather risk in production agriculture is ubiquitous, and the successful execution of a
crop plan requires accurate weather forecasting and analysis. We plan our operations
based on weather averages and our experiences over recent growing seasons, but each
year presents a new set of weather challenges. In this talk, we will focus on how to use
the abundance of weather data to stay ahead to disruptive weather events. We will talk
about the limits of predictability for weather events and learn about the resources
available to monitor changes in longer-range forecasts. We will review the major lessons
from the last growing season and talk about your state’s risk from severe storms –
especially high winds, hail events, and tornadoes. We will talk about the big seasonal
drivers like El Niño and La Niña discuss the outlook for the next spring and summer. We
will finish with a discussion about the next growing season in South America, which
competes directly with our crops.
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