Page 16 - October 24, 2024 Bulletin

NDBA Ag Credit Conference

in Fargo Sees Record Turnout

NDBA’s Ag Credit Conference was held October 2 & 3 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Fargo. Over 180 ag lenders participated. Pre-
conference events included a golf outing at Suite Shots, trap shooting, and a tour of NDSU’s Beef Research Complex.
Dr. David Kohl kicked off the conference with a look at “Credit Decisions in Tough Times,” after which he moderated a panel
discussion with Zimney Foster’s Tracy Kennedy, BND’s Jim Leier, and FSA’s Holly Heimark. Next up was Eric Snodgrass from
Nutrien Ag Solutions with a look at “High Impact Meteorology and Changes in Predictive Science.” Delaney Howell wrapped
up the morning with a look at the markets. After lunch, participants boarded buses for an afternoon program at Grand Farm
Innovation Campus west of Casselton, where they learned about Grand Farm initiatives, heard from Grand Farm tenants, and
toured some test plots. Scott Steffes also provided a land and equipment update and ABA’s Ed Elfmann gave an update on federal
ag banking issues. The day wrapped up with a reception at the hotel.

Thursday morning featured Rena Striegel with Transition Point Business Advisors on “Succession Planning: Leading with Intention
in Ag” and Roger McEowen from the Washburn University School of Law who spoke on “Current Issues in Ag Law and Taxation.”
Striegel and McEowen teamed up for a “Real Talk with the Professionals” discussion. Breakout session topics included a soybean
crushing plant update by Bill McBee, managing farm stress with NDSU’s Sean Brotherson, credit analysis for beginning ag lenders
by Tom Capouch, and an ag marketing conversation with Ben Hawkins and Liz Waletich of Hurley & Associates. James Olson
provided a riveting closing keynote, “Under Cover in the CIA: A Difference Kind of Career.”

Special thanks to the conference sponsors: Bank of North Dakota, Farmer Mac, Farmers National, and Peoples Company.

“The speakers were
absolutely fantastic. ”

16