2026 IBA Ag Bankers Conference - Iowa Bankers Association

March 23,24 2026 • Gateway Hotel, Ames

The Iowa Bankers Association presents the annual Ag Bankers Conference including two days of educational sessions led by experts in the business of banking and farming. The conference includes sessions on the ag economy, managing crop risks, assessing ROI in ag tech, problem loan workouts, weather updates, and more! Prepare yourself for the future with the best advice and most up-to-date knowledge available.

Detailed Agenda

Printed Ag Bankers Flyer

Monday, march 23

7:45 am Registration & Continental Breakfast
Sponsored by Dickinson Bradshaw, and Farmer Mac

8:15 am Welcome

8:20 am Managing the Positives and Realities of Economic Trends
Dr. David Kohl, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Virginia Tech, AgriVisions, LLC
In times of volatility, standing still is not an option. Join us for a powerful and practical session that goes beyond survival mode. This keynote explores how ag bankers and their clients can not only navigate through economic disruption but reposition for growth amid uncertainty. From inflation to interest rates to geopolitical tensions, learn how to turn headwinds into tailwinds by sharpening the tools in your toolkit. Dr. David Kohl is back for his 48th year for a session grounded in data, experience and foresight.

9:30 am Break with Exhibitors
Sponsored by Bell Bank and MIB

10:00 am Current Ag & Ag Lending Issues Panel
Jason Henderson, Ph.D., ISU Extension and Outreach; Ed Elfmann, American Bankers Association, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig (invited); Moderated by Dr. David Kohl, Agrivisions, LLC
This popular panel session will explore current ag trends including the forces influencing your clients and communities to strengthen your role as a trusted financial partner in agriculture. We’ll discuss farm policy, labor issues, commodity pricing, and more.

11:30 pm Lunch

12:30 pm Ag Policy Update
Ed Elfmann, American Bankers Association, Washington, D.C.
ABA’s Senior Vice President, Agriculture and Rural Banking Policy, will provide an update on federal agricultural policy that affects the banking industry. Elfmann will discuss the status of the Farm Bill and related issues. Additionally, Elfmann will provide an update on the ACRE Act.

1:30 pm Break with Exhibitors
Sponsored by Bell Bank and MIB

2:00 p.m. Problem Loan Workouts
Brad Kruse, Dickinson Bradshaw
There is growing concern about the ag sector and potential for loan defaults. This session will review some of the key considerations to help producers before this point and managing distressed loans.

3:00 p.m. Break with Exhibitors
Sponsored by Bell Bank and MIB

3:15 p.m. Crop Marketing Outlook
Dr. Steve Johnson, ISU Extension Outreach (retired)
Steve Johnson will discuss 2026 crop cost estimates, including corn prices and soybeans. He will also discuss crop margins.

4:30 p.m. Reception
Sponsored by Hurley & Associates and Growthland
Enjoy this casual reception with your peers and exhibitors.

Tuesday, march 24

7:30 a.m. Networking Breakfast

8:15 am Ag Tech – Finding the ROI
Shaun Haney, realagriculture
Farmers today have three issues when looking at new equipment and technology – the upfront cost, complexity, and ROI. These are also issues that ag lenders must analyze to determine how to best provide advice and financing. Haney will discuss these critical topics and how to discuss and weigh options with farm customers. He will talk about early adopters vs. late, the benefits and risks of each, and the questions farmers (and lenders) should be asking.

9:15 am Break

9:30 am Navigating Weather Extremes & The Growing Season
Matt Reardon, Sr. Atmospheric Scientist, Nutrien Ag Solutions
Every growing season has challenges, with weather often the center of that discussion. From floods to droughts, the increasing frequency of high-impact events makes accurate forecasting more essential than ever. In this session, we’ll dive into a seasonal outlook tailored to the agriculture industry, breaking down the key weather patterns that could shape regional crop production and influence domestic and global grain markets. This will include a forecast for South America & other key growing regions. We’ll discuss how climate drivers like sea surface temperatures, ENSO (El Niño and La Niña), and other major factors play into this year’s forecast, weaving in historical trends to provide context for the season ahead. This isn’t just about the numbers—it’s about understanding the risks and scenario analysis needed for making

10:30 am Break

10:45 am Ordinary to Extraordinary – What is the Extra You Are Missing?
Sponsored by Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines
Andrew McCrea
Farmer and rancher…nationally syndicated radio broadcaster…popular speaker…it’s a unique combination that captivates and challenges audiences to action. Since 1996 Andrew McCrea has traveled the nation, producing the “American Countryside” features that are heard each day on radio stations. His engaging presentation asks, “What makes some people stand out from the crowd? What’s the “extra” they have that others don’t?” Andrew’s thousands of interviews from every state and six continents reveal three qualities the “extraordinary” have that others do not. Listen, laugh and learn the secrets to being extraordinary in what you do!

Information & Registration

Hotel Information

Gateway Hotel & Conference Center
2100 Green Hills Drive, Ames, IA 50014
Ph. (515) 292-8600
Book hotel online

Hotel rate is $149 per night. Call the hotel or book online and ask for IBA Ag Bankers by March 1 for the conference rate.

Registration Information

Fee includes continental breakfast, breaks, lunch, and program materials.

Member Price $345
Nonmembers $690

Online Registration

Conference Sponsors and Exhibitors

Sponsors
Agri-Access
Bell Bank
Dickinson Bradshaw
Farmer Mac
Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines
Growthland
LandHero
Hurley & Associates
MIB