2013 Seminars

Seminars are located in the Community Choice Covention Center (formerly Veterans Auditrium)

Printable Seminar Schedule & Descriptions 

 Educational Opportunities    

 Tuesday, January 29

10:45 a.m. “Farm Legacy: Adding Clarity in Uncertain Times”, Farm Financial Strategies, Room 301, Convention Center
The estate tax limit has changed 6 times in the last 10 years. During this changing tax law environment Iowa land values have skyrocketed. It takes a larger land base to support a family farm today than in the past despite the high land cost. The gap between “Market Rent” and “Family Rent” has widened. With today’s values it is difficult for families to define “fair” vs. “equal” for their kids. Yet most estate documents do not effectively address estate losses, management control, and distribution of the family farm in a way that helps to improve cash flow, protects the interests of the family heir, and treats the off-farm heirs fairly/equitably. Will your farm thrive in the next generation? In this seminar we will talk about common issues facing farm families and mistakes that are often made. We will then talk about ways you can structure your strategies to withstand today’s volatility and achieve your intended results.

11:30 a.m. “By the time you finish reading this headline, Ag Leader’s Hydraulic Planter Down Force System will have already adjusted the down force pressure! Find out how!”, Presenter: Will Cannon, Product Specialist, Ag Leader Technology, Room 311, Convention Center
Ag Leader’s INTEGRA™ display features planter down force monitor and control capability, allowing the display to monitor and adjust down force instantly based on field and soil conditions. The Hydraulic Down Force system improves on air bag down force systems, providing immediate response to changing soil and field conditions that cannot be accomplished with air bag systems.

 12:15 p.m. “Soil pH and Yield / What Works & What Doesn’t”, Calcium Products, Room 301, Convention Center
Growers know about pH but do you know how critical pH is to lowering your costs while increasing yield? Craig Dick of Calcium Products will provide growers with powerful information regarding the many different types of liming products and how they react (or don’t) in adjusting pH.

1:00 p.m. “Family Farm Succession Planning”, Heartland Financial Resource Group, Room 300, Convention Center
Do you have an estate plan for your family farm? Is it documented along with the issues that complete the plan? Does the plan include retirement strategies? Does the current ownership support your intended succession plan? Points of discussion will be: transitioning the family farm to the next generation and beyond; tax advantage planning to include current tax issues, capital gain tax issues and estate planning; wealth management; risk management; long term care concerns; pick a buyer versus forced sale; and farm corporation buy-sell processes.

1:45 p.m. “What’s Happening in the Commodity Markets:  A Commodity Market Price Update” presented by Nick Mueller and Mike Rusch of the Stewart Peterson Group Inc., Room 301, Convention Center
Also join us for a producer driven question and answer session.

 2:30 p.m. “How to Stay in Compliance with EPA’s Rules for Above Ground Storage Tanks”, Barker Lemar Engineering Consultants, Room 311 Convention Center
Learn how to complete the necessary Tier 1 plan for agricultural facilities.”

Wednesday, January 30

10:45 a.m. “Farm Legacy: Adding Clarity in Uncertain Times”, Farm Financial Strategies, Room 301, Convention Center
The estate tax limit has changed 6 times in the last 10 years. During this changing tax law environment Iowa land values have skyrocketed. It takes a larger land base to support a family farm today than in the past despite the high land cost. The gap between “Market Rent” and “Family Rent” has widened. With today’s values it is difficult for families to define “fair” vs. “equal” for their kids. Yet most estate documents do not effectively address estate losses, management control, and distribution of the family farm in a way that helps to improve cash flow, protects the interests of the family heir, and treats the off-farm heirs fairly/equitably. Will your farm thrive in the next generation? In this seminar we will talk about common issues facing farm families and mistakes that are often made. We will then talk about ways you can structure your strategies to withstand today’s volatility and achieve your intended results.

11:30 a.m. “Why this field? Why these conditions? The Value of Data Can Answer Your Questions”, Presenter: Luke James, Software Sales Manager, Ag Leader Technology, Room 311, Convention Center
Getting the most out of the precision technology investment is as much about questioning the data as it is gathering it. Data from precision agriculture has immense value for helping producers make management decisions and operational enhancements.  Ag Leader’s SMS™ software can help growers organize and analyze the data collected from the combination of planting, fertilizing, spraying and harvest.

 12:15 p.m. “Soil pH and Yield / What Works & What Doesn’t”, Calcium Products, Room 301, Convention Center
Growers know about pH but do you know how critical pH is to lowering your costs while increasing yield? Craig Dick of Calcium Products will provide growers with powerful information regarding the many different types of liming products and how they react (or don’t) in adjusting pH.

1:00 p.m. “Can You Drive a Tractor? Then You Can Install Drainage Tile with Intellislope™”, Presenter: Aaron Friedlein, Product Manager, Ag Leader Technology, Room 311, Convention Center
Intellislope Tile Plow Control System is a new family of functionality for the Ag Leader® Integra display that simplifies planning, installation and documentation of field drainage tile. Intellislope makes installing drainage tile easy by eliminating the need for complicated laser surveying equipment.

1:45 p.m. “Advanced Option Strategies for Today’s Progressive Farmer” presented by Nick Mueller and Mike Rusch of Stewart Peterson Group Inc., Room 301, Convention Center
Learn about strategic marketing alternatives, gain an understanding of how buying and selling options, combinations of cost-saving strategies, and leveraging can help you manage opportunity and control risk to achieve your marketing goals. Learn how to use delta, time depreciation, carry and advanced option spread positions to your advantage.

2:30 p.m. “Successful Farm Transitions – What It Takes!” Presenter: Lars Peterson, CHP, CFBA is a Business Advisor for Transition Point Business Advisors, Room 311, Convention Center
The way in which a farm transition is planned and executed can literally “make or break” the future of the business and the people involved. There are a host of personal, business, estate and family issues to work through in addition to financial and tax implications. Don’t forget the performance issues. There are emotions involved for some and not for others. Having a well-defined succession plan with values, and goals and an identified process with clear roles and responsibilities can protect and enhance the business while ensuring harmony among associates and family members. Transition Point Business Advisors will help you to unlock the “what ifs“, face the challenges, discover the valuation, gather a strategy, adapt the process, and live your plan.

Thursday, January 31 

10:45 a.m. “Family Farm Succession Planning”, Heartland Financial Resource Group, Room 300, Convention Center
Do you have an estate plan for your family farm? Is it documented along with the issues that complete the plan? Does the plan include retirement strategies? Does the current ownership support your intended succession plan? Points of discussion will be: transitioning the family farm to the next generation and beyond; tax advantage plannning to include current tax issues, capital gain tax issues and estate planning; wealth management; risk management; long term care concerns; pick a buyer versus forced sale; and farm corporation buy-sell processes.

11:30 a.m. “What’s Happening in the Commodity Markets:  A Commodity Market Price Update” presented by Nick Mueller and Mike Rusch of the Stewart Peterson Group Inc., Room 301, Convention Center
Also join us for a producer driven question and answer session.

 12:15 p.m. “Soil pH and Yield / What Works & What Doesn’t”, Calcium Products, Room 301, Convention Center
Growers know about pH but do you know how critical pH is to lowering your costs while increasing yield? Craig Dick of Calcium Products will provide growers with powerful information regarding the many different types of liming products and how they react (or don’t) in adjusting pH.

1:00 p.m. “Elderberry & Aroniaberry Production”, Micro Growing Sciences, Room 311, Convention Center
Commercial elderberry and aronia berry production are being expanded to meet the dramatic increase in demand for their juices partly due to antioxidant levels 5 times higher than blueberries as determined by the USDA for supporting the immune system and potentially reducing the effectiveness of some cancers. This session will present growing information including updated information from University of Missouri regarding commercial/home elderberry production and the profitability potential.