Purdue Top Farmer Conference examines outlook for U.S. economy and future of biofuels – 95.3 MNC

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Registration is open for Purdue University's annual Top Farmer Conference. This one-day conference will take place on Friday, January 5, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET at Purdue's Beck Agricultural Center in West Lafayette. When registering for the conference, individuals have the option to attend in person or join remotely.

Jim Bullard, renowned economist, dean of Purdue's Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business and former president of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, will be a keynote speaker at the annual Top Farmer Conference on January 5. (Purdue University photo/Kelsey Lefever)

One of the keynote speakers is Jim Bullard – renowned economist and former president of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, now dean of the Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business at Purdue – who offers insights into Federal Reserve policy and key factors influencing it the future of the US economy.

Also at this year's conference is Scott Irwin of the University of Illinois, a world-renowned expert in agricultural economics and author of several books on commodity futures markets. Irwin will discuss what the future looks like for biofuels and the likely impact it will have on soybean markets.

Agricultural producers and agribusiness professionals will hear about other important issues shaping the future of U.S. agriculture at this year's conference. Topics include an update on the development of the next farm bill, an assessment of farm agility in managing strategic risks, and insights into the long-term outlook for corn and soybean prices. The conference will conclude with a question-and-answer panel discussion.

Farm management experts and economists from Purdue, the University of Nebraska, Iowa State University and the University of Illinois will be available to help participants analyze financial challenges and explore opportunities for their operations.

“Agriculture is a dynamic and evolving industry,” said James Mintert, professor of agricultural economics at Purdue University and director of the Center for Commercial Agriculture. “The Purdue Top Farmer Conference was designed with this in mind. We want to provide producers and agricultural professionals with insight into the current economic climate and strategies to position their operations for future growth and success.”

Session topics and speakers:

• “Where is the US economy heading?”, James Bullard, Dr. Samuel R. Allen, dean of Purdue's Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business.
• “Farm Bill Directions and Decisions,” Brad Lubben, associate professor of agricultural economics and agricultural policy specialist, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
• “How agile is your farm,” Michael Langemeier, professor and associate director of Purdue's Center for Commercial Agriculture.
• “Biofuels and Soybeans – What Does the Future Look Like,” Scott Irwin, author, professor and Laurence J. Norton Chair in Agricultural Marketing, University of Illinois.
• “Thinking about the long-term outlook for corn and soybeans,” Chad Hart, professor of economics and crop marketing specialist at Iowa State University.

The conference will conclude with a question-and-answer panel discussion where participants can ask Irwin, Hart and Lubben questions about agricultural policy, biofuels and the outlook.

Registration costs $150. Full program details and how to register can be found at purdue.ag/topfarmer. Conference recordings and slide deck presentations are only available to registered participants.

The event is sponsored by Purdue University's Center for Commercial Agriculture and Farm Credit Mid-America. For more information, contact Sarah Zahn at [email protected] or 765-494-7004.

About Purdue University Center for Commercial Agriculture

The Center for Commercial Agriculture was founded in 2011 to provide professional development and educational programs to farmers. Located in Purdue University's Department of Agricultural Economics, the Center's faculty and staff develop and conduct research and educational programs that address the diverse needs of management in today's business environment.