The 22nd annual Arkansas State University Agribusiness Conference will focus on the agricultural economy, environmental law and regulation, agricultural and trade policy, and business succession planning.
The morning general session features five speakers and a panel discussion.
Stan Miller, an attorney and partner at ILP + McChain, Miller, and Nissman, will discuss succession and estate planning issues for agribusiness owners.
Harrison Pittman, director of the National Agricultural Law Center, will discuss environmental law issues and the regulation of crop agriculture.
Bob Cummings, chief operating officer of the USA Rice Federation, will discuss agricultural policy and trade issues and how they are impacting the rice industry.
Michigan State University economist David Schweikhardt will discuss the Trans Pacific Partnership trade agreement and the implications for agriculture.
Jason Henderson, an agricultural economist and director of the Purdue University Extension Service, will review the agricultural finance situation and outlook.
The luncheon program will feature John Phipps, an Illinois farmer, blogger and commentator on the U.S. Farm Report – America's longest-running farm television program.
The afternoon program features a report from the Arkansas Agriculture Department and two special interest sessions:
Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward will give an update on the department's current programs and projects.
In the poultry and beef industry session, Mark Jordan from Informa Economics, Brian Williams from Mississippi State University and Jason Thomas with Frost, PLLC CPAs will discuss poultry and beef market trends and issues.
In the commodity market trends and issues session, Eric Wailes from the University of Arkansas, Jeff Johnson from Allenberg Cotton Co. and Steve Scott from Scott Agri will discuss the rice and cotton markets and commodity marketing issues.
