Ag Market Outlook Meeting Series

February 2026

Following a challenging 2025, Iowa farmers enter 2026 facing increased margin pressures, elevated interest costs, and escalating market uncertainty driven by input cost inflation, tariff volatility, reduced Chinese soybean demand, and broader geopolitical tensions.

This February, Iowa Farm Bureau is hosting six farmer meetings across the state, featuring experts in grain and livestock markets, ag finance, and crop insurance, who will break down what these economic disruptions mean for farmer profitability and how you can better manage your farm's risk in 2026. 

Attendees will gain clear insight into the factors shaping grain and livestock prices and ag finance considerations, as well as crop insurance and risk management strategies like livestock risk protection.  

Don't navigate increased volatility and price risk alone in 2026. Register to attend an Ag Market Outlook Meeting near you.

SPEAKERS

2026 Ag Finance Outlook
Carol Jensen – Vice President, Luana Savings Bank

Carol Jensen is Vice President of Luana Savings Bank and works in their Ossian office.  She began her career in agricultural lending in 1981 and became heavily involved in agricultural credit underwriting in 1988 while working with the infamous restructure agreements that happened during the 1980s farm crisis.  From there she analyzed large and complex ag loans in the 4-state region of Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming before joining Luana Savings Bank in 2002.  Carol has a Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

2026 Ag Finance Outlook
Nic Klein – Agricultural Lending Officer, Central Bank

Nic Klein is an Agricultural Lending Officer at Central Bank. He is responsible for promoting Central Bank’s agricultural lending efforts in Iowa and surrounding states. Prior to his current role, Nic served in similar roles at U.S. Bank and First Interstate Bank. With nearly 10 years of experience in agricultural lending, Nic Klein has worked with farmers and agribusinesses in almost every agricultural sector. He received bachelor’s degrees in Agricultural Business and Economics from Iowa State University. Nic grew up on a diversified grain and livestock farm, near Harlan, Iowa.

2026 Livestock Outlook
Christopher Pudenz – Economic & Research Manager, Iowa Farm Bureau

Christopher Pudenz is the Economics and Research Manager for the Iowa Farm Bureau. Christopher earned his Ph.D. in Economics from Iowa State University (ISU) and a B.A. in Economics from Hillsdale College.  Before joining the Iowa Farm Bureau in 2023, the Carroll, Iowa, native served as a research assistant for Dr. Lee Schulz at ISU, publishing several livestock articles and instructing undergraduate agriculture economics courses on campus.

2026 Grains Outlook and Marketing
Zach Brummer – Farmer Education Program Manager, Iowa Farm Bureau

Zach Brummer is the Farmer Education Program Manager for the Iowa Farm Bureau. Prior to joining the Iowa Farm Bureau in 2023, Zach spent over a decade as a merchandiser in the feed and grain industry trading corn, soybeans, DDGS, and soybean meal. He lives on a small farm in Warren County and is an active participant in the family farm with his father and brothers, raising corn, soy, alfalfa, & cattle.  

2026 Farm Transition Planning
Erin Herbold – Swalwell – Senior Counsel, Farm Bureau Financial Services

Erin Herbold-Swalwell is Associate General Counsel at Farm Bureau Financial Services. Prior to joining Farm Bureau, Erin was a private practice attorney with Brick Gentry Law Firm in West Des Moines where she focused on agricultural law, estate planning and business succession planning. Erin was also the Staff Attorney at the Iowa State University Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation where she assisted farmers and conducted research, writing, and public speaking in several areas of agricultural law. Erin is an Iowa State University and University of Iowa Law School alum. Erin enjoys giving back to the community and spending time with her family.

2026 Crop Insurance and Livestock Risk Protection
Angie Horn – Regional Crop Consultant, Farm Bureau Financial Services

Angie Horn is a Regional Crop Consultant based near Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She was born and raised on a row crop and livestock farm in northeast Iowa and remains actively involved in the family’s farming operations.

 Angie and her family reside in rural Linn County. With over 12 years of crop insurance experience, Angie is engaged in numerous agricultural programs, including the Iowa Soybean Association Communication Squad and the National Corn Growers Association ACE program. She has also earned her MBA (Masters of Beef Advocacy). Angie is excited to bring her agricultural knowledge and crop insurance expertise to Farm Bureau Financial Services.

2026 Crop Insurance and Livestock Risk Protection
Zach Hyland – Regional Crop Consultant, Farm Bureau Financial Services

Zach Hyland is a Regional Crop Consultant based in Urbandale, Iowa. He was raised in Vinton, Iowa, where he grew up helping on his grandparents’ crop and livestock farm. Zach has been with Farm Bureau Financial Services for five years and has 12 years of experience in the crop insurance industry, working with clients from coast to coast.

2026 Crop Insurance and Livestock Risk Protection
Shelby Oetting – Regional Crop Consultant, Farm Bureau Financial Services

Shelby Oetting is a Regional Crop Consultant who was born and raised in Nebraska where she grew a great love for all things agriculture and outdoors. Shelby attended Iowa Western Community College and Bellevue University. Prior to joining Farm Bureau Financial Services, she worked as a senior crop insurance underwriter, servicing over 14 states during that time. She lives in southwest Iowa with her family.

REGISTRATION

Registration is FREE  - and exclusively available to Iowa Farm Bureau members. (Depending on the meeting time - breakfast, lunch or dinner is included.)

*If you are not a Farm Bureau member and would like to participate in a meeting, please contact the local county Farm Bureau in that area. Or become a member and join here.

To register for an event near you, please see the meeting locations and dates below. Click on the register button for that event.

 For more information, or for issues with registering, please contact Ashley Lennon at alennon@ifbf.org.

MEETING LOCATIONS

Sheldon, Iowa

Monday, February 16
 7:45 AM – 10:45 AM
 Northwest Iowa Community College
603 W Park Street

Click here to view a map.

Event Registration

Wall Lake, Iowa

Monday, February 16
 12:45 PM – 3:45 PM
Wall Lake Community Center
209 2nd Street

Click here to view a map.

Event Registration

Dunlap, Iowa

Tuesday, February 17
 9:45 AM – 1:15 PM
 Dunlap Four County Fairgrounds
405 N 10th Street

Click here to view a map.

Event Registration

Calmar, Iowa

Tuesday, February 24
 7:45 AM – 10:45 AM
 NICC Dairy Center
1527 Highway 150

Click here to view a map.

Event Registration

Anamosa, Iowa

Tuesday, February 24
 12:45 PM – 3:45 PM
Jones County Farm Bureau Building
605 E. Main Street

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Event Registration

Fairfield, Iowa

Wednesday, February 25
 5:00 PM – 8:15 PM
Cambridge Building – Jefferson County Fairgrounds
2606 W.  Burlington Ave.

Click here to view a map.

Event Registration