Ag Market Outlook Meeting Series
February 2025
As we roll the calendar to 2025, the agricultural economy faces a range of challenges and opportunities. With commodity prices still low, producers are looking for ways to reduce input costs, while high borrowing rates are influencing important decisions on the farm. Global demand for U.S. commodities and rising international competition will provide insights on market trends for the remainder of the marketing year. Domestically, attention is turning to spring planting season volatility, potential weather impacts, and capitalizing on sales opportunities. In addition, factors such as global conflicts, the incoming U.S. administration, potential tariffs, and uncertainty over U.S. biofuels policy could all have significant effects on the farm.
Join the Iowa Farm Bureau, in collaboration with Iowa State University, this February at one of five locations around the state to dive into these topics and more during our Ag Market Outlook Meeting Series.
SPEAKERS
Macro Farm Economy Presentation
Jason Henderson – Vice President, ISU Extension and Outreach
As Vice President for Extension and Outreach, Jason Henderson leads about 900 faculty and staff who support what Iowans value: a strong Iowa. ISU Extension and Outreach engages all Iowans in research, education, and extension experiences to address real-life challenges and prepare for a thriving future. Vice President Henderson is a professor in the ISU Department of Economics. He is an agricultural economist, an academic leader, and a nationally recognized expert in agricultural and rural issues. He was raised on a family dairy farm in northeast Iowa and understands the needs of Iowa’s rural communities and the critical role extension and outreach plays in their vitality and success.
Farm Succession Planning
Kristine Tidgren – Associate Professor, Iowa State University Agricultural Education and Studies Department
Kristine Tidgren is an adjunct associate professor in the Agricultural Education & Studies Department at Iowa State University and the director for the Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation. Kristine’s work focuses on studying and interpreting laws impacting the agricultural industry. In particular, she focuses on agricultural taxation. Since joining CALT in 2013, Kristine has written hundreds of articles and blogposts to keep tax professionals, practicing attorneys, producers, and agribusiness professionals informed about legal developments impacting their business.
Managing Farm Financial Stress
Tim Christensen – Farm Management Specialist, ISU Extension and Outreach
Tim Christensen is a Farm management Specialist for Iowa State Extension and Outreach serving Adair, Adams, Cass, Clarke, Decatur, Fremont, Madison, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie - East, Ringgold, Taylor and Union counties. Tim has experience as a Mental Health First Aid instructor and was a co-developer on the Relationships Can Heal program that was developed to teach mental health providers how to communicate and connect with ag producers.
2025 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.
2025 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 farther and brothers, raising corn, soy, alfalfa, & cattle.
REGISTRATION
Registration is FREE for Iowa Farm Bureau members. (Breakfast 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 calendar below and 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
Malvern, Iowa
Thursday, February 1311:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Lakin Community Center
61321 315th Street - Malvern, IA
Click here to view a map.
Event Registration
Storm Lake, Iowa
Monday, February 179:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Buena Vista Extension Office
701 Seneca Street #1 – Storm Lake, IA
Click here to view a map.
Event Registration
Jefferson, Iowa
Monday, February 172:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Greene County Community Center
204 West Harrison Street – Jefferson, IA
Click here to view a map.
Event Registration
Forest City, Iowa
Thursday, February 209:00 AM – 1:00 PM
NSB Bank
101 Highway 69 N – Forest City, IA
Click here to view a map.
Event Registration
Hampton, Iowa
Thursday, February 202:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Franklin County Convention Center
1008 Central Ave. West – Hampton, IA
Click here to view a map.
Event Registration