Minnesota Crop Insurance Conference Archive
About the Conference
The Minnesota Crop Insurance Conference is one of the largest gatherings of crop insurance agents in the Midwest. Over 600 crop insurance agents annually attend this conference and listen to outstanding speakers address topics directly relevant to crop insurance.
2020 Agenda & Presentations
Wednesday, September 16, 2020
1:00 p.m. Welcome
1:10 p.m. High Impact Meteorology in Production Agriculture, Eric Snodgrass, Principal Atmospheric Scientist, Nutrien Ag Solutions
2:00 p.m. Break
2:10 p.m. The Evolution of Farm Policy and the Role of Crop Insurance – A D.C. Update, Tara Smith, Executive Vice President, Michael Torrey Associates, LLC
3:00 p.m. Break
3:10 p.m. Five Common Mistakes in Grain Marketing, Ed Usset, Grain Marketing Economist, Extension Economist, Center for Farm Financial Management, University of Minnesota
4:00 p.m. Break
4:10 p.m. RMA Crop Insurance Update, Martin Barbre, RMA Administrator, USDA Risk Management Agency
5:00 p.m. Adjourn
Thursday, September 17, 2020
8:00 a.m. Welcome
8:05 a.m. Economic Transition in a Black Swan Environment, David Kohl, Professor Emeritus, Virginia Tech
9:20 a.m. Break
9:35 a.m. Coping in a Time of Stress, Shauna Reitmeier, Chief Executive Officer, Northwestern Mental Health Center
Additional Resources:
10:00 a.m. Break
10:10 a.m. The Ethical Lapses of 2018-2019: What We Can Learn, Marianne Jennings, Professor Emeritus, Arizona State University
Noon Adjourn
2019 Agenda & Presentations
Wednesday, September 11, 2019
1:00 p.m. Welcome
1:05 p.m. Squeezing Profits from Agriculture Productivity, Jason Henderson, Associate Dean and Director of Cooperative Extension Service, Purdue University
1:55 p.m. The Future of Hemp Production, John Strohfus, Founder and CEO, Minnesota Hemp Farms, Inc.
2:20 p.m. The 2018 Farm Bill and MN Hemp Regulations, Anthony Cortilet, Supervisor Hemp and Noxious Weed Programs, Minnesota Department of Agriculture
2:45 p.m. Break
3:15 p.m. Announcements
3:20 p.m. Washington Policy Update in the Changing Nature of D.C., Scott Graves, President, American Association of Crop Insurers (AACI)
3:45 p.m. Rural Resilience: Building Hope for Tomorrow, Cynthie Christensen, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, Oak Ridge Teletherapy
4:10 p.m. RMA Crop Insurance Update, Martin Barbre, RMA Administrator, USDA Risk Management Agency
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Reception
Sponsored by Crop Insurance Companies and Associations
Thursday, September 12, 2019
8:00 a.m. Welcome
8:05 a.m. Ethics and Leadership, Rand Park, Senior Lecturer, Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota
8:55 a.m. All Data, Big and Small: Agricultural Data and Risk Management on the Farm, Shannon Ferrell, Associate Professor, Oklahoma State University
9:45 a.m. Break
10:15 a.m. Announcements
10:20 a.m. The 2018 Farm Bill: Producer Decisions, Kevin Klair, Associate Director and Extension Economist, Center for Farm Financial Management, University of Minnesota
10:45 a.m. Grain Market Chaos, Ed Usset, Grain Marketing Specialist and Extension Economist, Center for Farm Financial Management, University of Minnesota
11:10 a.m. Ag Policy: Macros, Politics and Trade, Barry Flinchbaugh, Professor Emeritus, Kansas State University
Noon Adjourn
2018 Agenda & Presentations
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
1:00 p.m. Welcome
1:05 p.m. Current Climate Trends and Their Implications, Mark Seeley, Professor Emeritus, University of Minnesota
1:55 p.m. Risk Management Agency Crop Insurance Update, Martin Barbre, RMA Administrator, USDA Risk Management Agency
2:45 p.m. Break
3:20 p.m. Financial Risks for Minnesota Producers: Income Trends and Production Costs, Joleen Hadrich, Associate Professor, University of Minnesota
3:45 p.m. Emotional Stress on the Farm: Early Warning Signs, Monica Kramer McConkey, Director of Business Development, Prairie St. John’s
4:10 p.m. Washington Agricultural Update and Politics of Crop Insurance, Tom Sell, Managing Partner, Combest, Sell & Associates, LLC.
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Reception
Sponsored by Crop Insurance Companies and Associations
Thursday, September 13, 2018
8:00 a.m. Welcome
8:05 a.m. Straight Talk on the Agricultural Economy, David Kohl, Professor Emeritus, Virginia Tech
9:20 a.m. Grain Markets in Turmoil?, Ed Usset, Grain Marketing and Extension Economist, University of Minnesota
9:45 a.m. Break
10:20 a.m. Current Issues in Business Ethics, Boz Bostrom, Associate Professor of Accounting and Finance, College of St. Benedict and St. John’s
Noon Adjourn
2017 Agenda & Presentations
Wednesday, September 13, 2017
1:00 p.m. Welcome
1:10 p.m. Agricultural Economist Outlook: Trend versus Cycles, Mike Swanson, Chief Agricultural Economist, Wells Fargo
2:20 p.m. Risk Management, Understanding Whole Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP), Dean Benson, SVP Corporate Insurance Services
2:45 p.m. Break
3:20 p.m. Minnesota’s Recent Climate Conditions & Outlook, Kenneth Blumenfeld, Senior Climatologist, Minnesota DNR
4:10 p.m. RMA Crop Insurance Update, Heather Manzano, Acting Administrator, USDA Risk Management Agency
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Reception
Sponsored by Crop Insurance Companies and Associations
Thursday, September 14, 2017
8:00 a.m. Welcome
8:05 a.m. Washington Agricultural Update, Hunt Shipman, Principal & Director, Cornerstone Government Affairs
8:55 a.m. Precision Myth Busters, Mike Steenson, Regional Claims Manager, Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance
9:20 a.m. Financial Risks for Minnesota Producers: Income Trends and Production Costs, Robert Craven, Director and Extension Economist, Center for Farm Financial Management, University of Minnesota
9:45 a.m. Break
10:20 a.m. The Post-Harvest Marketing Challenge, Edward Usset, Grain Marketing Economist and Extension Economist, Center for Farm Financial Management, University of Minnesota
11:10 a.m. Current Issues in Business Ethics, Boz Bostrom, Associate Professor of Accounting and Finance, College of St. Benedict and St. John’s
Noon Adjourn
2016 Agenda & Presentations
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
1:00 p.m. Welcome
1:10 p.m. Positioning for Success in the Economic Reset
David Kohl, Professor Emeritus, Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Virginia Tech
2:25 p.m. The Current Situation in Grain Markets
Ed Usset, Grain Marketing Specialist and Extension Economist, Center for Farm Financial Management, University of Minnesota
2:50 p.m. Break
3:30 p.m. Weather Risk in Agriculture: A Management Strategy
Eric Snodgrass, Director of Undergraduate Studies, Department of Atmospheric Science, University of Illinois
4:10 p.m. Washington Agricultural Update
Jeff Harrison, Counsel, Combest Sell & Associates
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Reception
Sponsored by Crop Insurance Companies and Associations
Thursday, September 15, 2016
8:00 a.m. Welcome
8:10 a.m. Crop Insurance Update 2016
Brandon Willis, Administrator, USDA Risk Management Agency
9:00 a.m. Precision Farming – Standards and Interoperability
Dennis Daggett, Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, ProAg
9:25 a.m. Financial Risks for Minnesota Producers: Income Trends and Production Costs
Dale Nordquist, Associate Director and Extension Economist, Center for Farm Financial Management, University of Minnesota
9:50 a.m. Break
10:20 a.m. How to Avoid Ethical Minefields
Marianne Jennings, Professor Emeritus, Arizona State University
Noon Adjourn
2015 Agenda & Presentations
Wednesday September 16, 2015
1:00 pm Welcome
1:10 pm RMA Update: Current Crop Insurance Issues
Michael Alston, Associate Administrator, RMA, USDA
2:00 pm Grain Marketing Update
Ed Usset, Grain Marketing Specialist, University of Minnesota
2:50 pm Break
3:20 pm Unmanned Aerial Systems in Agriculture: Present and Future
Sreekala Bajwa, Chair, Dept. of Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering, North Dakota State University
3:45 pm Turbulent Times: Income Trends and Production Costs
Robert Craven, Director, Center for Farm Financial Management, University of Minnesota
4:10 pm Washington Update: Crop Insurance Issues
Tom Sell, Managing Partner, Combest, Sell & Associates, LLC
5:00 pm Adjourn to Reception
5:00 pm to 8:00pm Reception
Sponsored by Crop Insurance Companies and Associations
Thursday September 17, 2015
8:00 am Welcome
8:10 am The State of the Agricultural Economy
Jason Henderson, Director, Purdue Extension & Associate Dean, Purdue University
9:25 am Current Issues in Crop-Hail Production Plan and Corn, Wind & Green Snap in the North Central States: NCIS Perspective
Therese Stom, Vice President, Actuarial Applications & Insurance Filings, National Crop Insurance Services (NCIS)
9:50 am Break
10:20 am Public Perceptions of Genetically Modified Foods
Cara Cuite, Associate Research Professor, Rutgers University
11:10 am 2015 Weather and Crop Yield Outlook
Elwynn Taylor, Professor of Agronomy & Extension Climatologist, Iowa State University
Noon Adjourn
2014 Agenda & Presentations
Wednesday September 10, 2014
1:00 pm Welcome
1:10 pm Crop Insurance and the Farm Bill
Tim Witt, Deputy Administrator, RMA, USDA
2:25 pm Current Industry Outlook
Tom Zacharias, President, National Crop Insurance Services (NCIS)
2:50 pm Break
3:20 pm Washington Update – Crop Insurance Issues
Jennifer McPhillips, Senior Director, Federal Government Affairs, Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA)
4:10 pm Implications of Crop Insurance as Social Policy
Bruce Babcock, Professor, Iowa State University
5:00 pm Adjourn to Reception
5:00 pm to 8:00pm Reception
Sponsored by Crop Insurance Companies and Associations
Thursday September 11, 2014
8:00 am Welcome
8:10 am 2014 Farm Bill: How Do I Decide?
Kevin Klair, Extension Economist, Center for Farm Financial Management, University of Minnesota
9:00 am Farm Bill – Supplemental Coverage Option
Nick Paulson, Associate Professor, University of Illinois
9:25 am Turbulent Times: Income Trends and Production Costs
Robert Craven, Director, Center for Farm Financial Management, University of Minnesota
9:50 am Break
10:20 am Grain Marketing Plans
Ed Usset, Grain Marketing Specialist, University of Minnesota
10:45 am The State of the Agricultural Economy
Dave Kohl, Professor Emeritus, Virginia Tech & AgriVisions LLC
Noon Adjourn
2013 Agenda & Presentations
Wednesday September 11, 2013
1:00 pm Welcome
1:10 pm RMA Update: Current Crop Insurance Issues
Brandon Willis, Administrator, RMA, USDA
2:00 pm Real Cost of Crop Insurance, Farmers Write Big Premium Checks
Art Barnaby, Professor, Dept. of Ag Economics, Kansas State University
2:50 pm Break
3:20 pm Washington Update – Crop Insurance
Christy Seyfert, Vice President, Michael Torrey Associates, LLC
4:10 pm Farm Bill Overview
Barry Flinchbaugh, Professor, Dept. of Ag Economics, Kansas State University
5:00 pm Adjourn to Reception
5:00 pm to 8:00pm Reception
Sponsored by Crop Insurance Companies and Associations
Thursday September 12, 2013
8:00 am Welcome
8:10 am Macro-economic and Energy Factors Driving the Agricultural Outlook
Michael Swanson, Senior VP/Agricultural Economist and Consultant, Wells Fargo
9:00 am The Current and Future Farm Policy Outlook for Corn and Soybeans
Joe Outlaw, Professor, Dept. of Ag Economics, Texas A&M University
9:50 am Break
10:20 am Understanding the Trend Adjusted APH Yield Endorsement
Bruce Sherrick, Professor, Dept. of Ag & Consumer Economics, University of Illinois
10:45 am 2013 Crop and Weather Outlook
Dennis Todey, Extension State Climatologist & Associate Professor, Dept. of Ag & Biosystems Engineering, South Dakota State University
11:35 am Current Grain Marketing Issues
Ed Usset, Grain Marketing Specialist, University of Minnesota
Noon Adjourn
2012 Agenda & Presentations
Wednesday September 12, 2012
1:00 pm Welcome
1:10 pm Washington Update: Farm Bill, Issues, Elections
Jim Wiesemeyer, Senior Vice President, Informa Economics, Inc.
2:25 pm Crop Production Costs & Farm Income Trends
Robert Craven, Director, Center for Farm Financial Mgt, University of Minnesota
2:50 pm Break
3:20 pm Production Policies – Rating Methods
Frank Schnapp, Senior VP, ASIS Division, National Crop Insurance Services
3:45 pm RMA Update: Current Crop Insurance Issues
Bill Murphy, Administrator, RMA, USDA
5:00 pm Adjourn to Reception
5:00 pm to 8:00pm Reception
Sponsored by Crop Insurance Companies and Associations
Thursday September 13, 2012
8:00 am Welcome
8:10 am 2012 Weather & Crop Yield Outlook
Elwynn Taylor, Professor of Agronomy & Extension Climatologist, Iowa State University
9:00 am The USDA RMA Data Mining
Bert Little, Associate VP for Academic Research & Professor, Tarleton State University
9:50 am Break
10:20 am Outlook for the Ag Economy
Joseph Glauber, Chief Economist, USDA
11:10 am Current Grain Marketing Issues
Ed Usset, Grain Marketing Specialist, University of Minnesota
Noon Adjourn
2011 Agenda & Presentations
Wednesday September 14, 2011
1:00 pm Welcome
1:10 pm RMA Update: Current Crop Insurance Issues
Bill Murphy, Administrator, RMA, USDA
2:00 pm Fall 2011 Crop Insurance Update
Tom Zacharias, President, National Crop Insurance Services
2:50 pm Break
3:20 pm Livestock Gross Insurance For Dairy
Brian W. Gould, Associate Professor, University of Wisconsin
4:10 pm Federal Crop Insurance Program Outlook
David Graves, Manager, American Association of Crop Insurers (AACI)
5:00 pm Adjourn to Reception
5:00 pm to 8:00pm Reception
Sponsored by Crop Insurance Companies and Associations
Thursday September 15, 2011
8:00 am Welcome
8:10 am Ag Economy: Forces of Change
Brian Buhr, Professor, University of Minnesota
9:00 am Crop Production Costs and Farm Income Trends
Robert Craven, Director, Center for Farm Financial Mgt., University of Minnesota
9:25 am Grain Markets in Turmoil
Ed Usset, Grain Marketing Specialist, University of Minnesota
9:50 am Break
10:20 am RMA Compliance Issues (NRCO)
Scott Tincher, Director, Northern Regional Compliance, RMA, USDA
10:45 am Trends in Precision Farming Technology
Don Preusser, President, John Deere Insurance Co.
11:10 am The 2012 Farm Bill: What To Expect
Jerry Hagstrom, Executive Editor, The Hagstrom Report
Noon Adjourn
2010 Agenda & Presentations
Wednesday September 15, 2010
1:00 pm Welcome
1:10 pm RMA Update: Current Crop Insurance Issues
Bill Murphy, Administrator, RMA, USDA
2:00 pm Recent Minnesota Weather Trends
Mark Seeley, Climatologist, University of Minnesota
2:50 pm Break
3:20 pm Business Transition Planning For You and Your Clients
Gary Hachfeld, Extension Educator, University of Minnesota Extension
3:45 pm Ethical Business Cultures: Reaping What You Sow
Ron James, President & CEO, Center for Ethical Business Cultures
5:00 pm Adjourn to Reception
5:00 pm to 8:00pm Reception
Sponsored by Crop Insurance Companies and Associations
Thursday September 16, 2010
8:00 am Welcome
8:10 am Combo Policy Impacts on Farm Financial Risk
Art Barnaby, Extension Specialist, Kansas State University
9:00 am Agricultural Issues in Washington, D.C.
Chandler Goule, VP of Government Relations, National Farmers Union
9:50 am Break
10:20 am Current Grain Marketing Issues
Ed Usset, Grain Marketing Specialist, University of Minnesota
10:45 am Global Economics and Risk: Managing Through the Cycles
Dave Kohl, Professor Emeritus, Virginia Tech & AgriVisions LLC
Noon Adjourn
2018 Agenda & Presentations
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
1:00 p.m. Welcome
1:05 p.m. Current Climate Trends and Their Implications, Mark Seeley, Professor Emeritus, University of Minnesota
1:55 p.m. Risk Management Agency Crop Insurance Update, Martin Barbre, RMA Administrator, USDA Risk Management Agency
2:45 p.m. Break
3:20 p.m. Financial Risks for Minnesota Producers: Income Trends and Production Costs, Joleen Hadrich, Associate Professor, University of Minnesota
3:45 p.m. Emotional Stress on the Farm: Early Warning Signs, Monica Kramer McConkey, Director of Business Development, Prairie St. John’s
4:10 p.m. Washington Agricultural Update and Politics of Crop Insurance, Tom Sell, Managing Partner, Combest, Sell & Associates, LLC.
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Reception
Sponsored by Crop Insurance Companies and Associations
Thursday, September 13, 2018
8:00 a.m. Welcome
8:05 a.m. Straight Talk on the Agricultural Economy, David Kohl, Professor Emeritus, Virginia Tech
9:20 a.m. Grain Markets in Turmoil?, Ed Usset, Grain Marketing and Extension Economist, University of Minnesota
9:45 a.m. Break
10:20 a.m. Current Issues in Business Ethics, Boz Bostrom, Associate Professor of Accounting and Finance, College of St. Benedict and St. John’s
Noon Adjourn
2018 Agenda & Presentations
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
1:00 p.m. Welcome
1:05 p.m. Current Climate Trends and Their Implications, Mark Seeley, Professor Emeritus, University of Minnesota
1:55 p.m. Risk Management Agency Crop Insurance Update, Martin Barbre, RMA Administrator, USDA Risk Management Agency
2:45 p.m. Break
3:20 p.m. Financial Risks for Minnesota Producers: Income Trends and Production Costs, Joleen Hadrich, Associate Professor, University of Minnesota
3:45 p.m. Emotional Stress on the Farm: Early Warning Signs, Monica Kramer McConkey, Director of Business Development, Prairie St. John’s
4:10 p.m. Washington Agricultural Update and Politics of Crop Insurance, Tom Sell, Managing Partner, Combest, Sell & Associates, LLC.
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Reception
Sponsored by Crop Insurance Companies and Associations
Thursday, September 13, 2018
8:00 a.m. Welcome
8:05 a.m. Straight Talk on the Agricultural Economy, David Kohl, Professor Emeritus, Virginia Tech
9:20 a.m. Grain Markets in Turmoil?, Ed Usset, Grain Marketing and Extension Economist, University of Minnesota
9:45 a.m. Break
10:20 a.m. Current Issues in Business Ethics, Boz Bostrom, Associate Professor of Accounting and Finance, College of St. Benedict and St. John’s
Noon Adjourn
2018 Agenda & Presentations
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
1:00 p.m. Welcome
1:05 p.m. Current Climate Trends and Their Implications, Mark Seeley, Professor Emeritus, University of Minnesota
1:55 p.m. Risk Management Agency Crop Insurance Update, Martin Barbre, RMA Administrator, USDA Risk Management Agency
2:45 p.m. Break
3:20 p.m. Financial Risks for Minnesota Producers: Income Trends and Production Costs, Joleen Hadrich, Associate Professor, University of Minnesota
3:45 p.m. Emotional Stress on the Farm: Early Warning Signs, Monica Kramer McConkey, Director of Business Development, Prairie St. John’s
4:10 p.m. Washington Agricultural Update and Politics of Crop Insurance, Tom Sell, Managing Partner, Combest, Sell & Associates, LLC.
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Reception
Sponsored by Crop Insurance Companies and Associations
Thursday, September 13, 2018
8:00 a.m. Welcome
8:05 a.m. Straight Talk on the Agricultural Economy, David Kohl, Professor Emeritus, Virginia Tech
9:20 a.m. Grain Markets in Turmoil?, Ed Usset, Grain Marketing and Extension Economist, University of Minnesota
9:45 a.m. Break
10:20 a.m. Current Issues in Business Ethics, Boz Bostrom, Associate Professor of Accounting and Finance, College of St. Benedict and St. John’s
Noon Adjourn