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Speaker Sessions

2024 Keynote Speaker:

Zach Johnson, Millennial Farmer

Known to his 1 Million+ followers on YouTube as the “Millennial Farmer”, Zach is a 6th generation farmer who’s spent his life growing, working, and learning on his family’s farm. With growing consumer awareness about where their food comes from, Zach has identified the need for an independent voice from the front lines of agriculture. Zach actively promotes agriculture by sharing his day-to-day experiences in the agriculture world while providing farmer-to-farmer education to help facilitate a collaborative conversation between farmers and the public. His wit and dry sense of humor appeal to children and adults alike. A product of the millennial generation, his appreciation of new technology blends with his old-fashioned work ethic, and he offers a unique ability to deliver his message in a way that resonates with lifelong farmers as well as those with no knowledge of agriculture.

2023 Speaker Sessions

SOURCE: Caffeine for the Soil

Wednesday, November 15, 2022, 9:30 AM
Presented By: Amy Harsch, Prairie Fire Ag Solutions
Alison Earlley and John Parish, Sound Ag

Amy Harsch owns Prairie Fire Ag Solutions with her husband Kevin. Prairie Fire Ag specializes in irrigation and nutrient management and believe that all growers should have access to solutions that fit individual farm and field needs, not a one size fits all. They serve the greater central Nebraska area and are a proud Sound Ag dealer and are honored to partner with them on this presentation. Amy is active on their farm where all the solutions they promote have been vetted in their own operation.

Alison Earlley is the Dealer Regional Sales Manager for Central & Western Nebraska and has been with Sound Ag since May 2022. Alison holds a BS in Ag Business and has been involved with agriculture her entire life from the family farm, to professional farm management, as well as ag sales to help bring products like Source that bring real value and return on investment for farmers.

John Parish has been with Sound Ag since June of 2022. He is currently the senior agronomist covering Nebraska and Colorado. John has experience as a crop consultant planning and helping implement production plans for many growers across Nebraska and Kansas. Prior to that he worked on research projects implementing fertility projects across Nebraska. John is still active on the family farm where he helps further his agronomic understanding.

Navigating grain and livestock markets utilizing Livestock Risk Protection (LRP), Enhanced Coverage

Wednesday, November 15, 2023, 10:30 AM
Presented By: Mark Frank - InsureAg - Owner & Agent

Mark was raised on a farm in Northeast Nebraska where he gained experience with grain and livestock production. Mark graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1994 with a degree in Agricultural Education with an emphasis in Agribusiness.

Mark began his working career in 1994 with Dow Chemical as a sales representative and in 1996 began working for Monsanto as a local market manager. In 2001 Mark started DMC a commodity risk management consulting and trading company. In 2007 Mark started GrainBridge a commodity risk management software company and sold the company to Archer Daniels Midland where he worked until 2019. In 2019 Mark Joined InsureAg LLC a crop & livestock insurance agency.

Mark and his wife Tara have two children Coleman and Savannah. Mark enjoys spending time with family and friends, helping on the family farm, hunting, fishing and Nebraska Footba

Keynote Panel

Wednesday, November 15, 2023, 1:30 PM
Featuring Ag Social Media Influencers:
Natalie Kovarik, Jena Ochsner, Noah Hubbard, and Noah Young
Moderator: Janell Anderson Ehrke, Grow Nebraska

Farm Technology & In-Field Connectivity: Leveraging Private Cellular Network

Thursday, November 16, 2023, 9:30 AM
Presented By: Sean Horan, VP of Sales, GXC

Sean Horan is vice president of sales at GXC, where he is responsible for the company’s sales and business development activities. He leads agriculture industry implementations for GXC, ranging from live animal and crop production to food processing and distribution applications. He has over 20 years of experience in technology sales and business development, with leadership roles in managed services, software, networks, hardware, and IoT solutions.

Prior to joining GXC, he served in executive positions at leading technology organizations that include Aeris Communications, OptConnect, Sigfox USA, Cinterion Wireless Modules, ATX Group, and AT&T Mobility.

Horan holds a Bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University and an MBA from The University of Texas at Dallas. He resides in Utah.

Commodity Market Update

Thursday, November 16, 2022, 10:30 AM
Presented By: Doug Simon, Tredas

I have been a risk management consultant and commodity broker since 1999, working with agribusinesses and diversified farms. From 1990 to 1999, I was President/COO of RF Nature Farm Foods, a Lincoln-based natural foods start-up company that sold bakery mixes and housewares to national retailers such as Macy’s, WholeFoods, Crate & Barrel, and Sam’s. During 1989 and 1990 I was also a principal in LandMark Meats where we exported NHT beef to the United Kingdom. I graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a BA in international affairs and economics. In 1984 I lived in Zambia on an International 4-H Youth Exchange (IFYE) and in 1988 I was a Rotary Fellow at the University of Sydney, Australia where, in conjunction with UNL, I completed my MS in ag economics. I worked in the Agricultural Marketing Center at UNL and taught agricultural economics.

2022 Speaker Line Up

Innovative Foliar Fertilizer

Wednesday, November 16, 2022, 9:30 AM
Presented By: Steve Olson, Nebraska Territory Sales Manager, Spraytec Fertilizer

After growing up in southern Minnesota and graduating college from North Dakota State University, Steve has worked in agriculture for nearly 30 years. His jobs have included wholesale fertilizer sales, and chemical applicator. He and his family have lived in Nebraska for 20 years working for various employers as a retail agronomist and now as a Territory Sales Manager for Spraytec Fertilizers. His desire to help farmers keeps him eager to learn. He now devotes his energy to learning about the use of foliar fertilizers, and how water quality can affect weed control.

Precision Zones for Managing In-Field Variability

Wednesday, November 16, 2022, 10:30 AM
Presented By: Erin Woodward, Key Feed Accounts Manager, ServiTech, Inc

Managing in-field variability using zones created from imagery showing production variability within a crop field. The use of multiple years of images combined to create
an "Average Variability" map is sound method for identifying production variability within a field. Publicly available, high quality satellite imagery has opened up new
doors for this service making it more affordable and reliable than ever before.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Biodiesel and Renewable Diesel: Fuels from the Farm

Keynote Speaker Sponsored By: Aurora Cooperative
Wednesday, November 16, 2022, 2:00 PM
Presented By: Hoon Ge

Hoon Ge, Founder and President of MEG Corp, is a chemical engineer with more than 35 years of experience in the petroleum and renewable fuel industries including refining, additive formulation and alternative fuels. MEG Corp provides technical expertise to fuel distributors, fleet managers, end users and mechanics through education and technical support.

Biodiesel and renewable diesel add value to each bushel of soybeans grown in Nebraska. Learn about these fuels, their benefits to farmers, farming operations, and their growing markets throughout the U.S. The workshop will also cover important topics for the successful operation of diesel equipment, from planting through harvest. Topics include:
* Changes to Diesel Fuel
* Best Practices for Preventing Fuel Problems
* Diesel & Cold Weather
* Biodiesel
* Renewable Diesel
* Biodiesel Rebate

How to Leverage Soil Microbes in your Operation

Thursday, November 17, 2022, 9:30 AM
Presented By: Lance Gunderson, MS
Founder & Owner, Regen Ag Lab

Lance Gunderson founded Regen Ag Lab in 2019 after spending 17 years leading the soil health testing division as the Director of Soil Health and New Test Development at another lab. Regen Ag Lab offers Haney and PLFA tests, as well as soil enzymes, water stable aggregates, water holding capacity, TOC, along with more conventional soil, plant tissue and water analyses. Lance is a renowned expert on the Haney Test and PLFA test (fungal and bacterial test). His experience at reviewing over 100,000 soil health samples gives him unique insight into how soil health results relate to management in regenerative agriculture systems. In 2018, Lance also founded Soil Health Innovations, which offers the SR-1 instrument for measuring soil respiration and consulting services surrounding the Haney Test developed by Dr. Rick Haney.

Cover Crop Research within the Lower Loup NRD

Thursday, November 17, 2022, 10:30 AM
Presented By: Jason Moudry, Water Programs Specialist

Jason Moudry has worked in the NRD system for over 20 years with experience in the panhandle of Nebraska and now continuing his career working for the Lower Loup NRD headquartered in Ord. Jason received his Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources from Chadron State College. The Lower Loup NRD is located centrally in the state and encompasses all or part of 16 counties. With a land area of over 5,000,000 acres the Lower Loup is one of the most diverse NRDs with range land as well as many acres of irrigated crops. Jason is a Water Programs Specialist for the NRD and has worked on many different water quality and quantity projects.

Ag-Q Connect: Connection to Agronomists without Long-term commitments

Thursday, November 17, 2022, 2:00 PM
Presented By: Jarod DeTurk, CEO & Kaylinda DeTurk, CMO

Do you need an agronomist on your acres but NOT all of the time? Check out what Ag Q Connect has to offer! We are a new way to get local, unbiased, independent agronomists on your fields without having to have a yearlong contract. We connect your crop concerns with agronomists to get you the one-issue corrected with their extensive knowledge. We had a very successful 2022 season helping connect crop questions to educated and experienced answers!

About the Speakers:
Jarod, CEO of Ag-Q Connect and Independent Agronomist at DeTurk Agronomics, is the brains behind Ag-Q. He saw the hole in the agronomy market where people wanted an agronomist to answer questions but didn't want them on their fields all year long so Ag-Q Connect was born. It's a new take on agronomy.

Kaylinda, CMO and marketing expert, does all of the behind the scenes work and networking.

2021 Speaker Line Up

Carbon Credits & Contracts

Wednesday, November 17, 2021, 9:15 AM
Presented By: Dave Aiken, Professor at UNL

Research Interest:
Water law and policy, energy law, environmental law and global warming

Extension Areas:
Water law, agricultural law

Education:
J.D. with honors, George Washington University, 1975
B.A. cum laud, Hastings College (Nebraska), 1972

Policy Update

Wednesday, November 17, 2021, 10:00 AM
Presented By: Brad Lubben

Integrated Research, Extension, and Teaching Interests:
Agricultural Policy
- Policy preferences, development, and implementation
- Policy alternatives and program impacts
Trade Policy
- Policy preferences
- Trade agreements, negotiations, and conflicts
Food Policy
- Consumer preferences and food attributes
- Food production standards and policies
- Conservation and Environmental Policy
- Conservation programs, alternatives, and impacts
Environmental regulations
- Public policy
- Policy issues analysis and education
- Public policy issues education principles and methods
Education:
Ph.D., Agricultural Economics, Kansas State University, 2005
M.S., Agricultural Economics Major and Agronomy Minor, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 1992
B.S., Agricultural Economics, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 1989

Cattle Marketing / Government Changes

Wednesday, November 17, 2021, 10:45 AM
Presented By: Elliott Dennis, Assistant Professor at UNL

University of Nebraska - Lincoln 2019-Present
Assistant Professor, Livestock Marketing 60% Extension / 40% Research
Developing a high-impact, nationally and internationally recognized extension and research program in the economics of livestock marketing and risk management, including, marketing of livestock under different contract specifications, outlook reports on livestock prices and markets; the use of derivatives, contracts, and insurance as risk management tools; and public policy.

Renewable Solar Energy: Did you know?

Wednesday, November 17, 2021, 1:00 PM
Presented By: Bobby Johnson, Dawson Public Power District

Bobby Johnson is the Energy Services Specialist at Dawson Public Power District. His background in science, electronics and education allows him to best serve customers by working with them to find positive solutions tailored to their needs. Johnson’s job responsibilities include assisting customers with renewable generation systems, early-stage education, application review, system code compliance and testing, documentation maintenance and account annual review. This presentation will introduce the basic concepts of renewable solar energy. Then, you will learn some of the interesting facts, including:
- Simple science about solar energy.
- Legal requirements to follow when installing solar.
- How solar interconnects with your home/business.
- The details needed on the financial side of renewable energy.

2021 Commodity Market Update

Wednesday, November 17, 2019, 2:00 PM
Presented By: Troy Nielsen, Smart Yield

Originally from south central Nebraska, Troy Nielsen graduated from Elwood Public High School in 1981. Troy attended Kearney State College in Kearney Nebraska from 1981 through 1983. Troy lives in Kearney and is married with four children. Troy began his career in commodities 25 years ago, assisting area Ag Producers hedging grains and livestock. In 2004 along with a partner, they started Smart Yield.

“I enjoy working one on one with each client; we have the best clients in the world. Our staff is growing and we have been fortunate to grow our business working side by side with both Agriculture Hedgers and individual investors.”

Livestock Risk Protection & Pasture Rangeland Forage Insurance

Thursday, November 18, 2021, 9:30 AM
Presented By: Cassidy Thompson & Landon Nelson, Farm Credit Services of America

Landon and Cassidy are Insurance Services Officers for Farm Credit Services of America specializing livestock insurance products. Both have worked with producers and agribusinesses across the United States throughout their careers bringing a unique perspective to livestock risk management. They will discuss recent changes to the Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) and how it can be incorporated into a livestock operation risk management plan. LRP is a highly subsidized insurance product that allows livestock producers to protect against a decline in price.

Provide an overview of Pasture Rangeland Forage (PRF) insurance and how it can help protect a producer's operation from the risk of forage loss due to the lack of precipitation.

Soil Microbial Solutions

Thursday, November 18, 2021, 10:30 AM
Presented By: Renee Kusilek, Strong Microbials

Strong Microbials, Inc is based out of Milwaukee Wisconsin and is focused on shaping the future of agriculture with microbes for plants, animals and soil. Sustainable agriculture through microbial technology is what we do best. Renee grew up on a dairy farm in Wisconsin and has a Bachelor's degree in Horticulture from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. She has been working with agricultural microbials products since 2007. This session will cover the uses and science of microbes along with the cost and benefits of using it on any agricultural operation.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Carbon Sequestration: Government Policy vs Reality

Keynote Speaker sponsored by: Aurora Co-op
Thursday, November 18, 2021, 2:00 PM
Presented By: Greg Ibach, Under Secretary in Residence at the UNL’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

In his role with IANR, he works to connect UNL Research, Teaching and Extension expertise to current policy initiatives and opportunities at the state and federal government level. He spent the past three years as USDA’s Under Sec. for Marketing and Regulatory Programs. In his role, he carried out the MRP mission area’s broad task of facilitating domestic and international marketing of U.S. ag products and ensuring the health and care of animals and plants. Prior to his USDA appointment, he served as Nebraska’s Director of Ag for over 12 years. He has been inducted into the NE Hall of Ag Achievement.
Greg holds a Bachelor of Science in Ag from UNL. He and his wife, Teresa, have three grown children and two granddaughters. They maintain a cow/calf and grain operation in Sumner, NE.

2019 Speaker Line Up: Additional Information SOON!

Ag Market.net

Wednesday, November 20, 2019, 9:30 AM
Presented By: Jim McCormick, Ag Market.net

The AgMarket.Net group is a forward-thinking agricultural marketing and consulting firm, laser-focused on maximizing your farm's profitability and balancing risk. Our staff has decades of experience that should contribute to your bottom line. Our staff in the past, been involved in farming, consulting Ag clients, developing long term hedge strategies for major food companies, livestock and/or grain producers, trading on the floor, managing investment and insurance portfolios, working with congress on Ag related matters, and handling risk management for international clients.

Air Data Solutions

Wednesday, November 20, 2019, 10:30 AM
Presented By: Kevin Price, Air Data Solutions

Dr. Kevin Price grew up working on the family farm and ranch. His academic training is in plant science, remote sensing and geospatial data analyses. Dr. Price will discuss basics of remote sensing, how it works for plant condition assessment, and how drone and airplane acquired imagery can be used to reduce crop input costs. As with all new technologies, it can be oversold, so he will reveal what works and what does not work.

Nebraska Land Value and Cash Rental Rate Trends

Wednesday, November 20, 2019, 1:00 PM
Presented By: Jim Jansen, UNL, Nebraska Land Value and Cash Rental Rate Trends

This presentation covers current trends in cash rental rates across Nebraska for 2020 and strategies for setting the equitable cash rental rate for an agricultural land. Trends and strategies discussed provide the skills and insight necessary for implementing cash rental rates that account for the needs of both landlords and tenants.

Farm Bill Signup Summary

Wednesday, November 20, 2019, 2:00 PM
Presented By: Robert Tigner, UNL, Farm Bill Signup Summary

Mr. Tigner’s educational specialties include crop marketing, computer decision aids, computer accounting, farm women’s financial and risk management education, crop cost and farmland leasing and farm bills as they are passed. Mr. Tigner will be speaking on the 2019 Farm Bill Choices. The US Congress passed a revised farm programs bill in 2018. Farm program participatants may change their participation choice. Understanding these choices and implications is the focus of this session.

Hemp Production

Thursday, November 21, 2019, 9:30 AM
Presented By: Speaker TBA, Everything you wanted to know about hemp production.

Alex is from Wilber, NE. With back grounds in agriculture and construction. He first discovered a passion for industrial hemp 10 years ago when he discovered Hempcrete. Since, he has been researching, educating, and advocating to help hemp become a sustainable crop for Nebraska's agribusiness. He is now part of an NGO called Midwest Hemp Forum and is traveling the state to educate farmers on hemp.

Corn, Soybeans and Cattle Outlook

Thursday, November 21, 2019, 10:30 AM
Presented By: Doug Simmon and Jamison Jensen, Tredas

Mr. Simon has been a risk management consultant and commodity broker since 1999, working with agribusinesses and diversified farms. Mr. Jensen spent the past five years working throughout the US with a national grain company. His experience has ranged from trading cash grain in upstate New York and Southwest Kansas, as well as some other geographic areas. Tredas’ marketing concepts and thought process about how to create value for our producers is unmatched in the industry.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Planning for the future of your farm.

Keynote Speaker sponsored by: Aurora Co-op

Thursday, November 21, 2019, 1:00 PM
Presented By: Ron Hanson, UNL Professor Emeritus, Planning for the future of your farm. Transitioning to the next generation.

What happens when this will never happen to our family farm happens? Few family operations survive an unexpected change to the management ownership of their farming business as well as a family crisis and remain profitable. Implementing a business management contingency plan for ownership succession and the transition of management control to the next generation is crucial for the farm’s continued success as well as avoiding potential family disputes. Family members must initiate transition planning strategies for their farm to ensure a future when the unexpected might happen. Guidelines and risk management strategies will be shared to help find solutions to accomplish a successful transition so that a family farming legacy continues for future generations.