Winter farm meetings come and go, but here's one like you've never experienced before. At the 2016 Farm Futures Business Summit, you'll gain key financial and risk management skills that will help you thrive, despite the challenging times in farming right now.

A survey by Farm Futures shows farmers with the best business skills are three times as likely to run high-profit farms. "We've attended several Farm Futures summits, and we meet people from around the country," says Karen Kohls, Litchfield, Minn. "The event is a valuable source for new ideas." Adds Illinois farmer David Rahe, "The summit helps me stay current with what I should be concentrating on for my business."

How can you manage through tough times? You can start by ramping up your management and business skills at the 2016 Farm Futures Business Summit.

Dr. Dave Kohl, widely considered one of the world's foremost farm management authorities, will keynote the summit and emcee the popular "Bear Pit" Q&A, where anything and everything is open for discussion. Farm Futures' senior grain market analyst, Bryce Knorr, offers his take on market direction and the global ag outlook.

Who should attend?
• Farmers who are looking to sharpen their management, marketing and financial skills
• landowners and those who may be retiring from farming in the next 10 years
• farmers looking to boost management skills
• farm partners, such as employees and family members
• producers positioning for growth despite low prices

Participants receive handouts, networking opportunities, and access to world-renown speakers and expertise. Consider some of the sessions we have planned for you:

• "Alpha Dogs and Alpha Pups," a multi-gen farm panel, will discuss the skills needed to thrive in ag today.
• Michael Dwyer, chief economist with the U.S. Grains Council, will offer insights on where China's corn market is headed.
• "Data in Action," a farmer tech panel, will cover the latest cloud-based management tools.
• Jerry and Jason Moss, a father-son farming team, will hold a special session for young farmers on developing skills to survive and thrive.
• The Farm CPA Paul Neiffer will offer insights on what kind of business entity works best for your farm.
• University of Minnesota ag economist Bob Craven will share ways to manage tight crop margins in 2016.
• Farm Futures blogger Gary Baise will cover EPA and the regulatory challenges farmers face in coming years.
• Peter Martin of K·Coe Isom will outline the strategy needed to prepare your farm business for expansion.
• Lance Burditt, Water Street Solutions senior director, will share insight on landlord negotiation skills.

Registration is easy
The summit is at the Union Station Hotel in St. Louis, with a special room rate of just $94 per night. You can find the updated agenda, speaker information and registration details on the 2016 Farm Futures Business Summit webpage.

The Farm Futures Business Summit is sponsored by BASF, K·Coe Isom, Rabobank, Conservis, John Deere, PNC Bank and Cropzilla.

Ag Finance Boot Camp
If you want to get even more out of your experience, don't miss a chance to upgrade your financial skills by signing up for the Farm Futures Ag Finance Boot Camp, Jan. 20, also at the Union Station Hotel. See details on the 2016 Farm Futures Ag Finance Bootcamp webpage.

2016 will present both challenges and opportunities. Find out how to manage your farm to ensure you're moving in the right direction — no matter what the business climate may be.