The 89th annual Soil Management & Land Valuation Conference, the longest running conference at Iowa State University, will be held on May 18, 2016 in the Scheman Building on the ISU campus at Ames. The conference, which runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., is sponsored by the ISU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and ISU Extension and Outreach. It is intended for farm managers, rural land appraisers, real estate brokers and others interested in the land market in Iowa.

REGISTER NOW: Registration for the upcoming Soil Management

“This is the longest-running conference at Iowa State and it has consistently provided up-to-date information on issues that are relevant to the broader agricultural community,” says Wendong Zhang, assistant professor of economics and an Extension economist at Iowa State University.

This year’s conference will feature discussions on six topics, with ISU Extension and Outreach researchers having a strong presence throughout the event. The overall theme will be the issues implications to soil management and land valuation. Topics of conversation and discussion for the conference include:

1. Global Economic Outlook: What does a slowing of the economy in China and a strong U.S. dollar mean for U.S. agriculture? Presented by Dr. Nathan Kauffman, assistant vice president, Omaha branch executive and economist, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City

2. Current and Future Cash Rents in Iowa: A panel discussion by three agricultural lenders and farm managers. Moderated by Dr. Alejandro Plastina, assistant professor and Extension economist at Iowa State University

3. Tools to Help Manage Weather Variability: An explanation of  why excessive spring rain is expected to be more frequent in coming years (except this year) and an explanation of weather tools to manage it. Presented by Dr. Chris Anderson, assistant director Climate Science Group at Iowa State University

4. Soil Fertility Management with Tight Crop Production Margins: Presented by Dr. John Sawyer, professor and Extension specialist in soil fertility and nutrient management at Iowa State University

5. Cover Crops, Wetlands, and Conservation Drainage: Why we need to adopt and how many acres are needed? Presented by Dr. Matt Helmers, professor and Extension ag engineer in agricultural and biosystems engineering at Iowa State University

6. Evaluating Hunting Leases: Implications for recreational land values. Presented by Tom Steen, the Hunting Lease Network, Farmers National Company

The Iowa Appraiser Examining Board has approved the conference for six hours of continuing education. The Iowa Real Estate Commission has also approved the conference for six hours of continuing education for renewal of a real estate and broker’s license. Conference registration can be done online, with the event costing $100 for those who register on or before May 4 and $110 after May 4.