Taking charge of change is the focus of the 2018 Farm Futures Business Summit Jan. 18-19 at the Coralville Marriott Hotel just outside of Iowa City, Iowa.

Two intense, yet entertaining, days, will offer a series of keynotes, panel discussions and interactive power sessions that will make farm management come to life. Here are a few speakers and presentations lined up for you:

What’s driving agriculture in the year ahead?

Get ready to laugh and learn as our keynote, Mike Pearson, a farmer, banker and TV host for “Market to Market,” will take you on an entertaining journey, including a look ahead for farm markets and global trends impacting these markets. 

Up close and personal: Expert shares his farm transition story

Financial consultant and Idaho rancher Dick Wittman has been helping farmers solve problems associated with passing the farm to the next generation. Now, in a never-before-seen presentation, he will share with summit-goers the challenges of implementing his own advice working through a transition on his farm.

Washington insider shares latest on trade, policy and farm bill

Want to find out how Capitol Hill will impact your business this year? Get the inside scoop from Roger Bernard, ag policy analyst with Informa (Farm Futures’ parent company). In his first appearance at the summit, Bernard will share insights on ag trade, energy, farm policy and the 2018 Farm Bill.

Global grain markets: Turning a corner, or duck and cover?

Bryce Knorr, Farm Futures’ senior grain market analyst and one of the world’s leading authorities on grain markets, will discuss where markets are headed. Are they turning a corner, or just rolling over? He’ll also cover potential game-changing developments. In a separate session, Knorr will discuss pricing strategies for both new and old crops.

Seeing red: How China influences your grain, livestock prices

With 62% of U.S. exported soybean going to China, its importance to U.S. agriculture cannot be overstated. Wendong Zhang, ag economics professor and Extension specialist at Iowa State University, will talk about what’s really going on in the Chinese ag economy and the implications for U.S. agriculture.

Learn the leading indicators of a financially healthy farm operation

With tight margin pressure, farmers must learn to use financial indicators to keep their business going in the right direction. Paul Stoddard, lecturer in agribusiness at the University of Illinois, will draw on his 30-plus years of wisdom helping farmers in everything from marketing to management to finance.

Collaborate to maximize profit potential

Should you go it alone, or farm with others? Chris Barron, president of Carson and Barron Farms in Rowley, Iowa, shares the economic and quality-of-life advantages of multigeneration farms working together with other producers. You’ll learn benefits, such as expansion opportunities for younger producers, time management, tax advantages, equipment efficiencies, and the economic benefits of reaching “critical mass.”

Young farmer panel: How to grow into management

Young farmers face greater pressures as they work to improve management as operations grow larger. Illinois young farmer and Farm Futures blogger Maria Cox will moderate this important session on tips for young farmers as they climb the management ladder.

Tactics for tight margins: Are you ready for 2018?

After four years of shrinking profit margins, farmers must continue to analyze costs and revenue. University of Minnesota ag economist and FINBIN director Robert Craven will help you focus on how to make changes to improve margins and profits.

Register now and get big savings on early-bird rates. See you in Iowa!

The Summit is sponsored by John Deere, Farmers Business Network, Farmer Mac and Farmers Mutual Hail.