Industry experts to provide financing strategies for livestock farmers

WEST DES MOINES — The Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers is hosting its twentieth annual Farming for the Future Conference Nov. 20 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny.

This year’s conference, “Building Your Livestock Legacy,” features a dynamic lineup of speakers to help livestock farmers better understand the key financial tools to assist them including budgets, business plans and financial statements, said The Coalition in a press release.

Experts will provide an Iowa ag market outlook, discuss loan programs available to beginning farmers, explore ways to manage cost of living, farm succession planning and tax considerations to be aware of.

A farmer panel will share their farm succession stories and answer questions about how to devise a strategy to turn a farm over to the next generation and how to partner with an established farmer looking to pass a farm on to a non-heir.

“The Coalition received a number of inquiries from livestock farmers over the past year — many from young people wanting to get into farming but weren’t sure where to start or how to secure financing to make their dream of farming a reality,” said Brian Waddingham, executive director of CSIF.

“We also heard from many well-established livestock farmers looking for assistance to diversify their farms due to low commodity prices and relatively high land costs. This year’s Farming for the Future Conference will provide insight to help all of Iowa’s livestock farmers better mitigate risk, manage costs and provide a better understanding of the farm transition process to help them succeed in the long run.”

Christopher Pudenz, an economist with the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, will kick off the event by providing an Iowa agriculture economic outlook and what that could potentially mean for Iowa’s livestock farmers in the coming year, especially given that net farm income is down 25% since 2022, the press release says.

Other industry experts include Seth Applegate with Farm Credit Services of America, who will share habits that financially savvy farmers are using to manage their cost of living; Steve Bohr with Farm Financial Strategies, who will share proven methods that established farmers have used to get the next generation back to the farm; Nate Gebel with Farm Credit Services of America, who will show attendees how to bulletproof their balance sheet; and Rachel Burke with Practical Farmers of Iowa who will share the resources they have available for beginning farmers.

Registration, including a complimentary lunch, is free if completed by Nov 15. A $20.00 fee will be charged for registrations after Nov. 15. For more information about the conference and to register, visit supportfarmers.com/conference or call 1-800-932-2436. Space is limited.

The Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers was created 21 years ago by farmers to help farmers raise livestock successfully and responsibly. It’s a joint partnership involving the Iowa Beef Industry Council, Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Egg Council, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Iowa Pork Producers Association, Iowa Soybean Association, Iowa Turkey Federation and Midwest Dairy.

The nonprofit, non-partisan organization provides assistance to farmers at no cost. CSIF does not lobby or develop policy. Farm families wanting a helping hand can contact the coalition at 1-800-932-2436.