If there’s one meeting you don’t want to miss this winter, it’s the Farm Futures Business Summit Jan. 19-20 at the Quad-Cities Waterfront Convention Center in Bettendorf, Iowa. We’ve put together a top speaker lineup to provoke new thinking in farm management, marketing and business planning.

Our theme, “Poised for Profits,” will help you capitalize on future opportunities as you network with peers and national experts in farm management. Here’s a sampling of what’s in store:

Management secrets. High-energy sessions will be guided by some of ag’s most influential minds. Texas A&M’s Danny Klinefelter will share key management secrets he has taught farmers for years through Extension and as director of The Executive Program for Agricultural Producers (TEPAP). He will also share management characteristics farmers will need to be successful.

Where are grain markets headed? The Farm Futures Marketing roundtable, sponsored by Channel, will pair Bryce Knorr, Farm Futures’ senior grain market analyst, with leading grain marketing analysts to discuss the latest trends in prices. This session will provide a wide swath of opinion on the grain markets, and offer attendees a chance to pose questions.

Global trends impacting your business. The summit will focus on lifelong learning for progressive producers with a mindset of continued improvement, notes Virginia Tech economist Dave Kohl, who will offer his take on global and domestic economics and trends.

Are you failing at farm management? Financial consultant and Idaho rancher Dick Wittman will ask attendees: Are you getting a passing grade in farm management? His session highlights proven managerial practices that put professionalism and structure into closely held family businesses. He will also discuss process improvement and the best ways to improvement part of a daily routine.

Closer look at data services and products. Companies and farmer-users will share pros and cons of the latest ag data products and services. We’ve invited some of the leading data companies to answer your questions on these cloud-based services. You’ll also hear from Willie Vogt, our tech guru, as he shares his insider look at where technology is taking agriculture.

Conflict-resolution in a family farm business. Tim Schaefer, a Farm Futures blogger and certified professional business coach, will share his experiences in working with multi-generation family farms and how to manage tough communication issues. Good family business governance starts with communication and an open mind. Learn how to tackle these issues.

New president, new tax rules? Jim Rein, with consulting firm K-Coe Isom, offers advice on new tax proposals resulting from a new administration. The new president’s tax proposals could complicate the rules on taxing estates by reducing or eliminating the estate and gift tax benefits of certain types of trusts. How do new proposals differ from current tax policy? Come learn how to prepare your farm business.

What young farmers need to know now. In this breakout session, Jerry and Jason Moss, farm managers, marketing consultants and Illinois farmers, will provide rules of thumb and common sense that will help young farmers get to their “wisdom years” in record time.

Time is running out

See agenda updates at our summit website. Registration is $499 per person and $449 for additional farm partners. Reserve your rooms for just $69.99 a night at the Isle Casino Hotel Bettendorf, in Bettendorf, Iowa. If you’re interested in boosting your farm financial IQ, join us a day early for the Ag Finance Boot Camp.

The 2017 Farm Futures Business Summit is sponsored by DuPont Pioneer, Channel, K·Coe Isom, Farmer Mac, John Deere, AgriEdge Excelsior, Grinnell Mutual and CropZilla.