From the Fields: A Recap of the ABA National Ag Conference
By Nicholas Felder
The ABA Ag Banker’s Conference was held in St. Louis at the St. Louis Union Station Hotel. An architectural marvel and historical landmark that provided the setting for two and a half days of data, Q&A, humor, and personal struggles and success.
The consensus of economists from Moody’s, Dr. David Kohl, Center for Farm Financial Management, and members of academia like Dr. Andrew Griffith of the University of Tennessee was very similar: certain markets are enjoying their heyday (proteins) due to increasing domestic and global demand as a result of economic growth or health trends. And, gosh darn it, people like the flavor of U.S. grown chicken and beef! On the other hand, cash crops have been negatively impacted the entire marketing year by overhyped yield projections, trade disagreements, and domestic use concerns with the repeal of biofuels incentives.
Our protein growers and milk producers rely on domestic and close markets like Mexico to which we must be mindful of shifts in consumer demand (processing that reduces meal prep is preferred and shifts to protein-heavy diets). Overall, we may have fewer head of dairy, beef, swine, or poultry in this country that in the past as has been promoted by media for the last while, but the American Farmer continues to pound out larger, more productive animals resulting in strong volume production meeting the needs of consumers.
Liquidity retention through cost containment, family living boundaries, and effective tax strategies (not shiny paint for paint’s sake) remains the dividing line from the clear winners and losers. It was not size that determined profitability, it appeared to be cost reductions through the effective delivery of liquidity into the cash cycle. We always knew, but the data looks to be proving it out.
The loudest and most resonating topic for the week for me was the focus on the self: Culture, Training, Balance High Tech vs High Touch, Self Care through physical and mental choices, and beyond. When Dr. Kohl starts to discuss leadership, personal wealth, and the focus on personal growth – we should listen. Take NOTES via writing not a keyboard! Engages more areas of the brain! Read! Give back to your communities. All of which create communities in which we want to live, work, and play.
The ABA Ag Banker’s Conference reinforced its role as a vital forum for navigating complexity in ag lending. By blending economics, policy, technology, and personal anecdotes, the event helps attendees sharpen their strategies for their producers, be encouraged or moved to engage in meaningful advocacy, and build relationships that will support their institutions – and the producers they serve – through an unpredictable future. Participate! Advocate! Celebrate! Hope to see many of you in 2026 at the WBA Agricultural Bankers Conference, April 16-17 in Wisconsin Dells!
Felder is vice president – commercial and agricultural banking at MidWestOne Bank in Lancaster. Felder also serves as Chair on the 2025–2026 WBA Agricultural Bankers Section Board of Directors.
