From the Fields: “Bomb Cyclone”
By Nicholas Felder
“Bomb Cyclone”
When you read this phrase, I am guessing many of you are waffling between thinking: “I agree, this weather is absolutely nuts! Summer one day and winter the next!” or possibly “President Trump is at it again… Grain markets go up; grain markets go down. It has been nothing but a whirlwind since he took office!”
I would be lying if I did not agree with both of those sentiments in reference to the term “Bomb Cyclone.” Frederick Sanders assisted in coining the term about an intense storm that loses 24mb pressure over a given 24-hour period. A storm with rapid, intense pressure change causing immense winds and weather. Pretty apropos for the current economic environment and its uncertainty, isn’t it?
Looking forward, we can only use the past as a barometer or guidebook to what is to come. No guarantees that history will repeat itself. That is why guys like Eric Snodgrass and Matt Reardon at Nutrien Ag Solutions are not living on islands they purchased through their wealth created by knowing exactly when and where rain might fall, or winds might blow.
The WBA Agricultural Bankers Conference will be held April 10-11 at the Kalahari Convention Center in Wisconsin Dells. I, personally, use this conference to lay a foundation of historical facts and perspective to guide me in my day-to-day occupation as a facilitator of production agriculture in conversations with producers, approval of funding requests, and partnering with other lenders in knowledge or expertise within or outside of my organization. All require resources and knowledge that are gained at this conference.
After a day and a half of listening to legends like Dr. David Kohl, Ed Elfmann, and Sam Miller as well as the camaraderie of seeing and talking with more than a hundred other bankers and industry personnel, I walk out feeling invigorated and recharged (and ready to take a nap…). Talks about market outlooks from Dr. Leonard Polzin, Dr. Steve Johnson, and a representative from Equity Livestock will give perspective that maybe I did not have or reinforce one that I already did. The ability to ask questions to these experts live, or pull them aside to discuss topics that are puzzling or intriguing to something in your role. And generally, a final speaker to give us insight on life or something that is part and parcel to what we do, but we’ve not thought about it in that way.
I would encourage each one of you to look at the value that this conference brings for the dollars and time contributed. You will be hard pressed to find a better lineup of speakers year-in and year-out with many of them familiar faces but rarely assembled in the same fashion. And I can guarantee for those of us returning attendees, that all of us have some contacts we only see at this event and that alone is worth the entire price of attendance. Please join us at the Kalahari on April 10-11 for a great couple of days to learn and reconnect. Just go to wisbank.com/ag to register and to learn more about the conference.
Thank you to the entire WBA staff for all the hard work and dedication it takes to put on this conference.
I look forward to seeing you all in April!
Felder is vice president – commercial and agricultural banking at MidWestOne Bank in Lancaster. Felder also serves as Vice Chair on the 2024–2025 WBA Agricultural Bankers Section Board of Directors.
