AG Lenders Conference
Independent Bankers of Colorado
Community Bankers Association of Kansas
Nebraska Independent Community Bankers
Independent Community Bankers Association of New Mexico
Independent Community Bankers of America
13th Annual Ag Conference
Thursday and Friday, April 19 and 20, 2001
Antlers Adam’s Mark Hotel, Colorado Springs, Colorado
AG CONFERENCE MOOOOVES BACK TO COLORADO SPRINGS AND IS A HUGE SUCCESS
By Maelynn Lewis, Administration Director, IBC
More than 80 bankers, spouses and guests from across Colorado attended the IBC's 13th Annual Ag Conference. The Antlers Adam’s Mark Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colorado was the site for the conference. The day and a half event was filled with top-notch speakers, exhibitors, and sponsors.
MarkDrabenstott, Vice President and Director of the Center for the Study of Rural America, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City opened the conference with a presentation on agricultural policy. He also gave a brief economic outlook. Eric Wilkinson, General Manager, Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District and Ag Commissioner Ament tackled water and water supplies. Their presentation took on the tough issues of growth, water and agriculture. Bob Tempel and Charlie Sauerwein, WindRiver Grain, LLC presented on grain markets and risk management. For a first time speaking duo they did a great job.
Beef was what was for lunch (what else?). After a hardy lunch, local favorite Randy Blach, Executive Vice President, Cattle-Fax had the dubious task of keeping the attendees awake. Randy indicated the beef industry had entered the upward trend portion of the cattle price cycle and he predicts smaller calf crops and reduced slaughter totals and beef production during the next several years will drive prices higher. Good news for the ranchers as long as forage and water resources are available. Three-breakout sessions afforded bankers the option to select topics best fitting their needs. Annette Fults, Vice President, Colorado Information Network Services gave an update on the central indexing system and possible changes to the UCC. Mike Gates, Farm Loan Specialist, Farm Service Agency/USDA presented the Farm Service Agency Insurance Program. And lastly, Gordon Niswender, Director, Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology Laboratory, Colorado State University gave integrated resource management.
RichardGupton, Deputy Director of Agricultural Finance, ICBA started off our day on Friday. His outstanding update on the new farm bill, and other federal issues affecting agriculture were enlightening. The always dynamic Dr. Kohl, Professor, Agricultural and Applied Economics, Virginia Tech, concluded the conference. He warned about the possibility of a recession indicating the next three months would be critical. He also encouraged bankers to: invest back into the customer, remember customers are not cookie cutters, monitor the financial analysis and credit reports of customers, know the goals and objectives of spouse and producers, and to place an emphasis on marketing education.
The planning has already begun for next year’s conference.
The IBC would like to thank the IBC Ag Committee for their hard work and support
Dick Fenwick, Chairman, McClave State Bank
Mike Bass, First National Bank of Hugo
Dave Esgar, The State Bank of Wiley
Dale Goodwin, BANKWEST, KS
Russ Groshans, Berthoud National Bank – Plains Credit
Gary King, The Citizens State Bank of Keenesburg
George Kleeb, Berthoud National Bank
Rick Peden, North Park State Bank
Ken Perry, Colorado East Bank & Trust
Matthew Pletcher, First National Bank of Omaha
Myron Sams, First National Bank of Flagler
Tom Tomky, Colorado East Bank & Trust
Dale Utley, Bankers’ Bank of the West
Exhibitors
Central States of Omaha
Colorado Agricultural Development Authority
Colorado Housing & Finance Authority
DATAlynx
Fortis Health Insurance
Global Village Systems
IC Group
Menk & Associates
Prism Processing
Total Bank Technology Solutions
Willey Brothers
Winners of the exhibit booth bingo were: Joel Maxcy ($20), Kit Carson State Bank, Gip Gafford ($30) and Derek Kehmeier ($50) Olathe State Bank. Valerie Vought, Citizens State Bank of Cortez won the executive package donated by Kennedy & Coe.
Sponsors
Bank Compensation Strategies
Bankers’ Bank of the West
Central States of Omaha
DATAlynx
First National Bank of Omaha
Fortner, Bayens & Levkulich
ICBA
Kennedy & Coe
McKenna Cuneo
Midwest Payment Systems
Rothgerber Johnson & Lyons
Strategic Solutions
Total Bank Technology Solutions
-------------------------------------
| Bank Compensation Strategies | Fortner, Bayens & Levkulich |
| Bank Market & Technology Consultants | FTS 2000 |
| Bankers Equipment Leasing Alliance | Gill & Associates |
| Bankers’ Bank of the West | Harland |
| Bigelow & Company | Harris Bank |
| Central States of Omaha | ICBA |
| Chubb Group of Insurance Companies | Jon Jorgenson Insurance |
| Colorado Banking Institute | Kennedy & Coe |
| Colorado Imaging Company | Menk & Associates, Inc. |
| Colorado Plasticard | Midwest Payment Systems |
| DATAlynx | NexTec Global Strategies |
| Equifax E-Banking Solutions | Pentegra Group |
| Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka | PULSE EFT Association |
| Fidelity & Deposit | Red Hawk Industries |
| Financial Commercial Security | Rothgerber Johnson & Lyons |
| First Security Bank | Strategic Solutions |
| Western Financial Suppliers | |
|
 |
