AG Lenders Conference

Independent Bankers of Colorado
Community Bankers Association of Kansas
Nebraska Independent Community Bankers
Independent Community Bankers of America

15th Annual Ag Conference
April 17 and 18, 2003
Colorado Springs, Colorado

COOL, CLEAR WATER
Attendees Concerned About the Drought

The drought severity and its impact were at the forefront of everyone’s mind at IBC’s 15th Annual Agricultural Conference. Experts from myriad fields made forecasts and predictions. The good news was this isn’t the worst drought Colorado has experienced, however the bad news was there doesn’t seem to be an end sight any time soon.

Bankers from across Colorado, Nebraska and Kansas enjoyed IBC's 15th Annual Ag Conference held at the DoubleTree Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colorado. More than 85 bankers, spouses and guests attended the conference. The day and a half event was filled with top-notch speakers, camaraderie, exhibitors, and sponsors.

Dr. Roger Pielke, Sr., CSU professor and State Climatologist, began the day presenting historical and current data on Colorado’s weather patterns. He explained Colorado is not in its worst drought on record and that it is extremely rare for a statewide drought to continue for two consecutive years. Global weather maps indicate a dramatic change in Asian crop growing patterns and El Nino have changed the weather patterns thus causing the lack of precipitation in Colorado. Next up was Hal Simpson, Director of the Division of Water Resources and State Engineer. Hal provided up-to-date information on snow pack and reservoir levels and indicated the only reason Colorado had enough water last summer was because of the reserves in the reservoirs. A water panel comprised of: Chips Barry, Chief Executive Office and Manager, Denver Water Department; Kent Holsinger, Assistant Director for Water, Colorado Department of Natural Resources; and Norm Arends, Director, Colorado East Bank & Trust and moderated by Dave Taussig, Attorney at Law, White & Jankowski then took center stage. Each member gave a different perspective on water, water rights and solutions on how to manage the drought. Dr. Stephen Koontz, Assistant Professor, Department of Agriculture and Resource Economics, Colorado State University, presented his grain market update after lunch. Three outstanding breakout sessions finished the first day, as bankers were able to attend two out of the three sessions. Dr. Dale Heermann, Research Leader and Supervisory Agricultural Engineer, USDA presented on new water conservation technologies; Gary Johnson, Risk Management, USDA spoke on risk management and crop insurance; and Dave Taussig, Attorney at Law, Jankowski & White made the debate between pump vs. surface water rights. The participants then gathered for a reception and networking.

Friday morning commenced with a tasty breakfast and a federal legislative update from Richard Gupton, Deputy Director of Agricultural Finance, ICBA. Richard presented information on the budget and spending, tax relief, disaster aid and crop insurance. He also congratulated Colorado on killing a bill that would have allowed industrial loan companies (ILCs) to be acquired by non-banking entities such as Wal-Mart. The amazing and funny Bob Sakata, President of Sakata Farms, had possibly the only good news at the conference – he felt community banking would remain strong. Bob’s produce market presentation was well received. Last but not least, local favorite Randy Blach, Director, Cattle-Fax, wrapped up the conference with information about the cattle market. He cautioned Mexico and Australia could capture a portion of our cattle market.

Winners of the exhibit booth bingo sponsored by the IBC were: Dennis Deschner, First National Bank & Trust (Phillipsburg, KS) ($20), Tim Green, Native American Bank ($30), and the big winner was Pam Nesius, Native American Bank ($50).

The IBC would like to thank the members of the IBC Ag Committee for their hard work and support
Mike Bass, Chairman, First National Bank of Hugo
Dan Briskey, Community Bank of the Rockies
Russ Groshans, Centennial Bank of the West
Dave Hubbard, First National Bank of Limon
Brett Legg, The Eastern Colorado Bank
Rick Peden, North Park State Bank
Myron Sams, High Plains Bank
Tom Tomky, Colorado East Bank & Trust
Dale Utley, Bankers’ Bank of the West

Thanks to our Exhibitors and Sponsors
Accu-Systems
Bankers’ Bank of the West
Central States of Omaha
Colorado Agricultural Development Authority
Colorado Housing & Finance Authority
FHLBank of Topeka
IBC-Insurance
ICBA
INTRUST Bank
Pentegra Group