The 2013 Next Generation Agricultural Conference will be held at the Taylor County Expo Center in Abilene. It is designed to provide production and financial management tools to farmers and ranchers, according to organizers.
“The main topics that will be covered include farm financial management, agricultural economic forecasts, general agriculture, and farm planning and budgeting,” said Dr. Jason Cleere, AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist in College Station.
“Keeping up with the latest operational strategies, available credit and risk management practices are the keys to the most successful large and small operations. These conferences will assist with providing information that can be incorporated into their operations, making them more profitable.”
Cleere said the conference will feature presentations on analyzing the performance of an operation, potential to expand an operation, purchasing or leasing equipment, operation diversity and where the agricultural economy in the southern region is heading.
“The program will also discuss developing a marketing plan for the farm and ranch, protecting your operation from volatile commodity markets and weather, new tax and estate laws, as well as programs on rebuilding the cow herd.”
Featured speakers from AgriLife Extension in College Station include Cleere, Dr. Ron Gill, beef cattle specialist; Dr. Mark Welch, grains economist; and Wayne Hayenga, economist. Also speaking will be Dr. Jason Banta, AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist, Overton, and Stan Bevers, AgriLife Extension economist, Vernon.
Experts from Capital Farm Credit will include Jason Gibson and Dan Byerly. Brian Briggeman, Kansas State University agricultural economist, will also be one of the featured speakers. He will provide an overview of the Southern Plains agricultural economy and outlook.
There is no cost for the conference, and registration is available online. For more information, contact Cleere’s office at (979) 845-6931. 
Blair Fannin is associate news editor for Texas A&M AgriLife Communications.
