Who will be feeding the growing population of the U. S. in the next 50 years? As the current generation of farmers and ranchers age the next generation must take over. Capital Farm Credit and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension will be hosting a conference designed to help the next generation of producers transition into the business or current farmers and ranchers expand their operations.

The 2013 Next Generation Agricultural Conference is scheduled for July 18 in the Big Country Hall located on the grounds of the Taylor County Expo Center in Abilene is designed to provide production and financial management tools to farmers and ranchers.

“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, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service beef cattle specialist. “Keeping up with the latest operational strategies, available credit and risk management practices are the key 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 the ag economy in the southern region and where we are heading,” he said. “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 include Cleere, Dr. Ron Gill, beef cattle specialist, Dr. Mark Welch, grains economist, Wayne Hayenga, economist, all from College Station; Dr. Jason Banta, beef cattle specialist, Overton, Dr. Stan Bevers, economist, Vernon.

Experts from Capital Farm Credit will include Jason Gibson and Dan Byerly. Brian Briggeman, Kansas State University agricultural economist will be one of the featured speakers. He will provide an overview of the Southern Plains agricultural economy and provide some insight into where we are headed.

There is no cost for the conference and registration is available at https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/