An in-depth analysis of next year’s agricultural outlook for cattle, cotton and grains, along with discussions on lending and the region’s economic outlook highlights the 50th Annual Bankers Agricultural Credit Conference in Lubbock. The meeting will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday (Nov. 17) at Texas Tech University’s International Cultural Center. 

“This is a landmark year for the Banker’s Conference,” said Darren Hudson, Davis College Interim associate Dean for Research and the Larry Combest Endowed Chair for Agricultural Competitiveness. “This program has been held at Texas Tech for 50 years and represents an important engagement with rural and agricultural banks that form the backbone of our regional agricultural productivity.” 

“Our academic program has prepared students for careers in banking for decades, and we are pushing forward into the next generation through our collaboration with the Excellence in Banking program in the Rawls College of Business,” he said. “The Banker’s Conference is a great vehicle for interaction with our banking industry and to provide important updates and information that assists them in being prepared for the year ahead in agriculture.”

Phillip Johnson, chair of Texas Tech's Department of Agricultural & Applied Economics, added that annual bankers agricultural conference addresses issues and topics related to agricultural lending, agricultural economy, legal and regulatory issues, commodity outlook and other issues of interest to rural bankers and lenders. The conference is directed by a board of directors made up of representatives from area banks. 

Among the scheduled morning presentations are “Lending in the Agricultural Marketplace-2023 and Beyond” by David Kohl, professor emeritus at Virginia Tech University-Blacksburg, “Agricultural Outlook for Cattle 2024” by Ben Weinheimer, President & CEO of the Texas Cattle Feeders Association in Amarillo, and the “Regional and National Economic Outlook” by Jeffrey Mercer, the Centennial Bank Chair in Finance and the Director of the Texas Tech School of Banking.

The keynote speaker for a noon luncheon is Clint Krehbiel, Dean of Texas Tech’s Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources. In addition, this portion of the program features presentation of the 2023 Distinguished Banking Service Award to Scott Dueser, Chairman, President & CEO of First Financial Bank in Abilene, Texas. 

 The afternoon program is led by a “Legislative and Regulatory Update” by Wendy Foster, director of government relations with the Independent Bankers Association of Texas in Austin, followed by an “Agricultural Outlook for Cotton 2024” by Darren Hudson, Texas Tech’s Combest Chair of Agricultural Competitiveness. The session closes with an “Agricultural Outlook for Grains 2024” by Mark Welch, an associate professor and extension economist with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension-College Station.

The Annual Bankers Agricultural Credit Conference is sponsored by the Texas Bankers Association, Independent Bankers Association of Texas, Thornton Agricultural Finance Institute, International Center for Agricultural Competitiveness, Excellence in Banking Program – Rawls College, Texas Tech, and Ag Resource Management.

CONTACT: Phillip Johnson, chair and director of the university's Thornton Agricultural Finance Institute, Department of Department of Agricultural & Applied Economics, Texas Tech University at (806) 834-0474 or phil.johnson@ttu.edu

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