Cheryl B. Mitchell, founder of Farm Legacy Now, discussed succession planning for farms. She emphasized the importance of having legal and financial plans to ensure farm operations continue across generations. Cheryl shared her background as a dairy farm daughter and educator, now focusing on farm legacy protection. She highlighted common challenges, such as family communication issues and emotional barriers, and provided examples of families without plans facing land loss and family discord. Cheryl's role includes facilitating discussions, coordinating with legal and financial professionals, and helping families navigate complex decisions. She also authored a book, "Farm Legacy or Loss," to guide families through the process.

Jake Walker, Director of Marketing for Loveland Products, discussed the importance of adjuvants in crop protection. Adjuvants like Choice Trio and Infuse enhance herbicide effectiveness, extending residual periods by 3-10 days. Infuse, in particular, can add 3-10 days of residual control. Walker emphasized the rigorous testing protocols, including over 300 field trials last year, to ensure product efficacy. He also highlighted the role of adjuvants in managing abiotic stress and maintaining soil health. 

Mark Gebhards, an honorary master farmer, discusses his career in advocating for Illinois agriculture. He highlights his role in creating the Livestock Management Facilities Act and his work with organizations like the Illinois Farm Bureau, American Soybean Association, and Illinois Pork Producers Association. Gebhart emphasizes the importance of building relationships with legislators and state agencies to influence policies affecting agriculture. He also stresses the need for farmers to engage more with the food industry and mentor younger generations. Gebhart's career reflects a lifelong commitment to advocating for sustainable and economically feasible agricultural regulations.

Jessica Brophy, President of the Colorado Corn Promotion Council, discussed her experiences at the recent Commodity Classic in San Antonio, which saw record attendance of over 12,000 people. She highlighted the council's participation in National Corn Growers Association meetings, emphasizing the importance of E15 for corn profitability. Key topics included profitability, market exploration, and innovative uses for corn, such as athletic wear. Technological advancements like AI and drones were also noted. Jessica stressed the importance of farmers staying informed about their operations and local challenges, such as water and input costs. The Radical Challenge, a competition for new corn-related ideas, was also mentioned. 

ADM has partnered with the American Farmland Trust (AFT) to provide $500,000 in support to farmers in six Midwest states, including Illinois, to enhance resilience and succession planning. AFT will offer direct technical assistance, peer-to-peer learning, and small grants through the Brighter Future Fund. The partnership aims to address the demographic challenges facing farmers, with an estimated 300 million acres of farmland set to change hands in the next decade. AFT's expertise in farmland protection and estate planning will be crucial in guiding farmers through these transitions. 

Kevin Brooks, a farm business management and marketing educator at the University of Illinois, discussed the impact of the war in Iran on agriculture and farm finances

Kevin Brooks, a farm business management and marketing educator at the University of Illinois, discussed the impact of the war in Iran on farm finances

Josie Pukrop, a member of the Colorado Ag Leadership Program (CALP), shared her background in agriculture, including her experience on a dairy farm in Wisconsin and her current role as a 4-H Youth Development Educator in Jefferson County, Colorado. She discussed her involvement in the CALP, highlighting the program's benefits, such as forming deep relationships and gaining professional development.

Lizzie French, Manager of Soil Biology at Waypoint Analytical, discussed the importance of soil health for crop productivity and farm profitability. She emphasized the role of soil biology in nutrient use efficiency and resilience against stresses. French highlighted the new DNA-based soil biology test, which measures microbial biomass and nutrient cyclers, providing detailed recommendations for soil health management. She also addressed common soil health challenges, such as low biological activity, and the benefits of minimizing soil disturbance and feeding soil biology. The discussion also covered the role of biological products and the importance of regular soil testing to optimize nutrient cycling and crop nutrition.

Marcel Klinge, Founder and CEO of Bushel Plus, discussed their mission to optimize harvest efficiency and reduce grain loss. Their flagship product, the Smart Pen system, measures grain loss using a magnetic drop pen and smartphone app. They also acquired Mad Concaves, offering quick-change concaves for various crops. Additionally, they introduced the Mini Combine, a portable thresher for field moisture testing. Bushels Plus also offers educational programs through its Harvest Academy to improve combine setup and efficiency.