Annual Agricultural Economics Conference set for Nov. 7 in Bozeman

BOZEMAN - The Montana State University Department of Agricultural Economics and Economics and MSU Extension will host the annual Agricultural Economics Conference on Friday, Nov. 7, at the Bozeman Hilton Garden Inn, 2023 Commerce Way.

The conference is part of the College of Agriculture's annual Celebrate Ag week, which highlights and honors the state and university's joint agricultural legacy and celebrates current students, alumni and MSU's extended agricultural community across Montana.

The conference will feature presentations from MSU agricultural economics and MSU Extension faculty. Topics to be discussed include the impact of low-carbon fuel policies on ag commodity markets, risk management tools, irrigated agriculture in Montana, conservation easements, a property tax legislative update, urban growth and the preservation of farmland.

In addition, Cortney Cowley, assistant vice president and Oklahoma City branch executive for the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, will deliver the conference's M.L. Wilson Lecture, "Pressures and Prospects in the U.S. Cattle Industry."

Additional conference speakers include MSU faculty members Eric Belasco, Justin Gallagher, Greg Gilpin, Nick Hagerty, Kelsey Larson, Joel Schumacher and Andrew Swanson. Conference registration is $25, free for students, and includes a hosted lunch. The conference will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The annual conference is an opportunity for university economists to share and discuss current topics with Montana's agricultural community, said Schumacher, an associate specialist with MSU Extension.

"Events like this are one of many ways land-grant universities build connections between off-campus stakeholders and the MSU community," Schumacher said. "Every year, this event provides opportunities for information sharing and relationship building."

For more information or to register, call 406-994-3511 or visit https://ampc.montana.edu/economicsconference/. More information on Celebrate Ag, including a full schedule of events, can be found at https://ag.montana.edu/celebrateag/.