Wintertime is a good time for ag producers to check on the latest developments in the farming and ranching spectrum. And it can be a good time for young people to find out what the industry is all about. Montana State University is providing a virtual "leg up" to all types of information dealing with our markets.

The 2022 Montana's Next Generation Conference is a free 6-part series that starts this Tuesday, January 11. The sessions will be Tuesdays and Thursdays this month. A Montana State University news release described the conference as providing "livestock and crop producers of all ages with tools and information to be successful."

Topics will include recordkeeping, markets, crop production, markets, succession planning and other business topics. An added benefit for Farm Service Agency borrowers is if they "attend" at least three sessions and complete the quiz and evaluation, they will complete their borrower training requirements.

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  • January 11 - "Beginning Financial and Production Recordkeeping" with Glacier County farm loan manager Lacy Roberts. Learn about balances and cash flow.
  • January 13 - "2022 Commodity Markets" will include Al Kluis of Kluis Commodity Advisors, who will discuss marketing plans, futures and this year's expectations. Korey Fauque of Happy Steer Ranch and KW Insurance will talk about direct marketing beef.
  • January 18 - "Value-added Agriculture" with Shauna Farver of Farver Farms and Marlee Sandry from USDA Rural Development, who will talk about growing profits and also will talk about carbon credits.
  • January 20 - "2022 Crop Production and Marketing" has Kluis again, along with Northwest Farm Credit Services appraiser Wade McAlpine, who will discuss land values and what do consider when buying land.
  • January 25 - "Succession Planning" has Ty McDonald of Waddel and Reed covering how to pass the business on to the next generation.
  • January 27

    To register, call Kari Lewis at 406 873-2239 or karilewis@montana.edu. The links will be https://tinyurl.com/3py9unt9 or a link at mtnextgen.com.

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