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Southern Outlook Conference Agenda

Monday, September 29, 2025

7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Registration

Session 1

Moderators: Charley Martinez, University of Tennessee and Grant Gardner, University of Kentucky

TimeTopicPresenter
8:00 amWelcome and Group Introduction
8:00 am – 8:45 amMacro Ag Economic OutlookJeffrey Dorfman, North Carolina State University
8:45 am – 9:30 amAg Lending: Trends in the Livestock and Crop SectorsKevin Kuper, Farm Credit Mid-America
9:30 am – 9:50 amFinancing Strategies for 2026 Aaron Smith, University of Tennessee
9:50 am – 10:10 amBreak
10:10 am – 11:00 amAgricultural Trade DiscussionLuis Rivera, Texas A&M University
11:00 am – 11:30 amAg Policy UpdateJustin Benavidez, Chief Economist House Ag Committee
11:30 am – 12:00 pmBig Beautiful Bill UpdatesHunter Biram, University of Arkansas
12:00 pm – 1:15 pmLunch

Session 2

Moderator: Grant Gardner, University of Kentucky

TimeTopicPresenter
1:15 pm – 1:45 pmWheat and Sorghum OutlookYuri Calil, Texas A&M University
1:45 pm – 2:15 pmCorn OutlookWill Maples, Mississippi State University
2:15 pm – 2:45 pmSoybean and Canola OutlookGrant Gardner, University of Kentucky
2:45 pm – 3:15 pmSpecialty Crop OutlookKim Morgan, University of Florida
3:15 pm – 3:25 pmBreak
3:25 pm – 3:50 pmCotton OutlookYangxuan Liu, University of Georgia
3:50 pm – 4:10 pmPeanut OutlookNathan Smith, Clemson University
4:10 pm – 4:35 pmRice OutlookRyan Loy, University of Arkansas
4:35 pm – 5:00 pmSRMEC, Southern Ag Today, and Advisor UpdateHunter Biram, University of Arkansas
Candice Foster, Texas A&M University
Nathan Smith, Clemson University

6:00 pm – 7:30 pm – Reception

Tuesday, September 30, 2025

Session 3

Moderator: Brian Mills, Mississippi State University

TimeTopicPresenter
8:30 am – 9:00 amPoultry OutlookDennis Brothers, Auburn University
9:00 am – 9:30 amDairy OutlookDavid Anderson, Texas A&M University
9:30 am – 10:00 amBeef OutlookJosh Maples, Mississippi State University
10:00 am – 10:15 amBreak
10:15 am – 10:45 amSheep and Goat OutlookAndrew Griffith, University of Tennessee
10:45 am – 11:15 amPork OutlookTyler Cozzens, LMIC
11:15 am – 11:45 amHay & Forage OutlookJames Mitchell, University of Arkansas
11:45 am – 1:00 pmAdjourn – Lunch on your own
Download Agenda (PDF)

Questions about the agenda? Contact Tori Griffin at tmarsh21@utk.edu or 615-374-1283

SEEC Committee

July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026

Tori Griffin, University of Tennessee – SEEC Chair
Grant Gardner, University of Kentucky– SEEC Vice-Chair
Brian Mills, Mississippi State University – Secretary
Pancho Abello, Texas A&M University– Past SEEC Chair

2025 Outlook Planning Committee

Aaron Smith, University of Tennessee
Ron Rainey, SRMEC, University of Arkansas