Rural Economic Outlook Conference
The OSU Agricultural Economics Department is hosting the Rural Economic Outlook Conference at the ConocoPhillips Alumni Center located on the OSU campus, Wednesday, October 8, 2025. The excellent lineup of speakers includes Heather Hampton Knodle, FCC Precision Ag Task Force Member, Chairman of the Accelerating Broadband Development Working Group (2020-21, 24), Chairman of Connectivity Needs Working Group (2022-2023), and President of Knodle, Ltd. Farms. The registration fee is $50.00 until October 1. After October 1 registration will be $75, which includes breakfast, lunch and breaks on Wednesday. Register for the 2025 Rural Economic Outlook Conference.
2025 Agenda
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
|
8:00 a.m. |
Breakfast and Regristration |
|
8:45 a.m. |
Welcome |
|
9:00 a.m |
AI in Agriculture: Transforming Food and Rural Economies |
|
10:00 a.m. |
Break |
|
10:15 a.m. |
AI/ Technology Panel (3 panelists) Brian Arnall, OSU Plant and Soil Sciences Professor and Sitlington Chair in Agriculture Panelist 3, To Be Announced |
|
11:15 a.m. |
Departmental Research Update |
|
11:45 a.m. |
Undergraduate Update –Emerson Lauterjung, Aggie-X Representative |
|
Noon |
Catered Lunch |
|
1:00 p.m. |
Livestock Market Outlook, Livestock Economics |
|
2:00 p.m. |
Break |
|
2:15 p.m. |
Rapid Fire Outlook Panel: |
|
3:15 p.m. |
Wrap-up/Evaluation |
|
3:30 p.m. |
Adjorn |
2024 Presentations
- Ag Finance Topic Updates
Rodney Jones, Ph.D. Oklahoma Farm Credit Agricultural Finance Chair, OSU Dept. of Agricultural Economics - Agricultural Economics Department Research Update
K. Aleks Schaefer, JD Ph.D. Associate Professor, Oklahoma State University - Cattle Market Update: Looking Ahead to 2025
Derrell S. Peel, Breedlove Professor of Agribusiness and Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist - Livestock Risk Protection (LRP)
Kenny Burdine, Extension Livestock Economist, UK Agricultural Economics - Rural Economic Outlook Conference
Randy Daniels, CIC Chief Risk Officer - Value-Added Enterprises: State of the Food Industry
Rodney B. Holcomb, Professor, Dept. of Agricultural Economics McLaughlin Chair & Assistant Director, Robert M. Kerr Food and Agricultural Products Center