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, November 4, 2026. The excellent lineup of topics includes livestock market uncertainty, farm transitions, data centers in Oklahoma, grain market trends, along with updates on the Food and Ag Products Center, ag finance, and ag policy. The registration fee is $50.00 until October 28. After October 28 registration will be $75, which includes breakfast, lunch and breaks on Wednesday. Register for the 2026 Rural Economic Outlook Conference.
- Morning Moderator: Lyndall Stout, SunUp TV Show Host/ Executive Producer
- Afternoon Moderator: KC Sheperd, Oklahoma Farm Report Director of Farm & Ranch Programming
2026 Agenda
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
8 a.m. | Breakfast and Registration |
8:45 a.m. | Welcome |
9 a.m. | Uncertainty in Livestock Panel (15 min outlook, 45 min panel) |
10 a.m. | Break |
10:15 a.m. | Farm Transitions |
11:15 a.m. | Data Centers in Oklahoma |
11:45 a.m. | Undergraduate Update – Not yet determined, Aggie-X Representative |
Noon | Catered Lunch |
1 p.m. | Grain Markets Update |
1:30 p.m. | FAPC Update |
2 p.m. | Break |
2:15 p.m. | Rapid Fire Outlook Panel: |
3:15 p.m. | Wrap-up/Evaluation |
3:30 p.m. | Adjorn |
2025 Presentations
- Ag Finance Topic Updates
Rodney Jones, Ph.D. Oklahoma Farm Credit Agricultural Finance Chair, OSU Dept. of Agricultural Economics - AI in Agriculture: Transforming Food and Rural Economies
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 - Economic Impact Analysis of OSU Wheat Varieties
Eric DeVuyst, Dayton Lambert OSU Agricultural Economics, Brett Carver, OSU Plant & Soil Sciences - Grain Markets Update
Todd Hubbs, OSU Agricultural Economics Assistant Professor - Livestock Market Outlook, Livestock Economics
Derrell Peel, OSU Agricultural Economics Professor and Charles Breedlove Professorship James Mitchell, Assistant Professor, University of Arkansas - Marketing and Risk Management Considerations
James L. Mitchell, Assistant Professor and Associate Director, Fryar Price Risk Management Center of Excellence Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness