To cover unique tax and accounting opportunities and pitfalls in the agriculture industry.
Presented in partnership with the Iowa and Minnesota Society of CPAs.
Get the 100% fresh, local insights you need to help your agricultural clients thrive. Dig into the latest farm tax updates, economic developments, accounting news and planning opportunities affecting farmers. Learn from industry experts and come away with practical information to advise your ag clients. This conference was developed in partnership with the Minnesota Society of CPAs.
Featuring a complimentary bonus session, sponsored by IPE 1031, to start the day from 8:30 AM - 9:20 AM which will cover Section 1031 exchanges in the agriculture landscape.
Agenda
8:30 AM - 9:20 AM
Section 1031 Exchanges in the Agriculture Landscape
(CFP credit)
Explore the current legislative landscape for Section 1031
exchanges, applicable capital gains rates, and various exchange examples
focusing on agricultural related issues. The discussion will include types of
exchange properties, personal property expensing, Section 1245 recapture, red
flags, 1031 situations in the land context. Learn to better advise clients on
basic and current 1031 concepts and situations, including intermediate to
advanced level issues applicable to exchanges in agricultural, spot nuanced but
critical red flags that arise before, during and after completing of an
exchange.
David Brown, Chet Mellema, and Becky
Peterson - IPE 1031
9:30 AM - 11:10 AM
Farm
Tax Update (CFP credit)
Stay ahead of the
curve on the complex and ever-changing tax rules that impact agribusiness
clients. Dive into the specialized income, deduction and planning opportunities
unique to the agriculture industry with insights from farm tax expert Paul
Neiffer. This session breaks down recent guidance, court decisions and planning
strategies CPAs need to know when advising farm clients. Become better equipped
to navigate the excess fertility deduction, rural opportunity zones and valuable
tax savings opportunities to benefit your agricultural clients.
Paul
Neiffer, CPA - Farm CPA Report
11:20 AM - 12:10 PM
Agriculture Accounting Essentials: A Refresher
for Today’s Farm Business
Navigate the accounting issues that make
agribusiness unique and complex. This session refreshes core GAAP concepts
through the lens of today’s farm operations while highlighting new accounting
standards affecting the agricultural sector. Explore practical implications of
shifting from cash to accrual accounting, inventory valuation challenges and
revenue recognition issues specific to agriculture. Connect standards to daily
practice with real-world insights into leases and government assistance. Walk
away more confident in providing accounting guidance to modern farm
businesses.
Lisa Graham, CPA - Sensiba
Profit From Precision: The Role of Drones and Targeted Spraying in
Modern Agriculture
Unlock the financial power behind precision
agriculture by moving beyond the technology and into measurable results. Explore
how drones and targeted spraying can reduce input costs, support stewardship
incentives, and deliver strong ROI for modern farm operations. Learn how
high-resolution aerial imagery creates a reliable digital paper trail for
conservation practices and strengthens insurance documentation. See how
precision data can reshape seasonal planning and improve application timing.
Gain practical insights on how data-driven decisions can directly protect and
improve the bottom line.
Dr. Luke Fuhrer, Ph.D. - Iowa State
University, Digital Agriculture Innovation Lab
12:20 PM - 1:10 PM
Cash Flows and Farm Financial
Management
How can you build stronger, more resilient farm
businesses? By sharpening your approach to cash flow and financial management.
Explore how well-prepared financial statements reveal the true story behind an
agricultural operation and highlight risks and opportunities that impact
long-term success. Discuss practical analysis techniques and key measures of
economic viability that matter most to farm clients. Learn how better
measurement can support better decisions and identify where management time
delivers the greatest return. Gain tools to help farm operators focus on actions
that most effectively improve long-term financial sustainability.
Dr.
Kevin Bernhardt, Ph.D. - University of Wisconsin Platteville
1:10 PM - 1:50 PM
Break for Lunch
1:50 PM - 3:05 PM
Economic Update
Explore the forces
shaping the national economy and what lies ahead. This session breaks down key
domestic and global drivers, from inflation and interest rates to trade policy
and international developments, to provide a clearer picture of today’s economic
environment. Gain practical insight into how fiscal and monetary policy interact
and influence economic outcomes. Plus review the latest federal projections to
better understand where growth may occur. Leave with a stronger framework for
interpreting economic signals and advising clients with
confidence.
Dr. Chad Hart, Ph.D. - Iowa State University
3:15 PM - 4:30 PM
Tax
Considerations for the Farm Succession Plan (CFP
credit)
Succession planning is one of the most critical areas faced by
agriculture clients. Strengthen your ability to help navigate the complex tax
landscape that shapes successful farm succession planning. Explore how current
gift, estate and income tax rules affect farm transitions and the long-term
viability of the operation. Discover common pitfalls and overlooked issues that
can derail even well-intentioned plans. Gain practical strategies to reduce tax
exposure while supporting both outgoing and incoming
ownership.
Kristine Tidgren, JD - Center for Agriculture Law
& Taxation, Iowa State University
4:40 PM - 5:30 PM
The Strategic Resource Partner Your Client
Needs
Explore what today’s rural and agricultural businesses truly
expect from their CPAs, attorneys, insurance agents, advisers and lenders. Learn
how high-performing professionals coordinate across disciplines to deliver
clearer strategy, stronger execution and greater value for farm and ag business
clients. This session draws on real-world experience helping clients align their
advisory teams into a cohesive, goal-focused unit. Gain practical approaches for
managing capacity, adapting to client needs and using modern tools to elevate
your role. Walk away better positioned as a trusted strategic partner clients
rely on and recommend.
Shay Foulk - Ag View Solutions
5:30 PM
Program Adjourns