View Past M.L. Wilson Lecturers

2024 Agricultural Economics Conference

This conference was held at the Best Western Grantree Inn on Friday, November 8, 2024.

The 2024 conference was highlighted by M.L. Wilson lecture provided by Gary Schnitkey, Professor of Farm Management, Soybean Industry Chair in Agricultural Strategy, University of Illinois.  Gary discussed "Federal Farm Safety Net Programs."  The morning session included several faculty members from MSU’s Department of Agricultural Economics and Economics and the afternoon session included the Updates from Montana State Agencies and several other MSU's Department of Agricultural Economics and Economics faculty.

2023 Agricultural Economics Conference

This conference was held at the Best Western Grantree Inn on Friday, November 3, 2023.

The 2023 conference was highlighted by M.L. Wilson lecture provided by Mykel Taylor, Associate Professor and Alfa Eminent Scholar, Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, Auburn University.  Mykel discussed "Agricultural Land Markets and the Influence of Foriegn Investment."  The morning session included several faculty members from MSU’s Department of Agricultural Economics and Economics and the afternoon session included the MSU Precision Ag Faculty and one faculty member from MSU's Department of Agricultural Economics and Economics.

2022 Agricultural Economics Conference

This conference was held at the Best Western Grantree Inn on Friday, October 21, 2022.

The 2022 conference was highlighted by M.L. Wilson lecture provided by Nathan Kauffman, Omaha Branch Executive, Vice President and Economist, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.  Nate discussed "Macroeconomic Crosswinds in U.S. Agriculture."  The morning session included several faculty members from MSU’s Department of Agricultural Economics and Economics and the afternoon session included the MSU Precision Ag Faculty.

Agriculture 2021 Continued Uncertainty

This conference was held at the Best Western GranTree Inn on Friday, November 12, 2021.

The 2021 conference was highlighted by M.L. Wilson lecture provided by Shannon Neibergs, Professor, Extension Economist, School of Economic Sciences, Washington State University and Director of Western Center for Risk Management Education.  Shannon discussed "Infectious Disease Economics:  The Case of BRD in Cattle."  The morning and afternoon sessions included several faculty members from MSU’s Department of Agricultural Economics and Economics. 

2021 Spring Virtual Conference

This conference was a virtual conference on March 5, 2021.  This event was free and open to the public.  

2020:  COVID-19's Impact on Montana Agriculture

This conference was a virtual conference on November, 13, 2020.  This event was free and open to the public.  

Managing Risk and Uncertainty in Agriculture

This conference was held at the MSU Bozeman Campus in the Procrastinator Theater (282B Strand Union Building) on Friday, November 1, 2019.

The 2019 conference was highlighted by M.L. Wilson lecture provided by Barry Goodwin, Interim Department Head and William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor, North Carolina State University.  Barry discussed "What is Yield Risk and How Do We Measure It?."  The morning and afternoon sessions included several faculty members from MSU’s Department of Agricultural Economics and Economics. 

Agriculture and Political Uncertainty

This conference was held at the MSU Bozeman Campus in the Procrastinator Theater (282B Strand Union Building) on Friday, November 9, 2018.

The 2018 conference was highlighted by M.L. Wilson lecture provided by Randy Fortenbery, Professor and Thomas Mick Endowed Chair, Washington State University .  Randy discussed "Trade in an Uncertain Political Environment."  The morning and afternoon sessions included several faculty members from MSU’s Department of Agricultural Economics and Economics. 

Managing Land Resources in the Context of Variable Weather

This conference was held at the MSU Bozeman Campus in the Procrastinator Theater (282B Strand Union Building) on Friday, November 3, 2017.

The 2017 conference was highlighted by M.L. Wilson lecture provided by Paul Jakus from the Utah State University.  Paul discussed "Can States Afford a Public Land Transfer."  The morning session also included several faculty members from MSU’s Department of Agricultural Economics and Economics. The afternoon session concluded with afternoon panel discussing issues pertaining to rural economics.  

Agricultural Production Trends & Changing Food Systems

This conference was held at the MSU Bozeman Campus in the Procrastinator Theater (282B Strand Union Building) on Friday, November 11, 2016.

The 2016 conference was highlighted by M.L. Wilson lecture provided by Dr. Jayson Lusk from the Oklahoma State University. Dr. Lusk discussed "Trends, Changes and Consumer Choices Related to Food Systems."  The morning session also included several faculty members from MSU’s Department of Agricultural Economics and Economics. The afternoon session featured two breakout sessions.  One focused on Agricultural Profitability as part of the Montana Research and Economic Development Initiative and the other highlighted some current research at MSU. 

Montana Agriculture:  Global Trade to Local Foods

This conference was held at the MSU Bozeman Campus in the Procrastinator Theater (282B Strand Union Building) on Friday, November 6, 2015.

The conference featured several faculty members from MSU’s Department of Agricultural Economics and Economics addressing current issues facing Montana agricultural producers.  The morning session concluded with a keynote address provided by Professor Colin Carter from University of California, Davis.  Dr. Carter discussed "Trade and the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement".  The afternoon session featured two breakout sessions.  one focused on Price Risk Management while the other focused on Local Foods. 

Montana Agriculture:  Current Issues and the Role of Agricultural Research

This conference was held at the MSU-Bozeman Campus in the Procrastinator Theater (282B Strand Union Building) on Friday, November 7, 2014.

The conference featured several faculty members from MSU’s Department of Agricultural Economics and Economics addressing current issues facing Montana agricultural producers.  The morning session concluded with a keynote address provided by Professor Philip Pardey of the University of Minnesota. Dr. Pardey discussed "The Changing Landscape of U.S. and Global Research for Food and Agriculture."  The afternoon session featured several options for attendees to choose from.

Montana Agriculture in 2014: Prospects for Growth, Future Challenges, and the Role of Cooperatives

This conference was held at the MSU-Bozeman Campus in the Procrastinator Theater (282B Strand Union Building) on Friday, October 25, 2013.

The conference featured five DAEE faculty members addressing timely issues facing Montana Agriculture and three guest speakers addressing issues related to Cooperatives. The conference concluded with the Carl Casale (President and CEO of CHS, Inc.) providing the M. L. Wilson distinguished lecture. 

Agriculture 2012: A Changing Landscape

This conference was held at the MSU-Bozeman Campus in the Procrastinator Theater (282B Strand Union Building) on Friday, October 26, 2012.

The conference featured several faculty members from MSU’s Department of Agricultural Economics and Economics addressing current issues facing Montana agricultural producers. The morning session concluded with a keynote address provided by John Anderson, Deputy Cheif Economist, American Farm Bureau. John discussed "Agricultural Policy in a Volatile Environment."

Montana Agriculture in Volatile Times

This conference was held at the MSU-Bozeman Campus in the Procrastinator Theater (282B Strand Union Building) on Friday, October 28, 2011. 

The conference featured several faculty members from MSU’s Department of Agricultural Economics and Economics addressing current issues facing Montana agricultural producers. The morning session included Montana Economic Outlook from Bureau of Business and Economic Research and Montana Department of Agriculture Update.

Agriculture and Energy in Montana

This conference was held at the MSU-Bozeman Campus in the Procrastinator Theater (282B Strand Union Building) on Friday, November 5, 2010.

The conference featured several faculty members from MSU’s Department of Agricultural Economics and Economics addressing current issues facing Montana agricultural producers. The afternoon session concluded with a keynote address provided by Wally Tyner, James and Lois Ackerman Professor of Agricultural Economics, Purdue University.  Wally discussed "Alternative Policies and Pathways to our Energy Future."

Montana's Rural Economy: The Future of Agriculture and Rural Healthcare

This conference was held at the MSU-Bozeman Campus in the Procrastinator Theater (282B Strand Union Building) on November 12, 2009.

It was sponsored by Montana State University Extension and MSU’s Department of Agricultural Economics and Economics. The conference provided information on recent developments in the Montana's Rural Economy & Rural Healthcare.

Agricultural Outlook 2008: Farm Bill, Wind Energy & Climate Change

This conference was held in Bozeman at the Museum of the Rockies on November 14, 2008. It was sponsored by Montana State University Extension and MSU’s Department of Agricultural Economics and Economics. The conference provided accurate, timely and unbiased information on recent developments in Montana agriculture.

Conference speakers comprised of experts in Agricultural Climate Change Policy, Farm Bill Policy, Commodity Markets and Renewable Energy. The conference concluded with a round table discussion of the future on Montana Agriculture from 2010 to 2020. The M.L. Wilson Lecture was presented by Jon Christianson, Professor and James A. Hamilton Chair in Health Policy and Management, University of Minnesota on "Implications of Healthcare Reform in Rural America."

BioFuels: Boom or Bust for Montana Producers

This conference was held in Bozeman at the Hilton Garden Inn on November 9, 2007.  Each of the speakers presented a different angle on how biofuels impact Montana farms and ranches. It was sponsored by Montana State University Extension, Montana Farm Bureau Federation, Montana Grain Growers Association, NCAT, and Scientia.

Conference speakers were comprised of agricultural economists, cropping specialists, animal feeding experts, industry leaders and leading state government employees.