On Tuesday, August 30, 2016 members of Kutak Rock's National Agribusiness Group will present a CLE seminar titled Current Issues In Agribusiness. Please click here to register.

12:15-12:45 p.m.
Registration and complimentary box lunch 
 
12:45-1:15 p.m.
Keynote Address, by U.S. Congressman Adrian Smith (3rd District, Nebraska)
 
Congressman Adrian Smith will address a variety of issues relevant to agricultural policy, including the current Farm Bill, the compromise bill passed by Congress on genetically modified organism (GMO) labeling, and policy issues related to agricultural trade. 
 
1:15-2:15 p.m.
Ag Credit and Banking Update, by Jeffrey T. Wegner (Partner, Kutak Rock), Shane Frahm (VP Agribusiness Credit, Farm Credit Services of America) and Thomas Jensen (SVP and Division Manager, Agribusiness, Correspondent Banking and Renewable Fuels Departments, First National Bank of Omaha)

Kutak Rock senior partner and creditor’s rights attorney Jeff Wegner will lead a discussion with banking executives Shane Frahm and Thomas Jensen regarding agricultural credit and lending. The panel will address current agricultural issues relating to credit and banking and anticipated issues relating to production, prices and credit for the 2016-2017 crop year. Mr. Wegner also will provide an update on agricultural bankruptcy issues and developments in ag credit in light of the challenging agricultural economy. 
 
2:15-2:30 p.m.
Break
 
2:30-3:15 p.m.
Agricultural Law and Regulation Update, by Brian C. Buescher (Partner, Kutak Rock)
 
Brian Buescher, Kutak Rock partner and leader of the firm’s Agriculture Litigation Group, will provide an update on developments in agricultural law and the government’s regulation of agriculture. Mr. Buescher will discuss the status of the proposed EPA Waters of the United States rule, the status of GMO corn litigation, challenges to agricultural practices in confinement facilities, final rules issued under the Food Safety Modernization Act, new regulations on drones used for agricultural production, the National Organic Program and its impact on organic production, and new developments on regulation of farm equipment repair under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, among other issues. 
 
3:15-3:45 p.m.
Firearms Regulation Update and What You Can and Can't Do on Your Agricultural Law, by Joseph O. Kavan (Partner, Kutak Rock)
 
Joe Kavan, senior partner, member of Kutak Rock’s agriculture practice group and leader of the firm’s firearms practice group, will lead a discussion regarding current firearms law. He will address the use of gun trusts, law related to the use and storage of firearms on agricultural land, and issues to keep in mind when considering hunting leases and allowing hunting on agricultural land. 

3:45-4:15 p.m.
Addressing USDA Violations, by Dr. Michael Fisher (food safety consultant and former USDA official) and Amy L. Van Horne (Partner, Kutak Rock)
 
Food safety consultant Dr. Fisher and Kutak Rock partner Amy Van Horne will present an overview of best practices for dealing with state and federal regulatory agencies. Their session will include discussions regarding where an inspector’s authority starts and ends, how to evaluate USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) non-compliance reports for potential appeal, how to prepare an agency appeal, and how to more effectively address an agency to ensure concerns are properly addressed.

4:15 p.m.
Closing Reception

If you have any questions regarding the seminar, please contact Brian Buescher, head of Kutak Rock LLP’s National Agribusiness Group.

Click here for more information. Please click here to register.