On Thursday, August 23, Kutak Rock’s National Agribusiness Group hosted its 8th Annual Agribusiness CLE Seminar, titled “Current Issues in Agribusiness.” The CLE, held in the firm's Omaha office, was attended by approximately 170 stakeholders across the country. Kutak Rock partners David Bracht, Brian Buescher and Jeff Makovicka provided updates on energy in agriculture, agribusiness finance, and general agricultural law. They were joined by Matthew Schaefer, the Work Professor of International Trade Law at the University of Nebraska College of Law, and Jill O'Donnell, the Director of the Clayton Yeutter Institute of International Trade at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, who presented “Trade, Tariffs, and Agriculture.”

David Bracht, who finished his three-year service as Director of the Nebraska Energy Office in July to join the agribusiness team at Kutak Rock, presented a session on energy in agriculture. Mr. Bracht addressed a variety of topics relating to energy in agriculture, including the future of ethanol, solar and wind energy development on agricultural land, and beneficial electrification in agricultural production.

Jeff Makovicka, a partner in the firm’s banking and finance group, led a discussion exploring important considerations in agricultural finance transactions, including a discussion on security interests, agricultural liens, and the Federal Food Security Act.

Brian Buescher, chair of the firm’s Agribusiness Practice, provided an update on legal issues facing agriculture in 2018, including an update on agricultural regulation. Mr. Buescher also provided an update on recent court decisions impacting agriculture.

Matthew Schaefer and Jill O'Donnell led a discussion on international trade, with a particular focus on the tariffs currently threatened or imposed on agricultural and other goods, possible retaliation, and the potential impact on agriculture.