Agriculture Tax & Accounting Conference - Wisconsin Institute of Certified Public Accountants

Overview

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 & Iowa Society of CPAs.

Below are the sessions that will qualify for IRS. There will be an IRS CE request form available within the webcast platform for attendees to submit their information to request these hours.

Section 1031 Exchanges in the Agriculture Landscape (1 IRS CE)
Farm Tax Update (2 IRS CE)
Tax Considerations for the Farm Succession Plan (1 IRS CE)

Aug 13, 2026

General Session

7:30am - 8:20am Section 1031 Exchanges in the Agriculture Landscape

Becky Petersen, Vice President

Becky Petersen

Vice President, CES , Becky received her law degree, with honors, from Creighton University and served on the Creighton Law Review. Becky holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Northern Iowa. Prior to joining IPE 1031 in 2011, she served as Field Operations Director and Commercial Underwriting Counsel for Iowa’s Title Guaranty program and managed escrow operations for Title Guaranty’s Commercial Services Department. Becky is a member of the Iowa Commercial Real Estate Association; the Realtor’s Land Institute; the Iowa State Bar Association, where she previously served on the Real Estate Section Council; and the Federation of Exchange Accommodators. She holds the designation of Certified Exchange Specialist (CES) and regularly lectures on the subject of Section 1031 for accounting, legal and real estate associations.

Chet Mellema, Vice President

Chet Mellema

With a juris doctor from the University of Iowa College of Law, where he served as a student writer and Note & Comment Editor for the Journal of Corporation Law, Chet also holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Drake University, and a Business Leadership Certificate from Drake’s College of Business and Public Administration. Chet is a member of the Iowa State Bar Association, serving several terms on the Real Estate & Title Section Council, the American Bar Association, Iowa Commercial Real Estate Association, and the Federation of Exchange Accommodators. He brings over 20 years of private practice and corporate legal experience to IPE 1031, with concentrations in real estate, business and debtor/creditor law. Chet is a contributing editor to the Iowa State Bar Association Income Tax Manual, holds the designation of Certified Exchange Specialist (CES), and regularly speaks on the topic of 1031 for realtors, accountants, attorneys and similar professionals.

David Brown, President

David Brown

A graduate of the University of Iowa College of Business and Drake University Law School, Dave is a member of the Iowa State Bar Association and served as a past Chair of its Tax Committee; the Iowa Commercial Real Estate Association; and the Realtor’s Land Institute. Dave serves on the Federation of Exchange Accommodators Government Affairs Committee. He previously served on its Board of Directors, as Chair of its Ethics Committee, and as its 2013 President. He holds the designation of Certified Exchange Specialist (CES) and lectures on the subject of Section 1031 for events sponsored by the Iowa State Bar Association, Drake University Law School, the University of Iowa College of Law, the University of Nebraska, the Realtors Land Institute, the Iowa Association of Realtors, and various other accounting, legal and real estate associations. Dave is a contributing editor to the Iowa State Bar Association Income Tax Manual.

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.

This session is available to registrants only.

General Session

8:30am - 10:10am Farm Tax Update

Paul Neiffer, Principal

Paul Neiffer

Paul Neiffer, CPA, is a leading expert on income and estate tax planning and Farm Service Agency (FSA) strategies for farmers and their families. A past president of the Farm Financial Standards Council and former chair of the AICPA Agricultural Conference, Paul is widely recognized for his thought leadership in the agriculture industry. He writes the “FarmCPA” column for Top Producer magazine, hosts its Top Producer podcast, and is the primary author of the widely read blog FarmCPAReport.com. A sought-after national speaker, Paul covers topics including tax planning, estate and succession strategies, farm management accounting, the farm bill, farm economics, and other key issues affecting farmers and processors.

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.

This session is available to registrants only.

Breakout Session

10:20am - 11:10am Agriculture Accounting Essentials: A Refresher for Today's Farm Business

Lisa Graham, Senior Manager

Lisa Graham

Lisa Graham, CPA, assurance senior manager at Sensiba, has more than 19 years of experience providing comprehensive services in accounting, assurance, advisory and audit. She has a strong focus on private companies in the manufacturing, agriculture and food processing industries. Lisa has worked extensively in the agribusiness sector, supporting organizations across the entire value chain from field to consumer.

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.

This session is available to registrants only.

10:20am - 11:10am Profit From Precision: The Role of Drones and Targeted Spraying in Modern Agriculture

Dr. Luke Fuhrer, Precision Agriculture Engineer

Dr. Luke Fuhrer

Dr. Luke Fuhrer is a Precision Agriculture Engineer with Iowa State University’s Digital Agriculture Innovation Lab. His work focuses on integrating advanced sensing, data analytics, and automation to improve agricultural efficiency and profitability. Dr. Fuhrer brings experience from research in machine learning-based weed detection, UAS routing, and fiber quality analytics, with an emphasis on translating emerging technologies into practical tools for farmers and educators.

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.

This session is available to registrants only.

General Session

11:20am - 12:10pm Cash Flows and Farm Financial Management

Dr. Kevin Bernhardt, Professor

Dr. Kevin Bernhardt

Dr. Kevin Bernhardt, farm management specialist for UW-Madison’s Division of Extension and professor of agribusiness at UW-Platteville’s School of Agriculture, has professional interests in farm financial management, agricultural finance and marketing management. He is a recipient of the Underkofler Excellence in Teaching award and the UW-Extension second mile award. Dr. Bernhardt has served or is currently active in several national, state and community organizations including the Farm Financial Standards Council, North Central Farm Management Extension Committee, the International Farm Management Association, and more.

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.

This session is available to registrants only.

General Session

12:50pm - 2:05pm Economic Update

Dr. Chad Hart, Professor

Dr. Chad Hart

Chad Hart was born and raised in southwest Missouri, where his family raised cattle and operated a small meat locker. He earned a B.S. in economics, with minors in mathematics, history, and astronomy, from Southwest Missouri State University in 1991. That same summer, he moved to Iowa to pursue graduate studies at Iowa State University, where he completed a Ph.D. in economics and statistics in 1999. Chad worked as a researcher at the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD) at Iowa State. In 2008, he joined the Iowa State University faculty as a professor of economics. He also serves as an extension economist and crop markets specialist. His primary research focuses on agricultural marketing and risk management.

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.

This session is available to registrants only.

General Session

2:15pm - 3:30pm Tax Considerations for the Farm Succession Plan

Kristine Tidgren, Professor

Kristine Tidgren

Kristine Tidgren, adjunct associate professor in the Agricultural Education & Studies Department at Iowa State University and director at the Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation (CALT), leads nationally recognized education and outreach on agricultural tax and legal issues. Since joining CALT in 2013, Kristine has authored hundreds of AgDocket posts and other publications that keep tax professionals, attorneys, producers and policymakers current on developments affecting agriculture. She writes and edits income tax curriculum used nationwide, oversees CALT’s educational resources and directs multiple annual tax schools, seminars and webinars. Kristine also collaborates with national agricultural law and tax organizations and serves as a board member of the American Agricultural Law Association.

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.

This session is available to registrants only.

General Session

3:40pm - 4:30pm The Strategic Resource Partner Your Client Needs

Shay Foulk, Strategic Consultant

Shay Foulk

Shay Foulk, strategic consultant and agricultural expert with Ag View Solutions, specializes in farm transition, strategic growth, and profit management. As the key lead for multiple peer groups and the profit manager cost of production system, Shay drives innovative solutions to enhance farm efficiency and profitability across the United States and Canada. His visionary approach shapes the Ag View Solutions team’s mission to deliver unparalleled value to farm businesses.

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.

This session is available to registrants only.