Farmers and ranchers are expected to understand production, finances, technology, markets, and the future of the family business. Agricultural consultants can provide another perspective, but the value of that advice depends on the consultant’s expertise, professional standards, and understanding of the operation.
On this episode of North American Ag Spotlight, host Chrissy Wozniak spoke with American Society of Agricultural Consultants President Abby Byerly and Interim Executive Director Russell Morgan about what trusted consulting looks like and how collaboration can help producers work through difficult decisions.
Why professional standards matter
Founded in 1963, ASAC emerged from concerns about unqualified or unethical people presenting themselves as agricultural consultants. Byerly explained that the organization’s purpose was to help farmers and ranchers find advisors who would put the operation’s needs first.
That responsibility remains central to the conversation. A recommendation about financing, production, or succession can affect more than a single season. It can influence the direction of a farm and the options available to the next generation.
A second set of eyes on the farm business
Morgan, who has spent more than 40 years advising farm businesses, described increasing complexity as a major challenge. Technology and artificial intelligence are adding to the information and decisions producers must manage, while time remains limited.
A consultant may provide specialized analysis, serve as a sounding board, or help a producer recognize something that is difficult to see while managing daily responsibilities. Morgan described the role as providing “a second set of eyes on the business.”
The advice should fit the operation. Byerly encouraged producers to look for a consultant who can explain a plan tailored to their specific needs, rather than apply the same approach to every client.
Connecting production expertise with financial planning
ASAC brings together consultants whose specialties include agronomy, animal nutrition, business management, finance, law, and succession planning. Byerly said those relationships help her connect clients with expertise outside her own field.
Morgan offered an example involving a client pursuing an egg-production opportunity. Because the production system was outside his usual experience, he worked with a consultant who understood the egg-production cycle. Morgan then incorporated that information into revenue, expense, and cash-flow projections for a financing package.
The example shows how production knowledge and financial analysis can work together to help a producer evaluate a business opportunity and prepare for a lender’s review.
When a diversification question becomes a succession conversation
Byerly described a client who initially wanted to discuss agritourism and the possibility of starting a pumpkin patch. As the conversation developed, the deeper concern became clear. The client’s children did not want to return to the operation, raising questions about its future and the purpose of investing in another enterprise.
Through her ASAC connections, Byerly referred the client to consultants specializing in succession planning. The client did not pursue the agritourism project, but she said the family gained a brighter outlook on the operation’s future.
The experience also raised an important point about farm transitions. The next person to carry an operation forward may come from outside the family.
Confidentiality and conflicts of interest
Byerly works with people she may also see at local agricultural meetings, livestock markets, or in the grocery store. She emphasized making confidentiality part of the conversation from the beginning, so clients understand that their business discussions will remain private.
Morgan also discussed the need to disclose financial relationships that could influence a recommendation. Producers should be able to understand whether an advisor could receive compensation connected to a product or service being recommended.
Professional development is another part of the discussion. Morgan explained that the Certified Agricultural Consultant designation involves rigorous education and ongoing reporting of education and professional development over a five-year cycle. ASAC membership and the CAC credential are distinct, although both carry ethical responsibilities.
Supporting the family as well as the business
Byerly’s perspective comes from working alongside her parents on their Central Montana operation, where they raise cattle, wheat, barley, and alfalfa. She also helps food and agricultural businesses with planning and access to financing through Snowy Mountain Development Corporation.
Morgan reflected on cases in which helping a farmer leave an unworkable business situation ultimately reduced stress and improved family life. Those outcomes challenged a narrow definition of success based only on keeping an operation in business.
For both guests, consulting is tied to the people behind the farm. The decisions must account for their goals, circumstances, and future.
ASAC Annual Conference in San Antonio
ASAC’s 2026 Annual Conference takes place November 1–3 at the Holiday Inn San Antonio Riverwalk under the theme “Boots on the Ground, Eyes on the Future.” The program includes ethics, agricultural tours, livestock markets, farm and ranch law, and composting and water use, with speakers including Sid Miller and David Anderson.
Early registration ends October 19, and the hotel room-block deadline is October 10. Early rates are $595 for members and $695 for nonmembers, increasing by $100 after October 19. Contact ASAC about member-sponsored, first-time attendee, and student discounts.
The guests also discussed MACS Academy’s separate “From Concrete to Crops” preconference urban agriculture tour, which requires separate registration.
Find the current agenda and registration links at https://www.agconsultants.org/2026_annual_conference.php. For discount information or the MACS Academy tour link, contact evp@agconsultants.org.
Listen to the North American Ag Spotlight conversation with Abby Byerly and Russell Morgan to learn more about agricultural consulting, professional standards, and the people working to help farm businesses succeed.
TRANSCRIPT
00;00;23;01 – 00;00;44;05
Chrissy Wozniak
Hi, and welcome to North American Ag Spotlight. I’m Chrissy Wozniak. I apologize for my voice today. I came home from a few trips with a cold and I’m trying to get over it, but just bear with me. I might sound a little bit funny. So today we’re going to talk about the network of people that surround the family farm, farms and ranchers.
00;00;44;08 – 00;01;07;01
Chrissy Wozniak
They make decisions every day that affect their businesses for years to come, not just for today. And whether it’s managing cash flow, evaluating new technology, planning a transition to the next generation, or responding to changing markets, having the right advice can make a real difference. But how do you know who to trust and what should you expect from an agriculture consultant?
00;01;07;06 – 00;01;40;18
Chrissy Wozniak
How do you determine whether their recommendations are actually helping your operation? Today, we’re talking about the people behind that advice and the professional standards that should guide their work. The American Society of Agriculture Consultants, commonly known as ASIC, was established in 1963 to advance professionalism and ethical standards in agriculture consulting. Its members work across a wide range of specialties, bringing different perspectives to the challenges facing farms, ranches and agriculture businesses and that variety.
00;01;40;22 – 00;02;14;17
Chrissy Wozniak
It matters because of farms, financial decision, production practices, legal concerns and family goals. They’re they’re often closely connected. So a decision in one area can actually have consequences across that entire operation. So we’re going to explore what ACC does, how its members collaborate and what farmers should look for when choosing an advisor. We’ll also preview the organization’s upcoming annual conference, taking place November 1st through the third in San Antonio, Texas, with the theme boots on the ground.
00;02;14;18 – 00;02;32;13
Chrissy Wozniak
Eyes on the future. Our guest spring both organizational leadership and practical consulting experience to the conversation. So joining me today are Asac President Abby Byerly and interim executive director Russell Morgan. Abby and Russ, welcome to North American Egg Spotlight.
00;02;32;15 – 00;02;34;09
Abby Byerly
Thank you.
00;02;34;11 – 00;02;35;26
Russell Morgan
Thank you. Chrissy.
00;02;35;28 – 00;02;48;19
Chrissy Wozniak
Yeah. So before we get into the conference, let’s talk about Asac. Why was it established and what were the the problems that the founders were trying to address at the time?
00;02;48;22 – 00;03;09;04
Abby Byerly
You gave a great overview of the history, so thanks for that. But I think the the problem that they were really trying to address, was that of unqualified or unethical people kind of posing as, as eg consultants. You know, the 1960s is when it formed. And I’ll just say that was long before I was even on this earth.
00;03;09;04 – 00;03;44;22
Abby Byerly
But I think that that impact of having folks, you know, helping guide decisions that are going to impact generations, like my own years later that were, you know, leading farmers and ranchers astray was was the main concern. They wanted to make sure that when, when folks were seeking out, outside advice, they wanted to make sure that it was from a pool of consultants that had already sort of put a check behind their name, that they were going to do this with the the individual ranch operation, farm operation at the forefront instead of their lining their pocket.
00;03;44;25 – 00;04;03;01
Chrissy Wozniak
Yeah. Yeah. That’s that’s so important. And that’s really at the base as well. I love this organization to I think I’ve been to most of the last 5 or 6 conferences, and that’s really what strikes me every year. It’s it’s really overwhelming to see a room full of people, just like figuring out how they can help farmers more.
00;04;03;04 – 00;04;13;15
Chrissy Wozniak
It’s very inspiring. So, Abby, tell us a little bit about your own agriculture background, your consulting work, what brought you to ACC and then eventually into the leadership?
00;04;13;17 – 00;04;38;15
Abby Byerly
Yeah. You bet. I grew up on our family ranch in central Montana. I am the third generation currently working on it. We raise black Angus beef cattle as well as our own hay, and then wheat and barley. And I have a real passion for agriculture. I’m one of two daughters. So my dad didn’t have the the option of handing it down to the oldest son, as tradition usually goes.
00;04;38;15 – 00;05;07;27
Abby Byerly
So I was excited to, to kind of take on that, that role. I’ve been back now for almost 15 years after getting a few degrees, and I’m excited to just be be part of of the family legacy. I also recognized at the same time that, you know, we couldn’t quite support multiple incomes on the family operation, so I was seeking out essentially a way to contribute to the operation by bringing in outside income.
00;05;08;00 – 00;05;42;01
Abby Byerly
And Snowy Mountain Development was was where I landed. So I might have a little less traditional role role when it comes to a consulting. Currently, I’m part of a nonprofit that we serve businesses of, of all industries here at Snowy Mountain Development. But I’m I’m focused on food and egg businesses, so I help small businesses, entrepreneurs, those with just an idea in the food, egg and natural resources realm kind of get their get their legs under them, whether it’s financials or business planning or access to financing.
00;05;42;03 – 00;06;12;19
Abby Byerly
And I sought out Asac because I was looking for an organization that, you know, essentially is what ASIC is. They they had consultants. That would be a wealth of knowledge to me and those professionals in areas that I might not be an expert in. So, you know, ask was the clear, you know, came to the the top of the pile for me because I knew I was going to be sitting across the table interacting with consultants that were, you know, agronomist or food nutritionist that I, I was not an expert in.
00;06;12;21 – 00;06;35;10
Abby Byerly
And then the ethical piece was just the cherry on top, knowing that I was going to be talking to people that were just as passionate about agriculture. And we’re going to put the the family operations at the forefront was, was, you know, the reason I said yes to it. I got a phone call from Kyle Walker a few years ago that was like, you’re you’re a great, you know, asset to to this organization.
00;06;35;10 – 00;06;49;17
Abby Byerly
Would you mind taking on the president’s role or walking into that? And I said, yes. And I’m not sure I knew what I was saying yes to, but here I am and really excited to be leading this organization.
00;06;49;19 – 00;07;03;26
Chrissy Wozniak
That’s wonderful. And, Russ, you’ve spent more than 40 years advising farm businesses. What’s changed most about the help that farmers need and and what stayed remarkably consistent. On the other hand.
00;07;03;28 – 00;07;25;25
Russell Morgan
Kristi, prior to answering that question, I just want to add an addendum to what Abby, stated in the first entry to the first question. She’s a superb job, but, I’ve been a little long in the tooth in this organization. Well, so I have a kind of a historical perspective. One quick thing I’d want to say about the founding of it.
00;07;25;27 – 00;07;49;08
Russell Morgan
Agriculture is always undergoing massive changes. And there was a massive change under being undertaken in the early 60s. It was kind of like the Wild West, if you will. And that’s part of what Abby stated. There were folks just all over the place calling themselves ag consultants without, you know, proper integrity and what have you. And so that that is why this organization is founded.
00;07;49;11 – 00;08;20;29
Russell Morgan
But I also want to mention that throughout the history of a sassy, we have had the pleasure or the good fortune to have titans of the ag industry involved in this organization, from the from Professor Ensminger, who was a fantastic animal scientist, gymnastics and Roy Ferguson that I was able fortunately to to interview and have some interaction with during while he was a member of a sack.
00;08;21;03 – 00;08;49;06
Russell Morgan
So I just want to mention that now back to that’s back to the back to your question. What is changed is and I just addressed earlier, there’s always significant changes occurring in the ag industry. Well, what I have witnessed in my career, and just as a preface, every year I am a guest speaker at the University of Tennessee for one of their ag accounting courses.
00;08;49;06 – 00;09;14;18
Russell Morgan
And so the first picture that I show them is the first tractor. I had my hands around as a youth back in the early 60s, not not 63, but early 60s. And it’s a red bellied ford with no power steering. And you know what, 30 some horsepower, what have you. And then I compare it to the basically a cockpit, if you would of a modern tractor combine what have you.
00;09;14;19 – 00;09;57;00
Russell Morgan
And so the technology has changed a significant amount. And certainly we’re seeing even an acceleration if it’s if one can conceive that currently with AI and this type of thing and that type of technology. So what what has changed is the complexity that is. Well, there’s a lot of things change, but primarily the complexity of the business organization and one individual or even a management group, a management team has great difficulty in addressing all the different aspects of the business management of a agricultural production business.
00;09;57;05 – 00;10;34;13
Russell Morgan
And, you know, Kleinfeld, doctor David Kleinfeld years ago coined this phrase and I use it often. Do what you do best, outsource the rest. And so in economic we learn you maximize your returns to your most limiting resource. And for quite often the most limited resource is labor and management time. Not necessarily capacity, but time. So what individuals what farmers do they should do is focus on the things they do the best and then utilize consultants.
00;10;34;13 – 00;11;01;23
Russell Morgan
Maybe even in the outsourcing can actually happen within the family. But certainly in our business we’re outside the family. Consultants come in and provide what I call a second set of eyes on the business and help. Sometimes it’s just a sounding board, sometimes it’s pointing out things that they don’t see. It can be every farm business is individual, so their needs are unique and individualized.
00;11;01;27 – 00;11;04;09
Russell Morgan
So that’s what I’ve seen.
00;11;04;11 – 00;11;24;28
Chrissy Wozniak
Yeah that that makes sense. You know it’s it’s so hard even just in our day to day life, you know, at work in in our own homes, it sometimes takes another perspective for you to even see where you’re at because you’re just struggling with, you know, waking up, feeding the dogs, feeding the kids, getting everybody to school, right, and getting to work.
00;11;24;28 – 00;11;49;19
Chrissy Wozniak
And it’s hard to see around from that, that higher perspective and that outside perspective. So I, I get that. I think it’s so important, especially for farms and especially like you said, with the changing technology, I, I cover this technology every day and I can’t keep up. I, you know, I can’t imagine running a farm and then trying to also keep up with the technology.
00;11;49;22 – 00;12;12;22
Chrissy Wozniak
That’s why, you know, I, I love to cover it so that, you know, at least we can get some more information out there so that that they can, you know, in little doses, learn, learn about what’s coming up next. Abby, a question for you. Agriculture consulting. It covers everything from agronomy and livestock, nutrition to finance, law, succession planning.
00;12;12;24 – 00;12;19;05
Chrissy Wozniak
What makes bringing those specialties all together in one association so valuable?
00;12;19;07 – 00;12;45;23
Abby Byerly
I think it’s that team approach. You know, you have a small operation that might be an individual or a few members of a family. And like you said, you could you could outsource within your family, maybe. But those those multiple specialties that are necessary now to be able to keep track of your your financials, to be able to know, you know what, what are we doing as far as our grazing rotations?
00;12;45;26 – 00;13;09;23
Abby Byerly
Are the cattle getting the proper nutrition? I mean, there’s three specialties right there that you could you could get a four year degree in or, you know, more having all of those at the table. You know, I now have this Rolodex, of, of folks that I know I can call up and say, hey, I know I don’t know the answer here, but I’m pretty sure you can either tell me or point me to the the resource that I need.
00;13;09;26 – 00;13;33;29
Abby Byerly
So that’s I think that’s what’s so valuable about Asac is I now have this, you know, laundry list of folks that I can contact. And I know that they’re going to give me the the correct information, they’re going to shoot me straight and they’re going to, they’re going to do it with my client, even though they may not know them or have met them, with them in mind, as far as making sure that they get the proper information to me.
00;13;34;01 – 00;13;59;12
Chrissy Wozniak
Yeah. For sure. And and even just being at the conference. But what I really love is that diversity of speakers. I feel like when I walk away from that conference, I have input and information and up to date on so many different areas in agriculture, and it helps me, you know, as a, you know, in media, really understand what’s what’s affecting farms across the board.
00;13;59;15 – 00;14;10;23
Chrissy Wozniak
Very good. So can you both share an example of how collaboration between consultants with different expertise has helped solve a farm business problem in your past?
00;14;10;26 – 00;14;11;25
Abby Byerly
I’ll let you go first.
00;14;11;25 – 00;14;53;21
Russell Morgan
Russ okay. Well, once again, just a quick addendum. The one of the value, one of the unique values of Asac is that it is not, in a silo. And what I mean by that, you have organizations that, focus on agronomist, if you will. And so when you go to a conference, you’re in a room with a bunch of other agronomists with a as a C, you aren’t, you’re, you’re in Gaul or you have fellowship, interaction, networking with a wide array of a consultant.
00;14;53;28 – 00;15;33;21
Russell Morgan
And they can be, as Abby succinctly put it, whether it’s an animal nutrition agronomist, or folks like myself or CPAs with tax compliance. But they’re when you have those discussions, both within the professional development courses or presentation or outside, when you’re just networking, having discussion, reception, whatever, it elevates the level of synergy a significant degree, and that is a unique value to ask that you won’t get hardly anywhere else that I’m aware of.
00;15;33;27 – 00;16;06;06
Russell Morgan
But anyway, that’s that’s my addendum. And I did my little squirrel there. But back to an example. I can give you a multiple examples, but one that comes to mind first is because it’s rather recent is I have worked with several clients. In fact, I assisted in the the development, if you would, when the poultry, integration industry arrived in western Kentucky 1988 to 19 to 1990.
00;16;06;08 – 00;16;42;20
Russell Morgan
But I’ve worked with several different types of roller or, excuse me, poultry contract poultry producers in that time, from eight layers to pull it to brawlers. But recently in our area, there has been a move or excuse me, there’s been an influx of edible egg producers, which is something outside what I typically had done over time. Well, I had one client that was wanting to implement or had engaged in a contract with an edible egg producer, and so that was something neither one of us had experience in.
00;16;42;24 – 00;17;12;28
Russell Morgan
But we engaged another consultant. That’s what their job was, or that’s what their profession was, was in egg production, the edible egg production. So they provided me with the, the egg production cycle, if you would, and so laid it out there. Well, and I was able to take that and include or excuse me, incorporate the financial aspects of it, both in production, both on the revenue side and the expense side.
00;17;12;29 – 00;17;33;10
Russell Morgan
And so we can we can generate what we felt was a very accurate as possible as agricultural production can be, you know, cash flow projections. So we could take that loan package to the bank and get financing and that type of thing. So that’s one example. But there have been multiple over the years.
00;17;33;13 – 00;17;36;26
Chrissy Wozniak
Yeah, yeah, a great example. And Abby.
00;17;36;28 – 00;18;08;03
Abby Byerly
You know, one that comes to mind for me is a client that I had in my office that had set an appointment wanting to talk about some agar tourism options. They were looking at, you know, diversifying their, their revenue streams. And, and there had been to a pumpkin patch, wanted to do something similar. It was pretty apparent, you know, not far into the conversation that I was going to have to put on my, my counselor hat because there was some pretty high emotions about, you know, my, my kids don’t want to come back.
00;18;08;04 – 00;18;30;25
Abby Byerly
I don’t know kind of why I’m doing this or why I would pursue a another endeavor. And I was able to kind of provide them with a list of, of consultants that I knew through ACC that do some very specialized, you know, succession planning to help them feel out their, their options. Because sometimes succession doesn’t, doesn’t follow a bloodline.
00;18;30;26 – 00;18;52;06
Abby Byerly
You know, there’s plenty of aspiring young folks out there that might not have the opportunity to get into agriculture because the high input costs and they don’t have that, that lineage to fall back on. And so, I sort of blessed and released and made sure that they, they had enough contacts. But I know that they’ve been speaking with a succession planner since then.
00;18;52;09 – 00;19;11;12
Abby Byerly
They didn’t they didn’t end up pursuing the the pumpkin patch or agritourism Avenue. But, I think that they’ve got a much brighter outlook now on where their, their operation is headed and quote unquote, why they’re doing this because of my, my resources through ACC when it comes to succession planning consultants.
00;19;11;15 – 00;19;31;29
Chrissy Wozniak
Oh yeah. And I love that. And I love that. I love hearing those stories to of how people interested young people, especially interested in agriculture and how we can get them farming, especially because there’s so many in the in the last generation who have the operation that want want to pass it along to somebody if their kids don’t want to stay on the farm.
00;19;32;02 – 00;19;58;07
Chrissy Wozniak
So I love hearing hearing those examples. So, Abby, one thing that comes up is, is when a farm is looking for consultancies. Oh, these consultants like you hear it all the time. All these consultants, they just want money. What have they actually done? And but one thing that’s so amazing about, about ASIC is the code of ethics, and, it addresses independence, confidentiality, conflicts of interest.
00;19;58;11 – 00;20;04;10
Chrissy Wozniak
So what does it look like in an actual working relationship with a farmer?
00;20;04;12 – 00;20;22;27
Abby Byerly
I think the conflict of interest is is key there. You know, oftentimes I’m sitting here talking to my, my neighbors, folks that I see at the auction yards, folks that I see at Farm Bureau meetings. So that’s first and foremost to me. I, you know, I’m very direct in that what happens in my office, what we kind of plan out.
00;20;22;27 – 00;20;44;29
Abby Byerly
I’m not then taking and talking about when I, you know, run into someone at the grocery store. This the stays between us. And and I am upfront that, you know, I’m a farmer and rancher as well. I’m selling my cattle right along side you those things. And usually that brings value to the conversation for them rather than, them shying away from that.
00;20;45;01 – 00;21;06;04
Abby Byerly
But I think just making that ethical standard part of the conversation from the get go puts puts those folks at ease so that they know that, you know, I’m I’m here because I want to see you, because you succeeding means that, you know, my my farm and ranch operation is going to succeed as well. And so that’s, that’s huge for those conversations.
00;21;06;04 – 00;21;26;22
Abby Byerly
But I think that when, you know, people are looking at consultants, making sure that they have some kind of a plan that they’re willing to to lay out, I think we’re going to go step one or step two, or here’s phase one. Phase two that doesn’t look like a a boilerplate that, you know, I haven’t just taken something I’ve done with the last person that I was working with and, and sort of rubber stamped it.
00;21;26;22 – 00;21;51;00
Abby Byerly
Every operation is is unique. Every problem or scenario is different. And so knowing that your consultant is working to tailor that to your exact needs, I think is, is something that when a farmer and rancher is looking to, to hire or engage with a consultant, that’s something that they should pay attention to. But, yeah, I think ASIC members do a great job of of uplifting that ethics from from the very gecko.
00;21;51;02 – 00;22;13;05
Russell Morgan
Abby’s response brought to mind a couple of situation one has a conflict of interest. This is a personal example. Years and and consultant run into this quite often where they’ll have another entity that says that will make a deal, or try to make a deal with them. Hey, if you’ll recommend our product, we will give you a kickback or whatever.
00;22;13;06 – 00;22;35;02
Russell Morgan
And so I’ve had I’ve run into that a couple of times. One example was a grain marketer, and I had a couple grain marketers that I typically, suggested to my clients. This is some years ago with this grain marketer. We were friends as well. He made that type offer. I said, I can’t do that. I said, you know, not well, certainly not without full disclosure to the client.
00;22;35;03 – 00;22;53;03
Russell Morgan
And so he made the full disclosure to the client. They they approached me, said, what do you think? And said, well, actually, this is the organization that I was probably going to recommend to you anyway, but, you know, I won’t take their money. And the farmer came back and said, if he’s offering you money and you’re going to recommend it anyway, you know, go ahead and take it.
00;22;53;03 – 00;22;57;28
Russell Morgan
But but it was under full disclosure. They were fully aware of what was going on.
00;22;58;02 – 00;23;19;19
Chrissy Wozniak
That was actually where where I was leading anyway. And that confidence to know that that this is built into this organization. So members this is what they’re being taught. And Russ, you hold the certified Agriculture Consultant designation. So what does that credential represent and how does it differ from simply being an A sack member.
00;23;19;22 – 00;24;02;22
Russell Morgan
Well, as we just talked about, an SAC member a sack member are held are accountable to the code of ethics. That standard regular member or what we call a C certified ag consultant. But what a CAC represents, it represents the the fact that that individual has taken the educational courses, gone through a rigorous educational. Yeah courses if you would and then maintain those educational courses both within a sack and without, because we have a five year rotation, we have to provide what education and what professional development we engaged in over that period of time.
00;24;02;24 – 00;24;35;17
Russell Morgan
So that ensures to the client that this person has taken the initiative to stay up to date, both in technology or certainly whatever, especially field that they’re involved in to give a better sense of, of a foundation that their recommendations are insights, their suggestions will be knowledgeable, professional as well as up to date.
00;24;35;19 – 00;24;56;18
Abby Byerly
I want to parallel that. Crissy I I’m a fitness instructor as well. And so every two years to maintain that designation, I have to, you know, take courses to make sure that, you know, what I’m teaching my my students at the gym is not injuring them. If something were to happen, I could could address that injury. And I think that’s that’s the same thing here.
00;24;56;18 – 00;25;12;00
Abby Byerly
You know, we have consultants that are making sure that they’re not doing anything with the changes in the industry that’s not going to harm their clients and that we’re up to date on those those changes within the industry. So that’s that’s kind of the parallel that I make in my head.
00;25;12;02 – 00;25;27;04
Chrissy Wozniak
Yeah. Yeah I love that. And then Abby, over to talking about the conference. This year’s theme is boots on the ground. Eyes on the future I love that it’s so visual. It’s so impactful. What does that mean to you and and how did it shape the program?
00;25;27;06 – 00;25;51;13
Abby Byerly
Yeah, I mean, I think that it kind of goes back to a lot of the things we’ve already touched on this morning. You know, we’re we’re going to be in Texas. So of course, you know, you’re you’re going to bring your your walking boots, you’re going to bring your learning boots. You’re going to bring your dancing boots. But also like we’re we’re doing work here that’s going to ensure that, agriculture does not go go through the rapid, steep decline that’s kind of being anticipated.
00;25;51;13 – 00;26;11;01
Abby Byerly
We want to we want to do work here that’s going to keep those that are, that are currently producing our food, fiber and fuel working as well as, come up with innovative and creative approaches that we can take home to our home states that are going to get that that next generation involved in in some capacity.
00;26;11;03 – 00;26;29;03
Chrissy Wozniak
Yeah. Awesome. And our our dear friend Paige Gilligan, she’ll be leading the opening ethics session again this year. What kinds of situations make ongoing ethics and education necessary? I know we talked about this a little bit more, but even for experienced consultants.
00;26;29;05 – 00;26;53;19
Abby Byerly
And what doesn’t. I feel like we’re we’re challenged every day to make sure that we’re we’re sticking with those. And, I think that this annual check in for our ethics is, is just what you need to, you know, be able to have it be a knee jerk reaction that you’re going to work within that, that ethical boundary instead of, you know, taking the payout like Russ was, alluding to or something like that.
00;26;53;25 – 00;27;20;25
Abby Byerly
Just having that, that constant reminder of this is why we do that work is is so key. And so, you know, that’s why we we shifted it and put it right at the beginning. We’re going to, we’re going to launch with that ethics course, just so that we can have that check in, that we can all sit down and read through that code of ethics together and recommit to the work that we’re doing through through ASIC with that, that ethical foundation.
00;27;20;27 – 00;27;43;17
Chrissy Wozniak
That’s that’s great. And and looking through the schedule. Texas AG commissioner said Miller, who’s also been on on spotlight before as well. And it does great work in our in our space for sure. He’s on the agenda. What perspective do you expect him to bring and which issues would you particularly like attendees to hear him address?
00;27;43;19 – 00;28;17;17
Abby Byerly
I’m really excited to hear him speak. Actually, I’ve listened to a couple of podcasts and news clips that he’s been on and just his his background, but then his energy, both for agriculture and just the state of Texas is really refreshing. So, you know, I think he’s going to give a great bird’s eye view of, of the agriculture industry in Texas, which is, is so interesting, especially because Texas is such a leader when it comes to a lot of of different commodities in the egg sector.
00;28;17;19 – 00;28;22;12
Abby Byerly
So I’m really looking forward to to Cid’s presentation.
00;28;22;14 – 00;28;32;20
Chrissy Wozniak
And also, David Anderson will discuss challenges and opportunities in the livestock markets. What’s the biggest question that your members want answered in that session?
00;28;32;22 – 00;28;54;17
Abby Byerly
I’m not sure that I can speak for the full membership, but I know I’m I’m really interested to hear his perspective on, you know, we’ve we’ve recently had a lot of action around some international beef coming into the United States that has created a bunch of ripple effects, both positive and negative. So interested to hear that perspective.
00;28;54;24 – 00;29;17;10
Abby Byerly
We’re also, you know, as you know, sitting in a the smallest cattle herd that we’ve had in the US in in many years, as well as some record high prices. And so just what that looks like moving forward, are we going to, you know, are we going to see that price fall off the cliff? Are we going to see an actual growth in our our beef herd, or is this kind of status quo moving forward?
00;29;17;10 – 00;29;21;01
Abby Byerly
So I know that’s what I’m I’m excited to hear from him.
00;29;21;04 – 00;29;38;18
Chrissy Wozniak
Yeah for sure. Those are some great questions and any insight I think would be valuable there. You also have sessions on saving water with compost on the farm and ranch and on farm and ranch law. What practical questions should attendees bring to those discussions?
00;29;38;20 – 00;29;59;25
Abby Byerly
I think the the farm and ranch law there’s you know, you can get so into the weeds with a particular question, but it’s great to have someone that’s got an expertise in in farm and ranch law because there’s there’s just so many nuances going back to not having to be an expert in in everything. Having someone that is an expert in farm and ranch law is going to be such an asset.
00;29;59;28 – 00;30;19;24
Abby Byerly
So I think, you know, any consultant that has particular questions that would would fall in that, that realm. It’d be great to bring to the conference. I think that that’s the great thing about Asac conferences is there. We’re getting a lot of heavy hitters as far as prison enters, but we also have a fairly small, intimate setting.
00;30;19;24 – 00;30;53;03
Abby Byerly
And so you, you actually can approach those, those presenters and have a one on one conversation afterwards or get their contact info, which I think is is unique to a lot of ag conferences. So I would encourage consultants to bring, you know, any questions that they have. Their composting I would say is a little bit outside our usual and I, I was the one that kind of pushed for this because I’ve seen a lot of interest in in composting to address waste, whether it’s, you know, school lunch waste, processing facility waste.
00;30;53;05 – 00;31;12;00
Abby Byerly
It just seems to be kind of a buzzword lately. So I’m excited just to learn more about composting. And I think anytime you tie, tie water into the conversation, that can get a lot of people really, really motivated one way or another. So I think it will be an interesting and engaging conversation.
00;31;12;02 – 00;31;27;02
Chrissy Wozniak
Yeah, definitely. And Russ, back to you. Can you walk us through the schedule beginning with Sunday’s open board meeting, ethics session and reception? And what should people when should people arrive? When will the conference wrap up on Tuesday.
00;31;27;04 – 00;31;53;19
Russell Morgan
Well, on the on the start end, we will have prior to the ethics course, we always have our board of directors meeting, which we do this monthly anyway. Typically it’s, you know, be a virtual meetings. But but at prior to the annual conference we convene, I think it’s at 230 and it’s open. So anyone that’s interested, well, how do these folks, you know, how is this governance thing work for Asac?
00;31;53;22 – 00;32;15;25
Russell Morgan
They’re welcome to come in and watch and listen. And so anyone is welcome at 230. And so it typically lasts about an hour. Then 345 is when we will actually convene the ethics course. And that’s about an hour in length. I think it actually is exactly one hour in length. And then we have an evening of Sunday evening reception.
00;32;15;29 – 00;32;40;23
Russell Morgan
And that’s just a very laid back, very, you know, casual, situation where folks can come in, visit, catch up with, with folks that haven’t seen for a while and a laid back setting and just a fellowship network and in a relaxed setting. And then Monday morning we get started with an ag tour, which we will see.
00;32;40;29 – 00;33;05;03
Russell Morgan
We’ll visit the San Pedro farm. And so that ag tour lasted till about 12:00 Monday morning. Then we get started on our, educational and sessions, if you will. Then Monday night we will have our annual banquet, which we do each year. And so that’s kind of a headline, event if you would, for the, for the members.
00;33;05;04 – 00;33;38;20
Russell Morgan
And then Tuesday will finish up with more education presentations and we will end the conference around 330 ish on Tuesday. And so it’s early enough so folks can, if they want to, if they need to leave that day, they’ll have time to catch an afternoon, late afternoon, early evening flight for the folks that decide to hang around until Wednesday, what we will plan to do is try to put together a number of folks to take a riverboat cruise out on the Riverwalk.
00;33;38;21 – 00;34;11;28
Russell Morgan
So, that shouldn’t be too hard to do, but but I assume will be a survey. And the folks that are staying or excuse me, that are attending and find out who is going to stay over, I will put together a little, event then and then, Wednesday morning. Typically what we do is just have an informal breakfast, kind of say our goodbyes and the the holdover folks that stay over the night, then they go on their way, or maybe stay in town, because there’s plenty to do in San Antonio.
00;34;12;04 – 00;34;43;21
Russell Morgan
There’s the Alamo, of course there is. A Riverwalk will be right on. Our hotel is right on the Riverwalk. There’s a tower of America’s, there’s all kinds of of activities and places, historical places to to see in San Antonio, San Antonio. I’ve had the opportunity, the pleasure of actually attending a couple of conferences in San Antonio in the past and have taken the time to spend a day or so extra, and there’s much to see there.
00;34;43;24 – 00;35;01;08
Chrissy Wozniak
Yeah, fantastic. And who should consider attending beyond current members? Who would this be useful for somebody starting a consulting practice? Or for a farmer interested in learning more about the profession? Who are you recommending?
00;35;01;11 – 00;35;35;00
Russell Morgan
Well, actually, anyone involved in the consulting business certainly should be interested in coming checking out the the ACC organization. And certainly they’ll that they will reap value from the educational presentations and the tours and what have you. But what from from a pricing perspective? The membership or the, the reservation or excuse me, the registration price is 5.95 for members, and that ends the early member.
00;35;35;00 – 00;36;03;26
Russell Morgan
Early registration ends 1019. And so after that he actually goes up $100. But for nonmembers, it’s $100 more 6.95. However, if they will take the time to reach out to other Asac to ask members, or they can contact the Executive Director with the EVP at AG consultants.org, and we will provide them a discount so they will pay the same rate that the members pay.
00;36;03;29 – 00;36;33;08
Russell Morgan
What they and the cost is, they just have to put up with a little or hear a little bit about, hey, this is what ASX about. Very minor. But anyway, they have the opportunity for that discount and for a second number. By the way, for the first time attendees, we give them a $200 discount. So they have quite the incentive, if you would, to to attend their first ASIC annual conference and enjoy all the the benefits that that would at the full registration price.
00;36;33;10 – 00;36;52;02
Russell Morgan
But but back to who whether farmers should attend. We have had farmers attend in the past because they wanted to find out. Okay. Who are these folks? What can they do for me? What can they do for my farm business or whatever? And the same situation would hold there. If they would contact me, then certainly I’d give them that, that the discount.
00;36;52;02 – 00;36;57;03
Russell Morgan
So they would pay at the same rate as just a regular a sack member.
00;36;57;06 – 00;37;06;04
Chrissy Wozniak
Perfect. I think that’s worth $100 to have a conversation with you. I call you for free.
00;37;06;06 – 00;37;28;19
Chrissy Wozniak
To get your opinion on things. And the the host hotel is the holiday in San Antonio Riverwalk. The room block deadline is October 10th. So what should people know about booking and those coming earlier staying longer? How can they learn about, separate Max Academy pre-conference tours and San Antonio activities?
00;37;28;21 – 00;37;55;25
Russell Morgan
Well, I will address real quickly. The booking the hotel has has informed me that they expect a full hotel, so I’m certainly encouraging everyone to get to make the reservation prior to that October 10th deadline. But in case they haven’t, they do not make their decision by then. There are alternatives. There are other hotels in the in the area, but I’m thinking they might be a little bit full as well.
00;37;55;26 – 00;38;18;06
Russell Morgan
But just about half a mile away they have there’s a sister hotel, the Holiday Inn Express. Nothing’s 4/10 of a mile away. Not quite, not on the Riverwalk, but not very far away. That will have access or have opportunities or people have opportunities to book there if they don’t make their decision by October 10th. Because our early registration deadline is October 19th.
00;38;18;06 – 00;38;28;15
Russell Morgan
So there’s a little bit of time there between the early for between the reservation cut off and then our early registration cut off.
00;38;28;18 – 00;38;32;19
Chrissy Wozniak
Perfect. And a good thing about Holiday Inn Express is you get breakfast. So.
00;38;32;21 – 00;38;58;18
Abby Byerly
Exactly. Russ, you know, highlighted a lot of our, our stay for the entertainment, portion and I I’m excited. This is my first time to San Antonio. So I’m really excited to to explore the community. But, there is an opportunity to come early for some, some additional education. Max Academy, that is a firm that is partnered with to provide continuing education for those consultants and those those CAC designations.
00;38;58;20 – 00;39;26;22
Abby Byerly
Is hosting a pre-conference tour. And it’s it’s a unique one. So it’s titled From Concrete to Crops and it’s an exploration of, of urban agriculture and what urban agriculture is doing to transform modern food systems, land efficiency, supply chain inadequacies. So it’s I think will be a really exciting tour. Sounds like there there’s going to be a chef at the the dinner portion, maybe some hands on stuff.
00;39;26;22 – 00;39;43;29
Abby Byerly
So if if you’re coming to San Antonio and want to do the, the whole thing, I think come a day early and attend the Max Academy tour, that’s separate from Asac. So if that’s something you are interested in, the registration for for that is through Max Academy.
00;39;44;02 – 00;39;44;25
Chrissy Wozniak
Awesome.
00;39;44;27 – 00;40;05;20
Russell Morgan
Just one quick note there, Abby. The title is from concrete to to crops. And in one stop I just I found out just recently is. That’s absolutely true because what they did, I think is San Antonio College. They actually tore up, took up. Tennis courts, some concrete tennis courts and now serving urban farm.
00;40;05;20 – 00;40;07;12
Abby Byerly
So cool.
00;40;07;14 – 00;40;28;19
Chrissy Wozniak
Oh, that’s so cool I love that. So I have one last question for each of you. I would like to end in a more personal way. So why do you serve agriculture? What keeps you committed to helping those whose livelihoods depend on it? And you know what did God puts you here on this earth? For the rest, you want to start?
00;40;28;21 – 00;40;47;28
Russell Morgan
Well, I grew up on a dairy and tobacco farm in North middle Tennessee. And just think about that for a moment. Dairy and tobacco, which means I had very little trouble, very little time to get into trouble. But I tell folks that my brothers and I, even though we didn’t have that much time, we found a way. But anyway.
00;40;48;00 – 00;41;15;23
Russell Morgan
But and so agriculture production, agriculture is in my blood. Or more appropriately, under my fingernails, if you will. And so from there, I wanted, I desired to actually return to the dairy farm, but my timing was bad. It was 1982, not a good time. So I ended up becoming an area specialist in farm management with the University of Kentucky Extension Service.
00;41;15;27 – 00;41;44;12
Russell Morgan
And what I found quickly is that I enjoyed helping, I enjoy assistant, I enjoyed the success of stories from that assistance, from working with with farmers in the farm management, farm management, decision making and what have you. And in fact, a quick and a quick aside. Success is not always measured in the individual stay in in the business that they’re in.
00;41;44;17 – 00;42;09;16
Russell Morgan
I had a couple of situations. Remember 1980, I started my consulting business in September 1st, 1985. Once again, very tough time. I was thrown into the fire, wet behind the ears. Graduate student thrown out there to help save the family farms. Well, I had a at least two individuals where there was just not a pathway to what one would consider success.
00;42;09;18 – 00;42;41;04
Russell Morgan
So we actually liquidated. But a few years, a couple of years after that, I ran into both, both farmers, and because their stress level had evaporated, well, I had been reduced significantly, their family life was much better and all those other non business, but certainly some financial aspects, they were in a better place. So I thought to myself, well, that was a success story, even though it’s not what one would normally think as a success story.
00;42;41;10 – 00;42;47;06
Russell Morgan
So that’s why I’m involved in this business where I’ve done it for 40 years.
00;42;47;09 – 00;42;51;07
Chrissy Wozniak
Yeah, that that’s inspirational for sure. And Abby.
00;42;51;10 – 00;43;17;12
Abby Byerly
I you know I would echo Russ there. I, I first and foremost really enjoy being being out on the ranch whether it’s moving cattle or or fixing fence. But I think that if I did that and only that, I would probably look up one day and be an island, through throughout subdivisions. And, you know, my the success of our operation is not wholly on the shoulders of my parents or myself.
00;43;17;12 – 00;43;38;20
Abby Byerly
It’s it’s our neighbors as well. And so anything I can do to ensure that the, the ag industry in central Montana and thus in Montana and then even further into, into the rest of the United States, is is strong, is thriving. I feel like that’s what I’m here to do. It’s probably going to be through little ripples in central Montana.
00;43;38;20 – 00;44;02;13
Abby Byerly
But I think that because of my, affiliation with a, with my, you know, my networking with the, the other members, I’m able to see those impacts, those ripples spread faster. So I, I’m really glad that I took the opportunity or took the leap and went to, Saint Louis to check out a stack a couple years ago and now a member and have moved through through the leadership.
00;44;02;13 – 00;44;18;17
Abby Byerly
And, I, you know, I call I think we mentioned on our website, I call these folks friends like ACH is a community, and I’m really glad that I, I’m affiliated with them and I’m able to make an impact in central Montana. AG because of my, my membership in Asac.
00;44;18;20 – 00;44;19;03
Abby Byerly
Yeah.
00;44;19;05 – 00;44;28;17
Chrissy Wozniak
Yeah, that that’s awesome. And thank you both for your service to this industry. You know, the 2% of the population is only 2%. They need all of us.
00;44;28;19 – 00;44;29;12
Abby Byerly
Yeah.
00;44;29;14 – 00;44;43;09
Chrissy Wozniak
So thank you. And Abby and Ross, thank you so much for joining me today and sharing how Asac really supports these people, advising farmers, ranchers and agriculture businesses. It’s just such a valuable work. Thank you for joining me.
00;44;43;12 – 00;44;44;28
Abby Byerly
Thank you.
00;44;45;01 – 00;44;46;14
Russell Morgan
Thank you Chrissy.
00;44;46;16 – 00;45;04;18
Chrissy Wozniak
And thanks to all who are watching or listening. If you want to learn more, the links are provided in the show notes. And for more agriculture news covering ag tech, egg policy, faith and family, visit Farm News daily.com. Don’t forget to subscribe to North American Egg Spotlight on Spotify, Apple, Amazon, listen notes or wherever you listen to podcasts.
00;45;04;18 – 00;45;08;12
Chrissy Wozniak
And if you like this episode, I’d love it if you shared it and have a great day!