ICYMI: Agricultural Leaders and Market Participants Join CFTC Chairman Selig in Overland Park, Kansas for AgCon 2026

WASHINGTON — Last week, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the Risk Management Center at Kansas State University co-hosted the 2026 Agricultural Commodity Futures Conference (AgCon) in Overland Park, Kansas. The two-day conference brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and market participants to examine critical issues facing the agricultural economy, developments in derivatives markets, and the risk management tools American farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses depend on.

CFTC Chairman Michael S. Selig joined K-State President Richard Linton to welcome participants on opening day. CFTC Chairman Michael S. Selig addressed conference attendees, “I have spent a lot of time this year traveling around the country and talking to farmers and ranchers working hard each day to provide the food, feed, and fiber we depend on throughout our country and the world. I’ve met with farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses, and energy producers in Iowa, Texas, Nebraska, South Carolina, and Florida, and now, I’m with all of you here in Kansas.” [Watch Chairman Selig’s full remarks here.]

Following Chairman Selig’s remarks, panelists examined the relationship between cash and derivatives markets, evolving commodity contracts, and the importance of effective hedging tools for agricultural producers.

There were also panels where industry representatives addressed access to agricultural credit and the financial challenges facing producers and merchants. Additional afternoon discussions focused on rising production costs, fluctuating commodity prices, supply chain disruptions, and broader pressures on the farm economy. In addition, conference participants engaged in discussions about emerging market developments, including perpetual futures, 24/7 trading, and tokenized collateral, and their implications for agricultural risk management.