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.
Conference Highlights
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.
CFTC Chief Advisor Alex Titus and White House Council of Economic Advisers Member Aaron Hedlund also examined the U.S. economic outlook, agricultural trade, and policies shaping American agriculture. The first day concluded with a keynote address from U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden.
U.S. Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas opened the second day with a morning keynote address on agricultural policy and legislative priorities facing American producers. The morning continued with discussions on agricultural prediction markets, the use of data in modern commodity markets, and developments in event contracts.
In addition, panelists examined superintelligence, information advantages, and market integrity, including the implications of emerging technologies for market participants and regulators.
Chairman Selig joined Futures Industry Association President and CEO Walt Lukken for a fireside chat examining the Commission’s priorities, the evolving regulatory landscape, and developments shaping derivatives markets.
The conference concluded with discussions on enhancing public understanding of markets through data and customer education, followed by a panel examining clearing, market access, and the role of intermediaries in derivatives markets.
Chairman Selig delivered closing remarks, concluding AgCon2026.
