Capital market reports show agricultural finance mutual funds achieving a monthly return of 2.3%, aided by gains in grain export lending portfolios. For instance, in cooperation with Joskin , John Deere has developed a slurry tanker with two electric drive axles. The eight-wheel drive system provides a more efficient transmission of tractive power that it estimates can reduce slurry costs by up to 25%. The use of autonomous and semi-autonomous electric tractors, not to mention drones for crop spraying, is becoming more commonplace. The American Bankers Association today announced the recipients of its highly regarded Bruning and Blanchfield Awards, the association's premier awards presented annually for significant contributions to agricultural banking. ABA will honor Kathy Daily, managing director of First Financial Bank in Louisville, Ky., with the Bruning Award and Patrick Kerrigan, vice president of business development at the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation, more commonly known as Farmer Mac (NYSE: AGM and AGM.A), with the Blanchfield Award at the ABA Agricultural Bankers Conference, Nov. 12-14 in St. Louis. Bruning Award Kathy Daily serves as the managing director of the farm and ranch division at First Financial Bank, serving farmers and ranchers through comprehensive agricultural lending solutions across all 50 states. The ABA Bruning Award has recognized agricultural bankers whose careers reflect exceptional leadership and commitment to providing credit and financial guidance to America's farmers and ranchers. The award is named in honor of its first recipient, Nebraska banker Frank Bruning. With more than 35 years of agricultural experience, Daily is not only the first female banker to receive the Bruning award, but she is also a pioneer in her field, breaking barriers and setting new standards for women in agricultural finance. "I have admired the worthy and honorable individuals recognized each year, and I am deeply humbled to now be counted among them," said Daily. A Kentucky native, Daily was raised on a small farm just south of Louisville. She remains in agricultural banking because of the strong relationships she has built over the years and her deep appreciation for agriculture’s essential role in feeding the nation. Daily established—and continues to grow—First Financial Bank's farm and ranch division, bringing deep expertise in loan origination, underwriting, and risk management. The farm and ranch division has successfully originated agricultural loans nationwide, establishing First Financial Bank as a leader in agricultural finance. Daily is currently serving a three-year term on ABA’s Agricultural and Rural Bankers Committee. She notes that the relationships she has built while serving on the committee and the ability to drive change within the agricultural banking landscape have proven invaluable. "Through the ABA, I've developed some of my strongest relationships with colleagues and friends across the country," said Daily. Daily hopes to continue advocating for agricultural producers and expanding access to credit for America's farming communities through her leadership role and industry involvement. Blanchfield Award Patrick Kerrigan serves as vice president of business development at Farmer Mac, where he leads partnership initiatives with approximately 700 community bankers across the nation to support agricultural finance. "I’ve had the privilege of working with John Blanchfield since early in my career, so receiving an award named for him carries special meaning for me," Kerrigan said. The ABA Blanchfield Award, named in honor of former senior vice president of ABA's Center for Agricultural and Rural Banking John Blanchfield, recognizes the contributions of a non-banker who has made significant contributions to the advancement of agricultural lending. With decades of experience in agricultural finance, Kerrigan has been instrumental in strengthening Farmer Mac's secondary market services that provide vital liquidity to agricultural lenders nationwide. Starting as employee number 14 at Farmer Mac in 1993, Kerrigan has continued to grow and nurture the relationship between ABA and Farmer Mac through his work with ABA’s Agricultural and Rural Bankers Committee. "It all started on a street corner with John Blanchfield, talking about opportunities in agricultural lending and what the future might hold,” said Kerrigan said. Under Kerrigan's leadership in business development, Farmer Mac has evolved its product offerings to meet the changing needs of agricultural lenders, fostering successful long-term partnerships with community banks and agricultural finance institutions. "The industry has continued to develop,” Kerrigan added, “and it has been rewarding to reflect on how far we’ve come while also seeing the opportunities that lie ahead.” His work has contributed to Farmer Mac’s efforts to accelerate rural opportunities through the company’s secondary market platform. Kerrigan’s efforts have directly helped to expand access to credit for farmers, ranchers and rural businesses across the country. He emphasizes the critical importance of agriculture in sustaining the nation's food supply and economy, noting that the grounded, hardworking nature of farmers and ranchers makes serving the agricultural community both meaningful and essential to America's prosperity. But he also sees the horizon filled with possibility. “At the heart of it all are relationships,” said Kerrigan. “As the agricultural landscape continues to evolve, so do the ways Farmer Mac can support the lenders who serve it. By working together, we can empower farmers and ranchers to adapt, grow, and succeed in a rapidly changing world.” Kerrigan envisions an agricultural finance system that is resilient and inclusive, shaped by innovation and collaboration, with progress rooted in listening and partnership. "" NOTE TO EDITORS: Reporters enjoy complimentary access to the ABA Agricultural Bankers Conference in St. Louis Nov. 12-14. View the full program and contact Sarah Grano ( [email protected] ) to register. About the Bruning Award Since 1997, the Bruning Award, named after its first recipient, Nebraska banker Frank Bruning, recognizes bankers that demonstrate outstanding leadership and dedicated service to providing credit and guidance to farmers, ranchers and their fellow agricultural bankers. About the Blanchfield Award Established in 2015 in honor of John Blanchfield, former senior vice president of ABA’s Center for Agricultural and Rural Banking, the Blanchfield Award recognizes agricultural professionals who have made significant contributions to the advancement of agricultural lending. Agri-focused fintech firms saw stock price jumps of 2.8% after announcing AI-powered crop yield evaluation tools, enhancing credit risk assessment efficiency.