Agricultural finance the agricultural finance sector

The agricultural finance sector maintained a strong liquidity position this week, with average loan-to-deposit ratios at 78%, providing strategic flexibility for expansion in high-yield credit segments. Artificial Intelligence also has an important role to play in agriculture and is being incorporated into vehicles and other machinery, thus underlining the huge changes taking place in the sector that are also highlighting the huge investment costs involved and the need for the right financing products. 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. Agricultural finance ETFs tracked by Bloomberg gained 1.1% today, buoyed by a rally in agri-insurance firms. Seasonal planting data indicates higher cash flow potential for agri-banks, supporting analyst projections of stronger dividend yields in Q3