What a Record-Setting El Niño Means for Cooperatives and What Lies Ahead

Date: Wednesday, November 11, 2026
Time: 03:00 PM ET / 02:00 PM CT / 01:00 PM MT / 12:00 PM PT [Prevailing Time]
Presenter: Brian Bledsoe, Meteorologist/Climatologist, Brian Bledsoe Weather
Moderator: Wayne Sine, CPA, MBA, Education Director, National Society of Accountants for Cooperatives
Learning Objectives:
• Describe the potential weather patterns and seasonal impacts associated with the current El Niño.
• Identify potential implications of El Niño-related weather patterns for agricultural production, electric utilities, and cooperative operations across industries.
• Understand the anticipated transition from El Niño to La Niña later in 2027 and the potential weather impacts associated with this shift.
• Recognize key long-range weather trends that may affect cooperative planning and operations in the months ahead.
Field of Study: Specialized Knowledge
Program Level: Basic
CPE Credit: 1 Credit Hour
Delivery Method: Group Internet-based
Prerequisite(s): No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.

Course Description

How could changing weather patterns affect your cooperative in the months ahead? In this session, Brian Bledsoe, meteorologist and climatologist, will provide an overview of the long-range and seasonal weather outlook, exploring what the current record-setting El Niño could mean for agricultural, electric, and other cooperatives. From potential impacts on growing conditions and agricultural production to electricity demand and reliability, and day-to-day operations, the discussion will examine how weather patterns can influence cooperatives across industries.

Brian will also look ahead to the anticipated transition from El Niño to La Niña later in 2027, discussing what this shift could mean for seasonal weather patterns and the challenges and opportunities cooperatives may face. Whether your cooperative serves agricultural producers, provides electricity, or operates in another sector, this session will offer valuable perspective on the weather trends to watch in the months ahead.

Presenter and Moderator Bios

Presenter: Brian Bledsoe, Meteorologist/Climatologist, Brian Bledsoe Weather

Brian Bledsoe is the founder and Chief Meteorologist/Climatologist for Brian Bledsoe Weather. His private weather consulting business has been serving farmers, ranchers, and many other businesses for the past 25 years. Recently retired from television, many of you may also know Brian from having been a broadcast meteorologist for the past 28 years. Brian's goal is to help farmers and ranchers make their business more successful by equipping them with actionable forecast information, both short term and long term. His strong background in agriculture is important, as he can directly relate to the producer and their specific needs. Brian has several clients in the Great Plains as well as across the whole United States. He is regularly featured by many media outlets, speaks at many agriculture conferences, and is constantly advocating for farmers and ranchers.

Moderator: Wayne Sine, CPA, MBA, Education Director, National Society of Accountants for Cooperatives

After retiring as Tax Director of a regional supply cooperative on the East Coast, Wayne Sine was asked to serve as Education Director for NSAC. As an active and long-term member of NSAC, Wayne previously served as Chair of NSAC’s Tax Committee, President of the Atlantic Chapter, and was a recipient of NSAC’s Silver Bowl Award. In addition to his work with NSAC, Wayne has also served on the Legal, Tax, and Accounting (LTA) Committee of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, Chaired the Tax Committees for both the Virginia Chamber of Commerce and the Virginia Manufacturers Association, served on the Tax Policy Committee of the Virginia Society of CPAs, and served as Region Vice President for Tax Executives Institute.

Cost
Free for NSAC Members / $65.00 for Non-Members

Online Registration

Delivery System

All programs are delivered using the Zoom platform.
Confirmations will include log-in instructions.
Participants are able to participate using any device with an Internet connect (if the device does not have speakers, the participant can also dial-in) or they can participate with audio only by dialing in.
All registrants will receive a link to the CLN’s recording by email within 48 business hours of event’s conclusion.
There will be assistance available to help with technical and connectivity issues up to 10 minutes prior to the start of the presentation.

All registration is done on-line and each guest must provide their name and email address to participate. All NSAC members may register for free. Non-members may register for a nominal fee.

NSAC will not issue refunds for CLNs. If a registrant is unable to participate in the CLN and provides notification to info@nsacoop.org 48 hours prior to the session, a credit will be provided for a future CLN. Alert the NSAC staff member monitoring the CLN if technical difficulties are encountered and technical support will be provided to eliminate problems with future CLNs.

Live participation is required for CPE credit and polling questions must be answered to document your active participation. All registrants will receive an email following the session with links to the slides and/or handouts, and a link to the CLN recording (unless otherwise stated). If you are unable to participate in the live session, you can still watch the recorded session, but you will not be eligible for CPE credits. Those eligible for credits will receive their certificate by email with 7 business days.

For more information regarding NSAC CLNs or administrative policies such as complaint and refund, contact the NSAC Headquarters, 7946 Clyo Road, Suite A, Centerville, OH 45459, 937-222-6707, or info@nsacoop.org.

What is NSAC's Cooperative Learning Network?
The NSAC Cooperative Learning Network is a live, interactive webinar, and you can attend from any location with internet and/or telephone access. NSAC members can attend an unlimited number of CLNs at no charge!

Each Cooperative Learning Network will have one or more speakers who are recognized experts on the topic. CLNs typically include a Q&A session where participants can ask questions live or by chat. No advance preparation or prerequisites are required, unless otherwise stated in the course information. Attendees are able to download copies of the slides and/or handouts and are provided a link to view the recording (unless the description states the session will not be recorded). These tools help continue your learning experience after the session.

CPE Credits
The National Society of Accountants for Cooperatives (NSAC) is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor (#103068) of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be addressed to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org.

Delivery Method: Group-Internet Based.

Why NSAC Cooperative Learning Networks?

Fast.
No wasted time. Get right to the heart of the matter in a course designed to easily fit into your busy schedule.

Convenient.
No travel. No time out of the office. Listen and follow along from the comfort and convenience of your desk, device or conference room.

Easy.
A device with an Internet connection is all you need. If your device does not have sound capabilities, the ability to dial in from a telephone is available.

Ideal for multiple attendees.
Use a speakerphone and projector/monitor and invite as many people as you want to participate - at no extra cost to you.

Affordable.
NSAC Cooperative Learning Networks are free for members and available to non members at a fraction of the cost of travel and attendance fees for other high-priced conferences or seminars.