Farms.com Home   News

Precision Agriculture Conference Expert Speakers Announced.

Early Bird Registration extended to January 23.   

The theme for the Farms.com Precision Agriculture Conference 2015 is “Practical Pathways to Drive Real Results”.  Practical Pathways to Drive Real Results will include expert sessions with a focus on understanding how to get started and how to manage the data.  The Conference will highlight Case Study Presentations on Agronomy Research where experienced precision ag farmers and experts will share “what precision agriculture techniques work on the farm”.  The event is being held on February 25 and 26 in London, Ontario Canada at the Best Western Lamplighter Inn.  Visit www.farms.com/precisionagriculture for more details.

The Conference will also include a tradeshow and networking event designed for agri-businesses, farm retailers and farmers interested in how precision agriculture will increase the productivity of crop farming in the very near future.  Networking and knowledge sharing is an important part of the conference and plenty of opportunities for interaction will be provided.  A large number of precision agriculture researchers and experts are coming together to share their experiences and help move the adoption of the technology to more farm fields.

The keynote presentation will feature Lisa Prassack, Agri Food Innovation Expert & Data Strategy Consultant on “Increasing Yields by Farm Data Collection, Management & Decision Making”.  Lisa believes that as complex, multilayered data packages are becoming available, farmers and their advisors are able to realize significant improvements in crop production decisions and farm management. She predicts that as precision agriculture companies and services continue to evolve, data availability will impact issues such as land rental rates and farmland values.

The Opening Panel Discussion Session will feature 3 experts.  The panel will begin with Steve Redmond, Precision Agriculture Specialist, Hensall District Co-operative, who will share his expertise on the key elements needed to take advantage of the potential of precision agriculture technology. Steve will provide an overview for farmers on how to prepare to use the tools available and present some results

Steve Denys, Farmer and Vice President Pride Seeds will share steps to generate results as well as provide an overview of the AgReliant Seed Agronomic Precision Agriculture research results and new software systems. 

Tim Little, Precision Ag Specialist, Growmark, Caledonia, New York, will wrap up the panel discussion with his presentation “I bought the gadgets, where’s the payback” where he will review the how farmers are using precision agri systems in New York state.

A number of additional presentations and 12 breakout sessions will also be the focus of this practical Precision Agriculture Conference 2015.  Expert Presentations and Breakout Sessions include:

  • Farmer Case Studies: Agronomics and Farm Machinery – Making It Work Together
  • Future of Multi-Hybrid Corn Planting And Other Variable Rate Agronomic Research
  • Ontario Research Update: Developing Management Zones For Your Field
  • Maximizing The Value of Yield Monitors and Data Collection
  • Agronomic Data Management & The Value Of Cooperation For Improved Decisions
  • How Innovation Can Improve Competitiveness And Profitability In Agriculture
  • Data Driven Future: Maximum Economic Yields & the Strategies to Achieve Them

Early Bird Registration extended to January 23.    Visit the website for more information: www.farms.com/precisionagriculture

The event is sponsored in part by the Agri-food Management Institute (AMI) through Growing Forward 2, a federal-territorial-provincial initiative.

Farms.com would also like to thank the following sponsors:

  • BASF
  • Scotiabank
  • DEKALB & Monsanto
  • DuPont Pioneer
  • Farm Credit Canada
  • Hensall District Co-operative
  • Huron Tractor
  • Innovative Farmers Association of Ontario
  • PRIDE Seeds
  • Trimble Agriculture
  • Veritas  Farm Management Inc.

For more information visit the Conference website at www.farms.com/precisionagriculture.

Click here to see more...

Trending Video

The FCDC and AgSmart Bring Plant Breeding to a Wider Audience

Video: The FCDC and AgSmart Bring Plant Breeding to a Wider Audience

In the vast prairies of Alberta, Olds College’s Field Crop Development Centre (FCDC) stands as a beacon of innovation and research in the agricultural world. The institution has become a key player in advancing agricultural technologies and practices. The FCDC’s commitment to applied research has driven them to seek effective means of disseminating their findings and creating a positive impact on the farming community.

One such avenue that aligns with their mission is AgSmart, an event dedicated to showcasing cutting-edge agricultural technologies. The coming together of the FCDC’s annual Field Day and Ag Smart has proved to be a natural fit, fostering a synergy that benefits both parties and propels the agriculture industry forward. The FCDC Field Day took part in conjunction with AgSmart for the first time this week on Aug. 1-2 in Olds, Alta. FCDC Program Director Kofi Agblor and Olds College VP of Development Todd Ormann sat down for an interview with Marc Zienkiewicz to discuss the significance of the two events taking part together and what the future holds.

The Intersection of Research and Technology The essence of the FCDC lies in its dedication to plant breeding and new seed varieties, particularly barley and triticale. While conducting research is essential, it becomes meaningful when its benefits are shared with the wider community. This is where AgSmart steps in, providing a key venue for the FCDC to showcase their research. This union between research and technology creates a holistic and enriching experience for farmers, ranchers, and industry professionals, the pair said.

Seeds as Technology For the FCDC, the partnership with AgSmart goes beyond mere event collaboration. It is about creating an environment that bridges the gap between seeds and smart technology, Ormann said. The college believes that for technology to truly revolutionize agriculture, it must begin with a strong foundation — high-quality seeds. As the saying goes, “it all starts with a seed.” To demonstrate this critical aspect, the collaboration aims to showcase the seed value chain as an integral part of the smartphone.

The Birth of a Powerful Alliance The idea of joining forces emerged when staff realized the potential synergy between AgSmart and the FCDC Field Day. With just a few days separating the two events, a proposal was put forward to merge them. The marketing and communications teams from both sides worked seamlessly to ensure the essence of both events remained intact, creating a powerful alliance that leverages the strengths of each, Agblor said.

Driving Advancements in Breeding For Agblor, the partnership with AgSmart has tremendous potential to drive advancements in breeding and other technology. With technologies like drones and imaging becoming integral to phenotyping, breeding is no longer confined to vast fields to assess thousands of plants manually. Instead, it benefits from the data-rich insights brought about by smart technologies. These advancements make breeding more efficient, precise, and instrumental in shaping the future of agriculture.

Overcoming Challenges Together While the partnership between Olds College and Ag Smart has been a resounding success, there are challenges on the horizon. Securing stable funding for long-term breeding initiatives is crucial to sustain progress. The college is committed to navigating these challenges and investing in agriculture’s future sustainably, Agblor said.