This article was originally published September 25, 2018, in Corn & Soybean Digest. Click to read the original article online.
Midwest farmers and row-crop advisors can learn valuable take-home precision solutions to increase return on investment on every acre at the Farm Progress Tech Forum, November 27 – 28, 2018, in Coralville, Iowa.
This 1.5-day forum is designed to update your specific precision farm skill set with the latest, most critical techniques and strategies. Attendees will learn from industry techs, recognized university specialists, a variety of agronomists, national ag tech investment leaders and top-performing farmers/advisors.
Our goal with this forum is to give farmers and advisors a valuable learning interaction with leading peers and experts, so they can go home with real ideas and practices to implement greater efficiency on every acre. My co-chair, Farm Futures editor Mike Wilson, and I have received excellent ratings and feedback from attendees of the first two conferences, with many telling us this is the best hands-on learning experience.
Benchmarking, Tech Adoption
For example, you’ll get fresh university reports on best on-farm benchmarking strategies (Joe Luck, University of Nebraska), and learn critical data layers from specific ag tech that drive corn profitability (Trey Colley, The Ohio State University). You’ll also gain great take-home tips as farmers/advisors highlight their tech adoption and data decision journeys (Kyle Mehmen, Jeremy Wilson and others).
To add even more value this year, the Farm Progress Tech Forum has partnered with The Iowa AgriTech Accelerator program to showcase agricultural entrepreneurs. Attendees will get hands-on experience with several of the startups—ranging from robot tractors and spraying drones to machinery/labor/livestock efficiency software. Come learn about the inner workings of an accelerator and talk to the inventors, perhaps even discuss your ideas.
Future Tech Comes Alive
Future technology is another key highlight at the Farm Progress Tech Forum—from Artificial Intelligence to Blockchain, Internet of Things and more.
Louisa Burwood-Taylor from Silicon Valley’s AgFunder Venture Capital Platform will deliver an insider’s look at the latest ag tech investment and what that means for farmers. Informa Economics’ commodity analyst Isaac Olvera will look at current and future of Blockchain in agriculture. And John Burton, CEO/founder of UrsaLeo, will offer first-hand insight into the farm impact of the Internet of Things and cloud computing.
Max Armstrong, legendary and always entertaining farm broadcaster and co-host of the popular TV show “This Week in AgriBusiness” with Orion Samuelson, will moderate our always popular Beer & Bull Session after supper. You’ll sit with peers, beverages and speakers to discuss different topics. Once again, the session is enhanced by the popular cellphone-based Q&A/instant survey technology that will add to this fun learning environment. Get your burning questions answered by any speaker.
Day two, November 28, will offer in-depth breakout sessions that will continue our focus on the practical side of how data and new tech are making a difference on the farm. Catch sessions on ROI with data layers; valuable on-farm research for better data decisions; variable-rate practices that pay; scouting made easier; technology and your soil and more.
Making Every Acre Profitable
Finally, don’t miss the closing keynote session on Making Every Acre Profitable, delivered by Dave Muth and Tom Buman, who will showcase technology and practices that eliminate unprofitable acres.
Please note that Certified Crop Advisors can also receive professional development CEU credits. Check out all the details and register to attend at FarmProgressTechForum.com
About the Author: Kurt Lawton
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