Improving Nitrogen and Water Management focus of NeATA Conference

Improving Nitrogen and Water Management focus of NeATA Conference

December 21, 2007

Producers can learn how to benefit from advancements in ag technologies and improve nitrogen and water management at this year's Nebraska Agricultural Technologies Association Conference and Trade Show January 30-31 at the Midtown Holiday Inn in Grand Island.

One of the featured speakers will be Terry Kastens, Kansas State University Agricultural Economist. Kastens will revisit the past decade of precision ag successes and challenges and address the practicality and economics of precision agriculture from the perspective of an agricultural economist and producer.

Robert Blair, farmer and precision agriculture entrepreneur, farms 1,500 acres of dryland grain, legumes, alfalfa, and cows on a century old farm in North Central Idaho. Precision agriculture is an integral part of his farming practices. In 2007, his company, PineCreek Precision, began to bridge the gap between the military and civilian use of Unmanned Air Systems (UAS). This innovative technology will assist growers and consultants who require timely, inexpensive, and high resolution field images. Blair will share his optimism for the future of precision agriculture.

This year's conference will focus on technologies that hold promise to enhance nitrogen fertilizer and water management efficiencies. Kyle Holland, director of the UNL Water Center, will discuss technology being developed by Holland Scientific for real-time crop canopy sensing and variable rate agrochemical application. Topics discussed will include sensor technology for water stress management, sensor-based N application without the use of nitrogen reference strips and new high-speed flow control strategies for side dress fertilizer applicators.

Participants may choose among 12 concurrent sessions that address topics such as new Veris on-the-go sensing technologies, MobilVision, farm security, establishing farmstead computer networks, Excel spreadsheets, transitioning to the Microsoft Vista operating system, variable-rate seeding, CropCam aerial imagery, and much more.

Advance registration is $95 if postmarked by Jan. 26 and $120 thereafter for NeATA members, $120 and $145 respectfully for non-members. Those planning to attend can register by sending their name, address, phone number, e-mail address and payment to the Nebraska Agricultural Technologies Association, Inc., 1206 W. 23rd St., Fremont, Neb. 68025-2504. Conference brochures are available at University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Offices, at the neata.org Web site, or by calling 800-830-4855.

Eight Certified Crop Advisor continuing education credits are available to conference participants. Additional credits are available for pre-conference and post-conference workshops that focus on using Quicken software to do farm recordkeeping, digital photography and spatial fertility management.

A block of rooms has been reserved through January 16th for conference participants at the Midtown Grand Island Holiday Inn Hotel and Convention Center. Call (800) 548-5542 for reservations.

The conference is sponsored by the Nebraska Agricultural Technologies Association (NeATA) and University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, a division of NU's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. For more information, call Varner at (402) 727-2775 or e-mail dvarner1@unl.edu.

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