January 13, 2012

The latest technologies in agriculture will be the focus of the 2012 Nebraska Agricultural Technologies (NeATA) Conference and Tradeshow Feb. 1-2 at the Midtown Holiday Inn in Grand Island.

"The adoption of precision agriculture technologies has hastened during the recent good agriculture economy," said Dave Varner, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension educator. "Variable rate technologies, irrigation water management tools and learning to integrate several precision agriculture technologies highlights this year's NeATA conference."

A preconference program begins with 8:30 a.m. registration and runs from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 1. It focuses on variable rate technologies and techniques. It will offer a fast-paced approach of 30-minute presentations combined with plenty of time for discussions and debate, Varner said.

General conference registration and exhibits open at 5 p.m. Feb. 1. General sessions start at 7 p.m. Feb. 1 with Nutrient Management: Now and the Future. Other general sessions begin at 8 a.m. Feb. 2 and include: An Overview of Today's Precision Agriculture Topics and Issues, Employing Precision Ag Technologies to Attain Record Corn Yields, A Vision for Nebraska's Innovation Campus, LightSquared Impact on the Agricultural Section and Clouds on the Horizon: How Developments in IT as-a-serve Technologies Might Impact Rural America.

Participants may also choose among 16 breakout sessions that address topics such as farm-based networks for irrigation management, automated section control, variable rate irrigation success, smart phone and tablet applications for the farm, using automated four-propeller model helicopters for crop management, Slingshot technology, irrigation sensor remote data access, data collection and analysis strategies, improving cell and Wi-Fi signals in rural Nebraska, on-the-go sensing of soil properties, innovate techniques improving the dissemination of drought monitoring information for the U.S. and JD Apex through a farmer's eyes.

Registration and Conference Details

Advance registration is $110 if postmarked by Jan. 27 and $135 thereafter for NeATA members, $135 and $160 respectively for non-members. Those planning to attend can register by sending their name, address, phone number, email address and payment to the Nebraska Agricultural Technologies Association, 1206 W. 23rd St., Fremont, Neb. 68025-2504.

Conference brochures and online registration are available at http://neata.org or by calling 402-727-2775.

Certified Crop Advisor continuing education credits are available to conference participants depending upon participation in pre-conference programs.

A block of rooms has been reserved through Jan. 17 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 the University's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. For more information, call Varner at 402-727-2775, email dvarner1@unl.edu.

Sandi Alswager Karstens
IANR News