NEATA Conference to Focus on Emerging Ag Technologies

NEATA Conference to Focus on Emerging Ag Technologies

January 23, 2009

New technologies are changing the way of agriculture. Producers will learn how to benefit from these advancements at a January agricultural technology conference.

The ninth annual Nebraska Agricultural Technologies Association Conference and Trade Show will be Jan. 28-29 at the Midtown Holiday Inn in Grand Island.

"Conference attendees will learn to use the latest technology to improve their production efficiencies," said University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension educator Dave Varner. "Participants will glean insights from national and international precision agriculture experts regarding future precision agriculture technology applications."

Program Speakers

One of the featured speakers at the 2009 conference is Paul Schrimpf, group editor of the CropLife Media Group, which publishes CropLife magazine and the annual PrecisionAg Buyers Guide. Schrimpf will revisit the past decade of precision agriculture accomplishments and future precision agriculture trends and projections.

Another speaker, Jude Kastens, was raised on a western Kansas farm and understands practical precision agriculture applications, in particular remote sensing. Kastens will share research relevant to remote sensing applications that include vegetation monitoring, crop yield forecasting, land cover mapping, pasture insurance, agricultural intensification, elevation and hydrologic modeling.

Precision agriculture continues to become more integrated within the agriculture industry. Walter Mayer, president of the PROGIS software company in Austria, will share his vision of a futuristic agricultural industry. Mayer's vision includes farmers using technology to collectively receive better commodity prices, trade commodities, optimize logistics and improve risk management.

Participants may choose among 12 concurrent sessions that address topics such as using active crop canopy sensors for in-season nitrogen management, an update on IOSBUS compatibility, weed mapping using machine vision, aerial imagery as a remote sensing tool, choosing a map publishing system, next generation cell phone capabilities, and using precision agriculture technologies to conduct side-by-side trials.

Registration and Credits

Advance registration is $95 if postmarked by Jan. 23 and $120 thereafter for NeATA members, $120 and $145 respectively 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 www.neata.org Web site, or by calling (800) 830-4855.

Nine Certified Crop Advisor continuing education credits are available to conference participants.

Rooms for conference participants are available at the Midtown Holiday Inn Hotel and Convention Center. Call (800) 548-5542 for reservations.

The conference is sponsored by the Nebraska Agricultural Technologies Association and UNL Extension, a division of the university'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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