Conference Agenda
7:00 am
Registration Opens
7:30 – 8:30 am
Breakfast
8:30 – 8:45 am
Welcome and Agenda Overview
Paul Schrimpf
Executive Editor
PrecisionAg Media
8:45 – 9:30 am
Coffee Shop Kickoff: Game-Changers And Goats In 2016
With another cropping season coming to harvest, four leading growers provide their perspective on the technologies and techniques they utilized this year, and their outlook for the year ahead.
The panel of farmers includes:
Steve Pitstick
Maple Park, IL
Jayson Willimack
Oxford Junction, IA
Dustin Spears
Lanark, IL
Todd Golly
Winnebago, MN
MODERATOR: Lisa Prasack
Owner/President, Prassack Advisors
9:30 – 10:15 am
Farming The Marginal Acre With Precision Ag
Integrating multi-hybrid planting and zone management have been the main goals recently for Jeff and Drew Lakner, Wessington, SD farmers. The operation will be adding in some elements of split-nutrient application and its use of strip till, double-shot application of N, P, and K and no- till farming.
The Lakners will discuss how the use of precision farming techniques on the fragile soils of the Northern Plains has been a key solution to productivity gains on the farm, and how the necessity of implementing these practices have naturally led to improved sustainability.
Jeff Lakner
Lakner Farms
Wessington, SD
Drew Lakner
Lakner Farms
Wessington, SD
10:15 – 10:35 am
BREAK Sponsored By EFC Systems
10:35 – 11:20 am
A Systems Approach To Irrigation Management
Nebraska farmer Roric Paulman discusses how existing and emerging irrigation control technologies are leading to improved water efficiency and stewardship. Paulman will share how technologies and techniques improve crop planning and in-season decision making, including soil testing for water holding capacity, soil moisture probe technology and data, in-field weather stations and yield maps.
Roric Paulman
Paulman Farms
Sutherland, NE
11:20 am – 12:00 pm
Technology Lightning Round
Leading precision ag companies share rapid-fire, five minute updates on new products and technologies, innovation, and perspective on the precision market.
Presenting Companies will include:
- AMVAC
- SST Software
- EFC Systems
- Spensa Technologies
- MZB
12:00 – 1:00 pm
Lunch Sponsored by SST Software
1:00 – 1:40 pm
From Weather Data to Nutrient Management: Challenges and Opportunities in Precision Integration
Even farmers, consultants and service providers who have had some measure of success with precision technology integration are still beset with challenges and difficulties in tying the various programs together into a useful program. A panel of experienced precision practitioners talk about the various tools they’ve used, what’s working, and what value is still being left on the table.
Michael Steeke
Smart Yield Data Consulting
Fargo, ND
Tyler Rees
Legacy Ag Solutions
Washington, IA
Kerry Knuth
Knuth Farms
Mead, NE
Angela Knuth
Knuth Farms
Mead, NE
Andrew Nadler
Weather Data Specialist
Farmers Edge
1:40 – 2:20 pm
Opportunities and Challenges In Variable Rate Seeding
Another farmer-directed panel discussion features Illinois farmer Dustin Spears, seed dealer and farmer Eric Ehlers, along with Alex Wimbush and Brett Ochs of The Climate Corporation, discussing how to harness new technologies to improve planting prescriptions and optimize productivity.
Brett Ochs
Experimental Agronomic Science Lead
Climate Corp.
Alex Wimbush
Director of Product Management
Climate Corp.
Eric Ehlers
Precision Ag Specialist, Mugge Seed
Greenville, IA
Dustin Spears
Martz-Spears Farms
Lanark, IL
2:20 – 3:00 pm
Expanding Role For Drip Irrigation
North Carolina farmer Kevin Matthews joins Netafim’s Jim Hunt to discuss how drip irrigation is expanding into row crops to optimize water and nutrient use. Moderated By Lisa Prassack
Jim Hunt
Market Segment Leader, Corn and Soybeans, Agriculture Division
Netafim Irrigation Inc.
John Mascoe
President and Founder, VanCoe Ag Technologies
Business and Product Development Manager, Observant
Kevin Matthews
Matthews Family Farms
East Bend, NC
3:00 – 3:20 pm
BREAK Sponsored By EFC Systems
3:20 – 4:00 pm
Robotics: Moving The Needle On Automation
This presentation will examine a number of factors relating to the removal of man as a control element, from field production systems. These include equipment physical limitations, machine life vs. technical obsolescence, soil quality and health, evolving automotive technologies; full versus supervised autonomy, product liability, broadband internet access in rural areas, off-highway emissions regulations, new and evolving machinery business models and workforce development.
Scott Shearer
The Ohio State University
Ben Chostner
Blue River Technology
4:00 – 4:40 pm
The Value of Weather Data For Agronomic Decision Support Systems
Agriculture technology solutions are rapidly evolving from basic data management tools to true decision support systems. Granular weather data is integral to a successful precision agriculture solution, and best-in-class offerings will intelligently integrate weather data with myriad other contextual data and agronomic models to provide specific, actionable, and timely insights. Learn the basics and best practices of using weather data well beyond simply viewing a daily forecast.
Dave Lundberg
Executive Consultant
Prassack Advisors
Boulder, CO
4:40 – 5:15 pm
Happy Hour: Farmer Perspective On The Day’s Discussion
The morning farmer panel returns for a candid “after hours” question and answer panel about the day’s sessions.
5:15 – 7:00 pm
Beer and Wine Reception