5 Key Precision Farming Trends Showcased At The InfoAg Conference
By Matt HopkinsSenior Online Editor | Meister Media Worldwide
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No other event in agriculture quite captures the latest trends in precision farming like The InfoAg Conference. This year’s event, held July 29-31 in St. Louis, MO, featured dozens of exhibitors and educational sessions that truly reflected the excitement of precision agriculture. Here is a look at five major trends highlighted at the conference.
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Google Glass Moves To The Farm
One of the newest trends to hit the precision ag community is Google Glass. This wearable technology was the focus of hands-on workshops at The 2014 InfoAg Conference. Still a couple of years from mainstream adoption, sessions gave attendees an overview of the smart glass landscapes and allowed them to try a pair for themselves.
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Popularity Of Mobile Agriculture Apps
Mobile agriculture apps continue to gain interest throughout the industry as they can assist in virtually every aspect of decision making on the farm. The 2014 InfoAg Conference featured hands-on workshops to educate attendees on how to use several of these agronomic applications, including Aphid Speed Scout (pictured), Weedalert and Fertilizer Removal.
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Big Data Gets Bigger
Perhaps the hottest trend at The 2014 InfoAg Conference was big data, or specifically, the management of it. From making data integration easier and getting the most out of your data, to data privacy and security, presenters and exhibitors at this year’s event covered the gamut on this extremely important topic. Pictured: Ted Macy of MapShots talks to attendees about automated data capture.
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UAV Momentum Continues
Like last year’s event, UAV exhibitors made their presence known at The 2014 InfoAg Conference. In addition to a handful of suppliers of unmanned aerial vehicles, several educational sessions were focused entirely on this hot topic, offering user insights and the latest agricultural research. Pictured: AutoCopter shows off its UAV RC helicopter, which carries multi-spectral cameras along with DSLR and/or HD video cameras.
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Importance Of Soil Testing/Sampling
The success of precision farming technologies (e.g., variable rate fertilization) largely depends upon the accuracy of soil-test-based fertilizer recommendations. While this certainly isn't a new trend, The 2014 InfoAg Conference featured sessions and exhibitors that stressed the importance of soil testing. Pictured: North Carolina grower Allan Baucom shows of his new automated soil sampling system called the Falcon.
0155 Key Precision Farming Trends Showcased At The InfoAg Conference
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Matt Hopkins is Senior Online Editor for the Agribusiness Group at Meister Media Worldwide including such brands as CropLife, CropLife IRON, AgriBusiness Global, PrecisionAg, and Cotton Grower. He is responsible for managing an array of online products including newsletters, websites, video, and social media. Hopkins joined Meister Media in 1994 as an editor for Greenhouse Grower before transitioning to Business Manager of its MeisterPro division. He holds a Communications degree from Cleveland State University. See all author stories here.
