Modern agriculture:

connecting to the Digital future

Farm. Family. Food.™

nutrient managementbig data weather

Digital future

Commodities ConferenceMarriott Hotel and Conference Center

Normal, ILJuly 30, 2014

Location: Marriott Hotel and Conference Center 201 Broadway St., Normal, IL 61761 • 309-862-9000

Registration: Pre-registration is June 9-July 21, 2014 Visit ilfb.org or call your county Farm Bureau® for registration details. Onsite-Registration starts at 7:30 a.m. (General Session starts at 8:30 a.m.) Cost: $35.00 (includes lunch)

Directions: From I-55, exit to 165A (Bloomington-Normal) US 51 South. Travel two miles and turn Left (East) on College Avenue. Travel 0.5 miles and turn Right onto Broadway Street. After hotel lobby entrance turn Right onto Beaufort Street and a quick Left into the parking garage. Skywalk is available into hotel from this parking garage.

Conference Details

Farm. Family. Food.™ under license of the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation

www.ilfb.org

Modern agriculture is more interdependent on other systems than ever before. In today’s farming world, we deal with evolving environmental policies, big data, new and complex electronic systems, and a new slate of Farm Bill programs. Drones have become a very real technological advancement, while changing weather patterns are still challenging us. Stricter and ever changing environmental regulations, alongside the need for farm security, demand faster adaptation. The integration of the digital world with production and agronomic systems have ushered in a new frontier for agriculture. Attend the Illinois Farm Bureau Commodities Conference and discover ways you can connect and adapt to these new changes.

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Modern agriculture:connecting to the Digital future

Trends, Opportunities, and Cautions of “Big Data” and “AgInformatics”Matt Bechdol, President, Geosilos

Data has become a modern agricultural commodity.Investments in human and technological solutions for translating data into actionable information have exploded across the supply chain. “Big Data” and the inevitable “AgInformatics” solutions that are arising will forever change the way we think about farming and agriculture. What are the trends, opportunities, and challenges for farmers and service providers in this emerging area? What are the trade-offs between value, return on investment, insight and privacy and security? This session will offer a baseline review of current capabilities and emerging trends as well as a look into the realistic paths before us in the uncharted waters of “big data” in agriculture.

General Session 18:30 am – 9:45 am

Breakout 19:55 am – 10:45 am Weather and Our Farming WorldMark Russo, Senior Weather Analyst, EarthRisk Technologies, Inc.

The Farm Bill: Understanding Your OptionsDoug Yoder, Senior Director of Affiliate and Risk Management, Illinois Farm Bureau

Cover Crops – Choices and ManagementPete Fandel, Associate Professor, Illinois Central College

The Global Meat Market: Profiting Through the Value Chain Dan Halstrom, Senior Vice President for Marketing and Communications, U.S. Meat Export Federation

Breakout 210:55 am – 11:45 am Market Outlook Chad Hart, Professor, Iowa State University

Trade and Infrastructure Priorities for Modern Agriculture Jay O’Neil, Instructor and IGP Specialist, Kansas State University

The Global Meat Market – Profiting Through the Value Chain Dan Halstrom, Senior Vice President for Marketing and Communications, U.S. Meat Export Federation

Drone Technology: Addressing Farmer Concerns and QuestionsAlec Davis, Attorney, Illinois Farm Bureau® and Laura Harmon, Senior Counsel, Illinois Farm Bureau

Breakout 42:55 pm – 3:45 pm

Market Outlook Chad Hart, Professor, Iowa State University

Outlook for Farmland PricesDale Aupperle, President, Heartland Ag Group

Income Generating Food Grade Grain and Bean Production: A Growing Opportunity Panel TBA

The Farm Bill: Understanding Your Options Doug Yoder, Senior Director of Affiliate and Risk Management, Illinois Farm Bureau

Breakout 31:55 pm – 2:45 pm Weather And Our Farming WorldMark Russo, Senior Weather Analyst, EarthRisk Technologies, Inc.

NREC: Funding Projects to Yield Profitability and Reduce Nutrient LossBob Hoeft, Professor, University of IllinoisDale Hadden, District 10, IAA Board of Directors

It’s 2 O’clock: Who Has Your Data?Josh Krueger, Vice President, Integrity Technology Solutions

Trade and Infrastructure Priorities for Modern AgricultureJay O’Neill, Instructor and IGP Specialist, Kansas State University

Homing in On Drones: What You Need to Know Matt Bechdol, President, Geosilos

Modern agriculture:Illinois Farmers as Nutrient StewardsLauren Lurkins, Director of Natural and Environmental Resources

An overview of current water quality issues facing Illinois farmers with regard to nutrients. Lauren Lurkins will describe the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy and what it means for Illinois farmers, as well as discuss current agriculture-led water quality efforts here in Illinois.

Advocating for Agriculture in a Social Media WorldGreg Peterson, Peterson Brothers, Public Figure

An overview of the Peterson Brothers videos, performances, and the process of reaching millions through Social Media. Greg Peterson will touch on the need for agriculture advocacy and challenge the audience to take action on their beliefs.

General Session 212:45 pm – 1:45 pm