Virginia Tech will host a Precision Agriculture Day on Oct. 12 at Kentland Farm in Blacksburg from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Participants will have the opportunity to get answers to common questions about the benefits of precision agriculture and learn how they can establish cost-effective technologies on their farms.
Precision agriculture is becoming increasingly utilized — and economical — in recent years as producers use technology such as iPads, GPS, and variable rate equipment to increase yields and inform management decisions.
Registration for the event, which costs $10, can be found here. Kentland Farm is about 8 minutes from the Virginia Tech campus at 5250 Whitethorne Road.
The following topics will discussed at the field day:
- low-cost technologies that are available now and are practical for your operation;
- technologies that work on smaller farms;
- precision agriculture equipment for use on hilly terrain;
- recommendations for producers who are just beginning to consider a technology investment; and
- potential return on investment from establishing a precision agriculture system.
Featured demonstrations and presentations will be provided by Hoober Inc. of Ashland, Virginia, James River Equipment of Rappahannock, Virginia, Meade Tractor of Christiansburg, Virginia, and Southern States Cooperative.
The Virginia Tech Department of Mechanical Engineering will also present a drone flying demonstration that will broadcast images on a big screen.
The event is sponsored by Virginia Tech’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Virginia Cooperative Extension. A special thanks to Farm Credit of the Virginias for providing water and refreshments.
