Scheduled 11-11:30 a.m. CT the second Thursday every month, the I-FARM University Learning Series provides a comprehensive exploration of cutting-edge technologies and economic strategies shaping modern agriculture. Each session, led by experts in their respective fields, will offer valuable insights and practical knowledge for enhancing farm productivity and sustainability.
Register Here: https://go.illinois.edu/IFARM2024
Sept. 12 – Farm Robotics: Revolutionizing Agricultural Practices
- Presenter: Naveen Uppalapati, Research Scientist, Center for Digital Agriculture, UIUC
- Synopsis: Naveen will focus on the transformative impact of robotics in agriculture. This session will highlight the latest innovations in agricultural robots, including planting, harvesting, and monitoring robots. Attendees will learn about the benefits and challenges of integrating robots into farm operations and the future of robotic technology in agriculture.
Oct. 10 – Economics of Adopting Weeding Robots
- Presenter: Shadi Attallah, Associate Professor, Agricultural and Consumer Economics, UIUC
- Synopsis: Shadi will examine the economic aspects of adopting weeding robots on farms. This session will cover how robot prices, corn prices, the robot weeding efficacy, and a farmer’s planning horizon affect how many robots to adopt and to what extend weeding robots can increase farm profitability and reduce weed resistance to herbicides.
Nov. 14 – Smart Grazing: AI integration into grazing management
- Presenter: Isabella Condotta, Assistant Professor, Animal Sciences, UIUC
- Synopsis: Isabella will present her innovative work on the use of sensors and AI models in grazing management. This session will cover how advanced technologies can be used to monitor and manage livestock grazing patterns. Participants will gain insights into the design and deployment of these technologies, and how they can improve pasture utilization, livestock health, and overall farm efficiency
Dec. 12 – Bridging the Gap: Technology Adoption in Small Holder Farms
- Presenter: Gregory Bernard, Assistant Professor of Plant and Soil Science, Tuskegee University.
- Synopsis: Gregory will discuss the unique challenges and opportunities smallholder farms face in adopting new technologies. This session will explore practical solutions and case studies of successful technology integration in small-scale farming. Attendees will learn about the barriers to adoption and strategies to overcome them.
Previous Sessions
- Presenter: Deepak Vasisht, Assistant Professor, Computer Science, UIUC
- Synopsis: This session will delve into the critical role of connectivity in modern farming. Deepak will explore the various technologies enabling seamless communication between farm equipment, sensors, and management systems. Attendees will learn about the latest advancements in IoT, satellite, and wireless communication technologies that are transforming the agricultural landscape.