Get the low down on Precision Ag from US based expert Dr Terry Griffin

Precision agriculture enthusiasts are invited to an evening event on Monday 13 August to connect with the local agricultural industry and hear from a world leader in the Precision Ag field.  

 

This evening is an opportunity to expand your understanding of the range of challenges and ideas in precision agriculture and meet with Dr Terry Griffin, Kansas State University.

 

Dr Griffin is a 2017 veski sustainable agriculture fellow and returns to Australia for the second time this year to continue his project work on “Connectivity, Capability and Trust: Breaking down barriers for farming to create value from data sets”.

 

He is an Assistant Professor at Kansas State University who conducts research and extension programs focussing on cropping systems economics in general, and specifically precision agricultural technologies and big data.

 

Dr Griffin has travelled across Australia meeting and presenting to researchers and growers. The schedule will have been extensive by the time he flies back to the States in mid-August. Dr Griffin will have met with researchers, peak organisations such as the Grains Research and Development Corporation, agronomists and growers.

 

Having already spent time in the Wimmera with local farmers and presenting to Longerenong College Agriculture students, Mr Griffin has been able to gain an appreciation for the Australian industry and its opportunities. He is an avid adopter of technology and is very active on Twitter via the handle @spaceplowboy.

 

His project is intended to identify and develop strategies to overcome barriers preventing farmers from collecting and collating farm data. Key focuses include lowering the high cost of entry, increasing skill levels among farmers, and tackling the connectivity challenges facing farmers.

 

Birchip Cropping Group CEO, Chris Sounness, saw the opportunity to bring Dr Griffin to Australia and share his expertise.

 

“Dr Griffin has experience in bringing value to American farmers for their data gathered through the sensors mounted on machinery, drones and satellites,” he said.

 

“Through this, and other exciting projects being implemented in the region, we hope to identify value for Australian growers particularly in terms of efficiency and profitability.”

 

veski made Dr Griffin’s visit possible through the veski sustainable agriculture fellowship. The organisation provides a dynamic program of fellowships, awards and international networks.

 

Earlier in the afternoon, Dr Griffin will return to Longerenong College to present to students discussing the digital agriculture opportunities in their professional working lives. This presentation will be made possible through the Longerenong College visiting fellow fund.