Nebraska’s role in the future of agricultural technology will be the focus of AgTech Connect, a statewide conference bringing together producers, startups, investors, researchers and industry leaders this week at Nebraska Innovation Campus.
The fifth annual event, hosted July 16 in Lincoln, is centered on emerging technologies designed to address challenges facing agriculture, including robotics, artificial intelligence, water management, data interoperability and livestock technology.
Brennan Costello, director of The Combine, says Nebraska’s diversity of agricultural production makes it an ideal testing ground for new innovations.
“I like to say that Nebraska should be the proving ground for any new ag technology.”
Costello says the state has a unique combination of crop and livestock operations, giving companies the opportunity to test technology in real-world conditions.
“If you’re going to do an irrigated, non-irrigated crop science product, if you’re going to do an agriculture robotic product on a broadacre crop or in a livestock facility, Nebraska has it all.”
AgTech Connect will feature technology demonstrations from companies developing autonomous field scouting equipment, robotic feeding systems, grain quality technology and livestock automation.
Costello says artificial intelligence will be a major discussion topic, but the focus goes beyond consumer tools like ChatGPT. He says the biggest opportunities will come when AI is paired with robotics to address labor challenges in agriculture.
“Where we think it gets really exciting is when you apply AI to autonomous robotics and it helps solve some of our chronic labor issues in agriculture.”
The conference will also highlight Nebraska startups and entrepreneurs working to bring new ideas to agriculture. Costello says The Combine recently partnered with AG Launch, an ag tech accelerator with a national focus, to help connect Nebraska innovators with a broader network.
The event will feature keynote speakers, startup pitches, expert-led roundtables and demonstrations focused on what’s next in agriculture technology.
AgTech Connect begins Thursday at 8:30 a.m. at Nebraska Innovation Campus in Lincoln. Registration remains open for attendees interested in learning about emerging technologies shaping the future of agriculture.