During your visit to the Nebraska Ag Expo, dive deeper into your favorite ag topics with the ExpoEDU speaker series! ExpoEDU offers educational ag talks on various agricultural topics, enhancing the learning experience for attendees.
The speaker sessions will take place at the ExpoEDU stage in the LivestockMarket Pavilion of the Sandhills Global Event Center. ExpoEDU ag talks are included with admission to the Nebraska Ag Expo.
2025 AG TALKS
Tuesday, December 9
10:00-10:45 a.m.
» Producer to Producer: Adopting New Tech and Working with Startups
Brennan Costello and Producer Panelists | Director, The Combine
Producer-to-Producer Panel featuring cutting-edge producers who have a track-record of adopting new technology and working with both Nebraska and International Startups. Learn more about how to find and work with early-stage Ag Technologies.
11:00-11:45 a.m.
» Drone Innovations in Precision Agriculture
Dr. Deepak Joshi, Ph.D | Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist, Kansas State Extension
This talk will highlight the role of drones as transformative tools in precision agriculture. I will discuss how monitoring drones are being used to assess conservation management systems, evaluate crop health, and support data-driven decision-making. In addition, I will cover the emerging use of spray drones for targeted input application, along with associated rules and regulations. Overall my presentation will demonstrate how drone technology is reshaping modern precision agriculture practices.
12:00-12:45 p.m.
» Herbicide-Free Regenerative Agriculture Using Robots
Clint Brauer | Greenfield Robotics
How can farmers move beyond herbicides without sacrificing efficiency? Clint Brauer, founder of Greenfield Robotics, will present the latest advances in robotic weed, crop and soil management, showing how automation and regenerative principles can work hand-in-hand to improve productivity, profitability, and long-term land health.
1:00-1:45 p.m.
» Final Bell – Live at the Nebraska Ag Expo
Rural Radio Network Farm Broadcaster Chad Moyer and Jeff Peterson, Heartland Farm Partners
Join Chad Moyer and Jeff Peterson as they bring Final Bell to the ExpoEDU stage—live and interactive. Hear timely insights on what’s driving today’s commodity markets and how to turn volatility into opportunity.
Today’s markets can be unpredictable, but opportunities remain for those who know where to look. Learn practical strategies and tools to navigate volatility, manage risk, and position your operation for success—even when prices are uncertain.
2:00-2:45 p.m.
» The Future of AgTech: How Founders and Producers Work Together
Brennan Costello, The Combine; Jessica Kroneik, Nave Analytics; Jackson Stansell, Sentinal Ag; and Dusty Reynolds, Birds Eye | Director, The Combine
Join to learn about cutting-edge ag technology being built here in Nebraska and how producers are vital to the early success of ag-tech startups. If you are interested in working with startups, this panel will share how producers joined their team in the early stage of their company.
Wednesday, December 10
10:00-10:45 a.m.
» Replacing Large Equipment and Labor with Field Robotics
Field Robotics Panel – Bart Peintner – Elemental Agronomy, Clint Brauer – Greenfield Robotics, and Craig Rupp, Sabanto.
Replacing large equipment and human labor with robotics and autonomous equipment is a transformative trend in agriculture driven by gains in efficiency, lower labor, cost reduction and safety. Smaller units can reduce soil compaction and monotonous tasks.
11:00-11:45 a.m.
» Saving the Family Farm: Estate Planning Made Easy
Dana Troske, Financial Advisor, Mutual of Omaha; Jerrod Gregg, Attorney, Estate Planning Law Group of Blazek and Gregg
Attorney Jerrod Gregg, of Law Group Blazek and Gregg, have been assisting farm clients with their succession planning for many years. In this session, they will demonstrate their understanding of the unique concerns that farm families have when it comes to maintaining the integrity of the family operation, protecting the family members involved in production, and yet, being fair to other family members.
12:00-12:45 p.m.
» Panel Discussion: Practical Usage of Drones on Farms and Ranches
Panel Members: Jay Sorg, Agri Spray Drone; Joe Encinias, Titan Pro; Owen Jenks, Director of Custom Application, TerraPlex Ag
Moderator: Chad Moyer, Ag Broadcaster at Rural Radio Network
Join this dynamic panel as they discuss why drone usage in agriculture is experiencing significant and rapid growth. Learn why drone usage is increasing for farmers and ranchers.
1:00-1:45 p.m.
» Where Are the Markets Headed in 2026?
Join Grain IQ Host and 840 KTIC radio’s Chad Moyer, who will host the podcast with two special guests!
Grain IQ, the grain marketing podcast helps producers make smarter, more profitable decisions. Each episode features trusted market analysts and advisors who break down trends, tools, and strategies that impact your bottom line.
Join the Grain IQ team live at the 2025 Nebraska Ag Expo for a forward-looking discussion on this year’s crop and what’s ahead for 2026.
Topics will include:
• 2026 crop budgets and breakeven insights
• Pre-harvest vs. post-harvest marketing strategies
• Managing risk in uncertain markets
Grain IQ is produced by the Nebraska Rural Radio Association with support from the Nebraska Soybean Board. Listen anytime on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or at ruralradionetwork.com.
2:00-2:30 p.m.
» Irrigation Water Isn’t Just H₂O: The Chemistry Every Pivot and Drip Grower Should Know
Kurt Grimm | NutraDrip
Most farmers manage irrigation like it’s just water, but the chemistry in that water can block nutrient uptake, tie up fertilizer, and limit yield. High bicarbonates, sodium, iron, sulfur species, and pH issues can all interfere with plant roots and nutrient availability—especially on pivots and drip systems where we are spoon-feeding nutrients.
This session will show real farm examples and lab results demonstrating how poor water chemistry reduces nitrogen efficiency, ties up phosphorus, and increases input costs. You’ll walk away knowing how to test your water, interpret results, and apply practical solutions that improve fertilizer ROI.
Thursday, December 11
10:00-10:45 a.m.
» 2025 Drought and Weather Recap and What to Expect in 2026
Brian Fuchs | UNL-National Drought Mitigation Center
Recapping 2025 weather and the latest prediction for 2026. Nebraska’s weather in 2025 shifted from a dry spring to a warm and wet summer, and then to a drier-than-average start to autumn. This was influenced by a La Niña climate pattern. 2026 Forecast models suggest a rapid transition to a warm El Niño phase for the spring of 2026. El Niño typically brings different weather patterns than La Niña, potentially impacting summer conditions.
11:00-11:45 a.m.
» What We Know and Don’t Know About the Current Agricultural Economy
Jay Parsons | UNL Center for Agricultural Profitability
The more things change, the more they stay the same. Agriculture continues to be a risky business. Profitable times are quickly replaced by low margins, and vice versa, as conditions change. We will provide an update on the current agricultural economy in Nebraska along with discussing strategies for managing the risks and uncertainties that lie ahead.
12:00-12:45 p.m.
» Farm & Ranch Transition Planning: Getting Started
Anastasia Meyer | Agricultural Economics
Extension – UNL
This session covers key elements of farm and ranch transition planning, including succession, estate, and retirement strategies. Participants will gain practical guidance on family communication, business planning, and long-term financial stability.