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.

2024 AG TALKS

Tuesday, December 10

10:00-10:45 a.m.
Biodiesel & Renewable Diesel: Adding Value to Your Farm
Eric Lawson, Consultant

Biodiesel and renewable diesel are low-carbon alternatives to diesel, made from Nebraska-grown feedstocks, supporting local farmers. This session will cover the basics, benefits, and demand for both fuels, their impact on your fuel and bottom line, and key policies driving market growth. Topics include best practices for fuel storage and the rising demand for renewable fuels, including sustainable aviation fuel.

11:00-11:45 a.m.
Get to Know 1L Cement –
The New Limestone Dust Cement Replacement in Concrete
Mark Chew, ICC Distribution Group

Listen as Mark presents to all ag producers in regard to the potential concrete silage pits, parking lot, concrete grain bin, or concrete floor issues using the new mandatory “green” ASTM 595C 1L Cement. This presentation will provide factual problems, potential issues, and proven solutions from across North America, as well as Canada, when using the new CO 2-
friendly concrete with 1L Cement.

12:00-12:45 p.m.
The Role of High Efficiency Fertilizers in Sustainable Crop Production
Dr. Aaron Waltz, CTO, Ostara

How do enhanced efficiency fertilizers (EEFs) help farmers reduce nutrient losses, improve soil health, maximize yield and increase sustainability? In this session, we will explore the current inefficiencies of conventional fertilizers, both on the farm and in the environment, and the critical role that EEFs will play in addressing them. Explore real-life case studies from Nebraska and gain actionable insights into how you can better protect your fertilizer investment and support sustainability using EEFs.

1:00-1:45 p.m.
Got Salt?
Tom Vander Heiden, Agronomist, Erickson Custom Operations

Tom and Erickson Custom Operations (ECO) will present over 8 years of results and data on how using a program approach has worked with producers in the upper Midwest to recover sodic and saline soil by using soil and plant health. This unique approach has reduced high magnesium soil, removed salts from soil and irrigation water. They will also address the economics of recovery in the toughest ag economy
in years.

2:00-2:45 p.m.
Bioagtive Emissions Farming
Gary Lewis, President, BioAgtive Emissions Farming

The Bioagtive Emissions Farming method is an innovative Ag tech approach to crop production that uses patented diesel fuel emissions capture technology to recycle emissions as a carbon base fertilizer. This process raises soil organic matter (SOM) yearly by as much as 1%, allowing for the Complete elimination of Synthetic fertilizer, while achieving equal to or better than yields. By improving soil health and nutrients available, this process enhances photosynthesis by up to 50% promoting sustainable farming with nutritional food production and a ROI to become profitable.

 

 

Wednesday, December 11

10:00-10:45 a.m.
Saving the Family Farm: Farm Succession Planning, Estate Planning, Investments & Insurance
Dana Troske, Financial Advisor, Mutual of Omaha; Jerrod Gregg, Attorney, Estate Planning Law Group of Blazek and Gregg

Farm families have unique concerns 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. Learn more about succession planning from these speakers who have been assisting farm clients for decades. Their ag talk will cover all of this and much more.

11:00-11:45 a.m.
Taming Mother Nature
Dean Wysocki, Chief Meteorologist, Flag Family Media

Join Weather 20/20 and Chief Meteorologist Dean Wysocki of Flag Family Media to explore the LRC, a groundbreaking long-range forecast method that reveals nature’s recurring weather cycles. Understanding these weather patterns can revolutionize your farming practices, guiding decisions on crop planting and predicting wet or dry spells with precision. Learn how the LRC can be a powerful tool in optimizing your agricultural success.

12:00-12:45 p.m.
Panel Discussion: The Future of AgTech: Innovations Transforming Farming and Ranching
Panel Members: Yale Zhang, CEO, Seismi; Miles Sorel, CEO, Terraforma Soil; Tayab Soomro, Pathoscan; and Sarah Hinkley, Barnowl Ag.

Moderator: Chad Moyer, Ag Broadcaster at Rural Radio Network

Join this dynamic panel as they gather several AgTech startups to share insights, challenges, and real-world applications of their innovations. This panel will help farmers and ranchers better understand how technology can address productivity, animal health, environmental stewardship, and biosecurity.

This interactive panel allows for a dynamic, collaborative conversation between startups, industry experts, and farmers. And will showcase the variety of innovative solutions available, helping you connect with the technologies that resonate most with YOUR specific challenges and goals.

1:00-1:45 p.m.
Better-Faster-Cheaper: How to Produce Feed in the Most Economical, Efficient, and Effective Way Possible
Jeff Ruiter, President, Ruiter Innovations

With ongoing cost pressures in agriculture, we’re all seeking ways to save money and labor. Join Jeff as he reviews Ruiter Innovations Agtronix, highlighting fly mills for their accuracy, efficiency, and lower costs compared to batch mills, plus their ability to add volume and ingredients affordably. He’ll also showcase a mill under construction and share how others are available to meet specific customer needs.

2:00-2:30 p.m.
How Nano Particles Work with Ag Chemistry to Bring More Product into the Plants
Landon Bunderson, Chief Science Officer, Nano Yield

Listen as Landon from Nano Yield shares how Nano Particles came to the ag industry, the science behind the particles, how chemistry “loads,” and how it enters the plants to be more efficient.

Thursday, December 12

10:00-10:45 a.m.
What Does Sustainable Farming Really Mean?
Panelists: Ben Elliott, Todd Sears, and Joel Moellers, Energy Curve Technology

Sustainable Farming is most often equated to environment and conservation. Yet, we are asking farmers to produce more, with less inputs and water…at a profit!  Is it possible to achieve? Quick answer: Yes, we are positioned to do it. Re-discover plant stages of growth and innovations that can produce more with far less! Innovations in Input Management: Research indicates that foliar applied products can dramatically impact soil nutrient efficiency. How? Re-discover the way in which plants move through stages of growth, interact with the environment, and signal the timing of inputs to produce far more with far less!

11:00-11:45 a.m.
Grain and Livestock Market Outlook, hosted by the Rural Radio Network

This special event will feature top analysts who will break down the trends and share their thoughts on where grain and livestock markets are headed in 2025. Gain valuable insights to help you make informed decisions, stay ahead of market shifts, and keep your operation profitable.

In addition to expert analysis, there will be a Q&A session where you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and get practical advice tailored to your operation. Don’t miss this chance to prepare for the year ahead!

12:00-12:45 p.m.
Ag Drones in America and the History of Aerial Application
Kevin Knorr, Owner/CEO, Volitant Technologies, LLC

Join Kevin to discover how the future of agriculture is increasingly driven by automation, with a growing demand for UAVs (drones). Drones offer a range of agricultural applications, from advanced spraying technology to monitoring crop health, heat, and density using specialized sensors. Thermal detection is another valuable tool, helping to optimize both crop management and livestock care.

1:00-1:45 p.m.
Integrating Information and Technology to Improve Irrigation Water Management
Daniel Davidson, Commercial Rep and Agronomist, Aluvio

Irrigation timing and water application are often based on methods like Evapotranspiration (ET), estimated crop water use, soil moisture probes, or the hand feel method. While effective with ample water, these methods don’t fully optimize crop water use. Aluvio’s precision irrigation technology enhances decision-making by integrating multiple layers of data to provide timely recommendations on when and how much to irrigate. This approach maximizes water efficiency, maintains yields, and helps conserve water while reducing energy costs. This presentation will highlight Aluvio’s irrigation scheduling system and the benefits it offers to growers.

Can’t make it to a session you’re interested in? The ag talks are also recorded and shared with the public on YouTube and social media after the event.