FORT WAYNE, Ind. – When it comes to conservation practices on their farms, producers are often concerned about how they can make it work on their soils, with their equipment, and with minimal changes in management practices, according to Adam Shanks with Purdue University Extension.

“As technology, seed and equipment continue to adapt and evolve, this once narrow path to adoption seems to be widening, thus enticing more adoption of these practices,” explained Shanks, digital agriculture and natural resources curriculum lead with Extension. “As processors and end-users are looking for ways to lower their carbon footprint, enticing producers to supply them with raw products produced with carbon-capturing practices will accelerate adoption as well, I believe.”

Shanks, and Rhiannon Lake, conservation program specialist with the Allen County, Ind., Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), will discuss new technology in conservation during the Fort Wayne Farm Show, Jan. 16-18, at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum. Their presentation is 2 p.m. Jan. 17.

Shanks said his focus during the seminar will be on new technology available as a tool in the toolbox when it relates to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for scouting and applying chemicals, as well as seeding cover crops. He said he’ll share information on new technology in scouting drones, and proper usage of applicator drones for production agriculture.

“These tools are very usable, and there are legal and proper ways to make the most of the technology while still finding it valuable,” he said.

All producers can get behind soil conservation to some extent, Shanks noted. “We have seen that in the decline in mold-board plowing. Leaving all or at least some residue has been a practice that I believe most all farmers work toward each year. The adoption of cover crops and other soil health practices seems to not be as widely adopted across the state, year over year. That is why I believe we need to have these seminars to continue to educate producers on how they can be successful in holding soil in place, capturing carbon, and utilizing the power of soil to heal itself while making critical nutrients more plant available, eventually throttling the reliance on commercial fertilizers.”

Educational seminars provided by the Northeast Indiana SWCDs and Purdue Extension are scheduled each day of the show. These seminars are a vital part of the event, said Dan Slowinski, a show director for Tradexpos, which produces the show.

“Purdue and Allen County SWCD do a phenomenal job finding both a wide variety of current topics to discuss, and specialists or professionals on each topic,” he said. “I unfortunately don’t have a lot of free time during the show, but I try to sit in on one or two of the speakers, and these seminars are very well attended. They host three-four seminars on different topics each day. I know this year they are even doing a breakfast seminar, where Noah Radde will be discussing regenerative agriculture, and breakfast will be served to attendees.”

Radde is grain origination specialist with ADM.

Shanks said Purdue Extension officials strive to live up to the motto of being Indiana’s Educational Partner For Life. “We take every opportunity we can to bring science-based, unbiased information to the great folks that live, and make their living, here in the Hoosier state. Being able to visit with the Fort Wayne Farm Show attendees through these seminars is a vital way to bring the latest findings from Purdue specialists and educators to farmers right where they are, since they have already made their way out to the farm show.”

The seminar schedule begins, as it has for years, with a Midwest Ag Market Outlook featuring Jon Cavanaugh and David Kohli, WOWO Radio market analysts. Their presentation is 10 a.m. Jan. 16. A seminar on how farmers can take advantage of global climate action is planned for later that morning. In the afternoon, a pesticide applicator program, with PARP and CCH credits available, will be offered.

On the 17th, in addition to Radde’s session, and the new technology in conservation seminar, other speakers will discuss hot topics in land use, and five ways to lose the family farm.

Topics on the 18th include financial incentives for environmental stewardship with the Soil and Water Outcomes Fund, and insurance and agritourism.

“Almost every aspect of what we do in our lives is based or built on relationships,” Shanks said. “The more Extension educators are at events like the Fort Wayne Farm Show, the more interactions they get to have with the producers of theirs and surrounding counties. These interactions continue to build the depth and breadth of the relationships between producers and educators, thus increasing the value of the Extension educator to the producers. This will make it more comfortable for the producers and educators to work together when needs arise for assistance.”

For a list of all the educational seminars, visit www.tradexpos.com and click on Fort Wayne Farm Show.