Dates: July 7-8, 2014
Location: Memphis, Tenn.

The early registration discount expires today for the Delta AgTech Symposium: Advancing UAVs in Agriculture, to be held July 7-8, 2014, at Agricenter International in Memphis. Those who register by Thursday, May 15, will receive a 5 percent discount on registration fees, and the discount also applies to sponsorship and exhibitor packages.

Entira, Inc., an agricultural marketing and management firm, with support from the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), is organizing the two-day conference that will showcase the on-farm uses of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). 

The Delta AgTech Symposium will bring together crop consultants, agronomists, farmers, and the businesses who serve them, along with UAV manufacturers and researchers, to collectively explore how this technology can be integrated into farming practices. The two-day event will include UAV technology and flight demonstrations, speakers, and a trade show for organizations to share their knowledge and solutions. Confirmed speakers include leaders from the following organizations: AUVSI, Middle Tennessee State University, Federal Aviation Administration, National Agricultural Aviation Association, NextGen Air Transportation Center at the Institute of Transportation Research and Education at North Carolina State University, and RoboFlight Systems. In addition, there will be a panel discussion on matching end-user needs to technologies.

“Agriculture is expected to be the predominant user of these specialized aircraft when the FAA finalizes regulations for commercial use. Now is the time for agribusinesses and farmers to learn more and consider the important role this technology will play on farms in the near future,” says Mike Karst, Entira senior partner. 

According to a report from AUVSI, it is estimated that agriculture will account for 80 percent of all UAV commercial usage, with public safety use coming in at a distant second. More of UAVs’ potential role in agriculture is discussed on Entira’s news page.

“Our Entira team is committed to helping agribusiness companies integrate this technology into their business plans and educate farmers on incorporating these cutting-edge tools into their farm management strategies,” Karst says. “We are excited to host this event and to help initiate productive partnerships between ag businesses and UAV technology providers, which will advance this emerging opportunity for agriculture.”

A schedule of demonstrations and presentations, a listing of sponsors, as well as registration information is available on the Delta AgTech Symposium web site. Companies interested in sponsorship or exhibit details should contact Kelli Polatty at kpolatty@entira.net.