Ag-Tech Days #3: AI in Agriculture

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming agriculture by improving productivity, sustainability, and efficiency. Its applications include pest identification, soil health monitoring, and autonomous equipment optimizing resource use. AI-driven irrigation systems track soil moisture and weather forecasts to optimize water use, saving water and boosting crop yields. Similarly, AI precision feeding systems analyze animal needs to enhance nutrition, reduce waste, and improve efficiency. These advancements highlight AI's role in promoting sustainable practices and resource efficiency in modern agriculture. Adopting new technologies, especially AI, presents challenges such as a shortage of skilled professionals, high initial investments, and concerns about data security, privacy, and ethics. The upcoming session will address these issues by featuring pioneers in the field. Agenda (The event agenda is still in progress): 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM: Registration & Breakfast 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM: Opening & CPAS Introduction Pierre Kennepohl, Associate Dean for Community and Innovation, Faculty of Science; Professor, Department of Chemistry Farhad Maleki, Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM: Presentations Mac Hunik, CEO, Threshold UAV Tom Gruszowski, Director of Software, Verge Ag Damilare O. Odumosu, CEO, CropMind Brady Stadnicki, Director, New Business - Canada, AdFarm Simon Loewen, Alberta Manager, TerraLink Horticulture | Co-founder, New Era AI Megan Croft, Ecosystem and Partnership Operations Manager, SVG Ventures THRIVE Jeff Kwok, CSO, AdvancedUAV Tech 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM: Coffee Break 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Panel | Overcoming Barriers to AI Adoption in Agriculture Kyle Hoyda, Business Development Manager, Agribusiness, Calgary Economic Development - moderator Dale Penner, Sustainability Specialist, Viresco Solutions Darrell Petras, CEO/PDG, Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network Marlise Hunter, Director of Platform, Tall Grass Ventures Wilson Schultz, Product Manager, AGvisorPRO 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch & Networking This is a hybrid event with limited in-person capacity. IN-PERSON registrations will be reviewed individually. If you’re interested in attending in person, please contact Marian Danko at mdanko@innovatecalgary.com to request an access code. The virtual event is open to the public. Upon registering, you will receive a confirmation email with your VIRTUAL ATTENDANCE ticket and Zoom link for online access. About Ag-Tech Days The Centre for Precision Agriculture and Sustainability (CPAS) and Innovate Calgary are hosting a series of Ag-Tech Days to cultivate a fertile ground for exchanging ideas, experiences, and challenges and to foster a co-learning and collaborative environment to facilitate and promote innovations in precision agriculture. About CPAS The Center for Precision Agriculture and Sustainability (CPAS) at the University of Calgary is a collaborative hub that brings together researchers, industry leaders, farmers, and funding agencies to foster innovation and drive advancements in precision agriculture to develop economically viable technologies to enhance farming efficiency, productivity, and sustainability across Alberta and beyond.