Webinars Archive (2024)

Bridging the Gap: Technology Adoption in Small Holder Farms

Gregory Bernard, Assistant Professor of Plant and Soil Science, Tuskegee University

Adopting new technology for any size farming operation has its challenges. Discuss the unique challenges and opportunities smallholder farms face in adopting new technologies. This final series session will explore practical solutions and case studies of successful technology integration in small-scale farming. Attendees will learn about the barriers to adoption and strategies to overcome them.

Strategies for Withstanding Low-Profitability Years

Join Dr. Gary Schnitkey and Dr. Laura Gentry for an insightful webinar focused on practical strategies for navigating low-profit years in farming. With low commodity prices and slim profit margins, it’s more critical than ever to adopt cost-effective practices that keep your farm financially healthy. You’ll gain actionable insights into reducing input costs, leveraging Precision Conservation Management data for in-field practice analysis, and strategically managing crops to maximize returns.

Pasture, Rangeland and Forage Rainfall Index Insurance: A Risk Management Tool for Livestock and Forage Producers

Pasture, Rangeland and Forage Rainfall Index Insurance (PRF-RI) is a relatively new insurance product offered by the USDA Risk Management Agency. PRF-RI is meant to insure livestock and forage producers against lower than average rainfall which could decrease forage production. This webinar will explore PRF-RI as a potential risk management tool for livestock and forage producers. Attendees will gain insights into how PRF-RI differs from traditional yield and revenue crop insurance policies and how to evaluate policy decisions, such as…

Future of Ag Safety: How AI Will Transform Agriculture

This final webinar looks ahead at emerging technologies and innovations that will transform safety in agriculture. We will showcase cutting-edge research around autonomous equipment, wearable tech, telematics, and digital training tools. You'll gain insights into how these futuristic solutions could monitor risks, prevent incidents, and improve health outcomes for agricultural workers. We'll discuss how farmers, researchers, and policymakers can collaborate to fully realize the safety benefits of new ag technologies.

Resources for Farmers in Crisis

When injury, illness, or natural disasters strike, farmers and ranchers need help to continue operating. This webinar highlights two key resources for farmers in crisis. We will explain the Farm Rescue program which plants, harvests, hauls, and does chores for free when farmers have an emergency. We'll also cover the AgrAbility program helping agriculture workers with disabilities. You'll learn who qualifies, what services are offered, and how to request assistance from these essential non-profits serving the ag community.

Economics of Adopting Weeding Robots

Shadi Attallah, Associate Professor, Agricultural and Consumer Economics, UIUC

Shadi will examine the economic aspects of adopting weeding robots on farms. This session will cover how robot prices, corn prices, the robot weeding efficacy, and a farmer’s planning horizon affect how many robots to adopt and to what extent weeding robots can increase farm profitability and reduce weed resistance to herbicides.

Addressing Mental Stress & Health in Agriculture

Farming and ranching are filled with stressors like financial pressures, uncertain conditions, long hours, and social isolation. This webinar focuses on mental health challenges common in agriculture and ways to foster resilience and wellbeing. We will discuss signs and symptoms of conditions like anxiety, depression, and suicide risk. You'll gain strategies for managing stress, building social connections, and finding help when needed. We aim to reduce stigma around mental illness and enable farmers and ranchers to access mental health resources.

Farm Robotics: Revolutionizing Agricultural Practices

Naveen Uppalapati, Research Scientist, Center for Digital Agriculture, UIUC

Explore the transformative impact of robotics in agriculture. The second series session will highlight the latest innovations in agricultural robots, including planting, harvesting, and monitoring robots. Attendees will learn about the benefits and challenges of integrating robots into farm operations and the future of robotic technology in agriculture.

Maximizing Returns on Challenging Soils: PCM’s Low SPR Findings

We will look at environmental indicators from PCM farms and their relationship to farming practices. NEW this year: PCM has separate data available for high SPR and low SPR soils so you can better assess how conservation practices could impact your fields.

Farm Safety for Youth: Keeping the Next Generation Safe

Children and teens make up a significant portion of injuries and fatalities in agriculture. This webinar looks at why young people are uniquely vulnerable to farm hazards. We will review child labor laws and resources for legally employing youth in agriculture. You'll learn about equipment risks, and key safety practices to prevent farm incidents. We'll also cover effective ways to train young workers and ensure safe behaviors around your farm or ranch.

Enhancing Farm Connectivity: The Backbone of Modern Agriculture

Delve into the critical role of connectivity in modern farming. The first session of the I-FARM webinar series will explore the various technologies enabling seamless communication between farm equipment, sensors, and management systems. Attendees will learn about the latest advancements in IoT, satellite, and wireless communication technologies that are transforming the agricultural landscape.

Balancing Profitability and Sustainability: PCM’s Latest Insights

Here we will take a deeper dive into nitrogen management relations to profitability and the environment. We will also look at the potential and issues associated with carbon markets.

Illinois Injury Surveillance Efforts

Overview of agriculture-related injury and illness tracking programs active in Illinois. Will cover data collection methods, trends identified, and how surveillance information guides prevention initiatives for the agriculture community.

Financial and Environmental Impact of Conservation Practices

New Data from PCM with Focus on Cover Crops and Tillage. Precision Conservation Management (PCM) works directly with farmers and uses data analysis to determine how farmers can implement conservation practices without sacrificing profits. This webinar from Greg Goodwin (IL Corn Growers Association) and Gary Schnitkey (University of Illinois farmdoc team) covers 9 years of data-driven insights. We will emphasize profitable practices using cover crops. Profitability and tillage practices will be examined.

Heat Related Injury and Illness

Heat exposure can negatively affect agricultural workers, but there are ways to prevent it. Review risk factors, early symptoms, treatment, workplace controls like rest breaks and hydration, and personal protective measures when working in hot conditions.

How Will Technology Shape the Farm of the Future

Discussion of current and upcoming technology that will change the way we farm. This includes discussions on Internet of Things, Autonomous Machinery, Sensors, and Livestock handling. We will discuss how each of these technologies will contribute to a safer and more productive farm. We will also cover what are the risks of these technologies and safety concerns that need to be addressed.

Farmworker Safety and Health

Farm work presents many hazards that can lead to injury, illness, and even death. This webinar focuses on the unique risks faced by agricultural workers, including migrant and hired laborers, and ways to protect their safety and health. We will discuss common issues like pesticide exposure, musculoskeletal disorders, transportation incidents, and lack of adequate housing. You'll learn practical tips for creating a culture of safety, training workers (including seasonal, migrant, and hired laborers), and implementing best practices to protect all workers in your agricultural operation.

Managing Risks with Cover Crops: A Case Study of the Most Profitable Illinois Farms Using Cover Crops

Cover crops remain the best conservation practice in the organic rich soils of the Midwest where nutrient loss, soil health, and climate change are concerns. Many farmers have also seen agronomic benefits related to weed control, water infiltration, and protection during crop-loss weather events. Still, there are challenges for farm-level profitability and risks. Using Precision Conservation Management (PCM) data and farmer interviews, we present the current best practices to manage risks and protect profitability for Midwest farmers.

Research and Strategies for Grain Entrapment Prevention

We will explore the world of grain safety, shedding light on various types of incidents and the alarming statistics surrounding them. We will delve into the immense pressure exerted by grain, a contributing factor to the severity of injuries and tragic fatalities. Moreover, we will examine the distinction between youth and adult entrapments, analyzing potential risk factors and implications for prevention strategies. Throughout the session, we will uncover effective strategies designed to eliminate the need for entering grain bins, reducing…

The Changing Face of American Agriculture: Insights from the 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture – Illinois and the Midwest

This webinar will provide an overview of the census data and trends specific to Illinois and the Midwest. By highlighting the unique circumstances and opportunities faced by farmers in this region, we aim to foster a deeper understanding of the agricultural sector and contribute to informed policy-making processes.

The 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture provides a wealth of information about the state of American agriculture. This webinar series will explore findings from the census, and discuss trends of U.S. agriculture.

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The Changing Face of American Agriculture: Insights from the 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture – National Trends

This webinar will provide an overview of the major trends in U.S. agriculture, such as the decline in the number of farms, the increase in farm size, and the growing diversity of producers. We will also discuss the implications of these trends for the future of food production and rural communities. The 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture provides a wealth of information about the state of American agriculture. This webinar series will explore findings from the census, and discuss trends…

Preventing the Spread of Infectious Disease on Farms, Ranches and Ag Workplaces

Farmers, ranchers, and ag operators were deemed ‘essential’ during the COVID-19 pandemic. Learning how to protect employees, families, clients, and the community evolved throughout the pandemic and uncertainty was often difficult to navigate. In the webinar, we hope to bring forward some of the lessons learned during the pandemic and help share strategies for responding to infectious disease outbreaks in the future.

Why is Agricultural Safety Important?

Review of common occupational injuries associated with agriculture, characteristic of the farms that make them vulnerable, and costs of injuries in agricultural settings.