By: Ryan Duey
The River Valley Extension District, in collaboration with the Kansas Agricultural Research & Technology Association (KARTA), will host their 26th annual Kansas Agricultural Technologies Conference (KATCON) on Friday, March 7th in Clay Center.
This all-day event opens at 8:00 a.m. with registration and a trade show, featuring several different Exhibitors. Luke Byers, Crop Production Agent, said this is KARTA’s annual premier event. He said KARTA members incorporate new methods and technologies into their own farms.
“KARTA is a grassroots organization of farmers and ranchers that basically want to take emerging research and technology out there in the agricultural industry and apply it to their own farms to see what works for their operations. They then go and share that information with their peers.”
“It’s a network of citizen scientist farmers putting these different research methods and technologies to use on their farms to see if their viable options for agriculturists here in Kansas.”
Beginning at 9:00 a.m. Industry Researchers and K-State Extension Specialists will present on various research and technology topics throughout the day, ending with keynote speaker Dr. Wes Lowe of Mississippi State University speaking on “See & Till” technology.
“Some people have heard of the “See and Spray” or precision chemical applications. Lowe has incorporated a similar technology to create a “See and Till” Precision Cultivator that instantaneously identifies weeds and then spot tills.”
“He’s going to be discussing the mechanics of that technology and how people can actually incorporate that technology on their farms using parts and materials that they find at their local dealerships.”
This jam-packed event will include lunch and dinner. Pre-registration and fees are required, with students receiving a discount. A full schedule of events and registration can be found at www.karta-online.org, or by calling the Clay Center Extension office.
