Emerging Agriculture Technologies Highlight Stiles Farm Field Day

By Leslee Hackett

Rain pushed the Stiles Farm Field Day indoors but it couldn’t dampen the buzz among attendees who learned more about new weed management methods and breakthrough agricultural technology innovations aimed at helping the bottom line of Blacklands farmers in Central Texas.

Farmers, community members and industry professionals turned out for the annual event, hosted by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. The day was highlighted by a look at emerging technologies, current research and pressing issues affecting Texas agriculture and rural communities.

Technology and research take center stage

Discussions and demonstrations showed attendees how automation is transforming modern farming by improving efficiency, precision and labor management at the John Deere Test Site Group, showcasing the latest in autonomous tractor technology to field management best practices.

Ronnie Schnell, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension state cropping systems specialist and professor in the Texas A&M Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Bryan-College Station, discussed weed control options in corn and grain sorghum, offering updates on effective strategies tailored to Central Texas growing conditions.

Schnell said while there is not a lot of data on soybean production in the Blacklands region, the crop can reduce nitrogen inputs and offer area producers an alternative.