Summer of Soil Moisture Sensing Culminates in One-Day Educational Conference & Tradeshow in Missouri

    MEMPHIS, TN, July 31, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- This summer, experts are offering ongoing opportunities to learn about soil moisture sensing platforms.

Joe Henngeler and Rick DeLoughery of Missouri University are hosting an educational event, "2015: The Summer of Soil Moisture Sensing."

Multiple events will be held throughout the summer for growers & consultants. There will be a one-day conference and tradeshow on wireless soil moisture monitoring on August 13th at the Miner Convention Center near Sikeston, MO. The cost of attendance is $25.

Henngeler promotes the value of wireless sensing technology, providing the farmer a constant stream of information. Advances in technology allow for reporting via telemetry, rather than requiring manual in-field readings. Many new wireless sensing devices and platforms are coming to market, and this tradeshow will provide growers a chance to explore the different platforms and options.

In addition to product demonstrations, the conference will host a number of industry experts and provide insight on the value of soil moisture sensors.

Gary Zoubeck of University of Nebraska is one keynote speaker. Nebraska implements innovative water management regulation and is home to the largest number of farmers using precision ag sensor technology. Zoubeck will discuss the success of these soil moisture sensing devices and water management. Chuck Danehower of the University of Tennessee will discuss the economic return on wireless sensors.

NRCS representatives will provide information about the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) and how to sign-up. The EQIP program allocates funding to specified water management plans. Missouri is one of multiple states developing irrigation water management programs to fulfill environmental conservation efforts, funded under the 2014 Farm Bill. These pioneers aim to provide a successful model for water management for other states to follow.

Currently, less than 8% of irrigated farms use soil and/or plant moisture-sensing devices. There is significant potential for water conservation. NRCS efforts encourage learning and adoption of available resources to improve irrigation water management practices.

Henngeler advocates the use of sensing, "There is no other single irrigation best management practice that will benefit the irrigator as much as the use of soil moisture monitoring. The practice is relatively inexpensive, and the benefits can be substantial, making this single enterprise extremely economical." Read more in the July 24th issue of Delta Farm Press, visit the MU Extension site, or look for the conference details on EventBrite.

About AgSmarts
Based in Memphis, TN, AgSmarts is a Precision Ag technology company that offers remote wireless sensing, predictive irrigation and crop management analytics, and equipment automation that collectively represent a revolution in data-driven agriculture. AgSmarts' platform combines hardware and software solutions into a versatile, powerful and cost effective suite of tools that producers, researchers and agronomic consultants can use today in the struggle to conserve natural resources, control operational costs and maximize crop yields.

For more information about AgSmarts, please visit http://www.agsmarts.com

# # #