Session 1: Future Web: How Information Technology (IT) Will Change Agribusiness

Monday 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Stewart Center, Room 314

In this session U.S. and international leaders in agribusiness will share their vision of the use and impact of information technology on agribusiness and the producer-consumer supply chain. It promises a thought-provoking look at the scope and structure of agriculture in the next century.

• The Dynamics of Information Technology-Driven Change and Agribusiness Tomorrow
  Steve Sonka, National Soybean Research Laboratory (NSRL) & AEC
  Todd Doehring, Agriculture Education and Consulting

• Using Site-Specific Tools beyond the Field
  John Ahlrichs, Cenex/Land O'Lakes

• E-Commerce for Agriculture
  Marc Vanacht, AG Business Consultants

Session 2: Cyberfarm Demonstration at InfoAg

Monday 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Stewart Center, Room 314

See description below.

Session 3: Extension Online: IT Strategies for Land-Grant Universities

Tuesday 7:30 - 9:30 a.m.
Stewart Center, Room 314

This session will focus on how information technology, especially the internet, is changing the strategic positioning of extension and land-grant universities in getting information out to their clientele...and how that clientele is changing. More than a demonstration of web sites and services, this will focus on land-grant perspectives on the impact and opportunities presented by electronic communication.

• IT and AgCommunications
  Dave King, Department of Ag Communications, Purdue University

• IT and Extension Programs
  Floyd Davenport, ITCS, University of Illinois

• Farming the Net
  Nathan Watermeier, Extension, Ohio State University

• Distance Learning Programs: MS in Agribusiness
  Ken Moore & Dan Dobill, Distance Learning Program for Masters in Agribusiness, Iowa State University
  

Session 4: Cyberfarm Demonstration at InfoAg

Tuesday 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Stewart Center, Room 314

See description below.

Session 5: IT Strategies for Ag Organizations

Tuesday 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Stewart Center, Room 314

From associations focusing on member services, to industry-wide efforts, this session will look at ag organizations and their strategies for providing services in the electronic age.

• Providing Information to the Ag Industry
  Karol Keppy, Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC)

• Keeping Members Informed Online
  Jean Trobec, Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association (IFCA)

• RAPID, Setting the Stage for IT in the Ag Industry
  Ron Farrell, RAPID, Inc.

• How the Tri-Societies Are Using Electronic Communication
  Tom Hall, American Society of Agronomy (ASA)
  

Session 6: Cyberfarm Demonstration at InfoAg

Tuesday 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Stewart Center, Room 314

See description below.

Session 7: IT Strategies for Farm Business

Wednesday 7:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Stewart Center, Room 314

This session will provide an industry view of internet services and the importance of communications technology in the coming decade. Farmer perspectives on what the technology allows and how it changes their business focus will be paired with industry perspectives on strategies for electronic communities and the importance of information flow in the supply chain.

• Wireless Connectivity: Its Impact on Farm Business
  Doug Harford, Illinois Farmer

• FARMSOURCE.com
  Dave Overton, FARMSOURCE.com

• Branded Production: Identity Preservation Gets Discipline and Detail
  Lynn Clarkson, Clarkson Grain

• Direct Merchandising: How IT Facilitates Farmer Options
  Bill Becker, Kansas Farmer
  

Cyberfarm Demonstration at InfoAg

The Cyberfarm Demonstration will feature how information technology is able to change the way business is done in agriculture. The demonstration will consist of four main topic areas: Agronomy, Learning, Marketing, and E-Commerce. Each topic will be introduced by a farmer with the farmer's perspective of how information technology has affected his opportunity in each area. Each topic will follow an outline of what was possible in the past, what is possible today, and some projections of how information technology will affect what will be possible in the future.

Farmer: The farmer will provide a common thread and focal point for discussion throughout the program. He will act as an MC for the remaining discussion, introducing each topic. The farmer will look at how internet technology helps to cut the distance and isolation associated with rural living by helping to find others will similar problems and interests. This discussion will feature examples of farmer web pages, web pages that farmers use, and communities of farmers who use the internet regularly.

Agronomy: This discussion will focus on finding data, sharing information, and collaborating on farm management decisions. We will look at the evolution of extension publications from paper to screen, to multi-media enhanced publications, to interactive, searchable online resources. This discussion will feature examples from Purdue, Ohio State, Illinois, and other Extension programs as well as information services available through industry.

Learning: This discussion will focus on the use of web based training and other distance learning technologies to fulfill the growing need for continued education in public and private sectors. We will see how web based training projects have grown from simple documents and slide shows, to interactive video conferencing using a variety of readily available tools. We will look at how the web will affect future degree and certification programs such as the Certified Crop Adviser program. This discussion will feature examples from Purdue, Iowa State, CCA programs, and other non-ag sources.

Marketing: This discussion will focus on the use of online resources in the buying and selling of stocks and commodities. We will see how internet use has changed from weather info and time-delayed Board of Trade prices to up-to-date local elevator prices and online trading, to direct merchandising from producer to consumer. This discussion will feature examples from the Chicago Board of Trade, local elevators, food grade contractors, and regional grain facilities.

E-commerce: This discussion will focus on the buying, selling, and delivery of goods and services via the internet. We will look at how consumer trust in security issues has led to the growth and change in e-banking, the emergence of online ag input sales, and the wide spectrum of non-ag goods and services available. Key to this discussion will be how this way of doing business will reshape the business strategies, consumer expectations, and players in the agribusiness marketplace. This discussion will feature examples from Busey Bank, online computer sales, and online ag input sales. 

Organized By
	Potash & Phosphate Institute Potash & Phosphate Institute of Canada		Foundation for Agronomic Research		Purdue University
Sponsors of InfoAg99 AgriNews Publications, Inc * Dealer Progress/PrecisionAg Illustrated * Doane Agricultural Services   ESRI GIS * Farm Chemicals/Ag Consultant * John Deere Precision Farming * United Soybean Board VantagePoint Network
Supporters of InfoAg99              Case Corporation * Growmark * IMC Global Inc. * Mississippi Chemical Corporation * Pioneer Hi-Bred International  Royster-Clark, Inc. * SOILTEQ/Ag-Chem Equipment Co., Inc. * The Andersons, dba, Erny’s Fertilizer USDA-ARS * USDA-NRCS
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