High Tech On The Agenda At Great Lakes Crop Summit

LANSING (WWJ) -- You might not think of an event called the Great Lakes Crop Summit would be much for technology.

But with robots, drones and climate change on the agenda, there's a lot more than you'd think.

The event will be held Jan. 22 and 23 at FireKeepers Casino Hotel outside Battle Creek. Topics in the event will include corn, wheat and soybean production, plant protection, row spacing, soil drainage, irrigation and crop rotation.

But the meeting will also discuss the current and future use of aerial vehicles and robots in agriculture, with Gretchen West, executive vice president of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International.

Experts from Michigan State University and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will provide a greater understanding of bee pollinators and colony collapse disorder as well as new EPA labeling for farms.

Climate change and the uniquely precious water resources the Great Lakes Region holds will be brought to life by Jeff Andresen, Steve Miller and Lyndon Kelley, who bring years of experience on the subjects from MSU.

Discounted room rates at FireKeepers are available with the code 01 21 14 ROOM.

Sponsored by the Corn Marketing Program of Michigan, the Wheat Program and the Soybean Promotion Committee, registration for the two-day conference is $125 by Jan. 8.

The sessions begin at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22 and conclude on Thursday, Jan. 23 at noon.

Complete details and registration information can be found at www.GreatLakesCropSummit.com or by calling Theresa Sisung at (517) 668-2676.