Entira, Inc., an agricultural marketing and management firm, with support from the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), is pleased to announce a conference that will showcase the on-farm uses of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Applications and opportunities for this technology will be the focus at the “Delta AgTech Symposium: Advancing UAVs in Agriculture,” which will be held July 7-8, 2014, at Agricenter International in Memphis, Tenn.

The Delta AgTech Symposium will bring together crop consultants, agronomists, farmers, and the businesses who serve them, along with UAV manufacturers and researchers, to collectively explore how this technology can be integrated into farming practices. The two-day event will include demonstrations of the aircraft, speakers, and a trade show for organizations to share their knowledge and solutions.

“Agriculture is expected to be the predominant user of these specialized aircraft when the FAA finalizes regulations for commercial use. Now is the time for agribusinesses and farmers to learn more and consider the important role this technology will play on farms in the near future,” says Mike Karst, Entira senior partner. According to a report from AUVSI, it is estimated that agriculture will account for 80 percent of all UAV commercial usage, with public safety use coming in at a distant second. More of UAVs’ potential role in agriculture is discussed on Entira’s news page.

AUVSI Executive Vice President Gretchen West explains, “Our mission is to help create efficiencies for a variety of industries using unmanned and robotic technologies. Unmanned aircraft are a well-suited technology to allow the farming community to collect reliable information in a safe and efficient manner and can help the future of farming.”

“Our Entira team is committed to helping agribusiness companies integrate this technology into their business plans and educate farmers on incorporating these cutting-edge tools into their farm management strategies,” Karst says. “We are excited to host this event and to help initiate productive partnerships between ag businesses and UAV technology providers, which will advance this emerging opportunity for agriculture.”

A schedule of demonstrations and presentations, as well as registration information will be available soon on the Delta AgTech Symposium web site. Companies interested in sponsorship or exhibit details should contact Kelli Polatty at kpolatty@entira.net.