Science & Technology
2025 Wisconsin Farm Technology Days connect farmers nationwide
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Published in Science and Technology on Wednesday, August 6th 2025 at 7:39 GMT by WBAY🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
The 72nd Wisconsin Farm Technology Days kicked off at Clinton Farms in Bear Creek, teaching people more about agriculture.
Wisconsin Farm Technology Days: A National Showcase for Innovation and Farmer Collaboration
Wisconsin Farm Technology Days (WFTD), a sprawling three-day event held annually in Wisconsin, stands as one of the largest agricultural exhibitions in North America. This year’s iteration, taking place August 6th - 8th, 2025, promises to be no exception, drawing farmers, industry professionals, researchers, and equipment manufacturers from across the nation and beyond. More than just a trade show, WFTD is designed as an immersive experience focused on showcasing cutting-edge agricultural technologies, fostering collaboration between farmers and innovators, and addressing the evolving challenges facing modern agriculture. This year’s event, hosted by Dodge County, centers around the theme of “Precision Ag: Feeding the Future,” highlighting the critical role technology plays in sustainable food production.
The core concept behind WFTD is a unique format that moves away from traditional indoor exhibition halls. Instead, demonstrations and exhibits are spread across multiple working farms, allowing attendees to witness technologies in action within real-world agricultural settings. This practical approach provides invaluable context and allows farmers to evaluate the potential of new tools and techniques firsthand. The Dodge County location features three host farms – Dittmar Family Farms, Schauer Manufacturing, and the Wisconsin Agricultural Experiment Station at Arlington – each offering a distinct perspective on precision agriculture and its application across different scales and farming operations.
Dittmar Family Farms, known for their dairy operation and diversified crop production, will showcase advancements in livestock management, including automated milking systems, nutrient management strategies utilizing soil sensors and variable rate fertilizer application, and drone-based monitoring of pasture health. Attendees can expect to see demonstrations of how data collected from these technologies is integrated into decision-making processes, optimizing efficiency and minimizing environmental impact. The farm’s commitment to sustainable practices will be a central theme throughout their exhibits.
Schauer Manufacturing, a Wisconsin-based company specializing in agricultural machinery and innovative solutions for crop production, provides a significant anchor for the event. Their displays will focus on advanced planting technologies, including precision seeding equipment designed to optimize seed placement and germination rates. They’ll also demonstrate robotic weeding systems, addressing labor shortages and reducing herbicide usage – a growing concern for farmers nationwide. Schauer's involvement underscores the importance of homegrown innovation in driving agricultural progress.
The Wisconsin Agricultural Experiment Station at Arlington, affiliated with the University of Wisconsin-Madison, brings a research-driven perspective to WFTD. This location will feature demonstrations of ongoing research projects focused on soil health, water quality, and crop resilience. Attendees can learn about innovative approaches to cover cropping, no-till farming practices, and the use of biological controls for pest management. The Experiment Station’s presence emphasizes the vital link between scientific discovery and practical application in agriculture.
The “Precision Ag: Feeding the Future” theme permeates all aspects of WFTD 2025. Precision agriculture, at its core, is about using data-driven insights to optimize resource utilization – water, fertilizer, pesticides – while minimizing environmental impact and maximizing yields. This year’s event will delve into various facets of this approach, including:
* Data Acquisition & Analytics: Demonstrations of drones, sensors (soil, weather, plant health), GPS guidance systems, and other technologies used to collect data from fields. Attendees will learn how this data is processed and analyzed to identify areas for improvement. * Variable Rate Application: Showcasing equipment capable of applying inputs – fertilizer, pesticides, seeds – at varying rates based on site-specific needs. This targeted approach reduces waste and improves efficiency. * Robotics & Automation: Exploring the increasing role of robots in tasks such as planting, weeding, harvesting, and livestock management. These technologies address labor shortages and improve operational precision. * Connectivity & Data Management: Examining the infrastructure needed to support precision agriculture – reliable internet access, data storage solutions, and software platforms for managing agricultural information. * Sustainable Practices: Highlighting how precision agriculture can contribute to environmental stewardship through reduced input usage, improved water quality, and enhanced soil health.
Beyond the farm demonstrations, WFTD 2025 will feature a comprehensive program of seminars, workshops, and panel discussions led by industry experts, researchers, and farmers. These sessions will cover a wide range of topics relevant to modern agriculture, including:
* The Future of Dairy Farming: Addressing challenges related to milk production, sustainability, and consumer demand. * Crop Production in a Changing Climate: Exploring strategies for adapting to extreme weather events and ensuring food security. * Soil Health & Carbon Sequestration: Examining the role of agricultural practices in improving soil health and mitigating climate change. * Agricultural Cybersecurity: Raising awareness about the growing threat of cyberattacks on farm operations and providing guidance on protecting data and systems. * The Role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Agriculture: Discussing how AI is being used to optimize crop yields, predict disease outbreaks, and automate farming tasks.
WFTD’s impact extends far beyond Wisconsin's borders. The event serves as a national platform for showcasing innovative technologies and connecting farmers with the resources they need to succeed. Attendees from across the United States – and even internationally – come to learn about best practices, network with peers, and evaluate new equipment. The scale of WFTD is significant; it’s not uncommon for over 100,000 visitors to attend throughout the three days, generating a substantial economic impact for the host county.
This year's focus on precision agriculture reflects the broader trends shaping the future of food production. As populations grow and resources become increasingly scarce, farmers are under pressure to produce more with less – while also minimizing their environmental footprint. WFTD 2025 provides a vital forum for exploring how technology can help meet these challenges, fostering innovation, collaboration, and ultimately, ensuring a sustainable and secure food supply for generations to come. The event’s commitment to practical demonstrations and farmer-centric learning ensures that the latest advancements are accessible and relevant to those who work the land. It's a testament to Wisconsin's leadership role in agricultural innovation and its dedication to supporting farmers nationwide. The emphasis on connectivity is also crucial, recognizing that precision agriculture isn't just about individual technologies but about integrating them into a cohesive system. Farmers need access to reliable internet infrastructure and user-friendly software platforms to effectively manage the data generated by these tools. WFTD 2025 will address this critical aspect of precision agriculture, highlighting solutions for improving connectivity in rural areas and showcasing innovative data management systems.
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