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Farmers take a closer look at ag tech

Farmers from across Missouri are learning more about tech and ways to improve profitability at the Ag Innovation Showcase.

“If you’re not keeping up, you’re losing out.”

Missouri Soybean Association President Renee Fordyce from Harrison County says there’s always new innovation happening in agriculture.

“Our role at the Farm for Soy Innovation is to make us better, more profitable and create demand for our product.”

Russell Wolf from Moniteau County and Missouri Soybean Association Board member says the technology showcased at the field day is usually two to three years ahead of being released. He says Ag Innovation Field Day introduced him to drones a few years ago.

“If I hear beetles are in soybeans nearby, I can fly my drone around the outside border of my soybean fields and find out how far in they’re feeding. Then, I can go in and spray where it’s needed, not the whole farm.”

There are drones on the agenda for this year’s field day, but focused on seeding cover crops. Farmers are also getting a look at red crown rot and Soybean Cyst Nematode and the latest on agronomic research to prepare them for 2026.