Precision Agriculture Series - Erie County
Event Details
Date
February 19, 2020
March 4, 2020
March 25, 2020
Time
1:00 - 3:00 PM
Location
CCE Erie County, Dard Hunter Hall, 2nd floor
21 S Grove St
East Aurora, NY 14052
Cost
FREE!
Host
Cornell Vegetable ProgramAli Nafchi
585-313-6197
email Ali Nafchi

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED but has not yet been rescheduled. If you have any questions, please contact Ali Nafchi at 585-313-6197.
Join Cornell Cooperative Extension to learn what precision agriculture entails, the economics of using precision ag, and the preferred methodology and benefits. This free, 3-day event series is being organized by CCE Erie County with assistance from Dr. Ali Nafchi, Precision Ag Specialist of the CCE Cornell Vegetable Program and CCE NWNY Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops team. Topics for each day will be determined by the audience interests and questions.
Precision Agriculture (Introduction)
- Why should producers be interested in precision agriculture?
- Goals, key factors, information, technology, management
Components of Precision Agriculture Equipment
- Key components, equipment, computer/controllers, sensors, GIS, GPS, remote sensing, satellite imagery, UAV's
Agricultural management philosophy (PA perspective)
- What is zone management?
- Best management practices
- Soil and tillage management
Soil electrical conductivity (EC) and ways to measure it
Precision soil sampling vs. grid sampling
- Soil EC: Veris vs. EM38, EC vs. soil texture, and EC vs. yield map
Site specific management/variable rate applications
- Variable depth tillage control, variable seeding rate, automatic section control, variable rate irrigation, and variable irrigation based on soil texture
Map Principles
- Why is map-making important?
- Yield maps vs. prescription maps
- Importance of yield monitors, yield monitoring components, calibration and factors that effect on it
Introduction to NDVI
- Characteristic of NDVI values
- NDVI estimation and photo analysis
Economics of using precision agriculture Preferred methodology and benefits, evaluation
Topics for each day will be determined by the audience interests and questions.
This event is FREE. Registration is required. Register online or call Jolie Hibit at 716-652-5400 x176.

Upcoming Events
2026 NYS Processing Vegetable Educational Meeting
March 16, 2026
Batavia, NY
Processing vegetable industry members who grow, manage, or support crop production for Farm Fresh First/Nortera Foods, Seneca Foods and/or Love Beets, are encouraged to sign-up for the 2026 NYS Processing Vegetable Industry Meeting! You will:
- Network at this in-person meeting.
- Learn the results of industry-funded research.
- Have a voice in Cornell research and Extension.
DEC recertification credits available: 2.0 in categories 1a, 10, and 23.
2.0 Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) credits available.
Virtual Asparagus School
March 17, 2026
Join us to dive deep on growing asparagus! Bringing together experts from the Cornell Vegetable Program, Michigan State University, OMAFA (Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Agribusiness), and industry, featuring a panel of growers.
Postharvest Water Management, Sanitation, and Traceability Workshop
March 18, 2026
Albion, NY
Cornell University personnel from the National GAPs Program and the Produce Safety Alliance are presenting a workshop on postharvest water management, sanitation, and traceability. This workshop will include a mix of short talks and hands-on activities to provide attendees with applied experience with sanitation, postharvest water, and traceability topics.
2.75 NYSDEC CEU's in categories 10, 1a, and 23 available.