2025 AI in Kanas Ag Conference recap

The inaugural AI in Kansas Ag Conference took place July 22 at The Ranch House in Lyndon, Kansas.

Co-hosted by K-State Extension and K-State's Institute for Digital Agriculture and Advanced Analytics, the conference drew approximately 200 veteran producers, industry tech leaders, university researchers, graduate students, state lawmakers and early-career farmers from across Kansas and beyond to explore how artificial intelligence is influencing the way farmers grow food and manage their land. Check out the news story of last year's event.

“I really loved (the conference) overall and it was a great introduction into Kansas agriculture and how front of mind technology is for producers," a conference participant said in a survey following the conference. "I appreciated that there was a wide variety of opinions.”

Conference program

The 2025 AI in Kansas Ag Conference drew an impressive crowd July 22 in Lyndon, Kansas.

2025 speakers and topics

The AI in Ag Conference included several panel discussions on the latest AI technology.

Opening remarks

  • Rod Schaub, Kansas State Research and Extension Frontier District agent
  • Susan Metzger, director of strategic interdisciplinary program development, Kansas State University
  • Marshall Stewart, executive vice president for external engagement and chief of staff, Kansas State University

Historical Account of Ag Technology in Last 10 Years to Modern Robotics

  • Ajay Sharda, professor of biological and agricultural engineering, Kansas State University
  • Chase Milem, product innovation manager, John Deere
  • Ron Ohlde, Ohlde Farms Inc.
  • Brian McCornack, professor and head of entomology, Kansas State University, moderator

AI and Its Trustability

  • Jacqueline Aenlle, assistant professor of agricultural and natural resources communications, Kansas State University
  • LeAnna Guerin, director, data science hub, Bayer Crop Science
  • Bart Peintner, CEO, Elemental Agronomy Robotics
  • Tim Brhel, business development specialist, RealmFive
  • Ajay Sharda, professor of biological and agricultural engineering, Kansas State University (moderator)

Cost-Benefit Analysis of Precision Ag Tools: Are They Worth the Investment?

  • Brady Brewer, associate professor of agricultural economics, Kansas State University
  • Bret Henderson, financial officer, Frontier Farm Credit
  • Chase Larson, CEO, Vandwater
  • Lance Rezac, Rezac Farms
  • Micah Cameron-Harp, assistant professor of agricultural economics, Kansas State University (moderator)

Revolutionizing Livestock Farming with Virtual Fencing Using Advanced Technology

  • Jaymelynn Farney, associate professor and extension specialist in animal sciences and industry, Kansas State University
  • Daniel Mushrush, Mushrush Ranches, LLC
  • Yijie Xiong, assistant professor and precision livestock management extension specialist, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  • Margaret Chamas, livestock viability manager, Practical Farmers of Iowa
  • Susan Metzger, director of strategic interdisciplinary program development, Kansas State University (moderator)

Spray Drone in Pasture Management (outside session demonstration)

  • Deepak Joshi, assistant professor and extension specialist in precision agriculture, Kansas State University AI in Agriculture drone session
  • Wade Newland, owner, Newland Ag Drones
  • Lukas Koch, CEO, Kelly Hills Unmanned Systems

2025 sponsors

  • Anderson County Conservation District
  • Brummel Farm Service
  • Citizens State Bank
  • East Kansas Agri-Energy, LLC
  • Ethos
  • Flint Hills Bank dba Bank of Burlingame
  • Flint Hills Bank dba Bank of Osage City
  • Flint Hills Beverages
  • Great Plains Precision Agriculture
  • Goppert State Service Bank
  • Greenfield Robotics
  • KanEquip
  • Kansas State Bank
  • Newland Ag Drones, LLC
  • Nofence
  • OakStar Bank
  • Osage County Economic Development
  • Ottawa Cooperative Association
  • PepsiCo Topeka
  • Premier Crop Systems
  • RealmFive
  • The Kansas State Bank
  • VandWater