University Minute: Leading the way in precision and digital ag

LINCOLN, Neb. — In this week’s University Minute, University of Nebraska System President Dr. Jeff Gold discusses how the University of Nebraska is serving as a leader in digital and precision agriculture.

Precision agriculture is becoming an increasingly vital part of farming and ranching in Nebraska, and University of Nebraska leaders say the institution is helping producers stay ahead through research, education and outreach.

NU System President Dr. Jeff Gold said precision agriculture is already widely used across the state and will play an even larger role in the future.

“Precision agriculture is here to stay,” Gold said. “It’s going to be an even bigger part of production agriculture in the future, and that’s where the university comes in to work with our farmers and ranchers to be sure that they have cutting-edge technology and are well positioned to continue to increase yield, quality and safety in the ag community.”

Through its colleges of agriculture and extension services, the university supports producers with research and on-the-ground guidance aimed at improving efficiency and sustainability.

Gold said students are also being prepared to lead in the evolving field of digital agriculture. In addition to producing graduates in health care, journalism, business and education, the university is training the next generation of agricultural professionals with the technical knowledge and skills needed for modern farming and ranching.

Looking ahead, Gold said Nebraska’s digital agriculture initiatives are positioned to have influence beyond the state’s borders.

“Our system here at the University of Nebraska, the amount of research discovery that we do, and the way we push that out through extension, is world class,” Gold said. “We already have a place on the major national stage, and I only see that growing.”

Watch more in the video above.