ARA Conference Highlights from Keynote & Breakout Speakers

Today ARA concluded its Wednesday sessions during the 2024 ARA Conference & Expo with more than 600 ag retail industry professionals in attendance.

The morning general session keynote speaker and pioneer of artificial intelligence (AI), Ranveer Chandra with Microsoft, offered a groundbreaking exploration of how AI is reshaping agriculture. His presentation highlighted innovative applications and their potential to revolutionize farming practices and drive future industry advancements.

“AI is not just a tool; it’s a catalyst for innovation in agriculture,” says ARA President and CEO Daren Coppock. “Ranveer provided a compelling vision of how technology can enhance productivity, sustainability, and decision-making in ag retail. His expertise and insights are invaluable as we navigate the future of our industry.”

The morning session continued with a captivating AI Application in Ag panel, showcasing the cutting-edge use of AI in today’s ag industry. Moderated by Margy Eckelkamp from Farm Journal, the panel featured Jason Minton with Taranis and Ryan Raguse with Bushel, who unveiled groundbreaking ways AI is transforming both field and office operations.

“As an ag retailer, I understand the constant pressure to stay ahead of the curve,” says ARA Board Vice Chair Dave Spears with Mid-Kansas Cooperative (MKC). “Today’s AI panel provided crucial perspectives on how artificial intelligence is transforming our industry. I’m excited to apply these insights to drive innovation and share this knowledge with my team.”

Later in the afternoon, attendees participated in two breakout sessions. The first, led by ARA’s public policy experts Hunter Carpenter and Richard Gupton, delved into the ramifications of the 2024 election results on the agriculture sector. They also offered an outline of the 2025 ARA policy priorities, which will be finalized by ARA membership early next year, to provide attendees with insights to navigate the upcoming regulatory and legislative landscape.

The second breakout session focused on carbon intensity scoring was led by Mitchell Hora of ContinuumAg. This session illuminated the impact of carbon intensity on the emerging low-carbon markets, providing actionable strategies for measuring and leveraging on-farm carbon footprints on the tails of a big announcement in this space yesterday by the Biden administration.

The afternoon general session featured a fireside chat with former US Ambassador to China, Terry Branstad, moderated by Clinton Griffiths, editor at Farm Journal and host of AgDay TV. The conversation explored how US-China relations affect agricultural markets, focusing on commodity imports and exports.

Today concluded with a networking reception in the Expo for attendees to strengthen and cultivate new business connections.

Learn more about the ARA Conference & Expo on the website or on ARA’s social media.