Staff Writer
At a time when fuel prices are a concern for everyone, an agricultural engineer from Pennsylvania State will discuss the optimal use of energy in agriculture during the annual Maine Potato Conference. The two-day session will be held today (Jan. 23) and Thursday, Jan. 24, beginning at 8:30 a.m., at the Caribou Inn and Convention Center. Penn State’s Dr. Dennis E. Buffington’s talks are expected to have relevance to today’s farmers.
During the conference’s planning session, energy prices were a concern to growers, according to Dr. Steve Johnson of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Service in Presque Isle. Buffington spoke in December at an industry gathering in Bangor regarding energy efficiency on the farm.
Buffington is involved in research on exploring and developing strategies for optimizing energy usage to increase profitability and cash flow of agricultural production and food processing.
Buffington is scheduled to speak at 2 p.m. today on improving energy efficiency in agriculture and at 3:50 p.m. on alternative energy sources.
Buffington earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agricultural engineering from Penn State. The University of Minnesota awarded his doctorate in agricultural engineering.
In addition to research and working with the Extension Service, he teaches biological systems engineering, energy management systems and introduction to engineering. He also teaches biological systems management annually at Moscow State University in Russia.
Among the other conference presentations is David Fraser, vice president of industry communications and policy for the U.S. Potato Board, who will talk about marketing the future aligned with consumer needs. The agricultural manager for McCain Foods USA, Eric Ritchie, will talk about processing potato production in China, while Scott Kinney, regional manager for Farm Credit of Maine will discuss the economics of the national resource industries in Maine.
The results of the tests on the 2007 crop in Florida also will be presented.
In addition, several research scientists from the Cooperative Extension Service and other industry officials will be among the 30 or so other speakers during the two-day conference. Presentations will include the latest research affecting the Maine potato industry, such as genetically modified crops, storage monitoring, late blight and pest management control.
Registration for the conference is $7 per day or $14 for both days. Registration also provides entrance to the trade fair sponsored by the Young Farmer Organization, where more than two dozen exhibitors will have display booths with the latest in storage technology, agricultural chemistry, marketing and crop insurance.
Credits for those holding a valid pesticide applicator license or CCA license will be available. A complete conference schedule is available by clicking on the winter potato conference link at www.umaine.ed.umext/potatoprogram.
