FIRA USA presents ag robotic solutions and demos

After the successful first edition of FIRA USA in Fresno last year, 2,000 participants and ag leaders will gather at the Salinas Sports Complex from Sep. 19-21 for a global event on ag robotic solutions in action, including in-field demos.

Confirmed participants

Production side

• Grimmway Farms
• Duda Fresh
• D’Arrigo Brothers

Industry side

• John Deere
• GUSS
• Naïo Technologies
• Bluewhite

Safety, market, investors and tech experts will also join the discussions.

Demos

This event offers a large in-field demo of ag robots. From weed control to picking and harvesting robots, FIRA USA will be a place to obtain the latest advances in terms of automation for farming.

With over 20 demos and 35 robots on display, manufacturers from all around the world will showcase their solutions to tackle the labor and environmental challenges faced by farmers today.

Agenda

FIRA USA is delighted to welcome VIPs on stage: CDFA Secretary Karen Ross, California State Senator John Laird and UC Agriculture and Natural Resources VP Glenda Humiston.

High-profile panel discussions and speakers on the latest developments in robotics will also be a key feature of FIRA USA 2023. A range of panelists will share unique perspectives on agricultural robotics.

Wednesday, Sep. 20

8:30 a.m.| Ag Robots: How do you know when robots are ready to start working in your fields?

• Andrew HOLTZ, Director of Mechanized Equipment Development, D’Arrigo Brothers of California
• Rob TRICE, Founding Partner, The Mixing Bowl
• Todd FITCHETTE, Associate Editor, Farm Progress

9:35 a.m. | Things you should know before you decide to buy an AgTech automation solution

• Bartley WALKER, President, Pacific Ag Rental
• Josh ROBERTS, President, Triangle Farms
• Chrissy WOZNIAK, Founder, North American Ag

1:00 p.m. | Automation: Does safety meet regulation’s expectations?

• Christina SHUPE, Executive Officer, Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board
• Jay SEIDEL, President, AUVSI California Chapter
• Ben ALFI, CEO & Co-Funder, Bluewhite
• Nick TINDALL, Regulatory Affairs, Association of Equipment Manufacturers

1:50 p.m. | Data Rush, the new Gold Rush?

• Jackson JEFFRIES, Sales Lead, US & EMEA, Leaf Agriculture
• Zack Shelly, Partner, Kingman Ag
• Vasanth GANESAN, Partner, McKinsey & Company

Thursday, Sep. 21

8:30 a.m. | Manufacturing and distributing together to scale up

• Sean SUNDBERG, Division Sales Manager, John Deere
• Gary THOMPSON, COO, GUSS Automation
• Gaëtan SEVERAC, Co-founder, Naïo Technologies
• Danny ROYER, Co-founder, Growers Insight

9:20 a.m. | How can robot convert farmers’ instincts into data?

• Jeff MORISSON, Director of innovation & new technology, Grimmway Farms
• Arthur CHOW, Investment team, S2G Ventures

For more information and to register, visit fira-usa.com.

About GOFAR

The GOFAR non-profit organization promotes and develops the agricultural robotics sector at international level.

About Western Growers

Founded in 1926, Western Growers represents local and regional family farmers growing fresh produce in Arizona, California, Colorado and New Mexico. Its members and workers provide over half the nation’s fresh fruits, vegetables and tree nuts, including nearly half of America’s fresh organic produce.

About The Vine, UC ANR

The VINE, an initiative of University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources, is California’s agriculture, food and biotech innovation network. Its mission is to harness the power of open innovation to help industries and entrepreneurs grow and scale globally while catalyzing technology innovation and commercialization for productive, sustainable, and equitable food systems.