NDSU Extension’s Central Dakota Ag Day to highlight cybersecurity, robotic weeders
The 2025 Central Dakota Ag Day will feature an accomplished lineup of speakers, including a keynote presenter who will address how farmers and ranchers can protect themselves from the increasing threat of cyberattacks.
The event, organized annually by North Dakota State University Extension, will be held on Friday, Dec. 19, at NDSU’s Carrington Research Extension Center (CREC) in Carrington, North Dakota.
Chris Sherman, principal owner and director of operations for Tech Support Farm, will kick off the event with his plenary presentation “Cyber: U.S. Ag’s Next Big Storm.”
Later in the day, Sherman will present a breakout session titled “Riding Out the Storm: How to Improve Your Cybersecurity Posture Today.”
“We’re excited to have Chris addressing the topic of farm cybersecurity at Central Dakota Ag Day,” says Jeff Gale, agriculture and natural resources Extension agent in Foster County. “New agricultural technologies offer many benefits, but they also increase the risk of cybercrime. It’s essential that farmers and ranchers know how to protect themselves.”
In addition to the keynote address, the day-long program also includes concurrent sessions covering three main areas: agronomy, livestock and agricultural life. The topics include the following:
Sulfur and potassium: Are we giving them enough attention?
Soybean disease considerations
Robotic weeding: Concepts and options
Optimizing deployment of fungicides for management of white mold in dry bean and soybean
Wheat weed management and maximizing glufosinate activity
Food preservation basics
Be the help (Mental health resources)
Challenges and benefits of multigenerational farming
Upcoming research in the CREC orchard
What feed tags tell you
How to compare feed tags and what they don’t say
When will the beef cowherd start rebuilding?
Is highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in our cow herd?
Best practices for using manure on crops and pastures
Frayne Olson, NDSU Extension crops economist, will conclude the day’s program with a one-hour general session titled “Discipline and Patience: 2026 Crop Market Outlook.”
The Central Dakota Ag Day will begin with coffee and donuts at 9:30 a.m. Introductions will begin at 9:50 a.m., followed by the keynote presentation at 10 a.m. and sessions afterward.
The Central Dakota Ag Day program is organized by NDSU Extension agents in Barnes, Eddy, Foster, Griggs, Sheridan, Stutsman and Wells counties, as well as staff from the Carrington Research Extension Center.
No registration is required. Lunch will be provided.
Certified crop advisers can receive continuing education units for many of the seminars.
For more information, visit ndsu.ag/CentralAg25.
Direct further questions to Gale at 701-652-2581 or jeff.gale@ndsu.edu.
The CREC is 3.5 miles north of Carrington on U.S. Highway 281.
-North Dakota State University