By now "big data" shouldn't be a scary term. It's a loose moniker for all the ways huge amounts of data may be used in the future to help you make decisions. Some systems you use are already using a constant input of thousands of data points to help you make decisions, or in some cases, make decisions on the go in farm operating systems in machines.
Related: Open Ag Data Project Starts At Purdue, Makes National Waves
What still isn't known is what all of this means for legality in the future of agriculture. Who will own the data? Who gets to say how and when it is used, if it is used at all?
John Shoup of the Indiana Ag Law Foundation, an entity set up by Indiana Farm Bureau, says his group is hosting the second annual one-day meeting on big data and its potential impacts on agriculture, particularly in terms of how it may impact legal issues associated with farming.
The program is Aug.14 at the Indiana Farm Bureau Building in Indianapolis. It's officially called the next installment in the 2015 INAgLaw Big Data and technology Series. Cost is $50 if you register by July 31, and $75 per person after that date. You can register for the big data in ag conference online.
"We believe we have an excellent agenda and the stage set for good discussions," Shoup says. "It's definitely a value at $50."
Jay Akridge, Purdue University Dean of Agriculture, will set the tone for the day with an overview of what is happening with Big Data in agriculture today. Data privacy agreements will be another topic, including comments on UAV laws. This session will be presented by an attorney with experience in agriculture.
Related: Group to Promote Open Ag Data Standard
Other topics include discussions on data security and insights from key leaders in agriculture in Indiana. Learn what they think about massive data collection. Some companies return from speaking last year. See if their opinions have changed since the first annual conference.