Precision Farming Technology Experts Opine On Intellectual Property Dispute

This case involves an intellectual property dispute between two companies who assist farming operations by using data to help inform soybean production strategies. One company is an established innovator in the precision agriculture industry and the other is a young midwestern tech startup. The patents in question are algorithms dedicated to developing fertilizer recommendations to maximize crop yields. An expert in precision farming technology with a blend of academic and industry experience was sought to opine on this case.

Question(s) For Expert Witness

1. Please describe your background in the field of precision farming technology?

2. Do you have any experience in agricultural consulting, data management, field activity documentation, crop monitoring and yield projection, carbon offset calculation, project development, land assessment, pre-season crop planning, and/or production management services?

Expert Witness Response E-030449

I have an extensive background and considerable expertise in the field of precision farming (aka precision agriculture) technology. In the field of precision farming systems, I have taught courses and offering workshops in precision farming technology and systems and contributed to solutions for local and regional precision farming adoption and implementation issue. More specifically, I have managed and co-managed several interdisciplinary research projects related to precision farming in areas such as variable rate nutrient and pesticide management, spatial data management and analysis, crop modeling and decision support systems, and interpretation of within-field spatial variability (crop yield, soil fertility, terrain, and management factors). I have offered many workshops discussing precision farming and data analysis as well as precision farming implementation at the local level. These workshops have included detailed and in-depth exploration of technologies and methods for crop monitoring and yield mapping, assessment of soil variability, data management, and pest/weed management.