MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 24, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Thanks to the coupling of real-time data collection with accurate position information, farmers can manage intricate production details, such as where each seed is placed to optimize their yields. How will Big Data innovations such as this usher in a new era in American agriculture? IBM Research Scientist Dr. Robin Lougee paints a picture of the possibilities that advanced technology may have in reshaping the ag supply chain at this year's Women in Agribusiness Summit, September 28-30 at the Hyatt Regency in Minneapolis.

Lougee, who is the global research lead for Consumer Goods and Agriculture at IBM, will outline the possibilities across the agriculture value chain based on IBM's cutting-edge research. Her presentation on building stronger, tighter supply chains will address:

• Sequencing the Food Supply Chain: using pioneering scientific and analytic techniques to profile communities of microorganisms anywhere along the farm-to-table process to improve food safety
• Transparent Supply Chain: leveraging predictive and cognitive technologies to manage integrated global operations by exception
• Data-driven Innovations: advancing the art-of-the-possible in precision irrigation, hyper-local weather forecasts, material sciences, drones and geospatial-temporal analytics for agribusiness

Joining Lougee as presenters during the Track 2 Industry Strategy discussions on the second day of the two-and-a-half day Summit, are:

• Beth Robertson-Martin – senior manager of natural and organic sourcing for General Mills – on Organic & Non-GMO Markets: Growing Demand, Growing Challenges
• Janine M. Bruder – senior human resources consultant for Nationwide – on Human Resources: Overcoming Unconscious Bias
• Elizabeth Miller – risk management consultant at INTL FCStone – on Risk Management: Navigating a More Volatile Landscape

In addition to plenary sessions, this fourth annual event also includes skill development workshops, and an executive track that addresses the best way to utilize executive coaching and networking, how and why to create a personal board of directors, and how to shape an organizational culture of innovation and success.

More than 450 attendees are expected at this year's Women in Agribusiness Summit, hosted by HighQuest Group, an industry event tailored to professional women in the ag sector with the mission of developing leaders, increasing industry knowledge and inspiring action. Visit www.womeninag.com for details, and join the conversation @Womeninagri, on Facebook and LinkedIn.

HighQuest Group, headquartered in Danvers, Mass., is a globally recognized strategic consulting, conference and media company serving the agribusiness, grains, oilseed, food and biofuels markets. www.highquestgroup.com 

SOURCE Women in Agribusiness Summit