The global conference will explore opportunities for innovation in agriculture. Image Genomics could revolutionise the way we practice agriculture. A newly created conference series will focus on developments in the application of genomics to improve agriculture. The annual meeting, named AGBT-Ag, co-chaired by Professor John Hickey and Dr Sarah Hearne from the International Maize and Wheat Research Centre (CIMMYT), will address challenges which could be helped through integrating knowledge of genomics – the study of the genetic make-up of organisms – into crop and livestock production. Delegates will gather for the first conference, at a location to be confirmed, in spring 2021. This the third global conference series from the Genome Partnership, organisers of the renowned Advances in Genome Biology and Technology (AGBT) conferences. Sharing ideas Participants at AGBT-Ag will discuss the challenge of how to produce sufficient food on existing land, and the potential of genomics technology to improve sustainability and productivity of agriculture. AGBT-Ag will facilitate the collaboration of the world’s leading genome researchers, data scientists, breeders, policy influencers, funders and technology innovators. The conference launches at perhaps the most exciting time for agriculture in the past 100 years. Agriculture is embarking on its fourth revolution, its digital revolution, which promises to be as impactful as the green revolution of 50 years ago, or the mechanisation of agriculture a century ago. Professor John HickeyCo-chair of AGBT-Ag and Chair of Animal Breeding at the Roslin Institute ** The Roslin Institute receives strategic investment funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and it is part of the University of Edinburgh’s Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies. ** Related links AGBT Future of livestock production in the spotlight £7m award aids farming in challenging landscapes Livestock farms could benefit from genome editing
