The latest developments in modern farming technology will be demonstrated for the public during "AgTech '96" Friday and Saturday, June 21-22, at the University of California, Davis. Identical programs will be run each day. Held this year for the first time, AgTech '96 is designed to focus attention on technological developments in an entire commodity area. While this year's theme is vegetable crops, future events are planned to cover trees and vines, agronomic crops and animal agriculture. "This is an ideal opportunity for farmers, equipment dealers, agricultural consultants and people who are simply intrigued with agriculture to come out and take a look at how farming can be done as we head into a new millennium," said Ron Voss, director of the Vegetable Research and Information Center at UC Davis. "We'll be showcasing technologies that will help farmers fine-tune their productivity as well as their stewardship of natural resources. "A number of the demonstrations will be of interest to the general public and students, as well as to people who are interested in applications of robotics, electronic information systems, simplified biotechnology and food production." Demonstrations will be held on a 20-acre experimental field for a variety of new technologies including robotic thinning and cultivating, precision planting and spraying, micro-irrigation and satellite-monitoring systems. Computer-based technologies and biotechnology developments will be demonstrated in nearby classrooms. Some of the new technological developments are available commercially, while others have just come out of university laboratories. Those attending the event can earn up to nine hours of Pest Control Advisor credits or 24 Crop Consultant Advisor credits. AgTech '96 will be held 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, with adults admitted for $5, and anyone under 18 years attending free. Parking will cost $2 per car in Lots 53 and 54, east of Highway 113 near Hutchison Drive. Shuttles will be provided to take visitors from the parking lots to campus sites. AgTech '96 is hosted by the UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, the UC Vegetable Research and Information Center, the UC Western Center for Agricultural Equipment, UC Cooperative Extension, Far West Equipment Dealers and industry representatives.