Precision Agriculture Basics

With the growing popularity and availability of precision equipment, farmers and producers have access to more data than ever before. With proper implementation, precision agriculture management can improve profitability and sustainability of production. Precision Agriculture Basics is geared at students, crop consultants, farmers, extension workers, and practitioners that are interested in practical applications of site-specific agricultural management. Using a multidisciplinary approach, readers are taught to make data-driven on-farm decisions using the most current knowledge and tools in crop science, agricultural engineering, and geostatistics. Precision Agriculture Basics also features a stunning video glossary including interviews with agronomists on the job and in the field.

Newell R. Kitchen is a Soil Scientist with the Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit of the USDA-Agricultural Research Service in Columbia, MO, and an Adjunct Professor with University of Missouri. Dr. Kitchen earned his B.S. degree from Brigham Young University, M.S. degree from University of Missouri, and Ph.D. degree from Colorado State University. He is internationally recognized for his research in precision agriculture systems, agroecosystem soil and water quality, and nutrient management. Research highlights include relating spatially-measured soil sensor data to soil characteristics and crop productivity, producing tools for delineating within-fi eld management zones, and developing strategies for variablerate N fertilizer application. Kitchen’s research is documented in more than 270 technical publications (110 journal articles and 10 book chapters). He is active in the American Society of Agronomy (ASA), Soil Science Society of America, and the International Society of Precision Agriculture. He served as the 2011 ASA President, guiding the Society into the Section- Community organizational structure.

Dr. David E. Clay received a B.S degree from the University of Wisconsin (Madison), M.S. Degree from the University of Idaho, and Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. Currently, he is Professor of Soil Science at South Dakota State University. He has served on the Editorial Board for the Agronomy Journal in a number of roles including Associate Editor, Technical Editor, and Editor. In addition, he is an Editor or author for 13 books and has published over 250 papers. Dr. Clay's research goal is to develop and test sustainable precision agricultural management systems that enhance environmental quality, maintain rural economies, and improve energy and economic self-suffi ciency. Based on his research, teaching, and service responsibilities he has received a number of awards including two papers that awarded paper of the year, being twice selected for the ASA precision Systems Impact award, being selected twice for the SDSU College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences Outstanding Researcher, editor on three books that were awarded excellence in extension materials greater than 15 papers, selected as a Fellow of the American Society of Agronomy in 2007, being awarded the 2009 PrecisionAG Award of Excellence in Education and research, and being awarded the SDSU F.O. Butler Award for Excellence in Research.

Kent Shannon grew up on a diversified crop and livestock farm northeast of Macon, Missouri and then attended the University of Missouri receiving a BS and MS degree in Agricultural Engineering in 1991 and 1993, respectfully. Kent started his extension career as an Agricultural Engineering Specialist in Northeast Missouri at Kirksville in 1992. He moved into the position of Extension Associate in Ag Engineering in 1998 as Associate Director of the Missouri Precision Agriculture Center. Kent has worked to educate Missouri crop producers and their advisors through on-farm research and providing training and consultation on the use of spatial data analysis software (GIS, Geographic Information System), and GPS (Global Positioning System) software and hardware. He is currently headquartered in the Boone County University of Missouri Extension offi ce and serves as Natural Resource Engineer for the Northeast Region. His current extension education focus continues to be in technology and how it can be utilized in agriculture with a current emphasis on drone technologies.