Practical Mathematics for Precision Farming

As the public and producers becomes more aware of the environmental and economic benefits of precision farming, there has been increased demand for quality training to accurately evaluate spatial variability within fields. Practical Mathematics in Precision Farming provides hand-on training and examples for certified crop consultants (CCAs), farmers, crop consultants, and students (both undergraduate and graduate) on how to conduct to conduct and analyze on-farm studies, write simple programs, use precision techniques to scout for pests and collect soil samples, develop management zones, determine the cost of production, assess the environmental consequences of precision techniques, understand soil test results, and develop site-specific nutrient and plant population algorithms. Using real agronomic examples, the reader is taught the crucial task of managing products and inputs for application at the right rate, place, and time.

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 (starting 2018). 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. 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.

Dr. Sharon A. Clay is a distinguished professor of weed science at South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD. She received a BS in horticulture from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, an MS in plant science from the University of Idaho, Moscow, and a PhD in agronomy from the University of Minnesota, St. Paul. She has conducted weed management studies in cropping systems including soybean, corn, wheat, barley, fl ax, sunfl ower and safflower and rangeland. Studies have included weed physiology, the infl uence of weeds on crop growth and genomic responses, and site-specific weed management strategies. Dr. Clay has published over 150 scientifi c articles and has served as editor on several books and on the editorial boards for Agronomy Journal and Weed Science. In addition, she has been co-author of three Weed Science Best Papers of the year. She has also served on numerous national committees and review panels, and has served as president of, the South Dakota Chapters of the honorary societies Sigma Xi and Gamma Sigma Delta. She was elected as ASA fellow in 2009 and served as president of the American Society of Agronomy in 2013. In 2017, she was awarded the Gamma Sigma Delta International Distinguished Achievement in Agriculture award.

Dr. Stephanie A. Bruggeman is an Assistant Professor of Crop Production at South Dakota State University (October 2017) and has teaching and research responsibilities. She received her B.S. in Microbiology, M.S. in Biology in the 1990’s, and completed her PhD in Plant Science (2016) at SDSU in Brookings, SD. She has served as a reviewer for the Agronomy Journal, co-authored a Weed Science Paper of the Year, has published several papers and book chapters, and functioned as grant coordinator for several multi-state and local grants, in addition to managing laboratories for multiple PI’s. She is coordinator for the annual Soy100 informative outreach meeting for soybean producers at SDSU. Dr. Bruggeman comes from a farm background, experience in molecular lab, fi eld work, and equipment repair and maintenance, with recent studies in landscape and stress effects in gene expression in crops and protocol development. Her research focuses on alternative/pulse crops and markets, and utilizing precision agriculture to determine sustainable, feasible methods of maintaining and improving the land and producers' way of life.