Precision Agriculture Minor

Program Coordinator/Contact
Van Kelley, Department Head
Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
SAE 105, Box 2120
605-688-5666
E-mail: van.kelley@sdstate.edu
www.sdstate.edu/abe
Click here for additional information. 

Program Information
The minor in Precision Agriculture is designed for students pursuing careers with agricultural equipment manufacturers, agricultural equipment dealerships, agronomic service providers, production agriculture, and companies working with the management and analysis of agricultural data. The minor will provide students with skill sets needed to provide troubleshooting and support of sophisticated agricultural equipment systems and the decision making skills needed to analyze large amounts of data to determine the precise inputs needed for maximum crop production through data analysis.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Students will be able to interpret data from farming and land use decisions and apply spatial statistics to make site specific management recommendations.
• Students will understand the relationship of soil characteristics and soil classification to land use interpretations.
• Students will be able to graphically represent the factors that influence crop productivity in a way that facilitates analysis and management of agricultural operations.
• Students will understand the principles of operation of global positioning systems, agricultural receivers, displays, guidance systems, yield monitors, and the sources of error and correction options to improve accuracy.
• Students will demonstrate the use of automatic controls for variable rate application and troubleshoot the communication networks for precision agriculture equipment.
• Students will understand the operating principles of the electronic equipment used in precision agriculture and be able to diagnose, troubleshoot, and repair common equipment malfunctions.
• Students will demonstrate ability to analyze large amounts of data to maximize both field production and environmental sustainability.

Course Delivery Format
Instruction will occur through a combination of traditional classroom methods, laboratory exercises using current agricultural production technologies and agricultural mapping software.