Precision Agriculture Minor

Program Coordinator/Contact

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

David Wright, Department Head
Department of Agronomy, Horticulture, and Plant Science
Berg Agricultural Hall 244, Box 2207
605-688-5123
E-mail:  david.wright@sdstate.edu
www.sdstate.edu/plant-science
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

Graduates with a minor in Precision Agriculture will:

• be able to interpret data from farming and land use decisions and apply spatial statistics to make site specific management recommendations.
• understand the relationship of soil characteristics and soil classification to land use interpretations.
• be able to graphically represent the factors that influence crop productivity in a way that facilitates analysis and management of agricultural operations.
• 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.
• demonstrate the use of automatic controls for variable rate application and troubleshoot the communication networks for precision agriculture equipment.
• understand the operating principles of the electronic equipment used in precision agriculture and be able to diagnose, troubleshoot, and repair common equipment malfunctions.
• 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.