Precision conservation is a reality, and we are moving towards improved effectiveness of conservation practices by accounting for temporal and spatial variability within and off field. This is the first book to cover the application of the principles of precision conservation to target conservation practices across fields and watersheds. It has clearly been established that the 21st century will present enormous challenges, from increased yield demands to climate change. Without improved conservation practices it will not be possible to ensure food security and conservation effectiveness. Readers will appreciate the application of the precision conservation concept to increase conservation effectiveness in a variety of contexts, with a focus on recent advances in technology, methods, and improved results. IN PRESS! This book is being published according to the “Just Published” model, with more chapters to be published online as they are completed.
Jorge A. Delgado is an Acting Research Leader at USDA-ARS, Fort Collins, Colorado and Fellow of ASA, SSSA and Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS). Dr. Delgado earned his B.S. degree from the University of Puerto Rico, and his M.S. and Ph.D. from Louisiana State University. He has been Chair of the Editorial Board of the SWCS and Research Editor of the Journal of Soil and Water Conservation since 2001. Among other prestigious awards, Dr. Delgado has received the ASA Werner L. Nelson Award, the ASA Environmental Quality Research Award, the SSSA Soil Science Research Award, the SSSA Soil Science Applied Research Award, the SWCS Hugh Hammond Bennett Award, and international awards from the ASA and SSSA. He is an international leader in nitrogen (N) management and has positively impacted N management and environmental quality by developing and transferring best nitrogen management practices and software tools to users.
Gretchen F. Sassenrath, Ph.D., is an associate professor of agronomy at Kansas State University Southeast Research and Extension Center in Parsons, KS. She received her B.A. from Oberlin College, M.S. from the University of Illinois, and Ph.D. from the University of Illinois in 1988. Dr. Sassenrath worked as a researcher examining farming systems at the USDA Agricultural Research Service Crop Simulation Research Unit in Starkville, MS and then the Application and Production Technology Research Unit in Stoneville, MS. Dr. Sassenrath moved to Kansas State University in 2013, and is conducting research on integrated crop and animal production systems that improve agronomic productivity, enhance soil and water resources, and increase economic return for producers. She has served as chair of the regional project on Water Management in Humid Areas, and the Beltwide Cotton Production Physiology Conference. She currently is an associate editor for the Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, and the vice-chair of the ASA Cover Crop Management community.
Tom Mueller, Ph.D., is an data research agronomist with the Decision Science and Modeling team at the Intelligent Solutions Group John Deere and Company in Urbandale, IA. His work there focuses on data analytics and introducing new technologies into the MyJohnDeere platform. He received his B.S. from Purdue University in 1990, his M.S. at Purdue in 1994, and his Ph.D. at Michigan State University in 1998. Dr. Mueller is currently the leader of the Precision Agriculture community of interest for the American Society of Agronomy, and has served on the editorial boards for the Agronomy Journal, Crop Science, and the Journal of Soil and Water Conservation.
