Dr. Kenneth Sudduth: A Giant Pioneering Precision Agriculture.

Dr. Ken Sudduth is nationally and internationally recognized for his precision agriculture research and leadership, especially in the areas of soil sensing and assessment of spatial variability for site-specific management. His many noteworthy contributions include novel techniques and methodology for the application of near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy and soil electrical conductivity for estimation of important, spatially-varying soil properties and soil profile characteristics. His NIR research led to a patented, rugged, on-the-go NIR soil sensor. Further, Dr. Sudduth led development of a new soil strength sensor, an automated penetrometer system for collecting soil compaction data, and systems that accurately measure and control fertilizer and chemical inputs. Dr. Sudduth’s team developed the “Yield Editor” software, a tool to remove errors from grain yield maps, which has been downloaded over 10,000 times. He has contributed to advanced methods for interpretation of spatial data using nonparametric statistical techniques and artificial neural network algorithms and to methods and computer software to define within-field management zones and relate those zones to yield variation. Through his pioneering research and his innovative engineering solutions, Dr. Sudduth has provided local, national, and international leadership in emerging technologies and made critical advancements toward achieving the profitability and conservation goals of the precision agriculture community.