David E. Clay

David E. Clay is a Professor of Soil Science holding the South Dakota Corn Chair at South Dakota State University, affiliated with the Department of Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science within the College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences. His work bridges precision agriculture with environmental sustainability and economic viability in farming systems.

Education:

• B.S. from the University of Wisconsin (Madison)
• M.S. from the University of Idaho
• Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota

Dr. Clay's research focuses on developing sustainable precision agricultural management systems through conceptual understanding of complex interactions among weeds, crop genetics, soils, topography, water, insects, diseases, and nutrient cycling. His work pioneers remote sensing techniques for carbon storage and stress assessment, precision farming equations, and resilience measurement tools. He employs simulation models, stable isotope tracking, microarray analysis, and detailed field measurements to address critical agricultural challenges.

With over 250 publications including 13 edited books, his scholarly output demonstrates consistent leadership in precision agriculture and soil science. Recent work examines patch-burn grazing impacts on prairie ecosystems and fertilizer program optimization, reflecting his commitment to translating research into practical farming solutions that balance productivity with environmental stewardship.

Awards and Honors:

• Two-time recipient of ASA Precision Agriculture Systems Impact Award (2016, 2013)
• Fellow of the American Society of Agronomy (2007)
• Multiple Paper of the Year awards (2016, 2012)
• SDSU F.O. Butler Award for Excellence in Research (2004)
• USDA-ARS Collaboration Award (2006)
• Excellence in Extension Materials awards (2016, 2010, 2006)

As former editor of the Agronomy Journal and author of influential extension materials like the Midwest Cover Crop Field Guide, Dr. Clay has shaped agricultural education and practice. His editorial leadership across 13 books and numerous publications demonstrates significant knowledge dissemination impact.

Based at the Raven Precision Agriculture Center, his research program actively develops innovative management systems that address multivariate agricultural challenges while maintaining economic viability for rural communities.