• Presents current research and future direction in the field of agricultural system modeling
• Provides guidance on the use of models to improve agricultural management decisions and technology transfer to farmers and ranchers
• Proposes an international modular modeling computer framework to assist agricultural system scientists with building problem-specific models in the future
• Draws on the expertise of an international panel of agricultural system scientists

Agricultural System Models in Field Research and Technology Transfer presents the latest advances in the use of various computer models in agricultural management systems.

This authoritative reference provides guidance on the use of models in field research, decision support, precision farming, and technology transfer to farmers and ranchers. Derived from an international symposium co-sponsored by the American Society of Agronomy, the Soil Science Society of America, and the USDA's Agricultural Research Service, it analyzes current system model applications for the modeling of natural resources, crop production, grazing lands, and animal production systems.

Leading international agricultural system scientists present their experiences and provide guidance on how models can be used to enhance the quality of field research, transfer of research information and technology to farmers and ranchers, and decision support for agricultural management. They provide an expert review of the existing problems and possible solutions to improve future applications. In addition, it explores the possible use of an international modular computer framework to improve current modeling procedures in an effort to develop problem-specific models in the future.

Contents

1. Whole System Integration and Modeling - Essential to Agricultural Science and Technology in the 21st Century
2. Forage-Livestock Models for the Australian Livestock Industry
3. Applications of Cotton Simulation Model, GOSSYM, for Crop Management, Economic and Policy Decisions
4. Experience with On-Farm Applications of GLYCIM/GUICS
5. Benefits of Models in Research and Decision Support: The IBSNAT Experience
6. Decision Support Tools for Improved Resource Management and Agricultural Sustainability
7. An Evaluation of RZWQM, CROPGRO, and CERES-Maize for Responses to Water Stress in the Central Great Plains of the U.S.
8. The Co-evolution of the Agricultural Production Systems Simulator (APSIM) and its use in Australian Dryland Cropping Research and Farm Management Intervention
9. Applications of Crop Growth Models in the Semi-Arid Regions
10. Applications of Models with Different Spatial Scale
11. Modeling Crop Growth and Nitrogen Dynamics for Advisory Purposes Regarding Spatial Variability
12. Addressing Spatial Variability in Crop Model Applications
13. Topographic Analysis, Scaling, and Models to Evaluate Spatial/Temporal Variability of Landscape Processes and Management
14. Parameterization of Agricultural System Models: Current Approaches and Future Needs
15. The Object Modeling System
16. Future Research to Fill Knowledge Gaps

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