BROOKINGS, S.D. — The South Dakota Corn Utilization Council (SDCUC) bestowed upon Dr. David Clay the newly established position of South Dakota Corn Endowed Chair in Precision Agriculture. The investiture was held on the Brookings campus of South Dakota State University (SDSU) in the new Raven Precision Agriculture Center on Saturday, February 12, 2022.

With over 30 years dedicated to advancing knowledge related to precision agriculture and soil health at South Dakota State University, Dr. Clay has trained more than 2,000 undergraduate students and over 50 graduate students, in addition to earning industry accolades throughout his impressive career.

During the ceremony, he shared that his students are making a positive impact on agriculture within South Dakota, surrounding states, and even globally. “My goal with the endowment that South Dakota Corn has so generously provided is to empower precision farming to reach new heights and use the funds to attract the hardest-working students that we can,” said Dr. Clay.

Precision-ag practices help move the agricultural industry forward to benefit both urban and rural communities, including corn growers and their families, now and for future generations.

Mike Jaspers spoke on behalf of the SDCUC. “Our state’s corn farmers never had a doubt that SDSU is the right place for the nation’s first four-year degree program in precision agriculture,” said Jaspers. “Ask anyone who has invested their life’s work in production agriculture in the western corn belt and you will quickly learn why precision technologies are not only needed here, but also embraced here, and at higher utilization rates than anywhere else.”

“The SDCUC was proud to stand among many in our industry to assist with this wonderful Raven Precision Agriculture Center. And once again today, we are proud to support the people, the human capital, who will guide and lead the efforts in future technologies that will serve our state, region, nation, and the world, through this newly established position.”

Dr. Clay joins Dr. John Killefer, current holder of the endowed dean position in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences, and SDSU President Barry Dunn, former holder of the endowed dean position, in achieving this distinct academic honor.

“Thank you, South Dakota Corn Utilization Council, for your partnership with our university, your support in the vision of precision agriculture, and your investment in the future of agriculture,” said President Dunn.

About SDCUC: The South Dakota Corn Utilization Council is responsible for the collection and administration of a one-cent-per-bushel corn check-off program. Money raised through that program funds research and development of new uses and markets for corn and corn byproducts that benefit South Dakota economically and environmentally.

— SDCUC