Precision Ag & Machinery System Program
Simerjeet Virk, Ph.D.
Academic Appointment:
Simerjeet Virk is an Associate Professor and Extension Specialist in Precision Agriculture and Machinery Systems at Auburn University. He joined the Department of Biosystems Engineering as a faculty member in 2024 with a 75% extension and 25% research appointment. Before this, he was an assistant professor and extension specialist at the University of Georgia from 2020 to 2024. Through his research and extension efforts, he leads a highly recognized extension and applied research program in Precision Agriculture and Machinery Systems at Auburn that serves the needs of Alabama growers and other stakeholders in the southeastern US.
Research & Extension Work:
Dr. Virk has been actively conducting precision agriculture research and extension work since 2010. His research efforts are primarily focused on testing and evaluatingprecision ag technology on agricultural equipment and machinery to improve field performance and crop productivity. His areas of expertise and research interests include the development and evaluation of sensors and control systems for planting, dry and liquid application equipment to improve accuracy and placement of crop inputs, variable-rate technology for site-specific management of crop inputs, remote sensing technology including ground and airborne sensors for in-season crop management, yield monitoring and mapping systems to improve accuracy and quality of spatial yield data, and GIS systems for farm data management and analytics for improved crop management decisions. Research efforts include small- and large-scale field studies implemented at Auburn and grower farms.
In his extension role, Dr. Virk works on advancing the adoption and effective utilization of precision agriculture technologies and data management systems among growers to improve crop production while maintaining farm profitability. He is responsible for educating, training, and assisting county extension agents on various precision ag tools and technologies to better serve the precision ag needs and technology issues faced by the growers in the southeast, including Alabama. He provides timely research-based information on precision ag technology utilization and benefits to extension agents and growers through in-service trainings, producer meetings, field days, extension bulletins, newsletters, and other digital media. He also actively shares information, highlights, and activities related to precision agwork at Auburn University with a broader audience via AU Precision Ag social media outlets.
In his research and extension program, Dr. Virk works closely with other AU faculty and extension specialists, USDA-ARS personnel, state commodity boards/commissions, industry specialists, consultants, and many others to support precision agriculture needs for the diverse cropping systems across the Southeastern US. Dr. Virk is keenly interested in collaborative work – aimed at advancing precision technologies in agriculture – with professionals from other national and international institutions.
