Optimizing Agriculture Across the Landscape

Welcome. I am Gurbir Singh, an Associate Professor and State Extension Specialist at the University of Missouri’s Northern Missouri Research, Extension, and Education Center (NM-REEC).

My work bridges the gap between science and practice, focusing on applied soil science and agronomy, integrated agroecology, and precision ag. technology and hydrology to help producers make informed decisions on highly variable and erodible soils having varing yield potential.

Bridging Science and Practice

My program develops landscape-based, integrated crop, soil, and water management programs tailored to the unique and highly erodible regions of upstate Missouri and the Greater Midwest. Agricultural production faces significant challenges on soils prone to erosion and degradation due to topography, slope, and climate.

In upstate Missouri, only 20–30% of farmland within a field is classified as highly productive, while the remaining 70–80% consists of marginal or low-productivity soils. Research shows that net income on these marginal soils can decline significantly, often caused by waterlogged conditions and poor plant population stands.

My objective is to fill this knowledge gap.

My team and I deliver timely, research-driven information and recommendations for optimizing crop production on these challenging landscapes, benefiting producers, agribusiness professionals, and government agencies.