(Radio Iowa) – Iowa State University will begin offering the state’s first four-year degree in digital and precision agriculture this fall. I-S-U associate provost Ann Marie VanDerZanden presented the program during the recent Board of Regents meeting, and says it will train students in technology and data analysis.

VanDerZanden says precision ag has come a long way.

VanDerZanden says surveys and discussions with ag equipment manufacturers shows a need for more people who understand the methods. And she says I-S-U students are anxious to get involved.

VanDerZanden says their projections show the program will take off quickly.

Several Iowa community colleges offer an associate degree or certificate in precision agriculture, and VanDerZanden says I-S-U will work with these colleges to develop articulation agreements. Information shows South Dakota State University is the only one in the Midwest that offers a major in precision agriculture, but it does not require the level of specialization that the I-S-U degree will require.