About  Simerjeet Virk

Academic Degrees:

• Ph.D., Biological and Agricultural Engineering, University of Georgia (2020)
• M.S., Biosystems Engineering, Auburn University (2013)
• B.Tech., Agricultural Engineering, Punjab Agricultural University (2010)

Academic Appointment:

Simerjeet Virk is an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in the area of Precision Agriculture and Machinery Systems at the University of Georgia. He joined the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences as a faculty member in 2020 with an 80% extension and 20% research appointment. Through his research and extension efforts, he is focused on developing a well-recognized – both nationally and internationally – extension and applied research program in Precision Agriculture at the University of Georgia.    

Research & Extension Work:

Dr. Virk has been actively involved in conducting precision agriculture research since 2010. His research efforts are primarily focused on testing and evaluation of precision ag technology on agricultural equipment and machinery to improve field performance and crop productivity. His areas of expertise and research interests include 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 experiments conducted in the lab as well as both small- and large-scale field studies implemented on the UGA and grower farms. 

Dr. Virk has been involved in the precision agriculture extension work at the University of Georgia since 2016. His extension efforts are focused on advancing the adoption and effective utilization of precision agriculture technologies and data management systems among the growers to improve crop production while maintaining farm profitability. He is responsible for educating, training and assisting county extension agents on various basic and advanced precision agriculture technologies as well as data management tools and techniques to better serve the precision ag needs and technology issues faced by the growers. He provides timely research-based information related to 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 ag work at the University of Georgia with broader audience via Georgia Precision Ag social media outlets.        

In his research and extension program, Dr. Virk works closely with other UGA faculty and extension specialists, USDA-ARS personnel, state commodity commissions, industry specialists, consultants, and many others to support precision agriculture needs in 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.