Analyzing the impact of different nutrient management scenarios on energy efficiency, this reference offers powerful techniques to help farmers produce greater abundance at lower costs. Sections cover manure management; water and nutrient management in relation to energy efficiency and ethanol production; matching crops, landscape positions, and

David Clay is professor of Plant Science at South Dakota State University. His research program aims to develop and test sustainable agricultural management systems that enhance environmental quality and maintain rural economies and self sufficiency.

John Shanahan is an Agronomy Research Manager with Pioneer Hi-Bred International of Johnston, Iowa. He is responsible for developing and disseminating agronomic recommendations that enable farmers to maximize economic returns while improving nutrient and water use efficiency in crop production.

Introduction: scale of the problem, impact of nutrient management on energy efficiency, the relationship between energy efficiency and production efficiency. Calculating energy efficiency. Obtaining critical information. Defining field boundaries. Obtaining digital information, remote sensing, soils, yield monitor data. Manure management. P index relationship to energy and water quality efficiency. P management zones. Manure impacts on carbon, N, and water budgets. Water management. Relationship between water and energy efficiency. Water and nutrient management-irrigation planning. Water and nutrient management for ethanol production. Matching crops, landscape positions, and nutrient management. Landscape planning for improved water use efficiency. Legumes and cover crops. Crop residue harvesting impacts. Nitrogen. Relationship between N and energy efficiency. Real-time management vs. mapped management, Remote sensing- Ground-based sensor technology vs. aerial or satellite imagery. Model-based recommendations. Nutrient removal based recommendation. Delta-yield based N recommend.