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MANHATTAN, Kan. – David Mengel, professor of agronomy at Kansas State University, has been elected president-elect of the American Society of Agronomy.

Mengel’s term as president-elect begins Jan. 1, 2013, and he will assume the role of president Jan. 1, 2014.

Mengel said this leadership position is a great honor. His term comes at a special time for the profession of agronomy.

“Agriculture in general, and agronomy in particular, is one of the strongest segments of the economy right now. But along with this comes tremendous pressure to keep advancing and become more efficient in our use of resources,” he said. “I’m looking forward to working with others to make our profession even stronger at all levels. Agronomy is the key to food security, environmental protection, and water quality. Its importance to the national economy and health is greater than ever.”

The American Society of Agronomy is an international scientific society with more than 8,000 members. It is dedicated to advancing the fields of agronomic production, environmental quality, land management and conservation, and climatology and modeling.

Mengel came to K-State in 1998 as Head of Agronomy, and served in that position through 2005, when he transitioned back into a faculty position with research, teaching, and extension responsibilities. He also supervises the Soil Testing Laboratory at K-State. Prior to coming to K-State, he was on the faculty at the Louisiana State University Rice Experiment Station and Purdue University, where he had similar responsibilities to his current position.

Mengel’s accomplishments at K-State have included contributions to the revised phosphorus and potassium fertilizer recommendations; developing fertilizer recommendations for new crops such as cotton, canola, and sesame; developing sensor-based, in-season nitrogen recommendations for wheat and sorghum; and the training of many graduate students.

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K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan.

Story by: Steve Watson
swatson@ksu.edu
K-State Research & Extension News

Dave Mengel is at 785-532-2166