Winners of Robert E. Wagner Award for 2005
wo outstanding scientists spatial statistics, economics, in agronomy and hortiand extension. He is widely culture have been selected known as a highly productive to receive the 2004-2005 Robert scientist who has successfully E. Wagner Award by PPI. The translated his research findings award encourages worldwide into farmer-level application. candidate nominations and has Among other awards and hontwo categories… Senior Scienors, Dr. Westfall is a Fellow of tist and Young Scientist, under the American Society of the age of 45. The recipient in Agronomy (ASA) and Soil SciDr. Westfall estf Dr. D.G. W es tf all each category receives $5,000 ence Society of America. He along with the award plaque. received the Agronomic Dr. Westfall Achievement Award from ASA estfall, Dr. Dwayne G. Westfall in 1987. He is author or co-auProfessor, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Colorado thor of more than 430 publiState University, was named cations and abstracts. Dr. Westfall completed his Ph.D. winner of the Senior Scientist in Soil Science at Washington Award. Dr. Eric H. Simonne, Dr. Horticultural Sciences DepartState University in 1968. ment, University of Florida, Dr. Dr. Simonne leads a research/extension program in receives the Young Scientist the Horticultural Sciences DeAward. Dr. Dr. E.H. Simonne The Robert E. Wagner partment at the University of Award recognizes distinguished contribu- Florida, with focus on the integration of tions to advanced crop yields though maxi- mineral nutrition with irrigation. The goal mum yield research (MYR) and maximum is to maintain the competitiveness of the economic yield (MEY) management. The $1.8 billion Florida vegetable industry award honors Dr. Wagner, President (re- while preserving natural resources, espetired) of PPI, for his many achievements cially water. He has been actively involved and in recognition of his development of in drafting and modifying the best manthe MEY concept…for profitable, efficient agement practices (BMP) manual for vegetables grown in Florida. Dr. Simonne’s exagriculture. Dr. Westfall Dr. Westfall is a well-known leader in tension work has been unique in developresearch and education focused on efficient ing and conducting dye tests to help growplant nutrient management. Throughout ers visualize how their irrigation schedules his career of more than 30 years, he has affect movement of soluble nutrients in the emphasized the goal of MEY for various soil profile. Use of soil moisture measurproduction environments. His work in ing devices by growers has reduced irrigaproper management and fertilization of tion amounts by 15 to 50%, and the onno-till intensive dryland cropping systems farm dye demonstrations are credited with increased annualized grain production by reducing nutrient leaching. Dr. Simonne is 75% and boosted net return by up to 40%. active in the American Society for HortiRecently, Dr. Westfall has helped build cultural Science, and is involved in the rean interdisciplinary, interagency agricul- view and publication process of two interture team that is comprised of 12 scien- national journals that focus on plant nutists and extension specialists, including trition. He earned his Ph.D. degree in Horsoil fertility, entomology, weed science, ticulture at the University of Georgia in plant pathology, irrigation, remote sensing, 1993. BC
Better Crops/Vol. 89 (2005, No. 3)
3
T