Crop management models for decision support and automated optimization

A model provides information and expertise that growers can use if packaged as a management tool that is easy to use and increases profitability. Such tools can be simple, such as a ruler, or complex, such as large-scale decision support software. The latter are difficult to sustain due to the high costs of support, coupled with a relatively small user-base. Model-based tools need to be simple and easy to use in order for growers to use them long term.