Well hello to everyone reading this! My name is Tommy Butts, and I am a relatively new Clinical Assistant Professor, Extension Weed Scientist here in Indiana with Purdue University. My position is focused on Site-Specific Weed Management which includes evaluating many of the new technologies currently available and in the pipeline that specifically target weeds within a field. Previously, I was an Associate Professor, Extension Weed Scientist with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, where I focused on weed management in soybeans and rice from 2018-2024. I originally hail from southern Wisconsin where I grew up working on and around small dairy farms.
I completed my Bachelor of Science in Agri-Business at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, Master of Science in Agronomy-Weed Science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Ph.D. in Agronomy-Weed Science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. My research and Extension efforts focus on identifying novel, applied weed management strategies through diversified methods including the use of precision agriculture, application technologies, and digital data in a targeted approach. I emphasize educational efforts to increase herbicide application knowledge, safety, and effectiveness, while reducing off-target movement, both from ground-based and aerial (manned and remotely piloted spray drone) applications. My overall goal here at Purdue is to generate research-supported and effective weed management tools and educational materials to be used by Indiana farmers and in the classroom to address complex weed problems. Weed management is becoming increasingly challenging, and we need new tools for the toolbox with strategies that can be implemented effectively.
Outside of work, I’m also supported by my wife, Liberty, and three little kiddos, Brooker (4), Brinley (3), and Bennett (newborn). We’re all greatly enjoying the Lafayette area, and are happy to call this home. I’m also an avid sports fan (which you’ll see sprinkled in to my Extension presentations), and enjoy spending time in the outdoors.
In addition to introducing myself, I also wanted to ask for your help. Several of us within Purdue are hoping to gather insights into crop weed management, thoughts on future weed control technology (spray drones, laser weeders, live detect and remove machinery, robotics, etc.), and economics regarding current and future weed control strategies.
We would appreciate you taking the time to complete a survey regarding these concepts. The survey includes questions detailing current weed control technologies used in field and horticultural crops, future weed control technologies, and the costs associated with such technologies. We appreciate your feedback and all information will be kept confidential to the extent allowed by applicable State and Federal law. No names, contact information, precise locations, or computer IP addresses will be collected. By completing the survey, you are agreeing to allow the use of your responses for research purposes. If you do not wish to complete the survey, this will not impact your relationship with Purdue University. To opt out of taking the survey, simply do not complete the survey.
If you have questions or concerns about this study, you may contact me, Dr. Thomas (Tommy) Butts, at (765) 494-0598 or buttst@purdue.edu. If you have questions about your rights while taking part in the study or have concerns about the treatment of research participants, contact the Human Research Protection Program at (765) 494-5942, irb@purdue.edu, or Human Research Protection Program – Purdue University Ernest C. Young Hall, Room 1010 155 S. Grant St. West Lafayette, IN 47907-2114. To report anonymously via Purdue’s Hotline see www.purdue.edu/hotline.
Information gathered from the survey will provide direct insights into current weed management practices for field and horticultural crops, awareness of new technologies, and thoughts regarding the feasibility of implementation of these new technologies. This will allow us to better address your weeds-related needs and concerns to prioritize in future Purdue University College of Agriculture research and Extension efforts.
Please follow the link: https://bit.ly/PUWeedTechSurvey to access the survey. It should take approximately 15 minutes to complete.
Thank you for taking the time to read this article and for completing the survey. If you have any questions regarding the survey or weed management issues, please feel free to contact me at any time. I look forward to continue meeting with all of you across the state, and providing assistance wherever I can!
