Contact: Mary Kathryn Kight
STARKVILLE, Miss.—Mississippi State University opened its labs, fields and analysis services to leaders throughout the nation in agricultural science and know-how this week for the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology, or CAST, annual convention.
Attendees received a firsthand have a look at autonomous tractors, Unmanned Aircraft Systems in motion and superior manufacturing techniques at MSU’s Agricultural Autonomy Institute, Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems and R.R. Foil Plant Science Research Center.
(Video by Mary Kathryn Kight)
“What impresses me most about Mississippi State University and the agricultural programs here is that they seem to be a central piece of this campus and a core piece of the academic curriculum,” mentioned Chris Boomsma, CEO of CAST. “When I come here to Mississippi State, I see that agriculture and technology are front and center, heavily invested in, and consequently, I think MSU is having a massive influence on the future of ag science and technology.”
The three-day occasion highlighted MSU’s power in agricultural engineering and autonomous techniques and introduced collectively leaders from nonprofits, academia and personal trade.
Alex Thomasson, CAST’s previous president and director of MSU’s Agricultural Autonomy Institute, mentioned the convention gave attendees an opportunity to see agricultural engineering alongside the standard organic and agronomic analysis.
“Mississippi—we’re a small state, but we rank close to the top 10 in ag research,” mentioned Thomasson. “We’re in the same class as the best agricultural research institutions in the nation, and our focus on areas like autonomous systems sets us apart.”
The Agricultural Autonomy Institute focuses on growing know-how that addresses challenges farmers face. This consists of spray drones that may attain irregular fields alongside tree traces and fences the place conventional gear can’t function, and autonomous tractors that Thomasson predicts will grow to be customary in farming operations. MSU’s AAI is the nation’s first and solely interdisciplinary analysis middle centered on autonomous applied sciences to boost on-farm precision and effectivity.
Unique to the convention this 12 months was a chance for graduate college students to current their analysis to CAST members. The occasion awarded scholarships for the poster competitors, with first place receiving $1,000, second place $500 and third place $250.
“It’s a great opportunity for students to share their work with professionals but also for those professionals to be inspired by the work the students are doing,” mentioned Kaylee Kleitsch, a grasp’s pupil at Iowa State University and CAST program and engagement supervisor.
Abhishek Panchadi, a graduate pupil in MSU’s Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, introduced his analysis on distant sensing and soil well being.
“Conferences like this give us exposure to what’s going on outside of the university. I’ve met people from industry, nonprofit, policy makers, and it’s all together a great experience for me,” Panchadi mentioned.
Networking issues greater than ever because the agricultural trade prepares for management transitions, in line with Boomsma.
“There’s going to be a gap coming up here soon where a lot of industry leaders are retiring, and we need to have the next generation of leaders preparing to fill those spots,” he mentioned. “Making those connections early, building out those networks, getting people introduced into key organizations early are critical to the future of our industry.”
In addition to MSU analysis services and agricultural operations, attendees additionally toured a neighborhood catfish farm and processing plant and cotton gin, displaying how MSU analysis interprets into sensible purposes for the state’s farmers.
“When an organization like Mississippi State is part of CAST, it has representation in our organization,” Boomsma mentioned. “Experts from MSU help provide science-based information to policymakers and industry leaders on the future of agricultural science and technology.”
Mississippi State University is caring for what issues. Learn extra at www.msstate.edu.