��ר�� hosts national CAST conference, CEO ‘impressed’ with university’s ag programs

STARKVILLE, Miss.—��ר�� opened its labs, fields and research facilities to leaders across the nation in agricultural science and technology this week for the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology, or CAST, annual conference.

Attendees got a firsthand look at autonomous tractors, Unmanned Aircraft Systems in action and advanced manufacturing systems at ��ר��’s Agricultural Autonomy Institute, Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems and R.R. Foil Plant Science Research Center.

(Video by Mary Kathryn Kight and Ella Gammill)

“What impresses me most about ��ר�� 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,” said 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 ��ר�� is having a massive influence on the future of ag science and technology.”

The three-day event highlighted ��ר��’s strength in agricultural engineering and autonomous systems and brought together leaders from nonprofits, academia and private industry.

Alex Thomasson, CAST’s past president and director of ��ר��’s Agricultural Autonomy Institute, said the conference gave attendees a chance to see agricultural engineering alongside the traditional biological and agronomic research.

“Mississippi—we’re a small state, but we rank close to the top 10 in ag research,” said 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 developing technology that addresses challenges farmers face. This includes spray drones that can reach irregular fields along tree lines and fences where traditional equipment can’t operate, and autonomous tractors that Thomasson predicts will become standard in farming operations. ��ר��’s AAI is the nation’s first and only interdisciplinary research center focused on autonomous technologies to enhance on-farm precision and efficiency.

Group photo from the CAST conference — The CAST conference kicked off Monday night [Oct. 27] with a keynote presentation and panel discussion at The Mill. (Photo by Mary Kathryn Kight)

Unique to the conference this year was an opportunity for graduate students to present their research to CAST members. The event awarded scholarships for the poster competition, 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,” said Kaylee Kleitsch, a master’s student at Iowa State University and CAST program and engagement manager.

Abhishek Panchadi, a graduate student in ��ר��’s Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, presented his research on remote sensing and soil health.

“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 said.

Networking matters more than ever as the agricultural industry prepares for leadership transitions, according to 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 said. “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 ��ר�� research facilities and agricultural operations, attendees also toured a local catfish farm and processing plant and cotton gin, showing how ��ר�� research translates into practical applications for the state’s farmers.

“When an organization like Mississippi State is part of CAST, it has representation in our organization,” Boomsma said. “Experts from ��ר�� help provide science-based information to policymakers and industry leaders on the future of agricultural science and technology.”

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