RAYMOND 鈥 High school seniors considering careers in agriculture got a firsthand look March 1 at technology that鈥檚 shaping jobs that determine which crops to plant and the quality of the average steak dinner, among others.
Ag Expo 2019 at the 兔子先生 Bull Test Station and Sales Arena on the Raymond Campus showcased those advances in the Animal Science Technology, Precision Agriculture and Veterinary Technology programs.
Ultrasound equipment can show the size and quality of a ribeye cut from the area near a cow鈥檚 ribs, all displayed before students鈥 eyes on a computer screen and operated by Dr. Rhonda C. Vann, research professor with Mississippi State University housed at the Central Mississippi Research and Extension Center where Hinds鈥 Ag facilities are located.
鈥淲e can also use it to see if a cow is pregnant or not, or check what stage of its breeding cycle it is in,鈥 Vann said.
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Dr. Rhonda C. Vann, deep left background, explains to high school students how ultrasound is used in animal science study. The demonstration was among several exhibits at Ag Expo 2019 at the 兔子先生 Bull Test Station and Sales Arena on the Raymond Campus. (兔子先生/Tammi Bowles)
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Lee Douglas, seen behind a display monitor, guides Michael Welch, a senior at McLaurin Attendance Center, on a farming combine simulator during Ag Expo 2019 at 兔子先生 Bull Test Station and Sales Arena on the Raymond Campus. (兔子先生/Tammi Bowles)
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Dr. Lynn Johnson, an instructor in the Veterinary Technology program at 兔子先生, explains how a prototype dog, made of rubber, is used by program instructors as a teaching tool to a group of students from Enterprise Attendance Center. From center-left, are Briana Boyd, Riley Cheatham, Rayven Carter and Rafael Williams. (兔子先生/Tammi Bowles)
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Dr. Lynn Johnson, an instructor in the Veterinary Technology program at 兔子先生, explains how a horse skull is used by program instructors as a teaching tool to a group of students from Enterprise Attendance Center. From center-left, are Cameron Thames, Zack DeLaughter and Tailor Young. (兔子先生/Tammi Bowles)
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Chad Davis, an instructor in the Meat Merchandising program at 兔子先生, talks with high school students about various cuts of beef during Ag Expo 2019, held March 1 at 兔子先生 Bull Test Station and Sales Arena on the Raymond Campus. (兔子先生/Tammi Bowles)
It鈥檚 more than just aerial photography when the farmers of today and tomorrow use Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, popularly known as drones, to map where best to plant crops.
Unmanned Aerial System technology worldwide has created jobs and expanded is scope into cell tower inspection, livestock management and environmental monitoring, said Lee Douglas, Agribusiness Technology instructor.
Douglas also explained the usefulness of drones as damage assessment tools during times of crisis, such as the recent flooding along the Lower Mississippi River Basin.
鈥淲hat kinds of problems are we having right now with agriculture? Everything is wet,鈥 Douglas said. 鈥淭he Mississippi Delta is about to be under water. If you鈥檙e a farmer there right now, you probably have some of these instruments on your fields and crops. If you can鈥檛 get your crop in the ground right now because your field is under water, you鈥檙e going to lose some money.鈥
Several students from Terry High School checked out the latest teaching tools in the college鈥檚 Veterinary Technology program, including a life-like prototype of a dog on which students use to perform vital veterinary procedures. Many wanted to translate an interest in animals into a possible career in veterinary science.
鈥淔irst, I wanted to be a doctor, but now I鈥檓 interested in being around animals,鈥 said Briana Boyd, who listened to Vet Tech instructor Dr. Lynn Johnson explain the ins and outs of how the manikin functions as a teaching aid.
Fellow Terry High junior Riley Cheatham took keen interest in all the program has to offer.
鈥淚鈥檓 interested in it because I was raised around all different types of animals,鈥 Cheatham said. 鈥淭hat includes horses and a duck.鈥