Speaking from the Rural Economic Outlook Conference, Oklahoma State University (OSU) Vice President and Dean of the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Dr. Jayson Lusk, delivered an optimistic update on the state of the university in an interview with Farm Director KC Sheperd of the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network.
The conversation began on a high note, with Dr. Lusk confirming that OSU is experiencing record enrollment across the university, including the College of Agriculture. “We’re excited that we have students who want to come and study with us and invest their time,” Lusk told Sheperd, even as he acknowledged the students are currently deep into “feverishly studying for their midterms.”
Prioritizing Wheat Breeding: The $3-for-$1 Return
The discussion quickly moved to a priority issue: the wheat breeding program. Dr. Lusk reiterated the program’s vital economic importance, referencing an analysis Sheperd had discussed with Dr. Dayton Lambert.
“For every dollar that gets invested in our wheat program, there’s a $3 return that accrues to our agricultural producers,” Lusk stressed, making the case for continued investment.
Lusk then provided KC Sheperd with an update on the building initiative: the current facilities date back to the 1940s and are showing their age. OSU is about halfway to its fundraising goal for new facilities, having secured commitments from major producer organizations like the Wheat Commission and Oklahoma Genetics, Inc. He expressed hope for future public-private partnership support to break ground on new construction soon.
Lusk provided a direct call to action to Sheperd’s listeners: “You can find my email address online. That’s just my name, jayson.lusk@okstate.edu… I would be happy to chat with anybody about what we’re doing there.”
Launching the Beef Center of Excellence
KC Sheperd steered the conversation to a newer initiative: the Beef Center of Excellence (BCE), which Lusk described as an investment in human capital for the state’s number one agricultural commodity.
- The Need: Despite OSU maintaining four different beef cow herds and a feed lot, the program needs more faculty and resources to retain its status as a premier institution.
- The Goal: The BCE will focus on research, communication, and extension, and is seeking to recruit endowed chairs to support faculty specializing in areas like Artificial Intelligence and Beef Cattle Economics.
- Progress: The BCE has secured commitments from six individuals and organizations, including the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association, and plans to officially launch and recruit a director once that number reaches between 10 and 20.
The AI Imperative
The conversation concluded with a discussion on the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education, stemming from their attendance at the Rural Economic Outlook Conference.
Dr. Lusk and KC Sheperd discussed the necessity of moving past the fear of students using AI to “cheat on a test.” Lusk emphasized the professional reality that students must be trained to engage successfully in a world complemented by AI.
“AI may not necessarily replace people, but people who have AI skills will replace people who don’t,” Lusk stated. He highlighted the need to train students in using large language models (like ChatGPT) and other technologies like image detection and predictive modeling, summarizing the situation as both an “exciting and scary time” for new technology adoption.
