Each year superintendents at CAFNR’s Agricultural Research Center meet to discuss annual business, plan for upcoming Field Days and work on planning collaborative projects. This year, the group visited research centers operated by University of Southern Mississippi and Mississippi State University.

The group visited the Thad Cochran Marine Aquaculture Center in Biloxi to see aquaculture studies, seatrout restocking efforts and shrimp farming labs. The afternoon included a trip on the Ms. Peetsy B, a tour boat donated by famed musician Jimmy Buffett. The boat ride included a tour of the bayou and estuary. The boat is commonly used as a field trip for school and community groups. The program consists of two 90-minute periods of instruction, one on the water and the other in the classroom.

The next day the group visited the research centers and campus of Mississippi State University in Starkville. Highlights included a visit to the MAFES Store, in which students and researchers make ice cream, spices, sauces and the famous Edam Cheese for sale just steps from the university’s football stadium; information on the college’s UAV research; and tours of the North and South farms in which row crop, beef, dairy and aquaculture studies are performed.

The group toured the Thad Cochran Marine Aquaculture Center on Dec. 2. Stops included overiews of … Expand ▸The group toured the Thad Cochran Marine Aquaculture Center on Dec. 2. Stops included overiews of the aquaculture studies, seatrout restocking efforts and shrimp farming labs.

Juvenile seatrout are grown at the Thad Cochran Marine Center.

CAFNR Dean and MU Vice Chancellor Tom Payne takes photos of fish and other sea animals that were … Expand ▸CAFNR Dean and MU Vice Chancellor Tom Payne takes photos of fish and other sea animals that were pulled up from the estuary. The boat helps catch small sealife as an easy way to share the science with visitors on the boat.

An afternoon ride on the Ms. Peetsy B. included educational opportunities to learn about the … Expand ▸An afternoon ride on the Ms. Peetsy B. included educational opportunities to learn about the estuaries and gulf ecosystem, aquatic life and effects from recent hurricanes.

Racheal Foster-Neal, Office Support Assistant at Forage Systems Research Center, examines a hermit crab aboard the Ms. Peetsy B.

Research Professor Dr. K. Raja Reddy leads the group on a tour of North Farm’s SPAR Units. The … Expand ▸Research Professor Dr. K. Raja Reddy leads the group on a tour of North Farm’s SPAR Units. The chambers can simulate different atmosphere models including predictions of what scientists believe earth will be like in 2050 or 2100. The chambers allow for research on planting dates, drought tolerance and ways to monitor root growth.

Tours of Mississippi State’s North Farm included a demonstration of an UAV. The university has … Expand ▸Tours of Mississippi State’s North Farm included a demonstration of an UAV. The university has long had a certificate from the FAA for aerial research.

A tour of the South Farm’s aquaculture research plots. The center studies catfish, shrimp and restoration efforts.

A tour of the South Farm’s aquaculture research plots. The center studies catfish, shrimp and restoration efforts.

Bronson Strickland, Associate Extension Professor of Wildlife Ecology and Management, talks about … Expand ▸Bronson Strickland, Associate Extension Professor of Wildlife Ecology and Management, talks about the style of pens researchers are using to catch feral hogs. The 40-foot long pens can hold several hogs. Using game cameras researchers can get alerts to their smart phones with live pictures and then signal to close the pen.