Dr. Jayson Lusk of OSU Gets Ready for Fall Semester with Increased Enrollment and Important Programs

riculture and Regents Professor in Agricultural Economics, recently shared the excitement with Farm Director KC Sheperd during the OCA convention.

The summer months have been a flurry of activity, with significant youth programs attracting a large number of students to campus. Dr. Lusk mentioned the Field Day event, bringing in around 1,500 students from all over the country to focus on livestock judging. Following this, the 4-H Roundup welcomed several hundred students from across Oklahoma for various competitions and scholarship opportunities. These events mark a crucial transition towards the return to school focus.

Enrollment numbers are looking promising for the College of Agriculture, with an expected increase in the student body. A remarkable aspect of this growth is the influx of out-of-state students. Dr. Lusk clarified that this is not at the expense of in-state students but rather due to the university’s growing reputation. Engaging with students at livestock shows, targeting state FFA officers nationally, and introducing activities on student farms are essential strategies for attracting students without prior agricultural experience. The presence of a new, impressive building on campus has also proven to be an attractive feature for prospective students.

A significant new member of the OSU Agriculture team is Todd Hubbs, who will play a crucial role in the grain market outlook following the retirement of Dr. Kim Anderson in July 2024. Dr. Lusk emphasized the importance of this addition, especially for key commodities like wheat and cattle. Todd Hubbs, with his background in market outlook at the USDA Economic Research Service and previous faculty positions, is seen as a valuable asset to the team in providing vital grain outlooks to producers at field days.

Looking forward to the fall semester, OSU Agriculture will host several field days across the state, focusing on commodities such as cotton and peanuts, in addition to events centered around wheat. These field days, often in collaboration with local producers, aim to showcase different management practices and seed varieties to disseminate valuable knowledge to practitioners.

Beyond the immediate future, OSU Agriculture is actively fundraising for new facilities to support their Wheat Improvement Team and planning for a new Veterinary Teaching Hospital project, significantly boosted by a recent $250 million state investment. Additionally, a new Beef Center of Excellence is in the works, focusing on attracting talent to impact the largest industry in the state in terms of agriculture. Dr. Lusk expressed his enthusiasm for these upcoming initiatives, aiming to make significant progress in the coming year. With a new academic year on the horizon, OSU Agriculture is poised to continue leading in agricultural education, research, and outreach.