August 19, 2024
Mayville State University agribusiness students Kinsey Hanson, Mayville, N.D.; Logan Krueger, Mayville, N.D.; and Justina Carlson, Finley, N.D.; began their summer vacation with an exciting and educational trip to Cancun, Mexico, where they attended the World Buiatrics Congress 2024 held May 20 through 24. The World Buiatrics Congress “brings together experts, leaders and professionals from around the world to discuss and advance the bovine industry.” Students were accompanied by Mayville State University Assistant Professor of Biology Dr. Michael Kjelland, who is co-director of the Mayville State University Agribusiness Club. Dr. Kjelland was a presenter at the conference, as were some of his colleagues.
Their posters and abstracts included the following titles: “A short superovulation protocol using FSH and ECG in Romosinuano cows in a tropical environment,” “First calves born in Mexico from embryos obtained from three-month-old calves using SexedULTRA-4M bearing chromosome X semen,” and “Comparison of the survival of in vitro produced bovine embryos with conventional and SexedULTRA-4M with chromosome X semen to slow-freezing and vitrification.”
At the World Buiatrics Congress, the Mayville State students were able to experience several agribusiness presentations given by experts in the field. Even though the presentations were given in Spanish and Portuguese, simultaneous Artificial Intelligence technology allowed for real-time translation to English via a downloaded app. There was a good turnout, with about 1,300 people attending the conference.
The learning continued beyond the conference for the Mayville State students.
“We were provided with amazing experiences every day,” said Kinsey Hanson. “I cherish each of the memories made and the new people we met at each stop. I learned so much, but the things that stuck with me the most were learning about the different cultures and how that leads to having different styles of agriculture than what normally see around home.”
The experiences of this trip will no doubt impact the careers and futures of the students. Hanson said, “I have now learned how important it is to understand and realize that there are people around the world doing the same things we are, on different levels of course, but the idea is still the same.”
Outside of the conference, the Mayville State students and Dr. Kjelland were able to travel by catamaran to Isla Mujeres to go snorkeling, a highlight of which was seeing a critically endangered Hawksbill sea turtle. Other explorations included experiencing cenotes, a jungle tour using a zipline to see local flora and fauna. Students were also introduced to harvested cacao pods, extracted, and crushed cacao beans, and the taste-testing of regionally grown authentic chocolate.
The group then experienced the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza in Yucatan state of Mexico. A guide explained that the Temple of Kukulcan (one of the New Seven Worders of the World designations) is actually a three-dimensional solar calendar of sorts that determines when to plant crops, specifically 60 days after the sun aligns with it to create light and shadows revealing the plumed serpent deity design.
They enjoyed local Mayan “farm to table” cuisine in that area. In addition, the Mayville State contingent was fortunate to have been invited, along with two other professors and students, to visit a ranch in the Yucatan state of Mexico. The Gran Reto Ranch specializes in Simbrah cattle production. They discussed the recent drought situation and the effects it is having on the ranch operation. Notably, this ranch and the vast majority of farms and ranches in Mexico do not have crop insurance.
“This was a great educational opportunity, where the students participated in experiential learning while having a wonderful time,” said Dr. Kjelland. “The students are already trying to figure out how the Agribusiness Club could raise the funds to attend the next World Buiatrics Congress in 2026.”
One of the Mayville State students summed it up well. “We never thought we could learn so much in six days, but it didn’t even feel like learning. We truly felt blessed to have been given this opportunity.”
The students were able to attend this year’s Congress through funding provided by a Postsecondary Students in Agriculture Grant provided by the North Dakota FFA Foundation. Funds were generated by the Star Partner Program. Another local sponsor, Conservation, Genetics & Biotech, LLC, also contributed.
Mayville State University students interested in agriculture are invited to attend the meetings and participate in the Agribusiness Club. To get involved, email Dr. Kjelland, director of the Mayville State Agribusiness Program at michael.kjelland@mayvillestate.edu or Jeff Hovde, coordinator of the Mayville State Agribusiness Program, at jeffrey.hovde@mayvillestate.edu.
The Agribusiness Program at Mayville State University now offers a variety of courses on campus and online. Check out the program at www.mayvillestate.edu/agribusiness.
Cutlines for attached photos
Top: Mayville State Agribusiness Club members and their faculty mentor attended the World Buiatrics Congress in Cancun, Mexico in May. Pictured from left to right are Kinsey Hanson, Justine Carlson, Logan Krueger, and Dr. Michael Kjelland.
Middle: Kinsey Hanson explored the local flora and fauna via zipline.
Bottom: Mayville State group at Chichen Itza, named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007. Pictured from left to right are Logan Krueger, Dr. Michael Kjelland, Kinsey Hanson, and Justine Carlson.