UK Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering

Interested in learning more about sensors and controllers, or still looking for course credits this fall? Check out BAE 685: Instrumentation for Engineering Research!

This graduate-level course will give you a theoretical understanding of instrumentation and data acquisition systems, from sensors to controllers. During the lab session, students will work on sensor selection and calibration, basic troubleshooting, modern circuit manufacturing, data acquisition, storage, and control systems.

UK BAE was recognized for excellence at the 2026 ASABE Annual International Meeting!

Faculty, staff, students and alumni earned national honors, presented research and served in leadership roles. Their work spanned water quality, precision agriculture, renewable materials and biological systems engineering.

Read more about this year's awards, presentations and leadership roles: https://bae.mgcafe.uky.edu/articles/uk-bae-recognized-excellence-2026-asabe-annual-international-meeting

Photos courtesy of American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE)

Not subscribed to the Ag Weather Update? This edition includes an important update on the expanding severe weather risk across Central and Eastern Kentucky. Stay weather aware!

1PM Severe Weather Update - July 21, 2026 Email from University of Kentucky 1PM Severe Weather Update - July 21, 2026 Severe Weather Update Updated 7-21-26 at 1 PM Eastern Good afternoon, folks. Just a quick update on today's severe weather s

Congratulations to Dr. Jian Shi and Dr. Tyler Barzee on this incredible achievement!

Dr. Shi has been named a 2026 Bill Gatton Foundation Distinguished Professor, and Dr. Barzee has been named a 2026 Bill Gatton Foundation Early-Career Professor. We're proud to celebrate their well-deserved recognition!

The University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment announces the 2026 class of The Bill Gatton Foundation Professorship recipients.

Through the generosity of The Bill Gatton Foundation’s historic $100 million gift, these faculty awards are designed to support innovative research, teaching, Extension and transdisciplinary collaboration — addressing critical challenges facing agriculture, food systems, environmental stewardship, animal and human health, and community well-being.

"These professorships represent the kind of bold, collaborative thinking that defines our college and our land-grant mission," said Laura Stephenson, vice president for land-grant engagement and dean of Martin-Gatton CAFE. "Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of The Bill Gatton Foundation, the discoveries, partnerships and solutions that emerge from this work will strengthen Kentucky's communities and create lasting benefits across the Commonwealth and beyond."

Learn more about the Bill Gatton Foundation Distinguished Professors: https://bit.ly/4vAYt5h

That's a wrap on the Annual International Meeting! We had a great time in Indianapolis connecting with colleagues, sharing ideas, and celebrating the BAE community. Already counting down to next year!

Last week, Dr. Tyler Barzee hosted the 2026 S1075 Symposium in the new Martin-Gatton Agricultural Sciences Building, creating a great space for faculty, students, and industry partners to connect, share ideas, and collaborate.

The S1075 multistate project focuses on the science and engineering foundations of biobased fuels, foods, feeds, biomaterials, and biomanufacturing systems. This annual symposium brings together collaborators from across the United States to advance research and workforce development for a resilient domestic bioeconomy.

Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make this year’s symposium a success!

Check out this Q&A with Dr. Sanderson about his latest honor as a University Research Professor

Wayne T. Sanderson: 2026-27 University Research Professor Q&A Wayne T. Sanderson, Ph.D., a professor in the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, has been honored as a 2026-27 University Research Professor.

The Wildcat Pulling Team is currently competing in the ASABE International 1/4 Scale Tractor Student Design Competition in Bloomington, Illinois.

From May 28–31, 2026, our students are putting months of design, fabrication, testing, and problem-solving to the test on the national stage. We’re proud to see their hard work representing BAE and the University of Kentucky. Go Cats! 🐾

Photos courtesy of UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate our BAE graduating seniors and award winners last night. We’re proud of all you’ve accomplished and can’t wait to see what’s next!