students MBA in Agribusiness from Austral they carried out their Academic Residency in the United States, an international experience that combines academic training at universities of excellence, contact with leading companies in the sector and networking spaces with global agricultural leaders.
The residency began in St. Louiswhere the group was received by key institutions such as Greater St. Louis Inc and the World Trade Center. There, they were able to learn about the public-private partnership dynamics that underpin regional growth. They also held meetings with representatives of Bunge y Don Mariocompanies with a strong international presence, and toured the facilities of Bayer in Chesterfieldlearning about their latest advances in biotechnology. The day also included visits to Helix Center and to the AgTech innovation district 39 North, epicenters of entrepreneurship and science applied to agriculture.
The tour continued in Illinois, where the students visited the National Great Rivers Museum and Melvin Price Lock & Damstrategic infrastructure for agricultural logistics in the region. Subsequently, in the Cortex Innovation District They participated in talks about regenerative agricultureTechnological innovation and new business models driven by organizations such as BioSTL, Moolec, WashU FARM and the Taylor Geospatial InstituteThe day culminated in the University of Illinoiswith academic activities and visits to historic sites Morrow Plots, the oldest active experimental field in the US, where topics related to agricultural finance and production systems management were addressed.
The third stage took place in the Purdue University, one of the most influential academic centers in agribusiness. There, students participated in conferences on the Ag Economy Barometerdigital agriculture and farmland markets, as well as touring the Indiana Corn and Soybean Innovation Center (ICSC)A pioneering facility for field phenotyping and seed analysis. The agenda also included a meeting with the Wabash Heartland Innovation Network (WHIN), where innovation in digital agriculture and manufacturing was discussed.
In the following days, they visited the Ag Alumni Seed Phenotyping Facility, the Purdue campus and Beck's Hybrids during Becknology™ DaysLearning how the largest family-owned seed company in the U.S. integrates cutting-edge genetics and management tools for farmers. The experience was complemented by dinner at Martin Acres LLCwhere they were able to interact more closely with local leaders.
The itinerary also included a visit to Tom Farms, a multigenerational family business with operations in the US and Argentina, specializing in hybrid corn and soybeans, and a key supplier in the Monsanto supply chain. Later, in Fair Oaks FarmsThe students explored how production, education, and agritourism are integrated into initiatives such as Dairy, Pig and Crop Adventures, which combine commercial operations with outreach programs on modern agricultural practices.
The residency ended in Chicago, with a visit to the McDonald's headquarters, where topics of sustainability and supply chain management were addressed, and a round table with Argentine professionals based in the U.S. linked to agriculture, who shared their personal and professional experiences in the country.
Throughout these days, the students had the opportunity to address topics such as agricultural economics, land markets, regenerative agriculture, biotechnology, applied genetics, digitalization and sustainability.
This academic residency is a fundamental contribution to the MBA in Agribusiness training, as it allows students to learn from real practice, develop a global vision of the sector and expand their network of international contacts, thus consolidating the necessary tools to lead the future of agribusiness.
