Our Research

Research at the Range Cow Research Center, South Range Unit focuses on integrated forage–livestock systems and management strategies that improve the productivity, profitability, and sustainability of grazing-based beef operations. In collaboration with the North Range Unit, a long-term systems study evaluates cattle sired by Angus bulls differing in genetic potential for growth. The South Range maintains the spring-calving portion of this study, with retained heifers used to develop cow herds with divergent growth genetics and evaluate effects on cow efficiency, reproduction, calf performance, feed requirements, and lifetime productivity. Steer offspring are followed through finishing to evaluate growth, feed efficiency, carcass characteristics, and animal health.

The South Range is also expanding its role as a farm-scale research and Extension platform, using native tallgrass prairie, bermudagrass, and reclaimed grazing resources to address management questions at the scale of a working ranch. Current and planned demonstrations integrate forage and grazing management, prescribed fire, weed and brush control, supplementation, soil and nutrient management, livestock pests, economics, and emerging technologies such as virtual fencing and animal monitoring. Farm Scale Demonstrations white… These efforts are designed to connect biological performance with labor, technology, and economic outcomes while providing visible sites for producer education, student training, and multidisciplinary research.