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2003 Beef Research
Report
INTRODUCTION
TO LIVESTOCK RESEARCH AND EDUCATION
The Carrington Research Extension
Center is proud to present this annual report of beef production research
and educational activities. The objective of the collective effort represented
in this publication is to offer new ideas and information which lead to
greater financial returns and improved quality of life for those involved
in agriculture.
The reader is encouraged to interact with faculty on topics of interest.
If you have questions or comments on past research, or suggestions for
future studies please e-mail or call (701) 652-2951. These proceedings
are also published at the Carrington Research Extension Center website
at www.ag.nodak.edu/carringt/.
Beef Research
Beef research at Carrington includes cow/calf studies and feedlot trials.
The mission of the cow/calf enterprise research is to study methods of
crop-livestock integration. The cow herd can add value to low cost crop
residues and co-product feeds and create a more biologically and economically
sustainable farming operation in an intensively cropped eco-region. Cows
can lower the financial risks associated with crops-only farming. Similarly,
the feedlot enterprise has been proven to be economically competitive
in North Dakota when management and economies of scale are optimized.
The abundant variety and quantity of feedgrains and processing co-products
in the region insure competitive feed pricing for North Dakota feeders.
Bison Research
While active bison research has been terminated at the Carrington Center,
we will continue to serve as a bison information point through the Bison
Center of the Northern Plains. This virtual center was organized to coordinate
and disseminate bison research and educational information from several
departments within NDSU, and other universities throughout the United
States and Canada.
Waste Management
Waste management is becoming a more visible and restrictive program that
affects all livestock producers. Improving the environment of confined
animals by stabilizing soil with fly ash, bedding, and providing wind
protection are critical to good animal husbandry. Containing runoff is
essential for permitted operations. Composting manure and determining
nutrient value of manure are current program focal points.
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