Feedlot Research in western Nebraska

Karla H. Jenkins, Cow/Calf Range Management Specialist
Ivan Rush, Professor Emeriti, Retired Livestock Specialist

The Beginning of Finishing Research

Finishing studies conducted in the late 1950s and early 1960s in the Nebraska Panhandle consisted of diets containing greater than 20 percent roughage, and resulted in gains ranging from less than 2 pounds per day to almost 3 pounds per day. Feed efficiency averaged around 7.5 to 8 pounds of feed per pound of gain. Today our roughage levels are between 7 and 10 percent, our gains over 4 pounds per day and efficiency between 5 and 6 pounds of feed per pound of gain. Our carcasses are heavier and better quality. Sixty years of research has led to the development of the commercial cattle feeding industry. That industry is now responsible for a major portion of the economy of the Great Plains.

Humble Beginnings

When the Scotts Bluff Experiment Substation was located east of Mitchell, Walt Woods, Don Clanton, and Lionel Harris conducted small finishing studies in a set of 10 pens behind what is now known as the Lionel Harris Building. Early research attempted to reduce back fat on Hereford steers with a metabolic stimulant. Additional research focused on the effects of implants, physical form of the diet, roughage and protein sources.

The First Expansion

The early 1970s witnessed the birth of the commercial feeding industry and research needed to focus on developing the efficiency of this new industry. UNL Animal Science Professor Terry Klopfenstein, who is based in Lincoln, designed 28 feedlot pens east of the Mitchell station, where the UNL Panhandle Research Feedlot exists today. In 1970 a strong research program began to focus on bunk management, waste management, improving feed efficiency and cost of gain.

In 1974 Ivan Rush joined the Panhandle Research and Extension Center as the Livestock Specialist for the district. For the next 35 years Dr. Rush contributed to the development of the feedlot industry by researching the use of ensiled corn, roughage and protein sources, implants, feed additives, and by-product utilization in feedlot diets. His vision for feedlot research in the Nebraska Panhandle and his relationship with western Nebraska producers eventually led to a collaborative effort to expand the research feedlot to a 1,500-head capacity lot with 102 research pens.

Collaborative Efforts, Vision, and Promise

The uniqueness of western Nebraska’s climate allows this research feedlot to conduct research that is not only applicable in western Nebraska, but also in the southern Great Plains as well. Today research is conducted on the use of distiller’s grains, beet pulp, alternative crops, feed additives, implant strategies, and processing methods in both dry rolled corn and steam flaked corn based diets. It is one of the largest research feedlots in the United States.

A pen at the UNL Panhandle Research Feedlot near Mitchell, which was expanded in 2006-07.

A sign lists major donors who contributed to the expansion of the UNL Panhandle Research Feedlot near Mitchell in 2006-07.