
Contacts
AnSci.BeefOps@wsu.edu
Brent McCann
Beef Center Manager
brent.mccann@wsu.edu
Dr. Gordon Murdoch
Faculty Coordinator
gordon.murdoch@wsu.edu
PH: 509-335-2280
FAX: 509-335-1082
Contributions to Department missions
Annual Animal Inventory
Annual Production Levels and Targets
Feed and pasture resources are carefully managed to provide appropriate nutrition and minimize the need for stored forages and grains. To that end, a management intensive grazing system is in place at the Center and rotational grazing system is used on the river pastures. We also utilize wheat pastures that surround the barn after harvest. Over the past two years we have harvested about 65 acres of hay (yield is about 2T/acre) to effectively use the forage during rapid growing season and provide a small amount of the hay needed for the winter.
The Beef Center’s goal is to be financially self-sufficient with an adequate number of cattle to support teaching, research, and extension activities. The cow-calf unit aims to be integrative of the other centers in the department, productive and managed for mutual benefit of the entire animal sciences farm unit. The Beef Center is heavily integrated into our curriculum starting at the 100 level and continuing through upper division courses. The manager of the facility assists in the conduct of many labs and extension programs, gives tours to the general public, and facilitates research that is conducted both on and off campus.
Courses and activities that use livestock or facilities at the unit
AS 101-Introductory Animal Science | AS 351-Physiology of Reproduction Lab |
AS 174-Cow-Calf Management Laboratory. | AS 360-Meat Science |
AS 260-Live Animal and Carcass Evaluation | AS 474-Beef Cattle Production |
AS 313-Feeds and Feeding | AS 454-AI and Preg Check |
Crops 302-Forage Crops | AS 700-Masters Research |
AS 378-Adv. Livestock and Meat Selection | AS 800-Dissertation Research |
AS 399-Practicum | AS 499-Independent study |
Block and Bridle Club | Pacific Northwest Judges School |
Tours for 4-H Clubs, FFA and counties |