Introduction
Greetings! As summer winds down and we prepare for fall we would like to give you an update on all the great research that has been going on at GSL this year. There are great research projects underway related to nutrition, reproduction, parasite control, range management, technology development and use and much more. Several studies are highlighted in this issue.
One of the things that often gets overlooked is the challenge associated with conducting research while operating a functioning ranch. It is no easy task to run a successful ranch in today’s world, but to do so while maintaining the integrity of research takes dedication, communication, planning, and extra work. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the management and technician crew at GSL who make it all happen.
For example, a research project may require blood draws, weights, and various other observations that require the cattle to be moved to the working facilities. Therefore, the ranch grazing management plan may have to be adjusted so that particular group of cows is not sent clear out to the farthest pastures for summer grazing. Pastures that might be normally used for winter grazing may have to be used for grazing a research project in the summer leaving the management team to develop a new plan for winter grazing. A grant proposal evaluating meadow grazing might get funded leaving the ranch management crew to determine a new plan for procuring adequate stores of hay for the winter.
In addition to scheduling and moving cattle to the working facilities for data collection, typical ranching operations must also be conducted. While one group needs to be brought in for data collection, another group may need yearly vaccinations, pregnancy diagnosis, or other routine evaluations or procedures.
Cattle on a research project must be cared for and managed according to a research protocol. If one group is to get a prescribed amount of supplement and another group gets something different, the ranch crew must make sure the cattle groups do not get mixed up, that the supplement is delivered appropriately and protocols are followed. All of this must be done in conjunction with maintaining fences and equipment, banking tanks, evaluating cattle for illness, calving out cows, moving bulls, and any other day to day activities associated with a typical production ranch.
It takes a dedicated crew to balance research and production ranch activities. Fortunately for the University of Nebraska, the crew at GSL does an outstanding job of juggling everything that needs to be done from following research protocols to operating the ranch under best management practices.