Beef Unit

The beef operation consists of cow-calf, backgrounding, and finishing enterprises. The cow herd consists of 150 head of crossbred cows. Both spring and fall calving herds are maintained to complement the instructional programs in the Department of Agriculture at EKU.

The backgrounding enterprise consists of growing purchased and raised steers and heifers from approximately 450 pounds to 800 pounds on a high roughage ration that is primarily corn silage balanced for protein and mineral requirements. Approximately 400 head will be fed per year. The finishing operation consists of placing 800 pound steers on a high grain ration and fed to approximately 1200 pounds. This is done solely to support the instructional program and will use 25 or fewer head per year.