By Patti Wilson Contributing Editor
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) opened a new chapter in ruminant studies at their Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center near Mead. The June 27 ceremony attracted about 150 UNL staff, donors, media and well wishers to a facility tour and ribbon-cutting event. A state-of-the-art accommodation, it will house world-class research projects, teaching and Extension opportunities on a commercial scale, according to UNL.
The unit includes a 240-head individual feeding complex, slatted floor buildings, open lots of both solid surface and dirt, and indoor gable-roofed and monoslope structures. These different enclosures will enable research between various systems and environments.
Included in studies will be how crop farming is affected by alternative manure management systems. The total one-time capacity near Mead is now 4,500 head, and is believed to enable greater research capabilities than any other teaching institution in the United States.
A New Kind of Format
The unique setup includes both public and privately owned cattle. A commercial cattle feeding service provides the unmatched opportunity for others outside government to contribute to this important research.
Al Moravec from David City, explains why he sends his cattle to be fed at the Mead lots each year. “The Klosterman family initially encouraged me to try it about 15 years ago,” he says. “The staff there is honest and close by, and I like their feedlot manager.”
In addition, they have accommodated him in other requests, such as handling heifers during breeding season. It’s important to him that they allow him to bring his own corn to use in a “commodity exchange.” Moravec only pays for yardage and roughage. He says they are “always willing to please.”
Many Donors
Total cost of this project was $7.2 million, $5.5 million of which came from private support through the UNL Foundation. Leading the charge was the John Klosterman family of David City, who generously donated significant funding. Although John passed away two years ago, his family, in its entirety, was present at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. The Klostermans represent five generations of cattle feeding in Nebraska. Other major private benefactors include JBS USA, Greater Omaha Packing, Inc., Farm Credit Services of America, Dennis and Glenda Boesiger and the late August Christenson.
A generous and sentimental effort was put forth by donors to the Terry Klopfenstein Fund, established through the UNL Foundation. A group of 53 alumni, colleagues and industry partners who knew and worked with the late instructor worked to establish the capital. Their philanthropic support helped fund the 240-head individual feeding unit, a favorite method of research for the late instructor. He was a longtime leader in UNL’s ruminant nutrition program. Klopfenstein was a pioneer in the study of the use of byproducts from the ethanol and sweetener industries, and a favorite of many of his students. The facility will be named in his memory.
A Joyful Ribbon Cutting
UNL Chancellor Rodney Bennett extended a heartfelt thanks to all donors, and several videos were presented before the facility’s ribbon cutting. Feedlot tours were offered to the attendees to round out the day.
Now it’s time to put cattle in the pens.
