An overview of the philosophy and activities associated with Eastern’s Beef Cattle Operation.

1) #Cow Calf
2) #Custom Cattle Grazing
3) Artificial Insemination Program
4) Embryo Recipient Program

1) Cow Calf

The goal at Eastern Oklahoma State College is to set the standard for functional, trouble free and user friendly cattle.  Emphasis is being placed on developing moderate framed, high production females which are economical to maintain.   Cattle are being placed in large, contemporary groups to improve management while reducing labor requirement.  Data is being collected on each individual in the herd to provide the information which will be essential in evaluating the performance, functionality and profitability.

All aspects of Eastern’s cattle operation, health management, nutrition, breeding and calving, is addressed  with limited “outside” assistance leading the Agriculture Operations to fully understand the importance of functional, low maintenance and trouble free cattle.

Rotational grazing, constantly moving the livestock to fresh rested pasture to graze and allowing the previous grazed pasture to rest and re-grow undisturbed, has recently been introduced. Base forage consists of tall fescue, bremudagrass, ryegrass, switchgrass, big and little bluestem, and Indiangrass.

2) Custom Cattle Grazing

"No Risk Ranching", written by Greg Judy, a Missouri cattle grazer, outlines the concept of custom grazing.  Eastern’s cattle operation is currently under stocked and with the time required to rebuild the type and numbers of cattle desired there has been an excess of forage.  Current conditions have provided an opportunity to add income to Eastern’s Agriculture Operations by accepting cattle owned by other individuals during the season our environment produces excess forage and selling the form of cash rent.  During the summer of 2008 Eastern contracted to grazed 144 head of dry cows. 

With this project Eastern is responsible for maintaining the cattle on fresh grass and providing clean water with the owner being responsible for all risks and death loss.   Rent payment is agreed upon prior to accepting the animals and is paid on a per head per month basis.

Based on the success of this program Eastern is in the process of making plans to host a Grazing Conference in May 2009.