K-State Research and Extension has a diverse program in animal science that includes research in areas such as genetics, health, nutrition, management, reproduction and production efficiency for several species including beef, dairy, equine, poultry, sheep, meat goat and swine.
The livestock Extension program directly addresses the state’s greatest challenges including water and natural resources, global and local food systems and rural and community vitality. Our Extension specialists help Kansas producers improve current practices by applying research in their operation, to ensure safe food production.
We also understand the importance of developing the next generation of leaders, and provide a variety of hands-on learning opportunities through our youth livestock programs.
Resources
Learn more about the important work being done across our program area, from beef to swine. For questions, please contact your local extension office or one of our specialists.
Kansas is a global leader in beef production, marketing systems and research. The Kansas beef cattle industry employs over 30,000 people. In 2021, cattle and calves represented 46% of Kansas agricultural cash receipts, and Kansas ranked second among all states in cattle processed. Our mission is to provide timely, accurate, objective, research-based information for decision making to improve cattle enterprises, and the sustainability of food production. Visit KSUBeef.org for additional resources and program area information.
Extension specialists helped Kansas become one of the fastest-growing regions for milk production. Our research involves animal monitoring systems, product development, reproductive programs and nutrition management.
The dairy facilities at K-State include a teaching and research facility and a dairy plant that houses 300 Holstein cows and 300 baby calves and heifers. The dairy helps K-State’s team use practices that eventually help Kansas producers.
Our specialists and researchers provide learning opportunities throughout the year including Dairy Days and the Junior Dairy Show.
Visit our ASI website for dairy resources and program information.
The Equine Program lets students participate in horse training and breeding activities, laboratory activities and exercise physiology courses. Research topics on horses include nutrition and reproduction. Each spring, short courses on horse reproduction are available to the public.
Facilities include the K-State University Horse Teaching and Research Unit where the breeding program primarily focuses on performance Quarter horses. Most of the broodmares are cutting, roping and reining-bred horses, and a few are western pleasure-bred mares.
Hundreds of Kansas students are involved in 4-H horse projects every year. Several large equine events are held annually in Kansas, and the University's horse program includes an active rodeo team, horse judging team and educational classes.
The Poultry Unit at K-State University conducts teaching, research and extension related projects. Research projects focus on feed manufacturing for meat birds, heritage poultry and general nutrition.
The research farm conducts studies related to chickens, turkeys, eggs, game birds and heritage poultry breeds. The farm provides support to grant projects funded to the poultry program as well as funds received by other animal commodities for related or preliminary research. Other work supports research projects focused on grain processing and feed manufacturing.
The K-State Research and Extension Sheep and Meat Goat Center supports research on genetic improvement, efficiency and profitability. Meat goat production is the fastest growing segment of the livestock industry nationally.
Students benefit from collaborative work with the College of Veterinary Medicine and industry partners.
The research unit's herd includes 100 ewes (Polypay and Hampshire sheep), and 30 fullblood and percentage Boer goat females (does). The herd produces animals for research, teaching, and to sell to local producers and 4-H/FFA exhibitors. The goals are to increase the size of the flock with an artificial insemination/embryo transfer program, and to produce research for the sheep and goat industry. Visitors to the facility are always welcome and can be scheduled with the farm manager.
The Kansas swine industry has a significant role in the Kansas economy and produces approximately 2.5 million pigs with a gross market value of about $300 million.
The Kansas State University Swine Extension program conducts and evaluates swine nutrition research and works with producers to facilitate rapid adoption of technology. The program also works with producers on feed safety, production management and environmental management of swine facilities.
The Swine Teaching and Research Center provides a state-of-the-art facility for teaching and research. The single-site, farrow-to-finish facility maintains 150 sows and markets approximately 4,000 pigs per year.
Nutrition Resources
- Swine Nutrition Guide - 2019 Edition
- Feed Safety Resources
- Premix & Diet Recommendations
- Calculators & Tools
- Feeder Adjustment Cards
- Particle Size Information
Swine Research Index
Insects and related arthropods such as ticks and mites cause significant damage in all livestock species. Damage occurs both directly through loss of blood, reduced production and product quality. Indirect damage is caused by the transmission of vector-borne pathogens can result in significant morbidity and mortality. Having a good pest management strategy is essential for any livestock producer at any scale of production. Below are some resources to help identify and solve insect, tick and mite problems.
- Department of Entomology: Facts and Info on Livestock Pests
- Insect Diagnostics Program
- Department of Entomology: Extension - Publications
- K-State Research and Extension Bookstore - Livestock Insect Publications
Contact Us:
Dr. Cassandra Olds
Veterinary and Medical Entomology
colds@ksu.edu
(785) 706-8599
- AgManager: Livestock and Meat Marketing
- AgManager: Livestock Budgets
- Extension Agronomy
- Kansas Farm Management Association (KFMA)
- Animal Comfort Index
- KSU Ag Engineering
- Kansas Center for Agricultural Resources and the Environment (KCARE)
- Kansas Youth Livestock
- K-State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
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Our team of livestock experts is dedicated to providing practical resources and solutions for Kansans. For specific questions, please use our directory and reach out to one of our specialists.