Overview of livestock programs at the Kerr Center Farm & Ranch: Pineywoods cattle, Angus, Gelbvieh, rotational grazing, electric fence, tractor tire water tank, pasture management, breed selection

1. Cattle are an important part of the
ecology...

2. …of the Kerr Ranch.

3. Around the ranch, cattle graze.

4. Livestock are moved from paddock...

6. ...to paddock regularly.

7. The animals' manure returns nutrients to
the soil.

8. Electric fencing is used throughout the
ranch.

9. Solar electric fence charger

10. Tractor tire watering tanks

11. A welded base for a hoophouse frame
creates portable shade to help cattle deal
with summer heat.

12. We feed as little hay as possible...

13. ...but filling the barn when the grass
grows...

14. ...is still good insurance against cold
winters and prolonged droughts.

15. Pineywoods cattle, a heritage breed, are
heat-tolerant...

16. …have lower
input costs...

17. ...and are good mothers...

20. ...but bring less at market.

25. Angus cattle, with their high growth
potential...

27. ...bring a higher price...

28. ...but are less heat-tolerant and require
more inputs.

29. Crossing Angus cattle...

30. ...to Gelbvieh bulls improves heat
tolerance...

31. ...but to further increase hardiness, we are
experimenting...

32. ...with a Pineywoods x Angus/Gelbvieh
cross. Results so far are encouraging...

33. ...but careful recordkeeping will show
whether one breed
has an economic
advantage over the
other.

34. Healthy animals
and pastures...

35. ...are what we aim for on the Kerr Ranch!