24 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN February 2025 NATALIE JONES | CONTRIBUTING WRITER For more than a century, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) has been a cornerstone of Nebraska agriculture. Grounded in its land-grant mission, UNL serves not just as an institution of higher learning, but as a beacon of innovation and a steadfast partner for farmers and ranchers across the state. Nebraska’s cattle producers know that raising cattle isn’t just a job, it’s a way of life. From the open rangelands of the Sandhills to the irrigated pastures of the Panhandle, producers rely on UNL’s world-class research and outreach to make their operations sustainable, profitable and resilient for the next generation. At the heart of this mission are the university’s Research, Extension and Education Centers (REECs). These facilities are more than just research hubs; they are living laboratories uniquely positioned to address the specific needs of Nebraska’s diverse regions. Whether it’s helping producers conserve water, improve feed efficiency or manage grazing on fragile grasslands, UNL’s centers work tirelessly to deliver real-world solutions. This network of centers spans Nebraska’s rich agricultural landscape, representing a remarkable legacy of service to its people. Each facility contributes in its own way, but collectively, they are shaping the future of agriculture and providing critical support to cattle producers statewide. The Land-Grant Legacy: A Partnership With Producers To understand the importance of these research centers, it’s important to recognize their roots in the land-grant mission. UNL REECs Timeline 1904 West Central Research, Extension and Education Center (WCREEC), North Platte 1910 Panhandle Research, Extension and Education Center (PREC), Scottsbluff 1957 Haskell Agricultural Laboratory, Concord 1959 South Central Agricultural Laboratory (SCAL), Clay Center 1962 Agricultural Research and Development Center (ARDC), Mead 1970 High Plains Agricultural Laboratory (HPAL), Sidney 1978 Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory (GSL), Whitman 1996 Barta Brothers Ranch, Rose CONTINUED ON PAGE 26 PAST
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