40 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN September 2024 WARDCRAFT HOMES OPEN HOUSE: Sat Sept 21st 10-3:00 1-888-927-3272 1230 E 9th Minden, NE 614 Maple Clay Center, KS Inventory Homes Ready to Move Astoria II • Custom Build • 2x6 Construction • NEW! Click for Quote • NEW Plans 1,196-3,064 sq ft wardcraft.com $30,000 off on select Inventory Homes Fullerton II Roosevelt II 1,860 sq ft 4 BR 2 Baths PEERS EXPERIENCE IS THE BEST TEACHER MIKE BOEHM, PH.D. | VICE PRESIDENT FOR AGRICULTURE, UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA, HARLAN VICE CHANCELLOR, INSTITUTE OF AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES, UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA-LINCOLN Another school year has begun, and we are wrapping up a very eventful summer in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. We had our usual summer Extension events and field days, including the 25th Annual Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory Open House. We took our new faculty members on the annual Roads Scholars Tour, visiting Nebraska communities, university research and Extension offices and facilities, and an array of Nebraska landmarks and points of interest. We celebrated the completion of the Klosterman Feedlot Innovation Center at the Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center near Mead. And we officially welcomed Jeff Gold, Ph.D., as our new system president when he formally began his duties on July 1. Each school year begins with a sense of promise and optimism, and that is certainly true this year. President Gold has been clear about his priorities for the university, which include a focus on ensuring that the University of Nebraska remains a place where students from Nebraska and beyond can access an affordable, outstanding college education in key areas, including agriculture. He is also a passionate advocate for hands-on and experiential learning opportunities for students. These priorities dovetail with those we have in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR). We believe it’s important for young people to take risks, try new things, occasionally fail and, above all, learn from their mistakes and try again. Hands-on learning provides all those experiences and more, and we now require all CASNR students to have at least one hands-on or experiential learning opportunity during their time as undergraduates. The Klosterman Feedlot Innovation Center, one of the largest, most hightech research feedlots anywhere, was designed with several goals in mind, including student experiential learning. Students will be able to gain real-world experience working with both animals and emerging technologies. The center includes commercial-scale, open-air and covered pens, allowing researchers and students to understand and improve the performance and environmental impact of cattle in varied settings. It also boasts a 240-head feeding facility that will allow for the use of precision techniques to study the outcomes of various feeding protocols, measure emissions and study the various uses for precision feeding technology already on the market. The center also allows for expanded research of the impact of low-stress animal handling and increased emphasis on animal welfare, with state-of-the-art equipment donated by Daniels Manufacturing and Arrowquip. Students will have access to all of these features, plus they’ll be able to work alongside leaders in both the beef industry and beef research sectors. This is an opportunity that is only offered here in Nebraska, and I’m looking forward to seeing how it shapes our students’ experiences. CONTINUED ON PAGE 44
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTMxNTA5