Break ground on the UNL Feedlot Innovation Center | So Good News

According to groundbreaking news, Greater Omaha Packing Co., a premium beef supplier. announced a $700,000 guaranteed gift to the University of Nebraska Foundation to support construction of a state-of-the-art facility. In recognition of the philanthropic support, the university will name the new center’s animal handling and classroom building for the company. The name is pending approval by the University of Nebraska Board of Regents.

The center provides new opportunities for development and evaluation of new technologies used in feedlot animal management. A commercial-scale feedlot and animal processing facility featuring the latest innovations is used for the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources’ teaching, research and extension activities.

The project was approved by the Board of Regents on June 23. The project, which has an estimated cost of $7.5 million, will be funded through private grants, grants and funds from the IANR program.

Henry Davis, Greater Omaha Packing Co. CEO, said its support for the Feedlot Innovation Center represents the company’s more than 100-year commitment to the continuous improvement of the American livestock industry and the communities in which it operates. It also highlights the longstanding relationship between Greater Omaha Packing and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

“We all have a stake in the long-term success of the beef industry,” Davis said. “In partnership with the University of Nebraska and other contributors, Greater Omaha Packing is confident that our support of the Feedlot Innovation Center will advance the industry, strengthen and expand the entire supply chain, and ultimately lead to new research, technology and insights. brings value back to family farms.”

Mike Boehm, Harlan vice chancellor for IANR and vice president for agriculture and natural resources at the University of Nebraska, said the center offers many opportunities for collaboration.

“The Feedlot Innovation Center provides an incredible opportunity to bring together industry partners, livestock producers and UNL researchers and students to advance sustainable beef production,” said Boehm. “IANR has a long-standing and fruitful partnership with Greater Omaha Packing, and we are pleased to have their support for this and other projects and look forward to continued collaboration.”

The center will have a complex with animal comfort and research buildings, a feed technology facility, an animal handling facility with innovative open spaces and classrooms. It creates real facilities to test new precision technology, address environmental issues in the feed industry, and improve cattle productivity and welfare by comparing different environments and housing systems. The project also allows for new and potential modifications to new and existing operations in manure collection and management.

The center provides students with hands-on experience while being exposed to new research and technology and is a key component of the Beef Innovation Hub, which aims to promote, support and inform continuous improvement in beef production, economic viability and natural productivity. resource management through innovative research, education and extension.