Animal Excellence initiative
The Animal Excellence initiative elevates animal agriculture at OSU through exemplary teaching, groundbreaking research and Extension capabilities by developing a Beef Center of Excellence and updating animal teaching units' equipment and facilities.
Why OSU?
OSU has a tradition of animal excellence and a future of innovation to impact the world and enhance human and animal health.
No. 2 National ranking for number of beef cows
Beef Cattle in Oklahoma
$4.4B Annual economic impact
Beef Cattle in Oklahoma
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Unmatched Land-Grant Infrastructure
OSU Agriculture operates over 20,000 acres dedicated to research, teaching and Extension– including facilities like the Bluestem Research Range, Purebred Beef Center, Rage Cow Research Center, Wheat Pasture Stocker Unit, and the Willard Sparks Beef Research Center and Feedlot– all within close proximity to the Stillwater campus.
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Driven and Purpose-Built Herds
OSU's world-class wheat improvement team develops dual-purpose varieties ideal for cattle grazing, uniquely positioning the university to lead in integrated crop-livestock systems.
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Integrated Wheat and Cattle Systems
OSU maintains six distinct cow herds and a fully operational feedlot, enabling comprehensive research across genetics, nutrition, reproduction and animal health.
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State-of-the-Art Research Facilities
The Animal Nutrition and Physiology Research Center enables cutting-edge studies on climate variability, production efficiency and sustainability in beef cattle.
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End-to-End Beef Supply Chain Expertise
The Robert M. Kerr Food and Agricultural Products Center (FAPC) supports value-added beef production with harvest and processing facilities and expert personnel focused on innovation and market expansion.
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Multidisciplinary Faculty Strength
More than two dozen faculty across disciplines– including animal science, agricultural economics and range management– are actively engaged in beef cattle research, Extension and education.
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Legislative Investment
The Oklahoma Legislature has committed $325 million to OSU's veterinary school, espanding faculty and renovating facilities with a focus on large animal practice– further strengthening OSU's leadership in beef cattle health and education.
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Oklahoma's Role in the U.S. Beef Supply Chain
As a national hub for backgrounding and stocker cattle, Oklahoma plays a pivotal role in the movement and development of beef cattle. OSU's location at this crossroads makes it uniquely positioned to improve animal health and performance at scale.
Beef Center of Excellence
OSU is launching the Beef Center of Excellence (BCE) to elevate the future of beef cattle production in Oklahoma and beyond. This virtual, multidisciplinary center will unite experts in animal science, agricultural economics, range management and related fields to drive innovation, research and Extension efforts that directly benefit producers and the broader beef industry.
Through this initiative, OSU will empower current and future generations by promoting innovation and practical solutions that increase the profitability of beef cattle production.
Animal Teaching & Research Units
OSU is one of the only remaining universities to still have operating units for all food animal species and is nationally known for the superior quality of livestock, teaching and research within proximity to main campus. From all 50 states and more than 100 countries around the world, our students make the cowboy family a vibrant and inclusive culture. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 20:1, we will help you prepare for the future by providing the academic support you need.
The animal teaching and research units include the Charles & Linda Cline Equine Center, Ferguson Family Dairy Center, Sheep & Goat Center, Swine Research & Education Center, Purebred Beef Center and Willard Sparks Beef Research Center.
Funding Needs and Opportunities Beef Center of Excellence
Center Naming and Director Position $5 Million
Funding will allow for naming rights of the center and recruitment of a visionary leader to guide the BCE's mission and integrate what is already being accomplished at OSU. The director will lead the BCE to be adaptable to current and future issues of the industry.
Three Endowed Chair Positions $1 Million
OSU is committed to investing its resources through establishing chairs to bring new faculty members (three positions) to the university. Chairs may be housed within the agricultural economics, animal and food sciences, and natural resources ecology and management departments, with the goal of the chairs to focus on researching artificial intelligence, beef cattle economics, and range land ecology and management.
Advisory Board $50,000 Individual | $100,000 Corporate
Establish an advisory board consisting of producers, industry groups and corporations over a five-year term. The advisory board will meet annually to guide the direction of projects led by BCE-affiliated faculty. Advisory board membership funds will allow for an internal granting process for the upcoming year and will serve as a mechanism to fund original research and/or support improvements at existing beef cattle facilities. Termed board seats are available to foundation donors to the BCE (gifts in excess of $50,000 convey a five-year term on the BCE board). Lifetime board seats are available to endowed fund chair donors and the center naming donor.
Individual
Advisory Board Members
Tracie and Eric Chapman
Chapman Ranch
Vanessa and Ford Drummond
F.F. Drummond Ranch
Jamae and Mike Frey
Frey Angus
Aimee and Ben Hale
Western Livestock Auctions
Kari and Robert Hodgen
King Ranch
Gaye and John Pfeiffer
Pfeiffer Angus Farm
Roxanne and Barry Pollard
Pollard Farms
Martha and Mark Shaw
IGNITE Veterinary Solutions
Mary and Rob Shuey
US Meat & Livestock Industry Consultant
Corporate
Advisory Board Members
CORTEVA Agriscience
Merck Animal Health
Oklahoma Beef Council
Oklahoma Cattleman's Association
Animal Unit Endowment Fund
$15 Million
OSU Agriculture is currently developing a master plan for the animal teaching and research units, assessing each unit and the critical infrastructure needs. Annually, the units employ more than 70 student workers in addition to supporting thousands of students attending classes and labs. The Animal Unit Endowment Fund will provide unrestricted perpetual support to maintain and enhance the student experience and research capabilities of every animal teaching and research unit.