Grazing Livestock Systems

Riders on horseback traverse grassy plains under a blue sky with wispy clouds and a visible moon.
Nebraska is home to some of the nation's most diverse and expansive grasslands and rangelands, supporting a leading beef industry. Students in the Grazing Livestock Systems option learn to manage beef cattle production on grazing lands and other forage resources that are economically and ecologically sustainable.
Group gathered in a sunny field near farming equipment under a clear blue sky.

Program Features

Choose Your Path

Flexibility allows specialization in ruminant livestock, forage, range management or economics while maintaining a systems-based approach to grazing livestock management.

Follow Your Passion Into a Career

Prepare for a rewarding career in grazing livestock systems. Develop the knowledge and skills needed to manage farms and ranches or support the livestock industry through management, education, research and producer support.

The Place to Study Grasslands

Nebraska's vast and diverse grasslands and rangelands provide exceptional opportunities to study and work within one of the nation's leading beef-producing regions. Gain hands-on experience through seminars, capstone experiences, a planned internship, research opportunities and field-based learning.

Notable Courses

Great Plains Ecosystem (GRAS 440)

Explore characteristics of Great Plains ecosystems, interrelationships of ecological factors and processes and their application in the management of grasslands.

Beef Cow-Calf Management (ASCI 455)

Learn integrated management practices that improve biological and economic efficiency in beef cow-calf operations.

Forage Crop and Pasture Management (GRAS 240)

Study forage and pasture establishment, management and utilization while exploring their role in sustainable agricultural systems.

Basic Beef Stocker and Feedlot Management (ASCI 250B)

Examine basic principles of post-weaning beef stocker and feedlot management associated with typical production systems to optimize economic and efficient production.

Farm and Ranch Management (AECN 201)

Apply economic and business management principles to make informed decisions for successful farm and ranch operations.

Grassland Conservation: Planning and Management (NRES 438)

Apply fundamental grassland ecology principles to grassland conservation and identify grassland establishment and management practices appropriate for different environmental and cultural situations.

Fundamental Animal Anatomy Laboratory (ASCI 243)

Investigate anatomical organization of the nervous, muscular, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, urinary, reproductive, endocrine and immune systems and their role in physiological function and health.

Huskers Do Big Things

Internships

  • Ranch Intern, Plum Thicket Farms, Gordon, Nebraska
  • Intern, Lindskov-Thiel Ranch, Isable, South Dakota
  • Animal Health Intern, Adams Land & Cattle Company, Broken Bow, Nebraska
  • Ranch Practicum Intern, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska

Careers

  • Cattle Operations Manager, Tri R Farms, Springview, Nebraska
  • Data Management and Seedstock Development Manager, Lone Creek Cattle Company, Lincoln, Nebraska
  • Beef Systems Extension Educator, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Rushville, Nebraska
  • Rancher, Jagels Farm, Davenport, Nebraska

Graduate Schools

  • M.S. Animal Science, West Texas A&M
  • Ph.D. Ruminant Nutrition, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
  • M.S. Natural Resource Sciences, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
  • M.S. Agricultural Economics, University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Have Questions? We're Here to Help

If you have questions about the Grazing Livestock Systems, contact us.

Sue Ellen Pegg portrait
Contact Name
Sue Ellen Pegg
Contact Title
College Relations Director
Phone
Phone
402-472-0615
Email
Envelope
spegg2@unl.edu
Grassland Systems