Welcome to the Beef Cattle Institute Web site! The Beef Cattle Institute was founded August 1, 2007. The initial funding for this program was awarded by the Targeted Excellence Initiative at Kansas State University. The purpose of the Beef Cattle Institute is to create a collaborative environment at Kansas State University to tackle today's and tomorrow’s issues facing the beef industry through education, research and outreach.

Kansas is ranked second nationally in total cattle numbers and cattle on feed, with 6,650,000 total head of cattle (2,550,000 on feed) in Kansas on January 1, 2006. Sixteen of the 25 largest cattle feeders in the U.S. have facilities in Kansas and represent a major market for Kansas feed grains. The Kansas beef cattle industry has national and international responsibilities for providing safe, affordable, wholesome food. In 2005, 104 beef packers in Kansas harvested 9.1 billion pounds of cattle from Kansas and surrounding states.

The financial well-being of Kansas citizens is critically dependent upon the profitability and growth of the beef cattle industry. In 2005, cattle in Kansas produced $6.1 billion in receipts. For each $1 million expansion/decline that occurs in the cattle ranching and feeding sector, total economic activity in Kansas expands or declines by $1.96 million.

This institute will enhance the education and the value of the degrees of KSU students, increase information access and training opportunities for people working in the beef industry today through research and practical engagement, and improve the cultural and intellectual diversity of our student body. The goal of the Beef Cattle Institute is to provide beef producers with the most current education, research and outreach available.