Nancy M. Cummings Research, Extension and Education Center

Nancy M. Cummings Research, Extension and Education Center

The Nancy M. Cummings Research, Extension and Education Center is the University of Idaho’s primary cow-calf and forage research station. The center provides land and facilities for beef cattle research at the scale of a working ranch. The center also provides continuing education for those involved in the livestock industry and learning opportunities for University of Idaho students.

Since 2008, NMCREEC has progressed to a well-equipped research station that is large and complex enough to produce research findings that apply to today’s commercial cattle operations.

The center encompasses 1,044 acres along the Salmon River. Irrigated pasture and hay land comprise 83% of the property. The research herd consists of 330 cows and 110 replacement heifers.

The center has cattle working, reproduction and laboratory facilities, including a 200-head capacity GrowSafe cattle feeding and monitoring system. The center is used for environmental education for public school students; as a site for research by scientists, undergraduate and graduate students; and an opportunity for clinical experiences for veterinary students. 

Current and recent research projects at the Nancy M. Cummings Research, Extension and Education Center include:

• Gender selected semen in commercial herds
• Estrus synchronization programs
• Interaction of feed efficiency and productivity
• Impact of crossbred bulls on commercial herds
• Genomic analysis of heifers

Additional projects are being conducted in collaboration with Rinker Rock Creek Ranch.

Past research

Improving feed efficiency in beef cattle

• Researchers investigated the impacts of selection for improved feed efficiency on feedlot performance, carcass characteristics and consumer acceptance. This research was conducted in collaboration with the American Red Angus Association and AgriBeef.

Use of sexed semen in commercial beef herds

• Gender selected, or sexed semen, allows producers to artificially inseminate cows with semen that is 90% of the desired sex. This research focused on:
  • The impact of a single insemination to sexed semen followed by natural service on pregnancy rates and gender ratios.
  • Strategies to improve fixed-time artificial insemination success with sexed semen.
• Initial results indicated that X-sorted semen can be used to generate replacement heifers from a select group of cows. Continuing research examines using Y-sorted semen to increase the percentage of steers marketed.  
• The American Simmental Association, Genex CRI, ABS Global, AgriBeef and Pfizer partnered on this research.

Improving fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) systems for beef heifers

• Artificial insemination (AI) of heifers reduces calving difficulty and increases the rate of genetic improvement, but traditional AI systems are labor intensive. Development of FTAI systems allows large numbers of females to be bred on a single day.
• This research is leading to a better understanding of factors affecting FTAI success in heifers as well as several improved systems.

Increasing forage yields in dry pivot corners

• Center pivot irrigation decreases the labor associated with irrigation and increases irrigation efficiency. However, corners of square fields and areas of irregularly shaped fields remain unirrigated. This research examined the potential for fall-planted small grains (triticale or rye) and/or Austrian winter peas to increase forage production in these dry corners.

Warm season annuals for extending the grazing season

• Reducing fall and winter feed costs in Idaho herds is important for sustainability of the family ranch. This three-year project examined yield and number of grazing days per acre of five different warm season annual species (sorghum X sudangrass, proso millet, german foxtail millet, corn and teff). These annuals were also examined for nutrient content and grazability after snow.
• Preliminary results indicated that when planted in mid-summer (early July) all species will provide sufficient energy and protein for dry pregnant cows when forage is grazed in November and December. Sorghum X sudangrass and corn had the highest yields, averaging 2.5 to 5.0 tons/acre.

Educational programs  

Cowboy schools

Cowboy schools are coordinated with local UI Extension county offices and feature two hours of lecture followed by two hours of practical application in the corral or laboratory.

Forage field day

The Forage Field Day presents information on urea products for pasture fertilization, costs and crop losses associated with irrigation system problems, irrigation efficiency rewards program and forage trial results.

Reproductive management courses

This hands-on course focuses on improving reproduction of your cow herd. Classes focus on prebreeding, pregnancy detection and fall working and calving school.

Contact John Hall to learn more about upcoming events.

Resources

• Colostrum — key to a good start (pdf)
• Gestating cow nutrition important to calf performance (pdf)
• Management in late gestation is important to two calf crops (pdf)
• Reducing effects of weather stress in cows and calves (pdf) 

News and events

Staff

• Bebe Dodds, administrative coordinator, 208-756-2749, bdodds@uidaho.edu
• Hayden Garfield, 208-885-8826, hgarfield@uidaho.edu   
• James Gebhardt, maintenance technician, 208-756-2749, jgebhardt@uidaho.edu   
• Jacob Hudson, ranch foreman, jwhudson@uidaho.edu
• Joel Yelich, senior researcher, yelich@uidaho.edu