MSU Beef Unit
The Leveck Animal Research Center is located adjacent to the campus of Mississippi State University. Currently there are 1057 acres being used to conduct intensive beef cattle, horse, catfish, and poultry production research, aid in teaching production animal agriculture and assist Extension specialists in educational programs for livestock producers.
Two beef cattle seedstock herds—Angus and Hereford—and a crossbred herd are maintained for research and teaching purposes. The fall calving purebred herd consists of Angus and Hereford cows calving in September and October. The spring calving commercial herd consists of commercial crossbred females with Angus, Simmental, and Brahman influence, calving in February and March. Bulls, heifers, and stocker cattle are sold to the public annually. The proceeds from the animals sold go towards supporting livestock research programs in Mississippi.
Research on the herd includes hair shedding and adaptability studies to evaluate genetic differences and impacts on performance. Research is also currently being conducted on stocker cattle receiving systems investigating effects of nutrition and management strategies on health and performance. Research in reproduction focuses on making artificial insemination more effective, and on how conditions in early gestation affect the health and future performance of calves. Cattle nutrition research focuses on forage utilization of summer perennials and winter annuals and perennials including supplementation strategies.The forage research unit evaluates new and improved forages and pastures crops species and rates their potential use in Mississippi. The primary emphasis is placed on finding ways to integrate various combinations of hay and grazing crops into practical production systems.
Publications
News
RAYMOND, Miss. -- Small ruminants are a popular choice for people like J.T. Crownover who want to get into the livestock business but do not want to raise cattle. Crownover attended the Central Mississippi Research and Extension Center’s Producer Advisory Council meeting Feb. 20. The forum, where agricultural producers can discuss their needs with MSU administrators, researchers, specialists and Extension agents, was the catalyst for the university’s active small ruminant program.
Mississippi cattle operations must constantly improve efficiency to remain profitable, as rising production costs are decreasing the benefit of high market prices. Brandi Karisch, beef specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said beef production is a significant component of the state’s agricultural economy, with a total estimated value of $318 million in 2022.
The E.G. (Gene) Morrison Brown Loam Branch Experiment Station in Hinds County, which has sat largely vacant for two years, now has a new purpose, updated facilities and a new life after reopening this spring. The research station, part of the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station at Mississippi State University, is a 1,700-acre facility dedicated to cattle, forage and agronomic crop research. It is part of the Central Mississippi Research and Extension Center in Raymond.
Success Stories
Cruising into Madison County, you see a cultivated urban landscape full of brick edifices and manicured lawns spring up around you. Your cell phone announces your turnoff, and you comply, turning onto an older road that soon turns to gravel.
Gaddis & McLaurin might sound more like the name of a law firm than a general store, but the name is synonymous with all manner of dry goods in the Hinds County community of Bolton and has been since the 1870s.
Opening the right lines of communication is usually a prerequisite for anyone planning to start their own business.
