Last week, I was able to travel to McGregor, Texas, and be a part of the first Field Day at the McGregor Research Center in 26 years! Having never been there before, I was excited to learn all about it.

Before it became the McGregor Research Center, it was called the Bluebonnet Farm. The Bluebonnet Farm was a 17,000 acre weapons factory in World War II. After the war ended, some of the land was repurposed as an agricultural research farm. The facility today includes a 700-head feedlot, a feed mill, and the capacity to individually feed 168 head of cattle. The center also maintains an 1,100-head herd of cattle. If you are touring the center, you are still able to see some of the old buildings that were built to store bombs.

The field day included presentations in the morning with a research tour in the afternoon. Dr. Goodwin gave an impressive presentation over Understanding Soil Health. I did not realize how imperative it is for your soil to be healthy. I have been learning more and more and rangeland and pasture health lately, and my mind has been blown. Not only do you have to make sure your cattle are taken care of, but making sure your pasture is taken care of is priority. Needless to say, I have been super interested in this topic lately!

The afternoon kicked off with the tour. We stopped at three different areas located around the center. Did you know that having a brush in your pen reduces stress among weaned calves? I have seen brushes like these at Dairy’s but have never seen it in a pen like this before. All the cattle huddled around the brush and used it frequently!

This was one of my first events back out in the Field and I loved every minute of it! From the sun shining down to the click click click of my camera.

When you love your job it never gets old!
As always share some love, we could all use a little more love
XOXOXO
Casey