The current Beef Center, built in 1968, is showing its age. We are currently conducting initial planning for its replacement. The current complex includes beef and bull lots. The beef lots have capacity for fifty head and provide winter housing for cows, heifers, and steers. We keep 25-30 cows. These calve in the first part of March. The facility has nearby access to 20-25 acres of management intensive grazing pasture. The beef herd supports the School of Agriculture's education, applied research, and public service activities.

The bull lots have supported the Wisconsin Beef Improvement Association's central bull test since 1970. Since that time well over 3,500 beef bulls have been tested. The goal of this testing is to identify genetically superior animals for weight gain in an unbiased location. Beef breeders mostly from the tri-state area but from as far away as New York, consign bulls to the test. The bulls are tested over a 100 day period. UW-Platteville students under the direction of Pioneer Farm Director Phil Wyse evaluate the bulls, recording differences in birth weight, carcass quality, and weight gain. The students take care of feeding and maintain the facility. The test culminates with the annual consignment sale where 90-100 bulls are auctioned each year.

The new facility being planned would provide expanded, improved, state-of-the-art lots, demonstration areas, manure handling systems, office area and restrooms, and laboratory space. As we proceed with our planning, input from key members of the beef industry will be solicited and will help direct our plans.

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