The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory at Whitman will host its 22nd annual open house from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Aug. 25.

The open house will take place in a hybrid format, including in-person events at the beef cattle research facility and an online webinar streamed only during the morning sessions.  

With 43 years of service to the beef industry, GSL boasts 1,200 acres of subirrigated and wetland meadows, along with 11,600 acres of upland Sandhills range.  

A variety of educational sessions, activities, demonstrations and exhibits are planned for the open house. Several businesses, services and associations supporting the beef cattle industry will participate. Attendees are welcome to come and go as they please throughout the event.  

Leaders in the industry

“Beef producers deal with increased climate variation, volatile markets and input costs, increased land costs, global pressure on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and decreased labor,” says Travis Mulliniks, Nebraska Extension range cow production specialist.  

“By bringing in key leaders in sustainability efforts, we hope to provide information geared to increase environmentally sound, socially responsible and economically viable practices supporting ag profitability to maintain beef production in Nebraska,” he says. 

The morning session will kick off with Elliot Dennis, UNL livestock Extension marketing specialist, with an update of current livestock markets.  

Sustainability is a key aspect of agriculture, and Jason Sawyer with the Kind Ranch Institute of Ranch Management will discuss sustainability at the ranch level. Next, Leah Beyer from Elance will dissect media’s influence on sustainability.

Wrapping up the morning session, Brianna Buseman, UNL youth meats Extension assistant professor, will moderate a Q&A panel with local producers on their perspectives on direct marketing to consumers.  

In the afternoon, attendees will have the opportunity to hear from Brian Vander Ley, Great Plains Veterinary Center, and Bruce Hoffman, Elanco, on calf immunity and vaccination strategies.  

The final leg of the open house features four breakout sessions, where attendees have the option to attend three of the four sessions. Sessions include flies and lies, a beef research update, range research update, and a pregnancy checking demonstration. This year’s open house is made possible by corporate sponsor Elanco. 

To register for the in-person or online webinar and view the scheduled agenda, visit extension.unl.edu. The event is free.

If planning to attend in person, register by Aug. 18 at go.unl.edu, or by calling Jacque at 308-696-6700 for a meal count. 

Jones is a media specialist at University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

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