USDA awards WT $9.75 million for beef cattle research facility

West Texas A&M University in Canyon has received a $9.75 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture — the largest federal award in the university’s history — to help fund a cattle feedlot research facility.

The USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded the grant for a center for beef cattle research and innovation through its Research Facilities Act Program. A required dollar-for-dollar match — with $4.875 million from The Texas A&M University System and another $4.875 million from other sources — brings the project total to $19.5 million.

“We are grateful to USDA for recognizing the value of this work and to the partners helping WT bring it forward,” said Robert Albritton, chairman of the Board of Regents of The Texas A&M University System. “The A&M System is investing $4.875 million because research that strengthens Texas agriculture also serves the state and the nation.”

The facility (pictured above courtesy of West Texas A&M) is designed to address a gap in national research infrastructure by pairing 90 small research pens for scientific studies with 45 commercial-scale pens. Undergraduate, graduate and veterinary students will be able to train and conduct research at the facility with faculty in the field, helping prepare the next generation of feedlot employees, managers and owners.

“The magnitude of the USDA grant, funding from the A&M System, and significant donor support underscore the critical role the Texas Panhandle plays in the beef cattle industry,” said Neil Terry, interim president. “As the university serving the Texas Panhandle, WT takes great pride in its ability to support the industry’s future through an educational center and a research feedlot that will be the best in the world.”

Plans call for the research feedlot to include a precision beef cattle handling facility, a veterinary care and research hospital, an advanced technology feed and production center and a metabolism and physiology center. Researchers will be able to evaluate feeding, health and handling techniques using traditional and artificial intelligence-powered approaches designed to increase beef production efficiency and advance feedlot management practices.

Ground was broken in November 2025 adjacent to WT’s Nance Ranch. Paired with the research feedlot is the Paul F. and Virginia J. Engler Foundation Feedlot Education Facility, which is under construction in part through federal community project funding secured by U.S. Rep. Ronny Jackson, including $2.1 million in fiscal year 2024 and $1 million in fiscal year 2026.

“Beef production is vital to the Panhandle, to Texas and to the country. This facility will help WT address practical questions facing cattle producers while expanding the research and training the industry needs,” said Glenn Hegar, chancellor of The Texas A&M University System. “I appreciate Congressman Jackson’s work to support WT and the region through the separate funding for the education facility.”

Jackson said both the research and educational missions of the combined facilities will help increase domestic beef production.

“This funding is an investment in the future of the Texas Panhandle and in the people who keep our agricultural economy moving,” Jackson said. “WT has the expertise, the location and the industry partnerships to put this investment to work. I look forward to seeing the research and opportunities this center will create for generations of producers and agricultural professionals.”

The Texas Cattle Feeders Association, its members, university donors and other sources will match the A&M System’s $4.875 million investment in the facility.

The facility’s design was developed over the past three years through multiple virtual and in-person planning sessions with industry leaders, said Kevin Pond, dean of the Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences.

“I am grateful that our community partners have worked so hard to make this vision a reality,” Pond said. “WT is now positioned to become a world leader in beef cattle feeding research and education, and that would not be possible without support from Congressman Jackson, the USDA, the A&M System, TCFA and many others.”

Investing in WT’s research feedlot will help the facility influence research and education statewide and nationally, said Ben Weinheimer, TCFA president and CEO.

“Cattle feeding plays a significant role in the economy and communities across Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. Training the next generation of feedyard employees and conducting research to advance the industry is critically important for enhancing cattle feeding production practices and increasing beef production in our region,” Weinheimer said. “The funding provided by USDA helps us continue the mission of expanding training and research initiatives at the WT research feedlot.”

Planning for the facility has been ongoing for several years, culminating in a 2024 land legacy gift of 42.84 acres adjacent to WT’s Nance Ranch from brothers Mike and Gary Kuhlman, both Canyon ranchers, as well as congressional funding for the education center.

The Engler Foundation gave $2 million to the project, and Champion Feeders gave an additional $1 million to the effort.

Other major individual and corporate donors making lead gifts include Merck Animal Health, GKB Cattle / Gary and Kathy Buchholz, Cobalt Cattle Co., Kuhlman & Sons / Mike and Gary Kuhlman, Dean Cluck Feedyard, Scott and Jacque Anderson, Plains Land Bank, Capital Farm Credit, Ag Texas Farm Credit Services, Farm Credit Bank of Texas, CoBank, the V.H. Harmon Jr. estate, Bar K Cattle Co. / Karen and Scott Keeling, Karen and Warren White, Mc6 Cattle Feeders, BJM Sales & Services, Kemin Animal Nutrition and Health and an anonymous donor.

The Nance Ranch, located about 7 miles east of Canyon, consists of 2,393 acres, including the headquarters. Given to WT in 1971, it is used as a working laboratory for WT’s animal science program as well as the Semi-Arid Agricultural Systems Institute and the plant and soil science program, providing numerous research and teaching opportunities for faculty and students.

The research feedlot and education facility, which are being constructed southwest of the existing WT feedlot near Nance Ranch, further support WT’s research activities.

The planned feedlot is part of a concerted effort to enhance educational opportunities in agriculture at WT through the Center for Advancing Food Animal Production in the Panhandle and the Feedlot Research Group, which offers opportunities for applied research in animal health and epidemiology; environmental science; meat science; and ruminant nutrition and management.