Kansas State University is building a new Beef Cattle Research Center on the north side of Manhattan.
The Kansas Board of Regents last week approved the capital improvement project to construct the new research center, which was on the consent agenda.
The new, modernized facility will replace an outdated existing facility at the same location at 3115 College Ave., which is about a mile north of Bill Snyder Family Stadium. The new facility includes a feedlot and has a capacity of 1,200 head of cattle, which is less than the old facility’s capacity.
“Beef cattle feeding is a cornerstone of Kansas’ economy, contributing billions annually and supporting thousands of jobs across the state,” said Ernie Minton, the dean of the College of Agriculture and director of K-State Research and Extension, in a statement to The Capital-Journal. “At Kansas State University, we are committed to advancing research and innovation to help grow this important industry sector.”
K-State President Richard Linton told the Regents that the research center contains three components: “It’s a beef feedlot, it’s a metabolism unit and a feed mill and flaker unit to be able to produce the feed.”
The facilities will be used for teaching and research.
The feedlot and metabolism barn will be built in the first of two phases, at a cost of about $11.1 million, while the feed mill will be built in a second phase, at a cost of about $4.9 million. The total cost is about $16 million.
“All of this will be funded by private funds,” Linton said.
About $10.5 million has been raised so far, Linton said, “which allows us to move forward with two of the three components.”
Regent Carl Ice said the project approval was fast-tracked. Later, the Regents also approved a request to name the research center after the late Doug Laue, of U.S. Premium Beef and a K-State animal science graduate.
“He was known as being a very strong advocate for the beef industry, the marketing of fed cattle and also the education and research for beef production,” Linton said.
The project will be on state property, will be completed by the KSU Foundation and is expected to be finished in 2028.
“Our members support K-State’s Beef Cattle Research Center project that will feature a new on-campus cattle feeding facility,” said Kansas Livestock Association CEO Matt Teagarden in a statement to The Capital-Journal. “We appreciate the significant investment made by many KLA members to make this facility a reality.
