UW’s Laramie Research and Extension Center Releases Annual Research Report

The University of Wyoming's Laramie Research and Extension Center (LREC) has released a comprehensive digital report detailing its teaching, research and extension activities in 2023.

As the largest of the Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Station's four research and extension centers, LREC supports a diverse variety of educational and research opportunities for students, faculty, staff and community members. In addition to livestock facilities for cattle, sheep, horses and swine, located off Wyoming Highway 230, LREC also maintains extensive greenhouse facilities in town and a rangeland study site at the McGuire Ranch northeast of Laramie.

"This report highlights a unique UW facility that serves students, researchers, farmers and ranchers in Wyoming," says Derek Scasta, LREC associate director and UW Extension rangeland management specialist.

He revitalized the annual report as a means to share the center's contributions with Wyoming residents across the state. Unlike previous reports, the 2023 edition highlights student activities and community-focused programs as well as research projects.

"The proximity to campus makes LREC extremely important for experiential learning for students," Scasta says. "LREC also hosts ram and bull performance tests, which are important for livestock producers in the region."

In addition to these annual outreach programs, LREC regularly hosts 4-H, FFA and collegiate judging teams and provides instructional space for animal science, botany, plant sciences and rangeland ecology classes. Last year, the center partnered with the National Wildlife Federation to host the America's Grasslands Conference tour.

At 7,220 feet in elevation, LREC is a national leader in research on high-altitude livestock and crop production as well as rangeland management. Last year, student and faculty researchers explored pulmonary hypertension in cattle, ruminant nutrition, songbird populations in pastures, forage production, applications of precision agriculture technologies, the relationship between grazing and soil carbon, controlled environment agriculture and more.

To view a free, downloadable copy of the 2023 LREC report, go here. Limited print copies are available at LREC, located at 470 Wyoming Highway 230.

Scasta anticipates publishing a 2024 research report early next year. For more information, call him at (307) 766-2337 or email [email protected].

About the Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Station

The Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Station (WAES) is the research unit of UW's College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources. WAES conducts fundamental and applied research related to agricultural production, natural resource stewardship, economic development and community well-being.

Founded in 1891, WAES remains committed to addressing the current and future needs of the state, region, nation and world through rigorous scientific investigation. In addition to supporting research on campus, WAES operates research and extension centers in Laramie, Lingle, Powell and Sheridan.

To learn more, call (307) 766-3667 or visit www.uwyo.edu/uwexpstn.