LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico State University is getting a grant from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture to study how to make cattle ranching more sustainable.
The $8.9 million grant has been awarded to NMSU’s College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences.
The work is geared toward improving the sustainability of beef production in the southwestern U.S., where environmental conditions are driving up the cost of raising cattle.
The researchers will be looking at cattle genetics, the use of sensors and technology to more accurately understand what’s occurring on the range and options for marketing Southwest beef.
The grant will support research for the next five years and involve as many as 50 people from 12 institutions. That includes five cattle ranches located in New Mexico, Utah, California and South Dakota.