King Ranch® Institute for Ranch Management

Sustaining our ranching heritage through education, innovation, and outreach. Our program was created to educate the next generation of ranch managers, and we remain the only Master of Science in Ranch Management program in the world. We believe that, through our efforts at the King Ranch® Institute for Ranch Management, we will ensure that ranching remains a vital part of our lives.

There's still time to register to attend in person or online. MANAGING THE COW-CALF BUSINESS January 16-17, 2025 || Kingsville, TX & Online View the Agenda or Register Now: https://buff.ly/3k8UE8e On a daily basis cattle and ranch managers run operations that are worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. To do this effectively, they need to record accurate data and know how to analyze the data for actionable results. This information is essential for making sound managerial decisions. Join us for this important lectureship where participants will use real-world scenarios to determine stocking rate, budgeting, marketing, and defining financial success. Whether you have been raising cattle for generations or are new to the industry, this lectureship will add value to your bottom line. #kingranch #ranchmanagement #ranchmanager #krirm #ranching

The King Ranch® Institute for Ranch Management Winter 2025 Newsletter is now available. Read it online: https://buff.ly/4gM9lq7 In this issue, guest contributor Lee Leachman, CEO of Leachman Cattle of Colorado, looks at the importance of embracing new technologies for the future of ranching. Also in this issue, Dr. Ben Turner shares insights on a systems approach to analyzing a complex ranching opportunity, and we visit with our 2025 graduates about what lies ahead for them. Look for our 2025 Lectureships and Symposium schedule! #kingranch #ranchmanagement #ranchmanager #krirm #ranching

Southern Great Plains warm season perennial grasses have gone (or will soon go) dormant. Stockmen think of these grasses as hay cured on the stem for winter grazing, and as long as leaves remain intact, the protein and energy content of these dormant native grasses will usually support a dry cow. Mineral content is at the annual low in these dormant winter forages, yet mineral requirements for lactating, fall-calving and third trimester spring-calving cows are peaking. Cattlemen should closely monitor mineral consumption by cows grazing dormant forages. Intake should be 2-4 oz./head/day for most supplements (read the label). Following are some note worthies: - Not all mineral supplements are created equal. Chemical form affects mineral bioavailability /absorption. In general, bioavailability (from most to least available) goes: chelate/proteinate complexed, hydroxy, carbonate, sulphate and finally oxides. For example, ferrous oxide makes a mineral supplement red but offers very little supplemental iron. Bioavailability and price are inversely related. - Supplement form effects intake. Typically, mineral intake is greatest for molasses-based supplements (tubs), intermediate for loose dry formulations, and least for mineral blocks. - Supplement placement influences intake. Placing mineral near water or loafing areas increases intake. - Yellow salt blocks may pacify the stockman’s conscience, but do not qualify as a balanced mineral supplement. - Providing free choice salt often reduces consumption of mineral supplement. If providing free choice salt, monitor total mineral consumption to ensure adequate intake is being achieved. - If providing supplemental protein and energy via cubes, ask the mill to add the supplemental minerals and vitamin A to the cube. by Dr. Rick Machen #kingranch #ranchmanagement #ranchmanager #krirm #ranching

KRIRM is Now Accepting Applications for the 2025 Master's Degree Cohort December 1, 2024 - March 31, 2025 Be part of the legacy. The King Ranch® Institute for Ranch Management (KRIRM) offers the premier Master of Science in Ranch Management degree. We prepare those with a passion for ranching for the next step in their career as ranch business managers. Our master’s degree program offers a unique multi-disciplinary approach to ranch management. We teach our students how to manage ranches, but also how to progressively think their way to success and innovation for the industry. Our curriculum sharpens students’ skills and knowledge in the areas of animal science, wildlife science, range science, business, accounting, finance, and leadership. External learning opportunities include summer internships at ranches across the United States, projects that focus on real issues facing our partnering ranches, and workshops with industry professionals that cover a variety of ranch-related topics. We are seeking applicants for our 2025 cohort that have a Bachelor’s degree and at least 2 years’ work experience in ranching. If you’re ready to take the next step and earn a Master's degree and fast forward your management career, we encourage you to apply by visiting our website: https://buff.ly/3C51Qcb #kingranch #ranchmanagement #ranchmanager #krirm #ranching

SAVE THE DATE || MANAGING THE COW-CALF BUSINESS January 16-17, 2025 || Kingsville, TX & Online On a daily basis cattle and ranch managers run operations that are worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. To do this effectively, they need to record accurate data and know how to analyze the data for actionable results. This information is essential for making sound managerial decisions. Join us for this important lectureship where participants will use real-world scenarios to determine stocking rate, budgeting, marketing, and defining financial success. Whether you have been raising cattle for generations or are new to the industry, this lectureship will add value to your bottom line. Learn More or Register Now: https://buff.ly/3k8UE8e #kingranch #ranchmanagement #ranchmanager #krirm #ranching

Dr. Rick Machen recently sat down with Rural Radio's Rebel Sjeklocha for her "Breaking the Barrier" podcast to discuss the King Ranch® Institute for Ranch Management and what KRIRM is doing to educate the next generation of ranch managers. Listen to the show below or wherever you get your podcasts. Spotify: https://buff.ly/3OmOVaI Apple Podcasts: https://buff.ly/3OisZ0I Website: https://buff.ly/3CCMm1U #kingranch #ranchmanagement #ranchmanager #krirm #ranching

The USDA Final Traceability Rule went into effect on November 5, 2024. This rule updates the 2013 USDA rule and now requires any ear tags applied after November 5th to be both visually and electronically readable for sexually intact cattle that are 18 months or age or older, exhibition cattle, rodeo cattle, and dairy cattle that will move interstate. Cattle that are not leaving their birth state, feeder cattle under 18 months of age, or cattle going directly to slaughter do not have to have compliant ear tags. The classifications of the cattle have not changed since the 2013 rule when the metal ear tag only was allowed. The only change is for the type of tags to be used moving forward. Metal tags that were applied before November 5th are grandfathered into the system. The only EID technology that is compliant is an "840" ear tag. The "840" tags are tamper evident which is one of the requirements for implementation. These tags also have an imprinted 15 digit unique number that satisfies the visual component of the ruling as well. "900" EID tags have not been approved. Official EID ear tags are available from state veterinarian offices and certain cattle ear tag suppliers. Check with your local veterinarian for more details or locate your state veterinarian via this link: https://buff.ly/3V4SAOj The reason for the modification to the rule is to facilitate faster traceability in the event of a foreign animal disease outbreak. Article by Dr. Robert Wells Paul C. Genho Endowed Chair of Ranch Management - KRIRM #kingranch #ranchmanagement #ranchmanager #krirm #ranching

King Ranch® Institute for Ranch Management is pleased to announce the addition of Robert S. Wells, Ph.D., PAS, as the Paul C. Genho Endowed Chair in Ranch Management. Dr. Wells is a South Texas native who has spent his career consulting with ranchers to meet their ranch management and profitability goals across the Southern Great Plains and internationally. Dr. Wells worked as a Livestock Consultant for the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, subsequently Noble Research Institute in Ardmore, Oklahoma for 19 years. His areas of emphasis include: forage-based beef cattle production and cow/calf nutrition, herd health programs, improving herd genetics, stocker health and nutrition, marketing and value-added calf programs. He is the Executive Director of the Integrity Beef Alliance which is a value-added calf marketing program dedicated to improving the sustainability, genetics and profitability of member ranches. Prior to working for the Noble Foundation, Wells spent two years as the Assistant General Manager and Operations Manager for the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show and Rodeo, Inc. in Mercedes, TX, and he spent seven years as the Beef Cattle Research Coordinator at the University of Illinois. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from Stephen F. Austin State University, his Master of Science degree with a focus on ruminant nutrition from Texas Tech University, and his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois in beef cattle management and ruminant nutrition in 2004. He is a registered Professional Animal Scientist. Dr. Wells is a member of numerous industry organizations, including the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association, Texas and Southwestern Cattlemen’s Association and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, and American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA). He is also involved in several scientific organizations including American Society of Animal Sciences, and Association of Professional Animal Scientists. #kingranch #ranchmanagement #ranchmanager #krirm #ranching @rs-wells