The University of Florida/IFAS Beef Teaching Unit is a 90-acre farm that includes a 200-head capacity feedyard and approximately 40-head cow/calf operation of various breeds, types, sizes, and levels of production. The primary purpose of the unit is to provide hands-on training to the students enrolled in the Animal Sciences program. Some of the breeds that you will find at the Beef Teaching Unit are Charolais, Simmental, Angus, Red Angus, Gelbvieh, Hotlander, Hereford, Devon, Santa Gertrudis, Brahman, and Brangus. The unit utilizes artificial insemination and embryo transfer to create cattle of various types for teaching purposes.

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The facility is used for the following classes or laboratories:

• ANS 3006L: Introduction to Animal Science Lab
• ANS 3246: Beef Production Practicum
• ANS 3319C: Reproductive Physiology and Endocrinology in Domestic Animals
• ANS 3404C: Food Animal Nutrition and Feeding
• ANS 3613L: Livestock and Meat Evaluation
• ANS 4243C: Beef Cow-Calf Management
• ANS 4245C: Beef Background and Feedlot Management
• ANS 4604C: Live Animal Evaluation
• ANS 4932: Seedstock Marketing and Management

The BTU also supports extension programs targeting youth and adults interested in the beef cattle industry. In-service training for agriculture teachers, extension agents, ranchers, and 4-H volunteer leaders utilize the extensive facilities, agronomic resources, and cattle inventory to provide current industry information and management practices.

Facilities

New state of the art facilities were completed in 2018 through legislative funding. Housing is available on site for motivated students who are interested in gaining more experience with beef cattle production.

Download a map (pdf) giving directions to the Beef Teaching Unit from the Department of Animal Sciences.