We conduct research to improve the sustainability of livestock production in arid rangelands as well as the sustainability of supply chains connected to Southwestern U.S. livestock production. More generally, this research is developing novel approaches to quantify the synergies and tradeoffs of multiple sustainability indicators in agricultural systems as well as the flows of costs and benefits through agricultural supply chains.
The Jornada Experimental Range Long-Term Agroecosystem Research (LTAR) program is part of the USDA LTAR network and conducts site-based research on the use of heritage cattle breeds, precision technologies, and arid grassland restoration to enhance the sustainability and resilience of arid rangeland agroecosystems, in addition to participating in several network-wide research projects.
Learn MoreThe Sustainable Southwest Beef Project is a five year project complementing our LTAR program, funded by USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Agriculture and Food Research Initiative’s Sustainable Agricultural Systems (SAS) program to New Mexico State University. The project is evaluating Raramuri Criollo cattle, precision technologies, and tradeoffs among beef supply chain options from pasture to plate.
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