Chad Mueller

The Oregon beef cattle industry represents an estimated $633 million of the $4.71 billion annual agricultural receipts to the Oregon economy.  As a result I have developed a systems-based research program focusing on ‘birth-to-rail’ production management to improve sustainability of beef production in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest.  Specifically, my research program revolves around: 1) reducing the cost of available dietary energy, 2) evaluating how ‘value-added’ beef production impacts the production chain, and 3) evaluating how early-lifetime management of calves impact lifelong production of both terminal offspring and replacement breeding females.

Impact of value-added beef programs in combination with western U.S. range and timberland environments on: Cow herd productivity and efficiency; Replacement heifer productivity and longevity based on value-added sires; Pre-weaning and post-weaning calf management schemes; Use of metabolic profiles and carcass prediction technologies (i.e. ultrasound, commercial DNA markers) to alter management programs to improve growth and economic efficiencies. Secondary program: Evaluate alternative feed sources/supplements to complement low to medium quality forages typical of western U.S. forages.