Mission:
Develop nationally and internationally recognized science-based knowledge documenting natural resource management as a requirement for healthy, functional ecosystems, and disseminate guidelines for sustainable use of natural resources in semiarid environments, which undergird agricultural production and viable communities.
Major Focus:
Rangeland Restoration. Develop restoration and management strategies for sustainable use of rangelands, concentrating primarily on stream water quality, potential biofuel sources, fire and grazing impacts, and integrated wildlife and rangeland management.
Livestock and Forage Production Systems. Strengthen forage/ livestock production systems to sustain year-round grazing, reduce the economic costs of wheat pasture bloat, reduce purchased feed costs for beef herds, and increase beef production efficiency from forages.
Crop and Tillage Systems. Develop sustainable, waterefficient crop and tillage systems, with emphasis on subsurface drip irrigation, soil health, dryland crop production practices and new varieties of wheat and triticale for grain and beef production in the Rolling Plains.
Research Programs:
Cropping/Tillage Systems
Introduced Forage Systems
Rangeland Ecology and Management
Wheat Breeding and Management
Stocker Cattle Nutrition
Wildlife Ecology and Management
Watershed Management
Special Initiatives:
Created hybrid grain sorghum.
Improved long-term grazing systems for livestock, wildlife and water capture.
Developed economical mesquite management programs.
Developed new wheat varieties for beef and grain production.
Introduced persistent cool-season forage and pasture crops with summer-dormancy trait.
Resident Director:
Dr. John M. Sweeten
6500 W. Amarillo Boulevard
Amarillo, TX 79106-1796
Phone: (806) 677-5600
In Vernon
11708 Hwy 70 South
P.O. Box 1658
Vernon, TX 76385
Phone: (940) 552-9941 x229
Fax: (940) 553-4657
E-mail: j-sweeten@tamu.edu
Personnel:
38 Full-time employees; 8 faculty and 30 support staff 28 Part-time students and graduate students
Established:
Since 1887, Texas AgriLife Research has been an integral part of the Texas A&M System. AgriLife Research is the state’s only agency dedicated to research and technology development in food, agriculture and natural resources. There are 13AgriLife Research and Extension Centers serving the specific research needs of each region and for agricultural and urban citizens across the state.
Facilities:
The Chillicothe Station was established cooperatively by USDA and Texas AgriLife Research in 1905. The center at Vernon was created in 1971 as a part of Texas AgriLife Research. Together, the facilities include:
- 16,000 square feet of AgriLife Research office and laboratory space;
- 20,000 square feet of shop, storage and work areas;
- 7,500 square feet of greenhouses;
- 875 acres of cropland;
- 1,690 acres of rangeland.
