Rannells Ranch Newsletter
Summer 2026 Edition
From Spring Burns to Summer Research: What's Happening at Rannells Ranch
Researchers are tackling questions that matter across the Flint Hills from where cattle choose to graze to whether specialized feed additives can work in producers' grazing systems. Alongside the annual grazing season, new collaborations and research projects are helping shape the future of sustainable beef production. Read the full story >
The Numbers Are In: Range Education is Growing
Range education at Rannells Ranch is in a growth spurt, from 68 m
iddle and high schoolers at 4-H Discovery Days to 100+ undergraduates in the classroom. Sophie Westbrook and Molly Reichenborn are driving growth through youth workshops, a new weed management microcredential, and expanded field teaching. Read the full story >
Smarter Supplementation: Exploring a New Tool for Stocker Efficiency
Graduate research assistant, Jace Owen, is testing whether an essential oil supplement can make grazing cattle more efficient and reduce methane emissions – all under real-world ranch conditions. His findings could give producers a practical new tool to improve performance and profitability in their operations. Read the full story >
Why Cattle Graze Where They Do : Understanding Grazing Preference on Pastures 
Cattle are selective grazers, and their choices follow patterns producers can learn to read. From plant chemistry to herd social dynamics, the factors driving grazing behavior have real implications for distribution, invasive species pressure, and long-term grassland health. Read the full story >