Livestock represents about 70 percent of the nearly $50 billion that agriculture contributes to Colorado’s economy each year. Our researchers work in cooperation with producers to improve production efficiency, strengthen the supply chain, integrate livestock into cropping systems, manage land for ecosystem services, and address issues like climate change, food safety and food security. CSU AgNext’s Climate-Smart Research Facility at ARDEC is equipped to measure enteric greenhouse gas emissions in grazing and feedlot systems across cattle breeds, climates and dietary interventions in first-of-its-kind public research studies.  

Sustainable food production and human wellness depend on the health of our soils. Healthy soils enable climate resilience by retaining water for crops and grazing animals, degrading pollutants, minimizing erosion and dust, and improving water quality. AES and our partners are advancing the science and implementation of soil health practices across diverse ecosystems, positioning CSU as both a leader in soil health research and a model for convening critical science-driven conversations to support rural communities in adapting to climate change.