University of Nebraska Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center

What University of Nebraska Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center does

The University of Nebraska Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center (ENREEC) is a public, land-grant research and extension complex operated under the University of Nebraska–Lincoln's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR). The center operates a 9,600-acre main campus near Mead, Nebraska — plus satellite facilities — for a total Research, Extension and Education Center (REEC) network footprint of roughly 43,000 acres and nearly 10,000 head of livestock across beef, dairy, swine, and poultry units. Its mission is to deliver unbiased, science-based research, extension outreach, and post-secondary agricultural education to Nebraska producers, students, commodity groups, and industry partners. It supports approximately 100 faculty, 115 graduate students, and more than 180 undergraduate students, and channels outreach through Nebraska Extension's network of 83 county offices and 11 engagement zones, reaching roughly 5,300+ on-site visitors in 2025 alone.

ENREEC's core programmatic surfaces include: (1) applied field and livestock research — including long-running carbon, nitrogen, and integrated cropping systems studies, the Testing Ag Performance Solutions (TAPS) participatory on-farm research program, and nitrogen management trials supported by drone and satellite imagery; (2) two recently launched flagship facilities — the Knopf Family Innovation Center (KFIC), which received its first cattle in October 2024, and the Nebraska Food for Reproductive Research Farms (NFarms), which held its ribbon cutting in August 2025; and (3) a dense industry partnership stack including John Deere, ALA Engineering, The Combine ag-tech incubator, RealmFive, Sentinel Ag, Merck Animal Health, CHS Nutrition, Greater Omaha Packing, Zinpro, and Purina, alongside checkoff-funded commodity boards (Nebraska Corn, Soybean, Dry Bean) and federal partners USDA ARS, USDA NRCS, and the Daugherty Water for Food Institute. The KFIC and NFarms facilities together represent a multi-million-dollar capital build-out explicitly oriented toward autonomous and sensor-driven livestock and cropping systems.

The center's revenue model is a hybrid public-grant-and-checkoff structure rather than a commercial sales motion. Funding is sourced from state appropriations, federal capacity and competitive grants (USDA AFRI, NRCS, ARS cooperative agreements), checkoff-funded commodity board contracts, industry-sponsored research agreements, and program fees for extension services and continuing education. Because ENREEC is a not-for-profit public entity, its unit economics are not expressed in margin or ARR terms; instead, value is measured in published research output, trained students placed in the agricultural workforce, and adoption of practices by Nebraska's producer base. Its commercial counterparties (input suppliers, equipment OEMs, and processors) effectively act as sponsors, technology-validation partners, and downstream customers of the graduates and data the center produces.

Name

University of Nebraska Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center

Legal name

University of Nebraska Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center

Website

https://enreec.unl.edu

Company type

Public

Founded year

1869

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ENREEC is a University of Nebraska–Lincoln land-grant research and extension complex operating a 43,000-acre, ~10,000-head livestock network that delivers applied agricultural research, extension outreach, and student education to Nebraska producers, students, commodity boards, and ag-industry partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Research and Extension Services

NAICS

Cattle Feedlots (112112), Oilseed and Grain Farming (1111), Beef Cattle Ranching and Farming (112111), Other Crop Farming (1119)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700), Agricultural Prod-Livestock & Animal Specialties (200), Agricultural Production-Crops (100), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Agribusiness, Farm Management & Compliance (EDAOAOAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Carbon, Sustainability & Farm Certification Support (Agro-Environmental Advisory) (AFACABAL), Yield Optimization & Crop Performance Consulting (AFACABAC), Integrated Beef Production (Cow-Calf to Finish) (AFAEABAH)

Keywords

• Agricultural research services
• Extension education programs
• Beef cattle research
• Precision agriculture research
• On-farm research network

Headquarters

HQ city

Ithaca

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. State Appropriations (University of Nebraska–Lincoln): ENREEC is a unit of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR), funded through state appropriations administered via the Agricultural Research Division and Nebraska Extension.
2. Federal and State Agricultural Grants and Research Contracts: Research supported by grants from Nebraska Corn Board, Nebraska Corn Growers Association, Nebraska Soybean Board, Nebraska Dry Bean Commission, USDA, and other federal/state agricultural agencies. Funding also supports the Nebraska On-Farm Research Network (NOFRN).
3. Agricultural Extension Education Programs and Training Fees: Fee-based extension programming including crop scouting training, Beef Quality Assurance certification, private pesticide applicator training, nitrogen management certification, and professional development programs for agricultural producers and industry professionals.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

ENREEC is a public, land-grant agricultural research, extension, and education center serving Nebraska producers, students, and industry partners. It operates large-scale research facilities (Klosterman Feedlot Innovation Center, NFarms, Spidercam Plant Phenotyping Facility, Barta Brothers Ranch) spanning more than 9,600 acres of cropland, pasture, and livestock, and delivers applied research, extension programming, and undergraduate/graduate instruction focused on beef cattle systems, precision agriculture, soil health, and integrated agronomy.

Product overview

The University of Nebraska Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center (ENREEC) is a research and education institution offering agricultural research, extension programs, and educational services. The portfolio consists of the main ENREEC facility (9,600 acres near Mead, NE) plus three satellite locations: Barta Brothers Ranch (6,000 acres), Haskell Agricultural Laboratory (480 acres), and South Central Agricultural Laboratory (640 acres). Core research products include the Klosterman Feedlot Innovation Center (commercial-scale beef feedlot testbed), NFarms (precision agriculture digitization initiative), and the Nebraska On-Farm Research Network (farmer partnership program). Supporting programs include Carbon Sequestration Research, Black Light Trap insect monitoring, Plant Phenotyping using Spidercam technology, Checking N nitrogen management video series, and TAPS agricultural competitions. Extension services cover livestock systems, cropping, water management, horticulture, youth development, and community vitality. The center hosts over 5,300 visitors annually for programs, training, tours, and classes, serving as a living laboratory for agricultural innovation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NFarms (Nebraska Future Ag Research & Management Systems): University of Nebraska-Lincoln initiative to pioneer innovative digitized agricultural tools, strategies and collaborations
• Klosterman Feedlot Innovation Center (KFIC)
• Nebraska On-Farm Research Network (NOFRN)
• Barta Brothers Ranch
• Haskell Agricultural Laboratory
• South Central Agricultural Laboratory

Products and services

• Klosterman Feedlot Innovation Center (KFIC) Research and Extension Services Advanced feedlot research, nutrition, and management services for beef cattle producers, feedlot operators, and industry partners, conducted at the Klosterman Feedlot Innovation Center.
• NFarms Precision Agriculture Research and Trials On-farm applied research and field trials in precision agriculture, sensor technologies, and data-driven crop management for row-crop producers and ag-tech partners, delivered through the 60-acre NFarms facility.
• Spidercam Plant Phenotyping Research Services High-throughput plant phenotyping research using automated camera sensing to support crop genetics, breeding, and agronomy research programs.
• Barta Brothers Ranch Cow-Calf and Grazing Research Applied cow-calf, grazing, and pasture management research delivered at the Barta Brothers Ranch for cattle producers and rangeland stakeholders.
• Soil Health and Carbon Sequestration Research Services Long-term soil health and carbon sequestration research using the Eddy Covariance System and associated field instrumentation to evaluate cropping system impacts.
• Integrated Agronomy and Pest Management Research Services Integrated weed, pest, and crop management research services supported by the Black Light Trap insect monitoring network and field trials at the South Central Agricultural Laboratories (SCAL).
• Nebraska Extension Education and Field Programming Educational events and field programming for Nebraska agricultural producers, youth, and international delegations, including Beef Quality Assurance training and youth field days.
• University of Nebraska-Lincoln Agricultural Academic Programs Undergraduate and graduate academic instruction and hands-on research experience in agricultural sciences delivered at ENREEC facilities.

Quantifiable outcome

• NFarms operates at a scale that exceeds anything available at any other university for precision-ag research, utilizing 3,000 of 9,600 acres
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ALA EngineeringcoreTechnology or IntegrationNebraska-based ALA Engineering partnered with ENREEC's Klosterman Feedlot Innovation Center to demonstrate autonomous feed truck technology designed to enhance feeding efficiency and address workforce challenges in cattle feeding operations. The partnership enables unbiased evaluation of autonomous feeding technology in an educational and research setting, allowing ENREEC to demonstrate advancements beyond traditional feedyard feeding methods.
• The Combine (Nebraska Ag Tech Incubator)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Combine, Nebraska's statewide ag tech incubator and accelerator based at Nebraska Innovation Campus in Lincoln, collaborates with ENREEC's NFarms facility to provide emerging startups and founders access to agricultural research infrastructure for testing and developing new technologies. The partnership organized the AgTech Connect conference with live demonstrations at ENREEC.
• John DeerecoreTechnology or IntegrationJohn Deere's Dairy and Livestock Technology Integration team partners with ENREEC for research activities at the facility. Recent forage harvester research at ENREEC demonstrated the scale advantages of the facility for practical agricultural technology research and development.
• Nebraska Soybean BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNebraska Soybean Board partners with NOFRN and ENREEC to provide funding and support for on-farm research focused on soybean production practices, including the TAPS Soybean Competition, Summer Soybean Institute for teachers, and soybean management field days.
• Nebraska Corn Board and Nebraska Corn Growers AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNebraska Corn Board and Nebraska Corn Growers Association invest in NOFRN and ENREEC research to support corn production research, nitrogen management studies, and extension programming for Nebraska corn producers.
• Nebraska Dry Bean CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNebraska Dry Bean Commission partners with NOFRN and ENREEC to fund on-farm research evaluating agricultural practices and providing innovative solutions that impact farm productivity, profitability, and sustainability for dry bean producers.
• Daugherty Water for Food Global InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDWFI hosted international delegations (including Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil) at ENREEC to learn about sustainable water use, and organized the 2025 Water for Food Global Conference tour at ENREEC's Feedlot Innovation Center, focused on Nebraska's integrated cropping and cattle systems for food and water security.
• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSDA NRCS collaborates with ENREEC on conservation programs including prescribed burn planning, grassland management strategies, and the Windbreak Design & Renovation course (with Nebraska Forest Service), supporting conservation practice implementation across Nebraska.
• Nebraska Department of AgricultureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNebraska Department of Agriculture collaborates with ENREEC on programs including the Corn and Cranes conservation tour and facilitated international delegations (Czech Republic Ambiente Restaurant Group) visiting ENREEC to learn about Nebraska beef research and production.
• Merck Animal HealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMerck Animal Health partnered with UNL faculty and the Beef 706 program hosted at ENREEC's Klosterman Feedlot Innovation Center, offering participants opportunities to learn about cattle health, carcass evaluation, and animal science research.
• CHS NutritionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCHS Nutrition feed consultants toured the Klosterman Feedlot Innovation Center to discuss university research updates and industry trends that UNL Feedlot specialists are focusing on, to share with their customers.
• Greater Omaha Packing CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGreater Omaha Packing Company visited the Klosterman Feedlot Innovation Center to learn about the latest in beef production and innovation, and hosted the U.S. Meat Export Federation Mexican Delegation at ENREEC.
• Long-term Agro-ecosystem Research (LTAR) NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerENREEC is part of the LTAR Network, a national consortium of agricultural research sites working together on long-term agroecosystem research to address agricultural sustainability challenges across the United States.
• USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSDA ARS is represented at ENREEC as one of the entities headquartered at the center, contributing to integrated agricultural research across crops, livestock, and natural resources.
• ZinprominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerZinpro sponsored a tour of feedlots across the U.S. for Brazilian clients, including a stop at ENREEC's Klosterman Feedlot Innovation Center to learn about cutting-edge technology and ruminant nutrition research in Nebraska (the Beef State).
• Purina Animal NutritionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPurina animal nutritionists visited the Klosterman Feedlot Innovation Center to discuss research on feedlot technology, diets, and strategies for backgrounding and growing cattle.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Texas A&M AgriLife Research: Texas A&M AgriLife Research is one of the largest U.S. land-grant agricultural research networks, with extensive beef cattle, crop, and precision agriculture research. Like ENREEC, it operates integrated research-extension centers and partners with industry on commercial-scale testing.
• Kansas State University Research and Extension: K-State Research and Extension operates multiple agricultural research centers across Kansas focused on crop production, livestock systems, and water management under the land-grant model. Directly comparable to ENREEC in mission, scope, and funding structure, with similar extension reach and beef cattle research strengths.
• Iowa State University Research and Demonstration Farms: Iowa State University operates a network of research and demonstration farms across Iowa that, like ENREEC, conduct crop and livestock research at commercial scale, host precision agriculture testing, and partner with state commodity organizations. It is the most direct land-grant Midwest analog for ENREEC's integrated crop-livestock model.
• Ohio State University Extension and Agricultural Research: Ohio State University Extension operates agricultural research stations across Ohio with similar crop and livestock research portfolios and a robust extension network. Comparable to ENREEC as a Midwest land-grant institution with extension programming and industry partnerships.
• Purdue University Agricultural Research: Purdue's College of Agriculture operates multiple agricultural research centers in Indiana focused on crop production, livestock, and digital agriculture. Comparable to ENREEC in the precision agriculture and digital decision-support research space, with similar land-grant funding mechanisms.
• Iowa Beef Center: Iowa State University's Iowa Beef Center conducts beef cattle research, extension, and producer education, directly comparable to ENREEC's Klosterman Feedlot Innovation Center and beef systems research programs. Both serve as Midwest beef industry research and extension hubs.
• USDA-ARS Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC): Located in Clay Center, Nebraska—the same town as one of ENREEC's satellite labs (SCAL)—USMARC is the USDA's primary beef cattle genetics and production research facility. Highly comparable to ENREEC's beef research mission and frequently partners with ENREEC researchers.
• University of Illinois Agricultural Research Stations: UIUC operates agricultural research facilities across Illinois focused on corn and soybean production, soil health, and digital agriculture. Comparable to ENREEC as a Midwest land-grant institution with strong crop research and precision agriculture partnerships.

Broad incumbents

• USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS): USDA's primary in-house agricultural research agency, with national scope and ARS scientists actually headquartered at ENREEC. Comparable as a federal agricultural research institution with overlapping research areas and longstanding partnership.

Emerging players

• The Combine (Nebraska Ag Tech Incubator): Nebraska's statewide ag tech incubator based at Nebraska Innovation Campus, formally partnered with ENREEC's NFarms facility. Comparable to ENREEC as part of the Nebraska ag tech ecosystem, providing startup support while leveraging ENREEC's research infrastructure for technology testing.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubemediahub.unl.edu/channels/21972
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/university-of-nebraska-eastern-nebraska-research-extension-and-education-center

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about University of Nebraska Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center