Economically Sustainable Working Cattle Ranch
Maxwell Ranch is an economically sustainable working cattle ranch that doubles as a living laboratory for teaching, research, and demonstration at Colorado State University, with special emphasis on beef cattle production and rangeland research.
The ranch was bequeathed to CSU STRATA by Fred Maxwell, with the wish that it be available for use by CSU for the betterment of the beef industry. CSU STRATA assumed management of the ranch in the 1970s.
Maxwell Ranch’s mission is to provide CSU, industry, and society with an economically sustainable working cattle ranch as a living laboratory for teaching, research, and demonstration, with special emphasis on beef cattle production and rangeland research.
Past research partnerships have included the departments of Animal Sciences, Forest and Rangeland Stewardship, Soil and Crop Sciences, Equine Sciences, and Wildlife Biology. Past projects have included artificial insemination trials for various cow synchronization protocols, biological control of Dalmatian Toadflax, Loco Weed and Larkspur research related to cattle and horses, cow breeding/insemination, and genetics studies.
Ranch Manager Chantz Smith lives at the ranch managing and optimizing ranch assets to create a model 21st century working cattle ranch that anticipates and provides for the next era of ranching.
Ranch Management
In the early 2010’s, Joel Vaad moved the herd’s calving season from February to May, resulting in dramatically lower feed costs that more than make up for lighter weaning weights.
Summer Internships
Our summer interns are people who are self motivated, teachable, and reliable. This is a great opportunity to experience many aspects of a commercial cattle operation. Activities include calving, doctoring, branding, synchronizing cows for breeding, fencing, range monitoring, and other ranch related activities. Applicants must have a valid driver’s license.
Teaching or Research Request
The ranch may be used for teaching and research purposes.