We support research on critical rangeland issues

Located 60 miles northeast of Sacramento, SFREC is one of ten research and extension centers that are part of UC ANR. Located on over 5,700 acres of dry annual rangeland, irrigated pastures, oak woodlands and riparian corridors along the Yuba River.  SFREC is representative of several million acres of California foothill rangeland. The Center supports programs on beef cattle production, nutrition and health, rangeland water quality management, oak woodland restoration, native plant conservation, and invasive plant management. SFREC provides land, labor, and infrastructure to support research on critical beef cattle and natural resource issues and provides key site resources to support extension and outreach efforts that explore these themes.  The center was formed following acquisition of several large parcels in the 1960’s and has supported research, education and outreach in the sierra foothills for well over half a century. 

Our Facilities

The Center has key facilities and infrastructure to support a broad range of field research and extension activities including:

• Fenced rangeland and irrigated pastures to allow experimental control over the landscape.
• Hosts a resident 165 cow-calf herd and contracts roughly 400 yearlings and 200 weaners annually for research use
• Two sets of animal handling facilities to allow for weighing, sorting, processing and observation of cattle.  
• Dry labs allow on-site processing and storing of research samples
• Fabrication shops that allow custom fabrication of all types of field research materials and equipment needed
• A large (120 person capacity ) and small (20 person capacity)  conference room
• Bunkhouses with a kitchen, and laundry to house researchers at $35/person/night
• Access to the Yuba River, six small permanent streams, watersheds and extensive riparian vegetation

Want to get involved? 

Check out our Opportunities for Research & Extension at SFREC PDF, 242.29KB
To learn more, read our Center's Highlights PDF, 2.36MB