2010 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) The objective of this cooperative research agreement is for the University, through its Hettinger Research Extension Center, to cooperate with ARS in the development of sustainable value-added animal production systems for Northern Great Plains states. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) Novel research addressing alternative feeding strategies for cattle and lambs will be conducted. Specifically, trials evaluating early-weaning strategies for May born calves, use of alternative and local feedstuffs in calf backgrounding and lamb finishing (dried distillers grains and corn gluten), and lamb finishing trials evaluating human health implications (Se-fortified meats) will be evaluated. Results from research trials will be integrated with a comprehensive educational program in an aggressive plan of technology transfer directed at individual producers. Furthermore, continual assessments of current activities will attempt to measure direct impact at the producer level and subsequent impact on rural communities. 3.Progress Report • Weaning date (early vs. normal) effects on calf growth and carcass traits were investigated during the grow-finish period using May-born Angus calves. • Two dietary treatments (natural vs. conventional) were investigated for their impact on growth performance and carcass characteristics of cattle and lambs. Net returns associated with each diet were calculated. Results were presented at the Western Sectional meetings of the American Society of Animal Sciences, Denver, CO. ADODR monitoring is done via e-mails and phone calls, and discussions at professional meetings.