On Feb. 2, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee released his proposed budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year, which includes an investment of $4.23 million to develop the University of Tennessee at Martin Cattle Outreach and Workforce (COW) Facility.
Announced at the State of the State Address, Gov. Lee’s proposed budget of $311 million – paired with $39 million in university support – includes ambitious and historic investments to support the future of Tennessee.
These investments into the future of agricultural education at UT Martin will support the future of agriculture, the state’s top industry. Tennessee is one of the top beef cattle-producing states in the nation, with beef cattle produced in every county in the state.
UT Martin’s herd of black and white cattle – affectionately called “Oreo cows” – currently call outdated facilities home. Dr. Todd Winters, dean of the UT Martin College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, developed the proposal for the COW Facility.
“Our current beef cattle facilities on the corner of Skyhawk Parkway and Hyndsver Road were built in 1967 and are very antiquated,” Winters said. “We greatly needed a more modern facility with a classroom and laboratory.”
The current facility is not equipped to support programs across the UT Martin College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences to the fullest potential. The proposed plans for the COW Facility include a lecture room, a laboratory and a covered barn with a complete cattle-working system.
The development of this facility will also allow UT Martin to improve the quality of herd genetics through multiple ovulation and embryo technologies. These advancements in available technologies will allow for experiential training in high-demand reproductive technologies in the livestock industry, further preparing UT Martin students for success.
“The UT Martin Beef Cattle Advisory Board met several times to discuss what the project would look like. Reproduction was the decided emphasis,” Winters said. “Multiple ovulation and embryo transfer and artificial insemination are ways to pass on the genetics of superior cows and bulls.”
The purpose of the COW Facility will be to provide quality, hands-on education and outreach for students and professionals in the beef cattle industry. This facility will allow UT Martin to help support the demands of the agricultural workforce and the Tennessee beef cattle industry.
“Having an embryo transfer recipient herd and providing this service to local cattle ranchers is the primary outreach activity,” Winters said. “In addition, the facility will be used to do workshops on activities such as forage management, precision animal agriculture, artificial insemination, animal health, and farm and ranch management.”
The development of this state-of-the-art facility for beef cattle production education will benefit students across multiple majors and disciplines, including animal and veterinary sciences, plant and soil science, agricultural engineering technology, and farm and ranch management.
For more information about the UT Martin College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, visit www.utm.edu/caas or call 731-881-7250.
For more information about UT Martin, visit www.utm.edu or call 1-800-829-UTM1 (-8861).
PHOTO: Cattle are shown being fed at the UT Martin teaching farm. A $4.23 million investment in the proposed 2026-27 Tennessee budget would go toward the development of a Cattle Outreach and Workforce Facility at UT Martin.
