** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** BEEF CATTLE PRODUCTION ON WINTER WHEAT PASTURE SYSTEMS SIGNIFICANTLY CONTRIBUTES TO US BEEF PRODUCTION, YET RELIES ON NITROGEN FERTILIZATION AND DOES NOT MAXIMIZE LAND USE DURING SUMMER MONTHS. THE GOAL OF THIS PROJECT IS TO IMPROVE US BEEF PRODUCTION'S ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY BY UNDERSTANDING AND EDUCATING PRODUCERS ON ECONOMICALLY AND ENVIRONMENTALLY BENEFICIAL PRODUCTION PRACTICES, SPECIFICALLY BY INCREASING THE USE OF SUMMER-GROWN PLANTS THAT ADD NITROGEN TO THE SOIL AND REDUCE THE NEED FOR NITROGEN FERTILIZER. THE OBJECTIVES OF THIS PROJECT ARE: 1) DETERMINE THE EFFECT OF USING SUMMER CROPS TO INCREASE SOIL NITROGEN AND NITROGEN FERTILIZATION ON FORAGE PRODUCTION AND QUALITY, ANIMAL PRODUCTION, NITROGEN UTILIZATION AND EXCRETION FROM CATTLE, SOIL NITROGEN CONTENT, AND GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS; AND 2) QUANTIFY THE ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS OF THESE PRACTICES; AND 3) EDUCATE PRODUCERS ABOUT THE ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF THESE PRACTICES THROUGH ON-FARM DEMONSTRATIONS, TRADITIONAL/SOCIAL MEDIA OUTPUTS, AND FACT SHEETS. THE RESULTS OF THIS PROJECT WILL SHOW A REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS FROM GRAZING SYSTEMS WITH THE INCORPORATION OF CROPS THAT INCREASE SOIL NITROGEN PLANTED BEFORE WINTER WHEAT AND PROVIDE ECONOMIC BENEFITS TO PRODUCERS. THIS PROJECT WILL IMPROVE US BEEF PRODUCTION'S ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY BY INCREASING THE PRODUCTION OF HIGH-QUALITY FORAGE, REDUCING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS, AND REDUCING RELIANCE ON NITROGEN FERTILIZER.