To characterize the wide range of operations found in
the region, 28 beef cattle production systems were modeled using the Integrated Farm System Model (IFSM;
Rotz et al. 2014). These consisted of 7 ranches in both
Kansas and Oklahoma and 8 in Texas. Three feedyards
were modeled in Kansas, 1 in Oklahoma, and 2 in Texas.
Each state was divided into eastern, central, and western
areas primarily because of the large range in precipitation found moving from east to west (Asem-Hiablie et al.,
2015). The representative ranches and feedyards were
distributed across these areas to assure representation of
climatic, edaphic, and management differences.