The King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management

08/16/2026

07/09/2026

Thursday Industry Insight: Internship Edition
Cheyenne Young – KRIRM Graduate Student

This summer I have had the opportunity to intern on a South Texas ranch for my KRIRM Internship. I arrived mid-May and was able to participate in the tail end of spring works and help with weaning the fall herds.

My internship project focuses on building a framework to guide optimal marketing allocation given specific key inputs. The goal is to make this model flexible so it can change to give accurate indicators of what marketing strategy is the most profitable under various conditions.

Every day brings new challenges and new lessons as well as a deeper appreciation for the people that make this way of life possible. I am grateful to be placed where I have such great mentors that share wisdom with me daily and where the crew has welcomed me with open arms. South Texas has a way of teaching resilience, grit and respect for nature. I am excited to see what else it has in store.

06/26/2026

“Leadership change is an exciting and invigorating time for an organization. As the next Director, Charley’s economic perspective on the livestock and meat industries will contribute to achieving the institute’s education, innovation and outreach missions. Please join me in welcoming Dr. Charley Martinez to the KRIRM team.” – Dr. Rick Machen

Dr. Charley C. Martinez has been selected as the next Director of the King Ranch® Institute for Ranch Management, located on the campus of Texas A&M University-Kingsville. His official start date is August 1.

Previously, Dr. Martinez served as Assistant Professor and Extension Economist in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at the University of Tennessee and the Director of the UT Center of Farm Management. His research and Extension programming involved farm and ranch financial management, livestock and meat market economics, experimental economics and public policy. Charley received his BS in Agricultural Business-Ranch Management from Texas A&M University-Kingsville, and his PhD in Agricultural Economics from Texas A&M University-College Station.

Welcome to the KRIRM Team, Dr. Martinez!

06/25/2026

Thursday Industry Insight: Internship Edition
Salvetti D’Ascoli – KRIRM Graduate Student

This summer my wife, daughter, and I moved north to the Texas panhandle for my KRIRM summer internship and project. I arrived in early May to participate in spring works, which was a phenomenal start to the summer. I firmly believe that you can learn something from every person you interact with, and I have been so fortunate to be around some amazing folks who are willing to share what they know.

I had never worked on a large crew in my career, so working on a crew of twenty people was a remarkable experience. The crew worked together like a well-oiled machine. It was truly a thing of beauty, and I am blessed to have been a part of it. It was certainly a life-changing experience.

The rest of the summer will involve normal day-to-day tasks on the ranch, as well as time spent working on my ranch management project. The objective of the project is to determine historical unit cost of production for yearlings grazing winter wheat.

This has been an amazing experience for my family. I have learned and gained invaluable insights from some exceptionally skilled cowboys, all while making some great friends.

06/25/2026

The latest KRIRM Spring Newsletter is now available! Read the full newsletter here: https://krirm.tamuk.edu/newsletters/

In this issue, we celebrate the accomplishments of our recent graduates, explore the lessons and principles that have guided respected industry leaders through changing times, and examine how emerging technologies such as virtual fencing may help ranchers prepare for the New World Screwworm threat. You'll also find a final note from our director, Dr. Rick Machen, as he reflects on his career and looks toward the future of the Institute.

06/18/2026

Thursday Industry Insight: Internship Edition
Cooper Larson – KRIRM Graduate Student

This summer, my wife and I moved to Northern Oklahoma’s tallgrass prairie for my KRIRM Internship and project. Originally from the PNW and the Intermountain West, I find this a different country and culture than anything I have ever seen before.

Lots of cattle and lots of grass.

My internship project focuses on the performance of calves during the backgrounding stage. More specifically, how does performance in the backgrounding stage affect performance in the feedyard?

This internship has been a great experience, and I am happy to work alongside some extremely handy individuals. We have found our groove here in Oklahoma, and I am excited to see what the rest of the summer has to offer.

06/16/2026

Interested in joining our team? We’re hiring! KRIRM is seeking a full-time Communications Specialist to help lead communications, marketing, content development, and promotional efforts across digital, print, and social media platforms.

Learn more and apply:

Job TitleCommunications Specialist III Agency Texas A&M University - Kingsville Department King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management Proposed Minimum SalaryCommensurate Job LocationKingsville, Texas Job TypeStaff Job Description About Texas A&M University–Kingsville Texas A&M Universit...

06/09/2026

"Today, KRIRM trains a small cadre of students to think like owners: to steward land, livestock and people while making hard financial decisions in a complex business."

The King Ranch Institute is designed for people who can already handle a horse and a herd — but want a seat at the financial table and the tools to keep ranches profitable for the next generation.

05/28/2026

Thursday Industry Insight: Heat Stress in Cattle
Cheyenne Young – KRIRM Graduate Student

Heat stress is more than just mild discomfort. As temperatures rise, so does the risk of heat stress for cattle. It can seriously affect herd health and significantly impact production and profitability.

Cattle are less effective at sweating, making it harder for them to cool down compared to humans. They start experiencing heat stress earlier, particularly in humid environments. As their body temperatures increase, producers often see reduced feed intake, which results in lower weight gain. Additionally, heat stress can lead to decreased milk production in mother cows and impair fertility.

Signs of Heat Stress in Cattle
• Panting
• Drooling
• Reduced feed intake
• Crowding water sources
• Standing (instead of lying down)

In some extreme cases, heat stress can lead to death. At risk animals may have of a higher body condition score (BCS), darker hides, and lack access to clean water and shade.

Prevention is Key
To prevent heat stress, provide adequate shade and fresh, cool water. Avoid handling the herd during the hottest parts of the day and schedule feedings during cooler times.

Producers have a responsibility to be proactive. We should recognize warning signs and monitor the weather to protect the wellbeing of our animals.

Heat stress not only affects the animals but also impacts operational profitability. Be vigilant and prioritize the health of your herd this coming summer.

05/08/2026

The ranching industry is more complex than ever and every decision has a ripple effect. Join us for the John B. Armstrong Lectureship on Systems Thinking for Ranchers on August 10-12, 2026 in Kingsville, Texas.

This thought-provoking lectureship will explore how systems thinking can help ranchers and natural resource managers better understand the interconnected forces shaping their operations. From recognizing unintended consequences to identifying high-impact changes, participants will gain practical tools to improve decision-making and long-term system performance.

Learning objectives include:
• Understanding hidden consequences and feedback loops
• Applying systems thinking to real-world ranch challenges
• Identifying mental models and system structures
• Recognizing trends and system archetypes
• Change our behavior so that we are working with these complex forces, instead of against them, to create what we want

Ranching is more than managing individual parts. It’s understanding the whole system.

Learn more and register today: https://krirm.tamuk.edu/systemsthinking/