When Powell River Project began in 1980, cattle production was not a common use for reclaimed mine areas in Virginia. Since 1980, Powell River Project has maintained a cattle herd at the Education Center in cooperation with Penn Virginia Coal Co. For many years, the herd was managed by John Gerken, of Virginia Tech's Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences. Since Dr. Gerken's retirment in 1986, the herd has been managed by Dee Whittier, College of Veterinary Medicine.
Each year in the fall, an educational program focused on cattle nutrition, reproduction, and health is held at Powell River Project Education Center. Over the years, many calves sired by high-quality breeding stock have been sold to local cattle producers. Use of reclaimed mine areas for cattle production has become more common in the Virginia coalfields over the years. Recently, an organization of local producers, the Coalfield Beef Cattle Association, has formed under the leadership of Virginia Cooperative Extension.
Publications
Dove, Dennis, Dale Wolf, and Carl Zipper. 1991. Conversion of Sericea Lespedeza-Dominant Vegetation to Quality Forages for Livestock Use. Virginia Cooperative Extension publication 460-119.
Gerken, John, and Charlie Baker. 1990. Beef production from forages grown on reclaimed surface-mined land. Virginia Cooperative Extension publication 460-128.
Zipper, C.E., and J.G. Skousen. 1990. Income opportunities on reclaimed surface mined lands in central Appalachia. R.D. No. 764, West Virginia University Extension Service, Morgantown, WV.
Dove, Dennis. 1985. Dry Matter and Nutrient Loss From Legume Litter Grown on Mine Soils. M.S. Thesis, Agronomy.
Gross, K. L., and H. J. Gerken, Jr. 1985. Nutritional status of beef cows grazing reclaimed strip-mined pastures. Va. Tech Animal Science Research Report No. 5, Va. Ag. Exp. Sta.
Dove, D. C., D. D. Wolf and W. L. Daniels. 1984. Dry matter and nutrient loss from legume litter grown on minesoils. p. 197-202. In: Proc. of the 1984 Symposium on Surface Mining Hydrology, Sedimentology and Reclamation, Univ. of Ky., Lexington, KY.
Gerken, H. J. 1984. Beef cattle production on reclaimed surface mined land.Virginia Cooperative Extension publication 460-101.
Gerken, H. J., Jr., and A. L. Eller, Jr. 1981. Beef Production from Forages Grown on Reclaimed Surface Mined Land. Va. Tech Animal Science Research Report No. 2, Va. Ag. Exp. Sta.