The first two burley tobacco varieties released in North Carolina, NC2 and NC3, were bred and developed at the Mountain Research Station. The station also participates in the regional variety testing and sucker control programs. The station has increasingly become involved in research projects concerning production of tobacco transplants from flotation beds in greenhouses, mini-greenhouses, and outdoors. Other research includes investigation of no-till, ground covers, minimum till, soil enrichment, utilization of compost materials and alternative curing systems for tobacco. Livestock Beef Cattle A beef cattle demonstration program designed to accommodate the needs of area beef cattle producers involves over 100 beef cattle under various feeding and management systems.
Researchers test preconditioning systems for cattle and screen animal health products and programs.
The station houses a bull test facility that can accommodate up to 60 bulls during a performance trial. The sale of bulls from this program has greatly improved the quality of cattle produced in Western North Carolina as well as across the state. The station's work with livestock also focuses on an intensive controlled grazing program as well as other programs involving forages both for grazing and feed sources. Goats Goat research also began in 1990. This program studies feeding and management systems, controlled grazing, and pasture renovation with the goal of developing superior stock for the Nort h Carolina's growing goat meat industry.