Range & Forage

Range and forage research has been an integral part of the Department of Agronomy for nearly a century. Pasture management studies were initiated prior to 1920. R.L. Hensel, A.E. Aldous, and K.L. Anderson built the foundation for rangeland and forage research including studies on prescribed burning, brush and weed control, and grazing systems.

K-State Agronomy students and faculty are fortunate to have access to the Rannells Flint Hills Prairie Preserve and the Bressner Pastures. These rangeland facilities provide an excellent resource for replicated grazing studies. Annual and perennial forage research is conducted across the state at on-campus and off-campus research centers. The rangeland and forage faculty cooperate closely with the Department of Animal Science and Industry, the Department of Agricultural Economics, and the Division of Biology to conduct both applied and basic research. Researchers have access to the latest state-of-the-art technology such as carbon flux towers and a fully-equipped remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) lab to analyze satellite imagery and geospatially referenced data.

The goals of the rangeland and forage program are to protect the grassland resources of the state, protect water and soil quality, and enhance productivity of the resources. Faculty are also actively involved in invasive weed and brush management. Improving the production and efficient use of rangeland and forage resources of the state will continue to have a positive impact on the state’s agricultural economy.