Warm-Season Grasses of South Dakota

Written with contributions by Jessalyn Bachler, former SDSU Extension Range Field Specialist.

There are several types of grasses found in pastures and rangelands throughout South Dakota and the Northern Great Plains. Knowing which grasses are in your pastures and rangelands can influence grazing management decisions, and ultimately impact animal performance.

This guide focuses on common South Dakota warm-season grasses – grasses that utilize the highly efficient C4 photosynthetic pathway.

For cool-season recommendations, view our Cool-Season Grasses of South Dakota companion publication.

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Warm-Season Grasses of South Dakota

Virtual Fencing Workshop @ Box Elder

SDSU Extension will host a free virtual fencing workshop on Thursday, January 11 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. MT at the Box Elder Events Center (631 Watiki Way, Box Elder, SD 57719).

Grazing exclosure constructed in a rangeland area.

End-of-Season Monitoring

The end of the grazing season is a great time to monitor your pasture/rangeland resources. Learn about some strategies and tools available to help assess where you stand at the end of the season.

Herd of mixed cattle grazing a vast, open rangeland.

History and Current Value of the Range Beef Cow Symposium

In December 1969, four extension specialists from Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, and South Dakota developed a symposium to provide cutting edge information to beef cattle producers. Years later, this valuable tradition continues at the biennial Range Beef Cow Symposium.