NDSU Central Grasslands Research Extension Center

NDSU Central Grasslands Research Extension Center One of seven Research Extension Centers in the NDSU Agricultural Experiment Station system. Central Grasslands began operation in 1981 with three employees.

Central Grasslands REC serves 18 counties in the Missouri Coteau, an area bounded by the Missouri River basin on the west and the James River basin on the east. This region produces about 40 percent of the state’s cattle and over one-third of the state's alfalfa and other hay. One of seven Research Extension Centers in the NDSU Agricultural Experiment Station system, the Center is made up of 5,335

acres of mixed-grass prairie and cropland in Stutsman and Kidder Counties. Today the staff is composed of ten full-time employees, three part-time, and six or more summer employees. The Center also provides facilities, study sites, and support for graduate students conducting research. The Center hosts an Annual Field Day in the summer and a Research Review in the winter. Current studies at the Center include: increasing beef production through supplementation; the impacts of grazing intensity on plants, livestock performance and soil water; physiological responses of plants to grazing and drought; carbon flux in native grasslands; evaluating forage species for livestock and biofuels; improving forage production and soil health; control of invasive species with early intensive grazing; grazing systems to extend the grazing season; and a comparison of cattle breeding systems.

The center is honored to host the North Dakota Society for Range Management and NDSU Extension event Prairie Palooza in ...
04/21/2026

The center is honored to host the North Dakota Society for Range Management and NDSU Extension event Prairie Palooza in recognition of the International Year of Rangeland and Pastoralists. Come enjoy an afternoon exploring our rangelands. There will be a wildflower and grass identifications stop, a soil pit, and pollinator stop. We will have a birding tour to kick off the day if you want to come early, and discussion of edible and medicinal use of plants by Linda Black Elk after supper. Bring the kids for a scavenger hunt. The event is free and supper provided.

The crocus are in full bloom at the center. Snows and blues are still plentiful, ducks everywhere, grouse dancing and ph...
04/15/2026

The crocus are in full bloom at the center. Snows and blues are still plentiful, ducks everywhere, grouse dancing and pheasants crowing. Enjoy the next wonderful days. Photos were taken by Joan when she is walking the pastures.

We had a rare sighting near the center the past 4 days. 3 whooping cranes are migrating though and have settled in for a...
04/13/2026

We had a rare sighting near the center the past 4 days. 3 whooping cranes are migrating though and have settled in for a short stop to eat and rest. Only around 800 birds exist in the wild, and 3 migrated near the center! Pretty amazing! I attached a photo of 3 Sandhill cranes migrating along with the whoopers.

Dr. Meehan and I had fun doing the ND Outdoors Podcast. If you want to learn about virtual fencing with some comic relie...
02/20/2026

Dr. Meehan and I had fun doing the ND Outdoors Podcast. If you want to learn about virtual fencing with some comic relief, take a listen. Click on the link to hear the entire episode. Thanks Casey and Cayla for the invite.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Kevin Sedivec and Miranda Meehan, North Dakota State University researchers and professors in the School of Natural Resource Sciences, about using virtual fencing for grazing management. We discuss their economic and biological findings, challenges and pr...

Our (CGREC) and Dr. Meehan’s team winter integrated livestock/cropping systems trial ended this week. Grazing occurs on ...
12/05/2025

Our (CGREC) and Dr. Meehan’s team winter integrated livestock/cropping systems trial ended this week. Grazing occurs on cropland in a soybean-corn rotation interseeded with winter rye, triticale or wheat. This is the 3rd year with preliminary findings showing neutral or higher crop yields and greater economic return when grazed versus not grazed (especially when we can graze both in the fall and spring).

The Northern Lights over the center this evening were amazing. My wife and I walked out into the pasture north of the of...
11/12/2025

The Northern Lights over the center this evening were amazing. My wife and I walked out into the pasture north of the office and caught these pictures off the wetland.

Yesterday we held a workshop focusing on the use and role of virtual fencing for managing cattle. We highlighted our res...
10/08/2025

Yesterday we held a workshop focusing on the use and role of virtual fencing for managing cattle. We highlighted our research conducted in partnership with NDSU Animal Sciences and NDSU School of Natural Resource Sciences. It was a beautiful day, great food (thanks Bonnie and Joan), and amazing interaction and speakers. Thanks to Jayce Doan of Black Leg Ranch for providing a ranchers perspective (he got a helicopter ride back home by one of the participants).

09/11/2025

Heifer approaching virtual fence, hears the beep, and turns around.

The centers 2025 field was held yesterday. All the presenters did a great job, including 4 of our graduate students. Tha...
07/16/2025

The centers 2025 field was held yesterday. All the presenters did a great job, including 4 of our graduate students. Thanks to NDSU Carnivore Catering for making lunch, the City of Streeter for making desserts and serving, and the center staff, researchers and Extension for putting in a good show.

What a day! Central Grasslands REC Field Day ✅✅We’re grateful to everyone who came out to connect, ask questions, and wa...
07/15/2025

What a day! Central Grasslands REC Field Day ✅✅

We’re grateful to everyone who came out to connect, ask questions, and walk the pastures with us. A big thank you to our speakers, staff, and partners who made the day possible. Here are just a few of our favorite snapshots 📸

North Dakota State University

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4824 48th Avenue SE
Streeter, ND
58483

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+17014243606

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