Missouri Department of Conservation

Prairie, Grassland and Field Management

In the early 1800s, native grasslands covered about one-third of Missouri, or 15 million acres. At that time, prairie grasses and wildflowers covered much of northern and southwestern Missouri, grew under the open pine forests of the Ozarks and edged the swampy land on sandy ridges in the southeast.

Today we have 17 million grass-covered acres--but they're not as diverse. While a native grassland might support more than 200 kinds of grasses and flowers, a grassy field today is often none non-native grass, such as tall fescue. Of our original prairie, only about 75,000 acres remain. Restoring native warm-season grasses and associated wildflowers is important to maintaining Missouri's native wildlife populations.

Native Warm-Season Grasses for Missouri Stockmen

Adding native warm-season grasses to pasture systems can increase gains on yearling cattle and improve performance of cow-calf herds during the summer when cool-season grasses stop growing.

Rich Grasslands: A Guide to Help Improve Your Land for Profit, Aesthetics and Wildlife

Download this publication to learn more about managing your grasslands.

Tall Fescue and Missouri Wildlife

This page is about tall fescue and Missouri wildlife.

Disking for Wildlife

Dense sod or vegetation is detrimental to wildlife feeding and movement and can be improved by light disking. The technique involves disking strips through a field during fall or spring.

Guidelines for Converting Tall Fescue to Other Forages or Herbaceous Cover

This page is about the Guidelines for Converting Tall Fescue to Other Forages or Herbaceous Cover

Managing Missouri's Hay Prairies

West-central and southwest Missouri farmers still have some 75,000 acres of native prairie meadows which can produce low-cost, dependable forage.

Forage, Hay and Pasture Seeding Guide for Cool-Season Grasses

Get the balance right between grasses and legumes in your fields.