Managing Smooth Bromegrass Pastures in South Dakota

Smooth bromegrass is a cool-season grass introduced into the U.S. in the latter part of the 19th century. Because of its highly developed root system, smooth bromegrass is resistant to wide temperature extremes and extensive drought. This resistance has allowed it to become a dominant species in pastures and on native rangeland in eastern and central South Dakota. It is a leafy and sod-forming perennial that spreads aggressively through seeds and rhizomes and establishes well on deep, well-drained silt, clay loam, or sandy soils (Fig 1)