GSL Researcher Fall 2025: Range and Pasture Update

At the Gudmundsen Sandhills Lab (GSL), the 2025 growing season started with April and early May precipitation being well below the long-term average. However, consistent rains began in mid-May and lasted into early July.  As a result, May and June total precipitation was well above average (Table 1). 

From our annual mid-June sampling of upland range production at GSL, we found total current year forage production at that time to be 751 lb/acre (Table 2). Production of cool-season grasses and sedges was only 195 lb/acre.  This was well below the long-term average for that date and directly associated with the dry April and early May.  The abundant May and June precipitation (10.34 inches total) has resulted in excellent warm-season grass growth. It is easily noticeable here in early August that a large percentage of the warm-season grasses have gone reproductive with seedheads.  It is likely that total production for the 2025 season will be above average.  

In general, most rangelands throughout the Sandhills look very good at this time.  Sites that burned in wildfires this past spring, such as the area south of the Dismal River and along Highway 97, have recovered very well.  Sunflowers are somewhat more abundant in the burned areas, which is common after a wildfire disturbance.