Montana State University researchers receive $1.5 million for grazing study

Researchers from Montana State University’s Department of Animal and Range Sciences and the Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences have been awarded a $1.5 million grant to study adaptive grazing management. The funding, provided by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation through the Ranchland Stewardship Program, will support a project spanning from this fall through 2029.

Led by assistant professor Noah Davis, the research team aims to determine effective 21st-century grazing practices by examining their impact on livestock, vegetation, and soil. The study will utilize modern technologies, including satellite imagery, drones, and virtual fencing, to provide detailed views of pasture conditions and increase flexibility for ranchers.

The project will involve fieldwork in 2027 and 2028, selecting 10 to 15 Montana ranches that already employ adaptive approaches to participate in the study.