“A history of Ozark Soils and Conversion to Farmland – lessons that help us in today’s forage production” presentation

Program Explores Ozark Soil History to Improve Modern Forage Production
Cost- $5 includes take-home educational materials

 A new educational program is helping Ozark producers better understand why farming and forage production in the region can be challenging— and what can be done to improve soil productivity and long‑term sustainability.

The program, “A History of Ozark Soils and the Conversion to Farmland: Lessons That Help Us in Today’s Forage Production,” takes a deep look at how Ozark landscapes functioned prior to settlement, how land conversion altered soil‑building processes, and how today’s soil test data can guide better forage and fertility decisions.

Through historical photographs, ecological research, and more than ten years of regional soil test data, participants learn about the botanical and ecological history that was the genesis of Ozarks soil. These systems featured deep‑rooted native grasses, open savannahs, and virgin woodlands that built organic matter, improved water infiltration, and sustained soil health over time.

As we look at modern forage challenges, it becomes clear that we’re managing soils that function very differently than they once did, we must be more intentional with fertility, species selection, and soil management than many other regions.

The program traces how settlement, land clearing, continuous grazing, and fire suppression disrupted those original soil‑building processes. Many of those limitations persist today. A key component of the program focuses on current soil conditions across south‑central Missouri, drawing from nearly 20,000 soil test results collected between 2015 and 2025.

The program also highlights management strategies producers can use to improve both forage yield and sustainability. Topics include liming and nutrient replacement, understanding removal rates from hay production, and selecting forage species that better match Ozark soils. Native warm‑season grasses such as switchgrass, big bluestem, and Indiangrass are discussed alongside introduced alternatives like bermudagrass, crabgrass, and teff.

Ultimately, the program emphasizes that productive Ozark farming is possible—but requires working with the landscape rather than against it.

Our soil didn’t form under the same conditions as prairie states. When we manage fertility, grazing, and species with that history in mind, we can improve forage quality and quantity while protecting the land for the next generation.

For more information about this program or upcoming educational opportunities, contact Howell County Extension Office, 1376 Bill Virdon Blvd.  Office 417-256-2391 or register online at: pears.io/events/mu/3495/