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Prairie Research Unit

The Prairie Research Unit was established in 1962 on 2400 acres of the Gulf Ordinance Plant. Prior work had been conducted on this site. Through a lease from the United States Corps of Engineers, Mississippi State University began to use part of the pasture land for beef cattle research and undergraduate and graduate student training in 1951. September 4, 1962 the University received a quick-claim deed to the 2400 acres. The property was to be utilized for establishment of an agriculture research unit. Early research included regional beef cattle breeding project, beef cattle nutrition, diseases, insect control and forage research.

Physical improvements were made in the 70's. In January 1988 the unit became a unit of the North Mississippi Experiment Station.

Research was conducted during the 1980's and 1990's focused on forages and livestock, with some work with agronomic crops. Studies were conducted with cooperating scientists from the College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Department of Agriculture Economics, Mississippi Cooperative Extension Service, USDA and other MAFES research units.

The current research effort is looking at ways to improve livestock performance. Considerable interest is being generated from a study in which seaweed (Ascophyllum nodosun) was sprayed on pastures and grazed by steers. Additional research is being conducted to find ways to administer the seaweed to livestock.

Work is being initiated to evaluate the new novel endophytes for their production and persistence. Work is also being done to evaluate new and promising forage crops for livestock production.