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Department of Agronomy & Horticulture

Jerry D. Volesky  Professor, Extension Range and Forage Specialist

Jerry D. Volesky portrait

Contact Information
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Area of Focus

Livestock Grazing

Degrees

  • B.S., Biology, Dickinson State University, 1980
  • M.S., Range Science, North Dakota State University, 1982
  • Ph.D., Range Science, South Dakota State University, 1986

Research Interests

My primary area of research is on grazing management and systems. The majority of this work is conducted on Sandhills rangeland at the Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory near Whitman or the Barta Brother Ranch located south of Long Pine. I also have additional projects at the Research and Extension Center involving various aspects of seeded perennial and annual forages under irrigated and non-irrigated conditions.

Major Project Activities

My research project contains experiments designed to answer critical questions pertaining to livestock grazing and efficient utilization and sustainability of the wet meadow and upland range in the Nebraska Sandhills. Current rangeland studies are focused on: 1) defoliation effects on root growth of meadow forage species, 2) meadow and upland range grazing strategies for yearling cattle, 3) spring grazing effects on upland Sandhills range, and 4) a GPS assessment of livestock distribution in 4- and 8-pasture rotation grazing systems. Current trials with seeded, cool-season perennial grasses focus on variety evaluation, water-use efficiency, and effects of cutting height on production and persistence.

Extension Interests

The focus of my Extension activities is the development and implementation of range and forage management programming for both youth and adult clientele in the West Central District.

Selected Publications

  • Volesky, J.D. (ed.), J.L. Stubbendieck, W.H. Schacht. D. Larsen, and D. Cisney. 2009. Range Judging Handbook and Contest Guide for Nebraska. University of Nebraska Extension Circular EC-150. 50 p.
     
  • Anderson, B.E., J.D. Volesky, and C.A. Shapiro. 2009. Fertilizing Grass Pastures and Hayland. University of Nebraska Extension NebGuide G1977.
     
  • Volesky, J.D., B.E. Anderson, and M.C. Stockton. 2008. Species and Stockpile Initiation Date Effects on Yield and Nutritive Value of Irrigated Cool-season Perennial Grasses. Agron. J. 100:931-937.
     
  • Reece, P.E., J.D. Volesky, and W.H. Schacht. 2008. Integrating Management Objectives and Grazing Strategies on Semi-arid Rangeland. University of Nebraska Extension Circular EC-158 (revision).
     
  • Volesky, J.D. and B.E. Anderson. 2008. Nebraska 2005 - 2006 Orchardgrass Variety Trial Results - North Platte. Forage and Grazinglands. available at: http://www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/fg/trials/
     
  • Volesky, J.D. and B.E. Anderson. 2008. Nebraska 2005 - 2006 Cool-season Grass Variety Trial Results - North Platte. Forage and Grazinglands. available at: http://www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/fg/trials/
     
  • Volesky, J.D., W.H. Schacht, P.E. Reece, and A.M. Petersen. 2008. Grazing and Hay Records: Spreadsheet Template. University of Nebraska Extension Circular EC-165.
     
  • Reece, P.E., W.H. Schacht, and J.D. Volesky. 2007. Skillful Grazing Management on Semi-arid Rangeland. University of Nebraska Extension Circular EC-162.
     
  • Volesky, J.D. and B.E. Anderson. 2007. Defoliation Effects on Production and Nutritive Value of Four Irrigated Cool-season Perennial Grasses. Agron. J. 99:494-500.
     
  • Reece, P.E., J.W. Morris, W.H. Schacht, A.E. Koehler, J.D. Volesky, and L.E. Moser. 2007. Prairie sandreed response to preceding-year defoliation and precipitation regime. Great Plains Research. 17:215-224.
     
  • Volesky, J.D., W.H. Schacht, P.E. Reece, and T.J. Vaughn. 2007. Diet Composition of Cattle Grazing Sandhills Range during Spring. Rangeland Ecol. Manage. 60:65-70.
     
  • Reece, P.E., A.E. Koehler, W.D. Whisenhunt, J.D. Volesky, and W.H. Schacht. 2007. A Passive Application Watering System for Rangeland Plots. Rangeland Ecol. Manage. 60:203-207.
     
  • Smart, A.J., W.H. Schacht, J.D. Volesky, and L.E. Moser. 2006. Seasonal Changes in Dry Matter Partitioning, Yield, and Crude Protein of Intermediate Wheatgrass and Smooth Bromegrass. Agron. J. 98:986-991.
     
  • Volesky, J.D. and J.J. Nichols. 2006. Fences and Livestock Water for Pastures under Center Pivot Irrigation. NebGuide G581.
     
  • Berger, A.L. and J.D. Volesky. 2006. Windrow Grazing. NebGuide G1616.
     
  • Volesky, J.D. and B.E. Anderson. 2006. Nebraska 2002 - 2004 North Platte Cool-season Grass Variety Trial Results. Forage and Grazinglands. available at: http://www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/fg/trials/
     
  • Volesky, J.D. and B.E. Anderson. 2006. Nebraska 2003 - 2004 North Platte Orchardgrass Variety Trial Results. Forage and Grazinglands. available at: http://www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/fg/trials/
     
  • Anderson, B.E. and J.D. Volesky. 2006. Nebraska 2003 - 2004 Mead Orchardgrass Variety Trial Results. Forage and Grazinglands. available at: http://www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/fg/trials/
     
  • Anderson, B.E. and J.D. Volesky. 2006. Nebraska 2002 - 2004 Mead Cool-season Grass Variety Trial Results. Forage and Grazinglands. available at: http://www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/fg/trials/