Education

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 grazing strategies on Sandhills meadow and upland range. Current trials with seeded, cool-season and warm-season annual forages focus on variety evaluation, adaptation, and water-use efficiency.

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.

Publications

• Stephenson, M.B., W.H. Schacht, J.D. Volesky, K.M. Eskridge, and D. Bauer. 2015. Time of grazing effect on subsequent-year standing crop in the eastern Nebraska Sandhills. Rangeland Ecology and Management. 68:150-157.
• Koehler, A.E., W.D. Whisenhunt, J.D. Volesky, P.E. Reece, T.L. Holman, and L.E. Moser. 2014. Yield response of needle-and-thread and threadleaf sedge to moisture regime and spring and fall defoliation. Rangeland Ecology and Management. 67:46-51.
• Stephenson, M.B., W.H. Schacht, J.D. Volesky, K.M. Eskridge, E.M. Mousel, and D. Bauer. 2013. Grazing method effect on topographical vegetation characteristics and livestock performance in the Nebraska Sandhills. Rangeland Ecology and Management. 66:561-569.
• Meyer, T. L., L. Stalker, J. Volesky, D. Adams, R. Funston, T. Klopfenstein, W. Schacht. 2012. Estimating livestock forage demand: Evaluating the animal unit concept. Professional Animal Scientist. 28:664-669.
• Stalker, L., T. Klopfenstein, W. Schacht, and J. Volesky. 2012. Dried distillers grains as a substitute for grazed forage. Professional Animal Scientist. 28: 612-617.
• Berger, A.L. and J.D. Volesky. 2012. Windrow Grazing. University of Nebraska. NebGuide G1616.
• Anderson, B.E. and J.D. Volesky. 2012. Summer Annual Forage Grasses. University of Nebraska. NebGuide G74-171.
• Musgrave, J.A., L.A. Stalker, T.J. Klopfenstein, and J.D. Volesky. 2012. Comparison of Feeding Dry Distillers Grains in a Bunk or on the Ground to Cattle Grazing Subirrigated Meadow. University of Nebraska Beef Cattle Report. MP95:51-52.
• Volesky, J.D., W.H. Schacht, A.E. Koehler, E. Blankenship, and P.E. Reece. 2011. Defoliation Effects on Herbage Production and Root Growth of Wet Meadow Forage Species. Rangeland Ecology and Management. 64:506-513.
• Schacht, W.H., J.D. Volesky, D. Bauer, and M.B. Stephenson. 2011. Grazing Systems for Nebraska Sandhills Rangeland. University of Nebraska Extension Circular 127. 14 p.
• Villasanti, S., L.A. Stalker, T.J. Klopfenstein, W.H. Schacht, and J.D. Volesky. 2011. Replacement of Grazed Forage with WDGS and Poor Quality Hay Mixtures. University of Nebraska Beef Cattle Report. MP94:28-30.
• Musgrave, J. A., L.A. Stalker, T.J. Klopfenstein, and J. D. Volesky. 2011. Comparison of feeding dry distillers grains in a bunk or on the ground to cattle grazing subirrigated meadow. J. Anim. Sci. 62 (e-Suppl. 2):183.
• Smart, A.J., J. D. Derner, J.R. Hendrickson, B.H. Dunn, E.M. Mousel, P.S. Johnson, R.N. Gates, K.K. Sedivec, K.R. Harmoney, J.D. Volesky, R.L. Gillen, and K.C. Olson. 2010. Effects of Forage allowance on vegetation and animal responses on North American Great Plains rangelands. Rangeland Ecology and Management. 63:397-406.
• Coleman, S.W., S.C. Rao, J. D. Volesky, and W.A. Phillips. 2010. Growth and nutritive value of perennial C3 grasses in the Southern Great Plains. Crop Science. 50:1070-1078.
• Baasch, D.M., J.W. Fischer, S.E. Hygnstrom, K.C. VerCauteren, A.J. Tyre, J.J. Millspaugh, J.W. Merchant, and J.D. Volesky. 2010. Resource selection by elk in an agro-forested landscape in northwestern Nebraska. Environmental Management. 46:727-737.
• Volesky, J.D. and B.E. Anderson. 2010. Grazing Alfalfa. University of Nebraska Extension NebGuide G2030.
• Volesky, J.D. and A.L. Berger. 2010. Forage Production with Limited Irrigation. University of Nebraska Extension NebGuide G2012.
• Volesky, J.D. and B.E. Anderson. 2010. Perennial Forages for Irrigated Pasture. University of Nebraska Extension NebGuide G1502.
• Anderson, B.E., T.L. Holman, D.D. Baltensperger, and J.D. Volesky. 2010. Reseeding or Thickening Thin Alfalfa Stands. University of Nebraska Extension NebGuide G1993.
• Nuttelman, B.L., W.A. Griffin, T.J. Klopfenstein, W.H. Schacht, L.A. Stalker, J.A. Musgrave, and J.D. Volesky. 2010. Supplementing Wet Distillers Grains Mixed with Low Quality Forage to Grazing Cow/Calf Pairs. University of Nebraska Beef Cattle report MP93:19-21.
• Schacht, W.H., J.D. Volesky, M.B. Stephenson, T.K. Klopfenstein, and D.C. Adams. 2010. Plant and Animal Responses to Grazing Systems in the Nebraska Sandhills. University of Nebraska Beef Report MP93:32-34.
• 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.
• Volesky, J.D. and B.E. Anderson. 2008. Nebraska 2005 - 2006 Cool-season Grass Variety Trial Results - North Platte. Forage and Grazinglands. 
• 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.