SDSU student investigates relationship between wildflowers and cattle

In South Dakota, half of the state's approximately 50 million acres are considered rangeland and provide the grazing area needed for more than 4 million beef cattle. South Dakota is also home to a diverse range of native plants and wildflowers, scattered throughout the state. What is the relationship, if any, between wildflowers and grazing cattle?

According to novel research from South Dakota State University student Kaitlyn Preszler, rangeland with areas of high wildflower diversity is better for cattle than areas with only grass.

"Wildflowers are providing a high nutritional source for graz...