He also has extension responsibility for the MU Diagnostic Clinic's weed identification service. Current projects include evaluation of stocking rate and grazing management on pasture productivity and species composition, soil physical and fertility parameters, and water infiltration and runoff. His research focuses on gene manipulation in cereals. Various cytogenetics, plant breeding, and molecular techniques are used to isolate, characterize, and understand the expression of genes involved. Research emphasis includes developing improved forage management and utilization strategies that will improve profitability for Missouri forage and livestock producers.
Primary crops are corn, cotton, rice and soybean.
Secondary crops include grain sorghum and horticultural crops. His research is being conducted on claypan and alluvial soils of Missouri. Co-instructs a graduate course, Weed Science Research Principles and Techniques, during the fall semester of odd years. His objective is to promote the efficient use of nutrients from manure and other sources for crop production in a manner that protects water and other natural resources of the state. His research focuses on the physiology and production of forages, specifically annual lespedeza, birdsfoot trefoil, and native legume species.