Richard H. Leep

Professor of Crop and Soil Sciences and Kellogg Biological Station

Ph.D. Michigan State University 1974

W. K. Kellogg Biological Station
Michigan State University
Hickory Corners, MI 49060
Phone: (269) 671-2323
Fax: (269) 671-2351
Email: leep@msu.edu

Research Interests

My research centers around forage crop management and utilization by ruminants. My research program deals with both harvested and grazed forages. Grazing research at KBS includes evaluation of perennial forage species persistence, forage quality, yield, sward changes, and animal response under managed rotational grazing. I am studying nutrient cycling and distribution at KBS within grazed paddocks with particular interest in soil nitrates, potassium and phosphorous. I am also evaluating forage crop species and cultivars for their adaptability under Michigan environmental conditions with test sites in East Lansing, Bad Axe, Lake City, and Chatham, Michigan. Forage crop species being evaluated include perennial legumes, grasses, and Forbes. Another project evaluates potato leafhopper resistant alfalfa cultivars for their resistance to potato leafhopper feeding, forage quality, forage persistence and yield. The overall goal of the research program is to develop more economical and environmentally sound management strategies for forage production systems in Michigan.

 Selected Publications

Leep, R.H. 1997. Michigan State University Alfalfa Variety Test Report. Central Alfalfa Improvement Variety Tests. Pg. 73-86.

Gingras, J.M., R.H. Leep, W.J. Moline, and H.F. Bucholtz. 1997. Effect of Pasture Legume, Birdsfood Trefoil or Alfalfa, on dairy cow milk production and forage yield and quality under management intensive grazing. Abstract. American Forage and Grassland Conference.

Tomecek, M.B., R.H. Leep, W.J. Moline, and H.D. Ritchie. 1997. Evaluation of Alfalfa and Birdsfoot Trefoil under intensive rotational grazing at the W.K. Kellogg Biological Station. Abstract. American Forage and Grasslands Conference.

Moline, W.J. and R.H. Leep. 1996. Evaluations of 26 grass varieties in Birdsfoot Trefoil-grass mixtures for grazing. Michigan Hay and Grazier, Vol. 2, No. 1. Pgs. 3-7.