In order for people in eastern Kentucky to have and maintain economic stability (now that coal production has been almost eliminated), animal agriculture has the opportunity to play a big role in that process.  Cattle and other species currently graze river bottoms and hillsides that primarily consist of tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus).  While this has been part of animal agriculture for many years in eastern Kentucky many thousands of acres of reclaimed mine remain unproductive.  Converting these acres to permanent pasture can provide new and exciting economic opportunities for farmers as as well as the entire population if these acres can be brought into animal production.

The University of Kentucky and its RCARS substation in cooperation with the University of Tennessee established Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) , Little Bluestem (Andropogon scoparius) and Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans) on a UK reclaimed mine site in Breathitt County.  Four twenty acre plots were looked at as to the effects of grazing stocker cattle on areas that were either patch burn managed or rotationally grazed manged.  The research began in 2015 and ended in August of 2017 with cattle being grazed approximately 90 to 100 days on the native grasses each summer.

The establishment of these species also contributed greatly to the reintroduction such avian species as the Bob White Quail ( Colinus virginianus ) and other avian species as well.

This research confirmed that establishing these native species is possible and that cattle gain equally as well as they do on cool season grass pastures if not better,