By: Crystal Carter
Research Leader Cultivates Global Impact Through Forage Legume Innovation
From the pastures of East Texas to farming communities across the globe, the scientific legacy of Dr. Gerald Smith, a Texas A&M University System Regents Fellow and Professor in the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences and Texas A&M AgriLife Research, continues to sow benefits that will feed the world—literally.
As research leader of the Overton Forage Legume Breeding Program, Dr. Smith has built a distinguished career developing improved varieties of forage legumes and grasses. His research is not only advancing plant breeding science, but also supporting sustainable livestock systems, conserving natural resources, and reducing dependence on synthetic fertilizers. The real-world impact is measurable and significant.
Why He Does It: From Small Farms to Global Fields
“My research program goal is to increase scientific knowledge and to develop improved technology for farmers, ranchers, and consumers in Texas and the world,” Dr. Smith says.
That purpose is rooted in his own life experience. Raised on a small farm and trained in the Land Grant University System, Dr. Smith attributes his professional direction to the mentorship of agricultural visionaries Drs. Ron Haaland, Bill Knight and Ethan Holt. Their influence helped shape the values that now guide his mission: to ensure that forage and pasture systems are more productive, more resilient, and better for the planet.
Impact in Numbers: Millions of Pounds, Millions of Dollars
Since 2016, the Overton Forage Legume Breeding Program has delivered five new legume cultivars that have generated 1.785 million pounds of seed sales. The estimated impact value of these innovations is $82.4 million, calculated from seed sales of PVP-protected cultivars and their value to livestock production, nitrogen replacement, conservation, pollination, and wildlife ecosystems.
From 2016 to 2023, the annual impact value of these cultivars has averaged $11.77 million, demonstrating how a focused, science-based breeding program can scale into major economic and environmental benefits. All these accomplishments were only possible through cooperative research with other scientists at Overton and multiple locations across Texas.
The Vision: A Healthier World Through Better Forage
Dr. Smith is clear on the broader purpose of his work: “The continuing application of scientific principles to the improvement of forage, pasture and livestock production systems ensures the supply of healthy, safe and sustainable food for Texans and the world.”
By improving the quality and resilience of forage legumes, his program is strengthening the foundation of livestock systems, reducing the need for synthetic inputs, and enhancing the sustainability of food production across ecosystems.
Looking Ahead: 5-Year Research Goals to Grow the Future
The next phase of Dr. Smith’s work is as ambitious as is necessary. His five-year research agenda includes:
- Improving seed production, rooting traits, and salt tolerance of forage and multi-use cowpea varieties.
- Commercializing disease-resistant forage lab bean cultivars, which are key for tropical and subtropical grazing systems.
- Developing bird’s foot trefoil cultivars adapted to acidic soils high in aluminum toxicity, expanding options for regions with challenging soil chemistry.
- Phenotyping a large cowpea germplasm collection to identify food quality traits such as polyphenolics and integrating genetic marker technologies where possible.
- Creating new forage legume cultivars specifically designed for cover cropping, supporting soil health and climate-resilient agriculture.
Growing Innovation That Feeds the World
Dr. Smith’s work is a clear embodiment of The Texas A&M University System’s commitment to leveraging innovation to solve real-world problems. By applying science to seed, he is creating tools that empower farmers and ranchers, protect the environment, and help secure a sustainable global food system.
With a foundation in humble beginnings and an eye toward future resilience, Dr. Gerald Smith’s legacy continues to grow—field by field, pasture by pasture.
