Southwest Research Center-Tribune
Welcome to the Southwest Research Center - Tribune, a cornerstone of agricultural research in Western Kansas. Our center, established in 1911 and now part of the Western Kansas Research-Extension Centers, has been at the forefront of addressing the unique challenges faced by producers in this region.
Situated on silt loam soils typical of millions of acres in the High Plains, our center's primary focus stretches from Scott City, KS, west to Colorado and south of the Smoky Hill River. With a commitment to advancing crop production techniques for both dryland and irrigated systems, our research program emphasizes soil fertility, nutrient management, and innovative approaches to limited irrigation.
Tribune Fall Field Day
Discover innovations in long-term dryland rotation studies, the effects of no-till, reduced till, and occasional dryland tillage and nutrient management at the Southwest Research Center-Tribune Field Day. Get all the details and RSVP here to attend this must-see event!
Contact Information Southwest Research Center - Tribune
1474 State Highway 96
Tribune, Kansas 67879
Phone: (620) 376-4761
Link to the SWREC-Tribune on Google Maps
Our efforts extend beyond traditional boundaries as we collaborate with researchers across the state to evaluate weed control methods and explore alternative dryland crops. With state-of-the-art facilities, including 253 acres of non-irrigated land and an 80-acre irrigated field, and supported by a dedicated team of collaborative research faculty, technical staff, and student workers, we are committed to enhancing producer profitability, improving water and nutrient-use efficiencies, and fostering sustainable agricultural practices.
History of the SWRC-Tribune
The Tribune Branch of the Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station was established in 1911 on 110 acres 1 mile west of Tribune. The Tribune Branch Station was combined with the Garden City Branch Station in 1986 to form the Southwest Branch Agricultural Experiment Station. In 1988, the station was given its current name of Southwest Research-Extension Center, Tribune Unit.
Service Area
The primary region of focus of the Tribune Unit is the area from Scott City, KS west to Colorado and south of the Smoky Hill River but north of the Arkansas River. The altitude in this region ranges from about 3000 feet to almost 4000 feet. The station also provides service to a larger region since it is located on silt loam soils typical of about 4 million acres in the High Plains in western Kansas, eastern Colorado, and the Oklahoma panhandle.
Human Resources
There is 1 research faculty located at Tribune. Faculty expertise is complemented by 3 full-time technical support staff. Student workers are hired for the summer field season. To learn more, please visit our faculty and staff page.
Facilities / Land Resources
The headquarters consists of 253 acres of non-irrigated land and 7 buildings. There is also an 80 acre irrigated field located 10 miles northeast of Tribune. The land resources are used for field crops research.
| Class | Owned | Leased | Total |
| Cropland | 165 | 143 | 308 |
| Rangeland | 33 | 0 | 33 |
| B-R-W <1> | 32 | 0 | 32 |
| Acres | 230 | 143 | 373 |
| <1> B-R-W=Buildings, Roads, Waterways | |||
Fiscal Resources
Funding comes from a variety of sources including state appropriations (salaries and wages, operating, supplemental allocations for equipment and maintenance), crop sales (fees), grants, and gifts.