Randy Raper

Randy Raper is a Professor in the Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering department at Oklahoma State University, where he has been employed since 2012. He also serves as Assistant Director of the Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station and Assistant Vice-President of Facilities for the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.

• Education: PhD in Agricultural Engineering (Iowa State University, 1987), MS in Agricultural Engineering (Iowa State, 1985), BS in Agricultural Engineering (Mississippi State, 1983)
• Research Focus: Conservation systems, cover crop management, soil compaction mitigation, bioenergy crop production, and sustainable tillage practices
• Grants: Secured multiple USGS grants (2013-2017) for precipitation monitoring infrastructure

His scholarly work spans soil mechanics, agricultural systems modeling, and bioenergy crop optimization. Recent publications examine tillage effects on forage sorghum yields, grazing impacts on soil strength, and sustainable biomass harvest thresholds. While he has not been explicitly referenced for scientific awards, his research has informed policy and practical applications in sustainable agriculture. Raper's career includes prior USDA-ARS roles in Alabama and Arkansas, where he developed subsoiling technologies and evaluated organic waste applications.