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Smooth brome (Bromus inermis) is an introduced cool-season, sod forming, fast-growing, perennial rhizomatous grass. It out-competes native species therefore decreasing the biodiversity of South Dakota's native grasslands. It is a highly competitive species, spreading by both seeds (seed bank) and rhizomes (bud bank) which attributes to its persistence and invasiveness. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of simulated grazing (mowing) on smooth brome dominated pasture in south eastern South Dakota. Four (6X6m) plots were divided into four (3X3m) subplots. Each plot included a control that was never mowed, and three subplots that were mowed once, twice, and three times during the growing season. Prior to each mowing, stem density and bud bank samples were taken from each of the 16 subplots. Each sample contained the root and stem. Stem samples were used to determine growth stage of samples. The bud bank of each root was recorded and tested to determine if the buds were active, dormant, or dead. Preliminary results show there are fewer buds on the mowed samples compared to the control samples. However, mowed samples have a higher proportion of active buds compared to the control samples. Understanding how a species bud bank functions will allow managers to properly prescribe the timing and methods of prescribed burning, grazing, or combinations, which will influence bud bank and aboveground tiller population dynamics. This will lead to development of adaptive management strategies that sustain long-term effectiveness of control management practices, and simultaneously promote desirable native species.