Technical Abstract: Warm-season grasses have the C4 photosynthesis system that enables them to be highly productive during the hot months of the summer. Breeding and genetics research on warm-season forage and pasture grasses began in the 1930's. Initial research was focused on developing cultivars of adapted species that could be used to reseed land damaged by drought and the subsequent 'dust bowl' in the Great Plains, USA, and to restore land damaged by poor farming practices. Cultivars of warm-season grasses were developed with improved establishment capability, persistence, high forage yields, and good insect and disease resistance. Limited animal evaluation was involved in the development of the initial cultivars. Breeding and genetics research on developing improved warm-season grasses continues on these essential traits but in addition, research on improving the quality of the grasses by grazing livestock is now an essential component of breeding improved warm-season grasses. The past and current warm-season grass breeding research was and continues to be supported by numerous genetic studies on the inheritance and breeding of specific traits. Information developed from over 70 years of warm-season grass breeding and genetics research including molecular breeding technologies is summarized.