The Public Lands Rule recently enacted by the BLM has the potential to be a positive step in the direction of flexible grazing management on public lands, or a significant challenge to the ranching industry in their ability to access affordable grazing options. It will be in livestock producers’ reaction, and subsequent forward action to this rule, that the outcome is written. 

While the expressed purpose of hosting a weekly auction is buying and selling livestock, we all know that a good portion of the folks making themselves comfortable in those worn-out bleachers show up with no intention of letting go of a single penny.

Historically, the objective of supplementation programs for grazing cattle has been to address nutrient deficiencies based on the difference between animal nutrient requirements and the nutrients provided by the forage, with emphasis on improving forage utilization and animal performance.

As temperatures start to rise and grass begins to green up and grow, considering the availability of forage in each pasture can help livestock producers make management decisions at turnout.

Last spring, the U.S. Department of the Interior published a proposal with the potential to shift priorities on 245 million acres of public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management. A public comment period yielded thousands of substantive comments for the BLM to consider.

The use of virtual fence technology using GPS collars with the ability to provide audio and electrical cues may offer an economical management tool to strategically graze areas based on specific land and livestock management objectives.

The reintroduction of apex predator species to parts of their historical range continues to be a hot-button topic in the western U.S. Concerns and discussions have arisen in regard to federal plans to establish a grizzly bear population in the North Cascade Range of Washington state.

One major result of the pandemic has been to bring more people into parks and public lands for hiking, biking and other recreational activities. In areas like California’s East Bay Regional Parks where about 65% of the land is grazed by livestock – visitors might see goats, sheep and, most likely, cattle. Those encounters with animals (or their manure) represent a prime opportunity for members of the public to learn about agriculture and the ecological benefits of rangelands.

Renting, leasing or purchasing grassland is often a complicated and expensive proposition. While many options are available, not all are practical or realistic.