“Each generation has had their unique spin on how to manage the ranch, with different approaches,” Alex Hart says. “We are becoming 21st century agriculturalists, promoting the good work ranchers and land managers do, taking care of the landscape sustainably.”

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.

Despite growing questions about where the animals will be sourced from, Colorado wildlife officials are continuing with a plan to reintroduce a gray wolf population to the state by the end of 2023.

Idaho has roughly double the wolf population number that was deemed maintenance level, and livestock depredation has increased as well.

There are numerous challenges to successfully raising livestock, including depredation by carnivores. Carnivores can kill, injure and stress livestock. Fortunately, there are several ways to reduce the risk of losing livestock to carnivores. 

Walmart announced on Aug. 31 that it had signed an agreement to acquire a minority stake in Sustainable Beef LLC, a rancher-owned company based in North Platte, Nebraska.