By Zippy Duvall
America’s public lands are woven into the fabric of the West. They're places where families hunt, fish, hike and make memories together. They also tell the story of generations of ranchers who have worked the land, raising high-quality American beef while helping care for the open spaces so many people enjoy.
Public lands serve many purposes, but one that often fades in the background is the role they play in our food supply. Public lands are an essential part of American ranching. With America’s cattle herd at its smallest size in 75 years, reliable access to those grazing resources is critical to rebuilding the herd.
That’s why Farm Bureau recently submitted comments supporting the Bureau of Land Management’s proposed updates to federal grazing regulations. The proposal modernizes decades-old regulations, provides more flexibility for today’s grazing practices and takes a more practical approach to managing the public lands that benefit all Americans.
America’s Cattle Herd Needs Room to Recover
America’s ranchers have endured years of drought, rising costs and economic uncertainty. Many have been forced to reduce their herds simply to survive. While cattle prices have reached record highs, those prices reflect both a limited supply of beef and strong consumer demand.
Rebuilding herds across the country will take time. Raising cattle is a long-term investment, and it takes about two years before expanding a herd begins to increase the nation’s beef supply. Every decision ranchers make today has long-term consequences for tomorrow’s food supply. Access to public lands grazing helps ranchers make those long-term investments while keeping family ranches economically viable and strengthening rural communities.
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