Public Lands Grazing Supports America’s Beef Supply

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.

Public Lands Grazing Benefits Ranchers and the Land

For generations, ranchers have responsibly grazed livestock on public lands while caring for the landscapes we all value. The administration’s proposed updates recognize what ranchers have long understood—land health is influenced by many factors beyond livestock grazing, including recreation, wildfire, invasive species, drought and wild horses. By evaluating land health across all uses and relying on science-based assessments, ranchers and other caretakers of the land can make better decisions that benefit both the landscape and the people who depend on it.

The proposal also provides greater flexibility to respond to changing conditions on the ground, supports succession planning for beginning ranchers, recognizes targeted grazing as an important land management tool, and improves the appeals process so ranchers have more certainty while decisions are being reviewed. These changes give ranchers the flexibility and certainty they need to continue their work of responsibly grazing livestock while supporting healthy rangelands.

At a time when America's cattle herd remains historically small, practical, science-based grazing policies will help keep family ranches on the land, strengthen our domestic beef supply, and reinforce the food security Americans depend on every day.