Reclaiming the Range: A Path Forward for Federal Grazing

Restoring western ranching requires bold reform to shift federal land management from a culture of restriction to one of productive partnership. Reopening dormant grazing lands and establishing a framework that protects the economic and cultural value of the American producer is essential to the future of the industry. By building on the foundation of existing industry-support frameworks and departmental plans to fortify the beef industry, the government can begin to reverse decades of industry decline.

The core of the solution involves the immediate reopening and reissuance of thousands of vacant and administratively closed grazing allotments. Because federal law generally prohibits the permanent retirement of BLM allotments unless the land is no longer "chiefly valuable for grazing," these 24 million acres should be returned to productive use to help rebuild America’s cow and sheep herds. Furthermore, adopting a "No Net Loss of AUMs" policy would stabilize the industry by requiring that active grazing levels remain at or above current levels unless a temporary, scientifically justified reduction is necessary for rangeland health.

By recommitting to policies that support producers rather than undermine them, the government can revitalize rural economies and strengthen domestic food security. These reforms ensure that as vegetation recovers, suspended AUMs, which rarely return to active status under current practices, are restored to active use. This path forward recognizes that independent ranchers are essential for sustaining working landscapes and the long-term sustainability of American livestock production.