Invasive grass is overwhelming U.S. deserts—providing fuel for wildfires
In Arizona, the problem is so severe that the grass is officially labeled a noxious weed, but the grass has spread to numerous states from Hawaii to Florida. It shades…
Read More...Swiss study shows that paying people to conserve biodiversity pays off
Swiss farmers are part of a government program that reimburses them for overseeing certain parts of their property in ways that promote biodiversity. And a study published recently in the journal Biodiversity and…
Read More...Building a sustainable U.S. beef system
Sustainability needs to be the business-as-usual approach in the U.S. beef industry in order to ensure long-term food supply, economic security for ranchers and their communities, and a healthy environment…
Read More...Stateline Range grazing project challenged
Despite President Joe Biden signing an executive order to “consider suspending, revising, or rescinding the agency actions” made during the Trump administration, environmentalists continue their efforts to halt projects. Western…
Read More...Tribes flex political muscle in quest to co-manage parks
The nation’s 574 federally recognized tribes are gaining momentum in their long drive to co-manage the country’s national parks and other public lands — and they’ve got a new occupant…
Read More...New technology helps ranchers maximize grass production
The plants that feed livestock in the American West are the foundation of profitable agriculture there. But ranchers haven’t had a good way to measure how their grass is faring…
Read More...Bipartisan, bicameral bill provides flexibility for haying and grazing of cover crops
Currently, under the Federal Crop Insurance Program, producers unable to plant a crop due to adverse weather conditions are eligible to receive a small indemnity but prohibited from growing a…
Read More...Can bridging the gap between landowners and farming tenants help improve soil health?
Forty percent of U.S. farmland is owned by non-operating landowners. When they support their renters’ use of conservation practices, it can make an important difference.
Read More...New form required for some NRCS customers
If you are a producer or landowner who participates in USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) conservation programs, the Farm Service Agency (FSA) may be reaching out by mail with information about a form…
Read More...A different kind of land management: let the cows stomp
Regenerative grazing can store more carbon in soils in the form of roots and other plant tissues. But how much can it really help the fight against climate change?
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