Avoiding soil compaction when grazing cover crops
Cover crops are considered one of the most effective and economical ways to improve soil health. Grazing them can be a way to turn them into a profit for your…
Read More...Climate change could give biochar a boost with farmers
(Subscription) Will 2021 be the year that biochar finally catches fire? Proponents of the charcoal-like material that’s made from trees and other plants say they hope so, as research continues…
Read More...As the West Faces a Drought Emergency, Some Ranchers are Restoring Grasslands to Build Water Reserves
In the face of ongoing drought, western ranchers are restoring diverse, grassland ecosystem practices that can improve the land’s capacity to hold water—and help them hold onto more cattle. Will…
Read More...Study shows grasslands are more reliable carbon sinks than forests
A study has found that increased drought and wildfire risk make grasslands and rangelands a more reliable carbon sink than trees in 21st century California. As such, the study indicates…
Read More...Data-driven approach to measuring sustainability in large landscapes
USDA-ARS Range Management Research Unit, Jornada Experimental Range in Las Cruces, NM, has developed an innovative approach to using datasets on vegetation, climate, and land use to evaluate the long-term…
Read More...Bill lifts cover crop penalties for grazing, animal feed
The Cover Crop Flexibility Act of 2021, a bipartisan bill introduced to the U.S. senate, would permanently lift crop insurance penalties for farmers who plant cover crops that can be…
Read More...Biden 30×30 plan emphasizes landowners’ key role in conservation’s future
The Biden administration today released a long-anticipated report detailing their proposal to conserve 30 percent of US lands and waters by 2030 (known as 30×30). While the initiative has generated…
Read More...USDA Investing Nearly $22 Million to Improve Soil Health and Climate Smart Ag
The USDA is investing nearly $22 million into research initiatives aimed at helping improve soil health and climate smart agriculture. USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is investing…
Read More...University of Wyoming publishes ungulate migration conservation study
University of Wyoming researchers published a new study exploring emerging big-game migration corridor conservation strategies meant to protect migration pathways across vast and complex landscapes. Wildlife migrations depend on connected…
Read More...Interior asked to halt grazing rights to protect wild horses
A coalition of more than 70 equine protection, animal welfare and environmental groups, as well as numerous wild-horse and ecotourism businesses, called on newly confirmed U.S. Secretary of the Interior…
Read More...