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Complementary pasture-native range systems are known to increase production per cow and per hectare of cow-calf enterprises, but the proper ratio of complementary pasture to range and the optimum stocking rate on each has not been established. From 1978-1985, crested wheatgrass [Agropyron desertorum (Fisch.) Schult.]-native range and meadow bromegrass (Bromus biebersteinii Roem. and Schult.)-alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)-native range systems were grazed by cow-calf pairs and yearling heifers at a range of grazing pressures. Gains of all classes of cattle and conception rate of cows remained constant across a range of low grazing pressures, then declined linearly as grazing pressure increased. These response functions were used to calculate economically optimum pasture-to-range ratios and stocking rates at 1980-1984 average costs and prices. The optimum ratio of crested wheatgrass to range at estimated yields, costs and prices was 1:3.94 (0.66 ha of wheatgrass and 2.60 ha of range per animal unit), which returned $35.70/ha to land, labor, and management. Usual ratios of 1:8 to 1:12 were much less profitable. At optimum stocking rates, the brome-alfalfa-native range system returned only $3.38 more per hectare than the crested wheatgrass-native range system, not enough to pay additional cost of irrigation. Optimum ratios, stocking rates, and returns will vary with levels of forage production, production costs, and livestock prices. This material was digitized as part of a cooperative project between the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. The Journal of Range Management archives are made available by the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact lbry-journals@email.arizona.edu for further information. Migrated from OJS platform August 2020