Get reliable rangeland science

Public land ranching is a significant component of many rural communities across the United States, contributing economically, socially, and ecologically to their well-being. Reliable information documenting characteristics of these ranchers is needed to help land managers and policy makers understand their economic and social diversity, how their operations affect the environment, and how ranchers contribute to their communities. We designed this study seeking answers to questions regarding the economics of ranching operations and how ranchers contribute revenue and sales to communities in their area. Questions also delved into the management practices implemented by ranchers to enhance wildlife habitat, fish production in streams, and riparian areas on both their public and private lands. A final goal of the study dealt with assessing how ranchers and their families interact socially within their communities. To gather this information, a nationwide survey was sent to a randomly selected group of public land ranchers. Surveys were mailed to 1,911 ranchers with a reminder postcard sent four weeks after the initial mailing and a second survey sent to those who had not responded within eight weeks. The survey had a 39% response rate. Nineteen different states across the nation were included in the returned surveys. Data show that family tradition and maintaining health and productivity of the land are the top reasons why ranchers continue to ranch. The biggest threats to the ranching operation were deemed to be endangered species and federal regulation and policy. Cluster analysis was used to determine different rancher types and those groups were compared with one another to determine how each group manages their lands and reacts to changes in policy.