Get reliable rangeland science

Rangeland is the largest renewable 'natural resource of the Great
Plains states. It supplies forage for the livestock industry (together
with tame pasture), habitat for wildlife, water for man and animals,
beauty and pleasure for everyone and an economic base for many rural
communities. In short, it is many things to many people.
I want to impress upon you the magnitude and importance of rangeland
to the Great Plains States. Even though wildlife is the major emphasis of
most of you I would submit that rangeland is or should be a major concern
also. Rangeland makes up 53.7% of the Great Plains Agricultural land (Table 1).
Privately owned rangeland in the Great Plains in 77% .of that in the U.S. or
43% of all rangeland (including Federal land). Of major significance, 8 of
the top 10 states in acres of privately owned rangeland are in the Great
Plains. In total rangeland 5 of the top 10 sates are in the Great Plains.
Rangeland in the 10 Great Plains is extremely important since 83% of it is
privately owned and supports the largest economic agricultural enterprise,
the livestock industry. It also has the potential for another high economic
enterprise, that of wildlife and reareation.
Today, we will look at some of the problems in rangeland management .
associated with wildlife.
(source: opening comments)