By Published On: February 8, 2022

Exploring Innovation in a Public Land Grazing System

The Bureau of Land Management’s Outcome-based Grazing program offers a more collaborative approach between the BLM and its partners within the livestock grazing community when issuing grazing authorizations. The program allows for necessary, timely grazing adjustments that benefit the health of the rangeland for wildlife as well as its availability of forage for livestock. These flexibilities help to create both ecological and economic resiliency throughout the West.

“In the Outcome-based Grazing program, we realized that in a world that is as dynamic as this one is, we certainly need grazing permits that can accommodate that.”

— KATHRYN DYER, BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

In small communities like Plush, Oregon, where “The Need for Flexibility: Exploring Innovation in a Public Land Grazing System” was filmed, agriculture is a major economic contributor. Benefits extend far beyond the actual animal unit months (AUMS) provided to the producer. The creation of local jobs, community investments, and the stability provided by a balanced and documented approach to resource management all help foster resiliency in communities across the West.

As the program continues to grow, the Intermountain West Joint Venture will continue to produce resources to help bring about a stronger understanding of program goals and accomplishments.

Learn more about outcome-based grazing and this video over at Partners in the Sage.