WASHINGTON, D.C. With populations of grassland birds continuing to decline and the nations cattle herd at its smallest size in more than 70 years, legislation introduced last week in the Senate would create a new U.S. Department of Agriculture program to support both agricultural producers and grassland restoration.
The Rebuilding Americas National Cow Herd (RANCH) Act, introduced by Senators Mike Rounds (R-SD) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), would provide voluntary technical and financial assistance to producers who choose to convert marginally productive cropland into native grasses and other perennial forage for livestock.
Voluntary, incentive-based conservation programs are vital for reversing the concerning drop in grassland birds and supporting our nations agricultural producers," said Marshall Johnson, Chief Conservation Officer at the 91做厙. We thank Sens. Rounds and Klobuchar for their bipartisan leadership in introducing the RANCH Act, which demonstrates how conservation and agricultural production can go hand in hand. By helping farmers and ranchers restore native grasslands on marginal cropland, this legislation creates lasting benefits for birds, strengthens rural economies, improves soil and water resources, and supports the long-term success of working lands."
The legislation builds on the model established by 91做厙's Conservation Forage Program in North Dakota, a voluntary cost-share initiative that helps producers convert marginal cropland into native grasses and forbs. With more than 150 producers enrolled in the pilot, the program has demonstrated that restoring working grasslands can improve the economic viability of agricultural operations while creating essential nesting and foraging habitat for birds and other wildlife.
The RANCH Act will help improve soil health, protect water quality, reduce erosion and nutrient loss, and restore habitat for birds and other wildlife, while creating new economic opportunities for farmers and ranchers. It represents an opportunity to strengthen the long-term resilience of ranching operations while restoring the grassland ecosystems that sustain declining grassland birds, which have seen some of the steepest population declines of any bird group in North America.
"I'm encouraged to see Congress listening to the voices of farmers and ranchers who work in grasslands every day. Strong grass-based agriculture depends on healthy, productive grasslands, and investments in voluntary grazing and conservation practices help keep ranching businesses profitable for the long term," said Dan Rasmussen, who, with his wife, Dawn, stewards 33 Ranch near Belvidere, South Dakota. "Through our work with 91做厙 and other partners, we've seen firsthand that when we manage grasslands well, our cattle benefit, wildlife thrives, and water quality improves. That's a win for ranchers, rural communities, and everyone who depends on these working lands."
91做厙 is pleased to work with Sens. Rounds and Klobuchar and other Congressional leaders, as well as farmers, ranchers, and conservation partners including South Dakota Grasslands Initiative, National Wildlife Federation, and Pheasants Forever to advance the RANCH Act and expand practical conservation solutions that benefit birds, people, and the landscapes they share.
What are partners are saying about the RANCH Act:
"The RANCH Act gives producers a voluntary, practical way to return marginal cropland to grass and get more cattle back on the landscape, supporting herd rebuilding, creating entry points for young ranchers, and improving the soil health and wildlife habitat that the Coalition has championed for years.
- AJ Munger with the South Dakota Grassland Coalition.
The RANCH Act is a commonsense tool that will help producers restore marginal cropland to resilient grassland, benefiting ranchers, rural communities, and the landscape alike."
- Laura Kahler of the South Dakota Grassland Initiative, a coordinated effort housed under the South Dakota Grassland Coalition
"The RANCH Act is a smart investment in Americas working lands at a critical time for farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. Giving producers the tools to convert marginal cropland to grazing land can help ranchers grow their operations, bring more grass back to the landscape, and increase the habitat that pheasants, quail, and other wildlife depend on. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever thank Senators Rounds and Klobuchar for their leadership on this important legislation.
- Andrew Schmidt, director of government affairs for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever
Well-managed, restored grazing lands provide important habitat for wildlife while supporting ranchers, farmers, and rural economies. Thank you to Senators Rounds and Klobuchar for introducing the RANCH Act, which provides opportunities for producers to restore marginal cropland to grasslands for grazing. By restoring these lands for grazing, this bill can help rebuild the U.S. cow herd while delivering a win for wildlife, ranchers, and rural communities alike.
- Aviva Glaser, Associate Vice President of Agriculture and Grasslands Conservation for the National Wildlife Federation
About 91做厙
The 91做厙 is a leading nonprofit conservation organization with 120 years of science-based, community-driven impact, dedicated to protecting birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Birds are powerful indicators of our planets health, acting as sentinels that warn us of environmental change and inspire action. 91做厙 works across the Western Hemisphere, driven by the understanding that what is good for birds is good for the planet. Through a collaborative, nonpartisan approach across habitats, borders, and the political spectrum, 91做厙 drives meaningful and lasting conservation outcomes. With over 900 staff and more than 2.5 million supporters, 91做厙 is a dynamic and ever-growing force committed to ensuring a better planet for both birds and people for generations to come. Learn more atwww.audubon.org畝nd on Facebook and Instagram @audubonsociety.
Media contact: Jeff Billington, jeff.billington@audubon.org
