Effects of Changes in Grazing Fees and Permitted Use of Public Rangelands on Incomes of Western Livestock Ranches

Report Introduction: The study reported here evaluates the economic effects of alternative levels of grazing fees and grazing privileges on the organization and net income of cattle and sheep ranches that use Federal grazing lands in the Western States. The organization and financial structure of selected western livestock ranches are examined, and budgets of costs and returns for representative ranching systems are developed. The records of operation of individual ranches and of their budgets provided a basis for the analysis of interrelationships between grazing fees and grazing permits and other important factors affecting costs and returns on western ranches. In view of their statutory responsibilities for management of public rangelands and recent statements of public policy, the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service need research evaluations of the impact of changes in grazing fees and grazing privileges on ranch organization and income. These agencies and ranchers need reliable information on how the use of Federal rangeland complements the organization and operation of western cattle and sheep ranches, and how administrative changes in use of Federal range are likely to affect the operations and the net incomes of ranchers.