Key Takeaways

• Senators Mike Rounds and Amy Klobuchar proposed the RANCH Act to convert 20 million acres of cropland into pasture.
• The program aims to improve access to forage for cattle producers facing drought and land availability issues.
• Farmers can receive rental payments of up to 75% of local cash rental rates, with higher support for beginning farmers.

New Grazing Access Initiative Proposed

Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) have proposed a new initiative called the Rebuilding America’s National Cow Herd (RANCH) Act, aimed at enhancing grazing access for farmers. This proposed legislation would convert up to 20 million acres of cropland into pasture, creating opportunities for cattle producers who have recently faced challenges due to drought conditions and limited grazing land.

Introduced last week, the RANCH Act allows farmers to enter into contractual agreements lasting between 10 to 15 years. These contracts would let farmers transform cropland into perennial grass and wildflower cover, and they would receive annual rental payments that could reach up to 75% of their county’s average drylands cash rental rate. This financial support is designed to alleviate the pressures on cattle producers, particularly in regions experiencing severe drought.

At DakotaFest in Mitchell, S.D., Rounds explained that the goal of this program is to facilitate better forage access for cattle producers, enabling them to retain more heifers and expand their herd sizes. He emphasized that the initiative could potentially support between two to four million cattle, based on the acreage converted under the plan.

While the enrolled land would be usable for grazing, haying would only be allowed in emergency situations. Producers who participate would need to submit an approved grazing management plan within two years of enrollment. Additionally, most producers would benefit from a 50% cost share to help establish the required cover, whereas beginning farmers and ranchers could receive up to 75% assistance, further incentivizing their engagement in the program.

Notably, Rounds clarified that the RANCH Act would operate separately from the Conservation Reserve Program, which also encourages the conversion of land from conventional row crop production. Both senators are awaiting a cost analysis from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) regarding the financial implications of the proposed program.

As they promote the initiative, Rounds and Klobuchar have been gathering feedback from farm groups. Rounds expressed optimism about the reactions received thus far, noting that the response has been “fairly positive.” He stated, “The best type of legislation comes with support from the livestock industries, and we’re trying to work with them,” reassuring that the legislation would not progress without the backing of agricultural groups.

In summary, the RANCH Act is an effort to improve grazing opportunities for cattle producers and to tackle the ongoing challenges many face in securing enough grazing land. As discussions continue, the senators hope to refine the proposal based on stakeholder input and economic assessments.

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