Forest Grazing: Past and Future

Abstract

Livestock have grazed western forests since the 1850's. Policy changes with the inception of government regulation and the end of the free open range brought profound changes in the livestock industry. With increasing demands for timber, recreation and wildlife, grazing began to decline in importance as a use of National Forest ranges. Yet, livestock grazing on forest range is critical to yearlong operations of the ranchers who use them. With proper management livestock can be increasingly important not only as meat and fiber producers, but as part of all land management on national ranges.