The search for relationships between soil health and ranch-level economic outcomes – A case study on California rangelands

Abstract

• Conservation advisors often want to know about the economics/profitability of soil health practices in grazing systems; however, relationships between soil health management and economic outcomes are lacking in grazing systems. • We present a recent case study of California rangelands to demonstrate the challenges associated with determining economics/profitability of soil health practices in grazing systems. • We found online tools available for researchers and conservation advisors to better understand soil health and forage production changes over time, but better on-the-ground information is still needed to estimate economic outcomes. • Conservation groups and government agencies can play a role in quantifying economic outcomes by recording and sharing types of livestock management, length of management, and pre- and post-management soil health data. © 2023 The Society for Range Management