But it is worth it to the ranchers, and they make influencial political contributions and promote the image of the rugged individualist Marlboro Man on his horse, herding cattle, on public rangeland. What they don't show is the land abuse or photos of their winter vacation in Hawaii, made possible by publicly subsidized grazing leases. Beef from public grazing lands provides less than 3%, likely no more than 2% of the US beef supply. We could end cattle grazing on public lands today, and consumers would barely notice it.

WRO,

Wildlife and other environmental barometers are making a bit of a comeback on some public lands since the public land management agencies have been criticized and sued for not protecting public resources. Leases are still below market cheap, but BLM, BR, and USFS are requiring ranchers to keep livestock out of some riparian zones and to reduce grazing animal densities. Progress is slow but still an improvement.

Sg