About half the land area of the U.S. is strictly considered grazing land because it is not suitable for crop production. If this land were not used for grazing livestock it would be of no use as a food resource. Cattlemen want to preserve the land to assure the livelihood for future generations. In order to keep the land in good condition, cattlemen must manage their land correctly. They do this by using practices such as rotational grazing, brush and week control, correct cattle stocking rates, fertilization and planting of grass.
Cattlemen treat public grazing land which they lease, with the same respect as the land they own.
They work with government officials, investing millions of dollars every year to improve water supplies and weed control on public grazing lands. Wildlife populations are on the increase because cattlemen are using these important management and conservation techniques. Copyright 1996 by the Iowa State Daily Publications Board. All rights reserved. No redistribution without the express written consent of the Iowa State Daily Editor in Chief.