WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD NEWS) — The Trump Administration is taking new steps to support America’s cattle producers, announcing a joint Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at expanding grazing access and reducing regulatory hurdles on federal lands. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum unveiled a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management.
The agreement builds on USDA’s Grazing Action Plan and is designed to improve coordination, streamline permitting, and strengthen partnerships with ranchers who rely on public lands. Officials say the agreement is part of a broader push to strengthen domestic beef production and reduce reliance on imports, while supporting rural communities and preserving America’s ranching heritage.
“Today’s signing sends a clear message: the Trump Administration is putting America’s farmers and ranchers first,” said Secretary Rollins. “Building on our action plan for American ranchers announced in the fall, the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management are already delivering. This is another example of President Trump eliminating costly bureaucracy in order to lower consumer prices. Our public lands are there for the people, and this action demonstrates the commitment at USDA and the Department of the Interior to improve our services so farmers and ranchers who use public lands can run more efficient operations.”
Secretary Burgum emphasized the long-term importance of the effort.
“The Grazing Action Plan is built on a collaborative partnership dedicated to strengthening ranching operations while safeguarding our public lands,” said Secretary Burgum. “By working closely with American ranchers, we are enhancing communication, investing in innovation, and modernizing our approach to land management practices to deliver real results for the people who feed and sustain this country. In coordination with the Department of Agriculture, the Trump administration is advancing actions designed to support farmers and ranchers — securing a more resilient future for grazing on public lands and protecting America’s ranching heritage for generations to come.”
Several ag groups are praising a new memorandum of understanding tied to the “Grazing Action Plan,” aimed at cutting red tape and improving coordination between federal agencies. The effort is designed to make it easier for ranchers who rely on public lands for grazing.
Kaitlynn Glover, Chief Counsel with the Public Lands Council (PLC) and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), joined us on Thursday’s Market Day Report to share industry reaction.
In her interview with RFD NEWS, Glover discussed how the agreement differs from past coordination efforts between federal agencies and outlined the potential benefits for ranchers, including impacts on the permitting process. She also addressed challenges that remain for federal lands grazing, including issues discussed during a recent roundtable with industry leaders. Glover spoke to questions around long-term certainty and whether future administrations could alter the agreement.
Finally, she discussed how the plan could support efforts to rebuild the cattle herd and what that may mean for producers and consumers.
Key Changes for Ranchers
The agreement outlines several immediate actions:
- Streamlining grazing permits and reducing delays for infrastructure and emergency response
- Expanding direct engagement with ranchers through roundtables and improved communication
- Launching “ranch immersion” programs for federal employees
- Improving access to grazing data for better planning and investment decisions
- Promoting tools like targeted grazing to reduce wildfire risk and virtual fencing technology
- Establishing wildfire liaisons to improve coordination during emergencies
- Maintaining grazing capacity, with a goal of no net loss in Animal Unit Months, where allowed
More than 20,000 ranchers across 28 states utilize federal grazing lands, with the Forest Service and BLM overseeing roughly 240 million acres. Together, the agencies administer more than 23,000 permits across 29,000 grazing allotments. About 24 million acres are currently not under permit and are being evaluated for potential expansion of grazing opportunities.
Livestock grazing on these lands plays a significant role in the rural economy. National forests and grasslands support roughly 14,200 jobs and contribute $645 million annually to the U.S. GDP. Grazing on BLM lands generates $2.7 billion in economic output, supporting 35,000 jobs and $700 million in labor income
Officials say the effort is aimed at strengthening the U.S. beef supply chain while lowering costs for producers and consumers.
