We fell short of our Fall Fundraiser goal of 2,500 donations. Help us catch up ⏩ Give Now

The government dropped grazing fees again. Are ranchers getting a good deal?

Amanda Peacher Mar 5, 2019
HTML EMBED:
COPY
Grazing fees on public lands were dropped to the lowest amount allowed under federal law. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

The government dropped grazing fees again. Are ranchers getting a good deal?

Amanda Peacher Mar 5, 2019
Grazing fees on public lands were dropped to the lowest amount allowed under federal law. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
HTML EMBED:
COPY

Cattle ranchers got a little break from the government this month — grazing fees on public lands were dropped to the lowest amount allowed under federal law. But the Bureau of Land Management says a rancher, on average, will save only about $32 a year. The grazing program costs the federal government far more than it brings in from these fees. And environmentalists say the grazing program has other costs, to the land itself.

This story was produced by the Mountain West News Bureau, a collaboration between Wyoming Public Media, Boise State Public Radio in Idaho, KUER in Salt Lake City, and KRCC and KUNC in Colorado.

There’s a lot happening in the world.  Through it all, Marketplace is here for you. 

You rely on Marketplace to break down the world’s events and tell you how it affects you in a fact-based, approachable way. We rely on your financial support to keep making that possible. 

Your donation today powers the independent journalism that you rely on. For just $5/month, you can help sustain Marketplace so we can keep reporting on the things that matter to you.