Western Cattlemen Push Back on Federal Land Restrictions
By Carrie Stadheim | The Fence Post
Several groups of cattle producers could be seen walking the halls of Congress and the U.S. Department of Agriculture in recent weeks. No, they weren’t lost.
They were detailing some of the ways government prevents cattle producers from being profitable and identifying solutions that could help.
Jack Payne, owner of Nevada Livestock Marketing, was one of five ranchers from western states to meet with U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to describe the drastically diminished cattle numbers on federal lands.
Grazing is needed on rangelands to maintain plant and soil health, reduce fire danger and provide economic stability to communities, Payne said.
Secretary Rollins posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Sept. 6, 2025, “Earl...

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