For Immediate Release
Contact: R-CALF USA Communications Director Jaiden Moreland
Phone: 406-252-2516; r-calfusa@r-calfusa.com
BILLINGS, Mont., June 12, 2026—The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced additional steps toward restoring livestock grazing opportunities on federally managed lands by issuing implementation directives to the U.S. Forest Service aimed at expanding grazing access, streamlining permitting, and improving coordination with ranchers.
The memorandum builds upon USDA’s October 2025 Plan to Fortify the American Beef Industry and the March 2026 Memorandum of Understanding on grazing. While those actions established the administration’s commitment to strengthening domestic livestock production, today’s directive provides specific guidance for carrying out those objectives across National Forest System lands.
Among the actions outlined in the memorandum are reopening vacant and closed grazing allotments, restoring previously reduced grazing capacity where appropriate, establishing a goal of restoring at least 500,000 head months of grazing capacity over the next two years, and implementing a standard of no net loss of animal unit months within allotments.
The memorandum further directs USFS to streamline permitting and allotment authorizations, utilize available tools to reduce regulatory delays, and improve access to temporary grazing opportunities during drought and other challenging conditions. In addition, the directive calls for improved coordination with permittees during wildfire events, greater flexibility in addressing prairie dog impacts on grazing lands, and increased investment in infrastructure and allotment improvements that support livestock production.
The memorandum also places significant emphasis on strengthening relationships between the U.S. Forest Service and ranching communities. It establishes expectations for timely communication, consistent application of policies, greater collaboration with permittees, and improved responsiveness to producer concerns. The directive further calls for employee training programs designed to improve understanding of ranching operations and the role livestock producers play in managing working landscapes and supporting rural economies.
R-CALF USA Property Rights Chair Shad Sullivan released the following statement:
“Today’s announcement moves beyond broad policy goals and into implementation. For years, ranchers have faced unnecessary delays, shrinking grazing opportunities, and regulatory barriers that have reduced livestock production on federal lands. This memorandum recognizes those challenges and directs the Forest Service to take concrete action to address them.
“Expanding responsible grazing opportunities on federal lands is one of the most practical tools available to increase domestic production capacity, strengthen rural economies, and improve our nation’s food security.
“We appreciate Secretary Rollins and the Trump administration for not only recognizing the importance of grazing to the future of American agriculture, but also for taking the next step of providing clear direction to ensure these commitments are carried out on the ground. We look forward to working with USDA as these reforms are implemented.”
To see the letter from the Secretary, click HERE.
To see the NRE Memorandum, click HERE.
###
Ranchers Cattlemen Action Legal Fund United Stockgrowers of America (R-CALF USA) is the largest producer-only lobbying and trade association representing U.S. cattle and sheep producers. It is a national, nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring the continued profitability and viability of the U.S. cattle and sheep industries. Visit www.r-calfusa.com or call 406-252-2516 for more information.