Rollins Urges Federal Land Ranchers to Put June Grazing Directive to Work

(WASHINGTON, D.C., October 8, 2026) - Today, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins sent a letter to all livestock ranchers holding grazing permits on U.S. Forest Service allotments, outlining the Department's June 12, 2026 Grazing Directive and inviting producers to put it to work on their allotments.

The letter builds on the October 20, 2025 USDA Plan to Fortify the American Beef Industry and the March 31, 2026 Advancing Grazing on Forest Service and BLM Lands Memorandum of Understanding signed by Secretary Rollins and Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. Together with the Grazing Directive issued by Secretary Rollins and Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Michael Boren, the three documents describe Administration policy to streamline and expand livestock grazing on federal lands, elevate grazing as a priority, and strengthen support for America's ranchers within the framework of existing law and regulations.

"You embody the ethos of our nation's founding 250 years ago," said Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins. "For the past 19 months, USDA has worked tirelessly to defend and promote our nation's ranchers and give you the tools to help rebuild our Great American Cattle Herd. I encourage you to familiarize yourself with the Grazing Directive as we work together to accomplish shared goals on your respective allotments."

For more information, see the full letter (PDF, 312 KB).

Background:

The U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management administer approximately 240 million acres of rangelands across 28 states, supporting more than 23,000 permittees and lessees. Secretary Rollins noted that restoring the nation's beef and sheep herds will, by necessity, include both Forest Service and BLM lands.

The June Grazing Directive directs the Forest Service, consistent with applicable law and regulation, to:

• Take appropriate measures to restore at least 500,000 head months across National Forest System lands within two years;
• Implement a policy of no net loss of Animal Unit Months within allotments;
• Make vacant and closed allotments available for grazing;
• Improve wildfire planning, coordination, and recovery, including the use of virtual fencing;
• Improve National Environmental Policy Act efficiencies; and
• Improve coordination and build positive relationships with ranchers.

The letter also points to the new USDA Ranchers First webpage at www.usda.gov/ranchers-first, which details actions taken under the Trump Administration to support grazing, processing, and the long-term strength of the American cattle herd.

Producers who believe they have been subjected to agricultural lawfare may submit information through the Farmer and Rancher Freedom Framework at www.usda.gov/lawfare. Grazing-specific concerns may be sent to [email protected].

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