In a recent report by Dr. Tom Field titled “Priorities First: Identifying Management Priorities in the Commercial Cow-Calf Business” pasture and range management was identified as the #2 priority of cow/calf producers in the US (behind herd nutrition – also a pasture/range issue).
If this is the case why are there few ranchers involved with professional societies like the SRM. Cattleman are often eager to join groups like the NCBA, or their states cattle growers associations, and with good reason; these groups provide a forum for information sharing and provide a voice for cattleman and the beef industry in Washington. The SRM does the same thing only with rangeland issues. In today’s environmentally conscious world cattle grazing on public rangelands is a hotly debated topic. Many ranches rely on public rangelands for a bulk of their forage supply. Still few ranchers find it necessary to be involved with the SRM and support its efforts to promote rangeland use including cattle grazing. SRM meetings are also a great forum for information sharing and networking with like minded producers and professionals much the same as beef organizations.
So why aren’t more cattle producers involved with the SRM, and what do you think the SRM could do different to attract more ranchers?
