The RANCH Act, a bipartisan bill introduced Wednesday by Sens. Mike Rounds of South Dakota and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, would create a voluntary federal program to convert eligible marginal cropland into grasslands for grazing. Supporters say the initiative could help rebuild a U.S. beef cow herd now at its smallest level in more than seven decades.
Formally titled the Rebuilding America’s National Cow Herd Act, the proposal would establish a new Ranchland Program that could enroll up to 20 million acres. According to Rounds’ office, full enrollment could add grazing capacity for roughly 2 million to 4 million additional beef cows. Rounds said drought, high input costs and limited grazing access have pressured herd numbers, adding that establishing perennial grass on marginal acres would give producers another option. “No grass means no cattle,” he said.
How the RANCH Act program would work
The measure is structured as a working-lands program, not a land retirement effort. Producers would restore qualifying cropland to perennial cover and use those acres for managed livestock grazing. The bill includes cost-share assistance and signing incentive payments, with targeted support to help beginning ranchers lower upfront costs.
Backers argue the plan could have ripple effects beyond cattle numbers. A larger national herd would increase demand for domestic grain and forage. Shifting marginal cropland to grass could also modestly reduce planted crop acreage. Proponents further cite conservation gains from perennial cover and rotational grazing, including healthier soils, improved water quality and enhanced wildlife habitat.
RANCH Act draws support from cattle and conservation groups
The legislation has received endorsements from livestock and conservation organizations, including the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association, Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association, Society for Range Management, Pheasants Forever, World Wildlife Fund, National Audubon Society, Delta Waterfowl, Ducks Unlimited and National Wildlife Federation.
Craig Bieber, president of the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association and owner of Bieber Red Angus Ranch near Leola, South Dakota, said managed grazing can strengthen ranch families and rural communities while benefiting natural resources. Conservation groups emphasized the potential to restore grasslands without removing land from productive use. Andrew Schmidt of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever said converting marginal cropland to grazing could help producers expand while creating habitat for pheasants, quail and other species.
Alexis Bonogofsky, vice president of the World Wildlife Fund’s Great Plains Program, called the proposal a significant step, while noting that the total marginal acreage in need of restoration likely exceeds the 20 million acres envisioned in the program. For producers, advocates say the most immediate effect would be expanding places to graze cattle at a time when forage availability and herd size remain pressing concerns.