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Strategic Grazing to Reduce the Risk of Wildfire Act, advanced out of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Sponsored by Senators John Curtis( UT) and Catherine Cortez Masto( NV), this legislation would grant temporary grazing permits to ranchers, thereby utilizing cattle to reduce the amount of fuel on rangeland to help prevent catastrophic fires, especially near populated areas. NCBA has been working to get this bill passed since not only is cattle grazing proven to reduce the risk of wildfire but also reduces the intensity and speed of a fire if one breaks out.

The second bill, the Fix Our Forests Act, recently advanced from the Senate Agriculture Committee after gaining broad support in the House last year. This legislation would help unleash the conservation prowess of producers by removing regulatory barriers that have historically limited the ability to graze as a tool to prevent devastating wildfires on federal lands. This effort has support across the political spectrum and the companion bill, sponsored by House Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman( AR) and Rep. Scott Peters( CA), passed out of the House in early 2025. NCBA Vice President and Oregon rancher Skye Krebs recently discussed the benefits of the Fix Our Forests Act, saying:

“ Cattle producers need timely access to rangeland to manage their herd and reduce fuel loads that contribute to out-of-control wildfires. This bipartisan effort will help prevent catastrophic wildfires by expanding grazing, limiting frivolous lawsuits and giving local stakeholders a larger voice in land management. NCBA thanks Chairman John Boozman and Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar for working to advance legislation that gives more grazing access to ranchers and prevents wildfires.”

NCBA has been working to build a bipartisan coalition in Congress to expand grazing access for years and, within the last several months, there has been significant progress made. Even though the established science is clear that grazing can reduce wildfire risk by up to 80 %, it has taken time to educate Congress on this topic and bridge the partisan divide that has stopped grazing legislation in the past. Due to the relentless work of NCBA to promote the benefits of grazing, the tides are turning and increased grazing access is now within reach.

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