Montana Rancher: Public Lands Grazing Vital to Montana's Ranchers
Ranchers from across the West are gathering in Colorado this week for the Public Lands Council’s 58th Annual Meeting, discussing federal grazing, land management, and the challenges facing livestock producers who depend on America’s public lands.
September 18, 2026
Perri Jacobs, chair of PLC’s Multiple Use Committee and a Montana rancher, emphasizes the significance of public lands grazing for her operation. "Public lands grazing is an important part of our operation," she states, "Without it, we would be much smaller and maybe not even exist as we do exist."
The annual meeting offers ranchers a platform to connect with peers facing similar challenges and share potential solutions. Jacobs notes, "It’s great to come down here and meet with other ranchers that have the same challenges that you do."
BLM Director Meets with Public Lands Ranchers
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Director Steve Pearce addressed ranchers at the meeting. He values direct communication with ranchers who manage federal lands, stating, "That is a breath of fresh air for me to come out and actually visit with the people who keep those public lands vibrant, healthy."
Pearce, a former New Mexico congressman, brings experience representing rural communities to his role leading the BLM. "I saw the people on the field level trying to maintain their lifestyle, trying to maintain their ranches," he says.
Montana Bison Dispute Part of Multiple-Use Conversation
Jacobs highlights the ongoing conversation surrounding American Prairie’s bison herd in Montana. "A conversation specific to our area relates to American Prairie and their bison on the landscape," she says, differentiating the herd as a conservation focus rather than a production-oriented one.
She advocates for continued recognition of the multiple-use mission of federal lands, highlighting livestock grazing’s contribution to wildlife habitat, soil health, and other ecosystem services. "We just need to keep having that conversation on how important livestock grazing is," Jacobs states.
The BLM’s recent rescission of grazing permits for American Prairie’s bison herd, citing a primary focus on conservation, has sparked a legal battle. A preliminary injunction against the BLM was issued on September 4 by U.S. District Judge Brian Morris.