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Agriculture
is the nation's largest industry and one of Oregon's largest industries.
For one job on the ranch or farm, there are six jobs in related supply and
processing business. One of five jobs in private enterprise is related
to agri-business.
Family
ranches
Approximately
90 percent of the cattle ranches in Harney County are family-owned and
operated. Today numerous family ranches are incorporated. Long hours of
hard work and dedication, coupled with modern technology, are required for an
efficient and profitable business.
Cattle
ranching is a unique way of life. Children learn responsibility at an
early age. While helping with the ranch work, they ride horseback and
operate machinery. A college degree is a common goal among ranch
children. Many return to the ranch to raise their families in a rural
environment.
Building
a country, public and private lands
Land
acquired by the United States government through annexation was owned by the
federal government unless it was already in private hands. The areas
with fertile soil and abundant rainfall had been claimed quickly when settlers
moved into the west. Various laws were passed to enable people to purchase
property the government has obtained.
In
1862 Congress passed the Homestead Act which provided 160 acres of free land
to the homesteader. After five years residence and cultivation, the
citizen could receive a patent for the land on payment of additional fees.
Because
the 160 acres was insufficient to make a living, many homesteads were
abandoned or sold to neighbors. The abandoned and unclaimed lands became
"Public Land." The public domain was indiscriminately misused
and abused. A need to establish order and stability on federal lands led
to the legislation of the Taylor Grazing Act. Through this action range
rights were established and operations that harvested the renewable forage
from public lands became official policy.
The
Taylor Grazing Act
At
the urging of the livestock operators, the Taylor Grazing Act was established
by Congress in 1934. The Act provided for the orderly use, improvement
and development of the public range. The Act brought order to the
range. The Grazing Service and the General Land Office merged in 1946 to
create the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
As
early as 1905, the Forest Service established reserves. The BLM and
Forest Service have the same fee structure and similar management practices.
Obligations
when using public lands
The
permit holder who uses the public range does not get this right free.
Congress sets a fee which is adjusted annually based on private land lease
rates, beef cattle prices, and the cost of production.
In
addition to the fee, the rancher bears the cost of caring for his livestock
(i.e. herding, checking, doctoring, moving the animals, maintaining or
developing water sources, building and maintaining fences, salting and
feeding, trucking and hiring help). All this must be done in compliance with
stringent regulations set forth by the U.S. Forest Service and BLM.
Several
studies have been made to determine this additional cost to the stockmen who
grace on public lands. Based on 1990 figures, the amount is more than
$12.00 an AUM (Animal Unit Month). For instance, if a permit holder is
allowed 100 cows with calves to graze on the national forest or BLM lands, his
cost per month is $1,200 plus the grazing fee. The added expense related to
public grazing is comparable or higher than fees charges by private land
owners.
Harney
County, which has more land area than eight states, is 76 percent government
owned. With such limited private land, the only alternative in Harney
County is to lease government land for grazing.
Multiple
use on public lands
Today,
the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service supervise a multiple use
policy on public land which includes logging, mining and recreation, as well
as grazing.
Grazing
and wildlife
Grazing
is a tool to improve the range. Sound grazing land management builds
soils, protects water quality, and riparian (stream and riverbank)
areas. It also enhances fish and wildlife habitat and fisheries.
Keeping the grasses cropped, vigorous and healthy, ensures growth of forage and
minimizes fires. Responsible grazing practices enhance the rancher's
most valuable resource, the land.
Harney
County cattlemen invest millions of dollars each year in improvements on
public lands. The development of water holes and fences which allow for
rotation grazing benefit both wildlife and livestock.
Water
The
average annual precipitation in Harney County is only 12 inches, making water
a highly valued resource.
Most
of the moisture in Harney County comes as snowfall. The snow melt is
carried to the valleys in creeks and rivers. During the high water
period, ranchers "flood" irrigate their native meadows. A
water right entitles the rancher to a specified amount of water for
irrigation. "Flood" irrigation diverts some water from the
river or stream through ditches onto the native grass. These meadows are
not plowed or planted. Adequate water remains in the stream for fish
habitat. A shallow covering of water is needed to produce hay for winter
livestock feed.
Flood
irrigation is part of nature's hydrological cycle. Evaporation returns
to the earth as rain or snow, recycling many times during the year. In
fact, the water we use today has been recycled since prehistoric times.
It provides growth of tender grasses, insects, worms, and the habitat birds
prefer. Cattle, wildlife and waterfowl benefit from irrigating the
meadows. The irrigated meadows are the ideal resting place for birds
that come through Harney County on the Pacific Flyway. It's not uncommon to
see a bird perched on the back of a cow.
Summary
People
are part of the environment. The human need to use natural resources is
fundamental to our presence on earth. Managing the land wisely and
carefully monitoring its use will continue to provide a life rich in
diversity and useful for all living things that share this wonderful planet.
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