SGI’s work is focused on private lands – working ranches and farms across the West. These lands are critical to sage grouse and to the 350 other species that rely on healthy sagebrush lands. Privately owned ranches also help maintain open spaces, often bordering and operated in common with public lands. Test your knowledge of ranching in the West with this Sage Whiz Quiz.
Fun Facts about ranching:
Agriculture is the nation’s largest employer with more than 23 million jobs involved.
Raising beef cattle is the single largest segment of American agriculture.
U.S. ranchers produce 18% of the world’s beef with only 8% of the world’s cattle.
85% of the land where cattle graze is not suitable for raising crops, thus grazing animals on this land increases the amount of food produced.
All “cows” are female. The males are called bulls or steers.
Water is precious in the arid West. Only 2% of the West is considered wet habitat. Of that, more than 75% is on private land.
The Sage Grouse Initiative has worked with more than 1,800 landowners to voluntarily conserve more than 7 million acres of land (more than three times the size of Yellowstone Park).
Take the Sage Whiz Quiz | Ranching
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Sagebrush country sustains 350 species as well as hundreds of rural communities and our way of life in the American West. The Sage Grouse Initiative works with ranchers on conservation strategies that benefit working lands and wildlife.