West Texas Rangelands
West Texas RangelandsWe hope to provide a variety of science-based rangeland information and current research on prescribed fire, wildfires, brush management, and grazing management!

Texas Working Lands: What Land Fragmentation Means for the Future of Texas Rangelands

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Texas is known for its wide-open spaces, productive ranches, working farms, and privately owned forests. These working lands support agricultural production, wildlife habitat, water resources, recreation, and rural economies across the state. Today, approximately 139 million acres, or 81% of Texas, remain in privately owned working lands, making private land stewardship one of the most important factors shaping the future of Texas natural resources.

A recent article from the Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute highlights a growing challenge facing these landscapes: land fragmentation. Using an updated Texas Land Trends Fragmentation Risk Map, researchers identified areas where farms, ranches, and forests may be most vulnerable to subdivision and conversion in the future. While growth and development are a natural part of a thriving state, understanding where these changes are occurring can help landowners, communities, and conservation partners make informed decisions about the future of Texas working lands.

What Is Land Fragmentation?
Land fragmentation occurs when large properties are divided into smaller ownership parcels, often leading to conversion from agricultural uses to residential, commercial, or other non-agricultural development. While an individual subdivision may seem insignificant on its own, the cumulative impact can fundamentally alter rural landscapes. Fragmentation can reduce the viability of agricultural operations, disrupt wildlife habitat, increase management challenges, and limit opportunities for landscape-scale conservation efforts.

The Texas Land Trends program points to several interconnected drivers of fragmentation, including rapid population growth, rising land values, and changing ownership patterns. As urban areas continue to expand outward, demand for nearby rural land increases. Higher land values can create incentives to subdivide property or convert working lands to other uses, particularly in areas experiencing development pressure.

Texas Continues to Grow
The pressures contributing to fragmentation are closely tied to Texas’ remarkable growth. Between 1997 and 2022, the state’s population increased from 19 million to 30 million residents, a 55% increase. More than 1.7 million people were added during the most recent five-year period alone. The majority of that growth occurred within counties surrounding major metropolitan areas, particularly within the Texas Triangle that connects Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio.

The updated Fragmentation Risk Map reflects these growth patterns, showing elevated fragmentation risk in many counties surrounding major population centers and transportation corridors. The map serves as a decision-support tool that helps identify where future conversion and subdivision pressures may be greatest.

Why This Matters for Texas Rangelands
For ranchers and landowners, fragmentation is about much more than changing property boundaries. Large, intact ranches provide the scale necessary to support productive livestock operations, functioning watersheds, connected wildlife habitat, and many of the conservation practices that sustain healthy rangelands.

Landscape-scale management approaches such as prescribed fire, invasive species control, brush management, wildlife habitat conservation, and grazing management often depend on cooperation across large areas. As ownerships become smaller and more fragmented, coordinating these efforts can become increasingly difficult. Fragmentation can also contribute to habitat fragmentation, increased infrastructure development, and reduced opportunities for long-term stewardship of natural resources.

These challenges are particularly important in Texas, where privately owned lands provide the vast majority of wildlife habitat and support many of the ecosystem services that benefit all Texans.

The Numbers Tell an Important Story
According to the latest Texas Land Trends report, the state lost nearly 3.7 million acres of working lands to non-agricultural uses between 1997 and 2022. More than 1.8 million acres were lost during the most recent five-year reporting period alone. Grazing lands have experienced some of the largest declines, with approximately 6.7 million acres converted to other uses since 1997.

These figures highlight the importance of understanding where future changes may occur and why proactive planning matters. Conservation efforts, succession planning, educational outreach, and support for working lands all play a role in maintaining the farms and ranches that contribute to Texas’ agricultural heritage and economic strength.

Looking Ahead
The updated Texas Land Trends Fragmentation Risk Map is not intended to predict the future with certainty. Instead, it provides a valuable lens through which landowners, conservation organizations, and communities can better understand ongoing changes and identify areas where proactive conversations may be needed. By understanding fragmentation trends today, Texans can make more informed decisions about the stewardship of working lands tomorrow.

As Texas continues to grow, the challenge will be finding ways to balance development with the conservation of the farms, ranches, and forests that define the state’s landscape. The future of Texas rangelands depends not only on how we manage the land, but also on how we retain the large, connected working landscapes that make effective stewardship possible.

Original Source: This article was adapted from “Updated Texas Land Trends map shows where working lands face growing fragmentation risk” by the Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute. Readers can view the original article and explore additional Texas Land Trends resources through the Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute.

Wildfire Wisdom: Proven Strategies to Protect Your Property and Livestock

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Article written by Kathryn O’Daniel
West Texas Rangelands Intern and Senior, Texas A&M University

Wildfires can start easily and spread rapidly under the correct conditions. High winds, dry conditions, and high fuel amounts can cause wildfires to spread across long distances, causing immense damage. As a landowner, it is imperative that your rangeland is protected from possible cases of wildfire ignition and spread.

Historically, fires were common; however, after European settlement, fires were greatly suppressed, causing high fuel loads. These high fuel loads cause wildfires to be a real threat to landowners. It is important to learn how to protect against wildfires, one of which is structural protection. Consider the materials for your buildings to be the first defense in your structural protection. Stay away from any highly flammable wood because it often becomes extremely dry, causing rapid ignition from embers. Instead, consider asphalt shingles or a metal roof and steel siding. Additionally, ensure there are no accumulations of fuel around the buildings to reduce the chance of material igniting. Consider the distance of trees, shrubs, grass, firewood, and propane tanks from the building, as proximity can be an issue.

The ‘home ignition zone’ includes the structure and the 200-foot radius around it. This area is sectioned into 3 smaller portions. The smallest zone, closest to the house, also known as zone 1, includes the 30 feet outside of the building. This area should be mowed regularly, free of dead vegetation, and contain fire-resistant material for any outdoor furniture. Additionally, the closest 5 feet to the house should be a “fire-free area”, containing nonflammable, high-moisture plants.

Zone 2 is considered the area 30-100 feet from the house. This area should have spaced-out trees, with 20 feet between individual trees or 30 feet between clusters of trees. Driveways and walkways are used as fuel breaks, and mowing should be used to reduce fuel loads.

Zone 3 includes 100 to 200 feet away from the house. In this area, less spacing is required between trees. Remove any woody debris piles and ensure tree canopies are not touching.

Lastly, infrastructure fire breaks can make or break one’s wildfire protection plan. Using gravel or caliche as a fuel break can be extremely helpful, as well as access roads and 2-track roads, which all have the potential to stop a ground-driven fire. Additionally, these firebreaks can be used to stop a wildfire by providing an area for a prescribed backfire to be lit. Backfires remove fuel loads, which can stop the wildlife when it hits the black due to the lack of fuel.

Landowners can also employ heavy grazing during the dormant season around structures to minimize fuel loads. Alternating between grazing and preemptively burning each season keeps the rangeland productivity high compared to solely grazing. In the case of a wildfire, cattle are often capable of finding a safe area on their own. Make quick openings for livestock by cutting fences if needed, and do not attempt to drive livestock to safety when a wildfire is coming. Be sure not to put yourself in harm’s way.

Wildfires are a persistent threat to rangeland owners, especially in areas with high fuel loads and dry conditions. By understanding the factors that contribute to wildfire risk and implementing strategic structural and land management practices, you can significantly reduce the potential danger to your property and livestock. Proactive prevention and preparedness are essential; safeguarding your land and structures not only protects your own assets but also contributes to the resilience of your entire community. By taking these steps, landowners can be better equipped to withstand, manage, and mitigate the challenges presented by wildfires.

How Fire and Grazing Can Impact Rangeland Resilience

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Article written by Jacob Court
West Texas Rangelands Intern
Graduate Student – Texas A&M University

Rangelands are one of the most important ecosystems in the United States, providing habitat for wildlife, forage for livestock, and many environmental and recreational benefits. However, rangelands are currently facing many issues, including woody plant encroachment, invasive species spreading, and overgrazing. Many of these issues stem from how we currently manage our rangelands. The article Rangeland Resilience: Using Fire and Grazing Together discusses how including both prescribed fire and livestock grazing techniques into management systems can help to create a healthier ecosystem. Both fire and grazing are beneficial natural disturbances that rangelands evolved alongside, so reintroducing them can help to restore the environment to what it once was.

Historically, rangelands evolved alongside both fire and grazing; therefore, by reinstating both fire and grazing, we can begin to mimic these natural processes and, in doing so, promote more diverse landscapes and enhance the biodiversity of the area. Utilizing fire and grazing techniques in various amalgamations is called pyric herbivory. Burning different areas at different times helps to create spaces where both warm and cool-season plants can thrive, which in turn helps to stabilize forage production. In addition to supporting plant and animal populations, pyric herbivory helps improve ecosystem services like soil health and water quality. Once pyric herbivory is in place, it becomes a self-reinforcing process.

Pyric herbivory is the combination of prescribed fire and timed grazing. In these systems, livestock are allowed to graze shortly after an area is burned. This allows them to feed on the high-quality new growth that shortly follows fire. It also allows for the suppression of any unwanted plants that would grow quickly and take over post-fire, which in turn promotes a more diverse array of plants. Ideally, in the 12 months post-burn, high-intensity grazing would be taking place. Goats are great for this as they selectively choose what they want to feed on and therefore can target the high-quality regrowth. In the one-to-three year range post-fire, it’s important to slightly back off on the grazing intensity. Moderately grazing the area during this time will allow for efficient regrowth of plants to take place. After this period, let the area rest and accumulate fuel for the next burn. A great way to implement this is by the patch-burn method. This method utilizes a rotational system where the entire area is not burned at one time, and instead focuses on creating a mosaic of areas in different stages of burn through recovery. Rotational grazing can be easily implemented into this system as you can rotate pastures that are in stages of burn, grazing, or recovering.

Historically, bison and other animals grazed upon the rangelands. Wildfires burned frequently across the rangeland, and their size and speed were limited due to the lack of fuel buildup. Due to our current management systems, these beneficial natural processes aren’t normal anymore. If we take the time and effort to integrate livestock grazing and prescribed burning, the natural cycle of pyric herbivory can benefit our rangelands. Utilizing these natural processes to help manage the land can be difficult to incorporate, but it helps to foster the long-term sustainability that we are currently missing. With adequate planning and adaptability, this approach can create rangelands that handle drought better, have less uncontrollable wildfire risk, and are more diverse.

References:
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension – Rangeland Resilience: Using Fire and Grazing Together

Know Your Stocking Rate Like You Know Your Bank Balance

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If you asked most producers what is in their bank account, they could give you a pretty close answer. They know what is coming in, what is going out, and how much room they have to work with.  But ask the same question about stocking rate, and the answer is often less certain.

That is a problem, because stocking rate is just as critical to the long-term success of your operation as your financial balance sheet. In fact, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension has long emphasized that stocking rate is the single most important grazing management decision a rancher makes.

Your Grass Is Your Bank Account
Think of forage as your operating capital.  Rainfall deposits forage into the system. Livestock withdrawals remove it. When withdrawals exceed deposits, you are not just reducing this year’s balance, you are damaging the account itself.

Stocking rate is the tool that keeps those deposits and withdrawals in check. It determines how much pressure your land can handle over the entire grazing season, not just at a single point in time.  When it is set correctly, you maintain plant health, soil cover, and long-term production. When it is not, you lose root mass, reduce future forage production, and increase vulnerability to drought.

A herd of cattle stands on a dirt road in a dry, scrubby landscape under a dramatic sky filled with white and grey clouds.

West Texas on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. Michael Miller/Texas A&M AgriLife Marketing and Communications)

Why Stocking Rate Matters More in West Texas
In an environment that swings from drought to abundant rainfall, stocking rate becomes even more critical.  Rainfall drives forage production across Texas rangelands, and that variability means your forage supply is never constant.

This is where many operations get into trouble.

Good years create the temptation to increase stocking rates. But when conditions shift, that same stocking level can quickly exceed what the land can support.  AgriLife Extension research emphasizes that flexibility in stocking rate is key to sustainability because rainfall, forage growth, and forage use are constantly changing.

You Can Be “Right” and Still Be Wrong
There are two sides to stocking rate: 1) the land resource and 2) animal performance

You can have enough forage on paper to support your herd, but still reduce animal performance if grazing pressure forces animals to eat less desirable plants or travel farther for forage.

On the flip side, you can push animal performance short-term by stocking heavy, but do long-term damage to the resource.

Just like finances, short-term gains at the expense of long-term stability rarely pay off.

Tools to Evaluate Your Stocking Rate
You would not manage your finances without looking at numbers. The same is true for your grazing system.  Several simple, research-backed tools can help you evaluate where you stand:

1. Forage Inventory – Knowing how much grass you have is the foundation. Extension resources emphasize taking a forage inventory to understand the current supply before making decisions.

This can include – estimating pounds of forage per acre, comparing current production to expected production, and tracking changes over time.

2. Residual or Stubble Height Monitoring – Maintaining adequate plant residue is critical for capturing rainfall and protecting soil. Monitoring how much forage remains after grazing helps determine if pressure is too high.

3. Photo Monitoring and Exclosures – Permanent photo points and grazing exclosures allow you to track change over time and separate grazing impact from weather impact.

4. Grazeable Acre Evaluation – Not every acre on your ranch contributes equally. Brush cover, slope, and water distribution all affect how livestock use the land.

Adjusting stocking rate based on actual grazeable acres improves accuracy and decision-making.

Managing Stocking Rate in a Variable Climate
In West Texas, a fixed stocking rate is rarely the right answer. Adaptability is what keeps operations afloat.

Build Flexibility into Your Herd
Extension guidance recommends structuring herds so that only a portion represents your core breeding herd, while the rest can be adjusted more easily.  This allows you to reduce numbers quickly in drought and to take advantage of good years without long-term commitment

Use Conservative Stocking as a Baseline
Conservative stocking rates leave some forage unused, creating a buffer for dry periods.  That unused forage is not waste. It is insurance.

A flock of sheep, mostly white with some black faces and legs, moves across a grassy, uneven terrain with lush green foliage in the background.

Dorper sheep on Thursday, Jul 17, 2025, in San Angelo, Texas. (Michael Miller/Texas A&M AgriLife)

Adjust Early, Not Late
Waiting until forage is gone limits your options. Early adjustments protect plant health and reduce the severity of future decisions.

Match Stocking Rate to Conditions, Not Calendar
Stocking decisions should respond to rainfall and forage production, not just a set grazing plan or date on the calendar.

The Bottom Line
Stocking rate is not just a number. It is a decision that affects everything from soil health to livestock performance to long-term profitability.

Just like your bank account, you cannot manage what you do not measure.

Knowing your forage supply, tracking how it changes, and adjusting your stocking rate accordingly is one of the most practical steps you can take to build resilient rangelands.

In a system defined by variability, the operations that succeed are the ones that treat stocking rate as a dynamic decision, not a fixed number.

 

Building Knowledge and Confidence with the Updated Online Prescribed Burn School

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Building Knowledge and Confidence with the Updated Online Prescribed Burn School

Prescribed fire has long been a foundational tool for managing Texas rangelands, yet many landowners and land managers lack access to formal training that builds confidence to use fire safely and effectively. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension has addressed this need with the launch of a redesigned Online Prescribed Burn School for 2026, offering science‑based instruction in a flexible, self‑paced format.

The updated course reflects decades of research and applied experience across Texas landscapes. It is designed for landowners, ranchers, and land management professionals who want to better understand fire behavior and planning, improve decision-making, and reduce risk when applying prescribed fire as a land management tool.

Why Prescribed Fire Matters on Texas Rangelands

Fire is not new to Texas rangelands. Historically, fire occurred frequently and shaped plant communities, wildlife habitat, and forage productivity. When fire is removed from the system, woody plants often increase, fuel structure changes, and grasslands can lose productivity and diversity.

Prescribed fire can help manage brush, improve forage distribution, recycle nutrients, and restore ecological processes that benefit both livestock and wildlife. However, fire is also a tool that requires planning, preparation, and a clear understanding of weather, fuels, and safety considerations. Education is essential to ensure prescribed fire is applied appropriately and responsibly.

What the Updated Online Prescribed Burn School Offers

The Online Prescribed Burn School is a self‑guided course delivered through AgriLife Learn. The program consists of 12 modules and provides participants with the background and practical knowledge needed to confidently apply prescribed fire.

Topics covered in the course include the ecology and history of fire, basic fire behavior principles, fuels and weather considerations, topography, firing techniques, equipment, smoke management, and burn planning. The course also addresses laws and regulations related to prescribed burning in Texas, helping participants understand their responsibilities as burners.

Participants can complete the course at their own pace, which makes it accessible to working landowners and professionals balancing multiple demands. The total instructional time is approximately 24 hours, and a certificate of completion is provided upon finishing the course.

Connecting Education to Certification

One important feature of the Online Prescribed Burn School is its connection to the Texas Department of Agriculture Certified and Insured Prescribed Burn Manager program. Individuals who complete the course become eligible to pursue the official exam and field component required for certification, provided they meet TDA experience requirements.

This pathway helps expand the number of trained and qualified prescribed fire practitioners across the state. Increasing this capacity is especially important in regions like West Texas, where large properties, variable weather, and fuel conditions present unique management challenges.

Learning from Experienced Prescribed Fire Professionals

The course is instructed by AgriLife Extension prescribed fire experts, including Dr. Morgan Treadwell, Professor and Extension Range Specialist, and David Brooke, AgriLife Extension Statewide Prescribed Fire Program Coordinator. Their applied experience ensures the content is grounded in real‑world conditions and practical decision-making.

“Fire is a critical component of a healthy, well-managed rangeland,” Treadwell said. “Through this course, you will learn directly from prescribed burn experts with an emphasis on fire behavior, employing the correct firing technique, equipment, safety and much more.”

Rather than focusing solely on theory, the course emphasizes planning and evaluation. Participants learn how to assess burn units, align fire behavior with management objectives, and anticipate challenges before lighting a match. This approach supports safer burns and better outcomes on the ground.

Supporting Informed Fire Use Across Texas

The updated Prescribed Burn School is part of a broader effort by AgriLife Extension and partners to promote informed, science‑based fire use on private lands. As interest in prescribed fire continues to grow, education remains one of the most effective ways to reduce risk and increase successful application.

For landowners considering prescribed fire for brush management, wildlife habitat improvement, or rangeland restoration, this course provides a strong foundation. For professionals supporting land management decisions, it serves as a valuable reference and training resource.

Learn More and Register

Registration information and additional details about the Online Prescribed Burn School are available through AgriLife Today and AgriLife Learn. Landowners and professionals interested in prescribed fire training are encouraged to explore the course and determine whether it fits their management goals.

The course comprises 12 modules and provides participants with the background, knowledge and skills needed to safely and confidently apply prescribed fire as a land management tool.  The course cost is $300, and participants can register at tx.ag/PrescribedBurnSchool2026. Discounted registration is available for members of prescribed burn associations following verification. Participants can anticipate the self-paced course taking roughly 24 hours to complete.

Prescribed fire is a powerful tool when applied thoughtfully and safely. Continued education helps ensure fire remains part of a resilient future for Texas rangelands.

 

Spring Weather Outlook By Luke Drosche – Texas A&M AgriLife Extension DAR Specialist

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West Texas Rangelands would like to extend our gratitude to Mr. Luke Drosche for collaborating with us and providing this weather update for our readers.  We thank him for sharing his time, talents, and knowledge with us as a guest contributor.  Luke serves with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service as a Disaster Assessment and Recovery Specialist.     

3-Month Precipitation Outlook:
The first few days of March have brought areas of rain and severe storms to a large portion of the State. Those across the Coastal Plains have enjoyed some much-needed precipitation, while our areas in the Panhandle and out west have continue to be mostly dry with the exception of a few supercell thunderstorms. The month of March should continue to bolster higher rain chances before tapering back off closer to May. The 3-month outlook has shown that a majority of the state is in an “Equal Chances” Category for rain. Meaning that we are most likely to mark near normal on our rain gauges.  NOAA has predicated the month of March to be potentially wetter than average for the Northeastern part of the State before marking close to normal through April and May. While the far western and Northwestern areas are forecasted to be drier. This is the time of year we need to make sure we always have a way to receive weather warnings. Severe Weather in Texas is year-round but increases dramatically in the springtime. For anywhere you are in the State of Texas, all modes of Severe weather are possible. It is important to have a plan for you, your family, and your property should severe weather impact you. Know how to communicate, plan to live a few days without power or water, and who to contact if you are affected by severe weather.  Keep an eye to the sky.

3-Month Temperature Outlook:
Rinse and Repeat from our winter months is predicted as we remain warmer than average. March has a high likelihood of marking above normal temperature with higher-than-normal temperatures likely through at least May, areas out west have higher potential to be warmer than average.  The entire state is under this prediction due to our current La Nina Conditions. These bring warmer temperatures to our area. However, we are seeing a transition out of La Nina into ENSO Neutral Conditions. This transition will happen over the next few months. Later in the year we look to potentially move into an El Nino weather pattern closer to next Fall. We will take this as a hope for more beneficial rain as 19.2 million of us in the State of Texas are in a Drought Designation.

 

Drought Update:
Extreme Drought Conditions persist in Central and South Texas with nearly the entire state in some dryness/drought category.  Panhandle regions remain in Moderate Drought and areas slightly south of there creep into the Severe Drought Designation. Early March’s rain will provide some relief to the Coastal Plains and parts of Central Texas when the next Drought updates come in roughly a month from now. More rainy days are predicted through March and will hopefully continue to improve conditions.  The next few months, March, April, and May typically bring weather systems across much of the state.  These systems pack a punch with severe storms and high rainfall rates.  We always prefer longer, drawn out rainfall events that allow the rainfall to soak into the soil, rather than run off the dry, packed ground. However, once the soil is primed with some moisture from whatever form of rain we get, we benefit more.  With the transition predicted us of La Nina and into ENSO Neutral conditions, we are hopeful for some improvement in overall drought conditions across the State.  Over many months in recent history, we have been in a La Nina designation, which is what has continued to push our drought conditions.  As we transition into Neutral Conditions in the short term, we will see more weather patterns indicative of repeated rainfall come into play.  No doubt we will still see long periods of dry weather, but let’s keep a hopeful eye on next fall as we should move into El Nino Conditions.

 

References and Resources: https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/, https://www.drought.gov/states/texas

Fire and Follow-Through!

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This amazing class at TAMU RWFM is focused on Communicating Natural Resources. It covers principles for effectively sharing natural resource science with diverse stakeholders, building essential skills for careers in rangeland, wildlife, and fisheries management. Topics include audience analysis, mixed-media presentations, and interpersonal communication tailored to natural resource contexts. Check out 2025 spring semester’s capstone project!

 

Beware of a New Invader in the Concho Valley: Jointed Goatgrass

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If you’ve noticed a wiry, unfamiliar grass growing along Texas roadsides—especially in the Edwards Plateau—you might be looking at Jointed Goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica). This invasive cool-season annual, part of the Poaceae (Grass) family, is becoming an increasing concern for landowners, farmers, and rangeland managers across the Concho Valley region.

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Managing Cheatgrass on Texas Rangelands: Practical Strategies for Landowners

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Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) concerns in Texas may sound impossible, unfortunately, it is growing into a real concern in the Upper and Lower Rolling Plains. As an invasive annual grass, cheatgrass poses a serious threat to native ecosystems, forage quality, and wildfire risk— dominating landscapes into potential future monocultures. 

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Texas Landowners Successfully Implement Prescribed Fire on 25,000-acres!!

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The Prescribed Burn Alliance of Texas (PBAT) (https://www.pbatexas.org/) announced the results of the 2024–2025 dormant season for prescribed fire. During this period, 18 Texas-based Prescribed Burn Associations (PBAs), covering 175 counties, assisted private landowners in conducting 73 prescribed burns, safely treating approximately 25,000 acres across the state.

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