#AgriLifeExtension Archives - West Texas Rangelands

Does Prescribed Fire Ever Cross Your Mind? Join the Prescribed Burn School in Gatesville Next Month!

May 27, 2026 by morgan.treadwell

For many Texas landowners and managers, prescribed fire is one of the most effective tools available for improving rangeland health, managing brush, supporting wildlife habitat, and reducing fuel loads. Still, knowing when to burn, how to plan, and what it takes to do it safely can feel overwhelming without the right training.

That is exactly where the Prescribed Burn School in Gatesville comes in.

Hosted by Dr. Morgan Treadwell, West Texas Rangelands, and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, this comprehensive three-day training will be held Monday, June 15, through Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at the Gatesville Civic Center in Gatesville, Texas. Designed for landowners, fire professionals, and agency personnel, this course offers a practical learning experience that connects classroom instruction with real-world application.

Whether prescribed fire is already part of your management plan or it is something you have considered but never pursued, this course provides a strong foundation in the principles and practice of prescribed burning in Texas.

Why Prescribed Fire Still Matters
Across Texas rangelands, prescribed fire remains one of the most valuable tools for restoring and maintaining healthy landscapes. Fire can help reduce woody plant encroachment, improve forage production, recycle nutrients, and create better conditions for native plant communities and wildlife.

Prescribed fire is more than just lighting a match under the right weather conditions. Effective burning requires planning, situational awareness, and an understanding of fire behavior, fuel conditions, smoke management, and post-burn evaluation. Training matters, especially for producers who want to use fire with confidence and responsibility.

What Participants Can Expect
The Gatesville Prescribed Burn School follows the Texas Department of Agriculture’s 24-hour curriculum and meets the training requirement for those pursuing certification as a Certified and Insured Prescribed Burn Manager (CIPBM).

Participants will receive in-depth instruction in areas including fire behavior, weather interpretation, prescribed burn planning, ignition techniques, and post-burn evaluation.

When conditions allow, the course will also include multiple prescribed burns, allowing participants to gain valuable field experience alongside experienced instructors and burn professionals.

That hands-on component is especially important. For producers, there is real value in seeing how planning decisions translate to field conditions and how burn objectives, weather, fuels, and crew coordination come together on the ground.

Who Should Attend?
This training is a great opportunity for a wide range of participants, including:

Landowners and land managers interested in using prescribed fire as a management tool
Fire department personnel and emergency responders
Municipal, county, and agency staff involved in land or resource management
Anyone wanting to build a deeper understanding of prescribed fire in Texas ecosystems

For producers specifically, this course offers a chance to better understand how prescribed fire may fit into a broader management strategy that includes grazing, brush control, drought planning, and long-term stewardship.

A Practical Opportunity for Producers
One of the most valuable parts of this training is that it is designed to be practical. This is not simply a classroom discussion about fire ecology. It is an opportunity to learn how prescribed fire is planned and implemented in real-world conditions.

For producers who want to incorporate prescribed fire into their operation, this course can help answer important questions:

What makes a burn plan workable?
How do weather and fuel conditions affect success?
What equipment and personnel are needed?
How do you evaluate a burn after it is complete?

These are the kinds of questions that matter when fire becomes part of a rangeland management plan.

Registration and Event Details for the Prescribed Burn School:

Dates: Monday, June 15, 2026 through Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Time: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
Location: Gatesville Civic Center, 301 Veterans Mem Lp, Gatesville, Texas 76528

Registration: tx.ag/PBSGatesville

Free registration is available for Prescribed Burn Association members, with membership verification required to confirm eligibility.

For additional information, contact David Brooke at David.brooke@ag.tamu.edu.

Building Fire Knowledge That Supports Better Stewardship
At West Texas Rangelands, we know prescribed fire is not just a tool for specialists. It is a land management practice that can play a meaningful role on working ranches and private lands when backed by training, planning, and sound decision-making.

If prescribed fire has ever crossed your mind, this course offers a valuable opportunity to build the knowledge and field skills needed to better understand its role on Texas landscapes.

Adaptability Is Key as Drought Persists Across Texas Rangelands

May 20, 2026 by kara.matheney

Across much of Texas, drought remains a defining challenge for rangeland managers. A recent AgriLife Today article highlights an important reality for producers: while some areas have seen timely rainfall, much of the state is still managing through ongoing drought conditions, and adaptability remains critical for long-term rangeland resilience.

👉 Read the full AgriLife Today article: https://agrilifetoday.tamu.edu/2026/05/19/adaptability-and-managing-for-rangeland-resilience-remain-key-as-drought-covers-much-of-the-state/

A Mixed Picture Across the State
Texas rangelands are experiencing a wide range of conditions this year. Some regions, including parts of the Cross Timbers, Concho Valley, and Hill Country, are seeing improved forage production due to spring rainfall. These areas present an opportunity for producers to allow pastures time to recover after extended drought conditions.

At the same time, much of the state remains in drought. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor cited in the article, 81 percent of Texas is experiencing some level of drought. While fewer areas are in the most extreme categories compared to last year, drought is still widespread and continues to impact forage availability and management decisions.

For producers in the Panhandle, South Texas, and other regions facing more severe conditions, the message is clear: careful evaluation and planning are still essential.

Recovery Starts with Rest
One of the most important takeaways from the article is the value of rest during periods of active plant growth. When moisture is available, and grasses begin to respond, reducing grazing pressure allows plants to rebuild energy reserves.
This recovery period helps promote:

Root development
Leaf growth
Improved plant vigor

Allowing plants time to recover can have long-term benefits for both forage production and overall rangeland health. Resilient rangelands depend on maintaining this balance between use and recovery.

Managing for Resilience, Not Just Production
Producers are not just managing livestock. They are managing ecosystems. The article emphasizes that stewardship of rangeland resources includes maintaining ground cover and building organic matter in the soil.

These practices support essential ecosystem services, including:

Forage production for livestock
Habitat for wildlife, especially during critical periods
Soil health and water infiltration

A focus on resilience helps ensure that rangelands can continue to function through both wet and dry periods.

Drought Planning Still Matters
Even in areas that have received rain, it is important not to assume the drought is over. Conditions can change quickly, and the forage available now may need to carry operations through the remainder of the growing season.

Producers are encouraged to continually evaluate forage availability and compare it to expected needs. This is a key part of any drought contingency plan and helps guide decisions about stocking rates and grazing pressure.

In areas still experiencing severe drought, proactive steps such as adjusting stocking rates or reassessing grazing strategies may be necessary to avoid long-term damage to the land.

A Practical Takeaway for West Texas
For West Texas producers, where variability is the norm and drought cycles are familiar, this message reinforces what many already know. Flexibility is not optional. It is essential.
Whether your operation has received recent rain or is still waiting for relief, the same principles apply:

Take advantage of good conditions to build recovery
Protect plant health through strategic grazing decisions
Monitor forage conditions closely
Be prepared to adjust as conditions change

Looking Ahead
Drought will continue to be part of managing rangelands in Texas. While rainfall patterns and seasonal conditions are beyond our control, management decisions are not.

By focusing on adaptability and resilience, landowners and managers can position their operations to better withstand drought and recover more quickly when conditions improve.

Resilient rangelands are built over time with careful management, timely decisions, and a long-term perspective.

What the National CPBM Report Means for Producers Using Prescribed Fire

May 13, 2026 by kara.matheney

Prescribed fire has deep roots in agricultural land stewardship, especially across working rangelands where fire has long been used to manage brush, renew forage, and support wildlife habitat. At the same time, the regulatory and social landscape surrounding prescribed fire continues to evolve. A new national report assessing Certified Prescribed Burn Manager programs provides useful context for producers navigating this changing environment.

The 2026 National Assessment of Certified Prescribed Burn Manager Programs, developed by the Forest Stewards Guild and partners, examines how states across the country are supporting safe and effective prescribed fire through training and certification. While the report is national in scope, many of its findings are directly relevant to West Texas producers.

Prescribed Fire Demand Is Increasing Nationwide
The report notes a growing recognition that fire is an essential ecological process and a critical tool for reducing hazardous fuels and restoring ecosystem function. At the same time, there is an unmet demand for prescribed fire across the United States, driven by increasing wildfire risk, woody plant encroachment, and the need for proactive land management.

For producers, this confirms what many already know. Fire remains one of the most cost‑effective tools available for managing rangelands, but opportunities to burn safely are increasingly influenced by weather constraints, public perception, smoke concerns, and liability issues.

What CPBM Programs Are Designed to Do
Certified Prescribed Burn Manager programs are one approach states have used to address these challenges. According to the report, CPBM programs provide structured training, clarify standards for safe burning, and help reduce liability exposure for practitioners by establishing clear expectations and certification pathways.

As of early 2026, 24 states operate formal CPBM programs, with additional states actively developing them. These programs vary widely, reflecting regional differences in land ownership, fire culture, and policy priorities.

Acknowledging Agricultural Fire Culture
One important finding highlighted in the report is that not all regions view certification the same way. In parts of the Great Plains and agricultural regions, prescribed fire has often been passed down through generations or coordinated informally among neighbors. In these areas, some practitioners expressed concern that formal certification could interfere with trusted local systems or add unnecessary bureaucracy for producers who already burn responsibly.

This perspective is particularly relevant to West Texas. Many producers already have deep practical knowledge of fire behavior on their land and rely on local relationships to conduct safe burns. The report acknowledges that any certification or training framework must respect these established practices while still addressing modern risk and safety expectations.

Why Training Still Matters for Producers
Even in regions with strong fire traditions, the report emphasizes that accessible training remains a key support for prescribed fire. Training helps producers stay current on weather tools, smoke management considerations, equipment standards, and evolving regulations. It also supports communication with neighbors, agencies, and insurers when burns are planned.

For producers who do not seek formal certification, structured training can still strengthen burn planning and reduce risk. For those working with certified burn managers or participating in prescribed burn associations, shared training frameworks help align expectations and improve coordination.

Implications for West Texas Rangelands
Texas is unique in that the vast majority of land is privately owned, making cooperation and producer leadership essential for successful prescribed fire use. The national CPBM report reinforces the importance of balancing flexibility with accountability, especially in states where agriculture drives land management outcomes.

For West Texas producers, the key takeaway is not that certification is required for everyone, but that informed fire use is increasingly important. Whether fire is applied directly by producers, through prescribed burn associations, or with certified professionals, understanding the broader landscape helps protect both land and livelihoods.

Using Information to Support Better Decisions
The national CPBM assessment provides context for why training programs exist and how they are being used across the country. Producers can use this information to evaluate their own goals, identify resources that fit their operation, and engage more effectively in conversations about prescribed fire at the local and state level.

Prescribed fire remains a producer‑driven tool on working rangelands. Staying informed helps ensure it remains that way.

Read the Full Report by Visiting: https://irp.cdn-website.com/447b03b9/files/uploaded/2026_National_CPBM_Report_FINAL.pdf

2025 Region 3 Texas Land Value Trends: What Stability Means for West Texas Producers

May 6, 2026 by kara.matheney

West Texas Rangelands sourced this information from the Texas Agriculture Law Blog authored by Tiffany Dowell Lashmet, Professor & Extension Ag Law Specialist with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. To view the full report, please visit: https://agrilife.org/texasaglaw/2026/04/13/2025-rural-land-value-trends-report-released/.

Land values influence nearly every management decision on a West Texas ranch, from leasing and grazing strategies to succession planning and long‑term investment. The 2025 Texas Land Value Trends for Region 3 offer an important takeaway for producers across North, Central, and South Central Texas: stability remains the dominant theme.

While individual properties differ, overall rangeland values and rental rates across Region 3 have remained steady going into 2025. For producers, this consistency provides a clearer planning window during a time when many costs and inputs remain unpredictable.

A Stable Market Across Region 3
According to the Texas Chapter of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers, rangeland prices throughout Region 3 have largely held steady from 2024 to 2025. This includes large tracts greater than 2,000 acres as well as smaller ranches under 2,000 acres.

In North and Central Texas, total land sales increased from 2024 to 2025, even as interest rates for land loans remained higher than many producers have been accustomed to in recent years. This suggests that demand for rangeland remains strong, particularly for properties that support livestock production, hunting leases, or long‑term land investments.

For South Central Texas, values have remained stable as well, though rental ranges and entry prices continue to vary based on acreage size, location, and land condition.

What the Numbers Say About Rangeland Values
Across Region 3, rangelands larger than 2,000 acres generally continue to carry lower per‑acre values than smaller properties, reflecting typical economies of scale. Smaller tracts often command higher per‑acre prices due to accessibility, limited supply, or diversification opportunities.

Rental rates for rangeland grazing remain within consistent ranges across the region. Long‑term rangeland lease rates per animal unit year continue to fall within established norms, giving producers some predictability when budgeting for leased ground or negotiating renewals.

Hunting leases remain an important supplemental income source for many ranches. Although rates vary widely depending on habitat, access, and wildlife management, the continued presence of hunting lease value reinforces the importance of multispecies land stewardship in West Texas.

Development Pressure and Emerging Interests
There continues to be interest in wind and solar development, as well as AI data centers, within Region 3. While these developments are not evenly distributed, they are increasingly part of landowner conversations across nearly every region of Texas.

For producers, this does not necessarily mean a shift away from agriculture. Instead, it reinforces the need to understand how surface use agreements, water access, and infrastructure placement may affect long‑term ranch operations. Evaluating these opportunities through the lens of working lands remains critical.

What Stability Means for Ranch Management Decisions
Stable land values can be both reassuring and strategic for producers. When markets are not rapidly escalating or declining, decisions can be made with greater confidence and less pressure to react quickly.
For some operations, this may be an opportunity to:

Re-evaluate grazing or hunting lease terms
Invest in land improvements such as water infrastructure or brush management
Plan transitions within family operations
Reassess insurance, taxes, and long‑term budgets

Stable markets do not remove risk, but they do reduce uncertainty when compared to periods of rapid appreciation or correction.

Keeping Land Productive in a Stable Market
While land values matter, long‑term ranch success still depends on land conditions. Soil health, forage productivity, water availability, and flexibility during drought remain foundational to property value over time.

Markets reflect what land can produce. Producers who focus on sustainable grazing management, adaptive stocking strategies, and thoughtful use of tools such as prescribed fire are better positioned regardless of short‑term market shifts.

Staying Informed
Land value trends are one piece of the broader picture producers must consider. Staying informed through credible sources allows landowners to separate short‑term headlines from long‑term patterns.

The West Texas Rangelands program will continue sharing producer‑focused information that supports informed decision-making across working landscapes.

The Hidden Cost of Overgrazing: How It Drains Your Watershed, Your Rainfall, and Your Bottom Line

April 22, 2026 by kara.matheney

The Hidden Cost of Overgrazing: How It Drains Your Watershed, Your Rainfall, and Your Bottom Line

Across Texas, every drop of rain is precious. On healthy rangeland, most of that rainfall enters the soil (infiltration), is stored in the profile, and then drives forage production. Under prolonged overgrazing, however, plant vigor declines, roots shrink, litter disappears, and soils compact, reducing infiltration, increasing runoff and erosion, and shrinking the water available for grass growth. Over time, that damages both watershed function and ranch profitability.

What overgrazing does to water

Less plant cover → less infiltration. Texas A&M Extension work shows that rangeland sites with robust bunchgrass or oak-understory cover retain more rainfall and lose less to runoff than sites dominated by sodgrasses or bare ground. Heavily grazed watersheds at the Sonora Station have shown runoff approaching 10% of annual precipitation, water that could have been growing grass.
More bare ground and compaction → more runoff and sediment. Vegetation and ground cover are the two attributes managers can influence most to control raindrop impact, maintain soil structure, and limit concentrated flow erosion; when cover is lost, rills and sheet flow move soil, nutrients, and carbon off the pasture and downstream.
Hydrologic decline scales from paddock to watershed. AgriLife Research modeling in northwest Texas found heavy continuous grazing increased bare ground and reduced infiltration, elevating surface runoff, soil erosion, and carbon export to streams, while adaptive multi-paddock (AMP) grazing reduced those losses at both ranch and watershed scales.
Stream water quality takes a hit. Edge-of-field monitoring in Northeast Texas showed continuously grazed sites produced >24% more runoff than pastures under prescribed grazing and had significantly higher loads of nitrate/nitrite and total suspended solids, reflecting the combined effects of reduced infiltration and increased overland flow.

Economic Incentives for Reducing Wildfire Risk

April 15, 2026 by kara.matheney

What Landowners, Educators, and Technical Assistance Providers Should Know
Wildfire risk across Texas rangelands and working lands continues to rise. Larger fires, longer fire seasons, and increased exposure at the wildland–urban interface are no longer isolated concerns, they are becoming part of routine land management decisions. While traditional wildfire response has focused heavily on suppression, growing attention is being given to prevention and risk reduction, particularly through economic incentives that encourage proactive land stewardship. Recent research examining economic incentives for reducing wildfire risk highlights both opportunities and challenges for landowners and those who support them through education and technical assistance.

Why Wildfire Risk Is Increasing
Several interacting forces are driving higher wildfire risk on rangelands:

Climate and weather variability, including hotter temperatures and more frequent droughts
Fuel buildup from invasive grasses, brush encroachment, and reduced disturbance
Land use change and fragmentation, which complicates coordinated fire management

The social and economic impacts extend beyond burned acres. Wildfires affect ranch operations, infrastructure, natural resources, insurance markets, and community safety. As a result, there is growing interest in tools that shift investments from post-fire response to pre-fire prevention.

What Are Economic Incentives for Wildfire Risk Reduction?
Economic incentives are mechanisms designed to lower the financial barriers to adopting wildfire-mitigating practices or to reward landowners for reducing risk on their properties. The research summarized in the infographic identifies four broad categories of incentives:

Command-and-Control Policies – These include regulations such as burn bans, fuel treatment requirements, or zoning rules. While they can be effective in certain contexts, they often face resistance if they limit landowner flexibility or fail to account for local conditions.
Information-Based Incentives – Programs such as cost-share education, outreach campaigns, and technical guidance aim to increase awareness and capacity. These approaches are common in Extension programming and are most effective when paired with financial or operational support.
Market-Based Incentives
- Cost-share programs for prescribed burning, brush management, or grazing infrastructure
- Payments for ecosystem services
- Insurance premium adjustments tied to risk reduction
- Research shows that direct subsidies and cost-share programs are among the most frequently used and most studied incentive types for wildfire risk reduction.
Hybrid Incentives – Hybrid approaches combine regulatory frameworks with market or informational tools. For example, insurance programs that reward compliance with fuel management standards.

Cost, Effectiveness, and Tradeoffs
One of the most important takeaways for landowners and advisors is that upfront investment matters, but long-term savings can be substantial.

Prescribed burning, targeted grazing, and mechanical treatments require planning and initial costs.
Over time, these practices can reduce wildfire suppression costs, limit infrastructure damage, and improve ecological resilience.
Studies summarized in the research indicate that prevention investments can yield significant cost savings compared to repeated emergency response and recovery.

However, challenges remain:

Incentive programs are often short-term, while wildfire risk reduction requires sustained management.
Programs may not align well with local ecological conditions or landowner objectives.
Participation can be limited by administrative burden or lack of technical support.

Implications for Extension and Technical Assistance
For Extension educators and technical assistance providers, the findings reinforce several key points:

Cultural context matters. Landowners are more likely to engage when incentives align with local norms, production goals, and stewardship values.
One-size-fits-all approaches rarely work. Flexible, locally adapted programs outperform rigid designs.
Education alone is not enough. Information is most effective when paired with financial or operational incentives that reduce risk and uncertainty for landowners.

Extension’s trusted role positions educators to:

Translate incentive opportunities into practical decision tools
Facilitate cooperative approaches across fence lines
Support landowners in navigating cost-share, insurance, and hybrid programs

Looking Ahead
As wildfire risk continues to shape rangeland management, future incentive programs are likely to place greater emphasis on:

Long-term contracts and sustained funding
Risk-based insurance models
Integrated approaches that combine grazing management, prescribed fire, and fuel reduction

For landowners, proactive participation in wildfire risk reduction can protect livelihoods, landscapes, and communities. For educators and technical assistance providers, aligning economic incentives with sound land management remains a powerful strategy for building more fire-resilient rangelands.

Learn More and Stay Connected
For additional resources on rangeland fire management, prescribed burning, and incentive programs, contact your local Extension office or rangeland specialist.

Building Knowledge and Confidence with the Updated Online Prescribed Burn School

April 8, 2026 by kara.matheney

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.

The Cost of Prolonged Overgrazing: Ripple Effects on Watershed Health, Rainfall Infiltration, and Ranch Production

April 1, 2026 by morgan.treadwell

Producers often face tough choices when managing rangeland, especially during drought or market fluctuations. While maximizing livestock numbers might bring short-term profit, prolonged overgrazing can deal lasting damage to the overall health and productivity of the land. One of the most critical, but sometimes overlooked, impacts is how overgrazing disrupts the watershed and reduces rainfall infiltration, setting off a chain reaction that threatens both present and future production.

What Is Overgrazing?

Overgrazing happens when livestock remove more plant material than the land can regenerate, reducing vegetative cover. Without sufficient rest and recovery for grasses and forbs, root systems shrink, soil structure declines, and bare ground increases.

Watershed Function and Why It Matters

A healthy watershed collects, stores, and distributes water efficiently across the landscape. Vegetation intercepts rainfall, slows surface runoff, and helps water infiltrate into the soil, replenishing aquifers and supporting plant growth during dry periods. When this function is degraded, so is the life of a ranch.

The Impact of Overgrazing on Rainfall Infiltration

Intact vegetation and litter (dead plant material) act as a sponge, allowing more rainfall to soak in rather than run off. Texas A&M research consistently shows that overgrazed pastures lose this critical function (Briske et al., 2011). The results:

Increased Bare Soil – without enough cover, droplets hit bare soil directly, compacting it and reducing pore spaces.
More Runoff – compacted, crusted soils shed water, sending it downhill rather than storing it for plant growth.
Erosion – runoff carries away topsoil, further reducing the land’s ability to support vegetation.

Effects on Production and Range Health

Lower Forage Yields – less water stored means less forage growth through the season. Productivity drops, resulting in further pressure to overstock in a vicious cycle.
Reliance on Supplemental Feed – with reduced native forage, producers must purchase feed or de-stock, both of which cut into profits.
Increased Weed Invasion – bare patches and disturbed soil invite invasive species, which further outcompete desirable native plants.
Reduced Drought Resilience – healthy rangeland can buffer drought impacts; degraded rangeland cannot.

Economic and Environmental Tradeoff

“A pound of prevention is worth a ton of cure,” says Dr. Larry Redmon, Professor & Extension Forage Specialist at Texas A&M. Repairing watershed function, restoring infiltration, and rebuilding soil health can take years and significant expense.

Key findings from Texas A&M’s “Rangeland Watershed Management” (B-6136) highlight how managed grazing increases infiltration by 12–60% compared to overgrazed sites.

Steps for Ranchers

Monitor Utilization – Leave adequate stubble height and ground cover after grazing.
Rest Pastures – Allow for seasonal or rotational rest to restore plant and root health.
Observe Hydrology – Monitor for runoff, erosion, and infiltration after rains.
Consult Local Extension – Texas A&M AgriLife can provide technical assistance and region-specific recommendations.

Conclusion

The hidden cost of overgrazing is the undermining of the ranch’s very foundation which starts and ends with the soil and water resources. By prioritizing range health and managing for watershed function, producers secure not only the current year’s paycheck but the resilience and productivity of their land for years to come.

References

Briske, D.D., et al. (2011). [Rangeland Watershed Management – B-6136] (https://agrilife.org/texasrangelands/files/2011/02/B-6136.pdf), Texas A&M AgriLife Extension.
What Is a Watershed? (https://wrri.tamu.edu/watersheds/what-is-a-watershed/), Texas Water Resources Institute.

For more infographics and resources, visit AgriLife Extension’s West Texas Rangelands https://agrilife.org/westtexasrangelands/extension-publications/

Are you seeing signs of overgrazing, runoff, or diminished production on your ranch? Contact your county’s AgriLife Extension Office for a site assessment and recommendations today.

Advancing Wildland Fire Science: Inside the USDA Forest Service Fire Lab

March 25, 2026 by kara.matheney

Wildland fire is one of the most complex and consequential natural forces shaping landscapes across the United States. At the center of national efforts to better understand and manage fire is the Missoula Fire Sciences Laboratory, commonly known as the Fire Lab, part of the USDA Forest Service’s Research and Development program.

A Legacy of Fire Research
Dedicated in 1960, the Fire Lab has a long-standing history of supporting scientific research focused on wildland fire. Over the decades, it has grown into a state-of-the-art research facility, reflecting the Forest Service’s ongoing commitment to improving how fire is understood, predicted, and managed across diverse ecosystems.

What Is the Fire Lab?
The Fire Lab’s mission centers on developing a greater understanding of wildland fire through rigorous science. Researchers study fire from multiple angles, recognizing that effective fire management requires insight into fuels, fire behavior, smoke, and decision-making systems. This broad scope allows the Fire Lab to address both the ecological role of fire and the practical challenges faced by land managers.

Research That Informs Real-World Decisions
Research conducted at the Fire Lab spans all aspects of wildland fire, from the characteristics of fuels to fire management systems. This work helps inform how fires behave, how they can be managed more safely, and how landscapes respond before, during, and after fire events. By grounding management strategies in science, the Fire Lab helps bridge the gap between research and on-the-ground application.

Tools, Products, and Practical Support
Beyond research, the Fire Lab develops datasets, tools, and products designed to directly support wildland fire management. These resources are intended for use across the full fire timeline from planning and mitigation before a fire, to decision support during incidents, and evaluation and recovery afterward. The emphasis is on making science accessible and usable for practitioners working in complex and high-stakes environments.

Resources for Land Managers
To further extend its impact, Fire Lab research is synthesized into research summaries and fact sheets that focus on topics especially relevant to land managers. These resources help translate scientific findings into clear, actionable information, supporting informed decision-making across agencies and disciplines.

Why the Fire Lab Matters
As wildland fire continues to shape forests, rangelands, and communities, the work of the Fire Lab remains critically important. By combining long-term research, modern facilities, and practical tools, the Missoula Fire Sciences Laboratory plays a key role in advancing fire science and supporting those tasked with managing fire in an ever-changing landscape.

Using Birds to Read Rangeland Health

March 11, 2026 by kara.matheney

Birds are more than just a welcome sight on Texas rangelands. They can also tell us a great deal about the condition of our land. Because birds respond quickly to changes in vegetation, water availability, and management practices, they are valuable indicators of overall land health.

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service recently released A Texas Landowner’s Guide to Conducting a Bird Survey, a research-based publication designed to help landowners better understand the bird species using their property and what those observations can reveal about habitat conditions.

Why Conduct a Bird Survey?

Bird surveys give landowners a practical way to “check the pulse” of their property. The presence or absence of certain bird species can reflect changes in plant diversity, forage structure, and wildlife habitat. Rather than focusing on a single species, a general bird survey looks at the broader bird community and how it relates to current land management.

Over time, repeated observations can help landowners track trends, document stewardship efforts, and evaluate whether management goals are being met.

Designed with Landowners in Mind

This AgriLife Extension guide is written specifically for Texas landowners, not professional bird biologists. It introduces bird surveys in a practical, approachable way that fits working ranches and rural properties.

The publication explains the basics of conducting a general bird survey, why bird data are useful for land management, and where to find birding resources and equipment. It is especially helpful for landowners who are new to bird surveys or looking to incorporate wildlife monitoring into an existing management plan.

Turning Observations into Action

Collecting information is only useful if it can inform decisions. Bird survey data can help landowners evaluate habitat conditions, identify areas for improvement, and better understand how wildlife responds to management practices.

While bird surveys are not regulatory requirements, they offer a voluntary, science-based tool that complements broader rangeland and wildlife management strategies. They can also help landowners better communicate their stewardship efforts with partners, agencies, or the community.

Building Skills Over Time

The guide recognizes that bird identification can feel intimidating at first. However, bird surveying is a skill that improves with practice. By using available resources and learning over time, landowners can gain confidence and make bird surveys a meaningful part of their land management toolbox.

Learn More

A Texas Landowner’s Guide to Conducting a Bird Survey is available through Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. For more information or assistance, contact your local AgriLife Extension office and explore additional wildlife and rangeland management resources.