California Project to Help Ranchers Stay Strong in Extreme Weather

Based on results of producer surveys conducted by University of California researchers, a statewide team has begun a project designed to help California ranchers stay strong through extreme weather variability. The researchers surveyed and interviewed nearly 50 ranchers to collect their wisdom about how they survived the drought from 2012-2016. After publishing the results of that work, they looked for ways to share the collected wisdom. Now, a $990,000 federal grant will help the University of California and individual livestock producers, statewide livestock organizations, local conservation organizations, and local agencies share producers’ collective wisdom through workshops, information hubs, and other means. For example, surveys showed that diversified grazing with more than one type of animal helps broaden a rancher’s economic base. In addition, understanding herd genetics can help ranchers prepare to cull herds for improvement, if that becomes necessary.