Online tool connects farmers with available land to cattle ranchers in need of grazing area after wildfires

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – After more than 800,000 acres of land have been burned due to Nebraska wildfires, livestock producers are in need of grazing land for their animals.

The Nebraska Cattlemen’s Association identified two major choices for producers, both options a testament to neighbors helping neighbors.

One option is feeding their cattle hay, and although hay donations are being brought to affected areas by the truckloads, the product can be pricey.

The other option is to use a free interactive tool, the Nebraska Grazing Exchange, that connects ranchers with farmers who have available land for grazing.

Those wanting to help a rancher can create an account to describe the resources they have to offer, and anyone who needs their help can send them a message.

After communication is established, the next step is to transport the animals to the available land.

“We’re seeing tremendous amounts of generosity. Hard times like this and tragedies like wildfire just really bring out the best in the AG community,” said Laura Field, Executive Vice President of Nebraska Cattlemen.

“You know, 70 or 80% of someone’s entire summer grazing range might be gone, so now, they might be looking at moving to an entirely different geographic region. They may have to go to another state,” said Field.

“People from across the country, all directions, North, South, East, and West,” she says about those helping out.

Field says that ranchers may not have to worry about long-term economic impacts from this collaboration.

“Nebraska is the beef state, and we’re incredibly proud of that, and so, I think that we are going to see the industry be resilient and really weather this storm,” she said.

Moving cattle, or rotational grazing, is not a new idea, but after the fires, ranchers’ land needs are complex.

“We know in those areas there’s wire, there’s fencing supplies, there’s water troughs, there’s solar panels, there’s windmill parts,” said Field.

“We’re trying to match people up and working with our partners across state and federal agencies to say, here’s where the need is and here’s where we need to send those supplies.”

As for concerns about mass exodus from the state, she adds that it’s just a matter of time before the grass grows back and the cattle are returned.

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture also pointed out that grazing is a practical way to reduce wildfire risk, as cattle manage the dry plant material in those areas.