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 The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation’s Rangeland Resources Program (RRP) promotes and advocates for healthy, sustainable rangelands that support people, wildlife, recreation, clean water, and the natural scenic beauty of Montana. The Rangeland Resources Committee provides guidance to the Rangeland Resources Program and is administratively attached to DNRC.
News
USDA Announces New World Screwworm Grand Challenge, Mexican sterile fly plant 50 percent complete
Tri-State Livestock News, Written by: Ruth Wiechmann
On January 21, 2026, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced the launch of the New World Screwworm (NWS) Grand Challenge. This funding opportunity marks a pivotal step in USDA’s comprehensive strategy to combat NWS and prevent its northward spread.
“This is a strategic investment in America’s farmers and ranchers and is an important action to ensure the safety and future success of our food supply, which is essential to our national security,” said Secretary Brooke Rollins. “These are the kinds of innovations that will help us stay ahead of this pest and protect our food supply and our economy, protecting the way of life of our ranchers and go towards rebuilding our cattle herd to lower consumer prices on grocery store shelves. We know we have tried-and-true tools and methods to defeat this pest, but we must constantly look for new and better methods and innovate our way to success. Together, through science, innovation, and collaboration, we can ensure we’re utilizing the latest tools and technology to combat NWS in Mexico and Central America and keep it out of the United States.”
Water and Climate Update
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Center for Environmental Information (NCEI) released its annual notable weather and climate events report for the U.S. in 2025. Key points from the 2025 report include:
- For the first time since 2015, no hurricanes made landfall in the U.S. or its territories during 2025.
- The tornado in Enderlin, North Dakota, was the first verified EF-5 since 2013.
- The Eaton and Palisades Fires were the second- and third-most destructive California wildfires on record, respectively.
- The Texas Hill Country experienced a 1-in-100- to 1-in-1,000-year flood event that killed at least 135 people after nearly two feet of rain fell in just a few days.
- Utah and Nevada set new annual temperature records, with Utah eclipsing its previous record that had stood since 1934.
2025 was the fourth-warmest year on record for the U.S.
The New Beef Powerhouse? As Brazil Overtakes the U.S., Here’s What It Means
AgWeb News, Written by: Tyne Morgan
According to recent reporting from Reuters, Brazil has officially surpassed the U.S. as the world’s leading beef producer.
While the U.S. industry grapples with a significant herd contraction, Brazil’s production has defied earlier bearish forecasts to take the top spot on the global stage.
In 2025, U.S. beef production fell by 3.9%, dropping to 11.8 million tons. In stark contrast, Brazil’s production, which analysts at Rabobank previously expected to decline, surged by 0.5% to reach 12.5 million tons in carcass weight equivalent.
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Conservation & Partnerships
Groundbreaking report reveals scale of private landowner investments in conservation
By: Western Landowners Alliance
Filling a major gap in our understanding of conservation economics, a new report finds Western landowners invested at least $407.5 million in nature in 2024.
Private lands play a central role in the well-being of people and wildlife throughout the West, yet they are under increasing economic pressure. A new, groundbreaking report sheds light on the efforts and investments landowners are making to conserve and steward remaining intact lands and natural resources.
The results are eye-opening. Collectively, private landowners invested at least $407.5 million out-of-pocket in conservation practices.
 Looking to buy or sell hay or straw? Need to lease pasture or have some available? Mountain West Grazing is here to help! With the launch of the grazing connection, you can easily post listings FOR FREE to connect with others in the ag community - this is your go-to resource.
Agency Updates
Funding Available Now!
Multiple Grant Opportunities
DNRC administers a wide range of grants and loans for Montana, assisting cities and towns, conservation districts, private landowners, and other groups in managing natural resource issues at the local level.
The Ranchland Stewardship Program (RSP) aims to expand and increase the use of technology to improve grazing management planning and adaptive strategies that enhance soil health. The RSP plans to use data-driven adaptive management decision-making tools to increase carbon storage in the soil, thereby increasing soil carbon sequestration on Montana’s expansive and diverse rangelands.
BLM seeks initial input for August 2026 sale of oil and gas leases in Montana and North Dakota
The BLM opened a 30-day public scoping period to receive public input on 64 oil and gas parcels totaling 29,058 acres that may be included in an August 2026 lease sale in Montana and North Dakota.
 New NRCS Regenerative Pilot Program
In December 2025, NRCS launched the NRCS Regenerative Pilot Program, a farmer first, outcomes-based approach to conservation designed to return the agency to its core mission – helping people help the land. NRCS is investing $700 million to specifically support regenerative agriculture, including:
This pilot program addresses whole-farm resource concerns through support for voluntary regenerative agriculture conservation plans. It also puts American farmers first as a part of the solution to Make American Healthy Again (MAHA) by supporting access to American-grown whole foods, critical to addressing the chronic disease crisis nationwide.
Barry Named State Conservationist for NRCS in Montana
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Gayle Norman Barry has been selected as the state conservationist for USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Montana. Barry began serving as the temporary, acting state conservationist in July. She is responsible for NRCS operations that support private land managers statewide. These duties include the implementation of voluntary conservation through technical and financial assistance, the Natural Resources Inventory, water supply forecasting, soil survey mapping, and the Plant Materials Center in Bridger.
“I am committed to leading NRCS in the state with a Montana spirit of adventure, purpose, innovation, and community to best support ag producers and conservation partners,” said Barry. “NRCS has the important role of providing free, science-based conservation assistance to farmers, ranchers, and foresters that work to care for the natural resources our rural economy is based on.”
Most recently, Barry has served as the Western Conservation Liaison for NRCS’s Western Regional Office. She has held senior leadership roles with NRCS since 2012. Her leadership has spanned major conservation initiatives, including overseeing implementation of the largest-ever investment in private working lands conservation—through NRCS voluntary programs. As a lifelong Bobcat, she holds a degree from Montana State University and brings a passion for conservation and the farmers, ranchers, foresters, and tribal nations that care for the land, rooted in her family’s small grain and cattle ranch in Springhill, Montana.
Barry may be reached at the NRCS state office in Bozeman at 406-587-6811.
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DEQ Opens Grant Applications for Water Quality Projects
The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is seeking applications for approximately $1.5 million in funding for nonpoint source pollution reduction projects. The deadline for eligible applicants to submit draft applications is February 20, 2026.
Grants are available to nonprofit organizations and government entities for on-the-ground projects and capacity building or education/outreach projects.
 FWP Public Notices & Opportunity for Comment
Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting set for February 12
The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission will hold its next meeting on Feb. 12. Agenda items for that meeting are now open for public comment. .
Podcast Corner
AoR 171: Celebrating Global Rangelands & Pastoralism at SRM's 2026 Annual Meeting
Stephanie Larson and Mikie McDonnell encourage you to attend the Society for Range Management's flagship event in Monterey, California to kick off the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists. Listen to learn about location, conference themes, tour options, and plenary sessions.
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Ranch Succession Stories via "Reframing Rural"
In this special, off-script episode of the Ranch Stewards Podcast, host Haylie Shipp flips the mic and interviews Megan Torgerson, founder and host of Reframing Rural, an award-winning documentary podcast that centers the voices and lived experiences of rural people and places. Now in its fourth season, Reframing Rural is focused on succession planning, an issue deeply important to ranching families and to the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance.
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Research Center
To make the 406 Rangelands newsletter more reader friendly, the "Research Center" section has been permanently moved to the Rangeland Resources Program website. You can access it here.
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February
March
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11 - Invasive Annual Grasses Wkshp (Winnett, MT) Details TBD
April
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10-12 - Red Ants Pants: Women in Ag Communities
Scholarships are available! Learn more and register HERE
Contacts
Stacey Barta, State Coordinator for Rangelands
(406) 594-8481
SBarta@mt.gov
Rangeland Resources Committee:
Diane Ahlgren, Chair
Perri Jacobs, Vice Chair
Steve Carey
Sigurd Jensen
Jim Anderson
Ryan Green
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