Western (U.S.)

It isn’t uncommon for horses to be used extensively to gather and sort cattle at ranches across the U.S. For these Arizona, Nebraska and Wyoming ranches, horses have an essential role in daily operations and effective animal management.

While financial well-being is a function of the market, it is also a function of the availability of grass for grazing cattle. Both define the cattle cycle. Furthermore, grazing is critical for rangeland health.

As the fires rage, the extent of cattle losses is unknown and the loss of valuable grazing ground, currently more than 1.1 million acres, is cause for concern.

Strategic grazing in annual grass-dominated rangelands reduced flame length and rate of spread — modifications that resulted in safer and more effective fire suppression.

John Phipps says there are signs that water is the new oil as water rights turn into water fights across the western U.S. He thinks it’s a battle that could only heat up in the coming years.