American prairie. What's the issue?

Had it not, we would have to hope that AP vs BLM would end up the case law for not deferring to an agency’s interpretation…


"No statutory language or judicial precedent exists that requires a livestock operation to focus exclusively on production and entirely ignore conservation, range improvement, preservation, or other values," he wrote.
Tell that to every rancher running their cattle on the public…. 😡 🤬
That means there’s no legal requirement. But ranchers have their bottom line to think about.
 
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"No statutory language or judicial precedent exists that requires a livestock operation to focus exclusively on production and entirely ignore conservation, range improvement, preservation, or other values," he wrote.
Tell that to every rancher running their cattle on the public…. 😡 🤬
What seems to be skewed or absent from many perspectives is that a mere 900 bison are grazing on the totality of AP lands, while many, many happy ranchers are grazing many thousands of cattle on AP lands, with optimum production and a nice "bottom line". Furthermore, as the judge points to, BLM is a federal agency with the requirement to promote and enact the interests of all Americans ... not just ranchers! "Conservation, range management, preservation" are merely a few of those many interests important to promote on public lands. It seems this judge understands the original and base intent of the Taylor Grazing Act.
 
Montana Stockgrowers wants in on this "Save the Cowboy" stuff.

Montana Stockgrowers previously were concerned about such issues as country of origin labeling, meat processing facilities lack thereof and faraway locations, beef tariffs and other appropriate cattle industry issues, but now like other organizations seem to be devolving into the dark corners of political issues.

It is disappointing and seems inappropriate, if not unethical, for Gov Gianforte, AG Knudsen, and now Montana Stockgrowers to get their collective panties in a wad about a few bison grazing on some legally acquired BLM leases. IMO, they are weaponizing the Taylor Grazing Act in a campaign to oppose American Prairie.
 
Montana Stockgrowers previously were concerned about such issues as country of origin labeling, meat processing facilities lack thereof and faraway locations, beef tariffs and other appropriate cattle industry issues, but now like other organizations seem to be devolving into the dark corners of political issues.

It is disappointing and seems inappropriate, if not unethical, for Gov Gianforte, AG Knudsen, and now Montana Stockgrowers to get their collective panties in a wad about a few bison grazing on some legally acquired BLM leases. IMO, they are weaponizing the Taylor Grazing Act in a campaign to oppose American Prairie.
And I still fail to comprehend why. On happenstance, I ended up seated next to a Zinke staffer at a bar in DC a several years ago. So I eased my way into mentioning APR, which lit a fire in her. And even after that passionate dialogue, I still had no idea why they were so against it. Lots of “death of the cowboy” rhetoric, but no response to any depth of questioning on what that really meant. Of all people, you’d think staffers of legislators who’d taken such a strong position on this would be able to explain it. I remain confused.
 
And I still fail to comprehend why. On happenstance, I ended up seated next to a Zinke staffer at a bar in DC a several years ago. So I eased my way into mentioning APR, which lit a fire in her. And even after that passionate dialogue, I still had no idea why they were so against it. Lots of “death of the cowboy” rhetoric, but no response to any depth of questioning on what that really meant. Of all people, you’d think staffers of legislators who’d taken such a strong position on this would be able to explain it. I remain confused.
Of all the pricing and cost pressures on cattle ranchers the past decade and the next decade, American Prairie is not moving the needle. Is instead something to dog whistle at to make ranchers feel like the boogie man is over there running bison. $6 diesel is a bigger issue but good luck getting anyone to focus on anyone in office today as having anything to do with energy jacking up towards $8 and pumps going dry in some places. Tariff refunds are somehow not yet hitting my mailbox nor the Doge because obviously that guy who left office two years ago screwed up the USPS or postage prices or whatever beyond repair but looks like my $5,000 will be here by Christmas so I got that going for me. Can buy my brother some bales of hay for his beef cattle. He will need to pay for transport, though, because I ain't no billionaire. I will try to learn a rain dance and obviously hold an umbrella over his herd and spritz with creek water if next summer is a hot one. Stress kills and cuts weight gains.
 
And I still fail to comprehend why. On happenstance, I ended up seated next to a Zinke staffer at a bar in DC a several years ago. So I eased my way into mentioning APR, which lit a fire in her. And even after that passionate dialogue, I still had no idea why they were so against it. Lots of “death of the cowboy” rhetoric, but no response to any depth of questioning on what that really meant. Of all people, you’d think staffers of legislators who’d taken such a strong position on this would be able to explain it. I remain confused.
She only understood what her position was supposed to be. If not why. These people all lack any depth of cognition.
 
And I still fail to comprehend why. On happenstance, I ended up seated next to a Zinke staffer at a bar in DC a several years ago. So I eased my way into mentioning APR, which lit a fire in her. And even after that passionate dialogue, I still had no idea why they were so against it. Lots of “death of the cowboy” rhetoric, but no response to any depth of questioning on what that really meant. Of all people, you’d think staffers of legislators who’d taken such a strong position on this would be able to explain it. I remain confused.

Turns out it is much easier to create an existential panic, or boogeyman, over something a little different than it is to look inwards and solve or address actual problems. Maybe it is more satisfying than self awareness or criticism.
 
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