| Rangeland |
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| General Information |
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Warner Valley in Eastern Oregon
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The Department of State Lands (DSL) manages approximately 630,000 acres of rangeland in southeast Oregon, primarily in Lake, Harney and Malheur Counties. The majority of the land is semi-arid uplands suited for livestock grazing. All revenue from leasing state rangeland is deposited into the Common School Fund .
In 1982, 42 larger “blocked” parcels (leaseholds) were created through trading state-owned parcels with lands belonging to the Bureau of Land Management. These blocked rangelands cover approximately 525,000 acres with the remaining 105,000 acres left in smaller "isolated" parcels. These smaller "isolated" parcels are typically in-holdings within large private or federal tracts of land in which DSL has little management control. Together, these leases have a carrying capacity of about 62,000 Animal Unit Months (AUMs). An AUM is the minimum area of land necessary to sustain grazing by one cow for one month.
DSL staff in Bend administers and manages rangeland leases under administrative rules (OAR 141-110-0000) adopted by the State Land Board. Forage leases are contractual agreements with lessees for grazing livestock on state lands, and are valid for a term of no longer than 15 years.
Forage lessees may apply to sub-lease all or part of the leasehold using a Sub-Lease Application. In the event a lessee wants to transfer a forage lease to another party, the lessee may apply by submitting an Assignment of Lease Application.
Trailing – or moving – livestock across state land is prohibited without a trailing permit. Lessees may trail livestock across their leasehold. To apply for a livestock trailing permit, complete and submit a Livestock Trailing Application.
Click for slideshow of Oregon Rangelands.
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| Forms for Rangeland |
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| Application for Improvements |
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| Actual Use Reporting Form |
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| Personal-Use Woodcutting |
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Several parcels across central and southeast Oregon are open for personal-use woodcutting. Permits are available for purchase at the Eastern Region Office in Bend (1645 NE Forbes Rd., Suite 112). Woodcutting is allowed only in posted areas, and DSL prohibits cutting old-growth trees.
More information about DSL’s rangeland program is available from the Eastern Region Office.
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| Rangeland Inventories |
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In 2002, DSL began inventorying the 525,000 acres of blocked rangeland parcels. This annual effort yields important data for assessing ecological conditions, establishing livestock carrying capacities and implementing ecosystem improvements. Since 2002 approximately 213,000 acres have been inventoried.
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| Leasehold Management Plans |
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DSL manages its blocked parcels through leasehold management plans. The plans are developed by department staff using rangeland inventory data, and in consultation with the lessee and other interested parties such as the Oregon Department of Agriculture, Oregon Natural Desert Association and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. The plans include grazing schedules by pasture and specific management objectives for each leasehold. Once drafted, the plan is widely circulated for public comment.
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| Area Management Plans |
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Stockade Block
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| Vacant Rangelands for Lease |
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For information regarding vacant rangelands for lease contact DSL’s rangeland manager (541-388-6456) for more information regarding vacant rangeland in your area.
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| Forage Lease Rate Calculation |
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DSL uses a “crop share” approach to determine the compensation for forage leases. Revenues from forage leases are based on a price per AUM as determined by the department’s grazing fee formula: G x CC x S x P.
G = animal gain per month which is fixed at 35 pounds
CC = marketable calf crop which is fixed at 80%
S = state share which is set at 20% in 2010, 22.5% in 2011 and 25% in 2012
P = is the average weighted calf price based on the USDA Oregon agricultural price data indicating the average statewide sales price of calves for the preceding one-year period (based on an October through September year)
Refer to the link for a history of past grazing fees.
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| 2008 Grazing Fee Advisory Committee |
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Between April and September, industry, conservation, scientific, education and at-large public representatives met to discuss and make recommendations to DSL on establishing formulas for calculating lease rates on more than 630,000 acres of rangeland. DSL is expected to make a decision regarding the committee's report by the end of 2008; more information will be posted on this Web site when the report is finalized.
In 2004, the Secretary of State conducted an audit to determine if DSL was maximizing long-term income from rangeland assets. The audit report directed the agency to “review the grazing fee formula and factors at least once every three years as required by Oregon Administrative Rule.”
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