Utah Grazing Improvement Program (UGIP)
"We believe that well planned and managed livestock grazing is the most important landscape scale tool for maintaining healthy rangelands, watersheds, and wildlife habitats."
"Healthy rangelands contribute to a healthy livestock industry and productive rural economies."
Bill Hopkin, Director
(801) 538-4927
To improve the productivity, health and sustainability of our rangelands and watersheds.
Goals:
1. Strengthen Utah’s Livestock Industry
A. Improve the sustainability of livestock grazing through science-based management principles. UGIP Technical Committee Report
B. Work cooperatively with federal agencies and partners to promote efficient multiple-use management of public lands. Sustainable Grazing for Southern Utah Forests - pdf
C. Work with federal agencies and Congress to implement policies and procedures that allow maximum flexibility when addressing grazing and environmental issues.
D. Curtail the decline of public lands grazing opportunity by using sustainable management practices. (See history of AUM reductions
A. Maintain viable ranches as a critical contributor to the economy, customs and culture of rural Utah.
The importance of the livestock industry to Utah --- Agriculture helping local economies-video --- Three-Creeks Project Impact on Rich Co.
A. Demonstrate the power of managed livestock grazing as an important tool for improving/maintaining rangeland resource health. Parker Mtn. sheep/sage grouse project-video
B. Plan and implement rangeland improvement projects that improve grazing management. Projects helping the environment-video; Examples of GIP projects-video
C. Provide technical expertise and educational opportunity for working ranches and the next generation of ranchers. Cowboy Ecology--Land EKG-video, Beginning rancher comments-video.
See our interactive map showing GIP and Salinity projects
The GIP Program devotes considerable time and resources working to improve Utah's rangelands. Improved range conditions result in a better environment, a healthier livestock industry and more abundant wildlife.
The Salinity Program devotes resources to improving water quality and irrigation efficiency in the Colorado River basin of eastern Utah.
Visit our interactive map that displays where the projects are, and the specifics of the projects.
Information for ranchers interested in the GIP Program
- How the GIP Program works - See the brochure.
- Representatives and Contacts (For GIP assistance in your area)
- Utah Code and
Administrative Rules Pertaining to Grazing Improvement - Rangeland Improvement Act
(Utah Code Annotated: Title 4, Chapter 20) - GIP Board Chairman, Jay Tanner’s, comments to the Utah Agriculture Sustainability Task Force – June 19, 2011
Livestock Grazing Helps Control Wildfires
This picture shows the positive affects livestock grazing has on slowing or stopping the spread of fire. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land to the left of the barbed wire fence was rarely grazed. The privately owned land to the right was regularly grazed. The fire stopped at the fenceline because the fine grassy fuels were removed by the livestock, preventing the fire from spreading to the sagebrush.
This area is located near Minersville in Beaver County. It was part of the Baboon Fire which was included in the 400,000 acres burned in Utah in 2012.
Photo by Randy Marshall – Grazing Improvement Program Coordinator.
Last updated: March, 2013