Land use and landscape change in the rockies: Implications for Mountain agriculture

Abstract

Agriculture has historically been an important economic driver in many states in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States. Over half of all grassland pasture and range in the United States is located in the Mountain Region, and grassland pasture and range makes up over half of all land in the Mountain Region. While the mix of agricultural production varies throughout the region, cattle production is one of the top commodities in terms of value in many Rocky Mountain States. Globally, the outlook for livestock products is promising, with recent FAO projections indicating that beef prices are expected to increase 18 % by 2020, compared to current levels. However, even with an expectation of increasing beef prices, the area available for livestock grazing in the United States has been declining over time. The percentage of total land area used for grazing decreased by 24 % from 1949 to 2007. The Mountain Region has contributed to this decline, with a decrease of around 11 % over the period.