By Shala Watson
Multimedia Writer

There are more than 100 million acres of privately-owned range and pastureland in the Lone Star State, according to Texas Grazing Land Coalition (TXGLC) Executive Director Jenny Pluhar.

She said wildlife and livestock grazing lands both play a crucial role in providing a healthy ecosystem.

“The wildlife community has come to the realization that the best way to ensure habitat for wildlife is to keep these ranches in the hands of private landowners, and to do that, you have to keep them profitable,” Pluhar said.

An upcoming conference, Healthy Ecosystems and Profitable Ranches, hosted by TXGLC will give landowners the opportunity to learn more about being better stewards of the land and to collaborate with other ranchers.

The conference is set for Aug. 29-31 in Waco at Texas Farm Bureau’s Conference and Training Center.

“The focus is not research or extension or what our universities have done, although we value their contribution to agriculture,” Pluhar said. “This is going to be ranchers sitting down and talking about what works for them.”

Throughout the three-day conference, several speakers will address participants.

Bob Lee, a rancher from Montana, will share with landowners ways to be profitable when ranching.

Lynn Myers, a rancher from Nebraska, will discuss the issues surrounding farm succession planning and how to keep ranches in private ownership.

Other presentations will include the farm bill and conservation programs, as well as intensive grazing and infrastructure.

Wildlife sessions will include an overview on stewardship, ethics and wildlife issues.

Participants will also have the opportunity to see grazing issues firsthand during two ranch tours on Aug. 31 at Rocosa Ridge and Flat Top Ranches.

The registration deadline for the conference is Aug 22.

Registration is $125 and includes all sessions, the tour and two lunches. To register, visit www.regonline.com/txgrazland2017.

Participants can also mail a check to: Texas Grazing Land Coalition, P.O. Box 146, Victoria, TX 77902.

For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/texasglc/ or contact Pluhar at 806-679-8729 or by email at jenny.txglc@gmail.com.