Sponsors (2)
Official title: Establish a ranchland program to support the United States cow herd, and for other purposes.
Introduced August 6, 2026 by Marion Michael Rounds · Last progress August 6, 2026
The bill offers meaningful payments and cost-share incentives to encourage conversion of cropland to perennial forage with environmental and local‑supply benefits, but does so at the cost of long multi‑year land‑use commitments, potential loss of future crop-program benefits, and constrained program access and payments for some producers.
Farmers and operators receive steady annual rental payments equal to 75% of county average dryland cash rent and reduced upfront conversion costs (up to full establishment support via 50% cost-share plus incentives), improving short-term farm income and lowering barriers to converting cropland to perennial forage.
Landowners who enroll (especially on erodible or marginal acres) convert cropland to perennial grasses and native diverse seed mixes with wildlife-friendly plans, which reduces soil erosion, increases long‑term land resilience, and supports local biodiversity and habitat.
Allowing managed grazing with required grazing plans supports livestock operations and helps maintain local meat and dairy supply continuity for rural communities and related small businesses.
Producers who enroll lose crop program base history beginning in year four through the end of the contract, which can reduce future federal crop-program eligibility or payments and materially affect long-term farm income.
10–15 year contract terms lock landowners into long commitments, limiting flexibility to return land to cropping or respond to market, financial, or personal changes.
Program access is limited by a 20 million acre enrollment cap and possible periodic delays when acreage is low or commodity prices are high, meaning many interested producers may be unable to enroll when they want.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Establishes a USDA Ranchland Program to convert eligible frequently cropped acres to perennial grass/forb cover for grazing with 10–15 year contracts, rental payments, and establishment cost‑share.
Creates a USDA Ranchland Program that pays landowners to convert frequently cropped acres back to perennial grasses and forbs for grazing under 10–15 year contracts. The program provides annual rental payments equal to 75% of the county average dryland cash rent for cropland and cost‑share/incentive payments to cover establishment costs, especially for diverse native seed mixes and beginning farmers/ranchers. Contracts require region‑appropriate perennial cover, a grazing management plan within two years, and allow managed grazing and limited maintenance or emergency haying; the bill suspends crop base history after the third contract year for enrolled acres.