Sustainable Economic Management

Sustainable economic management is defined as managing the land, natural resources and ranch operations in a cost-effective manner to ensure profits and other benefits are generated for both present and future generations.

Sustainable economic management practices include diversifying ranch operations and income opportunities, reducing financial risk, increasing environmental stability and enabling beneficial partnerships. Changing environmental conditions and evolving economic markets make the adoption of sustainable economic management practices increasingly important to the long-term viability of ranching operations and the grasslands that support them.

Funk Farms Trust

Shirley, Illinois

Located in Shirley, Illinois, Funk Farms has long prioritized environmental stewardship. As one of the oldest farms in Illinois, management has continually adhered to sustainable practices. The farm has implemented a number of beneficial practices including water management through 35 miles of waterways and soil erosion control through 25 miles of terraces.
Ginn Family Farm

Clinton, ON

Located in Clinton, Ontario, the Ginn Family Farm operates a purebred red Angus cow‐calf operation. Over the past 25 years, the farm has taken major steps to create a healthy and productive ecosystem.
Gould Ranches Ltd.

Consort, Alberta

The Gould Family has ranched south of Consort, Alberta, for nearly 100 years. The operation includes native range, reseeded forage and annually cropped acreage near the center of Special Area 4.
Grasslands of Central North America

Food and Agriculture Organization, North America

Chapter 6 of Grasslands of the World focuses on the grasslands management systems of central North America. While a majority of the chapter serves as a historical summary of grassland management practices, it also provides useful general management recommendations…
Grasslands: Towards a North American Conservation Strategy

Commission for Environmental Cooperation

This publication is intended to provide a framework for tri- and binational cooperation between Canada, the United States and Mexico that promotes the conservation and sustainable use of central North American grasslands.
Grazing Lease Stewardship Code of Practice

Alberta Sustainable Resource Development

Alberta Sustainable Resource Development created this document to describe overarching management principles for grazing leaseholders to ensure public rangelands and the ecosystems on which they depend remain productive today and in the future.
Kidd Bro’s Ranch Mayerthorpe, Alberta

Bob and Larry Kidd

The Kidd Bros. ranch was originally homesteaded in 1913. Since then, the Kidd brothers have worked hard to engrain themselves not only in the land they work off, but also in the surrounding community.
Leavitt Lake Ranches

Vina, California

Located in the Vina Plains of California, Leavitt Lake Ranches uses an integral approach to manage their land and has implemented a number of management practices aimed at improving production and profitability.
Management of Canadian Prairie Rangeland

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Canada

This document was created by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to provide information to range managers, ranchers, scientists and wildlife managers about management practices for Canadian natural grass rangelands.
Managing Saskatchewan Rangeland

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Saskatchewan

This book was created over a number of years by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) to assist range managers in the stewardship of rangeland resources in Saskatchewan.
Managing Your Native Prairie Parcels: Your Guide to Caring for Native Prairie in Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan Wetland Conservation Corporation, Saskatchewan

The Saskatchewan Wetland Conservation Corporation created this planning guide to help landowners learn about and manage native grasslands on their land, covering topics such as native grassland conservation and enhancement…
Matador Ranch

Matador, Texas

Matador Ranch, located in Matador, Texas is a large historic US ranching and hunting operation. Established in 1882, the ranch has a long history of improving the health and productivity of its livestock, wildlife, and renewable natural resources.