Rounds/Klobuchar RANCH Act Promotes Returning Marginal Cropland to Grass

Should we call Senator Marion Michael Rounds “Minnesota Mike” for collaborating with Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar on a new federal bill seeking to turn cropland back to pasture?

The Rebuilding America’s National Cow Herd Act, or RANCH Act, would create a voluntary federal program with an enrollment cap of 20 million acres. Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota co-sponsors the legislation.

…A South Dakota State University study estimated the state lost about 1.8 million acres of grassland between 2006 and 2012, predominantly to cropland conversion. Across the Great Plains, 32 million acres of grassland were converted from 2012 through 2021, with row-crop expansion identified as the leading cause, according to a World Wildlife Fund analysis.

Under Rounds’ new bill, participants would receive annual payments equal to 75% of their county’s average cropland cash rental rate. The program would also pay 50% of the cost of establishing grass, increasing to 75% for beginning farmers and ranchers. Producers are still eligible for other federal cost-share programs that help establish things like fencing [Joshua Haiar, “Rounds Announces Bill to Encourage Converting Cropland Back to Pasture,” South Dakota Searchlight, 2026.08.19].

Grassland is good for the environment—more biodiversity, less pollution from costly crop fertilizer and pesticide—but Rounds’s goal is to run more cattle:

“Anyone who has spent time around cattle understands one simple truth: no grass means no cattle,” said Rounds. “With ranchers facing drought, high input costs and a shortage of grazing land, America’s beef cow herd is at its smallest size in over 70 years. The RANCH Act would create a voluntary Ranchland Program that helps producers restore eligible marginal cropland into grasslands for grazing. Producers can use their land in a way that makes the most sense for each individual operation, giving those who know their land best the tools needed to succeed” [Senator Mike Rounds, press release, 2026.08.19].

Rounds leaves it to Klobuchar and some outdoorsy allies to nod to the environmental benefits of more grass

“With the U.S. cattle herd at its smallest size in over 70 years, many farmers and ranchers need new opportunities to stay afloat,” said Klobuchar. “The bipartisan RANCH Act will help farmers looking to start a cow-calf herd or expand their existing herd while also providing wildlife habitat on the land. In the long-term, this plan can rebuild the domestic cattle herd and help drive down beef costs.”

Dan Rasmussen, who, with his wife, Dawn, stewards 33 Ranch near Belvidere, South Dakota [says] “Through our work with Audubon and other partners, we’ve seen firsthand that when we manage grasslands well, our cattle benefit, wildlife thrives, and water quality improves. That’s a win for ranchers, rural communities, and everyone who depends on these working lands.”

…Andrew Schmidt, Director of Government Affairs for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever [says], “Giving producers the tools to convert marginal cropland to grazing land can help ranchers grow their operations, bring more grass back to the landscape, and increase the habitat that pheasants, quail, and other wildlife depend on.

…“Healthy grazing lands are essential to a healthy landscape,” said Ryan Taylor, Director of Public Policy at Ducks Unlimited. “…Ducks Unlimited supports voluntary, rancher-driven solutions that improve habitat, soil health, and water quality while keeping ranchers on the land for generations to come” [Rounds, 2026.08.19].

I’ve got all the hamburger I need, but I can’t fault Rounds on this proposal. Ranchers get more pasture, wildlife gets more habitat, neighbors get cleaner water, and the prairie gets back to looking like prairie rather than a grim monocultural food factory—not a bad idea!