Rosa: Grazing Bill Will Help Keep Oregon Ranchers Informed

Starting January 1^st, a new law goes into effect changing how grazing districts are formed, maintained or dissolved in Oregon.  Jerome Rosa, executive director of the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association said the legislation introduced during the 2019 session by Representative David Brock Smith, will benefit producers statewide.

Rosa said House Bill 3365 prohibits large property owners, timber companies for example, from fencing off property in existing Grazing Districts, making it more difficult for producers to move their cattle.  He pointed out the law does not prohibit those companies from fencing off their own property, but requires that they notify adjacent land owners of upcoming changes, helping minimized any potential economic impact.

“Increasing the awareness to your neighbors so they will be able to come in and plead their case and talk about their issues and their concerns, and the fact that it had been a Grazing District for many, many years in that area.”

Rosa said there were several cases in both the Northeast and Southwest corners of the state where producers learned, the “hard way” an existing cattle trails had been fenced off.  Rosa added the legislation will help ensure that lines of communication between property owners in Grazing Districts remain open into the future.

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