RANGE RESCUE, LLC

Ranch Inventory and Land Assessment

A Range Rescue, LLC Ranch Inventory and Land Assessment is a comprehensive overview of the assets, resources, and characteristics of a ranching operation. Ranch Inventory and Land Assessments are used for management planning, valuation, loans, insurance, or property sales, and provide Landowners and Ranching Professionals with invaluable Ranch and Resource data. As the first phase of an economically viable Ranch Management Plan, a Range Rescue, LLC Ranch Inventory and Land Assessment typically includes the following sections:

· Mapping

· Inventories

o Registered Brand / Brands

o Livestock Inventories

o Equipment and Machinery Inventories

o Structures and Improvements

o Feed and Supplies

· Land and Resource Assessment

o General Land Description

o Rangeland Study and Inventory

o Water Resource Assessment

o Environmental and Wildlife Considerations

o Cultural and Historical Considerations

o Fire Mitigation and Preparedness

o Mineral Rights Assessment

· Grazing Permits

o Federal Grazing Permits

o State Grazing Leases

o Private Grazing Leases

· Recreational Income Opportunities

· Cost Share Opportunities for Improvements

· Recommendations

Mapping

· Perimeter Fence Lines

· Gates

· Livestock Water Sources

· Features and Riparian Areas

· Roads

· Individual Pastures with Acreage

· Usage (Pasture, Irrigated, Building Envelope)

· Season of Use

· Estimated AUM’s

· Cultural and Historical Sites

· Critical Wildlife Habitat

Ranch Inventories

Registered Livestock Brand / Brands

Livestock Inventory

Species and Breeds (e.g., Angus cattle, Quarter horses, goats)
Number by Class (cows, bulls, calves, heifers, steers)
Breeding Bull EPD Records if Available
Age and Health Status
Branding and Tag Info
Breeding Records
Vaccination Status

Equipment and Machinery

Pickups, Trucks and Ranch Vehicles
Tractors, ATVs, Trailers
Construction Equipment
Haying Equipment (balers, rakes, mowers)
Fire Fighting Equipment
Tillage and Farm Equipment
Fencing Tools and Equipment
Shop Tools and Equipment
Maintenance Records

Structures and Improvements

Barns, Corrals, Chutes, Scales, Pens
Fencing (type, length and condition)
Sheds, Workshops
Housing (ranch house, bunkhouses)
Irrigation Equipment
Windmills, Solar and Generator Operated Watering Systems,

Feed and Supplies

Stored Hay and Feed (volume, type)
Fertilizers, Herbicides, Veterinary Supplies
Fuel and Maintenance Supplies

Land and Resource Assessment

General Land Description

Total Acreage
Location (county, state, GPS coordinates)
Legal Descriptions
Pasture or Grazing Lease Identifications
Grazing Pastures (acres, type of forage)
Hay Production Fields
Irrigated Cropland

· Crop Type

o Acreage Under Irrigation

o Soil Types

o Water Source: (well, canal, river, reservoir)

o Irrigation System: (pivot, drip, flood, wheel line)

o Topography: flat, sloped, terraced

· Dryland Crops

o Total Dryland Acres

o Soil Types

o Annual Precipitation

o Topography: Flat, rolling, slope % (affects runoff & erosion)

o Historical Crop Yields: By field and year

Wooded or Unusable Areas

Rangeland Study and Inventory

Prepared by a credentialed Rangeland Conservationist, a "Rangeland Study and Inventory" is the systematic process of assessing and documenting the condition, productivity, and ecological health of rangelands. These studies are essential for sustainable land management, particularly in areas used for grazing, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and biodiversity conservation.

Assess rangeland health (e.g., soil stability, plant cover, biodiversity)
Determine carrying capacity (how much grazing the land can support)
Monitor changes over time due to climate, grazing, fire, or human use
Support decision-making for sustainable grazing, conservation, and restoration

Components of Rangeland Inventory

Vegetation Sampling
- Species composition
- Ground cover (bare soil, litter, plant types)
- Biomass estimation

Soil and Site Characteristics
- Soil types
- Soil texture and depth
- Erosion status
- Organic matter
- Moisture content and infiltration

Land Use and Grazing Patterns
- Stocking rates
- Signs of overgrazing
- Human or wildlife impact

Photographic Monitoring
- Repeat photography from fixed points over time

Ecological Site Descriptions (ESDs)
- Classification of land into ecological units based on soil, climate, and vegetation

6. Wildlife Habitat Assessment

o Habitat suitability for key species

o Biodiversity indicators

7. Water Resources

o Surface water availability and quality

o Hydrologic function and infiltration capacity

8. Pest and Invasive Species

o Weed Species and Controls

o Insect Species and Controls

o Mammalian Species and Controls

o Fungal Growth and Spore Dispersal

9. Fire Hazards and Recommendations

o Fuel Loads and Types

o Weather Factors

o Topography

o Potential Ignition Sources

Tools and Methods

Transects and quadrats for vegetation sampling
GPS and GIS mapping for spatial analysis
Drones and remote sensing for large-scale monitoring
Range condition scoring and trend analysis

Final Inclusions of a Rangeland Study and Inventory

Maps and databases of vegetation types and land conditions
Soil Types and Quality
Reports on carrying capacity and range condition
Recommendations for management (rest, rotation grazing, reseeding)
Weed and Pest Mitigation
Fire Mitigation
Erosion Concerns

Water Resource Assessment

Irrigation Infrastructure
Irrigation Scheduling
Flood Irrigation Ditch Condition
Wells, Ponds, Streams (location, flow, usability)
Water Storage

Water Rights

· GPS all Water Sources and Developments

· Determine if all rights are filed and adjudicated

· Water Availability

Environmental & Wildlife Considerations

Wildlife Populations and Habitat
Endangered Species or Protected Areas
Watershed Protections
Conservation Easements or Programs (CRP, EQIP)

Cultural and Historical Considerations

· Native American Archaeological Sites

· Historical Buildings and Towns

· Mining Districts

· Natural Landscapes

· Settler Encampments

· Western History Sites

· Military Sites

Mineral Rights Assessment

· Research ownership from patent to present

· Identify type and quality of minerals as “High, “Medium”, “Low” potential

· Identify Royality Payments held in suspension

Fire Mitigation and Preparation

· Prevention and Mitigation

· Preparedness

· During a Fire

· Recovery

Grazing Permits / Leases

· Compliance

· Rotations

· Carrying Capacity

· Rangeland Health

· Water Infrastructure

· Infrastructure and Access

· Agency Relationships

· Conservation and Wildlife Goals

· Forward Planning (Drought, Fire, Pest Invasion)

Recreational and Other Income Opportunities

· Hunting

· Fishing

· Camping and Glamping

· Horseback Riding and Trail Experiences

· Wildlife Viewing and Photography Tours

· Agritourism – Ranch Experience

· Workshops, Retreats, Events

· Ranch Stays and Hospitality

· Carbon Sequestration

Cost Share Opportunities for Conservation and Improvements (NRCS EQIP)

Recommendations May Include

· Digitized Records Including Management Software

· Livestock Tagging and Traceability

· Equipment Maintenance Logs

· Infrastructure Structural Integrity (Fencing, Corrals, Shops, Outbuildings)

· Weed Mitigation

· Pest Mitigation

· Stocking Rates and AUM Tracking

· Stock Distribution

· Stock / Wildlife Water Improvements

· Water Rights Issues

o File on any that are not adjudicated

o File for change of use or additional use if needed (i.e. livestock using irrigation ditches)

o Obtain permits and file on any new water rights

o Beneficial or Consumptive Use Requirements

· Pasture Conditions

o Transects and Monitoring

· Pasture Rotations

· Irrigation Equipment Maintenance

· Irrigation Scheduling

· Irrigated and Dryland Crops

· Soil Testing and Monitoring

· Forage and Grazing Management

· Grazing Permit Management and Renewal Strategy

· Grazing Permit Multi Year Planning

· Wildlife Considerations

· Conservation Practices

· Disaster Planning

· Rangeland Renovation

· Tree Thinning / Mastication

· Commercial Logging

· Brush Mowing

· Investment in Infrastructure

· Diversification Opportunities

· Sustainability and Conservation

· Equipment Maintenance or Upgrade

· Regulatory Compliance

· Employee Management

· Land Exchanges

· Conservation Easements

· Ranch Management Plan

· Mineral Rights

o Research development in the area to identify opportunities

o If landowner does not own mineral estate, assist with Surface Use Agreement to obtain highest return, best development locations, maintenance and reclamation

o Status of Dormant Mineral Interests

Other Funding Sources for Improvements

· Bureau of Land Management

· United States Forest Service

· State Forest Service

· State Land Board

· Carbon Sequestration