Ranch Inventory and Land Assessment

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A Range Rescue, LLC Ranch Inventory and Land Assessment combines the input from accredited Rangeland Conservationists, Wildlife Biologists, Archaeologists, Land Professionals, Ranch Management Professionals, Wildland Fire Specialist, and Mechanics to create 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  
•  Ranch Inventories  
• Land and Resource Assessment  
•  Rangeland Grazing Study and Assessment  
•  Water Resource Assessment  
•  Environmental and Wildlife Considerations  
•  Cultural and Historical Considerations  
•  Mineral Rights Assessment  
•  Fire Mitigation and Preparedness   
•  Grazing Permits / Leases  
•  Recreational Income Opportunities  
•  Cost Share Opportunities for Improvements  
•  Ranch Estate and Succession Plan  
•  Recommendations   

Mapping

•  Perimeter Fence Lines
•  Gates
•  Livestock Water Sources
•  Features and Riparian Zones
•  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)
•  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
•  Ranch Pasture Identifications 
•  Pasture or Grazing Lease Identifications
•  Grazing Pastures (acres, type of forage)
•  Hay Production Fields
•  Irrigated Cropland
•  Dryland Cropland
•  Marginal or Unusable Lands 

Irrigated Crops 

•  Acreage Under Irrigation
•  Soil Types
•  Water Source: (well, canal, river, reservoir)
•  Irrigation System: (pivot, drip, flood, wheel line)
•  Topography: flat, sloped, terraced

Dryland Crops

•  Total Dryland Acres
•  Soil Types 
•  Annual Precipitation 
•  Topography: Flat, rolling, slope % (affects runoff & erosion)
•  Historical Crop Yields: By field and year

Rangeland Grazing Study and Assessment

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

Wildlife Habitat Assessment

•  Habitat suitability for key species
•  Biodiversity indicators

Water Resources

•  Surface water availability and quality
•  Hydrologic function and infiltration capacity

Pest and Invasive Species

•  Weed Species and Controls
•  Insect Species and Controls
•  Mammalian Species and Controls
•  Fungal Growth and Spore Dispersal

Fire Hazards and Recommendations

•  Fuel Loads and Types
•  Weather Factors
•  Topography
•  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)
•  Livestock Water Improvements
•  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
•  Wildlife Friendly Fencing
•  Endangered Species or Critical Habitat
•  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
•  Identify mineral development or access income opportunities

Fire Mitigation and Preparation

•  Prevention and Mitigation
•  Preparedness 
•  During a Fire Plan
•  Recovery Plan

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

Current Cost Share Conservation Program Enrollment 

•  Federal Programs (USDA / NRCS)
•  State and Local Programs
•  Private & Nonprofit Partnerships
•  Other Conservation Funding Sources

Ranch Estate and Succession Plan

•  Outright Inheritance Plan
•  Living Trust Plan
•  Family Limited Partnership (FLP) or LLC
•  Buy-Sell Agreement
•  Gifting Strategy
•  Life Estate with Remainder Interest
•  Management Succession Without Immediate Ownership Transfer
•  Conservation Easement Integrated Plan

Recommendations May Include

•  Digitized Records Including Management Software
•  Livestock Tagging and Traceability
•  Equipment Maintenance Logs
•  Infrastructure Structural Integrity (Fencing, Corrals, Shops, Outbuildings)
•  Livestock Scale Installation - Improve Marketing Opportunity
•  Weed Mitigation
•  Pest Mitigation
•  Stocking Considerations ( Cow/Calf, Yearlings)
•  Stocking Rates and AUM Tracking
•  Stock Distribution
•  Stock / Wildlife Water Improvements
•  Water Rights Issues
•  File on any that are not adjudicated
•  File for change of use or additional use if needed (i.e. livestock using irrigation ditches)
•  Obtain permits and file on any new water rights
•  Beneficial or Consumptive Use Requirements
•  Pasture Conditions
•  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
•  Fire Preparedness
•  Regulatory Compliance
•  NRCS EQIP Programs
•  Employee Management
•  Estate Planning
•  Land Exchanges
•  Conservation Easements
•  Ranch Management Plan
•  Mineral Rights
•  Research development in the area to identify opportunities
•  If landowner does not own mineral estate, assist with Surface Use Agreement to obtain highest return, best development locations, maintenance and reclamation
•  Status of Dormant Mineral Interests