Today, Frank Price testified on behalf of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association to the importance of voluntary conservation during the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry hearing “Voluntary Conservation: Utilizing Innovation and Technology”. Price is co-owner and operator of the Frank and Sims Price Ranch in Sterling City, Texas, and recipient of the 2014 NCBA Environmental Stewardship Award. Price, a member of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association and NCBA, told the committee that given the diversity of range lands across the country voluntary conservation programs are key to achieving meaningful results.
“A one-size fits all approach that accompanies a top-down regulation does not work,” said Price. “It’s the voluntary part of the conservation practices that really make them work for ranchers. We’ve had success using some of these conservation programs, but just because a system works for us does not mean it is right for everybody. If these programs were to become mandatory, the rules and regulations that follow would make it harder for farmers and ranchers to use unique conservation practices to ensure their individual operations thrive.”
Price stresses that voluntary conservation efforts have allowed him and his son to achieve their top goals: ensuring the ranch remains profitable and that they leave the land in better condition for future generations. While drought and wildfire decimated their ranch in 2011 and 2012, conservation and grazing management allowed them to improve their rangelands through these difficult times. One of the programs he says has helped him achieve their goals is the Environmental Quality Incentive Program.
“When wildfire came through our ranch in 2011, we had to rebuild miles of fencing,” said Price. “EQIP helped us do it through a cost-share. One of the reasons EQIP has become popular among ranchers is because it is a working-lands program. Conservation programs that keep land in
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