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Experimental findings on rotational grazing (RG) trials have generally differed from producer observations of RG outcomes on commercial scale ranches. Factors such as small plot size, short duration trials and relatively rigid grazing management that lacks responsiveness to the dynamic and complex social-ecological systems in grazing trials could all contribute to this disparity in outcomes. These differences call for a better understanding of producer perceptions of RG benefits. To fill this knowledge gap, we surveyed 4500 producers from the Northern and Southern Great Plains of the USA. Among the 875 respondents, 40.5% reported that they used continuous grazing (CG), 52.7% implemented RG management in an extensive manner, while 6.8% adopted management intensive grazing. Compared with CG users, adopters of RG in its extensive and intensive form reported an average annual increase of grazing season by 7.6 and 39.3 days, respectively. When controlling for producer demographics, ranch management goals and other rancher characteristics, we found soil and climate heterogeneity significantly affected the perceived relative benefits of RG vs CG strategies. Therefore, instead of focusing on whether RG outperforms CG per se, future research could focus on comparison of RG benefits under different management intensity levels and identifying soil and climate conditions where RG benefits are more noticeable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A mail survey identified factors affecting grassland expansion in U.S. Great Plains. • Management Intensive Grazing may increase cropland to grassland conversion. • Prioritization of environmental goals may enhance cropland to grassland conversion. • Producers who value outreach information highly are more likely to expand grassland. • Ecosystem service payments could facilitate expansion of grass-based agriculture. Compared to conventional tillage-based crop production, grass-based agriculture can support substantially more ecosystem benefits. Moreover, management intensive grazing (MIG) has the capacity to enhance grassland resilience, thereby enhancing the profitability of grass-based agriculture. The research reported here is based on a survey of 4,500 producers in the Great Plains of USA, which aimed to study the role of grazing intensity on producers' land use decisions. We received 875 completed questionnaires, representing a 20.6% response rate of 4,250 eligible sample. Results from multivariate ordered probit modeling analysis indicated that, compared to continuous grazing (CG) users, MIG users were 11% more likely to have expanded their grassland area in the past and 13% more likely to convert cropland to grassland in the next 10 years. Other factors, including higher cattle sales, greater liability ratio, poorer land quality and regional factors, were found to significantly influence producers' intentions to purchase and lease more grassland. However, these factors were not significantly associated with the intention to convert marginal land to grassland. Therefore, the adoption of MIG appears to be a key factor for restoring marginal croplands to permanent grassland cover to enhance the environmental benefits across the Great Plains from the social perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many ranchers who practice rotational grazing have experienced economic and ecological benefits. However, the adoption rate of rotational grazing has stagnated. To identify major challenges faced by non-adopters of rotational grazing as well as factors that affect the perceptions about different challenges, we conducted a mail survey of 4250 eligible ranchers in North Dakota, South Dakota and Texas, USA. Key categories of information obtained included basic ranch information, rotational grazing adoption status, and related information. Among 875 respondents, 40.4% identified themselves as non-adopters and perceived labor and water source constraints as the two major challenges, followed by high initial investment costs. This indicates the need for technical support and educational programs to address producers' concerns in addition to the monetary support from government subsidy programs. Findings from logistic regression analyses further indicate that landowners with higher quality soil, relatively more grassland (in both acres and percentage) and more owned land, generally perceive lower barriers to choosing rotational grazing practices and, therefore, may be a suitable target group for more effective outreach efforts and public fund investments to enhance the adoption of beneficial rotational grazing practices. • A landowner survey identified factors inhibiting the adoption of rotational grazing. • Labor, water and high investment costs were key factors affecting adoption decision. • Producers with higher ranch productivity perceived less adoption challenges. • Producers with more owned grassland perceived less adoption challenges. • Programs that address major concerns could enhance rotational grazing adoption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]