Livestock grazing supports native bee habitats

How grazing practices boost pollinators on rangelands

In the American West, livestock grazing is proving to be more than just a practice for feeding cattle and sheep. Recent research from Montana shows that grazing also plays a vital role in supporting native pollinators, especially ground-nesting bees.

Approximately 70% of bee species in the U.S. build their nests underground, and they rely on small patches of bare ground to lay their eggs. Grazing livestock, like sheep and cows, help clear ground litter, creating ideal conditions for these bees.

The study, funded by the USDA’s Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP), revealed that grazed pastures host twice as many ground-nesting bees as those left ungrazed. Livestock grazing reduces leaf litter, allowing bees easier access to soil for nesting.

The results underscore the role rangelands play in maintaining essential ecosystems, not only for bees but for other wildlife.

Pollinators are crucial for global food production, contributing to crops worth billions of dollars. They also support biodiversity, helping wildlife from birds to bears thrive. Sadly, pollinators are at risk due to habitat loss, climate change, and pesticides, but sustainable grazing practices can help restore their habitats.

Montana ranchers, like Ben Lehfeldt, have witnessed firsthand the benefits of grazing for both livestock and pollinators. He believes that managed grazing rejuvenates the land, enhances soil health, and boosts insect populations. This approach makes rangelands more productive while providing critical support to pollinators like bees.

As rangelands cover one-third of the U.S. landscape, supporting sustainable grazing practices could be a key step in boosting pollinator populations and conserving these vast lands for future generations.