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Rangeland Eligibility Q & A

Please review the following common Questions regarding rangeland to help you determine whether or not you are eligible for Rangeland Carbon Credits!


Q: My native rangeland is not being grazed. Does that qualify for Rangeland Carbon Credits?

A: No, it doesn't. Carbon credits for native rangeland can only be earned if the rangeland is being managed under a prescribed grazing system.


Q: I don't have a formal grazing plan, but I know I don't overgraze. Do I qualify for Rangeland Carbon Credits?

A: While a formal grazing plan is not required to earn credits, applications must include a pasture management plan reflecting a calculation of stocking rates, a forage inventory, a prescribed grazing schedule (including AUM's, season of use and rotation) and a plan for drought mitigation.  Plans that have been developed with NRCS or BLM, or those that have been approved by CSP will generally qualify.  Please contact us if you practice another type of management system and are unsure.


Q: How do you know that a rancher is following his grazing plan?

A: All rangeland contracts will be subject, at random, to on-site verification. A third-party (independent from both Farmers Union and the Chicago Climate Exchange) rangeland expert will visit a ranch to be certain that the prescribed grazing schedule is being followed. In addition, we require copies of ranch records which include turn-in/turn-out dates, number of head, and which pasture(s) were being utilized.


Q: How do I get Previously Degraded status for my rangeland?

A: All approved Native Rangeland enrollments will be credited at the Improved Management rate. In certain circumstances, moderate to extreme drought conditions (as determined by the USDA drought monitor) for an extended period of time prior to January 1, 2003 in the contracted land area will qualify a ranch to receive the degraded rate. Where land was degraded by other means, extensive documentation review by a rangeland expert will be required for a ranch to receive previously degraded status. Acreage will not move from one rate level to another during the contract period, and severe drought during the contract period may result in loss of Carbon Bank (reserve pool) tons.


Q: My grazing system has a combination of Native Rangeland, CRP and cropland. How do I enroll it?

A: Former cropland and/or CRP managed as part of the prescribed grazing system, and not otherwise eligible for carbon credits, may be included in a native rangeland contract.


Q: I have grazing leases on State and BLM and Forest Service land- can I enroll those acres?

A: State or federally owned land is not currently eligible for carbon credits. If your grazing system includes such land, please include these pastures in your documentation, but do not enter these acres online or include them in your contract.


Q: What years will my contract be for?

A: Rangeland contracts require a 5-year future commitment to maintaining the prescribed grazing system (currently 2008-2012.) However, if you have detailed ranch records back as far 2003 to prove your grazing system has been followed, we may be able to sell the carbon you sequestered in 2003-2007 as "bonus years."