Grazing Lands in Alberta: A Vital Part of Our Agricultural Landscape
- agforlife
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
When you think of Alberta, vast prairies and open grasslands often come to mind. These landscapes are more than just beautiful—they play a crucial role in supporting livestock production and maintaining the province’s agricultural economy.
In Alberta, approximately 20 million acres of farmland are used for grazing or consist of native grassland. This represents about 5% of the province’s total land mass and includes both public and private lands (1).
How Alberta’s Grazing Lands Are Distributed
Total Farmland: Alberta is home to around 52 million acres of farmland (2).
Grazing Land: Of this, about 20 million acres are used for grazing livestock or remain as native grasslands (3).
Crown Grazing Land: Approximately 8 million acres of public land (Crown land) are designated for grazing, managed under various dispositions (4).
Grazing Leases: Around 5.7 million acres of Crown grazing land are held under formal grazing leases, which are long-term agreements where grazing is considered the best use of the land (5).
Provincial Grazing Reserves: These reserves also provide public land for livestock producers, helping support Alberta’s cattle industry while balancing environmental stewardship (6).
Why Grazing Leases Matter
Grazing leases are not just legal agreements—they’re an important tool for sustainable land management. By leasing public land for grazing, the government ensures that livestock producers have access to essential pasture while maintaining the ecological integrity of native grasslands. This approach balances agricultural productivity with conservation goals, supporting biodiversity, soil health, and water management (7).
Alberta’s grazing lands are a testament to how agriculture and environmental stewardship can work hand in hand. These lands not only support the cattle industry but also preserve the iconic prairie ecosystems that define our province.
References
Government of Alberta. (n.d.). Land Use in Alberta.
Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation. (n.d.). Farmland Statistics.
Alberta Beef Producers. (n.d.). Rangeland and Grazing Management.
Government of Alberta. (n.d.). Crown Land Grazing Dispositions.
Alberta Environment and Parks. (n.d.). Grazing Lease Program Overview.
Alberta Public Lands. (n.d.). Provincial Grazing Reserves Management.
Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. (n.d.). Sustainable Grazing Practices.
