SD
You are sadly mistaken regarding the public lands - ranching issue. Cattle producers do pay a rate for grazing albeit less than private lands. However, grazing areas are remote and sorely lacking in improvements. Production costs are subsequently higher.
Additionally, grazing allotments are regulated quite closely to prevent overgrazing. Moreover, they must deal with the exploding feral mustang and burro populations that are our lilly livered politicians refuse to address.
Consider that > 75% of Western US lands are federal “owned”. Many ranchers own small deeded properties adjacent to public lands be it BLM, Forest service, grasslands or what have you. Without cattle grazing, existing lands would be over grown with brush over time.. Post climax plant communities.
The day is coming when we will rely on beef mostly produced in South America.
MFO
I think the Congress needs to sell some of that Federal land to reduce the National Debt, don’t you?