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On January 31, 2025, the USFS and BLM announced that the 2025 grazing fees will remain unchanged. The 2025 rates will be:

• $1.35 per AUM for BLM land
• $1.35 per AUM for USFS public lands.

The fee for livestock grazing on lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) during the 2025 Grazing Fee Year (March 1, 2025, through February 28, 2026) is $1.35 per animal unit month (AUM). The grazing fee must be paid before grazing use begins, except where “after the grazing season” billing occurs under the terms of an approved allotment management plan or other activity plan intended to serve as a functional equivalent. 

BLM and Forest Service are committed to strong relationships with the ranching community and work closely with permittees to ensure public rangelands remain healthy, productive working landscapes. The grazing fee applies in 16 Western states on public lands administered by BLM and the Forest Service. 

Permit holders and lessees may contact their local BLM or Forest Service office for additional information. 

Click to Read Full BLM Grazing Fee Press Release

Surcharge for Authorized Grazing 

In accordance with 43 CFR 4130.8-1(f), the BLM adds a surcharge to the grazing fee bill for authorized grazing of livestock owned by persons other than the permittee or lessee, except as provided by 43 CFR 4130.7(f). Regulation 43 CFR 4130.7(d) specifies the requirements that apply to pasturing agreements. When pasturing agreements are in effect, the BLM adds the surcharge to the permittee’s or lessee’s grazing fee billing based on the number of AUMs being billed. The surcharge must be paid before grazing use begins, except where “after the grazing season” billing occurs under the terms of an approved allotment management plan or other activity plan intended to serve as a functional equivalent. 

Penalty for Unauthorized Grazing Use 

The value of forage consumed for unauthorized grazing on BLM administered lands is the average private grazing land lease rate per AUM for the state where the unauthorized grazing occurs. The National Agricultural Statistics Service publishes the state rates annually in January. 

In cases where the BLM has approved a permittee or lessee taking control of livestock that they do not own and allowed them to be grazed under its permit or lease pursuant to a pasturing agreement under 43 CFR 4130.7(d) and those livestock make unauthorized use of public forage, the regular non-willful and willful penalty amounts will apply. 

Where unauthorized grazing occurs in an allotment located in multiple states, RAS automatically calculates the value of forage consumed by calculating the AUMs that were grazed in each state and applying the applicable state unauthorized use rate to that amount.

Click to Read Full BLM Grazing Fee, Surcharge Rates, and Penalty for Unauthorized Grazing Use Rates Policy