c) adequate nutrition (mainly winter supplementation) 



d) creep feeding (sometimes) 



These things considered, make us estimate increases in beef production of 



939^ in a period of 5 to 6 years and of 254?^ in 10 to 12 years!! and 



everything based on the improvement and the proper management of rangelands!! 



DEVELOPING INTERNATIONAL POLICIES 



In many countries these similarities of ecological conditions may be 

 in geographic location, climate, topography, soils, vegetation, altitude,.... 

 and even in management and conservation practices, in livestock breeds and 

 type of operation. 



However, we must consider the differences in social, cultural, polit- 

 ical and traditional customs Any effort, at the international level, 



would be meaningless if these aspects are not studied first. 



Many times, international programs have failed because we have failed 

 to understand local conditions. We can not transfer technology from one 

 coiintry to another (particularly from one advanced or developed country, to 

 an imderdeveloped one) without making the necessary adjustments in order for 

 that technology to be useful! 



These programs are expensive for the governments and generally are long 



term in nature... and we must be certain that a program is going to pay 



and that the participant countries get the most out of it. 



The Society for Range Management has considered, for some time, the 

 formation of an International Rangelands Commission, in order to establish 

 some of the much needed cooperation in the solution of the range and live- 

 stock industry problems of the world. 



It was yesterday, here in Billings, that the Commission had its first 

 formal meeting, with the participation of members from Canada, the United 

 States and Mexico. These three North American Countries, the charter mem- 

 bers of the IRC have many things in common but also many differences, and 

 will be the first serious effort toward the promulgation of International 

 Rangelands Policies. 



The technical information and the ranchers experience exist, and will 

 be a matter of identifying areas of range management of common interest and 



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