In recognition of the United Nations’ declaration of 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP), the Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) and U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (USRSB) are co-convening the North American Grazing Lands Congress from July 7 to 9, 2026. This invitation-only gathering will convene a broad range of stakeholders to showcase the ecological, economic, and cultural importance of North America’s historic grazing lands. The Congress will highlight beef and sheep producers as modern pastoralists and long‑term stewards of grazing ecosystems.
The Congress program is coordinated across Canada and the United States:
Canadian Programming – July 7, Calgary, Alberta
Participants will visit a multi‑generational ranch in the foothills of southern Alberta, followed by a tour of one of North America’s largest grazing cooperatives — nearly 100,000 acres managed collectively for sustainable grazing and biodiversity outcomes.
U.S. Programming – July 8–9, Park City, Utah
Co-hosted alongside the Public Lands Council (PLC), an informal cocktail reception will be held in Park City, Utah, on Wednesday, July 8, followed by ranch visits and a formal dinner reception on Thursday, July 9. The ranch visits will feature two leading U.S. operations noted for their innovative grazing management and land stewardship practices, as well as conservation efforts, across both private and public lands.
We are pleased to recognize 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP) and to affirm our strong alignment with its objectives. We share the IYRP’s commitment to highlighting the economic, environmental, and social importance of rangelands, and to recognizing those who responsibly manage and steward these landscapes.