Final answer:
The farmer is using free-range grazing, allowing cattle to roam and feed on grass. This method is used in regions where more profitable agriculture is not possible and is essential for states like Texas and California. It contributes to sustainable meat production and assists in climate change mitigation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The farmer requiring large amounts of land for his herd of cattle is utilizing free-range grazing, which is one of the methods of meat production. This practice allows cattle to graze on vast amounts of pasture land and is associated with a more extensive, land-intensive form of agriculture. Rather than the concentrated animal feeding operations where cattle are confined and fed a diet of grain, free-range grazing cattle are typically allowed to roam and feed on grass until they reach market size.
In regions with less precipitation and challenging terrain for crop production, such as the dry parts of the Great Plains or hilly Appalachia, cattle ranching becomes a common agricultural alternative. The cattle require grass and space, and the activity is favored where more profitable land uses are not viable. Ranching is considered one of the least profitable types of farming in terms of profit per acre; however, it is a significant industry in states like Texas, Nebraska, Kansas, California, and Oklahoma, where conditions are suitable for cattle production.
Ranches like the Van Vleck Ranch in California emphasize the importance of careful grazing management and aims to maintain native grass diversity. This not only aids soil health and ecological function but also helps sequester carbon, contributing to climate change mitigation.