Development of a rangeland resilience and threats (rrat) tool for US producers

The Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service Central Program Planning Coordination and Support awarded a $648,807 Cooperative Agreement to New Mexico State University on January 1, 2026, to develop a Rangeland Resilience and Threats (RRAT) tool for U.S. producers under the Agricultural Research Basic and Applied Research program (CFDA 10.001).

New Mexico State University's Research Administration Services division, based in Las Cruces, New Mexico, will deliver the rangeland resilience assessment tool through December 31, 2028. The tool addresses producer needs in rangeland management and climate adaptation, aligning with ARS's broader portfolio of research and development projects supporting American farmers and agricultural communities. Work is performed in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

The Cooperative Agreement is subject to the five-year statutory limit on period of performance under 7 U.S.C. 3319a and exempted from 2 CFR Part 200. NMSU Research Administration, a child division of the Land Grant institution, operates as a primary federal research recipient with established capacity in agricultural science and rangeland management research across USDA, NSF, NASA, and other civilian research agencies.