Dunn announces 20% increase in grazing fees

 Today, Commissioner of Public Lands Aubrey Dunn announced the 2015 grazing fees on state trust lands would be set at $4.80 per animal unit month (AUM) , to take effect Oct. 1, 2015 . The 2014 fee was $3.99. Grazing fees on state trust lands are set by the Commissioner, using a formula determined by New Mexico State University, after considering market conditions. This year, NMSU determined the fee per AUM would be increased by 20.25 percent. Federal grazing fees also increased this year by 25.18 percent per AUM on public lands. The increase will raise the total income to state land trust beneficiaries to $8.08 million. Tota l lands included in the agricultural leasing program are 8,746,502 million acres...more