Animal Science Department


Date of this Version

December 1991




Holistic Resource Management (FIRM) and Integrated Resource Management (IRM) have' become "buzzwords" in the range management community and the cattle industry. A certain amount of confusion exists as to what they are and what the similarities and differences are. Does one replace the other? Do they conflict or can both be used beneficially?

As a member of a family working to operate our ranch holistically, and as a member of Nebraska's IRM Coordinating Committee, it's my opinion that there are differences, each has strengths, and the use of both, concurrently, can be highly beneficial. To explain these opinions, an understanding of both is helpful.