Agriculture 2013, The Chronicle, Omak, Wash. — Page 11
Twisp rancher leads state cattlemen “
Predators, water quality proposals are top concerns
He is very thoughtful and looks at everything through a broad scope.
By John F. Cleveland II The Chronicle TWISP – New Washington Cattlemen’s Association President Vic Stokes is a fourth-generation rancher running about 200 head of cattle on his ranch just south of town. Stokes, 58, was elected association president in November 2012. “As a member of the cattlemen’s association, it is always good to participate as much as you can to help the association,” the Twisp native said. “The political part of the association is something I have always enjoyed, so this was just the next step for me. I just wanted to do everything I could to help out the cattle farming industry.” He said the top issues for cattle ranchers are controlling predators, management of cattle operations and new proposals for water quality. “The water quality issue is a grazing issue and there is talk of fairly aggressive buffers being put in to keep away cattle from water sources,” Stokes said. “I don’t feel grazing around water takes anything away from the water
Workers from 10 money back home,” Brewster Marketplace owner Sabrina O’ Connell, 38, said. “I think the Jamaicans are more of a breadand-butter type of person, just buying the essentials, but they are
Not the first Cattleman Dale Smith
” Washington Cattlemen’s Association
Twisp rancher Vic Stokes will lead the state cattlemen this year. quality, and the rancher can properly graze around the water source and not have to be excluded from it.” Wolves also are “a major concern” for cattle ranchers, he said. “It even goes beyond the killing of the cattle to the harassment of the cattle, because this can cause weight loss in the cattle,” he said. “There has been increased wolf sightings, especially in the northeast, and even a collared wolf sighting from Pend Oreille County. This means the wolves move the most easygoing and friendly people around. “There have been very few problems. “I think the number of people that the orchards are hiring has been steadily increasing from year to year, and it has been great for businesses.”
around a lot and cover great distances quickly, and it is a concern for local farmers.” Stokes plans to give a local voice to the association and help in the management of the cattle operations as a whole, and give his outlook and opinions as a longtime rancher. He said he will keep a watch on public land issues, along with state and federal agencies that manage wildlife habitat and endangered species. “Vic Stokes is going to be a great representative for the Okanogan County cattle business,” Brewster cattleman Dale Smith, 53, said. “He is very thoughtful and looks at everything through a
broad scope.” Loomis cattleman Jerry Barnes is serving as state cattlemen’s secretary under Stokes.
TWISP — Vic Stokes is the latest, but not the first, Okanogan County cattleman to lead the state association. Local predecessors were R.L. Picken, Tonasket, 1930; Ross Woodward, Loomis, 1946; Walter Schrock, Okanogan, 1949; Bill Fancher, Tonasket, 1954-55; John Woodward, Loomis, 1968-69; Bill Barnes, Tonasket, 1972-73; Jick Fancher, Tonasket, 1976-77, and Don McClure, Nespelem, 1982-83. In addition, eight county women have led the state cattlewomen.
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