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TABLE OF CONTENTS
JUNE 2022
BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT
Allied Industries Issue
Mark Pratt..................(Blackfoot) 208-681-6597 PRESIDENT-ELECT Kim Brackett..............(Homedale) 208-308-1952 VICE PRESIDENT Jerry Wroten.................. (Wilder) (208) 831-7339 PAST PRESIDENT Jay Smith.......... ...........(Carmen) 208-940-1020 TREASURER Cody Hendrix................... (Rigby) 208-360-9693 FEEDER COUNCIL CHAIR Spencer Black................... (Almo) 208-647-8130 PUREBRED COUNCIL CHAIR Val Carter..................... (Pingree) 208-390-4811 COW-CALF COUNCIL CHAIR Brayden Eliason.......... (Holbrook) 208-705-2541 CATTLEWOMEN COUNCIL CHAIR Maggie Malson................ (Parma) 208-739-2265 DISTRICT 1 REPRESENTATIVES Mike McClean............. (Post Falls) 208-661-7518 Quin Wemhoff...............(Kamiah) 208-983-6448 DISTRICT 2 REPRESENTATIVES Lori Ireland.......(Mountain Home) 208-866-0112 Marg Chipman...............(Weiser) 208-550-0605 DISTRICT 3 REPRESENTATIVES Eugene Matthews............(Oakley) 208-431-3260 John Peters........................ (Filer) 208-358-3850 DISTRICT 4 REPRESENTATIVES Ryan Steele.............. (Idaho Falls) 208-390-5765 Norman Wallis.....................(May) 208-993-1342 DISTRICT 5 REPRESENTATIVES Roscoe Lake..............(Blackfoot) 208-604-3650 Arnold Callison......... (Blackfoot) 208-681-8440 ALLIED INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVE Kelton Hatch............... (Kimberly) 208-539-0417 DIRECTORS AT LARGE Robert Oxarango.......... (Emmett) 208-431-0777 Adrian Meyer.......... (Grand View) 208-509-1892 CATTLEWOMEN BOARD REPRESENTATIVE Tay Brackett...................... (Filer) 208-866-4967
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Cameron Mulrony........cameron@idahocattle.org NATURAL RESOURCES POLICY DIRECTOR Karen Williams..................karen@idahocattle.org
DEPARTMENTS
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
FEATURES
Message from the President
6
Message from the EVP
8
Cover story: Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes?
Michelle Johnson.......... michelle@idahocattle.org DIR. OF MEMBERSHIP & INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT
16
Message from the Natural Resources Policy Director
10
July Is Idaho Beef Month: Building Awareness & Telling Idaho’s Beef Story To Consumers & Operators 24
Message from Allied Industries Representative
14
U of I: Building a Rangeland Management Plan for Your Ranch 28 Farm Bureau Survey Looks at Non-Fee Grazing Costs
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LINE RIDER JUNE 2022
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Morgan Lutgen............. morgan@idahocattle.org Contact Idaho Cattle Association: Mailing address: P.O. Box 15397, Boise, ID 83715 Location: 2120 Airport Way, Boise, ID 83705 Phone: 208-343-1615
For advertising sales, contact: idahocattlepublications@gmail.com The Line Rider is the official publication of the Idaho Cattle Association. It is published 10 times each year, in January, February, March, April/May, June, July/August, September, October, November and December.
www.idahocattle.org
SOLD MA NN CR EEK VA L L EY F A R M & R ANCH WASHINGTON COUNTY: 1,168± ACRE HAY FARM AND CATTLE RANCH Buyer and seller represented by Dixie Barry
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MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Dealing with the literal and figurative mess of the cattle business Taking the time to process our challenges equates to a sturdier approach at the end of the day.
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o we as an industry collectively ever get to the end of calving season? Or are individual producers coming to the end of theirs while others are just getting started? I remember a New Mexico rancher being asked, “When do you turn your bulls in?” Their answer, “sometime in the early 1800s.” We’re done with ours, and as I think about this business of raising cattle I always find myself turning to a passage from Riding the White Horse Home by Teresa Jordan. “In this business of cattle raising, we exert our will. We take a calf off a poor cow and graft it onto a good one. We hobble a reticent cow until she lets her calf suck. We mid-wife these calves into existence, we care for them, sometimes we even risk our lives for them, and they are ultimately slated for slaughter. In this fact lies the essential irony of our work. No one forgets that a live calf is money in the bank. And yet a reverence remains. . . . our
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LINE RIDER JUNE 2022
BY MARK PRATT ICA President
connection to them is more than economic. Day in and day out we confront the messiness of this business of living; if we live with slaughter, we also live with nurture, with seasons and cycles, with birth and with death.” Our calving season has certainly had its challenges. As I write this, we have a new skiff of snow and have a turn-out date on our summer range that is at least 10 days later than usual. The cows are already pushing on our fences, and figuring out what to do with them is difficult. For this reason and a plethora of others, Jordan’s description of the messiness of living gives me pause. I tell my wife often, “things are seldom ideal.” That helps me keep things in perspective. My grandpa would say, “if you can’t have it the way you want it, have it some other way.” With all that we are currently dealing with, including runaway input costs, activist pressure and drought, at the end of the day our mental stability needs to remain intact. The messiness Jordan speaks of is real and on occasion can become overwhelming. The next time you ask someone, “how you doin?” mean it, and be prepared to listen. I’m afraid this summer is going to test our wind as much or more than last summer. Do your best to keep a cool head and keep things in perspective.
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MESSAGE FROM THE EVP
A change in perspective may help us find solutions in a shifting environment Focusing on trees instead of the forest may offer a new approach.
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eath by a thousand cuts” It’s been quoted and referenced in many instances. It’s driven producers from business, crippled operations, and resulted in the loss of long-term viability. However, the opposite (according to a quick Google search), “Life by a thousand heals”, has provided operations the opportunity to thrive long term, made family ranches sustainable, and resulted in a flourishing industry. Whether it be on an individual level or looking more broadly at the beef industry landscape, we all face issues with our daily operations. On occasion, we need make the time to look at the many smaller details that build success. In my view, by choosing to focus on what makes a successful scenario, rather than focusing on the detriments (or the ‘cuts’), the end result is more healing. I purposely challenge myself when I start dwelling on the things that don’t go as planned, to think back to what I thought was necessary. For example, in the cattle industry I may wonder, ‘Why did I have a differing price point on my calves than my neighbors?’ ‘Why are my calves coming in at the weight that they are?’ ‘ Why are my breed back rates down this year?’ ‘Why are my production costs higher?’ There is a bevy of questions that deserve answering within any operation. We each have specific operation goals and as they say, the devil is in the details. These details often include the minor successes that we often take for granted – and that result in building a stronger, more resilient operation and industry. In my personal approach, I strive to look
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LINE RIDER JUNE 2022
BY CAMERON MULRONY ICA Executive Vice President
at things from a different perspective and ask ‘What did I do differently?’ ‘Was it a net gain?’ ‘Do my higher production costs result in a higher return?’ ‘What’s next?’ ‘How can I get better?’ It’s not easy looking at the other side of the coin, but I try. Now, as I try to answer some of the questions posed above, it’s easy to look at the big headlines or narratives and quickly jump one direction or the other. Healing 1000 small cuts is likely much easier than plugging one large hole. That’s not to say we need to ignore the holes, however that we should also take the time to heal some of the smaller cuts as we go. My point is that each segment of our industry cannot survive without the other. Each segment has some holes, but also has several small cuts that could be healed quickly as well. In today’s societal and political environment, the holes take time to fill, therefore we must also focus on the small cuts that we can heal- in order to stop the bleeding and keep our operations alive. As we look around the current scene, we need to find industry wide solutions to our more easily solved dilemmas and not just poke holes in each other. Let’s focus on healing some of the issues that we can manage with precise and surgical-like approaches. I don’t think I am going to misspeak by saying that each of our operations would enjoy a larger margin per cow than we have today, regardless of that number. This can only be attained in 2 ways: fewer input dollars or increased income dollars. This we know not to be rocket science. But I challenge you to look at the things that can help you on BOTH ends of this equation. A decreased input will not always calculate to an increased margin, nor does the increased income dollars always result in positive margin changes either. As I look at our political landscape and the discussion around food subsidies through farms, I caution www.idahocattle.org
us in production agriculture to move slowly. This may ‘stuff a rag’ in the hole for a while but likely won’t address all the small cuts to the industry. Increased production in one agriculture industry must be offset by a lesser number of plantings in another sector. Corn is still the gold standard for a rancher’s cost of production as we take our cattle through their lifecycle. We need to heal some cuts, not just slap a band aid on the large ones! In conclusion, I encourage each of you to look at your calf crops that had an acceptable margin, and question ‘what has changed since that crop?’ What are the things within your control? Can you make changes to heal some of your cuts, and grow at a time when it’s easy to look at the obstacles in front of you or dwell on the negative? I believe we are in a place in our industry to heal some of our problems, as long as we do not lose focus of those small things and waste too much energy trying to stuff a rag in the holes.
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IDAHO CATTLE ASSOCIATION
9
MESSAGE FROM NATURAL RESOURCES POLICY DIRECTOR
Finding the balance of multiple use on public lands Considering the impact of recreation and renewable energy on grazing.
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s users of public lands, we have always supported and advocated for continued multiple use of those lands. Livestock grazing is not only an important historical use of the land, but a vital management and conservation tool that provides economic stability to rural communities. Because of the many benefits it provides, we work daily to protect livestock grazing as an essential multiple use that must be continued to ensure proper, active management of the public lands.
SOLAR PANELS AND WIND TURBINES NEAR MURTAUGH, IDAHO.
Federal law has established that the federal lands are to be managed for multiple purposes. The Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA), passed in 1976, states that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) must manage its lands 10 LINE RIDER JUNE 2022
BY KAREN WILLIAMS ICA Natural Resources Policy Director
under principles of multiple use and sustained yield in accordance with land use plans developed by the agency. The Multiple Use Sustained Yield Act of 1960 establishes that Forest Service lands should provide for multiple use and sustained yield of products and services. By law, multiple use is defined as “the management of the public lands and their various resource values so that they are utilized in the combination that will best meet the present and future needs of the American people” and “a combination of balanced and diverse resource uses that takes into account the long-term needs of future generations for renewable and nonrenewable resources, including, but not limited to, recreation, range, timber, minerals, watershed, wildlife and fish, and natural scenic, scientific and historical values”. Clearly, the intent behind these laws which guarantee multiple use of public lands is to ensure that various land uses are allowed to coexist. But what happens when one type of use limits the continuance of another use, particularly one that has been a traditionally held and protected use of the land, such as livestock grazing? The opportunity for this conflict has been increasing dramatically in recent years with the growing population and the resulting influx of people recreating on public lands that are also permitted for livestock grazing. Attend any industry meeting these days, and you are likely to hear frustrated stories of gates left open, fences cut, creek bottoms torn up, and trespass issues—all of which make management of livestock exponentially more difficult. A news story recently highlighted by the Idaho CONTINUED, PAGE 12 www.idahocattle.org
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Rangeland Resources Commission perfectly illustrates the dilemma. In the Mink Creek drainage near Pocatello, a hotbed of recreational activity, recreationists teamed up with anti-livestock activists to insist that cattle were creating unsafe camping conditions due to E. Coli contamination in nearby streams. To these opponents, the answer was simple: forget multiple use, get rid of the cows. The Forest Service teamed up with the University of Idaho to conduct water quality sampling at multiple sites in order to determine the source of the contamination. The results were not what our multiple-use adversaries expected or hoped for. The overwhelming source for the contaminants was from people. 60% of the contaminants were sourced from humans, 30% from dogs and other wildlife, while just 6% came from cattle. In our era, it has become
If you are concerned about further energy development in your backyard, one comforting thought may be that transmission issues will likely be a prohibitive factor for large scale development in Idaho. seemingly fashionable to blame cattle for all of the world’s problems. In fact, the opposite is usually true. Livestock grazing can be a solution to many of those problems. Protecting livestock grazing as an important multiple use of the public lands is the answer. Detrimental impacts to livestock grazing use resulting from recreation are oc-
curring across the state—from both the blissfully ignorant to the willful violator. To this end, ICA is working with the state leaders and Governor Little to seek meaningful solutions to the complex problems caused by increased recreation and will be hold meetings over the summer focused on this topic and aimed at protecting continued multiple use.
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The push for increased renewable energy by the federal government is another issue that is creating potential for increased land use conflict that could promote one use to the detriment of other existing land uses, particularly grazing. The Department of Interior (DOI) recently submitted a report to Congress regarding renewable energy production on public lands. Not surprisingly, the administration has big plans for rapid expansion of renewable energy development on these multiple use lands. Their stated goal has been to permit 25,000 megawatts (MW) of new onshore renewable energy projects by 2025. To date, there are 35 solar, 36 wind and 48 geothermal power projects producing 12,000 MW of electricity that have been approved on federal lands across the United States. The DOI report forecasts that the administration is on track to approve 48 wind, solar and geothermal energy projects on federal land with the capacity to produce an estimated 31,827 megawatts of electricity by the end of the fiscal 2025 budget cycle. If successful in this initiative, this would represent a tripling of current renewable energy projects on federal land. The potential ramifications for livestock grazing of such an increase is alarming. Livestock grazing and windmills can coexist, but even so, there are impacts to permittees, particularly during the development phase. The proposed Lava Ridge Wind in southern Idaho would be the biggest wind farm in the United States. An environmental impact statement is expected to be released by the BLM this summer and a comment period will follow. We will be closely following this development to ensure that existing grazing permits are protected and that permitted numbers are not reduced. What may be even more concerning, in the realm of renewable energy development, is solar power. Near the area in which I live, I have seen an exwww.idahocattle.org
plosion of massive solar panel development of the past year. With the push from the administration, this is surely an indicator of things to come. According to the Idaho Office of Energy and Mineral Resources’ 2022 Report, “UtilThe Oldest Ranching Job Board on the Internet ity-scale solar power • Post a job or search job listings generation in Idaho began in August 2016 and • Since 1998, based in the USA produced 0.2% of the total power generated in Idaho that year. As WEBSITE TRAFFIC: OVER 50,000 VISITS MONTHLY of September 2021, the total installed solar had grown to 583.03 MW, enough to power 78,795 homes. There are currently 40 total solar companies consisting of manufacturers, deVisit www.RanchWork.com or scan the QR code velopers, installers, and other companies operating in Idaho”. While livestock grazing is still possible under issues will likely be a prohibitive factor wind turbines, the same is likely not for large scale development in Idaho. true for solar panel development ar- While we have plenty of wind and sun eas. This is an issue that we are keyed to generate the power, we do not have into and will be keeping our eye on as the means of moving it in our state. the Biden administration continues Above all, ICA will continue to proto incentivize large scale renewable mote and protect continued livestock energy development and projects are grazing on public lands. As defined sure to be proposed in Idaho on feder- above, multiple use exists to “best meet al land permitted for livestock grazing. the present and future needs of the It is frustrating to reflect on the hoops American people.” We will continue to our industry has to jump through to assert, and science will continue to prograze cattle in protected wildlife hab- vide the backing, that livestock grazitat when the impact of grazing is not ing best meets the current and future only minimal, but typically beneficial needs of our country by providing a nuto that wildlife. Conversely, energy de- tritious food source to the public, prevelopment can have lasting negative serving invaluable rapidly decreasing impacts to those same species yet the opens spaces, and protecting America’s administration seems fixed on easing rangelands and habitats through its the way for them to happen. If you are sustainable use. Livestock grazing on concerned about further energy devel- public lands is a multiple use that must opment in your backyard, one comfort- not be pushed aside by the increase of ing thought may be that transmission competing uses. IDAHO CATTLE ASSOCIATION
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ALLIED INDUSTRIES
Idaho is tops in cattle, but we must continue striving for growth
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weat stains the soil of ranches across the state. Planning, hard work and a little luck keeps these ranchers raising protein for a growing nation for more than 100 years in Idaho. Challenges have always been a part of the game: the Spanish flu of 1918, the collapse of the stock market in 1929, the dairy buyout of the 80’s, and the challenges of COVID for the past three years, have all been hurdles multi-generational ranches have had to face. When I was younger, talking to
Cattle ranching is woven into the fabric of Idaho as much as the famous potato. But being in cattle is not always green pastures and sunny morning cattle drives, it is always faced with new challenges. my grandfather about the challenges of ranching and what the depression was like, he (being a second generation rancher in Eastern Idaho) said, “to tell you the truth, we were already so poor we didn’t notice anything different. We were in a lot better shape than the people in the cities, we had food, and we were used to being broke.” Even as Idaho changes with the influx of new Idahoans, it is our job as producers and allied businesses to remind the state population the importance of ranching and what it brings to the table. 14 LINE RIDER JUNE 2022
BY KELTON HATCH
Allied Board Representative
If you are like me, sometimes you don’t always remember the facts, you just know you believe in it. So, in preparation for this article, I did some quick research to provide readers with a a little cheat sheet that includes some fast facts to lay on your friends when the opportunity arises to remind them of the importance of beef to this state. According to the Idaho State Department of Agriculture, Idaho ranks 13th in the U.S. for cattle and calves’ inventory, with more than 2.1 million animals raised by 7,500 beef cattle operations. Our state is also is home to: ● 3 of the top 15 seedstock operations in the U.S. ● the 2nd largest cow/calf operation in the country with more than 30,000 mother cows ● two of the top 10 feeding operations in the U.S ● the 10th largest beef processing operation in the U.S is headquartered in Boise, Idaho To boot, we will also have two more processing operations online this fall. One has already opened in Idaho Falls; with the other opening this fall in Jerome. Cattle ranching is woven into the fabric of Idaho as much as the famous potato. But being in cattle is not always green pastures and sunny morning cattle drives, it is always faced with new challenges. As always, there are ebbs and flows in the cattle business and for the past couple years margins have narrowed and costs have increased across the board. Smart planning and using connections in the industry become more important. The fact of the matter is that ranchers cannot continue to operate the way Grandpa did. Finding new, innovating ways to market livestock, and educating ourselves with the help of the Idaho Cattle Association (ICA) and the National Cattle Association (NCBA) can help producers plan and increase profits in difficult years. With just under 1,000 members and 7,500 operations raising calves in the state, we have need to grow our www.idahocattle.org
membership. ICA is the strongest mouthpiece the Idaho rancher has to insure the future of ranching in our great state. Their single goal is to insure the future of the Idaho cattle industry and our members know they can look to them as a trusted adviser for education on the industry to help you leverage your returns. Other avenues ranchers and feed operations have to educate themselves can come from members of the Allied groups. Our (allied industries) businesses exist only because of you- the producer and consumer. I know it’s hard to trust a salesman, but the truth is, “if you fail, we fail.” Since my profession puts me in the pharmaceuticals business, I’d like to give you a few tips from the other side of the fence. 1) To get the best pricing on vaccines and anti-infectives, you need to work with your vaccine company reps, the person/company you buy from and
your veterinarian. This combination of resources can ensure a personalized regimen for your goals and herd needs, as well as availability. 2) Vaccine protocols established by pharmaceutical company’s typically have large studies conducted to ensure the safety and the results producers can expect when vaccinating animals. The cheapest and easiest is seldomly the best in anything. 3) For cow/calf producers, vaccinating calves at branding and preconditioning before weaning can insure a more desirable calf for the feedlot. Healthier weaned calves gain weight at a faster rate, making your calves more desirable to the feedlots. 4) There is a reason double vaccinated, preconditioned (calves vaccinated two or three weeks before weaning) and 45-day weaned calves bring premier pricing- this method works. The feed yard has low-
er mortality, less sick animals that gain weight faster, and they make money. 5) BQA or Beef Quality Assurance is also a great tool to increase the marketability of your claves. Managed by NCBA and our Beef Checkoff dollars; BQA is more than just a shot or how to give a vaccine. This past month I was able to attend a BQA train-the-trainer class with attendees from all facets of the industry. Providing the best product possible to the consumer, affects all aspects of the cattle industry. Besides talking about vaccine/ vaccination best practices, BQA also covers animal behavior and handling, biosecurity, herd health, processing, transportation, and record keeping. As the saying goes, you don’t know what you don’t know, but the more you know the better decisions you can make to manage your future in the cattle business.
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IDAHO CATTLE ASSOCIATION
15
COVER STORY
BY MORGAN LUTGEN
Director of Membership & Industry Engagement
With contributions from: College of Southern Idaho Jaysa Fillmore, Agriculture Instructor Lewis & Clark State College Dr. Jeffrey Ober, Dean of Career & Technical Education Treasure Valley Community College Sandra Porter, Agriculture Instructor University of Idaho CALS Dr. Phil Bass, Asst. Professor & Meat Scientist University of Idaho CNR Dr. Karen Launchbaugh, Professor of Rangeland Ecology
16 LINE RIDER JUNE 2022
www.idahocattle.org
Who’s Gonna Fill Their
Shoes?
Photo provided by University of Idaho, College of Natural Resources
I
f you’re like me, the mention of this George Jones classic evokes a bit of nostalgia, but maybe also a bit of sorrow when thinking about what the future holds. There are days when the outlook in this industry seems a little dim, a little heavy. But what brightens it for me is when, during our travels to events around the state, the ICA staff & leadership have the opportunity to interact with and observe students from several of the university level agriculture programs. Quite often we also have quality interactions with the advisors of these programs and our conversations typically lead back to this root question: “What can we be doing to show students what is available to them in the beef industry and how can we work together to foster in-
www.idahocattle.org
teraction between seasoned producers and the next generation of graduates?” This question invigorates me! I continually think about ways to facilitate an answer to this question and I’d have to admit it has become somewhat of a mission to give students the most transparent presentation of opportunities available to them when emerging with a shiny new degree. It occurred to me, that while we need to continue involving our students in the industry, we also need to educate our members on how they can help cultivate those that will indeed ‘fill their shoes’. What better time to do this, than as part of our Allied Industries issue? For this article, I asked several university advisors to provide some highlights of their programs. While not everyone has the same
IDAHO CATTLE ASSOCIATION
17
resources and paths available, I thought it was important to share these with our members & readers. Members and readers who are made up not only of producers, but also agencies, allied industries professionals, supporters and others who employ inside the beef cattle industry of Idaho. By providing a visual of how these higher education paths contribute to the success of beef in Idaho, it’s my hope this will create inspiration for you to connect and support those with an interest in furthering agriculture.
COLLEGE OF SOUTHERN IDAHO
TWIN FALLS, IDAHO The College of Southern Idaho Agriculture Department currently serves between 250 and 300 students and offers a variety of associate degrees and certificates related to the agriculture and natural resource industries including an Associate of Science in Animal Science, an Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology, a Livestock Technician certificate, and an Associates of Applied Science in Agriculture which can include a wide variety of applied animal science and livestock courses. Unique to most Career Technical programs at the junior college level, around 1/3 the graduates from CSI's Agriculture Department transfer and complete a higher degree beyond CSI. We have graduates working in all aspects of the livestock industry from production, health and nutrition, and veterinary medicine, to marketing and processing. We work closely with the University of Idaho and Utah State University to develop transfer pathways for students seeking to advance their education beyond CSI. We highly value networking and industry engagement across all our de18 LINE RIDER JUNE 2022
“We highly value networking and industry engagement across all our degree programs.” Jaysa Fillmore, College of Southern Idaho gree programs and strive to continually offer students opportunities to engage with industry professionals through tours, guest speakers, conference participation, and continuing professional development. Our Networking Lunches held through our Ag & Natural Resource Seminar course are a great example of how we help students practice and gain confidence in their networking skills and make connections between their interests and abilities and a viable future career path. This winter, the Agriculture Department also facilitated Ag & Natural Resource Career Fair specifically for students in our programs and CSI boasts a 99% positive placement rate for our Career & Technical Education graduates (job or advanced education placement in their degree field). Some of the notable certifications and degree to career paths include: ● All students earn Beef Quality Assurance certification in Principles
of Animal Science course (introductory animal science) ● Students qualify for their Idaho Artificial Insemination Technician Certificate through our Artificial Insemination of Cattle course ● Our Veterinary Technology program is the only American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program in Idaho and upon graduation, students are eligible to sit for the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) The College of Southern Idaho Ag Club is affiliated with the ICA as a SICA group in addition to Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers and National FFA Alumni and Supporters. The Ag Club has around 50 active members and has participated in the ICA Annual Convention in Sun Valley for the past several years. The club also promotes ICA scholarships, encourages members to apply for
CSI AG CLUB STUDENTS TOURING A FEEDLOT OPERATION IN NORTH PLATTE, NEBRASKA.
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LEWIS & CLARK STATE COLLEGE OFFERS A 2 YEAR DEGREE PROGRAM IN DIESEL MECHANICS.
the Idaho Young Cattle Producers program, and engages in the cattle industry through tours and networking events. We encourage students to be involved in the Magic Valley Cattle Association and attend events like Beef Schools hosted by local Extension professionals. We highly encourage our students to take advantage of internships and help make connections when students have specific interests and want to explore more through an internship. Recently, we have had two students intern at the Nancy M. Cummings Research and Extension Center in Salmon as well as students intern at the Rinker Rock Creek Ranch unit in Hailey. We would like to do more short term/ weekend intensive trainings where we could bring a group of students to a producer and spend 2-3 days learning through hands-on engagement in all aspects of the cattle industry- cow/calf operations, feedlot management, processing, etc. We are currently working with Agri Beef as they finish their new plant in Jerome, ID and hope to offer opportunities for more students to learn and intern in the meat science/ meat production industry segment. We would also like to expand our engagement with those in the dairy industry- in production, animal health, animal nutrition, technology, and quality/ processing. Industry professionals are welcome to visit our classes any time and we can also load up on our bus and come to you! www.idahocattle.org
LEWIS & CLARK STATE COLLEGE
LEWISTON, IDAHO Lewis-Clark State College has a robust menu of career and technical education options, many of which can provide support to the beef industry. LC State’s diesel program provides a two-year degree path for students to learn about diesel engines, including operation and repair. A CDL license is also an option in the diesel program. The welding program is a two-year degree option covering many different types of welding processes, materials, and related instruction. LC State has additional programs in engineering, including geographic information systems and drones. Hospitality Management is another program that can be related to the beef industry. Students and graduates from LC State could fit into various positions at cattle processing plants such as maintenance mechanics or maintenance technicians (welding, millwright, electronics, diesel), clerks or accountants (accounting, bookkeeping, business), and program or process managers (business, natural sciences). Many LC State students do look for summer opportunities as well that can lead to internships to explore career opportunities. The college also has programs in areas
related to the industry in other ways: accounting (CPA), bookkeeping, business management, economics, marketing, and natural sciences are just a few. LC State offers programs in person and online to meet the needs of today’s workforce, including specialized options for working adults. As the most affordable public four-year institution in Idaho, LC State would welcome the chance to partner and discuss more opportunities with members of the ICA at any time.
TREASURE VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
ONTARIO, OREGON Treasure Valley Community College is a two-year school located in Ontario, Oregon on the west end of the Treasure Valley and offers two degree paths – Associate of Applied Science (AAS) and Associate of Science (AS). Our associate of applied science degrees allow students to get skilled up in their major of choice and we expect them to enter the work force after completion. Currently, we offer degrees in Ranch Management, Horse Training, Ag Business, Natural Resources, Wildland Fire Management and Welding. The AAS degrees have really strong ties to industry
A STUDENT AT TVCC WORKS TOWARD A BOVINE AI CERTIFICATION.
IDAHO CATTLE ASSOCIATION
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“If producers or allied industry partners have internship or job opportunities, please share them with us!” and require students complete hours of cooperative work experience to broaden their horizons. Our Associate of Science (AS) degrees are designed to be a hands-on first two year of a Bachelor of Science. We work closely with University of Idaho, Oregon State, Montana State and Eastern Oregon University to design a block transfer to those receiving institutions. We offer AS degrees in Animal Science, Equine Science, Crop and Soil Science, Ag Business, Natural Resources, Range Management and Wildlife Science. TVCC students can earn a variety of certifications, based on their degree path–from Bovine Artificial Insemination to a host of welding processes. Our department works hard to engage industry partners in our student's education–from guest speakers to hosted labs.
UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO, COLLEGE OF AG & LIFE SCIENCES ANIMAL, VETERINARY Sandy Porter, TVCC & FOOD SCIENCES : MEAT SCIENCES
TVCC has enjoyed a great relationship with ICA in the past – the majority of TVCC students are Idaho residents, so we strive to get our students involved in industry – and start their network early! We’ve had students attend fall convention as interns and have attended various meetings and look forward to being able to continue in the future. If producers or allied industry partners have internship or job opportunities, please share them with us! We think it’s important for our students to “find who they want to be” in their respective industries. Sandy Porter, ag advisor, says ‘I think students need encouragement to know that there is a space for them in the industry and some positive voices encouraging them – those can go a long way!’ Industry tours and invites to colleges are always appreciated.
STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN HANDS ON LEARNING WITH MEAT SCIENCES AT UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO.
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MOSCOW, IDAHO The University of Idaho is charging forward as a leader of meat science and beef education and research in the Pacific Northwest. Based in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) the Department of Animal, Veterinary and Food Sciences (AVFS), meat science faculty Dr. Michael Colle and Dr. Phil Bass, are carrying the banner for the already well-established and energetic program built in previous years by Ron Richard and Dr. Matt Doumit; Dr. Doumit is now an associate dean of the college. Drs. Colle and Bass focus their research efforts on beef quality, adding carcass value, and improvements in product merchandising. The meat science team currently is comprised of five graduate researchers and nearly a dozen undergraduate research students. Meat science faculty at the University of Idaho do their best to maintain a close working relationship with meat processors of all size in the Pacific Northwest, as well as nationally and internationally, to maintain relevancy and connect their students to industry careers after graduation. The primary classes taught in the AVS department relating to the meat science discipline include Live Animal and Carcass Evaluation (AVS 263) and Animal Products for Human Consumption (AVS 363). A few additional concentrated discipline classes are also offered that build off the afore mentioned courses and focus on value-added meat products, meat animal evaluation competition, and meat science laboratory CONTINUED, PAGE 22 www.idahocattle.org
We believe this business is all about balance. To make our sale, a bull has to be sound structurally and on paper, ready to make a positive impact in the pasture. We’re on a mission to help you build a better cow, while producing calves that don’t skip a beat at the bunk, whether you wean them or take them to the rail. Reach out or visit the website to learn more about our approach and our family farm and ranch. We’d love to hear from you!
AARON GOLLADAY AARON@STOKROSE.COM (509) 750-9821
“The demand for rangeland graduates far exceeds the number of students who graduate from the rangeland program each year.” Karen Launchbaugh, U of I College of Natural Resources procedures. Dr. Bass is currently an advisor for the Student Idaho Cattle Association and Dr. Colle advises the University of Idaho chapter of Block & Bridle as well as the Livestock Judging Club. Centered at the heart of the University of Idaho’s meat science program is Vandal Brand Meats. Named as tribute for U of I’s mascot, Vandal Brand Meats is a USDA inspected facility led by James Nasados and used for research, education,
and community outreach. The duo of Colle and Bass work closely with the Vandal Brand Meats team, to educate students and beef community stakeholders in the Pacific Northwest and beyond about beef quality and product attributes. The team in the AVFS focus heavily on student career development and engagement with the beef industry. Students can major in Pre-veterinary, Production, and Business options in Animal Science. The
STUDENTS IN U OF I’S COLLEGE OF NATURAL RESOURCES PUTTING LEARNED SKILLS TO WORK.
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Student Idaho Cattle Association is one of the largest and most engaging clubs in CALS. Rest assured that the future beef industry leaders in Idaho are being welltrained at the University of Idaho.
UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO, COLLEGE OF NATURAL RESOURCES : RANGELAND CONSERVATION
MOSCOW, IDAHO Vast reaches of grasslands, shrublands, woodlands, and deserts dominate Idaho’s landscapes. These lands support intricate ecosystems of mostly native plants providing a sustainable forage resource that cattle and ranchers rely on to sustain their lives and livelihood. Students in the Rangeland Conservation degree at the University of Idaho (U of I) acquire the knowledge and skills to manage grazing, fire, invasive plants, and watershed health on rangelands that
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cover more than half of Idaho. The U of I Rangeland Conservation degree is one of only 14 programs accredited by the Society for Range Management confirming the quality and rigor of the degree. While in school, rangeland students need to learn a little bit about a lot of disciplines to understand the processes driving rangeland ecosystems. Classes focus on rangeland ecology and management including classes in soil, plant, and animal science. Students interested in animal production can seek a minor or double major in Animal Science to provide career opportunities such as becoming a ranch manager or working as a consultant for ranchers involved in permit renewals or restoration. Many students majoring in animal production take rangeland courses to enhance their degree. Opportunities also exist to complete a 4-year range degree while studying at the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls and completing distance and field courses through the U of I. The demand for rangeland graduates far exceeds the number of students who graduate from the rangeland program each year and graduates generally have full-time employment within days or weeks of graduation. Potential employers include federal and state government agencies, private landowners, environmental organizations, consulting firms, and Native American tribes. Ranchers in Idaho will often work with rangeland graduates to plan restoration projects, make grazing decisions, or manage weeds and wildland fuels. Range graduates are the Range Management Specialists who work with state and federal agencies to administer and monitor grazing permits on federal lands. Rangeland careers focus on working with landowners, ranchers, organizations, and agencies to make land management decisions to sustain healthy rangelands, provide resources for grazing animals, and support productive ranches. As you can see, Idaho has an abundance of options, both in location and range of programs geared toward the success of the beef industry. What I would ask of you is simply this : share this article with the students in your life! Encourage them to become engaged members- a student ICA membership is very affordable and we offer a transitional rate for those new graduates. It’s even great for high schoolers to also read the offerings from each of these establishments before entering their further education decision making process. As those who want to be sure our shoes are adequately filled, we need to be sure we’re mentoring those coming up through the ranks. Offer a tour, connect with a student at your local cattleman’s meeting or serve as a speaker for an event– if you need ideas on how to create a meaningful offering, please don’t be shy about reaching out to me or any of these advisors. You don’t have to be a full time teacher to make an impact and I think we can all agree there is so much to be learned from the experience and true exposure. www.idahocattle.org
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IT’S ALSO A WAY OF LIFE. JULY IS IDAHO BEEF MONTH,
a time to remember that beef farmers and ranchers care deeply for the environment and have a vested interest in sustainability sustainability. sustainabilit y. They want to care for the land that
was passed on from their ancestors and leave it better for future generations, and they know that without careful, sustainable management, there there’s ther e no land to pass on.
For more information about how beef is sustainable visit
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Teague et al. 2016. The role of ruminants in reducing agriculture’s carbon footprint in North America. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 71(2). IDAHO CATTLE ASSOCIATION 25 Foundwww.idahocattle.org on: The role of ruminants in reducing agriculture’s carbon footprint in North America (jswconline.org)
IDAHO BEEF COUNCIL
July Is Idaho Beef Month: Building Awareness & Telling Idaho’s Beef Story To Consumers & Operators
T
his July marks the 21st annual Idaho Beef Month; an entire month dedicated to honoring and celebrating Idaho’s 8,000+ ranching families and the delicious, safe, nutritious high-quality protein you work tirelessly to raise and produce. Cattle ranching is an integral part of Idaho’s community and economy, yet, many consumers and chefs/operators in the state are unaware that Idaho Beef Month even exists. The Idaho Beef Council will be implementing several programs this year to help to build awareness, drive additional beef sales, and increase beef on more menus. The programs will be aimed at Idaho consumers as well as foodservice operators to ensure we are effectively building pride in Idaho’s cattle ranching industry.
The Idaho Beef Council is working with chefs who attended the inaugural Explore Beef program to menu limited-time-offer (LTO) beef dishes during the month of July. These LTO’s must follow certain guardrails, such as featuring beef as the primary flavor and only protein in the dish, and ensuring that this is a completely new item (not replacing an existing beef item on the menu.) Restaurants will be offered an incentive to participate in Idaho Beef Month for a chance to win an educational experience curated by the Idaho Beef Council. The experience will involve meeting local ranchers, beef cattle ranching education, and a culinary component. Idaho Beef Council will then cross-promote
2022 IDAHO BEEF MONTH PROGRAMS AT A GLANCE:
Educating Consumers On Local Beef Offerings Idaho Beef Council has partnered with local retailers, Albertsons and WinCo, as well as local beef companies AgriBeef and CS Beef, to launch a digital retail campaign estimated to achieve nearly 3 million impressions May through August. Targeted at Idaho shoppers who have purchased beef in the last six months, the retail campaign will reach consumers with digital ads in both their “pre-shopping” phase as well as “in-store”. Each ad will feature local beef messaging, an inspirational beef recipe, or Idaho Beef Month messaging and a call to action to purchase, ultimately driving additional beef sales and increasing awareness of local beef options. Results from the campaign will be available in late September. Increasing Beef Menu Presence Throughout Idaho The Idaho Beef Month program for foodservice is really two-fold: by partnering with chefs and operators to execute a program in July, we have a chance to communicate with that audience directly. Chefs and operators are also a trusted resource for consumers. By choosing to menu beef and advertise Idaho Beef Month through local restaurants, we have the opportunity to reach consumers in an authentic and engaging way. 26
LINE RIDER JUNE 2022
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the restaurants and their beef dishes on our owned social channels to drive further consumer reach. Amplifying Idaho’s Ranching Story Locally Strategic sponsorships that achieve local reach are an important component of Idaho Beef Council’s marketing strategy. Leveraging beloved community activities, such as rodeo and baseball, during Idaho Beef Month helps link together something else to love—Idaho beef and the ranchers who provide it. The Snake River Stampede and the Boise Hawks sponsorships provide additional outlets for social media posts, in-game announcements, and digital advertising to talk about Idaho’s ranching families. Sharing Our Message On Social Media to the Masses Idaho Beef Council will be posting on social media throughout the month of July and amplifying stories of Idaho ranching families as well as quick and easy at-home beef recipes;
making it easy for consumers to actively participate in Idaho Beef Month in their own way. When posting organically on social media (without a paid investment behind it), we would only reach 2-5% of our followers. By putting a paid promotion behind our campaigns, we have averaged 1.98 million impressions per month—reaching far more people. Continuing the Tradition: Official Proclamation of Idaho Beef Month Similar to years past, Idaho Beef Council is requesting that Governor Brad Little make an official video proclamation citing July as Idaho Beef Month. Formalizing Idaho Beef Month publicly creates buzz and communicates importance to consumers and foodservice operators alike. The video of the proclamation will be promoted on social media to all Idahoans. For more information on this year’s Idaho Beef Month promotional efforts, please contact the Idaho Beef Council by email at BeefCouncil@IDBeef.org.
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UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO
Building a Rangeland Management Plan for Your Ranch
Photos by Jim Sprinkle
BY JIM SPRINKLE, PH.D.
Extension Beef Specialist University of Idaho Nancy M. Cummings Research,
F
or most Idaho ranching operations, a grazing plan has been in existence for many years. Livestock grazing has been tailored to fit the climate, cattle breeding and calving schedules, labor availability, and overall private land operations such as irrigation and haying. Additionally, most Idaho ranches also contain public land grazing with standards and guidelines that are expected to be followed. There is certainly much to be said about the advisability of using past stocking rates in helping to determine carrying capacity for rangeland pastures. This information can be viewed as long standing evidence that enhances the predictability of ranching enterprises. Yet, rangelands in the West are notoriously unpredictable from year to year with respect to the timing and frequency of precipitation and seasonal and yearly adjustments to the grazing plan are often needed. Also, issues and concerns may arise on private or public land which can benefit from a slight adjustment to the traditional grazing system being employed. Examples may include a range fire that could remove certain pastures from the yearly grazing plan or could make lower elevation pastures more vulnerable to annual grass invasion. A recent challenge faced by most Idaho ranchers was the 2021 drought. Other considerations could include changing the timing, intensity, or duration of grazing in order to gather information for an upcoming NEPA. By gathering rangeland monitoring information preceding and following minor grazing changes, one can evaluate vegetation and soil responses to changes in how cattle are grazed. Many of these changes in grazing could be performed while still staying within the ad-
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ministrative requirements for the grazing permit. Thus, one could provide needed data to support more flexible grazing in the upcoming grazing permit renewal.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The ranch management team establishes goals to enhance animal performance and overall profitability of the ranch. They will also develop goals which enhance the quality of life for all who participate in the ranch operation. A drought management plan is developed to consider triggers for culling, early weaning, accelerated grazing timing, alternative water sources, etc. In conjunction with agency partners, the ranch management team will seek to maintain or improve rangeland health. They will also seek to build a body of evidence for management practices and actions to address issues that will be addressed in the upcoming NEPA grazing permit renewal. Other objectives may include maintaining or improving healthy riparian systems and wildlife habitat. At least two or three years data assemblage and summary usually precede a NEPA scoping document for federal grazing permits. Committed ranchers will actively participate in range monitoring preceding and following proposed action(s) that will be described and implemented in the NEPA grazing authorization. Grazing permittees are not considered a member of the NEPA Interdisciplinary Team and so must make a focused effort to stay involved throughout the NEPA process. They will contribute to the formulation of existing and desired conditions and proposed actions to address the grazing allotment concerns. The ranch team will also identify needed range improvements to improve livestock grazing distribution and management that are included in the NEPA document. It will also be of great value to the grazing management of the ranching operation if outcome based management (BLM) or adaptive management (USFS) are emphasized in the preferred NEPA alternative (see October 2021 www.idahocattle.org
Figure 2
Figure 3
days. Cattle were actually left in the pasture for 27 days. When utilization monitoring was completed in the fall of 2021, one site in the Lower Pasture showed 16 ± 2.3% and one other site showed 32 ± 2.9% utilization. With an average of 24% utilization, cattle could have stayed in the pasture for 45 days. Using the higher percentage utilization of 32%, cattle could have stayed in the pasture for 34 days. These values were obtained with the formula below: Allowable utilization x Number of days (or cows) grazed = Targeted days (or cows) of grazing
ACTUAL UTILIZATION
Figure 4
Line Rider article on Outcome-Based Management). Another useful document that can easily be read in an evening (32 pages) is the NEPA for Ranchers publication available at: https://extension.arizona.edu/sites/extension.arizona.edu/files/ attachment/2019NEPA-for-ranchers. pdf . Short videos which accompany the NEPA for Ranchers booklet are available at https://rangelandsgateway.org/topics/ uses-range-pastureland/nepa-ranchers .
TOOLS TO ASSIST IN GRAZING MANAGEMENT
I have developed an Excel spreadsheet that may be useful for planning grazing events. It is available at: https:// drive.google.com/drive/folders/17KY1mXi3Frp537u8Zi7acMMeE_ZZSlcn?usp=sharing. The spreadsheet was developed for the Rinker Rock Creek Ranch (RRCR) but you can change the cell values shown in red to match your ranch and cattle. The spreadsheet will calculate estimated days you can graze a pasture with the www.idahocattle.org
type and number of cattle you specify (Figures 2 to 4). You can adjust allowable use to reflect your desired level of forage removal. The forage production (lbs/A) values listed are estimates for the different pastures at RRCR. The Google Drive shared folder above has a couple of publications describing how to determine estimated forage utilization and production, along with short instructional video links for these procedures. In the example output, I entered the actual number of cattle which grazed the Lower Poison Pasture. Other cattle were used on the allotment, but only these cattle are listed. In a normal year, it was predicted that the Lower Poison Creek Pasture would accommodate 149 cattle (186 AUMs adjusted to 1,000 lb. standard Animal Unit Month) for 79 days. As you know, the 2021 drought reduced forage production dramatically. When forage production was reduced to an estimate of 150 lbs/A, the estimated days of grazing to stay at 40% utilization or less was 24
The estimated days grazing for RRCR includes some BLM pastures. There are 1,200 historically suspended AUMs (753 active) for the four BLM allotments which adjoin RRCR, so the total allowable days must be reduced to accommodate the suspended AUMs. It is our hope that the upcoming Outcome-Based Management alternative we are pursuing will restore the opportunity to use the suspended AUMs during favorable years. Our upland forage utilization on the BLM allotments adjoining RRCR has averaged 19.3% from 2016 to 2021. Data collected indicate that we should be able to increase the AUMS and still meet utilization targets.
CONCLUSION
Grazing rangeland pastures to achieve desired conditions on the ground is a moving target. The spreadsheet described herein will assist in your grazing management when adapted to fit your ranch.
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USDA To Compensate Drought-Stricken Ranchers for Above Normal Costs to Haul Livestock to Forage Assistance also available for feed and water hauling expenses
Boise, ID April 6, 2022— Due to the persistent drought conditions in the Great Plains and West, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is offering additional relief through the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-raised Fish Program (ELAP) to help ranchers cover above normal costs of hauling livestock to forage or other grazing acres. This policy enhancement complements previously announced ELAP compensation for hauling feed to livestock. ELAP livestock and feed hauling assistance is retroactive for 2021 and will be available for losses in 2022 and subsequent years. “Stakeholder input matters. After we rolled out updated ELAP policy last year to help cover the cost of hauling feed to livestock, thankful producers across the country expressed their appreciation for the expanded assistance and made suggestions to further improve the program,” said Zach Ducheneaux, FSA Administrator. “The additional update we are announcing today to help ranchers cover above normal costs of hauling livestock to forage reflects our commitment to meet our producers’ needs, whenever we have the flexibility and authority to do so.” “Unfortunately, drought conditions across the U.S. continue and, in many states, have worsened. In response, we continue to find ways to help livestock producers alleviate some of the financial strain,” said Matt Gellings State Executive Director for FSA in Idaho. “This most recent ELAP program update recognizes that, for some ranchers, hauling livestock to forage rather than feed to livestock is easier and makes more sense financially.”
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Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) Background ELRP is part of FSA’s implementation of the Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act (P.L. 117-43), which provides $10 billion in much needed emergency assistance for agricultural producers, including $750 million specifically targeted for livestock producers impacted by the severe drought or eligible wildfire.
Overview To help agricultural producers offset the impacts of natural disasters, ranchers who faced increased supplemental feed costs resulting from forage losses due to severe drought or wildfire in 2021 can receive emergency assistance payments through the Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP).
Eligibility USDA will follow a two-phased process to administer relief through ELRP to eligible livestock producers: •
Phase 1 will leverage data from the 2021 Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) year to determine payments to assist with increased supplemental feed costs;
•
Phase 2 will be focused on identifying and providing emergency assistance to producers impacted by drought and wildfire in calendar year 2021 who did not otherwise receive assistance under Phase 1 or other programs.
For impacted producers, USDA will leverage 2021 LFP data to deliver immediate relief.
APRIL 2022
LFP is an important tool that provides up to 60% of the estimated replacement feed cost when an eligible drought adversely impacts grazing lands or 50% of the monthly feed cost for the number of days the producer is prohibited from grazing the managed rangeland because of a qualifying wildfire. LFP provides additional assistance to producers for eligible livestock that were sold due to a qualifying drought.
Phase 1 Eligibility ELRP Phase 1 only includes 2021 LFP participants. To be eligible for an ELRP payment under Phase 1, livestock producers must have suffered grazing losses in a county rated by the U.S. Drought Monitor as having a D2 (severe drought) for eight consecutive weeks or a D3 (extreme drought) or higher level of drought intensity during the 2021 calendar year normal grazing season; or whose permitted grazing on federally managed lands was disallowed due to wildfire are also eligible for ELRP payments.
For More Info Additional USDA disaster assistance information can be found on farmers. gov, including USDA resources specifically for producers impacted by drought and wildfire and the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, Disasterat-a-Glance fact sheet, and Farm Loan Discovery Tool. For FSA and Natural Resources Conservation Service programs, producers should contact their local USDA Service Center. For assistance with a crop insurance claim, producers and landowners should contact their crop insurance agent.
How to Apply As part of FSA’s efforts to streamline and simplify the delivery of ELRP Phase 1 benefits, eligible livestock producers are not required to submit an application for ELRP Phase 1; however, they must have the following forms on file as determined by FSA’s Deputy Administrator for Farm Programs: •
CCC-853, Livestock Forage Disaster Program Application
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Form AD-2047, Customer Data Worksheet.
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Form CCC-902, Farm Operating Plan for an individual or legal entity.
fsa.usda.gov
EMERGENCY LIVESTOCK RELIEF PROGRAM •
Form CCC-901, Member Information for Legal Entities (if applicable).
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Form FSA-510, Request for an Exception to the $125,000 Payment Limitation for Certain Programs (if applicable).
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Form CCC-860, Socially Disadvantaged, Limited Resource, Beginning and Veteran Farmer or Rancher Certification, if applicable for the 2021 program year.
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A highly erodible land conservation (sometimes referred to as HELC) and wetland conservation certification (Form AD-1026 Highly Erodible Land Conservation (HELC) and Wetland Conservation (WC) Certification) for the ELRP producer and applicable affiliates.
Eligible Livestock Eligible livestock are the same as those that are eligible for LFP: grazing animals that satisfy the majority of net energy requirement of nutrition via grazing of eligible forage grasses or legumes and include such species as alpacas, beef cattle, buffalo/bison, beefalo, dairy cattle, deer, elk, emus, equine, goats, llamas, reindeer or sheep.
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Eligible Producers Producer eligibility for ELRP aligns with LFP policies.
As with LFP, livestock eligible for ELRP must:
To be eligible for ELRP, persons or legal entities must be a U.S. citizen, resident alien, partnership of U.S. citizens, a legal entity organized under State law, or an Indian tribe or tribal organization defined in the Indian Self-determination and Education Assistance Act that:
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Have been owned, leased, purchased, entered into a contract to purchase, or held by a contract grower during the 60 days prior to the beginning date of a qualifying drought or fire condition;
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Own, cash or share lease, or be a contract grower of covered livestock during the 60 calendar days before the beginning date of a qualifying drought or fire;
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Have been sold or otherwise disposed of due to a qualifying drought condition during the current production year or one or both of the two production years immediately preceding the current production year;
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Provide pastureland or grazing land for covered livestock, including cash-rented pastureland or grazing land as of the date of the qualifying drought or fire that is either:
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Have been maintained for commercial use as part of a farming operation on the beginning date of the eligible drought or fire condition;
Physically located in a county affected by a qualifying drought during the normal grazing period for the county; or
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Not have been produced and maintained for reasons other than commercial use as part of a farming operation (such excluded uses include, but are not limited to, wild free-roaming animals or animals used for recreational purposes such as pleasure, hunting, pets, roping or for show); and
Rangeland managed by a federal agency for which the otherwise eligible livestock producer is prohibited by the federal agency from grazing the normally permitted livestock because of a qualifying fire.
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Certify that they have suffered a grazing loss because of a qualifying drought or fire; and
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Timely file an acreage report for all grazing land for which a grazing loss is being claimed.
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Not have been livestock that were or would have been in a feedlot on the beginning date of the qualifying drought or fire as part of the normal business operation of the livestock owner or contract grower.
APRIL 2022
fsa.usda.gov
IDAHO FARM BUREAU FEDERATION
Farm Bureau Survey Looks At Non-Fee Grazing Costs A recently published study conducted by Idaho Farm Bureau Federation and a Utah State University researcher looked at the actual non-fee costs associated with grazing livestock on state land. BY SEAN ELLIS
Idaho Farm Bureau Federation POCATELLO – The Idaho Land Board in October voted not to support a proposal by the Idaho Department of Lands to raise the state grazing fee by 28 percent. Since that time, Idaho Farm Bureau Federation has released the results of a study that the organization believes supports the land board’s decision not to raise the rate that ranchers pay to graze their cattle on state-owned land. The IDL in 2021 proposed raising that fee from $7.07 per animal unit month to $9.07 per AUM. An AUM represents the use of public land for one cow and her calf per month. The IDL’s proposal to raise the rate failed after the five-member land board voted 2-2 on it. Gov. Brad Little recused himself from the vote because he is a rancher. Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden and State Controller Brandon Woolf supported the proposal, while Secretary of State Lawerence Denney and Superintendent of Public Instruction Sherri Ybarra voted against it. Some people who support raising the fee point to the average grazing fee rate of $18.50 per AUM on private ground 36
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in Idaho to support their argument. The IFBF study, which was conducted last year by a Utah State University master’s degree student and Farm Bureau staff, shows that’s not an accurate or fair comparison, said Russ Hendricks, director of IFBF’s governmental affairs division. “We now have actual, current, hard data that shows the contrary is true,” he said. “While some people have the mistaken idea that ranchers are getting a screaming deal, actually they’re really paying far more than the private lease rate when you consider their non-fee costs.” During a public hearing on the proposal during the October land board meeting, Hendricks pointed out the state grazing fee does not take into consideration the significant non-fee costs that ranchers pay to graze their animals on Idaho state land. He said all the state does is provide the forage for animals but it requires the ranchers to do all the management of the land and livestock, which is far different than what happens on many private leases. Beef cattle is the state’s No. 1 agricultural commodity in terms of farmgate revenue and Idaho ranchers graze cattle on 1.7 million acres of state land.
ICA Archive The IFBF survey done in conjunction with Utah State University graduate student Dexton Lake looked at those non-fee costs. Lake conducted the survey with 87 ranchers who pay to graze their cattle on state land. Each survey was 34 pages long and at least 200 questions were asked, Lake said. He said it took an average of about 1 hour and 15 minutes to conduct each survey. “It was very detailed,” Lake said. “It demonstrated that it is expensive to run cattle on state ground….” The average grazing lease on private land in Idaho is $18.50 per AUM, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. But private landowners typically provide a lot more services to lessees than the state does, Hendricks says. The non-fee costs that ranchers who graze cattle on public land face include providing their own fencing, veterinary and medicine, predator loss, labor, salt, transportation, water, horses, noxious weed control, maintenance, depreciation and other miscellaneous costs. During the October land board meeting, IDL Director Dustin Miller, responding to a question from the board, said most of the lessees on state land own the infrastructure, such as fencing and water developments, on the grazing allotments. Producers who graze cattle on state land pay an average of $50.40 per AUM in non-fee costs, the Utah State University survey found. www.idahocattle.org
“I can’t stress enough that these are real costs and we can’t just ignore them,” Hendricks said. Lake’s survey has been accepted by the Applied Economics Department at Utah State University and published. It was submitted as a research paper for his master-of-science degree in agribusiness. These non-fee costs represent the latest actual data and show that any claims livestock producers aren’t paying the state enough to graze cattle are incorrect, Hendricks said. He said if the state were to begin providing more services to lessees, like private landowners do, then it might make more sense to take a new look at the grazing fee. “As Farm Bureau has consistently said over the past six years that IDL and some members of the land board have been attempting to increase state grazing rates, ranchers are already paying more to graze on state leases than they do on private leases when all the non-fee costs are included,” Hendricks said. “This study confirms what we have been saying all along.” During the October land board meeting, Wasden said the board had a constitutional duty to ensure the grazing fee achieved the maximum long-term financial return to the state as required by the Idaho Constitution. The current rate formula, which was set in 1993, is not achieving that mandate, he said. “Pushing this (rate issue) further down the road simply will maintain a current system that we know doesn’t meet our responsibility,” Wasden said. After sending Wasden’s office a link to the study results, Scott Graf, the attorney general’s director of constituent affairs, said Wasden “appreciates your organization providing this information to help assist the board in making reasoned and informed decisions consistent with its constitutional responsibilities.” “While there are no grazing rate issues pending before the land board right now, Attorney General Wasden is glad to have
the added information for the next time the issue comes back before the board,” Graf said. Joshua Whitworth, chief deputy controller, said the state controller’s office has not had enough time to thoroughly read through the study and analyze it enough to comment on the results. “As always, and what we have said leading up to this study, is that the more data that is relevant and valid to the issue, the better for all stakeholders involved,” Whitworth said. “Our actions as a body, stakeholders of the use of the land included, should be to ensure the long-term value of the lands benefit the beneficiaries while providing processes and mechanisms – formulas – that represent the best analysis and market rate for the resource while giving the greatest transparency and foresight of any changes to grazers.”
During the October Idaho Land Board meeting, Oscar Evans, president of the Owyhee Cattlemen’s Association, said ranchers who manage their grazing allotments are basically providing free labor to the state in doing that. “You won’t find better stewards, more devout stewards, conservationists of the ground, than you will in your ranching community,” he said. Hendricks said ranchers are also providing fire suppression to state lands as their livestock remove fine fuels and protect against wildfire and habitat loss for sage grouse and other sensitive species. “They manage the lands for the endowments and also police them against vandalism or other illegal activities,” he said. “Ranchers provide a lot of management services that are not factored into the current grazing fee.”
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