McCook Daily Gazette Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2011
THE 2011 MCCOOK DAILY GAZETTE PROGRESS EDITION
FORWARD, TOGETHER
Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Daily Gazette
Desiree Wineland of rural Cambridge, Nebraska, stands with General Lee, one of a pair of Belgian geldings she and her husband Calvin own, while he grazes, waiting to have his hooves trimmed by Calvin.
A patient graze
Governor names task force to develop water plans FORWARD, TOGETHER
2 – McCook Daily Gazette
CONNIE JO DISCOE REGIONAL EDITOR
McCOOK, Nebraska — A group of Southwest and Central Nebraska residents as diverse as the challenges facing the Republican River Basin met in McCook in June 2010 to determine the future of the river that has pitted state against state, east against west and one NRD against the other. Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman created the "Republican River Basin Water Sustainability Task Force" with the passage of LB 1057 by the Legislature in April 2010, and charged it with developing plans by which Nebraska can continue to get to Kansas its share of Republican River water and ensure that there's Republican River water for everyone and all uses in Nebraska. Because of the water in the Republican, Kansas has sued Nebraska, people in the eastern end of the basin in Nebraska think those in the western end pump too much groundwater and each of four Natural Resources Districts has different ideas about how to regulate and/or shut down irrigation in years when rain isn't plentiful. Gov. Heineman told those on the task force that it is essential that Nebraska continues its compliance with the Republican River Compact compliance lawsuit settlement of 2002. "Tens of millions of dollars are at stake," he said, and that the IMP's (Integrated Management Plans designed to balance water uses and water supplies) being developed by the NRDs are evidence of Nebraska's
efforts to comply with the settlement. Heineman said it is also vital that Nebraska develops sound water use and management strategies in the Republican River basin to benefit future generations. Nebraska Sen. Tom Carlson of Holdrege said the task force will define "sustainability" of water resources in the Republican. "Agriculture is the No. 1 industry in Nebraska. We want it to stay that way," he said. "Water is the lifeblood for agriculture. We need water 10, 50, 100 years from now." Carlson also addressed the sale and transfer of water rights. "As landowners, we don't own the water. We own the right to beneficial use of the water," Carlson said. "It's hard to sell what you don't own." Sen. Mark Christensen of Imperial said that water uses and needs of water users along the Republican in Nebraska vary greatly from one end to the other. "From the Colorado line to Guide Rock, the uses of the water in the Republican are different. It's huge," he said. Christensen said that the task force must meet the challenge of complying with the Compact settlement and recognizing the varying needs of those within the Republican in Nebraska. The 26-member task force is made up of 22 voting members who represent Republican River NRDs, irrigation districts, Nebraska Game and Parks, the Nebraska Departments of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the University of Nebraska Institute of Agriculture and
Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011
Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Daily Gazette
Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman, center, took notes during the first meeting of the "Republican River Basin Water Sustainability Task Force," in McCook in June 2010. Behind Heineman are Dale Dueland of rural McCook, left, and Paul and Pat Forch of rural Trenton. Natural Resources, school districts, cities, counties, public power districts, and ag-related business. The non-voting members are state senators Tom Hansen of North Platte, Chris Langemeier of Schuyler
and Carlson and Christensen. Task force members elected Tom Terryberry of Imperial (on the task force as a representative of the Upper Republican NRD) its chairman. Marlin Murdock of Orleans
and the Lower Republican NRD will serve as vice chairman. The task force will meet quarterly for two years. It must present its plans to the governor at the end of the 2011-12 fiscal year.
Water task force members speak out on various issues they will address
Ralph Scott, McCook/Trenton Ag-related business
"We need to make a balanced approach to the many uses of water resources," Scott said, considering not only Compact compliance and agriculture, but recreational uses of water as well.
Chad Yaw, Imperial City representative
"Sustainability is difficult to define," Yaw said. "If it's not done correctly, it'll have an adverse effect on everyone."
Joe Anderjaska, Hayes Center Middle Republican NRD
Water law affects agriculture, business, industry, municipalities, landowners and renters, Anderjaska said. "We're all part of the problem. We all have to be part of the solution." Anderjaska thinks far forward: "Short-term is 100 years. Long-term is looking way out."
James Dietz, Cambridge Public power representative
"A water short year shutdown is unacceptable," affecting corn crops and subsequently ethanol production, Dietz said.
Shad Stamm, Benkelman School representative
Sound science, research and education are going to lead to solutions, Stamm said. Any reduction in tax valuation, he said, will affect the quality of education offered to students. Stamm said he hopes the task force does not become "the big bad bully," that it allows the NRDs to do their jobs and that local control of water issues is retained.
Scott Olson, Haigler County representative
Water and water sustainability effect the tax valuation of property, Olson said. Less water means lower property values, he said, and that means fewer taxes to support governmental entities.
Dale Cramer, Cambridge Frenchman-Cambridge Irrigation District
"Kansas isn't the problem," Cramer said, it's declining and inadequate stream flows. "Put aside personal agendas, and do what's right for the whole basin. The alternative may be no irrigation at all."
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MRNRD reports on 2010 business
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McCook Daily Gazette
MIDDLE REPUBLICAN NRD
Watershed Late in the winter of 2009, the Middle Republican NRD was notified that they had received funding for the rebuilding of two flood control dams that had suffered damage from storms in 2007 and 2008. It was determined that a design deficiency was at fault and federal funds should be used to make those repairs. In January, bids went out and BSB Construction of Curtis was awarded the contract. Work started on site 80a, north of Maywood with suitable weather in the spring. As the repairs were being made, several engineers and geologists were on the site evaluating the flaws in the structure and making determination of the best way to do the repairs. By the end of summer, the major work had been completed on site 80a and emphasis started on site 32a on the Hayes-Hitchcock County line north of Culbertson. Once again, extensive investigation was done by engineers and the decision was made to completely remove the structure and rebuild it from the ground up. Cold temperatures shut down the work late in the fall. Work will resume in the spring of 2011. Work should be completed by the middle of summer.
2010-11 Budget The district budget was adopted following a public hearing in September. The general operating portion of this budget was $5.222 million dollars with another $263,000 in cash reserve. This budget had no new property tax levy. LB 701 in 2007 gave the NRD the authority to levy a property tax in association with a bond. That tax was later found to be unconstitutional by the Nebraska Supreme Court. The court made no determination on how those funds should be returned. Legislation was proposed but not enacted and a District Court decision gave the NRD no clear direction. The board decided that since it was impossible to refund each and every dollar to the individuals who paid the tax, the most efficient way for both the NRD and the Counties was to refund the tax by having no levy of new taxes in this budget year. The NRD coordinated this action with the County Attorneys of the District. LB 862, which passed in 2010, gave the NRDs new authority with regard to occupation tax. The original occupation tax authorized by LB 701 is still being considered by the Nebraska Supreme Court. District Court action determined that the occupation tax was constitutional; however, that decision was appealed. The NRD is still awaiting a decision from the Court. The new authority for levying an occupation tax was made available to districts statewide as long as their individual Integrated Management Plans were revised to include that authority. This year’s budget includes $1.5 million dollars in occupation tax to be used for permanent
Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011 – 3
Cappel Sales, Inc.
retirement of irrigated acres and other management actions to help the district reduce consumptive use ground water or to enhance stream flow.
Integrate Management Plan In the summer of 2009, the Department of Natural Resources proposed a series of revisions for the Integrated Management Plan (IMP) between the Department and the NRD. Numerous work meetings and public meetings included discussion of the revisions and the best and fairest way to implement them. A public hearing was held on these revisions in June and the revised IMP was adopted by the board in August. This IMP did include the provision referred to as Option 3 that could allow for the temporary shutdown of ground water uses in an area designated as the Rapid Response Area. Some curtailment of surface water uses were included in this plan and a revised forecasting procedure was developed by DNR to project a compact call year when these additional controls would occur. This compact call year is an attempt to initiate controls before the basin gets into a Water Short Year that requires actions for compact compliance. While the board included the possibility of the Option 3 shutdown in the plan they also included language that indicated that management actions would be taken to make up for shortfalls and if those actions were not enough then restrictions would be placed on all certified acres both in the rapid response area and all other subareas of the district. Option 3 would only occur if management actions or restrictions on pumping in the entire district were insufficient to make up for the districts shortfall. These short term controls compliment the long term controls already included in the Plan. An Integrated Management Plan is implemented by adopting rules and regulations for a Ground Water Management Area. The district continues to develop these rules and should have a hearing in the spring of 2011.
On site service made complete with our service truck equipped with a 10,000 lb hydraulic crane.
Information and Education The district sponsors a number of informational and educational activities each year. These activities are geared to either high school, elementary school or adult groups. The MRNRD has been a sponsor and host for the Regional Envirothon contest for the past 8 years. They also sponsor scholarships for various youth camps and hosted the area Land Judging contest with over 240 high school students in attendance. The Conservation Craze Outdoor Education Day in Curtis is directed toward 5th grade students from around the district. The Southwest Nebraska Water Conference has been held each March for more than 20 years. This conference brings in exhibitors and provides a forum for innovative and long established management practices relating to water use and water quality. The March 2010 Conference included a briefing on the proposed IMP, a candidate forum between Mark Christensen and Tom Baker, and presentations by Public Power Districts, the Bureau of Reclamation and Darrel Martin with UNL.
Area landowners saluted by Pheasants Forever
OMAHA, Nebraska — Three Southwest Nebraska landowners were recognized by Pheasants Forever at the organization's "National Pheasant Fest," Jan. 28, in Omaha, Nebraska. Jerrod Burke and Stan Pilcher of Curtis, Nebraska, and Byron Alberts of Palisade, Nebraska, have land enrolled in USDA conservation programs that benefit pheasants and other wildlife, and each had the opportunity to meet USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack
during the event in Omaha. Vilsack will be making an announcement about CRP (Conservation Reserve Program) and help Pheasants Forever celebrate the milestone of improving 3 million acres of land for wildlife habitat in Nebraska since since 1982. Vilsack was joined by 14 Nebraska landowners who represent the hundreds who enroll their land in USDA conservation programs. The landowners included:
I Jerrod Burke, Curtis, a Nebraska Game and Parks commissioner who has 24 acres enrolled in the "Corners for Wildlife" program. I Byron Alberts of Palisade, who has 900 acres enrolled in CRP where his management goals are to maximize wildlife benefits. I Stan Pilcher of Curtis, who has 1,000 acres enrolled in a variety of program, including EQIP, "Environmental Quality Incentives Program."
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McCook Daily Gazette
CAPPEL SALES, INC. 38083 Road 717 McCook, NE
(308) 345-5115
www.cappelsales.com
FORWARD, TOGETHER
4 – McCook Daily Gazette
Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011
Equipment company changes owners, but stays in the family
Courtesy photo
Todd and Andrea Cappel, left, purchased Cappel Sales Inc., from Todd's parents, Kathie and Dick Cappel, in July. The company is the exclusive Supreme International dealer in the area and has expanded its product lines to include Digi-Star digital scales, the Spread-All manure spreaders by West Point Design, Country Welding feedlot box scrapers and VAL6 diesel infrared heaters, another exclusive line. Service also is available on their entire product line, at the shop at 38083 Road 717 and on-site, using the company's service truck, complete with a 10,000 pound hydraulic crane.
New owners – but same last name – at Cappel Sales DAWN CRIBBS ASSOCIATE EDITOR
McCOOK, Nebraska – Todd and Andrea Cappel are the new owners of Cappel Sales Inc., at 38083 Road 717 west of McCook. The couple purchased the well-established ag equipment company from Todd's parents, Dick and Kathie Cappel this
Palisade farmer donates prize money to American Legion
STRATTON, Nebraska — A Palisade, Nebraska, farmer won an "America's Farmers Grow
past July. The company supplies feedlots and dairies with Supreme International vertical feed processors, DigiStar digital scales, Spread-All manure spreaders by West Point Design, Country Welding feedlot box scrapers, and the VAL6 diesel infrared heaters. As an exclusive dealer for
Communities" program award and presented his $2,500 winnings to American Legion No. 318 in Palisade. On Oct. 6, 2010, a representative of Monsanto Fund and the "America's Farmers Grow Communities" program presented Kyle Wicke of Palisade with a check for $2,500,
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Supreme International, they provide sales and service across Nebraska, in Eastern Colorado, Northern Kansas, Southern South Dakota and Western Iowa and sell units all over the United States. Cappel Sales has been the largest volume Supreme dealer in the United States for the past three years. The sales staff includes Dick Cappel as which Wicke donated to the Veterans Memorial Fund of the Palisade American Legion organization. The "America's Farmers Grow Communities" program gives farmers the opportunity to win $2,500 for their favorite local nonprofit organizations. In its initial year, the "America's Farmers Grow Communities"
the sales manager, Bill Cappel and Todd Cappel. The company's newest product is the environmentally friendly Sage Oil vacuum system, a self-contained system that holds used and new oil, preventing leaks and spills. The parts department is expanding under the direction of Glen Tietz, parts manager, with a 4,000 square
program has provided nearly 500 farmers in 10 states with awards. On Sept. 1, the program expanded nationwide to more than 1,200 counties in 38 states. The program is part of a broad commitment by Monsanto Fund to highlight the important contributions farmers make every day to
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foot parts department. The service department has expanded, adding 6,000 square feet to the service area. Bill Cappel, James Huffman, Rod Brittain and Matt Esch work in the service department. Rounding out the staff is Todd, president and general manager, Gina Riley, office manager and Jill Lambert, the administrative assistant.
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Rural Cambridge couple starts farrier service FORWARD, TOGETHER
McCook Daily Gazette
Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011 – 5
CONNIE JO DISCOE REGIONAL EDITOR
CAMBRIDGE, Nebraska — Calvin and Desiree Wineland couldn’t find anyone to work on the hooves of their big Belgian brothers. So, drawing on a country-boy determination inherited from his Nebraska pioneer forefathers and his own past experience, Calvin learned how to do it himself. In 2010, Calvin started “Belgian Brothers Farrier Service” after having graduated from Dr. Doug Butler’s six-week farrier school at Chadron, Nebraska. Although he specializes in “dinner-plate”-sized hooves and truly enjoys the big draft horses, Calvin works on any size of pony and horse. “You have to start with a good foundation,” Calvin said, picking up the massive front left foot of five-year-old Belgian gelding Tommy Lee in April of 2010. “Without a good foundation, everything else falls apart.” Tommy Lee’s half-brother General Lee — standing in tender, yellow-green grass — waits patiently for his “pedicure.” Calvin’s been around horses since he started working at the Drowsy Water dude ranch in Granby, Colo., when he was 16 years old. “I wasn’t much for school at the time,” Calvin said, with an embarrassed grin, “so my parents thought I needed a trade.” He attended horseshoeing school in Oklahoma in 1987, and shoed horses at the ranch for three years. “The ranch ran more than 100 horses, and I worked on everything from ponies to Belgian-size,” Calvin said. After eight years at the ranch, Calvin joined the Army, and he met Desiree, who had grown up in Sweden and just outside New York City. The couple flew airplanes and helicopters ... they worked at the Pentagon and on Capitol Hill ... they worked for senators. During the summer of 2009, Calvin and Desiree retired from the
Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Daily Gazette
Calvin Wineland of rural Cambridge uses a pair of hoof nippers to trim away the naturally occurring wear-and-tear on General Leeʼs hooves. Wineland, who started working around horses when he was 16, launched his own farrier service in 2010.
Army after 24 years. They promised their sons — Calvin Jr., 13 years old and a seventh grader at Cambridge Junior High and Austin, 11 and a fifth grader — that they’d settle down. 9/11 — that infamous day in 2001 when Al-Qaeda terrorists attacked on American soil, at the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., and in rural Pennsylvania — was a pivotal point in the Winelands’ decision to retire in Nebraska, near Cambridge. “The boys were at the Pentagon that day,” De-
Southwest Nebraska rodeo royalty
siree said. “Life’s too short. You need to be around family.” Calvin and Desiree moved their family to Nebraska, where Calvin’s family had homestead land in Furnas County in 1897. “Calvin Jr. and his cousins are convinced they’ll be the fifth generation to live on the farm,” Desiree said, smiling. Calvin said they want to continue on with the family farm, they want the boys to learn small-town American family values, to be around their grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins. The farrier service has become
just a part of a lifestyle change that Calvin and Desiree have adopted for their sons. The Winelands have immersed themselves in life at Cambridge. They’ve helped with harvest, and with calves. The boys are involved in school activities; Calvin and Desiree attend board of education meetings. Desiree’s starting a chem/ag club at the high school. The family’s involved in church activities. Calvin and Desiree help Calvin’s folks, Doyle and Mary Lou Wineland, who live on the family
farm 13 miles southeast of Cambridge. The families hope some day to grow a vineyard and build a winery. Tommy Lee and General Lee — the Belgian half-brothers who have never been separated since being born within an hour of each other — live on the family farm as well, and are the inspiration for the name of Calvin’s farrier service — The Belgian Brothers Farrier Service. *** Contact Calvin Wineland at (308) 390-5139 or (703) 582-7977.
Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Daily Gazette
Morgan Yendra of Kearney, Nebraska, the 15-year-old daughter of Jeff Yendra and Terrell Simonson, wears the tiara and sash of the 2010 Southwest Nebraska Rodeo Queen, accepting the crown from 2009 rodeo queen Kristin Kometscher of Lawrence before the Red Willow County fair rodeo in McCook, Nebraska, in July 2010. The junior rodeo queen is Elana Farley of North Platte, the 13-year-old daughter of Jon and Gina Farley.
Indianola native managing cattle breeding facility in Kazakhstan FORWARD, TOGETHER
6 – McCook Daily Gazette
North BISMARCK, Dakota — An Indianola, Nebraska, cowboy flew to the former Soviet republic of Kazakhstan Oct. 12, 2010, with 170 head of pregnant cows and heifers. The shipment, accompanied by Michael Slattery of rural Indianola, a veterinarian and a North Dakota cowboy, was the first of a dozen or more whose payload is destined to help Kazakhstan rebuild its beef industry following the sale or slaughter of most of its herds after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Michael Slattery, the 23year-old son of Drs. Mike and Gale Slattery DVM of rural Indianola, will manage one of two new 2,500-head animal breeding facilities that will be stocked with pregnant registered Hereford and angus cows and heifers that are being flown UPS from North Dakota. Kazakhstan's inventory of beef cattle has fallen from 35 million head at the time of the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 to about 2 million today. The oil-rich country, the ninth largest in the world, is now spending billions of dollars to rebuild its agriculture industry and beef production. A deal beBismarck-based tween Global Beef Consultants LLC and the Kazakh government means that 2,040 head of cattle will be shipped on 12 flights by Dec. 15. Slattery works for Global Beef Consultants. David Yerubayev, chairman of the Kazakh governKazBeef ment-supported Ltd., told the Bismarck Tribune and the Associated Press that the $50 million project includes construction of two 2,500-head breeding facilities and a feedlot. Over the next several years, Kazakhstan could buy as many as 50,000 cows from North Dakota, Mike Seifert, chairman of Global Beef, said. The first shipment of cattle, loaded in crates into the belly of a Kalitta Air 747 operated by UPS, left Fargo, North Dakota, Tuesday, Oct. 12, and arrived in the Kazakh capital of Astana, in north-central Kazakhstan, after a 22-hour flight. Ronna Branch, a UPS spokesperson in the company's headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, said the cows and heifers were flown because it is quicker and less stressful than by train or ship, and because Kazakhstan is landlocked. The cows and heifers weighed about 80 tons, and were accompanied by a veterinarian, a cowboy from North
Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011
Photo courtesy Emily Slattery
Michael Slattery, an Indianola, Nebraska, native, traveled to former Soviet republic Kazahkstan in 2010 to help that country rebuild its beef industry.
Dakota and Slattery. Gale Slattery, Michael's mom, said Oct. 14 that Michael called to say he had made it to Kazakhstan. He will be there with the project for at least one year, Gale said. In Kazakhstan, Michael will manage a herd, set up a beef production program and hire and train Kazakh workers. Gale said Michael called it a "work in progress," as they're still in the process of building pens and fences. Yerubayev said Kazakhstan ag officials — who visited North Dakota in January 2010 — chose North Dakota cattle because the winters in north Kazakhstan are similar to cold, cold winter conditions in North Dakota. North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring said that North Dakota cattle
At the end of the day ...
typically have thicker coats and more marbling and fatty tissue because of the environment in which they're raised. Bill Price, president of Global Beef Consultants, told the Crookston, North Dakota Times that cattle for the Kazakhstan project will come from ranches throughout central and western North Dakota. "We have the northern genetics that everybody is after," Price said. "That's our selling point." Shane Goettle, commissioner of the state Department of Commerce, told the FargoMoorhead Inforum before the flight that the herd may arrive jet-lagged after the 22-hour trip, but should adjust quickly in a familiar climate. “When they step out, they might not know the difference,” he said. “Hopefully, they’re going to feel at home.”
Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Daily Gazette
Bob Rogers, left, Shelby, Jeremy Lytle, Mark Rogers and Max displayed the rewards of a day of pheasant hunting near McCook, Nebraska, in November's sunshine and warm temperatures. With pheasant numbers up 21 percent in the Sandhills and 13 percent in Southwest Nebraska, Ultimate Pheasant Hunting of Minneapolis, Minnesota, wrote in September 2010 that the top bird-hunting counties in Nebraska should be Wheeler, Cherry, Thomas, Blaine, Phelps, Hitchcock, Red Willow and Hayes. According to its own forecast numbers three days before the season opened Oct. 31, the Nebraska Game and Parks turned the two areas around, saying the best hunting in the state would be in Southwest Nebraska.
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Sept. 2010 meeting gives dog owners important information FORWARD, TOGETHER
McCook Daily Gazette
CONNIE JO DISCOE REGIONAL EDITOR
McCOOK, Nebraska — Never let a dog finish a training session with a failure. "Don't ever quit with a bad run, a bad retrieve," dog trainer Randy McKillip of McCook, Nebraska, told those gathered at a dog information meeting Sept. 30, 2010, in McCook. The meeting, co-hosted by Stockman's Feed and Supply and Red Willow Animal Clinic, both of McCook, featured McKillip; Purina account specialist Amy Butler of St. Joseph, Missouri, who discussed pet food; and Dr. Cameron Duncan DVM of McCook, who explained rattlesnake vaccines for dogs. *** McKillip — assisted by his black Labrador retriever, Taz — demonstrated hand and whistle signals used to direct a retrieving dog to dummies in dog trials and/or downed birds while out hunting. It's important that a puppy understand and perform basic commands — no, sit, heel — before moving on to hand and whistle signals, McKillip said. McKillip supplements training with an electronic collar, to get the dog's attention, not as punishment. "As the dog is oriented to the collar, he learns to shut off or avoid the stimulation or pressure altogether by obeying," McKillip said. He starts the puppy/dog on the lowest setting of the collar, moving up a step at a time, just until there's a reaction from the dog. McKillip recommends never ending a training session on a sour note. "Shorten it up (the retrieval distance)," he said. "Let him get it right ... let him succeed ... and then call it a day." McKillip can be reached for consultation or training at (308) 340-6490. *** Amy Butler, a lifestyle specialist with Land O'Lakes Purina Feed, said that fall and present specific winter threats to pets and require closer attention to pets' nutrition. "Dogs require extra energy to keep warm. The quantity or energy density of your dog's food may need to be evaluated in the fall and winter," Butler said. Dogs must have a good supply of fresh, unfrozen water. "They can't eat enough snow to sustain themselves," Butler said. Another winter-time threat to pet health is an accidental exposure to sweettasting antifreeze. "Ethylene glycol-based coolants are highly toxic," she said, and
suggested a switch to propylene glycol-based coolants, which are less toxic. Other fall and winter threats are: I Back to school — Serious health problems like gastrointestinal upset and blockages can occur if a puppy or dog eats large quantities of glue sticks, pencils and/or magic markers. I Rodenticides — In the fall, rodents seek shelter inside and homeowners place rodenticides inside. These are highly toxic to pets and can cause death, Butler said, so they must be used with extreme caution and placed only in areas inaccessible to pets. I Mushrooms — While 99 percent of mushrooms have little or no toxicity, some can cause life-threatening problems in pets. The best way to keep pets from eating them is to keep them out of areas where mushrooms grow. "Contact your veterinarian immediately if you see your pet eating a wild mushroom," she said. I Snakes — Fall is the season when snakes prepare for hibernation and become particularly "grumpy," Butler said, increasing the possibility of severe bites. Pet owners should know what kinds of snakes inhabit their environment, she said, and keep their pets out of areas known as snake habitat. Butler told pet owners to look for whole or fresh meat or a meal from whole or fresh food — not bone meal, not ground yellow corn — as the primary ingredient in dog and cat foods. Meat and meat meals are highly-digestible ingredients, she said, producing less waste as well. Other things to look for in pet foods include: I Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids, to promote a healthy immune system. I DHA, which aids in brain development. I Glucosamine, an ingredient that aids in healthy joints. acid, for I Linoleic healthy skin and a soft, shiny coat. PMI Nutrition's "Red Flannel" line of pet foods meets these guidelines, Butler said — with natural sources of glucosamine from chicken by-product meal and chelated minerals for efficient absorption. It's naturally preserved with Vitamin E, she said. The "Exclusive" line of pet foods is considered a premium pet food with all "fresh, never frozen" ingredients. The Infinia Holistic line of
Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Daily Gazette
McCook, Nebraska, dog trainer Randy McKillip sent his black Labrador retriever, Taz, after a decoy to demonstrate dog trial and hunting/retrieving hand signals and the proper use of an electronic collar, during a dog information meeting Sept. 30, 2010.
pet foods uses fresh, never frozen chicken and lamb, with complementary highgrade, natural ingredients with vitamins and minerals to support immunity, vitality and longevity. Infinia's "ZenFood" is formulated with salmon and sweet potato, for pets with allergies or sensitive stomachs. "Holistic is the fastest growing trend in pet foods," Butler said. Red Flannel, Exclusive and Infinia offer frequent buyer programs — buy-six, get-one-free with Red Flannel and Exclusive, and buyeight, get-one-free with infinia. *** Puppies as young as four months can be vaccinated against rattlesnake bites, said Dr. Cameron Duncan DVM, Red Willow Animal Clinic, McCook. The vaccine is an aid in preventing pain, injury, and death from rattlesnake bites and stimulates the dog’s natural immune system to produce antibodies that can
neutralize rattlesnake venom, he said. The vaccine is one initial shot with one booster four weeks later, although dogs that weigh more than 100 pounds or less than 25 pounds need one additional booster. A dog should get (at least) one booster dose per year; boosters last about six months and should be timed four to five weeks before expected exposure to rattlesnakes. The shot is very, very safe, Dr. Duncan said. Side effects reported by veterinarians have been few and mil, Dr. Duncan said. Less than one percent of vaccinations result in a mild swelling at the injection site. The swelling does not bother the dog (there is no itching or pain) and the swelling resolves without treatment in about three weeks. Occasionally, a veterinarian may drain fluid from the swelling or prescribe antibiotics to speed up healing, he said. Rarely (less than one-tenth
OPEN HOUSE Saturday, March 5, 2011 • 1-5 p.m. Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Daily Gazette
Amy Butler of St. Joseph, Missouri, a Purina account specialist, said dog owners should match their pet food and its protein/fat ratio to their pet's life stage, activity and energy level and temperament.
Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011 – 7
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of 1 percent of vaccinations), dogs have experienced mild cases of vomiting, diarrhea or lethargy for one to two days after vaccination. Cases of lifethreatening anaphylaxis (an acute, "allergic" reaction to the vaccine) are extremely rare with this vaccine. These are estimated to occur at between one and three cases per million doses of vaccine administered. While the vaccine lessens a dog's reaction to a rattlesnake bite, it's still very important to take the dog to the vet if he/she is bitten. The vaccine doesn’t protect against postbite infection so antibiotics may be necessary. On the Web site rattlesnakevaccinefordogs.com, Red Rock Biologics
recommends monitoring a dog for 24 hours after a snake bite because antibody protection created by the vaccine can be overwhelmed with enough venom. This is particularly true for small dogs or multiple snake bites to the same dog. Comparing the price of the vaccine, about $24 per dose, with the price of anti-venom at $550 to $600 a dose, Dr. Duncan said, "It's so affordable, it's foolish not to do it." Dr. Duncan said he was broken in at Red Willow Animal Clinic quickly in May, with a dog bitten by a rattlesnake his first day. The clinic saw 20 snake bites this summer, he said, and only one dog did not survive.
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NCTA wants to bring military veterans to rural Nebraska FORWARD, TOGETHER
8 – McCook Daily Gazette
Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011
ERIC REED ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, NCTA
CURTIS, Nebraska – U.S. military service members from around the world will receive care packages from students at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture thanks to a new grant from the Mid-Nebraska Community Foundation. The NCTA Student Senate has been awarded $1,000 to send the care packages to Frontier and Lincoln County service men and women stationed overseas. The care packages will contain batteries, socks, sewing kits, playing cards, hygiene products, snacks such as energy bars and beef jerky, and letters from local elementary school children. NCTA students Erik Williams, Noel Ochoa and Katrina Rotness are heading up the care packages project. They plan to finish by the end of March. Ochoa said, “I feel this is an important project simply because it allows us to provide something — a good feeling to those who are so far away that will receive these packages. I have a friend in Afghanistan and I’m sure if he were to get one of these it would make him feel a bit more appreciated.” The students also will send the troops brochures for the NCTA "Combat Boots to Cowboy Boots" program. This program is similar to NCTA’s "100 Cow," "100 Acre" and "Business Builder" programs which help beginning farmers, ranchers and rural students get on a path to owning their own rural business or agriculture operation. Under the "Combat Boots to Cowboy Boots" program, veterans who enroll at NCTA are eligible for low interest lows. They also receive help developing a business plan with a partner.
Photo courtesy NCTA
Garrett Dwyer, left, a student at the University of Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis Nebraska, meets with country music legend Willie Nelson as a spokesperson for the NCTA "Combat Boots to Cowboy Boots" program.
Helping to get the "Combat Boots to Cowboy Boots" program started is NCTA graduate and Iraq marine veteran Garret Dwyer. With his father as a partner, Dwyer used the NCTA 100 Cow Program to purchase 125 head of cattle in 2010. About the NCTA care pack-
ages project, Dwyer said, “There is nothing like showing your support to your local service members. I know from experience; it was very much appreciated when we received care packages from our local communities. " Six other veterans attend
NCTA out of an on-campus population of about 300 students. NCTA Dean Weldon Sleight says the campus will be able to grow to 600 students during the next two years now that the college has started construction on its new Education Center
and residence halls. There are more than enough people in the armed forces to fill those residence halls. According to Dwyer, there are 2 million people serving in the Armed Forces, either actively or in reserve. In addition, 45 percent of service members come
from rural towns. Through the "Combat Boots to Cowboy Boots" program, NCTA hopes to entice more veterans to rural Nebraska. Through the care packages project, the students might convince some of those veterans to attend NCTA.
New veterinarian looking forward to the challenges FORWARD, TOGETHER
McCook Daily Gazette
Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011 – 9
CONNIE JO DISCOE REGIONAL EDITOR
McCOOK, Nebraska — His parents are doctors. His brother is starting a surgical residency. His sister's studying to be a physician assistant. Cameron's a veterinarian, and he's sure he'll have the most fun of them all. Dr. Cameron Duncan DVM is the new veterinarian at Red Willow Animal Clinic west of McCook, Nebraska, who started in May 2010. Working with Dr. Wayne Watkins DVM, Dr. Duncan will see both large and small animals, and he says he enjoys the mix. "Any animal, any time," Dr. Duncan says with a grin. "I like the challenge of every one." Dr. Duncan continued, "I came to Red Willow Animal Clinic because Dr. Wayne sees everything. And there's lots to learn from Dr. Wayne in small animal medicine." Dr. Duncan said in September 2010 that he is interested in increasing the clinic's equine practice, an objective that will be made easier by his own desire to work with horses, one of them his own. Dr. Duncan graduated in May 2010 from Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas, and started his veterinarian career at Red Willow Animal Clinic the same month. He's been impressed with the practice, and with the people of Southwest Nebraska. "The people are great to work with," Dr. Duncan said. "I'm feeling more at home working with Nebraska farmers and ranchers." Dr. Duncan came to Red Willow Animal Clinic and McCook by way of Omaha. He was born and lived in Canada until he was 10 years old, when his family moved to Omaha. He graduated from high school at Millard North. Although both of his parents were in medicine, Cameron admits he had no medical profession in mind at graduation. "I took a year off and played junior hockey in Dubuque, Iowa," he said. As it happened, the owner of the team also owned a stable and Cameron started helping with the horses. "I liked the way the farriers and the veterinarians there could calm down the horses, convince them it
Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Daily Gazette
Dr. Cameron Duncan DVM, the new veterinarian at Red Willow Animal Clinic, stands with his six-year-old Quarter Horse, "Cotton," in front of the clinic on Highway 6&34 west of McCook, Nebraska, September 2010. Dr. Duncan is a native of Canada whose parents and siblings are also involved in medicine. His girlfriend, Stafanie, is a veterinarian in Germany.
was their decision to do something the hard way or the easy way," Cameron said. "It all seemed to fit then," he said, remembering. "And I said out loud one day, 'I want to be a veterinarian.’" Cameron worked at an Omaha small animal clinic for three years, and while attending undergraduate studies at the University of Nebraska,
he was accepted into the veterinary medicine program at Kansas State. Friends from college were country kids and from rural settings, and Cameron liked helping with cows and calves and horses. He even drove past Red Willow Animal Clinic about five or six years ago when a college buddy, Brandon Hagan of Culbertson, convinced him he
"needed to see Southwest Nebraska." "I thought as I drove by the clinic, 'I could work there,’" Cameron said. And McCook was the first place he called when he started interviewing for positions. "I knew I wanted to live in a small community," Cameron said. "I wanted to be in a rural area, and in Nebraska. This is a great way to
live life – living in a small community." *** Red Willow Animal Clinic is located one mile west of McCook, on the north side of Highway 6 & 34. Hours at the clinic are 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to noon, Saturday. The phone, (308) 345-4143, is answered 24 hours a day.
Training retrievers
Jim Ellett of North Platte, Nebraska, prepared his yellow Lab Sassy to retrieve a hunting dummy in a demonstration of a Hunting Retriever Club (HRC) hunting test on the banks of the Republican River southeast of Indianola, Nebraska, in June 2010. Lab ears a-flying, Sassy and black Lab Jade, owned by Rick Freez, also of North Platte, demonstrated how retrievers can be trained to follow whistle cues and hand signals to locate downed birds and return to their hunters. The demonstrations south of Indianola were hosted by Jay and P.J. Richards and Scott Propes, who are McCook members of the Platte River HRC, North Platte. For more information on the HRC, contact Propes, (308) 340-2199; or Ellett, (308) 520-2118, jlellett@msn.com; or go to www.huntingretrieverclub.org Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Daily Gazette
Proud to be your source for local news.
McCook Daily Gazette
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Nebraska Weed Control Association President Rob Schultz, right, presented Bill Elliot of McCook, Nebraska, with a certificate of appreciation for 25 years of service to the Nebraska Weed Control Association. The award was presented at the 63rd annual weed control conference Feb. 9-10, 2010, in North Platte.
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10 – McCook Daily Gazette
Green repeated
FORWARD, TOGETHER
Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011
Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Daily Gazette
The line of John Deere combines and headers of South Fork Harvesters of Imperial, Nebraska, created an abstract sea of green at Trails West in Trenton before heading for wheat harvest in May 2010. The trucks and combines were heading south, looking for ripened, golden fields of wheat.
'Wheeler' training
Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Daily Gazette
ATV trainer Cindy Nielsen, University of Nebraska Extension Educator from Kearney County, instructed 4-H'ers, including Garrett and Marlys Brenning, in the proper operation of ATVs (all-terrain vehicle) during two training sessions for Red Willow County kids in McCook, Nebraska, May 22 and 24, 2010. Students learned about safety gear, pre-ride inspections, starting and stopping, emergency reactions and hill riding. The fleet of kid-sized ATV's used in the training is shuttled between training sites, and was heading to Saunders County when it left McCook.
Farm and ranch expo
Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Daily Gazette
Denny Jorgensen of Kearney, Nebraska, wiped down a Miller "Condor" self-propelled sprayer for the Select Sprayers booth, while Steve Ellsworth of Long View, Texas, unloaded western and equestrian artwork featured in the solid oak frames that "Oak Reflections" builds. Both men prepared in November 2010 for the annual "McCook Farm & Ranch Expo" on the Red Willow County fairgrounds in McCook, Nebraska. Hundreds of vendors from 20 states, Canada and Australia promoted their farm and ranch and rural living wares in the Kiplinger Arena, the 4-H Building, the Community Building, under the outdoor pavilion and on the fairway. Promoter Darren Dale planned entertainment highlights — including cattle handling expert Dr. Tom Noffsinger of Benkelman and Miss Rodeo Nebraska Michelle Boeshart — throughout the schedule both days. For more information, check out www.mccookfarmandranchexpo.net
Proud to be your source for local news.
McCook Daily Gazette
FORWARD, TOGETHER
McCook Daily Gazette
Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011 – 11
Ag appreciation breakfast
Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Daily Gazette
The McCook Area Chamber of Commerce's annual "Ag Appreciation Breakfast" recognized the agriculture industry's countless contributions to life every day, and pays tribute to the dedication and hard work of everyone involved in agriculture. The meal was prepared in March 2010 by the Ag Task Force of the Chamber in recognition of "National Ag Week."
Fry cooks" Alan Gunther (above left) and Bill Burton (top right) were among Task Force members who manned the revolving griddle to serve nearly 180 breakfasts — about 20 more than last year — between 7 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. Six-year-old Ethan Spencer (above right) was among those who tucked into the hearty eye-opener of a meal, which consisted of pancakes, sausage, eggs and juice,
Decorative cowboy boot wins championship for two area artists Door prize winners were Darrell Evans of Palisade, spotlight; Michael Hitt of Danbury, stadium seat; and Laura Gohl, Culbertson, laptop brief case.
CONNIE JO DISCOE REGIONAL EDITOR
KEARNEY, Nebraska — The decorative cowboy boot created by two Southwest Nebraska artists won the grand championship of the "Give Cancer the Boot" fund raiser at the Cattlemen's Ball in June 2010 on the Morris and Lori Marshall Ranch at Kearney, Nebraska. The sale of 50-some three-foottall "blank canvas" fiberglass boots, the selection by ball-goers of the best-decorated boot and the auctioning off of the top three boots at the ball helped the 13th annual Cattlemen's Ball reach its goal of raising $1,000,000 for cancer research at the University of Nebraska Medical Center's Eppley Cancer Center in Omaha. Jerry Gohl of "Golight" of rural Culbertson bought one of the ball's plain white boots, and asked Roxann Owens of rural Indianola and Jani Barger of rural Culbertson to decorate it. The theme of the 2010 ball was "Give Cancer the Boot." On the boot, Barger painted eagles,
blue skies and white clouds, redwhite-and-blue stars-and-stripes and a "Freedom from Cancer" banner. Owens created the faux leather on the foot and the pulltab. Barger's friend from Amherst, Melvin Parker, built the over-sized spur. Country music superstar Randy Travis, who performed at the ball, autographed the Barger-Owens creation. Gohl purchased Barger's and Owens' boot at the auction during the ball, paying $14,500 for the top-prize boot. It's on display at Golight west of Culbertson. The ball became a sell-out way back in the middle of May, as organizers sold all 4,000 tickets — $1,000 "Trail Boss" tickets at $300 apiece and 3,000 "Top Hand" tickets at $65 each. Events included the Randy Travis concert, a prime rib dinner, reception and champagne brunch, craft fair, fashion show, wine tasting, silent and live auctions and a dance. Since the first ball in 1998, the Nebraska Cattlemen's Ball has raised approximately $3.8 million.
A prizewinning boot for a good cause
Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Daily Gazette
Roxanne Owens, left, and Jani Barger (above) hold the "best boot" of the 2010 Cattlemen's Ball in June 2010 in Kearney. Country music and gospel superstar Randy Travis, who performed at the ball, autographed the BargerOwens creation (pictured left).
12 – McCook Daily Gazette
FORWARD, TOGETHER
Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011
‘Bum Malleck Memorial Threshing’
Top: Griff Malleck of McCook, who ran a 1922 Rumley Oil Pull 30-50Y tractor, hosted the second annual "Bum Malleck Memorial Threshing" in memory of his dad in August 2010.
Left: Tossing shocks of wheat into an Oliver "Red River Thresher" were, from left, Matt Oltmer, Derek Dack and Bob Haag.
Lower left: Bob Childers, left, and Jerry Van Matre used Lee Janssen's mules to operate a horsepower gear to run a corn sheller.
Lower right: Mike Wagner and his granddaughter, Aubrey, demonstrated Mike's 1928 Rumley Oil Pull 26-40X tractor. Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Daily Gazette
Inside tomorrowĘźs progress edition:
A look at the past year for our areaĘźs non-profit organizations
COWBOY UP TACK
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Area pheasant habitats improved, thanks to landowners FORWARD, TOGETHER
McCook Daily Gazette
Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011 – 13
CONNIE JO DISCOE REGIONAL EDITOR
TRENTON, Nebraska — As the dogs disappeared into head-tall native grasses and weeds in a field northwest of Trenton, Nebraska, eight hunters – shotguns ready – stood in awe as hundreds of ringnecks bolted, cackled and fanned out in waves in front of them. With goofy grins on their faces, the hunters realized that most of them hadn't fired a shot, but neither could they count all the birds that filled the skies. Many of them hadn't seen pheasant numbers like this in years. *** Pheasants were introduced into Nebraska is the early 1900's, and reached peak numbers in the late 1940's. Weather, predators and changes in land use are blamed for declines in pheasant populations since then. Through the late '40's and early 1950's, small fields of grains, hay crops, pasture and idle ground — land use diversity — provided excellent breeding, nesting and cover habitat for pheasants. However, as agriculture changed to meet global needs, field size grew and crop variety decreased, idle land became scarce, landowners became more effective at controlling weeds — and pheasants were no longer a natural "by-product" of cropland agriculture. Fewer pheasants meant fewer pheasant hunters; fewer pheasant hunters – within the state and from outside the state – meant less money spent on hunting excursions. Experts could see the correlation between quality pheasant habitat and increasing pheasant populations and hunting opportunities, and, in 1978, estimated that nearly 1.4 million acres of nesting habitat would need to be created to restore pheasant populations in Nebraska. To encourage land management practices that provide habitat for pheasants, the USDA Farm Service Agency's Conservation Reserve Program offers landowners financial incentives to convert acres of environmentally-sensitive or marginally-productive land to vegetative cover — habitat conducive to pheasant production. Founded in 1982, "Pheasants Forever" started addressing dwindling pheasant populations with activities designed to protect and enhance pheasant and other wildlife populations through habitat improvement, public awareness and education, and land management policies that benefit private landowners and the wildlife. In 2002, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission reassessed its efforts to man-
Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Daily Gazette
Mike Baker of rural Trenton, Nebraska, center, talked with hunters on a Nebraska Game and Parks Commission pheasant hunt Dec. 15 northwest of Trenton. Baker said he's always excited to see the reaction of hunters when they and their dogs wade into a CRP field in search of pheasants, and hundreds of birds bolt and take to the sky. In March 2010, NPGC created a "Focus on Pheasants" area in Southwest Nebraska, encouraging landowners – and paying them incentives – to create and manage pheasant-friendly habitat and cover.
age pheasant population and habitat, and set goals to create tangible benefits to pheasants hunters and maximize educational opportunities for landowners and other stakeholders regarding the habitat needs of pheasants. Game and Parks cooperated with the FSA and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) of the USDA, Pheasants Forever, county weed boards and landowners to create "focus areas" on private land, public land and community-directed focus areas in which to concentrate habitat management activities. In March 2010, Game and Parks created a "Focus on Pheasants" area on private land in Southwest Nebraska, with goals of increasing pheasant numbers by 50 percent and educating landowners about improving habitat. A third goal was to increase participation in the CRP-MAP (Management Access Program), in which landowners are paid incentives to improve habitat on their CRP-enrolled land and allow public walk-in access for hunting during hunting season. *** T.J. Walker of North Platte, a district manager for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, said that 30 landowners are participating so far in the "Focus on Pheasants" program in Southwest Nebraska.
Contracts covering about 4,500 acres are scattered throughout an "oval" that stretches from western Red Willow County to north of Swanson Reservoir, to Palisade and southern Hayes Center. The research component of the "Focus" program included capturing and banding 155 rooster pheasants in October 2010, and Walker said that 21 of those banded roosters are known to have been harvested thus far. Walker said that the banding and harvest numbers will provide the number and percentage of roosters harvested, movement data, a comparison of harvest rates on public and private lands and, if the banding/capture is done again, survival rates from October forward. Walker said that the Southwest Nebraska focus area has "lots of pheasant-friendly" agriculture practices, including CRP, tall wheat stubble, milo, well-managed rangeland, idle acres and weeds. "Pheasants need weeds," Walker said. The Focus on Pheasants program encourages "management" of aging CRP plots on which pheasant-perfect diverse stands of grasses laced with weeds, wildflowers and broad-leafed plants have become overgrown with grasses. According to the NGPC, these large blocks of dense, tall
Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Daily Gazette
Pheasants need – year-round and year-in-and-year-out – large blocks of nesting and brooding cover that is a healthy, balanced mix of grasses, annual weeds, wildflowers, legumes and broadleafed plants — like the CRP plots owned/leased by Mike Baker and his dad, Tom Baker.
grassland provide mostly winter cover and little or no habitat suitable for nesting or raising pheasant chicks. CRP management practices that improve pheasant habitat include allowing annual weeds to sprout and grow, and disking portions of CRP fields and encouraging leafy plants to grow in the disturbed areas. And biologists
strongly recommend interseeding legumes into the disked areas as the legumes grow and bloom early, providing both cover and food (insects) for pheasant chicks. NGPC encourages healthy mixes of legumes, annual weeds, wildflowers and broad-leafed plants in CRP and grasslands, providing tremendous pheasant nesting
and brood-rearing habitat and winter cover. Landowners interested in the Game and Parks' "Focus on Pheasants" program can contact Walker at his office in North Platte, (308) 535-8025. More information is also available on the Game and Parks website at outdoornebraska.ne.gov/wildlife/programs/focus/habitat.asp
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