LMD Oct 2016

Riding Herd

“The greatest homage we can pay to truth is to use it.”

by LEE PITTS

– JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL

In De Fence October 15, 2016 • www.aaalivestock.com

Volume 58 • No. 10

Trojan Horses

BY LEE PITTS

W

NEWSPAPER PRIORITY HANDLING

e laughed 30 years ago when the father/daughter team of Frank Popper and Deborah Popper argued in a widely circulated essay that the cattle business was unsustainable in the dry, dry West and that huge parts of the United States would eventually be turned into a Buffalo Commons where the shaggy bison would replace Angus, Herefords and all the rest.

What a joke. We laughed so hard we cried.

After a full frontal assault on the West by our slum-lord government and lawsuit-happy green groups, we’ve been outnumbered to the point one can hear the faint but growing eulogy of the West carried on dry Western winds. There are powerful forces at work to depopulate the rural West and the Poppers are looking more and more like prophets.

Here lies the American West, charred to a crisp by senseless superfires and mismanaged to the point it would be unrecognizable to Lewis and Clark, Carson, Smith and Walker. We’ve seen this movie before. Only for the loggers the Trojan Horse was a spotted owl. Say what you want about clear cut forests, they served as fire breaks. Fires were not nearly this bad when foresters were allowed to log, thin, and clean up our forests.

If you can smile when things go wrong, you have someone in mind to blame.

Then we started managing public lands according to the whims of whatever group yelled the loudest. The decisions weren’t being made by those who lived out here but by eastern politicians who wouldn’t condone such behavior if it happened in their neck of the woods. This West we love is being managed by lawyers instead of ranchers, D.C. bureaucrats and lobbyists instead of natives, and now the ashes have been spread all over the West. Literally. if this is the death of the rural West then the pall bearers are the wolf, spot-

ted owl, BLM, Forest Service, Endangered Species Act and the so called “wild horse.”

History is repeating as we are witness to another “decline of Western civilization”. Only this time the Trojan Horse is, well, it’s a horse.

Ghost Towns When the feds and their brethren greenies target a segment of our society for relocation or removal they don’t do it in a direct, honest, straight forward fashion. They didn’t say loggers had to be eliminat-

ed because they were evil, it was to save an owl few really cared about. Where is the cry now that the spotted owls are being eliminated by another species of owls? The feds and progressives used phony arguments and lovable creatures to silence the chainsaws. Who would want to do away with wise old owls? And it worked! Did it ever? Many former logging towns in the great NorthWest now seem like ghost towns.

So when the feds and the greens drew a big bullseye on the public lands rancher they didn’t target the cowboys, the symbol of the West and the personification of America in the minds of many. No, they are using the most lovable creature of all: the horse.

Now the horses have multiplied beyond the West’s capacity to carry them. Meanwhile continued on page two

The Re-Empowerment of the States Amendment

BY W. DAVID HEMINGWAY / FOR THE DESERET NEWS

T

he federal government was created by 13 states joining together and ratifying the newly written Constitution. The framers of the Constitution were concerned that over time the federal government would usurp too much power over the states. For this reason, they included the 10th Amendment in the Bill of Rights, which reserves all powers for the states that are not delegated to the federal government. They also structured Congress so that the Senate was controlled by the states.

This was accomplished by having two senators from each state elected by the Legislature of each state. In 1913, the 17th Amendment was ratified, which changed the election of senators from each state Legislature to the voters.

During the past 103 years, the power and influence of the states have been greatly reduced.

In 1787, there were three distinct divisions of government: the legislative, the executive and the judicial. During the past 229 years, Congress and the Supreme Court have allowed the executive branch to assume legislative and judicial powers in addition to its executive powers. These additional powers are used regularly. The executive branch uses legislative power when its departments and agencies issue

orders, regulations and letters of guidance. The executive branch uses judicial power when its departments and agencies issue administrative rulings that impose fines on those that have violated the regulations issued by the department or agency.

It can be reasonably argued that the world is more complex than it was in 1787. It can also be argued that the specialized knowledge required to write and enforce regulations on complex issues is best housed in a department or agency that is charged with that responsibility. For the most part, dedicated government employees have carried out these tasks responsibly.

Unfortunately, there are occasions on which these unelected government employees have taken great liberties when crafting regulations and guidance.

It has become self-evident there should be a process in place that would put a check on the use of legislative and judicial power by the executive branch of the federal government.

The three sentences of the Re-Empowerment of the States Amendment would provide that process.

Upon ratification of this Amendment, any Presidential Executive Order, regulation, other regulatocontinued on page four

I

’ve got the scars to prove that I’ve spent a good chunk of my life fixing and installing fence. Those fences could be sorted one of two ways: they were either defensive or offensive fences.

The word “fence” is derived from the word “defense” and an example of a defensive fence is a ninewire electrified barbed wire fence with concertina wire on top. You’ll find such fences around maximum security prisons and in neighborhoods where a neighbor has Trichy bulls.

A good example of an offensive fence is like the one I saw that was made out of old cars buried in the ground. It was offensive to the senses because all the neighbors got to see was the bottom of wrecks showing their mufflers and rusted undercarriage, while the owner of the fence got to see nicely painted hoods, fenders and roofs.

Such barriers are known as “spite fences” because they were built to offend a neighbor who mistreated you in some fashion.

The first fences in this country were of the zigzag split rail fence variety that were so crooked a hog could crawl through the fence and still be on the same side he started out on. We don’t see a plethora of these old fences any more because during the Civil War soldiers were allowed to take the top rail of someone’s split rail fence if they needed it for a fire.

The next bunch of freezing soldiers who came along saw the same fence and took the top rail and... well, you get the picture.

I wish I’d taken photos of all the funny fences I’ve seen in 40 years of traveling.

It would have made a great coffee table book. I’ve seen everything from grow-yourown fences made from hedges, boysenberry bushes and poplar trees to fences made from crates and pallets. The latter won’t last near as long as the living fences when the termites stop holding hands.

I remember one fence in west Texas that appeared to have been made from the contents of the house it surcontinued on page four

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Page 2

Livestock Market Digest

October 15, 2016

TROJAN HORSES their caretakers, the BLM, dithers. They are using wild horses to ruin the West for cattle. After the horses get through pulling up every growing thing with their prehensile teeth there’s not enough feed to sustain a jackrabbit, let alone a cow. So the feds reduce the number of cattle that ranchers can run and then blame the poor condition of the range on cows. And once again the public has been fooled by a Trojan Horse. Only this time it’s a real horse. At this rate in a few years the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association Convention could be held in a 16 foot Gooseneck.

The Lie Of The Land In September Facebook “blew up” with news that the BLM decided to slaughter 44,000 wild horses now residing in horse feedlots to make room on the range for beef cattle.

Horse lovers freaked out and each post seemed to make the “news” seem more grotesque.

Once wild horse loving groups got hold of the news it went viral. And if you think the wild horses have multiplied consider the proliferation of wild horse charitable institutions: American Wild Horse Preservation, International Society for Protection of Mustangs and Burros, National Wild Horse Association, U.S. Wild Horse and Burro Association, Corrolla Wild Horse Fund, Wild Horse Federation, Save The Mustangs Fund, Wild Horse Sanctuary, Wold Horse Council, Saving America’s Mustangs, Wild Horse Freedom Federation, America’s Legends and Wild Horses, National Mustang Associatrion, Wild Horse Roundup, Central Oregon Wild Horse Coalition, Salt River Wild Horse Management Group, Wild Horse Freedom Federation, In Defense of Animals, Union for the Preservation of Wildlife, Habitat for Horses, Mobilization for Animals, and Pity Not Slaughter, The Cloud Foundation, Front Range Equine Rescue, and on and on. The wild horses have more friends than Ben and Jerry’s.

By the time members of these organizations got through networking one was left with the impression evil ranchers were shooting wild horses from their front porch.

The only problem was it was all based on one big lie!

A Symbol Of The Old West Like many corporations, government and non-governmental groups, the Bureau of Land Management has an advisory group. This BLM advisory group is an independent panel comprised of members of the public at large. It was this Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board that met on the 9th of September in Nevada to formally present their recommendation that the 45,000 unadoptable horses and burros in the BLM’s excess inventory should be euthanized.

Considering the makeup of the panel it’s remarkable that all but one member came to

continued from page one

the same conclusion. The BLM Advisory Board is made up of people from wild horse and burro advocacy groups, research institutions, veterinarians, animal rights groups, wildlife associations, ranchers and government bureaucrats. It was this advisory group that said the horses should be euthanized, not the actual BLM, which is charged with managing the horses.

Oh, but you should have heard the wailing!

Although the conclusion the Advisory Group reached was purely a recommendation and the group has no legislative powers, the wild horse-lovers threw one huge hissy fit. Evidently reading comprehension is not a trait shared by wild horse lovers.

Three days later the real BLM issued a statement that it would NOT accept the recommendation from their Advisory Board to euthanize the 45,000 wild horses. Which begs the question... why have an advisory board if you are just going to ignore their advice?

A BLM spokesman clarified the matter: “We will continue with our current policy, which is not to sell or send wild horses or burros to slaughter. These are public lands and the horses are a symbol of the history of the Old West.”

So too are cowboys but no one seems to be crying for their sake or forming charitable organizations with tax exempt dollars to employ lawyers to save them.

BLM spokesperson Kristen Lenhardt said, “The BLM is committed to having healthy horses on healthy rangelands.

We will continue to care for and seek good homes for animals that have been removed from the range. The BLM does not and will not euthanize healthy animals. The agency continues to seek new and better tools for managing the nation’s quickly expanding population of wild horses. We encourage those who might be interested in adopting one of these incredible animals to call 1-866-4MUSTANGS.” So after dismissing the euthanasia idea the two “solutions” the BLM came up with are adoption and sterilization, the same old “solutions” that have been tried and failed to stem the increasing tide of wild horses on Western ranges.

I think it was Albert Einstein who said that insanity was doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

Mathamagicians In addition to the 45,00 wild horses on the government dole in feedlots and on ranches (some of them private), there are another 70,000 more wild horses and burros running free, overgrazing the West. By the government’s own admission, that’s three times the recommended level. In fiscal year 2015, the BLM spent $49 million taking care of the 45,000 wild horses in what they call continued on page three

October 15, 2016

Livestock Market Digest

Page 3

TROJAN HORSES “off-range facilities”, which constituted 46 percent of the entire budget of the agency’s wild horse and burro program. Even BLM Director Neil Kornze admits his agency is overwhelmed by the wild horse problem and as a result Kornze admits, “The lands are being obliterated and the horses are dying of thirst and starvation.”

Keep in mind, instead of euthanizing the wild horses in their care one of the BLM’s solutions was to continue to adopt them out. Evidently, in addition to reading comprehension, the horse lovers might also be a little deficient in math skills.

According to the BLM, since 1971 they have adopted out 235,000 wild horses and burros. Over the past 45 years that comes to 5,222 horses per year.

With no natural predators the wild horse herd is multiplying at a rate of 15 percent per year.

Fifteen percent times 70,000 horses is an annual increase of over ten thousand horses.

Yet they are only adopting out 5,222 per year!

You do the math. See the problem?

Just as they did with the spotted owl and as they are now doing with the wolf, some contend the BLM is under-counting the wild horse herd and they contend that it may be doubling every four years. It’s biologically possible. In a 2013 report published by the National Academy of Sciences the NAS came to the conclusion that, “The Wild Horse and Burro Program has not used scientifically rigorous methods to estimate the population sizes of horses and burros, to model the effects of management actions on the animals, or to assess the availability and use of forage on rangelands.”

Darned If They Do The BLM has backed themselves into a rather tight corner.

They are darned if they do and darned if they don’t whatever move they make. Take sterilization for instance, the method of choice preferred by the Humane Society of the United States. “Over the past 20 years”, says the HSUS, “the BLM has maintained round-up and removal as a primary management strategy for wild horse and burro populations on America’s Western rangelands – an effort which has led to a financially unsustainable Wild Horse and Burro Program. The HSUS has long recommended the humane and sustainable option of implementing fertility control programs throughout the West.”

Yet more than 50,000 angry letter writers wrote to the BLM and Oregon State University in opposition to a joint project between the two to sterilize wild mares. After the avalanche of letters the BLM backed down yet again, doing away with the program. Said the BLM, “BLM wants to rescind the decision at issue in this appeal because it no longer wishes to implement it.”

Many of the letters contained

continued from page two

the same heart wrenching message: “The wild mares, foals and fillies of the Burns corral no longer have to face brutal, dangerous, secret experiments conducted by BLM in cooperation with Oregon State University and BLM contractor Dr. Leon Pielstick.”

Another reason the BLM dropped the sterilization project was a fear of lawyers and lawsuits. After the BLM dropped the sterilization project Citizens Against Equine Slaughter, Oregon Wild Horse & Burro Assn., Central Oregon Wild Horse Coalition, and Wild Equid League hailed it as a major victory for mare’s reproductive rights.

The More, The Merrier Ever since Wild Horse Annie got the Free-Roaming Wild Horse and Burro Act passed unanimously by Congress in 1971 this problem has been building and we are still no closer to a solution now than we were back then when Wild Horse Annie said, “Decades of bloody and indiscriminate annihilation of wild horses and burros, under the agency’s direction in order to make more grazing land available for domestic livestock, was a black chapter in the history of man’s abuse of animals.”

Oh well, blame it on the cows. Yet the cows are paying rent and minding their man-

ners. The horses aren’t.

Like manna from heaven, wild horse sympathizers were given the ideal Trojan Horse to rid the West of bovines. I’m sure the BLM would much prefer to deal with the horsey groups than the Hages, Bundy’s and Hammonds of this world.

Besides, wild horses are much more photogenic than cows for the eastern tourists who come out here on vacation and then go back home and write a check to their favorite wild horse charity.

It would be one thing if the wild horses stayed where they were supposed to. Due to the government’s massive inventory of public land and the West’s

checkerboard nature of public and private land right next to each other, after the wild horse herds decimate the public lands they spill over on to private land, not recognizing fences or boundary lines.

All this fuss is being made over a bunch of free roaming mustangs that have exactly the same DNA as found in your horse out in the barn, pasture, or roping arena. They are not endangered and descended from horses brought to theAmericas by the Spanish and their genes were diluted by runaway domestic horses and horses turned loose on public lands by continued on page four

Page 4

Livestock Market Digest

TROJAN HORSE their owners because there’s no place left in the country to process horses for meat any more.

I suppose it’s the fashionable thing to go on the government dole these days, why shouldn’t the horse become a ward of the state too? The more the merrier.

But let’s be clear, the term “wild” is actually a misnomer when applied to the mustangs. “Feral”

continued from page three

would be a more apt description but it’s not near as warm and fuzzy. Genetically speaking, the horses are just like the wild pigs that landowners shoot and trap in order to save their land.

Where are the wild pig groups and spokespersons, I wonder?

Oops! I better shut up. I wouldn’t want to give the crackpots any ideas.

RIDING HERD rounded. The fence was made from bedsprings, old doors, headboards, washers and dryers. I can only theorize that the lady of the house finally divorced her worthless husband, got all new furniture and appliances, and didn’t want to pay someone to haul her old stuff away, so she made a fence with it.

I’ve seen fences made from bicycles, license plates, hubcaps, wagon wheels, rusty road graders, logging chain welded together, and surfboards and skis entangled in an embrace as if the owner was expecting itty-bitty snowboards as a result of the union. Rural fence builders are very creative and are also environmentally aware as I’ve seen fences made from recycled wine barrels and old Coors beer bottles used like bricks with mortar in between.

Of course, you couldn’t fence the King Ranch with such materials, and even if you could you’d end up with a fence crew suffering from cirrhosis of the liver and desperately in need of an AA intervention.

One would assume that environmentalists would applaud this reuse of materials but I had a greenie neighbor once who

October 15, 2016

continued from page one

threatened to turn me in to the authorities because I’d made a fence out of the old tires we used to keep the tarps down on the hay stack. I took the fence down every year right before the rainy season.

In the Northwest, where it’s really rocky, they build their post holes instead of digging them by forming a small enclosure of woven wire and filling it with rocks. These are called rock jacks and they serve two purposes: as corner posts and as visual warning signs, saying to tourists from California, “You aren’t tough enough to live here so don’t even think about it.”

In the Midwest it seems to be fashionable to hang things from barb wire fences including boots, bras and jugs. The message they seem to be conveying to passing motorists is, “a drunken cowboy lives here with his liberated wife.”

Yes, I’ve seen all kinds of fences in my day to keep the pigs out of the posies and the cows out of the corn and I still think the best fence ever built is a snarling vicious dog and good green grass on both sides of a property line.

Speculation on the next Sec. of Interior, plus wolves, crickets and grasshoppers…

A New Mexican at Interior?

A respected D.C. publication recently ran a piece on prospects for the next Secretary of Interior, depending on who wins the Presidency.

If Clinton wins, among those mentioned were both N.M. Senators, Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich.

In the case of a Trump victory, one of the names mentioned was N.M. Governor Susana Martinez. In spite of their initial dust up, Trump now says, “I respect her. I have always liked her.”

Score that enviros 2, cowboys 1.

Wolf testimony On September 21 a Subcommittee of the House Natural Resources Committee held a hearing on “The Status of the Federal Government’s Management of the Wolf.” Part of the hearing was devoted to the Mexican Wolf and the lead witness was Alexandra Sandoval, Director of the NM Game Department.

Sandoval’s excellent and informative testimony covered the gamut, from the origins of the Mexican wolf program to recent controversies, but the primary focus was Section 6 of the Endangered Species Act, which requires the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) to “cooperate to the maximum extent feasible with the states”.

Sandoval explains in her testimony: Through Section 6, Congress incorporated

into the Act principles of cooperative federalism memorialized in the United States Constitution.

That is, the powers delegated to the federal government are few and defined and those which remain in the state governments are numerous and indefinite and extend to all the objects which concern the lives, liberties, and properties of the people, and the internal order, improvement, and prosperity of the states.

Sandoval then provides a litany of examples of where cooperation has not occurred, dividing the examples into three broad categories: 1) Lack of cooperation on wolf releases; 2) Lack of cooperation pertaining to and awareness of social and cultural considerations; and 3) the imposition of federal decisions and objectives over New Mexico’s stated concerns and objections.

And what has been the result of this failure to comply with the law and the overall haughty attitude of the USFWS? Sandoval explains: The constitutional scholar Erwin Chemerinsky identified “state experimentation” as one of the main functions served by the federalist division of political authority in the United States.3 The Service’s failure to implement Congress’s mandate to cooperate with the States has unnecessarily stymied more robust state experimentation in the realm of species recovery. More often than

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RE-EMPOWERMENT ry action, or administrative ruling issued by a department, agency or instrumentality of the United States may be repealed in whole or in part by the several States.

Such repeal shall be effective when the legislatures of two-thirds of the several states approve resolutions for this purpose that particularly describe the same provision or provisions of the order, regulation, other regulatory action, or administrative ruling to be repealed. The authority granted to the several states under this amendment does not include authority to repeal, in whole, or in part, any law enacted

by Congress or any Federal Court ruling.

The adoption of this amendment will require a two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress and then the ratification by three-fourths of the state legislatures.

This amendment is unique in that it does not require Congress to give up any of its powers. The practical result of adopting this amendment would be to enhance the power

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of Congress, since it would encourage the president to work with Congress to pass laws rather than ignore Congress and rule by issuing executive orders and regulations.

Requiring the concurrence of two-thirds of the state legislatures to repeal an executive order, regulation, other regulatory action or administrative ruling is not an easy standard.

Two-thirds of the 50 states is 34 states. Only the most abusive regulations and rulings will be repealed.

The ratification of this amendment would put some teeth in the 10th Amendment and create a necessary check on the use of legislative and judicial power by the executive branch of the federal government.

Remember: The states created the federal government.

W. David Hemingway is a retired executive vice president of Zions Bancorporation. Visit reempowermentofthestates. com for more information.

Resolution Introduced Utah Congressman and Chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources Rob Bishop introduced H. J. RES. 100 in mid-September along with Congresswoman Kathy McMorris Rogers (R-OR). The resolution is: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to give States the authority to repeal a Federal rule or regulation when ratified by the legislatures of two-thirds of the several States.

Of course the is just the first step in a long process to amend the U.S. Constitution which requires ratification by two-thirds of the states. Given that a new Congress will convene in January 2017, the measure will need to be reintroduced next year.

If you support this resolution please contact your Congress men and women and ask them to sign on to the resolution.

continued on page five

October 15, 2016

Livestock Market Digest

WESTERNER not, through its sans-cooperation implementation of the Endangered Species Act, the Service co-opts species recovery efforts, leaving little or no opportunity for the States to pursue recovery on terms that fit state exigencies and eccentricities. The Mexican wolf recovery program is the cover story in the Service’s failure to cooperate story.

I’m reminded of the line from movie Cool Hand Luke, except in this situation it would be, “What we’ve got here is failure to cooperate.” Spoken, appropriately, by Strother Martin as the prison warden. Only in this case, the victims are not the members of a chain gang, but the entire citizenry of New Mexico.

Also testifying was Thomas Paterson, whose family runs cattle on both sides of the NM/AZ border.

Paterson explains that death loss is not the only impact on his operation: We get lower body condition scores on our cows. That translates into reduced conceptions. We have lower weaning weights on our calves than we should. We spend many precious daylight hours moving our cattle to other pastures to avoid wolf concentrations. We also spend those precious hours monitoring for predators and looking for dead cattle. We spend time administratively dealing with the USFWS in New Mexico or the Arizona Game & Fish on reporting and compensation requests. Every kill consumes time on the ground—a couple hours to a half day--to meet with investigators and a couple hours administratively to request reports, submit reports and do follow up.

And those aren’t the only

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costs. For example, Paterson brings up the issue of employee retention and safety. Paterson said some cowboys will endure threats from bears, lions, coyotes, rattlesnakes and scorpions.

But says Paterson, “The wolf is different. It doesn’t run away.

We’ve had guys quit because they don’t want to deal with the wolf.”

Well, what about the vaunted rancher compensation program? “Don’t fool yourselves.

There isn’t a real compensation program in place” testified Paterson, who then proceeded to provide example after example of it not working.

Also appearing before the subcommittee was Congressman Steve Pearce. Pearce informed the members of the many problems identified in the recent IG report, which I covered here last month. Pearce also noted there were several issues left unaddressed in the report, one of which was DNA testing. Pearce made a formal request that further investigation of the program be undertaken: The deplorable management of the wolf program in Catron County hurt jobs in New Mexico, risked public safety, and failed to actually save any wolves. Today’s hearing made it clear that the agencies’ mismanagement of the program has continued. While the IG report was very eye opening, it failed to answer a number of substantive concerns brought up by the County. For these reasons, I believe that a deeper investigation into the program is absolutely warranted to ensure that those affected most are given the answers they deserve.

0.

Score that cowboys 3, enviros

Grasshoppers - the next sushi?

That’s the headline of a recent BBC article about “micro livestock”.

At Coalo Valley Farms – California’s first insect farm for human consumption – that means crickets and mealworms. On Jose Moreno’s farm in Mexico, that means grasshoppers.

A spokesman for Coalo Valley Farms says, “We know that insects are a sustainable source of protein - and while the world already struggles to feed seven billion, we want to try and help find a way to feed the future generations.” They tout their environment-friendly, closedloop system where the fish they farm provide wastewater that feeds the green shoots of alfalfa and mung beans, which in turn feed the crickets.

No doubt one of these will soon be on Michelle Obama’s mandatory school lunch menu.

I’m betting on the grasshopper. Why? Because the cricket is an omnivore while the grasshopper is vegetarian.

As she departs the White House, Michelle Obama may be screeching, “Let them eat grasshoppers.”

Till next time, be a nuisance to the devil and don’t forget to check that cinch.

Frank DuBois was the NM Secretary of Agriculture from 1988 to 2003, is the author of a blog: The Westerner (www.thewesterner.blogspot. com) and is the founder of The DuBois Rodeo Scholarship and The DuBois Western Heritage Foundation

Texas Tech Veterinary College Receives $15 Million Grant From Amarillo

T

he Amarillo City Council approved a $15 million grant Tuesday (Sept.

20) from the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) to the Texas Tech University System to support the establishment of a new College of Veterinary Medicine in Amarillo.

The grant was approved at the Amarillo City Council meeting on recommendation from the AEDC. It is a major step forward for Texas Tech’s vision of enhancing rural and large-animal veterinary medicine by providing an innovative model focused on improving animal health in the heart of the beef and dairy cattle industry.

“We are truly grateful to the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation and the City of Amarillo for their continued generosity and philanthropy to the Texas Tech University System and our universities,” Texas Tech University System Chancellor Robert Duncan said. “Once again, they have stepped up to support our vision — this time for veterinary medicine and the needs of this community, our region and the agriculture industry.”

The new veterinary college is expected to add 100 highly skilled jobs and ap-

proximately $10 million in annual labor income to the Amarillo economy. Texas Tech’s proposal will have an annual impact of more than $76 million on the Amarillo economy and serve as a catalyst for industry partnerships and expanded research in food technology, animal health and prevention of disease outbreaks.

“Not only is this a wonderful opportunity for students seeking careers in veterinary medicine, particularly in a region known as the livestock capital of the United States, it’s an investment in our community and economy,” Amarillo Mayor Paul Harpole said.

The new veterinary college will be built in Amarillo on the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center campus, which headquarters the School of Pharmacy and is home to the schools of Medicine, Nursing and Health Professions.

“The Amarillo Economic Development Corporation is proud to be a part of this investment in our community,” said Doug Nelson, interim president and CEO of the AEDC. “Aside from the innovative educational opportunities the TTUHSC continued on page 8

Page 6

Livestock Market Digest

October 15, 2016

Simplify Sire Selection: Profit indexes are developed to allow producers a simpler way to multi-trait select sires indexes this exercise has already been done. It also allows us to combine evaluations easily. For instance, we can evaluate genetic merit for an individual for maternal characteristics along with carcass quality across several production measures by utilizing these indexes.”

In conjunction with providing convenience for producers, Bedwell says, profit indexes are a great way to select based upon real-world scenarios. Centered upon what the goals are for an operation, he says selection could be solely based on the four indexes alone — the terminal index being $CHB and the three maternal indexes being the Brahman Influence Index ($BII), the Calving Ease Index ($CEZ) and the $BMI.

BY KAYLA M. WILKINS, REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF HEREFORD WORLD

U

tilizing multi-trait selection can sometimes be a challenge for today’s cattlemen.

Taking into account an array of traits to make the best breeding decisions from not only a reproductive standpoint but a profitability standpoint continues to pose a challenge for producers in identifying the best herd sire to reach the goals of their operation.

While making these challenging decisions, it is essential producers are aware of the tools available to assist them in the process. That is where profit indexes come into focus.

“The advantage of EPDs (expected progeny differences) and dollar indexes are to attempt to take the guesswork out of selecting sires and better inform producers about the next generation,” says Shane Bedwell, American Hereford Association (AHA) chief operating officer and director of breed improvement.

Producing baldies

What are profit indexes?

A

In 2005 the AHA introduced four profit indexes to assist producers in maximizing profitability, starting with sire selection.

AHA has three maternal indexes and one terminal index at every producer’s disposal. Ultimately, economically driven indexes are opening the door for cattlemen to select bulls with the most favorable combination of EPDs to maximize profit, taking into account the producers unique scenarios.

“Profit indexes are a really fantastic tool for commercial cattlemen,” says Megan Rolf,

C

Linebred performance testing since 1956

Ph.D, assistant professor and researcher at Kansas State University. “They really provide a good way to practice multiple trait selection and balance selection among a variety of traits in a logical way.”

In short, profit indexes provide insight when producers are comparing bulls and weigh profit differences between the bulls based upon the desired traits.

Weighing traits differently and assessing the economic value in a specific trait in relation to the

index and the other favorable traits develop these indexes.

To put it in perspective, Bedwell says the Certified Hereford Beef Index ($CHB) is the terminal index, so it is developed with the thought of producing calves which thrive in a feedlot scenario. In contrast, a maternal index like the Baldie Maternal Index ($BMI) is geared toward producers using Hereford bulls on Angus cows and retaining females as well as retaining ownership and selling non-selected

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animals on a grid.

Oftentimes because of the complexity of multi-trait selection, producers have historically single-trait selected or even selected based upon phenotype alone. With economically driven EPDs, all the legwork and headaches are alleviated.

Randall Raymond, DVM, from Simplot Livestock Co. says in his experience, selecting for more than two traits can be quite the challenge.

“It is really difficult to select for multiple traits at the same time,” Raymond says. “We have tried to be really balanced in our genetic selection. No trait singly drives the economics. Once you start selecting for more than two traits it is almost impossible to do that effectively and that is where indexes have helped us the most. We have the ability to weight traits for what they are worth economically and select for multiple traits at the same time.”

Similarly, J.D. Russell, ranch manager at the Matador Ranch, says before the ranch’s utilization of profit indexes, it was an extensive process to select sires for multiple traits. He says he and his crew used to spend time sorting bulls based upon traits in a computer system that would provide some insight, but not nearly what profit indexes do.

“In the past we would take a set of bulls, make a sort of the EPDs based on a weighted value we had derived for what we considered to be the higher valued traits,” Russell explains.

“With the introduction of profit

Since breeding Hereford bulls to Angus-based cows is such a widely used cross in the commercial industry, the $BMI should be on the minds of cattlemen when aiming to produce replacements. Raymond says crossbreeding cattle promotes hybrid vigor and the Hereford-Angus cross produces efficient replacement females that will, in time, increase profitability in a herd.

“One of the biggest benefits we get from using Hereford bulls is inserting some heterosis into our breeding programs,” Raymond says, “so when you have a primarily black and black baldie cow herd that helps us maximize heterosis which drives things like calf vigor, reproductive efficiency and cow longevity.”

To achieve the goals Raymond describes in regard to producing cost-effective females to retain in a commercial herd scenario, Rolf advises that producers take a serious look at the $BMI. “If you are a commercial cow-calf producer using Hereford bulls in crossbreeding programs on Angus-based cows and retaining ownership of calves to be marketed on a CHB grid, then you could use the Baldie Maternal Index to practice multiple trait selection without having to try and figure out the appropriate way to balance selection between all those traits yourself using the EPDs directly,” Rolf says.

Although the $BMI offers much insight in terms of breeding for females, Bedwell says it is sometimes overlooked in comparison to other indexes.

He advises producers to take the index into consideration when selecting bulls, most specifically when looking to enhance longevity in a herd.

“It is underutilized today, but has potential to provide valuable information when producing successful females,” Bedwell continued on page seven

October 15, 2016

Livestock Market Digest

Page 7

SIRE SELECTION says.

Russell adds, “Matador Cattle Co. utilizes Hereford as an integral part of our maternal genetics. Since our larger commercial ranches are in areas that requires a cow to efficiently produce on the limited resources available, we try to balance traits that will allow her to do that. We believe the Baldie Maternal Index does a good job of providing a measure for these traits, and fits with our maternal genetics business plan.”

Like Russell, Raymond stresses the importance of good females in a herd from a profitability standpoint. He says in addition to having good females as a vital piece to the puzzle, it is also one of the more complex pieces.

“Selecting for bulls that are going to impact the female population is probably one of the more challenging parts of genetic selection. You deal with those females for such a long time so it is really important that you make that selection well,” Raymond says.

“Trying to weigh and understand the traits that are important to making that economically viable female is pretty critical.

Really the value is identifying what traits are important for making the females and then weighting those traits appropriately and using that equation to select for multiple traits at once.”

Bedwell says the $BMI is formulated by putting emphasis on Calving Ease - Direct (CE), Weaning Weight (WW), Calving Maternal Ease (CME), Ribeye Area (REA) and Marbling (MARB) and making it heavily weighted on Scrotal Circumference (SC). However, a negative weight is put on Yearling Weight (YW) and Maternal Milk (MM). The reason being, less emphasis on YW and more on WW promotes a more moderate calf that will thrive off less input cost for producers.

He says the negative weight on MM is based upon the same idea. Females who have high MM EPDs require more to sustain themselves in a pasture situation, therefore, decreasing the profit margin for producers looking to retain those females.

Additionally, milk is inadvertently taken into account with the weaning weight since cows have to milk well for calves to reach a desirable weaning weight.

He says because of the heavy emphasis on SC along with the other traits, producers are able to select a bull that will produce moderate females which will reach puberty sooner and last longer in a pasture situation with the lowest input cost.

Russell says the Matador Ranch has seen these results firsthand. By using the $BMI, he is able to capitalize from a profitability standpoint in more ways than one.

He says the emphasis put on calving ease has been correlated directly back to conception rates

continued from page six

their goals and producing the highest quality cattle possible, so we are available for questions at any time over these tools.”

Looking ahead

AHA Director of Breed Improvement Shane Bedwell says though currently underutilized, Baldie Maternal Index ($BMI) has potential to provide valuable information when producing successful females. on the operation. Because more cows are successfully breeding back, Matador Ranch has had the opportunity to retain fewer females and, ultimately, sell more calves.

Furthermore, he says because of the increased emphasis on weaning weight and less on yearling weight. Their cows have a smaller mature size, thus, requiring less input cost and giving way to a higher potential for profit.

Lastly, Russell says the emphasis placed on ribeye area provides higher profits for calves the Matador Ranch chooses to feedout versus ones retained for reproduction.

Effectively using profit indexes Rolf says when looking at profit indexes, the most challenging piece is deciding if an index fits the production goals because they can be used just like an EPD to evaluate the expected differences in progeny performance between two animals.

“Balanced multi-trait selection is very important,” Rolf says. “The ability to have one simple number to look at can

be really helpful because trying to balance selection on a lot of different EPDs can get a little challenging. An index provides you a single number you can use to make selection decisions as long as the priorities in the index fit what you are trying to accomplish.”

Producers looking to utilize profit indexes when selecting Hereford sires should first identify the goals for their operation and from there find the index most conducive to their operation.

“Find an index that fits the goals of your operation,” Rolf explains. “Once you have the index identified, be sure to check the percentile break down, which you can find on the Hereford website, to really get an idea where bulls may be falling on that spectrum within the Hereford breed.”

Raymond says meeting the goal of producing cattle that fit their environment is key, and the simplicity of profit indexes has aided greatly in that endeavor.

“For us the advantage is finding cattle that fit the environment and trying to select for

things like low energy requirements and reproductive efficiency and longevity,” Raymond says. “Those are things that drive profitability in our system. How long can a cow successfully stay in a herd and produce calves to become feeder cattle? It just gets back to identifying what traits are important to accomplish that, putting an economic value on them and selecting for those traits, in a simultaneous fashion.”

Bedwell says AHA’s overarching goal is to support cattlemen in producing the highest quality cattle possible with the use of Hereford genetics, and making these indexes available is just another avenue to accomplish that mission. Producers interested in looking at indexes for Hereford bulls can do so by visiting Hereford.org. There, any bull can be searched, and a list of his EPDs along with indexes are available.

“Profit indexes are a great way to provide the needed information in a real-world scenario to aid producers in making breeding decisions,” Bedwell explains. “AHA is committed to aiding producers in achieving

Bedwell says by next spring, the AHA will begin utilizing more traits when developing the $BMI to shine light on an even better evaluation of these traits from a profitability standpoint.

He says the new traits added into the mix are going to be Sustained Cow Fertility (SCF), Heifer Calving Rate (HCR) and Dry Matter Intake (DMI).

Bedwell adds these are relevant traits that will only aid in the accuracy and efficiency of the $BMI. SCF is a percentage given to a sire based upon the number of years his daughters calve annually. Bedwell says when SCF is more than 100, those sires are associated with more success while sires whose SCF is less than 100 percent are associated with more risk in producing females with longevity.

Similarly, HCR is a percentage given to a sire based upon his future daughter’s calving rate. Like the SCF, a higher percentage is associated with favorable genetic potential for calving rate in daughters. Bedwell says with the economic effect of reproductive rate in beef cattle operations, it is crucial to take HCR into consideration.

As feed intake also plays an integral part in profitability, DMI is another key piece in producing the most accurate profit indexes. DMI identifies the pounds of feed per day a sire’s progeny is expected to consume. Bedwell says this trait is vital to determining feed efficiency in future daughters.

Continued advancements in indexes to create a more accurate prediction of progeny for producers are an ongoing effort

by AHA. Bedwell says adding these traits to $BMI will only improve the index.

“The addition of these traits will make a more informative and profitable selection process for producers,” he says.

Page 8

Livestock Market Digest

October 15, 2016

Cattle Production Veterinarian Hall of Fame Recognizes Two Leaders

S

ince the veterinary profession began 250 years ago, veterinarians have been helping farmers and ranchers do what they do best – produce safe, nutritious food for the world. And there is no one more dedicated to the health and well-being of animals than the cattle production veterinarian. In September nearly 2,000 attendees had the privilege of honoring two of these veterinarians, Roger J. Panciera, D.V.M., and Keith E. Sterner, D.V.M., at the annual Cattle Production Veterinarian Hall of Fame (CPVHOF) awards ceremony during the 49th American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) Annual Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina. Dr. Panciera and Dr. Sterner were selected by their peers – including members of AABP and the Academy of Veterinary Consultants (AVC) – from a group of five beef and dairy veterinarian nominees.

“The beef and dairy industries have been fortunate to benefit from the knowledge and contributions provided by these two outstanding veterinarians,” said Brent Meyer, D.V.M., beef cattle technical services, Merck Animal Health. “Dr. Panciera and Dr. Sterner have contributed to the cattle industry through scientific advancements and disease control, however, their biggest contribution may be the legacy they leave through the students they taught.”

2016 Beef Inductee Dr. Roger J. Panciera (Stillwater, Oklahoma) Dr. Panciera received his D.V.M. from Oklahoma State University (OSU) in 1953 and a M.S. and Ph.D. from Cor-

nell University. Dr. Panciera then returned to OSU where he achieved international recognition by influencing generations of students, residents, practitioners and pathologists. He has had an extraordinary influence on beef cattle production and disease control by providing both scientific contributions and education to veterinarians and producers.

Jerry W. Ritchey, D.V.M, professor and head at the Department of Veterinary Pathobiology Center for Veterinary Health Sciences at OSU, said, “Dr. Panciera has a well-documented list of academic accomplishments related to decades of productivity in research, teaching and diagnostic pathology. However, what is truly remarkable and immeasurable is his impact on generations of practicing veterinarians and the inspiration he has provided to hundreds of veterinary pathologists currently working all over the world.”

The hallmark of Dr. Panciera’s teaching philosophy was developing thought processes rather than relying on memorization.

He is legendary on the necropsy floor, working with students and trainees, and squeezing every possible learning opportunity from each necropsy case. There are two important testimonies to Dr. Panciera’s distinction as an educator. First, he has been recognized over the years by students and faculty colleagues as a recipient of many teaching awards. Secondly, he has inspired many others to become educators as well.

Dr. Panciera is a founding member of the Academy of Veterinary Consultants, a member of the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame, a

Livestock Market Digest

Bar M Real Estate

SCOTT MCNALLY www.ranchesnm.com 575/622-5867 575/420-1237 Ranch Sales & Appraisals

RIVALE RANCH REALTY P.O. BOX 217 DES MOINES, NM 88418 Raymond Rivale, Ranch Expert

2016 Dairy Inductee Dr. Keith E. Sterner (Ionia, Michigan)

Dr. Sterner is a graduate of Michigan State University, where he completed his D.V.M. degree in 1969. He served in the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps from 1970 to 1972.

Dr. Sterner then went into private veterinary practice in Ionia, Michigan, with his father, the late Dr. Edward F. Sterner, where he became an owner and partner until his retirement in late 2011. He still remains active as a consultant and a backup for the practice. In 1982, Dr. Sterner collaborated with Dr. Jorgen Grymer in developing the Grymer/Sterner® toggle suture method of left displaced abomasum (LDA) repair.

Dr. Sterner had many great achievements during his time as a veterinary career, but some of his fondest memories were experienced during his time as a teacher. “One of the most memorable aspects of our practice, outside of our clients and their animals, were the hundreds of veterinary students that we mentored from all over the world. Their presence provided a constant stimulus for our own continuing education.

Many long time friendships have been forged and we consider a great number of them as family,” said Dr. Sterner.

Health Sciences Center, the Texas Tech University System is creating a program tailored to address a specific need as identified by the report in a cost-efficient and innovative manner.

“Texas has a severe shortage of rural veterinarians who are crucial to the foundations of our economy, the vibrancy of our communities and the safety of our food supply,” Duncan said. “There is no better place to transform the future of veterinary education and answer this call than in Amarillo, the heart of our nation’s livestock production.”

Unlike any other in the United States, the new college will enrich the practice of veterinary medicine by producing practice-ready veterinarians who serve and enhance rural communities throughout Texas while substantially reducing the cost of education at the same time. Texas Tech’s model increases accessibility and affordability, while not duplicating the state’s existing veterinary medicine efforts.

775/752-3040

575.355.2855 office 575.355.7611 fax 575.760.3818 cell

bakercityrealty__1x2.5 4/6/15 11:45 AM Page 1

HeAdquArters West Ltd.

Nevada Farms & raNch PrOPerTY www.bottarirealty.com

Terrell Land and Livestock Co.

ST. JOHN’S OFFICE: TRAEGEN KNIGHT

Filling your real estate needs in Arizona

College of Veterinary Medicine will offer to our local and regional students, this initiative is an investment into the future of the animal science and food technology industries in our region. The partnerships that will develop as a result of the new campus will solidify our area as an optimal location for companies interested in expansion or innovation opportunities in these two rapidly growing sectors.”

In a report approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board in July, the need to address the critical shortage of rural and large-animal veterinarians in Texas was reinforced and a door was opened for Texas Tech to move forward with its plans to create a veterinary medicine college in Amarillo.

Texas Tech proposed a non-traditional model for a veterinary school when plans were announced in December. Building on established strengths at two of its universities, Texas Tech University and the Texas Tech University

continued from page five

Paul Bottari, Broker

P.O. Box 447 Fort Sumner, NM 88119

928/524-3740 Fax 928/563-7004 Cell 602/228-3494 info@headquarterswest.com

TEXAS TECH

when the FDA framework document on antimicrobial drug categories was developed. Dr. Sterner also has been a champion of Quality Assurance for beef and dairy and currently serves on the NCBA Beef Quality Assurance Advisory Board as a dairy representative.

He continues to pursue his interest in organized veterinary medicine, veterinary devices and inventions in his “retirement.”

Bottari Realty

NEW MEXICO

nick@ranchseller.com www.ranchseller.com

From his private practice base, Dr. Sterner has been active in organized veterinary medicine including several national leadership roles. Dr. Sterner was president of AABP in 1989, and his leadership within the AABP was crucial in the development of the extralabel drug use policies. He also served as chairperson for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Veterinary Medicine Advisory Committee

REAL ESTATE GUIDE

Fallon-Cortese Land

P.O. Box 1980 St. John’s, AZ 85936 www.headquarterswest.com

Office: 575-207-7484 Fax: 575-278-3780 Email: ranch@bacavalley.com

distinguished member of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists, and a Distinguished Alumnus of OSU. He is a member of the Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association Hall of Fame and he was the first person chosen Distinguished Alumnus of the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine.

Filling Your Real Estate Needs in Oregon Andrew Bryan, Principal/Broker Office 541-523-5871 Cell 208-484-5835 andrew@bakercityrealty.com www.bakercityrealty.com

575-447-6041

Tye Terrell, selling ranches since 1972

We know New Mexico and New Mexico needs.

tyecterrell@yahoo.com Los Lunas, NM

Socorro Plaza Realty On the Plaza

Donald Brown

Qualifying Broker

505-507-2915 cell 505-838-0095 fax

#5 Plaza PO Box 1903 Socorro, NM 87801 www.socorroplazarealty.com dbrown@socorroplazarealty.com

October 15, 2016

To place your Real Estate ads, contact RANDY SUMMERS at 505/243-9515 or by email randy@ aaalivestock.com

521 West Second St. • Portales, NM 88130

575-226-0671 or 575-226-0672 fax

Buena Vista Realty

Qualifying Broker: A.H. (Jack) Merrick 575-760-7521 www.buenavista-nm.com

Livestock Market Digest

Southeastern Arizona Cochise County 1356+/- deeded Acres, 139 +/- BLM grazing acres, 3858 +/- Arizona State Grazing Lease; 6 irrigation wells, 476 +/- irrigation water rights, fenced and cross-fenced $2,160,000

Sulphur Springs Realty Sam Place P.O. Box 2, Elfrida, Arizona 85610 ssr@theriver.com

TEXAS & OKLA. FARMS & RANCHES • 100 acres, Kaufman County TX, Long County Rd frontage, city water, excellent grass. $3750 per acre.

• 40 acre, 2 homes, nice barn, corral, 30 miles out of Dallas. $415,000.

Joe Priest Real Estate

1-800/671-4548

joepriestre.net • joepriestre@earthlink.com

Missouri Land Sales

139 Acres - 7 AC stocked lake; hunting retreat. Beautiful 2 BR, 1 BA log cabin. Only 35+ miles northeast of Springfield. MLS# 60031816.

82.4 Acres M/L - Horse Lover’s Dream (joins Mark Twain National Forest). Spring fed pond stocked with bass. 4 BR, 1 BA, older home (rented), pasture (rented). 24 miles north of Mt. Grove. MLS# 60034710.

LLC

“We will go the extra mile for you”.

Arizona Ranch For Sale Seven Lazy E Ranch

30 miles SE of Willcox. Elevation 4300 ‘ MSL. 1335 Acres Deeded, 2197 State Lease 80 Acres BLM Lease. 3 wells, electric, gas.

8 pastures have water Includes nearby custom Sante Fe Style house $1,995,885.00 MLS 21608523 Rick Frank, Designated Broker

520-403-3903

FUSON RANCH – 280 acres located under the face of the Capitan Mountains southwest of Ar-

FUSON – 280 acres locatedCounty. under theAccess face of the Capitanand Mountains of Arabela, NMresidence, in historic abela, RANCH NM in historic Lincoln is gated locked.southwest Improved with one Lincoln County. Access gated and barn. locked.Water Improved with one residence, shop and small barn. Waterat maintenance shop isand small is provided by one maintenance well. View additional information iswww.ranchesnm.com. provided by one well. View additional information at www.ranchesnm.com.

Price:$400,000.00 $400,000.00 $349,500.00 $349,500.00 Price: FLORES CANYON RANCH 3,290 acres located of Mountains. the Sacramento FLORES CANYON RANCH – 3,290–total acrestotal located in the foothillsinofthe the foothills Sacramento Access is gatMountains. Access is gated and locked from U.S. Highway 70 between San Patricio and Glened and locked from U.S. Highway 70 between San Patricio and Glencoe. The Rio Ruidoso River traverses a portion coe. The Rio Ruidoso River traverses a portion of the property. Excellent wildlife habitat, fantasoftictheviews property.

ExcellentBlanca wildlifePeak habitat,and fantastic views of Sierra Blancarange.

Peak and the Capitan Mountain range. of Sierra the Capitan Mountain Improvements all constructed Improvements all constructed since 2008.

Watered by two wells and pipelines.

Price: $3,000,000.00 to include since 2008. Watered by two wells and pipelines. Price: $3,000,000.00 to include livestock and livestock and equipment. more information to www.ranchesnm.com. equipment.

For moreFor information go togowww.ranchesnm.com.

Scott McNally, Qualifying Broker Bar M Real Estate, LLC P.O. Box 428, Roswell, NM 88202 Office: 575-622-5867 Cell: 575-420-1237

Cell: 417/839-5096 1-800/743-0336 MURNEY ASSOC., REALTORS SPRINGFIELD, MO 65804

Bottari Realty Paul Bottari, Broker

775/752-3040 •

www.bottarirealty.com

Ranch Properties now available through Bottari & Associates Realty, Inc SHEEP CREEK RANCH Over 2500 deeded acres with 200 acres of surface water. Rights and stockwater rights on three wells and three Springs. Private BLM allotment. Price: $1,300,000.

Z BAR RANCH 598 deeded acres with approx.150 acres of surface water rights and approx.12 acres of underground water rights for irrigation. Beautiful location in Clover Valley approx.7 miles South of Wells, Nevada. Located on a state paved road. 4 homes from 1100 sq. ft. to 6300 sq.ft. Two large heated shops and many other good outbuildings including a greenhouse. Gravity flow water system serving the homes with 5000 gallons of storage and fed by two wells.

Nice pond with fish.This is truly a unique property for your family, business, or recreational use. Price: $2,300,000.

521 West Second St. Portales, NM 88130 575-226-0671 www.buenavista-nm.com

Rural Living - Deluxe Set Up - This 10 acres features a very nice 3 bdrm 2 full bath home just over a mile from Portales, NM. Built by a craftsman builder using quality materials. It has good elevation for a nice view of the valley, drainage to the south, and a very good sandy base soil with no visible rock. A big, nice detached 2 + car garage plus insulated metal shop building (approx 1200 sq. ft) using I beam, C purling frame - it is nice. Lots of trees give privacy & wind break, with a private well providing ample water. It has a track for off-road fun right out the back door. Animals would be welcome here and there is lots of wood stacked for the wood burning fireplace. This place is perfect for the family desiring quiet country living or retirement.

Call Buena Vista Realty at 575-226-0671 or the listing agent Lori Bohm 575-760-9847, or Melody Sandberg 575-825-1291.

Many good pictures on MLS or www.buenavista-nm.com

Ranch & Farm Real Estate

GATO MOUNTAIN RANCH – High desert recreation hunting ranch with excellent improve-

PAUL McGILLIARD

MAJOR PRICE REDUCTION: GREAT INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY CLOSE TO SPRINGFIELD. El Rancho Truck Plaza. MLS #11402704; Midwest Truck Stop MLS #11402703; Owner retiring. Go to murney.com, enter MLS #, CHECK THEM OUT!!!

Scott Land co.

GATO MOUNTAIN RANCH – High desert deer, recreation ranchWell with excellent improvements. includes ments.

Wildlife includes elk, mule bearhunting and lion. suited as a corporateWildlife retreat with elk, mule deer, bear and Well suited as a corporate retreat with accommodations for at least 34 lease people.acres 389 accommodations forlion. at least 34 people.

389 deeded acres along with 2,602 BLM deeded acres along with 2,602 BLM lease acres with a grazing permit for 33 AU’s.

Numerous horseback and with a grazing permit for 33 AU’s. Numerous horseback and ATV trails. Owners willing to ATV split the deeded acreage. to information www.ranchesnm.com. trails.

Owners willing to splitFor the more deededinformation acreage. Forgo more go to www.ranchesnm.com.

Price:$2,800,000.00 $2,800,000.00 Price:

See all my listings at: paulmcgilliard.murney.com

174 acres M/L. MAJOR PRICE REDUCTION! Now only $1200 per acre. Cattle, horses, hunting retreat. Live water year round spring-crawdad creek. 30+ ac open, more land could be opened with brush hogging. Good fencing, 2 miles from S&H fish pay fishing ponds. 8 miles east of Ava on Hwy. 76. MLS# 60029427

Serving Willcox, Cochise & Pearce Arizona

• 240 acres, Recreation, hunting and fishing. Nice apartment, 25 miles from Dallas Court House. $3250 per acre.

• 270 acre, Mitchell County, Texas ranch. Investors dream; excellent cash flow.

Rock formation being crushed and sold; wind turbans, some minerals. Irrigation water developed, crop & cattle, modest improvements. Just off I-20.

Price reduced to $1.6 Million.

Page 9

1301 Front Street, Dimmitt, TX 79027 Ben G. Scott – Broker Krystal M. Nelson, CO/NM Qualifying Broker 800-933-9698 day/eve. www.scottlandcompany.com • www.texascrp.com

NEW LISTING – Quay Co. 1,600 ac. +/- of grassland in the House, NM area – information being processed!

MELROSE, NM - easy access just off of Hwy. 60 - 1,840 ac. +/- well located, watered w/windmills & dirt tanks, easy drive out of Clovis, NM. SAN ANGELO AREA – 743.4 ac. +/- of good ranch country w/year-round creek & excellent hunting, located on all weather road.

MUST SEE! Union Co, NM – at the confluence of the Pinabetes/Tramperos Creeks, year round live water, beautiful country w/super improvements & livestock watering facilities, 4,650 deeded +/-, 3,357 State Lease +/-, one irr. well with ¼ mi. pivot sprinkler for supplemental feed, excellent access via pvmt. & all-weather roads. PRICE REDUCED CONSIDERABLY! SOUTH CONCHOS RANCH – San Miguel Co., NM – 9,135 total ac.+/-, 2,106 ac. +/- “FREE USE”, 6,670 ac. +- deeded, 320 ac. +/- BLM, 40 ac. +/- State, well improved, homes, barns, pens, watered by subs & mills at shallow depth just off pvmt., on co. road, addtl. ranch land available adj. property.

LINCOLN/SOCORRO., NM - 37.65 sections +/- Central NM ranch w/good, useable improvements & water, some irrigation w/2 pivot sprinklers, on pvmt. w/all-weather road, 13,322 ac.+/Deeded, 8,457 ac. +/- BLM Lease, 2,320 ac. +/- State Lease.

FOR SALE OR LEASE - 30,000 HD. FEED YARD – Southeast Texas Panhandle, close to Texas & Kansas packers. Call or email for details!!!!

WALKING G ARENA – Castro Co. - 6.65 ac. +/-, located just on the edge of town, a 120’ X 350’ rodeo arena, ten 12’ X 40’ horse stalls. Electric hook-up for RV & trailers. Large concrete slab for dances, auctions, etc., on pvmt.

YES, WE CAN DIVIDE! 202 ac. +/-, just out of Tucumcari, NM, 40 ac. tracts minimum, community water available, hwy. frontage, easy driving distance of Ute & Conchas Lakes.

ARGENTINA….PLEASE CALL FOR DETAILS on 176,000 ac. +/- (WE CAN OFFER tracts of 1,500 acres or more)

of choice land which can be cleared for soybeans & corn, some cleared & seeded to improved grasses for grazing of thousands of mother cows, some still in the brush waiting to be cleared.

MINE CANYON ROAD (paved) – Quay Co., NM – 1,063 ac. +/- native grass, well watered w/a good set of pens, located between Ute Lake & Hwy. 54.

TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY – Union Co., NM - Check our website for the Cowen/Vandiver Roads 480, the Hwy. 102/Cowen Roads 320 & the Rancho Pequenio all located in very close proximity one to the other, priced to sell, owners motivated!

AIRPORT DRIVE – Tucumcari, NM – Choice 160 ac. +/-, on pvmt. w/beautiful home, roping arena, steel pens & 139.5 ac. +/- of water rights.

CLAYTON, NM – 2600 sq. ft. home, 4 bdrm., 2 bath, 2 living areas, located on 20 ac. +/- in Mountain View Estates, on city water.

TUCUMCARI, NM AREA – 4 irr. farms totaling 1,022.22 deeded ac. +/- with 887.21 ac. +/- of Arch Hurley Water Rights (one farm w/a modern 2 bdrm. – 1 bath home, w/a metal roof, barn & shop) together with 1,063 addtl. deeded ac. +/- of native grass (good set of livestock pens & well-watered). All one-owner, all on pvmt., can be bought together or separately.

SUPER GRAIN & CATTLE COMBINATION – Union Co., NM - well improved w/15 circles, state-of-the-art working pens, homes, barns, hwy. & all-weather road frontage, divided into 3 different farms in close proximity of each other – can divide.

HART, TX. – 709 ac. +/- in strong water area of Castro County, fully developed w/wells & sprinklers, on pvmt.

SELLER VERY MOTIVATED to buy or trade for ranch or farmland properties between Dallas & Houston, TX. For sale Pontotoc/Coal Co., OK – three good, solid ranches just out of Ada in close proximity, one to the other (one owner -779 ac. +/-, 1,370 ac. +/-, 974 ac. +/-), good, useable improvements, on pvmt. or good all-weather roads.

Please view our websites for details on these properties, choice TX, NM & CO ranches (large & small), choice ranches in the high rainfall areas of OK, irr./dryland/CRP & commercial properties. We need your listings on any types of ag properties in TX., NM, OK & CO.

Page 10

Livestock Market Digest

October 15, 2016

Let’s Be Clear – Sustainability is All About Staying in Business

g•u•i•d•e

angus

Bradley 3 Ranch Ltd. www.bradley3ranch.com

Annual Bull Sale: February 11, 2017

at the Ranch NE of Estelline, TX Ranch-Raised ANGUS Bulls for Ranchers Since 1955

M.L. Bradley 806/888-1062 Fax: 806/888-1010 • Cell: 940/585-6471

HEREFORD

Registered Polled Herefords Bulls & Heifers

Cañones Route P.O. Abiquiu, N.M. 87510

FOR SALE AT THE FARM

MANUEL SALAZAR P.O. Box 867 Española, N.M. 87532

575/638-5434

SANTA GERTRUDIS

Wendt Ranches Partners LLC.

Santa Gertrudis Cattle Polled and Horned HERD ESTABLISHED 1953

BEEFMASTER

Call: 979/240-5311 • 979/240-5312 Fax: 979/323-1212 5475 FM 457, Bay City, Texas 77414 wendtranches@hotmail.com

Passing the Brand, Continuing the Legacy

RED ANGUS

A SOURCE FOR PROVEN SUPERIOR RED ANGUS GENETICS 14298 N. Atkins Rd., Lodi, CA 95240

BRANGUS

209/727-3335

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Wanted: Ranch to lease in south central New Mexico.

200 to 400 cow capacity year around with good improvements and good water.

Three to five year lease with the option to buy.

Wanting to relocate from southern Colorado.

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W

hen people think about sustainability, they often have different interpretations from others. That is what makes grasping the concept of a sustainable beef operations so difficult sometimes, according to Dr. Sara Place of Oklahoma State University’s Animal Science Department. Specializing in the area of sustainable beef practices, Dr. Place tells Radio Oklahoma Network’s Ron Hays that she likes to define sustainability as a multifaceted way of thinking.

“The way I always like to define sustainability, if you are an individual beef producer,” Place said, “is that you’re going to be paying attention to long-term business viability, stewardship of the natural resources you’re taking care of, and thinking

about the responsibility to your family, to the bigger community and of course to the animals.”

Dr. Place says that like any business that wants to accomplish anything, your first consideration has to be the economics; you have to stay in business to do anything, including being sustainable. Stewardship of your resources, she says, could entail how you manage your forage program or what steps you take to create wildlife habitat on your property.

The trickiest part she says though is the social aspect.

For your family, Dr. Place says sustainability in your operation means it has the potential to remain economically viable and is able to be passed down to your children or heirs. Dr. Place says too, that we must consider the

larger community and society as a whole for that matter. This is where confusion often manifests about sustainable agriculture because producers have to understand all the differences in expectations that people in society have about it. The final part is your responsibility to care for the animals you raise. Dr. Place says that when it comes to the social factor, you just need to be open and share the good work you are doing on your operation.

“Stay in business, take care of your land, take care of your animals and your family,” Place said, “that’s what sustainability is.”

Listen to Dr. Sara Place explain her views on sustainability in the beef industry with Farm Director Ron Hays on Beef Buzz.

Tissue Sample Unit Now Available for DNA Sample Collection

T

he American Hereford Association partnered with Allflex to release Tissue Sampling Units as a new method for producers to collect herd DNA samples on Sept. 1.

Similar to bloodcards, TSUs can be used at any point in an animal’s life, but offer a reduced-stress option since the procedure can be done while tagging, rather than adding an additional step to pull blood or hair.

TSUs also provide a clean sample that is efficient to process.

“Because of technology advancements, we know how to collect DNA without destroying the sample, “said Shane Bedwell, AHA director of breed improvement. “A sample can be acquired from the solution while leaving the tissue sample in tact.”

The procedure to capture a TSU is very similar to adding an ear tag in a calf: load the TSU in the tissue sampling applicator and insert it into the calf’s ear. The tissue sample will be in the TSU upon release.

A TSU can be purchased through AHA for $2.

A customizable five-digit alphanumeric Allflex tag and TSU unit can also be purchased together for $3.75/unit. Order forms can be found at Hereford.org on the herd management tools page in the education center. Order forms may be returned to AHA by email, fax or mail.

“The main advantage of TSUs is that they can be stored for a lifetime in a freezer, which provides the luxury of submitting the sample whenever you want,” Bedwell said. “TSUs are very proactive and using them is a pretty cheap insurance policy.”

UC Davis Hosts Int’l Milk Genomics & Human Health Symposium

M

ore than 100 international experts in milk nutrition, human health, genomics, lactation and computational scientists have gathered at the University of California, Davis to discuss the latest discoveries in milk and lactation at the 13th International Symposium on Milk Genomics and Human Health. The symposium aims to foster scientific collaborations between milk science experts around the world and have real-world implications from dairy farmers to consumers.

Gregory “Butch” Dias, a California dairy farmer and chairman of the board at the California Dairy Research Foundation (CDRF), opened the symposium with a welcome speech highlighting his involvement with the symposium through CDRF, from the very first symposium in 2004.

“You all know that I’m not a scientist, researcher or professor,” Dias said, “I am a lifelong dairy farmer from California who invests in nutrition, health and genetics research through our state’s check-off dollars. And your work is just as important and interesting to those of us working out in the field as it is for those of you working hard in your labs.”

Presented by the International Milk Genomics Consortium (IMGC), and managed by the California Dairy Research Foundation, the three-day conference convened Sept. 27 at the UC Davis Conference Center and will include topics from “How lactation decodes life sciences,” to “Emerging hot topics in milk sci-

ence, nutrition, and health.”

“We are very excited to host this international conference to discuss the exciting discoveries of science related to milk and lactation and to plan for their application and opportunities for renewed research,” said co-chair of this year’s symposium, Dr. Bruce German, professor of food science and director of the Foods for Health Institute at UC Davis.

Executive Director of the California Dairy Research Foundation, Dr. Gonca Pasin, honored the recipient of the Most Valuable Presentation of the 2015 IMGC Symposium, which was held last year in Sydney, Australia. She presented a certificate of award and $2,000 to Dr. Bing Wang, professor of physiology and nutrition at the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences of Charles Strut University in Sydney, Australia.

“This year’s theme, Discoveries on how milk works for our gut, is incredibly timely as consumers become more and more health conscious,” Pasin said, “The collaborative model of the IMGC symposium is a novel concept of showing how scientists from all over the world and from various disciplines can work together in unity to increase the value of milk from farm to stomach.”

Premiere sponsors of the IMGC are: Arla Foods, California Dairy Research Foundation, Dairy Australia, Dairy Farmers of Canada, Danone Nutricia Research, and the Dutch Dairy Association.

Livestock Market Digest

Buying the Message T he annual Center of the Nation Sale held in Spencer, Iowa, in July proved once again genetic performance data translates into profits.

Buyers and consignors from 17 states produced gross sales of $100,500.

The top ram, a SAMM sold

by Kitzan Sheep of Nisland, North Dakota, sold for $2,300.

On average, the 102 rams at the sale brought $809, while 34 ewes averaged $513.

“It was a great sale,” says NSIP Program Director Rusty Burgett. “We had the most consignors we’ve ever had. The demand for sheep with breeding values is certainly apparent.”

So apparent, NSIP is adding a second sale next year in Wooster, Ohio. “It will highlight different sheep from a different part of the country,” says Burgett. “And provide an additional chance for producers to buy quality sheep backed by sound data.”

In its eleventh year, Center of the Nation is claiming success.

“The best endorsement is the number of people in the bleachers every year,” says Dan Morrical, Iowa State University Extension Sheep Specialist. Despite a heat index of more than 105 degrees, there were still nearly 200 people in the bleachers along with another 175 watching the sale on the DVAuction.

“Both commercial and seedstock – they’re all happy with the sheep they’re buying. That means NSIP has done what it’s supposed to do.”

What it is supposed to do is increase performance. Selecting breeding stock using NSIP EBVs is catching on because producers see results.

Center of the Nation is only one of the nation’s noted sales to highlight animals with EBVs. Others are quickly coming on board.

Data is no stranger to the Miles City Ram Sale in Miles City, Montana, where genetic performance data is not required but is the norm.

“We were one of the first sales to publish breeding values into a catalogue,” says Dr. Whit Stewart, Montana Sheep Extension Specialist, “and it was well received. It still is. We get a lot of out-of-state and repeat buyers.”

Stewart says there is a genuine appreciation for the data, and it’s based on results. “Rams and ewes are doing what their EBVs say they can do. That’s the proof people need for selection.”

Targhee representative on the NSIP board Lisa Surber has long been associated with the Miles City sale, and says about 90 percent of Rambouillet, Columbia and Targhee, the whitefaced breeders, use the NSIP EBV data provided. The Suffolk and Hampshire buyers looking for black face terminal sires focus on weight per day of age and rib eye information, mostly from on-farm performance test data.

In one form or another, they rely on a quantitative expectation of performance to compete in a da-

ta-driven market.

“Rams that don’t have it don’t sell as well,” says Surber. “Even those who don’t use the numbers appreciate seedstock producers who do. They come to the sale expecting the best of the best, because they know the breeders are paying attention to the genetics.”

The Newell Ram Sale in Newell, South Dakota, has been selling livestock for 71 years, originating as a cooperative effort between the Newell Community Club and the USDA Experimentation Station.

“It has no policy on NSIP EBV data,” says Dave Ollila, Sheep Field Specialist for South Dakota, “but producers have adopted its use over the past four or five years. They want more data when they buy because they want to see a better return.” The sale aims to bring in high quality genetics to serve the area’s commercial producers, and estimates put 15 percent more animals with numbers this year over last year.

He sees more interest in a data-based approach, with use of the Range Index and EBVs for economically important traits.

“The data makes a good selection tool and a good marketing tool.”

Still, it seems to him progress is slow, especially compared to other forms of livestock. “The seedstock producers are making the commitment,” says Ollila.

“Now we have to get the commercial producer to reward them for their efforts.”

Bill Shultz, of Bunker Hill Farm in DeGraff, Ohio, has been selling Suffolks with EBVs at the Utah Ram Sale for 12 years, where he’s been in a league of his own. “Last year I was the only NSIP breeder there, but that’s going to change,” says Shultz. He senses a new perspective, and is finding more repeat customers who like the numbers.

“They’re seeing success because of the EBV selections. They’re performing as expected. And slowly, the producers are becoming believers.”

For an experienced sheep breeder like Shultz, a regular at Center of the Nation, working a sale like Utah requires patiently answering an onslaught of questions. “People want to believe the numbers, but they’re asking, ‘Does that really mean what it says it means?’ They’re listening.

And checking it out. Because NSIP has done a great job of raising awareness.”

Teaching the masses “The ASI Road Map says production efficiency has to be a priority for the sheep industry. That means we have to breed better, and we have to manage better,” says Morrical. “That justifies an educational component.”

The Center of the Nation Sale is known for its educational sessions, and others are following suit.

“Montana is a case study in how effective an extension program can be,” says Stewart.

“They’ve worked very effectively for years to get the word out.”

This year’s sale builds on that effort, with sessions on quantitative genetics, the NSIP ram buyers guide, cross-breeding, and hands-on workshops that teach producers what the data means and how to use it – even the right way to read the sale catalogue.

The Newell sale also highlights producer education at the sale, working to keep the industry moving forward.

It’s working “There’s been a switch in selection method,” says Morrical.

“Buyers used to look at phenotype, then see if the numbers backed up what they were seeing. Now it’s the other way around. They select for numbers, then see if they look right.”

That seems especially true for younger buyers, who want proven genetics that will make them a profit. And they’re willing to pay. At Center of the Nation, the under 30 crowd were some of the sale’s more lucrative customers.

Surber also sees the youth influence at Miles City: “They’re into using all their tools, especially the information at their fingertips.”

And they’re looking ahead, buying ewes with strong maternal numbers and terminal rams with not only good growth, but muscle depth – in anticipation of a grid-based market.

“We’ve hit a point where we expect our sheep to do more,” says Morrical.

“This isn’t just about chasing numbers,” adds Stewart. “Targeted selection based on genetic improvement is the future of this industry. Buying breeding stock with EBVs means producers can focus on the top needs in their flock, increasing productivity and profitability throughout the industry.”

Page 11

Beefmaster Genetics in Demand in a Tough Market

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sa Beefmasters, LLC’s 55th Beefmaster bull sale was held October 1st in San Angelo, Texas. It was an excellent sale; with 37 buyers from six states and Mexico taking home 135 Beefmaster bulls at an average of $4702. Isa’s President, Lorenzo Lasater, stated the sale was extremely strong, with unprecedented demand for good Beefmaster genetics in a difficult market.

Auctioneer Joe Goggins of Billings, Montana, sold the 129 bulls in the blistering time of an hour, 25 minutes. The high-selling bull, L Bar 4519, sold to Dalton Lowery, Silver State Beefmasters of Fallon, Nevada for $18,000. This awesome young herd sire prospect is the son of L Bar En Fuego, and was the overall top performer in the offering. Volume buyers included: Elko Land & Livestock, Nevada – 38, Lykes Brothers, Florida – 20, A. Duda & Sons, Florida – 12, Goff Ranches, Arizona - 12, Diamond & a Half Ranch, New Mexico – 9. Other Volume Buyers in-

ELM

cluded Jones Ranch, Tesas, Rio Ranch and Matt Rudnianyn, both of Florida.

Current Isa president, Lorenzo Lasater, represents the third generation of the family dedicated to breeding performance Beefmaster genetics. The breed was founded by Lorenzo’s grandfather, Tom Lasater, in 1937.

According to Lorenzo, “This set of bulls represents nearly 80 years of consistent, balanced selection for economically viable cattle.

These bulls will produce excellent feeder calves and replacement heifers in any environment, but especially the tougher ones. With more pounds at weaning, lower input costs and the best mother-cow on the planet, Beefmasters can’t be beat.

The Lasater family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to everyone in attendance, especially the many repeat customers, including several second generation buyers. We are already working hard to bring you our 56th set of Beefmaster bulls on October 7th, 2017.

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Page 12

Livestock Market Digest

By JIM OLSON

George Fletcher Unsung Hero

B

ill Pickett. Jesse Stahl.

George Fletcher? Bill, of course, was the famous black man who invented bulldogging. Jesse, another wellknown black man was a legendary bronc rider from the early part of the last century. But just who was George Fletcher? Well, he was another black man who was a bronc riding son-of-a-gun!

George Fletcher was born circa 1890 in Kansas. He came west with his family around the turn of the 20th century. They settled in the (then) small town of Pendleton, Oregon. Not much is known about George’s childhood, other than it is widely accepted that, for some reason or another, he was sent to a school on the Umatilla Indian Reservation and was mostly raised there with the Natives.

There he learned their language, customs and horsemanship skills. The tribe adopted Fletcher as one of their own. He built friendships among the them that lasted a lifetime.

George excelled at cowboy skills from an early age and it has been written that he began entering local competitions about the age of twelve. At age twenty, he entered the Fourth of July celebration in Pendleton.

This was the predecessor to the Pendleton Roundup, which began in 1911. In this particular, 1910 contest, George took second place to his life-long friend, Lee Caldwell (a white man who was also raised mostly on the Umatilla Reservation).

As fate would have it, George took second place again in 1911, but that is a story all unto itself.

Much has been written, and even a movie made, about the bronc riding at Pendleton Oregon in 1911. Fletcher was an un-

knowing participant in history.

The Saddle Bronc finals that year boiled down to three contestants. John Spain, an Anglo American, Jackson Sundown, a Native American (who later went on to be the first Native World Champion), and George

Fletcher, a black man. When the dust settled, the crowd seemed to think that Fletcher should have won the title. John Spain, however, was given first place in a decision that has been controversial and laced with racism accusations from that day to

October 15, 2016 this. Within a few minutes after Fletcher’s ride the judges announced, “Spain first, Fletcher second, and Sundown third,” to the groans of the large (mostly white) crowd.

A near-riot ensued and the head of the Round Up, Sheriff Till Taylor, took Fletcher’s hat, cut it into dozens of pieces and sold them off to the crowd. As the crowd chanted, “People’s Champion,” the Sheriff gave the money to Fletcher so he could have his own championship sad-

dle to match the one given to John Spain.

The rodeo continued to be shrouded in controversy the following year (1912) when Jesse Stahl, a cowboy widely considered to be one of the best bronc riders at the time, won third place. Stahl became known as the “black” man who earned first, but won third, at rodeos across the country. Stahl and Fletcher were friends and continued on page thirteen

October 15, 2016

Livestock Market Digest

What Is A Health Insurance Market Where No Health Insurance Is Offered?

SENIOR FELLOW JOHN R. GRAHAM WRITES AT THE NCPA’S HEALTH BLOG.

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bamacare appears to be in a death spiral, with a shrinking pool of insurers offering coverage, far fewer individuals purchasing insurance than advocates had anticipated, and double-digit price increases making policies unaffordable – not only to many individuals and families, but to taxpayers, who are required to underwrite the hefty subsidies Washington promised.

The law is not working and its condition is getting worse. The centerpiece of the program, the health insurance exchanges (misleadingly labeled “Marketplaces” by the administration), will pretty much cease to exist within a few more years.

Despite media enthusiasm, Obamacare has not significantly increased the number of insured in America. According to the National Health Interview Survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 70 percent of U.S. residents, age 18 through 64, had “health insurance” in 2015, the second year of ObamaCare enrollments. This was approximately the same percentage that had health insurance in 2006, before the Great Recession swept away jobs and health benefits.

What Obamacare has done is shift millions of Americans from the medical benefits they previously earned on the job to medical benefits they now receive through government welfare programs, primarily Medicaid.

This is not all President Obama’s doing: The shift began earlier, in 1997, when the Republican-majority Congress collaborated with the Clinton administration to expand Medicaid with the addition of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

Obamacare put Medicaid expansion on steroids. And we are now seeing the results. The Congressional Budget Office estimated in February 2013 that the number of people on Medicaid would be 45 million this year. In March of this year, CBO increased its estimate by more than half, to 68 million people. At the same time, CBO’s estimate of the number of people who would purchase private insurance through Obamacare exchanges was revised downward from 24 million to 12 million.

The exchanges, of course, were supposed to

HEROES also performed a stunt together where they would both ride a bronc in tandem, one facing frontwards and one back. It was dubbed, the “Suicide Ride.” It was a dangerous stunt, but a crowd favorite. It has been said that those two were the only ones who rode well enough, and were crazy enough, to perform such a dangerous feat. Fletcher was also known to have ridden wild buffalo in exhibitions.

Fletcher went on to win many saddle bronc competitions in Oregon and the Northwest region. Folks say the only reason he was not as well-known as Bill Pickett or Jesse Stahl was that he did not travel that much out of his home-state area.

When the call of duty came during World War I, Fletcher signed up to volunteer with a group of cowboys from the region. They became known as “Pendleton’s rough riding cavalry from Troop D.” Georges’ old friend, Lee Caldwell, was chosen to be the Captain of Troop D. It just so happened, that since Fletcher was black, the Army turned him down to be a member of the Troop. Lee

be “Marketplaces” where individuals would shop and compare prices of policies offered by many competing insurers, like they shop on Expedia or Amazon. They are anything but. According to research recently published by Avalere Health, one third of our country’s insurance “rating regions” will have just one insurer offering policies on the Obamacare exchanges next year; more than half will have no more than two insurers. Pinal County, Ariz., was going to have no insurers offering policies (although one insurer has decided to step in at very high rates, after some political bullying).

Obamacare is becoming a Zen philosophical riddle: What is a health insurance market where no health insurance is offered? This lack of consumer choice is intensified by double-digit premium hikes, which even the administration no longer bothers to deny. That’s one of the main reasons the exchanges have only half the subscribers previously anticipated: the cost, even with the subsidies.

Nevertheless, the Congressional Budget Office still believes Obamacare will somehow right itself. Of the 12 million individuals currently covered in exchanges, CBO figures 10 million receive tax credits and two million pay their own way without government assistance. CBO estimates those numbers will increase to 15 million and four million in five years, resulting in exchange policies covering 19 million people in 2021.

There is simply no pathway to that outcome.

Obamacare gave insurers special subsidies (called “reinsurance” and “risk corridors”) worth tens of billions of dollars to finance their losses in the exchanges for the first three operating years. Those subsidies end this year.

The number of people purchasing insurance on the Obamacare exchanges has hit its high-water mark. Premium hikes will continue – next year, the year after – and enrollment will decline.

The tragedy is that American health care needs nothing more than a well-functioning, competitive, transparent market for individual health insurance.

The bitterness caused by the 2010 Affordable Care Act, and the administration’s unwillingness to admit that Obamacare needs a serious overhaul, has resulted in an environment in which real change appears highly unlikely.

continued from page twelve

Caldwell however, stood up for his friend, saying, “He can ride as good as any of us here. We want him in Troop D.” When told that the Army was segregated, he continued, “You’re telling me, on account of the color of his skin, the government don’t want him to fight?” It was a loosing battle with the Army Brass and George Fletcher wound up being drafted into a “colored” unit.

He was wounded while fighting in Europe and as a result, it ended his career in rodeo. He returned to the Pendleton area where he worked as a ranch cowboy the remainder of his time here on this earth. George kept lifelong ties with the Natives from the area, and was also said to have married into the tribe. He became a prominent figure at the Pendleton Roundup until his death in 1973.

George Fletcher, the unsung hero of early bronc riders, was inducted into the Pendleton Roundup Hall of Fame in 1969 and posthumously into the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City in 2006.

Page 13

Page 14

Livestock Market Digest

The View FROM THE BACK SIDE

The Common Good

BY BARRY DENTON

I

t seems that rural folks are becoming less and less in numbers and significance these days, while big corporations have taken over agriculture the family farm and ranch is disappearing.

I was speaking with an Iowa couple the other day whose hog farm was sold to a large corporation. They said they could not turn down the offer, plus their family is allowed to live on the farm for the rest of their lives.

Their sons will have jobs if they want to stay there.

Some folks opt for security over independence and they feel they did the right thing.

Now they will have a good income for the rest of their lives.

According to the patriarch of the family he did the best thing he could do for his family. I asked how many years the family owned the farm and he said it was originally started in the late 1800’s. Times change and so do people. The farmer was saying that the majority of his neighbors made the same deal. He did say there were a couple of hold outs in his area, but they were just being stubborn. Sometimes independence can be detrimental to your bank account, but freedom is never detrimental to your soul.

After a long hard primary fight we finally got our local incumbent county tax assessor voted out of office. You all know how difficult it is to unseat an incumbent, but the cattlemen along with good citizens, and businessmen finally prevailed.

For the past two terms we have been saddled with an assessor that over stepped her authority in levying new tax rates that were illegal. Yes, because the assessor tried to run roughshod over her taxpayers, lawsuits were filed and won. Just so you know, these tax court cases take years to resolve.

Even though we won the case, it takes such a toll on your mind and your finances.

Then you begin to wonder if it was all worth it. The assessor’s theory was that if the ranchers and businessmen were made to pay more, then it would lower taxes for homeowners. Naturally, the homeowners that believed this falderal supported the incumbent.

The only problem is that our state has laws against doing this. The assessor’s initial goal was to raise the tax rate on vacant grazing land to ten times of what it had been. Anyone would expect a nominal increase in taxes every so often, but this was preposterous. As a result the cattlemen, good citizens, and businessmen joined together to help defeat the assessor.

The new assessor elect is unopposed in the general election, which is good news for this county. The problem is that the trend to come after ranchers seems to be statewide. Hopefully, ranchers, good citizens, and businessmen will come together to help each other in the other counties as well. It always pays to set aside your petty differences to fight for the general welfare of everyone.

In Arizona we have a U.S. Senator that does not support his party’s nominee for President because of a difference of opinion on a couple of important issues. To make matters worse the Senator has been going on national talk shows discussing it and expressing his disgust in the party’s nominee.

I understand anyone can get crossways with a candidate and decide not to vote. The problem is, our nominee carried our state overwhelmingly. Most of the Senator’s constituents are backing the nominee and are very disgusted with the Senator’s behavior during this critical election. The funny thing is that, this Senator comes from a ranching family.

It looks like only one candidate this year will be good for ranching. It would not be as bad, but in past elections the Senator has always advised his constituents to vote for the nominee, even if you don’t like them. He preached that we all need to come together for the good of everyone. The majority of his constituents feel like they have been told that their vote is not important to the Senator.

To make matters worse he appears to exude an elitist attitude on this matter. His actions illustrate a hypocritical lack of leadership at a crucial time. In my estimation the Senator should try and convince the nominee in private, and not publicly, that his way might be better. How does this position help his fellow ranchers?

As we are all quite aware, the horse slaughter market has

October 15, 2016 almost been eliminated in the United States. The problem is that we still have many problem horses that need to be dealt with.

The unintended consequences of the ban are numerous, such as horses being shipped out of the country to be slaughtered, endure much more hardship than they ever did in this country. Many horses are being driven to parks and wilderness areas and are just turned out to fend for themselves.

Agricultural universities find unwanted horses tied to their entrance gates in the morning.

The United States Forest Service finds dead horses littered in the National Forest. The list goes on and on. Obviously, horses were treated much more humanely when there was regulated horse slaughter in this country. The shame is the inhumanity to the horses caused by

the ban.

Perhaps we need to band together and get our legislatures to bring this issue back up, so that our horses are killed humanely. How about a re-homing program for horses that are not infirmed? I thought the proponents of the ban wanted to protect our horses, but they have indeed extended their suffering. I feel sorry for the horses that are overloaded into the slaughter trucks on their way to a Mexican slaughter house. This is another case of crusading “do-gooders” making matters worse.

A novel approach to any of these issues would be to sit all parties down at the table and work out a compromise rather than fighting battles out on the evening news and on social media. Emotional decisions are not practical.

Baxter BLACK O N T H E E D G E O F C O M M O N S E N S E www.baxterblack.com

Bull Rider’s Limp

W

hen I was a kid we had what we called the ‘bull rider’s limp.’

If you were entered up the Saturday before, you could develop a limp and make it last for a week! When a good lookin’ sweetheart asked what happened, you kinda shuffled and shrugged it off.

“Got hurt,” you’d say. “How?” she’d ask on cue. “Ridin’ bulls,” you’d explain nonchalantly.

Images of John Wayne, stoic and brave, filled the air.

The dragon slayer uninjured saving the damsel. The concerned female dabbin’ peroxide in the bullet wound creasing your shoulder. “It’s nuthin’,” you’d say, wincing in pain. If only you had a saber slash across the cheek.

I remember when George and I went to the Bare Ranch for a week. We worked and sorted the cows. Checked the bulls and helped the crew finish up the fall work. On the last night George was injured in the line of duty. He wore a cast for weeks, explaining every time he was asked that he’d hurt himself working cows. When pressed for details he’d finally admit he’d broken his ankle when he fell off the cookhouse steps!

Jess’s injury was not as glamorous and harder to explain. It looked like he’d been snorting raspberries! His nose was the size and color of a ripe plum.

“Lissadig to hib xplane id, id wass hart to keeb a strate fase.”

He’d picked up a bale of hay to feed the heifers. With the practiced motion of expe-

rience he hefted the bale and dropped it over his upraised knee. But here the story takes a different twist. The baling wire broke! It struck like a snake, whipped around and bit his nose!

The end of the wire penetrated the meaty part of his proboscis on the left side, drilling through the nasal septum and exiting his right nostril! With a climatic flourish, it wound a dally around the other end of the wire!

His daughter and wife looked on dumbstruck! Jess grasped the wire and cautiously moved it side to side. His head flopped back and forth like a hypnotized chicken! While his daughter ran to the shed to get some sidecutters, his wife Shalah, unwound the wrap and tried easing it back through the entry hole. He stood like a twitched horse getting his mane roached.

It came smoothly except for the little rusty curl right on the end. She laid him over a bale, straddled his chest and wound out the wire like she was backin’ out a brace and bit.

He stayed out on the ranch for quite a while, tryin’ not to blow his nose and packin’ it with ice in the evenings. However, even in their remote ranch country word spread. They had a steady procession of neighbors coming by to offer sympathy and get a first hand report. That way they’d have credibility when they told the story over and over and over... www.baxterblack.com

October 15, 2016

Livestock Market Digest

Page 15

Malone Named 2017 Citizen of the West

T

he National Western Stock Show has named John C. Malone the 2017 Citizen of the West, an award that recognizes those who embody the spirit and determination of the Western pioneer and perpetuate the West’s agricultural heritage and ideals. A committee of community leaders selects the recipients.

Malone is the Chairman of the Board of Liberty Media Corporation, Liberty Interactive Corporation, Liberty Broadband Corporation and Liberty Global, plc. He will receive the prestigious award at a dinner on January 9, 2017 at the National Western Events Center. Proceeds from the event support 80 scholarships awarded annually to colleges and universities in Colorado and Wyoming by the National Western Scholarship Trust.

Born in Milford, Connecticut, Dr. Malone was a Phi Beta Kappa and a National Merit Scholar at Yale University where he earned Bachelor degrees in Electrical Engineering and Economics. He went on to earn his

John Malone Masters degree in Industrial Management and his PhD in Operations Research at Johns Hopkins.

Malone began his career in 1963 with Bell Telephone Laboratories and AT&T. He spent two years with McKinsey & Company and then joined General Instruments (GI). He was later named President of Jerrold Electronics, a subsidiary of GI. At

the forefront of the development of the cable industry, Malone was the CEO of Telecommunications Inc (TCI) from 1973 until 1996. It was during this time that Malone planted his roots in Colorado and the West.

In 1991, TCI spun off Liberty Media Corporation to house its programming assets, which remained in Dr. Malone’s control after the sale of TCI in 1999.

Malone serves as Chairman of the Board of Liberty to this day.

Jerry Lindauer, an early player in the cable-television industry, once said of Malone, “You could put him on a panel of nothing but experts in their respective fields, be it financing, marketing, programming, engineering, technology, whatever it is … he was a tour de force. He can cross all disciplines.”

In addition to his many business successes, John Malone is passionate about education and supporting his community. The Malone Family Foundation focuses on funding scholarships to select independent secondary schools. The Denver Public School system’s DSST is a ben-

Lawsuit Filed to Protect Endangered Ocelots in Arizona, Texas from Government Killing SOURCE: AWIONLINE.ORG

The Animal Welfare Institute and the Center for Biological Diversity have filed a lawsuit against the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the US Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) to ensure that endangered ocelots aren’t inadvertently killed as part of the USDA’s long-running program to kill coyotes, bears, bobcats and other wildlife in Arizona and Texas. The department’s Wildlife Services program kills tens of thousands of animals in the two states every year using traps, snares and poisons.

“The ocelot population is crumbling at the feet of USDA APHIS Wildlife Services’ indiscriminate and haphazard wildlife-killing activities,” said Tara Zuardo, a wildlife attorney with the Animal Welfare Institute. “With this lawsuit, we are sending a message to Wildlife Services that its tactics should not come at the expense of the future of this critically endangered species.”

Wildlife Services is required by the Endangered Species Act to consult with the USFWS on its activities that may affect endangered species, including its predator-control activities. Because Wildlife Services kills wildlife within the range of the endangered ocelot, and given the similarity in size between ocelots and many of the targeted predators, the FWS warned Wildlife Services in a 2010 “biological opinion document that ocelots could be harmed by its use of traps, snares and

poisons (including baited M-44 devices that propel lethal doses of sodium cyanide into animals’ mouths).

Since that 2010 opinion, ocelots have been spotted in several additional locations in Arizona, including the Huachuca and Santa Rita mountains. New evidence also indicates that Wildlife Services has failed to comply with the document’s mandatory terms and conditions, intended to minimize risk to ocelots. This new information requires the program to reinitiate consultation with the USFWS to examine risks to ocelots and develop risk-mitigation measures. The complaint also alleges that Wildlife Services must use recent science to supplement its outdated environmental analyses of its wildlife-killing program in Arizona, which were prepared in the 1990s under the National Environmental Policy Act. “All the latest science shows Wildlife Services’ predator-control program is expensive, ineffective and inhumane,”said Collette Adkins, a Center attorney and biologist. “With fewer than 100 ocelots remaining in the United States, we’re trying to ensure that none will suffer and die in traps set for bobcats, coyotes and other predators targeted

by Wildlife Services.”

To protect ocelots while the USFWS completes the required analysis, the groups are seeking a halt to Wildlife Services’ animal-killing activities throughout the ocelot’s range in southern Arizona and Texas.

FDA Seeks Public Input on Next Steps to Help Ensure Judicious Use of Antimicrobials in Animal AG SOURCE: FDA

T

he U.S. Food & Drug Administration announced September 12, 2016 it is entering the next phase of its efforts to mitigate antimicrobial resistance by focusing for the first time on medically important antimicrobials used in animal feed or water that have at least one therapeutic indication without a defined duration of use. Medically important antimicrobials are those drugs important for treating human disease.

As the agency completes its work to implement changes under Guidance for Industry #213, which will, once fully implemented, limit the use of these drugs to therapeutic-only use under the oversight of a veterinarian, it is now turning its attention to ways to address those antimicrobials that may currently be legally used in food animals for no defined length of time. continued on page sixteen

eficiary of the Malone’s philanthropy; creating challenging learning environments for talented students in more than 12 local schools.

In 2014, John Malone and his wife Leslie donated $42.5 million to Colorado State University to create the Institute for Biologic and Translational Therapies, which aims to develop stem cell and other treatments for animals. They support The Harmony Equine Center, a division of the Denver Dumb Friends League, which rescues and rehabilitates horses throughout the West.

Dr. Malone is further respected as a great philanthropist for land preservation and is the founder of the Malone Family Land Preservation Foundation.

A believer in land conservation, he has said, “Productive land is one of the very few permanent values throughout history.” In 2011, John Malone became the

largest individual private landowner in the United States.

He owns and oversees many successful cattle ranches in the Colorado, Wyoming, and New Mexico, as well as significant forestry operations in the Northeast.

“John Malone has a true appreciation of the American West, he knows the history, and strategizes for the future. While all ranch acquisitions were thoroughly vetted, John’s eye for quality is unparalleled with a straight forward approach and insight to the land transfer and the people involved. Generous, philanthropic and respectful, John embodies what makes a Citizen of the West”. Ron Morris, Director-Roundup Riders of the Rockies and Owner-Ranch Marketing Associates.

John and Leslie Malone live on a ranch southeast of Denver and have 2 children and 4 grandchildren.

Page 16

Livestock Market Digest

October 15, 2016

Safeguard Your Livestock Before a Disaster Strikes

A

ny disaster, whether it’s a flood, hurricane, tornado or earthquake, can catch you off guard and leave you in danger. It’s important to have an emergency plan in place for your family. And if you raise livestock, an emergency plan is important as well. Using the American Veterinary Medical Association’s (AVMA) procedures to prepare now, you can quickly and easily safeguard your livestock when disaster strikes.

Prepare – Get a Livestock Evacuation Kit • Include feed, water, supplements, supplies (medications, rope/lariat, halters/leads, cleaning supplies, knives, etc.), and papers (veterinary records

and proof of ownership).

• Review your kit regularly to ensure contents, especially feed and medicines, are fresh.

Plan – What You Will Do in an Emergency • Determine if you are able to evacuate (This should be based on the type of disaster and the safety and stability of the shelter).

• Determine where you will go if you have to leave (Identify friends or relatives who could house livestock during the disaster, including fairgrounds or other livestock evacuation locations).

• Determine how you will evacuate (Decide how livestock will be transported/housed and prearrange an evacuation site).

Contingencies – What If You’re Not Home • Designate a neighbor to tend to your livestock (This person should be familiar with your livestock, know your evacuation procedures, know where your evacuation kit is kept, and have your emergency contact information).

• Make sure livestock has some form of identification (microchip, ear/leg tag, leg band, tattoo etc.).

Stay Informed—Know About Types of Emergencies It’s always a good idea to find out what types of emergencies could happen where you live and whether you need to make any specific preparations because of them. (A good

basic emergency plan is to keep your livestock with you; what’s best for you is typically what’s best for your livestock. Plan to stay if it’s safe to do so, or leave if ordered to evacuate.)

When disaster strikes, follow instructions of local emergency management to safeguard you, your family, and your livestock.

For more information about safeguarding your livestock family before a disaster occurs, check out the following links: • AVMA “Saving the Whole Family” (available in English and Spanish) http://atwork. avma.org/2014/08/28/be-disaster-aware-take-action-toprepare/ • FEMA Ready.gov http:// www.ready.gov/caring-animals.

MONTANA ANGUS FEMALE BONANZA XIII MONDAY - OCTOBER 24, 2016 - 11 AM MT

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1560

ANGUS BRED HEIFERS • AI BRED

• 506 Bred to Countdown, carrying bull calves – Feb. 1-20 • 439 Bred to Countdown, carrying heifer calves – Feb 1-20 • 166 Bred to Countdown, carrying bull calves – Feb. 21-March 11 • 177 Bred to Countdown, carrying heifer calves – Feb. 21-March 11 • 103 Bred to Conformation, carrying bull calves – Feb. 1-20 • 90 Bred to Conformation, carrying heifer calves – Feb. 1-20 • 41 Bred to Conformation, carrying bull calves – Feb. 21-March 11 • 38 Bred to Conformation, carrying heifer calves – Feb. 21-March 11

119 F1 BWF BRED HEIFERS • AI BRED

• 52 Bred to Countdown, carrying bull calves – Feb. 1-20 • 37 Bred to Countdown, carrying heifer calves – Feb. 1-20 • 14 Bred to Countdown, carrying bull calves – Feb. 21-March 11 • 16 Bred to Countdown, carrying heifer calves – Feb. 21-March 11

464 2 COMING 3 ANGUS COWS • AI BRED

• 91 Bred to Connealy Spur, carrying bull calves – March 26-27 • 78 Bred to Connealy Spur, carrying heifer calves – March 26-27 • 58 Bred to Privilege, carrying bull calves – March 10-11 • 46 Bred to Privilege, carrying heifer calves – March 10-11 • 50 Bred to Connealy Spur, carrying bull calves – March 10-11 • 65 Bred to Connealy Spur, carrying heifer calves – March 10-11 • 39 Bred to Connealy Spur, carrying bull calves – Feb. 28-March 2 • 37 Bred to Connealy Spur, carrying heifer calves – Feb. 28-March 2

209

3 COMING 4 ANGUS COWS

• PASTURE BRED

• 100 Bred to high-performing Vermilion Ranch bulls – March 1 for 45 days • 34 Bred to high-performing Vermilion Ranch bulls – April 1-30 • 75 3-6 yr olds, bred to high-performing Vermilion Ranch Bulls – June 1-30

8 YR. OLD REGISTERED ANGUS BRED COWS 588 PASTURE BRED HEIFERS • PASTURE BRED 14 14 Pasture Bred to Vermilion Privilege – March 1-April 7 • Bred to Low Birthweight Half Brother Countdown Sons, Vermilion Ranch: • 220 Hd Calve March 11-31 • 330 Hd Calve April 1-30 • 38 Hd Calve May 1-7

2064 2 COMING 3 ANGUS COWS • PASTURE BRED • 1066 Bred to high-performing Vermilion Ranch bulls – March 1-31 • 801 Bred to high-performing Vermilion Ranch bulls – April 1-30 • 197 Bred to high-performing Vermilion Ranch bulls – May 1-30

★ All cows and heifers ultrasound pregnancy tested and calves sexed by Dr. Ralph Miller. ★ Officially Bangs vaccinated. Fancy set of calves. Calves weaned between Sept. 21 & Oct. 10 ★ All cows and heifers have been on a sound health and mineral program.

Vira-Shield-3-VL5 and Ivermectin Pour On in the spring. ★ Cattle will sell in uniform short day calving periods. ★ Sold on a gate cut basis. ★ All heifers carry their original irons and have not been rebranded.

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Turk and Jenny Stovall: 406-256-2282 406-698-6907 (C)

Greg and Carly Goggins: 406-200-1880

Corey and Kayleen Schultz: 406-690-1150

Broadcast live on Northern Livestock Video Auction Online at www.cattleusa.com or on Dish Network Channel 998. Sale book and video preview can be viewed at www.northernlive stockvideo.com after October 10.

FDA SEEKS

continued from page fifteen

Although GFI #213 outlines the FDA’s expectation that any new approvals of medically important antimicrobial drugs administered to animals via feed and water will have a defined amount of time they can be used, the guidance does not address some currently approved therapeutics that lack defined durations of use on their labels.

In a notice published Sept.

12 in the Federal Register, the agency requests information from the public about how to establish appropriately targeted durations of use for the approximately 32 percent of therapeutic products affected by GFI #213 with no defined duration of use in order to foster stewardship of medically important antimicrobial drugs in food-producing animals and help preserve the effectiveness of these antimicrobials in animal and human medicine.

Specifically, for certain species and disease indications as listed in the FR notice, the FDA wants to obtain additional information on: The underlying diseases requiring these drugs for therapeutic purposes, and periods when livestock or poultry are at risk of developing these diseases; More targeted antimicrobial use regimens for these diseases and husbandry practices that may help avoid the need for these antimicrobials, or that may help make more targeted antimicrobial use regimens more effective; and Strategies for updating affected labeling of drug products that do not currently include a defined duration of use.

According to the FDA, this action furthers the agency’s overall efforts to ensure medically important antimicrobials are used in food animals only for health purposes as outlined in GFI #213. In accordance with the FDA’s strategy, drug sponsors have committed in writing to changing the labeling of their medically important antimicrobials used in food animals. These changes are expected to result in these drugs only being used for therapeutic animal health purposes under the oversight of a veterinarian starting Jan. 1, 2017.

The FDA is accepting public comments for 90 days beginning Sept. 14. To electronically submit comments to the docket, visit http://www.regulations.gov and type FDA-2016-D-2635 in the search box.

To submit comments to the docket by mail, use the following address. Please be sure to include docket number FDA2016-D-2635 on each page of your written comments.

Division of Dockets Management HFA-305 Food and Drug Administration 5630 Fishers Lane, Room 1061 Rockville, MD 20852