The Progressive Rancher May/June 2018

SABBATH DAY DEVOTION ~ APRIL 7, 2018 A Time for Everything (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8) There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

Don’t just GO to church; BE the Church Kit Pharo • Pharo Cattle Co. 800-311-0995 Kit@PharoCattle.com www.PharoCattle.com

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Riding for the NCA Brand NCA President's Statement NCA Executive Column Legislative Conference Nevada Cattlewomen NDWR BULLETIN USDA News Releases Eye on the Outside Mile High Musings Letter to the Editor from Lyman Youngberg NBC Checkoff News In the Mind of a Millennial Food Purchasing Society for Range Management NRCS Snow Survey Society for Range Management Range Management Meeting

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NDA News Releases NDCNR News Release BLM News Releases FFA Wells FFA Blazes to Victory Opinion - Jerry Snyder History of Main Station Farm NV Farm Bureau News Master Stockman Consulting Cull Cow Marketing Cow Country Church Stick 'em Up! Water - Nevada's Lifeblood SNWA - Weathering Drought Operation Unite Pahrump / Paso Robles Opinion - Phil Cowee Rebuilding Rural Infrastructure

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From the desk of your NCA president

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By Sam Mori, NCA President hope you are having a good spring season. Mother Nature has sure been reminding us who is really in control, and thankfully timely moisture has been coming. It is so rewarding and uplifting to see the new life coming in the form of green grass and baby calves, a cow man’s dream.

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With that dream come true comes a tremendous responsibility, one that we here at the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association do not take lightly. The things that are required to get a calf from conception to the consumer’s plate are all things your Association is involved in.

Turn out time is in full swing on many ranches as I write this column.

We are working on many issues that are vital to us to be able to provide feed and water to our cattle in the most efficient way for each individual ranch. ONE of the most important issues we are working on is the need for FLEXIBILITY. No two years or no two ranches are exactly the same and if we are able to use the rangelands in concert with production, efficiency and rangeland health are increased. Fire risk and expense can be reduced if ranchers are allowed to respond to rangeland production.

Science is proving this point as we take this message forward.

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By the time many of you read this, we will have been to Washington D.C. to work on many, many issues. The Public Lands Council, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and Congressional Visits are all on our agenda as we take the message forward as to Industry’s needs and expectations.

We deal on many subjects that include flexibility , permit renewals, fire, wild horses, sage grouse, traceability, trade agreements, and many others as the need arises. There is a consistent road block that keeps popping up that inhibits progress and that is the lack of leadership in many critical positions in the agencies. Many appointments have not been made to the levels of authority required to make some of the major decisions. We will be pushing to move forward with that process. It is advisable every time you have an opportunity to communicate this need to your elected officials it would be effort well spent.

The cattle industry is a very critical time right now. There is record production of poultry and pork, and an increasing beef supply. Protein inventories and supply are high and fortunately demand is good. One of the reasons for high demand is our export market is good.

It is absolutely critical we get the message to our officials in Washington the importance of getting these trade deals right! We commit as an Association and we as individuals need to push hard on this one!

It is an honor and it is humbling for our leadership team to work for the wonderful people in our industry. If we can be of any help let us know.

Till next month,

Sam

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MAY / JUNE 2018

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Nevada Cattlemen’s Association at Legislative Conference

By Kaley Sproul Chapin, NCA Executive Director

O

n April 9th through the 12th NCA members Sam Mori (President), Ron Cerri, Joe Guild and I attended the Public Lands Council (PLC) and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Annual Legislative Conference in Washington D.C.

This conference serves as an important part of the year to meet with state delegation to address the issues that face the cattle industry. The PLC section of the conference took place the first two days. On Monday, we attended the AUM Focus Meetings where they divided into two committees, one for Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the other for U.S. Forest Service (USFS).

During the USFS meeting we met with representatives from the agency to discuss key issues concerning public lands. Attendees briefly mentioned their frustrations about how Permittee holders are constantly being blamed for the cause of any damage to an allotment. The representatives were in agreeance stating “it is easier to take action against ranchers instead of making all patrons be accountable”, they are optimistic that it will change. It was mentioned multiple times that they need a national push from PLC and NCBA members to get more flexibility within the permits, faster decision making and use of scientific data provided to them. We are hopeful to see solutions take place as a result from these conversations.

Meanwhile in the BLM meetings, members prioritized three main areas of concern that need to be addressed with the agency—NEPA and its effects on land management, flexibility within the EIS and EA and lastly, suspended AUMs. After all of the meetings on Monday there was a rooftop reception at the NCBA headquarters and the state affiliates did a Chef Iron Cook-off, I even participated for Nevada by “trying” to BBQ hamburgers.

Some members from the Hill stopped by and it provided a great opportunity to network with them as well as with our surrounding state affiliates.

Tuesday morning we attended the NCBA and PLC Political Action Committee (PAC) breakfast and had the pleasure to hear from Nevada Congressman Mark Amodei. He identified the current issues he is working on

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and what he is doing to support the cattle industry. Back at the PLC conference our first speaker was Congressman Rob Bishop who spoke about procedure and getting rid of the Filibuster. Next we heard from Aurelia Skipwith, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Fish, Wildlife & Parks, U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI). She explained how “science shows no emotion” and that she believes in “common sense”, both of which they are trying to incorporate into the DOI’s priorities and commitments.

They are also working on a reorganization within the DOI by aligning the different bureaus to help ensure collaboration between all of the agencies.

Our next speaker was Wyoming Congresswoman Liz Cheney who is a member of the House Committee on Natural Resources. She explained how she is trying to stop some of the government encroachment. She pushed for prevention of farms and ranches in the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability (CERCLA) regulations, she is introducing legislation that addresses the dispositions of Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs) and voted for the Omnibus because it will provide adequate resources to the Defense.

We also heard from Brian Steed, BLM Deputy Director Programs and Policy. He gave a brief overview of his background and why he feels strongly for the need of agriculture, he understands the challenges that lie ahead because “people do not understand where their food comes from”. He explained that although there are challenges, we have an administration that will provide opportunity and now “we are better off working together than against each other”. Brenda Richards, past PLC president, asked what we can do to help them, Director Steed’s answer included taking photos of your allotments and having evidence of timelines, getting to know your local BLM and helping young BLM employees to see grazing as a tool and not as a threat. He also mentioned that members can help by continuing to work on the wild horse issues, using grazing to help native bunch grasses and advocating that grazing is the solution to controlling wildfire.

In the afternoon we had the opportunity to meet again with Congressman Amodei to discuss issues about

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federal land, current lands bills, trade and the cattle market. We also talked about the high costs associated with providing health insurance to employees and how it is becoming overwhelming and burdensome to small businesses and operations.

Wednesday’s theme for the conference was “Boots on the Hill” because it brought together numerous representatives of the beef industry all impacted by the policy decisions made in DC. It is always great to see so many people walking around Capitol Hill with their cowboy hats and boots representing the livestock industry.

While walking from one meeting to the next people would ask what we were doing in DC which provided a perfect chance to advocate for our industry and talk about the importance of what we as ranchers do. Our day on the Hill was productive while we met with Senator Dean Heller, Congressman Ruben Kihuen, Congresswoman Jacky Rosen, Congresswoman Dina Titus’s staff and Senator Catherine Cortez Masto. We were able to spend constructive time discussing issues that matter to Nevada producers. I have found that it is very important that we work closely and build relationships with our legislators in Washington D.C. to promote sound public policies that create a stable business environment for producers, and promote conservation for natural resources and wildlife.

I believe we all have the chance to make a positive impact.

Our voices and our time are valuable and can make a big difference. Having “Boots on the Hill” in D.C. helps to protect the way of life we enjoy day in and day out. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about our meetings in D.C. please feel free to contact me at the NCA office at 775-738-9214. If you are not currently a member of the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association, I encourage you to join. Become a part of an Association that is working hard to protect and promote the future of ranching in Nevada. To learn more about the Association or to become a member, please call our office or visit our webpage at www.nevadacattlemen.org. We look forward to hearing from you! If you currently are a member, we thank you for your continued support. Without your membership the voice of the Association wouldn’t be as strong as it is today.

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NCA President, Sam Mori Ron Cerri, past NCA President NCA Executive Director, Kaley Chapin

Congressman Mark Amodei, Kaley Chapin, Sam Mori, Ron Cerri

Ron Cerri, Kaley Chapin, Congresswoman Jacky Rosen, Sam Mori

Ron Cerri, Kaley Chapin, Congressman Ruben Kihuen, Sam Mori

Joe Guild, Senator Dean Heller, Ron Cerri, Sam Mori, Kaley Chapin

Sam Mori, Congresswoman Catherine Cortez Masto, Ron Cerri, Kaley Chapin

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MAY / JUNE 2018

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Nevada Cattlewomen, Inc. Releases New Membership Structure

Membership Drive Tied to Fundraiser with Stockman’s Insurance

By Staci Emm Nevada Cattlewomen, Inc. has been working to revise and redefine membership into one of the oldest organizations in Nevada that specifically works on beef promotion and beef advocacy.

Nevada Cattlewomen, Inc. is made up of members who are interested in education of consumers and the promotion of beef in the State of Nevada. You do not have to own cattle personally to be a part of the organization. You just have to have an interest in the beef industry. There are currently local affiliates of the State organization in Elko County, Humboldt County, Pershing County, White Pine County, and Western (includes: Mineral County, Lyon County, and Douglas County). Leadership is also working with Churchill County to see if they would like to come back into the organization.

Last year, Nevada Cattlewomen, Inc. voted to no longer be what they called “100% state.” The “100% state” meant that in order to be a part of the organization, you had to pay a local affiliate fee, a state fee of $10, and the national dues of $60. This is no longer true to be a part of the organization. The new leadership has set up a structure where the Nevada Cattlewomen, Inc. is an affiliate of American National Cattlewomen, Inc. for a fee of $250 per year. While we encourage everyone to pay their national dues to be a part of the national Cattlewomen organization, it is no longer required to pay national dues. This results in Nevada having the ability to reset its membership structure.

The new membership structure encourages participation in a local affiliate to increase participation throughout Nevada. The state membership will be $10 to those Cattlewomen members that belong to an affiliate, and most affiliate fees are less than $5. Potential members can sign up with their affiliate and pay the state dues, or they can sign up with the state and pay their affiliate dues. In addition, there will be an increased membership fee ($20) for members representing an agency or educational institution; ($50) for a corporate membership; and ($5) for a youth membership.

We are working hard to get this structure in place. We do have paper registration forms available by calling Sidney Wintermote at (775) 397-4750 or Staci Emm at (775) 312-0424. The registration forms will also be available with all the affiliates and Nevada Cattlemen’s Association. We will also be working with different businesses and organizations to distribute the registration forms. By summer, we hope to have the form online as we are currently reworking the Nevada Cattlewomen, Inc. website and will kick off a formal membership drive.

As part of this new membership structure, Nevada Cattlewomen, Inc. is working with Stockman’s Insurance in a “Ranch Insurance Fundraiser Challenge.” While Nevada Cattlewomen, Inc. does not want to dictate members’ different insurance options and will not be releasing names and addresses of members, there are opportunities for members to see if they can get reduced insurance rates.

The “Ranch Insurance Fundraiser Challenge” will provide the following to the state organization based on its membership: • If Stockman’s Insurance cannot offer lower rates than you’re currently paying; $100 will be donated to Nevada Cattlewomen, Inc.

Stockmen’s Insurance, Inc. • Tom Armstrong 1664 Hwy 395, Minden, NV 89423 (800) 523-6675 or tom@stockmens.us

• If Stockmen’s Insurance can offer lower rates than you are currently paying and is successful in writing your coverage; $200 will be donated to Nevada Cattlewomen, Inc. • If your present coverage is already written through Stockmen’s Insurance; $25 will be donated to Nevada Cattlewomen, Inc. We hope that we will be able to increase Nevada Cattlewomen, Inc. membership across the state and even create new affiliates in counties that are currently not participating. Nevada Cattlewomen, Inc. affiliates organize events, promote beef in their counties, give out scholarships to youth, and go into school classrooms and senior centers to talk about agriculture and beef production. This is an exciting time to join and become part of an organization that has played a role in Nevada agriculture history.

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BRIAN SANDOVAL Governor BRADLY CROWELL Director JASON KING, PE State Engineer

STATE OF NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES

DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES 901 South Stewart Street, Suite 2002 Carson City, Nevada 89701-5250 (775) 684-2800 • Fax (775) 684-2811 http://water.nv.gov

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To: Water Right Professionals From: Nevada Division of Water Resources Re: New Application for Extension of Time & Application for Extension of Time to Prevent Forfeiture Forms Please be advised: There are new forms for filing an Application for Extension of Time and an Application for Extension of Time to Prevent Forfeiture. The new forms are by manner of use (MOU). Please use the correct form based on the manner of use (MOU) of the Permit you are extending or the Certificate you are requesting to prevent the forfeiture of. Previous versions of the forms will no longer be accepted after December 31, 2018. The new forms can be found on our website http://water.nv.gov/ waterforms.aspx?water=Water Right or at our office.

If you have any questions about which form to use, please contact our office at (775) 684-2800.

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MAY / JUNE 2018

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News Release Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest USDA Forest Service Region 4 - 04/19/2018

Forest to Use Sheep to Reduce Hazardous Fuels As part of the Carson Ranger District’s Hazardous Fuels Reduction Program on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, sheep will be released to graze on two separate fuel reduction project areas. These sheep will help remove cheatgrass and other non-native vegetation from National Forest System (NFS) lands. The West Carson Fuels Project is located on the west side of Carson City, Nevada, and the Arrowhawk Fuels Reduction Project is located on the west side of Reno, Nevada.

The West Carson Fuels Project area is approximately 500 acres and located southeast of King’s Canyon Road near the C-Hill area in Carson City, Nevada. The Arrowhawk Fuels Reduction Project area is about 1000 acres and located approximately 10 miles southwest of Reno, Nevada, and just west of the Arrowcreek Residential Area urban interface. Grazing in this project will occur within the Thomas Creek and Whites Creek watersheds north of Timberline Road.

Grazing will begin sometime in late April or early May, depending on the weather and condition of the plants to be grazed. Grazing will continue through the end of the cheatgrass growing season in mid-summer.

“Cheatgrass is an invasive species that has the potential to dominate an area if not managed," said Fuels Forester Anna Belle Monti. “It can outcompete native vegetation, eventually pushing native grasses and shrubs out of their normal habitat. Cheatgrass plants also create an exceptional fuel bed for wildfire and can be a threat to surrounding communities.”

The Forest has contracted with the Borda Land & Sheep Company out of Gardnerville, Nevada, to perform the grazing projects. Approximately 800 ewes will be used for each grazing area and each flock will be monitored by herders and livestock guard dogs.

Monti reminds dog owners hiking in both project areas to keep dogs leashed at the trailheads and within one mile of the trailheads. Last summer there were a number of incidents where off-leash dogs harassed the sheep herds. Livestock guard dogs will be present with the sheep herds and they instinctively will guard the herd against any form of predator that it feels is a threat.

“For the safety of both the dogs and the sheep grazing on these fuels reduction projects, we cannot stress enough the importance of following the county ordinances and area trail rules for leashing dogs in these areas,” said Monti. “The sheep grazing program helps keep our communities safe from fire, but we are only able to graze the sheep if we all work to keep the sheep and our pets safe from harm. With participation from our visitors, both uses can coexist for everyone’s benefit.”

For more information on the Carson Ranger District Hazardous Fuels Reduction Program, contact Anna Belle Monti at 775-884-8103.

“This program is an important measure to help keep our communities safe from fire," said Irene Davidson, Carson District Ranger. "Grazing sheep is a cost-effective and efficient way to fight the spread of the problematic invasive species."

For additional information on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, please visit www.fs.usda.gov/htnf • twitter.com/HumboldtToiyabe Facebook.com/HumboldtToiyabeNF

News Release USDA Designates Washington County in Utah as a Primary Natural Disaster Area with Assistance to Producers in Surrounding States

Release No. 0032.18 Contact: Latawnya Dia (202) 720-7962 Latawnya.Dia@wdc.usda.gov

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Washington into account the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability. FSA County in Utah as primary natural disaster areas due to losses and damages has a variety of programs, in addition to the EM loan program, to help eligible caused by a recent drought. farmers recover from the impacts of this disaster.

Farmers and ranchers in the contiguous counties of Iron and Kane in Utah also Other FSA programs that can provide assistance, but do not require a disaster qualify for natural disaster assistance. declaration, include: Operating and Farm Ownership Loans; the Emergency Farmers and ranchers in the contiguous counties of Mohave in Arizona, and Conservation Program; Livestock Forage Disaster Program; Livestock Indemnity Program; Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Lincoln County in Nevada also qualify for natural disaster assistance.

Farm-Raised Fish Program; and the Tree Assistance Program. Interested Qualified farm operators in the designated areas eligible for the Farm Service farmers may contact their local USDA service centers for further information Agency’s (FSA’s) emergency (EM) loans, provided eligibility requirements on eligibility requirements and application procedures for these and other are met. Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of the programs. Additional information is also available at disaster.fsa.usda.gov. declaration of March 29, 2018, to apply for loans to help cover part of their actual losses. FSA will consider each loan application on its own merits, taking For more, visit FSA’s website at www.fsa.usda.gov via the “Newsroom” link.

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News Releases Release No. 0042.18 Contact: Justin Fritscher, (202) 720-5776

USDA Reopens Enrollment for Improved Dairy Safety Net Tool Bipartisan Budget Act Makes Substantial Program Changes U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue is encouraging dairy producers to consider enrolling in the new and improved Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPPDairy), which will provide better protections for dairy producers from shifting milk and feed prices. With changes authorized under the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) has set the enrollment period to run from April 9, 2018 to June 1, 2018.

"We recognize the financial hardships many of our nation’s dairy producers are experiencing right now. Folks are losing their contracts and they are getting anxious about getting their bills paid while they watch their milk check come in lower and lower each month. The Bipartisan Budget Act provided some much-needed incentives for dairy producers to make cost-effective decisions to strengthen their farms, mitigate risk, and conserve their natural resources,” said Secretary Perdue. “This includes our support of America’s dairy farms. We encourage dairy producers to review the provisions of the updated program, which Congress shaped with their feedback. Those changes are now in effect, and I’d ask any producers who are interested to contact their local USDA service centers.”

About the Program:

The program protects dairy producers by paying them when the difference between the national all-milk price and the national average feed cost (the margin) falls below a certain dollar amount elected by the producer.

Release No. 0044.18

Contact: Wayne Maloney, (202) 720-6107

USDA to Immediately Assist Producers for Qualifying Livestock, Honeybee and Farm-raised Fish Program Losses $34 Million in Payments for 2017 Losses Part of Broad Suite of Programs Aiding Ag Operations The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will issue $34 million to help agricultural producers recover from 2017 natural disasters through the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-raised Fish Program (ELAP), which covers losses not covered by certain other USDA disaster assistance programs. These payments are being made available today, and they are part of a broader USDA effort to help producers recover from hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, wildfires and drought. A large portion of this assistance will be made available in federally designated disaster areas.

“From Florida, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, through the South, the Southwest, California and the Great Plains, American agriculture was devastated by natural disasters in 2017,” said Bill Northey, Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation. “The Trump Administration is moving quickly to distribute financial assistance to help producers recover and rebuild. It is important to get this help to producers in time for the spring planting season.”

ELAP aims to help eligible producers of livestock, honeybees and farm-raised fish for losses due to disease, certain adverse weather events or loss conditions, including blizzards and wildfires, as determined by the Secretary. ELAP assistance is provided for losses not covered by other disaster assistance programs such as the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) and the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP).

The increased amount of assistance through ELAP was made possible by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, signed earlier this year. The Act amended the 2014 Farm Bill to enable USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) to provide assistance to producers without an annual funding cap and immediately for 2017. It also enables FSA to pay ELAP applications as they are filed for 2018 and subsequent program years.

Changes include: • Calculations of the margin period is monthly rather than bi-monthly.

• Covered production is increased to 5 million pounds on the Tier 1 premium schedule, and premium rates for Tier 1 are substantially lowered.

• An exemption from paying an administrative fee for limited resource, beginning, veteran, and disadvantaged producers. Dairy operators enrolled in the previous 2018 enrollment period that qualify for this exemption under the new provisions may request a refund.

Dairy operations must make a new coverage election for 2018, even if you enrolled during the previous 2018 signup period. Coverage elections made for 2018 will be retroactive to January 1, 2018. All dairy operations desiring coverage must sign up during the enrollment period and submit an appropriate form (CCC-782) and dairy operations may still “opt out” by not submitting a form. All outstanding balances for 2017 and prior years must be paid in full before 2018 coverage is approved.

Dairy producers can participate in FSA’s MPP-Dairy or the Risk Management Agency’s Livestock Gross Margin Insurance Plan for Dairy Cattle (LGM-Dairy), but not both. During the 2018 enrollment period, only producers with an active LGMDairy policy who have targeted marketings insured in 2018 months will be allowed to enroll in MPP-Dairy by June 1, 2018; however, their coverage will start only after active target marketings conclude under LGM-Dairy.

USDA has a web tool to help producers determine the level of coverage under the MPP-Dairy that will provide them with the strongest safety net under a variety of conditions. The online resource, which will be updated and available by April 9 at www.fsa.usda.gov/mpptool, allows dairy farmers to quickly and easily combine unique operation data and other key variables to calculate their coverage needs based on price projections. Producers can also review historical data or estimate future coverage based on data projections. The secure site can be accessed via computer, smartphone, tablet or any other platform.

USDA is mailing postcards advising dairy producers of the changes. For more information, visit www.fsa.usda.gov/dairy or contact your local USDA service center. www.progressiverancher.com

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MAY / JUNE 2018

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By Joseph Guild

Mile High Musings

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woke up over what must have been southern Indiana or Illinois. I was on a 7am flight from Washington D.C. to Phoenix and then home from there to Nevada. I was up at 5am to catch this flight so as soon as I got on the plane and settled into my window seat I blew up my neck pillow and went to sleep.

The sleep was needed because I had already had several early mornings travelling to Washington and preparing for my appearance before a U.S. Senate Committee (more about this below).

I have driven part of this route before and it is hard to determine whether you are in eastern New Mexico, west Texas, the Oklahoma panhandle or southern Kansas. It is more difficult form the air obviously because you miss all the road signs but with a small knowledge of North American geography and the airline map from the seat pocket in front of you one can get close to knowing what you are flying over.

In these 3 hours of being awake at this window I could not help a few fantastic thoughts. In about 200 years we have turned a continent into a productive agricultural wonder. From Illinois farmland to New Mexico livestock ranges we feed a nation and a great part of the world.

New Mexico quickly stopped looking like west Texas and way off in the distance I could see the white tops of the Southern Rocky Mountains. It was starting to look a little bit like home. The sky had been clear for a thousand miles but now it was deeper blue and really clear. We were flying over bluffs covered in conifers with agricultural irrigated pasture valleys between the bluffs.

It certainly is spring. At first, below me was the richness of the best mid-west farmland; that which had been plowed was black and glacially deep.

Buildings and houses looked tidy and well-cared for.

The towns, villages and cities were not that far apart and sometimes there would be one of each in the The mountains were a welcome sight. I wondered same window view. how often people living in Washington dreamed We were flying an east to southwest path so we of mountains and skies like these looking up at the wouldn’t miss Phoenix. The next state had to be grey skies of winter. They became higher and more Missouri and I am sure we flew across the whole snow covered even though it had been a pretty state border to border at one of its widest points. dry winter in this part of the country. Spring had Near Illinois there wasn’t much difference in the definitely come to the valleys. Even 30,000 feet up land scape but slight changes in color started to you could tell there was green grass growing and appear as we got closer to Kansas and Oklahoma irrigation water flowing, waiting perhaps for cattle even though they were still pretty green. It also to come off the winter range. seemed like the towns were starting to get fewer and We crossed the Rockies and below us was the vast farther between. mesa country in west New Mexico. Green confers There were literally thousands of pivot irrigation in the high country contrasted with yellow, ochre, systems dotting the more and more brown landscape brown and red outcroppings of cliffs creating the as we passed further west into Oklahoma and across steep-walled mesas. This is a 6” to 10” rainfall zone the Panhandles of that state and Texas. And it was and elevation, as it happens in much of the west all agriculture everywhere you looked below. The determines the amount of vegetation. Not much occasional town or larger city came into view but we increase in rain means there will be a lot of pinion/ quickly passed over them and then it was all range juniper forest and higher elevation valleys beneath land and irrigation pivots with a feeding operation the mesa heights will have good feed for livestock coming into view once in a while. and wildlife.

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Unlike the Midwest with its farms and towns and cities only a few miles from each other we can fly at 30.000 feet for a half hour and see no or very little sign of human life.

Now I think we are over Arizona and only about 45 minutes from the Phoenix airport. We will quickly see more and more human imprint on the land.

When the weather is mostly clear, seated by a window, the flight across the country is a fascinating adventure of sight and imagination.

Leaving the east coast most of the time it is too overcast or hazy to see much which is another good reason to catch up on sleep. I woke up about the time we flew with the clouds in the rear view mirror so the rest of the way west I just sat and watched the country go by underneath me.

The green of the forest contrasts beautifully with the browns and reds of the exposed rocky mesas.

Occasional water can be seen in potholes and stock water ponds. Properly stocked this is probably fine rangeland for cattle and sheep - my kind of country.

The Progressive Rancher

Our culture, our transportation network, our cities, our manufacturing enterprises, our innovations, our science and technologic achievements are envied everywhere.

We also have made many mistakes as a nation, from slavery to our discrimination against those who are “different” than the rest of u - whatever that means.

We have to become better and more tolerant and embrace our differences.

I was in Washington D.C. to testify before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee to explain why groundwater, especially for agriculture, should not be considered a point source polluter violating the Clean Water Act which would require federal oversight and permits.

The issue is so much more complicated than can be outlined or explained in one paragraph or one Senate hearing.

Flying over this country as described above, returning from this hearing emphasized one very important and immediate fact. We are so big, so diverse and so complicated a country regarding almost any issue you can think of from race relations to health care or conflicting interpretations of the CWA that we need judicious, thoughtful, analytical and often times as localized solutions as we can possibly create to continue to be a great, vital innovative and vibrant country. www.progressiverancher.com

Letter To The Editor 50 YEARS OF RANGE DESTRUCTION IN NEVADA BY FEDERAL AGENCIES: 1960 -2012 Repectfully submitted by: Lyman Youngberg, Orovada, Nevada

As of this writing, Dec.27th 2017 being four months short of eighty years of age I believe I’ve had the opportunity to make range observations over a period of 50+ years. Todays federal agency personnel are unfamiliar with the range conditions over of the last fifty years which I’ve spent on ranches in northern Nevada and south east Oregon, namely Humboldt , Pershing and Elko Co. in Nevada, and Harney and Malher counties in Oregon. In the 1960’s I worked on the Alvord Ranch in south east Oregon as well as the Crooked Creek Ranch just south of Burns Junction. Most of these areas included Steens Mountain, Alvord Desert, Trout Creek Mountains and the Sheep Head Mountains along with adjoining allotments of White Horse Ranch, Flying G, Lucky 7, Nine Mile and Trout Cr. Ranch. Later in the 70’s I was in Elko County on the Wine Cup Ranch. During these years we did not have the catastrophic range fires that have occurred during later years. The reason being that the allotments were grazed, TNR (temporary nonuse) was often authorized, time of use and numbers were flexible , in other words as the conditions change so does the management.

No permittee would damage their range to the point of destruction of the resource as this is their livelihood year in and year out, generation after generation, common sense with experience in range and livestock management made for healthy range, wildlife habitat and fisheries. Today we have young and some not so young inexperienced agency personnel many of which are only in a district for one to three years (if at that) who are making decisions on range allotments of which they have very little on the ground experience or knowledge over a period of time.

Many of these young people have degrees in Biology, Ecology, Environmental studies, Wildlife management, Resource Management, etc. The majority being taught by “professors” having no experience or background in range or livestock use and management let alone in the Great Basin and adjoining areas with similar conditions. In addition much of their “education” has been biased with a philosophy of less livestock use to no use is better for the resource. Cattle Free by 93 propaganda, glossy page photos of supposed livestock damage to range and creeks produced by the likes of The Center for Biological Diversity, Western Watersheds, Sierra Club, and National Resource Defense Council just to name a few and all for the purpose of gathering donations and furthering their careers as so called environmentalists. As for the agency people I don’t believe there is 1 % ( if at that) with any ranch, range, livestock or agricultural background or have a clue as to what sustainable use is. We have a renewable resource, it grows every year and if not utilized it will burn. Many of the younger personnel are given assignments on only specific areas of expertise resulting in for example the fish biologist knows little of the range conservationist’s area of study.

Along with this they are required to produce reports according to FLPMA and NEPA regulations which require hours upon hours of documentation and review by superiors. All this paper work will go into a file of the permitee ( in the case of grazing) whether valid or invalid and eventually will be transferred to the BLM’s document center in Denver, Colo. where they will remain to mold and decay into the black hole of government documents never to be seen again and often outdated within several years.

Many of the supervisors have predetermined ideas about rangeland health and encourage or direct the younger personnel to follow these philosophies. It might look good on paper to the unwary and satisfy FLPMA and NEPA requirements giving evidence www.progressiverancher.com

of proper management of the federal lands however in reality the lands in much of Nevada and south east Oregon are undergoing constant degradation due to misguided policies on range management over the last 50 years or so.

In 1980 there was approximately 3,020,000 active AUM’s in the state of Nevada. The bulk of this being BLM and USFS allotments.. Between 1980 and 2012 the federal agencies have reduced the active AUM’s by 42% for a loss of 1,257,000 AUM’s down to 1,763,000 which equates to the loss of 210,000 animal units (using a six month average grazing period). This does not consider suspended non-use at around 420,000 AUM’s which would bring the total loss to 1,677,000 AUM’s or a 52% reduction in active grazing. That equates to around 280,000 animal units no longer grazing Nevada’s ranges under federal management.

During this same time frame the average acres lost to wildland fires per year is around 366,400 Acs., however the timing of the most catastrophic fires occurred in 1985 at 866,000 acs., 1996 at 777,000 acs., 1999 at 1,872,000 acs., 2000 at 70,000 acs., 2001 at 654,000 acs., 2005 at 1,320,000 acs., 2006 at 1,350,000 acs., 2007 at 890,000 acs., 2008 at 72,000 acs., 2011 at 424,000 acs., 2012 at 613,000 acs plus the adjoining area next to the Oregon line ( which was the same fire) of 420,000 acs. for a million acre fire.

It really doesn’t take a rocket scientist to look at the reduction in grazing and the increased incidents of large catastrophic fires. However the federal agencies as in Nevada have continued to use the same approach and philosophy during this time period of reduced grazing through limiting numbers, time of use, duration of use while maintaining suspended nonuse and not allowing TNR (temporary nonrenewable use) even when sufficient forage is available. But then again who would apply for TNR if the forage wasn’t there? Much of this philosophy comes from a biased approach to livestock grazing along with classification as to endangered/ threatened species and federal range management determinations using only key species of certain grasses and forbes located in widely diverse soils, topography and geologic conditions which can limit range evaluations to minute postage stamp size areas which as a trigger could force termination of all or part of the allotment grazing for the rest of the season. As a consequence the fuel load of dead and decadent grasses , brush, trees etc. has become the on-going reason for large and catastrophic range fires destroying not only forage but wildlife habitat and impair riparian and watersheds.

As the agencies spend hundreds of millions of dollars in dubious fire determent projects, range renovations and supposed cheat grass control, they continue to follow the same old philosophy that has caused the problem to begin with. Instead, they should be managing for what is there not something they wish was there. Cheat grass ranges have resulted from large fires which in turn create more cheat grass areas due to lack of competition and the cycle continuous. A better approach would be to allow more grazing during the season, spring, summer, fall and winter, work with permittees to provide or enhance stock watering facilities so that more numbers of livestock could utilize the forage in specific areas thus reducing the fuel load and the seed bank. This would basically be a form of holistic management , as an area is grazed off water and livestock could be moved to the next area all resulting in the stimulation of soil microbes and native grasses, reduction of cheat grass and an overall increase in rangeland health.

I doubt this will ever occur under the present philosophy of the federal agencies. The fire budget and associated programs are huge and no federal agency is want to reduce their budget even at the expense of the resource. In fact their present and future budgets depend on continuing the same practices and philosophy used over the past 50 years.

An even better solution would be to simply turn over the grazing management to the permittees who would manage their ranges in a more common sense manner. In fact many permittees would support a grazing fee increase if they were left alone to manage their own allotments thus reducing agency costs while increasing revenue at the same time. Now the agencies and environmental groups would wring their hands in distress and rage and would go to court to prevent this from happening with such old excuses as wildlife habitat destruction, threatened and endangered species concerns, water shed and riparian impacts, etc, etc.

The program could be started on a trial basis for an initial 5 year period to be renewed following the fifth year if objectives were met. Present limitations on time of use, numbers and duration of use, water hauls, salt locations or other management decisions would be left to the discretion of the permittees.

Livestock grazing in fenced off riparian areas could be grazed with a 50% utilization rate to remove the old matted and decadent fuels which would benefit sage grouse populations as well as other wildlife while limiting the existing fire hazard.

This could all be accomplished under existing regulations under an exclusion for a TRIAL BASIS memorandum, with the resource being monitored by agency personnel. As this would not be a major federal policy action it would not require an EA ( environmental assessment or an impact statement) thus not subject to a public comment period.

Some federal agencies have allowed trial grazing programs in previous years on BLM and USFS allotments however they seem to have been shunted aside due to the constant turnover in managers and the propensity to maintain the status quo.

Another subject that should be considered is the definition of an Animal Unit. By universities and Ag. Extension standards, professional range ecologist and land managers an animal unit in the case of a bovine is a mature animal approximately 1000 pounds or a cow and calf pair. The federal agencies however have declared that any weaned calf up to a year is also an AU. The problem here is that a mature cow weighing 1000 to 1200 pounds will consume approximately 3% of her body weight as will a weaned calf or yearling. So the mature cow will eat 30 to 36 pounds of forage while the calf/yearling will eat around 15 to 21 pounds which would be only 54% of a true animal units consumption, using on average say over a 180 day growing period, starting with 500 to 600 pound animal with an estimated gain of 1.5 pounds per day and final weight being in the neighborhood of 700 to 770 pounds. At this rate one could run one and a half to two weaned/yearlings per one actual animal unit. For example say one has an allotment with 3000 AUM’s, this will run 500 AU’s for 6 months. If one were to run 400 cows for 6 months that would use 2400 AUMs, the balance being 600 AUM’s x 1.5 = 900 yearlings. This type of management could be instituted under a trial program which would allow increased numbers, reducing cheat grass and range fires along with improved overall rangeland health.

Whether this is done on a trial basis per agency or under complete management by the permittee, all would still have agency oversight for the trial period thus insuring the naysayers that no actual resource

The Progressive Rancher

damage was occurring. The end result would benefit the range, the agencies, the permittees and wildlife.

On another note, the so called “ Drought Monitor” only indicates an overall average precipitation for the year or season. This has often been used to influence grazing decisions by the agencies to the detriment of the permittees as well as the resource. Many a year in this part of the world we have a below average snow fall and /or rain during the winter but can have a wet spring which will generate explosive growth in native as well as nonnative grasses. Resource management based on the “Drought Monitor” is not management but an inept/lazy procedure to further the failing ongoing range/resource paradigm of less use is good for the resource. After-all, the native grasses in the Great Basin have evolved over thousands of years under drought conditions ( it is called high desert----desert meaning dry or lack of moisture) and has been grazed since the middle and late 1800’s without the losses that now occur with fires. I have personally seen great feed years after a so called winter drought. Sure we may be short of water due to lack of a snow pack but there’s no shortage of feed or fire fuel.

I’m not saying there has never been abuse of the ranges in the west. During the late 1800’s and the early 1900’s competition for the ranges were fierce primarily due to the anti- fencing law of 1885 which resulted in grazing in common by competitive stockmen. This was one of the reasons stockmen supported the Taylor Grazing Act of 1934 which tied grazing permits to owned water rights and commensurable private lands leading to private allotments without the encroachment from others with no prior rights or base properties. As the Grazing Service expanded to ultimately become the Bureau of Land Management and as is the case with any federal bureaucracy it tends to grow beyond its intended original purpose. As of the late 1960’s and early 1970’s many of the district offices of the BLM had fewer than fifty or more permanent employees, at present I doubt that any district office has less than 150 or more full time employees and in order to justify this and their budgets results in superfluous ‘make work projects’ being carried on by numerous people ensconced in cubicles typing up mostly meaningless reports and documents to justify their jobs.

It should be noted that after the Taylor Grazing Act made individual allotments law, thus reducing the competition for the range from non-water right and non-commensurable property rights grazers the ranges returned to a healthy and viable resource. There was no need to over graze the range to prevent others from encroaching but a desire to enhance and maintain their allotments based on good common sense management, after-all this was their livelihood and they balanced their livestock numbers to match the resource.

So, what is the answer? There should be a change in the paradigm of the agencies to a more common sense approach using input from the people that actually manage the ranges, ie. (the permittees) along with collaborative and meaningful terms and conditions on grazing allotments.

References: National InterAgency Fire Center (NIAFC) Boise, Idaho, United States Department of the Interior (USDI) Allotment Master Report 2011, Nevada Grazing Statistics 2001 by RCI, Nevada Ag Statistics nass.usda. gov/nv/, Resource Concepts, Inc. Carson City, Nv., State of Nevada Dept. of Agriculture, Carson City, Nv.

MAY / JUNE 2018

11

CHECKOFF NEWS: Restaurant Operators Recognizing the Importance of Menuing More Beef From Beef.ItsWhatsForDinner.com

Tastes change and food trends come and go, but through it all, beef remains an enduring favorite and a menu anchor. The 2017 Beef Foodservice Volumetric Study found that 97 percent of foodservice operators are serving beef, with ground beef being the most popular followed by steaks and roasts.

Since 2003, Beef. It's What's For Dinner., managed by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association on behalf of the Beef Checkoff, has engaged Technomic annually to study how beef is being purchased by the foodservice industry. The 2017 study revealed that beef had the highest gain in volume of all proteins, up a total of 221 million pounds.

Additionally, the 2017 study showed an increase of nearly 10 percent from 2015 of operators purchasing roasts for their restaurants1. The significant increase in popularity points to a growing supply of beef in response to strong consumer demand, as well as the growing trend of in-house fabrication. The ability to cut steaks in house is a significant asset for foodservice operators as 45 percent indicated that featuring steak on the menu increases traffic.

"In-house fabrication allows the operator to explore new cutting techniques to offer guests a unique beef eating experience. All in all, it's a win-win for the operator and their customers," said Chef Dave Zino, chef at the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, a contractor to the beef checkoff.

While roasts have seen a more notable increase in popularity, sales of all beef cuts continue to do well across the foodservice industry, with beef volume overall increasing by 221 million pounds from 2016 to 2017. This is a trend that should continue into 2018 as indicated by the beef supply forecast from USDA stating that consumers are projected to eat 9.6 percent more beef in 2018 than in 2015.

ADDITIONAL KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THE STUDY: • Beef had the highest gain in volume of all proteins and represents 51 percent of all animal protein growth in 2017.

• Beef volume has increased for the second year in a row.

• Beef volume is up a total of 221 million pounds, or 2.8 percent.

• There is a rebound in premium cuts of beef in both pre-cut steaks and roasts.

• Emerging Cuts, such as Flat Iron, Petite Tender Medallions and Hanger are gaining popularity.

• 45 percent of operators say that having Steak on the menu increases traffic, which is the highest number in 5 years.

THE IMPORTANCE OF PROTEIN Checkoff research continues to show that nutrition remains a strong incentive for consumers to eat more beef. And if you’ve visited the new Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. web site since its relaunch last fall, you’ve seen that the nutrition story is an important part of the site.

For the Nevada Beef Council and other checkoff-funded organizations, sharing information about beef ’s nutrition is an important component of our programs and efforts – especially for those consumers who question whether beef belongs in a healthy diet.

So, what are some of those nutrition facts that are worth sharing?

There are many, in fact, but for now, let’s focus on protein. Among the powerful package of 10 essential nutrients beef is known for, protein may be one of the most notable. In fact, one 3 oz cooked serving of beef provides 50% of your Daily Value (25 grams) of this important nutrient—making it an excellent source.

A wealth of research has linked protein to favorable lifestyle markers such as healthy body weight and/or weight loss, maintaining and building muscle, and overall diet satisfaction. When it comes to improving overall health, managing weight or satisfying appetites, protein packs quite a punch: • People who eat a higher-protein diet (about 30% of daily calories from protein) feel more satisfied, which may help prevent overeating.

• Protein helps support strong, lean bodies. Eating at least 4 ounces of high-quality protein from foods like beef at each meal provides your body with energy to lead an active lifestyle.

• Protein may help cut the fat. Research has shown exercise is more effective for weight management when paired with a higherprotein diet, and beef provides the amino acids necessary for building and replenishing muscles.

For more about the Nevada Beef Council or the Beef Checkoff, visit www.nevadabeef.org or www.mybeefcheckoff.org 12 MAY / JUNE 2018

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• High-quality diets with high quality lean protein helps lower cholesterol, reduce the risk of chronic disease, and reduce high blood pressure.

Studies have also shown that it’s not only important to get protein in at lunch or dinner, but to spread it throughout the day to help maximize all the aforementioned benefits. Aiming for 25-30 grams of protein at each meal is recommended.

For more on protein benefits, beef nutrition, and the science behind this information, visit www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com/nutrition.

Balsamic-Marinated Flank Steak

By Nevada Beef Council staff With the warmer months upon us, grilling season is officially here!

(Did it ever really leave, though?) When it comes to a delicious, nutritious meal, nothing is easier (or tastier) than throwing a steak on the barbecue. This flank steak recipe features a tangy balsamic marinade.

Serve it with a variety of veggies for a simple, fresh meal.

Makes 6 servings INGREDIENTS • 1 beef Flank Steak (about 1-1/2 pounds) • Salt & pepper Balsamic Marinade: • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar • 2 tablespoons olive oil • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil • 1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon-style mustard • 1 clove garlic, minced • 1/2 teaspoon sugar COOKING • Combine marinade ingredients in small bowl. Place beef steak and marinade in food-safe plastic bag; turn steak to coat. Close bag securely and marinate in refrigerator 6 hours or as long as overnight, turning occasionally.

• Remove steak from marinade; discard marinade. Place steak on grid over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill, covered, 11 to 16 min. (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, 16 to 21 min.) for medium rare (145°F) to medium (160°F) doneness, turning occasionally.

• Season steak with salt and pepper, as desired. Carve steak crosswise into thin slices.

Nicely done, beef.

You provide the benefits of a protein bar.

Without tasting like one.

Nothing packs a protein punch like a slice of prime perfection. Browse recipes, cuts and cooking tips for this protein like no other at BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com.

“Courtesy of Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.”

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4/4/2018 11:05:53 AM

The Progressive Rancher

MAY / JUNE 2018

13

In the Mind of a Millennial

By Jill Scofield, Director of Producer Relations, California & Nevada Beef Council

I

Millennials & Food Purchasing ’ve talked a lot in this column about how the beef checkoff invests in research that helps guide the industry in all manner of things. Whether it be nutrition studies that provide data to support beef ’s role in a variety of lifestyles, research on the environmental benefits of raising livestock, or efforts to better understand consumer behaviors and preferences. Combined, this body of research that is made possible through the checkoff helps guide and direct strategies to help effectively reach and resonate with consumers and influencer audiences.

For this article, I’m sharing some interesting research that was NOT funded by the beef checkoff, but is nonetheless helpful in understanding consumer behavior – particularly the behavior of Millennial consumers. A study recently conducted by the US Department of Agriculture explored the food purchase decisions of Millennial households compared to other generations.

As stated in a summary of the study, “Millennials, those born between 1981 and the mid-2000s, are now the largest, most diverse living generation—surpassing Baby Boomers—in the United States. As such, their purchasing behavior heavily influences the current retail landscape. They are more diverse and have higher levels of education (on average) than previous generations. In addition, some of them began establishing careers during the Great Recession (December 2007-June 2009), an economic downturn that likely affected their food spending.”

As I’ve shared in previous updates, the importance of the Millennial generation to the beef industry is that it will be an important driver in the economy for years to come. The aforementioned USDA study sought to focus on associations between generation and food purchasing decisions, looking at food spending differences by income within generations, as well as food purchasing decisions within the Millennial generation by age and income.

Jill Scofield is the Director of Producer Relations for the California and Nevada Beef Councils. She grew up on a cow-calf ranch in Northwestern Nevada.

So, what did this particular study find? Well, the results aren’t terribly surprising given what we already know about Millennial purchasing behavior, but some of it bears repeating. For example, as incomes and wealth increase, purchasing of food away from home tends to occur more than food at home consumption, with Millennials consuming food in a restaurant or bar around 30 percent more often than any other generation. In fact, despite having the lowest average incomes across generations, Millennials allocate the largest share of their food budgets on ‘food away from home’ and prepared foods compared to other generations.

The study also looked at how much people spend on food. According to the study summary, “While each preceding, older generation spends more on food at home than the younger generation after it, there seems to be a distinct difference between the oldest and youngest generations—the spending patterns of Traditionalists (born before 1946) and Baby Boomers (born 1946-65) and those of Gen X’ers (born 1965-80) and Millennials (for this report, born between 1981 and 1996) are very similar.”

The study even compared “recession Millennials” (those who likely entered the job market during the recession of 2007-2009) with “non-recession Millennials,” showing that the latter purchase more food at home than the former, which could be attributed to changes in earning trajectories due to the recession.

However, when comparing higher income recession and non-recession Millennials, food spending patterns are similar, which may suggest that the recession only affected lower income and middle-income “recession Millennial” food shopping behaviors.

I’ve also mentioned previously that the Millennial generation favors convenience when it comes to food preparation and planning, and this study supports that.

It found that on average, Millennials spend 12 minutes less eating and drinking than Traditionalists, who devote the most time toward those activities at 77 minutes per day. It also found that Millennials spend significantly less time on food preparation, presentation, and cleanup—55 minutes less than Gen X’ers, who spend the most time at 143 minutes.

This observation supports the finding that Millennials purchase more ready-to-eat foods; nearly two-thirds of Millennials reported buying some form of prepared food within the prior 7 days, suggesting a preference for time savings. For more on this and similar studies, visit www.ers.usda.gov.

With this study underscoring Millennials’ desire for convenience, you might be interested to know about a new meal kit promotion taking place in our neighboring state. In April, the California Beef Council launched a beef meal kit promotion with WinCo stores that will run through early June.

These meal kits tap into consumers' desire for convenient, easy-to-prepare meals, with beef as the protein.

Meal kits have become increasingly popular over recent years, with many subscription-based meal kit companies offering easy-to-make dishes delivered to consumers' doorsteps. These in-store meal kits offer the same convenience, with the meals taking about 15 minutes to create, and include all the ingredients (including USDA Choice beef) for a delicious lunch or dinner. The national beef checkoff developed these beef meal kits in partnership with one of their national manufacturer accounts, and sought the CBC’s assistance with rolling it out at a regional retailer.

14 MAY / JUNE 2018

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The Progressive Rancher

MAY / JUNE 2018

15

NRCS Snow Survey NRCS Water Supply Outlook Report Helps Farmers and Ranchers

D

uring the Dust Bowl, Congress began funding a Federal Snow Survey program with the charge to “conduct snow surveys for the purpose of forecasting irrigation water supplies.”

As part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) continues to serve the irrigated agriculture community by producing summer streamflow forecasts based on winter snow and precipitation measurements. Another significant portion of Nevada’s agricultural output happens on our rangelands. In February 2018, the NRCS added a “Rangeland Conditions” section to the monthly Water Supply Outlook Report. This new section looks at lower elevation data related to herbage production.

Input is provided by Patti Novak-Echenique, the Nevada NRCS State Rangeland Management Specialist and Jeff Anderson, the Nevada NRCS Water Supply Specialist.

Keep reading to see the April 1 update.

Not Just Farmers and Ranchers When the federal government began coordinating the Snow Survey and Water Supply Forecasting program in 1935, its primary mission was to forecast streamflow in order to predict summer irrigation supplies. It did not take long for other user groups to begin to see value in the information.

As early as 1937, snow survey supervisors were making Friday night “Snowcasts” on NBC Radio. The “Snowcasts” gave the information about snow conditions at early ski resorts that were popping up across the West. The variety of user groups has only increased since those early days.

Today, Snow Survey data and Water Supply Reports may still be primarily aimed at surface water users such as irrigation districts and farmers, as well as reservoir operators and municipalities who get domestic water from rivers and reservoirs.

The snow survey data and reports are also useful to many others, too. Here is a short, but in no way complete, list: • Recreationists who ski, snowmobile, whitewater raft, fish, and backpack • Banks who make loans to farmers

• Insurance Brokers who insure crops • Researchers from universities

• Avalanche Forecasters who keep the recreationists and mountain communities aware of potential dangers • And many more…

To join the subscription list for future reports, send an email with "subscribe" in the subject line to: jeff. anderson@nv.usda.gov. NRCS Nevada’s Snow Survey website is: www.nv.nrcs.usda.gov/snow/ 16 MAY / JUNE 2018

By: Jeff Anderson NRCS Nevada Hydrologist and Heather Emmons NRCS Nevada Public Affairs Officer

Here are highlights from the Nevada NRCS April 1 Water Supply Outlook Report SNOWPACK One month can result in a big turnaround and when it happens in March, it is called a miracle. Basins in the eastern Sierra saw more than twice the average precipitation in March, which increased the snowpack from dismal to decent.

You have to go back to 1991 for a more significant and beneficial March turnaround for the Tahoe, Truckee, Carson and Walker basins. The rest of northern Nevada also had above average precipitation in March, which caused snow percentages to increase by month’s end. April 1 snowpacks are 75-90% of the April 1 medians in the Lake Tahoe, Truckee, Carson and Walker basins. In other parts of northern Nevada, April 1 basin snowpacks are 43-73% of median. The lowest snowpack is in the Spring Mountains of southern Nevada where only 10% of median snow was measured, compared to 93% last April.

Nevada & Eastern Sierra Percent of Median Snowpack • April 1, 2018 Snake River

1st of Month Snow Water Equivalent Basin-wide Percent of 1981-2010 Median

<50% 50-69% 70-89% 80-109% 110-129% 130-150% >150% Provisional data subject to revision

Natural Resources Conservation Service

Map data based on the first of month snow water equivalent found at selected SNOTEL and snow course sites in or near the basin compared to the median value for those sites. SNOTEL data based on the first reading of the day (typically midnight). Snow course data based on measurements taken within the last 5 days of preceding month. A table based, station-by-station, report of the underlying data can be found by selecting "Nevada' and report type "Snowpack" for the date listed above on the following webpage: www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/basin.html

An apples to apples way to quantify the increase in snow water between March 1 and April 1 is to compare each against the median springtime peak amount rather than the daily medians which change each day. Doing so shows that the Lake Tahoe, Truckee, Carson and Walker basins increased from 28-36% of peak on March 1 to 68-82% of peak on April 1, on average a +45% increase. For comparison, in 1991 snowpacks in the Sierra were just 15% of the normal peak on March 1 and increased to 70% by April 1, a +55% increase. That means the March 2018 increase in the Sierra was about 10% less impressive than the classic 1991 March Miracle. Both winters qualify for Miracle March status since both were dismal on March 1 and ended up decent by April 1.

PRECIPITATION March brought above average precipitation region wide. The Sierra basins had 206-261% of average. Basins across northern Nevada recorded 117-141% of average. March precipitation ranked top five compared to the period of record in the Sierra basins, as well as north of Elko in the Independence and Jarbidge mountain ranges, and south of Elko at three SNOTELs in the Ruby Mountains. This is in contrast to December through February precipitation which ranks second driest after 1991 in the Sierra and in eastern Nevada based on SNOTEL data. As of April 1, water year-to-date precipitation is 89-97% of average in the Sierra, and 83-92% across the Northern Great The Progressive Rancher

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Basin, Humboldt, Owyhee and Snake River basins. Eastern Nevada (the area between Austin and Ely) continues to be the driest part of northern Nevada with only 65% of average precipitation this water year. March precipitation boosted water year precipitation amounts in Eastern Nevada out of last place. On April 1, four SNOTELs in that region ranked second to fourth lowest since the sites were installed.

RESERVOIRS April 1 basin reservoir storage amounts range from 83-96% of capacity across northern Nevada. Most reservoirs across northern Nevada are expected to fill. These include: Lake Tahoe, Independence Lake, Stampede, Boca, Prosser, Lahontan, Bridgeport, Topaz Lake, and hopefully Rye Patch. In southern Nevada, Lake Mead’s storage is similar to last year at 41% of capacity. The April 1 snowpack in the Upper Colorado basin is only 73% of median compared to 121% last year. The forecasted April-July volume for the Colorado River’s Lake Powell inflow is 2,750 KAF, which is 5,474 KAF less than what was observed last year.

STREAMFLOW FORECASTS April 1 streamflow forecasts increased substantially across the Sierra and much of northern Nevada. In the Sierra, the April-July forecasts are now 76-107% of average, up from 22-62% on March 1. The Humboldt Basin and Clover Valley forecasts are 39-79% of average, up from 15-55% on March 1. The Northern Great Basin forecasts and Salmon Falls Creek forecast in the Snake Basin also benefited: April 1 forecasts are 57-75% of average, up from 20-43% a month earlier. Elsewhere forecasts increased only a modest amount or decreased slightly. Northern Nevada’s water supply picture is getting brighter this spring, but keep in mind that most streamflow forecasts remain below average and some far below average. Fortunately, the forecasted volumes should be enough to fill reservoirs. For those dependent on natural streamflow without the benefit of stored water, continued spring precipitation will play a critical role as to when water shortages could occur. Eastern and southern Nevada remain the areas of greatest concern.

Indian Ricegrass (6"-8") leaf growth

Budsage

PLANT GROWTH: In the Great Basin, the first shrub to green up is bud sagebrush (Picrothamnus desertorum), followed by spiny hopsage (Grayia spinosa). Buds are evident in late February or early March, when most other shrubs are still dormant. Both shrubs are considered summer-deciduous, losing their leaves by early summer. Indian ricegrass (Achnatherum hymenoides) also begins growth in early spring and flowers before the driest part of summer. Flowering can continue until mid-summer if frequent spring rains occur. In central Nevada, flowering has also been observed in September after summer convection storms that produced abundant precipitation.

The Vegetation Drought Response Index (VDRI) is a weekly depiction of vegetation stress and is based on high resolution remote sensing data, as well as climate data, and other biophysical information such as land cover/land use type, soil characteristics, and ecological setting. The maps provide regional to sub-county scale information about drought effects on vegetation (http://drought.unl.edu/Home.aspx). The April 1, 2018 map indicates that vegetative growth has begun in most of the state and conditions indicate pre-drought stress or near normal, with some areas showing moderate drought.

Higher elevations are still dormant (gray).

Vegetation Drought Response Index

RANGELAND CONDITIONS – NEW for 2018

Rangelands: Nevada April 1, 2018

This section takes a closer look at data from lower elevation rangeland and valley locations which may be more meaningful to the ranching community. Most NRCS SNOTEL stations are located in the mountains above 6,500 feet. There are a lot of rangeland acres below the SNOTEL network. Seasonal snow cover replenishes soil moisture and provides water for plant growth. A useful tool to track the lower elevation snowpack is NOAA’s Modeled Snow Water Equivalent Map. Results from April 1, 2018 indicate that the low elevation snow present across northern Nevada on March 1 has melted. March did bring a series of storms producing above average precipitation for the month. In March, precipitation was recorded at the majority of the climate stations across Nevada. Eureka received the most at 3.19 inches and Reno at 2.35 inches. Fallon received only 0.15 inches, Tonopah had 0.22 inches and Las Vegas had 0.26 inches. Average temperatures were colder than normal for March; however, for the past six months they are still above normal and precipitation is below normal for most of the selected climate stations (table below).

Vegetation Condition Extreme Drought Severe Drought Moderate Drought Pre-Drought Stress Near Normal Unusually Moist Very Moist Extreme Moist Out of Season Water Other Land Cover Jeff Anderson, NRCS Nevada state hydrologist (below), plunges a snow tube into the snow to measure the snowpack at the Mt. Rose SNOTEL site Feb. 5, 2018

www.progressiverancher.com

The Progressive Rancher

MAY / JUNE 2018

17

Range Management Meeting Range Management Meeting Brought Attendees from 10 Countries to Sparks

O

ver 1,400 people from 10 countries attended the Society for Range Management Annual Meeting in Sparks, Nevada, January 28 through February 3, 2018. In addition to the United States, attendees came from Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Jordan, Kenya, Mexico, Nepal and Peru. The 6 day meeting included keynote speakers, presentations on international issues, workshops, tours, poster sessions, social events, a job fair and competitions for 430 university and college students.

John L. Mclain receives W.R. Chapline Land Steward Award

Two Nevada residents were among the award recipients at the meeting. John McLain, principal with Resource Concepts, Inc. (RCI) in Carson City, received the W. R. Chapline Land Steward Award. He was recognized for over 50 years of active membership in the SRM, having served as President, on the Board of Directors and on several committees. McLain is a well-known figure and motivated spokesperson in rangeland management. Legislators and agency leaders at the state and national levels readily seek his advice and expertise on rangeland policy and management knowing that he is a Certified Range Management Consultant, who is respected by his fellow range management professionals as well as those who oppose his positions. They know his reputation and his professional doctrines are based on science and that he always sets conservation of the resources as his primary goal.

Contact: Liz Warner (775) 721-0129 ewarner130@aol.com

The University of Nevada Range Club raised nearly $5,000 from their year-long saddle raffle. The Nevada Section of the Society for Range Management donated the materials to saddle maker Duane Coombs, renowned Nevada range steward, who donated his time to construct the beautiful saddle. The funds will be used to help students travel to future SRM Annual Meetings and to the “Science in the Sagebrush Steppe”, an educational collegiate range camp put on by the Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center. The saddle winner was Annie Overlin, a graduate student at the University of Nevada, Reno.

Ranchers from throughout the west submitted brands to be displayed on the Young Professionals Conclave wild rags sold during the meeting. The YPC thanks the ranchers who submitted their brands that were displayed in Nevada’s silver and blue colors. The YPC sold 220 wild rags, a new record, and took orders for more, raising over $1,500 for their scholarship fund.

The Nugget Casino Resort, the site of the annual meeting, did an outstanding job of hosting the meeting. “We can’t say enough about their responsiveness to our needs, including increasing the number of meals to be served because of our overwhelming attendance, handling our audio-visual needs, and basically providing whatever we needed,” said Mark Freese, meeting co-chair and biologist with the Nevada Department of Wildlife.

The Nugget also donated over $17,000 to the Nevada SRM scholarship fund. “This money will help the Nevada Section provide scholarships for range students,” said Ryan Shane, meeting co-chair and forester with the Nevada Division of Forestry.

Shane said the meeting was especially successful due to the support from sponsors and exhibitors. “We had so many exhibitors, we had to expand the exhibit area to fit them all in,” he said.

2018 sponsors were DOW AgroSciences, Resource Concepts, Inc., Bayer, Barrick, Newmont Elko Land and Livestock, Texas Grazing Land Coalition, Bureau of Land Management, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Nevada Association of Conservation Districts, US Forest Service, Nevada Department of Wildlife, Nevada Division of Forestry, Giant Rubber Water Tanks, Stantec Consulting Services, Texas Grazing Land Coalition, Y2 Consultants, Northern Rockies Engineering, Synergy Resource Solutions, Inc., Noble Research Institute, Smith and Mason Valley Conservation Districts and Nevada Rancher Magazine.

SRM President Larry Howery (right) presents Don Henderson (left) with the SRM Fellow Award.

Don Henderson of Carson City received the SRM Fellow Award. Henderson is a senior range specialist with RCI and former director of the Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA). He received the award for his work establishing the first range management program for NDA, providing technical assistance to the Governor’s Sage Grouse Committee, and his assistance to the Nevada Rangeland Monitoring Handbook Committee.

Numerous other service and competition awards were presented. More information is available on the SRM website at rangelands.org.

18 MAY / JUNE 2018

Exhibitors included Granite Seed and Erosion Control, Easy Fence, LLC., USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Truax Company, Inc., Stevenson Intermountain Seed, Inc., USDA ARS Jornada, The Chico Research Foundation, Utah State University, Rangeland Partnership, USDA ARS Poisonous Plant Research Laboratory, US Geological Survey, USDA Northern Plains Climate Club, Alligare, LLC., University of Idaho Rangeland Center, AG IDEA, National Grazing Lands Coalition, Ag-Renewal, Inc., US Fish and Wildlife Service, Great Basin Fire Science Exchange, Chadron State College, Humboldt University Range and Soils Club, Utah State University Range Club, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Idaho Range Club, Southern Utah University Range Club. University of Nevada, Reno Range Club, New Mexico State University Range Club, 2019 SRM Annual Meeting, Desert Studio, Low Stress Stockmanship, Carson Sierra Spinners & Weavers, University of Wyoming Range Club, Point Blue Conservation Science, Great Basin Institute, Curtis & Curtis, Inc., Pawnee Buttes Seed, Inc., Juniper Systems, California Association of Resource Conservation Districts, Bayer Environmental Science, International Grassland/Rangeland Congress, USDA ARS Great Basin Rangelands Research, 2020 SRM Annual Meeting, SNF, Inc., Southern Rockies Fire Science Network, and Rainier Seeds, Inc. The next SRM annual meeting will be held in Minneapolis, Minn., Feb. 10-14, 2019.

Information on the 2018 meeting can be found on the SRM website at rangelands.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SRMAnnualMtg2018. Information on the Nevada Section SRM can be found at nevada.rangelands.org.

The Progressive Rancher

www.progressiverancher.com

Contact: Rebecca Allured Public Information Officer Administration Division

Leadership Change Announced NDA Director Jim Barbee to serve as Churchill County Manager

The Nevada Department of Agriculture director announced today he will be transitioning into a new role as Churchill County Manager.

“It has been a great pleasure to serve Governor Sandoval, The Nevada Board of Agriculture and citizens of Nevada. NDA has a strong team and I have no doubt they will continue to do good work for the constituents of our great state,” Director Barbee said. “I look forward to working with NDA as I represent Churchill County on the many diverse topics related to agriculture and natural resources on the local level.”

Director Barbee will be with the NDA through May 18.

“Jim Barbee has served as a member of my administration since 2011,” Governor Brian Sandoval said. “I want to thank him for his service and I wish him well in his future endeavors.”

Statement Regarding Public Opening for Virginia Range Feral Horse RFP “The Nevada Department of Agriculture did not receive any proposals for the transfer of ownership of the 2,951 feral/estray horses located in the Virginia Range,” Director Jim Barbee said. “Because no proposals were received, we will not be holding a public opening as scheduled in the timeline of the request for proposals.

Statement regarding next steps: “We are still under the existing directive from

the Board of Agriculture to manage the horses for public safety only,” Director Barbee said. “The next step is to go back to the board for further direction, and we will continue to manage the Virginia Range feral/estray horses for public safety.”

Newest Data Shows Increase in NV Food & Agriculture Exports Food and Ag now sixth highest export category in Nevada Recently released data from the U.S. Census Bureau Foreign Trade Division for 2017 on the total Nevada food and agriculture exports show more than $362 million in annual exports. This is an 8.5 percent year over year increase, and a 106 percent increase since 2013. Nevada food and agriculture exports have increased steadily year after year since 2013, even while other Nevada exports have decreased.

“Exports are one of the leading indicators of a successful food and agriculture industry, and we’re excited to have another year of increase in export sales,” Director Jim Barbee of the Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) said. “Our team has been working hard to bring in more buyers, both nationally and internationally.”

While approximately 16 percent of Nevada’s total food and agriculture exports go to China, the recently proposed tariff increases are not currently identified on any of those products.

This data combines all 37 agricultural export product categories in Nevada, including dairy products, produce, plants and more. With this new data, food and agriculture exports become the sixth highest export category in Nevada, up from the ninth last year.

The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) promotes a business climate that is fair, economically viable and encourages a sustainable environment that serves to protect food, fiber and health and human safety through effective service and education. The NDA includes the divisions of Administration, Animal Industry, Consumer Equitability, Food and Nutrition and Plant Industry.

Nevada Total vs Agricultural Exports $14,000,000,000

.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................

$12,000,000,000

.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................

$10,000,000,000

.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................

$400,000,000 $350,000,000 $300,000,000 $250,000,000

$8,000,000,000 ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... $6,000,000,000 .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................

$200,000,000

Total Exports

$4,000,000,000 .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Total Ag Exports

$150,000,000 $100,000,000

$2,000,000,000 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................ $50,000,000 $0

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... $0

ANNUAL

96 997 998 999 000 001 002 003 004 005 006 007 008 009 010 011 012 013 014 015 016 017 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

19

Mosquito Season Means it is Time to Vaccinate Horses Against West Nile Virus The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) urges horse owners throughout the state to vaccinate against West Nile Virus (WNV). WNV can cause severe illness in a horse’s brain, spinal cord and nervous system.

“Vaccination is the best protection horse owners have for their animals,” Dr. JJ Goicoechea, the NDA’s state veterinarian, said.

“Vaccinations, in conjunction with practices that reduce exposure to mosquitos, are very effective in protecting horses from WNV.” Every year, the NDA monitors WNV and other diseases carried by mosquitos (also known as arboviral) very closely for the protection of public health and safety and the agriculture industry.

In addition to WNV, the Animal Disease Laboratory (ADL) at the NDA tests for two other prevalent arboviral diseases: Saint Louis Encephalitis (SLE) Virus and Western Equine Encephalitis (WEE) Virus. All three can cause severe disease and death in humans.

“WNV has been prevalent in Nevada since 2004, while SLE and WEE have been widespread in the western United States for decades.,” Laura Morrow, ADL supervisor, said. “In the laboratory, we test mosquito sample pools from across the state to survey for all three diseases.”

Mosquito season has already arrived in some parts of Nevada, and with heavy rain and snowfall earlier in the year, mosquito habitats and breeding sites with standing water are prevalent. Nevada residents should take precautions such as eliminating mosquito-breeding sites, using insect repellents and keeping horses vaccinated against WNV, SLE and WEE. www.progressiverancher.com

The Progressive Rancher

Dr. JJ Goicoechea

Arizona State Veterinarian MAY / JUNE 2018

19

CONTACT: Samantha Thompson

Every Day is Earth Day at the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

E

ach year on Earth Day, April 22, more than 1 billion people in 192 countries join together to celebrate and protect our common home.

From participating in community clean-up events, to reaching out to local leaders about environmental concerns, and spending time appreciating the outdoors, Earth Day serves as an annual opportunity to promote environmental stewardship across the globe. In Nevada, preserving, protecting, and enhancing the unique and magnificent natural wonders statewide is the everyday mission of over 900 employees within the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Through the dedication and dynamic collaboration among the department’s seven divisions and three departmental programs, highlighted below, Nevada continues to be home to some of the most vibrant environmental treasures nationwide.

Nevada Division of Environmental Protection – As the department’s largest agency, the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection is committed to managing and enhancing Nevada’s land, water, and air quality resources – and encourages recycling through its Nevada Recycles program. Consequently, the division aids in promoting public health, sustaining healthy ecosystems, and contributing to a vibrant economy.

Nevada Division of Forestry – Fifteen percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. are absorbed by forests each year, and 80% of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity lives in forests. Wildfire prevention, emergency response, and restoration are leading priorities within the Nevada Division of Forestry, as wildfires can wreak havoc on the natural environment, air quality, native flora, natural ecosystems, wildlife, public health, and more. Additionally, the Nevada Division of Forestry operates two nurseries and a seedbank facility, which provide native plants for purchase year round.

Nevada Division of State Parks – Nevada’s 24 beloved State Parks boast over 350 public trails, beautiful natural surroundings, unique wildlife, and recreational activities for families and individuals of all ages. Nevada’s newest State Parks, Walker River State Recreation Area (Mason Valley) and Ice Age Fossils (Las Vegas), will be opening soon to the public as well.

Nevada Natural Heritage Program – From protecting and monitoring Nevada’s endangered/at-risk species, educating communities about the important role of wildflowers/rare plants, and supporting wetlands, the Nevada Natural Heritage Program is committed to enhancing the State’s biological health and to ensuring optimal land-use decisions.

Nevada Division of State Lands – As one of the nation’s leading conservation and restoration programs, coordinating the Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program continues to be a leading priority within the Nevada Division of State Lands. The program involves close collaboration among dozens of local, state, federal, nonprofit, and private sector partners that prioritize and implement innovative projects to reduce stormwater pollution, restore lake clarity, combat aquatic invasive species, improve forest health and public recreation opportunities, revitalize communities, and upgrade the region’s transportation system. Since its inception in 1997, more than 134 environmental improvement projects have been implemented through the Environmental Improvement Program.

Nevada Division of Water Resources – As the driest state in the nation, water is an especially critical resource in Nevada. The Nevada Division of Water Resources carefully manages the quantity of Nevada’s water – through issuing water rights, distributing water, etc. – while the Nevada Division Environmental Protection manages the quality of water.

20 MAY / JUNE 2018

Nevada Conservation Districts Program – Because the environmental needs vary greatly across the state, Nevada’s 28 conservation districts promote local conservation efforts, based on the unique resources within each area.

Nevada Sagebrush Ecosystem Program – Nevada’s sagebrush ecosystem is not only home to much of the State's plants and wildlife, but it is also an integral part of Nevada's culture and economy. Nevada’s sagebrush ecosystem serves as a key indicator of the health of Nevada’s overall natural environment. The Nevada Sagebrush Ecosystem Program focuses on providing solutions and actions to the myriad of threats challenging the condition of the ecosystem and the plants, animals, and populations dependent upon the health and resiliency of this landscape.

Nevada Off-highway Vehicles Program – In addition to securing safe, responsible opportunities to enjoy Nevada’s vast environmental treasures, the Off-highway Vehicles Program also provides community education and grant funding for projects such as environmental clean-up initiatives.

Nevada State Historic Preservation Office – With over 110,000 historic and cultural resources throughout the State, the Nevada State Historic Preservation Office is dedicated to documenting, conserving, and restoring historic buildings, structures, objects, and archaeological sites in Nevada.

Additionally, the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources awards numerous grants throughout the State in support of projects designed to protect, conserve, and restore Nevada’s previous environmental treasures and natural resources. Together, the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ divisions and departmental programs work in collaboration with one another, as well as other state, federal, private, and nonprofit agencies, to help sustain a green, eco-friendly Nevada – today and for generations to come.

You can help promote a greener Nevada, too.

Try these 10 EVERYDAY TIPS to help shrink your carbon footprint!

1. Avoid leaving the faucet running when washing dishes or brushing your teeth.

2. Wash and dry only full loads of laundry.

3. Turn off unnecessary lights.

4. Avoid using pesticides, and use non-toxic alternatives instead.

5. Try composting leaves, grass clippings, coffee grounds, and more.

6. For recycling, think beyond plastic bottles, paper and cardboard – items such as paint, tires, electronics, and even fire extinguishers can be recycled, too! Learn more tips from Nevada Recycles at www.nevadarecycles.nv.gov/ 7. When outdoors, remember to “leave no trace” by “carrying out what you carried in.”

8. Send electronic copies of documents, instead of printed copies, whenever possible.

9. Choose products in reusable and/or recyclable containers.

10. Opt to walk, bike, or carpool to work and other activities.

The Progressive Rancher

To learn more visit dcnr.nv.gov www.progressiverancher.com

NEWS RELEASE

CONTACT: Kelsey Brizendine kbrizendine@blm.gov, 208-732-7315

HEAVY SPRING RUNOFF DAMAGES MARTIN CANYON ROAD Erosion & debris flows linked to last summer’s Martin Canyon Fire

Erosion and debris flows over the past two weeks have severely damaged the Martin Canyon road, about 3 miles east of Bellevue, Idaho. The damage to the road is directly associated with the loss of vegetation resulting from the 2017 Martin Canyon Fire. The fire burned away vegetation which normally holds soil in place during the spring snow-melt and rainfall. The road is currently impassible, with ruts and eroded gullies more than six feet deep in places.

The BLM’s Shoshone Field Office staff is assessing the extent of damage to the road this week. The road’s seasonal closure was scheduled to be lifted on May 1. However, the extent of damage might now preclude the lifting of that closure.

“We are working on a path forward,” said Codie Martin, who manages the Shoshone Field Office. “We need to figure out how much of the road may still be useable and what it will cost to repair damaged sections. In the mean time, however, we want folks to know that getting this road back to a safe and driveable condition may require a continued closure.”

For more information contact: Shoshone Field Office, 208-732-7200.

NEWS RELEASE

CONTACT: Chris Rose crose@blm.gov 75-861-6480

Ester McCullough

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT NAMES

ESTER MCCULLOUGH

AS WINNEMUCCA DISTRICT MANAGER The Bureau of Land Management has selected Ester McCullough as the new District Manager for the Winnemucca District. She begins this assignment today and replaces Robbie McAboy, who has being acting District Manager since December 18, 2017. McAboy will return to her duties managing the BLM Southern Nevada District’s Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area and Walking Box Ranch.

“I am pleased to announce our selection of Ester McCullough as the new District Manager for the Winnemucca District,” said BLM Nevada State Director John Ruhs. “We feel very fortunate to have Ester joining BLM Nevada as she has solid experience in the management of natural resources and public lands.”

McCullough is currently BLM Utah’s Vernal Field Office Manager, Green River District, a position she has held since November 2015. In this position, she has led and managed more than 120 permanent employees, 20 seasonal employees and volunteers who conduct work on more than 1.7 million acres of federal surface and 3.8 million acres of federal minerals estate, including Forest Service and Indian Trust lands.

McCullough began her federal career as an Environmental Protection Specialist with the U.S. Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, Calif., where she stood up the newly formed Branch of Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs. From 1994-2001 she was the Acting Natural Resources Officer (Environmental Protection Specialist) for Naval Air Station Fallon and served as the planning lead to modify air space for the 1996 move of the Navy’s elite “Top Gun” aviation training program form Miramar to NAS Fallon. In 1998, she led the withdrawal effort to create the existing 200,000 acre training range.

“The Winnemucca District has a diverse, multiple-use mission and a talented group of employees,” McCullough said. “Being able to return to Nevada as District Managr there is an honor and a great responsibility. I am looking forward to working with the great staff, civic leaders and stakeholders in Winnemucca.”

McCullough began her BLM career in 2001 as the Planning and Environmental Coordinator in the BLM Nevada’s Winnemucca District. While there she led the Black Rock National Conservation Area Range Mangement Plan planning effort and received the Outstanding Federal Project Planning Award from the American Planners Association for her efforts. In 2003 she left the BLM and headed to the Forest Service where she became the Natural Resource Planner on the Nez Perce National Forest and spent the next five years there.

McCullough returned to the BLM in 2008 as a project manager in BLM Idaho’s Jarbidge Field Office, Twin Falls District. There she managed major Rights of Ways for wind energy and pipeline projects. Following that, she became the Assistant Field Manager for Minerals and Lands in the Rawlins Field Office, a Pilot Oil and Gas Office as well as a Pilot Renewable Energy Office. From Wyoming she moved to the White River Field Office in Meeker, Colo., and served as the the Associate Field Manager from 2011-2015. www.progressiverancher.com

The Progressive Rancher

MAY / JUNE 2018

21

WELLS FFA BLAZES TO VICTORY AT STATE

by Laila Jackson This year marked the 89th annual Nevada FFA State Convention, the first convention for many new Freshman and the last for numerous Seniors. The Wells FFA chapter made their presence known once more at the State convention, snatching a variety of individual awards and returning home with twelve first high teams.

The Wells FFA chapter took thirty-four members to the State Convention, competing in seventeen team events and seven individual events.

The first general session sparked the Wells FFA streak as chapter awards were given. Wells FFA Vice President Jade Kelly discovered the Program of Activities she submitted was outstanding. Wells FFA Historian Liberty Johnson’s scrapbook submission was also recognized as outstanding.

The Wells FFA Range team chalked up another couple gold awards, also adding a silver to the pile. The Wells Range team earned a position as first high team. Matthew James received first high individual and Logan Ballard was awarded second high individual.

To the sound of cheers, Wells was announced as the first high Agriculture Issues Forum team. The award for Marketing soon followed. The young Wells team filled by sophomores Brent Battenfeld, Aubrey Durant, and Julianne Wright won first high team. Marketing was followed by Star and Proficiency awards. Aubrey Durant received the Star Zone Farmer award. Brent Battenfeld earned the Star in Agribusiness award.

Friday dawned bright and early with hordes of blue corduroy dragging their feet to the convention center for the second general session. The preshow displayed the vast wealth of talent Nevada FFA has to offer. One such talent was Hyrum Johnson from the Wells FFA chapter. His rendition of Jon Pardi’s Head Over Boots probably had more than a few girls executing a swoon right out of a fairytale.

The first Wells win of the day came at the hands of Wells senior, Liberty Johnson, as she gathered the first high individual award in Employment Skills. The Best Informed Greenhand team achieved a first high team award and multiple individual awards.

Mackenzie Wachtel placed first, Liliana Cobian took second, and McKenli Myers received third. An intense competition in the Conduct of Chapter Meetings event scraped out a grueling third place finish for the Wells FFA team of Greenhands.

The Wells FFA Novice Parliamentary Procedure team brought Wells back into the camera’s flash with a first-high team finish.

The Wells FFA Senior Parliamentary Procedure team waited anxiously for the announcement of their results. Despite the disappointment of falling just short of that enticing gold standard, the Wells FFA team was shocked and ecstatic when they were called onto the stage as the second high team. This year, Benjamin Ballard of the Wells FFA chapter proved his superior skills from behind the podium, earning the high chair award.

After a presumably unhealthy dose of food court meals for lunch, the Wells FFA chapter made their way back to the Lawlor arena for the third general session. Early on the results of the Agriculture Mechanics Olympics were declared. Attaining third, four members represented the Wells FFA chapter; Levi Talbert, Corbin Madison, Dallin Myers, and Garrett Carter.

As the last words of Katie Jones’ retiring address rang through the arena Farm and Agribusiness Management flashed across the projection screen and a disembodied voice beckoned names to the stage. Novice FBM achieved first high team and placed one through four. Matthew James was third, Logan Ballard took second, and Hyrum Johnson placed first. (Brent Battenfeld rounded out the team in fourth place.)

22 MAY / JUNE 2018

3rd high Conduct of Chapter Meetings team prepares to make their run. From left to right: McKenli Myers, Quinlin Jackson, and Grace French (All photos courtesy of Heather Dye)

The Wells Senior FBM team received first high team and executed a perfect sweep, positioning Liberty Johnson, Ben Ballard, Ian Spratling, and Camberlin Uhlig in the one through four spots respectively. Wells was called as the first high team for Poultry.

Liberty Johnson, continuing her romance with the stage, was awarded second high individual. Shaylee Lattin received first high individual. Wells continued sating its thirst for gold as the results of Environmental Natural Resources were announced.

The Wells ENR team stashed away another first high team plaque to lug back on the trip home and placed first through third. Amanda Murphy received third high individual. Ruth Gale attained second high individual. Camberlin Uhlig earned first high individual, claiming it felt “like eating ice cream for the first time when you have been on a diet for 5 years.” (Uhlig) That feeling, that sense of receiving an immense reward for hours upon hours of arduous work perfectly captures the satisfaction FFA members feel when their name or team is called to the stage.

Spending an entire day in official dress is uncomfortable enough, spending that day wringing your hands, heaving into a trash can, or chattering endlessly with nerves is nearly unbearable. With twenty-one Career and Leadership Development Events already announced, the stress of FFA State was over for many individuals, but the Wells FFA chapter was still invested in numerous contests still to be announced.

“Just picture everybody naked” -Shawn Mendes, There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back.

A common suggestion for public performances is to picture the audience in their underwear. I can’t attest to the effectiveness of this technique, but the competitive Prepared Public Speaking event would be the place to try. The Wells FFA Chapter was overcome with elated shouts and riotous clapping as Kaysen Sorenson was called to the stage. Competing for the first time in a speaking event, Kaysen Sorenson came up with a third place finish.

The Wells Meats Evaluation and Technology team was fraught with distress as their results came up to bat. To their immense shock three very familiar names came over the speakers; Jade Kelly, Ian Spratling, and Marshall Botts. Marshall Botts received third high individual. Ian Spratling earned second high individual. Jade Kelly was first high individual. The team came away with a first high team award.

The State FFA Degree is the highest degree a state can bestow upon its members.

Wells FFA had three members apply. Liberty Johnson, Jade Kelly, and Camberlin Uhlig walked through the arch in pristine fashion, accepting this revered award.

Saturday morning was met with a bleary eyes and a mad packing rush. Satisfied they didn’t leave anything behind, individuals lugged their suitcases (many bursting at the seams) down to the bus for the journey back to the Lawlor arena.

Liberty Johnson earned a third place finish in Extemporaneous Speaking. Liliana Cobian was called as second high individual for Novice Floriculture. The Wells novice floriculture team followed the silver brick road and finished as second high team. Liberty Johnson proved her dissatisfaction with seven awards, outpacing the competition in senior floriculture to win first high individual. The senior floriculture team came out with a third place finish. Veterinary Science wrapped up the contests for Wells. Ian Spratling and Laila Jackson were called down to stand awkwardly under glaring spotlights, earning third and first respectively. The Wells Veterinary Science team limped out of the fight as a first high team. The Veterinary Science win wrapped up the Wells contests, ending the Nevada FFA State Convention on a high note.

The Wells FFA chapter will round out the year on April 24, 2018 at 6:30 P.M. with the annual chapter banquet.

The Progressive Rancher

www.progressiverancher.com

From Experimental Farm to UNR’s Mill Street ATM: A Brief History of the Main Station Farm (Opinion)

by Jerry Snyder Reprint courtesy of ThisIsReno.com

On March 26, 2018, ThisIsReno.com reported the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) issued a request for proposals seeking bids to purchase a 104-acre parcel of the University’s Main Station Farm, an experimental farm located on the east side of McCarran Boulevard, north of Mill Street. UNR said minimum bids of $20 million had to be submitted by April 5, 2018. It is not clear whether any conforming bids have been submitted.

UNR President Marc Johnson said the proceeds from the sale are to be used “to provide funds to renovate critical research lab spaces to be more competitive for research grants.” While the improvement of UNR research facilities is a laudable goal, use of College of Agriculture, Biotechnology, and Natural Resources (CABNR) assets to fund this goal undermines CABNR’s proud tradition as part of a land grant institution and is contrary to well established and clearly articulated University policy.

In 1887, Congress passed the Hatch Act, which created a mechanism through which the federal government granted money to state land-grant colleges for the purpose of creating a number of agricultural experimental stations. States are required to at least match funds provided under the Hatch Act to set up and operate such experimental stations.

In 1917, in order to take advantage of Hatch Act funds, the Nevada Legislature enacted Chapter 145, authorizing the issuance of $43,000 in bonds. The money raised from the sale of these bonds was to be placed in the “university experiment farm fund.” The Act further directed UNR to use the funds raised to purchase certain real property and water rights from D.C. Wheeler. In 1917, the University of Nevada Board of Regents voted to approve the purchase of the Wheeler Farm.

In 1944, Major Max Fleishmann supplemented UNR’s agricultural holdings by purchasing the Ladino Dairy farm, located about seven miles south of Reno, and donating it, along with the cattle, equipment, and water, to UNR.

In 1955, the Board of Regents concluded that the existing Wheeler Farm was not sufficient to serve the long term needs of the College of Agriculture, and accepted an offer by Le Vere Redfield to purchase the South Virginia Street Farm (the Wheeler Farm) for $700,000, with the proceeds to be used to purchase a larger property that would, as former UNR President Stout said, “enable the University to improve on what it is now doing in the way of agricultural research and in assisting the citizens of the state engaged in agricultural.”

In voting to approve this transaction, then Regent Roy Hardy wrote that his vote was conditioned on “a proviso that a suitable replacement outdoor farm laboratory is first obtained for the Agricultural College; also, with the understanding that any differences in the amount realized from the sale and the amount expended to purchase a new farm . . . would accrue to the Max C. Fleischmann College of Agriculture.”

On January 18, 1956, the Board of Regents approved the sale of the South Virginia Street Farm to Redfield and the purchase of the Gilbert Ranch, which forms the bulk of the current Main Station Farm.

In 1962, the Board of Regents approved the sale of the Ladino Dairy Farm. At the recommendation of then-President Armstrong, the Board resolved that “all remaining and future proceeds from the sale of the Ladino Dairy be devoted to the program in Agriculture.” The Board further voted that anticipated revenues from the sale of the Ladino Dairy go toward the Main Station Farm budget.

After that, UNR’s attitude toward the value of the experimental station began to evolve from viewing it as an educational and research asset that should be protected and developed to a financial asset that could be leveraged. www.progressiverancher.com

In 1979, UNR traded approximately 196 acres, known as the Jones Ranch, on the corner of Mill and McCarran, to Dermody Properties in exchange for 357 acres, located adjacent to the Main Station Farm, and $1.3 million in cash. No mention is made in the minutes of the Board of Regents as to what this money was used for. However, as UNR looked at options to finance Lawlor Events Center, there were rumors, as reported in College of Agriculture Dean Dale Bohmont’s 1989 book The Golden Years of Agriculture in Nevada, that UNR intended using Main Station assets to assist funding the center’s construction.

As a result of these rumors, there was some movement toward enacting legislation ensuring funds generated from the sale of College of Agriculture assets would remain with the College.

In an effort to avoid the need for such legislation, the Board of Regents passed Resolution 81-8, which provided the value of the College of Agriculture properties at Main Station, the Jones Ranch, and the Valley Road Experiment Station should “be protected and maintained for the benefit of the College of Agriculture and its programs.” The board explicitly determined:

It shall be the policy of the Board of Regents that in the event that any portion or all of the above described properties are sold, the proceeds from such a sale shall be placed in a trust fund, and the principal and income of the trust fund utilized for the following purposes and in the following order of priority: (a) To purchase land for an agricultural experiment station; (b) For improvements to an agricultural experiment station; (c) For improvements to the 4-H camp.

The Board further decided that any income from these funds— though not the principal–were first to be used to supplement the operating budgets of the Agricultural Experiment Station, then the 4-H camp, and lastly UNR as a whole.

Since 1981, when UNR clearly articulated Main Station Farm assets should benefit the College of Agriculture, the Board of Regents has, on at least two occasions, reneged this policy.

In 2005, UNR sold 55 acres of Main Station to the Truckee Meadows Flood Control Planning Committee for $12.1 million.

In a September, 2005 meeting, regents approved this sale and determined that for purposes of this sale at least, the policy, as articulated in Resolution 81-8, should be temporarily rescinded.

From the proceeds of this sale, the College of Agriculture budget was increased by $100,000 per year. For the sake of comparison, the prime lending rate in Nevada as of July 2005 was 6.25 percent, which on principal of $12.1 million, would have yielded $756,200 per year.

In 2008 Bob Dickens, UNR’s then director of government relations, authored a “Public Benefits Initiative,” the stated purpose of which was to “modernize, conserve, and secure the Main Station Field Lab.” This proposal suggested that the Main Station Farm would best be protected by selling a 104-acre strip of property along East McCarran, the value of which was estimated to be $40 million, with the proceeds of such a sale to be “used for other University purposes, such as decommissioning and debt liquidation of the Fire Science Academy and/or acquisition of CABNR facilities.” In addition, this proposal noted that the construction of the Southeast Connector transportation project would require the sale of right-of-way through Main Station valued at approximately $9 million.

In retrospect, it is hard not to wonder whether part of the impetus for the plan to eliminate the College of Agriculture was a desire to liquidate Main Station assets for other UNR purposes.

In 2012, the Washoe County Regional Transportation Commission purchased 165 acres of Main Station for a rightof-way for the Southeast Connector. The purchase price: $7,402,600. In November, 2012, the Board of Regents approved the RTC sale, as well as the sale of 962-acre feet annually in water rights, worth approximately $5.2 million, to Great Basin Land & Water.

At the time of this sale, the regents again voted to “waive” the requirements of Resolution 81-8. Funds generated by this sale were used to retire debt incurred when UNR moved the selfsustaining Fire Science Academy from Stead to Elko – at which time it ceased to be self-sustaining.

Perhaps recognizing that the proceeds of this sale ought to have gone to CABNR, UNR increased the College’s budget by approximately $300,000 annually. However, rather than being part of funds held in trust for the College, as required by Resolution 81-8, this budget increase is entirely discretionary and can be reversed at any time.

Since the regents firmly articulated their policy in favor of using Main Station assets for the benefit of the College of Agriculture, UNR has sold nearly $25 million worth of land and water from the property. The funds generated from these sales have not been prioritized for the benefit of CABNR – indeed, any benefits the College has seen have been almost incidental.

It seems there is an implicit exception to Resolution 81-8 – Main Station Farm assets will be used to benefit the College of Agriculture – except when the UNR president really wants to use them elsewhere. Since passing Resolution 81-8, UNR has come to regard the Main Station Farm as its Mill Street ATM. The Board of Regents are now being again asked to go to the Mill Street ATM. This time, rather than sell property for a public purpose, UNR is seeking to sell the 104-acre strip along McCarran to a private developer who will transform the scenic and bucolic agriculture area into strip malls and warehouses.

President Marc Johnson has made no bones about the fact that UNR does not intend to use the proceeds of this sale to benefit CABNR. As such, it appears that Johnson is again suggesting that either Resolution 81-8 should be “waived” or simply abandoned entirely.

It is apparent that UNR leadership does not take seriously the Board of Regents’ historical commitment to use Main Station assets for the benefit of the College of Agriculture. It is time for the Board of Regents to show that when it states a policy, it expects UNR to abide by that policy. If the Board of Regents does not intend to enforce Resolution 81-8, the Nevada Legislature should revisit the question. Policy makers should also analyze the extent to which Hatch Act federal matching funds – which by law must used for the agricultural experiment stations – have gone to the purchase, development, and maintenance of the Main Station Field Lab. If the people of Nevada want to protect this asset – and there are many good reasons to do so – the obligation cannot be left to a Board of Regents that will suspend its stated policy at the whim of UNR’s president.

In spite of the fact Resolution 81-8 continued to be in place, Dickens’ recommendation was a portion of Main Station be sold and the proceeds be used first to retire Fire Science Academy debt, and second for the benefit of CABNR. Hence, the 2008 “Public Benefits Initiative” proposal is explicitly contrary to the policy the University articulated in Resolution 81-8.

Nonetheless, the Board of Regent’s actions since 2008 demonstrate that UNR’s de facto policy resembles the 2008 proposal more than Resolution 81-8.

In 2010, as part of budget cuts invoked in the wake of the subprime mortgage meltdown, UNR determined that it would eliminate the College of Agriculture entirely. Notably, this was in direct contravention of a State Constitutional provision requiring that the University, as a land grant institution under the Morrill Act of 1862, maintain a college of agriculture.

(Nevada Constitution, Art. 11, Sec, 8). In the face of public outcry, the Board of Regents abandoned this plan.

The Progressive Rancher

UNR's Main Station Farm Jerry Snyder has been practicing law for nearly two decades in California and northern Nevada, both in private and government practice. Jerry has represented individuals and businesses of all sizes, from small entrepreneurs to large public companies. Jerry has worked with individuals, companies and communities, and excels at delivering sensible solutions, regardless the size of the client or the scope of the situation. He has extensive experience litigating cases in areas of construction law, water law, corporate governance, real property law, business torts, and intellectual property.

MAY / JUNE 2018

23

NEVADA FARM BUREAUFARM NEVADA

CK T

TheConservation Challenge Acreage of Fighting for Multiple Use By: Doug Busselman, NVFB

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Over the past couple of years there has been an on-going process for developing a Washoe County lands bill. The concept, which has been put forth in a number of counties and advanced in a number of legislative proposals to go before Washington, D.C. legislators, deals with converting some lands that are now under federal management to private ownership or to more local government entities. In the process of addressing the needs of land-locked communities and bringing about the disposal of tracts of land that federal agencies aren’t able to effectively manage the unresolved issue of Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs) is included in the mix. The political trade of providing for the needs of citizens of Nevada has become the requirement that WSAs are processed to be approved of by Congressional action as Wilderness.

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SOURCE : Regional Services/GIS

Path: G:\arcdata\projects\Public_Land_Transf\2016_WC_Lands_Bill\Wilderness\Proposal_2018_Overall.mxd

Date 4/9/2018 Post Office Box 11130 89520

Nevada SOURCE: RegionalReno, Services/GIS

Date: 4/9/2018

24 MAY / JUNE 2018

WASHOE COUNTY NEVADA Date: 4/9/2018

Post Office Box 11130 Reno, Nevada 89520

Farm Bureau federal lands policy is peppered in many areas with support for multiple use – in Nevada Farm Bureau policy and American Farm Bureau Federation policy. This support, for productive use and active management, with recognition for all users being able to pursue their preferred use on the lands is a foundational principle. This principle is tested to its maximum limits when dealing with Wilderness and other restrictive designations; restrictions that are becoming more the norm and applied to broad swaths of lands in Nevada and the West.

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As a transplant to Nevada and the West, the idea of understanding federally-managed lands takes some doing. In other parts of the country, private property is the norm and agricultural operations are able to make most land use and production decisions without needing to consult with very many people (if anyone beyond your spouse and your banker).

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Call 311 or (775) 328-2000

PO Box 11130 Reno, NV 89520 Call 311 (775)or328-2000 Callor311 (775) 328-2000

The Progressive Rancher

According to Wikipedia, Nevada has 63 WSAs covering 2,552,457 acres and throughout the country there are 541 WSAs with 12,679,399 acres in the “study process.” These lands were given the designation of WSA’s many years ago with the idea that evaluations would be carried out to determine whether they met the criteria of Wilderness or not. Some, including Farm Bureau took that to mean that those areas which met the test of Wilderness should be included as Wilderness and those areas that don’t match that criteria should be released back to multiple use.

WSA land is managed as if they were Wilderness and restrictive uses make these lands de facto Wilderness. The resolution of the unresolved designation as WSAs requires Congressional action to pass legislation to either make the Wilderness a legitimate designation or release it to multiple use. This is the backside of the political trade that has become required in order to provide for the needs of Nevada citizens, converting federal lands to private or more localized government use.

In 1991 the Bureau of Land Management, after a 15-year study for what WSA lands in Washoe County qualified as Wilderness and what didn’t came to a conclusion that was published in Record of Decision. This determination said that of the 635,463 acres in WSA status 131,028 acres met the test of being Wilderness and 504,435 was proposed for non-Wilderness…

(504,435 acres of what Farm Bureau’s perspective would view as land for multiple use).

www.progressiverancher.com

The Washoe County Economic Development and Conservation Act, as it presently is being proposed would deal with the WSAs by converting 175,073 acres in Wilderness in seven different designated areas – a couple of these areas for Wilderness designation were never Wilderness Study Areas. The proposal also seeks to designate 83,324 acres in three areas as National Conservation Areas (NCAs) – another designation of restricted, non-multiple use, which manages “in a manner that conserves, protects and enhances the resources of the Conservation Area.”

At this point, the Washoe County Lands Bill proposes to release 404,417 acres of BLM WSA into multiple use, without designation.

It is important to stress, as has been noted several times in this explanation, that what is proposed now and what might be the language which could come for a vote in the future could easily be different. Most of the other Nevada Wilderness bills grew once they got back to the other side of the Potomac River. This might be a major reason to object to the growth that has already occurred between the evaluation that BLM did in 1991 and the draft that is now being circulated.

Changes are also necessary in the bill language to deal with the boiler-plate language that is plugged in as an excuse for why livestock grazing advocates shouldn’t object to Wilderness bills locking out multiple use of federal lands. The argument goes that Wilderness designations allow for the continuation of livestock grazing.

First, the livestock grazing in the designated area needed to be established before whatever bill is passed, “subject to such reasonable regulations, policies and practices as the Secretary considers to be necessary…” (The “Secretary” in this reference is the Secretary of Interior). It also requires that the livestock grazing oversight that federal agencies are going to use need to fit the language of the Wilderness Act and some language in an unavailable House Committee report that was attached to a different Wilderness bill for a different state…

The Washoe County Bill, if it is going to move forward, should also provide for common-sense allowances that if range improvement projects were installed or maintained using motorized equipment – they should be able to continue to be maintained or replaced with motorized equipment. Another provision for recognition of keeping livestock grazing to be possible as well as authorized is the need for continued predator control activities to be allowed in these designated Wilderness areas.

Difference between the Designations in the Washoe County Economic Development and Conservation Bill WILDERNESS

NATIONAL CONSERVATION AREA

MULTI-USE/NON-DESIGNATED

Allowed:

Allowed:

Allowed:

Grazing

Grazing

Grazing

Hiking

Hiking

Hiking

Outdoor Recreation Activities

Outdoor Recreation Activities

Outdoor Recreation Activities

Hunting, Fishing and Trapping

Hunting, Fishing and Trapping

Hunting, Fishing and Trapping

Military Overflights

Military Overflights

Military Overflights

Wildfire, Insect &Disease Management

Wildfire, Insect and Disease Management

Wildfire, Insect and Disease Management

Wildlife Management

Wildlife Management

Wildlife Management

Wildlife Water Development Projects

Wildlife Water Development Projects

Wildlife Water Development Projects

Off-Road Travel

Off-Road Travel Land Acquisitions Mining Energy Development (oil/gas/renewable)

Not Allowed:

Not Allowed:

Not Allowed:

Vehicle Travel off marked trails

Mining

Mining

Creation of New Roads

Creation of new roads

New Buildings or structures, including transmission lines, sheds, camps, lodges (anything other than structures used for overnight camping that would be removed when done)

Must comply with all BLM rules and regulations associated with use of public lands (under the Federal Lands Policy and Management Act of 1976)

New Buildings or structures, including transmission lines, sheds, camps, lodges (anything other than structures used for overnight camping that would be removed when done) Motorized equipment (outside of designated roads) Tree cutting by mechanized equipment (unless otherwise approved by BLM for wildfire management)

Management regulated by Resource Management Plans created by BLM field offices

Additional restrictions can be placed through the management plan that BLM and the committee will create for these areas

Supposedly, those who support Wilderness believe that language can be flexible and tailor-made to fit changing WSAs into Wilderness (including the idea that the areas don’t need to ever be WSAs). Since outside-the-box ideas can be incorporated where they never have been before – the extra consideration for effective livestock grazing management should also be incorporated into the Washoe Lands Bill.

The same type of necessary additions for maintaining livestock grazing in Wilderness areas should also be written into the law for how the NCA plans will be structured.

Provisions for NCAs in the proposed law allow for motorized vehicles to be used for water developments for wildlife – the same considerations should be provided for range improvements that facilitate effective livestock grazing.

The Washoe County Economic Development and Conservation Act will move down its path of consideration and action by the Washoe County Commission and eventually offered for Nevada’s Washington, D.C. delegation to consider for proposing for Congressional action. Passage of whatever goes forward isn’t a given and will still provide plenty of opportunity for changes. Those who have been involved will need to continue to be engaged and ideally, others will pick up the cause for advancing a stronger emphasis on real multiple use of the lands that are now locked away as WSAs. Beyond Wilderness designations and the host of other designations with their own brand of restrictions that are being dreamt up to move away from multiple use of federally-managed lands, land use policies and management practices by on-theground land managers continue to implement restrictions and move away from access and multiple use.

It is time to change these trends and actively advance pro-multiple use legislation and policies. We either have to make the case for multiple use or stop believing that it still exist for federal land management.

www.progressiverancher.com

The Progressive Rancher

MAY / JUNE 2018

25

NEVADA FARM BUREAUFARM NEVADA

BUREAU

By: Brittney Pericoli, Director of Communications, NVFB

Ronald McDonald House Northern Nevada Charities Each year the Nevada Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee raises money to donate to Ronald McDonald House Charities. Recently, Cindy Hardy the Women’s Leadership Committee Chair presented a $500 check to the Ronald McDonald House of Northern Nevada.

“It’s great to be able to present such a great charity with this money,” said Cindy Hardy. “Our Women’s Leadership Committee raises this money for families to have one less thing to worry about while their child is receiving treatment.”

The Ronald McDonald House of Northern Nevada opened in 1987. Since the opening they have welcomed families living more than 30 miles away from the Reno area whose children are receiving treatment at an area hospital. Ronald McDonald House Charities keeps families close when it matters most: during their child’s illness, accident, or premature birth.

Women’s Leadership Committee raises the money through the quilt raffle and silent auction held each year at the annual convention.

In April, Hardy plans on donating another $500 to the Ronald McDonald House of Greater Las Vegas.

If you are interested in helping the Women’s Leadership Committee raise money, or would like to find out more, feel free to contact Brieanna Wooden at brieanna@nvfb.org.

2018 Quilt Raffle In 2019, the Nevada Farm Bureau will be turning 100. Each year the organization's Women’s Leadership Committee raffles off a quilt. This year they hope to have a record number of tickets sold leading into the centennial anniversary. This year’s quilt is provided by the Churchill County Farm Bureau.

Tickets can be purchased through Brieanna Wooden via email at brieanna@ nvfb.org. Tickets are five for $20, or one for $5. Tickets will also be available at the annual meeting as well as events held throughout the summer.

The Women’s Leadership Committee plays a vital role in educating students and the general public through Ag days, classroom outreach, our food link and county fairs. The money raised through the quilt raffle funds the Women’s Leadership Committee Ag outreach programs and helps send individuals to the Women’s Communication Bootcamp. The Women’s Communication Bootcamp provides women the training and education they need to become powerful advocates for today’s agriculture.

The winning raffle ticket will be picked at the Nevada Farm Bureau Annual meeting. You do not have to be present to win.

Let’s help the Women’s Leadership Committee have a recorder breaking year! Get your tickets today!

26 MAY / JUNE 2018

The Progressive Rancher

www.progressiverancher.com

Allie Bear Real Estate Cull Cow Marketing

W

by Bridger Feuz and Dillon Feuz

hen a producer decides to cull a cow, it is usually for a myriad of negative reasons. She didn’t get pregnant, she is lame or too old to travel to the range, she gut stomped me in the corral this year, she abandoned her calf, and many more. Most of the time when a producer finally gets to the point where the cow has to go, the idea is to just get rid of her. Because of this negative aspect of cull cows, producers don’t often take the time to think about how best to market these cows, but just get rid of them shortly after they cull them.

Cull cow sales can make up 15%-30% of cash receipts from a cow/calf operation. Given this significant percentage it may pay a producer to spend some time thinking about when and where cull cows are marketed. One important question to consider is can a cull cow be fed for a period of time to increase her value and increase returns to the cow/calf operation.

Three factors, important to the decision to sell cows when culled versus feeding them and selling at a later time, are: (1) seasonality of cull cow prices, (2) price differences between slaughter grades and number of cows in each grade, and (3) cost of feeding cull cows.

Cull cow prices generally follow a consistent seasonal pattern. Prices normally are the lowest October through January and are the highest from April through August. If overall cattle prices are rising/declining sharply in a year, then this price pattern may not be as apparent. However, it is rare that this price trend is significantly different from the expected outcome.

Half Page Program(5.5”x4.25”)

Prices for cull cows are based on their USDA carcass grade or their expected carcass grade. The most common grades, in order of the least amount of marbling to the greatest amount of marbling are: Canner, Cutter, Utility, and Commercial.

Frequently, the grades are not reported but Canner and Cutter are reported in the Lean market class and Utility is reported as Boner or Breaker. Producers can move cows from one grade to the next by adding weight or improving BCS through feeding. In general, as cows move up in grade their market value increases as well. So not only are they adding weight, but the price per pound increases.

Timing counts when it comes to your social security benefit Social Security can be one of your most valuable retirement assets. The decision of when you start taking your benefit impacts how much you’ll receive.

Feeding costs can vary depending on location, weather, and other factors. While feeding can add value to cull cows, it is not always possible to feed cull cows at a profit. The proper manner to consider all of these factors is to construct a partial budget and evaluate if it would be more profitable to feed the cull cow rather than selling when culling takes place.

www.progressiverancher.com

Final decisions about Social Security filing strategies always rest with you and should always be based on your specific needs and health considerations. For more information, visit the Social Security Administration website at www.socialsecurity.gov.

Jason B Land, AAMS® Financial Advisor .

IRT-7557B-A

The Wyoming Ranch Tools website (www.uwyoextension. org/ranchtools) has a new cull cow marketing tool available for producers. This calculator uses a partial budget process to allow producers to analyze the potential to feed cull cows. It accounts for seasonal price patterns, value differences in cull cow grade, and changes in a cow’s total value based on weight gain. The calculator then allows a user to enter in the projected feeding costs. Based on user input, it then provides a net return or loss estimate. It's important for a producer to consider other factors such as risk and workload to make the final decision.

The calculators provide raw numbers with no emotional attachment. These numbers are a great starting point, but a producer still needs to use judgement and management skills to make sure any decision is right for their ranch.

Call or visit today, and learn how your decision impacts your overall retirement income strategy.

2213 North 5th Street Suite A Elko, NV 89801 775-738-8811 The Progressive Rancher

www.edwardjones.com

Member SIPC

MAY / JUNE 2018

27

Cow Country Church ~ Stick ’em Up!

by Pastor Diana Gonzalez

Don’t ya hate it when someone gets separated from their stuff, be it money or whatever? Where I grew up in the San Joaquin Valley, us kids heard stories about the bandits who used to operate in the old days, close to our home. Three Finger Jack, Joaquin Murrieta and others had ridden across the land where I grew up.

Sometimes they rode fast with a posse after them. Three Finger Jack, while being chased, supposedly stashed some stolen money in a river within eyesight of our place. Maybe it’s still there.

In the old westerns we used to watch, you would hear the dreaded words, “Stick ‘em up!” Some bad guy would relieve the bank, the stagecoach, or some cowboy carrying the payroll, of their money or gold. Thank goodness for our cowboy heroes who always got it back. Then the bad guys got thrown in jail to think about their evil ways.

Well, we have today someone (the devil) trying to steal from us, and it’s time we believers laid down the law (the Bible) to him. Let’s see what the Bible has to say about it. Let’s see what Jesus had to say in John 10:7-11 NAS: So Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.”

The one who comes to steal, kill and destroy is the devil. So how do we fight him?

With the Word of God. Jesus said in verse 9 above, “if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved.” Saved in Greek is sozo, which means: to save, heal, cure, preserve, keep safe and sound, rescue from danger or destruction, deliver. Sozo saves from physical death by healing and from spiritual death by forgiving sin and its effects. (Strong’s dictionary word #4982.)

Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way and the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.” NAS (No other way!) So how do we get this saved (sozo) life? Romans 10:8-10, 13 gives us the answer.

But what does it say? “The Word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” - that is, the Word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For “whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” NAS Pretty simple. Now that we’re saved, born again, spiritually regenerated, what are our benefits?

Let’s look in our Bibles and see what happens when the thief is caught.

Proverbs 6:31: But when he is found (the thief ), he must repay seven fold; he must give all the substance (or wealth) of his house. NAS Folks, let’s bankrupt the devil! When you catch him stealing, killing or destroying your stuff, call him on it. Quote Proverbs 6:31 to him. Then, in the Name of Jesus, demand that he pay seven fold (seven times). It’s your right as a child of God. But even better, if you’re like me, you don’t like to lose any cows or horses. Let’s use the powerful prayers of binding and loosing, and the powerful prayer of agreement. Jesus said in Matthew 18:18-20: “Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.

Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.”

NAS We can use the Name of Jesus to bind the devil and his little demon friends off of everything that pertains to us. We can also loose the Holy Angels to enforce our words, which are the Words of God prayed back to Him. So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void (empty, without fruit), but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11 NKJV When believed and received, God’s Word (His promises) will never be without fruit. The power in His Word will always, always fulfill the promise of His Word.

Faith comes by, and fruitfulness is realized by hearing, reading, and studying God’s Word (Romans 10:17).

So let’s humbly believe and receive God’s Word. It will bear fruit in your life. It cannot be barren. His own power is within it!

So now we are armed and dangerous with the Holy Word and the Name of Jesus.

Let’s tell the devil, “Stick ‘em up!”

Happy trails. May God richly bless you. We love you and would love to hear from you. If you would like someone to pray with, or just have a question, please give us a call at (775) 867-3100. ‘Til next time….

Scripture reading: Psalm 103, I John chapters 1-5, Mark 11:22-26

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.

Galatians 3:28-29 NAS Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God. Galatians 4:7 NAS Now we can declare, through what the Word says, that we are God’s kids! You can bet your boots that you have just made the thief (the devil) very nervous.

So let’s do a little devil stomping – it’s my favorite event. (Branding calves comes next.) Have you ever lost any calves, cows, horses, trucks, trailers, bridles, saddles or even sheep? I have. (Not the sheep.) So who is behind stealing and killing?

The spirit of the anti-Christ (I John 2:22), the devil.

28 MAY / JUNE 2018

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Weathering Drought: Building a Resilient Water Supply After nearly two decades of drought, the Colorado River is inching its way toward the first-ever declaration of shortage by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, which manages the 1,450-mile-long waterway. When the time comes—perhaps as soon as January 2020— Nevada will see its already meager allocation of the river’s flows curtailed for the first time. As conditions worsen, the cuts will deepen. Lake Mead—which serves as the storage reservoir for more than 25 million water users in California, Arizona, Mexico and Nevada, along with one of the United States’ most productive agricultural centers—has seen its shoreline recede approximately 130 vertical feet since the new millennium began.

But even the thick “bathtub ring” around the lake, a stark reminder of how much stored water has been lost, doesn’t fully express the drought’s severity. To do that requires the use of a calculator with plenty of room left of the decimal place. When full, Lake Mead can hold 26 million acre-feet of water, making it the nation’s largest manmade reservoir. While most urban dwellers are unacquainted with the concept of acre-feet, it’s familiar to those who spend their lives on farms largely because the term is rooted in agriculture. One acrefoot, literally the amount of water required to cover one acre of farmland 12 inches deep in water, converts to 325,851 gallons. Multiply that by 26 million, and—there are a lot of zeroes involved.

In 2000, Lake Mead was nearly full. Seventeen years later, it is at 40 percent of capacity and falling, despite the fact that the Lower Colorado River Basin users actually consume considerably less water annually than they did 20 years ago. The difference between then and now, measured in real water, is on the order of four trillion gallons.

Eventually, despite the best efforts of water managers around the region, conditions could deteriorate to the point where Lake Mead reaches “dead pool,” the elevation at which water can pass through Hoover Dam and reach downstream users. So why isn’t John Entsminger, general manager of the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) worried?

“While the challenges facing the river are daunting, every problem has a solution, and we have enough time to deal with it as long as we don’t get complacent," Entsminger said. "One of the benefits of being a planning agency is that you spend a lot of time with your eye on the horizon. The answers are out there; we just have to implement them.”

To fully appreciate his perspective, some context is necessary. The SNWA, a regional, notfor-profit water agency, was created in 1991 expressly to solve the last major water crisis to strike Las Vegas, home to 70 percent of the state’s residents and three quarters of its economy. Although he wasn’t around for the SNWA’s formation—Entsminger came on board as an attorney in 1999 and was appointed to the top post in 2014—he is steeped in the water history of both Southern Nevada and the Colorado River.

When the Colorado River was divvied up in 1922 among the seven states within its flow basin, half of its annual flows—estimated at the time to be 15 million acre-feet—were given to the so-named Upper Basin States of Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and New Mexico, while the other half was allocated to the Lower Basin States of California, Arizona and Nevada.

Mexico would later be granted a share of an additional 1.5 million acre-feet annually. In 1928, the Lower Basin States divided their half of the liquid bounty: California received 4.4 million acre-feet, Arizona hauled in 2.8 million acre-feet, and Nevada was given a token allocation of 300,000 acre-feet. While water managers like to joke that Nevada’s representative was at the bar during the negotiations, there actually were valid reasons for this disparity. Reason No. 1 was agriculture.

At the time of the Colorado River negotiations, California was already an agricultural titan, producing a significant portion of the nation’s winter fruits and vegetables, as well as enormous volumes of forage crops. Arizona, while less established, was an up-and-comer, and successfully made the case that a small allocation would inhibit its ability to develop valuable farmland and help secure the nation’s food supply. Southern Nevada, on the other hand, had little land deemed suitable for crop cultivation.

The other primary driver of the allocations was people. Already home to millions, California’s population was rapidly increasing (although to this day, more than 80 percent of that state’s Colorado River allocation is used for agriculture). For its part, Las Vegas was little more than a dusty railroad stop with a population hovering at 5,000. Then came air conditioning.

While the air conditioning unit was invented in 1902, it really didn’t become economically viable for home use until the mid-1940s. By the late 1960s, new houses with central air conditioning had people flocking from colder climes to Arizona and Nevada, a trend that continues today.

30 MAY / JUNE 2018

By: Southern Nevada Water Authority

While the world has changed significantly over the past century, Nevada’s tiny Colorado River allocation has remained unchanged. Thus, the crisis that culminated in the creation of the SNWA. With all of the local municipalities in Clark County managing their water independently, it wasn’t clear how much longer the Colorado River allocation was going to last; even keeping track of the remaining available volume posed a significant challenge.

Of equal importance, with each municipality fiercely guarding its own share of Nevada’s allocation from its neighbors, there was no incentive to conserve water. Something clearly had to change. From that crisis was born the SNWA, a single agency representing all of Southern Nevada’s water interests and made responsible for long-term water resource planning, as well as the treatment and conveyance of drinking water to local municipalities.

The SNWA recognized that conservation was the most cost-efficient means of extending the water supply and implemented arguably the country’s most comprehensive, aggressive water efficiency program. It accomplished this by essentially dividing Southern Nevada into two communities, not geographically but chronologically: the existing homes and business, and those that would be built during the years and decades to come. To minimize the water footprint of new housing and commercial developments, the SNWA worked with local governments to develop codes and ordinances that embedded water efficiency into design. For instance, local municipalities in 2003 banned the use of grass in residential front yards, while strictly limiting its installation even in back yards. Commercial properties were prohibited from installing ornamental grass, and the use of fountains and other water features was curtailed. From a water perspective, Las Vegas became a city of the future.

Improving the efficiency of the existing community required a more nuanced approach that began with understanding how water is consumed in Southern Nevada. In most cities, indoor and outdoor residential water usage is a roughly equal split, and conservation on either side of the front door is of equal value. Southern Nevada is different in two important ways.

First, low precipitation rates and high temperatures (the two factors most closely correlated with water consumption in a national study) cause the community’s residential landscapes to consume a disproportionate percentage of a household’s water. Second—and this is, with the exception of Singapore, unparalleled—Southern Nevada captures and recovers nearly 100 percent of its indoor water.

The key to what may be the world’s largest water recycling program is Lake Mead’s location relative to the community. The topography of the Las Vegas Valley is such that the basin’s southeast corner—the one closest to the lake—is downgradient from virtually all development.

An urban waterway—the Las Vegas Wash—channels runoff, shallow groundwater and treated wastewater flows to Lake Mead. This presented an opportunity upon which the SNWA capitalized. In exchange for its member agencies treating indoor water to a very high standard and returning it to the Colorado River, the SNWA receives “return flow credits,” which are credited against its withdrawals each year. Functionally, this makes Southern Nevada the equivalent of a perpetual motion machine from an indoor water perspective. The only water counted against Nevada’s Colorado River allocation is that used outdoors.

This singular arrangement, which isn’t feasible for other Colorado River-supplied cities due to their distance from the resource, allowed the SNWA to focus its resources on curbing outdoor use; after all, while progressive from a policy perspective and useful in terms of reducing the strain on water treatment and delivery infrastructure, indoor conservation programs do virtually nothing to extend the community’s water supply. The SNWA, through a program called Water Smart Landscapes, offered significant incentives to homes, businesses and even golf courses willing to replace turfgrass with drip-irrigated plants. The results were spectacular: since inception, Water Smart Landscapes has incentivized the removal of more than 185 million square feet of grass, enough to lay a roll of sod nearly all the way around the Earth. The SNWA maintains similar programs for everything from pool covers to car washes.

Demonstrating a willingness to use the stick as well as the carrot, the SNWA worked with its member agencies to adopt regulations designed to curb water waste and promote efficient irrigation. Chief among them was a mandatory watering schedule that assigned properties specific irrigation days depending upon the season; failure to comply can result in progressively steeper fines assessed through customers’ water bills. Golf courses, a key component in the regional economy, were held to account as well. The SNWA established “water budgets” based upon each course’s developed acreage, requiring them to irrigate frugally, remove marginal grass areas, or a combination thereof. The industry responded admirably, removing the equivalent of three full courses’ worth of grass; with rare exception, golf courses have met their target water consumption.

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Cumulatively, these efforts have saved more than half a trillion gallons of water since 2002, when the Colorado River drought began in earnest. By improving water efficiency in older parts of the community while embedding conservation into new homes and businesses, Nevada has reduced its Colorado River water consumption by 26 percent during the ensuing 16 years, despite a population increase of 43 percent during that span.

“Because of our ability to recover indoor water, our consumption is much less a function of if we grow than it is how we grow,” Entsminger explained. “Given the cost of living differential and other quality-of-life factors people consider when relocating, Southern Nevada will likely see continued growth. Our role as a water agency is to minimize the impact of those new residents on our community’s water supply.”

Despite the SNWA’s successes in conservation, the Colorado River shortage undoubtedly challenges water managers. In preparation for this eventuality, Entsminger said the SNWA has accumulated reserves in several “water banks.” The SNWA operates the world’s largest injection-based artificial recharge system, storing billions of gallons of water conserved by the community in the aquifer beneath their feet. Storage agreements with Arizona and California add to the trove, providing additional protection to the community. The agency even purchased water rights for upstream tributaries, which it has not used but rather holds in Lake Mead to buoy its elevation. All told, these reserves total approximately two million acre-feet—the equivalent of eight years’ supply at current consumption levels. These reserves will allow the SNWA to easily survive the first-, second-, and even third-tier curtailments associated with shortage for decades. Additionally, the SNWA has invested more than $1 billion in Lake Mead facilities that allow it to access water even if the reservoir reaches dead pool, at which point Arizona, California and Mexico would be completely cut off from their Colorado River supply. What lies beyond the third tier of shortage is the agency’s most pressing concern.

“Although we will be able to physically access water even under the most dire hydrologic scenario, we have no idea at this point how much we’ll be allowed to use,” Entsminger said. “It is hard to imagine that we’ll go on with ‘business as usual’ if California and Arizona aren’t receiving any water at all. Those discussions haven’t taken place yet, but it’s a safe assumption that—should we reach those conditions—we will need to be prepared to absorb some pretty draconian cuts.”

To cope with a doomsday scenario in Lake Mead—a once-preposterous notion becoming less implausible with each passing year—the SNWA has implemented a variety of measures aimed at further reducing its per capita use, protecting the reservoir's elevation, and reducing its reliance on the Colorado River.

In the near term, the SNWA is ratcheting up its already-robust conservation program by increasing incentives for residents and businesses that convert turf-intensive landscapes to drought-tolerant vegetation and invest in new water-saving technologies such as modern HVAC cooling towers for resorts and other large buildings. At the same time, the SNWA is increasing pressure on customers to comply with the mandatory irrigation schedule and other restrictions. Tiered water pricing structures in all municipalities reinforce the value of water efficiency.

The SNWA is also an active participant in the highly successful Colorado River System Conservation Pilot Project, an innovative program that pays municipal and agricultural users to enact water efficiency measures, with all of the liquid dividends from those investments accruing to the river itself.

“Seventy percent of Nevadans rely on a single source--the Colorado River--for their water,” he explained. “We must continue to do everything in our power to keep that source reliable, from the low-level pumping station to conservation projects designed specifically to keep extra water in the lake.”

In the longer term, Entsminger recognizes the value of potential resources like desalination partnerships and the SNWA's water rights in east-central Nevada. His focus, however, is on protecting Lake Mead's elevation and preparing the community for a shortage he views as inevitable.

"Our reserves are strong, and we have engineered a solution to accessing Colorado River water even under extreme conditions," he said. "Having that handled allows us to concentrate on supporting system-wide measures that fortify the river and building upon our conservation successes. These are our top priorities."

Despite the numerous challenges, Entsminger remains optimistic. The SNWA maintains a rolling 50-year Water Resource Plan that reflects a range of hydrologic scenarios and demand curves. Constantly exploring new resource options, evaluating Colorado River conditions and working to wring additional conservation out of the community, the SNWA methodically works the problem.

“There is no silver bullet solution,” Entsminger concluded. “The answer lies in being flexible enough to respond to whatever conditions present themselves. I think it was H.G. Wells who wrote, ‘Adapt or perish, now as ever, is nature’s inexorable imperative.’

He wasn’t wrong.”

Infographics continued next page

EDITOR'S NOTE: ALL Nevada Water authorities are invited to present their current conservation position in the Progressive Rancher.

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2019 CROP & LIVESTOCK YEAR

HAVE YOU SEEN...

INSURANCE OPTIONS FOR NEVADA PRODUCERS

Crop, Forage and Livestock Insurance Options for Nevada Producers Are you aware of recent insurance programs to protect your crop, forage and livestock for the 2019 year? Insurance can be a great way to mitigate risk in your agricultural operation. Insurance Products Sales Closing Date start in October for the 2019 crop year.

See guide for a listing of all closing dates. Below are some specific insurance product closing dates.

Alfalfa Seed: Forage Production: Pasture, Rangeland and Forage: Wheat:

October 31, 2018 October 31, 2018 November 15, 2018 October 31, 2018

Whole Farm Revenue Protection: March 15, 2019

For more information about the insurance products available, sales closing dates, and a listing of agents, see the Crop and Livestock insurance guide at the link below. http://www.unce.unr.edu/cropandlivestockguide/ Or Call (775) 945-3444, ext. 1033, for an Insurance Guide.

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PASO ROBLES WATERSHED, CALIFORNIA Reality Check on Solving Groundwater Over Pumping / Aquifers Like most places in California, the Central Coast of California surrounding Paso Robles has experienced the consequences of popularity and growth. What started off as the “Land of Hot Springs” transformed into large and small communities, rural residents, irrigated agricultural land and vineyards. Today’s lay of the land supports over 30,000 people who live among wineries, olive groves, almonds, small farms and a small town setting that is reminiscent of small town life; warm, friendly and an economic vitality that adds huge benefits to the regional economy.

Bringing People Together to Solve Water Problems By: Stephen Baker, Living Water® Programming and Hydrogeologist, Nevada City, California

PAHRUMP, NEVADA Reality Check on Developing a Groundwater Management Plan The Nye County Board of Commissioners and the Nevada Division of Water Resources are on a very important mission. These organizations are developing recommendations for creating a groundwater management plan for Pahrump Basin 162. There is a good reason for this. The basin is over-appropriated.

Basin 162 is committed to its groundwater and spring resources. Pahrump’s current population of 36,441 is expected to peak around 73,000 people by 2060. If the general plan is completely built out and 2 acre-feet of water is allowed for each property owner, water demand for Basin 162 will not be met for everyone. The perennial yield of this basin is only 20,000 acre-feet annually.

The current population pumps an estimated 13,000 acre-feet annually (consumptive use). Future water demand is likely to be 23,000 acre-feet to 30,000 acre-feet annually depending on assumed agricultural and domestic uses, return flows and water conservation practices. Committed water rights, including future domestic wells may be even higher; at 63,439 acre-feet annually. There will be many financial and water related casualties under the current expansion of Pahrump and Basin 162 if water uses continue on its present course.

The Paso Robles basin, located in San Luis Obispo County, consists of a large groundwater basin that underlies approximately 790 square miles of the central California coast. The basin is the primary water source for the northern part of the county. Groundwater has been a primary source of water for decades. As dryland agriculture and grazing evolved into irrigated agriculture and residential development, concerns related to over pumping the aquifer grew. Rapidly declining groundwater levels were observed during the most recent five years in the Paso Robles aquifer. This has caused some residential and smaller agricultural wells to actually go dry. Some aquifers have water levels that dropped more than 100 feet in recent years. This triggered new wells, deepened wells and where water wasn’t found trucked water deliveries. An emergency action was put into effect in San Luis Obispo County by initiating an ordinance requiring any new groundwater pumping to be offset with an equal amount of reduced groundwater demand in the basin.

Groundwater management became a statewide priority in California with the passing of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act of 2014. The Paso Robles water basin became a high visibility representation of groundwater shortage in the California landscape and the need for groundwater management. A 2005 groundwater model estimated a perennial yield of 97,700 acre-feet per year for the water basin and an estimated pumping demand at 80,000 acre-feet per year. Six years later pumping increased to 95,000 acre-feet per year which raised more than just eyebrows.

Developing an approach to manage groundwater has presented numerous hurdles; creating a new governance itself, deciding on a governance that balances agricultural/vineyard production interests with municipal users and domestic well owners and the adjudication of water rights through quiet title.

An important citizen vote on creating a groundwater district resulted in an overwhelmingly rejected decision in March of 2016. Why was this vote not unanimously in favor of establishing a groundwater district? People in general didn’t feel vulnerable that they were in trouble and there was little trust between agricultural businesses, existing water districts and the public.

DIFFICULTIES If the current allowable water right of 2 acre-feet per year is reduced to 0.5 acre-feet per year, the water balance will be much easier to maintain. The public, however, views this as a water grab and has filled public meetings on this discussion. Polarization of the issue has developed. The legislative process has also not worked very well to date.

DIFFICULTIES

Domestic groundwater user water rights are considered junior therefore subject to being “called” as groundwater aquifer levels decline.

Public has a perception that water has no limitations. Citizens feel their water is being taken away, that the government will get in their way, that any effort to correct this problem will raise taxes and water meters will be placed on wells to control everyone’s water use.

Operation Unite® has spoken to many groups and people in San Luis Obispo County.

Stakeholders and the public are on all sides of this issue. Quiet title, development of a new groundwater sustainability agency, assignment to the County Flood Control and no action each represent solutions that have been raised by community members. Consensus has not occurred in the watershed to date and many groups appear to have organized separately.

Connecting domestic properties is too expensive for the Water Districts and Domestic users.

Due to the lack of trust between many groups and citizens, groundwater management has been fragmented into many smaller GSAs. Some groups feel that water supply vulnerability is isolated to only small areas within San Luis Obispo County. They feel isolated conditions do not reflect a real need for regional groundwater management plan.

Groundwater availability is unevenly present in Basin 162 due to the geology and areas of water demand. Due to these mismatched conditions, people interpret decisions as unfair.

There is much uncertainty in the recharge estimates of the basin, including irrigation and actual pumping by domestic wells. Data from springs and shallower aquifer systems are known but a technical understanding of the underlying limestone aquifer is severely limited. This uncertainty weighs heavy because deep groundwater recharge from the limestone aquifer is assumed in today’s perennial yield calculations.

The groundwater monitoring network is very much undersized compared to the number of wells in Basin 162.

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Interpersonal behaviors and opinions within the Paso Robles watershed communities have also created further separation between citizen groups and stakeholders. The most prominent breach is the mistrust that groundwater management actions are being undermined by attempts to export water and other water grab scenarios. It is viewed that groundwater is being taken away from the public. These groups view business entrepreneurs as people with dollar signs in their eyes. Many citizens feel the common good for the community is in jeopardy.

Recognition and concern of personal groundwater vulnerability caused by emptying aquifers are overlooked because a worse outcome is creating a management structure that gives power to a businesses, industries or regulating communities.

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Rebuilding Infrastructure Vital for Rural Nevada

Opinion

By: Phil Cowee USDA RD Nevada State Director, USDA Rural Development Some people remember when many rural households didn’t have electricity or running water. Although those days are long gone for most, there’s still lots of room for improvement. In fact, our American infrastructure used to be the envy of the world, but now it’s in disrepair.

This is why President Trump has made it a priority to rebuild America’s infrastructure. He proposes to devote $50 billion, which is 25 percent of new federal money, to improving infrastructure in rural America. This is an unprecedented commitment. His proposal will stimulate at least $1.5 trillion in infrastructure investments over the next decade.

As Congress takes up the President’s infrastructure proposal, I am delighted to share with you some great news right now.

Included in the FY 2018 budget bill that Congress just passed and President Trump signed in March is a robust investment of $600 million in rural broadband. These funds will serve as a “down payment” on the President’s full, comprehensive infrastructure funding proposal that will be further deliberated over the coming months.

USDA will use these new rural broadband funds to administer a new program that will begin to meet the Administration’s goals of bringing reliable and affordable broadband e-Connectivity to America’s rural towns, cities and tribal areas. Today, 80 percent of the 24 million American households that do not have 21st century highspeed internet are in rural areas, according to the Federal

Communications Commission. That is unacceptable.

America can do better for our rural citizens and for rural production sites that need e-Connectivity to continue to supply the nation and the world with food, fiber, minerals and manufactured products.

As we set up the new program, USDA will work diligently to ensure that the broadband e-Connectivity projects provide the most “bang for the buck” and improve access for as many rural American homes, businesses, farms, schools and health care centers as possible.

Every day, I see firsthand the tremendous difference USDA Rural Development makes by investing in rural infrastructure. Here in Nevada, USDA funded a $12 million combination loan and grant that is helping Storey County replace its aged and failing wastewater collection system. This project protects the health of residents and the environment, while supporting the tourism economy in the historic district.

USDA has also invested over $41 million in broadband projects in places like remote Elko County and Esmeralda County--communities that would otherwise go completely without any kind of service. This included $25 million in infrastructure loans to small rural telephone companies $2.5 million in Distance Learning Telemedicine loans and grants for universities and community colleges, rural school districts, Tribes, and medical clinics, $3 million for Community Connect Grants to provide community connectivity in small towns and $11 million in Broadband Initiative Program for infrastructure improvements. Without USDA, many areas would simply be without broadband or internet.

These investments are the result of strong partnerships that USDA has formed over the years with local business and civic leaders.

In addition to providing infrastructure financing, USDA is addressing statutory changes, regulatory relief and cultural shifts to help improve the way the Federal government serves its citizens. This approach is consistent with the Secretary’s priorities: Infrastructure, Partnerships and Innovation. All three are needed to rebuild this great nation.

During the next few weeks and months – and throughout my term – I will be meeting with business owners, developers, elected officials and rural residents to learn about your infrastructure needs and concerns. I want to hear from you about what is working – and what we can do better.

Here is how you can help: Please contact me or our team of specialists in Carson City, Nevada, to let us know of your community’s infrastructure needs. I can be reached by phone at (775) 887-1222 Ext. 4751.

Together, we can ensure USDA investments in rural infrastructure will create jobs, expand economic opportunities and help ensure that rural communities continue to be great places to live, work, start a business and raise a family.

It’s an honor to serve you.

Philip Cowee, a 6th generation Nevadan, was named state director for USDA Rural Development in Nevada effective Nov. 13, 2017. He is a Certified Public Accountant with nearly 20 years of professional experience developing properties and running businesses in Lyon County. He has entitled and developed many commercial and industrial projects, and lead the Lyon County School District as Finance Director from 2012-2016. He has volunteered on the Dayton Regional Advisory Council .

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42 MAY / JUNE 2018

The Progressive Rancher

www.progressiverancher.com

August 9-12th 2018

Eureka County Fairgroun Eureka, Nevada

Gymkhana ck Youth Rough Sto 4-H Livestock Show and Sale Team Branding Team Roping Bronc Old West Saddle and Bull Riding Mud Volleyball st Pie Eating Conte ance Live Band and D Exhibit Hall 775-237-6026 Visit our website:

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www.progressiverancher.com

The Progressive Rancher

MAY / JUNE 2018

43

44 MAY / JUNE 2018

The Progressive Rancher

www.progressiverancher.com