The Progressive Rancher - March 2016

NCA 2009 President’s Award Recipient

IN THIS ISSUE

22

Nevada Farm Bureau

3

Riding for the NCA

24

Mind of a Millennial

4

Nevada Cattlemen Assn.

26

Horizons

6

Eye on the Outside

28

Look Up

8

Nevada Cattlewomen

28

American Lands Council

10

USDA

32

NCBA

12

Talking about NCBA

34

Water in Nevada

13

Ranch for Sale

36

NAF

14

Fumes from the Farm

38

Acc. Land Consultants

16

BLM

40

Musk Thistle

19

NRRC

46

Ramblings of a Ranch Wife

20

Beef Checkoff

43

EJ Financial Focus

The Progressive Rancher Owner/Editor/Publisher – Leana Litten Carey progressiverancher@elko.net

Graphic Design/Layout/Production – Joshua Rinard

ELKO FEDERAL CREDIT UNION • Share Draft Accounts • Timeshare Certificates • ATM Cards/Debit Cards • IRAs • Visas

• Consumer Loans • Money Orders • Share Savings Accounts • Free Notary

Josh@LifeSpringDesign.com

Photo by Leana L Carey - “Communicating”

Published 9 times each year, The Progressive Rancher is mailed to more than 7,000 approved addresses, and has digital and print readership reaching more than 30,000.

The Progressive Rancher is published monthly. The views and opinions expressed by writers of articles appearing in this publication are not necessarily those of the editor.

Letters of opinion are welcomed by The Progressive Rancher.

Rates for advertising are available upon request. Advertising in The Progressive Rancher does not necessarily imply editorial endorsement. Liability for any errors or omissions in advertisements shall not exceed the cost of the space occupied by the error or omission.

Spring is on the way ELKO

2397 Mountain City Hwy. Elko Junction Shopping Center Elko, Nevada 89801-1496

Phone: (775) 738-4083 Fax: (775) 738-2582

2 March 2016

SPRING CREEK

559 W. Spring Valley Ct., Ste. 7 Spring Creek, Nevada 898015-6811

www.elkofcu.org

Phone: (775) 753-6272 Fax: (775) 753-6280

The Progressive Rancher is free to people working and active in the livestock industry. The Progressive Rancher is donated to the agricultural industry. If you are not currently receiving this magazine on a regular basis, and would like to be a part of The Progressive Rancher family, contact us by e-mail at progressiverancher@elko. net, today, so we can include you on our mailing list. If you have moved or changed addresses, please notify us, by e-mail, so we can keep you informed. All requests for the magazine must be made by e-mail. © The Progressive Rancher Magazine. All rights reserved.

Leana Litten Carey, Owner/Editor

1188 Court St., #81, Elko, NV 89801 (208) 733-1828 • (208) 358-2487 • progressiverancher@elko.net

WWW.PROGRESSIVERANCHER.COM

The Progressive Rancher

Ads sent to or built by The Progressive Rancher become property of this magazine. www.progressiverancher.com

Message from the NCA President

H

By David Stix Jr.

ello Friends! As I had promised previously, I am writing to you with a conclusion of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association convention and the 2016 Fallon All Breeds Bull Sale.

What a great Fallon Bull Sale this year turned out to be. The total number and quality of bulls consigned this year were up, with 116 bulls going through the sale ring and only 7 bulls being sifted prior. Prices were up especially with one bull selling for $8000.00. However, the last 15 to 20 bulls fell below $3000 so our average ended up similar to last year’s being $4,389.38. Most of all it was exciting to see several new consigners and buyers attend our sale.

We had a productive Board of Directors Meeting on Friday, February 19th during the Bull Sale. Updates and reports were given from Jim Barbee and other employees of the Nevada Department of Agriculture informing us on the coming changes to the rules relating to sale yards, and coggins testing requirements for horses. The sale yard changes include requiring a Veterinarian on site of the sale and requiring all bangs vaccinations to be completed before the sale of the heifers.

All in all, what a great weekend in Fallon!

Kaley Sproul, NCA Executive Director and I attended the NCBA convention in San Diego, CA representing NCA members. It was pleasant to see fellow Nevada cattlemen there and thanks to all of whom attended. We can’t say enough about the Maggie Creek Ranch of Elko, NV winning the national 2015 Environmental Stewardship Award. It was very exciting and we need to all congratulate Jon Griggs and the Searle family a “Way to go!!”.

Back to the cattle market, it is crazy! It is up then it is down. It literally is like a roll of the dice to catch prices on the way up. The Nevada Livestock on the 18th of February their feeder special prices were exactly where they’ve

David Stix Jr. been since October of 2015, $2.00 to $2.10 for a good black 5 weight steer.

Though the experts say prices are going to remain the same for most of the year as well as the beef demands, we can rely on low feed costs to help out.

Lucy Reckel, of Snyder Livestock, and I along with many ranchers from Lyon County spent a lot of time in Yerington, NV in the past few weeks.

We have been battling the most stringent and unattainable development codes for feeding operations seen in what I believe in the whole state of Nevada! These new codes are a result of an over-reaction by county staff caused by a new dairy built this last year in Smith Valley, NV. Some of the new codes consisted of a 3/4 of a mile set back from adjacent property and roads. It ref lects a Nebraska odor requirement and a f ly and mosquito code that would affect new as well as existing feeding operations. At a recent Commissioners meeting we were successful in getting the new codes removed. However with a condition that we go back to the drawing table and assist in writing codes that are reasonable for new dairies and feedlots.

Well everyone it’s time to run, again I thank all of you for the chance to serve the cattle industry and look forward to talking to you soon.Davy Stix

President Obama Uses Antiquities Act to Lock off Additional 1.8 Millin Acres

F

or the 22nd time in his Administration, President Obama has improperly leveraged the Antiquities Act of 1906 to lock up millions of acres of the American West.

In a press release touting the designation of Sand to Snow National Monument, Mojave Trails National Monument, and Castle Mountains National Monument - a total of 1.8 million acres - USDA celebrated this Administration’s prowess for these types of designations that have locked off 265 million acres in the last seven years without any formal review, economic analysis, or public comment.

“This president has misused and abused his executive power more than any of his predecessors in an attempt to distract from his true environmental legacy which will be one of mismanagement and undue economic hardship in rural communities,” said Brenda Richards, Public Lands Council President.

As President Obama closes out his final term, a rash of last-minute designa-

www.progressiverancher.com

tions totaling nearly 10 million acres in states like Oregon, Arizona and Utah is expected. Congress must rein this abuse of the Antiquities Act and ensure the American public is engaged whenever the federal government makes sweeping decisions that impact such large areas of land.

“Here we are again discussing the President’s abuse of a law intended to protect objects or artifacts, not large landscapes,” said Tracy Brunner, NCBA President and Kansas cattleman. “When designations like these take place, multiple use and valid existing rights like grazing always lose. If this Administration believes this land is in need of protection, they should do so through the proper democratic channels, not a stroke of the pen that bypasses the American people.”

Richards added, “It’s outrageous that the Administration would openly boast of sidestepping the American public under the guise of protecting these lands when in fact they are eroding the multiple-use doctrine of the federal land management agencies.” -

The Progressive Rancher

March 2016 3

By Kaley Sproul, Nevada Cattlemen’s Association Executive Director

Nevada Cattlemen's Association Recap

A

By Kaley Sproul, NCA Executive Director

long with preparing for the 50th Annual Fallon All Breeds Bull Sale the leadership of Nevada Cattlemen’s Association has been busy traveling to different meetings representing Nevada and our unique issues. Leadership of the association is always looking for new members, new voices, and new perspectives. Without the strong voices of membership the association cannot stand strong against the issues we face.

Late January NCA members attended the National Cattlemens Beef Association convention in San Diego, CA. This was a very memorable convention for NCA. We were able to attend educational sessions regarding issues that many cattlemen members face, networked with other people in the industry, and recognized some accomplishments of NCA members. Maggie Creek Ranch and the Searle family of Elko, NV were named national winners of the 2015 Environmental Stewardship Award. This award recognizes ranchers for their commitment to outstanding land management practices which create healthy, balanced ecosystems. We are also excited to share that Joe Guild, past president of the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association, was recently elected to serve as the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association policy vice chairman. Thank you to all of the NCA members for attending this event and supporting your fellow cattlemen.

During the February Board of Directors meeting we were updated on things happening in Nevada by all of the committee chairs as well as affiliate organizations.

NCA appreciates the continuous commitment from our Board members and attendance from the general membership. The next Board of Directors meeting will be held in Elko, NV on June 3rd. Please contact the NCA office for more information.

We encourage all to attend these meetings and to remember that there is always an open door for anyone to attend.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association please call the NCA office at 1-775-738-9214 or visit www.nevadacattlemen.org for more information. We welcome new members and voices for Nevada ranchers.

Kaley Sproul, NCA Executive Director

Phil Allen & Son Best of Hereford

Hereford Best of Breed went to Phil Allen & Son of Antimony Ut. accepting is Shane Allen with Kaley Sproul

Jerry Malty Accepting award for Best Charloais from Kaley Sproul

Best of Charolais Breed 4 March 2016

The Progressive Rancher

www.progressiverancher.com

50th Fallon Bull Sale A Success!

F Best of Angus & Over All Best of Range Bull

Best of Angus and Best Over All Range Bull. Thornenfeldt Land and Cattle

allon, NV February 20, 2016 – Even with the threat of cold temperatures and bad winter weather across much of the west, it did not keep cattlemen from attending the 50th Anniversary of the Fallon All Breeds Bull Sale. This year’s bulls ranged from 14-25 months of age. The sales of 113 high quality bulls came to a total of $496,000.00, with a Sale Average of $4,389.38. Cattlemen from California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, and Utah attended the sale looking to buy their range-ready bulls for the year.

Breed Averages included: Red Angus for $2,950.00; Charolais for $4,541.67; Herefords for $4,723.68; and Angus for $4,396.34.

The High Selling Bull of this year’s sale was lot #129 of Amador Angus Ranch selling for $8,000.00 which was purchased by Louis Scatena of Yerington, NV. Award Hats and Plaques are awarded to each Best of Breed (for which there are two or more consignments) and the Top Overall Range Bull.

Thorenfeldt Land & Cattle had both the TOP Overall Range Bull and the Angus Best of Breed for the sale with lot #85. It was purchased by Chris Gansberg of Gansberg Ranch LLC for $7,700.00.

Mark Peacemaker of the P Bar Ranch was awarded Red Angus Best of Breed for lot #7 and purchased by Fred Bailey of Eureka, NV for $3,750.00. Jerry and Sherry Maltby of the Broken Box Ranch were awarded Charolais Best of Breed for lot #20 and it was sold for $4,750.00 to Lazy D Livestock of Pioche, NV. Phil Allen & Son of Antimony, UT was awarded the Hereford Best of Breed with lot #24 selling for $5,500.00 to Tulloch Family Partnership of Romona, CA. It should also be noted that the Allens have come to the last 50 years of the Fallon Bull Sale. We thank them for their dedication to the industry and to the sale.

Along with the dedicated group of buyers and consignors that participate in the sale each year, there are several sponsors who help make the sale possible year after year and they include: Pinenut Livestock, (awards for Best of Breed, Top Overall Range Bull, and Best Pen of Heifer and ear tags for the sale); Fallon Convention Center (grant for advertising); and Great Basin Ranch of Southern Nevada Water Authority (for donating the “Raffle Calf ”, proceeds go to benefit Churchill FFA and the NCA Scholarship Fund). Also, each year Gayle Hybarger organizes the Invitational Stock Dog Trials and Auction, proceeds go to benefit a family’s fight against cancer. Along with these dedicated sponsors we would also like to thank our newer sponsors, Hoof Beat Gates and Corrals for donating the panels for the FFA raffle; Stix Cattle Company and Demar Dahl for contributing a donation calf. Without the support of these great sponsors, the Fallon Bull Sale would not be possible.

Lastly, thank you to the crew at Fallon Livestock Exchange, the Churchill FFA, the Churchill County Cowbelles and the bull sale committee members, who all helped make the Fallon Bull Sale a huge success!

Red Angus. Best of Breed owned by Mark Peacemaker purchaed by Fred Bailey of Eureka www.progressiverancher.com

By Kaley Sproul, Sale Secretary

Fallon bull sale packed seats The Progressive Rancher

March 2016 5

By Joseph Guild

Y

ou have no doubt seen a copy of the Cowboy Code (The Code of the West) at some time in your life.

Recently, I saw a copy of a version of the code at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association annual convention in San Diego. It got me thinking. What should guide a person through their life? What moral touchstone or lack of a moral standard guides people? What ethics and standards guide me? Where did I learn my code? You have also heard Willie Nelson sing his heroes have always been cowboys. Why are they his heroes? What do the lessons in the Code mean to modern America?

I do not think anyone knows who first wrote the code down but if I could pick a series of principles by which to guide my life this is as good a list as any. I like to think I have been governed by these principles, but obviously (if I can be my own judge) I have not always lived up to them. I do not know anyone who has.

This does not mean we shouldn’t try. Let’s take a look at the list and then I will make some observations about ranching and our society in general.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Live each day with courage.

Take pride in your work.

Always finish what you start.

Do what has to be done.

Be tough, but fair.

When you make a promise, keep it.

Ride for the brand.

Talk less and say more.

Remember that some things are not for sale.

Know where to draw the line.

translate into action at the polls. It is almost as if the rallies are attended more for the entertainment value of how the candidate says things rather than what the candidate says he or she will do to solve our problems.

There is certainly dissatisfaction with Washington D.C. and the inability of our leaders to leave partisanship on the doorstep of the entry way to statesmanship. But, platitudes and playing to crowds are not substantive proposals for real solutions to real problems. The rush to seize every political advantage at the expense of creating practical solutions is hurting our country. The electorate, those engaged enough to recognize they can elect the right people to solve the problems, are not stupid. They see the gridlock and are outraged by it. But there are too few of them engaged politically to make a difference. So we have the government we deserve.

In the Code of the West I see the actions of the ranchers and farmers of this country. I see them going to work to feed us every day governing their lives as best they can by the Code. I also see them engaged in their communities. They are active in their churches, on their school boards, in their political parties, on their county boards of commissioners or supervisors, and certainly with their families raising respectful, hardworking children. They care for their land, their natural resources and their animals. The rest of society could see a good example to follow if they would just look, listen and try and live their lives by the Code of the West.

I’ll see you soon.

In my experience, more ranchers and people in agriculture in general, follow this code even if they do not know about it. It takes courage to run a business where the profit margin may be lower than 1.5%. You have to really pay attention to costs and sometimes take chances to keep the enterprise afloat. Likewise, the ranchers I know take pride in the work that needs to be done and rarely, if ever look at a clock for quitting time. Quitting time is when the task is finished because last time I checked cows don’t wear watches.

A review of the other guidelines in the list leads to the same conclusion.

Ranchers pretty much adhere to these principles in doing their work. One of my favorites is talk less and say more. Viewing the current election, most politicians, and their listeners, would benefit from following this advice. In fact, the notion that some things are not for sale could definitely apply to any election.

The above begs a question in my mind. Are our elections and our politicians a microcosm of our society as whole or are they isolated to the people and circumstances at hand? And if they are a reflection of society as a whole do we follow a code such as the Code of the West as a people? Do we have a moral base or are we becoming less and less civil and constructive in our discourse?

In other words, are we tough but fair? That is, do we hold tough to our beliefs but we are fair to others and their beliefs we may not agree with? If we follow the precept we are not rude and we criticize the idea and not the person

I think the current election provides answers. Remember, as you read this the turnout for the primaries will not be huge. In fact, it is predicted for Nevada’s caucuses the participation rate will be around ten to fifteen percent of the electorate.

Does that sound like riding for the brand, or doing what has to be done?

Several of the candidates draw big crowds, but I wonder if this will 6 March 2016

The Progressive Rancher

www.progressiverancher.com

Legislation sets up ways to manage federal lands, should they come

S

By Amy Joi O’Donoghue ALT LAKE CITY — Critics say Utah’s efforts to gain ownership of 30 million acres of federal land within its borders are an ill-conceived folly, but proponents want to be prepared if or when their efforts prove successful.

To that end, Rep. Mike Noel, R-Kanab, is sponsoring the Utah Public Lands Management Act, HB276, which would kick in when at least 100,000 acres of federal lands are transferred to the state.

The legislation, which passed the House Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Committee on Friday on a 9-1 vote, sets up the state Division of Land Management, a director to lead the agency and an 11-member advisory board.

Noel said critics who keep calling the state’s efforts a “land grab” should note that his bill clearly emphasizes that it is the policy of the state that the lands be retained in state ownership.

“You protect those things that people like,” Noel said, noting that he and his children love the outdoors. “I would be going against the very wishes of my children to sell off all these public lands.”

The bill provides that the state lands would be managed for multiple uses, including mining, energy development, grazing, outdoor recreation, fishing and hunting, as well as wilderness conservation.

“I honestly don’t think people understand my motivations. I consider public lands a sacred place to visit,” Noel said.

Utah’s efforts to wrest ownership of 30 million acres of Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service-owned lands began in earnest in 2012 with the passage of the Transfer of Public Lands Act.

The act threatened litigation if the lands that supporters say were promised at statehood are not returned to Utah. A lawsuit on the matter has not been filed.

Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes is reviewing a recommendation — that comes with a $14 million price tag — to take the legal challenge directly to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Multiple other states throughout the West with huge swaths of federal lands within their borders are exploring their options for similar fights, echoing Utah’s argument that states west of the Mississippi are at an economic and autonomous disadvantage because of the proportion of federal land ownership.

Environmental groups have panned the efforts, arguing that it is a waste of tax dollars for a fight that was lost before it ever started.

Noel and others don’t think so.

“There is a discussion going on out there, with some people who think it is not a real discussion, that it is not going to happen,” he said, “but many of us on (the House Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Committee), if not all of us, think there is a good possibility that it could happen.”

The legislation does not preclude a sale or transfer of land, but Noel said that would only happen if there is a public interest and after public input. He added he doesn’t think it’s a good idea to sell off the lands — especially since there are people with the financial ability to buy huge chunks of land and block public access.

“We make the hurdles very, very high,” Noel said. “They are high in here. I think it is 150 acres or more that it has to go to the Legislature or public referendum.

It is up to the people of the state of Utah as to how they protect these public lands and the people they send up here.”

He said the federal government has a long history of trading, selling or otherwise disposing of its lands for a wide range of reasons, establishing state parks, cemeteries and even rifle ranges in Utah.

Noel said his bill would give the opportunity for the School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration, for example, to consolidate its land holdings for better management to the benefit of public schools. It would also give conservationists and environmental groups the opportunity to gain protections for certain prized landscape, he added.

“I think there are areas that should be protected for that solitude,” Noel said.

The bill makes clear that certain uses already managed by the state will not be trumped by Utah’s management of any new lands, such as recognizing hunting and fishing access managed by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.

No one spoke against the bill, which drew praise from several of Noel’s colleagues on the committee.

www.progressiverancher.com

“I think this is a wise of the representatives and us as a state to have a plan,” said Rep. Lee Perry, R-Perry, adding there’s been criticism that the state would be a bumbling manager of any lands that came its way.

“This shows we are on top of it and we know what to do,” Perry said.

Rep. Joel Briscoe, D-Salt Lake City, had questions on the bill’s provisions and voted against it.

March 19th 2016

WSU Conference Brings Women in Agriculture Together to Network and Learn

By Margaret Viebrock n March 19, the 2016 Women in Agriculture Conference will offer women in Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Montana and Alaska a unique opportunity to gather in 31 different locations for a one-day event featuring knowledgeable speakers, inspiring stories, networking with other producers and practical advice for learning new skills.

This year’s event, “Power Up Your Communication, Power Up Your Farm” covers the topic of your communication style and how you use it to manage, motivate and influence people.

Locally, the conference will be held at: • Alaska: Fairbanks & Kenai • Idaho: Bonners Ferry, Caldwell, Cascade, Salmon, Sandpoint, Twin Falls • Oregon: La Grande, Roseburg, Salem • Montana: Bozeman • Washington: Bremerton, Chehalis, Colville, Coupeville, Everett, Goldendale, Mt. Vernon, Nespelem, Olympia, Port Townsend, Pullman, Puyallup, Republic, Spokane, Tri-Cities, Vancouver, Walla Walla, Wenatchee, Yakima

O

Visit the website at www.womeninag.wsu.edu for details about the conference and registration.

Whether you communicate on Facebook or face to face, it matters how you communicate with others. Understanding your style is a powerful tool for building personal and business relationships. This interactive and engaging conference will define how you communicate for success, according to WSU Douglas County Extension Director and chair of the conference, Margaret Viebrock. The format of this conference enables us to offer our headline speakers at all locations, while still tailoring the conference content for each region.

“Last year, nearly 650 women attended,” said Viebrock. “Many attendees reported it is the best conference for women producers because it presents practical information they can use right away.”

The lineup for the day includes Wendy Knopp and Michael Stolp with Northwest Farm Credit Services who will help the participants discover their communication style. These skills will improve decision making and connect marketing to what motivates prospects and customers.

Tangent, Oregon farmer, Shelly Boshart Davis, will explain show how she improved her communication approach to improve her business strategies, motivate employees, work with her family and increase business sales.

“In addition to improving communications, this conference will help women farmers use their personality traits to change as the situation changes,” Viebrock added.

This conference is designed for women who are farming, as well as new and aspiring farmers. Supporting spouses, students, interns or people who own an agriculture-related business are also welcome.

The conference registration fee is $30, but if you register between now and March 5, you will receive the early bird special of $25. The conference registration fee includes the workshop, light breakfast, lunch and conference materials.

Persons with a disability requiring special accommodations while participating in this program may contact Margaret Viebrock at the email address listed above.

The Progressive Rancher

March 2016 7

Education about Beef, primary function

B

By: Sidney Wintermote, Nevada Cattlewomen, Inc. President Cattlewomen across our state promote beef and the beef industry every day. From elieving that the livestock industry is of basic importance to world existence, we, the American National Cattlewomen, dedicate school programs, ranch tours, grocery store or trade show demonstrations, we strive ourselves to support it with our labor and finances; to promote it to create an understanding of today’s ranching and beef production to consumers through information and publicity; to encourage its producers with who are further from the farm or ranch than ever before. Ranch tours and Ag in the our understanding and love; to do all in our power to instill in the Classroom days are becoming very popular in more rural areas of our state such as coming generation the love of the land and of life, the humility and awe before Elko and its surrounding areas. These programs provide teachers and K-12 students nature, and the hope and faith that is inherent in cattlemen and cattlewomen.” with an understanding of how their food is produced. A program such as this seeks Many of you may have been able to recite this creed without looking at the paper, to work within existing curricula to provide basic information on our nation’s largest others may not recognize the significance of these words. Either way, as a Cattle- industry: agriculture. Several times a year, in larger populated areas such as Reno, the woman I believe this is how we exist each and every day. We have acquired the Cattlewomen meet at Costco or similar grocery stores to educate the public about the love we have for the industry one way or another. Every 5 years, we as Nevada affordability of beef and to demonstrate the ease of preparing it. Larger cities expose Cattlewomen vote on whether or not to stay a “100%” state with dues ont a Na- us to an audience with even less awareness of their food and the importance of agricultional, State and County level. 2016 is the year for that vote. As of now, when ture. Now, more than ever, it is up to us to educate the public on their misconceptions you pay your local dues, you are also required to pay on a State and National and to explain the benefits of beef and the importance of agriculture.

Nevada Cattlewomen, Inc., is an organization derived of women with diverse level. Before the ballots are sent out by your state officer team, I want you to consider the pros and cons in order to provide the best outcome for all Nevada backgrounds. Perhaps you are a woman that comes from generations of family ranchCattlewomen. I believe that we can be the best advocates for the industry we love ing or maybe you are someone who has never sat atop a horse but wants to be a steward by education and beef promotion as a team within our state, but I also have no for the land we call home. Regardless of your background, I want to encourage you to doubt that if we are determined to use our voices we can make big things happen become a member of our great organization. By doing this, we can all network together all around our country. When you receive your ballot this year, please take into and be the voice for women who share a passion for the beef industry. consideration the power we can have as a team and the difference we can make when we unite as an organization.

8 March 2016

The Progressive Rancher

www.progressiverancher.com

Carey Hawkins

Jack Payne

Cell: 208-724-6712

Cell:775-217-9273 Alt: 775-225-8889

OFFICE: 775-423-7760

Full-Service Cattle Sales & Marketing serving the Fallon, Nevada and Outlying Areas.

Seller

City

#

Desc

Type

Weight

Price CWT

Sunrise Ranch

Yering

10

3/4 yrs

Pair

1428

2575.00/Hd

Sunrise Ranch

Yering

13

3/4 yrs

Calf F-M

1378

1875.00/Hd

Sunrise Ranch

Yering

10

5/6 yrs

Calf F-M

1337

1725.00/Hd

Sunrise Ranch

Yering

17

7/8 yrs

Calf F-M

1394

1490.00/Hd

Sunrise Ranch

Yering

15

SSolid

Calf A-M

1443

1410.00/Hd

Sunrise Ranch

Yering

33

B Mth

Calf F-M

1448

1390.00/Hd

Little Park Ranches

Mitchell

16

3/4 yrs

Calf F-M

1209

1900.00 Hd

Little Park Ranches

Mitchell

53

3/4 yrs

Calf A-M

1100

1700.00/Hd

Little Park Ranches

Mitchell

13

5/6 yrs

Calf F-M

1203

1900.00/Hd

Tom Madole

Fallon

3

3/4 yrs

Calf M-M

1048

1750.00/Hd

Stix Cattle Co

Fernley

3

7/8 yrs

Calf F-M

1110

1560.00/Hd

J & N Harper

P Valley

7

HFRS

Calf M-M

1012

1635.00/Hd

Lazy D livestock

Pioche

2

3/4 yrs

Calf F-M

1015

1600.00/Hd

Jim Chamipe Jr

Austin

10

B Mth

S Calf

1033

980.00/Hd

Sales Results from Feb 18th, 2016 Bred Cow and Feeder Sale

We had a GREAT turn out with 3300 head consigned!

NEXT Feeder SALE

Seller

City

#

Desc

Type

Weight

Price CWT

Marvin Casey

denio

13

BLK

STR

591

$181.50

Donald Quintero

Schurz

2

BLK

STR

520

$172.50

Benton Snow

Fallon

1

BLK

STR

580

$172.00

Richard James

Wadsworth

1

CHAR

STR

620

$171.00

Casey Kiel

Lovelock

4

BLK

STR

624

$170.00

J & C Sestanovich

Eureka

26

MIX

STR

639

$167.50

Bob & Helen Corbari J Valley

15

MIX

STR

604

$166.50

Seven Dot Cattle Co

Golconda

19

MIX

STR

688

$165.50

Jerry Todd

Eureka

2

BLK

STR

675

$165.50

Pinson Ranch

Golconda

4

MIX

STR

688

$165.50

Pete & Lynn Tomera

Battle Mtn

6

MIX

STR

704

$162.00

D & T Boggio

P Valley

2

BLK

STR

593

$158.50

Susan Tomera Wines

Carlin

1

MIX

STR

823

$145.25

Julian T Ranches

Carlin

11

MIX

STR

823

$145.25

Diana Smith

Yerington

6

BLK

STR

790

$143.00

Cross L Ranch

Tonopah

5

BLK

STR

727

$141.00

Dale Demorest

Montello

3

MIX

STR

692

$141.00

C & C Gubler

Fallon

2

MIX

STR

748

$140.00

Lock Land & Cattle

Dalhart

19

MIX

STR

816

$136.75

Jackson Snow

Fallon

1

BCHX

STR

785

$135.00

Mickey Laca

Fallon

14

MIX

STR

908

$133.00

R & D Depaoli

Lovelock

12

BLK

STR

901

$132.00

J & Adrienne Snow

Fallon

6

MIX

HFR

379

$213.00

S & B Mackenzie

JValley

11

MIX

HFR

397

$208.00

E & K Hooper

Duckwater

21

BLK

HFR

412

$208.00

Steve Medlin

Alamo

26

MIX

HFR

384

$205.50

Justin Brackenbury

Caliente

3

MIX

HFR

356

$205.00

Jim Champie

Austin

7

MIX

HFR

389

$204.00

Juniper Mountain

Fallon

12

BLK

STR

410

$248.00

Eugene & K Hooper

Duckw

13

BLK

STR

443

$240.00

Timothy Lawson

Fallon

9

BLK

STR

463

$239.00

3J Cattle Co

Caliente

23

BLK

STR

457

$238.00

Robert & C Fowkes

Fallon

3

BLK

STR

335

$237.50

Steve Medlin

Alamo

36

BLK

STR

413

$233.00

Justin & A Snow

Fallon

7

MIX

STR

424

$233.00

Branton Genco

Alamo

2

BLK

STR

413

$233.00

Kayleen Blasingame

Alamo

3

BLK

STR

413

$233.00

Tracy Clark

Reno

3

MIX

STR

403

$230.00

Ninety Six Ranch

P Valley

14

MIX

HFR

438

$203.00

3 J Cattle Co

Caliente

16

MIX

HFR

434

$203.00

D & L Whitmore

Tonopah

2

MIX

HFR

425

$201.00

R & B Baker

Fallon

7

MIX

HFR

401

$200.00

Terrah Hern

McDermitt

4

MIX

HFR

360

$200.00

Warm Springs Ranch

J Valley

22

MIX

HFR

437

$200.00

Jay & Georgia Black

Austin

27

MIX

HFR

491

$183.00

Stephen James

Wadsworth

2

MIX

HFR

459

$180.00

Karl Baker

Doyle

6

BLK

HFR

500

$180.00

David Piquet

Winn

57

MIX

HFR

512

$175.00

Coyote Creek Ranch

Imlay

12

BLK

HFR

515

$170.00

Cody Barkdull

Fallon

3

BLK

HFR

520

$170.00

Lincoln Dempsey

Winn

1

MIX

HFR

406

$170.00

Flat Creek Ranch

Orovada

36

BLK

HFR

579

$162.00

Bob Vesco Bob & Helen Corbari

Winn J Valley

5 14

MIX MIX

HFR HFR

549 554

$161.00 $160.00

David Piquet

Win

29

MIX

STR

414

$230.00

S & B Mackenzie

J Valley

17

MIX

STR

450

$229.00

Kevin Brady

Austin

2

RBF

STR

410

$214.00

Brian Bill

Austin

5

MIX

STR

435

$226.00

Ted Renfroe

Fallon

1

BLK

STR

329

$225.00

Jim Champie Jr

Austin

9

MIX

STR

403

$221.00

Robert & D Gordon

Winn

10

BLK

STR

491

$219.00

Dan Van Norman

Tusca

2

BLK

STR

333

$215.00

Deanna Porter

Orovada

2

CHA

STR

515

$210.00

Ira Dempsey

Winn

1

MIX

STR

504

$209.00

J & L Dempsey

Winn

7

MIX

STR

504

$209.00

Leroy Sestanovich

Carlin

26

MIX

STR

538

$195.00

Ninety Six Ranch

P Valley

18

MIX

STR

513

$207.00

Lazy D Livestock

Pioche

10

MIX

STR

546

$205.00

Robert Eric James

Wads

2

MIX

STR

518

$204.00

Alvin & T James

Wads

1

MIX

STR

518

$204.00

S & M Goemmer

Bat Mtn

3

BLK

STR

425

$200.00

Warm Spr Ranch

J Valley

7

MIX

STR

375

$201.00

Flat Creek Ranch

Orovada

18

MIX

STR

518

$200.00

Susan & D Kern

PValley

11

MIX

STR

572

$197.00

D & R Van Norman

Tuscarora

4

BLK

STR

409

$195.00

Randall & JCollins

J Valley

7

BLK

STR

557

$190.00

Gene Heckman

Winn

10

MIX

STR

523

$188.50

www.progressiverancher.com

March 17th Starting at 11:30am

TO ALL OF OUR CONSIGNORS & BUYERS

We would also like to thank our consignors who donated calves to the Paradise Valley Building Fund.

Naggin Woman Ranch Ninety Six Ranch Pete Marvel Ranch Keystone Ranch John & Jhona Bell We have 4 cattle trains available for your cattle hauling needs.

For information give Jack or Carey a call.

The Progressive Rancher

Deanna Porter

Orovada

8

MIX

HFR

523

$160.00

D & T Boggio

PValley

2

BLK

HFR

593

$158.50

Marvin Casey

Denio

28

BLK

HFR

596

$155.50

J & L Dempsey

Winn

6

MIX

HFR

568

$152.00

Jesse Segura

Quincy

4

BLK

HFR

574

$152.00

M & Gottschalk

Lovelock

13

MIX

HFR

609

$147.00

Randy Rogers

Fernley

4

RED

HFR

590

$145.00

Jerry Todd Seven Dot Cattle Co Pinson Ranch

Eureka

4

BLK

HFR

618

$143.00

Golconda

30

MIX

HFR

746

$140.00

Golconda

7

MIX

HFR

747

$140.00

Kyle Hendrix

Fallon

4

MIX

HFR

666

$138.50

Julian T Ranches

Carlin

3

MIX

HFR

777

$130.00

Mitch & Clay Mori

S Creek

3

BLK

HFR

815

$129.50

March 2016 9

Science and Tech Bolster USDA, Partners’ Conservation Work in Western States Sage Grouse Habitat, Ranchers to Benefit across 100 Million Acres

R

By Heather Emmons, Public Affairs Officer

ENO, Feb. 23, 2016 – USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the University of Montana and other partners have used Google Earth Engine to build a new interactive online map tool that, for the first time, combines layers of related data to better target invasive species damaging habitat and rangeland in Western states. The partnership is part of USDA’s ongoing Sage Grouse Initiative (SGI) and presents geospatial data covering a 100 million acre landscape.

The new mapping tool is available at map.sagegrouseinitiative.com. It currently allows farmers, ranchers, conservationists and other partners to analyze data on the encroachment of conifers and cheatgrass on key rangeland. Additional conservation data layers will be added in coming months that contain information for all 11 Western states.

The newly created tree canopy cover layer, developed by Michael Falkowski at Colorado State University, shows where conifers are degrading critical sagebrushsteppe across the range. NRCS and partners use the data to target the removal of invading conifers when the trees are young and more easily eradicated. Another layer already available provides an index of ecosystem resilience and resistance to cheatgrass based on underlying soil temperature and moisture.

Brady Allred, a rangeland specialist with University of Montana, developed the tool for SGI using Google Earth Engine, a platform for scientific analysis and visualization of geospatial datasets, both for public benefit and for business and government users. Allred said he is excited SGI will continue to build on the tool over time.

“This is just the first step,” said Ray Dotson, NRCS state conservationist in Nevada. “SGI partners are in the process of adding more data layers of value to the application based on input from our partners.”

Public and private land managers can now use the free SGI map tool in planning where and how best to target available resources to achieve the biggest gains in the battle against invasive species.

“By focusing on such a large area, we are able to provide the big picture – a better view of what’s occurring across boundaries, so each effort supports the greater goal and helps reduce future threats,” Allred said.

Each data layer creates a visual representation of available research covering one of the threats targeted by the Sage Grouse Initiative 2.0 investment strategy, a four-year $211 million effort to help restore and protect sagebrush habitats in 11 Western states. The strategy guides conservation efforts through 2018.

“Bringing this data together in an easy-to-use online resource helps federal, state and private partners better target our work to restore and protect this vast landscape – supporting wildlife and rural economies in Nevada,” Dotson said.

“This is another great example of how using scientific data and technology makes partnerships like the Sage Grouse Initiative more effective.”

Since 2010, NRCS has partnered with ranchers to restore and protect more than five million acres of sage grouse habitat through SGI. This work was part of a large landscape-level effort that led the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to conclude last year that the sage grouse did not warrant protection under the

10 March 2016

Endangered Species Act. Learn more about NRCS’ conservation efforts for sage grouse habitat. For more on technical and financial assistance available through conservation programs, visit www.nrcs.usda.gov/GetStarted.

Since 2009, USDA has invested more than $29 billion to help producers make conservation improvements, working with as many as 500,000 farmers, ranchers and landowners to protect over 400 million acres nationwide, boosting soil and air quality, cleaning and conserving water and enhancing wildlife habitat. For an interactive look at USDA’s work in conservation and forestry over the course of this Administration, visit http://medium.com/usda-results.

The Progressive Rancher

www.progressiverancher.com

United States Department of Agriculture

Agricultural Marketing Service

United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service 1365 Corporate Blvd. Reno, NV 89502 Phone (775) 857-8500 www.nv.nrcs.usda.gov

The maps contained in this new application are not the same as the map that has drawn recent litigation and concerns. The reference layers are from the 2012 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Conservation Objectives Team (COT) report. Other layers were assembled based on a variety of scientific data and research. For more information see: http://www.sagegrouseinitiative.com/sgi-map-description-and-instructions/

www.progressiverancher.com

The Progressive Rancher

March 2016 11

TALKING ABOUT NCBA Joe Guild, 6th Region Vice President

I

n a recent issue I said that would be my last NCBA column but the publisher has asked me to write some information about the structure of the NCBA leadership. Surprisingly, there is still confusion on how the National Association is led and what are the various functions of the divisions within the organization after over twenty years since the merger creating the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and more than thirty years since the Beef Checkoff was passed.

There are three top officers of NCBA. The President serves for one year and is automatically succeeded by a President-elect. A Vice-President is next in line to become the President-Elect. All three of these officers have gone through a process before the Nominating Committee composed of seven members from the Policy Division, seven members of the Federation Division and the Past President of NCBA who serves as Chairman of the Nominating Committee. Each Division has a Chairman and a ViceChairman. These four people have also been before the nominating Committee to state their desires for a leadership position and to answer questions relating to their qualifications. Finally, the Entire 250(?) member Board of Directors votes to ratify or change the recommendations of the Nominating Committee at the annual NCBA Convention.

NCBA’s 2016 Officer Team is: Tracy Bruner President from Kansas; Craig Uden, President-Elect from Nebraska; Kevin Kester, Vice-President from California; Chair of the Federation Division, Steve Hanson from Nebraska; Vice- Chair of the Federation Division Jerry Effertz from North Dakota; Chair of the Policy Division, Jennifer Houston from Tennessee; and, Vice-Chair of the Policy Division, Joe Guild from Nevada. The Treasurer of NCBA is an appointed position from among the membership.

The current Treasurer is Marty Smith from Florida The confusion about the largest beef industry trade association lies in what the two divisions do and what their respective responsibilities and duties are. A little history lesson may help to clear up that confusion.

The Federation Division has its roots way back in the 1920s when some states such as California created voluntary checkoff programs to address 12 March 2016

the need for research, education and promotion of beef industry. The dues a member of NCBA pays to beef as a preferred consumer product on the nation’s belong are used to fund these lobbying and litigatables. Most readers will recall in 1985, the Beef tion efforts. The Washington D.C. NCBA office is Research and Information Act was passed creating funded entirely from these dues dollars. And just to what we now just call the Checkoff. Under that act be repetitious, no check off money can be used for every transaction of a beef animal is assessed a one lobbying and regulation advocacy. dollar checkoff amount. Fifty cents of this money So how does the Policy Division create the polistays in the state where the transaction occurred cies of the Association? Any member can propose a and fifty cents goes to the Cattlemen’s Beef Board position by presenting the idea to the relevant com(CBB). This money can only be used for research, mittee for its analysis and deliberation. Examples of education, promotion and communication. None Policy Division Committees are Federal Lands and of this money can be used for lobbying. There are 44 Tax and Credit. Thus, if there were concerns by the Qualified Beef Councils (QSCB) which meet the membership about the BLM supporting the retiredefinition in the Act. It is these organizations which ment of grazing permits without giving other grazcome together as the Federation of Beef Councils ers an opportunity to add a retired permit to their that are a part of NCBA and are led by the Federa- permitted portfolio, the proper place to discuss a tion Division Chair. This Division is responsible for resolution on this issue would be the NCBA Federal its own business decisions and its own budget. lands Committee. If a policy passed the full NCBA There is still the belief on the part of some Board of Directors related to this issue it would give folks that their checkoff dollars are comingled guidance to the Washington D.C. staff on how to with NCBA dues money to advocate positions deal with Congress and the BLM. that person may not agree with. Nothing could be Those of you familiar with your State Cattle further from the truth. As I said above, fifty cents Association or Farm Bureau are familiar with the of the checkoff money is spent in the state of ori- process I just described. It is a from the ground gin by that state’s beef council which is governed up grass roots process driven by membership and by cattle raisers. The other fifty cents is managed not leadership. I believe the process works even in by the CBB and a group called the Operating a large organization such as NCBA with around Committee decides which qualified organizations 30,000 members. I think you would find the curbecome contractors to undertake research, educa- rent leadership receptive to your ideas and sugtion and communication to promote the benefits gestions on how the Association could do things of beef to our ultimate consumers. The Federation better. You are welcome to join and comment. I’ll Division of NCBA places 10 cattle raisers on this see you soon. committee and the CBB places 10 members on the committee. Thus all decisions to spend beef checkoff dollars are made by your cattle industry peers.

Under New Ownership/Management The Policy DiviCustom gates and fencing Specialized feeds for 4-H show season sion of NCBA creates All your calving, branding and weaning supplies the positions on issues Heating and bbq pellets of importance to the Chicks, ducks, geese and turkeys ask us about our delivery options industry and advocates those positions to ConMonday-Friday 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. gress and Federal Agencies with jurisdiction 775-625-1515 • 775-421-6816 4320 W. Winnemucca Blvd., Winnemucca, NV 89445 and authority over the

Rose Feed and Supply

The Progressive Rancher

www.progressiverancher.com

www.progressiverancher.com

The Progressive Rancher

March 2016 13 

FUMES FROM THE FARM

By Hank Vogler

I

n last months issue, I discussed what I knew of the Dwight and Steve Hammond punishment for being right and the background on how the government has been destroying the concept of private land ownership for years in the name of the “public good”.

Shortly after Dwight diverted Davis springs into dry Krumbo and the fight started with United States Fish and Wildlife Service, I left Harney County because of the USFWS artificially raising the Malheur and Harney Lakes. Myself and thirty other ranchers in the lake area were destroyed for no logical reason other than the power of the federal government was a huge obstacle to overcome.

I returned to Burns Oregon twice from Ely to testify on behalf of the Hammonds in the water right abandonment suit before the state engineer. After many appeals to the federal courts the Hammond family prevailed.

The next thing I knew was that the refuge had decided that the earth would quit rotating on its axis if they didn’t fence up a water hole that serviced the Hammond family’s livestock on adjoining private land. During the great depression of the thirties, the refuge was fenced. The work on fencing “P” valley was performed by the civilian conservation corps under the direction of refuge manager John Scharf.

“P” valley was several miles long and required a lot of miles of fence to fence both sides. Mr. Scharf knew how to attract wildlife and worked very hard at being a good neighbor and a member of the custom and culture of the Harney County area. During the fencing, Mr. Scharf left a water gap about every five miles so any animals falling in along the fence would have water or if you were trailing stock by the refuge you could get water. Whether this established a water right for the ranchers; I have no idea but it was business as usual from the thirties to the nineties.

As a side bar, my grand father raised grain on about ten thousand acres north of the refuge and disliked Mr. Scharf ’s ability to raise birds as they ate a lot of his crops right across the fence and then flew back to safety on the refuge. He spent a lot of money driving the birds away with little effect.

One morning the Hammond family discovered the refuge fencing up the water hole that serviced their livestock. They wanted due process. The bully pulpit

14 March 2016

refused to even address the Hammond’s concern. They could care less that it would destroy the value of the private land but also jeopardized the Hammonds, as no water would be available to prevent the animals from dying of thirst. So in order to slow the process down enough to save his cattle but also to acquire legal council to see if indeed there was other solutions. Mr. Hammond parked a piece of heavy equipment where the fence was being built and disabled it so it couldn’t be moved.

He forgot to put the blade down and the people building the fence tried to move the implement. Mr. Hammond thought that it would endanger lives and he merely wanted to buy enough time to get due process, so he jumped on the implement and dropped the blade. So the feds rather than sit down and come to a resolution, had Mr. Hammond arrested and hauled him three hundred and fifty miles to Portland Oregon to appear in front of a federal magistrate. Stand back folks nothing to see here, just over worked bureaucrats trying to save the earth, nothing vindictive or illegal. The Hammonds were released on their own recognizant and the issue was resolved. I believe the water hole was fenced on the property line but a stock watering right was established and the water was made available to the Hammonds.

None the less, the action of the feds was just a slight bit over the top and of course cost the Hammonds money to defend their ranch.

Next the environmental terrorists were working hard to kick all the cattle off the Steen’s Mountains. The problem was the water had been placed in private hands years’ prior through the Homestead Act. When Dwight’s father and Dwight purchased the ranch in the sixties, the private land went along with the purchase.

Most of the land was scattered amongst BLM land and one was dependent on the other for the survival of the ranch. So in order to keep the family ranch alive, Susie Hammond started participating in a program to form a coalition of ranchers and other interested parties to protect their private property and the public lands from being locked off by the eco-terrorists. ONE MORE HUGE, IN YOUR FACE, TO THE DESTROYERS OF FREE ENTERPRISE!

Then just a few short years later, a lot of cattle were indeed removed from the Steen’s Mountain and the dead decadent lite fuels grew exponentially.

The Progressive Rancher

www.progressiverancher.com

Steens Mountain, Oregon

The name of the river that runs under and off the Steen’s Mountains is called the Donner Und Blitzen, which is German for thunder and lightening. Gee usually names are given for events. Could it be this huge Mountain rising out of a desert would be subject to lightening strikes?????? Lots of dead grass no longer being made into protein meals for people through grazing? Let me think. Could huge fires result?

Well then along comes Forrest Gump, AKA Hank Vogler and for no particular reason my family is at the Dust Bowl where the Hammond ranch headquarters is, and is a witness in their trial and I was told that a lot of charges were dropped due to my testimony. The ironic thing was that no record of lightening strikes were recorded in the area of Hammonds ranch even though Susie Hammond made all of her grandkids and my grand daughter and son get out of their reservoir after the third strike hit close to the water. When I left the next day the only visible fire was behind the BLM guard station and the chain was still across the road to block vehicles from entering or exiting the compound. Had they have jumped on the fire early in the morning when it was calm maybe a different outcome may have happened. As soon as I reached the top of “P” Hill where I had a phone signal I called the Hammond ranch. Later I was told Steve Hammond raced to the mountain to open gates to save the livestock. One of the pieces of evidence the feds used was Steve Hammonds boot print was found near the fire, Imagine that? If they would have been my cattle about to burn up, you might not have any trouble finding my boot print “near the fire”.

If all this doesn’t scare you, it should. We are supposed to have due process.

We are supposed to have restrictions on double jeopardy. We are supposed to have the rights of a jury of our peers. We are supposed to have free speech, the right to assemble. Freedom from a tyrannical government We the people. Justice is blind but cruel and unusual punishment is not to be allowed. I believe that the eco-terrorists are responsible for more destruction and mayhem and loss of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness than any other group since we as a people revolted against King George. The list of inequities of this case are even longer and the testimony and evidence in this case is what books are written about. Hang and Rattle Hank Vogler

www.progressiverancher.com

The Progressive Rancher

March 2016 15

BLM Nevada News - For the Rancher's File BLM Nevada Announces Appointments to Councils to Advise Agency on Balanced Management of Nation’s Public Lands

R

By Chris Rose

eno, Nev.-- The Bureau of Land Management announces new appointments or reappointments of members to Nevada’s three citizen-based Resource Advisory Councils (RACs), which advise the agency on public land management issues. The RACs are composed of members with diverse interests and backgrounds.

“I want to welcome our newly appointed Resource Advisory Council members and salute them for their commitment to public service,” said State Director John Ruhs. “Their experience from a wide range of disciplines such as conservationists, outdoor recreationists, ranchers, industry officials, tribal leaders, state and local government officers, academics, and others ensures a well balanced approach to recommendations regarding public land management.”

The RACs, composed of 10-15 members chosen for their expertise in natural resource issues, help the BLM carry out its nation-wide stewardship of 245 million acres – the largest land portfolio of any Federal agency. The BLM has established 29 RACs across the West, where most BLM-managed land is located.

The BLM, an agency of the Interior Department, is responsible for managing various uses – such as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production – while conserving the land’s natural, historical, and cultural resources.

Below are the newly appointed or newly re-appointed members of the Nevada’s RACs. More information, including meeting schedules, can be found at http://bit.ly/BLMNVRACs:

Mojave-Southern Great Basin RAC

• Jason Higgins (energy and mineral development) reappointment • John Zablocki (environmental organizations) • Dr. John Hiatt (environmental organizations) • George Phillips (archaeological/historical interests) • Tara Kilpatrick (wild horse and burro interests) • Daryl Folks (outdoor recreation interests)

Northeastern Great Basin RAC

• David Pierce (energy and mineral development) reappointment • Daniel Anderson (energy and mineral development) • Jeff Williams (public-at-large) • Dr. John Rice (elected official) • Jeanne Nations (wild horse and burro interests)

Sierra Front-Northwestern Great Basin RAC

• Ron Cerri (dispersed recreation interests) • William Campbell (tribal interests) • John Ugalde (Federal grazing permits) • Dr. Patrick Haynal (archaeological/historical interests) • Matthew Gingerich (transportation and rights-of-way)

16 March 2016

Planning 2.0: BLM Takes Major Step toward Modernizing Planning Process, Increasing Public Involvement

W

By Mitch Snow

ASHINGTON – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) today announced a major step as part of its Planning 2.0 initiative to modernize the agency’s planning process and increase public involvement in the management of 245 million acres of public lands the agency directs. The new approach will make future land-use planning more collaborative, transparent, and effective. The changes will increase opportunities for early engagement by state and local government, Tribes and other stakeholders in BLM’s landuse decision-making while adopting a broader landscape-scale, science-based approach to managing public lands and incorporate modern technology into the agency’s planning process.

“The changes we are proposing will improve our ability to respond to today’s environmental, economic and social realities, including the need to have strong science, early and regular public input and a landscape-level approach to natural resource challenges and opportunities,” said Janice Schneider, Interior’s Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management. “The revisions will enable us to be more agile in addressing challenges like proliferating invasive species and wildfire, helping to meet the Nation’s need for energy, and conserving important wildlife habitat. At the same time, these proposals are carefully crafted to bolster our commitment to working early and often at the local level with our partners.”

The proposed regulations are part of the BLM’s ongoing Planning 2.0 initiative, an effort that strives to rethink the resource management plans that provide the framework for the management of public lands. The proposal will make changes to regulations that are guided by the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976. The original regulations were first completed in 1979 and later revised in 1983 and 2005.

By implementing these improvements, the BLM seeks to enhance the way it involves the public in its planning efforts, including measures to provide more meaningful participation, and make it easier for people to see how their input influences planning decisions. In a related effort, the BLM is revising its land use planning handbook that provides detailed guidance on implementing the planning processes.

The agency anticipates releasing a draft of the handbook for review this summer.

Planning 2.0 will also improve the BLM’s ability to address landscape-scale resource issues and use landscape-level management approaches to more efficiently and effectively manage public lands. The changes will also give the BLM the opportunity to establish a stronger geospatial foundation to its decisionmaking, allowing it to gather and share more accurate data with the public.

“The BLM’s land use plans serve as the foundation for everything we do to manage the public lands on behalf of the American people,” BLM Director Neil Kornze said. “Managing the public’s land is a tremendous honor for the employees of this agency, and our work depends on close cooperative relationships with partners and local communities. Today’s announcement builds on the work we do every day to provide opportunities for the public to be a part of managing these incredible landscapes.”

The new planning approach is contained in a proposed rule, posted today at www.blm.gov/plan2. The BLM will accept comments on these proposed regulatory changes for 60 days after the publication in the Federal Register. The BLM will be scheduling public meetings, including a webinar, to provide an overview of the proposed regulation changes along with a question and answer session which will be announced separately. It will also be conducting tribal consultations on this issue.

The Progressive Rancher

www.progressiverancher.com

President Proposes $1.3 Billion Budget for BLM in Fiscal Year 2017

Request addresses critical priorities including sage-steppe restoration, modernizing the energy program, and investing in our National Conservation Lands

W

By Tom Gorey

ASHINGTON - President Barack Obama today requested a Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 budget for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) that further strengthens the Administration’s commitment to restoring and conserving the Nation’s sage-steppe ecosystem, supports the safe and effective management of the agency’s oil and gas program, makes historic investments in the BLM’s National Conservation Lands, and takes a proactive approach to better manage the unsustainable proliferation of wild horses and burros on Western public lands.

“The President’s budget gives the BLM the resources we need to manage the public lands on a landscape scale,” said BLM Director Neil Kornze. “This funding will help us continue to devise 21st century solutions to the challenges we face.”

The FY 2017 budget requests $1.3 billion for BLM operations and activities, more than $7 million above the BLM’s FY 2016 enacted budget, and positions the agency for success by restoring the health of the West’s 65 million acres of sage-steppe ecosystem and ensuring responsible development of energy resources on the public lands.

It also invests in the agency’s National Conservation Lands — including many of the Nation’s most precious and wildest areas — and seeks new tools to address a rapidly growing and unsustainable wild horse and burro population.

Charged by Congress with a dual mandate of managing public lands for multiple use and sustained yield, the BLM carries out its mission of maintaining the health, diversity, and productivity of these lands in a fast-changing nation. The agency manages 245 million surface acres of public lands — the most of any Federal agency — primarily in 12 Western States, including Alaska, and 700 million acres of subsurface mineral estate nationwide. This equates to 13 percent of the Nation’s surface and roughly one-third of its subsurface mineral resources.

The FY 2017 budget proposes $1.2 billion for BLM operations, which is $2.1 million above the 2016 enacted level. The request includes $107 million for the Oregon and California Grant Lands appropriation and $1.1 billion for the Management of Lands and Resources appropriation. The change in total program resources relative to 2016 reflects the budget’s proposed offsetting user fees in the Rangeland Management and Oil and Gas Management programs, which together offset the total request by $64.5 million allowing support for additional priorities.

The FY 2017 budget includes the President’s continued focus on the following priorities: Land and Water Conservation Fund: The Department of the Interior will submit a legislative proposal to authorize permanent annual funding, without further appropriation or fiscal year limitation, for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the innovative, highly successful program that reinvests royalties from offshore oil and gas activities into public lands across the Nation. In 2017, the proposal includes $43.9 million in discretionary funding and $44.8 million in mandatory funding for the BLM’s land acquisition program.

Restoring the Sage-Steppe Ecosystem: In 2015, the BLM’s update of almost 70 land use plans in 10 Western States was integral to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (FWS) decision in September 2015 to keep the Greater sage grouse off the Endangered Species Act list at this time. An unprecedented undertaking, the Greater sage-grouse conservation effort has significantly reduced threats to the rangeland bird across 90 percent of its breeding habitat, resulting from sustained collaboration among www.progressiverancher.com

private stakeholders and local, State, and Federal partners. Moreover, the FWS determination and the conservation mechanisms in place provide the regulatory certainty needed for sustainable economic development across millions of acres of Federal and private lands throughout the western United States. Success in sage-grouse conservation will demonstrate the value of planning for conservation and development at a landscape level through collaborative partnerships. The President has requested an additional $14.2 million in FY 2017 for sage-grouse conservation, bringing to $74.2 million the BLM’s total investment in protecting and restoring the sage grouse habitat, in addition to a complementary increase of $5 million for the BLM’s National Seed Strategy to appropriately restore priority sage steppe habitat. This strategy, which aims to ensure the right seeds are available in the right places at the right time, also guides efforts to make treated lands more resilient to fires, invasive species, and drought.

Support for BLM’s National Conservation Lands: The President’s FY 2017 budget request includes a $13.7 million program increase for BLM’s National Conservation Lands, which contain some of the West’s most spectacular landscapes and receive about one-third of all visitors to BLM lands. The increase will bring funding for the program to a historic $50.6 million level, and helps solidify the importance of National Conservation Lands protection as the program embarks beyond its 15th anniversary. This investment will address high-priority on-the-ground needs in national monuments and national conservation areas, including developing management plans for recently designated units, and developing and implementing travel management plans for high-use areas.

Promoting Responsible Energy Development and Modernizing Regulations: The President’s FY 2017 budget request will enable the agency to

continue strong support for the Administration’s energy goals. Many of the BLM’s oil and gas regulations date to the 1980s, soon after the BLM assumed responsibility for onshore leasing. The budget request includes a net increase of $19.9 million in program increases for several priorities, including: • Instituting new rules that establish procedures for how producers measure and account for oil and gas extracted from the public lands, which will ensure accurate royalties are paid; • Implementing stronger regulations to reduce the wasteful release of natural gas from oil and gas operations on public and American Indian lands, reducing harmful methane emissions and providing a fair return on public resources; • Implementing the hydraulic fracturing rule; • Modernizing the Automated Fluid Minerals Support System to increase efficiencies in the management of oil and gas operations; • Funding special pay for certain oil and gas program positions to improve recruitment and retention of these vital resources.

• Addressing legacy wells on the Alaska North Slope.

Collaboratively Managing Wild Horses and Burros: With more than 100,000 horses in BLM’s care both on and off the range, the agency is redoubling its efforts to reduce the number of horses in holding facilities. The FY 2017 budget request supports new, innovative efforts to secure safe and cost-effective placement for unadopted animals, including proposed legislation to better facilitate the transfer of animals to other public entities at the local, state, and Federal levels. This proposal will work in tandem with other proactive efforts beginning in 2016 to better manage the nation’s large and growing population of wild horses and burros. Each animal placed into private care can save taxpayers almost $50,000.

The President’s FY2017 budget request of $13.4 billion for the Department of the Interior reflects his commitment to conserve vital national landscapes across the Nation, promote the responsible development of energy and mineral resources on public lands and meet Federal trust responsibilities to Native Americans. The Interior Budget in Brief is online: www.doi.gov/budget and www.doi.gov/budget/2017/Hilites/toc.html.

The BLM’s mission is to manage and conserve more than 245 million acres of public land for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations under our mandate of multiple-use and sustained yield.

The Progressive Rancher

March 2016 17

BLM Nevada News - For the Rancher’s File BLM Announces 2016 Wild Horse and Burro Adoption Schedule

BLM Concludes Eagle-Caliente Complex Emergency Wild Horse Gather

By Debbie Collins

By Chris Hanefeld

I

n accordance with Federal law, which requires excess wild horses and burros in the West to be placed with caring private owners, the Bureau of Land Management today announced its 2016 adoption schedule for these special animals that evoke the history of the American West.

The new adoption schedule can be found at http://www.blm.gov/wo/ st/en/prog/whbprogram/adoption_program/schedule.html.

“I urge people from across the country to attend an adoption event this year and bring home one of these icons of the West,” said BLM Director Neil Kornze. “Giving a good home to a wild horse or burro has the double benefit of saving taxpayers nearly $50,000 each time an animal gets adopted.”

Kornze added, “Adopters are getting themselves a great companion and in the process are helping to sustain the health and productivity of Western public rangelands.”

The BLM manages and protects wild horses and burros under the authority of the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act (as amended by Congress in 1976, 1978, 1996, and 2004). This law authorizes the BLM to remove excess wild horses and burros from the range to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands. Currently, more than 47,000 off-range horses and burros are fed and cared for in either off-range corrals or off-range pastures at a cost of $49 million a year, which accounts for 65 percent of the BLM’s Wild Horse and Burro Program budget. Each horse or burro placed into private care saves taxpayers nearly $50,000.

Wild horses and burros are known for their sure-footedness, strength, intelligence, and endurance. An untrained animal generally costs $125.

Adoption event sites and dates are subject to change without notice. Please call the National Wild Horse and Burro Information Center for the most updated information (866-4MUSTANGS or 866-468-7826; e-mail: wildhorse@blm.gov).

Wild horses and burros can also be obtained by contacting an adoption facility; by placing a bid during a scheduled Internet adoption event; or by buying saleeligible animals through the agency’s Sales Program. Potential adopters should download the adoption application from the BLM’s Website (www.blm.gov) and review the rules and requirements relating to adoption. For a list of frequently asked questions, and for more information on how to adopt a wild horse or burro, visit the How to Adopt page or contact the BLM. To promote healthy conditions on Western public rangelands, the BLM determines the appropriate management level-- the number of wild horses and burros that can thrive on the range in balance with other public land resources and uses. Wild horses and burros that exceed this West-wide level -- which is 26,715 -- are subject to removal from the range, in accordance with the 1971 law. The current estimated on-range wild horse and burro population, as of March 1, 2015, is 58,150, an 18 percent increase over the 2014 estimate of 49,209. That means the current West-wide on-range population exceeds the appropriate management level by 31,435.

For general information about the BLM’s Wild Horse and Burro Program, please visit the agency’s Quick Facts and Myths and Facts pages at: http://www. blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/whbprogram/history_and_facts/quick_facts.html and http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/whbprogram/history_and_facts/myths_ and_facts.html

18 March 2016

E

LY – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Ely District has concluded the Eagle-Caliente Complex Emergency Wild Horse Gather. The BLM gathered 122 wild horses from public and private lands adjacent to U.S. Highway 93 and State Route 322 in and outside the Caliente Herd Areas (HA) Complex, and Eagle and Silver King Herd Management Areas (HMA) in eastern Nevada. The BLM removed 120 wild horses. Two wild horses were euthanized due to preexisting conditions with a hopeless prognosis for recovery.

The District removed 39 wild horses from alongside U.S. Highway 93 at Oak Spring Summit west of Caliente, 48 wild horses from alongside U.S. Highway 93 and State Route 322 between Pioche and Eagle Valley, and 35 wild horses from alongside U.S. Highway 93 north of Pioche.

Wild horses removed from the range were transported to the Axtell Contract Off-range Corrals, in Axtell, Utah, to be prepared for the BLM’s adoption program. Un-adopted wild horses will be placed in long-term pastures where they will be humanely cared for and retain their “wild” status and protection under the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act. The BLM does not sell or send any wild horses to slaughter.

The Eagle-Caliente Complex Emergency Wild Horse Gather began on Monday, Feb. 8, and concluded on Sunday, Feb. 14. An Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) veterinarian was on site daily through the gather to evaluate animal conditions and provide recommendations to the on-site BLM wild horse and burro specialist for care and treatment.

Additional gather information is available on the district website at http:// on.doi.gov/1lGnDYC

For more information, contact Chris Hanefeld, BLM Ely District public affairs specialist, at (775) 289-1842 or chanefel@blm.gov

Cowgirl Thinking Did I just hear what you said? or did I hear what you meant?

Do you understand I’m trying to listen to every word your saying? so, say what you mean and cut the crap.!!!!!! - Leana

The Progressive Rancher

www.progressiverancher.com

Rangeland Drought March 2016

F

By Rachel Buzzetti unded by the Nevada Rangeland Resources Commission and produced by Golden Productions, the fifth documentary in the award winning “Stewards of the Rangeland” series will air this spring on KNPB Channel 5, Reno. The newest production in the series, “Rangeland Drought” will explore how drought differs for public land ranchers as opposed to the challenges faced by urban dwellers in Reno and Las Vegas.

Specifically, the hour long documentary will focus on how drought is defined by our federal agencies and how their interpretation has placed gazing restrictions on many of Nevada’s public land ranchers.

Additionally the project will explore the potential impact of the EPA’s efforts to redefine what is a ‘water” of the United States (WOTUS). Question will be whether a prolonged drought could change the way ownership of water rights is determined and subject ranchers to federal oversight and scrutiny as a result.

The ‘Stewards of the Rangeland” documentaries are the most awarded series in the history of the northern Nevada PBS affiliate. “Rangeland Under Fire” was recently awarded a Bronze “Telly” award in competition with 12,000 rival entries in the 36th annual Telly Awards completion.

KNPB was also awarded a Silver Award of Distinction for “Rangeland Under Fire” in the 2015 Communicator Awards , overseen by the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts.

“We are honored to be among the top entries for these distinguished awards, “ said KNPB Senior Vice President Tony Manfredi. “Our KNPB team and production partner Golden Productions put a tremendous amount of time and resources into these projects that celebrate and inform viewers about our diverse region here in northern Nevada.”

All of the documentaries in the series, since 2011, have been made possible through NRRC’s assessment of 10 cents an AUM, paid by public land ranchers.

Nevada Ranchers Caretakers of our

Rangelands

Cowboys and sheepherders produce food and fiber for the nation. Growing food on Open range is a natural biological process.

Grazing actually benefits the land with hoof action and natural fertilization. Plants are healthier and regenerate faster after the herds move to a new range.

Antelope and other game animals and birds take advantage of the improvements

Grazing cattle and sheep coexist peacefully with native wildlife and, in fact, make a friendlier habitat for many species.

Sheep often graze on steep terrain and can control cheatgrass, a major fuel for wildfires.

Nevada Rangeland Resources Commission was created by the State of Nevada to promote responsible public land grazing.

Representatives come from Nevada state grazing boards, Nevada Woolgrowers, Nevada Farm Bureau, and Nevada Cattlemen’s Association.

4780 East Idaho Steet, Elko, NV 89801 • 775-738-4082 WWW.NEVADARANGELANDS.ORG

This ad is funded through the NRRC’s assessment of 10 cents an AUM paid by public land ranchers.

www.progressiverancher.com

The Progressive Rancher

March 2016 19

CHECKOFF NEWS:

By Jill Scofield, Director of Producer Relations

Coming Soon to "Beef.

It's What's For Dinner."

Celebrating Beef and Heart Health

T

hroughout February, you likely came across several reminders that the month was dedicated to hearts. (And no, we’re not talking the candy versions you gave your Valentine.)

According to the Centers for Disease Control, heart disease remains the leading cause of death for men and women, which is just one reason why February has been dubbed “American Heart Month” for over 50 years.

Observation of American Heart Month brings with it much discussion of heart health and overall healthy dietary patterns, and the Nevada Beef Council (NBC) made sure not to miss the opportunity to include beef as part of that conversation. As such, the NBC partnered with the American Heart Association (AHA) on its Go Red for Women event held in Reno in early February .

The event was attended by over 700 people, many of them women in their mid-twenties to early thirties. Being a part of it gave the NBC and its Registered Dietitian James Winstead an opportunity to share with participants helpful information and resources on lean beef and heart health, BOLD (or “Beef in an Optimal Lean Diet”) information, and of course, healthy and f lavorful beef recipes.

During the event, Winstead answered many questions about beef and heart health, as well as beef preparation, safety, grades and recipes. He also heard from some attendees who were surprised to see a member of the beef community at a heart health-related event, giving Winstead the perfect opportunity to share just how big a role beef can play in an overall healthy diet.

“There is a large body of scientific evidence that shows beef can and does fit into a heart-healthy diet, and the American Heart Association recognizes this,” says Winstead. “Educating consumers about beef ’s nutritional profile and its relation to heart health, as well as sharing information about the many lean beef options available, gives consumers who might otherwise be unsure of whether to purchase beef the added confidence to include it on their shopping lists and menus.”

Adding to the beef resources shared during the event, all 700 attendees received the AHA’s popular “Heart Healthy Recipes” cookbook, which includes a variety of beef options.

I

n an effort to continue providing rich content that is ref lective of consumer preferences, the “Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.” website is launching a new page focused on preparing beef using slow-cookers.

Here in Nevada, the NBC has built upon the small appliance’s popularity for the past two years by launching promotional partnerships with Crock-Pot ® and Nevada retailers that offer consumers both the incentive and inspiration to use their slow cookers for savory beef dishes. These partnerships combine instore coupon incentives and helpful recipe ideas with popular online give-away contests that drive digital engagement with millennial consumers.

With the new landing page and content hub of all things slow cooker – including the best cuts for slow cooking, a slow-cooker recipe collection, and a helpful “no recipe-recipe” videos –consumers in Nevada and across the nation will now have even more resources to help them prepare creative and delicious beef dishes in their slow cookers.

Visit www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com today for beef recipes ideal for any and all cooking methods!

Free Online BQA Certification Available Through April 15

I

f you or members of your operation haven’t yet had a chance to get your Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) certification, you have another opportunity to do so for free, and from the comfort of your own home, office, or pick-up truck (assuming you have a solid wi-fi connection or data coverage). The free certification, offered by Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc., is available through April 15. Starting the process is as simple as visiting www.bqa.org.

BQA is a nationally coordinated, state implemented program that provides systematic information to U.S. beef producers and beef consumers of how common sense husbandry techniques can be coupled with accepted scientific knowledge to raise cattle under optimum management and environmental conditions. BQA guidelines are designed to make certain all beef consumers can take pride in what they purchase – and can trust and have confidence in the entire beef industry.

Learn More About Your Checkoff For more on NBC and Beef Checkoff activities, visit www.nevadabeef.org or www.mybeefcheckoff.com today.

For more about the Nevada Beef Council, visit www.nevadabeef.org.

20 March 2016

The Progressive Rancher

www.progressiverancher.com

Herb-Crusted Sirloin Tip Roast with Creamy Horseradish-Chive Sauce

From James Winstead, RDN, Director of Food and Nutrition Outreach for the Nevada Beef Council

UPCOMING SALES

Wednesday april 13th

With Easter right around the corner, you may already be feeling overwhelmed by the thought of cooking for incoming relatives. No worries – this featured roast recipe has you covered! It will leave the family and guests feeling full and nourished. By selecting a sirloin tip-roast, this featured beef cut fits into the lean category, with only 155 calories and 10 grams of total fat per 3.5oz serving (the size of your palm). Did I mention the protein? This portion alone has ~25grams, helping you stay full and energized.t

Wyndam Visalia, Visalia, CA Catalog Deadline: March 29th

Total Recipe Time: 105 minutes Ingredients - Makes 6 Servings

• 1 beef Sirloin Tip Center Roast (2 to 2-1/2 pounds)

• 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley

• 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves, crushed

• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil

• 1 clove garlic, minced

• 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper

• Salt Sauce:

• 1 cup sour cream

• 1/2 cup prepared horseradish

• 2 tablespoons milk

• 1 tablespoon snipped fresh chives

WATCH & LISTEN TO THE SALE on the Web at:

For details call (530) 347-3793 or the representative nearest you:

• 1/8 teaspoon ground white pepper

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 325°F. Combine parsley, thyme, oil, garlic and black pepper; press evenly onto all surfaces of beef roast.

Gary Nolan

Mark Venturacci

(775) 934-5678

(775) 427-8713

Elko, NV

Nutrition information per serving: 303 calories; 17 g fat (8 g saturated fat; 3 g monounsaturated fat); 108 mg cholesterol; 144 mg sodium; 6 g carbohydrate; 0.9 g fiber; 33 g protein; 6.0 mg niacin; 0.6 mg vitamin B6; 3.7 mcg vitamin B12; 3.2 mg iron; 45.1 mcg selenium; 8.0 mg zinc.

(775) 761-7575

or email us at wvm@wvmcattle.com

3. Meanwhile combine sauce ingredients in small bowl; cover and refrigerate.

4. Remove roast when meat thermometer registers 135°F for medium rare. (Do not overcook.) Transfer roast to carving board; tent loosely with aluminum foil. Let stand 10 to 20 minutes. (Temperature will continue to rise about 10°F to reach 145°F for medium rare.) Carve roast into thin slices; season with salt, as desired. Serve with sauce.

Steve Lucas

Paradise Valley, NV

Brad Peek— (916) 802-7335

2. Place roast on rack in shallow roasting pan. Insert ovenproof meat thermometer so tip is centered in thickest part of beef. Do not add water or cover. Roast in 325°F oven 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 hours for medium rare doneness.

Fallon, NV

Look for the catalog and video on our website www.wvmcattle.com

Market your cattle with the professionals!

For more great beef recipes, visit www.BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com. www.progressiverancher.com

The Progressive Rancher

March 2016 21

NNevada Farm Bureau evada Farm Bureau

NA evada Farm Bureau merican Farm

Seeking qualified candidates to fill the Executive Vice President Position at Nevada Farm Bureau Federation

American Farm Bureau Elects New President & Vice

T

he Nevada Farm Bureau Federation is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Executive Vice President. The Executive Vice President serves as chief administrative officer of the corporation and manages the finances of the Organization under the direction of the President and Board of Directors. The Nevada Farm Bureau is comprised of 13 County Farm Bureaus and the organization’s office is located in Sparks Nevada. There are currently two additional employees on staff. A detailed job description is available upon request.

Qualifications:

The candidate should have a Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 2 years experience. Preference will be given to candidates with experience in business and financial management, legislative affairs, lobbying, administrative and program development, and a background in Farm Bureau.

• Salary and Benefits: $60,000 - $80,000 • Health Insurance package • Vehicle • Retirement package Interested candidates may contact Dennis Hellwinkel, interim Executive Officer, at 775-674-4000 or dennis@nvfb.org for more information.

To apply, please send a cover letter, resume and/or curriculum vitae, with references to: dennis@nvfb.org or Dennis Hellwinkel Nevada Farm Bureau 2165 Green Vista Drive, Suite 205 Sparks, Nevada 89431 Applications must be received by March 1, 2016 About Nevada Farm Bureau Federation Nevada Farm Bureau Federation is Nevada’s largest, general agriculture organization. It is a member organization, which is guided by policy that has been created by and for Nevada farmer and rancher members. The organization works to promote, preserve and resolve challenges through advocacy, education and leadership. For more information about Nevada Farm Bureau, visit nvf b.org.

Nevada Farm Bureau President Hank Combs congratulates Zippy Duvall on his new role as AFBF President.

22 March 2016

Bureau

By, Brooklyn Lawton | Nevada Farm Bureau Federationt

D

elegates at the 97th AFBF Annual Convention elected Zippy Duvall to serve as the new president of AFBF and Scott VanderWal as vice president.

Duvall, a broiler, cattle and hay producer from Greensboro, Ga., becomes the 12th president during AFBF’s almost 97-year history. Duvall succeeds Bob Stallman, who served 16 years in the position.

Duvall and his wife, Bonnie, began their farming career in the dairy business.

Today they maintain a 300-head beef cow herd, raise hay, and grow out more than 750,000 broilers a year in a poultry business.

A Farm Bureau member since 1977, Duvall has held various leadership roles in the organization at the county, state and national level. Duvall has served on numerous GFB Commodity Advisory Committees, the GFB Policy Development Committee and, as past chairman, the GFB Young Farmer Committee. He has represented Georgia as a voting delegate at the American Farm Bureau Federation convention since being elected to the state board and served on the AFBF Board of Directors in the 1980s as chairman of the AFBF Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee. He also served as member of former Gov. Sonny Perdue’s Agricultural Advisory Council. As GFB president, Duvall also served on the AFBF Board of Directors, including roles on the Trade Advisory Committee, International Trade Mission and Finance Committee.

Along with his Farm Bureau leadership, Duvall is chairman of the Greene County Board of Commissioners and is a member of the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia. He has served on the Rayle EMC board of directors for 16 years. Duvall is a member of the Greensboro Farmers Bank Board of Directors and is a member of the Greensboro/Greene County Chamber of Commerce.

Duvall has also received numerous honors and recognitions including Georgia Agri-Leaders, Georgia Dairy Family of the Year, Georgia Distinguished Co-operator and Greene County Agri-business of the Year.

He and his wife, Bonnie have been married for 36 years. The Duvalls have four grown children, Vince, Corrie, Zeb and Zellie.

Scott VanderWal, American Farm Bureau’s new Vice President, is a third-generation family farmer from Volga, South Dakota. Scott and his wife, Michelle, raise corn soybeans and do custom cattle-feeding and custom harvesting on their farm. The VanderWals have two sons, Kyle and Austin.

VanderWal has been a member of the South Dakota Farm Bureau board of directors since 1997, where he served three years as Vice President. He was elected president in 2004 and has held the office since.

The VanderWals are both graduates of South Dakota State University and served on the South Dakota Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers committee for several years. The couple also served on the American Farm Bureau Federation YF&R committee from 1992-1994, where VanderWal was elected second vice chairman.

VanderWal’s agricultural background includes a trip to China and Switzerland to promote agriculture. He is a graduate of the South Dakota Agriculture and Rural Leadership Program.

The Progressive Rancher

www.progressiverancher.com

www.progressiverancher.com

The Progressive Rancher

March 2016 23 

In the Mind of a Millennial

F

By Jill Scofield, Nevada Beef Council

or the past couple of years, I’ve been sharing insight and research regarding the millennial consumer, and relating that data to how it impacts those of us in the beef industry. This core group of consumers is one studied and analyzed by nearly every industry, thanks in large part to its sheer size, and the buying power it will have over the coming decades.

But for those of you who might have just recently started reading these columns, I thought it would be a good time to take a step back and revisit some of the key characteristics of the millennial generation, and why this group of consumers is so important to us at the Nevada Beef Council, and to you as a beef producer.

By better understanding the influences that drive this generation, we as an industry can more effectively craft our communication approaches to address the qualities and needs of this audience. Let’s reexamine what some of those influences are, shall we?

(Disclaimer: I’m going to revisit some of the information I shared with you early on in this journey, so I must beg your forgiveness for any plagiarizing of myself that occurs in this column.)

A Thriving Generation It’s no secret that the millennial generation is a large one. At nearly 80 million strong, this generation is larger than the Boomers and makes up about a quarter of all Americans, and a third of all adults.

But size isn’t the only marker of importance. Millennials are at that critical point when attitudes and behaviors that will influence purchasing decisions for a long time are being formed: they’re starting families, establishing households, and approaching peak earning years. What’s more, millennials are willing to put that money to use on things that reflect the values and qualities that are important to them, food being no exception. Health, freshness, overall taste, and yes, those somewhat hard-to-define factors like how and where our food was raised are important factors, and ones for which they are willing to pay more.

Forecasts indicate that this generation of consumers will outspend baby boomers by next year, as household size and food spending decline among older generations.

By 2020, millennial spending is expected to reach $1.4 trillion a year.

One of the millennial characteristics that we as an industry must continue to focus on is the need for convenience. Millennials are busy and tend not to plan ahead when it comes to meals, often looking for last-minute, convenient and easy-to-prepare dishes. And because of this factor, chicken tends to get picked up over beef. As a case in point, when asked about preferences in making a last-minute dinner decision, respondents to an online survey conducted by the Checkoff-funded Market Research Team said that they strongly prefer chicken over beef, to the tune of 53 percent. Only 13 percent of the respondents in this survey said that they prefer beef over chicken.

Even without the convenience factored in, millennials simply are less knowledgeable about beef and love their chicken, preferring chicken (44 percent) to beef (27 percent) by a higher margin than older consumers. They think chicken is easy, versatile, low-fat and great tasting.

So, do millennials see any redeeming qualities in beef? Absolutely. They feel beef is superior to chicken in a number of key categories, such as taste, protein content, 24 March 2016

lasting satisfaction, making a memorable meal, and being pleasurable to eat overall.

Getting to Know Beef Many millennials don’t know how to cook beef and have had disappointing outcomes in the past. The need to give them more confidence in beef preparation is key to growing beef consumption among this audience, especially when you consider that 75 percent of millennials would like information about steaks and how to prepare them, and 55 percent would like more information on preparing and serving beef to children.

According to the Consumer Beef Index (July 2013), 54 percent of millennials say it’s hard to know what cuts to choose in the meat case, and 50 percent would buy more beef if they knew more about the different cuts.

Offering fast, family-friendly meal ideas and simple preparation tips sounds easy, right? Well, we also have to make sure we’re providing that information in the right format and communication channel. That’s where information on communication preferences comes in.

Millennials spend a significant amount of their time online and on their mobile devices. But if you consider that a lot of that time spent on a mobile device is actually food-related activity, then boy do we have an opportunity at our fingertips. onsider that the following is generated in ONE DAY: • 2.5 million food-related social media posts • 4.5 million page views on the top five cooking sites • 5.5 million food-related online searches Nearly 70 percent of millennials say they go first to the Internet when they need information about anything, including beef. Given this data, it’s no wonder we’ve seen such popularity in food-related blogs and sites. Amee Livingston is one such blogger and fitness expert who created and writes the popular food Amee’s Savory Dish. When it comes to her recipes, Livingston says that those featuring ground beef or slow cooker preparation are by far the most popular among her (largely millennial) readers, which supports the fact that convenience is a sought-after factor in recipes.

Working with such bloggers is one way that the Nevada Beef Council is helping spread the message about beef preparation and nutrition, making sure that when a millennial – or anyone, for that matter – is searching for an easy dinner recipe, those featuring beef are at the top of the list on some of their favorite sites.

Armed with insightful data and research, we know what must be done to continue addressing the needs and preferences of the millennial consumer to get them to reach for beef at the meat case. We have our work cut out for us, but we also have a prime opportunity to better inform younger generations of how and why to incorporate more beef into their lives.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this trip down the millennial memory lane!

For more on the Nevada Beef Council, visit www.nevadabeef.org. For additional details about consumer or other industry research, visit www.

MyBeefCheckoff.org.

The Progressive Rancher

Jill Scofield, Nevada Beef Council www.progressiverancher.com

SALT TOLERANT AND DROUGHT-HARDY VARIETIES AVAILABLE

Conventional Alfalfa Varieties )

6442Q

Cinch I (ML) Cinch II

Ladak Vernal

6585Q

6475 (New)

Ron’s Blend Haymaker (ML)

Ranger WL-343HQ

6305Q

Blazer XL

WL-354HQ

919 Brand

Spreador5

WL-363HQ

6410N (New)

Round Up Ready Alfalfas 6497R (New) Mutiny 6516R (New) Revolt WL 336 HQRR WL 356 HQRR WL 372 HQRR

FD 4 4.3 5 6 3 4 5

WH VH VH H VH VH VH

Grain & Miscellaneous Oats • Cayuse • Monida Wheat • Twin • PR 1404 • Patrone Peas Corn Sorghum Sudan • BMR • Piper Sudan • Sweet RN Honey

Triticale • Forerunner • Merlin Ryegrain • Gazelle - Spring • Prima - Fall • VNS Beardless Barley Chowford Stockford Milo

Dryland & Reclamation Seed Wheatgrasses Nordan Crested New Hy/Saltlander Bluebunch Hycrest Crested Siberian Wheatgrass Oahe Intermediate Pubescent Indian Ricegrass Big Sagebrush Forage Kochia

Immigrant Kochia Snowstorm (New) Great Basin Wild Rye Roadcrest Tall Wheatgrass Shadescale 4 Wing Saltbush Garrison Creeping Meadow Foxtail Range Changer

We Have Varieties Available That are Organically Approved & Non Detect GMO Free Seed

Clovers Alsike Ladino Red Clover Strawberry White Dutch New Zealand Yellow Blossom Trefoil

Turf Grasses

Pasture Mixes Olympic Elite University w/No Clover Northwest Pasture Horse Pasture PNW Dryland Mix Ron’s Dryland Mix Ron’s Rangeland Mix

Field Grasses Orchard Grasses • Seco (Dryland) • Tucker • Potomac • Paiute

Ron’s Special Turf Mix Ky Blue Grass Athletic Turf Mix TT Perennial Ryegrass Chewings Fesque

Mountain Meadow Brome

(Drought Tolerant) Bentgrass

Fawn Tall Fescue

Smooth Brome Annual Rye Grass Perennial Rye Grasses Climax Timothy Brutus Tall Fescue

Call or Stop In For Our Complete List of Seeds & Grains!

RON’S SEED & SUPPLY S er v i n g A gr i cu l tu r

e for 3 3 Y e a r s

www.progressiverancher.com

710 Grass Valley Road • Winnemucca, NV 89445 775-623-5053 • ronsseed@gmail.com

YOUR SEED, FERTILIZER & CHEMICAL HEADQUARTERS FOR NEVADA The Progressive Rancher

March 2016 25

T

Increasing Statewide Access to Local Meat

he Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) recently released a report outlining the findings of their 2015 Governor’s Conference on Agriculture held in Las Vegas, during which I had the privilege of facilitating a round table discussion of southern area meat industry barriers. NDA reports this discussion yielded three major, interrelated meat industry barriers: lack of USDA-inspected harvest and processing facilities; transportation costs and insufficient access to premium markets.

Access to USDA-Inspected Harvest and Processing

For meat to be sold through retail and some direct markets in Nevada, it must be harvested and processed in a USDA-inspected facility. The three USDA-inspected facilities currently operating in Nevada are in the northwest, providing access to services for northern Nevada meat producers and excellent access to premium consumer markets in Reno-Tahoe and northern California. Northern Nevada meat producers have capitalized on this to create a thriving market for local meat, now available in independent and casino restaurants, grocery outlets, farmers markets and meat-buying programs.

Transportation Costs

The northern Nevada facilities do not provide sufficient access for producers or consumers outside of the region. Fuel and other transportation costs are prohibitive for southern-area producers to travel to northern Nevada for services, including the opportunity cost of time spent transporting livestock versus other on-farm responsibilities. Additionally, it is ideal to limit transportation time: the longer the transportation time, the greater the likelihood that stress to livestock will result in lowerquality and therefore lower-value meat. Finally, a producer receiving services in the north would still need to return for their finished product or incur shipping costs for delivery. Chefs in attendance at the NDA conference pointed out the additional constraint that high-end chefs typically prefer fresh meat that has never been frozen.

Gaining Access to Premium Markets

Constructing a USDA-inspected facility in a location central to southern Nevada producers and markets is one solution to this problem. An alternate suggestion leveled at the NDA conference is to develop a voluntary Nevada-branded meat program that would provide strict regulations for production processes and meat product quality. An umbrella marketing and labeling program could benefit individual producers through shared costs of transportation, packaging and sales and marketing. Access to markets could be increased by hiring one contact to facilitate relationships with premium markets for the brand and through providing consistent product quality and consistent supply.

There is no one simple or straightforward solution to solve Nevada’s meat harvest and processing dilemma, but the continued collaborative work of individual producers and willing partners such as NDA and the University of Nevada, Reno may yield a set of solutions that is mutually beneficial for producers and consumers alike.

Maggie W. Cowee is a Food Systems Economist with Cowee Consulting, LLC and a Research Analyst studying the native seed industry for the University of Nevada, Reno. She can be reached at maggie@coweeconsulting.com.

26 March 2016

The Progressive Rancher

www.progressiverancher.com

www.progressiverancher.com

The Progressive Rancher

March 2016 27 

and rose in glory. He gave us His Name and His Authority! The victory is ours!

The defeat is the devil’s. But beware – the devil is not extinct yet. He will try to adapt and try something else. Don’t be like Judas. Resist the devil and he will flee.

(See I Peter 5:6-11). In Jesus name, he has no choice!

Have a blessed and wonderful spring calving!( Deuteronomy 28:4 and 11) Scripture reading: John 13. Matthew 26, 27, 28. Deuteronomy 28:1-14.

Colossians 2:13-15.

The Trapper

T

by Pastor Diana Gonzalez

he Lord has certainly blessed us with some wonderful rain and snow this year! It looks like we might get to water more than once.

It’s always fun to check out the tracks in the new fallen snow. The cow’s water takes between 20-30 minutes to fill, so I like to take a hike around the fields while it’s running. I can fill my lungs with fresh air, check and count the cows and run a little ignorance out of my dogs. I always enjoy checking out fresh tracks; seeing what’s been passing through. Mostly I see bunny, bird, and deer tracks, some dogs and sometimes coyote tracks.

We all keep an eye peeled for wiley coyote during spring calving. I am sure the folks in Washington D.C. sleep good at night knowing the coyote will never have to be on an endangered list. Why is that? The coyote, like our adversary the devil, is sneaky and conniving. If he’s defeated one way, he will adapt and try something else.

Notice in Luke chapter 4:1-13. The devil tries everything he knows to trap our Lord. He watched and waited for his prey. He waited for that opportune moment. (Ever watched a coyote waiting for a cow to calve? You didn’t watch him long did you?) He waited till Jesus had been without food for 40 days, then he tempted Him. With what? Food. See verse 3. Okay, that didn’t work, so the devil tempted Jesus with the beauty, glory (wealth) and power of the world (it was his to give). That didn’t work either and not only that; Jesus was quoting God’s word to him. Well, the devil’s a copy cat, so he tries that in verse 9. “IF YOU ARE the Son of God, throw yourself down from here.” (The pinnacle of the temple). He also quoted Psalm 91:11 & 12. Jesus fired back with Deuteronomy 6:16, “You shall not tempt the Lord your God.” (Also found in Luke 4:12). If the devil ever tries that with you, you tell him to jump!

Now look at Luke 4:13. Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him (Jesus) until an opportune time. NKJV Will he try again? Yup! And if satan will try that barnyard junk on The Son of God, you can be sure he’ll try it on the children of God. Remember the example Jesus gives us here. Use God’s Word.

Face to face confrontation didn’t work out for the devil, so he adapts and tries something else to trap Jesus. He uses man which he has much more success with. Man, who likes power and glory (money). The devil must have been sure he’d found the right man to lay the perfect trap in Judas Iscariot. Matthew 26 and John 13 tells the story – the story of love and betrayal. (Also see Psalm 41:9) Judas was one of the twelve disciples. (John 13:21 & 22). Judas was the treasurer as well. (John 13:29).

Judas is bitter that Jesus didn’t overthrow the Roman government as he envisioned He would. He was greedy for power and greedy for money. He agrees to betray the Savior for 30 pieces of silver. (Matthew 26:14-16). Yes, here was a man that satan could use to finally destroy Jesus. The perfect trap has been set. But God has a plan too! It turns out bad for Judas. (Matthew 27:3-5).

It also turns out bad for the devil. (Matthew 28).

Jesus defeated the devil, death, hell and the grave. He died with our shame 28 March 2016

I

Becky Ivory will never forget the first time I ever heard the phrase “transfer of public lands”. It was 2012. Ken (Ivory) and I were getting ready in the morning for work (It’s OK...I’m his wife) and he announced, “I know what bill I’m going to run this year. I’m going to tell the federal government that they have to transfer the title to our public lands, which they were supposed to do when we became a state.” “Cool!”, I replied, not really knowing what public land was, why the federal government had it, or why we would want it back. In all honesty, I didn’t really have much interest in it at the time. I was more interested in getting the kids and I out the door on time. Little did I know that this one bill would change our lives...forever.

I had no idea that over the next four years the bill would pass, county commissioners from western states would start the American Lands Council and ask Ken to be the founding President. I didn’t know that he would give up his law practice to educate as far and wide about the principles of federalism and state sovereignty as he could.

How could I have realized that states all over the nation would have passed legislation and supporting resolutions to help bring about the transfer of public lands, or that it would become one of the hottest topics for local and national election debates? Who knew that this bill that was originally laughed at and scorned by federal bureaucrats, would now have them spending many millions of dollars trying to attack and discredit TPL supporters in a frantic effort to retain control over the West? I never could have known that countless leaders throughout the country would now be carrying forward the work of this movement as a unified team. However, I can tell you that Ken and I feel tremendously honored to be on this journey with you, and to work along side such outstanding people.

With that introduction, I am pleased to share with you the announcement that ALC has appointed a new CEO, someone who many of you already know. Someone who, like Ken -- and most of you -- is not afraid to stand boldly for truth in the face of the slander that will surely be flung her way. Ken & I thank you for your continued support and tireless efforts to support the Transfer of Public Lands to all willing western states. We ask you to join us in supporting and welcoming Senator Jennifer Fielder as the new CEO of the American Lands Council!

Sincerely, Becky Ivory Dir. of Communications SOUTH JORDAN, UT --Montana State Senator Jennifer Fielder has been selected to head up the leading national non-profit organization that has been working to transfer federally controlled public lands to the States. Formed in 2012 by county commissioners, the American Lands Council (ALC) recently asked Fielder to step up as part of a transition plan which has founding President and Utah State Representative Ken Ivory taking on the role of director of the “Free The Lands” Project with Federalism In Action (FIA).

According to ALC Chairman Doug Heaton, the transition is a win-win. “Representative Ivory is an incredibly talented and dedicated man,” Heaton said. “It was his vision and tireless work that got legislation passed in 2012, fleshed out the legal arguments, and took the idea from a small town dream to a bona fide national movement. We are really pleased with how many elected officials, resource experts, and civic organizations now support the transfer of public lands to willing States.”

The Progressive Rancher

www.progressiverancher.com

Ivory said Fielder’s proven leadership on land management issues combined with a professional background in recreation planning, community enhancement projects, and decades of business administration make her a great choice for the job.

“Senator Fielder is genuinely committed to improving public land management and revitalizing depressed communities. She has a tremendous knowledge of the issues and is a great choice to carry on the important mission of the American Lands Council.” Ivory will continue to serve on ALC’s Executive Committee on a voluntary basis.

His new role with FIA will allow him to reach broader national audiences.

Fielder graciously accepted the added duties because the Montana legislature won’t be convening this year and she feels better public land management is vital for her district, state, and the nation as a whole. “I love the outdoors and have been passionate about taking good care of our environment my whole life. Like most people, I want to see a balance that restores common sense in how our lands and resources are managed. When local citizens and public officials who know the ground best are given a real voice in land management decisions, we tend to get better results. We all want a healthy environment, and safe, vibrant communities with abundant outdoor recreation opportunities. Under federal control we are seeing just the opposite.”

Fielder, who chaired Montana’s study of federal land management in 2013, says Washington DC’s top-down management style has adversely impacted the environment and people all over the West. “Freeing our public lands from distant, unaccountable federal bureaucracies will permit us to tend outr public lands much more effectively,” Fielder said. “It will also alleviate the growing number of conflicts we are seeing between federal land managers and local citizens. I have no doubt States can do a much better job of managing our public lands. We already do.”

A recent legal analysis prepared by Utah’s Commission on the Stewardship of

Senator Jennifer Fielder Public Lands concluded that the U.S. has no constitutional authority to permanently control the public lands inside a state, or to treat some states differently than others.

Presently the federal government controls over half of the land in the western States.

Utah’s legislative commission recently voted to move ahead with preparations to take the case to the U.S. Supreme Court.

FIA is a nonprofit public charity that educates on principles of local control, financial stability, and the proper balance between state and national governments.

ALC is a member-supported organization, which works on improving access, health, and productivity of public lands through increasing local stewardship.

For more information on either organization, visit www.FederalismInAction.org. or www.AmericanLandsCouncil.org. www.progressiverancher.com

W

hy would an eastern state like The Tennessee pass a resolution supporting the Transfer of Public Lands to the Western States? On January 26th, Tennessee Governor Hallam signed a resolution passed by their Legislature calling “on other states to pass a similar resolution in support of the transfer of the federal public lands to the western states.”

Some who are unfamiliar with the devastating affects caused by the failed federal policies waged on western public lands may wonder why the Eastern States would be interested in their transfer to all willing western states. But states such as Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina, and Arkansas realize that while states east of the continental divide fund education, public safety and other essential government services largely through property taxes, western states struggle to provide these most basic needs because Congress lords the PILT (Payment In Lieu of Taxes) over western communities “like some two-bit protection racket,” in the words of U.S. Senator Mike Lee. Just as importantly, they also know that those payments come at the expense of Eastern states who are forced to fund these payments to western states in order to keep them from using their own resources.

These Eastern States also understand that we all want healthy air, water and wildlife; Abundant outdoor recreation opportunities; and safe, vibrant communities. But one-size-fails-all federal management of our public lands is giving us unhealthy air, water, and decimated wildlife; blocked off and destroyed recreation access, and unsafe, economically depressed communities. We need to free the lands from federal bureaucracy so we can tend them more like a healthy, productive garden and less like a stuffy old “hands off, don’t touch” museum.

With more effective local care, we can restore the balance we need to produce healthy air, water and wildlife; abundant recreation opportunities; & safe, vibrant communities. Who knows western lands the best? Who better to tend the environment in our state than the people who live here and care about our air and water and wildlife the most?

These Eastern States also understand that a threat upon any state’s sovereignty is a threat to every state’s sovereignty. As the U.S. Supreme Court recently admonished, “the constitutional equality of the States is essential to the harmonious operation of the scheme upon which the Republic was organized.” In other words, our constitutional system itself doesn’t work where the States are treated unequally. The basic rights of liberty, property and self-governance are essential to the proper balance in our unique system of government. As Thomas Jefferson warned, “it must be the states themselves erecting barriers at the constitutional line that cannot be surmounted…”

Since the founding of the American Lands Council in 2012, States around the West and across the nation have passed a variety of legislation towards bringing about the Transfer of Public Lands to all willing western states, and, with your support, the legislative efforts continue. Please be aware of the bills moving forward in your state and contact your elected officials to urge their relentless support for the only solution big enough to secure more effective local care and management of our unique western lands.

The American Lands Council urges all states, both those in the East and the West, to stand together and pursue the legal and constitutional means afforded to us under the U.S. Constitution to compel Congress to honor the very same statehood terms and the very same constitutional obligations to relinquish control over the public lands following statehood.

The Progressive Rancher

March 2016 29

United States Department of Agriculture

United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service 1365 Corporate Blvd. Reno, NV 89502 Phone (775) 857-8500 www.nv.nrcs.usda.gov

Agricultural Marketing Service

USDA, Partners to Invest $720 Million in Large-Scale, Targeted Conservation Projects Across the Nation Regional Conservation Partnership Program Pools Together $220 Million Investment from USDA, up to $500 Million from Local Partners to Improve Water Quality, Soil Health, Habitat and More

R

By Heather Emmons

eno, Feb. 12, 2016 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today The second project is among Nevada, Idaho and Oregon, where ranchers announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have experienced a severe drought for the majority of years in the last 30-year and partners across the nation together will direct up to $720 cycle. This project will help reduce drought impacts to wildlife and livestock in million towards 84 conservation projects that will help com- the Owyhee watershed and adjacent communities in two lesser watersheds, which munities improve water quality, combat drought, enhance soil have been historically underserved. Project partners will work together to develop health, support wildlife habitat and protect agricultural viability. These on-the-ground projects that keep water in streams longer for both livestock and projects make up the second round of the Regional Conservation Partnership wildlife. Project area selection will emphasize state and private land that currently Program (RCPP) created by the 2014 Farm Bill. provides habitat for three focal species: redband trout, greater sage- grouse and Through the 2015 and 2016 rounds, USDA and partners are investing up Columbia spotted frogs or is adjacent to known populations and has the capacity to $1.5 billion in 199 strategic conservation projects. Projects are selected on a to restore habitat for these species. competitive basis, and local private partners must be able to at least match the “We put out a call for innovative and results-focused projects that will deliver USDA commitment. For this round, USDA received 265 applications requesting the most conservation impact,” said Ray Dotson, NRCS state conservationist in nearly $900 million, or four times the amount of available federal funding. The Nevada. “Our partners answered with creative, locally-led approaches to help 84 projects selected for 2016 include proposed partner matches totaling over $500 producers support their ongoing business operations and address natural resource million, more than tripling the federal investment alone. challenges in their communities, here in Nevada, and across the nation.”

“The Regional Conservation Partnership Program puts local partners in the Water quality and drought are dominant themes in this year’s RCPP project driver’s seat to accomplish environmental goals that are most meaningful to that list with 45 of the 84 projects focusing on water resource concerns. community. Joining together public and private resources also harnesses innovaUSDA is committed to invest $1.2 billion in RCPP partnerships over the life of tion that neither sector could implement alone,” Vilsack said. “We have seen record the 2014 Farm Bill. Today’s announcement brings the current USDA commitment enrollment of privately owned lands in USDA’s conservation programs under this to almost $600 million invested in 199 partner-led projects, leveraging an additional Administration, and the new Regional Conservation Partnership Program will be $900 million for conservation activities in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. instrumental in building on those numbers and demonstrating that government and USDA invested $370 million in 115 high impact RCPP projects during 2015. private entities can work together for greater impacts on America’s communities.” In New Mexico, a RCPP project with the Interstate Stream Commission and RCPP draws on local knowledge and networks to fuel conservation projects. an acequia—a local communal irrigation system—has addressed long-standing Bringing together a wide variety of new partners including businesses, universi- infrastructure failures to significantly reduce water needs by improving irrigation ties, non-profits and local and Tribal governments makes it possible to deliver efficiency. In Oregon, removal of encroaching juniper was part of the West-wide innovative, landscape- and watershed-scale projects that improve water quality private lands conservation effort that helped obviate the need to list the Greater and quantity, wildlife habitat, soil health and other natural resource concerns on sage-grouse on the endangered species list. working farms, ranches and forests.

See the full list of 2016 projects.

Two of these projects will bring conservation to Nevada. One regional www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/farmbill/rcpp/ partnership brings together Nevada and Colorado, who are actively investing in Since 2009, USDA has invested more than $29 billion to help producers make habitat improvements on private lands with the desire to demonstrate the effec- conservation improvements, working with as many as 500,000 farmers, ranchers tiveness of actions to taxpayers and federal agencies. The project will enhance and and landowners to protect over 400 million acres nationwide, boosting soil and protect rangeland for greater sage-grouse. State, EQIP and CSP funds will create air quality, cleaning and conserving water and enhancing wildlife habitat. For an “credit-ready” projects per the specifications of the Nevada Conservation Credit interactive look at USDA’s work in conservation and forestry over the course of System and Colorado Habitat Exchange, and private funds will be leveraged to this Administration, visit http://medium.com/usda-results. cover long-term stewardship of the improved project sites. www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/programs/farmbill/rcpp/?cid=stelprdb1264664

30 March 2016

The Progressive Rancher

www.progressiverancher.com

www.progressiverancher.com

The Progressive Rancher

March 2016 31 

Nevada Ranch Honored for Commitment to Environmental Stewardship

S

By Chase Adams and Shawna Newsome

AN DIEGO, CALIF. (January 27, 2016) – Maggie Creek Ranch and the Searle family of Elko, Nev. were named national winners of the 2015 Environmental Stewardship Award. The award recognizes ranchers for their commitment to outstanding land management practices which create healthy, balanced ecosystems.

“Maggie Creek Ranch exemplifies environmental stewardship in the beef community, illustrating how ranching families work every day with the land, natural resources and cattle to better the environment,” said Philip Ellis, President of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. “When cattlemen and women, like the Searle family, dedicate themselves to conservation efforts the entire industry benefits.”

Raising cattle in sage brush country since 1975, Maggie Creek Ranch operates on two-thirds owned land and one-third permitted federal land. Ranch manager Jon Griggs has worked for many years to build trust with various partners and collaborate on conservation projects. One of those key partners is the Bureau of Land Management.

“We have had a common vision of the watershed and what the land should look like,” said Carol Evans, Fisheries Biologist, BLM. “Never mind the land boundaries, we just get to work.”

The ranch works to improve habitat for wildlife, including threatened and endan-

32 March 2016

gered species. One project of particular success was the installation of irrigation diversions and a fish passage to protect the Lahontan cutthroat trout. Protective structures in the stream ensure the fish can move up and down the creek, spawn and access food sources. A healthy habitat at Maggie Creek Ranch is an ecosystem to support fish, wildlife and cattle in a sustainable manner which is part of a family tradition that started nearly 40 years ago with Sally Searle and her late husband, Bill.

“This award is such a personal thing for us with my grandfather being gone,” said Bekah Klarr, granddaughter of the Searles. “He really lives on through environmental stewardship and that heritage that he passed to us, which means a lot.”

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the Environmental Stewardship Award Program was created to recognize beef producers who make environmental stewardship a priority on their farms and ranches while improving production and profitability.

The award is presented by the National Cattlemen’s Foundation and NCBA, and is sponsored by Dow AgroSciences, NRCS, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

“The Searle family and each of our 2015 regional winners are examples of the best in American agriculture,” said Dave Owens, U.S. Range and Pasture Marketing manager for Dow AgroSciences. “These winners make a living from the land and leave it better than when they started. We are proud to honor these outstanding environmental stewards.”

The Progressive Rancher

www.progressiverancher.com

2016 Cattle Industry Convention Draws Strong Crowd to San Diego; NCBA Members Elect Officers

S

AN DIEGO, CALIF. (January 30, 2016) – The 2016 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show wrapped up Sat., Jan 30, 2016, with the NCBA board of directors meeting.

More than 6,700 attended this year’s convention to engage in grassroots policy process, hear from industry experts, and attend the expansive tradeshow.

Tracy Brunner, Kansas cattle producer, was officially elected to succeed Philip Ellis as NCBA president.

Brunner, a fourth-generation cattleman from Ramona, Kan., expressed optimism about the organization’s momentum, saying he would continue to build on the organization’s success of the prior year.

It’s an honor to take the reins of NCBA for the next year,” said Brunner. “We have a great organization and the strong presence of cattlemen and women gathered this week is a demonstration of several things: the interest we have in improving our businesses, our desire to have fun and fellowship, our belief in the power of dialog to move things forward and our commitment to making this an even greater industry.”

Craig Uden, Elwood, Neb., was elected as NCBA president-elect, and Kevin Kester, Parkfield, Calif., is the new

NCBA vice president. Steve Hanson, Elsie, Neb., was elected chairman of the NCBA Federation Division, and Jerry Effertz, Velva, North Dakota., is the new Federation vice chairman.

The new NCBA Policy Division chairman is Jennifer Houston of Sweetwater, Tenn., and Joe Guild, Reno, Nev., is the new policy vice chairman.

“The American beef industry is stronger than it has ever been,” said Brunner. “We have the right people growing the right product in the right way. And, we have the right organizational culture and structure. We have promotion and advocacy; research and education. We have public policy efforts to ensure beef producers are represented in the halls of Congress and at the table as laws are made. We are committed to not only protecting and promoting the beef business of today, but even more importantly, the beef business of tomorrow. We have an exciting year ahead as international demand for American beef continues to rise and trade remains high priority. It’s a great time to be in the beef business and a part of this great organization.”

As president of NCBA, Brunner will lead the organization’s policy work and oversee efforts undertaken as a contractor to the Beef Checkoff Program. To learn more about the organization visit the website: www.beefusa.org/

STATE OF NEVADA NEWS RElease

Inspection of totalizing meters in the Humboldt River Basin will begin in April

C

By JoAnn Kittrell ARSON CITY, NV – Beginning the week of rately determine the amount of groundwater pumped within the April 11, and continuing through May, staff Humboldt River Basin Hydrographic Region. The information from the Nevada Division of Water Resources, obtained from the reporting of the totalizing meter readings Office of the State Engineer, will be inspect- will assist the Nevada Division of Water Resources in evaluating ing permitted water wells for compliance with claims of impacts to existing water rights within the subject area State Engineer’s Order Nos. 1251, 1253, 1254, 1255, 1256, and to ensure the proper management of the Humboldt Region’s 1257, 1258, 1259, 1260 and 1261. These orders originally re- limited water resources.

The orders require the water right holder to file a report on quired totalizing meter installation within all Hydrographic Basins located within the Humboldt River Hydrographic a form obtained from the Nevada Division of Water Resources’ Region by February 1, 2016, but has since been extended website water.nv.gov, with the Nevada State Engineer that the totalizing meter has been installed. until April 1, 2016.

Staff will visit all permitted water wells, with the exception of The mission of the Nevada Division of Water Resources stock water wells, domestic wells and those wells that have been (NDWR) is to conserve, protect, manage and enhance the permitted for annual duties of 5 acre-feet or less. Those wells not in State’s water resources for Nevada’s citizens through the approcompliance will be tagged and ordered to cease and desist any use priation and reallocation of the public waters.

Visit the Division of Water Resources’ website at water. of water from those wells until compliance with the State Engineer’s orders has been achieved by the water right owner, and this compli- nv.gov to review the orders, the informational letter and to retrieve the necessary form or call (775) 684-2800 to request the ance has been verified by the Office of the State Engineer.

The purpose for requiring totalizing meters is to accu- form by mail or for any other assistance and questions

www.progressiverancher.com

The Progressive Rancher

Allie Bear

Real Estate

Spec ializing in hunting, ranching, and horse properties 17 D iamondback Place (Spring Creek, NV)

3.95 acres — Plenty of acreage for a horse pasture or 4H animals.

5 bed, 2 bath home with 3-car attached garage. Barn and large indoor arena with power and water to both. NEW PRICE $299,900

Recanzone Ranch (Paradise Valley, NV)

Great subdivision potential 9 parcels and can be divided into more.

Neat 900+ acres, 300 AUMs, ranch right by town. Original Sandstone House. Easy access to Hinkey Summit & surrounding mountains. Includes Barn, Outbuildings and Corrals. $1,320,000

Starr Valley Pasture Unique fenced 1,104 acres on Boulder Creek bordering U.S. Forest Service in Starr Valley, Nevada. Water-righted with nice meadows. $1,400,000

Howell Ranch Nestled on the hillsides of the East Humboldts in Elko County. Water-righted meadows produce 1200 average ton of hay a year. 4 homes with mature landscape. Multiple barns, shops, storages, chutes & corrals. $5,000,000

Clear Creek Ranch South of Winnemucca, Nevada. Approx.

10,000 Deeded Acres & approx. 740 irrigated acres, Ranch Manager’s home & equipment yard. Log Cottage.

701 Forest Tow Way (North of Elko, NV)

45+ Acres. 3 bed, 2 bath, large garage with shop, fenced yard with mature trees, shrubs. $265,000

60 Pete Hendri chs Road (Yerington, NV)

Beautiful farm with many amenities.

2 beautiful homes, 146 acres with water rights. Newer 5 stall MD horse barn, large shop, dog kennels, horse corrals, roping arena, round corral, cutting pen. $1,350,000

9320 Mountain City Hwy (North of Elko, NV)

157+ Acres with water rights 3 bed, 2 bath, 4 car garage, large barn, stalls, tack room, corrals, round pen, fenced/cross fenced. $399,000

View complete listings at:

www.ARanchBroker.com

775-738-8535 Allie Bear, Broker/Realtor 775-777-6416

March 2016 33

El Niño and Other Prophecies!

I

By Rusty D. Jardine, Esq.

t’s another February morning In Fallon. Just another day in Paradise - we often say! Lahontan Valley producers are spreading manure, plowing fields. Some will plant corn this spring.

Others are seeing their winter rye or wheat coming up. Dairies are bustling. And every producer we know is looking at the sky –hoping for more precipitation in advance of this new season! Last year gave us the lowest water supply of record to farmers in the Newlands Project: A mere 21%! What will this next year bring? The Book is still open; and, March could be a wet month. Much depends, of course, upon atmospheric conditions that we refer to, and maybe not with too much affection, as “El Niño.”

Owing to its influence on both North and South America, El Niño deserves our understanding. El Niño (meaning “Little Boy” or “Christ Child” in Spanish) is the “warm phase” of what is known as the El NiñoSouthern Oscillation or “ENSO” cycle. (See NOAA website: “El Niño is”).

The ENSO cycle is the term that describes the fluctuations in temperature between the ocean and the atmosphere in the east-central equatorial regions of the globe. Its opposite, La Niña (“Little Girl” in Spanish) is the cold phase of the ENSO cycle.

The conditions that attend El Niño were recognized long ago, as far back as the 1600’s, by fisherman off the coast of South America. Unusually warm water in the Pacific Ocean was detected about Christmas time –thus the reference to the “Little Boy” or “Christ Child.” El Niño develops over North America and includes warmer weather in western and central Canada, and in the western and northern United States. It typically spells wetter than average conditions in portions of the Gulf Coast and Florida. In other places, such as the Ohio Valley and Pacific Northwest, we may expect drier conditions.

What are we seeing now? Over much of our region we see precipitation totals, based on data from 1895 through 2010, well above normal. The same is also true for temperature. Snow-water equivalents reveal as much as 80 to 120% of normal in the Sierra snow-pack. From the vantage point of an airplane overhead, in stark contrast to what was observed last year, a passenger may view mountains below, in both the Carson and Truckee River watersheds, that are actually snow covered!

What does all of this mean? Depending upon what March may bring in precipitation, our water supply this year could be as much as three (3) times greater than last. Only time will tell. The Board of Directors for the TruckeeCarson Irrigation District will attempt to establish the yearly allocation for the Project at its next regular meeting (March 2, 2016 in Fallon). Water supply for the Newlands Project is the sum of water from the Carson and Truckee

34 March 2016

Rivers (through the Truckee Canal), which is impounded at Lahontan Dam, and any water retained from the last year in storage. Presently, a little more than 46,000 acre feet of water are impounded at Lahontan Reservoir. Project demand in a full supply season is approximately 225,000 acre feet. In sum, all things related to the 2016 water supply are dependent upon what may happen upon those up-stream mountains in the days and weeks to follow.

The Progressive Rancher

www.progressiverancher.com

Here is what we know, or think we know, about our regional water related conditions: Is El Niño a bust?

We cannot be certain yet. Our friends at the National Weather Service (NWS), in Reno, advise that we have limited historical comparisons with which to examine weather conditions with the past; and, of course, they (NWS) too say we have the month of March to come!

What about more big storms?

We may see some late February and March activity.

Is that certain? No!

What about our snowpack?

We know it looks good. But we cannot yet give it the letter grade “A”.

Is the drought over?

No. But it’s not looking as severe!

May we see any flooding?

Probably not! But, then, stranger things have happened: Such as a large rain on snow events that swell our rivers and streams.

What about an early snowmelt?

With warming temperatures an early snowmelt is likely as compared to average.

Meanwhile, with the prospect of more water this season, our producers are about their lands spreading manure, plowing fields, tending herds, and looking to a better yield this year. Overhead, an F-18 Hornet, from Naval Air Station-Fallon, slipping the surly bonds of earth, reminds us that things just keep moving on!

www.progressiverancher.com

The Progressive Rancher

March 2016 35

T

Ag in the Classroom Funding Available

he Nevada Agricultural Foundation has received $3150 for 2016 Nevada Ag in the Classroom (AITC) programs through a USDA Risk Management Agency Grant coordinated by the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension.

In order to receive these funds local or county AITC events or programs must submit a letter explaining the amount of funds requested detailing how and when the funds will be utilized. Letters should be submitted to the Nevada Agricultural Foundation at P.O. Box 8089; Reno, NV 89507 no later than March 15, 2016. The original grant indicates that the funding be distributed to at least six events or programs. Each AITC coordinator may apply for funding up to $750 based on event or program needs. A follow up report will be required with the number of people involved in organizing and presenting information and how many students were reached through the event or program.

Each event or program is required to provide risk management education by providing information about current crop and livestock insurance products available to Nevada agricultural producers. If you have questions, contact Sue Hoffman at 775/673-2468.

 36 March 2016

The Progressive Rancher

www.progressiverancher.com

Progressive Rancher - Coloring Page

www.progressiverancher.com

The Progressive Rancher

March 2016 37 

PAUL BOTTARI, SELECTED BY THE REALTORS® LAND INSTITUTE February 18, 2016

R

Paul Bottari

eal Estate Broker, Paul Bottari, Wells, Nevada has been awarded the esteemed Accredited Land Consultant (A LC) designation of the R EA LTORS® Land Institute.

The R EALTORS® Land Institute is a membership organization created for and by land experts, dedicated to building knowledge, building relationships, and building business for its members-the extraordinary real estate professionals--who broker, lease, sell, develop, and manage our most precious resource: the land. As an ALC, Paul Bottari , joins an elite group of land specialists who have attained the highest level of knowledge and experience in their profession.

Paul Bottari is the Broker of Bottari & Associates Realty, Inc based in Wells, Nevada. His specialties are : Rural properties, Farm and Ranch, and Land Sales. He represents both buyers and sellers and has been in the Real Estate business since 1984 when he first licensed with Al Steninger. In 1990 he opened his own office in Wells. He covers most of Nevada when dealing with Farms and Ranch properties. In 2015 he was involved in sales and acquisition of over 79 parcels totaling over 15, 890 acres in Elko, White Pine and Lander Counties.

Bottari is also active in the Government Affairs for the R EALTORS® Land Institute serving for the past 3 years on the Government Affairs

Committee of the organization. He also represents R LI on the National Association of Realtor’s Land Use , Private Property Rights and Enviornment Committee. Bottari has been active in Nevada organizations including the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association as their Executive Secretary from 1978-83; the Nevada Outfitter & Guide Association serving as their Secretary/Treasurer from 1983-2000; and the Elko Co. Assn. of Realtor’s as their Public Policy Committee from 1990 to present and as their president in 2008.

The R EALTORS® Land Institute is an affiliate organization of the National Association of R EALTORS®. It is the only branch of the R EALTOR® family of organizations focused on serving land professionals who specialize in: (1) farms, ranches, recreational, and other specialty land properties; (2) undeveloped tracts of land; (3) transitional and development land; (4) subdivision and lot wholesaling; and (5) site selection and assemblage of land parcels. The Institute was organized in 1944, and has been dedicated ever since to improving the professional competence of its members in land brokerage, management and development.

For more information about the Institute, or to find the Directory of Members or a list of courses, visit www.RLILand.com. You may also contact the REALTORS® Land Institute at 800-441-5263, or contact Paul Bottari at 775-7520952 or email him at paul@bottarirealty.com or visit www.BottariRealty.com

Nevada Department of Agriculture announces plant industry leadership

S

By Rebecca Allured

PARKS, Nev. – The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) announced Robert Little as its Plant Industry Division administrator, based in Sparks, Nev. Little has worked with the NDA for 12 years, and most recently held the Plant Industry Division deputy administrator position. He previously managed the Noxious Weeds Program and worked in the Entomology Lab. Little is a Nevada native, and holds a Bachelor of Science in biology from the University of Nevada, Reno.

Meghan Brown was selected to serve as Plant Industry Division deputy administrator in the NDA’s Elko office. Most recently, Brown worked for Congressman Mark Amodei as a rural representative. She holds a Bachelor of Science in environmental science, range management and rural development from Utah State University, and has lived in Nevada since 2006.

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 human health and safety through effective service and education. NDA includes the divisions of Administration, Animal Industry, Consumer Equitability, Food and Nutrition and Plant Industry.

38 March 2016

The Progressive Rancher

www.progressiverancher.com

Nevada Department of Agriculture urges extreme caution around feral horses in Virginia Range Area

By Rebecca Allured

D

AYTON, Nev. – The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) officials urge extreme caution after two separate collisions on Highway 50 near Dayton in the early morning hours of Thursday, Feb. 25. One motorist sustained minor injuries when the horse came through the windshield and was killed on impact. The other collision was a hit-and-run and the horse was humanely euthanized due to severe injuries.

“We are thankful neither driver was seriously injured,” Flint Wright, NDA Animal Industry Administrator, said.

Horses in this area are crossing roadways in search of feed and water sources. Drivers should remain alert and aware, and be sure to obey all traffic laws, stressing the importance of posted speed limits in this area.

The NDA has been working closely with the Nevada Department of Transportation over the past year on installing fencing and cattle guards on this stretch of Highway 50 between Carson City and Silver Springs.

“The fencing has helped a great deal and we are doing everything we can to keep these animals off the road for public safety and the safety of the horses,” Wright said. “But I can’t stress enough how important it is to use extreme caution, and assume there are wild or feral animals on the road.

To report horses in the Virginia Range Area (395 to 95A and I-80 to highway 50) that pose a threat to public safety, please call the horse hotline at (775) 3533608 or email horse@agri.nv.gov.

www.progressiverancher.com

The Progressive Rancher

March 2016 39

Nevada’s Priority Agricultural Weeds:

Brad Schultz, Extension Educator, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, Winnemucca, Nevada

M

Musk Thistle

usk thistle (Carduus nutans) is a non-native biennial forb (wild flower) that arrived in North America (Pennsylvania) in 1852.

The plant’s native range is from Western Europe through Asia.

Musk thistle became established in the Midwest around 1900 and was identified as a problem across North America in the early 1940’s. The USDA Plants database reports that musk thistle is present in all but three (Maine, Vermont and Florida) of the lower 48 states, and in all of the southern Canadian Provinces. There is some evidence musk thistle is toxic to other plants (i.e., allelopathic), yet the same extracts and leachates that harm other plants appear to facilitate the recruitment of musk thistle seedlings.

Musk thistle is primarily an upland species (i.e., non-riparian) with excellent adaptation to disturbed and degraded sites on the landscape. This includes roadsides, railroad right-of-ways, frequently disturbed fence lines, vacant lots, ditch banks, wheat and fallow fields, and overgrazed pastures and rangelands. Musk thistle grows best on soils with high nitrogen content and can tolerate a wide range in soil pH from 6 (acidic) to 9 (basic). Musk thistle readily inhabits damp but not saturated soil, and grows best on alluvial type soils with abundant spring moisture. Sites inhabited may receive as little as 10 inches of annual precipitation, but supplemental irrigation or run-on moisture are common. Musk thistle’s elevation range is broad, from near sea level to almost 4,000 feet in California, but between about 4,400 and 8,500 feet in Utah and New Mexico. Locations that develop snowdrifts (fence lines, swales, etc.) are readily invaded by musk thistle.

Almost 16% of the public land managers in Nevada rated musk thistle as a problematic weed on public lands. For agricultural producers, 5.9 % rated it a serious problem. Geographically, musk thistle was considered problematic by 5% or more of the producers in Eureka and Lander counties (14.5%), Elko County (10.4%) and Douglas and Carson City counties (8.8%). In all other counties less than 5% of the agricultural producers expressed concern. Muck thistle is considered a problem on range and pasture land for several reasons: 1) it competes with and reduces desired forage plants; 2) it has sharp spines that can hinder the movement of livestock and wildlife, and/or prevent their use of areas of the landscape; and 3) it reduces recreation potential of infested sites.

Plant Biology Musk thistle is usually a biennial plant but a small percent of the spring germinants (3.5%) typically act as an annual and produce seed that fall. Biennial plants produce seed at the end of their second growing season. All reproduction for musk thistle comes from seed. The roots lack buds that can form a new plant following a disturbance that breaks the long tap into smaller segments. Musk thistle seed may germinate in either the spring or fall when soil moisture is adequate. Seedlings develop into a basal rosette of leaves during the first growing season, typically go dormant during the winter, regrow the following spring, and initiate reproductive stems about one month into the second growing season. Populations of musk thistle typically have individuals of mixed ages and different lifecycles (annual vs biennial), which results in a suite of plants at different growth stages (e.g., rosette, bolting, bloom or producing seed). A population of weeds growing at multiple growth stages is likely to have a highly variable response to a single control treatment applied to all plants on a single day. Some growth stages will be adversely affected, others unaffected, and some potentially may even have a positive response.

Root development the first growing season is largely limited to many shallow roots that support growth of the basal rosette. A deep tap root develops when growth resumes the second growing season. The tap root has the ability to extract soil moisture from deep in the soil profile throughout the summer, which provides the moisture needed to support rapid and abundant stem growth, flowering, and seed production most of the summer. The root crown and very upper portion of 40 March 2016

the root immediately below the root crown have buds that can sprout following removal of part of the rosette’s leaves.

Mature and unstressed musk thistle plants can produce over 600 flower heads but most plants generally produce 40 for fewer. One plant can produce upwards of 20,000 seeds. Research has found that one-third of the seed produced has excellent germinability (95% viable) and about one-half has poor germinabiltiy (≤ 2% viable). Thus, a plant that produces 10,000 seeds will disperse slightly over 3,000 highly germinable seeds.

Biennial musk thistle plants typically produce more seed than those that exhibit an annual lifecycle. Flowering and seed production typically lasts for a 7 to 9 week period provided soil moisture remains adequate. Seed can become mature and begin dispersal 7 days after flowers appear which in the Intermountain region typically begins in June. Early maturing seeds typically are heavier and have greater viability than late maturing seeds; thus, control efforts should begin before the first seed matures.

Dispersed seed typically falls close to the mother plant (≤ 130 feet) even in sustained winds of 12 mph. Long distance dispersal may occur from a suite of mechanisms. Seed that becomes attached to the hide of livestock or wildlife can move many miles as those animals move from one location to another. Among wildlife, birds often eat musk thistle seed and their subsequent flight patterns may move digested but viable seed many miles. Seed can also be moved long distances when vehicles, farm equipment (often in mud in attached mud or flower heads in the undercarriage) and/or contaminated crop products are moved to different locations. Musk thistle seed floats well; thus, flowing water (e.g., canals, ditches, etc.) can move viable seed long distances. Transportation corridors also are pathways for long distance dispersal.

Dispersed seed may remain viable for 10 to 15 years, perhaps longer, creating a large persistent seedbank. The depth of burial influences seed longevity, with seed buried at shallow depths (≤ 1.0 inch) surviving up to 3 years and seed buried at greater depths surviving much longer. Seed germination is greatest when the soil is moist for a prolonged period and temperatures are between 59 and 86°F. Sunlight with an abundance of white and red wavelengths also promotes germination. These two wavelengths are abundant at the soil surface when bare ground is abundant and/or the vegetation has sparse canopy cover.

Control Approaches Long-term control of a musk thistle infestation requires eliminating seed production long enough to deplete the long-lived soil seedbank. Concurrently, one has to prevent the introduction of additional seed from nearby and/or distant populations.

Once control occurs, the site must be occupied by a dense vigorous stand of either desired perennial grasses (pasture or rangeland) or crop species to increase shade and reduce sunlight at the soil surface. More shade at the soil surface reduces the amount of red and white light at the soil surface, which decreases the germination potential for musk thistle seed. If seedlings become established on well vegetated sites there are a suite of non-chemical and chemical treatments that can control musk thistle, but the population should be smaller, easier and cheaper to control than those on sites where abundant bare ground facilitates large populations. Regardless of whether musk thistle populations are large or small, young or old, long-term control will probably involve an integrated approach that applies multiple methods in a planned sequence and/or combination. There is no single recipe available to control musk thistle: all properties and infestations are different and will require place-based solutions.

Non-chemical Methods Any mechanical treatment that completely severs the taproot below the soil surface kills musk thistle plants. This treatment must separate the root crown (location where buds occur) from the root system. This prevents the root system from supplying water and nutrients to buds on the root crown and their subsequent growth after the plant was disturbed. After a mechanical treatment, if the leaves still have a vascular connection to the root system and soil moisture is present, the plant will

The Progressive Rancher

www.progressiverancher.com

regrow from the buds on the root crown and/or from the base of the flowering stems. musk thistle must ensure that the grazing animal targets (harms) the weed but proIf left untreated, this post-treatment regrowth can produce flowers and seed. vides benefit to the desired forage species. If the desired forage species are routinely All mechanical treatments must occur before the flower heads emerge. Viable heavily grazed there is an increased risk that musk thistle will establish and/or existseed can be produced in as few as seven days after flowering begins; thus, severing ing populations will increase. the tap root after flowering begins may kill the plant but not prevent seed production Biological control of musk thistle has occurred with several weevils. The thistlefrom occurring. Moisture in the severed stems can be sufficient to allow seed forma- head weevil (Rhinocyllus conicus) has become widely established in many northwest tion to occur. Mowing may be an effective treatment but it must be timed to occur and northern states. This weevil’s success has been variable, reducing seed production just before flowering. Mower blades typically cannot be placed close enough to the anywhere from 10 to over 90 percent. A root crown weevil (Trichosirocalus horridus) ground surface to remove all musk thistle leaves. This allows most mowed plants to has also been effective where introduced in western and mid-western states. Neither regrow, especially when soil moisture levels do not limit regrowth. Musk thistle typi- bio-control agent provides complete control of musk thistle. There is some evidence cally flowers over a 7 to 9 week period; therefore, repeated mowing treatments are that the insects may need 10 to 15 years (or longer) to reach a control level of 80often needed because most musk thistle populations have plants with a wide range 90 percent. The evidence suggests that bio-controls are ineffective as a stand-alone of maturity stages. One mowing treatment may control seed production on some treatment, and if used, should always be part of an integrated treatment program. plants but only delay seed production on others.

Chemical Control Musk thistle is not common in regularly worked cropland; thus, frequent There are at least 17 active ingredients labeled for application to musk thistle in cultivation probably reduces the plants abundance. Infrequent cultivation or deep Nevada (Table 1), and at least 193 potential products available. Many of these prodburial; however, prolongs seed life and can result in a large persistent seedbank be- ucts are pre-mixed packages that include one or of the 17 active ingredients shown cause seed can remain viable for 10 to 15 years. Subsequent tillage is likely to bring in Table 1, and at least one other active ingredient. The additional active ingredients seed back toward the soil surface where germination is more likely due to the large may or may not be labeled for musk thistle, but amount of sunlight reaching the soil surface. often are labeled for additional weeds that grow Fire events that result in long periods of in conjunction with musk thistle. Products with bare ground are is likely to facilitate an inmultiple active ingredients may be appropriate if crease in musk thistle because of the seed and the target weed community includes more than seedling’s ability to have large germination and just musk thistle. Most, but not all of the active establishment rates, respectively, in a high light ingredients in Table 1 are selective herbicides, environment. Fire that results in a dense stand and across all of the potential active ingredients of tall desired perennial vegetation is likely to there are varying levels of residual activity. Gendecrease the abundance (or risk) of musk thistle, erally, there are several products available for due to poor light availability at the soil surface. most of Nevada’s major crops, wildland settings Flaming individual plants at the rosette or boltand non-crop environments. ing growth stages may result in their mortality Most herbicides, even those with a strong if the heat load at the root crown is sufficient to soil residual, control musk thistle best when they kill the buds on the root crown. Low heat loads are applied postemergence, at the seedling to roare likely to result in musk thistle resprouting. sette stage. Some are also effective at the bolting Seedlings are probably easily killed by flaming if growth stage, but usually require a greater aptreated before they transition into rosettes, espeplication rate. Treatment cost increases but treatcially large rosettes with many buds on the root ment effectiveness seldom has a corresponding crown. There is little research about the effect improvement. Any herbicide application should of fire on musk thistle seed, but seed covered by ensure that there is enough soil moisture in the soil, even at shallow depths, probably survives ground for musk thistle to have rapid growth for most fire and flaming events quite well. The several weeks or more after the treatment appliheat load is too small for a long enough period cation. This ensures that the active ingredient is to cause much seed mortality. moved (translocated) from the leaf surface to the Fire can work well as part of an integrated plant’s growing points that produce the leaves, management program when it removes dead bolting reproductive stems or flower heads. leaves or stems from an infested area. The dead Death of buds is critical for killing and controlmaterial can intercept much of an applied herbiling musk thistle. Herbicide treatments should cide and its removal allows for greater placement occur before flowering begins. Mature seed can of an herbicide on the target plants. For areas that develop in as few as 7 days after pollination and need to be reseeded to establish competitive vegseed development may happen quicker than heretation, fire can also remove plant material from bicide uptake and subsequent death of the plant. the seedbed, which can improve seeding success.

For a foliar systemic herbicide treatment to Livestock grazing with cattle or sheep is be effective the leaves must be actively photosynnot considered a viable control option. Musk thesizing, and photosynthesis requires adequate thistle’s leaves have many spines which draFigure 1. Musk thistle plant with many solitary flower heads at soil moisture and warm temperatures. The mere matically reduces its palatability. Livestock may the end of the reproductive stems. The leaves are deeply lobed with presence of green leaves in late summer or early enhance seed dispersal more than providing efspines along the margins, particularly at the tip of the lobes. The fall does not guarantee the plant is photosynthefective weed control. Goats are well known for inset photos show the solitary flower head and a seedling transition- sizing and moving carbohydrates to the growing consuming numerous species of thistle and may points. Herbicide applications to green plants ing into the rosette growth stage. provide some level of control, but to be effecunder dry soil conditions, or during a prolonged Photo from: http://www.co.morton.nd.us/index. tive control agents grazing with goats must be asp?Type=B_DIR&SEC=%7B051CAEFB-BCEA-4063period of cold temperatures, are less successful integrated with other treatment methods. The 8883-DBA0B375C902%7D&DE=%7B5EE56BEFthan applications when the soil is moist and air management of grazing on sites infested with 8429-4FBD-BC30-37A9319AA2F0%7D temperatures warm. www.progressiverancher.com

The Progressive Rancher

March 2016 41

No single active ingredient listed in Table 1 is the best chemical for all musk thistle infestations. Every infestation has some unique characteristic and herbicide selection should be based on site-specific conditions. Some factors to consider are: 1) do you need an herbicide that is selective and not going to adversely affect the residual desired species that occupy the site; 2) are your short- and mid-term management objectives compatible with a chemical that has residual soil activity, especially those with a long period of residual activity ; 3) what will musk thistles’ growth stage(s) be when you have the time to fit an herbicide treatment into your overall farming or ranching operation; 4) can you make the commitment to any follow-up treatment that is needed; and 5) if herbicide treatments will occur for several consecutive years consider using active ingredients with different modes of action (i.e., killing mechanism) to reduce the risk of selecting for herbicide resistant biotypes.

Any weed control and management program for musk thistle should use an integrated approach that applies two or more methods of weed control. Very seldom does a single approach work long-term. Furthermore, all approaches, except for the purposeful management of an area for bare-ground, must consider how to establish and/or increase the desired species. A dense, vigorous stand of desired perennial

grasses (or crop species) provides the best opportunity to prevent the rapid large scale establishment of musk thistle. Tall and dense desired vegetation reduces the amount of sunlight that reaches the soil surface and low sunlight conditions at the soil surface decrease germination potential. Also, when the desired species have large root systems they (not the weeds) will acquire most of the available soil moisture and nutrients. If your property is susceptible to musk thistle becoming established, periodically scout the area to find the initial (and often few) colonizers, and eliminate them before they produce abundant seed. Early detection of musk thistle and a rapid response to the first few plants that appear provides the best opportunity to prevent large scale establishment and a costly multi-year treatment program.

An important question of any herbicide treatment is, was I successful? Your level of success cannot be determined until at least the middle of the first growing season after application of your herbicide treatment. The effectiveness of an herbicide treatment on any weed that can develop a long-lived persistent seedbank should not be judged as a complete success until no plants have occurred for the duration of time in which seed can survive in the soil.

Chlorsulfuron

x

x

x

x

x

Method 50G or 240 SL

x1

x

Yes

Yes

Preemergence or early postemergence to actively growing weeds

Milestone

x

x

Yes

Yes

Postemergence in spring from rosette through bolting stage, fall to seedlings and rosettes

Yes

Little to none

Basagran or Basagran T&O or 5L, BashAzon

x

Telar XP

x

x

Clean Slate, Stinger, Transline

x

x

Dicamba

Banvel, Clarity, Sterling Blue

x

x

Fluroxypr

Starane Ultra, Vista XRT

x

Clopyralid

Glufosinate-ammonium Glyphosate* Imazapic2 Isoxaben

Ingnite 280 SL, Reckon 280 SL, Rely 280

Picloram Sulfometuron methyl Triasulfuron* Triclopyr

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x x

x

x

x

x

x

Selective

Soil Residual

Yes

No

Postemergence to young rapidly growing weeds at seedling to rosette stage (before flower stalks begin development. Repeated treatments often needed.

Growth Stage

Postemergence to actively growing weeds in rosette stage and ≤ 10 inches diameter, with good soil moisture

Yes

Moderate Postemergence from bud to bloom stage or fall rosettes. to long Treatment after bolting stops seed development

Yes

Moderate Postemergence from rosette through bud stage

Yes

Yes

Postemergence from small rosettes through bolting, but greater rates needed for larger/older plants

Yes

Yes

Postemergence to actively growing weeds before bud stage

None to Postemergence to actively growing plants; repeat very short treatments may be necessary to deplete seedbank

x

No

x

No

No

Postemergence to rapidly growing young plants/seedlings or at bud stage for plants in second growth year

Roundup, Accord and many other products

x

x

Plateau, NuFarm

x

x

Yes

Yes

Postemergence to young actively growing weeds

x

Yes

Yes

Preemergence with light cultivation or 0.5 inches of moisture within 3 weeks of application

Gallery, Treiils

Metsulfuron- methyl*

x

x

Potatoes

x

Mint

Many

Representative Products

Alfalfa

Corn

Bentazon

Smll Grains

Aminopyralid

Bare-ground

Aminocyclopyrachlor

Fallow

2,4-D*

Non-Crop

Active Ingredient

Range & Pasture

Table 1. The list below identifies the active ingredients and many of representative products known to control musk thistle in the landscape settings and crops for which the active ingredient is labeled. Use the information in this table to determine the potential active ingredients for your specific needs. Product selection should occur only after the applicator has read all current product labels and identified the appropriate products for their specific situation. Many of the active ingredients listed in this table are available in pre-mixed formulations with other active ingredients. Those pre-mixed packages (products) are not listed in this table. A complete list of all active ingredients and products labeled to control Musk thistle can be searched for at the CDMS (http://premier.cdms.net/webapls/formsloginRef.asp?/webapls) and Greenbook (http://www.greenbook.net/) websites. The order of chemicals below does not reflect any preference or efficacy. Across the spectrum of available products, some may only suppress musk thistle (generally means no seed production). Herbicides used for suppression are marked with an *.

Ally, Escort, Patriot

x

x

Tordon 22K Trooper 22K

x

x

Oust XP, Spyder

x

x

Amber, Rave

x

x

Element, Garlon, Relegate, Tahoe

x

x

42 March 2016

x

x x x

x

x

x

x

Yes

Moderate Postemergence from rosette through bloom growth stages. to long Treatment after bolting stops seed development

Yes

Yes

Postemergence, preferably to rosettes in spring or fall, or during bolting but before flowering and at higher rates than rosette stage

Yes

Yes

Preemergence or early postemergence to young actively growing weeds

Yes

Yes

Postemergence to actively growing weeds ≤ 6 inches tall or wide

Yes

Yes

Postemergence in the rosette growth stage

The Progressive Rancher

www.progressiverancher.com

www.progressiverancher.com

The Progressive Rancher

March 2016 43 

 44 March 2016

The Progressive Rancher

www.progressiverancher.com

www.progressiverancher.com

The Progressive Rancher

March 2016 45 

by Jennifer Whiteley

Things I Wish I Knew Before I Had Kids

1. Good kid’s horses are expensive. You can’t afford them on cowboy wages.

They are worth their weight in gold. (Bad kid’s horses are a dime a dozen!)

2. It’s nearly impossible to herd 2 boys and 5 heifer pairs through a gate on a green horse. Don’t even try it. If you are taking you kids with you, make sure you are riding one of the broke-est horses on the place. It will save you a lot of frustration.

3. What normally consists of pulling on a pair of jeans from the day before and mashing your hat on your head as you run out the door now takes an hour.

It will include snacks, temper tantrums, boots on the wrong feet, and at least 5 trips back in the house for things you forgot or didn’t have enough hands for like your spurs, headstall or kids hat.

4. If you think a horse will be a good kids horse, do not sell it. Even if you don’t have kids yet, or just had a baby. You will kick yourself for weeks when you need a kid’s horse and don’t have one.

5. If you have boys, you will start buying laundry soap at Costco in bulk, and do 3-5 loads of laundry a day. Get used to mud, dirt, and stains.

Also, rocks, calf ears at branding time, and spent bullet casings in your dryer will become the norm.

46 March 2016

The Progressive Rancher

Rest assured, getting out the door with kids in tow will get easier, getting pairs through the gate on green colts will get easier, but laundry will forever be a never ending battle!

www.progressiverancher.com

Financial Focus P rese n ted b y Jas o n L a n d , F in a n c ia l A d v is o r, E d wa rd J o n e s i n E l k o , N e v a d a 2 2 1 3 No rt h 5 t h S t re e t , S u it e A | 7 7 5 -7 3 8 -8 8 11

A

How Should You Respond to Market “Correction”?

s an investor, you may be gaining familiarity with the term “market correction.” But what does it mean? And, more importantly, what does it mean to you?

A correction occurs when a key index, such as the S&P 500, declines at least 10% from its previous high. A correction, by definition, is short-term in nature and has historically happened fairly regularly – about once a year. However, over the past several years, we’ve experienced fewer corrections, so when we have one now, it seems particularly jarring to investors.

How should you respond to a market correction? The answer may depend, to some extent, on your stage of life.

If you’re still working

If you are in the early or middle parts of your working life, you might not have to concern yourself much about a market correction because you have decades to overcome a short-term downturn. Instead of selling stocks, and stock-based investments, to supposedly “cut your losses,” you may find that now is a good time to buy more shares of quality companies, when their price is down.

Also, you may want to use the opportunity of a correction to become aware of the need to periodically review and rebalance your portfolio. Stocks, and investments containing stocks, often perform well before a correction. If their price has risen greatly, they may account for a greater percentage of the total value of your portfolio – so much so, in fact, that you might become “overweighted” in stocks, relative to your goals, risk tolerance and time horizon. That’s why it’s important for you to proactively rebalance your portfolio – or, during a correction, the market may do it for you. To cite one aspect of rebalancing, if your portfolio ever does become too “stock-heavy,” you may need to add some bonds or other fixed-rate vehicles. Not only can these investments help keep your portfolio in balance, but they also may hold up better during a correction.

You are invited to

You are invited to

COWBOY CHURCH!

COWBOY CHURCH!

Bible Study Fri @ 9 am

Sunday @ 11am services

4275 Solias Rd Fallon, NV

Bible Study Wed @ 6 pm

Are you having a Rodeo or Livestock event? Give us a call.

We would love to come to your event or ranch and host Cowboy Church for you.

Harmony Ranch Ministry 3767 Keyes Way Fallon, NV 89406

Tom J. Gonzalez | Diana J. Gonzalez, Pastor threecrossls@cccomm.net

(775) 240-8870 Cell (775) 867-3100

If you’re retired

After you retire, you may need to take money from your investment accounts – that is, sell some investments – to help pay for your cost of living. Ideally, however, you don’t want to sell stocks, or stock-based vehicles, during a correction – because when you do, you may be “selling low.” (Remember the most common rule of investing: Buy low and sell high. It’s not always easy to follow, but it’s still pretty good advice.)

So, to avoid being forced into selling, you need to be prepared. During your retirement years, try to keep at least a year’s worth of cash instruments on hand as well as short-term fixed income investments. By having this money to draw on, you may be able to leave your stocks alone and give them a chance to recover, post-correction.

And it’s important to maintain a reasonable percentage of stocks, and stockbased vehicles, in your portfolio, even during retirement – because these investments may provide the growth necessary to help keep you ahead of inflation.

Consequently, as a retiree, you should have a balance of stocks and stock-based vehicles, along with fixed-income vehicles, such as bonds, certificates of deposit, government securities and so on.

Being prepared can help you get through a correction – no matter where you are on life’s journey.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. www.progressiverancher.com

The Progressive Rancher

March 2016 47

 48 March 2016

The Progressive Rancher

www.progressiverancher.com