ProgressiveRancherMar2012

YOU CAN’T CONTROL

THE WORLD,

BUT YOU CAN CONTROL YOUR DECISIONS. Sometimes the market reacts poorly to world events, but just because the market reacts doesn’t mean you should.

Still, if current events are making you feel uncertain about your finances, you should schedule a complimentary portfolio review. That way, you can make sure you’re in control of where you want to go and how you get there.

In this Issue...

Look Up...............................pg. 14

Nevada Cattlemen’s Association........................ pg. 3-4

Fallon Bull Sale.....................pg. 4

Cow Camp Chatter, ..............pg. 5

Photo Essay: Too Close For Comfort: Tuscarora Fire 2011......pgs. 18-20

Eye on the Outside................pg. 6 Coloring Contest..................pg. 28 Jeff Jones Family Builds Ranch....................pgs. 8-9

Call or visit your local financial advisor today.

Fumes from the Farm..........pg. 16

Equine Podiatry...........pgs 331-33

Sonny Davidson, AAMS® Financial Advisor

Obituary:

.

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

Jason B Land

Josephine Bartorelli.............pg. 10

www.edwardjones.com

Dr. Margaret Winsryg, Ph.D.....................pg. 34

Member SIPC

Horse Snorts &

Financial Advisor

Cow Bawls ..........................pg. 13

.

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

Edward Jones........................pg.35

The Progressive Rancher Owner/Editor/Publisher - Leana Stitzel progressiverancher@elko.net

Graphic Design/Layout/Production - Julie Eardley julie@jeprographics.com

Cover Photo by: Celia Moyer

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—Barry Goldwater / George W. Romney

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2 March 2012

The Progressive Rancher

www.progressiverancher.com

Beef — It Used To Be For Dinner

A

www.progressiverancher.com

As for invasive species and fire, I think those two tend to go hand in hand. The spread of invasive species such as cheat grass has only been accelerated by the severity and increased frequency of wild fires in the great basin. As the fires destroy native stands of brush and grasses, they are replaced with more readily burned species of plants. The cycle of fire continues to destroy more habitat and the regulatory agencies will place more stringent regulations on remaining habitat, until it too will burn due to an abundance of fuel (grasses and brush). All of us that live with wild fire know that properly grazed allotments don’t burn with the same intensity as those allotments that have not been grazed. Let us not also forget the need for more flexibility in grazing management so as to avoid the same destructive fires that destroyed so much Sage Grouse habitat in Elko, Eureka, and Humboldt Counties this past October. Is domestic livestock to be blamed for this habitat loss as well?

We all know that historically, the have been stances of over grazing in some areas that affected the health of the natural resource. The frustrating thing for me is that agencies and radical environmental groups continue to state that grazing is injurious to the health of our public lands. Where is the data that supports healthy managed grazing? The grazing practices that we employ today, contribute to the health of the range and provide vital re-growth for species such as mule deer and yes, the Greater Sage Grouse. My question to the wildlife agencies and land management agencies has been this, “if you say you know grazing is beneficial habitat, why aren’t you stating that in print?” I am afraid the answer is simple. Livestock grazing is an easy target. We have been incorrectly criticized by environmental extremists, wild horse extremists, and even agency people themselves. A multitude of lawsuits have been filed against grazing and the federal agencies continue to bend to the threat of more suits. We are a continually shrinking percentage of voters and a historically quieter voice on issues that impact us.

When a “lack of regulations” is identified as a reason for declining sage grouse, why does the language of grazing and energy production appear so often in proposed changes?

When will a fully inclusive conversation of all regulations take place? This isn’t an issue that can be solved with just pin point changes. Granted the USFWS has habitat and more regulation identified as a fix, but a healthy habitat is also influenced by hunting, predation, and an abundance of fuels that lead to fire.

These factors also MUST be addressed.

In an attempt to be actively involved in the process of protecting the Sage Grouse and to protect the other users of natural resources, NCA is encouraging the State of Nevada to pursue a plan that involves all factors influencing the population of the Greater Sage Grouse and to work closely with other western states on this issue. We will continue to work diligently on this issue, and have created a working relationship with other associations and groups representing industries that will be impacted by any actions taken on this matter. A committee addressing the Greater Sage Grouse issue has been created by the board of NCA and will be reaching out to local areas in an attempt to gain information on grazing allotments, fire, and sage grouse populations on a more local area. It is our hope that this information can be used to ensure any regulatory changes that may be made, will not be skewed toward negatively impacting agricultural industries in the west.

The Progressive Rancher

UPDATE UPDATE

s the elites of the consulting world meet and tell us that agriculture must double it’s production over the next few decades in order to feed the world, the western United States is once again battling to protect its agricultural roots and way of life. A shrinking US cow herd, coupled with huge demands for exports have led feeders and packers to beg for expansion in the cow calf sector. While those of us in the west would love to expand, produce more of the healthy range beef that so many consumers seek today, we will be lucky to maintain our current production levels in public land grazing states. A centuries old bird has taken center stage from the Rocky Mountains to the Sierra Nevadas and everything from Arizona to Canada. The Greater Sage Grouse, now stranding on the edge of being listed as endanger and therefore protected species, looks to be the western cattle industry’s Spotted Owl. I don’t believe you will find anyone who doesn’t believe that there are fewer sage grouse in the western United States.

What seems to be some major points of contention are how did we get here and how do we go forward. In the past few weeks, leadership of The Nevada Cattlemen’s Association has been involved in many conversations with various state and national agencies. While the ranching industry is being told that “grazing is neutral” and “loss of habitat is the focus”, I personally don’t feel all that secure.

It seems strange to me that “habitat” has become the most used word when referring to the declining sage grouse, and yet our industry is told that grazing is neutral. Perhaps I missed something, but I always associated habitat with feed, water, and cover. As I look out across our Nevada allotments, I see feed, water, and cover. What industry relies upon habitat to produce its product? (I mean other than the industry of wildlife management) The cattle industry in Nevada takes a low value forage and converts it into a highly nutritious (and damn tasty) form of protein and vitamins. That is how we utilize “habitat” to do our part in keeping the economies of rural Nevada rolling along. Based upon the fact that agencies say loss of habitat is the major contributing factor, I decided to investigate how livestock grazing should go forward in protecting existing habitat.

I took the time to read the March 2010 50 CFR part 17 on the notice of 12 month petition findings regarding the Greater Sage Grouse. It was suggested to me that I read the findings in order to better understand what the USFWS would be considering in 2015 when they make the final determination on wether or not to list the bird. I had been told that habitat loss, invasive species, fire, and lack of regulatory mechanisms where the big issues the USFWS are concerned with. As I waded through the 105 pages of “scientific” findings relating to the decline of the west wide sage grouse population, I was alarmed and appalled by the number of references to domestic livestock and grazing.

We are all aware of the literature that states specific residual height in principle areas, the spread of invasive plant species due to livestock grazing, but I was not aware that grazing is to blame for West Nile Virus disease loss in sage grouse. Yep, that is right. The cowman gets the blame for having stock ponds and water sources that serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes, thus being directly responsible for the loss of sage grouse due to West Nile Virus. How many of you would blame livestock grazing for the continued encroachment of Pinion Juniper into sage grouse habitat? That too is stated in the CFR.

J.J.

G oicoechea DVM

Nevada Cattlemen’s Association President March 2012 3

Nevada Cattlemen’s Association

By Desiree Seal, Nevada Cattlemen’s Association Executive Director

W

The 46th Fallon All Breeds Bull Sale

ell neighbors, last month brought our 46th Annual Fallon All Breeds Bull Sale and once again, it was a great success. Nevada Cattlemen’s Annual Sale features yearling to two year old range ready bulls and brings cattlemen from California, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, Oregon and Utah looking to buy bulls for the upcoming year. This year, the sale average was $3,409 on 108 bulls.

To kick off the sale, the two donation calves were sold. The calves were donated by Dave Stix and John Falen and raised over $8000. The bull calf donated by Dave Stix was sold to Ted Gazzini for $1600.

Following the sale of the first calf, NCA President JJ Goicoechea announced that for every $100 from a buyer, he would put towards that buyer’s membership fees to the Association. After his announcement, the steer calf was bought and donated back 28 times and was finally sold for $400 to Gary Capurro.

Each year, the consignors continue to bring high quality bulls. Because of your high quality of bulls and dedicated support to the sale, our sale continues to be a success and reach out to many of the western states. Thank you for your participation and congratulations to this year’s award

recipients.

The Top Range Bull Award was awarded to Rick and Jerrie Libby, of Flying RJ Ranch for lot #71. This bull was also the Angus Best of Breed award winning bull.

A big congratulations to our first time consignors and award recipients from the Flying RJ Ranch. Lot #71 was also the highest selling bull bought by Stix Cattle for $6,200. Stix Cattle has been a dedicated buyer of the Sale for years and Flying RJ is one of our newest consignors. Thank you to both parties for you participation and support. The overall Angus average on 74 bulls was $3,478.

The Hereford Best of Breed was awarded to DTK Land and

Cattle for Lot #143 selling for $4,200 to Paul Sciarani. The highest selling Hereford was Lot #104 of Phil Allen and Son which sold for $5,500 to Mickey Laca. The overall Hereford average on 19 bulls was $3,808.

The Balancer Best of Breed was awarded to Bar T Bar Ranch of Arizona for Lot #166 selling for $4,200 to Paul Sciarani. Lot #166 was also this year’s highest selling Balancer bull. The overall Balancer average on 8 bulls was $2,988.

Lastly, the Limousin Best of Breed went to Little Luckiamute Limousin of Oregon for Lot #151 Little Luckiamute also provided the two highest selling Limousin bulls sold to Pete Cassanilli and Fred Hicks Jr. for $2,500 a bull. The overall Limousin average on 7 bulls was $2,079. Congratulations to Little Luckiamute Limousin, also a new consignor to the Sale.

This year’s recipient of the volume buyer jacket donated by Pinenut Livestock Supply is Goicoechea Ranches from Eureka, NV. We send out a special thank you to our volume buyer and all our buyers. Whether you bought one bull or ten, your continued support of the Bull Sale is greatly appreciated.

And, at the end of the sale, the winners of the raffle heifer and panels were announced.

This year’s raffle heifer was donated by Chris Gansberg and was won by Patty Norcutt.

The second place prize for the raffle was four panels donated by Hoof Beat Gates and went to John Keithley. The proceeds from this joint raffle benefit the Churchill County FFA and NCA. Along with the dedicated group of buyers and consignors that participate in the sale, there are several sponsors who help make the sale possible year after year. Thank you to our long time sponsors Pinenut Livestock (awards for Best of Breeds and Top Overall Range Bull and ear tags for the sale), and the Fallon Convention Center (grant for advertising).

Along with these dedicated sponsors, we would also like to thank our newest sponsors, Hoof Beat Gates and Corrals for donating the panels for the raffle; Bonanza Inn and Casino Super 8 Motel who donated rooms for the Fallon Bull Sale committee as well as the staff of NCA. Thank you to Chris Gansberg who contributed the raffle calf. Also, thank you to Dave Stix and John Falen for the donation calves. Without the support of these great sponsors the Fallon Bull Sale would not be possible.

Thank you to everyone for support and assistance in making our sale a success each year! Lastly, thank you to the crew at Fallon Livestock Exchange, the Churchill County FFA, and the Fallon Bull Sale Committee members. We greatly appreciate your hard work each year. See everyone again next year! 

Rita Armstrong Photos



Chris Gansberg, Fallon Bull Sale Committee Chairman announces award recipients at Dinner and Dance Top Left: Ring man Logan Ipsen confirms a bid with a buyer.

NCA Executive Director Desiree Seal with Rick and Jerrie Libby from Flying RJ Ranch awarded Best Overall Range Bull and Angus Best of Breed

4 March 2012

Dan Daniels of DTK Land and Cattle with the Hereford Best of Breed

The Progressive Rancher

www.progressiverancher.com

COW CAMP

Chatter

R on

W

To r e l l

, L on g - S ta n

d i n g E d u c at o r a n d A d v o c a t e o f

A g r ic u

lt u r e

hy do some calves survive being born on a cold, wet, blustery night while others under the same conditions die of hypothermia? Most will agree that these calves have a lot of heart with a strong will to live. When these nub-eared, bobtailed survivors are brought to the branding fire cowboys generally compliment the cow as a good mother. Much of the credit, however, can be attributed to the fascinating process of body heat generation known as thermogenesis. There are two types of thermogenesis: shivering and non-shivering.

Shivering thermogenesis helps the body create heat. The skeletal muscles create the shivering. The shivering heats up the body through this muscle activity and the hair’s insulation factor retains the heat.

Non-shivering thermogenesis is reliant upon energy. Energy, which is measured in calories, comes into the body as food. This energy, if not readily used, is stored in the body in the form of fat. Thermogenesis refers to the creation of heat from this fat. The ability of a newborn wet calf to dry off, warm up and bring its body core temperature to normal under adverse conditions is largely dependent on how much stored body fat is available.

There are both white and brown fat cells found in the body of both humans and animals. Much like money placed in a certificate of deposit in the bank, white fat cells are the primary long-term storage area of energy. The brown fat cells are the cells that compose adipose tissue specialized in storing readily available energy. They are like a furnace generating heat. These cells function just as split mahogany or crushed coal does in a wood stove. They burn faster and produce more heat providing immediate emergency access to the newborn calf.

Brown fat is extremely prevalent in healthy, newborn calves who exhibit tremendous amounts of non-shivering thermogenesis to regulate their body temperature. The brown fat is located around blood vessels and major organs insulating them. When triggered into activity it causes the blood to warm. The warm blood is then circulated throughout the body spreading the heat.

On a warm day without a challenge all may go well for a calf born from a thin cow

Hypothermia & Thermogenesis that did not have adequate pre-partum nutrition and/or body condition. On a cold, wet day with the wind blowing the chances of that same calf surviving are slim since it may lack an adequate amount of stored brown fat to warm itself.

If hypothermia in newborn calves is a consistent problem on your ranch perhaps it can be traced back to thin cows. Nutritional management of the beef herd might be to blame.

A calf may have the heart and will to live but if it has no fat storage hypothermia may take its toll primarily due to a lack of brown fat deposition during gestation.

It’s important to note that there are other factors that may contribute to hypothermia and impede thermogenesis. These may include an unusually long and difficult birth (dystocia), delayed delivery, oxygen deprivation at birth, calves born to first calf heifers, weak colostrums, or acidosis.

Should you find yourself in a situation of calving out very thin cows in inclement weather consider spending more time assisting those young calves at or immediately following delivery. Oftentimes a calf may not appear to be hypothermic. Upon taking its temperature you may find that the calf’s body temperature is below normal. The use of a thermometer is essential to determine the degree of hypothermia.

Returning a calf’s core body temperature to normal (1000 F. for newborn calves) is of immediate concern to ward off hypothermia. Place the cold calf in a heat box or under a heat lamp, submerge it in a warm bath, put it next to the heater in the house or place it on the floor board heater of a pickup truck. These are all effective methods that may be used to bring the calf’s body temperature up to normal.

Feeding the hypothermic calf warm colostrum as soon as possible speeds recovery and increases the probability of full recuperation. Breathing the warm air coupled with consumption of colostrum heats the calf from the inside out and provides it with the needed energy to overcome the trauma it just went through.

It is paramount to stay focused on the year-round management of your cow herd. There is little that can be done during the last week or two of pregnancy to add brown fat to a fetus gestating in a very thin body condition cow. This process requires a constant effort. Many factors contribute to successful calving. These include selecting cows with good genetics that have functional udders and good mothering ability, providing adequate nutrition to the brood cow, upholding body condition throughout the year, maintaining a quality mineral program, calving in an area that offers protection, and calving in sync with Mother Nature.

That’s enough for this month. A special thanks to my wife Jackie for her part in writing Cow Camp Chatter. As always, if you would like to discuss this article or simply want to talk cows, do not hesitate to contact me at 775-385-7665 or rtbulls@frontier.com.

RT Range-ready A.I. Sired Angus Bulls, Accelerated Genetics Semen, Custom Artificial Insemination & Ranch Management Consulting Ron & Jackie Torell ♦ 775-385-7665 ♦ rtbulls@frontier.com www.progressiverancher.com

The Progressive Rancher

March 2012 5

By Joe Guild

I

like chicken. No really, I even eat it occasionally much to my children’s surprise. It isn’t my favorite meat and those same children have known that since they were really little. Thus, the surprise they might express if they ever pry themselves away from their video games and read one of these columns. I do a lot of the cooking at our house because my wife is a real contributor to society as a first grade teacher and despite what you read the critics saying, even though their contract says their workday ends at 3:30 pm, every school teacher I know puts in at least a 9 to 10 hour day with homework on the weekends. This includes my wife. If we want home cooked meals at my house it falls on me most of the time to do it. I don’t mind by the way, because I am the crock pot king. An herb-rubbed whole chicken thrown in the old crock pot with an onion, some fresh garlic, two cups of wine and a couple of chopped carrots make a pretty good meal eight hours later. So yes, I do like chicken once in a while. Oh, and I really love eggs over medium with some extra crispy hash browns and bacon for breakfast. Therefore, I am glad there are chicken and egg producers out there even though the livestock industry is in direct competition for the meat spending dollar with them.

These guys have been through the ringer lately for their mass production techniques which have something to do with alleged overcrowding and unsanitary conditions preventing the birds from being in a more natural state. Also, the critics of the industry were able to get an initiative passed in California which will alleviate some of the current practices of the broiler and egg industry. In the livestock industry we are also seeing more and more criticism of so-called factory farming and alleged abuses of the animals in our charge by people who may never have set foot on a farm or a ranch.

In my opinion, it therefore behooves every rancher to read up on the latest Beef Quality Assurance literature and low intensity livestock handling techniques and to employ them when possible. Also, we should do everything in our power to make sure the animals in our care are treated in the most humane way they can be treated. In fact, I have seen ranchers do just this over the last 40 years as we find better ways to deal with our animals.

A mistreated animal is certainly worth a lot less than one cared for by good and proper husbandry and I believe most ranchers recognize this and wouldn’t want to mistreat their animals in any case.

That having been said, I also believe that animals do not have rights and should not be recognized in the law as having any rights. Society and the animals in our care have an expectation they be treated humanely and with utmost respect for what they provide us in the way of food, clothing and other vital products. I am sure some of you know whole legal treatises have been written making the argument animals do have legal rights and are therefore not the property of any human being. I think this is nonsense, but many people believe this.

This theory, which is obviously not widely accepted given the amount of meat and dairy products consumed by our fellow citizens, is the basis upon which animal rights organizations argue against using animals for food, pleasure, companionship and sport. A major player in the animal rights field is the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).

They are a bit more subtle in their tactics and, as I see it, will accept small victories in their quest to change the way humans deal with animals, even though the ultimate goal may be generations away from being achieved.

Let’s look at one example of why I think this is so. On the HSUS website (humanesociety.org) is a posting which relates to “humane eating”. Among other things, such eating would include “reducing the consumption of meat and other animal -based foods; refining the diet by avoiding products from the worst production systems (e.g., switching to cagefree eggs); and replacing meat and other animal- based foods in the diet with plant-based foods.” Now whether you agree with this goal or not, you have to admit it sounds reasonable, if we agree on the principle we are all free to choose what we want to eat, from where the food comes and how it is produced. So if, for example, I choose to eat my over medium eggs in the morning only if they come from chickens raised in a cage free environment, no one should have any heartburn about that because it is my choice. Assuming the market provides such a choice to me, even though I might pay more for my eggs, it is no big deal.

After all, we live in a free country and that is what makes us great including, of course, our

6 March 2012

ample supplies of cheap, safe and easily obtainable food raised by the best and most efficient farmers and ranchers in the world. Note to bumper sticker manufacturers: free choice in a free society on a full belly is a good thing!

But here is where I part ways with HSUS and their “reasonable” approach to advancing their agenda. When you go to the web site, it is all about saving puppies and kitties with your donation of just a few dollars. I suspect most people are duped by this solicitation and send in their $19 thinking it will go to the local animal shelter to keep another unwanted animal from being euthanized. With such solicitations, the HSUS claims to have over 11 million members. If my math and their claim of membership are correct, they garner about $190,000,000 a year. Those of us who have been following HSUS’s activities through the years know they have a large lobbying presence in Washington, D.C. and in many state capitols. The budget for these lobbying efforts, I read somewhere, is in the tens of millions of dollars a year and the actual support of local animal shelters is maybe less than 1% of the annual HSUS budget. So I have some concern this organization is not entirely forthright in explaining what their true agenda is.

More than that concern however is the announcement last year of an agreement HSUS reached with the United Egg Producers (UEP). In exchange for HSUS dropping state efforts to regulate egg production, the UEP agreed to support federal legislation to codify standards for the size of egg laying cages among other things. This would be a first for Congress if this legislation passed. National standards for on –the –farm production practices would be put into place for the first time. The precedent set in this case would eventually be attempted by groups such as HSUS to be applied to the livestock industry. This would be an unmitigated disaster for the cattle and sheep industries in this country. I can’t imagine a more diverse couple of agricultural enterprises than a farm flock of sheep in Georgia with several hundred ewes as opposed to a range sheep operation in Wyoming with 5,000 ewes. The Georgia sheep might spend their whole lives on a completely fenced farm of less than a thousand acres with corn and soy bean or cotton crops also grown on the place.

Whereas the Wyoming ewes might see a fence twice a year at shearing and shipping times and probably traverse hundreds of thousands of acres and travel several hundred miles in their yearly trails across the public ranges. Trying to impose a national production standard on the sheep industry would only lead to confusion at best and outright law- breaking at worst. The above example could be easily substituted using cattle instead of sheep as the affected industry.

Whenever the Federal Government overreaches and attempts to regulate beyond common sense or in an area which has a special need for specific knowledge which can only be gained from years of experience obtained way beyond the confines of a bureaucratic warren, the inevitable misunderstanding and confusion leads industry to be less efficient and more expensive. A recent example of this, you are all familiar with, was the proposal by the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division to do away with the so-called parental exemption for employment of children in agriculture. The exemption allows children of any age who are employed by the parent to do any job on a farm or ranch. The proposal now being reevaluated by the Department would have prevented all children under the age of 15 from being employed in agricultural jobs. Talk about a blow at the very heart of family farms and ranches! Nonetheless, because of massive amount of criticism from the country, the parental exemption will most likely be kept in place as it has been since 1966.

Now don’t get me wrong, if there is animal abuse occurring, I think some regulation and enforcement is warranted. However, regulation of farm animals has to be balanced with the problem of feeding an increasing growing world population in a way that is environmentally sound and sustainable for the planet. If chickens need more space and the ability to go outside, then that should be the standard, but the notion that Washington D.C. can impose a standard which fits every egg raising situation in this entire country is ludicrous on its face. Certainly, if this notion is ridiculous, then the precedent set with this idea should never be applied to even more fragmented sectors of agriculture.

I would urge readers to beware of wolves in sheep’s clothing, however reasonable things might appear. Furthermore, treat your animals humanely and with respect. Finally, enjoy your bacon and eggs with hash browns.

I’ll see you soon.

The Progressive Rancher

www.progressiverancher.com

OFFICE: 775-423-7760 JACK PAYNE

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

Email: nevadalm@yahoo.com

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

Sales Results from February 15 & 16, 2012 Regular Butcher Cow, Bull, Bred Cow and Feeder Sale Seller

City

# Head

Desc.

Type

Lovelock

1/1

BLK

Fallon

1/1

RD

Elko Land & Livestock

Battle Mountain

24

BLK

Elko Land & Livestock

Battle Mountain

24

BLK

Elko Land & Livestock

Battle Mountain

34

RD

Lazy D Livestock

Pioche

5

MIX

Lazy D Livestock

Pioche

13

MIX

Sun Touch Solar

Fallon

2

RD

Paradise Valley

3

BLK

Fallon

1

BBF

5 6 7 36 64 4 13 6 6 5 1 6 15 18 2 11 2 13 10 38 14 3 9 12 2 4 3 1 2 4 1 2 2 2 2 8

BLK BLK BLK MIX MIX MIX MIX MIX MIX BLK BLK BLK BLK BLK MIX MIX BLK MIX BLK BLK BLK RD MIX RD MIX MIX MIX MIX BLK MIX BLK BLK MIX MIX RD BLK

Cow/Calf Pair 3 yr old Cow/Calf Pair Broken Mouth 3&4 yr old May/June Calvers Broken Mouth Mar/April Broken Mouth Mar/April 5&6 yr old Summer Calvers Broken Mouth Summer Calvers 6&7 yr old May Calvers 5&6 yr old Summer Calvers Broken Mouth Bred Cow STR STR STR STR STR STR STR STR STR STR STR STR STR STR STR STR STR STR STR STR STR STR STR STR STR STR STR STR STR STR STR STR STR STR STR STR

1

BWF

1 18 1 1 2 1 33 7 4 4 6 1 4 1 2 1 3

MIX MIX BLK BBF RD BLK MIX MIX BLK MIX MIX BBF MIX BLK MIX BBF MIX

Jim Estill Richard Allegre

Duane & Tammy Boggio

John Southfield

Fish Creek Ranch Eureka Tim Lawson Fallon Tim Lawson Fallon Ted & Dorothy Payne Jordan Valley Ted & Dorothy Payne Jordan Valley Leroy Hicks Schurz Tommy & Barbara Moore Jordan Valley Tommy & Barbara Moore Jordan Valley Ninety Six Ranch Paradise Valley Bubba Jenco Alamo Kayleen Blasingame Alamo John Uhalde & Co Ely John Uhalde & Co Ely John Uhalde & Co Ely Henry & Joi Brackenbury Yerington Jared Brackenbury Reno Jared Brackenbury Reno John Guerrero Wadsworth Steve Medlin Alamo Steve Medlin Alamo Steve Medlin Alamo Ray Knisley Lovelock Ray Knisley Lovelock Ray Knisley Lovelock Tyra Lytle Caliente Tyra Lytle Caliente Jerry Johnston Alamo Janet Lind Alamo George Hucke Fallon Susan & David Kern Paradise Valley Alan & Lillian Mendes Reno Salvador Galindo Imlay Dennis & Carolyn Larsen Lund Charlie Knittle Fallon Charlie Knittle Fallon Domingo Segura Fallon Juanita Ruthel Eureka Martin Trust Michelle Kyte Fallon Larry & Ynez Kyte Fallon Robert Garfield Carlin Robert Garfield Carlin Diane Powers Winnemucca Jim Bath Ely Guy Fowler Fallon Guy Fowler Fallon Corkill Bros Inc Fallon Gene Heckman Winnemucca Kenneth Buckingham Paradise Valley Gary & Pauline Grimm Winnemucca Dusty McDaniel Battle Mountain Eddie & Gloria Venturacci Fallon Dave Stix Fernley Jake Casey Fallon Victor Guzman Schurz

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Weight

Price CWT

930 $1,300.00/hd 1010

$935.00/hd

1220 $1,425.00/hd

1308 $1,190.00/hd 1300 $1,150.00/hd 1501 $1,380.00/hd

1279 $1,000.00/hd

1063 $1,210.00/hd 1417 $1,170.00/hd

1310 $1,000.00/hd 344 395 506 431 485 333 458 604 479 440 440 472 526 634 483 452 743 484 407 479 591 440 498 596 475 349 475 475 448 420 515 418 460 480 575 524

$210.00 $205.50 $189.50 $200.00 $198.50 $200.00 $199.25 $171.00 $198.00 $198.00 $198.00 $197.00 $190.00 $167.50 $197.00 $197.00 $146.00 $197.00 $196.00 $194.50 $172.00 $195.00 $179.00 $168.75 $193.00 $186.00 $193.00 $193.00 $187.00 $186.00 $185.00 $183.00 $181.00 $177.00 $164.00 $176.00

STR

405

$174.00

STR STR STR STR STR STR STR STR STR STR STR STR STR STR STR STR STR

599 600 415 475 468 634 591 743 578 648 618 635 546 671 675 440 433

$173.00 $173.00 $171.00 $161.00 $171.00 $167.50 $166.00 $150.00 $163.00 $160.00 $159.00 $156.00 $155.00 $153.00 $152.50 $151.00 $150.00

Regular Sale Every Wednesday Small Barn at 10:30 am Cows at 11:30 am Feeder Cattle at 1:00 pm

Little Ashland McKay was born four months ago with a malignant tumor.

The March 14th & 15th sale will donate part of the commission to Ashlyn’s parents for medical bills.

Donating an animal or your own monetary contribution would be very appreciated as well.

Call Jack or Rachel for more information.

SaleS Feeder Sale in conjunction with our Regular Wednesday sale

March 14th & 15th 150 bred cows and pairs and 500 feeders already consigned

April 18th & 19th Butcher cows on Wednesday Feeder cattle on Thursday starting at 11 am

Thank You to all of our Consignors & Buyers Look for Weekly Market Reports at www.nevadalivestock.us The Progressive Rancher

Sales Results from February 15 & 16, 2012 Regular Butcher Cow, Bull, Bred Cow and Feeder Sale Seller

City

# Head

Desc.

Type

Weight

Price CWT

Ken & Victoria Richardson Harriman and Son Harriman and Son Leroy Sestanovich Shawn & Mindy Goemmer Donald Quintero Peraldo Brothers Maria Enriquez Lance Gomes Fish Creek Ranch Fish Creek Ranch Jeff Meadows Arlo & Sheila Crutcher Arlo & Sheila Crutcher Dennis & Carolyn Larsen Tim Lawson Tim Lawson Ted & Dorothy Payne Tommy & Barbara Moore Foster Ranch Partnership Foster Ranch Partnership Gene Heckman Michael & Gretchen McNinch Jake & Lydia Dempsey Jake & Lydia Dempsey John Guerrero Sterling Lambert George Hucke Domingo Segura Guy Fowler Sally Branch Alan & Lillian Mendes Michelle Kyte Larry & Ynez Kyte Bob Baldwin Bob Baldwin Ken & Beverly Conley Louie Guazzini Louie Guazzini C-Punch Ranch Mark Venturacci Douglas Quintero Calvin & Billie Sample Calvin & Billie Sample Calvin & Billie Sample Henry & Joi Brackenbury Ray Knisley Juanita Ruthel Martin Trust Harriman and Son Desert Hills Dairy Maureen & Ken Smith Bob Ross Juanita Ruthel Martin Trust Western Nevada Cattle LLC Michelle Kyte Sunrise Ranch LLC Bob Gordon Larry & Ynez Kyte Susan & David Kern Pat Hauch Desert Hills Dairy Jessie Rose Dairy Whitaker Dairy Whitaker Dairy Scott Regli Phil Regli Oasis Dairy LLC C-Punch Ranch Tom Weddell Armando Chavira Espil Sheep Co Crawford Cattle Co Five Fingers Grazing Assoc

Schurz Fallon Fallon Carlin Battle Mountain Schurz Fallon Fallon Fallon Eureka Eureka Fallon McDermitt McDermitt Lund Fallon Fallon Jordan Valley Jordan Valley Winnemucca Winnemucca Winnemucca Winnemucca Winnemucca Winnemucca Wadsworth Fallon Fallon Fallon Fallon Winnemucca Reno Fallon Fallon Fallon Fallon Eureka Fallon Fallon Lovelock Fallon Schurz Lovelock Lovelock Lovelock Yerington Lovelock Eureka Fallon Yerington Winnemucca Fallon Eureka Lovelock Fallon Yerington Winnemucca Fallon Paradise Valley Fallon Yerington Fallon Fallon Fallon Fallon Fallon Fallon Lovelock Fallon Fallon Gerlach Winnemucca Paradise Valley

3 12 7 12 3 3 5 1 11 9 12 7 5 2 7 8 6 31 18 4 7 12 3 5 4 11 6 7 8 26 3 2 5 16 4 3 3 15 16 2 6 17 5 13 4 2 6 3 9 10 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 1 10 1 1 1

MIX MIX CHAR MIX MIX MIX BLK BLK HOLSTEIN MIX BLK BLK MIX MIX MIX BLK MIX BBF MIX BLK BLK RD RD MIX BLK MIX MIX BLK BLK MIX MIX MIX MIX MIX BLK MIX BLK CHAR CHAR MIX MIX MIX BLK BLK BLK BLK RD BLK CHAR HOLSTEIN BLK WF WF WF BLK BLK BLK BLK RBF BLK HOLSTEIN HOLSTEIN HOLSTEIN HOLSTEIN HOLSTEIN HOLSTEIN HOLSTEIN BLK BLK HOLSTEIN BLK BLK BLK

STR STR STR STR STR STR STR STR STR HFR HFR HFR HFR HFR HFR HFR HFR HFR HFR HFR HFR HFR HFR HFR HFR HFR HFR HFR HFR HFR HFR HFR HFR HFR HFR HFR HFR HFR HFR HFR HFR HFR HFR HFR HFR HFR HFR HFR HFR HFR HFRTT HFRTT COW COW COW COW COW COW COW COW COW COW COW COW COW COW COW BULL BULL Bull Calf BULL BULL BULL

480 795 879 698 643 463 706 1075 592 342 675 428 358 413 418 428 513 479 440 448 824 465 367 380 553 435 470 526 546 569 505 473 573 573 575 762 523 595 849 575 627 457 623 676 779 503 626 603 790 928 1023 1100 1270 1425 1620 1230 1350 1205 1105 1535 1710 1430 1685 1510 1710 1305 1400 812 2085 451 1770 1670 1390

$149.00 $149.00 $143.25 $147.25 $142.50 $140.00 $140.00 $87.50 $97.25 $198.50 $145.50 $191.00 $185.00 $178.00 $184.50 $181.00 $170.00 $180.00 $179.00 $179.00 $132.00 $179.00 $177.00 $177.00 $166.00 $177.00 $175.00 $169.00 $166.00 $162.00 $160.00 $159.00 $159.00 $159.00 $154.00 $121.00 $152.50 $151.25 $129.50 $150.00 $150.00 $150.00 $147.50 $143.75 $142.50 $144.00 $144.00 $140.00 $137.75 $89.00 $89.00 $85.00 $79.00 $75.25 $75.00 $74.00 $73.25 $73.00 $72.00 $68.25 $74.25 $74.25 $73.00 $72.50 $71.75 $70.75 $70.25 $111.50 $82.75 $91.00 $70.00 $68.00 $65.50

We have been having feeder sales every two weeks and each time the market gets higher. How high will it get? Packers seem to be feeling the crunch but the board keeps climbing. Butcher cow demand to the east seems to be climbing faster than the west as they are starting to feel the effects of the huge sell off in 2011. Look for some high priced cows and bulls through spring and summer.

March 2012 7

On horseback, rear; Mike Morgan. Left to right: Jay Rust, Jeff Jones, TJ Jones, Heather Wardell, Travis Jones, Chase Rearden.

Salers Cattle Help Utah Family Build a Successful Ranch From the Ground Up

By Jo Dexter

J

eff Jones of Morgan County, Utah decided early what he was going to do when he grew up. “I’m the oldest of six boys and my dad was determined to do everything right with me,” he shared. “Dad insisted I went to college and graduate.” So, Jeff attended Utah State University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science and a minor in Range Management. But before, during high school, Jeff made up his mind to own

Herding J Reverse J cattle

8 March 2012

cows. “In 1973, at fifteen years old, I was able to get a loan through the National FFA Organization and I bought cattle.

That was the start of my herd and my dream,” he explained.

Pursuing a Dream After college, Jeff moved back home and married Julie, a local girl. They started from scratch. In the 1980’s, Jeff and Julie bought the house and acreage where he grew up. “I worked construction for 10 years to help pay for our

cow herd and Julie got a job with Browning, a local firearms manufacturer. Over the years, she has helped me hold things together and made sure we didn’t starve,” states Jeff.

Through time and hard work, they built a successful commercial cow-calf operation – J Reverse J Cattle Company.

Presently, the Jones family has more than 650 Salers x Angus and Salers x Hereford cows; they lease nearly 40,000 acres between their ranch base in Morgan, Utah and their

Jeff Jones, owner of J Reverse J Cattle Company. Photographed at a September 2011 roundup.

The Progressive Rancher

www.progressiverancher.com

summer range near Evanston, Wyo. While in college, Jeff was on the judging team. He judged several Salers carcasses and was impressed with their quality. It was at the National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colo. where he saw his first live Salers cattle. Rocking M Cattle Company had a display of young Salers cows. “I was in awe. The cows were in poor shape, but had calved high in the mountains of Idaho and brought out live calves – which was the point,” remembers Jeff. In 1983, the J Reverse J purchased their first Salers cows at a Rocking M Cattle Company sale.

“We found not only were Salers cattle tough under rugged and extreme conditions, they had tremendous calving ease, range-ability, fertility and longevity,” says Jeff.

Building with Salers Since their first purchase, the Jones family has come to depend on the various traits Salers cattle offer, including their docility. Currently at the J Reverse J, replacement heifers start calving in March and with only two men tending the cows, they typically have a 95% live calf rate. The calving ground is right at 5,200 feet – rocky sage brush country – and it is a good distance to water. Cattle that travel on sound feet and legs and calves with vigor are a must.

Branding takes place in April, and the Jones crew will rope and drag to the fire 300 calves a day. “Branding is a big deal at our ranch,” says Jeff. “We do it the old fashioned way and our family and neighbors help.” A week later, the pairs are trailed to the spring range. In early June, they gather and load the cattle from make-shift facilities where they are trucked to various higher elevation summer allotments.

The ideal cow at the J Reverse J is a 1,200- to 1,300-pound Salers cow with average milk that weans a 550-pound calf. “We feed as little hay as possible and some protein block, but never any grain or cake – the cattle have to get by on the hay we raise on our river bottom country,” says Jeff. In late October, the pairs are brought down and worked at the ranch base. Calves are vaccinated and weaned, while the cows are trailed back up on the fall range where they stay until late December.

Successful Marketing When it comes to marketing calves, Jeff is particular about where he goes. “I sell my calves where they appreciate our quality Salers cattle,” states Jeff. After weaning, the calves are back grounded until they reach 650 pounds – usually mid to late January. “For nearly 20 years, we’ve had really good luck selling feeder cattle through Producers Livestock in Greeley, Colo. and more recently Torrington Livestock’s Cattle Country Video of Torrington, Wyo.,” says Jeff.

At the J Reverse J, they also develop and sell composite bulls as well as replacement heifers. Recently, Jeff helped plan a seminar on selecting bulls for high altitude breeding.

“Brisket Disease is becoming more of a problem and ranchers in the area are being careful about Pulmonary Artery Pressure (PAP) in scores of bulls they buy,” says Jeff. “A large cattle rancher based in Encampment, Wyo., stood up at our seminar and said ‘Of all the continental breeds, Salers are the best there is at high elevation and seem to have the least problem with Brisket Disease.’”

The Jones family keeps 75 head of replacement heifers each year. The breeding bulls needed by the ranch are either raised or purchased. “Right now, it takes some Angus to sell your calves for a good price,” states Jeff. “I would not trade my Salers cows for any other breed. We primarily buy our Salers bulls and females from MacDonald Ranches in North Dakota. Their cattle have been great on disposition and the best doing Salers we have had.”

On their higher percentage Salers cows, the J Reverse J uses composite Simmental-Angus bulls to keep the heterosis and turn their calves black.

Upcoming Sales

Wednesday, April 11th At Holiday Inn, Visalia, CA Catalog Deadline: March 27th

Thursday, May 3rd at Shasta Livestock, Cottonwood, CA

Thursday, May 24th At Shasta Livestock, Cottonwood, CA

WATCH & LISTEN TO THE SALE on the Web at:

A Family Operation Family is also a key component of the J Reverse J operation. “Curt and Bonnie Jones, my mother and father, deserve the credit for instilling great values and determination in me,” says Jeff. Not to mention, Jeff and Julie have two sons. T.J., the oldest, is married to Leanne. They have a daughter Ava, who is 2 years old. T.J. works for an oil company. After work and on the weekends, they spend time helping at the ranch and they have a small group of cattle. Travis is 22 and Jeff’s main ranch hand. He, too, is pursuing a life in cattle ranching and was able to get a low-interest loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency to start his cow herd. Travis currently runs 100 head of cows with his parents herd. Heather, his girlfriend, is also a hand on the ranch. “She rides, ropes and mechanics on equipment right alongside Travis and me when she is not attending class at the area tech school or working at the local garage,” says Jeff. Additionally, Jeff’s five brothers have horses and help ride the summer ranges, brand and work cattle.

“Our methods and our philosophies are simple,” states Jeff. “We are a family horseback, cow ranch outfit, and very proud of it.” In fact, content with his chosen way of life and proud of his family best describes Jeff Jones. Salers cattle have provided the foundation for a lifestyle and profitable business at J Reverse J Cattle Company. “Urban pressure is increasing in our area. We know the time will come when we have to move our operation and when we do we will know where we have to be and our Salers cattle will go with us,” concludes Jeff. www.progressiverancher.com

The Progressive Rancher

March 2012 9

Josephine Saval Bartorelli 1919 - 2012

Lifelong northern Nevada resident and longtime Lander County rancher Josephine Saval Bartorelli died at home in Pleasant Valley Jan. 10 at age 92. She suffered a stroke last May and had been battling the effects since then. She was known mostly by her nickname, Machi.

She was born Nov. 1, 1919, in San Francisco to Basque ranchers Joe and Jesusa Saval. After her birth they returned to the family ranch, which was headquartered in Battle Mountain and had holdings spreading from Jack Creek in northern Elko County to Fallon. They raised both cattle and sheep and her earliest memories included rides with her father to check on his various sheep camps. She truly enjoyed stuffing her clothes into a flour sack and climbing in to the Model T for the big adventure. As a young child, she was particularly amazed at her father’s uncanny

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renO (775) 825-7282 FaLLOn eLKO

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ability to always be able to locate a buried Dutch oven with a delicious warm dinner at the sheep camps.

She attended elementary school in Battle Mountain and high school at St. Theresa’s Academy in Boise. After high school, she moved to Elko and worked for the law offices of McNamara and Robbins. She married Tedo Bartorelli on May 1, 1940, and they took over operation of the family ranch in Buffalo Valley in 1952.

They retired from the ranch in 1982 and moved to Pleasant Valley. Her husband died in 1989, and she sold her interest in the Saval Ranch to her sisters in 1990.

She liked to point out that her family’s desert ranching operation was quite different from ranching around Elko. In most years, they were able to winter many of their cows out on the range. She was very active in the operation of the ranch, taking part in the riding as well as the cooking and bookkeeping. She also was proud of the improvements she accomplished on the ranch, including developing new water sources, establishing alfalfa fields and adding several management fences. Prior to the addition of the new fences, their cattle grazed across nearly a half million acres of BLM rangeland that featured only a single perimeter fence.

She had a strong passion for the ranching industry and her sheep, a deep devotion to the Catholic Faith and a great pride in her Basque heritage. She was a devoted wife, mother and friend and enthusiastic supporter of the Elko County Fair, where she loved to sport exotic headwear in her box at the finish line. She also was the namesake of Machi’s Cafe and Saloon, where she spent countless hours in the early 1980s helping her daughter get the new business up and running. She was famous at the restaurant for her cheesecakes, which she continued to supply until her illness last spring.

She is survived by her daughters, Casey DeWitt, Mikie Gottschalk and Dorothy Steninger; seven grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter.

The Rosary was recited at Burns Funeral Home Jan. 13 and a Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated the following day at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.

The family has established a memorial fund dedicated to sponsoring the horse races at the Elko County Fair and Livestock Show. Those wishing to do so, may direct their donations to the Machi Memorial Fund in care of Elko Federal Credit Union, 2397 Mountain City Highway, Elko, Nev. 89801.

Photos from left to right: Little Josephine held by her father Joe Saval at right at their Snow Canyon Ranch in Independence Valley. Her sister Dee is held by their mother Jesusa. Others are unidentified Tedo and Josephine Bartorelli at their 40th Anniversary Josephine at the Elko County Fair Josephine feeding cows

Submitted Photos

10

AAC_ProgressiveRanch_div_5x5.5.indd 1 March

2012

2/7/2012Progressive 12:09:47 PM The Rancher

www.progressiverancher.com

MARKET REPORT

Ship ’Em To

LLON A F

February 21, 2012

Weight

TOP OFFERINGS Steer

Heifer

300-400 134.00-189.00 131.75-142.00 400-500 158.00-169.00 134.00-155.00 500-600 150.00-161.00 115.00-139.00 600-700 126.25-141.00 110.00-134.00 700-800 122.00-142.00 123.25-140.00 800 & Over 107.00-141.00 100.00-113.00 Lite Holstein (under 600#) 75.00-93.00 Heavy Holstein (over 600#) 70.00-80.00 Single, Small Framed or Plainer Cattle 15.00 to 20.00 less than top offerings

BUTCHER COWS & BULLS

Livestock Exchange, Inc. Sale Every Tuesday at 11:00 am Selling All Classes of Livestock: • Cattle • Horses • Sheep • Goats • Pigs

Beefma s We Sale Saturday, March 10th, at 1:00 PM

— The Be in Beefma s — featuring 40 Bulls • 20 Females

8th Annual

Back to Grass

Special Calf and Yearling Sale Tuesday, April 3rd, at 1:00 PM We would like to say thank you to all of our consignors and buyers, for your continued support.

Breakers (Fat Cows) Boners (Med Flesh) Cutters (Lean) Holstein Cows Butcher Bulls Shelly (Thin) Bulls Shelly Cutters (Thin) Young Feeder Cows Heiferettes Holstein Bulls Feeder Bulls Cutting Bulls Preg Tested Cows (3-4-5 yr. old solid mouth) Pairs (solid mouth) 3-6 yrs Pairs (broken mouth)

60.00-66.00 67.00-81.00 50.00-58.00 50.00-74.50 76.50-88.00 40.00-52.00 20.00-40.00 50.00-65.00 75.00-65.00 70.00-80.00 60.00-65.00 80.00-95.00 NT NT NT

TODAY’S COWS Top Cow Top 10 Cows Top 50 Cows Top 100 Cows Top Butcher Bull Top Holstein Cow Top 10 Holstein Cows

Avg. Wt 1655 1487 1225 1225 2050 1660 1685

Avg. Cost 82.00 78.10 69.65 68.89 88.00 74.50 70.13

CALVES-SHEEP-GOATS-PIGS-HORSES Beef Calves (HD) Dairy Calves Feeder Lambs Fat Lambs Ewes (CWT) Bucks (CWT) Small Goats (under 65 lbs.) (HD) Large Goats (over 70 lbs.) (HD) Weaner Pigs Feeder Pigs Top Hogs Butcher Sows Horses (under 1100 lbs.)

Horses (over 1100 lbs.)

60.00-275.00 2.00-35.00 185.00-199.00 140.00-165.00 35.00-71.00 45.00-68.00 20.00-110.00 95.00-185.00 30.00-50.00 60.00-130.00 55.00-60.00 20.00-40.00 8.00-15.00 15.00-18.00

MARKET TRENDS: Feeder cattle sold steady with very active and strong buyer demand on same kind and quality, and depending on fill. Butcher cows also sold steady to $2.00 higher on high yielding cows Remember: We have trucks available for your hauling needs, pasture to pasture or here to the sale yard.

Call us with your consignments, it pays.

Fallon Livestock Exchange, Inc.

For more marketing information, or to arrange trucking needs: Call Monte Bruck, Manager at

775-867-2020

775-426-8279

2055 Trento Lane • Fallon, Nevada 89406

See you and your Friends at Ringside Soon! www.progressiverancher.com

The Progressive Rancher

March 2012 11

Selling: • 50 Angus Fall Yearling Bulls • 80 Angus Yearling Bulls

Wednesday, March 21, 2012 1:00 PM MST Blackfoot, Idaho

• 10 Sim/Angus Yearling Bulls • 50 Open Commercial Angus & Sim/ Angus Heifers Progeny by these top AI sires: • Sitz Dash • Sitz Upward • SAV Bismarck • SAV Iron Mountain

Rugged Bulls Developed In A Harsh Environment

• SAV Net Worth

All bulls will:

• Kesslers Frontman

• Have ultrasound data

• Nichols Extra K205

• Be semen tested • Be BVD tested

VIEW/BID LIVE ON THE INTERNET:

LiveAuctions TV LIVE ON THE INTERNET. LIVE AUDIO. LIVE VIDEO. BIDDING

http://www.LiveAuctions.tv

Lot 81 – Sitz Dash Son

• Be NH, AM and CA free

Lot 15 — K205 Son

elivery within Free d les on bulls i 300 m

12 March 2012

The Progressive Rancher

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T

he coming of spring is such a great time to be alive! Even with the ululations of the weather. First we have warm dry weather, then a bit of snow, then bitter cold, then back to mild warm sunshine. This is all during heaving calving of the heifers about the country. Such is Nevada. If you don’t like the weather, just wait an hour. Old proverb!

Water is going to be a big problem in Nevada this year. No snow packs to replenish the stock ponds and aquifers. According to the Almanac, February is supposed to be wet. Still have a bit of February left. We’ll all do a rain dance or snow boogie. That should help!

——— ❁ ——— It is really depressing to read the livestock journals now days. It is just such a struggle to keep the feds at bay! Everybody wants someone else to feed them. It’s much easier to lie on the couch, eat junk processed food and watch government sponsored programs. Who wants to chop weeds, trap gophers, trim trees, erect a fence or do anything associated with work when the public can get government assisted living? But where is the government paycheck coming from? Obama promised more jobs for those who do want work. But— where are the jobs being created? Government?? Where is that money coming from? The working class, that’s who. It’s not new money from the private sector or business sector.

They are being suppressed in favor of more government handouts.

Can you tell? I’ve been listening to Fox News on my way to help calve heifers! And the rest of the media want to shut Fox up! Wonder why?

Sure hope we, as a nation, wake up to see where we are headed with our liberal president and his liberal congress. Use your power of vote! You probably won’t be able to influence the presidential vote. That’s already bought and paid for with your money. But you sure can influence the congressional vote and attitude, both nationwide and state wide! But first, you must register to vote in your district!!!!! That means all of you that think you are just one vote and don’t really count!!! You matter!

Horse Snorts

AND

Cow Bawls

by Jeanne King

——— ❁ ——— Samme had to feed the heifers last week by herself so she got Emma to drive for her. Come to find out, Emma was grounded for having an attitude with her mother. Imagine that! History repeats itself. Samme asked her what she was grounded from.

“My fake phone, TV, and the computer. But I can live with that!”

Just like her mother, I may be grounded, but you aren’t going to see me chastised!!!!

——— ❁ ——— Emma is into texting now that she’s off the grounded list. She texts Aunt Samme whom she calls Antie Samme. This is on a recent trip to Twin Falls.

“Antie, we are going to get a hair cut, if my mom can find Ant Tammy’s shop-Ok. Found it” Play by play of the whole trip. She even spells like the “text shops.” Shortens words and spells them like they sound. Which makes sense, sort of.

——— ❁ ——— Two siblings, boy age 4 and girl age 2 were trying to be toilet trained by their parents.

The boy, as he was older was getting the pressure and not responding very well.

One day, the little girl takes him by the hand and states, “Come on Terrill, I show you.”

And she did. She stood over the pot, showed him how to pee! He never missed after that.

She didn’t get herself trained at that time, but it wasn’t much longer. This particular girl was always and still is, much advanced for her age. Makes you wonder what is in store for her in the long run! I think she is in college now. Each generation get smarter and smarter.

Might lack a bit on the common, using sense. But that may come with living.

——— ❁ ——— By the time this gets to print, we may be having weeds and flowers popping up. Nothing stops the weeds and a flower is just misplaced weed!

Take care and keep on top of things!

The “Quality Comes First”

MALSON ANGUS & HEREFORDS BULL SALE March 19, 2012 • 1 p.m. at the ranch near Parma, Idaho

Offering Yearling, Fall and Two-year-old Bulls • 55 Angus • 5 Hereford He Sells!

BW: +.5 WW: +67 yW: +123 Milk: +22 Marb: +.37 re: +.24 $W: +38.07 $F: +59.50 $G: +24.23 $B: +63.09 MAlsoNs HAMMer 203X sire: Pine ridge Hammer s322 dam’s sire: Krone royal

Bulls sired By: Malsons Cobra 50N WK Pow-Wow Pine ridge Hammer sitz upward 307r s A V Pioneer 7301 WK uptown soo line Alternative C 717 Harland 8180 Call or email to request a sale book!

doB: 9/11/2010

Where Quality Comes First

Mark & Carla Malson & Family 2901 SW 9th Ave. • Parma, ID 83660 Mark (208) 739-1059 Josh (208) 739-0725 Joe (208) 550-7251 malsonangus@aol.com

www.malsonangus.com www.progressiverancher.com

The Progressive Rancher

March 2012 13

LookUP P

romise defined (Webster’s): 1. an agreement to do or not to do something. 2. indication of a successful future. 3. to give a basis for something expected.

As of this writing, February 10th, there are many folks getting ready to make promises on February 14th. Valentine’s Day seems to bring floods of couples to Reno, Vegas, Elko and other towns in Nevada in order to say “I do” on the Big Red Heart Day. We as humans promise all kinds of things to each other, usually with the best of intentions. Sadly, sometimes these promises, even sacred promises, are broken. Well, glory to God, I know Someone who always keeps His Word.

II Corinthians 1:20 NAS – For as many as may be the promises of God in Him they are yes; wherefore also by Him is our Amen (so let it be) to the glory of God through us.

God’s promises are yes and amen to the glory of God. As I was driving about yesterday, I was reminded of the rainbow covenant (or promise) God made with mankind in Genesis 9:8-17. It was a clear, beautiful day with a few light, white, fluffy clouds. I saw off in the east, right next to one of the small clouds, a small rainbow, about the size and shape of a potato. Now this blessed my heart as I was standing on a promise of God in Deuteronomy 28:4&8 that said my cattle and their increase are blessed, if I diligently obey God to the best of my ability (Deuteronomy 28:1).

The evening before, several of us had searched unsuccessfully for a baby calf that was missing; our concern being that in this large field are lots of ditches and holes that a little calf could fall into. Coyotes were also in the back of our minds.

Well, praise the Lord, when I saw that rainbow, my faith soared and I started remembering God’s promises and started confessing them out load. By the time I got out to the

“

Watering the

West

”

Office: (775) 738-2677

I Promise

by Pastor Diana Gonzalez

cows, there was no doubt that our little calf would be with her mother and brother (did I mention she was a twin?). So there they all were soaking up the sun as happy as little Spring calves can be. God’s promises are yes and amen!

Genesis 9:12-14 NKJV – And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant (promise) which I make between Me and you, and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. It shall be, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud; and I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh.”

God said I promise and God cannot lie.

Hebrews 6:13 NKJV – For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, “Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.” And so, after he (Abraham) had patiently endured (25 years), he obtained the promise (Isaac, his son).

Keys to receive: 1. Know that God loves you and wants to bless you. John 3:16, John 10:10, I John 4:8&16, I Corinthians 13:8, Hebrews 11:6 2. Read your Bible, concentrating on passages of God’s promises. Find out who you are in and through Christ Jesus and what your authority is.

Joshua 1:8 NKJV – This Book of the Law (the Word) shall not depart from your mouth (say it!) but you shall meditate in it day and night (action), that you may observe to do (action) according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

That’s God speaking to Joshua.

3. Have faith in God. Mark 11:22, Hebrews chapter 11. Faith is the power that brings to pass God’s promises.

Hebrews 11:6 NKJV – Without faith it is impossible to please Him (God).

4. Develop an attitude of gratitude.

I Corinthians 15:57 NKJV – Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

II Corinthians 2:14 NKJV – Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ.

I Corinthians 16:14 NKJV – Let all that you do be done with love.

God says yes to all His promises, God says I promise – I believe, I receive, thank you, Lord.

Happy trails. May God richly bless you. We love you and would love to hear from you.

If you would like someone to pray with, or just have a question, please give us a call at (775) 867-3100. ‘Til next time….

Fax: (775) 738-2367

You are invited to

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Are you having a Rodeo or Livestock event?

Give us a call.

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Hwy. 395 /A3 — Standish 4-H Hall

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

14 March 2012

The Progressive Rancher

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

(775) 867-3100 Cell (775) 426-1107

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The Rev. Jackie Leonard establishes the Ann and Orville Wilson Scholar Program

The Rev. Jackie Leonard is continuing her family’s commitment to higher education in Nevada. Ms. Leonard recently established the Ann and Orville Wilson Memorial Scholarship Fund through the Great Basin College Foundation.

With an initial gift of $50,000 to the Foundation’s VISION 2020 scholarship initiative, the Wilson Scholarships will be awarded annually to three women and three men. The recipients will be named Wilson Scholars. Students from any campus across the college’s entire 62,000 square mile service can qualify for the award.

Great Basin College Foundation Executive Director John Patrick Rice said Leonard’s generosity will benefit students for years to come.

“We are deeply appreciative of Jackie’s gift to our students. “ Leonard presented the funds to the FoundaJackie Leonard tion on February 6. The date marks her birthday and Ann Wilson’s birthday. “Annie and I always loved our shared birthdays,” she said.

“In the late 1930’s, there was a constellation of the best and the brightest in Elko. They included Fran and Newt Crumley, Connie and Pete Walters, Chunky and Roy Bankofier, Dr. Les Moren (who met, fell in love with, and married local girl, Lorena McBride), Ann and Orv Wilson, and Gwen and Paul Leonard (my parents). The Morens and the Wilsons remained in Elko; the others migrated to Reno, and then the war came. They all were lifelong friends. In a sense, these scholarships are for all of them,” related Ms. Leonard.

She continued, “Orv was a new lawyer; Les was a freshly minted doctor from Min-

nesota. Dad was starting his newspaper career as a reporter for the Elko Daily Free Press.

The Leonards and Wilsons lived at the Greathouse Apartments. When Mom and Annie got bored, they put paper booties on the cat. No one in this group of friends had much money.

Whenever anyone had a little bit extra, someone would bake a white cake, buy a bottle of hooch, and they would have a party. The Wilsons and the Morens ultimately became part of Elko’s history.”

The scholarship award will be $2,500 annually. Merit based, candidates for the award must have a minimum 3.0 grade point average. The award will be granted to college sophomores, juniors and seniors. Students who receive the award can apply the following year as well, and there are no restrictions to the discipline the student must be studying.

Rice said Leonard’s gift opens doors for many more students. “One of the beauties of The Wilson Scholarship Award is that it is not limited to students who show a financial need for scholarship assistance. Here in Elko, many families are lucky enough to earn relatively good livings. But that circumstance often means children in those families do not qualify for the assistance a lower income family might receive. Still, college costs are high and it is a struggle for any family to put children through school. The Wilson Scholarship helps to relieve some of that burden. Hard work and good academic performance will be rewarded.”

Ms. Leonard shares her commitment to education with her parents. Gwen Leonard left a substantial gift to the GBC Foundation that funded the creation of the Leonard Center for Student Life on the Elko campus. She also endowed a chair at the Reynolds School of Journalism in memory of her husband, as well as establishing scholarships in journalism, philosophy, English, physics, and history at UNR. Ms. Leonard has continued the scholarships, as well as established new scholarships in theater and music. She hopes that there will be additional gifts to the Ann and Orville Wilson Memorial Scholarship Fund.

For more information on the Wilson Scholars Program and other scholarship opportunities at Great Basin College, contact the Great Basin College Foundation at 775.753.2246.

Ag Foundation Announces Scholarship Funding

The Nevada Agricultural Foundation (NAF) is continuing its support for educating Nevada youth in 2012. The NAF has long been an advocate and supporter of Nevada’s young people in achieving advanced education in agricultural fields by providing Educational Assistance Awards or college scholarships. In 2012 the NAF is planning to award up to a total of $50,000 in Educational Assistance Awards to deserving Nevada students.

Educational Assistance Awards are available to graduating Nevada high school seniors and currently enrolled college students. The Scholarship Committee will give consideration only to applicants who document intent to follow an agricultural curriculum. NAF will support Nevada students attending any accredited college or university in the United States.

In a time where states and universities are cutting budgets and increasing tuition, NAF feels it is more important than ever to provide assistance to our youth who will become the agricultural leaders of tomorrow.

For applications and additional information, please visit the NAF website at: www. nvagfoundation.org, go to the “Awards/Assistance” page for details. Applications are must be postmarked by March 15, 2012. To answer questions or obtain additional information, contact Sue Hoffman, NAF Executive Director by phone at 775/673-AGNV (2468) or by email at sue@nvagfoundation.org.

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The Progressive Rancher

March 2012 15

Letter to the Editor Note: The opinions expressed herein are strictly those of the author. The Progressive Rancher neither seeks or endorses these submissions, but allows all to voice their views.

Fumes From The Farm

by Hank Vogler

K

OOL AID KOOL AID TASTES GREAT! GLAD I DIDN”T DRINK ANY! I CAN WAIT. Yes, in order to buy into the environmentalists’ argument of the Greater Sage Grouse, drinking the poison Kool-Aid or a frontal lobotomy, or both is necessary to believe their common sense less premise. If the Sage hen evolved during the Pleistocene period wouldn’t things have been a lot tougher then? This is a ground nesting bird. When it flies it doesn’t fly fast or far and would be a perfect meal of easy pickings for any predator, including man. The only large bird of edible size that is dumber would be the fools’ hen.

The question that is haunting to this day, is how did it survive without the endangered species act? Did it have a “NonAggression Pact” with predators? Did the woolly Mammoths act as the fire department like in a Disney Movie? Did the woolly Mammoth fire department keep the sagebrush steppe in perfect balance

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and harmony? Did the male in his puffed up chest display scare off the short nosed bears and the Saber toothed Tigers? Did the “Great White Buffalo”, lay down the law to other animals during the lek period and then forbid any animals to come near the nesting area? It just gets scary to think that anyone would buy this argument. We have injected evil man into the equation and scream about habitat loss.

What ever happened to survival of the fittest? Most animals that roamed the earth were extinct long before the invention of the shotgun. Male bovine fecal matter must be taken in large doses.

When Cristobol Colon nearly found America the Sage hen was doing what it does best and that is surviving in enough numbers that it supplemented the diets of many a predator. It cycled up and down in numbers without spotted owl Gores climate changes. When the biological survey came west to Nevada, they recorded seeing a few groups around present day Eureka Nevada.

I believe the biological survey was in the eighteen eighties. I am sure that if the Forty Niners ran into some Sage Chickens they were invited to dinner, however they didn’t write about it in their journals. Nevada pioneer records show very little encounter with wildlife beyond the Jack Rabbit. Even further back when Peter Skene Ogden wandered through Nevada, they made little mention of anything to eat. They did mention that the beaver were so poor that they made the men ill. They speculated that the beaver had a diet of water hemlock and little else. This was in the eighteen twenties.

There is little mention of sage chickens until ranchers started irrigating hay meadows and fixing springs and controlling predators to protect domestic livestock. The Sage

grouse and other prey animals began to flourish. They had there ups and down with drought and other natural phenomena’s. It is of record that during the dirty thirties that in Elko County, Native Americans were hired by sportsmen to gather sage hen eggs and they put them under domestic chickens to rear the chicks. The sportsmen were worried about losing their hunting. Still no sign of the endangered species act. By the time I came along in 1949, the deer, the sage hen, and most other prey species were in a general uptrend along with cattle and sheep. The sage hen season was thirty days long and you could take six a day and twelve in possession. Every so many years they would get thick and die offs would occur. A bad year would limit hunting and the birds would come roaring back. The reason was because there was so few predators’ recruitment was huge. Many a time I witnessed the sky blacken with sage chickens flying off their feeding grounds. Strutting grounds were all over the place. You always took careful aim when hunting sage chickens as the old B52 bombers were tougher than Katie Fites vanity mirror.

Common sense shows that when sage chickens and mule deer and other prey animals were at their zenith, so were cattle and sheep. Man also had no restrictions on numbers or kinds of predators taken. Flying coyotes as well as bob cats, cougars, coyotes, fox, badgers, hawks eagles crows skunks raccoons et al were fair game. The Issac Walton League used to have a predator contest with prizes for different predators and a point score for the different predators.

The larger predators got you more points.

Total score wins. When ten eighty toxicant was outlawed in the early seventies the paradigm shifted. The endangered species

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act and the lack of using fur for coats all contributed to the loss of prey animals more than anything else. The downward spiral of prey animals has continued until today. The anti-public land grazing elements are using the sage hen as a tool to destroy family ranchers. The same type of tool was used to destroy the timber industry in the North West. Logging families were destroyed in the name of the public good. Now over grown brush has caught fire. Forests are full of weeds and diseased trees. The fire danger has sky rocketed. Now here we are about to repeat the same well intentioned mistake.

The tool is the sage hen. We have lost half the cattle and ninety three percent of the sheep in Nevada and now we have the sage hen tool to finish the job. The record shows that the sage hens problem didn’t start until the endangered species act was enacted.

You want to save the sage hen repeal the endangered species act. It has contributed to the decline more than any well intended idea. In the maps that I have seen of Eastern Nevada where the “experts” claim is critical habitat is the grazing allotments of the last of the domestic sheep ranges. It encompasses all the sheep outfits in this part of the country. These areas have been continually grazed for over one hundred twenty years.

The sage hen must flourish in the presence of grazing sheep or they would surely not be where the domestic sheep are. We must preserve the last of the sheep men if we are to save the sage chicken. There is an obvious symbiotic relation with domestic sheep and sage chickens or they long ago would have disappeared. You want sage chickens, call a sheep man.

Not only will the sage hen hurt the last of the family ranches and destroy local custom and culture, the mines are full of displaced loggers and timber industry folks run off by the spotted owl. They will be sucked into the mix no matter how much money the mine companies try to throw at the environmental groups trying to curry favor. When the injunctions and summary judgments and the studies and the procrastination by state and federal agencies drags on for months while the miners have their homes foreclosed and all they can do is draw unemployment and the only bright spot in Nevada employment dulls. The tax revenue to the state will plummet. With all the negative things this tasty little bird will dredge to the surface, it might be a little dicey to drive a state or federal vehicle through rural Nevada.

Hang and Rattle. Hank Vogler www.progressiverancher.com

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The Progressive Rancher

March 2012 17

The sentinel

Friday,

September 30, 2011, dawned clear and warm: one of those splendid early autumn days that is a hallmark of the high desert. People who are concerned with such things were breathing a collective sigh of relief that after an extremely wet spring and warm summer with more feed on the hillsides than many had not seen for a generation, the one thing they all feared, the perfect storm of dry lightning, wind, and abundant fuel, had not materialized. The wind came up around noon that day and

The approach

A time for concern

First responders

A mountain in flames

18 March 2012

Red sky at night

The Progressive Rancher

Fire fighters

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continued to blow from the southwest, the harbinger of a change in weather. By evening from our vantage point in Independence Valley, fifty miles northwest of Elko, the southwestern sky began to darken and lightning streaked toward the ground. Actually the disturbance was relatively benign and short-lived; however, the next morning tell-tale columns of smoke could be seen rising over the mountains to the south and southwest.

The wind returned mid-morning and the clouds grew larger and higher and smoke began to drift into the valley. The same scenario was repeated on Sunday, but the fires were still twenty-five to thirty miles distant-a source of interest and concern for fellow ranchers in that area but not viewed as a threat to valley residents.

Monday’s sunrise was spectacular: orange and purple columns rising from the southwest, closer now, reaching the zenith as though Vulcan himself was tending the forge-taking advantage of the early morning wind and seemingly inexhaustible supply of fuel. The wind continued unabated with heightened intensity throughout the morning carrying more smoke and ashes of incinerated sage and grass. Cowboys were dispatched to open gates and move cattle on ranges to the south, still some distance from our valley. Sustained winds of over

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twenty-five mph and low humidity fed the flames, and a pall of dense smoke shrouded the hills to the southwest…much closer now. By mid-afternoon the dozen residents of the ghost town of Tuscarora nestled at the base of Mt. Blitzen were advised to evacuate, several ranchers began piling possessions into horse trailers in preparation to “lock and load,” neighbors converged to help in any way possible, as the flames breached the crest of the hills to the south. Thus began a scramble to move livestock, open gates, and save structures. Finally, about four o’clock, relief arrived in the form of pumper trucks, bull dozers, and ground troops. By nightfall, the flames had engulfed the hills in a semi-circle on the southern end of Independence Valley coming perilously close to the ranch buildings of Dean and Sharon Rhoads, the Van Norman Quarter Circle S Ranch, and the town of Tuscarora. One old-timer was heard to comment, “My God, the whole world is burning up!” By nine o’clock, the wind began to subside, the humidity rise, and during the night a light rain began to fall. While the fire still burned throughout the next day, its energy was spent and it could no longer withstand the air assault of retardant and water that was dropped on hot spots throughout the day. The substantial early October snow fall which fol-

Moving out of harm’s way

Approaching flames

Fire and Ice

Tuscarora aftermath

The Progressive Rancher

“Some say the world will end in fire, some say in ice.”

— Robert Frost

March 2012 19

A Place to Come From I’ve moved cows and calves up along the side of the North Fork of the Humboldt But it was not where I came from.

I helped sort the calves - left, right, by. Stop! Send her back !!

But it was not where I came from.

I lifted my right arm and popped the rope off the horn, letting the branded calf go back to the herd, looking for his mama But it was not where I came from.

I stepped on the neck of a too- big bull calf to stop his movement –the “v” in his ear was cut easier that way But it was not where I came from.

The flood took out our bridge and then our dams as I cried at the edge of the cliff where the bridge had spanned but was no more and watched in disbelief as the men put that old train bottom right back where it was before.

lowed completed the process.

Thus the book closed on what had been dubbed the Dunphy Complex Fire (actually three different fires) which over its four day lifespan had razed over 200,000 acres of rangeland, burned over a hundred miles of fence, destroyed Mule deer, elk, antelope, and upland bird habit, and killed over one million “little uncountables” (using the conservative formula of three creatures per acre). Ironically, this occurred in the same area where earlier in the spring, a strutting sage grouse single-wingedly suspended work on the El Paso pipeline, delaying its completion until the nesting period had passed. I wonder what he will do this spring. Several ranchers lost over fifty per cent of their fall, winter, and spring feed not to mention the certain cuts in their grazing permits and miles of fence to rebuild. There were losses of horses and cattle; however, those numbers were amazingly small considering the scope and speed of the fire.

It is now mid-February. The denuded, blackened slopes are clothed in white, their underlying nakedness belying the scarcity of the snow pack. Soon spring rains will encourage new growth and with time, the process of healing will begin. With the incursion of highly flammable vegetation such as Cheat grass and Whitetop which inevitably follow a burn coupled with management practices on the public lands which encourage the excessive buildup of fuel, the “big one” of October 2011, will probably all too soon lose its place in Nevada wildfire history.

Scorched earth

The sentinal

Burn area February 2012

But it was not where I came from.

The winter was too wet- the summer too hot -the thunder and lightening came in a vengeful way!

The fire left only 25 % of our turnout.

The ranch sold - I thought, thank God! There was no turn-out for over a thousand head of mamma cows - would be none for how many seasons? A lie can be told to keep you off good rooted grass. The day I drove down the dirt road for the last time to reach the highway, I could not even look back over my shoulder to our home place.

This was the day I finally knew this WAS where I came from

Text by Linda Drown Bunch Photographs by Chrissy and Cody King

— Leana Stitzel 20 March 2012

The Progressive Rancher

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BLM and Forest Service Announce 2012 Grazing Fee

The Federal grazing fee for 2012 will be $1.35 per animal unit month (AUM) for public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management and $1.35 per head month (HM) for lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service. The 2012 fee is the same as last year’s.

An AUM or HM – treated as equivalent measures for fee purposes – is the occupancy and use of public lands by one cow and her calf, one horse, or five sheep or goats for a month.

The newly calculated grazing fee, determined by a congressional formula and effective on March 1, applies to nearly 18,000 grazing permits and leases administered by the BLM and more than 8,000 permits administered by the Forest Service.

The formula used for calculating the grazing fee, which was established by Congress in the 1978 Public Rangelands Improvement Act, has continued under a presidential Executive Order issued in 1986. Under that order, the grazing fee cannot fall below $1.35 per AUM, and any increase or decrease cannot exceed 25 percent of the previous year’s level.

The annually determined grazing fee is computed by using a 1966 base value of $1.23 per AUM/HM for livestock grazing on public lands in Western states. The figure is then calculated according to three factors – current private grazing land lease rates, beef cattle prices, and the cost of livestock production. In effect, the fee rises, falls, or stays the same based on market conditions, with livestock operators paying more when conditions are better and less when conditions have declined.

The 2012 grazing fee of $1.35 per AUM/HM grazing fee applies to 16 Western states on public lands administered by the BLM and the Forest Service. The states are Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Permit holders and lessees may contact their local BLM or U.S. Forest Service office for additional information.

Comment Period for Greater Sage-Grouse Scoping Extended by BLM and Forest Service

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) are seeking public comment on issues that should be addressed in Environmental Impact Statements (EISs) and Supplemental Environmental Impact Statements (SEISs) that will evaluate and provide greater sage-grouse conservation measures in land use plans in 10 Western states. To address requests for additional time to provide comment, the two agencies have extended the public scoping period an additional 45 days and will continue to accept scoping comments through March 23, 2012. Comments may be submitted to the BLM by any of the following methods: • Eastern Region °° web site: http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/more/sagegrouse/eastern.html °° email: sageeast@blm.gov °° fax: 307-775-6042 °° mail: Eastern Region Project Manager, BLM Wyoming State Office, 5353 Yellowstone, Cheyenne, WY 82009 • Western Region °° web site: http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/more/sagegrouse/western.html °° email: sagewest@blm.gov °° fax: 775-861-6747 °° mail: Western Region Project Manager, BLM Nevada State Office, 1340 Financial Blvd., Reno, NV 89502 www.progressiverancher.com

Cowbelles Sponsor Nevada 4-H Team

Churchill County Cowbelles President, Peggy Witte, presented a check in the amount of $1800 to the Nevada State 4-H Senior Livestock Judging Team to sponsor the team at the National 4-H Livestock Judging Contest in Denver, Colorado The team has won at the Nevada 4-H Livestock Judging Contest for the past three years.

Team members are from Churchill County. Pictured from left to right are: Charolette Rigney, Aril Cushing, Peggy Witte ( Cowbelle President, presenting check), Carlee Cushing, and Jake Olsen

BLM to Conduct Prescribed Fire Activities in Manhattan, Nevada

Battle Mountain, Nev. -- The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Battle Mountain District Office plans to continue prescribed burning activities in the Manhattan WildlandUrban Interface (WUI) project, between the months of February and June, 2012. Up to 20 acres of slash piles will be disposed of. To date, the BLM has completed 300 acres of burning activities within the project. The ongoing hazardous fuel reduction activities are an important part of what the BLM does on the Battle Mountain District. Working with our partners the BLM can continue to help alleviate catastrophic fires from impacting communities and the public lands. This project is being completed the cooperation and participation of the Nevada Division of Forestry, Tonopah Conservation Camp, Nye County and the community of Manhattan. Their continued support and cooperation remains essential to the success of the project.

The prescribed fire areas are 1/4 mile west-to-northwest of the town of Manhattan and 1/4 mile east and southeast of the town of Manhattan. The intent is to dispose of slash piles generated from thinning operations that have previously been implemented to protect the community from catastrophic wildfires.

Smoke may be visible from Manhattan and other nearby areas. Ignition operations will be intermittent to allow for adequate smoke dispersal and burning will not occur every day during the burn window. The prescribed burn is highly dependent on weather conditions and fuel parameters, and may be postponed until a window of acceptable prescriptive conditions open.

For further information please contact Chad Lewis, Fuels Program Manager, Battle Mountain District Office, at (775) 635-4102 or email c1lewis@blm.gov.

The Progressive Rancher

March 2012 21

BLM Signs Revised Historic Preservation Agreement that Enhances Tribal Consultation and Public Participation

Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Director Bob Abbey today signed a revision to the BLM’s national programmatic agreement (PA) that clarifies how the agency consults with Tribes and other consulting parties on activities that may affect historic properties.

“This revision reinforces the BLM’s practice of respecting our unique relationship with Tribes and carefully considering their views and concerns through consultation,” said Abbey. “As the BLM examines proposals for activities on public lands, this revised PA will help us preserve the historical and cultural foundations that make the public lands special and vital.”

The PA has three signatories: the BLM, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP), and National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers (NCSHPO).

Abbey, ACHP Executive Director John Fowler, and NCSHPO President Ruth Pierpont all signed the PA this morning at the ACHP’s quarterly business meeting in Washington, D.C. The original programmatic agreement was signed in 1997. A copy of the signed revision and questions and answers can be downloaded at this link.

The PA governs the agency’s activities on federal, state and private lands that may impact historic properties, including those historic properties of traditional religious and cultural significance to Tribes. It allows efficient consultation between the BLM and State Historic Preservation Officers (SHPOs). The PA is authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). That law requires BLM to consider, plan for, protect, and enhance historic properties that may be affected by its actions.

The revision emphasizes the requirement for the BLM to consult with Tribes in the context of an ongoing government-to-government relationship, to obtain their views on the potential impacts on resources of significance to Tribes, and encourages the development of tribe-specific consultation protocols. It authorizes the BLM to maintain protocols with SHPOs that establish a more efficient alternative Section 106 compliance process, but institutes a requirement for tribal consultation and public comment on BLM-SHPO protocol revisions. It also adds the BLM national tribal coordinator to the BLM Preservation Board.

BLM to Conduct Prescribed Fire Activities in Eureka, Nevada

Battle Mountain, Nev. -- The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Battle Mountain District Office plans to continue prescribed burning activities in the Eureka WildlandUrban Interface (WUI) project, between the months of February and June, 2012. Up to 20 acres of slash piles will be disposed of. To date, the BLM has completed 100 acres of burning activities within the project. The ongoing hazardous fuel reduction activities are an important part of what the BLM does on the Battle Mountain District. Working with our partners the BLM can continue to help alleviate catastrophic fires from impacting communities and the public lands. This project is being completed with the cooperation of Eureka County, and the community of Eureka. Their continued support and cooperation remains essential to the success of the project.

The prescribed fire area is 1/4 mile west-to-northwest of the town of Eureka. The objective is to dispose of debris piles from thinning operations which have been implemented to protect the community from catastrophic wildfires. No more than five acres per day will be burned in accordance with the burn plan.

Smoke may be visible from Eureka and other nearby areas. Ignition operations will be intermittent to allow for adequate smoke dispersal and burning will not occur every day during the burn window. The prescribed burn is highly dependent on weather conditions and fuel parameters, and may be postponed until a window of acceptable prescriptive conditions open.

For further information please contact Chad Lewis, Fuels Program Manager, Battle Mountain District Office, at (775) 635-4102 or email c1lewis@blm.gov.

22 March 2012

That board advises the BLM on policies and procedures for NHPA implementation.

While the revision enhances the consultation role of Tribes, it does not apply to Tribal lands.

The BLM announced the revision in December 2011. The current revision was developed with the two other signatories following an extensive process of outreach and consultation with tribes and other stakeholders which began in August 2008.

Barrick Donates to HWCWMA The annual meeting of the Humboldt Watershed Cooperative Weed Management Area (HWCWMA) was held on Feb 23, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. in the Nevada Department of Agriculture meeting room. Prior to the meeting Barrick Gold of North America presented the HWCWMA Board Members with a $25,000 check to assist with their ongoing weed management and education efforts.

During the past year HWCWMA has gained a great deal of traction in its efforts to stop the devastating impacts of invasive plants on native plant communities, fish and wildlife habitat, agriculture yields, recreational and hunting opportunities, water quality, and ultimately the local economy. In addition to the Barrick Gold of North America contribution and the many thousands of dollars that local ranchers invest in weed control, current funding sources include a US Forest Service PILT dollars grant - directed through the Elko County Resource Advisory Committee ($68,515), Nevada Department of Wildlife Heritage funds grant ($60,000), and a Nevada Department of Agriculture grant ($5,000) that specifically targets Medusahead control in Elko County.

The HWCWMA Board of Directors appreciates the wide-ranging support it has received. Last October the Elko County Commission unanimously passed a resolution supporting HWCWMA in its effort to secure a NDEP 319(h) Grant NPS grant, to hire a coordinator and conduct weed area mapping. Last week HWCWMA received the final approval securing two years of funding ($183,333) for the coordinator, who will work with the HWCWMA Board to bring together the diverse people, groups, and resources needed in an effort to reduce the economic and environmental impact of noxious weeds in the watershed. The coordinator will be tasked with pursuing ongoing funding opportunities, overseeing the mapping of current noxious weed infestations in the watershed, implementing a project monitoring program, being a liaison between current and potential stake holders and agency personnel, as well as assisting with some administrative functions of the HWCWMA. HWCWMA Board anticipates hiring their coordinator as early as the end of March to the middle of April this year.

For every Federal or State dollar that is granted a “matching” dollar must be spent on these control efforts, most often by a landowner or manager who has committed to a weed management and / or other watershed improvement project such as stream bank stabilization. HWCWMA is currently accepting project proposals to assist landowners and managers with their noxious weed control expenses in 2012 and beyond. If you would like more information or for a project application contact HWCWMA at hwcwma@gmail.com. (If you do not have e-mail access call Rhonda Heguy at 775-738-3085.)

The HWCWMA membership is open to anyone interested in noxious weed management issues. The current Board of Directors are Rhonda Heguy (Elko area rancher) Ryan Shane (NDF), Rory Lamp (NDOW), Jesse Braatz, rancher - Sqauw Valley), and newly elected is Jon Griggs, (rancher – Maggie Creek).

The Progressive Rancher

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March 2012 23

BLM Announces Three Selections for National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board

The Bureau of Land Management announced today that it has made selections for three positions on the National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board. The BLM has chosen Callie Hendrickson of Grand Junction, Colorado, as a new appointee for the category of General Public; June C. Sewing of Cedar City, Utah, as a new appointee for the category of Wild Horse and Burro Advocacy; and Boyd M. Spratling, DVM, of Deeth, Nevada, as a re-appointee to the category of Veterinary Medicine. These individuals will each serve three-year terms as members of the Advisory Board. Ms. Hendrickson is Executive Director, White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts, and owner and consultant for E-Z Communications. As executive director of the conservation districts, Ms. Hendrickson has extensive experience in addressing public rangeland health concerns for the Colorado Association of Conservation Districts. Her career is focused on natural resource policy development and education. She has served on the Colorado Foundation for Water Education, Mesa County 4-H Foundation, Mesa County Farm Bureau, and the Mesa County Cattlewomen. Ms. Hendrickson replaces Janet M. Jankura.

Ms. Sewing is Executive Director and Secretary for the National Mustang Association, for which she has worked since 1985. Her current responsibilities include management of the association’s wild horse sanctuary. Ms. Sewing has also served as the president of various charitable organizations, as trustee on the Cedar City hospital board for 20 years, and on a local committee dealing with the endangered Utah prairie dog. Ms. Sewing has received a Citizen Volunteer award from the Chamber of Commerce, Board of Realtors,

and Southern Utah University. Ms. Sewing replaces Robin Lohnes.

Dr. Spratling is actively engaged in the practice of large animal veterinary medicine in Elko County, Nevada, where he has lived since 1963. He has been involved in the practice of veterinary medicine since he graduated from Washington State University in 1975. Dr. Spratling, a current member of the Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board, has twice served as President of the Nevada Veterinary Medical Association; he also serves on the Board of the Nevada Department of Agriculture.

BLM Director Bob Abbey commended the outgoing members, saying, “Robin Lohnes and Janet Jankura served during challenging times and I commend each of them for moving the BLM forward in its efforts to achieve a ‘new normal’ for the Wild Horse and Burro Program. Robin also deserves kudos for her years of outstanding leadership as chair of the Advisory Board.”

The nine-member National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board advises the BLM, an agency of the Interior Department, and the U.S. Forest Service, part of the Agriculture Department, on the management, protection, and control of wild free-roaming horses and burros on public lands and national forests administered by those agencies, as mandated by the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act. Members of the board, who represent various categories of interests, must have a demonstrated ability to analyze information, evaluate programs, identify problems, work collaboratively, and develop corrective actions.

BLM concludes Pancake Complex Wild Horse Gather

Ely, Nev. – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Ely District, Egan Field Office and Battle Mountain District, Tonopah Field Office concluded the Pancake Complex Wild Horse Gather on Saturday, Feb. 11. The BLM gathered 1,115 wild horses from the Pancake and Sand Springs West Herd Management Areas (HMA) and Jakes Wash Herd Area (HA), located about 30 miles west of Ely or 80 miles northeast of Tonopah, Nev. The BLM released 287 wild horses, including 124 mares treated with the fertility vaccine PZP, back to the HMAs. The 819 wild horses removed from the Complex were transported to the Palomino Valley Center outside Reno, Nev., and the Gunnison Correctional Facility, in 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.

Removing the excess wild horses will help to achieve and maintain a thriving natural ecological balance and multiple-use relationship as required under the 1971 Wild FreeRoaming Horses and Burros Act, and Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as well as help to achieve and maintain healthy wild horse and burro populations.

The gather began on January 12. 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.

BLM staff utilized the Henneke body condition scale to classify gathered wild horses. On a scale from one to nine (one being poor condition and nine being extremely fat), the horses were generally a body condition score of four, with a few wild horses observed to be higher or lower.

The BLM’s Pancake Complex Wild Horse Gather website can be accessed at this address: http://www.blm. gov/nv/st/en/fo/ely_field_office/blm_programs/wild_horses_and_burros/pancake_complex_wild.html.

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

BLM Seeks Bids for New, Publicly Accessible Pasture Facilities to Care for Wild Horses

As part of its responsibility to manage and protect wild horses and burros, the Bureau of Land Management is soliciting bids for new, publicly accessible pasture facilities located in the continental United States that provide a free-roaming environment. The solicitation is for one or more long-term pasture facilities accommodating 400 to 2,000 wild horses. Each pasture facility must be able to provide humane care for a one-year period, with a renewal option under BLM contract for nine one-year extensions.

The BLM may require one or two public and/or media tours hosted by BLM staff and the contractor during the life of the contract. The solicitation is open until April 10, 2012, and is 100 percent set aside for small businesses under the North American Industry Classification System.

24 March 2012

The BLM’s bidding requirements are posted in solicitation L12PS00118, the details of which are available at http://www.fedconnect.net. To obtain the solicitation: (1) click on “Search Public Opportunities”; (2) under Search Criteria, select “Reference Number”; (3) put in the solicitation number (L12PS00118); and (4) click “Search” and the solicitation information will appear. The solicitation form describes what to submit and where to send it. Applicants must be registered at http://www.ccr.gov to be considered for a contract award.

The BLM manages wild horses and burros as part of its overall multiple-use mission. Under the authority of the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act, the BLM manages and protects these living symbols of the Western The Progressive Rancher

spirit while ensuring that population levels are in balance with other public rangeland resources and uses. To make sure that healthy herds thrive on healthy rangelands, the BLM must remove thousands of animals from the range each year to control the size of herds, which have virtually no predators and can double in population every four years.

The current free-roaming population of BLM-managed wild horses and burros is 38,500, which exceeds by nearly 12,000 the number determined by the BLM to be the appropriate management level. Off the range, there are more than 45,000 wild horses and burros cared for in either short-term corrals or long-term pastures. All these animals, whether on or off the range, are protected by the BLM under the 1971 law. www.progressiverancher.com

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The Progressive Rancher

March 2012 25

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Bull & Female Production Sale Saturday, March 31, 2012 Sale time: 1:00 p.m.

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March 2012 27

The Progressive Rancher Coloring Contest Tear out or copy this page, color it and mail it in. Sponsored by Bill Nicholson and Jeanne King.

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Equine Podiatry

by Stephen E. O’Grady, DVM, MRCVS

Objective Assessment Hoof Balance Tracy A. Turner, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVS, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108 The importance of a balanced foot in the treatment of equine lameness is well documented.1-4 However, the assessment and choice of options for correction of an imbalanced foot can be quite subjective.1-3,5,6 Balance is defined as the harmonious adjustment of parts.

For the hoof, balance has been defined as the equal distribution of weight over the foot.2,5,6 This must be more precisely defined as equal medial to lateral distribution of weight since more weight is normally placed on the caudal half of the foot.5 Caudal to cranial imbalance has been defined as deviation in the hoof alignment or as problems with heel support.

Effective communication between the veterinarian and farrier is imperative for proper treatment of most lamenesses in the horse. Unfortunately, it is often difficult for both to attend the horse at the same time. There can also be a difference in semantics between the professions which can lead to misinterpretation of clinical findings and recommended corrections which can in turn lead to resentment. It is important therefore, to develop acceptable definitions of problems and methods of communicating precisely.

Six hoof balance abnormalities have been described7: broken hoof axis, underrun heels, contracted heels, shear heels, mismatched hoof angles, and small feet. Some authors have attempted to define these hoof abnormalities objectively.2,3,7 A broken hoof axis exists when the slopes of the pastern and hoof are not the same. This condition is further defined as broken-back, when the hoof angle is lower than the pastern angle, and as broken-forward when the hoof angle is steeper than the pastern angle. Underrun heels have been defined as angle of the heels of 5° less than the toe angle. Contracted heels was defined as frog width less than 67% of the frog length. Sheared heels was defined as a disparity between the medial and lateral heel lengths of 0.5cm or more. Small feet (small feet to body size) was defined as a weight to hoof area ratio of greater than 78 pounds per square inch. The purpose of this paper is to show how measurements of the feet and radiographs can be used to graphically document the presence of hoof abnormalities.

Eleven measurements are made of each foot. The horse’s weight is determined with a weight tape or scale. Seven measurements are made of the hoof length with a tape measure: medial and lateral heel lengths, medial and lateral quarter lengths, dorsomedial and dorsolateral toe lengths, and sagittal toe length. These measurements are recorded on a graph to illustrate the general shape of the foot. In addition, the frog’s length and width are measured at their longest and widest points. The hoof circumference immediately below the coronary band, and the hoof angle (using a hoof gauge) are also measured. From these measurements, two additional measurements can be calculated: the frog ratio (frog width divided by length) and the body size to hoof area (horse’s weight (pounds) X 12.56 / square of the hoof wall circumference(C) (inches)).

A dorsopalmar(plantar) and a lateral radiograph of the hoof can also be used to determine valuable information about hoof balance. The horse must be standing with the metacarpus (tarsus) perpendicular to the ground which can most easily be determined by either the use of a level placed against the cannon bone or the use of a weighted string to align the leg. The radiographic beam should be horizontal and centered on the hoof. Resting the horse’s foot on a block to raise the hoof off the ground facilitates these exposures (the opposite limb should be similarly elevated). For easy identification of landmarks, radiopaque markers can be attached to the hoof. A wire placed sagittally (midline) along the toe from the coronary band to the ground, a thumb tack in the apex of the frog and thumb tacks in the most caudal point of the ground contact of each heel emphasize these areas on the radiographs, making their identification much easier.

After plotting the hoof wall lengths, one should have a curve that reflects the shape of the hoof. For a hoof of average hoof angle (48°-55°), flattening of the plotted curve indicates that the heels are underrun. A flat curve would also be expected for very upright hooves (>60°). Generally speaking, the 3 measurements at the toe should be equal. The measurements at the quarter are usually 1-2 cm shorter than the toe (for the average hoof). The heel length should generally be about one-third of the toe length. The remaining measurements are used in the previously described formulas to determine weight to body size and frog www.progressiverancher.com

ratios for determination of a contracted foot.

Examination of the lateral and dorsopalmar(plantar)(DP) radiographs provides excellent pictorial evidence of imbalance. The lateral radiograph should be evaluated for P2 and P3 alignment which gives insight into the presence of a broken-hoof axis. In addition, the alignment between P3 and the hoof wall should be assessed. If the hoof wall and dorsal surface of P3 are not parallel the functional hoof angle can be determined by measuring the angle of the dorsal surface of P3 with the ground. Usually the slope of the heels can be seen on the radiograph and can also be used to determine whether the heels are underrun.

The DP radiographic projection should be assessed for joint alignment, medial and lateral hoof wall lengths, and foot symmetry. Joint alignment is determined by examining the symmetry of the joint space. Malalignment is present if one side of the joint is more narrow. This phenomenon can also be caused by poor positioning in which case all three of the lower leg joints (fetlock, pastern, and coffin) will be affected. The hoof wall length can be measured directly from the film. The symmetry of weight bearing can be predicted in a similar manner.

Numerous factors contribute to the balance of an equine hoof.1-7 Toe length is important because it determines the length of the lever arm over which the limb rotates and the

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Over 650 deeded acres on the Humboldt River near Elko and adjoining the new Port of Elko Industrial Park. Over 300 acres of Surface water rights out of the Humboldt River, lots of sand and gravel, adjoins I-80 and has access at Exit. Price: $1,200,000. May be a good fit with the Elko Co. 10,705 deeded acres with BLM permit offered below.

Elko County 10,705 Deeded acres with BLM permit and 50% of the mineral rights. Only $1,391,650. Existing income from minerals lease and grazing lease. This may be the best 401K ever and an excellent target for a 1031 Exchange!

Mason Mountain Ranch Great summer ranch with 3782 deeded acres plus small BLM permit Plus a landowner Elk Tag! Located approx. 75 miles North of Elko. Runs approx.

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Price: $1,595,000.

Antelope Peak Ranch Elko Co. Over 5,000 deeded acres plus two adjoining BLM permits. Priced at $2,800,000.

Including equipment. Ranch has 5 pivots and two irrigation wells plus large spring. Being managed to run 600 head.

Nice setting at foot of Mtn. plus several ponds with fish.

Z Bar Ranch: Clover Valley Ranch: Offering is changed to include most of the irrigated lands and one home for the reduced price of $1,513,750. One of those ranches at the foot of the Mountains that everyone would love to own is now available. This ranch consists of 2,490 deeded acres of which approx. 557 acres are irrigated. Creek water to run one pivot and several wheel-lines plus flood water. An irrigation well supplies another pivot and a 50 acre grain field.

With this option the ranch has 1 home and a calving barn and seller will allow joint use of some other improvements until other facilities can be built.

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Tent Mountain Ranch, Starr Valley, Nevada. Price reduced by $700,000! 3435 Deeded acres at the foot of the majestic East Humboldt Range the Northern extension of the Ruby Mountains. Several perennial Streams flow through the ranch and wildlife are a daily part of the scenery. Improvements are good with a large home approx.

5,000. sq.ft, plus a second modular home and beautiful Mountain Cabin. Barn with water, hay barn, and other storage. Access onto paved road. Actually 18 legal parcels and parcel pricing would start at $1,200 AC. Price: $3,800,000.

Indian Creek Ranch: White Pine County , Nevada Super hunting property surrounded by Public lands and has plentiful Mule Deer, Antelope and Elk. There is a large Spring arising on high ground that could provide pressure for hydro power, or gravity flow domestic or irrigation water.

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Clover Valley Farm: 160 acres with a new center pivot.

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www.bottarirealty.com March 2012 31

timing of hoof lift.4 Hence, a long toe, that would delay breakover, could be expected to increase the pressure of the deep flexor tendon over the navicular bone, increase the tension on the proximal suspensory ligament of the navicular bone, and increase the dorsal rim pressure on the joints of the leg.4,8 The optimal toe length has not been determined.

Toe length to a certain extent will be dictated by the horse’s use as well as the horse’s height and weight. Guidelines have been described that relate toe length to body weight: 3 inches (7.6cm) for 800 to 900 pound horses, 3.25 inches (8.25cm) for 950 to 1,050 pound horses, and 3.5 inches (8.9cm) for horses weighing 1,150 to 1,250 pounds.4 A graph of hoof measurements will document disparities in hoof wall length between feet. Lengthening one hoof over its opposite has been suggested as a treatment for limb length disparity in the horse.9 However, this condition has not been scientifically documented in the horse. It has been the author’s experience that apparent limb length disparities are more commonly due to mild flexural deformities (contracted tendon) rather than actual differences in limb length and that this condition is most commonly manifested as mismatched hoof angles.

One study indicated that 28% of normal performance horses may be affected in this manner.3 This can most easily be documented utilizing the lateral radiographs.

The hoof angle should be the same as the hoof axis.2-7,10,11 Utilizing the lateral radiographic projection, the ideal hoof angulation to properly align the second and third phalanges can be measured accurately. The appropriate correction can be determined by measuring the degree of malalignment (flexion or extension) present in the coffin joint and raising or lowering the hoof angle that amount.11 For instance, if the lateral radiographic projection showed 4° flexion of the coffin joint, then the hoof angle should be lowered 4°.

In most cases, the aligned hoof axis is 52°+2° for the front feet and 55°+2° for the back feet.2,4,5,7,8 Intentional lowering of the hoof angle has been used to increase stride length in racehorses but studies have shown that this is not true8; therefore, there is no reason not to shoe for a correct hoof axis and a broken hoof axis can predispose to lameness problems2,4,5,7

and it has been associated with a greater risk of breakdown in racehorses.12 In addition to hoof axis deviations, the lateral radiographic projection can be used to document problems of heel support, i.e. underrun heels. In horses with hoof angles between 50 and 55 degrees, the hoof length graph also documents underrun heels if toe length to heel length ratio is less than 3:1. The proper position of the heels can be determined by either drawing a bisecting line through the metacarpus to the ground.4,5 or measuring the appropriate position on the radiograph.7 Where these lines contact the ground is the point where the heels should be. From a practical point, the heel-ground contact should be even with the base of the frog.2 Underrun heels are the most commonly encountered hoof abnormality. In one study of foot related lameness it was found in 77% of the horses2 and in another study of normal performance horses this condition was found in 52% of the horses.3 The necessity of correcting underrun heels has been well documented.1-7 If left uncorrected underrun can cause alterations in hoof wall growth that can be very difficult to correct and it can predispose to lameness problems that range from bruised heels to navicular syndrome.1,2,7 One of the most difficult parameters to assess is the hoof’s ability to expand.13,14 Applied clinical studies have shown that the frog length to width ratio is useful for this purpose; when the frog’s width is at least two-thirds its length, the hoof has normal expansive abilities.2,3,7 When the frog is narrow, hoof expansion is thought to be reduced. Whether this is a function of frog pressure is not known, although both reduced and excessive frog pressure have been shown to cause hoof contracture.13,14 Identification of a narrow frog should alert the clinician that steps need to be taken to promote hoof expansion.2,3,7 These may vary from simply ensuring proper heel support to encouraging hoof expansion through the use of slipper heels.

Medial/lateral imbalance or shear heels has been shown to cause, or predispose to, a number of hoof related lamenesses.2-4,6,7,15 Medial/lateral balance can be assessed by both the hoof measurements and the radiographic examination. The graph of hoof wall

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32 March 2012

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The Progressive Rancher

For details and a breeding application, contact Dr. Lybbert at Elko Veterinary Clinic 775-738-6116

www.progressiverancher.com

measurements will clearly show if one side of the hoof is longer than the other. The obvious correction is to make the walls equal, although it is not always that simple.2-4,6,7,15 The dorso-palmar radiograph will also clearly demonstrate any imbalance. Since this projection will also show the effect the imbalance has on the coffin joint, this radiograph can be used to emphasize the need for correction. The magnification in most radiographs makes even subtle disparities more obvious. It is accepted that conformation can alter this balance.4-6,15 The radiograph will help determine if the imbalance is hoof related or conformational. Hoof related imbalances will show medial/lateral hoof length disparities, and the first and second phalanges can be bisected equally. If the medial/lateral disparity is conformationally related the first and second phalanges will appear oblique on the DP radiograph.

The final assessment of balance is the weight of the horse in proportion to its feet.

Small feet have been a commonly described problem, particularly in Quarter Horses, that predispose the horse to lameness.2,3,7,16 One study identified small feet as an indicator of poor prognosis in the treatment of navicular syndrome.2 Most descriptions of what actually constitutes a small foot are quite subjective. However, studies have been performed utilizing simplistic formulas to make this assessment objective.2,3,7 These studies measured the circumference of the hoof immediately below the coronary band. This was done to get a rough idea of the hoof cross sectional area. This was then compared to the horse’s weight and statistical analysis was performed. Seventy-eight pounds per square inch was determined to be the maximum weight to hoof area ratio for a normal performance horse.

The steps to determine this number have been simplified to the following formula:12.56 X wt(lbs)/C2(in2). Once identified, a high weight to hoof area ratio can be used to show a client that their horse should lose weight. In addition, it can be used to show the necessity of fitting a shoe as fully as practical in order to produce the largest surface area as possible for that particular horse’s hoof.

Assessment of a horse’s hoof balance utilizing hoof measurements is a method that can be easily incorporated into the routine examination of the hoof. It actually takes very little time (about 2 minutes) to make the necessary measurements. Radiographic examination of the feet is a routine diagnostic assessment already performed. By assuring proper positioning and alignment of the hoof during radiographic examination, additional information that can be invaluable in the case assessment can be attained. The information will help show problems of imbalance, can be used to graphically illustrate the problem to an owner or trainer, and can be used to clearly show the shoeing needs of the horse, thus improving overall communications between veterinarian, owner, and farrier.

REFERENCES 1.

Moyer W, Anderson JP. Lameness caused by improper shoeing. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1975;166:47-52.

2.

Turner TA. Navicular disease management: shoeing principles, in Proceedings. 32nd Annu Conv Am Assoc Equine Practnr 1986;625-633.

3.

Turner TA, Stork C. Hoof abnormalities and their relation to lameness, in Proceedings.

34th Annu Conv Am Assoc Equine Practnr 1988;293-297.

4.

Balch O, White KK, Butler D. Factors involved in the balancing of equine hooves. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1991;198:1980-1989.

5.

Butler KD. The prevention of lameness by physiologically-sound horseshoeing, in Proceedings. 31st Annu Conv Am Assoc Equine Practnr 1985;465-475.

6.

Moyer W. Therapeutic principles of diseases of the foot, in Proceedings. 27th Annu Conv Am Assoc Equine Practnr 1981;453-466.

7.

Turner TA. Shoeing principle for the management of navicular disease. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1986;189:298-301.

8.

Clayton H. Comparison of the stride of trotting horses trimmed with a normal and a broken-back hoof axis, in Proceedings. 32nd Annu Conv Am Assoc Equine Practnr; 1986;289-298.

9.

Gonzales T. Proper balance movement: a diary of lameness. Manassas: REF publishing, 1986;9-25.

10. Schryver HF, Bartel DL, Langrana N, et al. Locomotion in the horse: kinematics and external and internal forces in the normal equine digit in the walk and trot. Am J Vet Res 1978;39:1728-1733.

11. Bushe T, Turner TA, Poulos P, et al. The effect of hoof angle on coffin, pastern, and fetlock joint angles, in Proceedings. 33rd Annu Conv Am Assoc Equine Practnr;1987;729-737.

12. Kobluk CN, Robinson RA, Clanton CJ, et al. Comparison of the exercise level and problem rate of 95 Thoroughbred horses: a cohort www.progressiverancher.com

The Progressive Rancher

March 2012 33

Thank

You

With much appreciation, The Progressive Rancher wishes to Thank Dr. Margaret Winsryg, Ph.D. for her insightful and informative articles that she has contributed to the magazine the past 4 plus years.

We wish Dr. Margaret well in her new endeavors.

DR. Margaret, Ph.D. Dr. Margaret Winsryg, Ph.D.

O

208-308-0106

MNM Consulting Services

Proper Nutrition For The Growing Horse

are important. The essential amino acid lysine is required by the ur goal in feeding the growing horse is, quite simply, growing horse in an amount greater than what can be produced in to achieve a steady rate of growth from birth to maFeeding the horse, its digestive system, therefore it must be provided in the horse’s turity, while avoiding any growth depression or growth spurts daily diet. by making certain that all necessary nutrients are consumed in It is interesting to note that growth rate isn’t affected by more the required amount. Sometimes, however, this can be a chalespecially the growing horse, protein than needed, but it is reduced by inadequate protein intake, lenging objective, at best. as well as, by inadequate dietary energy. A very slow growth A good quality forage, whether nonlegume (grass) or legume is as much of an art form rate can reduce mature body size. However, at a moderate or fast (alfalfa) is the basis of a balanced feeding program for all horses. growth rate the horse’s demands for the proper amount of calcium, As foals cannot possibly consume enough forage to meet the high phosphorus, zinc and copper must be met, or the horse may be energy requirement necessary for proper growth, nor will forage as it is a science. at risk for Developmental Orthopedic Disease (DOD). Excessive alone provide enough digestible energy (DE), it is of utmost imdietary energy and protein intake will result in a too rapid growth portance that a formulated grain mix be fed in the correct amount rate, which along with the possibility of DOD, has also been shown to lead to stress fracas part of their total diet.

Another good reason to provide the growing horse with a grain concentrate is that tures if the horse is put into heavy training prior to maturity.

In addition to protein being a source of energy, so are carbohydrates and fat. In feeding forage only cannot provide all of the essential nutrients that are required by the growing horse. When we “balance the ration” by feeding forage along with a properly formulated the growing horse, we need to consider both of these additional sources of energy.

Feeding high amounts of carbohydrates has been demonstrated to contribute towards grain concentrate, we are assuring that the horse receives the correct levels of energy, protein, calcium and phosphorus necessary for optimum growth. Unlimited access to water is developmental orthopedic disease in the growing horse. This is partly due to the fact that these individuals are typically being fed for a rapid rate of growth, making them candidates also essential, as is a trace-mineral salt supply.

Protein, calcium, phosphorus, zinc and copper requirements for the growing horse are for growth spurts and many related developmental problems. greater than the levels found in most cereal grains and forages. Therefore, even if a large Providing fat as an energy source is a good idea for all lifestyles of the horse, and esamount of feed is provided it still won’t meet the growing horse’s dietary needs. This is pecially so for the growing horse. Studies reveal that fat supports a steady increased rate of the reason most breeders choose to feed a grain concentrate specifically formulated for the growth, along with increasing feed efficiency. Fat is “calorically dense” in that it provides up to three times the energy per pound as cereal grains. As it is metabolized much differgrowing horse.

When feeding the weanling, a protein level of 15-16% is recommended, with that level ently than carbohydrates, fat tends to provide energy without the concerns associated with dropping to 13-14% as the horse becomes a yearling. Protein is responsible for building feeding carbohydrates.

Of all of the minerals necessary in the diet of the growing horse, calcium and phosbody tissues and growth. Both the amount of protein and its quality (amino acid content) phorus are paramount. These minerals, provided in proper levels, are important for good bone growth and development. Research tells us that the level of calcium in the total diet must be equal to, or exceed, the level of phosphorus. A range of 1:1 up to 6:1 seems to be acceptable for the growing horse. Make certain that the diet never has an inverted calciumto-phosphorus ratio! Excess phosphorus causes a loss of, or inadequate absorption of, calcium and leads to serious problems.

The role of copper in the diet of the growing horse is to aid in preventing Osteochondrosis, a developmental orthopedic disease (DOD). Zinc deficiencies typically are due to feeding lower quality feeds, while zinc toxicities are usually traced to environmental causes such as metal contamination in pastures or water sources.

Feeding the horse, especially the growing horse, is as much of an art form as it is a science. You will do well for your youngster if you develop a diet that will meet the nutritional requirements of your growing horse as we’ve just discussed.

(208) 308-0106 If you have questions or concerns, make sure you seek out more information. The health of your young horse, and its future as an adult, rely on the feeding decisions you 3290 N 2200 E, Twin Falls, ID 83301 make today.

Dr. Margaret Winsryg

MNM Consulting

Equine & Bovine Nutrition

34 March 2012

The Progressive Rancher

www.progressiverancher.com

Allie Bear Real Estate

Spializing in hunting, ranching, and horse properti

Financial Focus Presented by Sonny Davidson and Jason Land, Financial Advisors, Edward Jones in Elko, Nevada 2213 North 5th Street, Suite A | 775-738-8811

J

Don’t Let Downgrade Deter You From Investing

ust when you thought you could take a break from financial drama, following the resolution of the debt ceiling issue, here comes Act 2: the downgrade of the U.S. longterm credit rating. As a citizen, you may be feeling frustrated.

And as an investor, you might be getting worried. But is this concern really justified?

Certainly, it was news when Standard and Poors (S & P) lowered the U.S. long-term credit rating from AAA to AA+. This was, after all, the first time that the U.S. has lost its AAA status since its initial publication 70 years ago. Furthermore, S & P put a negative outlook on the rating, which means that further downgrades are possible. But despite these developments, there’s no reason to think that the sky is falling in on the investment world. Consider the following: • “Downgrade” doesn’t mean default. Rating agencies such as S & P assign ratings to bonds to help investors measure credit risk — the chance that they won’t receive timely payments. The downgrade to AA+ just means that investors would be slightly less likely to receive future payments than if the bond had an AAA rating. This is far different from a default, which would result in investors not receiving current payments.

• U.S. credit rating is still high quality. S & P didn’t change the U.S. government’s short-term credit rating, which applies to debt maturing in less than one year. Furthermore, even the long-term rating of AA+ is still considered high quality. Also, keep in mind that two other major rating agencies, Moody’s and Fitch, both affirmed their AAA rating on the U.S., although Moody’s has a nega-

Spring

Call or Stop By!

GOOD LUCK

STATE FFA COMPETITORS Sonny Davidson Jason B. Land 2213 N. 5th St. , Elko, NV 89801 775-738-8811, 800-343-0077 www.edwardjones.com www.progressiverancher.com

tive outlook on its rating.

• Downgrade was not a surprise. Because the downgrade had been rumored for weeks, the financial markets may have already “priced in” some of the impact. While it’s possible that interest rates may rise, it’s also important to note that similar downgrades of other countries’ debt in the past have not resulted in significant rate jumps. As for the stock market — which was already volatile, partially due to the debt ceiling issue — the negative reaction we’ve seen to the downgrade will likely be short-term.

This downgrade should not be as calamitous as we’ve been led to believe. Corporate profits, always a key driver of stock prices, are still strong, and with the market correction we’ve seen in the past couple of weeks, many quality stocks now appear to be more attractively priced — which means it may actually be a good time to look for investment opportunities that make sense for you, rather than heading to the “sidelines.”

In any case, you never want to overreact to any one piece of news. If you were to make big changes to your investment strategy, you’d likely incur fees and expenses — and, even more importantly, your portfolio might no longer be positioned to meet your long-term goals. You’re much better off by sticking with a strategy that’s based on your individual needs, risk tolerance and time horizon. This can be challenging, especially in light of the screaming headlines. But remember, although past performance isn’t indicative of future results, the U.S. financial markets have seen plenty of traumas in the past, and have survived — and usually, eventually prospered.

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

Auburn All Western All Breed HorSe SAle SATURDAY, APRIL 21, 2012

est and ia’s OldHorse Sale! n r o f li Ca ble Accepting ependa :00 AM Most DPreview 100 Noon entries now! :0 2 1 : April 3rd. losing c le a S oR code f

R Scan Q RY!! enT

Gold Country FairGrounds auburn, CaliFornia

all Western sales 1170 W 1000 S Logan, UT 84321 (435)752-7701 • Fax (435) 752-0020 www.SmithfieldLivestock.com

The Progressive Rancher

Cattle Ranch in beautiful Clover Valley - just 10 minutes South of Wells. 1200 fenced acres that includes 900 acres of lush meadows and 100 acres of alfalfa. Current 5000 acre private grazing lease, could be assumable to new owner along with a 5 month USFS grazing allotment. Produces 300 tons of excellent quality alfalfa hay from wheel line and underground irrigation. The meadows produce 800 to 1000 tons of hay and are irrigated from free flowing creeks. Lots of equipment comes with this gorgeous property. $3,500,000 Thompson Farm Productive farm south of Winnemucca. Two pivots run by one good well, new stands of alfalfa with high yields, shop, scale, home & older second home. 320 acres with 245 acres water righted.

Cattle Ranch South of Eureka, Nevada 4851 deeded acres, irrigated meadow land, rangeland in undulating and mountainous native land. 830 head cattle ranch family owned for generations. BLM and Forest Service grazing permits.

Fallon Farm 21.87 acres with 3 1/2 acre ft water rights and 800 ft cement ditches. 15 ac currently produce 15 acres of alfalfa production plus 4.5 acres of pasture. Hay shed. 2 covered stud corrals and outdoor riding arena. 40’x60’ shop w/insulated storage and tack room,covered saddling area with hitching rail. Completely refurbished 2 bedroom, 2 bath home & 1 bed/1 bath apartment, 5680 Harrigan Road Diamond Valley Farm, Eureka County 320 acre farm w/311 acres water righted at 4 ft/ac. Beautiful 3,332 square foot home.

Bear Ranch East of Elko. Over 3 Full Sections private; including BLM and Meadow Ground. Good for Cattle Operation. Ranch House/Headquarters NOT included. $1,700,000.

Lamoille Ranch 31.39 acres w/water rights! Beautiful home with spectacular views of the Ruby Mountains. Garage; chicken coop; barns; corrals; pens and fenced pasture are great features for this Lamoille Property! $595,000 Accepting offers!

Antelope Peak Large Ranch outside of Wells, NV. 5000 deeded acres and 5000 BLM acres! Cow/calf ranch w/summer grazing and winter hay. Features a Large 4 bedroom 2 bathroom home; shop, several outbuilding; corrals; and much more for an efficient cattle operation. Enjoy the beautiful ponds; grass fields and mountains on this Nevada Ranch Sandhill Feedlot 397 acres divided into 9 parcels. 28 large pens, 10 small pens. Approx. 3,500 head feedlot. Perfect to put together cattle for California grass.

Quarter Circle J Bertolino - Hamblin Ranch – National Forest Tucked away in Beautiful Peavine Canyon, NV. Property Features stream and pond; is a great get-away from City Life. Home with meadow views; several outbuildings! $325,000 Paradise Valley Ranch original sandstone house.

Easy access to Hinkey Summit and surrounding mountains. Fenced and landscaped yard, plus 900+ acres of working ranchland and complete facilities w/BLM permits too! Surrounded by miles of open, completely rural countryside. $1,500,000 Deerhorn Ranch Starr Valley Nevada – 470 deeded acres of relatively flat meadow land irrigated from streams, provides approx. 400 tons of quality hay and excellent summer pasture. Includes home, bunkhouse, and several outbuildings. BLM grazing permits. $1,500,000 Flying M Ranch 23,000± deeded acres + great winter permit. Lots of solar potential. 23+ miles of Humboldt River Frontage. Excellent & old water rights.

Andreola Alfalfa Farm - Austin, NV. 1900 acres - Equipped w/ ten center pivot irrigation, planted oats and then alfalfa crops, all are in good condition and upgraded as needed. Main residence is a 3 bedrooms, 2 bath, attached 12’x12’ utility room and office w/ large covered decks on front and back. Property features Guest house, gazebo, and greenhouse.

View comple listings at:

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775-738-8535 Allie Bear

Broker/Realtor 775-777-6416

March 2012 35

Realtors: Dawn Mitton Mike Sallee Ken Heinbaugh

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit # 3280 Salt Lake City, UT

The Cattleman’s Connection

Angus and Hereford Bull Sale *Monday March 12th, 2012 Spring Cove Ranch*93 years in the Angus Business JBB/AL Herefords * 45 years in the Hereford Business

1:00 PM at Spring Cove Ranch in Bliss, Idaho Selling 157 Angus Yrlg & Fall Bulls & 46 Angus Heifers 42 Hereford Yrlg, Fall & 2 yr Bulls & 22 Hereford Heifers

Lot 145 SCR-FB Forward 295X REG # 16984984

Lot 129

DOB 9/9/10

SCR-S/F Titan 10650 DOB 9/1/10

REG # 17059427 Sire: Spring Cove Titan 8319

Sire: Connealy Forward

B+2.0 W+52 Y+87 M+25 $B+67.49

B+.1.1 W+51 Y+95 M+28 $B+62.37

Lot 20 SCR-V4 Overload DOB 2/4/11 REG # 170222163

Sire: SLL Overload T18

B+.1 W+58 Y+98 M+21 $B+69.80

Lot 29 Spring Cove Emblazon 551D DOB 2/9/11

Lot 50 SCR-TL New Day 1023 DOB 1/16/11

Lot 116 Spring Cove Titan 1363 DOB 2/6/11

REG # 17022179 Sire: CCA Emblazon 702

REG # 17024934 Sire: B/R New Day 454

REG# 17022132 Sire: Spring Cove Titan 8319

B-.5 W+54 Y+98 M+29 $B+65.00

B+2.6 W+53 Y+99 M+29 $B+81.40

B+1.6 W+50 Y+87 M+23 $B+63.42

Lot 226 ALSK Rib Eye 110 DOB 1/10/11

Lot 203 AL Prince 024 DOB 1/22/10 REG # P43081898 Sire : JWR 024P Sara’s Prince 153T B.+2.7 W+47 Y+78 M+19 $CHB+25

REG # P43179963

Sire SHF Rib Eye M326 R117

B+3.8 W+62 Y +100 M+23 $CHB+20

Lot 231 AL 3027 Domino 122 DOB 1/15/11 REG # 43179905

Sire: UPS Domino 3027

B+1.9 W +52 Y+81 M+28 $CHB+30

For Catalogs call : Spring Cove Ranch, Bliss, Idaho 208-352-4332 JBB/AL Herefords, Gooding, Idaho at 208-280-1507 36 March 2012

The Progressive Rancher

www.progressiverancher.com