Beef may be more expensive now than in the past but when compared to processed food it is still the bargain of the century. Especially when the nutritional value of beef is considered. Animals over 30 months are even more nutrient dense and therefore eliminating the USDA 30 month rule would be a critical step in Making America Healthy Again. There have been many comparisons of a pound of hamburger to monster energy drinks, potato chips, Doritos, soda and other ultra processed food. Beef is not expensive, beef is medicine. Consumers who eat more beef are saving $1000’s annually in medication and doctor visits. Plus they have more energy and are more productive in society.
For years now the big four packers and retailers have used monopolistic practices and cheap mislabeled beef imports to lower live cattle prices for the American ranchers while gouging the American consumers. This has driven 100’s of thousands of producers out of business. The packers are now sleeping in the bed they made. The $100’s of billions (with a B) they profited over the last few decades due to their predatory tactics has them very well healed. Finally the ranchers are able to make a small profit but in most cases these higher cattle prices have just caught up to the inflationary operating costs. Ranchers cannot be expected to operate at a loss for decades on end until all their cattle and land equity is gone. Low to no profitability combined with overburdensome government regulations and harassment from BLM, Forest Service, EPA, ESA etc is why the younger generations are not coming home to take over the family ranch. That is why we are becoming reliant on foreign countries with substandard animal husbandry practices for our beef. Food security is National Security.
Cheap, mislabeled imported beef has been used as a hammer to lower prices on domestic producers. If the packing industry and retailers had to be truthful about the origin of the beef they are selling, it would give consumers both confidence and choices. Currently the substandard imported beef is all sold as “Product of the US”. This leads consumers to believe they are buying wholesome, healthy, American beef. The meat mafia is using the good reputation of the American cowboy and rancher to sell imported beef from countries known to use slave labor and child slave labor, known corruption and ties to the drug cartels etc. MCOOL would solve this issue, if our President wants to lower beef prices, MCOOL is his answer. MCOOL gives the American consumers a choice. Those who are concerned about how and where their beef was raised and processed can choose American beef at a premium price, those looking to stretch their dollars can buy the imported beef at a discounted price. Under today’s import rules ALL beef is sold at a premium because it’s all labeled “Product of the US”. American consumers deserve the truth, and our ranchers deserve to be rewarded for their hard work and superior product.
We must explain and debunk the theory that imports equal cheap beef to the consumers. Nothing could be further from the truth. For example if Donald J Trump makes a really good buy on a piece of property in Florida or New York, there’s no written rule that says if he wants to flip that property he can only mark it up 10%. He can sell it for whatever the market will bear. Same if bred cows are bringing $3500 and Jack Payne sees a young calvey cow in the weigh pen and buys her for $2400 by the pound. There’s no written rule that I have to sell the cow at a discounted price. If the market is $3500, I can sell the cow for $3500. It’s the same with imported beef, the importers, packers and retailers know down to the penny what the consumer market will bear. Just because they made a good buy on Argentine beef doesn’t mean those savings will be passed on to the consumers. Cheap imports does not equate cheap beef to the consumers. Cheap imports only equals increased profits for the packers. In the long-term, cheap imports have the exact opposite affect on the beef prices in America. Because your smaller regional packing plants and mom and pop butcher shops/meat markets don’t have access to barge loads and massive containers of beef, they cannot compete in the market place with JBS, Tyson etc. The big players lower beef prices temporarily to break the smaller operators and then buy them out. That’s how the big have gotten so big and
Nevada Livestock Marketing Feeder Sale, October 24th, 2025
5670 Head Sold 163 Consignors
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the small processors and meat markets are closed and boarded up. Mistakes from the last 40 years have led us to where we are today. There is no easy or quick fix. We can’t fix 40 years of bad policy overnight but we can reverse the trends if we get to work now. There are dozens of things the USDA and the Trump Administration can do to get our beef sovereignty and security back. We are at your service and ready to help, we know this industry inside and out. We want to help for the right reasons, not to pad our own pockets or help our friends. We want to help because we love our country, our communities and our way of life. We want to pass this legacy on to the next generation. There’s something special about feeding your fellow countrymen good healthy beef. To be honest it stings when we hear the president we love and respect say “We’ve worked our magic”. You can’t waive a wand and make the American cowherds rebuild, and cheap imports will not do the trick. To assume all beef is equal is a slap to the face of the American ranchers who overwhelmingly support President Trump. Imports and bad policies are the reason we are here in this beef crisis. They are the problem not the solution. Please let us help get healthy American beef back on the dinner table of American families. America First!
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Gratitude is the art of recognizing the good woven into everyday life. It turns ordinary moments into blessings and challenges into lessons. When we pause to appreciate what we have, we nurture joy, strengthen relationships, and invite peace. Gratitude transforms perspective—it’s a quiet power that brightens every heart.
Lately for many life seems a little, fearful of the unknown. The reminder of daily gratitude is something many can find peace in. Knowing that God has a greater plan for us. Walking with courage and leaning on him for guidance.
This holiday and seasonon change I hope you kind hold close in your heart your loved ones, your livestock as always are well, and that you embrace the memories being made right infront of you.
This edition will be the last edition printed on newspaper print. Our magazine will be receiving a fresh facelift to become a coffee table keepsake! Printed on glossy paper and bound. We are very excited for this change and hope you will be too!
I hope you enjoy this edition!
- Ashley
• Pg 6- BraveHearts
• Pg 12- Cast Iron Cowboy- Kent Rollins
• Pg 16- Cowboy Pastor's Wife
• Pg 20- Partyline Cookbook Recipes
ON THE COVER:
Photo by Emily Eiguren
Casey Gallagher (Son of Becky (Kershner) & Jack Gallagher, horseback with Lloyd Sherburn while shipping at the UC Ranch outside of McDermitt, NV. Grateful for the future generations, a good horse and fat cattle.
Blake Nuffer
February 14, 1958 — October 3, 2025
Blake Gordon Nuffer passed away suddenly on October 3rd, 2025, doing what he loved, working cows. Though his time was far too short, he leaves behind a legacy that touched countless lives and reached across many miles.
Born on February 14, 1958, in Soda Springs, Idaho, Blake was the beloved son of Jack and Gem Nuffer and the younger brother of Rob Nuffer—his lifelong best friend and role model.
Blake graduated from Bear Lake High School in 1976. Even though the doctors told his parents he might not learn to talk because of his cleft palate, Blake attended auctioneering school in Billings, Montana and became an auctioneer, proving them wrong. His natural charisma and voice made him an exceptional auctioneer, and he shared his talent generously — not only through his professional work but also by volunteering at countless community fundraisers and benefits throughout his life.
Blake started working for the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service on the Bear Lake refuge in Bear Lake, Idaho in 1976. It was during this time that he met Sandy and they were married on November 21, 1980 and built a beautiful life together, raising three children: Lacey Gem, Meggie Mae, and Cooper Jack. Blake was a supportive husband and a proud father — his family was truly his world. He never
missed a chance to cheer on his kids and was always their biggest fan. He loved his grandkids so deeply and he drove many miles to attend anything they were involved in. He never missed an opportunity to brag about them.
His career with the Fish and Wildlife Service spanned three states. He also worked on the Minidoka National Wildlife refuge in Rupert Idaho, the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Burns, Oregon, and the National Bison Range in Charlo, Montana. After 16 years with the Fish and Wildlife he decided to leave the government and become partners with Terry Warneke in the Worland Livestock Auction in 1992. The family moved to Worland, Wyoming, where they spent 12 wonderful years. During this time, Blake also became a regional manager for Superior Livestock Auction and managed the northwest region of representatives that worked for Superior Livestock and he later became a rep for Superior Livestock Auction.
In 2009, Blake partnered with Ted Odle to purchase the Montana Livestock Auction, a venture he poured his heart into. In 2020, Blake and Sandy became the sole owners of Montana Livestock Auction, a milestone that reflected years of dedication, hard work, and faith in the business they helped build together. Blake was so proud of the team at Montana Livestock Auction that surrounded him and always gave them the credit for the sale barn’s success. Blake loved getting out
Bruce Livingston Branscomb
July 23, 1929 September 19, 2025 (age 96)
Bruce was born July 23, 1929, in Phoenix, Az., to George L. Branscomb and Parma Chapple Branscomb. He spent most of his young life and schooling in Casa Grande, Az., but spent an interesting couple of years as a pre-schooler traveling with a Wild West Show from Massachusetts to Arizona where he was part of the Hopi Indian act. Later the family spent a short time living on Hualapi, part of the Hopi Reservation in Arizona. He left high school in Phoenix before graduating to enlist in the U.S. Navy near the end of World War II and was discharged after four years. He returned to Arizona and enrolled at the University of Arizona in Tucson where he joined the Rodeo Club and rode bulls and bareback broncs for their team and in 1954 was the school’s Rodeo Boss. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Animal Husbandry in 1954 and a master’s degree in Range Management in 1956.
In December of that year, he married Mary Ann Weaver, a schoolteacher in Tucson, and in 1958 enrolled in Washington State University in Pullman to become a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM).
In 1963, he and his family (wife and children, two and four years old) went first to Yerington, Nevada, where he stayed for two years and began, also, to serve as an endurance ride veterinarian beginning with the Tevis Cup (Western States 100 mile trail ride in 24 hours) in California, a horse race from Squaw Valley Nevada over the top of
into the country, visiting with ranchers, and talking shop about the cattle industry he cared so deeply about. No matter what Blake was doing, representing cattle for Superior Livestock, running the sale barn or running cattle, Blake loved having Cooper right by his side teaching him everything he knew.
Blake was a true cattleman and cowboy! He loved the livestock business, the land, and the people who make up the agricultural community. He was a strong advocate for producers, the cattle industry, and rural life, always championing those who worked hard to make a living from the land. Blake was also a dreamer, a risk-taker, and a businessman— unafraid to chase new ideas or embark on the next big adventure. He lived life with passion and purpose, giving back to every community he called home. A strong supporter of youth programs and agriculture, he was deeply involved in 4-H and countless other organizations that helped young people learn, grow, and succeed. His support for communities, youth, and really anyone or anything in need was unmatched, even if it often went unnoticed.
Blake loved and rode good horses —and he had some of the best. In his youth, he was a talented calf roper and team roper and loved to rodeo. Blake always talked about how proud he was to attend a Roy Cooper calf roping school in Twin Falls, Idaho. He passed that passion down to his son, teaching Cooper to rope
the Sierra Nevada Mountains to Auburn, California.
In 1965 he moved to Elko to work with Dr A.A. Cuthbertson in a mixed animal practice. He stayed with “Gus” for four years which he enjoyed especially since Gus had a Super Cub and Bruce had learned to fly in the Navy. In those years, Elko Veterinary Clinic’s territory covered almost all of the northern part of the state and flying was the only way to get to ranches in a reasonable amount of time.
Altogether, he was a private practitioner for 17 years in Nevada.
As a member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, he was one of four veterinarians monitoring the horses competing in The Great American Horse Race from the Saratoga Racetrack in New York to Sacramento, California. The race started in June and ended Labor Day. It was an observation of the nation’s’ Bicentennial in 1976.
In 1984, he was one of many equine veterinarians who worked at the International Olympic Games held at Santa Anita. He served as Nevada State Racing Commission Veterinarian for four years, mostly in Elko and was president for one term of the Nevada Veterinary Association. In 1980 he joined the USDA Veterinary Services and was trained as a foreign animal disease diagnostician to recognize diseases such as equine infectious anemia and avian influenza, both of which pop up occasionally in Nevada. In the late 1980s Nevada was declared “Brucellosis Free” by the USDA. After that he left the
and supporting him in every step of that dream. Blake also loved to compete in ranch rodeos and never missed an opportunity to attend a branding. His passion for the western way of life ran deep, and his love for the cattle industry is now carried on through generations of his family.
Blake was a big man who lived a big life. He did so many cool and meaningful things —always lending his time, energy, and heart to others.
Blake is survived by his wife Sandy; his children Lacey (Hank) Higley, Meggie (Rett) Cameron, Cooper (Laurie) Nuffer; and his eight wonderful grandchildren, Zane, Max, Jase, Remie, Harley, Pendleton, Truman and Quaylo, his brothers Rob (Delia) Nuffer, Tod (Brenda) Nuffer, and numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack Nuffer, Gem Dahlen, and his oldest brother, Doug Nuffer and youngest brother Quinn Nuffer.
Dad, you will be deeply missed in our
USDA and went to work for the Nevada Department of Agriculture as senior diagnostician, a position he held until he retired at the age of 75. In 1969, he and his family moved from Elko to Lamoille where he lived for the rest of his life, spending the winter months in Arizona after 2011.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Kathryn Kittleson, and one nephew, Paul Kittleson.
He is survived by two sons: Blaine (Sue) of Elko and Jeremy (Trina) of Opelika, Alabama, two grandchildren and one great grandchild; Melissa of Opelika and Jaimie (Rustyn) Roper of Auburn, Alabama; great granddaughter Elenora Rae, of Auburn, a niece and two nephews.
He is also survived by his surrogate family: Mark and Kim Hooper and their children, Katie Hooper Steele (Chad) and Chelsea Hooper Baulch (Travis) and four “great grandchildren: Hadlee and Stetson Steele and Frank and Charlie Baulch of Lamoille.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to
BraveHearts is a non-profit organization that started more than 20 years ago as a therapeutic riding program to help disabled children and military veterans. Horses have an amazing ability to help heal people emotionally as well as physically, and have saved the lives of many Veterans who had given up on trying to deal with stress and depression and were contemplating suicide.
By Heather Smith Thomas Nevada Rancher
BraveHearts saves veterans’ lives with horses – including mustangs
One of the things BraveHearts does to raise awareness for the plight of many Veterans is their Trail to Zero 20-mile trail rides, at cities across the country. These rides are called Trail to Zero because statistically every day, on average, 20 Veterans commit suicide due to post-traumatic stress. The goal is to try to reduce that number to zero.
Bill Mercurio is a Vietnam Veteran who became involved with BraveHearts in 2015. “We do Trail to Zero rides in New York City, Washington D.C., Chicago and cities in other states--at least two rides every year, to bring awareness of the tragedy of Veteran suicides. I was one of the riders on our original ride in 2017,” he says.
“That was an adventure, in New York City. We started in Central Park then went through downtown and 42nd Street. We stopped and spent 20 minutes at Ground Zero from 9-11. We had so much support from the mounted police in New York; they are an amazing group of guys. Some of them took days off or vacation days to ride with us because they were Veterans. We had a large contingent of riders, and that number has increased over the years,” says Mercurio.
“The idea is that if we are visible in New York or some other city, more people will learn about the BraveHearts program. We get phone calls from around the country from Veterans or family members of Veterans. They might have someone who is not doing well, asking if we can help that person, with our horses. We do as much as we can, but there are also many
other organizations around the country that can also help. We can refer some people to a group that’s closer to them, so they can have opportunity to connect with horses. I am a huge believer that these animals are lifesavers,” he says.
It is amazing how much trust can develop between the horse and the person who rides and handles him. “We take these horses into major cities on our Trail to Zero rides, and that’s a major risk. That first ride, we went through Central Park, along the main path. To our left were runners doing a 10-K and to our right were people on bicycles but our horses weren’t phased at all. Our leader, Meggan Hill-McQueeney, doesn’t take a horse to something like this unless it’s bomb-proof,” he says.
“We were able to ride through Central Park with all that chaos, and then down 42nd Street with all the traffic. We had 18 riders plus all the support riders. We took some of our mustangs to New York with us, and the head of the mounted police in New York was skeptical. When he first talked with Meggan about
“At the beginning I was on about 16 prescription medications and drinking more than a couple quarts a day. I’d come through a series of hospitals and ended up in Chicago. The folks at BraveHearts found a sober-living house for me. Either the bus would take me out here to BraveHearts every day or I would be picked up by a staff member and brought here,” he says. “I started out by mucking stalls. I spent my mornings getting right with God.” A person can do a lot of thinking, mucking stalls.
what we were doing, he said they would put us in the Park and give us the riding trail, but Meggan told him she wanted to be front and center downtown so people could see what we were doing. Otherwise, what’s the point? He didn’t want to risk having our horses in New York City, especially since we had some mustangs in our group.”
That conversation sparked some interest in what we actually do with these horses. “That guy decided he wanted to see what this was all about, and allowed us to do it. The mounted police had some big Percheron horses they use as crowd movers. When we went out on the street, those huge horse were in front of our mustangs. When the police shut down 42nd Street they used big trailers with the ooga-ooga horns. When those horns go off, traffic stops and everyone looks to see what’s going on,” says Mercurio.
“When those horns went off, those Percherons went a few steps sideways, but the two mustangs that were right behind them and in front of our other riders didn’t even flinch; their ears didn’t even move! They’d been more thoroughly trained. The guy who runs the mounted police said he thought their horses were well-trained, but ours were more bomb-proof! Now, the New York police department has mustangs on their mounted group. They have two that are already working and two that are in the process of getting ready to work.”
Their police department saw the ability of mustangs. “The Percherons basically just move people around or halt a crowd, whereas mustangs can actually go into the crowd. They are so much more maneuverable, quick and agile, and their reactions are so fast because they come from survival mode. They see more things and are much more alert. This is one of the reasons Veterans like to ride them, because the Vets are also hyper-alert, always looking around to see what might be on a rooftop or over in a corner. They are always watching, especially the new Veterans. They love the mustangs because they are also reactive; they make a good pair—a warrior and a warrior.”
It’s been a big plus for BraveHearts to have mustangs, because once they are gentled, taken good care of and trained, they are great. “We recently had three new ones come in, and they will work nicely in our therapy program. You might think mustangs would be difficult, but they can be very compliant and excellent for teaching Veterans. If you don’t work that horse correctly he will give you some resistance. They’ve had their independence for so long that you have to work with them properly and gain the synergy, to be in tune with that horse, so this is very beneficial.”
Mitchell Reno is a Veteran who feels BraveHearts saved his life. Now he works with this organization and helps other Veterans. “I came to BraveHearts in 2014 through Lovell Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago. They have a bus that brings Veterans out to BraveHearts for 8 to 9 weeks, to ride in their program. I am from Texas, but at that point in my life I was suffering greatly from PTSD and substance abuse, and was on all kinds of medications,” he says. “I came out on the bus, met with the people who worked here and ended up coming back through that PTSD program in 2015. I rode with the guys out here, and in 2016, I actually became sober, partly because BraveHearts tailored a personal program to help me. I was an extreme case, with multiple suicide attempts, car accidents, emergency care flights, etc. They got me into a 28-day rehab at Lovell and I was able to get off a lot of the medications while I was in
that hospital,” says Reno.
“At the beginning I was on about 16 prescription medications and drinking more than a couple quarts a day. I’d come through a series of hospitals and ended up in Chicago. The folks at BraveHearts found a sober-living house for me. Either the bus would take me out here to BraveHearts every day or I would be picked up by a staff member and brought here,” he says. “I started out by mucking stalls. I spent my mornings getting right with God.” A person can do a lot of thinking, mucking stalls.
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By that time, he had dropped down to only 6 medications. “Between the 28-day rehab, working every day at BraveHearts and tapering off a bunch of anti-psychotic drugs, I was doing better and started working with Meggan Hill-McQueeney (the Presi dent and CEO of BraveHearts). They put me into lessons with horses multiple times a week, sometimes multiple times a day, starting with ground lessons and foundation horsemanship, and riding lessons, doing different things all the time. They were totally committed to helping me,” he says. At that time, BraveHearts had two BLM mustangs that had been trained and saddle-broke and used for riding lessons. Two of the Veterans had taken these mustangs to the Mustang Million competition in Fort Worth, Texas F ind the Nevada Rancher on Facebook & Instagram or call 775-623-5011 for more infor mation!
for about 20 months after he was gelded, because he was gelded so late. He still had testosterone coursing through his body for a year and a half. Working through that and working with Oatie and Batman—two of the other mustangs—was a unique experience. I was riding the first mustangs that got trained, in my lessons, and learning everything I could,” Reno says.
He was putting in 10 to 12 hours each day at the barns. “Some days I worked exclusively with the barn manager, some days I worked with the feeder, and most days I was with the Director of Operations, and with Meggan whenever we were working with the mustangs. I learned a lot, in a short period of time, and learned how to regulate my emotions.” He had to do that, in order to bond with the horse he was working with.
“I was trying to help the horse, and in return the horse helped me. For Operation Mustang we gentled and halter broke 18 mustangs and 4 wild Burros. We got a couple of them saddle-broke in 11 days at Cheyenne Frontier Days in 2016,” he says.
“I was also on the first Trail to Zero—the ride for Veteran suicide awareness. We rode through New York City and I rode Mighty, one of the mustangs we gentled. I rode him in an open bridle and the mounted police who rode with us couldn’t believe it. They asked, ‘Where’s the bit?’ and when I said I didn’t need it they thought I was insane. They also asked, ‘What’s that thing on his neck?’ and I explained that it was a freeze brand. They wondered why a person would do that to their horse and I told them this horse used to be wild. The one guy was so surprised he almost fell off his horse; he thought I was kidding,” says Reno.
HEALING THROUGH HORSES – Reno had horses as a kid. “I liked horses but we didn’t have a purpose for them and I didn’t have any real instruction. It was just hold on and not fall off. Being with other Veterans working with horses was different.”
The Veterans are all like his brothers and sisters. “It doesn’t really matter here whether they served in combat or not. The conversations I had with other Veterans, prior to coming to BraveHearts, I only associated with Veterans who had been in combat or on active duty. When I came back from service, I didn’t associate with civilians. During the first 18 months here, I realized how much I was missing out on. It wasn’t that I didn’t trust civilians; we just didn’t have anything in common anymore. This is totally normal for a Veteran, but I was missing out on relationships
and all the blessings of friendship outside the military community. At BraveHearts I gained friendships and understanding.
“At first I was just skittish and I didn’t know where I belonged. What is so great about being here is that you get the camaraderie you desire, and it’s the horse that draws you back, plus the Veteran community. Everyone here, that you know, they’ve got your back. I eventually realized that civilians can have my back, too, and I can have theirs, and the lines between us get erased. We are talking horses because we have a new passion,” says Reno.
“I became a PATH (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) certified instructor here at BraveHearts in 2016, and within 18 months was on my way back to Texas to my home. It was like a country western song played backward: I got my life back, my house back, car back, kids back. I was so grateful, and that’s an understatement; no words can do it justice.”
In 2018 he was invited back to go on their Trail to Zero ride in Washington, D.C. and New York City again in 2019. “We also rode in Chicago and in Houston in 2020. I have been on 13 Trail to Zero rides. We rode 20 miles in France last year, on Utah Beach, and in Ft Wayne Indiana,” says Reno.
“Last summer we rode in Wyoming on a back-country ride in the mountains. I’d never ridden horses at that elevation--about 8000 feet or a little higher at some points. We actually rode about 30 miles rather than just 20.” In that steep terrain, by the time you’ve gone up and down that many mountains, 20 miles on a map (as the crow flies!) is a lot more actual miles.
Recently he has been teaching, working with horses and some of the Veterans in preparation for BraveHearts’ role in helping with the Special Olympics. “This is so fulfilling. My family lives in Texas and it’s hard to be away from them, but it’s also like family up here; it’s like I have 600 family members at BraveHearts! They just took me in and had faith in me when I didn’t have any faith,” says Reno. This is his way of paying it forward.
“This is a faith-based organization, and there’s a chapel here at the farm. This is where I did my 6th and 7th steps in the 12 steps of AA.” Part of a person’s recovery is spiritual; it’s not just physical or mental. It also involves who you are, and how you can be comfortable with yourself.
“I know that God put something super special in horses when he gave them to us to take care of. Horses can help people with any disability—physical, mental or spiritual. People from the Milwaukee Blind Center come here; I’ts awesome seeing how the horses take care of those folks, with the direction of our instructors. Interacting with horses empowers Veterans who are coming from really horrible places—literally dark places. I’ve talked with World War II Veterans, amputees, paralyzed people, blind people, some with PTSD, some who have done outrageous numbers of tours and have seen and done crazy stuff. To know that lost place they are coming from, and getting them horseback, I feel we can do anything,” says Reno.
With a horse, you are just there in the moment, bonding with that animal, and can relax in your own skin and just be yourself. “You are able to be you, able to be whole and this is a very special gift. I can see and feel it with these people and I know it’s directly from God,” he says.
“These are very special people with hearts of service. They are here for the horses but also because they want to help, in whatever way they can. It might be a Veteran’s family member, the Veteran themselves, an instructor, feeder or a volunteer, but they are giving back to others because they have been so freely given to. It’s magical when you have that many people whose hearts are the same; you can do anything!”
One of the biggest challenges is how to reach more people who need help, on this healing journey. “We know the horse works for this, so we want to spread this message across the country.” There can be blessings evolve from bad things, if we let it happen.
“God has done a good job of keeping me humble and small, with my eye on the prize—and that prize is the next person, the next horse that I can help. I don’t care if it’s a guy on the street or a volunteer here; it doesn’t matter. I try to live the St. Francis prayer every day.
Lord make me an instrument of your peace, Where there is hatred let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon. Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope. Where there is darkness, light. And where there is sadness, joy.
O divine master grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; To be loved as to love
For it is in giving that we receiveit is in pardoning that we are pardoned.
And it’s in dying that we are born to eternal life.
“I read it every day, and I try to live it, and it keeps me humble. I am truly grateful for that.”
Mary Lou Minor
Mary Lou Minor, age 92 died August 31, 2025, at the Highland Inn Assisted Living Facility in Elko, Nevada. A native of Jordan Valley, Oregon, she was born August 12, 1933, to Pete and Madeliene Laca, one of six daughters.
She was educated in Jordan Valley and graduated from Jordan Valley High School in 1951. She then attended and graduated from St. Luke’s School of Nursing in Boise, Idaho in 1954.
She married Gary R. Minor in Boise, Idaho on November 28, 1954. The couple made their home for a brief time at the Home Ranch in Orovada, Nevada. From there
they moved to McDermitt, Nevada and went into the ranching business on the old Minor place, having been owned by his father and mother, Bill and Della Minor. The Ranch was sold in 1994.
Mary Lou worked for the Humboldt County School District as a County School Nurse for over thirty years, traveling the county visiting all the rural schools and spending two days a week in Winnemucca at their five schools. She traveled approximately 10,000 miles per year.
Her husband, Gary preceded her in death on November 30, 1994, as well as four of her sisters.
She is survived by her son, Cash A. (Dorothy) Minor of Elko, NV; her daughter, Yvonne Minor of Winnemucca, NV; Four grandchildren, Sherri (Krist) VanHorne of Kellogg, ID; Lindsey (David) Tregellas of Winnemucca, NV; Adam (Brittany) Minor of Bismarck, ND; and Brynn Minor of Tigard, OR. One great-granddaughter, Addison Tregellas. Her sister, Virginia Haynes of Gillette, WY. And numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Marylou’s memory may be made to the LaRena Smith Bengoa Run, Ride or Walk for the Cure c/o Natalie Maher, PO Box 435 McDer-
Dennis Rechel
Dennis Kay Rechel passed away at home on July 15, 2025. Born August 2, 1946 in Fallon, NV to Walter “Pal” Edward Rechel and Helen LaRae Morgan Rechel . Dennis was the middle child between Darrel and Darlene. He lived in Fallon and graduated from Churchill County High School in 1965. He moved to Yerington in 1998.
Dennis married Violet Casey-Miller and they had 5 children together. Throughout his life, Dennis embarked on many career adventures. He worked as a meat cutter, buckaroo, carpenter, trapper, and hunting guide. Dennis was an avid athlete playing many years of softball and basketball. He loved the outdoors and was an excellent hunter and guide. He coached Little League baseball and was a fan of anything his children did.
He was preceded in death by his parents and great granddaughter Marlie Grace. He is survived by his wife, Lucy; brother Darrel (Carrie) Rechel; sister Darlene (John) Short; sons, Dennis (Kim) Rechel, Jeff (Jodi) Rechel, Tim Rechel; daughters, Kimi (Jesse) Melendy, Michelle Rechel; 14 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
In 1998, Dennis guided a long-time archery friend, Lucy Snyder, on an archery cow elk hunt. It was the beginning of a long and happy relationship. They were married on December 29, 2000, and honeymooned in Arizona hunting javelina and Coues deer. Their life revolved around family, Rotary, archery, and hunting. Hunting was one of the strongest loves shared by Dennis and Lucy. He taught her much and they enjoyed elk, sheep, deer, javelina and antelope hunts together as well as making 3 safaris to Africa.
Dennis was a leader, especially when it involved his passions – archery, hunting, and trapping. He served in leadership roles for Fallon Bowmen, Walker River Bowmen, Nevada Bowhunters Association, Nevada Trappers Association, and the Guides Association. His voice of reason and compromise was
respected by his fellow sportsmen and hunters. He was always ready to put his back into these organizations. Whether it was setting up an archery shoot, guiding the Nevada Hero’s donation hunt, hosting the Nevada Bighorns Unlimited Dinner, or Nevada Fur Sale, he was always one of the first to arrive and the last to leave, bringing tools, know-how and enthusiasm. He mentored his own sons and other young aspiring guides.
Dennis continued to work during the non-hunting season with his son, Jeffrey, in Rechel and Sons Construction for many years. He tired of the hour-long commute to and from job sites and joined Lucy as head of Snyder Livestock’s construction and maintenance department, installing water troughs, doing concrete and construction work, welding fences, and, as his ability to do physical work waned, he became the parts runner and made dozens of trips to Reno.
Dennis worked until the Parkinson’s Disease and chronic back and knee pain forced him to retire. In retirement, Dennis continued to grow a beautiful garden, sharing the bounty with family and friends.
In the last two years, as the Parkinson’s robbed Dennis of the activities he loved and forced him to a recliner, then a bed, Dennis maintained a keen interest in the things he loved. He was incredibly knowledgeable about Nevada hunting as always willing to share his expertise with other hunters. He hunted as long as he was able, taking a bull elk and a beautiful mule deer with a crossbow in 2023 and an antelope buck with a rifle last fall.
We remember Dennis for his quick wit and dry sense of humor, his impatience with sloppy work or lazy shortcuts, his pride in his children, grandchil-
Deadline: November 13 | Broadcast live from Silver Legacy | Reno, NV Tuesday, December 2
Deadline: December 26 | Broadcast live from North Platte Stockyards | North Platte, NE Monday, January 6
By Martin Paris Executive Director, Nevada Cattlemen’s Association
Nevada Cattlemen’s Association gears up for annual convention and policy updates
NCA November Update
I can’t believe it’s already November. Hopefully everyone is surviving a busy weaning and shipping season. The Nevada Cattlemen’s Association Annual Convention is right around the corner. We have an engaging line up of speakers and events that will surely keep you informed and up to date with issues that impact our industry. At Convention, not only are Nevada Cattlemen’s Association members in attendance, but members of the Nevada Land Action Association, Nevada CattleWomen, Inc., Nevada Wool Growers, Nevada Central Grazing Committee, Nevada Rangeland Resources Commission, vendors that provide services to the beef cattle industry and guest speakers to celebrate the Nevada Livestock Industry. NCA staff and officers are working hard to provide a memorable and educational experience. Please be sure to come to the convention and learn more about how NCA is working to ensure that Nevada’s livestock industry remains
viable and make sure your voice is heard all along the way. Registration for the convention is on our website at https://www.nevadacattlemen.org/events-meetings. If you are interested in attending or would like more information, please call the office at 1-775-738-9214 or email convention@nevadacattlemen.org.
NCA has had a busy few months, including engaging in policy discussions at the annual Public Lands Council (PLC) meeting. During the meeting, we had the opportunity to help set policy that will guide PLC’s mission forward and heard from leadership at various agencies, including Senior Advisor at the Bureau of Land Management Brenda Younkin, U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Shultz, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Brian Nesvik, and Deputy Administrator of USDA APHIS–Wildlife Services Jessica Fantinato. Each shared their agency’s vision moving forward under the current administration.
Much like in my last report, there is a clear theme of
active management over preservation. I believe we’re in for some positive changes when it comes to the regulatory structure that guides species management, grazing flexibility, project implementation on public lands, wildfire prevention, and several other areas. However, all of these potential changes are just words on paper unless they make it across the finish line when it comes time for implementation on your ranch.
NCA is working hard to ensure that these positive changes are not only adopted, but are also durable and defensible so they can have utility for years to come.
Finally, if you have heifers and steers for sale this fall/ winter and are looking to get the best bang for your buck, please consider consigning them to the upcoming Silver State Classic Feeder Sale. The special sale will start at noon on December 2nd at Fallon Livestock LLC in Fallon, NV. Fallon Livestock LLC donates a portion of the sale commission back to the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association which helps us represent you on the issues
Lifetime Pipe for Agriculture & Mining
NDA welcomes Bryant McDowell as new State Entomologist
The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) has named Bryant McDowell as the new State Entomologist with the Division of Plant Health and Compliance. McDowell will be tasked with protecting Nevada’s agricultural and natural resources from invasive pests, support statewide plant health programs and manage the NDA Entomology Laboratory and collection.
A Texas native, McDowell earned both his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in entomology from Texas A&M University, where his graduate research focused on the population genetics and colony breeding structure of the invasive tawny crazy ant (Nylanderia fulva). His laboratory experience includes work with Aphelinus parasitic wasps, kissing bug dissections, and blood-meal analyses for trypanosome detection. While at Texas A&M, he also built a strong teaching and outreach portfolio, serving as lead teaching assistant for veterinary entomology, organizing FFA and 4-H insect identification clinics, and mentoring students in applied entomology. After returning to Texas Hill Country in 2020, he taught high school forensics, anatomy and physiology before joining Texas A&M AgriLife Extension in Dallas as a program specialist from 2022 to 2024. There, he managed the IPM House training facility, delivered integrated pest management education, and provided statewide continuing education unit trainings.
“We are thrilled to welcome Bryant into this critical role,” said NDA Division of Plant Health and Compliance Administrator Meghan Brown. “His academic training, field experience and passion for public education will be instrumental in protecting Nevada’s agricultural integrity and sup-
NDA welcomes new Deputy Administrator Bob Ragar
Deputy Administrator Ragar will help to oversee the Division of Animal Industry
The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) has welcomed Robert “Bob” Ragar as Deputy Administrator for the Division of Animal Industry at the Sparks Headquarters. Deputy Administrator Ragar brings with him 13 years of state service across multiple agencies.
“Bob brings with him a wealth of state agency experience and a background in environmental sciences and range management,” said NDA Director J.J. Goicoechea. “We are very lucky to have him here at the NDA.”
Deputy Administrator Ragar is a native Nevadan, having lived in various rural communities including Ausitn, Eureka, Gabbs and Tonopah, in addition to Reno, where he now calls home. In addition to his extensive knowledge in state service, Deputy Administrator Ragar also brings 35 years of experience in construction, engineering, and criminal and civil investigations. He hopes to leverage this experience to aid the NDA Division of Animal Industry in navigating State processes and advance its programs.
The Spanish Ranch episode of Cast Iron Cowboy aired October 27 on the Outdoor Channel.
Past episodes and recipes can be found at KentRollins.com.
Cowboy cook Kent Rollins brings his cast-iron charm to Nevada’s historic Spanish Ranch, where good grub, cold weather, and Great Basin grit come together in a celebration of buckaroo life and Western tradition.
When the fifth episode of Cast Iron Cowboy aired on the Outdoor Channel on October 27, viewers were treated to more than sizzling Dutch oven ribs and campfire beans—they got a glimpse into one of Nevada’s most iconic ranching legacies. Set against the sweeping sagebrush country of Tuscarora, the episode followed cowboy cook Kent Rollins and his wife, Shannon, as they rolled into the historic Spanish Ranch, one of the oldest working ranches in the Silver State. For Rollins—whose down-home humor, oldschool cooking, and cast-iron know-how have earned him more than six million followers across social media—the visit to Spanish Ranch was more than another stop on his frontier cooking tour. It was a return to cowboy roots and the kind of hard work, good humor, and
shared meals that still define life in Nevada’s Great Basin.
Rollins grew up horseback and stove-side, learning lessons from both the branding pen and his mother’s kitchen. “I learned to cook from my mother at a young age,” he said. “Sometimes the kitchen was a lot warmer than being horseback on cold winter mornings. She taught me to cook what you love for the ones you love. The joy of cooking is watching the folks gathered eat it.”
Those early lessons have carried him far—from dusty ranch cookfires to national television. Rollins’ Cast Iron Cowboy series follows him, Shannon, and their 1876 Studebaker chuck wagon across the country as they feed working cowboys and share the stories behind ranch traditions.
This time, instead of setting up beside his trusty wagon stove “Bertha,” Rollins traded in for the Spanish Ranch’s bright yellow Deuce and a Half army truck, affectionately known as the “Big Yellow Banana.” From the back of that rugged rig, he and Shannon turned out a hearty spread—Dutch Oven Baby Back Ribs, Cowboy Baked Beans, Sparkling Taters, and a Basque-inspired Spiced Wine Cake.
The Spanish Ranch, founded in the 1800s by two immigrant brothers whose vaquero roots helped define the buckaroo style, proved a fitting stage for Rollins’ brand of cooking. “To get to go to Nevada and to get to cook on the iconic Spanish Ranch was a dream come true,” he said. “It’s Buckaroo country—big skies, big country, and big-hearted people.”
Rollins said he’s cooked for crews from California to Florida, but each ranch offers its own rhythm and personality. “Saddles may be rigged a bit different, ropes longer and hats a different shape,” he said, “but when it gets down to it, cowboys no matter where we are set up are relying on us to fill them up with good grub and make sure the coffee is always hot.”
Cooking at Spanish Ranch wasn’t without its challenges. Nevada’s high desert can be beautiful—and brutal. “It was a cold, dreary day cooking—three degrees that morning and a high of 20,” Rollins said. “You throw in a little breeze and you appreciate that fire a whole lot more. Things tend to take a little
longer to cook.”
Still, the cold didn’t stop him from joining ranch manager Ira Wines and the crew to help “pregcheck” cows, an essential chore for planning the calving season. After a long day of work, Rollins returned to the fire to finish dinner, feeding the crew from open coals beneath the wide Nevada sky.
“To get to see this great ranch and meet the crew was great,” he said. “But to be able to sit down and visit with Ira was the biggest blessing of all—to swap stories and share a meal was special.”
That combination of food and fellowship is what Cast Iron Cowboy celebrates: real people doing real
work, sustained by simple, hearty meals. Rollins says his job remains the same wherever he goes—feed cowboys well and keep the coffee hot. “Their job is the same too,” he added, “ride for the brand and do your best to make a hand every day.”
For Rollins and Shannon, their time in Tuscarora felt less like filming a show and more like joining a family. “It was good to break bread with these folks, and we now call them family,” he said. “Ain’t nothing fancy about the way we cook, but as my mother taught me—we cook what we love for the ones we love. I tip my hat to the Spanish Ranch and their crew for letting us be a part of this.”
Continues on pg 14
History of the iconic Spanish Ranch, set in the remote high desert of northeastern Nevada’s Independence Valley, stands among the most storied cattle operations in the American West. Established in 1871 by Basque brothers Pedro and Bernardo Altube, immigrants from Spain who had spent time in Mexico, the ranch began when the brothers drove roughly 3,000 Mexican cattle north into Nevada, settling near Tuscarora. From these humble beginnings, they built what would become one of the state’s most enduring ranching legacies. By 1907, the Altube enterprise had flourished, encompassing an estimated 400,000 acres and supporting around 20,000 cattle, 20,000 sheep, and 2,000 horses.
Yet the brutal winter of 1889–90 nearly destroyed their herd. Undeterred, the Altubes borrowed, restocked, and pressed on, proving the grit and determination required to survive in the Great Basin’s harsh climate.
In 1925, ownership transferred to the Ellison Ranching Company, which continues to operate the Spanish Ranch today. Despite modern innovations, the operation still honors time-tested traditions. Its buckaroos the cowboys of the Great Basin ride out each season to work thousands of mother cows, camping on the open range during branding just as their predecessors
did.
More than just a vast ranch, the Spanish Ranch endures as a living link to Nevada’s ranching past. Its Basque heritage, willow corrals, and sweeping sagebrush landscapes symbolize the spirit of perseverance and tradition that defines Western ranch life. It remains a proud icon of
B ottari & A ssociates Realty
have built many fires. I’ve done it long enough that I really enjoy the process. Probably more than when our oldest son was two and we had a newborn. Our home was heated only by a woodstove. I was responsible for keeping the fire going while my husband was away working. That big ol’ wood stove would be poppin’ hot once it started rollin’, so much so that I would have to wet the wall behind it to keep it from catching on fire.
But here’s the thing about building a fire… If it happens to go out, I can flame the fire, pamper it a bit, I can blow upon grey ash and lifeless wood and look for the slightest flicker of orange—a small ember indicating there is still life left. But nonetheless, no matter how small the life, it is there.
It needs some dry kindlin’, such as the bird nest that I discovered beside a large cottonwood tree. I scooped it up while gathering steers for shipping. I cradled it carefully into a deep coat pocket earlier this cool morning. Later, as the Texas sun war med my back, I stripped off the jacket single-handedly as I held my reins in my
left hand, only switching for the final discardment. The jacket was rolled and tied to the back of my saddle, completely forgetting about the nest until now. Knowing surely it has been destroyed in between the time of admiration to remembrance—the chasing after steers, creek bottoms, branches separated by horse breast and hoofs—and it seems like a week ago that I carefully placed it securely in my pocket.
Upon retrieving the broken contents, I pack them around the black lifeless wood and inhale. A slow steady breath out, directed towards the small remnants, produces enough smoke to make me draw deeply again for another breath, and a flame eats up the remaining smoke in an instant.
Smaller kindlin’ is placed on top of what’s left of the broken nest, and the smaller sticks are quickly drawn into the most beautiful orange, red, and black streaks. I’m mesmerized and slightly warm, almost wanting to fall asleep from its comfort.
How can something so basic to human life bring all humanity to a common and simple delight—to life, warmth, food, protection—a common thread that ties us to all generations before us. A fire. By it some have survived, and more often nowadays, we stand near to gather for community. The most basics of life that are sorely missed when not available.
I would be amiss to
leave out the correlation between building a fire and the body of Christ. I can return again to the small orange ember at the bottom of soot. And… show you what I mean.
Building the Fire: The Body of Christ
The early church, as described in the New Testament, exhibited a vibrant and dynamic faith, much like a roaring fire. Today, many believers long to experience that same warmth, light, and power within their own communities. Just as building a fire requires specific elements and actions, so too does nurturing a thriving “fire” within the body of Christ.
1. The Fuel: God’s Word and Sharing Our Faith
Every fire needs fuel to burn, and for the body of Christ, the primary fuel is God’s Word and the shared faith of its members.
• “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
• Here’s What You Can Do: Regular study, meditation on God’s Word, and hearing sound doctrine preached from your local church. In other words, not preaching to the culture but what the Bible actually says. This causes growth… “Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.” (John 17:17)
2. The Ember: The Holy Spirit
No amount of fuel will ignite without an ember or some matches and perhaps a feed sack. For the church, the Holy Spirit is The Divine Counselor—the fire that brings life, power, and spiritual fervor.
• “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit
comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
• Here’s What You Can Do: The Holy Spirit empowers believers for service, gifts them for ministry, and convicts hearts. “Do not quench the Spirit.” (1 Thessalonians 5:19) “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15)
3. The Building of the Fire: Fellowship and Community
You can't build a strong, sustained fire with just a pile of wood. They need to be arranged in a way that allows them to burn together. There are cowboys who have made it their personal mission to be fire masters. They stack the wood like they’re building a house. They do it during brandin’ and in the wood stove. You probably thought of his name the moment I started talking about arranging the wood.
• “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)
• Here’s What We Can Do: When believers gather regularly for worship, prayer, The Lord’s Supper, and genuine fellowship, that’s the gathering around the wood stove. Each piece of wood piled on makes it grow stronger. The cold ranch house is heated, and the brands on the fire are hot enough to singe hair and burn hide.
4. Getting Air to the Fire: Worship and Prayer
A fire needs to breathe—it’s gotta have air. For the
body of Christ, worship and prayer are the vital “air” that keeps the spiritual fire burning.
• “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ
Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
• Here’s What You Can Do: Consistent, heartfelt worship, thankfulness, and prayer remind us to fear the Lord and stay in admiration of Him, knowing by His grace we are saved through Jesus Christ.
5. Tending the Fire: Service and Outreach
A fire left untended will eventually die down. In the church, this involves actively engaging in service and doing your part in the drive—just like gathering steers for shipping. Ride your country well, “wake up, look around.”
• “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”
(Matthew 28:19-20)
• Here’s What We Can Do: When believers actively use their gifts to serve one another and reach out to others, they stir the embers and keep the spiritual passion alive.
There’s no way that one small ember can make it on its own. It will never be a fire without the things mentioned above. Dinner will not be cooked, the house will not be warmed, others won’t gather around a cold woodstove. Continue to grow in God’s Word in your own personal study and in the fellowship of other believers in your local church. Be consistent, be prayerful, be grateful, be worshipful—but above all else, be part of the Body of Christ.
Well, it’s about time to build a fire. There’s a chill settlin’ on the house.
Thank you for reading, The Cowboy Pastor’s Wife
Creating Genetically Valuable Feeder Calves in ONE Generation
Special to the Rancher
Top Dollar Angus recently completed a small-scale project which illustrates how genetically superior feeder cattle can be created in one generation. We started with a single beef cow, tag number 474, who has mediocre genetics for growth and carcass traits. Her Igenity Beef® scores averaged 5 out of 10 for Average Daily Gain, Hot Carcass Weight, Marbling and Ribeye Area. 474’s Average Daily Gain score is
favorable at 7 out of 10. However, she’s average or below for the other three traits. This cow qualifies as an “okay” starting point for breeding genetically valuable feeder calves. Not great, but not bad either.
Enter GAR Combustion (AAA 18943322), an elite Angus growth and carcass sire from Gardiner Angus Ranch, Ashland, KS. This bull’s Yearling Weight and Carcass Weight EPDs
What is Top Dollar Angus?
Top Dollar Angus is the first and only certification program for commercial feeder cattle focused exclusively on Angus and Red Angus-based cattle with top 25% growth and carcass traits.
Top Dollar Angus has established strong partnerships with the most progressive feedlots and cattle buyers in America, representing over 1.4 million cattle on feed at any given time. These feedlots and cattle buyers are looking to purchase premium calves.
rank in the Angus breed’s top 20% and 15%, respectively. He is also ranks in top 2% for Marbling and top 25% for Ribeye Area. Over several years, we produced three calves by mating GAR Combustion to 474. Each of the calves was DNA tested with Igenity Beef. Results are shown in the table below for the downstream traits that matter most to cattle feeders.
When Igenity Beef data is available, a 4-trait average score of 6.0 or higher is required for Top Dollar Angus qualification. All three of the Combustion x 474 calves met the necessary genetic threshold and are therefore Top Dollar Angus eligible. These calves possess a superior combination of growth and carcass traits, which rank them in the top 25% of all cattle in the industry. They earned this strong ranking despite their dam being genetically mediocre and a non-qualifier for Top Dollar Angus. The improvement in Marbling is especially worth highlighting, moving up from 4 (dam’s score) to 8 out of 10 on all three of her calves.
Even in today’s technologically-advanced industry, rarely is this type of data available that quantifies genetic advancement from one generation to the next.
This case study’s headcounts are small, but it well illustrates how measurable genetic progress can be accomplished in one generation by using the right genetic inputs.
The starting line here was a genetically mediocre cow, while the end result is a group of Top Dollar Angus-qualified calves that would be excellent to feed and harvest on a value-based grid. Yes, creating genetically superior feeder calves is possible in one generation.
Neogen has conducted extensive research to document the positive correlation between Igenity Beef scores and realworld feedlot and carcass performance. For more information, contact Neogen or Top Dollar Angus.
Partnerships in Action: Building a Game Plan
Theannual Partnerships in Action (PIA) conference, held Oct. 13-16 in Denver, Colorado, brought state beef councils from across the country together to learn about the work of the Beef Checkoff. Nevada Beef Council staff attended the conference to learn about how resources and opportunities developed at the national level could be utilized in Nevada. Coordinated by the Federation of State Beef Councils and funded by the Beef Checkoff, PIA strengthens the state and national Checkoff partnership.
Professional baseball player
Ty Blach was the event’s keynote speaker and shared how his agricultural roots instilled the drive and work ethic to succeed in baseball. Blach’s parents grew up on Colorado’s eastern plains and the Blach family ranch in Yuma provided many life lessons during his formative years. Growing up, he spent a lot of time on the ranch branding cattle and seeing firsthand how agriculture provides opportunities.
During his presentation
Blach stated, “Agriculture is at the heart of who I am and what I do every day.” Blach’s inspirational message focused on the value of teamwork and mentoring others so everyone can be their best. “It is awesome to know state beef councils across the country are working together to share ideas and to be there for each other,” he said. “Everyone is here for a reason –sharing their passion about beef.”
Topics discussed during PIA highlighted how the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, and state beef councils work together to drive demand for beef. Attendees learned about program strategy, current consumer trends and preferences, and upcoming Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. promotions. More than 65 staff members from
30 state beef councils participated in the event, including the Nevada Beef Council.
“When state beef councils gather together and share ideas, everyone wins,” said Christie Van Egmond, Director of Retail & Foodservice Marketing for the Nevada Beef Council. “It is exciting to share what we are doing with others, and I always walk away with a better understanding of the current beef industry landscape, and new marketing concepts we can implement in Nevada to reach consumers.”
The Nevada Beef Council is part of the Federation of State Beef Councils and voluntarily invests in the Federation to enhance the national Checkoff and leverage producer dollars through a coordinated partnership.
Created in 1963, the Federation of State Beef Councils represents the 43 Qualified State Beef Councils and is committed to its vision, which is to build beef demand by inspiring, unifying and supporting an effective and coordinated state and national Checkoff partnership. State beef councils voluntarily invest in the Federation to enhance the national Checkoff and leverage producer dollars through a coordinated partnership. Housed at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, the Federation is a grassroots organization run by producers across the country.
PUBLIC HEARING-NAC 571 hearing for adoption to be held on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025
The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) Division of Animal Industry is holding a public hearing on Wednesday, Dec. 3 at 10:00 a.m. at the NDA Las Vegas office, with remote attendance options at the NDA Elko and Sparks offices, and a virtual participation option to solicit comments on proposed regulation changes. Nevada Administrative Code (NAC) 571 revisions pertain to the movement and sale of certain animals and disease traceability management.
Your voice is important to the NDA
This hearing is being held so the NDA can receive verbal and/or written feedback through public comment from all interested persons regarding the proposed amendment of regulations pertaining to Nevada Administrative Code (NAC) Chapter 571, which governs certain activities of the NDA and interprets law or policy. Public comment is a mechanism built into the State rule-making process and is your opportunity to influence the rule or regulation, help identify solutions and propose alternatives, and make your voice and experience heard. Learn more about the rulemaking process on the NDA website.
The proposed regulation changes, meeting locations and virtual participation links, and business impact statement are available in the meeting notice on the NDA website.
About the Federation of State Beef Councils
Good food and tradition
At Thanksgiving, the family traditions and food served are deeply intertwined, providing a framework for bonding, reflection, and connection. The act of preparing and sharing a meal is a valued ritual that forges a sense of belonging and strengthens the value of family across generations.
Good food and tradition serve a beautiful purpose, encouraging mindfulness and gratitude. The shared experiences in the kitchen around the table reminds us to pause and reflect on our blessings.
DAY-AFTER-THANKSGIVING TURKEY SOUP
3 Tbsp. butter
6 c. turkey stock or chicken broth
1 onion, chopped
1 carrot, sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 celery stalk, sliced
1/2 tsp. white pepper
1 potato, cubed
3 Tbsp. chopped parsley
Salt to taste
2 c. (or more) leftover cooked turkey, diced
1 c. heavy sweet cream
Heat butter in a skillet; saute onion and garlic until onion is translucent. Put onion and butter in a crock pot. Add other ingredients, except cream. Cover pot and cook on LOW for 6 hours or until vegetables are tender. Add cream and heat thoroughly before serving. Serves 8.
By Robbie Hoagland
PUMPKIN PIE SQUARES
(1988)
1 (13 oz.) can evaporated milk
3 eggs, beaten
2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice*
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. sugar
1 (1 lb. 13 oz.) can pumpkin
1 pkg. yellow cake mix
3/4 c. butter or margarine
1/2 to 1 c. chopped pecans
Combine milk, eggs, spices, sugar, and pumpkin. Pour into a 13x9 inch pan. Sprinkle dry cake mix over the top of pumpkin mixture. Slice butter over the top and sprinkle with chopped nuts. Bake at 350° for 50 minutes. Serve hot or cold with whipped cream. *Or, use 1/4 teaspoon ginger, 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/8 teaspoon cloves.
By Jan Cayot
CRANBERRY SAUCE
1 pkg. fresh cranberries
11/4 c. sugar
1 c. currant jelly
1 c. water
1 c. walnuts, course chopped
2 Tbsp. orange peel, grated
Combine cranberries, sugar, water, and jelly in saucepan, heat to boil. Simmer for 20 minutes, skim off foam, and stir in walnuts and orange peel. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
By Janet Johnson
CLAM SAUCE
1/4 c. olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced 1/4 c. water
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/2 Tbsp. chopped parsley
1/4 tsp. oregano
1 (7 oz.) clams (with juice)
Heat oil and garlic together; stir in water slowly. Stir in parsley, salt, pepper, and oregano. Slowly add clams and juice. Cook until heated and pour over cooked linguine.
By Jan Cayot
Why Lease?
Leasing
Do you need to acquire a piece of agricultural equipment or a farm building to replace one that has worn out or to expand your operations? Leasing may be a great option for you.
No matter what you are producing, there are a variety of agricultural buildings and equipment you need to be successful:
• Livestock housing specific to the type of animal: hogs, dairy cows, beef cattle, sheep, and poultry.
• Other types of storage structures: grain silos, refrigerated milk tanks, feed storage barns, hay barns, wine tanks, and equipment sheds.
• Larger scale farm technology that supports the process of production: tractors, combines, sprayers, irrigation equipment, planters – and more.
• Solar panels and other large energy saving devices.
vs Buying Farm Buildings and Equipment
What will it cost to purchase one of these items outright? These items start at the highfive figures – and rise well into the millions of dollars. At some point, you will be in the market for one or more of these big-ticket items because you need to grow your business or replace something that is no longer functional. Leasing may be a better option to get what you need, when you need it. It may also be tax deductible which could help accelerate your depreciation. Always consult your CPA to confirm the tax situation. Leasing vs Buying Farm Buildings and Equipment
Buying an agricultural building or equipment requires a large outlay of cash upfront. This is cash that you could be using for other operational needs and/or protection against future emergencies. Additionally, these items will typically not appreciate in value over time.
Instead, if you decide to lease what you need, there can be many positives that arise:
1. Lessening the impact on your cash flow to acquire what you need. Lease payments are typically smaller than what you would have paid to buy the building or equipment outright. That cash can then be available for your other business needs.
2. Gaining more features/functionality than you could have afforded otherwise. Equipment has gotten more sophisticated providing automations and capabilities that can extend your work reach – without adding more workers. But with that functionality comes more cost. Leasing lets you access those advantages without buying it outright. It can provide you with an opportunity to “test the waters” for the functionality before buying and/or smooth out the costs of acquiring what you need on a payment schedule through the lease.
3. Have the right equipment when you need it. You may only need a piece of equipment for a few seasons. You may not have the capital right now though you need the storage building immediately. Leasing provides the flexibility to contract for what you need and get it when you need it.
4. Taking advantage of any tax breaks. Farm equipment and buildings that are leased vs purchased fall under different tax rules. Depending on what is being leased and the associated terms (costs, etc.), there may be some tax benefits for you. Leased elements are depreciated differently. For example, if you purchase a multi-purpose building, depreciation would typically occur across 20 years or even 39+ years, if it holds your office. But if leased, those payments could be tax deductible and it depreciates much quicker. As always, you’ll definitely want to talk to your tax advisor about whether this is a benefit for your situation.
5. Becoming eligible for grants and other sources of money or savings. In addition to the other benefits above, if you lease solar panels, you may also be eligible for grants and programs like Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). “For example, a dairy farmer can get a REAP grant for a large portion of the solar panels’ cost and a lease for the remainder. The savings in energy can pay for the panels during the term of the lease,” said Josh Dickson, National Leasing Manager for Agriculture at First Financial Bank.
6. The process can be quicker and easier than a standard loan process. Lease financing for a building can help accelerate you to the building phase. Here at First Financial Bank, if you have your financial statements ready, navigating the lease financing for a building or piece of equipment for less than $1 million can literally
happen in days. If the price is over $1 million, it might take a bit longer.
What are some of the downsides? There are two in particular:
1. You can’t use it as collateral for another loan. Since you are only renting the building, it is severed from your current real estate value until the lease is paid in full.
2. You may pay more in the longterm. The lease enables you to preserve your working capital to be used for other needs in your operation. When the lease expires, if there is a purchase option, you may have spent more than if you had bought it outright initially – but depending on any tax advantages, this may be closer to a break even overall.
Again, there may be tradeoffs in tax liability and the cost of money that you’ll want to consider. Work with your accountant or tax advisor to run the numbers.
Partnering with Your Lender for Best Approach
When considering acquiring a new structure or piece of equipment, you will want to work with your lender to consider the optimal approach for your situation. They can help you evaluate your current situation, taking into account the different factors:
• Current debt load and structure.
• Your tax liability standing.
• Other needs and plans in the works.
Josh Dickson shared an example: “A customer recently needed a large new confinement barn that costs $700k. Unfortunately refinancing his current loans wouldn’t gain
Tag Soup
Last day of the season, got up at Four and took off,
She did all of his chores, and started the pot,
She washed his dirty camo, and cleaned the freezer out,
And knew if he came home empty handed she'd have to hear him pout,
She nursed his sick dog, and added onions to the stock,
And wondered why he decided to leave the horses and just walk,
She added celery and carrots and potatoes to the boiling soup,
It was getting dark outside, the verdict would be in soon,
She saw the headlights, and he took his time coming in,
So she took cold meatloaf out of the fridge and suppressed a grin,
She took the gun cleaning kit off the table and put coffee on,
He said he saw one worth taking but couldn't get a shot,
Said he'd walked and walked and walked, until his legs were pooped,
That night she ate cold meatloaf, and fed him tag soup.
Continued from pg 21
him any additional cash flow because those debts are at a lower interest rate than the current market rate. After discussing options with us, he instead got financing to lease the barn at the current market rate, while keeping the lower rate for the rest of his existing debt. You never know what will happen to the rates over the next decade; if it drops below his lowest current rate, he could consider refinancing at that time.”
Taking the Next Steps
Working with lenders who have walked in similar boots is a great place to start. We can help you navigate the process for evaluating and acquiring the farm building or equipment you need to lease to successfully run your business. Throughout the process, we stay in touch with you to keep connected and help you stay informed of what is happening. ICBA recognized our deep experience, expertise and customer service by naming First Financial Bank the 2024 “Top Ag Lender in the Nation” in the $1B asset category. Whether you are just starting out as a farmer or have been at it for decades, we want to work with you to help you be successful as a farmer or rancher.
Poem by Randi Johnson 2015 The Cowboys Daughter.
Buckaroo Traditions Gathering coming to Winnemucca Nov. 14–16
Winnemucca will celebrate the heritage and skill of the working cowboy when the Buckaroo Traditions Gathering comes to the Winnemucca Events Complex Nov. 14–16. The event’s mission is to preserve and promote the crafts and culture of the buckaroo and its vital role in the cowboy traditions of the American West.
The Buckaroo Traditions Gathering (BTG) was created to highlight and honor the practices and art forms used in ranching for more than 150 years—traditions handed down from the old Californios and carried on by generations of working cowboys across the Great Basin of Nevada, Oregon, and Idaho.
“With the rising interest in the Western lifestyle through shows like Yellowstone, 1883, and Ultimate Cowboy, and the growth of Western events, we wanted to highlight the Buckaroo culture of the Great Basin,” event organizers said in their mission statement.
At the center of the gathering is the Big Loop Roping and Cattle Handling Competition, designed to replicate the real-life working situations of buckaroos on large ranches. The event focuses on preserving the original art form, educating the public, and passing down age-old stock-handling skills.
Unlike timed rodeo events, BTG’s competitions reflect the traditional working style
of the vaquero. Competitors are judged by experienced, working buckaroos on loop size, distance thrown, rope handling, control of the dally, horsemanship, teamwork, and overall style. Range-raised cattle are roped from the “rodear,” as three-person teams sort, rope, and lay them down for doctoring or branding.
The event also emphasizes authenticity in presentation. Horses must be ridden in traditional gear of the old Californio or Buckaroo style—Snaffle Bit, Hackamore, TwoRein, or Bridle.
Spectators are encouraged to watch how teams communicate subtly with their horses and cattle, often with little or no words, working in unison to demonstrate a level of skill developed through years of daily practice.
The Open Big Loop competition will feature top hands from across the country, bringing together some of the best practitioners of horsemanship and stockmanship in the cattle industry.
Organizers envision the Buckaroo Traditions Gathering as a space that “inspires, preserves, and promotes tradition, art, and culture,” helping ensure the continuation of Great Basin buckaroo traditions
Cross L Ranch, Railroad Valley, Nevada
*3,314 deeded acres *Water Rights *Winter and Summer Range *339,266 acres of BLM to run cattle on *1500-1800 tons per year (to feed and sell)
*Cattle and Equipment Included *several home for the help and new home for ranch manager
$12,000,000
Segura & Fish Creek Ranch, Tonopah, Nevada
*1,075 acres *support 450-500 head of cattle & 2,500+ sheep *500,000 contiguous BLM land, AUMs for both cattle and sheep with over 1,186,411 acres with 250,725 operating acres *Two 120 acre pivots and a 60 acre pivot *diesel powered wells *50 acres gravity fed irrigation from a pond *1,000 tons of feed annually *sheep pens *home $8,000,000
Old Lynn Farm, Railroad Valley, Nevada *113 acres water rights *Permit 27491 for 111.08 ac. ft. *Permit 38565 for 368.92 ac. ft. *Newer pivots *Small house *Great Starter Farm
$479,000 Make offer!
Wildhorse Ranch, North Elko County, Nevada
*Owyhee River Watershed *4,500 contiguous acres with 3116 acre feet of water rights plus 908 supplemental water rights *native grasses *runs
600+ cow calf pairs *summer ground for 1,5001,700 head of yearlings *private land $8,000,000
2623 N Canyon Road, Lamoille, Nevada
*3.68 acres *Corner Lot *Fenced and cross fenced *perfectforlivestock/horses*naturalgrasses
*smaller corrals *old single wide *large shed *bunkhouse *Amazing views of the Majestic Ruby Mountains. $350,000
Log Home on the Jarbidge River, in historic Jarbidge, Nevada
Updated cabinets, countertops, appliances, and custom built-ins for storage, new flooring runs throughout, with updated walls, backsplash, and finishes. Soaring ceilings and new Pella windows and doors flood the space with natural light. The layout includes a spacious open living area, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and laundry area in the hallway. Plus a connex provides extra storage for ATVs, snowmobiles, and yard tools.
11 Acres - Godchaux Road
*Paradise Valley Junction *Ag-residential District *Breathtaking Views *Build your Dream Home *30 minutes north of Winnemucca. $20,000
AUCTION MARKET 12495 E. STOCKTON BLVD., GALT, CA Office......................................... 209-745-1515
Fax ............................................. 209-745-1582 Website/Market Report www.clmgalt.com Web Broadcast ....... www.lmaauctions.com
Top Consignments from throughout California and Nevada will be Showcased during These Upcoming Special Sales mFeed for All Consignments Originating in Nevada
UPCOMING CLM SPECIAL WEDNESDAY FEEDER SALES
October 15 & 29
November 5 & 19
December 3 & 17
CLM ANNUAL BRED COW AND REPLACEMENT FEMALE SALE AND PARNELL’S 57TH ANNUAL CENTRAL CALIFORNIA ‘WORLD OF BULLS’ SALE Saturday NOVEMBER 1
Females at 9:30 a.m. • Bulls at 12:30 p.m. Featuring Top Angus, SimAngus, Hereford, Red Angus and Charolais Bulls from Top Seedstock Producers from throughout the West
Saturday, November 1
UPCOMING WESTERN VIDEO MARKET SALES
October 17 – WVM Headquarters, Cottonwood, CA Consignment Deadline: October 9
December 2 – Silver Legacy Resort, Reno, CA Consignment Deadline: November 13
