Record low hay stocks reported by USDA

Two years of drought have severely depleted U.S. hay stocks. In fact, hay production in 2022 was the lowest on record in data beginning in 1974.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Dec. 1 hay stocks showed total stocks of 71.9 million tons, 16.4 percent below the previous 10-year average and the lowest Dec. 1 stocks on record since 1973.

Each of the top 10 states for hay stocks was down compared to the 10-year average, and col- lectively, these states were down 20.8 percent from the 2012-21 average Dec. 1 stocks level.

The largest hay stocks on Dec. 1 were in Texas, but these numbers were still 25.8 percent below the 10-year average for the state. Other top 10 states were down from the 10-year average as well, ranging from a decline of 10.9 percent in Tennessee to a decline of 32.7 percent in Oklahoma.

All hay production in 2022 was down 12.4 percent from the previous 10-year average, with alfalfa hay down 13.2 percent and other hay down 11.9 percent. Hay production in 2022 was the lowest on record since 1974.

Total hay production in the top 10 states combined represents 43 percent of U.S. total hay production and was down 18.7 percent compared to the 10-year average for those states.

The top 10 hay production states include eight of the top 10 beef cow states along with the number one dairy cow state – California – and the number three dairy cow state – Idaho.

Decreased Dec. 1 hay stocks means the cattle industry could face additional liquidation this winter and is particularly vulnerable to severe winter weather in the next couple of months. December storms have taken a chunk out of the reported Dec. 1 hay stocks. New forage production is several months away in the South and even farther away in northern regions.

FEEDERS

Carter Livestock 625 Blk/Bwf, Red/Char Strs & Hfrs, 625-730#, Weaned a long time, On a High Roughage Ration, NO Grain, Branding Shots: 7-way Somnus, Bovi-Shield Gold 5, Poured with Clean-up, No Implants, Home Raised but 3 family brands Vollman Ranch 390 Blk Strs, 625-750#, Weaned 90 days, Bunk Broke, Hay & Silage Ration, Branding Shots: One Shot BVD, UltraChoice 7, Inforce 3, Synovex C; Weaning Shots (Nov.30): UltraChoice 7, One Shot BVD, Inforce 3, Synovex S, Dectomax Pour; Booster Dec 20: BoviShield Gold

J House Farm and Livestock 305 Blk Strs & Hfrs, 825#, Weaned since Sept. 25, Been on a Grower Ration, Branding Shots: Pyramid 5+Presponse SQ, Vision 7 w/Somnus, Precond Shots: Pyramid 5+Presponse SQ, Vision 7 w/Somnus, Booster Shots: Vison 7 w/Somnus, BoviShield Gold 5, SafeGuard, Ivermic Pour On Jerry Reichert 154 Blk/Red few Char Strs & Hfrs, 750-850#, Weaned since Nov., Bunk Broke, Been on a Grower Ration, Complete Modified Live Vac. Program, Heifers are Guaranteed Open, Home Raised Ruckas Livestock 41 Mx Strs & Hfrs, 700-900#, All Shots, Coming off grass

Brandon Hartman 29 Mx Hfrs,685-900#, PTO @ ranch, 2 Rounds of Shots: Bovi-Shield Gold One Shot, Vision 8 w/Somnus+Spur, Cattle Master Gold, 8-way, Multi-Min, Ivermax, No Implants, Bangs Vac. WEANED CALVES Peterson Livestock 195 Blk Angus Strs & Hfrs, 590-600#, Weaned 90 days, Bunk Broke, Been ona Grower Ration, Branding Shots: BoviShield Gold FP 5 L5, One Shot Ultra 7, Pre-cond. Shots: Cattlemaster Gold FP 5, One Shot Ultra 7, Weaning Shots: Express 5/HS, Poured with Exit Gold, Wormed w/Safe-Guard, No Implants, Home Raised, High Elevation, Steers are Knife Cut

Y Z Limited 150 Blk Strs & Hfrs, 500-600#, Weaned 60 days, Bunk Broke, Branding & Weaning Shots: 7-way, BoviShield Gold 5, Producer All Natural

Ron & Barb Jespersen & Sons 127 Blk/Bwf (8 Red) Strs & Hfrs, 450-550#, Weaned since Sept. 20, Bunk Broke, Been on a Grower Ration (1.5# ration), Branding Shots: Bovi-Shield Gold One Shot, Vision 7 w/Somnus, Pre-cond. Shots: Bovi-Shield Gold One Shot, Vision 7 w/Somnus, Poured w/Dectomax, Booster Shots: Bovi-Shield Gold 5, Somubac, Bangs Vac., NHTC, Age & Sourced thru Samson

Jesse and Lisa Tabke 79 Blk few Bwf Strs & Hfrs, 550-650#, Weaned 90 days, Bunk Broke, Been on a Grower Ration, Branding Shots: Vision 7, Bovi-Shield Gold 5, Pre-cond. Shots: Vision 7, Bovi-Shield Gold One Shot, Steers are Knife Cut Kelly Land & Cattle 74 Blk Hfrs, 600-650#, Weaned a long time, Hay Fed, 3 Rounds of Shots: Vision 7 w/Somnus, Blackleg, No Implants

Brandon Hartman 28 Mx Strs & Hfrs, 300-700#, Weaned 90+ days, Bunk Broke, Hay Fed, Branding and Pre-cond. Shots: Bovi-Shield Gold One Shot, 8-way, Vision 8 w/Somnus+Spur, 3 Rounds of Pour On, 2 Rounds of Multi-Min

Ronda & Ed Haas 10 Mx Strs & Hfrs, 600#, Weaned 120 days, Bunk Broke, Hay Fed, 2 Rounds of Shots, No Implants, Producer All Natural

TORRINGTON LIVESTOCK AREA REPS

Michael Schmitt - Torrington, WY 307-532-1776*** Ty Thompson – Lusk, WY 307-340-0770

Cody Thompson - Lusk, WY 307-340-0150***Zach Johnson Lingle, WY –307-575-2171

Jeff Ward – Laramie, WY 307-399-9863***Tam Staman – Crawford, NE 308-631-8513

Justin Smith - Lusk, WY 307-340-0724***Danny Nicodemus – Cheyenne, WY 307-632-4325

Chris Williams - Greybull, WY 307-272-4567***Hunter

During the Wyoming Natural Resource Rendezvous Convention and Trade Show at the Ramkota Hotel in Casper Dec. 5-8, Tallgrass Energy Segment President Kyle Quackenbush spoke with attendees regarding to carbon capture and sequestration opportunities in Wyoming.

Energy company

Privately-owned, Kansas-based Tallgrass Energy was established in 2012 and has roughly 900 employees across 14 states. Predominately a Rockies-focused company, their primary asset locations are in Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska and Kansas.

“We operate both natural gas infrastructure as well as crude oil pipelines,” mentioned Quackenbush. “In Wyoming, we also have some natural gas processing infrastructure. We have water handling facilities and disposal – so, we really handle the whole gamut of what we call the midstream energy, logistic space today.”

Carbon capture and sequestration is the process of removing carbon dioxide from emissions sources, such as burning gas, oil, coal or biomass or from the fermentation process associated with biofuel production. The CO2 is captured before it enters the atmosphere, transported to an underground storage location and permanently sequestered in a carbon pool.

He continued to share Tallgrass Energy’s primary business has historically been natural gas and crude oil pipelines, but they are looking to perform the same services and functions for new commodities in relation to carbon capture and sequestration.

“For Tallgrass, this is primarily concentrated in two areas – hydrogen related development and CO2 related projects,” he said.

He noted through funding with the Wyoming Energy Authority, the company is working on developing a sequestration hub in southeast Wyoming through a project called the Trailblazer Pipeline project.

Trailblazer project

The Trailblazer Pipeline runs from Cheyenne to Beatrice, Neb., where it currently connects with interstate gas pipelines serving the Midwest.

According to Tallgrass Energy’s webpage, the company is working on advancing its project to convert its Trailblazer Pipeline to a CO2 transportation service, establishing an approximately 400-mile CO2 pipeline to serve as the backbone of a regional CO2 transportation system.

The project has the potential to capture, transport and permanently sequester over 10 million tons of CO2 per year from industries in Nebraska, Colorado and Wyoming.

“Through this project we’re looking to remove this pipeline from its natural gas service and use it instead for CO2 service. This will create the backbone system allowing us to capture CO2 from emission sources on the east side of Nebraska – whether it’s coal-fired power plants or ethanol plants – and transport it to the western side of the state into Wyoming where the geology is good for sequestration,” explained Quackenbush.

From a CO2 perspective, the project looks to reduce the emissions of the equivalence of two million cars per year and is expected to be in service mid- to late-2024.

“We’re not giving up access to these markets in relation to natural gas service, we’re just making better use of this Trailblazer Pipeline capacity and CO2 service,” he said. “By utilizing Trailblazer, we’ll be able to get CO2 to areas where we can sequester.”

Carbon capture and sequestration process

Quackenbush noted there is favorable geology in the state of Wyoming. There are many formations containing salt water and are not hydrocarbon bearing, making them ideal rock formations for sequestration.

“When looking at carbon capture and sequestration, we’re taking a slightly different approach,” he mentioned. “Instead of putting it into the ground, having CO2 come up with hydrocarbons and then recycling it, we’re looking to inject CO2 into these rock formations, which will dissipate and diffuse through the formation.”

He shared some are concerned with the potential interaction with aquifers and drinking water. He reaffirmed the company will be injecting CO2 8,000 to 9,000 feet below the surface, and the company is going through an extensive permitting process through the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

“We have to be able to demonstrate CO2 is going to stay where we say it’s going to stay, before we even have the right to drill into these injection wells,” he said. “This is a years-long process in development.”

In addition to the permitting process and sequestration, the company also has to have long-term monitoring plans and meet liability obligations.

Tallgrass Energy looks to have multiple wells and containment zones to ensure there isn’t any CO2 migration.

“One of the benefits of the Trailblazer Pipeline is the fact we have an existing pipeline infrastructure we can convert versus building entirely new,” he mentioned.

Tallgrass is in the process of conducting outreach with landowners regarding their existing easements. The company filed an application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on May 27, 2022 for its plan to decommission its existing gas service on the Trailblazer line and move the gas to its REX pipeline system.

Comments on the Trailblazer Conversion Project on the Federal Register closed on Aug. 10, 2022, but the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will still accept comments, according to Tallgrass Energy.

Brittany Gunn is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr. net.

Big

By Morgan Boecker

Putting premiums in the cattleman’s pocket

The best way to engage with Certified Angus Beef (CAB) is by raising cattle to qualify for the brand.

Through genetics and progressive management, the opportunity exists for cattlemen to earn premiums on cattle sold.

Those premiums translate to more high-quality product available to consumers through retail or restaurant avenues. When they choose the CAB brand, it boosts demand.

“Folks want the best beef, and they seek it out,” said Paul Dykstra, CAB director of supply management and analysis. “As a result, the premium structure of the beef industry has developed around the brand and the attributes it represents.”

During Angus University at the 2022 Angus Convention in Salt Lake City in November, CAB shared ways producers who are focused on raising high-quality beef can be more connected with the brand.

CAB background information

The first of its kind, CAB got its start in 1978. Since its inception, 101 other U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) certified beef brands have been developed, and as of now, 80 of those also have Angus in the name.

While the competition is growing, the brand’s team of 150 diligently works to differentiate CAB from the rest of the pack. Consumers can feel confident purchasing the CAB brand, a high-quality product which is the result of Angus farmers’ and ranchers’ commitment to quality.

As demand grows, producers receive these market signals in the form of premiums throughout the supply chain. Capturing those takes genetics, marketing and management strategies.

Marketing for a premium

“The best way for cattlemen to engage with the brand is to help increase supply,” said Kara Lee, CAB director of producer engagement.

Accessible premiums motivate this. Nearly 85 percent of North American packing plants are licensed to certify carcasses into the CAB brand.

The first and most simple piece of CAB qualification is that cattle be predominantly black-hided, defined as having no white behind the shoulder, above the flanks or breaking the midline, excluding the tail.

According to USDA data, more than 70 percent of fed cattle are Angusinfluenced and meet these criteria, Dykstra said.

Eligible carcasses must then meet all 10 of the brand’s specifications: modest or higher marbling, a 10- to 16-square-inch ribeye area, a 1,100 pound or less hot carcass weight, one inch or less of fat thickness, medium or fine marbling texture, be 30 months of age or younger, have superior muscling, no neck hump exceeding two inches, practically free of capillary rupture and no dark cutters.

In 2021, CAB premiums reached $182 million, or roughly $500,000 paid daily by licensed packers to owners of cattle qualifying for the brand. This incentive is the market communicating strong demand for the leading brand of premium beef.

“CAB premiums are happening all through the supply chain, even if it doesn’t always get its own line item on a receipt,” Dykstra noted.

Farmers and ranchers have a history of success in hitting a market target with a financial reward. While retaining ownership through the feedyard is the most direct way to earn CAB premiums, there are more ways to capture some of it.

Cattle should be marketed in a way which communicates the potential value they hold under the hide. For seedstock breeders, it’s by making sure customers know this potential and the value of the genetics they’re buying, Dykstra explained.

“When those commercial feeder calves are weaned in the fall, a phone call to a feedyard or cattle buyer is a basic but great place to start. If they’ve got the genetics backing them up, it’s greater marketability for the seller,” he said.

The right genetic base

The more cattlemen produce for the brand, the more beef CAB-licensed partners can sell. Last year, this total came to 1.234 billion pounds, the second-highest sales year on record. The brand’s goal is to sell more than two billion pounds annually.

“We first have to put two billion pounds of the CAB brand in a box, and we don’t do that today,” Lee said.

The recent average acceptance rate into the brand is 35 percent, but it needs to be closer to 50 percent to reach this goal.

“The number one reason carcasses are not suc - cessful in earning the brand most often comes down to marbling,” Dykstra said. “This is why we talk about it a lot.”

Marbling is a lifetime event and highly heritable, so it’s an easy place for Angus breeders to start. The correlations are relatively weak between marbling and many other traits important to cow/calf producers, such as performance and maternal function, Lee noted.

These weak correlations allow for simultaneous progress across multiple traits in a cow herd.

For Angus breeders who put an emphasis on carcass genetics, an easy tool to identify animals with greater potential for those traits is the Targeting the Brand logo.

Any registered Angus animal meeting a minimum expected progeny difference (EPD) for marbling of + 0.65 and a Value Grid Index of + 55 can be marketed alongside the

Targeting the Brand logo.

Cattlemen need a balanced cow herd, ensuring cows and bulls are also phenotypically correct. Targeting the Brand is simply a marketing tool – a threshold – to quickly identify those bulls and females with the genetic potential to produce more CAB qualifiers.

“However, it also gives them latitude to look for other economically important traits needed in their commercial programs,” Lee said.

After marbling, a ribeye too large, heavy hot carcass weight or excessive backfat are the next most common areas where cattle miss certification for the brand.

“We’re not going to capitalize on mating decisions at the consumer level for a few more years,” she said. “So, we have to live with those decisions for a long time, whether they’re good or bad.”

With genetics only part of the equation, responsibility falls on cattlemen and women to manage cattle and resources for optimal performance.

Progressive management

As the leading data collectors in the cattle business, Angus breeders can take it a step further by validating and documenting their management practices. An easy and effective way to communicate how cattle are cared for at the ranch is through Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) certification or an equivalent program.

“But, we really need producers to tell us they are certified,” she said. “Not because we think farmers and ranchers are doing things wrong and we’re trying to fix their ways, but because we’re trying to help producers get more credit for things already being done.”

This is why CAB launched a rancher-facing campaign called “Cut the Bull.” The campaign high - lights BQA certification as a tool for truth for farmers and ranchers to verify the good work they do every day raising cattle.

If interested, cattlemen and women can share their BQA or equivalent certificate at cutthebull.info

According to the pair, little details go a long way in differentiating the brand from other programs. It helps consumers feel good about their beef and keeps them reaching for the CAB brand on grocery store shelves.

“The new dollars in our business come from the consumer,” Dykstra said. “We get to share consumer dollars back through the beef supply chain based on what we’ve achieved at CAB by each player capitalizing on a margin opportunity. Otherwise, they wouldn’t do it.”

Morgan Boecker is the producer communications manager for CAB. She can be reached at mmarley@ certifiedangusbeef.com.

ASI continued from page 1 regulatory agencies and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help make production agriculture more sustainable,” he adds.

Family ranch

The Boner family’s ranch includes ewe/lamb and cow/calf operations. The also sell Black Angus seedstock.

Brad and his wife Laurie have three children who live in close proximity and help on the ranch. His son Ryan works on the ranch daily, and his involvement is key in allowing Brad and Laurie to spend time with their grandchildren.

“This generational transition is an interesting pro- cess,” says Boner in a recent ASI press release. “As was alluded to by a few other speakers this week, there comes a point where it’s time for the next generation to step up and start doing what they can do. This is where we’re headed. Plus, the grandparent thing is pretty cool stuff.”

Future goals

Boner mentions he has several priorities he looks forward to working on during his term as ASI president.

“The number one priority for 2023 will be the reauthorization of the farm bill,” he notes. “This bill expires in September, so we will be working diligently to make sure this gets done in an acceptable manner.”

He will continue to focus on financial budgets and obligations and will work diligently to improve this focus within the association. He also looks forward to improving communication with membership.

“Our state members’ communication is always an ongoing effort and needs a lot of our attention,” says Boner. “We will continue to work on this in addition to helping our young entrepreneur’s group. These folks are our future, and we want to make sure we’re bringing them along as we move forward.”

Convention and leadership team

During the convention, producers and members worked to set priorities, share information and conduct business for a stronger sheep industry. Boner notes this year’s convention was a great success.

“We had a really good turnout, and it felt much more like a pre-pandemic convention,” he shares. “We’re tickled to be back to some normality, and we’re happy to see people we haven’t seen for a while and visit with them in person. It was great.” to hear other states discuss the farm bill. I know in Wyoming and Montana, the farm bill is not as big a topic as it is in the large graingrowing states, but it’s still interesting.”

In addition to the election of a new president, other newly elected ASI leadership included Ben Lehfeldt as vice president, Joe Pozzi as secretary/treasurer, Susan Shultz as past president, Laurie Hubbard as region one director, Lisa Weeks as region two director, Anne Crider as region three director, Lynn Fahrmeier as region four director, Tammy Fisher as region five director, Bronson Corn as region six director, John Noh as region seven director and Ryhan Indart as region eight director.

The National Lamb Feeders Association (NLFA) elected Kate Harlan of Wyoming to fill the NFLA representative spot on the executive board. She replaces her father, Bob Harlan, who wasn’t eligible for reelection.

ASI continues to develop an industry vision for the future; be an advocate of public policy to protect, promote and support the economic viability of the industry; create strong national and international markets for wool through advertising, promotion and marketing; advance and coordinate science and technology of production and marketing and promote communication and cooperation between all segments of the industry, related business and government agencies.

“I’m honored to represent this group of people who I have a lot of respect for and care a lot about. We will work diligently to get issues resolved as we move forward,” Boner concludes.

Brittany Gunn is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

“There was plenty of debate about dairy issues, as well as discussion on cattle markets,” he continued.

“Regarding federal lands, most introduced policy gets passed since other members east of the Mississippi trust the Western farm bureaus.”

Three Wyoming policies made it to the floor and passed.

These included a policy on gathering federal lands into big blocks instead of the current checkerboard including corner crossings, a policy stating decisions regarding the removal of domestic sheep grazing from federal lands must be based on sound peerreviewed science and a policy blended with two other states regarding Environmental, Societal and Governance (ESG) standards.

WYFB president provides comments

As state president, Fornstrom’s duties included meeting with the big 10 convention sponsors, which included John Deere, Case IH, Bayer, Corteva and Ford, to name a few, which sponsored well over $900,000.

Although Fornstorm opted not to run for the board this year, the president’s job is to attend regional caucuses, where board members are voted on for the coming year. He said another highlight was spending time with the leadership and members in neighboring states.

Coxbill said, “I love seeing policy come from our state, where I know our members pushed policy forward to make it to the national level. I believe the greatest asset of being a farm bureau member is all farm bureau policy comes from individual members from across the country, and that’s what makes farm bureau so unique and valuable for lobbying.”

As for the general sessions, Coxbill said speaker Bert Jacobs, co-founder and “chief executive optimist” of the Life is Good brand, resonated with him.

“His success story, which included ups and downs, was great, and he said although it’s easy to stay negative with everything we hear in the news, we need to strive to keep finding the positive,” Coxbill noted.

The Torrington farmer especially enjoyed the camaraderie of the national convention.

“We have friends from 50 states and Puerto Rico, and we can stop anyone in the hall and talk to them like they are our next-door neighbor,” Coxbill continued. “It doesn’t matter where a producer farms or ranches – we all have the same concerns about taxes, government overregulation, labor, water and escalating land prices.”

He added, “Some differences include visiting with a rancher in Yuma, Ariz., where land might be $40,000 an acre, but they can make it work with produce sales, which would never pencil out in Wyoming. Where we want to conserve and use every drop of water west of the Mississippi, farmers in the east want to drain, drain, drain.”

Wyoming representatives in attendance

Carbon County Farm Bureau Members Stacy and Kyle Berger attended the convention to gain new ideas for their county farm bureau and gather new ideas for membership recruitment and retention, as well as learn what’s happening at the national level.

“Being able to go to Puerto Rico and experience what their agriculture looks like was a motivating factor,” said Stacy, who serves as secretary of her county farm bureau.

Stacy said workshops were spot-on.

“One talked about consumer engagement and what Gen Z thinks about agriculture. The two younger women who presented the workshop explained how different generations communicate and what is effective and what’s not,” she explained. “This was very helpful when thinking about how we want to talk about our agricultural businesses and what we’re portraying to the public. Sometimes we think we’re communicating one message, but the consumer receives it differently.”

Another workshop the Bergers attended was “What is Farm Bureau?”

“It was constructive to learn how to answer the question, ʻWhat is Farm Bureau?’ They gave us a short answer – grassroots, membership, agricultural, nonprofit. Often, depending on what state we’re from, when we say farm bureau, people think insurance,” said Stacy.

“For us in Montana and Wyoming, this is what we get asked. If people say, ‘Oh, is that the insurance company?’ We can talk about how the federation created the insurance company, and that we’re an agriculture organization,” she added.

Stacy said she and Kyle, who serves as county president, plan to examine the worksheet they were given with their county board, so their county leaders can better understand how to talk to people.

When answering the question about what farm bureau does, Stacy said, “Farm bureau organizes farmers and ranchers at the local, state and national levels so we can serve as a voice of agriculture.”

Kyle added one of the most significant reasons for a farm bureau member to attend a national convention is to address the many challenges everyone in agriculture shares.

“It’s imperative we come together as a national organization and be one voice on those issues. If just the cattlemen go up against some federal governmental policy, it might adversely affect other producers who raise different commodities,” he stated. “We don’t need a division between people in agriculture, so being able to look at those things and how it affects all producers nationally rather than as individuals, is important.”

The Bergers enjoyed a group tour of old San Juan, where they saw Bomba dancing and could wander around the historic forts and other buildings. Other farm bureau members got to experience coffee and pineapple plantations, agri-tourism venues, a rum factory and the rain forest.

Rebecca Colnar is a corresponding writer for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@ wylr.net.

“It doesn’t matter where a producer farms or ranches – we all have the same concerns about taxes, government overregulation, labor, water and escalating land prices.” – Cole Coxbill, Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation this bill 60 with ayes, zero nays, two excused, zero absent and zero conflict. The WSGA strongly supports this bill. The bill was received for introduction in the Senate on Jan. 17.

HB 17, State lands –grazing of non-owned livestock, provides that prior approval and the sharing of “excess rentals” is not applicable to the grazing of nonowned livestock so long as the lessee retains full management and responsibility for the livestock.

As of Jan. 23, the House passed third reading of this bill with 60 ayes, zero nays, two excused, zero absent and zero conflict. The WSGA strongly supports this bill. The bill was received for introduction in the Senate on Jan. 17.

HB 41, Lightweight trailers – permanent registration, authorizes permanent registration of House trailers, semitrailers and utility trailers that are at least six years old upon payment of an administrative fee of $50 plus an amount equal to five times the normally applicable fees. The WSGA strongly supports this bill and reports the House passed the third reading of this bill with 61 ayes, zero nays, one excused, zero absents and zero conflicts.

As of Jan. 24, the bill has been received for introduction in the Senate.

HB 42, Off-road recreational vehicle operation, prohibits the operation of off-road recreational vehicles within the right of way of interstate highways with exceptions.

As of Jan. 18, the House passed the third reading with 56 ayes, five nays, one excused, zero absent and zero conflicts. The bill was received in the Senate for introduction on Jan. 18. WSGA will continue to monitor this bill.

HB 63, Vacancies in elected office, provides for the filling of vacancies in congressional or state-wide offices by a special election if more than half of the term remains at the time of vacancy. WSGA’s position is to monitor this bill.

As of Jan. 18, the Corporations, Elections and Political Subdivisions committee voted to do not pass the bill with three ayes, five nays, one excused, zero absent and zero conflict.

Senate files

Senate File (SF) 28, Livestock infectious disease control – Tribal inclusion, enables the state veterinarian to provide contagious and infectious reportable disease testing, containment and reimbursement services on the Wind River Reservation; authorizes the governor to enter into negotiations with any Tribe in the region to ensure that brucellosis is not passed from wildlife to livestock. The WSGA supports this bill.

As of Jan. 20, the Senate passed the bill with four ayes, one nay, zero excused, zero absent and zero conflicts.

SF 29, Brucellosis management updates, removes the mandatory requirement for branding of confirmed brucellosis infected animals; reidentifies “areas of concern” as “temporary surveillance” areas; authorizes the Wyoming Livestock Board to specify the required documentation for reimbursement. WSGA strongly supports this bill.

As of Jan. 13, the Senate passed the third reading with 31 ayes, zero nays, zero excused, zero absent and zero conflict. The House received for introduction on Jan. 13.

SF 31, Adjacent land resource data – trespass repeal, removes that portion of statue related to civil actions for trespassing across private land to collect resource date on other lands which was found to be invalid by the Court. WSGA supports this bill.

As of Jan. 18, the bill was passed by the Senate with 23 ayes, two nays, one excused, zero absent and zero conflicts. The House received the bill for introduction on Jan. 18.

SF 34, Trespass by small unmanned aircraft, defines trespass to include causing a drone or similar aircraft to enter into the imme- diate reaches of the airspace over private property if the entry “substantially interferes with the landowner’s or his authorized occupant’s use and enjoyment of the land.” WSGA supports this bill amended.

On Jan. 20, the bill was passed in the Senate with 18 ayes, 13 nays, zero excused, zero absent and zero conflict, the bill was then received for introduction in the House.

SF 56, Prohibiting travel across private lands for hunting purposes, amends the current prohibition under the Game and Fish statutes to include travel through or return across private property; defines such travel to require physically touching or driving on the surface of the private property. WSGA supports this bill.

As of Jan. 19, the Senate approved the third reading of the bill with 25 ayes, six nays, zero excused, zero absent and zero conflicts. The bill has been received for introduction in the House.

SF 60, Nonresident hunting license application fees, increases priority non-resident hunting application fees for elk, deer and antelope from 118 percent to 220 percent. This bill failed to pass with 10 ayes, 20 nays, one excused, zero absent and zero conflict. WSGA’s position is to monitor this bill.

SF 71, State loan and bond programs, would tie the interest rate on farm loans to the yield on a U.S. Treasury Security of the same duration with the board being able to add an additional risk premium of up to two percent; would remove the current lower interest rate for beginning agricultural producers; would reduce the authorized amount available for farm loads from $275 million to $50 million.

WSGA strongly opposes this bill, which passed in the Senate with 30 ayes, zero nays, one excused, zero absent and zero conflicts. The bill was received in the House for introduction on Jan. 18.

WSGA notes

A significant number of bills including HB 16, 17, 20 and 22 address the management of state lands. The majority of these bills were brought forth by WSGA to address challenges impacting grazing and agricultural lessees of state lands.

Several bills, including SF 33, 34 and 56 address trespass issues impacting private landowners. While more remains to be done, these are important steps forward and deserve support, according to WSGA.

Several bills in regards to significant property tax burdens on homeowners are being introduced and addressed. WSGA has not initially taken a position on these bills, but has been continuing to monitor them and are prepared to engage to the extent they may impact the agricultural community.

Online hotline

According to the state of Wyoming 67th Legislature’s webpage, during the Legislative session, the public can recommend support for or opposition to a particular piece of legislation by using the online hotline.

In addition to expressing support for or opposition to an identified bill, one can also leave a short comment period regarding the bill. Comments are limited to 280 characters – approximately one of two short sentences. Comments will not be edited or verified by the Legislative Service Office and the information provided will be considered public record. Comments must be related to a specific bill. Information submitted will be electronically available to all members of legislature, but legislators consider a variety of factors when making decisions on pending legislation. For more information on ways to contact legislators and get involved in the legislative process, visit wyoleg.gov. For a complete list of Wyoming Stock Growers Association’s 2023 Legislative Session Bill Review and Status document, visit wysga.org

Brittany Gunn is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@ wylr.net.