February 23, 2019

Volume 30 Number 43 • February 23, 2019

®

The Weekly News Source for Wyoming’s Ranchers, Farmers and AgriBusiness Community • www.wylr.net

A Look Inside Fremont County's Master Gardeners look at how small-scale farms benefit the economy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page A15 Following a lawsuit in California, glyphosate is impacted by new legal definitions. . . Page B6 A resolution from the Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts was approved at their national affiliate meeting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page B8 Genomic testing provides opportunities for commercial cattlemen. . . . . . . . . . . . Page B9

Quick Bits Milk Produced December 2018’s quarterly milk production for the Mountain Region of USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service reported Wyoming dairy herds produced 35.8 million pounds of milk, an increase of 5.6% from the previous year. Milk production in the U.S. was up 0.5% from the October to December quarter last year.

USDA economists sees near-level prices for 2019 year Washington, D.C. – “A lot has happened in the past year,” commented USDA Chief Economist Robert Johansson during the 2019 USDA Agriculture Outlook Forum.

Johansson noted issues from domestic policy in the form of the farm bill to global

economic factors have all influenced the U.S. agriculture industry, and as he looks to the future, agriculture will continue to be influenced by a variety of factors.

Economies Starting from the global scale, Johansson explained

slowed economic growth around the world through 2019-20 will equate to weakening trade.

“In January, IMF projected slower economic growth in 2019 and 2020 that equals a loss of about $700 billion over the next four years,

Raw Milk In 2016, 38 states allowed some form of intrastate sales of raw milk, 13 states allowed sales in retail stores, and 25 states allowed on farm sales or cowshare agreements where a consumer can purchase a share of a cow’s milk production. Ten years earlier, intrastate sales in various forms were legal in 25 states.

WLSB Rules On Feb. 15, Gov. Mark Gordon signed and finalized the Wyoming Livestock Board’s (WLSB) Chapter 2, Brucellosis Management and Mitigation, rules and filed them with the Secretary of State’s office. The rules can be viewed at rules. wyo.gov under “Livestock Board (051).”

Please see PRICES on page A9

WATERSHED FOCUSED

CASPER CONFERENCE EMPHASIZES IMPORTANCE OF WATERSHEDS AND RESTORATION Casper – In its first year, the Wyoming Watershed Conference, hosted by the Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts (WACD), nearly 80 members of Wyoming’s conservation community gathered for the inaugural event, which covered microbial source tracking (MST) and E. coli impairment in streams.

To open the conference, Sen. John Barrasso

(R-Wyo.) remarked, “I’m here to express my appreciation, admiration and respect to WACD for what conservation districts do for our communities and the state of Wyoming.”

Barrasso, who chairs the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, said, “EPW is Please see WACD on page A11

Please see RANGE on page A5

ESA Input States would have more clout in Endangered Species Act (ESA) decisions under a revived bill now cast into a political thicket. Declaring that states “deserve a seat at the table,” Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) introduced for the second time legislation intended to ensure ESA decisions are more reliant on the input of state, local and tribal studies.

and half of that is in emerging economies,” he described.

“There’s also weakening in trade policies and concerns about China that come to the forefront.”

Johansson continued, “On the brighter side, our U.S.

Leading Wyoming -- Sen. John Barrasso addressed the Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts (WACD) Wyoming Watersheds Conference, highlighting the importance of water across the country.

Photo courtesy of Kelly Brown, WACD

Promoting FFA

Wyoming harnesses social media during FFA week Each year, FFA members around the country celebrate National FFA Week in mid-February, using the time to spread awareness about agriculture and FFA. “There is a knowledge gap between production agriculture and consumers,” says Wyoming FFA President Kirby Hales.

“Through FFA, we can help close the gap,” National FFA week According to the National FFA Organization, National FFA Week is designated each year to take place the week of George Washington’s birthday. Chapters are encouraged to use this week to promote agriculture within their communities and teach others about the importance of agriculture.

Wyoming FFA Vice President Sheridan Stewart explained the Wyoming State FFA officer team is taking on the strategy laid out by National FFA. “Each year prior to FFA Week, National FFA lays out themes for each day to help plan out activiPlease see FFA on page A10

New WOTUS rule out

A revised version of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Army Corps of Engineers’ set of redefinitions for the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) Rule was published on Feb. 14, opening a 60-day comment period through April 15.

The proposed rule responds to the public's and states’ overwhelming concerns and court challenges resulting from the previous administration’s 2015 WOTUS Rule.

Starting over Initially on Dec. 11, 2018, the EPA and Army Corps announced signing a proposed rule and its imminent release to redefine which waters would fall under federal and states’ authority and management.

An EPA spokesperson said the proposed rule was not actually published, and thus there was no comment period during the partial government shutdown, although it did appear in the Dec. 28 Federal Register.

On Jan. 17, the Western Governors’ Association (WGA) wrote to EPA and Army Corps, urging the agencies to extend “the insufficient time period” to review the proposed rule. They cited concerns about state involvement and authority.

“The proposed rule will have substantial impacts on the balance of state and federal authority to manage and protect the nation’s water resources, as well as the statefederal partnerships that are involved in the implementation of the Clean Water Act,” stated the letter signed by WGA Executive Director James Ogsbury.

The letter to EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Please see WATER on page A6

Hamiltons focus on return to ag Worland – Doug Hamilton was raised on a ranch outside of Hyattville, and after attending college, then embarking on a banking career, he returned to production agriculture with his wife Michelle.

“Michelle is from Worland, and her family has a farm right outside of town,” Doug explains, noting the large family is all passionate about and involved in the agriculture industry.

Doug and Michelle went to the University of Wyoming to get their educations, where he earned an animal science degree and she received a pharmacy degree.

“We went to Billings, Mont. so Michelle could pursue her career,” Doug explains, noting it was a challenge to get involved in the agriculture industry in a place where he had few connections.

In December of 2005, Doug began a career at Stockman Bank in Billings, Mont., which is a large bank with an agriculture division.

“I was cruising along at the bank, when the hospital in Worland asked Michelle to be the manager of the pharmacy,” he explained. “I was just getting established, but the bank in Worland

periodical

periodical

Please see Ag on page A5

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 43 • February 23, 2019

Green New Deal Just when we think we have heard it all coming from Washington D.C., another radical idea pops up. I’m learning to think we’ve never heard everything that can emerge from our nation’s capital. Socialism is also a From the word I’ve never heard in a positive Publisher tone here in America.

Dennis Sun Ever since the new Congress formed in the first part of January, where some new, young members came on board in the U.S. House, we’re hearing lots of new phrases and terms. And, to be truthful, I’m don’t like it one bit.

While Democrats have been doing most of the talking up to now, the talk of a socialist type of government for America has never come up as serious as it is today.

The new left of the Democratic Party has now fallen off the cliff to the extreme left. The bad part is, the American people voted them in and support their brand of socialism.

Among the most vocal of the new Democrats is U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez from New York and veteran Sen. Ed Markey from Massachusetts. The pair are calling for a Green New Deal intended to transform the U.S. economy, combat climate change and create new jobs in renewable energy. They have introduced what many have described as “legislation” for the Green New Deal. One of the dangerous parts of this issue is it has some support, not only in Washington, D.C but across the nation – except in Wyoming, that is. Most of the Democrats running for President are saying they support it.

I think one of the reasons the Green New Deal and socialism are accepted by many is just the state of affairs of America. With food stamps and other free government handouts, a lot of people, especially in the large cities, realize they don’t have to work to sustain themselves and their families. When their children grow up, they consider these handouts entitlements.

Reading through the resolution describing the Green New Deal is quite an eye-opener.

First off, it is not a very serious proposal. The goal is to eliminate the fossil fuel industry over 10 years and, perversely, phase out nuclear power over a slightly longer time period. All of the jobs dependent on these industries would be replaced by government guaranteed jobs.

“We set a goal to get to net-zero, rather than zero emissions, in 10 years,” the backers explain in an outline, “because we aren’t sure we’ll be able to fully get rid of farting cows and airplanes that fast. But, we think we can ramp up renewable manufacturing and power production, retrofit every building in America, build the smart grid, overhaul transportation and agriculture, plant lots of trees and restore our ecosystem to get to net-zero.”

I’ve never said “farting” in my column before. I hope no one is offended, and I apologize if you are. What a way to describe a cow. But, I do have a lot of friends I could call cows now.

High-quality healthcare; affordable, safe and adequate housing; economic security; clean water; clean air; healthy and affordable food; and access to nature are some of the goals that will be free to all. We have most of that now.

For those of us in the Intermountain Region, the Green New Deal seems like a joke, but it’s not. It’s real, and we need to take it seriously.

Wyoming Livestock Roundup Reporting the News by the Code of the West

Wyoming Livestock Roundup (USPS # 005-774) is published weekly by Maverick Press, Inc. P.O. Box 850 • Casper, WY 82602 Periodicals postage paid in Casper, WY Fax: 307-472-1781 • Email: roundup@wylr.net

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This publication is © 2019 by Maverick Press, Inc.

GUEST OPINIONS Will You Fight for the Right to Ranch?

By Niels Hanson, Public Lands Council Vice President Anyone who makes a living on the land, enjoys hunting, fishing or just experiencing some peace and quiet has seen how the overreach of government has affected our lives. For those of us who operate on federal land, regulatory burdens add an even greater challenge. That’s why I have been a longtime supporter and member of the Public Lands Council (PLC).

PLC is the nation’s only organization focused solely on advocating for western ranchers operating with federal grazing permits. The national PLC in Washington, D.C. is supported by state affiliates across the West.

The Wyoming Public Lands Coalition represents Wyoming’s affiliation to PLC. The Coalition is made up one person from each organization - Wyoming Stock Growers Association, Wyoming Wool Growers Association and the Wyoming State Grazing Board - and one person at-large. These people work together in developing Wyoming’s position on every issue that impacts grazing on Federal lands.

Next, working with the representatives from the other western states, PLC policies and directives are developed so the staff and officers of PLC can work to reduce regulation and have a positive influence on legislation.

As an example, PLC shined a bright spotlight on wildfire across the West, helping to successfully end “fire borrowing,” the practice of diverting funds in heavy fire years to make up for budgeting shortfalls. Our voice has also helped prompt action from the administration, who came through at the end of the year with an executive order promoting active management of forests, rangelands and federal lands.

PLC also speaks out when our industry isn’t being heard. We saw disappointment in the 2018 Farm Bill as the finished bill was stripped of all critical forest management tools at the demand of Senate Democrats, and PLC sounded the alarm.

Most recently, PLC has worked to modernize the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). PLC has proactively worked with the Trump administration to ensure key decision makers understand how NEPA is abused and the hardships it causes us out West. As a result, the White House Council on Environmental Quality initiated a rulemaking to update and streamline NEPA. Our hope is for the new rule to implement categorical exclusions, recognition of socioeconomic impact in decisions and other changes benefiting the live-

stock industry.

PLC truly is the trusted voice in Washington for our industry. I know, because I have seen how much value the administration, the agencies and members of Congress put on the message they hear from the staff and officers.

This past year, I testified in front of the United States Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. I spoke to the impacts of federal environmental regulations on farming and ranching communities. Thanks to the help of PLC, Congress heard our story about the 2015 Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) Rule, Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and Emergency Planning and Community Right-toKnow Act (EPCRA) reporting and more. And they will continue to hear our story with your support.

Wyoming’s Public Lands Coalition is struggling with the same problem so many clubs and organizations do. There are too few carrying the financial load for the rest. In Wyoming, less than 20 percent of the permittees are funding the fight for the rest. I encourage all federal land ranchers to do their part in ensuring your industry’s future by

adding your financial support to the Wyoming Public Lands Coalition.

The coalition relies on voluntary contributions to pay its dues to fuel the efforts of state and national advocacy for our industry. Help yourself and your neighbors with financial support of the Wyoming Public Lands Coalition. Help us be stronger by sharing your issues and experience so the policies and positions that move forward truly reflect the needs of the ranch families that keep the industry alive.

In today’s divided Congress, our industry has more battles to fight. Federal lands ranchers are constantly threatened by new regulations and are the target of extreme environmental groups looking to end animal agriculture in the U.S. PLC is fighting on your behalf. We need your support. On page B3 of this Roundup, the Wyoming Public Lands Coalition has acknowledged all of those permittees who have contributed to this year’s assessment. If your name is not on that list, I encourage you to make your contribution today.

Niels Hansen is a rancher from Rawlins. He currently serves as vice president of the Public Lands Council.

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 43 • February 23, 2019

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NEWS BRIEFS Farmer sentiment increases U.S. farmers were more optimistic in January compared with December – at levels unseen since June of 2018 – according to the latest Purdue University and CME Group Ag Economy Barometer.

The latest reading of 143 was 16 points higher than December and the highest since June, when the barometer hit 153, the report noted.

The January survey also was the first opportunity to measure farmer sentiment after USDA’s announcement that a second round of support payments would be made to soybean producers. Farmer sentiment also may have been positively affected by the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, the report added.

Farmer sentiment increases in January primarily were driven by increases in both the Index of Current Conditions – up 17 percent to 132 – and the Index of Future Expectations, a nine-percent improvement from December and the highest value since February 2017.

Wyoming Bee College set The coordinator of the March bee conference in Cheyenne has a few buzzwords about the multi-day event.

“Get your bee on at the Wyoming Bee College conference, open to the world, three days of all things bees and beekeeping,” noted Catherine Wissner, University of Wyoming Extension horticulture educator in Laramie County.

More than 28 workshops and three keynote speakers are featured at Laramie County Community College March 22-24, with three pre-conference workshops March 22.

Registration is $125 for the pre-conference workshops, $85 for the bee college or $195 for both.

Children ages 7-15 are free with a paying adult. Cost includes lunches, snacks and beverages and dinner on March 23.

For more information, including a complete agenda and workshop descriptions or to register, visit wyomingbeecollege.org.

Scrapie tags issued Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Administrator Kevin Shea said on Feb. 14 the agency will commit to providing some plastic scrapie tags in Fiscal Years 2019 and 2020. This was in response to industry concerns after the agency decided in the past year to provide only metal tags free of charge.

“Concerning the issue of plastic tags, we support the proposal outlined during our discussions with industry leadership at the annual United States Animal Health Association meeting in Kansas City, Mo., last October. Through the rest of Fiscal Year (FY) 2019, our agency will provide, free of charge, up to 80 plastic tags, printed with flock identification numbers, to goat and sheep producers requesting tags for sheep or goats for the first time.” Shea wrote. “Based on industry estimates, we expect to spend about $300,000 in FY 2019 for these plastic tags and will also provide metal serial tags to markets and dealers at a cost not to exceed $100,000.”

He added, “In FY 2020, we will provide both plastic and metal tags at an estimated total cost of $300,000, using the same distribution policy as in FY 2019. As agreed, producers and markets will be responsible for purchasing their own tag applicators.”

Johne’s disease creeps in Johne’s disease is caused by a bacterium, Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis or MAP, that was discovered in 1895 by a bacteriologist named Henrich Albert Johne.

When a cow develops persistent, watery, smelly hosepipe diarrhea and progressively loses weight and body condition even though her appetite is normal and she isn’t running a temperature, she may have Johne’s disease.

But it can be hard to know for sure.

Young calves, which are more susceptible to infection than older animals, are often infected with MAP through colostrum, milk or manure. The animal will look perfectly normal, while silently shedding MAP in its own colostrum, milk or manure for a few years before full-blown signs of disease appear.

As a result, Johne’s disease is often compared to an iceberg – by the time ranchers see an obviously sick animal, there will be a much larger hidden population of MAP-infected cattle that haven’t become sick yet.

Vaccines against Johne’s disease reduce shedding.

CCA selects leader Todd Inglee, former Colorado Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) president, had been serving as the Colorado Beef Council’s interim executive director for the past eight months. The Colorado Beef Council’s Board of Directors announced his official title as executive director, on Feb. 19.

As executive director, Inglee will oversee administration, budget planning, producer communications and industry relations.

Inglee is a Colorado native. He and his wife Kim have three children and now reside in Arvada, Colo. Inglee graduated Colorado State University with a degree in speech communications and has previously worked for various trade associations and allied partners.

He is also a small cattle producer with a stocker operation and retains ownership in those cattle to sell product to retail and food service.

Inglee served as CCA President from 2017-18.

Swine fever spreads African Swine Fever (ASF) is spreading in Asia, with Vietnam now reporting its first cases of the highly contagious disease that has been most prolific in China’s massive pig population since last August.

All infected pigs found on three farms in Hung Yen and Thai Binh provinces, southeast of the capital Hanoi, were culled, according to a report by Reuters.

The disease, which is incurable in pigs but does not affect humans, has largely affected China, having been reported in 26 of that country’s provinces. The latest case to be reported, this month, was in the Chinese province of Guangxi, which is one of two Chinese provinces that border Vietnam.

The other neighboring province, Yunnan, reported its first ASF case last October.

Officials note that pork’s popularity in Asia makes for likely transmission between neighboring countries.

– Meatingplace

Ranch foreclosed in S.D. A multi-million-dollar foreclosure case is unfolding in South Dakota and a court-appointed investigator is working to ensure the care and determine the ownership of as many as 31,000 cattle.

The foreclosure was filed by First Dakota National Bank against Robert and Becky Blom, Corsica, S.D. on Feb. 8. The complaint alleges the Bloms had overdrawn their account by more than $1 million, and that due to Robert Blom’s recent vehicle accident and subsequent incapacitation, the bank considered itself insecure.

According to the Dickinson Press, nine law firms filed notices of appearances in the case representing 17 additional parties during a hearing Feb. 14 in the Douglas County court in Armour, S.D. It remains unknown just how many parties will be involved or how much money is owed.

As of Feb. 7, the complaint stated that the Bloms owed a principal amount of $6,748,600.92 in notes and an additional $792.75 per day in accrued interest on those notes.

Lew Dirks, the court-appointed receiver, an investigator from Sioux Falls, testified at the Feb. 14 hearing he estimates that the Blom case involves 31,450 head of cattle. In three feedlots he said he’s found 4,953 head in total and has heard rumors of an additional 2,400 being moved before he got involved with the case.

“I think the receiver needs to act as expeditiously as possible,” Judge Bruce Anderson said at the hearing. “The cattle – they can’t stay out there forever. Some of them are ripe for market. They’ve got to go.” – Drovers CattleNetwork

Farm bill session set The U.S. Department of Agriculture is hosting a listening session for initial input on the 2018 Farm Bill. USDA is seeking public input on the changes to existing programs implemented by the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service and Risk Management Agency.

Each agency will take into account stakeholder input when making discretionary decisions on program implementation.

Deadline for registration to attend the event in person is Feb. 22. Register at farmers.gov/farmbill.

The event will be streamed live on farmers.gov/farmbill for those who are unable to attend in person. No registration is required to view the livestream.

Written comments are encouraged by Feb. 22.

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 43 • February 23, 2019

Nesvik to lead WGFD

NEWS BRIEFS ASI touts USSES

WCIA recognizes Hess

In response to a listening session this week in Washington, D.C. by newly named Deputy Under Secretary of Research, Education and Economics Scott Hutchins, the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) submitted a letter on the importance of the U.S. Sheep Experiment Station (USSES). The letter stressed the role of this unique facility to the future success of the sheep industry.

“For over a century, the U.S. sheep industry has relied on the research conducted at USSES. USSES has a storied history of leading on range use, genetics, new breed development and lambing research,” the letter read. “In addition, other USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) research projects, such as those being carried out at the Animal Disease Research Unit and university systems across the West utilize the range conditions unique to USSES to conduct their research on grazing management and domestic wildlife interactions.”

Specifically, research on wildfire, climate and future challenges were cited as tremendously important to the policy discussions.

“Having over 100 years of grazing studies and an unparalleled 50 years of historical sage grouse rangeland data, the research carried out at USSES is not only critical to the sheep industry, but all land uses across the West. This mission is further strengthened as USSES efforts are underway to research the effects of fire, climate and grazing management on domestic production, wildlife and overall range health,” said ASI ASI looks forward to working with USDA Deputy Under Secretary Hutchins to ensure a viable future for the station and its critical work in range health and genetics.

The Wyoming Crop Improvement Association (WCIA) presented its Excellence in Service Award to the director of the Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Station (WAES) for his work with the state’s agriculture and seed industry.

Bret Hess, associate dean of research in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Wyoming, was recognized at the organization’s meeting earlier this month. Hess has served as the supervisor for the Wyoming Seed Certification Service, which is foundational to the Wyoming seed industry. The seed service is managed by the WAES. Park County farmer Mike Forman has been president of the WCIA for several years.

“We started off with Bret being the associate dean for research and director of the experiment station coming out of the (UW) animal science department,” said Forman, who farms on Heart Mountain west of Powell. “That made us farmers a little suspect of him, but he’s proven to be such a friend of the crop improvement association and seed service. He’s been a tremendous ally in everything we tried to accomplish.”

He also cited better communication with UW in Laramie.

“We’re 400 miles away, and it’s not easy to communicate with everyone in Laramie, but Bret has made it simple.”

WCIA noted Hess’ emphasis to work with the Wyoming seed industry and represent that industry to UW administration and state legislators through testimony and increased communication.

COOPER HEREFORD RANCH Annual Production Sale Tuesday, March 12, 2019

at the ranch, 1/2 mile South of Willow Creek, MT

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Gov. Mark Gordon appointed Brian Nesvik as the next director of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD).

Nesvik replaces Scott Talbott, who has retired.

“Brian Nesvik brings tremendous experience in dealing with wildlife management, endangered species and law enforcement throughout the state,” Gordon said.

“I am incredibly honored by this opportunity to lead a team of the best and brightest in managing world-class natural resources for the citizens of our great state,” Nesvik said. “I am grateful for the Governor’s appointment and will discharge my duties commensurate with the tremendous value Wyoming places in our outdoors, our fish and our wildlife.”

Gordon added, “Scott Talbott provided excellent leadership and service to this state as director, and in the decades he worked on behalf of wildlife and the public in many other roles. Scott’s commitment to and knowledge of hunting, fishing, the wildlife laws and each of Wyoming species is hard to match.”

Nesvik currently serves as the chief of the Wildlife Division for WGFD. Nesvik’s 24 years with the department have included stints as a game warden throughout the state of Wyoming, regional wildlife supervisor in the Cody region and chief of the wildlife division. Nesvik served as District Game Warden in Elk Mountain for seven years before being selected for the South Pinedale Game Warden District in western Wyoming.

Nesvik also took on responsibility as the department’s lead mounted horse patrol instructor.

In 2010, Nesvik was promoted to serve as the Cody Regional Wildlife Supervisor charged with overseeing a large staff of game wardens, biologists and administrative folks.

2019 grazing fees released On Feb. 20, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) announced the grazing fee for the 2019 grazing season will be $1.35 per animal-unit month (AUM), used by the BLM, or per head month (HM), as used by USFS. Bob Skinner, president of the Public Lands Council, said, “Each year, the federal lands grazing fee is calculated as part of a standard formula outlined in the grazing regulations. Ranchers across the West trust the formula and the process, which ensures fair and equitable access to forage on federal lands. With the fees in place for the 2019 grazing season, ranchers can focus on what they do every day – contributing to rural economies and serving as stewards of America’s natural resources.”

The modern grazing fee formula was established by Congress through the Public Rangelands Improvement Act of 1978. The fee formula uses current market conditions, such as cattle prices and rents, to establish the annual fee.

In 1984, President Reagan signed an executive order establishing the minimum fee at $1.35 per animal-unit month. The 2018 grazing fee was $1.41 per animal-unit month.

An AUM or HM – treated as equivalent measures for fee purposes – is the use of public lands by one cow and her calf, one horse or five sheep or goats for a month. The newly calculated grazing fee was determined by a congressional formula and takes effect March 1. The fee will apply to nearly 18,000 grazing permits and leases administered by BLM and nearly 6,500 permits administered by USFS.

Stayton to lead CANR A longtime faculty member in the University of Wyoming’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) has returned from retirement to provide interim leadership for the college.

Mark Stayton, who was granted the title of emeritus associate professor when he retired from the Department of Molecular Biology in 2017, will serve as interim dean of the college until a permanent dean is appointed as a result of an ongoing search.

That is expected this summer.

The UW Board of Trustees approved the interim appointment during its regular meeting on Feb. 20.

Stayton, who received his Ph.D. in biochemistry and biophysics from Iowa State University, joined the UW faculty in 1998. He served as head of the Department of Molecular Biology from 2007-15 and was interim associate dean/director of academic and student programs in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources from 2015-17.

Brucellosis session set The University of Wyoming (UW) Extension is hosting an informational brucellosis meeting for producers 5-8 p.m.

March 6 at the Cody Library.

The meeting is open to the public and includes subjects related to the current status of the disease in Wyoming, its management, and livestock and wildlife. A light meal is also provided.

Information will be presented by Wyoming State Veterinarian Jim Logan; Bruce Hoar, brucellosis research coordinator for the University of Wyoming; and Eric Maichak, biologist with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

For more information, contact UW Extension Educator Barton Stam at brstam@uwyo.edu or call the Hot Springs County Extension Office at 307-864-3421.

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 43 • February 23, 2019

Ag continued from page A1 also offered me a job.”

In 2007, the couple returned to Worland where Doug worked for ANB Bank for three years.

“At that point, I was faced with a decision to further my banking career or come back to the ranch,” Doug comments. “I wondered if there was a way to do both, which was my goal at the time.”

He adds, “It didn’t work out that way.”

Perfect opportunity At the same time, near the end of his banking career, Doug and Michelle had the opportunity to purchase a farm, and he started working full-time at his family ranch and their farm.

“Michelle and I always felt like, to make things work best and come back to the family operation, we had to bring something to the table to be successful,” he says. “Michelle grew up on a farm, and I’ve always like farming.”

They ended up purchasing a farm between Manderson and Worland. The irrigated operation needed developed but provided a great opportunity.

“It was a journey we started not knowing how it was going to work out,” he comments. “We put our faith in the Lord to see what we could do.”

With his banking background, Doug utilized some connections to develop a plan to cash-flow the operation.

“Ryan Fieldgrove, a friend in Buffalo, asked if I had heard about Wyoming’s Beginning Farmer and Rancher Loan Program,” Doug says. “We looked into it. Because of our careers, we could make the down payment, and they approved our plan.”

Doug credits Michelle with formalizing the business plan to start the business.

“That program was a really big part of our success, and it worked out,” he continues. “Then, when I looked to go home, we had something to offer.”

Going to work “As we rolled back into the operation, we went to work,” Doug says, mentioning there was always something to be done. “Today, because of our hard work and because our finances were in order, the door is open to so many opportunities.”

In the agriculture industry, Doug notes finances are really important, and it’s important to make sure the financial piece of the operation works for the farm or ranch to be successful.

In addition to the financial information, Doug says, “We have to be the expert in so many things all the time.

We have to be able to make decisions and work towards our goals in everything we do.”

“And every decision we make impacts the rest of our

year – or longer. It’s hard,” Michelle adds.

Changes in the operation For the Hamiltons, technology and innovation play a big role on their farm.

“When we bought the farm, it needed developed,” he says. “It all had gated pipe on the fields, though. Before us, one person lived there and just irrigated every summer.”

Today, they have utilized Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) programs to put center pivots across the farmland and more efficiently irrigate the property.

“I can run the pivots from my phone instead of spending all day irrigating with gated pipe,” Doug continues. “The technology has been huge.”

Michelle adds, “We can manage more acres and be more efficient with our time to have these tools and this technology.”

Partnerships Working with partners has enabled the Hamiltons to drive their farm forward.

The couple has worked with the State of Wyoming through the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Loan Program, NRCS to install pivots and the conservation district to make other improvements.

“We have to be able to partner with and work with these organizations,” Doug says.

Michelle continues, “We also feel like we’ve made big strides in water management and improving our soils. We’ve also seen more and more wildlife as we’ve made this changes.”

Other young people As he looks at advancing the involvement of young people in their family operations, Doug comments, “We have to be able

to provide something to the family ranch to make it work. We can’t just expect the same old operation to be able to provide for another family.”

Additionally, Doug says it was important for him to go to school and bring his education back to the operation as another tool in the toolbox.

He adds, “There’s a lot we wish we had known getting into this farm.”

Doug also notes the history of the operation and the transfer of information between generations are huge.

Too often, he says information is kept under wraps, but the reasons why decisions have been made on the operation need to be passed down, as well.

“We have worked hard to understand why we do things a certain way,” Michelle says.

“It’s also important to understand what a true business agriculture is,” she continues. “Every day we make management decisions. Every time we make a decision, it’s a management decision that impacts the next 20 years. Ag is a business.”

Passion Doug and Michelle are both passionate about the agriculture industry, and they enjoy the chance to work hard and see the outcomes that are a result of that work.

They are both goal oriented and appreciate the opportunity to improve the ranch every day.

“It’s hard not to question if we could make more money doing something else,” Doug says, “but the quality of life that we get through agriculture offsets that.”

“The value we get to pass to our children on the farm is also something we can’t get somewhere else,” says Michelle, adding she appreciates being able to

A5

work and play alongside her children at their farm. “Seeing the passion our children have for agriculture is really rewarding.”

“Our forefathers instilled us with a passion for agriculture,” Doug comments. “I get to be involved in agriculture because someone before me got involved, and I’m thankful for my family and that love of ag.”

Saige Albert is managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

Working in town While Michelle Hamilton is a big part of the farm she owns with her husband Doug, she also manages the pharmacy at the Worland Hospital during the day.

“We have big days,” Michelle comments. “I like to say that I work at my job all day, and then I go home to my second job.”

Finding the balance between work and relaxing after work can be a challenge, but she also enjoys the diversity that both endeavors provide.

“Agriculture and pharmacy can be a nice balance for each other. They provide different challenges,” Michelle explains.

Doug notes Michelle’s education – such as her background and understanding of chemistry – has been valuable on the farm, as well.

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 43 • February 23, 2019

WATER continued from page A1 Wheeler and Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works R.D. James noted the 60-day comment period did not officially occur due to the shutdown was “insufficient for states to adequately review the content.”

It also said, “As co-regulators of water resources, states should be fully consulted and engaged in any process that may affect the management, allocation or protection of water resources. Federal decisions that are informed by state expertise and viewpoints result in more effective, efficient and durable federal policy that positively affects the state-federal relationship and better serves our common constituencies.”

Catching up EPA spokesperson Enesta Jones reached out on Feb. 19, saying, “Please note there was no original comment period because

the proposed new definition hadn’t yet been published. The proposed new definition for Waters of the United State is available on the Federal Register and published on Feb. 14.”

The Feb. 14 proposed rule says, “Agencies are proposing to establish a regulation that would define Waters of the United States in simple, understandable and implementable terms.”

Interpretations of navigable waters are in categories that include territorial seas, tributaries that contribute perennial or intermittent flow to those waters, certain ditches, lakes and ponds, impoundments or holding back of otherwise “jurisdictional” or federal waters and wetlands adjacent to other U.S. waters.

The rule “The agencies propose as a baseline concept, that Waters of the United States are waters within the

Montana Performance Bull Co-op™ Herd Bull quality in volume

Friday •

ordinary meaning of the term such as oceans, rivers, streams, lakes, ponds and wetlands and that not all waters are waters of the United States,” it says.

“Under this proposed rule, a tributary is defined as a river, stream or similar naturally occurring surface water channel that contributed perennial or intermittent flow to a traditional navigable water or territorial sea in a typical year …”

The proposed rule is meant to lay out “categorical bright lines” for determining which waters are under federal authority or state management.

“The agencies propose … the establishment of clear categories of jurisdictional waters that adhere to the basic principles articulated in Supreme Court decisions while respecting the overall function of the Clean Water Act,” the rule says.

Mainly, the rule excludes flows that appear only after precipitation, groundwater – includ-

ing groundwater drained through subsurface ditches, and water-filled “upland” depressions left by excavation or construction, to name several exclusions.

Upland is an area that would not naturally have water if artificial watering was ended.

Also not included as federal are wastewater treatment systems and ditches outside navigable waters.

Broad overview The proposed rule contains lengthy discussions over legal rulings, previous regulations, agency interpretations, federal law, Congressional actions and current court cases against the 2015 WOTUS Rule, which Wyoming and others challenged in courts as taking away states’ authority to manage their own waters.

“The 2015 Rule continues to be subject to preliminary injunctions issued by the U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota, the U.S. District

Selling 150 Bull s

with

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March 15, 2019

• 1:00 pm

at the Midland Bull Test Sale Facility, Columbus, MT

Basin Paycheck 8016

+13 BW -0.4 WW +72 YW +123 Milk +39 CW +56 Marb +.84 RE +.76 $W 86.31 $B 176.05 CED

Lot

1

Basin Bonus 8812 BK

+6 BW +1.5 WW +76 YW +142 Milk +42 CW +62 Marb +.99 RE +.43 $W 85.43 $B 170.08 CED

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13

SCC Deadwood 66F

+10 BW +0.0 WW +64 YW +123 Milk +37 CW +41 Marb +.43 RE +.47 $W 70.91 $B 136.87 CED

Lot

21

8N Epic 821

+11 +0.1 WW +85 YW +157 Milk +31 CW +77 Marb +.59 RE +.33 $W 85.38 $B 171.76 CED BW

Lot

5

BCC Advance 45F

+6 +1.8 WW +72 YW +129 Milk +42 CW +69 Marb +.57 RE +.82 $W 85.50 $B 173.86 CED BW

Lot

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Basin Rainmaker 8145

+12 BW +1.0 WW +59 YW +102 Milk +40 CW +38 Marb +.90 RE +.61 $W 79.12 $B 134.76 CED

Lot

35

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“Agencies are proposing to establish a regulation that would define Waters of the United States in simple understandable and implementable terms.”

– Environmental Protection Agency Court of Georgia and the U.S District Court for the Southern District of Texas in a total of 28 states,” it says.

The North Dakota court issued a preliminary injunction against the 2015 WOTUS Rule before it took effect and other rulings stalled the 2015 WOTUS Rule’s implementation.

In 2018, new executive orders to redefine waters of the United States led EPA, Army Corps and other agencies to refine definitions and clarify jurisdictions.

“The federal government should avoid pressing against the outer limits of its authority when doing so would infringe upon the traditional rights and responsibilities of states to manage their own waters,” it says, referring to Supreme Court decisions.

Seeking discussions The proposal specifically asks for more discussion on each proposed exclusion, asking if they should be in a list or covered in a paragraph.

It also seeks more comment on “the jurisdictional status of features,” aside from the excluded ditchesthat move water and reconnect to a tributary. It asks if the groundwater exclusion is written clearly enough, if “upland” features must be entirely built in an upland and if its proposed exclusion of “legally constructed was treatment systems” needs more definition.

The entire document is available with a link to submit comments at federalregister.gov/documents/2019/02/14/2019 -00791/revised-definitionof-waters-of-the-unitedstates.

Comments can also be submitted online at regulations.gov. Follow instructions to submit comments to Docket ID No. EPA-HQOW-2018-0149.

Joy Ufford is a correspondent for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. She is also editor of the Pinedale Roundup and Sublette Examiner. Send comments on this article to roundup@ wylr.net.

Proposed definitions The newly released Waters of the U.S. Rule lays out a number of proposed definitions. A subset of these definitions is provided below.

A river or tributary is considered unchanged even if it flows through a culvert, dam or other artificial or natural break – if the flow continues on to a tributary or adjacent wetland at the downstream end.

Ditches on the tributary or adjacent wetlands are not waters of the United States unless they can be traveled in a traditional method or with simple changes.

Adjacent wetlands must be next to and with a “direct hydrological surface connection” to a river to be U.S. water. Wetlands separated by upland, dikes, barriers or similar structures with no direct flow to U.S. water are not “adjacent.”

Snowpack is “layers of snow that accumulate over extended periods of time in certain geographic regions and high altitudes.” Melting snow can be a source of perennial or intermittent flow “in certain mountain streams” without groundwater coming in.

The rule distinguishes between sustained flow from melting snowpack and from snowfall.

The rule would eliminate the separate category of interstate waters as waters of the U.S. Specific exclusions are added for puddles and swimming pools in response to public comment.

Constructed lakes and ponds are excluded as they were in the 2015 rule.

A new category is added to the definition of waters of the U.S. to clarify regulating ditches and similar artificial features, which “has long created confusion for farmers, ranchers, irrigation districts, municipalities, water supply and storm-water management agencies and the transportation sector, among others,” the rule says.

Ditches are generally not waters of the U.S. unless they are used as traditional navigable waters.

It also defines ditches that are artificial channels to move water for irrigating, drainage, catching road runoff or to transport commercial goods and services, such as the Erie Canal and the Great Lakes Waterway.

Artificial lakes and ponds built on uplands, waterstorage reservoirs, farm and stock ponds and upland pits excavated for fill, sand or gravel are all excluded from waters of the U.S. Farm ponds, log cleaning ponds and cooling ponds created with non-U.S. waters are also excluded.

Territorial seas and navigable waters will be streamlined into one category – from the inland reach of ocean water to three miles out to sea from the ordinary low water line along a coast.

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 43 • February 23, 2019

OBITUARIES We welcome obituaries. Obituaries are printed free of charge and can be sent to roundup@wylr.net.

Catherine Ida Pexton Aug. 16, 1936 – Feb. 16, 2019

Catherine Ida Pexton passed away in her sleep of natural causes on Feb. 16 at the Central Wyoming Hospice Home in Casper, at the age of 82.

Catherine was born Aug. 16, 1936 in Casper, the only child of Miles Joseph Larkin and Anna Catherine (Kirn) Larkin.

Her grandparents were John J. Larkin and Bridget (Gibbons) Larkin and Mathias “Matt” Kirn and Mary Anna (Scobe) Kirn.

The Larkin family moved from Casper to Douglas in the spring of 1939. They bought five lots on Jefferson Street from the Town of Douglas for $25 and built their home there with the help of Catherine’s uncle, Frank T. Kirn.

Catherine was educated at South Grade School and graduated from Converse County High School with the class of 1954. That fall, she started to work at LeBar Motor Company as assistant bookkeeper.

She worked there a year before enrolling at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colo. She then

returned to Douglas and was employed by the Town of Douglas, Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph Company in Douglas and in Casper, Rocky Mountain Tire and Supply, before she became the first full-time District Clerk on the Medicine Bow National Forest in Douglas in August 1957. She worked for the Forest Service until April, 1974. She liked her job, especially acting as dispatcher for the many forest fires.

As she said, “Work was never routine, and I never knew what I would be doing from day to day.”

Catherine was a charter member of the Jackalope Victory Gardeners Garden Club, now the Cottonwood Garden Club; life member of National Garden Clubs, Inc., Wyoming Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc., Wyoming Pioneer Association, American Iris Society, American Hemerocallis Society and Tall Bearded Iris Society; and a member of Fenton Art Glass Collectors of America, Inc., The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, National Trust for His-

toric Preservation, White House Historical Association, American Horticulture Society, B-29s over the Marianas, AARP, Saint James Catholic Church and Wyoming and Converse County Farm Bureaus.

She was preceded in death by her father Miles J. Larkin, on March 15, 1963; mother Anna Kirn Larkin, on Sept. 23, 2008; husband of 43 years John R. Pexton on Dec.25, 2017; and over 50 first cousins of the Larkin and Kirn families.

She is survived by her first cousins George Peterson of Illinois, Claudia Larkin Smith of Winston-Salem, N.C, Alice Jean Kirn of Lusk, Mary Ellen (Kirn) Werner of Douglas, Chuck Kern of Douglas, Tom Johnson of Cheyenne; step-children Frank Pexton (Rita Redig) and Tim (Dawn) Pexton of Douglas, Mike (Marlene) Pexton of Torrington, Jeff (Marty) Pexton of Coos Bay, Ore. and Melanie Schroeder (Jack Meredith) of Douglas; nine step-grandchildren; 11 step-great-grandchildren; and many distant cousins.

Funeral liturgy will be

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held at 10 a.m. on Feb. 23 at the Saint James Catholic Church in Douglas with Father Demetrio Penascoza and Father Drew Duncan as co-celebrants. A Vigil for the Deceased was held on Feb. 22 at the Gorman Funeral Homes - Converse Chapel.

Interment will be in the John Pexton family plot in the Douglas Park Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers will be Cory Pexton, Trent Pexton, Matt Pexton, Brett Pexton, Jack Meredith, Wyatt Miles and Marty Miles.

Honorary pallbear-

ers were her cousins Alice Jean Kirn of Lusk; Jan Hill of St. Louis, Mo.; Ronald Wolf of Lebanon, Mo.; Bruce Gordon of Lee’s Summit, Mo.; Bob Shockley of Conway, Mo.; Jeanette Pratt Owens of North Carolina; Kathy Karpan of Cheyenne; Frank Henderson, Marge Porter, Monte Reed, Steve “Shakey” Shadwick and Delia Vazquez, all of Douglas; Duane Walker of Wheatland; Doug Schaaf of Yuma, Ariz.; Roger Wesnitzer and Van Harmon, both of Casper; Margaret Grant of Glenrock; Jeff Hamner of Helper, Utah;

Honey Stevick DeFord of Banner; John Stevenson of Minden, Nev.; Ernestine “Tina” Contreras Bostick of Glendale, Ariz.; Edyie Vale of Phoenix, Ariz.; Len Sherwin of Hyattville; and Gretchen Wright of Amherst, Va. The family would appreciate memorials to Central Wyoming Hospice Home, 319 South Wilson Street, Casper, WY 82601.

The Gorman Funeral Homes – Converse Chapel of Douglas, Wyoming is in charge of the arrangements.

Condolences may be sent to the family at gormanfh.com.

A8

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 43 • February 23, 2019

SALE REPORTS Booth’s Cherry Creek Angus Ranch Annual Bull Sale Reported By: Curt Cox, WLR Field Editor Feb. 14, 2019 Booth’s Cherry Creek Ranch, Veteran

Crump Red Angus Annual Bull Sale Reported By: Curt Cox, WLR Field Editor Feb. 16, 2019 Buffalo Livestock Auction, Buffalo Auctioneer: Scott Weishaar 102 Red Angus Bulls Avg. $7,176 12 Yearling Red Angus Heifers Avg. $3,021

Auctioneer: Lander Nicodemis 109 Fall Angus Bulls Avg. $5,357 11 Yearling Angus Bulls Avg. $4,386 4 Fall SimAngus Bulls Avg. $3,213 3 Fall Red Angus Bulls Avg. $2,750 1 Fall Charolais Bull Avg. $2,750 Top Sellers Lot 3 – Cherry Crk Rockmount E95 S – Price: $11,000 DOB: 8/12/17 Sire: Stevenson Rockmount RX933 Dam’s Sire: Connealy Counselor EPDs: BW: +0.4, WW: +68, YW: +119 and Milk: +18 Buyer: Walking X Cattle, Nebraska Lot 123 – Cherry Crk Absolute E502 M – Price: $8,250 DOB: 10/17/17 Sire: K C F Bennett Absolute Dam’s Sire: Sitz Wisdom 481T EPDs: BW: -0.3, WW: +65 YW: +115 and Milk: +22 Buyer: Cobb Ranch, Wyoming Lot 20 – Cherry Crk Fate E222 S – Price: $8,000 DOB: 8/31/17 Sire: SydGen Fate 2800 Dam’s Sire: EXAR Upshot 0562B EPDs: BW: +0.4, WW: +61, YW: +112 and Milk: +26 Buyer: Cobb Ranch, Wyoming Lot 23 – Cherry Crk Journey E96 S – Price: $8,000 DOB: 8/12/17 Sire: WR Journey-1X74 Dam’s Sire: KM Broken Bow 002 EPDs: BW: +2.2, WW: +76, YW: +131 and Milk: +27 Buyer: Kaufman Cattle Company, Wyoming

Top Sellers Bulls Lot 2 – Crump Magnitude 8180 – Price: $16,500, DOB: 2/1/18 Sire: Crump Magnitude 5507 Dam’s Sire: Glacier Chateau 744 EPDs: BW: -2.4, WW: +75, YW: +124 and Milk: +24 Buyer: Turkey Track Livestock, Douglas Lot 11 – Crump Resource 8185 – Price: $16,000, DOB: 1/19/18 Sire: S A V Resource 1441 Dam’s Sire: WPRA Avalanche 818 EPDs: BW: +0.2, WW: +70, YW: +115 and Milk: +13 Buyer: Jordon Rhoads, Faulkton, S.D. Lot 6 – Crump Runaway 8221 – Price: $15,500 DOB: 1/10/18 Sire: Crump Runaway 5121 Dam’s Sire: WPRA Avalanche 818 EPDs: BW: -0.2, WW: +71, YW: +109 and Milk: +20 Buyer: Laramie Cattle Company, Rozet Lot 9 – Crump Mitigator 8167 – Price: $15,000 DOB: 3/1/18 Sire: Bieber LB Mitigator C314 Dam’s Sire: Brown Premier X7876 EPDs: BW: -1.4, WW: +68, YW: +115 and Milk: +22 Buyer: Northern Lites Red Angus, Opheim, Mont.

Lot 8 – Crump Cinch 829 – Price: $11,500 DOB: 1/21/18 Sire: PIE Cinch 4126 Dam’s Sire: Bieber H Hughes W109 EPDs: BW: -2.1, WW: +68, YW: +105 and Milk: +20 Buyer: Saunders Land and Livestock, Gillette Females Lot 109 – Crump Scarlet 8868 – Price: $4,400 DOB: 2/14/18 Sire: Crump Runaway 5121 Dam’s Sire: LJC Javelin M08 EPDs: BW: -0.7, WW: +72, YW: +108 and Milk: +14 Buyer: Tim Davis, Arapaho, Okla.

4 5 th Annu al Produ ctionSale March 1 2 , 2 0 1 9

Lu nch at 1 1 :3 0 •1 :0 0 MST pm •At Ranch inAshton, Idaho

1 1 0 Complete Red Angus Bulls and 8 5 Classy Red Angus Heifers The sale features the top bulls selected from the 2 0 0 bull calves born at Loosli Red Angus.

They have been selected from a large contemporary group.

Never pampered or creep fed. With some of the best EPD's and disposition in the breed.

Loosli Frontier 8 0 2 • #3 9 0 6 9 6 5

(Frontier x Right Kind) 1 1 1 WR, Outcross Pedigree, Dam and Grand dam have a MPPA of 1 0 6 .3 and 1 0 4 .9

Loosli Riverside 8 0 3 • #3 9 0 7 2 2 1

(Riverside x Frontier) Actual 6 5 lb. BW 1 1 3 WR and top 1 % for both WW and YW, Dam has a MPPA 1 0 5 .2

Doug Booth Family Angus Bull Sale Reported By: Curt Cox, WLR Field Editor Feb. 19, 2019 Torrington Livestock, Torrington Auctioneer: Lex Madden 63 Yearling Angus Bulls Avg. $4,210 6 Yearling SimAngus Bulls Avg. $3,908 Top Sellers Angus Lot 49 – DB S Cash F127 – Price: $8,500 DOB: 2/14/18 Sire: Styles Cash R400 Dam’s Sire: PVF Insight 0129 EPDs: BW: +3.7, WW: +67, YW: +110 and Milk: +15 Buyer: Travis and Mandy McIntosh, Wheatland Lot 57 – DB Whitlock F145 – Price: $8,250 DOB: 2/18/18 Sire: S Whitlock 179 Dam’s Sire: Connealy Forward EPDs: BW: -1.3, WW: +51, YW: +103 and Milk: +35 Buyer: Thaler Land and Livestock, LaGrange Lot 9 – DDB Treasure F33 – Price: $7,500 DOB: 2/1/18 Sire: MGR Treasure Dam’s Sire: G A R Sure Fire EPDs: BW: -0.1, WW: +69, YW: +132 and Milk: +18 Buyer: Thaler Land and Livestock, LaGrange Lot 30 – DB Foundation F87 – Price: $7,250 DOB: 2/7/18 Sire: S Foundation 514 Dam’s Sire: S A V Pioneer 7301 EPDs: BW: +0.8, WW: +57, YW: +103 and Milk: +29 Buyer: Bob Yeik, Yoder Crossbred Lot 92 – DB Bounty F184 – Price: $6,250 DOB: 3/1/18 Sire: Hook’s Bounty 6B Dam’s Sire: Connealy Balance Buyer: Mark Stratton, Huntley

Weaver Ranch 34th Angus Production Sale Reported By: Cody Negri, WLR Field Rep Feb. 18, 2019 Weaver Ranch, Fort Collins, Colo.

Auctioneer: Lex Madden 51 Coming-Two-Year-Old Angus Bulls Avg. $3,310 Top Sellers Lot 140 – Weaver’s TC Thunder 140 – Price: $6,000 DOB: 4/24/17 Sire: TC Thunder 805 Dams Sire: Sheldon’s Mytty-87 EPDs: BW: -1.9, WW: +38, YW: +67 and Milk: +24 Buyer: Flying Y Cattle, Saguache, Colo.

Lot 292 – Weaver’s Present Value 292 – Price: $6,000 DOB: 4/29/17 Sire: Sinclair Net Present Value Dams Sire: S A V Final Answer 0035 EPDs: BW: -1.3, WW: +38, YW: +66 and Milk: +24 Buyer: Flying Y Cattle, Saguache, Colo.

Lot 237 – Weaver’s Present Value 237 – Price: $5,000 DOB: 04/23/17 Sire: Sinclair Net Present Value Dams Sire: Weaver’s Focus 9622 EPDs: BW: -2.7, WW: +27, YW: +54 and Milk +21 Buyer: Flying Y Cattle, Saguache, Colo.

Lot 358 – Weaver’s Final Answer 032-358 – Price: $4,750 DOB 4/2/17 Sire: Weaver’s Final Answer 302 Dams Sire: S A V Final Answer 0035 EPDs: BW: -0.3, WW: +40, YW: +70 and Milk: +21 Buyer: John Donnelly, Berthoud, Colo.

Lot 867 – Weaver’s NP Value 081-867 – Price: $4,500 DOB: 5/17/17 Sire: Weaver’s Present Value 081 Dams Sire: Weaver’s Math 92-18 EPDs: BW: -2.3, WW: +39, YW: +74 and Milk: +21 Buyer: Willadson Ranch, Cheyenne

Retail sales slowdown

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The U.S. Census Bureau’s advance estimate of retail sales for December, released last week, showed a marked slowdown in consumer spending at retail outlets, according to the Daily Livestock Report (DLR).

“The food sector was caught in the trend, with grocery store sales barely holding in positive territory when compared to year earlier sales,” said DLR. “December grocery store sales were up 0.3 percent, the smallest year-over-year gain since a decline in sales in February 2017, which was a product of a comparison to Leap Year sales in February 2016.”

Food service and drinking place sales were up 2.6 percent from a year earlier in December, the smallest year-over-year gain for this sector of the economy since January 2018.

Across the entire economy, retail sales were up 1.4 percent from a year earlier, again the smallest increase since the Leap Year affected sales of February 2017.

Excluding February 2017, economy-wide retail sales gains were the smallest since July 2016.

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 43 • February 23, 2019

PRICES continued from page A1 economy remains strong, supported by strong labor markets and healthy consumer spending.”

The result is a strong U.S. dollar, which negatively impacts the volatile markets and loose monetary policy around the world.

“Within the last six months, growth in dollar strength has slackened, but low commodity prices continue to weigh on farm income,” Johansson added, noting the trend has been in place since 2013.

Farm finances Within the agriculture industry, net farm income for 2019 is expected to rise slightly, but total net farm income for the next 10 years is expected to remain below $80 billion. The figure comes in far below the $113 billion seen in 2013.

“As farm income has fallen, farm equity has also come down but only five percent over the last couple of years,” Johansson explained.

“Farm equity is stabilized by high land values. While farm income has come down, farm equity has historically remained strong.”

Working capital on farms

has fallen by 70 percent since 2012, which means total debt is also approaching record levels across the U.S. In addition, real estate debt reached a record high last year.

“Overall, financial solvency is firm, and debt-toasset ratios are below 15 percent, at 13.5 percent,” he said, adding a low debt-to-asset ratio is positive for the industry. “We are, however, paying close attention to debt financing, which has been rising and reached 25 percent in 2018.”

While U.S. farms are still a long way from levels reached in the 1980s for both debt-to-asset ratio and debt financing, rising debt numbers cause cash flow issues for producers and will be carefully watched, Johansson said.

He commented, “It is clear the farm crisis from three decades ago still carries relevance. Both interest rates and inflation remain low, which helps to maintain farmland values. Fixed debt has generally replaced variable debt, and bank and farms entered this downturn in healthier condition overall.”

Optimism Johansson noted, despite uncertainty across the board,

Ag Outlook Forum USDA’s annual Agriculture Outlook Forum draws together leaders in the agriculture industry and from USDA to look inside the United States agriculture economy.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Stephen Censky opened the 2019 forum on Feb. 21, saying, “The Agriculture Outlook Forum is USDA’s highlight of the year where we talk about the state of the agriculture economy – the bright spots, the tough spots and the promise of innovation.”

He continued, “We talk about the promise of ag because I believe we have the most innovative scientists and industry in the world.”

In 2019, the forum was themed, “Growing Locally, Selling Globally,” which offered the chance to have discussions with USDA Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, as well as Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and Mexico’s Secretary of Agriculture. In addition, the forum looked at trade negotiations with China, Japan and the European Union, among others.

A9

the agriculture industry remains overall positive.

“The CME Purdue index of farmer optimism for economic opportunities has been up and down this year, and currently optimism is up 6.5 percent compared to this time last year,” he said. “Optimism typically follows corn prices, though, and that remains true.”

Across the broader economy, optimism is down for other market participants, however.

Crop forecast For row crop producers across the U.S., market uncertainties, particularly as they relate to trade, continue to weigh heavily on markets.

“Questions about trade, policy, weather, markets and more all have an impact on what farmers plan to do,” Johansson described.

“The outlook is less certain now than in 1996, when the first Freedom to Farm Act passed.”

Further, Johansson forecasted a general trend of declining real ag prices over the next decade.

“When we account for

inflation, the trend will be a continued decline in agricultural prices,” he said. “Production is growing faster than global demand.”

As a result of productivity increases, corn production has grown by 400 percent while prices have fallen 60 percent. Similar trends are seen in wheat and soybean production.

“Stocks have also grown relative to demand in several commodities,” Johansson continued. “We saw growth following the 2012 drought, but we have seen tightening markets for corn and wheat in the last decade.”

Tightened supplies for corn and soybeans are expected, and production will continue to outpace supply, Johansson added, which will support prices.

Johansson noted overall corn prices are expected to be up only a nickel a bushel.

Wheat prices are expected to reach $5.20 per bushel, as well.

“Expanding stocks of wheat and soybeans, as well as tightening corn stocks, will influence prices,” he com-

mented.

Livestock impacts With feed prices playing a significant role in livestock price forecasts, Johansson said, “Corn prices are high for 2018-19 and 2019-20, but lower prices for soybeans in 2019 will offset higher corn prices.”

“Animal production is characterized by amazing productivity and declines in real prices, just like our crop prices,” Johansson said. “Beef, chicken, pork and milk prices have fallen by more than 50 percent from 1960, and output has more than doubled.”

A trend of falling prices and increased production is expected in the next decade, as well.

“While growth in production will likely continue, we see mixed outlook for livestock,” he commented. “Fed steer prices are up 1.2 percent year-over-year, supported by solid demand. Hog prices will fall 7.5. percent under production expansion, and prices for broilers are expected down 0.8 percent.”

Further, milk prices are expected to rise 6.5 percent on

the year, meaning improved margins for dairy producers in 2019.

“We see total meat and poultry production will again hit records in 2019, with 105 billion pounds, and milk production is also projected to expand 1.1 percent,” Johansson explained.

Overall, for continued growth in the farm economy, Johansson said trade is essential for the agriculture industry.

“U.S. ag exports are forecast at $141.5 billion, down $1.9 billion from 2018,” he said. “Many countries are willing to compete for these sales.”

Over the long-term, USDA projects exports will continue to grow, supported by international demand for livestock products as per capita income increases in emerging markets.

Johansson summarized, “Success in the $700-plus billion global marketplace will depend on access.”

Saige Albert is managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 43 • February 23, 2019

FFA continued from page A1 ties and posts,” says Stewart. “Each of our officers will be posting on our individual social media pages, as well as the Wyoming FFA pages.”

Chapter involvement Hales explains FFA chapters across the country participate in the annual National FFA Week as a way to promote agriculture.

He comments the state officer team makes an effort to visit individual chapters and get involved as much as they can at the local level.

“It can be really hard for our state officer team to reach all the chapters in the state during National FFA Week because they are so spread out,” Hales says. “This year, we decided to really focus on utilizing social media tools to get the word out about agriculture and FFA and connect with local

chapters.”

The importance of advocacy “I believe we have several goals for this week surrounding advocacy,” says Stewart. “We want to spread awareness about agriculture as a whole but also promote the positive benefits FFA provides for students.”

Stewart explains he believes many agriculturalists miss the big picture when it comes to advocating for their industry.

“We really need to take a step back and realize everyone is a consumer at the end of the day,” Stewart says. “We all need food, clothing and shelter to survive, and those needs are met via agriculture.”

Stewart points out, in this day and age, agriculture is in a fight like never before with organizations that constantly spread

negative and false information about farming and ranching practices.

“Agriculture does its job extremely well, and when we look at how much more efficient we’ve become as a whole, this is obvious,” says Stewart.

“But, as agriculturalists, we have to get out of our own four walls and communicate with end consumers.”

Benefits of FFA Hales stresses the important role the organization has played for him.

“I don’t know where I would be without FFA,” he says. “A few of my family members were also state officers, and I felt like it was expected of me to be here.”

He notes FFA is the most influential organization he’s been involved in.

“I’ve had the chance to meet so many people and be involved in a variety of different events,” he says.

Hales explains through FFA he was given the

chance to compete in events such as horse and livestock judging, as well as a variety of speaking contests.

“I got a full scholarship to livestock judge at Casper College,” Hales notes. “I wouldn’t be going to college for free had it not been for the opportunities FFA has given me.”

Variety of opportunities Stewart shares a similar background in FFA and notes he has gained a variety of hard and soft skills through his participation with FFA. “I would stretch to say any youth in America could find a place in the FFA,” says Stewart. “It’s so much more than just production agriculture. Students who are interested in science, public speaking or leadership can find a place in this organization.”

Stewart explains he had the opportunity to pick up skills ranging from plant identification to empathy.

“FFA allowed me to

“As agriculturalists, we have to get out of our own four walls and communicate with end consumers.” – Sheridan Stewart, Wyoming FFA Association learn some pretty obvious hard skills such as animal husbandry, livestock evaluation, plant identification and shop skills,” Stewart says. “Even though I’m not a great welder, it was a really good skill to learn.”

He explains he also learned things that weren’t necessarily specific to agriculture but are extremely useful.

“FFA taught me public speaking skills, how to

be an effective leader and, most importantly, empathy,” he notes. “My time as a state officer has taught me more about empathizing with other people who have different backgrounds and experiences than anything else I’ve ever been a part of.”

Callie Hanson is the assistant editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup.

Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

National FFA Organization The National FFA Organization is an intra-curricular organization which aims to develop students in careers including, but not limited to, those related to agriculture. In 1988, the name of the organization was changed from Future Farmers of America (FFA) to the National FFA Organization to reflect the growing diversity of the organization.

The organization’s goal is to promote premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agriculture education.

Agricultural education first became a part of the public education system in 1917 when the U.S. Congress passed the Smith-Hughes Act. Agriculture education is divided into three overlapping components, classroom learning, FFA and supervised agriculture experiences (SAE). Through agricultural education, students are provided opportunities for leadership development, personal growth and career success.

The National FFA Organization is organized at the chapter, state and national level. Wyoming FFA is the fastest growing state organization in the country and has had an seven national officers since 1930.

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 43 • February 23, 2019

WACD continued from page A1 ground-zero for issues that affect Wyoming.”

Committee work In Washington, D.C., Barrasso noted EPW just passed a water infrastructure act, following on directives from President Trump to improve America’s infrastructure.

“I chose water infrastructure to improve first because, before statehood in 1890, water was key and the lifeblood of Wyoming,” he said.

“What conservation districts do historically goes back a long, long time.”

Barrasso’s bill included 16 projects from Wyoming, and he noted Wyoming people are frequently invited to testify in front of the committee.

“When someone from Wyoming comes to testify, they’re the lead witness and the expert in the room,” he said, noting 17 Wyomingites have testified in front of the committee in the last year.

“This year, we’ve already had Slade Franklin from Wyoming Weed and Pest testify.”

“We talk about all of the issues because conservation districts see all the issues – the fires and the storms – and have dealt with them, with grit, determination and strength,” Barrasso said. “The world

needs more cowboys because cowboys never quit and cowboys never complain. We need more of it, and the world would benefit from it.”

Words from past presidents Barrasso looked back to a speech by Theodore Roosevelt in 1910 at Frontier Park in Cheyenne.

“He talked about the people of the state of Wyoming, their courageous nature and their ‘undaunted and unwavering resolve,’” he said.

“That’s the way the people of Wyoming are.”

When John F. Kennedy spoke at the University of Wyoming in the 1960s, Barrasso emphasized his themes of conservation, protection of the environment and maintaining a living balance between man’s actions and nature’s reactions.

“That’s a lot of what conservation districts talk about,” Barrasso commented. “People from the East Coast who have never been to Wyoming don’t understand our respect for the environment and don’t know a lot about it.”

Citing another U.S. President, Barrasso continued, “When Ronald Reagan spoke in the Story gym, he said, ‘People here still believe the

Learn more about the Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts at conservewyo.org.

future is ours to shape, and that’s what everybody here is doing, shaping the future of Wyoming through actions that are in the best interest of the people of Wyoming, as well as the environment.’”

“Thanks you to the conservation districts for all they do for the people of Wyoming and the environment,” Barrasso said. “God bless you, God bless the people of Wyoming and God bless the United States.”

DEQ From the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, recently re-appointed Director Todd Parfitt noted partnerships with WACD have been and continue to be integral for both organizations.

“This conference represents an opportunity to improve the partnerships, communication and information sharing amongst our agencies and organizations,” Parfitt said. “This is critical and necessary to make sure Wyoming’s natural resources are not only effective but that they’re properly managed.”

Parfitt said DEQ continues to work with WACD to address long-term challenges while also staying in front of emerging issues.

“Pathogens, for example, have been a long-term challenge. We need all the tools in the toolbox to mitigate pathogen sources and ensure protection of human health,” he said, noting monitoring, mitigation and best management prac-

A11

tices (BMPs) are all included among those tools. “MST has been of great interest in discussion.”

Another ongoing challenge including measuring water quality improvements.

“Wyoming is number one in the Environmental Protection Agency’s Region VIII for success stories,” Parfitt said.

“However, with everything, there is much more to learn and do.”

Conservation work Jennifer Zygmunt of DEQ noted 949 miles of streams are impaired as a result of E. coli or fecal coliform.

“We have a lot of miles we are working to address, and we have been working to address them for many years,” she said. “We haven’t sat idly on those impairments to mitigate sources of pollution.”

Zygmunt noted mitigation begins with watershed planning and is supplemented by total maximum daily load (TMDL) plans that are implemented across the state.

More sophisticated monitoring methods and source tracking strategies are being implemented each year, and Zygmunt said, “Other folks are in the stages of implementing best management practices. We’ve had many good BMP projects across the state focused on livestock management – including cross-fencing, rotational grazing and more, and things like septic system replacements, wetland installation and more.”

“A lot of good more has

“I chose water infrastructure to improve first because, before statehood in 1890, water was a key and the lifeblood of Wyoming. What conservation districts do historically goes back a long, long time.” – Sen. John Barrasso been done around the state, and we feel good about that,” she continued. “However, we don’t always see the improvement we hope to see.”

Continued questions about how to implement the right BMPs at the right time to achieve desired results are a consistent concern for conservation districts across the state.

Zygmunt said, “This is an excellent group, and work-

ing together, we can all take another tool home to improve our local watershed and impaired water bodies.”

In next week’s Roundup, more information about microbial source tracking from the conference will be provided.

Saige Albert is managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

Researchers speeds growth One of the most significant challenges of the 21st Century is how to sustainably feed a growing and more affluent global population with less water and fertilizers on shrinking acreage, despite stagnating yields, threats of pests and disease, and a changing climate.

Speaker Donald Ort, the Robert Emerson Professor of Plant Biology and Crop Sciences at Illinois’ Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, discussed the global food security challenge and a recent breakthrough in Science that boosted crop growth by 40 percent by creating a shortcut for a glitch that plagues most food crops.

“Plants have to do three key things to produce the food we eat – capture sunlight, use that energy to manufacture plant biomass and divert as much of the biomass as possible into yields like corn kernels or starchy potatoes,” Ort said. “In the last century, crop breeders maximized the first and third of these, leaving us with the challenge to improve the process where sunlight and carbon dioxide are fixed – called photosynthesis – to boost crop growth to meet the demands of the 21st Century.”

Where Calving Ease

means way more than just a “heifer bull” Calving Ease bulls impact profit by producing more live calves, but should also produce daughters equally capable of calving unassisted. And steers that contribute equally to profitability through feed conversion and carcass value.

...

Croissant Red Angus Range Ready Bull Sale

Saturday, March 23, 2019 • Briggsdale, CO 90 PAP Tested Red Angus Bulls

Larry & Jean Croissant • Kevin & Sallie Miller (970) 656-3545 • (970) 222-6094 kmiller@wigginstel.com

CroissantRedAngus.com

A12

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 43 • February 23, 2019 Feb. 28

CALENDAR

March 1

Submit your events to: Editor, Wyoming Livestock Roundup, P.O. Box 850, Casper, WY, 82602, or e-mail to roundup@wylr.net.

March 1

EVENTS

March 1

Feb. 27 Feb. 27 Feb. 27 Feb. 27 – March 3 March 1 March 1-3 March 2-3 March 3-5 March 5 March 6 March 7 March 7 March 13 March 15-18

Pesticide Applicator Training, Laramie, Albany County Fairgrounds.

RSVP to Brian Sebade, Goshen County Extension educator, at 307721-2571.

What are Your Minerals Worth? Chugwater, Chugwater Community Center, 6:30 p.m. For more information, contact Reba at 307-7011073 or Craig at 970-580-0335.

2019 Central Wyoming Private Pesticide Education Session, Lusk, UW Extension Office, 1:30-5 p.m. Register by calling 307-2359400 by Feb. 26.

30th Annual Winnemucca Ranch Hand Rodeo Weekend, Winnemucca, Nev., Winnemucca Events Complex. Visit ranchrodeoNV.com or call 775-623-5071 for more information.

18th Annual Doornbos Lecture Series, Casper, Casper College Campus, McMurray Career Studies Center, 6 p.m. For more information, call 307-268-3128 or e-mail tjones@caspercollege.edu.

Cache Valley Cowboy Rendezvous, Hyrum, Utah, Mountain Crest High School. Visit cvcowboy.org for more information.

Wyoming State Chariot Races, Glendo. For more information or tickets, call Gene Daly at 307-331-1049.

National Farmers Union 117th Annual Convention, Bellevue, Wash. For more information, visit nfu.org/convention.

2019 Central Wyoming Private Pesticide Education Session, Douglas, Converse County Library, 1-5 p.m. Register by calling 307235-9400 by March 4.

2019 Central Wyoming Private Pesticide Education Session, Casper, Casper College Werner Ag Building, 3-7 p.m. Register by calling 307-235-9400 by March 5.

Pesticide Applicator Training, Archer, Laramie County Fairgrounds, 12-4 p.m. RSVP to Laramie County Weed and Pest at 307-245-3213 2019 Central Wyoming Private Pesticide Education Session, Glenrock, Converse County Library, 1-5 p.m. Register by calling 307235-9400 by March 6.

Pesticide Applicator Training, Baggs, Higher Education Center, 1-5 p.m. RSVP to Carbon County Weed and Pest at 307-324-6584.

Farm Bureau FUSION Conference, Milwaukee, Wisc. For more information, visit fb.org/events/2019-fusion-conference.

SALES Feb. 25 Feb. 25 Feb. 25 Feb. 24-25 Feb. 26

Reyes/Russell 28th Annual Sale, at the ranch, Wheatland, 307-3221530, 307-322-4848, 970-587-2534, mrangusranch.com Circle L Angus Annual Production Sale, Beaverhead Livestock Auction, Dillon, Mont., 406-832-3535, 406-491-7363, circlelangus. com P\T Livestock Annual High-Country Genetics Performance Bull Sale, at the P/T Livestock Feedlot, Riverton, 307-709-8351, ptlivestock.com Colyer Herefords and Angus 39th Annual Production Sale, at the ranch, Bruneau, Idaho, 208-845-2313, 208-599-0340, hereford.com Haynes Cattle Company 11th Annual “Working Bull” Angus Sale, Ogallala Livestock Auction, Ogallala, Neb., 970-854-3310, haynescattleco.com

Big horn Basin LIVESTOCK AUCTION LLC

February 21, 2019 - 1,187 Head Cows Steady • Bulls $4 to $6 Higher • Feeders Steady BULLS Sweet View Ranch LLC - Cody 1 Blk Bull, 760# ........................................ $12800 1 Blk Bull, 915# ........................................ $11100 1 Blk Bull, 1895# ........................................ $8350 Clark, Tim and Joshua - Worland 1 BWF Bull, 2025# ..................................... $9400 1 BWF Bull, 2045# ..................................... $9300 1 Blk Bull, 1625# ........................................ $9100 1 Blk Bull, 1680# ........................................ $9050 1 Blk Bull, 1715# ........................................ $9050 1 Red Bull, 1795# ....................................... $9050 1 Blk Bull, 2025# ........................................ $8950 1 Blk Bull, 1950# ........................................ $8900 1 Blk Bull, 2040# ........................................ $8850 1 Blk Bull, 1810# ........................................ $8850 1 Blk Bull, 1895# ........................................ $8850 1 Blk Bull, 2105# ........................................ $8750 1 Blk Bull, 1960# ........................................ $8700 1 Blk Bull, 1995# ........................................ $8700 1 Blk Bull, 2055# ........................................ $8550 1 Blk Bull, 1955# ........................................ $8350 1 Blk Bull, 2015# ........................................ $8350 1 Blk Bull, 2125# ........................................ $8300 Gifford Ranch LLC - Basin 1 Blk Bull, 2250# ........................................ $8950 1 Blk Bull, 2375# ........................................ $6850 COWS Haun, Bill and Julie - Worland 1 Blk Cow, 1425# ....................................... $6600 Riley, Michael - Burlington 1 Red Cow, 1270# ...................................... $6200 1 Red Cow, 1280# ...................................... $6000 1 Red Cow, 1360# ...................................... $5950 1 Red Cow, 1560# ...................................... $5950 Needham, Charlie - Riverton 1 Blk Cow, 1425# ....................................... $6150 Couffman, William & Diane - Burlington 1 Blk Cow, 1170# ........................................ $6000 1 Blk Cow, 1365# ....................................... $5850 Russell Land & Livetsock - Basin 1 Blk Cow, 1190# ........................................ $5900 1 Blk Cow, 1370# ....................................... $5850 1 Blk Cow, 1430# ....................................... $5400 Nye, CJ or Vickie - Cody 1 Blk Cow, 1210# ....................................... $5800 S & T Cattle LLC - Ten Sleep 1 Blk Cow, 1345# ....................................... $5700 1 BWF Cow, 1380# .................................... $5600 Gifford Ranch - Basin 1 BWF Cow, 1320# .................................... $5600 Crichton, Carolyn - Shoshoni 1 Blk Cow, 1620# ....................................... $5400

Worland, WY

Sale Barn: 307-347-9201 Danny Vigil: 307-388-0781 Butterfield, James - Worland 1 Red Cow, 1295# ...................................... $5200 HEIFERS Open Lock Ranch Inc. - Worland 43 Rd/BK Hfrs, avg. 551#......................... $15500 10 Rd/Bk Hfrs, avg. 651# ......................... $14250 Patterson Land & Livestock 116 Mxd Hfrs, avg. 610# .......................... $14625 HEIFER CALVES Double Dollar Cattle Co. - Lovell 18 Blk Hfr Clvs, avg. 420# ........................ $16825 33 Blk Hfr Clvs, avg. 510# ........................ $16050 Baird, Jack or Ellen - Thermopolis 8 Blk Hfr Clvs, avg. 392# .......................... $16500 Johnsey, Bob - Worland 2 Blk Hfr Clvs, avg. 400# .......................... $16200 Hoffman, Ron and Fay - Thermopolis 28 BWF Hfr Clvs, avg. 501# ..................... $15300 17 Blk Hfr Clvs, avg. 567# ........................ $15000 Hamilton Ranch, Inc. - Hyattville 12 Blk Hfr Clvs, avg. 557# ........................ $14600 16 Blk Hfr Clvs, avg. 597# ........................ $14250 Russett Ranch, Inc. - Basin 12 Blk Hfr Clvs, avg. 585# ........................ $14550 24 Blk Hfr Clvs, avg. 705# ........................ $13450 S & T Cattle LLC - Ten Sleep 12 BWF Hfr Clvs, avg. 618# ..................... $14250 Johnson, Jerry & Sharon - Thermopolis 48 Mxd Hfr Clvs, avg. 698# ...................... $13300 Wilkinson, Kurt or Thomas - Basin 3 Blk Hfr Clvs, avg. 725# .......................... $12600 STEERS Hessenthaler, David - Lovell 36 Mxd Strs, avg. 607# ............................ $16675 100 Mxd Strs, avg. 716# .......................... $15000 73 Blk Strs, avg. 793# .............................. $14100 STEER CALVES Baird, Jack or Ellen - Thermopolis 12 Blk Str Clvs, avg. 412# ........................ $19900 Johnson, Jerry & Sharon - Thermopolis 22 Mxd Str Clvs, avg. 575# ...................... $16500 Reed. Justin - Thermopolis 2 Blk Str Clvs, avg. 570# .......................... $16250 Stewart, Robert - Thermopolis 36 Blk Str Clvs, avg. 695# ........................ $14900

• Upcoming Sales • Feb. 28 - Durbin Creek Ranch Bull Sale 100 Coming 2-Year-Old Elite, Range Ready Hereford Bulls • 300 F1 Baldy Heifer Calves • Select Ranch Horses March 7 - All Class Cattle & Bred Cow March 14 - Feeder Special w/ All Class Cattle March 21 - All Class Cattle, Sheep & Goat March 22 - Horse Sale

March 2 March 2 March 4 March 4 March 5 March 6

Durbin Creek Ranch 7th Annual Bull Sale, Big Horn Basin Livestock Auction, Worland, 307-867-2404, durbincreekranch.com Diamond Peak Cattle Company Bull Sale, Winter Livestock Auction, La Junta, Colo., 970-326-8620, diamondpeakcattle.com Lund Ranch Angus 26th Annual Bull Sale, at the ranch, Gunnison, Utah, 435-851-0099, 435-287-7614, 435-851-3688, lundranchangus.com Denver Mountain Parks Bison Auction, Genesee Park, Denver, Colo., 303-710-8164, 720-865-0900, 720-865-0900 Lucky 7 Angus Annual Bull Sale, Riverton Livestock Auction, Riverton, 307-850-2053, 307-850-2514, lucky7angus.com Sega Gelbvieh Bull Sale, at the ranch, Pierce, Colo., 970-590-4862, 970-381-0600, segagelbvieh.com Vision Angus 21st Annual Sale, Lincoln County Fair Grounds, North Platte, Neb., 970-854-4322, 970-520-9006, visionangus.com Valdez Farms High Altitude Bull Sale, Jim’s Auction, Montrose, Colo., 970-209-6950, valdezfarms.com Ipsen Cattle Company Sixth Annual Internet Bull Sale, 208-6814794, 208-681-4793, ipsencattle.com Ox Bow Ranch Annual Registered Angus Bull Sale, at the ranch, Wolf Creek, Mont., 406-235-4281, 541-965-0088, oxbowranchangus.com

POSTCARD from the Past

Compiled by Dick Perue rrichardperue@gmail.com

Flu Epidemic at Encampment Many Deaths have Resulted from Severe Outbreak of Influenza in Upper Valley Town Local news of the tragic flu epidemic, which spread across the country, including most of Wyoming, in 1918-19 was reported on the front page of the Jan. 23, 1919 issue of “The Saratoga Sun” as thus: After escaping the influenza epidemic for several months, while other parts of the county were losing many citizens as a result of the malady, Encampment has at last been hard hit, the epidemic breaking out there about two weeks ago, and six deaths have resulted to date, with several other sufferers in a very critical condition.

William Parr, one of the pioneer residents of that section, was the first to succumb early last week. He was 40 years of age, having been

born Nov. 28, 1878, at the old town of Carbon, and his parents moved to the vicinity of Encampment when he was but six months old.

He had been a resident of the valley continuously since that time. Rev. Emmet Abraham conducted the funeral services and interment was in the Encampment cemetery.

Denver Suttles, popular salesman at the Parkison store, passed away last Wednesday and was buried at Encampment on Saturday.

Prof. W.C. Sutton, formerly principal of the Encampment schools but who had been engaged in mining for the past few years passed away Friday morning, and the infant child of Mr. and Mrs. Sutton died the same evening. Mrs. Sutton, who had also contracted the disease, passed away Monday morning, the malady having taken this entire family. Funeral services were conducted at

Encampment by Rev. Abraham, and the three bodies were shipped to Boulder, Colo., where interment was made yesterday in the Boulder cemetery. The bodies were accompanied by Mrs. Mary Maxwell of Oxford, Ohio, mother of Mrs. Sutton.

The sixth victim of the malady was Edward Stambaugh, brother of Mrs. Z.T. Carver, who passed away at the Carver home last Friday and was buried at the Encampment cemetery Tuesday morning, Rev. Abraham conducting the service.

Mr. and Mrs. Carver have both been very ill with the disease but are reported as somewhat improved.

Miss Edith Dunbar, telephone operator at Encampment, is also reported to be in very critical condition, while at least 15 or 20 other well-known residents of the town are more or less seriously ill, including five or six cases among members of the Peryam family.

Present indications are that the situation is improving, with most of the sufferers improving and but few new cases developing.

To Prevent

Influenza!

Do not take any person’s breath.

Keep the mouth and teeth clean.

Avoid those that cough and sneeze.

Don’t visit poorly ventilated places.

Keep warm, get fresh air and sun shine.

Don’t use common drinking cups, towels, etc.

Cover your mouth when you cough and sneeze.

Avoid Worry, Fear and Fatigue Stay at home if you have a cold.

Walk to your work or office.

In sick rooms wear a gauze mask like in illustration.

Flu ads – An illustration was used in many newspapers to help prevent the flu epidemic, which spread throughout the country in 1918. According to an article written by UW History Professor Phil Roberts, “Although disease epidemics were common throughout America and the West in earlier times, the worst epidemic in terms of loss of human life came to Wyoming . . . in the fall of 1918. From October of that year through January 1919, 780 people died statewide, victims of the flu epidemic. Of those, 169 died directly from the flu while the rest were taken by a combination of flu and pneumonia. In the space of 15 months the disease killed somewhere between 50 million and 100 million people worldwide. . . .” Information and illustration from the internet, Historical Reproductions by Perue

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 43 • February 23, 2019

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 43 • February 23, 2019

Why Do We Need to Keep Breeding New Crop Varieties?

By Susan Fisk, American Society of Agronomy and Crop Science Society of America

Crop breeders continue to improve familiar crops. The Feb. 7 Sustainable, Secure Food blog describes crop breeders’ progress towards the future of barley, wheat and potato varieties.

“Global warming and changes in the amount – and location – of water are key factors in the need to continue crop breeding programs,” write crop breeders Patrick Hayes, Bob Zemetra and Sagar Sathuvalli of Oregon State University. “In addition, there are many diseases

that affect crop yield and quality. We need to continue breeding new disease-resistant crop varieties to ensure a healthy, adequate food supply.”

The researchers describe efforts to improve these important crops.

Barley “Barley breeders are working to make barley more robust in the face of climate change. We also work to make it a more profitable crop for farmers, and more available to consumers,” says Hayes.

This includes breed-

ing barley that can survive winter’s cold and barley that is resistant to drought.

Breeders are also working to expand the choice of barleys that can be used as a whole grain.

Wheat “Increasing variation in temperature and moisture availability… also expands the regions where diseases and insect pests of wheat are found,” Zemetra says.

Researchers are working to more efficiently pinpoint desired wheat traits in the genetic code.

Torrington Livestock Markets PO Box 1097 • Torrington, WY 82240 307.532.3333 Fax: 307.532.2040

“That helps us be creative and look at ways to cross-breed different varieties. The new higher yielding varieties will carry the desired traits for disease resistance, temperature tolerance, and enduse quality,” he added.

Potatoes “Potatoes are an important food crop for food security,” writes Sathuvalli. “They carry calories for energy and many essential nutrients.

They are a powerful delivery system for nutrition.

Potatoes are one of the

highest-yielding crops per hectare of arable land.”

In addition to increasing this crop’s efficiency in the field, researchers are finding improved ways to “use genetic resources and minimize losses due

to tuber-borne diseases.”

To read the complete blog, visit “Sustainable, Secure Food” at sustaina b l e - s e c u re - f o o d - b l o g . com/2019/02/07/why-dowe-need-to-keep-breeding-new-crop-varieties.

Lex Madden: 307-532-1580 Michael Schmitt: 307-532-1776 Chuck Petersen 307-575-4015

www.torringtonlivestock.com

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2019 - YEARLING & CALF SPECIAL FEEDERS Darcy Garhart 42 Blk Strs & Hfrs, 700-800#, Weaned since Oct., Running out on pasture, Range Cubes, 3 Rounds of Shots, No Implants, Poured, All Natural Double H/Kylor Hoffman 40 Blk/Bwf Hfrs, 700#, Replacement Quality, Weaned a long time, Been on a Roughage Grower Ration, Complete Vac. Program Stule Farms 25 Blk Strs & Hfrs 650#, Weaned, Branding Shots, All Natural CALVES Doug Derouchey 450 Blk Strs & Hfrs, 500-650#, Weaned since Nov. 15, Branding & Precond Shots, All Natural, Cattle Country Video - 1:00 Home Dan Starckson 78 Weaned Heifers; 95% Raised, Bunk Broke Thaler Land & Livestock 275 Blk/Bwf Strs, 500-575#, Weaned 150 days, Running out on Native Meadows and 2# of Blk, 5% Bwf. Base Wt: 710 lbs. Slide: .10 cents; Delivery: 2/28/19 to 3/5/19; Located: Cake, Branding & Weaning Shots Torrington, WY. Feed: Grow Ration; BrandBar RZ Ranch Co. 140 Red/Rwf Angus Strs, 500-600#, Weaned 60+ days, Running out supplemented with Grass ing Shots: BoviShield Gold 5 & 7-way; Hay & Biomass Tubs, Branding & Weaning Shots Precond Shots: BoviShield Gold & 7-way, Ron & Barb Jespersen 100 Blk Strs, 600-700#, Weaned, Been on a High Roughage Ration Ivomec, Wormer. Sorting from 140 heifers, TRH/Tom Hamilton 60 Blk/Bwf Hfrs, 500-600#, Weaned a long time, Complete Vac. Program, Running out, Grass will be black hided unless buyer wants a Hay and Cake Only, Wintered for grass bigger load with some reds. Selling 57,000 John & Sharon Harvat 35 Mx Hfrs, 500-700#, Weaned 90 days, Hay Fed w/ 2# of Corn, Shots @ Birth, Branding, lbs with buyer option on more. Weaned in Precond & Booster Shots, High Altitude October.

JC & LeAnn McLaughlin 34 Blk Strs & Hfrs, 525-650#, Weaned 60+ days, Running out, Shots at Birth, Branding & www.cattlecountryvideo.com Weaning Shots, All Natural Williams Livestock 30 Blk Strs & Hfrs, 650-700#, Weaned on Nov. 10, Hay Fed, 2 Rounds of Shots, No Implants, Hfrs are Bangs Vac. Red Rock Ranch 23 Blk Hfrs, 550#, Weaned on Nov. 18, Been on Long Stem Hay and OLS Tubs, Branding & Weaning Shots, All Natural MANY MORE CONSIGNMENTS BY SALE DAY

FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2019 ALL CLASSES

MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2019 - BRED COW SPECIAL

SALE RESULTS - WEDNESDAY, FEB 20 - 3924 HD Cole Creek Sheep Co 22 Black Steer Falls Ranch LP 126 Black Steer James Schneider 19 Black Steer Trowbridge Ranch LLC 63 Black Steer Falls Ranch LP 217 Black Steer The M W Cattle Co LLC 30 Black Steer Horseshoe Valley Ranch Co 43 Black Steer The M W Cattle Co LLC 49 Black Steer Trowbridge Ranch LLC 40 Black Steer James Schneider 44 Mixed Steer Trowbridge Ranch LLC 27 Red Steer Michael Werner 26 Red Steer Lanphier Inc 127 Red Steer Jerry Shimic 21 Black Heifer Cross Y LLC 67 Black Heifer The M W Cattle Co LLC 64 Black Heifer The M W Cattle Co LLC 10 Black Heifer Cool Grass Cattle Co 11 Black Steer Calf Frontier Cattle Co LLC 10 Black Steer Calf Bruce Lewis 66 Black Steer Calf Horseshoe Valley Ranch Co 19 Black Steer Calf Chant Ranch LLC 29 Black Steer Calf Scheer Circle Triangle Ranch 68 Black Steer Calf Trowbridge Ranch LLC 26 Black Steer Calf D N Ranch 27 Black Steer Calf Bruce Lewis 38 Black/Red Steer Calf Platt Cattle Co 37 Black/Red Steer Calf D N Ranch 23 Red Steer Calf Michael Werner 42 Red Steer Calf Rod & Trish Vineyard 54 Black Heifer Calf The M W Cattle Co LLC 10 Black Heifer Calf Cool Grass Cattle Co 25 Black Heifer Calf North Powder Ranch Inc 14 Black Heifer Calf Barney Long 26 Black Heifer Calf Bruce Lewis 47 Black Heifer Calf Horseshoe Valley Ranch Co 12 Black Heifer Calf Rod & Trish Vineyard 81 Black Heifer Calf Scheer Circle Triangle Ranch 43 Black Heifer Calf Bruce Lewis 31 Black Heifer Calf D N Ranch 73 Black/Red Heifer Calf Val & Sherry Eklund 25 Black/Red Heifer Calf

524 638 597 709 720 691 699 768 804 706 703 748 823 685 751 747 880 404 424 552 564 580 619 639 592 476 518 597 660 502 543 401 370 452 478 519 555 596 577 590 581

191.00C 177.00C 173.00C 166.00C 164.00C 157.50C 156.50C 146.00C 142.25C 152.00C 159.00C 151.00C 136.00C 144.50C 138.00C 136.00C 130.00C 230.00C 223.00C 193.50C 192.00C 182.50C 178.00C 174.00C 169.00C 229.00C 193.00C 168.00C 163.00C 184.00C 160.00C 194.00C 193.00C 189.50C 188.00C 181.00C 172.00C 167.00C 159.50C 158.00C 153.00C

DISPERSALS Bench Mark Ranch Co./Jim Shepperson 320 Blk Cows, Complete Dispersal, Running Ages, Bred to Blk Angus Bulls, CF: April 1, Current on all Shots, Poured, Running Out on Pasture supplemented with Hay & Cake, Not Pampered, Home Raised BRED COWS Dan Ingalls 250 Blk (25 Red) Cows, Running Ages, Bred to Reg. Blk Angus Bulls, CF: April, Fall Shots: Vira 6+VL5, Ivomec Plus Injectable, Clean Up II in Feb. 2019 (Note: 60 hd are Registered—can transfer papers for a fee) Tyler Scherz 78 Blk/Bwf Cows, Young Cows to SM, Bred to Blk Bulls, CF: Mar 15 for 70 days Sims Cattle Co. 20 Angus-x Simmental x Gelbvieh Cows, Mx Ages, CF: May 1 for 60 days MANY MORE CONSIGNMENTS BY SALE DAY

SALE RESULTS - MONDAY, FEB 18 - 974 HD

David & Dorothy Kaufman DJ Crozier Land & L/S DJ Crozier Land & L/S David & Dorothy Kaufman DJ Crozier Land & L/S DJ Crozier Land & L/S Belus Brothers Inc Quarter Circle Bar Ranch Quarter Circle Bar Ranch David & Dorothy Kaufman David & Dorothy Kaufman DJ Crozier Land & L/S Jack Pfister Ranch Hester Farms Inc Hester Farms Inc Guy Givens Dan Ingalls Stevenson Cattle Co Roger Haefele Dan Ingalls Risha Ranch Jim McClun Von Forell Herefords West Ranch LLC

22 Black Bred Cow-3-4yr/Feb-March 28 Black Bred Cow-4yr/March-April 17 Black Bred Cow-3-4yr/March-April 34 Black Bred Cow-SM/Feb-March 4 Black Bred Cow-3-4yr/March-April 42 Black Bred Cow-SM/March-April 13 Black Bred Cow-3yr/March-April 38 Black Bred Cow-SM/March-May 3 Black Bred Cow-SM/March-May 33 Black Bred Cow-SS/Feb-March 18 Black Bred Cow-ST/Feb-March 26 Black Bred Cow-SS/March-April 32 Black Bred Cow-ST/April-May 37 Black Bred Cow-ST/April-June 13 Black Bred Cow-ST/April-June 13 Black Bred Cow-ST/May 23 Black Bred Heifer-April-May 22 Black Bred Heifer-April 14 Black Bred Heifer-March-May 2 Black Bred Heifer-April-May 15 Black Bred Heifer-April-May 10 Hereford Bred Heifer-April-May 26 Red Bred Heifer-April 14 Red Bred Heifer-May

1269 1148 1044 1475 1203 1307 1063 1321 1281 1546 1491 1260 1352 1291 1419 1168 919 1131 1038 1050 1006 1283 1090 871

1650.00H 1635.00H 1585.00H 1510.00H 1500.00H 1410.00H 1400.00H 1300.00H 1150.00H 1080.00H 1060.00H 1060.00H 960.00H 960.00H 925.00H 825.00H 1510.00H 1510.00H 1400.00H 1400.00H 1350.00H 1775.00H 1560.00H 1260.00H

Cattle Country Video - 2/20/2019 Bainter & Sons

100 Wnd Strs

530

197.50C

“Like Us” for Sale Updates, Results and News

(307) 532-3333 - www.torringtonlivestock.com TORRINGTON LIVESTOCK AREA REPS Cody Thompson - Lusk, WY 307-334-3388 or 307-340-0150 * Ty Thompson – Lusk, WY 307-340-0770 Zach Johnson Lingle, WY –307-575-2171 Jeff Ward – Laramie, WY 307-399-9863 Tam Staman – Crawford, NE 308-631-8513 Artie Johnson - Lusk, WY 307-216-0117 Lander Nicodemus – Cheyenne, WY 307-421-8141 * Danny Nicodemus – Cheyenne, WY 307-632-4325 Chris Williams - Greybull, WY 307-272-4567

New varieties – Oregon State University is breeding new varieties of barley for flavor, as well as drought tolerance. They work with local artisans to determine the new varieties’ abilities to be baked – or brewed, in the case of beer. Photo courtesy of Susan V. Fisk

Training programs launched Nicholas Wege Dias has an insider’s view of prison life. A graduate research assistant in the Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Dias has conducted much of his master’s research at rural correctional centers.

Virginia Department of Corrections prison farms, located throughout the commonwealth, house approximately 2,000 beef cattle. Faculty and students in the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences provide medical care and conduct research to help maintain the animals’ health and improve efficiency and productivity.

Dias and advisor Vitor Mercadante, an assistant professor in the Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, focus on the improvement of reproductive bio-technologies, such as estrus synchronization protocols and artificial insemination. When working at the prison farms, the researchers are aided by minor offenders who are approaching release.

An artificial insemination (AI) expert, Dias wanted to give back to many of the inmates and prison farm employees who have assisted him with his research. This semester, he did so by delivering a two-day AI course to 12 prisoners and four prison farm managers in Southampton County at the Deerfield Correctional Center. Prisoners from the Greensville Correctional Center also traveled to the site to participate in Dias’ program.

“In this country, inmates have the opportunity to work at the farms, which can shorten their internment and teach them new skills,” said Dias, who is from São Paulo, Brazil. “Since background checks still present a problem for former inmates, trainings offering specialized skills, such as AI, can help them find employment in the agricultural sector following their release.”

Upcoming Special Editions Midland Bull Test Edition

®

Deadline: March 15 • Inserts: March 23 The Weekly News Source for Wyoming’s Ranchers, Farmers and AgriBusiness Community

Rocky Mountain Horse Edition

To advertise in one of the Roundup’s special editions, call 800-967-1647.

Wyoming Seedstock Directory

Deadline: April 26 • Inserts May 25

Deadline: June 20 • Inserts Aug. 10

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 43 • February 23, 2019

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Schierwagon emphasizes benefits of small-scale farming in local economies Riverton – The popularity of small-scale farming operations may be no surprise when Wyomingites consider the growing demand for local, fresh produce, according to one member of Fremont County’s Master Gardeners.

Fremont County Master Gardeners President Ernie Schierwagon addressed attendees of the Fremont County Farm and Ranch Days, held in Riverton Feb. 6-7.

He focused on the benefits of small-scale farming, as well as the laws surrounding the practices.

Defining small scale “Nailing down who and what is a small-scale farmer can be really difficult,” said Shierwagon. “For example, a guy with a 100-acre farm is small in comparison to someone farming 1,000

acres but is large in comparison to someone with a backyard garden on a single acre.”

He explained, it can be much easier to define smallscale farmers as those who don’t make a living selling their products.

“In many of the smallscale farming operations I’ve dealt with, the person has a job in town to provide a majority of their income and other benefits such as insurance.”

“I’ve always considered myself a gardener,” Shierwagon said. “But with the rising popularity of selling locally produced, small-scale produce, maybe I am a farmer.”

Benefits “Since the post-World War II era, farming has become increasingly large scale,” Shierwagon

explained. “We seem to be backpedaling on that as the demand for locally grown products grows.”

“People are really looking for products that are less processed overall and spend less time in transit,” he said. “The local, small farmers have the benefit of selling their products within a day or two of harvest.”

Local economies Shierwagon commented one of the biggest advantages of smallscale farming is keeping money within the local economy. When consumers shop at larger grocery store chains, the producers could be from anywhere in the world.

“When people purchase products from these local producers, it keeps the money in the local

economy,” he said. “We have the benefit of knowing exactly where the money spent is going.”

For producers, smallscale farming is significantly less expensive to start, requires very little equipment and is far less regulated than traditional, large-scale farming.

“For starters, the equipment most smallscale farms would need is smaller in general and can be purchased used and with decent quality,” according to Shierwagon.

Shierwagon noted producers could even use a two-wheel tractor as opposed to a much larger, more expensive machine.

Regulations Most small-scale farm activities fall under the 2015 Food Freedom Act in Wyoming. The most

“Since the post-World War II era, farming has become increasingly large scale. We seem to be backpedaling on that as the demand for locally grown products grows.” – Ernie Schierwagon, Fremont County Master Gardeners lenient in the country, this act removed much of the licensure required for selling food products such as raw milk and eggs.

The intent of the law, as stated in the bill, is to allow more flexibility for farmers, ranchers and producers to sell their products to local consumers.

The goals are to provide consumers in Wyoming “unimpeded access to local foods from known sources,” reads the Act. The law, however, does restrict the sale of meat products, excluding poultry. Only raw, unprocessed

fruits and vegetables may be sold to commercial operations, such as restaurants.

“A good example of this law is someone could sell their homemade jam in a farmers’ market to an individual but not to a restaurant to be sold again,” said Shierwagon. “A producer, however, could sell their raw vegetables to a local restaurant to use with no issue.”

Callie Hanson is the assistant editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup.

Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

BIG COUNTRY GENETICS 4.6.19 bull sale NORTHWEST COLLEGE AG FACILIT Y

POWELL, WY

1424E

1129E

716E

$API 169.7 $TI 92.2 LEACHMAN PROPHET J030Z x GW PREMIUM BEEF 021TS

863E

$API 147.0 $TI 77.5 NLC COW BOSS 160C x HOOKS SHEAR FORCE 38K

$API 150.1 $TI 72.8 GW GOLDEN EAGLE 015B x GW PREMIUM BEEF 021TS

1508E

736E

$API 134.1 $TI 73.2 NLC COW BOSS 160C x GW PREMIUM BEEF 019U

$API 150.2 $TI 80.2 NLC COW BOSS 160C x GW PREDESTINED 701T

selling

$API 143.5 $TI 79.0 GW MARSHALL 756A x GW PREDESTINED 701T

65 16+ MONTH OLD BULLS 30 YEARLING BULLS SIMMENTAL • SIMANGUS™ • ANGUS

Bred to perform on HARSH DESERT COUNTRY. Pasture developed in Powell, WY. All bulls sell with a one year breeding season, PAP guarantee and are BVD tested free.

Selling 100% possession and semen interest in all bulls.

rancher bulls ready to go to work

Marty Ropp Corey Wilkins

406-581-7835 256-590-2487

www.alliedgeneticresources.com

QUIN LAFOLLETTE Black Summit Cattle 307-899-3553

JIMMY STEWART Big Country Genetics 231-878-1908 bigcountrygenetics@gmail.com www.xlranch.org

Text, call or email to receive a salebook.

A16

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 43 • February 23, 2019

RIVERTON LIVESTOCK AUCTION Tuesday, February 19, 2019 Market Report • 1,351 Head Sold Representative Sales COWS MOUNTAIN VIEW 1 Cow, 1090# .................................... $64.00 CROWHEART 2 Cow, 1265# .................................... $62.00 BIG PINEY 2 Cow, 1107# .................................... $60.00 RIVERTON 2 Cow, 1320# .................................... $59.50 5 Cow, 1187# .................................... $58.00 KINNEAR 4 Cow, 1366# .................................... $57.00 BOULDER 2 Cow, 1547# .................................... $54.50 RAWLINS 5 Cow, 1046# .................................... $53.00 BULLS LYSITE 1 Bull, 1945# ..................................... $82.00 FORT WASHAKIE 1 Bull, 1505# ..................................... $81.50 1 Bull, 1825# ..................................... $80.50 KEMMERER 1 Bull, 1700# ..................................... $79.00 CROWHEART 1 Bull, 1690# ..................................... $78.00 LANDER 2 Bull, 2337# ..................................... $76.50 STEERS BAGGS 8 Steer, 348#................................... $203.00 BIG PINEY 3 Steer, 416#................................... $202.00 PINEDALE 10 Steer, 420#................................... $195.00 SHOSHONI 17 Steer, 462#................................... $194.50 BIG PINEY 10 Steer, 423#................................... $192.50 SHOSHONI 3 Steer, 436#................................... $190.00 BIG PINEY 18 Steer, 496#................................... $188.50 PINEDALE 13 Steer, 524#................................... $185.50 ARAPAHOE 12 Steer, 507#................................... $184.00 RIVERTON 5 Steer, 514#................................... $180.00 EVANSTON 8 Steer, 551#................................... $170.00 ARAPAHOE 87 Steer, 592#................................... $166.25 SHOSHONI 14 Steer, 625#................................... $164.00

RIVERTON 10 Steer, 633#................................... $163.00 KINNEAR 2 Steer, 670#................................... $156.50 LANDER 6 Steer, 680#................................... $156.00 OTTO 10 Steer, 700#................................... $148.50 RIVERTON 2 Steer, 765#................................... $142.00 5 Steer, 747#................................... $141.50 OTTO 11 Steer, 820# ................................... $138.50 SHOSHONI 71 Steer, 893#................................... $136.00 ETHETE 11 Steer, 927# ................................... $130.00 HEIFERS PINEDALE 12 Heifer, 420#.................................. $172.00 25 Heifer, 454#.................................. $169.00 KINNEAR 18 Heifer, 443#.................................. $158.50 RIVERTON 8 Heifer, 473#.................................. $158.00 12 Heifer, 565#.................................. $157.00 SHOSHONI 6 Heifer, 521#.................................. $155.50 6 Heifer, 600#.................................. $152.00 RIVERTON 20 Heifer, 620#.................................. $148.50 8 Heifer, 629#.................................. $145.50 LANDER 4 Heifer, 636#.................................. $140.00 RIVERTON 9 Heifer, 647#.................................. $139.00 LANDER 30 Heifer, 729#.................................. $137.25 EVANSTON 18 Heifer, 734#.................................. $136.00 ETHETE 9 Heifer, 770#.................................. $133.50 DANIEL 8 Heifer, 783#.................................. $131.00 HEIFERETTES MOUNTAIN VIEW 9 Heiferette, 841# ........................... $117.00 DANIEL 2 Heiferette, 910# ............................. $97.00 LANDER 8 Heiferette, 978# ............................. $82.00 2 Heiferette, 1252# ........................... $76.00 KEMMERER 2 Heiferette, 1105#............................ $74.00

Early Consignments TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26 BRED COW SALE W/ SHEEP & HORSES START TIME 8:00 AM W/ SHEEP & WEIGH UPS, BREDS @ NOON BRED HEIFERS Hellyer Ranch - 10 Blk Ang Bred Hfrs. Bred to LBW Popo Agie Blk Ang bulls to start calving 3/10. Rec two rounds of Guardian & poured. One brand, nice heifers!

BRED COWS Flying Triangle Ranch - 100 Blk Ang 4 Yr old Bred cows (Coming w/ 3rd calf). Bred to Broken Arrow Blk Ang bulls to calve March/April. Cows run in big, high desert pastures @ 8,000 ft. Comp vacc @ Preg ck in the Fall. Complete mineral program.

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Haygood/Schook - 31 Blk & BWF 3-8 Yr old Bred cows. Bred to Blk Ang bulls to calve April-May. Run @ elevation.

Fred Nelson - 30 Blk SM Bred cows. Bred to high quality Blk Ang bulls to calve April-May. Hopkins Hamilton & Hellyer genetics.

OPEN COWS Ed Burton - 1 load of open cows

SATURDAY, MARCH 2 LUCKY 7 ANGUS BULL SALE START TIME 12:00 PM Lucky 7 Angus Bull Sale - 316 Blk Ang 2 Yr old Bulls 57 Blk Ang Yearling Bulls.

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TUESDAY, MARCH 5 CALF SPECIAL W/ ALL CATTLE CLASSES START TIME 8:00 AM W/ WEIGH UPS Jordan Land & Livestock - 100 Blk Strs 650-700# 85 Blk Hfrs 600-700#. Rec Vista Once SQ, Vision 7 w/ Somnus & poured. Long time weaned. Powerful, high elevation!

McMurry Ranch - 150 Blk Ang & AngX Strs 550650#. Long time weaned. Comp vacc. Hay fed.

Choice, high desert grass steers!

Lyman Ranch - 105 Blk Ang Hfrs 625# 15 Blk Ang/CharX Hfrs 675#. Rec Bovishield Gold Plus, 7-way & Poured. Long time weaned. Sired by performance tested high gaining Connealy & Schaff Blk Ang bulls. Bunk broke. Reputation, proven high elevation performers.

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Martin Aimone Ranch - 30 Blk Strs 550#. Comp vacc. Long time weaned. Hay fed & mineral program.

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TUESDAY, MARCH 12 BRED COW SPECIAL W/ HANCOCK ANGUS BULL SALE (1 PM) START TIME 8:00 AM W/ WEIGH UPS Hancock Angus - 36 Yrling Blk Ang bulls. All sired by proven AI sires. PAP & semen tested & Carcass Ultrasounded. BVD & Bangs tested free.

Rodewald Ranch - 224 Blk Ang & AngX 3-9 Yr old Bred cows. Bred to Registered Blk Ang bulls to start calving the end of April. Rec Bovishield Gold VL5 & Vision 7 & poured. Complete dispersal. Fancy, powerful cows!

SATURDAY, MARCH 16 DIAMOND PEAK BULL SALE START TIME 1:00 PM Diamond Peak Cattle - 70 Blk Ang 2 Yr olds, 60 Blk Ang Yrling Bulls & 10 SimAngus 2 Yr olds. Sires include Regal Duty, Indeed, Confirmed & Bluestem.

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Management strategies enable farmers to maximize forage production Worland – Forage producers strive to produce as much tonnage each year as possible, but to do that, University of Wyoming Extension’s Carrie Eberle said farmers should focus on using several tools to manage forage production.

“When I think about our goal for forage production, we want to produce the maximum amount of highquality forage with as little cost and effort possible,” she explained during 2019’s WESTI Ag Days, an event held in Worland on Feb. 12-13. “We also want to maintain production of our perennial forages over the lifespan of the field.”

A basic understanding of plant biology and soil science is necessary to understanding forage management, and Eberle commented, “We need to be able to evaluate what’s going on with our plants.”

Plant basics To grow healthy plants, Eberle said four pieces are required – sunlight, air, soil and water.

“The sun provides energy to our plants. It provides energy for photosynthesis,” she said. “Air is where plants get their food from. They take CO2 out of

the air and return oxygen.”

Water helps to transport a variety of things from the root of the plant up the stem and to the leaves, and soil provides structure and nutrients for plants to grow.

“Soil gives our plants structure and anchors them to the ground,” Eberle noted.

“It also provides nutrients.

Of the 17 essential nutrients plants need, 14 come from the soil. The other three are carbon, oxygen and hydrogen, which we get from the water and air.”

Nutrients The most important nutrients for plant growth are carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, which come from the air.

“If we think of the plant as our house, carbon, hydrogen and oxygen are the drywall and lumber. They make up 90 to 95 percent of the structure of the house,” Eberle explained. “But who wants to live in a house made up of just drywall and lumber?”

The remainder of the nutrients provides other necessary pieces for plant growth. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are three other critical nutrients required in larger quantities for plan growth.

“Nitrate, which is nitrate and ammonium in plants, makes up two to four percent of the tonnage in forage crops,” Eberle said. “It forms amino acids and is involved in growth and a variety of plant processes.”

Returning to the house analogy, Eberle likened nitrogen to the plumbing and wiring of the house, making up a large component of the structure of a home or plant.

“Phosphorus is used to make energy for the plant, and it is critical for photosynthesis,” she said.

“While phosphorus doesn’t make up as much bulk, it helps everything happen.

Phosphorus is like the light switches and circuit breakers. Without it, none of the wiring and plumbing will work.”

Finally, potassium provides support, as well – similar to the nails and screws in a house.

“Potassium doesn’t provide a large percentage of the plant, but it’s important to make sure our plants work properly,” Eberle said.

“These nutrients are critical when we think about forages and making sure our plants function properly

and are of high quality.”

Managing the system Eberle noted plants need each of these nutrients every year as they grow, so soils must be replenished to make sure there are adequate nutrients to grow the next crop.

“We need to manage these resources to make sure we can maintain good forage production,” she commented. “We can manage soil, water, sun and, in some respects, air.”

Water and soil management is more widely understood than sun and air management, said Eberle.

“We manage sunlight by the number of plants we have per square foot or per acre,” she explained. “More importantly than managing sunlight is managing shade.

The closer plants are, the more they compete for sunlight. We want plants close enough together to get a high yield but far enough apart to get adequate sunlight.”

In terms of managing air, Eberle said water can control the plant’s ability to access carbon dioxide.

“When there’s not enough water, our plants wilt. Then, the pores in their leaves where air exchange

happens are not able to open and bring CO2 into the plant,” she said. “By managing irrigation, we can effectively manage the plant’s ability to bring carbon into their tissues.”

For non-irrigated fields, Eberle suggested plant spacing as another way to manage water.

“If we know we’re in a dryland system, fewer plants per acre allows greater access for water,” she said.

Soil “Soil is the foundation of our plants,” Eberle said.

“Understanding our soils will help us to make good, sound management decisions.”

She continued, “Soil provides 14 essential nutrients for our plants and is the place where plant access water. Having a good foundation of well-managed soil will help maintain productivity in forage fields.

Soils can be assessed both visually and through laboratory analysis.

“When we go into our fields, there are certain things we can see that help us determine if there are problems in our soil,” Eberle said, noting that field compaction can be observed, as an example.

“But visual characteristics

can’t tell us everything.”

She added, “A number of characteristics require more information.”

Soil sampling Soil texture, organic matter, pH, nutrients and cation exchange capacity can all be determined through laboratory tests.

Farmers can take soil samples, largely of the top four inches of soil, and send them in to one of a variety of labs to learn more about the soil they’re planting in.

“Deeper soil samples are important for understanding the total nitrogen bank,” Eberle continued. “Plant roots can access nitrogen at 36 inches in depth, so understanding the nitrogen profile is important.”

When testing soils, Eberle recommended annual tests that are consistently done at the same time each year.

She said, “If farmers aren’t doing soil tests, I recommend they start. Producers should also call and talk to who is doing the test to understand more about their results.”

Saige Albert is managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

Northwest ForWyoming Angus Association information call Fred & Kay Thomas, 307-868-2595 or 307-272-4911 41st Annual Sale PAP TESTED

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Volume 30 No. 43 • February 23, 2019

WGFD clarifies oil and gas lease parcel process at public meeting Casper – “Our goal isn’t to limit the number of lease parcels but rather to limit infrastructure within the migration corridor itself,” said Angela Bruce, Wyoming Department (WGFD) Habitat Protection Program supervisor.

Bruce was a featured speaker for the Feb. 11 WGFD public meeting regarding the importance of migration corridors. She specifically covered the process in which WGFD and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) handle leasing recommendations for oil and gas.

Bruce, along with

other industry professionals, addressed citizens of Casper and surrounding areas and answered any of their questions and concerns.

She explained the process of reviewing oil and gas lease processes is collaborative between WGFD and BLM. “We have created a memorandum of understanding between WGFD and BLM to ensure the correct processes are taking place as we review lease parcels,” Bruce said.

She noted the strategy for these recommendations is to review each parcel on

For more information on Wyoming Game and Fish Department, visit wgfd. wyo.gov.

a case-by-case basis and utilize the best available science to support recommendations.

Best science available To be as effective as possible, WGFD and BLM use the best science available to make decisions on lease parcels.

“Coalbed methane wells are generally much smaller in size,” according to Bruce. “These types of wells average around 10-by-10 in size.”

When reviewing these types of wells, WGFD looked to a study published in the Journal of Applied Ecology that found increased disturbances may modify the timing of migrations and constrict the size of the migration area. Animals will also move through

areas of increased development much faster than normal, according to the study.

“Deep gas wells tend to be much larger,” Bruce pointed out. “These wells can take up multiple acres of space.”

Unpublished research conducted in the Pinedale Anticline reported the expected level of use for mule deer declined significantly with the construction of pads. The negative trend continued over the five-year period of the study, with pads of varying densities.

Bruce reported WGFD is currently working with the University of Wyoming and WEST Inc. to review 17 years of data in the Pinedale Anticline and determine if a migration corridor disturbance threshold could be

“Our goal isn’t to limit the number of lease parcels but rather to limit infrastructure within the migration corridor itself.” – Angela Bruce, Wyoming Game and Fish Department developed.

“If a scientific based disturbance threshold can be developed, we will use this in our future recommendations to land management agencies,” according to Bruce.

Parcel review process “The first step in the lease parcel review process is review of preliminary lease parcels by field personnel of both WGFD and BLM,” said Bruce. “Once the preliminary field analysis is complete, the state office reviews the lease.”

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base recommendations on a couple of different analyses,” Bruce said. “If the parcel or part of the parcel is 90 percent or greater in the corridor, it is automatically recommended for deferral. We also look to see if the parcel contains vital stop-over habitat. If so, it will also be recommended for deferral.”

She explained the parcel space outside the corridor is then reviewed to determine other limiting land restrictions. If these additional restrictions limit the space available for infrastructure, the parcel will be recommended for deferral.

“After this process is complete, all remaining parcels that intersect a designated migration corridor are recommended to be given a special lease notice for designated migration corridors,” according to Bruce.

Bruce provided examples of parcel recommendations used in the first quarter of 2019. The first was 96 percent within the corridor and 34 percent in a stopover habitat. This parcel was recommended for deferral.

Another example she provided was a six-part parcel, three pieces of which were within the corridor at 100, 64 and 24 percent, respectively. The first was recommended for deferral, and the remaining two were recommended for a special lease notice.

“We like to call this the ‘90 percent rule’,” according to Bruce. “We want to determine whether there is enough space outside the corridor but still within the parcel to develop infrastructure. We find if the parcel is more than 90 percent within the corridor, this simply isn’t possible.”

Next steps “We plan on collaborating more with BLM,” Bruce said. “We are looking to complete a Resource Management Plan to address the department’s designated migration corridors.”

“Our goal is to provide guidance to BLM and WGFD staff and proponents on the application for special lease notice language and the permit to drill stage of the process,” Bruce commented. “We understand this process can get very confusing, especially with parcels containing multiple sections. We want to make the process as simple as possible.”

“We believe, with emerging technologies, we will be able to build well pads outside the corridor to extract from within the corridor, all while leaving the migration of animals undisturbed,” said Bruce.

Callie Hanson is the assistant editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup.

Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

Volume 30 No. 43 • February 23, 2019

B3

Export report shows excellent starting point for beef, pork sales around the globe Though the first weekly export update for 2019 wasn’t published until Feb. 14, the Daily Livestock Report (DLR) noted, “The supply of beef and pork that was sold but had yet to deliver at the start of the year was higher than at the same point a year ago.”

However, DLR also noted a few caveats within the report.

Beef Looking deeper at beef numbers, outstanding export sales were 5.6 percent higher than a year ago, with outstanding export sales to Hong Kong at 64.7 percent higher than a year previous.

“This begs the question, will Hong Kong take possession of this product, or will it lead to significant cancella-

tions in the next few months?” asked DLR. “It would not be a reach to suggest the delay may be a result of the current trade war between the U.S. and China, as Chinese officials appear to have tightened up border controls.”

Further, media reports have noted China has clamped down on “food smuggling.” In particu-

Export sales in metric tons

Outstanding beef export sales up

lar, Indian buffalo meat is not allowed into China, but reports have shown the product is often found in the country via “gray trade” from neighboring countries.

“China beef imports exploded in 2018 due to growing demand for beef and possibly the effect of tighter border control rules,” explained DLR. Further, China became the top market for New Zealand’s beef in the last quarter of 2018, surpassing the U.S. “Without the outstanding sales to Hong Kong, the remainder of outstanding U.S. beef export sales is lower than the previous year,” they commented.

Pork On the pork side, DLR noted sales were up 14.8 percent from 2018, with a significant portion of sales also to China.

“Much of the discussion in the market currently revolves around the potential demand from China in 2019 due to the spread and supply losses from African Swine Fever,” the organization noted. “This is a valid point and something the market may have to contend with later this year.”

However, DLR also said tariffs in Mexico may have an even bigger impact on U.S. pork producers.

“Outstanding pork sales to Mexico at the start of the year

were 10 percent higher than the same period a year ago,” DLR wrote. “Mexican buyers were quite active in buying U.S. pork in December.”

Net sales for the first three weeks of December averaged almost double the same period a year ago.

DLR commented, “With more product currently on the books and ongoing tariffs on U.S. pork, Mexican buyers appear to be in no rush to add even more to their position.”

Saige Albert is managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup and compiled this article from a Feb. 14 edition of the “Daily Livestock Report.” Send comments to roundup@wylr.net

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Outstanding sales – While total year-over-year outstanding beef export sales shows a 5.6 percent increase, outstanding sales to Hong Kong hit 64.7 percent over last year. Daily Livestock Report chart with data from USDA’s Foreign Ag Service Weekly Export Report

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B4

Volume 30 No. 43 • February 23, 2019

Acton: Colostrum essential for calf immunity, health at beginning of life Andy Acton of Deep South Animal Clinic in Ogema, Saskatchewan reminds cow/calf producers that baby calves have to absorb antibodies from their mother’s colostrum because they don’t get any from her via the bloodstream while they are in the uterus.

This passive immunity from colostrum is very important, he emphasizes.

“There is more to passive immunity from colostrum than the temporary immunity,” Acton says.

“There are other factors gained from colostrum than just the antibodies absorbed when calves suckle the first time.”

Understanding disease Illness occurs when the body is overwhelmed by infection, Acton explains. A healthy animal with strong immunity is less likely to become sick.

“Immunity refers to the body’s ability to fight

off pathogens, and this ability is developed in a complex process in which the body creates specific weapons for fighting specific invaders,” he says.

One method of fighting off infection involves production of antibodies. When pathogens like viruses or bacteria enter the body, they start invading tissues and causing damage by multiplying and creating toxic products.

Acton notes the damage stimulates the body to create an antibody to react with the invading agent and neutralize it.

Antibodies are carried throughout the body in the bloodstream.

Acton comments, “A cow in a clean environment may not become exposed to very many disease-causing organisms, but cattle are often confined in corrals, small pens or pastures that have

been contaminated by heavy cattle use and come in contact with other cattle, with more chance of disease spread.”

Through vaccination and natural exposure to various pathogens, he notes the cow develops many antibodies and strong immunity.

“During the last part of pregnancy, she puts these antibodies into the colostrum she produces, so her calf can have instant immunity right after he suckles,” Acton comments.

Inside colostrum Along with antibodies in colostrum, Acton says, “There is also some absorption of white blood cells of different kinds in that colostrum from their mother. These are not present in a colostrum replacer we’d buy.”

Calves get more actual protection from the dam’s colostrum than from a

commercial product.

“Some of the immune modulators that are not actual antibodies are also important to the calf,” Acton says.

Absorption window Newborns have a limited window of time to absorb antibodies from their mother’s colostrum.

“The optimal time for colostrum consumption is the within the first six hours of life,” Acton explains. “But, this window may be smaller in certain conditions. We may only have two hours of optimal absorption in cold weather.”

“Some factors shorten this window, and some things lengthen it,” he says.

Biological factors As soon as the calf suckles, the “open gut” starts to close to prevent absorption of pathogens.

Acton explains suckling stimulates the gut

“The optimal time for colostrum consumption is the within the first six hours of life. But, this window may be smaller in certain conditions.”

– Andy Acton, Deep South Animal Clinic to close up, because it’s always a race between the antibodies from colostrum and the pathogens the calf might ingest. If the calf manages to suck a little bit or if producers feed it a little, the gut closes up quicker than if the calf had nothing.

“The time window for

the gut to absorb something in this situation is a lot longer than if the calf gets a small amount of colostrum,” he explains.

Heather Smith Thomas is a correspondent for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup.

Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

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Colostrum transfer -- Saskatchewan Veterinarian Andy Acton emphasizes that calves must receive colostrum within a specific window to ensure they most benefit. While the optimal time to intake colostrum is usually within the first six hours of life, Acton notes sometimes that window may be smaller. Heather Smith Thomas photo

Wyoming State Chariot Races March 2 & 3, 2019

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Volume 30 No. 43 • February 23, 2019

EXTENSION EDUCATION

By John Ritten, UW Extension Economist

Proper Stock Rate Research Continues It seems there is a never-ending debate about what is the proper stocking rate. There are, of course, a lot of variables that go into determining what is right for each ranch.

Recent research has been published that examines long-term productivity and profitability of various stocking rates using yearling cattle at the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Central Plains Experimental Range (CPER), located north of Nunn, Colo. This research looks at the outcomes from three stocking rates over the period from 2003 to 2018.

The stocking rates were set to target 20 percent, 40 percent and 60 percent forage utilization for light, moderate and heavy stocking.

The research was recently published in Livestock Science and can be found at doi.org/10.1016/j. livsci.2018.12.009.

As one might expect, the system with higher stocking resulted in lower gains per-animal over the grazing season.

However, in every year but the two major drought years over the time period studied, due to higher animal numbers, beef produced or total gains per herd, per acre was highest in the heavier stocking systems.

To gauge the profitably of the three stocking rates, actual sales data from Colorado were used to calculate the net returns to each system by year, with net returns defined as sales revenues less purchase cost of animals and forage cost, as estimated by reported lease rates from the National Agricultural Statistics Service for each year.

For the study, similar weight steers were placed in each system, and weights were measured every 28 days. Due to differences in gains over the season, each

treatment resulted in different sales weights and, correspondingly, prices received at the end of the grazing season in October.

Therefore, revenues received varied across treatments, and higher stocking rates were charged more for grazing.

As stated above, in the high stocking systems, the increased number of animals more than compensated for the decreased individual animal performance in terms of beef production per unit of land in most years. Likewise, net returns were highest for the heavy stocking treatment in most years.

However, this system also had the highest variability in return across years.

Of note is that the differences in returns were not as large as the differences in beef production in most years. And in some years, even though the heavy stocking systems produced more beef per acre, the lighter stocking system had higher net returns, mainly due to a depressed price slide. The lighter animals in the heavy stocking system did not receive much benefit in terms of premiums, coupled with lower grazing costs for the herd. The heavy stocking system also had the worst returns in the dry years. Further, the light stocking treatment resulted in the highest net returns in drier years and had the most stable returns across years.

Given weights were collected every 28 days, analysis was also conducted to determine the impact of marketing date on net returns. Using actual market data from August and September, results show net returns would have been higher if the steers were marketed in September rather than October.

This is due to a couple of factors.

B5

One is animal gains were negligible after early September. Second is prices tended to begin seasonal declines later in the gazing season. Therefore, removing animals from pastures earlier in the season may actually increase economic stability of the ranch while potentially also providing ecological advantages for the ecosystem.

When considering weather impacts on performance and profitability, beef production per acre increased with stocking rate in average and wet years but not in dry years. This highlights the benefit of decreasing stocking rate in periods of drought, at least for nonbreeding stock.

So, what is the right stocking rate? Well, it depends.

Regardless of the goals of your operation, it is important to be able to adapt to variations in both weather and market conditions. While both the weather and the market are mostly outside of the control of the ranch, they can both have a meaningful impact on productivity and profitability, and responding to changing conditions will have a positive impact on the ranch overtime.

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B6

Volume 30 No. 43 • February 23, 2019

Cancerous nature of glyphosate boils down to the legal definition, says Vardiman Riverton – A recent California court decision ruling in favor of a man who claims his cancer was caused by the popular pesticide glyphosate, more commonly known

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Jeremiah Vardiman, University of Wyoming Extension

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into a yard and killed all the grass, it was then developed further as an herbicide.

“When we think about how the chemical has a foamy consistency, it makes sense it was originally a detergent,” Vardiman said.

He further explained the chemical is non-selective, systemic and can also be used as desiccant during harvest.

“Glyphosate will kill all types of plants it comes in contact with,” he said. “This is why we call it non-selective.”

“Systemic chemicals, such as glyphosate, don’t need to be in contact with the entire plant to kill it,” Vardiman said.

“It will affect areas outside of where it contacts because it spreads throughout the plant.”

Farmers also commonly use the chemical as a desiccant. Desiccants are used to dry crops out prior to harvest, according to Vardiman.

Probable carcinogens “The big question is whether or not glyphosate is cancerous,” said Vardiman.

“Unfortunately, the answer is maybe.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) lists glyphosate as a probable carcinogen, according to Vardiman.

In 2015, WHO stated, “Glyphosate is a probable human carcinogen.”

WHO assesses the health of society on a global scale, with a specific branch for cancer research.

Vardiman explained, for

“The big question is whether or not glyphosate is cancerous. Unfortunately, the answer is maybe.” – Jeremiah Vardiman, University of Wyoming Extension any chemical to be considered non-carcinogenic, the language denotes it must not cause cancer under any circumstances.

“We have to think about glyphosate beyond normal use,” said Vardiman. “If someone were to bathe in it or drink it, in those circumstances, it might cause cancer and therefore has to be listed as a probable carcinogenic.”

Other things listed as probable carcinogens include caffeine, red meat, indoor fireplaces and night shifts.

“We can’t take these things at face value,” he said.

“We have to look at it in a larger context.”

Public concern Vardiman pointed out there is a lot of public concern surrounding whether or not pesticides are safe to use and safe to put on food.

“If there was a real public health risk, we would see it first in the people exposed to the chemical the most,” he said. “Farmers and commercial applicators would see a lot more cases of cancer if it were a major issue.”

He explained multiple studies have shown no probable relation between solid tumors and normal glyphosate use.

“The largest study ever of its kind found no relation between farmers and commercial applicators who had regular exposure to glyphosate and cancerous tumors including lymphoma,” Vardiman explained. “Interestingly enough, even in Europe, where pesticides are highly regulated, studies also found no relation between the two.”

He pointed out the court case in California held Monsanto responsible for the health issues suffered by the plaintiff but did not actually rule glyphosate itself to be cancerous.

“This is where the conflict lies,” he said. “The court ruled Monsanto was responsible for this man’s sickness, but science doesn’t support the connection between the two.”

“It boils down to figuring out what is the reasonable likelihood of glyphosate actually causing cancer,” Vardiman stated. “We have to figure out in what dosage and in what scenarios it becomes an issue.”

Callie Hanson is the assistant editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup.

Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

Volume 30 No. 43 • February 23, 2019

B7

Wool quality and pricing are determined by a multitude of factors Riverton – “The wool check will be good this year, and we don’t want to miss out on it,” said University of Wyoming Extension Sheep Specialist Whit Stewart.

Stewart addressed producers from in and around Riverton at the annual Fremont County Farm and Ranch Days, held in early February. He stressed the importance of selecting quality replacements and rams, as well as producing clean wool.

Quality determinants Stewart pointed out there are many determinants in wool quality but specifically discussed micron, yield and vegetable matter.

Stewart defined micron as the diameter of the fleece fiber. Wool with a smaller fiber diameter will grade as finer, and larger diameters are considered coarser.

While micron is a quality indicator, he said producers should be paying attention to and using it as a determining factor in their herds, they should not sacrifice yield for micron.

He also discussed the important role vegetable matter plays in determining the quality and ultimately pricing of a fleece.

“We have a lot of control over vegetable matter, and it’s something we can control with how we feed,” Stewart explained.

“If we have poly twine or other foreign material in the wool, it can lead to the complete loss of wool at the first-stage processing level.”

Stewart explained producers want to have vegetable matter as low as possible, but the typical range is between one and 1.5 percent. He noted anything above two percent vegetable matter can result in significant price discounts.

“Vegetable matter is what will dock us the most at the end of the day,” said Stewart. “This is the most overlooked quality of wool we can actually control.”

Grading wool Stewart distributed a Montana Extension handout explaining the three main grading systems used in the wool industry, the American or blood system, the English or spinning count system and the micron system. Each of these three systems measures the average fiber diameter and can be used interchangeably.

In the American system of grading, wool grade is defined as the percentage of merino blood carried by the sheep that would typically produce a particular fineness of wool. The terms used are fine, low, common and braid.

Stewart pointed out these terms are not as precise as other systems. Due to its ambiguity, the American or blood system has become nearly obsolete.

The English system of wool grading has much narrower ranges of diameter and provides a numerical designation for fineness. The system measures the spin count and is based on the number of hanks that can be spun from one pound of clean wool.

The micron system came about as the emphasis on precisely measured diameter became more popular. The unit of measure is the micron, which is one-millionth of a meter or 1/25,000th of an inch.

Choosing sheep “I’m not telling anyone what sort of sheep to run or what decisions they should make,” Stewart said, “but I caution producers to pay attention to length and total fleece weights in additon to micron.”

Stewart explained he teaches his wool judging students to measure their middle finger and use it as a tool to measure the staple length of wool on the grading rail.

“We really don’t want anything under three inches,” he explained. “We want to select for overall uniformity and identify out-

Bucholz nominees sought The Wyoming Stock Growers Land Trust (WSGLT) is seeking nominations for the 2019 Kurt Bucholz Conservation Award.

The award was created in 2008, in memory of Kurt Bucholz, DVM, legislator and rancher from Saratoga who had a passion for Wyoming’s waterways and agricultural landscapes. The recipient of the horse and rider bronze, created by Wyoming artist Jerry Palen, should share the late Bucholz’s desire to support the landscapes and waterways of the state.

Individuals eligible for nomination will have a connection to one or more of the following criteria: an advocate for conserving Wyoming’s farms and ranches; a land steward or agricultural advocate who has been a participant in state, regional or national natural resource discussions; a defender of the importance of water conservation and the significance of protecting Wyoming’s traditional water rights; a proponent of hunting and wildlife protection and a personal commitment to habitat conservation; or one who has implemented land or resource conservation practices on their property with the WSGLT or a similar organization.

The award is presented by the WSGLT at the Annual Roundup Fundraiser and Barbeque, which will be held in Cody on Aug. 24.

Nominations are due May 1. Direct questions to Travis Brammer at 307-772-8751 or travis@wsgalt.org. Nomination forms can be found online at wsgalt.org/what-we-do.

liers in the flock throughout the year.”

Stewart noted the simplicity of utilizing wool labs to ensure we are staying within a specified micron range.

Producers should cut a side sample with scissors all the way down to the base layer of the wool and put it in a bag with identification to send to a wool lab.

This is especially important in testing wool on replacement rams older than one year, as they will make up the greatest contribution to the flock.

Stewart also noted it’s important not to sample the shearling fleece, which comes from sheep less than one year of age, as the shearling fleece is significantly finer and doesn’t truly represent what that ram will produce throughout his lifetime.

“At three dollars per side sample, it’s very hard to argue against utilizing wool labs,” Stewart said.

“When we get the results back, they help us know what the wool on replacement animals is.”

“As technology has progressed, we can measure the micron of a fleece more accurately than ever before,” said Stewart. “But we can’t fall into the trap of using micron as the only determinant in how we select sheep.”

Stewart stressed the importance of establishing wool and broader selection criterion by the individual operator based on longterm, economically relevant data.

He said producers should “determine where they are with their wool and where they want to be, and then stay there.”

Wool economics “Yield is an extremely important factor in wool production,” said Stewart. “The quickest way to increase revenue is to increase yield.”

Stewart challenged

“I’m not telling anyone what sort of sheep to run or what decisions they should make, but I caution producers to pay attention to length and total fleece weights in addition to micron.”

– Whit Stewart, University of Wyoming Extension ranchers to pencil out each decision they make to determine whether or not it’s profitable.

He used the example that, in the end, a 19 micron as opposed to a 21-micron wool may only bring marginal returns. While it’s always appealing to chase finer wool production, there is a threshold that can result in lighter fleeces with smaller staple lengths and, in some cases, tradeoffs in lighter lambs being produced.

In our region, a heavy shearing 20 to 25 micron ewe will always be marketable, he said.

Marketing He explained the USDA National Wool Review pro-

duces prices based on the Eastern market or Australian indicator.

“This information is produced for the public and should be checked weekly or at the least before marketing,” said Stewart.

“Knowing this information gives us a ballpark of what we might expect for our wool.”

“The sheep industry has had some ups and downs through the years, but wool is good, lamb is decent, and there are real positive indicators in the industry right now,” said Stewart.

Callie Hanson is the assistant editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup.

Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

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B8

Volume 30 No. 43 • February 23, 2019

Wyoming conservation districts see resolution passed at national meeting San Antonio, Texas – During the National Associa-

tion of Conservation Districts (NACD) Annual Meet-

Wyoming work As the Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts (WACD) new president, Todd Heward said he is both humbled and excited to continue working with WACD. “I love working with conservation districts across Wyoming,” Heward noted. “It’s a great group of people, and a strong part of Wyoming’s resource management comes from the work of conservation districts.”

Additionally, Heward said he enjoys working with other natural resources agencies, including the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

“I look forward to leading and working with WACD into the future,” he said.

In 2019, Heward said WACD will continue to focus on water quality issues and work to improve the quality of listed streams.

“We want to continue to implement best management practices, write watershed plans and move forward with our water projects,” Heward commented.

At the same time, he also noted wildlife have become a more prominent issue for conservation districts.

“While wildlife are not our sole mission or purpose, we find ourselves at the table often when wildlife topics come up,” Heward said. “Whether it’s black-footed ferrets or sage grouse, we need to continue to be a part of the conversation.”

Overall, Heward doesn’t see any revolutionary changes for the near future of WACD, but he said, “We’ll continue to build on the great things we’ve been working on.”

ing, held during the early part of February 2019, Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts (WACD) membership accomplished significant achievements for the association.

“NACD had a good, productive meeting,” commented WACD President Todd Heward.

Notably, Heward, Wyoming’s voting delegate, and Dan Rice, WACD vice president and alternate delegate, worked hard on the delegate floor to garner support for a resolution titled “EPA National Rivers and Streams Assessment Program.” Ultimately, the resolution passed with several minor amendments.

Resolution At their November convention, WACD passed a resolution that would allow the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to allocate funds used for their streams and rivers Nationwide Assessment to states.

The National Rivers and Streams Assessment program works to “determine the extent to which rivers and streams support a healthy biological condition and the extent of the major stressors that affect them.”

WACD Executive Director Bobbie Frank explained, “Under the program, EPA randomly selects sites and takes a one-time snapshot to provide a report card on the condition of waters.”

“Last spring, Wyoming landowners were being contacted by a consulting firm that was basically duplicating data the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality had obtained the year before,” she continued.

While some states may find the data necessary, for Wyoming, the program doesn’t make sense because it duplicates local efforts.

“This resolution asked NACD to take up a position that allows the funds used in this program to be passed to

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“This resolution asked NACD to take up a position and allow the funds used in this program to be passed to the states.” – Bobbie Frank, Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts the states,” Frank said. “Wyoming would assume about $500,000 to use for other water quality efforts.”

As an example, Heward said the funds would be diverted to the 319 program, which would allow Wyoming and local conservation districts to develop additional projects that would improve both water quality and water quantity.

“Hopefully we can see some progress with this resolution between NACD and EPA,” Heward said. “Wyoming has done such a good job monitoring its water bodies. We are pleased other states accepted this resolution and passed it.”

At the national level, NACD can utilize its influence to persuade EPA to adopt the policy and better use funds for water quality projects, rather than duplicative data-gathering efforts.

“For some states, the National Rivers and Streams Assessment Program makes sense,” Frank said. “In Wyoming, we have conducted our own monitoring, and those funds would be better used if allocated to the states.”

NRCS director In addition to work on the delegate floor at NACD Districts, Heward took the opportunity to hear Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Chief Matthew Lohr speak about the agency, noting Lohr was a refreshing change.

“I was pleasantly surprised and impressed with Mr. Lohr,” Heward said.

“The biggest things were his impressive background. He hasn’t been in the agency a long time.”

Lohr’s fresh perspective and background in farming will allow him to connect with producers, Heward added.

“He was very open and down to earth,” Heward explained. “Mr. Lohr doesn’t really have an agenda to keep climbing the political ladder.

He’s here to lead the agency.”

Public lands Heward also noted Wyoming has stepped up to lead the development of the Public Lands Resource Policy Group (RPG), which targets public lands issues related to NACD. “The Public Lands RPG hasn’t been very active in recent years, and we made a strong push to see it move forward,” he said. “We offered some help to see the committee move forward at NACD.” Heward will serve on the committee for Wyoming, with Rice as the alternate.

“The RPG is targeted at addressing the issues we have here in Wyoming and the West as a whole,” he explained. “Strengthening the committee was a big highlight. We will be able to work on meaningful issues we have.”

A new chairman from Nevada was elected for the RPG, which bodes well for the future of the committee.

“Our chairman has the time and interest to move the Public Lands RPG forward,” Heward said. “We need to make sure we step up and are there. Our voice needs to be heard.”

Saige Albert is managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

Photo contest

20

19

rd

33 Annual Sale New Sale Date

Friday, March 15, 2019 • 1 p.m.

With work done on the delegate floor and issues discussed, Karen Fenton of the Washakie County Conservation District was also recognized for her photography in the 2018 National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) Auxiliary Photo Contest.

“As local leaders, conservation districts know the importance of engaging the next generation in becoming stewards of the land,” NACD Auxiliary President Karen Smart said. “It’s an honor to award those who have captured the beauty and deep significance of our natural resources.”

The photo contest, open to amateur photographers in both youth and adult divisions, consists of images reflecting the themes of “Agriculture and Conservation Across America,” “Close-Up Conservation,” “Conservation in Action” and “Conservation Practices.”

Fenton won the Close-Up Conservation division.

Pingetzer’s Bull & Heifer Development Center • Shoshoni, Wyoming New Program: 4-star and 5-star calving-ease • DNA testing for better accuracy $50 discount if bulls leave sale day or wil winter for free until April 1 Will feed longer at new owner’s expense at $2.50/hd/day

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Close up – Karen Fenton of Washakie County Conservation District’s photo of bees on a flower won the NACD Auxiliary’s 2018 Photo Contest in the Close Up Conservation division.

Karen Fenton photo

Volume 30 No. 43 • February 23, 2019

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Genomic testing commercial cattle can pinpoint poor producers sooner Does the bull lay under a tree all day during the summer breeding season, panting? Are we feeding a bull year-round that we suspect only sires two or three calves? By using genomic testing on commercial cattle, producers can find reliable answers to these questions that could be costing them money.

Hannah Garrett of Diamond Peak Cattle Company in Burns tells producers testing can be a good tool for commercial producers in three areas – determining parentage, identifying bulls that carry genetic defects and determining genomic profiles.

“Using genomic profiles will help us determine which crosses are the most effective,” she explains. “What if a third of our calves are deepbodied and the kind we want?

If we could identify that sire group, we could use it to produce more of those calves.”

Producers could find more value investing in a $6,000 bull, retaining his calves and utilizing those genetics to build on that investment, if they knew how he would perform, Garrett says.

She notes, “We can also retain the best replacement heifers by identifying which heifers came from that bull.”

GE EPDs Genomically enhanced expected progeny differences (EPDs) blend traditional EPDs and genomic information, which Garrett says is often referred to as the 50K test.

“It increases the accuracy, compared to a traditional EPD. Genomically-enhanced EPDs are a combination of

pedigree and genomic results, performance and progeny data,” she states. “Genomically-enhanced EPDs work.”

Producers just need to determine what the end goal is of their program and how they can use these tools to improve the quality of the product they produce.

“Our product is beef. If we don’t retain ownership, we can wean, ship and move on to the next ones. But, we can use these EPDs to offer a superior product to our buyers,” she says.

Wide use “As a commercial producer, we get what we pay for,” Garrett continues. “Testing gives us a higher degree of confidence in EPDs and less change in the EPD profile over time.”

She adds, “As a seedstock producer, we can use it to provide the best possible product.

It can help us build a relationship with the commercial producer. We want them to come back.”

Genomic testing can help producers know what they are investing in, whether it is calving ease or feed efficiency. It can also help identify undesirable traits like developing cattle with too high of milk production for the environment.

“If we pay $6,000 for a bull, it can give us a higher degree of confidence in bull buying,” she explains.

Heifer selection Producers can get more out of their operation by using genomics as a tool to account for differences in heifers.

Garrett points out some data from cattle economist Harlan Hughes suggesting

Pasteurization affirmed The International Dairy Federation (IDF) released a new bulletin, which provides an overview of some key technological, microbiological and nutritional aspects of milk pasteurization and reaffirms the process does not significantly impact the nutritional properties of milk.

From an evaluation of the best available science, it concludes drinking pasteurized milk is still the best way to obtain milk’s many health benefits.

“This bulletin clearly confirms the public health advantages of milk pasteurization from a microbiological perspective and the scientific basis demonstrating that it does not affect the nutritional value of milk,” said lead author Kieran Jordan. “It is an important review that furthers our knowledge of food safety and quality.”

CROSSWORD Wyoming Livestock Roundup Crosswords, created by Myles Mellor. Solution available at wylr.net

Solution for the February 16, 2019 crossword

developing a replacement heifer through breeding may cost more than $1,100. Using testing products like GeneMax or Igenity, ranchers can identify poor producing heifers sooner and cull them.

These products can also help ranchers obtain more maternal trait information to earlier identify heifers that may have calving difficulties, poor conceptions rates, failure to breed back or less than ideal milk production.

“The goal is to raise more cows that have more calves,” Garrett says.

Testing can also help producers select the more efficient animals leading to increased efficiency to save on feed costs and residual feed intake.

“If it can increase those efficiencies and help us save on feed year after year, it could amount to a big savings in dollar value,” she says.

Quality carcasses For producers who retain ownership, genomic testing can help identify and select grid marketable cattle for value-added programs. Testing can identify animals with exceptional carcass traits like marbling, tenderness, quality, ribeye area and yield.

Garrett says producers can classify heifer value earlier to distinguish animals that fit the environment or production system.

“We can use genomics to optimize the decisions we are already making. It will help us make better decisions in a shorter period of time,” she comments. “We have to ask ourselves, what is my time worth?”

“Genomics can help identify parentage, profiles and genetic defects,” she continues. “Genomic testing tells us undoubtedly which genes came from which bull and which cow.”

Garrett explains, “We can’t tell looking at the cow which genes she has that are recessive. We can use genomics as a negotiation tool.”

“DNA doesn’t change.

We can’t manipulate it. It is reliable information of what those heifers have to offer.

Use it to tell our story,” Garrett says.

Garrett spoke during the Colorado Farm Show, held in Greeley, Colo. in late January.

Gayle Smith is a correspondent for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

“If we don’t retain ownership, we can wean, ship and move on to the next ones. But, we can use these EPDs to offer a superior product to our buyers.” – Hannah Garrett, Diamond Peak Cattle Company

Testing benefits -- Hannah Garrett of Diamond Peak Cattle Company in Burns explains genomic testing can offer benefits to commercial cattle producers for both heifer and bull selection. Gayle Smith photo

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Volume 30 No. 43 • February 23, 2019

Researchers look to combine practices to combat soil-borne diseases in dry beans The unpredictable nature of soil-borne diseases in dry beans has challenged researchers at the University of Wyoming to test the efficacy of an integrated approach.

Associate Professor in Plant Pathology Bill Stump explains the complications that come with controlling diseases such as rhizoctonia and fusarium root rot are due to the wide variety of practices and environmental factors.

Causes According to Stump, there is not a single cause of these diseases but rather a variety of practices that

together or independently can cause diseases.

“Compaction can be a really big issue,” he says.

“Think about how we might till the same place over and over and make the ground hard over time.”

He explains the hardening of the ground can slow the growth of bean roots, therefore making them more susceptible to various diseases.

Environmental conditions can also play a role in the severity of these diseases.

He notes it can be hard to pin down a specific condition that makes the diseases worse, but

warmer, more moist conditions in the spring have been known to worsen the effects of many soil-borne diseases.

Stump also explains how a lack of crop variety can cause issues.

“Farmers need to be mindful of their crop variety,” he says. “If we’re growing the same beans every single year, there’s a higher likelihood of increased diseases.”

Implications Stump explains soilborne diseases are very common, and farmers often only notice them when the infestations are very serious.

He explains the elastic nature of bean roots allows for them to recover quickly from such infections as rhizocotonia and fusarium.

“These diseases can cause vascular issues, wilting and root rot,” according to Stump.

According to a fact sheet published by Colorado State University (CSU) Extension, plants infected by fusarium root rot are rarely killed by the pathogen itself. Infected plants are generally scattered about the field, and aboveground symptoms can be difficult to see. Diseased areas of the plants will begin to enlarge and gradually turn brown.

CSU Extension notes rhizoctonia root rot also occurs in an irregular field pattern.

Symptoms of the disease start at the root soon after planting and present as circular sunken lesions or cankers.

These lesions can slow plant growth.

Disease management “There is no silver bullet when it comes to these

“There is no silver bullet when it comes to these issues. Our goal through new research is to determine if an integrated approach to managing these diseases will alleviate some of the associated issues.” – Bill Stump, University of Wyoming issues,” Stump explains. “Our goal through new research is to determine if an integrated approach to managing these diseases will alleviate some of the associated issues.”

The research team plans to combine in-furrow fungicide at planting, varietal selection and deep tillage to protect the beans from the impacts of soil-borne diseases from planting to harvest.

“We’re currently reviewing the chemical make-up of a variety of fungicides to determine which will work best,” Stump says. “We have had mixed results but are looking into anything that has even a mild benefit.”

Stump notes most varieties of plants do not have resistance to such diseases, but there is a range of responses

in the various varieties. He comments some varieties even had higher yields with the diseases.

The team will also be utilizing deep tillage practices to loosen up the soil and prevent compaction issues.

“At the end of the day, we just want to help producers determine what measures to take to alleviate the issues associated with soil-borne diseases,” Stump comments.

“We hope we can help them choose the best cultivars, determine if deep tillage will be useful on their operations and prescribe the most effective in-furrow fungicide.”

Callie Hanson is the assistant editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup.

Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

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We are proud to continue the tradition of functional quality established by Gordon and Earline Schuppe of Elmwood Limousin. Our herd reflects many of their top cow families, and we’re confident our bulls will produce calves that’ll top the market.

Volume 30 No. 43 • February 23, 2019

Moo-ving the Big Rocks The new year now feels old once you get into a busy season like calving. There are many spans of time in cattle country that can make us feel there’s too much to do or too little time in each day.

By now, some resolutions have fallen to the wayside, the rush of reality helping us sort out what matters most in the commitment to get better.

Yet, there are still some that rise above the rest, beat the average and make it look easy What’s their secret?

A recent visit to a Kansas ranch gave me insight into what sets some cattle-

men apart. For 20 years, these brothers focused on raising functional cattle that produced the highest quality beef possible.

Last year, their calves graded 61 percent Prime.

It wasn’t achieved by single-trait selection, neglecting other traits for the cowherd or irrational management that ignored profit potential, they assured me.

It was a matter of committing with intense focus to one leading goal and all others in turn, rather than just trying to do their best overall.

Have you ever heard the old quote, “A rising tide lifts all boats?”

B11

By Nicole Lane Erceg It’s the same when we narrow our focus. Drop a handful of pebbles into a pond, and you’ll only create ripples. Throw in a large boulder, and the water level rises.

Once they began to see favorable results on herd goals, they realized continued focus on each goal would build momentum over time.

They just succeed by focusing on one thing at a time.

Sounds simple, but it could be a better way to look at it than trying to raise cattle with some kind of management strategy to excel on all fronts, every day. We might

make some progress if we have time to analyze it. Then again, we might be over-complicating things. We might be just tossing pebbles.

You know what goes into making a Prime grading calf?

An easy-calving, easy-keeping mother, a consistently proactive health program, adequate nutrition and steady genetic improvement over time.

Framed by an overarching goal that doesn’t interfere with other priorities, we can hit our quality target and improve other areas of the business simultaneously.

Want to earn more money from your calves next

year? What’s the single thing you could do that will help you get there fastest? What if you made that top priority for the next year? The next several years? Your workload may not wane, but clarity of purpose could make it seem lighter. That can make all the difference.

Toward the end of my Kansas visit, I asked the brothers if the goal that lifted their calves to mostly Prime grade remains the same priority today.

They shook their heads no.

Having arrived at the pinnacle of quality, they consider carcass merit built in now, as

long as they maintain average pressure. They’ve shifted their laser focus to the next big rock in their business – performance. Their calves must reach harvest weight faster and faster.

I’m not suggesting you decide to skip checking heifers this evening to focus instead on office work that’s fallen behind. We still need to run the business on all fronts, but what if we do that with the perspective of moving one big boulder at a time?

Next time in Black Ink® Miranda Reiman will look at how we know cattle are good.

Questions? E-mail nerceg@ certifiedangusbeef.com.

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Updates, Sale Listings and Videos on Enhancing the herd -- Nicole Lane Erceg suggests that improvements in the cowherd start with a focus on the highest-quality cattle and one primary goal. Over time, she says other goals can be accomplished in order of priority to see positive forward progress. Courtesy photo

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Selling 35 two-year-old bulls • 15 Fall yearling bulls 20 Spring yearling bulls and 10 commercial heifers E131: WSF Apothic E131

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Reg: AAA 19292115 BW: 2.2 WW: 47 YW: 86 MM: 24

Friday, March 8, 2019 at the Ranch • 1:00 PM Neal 208-680-0320 Brad 208-604-0235 Steve 208-681-4169 673 N. 825 W. • Blackfoot, ID 83221 • woodenshoefarms@gmail.com

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Volume 30 No. 43 • February 23, 2019

Volume 30 No. 43 • February 23, 2019

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Volume 30 No. 43 • February 23, 2019

Volume 30 No. 43 • February 23, 2019

B15

Panel: Entrepreneurship, research drives sustainability of the agriculture industry “If Henry Ford had asked people what they wanted to improve their lives, they would have said faster horses,” says Anne Koontz of Alltech. “They didn’t know cars existed, but we have to be always looking to find the cars instead of just looking to make our horses faster.”

Koontz, along with National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Director of Sustainable Beef Production Research Sara Place and University of Wyoming (UW) Vice President for Research and Economic Development Ed Synakowski explored innovation, particularly as it relates to sustainability and entrepreneurship in the agriculture industry.

Sustainability With sustainability and the future of agriculture as prominent questions among today’s consumers, Place notes the starting point must be in educating consumers and having the research to back up statements.

“There’s a lot of misinformation out there about beef’s environmental footprint – and that’s an understatement,” Place says.

“That’s why it’s important to have the peer reviewed science to back up what we say, rather than just an opinion that we’re not that bad.”

Place notes her job is largely in research and communicating information to the supply chains.

“We need to educate the supply chain, as well, and get them up to speed,” she says. “We have a lot of outreach to influencers, as well.”

Linking people Influencers, including everyone from health professionals to dieticians, are frequently asked questions about where food comes from, what its impacts are and more, so Place notes she works to provide information to those people so they can interact with consumers and provide up-todate information.

Looking at lifecycle analyses, Places notes, “A lot of sustainability research – especially lifecycle assessment – was developed for mechanical processes. Today, we’re taking that and plopping it onto biological systems, like cattle production. It just doesn’t fit perfectly.”

As a result, the framing behind messages comes from a “we’re less bad than…” perspective.

“We’re adding research to talk about the positives, as well,” she comments.

As an example, new research looks at the societal benefits of cattle pro-

duction and grazing. Much of that benefit is not credited to producers.

“Essentially, all of the lifecycle assessments have been about social costs and ignores social benefits,” she says. “Our research has been focused on clarifying the benefits.”

University role “We look at universities across the country, and increasingly research and economic development are being linked,” Synakowski says, noting research platforms of all kinds are being used to improve processes and increase the knowledge base that can make an impact down the road.

Synakowski notes, at the University of Wyoming, his office overlooks advanced research computing and its impact on industry and entrepreneurship.

“So much of what we do nowadays is represented by transformation in so-called data science,” he says. “Everyone with a smartphone has some sense of what that means.

The ability to amass tremendous volumes of data, which can impact almost every branch of business, including agriculture, learning how to sort through and determine what’s important are important today.”

In addition to data science, Synakowski and his office are working to enhance entrepreneurship within all of Wyoming’s industries by providing resources to business leaders.

“We are trying to stimulate not only idea and business model development but also to help generate a culture within the university and, through graduation of students, into the state of Wyoming of entrepreneurial enterprise and a respect for it,” Synakowski explains.

Expanding influence “At the university, we also strive to fulfill our land-grant mission and serve the entire state,” Synakowski adds. “What does that mean for the agricultural community?”

The agriculture industry has long embraced the power of networking through Extension and other opportunities.

“This potentially means increasing and broadening Extension centers to offer services to entrepreneurial resources,” he says. “We also see the potential to engage with our community colleges to provide access to research and entrepreneurship enterprise.”

Synakowski empha-

“The intent of the university is to do our best to foster entrepreneurial activities and engage industries throughout the state to enable access and partnership and elevate everyone’s aspirations in innovation.” – Ed Synakowski, University of Wyoming

sizes, “The intent of the university is to do our best to foster entrepreneurial activities and engage industries throughout the state to enable access and

partnership and elevate everyone’s aspirations in innovation.”

Koontz, Place and Synakowski addressed the Wyoming Agriculture

Diversification Summit, held Dec. 6-7 at Eastern Wyoming College in Torrington. The group spoke as part of a panel titled, “Research Drives Innova-

tion.”

Saige Albert is managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup and can be reached at roundup@wylr.net.

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Volume 30 No. 43 • February 23, 2019

It’s the Pitts

by Lee Pitts

Don’t Let It Snow I hate snow. I know, I know, every 10 inches of snow supposedly equals one inch of rain, and we all need rain, but a blizzard seems to me to be an awfully inefficient and dangerous way to get your moisture.

Such is my hatred for snow that I’d go so far to say

that I’m a chionophobiac.

That means I live in fear of the white stuff. To me, there is no such thing as “beautiful snow.” The holidays are the worst because at any minute I could walk into a store, and the music will be playing that irritating Christmas classic, “Let it snow, let it snow, let it

Find the latest from Lee Pitts at leepittsbooks.com.

snow.”

It’s gotten to the point that I hate every month with an “R” in it, which means I don’t get any relief until May. I’ve got a lot of respect for those of you who live in northern climes where it snows and you with the icicles hanging from your nose hairs. I don’t know how you do it. Please understand, I’m a southern California kid, born and bred, and the only time I saw snow as a child was when my buddies and I went to YMCA snow camp every winter.

One year, three weeks before the camp I suffered a compound fracture of my leg playing an unsafe, unsupervised rugby-like game at the Y. The YMCA leaders were so grateful my family didn’t

sue them, they insisted I go to snow camp while on crutches, all expenses paid. The minute we got there, a blizzard set in for three days, and the Y leaders had to carry me out 12 miles on a toboggan. By the time we got to dry pavement, I’m sure they’d have wished we’d have just sued them for $1 million.

I think you have to be born in the snow and grow up with it to be able to drive in it, and I freely admit that I’m no snowman. This was a big problem because my job description required that I drive 50,000 miles per year and much of that during the winter in the northlands.

But, the minute I see a snowflake, I lose my ability to drive. Making matters worse, I never took my four-wheel

“The minute I see a snowflake, I lose my ability to drive.” – Lee Pitts drive pickup nor did I have studded tires, which meant I had to chain up a lot. My personal record was the winter I had to chain up 28 times and three times were on the same day.

My wife and I did spend one year in New Mexico but had to move back to California because I didn’t have the clothes for the Land of Enchantment. I added up what a Carhartt jacket, cap with ear muffs, long underwear, woolen socks and Sorrell boots would have cost and figured I could live in an ocean-front house back home where it never snows and the term “winterize” merely

March 2, 2019

Wolf Creek, Montana

Annual Bull Sale 52 apitalist 82 C w o B x O

entails rolling up your car windows.

Oh sure, we have deadly fog where you can’t see two feet in front of you, but at least you never see what kills you and your teeth aren’t chattering and knees knocking because it’s 20 degrees below zero.

One problem with living in California is, if you want to escape the state to the north, you either have to drive over Donner Pass where you can get trapped like we were for three days in a Shell gas station with 20 other folks. It’s a good thing the road reopened because we were starting to size people up to see who we ate first. Or, you can head due north into Oregon via Mount Shasta which holds the record for the single greatest snowstorm in history – 189 inches.

I think I was there that day.

Our worst trip was actually in Oklahoma’s panhandle, where we got stuck in a blizzard on the way to a bull sale in Guymon. My wife had to open her passenger side door, look at the edge of the asphalt and tell me which way to steer the car. Later, I was informed by a grizzled survivor of 89 ruthless winters I should have just swerved into a snowbank and stayed in the car because that makes it a lot easier to identify the bodies after all the snow melts.

Wednesday, March 6, 2019 Lunch at noon Sale at 1 pm At the Ranch in Wolf Creek, MT

0 pitalist 82 5 a C w o B Ox

Yearling bulls ultra-sounded, freeze branded, and raised in steep mountain pasture.

29 apitalist 82 Ox Bow C

otive 8276 Ox Bow M

Sires Represented LD Capitalist 316 Emblazon 702 OX Bow Ozzie 3233 Ox Bow Emulation 5309 Soo Line Motive 9016

Marc Orem, Ranch Manager www. oxbowranchangus .com

Cell: 541/ 965-0088 Office: 406/ 235-4281 oxbow@3riversdbs.net