Volume 34 Number 1 • April 30, 2022
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The Weekly News Source for Wyoming’s Ranchers, Farmers and AgriBusiness Community • www.wylr.net
Senate committee holds legislative hearing
A Look Inside Publisher Dennis Sun highlights WSGA 150th Anniversary... Page 2 Activists vs. Agriculture shares thoughts on trustworthy news sources.............................. Page 6 Windy Kelley gives updates on recent and current weather conditions................................... Page 7 Dick Perue recalls cow and wife troubles............................ Page 16
Quick Bits SWE Report Currently, Wyoming’s snowpack/snow water equivalent (SWE) is 99% of median with a basin high of 140% in the Belle Fourche Basin and a basin low of 12% in the South Platte Basin. Last year, the state SWE was at 98% of median and 121% in 2020. This report and a map displaying basin SWE percentages of median for the state can be found at wrds.uwyo. edu/wrds/nrcs/nrcs.html.
Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry held a legislative hearing on April 26 to review S.4030, The Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act of 2022, and
S.3870, The Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act of 2022. “The Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act includes several reforms aimed to improve price discovery and trans-
parency in cattle markets,” shares Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), chairwoman of the committee. Stabenow adds, “The Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act would further support fairness in capi-
tal markets be creating a new U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) office dedicated to enforcing competition rules under the Packers and Stockyards Act.” “There is no doubt the Please see HEARING on page 15
Blizzard Conditions Major April snowstorm impacts Wyoming and surrounding states
On April 23, a powerful spring storm brought heavy snow and strong winds to the northern Rockies and Plains. Several winter blizzard warnings impacted communities across northeast Wyoming, northeast Montana, northwest South Dakota and central and western North Dakota. Don Day, president and meteorologist at DayWeather, Inc., and Wyoming ranchers Gwen Geis and Kelby Kretschman recall activities of the recent storm. Early predictions “The storm is on track with no major deviations in the
models,” Day had said prior to the blizzard. “Everything but the kitchen sink is coming our way.” Day encouraged livestock producers to begin to prepare. The chance for inclement weather was predicted to be especially high in central and northern Wyoming, western South Dakota, North Dakota and southern and eastern Montana. “It would take an act of God for this storm to turn around and change,” Day joked. “This next storm is going Please see BLIZZARD on page 5
Special Thanks Wyoming Livestock Roundup Publisher Dennis Sun would like to thank Wyoming Stock Growers Association (WSGA) staff for their collaboration with the Roundup team and their support in gathering of historic information for WSGA’s 150th Anniversary Celebration special edition. “I’m especially proud of the tireless work of the Roundup and WSGA staff. We are all proud of WSGA’s accomplishment and are looking forward to celebrating this milestone in Cheyenne June 8-11,” says Sun.
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ANCW Program Applications are now being accepted for the American National CattleWomen (ANCW) Collegiate Beef Advocacy Program. The program matches the vision and purpose of ANCW by ensuring selected students strengthen their leadership and communication skills, establish career networks and enhance their knowledge of the industry. The application deadline is July 15. For more information, visit ancw.org/cbap.
YPA Event
Wyoming Stock Growers Association (WSGA) and the Young Producers Assembly (YPA) are hosting Profitable Ranching with Burke Teichert on May 11 from 12-5 p.m. at the Heritage Barn in Lyman. The goal of this educational session is to provide the tools necessary for both experienced and younger generations to positively impact change in the ag industry. Registration for this event is $35. To register for the event, visit wysga.org or call 307-638-3942.
WYLR photo ION OF
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CHECK OUT THE WSGA 150TH ANNIVERSARY SECTION INSIDE
Stewardship recognized Cheyenne – Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon proclaimed June 28 as Wyoming Environmental Stewardship Day. Gordon signed the proclamation during a ceremony in Cheyenne on April 20. For 27 years, Wyoming Environmental Stewardship Day marks the date of the Environmental Stewardship Tour hosted by the Wyoming Stock Growers Association (WSGA) and the Wyoming Department of Agriculture. The annual event showcases the year’s award recipient’s conservation efforts. The 2022 recipient of the award is the Johnson Ranch in Elk Mountain. This year’s award is sponsored by Audubon Rockies. “Audubon Rockies is proud to support WSGA and the ranching families working hard every day in an industry vital to the preservation of open spaces for birds and wildlife,” said Dusty Downey with Audubon Rockies. “The program winners have shown stewardship and generational ranching go hand in hand. Preserving the livelihood and prosperity of ranchers across the West is a focus of the Audubon Rockies Conservation Ranching Initiative.” Proudly established in the late 1800s, the Johnson Ranch has a long history of public service and conservation. The ranch, located in Carbon County, is currently under the management of John and Reese Johnson – the fifth generation on the ranch. The Johnsons operate a cow/calf operation and continually work to improve riparian areas, grass resources and wildlife habitat on the ranch. Along the way, Johnson family members serve their communities. Their dedication to Please see STEWARDS on page 4
Regulation replacements NCBA provides updates on WOTUS and NEPA changes The Biden administration continues working to repeal and replace Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations, concerning producers across the nation. The Beltway Beef podcast welcomed National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Executive Director of Natural Resources and Public Lands Council (PLC) Executive Director Kaitlynn Glover on April 22 to update producers on how NCBA is working to ensure producers receive clear and consistent regulations from policymakers. Defining WOTUS NCBA, together with a number of state affiliates and other national partners, filed an amicus brief in a U.S. Supreme Court case titled Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), says Glover. This case challenges the authority of the EPA under the Clean Water Act and will help determine the future definition of Please see NCBA on page 6
Pinedale FFA takes state horse judging title Pinedale – Creating a winning team takes a lot of practice and endless confidence. This year, three seniors and one freshman combined their knowledge and experience to take home the Wyoming FFA Convention’s horse judging title in Cheyenne. For Pinedale seniors Zane Hayward, Morgan Rouge and Gavin Masters – it was a resounding triumph in their last school year after taking reserve championship last year. Hayward and Masters had several years of past experience and Rouge participated last year. “We knew if we practiced hard and tried, we could do it,” Hayward said. For freshman Paiyzli Baker, competing against 200 students on 54 teams was a
new learning experience – unfortunately as a champion teammate, she can’t enter the same contest next year but can try her hand at others. “It’s all a learning experience,” said first-year ag teacher and FFA Advisor Anna Campbell. She is proud of their accomplishments as ag students and active FFA members. Any student taking an ag class is automatically enrolled in FFA, but it’s up to the individual to step in and decide to make something of the opportunity. Everyone with interest can find a niche, whether it’s public speaking, raising and judging livestock or serving the community,
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Please see FFA on page 16