March 2, 2019

Volume 30 Number 44 • March 2, 2019

®

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

A Look Inside

Sheridan winter rodeo brings skijoring to town

Diphtheria creates a health concern in calves, but treatment options have advanced in recent years. . . . . . . . . .Page A5

Sheridan – Skijoring athletes and spectators from across Wyoming flocked to the first annual Sheridan Winter Rodeo held in the streets of downtown.

Event coordinator Bailey McLean boasted the event was

The microbial environment in the gut impacts how cattle are able to utilize feed sources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page A9 Wyoming Ag Literacy Week is scheduled for March 4-9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page A15 Research from UC Davis says riparian grazing is sustainable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page B3

Quick Bits Fed Cattle According to the delayed cattle on feed report published on Feb. 25, the total supply of cattle on feed in 1,000-plus head capacity feedlots on Jan. 1 was 11.690 million head, 1.7% higher than the previous year. This is lower than the average of analyst estimates that were put forward in late January and confirmed once again last week. On average, analysts expected the total inventory to be up 2.3% compared to the previous year.

the largest sanctioned Skijoring America race this year, with a whopping 107 teams entered.

Goals “When we first started planning the event, we wanted to combine the western heritage of Wyoming with win-

ter sports,” said McLean. “We had very modest goals since this was our first year for the event.”

McLean explained the planning team initially wanted to have 50 teams and 500 spectators, and they ended up dou-

Selling the best Shoshoni – With top Angus, Red Angus and Hereford bulls from around the region, the Wyoming Beef Cattle Improvement Association (WBCIA) Bull Test is preparing for their 32nd annual sale on March 15.

The sale is set for March 15 at 1 p.m. It will be held at Pingetzer’s Bull and Heifer Development Center between Shoshoni and Riverton. During the sale, 86 high-quality lots will be offered, including Angus, Red Angus and a Hereford bull.

bling those goals.

“Our very first year ended up being the largest skijoring race of the year so far,” McLean said. “We couldn’t be any more excited and couldn’t have done it without the supPlease see RODEO on page A11

WBCIA prepares for March 15 sale

The 45-day report, released on Jan. 10, showed a strong set of bulls that were performing well, despite the cold, snowy weather in Fremont County.

The remainder of the test brought more snowy, cold weather, but bull performance was consistent with previous years.

Bull numbers have been steady this year, but Bob Pingetzer, who run the test, says the trend has been toward Please see WBCIA on page A15

Rail Transport Transporting hay for export by rail to West Coast ports is becoming a growing trend, according to The Hoyt Report. This is occurring because of competitive rates, new trucking regulations and a general shortage of available transport trucks.

WLSB Meeting The Wyoming Livestock Board (WLSB) has scheduled a tele-conference meeting for March 7 at 10 a.m. meeting topics include legislative updates and an executive session, if necessary. The call-in number is 877-278-2738, Meet Me PIN 533126.

Beef Footprint Based on the most recent science and extensive calculations of a wide range of factors, it is estimated that the pasture-toplate journey of this important protein source requires about 1,910 U.S. gallons of water per pound to get Canadian beef to the dinner table. That’s what is known as the “water footprint” of beef production. Water is recycled – sometimes in a very complex biological process, and it all comes back to be used again.

Bull test -- The Wyoming Beef Cattle Improvement Association Test will holds its annual sale on March 15. As of March 1, the test was complete, and bulls were ready to go. Curt Cox photo

World economy Groups see grain, red meat export opportunity In the last 50 years, meat consumption has increased tenfold in countries like South Korea. In 1970, residents there consumed slightly more than 11 pounds of meat protein a year, but today they are well above 100 pounds.

“Their economy has grown to where they can afford to pay for product and its availability,” according to John Hinners, vice president of industry relations for the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

Hinners spoke about export opportunities for the U.S. Emerging markets Emerging markets like South Korea are important to U.S. agriculture because production in this country exceeds what it can consume.

“According to CattleFax data, each of us would need to consume another 40 pounds of red meat each year just to keep up with our production,” Hinners says.

Exports are also positive for U.S. grain producers.

“Eleven percent of the value of a bushel of grain can be attributed to exports,” Hinners continues.

In fact, the National Corn Growers Association is promoting the value of grain Please see WORLD on page A18

WSGLT completes 100th project Partnerships between conservation organizations are key to successfully conserving agricultural lands in Wyoming and across the nation.

Recently, this partnership displayed a significant event when the Wyoming Stock Growers Land Trust (WSGLT) completed its 100th conservation project. The easement project was completed in partnership with The Conservation Fund.

The project, located in Sublette County, which was transferred to WSGLT earlier this month, is a wonderful example of two conservation organizations working in the best interest of ranching families and the Wyoming landscape, say WSGLT. “Working in partnership with ranching families and the WSGLT, we accomplish several key objectives,” said Dan Schlager, The Conservation Fund Wyoming state director. “We protect a family’s ranching heritage for future generations and conserve critical habitat for Wyoming’s spectacular wildlife species that depend upon the ranch’s open spaces. We’re grateful to the many ranching families we’ve worked with for their vision, to WSGLT for our long-time strategic alliance and to all of our partners and funders for the effectiveness of our collaboration in accomplishing these great successes together.”

Bo Alley, executive director of the WSGLT, commented, “Over the past 18 years, the Wyoming Stock Growers Land Trust has developed strong partnerships and trust among the Wyoming agricultural community. This milestone is a testament to those efforts. We are proud to work with organizations like the Fund and Wyoming ranch families to conserve the vital agriculture lands and ecosystems that are emblematic of the West – that preserve our history – and that provide boundless opportunities for the future.”

UW works to shed light on disease Canine dysautonomia (CD) has been shrouded in mystery since its discovery in the early 1990s.

University of Wyoming (UW) researcher Brant Schumaker is trying to determine the cause of the often-fatal disease to better prepare veterinarians and dog owners to treat the disease.

Canine dysautonomia “To be put simply, CD causes dogs to lose control of subconscious bodily functions such as urination, digestion, heart rate and eye dilation,” Schumaker explains. “The disease attacks the neurons in the body that control these functions.”

He explains some of the earliest signs of the disease are a lack of appetite and regurgitation, but these symptoms also present with a number of other common illnesses in dogs.

“The disease moves very quickly,” Schumaker says. “Some cases will go downhill within a few days and others may persist weeks.”

Schumaker comments the length of the disease is dependent on a variety of factors including individual susceptibility and differential exposure to the cause of the disease.

“It was previously believed the dis-

periodical

periodical

Please see UW on page A6

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 44 • March 2, 2019

What is the Truth?

We all have been reading about climate change, its causes and what we should all do about it. The sad part is, climate change has turned into a political issue where people are pointing fingers everywhere. We are all pointFrom the ing fingers, even me.

Publisher As we all know, I’m not a scienDennis Sun tist, not even a bad one. But, like a lot of you, I got curious and wanted some answers. After reading about the Green New Deal and how cows were blamed for passing gas, meaning methane, I was thinking, if cows do it and cows are ruminants, what about the other ruminants? What else is out there that produces gas in our air?

I attended a watershed conference a couple of weeks ago, and the first speaker was from the Wyoming Department of Health talking on E. coli in our waters and the health hazards involved. Bam, right off the bat, a picture of a cow showed up. Every time he talked about animals as causes, a picture of a cow was there.

Well, I had to speak up, and I received numerous answers from him, including, “Well, cattle are the worst,” “Cows are used as examples because there is more research done on cattle,” and lastly, “Cows are pointed out because we can manage them.” I came away thinking, “That is unfair.”

Cows are not the only animal to stand in the water and poop.

Ducks, geese and other waterfowl, along with wild turkeys, are noted for their contribution to impaired waters.

I have seen times where the snow is melting and the waters running from concentrations of buffalo and elk in the winter are dark brown – something that would never happen around cattle feedlots under permits. When I asked about it, I was told, “They are wildlife, and this is a refuge.” That may be true, but in this case, the water is running through a town. Shouldn’t that be a concern?

Something else I found out from an article talked about different greenhouse gases.

“There’s CO2, and then there is methane – and then there’s nitrous oxide. The big one for agriculture is methane, and methane is depicted as the really bad gas because it’s about 28 times more potent, meaning more heat-trapping than CO2,” says Frank Mitloehner of the University of California Davis. “But, the three greenhouse gases are not created equal. CO2 and nitrous oxide have a lifetime of 1,000 years. Once you put them in the air, they stay there forever pretty much. But methane is different.”

The lifespan for methane is only 10 years, a micro-fraction in time compared to the other two gases. To put things into perspective, if an operation never increases the number of livestock over the generations, then the methane levels produced should stay constant. Therefore, producers are not advancing global warming, according to the Oklahoma Farm Report.

Since 1977, the U.S. the dairy and beef cattle herd has decreased close to one-third, and the same amount of beef is produced. Feed additives and management of cattle feed mean our beef is produced using less water on better managed grass and range lands. In total, cattle emitting 37 percent less of a carbon footprint and reduced greenhouse gas inputs.

The next time you hear someone picking on cows, stand up for them. Cows pass gas and poop which can be an issue if not managed right. But the statement holds true for all ruminants beyond cattle, including camels and giraffes.

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

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GUEST OPINIONS Ag Leadership Program Celebrates Success

By Cindy Garretson-Weibel, Wyoming L.E.A.D. Director In conjunction with Wyoming L.E.A.D. Class 15’s graduation this fall, the Wyoming Agricultural Leadership Council honored Class 1 and 2 members for their dedication and contribution to agriculture in Wyoming and across the United States.

The room was filled with tremendous knowledge

and wisdom from many of the state’s most prominent agricultural leaders who shared their journey with current Wyoming L.E.A.D. participants The Wyoming Leadership Education and Development (L.E.A.D.) program was established in 1984 to develop highly motivated, well-informed

rural leaders who will act forcefully, serve effectively and speak articulately for agriculture and Wyoming communities.

Alumni of the program have satisfied the mission well and Wyoming communities have benefited from alumni involvement.

A 1997 Galloway study states leadership

development programs have numerous benefits for participants, as well as the communities in which they live and work. Participants in ag and rural development programs have increased opportunities to network with other leaders and to identify projects to focus their Please see LEAD on page A19

Wyoming's Oil and Gas Regulations Must Reflect Industry of Today, Opportunities of Tomorrow

By Rep. Mike Greear and Sen. Jim Anderson The history of oil and gas production in Wyoming runs deep. Native Americans utilized oil in a variety of ways in their daily lives. The first commercial oil well in Wyoming was drilled near present-day Lander in 1883. By the 1920s, Casper had earned the moniker “Oil City,” as its economy centered around oil production and refining.

Today, oil and gas production plays an important role in the Wyoming economy. State budgets rise and fall with the price of a barrel of oil, and hard-working families from Pinedale to Cheyenne put food on their tables thanks to paychecks earned toiling in the oil and gas fields that dot the Wyoming landscape. To that end, it is imperative the state

recognize the importance of supporting oil and gas as a bedrock industry in Wyoming while also balancing the need to mitigate impacts on our natural resources and ensure private property rights continue to be held in high regard.

As the 65th General Session of the Wyoming Legislature commenced last month, it became increasingly clear we needed to take an in-depth, comprehensive look at oil and gas statutes and regulations at the state level. We have tackled several issues on a case-by-case basis – including the consolidation of the State Energy Office, Wyoming Pipeline Authority and Wyoming Infrastructure Authority into a one-stop Wyoming Energy Authority.

The time is right for a more holistic approach when it comes to addressing oil and gas regulations, as well.

As Chairs of the Joint Interim Minerals, Business and Economic Development Committee, and in conjunction with Gov. Mark Gordon and the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, we are announcing plans for an interim study of Wyoming’s oil and gas statutes and regulations with the intention of modernizing the state’s laws to better align with industry practices and the needs of all parties involved.

Given that the oil and gas industry has changed markedly over the past several years, with advances in technology, changes in public pol-

icy and the increasing importance of global factors in production and sales, it is critical the Wyoming Legislature work in tandem with private and public sector partners on a comprehensive approach that modernizes our laws.

Addressing oil and gas statutes and regulations as an interim topic will allow us to take a deep dive into these issues without the time constraints placed on policymakers during the legislative session.

We often hear from those interested in diversifying the economy that one of the biggest hindrances to growth is arcane government regulations. And while the Legislature has acted to remedy this Please see OIL on page A9

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 44 • March 2, 2019

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NEWS BRIEFS

Gordon vetoes budget areas

Grizzly Act reintroduced

Moisture reported by NASS

On Feb. 28, U.S. Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) and Congresswoman Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) introduced the Grizzly Bear State Management Act, which directs the Department of the Interior to re-issue its delisting decision and prohibits further judicial review of this decision.

“It’s clear that under the Endangered Species Act, grizzly bears in the Yellowstone region are fully recovered, that they should be delisted and management returned to the states,” Enzi said. “I have been working on this issue for over 20 years, and we already knew back then that grizzly bears had already fully recovered.”

“Unfortunately, we have seen environmental groups take advantage of the court system in the face of wildlife management experts and the science presented before us.

Our legislation would finally right that wrong by once again delisting the bears and stopping further frivolous and litigation on this issue,” Enzi added.

Cheney commented, “The Grizzly Bear State Management Act stops the abuse of the court system by environmental extremists, safeguards the scientifically proven delisting determination and puts management of the grizzly bear back in the hands of Wyoming.”

She said, “I’m pleased to reintroduce this bill and continue fighting for the important work done by the state of Wyoming to establish its own effective grizzly bear management plan.”

Wyoming experienced near normal temperatures for the month, according to the Mountain Regional Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

The February 2019 Crop Progress and Condition report showed moisture levels have improved for both topsoil and subsoil from last year. A reporter from northcentral Wyoming reports they are doing well pasture - and water - wise, and the livestock look good. They also indicated that things are much dryer to the south of them.

A reporter from south-central Wyoming stated producers are filing reports of need to buy extra feed due to snow, but the hay sources are low.

Two reporters from southeastern Wyoming noted dry conditions, and one reported concern for the winter wheat conditions.

Another reporter from southeastern Wyoming indicated calving had started and for a few producers calving had started earlier than expected.

Hay and roughage supplies for Wyoming were rated six percent very short, 11 percent short, 82 percent adequate and one percent surplus. Stock water supplies across Wyoming were rated one percent very short, 12 percent short, 86 percent adequate and one percent surplus.

Farm loan delinquency up The nation’s farmers are struggling to pay back loans after years of low crop prices and export markets hit by President Donald Trump’s tariffs, with a key government program showing the highest default rate in at least nine years.

Many agricultural loans come due around Jan. 1, in part to give producers enough time to sell crops and livestock and to give them more flexibility in timing interest payments for tax filing purposes.

“It is beginning to become a serious situation nationwide at least in the grain crops – those who produce corn, soybeans, wheat,” said Allen Featherstone, head of the Department of Agricultural Economics at Kansas State University.

While the federal government shutdown delayed reporting, January figures show an overall rise in delinquencies for those producers with direct loans from the Agriculture Department’s Farm Service Agency (FSA).

Nationwide, 19.4 percent of FSA direct loans were delinquent in January, compared to 16.5 percent for the same month a year ago, said David Schemm, executive director of the Farm Service Agency in Kansas. During the past nine years, the agency’s January delinquency rate hit a high of 18.8 percent in 2011 and fell to a low of 16.1 percent when crop prices were significantly better in 2015.

Lease comments sought In keeping with the administration’s commitment to strengthen American energy independence, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Wyoming is accepting feedback on a proposal to offer 160 parcels totaling 205,855 acres in its June 2019 oil and gas lease sale.

Feb. 26 kicked off a 30-day comment period, which will close March 27.

Submit comments at go.usa.gov/xEVpY. BLM will review and consider every comment received before preparing a final decision, but the most useful comments are specific and address distinct parcels or concerns.

The lease sale’s environmental assessment, lists and maps of the parcels, and the attached stipulations are online at the address above. The lease sale is slated for the fourth full week of June, and will take place online via energynet.com.

Wyoming is one of the country’s top energy producers on public lands. In 2018, BLM Wyoming leased 621 parcels and raised more than $116 million. The state receives about 50 percent of the proceeds of each lease sale.

NCBA sees water threat Producers across the country are familiar with the many pitfalls of the 2015 Waters of the U.S. Rule, but now, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and its affiliates are tracking another Clean Water Act issues.

A lesser-known issue stemming from the Clean Water Act is set for a Fall 2019 hearing in front of the Supreme Court. In County of Maui vs. Hawaii Wildlife Fund, the Supreme Court will decide whether pollutants that reach surface water through groundwater migration are subject to Clean Water Act regulations.

NCBA explains, “For cattle operations, ‘pollutants’ are often nutrients, including nitrogen and phosphorus.

The Court’s decision has the potential to significantly expand Environmental Protection Agency ability to regulate agriculture under the Clean Water Act.”

Gov. Mark Gordon complimented the Wyoming Legislature on providing a supplemental budget that sets a “deft” fiscal path.

He recognized the budget act shows constraint and means Wyoming will increase its savings this year.

“I believe Wyoming’s residents will benefit from Legislators' efforts on this supplemental budget. In saying so, I recognize supplemental budgets are not meant to make enormous strides but rather to adjust spending within the context of a broader budget passed in 2018,” Gordon wrote.

Specifically, the governor highlighted the funding of the carbon capture pilot project through the University of Wyoming’s School of Energy Resources; additional tools to support local governments including dollars for planning by counties and a position to support locals as they apply for grants and navigate the complex technical requirements of these grants; more effective and efficient government and schools with money to recruit and retain better teachers and employees; an addition to the corpus of the Wyoming Wildlife Natural Resource Trust which continues to demonstrate its value to Wyoming farmers, ranchers, energy companies, visitors, wildlife, towns and counties; a challenge account to draw in private dollars to the Wildlife Trust; and more resources available for controlling invasive and noxious weeds and predators.

The governor did use his authority on several line item vetoes, objecting to several provisions and especially examples of “legislating from within the budget.”

Gordon also pointed to several areas that are potentially at odds with the Wyoming’s Constitution and need to be handled differently in the future. However, he did not veto these items.

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 44 • March 2, 2019

NEWS BRIEFS Colo. works on forest health Colorado’s Big Thompson Conservation District is using a technical assistance grant from the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to grow its Healthy Forest Initiative program with new staff and new projects.

Designed to add capacity at the local level to provide more assistance to landowners, the grant allowed the district to hire Matthew Marshall in 2018 as a full-time forester to serve Larimer and Weld Counties.

By focusing on forest management that will provide a multi-resource benefit, Marshall has identified forestry projects that can carry the district into 2023.

BLM horse adoption set The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Rock Springs Wild Horse Holding Facility will kick off BLM Wyoming’s 2019 adoption schedule with an event March 15-16, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

BLM will offer approximately 60 wild horses during this adoption, including mares, geldings and weanlings. The horses were gathered in 2018 in the Green Mountain and Stewart Creek herd management areas.

“Wyoming wild horses make great companions and trail animals,” said Supervisory Wild Horse Specialist Jake Benson. “We want to see them all adopted into good homes.”

Study shows spore dispersal

Recent research in the Schmale Lab at Virginia Tech and the Jung Lab at Cornell University has illuminated how the splashing of rain droplets can transport spores of pathogens from infected plants.

The team used high-speed video cameras to observe microscopic tornadoes of rust spores generated from the impact of raindrops on infected wheat leaves. Their findings, which were recently published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science (PNAS), have implications for preventing disease spread in wheat crops.

“Previous studies only focused on wet-dispersed spores following raindrop impact. We are the first to demonstrate tornado-like air vortices that result from raindrop impact.

These microscopic tornadoes may help transport plant pathogens over long distances,” said David G. Schmale III, professor in the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and affiliated faculty member of the Fralin Life Science Institute.

The researchers set up experiments using a high-speed video camera to capture images of raindrops impacting wheat plants infected with the rust fungus, Puccinia triticina.

These experiments shed new light on the physics of spore dispersal during rainfall.

“Interdisciplinary research is needed to bridge plant pathology and fluid mechanics to study the mechanics of plant pathogen dispersal,” said Hope Gruszewski, a laboratory specialist senior in the Schmale Lab and a co-author on the paper.

UW studies soil health

A long-term experiment by the University of Wyoming (UW) near Lingle is studying if dryland wheat farmers can become organically certified through use of compost and cover crops to improve soil health.

Starting in 2015, researchers from the Ecosystem Science and Management and Plant Sciences departments in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources looked into how soil health and what are affected by applying a high rate of compost once every 10 years – as many as 18 tons per acre, followed with cover crops.

The study is at the James C. Hageman Sustainable Agriculture Research and Extension Center and collaborating farms.

“The purpose of planting the cover crops is attenuating nitrogen through the cover crop biomass and perhaps create additional benefits to winter wheat by returning cover crop organic matter to the soil,” said Urszula Norton, an associate professor of agroecology in the plant sciences department.

U.S. loses Japanese exports Members of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) saw beef exports to Japan grow 56 percent in January, while U.S. beef exports to that country grew 21 percent and its share of the market shrunk by six percent, according to a report by the Nikkei Asian Review.

The news comes as U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer has stated that he would like to begin discussions with Tokyo on a bilateral trade agreement in March.

U.S. beef producers have been losing out on Japan’s TPP tariff decreases, which eventually will drop to nine percent, since President Trump withdrew from the pact shortly after he took office in January 2017.

Japan’s Finance Ministry said TPP members Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Mexico shipped 33,000 metric tons of beef to Japan in January, up 56 percent year-on-year. Japan’s tariff rate fell to 27.5 percent from 38.5 percent when the deal took effect. – Meatingplace

WTO rules against China PRACTICAL • PREDICTABLE • PROVEN

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U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced a World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement panel found China has provided trade distorting domestic support to its grain producers well in excess of its commitments under WTO rules. China’s market price support policy artificially raises Chinese prices for grains above market levels, creating incentives for increased Chinese production of agricultural products and reduced imports.

House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member K. Michael Conaway (R-Texas) said, “If there is any lingering doubt as to why the United States needs strong farm policy, this WTO ruling removes that doubt. China illegally subsidized just three crops to the tune of $100 billion in a single year, more than the entire U.S. farm safety net costs over the life of the farm bill.”

“I commend President Trump for being vigilant in insisting that other countries live by the same rules we do in the United States,” he added. “Free trade does not exist without everyone playing by the same rules."

Ruhs named to Idaho BLM The U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has named a new Idaho state director – John Ruhs, who currently serves as assistant director for fire and aviation at the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise.

Ruhs is a veteran BLM land manager with more than three decades of experience across many BLM programs.

According to the BLM’s announcement, Ruhs began his federal career as a seasonal range technician in Vale, Ore., in the 1980s. Since that time, he has worked in various resource management and leadership roles at BLM offices in Idaho, Colorado, Wyoming and Washington, D.C., where he served as Acting BLM Deputy Director for Operations overseeing many of the day-to-day operations of the agency

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The Wyoming Stock Growers Land Trust (WSGLT) has partnered with the Croonberg family to conserve the 6,650acre Croonberg Ranch located west of Laramie. The conservation easement project was made possible with funding from the Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust (WWNRT) and the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS).

The Croonberg Ranch conservation project connects and provides unfragmented open space, agricultural land and wildlife habitat between the Medicine Bow National Forest and the Little Laramie River. The conserved landscape is within view of those traveling west of Laramie on the Snowy Range Scenic Byway or Interstate 80.

Astrid Martinez, state conservationist for the Wyoming NRCS commented on the project closing saying, “NRCS is pleased to partner with the Croonberg family and the Wyoming Stock Growers Land Trust to protect this special ranch for conservation and agricultural purposes while keeping the Wyoming ranching way of life alive.”

With the closing of the Croonberg Ranch project, the WSGLT now holds over 31,000 acres of conservation easements in Albany County, an area twice the size of the city of Laramie.

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 44 • March 2, 2019

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Hendrick: Treatments have advanced for cases of diphtheria in calves Upper respiratory problems in cattle include diphtheria – an infection or inflammation of the vocal folds of the larynx at the back of the throat.

The infection, called necrotic laryngitis, and swelling from inflammation can restrict the airways and make breathing difficult. In acute cases the calf may die of suffocation.

Steve Hendrick of Coaldale Veterinary Clinic in Coaldale, Alberta sees quite a few cases of diphtheria in cow/calf operations and in feedlots.

“It’s not something we deal with every day, but it happens fairly frequently, and today there are some better ways to treat severe cases,” Hendrick says.

Causes “We think trauma opens the way for infection and inflammation, such as eating abrasive feeds,” Hendrick explains. “Trauma could also be caused by using a tube feeder on baby calves.”

“If the surface of that tube is rough instead of smooth – such as if it got chewed or is forced abruptly into the throat - it may scrape or irritate the larynx,” he says.

The infection is generally caused by pathogens in the environment. They simply need an opportunity to invade the tissues, Hendrick says.

“The main ‘bug’ that causes diphtheria is Fusobac-

terium necrophorum, which is the same one that causes foot rot, liver abscesses and is often found in the gut and upper respiratory tract,” he says, noting viruses such as infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) may be implicated in diphtheria. “In feedlots we often see diphtheria in conjunction with Histophilosis.”

Histophilus somni is a bacterium that lives in the nasal passages of cattle and sometimes causes an acute, often fatal, septicemic disease, especially if it becomes complicated with other infectious agents.

Symptoms Due to swelling in the larynx, which narrows the opening, the calf makes more effort for every breath after diphtheria infection.

“Air must pass those swollen folds, so they are also constantly getting more irritated with each breath, rubbing against each other,” he says.

Ranchers may hear the calf wheezing and at first may believe he has pneumonia.

However, observation of the respiratory effort can distinguish between diphtheria and pneumonia, says Hendrick.

He describes a calf with pneumonia has trouble pushing air out of damaged lungs, whereas a calf with diphtheria makes more effort to draw the air in through the narrowed airway.

Additionally, a calf with diphtheria often drools frothy saliva because he has trouble swallowing, and saliva may continually drip from his mouth.

“He’s so busy trying to breathe he can’t take time to swallow. Extra salivation can also be due to irritation from sores in the mouth as well as the throat,” Hendrick says.

Hendricks adds sometimes the infection is in the mouth and not in the throat, which is not as much problem for the calf because he can still breathe.

The larynx area serves as a valve, sending food down the esophagus and air down the windpipe. When calves breath, the valve stays open.

However, when the calf has trouble breathing, he doesn’t take time to swallow, says Hendrick.

“If swelling in the throat closes the airway, he suffocates,” he says. “If the calf is wheezing and struggling for breath, staggering from lack of oxygen, it becomes an emergency.”

Occurrence Diphtheria is most common in calves, but older animals are sometimes affected, Hendrick notes. A mature animal has a larger throat and windpipe, however, and may not have as much trouble breathing if this area becomes swollen.

“The infection may still

affect the larynx and, in some cases, may cause enough scar tissue in the vocal folds to affect the voice,” says Hendrick.

Some cows lose their voice and can’t bawl as loudly anymore.

Treatment “Infection in the larynx is generally responsive to oxytetracycline,” Hendrick advises. “This antibiotic has good distribution throughout the body. We also have good luck with penicillin.”

He added some people prefer to use the newer, longer-lasting drugs because they don’t need to treat as often, but oxytet or penicillin works well.

“There are several antibiotics that can be used, and our choice may depend on our ability to catch that calf and how often we want to try to do that,” he says.

Recovery from diphtheria may take a long time, Hendrick says, noting that every breath continues to damage the swollen larynx.

He continues, blood supply to the area is also limited, which makes getting enough antibiotics to the infection more difficult. Treatment may have to be continued for several weeks.

Serious cases Sometimes it may take as long as a month of treatment, to get a calf over this problem, but there’s a way to

“The infection may still affect the larynx and, in some cases, may cause enough scar tissue in the vocal folds to affect the voice.”

– Steve Hendrick, Coaldale Veterinary Clinic help those persistent or serious cases.

“A tracheostomy insert can by-pass the swollen, irritated larynx and allow the calf to breathe through a hole in his windpipe. A veterinarian can place it into the calf’s windpipe below the larynx.

We have great success with this in both baby calves and in feedlot calves,” he says.

“If the calf is suffocating, installing this insert allows him to breathe,” Hendrick continues. “When we take that constant irritation away, within a couple weeks or a month, the calf has healed, and we don’t need to keep treating with antibiotics that long.”

“Usually the infection is gone after a couple weeks’ treatment, and this breathing by-pass takes away the irritation so the larynx can heal,” he explains.

Consultation “Producers need to talk to their veterinarian regarding treatment and what might be recommended,” Hendrick explained. “Usually if treatment can be started early, if we can treat these animals for a week or two, we can clear

it up. With many other types of infections, we are often ok with just three or four days of antibiotic coverage, but diphtheria is persistent.”

“Don’t stop treatment until it is completely cleared up,” says Hendrick.

Anti-inflammatory medication is also important, to reduce the swelling and irritation in the throat. This can ease the calf’s breathing and also help irritated tissues start to heal.

“Often we recommend using dexamethasone as a single dose at the beginning, to help reduce that swelling.

We don’t repeat it because prolonged use of steroids tends to hinder the immune system, but the dexamethasone can make a difference for the calf,” Hendrick says.

A number of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can also be used.

“Discuss drug use with a veterinarian to treat the calf as soon as we realize he has a problem,” says Hendrick.

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

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

UW specialist emphasizes integrated approach for controlling grasshoppers Riverton – Wyoming has historically been a hot spot for grasshopper infestations, with over half the species in North America taking residence in the state, according to University of Wyoming (UW) Entomology Extension Specialist Scott Schell.

Schell was a featured speaker at the annual Fremont County Farm and Ranch Days held annually in Riverton.

Grasshopper epidemics Schell based his research in grasshoppers off 50 years of data and found, in 21 of those 50 years, grasshoppers were at a pest threshold.

“Grasshoppers are very gluttonous and will eat their weight in wet matter every day,” Schell said. “This may not seem like a big deal, but if we have 30 grasshoppers per square yard, that’s 100 pounds of grasshoppers per acre, which is equivalent to a small sheep eating its weight every single day.”

He explained 30 grasshoppers per square yard is not a lot in the grand scheme of things and does not fall within the pest threshold.

A detailed study of 30 years of western grasshopper outbreaks showed the probability, durations and stability of grasshopper outbreaks were consistently higher in Wyoming than in adjacent counties in Montana.

“Grasshoppers can

also affect species of concern such as sage grouse,” Schell said. “While sage grouse are omnivorous as juveniles, they eat almost exclusively plants in their older age. Grasshoppers can strip the plants adult sage grouse rely on.”

Integrated approaches “Insects are known for their adaptability,” Schell says. “This is why using a single approach is not often recommended or effective.”

“Taking an integrated approach is crucial with any sort of pest infestation,” he said. “Because insects can adapt so quickly to single source approaches, we have to combine methods to be effective.”

Schell explained Extension created the Reduced Agent and Area Treatments (RAAT) approach to controlling the insects.

“We brought down the level of pesticide to where it really only kills the nymphs,” he said. “Aiming to kill adult grasshoppers is really only revenge if they already laid eggs.”

“RAAT takes advantage of the insect’s behavior,” he noted. “Nymphs and adults alike move around a lot in search of food, so even if we don’t kill them with the initial application, they will likely move to a treated strip in search of food.”

Instead of the traditional blanket cover, RAAT

treats the field in alternating strips, according to Schell. Under this strategy, if a producer were treating a 1,000-acre lot, only 500 acres would be treated.

“Even if we don’t kill all the bugs initially on the treated strips, they will eventually move to a treated strip,” said Schell. “In this scenario, it also works to our advantage they eat so much because they will likely consume a plant that has been sprayed.”

“The treatment of fields

in strips also works to our advantage because it allows for the survival of insect predators of the grasshopper,” Schell explained. “By keeping some beneficial insects alive, we are able to integrate bio-control tactics in addition to the chemical insecticide.”

Sustainability “Blanket pesticide control can cause more problems in the long-run because it kills natural predators of the grasshopper,” said Schell. “They

are also much more expensive.”

In a study published by Schell and fellow entomology colleagues, consistent control of grasshoppers and frequent insecticide treatments contributed to conditions that perpetrate pest outbreaks.

“The use of blanket pesticides also kills nontarget insects,” Schell says.

“Those insects are a huge help in controlling grasshoppers naturally.”

The study noted though

RAATs typically result in a 10 to 15 percent lower efficacy than blanket applications, the reduction in treatment costs is justifiable.

RAATs were also shown to produce better economic returns than traditional blanket applications considering fewer chemicals were actually applied.

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

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

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 44 • March 2, 2019

UW continued from page A1 ease had an over 90 percent fatality rate,” Schumaker explains. “But with more recent clinical experience we’ve learned that, if animals avoid serious complications, there can be as low as 50 percent fatality.”

According to Schumaker, CD does not show preference to different breeds of dogs. It was first reported in the United Kingdom in the 1980s and in the United States in Wyoming in the early 1990s.

The disease is also geographically isolated with documented cases in the Midwest, spanning as far west as Wyoming and east into Kentucky.

Causes “We don’t currently know what causes CD,” Schumaker says. “We have looked for consistent patterns in the affected areas and haven’t been able to determine the cause.”

He explains the cause could be a number of things, from bacteria to fungus or even soil features unique to the affected areas.

“The disease is commonly associated with outside dogs who have exposure to wildlife and livestock,” Schumaker says. “While the wildlife and livestock persist outside the affected area, the disease does not, which leads us to believe the root

Resources for pet owners affected by canine dysautonomia can be found epidiseaselab.org/currentat research/canine-dysautonomia.

cause is in the environment.”

He comments while there is some evidence of horizontal dog-to-dog transmission, it is more likely the disease is picked up in the environment.

“Even in the cases where it appears one dog catches it from another, we believe the contaminant was on the dog’s fur, and the second dog caught it that way and not necessarily through transmission,” Schumaker explains.

Species to species He explains while there are similar dysautonomia diseases in other species, it does not appear as though the disease is transmissible between animals.

“There are other similar diseases in other species, such as Key Gaskell Syndrome in cats, but they aren’t the same,” says Schumaker. “We have yet to see an instance where multiple species on the same property were affected.”

“Finding the cause of CD is the number one goal in our research,” he says.

“Once we figure out the cause, we can formulate treatment plans and give recommendations to practitioners on how to effectively treat it.”

Treatment “Dogs have this amazing ability to compensate for neurological damage and continue normal function,” Schumaker explains.

“Those that are able to survive this disease can maintain quality of life depending on the scope of neurological damage.”

He explains since there isn’t a known cause of the disease, there isn’t a vaccine or specific treatment for affected animals. Various forms of supportive care are used to treat sick dogs.

“We have to keep them alive long enough for their bodies to begin compensating for the losses,” he says.

“Effort from the owners is critical.”

Selling 26 Angus and 3 Red Angus Bulls at the WBCIA Bull Test Sale Friday, March 15, 2019 • 1 p.m.

Pingetzer's Bull & Heifer Development Center • Shoshoni, WY

: g n i r u t a e F

ADG Ratio 122

ADG Ratio 118

LOT 806

LOT 812

Klein Blaster

Klein Counterweight 818

Final Wt: 1310# ADG: 3.33 ADG Ratio: 118 WDA: 3.18 WDA Ratio: 122

Final Wt: 1135# ADG: 3.32 ADG Ratio: 118 WDA: 2.92 WDA Ratio: 107

1/26/18 AAA# 19310522 CED: +6 BW: +1.2 WW: +77 YW: +134 M: +31

2/1/18 AAA# 19312477 CED: +10 BW: -0.4 WW: +54 YW: +93 M: +29 Calving Ease:

“Finding the cause of canine dysautonomia is the number one goal in our research. Once we figure out the cause, we can formulate treatment plans and give recommendations to practitioners on how to effectively treat it.” − Brant Schumaker, Wyoming State Vet Lab “Depending on the signs, vets will use appropriate supportive care to keep the dog alive,” says Schumaker. “Supportive care comes in the form of nutrition or different types of drugs that maintain digestion, urination and defecation.”

Roadblocks “One of the biggest roadblocks we have with our research is funding,” Schumaker says. “While the disease affects hundreds of dogs in the region annually, it just hasn’t been raised to national attention like canine heart disease and cancer.”

He explains how the tests they run on samples from affected dogs can cost in the ballpark of $1,000

per sample. Without the attention from national organizations, the team has had to take a more grassroots approach to solving this issue.

“We have a lot of people who are interested and willing to help solve the mystery of what causes this disease,” he says, “but we are pushing to get more funding for our research.”

“We are relaunching the effort to find the cause, come up with a diagnostic test and ultimately find a treatment,” Schumaker says.

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

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

BLM workers give back This February, employees from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and other agencies came together to conduct a food drive for the St. Joseph’s Food Pantry in Cheyenne.

Employees contributed approximately 300 pounds of dried and canned goods during the drive.

“We’re happy for the opportunity to contribute in this small way to the food pantry services in Cheyenne,” said BLM Wyoming State Director Mary Jo Rugwell. “We greatly appreciate the support of our local community, including the services that St. Joseph’s and other organizations offered us during the January lapse in appropriations.”

“Their support helped some of our coworkers get through a challenging time,” added Pat Deibert, FWS wildlife biologist. “We wanted to give back to them for their generosity, and in appreciation for what they do for members of our community.”

The St. Joseph’s Food Pantry is a volunteerbased organization that serves over 800 families per month.

BULINE ANGUS Crowheart, WY

Selling Three Angus Bulls at WBCIA New Sale Date: Friday, March 15, 2019

ADG Ratio 118

PAP: 38

LOT 815

LOT 818

Klein Cartwright 821

Klein Confidence 806

Final Wt: 1090# ADG: 2.36 ADG Ratio: 84 WDA: 2.84 WDA Ratio: 104

Final Wt: 1115# ADG: 3.34 ADG Ratio: 118 WDA: 2.82 WDA Ratio: 104

2/6/18 AAA# 19310455 CED: +9 BW: +0.7 WW: +62 YW: +107 M: +27 Calving Ease:

1/25/18 AAA# 19310150 CED: +9 BW: +0.4 WW: +45 YW: +86 M: +24 Calving Ease:

LOT 824 WBCIA Ratio Klein Confidence 834 #1

LOT 817 Klein Blaster 803

Final Wt: 1195# ADG: 3.92 ADG Ratio: 139 WDA: 3.21 WDA Ratio: 118

Final Wt: 1250# ADG: 3.69 ADG Ratio: 131 WDA: 3.29 WDA Ratio: 121

2/18/18 AAA# 19310143 CED: +10 BW: +0.3 WW: +41 YW: +78 M: +26 Calving Ease:

KLEIN ANGUS

WBCIA Ratio #3

2/10/18 AAA# 19310521 CED: +7 BW: +1.1 WW: +69 YW: +122 M: +32 Calving Ease:

Bill Klein • 256 Brookside Rd. Wheatland, WY 82201 • (307) 331-0136

Preview videos at:

Pingetzer’s Bull & Heifer Development Center, Shoshoni, WY

FEATURING: Lot 842 • JB Thunderbird 654 AAA# 19307248 CED: +10 BW: +2.0 WW: +50 YW: +83 M: +19

Lot 844 • JB Absolute 654

AAA# 19307253 CED: +11 BW: +1.1 WW: +53 YW: +91 M: +22

Lot 845 • JB Thunderbird 843 AAA# 19308964 CED: +9 BW: +1.9 WW: +47 YW: +88 M: +22

OUR CATTLE SUMMER AT ELEVATIONS BETWEEN 8,000 AND 9,500 FEET!

Buline Angus Jim, Pam & Robert • (307) 486-2330 Crowheart, Wyoming

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 44 • March 2, 2019

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OBITUARIES

Travis Martin Ziehl July 9, 1981 – Feb. 11, 2019

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

Don Proffit 1941 – 2019

Local legend and cowboy icon Don Proffit died on Feb. 23 at St. Mark’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah from a heart worn out from packing over 100 years of living into just 78 years.

His death came as a surprise and a shock to his family, largely because his presence was powerful and constant.

Don, one of the last true cowboys – or buckaroos, as he would have preferred to have been called – was a trailblazer.

Those who knew and loved him stuck along for the ride.

Don always knew he would be a cowboy. In his youth, he chose to ride a horse while his brother rode a bike, and Don always made sure to brand his stick horses with a car cigarette lighter.

He grew up on the ranch on the Bear River, learning hard-work and frugality at an early age. His parents, Hight and Dorothy Proffit, also taught and epitomized autonomy and a can-do attitude, as well as a strong sense of community-involvement and love for neighbors, which continued to be a part of Don’s life.

He loved meeting people and had a way of making them feel special and recognized. “A stranger is a friend you haven’t met yet,” seemed to be a guiding theme for his life.

After riding horses to school to some of the oneroom school houses around Hilliard, he went to Evan-

ston High, then on to college at the University of Wyoming, where he graduated with a degree in teaching vocational agriculture.

He adventured across the world to New Zealand, where he served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and got to see a lot of the world on his way home.

Don married Claudia Ellin Hamilton on Dec. 26, 1963, claiming that having an anniversary so close to Christmas ensured that he never got in trouble for forgetting it.

As a young man, newly married, Don ventured to Nevada, living on the Duck Valley Indian Reservation to teach vocational ag. There, his education of a different way of working cattle and utilizing horses started. It focuses on true and more gentle horsemanship, skillful working with cattle and fine horses and tack.

Coming back to this part of Wyoming to work for Deseret Land and Livestock, Broken Circle Cattle Company and finally to own and run his own cattle, Don brought this knowledge with him, sharing this style of ranching and cowboying with neighbors and friends. Each year it has been tradition to invite surrounding ranchers and friends to his branding where roping and riding are practiced by young and old alike.

He liked to see things done right and insisted that those who worked with him, particularly his kids, learn and handle the horses and cattle just so. This was accomplished at times with some enthusiastic coaching. Good horses, good cattle and good help, especially when it was his family – his wife, son and five daughters – were a major source of joy in his life.

Having good, incredible

Slaughter report out On Feb. 27, USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released their December 2019 (Livestock Slaughter) report, highlighting production Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.37 billion pounds in December, down one percent from the 4.4 billion pounds produced in December 2017.

Beef production, at 2.12 billion pounds, was two percent below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.58 million head, down slightly from December 2017. The average live weight was down 12 pounds from the previous year, at 1,368 pounds.

Veal production totaled 6.5 million pounds, two percent below December a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 53,600 head, up 16 percent from December 2017. The average live weight was down 35 pounds from last year, at 210 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production, at 13.2 million pounds, was up three percent from December 2017. Sheep slaughter totaled 201,800 head, seven percent above last year. The average live weight was 131 pounds, down five pounds from December a year ago.

January to December 2018 commercial red meat production was 53.4 billion pounds, up three percent from 2017. Accumulated beef production was up three percent from last year, veal was up two percent, pork was up three percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was up five percent.

For a full copy of the Livestock Slaughter report, visit nass.usda.gov.

times, as well as difficult and trying times along the way, he has traveled all over the western United States with his herd of cattle, trying to find pasture and places to winter. These travels took him from the desert basins of Nevada to Antelope Island in the middle of the Salt Lake and brought him in contact with a lot of amazing and unforgettable people, whose acquaintances and friendships he prized above all.

He got to live the life of his choosing. He loved and lived wholeheartedly, rich and full. People were drawn to him because he was the real deal.

Don is survived by his wife Claudia; brother Larry (Pat) Proffit; sisters Lola (Mel) Baldwin and sister Deanne Richins; mother-in-law Lola Hamilton; children Clint (Veronica) Proffit, Nonie Proffit and Cora Courage, Cody (Marty) Linford, Kim Proffit and Jill Adams, Liberty (David) Day, Tiko (Morgan) Heaps; and grandkids Landon, Tietjen, Makinnen and Kaislyn Heaps; Degory, Eliza and Hight Day; Colter, Jackson, Kaycee, Eli and Flint Linford; Dustin Kruckenberg, Donny Bay, Jhett, Sorrell Lee, and Roany Proffit, Souf (Isaac) Proffit and Bianca Lester. He is also survived by his favorite mounts Shiloh, Moriah and Reba.

He is preceded in death by his mother and father Dorothy and Hight Proffit; fatherin-law John Hamilton; and his favorite and family-legend horses and dogs.

Don’s funeral services and celebration of life were held on March 2 at the Evanston South Stake Center.

Travis Martin Ziehl died peacefully on Feb. 11, surrounded by loved ones at Hospice of the Valley in Phoenix, Ariz.

He was 37.

Travis was born on July 9, 1981 in Casper to Jeffrey and Cheryl (Heikkila) Ziehl. He was welcomed home by his older sister Amanda, and the two became lifelong friends.

From a young age Travis appreciated the outdoors and spent most of his free time playing outside with friends and cousins. With his deepdimpled smile and sense of humor, he was quick to make friends. His love for the outdoors and ability to build lasting friendships with his smile and wit continued throughout his life.

Travis was active in 4-H and FFA and pursued youth leadership opportunities at the county and state level.

Inspiring and motivating others came naturally to him and his signature red hat helped him stand out in a crowd. He

graduated from Natrona County High School as part of the Class of 1999.

Travis attended Casper College for two years and transferred to Colorado State University. He was a member of the livestock judging teams at both institutions, enabling him to travel and hone his skills in oral presentations and card games in the judging van. He completed a bachelor of science in management from the University of Phoenix.

Travis had an extensive career working for weed and pest districts in Wyoming, which began with four summers at Natrona County Weed and Pest. In 2004, he moved to Jackson for a job opportunity with Teton County Weed and Pest as a seasonal crew leader on the National Elk Refuge. He was promoted to full time in 2005.

As he continued his career in Jackson he worked his way to assistant supervisor, in charge of the invasive species program. He served as vice president of the Jackson Hole Weed Management Association, vice chairman of the Greater Yellowstone Coordinating Committee’s Aquatic Invasive Species Subcommittee, was active on the Terrestrial Invasive Species Subcommittee, and served on pretty much every committee the Wyoming Weed and Pest Council had available. His commitment to the mission of the districts and his colleagues was second to none.

In 2016, Travis left Teton County Weed and Pest to fulfill a lifelong dream of owning his own business. He formed Jackson Hole Property Services and specialized in groundskeeping, caretaking, home care and facilities maintenance.

Travis married fellow Wyoming native Monika (Wells) Ziehl on the Big Island of Hawaii in March 2007.

Together they built their lives in Jackson and enjoyed exploring the world around them, both on the trails throughout the valley and through their extensive travels.

Travis is preceded in death by his father Jeffrey Ziehl.

He is survived by his loving wife Monika Wells Ziehl; mother Cheryl Ziehl of Douglas, Ga.; grandparents Roger and Ruby Ziehl of Casper and Arnold and Elizabeth Heikkila, of Duluth, Minn.; sister Amanda (Adam) Smith of Douglas, Ga.; nephews and nieces Scott and Vianne Smith and Jack and Maslyn Edmiston; and caring in-laws, cousins, aunts, uncles, supporters and friends near and far.

In lieu of flowers, Travis had a more specific request. In his own words, “Any memorial donations can be sent to the Snake River Fund. Or send memorial donations to the Wray Landon Legacy Fund at the Teton Regional Land Trust.

Booth’s Cherry Creek Angus SELLING 3 BULLS AT THE WBICA BULL TEST SALE

Friday, March 15, 2019

Pingetzer’s Bull and Heifer Development Center • Shoshoni, WY

Selling These Outstanding Prospects: Cherry Crk Payweight F16S

Cherry Crk Future F15 S Lot 847 • 2/3/18 •AAA# 19273515

CED: +9 BW: +0.0 WW: +64 YW: +109 M:+21 $B: +136.19 Final Wt: 1205# ADG: 2.77 ADG Ratio: 98 WDA: 3.11 WDA Ratio: 114 HD Rank CED 22 BW 23 WW 16 YW 45 HP 1 SC 10 DOC 34, Bull ranks in top 2% of breed for FAT $YG, 15% for WW, $W, 25% for BW, YW, RADG. Recommended for heifers.

Cherry Crk Granite F56S

Lot 848 • 2/27/18 • AAA# 19279707

PAP 35

Lot 846 2/3/18 • AAA# 19261288 CED: +6 BW: +0.5 WW: +71 YW: +126 M: +20 $B: +160.71 Final Wt: 1250# ADG: 3.25 ADG Ratio: 115 WDA: 3.23 WDA Ratio: 118 HD Rank WW 6 YW 16 CW 4 Tend 12 Ranks in the top 5% of the breed for WW, YW, 10% for $W, $F, $B. Recommended for heifers.

CED: +8 BW: +1.3 WW: +52 YW: +97 M:+19 $B: +123.82 Final Wt: 1200# ADG: 3.16 ADG Ratio: 112 WDA: 3.31 WDA Ratio: 121 HD Rank DMI 2, CEM 15, Tend19, Ranks top 10 % of breed for RADG, DMI 25% for $F. Recommended for large heifers or cows.

Shawn 307-534-5865 • boothangus@scottsbluff.net Lindsy 307-532-1830 • Kacey 307-532-1532

www.boothscherrycreekranch.com Preview videos at:

A8

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 44 • March 2, 2019

Calf health begins in the dam, continues through first weeks of life “Calf health starts with dam nutrition,” says Alltech Research Scientist Shelby Roberts.

She explains meeting nutrient, energy and mineral needs is exceptionally important when it comes to pregnant and nursing cows.

Mineral needs Roberts explains if cattle are deficient in minerals, it can create all sorts of issues in the cow/calf herd.

“Mineral deficiencies can impact rebreeding, embryo health and colostrum quality,” says Roberts.

“Factors that negatively affect the health of the dam will ultimately affect the health and performance of her calf.”

She explains cattle receive minerals through organic and inorganic sources. Trace minerals are reactive in the body and if not fed correctly can damage other feed components.

“The mineral has to be absorbed into the body or it has no effect on the cow,” she says. “Unabsorbed minerals are wasted inputs.”

“Organic minerals are less reactive in the body but have shown to be more effective overall,” she

explains. “Through a process called total replacement, we can replace all inorganic trace minerals with organic ones and improve performance and health for both the dam and the calf.”

Inorganic versus organic Roberts describes a University of Florida study where mature pregnant cows of the Angus and Brangus breeds were given either inorganic or organic trace minerals 90 days prior to calving to determine which type of mineral is more effective.

“The study found colostrum immunoglobulin levels to be higher in the organic group in both breeds at both the 12- and 24-hour markers,” Roberts says. “Immunoglobulin contributes to the calf’s initial immunity and is extremely important in their overall health as they mature.”

“The study also found organic trace minerals contributed to higher levels of calf colostrum immunoglobulin than the inorganic alternative,” she adds.

Roberts comments the study also concluded that

To view the “Spring into Calving” webinar, visit go.alltech.com/spring-intocalving-webinar.

while the health of the herd was already fairly high, the group fed organic minerals had a higher rebreeding rate than those fed inorganic minerals.

“Rebreeding is extremely important because it’s the first step in the new cycle of calving and we want to give cows the best chance to rebreed as quickly as possible,” says Roberts.

Gut health “Most people don’t immediately associate immunity with gut health,” comments Roberts. “But the two are undeniably linked, as poor gut health can compromise overall immunity.”

“The gut houses more immune cells than any other part of the body,” she says.

“In addition to immune cells, the gut includes beneficial colonies of bacteria that fight off infection varieties that cause diseases such as scours.”

She comments it’s really important for ranchers to understand when and why calves die, so they can create a prevention-based plan to reduce death rate.

“The largest percentage of calves die between 24 hours of age and three weeks,” she explains. “This is a critical period and calf death at this time is more often than not connected to

poor quality or quantity of colostrum.”

“Scours is the number one cause of death in young calves,” she explains. “61 percent of calf deaths can be attributed to scours.”

“Scours is a direct indication of poor gut health,” she explains. “If we can prevent scours, we can decrease death loss and improve overall health and performance.”

“When we are constantly fighting gut issues, the body has to use nutrients to fight off the infection and the calf won’t gain the weight they should.”

Improving gut health Roberts also notes products are available to inhibit colonization of harmful bacteria, which can help prevent gut health challenges.

She says, “By blocking this bad bacteria, we can prevent gut health challenges.”

The additive should be fed early, says Robert, noting it is ideally fed one month prior to calving and continuing until calves are about one month old.

“Studies at the University of Kentucky concluded that cows and calves fed the supplement were healthier and higher performing than the control group,” Roberts says. “The calves were significantly heavier at weaning, which means more

“When we are constantly fighting gut issues, the body has to use nutrients to fight off the infection and the calf won’t gain the weight they should.” – Shelby Roberts, Alltech profit for the producer.”

“When we improve gut health we promote good bacteria, support overall immunity, optimize colostrum quality,” Roberts notes. “Healthier cows make healthier calves.”

Shelby Roberts con-

ducted a webinar titled “Spring into Calving” held on Feb. 26. The webinar was sponsored by Alltech.

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

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

Healthy calves -- Shelby Roberts of Alltech explains the importance of cow health in strong, healthy calves, noting that cows must receive adequate nutrition, including minerals, to produce a strong calf. Andrea Zink photo

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Females Offered Private Treaty

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 44 • March 2, 2019

A9

Microbial environment contributes dramatically to cattle nutrition With 25 years of experience studying microbes, Tim McCallister from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada explained microbes live everywhere across the globe – from temperatures above boiling to pressure 1,000 times higher than the pressure in our car tires.

Complex microbial ecosystems can be found around the planet, but McCallister asserts, “From a microbial ecosystem and ecology perspective, the rumen is the most complex ecosystem that we know on the face of the planet in terms of the various microbes that are there and how they work together to carry out digestion of feed.”

Inside digestion The digestive tract of cattle accounts for a high percentage of body weight compared to other animals because of the importance of microbes.

“It needs the big container that holds microbes and allows the feed to sit in there for a period of time and give cows a chance to digest it,” McCallister says. “The rate of digestion depends on the quality of feed we give to the animal.”

Low-quality forages take longer to digest than high-quality forages or grain.

After the rumen, several other compartments digest feed, and further digestion

occurs in the large intestine.

Protein The microbes grow in the rumen, then flow out into the abomasum, which is the “true stomach” of the cow.

“The abomasum is exactly like our stomach in terms of producing hydrochloric acid and pepsin,” McCallister explains. “A lot of microbial protein is produced and digested within that stomach.”

Amino acids from microbial protein is absorbed in the small intestine.

“Another microbial population resides in the large intestine, but they end up in the feces,” he says.

“The animal doesn’t derive value from those microbes because it doesn’t capture the microbial protein.”

Approximately four pounds of microbial protein is produced each day, which flows into the lower reproductive tract and is used by the cow.

Fatty acids “If we look at the range of cattle, we can see consumption of two to 20 kilograms of dry matter a day and 80 liters of water,” McCallister says. “They also produce about a 45-gallon drum of saliva every day.”

The sodium bicarbonate in saliva helps to buffer the acid produced by microbes

in the rumen.

“The production of acid in the rumen is really, really important for us to derive energy from the feed that cow consumes,” McCallister continues.

“They also produce two to six kilograms of volatile fatty acids that the cow derives energy from,” he adds.

Acid production McCallister explains, “Three of those acids – ace-

tate, propionate and butyrate – are particularly important. The ratio of those acids change depending upon the diet that we feed.”

High-forage diets result in a ratio of 65-25-10, respectively, for the acids.

High-grain diets, however, result in a more equal ratio of acetate to propionate.

Propionate is used more energy efficiently by the animal, which is why cattle fed a high-grain diet grow

more efficiently than those fed a forage fed diet.

“These fatty acids represent 70 percent of an animal’s energy requirements,” McCallister says. “When we talk about nutrition, we see the microbial population itself is responsible for the major protein source the animal gets in the form of microbial protein, and it’s responsible for the major energy source it gets in the form of volatile fatty acids.

McCallister emphasized, “I argue, we really can’t have good nutrition if we don’t understand the microbial population.”

McCallister spoke during the 2019 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Cattlemen’s College, held during late January 2019.

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

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

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

Loosli Real Deal 8 1 9 • #3 9 0 7 3 3 1 (Real Deal x Future Direction) Top 1 % for both YW & ADG, Dam and Grand dam have a MPPA of 1 0 4 .8 and 1 0 5 .6

Loosli Riverside 8 0 4 • #3 9 0 7 2 1 5 (Riverside x Frontier) Actual 7 5 lb. BW WR 1 1 4 , Top 1 % and 2 % for both WW and YW. Dam has an MPPA of 1 0 6

OIL continued from page A2 in other industries like banking, healthcare and agriculture, we continue to lag behind when it comes to oil and gas production. Technological advances have made the industry far safer, more efficient and more environmentally friendly.

Our regulatory framework should recognize these facts, becoming more responsive and solidifying the rights of surface property owners.

As lawmakers, we are committed to getting this right. The stakes are just too high for our economy, our communities and the safety and well-being of Wyoming citizens.

In the interim, the Joint Minerals, Business and Economic Development Committee will develop a robust schedule of meetings and discussion topics with a goal of crafting a strategic overhaul of the regulatory and legal framework concerning oil and gas operations in

Wyoming.

This endeavor will require heavy lifting from many including legislators, the executive branch, private industry, the nonprofit sector, landowners and interested members of the public. Dialogue will be key and compromise inevitable but, in the end, we hope to have a Wyoming that is better suited to move oil and gas production into the future.

Representative Mike Greear (HD-27) is Chairman of the House Minerals, Business and Economic Development Committee.

Senator Jim Anderson (SD28) is Chairman of the Senate Minerals, Business and Economic Development Committee.

The Legislative Service Office provides e-mail notifications of Interim Committee Meetings. To sign up for alerts, visit public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WYLSO/ subscriber/new.

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.

Call or email for a catalog!

www.loosliredangu s.com

Videos and Data will be available online. The sale will also be broadcast live for internet bidding.

Ranch is located 5 0 miles north east of Idah oFalls onUS 2 0

Brian Loos li 3 1 2 7 E. 1 1 0 0 N. • Ash ton, ID 8 3 4 2 0 2 0 8 -6 5 2 -3 3 0 3 • 2 0 8 -3 1 7 -7 8 7 8 blloosli@g mail.com

Jonathan Meek 2 0 8 -2 2 7 -3 7 7 9 Mark Loos li 2 0 8 -3 5 1 -3 3 3 3

A10

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 44 • March 2, 2019

WEBO Angus Turning Grass into

Annual le a S ll u B s ck a b en re G April 2, 2019

: g n i l l Se

At the Ranch - Lusk, WY - 1 pm - Lunch at noon

8 miles east on Hwy 20 to Node, then 0.6 miles south on Pfister Rd

17 PAP Efficiency-tested Two-year-old Angus Bulls 70 Yearling Angus Bulls • 4 Broke Horses from Manning Ranch

Lot 813

Lot 830

WEBO Paycheck 813

WEBO Paycheck 830

BW: 77# * WW: 747# * 3.21 WDA * Marbling Top 25% WW top 10% * YW top 15% * $W top 20% * $B top 25%,

BW: 79# * WW: 713# * WW top 15% * YW top 20% Marbling top 15% * $W top 35% * $B top 35% * HP top 40%

Sire Basin Paycheck

Sire Basin Paycheck

Lot 875

WEBO Conquest 8166

BW: 82# * BW Epd + .9 * 3.24 WDA * CED +8 top 35% * WW top 30% * YW top 25% * $W top 45% * $B 45% Calving ease & power.

BW 80# * +9 CED * +.7 BW Epd * 3.25 WDA CED top 30% * WW top 25% * YW top35% * HP 30% $W top 25% * Covers all the bases.

Sire Connealy Conquest

17 Head of NEVER before offered for sale virgin 2 Year Old Bulls, Tested for Feed Efficiency * PAP Tested at 20+ months of age

Lot 7225

Lot 7206 WEBO Countdown 7206

BW 91# * ADG 4.03 * 29.54 DMI * -.46 RFI (lbs) * .08820 DMI epd * -0.661 RFI epd * PAP 44

WEBO Paycheck 835 Sire Basin Paycheck

BW: 77# * WW: 747# * 3.21 WDA * Marbling Top 25% WW top 10% * YW top 15% * $W top 20% * $B top 25%

Lot 8166

WEBO Whitlock 875 Sire S Whitlock

Lot 835

WEBO Thunder 7225

BW 78# * ADG 3.28 * 27.51 DMI * +.42 RFI (lbs) * -.0661 DMI epd * 0.441 RFI epd * PAP 40

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CJ Cowboys Seminole Nitro is an 8 year old dun gelding. The kids have been riding him for the last 5 months. They have ridden him inside the arena, out in the pasture, bare back and everywhere in between. He is always the same every time you saddle him up with absolutely no funny business.

He is suitable for any level of adult, but is also perfect for any kid that can sit, steer or stop a horse. He has chased steers out of the box, been taken through the barrels and poles (however is not finished in any of those.) He doesn’t spook or shy from any thing when you’re on his back. He will go where he is pointed and is happy to do so.

Lot 7130 WEBO Innovation 7130

BW 90# * ADG 3.66 * 29.03 DMI * -1.76 RFI (lbs) -0.3527 DMI epd * -0.4850 RFI epd * PAP 38

www.WEBOANGUS.com This sale will be broadcast live on the internet

Real time bidding and proxy bidding available

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 44 • March 2, 2019

A11

Three components of soil health must be equally managed for in farming operations For Caitlyn Youngquist of University of Wyoming Extension in Washakie County, rather than assess strict criteria on a yes-orno basis, analyzing soil of a spectrum is more effective.

“We can have soil that is healthier or soil that is less healthy, not unlike people and animals,” she says.

“Soil that is less healthy will typically have low nutrient availability, slow decomposition, wind and water erosion, plant disease, compaction and temperature extremes.”

However, healthier soils will result in healthier plants, higher water holding capacity, lower input costs, better till and higher stability, as well as reduced disease pressure.

“Wherever we are on this spectrum, the idea is to change our production practices in such a way to move closer towards healthier soils,” Youngquist explains.

Improving soil health is often not a quantitative process as a result of inherent differences in soils and landscapes.

She says, “It is hard to compare soils from different areas, but what is more useful is comparing how soil changes over time in a particular location.”

Soil characteristics The inherent characteristics of soil – which Youngquist likens to genetics of cattle– includes the type of soil that’s been formed over time in one place. The type of soil is a result of the type of rocks in the landscapes, its geographic locations and the plants present on that landscape, among other factors.

“As land managers, we are managing the living system the best we can within the constraints of the inherent system we can’t control,” she says. “We have some restrictions based on what our system will allow.”

Youngquist emphasizes, “Understanding what soil we’re standing on is going to be important in understanding how to maximize the healthy system of soil.”

The dynamic characteristics of soil change within season, year or the lifetime

RODEO continued from page A1 port of our community and sponsors.”

After this year’s success, McLean hopes to continue to grow the event to be regionally and nationally prominent.

“Next year we’re extending the event to two days instead of just one,” McLean said. “We want this to be an event competitors and spectators alike look forward to each year.”

Skijoring “Skijoring combines the skills of a horse, rider and skier,” McLean explained.

“The horse and rider pull the skier through a course consisting of various obstacles, jumps and rings.”

The sport is sanctioned

by Skijoring America. The organization seeks to unify the sport, as well as draw spectators and host high-quality events across North America.

According to Tony Fox, an organization founder, the modern variation of the sport is thought to have begun in Colorado in 1950 by a quarter horse breeder and a “feisty Irish skier” with the belief no horse was fast enough to throw him off skis.

There are races held throughout the year to determine regional champions, as well as a national final held annually in Red Lodge, Mont.

Off to the races “We kicked off the event with a local singer performing the national anthem,” says McLean. “We then recognized our sponsors who made the event possible. Our biggest sponsor was LJS Concrete and Excavation. They built the entire course free of charge.”

“We started the competition with the open division, which is the professionals,” McLean explained.

“These teams travel all over

the West competing, so it was a great, fast-paced way to start the event. Some of the open teams hit speeds up to 35 miles per hour.”

“The open division was followed by the sport division, which is a step below the open, and then novices and youth,” McLean said. “We only had a handful of youth teams, so we hope to grow the division next year.”

Once the competition was complete, teams were invited to the Blacktooth Brewery for the award ceremony, according to McLean.

“First place teams in each division were awarded a buckle, jacket and check, second place received a buckle and check, and third place received a check,” said McLean.

Community benefits “We truly have one of the best communities in Wyoming,” said McLean. “Everyone was so supportive and receptive of this new event, which is very exciting for the future.”

Successful competitors were not the only ones to be rewarded at the event. Many local businesses reported their best day in months during the event.

“February can be a really rough time for some of our local businesses,” McLean explained.

“This event brought spectators out to support our event, as well as the businesses in Sheridan.”

McLean added, “We hope by having an even larger event next year we will draw more spectators, overnight visitors and customers to enjoy skijoring and support local businesses in Sheridan.”

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

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

of soil, she says.

Soil health “Another way to think about soil is through the biology, chemistry and physics of the soil system,” Youngquist says.

Farmers have long focused on chemistry of soil through soil testing and analyzing their soils.

“This is very useful information, but it’s only a small piece of the puzzle,” she continues. “We also know a lot about the physics of the soil, and particularly, folks who have been farming for a long time understand

what pieces of equipment needs to be used in a field to get a particular result.”

Managing erosion, compaction and water infiltration using equipment within the field describes the physics and how soil is physically manipulated.

“We’ve also been doing soil chemistry for a while, and we’re good at understanding that,” she says.

“The piece that’s often missing and the piece we’re been learning more about is the soil biology.”

Biology Soil biology is more dif-

ficult to understand and test for, but Youngquist says, “Soil biology has a huge impact on nutrient availability, crop condition, disease pressure and organic carbon level. The biology is under-appreciated and poorly understood until more recently.”

Often, farmers get stuck when looking at soil biology because it is new and less understood.

“If we want soil that is healthy and productive, we have to be able to understand the biology piece,” she comments. “That’s the sweet spot

when it comes to a healthy system.”

Overall, Youngquist contends, “Managing soil health is not that different than managing livestock health.

We have physical health, the chemistry and nutrition and the biological health.”

“We need to manage all three of these pieces. If we only manage for two, we’re really missing a big piece,” she adds.

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

Our Record Says It Best

Selling 17 Red Angus Bulls WBCIA SALE • Friday, March 8, 2019 • 1 p.m.

Pingetzer’s Bull & Heifer Development Center • Shoshoni, WY

Several Top Prospects Include: WBCIA Ratio #3

WBCIA Ratio #1

Lot 926 Six Excellent Answer F7

1/25/18 RAA# 4031162 CED: +13 BW: -0.4 WW: +72 YW: +113 M: +20 Final Wt: 1225# ADG: 4.32 ADG Ratio: 131 WDA: 3.10 WDA Ratio: 110

Lot 931 Six Outlyer F64

3/5/18 RAA# 4031128 CED: +10 BW: -0.2 WW: +59 YW: +95 M: +29 Final Wt: 1135# ADG: 4.30 ADG Ratio: 130 WDA: 3.20 WDA Ratio: 113 WBCIA Ratio #4

Sires Include: DBL Tree New Direction 1510 Dubas Excellent Answer Z22 Six Outlook D4 Six Outlook A11

Lot 930 Six Outlook F107

3/30/18 RAA# 4031046 CED: +8 BW: +2.2 WW: +69 YW: +110 M: +23 Final Wt: 1020# ADG: 4.13 ADG Ratio: 125 WDA: 3.09 WDA Ratio: 110

SIX IRON RANCH SHOSHONI, WY • (Junction US 26-789 - Wyo 134)

Robert & Paige Pingetzer – 307-856-4401 Brace & Haley Pingetzer – 307-851-5985

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 44 • March 2, 2019

CONNECTING AG to CLIMATE

By Windy Kelley, Northern Plains Regional Climate Hub

Winter Weather to Continue in March Wyoming experienced above average temperatures, the 23 rd warmest of 125 years, and near average precipitation in January.

The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) map for Wyoming, from Feb. 19, shows abnormally dry conditions have persisted since Jan. 15 in Albany, Carbon, Sweetwater, Fremont, Lincoln, Sublette, Hot Springs, Park, Washakie and Big Horn counties. However, conditions have improved in Teton County.

Although moderate drought conditions have

persisted in Carbon and Sweetwater counties – severe drought conditions have dissipated in these counties.

Moderate drought conditions have persisted in Lincoln and Uinta counties.

View the current USDM maps at weather. gov/riw/drought. You can help inform the USDM by submitting conditions and impacts at droughtreporter.unl.edu/submitreport.

The snow water equivalent (SWE) throughout Wyoming ranges from 87 to 127 percent of normal,

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

Friday •

according to the Feb. 27 USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service SNOTEL report. The Tongue, South Platte and Lower Green are the only three basins with less than 100 percent of normal, sitting at 87, 90 and 96 percent, respectively.

View the current SWE map at wwa.colorado.edu/ climate/dashboard2.html.

Forecasts The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) eightto 14-day forecasts for March 6-12, which was made Feb. 26, indicates a 50 to 80 percent chance or probability that all of Wyoming will experience below average temperatures – with the probability increasing from the southwest to the northeast corner of the state.

For the same timeframe, there is a 40 to 50 percent probability for above normal precipitation, with the greatest probability in the south-

west corner of Wyoming.

To learn more, including potential impacts to agriculture, visit bit. ly/2NANN3d.

The forecast for March, made Feb. 21, indicates a 33 percent probability of below average temperatures for the northeastern corner of Wyoming – with an equal chance for above, near or below normal temperatures for the rest of the state.

The precipitation forecast for the entire state is for above, near or below normal for the same timeframe.

To view NOAA’s most recent forecasts, visit cpc. ncep.noaa.gov.

Ag considerations As of Feb. 26, the National Weather Service Riverton reported February 2019 has been the snowiest February on record and the second snowiest month of alltime in Jackson.

Additionally, a fellow

Selling 150 Bull s

with

Large Groups of Half Brothers

Annual Bull Sale

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

Lot

13

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

Wyomingite shared with me that the Great Divide Closed basin – north of Rawlins and between Wamsutter and Jeffrey City – is the snowiest they can recall in over 30 years. Thinking about the current conditions and the March forecast, we are reminded winter is not over. We must continue to be diligent and mitigate environmental impacts to livestock – especially the young.

Featured resources While you adapt to the environmental conditions and calving ramps up, consider taking a few minutes to learn tips-andtricks from fellow ranchers on the Alberta Agriculture and Forestry Ministry’s YouTube channel titled Managing Risk in Winter Grazing Systems.

Each video is less than six minutes and provides ideas on how to ground your fence system, using bale grazing to allocate feed or deal with extreme

Enzi targets worker laws U.S. Senator Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) joined U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) in introducing legislation to help businesses comply with immigration laws by certifying the legal status of their workforce.

The Accountability Through Electronic Verification Act would permanently authorize the E-Verify program, an internet-based system that assists employers in determining whether current or prospective employees are authorized to work in the United States. The bill would also require employers to use the program to determine workers’ eligibility.

“The effective use of E-Verify would dramatically improve our ability to ensure that businesses are hiring legal workers,” Enzi said. “This bill would help us to expand the E-Verify program to all U.S. employers and should be a key part of immigration reform. If people who are here illegally can’t get a job, they likely won’t stay, and word of mouth will help discourage others from breaking the law in the future.”

Currently, employers voluntarily submit information from an employee’s Form I-9 to the Department of Homeland Security through the E-Verify system, which works in partnership with the Social Security Administration to determine worker eligibility. There is no cost for employers to use E-Verify.

More than 750,000 businesses use the program today.

CED BW

Lot

17

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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

cold and snow plus warm weather challenges during the winter.

One such YouTube video looks at managing risk in winter grazing systems. This resource can be found at bit.ly/21FKVAP. USDA’s Livestock Indemnity program fact sheet is also now available at bit.ly/2NANsNZ. Help us help you Do you have weather or climate questions that are directly or indirectly related to agriculture?

If so, e-mail them to me at wkelley1@uwyo.edu, with the subject line Connecting Ag to Climate, and I will address them in one of my future monthly columns.

This article was written by UW Extension, WAFERx and USDA Northern Plains Climate Hub Regional Extension Program Coordinator Windy Kelley. She can be reached at wkelley1@ uwyo.edu or 307-7662205.

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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Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 44 • March 2, 2019

A13

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 44 • March 2, 2019

Taylors bring livestock to Wyoming Beef Cattle Improvement Association Bull Test Shoshoni – Though their ranch is based in Vernal, Utah, Caleb Taylor and his grandfather Lyle brought

High mountain country - All of the cattle at Taylor Ranches spend the summer months in U.S. Forest Service allotments reaching nearly 10,000 feet in elevation. The rough environment ensures high-quality, hard working livestock. Courtesy photo

several bulls to the Wyoming Beef Cattle Improvement Association (WBCIA) Bull Test in Shoshoni to test

Best bulls - Caleb Taylor of Taylor Ranches in Vernal, Utah has always wanted to be a rancher, and raising bulls complements their operation. This year, he consigned a Hereford bull to the Wyoming Beef Cattle Improvement Association Test, and the bull will sell March 15 in Shoshoni. Courtesy photo

their stock against other from across the state.

“My grandpa has been raising registered Herefords since 1943,” says Taylor. “He’s 90 now, and still is involved on the ranch. Over the last 10 years, I’ve started to take things over slowly.”

Family ranch The family’s Hereford bulls extend from the same bloodlines that started the herd in 1943, and Taylor notes he uses a similar strategy in selecting and breeding bulls to maintain the same quality they’ve seen over the past 75 years.

“When Herefords started to go out of style in the 1980s, my grandpa tried Salers.

That didn’t work, so he got

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into Red Angus, as well,” he says. “Today, we run registered Red Angus, registered Herefords and a herd of Red Angus-Hereford cross cattle.”

During the summer months, the herd grazes a U.S. Forest Service permit, which reaches 9,600 feet in elevation.

“Our summer pastures are at almost 10,000 feet, and the Herefords do really well up there. We don’t see brisket disease or high-altitude sickness like other breeds,” Taylor comments. “They run in the rocks, trees and timber, and our bulls always come home looking good.”

Testing bulls The Taylor family has consigned bulls to the WBCIA Test for many years, but this year is the first year they brought a Hereford bull to the test.

“I really like the Hereford bull we brought to WBCIA this year,” Taylor continues.

“He stood out coming off of summer pasture and looks really good.”

With a diversified operation, Taylor says, “We don’t just raise bulls to raise bulls.

We have to also like the cows, and they have to do well.”

Utilizing WBCIA’s Bull Test provides real-world proof of a bull’s performance that goes beyond EPDs, Taylor adds.

“Bull testing gives us real-world information,” he explains. “We have expected progeny differences, which gives us some expectations, but bull testing puts them up against other bulls.”

Taylor Ranches has sent bulls to WBCIA, Midland Bull Test and the Utah Beef Improvement Association Bull Test, noting each test offers a different environment for their bulls to prove themselves.

“We sent bulls up to Wyoming to scatter them out and see what they can do,” Taylor says.

Ranching business For Taylor, ranching is a dream he’s had for many years.

“Ever since I was a little boy, all I ever wanted to do was follow my grandpa around and watch cows,” he says. “There’s freedom in this livestock that I really enjoy.”

Taylor adds, ranching isn’t a career choice. Rather, it’s a lifestyle choice.

“We really have to want to ranch,” Taylor comments.

“I’m probably never going to get rich, but I’m always going to enjoy what I do.”

The family first started selling bulls into Wyoming several years ago on Craig’s List, and they found a lot of interest from Wyoming buyers looking at Hereford bulls.

“We still have bulls available on the ranch for sale, too,” Taylor says. “We have some nice Hereford bulls to offer anyone who’s interested.”

Caleb Taylor can be reached at 435-790-2470.

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

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 44 • March 2, 2019

A15

Wyoming Farm Bureau celebrates and promotes Wyo Ag Literacy Week March 4-9 bers.

In a room full of Wyoming farmers and ranchers, Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon signed his first proclamation as Governor designating the week of March 4 as “Wyoming Agricultural Literacy Week.”

“I can’t be more proud than to have Farm Bureau here,” Gordon stated as he took pen to paper declaring the importance of agriculture literacy and Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation’s “Ag Books for Kids” program.

“Ag is important to Wyoming,” Governor Gordon stated. “There is a work ethic on the farm and ranch that is second to none.”

“Thank you all for getting this program done,” he told Farm Bureau mem-

Youth education Educating Wyoming school children about agriculture is the goal of the Wyoming Farm Bureau (WyFB) Young Farmer and Rancher (YF&R) Committee “Ag Books for Kids” project.

2019 marks the 15th year of the project.

The WyFB YF&R Committee organizes the project and the county Farm Bureaus across the state donate agriculture books each year to Wyoming elementary school libraries.

“The ag books program allows our county Farm Bureaus an access point to our future consumers in most cases and plants the seed of stewardship, environmental awareness and the seriousness that our farmers and ranchers apply to their everyday living,” said Todd Fornstrom, WyFB President.

Literacy proclamation The “Wyoming Agri-

For more information on Wyoming Ag Literacy Week or youth contests, visit wyfb.org.

culture Literacy Week” proclamation reads, “Educating through literature is a top priority for school children; where reading is a fundamental standard in the education system.”

The proclamation continues, “Many aspects of our daily lives, including the food we eat, clothes we wear and medicine we depend on, are all intertwined and made possible because of agriculture.

Wyoming agriculture also provides open spaces, scenic vistas and fresh air.

Not only do Wyoming’s farmers and ranchers provide us with the food we eat, but they are also the first environmental stewards, maintaining and improving the soil and natural resources to pass on to future generations.”

“It’s great to see our governor help spotlight the importance of Agriculture and its value to the state of Wyoming,” Fornstrom concluded.

Youth contests Three contests are offered for Wyoming students to encourage use of the book and provide application opportunities for what is learned.

WBCIA continued from page A1

PO Bo

The 2019 contests are a coloring contest for kindergarten and first graders; poster contest for second and third graders and a creative writing contest for fourth and fifth graders.

The county contest deadline is April 5.

Wyoming students and teachers are encouraged to visit their school’s elementary library to check out the 2019 book A Year on the Farm with Casey and Friends by Holly Dufek.

Next, visit wyfb.org and click on the education tab for contest rules and details. For questions, contact Kerin Clark at kclark@wyfb.org or 307532-2002.

The Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation is the state’s largest general agriculture organization.

The purpose of the YF&R program is to develop leaders for the betterment of agriculture and Farm Bureau.

Kerin Clark, Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation media and member relations director, submitted this article. Send comments to roundup@wylr.net.

Proclamation signing – Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon proclaimed the week of March 4 as “Wyoming Agricultural Literacy Week.” The proclamation is a part of the Wyoming Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Rancher Committee “Ag Books for Kids” program. The proclamation recognizes the importance of agriculture and educating school children through reading accurate books about agriculture. Wyoming Farm Bureau members from around the state gathered for the formal signing by Gordon in Cheyenne on Jan. 31. Governor’s Office photo

Meeting with the governor – Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmer and Rancher Committee members Lyndi Speiser (left) and Toni Swartz (right) met with Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon in late January. The meeting was for the official signing of the proclamation declaring the week of March 4 as “Wyoming Agricultural Literacy Week.” Kerin Clark photo

Torrington Livestock Markets Torrington W Fa

Le adden ichael Schmitt Chuck Petersen

www.torringtonlivestock.com

“We have a great selection of bulls this year, from trusted and tried consignors.” – Bob Pingetzer, WBCIA more Red Angus and fewer Black Angus on test.

“We have a really good polled Hereford calf here this, year, as well,” Pingetzer comments.

“We have a great selection of bulls this year, from trusted and tried consignors,” he says. “These consignors bring quality bulls year in and year out, and this year is no exception.”

In preparing for 2019’s sale, Pingetzer notes there is one major change.

“This year, none of the bulls will go through the ring on sale day,” he says.

“We have recorded videos of all the cattle, and the video will be played while they are auctioned off.”

“Labor is getting harder and harder to find,” Pingetzer says. “We’ve had trouble finding good help to bring the bulls through timely and calmly, so we decided to go with video this year.”

Additionally, the video provides an opportunity for buyers to spend more time inspecting the bull offerings prior to the sale.

While the sale won’t

be live-streamed, Pingetzer explains a conference call line will be available for those buyers who are not able to make the sale, and videos of all the bulls are available online at billpelton.com/cattlesale/wyoming-bull-test-wbcia.

Four- and five-star calving ease designations have been given for the bulls with top-calving ease, and DNA testing is provided for better accuracy.

For buyers, a $50 discount is provided if bulls leave on sale day, or bulls will be wintered until April 1 at no charge. Bulls can be fed longer at the buyer’s expense for $2.50 per head per day.

A handful of the consignors from this year’s WBCIA Bull Test and Sale are advertising their offerings in the sale. Look in this week’s edition of the Roundup to find offerings from Booth’s Cherry Creek, Pingetzer’s 6 Iron Ranch, Jim and Robert Buline and Klein Angus.

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

For more information on the Wyoming Beef Cattle Improvement Association Sale, contact Bob Pingetzer at 307856-4401. For more information on the bulls being offered, visit billpelton.com/cattlesale/ wyoming-bull-test-wbcia.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2019 - YEARLING & CALF SPECIAL FEEDERS D & W Ranch 234 Char-x Hfrs, 700#, Guarantee Open, Weaned a long time, Complete Vac. Program, Home Raised CALVES 7 C Ranch 300 Blk/Rd Strs & Hfrs, 500-550#, Weaned a long time, Hay Fed, Complete Vac. Program VF Limited L.L.C. 200 Blk/Bwf few Char-x Strs & Hfrs, 500-700#, Weaned in Nov., Running out and supplemented with Long Stem Hay, Complete Vac. Program, No Implants, Green Shane 7 Cade Dickerson 30 Sim/Angus Hfrs & Strs, 500-550#, Weaned 90 days, Grass Hay & 2# of Grain, June Calves, Branding Shots: Inforce 3, 7-way, Pre-cond.

Shots: Inforce 3, 7-way, One Shot BVD, Weaning Shots: One Shot BVD Dave Cronk 23 Blk Strs & Hfrs, 600#, Shots: 2 rounds Vision 7, ViraShield, Weaned Dec 24, Bunk Broke, Running out, No Implants, No Replacements kept

MANY MORE CONSIGNMENTS BY SALE DAY!!!

FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2019 - ALL CLASSES Cattle Country Video - 2/27/2019

SALE RESULTS - WEDNESDAY, FEB 27 - 3945 HD Ron Jespersen Darcy Garhart Doug DeRouchey Doug DeRouchey Horse Creek Farm & Feed Horse Creek Farm & Feed DL Jackson Ranch Brookie Ranch Aaron Olson Doug DeRouchey Roland Whitney Double H Cattle Horse Creek Farm & Feed Z Lazy Y Ranch Thaler Livestock Lee Moore Billy Wiggam JC McLaughlin Thaler Land & Cattle DL Jackson Ranch Doug DeRouchey TA Land & Cattle Bar RZ Ranch Bar RZ Ranch George Peet Darcy Garhart Josh Friesen Harvat Cattle John Stewart Haythorn Land & Cattle Lankister Livestock John Stewart John Stewart John Stewart Joe Skavdahl

43 Blk Strs 22 Blk Strs 82 Blk Strs 24 Blk Strs 42 Blk Strs 10 Blk Strs 22 Blk Strs 51 Blk Strs 31 Blk Strs 77 Blk Hfrs 10 Blk Hfrs 26 Blk Hfrs 29 Blk Hfrs 55 Blk/Red Hfrs 116 Blk Str Cf 19 Blk Str Cf 14 Blk Str Cf 17 Blk Str Cf 126 Blk Str Cf 78 Blk Str Cf 78 Blk Str Cf 11 Blk/Red Str Cf 23 Red Str Cf 72 Red Str Cf 22 Blk Str Cf 11 Blk Str Cf 50 Blk Hfr Cf 18 Blk Hfr Cf 17 Blk Hfr Cf 165 Blk Hfr Cf 31 Blk Hfr Cf 132 Blk Hfr Cf 149 Blk Hfr Cf 105 Blk Hfr Cf 30 Red Hfr Cf

687 696 747 847 872 939 718 766 794 685 709 750 867 682 530 568 551 572 591 614 645 413 426 500 626 550 602 637 436 483 425 514 589 576 588

155.00C 149.00C 146.00C 140.50C 134.00C 132.00C 154.50C 146.50C 138.50C 141.00C 137.50C 136.25C 128.50C 141.00C 195.25C 193.00C 192.00C 189.00C 182.50C 178.50C 169.50C 202.50C 207.00C 199.50C 173.00C 182.00C 157.50C 146.00C 184.00C 180.00C 178.00C 176.00C 158.00C 156.75C 154.00C

Mike Wickersham Diamond Tail Ranch Diamond Tail Ranch Dan Starckson

225 Wnd Str Calves 175 Wnd Str Calves 166 Wnd Hfr Calves 78 Wnd Hfr Calves

660 625 640 710

162.00C 175.00C 154.00C 136.00C

HAY FOR SALE ROUND OR SQUARE BALES

High Plains Hay Exchange in conjunction with Torrington Live

www.highplainshay.com “Like Us”

for Sale Updates, Results and News 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 or 308-665-1332 Lander Nicodemus – Cheyenne, WY 307-421-8141 Danny Nicodemus – Cheyenne, WY 307-632-4325 Chris Williams - Greybull, WY 307-272-4567 Artie Johnson - Lusk, WY 307-216-0117

FOR SALE BY PRIVATE TREATY

Lot 1907 - 300 Mostly Blk/Bwf, few Red Cows; 3 to 6 years old; Black Cows are Bred to Hereford Bulls; Red & BWF Cows are Bred to Black Angus Bulls; CF: March 10th for 60 days; Complete Vac Program; High Elevation; Owner is moving out of state; Located in Southeast Wyoming Lot 1905 - 107 Blk, few Bwf Bred Cows; Ages: 11 hd of 9yr olds; 14 hd of 8 yr olds; 27 hd of 7 yr olds; 21 hd of 6 yr olds; 7 hd of 5 yr olds; 12 hd of 4 yr olds; 8 hd of 3 yr olds; 7 hd of 2 yr olds; Weigh 1300-1350 lbs; Bred to Black Stabilizer Bulls; Cows 6 yrs and older CF: April 1 for 45 days; Cows 5 yrs and younger CF: May 1 for 45 days; Bangs Vaccinated; Cows are out of Stabilizer Bulls & Cows Lot 1903 - 500 Blk/Bwf Bred Cows; 3, 4 & 5 year olds; Bred to 90% Black Angus & 10% Charolais Bulls; CF: February 1st for 90 days; Safeguard & Poured in the Fall; Take all or gate cut; Located in Central Wyoming Lot 1902 - 295 Bred Cows; Mostly Blk, few Bwf & 6 to 7 Reds; Bred to Mostly Black Angus Bulls, 3 Hereford and 1 Simm Black Bull; CF: April 20th for 60 days; Ultrasounded in November; ViraShield VL 5 & Poured this Fall; Located in Central Wyoming Lot 1893 - 200 Black, 25-30% Bwf Bred Cows; 2’s coming 3 yr olds; Bred to Diamond Peak Sim/Angus Bulls; CF: March-April; High Elevation; Home Raised; Two Ranch Brands; Will keep on Cornstalks; Delivery: around February 10th; Located: South Central Nebraska Lot 1892 - 200 Black (30 Bwf) 3 yr old Bred Cows; Bred to Jorgensen Black Bulls or Van Newkirk Hereford Bulls; CF: April 1st for 30 days; Located in Western Nebraska Call Lex at 307-532-1580 for more information on Private Treaty

(307) 532-3333 - www.torringtonlivestock.com

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 44 • March 2, 2019 March 8

CALENDAR

March 8

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

EVENTS Feb. 27 – March 3 March 1 March 1-3 March 2-3 March 3-5 March 5 March 6 March 7 March 7 March 7 March 13 March 13 March 15-18 March 18 March 18 March 18 March 18 March 19 March 19 March 19

March 9

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.

Upper Snake River Basin Sage Grouse Working Group, Jackson, Wyoming Game and Fish Department Officer, 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Call 307-654-7865 for more information.

2019 Central Wyoming Private Pesticide Education Session, Glenrock, Converse County Library, 1-5 p.m. Register by calling 307235-9400 by March 6.

State Loan and Investment Board Special Meeting, Cheyenne, Hathaway Building, 8:30 a.m. Visit lands.wyo.gov for more information.

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.

WGFD Public Meetings for Proposed Hunting Seasons and Regulations, Cokeville, Town Hall, 6 p.m. Contact WFGD at 307-7774600.

WGFD Public Meetings for Proposed Hunting Season and Regulations, Powell, Bighorn Federal Bank, 6 p.m. Contact WGFD at 307777-4600.

WGFD Public Meetings for Proposed Hunting Season and Regulations, Sheridan, Game and Fish Office, 4 p.m. Contact WGFD at 307-777-4600.

WGFD Public Meetings for Proposed Hunting Season and Regulations, Worland, Worland Fairgrounds, 6 p.m. Contact WFGD at 307-777-4600.

WGFD Public Meetings for Proposed Hunting Season and Regulations, Afton, Afton civic center, 6 p.m. Contact WFGD at 307-7774600.

WGFD Public Meetings for Proposed Hunting Season and Regulations, Buffalo, Johnson County Library, 4 p.m. Contact WFGD at 307-777-4600.

WGFD Public Meetings for Proposed Hunting Season and Regulations. Gillette, Campbell County Library, 4p.m. Contact WFGD at 307-777-4600.

SALES March 4 March 4 March 5 March 6 March 6 March 7 March 7

Vision Angus 21st Annual Sale, Lincoln County Fairgrounds, 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 The Adams Connection 50th Annual Bull Sale, Blackfoot Livestock Auction Company, Blackfoot, Idaho, 208-313-5844, 208-785-4459, 208313-0235, srvgenetics.com Bieber Red Angus Spring Production Sale, at the ranch, Leola, S.D., 605-439-3628, 605-216-8169, bieberredangus.com Cannon Angus Ranch Cache Valley Bull Sale, at the ranch, Preston, Idaho, 818-400-4513, 916-803-3113, 541-325-3662, cannonangus.com

Big horn Basin LIVESTOCK AUCTION LLC

March 8

March 9 March 9 March 9 March 9 March 9 March 10-11 March 11 March 11 March 11 March 12 March 12 March 12

Wooden Shoe Farms Maternal Value Added Bull Sale, at the ranch, Blackfoot, Idaho, 208-680-0320, 208-604-0235, 208-681-4169 Leland Red Angus Annual Production Sale, at the ranch, Sidney, Mont., 701-565-2347, 701-565-2361, lelandredangus.com 14th Annual Quest of the West Cattle Sale, Spanish Fork Fairgrounds, Spanish Fork, Utah, 801-420-2962, 801-360-3300, 801-372-0762, questofthewestcattle.net ZumBrunnen Angus Annual Bull Sale, at the ranch, Lusk, 307-4817090, 307-216-0198, zbangus.com Cowboy Classic Angus 10th Annual Angus Bull Sale, Buffalo Livestock Auction, Buffalo, 307-736-2327, 307-674-6947, 307-674-7375, 406-694-2713 Kretschman Angus selling at the 10th Annual Cowboy Classic Bull Sale, Buffalo Livestock Auction, Buffalo, 307-736-2327, kretschmanangus.com Carlson Equipment Annual Consignment Auction, Riverton, 307856-8123, carlsonequipment.com Rabbit Creek 25th Annual Private Treaty Sale, at the ranch, Livermore, Colo., 970-481-0124, 719-890-4010, rabbitcreekranch.biz TSR Cattle Company Sale, Expo Building, W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds, Sioux Falls, S.D., 605-690-0100, i29bullrun.com Spring Cove Ranch Centennial Celebration Sale, at the ranch, Bliss, Idaho, 208-352-4332, 208-320-8803, springcoveranch.com Barstow Angus Ranch 28th Annual “Rock Solid” Bull Sale, at the ranch, Springview, Neb., 402-322-0286, 402-382-5280, barstowangus. com Holden Herefords 53rd Annual Production Sale, at the ranch, Valier, Mont., 406-279-3301, 406-590-3307, 406-450-0129, holdenherefords. com Pine Coulee Bull Sale, Wagon Box Ranch, Hardin, Mont., 406-8552832, 406-780-1230, pinecoulee.com Hancock Livestock Third Annual Bull Sale, Riverton Livestock Auction, Riverton, 307-250-6900, hancocklivestock.com Cooper Hereford Ranch 53rd Annual Production Sale, at the ranch, Willow Creek, Mont., 406-285-6985, 406-539-6885, cooperherefords. com Loosli Red Angus 45th Annual Production Sale, at the ranch, Ashton, Idaho, 208-652-3303, 208-227-3779, 208-351-3333, loosliredangus.com

POSTCARD from the Past

Compiled by Dick Perue rrichardperue@gmail.com

One of the Best of the Breed Great Reputation has been Achieved by Hereford Bull “Wyoming” at National Livestock Shows One hundred years ago, the local hometown newspaper was full of results from the many international livestock shows being held around the country. A front-page article in the Jan. 23, 1919, issue of “The Saratoga Sun” declared: The special Stock Show edition of the Denver Record-Stockman has the following to say of the recent honors won in the International Livestock Exposi-

tion at Chicago by “Wyoming,” the celebrated Hereford bull raised by Hon. L.G. Davis at his ranch near Saratoga.

Stockmen all over the country are talking of the remarkable feat of Wyoming, the great bull at the head of the W.N.W. Blayney herd of registered Hereford cattle near Denver, in winning first prize in the aged bull class at the recent International Livestock Exposition at Chicago. There were 17 bulls lined up before the judges in this greatest of contests, and out of all this array of choice animals from the

Worland, WY

Sale Barn: 307-347-9201 Danny Vigil: 307-388-0781

February 28, 2019 No Sale Report • Durbin Creek Ranch Bull Sale Tim Clarks – 20 weigh up bulls.

TD Partnership – 27 weigh up bulls.

March 7, 2019 Consignments

March 14, 2019 Consignments Twitchell Nicholas – 70 steers, weaned, Nov 1st, two rounds of shots.

Simms – 80 black heifers, 650-700#, weaned, two rounds of shots, bangs vacc., replacements, fancy.

TD Partnership – 100 black, mixed calves, 700-850#, weaned and two rounds of shots.

• Upcoming Sales • March 7 - All Class Cattle & Bred Cows March 14 - Feeder Special w/ All Class Cattle March 21 - All Class Cattle, Sheep & Goat March 22 - Horse Sale March 28 - All Class Cattle April 4 - All Class Cattle April 11 - Grass Calf Special April 18 - All Class Cattle, Sheep & Goats

April 25 - All Class Cattle April 26 - Horse Sale May 2 - All Class Cattle May 9 - All Class Cattle and Pair Special May 16 - All Class Cattle, Sheep & Goats May 23 - All Class Cattle and Pair Special May 24 - Horse Sale May 30 - All Class Cattle

Top stock – The grand champion Hereford bull at the Denver Stock Show in 1916 was “Wyoming,” bred and reared at the Davis Ranch south of Saratoga. The offspring of Beau Carlos II, “Wyoming” brought a record $5,000 at the livestock sale held Jan. 20, 1916 in Denver, Colo. The famous herd bull was again honored in 1919, when he won first prize in the aged bull class at the International Livestock Exposition in Chicago. Photo from the Bob Martin/Dick Perue collection, Historical Reproductions by Perue

leading breeding herds of the country, Wyoming was selected as the leader and to him was given the blue ribbon. This in itself is an achievement worthy of special note, for a few years ago it would have been considered folly for a western breeder to even think of showing at Chicago. So rapid has been the progress of good breeding in the West since the inauguration of the National Western Stock Show, however, that western breeders now stand at the head of the list and western cattle frequently are placed at the head of the class.

The feature about the winning of Wyoming at Chicago is remarkable, however, is his ability to “come back.”

Wyoming was shown at the Denver show in January 1916 and was made the grand champion Hereford bull of the Denver show at that time. He was shown

by L.G. Davis of Saratoga, who bred him, and was sold in the Hereford sale at that show to Mr. Blayney for $5,000. He was taken to Mr. Blayney’s ranch, just south of Denver, and there used in his breeding herd for two years and this fall he was again groomed into show shape with the result above mentioned. It is not often a bull “comes back” in such splendid style as has Wyoming, and he must be a mighty good one to do so, but then all judges of good cattle are agreed that Wyoming is one of the best Hereford bulls known to the breed today.

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 44 • March 2, 2019

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A18

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 44 • March 2, 2019

WORLD continued from page A1 exported through beef and pork adds 39 cents a bushel to corn.

Chinese opportunity Other countries are also seeking out the U.S. for meat and grains.

“We have a tremendous opportunity for pork in China right now. They are a big pork eating country,” Hinners says.

“But, our underlying success is in our ability to export variety meats to other countries that are willing to pay more for them than U.S. consumers.”

In fact, more than 90 percent of pork tongue, heart, liver, kidney, stomach, bladder and uterus are currently exported to other countries as variety meats. Most of this product is shipped to countries in northern Asia and Mexico.

Beef exports Beef exports also experienced another record year in

2018, accounting for 11.1 percent of production and 13.5 percent after variety meat exports are added. The figures were up from 10.2 percent and 12.8 percent in 2017.

From January to October 2018, the export value of a single beef carcass averaged $320.50 a head, which was up 15 percent from 2017. U.S. exports for beef and variety meats were $6.92billion from January through October of 2018, which was up 17 percent from the same period in 2017.

Hinners says the key is education in markets like South Korea, which has developed into a big market for U.S. beef. However, Hinners worries the U.S. will alienate these customers during trade talks.

“If we continue to alienate our customers, they will look south to countries like Brazil and Mexico. It is concerning

to me,” he explains.

Grains Kim Atkins, who is vice president and COO for the U.S. Grains Council in Washington, D.C., also sees the potential for tremendous growth outside U.S. borders.

Countries' in Europe, Latin America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East have growing economies and will be looking for better products to feed their populations.

The mission of the U.S. Grains Council is to develop markets, enable trade and improve lives, Atkins says, noting, “Our theme is, when trade works, the world wins.”

Atkins says Mexico, Japan, South Korea, Colombia and Peru are the top U.S. markets for grain exports.

“In four out of five of those countries, we have strong free trade agreements in place, which helps,” she explains. “Good trade policies and a strong marketing program are also impor-

tant. It also helps that the U.S. has been a top corn producer throughout history.”

New challenges Like Hinners, Atkins says the U.S. has to be diligent, staying on top of its game to retain these valuable export markets.

“Our top competitors for corn are Brazil, Argentina and the Ukraine. When the U.S. went through a drought back in 2012, our trade partners had to look to other areas for supply. Once we lose those customers, it is hard to get them back,” she says.

“Failing to move forward on trade means falling behind, and the U.S. is significantly behind in the number of free trade agreements it has,” Atkins explains. “We have only had 20 trade agreements in place since World War II. We’re anxious for the administration to start playing offense and putting some free trade agreements in place.”

“A lot of the successes

“A good trade agreement is one that provides expanded opportunities for both sides.” – Kim Atkins, U.S. Grains Council we’ve had are from our incountry presence. That incountry presence allows us to be a facilitator of dialogue between the shipper, receiver, and sometimes the government, as well,” she explains.

“A good trade agreement is one that provides expanded opportunities for both sides.

There will be winners or losers on both sides, but as long as both countries feel they

come out as winners, I think the trade agreement is good,” Atkins says.

Hinners and Atkins presented during an Ag Spotlight presentation at 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.

Meat perspective – John Hinners of the U.S. Meat Export Federation says there is “tremendous opportunity” for meat exports right now, but the U.S. must avoid alienating global customers. Alienating potential trading partners could result in loss of markets. Gayle Smith photo

Grain opportunities – Countries in Europe, Latin America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East have growing economies and will be looking for better products to feed their populations, according to Kim Atkins of the U.S. Grains Council. Gayle Smith photo

Sodium lease EA out The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Kemmerer Field Office invites the public to review the Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact for the proposed Big Dry Creek sodium lease sale.

The purpose of the environmental assessment is to analyze the impacts associated with leasing 5,095 acres of sodium for trona mining in three federal lease tracts located in southwest Sweetwater County, approximately 15 miles southwest of Green River in the BLM-managed Known Sodium Leasing Area.

This notice initiates a 15-day comment period ending on March 15. BLM will review all comments received, but the most helpful comments address specific issues and impacts of the proposal.

To review the analysis and supporting documents for the Big Dry Creek sodium lease sale proposal, visit go.usa.gov/xPqHa.

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 44 • March 2, 2019

A19

LEAD continued from page A2 collective efforts. Ultimately, communities benefit from a large pool of concerned individuals who focus their efforts toward making positive changes within the community and their state, the study concludes.

Wyoming L.E.A.D. is Wyoming’s oldest statewide leadership program for adults. Fifteen classes of leaders, totaling 242 individuals, have graduated from the program.

I have had the pleasure for the past two decades to serve as the director for Wyoming L.E.A.D., and I am very proud of the involvement program graduates have had in agricultural organizations and local communities. Wyoming L.E.A.D. graduates have served as board members for state and national agricultural organizations and on appointed boards and commissions.

Several Wyoming L.E.A.D. alumni have been elected to the Wyoming State Legislature and as county commissioners. They have formed business partnerships with one another, shared friendships, hardships and developed an undeniable bond.

Not everyone in agriculture has a desire to serve in a political capacity and certainly service, and leadership comes in many forms. Over 85 percent of Wyoming L.E.A.D. graduates have become active at the local level by serving on school boards, church boards, county fair boards, parent-teacher organizations, as 4-H leaders and in other volunteer capacities. There is a need for good, rural-minded people to become involved, not just in leadership roles but as concerned citizens who want to make a difference.

If you know individuals 25 years of age or older who are interested in making their voices heard, honing their leadership skills and networking with others involved in agriculture, I encourage you to have them apply for the Wyoming L.E.A.D. program.

We are currently recruiting for L.E.A.D. Class 16, which will begin this fall.

Candidates chosen to participate in L.E.A.D. pay a

tuition fee and are selected based on their leadership potential and commitment to the program.

Throughout the course of the 14-month program, Wyoming L.E.A.D. class members participate in 11 total seminars, including nine in-state seminars.

These three-day sessions are held throughout the state, giving members a chance to see various communities around Wyoming and experience small and large agricultural operations. Participants gain confidence through networking opportunities and a leadership component at each seminar.

The program also includes a seminar to Washington, D.C. to network with federal agencies, the Congressional delegation and national agricultural organizations.

In addition, an international study tour is included near the end of the program.

Wyoming L.E.A.D. is designed to expose participants to all industry segments of Wyoming agriculture and value-added industries. Class members hone their leadership skills through personal development workshops and increase their understanding of agriculture and natural resources during speaker presentations and area tours. Over 100 different topics are covered during the program and sessions include agricultural and natural resource policy, rural economics and marketing, estate planning and family relations.

Other natural resource industries are examined as well, including oil and gas, mining and timber.

For further information about the Wyoming L.E.A.D. program or for application information, contact me at 307-2145080 or wylead@gmail. com. Applications for Class 16 will be accepted until June 15. Participation is limited to 14-16 participants, so don’t delay in taking advantage of this tremendous opportunity.

I applaud those who have taken the time to get involved already and have made a lasting impression on the agriculture industry.

ANNUAL SPRING BULL SALE THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2019 110 BULLS SELL

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Swenson Cattle Co. Andy & Sarah, Cole, Shae, AJ and Aspen Swenson 406-694-2713 AS_Swenson@msn.com

Oedekoven Angus David, Diana & Cyndi Oedekoven (307) 674-7375 doangus@gmail.com www.OARangus.com

A20

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 44 • March 2, 2019

LISCO & M DIAMOND ANGUS ANGUS BULL SALE

Since 1992

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RIVERTON LIVESTOCK AUCTION Tuesday, February 26, 2019 Market Report • 642 Head Sold Representative Sales COWS FARSON 8 Cow, 1121# ....................................$71.50 RIVERTON 2 Cow, 1135# ....................................$66.50 1 Cow, 1310# ...................................$64.50 FARSON 6 Cow, 1101# ....................................$61.00 4 Cow, 1297# ...................................$60.50 RIVERTON 3 Cow, 1388# ...................................$60.00 FARSON 4 Cow, 1398# ...................................$59.50 RIVERTON 4 Cow, 1218# ...................................$56.00 PAVILLION 4 Cow, 1263# ...................................$55.50 LANDER 3 Cow, 1475# ...................................$53.00 BULLS LANDER 1 Bull, 740# ......................................$72.00 THERMOPOLIS 1 Bull, 2085# ....................................$71.50 2 Bull, 2100# ....................................$70.00 BRED HEIFERS GENEVA, ID 8 Bred Heifer, 1056# ...................$1,325.00 BIG PINEY 5 Bred Heifer, 978# .....................$1,275.00 RANGELY, CO 8 Bred Heifer, 961# .....................$1,200.00 LANDER 7 Bred Heifer, 876# .....................$1,125.00 BRED COWS LANDER 75 Bred Cow, 1238# (4 Yr) ............$1,700.00 23 Bred Cow, 1238# (4 Yr) ............$1,700.00 EVANSTON 16 Bred Cow, 1183# (SM) .............#1,300.00 CASPER 6 Bred Cow, 1223# (SM) .............$1,250.00 KINNEAR 3 Bred Cow, 1305# (SS)..............$1,050.00 RIVERTON 11 Bred Cow, 1395# (ST) .................$875.00 CASPER 5 Bred Cow, 1238# (ST) .................$800.00

HEIFERETTES RIVERTON 6 Heiferette, 872# ........................... $110.00 1 Heiferette, 840# ...........................$109.00 LANDER 2 Heiferette, 757# ...........................$105.00 BOULDER 1 Heiferette, 910# .............................$91.00 RIVERTON 1 Heiferette, 1005# ...........................$91.00 LANDER 1 Heiferette, 1110# ...........................$86.00

TUESDAY, MARCH 5 FEEDER SPECIAL W/ ALL CATTLE CLASSES, START TIME 8:00 AM W/ WEIGH UPS Stratton Sheep Co - 300 Blk Ang Strs 600-625#.

Sired by Connealy & Riverbend Blk Ang bulls.

Rec Bovishield Gold, 7-way w/ Somnus & poured. Reputation, high desert, proven performers!

Tess & Truett Jaure - 100 Red Angus Strs 600625#. Sired by 5L Red Angus bulls. Rec Bovishield Gold, 7-way w/ Somnus & poured. Reputation, high desert, proven performers!

Jordan Land & Livestock - 100 Blk Strs 650700# 85 Blk Hfrs 600-700#. Rec Vista Once SQ, Vision 7 w/ Somnus & poured. Long time weaned.

Powerful, high elevation!

Eugene Thompson - 125 Blk Crossbred Hfrs 450550#. Comp vacc. Hay fed. Long time weaned.

25 Hereford Hfrs 550#. Fancy replacement quality.

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.

Cross H Livestock - 110 Blk Crossbred Strs &

Early Consignments Hfrs 450-550#. Rec Vista Once SQ, Vision 7, Safeguard. Long time weaned. Hay fed.

V3 Quarter Box - 100 Blk Crossbred Strs 450550#. Comp vacc. Long time weaned. Hay fed.

100% Blk Ang sired. High desert & green!

Ruby Ranch - 100 Blk Ang & AngX Strs & Hfrs 500-600#. Weaned 10/15. Rec Vista 5, 7-way & poured. Fancy set of long time weaned, hay fed calves!

Campbell Livestock - 60 Blk, Red & CharX Hfrs 625#. Rec Pyramid 5, 7-way & wormed.

Weaned since Nov. 100% Blk Ang sired. One brand, one raising.

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

V Ranch - 21 Angus/SalerX Strs 700#.

5 Angus/SalerX Hfrs 700# Ray & Ladonna Good - 25 Blk Ang Hfrs 650700#. Comp vacc. Hay fed. Reputation replacement quality!

Don Rogers - 20 Blk & Red Ang Hfrs 480-500# COWS Martin Aimone Ranch - 10 open cows

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. (1:00 PM) 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!

Gardner Livestock - 75 Blk Ang ST Bred cows.

Bred to Vermillion Blk Ang bulls to start calving mid March. Fancy, high elevation ST cows!

One brand, one raising.

John Cowdin - 27 Blk Ang 3-9 Yr old Bred cows.

Bred to Blk Ang bulls to start calving 5/1.

6 Blk Ang Bred Hfrs. Bred to LBW Blk Ang bulls to start calving 5/1.

High elevation cattle. Complete dispersion.

OPEN COWS Gardner Livestock - 25 open 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.

PAP tested. (1:00 PM)

TUESDAY, MARCH 19 FEEDER SPECIAL W/ ALL CATTLE CLASSES, START TIME 8:00 AM W/ WEIGH UPS Applequist Ranch - 90 Blk Ang & AngX Strs 550-600#. Weaned 11/15. Rec Pyramid 5 + Presponse, 7-way. Hay fed. One brand, high desert.

TUESDAY, MARCH 26 BRED COW SPECIAL W/ NORTHWEST WYOMNG ANGUS ASSOCIATION BULL SALE (1 PM) & SHEEP & HORSES START TIME 8:00 AM W/ SHEEP & WEIGH UPS Northwest WY Angus Bull sale - 50 Yrling Angus Bulls 4 Two Yr Old Angus bulls. PAP & Semen tested.

Bulls sired by high quality Angus bulls.

TUESDAY, APRIL 2 FEEDER SPECIAL W/ ALL CATTLE CLASSES, START TIME 8:00 AM W/ WEIGH UPS

Contact: Riverton Livestock Auction (307) 856-2209 • Jeff Brown (307) 850-4193 • Tom Linn (307) 728-8519 • Mark Winter (580) 747-9436 • www.rivertonlivestock.com • Also watch our live cattle auction at www.cattleusa.com

1490 South 8th Street East • River ton, WY 82501 • (307) 856-2209

®

Taylor emphasizes communication for successful landlord tenant relations Manhattan, Kan. – “Using the excuse that a landlord just doesn’t understand agriculture, is just that – an excuse,” says Kansas State University Agriculture Economist Mykel Taylor.

Taylor conducts research and consults farmers with managing the often-complicated relation they have with their landlord.

“Anyone in Extension will say one of the most frequently asked questions we come across surround landlord relations,” says Taylor.

“Unfortunately, they usually aren’t about how much the farmer loves their landlord.”

Landlord relationships Taylor explains even though a vast majority of producers are men, up to 40 percent of landowners are female.

“When we polled farmers as to whether gender mattered, most of them said it shouldn’t but did anyway,” says Taylor.

“Some female landowners report their tenants only want to deal with their husbands, even though the wife owns the land.”

Taylor explains how excluding the wife in this scenario can be harmful to the tenant/farmer relationship and ultimately makes the wife less likely to understand the needs of the farmer in poor economic years.

“Another big issue we run into with the farmer/ tenant relationship is age,” says Taylor. “The average farmer in Kansas is 59, but the average landowner is 73.”

“Farmers have to be willing to meet in the middle with their landowners when it comes to means of communication,” Taylor stresses. “A lot of older people may prefer a phone call or physical letter over an e-mail or text message.”

Understanding the industry She says many farmers also run into issues with landowners not being involved with agriculture and not understanding the business as a whole.

“We see a lot of situations where landowners inherit land as opposed to purchasing it,” says Taylor. “Some of these owners may be children or grandchildren of farmers but have never farmed themselves.”

“A large percentage of landowners reside outside of the county or state in which they own land,” she explains. “Keeping them updated is extremely important, so there is a channel of open communication, and they are able to effectively manage their asset.”

“Writing off landowners just because they don’t

understand agriculture is no way to have an effective business relationship,” says Taylor.

Types of leases “The type of lease can really effect how we communicate and the regularity in which we communicate,” says Taylor.

She explains, in the past, shared crop leases were extremely popular.

Today, this popularity has given way to cash leases due to the high volume of paper work involved in share crop leases.

“Some farmers may have inherited their leases and decided to continue doing a share crop lease without giving it much second thought,” Taylor says. “Sometimes these leases work out great, and other times they may need to be rethought to fit the farm’s current needs.”

She explained the main

issue with share crop leases lie with landlords who are unfamiliar with agriculture or inherited the land and lease agreement.

“If the landowner doesn’t really understand the share crop lease, they may be really confused by receiving input bills in the mail,” Taylor explains.

“Communication is absolutely not optional in this type of lease.”

Taylor mentions, even though cash leases can be simpler, they present their own set of issues regarding communication.

“When we get into a cash lease, we get in a bad habit of putting the check in a Christmas card and not communicating after,” Taylor says. “This might be effective in years that are successful, but there is always a possibility of the economy falling, and the need to renegotiate rental

rates arises. In this situation, existing communication is crucial.”

Why the relationship matters “The relationship between tenant and landowner has to be a functioning business relationship,” says Taylor. “Without land, we can’t farm.”

Taylor explains farmers can benefit from longterm leasing agreements because they provide stability in their operation. It is especially important to have open lines of communication in case the need for renegotiation arises.

“The fact of the matter is, agriculture has a lot of ups and downs,” says Taylor. “When the farm economy is down, it is in farmers’ best interests to have existing lines of communication in place if the discussion of lowering rent comes up.”

“The relationship between tenant and landowner has to be a functioning business relationship. Without land, we can’t farm.” – Mykel Taylor, Kansas State University “If we have landowners who aren’t necessarily involved in agriculture or educated on the topic, send them pictures,” Taylor suggests. “These pictures speak 1,000 words and will help the landowner understand agriculture a little better.”

In her research, Taylor found some farmers have upwards of 50 landowners to correspond with. In these cases, there can be

other means of communication such as websites, newsletters or social media pages.

Taylor was featured on Kansas State University’s “Agriculture Today with Erik Atkinson” radio program on Feb. 19.

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

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

To listen to Mykel Taylor talk about landowner-tenant relationships, visit a g t o d a y ks u . l i b s y n .c o m /go o d landlordtenant-relationsagriculture-today-february-19-2019.

Lot 4 - Vermilion Re-Ride F114 19206462

Lot 52 - Vermilion Privilage F151 19206496

Spring Performance Sale MARCH 21 & 22, 2019 Thursday - Heifer Sale at South Pryor Development Center - 12:00 Noon Friday - Bull Sale at Public Auction Yards, Billings, MT - 11:00 AM

Sire: Vermilion Re-Ride • MGS: SAV Privilege BW 86 • WW 900 • YW 1487 • $W 88.33 • $B 136.86 BEPD +2.8 • WEPD +86 • YEPD +137 • Milk +26

Lot 7 - Vermilion Re-Ride F118 19206466

Sire: SAV Privilege • MGS: Sitz JLS Game Day 9630 BW 68 • WW 828 • YW 1441 • $W 76.61 • $B 147.37 BEPD +0.7 • WEPD +75 • YEPD +119 • Milk +23

Lot 85 - Vermilion Sensation F177 19210273

Selling 5500

Fancy Open Commercial Angus Heifers

Sire: Vermilion Re-Ride • MGS: SAV Privilege BW 70 • WW 773 • YW 1341 • $W 72.95 • $B 140.48 BEPD +0.2 • WEPD +81 • YEPD +142 • Milk +16

Lot 11 - Vermilion Spur F123 19206471

Sire: SAV Sensation 5615 • MGS: Connealy Right Answer 746 BW 80 • WW 770 • YW 1607 • $W 64.58 • $B 160.76 BEPD +1.3 • WEPD +65 • YEPD +110 • Milk +25

Lot 105 - Vermilion Spur C846 F012 19189392

Replacement quality heifers • The best Montana has to offer • All One Iron Mostly sired by Vermilion bulls • Bangs Vaccinated • Developed for breeding Outstanding Performance Genetics

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Sire: Connealy Spur • MGS: SAV Privilege BW 88 • WW 882 • YW 1482 • $W 73.64 • $B 147.30 BEPD +3.6 • WEPD +81 • YEPD +131 • Milk +22

Lot 13 - Vermilion Spur F122 19206470

Sire: Vermilion Spur C846 • MGS: Musgrave Big Sky BW 78 • WW 704 • YW 1454 • $W 70.29 • $B 156.60 BEPD +0.3 • WEPD +63 • YEPD +117 • Milk +31

Lot 145 - Vermilion Spur F265 19210358

Fertility Tested • Carcass Ultrasound • 1st Year Breeding Guarantee Volume Discounts • Free Delivery • Bulls ANGUS GSSM

Other Sires: SAV Privilege • BTR High Regard 552 SAV Cutting Edge • May-Way Equity KR Abundant • Connealy Doc Neal KR Joe Canada 5372

The

LIV

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EST O

f Northern Ca ttle!

TIO CK VIDEO AUC

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Vermilion Ranch Pat Goggins Family, Owners

Sire: Connealy Spur • MGS: Sirz JLS Game Day 9630 BW 82 • WW 843 • YW 1349 • $W 76.27 • $B 155.70 BEPD +1.5 • WEPD +68 • YEPD +107 • Milk +25

Lot 31 - Vermilion Countdown F024 19189400

Sire: Connealy Spur • MGS: Sitz JLS Game Day 9630 BW 88 • WW 741 • YW 1403 • $W 85.93 • $B 183.16 BEPD +4.3 • WEPD +91 • YEPD +152 • Milk +27

Lot 200 - Vermilion Abundant F325 19210415

Bob Cook • Records & Sales Cell: 406.670.0078 Jake Kading • Herdsman Office: 406.259.4589 Cell: 406.672.5844 Home: 406.348.2896 Jeff Mosher • Vermilion North | Greg Roberts • Diamond Ring Brandon Mosher • Pryor Creek | Bill Shaules • South Pryor

PO Box 30758 • Billings, MT 59107 E-mail: bcook@cattleplus.com

www.vermilionangus.com

Sire: Connealy Countdown • MGS: Connealy Spur BW 76 • WW 856 • YW 1506 • $W 86.36 • $B 140.48 BEPD +0.2 • WEPD +81 • YEPD +142 • Milk +16

Sire: KR Abundant 4948 • MGS: DR Sierra Cut 7404 BW 95 • WW 886 • YW 1505 • $W 76.98 • $B 179.17 BEPD +4.5 • WEPD +85 • YEPD +143 • Milk +25

B2

Volume 30 No. 44 •March 2, 2019

Effective alfalfa irrigation requires a thoughtful plan Riverton – University of Wyoming Extension Specialist Caleb Carter asked attendees of the annual Fremont County Farm and Ranch Days if they were prepared to endure another hot, dry year, such as 2012.

Carter, along with other industry professionals, presented a variety of topics to educate farmers and ranchers in and around Fremont County, and Carter specifically looked at raising and irrigating forages for maximum production.

The nature of alfalfa “Alfalfa is a coolseason, perennial plant,” Carter explained. “This makes irrigating it different and more complicated than other annual crops.

Carter said, “When we find ourselves in drierthan-normal conditions, we need to prioritize tasks and establish long-term goals.”

He explained since alfalfa is a cool-season

plant, it becomes the most stressed in the summer and does not utilize water effectively during this time. This is a critical consideration during drought conditions.

“Simply, perennials come back every year,” he said. “When we are making decisions on how to go about irrigating, this is something we have to keep in mind.”

“Alfalfa yields have a very direct correlation with water applied,” Carter said. “We need to be sure when we are irrigating to pay attention to the consistency of water output.”

Consistency is key “Due to the perennial nature of alfalfa, the implications of inconsistent water can be seen for years to come,” Carter explained. “It’s so important to understand the output of an irrigating system and fix any issues.”

“Small leaks add up

over time,” he said. “If we have parts that aren’t spraying enough and some that are over-spraying, it will affect yields in the end.”

He suggested ensuring we have a uniform nozzle package to ensure uniform water application.

“We want to consider our flow rate, water pressure, pivot capacity and acreage,” he says. “Understanding the extent and limitations of our systems will help in creating a consistent, effective plan for irrigating alfalfa.”

Planning for irrigation “In times of drought, we have to create goals and stick with them,” Carter said. “We have to consider field health and water availability.”

“First, we need to determine if max yield or longevity is the goal,” he noted. “There are times when both these goals are appropriate, but we must

evaluate fields on an individual basis to determine which is more appropriate.

He explained in the case of fields with less fertile or older plants, maximum yield is the more logical goal.

“If we have older or less fertile fields that need to be replaced soon regardless, we should go ahead and get the most we can out of them and water appropriately,” Carter said.

He commented in fields with younger, more fertile plants, longevity should be the goal.

“If we have fields that are still very young and fertile, we want those plants to last as long as they can,” he said. “It’s unlikely they were in the rotation to be replaced if they are still producing well.”

Strategies “Once we establish our goals, we need to look at how we’re going to achieve them,” Carter stated. “We

ALTENBURG Saturday, March 16th, 2019

Centennial Livestock Auction • Fort Collins, Colorado

Selling 120 Bulls with Nuts, Butts, and Guts!

ASR F8236

ASR E7320

ASR F8164

ASA# 385925 • Executive Order x Upgrade

ET maternal brother to ASR F8164

ASA# 3485782 • Big Timber x Upgrade

One of the first Big Timber’s to sell!

ASA# 3485774 • Black Brimstone x Hummer

ASA# 3485667 • Red Hill x Wide Track

25 Red Bulls to Sell!

Dam is a member of our 2016 NWSS Champion Pen of Three

ASR E7332

6 ET Full Brothers Sell!

ASR F8246

ASR F813

ASR F8152

ASA# 3419590 • LRS Unlimited x RCR Augustus

ASR F851

ASA# 3419602 • Cowboy Cut x Top Shelf

ASA# 3485681 • Protocol x Wide Track

25 Fall Age Advantage Bulls

Black SimAngus Bull

“Due to the perennial nature of alfalfa, the implications of inconsistent water can be seen for years to come. It’s so important to understand the output of an irrigating system and fix any issues.” – Caleb Carter, University of Wyoming Extension have to understand the ‘red zone’ of plant moisture.

Once plants are in the red zone with too little moisture, they will become extremely stressed.”

He explained, in drought situations, farmers have a choice between a limited irrigation strategy and utilizing a deficit irrigation plan.

“Limited irrigation can be problematic,” he explained. “It consists of spreading the small amount of water we have over a period of time.”

Carter commented utilizing limited irrigation would generally decrease yields over time and should be done with caution.

“The deficit irrigation technique utilizes strategic timing,” he said.

“When we use deficit irrigation, we are only watering plants when their needs are the highest and they can best utilize water.”

He explained alfalfa is most efficient in water usage in the spring and fall. These times would be the best to water under a deficit strategy because the plant will waste less water than in seasons such as summer or winter when it is under stress or dormant.

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

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

Killebrew recognized Reinke has recognized David Killebrew with Killebrew Irrigation with a five-year Proven Leaders in Unmatched Service (PLUS) Program Longevity Award. Killebrew received the award in recognition of his dedication to maintaining a PLUS Program certification for five years.

“Committing to the Reinke PLUS Program also shows a commitment to the growers that our dealers serve,” said Reinke Service Training Administrator Jennifer Craig. “To maintain this certification for five years is a big accomplishment.

Reinke is proud to honor the dedication shown by these individuals.”

The Reinke PLUS Program is a service training coursework offered to full-service Reinke dealers. The program includes a series of six service training courses and a test-

ing process to qualify as a PLUS or Platinum PLUS certified technician.

To maintain certification, 16 service training credits must be earned each year either through online or in-class training.

Certified Reinke PLUS technicians are trained to deliver the most advanced technical service and support to customers.

Reinke Manufacturing Company, Inc. is the world’s largest privately held manufacturer of center pivot and lateral move irrigation systems. Family owned since 1954 and headquartered in Deshler, Neb., Reinke develops products designed to increase agriculture production while providing labor savings and environmental efficiencies.

For more information on Reinke or to locate a dealership, visit reinke. com or call 402-3657251.

ASA# 3485869 • Black Hawk x Wide Track

8 ET Full Brothers Sell!

ASR F835

ASA# 3485673 • SAV Super Charger x SC Lotto

The first sons to sell this year!

60 Black & Red Simmentals 60 Super Baldy SimAngus™ 40 Super Baldy Bulls are PAP Tested & Includes 25 Fall 18 Month Old Bulls

Open Heifers

For More Information and Sale Book, Contact...

Sale available on...

CATTLE USA.com

Altenburg Super Baldy Ranch, LLC Willie and Sharon Altenburg 970.481.2570 • Fort Collins, Colorado willie@rmi.net • www.altenburgsuperbaldy.com Killebrew award - David Killebrew was recognized for his dedication to training and service. Courtesy photo

Volume 30 No. 44 • March 2, 2019

B3

UC Davis scientist says modern data shows riparian grazing can be sustained Casper – “We can’t use data from 20 years ago to justify actions taken today,” noted Ken Tate, University of California-Davis rangeland watershed specialist.

Tate spoke about to grazing riparian areas at the inaugural Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts Watershed Conference held in Casper Feb. 20-21.

“There are a lot of different opinions for grazing riparian areas,” Tate said. “These differing opinions have wild variations ranging from the riparian areas needing the cow, to the cow single-handedly destroying the ecosystem.”

He explained decisions are often made using best available science, but best available science isn’t always black and white.

“When we start using science as a weapon to support a specific paradigm, it becomes a problem,” Tate said.

He explained seemingly minor differences in studies can produce different results and ultimately support different ideas.

For example, Tate looked at two studies – one for and the other against riparian

grazing, noting researchers utilized different grazing tolerances, which had an effect on the overall outcome of the study.

Poor management “Unmanaged riparian grazing can wreak havoc on riparian systems,” Tate explained. “But we have to keep in mind, less than 20 years ago, proper management was an afterthought, and that affected these areas in a negative way.”

He explained unchecked grazing reduces the vigor of native riparian plants as whole.

“Chronic, heavy defoliation can reduce primary productivity, root mass and plant vigor,” Tate said. “Competition can shift species composition from high to lower root mass species. This is problematic because these areas depend on deeply rooted plants to prevent damage to the soil and bed.”

He noted the physical stress of cattle being present is also a major factor in unmanaged grazing scenarios.

“Chronic, heavy livestock hoof trampling can breakdown and damage stream banks and damage plant sys-

For more information from the Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts, visit conservewy.com.

Riparian areas According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), riparian areas are lands along watercourses and water bodies. These can include meadows, flood plains and stream banks. Due to the increased water supply, there is a unique soil and vegetation profile at these sites.

Though riparian areas account for less than one percent of the western landscape, they are extremely valuable and productive, says USDA. The soil in these areas is typically stratified sediments of varying textures. Intermittent flooding and a fluctuating water table contribute to this variation in texture.

The unique value of these areas stems from their ability to improve energy flow, nutrient and water cycling, hydrologic function as well as increased plant and animal diversity.

Riparian benefits can also help control nonpoint source pollution by holding nutrients and reducing sediment. These areas serve as stopping points on migration routes for a variety of animals as they provide food, cover and water.

The trees and grasses in these areas stabilize stream banks, which reduces floodwater velocity and downstream flood peaks.

tems,” Tate said.

He also explained these systems possess a hydrologic function threshold, and once it’s crossed, there is catastrophic loss of ecosystem services, saying, “When vertical or lateral erosion occurs, the water table is lowered, which reduces habitat and production.”

“The implications of this loss of service include unstable stream banks, stream channel erosion, loss of water table and overall decline in water quality,” he stated.

Sustainable management Though many of the bodies of research between the 1970s and 1990s showed negative outcomes with riparian grazing, modern research accounts for improved management of these areas.

Tate stated, “A contemporary body of research demonstrates the effectiveness of modern management for achieving multiple ecosystem services.”

He cited studies including a 2013 study showing cattle grazing, water quality and recreation can be compatible goals. Another study conducted in 2013 showed no benefit to the Yosemite toad with livestock removed.

Tate explained how, prior to 2000, there were no annual use guidelines in place in regards to riparian grazing.

Since then, numerous standards have been put in place to ensure the health of these ecosystems.

“The Forest Service lays out standards for herbaceous vegetation use, stubble height, right to browse on woody plants and stream bank disturbances,” he said.

He explained the key findings of modern research show grazing practices are significantly correlated to riparian health, but the correlation is strongest in meadow systems where stability is most dependent on the health of vegetation.

“There are positive correlations between the health of riparian areas and number of off-stream attractants, herding to control time spent in the area and rest period duration,” Tate said. “There were negative correlations between riparian health and grazing

durations, cattle density and frequency of grazing.”

Management “Front side management prevents catastrophes,” said Tate.

“As a manager, when we view riparian goals and limits, we have to make sure to be location specific,” said Tate.

“Often, we get too caught up in the numbers and miss the big picture, we have to look past the numbers to reach overarching goals.”

“As a whole, it shows when managers are putting effort into conservation and

“When we start using science as a weapon to support a specific paradigm, it becomes a problem.” – Ken Tate, University of California-Davis good practices,” he noted. “It takes time and effort to move cattle around, build fences and put out attractants such as water troughs and minerals.

But these efforts show in the long-run for riparian health.”

“The main thing for managers to remember is clipping or grazing plants can cause damage if left unchecked.

Streams rely on healthy plant roots to prevent erosion,” Tate said. “We have to leave enough of the plant for it to function properly and serve its purpose to the environment.”

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

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

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B4

Volume 30 No. 44 •March 2, 2019

Cash flow plans allow producers to continue operating when profits narrow “Cash flow looks at cash in and cash out of the business,” says Robin Reid, Kansas State University Agricultural Economist. “This can be confused with an income statement, which evaluates the profitability of an operation.”

In an income statement, non-cash expenses are also captured to get a full picture of an operation’s profitability, but Reid says cash flow addresses feasibility and answers questions like

the ability to pay bills or purchase inputs on the ranch.

With many different ways to structure a cash flow, Reid says the purpose is to outline where cash comes in and out of the business throughout the year, monthby-month. Projected cash flows should be regularly compared to actual values to plan for the remainder of the year.

“If we have a $20,000 repair on a tractor, we are better able to address this

expense if we have an outline of our cash flow throughout the entire year,” she says.

Building cash flow “Cash flows are fairly simple statements,” Reid explains.

Inflows include sales from the farm, ag program or crop insurance payments, capital sales – such as proceeds from equipment or land sales, loan proceeds and more. Off-farm income should also be included.

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about off-farm income in a cash flow,” she says. “If offfarm income and family living will affect the farm’s cash flow, it’s important to put the two things together on our cash flow statement.”

While the off-farm income can – and should – be separated to look at the health of the farm, the income should also be included for accurate cash flow analysis.

Reid explains, “Outputs include seed, feed, fertilizer and other inputs, capital asset purchases, new equipment and more can be outlined to make sure we have the cash flow. Family living, taxes and loan payments should also be included.”

“The difference between total inflow and total outflow is the net cash flow,” she adds. “This is the bottom line number we’re trying to get to.”

What it means Because cash flow is not necessarily a measure of profitability, negative cash flow can occur.

“In a case farm that I use, a farmer purchased a $100,000 piece of equipment and financed $80,000 of it. In this example, $20,000 cash was used to invest,” Reid says. “The annual total is in the red, but they were profitable.”

She cautions, however, “The reverse can also be true.

We can have a positive cash flow and still not be profitable.”

As an example, if a farmer holds grain over from 2018, then sells that grain in 2019, along with 2019’s production, the result is more sales than expenses in the current year, resulting in a positive cash flow.

“The first step is knowing that a problem might occur in a specific month, know how much that shortage might be and realize there are many little things that can happen in that situation.” – Robin Reid, Kansas State University Flexibility When making cash flow projections, Reid encourages farmers and ranchers to look at their cash flow month-tomonth.

If cash shortfalls are projected, Reid says small things can be done to address potential problems.

“The first steps are knowing that a problem might occur in a specific month, know how much that shortage might be and realize there are many little things that can happen in that situation,” she says.

Family living can be difficult, but items in family living or the timing of those purchases can be changed to compensate for cash shortfalls. As an example, vacations should be timed during times that are flush with cash not lean.

“We also may be able to arrange investments for times that we see positive cash

flow,” Reid explains.

The full picture While cash flow statements are valuable decisionmaking tools, Reid adds, “It’s very important, when we’re looking at any financial statement, that we look at the other statements, as well, to really get a whole picture of our business.”

Balance statements, net worth and income statements should be coupled with cash flows and enterprise budgets can help farmers or ranchers to make decisions and prepare for the coming year on their operation.

Saige Albert, managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup, summarized Reid’s comments from the Feb. 15 edition of “Agriculture Today,” a radio show from Kansas State Research and Extension. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

UW student receives honor A University of Wyoming (UW) doctorate student is one of 18 across the nation being recognized for her science advocacy.

Elizabeth Traver in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources will receive the Future Leaders in Science Award March 4 in Washington, D.C. Traver is a third-year Ph.D. candidate in Ecology and the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management.

Her research focus is on soil microbial communities in deglaciated lands in the western United States, working with assistant professor Linda van Diepen in the department.

Traver received her bachelor’s degree from Yale University and a master’s in botany from UW.

Volume 30 No. 44 • March 2, 2019

B5

Using agriculture software can simplify farming decisions by producing data insights Making data-driven decisions can be overwhelming with the thousands of possible data points on the farm, but utilizing specialized farm software can make this process simpler, according to Canadian farmer Terry Aberhart.

“There really is tons of data to be managed on the farm,” Aberhart says. “When we lay it out, we have agronomic, analytical, tissue tests, crop insurance, human resources and a whole list of other possible data points to use to make decisions.”

He explains farmers must consider countless amounts of data every day and even argues farmers manage more data than any other profession.

“Our common goal should be to manage a few key data points and make decisions from there,” he says. “We need to be able to leverage the software available to us and use it to our advantage.”

Using technology Aberhart explains, as with anything, software used

in the agriculture industry comes with a learning curve.

“Think about smartphones. They seem very simple to us because we took the time to learn them,” he explains. “But, if we were to give a modern smartphone to someone from 10 years ago, they probably wouldn’t even know how to turn it on.”

He explains people often fail with software because they want to be able to just turn it on and magically use it without any training or learning.

“Learning takes time, but once we nail down how to use software, making data-driven decisions becomes much simpler,” says Aberhart.

Key software uses “Our four key uses for software are to manage people, track inventory, calculate profitability and determine sustainability,” Aberhart explains.

“People have to communicate to be effective,” he says. “Utilizing software allows us to share info and updates more efficiently, with less room for error.”

To learn more about software use in agriculture, visit youtube.com/user/ TrimbleAgriculture.

“Think about if a group of people are pulling a wagon.

We want everyone to be pulling the same direction. If one person isn’t going the same direction, it makes achieving the task more difficult,” Aberhart explains.

He says this analogy can be applied to the farm, where ranchers want everyone to be on the same page, working towards the same goal. However, if ranchers don’t communicate, this goal is simply not possible to achieve.

Farm mapping can be a great tool in managing people, especially on large operations or those with a high volume of workers, he mentions.

“As farms get larger and more complex, utilizing mapping can assist managers on a variety of fronts,” Aberhart explains. “We can utilize GPS features to help new employees find specific fields and avoid giving vague directions, or we can use the mapping systems to set boundaries and avoid spraying our

neighbor’s fields.”

Inventory “Inventory management has historically been a hassle for farmers,” Aberhart notes.

“Inventory management is a key software area to learn, even though it often takes the most time.”

“Using the Trimble software, for example, we are able to track grains from field to bin to contract,” he explains. “I know what’s in every one of my grain bins, where it came from, what the moisture level is and where its going all from my phone.”

Data driven decisions “I think a lot of farmers get nervous when we start talking about making datadriven decisions,” Aberhart says. “Farmers have so much data but don’t really know what to do with it.”

“By using software, we can organize data how we want it,” he explains. “For my own operation, we divide 15,000 acres into 220 soil test zones and use this data to

“Learning takes time, but once we nail down how to use software, making data driven decisions becomes much simpler.” – Terry Aberhart, Canada make crop input decisions.”

“Without software, making these types of decisions would consist of weeks of number crunching with the handicap of human error,” Aberhart says. “Using modern technology, we can make these decisions in a matter of hours instead of weeks.”

Understanding crop inputs for each field and utilizing the inventory data can allow farmers to create a profit map, he adds.

“We can determine which fields are making money, which are breaking even and which are losing money,” Aberhart says. “We have to realize some fields will be more profitable than others and adjust accordingly.”

“We have to connect profitability and sustainabil-

ity,” he says. “If a farm isn’t profitable, it won’t last in the long-run.”

He explains sustainability on the farm is so much more than just taking care of the soil.

“The fact of the matter is, if we don’t take care of the environment and our financials, we won’t have anything to pass down in the future,” he says. “Utilizing modern technology and agriculture-based software makes this daunting task simpler than ever.”

Aberhart was featured in a November webinar sponsored by Trimble Ag Software.

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

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

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The roundtable was launched by WGA to enable the ongoing implementation of the association’s natural resource-focused initiatives. It serves as the consolidating body for policy work on drought, species conservation and the Endangered Species Act, forest and rangeland management and biosecurity and invasive species.

The roundtable also provides opportunities for stakeholders to engage in workshops, webinars, case studies and more.

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B6

Volume 30 No. 44 •March 2, 2019

CoBank looks at challenges ofmoving agriculture industry into the digital age As the world becomes smaller and smaller as a result of technology, agriculture must keep pace with the digital age, and CoBank said, “Online competition will continue to intensify and pressure margins for traditional ag retailers in the years ahead.”

Will Secor, grain and farm supply economist with CoBank, noted agriculture must embrace e-commerce, increased competition and price transparency to continue to be successful.

“Traditional ag retailers that successfully embrace

the challenges introduced by e-commerce will succeed as tomorrow’s cutting-edge ag retailers,” Secor explained in a recent publication from CoBank.

At the same time, Secor said e-commerce platforms present many challenges for farmers.

Challenges of e-commerce E-commerce platforms lack a physical footprint, said Secor, which is a challenge for farmers, particularly since the industry operates under tight, uncertain timeframes.

“Some traditional ag

retailers have already begun responding to the challenge by doubling down on their service and distribution capabilities while building their online presence,” he continued. “Traditional ag retailers are undergoing a transformational change from manufacturer mergers, farmer consolidation and technological advancements along the agricultural supply chain.”

Further, the changes have forced these traditional retailers to adopt new practices in online markets.

“However, it will not

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change the basic business model of ag retailers, which is grounded in product distribution and service provision,” Secor said. “Instead, e-commerce will pressure traditional ag retailers to add online options for their customers while better differentiating themselves from online-only retail outlets.”

Farmers online At the same time agriculture retailers are being forced to expand online, farmers are looking to e-commerce for their purchases, as well.

“In 2017, USDA figures show 25 percent of crop farmers purchased inputs online, up from just 16 percent in 2013,” Secor explained. “The total number of farmers purchasing inputs online increased by 40 percent over these four years.”

“The trend is likely to continue,” he added.

In particular, larger farming operations have moved toward online purchasing, with data showing 39 percent of farms with $250,000 or more in sales have leaned towards online purchase of their inputs, compared to only 24 percent of farms with sales of $10,000 to $99,999.

“Research by Purdue University indicates, on average, a new generation of farmers will be taking over decision control of the farm in the next eight years,” Secor said. “These younger farmers will likely be more com-

“An omnichannel strategy will likely be necessary for traditional ag retailers to succeed and grow in the digital age.” – Will Secor, CoBank fortable with technology and may prefer e-commerce options.”

Threat to brick-and-mortar E-commerce also threatens brick-and-mortar establishments, CoBank emphasized.

“First, any new competitor will erode sales and margins to some degree, and second, e-commerce sites increase transparency for product prices,” Secor noted.

E-commerce sites encourage easy price comparisons farmers can leverage in brick-and-mortar retail outlets. However, the e-commerce outlets don’t have to account for costs that brickand-mortar stores do.

“The e-commerce channel allows cost-sensitive farmers to eliminate service costs like custom application and product warranties,” he said. “Traditional ag retailers that bundle products and services together under the product price are losing some customers to e-commerce sites that provide only the product.”

Secor continued, “To remain profitable and respond to this price pressure, traditional ag retailers will need

to better communicate the value of services they provide with the product, or separate the service offerings from the product and lower the product price.”

Competition However, traditional ag retailers are not at a complete disadvantage to e-commerce.

As an example, online retail stores can’t provide immediate solutions to unexpected challenges on the farm or ranch, and they aren’t equipped to provide support as a result of pest pressure and weather.

“However, an omnichannel strategy will likely be necessary for traditional ag retailers to succeed and grow in the digital age,” Secor said. “This strategy provides farmers multiple avenues to interact with an ag retailer.”

“Focusing on the competitive advantage traditional ag retailers have in distribution and service, as well as investing in their own online services, will allow them to succeed in the changing environment,” he added.

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. 44 • March 2, 2019

B7

Disease pressure can impact farmers across Wyoming in spring months

Ergot infection - Ergot is a fungal disease impacting the seed heads of grain and grass crops, like barley. Courtesy photo

Worland – Farmers across Wyoming are faced with a myriad of challenges each year, ranging from weather and fertility issues to weed and pest concerns.

Jeremiah Vardiman, University of Wyoming (UW) Extension educator in Park County, said fungal infections can put pressure on crop producers across the state and encouraged producers to pay attention to the potential for challenges Ergot “Ergot is a fungal infection in malt barley in the Big Horn Basin,” Vardiman said. “If the amount of ergot hits above a threshold level, the barley will be rejected when we try to sell it. There is also a threshold of how much we can feed to livestock.”

Ergot can also be found in bromegrass, ryegrass and a wide range of other hosts, meaning it is endemic in the environment.

“We have ergot here, and we can see it on rangelands,” he explained.

“Rangeland plants keep the fungus alive, and when we have the right conditions, it explodes in our croplands.”

In 2018, ergot was seen across the basin, impacting barley and wild rye seed production.

Inside the fungus Because ergot is a fungus, it is mainly dependent on weather, and it often establishes during cool, wet springs.

“When the grass goes to flower, fungus spores land in the flowering head.

At that point, the head gets wet, and fungus takes hold,” Vardiman said.

To help prevent ergot, he noted farmers should not irrigate as the barley or grass starts to flower in the spring.

“We strive for uniformity in our crop fields, and if we can keep our fields uniform, we won’t have pockets of ergot,” he added.

Managing ergot If ergot is found in a field, Vardiman said producers should bury crop residue or burn it to try to eliminate the fungus.

Vardiman also mentioned if producers want to try to harvest a field ergot in it, they should harvest their clean fields first.

“We don’t want to harvest ergot and spread it through the rest of our farms,” he said. “If we do harvest ergot fields, clean the combine.”

Feeding livestock Feeding grains with ergot can cause problems in livestock, so Vardiman cautioned against feeding ergot-infested grain.

“The alkaloids from the ergot build up in the body of the livestock and cause vasoconstriction,” he explained. “We see vasoconstriction in the tips of the ears and tails first, but when it is severe enough, we also see vasoconstriction in the lower extremities.”

Vardiman continued, “Vasoconstriction means the blood vessels are constricted and blood flow

stops.”

In severe situations, the hooves can fall off as a result of lost blood flow to the feet. In addition, cattle can develop rough hair and lose weight.

While ergot is endemic across the state, Vardiman added the appearance of ergot in rangeland conditions is minimal and is unlikely to cause a problem with livestock.

Fusarium head blight Another disease concern for grains is fusarium head blight, also called DON. “DON affects the seed head of barley,” explained Vardiman. “It is also a fungal disease, and there are Food and Drug Administration limits on the level of DON we can have in our crops.”

Fusarium head blight discolors seed heads.

Affected grains are also shriveled and wrinkled.

“We haven’t been able

to breed a fusarium resistant variety of barley,” he said.

Most frequently, fusarium head blight is associated with irrigation or rain during the heading period of barley.

“Cool, wet spring weather favors this infection,” Vardiman said.

“Many producers in Montana see problems with DON.” He further notes minimum and no-till farming practices seem to correlate with higher levels of fusarium head blight. The worst cases are seen in minimum or no-till fields where barley is planted after a corn crop.

“In this case, there is a green bridge. The corn is the host, and it is passed on to the barley,” Vardiman said. “Managing our crop residue and utilizing crop rotations that break the cycle from grass-tograss crops are important

“We can’t wait to spray a fungicide until after we find ergot or fusarium head blight.” – Jeremiah Vardiman, UW Extension to reducing DON.” Managing fungus If producers find ergot or fusarium head blight, Vardiman said fungicides are not an excellent option for control.

“Fungicides provide very little above just suppression,” he explained.

“They suppress the spread of the fungus to healthy plants, but they do not kill the fungus.”

Spraying fungicides early before it is found can be useful as in preventing fungal challenges, but Vardiman noted, “We can’t wait to spray a fungicide until after we find ergot or fusarium head blight.”

Weather impact Because disease pressures often result following a cool, wet spring weather,

Vardiman encouraged farmers to watch weather patterns when assessing the risk of fungal diseases in particular.

“Our forecast shows a 40 to 50 percent chance of above normal temperatures for the Big Horn Basin this spring,” said Vardiman.

“As for precipitation, we should see near normal precipitation.”

“It looks like we can expect warmer, maybe drier weather,” he added, “so we might have fewer disease challenges this year. But, with the weather, we can never be sure what we’re going to get.”

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

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B8

Volume 30 No. 44 •March 2, 2019

Eberle: Stand and plant assessment can help pinpoint issues in forage fields In understanding forage production, University of Wyoming (UW) Extension’s Carrie Eberle said assessing plant health and forage stands is very important.

“Assessing our plants is an important tool for understanding forage and production,” Eberle told producers during 2019’s WESTI Ag Days, noting diagnosing issues in forages starts with assessment of stands and plants.

Stand assessment Assessing the stand enables producers to determine whether they need to change management strategies.

“Stand assessment looks at stands and stem counts,” Eberle said. “We may have plants, but if we’re not getting enough stems to produce tonnage or we don’t have plant stems, we need to start over.”

Increasing stems increases dry matter, and there are several ways to increase the number of stems

in an alfalfa stand, she noted.

In general, Eberle said production at 55 stems per square foot levels off.

Between 40 and 55 stems per square foot results in yield reductions, and stand density below 39 stems per square food results in significant yield reduction.

“At that point, farmers will probably want to reestablish their fields,” Eberle said.

She added, “Assessing our stands will help us to figure out whether we have a population issue or a management issue in our fields.”

Plants If producers see good stands, they should next look at the plants themselves.

“We want to see a dark green color and a nice, dense plant with full, whole leaves,” Eberle said. “As we look across our fields, we don’t want to see a lot of soil, and we don’t want to see wilting or weeds.”

At the same time, plants

should also not be short or stunted.

“If we find a field with bad-looking plants – however we qualify that – there are a number of likely culprits,” she said.

First, the environment may be a factor in plant health. If fields are too hot, cold, wet or dry, plants will suffer.

In addition, soil fertility can negatively impact plants.

“We could have toxicity issue or a problem with chemical damage. There are also pathogens that affect plants,” Eberle noted. “There is a whole suite of things that can cause our plants to get sick and not perform well.”

Indicators As an example, Eberle suggested looking at the leaves on a plant to assess the health of the plant.

Plant discoloration, spotting or mottling can be an indication of plant health.

“The location of the discoloration is also impor-

tant in diagnosing nutrient deficiencies in particular, because nutrients move differently throughout plants,” she said.

Additionally, damage to the plant, such as holes in the leaves or lesions on the stems, can indicate pathogen or pest challenges.

The roots can also provide insight on plant health.

“If one of our fields looks bad, we can pull a plant out of the ground and look at the root to help inform what’s going on,” Eberle said.

The area of the field that is affected can be important, as well. If one particular spot has poor-performing plants year after year, Eberle noted it is probably not being affected by disease, pathogens or insects. Rather, the problem is likely related to soils.

“Soil tests and management to specific areas of our fields can help, as well,” she said.

“We have a number of

Spotlight on Genetics Wyoming Beef Cattle Improvement Association Bull Test Bulls will be Performance, BVD, Semen and PAP Tested

“There is a whole suite of things that can cause our plants to get sick and not perform well.” – Carrie Eberle, UW Extension tools in our toolbox when looking at the health of our forages,” Eberle said. “Hopefully, we can use these tools to build a strong management system for our fields.”

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

SALE REPORTS Neiman Cattle Company Annual Bull Sale Reported By: Curt Cox, WLR Field Editor Feb. 21, 2019 Belle Fourche Livestock, Belle Fourche, S.D. Auctioneer: Lynn Weishaar 59 Two-Year-Old Angus Bulls Avg. $5,093 Top Sellers Lot 1 – NCC Emblazon 750 – Price: $8,750 DOB: 4/21/17 Sire: C C A Emblazon 702 Dam’s Sire: Cole Creek Full Bore 730 EPDs: BW: +0.9, WW: +56, YW: +99 and Milk: +24 Buyer: Carbon Creek Cattle Company, Medicine Bow Lot 22 – NCC Emulation XXP 752 – Price: $8,500 DOB: 4/21/17 Sire: Sinclair Emulation XXP Dam’s Sire: O C C Focus 813F EPDs: BW: +0.6, WW: +59, YW: +101 and Milk: +28 Buyer: M & M Cattle, LLC, Lance Creek Lot 9 – NCC Absolute 703 Price: $8,250 DOB: 3/16/17 Sire: KCF Bennett Absolute Dam’s Sire: O C C Unanimous 601U EPDs: BW: -0.8, WW: +54, YW: +98 and Milk: +19 Buyer: Carbon Creek Cattle Company, Medicine Bow Lot 35 – NCC Juneau 4293 – Price: $7,750 DOB: 5/15/17 Sire: Coleman Juneau 4293 Dam’s Sire: H A Image Maker 0415 EPDs: BW: -0.3, WW: +51, YW: +74 and Milk: +24 Buyer: David Bliss, Buffalo Lot 9 – NCC Absolute 700 – Price: $7,500 DOB: 3/11/17 Sire: KCF Bennett Absolute Dam’s Sire: O C C Magnitude 805M EPDs: BW: -1.1, WW: +49, YW: +89 and Milk: +17 Buyer: Livingston Ranch, Sundance

Reyes/Russell Annual Bull Sale Reported By: Curt Cox, WLR Field Editor Feb. 25, 2019 MR Angus Ranch, Wheatland Auctioneers: Lex Madden 223 Angus Bulls Avg. $5,716

20

19

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Top Sellers Two-Year-Old Bulls Lot 99 – MR Change 25207 – $28,000 DOB: 7/6/17 Sire: Wiwa Creek Lead Change 89’15 Dam’s Sire: Barstow Cash EPDs: BW: +4.1, WW: +59, YW: 103 and Milk: +13 Buyer: Mountain Valley Livestock, Douglas Lot 17 – MR Ideal 29077 – Price: $22,000 DOB: 6/6/17 Sire: Ideal 4223 of 1168 BLKBRD Dam’s Sire: Woodhill Discovery W2-Y20 EPDs: BW: +4.1, WW: +56, YW: +99 and Milk: +24 Buyer: Mountain Valley Livestock, Douglas Lot 9 – MR Banker 23887 – Price: $15,500 DOB: 6/4/17 Sire: MR Banker 24584 Dam’s Sire: M R Total 9988 EPDs: BW: +2.9, WW: +59, YW: +104 and Milk: +23 Buyer: Diamond Tail Ranch, Greybull Lot 1 – MR Coach 5457 – Price: $15,000 DOB: 7/3/17 Sire: MR Coach 20003 Dam’s Sire: MR New Frontier 6464 EPDs: BW: +1.3, WW: +53, YW: +86 and Milk: +25 Buyer: Diamond Tail Ranch, Greybull Lot 2 – MR Banker 24117 – Price: $15,000 DOB: 5/26/17 Sire: MR Banker 24584 Dam’s Sire: Granger Great Falls 053 EPDs: BW: +0.7, WW: +42, YW: +80 and Milk: +20 Buyer: 406 Angus, Columbus, Mont.

Yearlings Lot 235 – KMR Charco – Price: $10,000 DOB: 12/9/17 Sire: KMR Cash 355 Dam’s Sire: Cole Creek Black Cedar 7V EPDs: BW: +1.4, WW: +60, YW: +110 and Milk: +33 Buyer: Carol Thompson, Potlatch, Idaho Lot 239 – KMR Cash 848 – Price: $9,750 DOB: 1/12/18 Sire: KMR Cash 365 Dam’s Sire: KMR Rebel 1073 EPDs: BW: +1.5, WW: +47, YW: +77 and Milk: +28 Buyer: Meyring Ranch, Walden, Colo.

Volume 30 No. 44 • March 2, 2019

B9

Wyoming leads in forestry issues at National Association of Conservation Districts meeting Gillette – The Resource Policy Groups (RPGs) within the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) work to tackle conservation and natural resources issues across the country, and Campbell County Conservation District’s Manager Jennifer Hinkhouse takes on a leading role within the Forestry RPG. “I represent Wyoming, Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, Utah and New Mexico on the RPG,” she explains. “I serve as the key contact for a forestry network within these states, and we have quarterly calls to talk about issues in our region and about concerns on the national level.”

During early February’s NACD Annual Meeting, Hinkhouse and the Forestry RPG discussed a number of topics impacting forests across the nation, looking at a range of concerns that include everything from policy issues to management concerns.

Planning issues Among high-level concerns of the committee, Hinkhouse notes State Forest Action Plans will be updated in 2020, and NACD members hope to engage in those processes across the country.

“The State Forestry Divisions in each state are in charge of writing State Forest Action Plans, which set up a strategy and priorities of what will happen on forests in individual states,” she explains.

“We encourage conservation districts to get involved and engage with their partners in updating these plans.”

Conservation districts, she comments, provide a great conduit to landowners for state forestry officials.

Hinkhouse says, “We can engage local landowners, take input and assist State Forestry Divisions with that process.”

Forest stewardship In addition to State Forest Action Plans, Hinkhouse notes Forest Stewardship Plans are also a topic of conversation for the RPG. “Forest Stewardship Plans are long-term plans for landowners, that assist them in managing their forests for their goals,” she says. “In our state, Wyoming State Forestry Division typically creates those plans.”

In developing stewardship plans, foresters meet with landowners to discuss goals and management actions for individual areas. The foresters evaluate the trees and provide suggestions to reach the desired objectives.

“These plans give a blue print to landowners on how to meet their goals,” Hinkhouse says.

Stewardship plans can also be used to assist landowners in applying for farm bill programs such Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

She adds, “These plans are very different between states, so there have been discussions about streamlining these plans, so they work well for landowners and agencies.”

Hinkhouse emphasizes, “Forests across the country are very diverse, so a one-size-fits-all plan doesn’t work. We’re trying to make sure the quality of those plans is maintained and useful to the landowner.”

Farm bill With a new farm bill passed, Hinkhouse mentions NACD and conservation districts across the country are focused on sifting through the bill to determine how it will impact conservation work across the country.

“It will be interesting to see what programs look like after funding is attached,” Hinkhouse explains.

While conservation districts will be unsure

Forest work – Across the U.S., forest health and stewardship continue to be a top concern for conservation districts. The National Association of Conservation Districts Forestry Resource Policy Group seeks ways to work together and improve forests health across the country. Saige Albert photo

of farm bill impacts until appropriations are available, there is initial optimism about several pieces.

“In particular, I see some opportunities for good neighbor authority,” Hinkhouse comments, noting good neighbor authority was implemented in the last farm bill and saw success.

“Good neighbor authority allows state agencies to assist the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) in implementing projects on the ground.”

“There are some key projects where the state might be working on private land and have coordinated with USFS using good neighbor authority to extend the work onto public ground,” she continues.

“Working together allows us to achieve a landscapescale on our projects.”

The farm bill will also maintain the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Regional Conservation Partnership

Program (RCPP). In northeast Wyoming, conservation districts and partners utilized $1.2 million from RCPP for forestry projects on private land.

“RCPP is a nice way to tap into farm bill dollars to meet specific needs of a region,” Hinkhouse notes.

“Using RCPP, we were able to utilize Wyoming State Forestry Division bark beetle funds as matching dollars to create landscapescale projects.”

Understanding forests The Forestry RPG also works to understand forest systems across the U.S. “This year, the Forestry RPG will travel to Puerto Rico to look at agroforestry work they’ve been doing,” Hinkhouse comments.

“They’ve been conducting post-hurricane storm damage projects to deal with debris.”

Additionally, the RPG will tour a Joint Chief’s Project, which is special

“Forestry, in general, continues to be challenging, especially in the West where we deal with drought, wildfire, insect issues and more.” – Jennifer Hinkhouse, Campbell County Conservation District grant funding from NRCS and USFS. The trip will take place in June.

Joint Forestry Team As a result of her position within the Forestry RPG, Hinkhouse has also been appointed to serve as chair of the Joint Forestry Team.

“The Joint Forestry Team is a coordinating group for NRCS, USFS, NACD and the State Foresters Association,” she says. “It’s pretty exciting and a big honor to be on this national team. I take the appointment on March 11.”

Over the next year, she will serve as chair of the group, which looks at forestry concerns across the

country.

“Forestry, in general, continues to be challenging, especially in the West where we deal with drought, wildfire, insect issues and more,” Hinkhouse says. “Having organizations like NACD and the State Foresters Association come together to reach solutions is always positive.”

She continues, “We learn things from each other, and we will continue to coordinate and collaborate to get proactive management done.”

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

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Volume 30 No. 44 •March 2, 2019

Preventing calf scours starts at conception with good management “My new favorite slogan is nutrition matters,” says Dave Rethorst, veterinarian and owner of Beef Health Solutions.

According to Rethorst, diseases like calf scours are often a secondary issue to poor nutrition and overall herd management.

Diagnostics “Scours in calves can be caused by a whole list of bacteria and viruses,” Rethorst says. “Nailing down the cause will help

ranchers begin a proper treatment plan and better prevent the issue in the future.”

He notes bacteria such as E. coli can present in calves as young as 24 hours old and extend on for weeks. While viruses show up later, they can wreak havoc on the calf’s gut health and ability to retain fluid.

“It is nearly impossible for a vet to accurately diagnose any sort of issue over the phone,” he says.

To learn more about calf scours, visit youtu.be/hhcAf6-hL2g.

“Especially with scours, there is a lot that goes into it, and we need to see the conditions and know the history of the herd to get a full grasp on the causes.”

“We understand not everyone is close enough to bring an entire calf for testing,” he says. “But, taking the right samples to send is critical in diagnostics. Isolated gut loops, swabs, tissues and lymph nodes are all helpful samples for vets to make an accurate diagnosis.”

“Once in the lab, the samples will do a culture and sensitivity test to determine what virus or bug is causing the scours,”

says Rethorst. “If bacteria are present, a sensitivity test is run to determine which antibiotic will be most effective.”

Treatment “Our first and foremost concern with scour calves should be rehydration,” says Rethorst.

“More often than not, the bug causing the scours doesn’t kill the calf, butdehydration does.”

He explains dehydration occurs because the bacteria or virus prevents the calf from properly absorbing fluid. Dehydration can be determined by a skin-snap test. When we pull a calf’s skin, it should snap back. If it doesn’t, the calf is dehydrated.

“I really like oral fluids to help with dehydration,” Rethorst says.

“There are many effective brands.”

He notes with oral fluids, ranchers should be careful of the dextrose levels. Too much dextrose in the mixture can prolong the scours.

“I recommend two quarts of fluid, two to three times per day,” Rethorst suggests. “We also want to have our calves in a warm, dry environment.”

“In the case the scours were caused by bacteria, be sure to consult the local

“Our first and foremost concern with scour calves should be rehydration. More often than not, the bug causing the scours doesn’t kill the calf, but dehydration does.” – Dave Rethorst, Beef Health Solutions veterinarian to ensure the correct antibiotic is being used,” says Rethorst. “I personally prefer injectable antibiotics as opposed to oral because injectables can treat a systemic infection more effectively and won’t disturb the gut any more than it already is.”

Prevention is key “Prevention is something I’m very passionate about,” Rethorst explains.

“Diseases like scours are preventable through sound management practices in the herd.”

“When we think about calf scours, we have to think about the calf’s immunity,” he says.

“Immunity begins at conception and in utero.”

He explains the diet the cow consumes during her pregnancy can play a huge factor in the calf’s ability to fight off infections such as scours.

“Once the calf is born, we want them to get maximum colostrum intake,” Rethorst says. “Calves without adequate colostrum are three times as likely to get sick in the

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first 24 hours and six times as likely to get sick prior to weaning.”

“I really like the Sandhills method of calving,” he says. “This method prescribes after 10 days of calving, remaining pregnant heifers are moved to a new pasture so they can give birth on clean ground.”

Rethorst notes his pet peeve is bringing orphan calves in from off the ranch to prevent drying up in cows that lost a calf.

“All it takes is one calf bringing in salmonella and getting the rest of the babies sick to make a producer never do it again,” he says. “We never want to run the risk of introducing bacteria to the herd, especially with calves.”

Rethorst was featured on Merck® Animal Health’s weekly Doc Talk segment, hosted by Dan Thomson.

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

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

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Volume 30 No. 44 • March 2, 2019

B11

Choosing livestock guardian dogs includes looking at predator solutions around the world Riverton − As predator populations grow and spread across the West at an unchecked rate, Cat Urbigkit looked to Europe and Asia to find the perfect livestock guardian dogs to protect the sheep and cattle of Wyoming from threats.

Urbigkit is a Wyoming rancher and esteemed author, specializing in livestock guardian dogs. She was a keynote speaker at the Fremont County Farm and Ranch Days, held in Riverton on Feb. 6-7.

Search for perfect breeds Following increased predator issues and complicated legislation, particularly surrounding wolves and grizzlies, Urbigkit looked to countries around the world to seek out breeds with centuries of livestock protection experience.

“We have to ask ourselves what people are doing differently where these great guardian dogs originate,” said Urbigkit.

“Our criteria for finding dogs was they had to originate from large carnivore country, have little to no history of human aggression and be large in size,” said Urbigkit. “We also have to consider the feasibility of importing these dogs. I would love to have some dogs from Afghanistan, but that’s just not logical.”

Notable breeds Using the criteria, she narrowed down her search to a handful of breeds hailing from Spain and the Bal-

kan Peninsula.

“When I heard the Spanish mastiff had killed bears, I knew I had to have one,” Urbigkit said.

She noted even with the large amount of recreational activity in the Spanish countryside, there are no recorded incidents of the dogs biting humans.

The heavy forest and extreme fog in the Balkans also made highly desirable dogs.

“I was taken aback by how rough the terrain of the Balkans really is,” she said.

“There are a lot of wolves and bears, and the dogs work as a pack to either remove the threat from the herd or kill it.”

The breeds Urbigkit found in the Balkans include the Central Asian Ovcharka, Turkish Kangal and Karakachan.

Choosing the right dogs “We have to understand guard dogs are independent thinkers,” said Urbigkit.

“They don’t need a human to command them to do something. They will handle a situation how they see fit.”

When we decide livestock guardian dogs are a good solution, there are many factors to consider.

Understanding the predator load in a specific area, as well as specific herd needs is very important.

“I find a mix of breeds, ages and sexes in dogs is the most effective means of protecting herds from pred-

Guardian dog - European and Asian breeds of livestock guardian dogs, such as the Turkish Kangal, have been effective at combatting predators. Saige Albert photo

MSU to rename program Montana State University (MSU) is requesting the state’s Board of Regents approve naming its proposed ranch management program the Dan Scott Ranch Management Program.

The regents will consider the naming request at their March 7-8 meeting at Helena College. Montana University System and MSU policies permit programs to be named in honor of an individual.

MSU received a $2 million gift from Risa Scott in honor of her late father, Dan. Dan Scott, eldest son of the Padlock Ranch’s founder Homer Scott, served as CEO and manager of the ranch for 50 years. The Scott family has owned First Interstate Bank since 1968.

The ranch management program is expected to help sustain the agricultural heritage of the northern Great Plains and Intermountain West by graduating students with the knowledge and skills to employ prudent ranching practices that create value and improve the state and country’s natural resources. The Scott gift and other secured funding will cover the program’s operating costs.

Public comments on the naming request can be submitted by letter to University Communications, c/o Ranch Management Comments, P.O. Box 172220, Bozeman, MT 59717-2220 or by e-mail to msunews@montana.edu. Comments are due by March 6.

ators,” Urbigkit said. “Often times, younger dogs will be more aggressive than older dogs.”

She noted some dogs are also more aware of avian threats than others, pointing out the Central Asian Ovcharka is extremely aware of large birds.

“Birds of prey, such as eagles, can be a huge threat to lambs and calves,” she explained. “If a rancher is struggling with large birds, there are dogs that can solve these issues.”

Urbigkit noted the most important aspect to consider when choosing dogs is lineage.

“We want to have dogs from working lineages, not pets,” she said.

Predator considerations “These dogs need to be highly canine aggressive,” Urbigkit noted. “If our dogs aren’t engaging wolves, the dogs and sheep will both be slaughtered.”

She noted wolves are

very smart when it comes to getting around guard dogs in the herd. The wolves will often feel dogs out and habituate the dogs to their presence. Once the dogs are comfortable, the wolves are able to prey on the herd.

“It’s not abnormal to see guard dogs sitting by and wolves hunting within the herd,” Urbigkit said. “This is why it’s so important we have dogs that are canine aggressive and confront the wolves directly.”

Urbigkit noted Great Pyrenees dogs are killed more often by wolves than any other breed. It’s unclear if the dog is less effective or if the number of deaths speaks to the popularity of the breed in the United States.

“The problem we have is, our dogs are often outweighed and outnumbered by wolves,” she said. “Some dogs are going to be more aggressive and physically fight with the wolves, while

“We have to understand guard dogs are independent thinkers. They don’t need a human to command them to do something.

They will handle a situation how they see fit.” – Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale others will make their presence known by barking.”

Situational awareness In her travels in eastern Europe, she witnessed guardian dogs working in packs to fend off the wolf packs.

“Many of the farmers have small barns where they would keep their livestock at night, but the wolves were able to get in the barn through the vents,” she explained. “The dogs knew to guard those specific places and were able to keep the wolves out.”

She noted one farmer she talked to was so confident in his dogs he never shot at wolves with a gun.

The farmer told her, “For me to shoot at the

wolves would be an insult to my dogs’ ability.”

Bears “Bears present a unique set of issues for ranchers in Wyoming,” Urbigkit explained. “Legislation makes it very difficult for us to defend our herds against grizzlies.”

Urbigkit explained, similarly to wolves, some dogs will actively engage bears while some will bark and make their presence known.

“We have to remember a guardian dog’s main job is to disrupt predators’ hunting pattern,” she noted.

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

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

T-HEART RANCH 4x10 COLOR

HIGH ALTITUDE BULL SALE The Temple family at T-Heart Ranch has been committed to reducing the serious effects of Brisket Disease for more than 18 years. With the lowest elevation on the ranch at 7,800 feet they have experienced the same challenges as their customers and understand that at high altitude, just like everywhere else, live calves are the only ones that count. At elevation, that means the ones that PAP well. Working closely with the world’s #1 and most practical authority, Dr. Tim Holt at Colorado State University, T-Heart Ranch has methodically collected more than 16,000 PAP scores. Early on, Shane and Beth realized their customer’s need for environmental adaptation of bulls with low PAP scores just to survive and breed cows. As more facts surfaced about the genetic impact and potential to select for reduced losses to Brisket Disease, T-Heart Ranch began testing and selecting all replacement females using PAP scores as well. Selection pressure applied over years, and using all of the tools available to them, has created a vastly improved herd and now their customers are benefiting from these efforts.

PAP 39

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Be watching for a new genetic evaluation for high altitude success coming soon from T-Heart Ranch.

These evaluations will be the only one of its kind based on real, high altitude measures, that are not compromised with lower altitude values.

250 Simmental and SimAngus™ Bulls Including the largest group of NLC COW BOSS 160C Sons.

Other sires include: GW MOUNTAIN DUE 373C • TNT THR UNITY D420 HOOK’S BLACK HAWK 50B • LRS TEN X EXCELLANCE HOOKS BEACON 56B • CLRS DAKOTA 427D HOOKS CONFIDENCE 26C

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True High Altitude Cattle Shane & Beth Temple

T-HEART RANCH and L-CROSS RANCH Marty Ropp 406-581-7835 Corey Wilkins 256-590-2487 Clint Berry 417-844-1009 www.alliedgeneticresources.com

719-850-3082 • 719-850-3083 shane@t-heartranch.com

Josh Staudt 970-227-0729

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www.t-heartranch.com Follow us on FaceBook

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Volume 30 No. 44 •March 2, 2019

Volume 30 No. 44 • March 2, 2019

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Volume 30 No. 44 •March 2, 2019

Volume 30 No. 44 • March 2, 2019

B15

2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans under review by newly appointed committee

Washington, D.C. – To ensure America’s dietary guidance reflects the latest science, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar announced the appointment of 20 nationally recognized scientists to serve on the 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee on Feb. 21.

The independent advisory committee will review scientific evidence on topics and questions identified by the departments and will provide a report on their findings to the secretaries. Their review, along with public and agency comments, will help inform USDA and HHS development of the 2020-25 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs).

“USDA is committed to ensuring everything we do is data-driven and based in scientific facts, which is why this expert commit-

tee’s work in objectively evaluating the science is of the utmost importance to the departments and to this process,” said Perdue.

“The committee will evaluate existing research and develop a report objectively, with an open mind.”

“The scientists we selected to serve on the committee are national leaders in the areas of nutrition and health,” said HHS Secretary Alex Azar. “HHS, USDA and all Americans will benefit from the collective experience and expertise of the committee, which will conduct a rigorous examination of the scientific evidence on several diet-related health outcomes, including the prevention of cancer, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, which are three of the leading causes of death in the United States.”

Inside DGA “The dietary guidelines serves as the foundation for

Sand Dome Farm • Pavillion Here is a reasonably priced irrigated farm consisting of 235 acres with 205 irrigated. Good set of improvements including a 1584 sq ft 3BR, 2 BA home with a 2 car attached garage.

New machine shop, concrete floor, power and plumbed. Three sided livestock shelter and pipe corrals with working facilities . This farm is in the area of non-potable water wells, but there is live water year round from Midvale canal and domestic water is delivered( first 4000 gal free) to a cistern. Well water is suitable for horses, but not ruminants. Irrigation is by gated pipe which is mostly newer and in good condition.

This farm has produced as high as 800 tons of alfalfa hay in recent years.

There are two Encana well sites on the property which currently generate $4000/yr. income.

Price reduced from $790,000 to $675,000. Recent sales in the area have been bringing $3000-$4500/irrigated acre. This farm is priced at $2500 irrigated acre after allowing $160,000 for the improvements. (county assessed value)

Stinson Farm Located 5 miles south of Pavillion, in the heart of irrigated farm country: 121 acre property with 87 irrigated by gated pipe thru Midvale Irrigation District.

Currently in grass. Live water year-round from Midvale Ditch. Highway frontage. Dwelling is surrounded by large trees, and is a 725 sq. ft. (main floor) older farm house with some renovation started, but needs to be finished.

1,500 sq. ft. Quonset for hay or machine storage, partly concreted. Miscellaneous support buildings. Good water.

See other www.wyomingrangerealty.com Good soillistings quality,at with 6 acres Class 1, 31 acres Class 2, 30 acres Class 3 and only 21 acres Class 4.

Perfect property for somebody needing a winter place for horses or cattle. This one won’t last long! $375,000

D L O

S

RANGE REALTY, LLC Fred Nelson, Broker/Owner 307.840.0593 255 Shetland Road • Riverton, WY 82501 email: kinnear@wyoming.com www.wyomingrangerealty.com

food and nutrition policy here in the United States, and they shape critical programs, like the national school lunch program, the National School Breakfast Program,” explained Danielle Beck from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA). “They are really the foundation that nutrition policy is built on.”

Every fives years since 1980, the U.S. government reviews, updates and publishes dietary guidelines for Americans. USDA and HHS has begun the review process in appointing a committee of 20 academics and medical doctors from across the country.

“From a cursory glance, this list of people looks fair and balanced,” Beck said.

“Ultimately, though, we’re going to have to look at what happens in the public meetings hosted by the committee.”

“At this point in time, it looks like, for every pro-

plant-based diet proponent, there’s someone who recognized the value of animal-based protein in a healthy diet,” Beck said.

“We’re excited to see what happens.”

Moving forward NCBA and other agriculture organizations have been looking at the dietary guidelines and working on the issue for the last several months, making sure lines of communication are open with stakeholders on Capitol Hill.

“We’ve had several conversations with the folks at USDA to let them know exactly what we would like to see moving forward in the 2020 process,” Beck said.

She continued, “We expect this process to be fair and based in sound, nutritional science.”

Looking at 2015’s DGA, the committee focused on issues outside the realm of nutritional sci-

“We expect this process to be fair and based in sound, nutritional science.” – Danielle Beck, NCBA ence – including sustainability and taxation, according to Beck, who said, “That has nothing to do with healthy diets for Americans.

Moving forward, we would like to see that not happen again.”

Beck also said USDA has taken steps to avoid the pitfalls seen in 2015.

Committee work As the review process begins for the 2020 DGA, the committee will meet at least five times over 18 months.

“We expect sometime in the next couple of weeks USDA will announced the first DGAC public meeting, which is when they’ll really begin to initiate their independent, science-based review of specific topics, supporting scientific ques-

tions relating to nutrition and health from birth into older adulthood,” Beck said.

All committee meetings will be open to the public, and the public will be encouraged to submit comments.

The process concludes after the two-year charter for the committee expires or when a final report is delivered to USDA and HHS secretaries.

“This is going to be a quick process,” Beck commented. “The next 18 months is going to fly by.”

Find more information about the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans at DietaryGuidelines.gov.

Saige Albert is managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup and can be reached at saige@wylr.net.

B16

Volume 30 No. 44 •March 2, 2019

It’s the Pitts

by Lee Pitts

The Best Summer of My Youth I’ve had a lifelong love affair with Angus cattle despite an inauspicious beginning to my cattle career.

Near the end of my freshman year in high school, I got a $350 loan from a kind-hearted banker and bought the meanest Angus steer that ever lived. He was also a chronic bloater. My ag teacher picked him out for me, and that’s the last time I ever let anyone buy cattle for me.

I named my steer Abe, built a nice pen and kept it spotless. I had to feed Abe every morning by six because that’s when he wanted his breakfast, and if I was one minute late, he’d bawl and wake up my lazy neighbors.

I invested $300 total in Abe and spent over 350 hours cleaning his pen, feeding, grooming and trying to gentle him.

Despite his angry nature, I loved that steer and cried when they hauled him away. Interestingly,

the only time I ever won showmanship at any fair was with crazy Abe. In the final analysis I lost $13.50, thus establishing the pattern for the rest of my checkered cattleman career.

Despite the heavy financial loss, I couldn’t wait until my sophomore year to do it all over again. I’d learned a thing or two the first time, so I wasn’t going to let my teacher pick a steer for me at the auction barn.

I did my research, contacted Mr. Dow of the Superior Angus Ranch and immediately fell in love with an Angus steer I named Abner. He looked just like the poster of the ideal Angus steer the Angus Association sent me. Abner was the Grand Champion county fair steer, and overnight, I became the richest kid in my class.

The next year I went back to the same place and bought a steer I named George after my

For the latest from Lee Pitts, visit leepittsbooks.com.

grandfather, which I’m sure touched him deeply.

George was also a County Fair Grand Champion, and the minute a photo of George appeared in the county newspaper mentioning how much money I got per pound, I soon became my parent’s loan shark.

I also bought four registered Angus heifers and a bull because I’d fallen in love with showing cattle and going to fairs. I wanted my own minishow string, so I joined the American Angus Association, framed my membership certificate and covered all the walls in my room with pictures of showring winners.

The next summer I went to five fairs, including the state fair. Due to my age, at two of the fairs, I had to be chaperoned by a local FFA advisor, and my grandpa accompanied me to the others. He loved the show road as much as I did, and I put him to work with a pitchfork picking up the hot ones, if you know what I mean.

I showed my cattle in both the junior and senior divisions and usually won in the junior division classes, often because I had the only animal. But when I went up against the large purebred breeders, my bull stood dead last every time. This was due to a lack of conformation and conditioning and because the pros cheated.

They heated the backs of their animals with a heat lamp and rolled them with

a rolling pin to make them flatter, dyed their cattle jet black, fudged on their birthdays and injected air to make their animals appear more muscular or their udders fuller. I know all this because an old herdsman took pity on me and taught me the tricks of the trade.

We were all like one big gypsy family until the last fair of the summer, when some idiot got into the show barn one night and untied every single

“I’ve had a lifelong love affair with Angus cattle despite an inauspicious beginning to my cattle career.” – Lee Pitts animal. I found two of my heifers in the swine barn, another cavorting with Holsteins and caught my bull with a big smile on his face breeding several of the open heifers belonging to the professionals. When they realized their prize-winning heifers might be infected with sperm from my infe-

rior bull, they besieged the fair veterinarian in search of “morning after” pills.

I quit the registered business shortly thereafter, the Angus Association quit sending me the Angus Journal, and to this day, some Angus breeders blame me for any genetic defects that might show up in the breed.

Winter impact Wyoming wildlife As winter storms continue to move into western Wyoming, local Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) field personnel are monitoring all wildlife closely and wish to keep the public up-todate on impacts.

Significant snowfall and cold temperatures during the month of February, have resulted in severe conditions on winter ranges throughout the Pinedale Region, causing concern among wildlife managers.

“At this point it remains difficult to predict how bad the mortality rates will be,” said Pinedale Region Wildlife Supervisor John Lund, “But we will likely see above-average mortality in some areas, mostly among mule deer and prong-

horn fawns if conditions do not improve quickly.”

Officials are also asking people to avoid stressing any wildlife they encounter in the coming weeks, as any additional stress might make a difference in whether some animals survive the winter or not.

Despite the hard winter, wildlife officials are urging residents to refrain from feeding wildlife to “help” them through the winter, as it typically does more harm than good. Feeding can result in increased potential for disease transmission, as well as conflicts with people, pets and traffic due to high densities of animals in a small area.

For more information on how to properly live with wildlife, contact WGFD at 800452-9107 or 307-367-4353 in Pinedale.

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