January 12, 2019

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Volume 30 Number 37 • January 12, 2019

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

A Look Inside Sen. John Barrasso looks at the importance of utilizing innovation, rather than regulation, to accomplish goals. . . Page 2 Mucosal vaccines provide an important option for cattle producers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 5 Brian Boner lays out his perspective of this 2019 Wyoming Senate. . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 21 Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Station recognized outstanding staff members in midDecember. . . . . . . . . . Page 23

Quick Bits Internet Beef Nielsen has reported that beef saw the biggest change in U.S. sales in the past few years, with almost 11% more pounds sold in 2018 than in 2015. Beef consumption is expected to continue to rise, to 58.8 pounds per person in 2019, 2.8% higher than last year, according to forecasts from the Cattle Site. While 55% of Americans still buy their meat at full-service markets, online meat purchases have jumped from 4% in 2015 to 19% in 2018.

Gordon sees optimism for Wyo in first State of the State Cheyenne – In his first State of the State Address, Gov. Mark Gordon noted a general feeling of excitement from across the state. “I was both inspired and humbled by the wellspring of good energy that this state seems to be feel-

ing right now,” Gordon said. “The state is excited and expecting good things from all of us.” He added, “ I have to say the enthusiasm we have felt over the past couple of days should give us all optimism for our future. We are

a resourceful people in an amazing state at an important time in our state’s history. Let us make the most of it.” Though he has felt the support of the state over the past six years as State Treasurer, Gordon says he was

humbled to give his first State of the State address. “Following close on the heels of an inaugural for only the fourth time in our state’s history, it has been, in fact, 56 years since a newly elected Gov. Hansen gave Please see GOV on page 8

Ladies in leadership

Geis women hold leadership positions at national, state, local level For the first time anyone can remember, the same family of women sits at the helm of the national, state and local cattlewomen chapters, building a legacy of leadership within the family. Gwen Geis, her sister-in-law Bobbie Geis and Gwen’s daughter Kahla Mills have injected their passion for the cattle industry by serving in the organization in any way they can.

“A lot of times, cattlewomen are generational,” Gwen comments, “but to do it at the same time and have three of us from the same family as president of organizations just doesn’t happen very often – if ever.” She continues, “Many times a mother and daughter will serve as county or state president, but most Please see GEIS on page 14

Plague Case A Johnson County pet has been confirmed as the third known cat confirmed with the plague in the state in the past six months, according to a release from the Wyoming Department of Health. The cat lives in Kaycee and is known to go outdoors. Plague is a serious bacterial infection that can be deadly for both pets and people.

Sisters in agriculture — Women from the Geis family, including (from left to right) Gwen Geis, Kahla Mills and Bobbie Geis, all hold leadership positions in their respective cattlemen’s organizations. The women, who all enjoy the “sisterhood” felt within these organizations lead together to strengthen the beef industry.

NWSS starts

The National Western Stock Show’s Kick-Off Parade officially started the event on Jan. 10, with over 40 Longhorn cattle walking through the streets of downtown Denver, Colo. The parade, presented this year by Arrow Electronics, started in the 1960s and is a feature of the month-long agriculture industry event.

Producers can use forage testing data to help curate a winter feed plan The implications of winter feeding programs reach far past the disappearance of snow and emergence of fresh spring grass. A properly planned, data backed winter feeding program can assist producers reduce cost and increase breeding viability. Wyoming State Beef Extension Specialist Steve Paisley who studies heifer development and feed management, prioritizes forage quality testing prior to winter feeding season. “If ranchers have the ability to quality test their forage before the winter they absolutely should,” says Paisley. “By doing this, ranchers can more accurately determine the nutritional needs of the herd so we know how much to feed throughout the winter.” Paisley also notes it is very important for producers to have their feed nitrate tested to reduce possible instances of nitrate poisoning, which can decrease the body score and cause a number of other health issues Please see DATA on page 9

Wolf Spread Hanson joins 'Roundup' team A gray wolf was shot on Jan. 7 outside of northeastern Montana’s Glasgow, hundreds of miles from established wolf packs, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP). The female wolf, which weighed about 70 pounds, was legally harvested Monday by a local hunter about a mile southwest of town, which is in Valley County, said Marc Kloker, a FWP spokesman in Glasgow.

Saige Albert photo

Winter feeding plan

A southeast Texas native, Callie Hanson joined the Wyoming Livestock Roundup on Jan. 7 as assistant editor. Dennis Sun, Wyoming Livestock Roundup publisher, comments, “Having just graduated from Texas A&M, we’re excited to have Callie join the Roundup team. We’re Callie Hanson going to enjoy working with her and showing her around the Rocky Mountain Region so she can meet everyone.” Hanson was raised on a commercial cattle operation in southeast Texas. She spent her youth exhibiting goats, swine and certified F1 cattle. She also showed horses in working ranch horse shows. She earned her degree in agricultural communications from Texas A&M University, graduating in December 2018 and moving to Casper to start her new endeavor with the Roundup. Hanson comments, “I’m excited for this fresh start in Wyoming, and I’m looking forward for the opportunity to do exactly what my college experience prepared me to do and what I’m passion about – communicate about the agriculture industry.” Welcome Hanson to the Roundup by e-mailing callie@wylr.net.

Grazing management crucial in drought Torrington – The ultimate goal of livestock grazing management is to take something consumers don’t want to eat and turn it into something they do want to eat – like a thick, juicy steak. John Ritten’s opening remark during a recent presentation garnered more than a few chuckles from around the room, but Ritten reiterated the importance of matching our demand to supply, particularly during drought. The University of Wyoming Ag Economics associate professor and Extension economist was in Torrington recently to discuss long-term strategies for operations during market changes and changes in spring precipitation,during the Southeast

Wyoming Beef Production Convention. His take-home message was simple. “There is no strategy that is 100 percent correct. Producers have to be ready to respond to the market, the weather and the current situation,” Ritten said. “One thing they can bank on is there will be another drought – it is just a matter of when.” Looking at data Sharing a survey conducted amongst Wyoming ranchers about what they do when there is a drought, Ritten was surprised to learn most producers are reactive. The top three answers in the survey were to destock breeding stock, feed through a

periodical

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Please see GRAZE on page 6


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January 12, 2019 by Wyoming Livestock Roundup - Issuu