Roundup for 4.13.24

WSF Endowment seeks donations for match opportunity

The Wyoming State Fair (WSF) Endowment is currently seeking funds to reach a $500,000 goal, outlined by the Wyoming Legislature who offered to match the contributions if

Quick Bits

Snow Report

In the 17th snow report for Water Year 2024, the state’s snowpack telemetry data reads 99% of median, with a basin high of 125% and a basin low of 37%. Last year, the state was at 131% and at 79% in 2022. The report and a map displaying basin snow water equivalent percentages of median for the state may be found at wrds.uwyo.edu/ wrds/nrcs/nrcs.html

Public Input

The Bureau of Land Management opened a 30-day public comment period to receive public input for an evaluation report of the Rawlins Resource Management Plan, as amended. To view all associated documents and to participate in the public comment period, visit eplanning.blm.gov/. The public comment period will conclude May 4 at 4 p.m. For questions, contact Kirk Warrington at 307-3284385 or kwarring@blm.gov.

FAS Programs

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) is accepting applications from eligible organizations for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 funding for five export market development programs. FAS recently published the FY 2025 notices of funding opportunity for the Market Access Program, Foreign Market Development Program, Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops Program, Quality Samples Program and Emerging Markets Program. The application deadline for the five programs is June 14.

Policy Director

Gov. Mark Gordon announced a change to his leadership team, naming Randall Luthi policy director, taking over for Renny MacKay. An attorney, rancher and former speaker of the Wyoming House of Representatives from Freedom, Luthi has served as the governor’s chief energy advisor since 2019.

they are raised on or before June 1.

“Through the WSF Endowment Matching Funds Campaign – with a goal of $500,000 – we have a unique opportunity

to ensure the fair’s vibrant future supporting agriculture, youth, education and our cherished Western lifestyle,” writes WSF General Manager Courtny Conkle in the WSF Endowment Match

Campaign Case Statement. “This campaign is more than a fundraising effort – it is a call to action for every one of us to contribute to a legacy which will inspire

2024 Spring Planting Edition

SpringAction INTO

Growers prepare for 2024 planting season

With winter’s chill beginning to wane, the ground starting to thaw and the first signs of spring emerging, growers have turned their attention to the upcoming planting season.

And, since preparation is key for a successful harvest, steps taken in the early days of spring will set the tone for coming months.

From ground preparation, pest control and equipment maintenance, growers can begin preparing for the 2024 spring planting season now.

Preparing soils

Many experts agree one of the most important steps to

achieving a successful harvest is to properly prepare soils prior to planting.

BarnDoor Ag, an agricultural equipment company based out of Marshall, Mo., notes it is crucial for growers to understand what type of soil they have on their land, how well it retains moisture and what crops will grow best in it.

For those who are less experienced or simply haven’t taken the time to do so, the company encourages investing in a soil test, which generally measures phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, pH, cation exchange capacity,

Growing herbs

UW offers gardening advice for Wyoming growers

An herb is a seed plant which does not produce a woody stem like a tree but will live long enough to develop flowers and seeds.

Holding terrific attributes, herbs can be grown in cooler climates and survive Wyoming’s winters while prospering in the Cowboy State’s sunshine.

Herbs may be annuals, biennials or perennial plants, and with proper preparation and care, can be grown for culinary, aromatic, ornamental and medicinal use.

Culinary herbs are probably the most useful to gardeners, as they have a wide range of uses in the kitchen.

Deciding what to grow

Growing herbs is a rewarding hobby for many home gardeners, and many herbs can be grown in a variety of containers or in the ground.

From seed choices to deciding where to plant, UW Extension can provide answers to a variety of questions to help Wyoming gardens flourish.

“Start with what you like to eat and learn how to grow it,” suggested UW Extension Master Gardener State Coordinator Chris Hilgert. “Gardening combines

Wyoming wolf incident generates outrage Drought conditions improve ahead of spring planting

According to the April 7 Wyoming Crop Progress Report, published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agriculture Statistics Service (NASS), drought conditions improved across the state during the first week of April, just in time for many growers to turn their attention to the 2024 spring planting season.

The report notes the amount of land rated drought free was 54 percent, up 11 percent from the 45 percent reported the week prior.

Twenty-one percent of the state reported abnormally dry conditions, an improvement of eight percent from the previous week, according to NASS, while moderate drought conditions stood at 17 percent, unchanged from the week before. Severe drought conditions also remained unchanged at nine percent.

“Reports from Lincoln County indicated cold wet conditions during the week, resulting in the ground being too wet to cultivate, while ranchers in the area were heavily into calving and flocks are starting to lamb out,” NASS continues. “Niobrara County reporters noted heavy snowfall received over the weekend.”

Conditions across the High Plains

Improved drought conditions were not confined to the state of Wyoming.

In fact, according to the National Drought Mitigation Center’s (NDMC) Drought Climate Summary for March 2024, most of the West saw improvements, especially throughout Arizona, parts of Central and Western New

On the last day of February, a Sublette County man was reported to have live captured a wolf in Wyoming’s predator zone and took the wolf into both his residence and a local bar in Daniel before killing the animal, according to original reporting by Emily Cohen of KHOL, who broke the story.

Cohen reported Cody Roberts of Daniel was cited by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) for illegally possessing a live wolf and paid a fine of $250.

Cowboy State Daily’s Mark Heinz reported the story a few days later, citing two anonymous sources “familiar with the incident” who alleged Roberts “ran the wolf down with a snowmobile on Feb. 29,

disabling it.”

At this point the story went viral.

After Cowboy State Daily published a photo of Roberts posing with the wolf with tape around its muzzle inside what appears to be a residence, the public outrage seemingly came from all over the world as more media outlets ran with the story, with most reporting based on the allegations in Cowboy State Daily’s article and not on original or confirmed sourcing.

Allegations versus facts

The public outrage is based on allegations from two anonymous sources Roberts reportedly ran down a wolf and generated widespread media use of terms such as

WYLR photo

Pollinator habitat considerations provided by UW Extension Page

Healthy soil is key to a productive garden

Lee Pitts discusses Brain Shrinkage Syndrome

GUEST OPINIONS A Positive Study

A while back, I read of a new study about carbon capture and carbon credits. I want to read everything I can about carbon, as I’m afraid I don’t know much about it. I do know carbon is very political these days, and most people say we need to get rid of it.

I also know we need some carbon to grow plants and trees, but I don’t know what amount of carbon is bad. I’ve read about energy companies making money in storing carbon, and we are now hearing how livestock producers can graze their animals in such a way to store carbon and receive money in doing so.

The aforementioned study says, “Improved rangeland grazing management leads to substantial sequestration of carbon.”

Well, those words caught my attention. The study shows rotational grazing leads to recovered grass, greater water infiltration with lower runoff and a deeper organic capacity layer which absorbs more carbon, leading to greater moisture retention and nutrient cycling capacity and making land more resilient to drought.

CarbonSolve, a leading global developer of rangeland carbon credits, announced the results of a long-term study which presents the first evidence of improved grazing practices, implemented at the scale of traditional pastoralist migrations, can remove a significant volume of greenhouse gases to soil carbon.

The study was conducted by a team of scientists from various universities and organizations in the U.S., Kenya and Tanzania and was performed across more than five million acres of rangeland in Northern Kenya.

I traveled through Northern Kenya and Tanzania last fall. I couldn’t believe their dry areas and how bad drought could get there. They are still out grazing their cattle and goats every day, but their livestock looked terrible.

According to the study, the statistically significant magnitude of increase in soil carbon associated with conducting high-density, short-duration grazing practices was slightly higher than was predicted by a relatively simple model which linked soil carbon changes to grazing management.

Calculations from this long-term study suggest improved grazing practices implemented at a large scale have removed millions of metric tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and support the issuance of carbon credits to the Northern Kenya Rangelands Carbon Project.

If they can remove carbon from those critically dry areas by proper grazing, it should work better on our Northern Plains and most of the West.

The best part is, ranchers across the U.S. have been using rotational grazing for over 45 years or so, some more intensely than others. But it has turned livestock, especially cattle, into a tool which offsets their negatives.

While cattle are blamed for around two percent of the country’s greenhouse gases, proper grazing can erase the two percent into a positive pollution fighter.

Ranchers in the U.S. are great stewards of the range with their rotational grazing practices, and it has been proved we can raise our income by doing so – we welcome it. Income is good for ranchers, but good rangelands helping with pollution are welcome by most everyone.

The Winter and Summer Promise of Indoor Farming

This winter, arctic air sank much of the U.S. into a deep freeze, with record lows and temperatures plunging below zero. Thankfully, our fresh food supply chain has evolved tremendously to the point most consumers don’t have to skip a beat – or beet – during winter months to keep healthy food on the table.

However, technology is bringing a whole new opportunity to improve the resilience of produce supply chains.

Great-tasting tomatoes are growing in Michigan and Virginia. Beautiful strawberries are thriving in Ohio and New York. And, fresh salad greens are being harvested from Minnesota to Pennsylvania.

This is the new world of indoor farming, also known as Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA).

CEA facilities like indoor vertical farms and high-tech greenhouses employ a variety of agricultural practices and technologies to create optimal growing conditions by closely

By Tom Stenzel

regulating factors like temperature, humidity and light.

In many ways, CEA is the ultimate in precision agriculture, enhancing overall efficiency and yields while reducing food waste and the use of precious resources.

Indoor farming

Long recognized as a boost for sustainability, retailers and consumers are coming to realize the year-round availability of fresh, high-quality produce may be one of the most important benefits of indoor farming.

“Our farms are capable of navigating temperature differentials of up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit, seamlessly transitioning between extremes,” said Tom Thompson, chief revenue officer of Revol Greens. “With farms in multiple parts of the country, Revol can harmonize our operations year-round across diverse climates.”

The growth of indoor farming is accelerating across the country and around the world. Dwindling natural

resources such as land and water, volatile weather conditions, supply chain disruptions and the need to reduce food waste are all driving this acceleration.

“Vertical farming removes the one impossible-to-control factor which has plagued agriculture for millennia – the weather,” said Matt Williams, chief sales officer of Bowery. “Growing independent of extreme weather conditions is especially important in the frigid winter months when demand for fresh produce remains high, but the choice for locally-grown options is very low.”

The farm bill

The next farm bill will be critical to supporting this important and growing sector of U.S. agriculture. Most current farm programs were designed before indoor farming was even imaginable, let alone at a commercial scale.

Congress has an opportunity to build on the bipartisan success of the 2018 Farm Bill by including elements

BLM hosts public meetings

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages the largest single share of sage grouse habitat in the U.S. –nearly 67 million acres of 145 million total acres. The draft plan offers a range of alternatives for sustainable management of these lands.

Balancing a consistent management approach across the range while addressing conditions and policies unique to individual states, the BLM will be able to work more effectively with state and local managers to protect and improve sagebrush habitats on public lands.

For more information on the Greater sage grouse land use plan amendments, visit blm.gov/press-release/blm-proposes-stronger-greater-sage-grouse-conservation-plans

Four Wyoming public meetings will be held in regards to the BLM’s land use plan.

The meetings are scheduled for April 18 at the Laramie County Library in Cheyenne, April 22 at the Rock Springs Library in Rock Springs, April 23 at the Washakie County Library in Worland and April 24 at the Agricultural Resource Learning Center in Casper.

All meetings will take place from 5-7 p.m.

HPAI reported in worker

A person in the U.S. has tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A (H5N1) virus (H5N1 bird flu), as reported by Texas and confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

This person had exposure to dairy cattle in Texas presumed to be infected with HPAI A H5N1. The patient reported eye redness – consistent with conjunctivitis – as their only symptom and is recovering. The patient was told to isolate and is being treated with an antiviral drug for flu.

This infection does not change the H5N1 bird flu human health risk assessment for the U.S. general public, which CDC considers to be low. However, people with close or prolonged unprotected exposures to infected birds or other animals – including livestock –or to environments contaminated by infected birds or other animals, are at greater risk of infection.

CDC is working with state health departments to continue to monitor workers who may have been in contact with infected or potentially infected birds and animals and test people who develop symptoms.

CDC also has recommendations for clinicians on monitoring, testing and antiviral treatment for patients with suspected or confirmed avian influenza A virus infections.

This is the second person reported to have tested positive for influenza A H5N1 viruses in the U.S. A previous human case occurred in 2022 in Colorado.

Lambing webinar offered

The University of Wyoming (UW) Extension Sheep Task Force will offer a free webinar on April 23 at 6 p.m. The hour-long event is geared toward Wyoming sheep producers interested in updating their lambing barn facilities and technology.

The presentation will feature guest speakers Regan Smith of Smith Sheep and Stuff and Cord and Kristin Bieber of Bieber Land and Livestock and Skull Creek Targhees. UW Extension Sheep Specialist Whit Stewart and UW Extension Educator Makayla Getz will help guide the discussion.

“This webinar is for sheep producers looking for ways to adapt their lambing barn management more effectively, both improving the lambing facilities and how electronic identification and other technological improvements have helped them make timely decisions and reduce labor,” says Stewart.

In the second half of the webinar, virtual attendees will have the opportunity to submit questions to the group. For anyone unable to attend, the webinar will be recorded and made available on the UW Sheep Program website after the event.

Registration for the event is required by noon on April 22 and can be completed at tiny.CC/UWESheepTF. Contact Micah Most at the Johnson County Extension office for assistance at 307-684-7522 or mmost@uwyo.edu.

University of Wyoming (UW) Extension welcomed

Dan VanderPloeg as an agriculture and natural resources educator serving Washakie County.

VanderPloeg graduated from UW with a bachelor’s degree in agroecology. He achieved a master’s degree in seed technology and business from Iowa State University in 2022.

VanderPloeg has worked as an agronomist for Corteva Agriscience since 2014. In this position, he maintained relationships with growers and kept them informed about current issues in alfalfa seed production in Wyoming and Montana. He also researched pesticide application and efficacy.

Prior to his position at Corteva, VanderPloeg spent more than a decade as a sales manager with two Colorado companies – Shop Outfitters and PlasmaCAM. He organized events, led teams to improve company sales and create programs to help reach new customers.

VanderPloeg enjoys working with his community to find innovative solutions to problems.

“What we do is special,” he says. “Around two percent of the U.S. population engages in agriculture. This makes us unique, and we shouldn’t lose sight of it.”

VanderPloeg started his new role with UW Extension on March 27. He can be contacted at dvanderp@uwyo.edu.

Dan VanderPloeg Courtesy photo

NEWS BRIEFS

WWAB meeting scheduled

The Wyoming Water and Waste Advisory Board (WWAB) will meet on June 13 at 9 a.m. virtually via Zoom and in person at the Department of Environmental Quality Casper Field Office Conference Room to consider revisions to Water Quality Rules, Chapter One, Wyoming Surface Water Quality Standards and Chapter Two, Permit Regulations for Discharges to Wyoming Surface Waters.

Interested parties may contact Gina Thompson at gina. thompson@wyo.gov or 307-777-7343 for information on how to join the meeting via telephone or Zoom. Individuals may contact Lindsay Patterson at 307-777-7079 for questions on the Water Quality Rules revisions.

Additional details are located at deq.wyoming.gov/ shwd/wwab/

Beginning 8 a.m. on April 11 and before 5 p.m. on June 13, written comments may be submitted via mail to WDEQ/WQD, 200 West 17th Street, Ste. 200, Cheyenne, WY, 82002; via fax to 307-635-1784 or submitted through and accepted electronically wq.wyomingdeq.commentinput.com/comment/search

NCBA criticizes decision

On April 9, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) criticized the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Services’ decision to cancel the July Cattle Report and discontinue the County Estimates for Crops and Livestock, among other changes.

These reports provide critical data, and the decision to end them is completely misguided, according to NCBA.

“It is disingenuous for the same agency which touts its commitment to transparency in livestock markets to arbitrarily cease publication of reports which provide just that. While it may be politically expedient to blame appropriators in Congress for today’s decision, cattle producers know better than to believe discontinuing a handful of reports will result in substantive cost savings for the department,” said NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane.

Trade mission a success

A recent U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)sponsored agribusiness trade mission to the Republic of Korea – South Korea – proved to be a tremendous success for nearly 50 U.S. agribusinesses, cooperators, trade associations and state departments of agriculture looking to grow and diversify U.S. exports to East Asia.

Recapping the successes of the trade mission, USDA’s Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis M. Taylor said, “During the trade mission to South Korea, U.S. exporters conducted more than 600 meetings with potential importers as they look to expand the variety of American products available to Korean consumers. As a result of those productive meetings, U.S. companies reported $67 million in projected 12-month sales to South Korea.”

Taylor further explained when it comes to U.S. food and agricultural imports, South Korea is a powerhouse buyer. It ranks as the U.S.’s fifth largest singlecountry export market. Just last year, exports of U.S. agricultural and ag-related products to South Korea totaled a little more than $8 billion.

New app developed

Being able to see into the future would be a handy trick for anybody, but this ability could be indispensable in helping farmers navigate the ups and downs of Mother Nature and markets.

Scientists with the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in the Texas A&M University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences are developing a tool that could give agricultural producers a glimpse into the future for planning purposes.

The tool will utilize existing technology, data collection tools and data, including weather, market prices, farm production costs and revenues, water conservation practices and water movement through watersheds to project scenario-based outcomes for producer operations based on possible fluctuations within those factors.

BLM invites public input

The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Kemmerer Field Office is seeking public comment on a planned environmental assessment (EA) associated with Exxon Mobil’s Carbon Capture Phase One project. This EA will analyze the potential effects of a disposal well pad, access road and buried eight-inch pipeline in the project area.

A virtual public meeting will be held on April 17 from 4-5 p.m. to invite public comments on the proposal. Interested parties can join the meeting at blm.zoomgov.com/j/16128463 29?pwd=b0FJNEl6dTNrVmhyUEtTaEY0RFdPdz09

A 15-day public scoping period will begin after the meeting and end on May 1. Additional project information, including how to attend the meeting virtually, is posted at eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2031929/510

Comments may be submitted electronically through the BLM’s ePlanning website or by mail to the Bureau of Land Management Kemmerer Field Office, Attn: Kaisa McKenna, 430 N. Highway 189, Kemmerer, WY 83101.

All comments, including personal identifying information, may be made publicly available at any time. While those commenting may ask their identifying information be withheld from public review, the BLM cannot guarantee they will be able to do so.

For more information, contact McKenna at 307-8284542 or kmckenna@blm.gov.

Investment announced

King Ranch, Inc. announced it has acquired a 50 percent stake in Cobalt Cattle, the nation’s fourth-largest cattle feeding operation with six feedyards in Colorado, Kansas and Texas.

The acquisition represents the next step in King Ranch’s long-term strategic vision to participate throughout various sectors of the beef industry, fortifying the entire value chain.

“We are excited about this opportunity and what it means for King Ranch’s long-term commitment to the beef industry,” said Robert Hodgen, chief executive officer of King Ranch, Inc. “Cobalt Cattle is a clear leader in the cattle feeding sector with a highly seasoned and experienced management team. We look forward to leveraging our combined industry expertise while upholding our shared commitment to the highest standards of excellence.”

FARMING continued from page 2

of the Supporting Urban and Innovative Farming Act of 2023, which would improve technical assistance, expand research and development, improve data collection and assist with workforce development and credentialing.

In addition, the House and Senate Agriculture committees should look to the Food Supply Chain Capacity and Resiliency Act, which would provide critical alternative funding for CEA farms and other similar capital-intensive industries like dairy or poultry processing by enhancing and making permanent the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s previous Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program.

“Indoor farming can help create the ideal conditions for produce such as leafy greens and herbs to thrive, providing a yearround supply of fresh produce that is always in season,” said Viraj Puri, chief executive officer and cofounder of Gotham Greens. “With multiple high-tech, climate-controlled facilities in nine states across the country, it’s always the perfect time to grow fresh, high-quality and longer-lasting salad greens.”

Beyond the confines of the farm bill, high upfront capital costs remain a significant barrier to the expansion of CEA and the deployment of other innovative farming technologies in specialty crops.

In 2022, the bipartisan members of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture voted unanimously in support of investment tax credits as one way Congress could support CEA producers.

This type of time-limited, market-based policy would be transformative for U.S. CEA producers as they look to compete on the global stage but could easily be expanded to support the deployment of innovative precision agriculture technologies for outdoor specialty crop producers as well.

Technology

Regardless of approach, technology will be critical to making supply chains more resilient.

“CEA is uniquely positioned to address food security, as we don’t face many of the same challenges as field farms, including inclement weather, drought, flooding, freezing or overspray from neighboring farms,” said John Ketler,

president of Nature Fresh Farms.

“Consumers value consistency and fall in love with brands that can deliver consistently exceptional product experiences,” said Leah Vanwoerkom, vice president of marketing and brand at 80 Acres Farms. “Now, we’re bringing this kind of consistency to agriculture and to supermarket produce sections across America – delivering the same fresh, nutritious and tasty greens in January we do in June, no matter what’s going on outside.”

As winter begins to thaw, we know new supply chain disruptions are just around the corner. Congress must do everything it can to improve the resilience of our food system.

Indoor farming will be an increasingly important piece of the puzzle, and the next farm bill must recognize this.

Tom Stenzel is the former president and chief executive officer of the United Fresh Produce Association from 1993 to 2022. His consulting business – the CEA Alliance, a nonprofit trade association which supports and represents indoor farming –retains the Stenzel Group. This opinion column was originally published by AgriPulse on March 27.

EXTENSION EDUCATION

By Amy Smith, UW Extension Educator

Individuals Should Consider Creating a Pollinator Habitat

Spring is considered the season that represents rejuvenation of life, whether it be livestock, wildlife or gardening.

While sometimes overlooked as lesser creatures, pollinators play a crucial role in ecosystems and agriculture for several reasons.

First is the act of pollination itself, transferring pollen from one flower to another. This small act is essential for fruit, vegetable, nut and seed production, as well as for genetic diversity.

Most plants that produce edible products have evolved to rely on pollinators. In fact, when pollinators are present, producers often notice a better-quality product and a significant increase in yield.

Pollinators also help to maintain the structure and function of ecosystems by creating healthy plant populations, producing food for humans and animals alike. Pollinators help increase biodiversity, which improves the ecosystem’s stability and resilience to disturbance.

Of course, pollinators add economic value through increased crop production and industry.

Beekeeping has become very popular with backyard enthusiasts who want to increase pollinators locally. However, commercial beekeeping is an important industry as well, providing honey and other products such as beeswax, bee propolis, bee powder and royal jelly.

Through attractions like butterfly pavilions and insectariums, ecotourism has also profited from pollinators.

With all of this publicity, it is little wonder pollinator habitats have gained popularity.

When creating a pollinator habitat, whether in the garden or in the field, here are some recommendations to consider.

Site location and assessment

First, evaluate any available space in the garden or property.

One factor to consider is sunlight exposure. Make sure to choose a spot which receives at least six or more hours of sunlight a day. It may be helpful to draw a diagram of how the sun moves through the space designated for pollinators.

Soil type and moisture levels should also be considered. Investing in a professional soil test will give a person a good idea of any soil amendments which may be necessary, as well as the moisture holding capacity for the soil.

Control or remove any unwanted vegetation before planting desirable plants. This can be achieved by

mechanical or cultural methods, clear or black plastic or with herbicides. Choose the method that works best for the specific situation.

Make sure to identify any potential obstacles or challenges. Shade from buildings, competition from invasive plants, moisture drainage and septic systems are just a few obstacles that may be present.

Create a plan

This is where it may help to sketch a rough design of the area, including measurements of the available space and any existing features that will be kept.

Flower beds, pathways, water features, seating areas and any other permanent features should be included in the sketch as well.

Selection and placement of plants

When selecting plants, there are a few decisions which must be made.

A diverse selection of plants should include a variety of native and non-native plants. Native plants have evolved alongside native pollinators, and therefore, provide the most suitable habitat and food sources.

Make sure to include plants which provide nectar, pollen and habitat throughout the growing season. Ideally, the selection should include a mixture of annuals, perennials, shrubs and trees.

Also think about plants which have different flower shapes, sizes and colors to attract as many pollinators as possible. Include plants that flower at night for night pollinators, as well as daytime visitors.

When placing plants in the landscape, it is best to arrange them in clusters or drifts. This makes it easier for pollinators to locate food sources.

To create a more suitable microhabitat for both plants and pollinators, group plants with similar water and sunlight requirements together. It is most common to place taller plants in the back of the bed or along fences and shorter plants in front.

When selecting plants, be aware of neighboring livestock. There are many plants, native and non-native, that are toxic to livestock.

Lupine and delphinium are just two native species which are highly toxic to sheep and cattle. It is wise to do research on plant species one may want to include in their pollinator habitat before planting.

Provide water

Just like humans, insects need water. Therefore, it is extremely important to include a water source in a pollinator habitat. The water source can be made from any material, but must be shal-

low and have stones or floating platforms for pollinators to stand on while accessing water.

Consider making the water source brightly colored. Pollinators are attracted to flowers because of their color, so it makes sense water sources should be brightly colored as well.

Place the water source near flowering plants, in a location easily found by pollinators but is also protected from predators.

Habitat features

When making a pollinator habitat, include shelter and nesting sites such as shrubs, trees, rocks, logs and native grasses.

It might be necessary to conduct a survey as to what native pollinators are present before providing habitat features, as most pollinators have specific needs and will not share nesting sites with other species.

Consider seasonal interest

Think about each season and what it offers to pollinators.

What will the habitat look like in the winter, for instance?

Provide a variety of bloom times for continuous

nectar and pollen sources. Include plants with colorful foliage or interesting textures. Incorporate features which will provide visual interest throughout the year such as trees, shrubs, berryproducing plants, colorful branches or limbs, garden art and more.

Pathways and access

Including pathways in a pollinator habitat is beneficial for a couple of reasons.

First, a pathway allows easy access to all areas throughout the habitat for maintenance. Secondly, the pathway offers a place to observe pollinators with little to no disturbance.

When designing habitat pathways, make sure they are made from waterpermeable sources, such as stepping stones, river rock, pebbles or mulch. In addition, keep in mind the pathways should be wide enough so they are easy to navigate with any garden tools which may be used during the year, including wheelbarrows or carts.

Maintenance plan

A year-long maintenance plan should be included when planning for a pollinator habitat.

When making a maintenance plan, consider the following questions: How will you get water to the plants and water sources? What type of weed control will be used? Will the habitat include mulch and for what purpose? How often will mulch need to be added? What are the pruning needs of each plant, including trees and perennials? What about deadheading flowers to promote continuous flowering, and therefore, a continued source of nectar and pollen?

If nesting sites are included in a pollinator habitat, the plan should also include a cleaning schedule.

Make sure to know which birds nest in the habitat. Note some birds may use a nest for more than one year. If bat houses are used, be aware there may be bats in the belfry year-round.

The maintenance plan should also include regular monitoring for plant diseases, pests – including insects and others – and any invasive species of weed or insects. Taking a proactive approach and catching problems early makes it much easier to respond to diseases and pests.

Things to avoid

Tillage is one action to avoid in a pollinator habitat.

Some native pollinators nest in the soil, therefore, minimizing soil disturbance is key. Tilling the soil also opens areas for weeds to invade and become established.

Instead, consider using mulch to suppress weeds or plant a ground cover. Both of these methods reduce moisture loss from the soil surface and discourage weed germination.

The use of pesticides, including herbicides and chemical fertilizers, in the pollinator habitat should be avoided.

When tackling insect pests, most insecticides are broad spectrum, meaning they kill all insects, including pollinators. Other pesticides disrupt natural behavior, which should be avoided as well.

Consider using alternative methods of control such as companion cropping or beneficial insects.

Amy Smith is University of Wyoming Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension educator. She can be reached at asmit207@uwyo.edu.

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Lot 822 – MJB Progress 328L – Price: $7,500 DOB: 3/15/2023 Sire: Nichols Progress DSJ038 Dam’s Sire: Leachman Accelerate X166D EPDs: BW: 2.2, WW: 88, YW 138 and Milk: 18 Consignor: MJB Ranch

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Bill Stovall, Red Lodge, Mont.

Red Angus

Lot 604 – 34Farms Genuine 201 – Price: $6,750

DOB: 3/25/2023 Sire: 5L

Genuine 1603-195C Dam’s Sire: LSF Night Calver 9921W EPDs: BW: -2.5, WW: 81, YW: 133 and Milk: 30 Consignor: 34

Farms Buyer: Ron Cartwright, Medicine Lake, Mont.

Angus

Lot 126 – S/A Salvation 066-0122 – Price: $46,000

DOB: 1/4/2023 Sire: Linz

Exemplify 71124 Dam’s Sire: LD Panhandle 5570

EPDs: BW: 0.2, WW: 77, YW 138 and Milk: 31 Con-

signor: Fisher Angus Buyer: M6 Ranch, Belt, Mont.

Lot 54 – EG Outerlimits

312 – Price: $30,000 DOB: 2/17/2023 Sire: Hoover No

Doubt Dam’s Sire: Haynes

Outright 452 EPDs: BW: 2.6, WW: 80, YW: 152 and Milk: 25

Consignor: Eagle Grip Cattle Company

Buyer: Fairview Angus Farms, Fisher, W. Va.

326-313 – Price: $19,000

DOB: 1/6/2023

Sire: Sitz

Barricade 632F Dam’s Sire:

Connealy Arsenal 2174

EPDs:

BW: 4.4, WW: 82, YW: 140 and Milk: 26 Consignor: Les Craft Angus Buyer: Ox Bow Ranch, Wolf Creek, Mont.

Lot 351– Moore Super Duty 915B – Price: $17,500

DOB: 2/1/2023 Sire: Moore

Super Duty 001 Dam’s Sire:

Werner Flat Top 4136 EPDs:

Top Sellers Salers

Lot 662 – ECR 413L OF 125G – Price: $10,500

DOB: 3/5/2023 Sire: TSB

Jumbo 53J Dam’s Sire: JSR

Mr Bermuda 724 EPDs:

BW: 0.6, WW: 81, YW: 122 and Milk: 18 Consignor: Elm Creek Ranch Buyer: Parke Ranch, Drummond, Mont.

Lot 670 –ECR 307L OF 123J – Price: $9,000 DOB: 1/19/2023 Sire: Tehama Patriarch F028 Dam’s Sire: Baldridge Bronc EPDs:

BW: -4.4, WW: 77, YW 130 and Milk: 26 Consignor: Elm Creek Ranch Buyer: Doubet Ranch, Ranchester South Devon

Lot 820 – JVM Legacy 354L – Price: $8,250 DOB: 3/4/2023 Sire: JVM EGR High Roller 076H Dam’s Sire: MJB Romeo 315Y

Lot 668 – ECR 378L OF 2G – Price: $9,500 DOB: 2/16/2023 Sire: TSB Magic 149H Dam’s Sire: Eathington Sub-Zero EPDs: BW: 0.8, WW: 73, YW 114 and Milk: 16 Consignor: Elm Creek Ranch Buyer: Visser Ranch, Manhattan, Mont.

Sire: W/C Loaded Up 1119Y Dam’s Sire: Coleman Charlo 0256 EPDs: BW: 0.1, WW: 74, YW:115 and Milk: 20 Consignor: Thistledew Land and Cattle

Buyer: Jordan VanderMolen, Pella, Iowa

Charolais

Lot 875 – Byergo Western Edge 26 PLD ET – Price: $6,000 DOB: 9/7/2022 Sire: LT Western Edge 4057 PLD

Dam’s Sire: LT Duchess of Mac 7076 P EPDs: BW: -1.6, WW: 64, YW: 113 and Milk: 28 Consignor: Byergo Beef Genetics, LLC Buyer:

Lot 65 – 934L – Price:

$9,750 DOB: 3/25/23 Sire: X/L Short Magnum Dam’s

Sire: GW Jackpot 027C

EPDs: BW: -3.3, WW: +62.0, YW: +94.1 and Milk: +24.6 Buyer: R&R Land and Livestock, Yampa, Colo.

DOB: 12/06/2022 Sire: SG Salvation Dam’s Sire: Hoover No Doubt EPDs: BW: 3, WW: 77, YW: 138 and Milk: 21 Consignor: Strasburg Angus Buyer: Hart Angus Farm, Frederick, S.D.

Lot 185 – Ramsey

Pacific 308 – Price: $42,000

DOB: 12/26/2022 Sire:

Sterling Pacific 904 Dam’s Sire: Sitz Bullseye 9994

EPDs: BW: 2.2, WW: 94, YW: 156 and Milk: 24

Consignor: Ramsey Angus Buyer: James Schmidt, Minoken, N.D.

Lot 70 – Fisher Exemplify 193 – Price: $32,000

Lot 28 – WRAF A

Flat Top Man 372 – Price: $20,000 DOB: 2/1/2023

Sire: LAR Man In Black

Dam’s Sire: Werner Flat Top 4136 EPDs: BW: 2.4, WW: 89, YW: 159 and Milk: 28

Consignor: Winding River

Angus Buyer: Webo Angus, Lusk Lot 353 – Moore Resil-

ient 115A – Price: $19,000

DOB: 2/4/2023 Sire: Sitz

Resilient 10208 Dam’s Sire:

SAV Rainfall 6846 EPDs:

BW: 0.2, WW: 80, YW 135

and Milk: 37 Consignor: Moore Angus Buyer: Hone Ranch, Minden, Nev.

Lot 17 – Craft Barricade

BW: 2.8, WW: 91, YW: 163 and Milk: 28 Consignor: Moore Angus Buyer: Jeff Burger, Williston, N.D.

Lot 250 – Deppe GAF Congress 3044 – Price: $17,000 DOB: 3/6/2023

Sire: Crouch Congress

Dam’s Sire: Deer Valley Growth Fund EPDs: BW: 3.3, WW: 103, YW: 173 and Milk: 36 Consignor: Deppe

Angus Buyer: Vermilion Ranch, Billings, Mont. Lot 131 – S/A Virtue 3430-1363 – Price: $16,000

DOB: 1/12/2023 Sire: Sitz

Virtue 11710 Dam’s Sire:

Woodhill Blueprint EPDs:

BW: 1.8, WW: 82, YW: 150

and Milk: 28 Consignor: Strasburg Angus Buyer: Miller Angus Ranch, Neb.

Lot 61 – 9252L – Price: $14,500 DOB: 4/15/23 Sire: BCG Big Country Summit Dam’s Sire: NLC Cow Boss 160C EPDs: BW: -3, WW: +63.1, YW: +93.1 and Milk: +23.3 Buyer: Brady Coffeld, Lake Bronson, Minn.

Lot 1 – 9215L – Price:

$10,000 DOB: 3/25/23

Sire: X/L MS 9215G EPDs:

BW: -1.4, WW: +77.3, YW: +125.2 and Milk: +27.7

Lot 24 – 036H – Price: $9,500 DOB: 4/8/23 Sire: BCG Big Country Summit Dam’s Sire: TFS Due North 2659Z EPDs: BW: -3.6, WW: +61, YW: +99.1

and Milk: +24.8 Buyer: Big Creek Ranch, Encampment

46th Annual Northwest Wyoming Angus Association Bull

Sale

March 26, 2024

Riverton Livestock Auction, Riverton Auctioneer: Greg Goggins 48 Registered Angus Yearling Bulls Avg. $4,433 Top Sellers

Lot 8 – 709L – Price:

$9,500 DOB: 4/6/23 Sire:

X/L Short Magnum Dam’s

and Milk: +25.8 Buyer: Walker Livestock, Big Timber, Mont. Reported By: Bo Bevis, WYLR Field Editor April 6, 2024 Big Country Genetics Sale Facility, Cody Auctioneer: Ty Thompson 150 SimAngus Bulls Avg. $5,438 Big Country Genetics Bull Sale

Buyer: M&M Farms, Florence, Miss.

Sire: TFS Due North 2659Z EPDs: BW: -4.2, WW: +67.1, YW: +99.9 and Milk: +23.2 Buyer: Pitchfork Ranch, Meeteetse

Lot 57 – 767L – Price: $9,500 DOB: 3/20/23 Sire: BCG Big Country Summit Dam’s Sire: GW Jackpot 027C EPDs: BW: -1.7, WW: +78.7, YW: +131.5

Bankroll B73 EPDs: BW -.8, WW +54, YW +100, Milk +32, CED +12 and PAP 36

Consignor: WYO Angus Buyer: Rod Graves, Grass Creek Lot 26 – Obsidian Bank Roll 838 – Price: $7,750

DOB: 2/14/2023 Sire: Barstow Bankroll B73 Dam’s Sire: MW Dynamite EPDs:

BW +0.1, WW +66, YW +120, Milk +28, CED +10 and PAP 35 Consignor: Obsidian Angus Buyer: Rod Graves, Grass Creek Lot 13 – Hoggs Accomplishment 3985 – Price: $7,000 DOB: 1/23/2023 Sire: Sitz Accomplishment 720F Dam’s Sire: OCC Magnitude 805M EPDs: BW +1.3, WW +66, YW +114, Milk +22, CED +6 and PAP 35 Consignor: Hogg’s

Angus Buyer: Grubbing Hoe Ranch, Pinedale Lot 31 – Obsidian DNAMite 845 – $6,000 DOB: 2/24/2023 Sire: MW DNA Mite Dam’s Sire: 3 F Epic 4631 EPDs: BW -0.5, WW +76, YW +136, Milk +30, CED +10 and PAP 39 Consignor: Obsidian Angus Buyer: Rod Graves, Grass Creek

science, nutrition and physical activity.”

UW Extension suggests growing a few herbs well, rather than planting too many types and not being able to grow any of them to full-flavored maturity.

“Herbs may be started by seed, propagated from cuttings, divided from existing plants or purchased as transplants,” states UW Extension Small Acreage Outreach Coordinator Jennifer Thompson.

She notes starting seeds indoors is best done in March but varies based on seed maturity dates and an area’s average last frost date. Seedlings should have at least two true leaves before transplanting into pots or a garden.

“Sow anise, cilantro, coriander and dill directly in the garden since they do not transplant well,” UW Extension Service Horticulturist Catherine Wissner advises. “Rosemary, tarragon, oregano, lemon verbena and lavender should be bought as plants.”

UW Extension reminds home gardeners to keep in mind some herbs, such as mint and dill, can quickly become weeds if they are not kept under control.

It is usually more difficult to produce top-quality seed herbs such as cara-

way, dill and anise than it is to produce leafy herbs.

Some widely used culinary herbs are drought tolerant including marjoram, oregano, savory and thyme and only a few herbs, such as mint, angelica and lovage can do well in moist soils.

Herbs which do well in shade consist of catnip, chamomile, lovage, tarragon, thyme, parsley and mint.

Wissner notes, “A good list for beginners to start with includes perennials such as sage, tarragon, chives and thyme and annuals such as summer savory, marjoram and basil.”

Cultivating herbs

UW Department of Plant Sciences and Cooperative Extension Service Horticulture Specialist Karen Panter states most herbs need a sunny location with at least eight hours of sun each day, rich and well-draining soil and irrigated through a drip system.

“Herbs are also prone to fewer pests and diseases and can grow well in most garden soils without additional fertilizer,” Panter continues. “Before planting, incorporate good-quality organic matter to a depth of about six inches. Most herbs require low levels of fertilizer.”

Herbs do not like to be over-fertilized, and she sug-

gests using slow-release fertilizer which should last all summer.

“Heavy applications of fertilizer, especially those containing large amounts of nitrogen, will decrease the concentration of essential oils in lush green growth,” she mentions.

Plants such as chervil, fennel, lovage and summer savory require moderate amounts of fertilizer.

Generally, highly-fertile soil tends to produce excessive amounts of foliage with poor flavor.

UW Extension notes adding several bushels of peat or a thin layer of compost per 100 square feet

of garden area will help improve soil condition and retain needed moisture.

“Most herbs require consistent watering, especially early in the season when they are young, including parsley, basil, chives and mint,” Panter says. “Many require little extra water, such as thyme and sage but perennial herbs will require winter watering as well.”

Preserving herbs

“The shelf life of many herbs is one to two years, but fresh leaves may be picked as soon as the plant has enough foliage to maintain growth and to ensure good oil content. Pick leaves or seeds after dew has disappeared but before the sun becomes too hot,” Wissner states.

“Herb leaves keep their flavor best when they are stored whole and crushed just before use, and herb seeds used for cooking should be stored whole and ground up as needed,” she adds.

Panter recommends when drying herbs to cut them just before the flowers open. At this point, the oils are most concentrated in

the foliage and flavor will be maintained if stored properly.

She says, “Cut the stems in the morning, tie them together at the cut ends and hang them upside down in an airy, well-ventilated, dark area away from direct sunlight. Then strip the leaves when they are crispy and store them in airtight jars.”

Another way to dry herbs is to strip the leaves and lay them flat on screens in an airy, well-ventilated, dark area away from sunlight and store in airtight jars after they are crispy.

She adds for herbs grown for their seeds, harvest the seed heads or pods when they turn brown, dry them on paper or in paper bags until the seeds come loose, then store the seeds in airtight containers.

Wissner reminds gardeners, “Most herbs are at their peak flavor just before flowering and can be dried or frozen with a shelf life of one to two years.”

UW Extension has great resources – publications, videos and programs – designed specifically to help Wyoming gardeners grow herbs. Melissa

Gardeners often disregard the impact soil has on the health and longevity of their plants, but soil preparation is key to planting a successful garden.

Experts say gardeners should focus on maintaining and enhancing ecological balance in the garden by increasing biodiversity and crop rotations, improving soil and enhancing water conservation, typically with the exclusion of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.

According to South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension, soil health is defined as the ability of soil to function in an ecosystem which can sustain plants, animals and humans.

Healthy soil has a good physical structure, with enough pore space to contain oxygen to fuel the growth of plant roots and soil microbes.

Soils with good structure allow water to infiltrate easily without pooling or running off and also hold enough water to support good growth of plants and soil microbes.

Healthy soil requires robust microbial activity and diverse microbial populations.

In an acre of healthy soil, the upper six inches will contain up to 23,000 pounds of microbes.

Organic matter

“Soil is not lifeless and inert, it is alive,” states

SDSU Assistant Professor and Extension Horticulture Specialist Kristine Lang in an SDSU Extension article published in May 2021.

She mentions a single teaspoon of healthy soil can house up to a billion bacteria, several yards of fungal filaments, several thousand protozoa, 40 to 50 nematodes and a variety of smaller insects and arthropods which work harmoniously throughout a complex soil food web responsible for life on this planet.

Many gardening publications – whether they promote organic methods or not – tend to agree on the importance of adding organic matter to soil in lawns and gardens.

Lang says, “In general, five to 10 percent organic matter is considered optimal for healthy plant growth. However, most garden soils range from two to three percent soil organic matter.”

A successful and productive garden begins with healthy soil

According to SDSU Extension, “Feeding soil a diverse diet of organic matter is an essential part of any management program. The secret to maintaining a balance between building organic matter and growing crops intensively is to add residues continually.”

“Mulching with organic matter, adding compost and using cover crops – also called green manures – are the most common ways to add soil organic matter,” SDSU Extension continues.

As microbial populations and other insects and animals consume and decompose soil organic matter, a reasonably stable product known as humus is left.

“Humus consists of very long, hard-to-break chains of carbon molecules with a large surface area,” Lang says. “These surfaces carry electrical charges, which attract and hold nutrients plants need, making them more available to plants.”

Compost

“The gardener’s equivalent to nature’s humus production is the composting process. Compost is teeming with microbial populations, incorporating organisms from all six biological kingdoms throughout its highly diverse humic profile,” Lang states.

However, when adding compost to gardens, trees, shrubs and lawns, several essential considerations exist.

Although compost can vary in its nutrient content, as a general rule-of-thumb, compost contains nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.

“Compost also provides other nutrients plants need in lower quantities, including calcium, magnesium and sulfur, as well as a wide variety of trace elements depending on the starting materials,” she says.

When applying compost to growing areas, SDSU Extension recommends using well-finished compost, which should be dark brown, fairly dry and crumbly and have an earthy smell.

“Compost which is not thoroughly broken down will use elements from the soil to finish its decomposition process before the minerals it contains will be available to plants,” Lang adds.

“This means microbes

will feed themselves before sharing nutrients with plants, which will be a problem if not managed correctly.”

SDSU Extension suggests incorporating one to two inches of compost into the top few inches of soil before seeding or transplanting in existing beds for vegetables and annuals.

Gardeners can also apply a side-dressing of compost midway through the growing season as a water-retaining mulch and a source of slow-release nutrients for their food crops and flowers, she mentions.

Microbes

“While compost provides slow-release nutri-

ents, gardeners will find an even better benefit from compost,” Lang says. “Microbes in particular, as well as beneficial bacteria and fungi are the organic grower’s number one defense against a variety of plant health issues.”

“Beneficial microbes are nature’s utility player for maintaining plant vigor, influencing drought resistance and nutrient uptake, defending against soil and airborne pathogenic diseases and producing plant growth hormones,” she continues.

According to SDSU Extension, microbes are important to plant surviv-

ability, as plants will secrete 20 to 30 percent of the food they produce through their roots to feed and attract microbes to the root region.

These secretions, known as exudates, consist of carbohydrates, organic acids, proteins, exoenzymes and other substances.

“The main benefit of these plant carbohydrate releases is they ensure microbial carbon – energy – needs are met. Microbes need a roughly 25 to one carbon-to-nitrogen ratio to meet growth needs,” Lang adds. “These needs can be met by their own decomposition of organic matter or through sugars exuded by

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their host plant roots.” Nearly every known species of plant forms a relationship with several species of beneficial microbes.

“Microbes can inoculate every area of a plant, from the root zone below ground, to the exposed, habitable plant tissue above ground and even tissue inside the plant as well. The job of these microbes is simple – protect and nourish the plant at all costs,” she concludes.

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

Getting Started in Ag:

Thriving in a High-Interest Rate Environment

The Landscape Has Shifted Significantly

Interest rates strongly influence the business of farming and ranching, and current interest rates are near 20-year highs. The Federal Reserve continues to hold rates higher in an attempt to reduce the risk of inflation; currently the federal funds rate is over 5 percent. Simply put, this increases costs in production agriculture. If you are a young producer or new to agriculture, chances are this may be your first experience operating in a higher interest rate environment.

Most farm and ranch operators borrow funds to cover expenses over the production year. For most, it is a necessary part of doing business, whether in the form of operating lines of credit, input financing, or purchasing machinery or land. An increase of 5 to 8 percentage points in interest rates results in a big difference in operating costs for most operations.

Unfortunately, this high interest rate environment will most likely continue for the foreseeable future. This has both negative and positive implications for agriculture. While borrowing costs will likely remain high, relative to the last 20 years, you may also find new investment opportunities, such as bonds or other securities offering meaningful returns.

Continued high interest rates will also require managers to be more careful about how they spend money and how they budget for production, especially if they are just getting started in production agriculture.

The Importance of Record-Keeping

First and foremost, it is necessary to get financial and risk management plans in order. This means keeping accurate records, developing and maintaining up-to-date financial statements, and drafting strategic and longterm plans for your business. It is much easier to work out how your business will be affected by higher interest rates if you are aware of your financial position. Understanding your financial position can also allow you to be more nimble when considering opportunities or making a change. The more accurate and up-to-date your financial information is, the better your decision-making will be.

Opportunity Cost and Financial Planning

If you are a new or beginning producer, you may not be familiar with the concept of opportunity costs in business planning and

James Sedman is a consultant to the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics in the University of Wyoming College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources, and John Hewlett is a farm and ranch management specialist in the department. Hewlett may be reached at (307) 766-2166 or hewlett@uwyo.edu.

Photo credit: Arthon, Adobe.stock.com.

budgeting. Opportunity cost is generally defined as the return foregone by choosing to use limited resources for a specific purpose or opportunity. Stated another way, opportunity cost is a non-cash expense valued by the next best alternative investment and is most often expressed as a rate of return. When used in budgeting, this often includes owner labor or capital.

Frequently in agriculture, opportunity cost is the interest rate or rate of return you could receive for funds if they were not reinvested into the business, such as in a savings account or by purchasing a U.S. Treasury bond. Considering opportunity cost when budgeting can help develop a more complete and accurate financial picture of the alternatives available, including realistic expectations for future returns on investment. This is particularly important when considering asset purchases or exchanges.

For example, suppose you are considering paying cash—without borrowing it—to purchase a piece of equipment. You should include an opportunity cost in your budget

(most likely the current interest rate), just like depreciation and other non-cash expenses, even if you are not borrowing money for the purchase. This helps provide a more realistic forecast for the return on your investment.

It is important to include an accurate opportunity cost when budgeting, especially when partial budgeting. This is especially important when considering any change in operations or management decisions. Including opportunity cost shows how a decision may compare with a level of return you could receive when putting your capital to use in some other investment.

When borrowing money in a high interest rate environment, it pays to find the best financing deal. Often, input suppliers offer short-term financing that is lower than current rates. If you are financing through an operating line of credit, be sure the inputs and other items you are purchasing are providing the best bang for the buck in terms of return on investment. It will likely cost much more to carry the purchase of those inputs on a line of credit with higher rates than it might using supplier financing.

Positive Effects of High Interest Rates

While increased interest rates pose challenges, they also offer some benefits. In a high interest rate environment, there are more places to earn a low-risk return with extra capital or profits, should you choose not to reinvest them directly into the business.

When interest rates were at or near zero for most low-risk investments like certificates of deposit (CD), treasury bonds, money market accounts and others, many managers probably reinvested into the business with little thought. In today’s environment, it becomes more important to consider these alternatives for investment of business profits, even if only for a short time.

For most farms and ranches, there are plenty of options for reinvestment of business profits, whether that means machinery replacement or upgrades, deferred maintenance, or other improvements. However, it is important to account for risk and uncertainty when considering these alternatives. Before making a decision, compare the return on those investments to lower-risk options, such as a CD.

Thoughtful budgeting and accounting for risk and variability are essential when considering the reinvestment of business earnings into the farm or ranch, especially when comparing those to a relatively risk-free alternative. By keeping accurate financial records, understanding opportunity costs and carefully evaluating investment options, you can ensure your operation continues to thrive, even in a high interest rate environment.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Higher interest rates lead directly to higher borrowing costs. In addition to being on top of your financial situation, implementing a comprehensive risk management plan can help you prepare for challenges and opportunities that may arise in the current higher rate environment. To learn more about risk management planning, check out the RightRisk Analytics Toolbox at RightRisk.org. The toolbox offers various budgeting tools designed to help new and beginning producers.

Photo credit: digidreamgrafix, Adobe.stock.com.

SPRING continued from page 1

lime requirement index and base saturation.

Corn Belt Testing, Inc. of Minneapolis points out regardless of how seasoned a grower is, they should still conduct a routine soil test prior to planting so they can check the nutrient content of their soils, especially if their fertilization strategies involve cover crops.

Further, results from a soil test will help a grower decide what to plant and how best to take care of those plants to ensure a successful harvest.

After conducting a soil test, BarnDoor Ag notes there are a few things farmers can do to enhance their soils prior to planting, including composting, tilling or plowing and harrowing. While these tasks are usually performed in the fall, early April is still not too late to do so.

“Composting is an important key to healthy soil, offering a number of benefits including water-holding capacity and improved tilth or soil conditions,” explains the company. “This includes

the degree of soil aeration and the formation and stability of aggregated soil particles, to name a few.”

Tilling or plowing, often followed by harrowing, are other steps one can take to create better crop conditions. These strategies break up the soil bed and prepare a good foundation to plant seeds.

Preventing pests

Both insects and weeds create problems for the farming industry, and protecting crops from pests takes diligent planning and preparation.

BarnDoor Ag notes for pests which have made an early appearance, identifica-

tion is important for eradication, and growers may consider using pre-emergent pesticides to help control these pests before they start to invade.

“For spot applications, handheld sprayers allow precise targeting in an infested area. Many of these offer a one- to eightgallon tank capacity and come with a wand so individuals can closely control the spray,” the company explains. “However, if there is a larger problem, there are larger tank sprayers which attach to an ATV vehicle and provide an 140inch boom coverage.”

Corn Belt Testing, Inc. further encourages growers to consider their spray strategies, as warm wet springs will require a different spray strategy than a dry spring.

Conducting equipment maintenance and repairs

Another important task on the spring planting preparation checklist is to ensure farm equipment, which has likely sat idle through winter months, is in good shape to use this spring.

In an April 9 Farm Progress article, former Wallaces Farmer Editor Rod Swoboda says growers should check tire pressure, machine ballasting, batteries, belts, hoses and fluid levels of their tractors and ensure their tillage tools are level from front to back and side to side and adjusted properly to help provide a uniform seedbed for planting.

Growers should also check their planter tires, tire pressure, row units, hoses, belts and electrical wiring,

as well as the planter’s depth and closing systems. “Field trial research has shown these two planter settings are key to consistent seedling emergence and in achieving yield potential,” Swoboda says.

Iowa State University Extension Digital Ag Specialist Doug Houser comments, “It is important to properly prepare and maintain the planter to set the stage for the seed to get planted at the proper depth and then to make sure the seed trench is properly closed to ensure plants emerge at the same time.”

“Planting seed at the right time, at the right seed depth and in acceptable soil conditions is critical to giving crops the best starting point to reach individual yield goals,” Houser concludes.

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

Agencies request funds

The voter-approved initiative in Colorado to transplant wolves from Oregon has left the state’s legislators scrambling to find ways to help ranchers avoid conflicts with the apex predators.

The Colorado Department of Agriculture and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) have submitted a budget request including funding to hire range riders, who are boots-on-the-ground support for livestock producers to help protect herds from wolves.

The agencies are also working with herd owners and producers in Grand County, Colorado to respond to a depredation incident reported on April 2. The agencies say they’ve been building the capacity to anticipate and prepare for any predator livestock incidents.

A dedicated Wolf Depredation Compensation cash fund has $175,000, provided from the state’s General Fund, in its balance and will receive $350,000 additional general funds per fiscal year to keep a healthy balance in the fund on an ongoing basis.

For the current fiscal year, CPW has spending authority for up to $175,000 from this fund to compensate livestock owners for wolf depredation. CPW requested increased ongoing spending authority of up to $525,000 per year beginning Fiscal Year 202425 in the department’s budget proposal, which is currently being considered by the General Assembly.

NCBA, PLC slam rulemaking

On April 8, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the Public Lands Council (PLC) condemned the Biden administration’s three finalized Endangered Species Act (ESA) rulemakings which significantly expand federal overreach and roll back reforms that previously provided some relief to farmers and ranchers.

“The Biden administration's goal should be to improve the broken ESA process and to leverage partnerships with cattle producers and landowners to conserve healthy habitat. Instead, these rules drastically increase the regulatory burden on farmers and ranchers,” said NCBA President and Wyoming Rancher Mark Eisele.

“Producers in the West are usually the most impacted by ESA listings and habitat designations, but these rules now put every farmer and rancher in the country under the threat of a potential habitat designation, even if we are talking about private land and areas where a listed species has never lived before,” Eisele continued.

This slate of rulemakings also reinstates the blanket 4(d) rule, a one-size-fits-all approach which creates more restrictions and red tape for ranchers trying to continue normal agriculture operations and carry out voluntary conservation activities around threatened species.

“These rules threaten the efficient operation of farms and ranches across the West, and they get in the way of the extensive, voluntary conservation work already happening on our public lands,” said PLC President and Colorado Rancher Mark Roeber.

“By reinstating the blanket 4(d) rule, allowing critical habitat designations in areas where the species can't even live and disregarding the economic impact of ESA decisions, the Biden administration is further weaponizing the ESA against ranchers and working lands in general,” he concluded.

UW Wool Judging Team celebrates successful season

The University of Wyoming’s (UW) small but mighty collegiate wool judging team competed in three regional contests this year, beginning with a strong performance at the 7220ʼ Wool Judging Invitational in Laramie and concluding with an impressive finish at the Black Hills Stock Show (BHSS) in Rapid City, S.D.

Members of the 2024 team include Sydney Camp from Grand Junction, Colo.; Elisabeth Dooley from Casper; Cameron Herrick from Laramie; Mary Thomas from Gering, Neb. and Allie Van Why from Chugwater.

Graduate Student Dylan Laverell, who competed on the team as an undergraduate, served as head coach. Joe Mills, an All-American member of the 2023 team, assisted in leading practices.

At the 7220 Wool Judging Invitational in January, which included 48 competitors from five universities, UW earned high team in the grading rail. Individually, Herrick was ranked second on the grading rail and Van Why fourth. The UW judgers also won the live animal evaluation division, with Dooley securing third place.

Later that month, the team traveled to the National Western Stock Show in Denver, where they improved their overall team ranking to fourth.

In a series of outstanding individual performances, Camp ranked fourth on the grading rail, Thomas ranked ninth on the grading rail and Van Why tied for seventh place in placings and eighth place in overall rankings. As a team, UW placed

second overall in the handspinning and value-based division.

In their final competition at BHSS, the UW wool judgers finished second overall. As a team, they earned second place on the grading rail and third place in placings. Individually, Dooley took first place overall and first place on the grading rail, while Herrick achieved sixth place overall and fifth on the grading rail.

“The collegiate and youth wool judging programs we have diligently built extend beyond teaching the technical aspects of wool,” UW Extension Sheep Specialist and Wool Judging Team Coordinator Whit Stewart explains. “Most importantly, they cultivate essential soft skills that are often scarce among today’s young professionals.”

Top Sellers

Lot 39 – Botts Mack

3670 – Price: $15,000

DOB: 2/28/23 Sire: Marcys Southern Charm 075 Dam’s Sire: Ellingson Homestead 6030 EPDs: BW: +3, WW: +94, YW: +156 and Milk: +33 Buyer: KG Ranch,

Successful season – The 2024 University of Wyoming Wool Judging Team recently wrapped up a successful season. Pictured from left to right are Dylan Laverell, Mary Thomas, Cameron Herrick, Elisabeth Dooley, Allie Van Why and Whit Stewart. Courtesy photo

April 14 Huge Bird and Animal Auction, 9 a.m., Dawson County Fairgrounds, Lexington, Neb. For more information or to consign, call 308-222-0335 or 308-233-1799.

April 16

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Technology in Ranching Roundtable, 7-8:30 p.m., 4-H Building, Kimball, Neb. For more information, contact Aaron Berger at 308-235-3122 or aberger2@unl.edu.

April 16 Wyoming State Government Jobs Expo, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Wyoming State Capitol, Cheyenne. For more information, visit ai.wyo.gov/expo

April 16-17 2024 Montana Nutrition Conference and Livestock Forum, Bozeman GranTree Inn, Bozeman, Mont. For more information, visit animalrangeextension.montana.edu/beef/nutritioncongerence.html

April 17

Bureau of Land Management Exxon Mobil Carbon Capture Phase One Virtual Public Meeting, 4-5 p.m., Zoom. For more information, contact Kaisa McKenna at 307-828-4542 or kmckenna@blm.gov.

April 18 Bureau of Land Management Greater Sage Grouse Habitat Public Meeting, 5-7 p.m., Laramie County Library, Cheyenne. For more information, visit blm.gov

April 18 Public Scoping Meeting, 2-3 p.m., Sublette County Library, Pinedale. For more information, contact Skylor Wade at skylor.wad@stanec.com or 307634-7848.

April 19 Public Scoping Meeting, 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Valley Community Center, Baggs. For more information, contact Skylor Wade at skylor.wad@stanec.com or 307634-7848.

April 19-21 7 Triangle 7 Cattle Co., LLC Artificial Insemination Clinic, Akron, Colo. For more information, visit 7triangle7.com or call 970-481-3921.

April 20 Popo Agie Conservation District Garden Expo 2024, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Lander Valley High School, Lander. For more information, visit sites.google.com/view/ popoagieconservationdistrict/garden-expo

April 22 Bureau of Land Management Greater Sage Grouse Habitat Public Meeting, 5-7 p.m., Rock Springs Library, Rock Springs. For more information, visit blm.gov

April 22 Ranching in the West Seminar Series: Navigating Western Waters, University of Wyoming, Laramie. For more information and to register, visit uwyo. edu/uwag/rmal

April 22-24 University of Wyoming Extension Artificial Insemination Clinic, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Hot Springs County Fairgrounds, Thermopolis. For more information and to register, contact the Hot Springs County Extension Office at hotsprings@ uwyo.edu or 307-864-3421.

April 23 Bureau of Land Management Greater Sage Grouse Habitat Public Meeting, 5-7 p.m., Washakie County Library, Worland. For more information, visit blm.gov

April 23

April 24

April 28-29

EVENTS

University of Wyoming Extension Sheep Task Force Free Lambing Barn Facility and Technology Webinar, 6 p.m., online. For more information or to register, visit tiny.CC/UWESheepTF or contact Micah Most at 307-684-7522 or mmost@uwyo.edu.

Bureau of Land Management Greater Sage Grouse Habitat Public Meeting, 5-7 p.m., Agricultural Resource Learning Center, Casper. For more information, visit blm.gov

National Small Business Week Award Ceremony, Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Washington, D.C. For more information, visit sba.gov/national-small-business-week

May 1-2 19th Annual Western Food Safety Conference, Salinas, Calif. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit thewesternfoodsafetyconference.com

May 4 2024 Albany County Conservation Expo, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Laramie Ice and Event Center, Laramie. For more information, visit lrcd.net

May 8-9

Animal Agriculture Alliance 2024 Stakeholders Summit, Kansas City, Mo. For more information or to register for the event, visit animalagalliance.org/ initiatives/stakeholders-summit/

May 9 University of Wyoming Extension Artificial Insemination Workshops, 4-7 p.m., Fremont and Campbell counties. For more information or to register, visit tiny.cc/24cattleaibreeding

April 13-18

April 15

April 16

April 17

April 17

April 20

April 25

April 26

April 27

April 27

May 2

Staircase Charolais and Red Angus Online Bull Sale, 307-575-5860, 308631-1952, DVAuction.com, staircasebulls.com

Pharo Cattle Company Colorado Spring Bull Sale, Burlington Livestock Exchange, Burlington, Colo., 800-311-0995, pharocattle.com

Treasure Bull Test Sale, Western Livestock Auction, Great Falls, Mont., 406788-9869, 406-390-5473, treasurebulltest.com

Hoffer Red Angus Reds in the Rockies Online-only Bull Sale, 307-3999160, hofferredangus.dvauction.com, hofferredangus.com

Kammerer Livestock 18th Annual Bull Sale, at the ranch, Piedmont, S.D., 605-484-1469, 605-430-2151

Bulls of the Bighorns Spring Production Sale, Buffalo Livestock Marketing, Buffalo, 307-217-0735, 307-217-3437, mcdonnellangus.com

XL Angus Ranch Annual Bull Sale, Evansville, 307-258-0107

Jordan Cattle Company Bull Sale, St. Onge Livestock Auction, St. Onge. S.D., 307-660-1380

Herring Angus High Country Bull & Ranch Horse Sale, Herring Ranch Sale Barn, Encampment, 307-327-5396, 307-329-8228, 307-329-7400

Lamar Community College Legacy Horse Sale, 2401 South Main Street, Lamar, Colo., 719-336-6663, 719-336-1624, lamarcc.edu

J Spear Cattle Company Annual Production Sale, Belle Fourche Livestock Auction, Belle Fourche, S.D., 605-685-5964, 605-279-1026

Shearing Sheep

Last week’s Postcard featured the sheepherder. This week we relate more of the story taken from an article in the March 1, 1908 issue of The Wyoming Industrial Journal, entitled “Herding and Shearing Sheep” by Arthur Chapmann.

Sheep shearing brings to the front another interesting class of men –the shearers. These men begin their work in the South, where the shearing is early and work north through the season, finishing their work in Montana and Canada.

The shearing is done early in the summer. Herders bring up their bands of sheep and run the animals into pens. Shearers in the pens grasp the animals, and soon the keen knives are cutting through the wool.

The fleece comes off almost in a single garment, so neatly do the skilled shearers work.

Despite the exhausting nature of the work, the men standing all day in a stooping posture, some astonishing records are made.

One shearer, Frank Hewitt of Saratoga, who is credited with being the champion shearer of the U.S., won a medal at

a Chicago exposition, in competition with 19 other shearers, by shearing 100 sheep in three hours and 27 minutes.

It is said this shearer turns out an average of 175 sheep a day through the shearing season. About 100 sheep a day may be accepted as the general average for a shearer.

With a dozen men shearing sheep with such rapidity, it is no wonder wool is soon stacked high in sacks at the sheds, ready for shipment.

The operators get eight cents per fleece, so it is seen their pay is rel-

atively high, though it is none too much when one considers the exhausting nature of the work, the shortness of the shearing season and the traveling expenses going from one pen to another, frequently hundreds of miles.

According to Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, “Sheep shearing is the process by which the woolen fleece of a sheep is cut off. The person who removes the sheep’s wool is called a shearer. Typically each adult sheep is shorn once each year –depending upon dialect, a sheep may be said to have been shorn, sheared or shore in Australia. The annual shearing most often occurs in a shearing shed, a facility especially designed to process often hundreds and sometimes more than 3,000 sheep per day.”

Next week we will explore the shipping of wool from ranches, shearing pens and sheds.

Shearing sheep with blade, scissors or hand shears, as known locally. Note the strap around fingers on the right hand. Shearing is said to be one of the oldest occupations, as people needed fiber to make garments. Originally sheep and other animals were shorn using sharp glass or metal, taking tufts of fiber at a time to harvest the fiber, but slowly man adapted scissor-like blades to make the job easier. Machine shearing was invented

in the early 1880s and slowly took over as the main form of shearing. Photo and information from the internet. Historical Reproductions by Perue

FOR THE WEEK ENDING May 24, 2019

National Sheep Summary

As of April 5, 2024

Compared to last week traditional slaughter lambs steady, others steady to 30.00 higher. Slaughter ewes steady to 15.00 higher. Feeder lambs not well tested. At San Angelo, TX 6,619 head sold in a one day sale. Equity Cooperative Auction sold 540 feeder lambs in Utah. In direct trading slaughter ewes and feeder lambs not tested. 3,996 lamb carcasses traded with no trend due to confidentiality. All sheep sold per hundred weight (CWT) unless specified.

Slaughter Lambs: Choice and Prime 2-3

San Angelo: wooled and shorn 115-145 lbs 186.00-222.00; 160-165 lbs 178.00-194.00.

Ft. Collins: wooled and shorn 147 lbs 235.00. South Dakota: wooled and shorn 110-150 lbs 215.00-222.00.

Billings: wooled and shorn 120-135 lbs no test.

Equity Coop: no sales.

Slaughter Lambs: Choice and Prime 1-2

San Angelo: hair 40-60 lbs 280.00-308.00;

hair 110.00-128.00; Utility and Good 1-3 (medium flesh) 120.00-142.00, hair 112.00-132.00; Utility 1-2 (thin) 96.00-117.00, hair 90.00-118.00;

167.50/head. Billings: no test.

Sheep and lambs slaughter under federal inspection for the week to date totaled 35,000 compared with 32,000 last week and 41,000 last year.

Source: USDA AMS Market News, San Angelo, Texas

National Wool Review

As of April 5, 2024

Special Note: ***Australia had no sales this week as they are currently on a one-week Easter recess. The next data from Australia will be available on Friday, April 12, 2024.***

Source: USDA- CO Dept of Ag Market News Service, Greeley, CO

Wyoming Hay Summary

As of April 11, 2024

Compared to last week all reported hay sold steady. Demand was light. Several contacts stated they have anywhere from 1500 to 2000 tons of hay still left to sell from the 2023 production year. Some are thinking of tarping left over piles of hay.

Square 3x4

Alfalfa

Rye Grass - Utility Large Square 3x4

Source: USDA AMS Livestock, Poultry & Grain Market News Torrington

Nebraska Hay Summary

As of April 11, 2024

Compared to last week, all reported hay sales sold steady on a very thin test. Demand was light. Several hay producers are holding over several tons of hay. Many stated they have at least 1500 or more tons of hay left to sell from the 2023 production year. Some hay getting shipped to states in the SE parts of the country. Some hay producers are gearing up to plant alfalfa this spring on irrigated pivots. Some corn planting just getting underway in the Eastern areas of the state with talks of soybean planting too. Light rain and some snow in different parts of the state early in the week. Many parts of the state could use some more moisture as the winds have been brisk and several areas are in a fire danger. But overall the drought monitor shows the state in a lot better shape than it was this time last year.

Central Nebraska Alfalfa - Good Large Round 120

Round 90

to previous weeks. Hay supplies of feeder quality hay remain heavy, but increased interest and some buying is giving producers breathing room as summer inches closer. Producers remain willing to carry over hay as snowfall has been light this winter and many still have drought and irrigation water concerns going forward. The best demand for feeder quality (utility and fair) hay remains around $140.00-150.00/ton delivered. Demand for straw is light as heavy straw supplies continue to be seen especially in the northern portion of the state. According to the drought monitor 41.30% of the state is in Moderate drought or worse, unchanged from last week. 16.51% of the state is in an Severe drought or worse, unchanged from last week. 1.00% of the state is in Extreme drought or worse, unchanged from last week.

HOT SPRINGS COUNTY WEED & PEST IN THERMOPOLIS, WY IS SEEKING A PROGRAM LEADER: Our ideal candidate enjoys working outdoors, has strong leadership skills and has an interest in weed science and natural resource management. This is a permanent, full-time position with benefits. EOE. Contact hscwpsupervisor@gmail.com or 307864-2278 for a complete job description and application information 4/27

FARM MANAGER POSITION

IN FREMONT COUNTY: Large alfalfa hay and silage production, center pivot irrigation. Must have working knowledge of John Deere tractors, forage harvester, air drills, swathers, balers, GPS navigation, Haybuster mixer feeders. Knowledge of silage production and storage, hay production. Knowledge of center pivot sprinklers, operation and repair/maintenance, injection systems and fieldwise/ reincloud operation. Knowledge of field prep, seeding, fertilizers, weed control and sprays. Good knowledge of equipment repair/maintenance and the ability to develop a maintenance schedule for all equipment and vehicles. Computer skills are a must have. This is excellent opportunity for a selfstarter, motivated individual to excel in agriculture. All new and well-maintained equipment. Excellent pay, health insurance, 401(k), housing, vacation time. Send resume to ron.rhyne@ threeforksranch.com 4/27

HELP WANTED: Five years plus cattle handling experience. All aspects of ranch operations: Irrigation, haying, feeding, cattle stewardship and horseback skills. Housing, benefits and salary. Only serious, committed candidates should apply. Eastern Oregon cow/calf operation. Send resumes to lisa.steele@ pvranch.com 4/20 Situation Wanted

needs, then develop, implement and evaluate Extension programming to meet those needs, in the areas of Agriculture and 4-H/Youth Development. Complete information and application instructions at www.montana.edu/extension, click on “careers.” Equal Opportunity Employer, Veterans/Disabled 4/27

HELP WANTED, VALLEY FOODS, SARATOGA, WY: Experienced meat cutter needed. Please contact us via e-mail with your qualifications at valleyfoods9024@hotmail. com 5/25

EMPLOYMENT WANTED: Worked livestock and sale barn experience, managed sale barn, purchased livestock and more. Call 620-430-6719 5/4

AGRI-ONE FINANCIAL: Farm/ ranch and all commercial loans. RATES AS LOW AS 5%. We have been helping with all aspects of agricultural, commercial financing and management for years. LET US HELP YOU on a consulting level with management to increase profitability, deal with and fix credit problems and for all your financing needs. WE CARE

FARMERS, RANCHERS AND SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS: Are you needing help with bookkeeping and data entry for your business or operation so information is ready for your accountant when tax time arrives? Let me help you! I’m local and work from home. Monthly fee is negotiable, averaging around $200/month, but will adjust up if your operation is larger and requires more time and attention. Please contact me if interested at thelake@ bbc.net or 308-760-3033 4/13

HISTORIC REGISTERED WYOMING BRAND FOR SALE: RSC, RSS, RSH, renewed to Jan. 1, 2025, comes with irons. Asking $4,000. Call 307-714-2484 4/13

WYOMING REGISTERED BRAND FOR SALE, LHC. Renewed to Jan. 1, 2031. $900. Includes electric cow iron and electric calf iron. Call 307-7156184 4/13

HISTORIC WYOMING REGISTERED BRAND FOR SALE: LRC, BS, LTH. One iron, branding iron included. Renewed to January 2033. Was originally issued in 1915 to the Jacob Delfelder estate, $4,000. Call 307-856-3044 4/13 Brands

OLD WYOMING REGISTERD BRAND: LSC, RJH, hasn’t been used for 40 years. Renewed to Jan. 1, 2025. $5,500. 307-8516228 5/4

BORDER COLLIE/AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD CROSS PUPPIES: Born March 1. Out of ranch raised, working parents. Red and white. Need homes where they can work cattle and/or sheep. Ready to go at 6 weeks. Will have had first shots and wormer. Ken & Cheri Graves, Kaycee, WY, phone 307-738-2247, cell 307-267-0724, e-mail gravesredfork@rtconnect. net 4/13

AIREDALE TERRIER OORANG PUPPIES: AKC registered, will be large calm protective dogs. Great farm/ ranch protectors from mountain lions, bears, coyotes, vermin... For more information, call 307-219-2217 or 719-2178054 (cell) 4/13

LOOKING FOR TOP QUALITY CATTLE? I’m a North Dakota order buyer licensed and bonded. I can help you find the perfect cattle you are looking for. I buy in North Dakota and South Dakota barns. I can help you purchase feeder cattle, weighup cows, pairs and breds, replacement heifers and any other needs. I can also find country deals. Low commission rates. Feel free to call Cody Fettig at 701-391-9132 for all you cattle needs!! 5/4

WANTED: PRAIRIE DOGS AND YOTES. Mature (60+), responsible, experienced Iowa hunter seeking ranchers/ farmers with excess prairie dogs and/or coyotes. Precision shooting, not lead flinging. Call or text Scott at 319431-2491 4/20

STAIRCASE CHAROLAIS AND RED ANGUS ONLINE BULL SALE: 50+ purebred yearling Charolais and Red Angus bulls SELLING APRIL 13-18 Timed auction online with www.DVAuction.com!! Our bulls are bred for balanced traits, functionality, disposition and efficiency to serve the cattle industry every step of the way, from the cow/calf producer all the way to the packer and consumer! For more information, visit www.staircasebulls.com, find us on Facebook or give us a call. Gus, 307-575-5860 or Amy, 308-631-1952 4/13

in the classifieds 5/4

SPENCER & SONS ANGUS: Offering yearling Black Angus bulls. Sons of Sterling Pacific, Schiefelbein Showman 338, Powerball and Crawford Guarantee, plus grandsons of Bomber. Thirty-one years AI breeding. Reasonably priced. Fromberg, MT. Call 406-425-3814 5/4

REGISTERED BLACK ANGUS BULLS ROYLANCE ANGUS PRIVATE TREATY: Bulls are balanced, displaying calving ease, explosive growth and impressive structure. Sires of the best proven maternal bulls in the breed including Coleman Charlo 0256, Coleman Bravo 6313 and Coleman Triumph 9145. Bulls are semen tested, guaranteed and ready to work. Call, text or stop by the ranch in Charlo, MT, Adrian, 406214-4444 4/27

REGISTERED 2-YEAR-OLD ANGUS

RED ANGUS 2-YEAR OLD FORAGE BULLS FOR SALE: Bulls for heifers and cows. Smaller framed, efficient, easy fleshing, good dispositions. Not fat, but in great shape and ready to go to work. Have been worked with dogs, on foot and horseback. Raised in rugged, rough, steep, rocky, high elevation country. Red Fork Red Angus, Ken & Cheri Graves, Kaycee, WY, phone 307-7382247, cell 307-267-0724, email gravesredfork@rtconnect.net 4/13

SALE * CHRISTENSEN RED ANGUS * SALE: Registered, vaccinated and fertility tested bulls. We have a deep carcass, high ADG packaged with moderate to low birthweights available. Call 406-208-4315 or e-mail criters64@gmail. com 4/13

RED ANGUS HIGH-ELEVATION YEARLING BULLS FOR SALE IN NORTHEASTERN UTAH: Out of AI and bull-bred sires. Will be trich, semen tested and fed for free until May 1. $2,500/head. Bar Lazy TL Ranch, David, 435-828-1320, barlazytlranch@ gmail.com 6/30

WEANER PIGS FOR SALE, located in Powell, WY. For more information, call 307271-1014 8/3

800

green

TONS

(80/20);

(cow/grinding

HAY, green; 1,000

TRITICALE HAY, mostly green, some with rain; SEVERAL LOADS MILLET HAY, nice!! All types, mostly round bales, some 3x4/4x4. Delivery available. Please call 307-630-3768. Marketed by the Cheyenne, WY area producer 4/13

GRASS, GRASS, GRASS!!

Pasture for 500 pairs. May 1-Nov. 1., south-central Wyoming, north of Rawlins, WY. Call for more information, 970-5967046 4/20

PASTURE WANTED: I am looking for a ranch lease or summer pasture lease for 250-500 pairs. Call Joe, 605-830-2210, jrcredangus@yahoo.com 4/20

PASTURE WANTED for 2,000 yearlings and 500 pairs. Can split into smaller bunches. Call 701-523-1235 4/13

WEANER PIGS, HOGS, WAGYU CATTLE: Weaner pigs available April 20, full-blood Glouc., Old Spot or Mangalitsa/ Old Spot crosses, $75/each. Finished hogs, pastured raised Mangalitsa/Old Spot, $300/ each.1/2 blood Wagyu/Angus, $3/lb. live weight for grain finished, $2.75/lb. live weight grass finished. ALSO, full-blood Wagyu yearling bull calves available. Call 307-217-3860. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 4/20

GRASS SEED FOR SALE: Manifest wheatgrass and Cache Meadow brome, good germination, $3/lb. Call Big Horn Seed Company, 307-202-0704 or 307-645-3322 4/27

OPEN POLLINATED SEED CORN out produces hybrid for silage and grazing quality grain, $67/bushel +S/H. Call 217-857-3377 or cell/text 217343-4962, visit website www. borriesopenpollinatedseedcorn.com 4/20

DO YOU WANT TO RETIRE AT THE TOP OF THIS MARKET AND KNOW YOUR LAND IS IN GOOD HANDS? Regen, LLC is a business that provides for ranchers/landowners the service of professional ranch management. We work to understand your needs on your ranch and provide a professional management team tenancy where you no longer need to worry about the work, get paid competitive rent and can keep the ranch legacy intact. Instead of selling, please consider renting the ranch to our team. We are a family business, based in Wyoming and with expertise in all arrangements of federal, state and deeded land and work every day to accomplish our mission. We steward land with regenerative principles, where animals thrive by connecting rich heritage to vibrant futures. Call Sage, 307-351-4875 or e-mail at saskin12@gmail.com 5/11

REGISTERED TEXAS LONGHORNS: Brush clearing, lowmaintenance cattle, traffic-stopping colors, fascinating to watch, great pedigrees. Gentle pairs, steers, heifers, solid and colorful bulls. Raise for excellent beef, fun to show, simple handling. Herd package discounts available. Westhaven Ranch 209-2749917, e-mail swestmoore@ gmail.com, website www.westhavenlonghorns.com

To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 4/27

WANTED: Sugar Bars and nonSugar Bars-bred saddle horses for the 22nd ANNUAL SUGAR

BARS LEGACY SALE SUN., SEPT. 22 Held in Sheridan, WY. Please contact Jim, 406-8120084 or e-mail deerrunranch@ gmail.com for consignment and sale information 4/13

FOR SALE: Well-broke team of half-draft geldings weighing 1,500 lbs. each and 16 hands at the withers. Sixteen and 13-yearold half-brothers. Call 701-3011644 or 701-348-3401 4/27

LAMAR COMMUNITY COLLEGE LEGACY HORSE SALE!!

Join the Legacy. Lamar Community College has been training high quality performance and ranch horses since the 1970s. JOIN US ON SAT., APRIL 27 IN LAMAR, CO TO SHOP HIGH QUALITY HORSES. Mark your calendars and follow our social media pages to stay up to date on the Lamar Community College Legacy Horse Sale. RHAA Open Show at 8 a.m., previews at 1 p.m., sale at 4 p.m. 2401 S. Main Street, Lamar, CO 81052. Call Ryan Bray, 719-336-6663 or Savanna Mauch, 719-3361624 4/20

ROUND BALES: QUALITY

GRASS HAY FOR SALE, bales weigh approximately 1,300 lbs. each, Laramie, WY. Call 307760-8429 5/4

100 ROUND BALES: Good quality, mixed grass hay, $150/ ton. Call 307-469-2358 or 281732-5123 4/27

ROUND BALED GRASS HAY FOR SALE: Cody, WY area, 1,000 lb. net-wrapped bales, $60/ bale. Call, don’t text, Anthony at 307-254-2645 4/27

VALLEY VIDEO HAY MARKETS, LLC: Hay available. Go to www.valleyvideohay.com or call Barry McRea, 308-2355386 4/27

160 TONS GOOD GRASS HAY: No rain, 3x4x8 bales weighing approximately 960 lbs. Lyman, WY, 307-780-7619 4/27

CERTIFIED BARLEY STRAW: Small bales, average 65 lbs., $5/bale. Farson, WY. Call 307350-5211 4/27

2023 ALFALFA AND ALFALFA/ GRASS MIX HAY, 3x3 bales barn stored. ALSO, SOME

CERTIFIED WEED-FREE PURE ALFALFA HAY: Small squares, all covered. First, second and third cutting available. Will load trucks and any open trailer. OATS: Combine run. Will auger into truck, trailer or large totes/ag bags. STRAW: Small squares available. Located between Powell and Cody, WY. Call or text Knopp Farms at 307-254-0554 4/27

ALFALFA HAY FOR SALE: First-cutting big round bales, cow hay, had some rain. ALSO, first-cutting small squares in bundles of 21 bales, no rain. Riverton, WY. Call 307-850-3020 4/13

285 PLUS TONS OF 2023

GRASS HAY: 3x4, $175/ton, Encampment, WY. Call 307321-1444 TFN

HAY FOR SALE: 3x3 bales, 55 tons second crop. No weather damage, under tarp. $175/ton. Pavillion, WY. Ranch phone, 307-856-1226, if no answer, leave a message 4/13

2023 FIRST-CUTTING ALFALFA: Large net-wrapped round bales average 1,600 lbs. No rain between cutting, baling and stacking. Crude protein 20.4 and RFV

bales, $165/ton. 100 TONS OATS/25% BEARDLESS TRITICALE MIX, big round 1,400 lb. bales, $150/ton. Call 308-778-6104 4/20

BARLEY STRAW: Certified weed-free

QUALITY GRASS/ALFALFA MIX IN SUBLETTE COUNTY, WY AREA: Tested, tarped, 3x4 approximately 1,250 lb. square bales, $185/ton. Call Brenda for more information, 970596-4151 4/13

TUCKER OLD WEST TRAIL SADDLE: 17.5” seat size, western skirt, wide tree, brown wool contoured saddle pad, bridle, bit, reins, breast strap, KING RANCH WOODEN SADDLE STAND All as new. Cody, WY. Call 307-272-8520 4/20

FOR SALE: 2016 Volvo semi (daycab), D13 Detroit engine 435 HP, Volvo I-Shift automatic transmission, 309,000 miles, 180” wheel base, air slide 5th wheel, very clean and nice. H&S 7+4 17’ and chuckwagons with bunk feeding extensions and tandem 14 ton running gear. Two John Deere 716A chuckwagons with John Deere running gear and bunk feeding extensions, been shedded, nice condition. Phoenix H14 42’ rotary harrow. Notch 24’ portable ground hay feeder. 10’x24’ heavy duty bale hauler. John Deere 2155 diesel tractor, wide front, fenders, 3 pt., nice acreage tractor. Lorenz 16’x29’ stack mover. 12’ box scraper. All in very nice condition!! Call 605-999-5482 5/4

FOR SALE: TYE 20’ DOUBLE

DISC opener drill with no-till Coulter attachment, $14,000 OBO. ALSO, 14’ WILBECK double offset disc, $1,500 OBO. Call 308-787-1678 or e-mail kiowamsn@yahoo.com 4/27

GRAHAM HOEME CHISEL

PLOW: 12’, 12 double spring shanks with cylinder and hoses, $3,000. 24-FOOT JOHN DEERE 1100 CULTIVATOR 3 pt. hookup, $3,750. INTERNATIONAL 5100 12’ single disc drill with small seed box, $4,000. Call 307-674-9092 4/20

FOR SALE: 7140 International

Magnum tractor. D4 Caterpillar hydraulic dozer with manual angle. 9600 John Deere combine with 930 30’ grain header and a 893 8 row 30” corn header. 20’ Krause offset disc (new blades in front). ALSO, 8 feeder pigs. Contact Greg Keller at 406679-1136 4/13

NEW HOLLAND 560 ROLL BELT BALER, bale count 178 bales, in shop every night, $55,000. 2001 MACDON 9250 SWATHER with 922 auger head, 1,771 hours on tractor, 1,384 hours on head, $45,000. Area fields are being subdivided. Call 307-674-9092 4/20

Irrigation Irrigation

QUARTER MILE WHEELINES: 5’ tall, 5” aluminum pipe with movers. Five (used) $5,400 each, Gallatin Valley, MT. Call 406-551-0879 5/4

18 SECTIONS OF RAINWAY 5”x40’ wheel line pipe with wheels. ALSO, 24 sections of 5”x30’ transfer pipe, aluminum with alfalfa stubs and assorted fittings. Call 307-388-3300 4/27

LODGEPOLE PRODUCTS, 307-742-6992, SERVING AGRIBUSINESSES SINCE 1975!! Treated posts, corral poles, buck-and-rail, western rail, fence stays, rough-sawn lumber, bedding. SEE US at www.lodgepoleproducts.com and click our “Picking A Fence Post” tab to see why folks choose our posts!! TFN

OILFIELD PIPE: PRICE REDUCED!! RPJ Enterprises, Inc. 2 3/8” and 2 7/8” is available. Used for fencing, corrals, cattle guards, etc. 2 3/8” and 2 7/8” are on average 31.5’ long per joint. Pierce, CO. Call for details, 970-324-4580 7/27

PIPE FOR SALE!! 2 7/8”, 3 1/2” tubing, 4” drill pipe, 4 1/2” casing, 5” casing, 7” casing. Rods 3/4”, 7/8” and 1” located in Montana, can ship anywhere. Call Mike, 602-758-4447. To view photos, go to www.wylr. net in the classifieds 4/20

Big Horn Truck and Equipment Manderson, WY

rairdenjlw@tritel.net •

APPROXIMATELY 1,400 FEET, 8” ALUMINUM GATED PIPE, with trailer and butterfly valves. ALSO have 2 irrigation pumps, one with 10 HP motor. $4,000 OBO. Call 307-575-1122 4/20

USED IRRIGATION PIVOTS FOR SALE FROM LEADING

BRANDS: Valley, Zimmatic, Reinke and T-L. Visit website www.zimmag.com

Current available used inventory

● 2021 Zimmatic 8500 7 tower 1,297+

● 2020 Zimmatic 8500 7 tower 1,297+

● 2020 Zimmatic 8500 8 tower 1,296+ ● 2003 Zimmatic Gen II 7 tower 1,295+ ● 2013 Valley 7000 7 tower 1,336+ ● 2014 T-L Corner Arm only. Call 402-910-3236 4/13

Property for Sale

WILKES RANCH is a great opportunity to own a thriving crop and cattle ranch in Goshen County, WY. Includes a nice home, livestock barn and center pivot. This property is well-equipped to support optimal crop and hay production, as well as efficient cattle rotation. Located near Hawk Springs, WY. $800,000. Pictures and video at www. buyaranch.com. Call Casey Essert, Land Broker, 307532-1750 4/13

OREGON RANCH, Baker City, Baker County, OR. The Alder Creek pasture contains over 2,000 acres of native spring, summer and fall pasture. The rangeland is situated just east of Baker City, OR. The property is in good condition and has good perimeter fencing. The range is gently south facing slope with a variety of native grass. FIRST TIME OFFERING at just over $500 per acre for deeded and contiguous ownership, $1,095,000. Please give us a call for further information, Greg Sackos, 541-523-4434

NORTHEAST OREGON, THE DLX RANCH: Located near Baker City, OR the DLX is noted as one of the most productive and finest ranches around. It is well balanced and contains 17,000 deeded acres with 4,000 acres of irrigated meadows and cropland. Native and improved rangeland provides good spring and summer pasture. The ranch is well improved with nice homes, excellent livestock working facilities and is noted for its production and ease of operation and management. Abundant water and over 6 miles of the Powder River running through the ranch provide for not only production but unbelievable waterfowl and upland game bird habitat. The ranch also provides good populations of elk and mule deer. Situated in the heart of the Baker Valley, the ranch enjoys very scenic mountain views and is very private yet only a short drive to Baker City, OR. Currently operated as a commercial cow/ calf operation with a permitted feedlot. The ranch would also make an ideal yearling or combination operation. It is rare to find this quality of a ranch and particularly a property that is a going concern. This is a first-time offering and we look forward to hearing from you. $32,500,000. Livestock and rolling stock available by separate treaty. Please give us a call for further information, Greg Sackos, 541-523-4434 (office) or 208-598-0267 (cell), Intermountain Realty, www.intermountainland. com 4/20

OLD FARM WITH 3 BEDROOM, 1 BATH HOUSE. Nice out buildings, hundreds of trees, well, natural gas. House needs work. Eight to 14 acres, Powell, WY. $349,000. Call 307-2192217 or 719-217-8054 4/13

property is presently agriculturally zoned, current use is hay and pasture and it is fenced and cross fenced. Enjoy views of several mountain ranges and lots of water, including Spring Creek frontage, mature trees and lush grass. Could be zoned commercially, allowing for

FOR SALE: OXEN YOKE, very old, antique, wooden, hand carved, 5’ length, from Spain. CATTLE YOKE, old, antique, wooden, hand carved, 40” length, from Spain. Cody, WY. Call 307-272-8520 4/20 Home Renovation

ASI, NCBA release guidance criteria

Managing livestock grazing on federal public lands in a foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak will pose unique challenges for ranchers and animal health officials. This is why the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) received U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program (NADPRP) funding to work with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and other stakeholders to develop movement decision criteria guidance which addresses the unique scenarios that would arise for federal lands grazers.

Resources are now available on the Secure Sheep and Wool Supply and Secure Beef Supply websites under the Public Land Grazing pages.

Guidance that is now posted on the aforementioned websites was developed through two years of virtual and

in-person meetings with sheep and cattle producers who hold federal grazing permits, the Public Lands Council, State Animal Health Officials, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA Wildlife Services and USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).

This guidance provides resources to livestock producers to voluntarily prepare before an FMD outbreak. Using real-time scenario exercises, guidance was improved to provide decision makers with necessary information to ensure animal needs and response goals are met.

A webinar, hosted by USDA, will be held on May 13 at 12 p.m. with presentations by ASI and NCBA describing this project and resources. Interested individuals can register at zoomgov. com/j/1601496343

WSF continued from page 1

generations to come,” she continues.

The endowment fund

According to WSF Development Director Rindy West, the WSF Endowment Fund was created in 2018 to help provide a more stable and consistent funding avenue for the future of the state fair.

During the same year, WSF appointed their first board of directors, and the Wyoming Legislature outlined a $100,000 funds matching campaign to get the endowment up and running.

Today, the WSF Endowment Fund is managed by the state, and every one penny of revenue dollars made at the Wyoming State Fairgrounds goes back into the endowment to help it grow.

Additionally, West noted 25 percent of revenue generated is used for fairground operating funds and the other 75 percent is reinvested into the endowment to continue building the account.

“The endowment is a way for us to protect, grow and sustain the future of WSF for generations to come,” stated West. “We not only want a healthy and enthusiastic state fair right now, we also want the same thing 50 to 100 years down the road, and the endowment is a way for us to do this.”

The match campaign

With a current balance of $3.8 million, WSF staff is hopeful the legislature’s match challenge will increase endowment funds by another $1 million.

“We are so grateful to the state of Wyoming and Wyoming as a community for the opportunity to go in front of everyone and seek their support for our WSF Endowment Matching Funds Campaign,” stated West.

She shared the campaign is off to a good start, and so far, has received a few incredibly generous gifts, including a donation of $50,000 from the Wagonhound Ranch of Douglas

WOLF continued from page 1

tormented, tortured and even bludgeoned.

How exactly the wolf was ran down hasn’t been established, but some animal rights activists asserted the wolf had been “run over” and was “grievously wounded.”

For example, animal rights activist Wayne Pacelle and his Washington, D.C.based Animal Wellness Action organization issued a press release headlined, “Wyoming resident who ran over wolf, tormented grievously wounded animal in front of audience at bar must be prosecuted under state anti-cruelty law.”

Pacelle also added a “crushing” component to the allegation, stating, “Running over and crushing an animal with a snowmobile,

binding the battered and wounded animal’s mouth shut and deciding to further torment the creature in front of an audience rather than putting him out of his misery is the textbook definition of malicious cruelty.”

Activists with no personal knowledge of the incident further claimed the wolf was “run to exhaustion” and “tortured” by various people “for hours.”

The known facts at this point are Roberts was cited and fined for illegally possessing a live wolf and he was photographed posing with a live wolf with its muzzle taped shut. Details beyond this have not been confirmed.

There are indications law enforcement officials are further investigating the

and another $50,000 from the TW and Wyoming First foundations of Casper.

“As of today, the campaign is approaching $450,000 of the $500,000 goal, which is great. We are rushing toward the finish line, but the June 1 deadline is coming quickly and we really want to make sure everyone who wants to give has the chance,” she added. “Any and all support will make a difference in this campaign as we move toward the final effort of $50,000.”

West further noted all those who generously contribute a dollar or more to the campaign will be permanently recognized on the Wyoming State Fairgrounds.

“There will be permanent signage – we haven’t figured out exactly what it looks like yet, but it will be very prominent and very nicely done to show off all of the donors of this campaign,” she said.

Additionally, a donor appreciation celebration will be held the week of the 2024 WSF. West noted details are still in the works and will be announced at a later date.

allegations against Roberts, but even this has not been confirmed.

Consequential ramifications

But, the ramifications of the allegations have already been consequential.

Pacelle’s Animal Wellness Action called for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to institute an emergency listing of Wyoming wolves under the Endangered Species Act while pushing social media hashtags which misidentified the name of the accused.

The Humane Society of the U.S. claimed this incident “serves as a glaring reminder many wolves” throughout the region “experience similar brutalities” and urged its members to apply a pressure campaign to the Wyoming Office of Tourism to “demand changes to Wyo-

DROUGHT continued from page 1

Mexico, Colorado, Western Montana, Northern Idaho, Washington, Oregon and the Sierra Nevada.

“Above-normal precipitation, comprised mostly of snow, fell in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado –especially in the central third of the state – as well as parts of Southern and West-Central Wyoming in March,” notes NDMC.

“During March, drought coverage somewhat decreased overall in the High Plains states, while abnormal dryness increased slightly,” NDMC continues. “The region remained free of extreme or exceptional drought.”

Despite this, some areas of Colorado, adjacent parts of Kansas, Northeast and

North-Central Wyoming, East-Central North Dakota and the Black Hills of South Dakota saw drier than normal weather conditions.

“In the Big Horn Mountains of North-Central Wyoming, continued low snowfall in March has led to record or near-record low snow water equivalent numbers at the end of March,” notes NDMC.

Additionally, the report notes the eastern one-third of the High Plains region saw temperatures two to five degrees warmer than usual, while western portions of the state were more of a mixed bag.

Wyoming water supply outlook Improved drought conditions may have growers

optimistic about the start to their planting season, but it is also important to consider water supply for months ahead.

According to the NASS Wyoming Crop Progress Report, irrigation water supplies for the state of Wyoming were rated six percent fair and 94 percent good, unchanged from the week prior.

More specifically, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Wyoming Basin and Water Supply Outlook Report, published on April 1, shows Wyoming snow water equivalent (SWE) percentages across Wyoming at 90 percent of median.

NRCS notes the Laramie River Basin reported

The golf tournament

In an effort to achieve the final push to $500,000, WSF is hosting a golf tournament on May 31 at Three Crowns Golf Course in Casper. The event will be sponsored by Stotz Equipment, with an 8 a.m. shotgun start.

West explained the tournament will include 25 teams, and since this tournament is one of the first to be announced for the season, she encouraged interested individuals to register sooner rather than later as spots are likely to fill up fast.

ming’s draconian, backward laws.”

Others advocated boycotting Wyoming, asserting views Wyomingites represent a culture of cruel killers and WGFD is engaged in a cover up, while some are trolling social media pages of the Sublette County Sheriff’s Office and various public officials or calling county and state government offices and the bar where Roberts reportedly took the wolf.

Many calls for violence against the accused and his family members have been posted to social media, with one suggesting “the same cruelty, inhumanity and disregard as he treated the wolf, right down to be taken ‘out back’ and shot.”

Roberts and his family members have been doxed, with phone numbers and home address

the highest SWE at 125 percent of median, and the lowest SWE was reported in the Cheyenne River Basin at 19 percent of median.

The Cheyenne River Basin also had the lowest amount of precipitation for the month of April, reporting 67 percent of median, while the Sweetwater Basin reported the highest precipitation at 205 percent of median.

NRCS further notes streamflow yields for basins across the state of Wyoming – except the Green, Little Snake and Cheyenne River basins – from April through September averaged 102 percent.

These three exceptions had respective forecast median streamflow yields of 103 percent, 124 percent and 79 percent from April through July.

To donate to the Wyoming State Fair Endowment Fund, visit wystatefair. com/endowment or contact Rindy West at 307-751-3430 or rindy. west@wyo.gov.

“Anybody is welcome to attend, and even if they don’t get signed up on a team, they can come volunteer at the event,” she said.

“We will have raffles and other fundraising events going on, as well as a lot of really fun hole contests.”

West also mentioned she is in search of hole and score card sponsors.

Anybody interested in

widely posted online. Some of the vitriol involves the accused’s children.

Pacelle’s press release about the Roberts case included a statement which says, “A remorseless, cruel monster like this is a threat to other animals and a threat to people.”

The monster label has been repeated by others, as well as social media references to Roberts being evil and subhuman, along with comparisons to a serial killer, serial rapist and child abuser.

Much of the rhetoric against Roberts resembles what researchers call dehumanization, in which people are singled out and treated as less than human and outside the scope of human morality and justice, so any harm which befalls them is therefore morally justified.

As the Conflict Informa-

these sponsorships, competing in the tournament or volunteering at the event can contact West at 307751-3430. Teams can also register by using the adjacent QR code.

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

tion Consortium explains, “Psychologically, it is necessary to categorize one’s enemy as subhuman in order to legitimize increased violence or justify the violation of basic human rights.”

In promoting an “enemy image” of an opponent, “They may come to view the opponent as an evil enemy, deficient in moral virtue or as a dangerous, warlike monster.”

In the wake of all of this, Gov. Mark Gordon has consulted with state legislators and members of the public and private sectors about developing a state action plan to review state wildlife and animal abuse laws, and an announcement about this action is expected soon.

Cat Urbigkit is a corresponding writer for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments to roundup@wylr.net.

Reservoir storage for the entire state of Wyoming averaged 104 percent of median, with all reported reservoirs near or above median.

Reservoirs in the Belle Fourche, Cheyenne River and Lower Green River basins were at 97 percent, 98 percent and 100 percent respectively, while reservoirs in the Little Snake River, Big Horn River, Lower North Platte River and Upper Green River

basins all reported 101 percent of median.

Additionally, the Wind River Basin Reservoir, Buffalo Bill Reservoir and Upper North Platte River Basin Reservoir were above median at 105 percent, 112 percent and 115 percent, respectively.

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

Adobe Stock photo

Brain Shrinkage Syndrome by Lee Pitts

I read some news recently which should concern everyone with half of a brain.

Did you know since animals – and I’m including humans here – became domesticated, their brains have shrunk in size? This news is troubling because studies have confirmed there is a high correlation between brain size and intelligence. This means as animals have become more domesticated, they have become dumber.

Horse brains have shrunk 16 percent since they became domesticated. Pig brains have shrunk a shocking 34 percent. Dog

Fueled by growth in the Western Hemisphere, South Korea and Australia, U.S. pork exports posted another excellent performance in February, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

brains have shrunk somewhere between 10 and 30 percent since they were first tamed, and human brains have atrophied 10 percent over the last 30,000 years or so.

In addition to being dumber, this “Shrinkage Syndrome” has other symptoms including docility, floppy ears, altered tails and smaller teeth. I certainly know my teeth have gotten smaller and my ears more floppy.

One doesn’t have to look any further to confirm these findings than Arizona cow country where it might take a section of ground to support one cow. In such

wild and raw country, it’s common to find feral cows that haven’t been domesticated by man, and these untamed cows have used their additional brain size to outsmart man and remain in their uncivilized state, thus avoiding becoming someone’s hamburger.

Often the only way to catch such cows is to send crazy cowboys, whose brains have not been shrunk by domestication, out to catch them.

We only have ourselves to blame for all of this stupidity because humans are “self-domesticated.”

One of the definitions of the word domesticated is “the process of making someone fond of and good at home life and all that it involves.”

I think this means every time a husband does the dishes because his wife told him to, his brain shrinks and he gets a little more ignorant – even

if one didn’t think this was possible.

In addition to their wives, men have clearly been domesticated by dogs. Every time someone sees a six-feet-tall guy walking a purse dog, stopping frequently to watch as their dog poops, this man has shrunk their brain and lowered the IQ of all future generations.

So guys, cut it out. Just who is the “master” here? Our dogs are making us look stupid – even more so than usual.

The only thing humans can do to stop this dumbing down and further brain shrinkage is to become less domesticated and stop doing what their spouse, dog or government tells them to do. We must be more rebellious.

Stop eating with a knife and fork, and eat with your hands instead. Don’t apologize or try to hide a belch or passing gas. Stop mow-

ing the lawn or anything else that makes you appear cultivated.

And for gosh sakes, quit buying or riding in those little toy cars – electric vehicles – that look like they belong on a ride at Disneyland. Buy the biggest one-ton pickup you can find and infuriate the greenies by driving through nice quiet neighborhoods and letting your Cummins scream at 2 a.m.

I used to make fun of guys who walk around with jeans that look like they have five rolls of nickels in one pocket and a pipe wrench in the other – like they could fall off at any minute. Now I realize those guys are just being less domesticated, which is a good thing.

The same can be said for senior citizen females who dye their hair pink and green. Ditto the guys who are sporting mohawks or big buns of hair on top of

USDA reports protein exports remain strong

February pork exports increased 14 percent from a year ago to 250,930 metric tons (mt), while value jumped 15 percent to $685.1 million. Through the first two months of 2024, exports increased 10 percent in both volume at 502,354 mt and value at $1.37 billion.

Exports to leading mar-

ket Mexico are well ahead of last year’s record pace, while shipments are also trending higher to Korea, Central and South America, Oceania and the Caribbean.

Beef exports reached 103,883 mt in February, down one percent from a year ago, but export value increased 10 percent to $830.4 million. January

through February exports were also down one to 203,647 mt, with export value climbing nine percent to $1.59 billion.

February beef exports to the Caribbean were the largest on record, while demand from Mexico and Central and South America continued to trend higher.

Exports also increased

year-over-year to Taiwan, and Korea posted an increase in export value.

U.S. lamb exports followed a strong January with another robust performance in February, climbing 11 percent from a year ago to 270 mt. Export value increased 18 percent to $1.5 million.

Through February,

their heads. Such actions could go a long way towards stopping future brain shrinkage.

Cowboys, who have a rebellious streak anyway, should ditch the familiar grey cowboy hat and start wearing either a black one or a ball cap turned around backwards. Henceforth, wear only squaretoed cowboy boots and stuff your jeans inside your boots, which should be at least two feet tall.

Cowboys should only date bad-to-the-bone cowgirls, and cowgirls should quit looking for Mr. Right – instead, they should marry their horse. Hey, it’s been done before! A horse husband will never come home drunk, eat in bed or leave you for some dimwitted lounge lizard.

So people, stop brain shrinkage – live life like a wild barn cat, and future, more intelligent generations will thank us for it.

lamb exports increased 19 percent from a year ago to 573 mt, with value up 34 percent to $3.2 million, led by growth in the Bahamas, the Leeward-Windward Islands and Canada.

Exports to Mexico trended lower in volume but still climbed 26 percent in value to just under $600,000.

40 lambs 80-100#. 24 Blk White face, White face & Speckle face 4-7 yr old open ewes. 1 4 month old black face buck.

1 White face Ram. Breeding sound, good herd buck! This is a herd dispersal, all very quality sheep!!