Wyoming Livestock Roundup April 6, 2024

Baltimore bridge collapse creates question marks for ag industry

Shipping disruptions and delays caused by the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, which fell after a container vessel collided with a support pil lar on March 26, have many

Quick Bits

Snow Report

In the 16th snow report for Water Year 2024, the state’s snowpack telemetry data reads 100% of median, with a basin high of 121% and a basin low of 37%. Last year, the state was at 124% and at 78% 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

BLM Project

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) authorized a 230 kilovolt transmission line project to cross approximately 4.7 miles of public lands in Albany and Carbon counties and connect the Rock Creek Wind Facility, which is expected to generate 590 megawatts of clean energy to the Wyoming electric grid. The BLM’s decision follows a 30-day public comment period, during which the bureau gathered public input on two options considered for this project before authorizing the project right-of-way. For questions, contact Micky Fisher at 307-775-6328 or by e-mail at jfisher@blm.gov.

Coal Industry

Gov. Mark Gordon issued a statement on the announcement Rocky Mountain Power has formalized a memorandum of understanding to collaborate with 8 Rivers, with support from South Korea’s SK Group, to evaluate a potential carbon capture project at one of the utility’s existing brownfield power plant sites in Wyoming. “PacifiCorp’s announcement is welcome news and represents another step to preserving coalfired power plants,” he said. “There is still much to be done, and I remain committed to and confident in finding ways to reconfirm our coal industry remains vital to our nation’s energy supply while extending Wyoming’s competitive edge in carbon capture and technologies which will move our country forward.”

in the ag industry wondering what long-term effects will follow.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Baltimore’s port moves

sugar and grains – such as corn and wheat – to forestry products and coffee.

The port also moves $2 billion in chemicals annually and is ranked 11th in over

sugar imports.

“Before the disaster, Baltimore’s port had led the nation in the movement of roll-on, roll-off farm and construction machinery,

Treasure Bull Test

Annual test and sale provides high-quality performance bulls

Consignors from around the West are set to present their prestigious bulls at the 2024 Treasure Bull Test (TBT), where 110 performance-tested Black Angus bulls from breed-leading sires will be auctioned at the Cowboy’s and Cowgirl’s Performance Bull Sale on April 16 at the Western Livestock Auction in Great Falls, Mont. TBT is many cattlemen’s source of high-quality,

Treasure Bull Test names 2024 champions

With sale day quickly approaching, the Treasure Bull Test has named champions across several categories following the annual 112-day performance test, which measures average daily gain (ADG), weight per day of age (WDA), ratio and Treasure Bull Test (TBT) Index – a measure of nursing ratio, yearling ratio and gain ratio.

This year, the test’s 110 high-quality Black Angus bulls will be sold at the annual Cowboy’s and Cowgirl’s Performance Bull Sale in Great Falls, Mont. on April 16.

“The bulls this year did outstanding,” shares Ryan Perry, Treasure Bull Test owner and operator. “We had 135 bulls to start the test, with the top 110 making the sale. As an entire group, they averaged 3.71 pounds per day on the 112-day test. The WDA on all of the bulls was 3.16 pounds per day.” Test leaders

Consigned by Dalbey Angus of Corvallis, Mont., lot 29 was the Champion ADG Bull with an ADG of 4.63 and a ratio of 125.

In reserve was lot 111 with an ADG of 4.63 and a ratio of 125. This bull was consigned by RK Perry of Power, Mont. Rounding out the category in the third-place position was lot 127, consigned by Olson Cattle Company of St. Ignatius, Mont., with an ADG of 4.59 and a ratio of 124.

Dalbey Angus’ lot 29, with a WDA of 3.63 and a ratio of 115, was also the Champion WDA Bull.

The Reserve Champion WDA Bull was Olson Cattle Company’s lot 98, with a WDA of 3.62 and a ratio of 115.

RK Perry’s lot 111 made an appearance on the leaderboard

performance-tested, “cowboy kind” Black Angus bulls. “TBT offers athletic, masculine, long-sided and heavily muscled bulls who stand on good bone and sound feet,” reads the TBT website. Top-performing bulls are measured for every important performance and carcass trait, all while

Disease update

HPAI virus continues to evolve across the U.S.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as state veterinary and public health officials are investigating an illness among dairy cows causing decreased lactation, low appetite and other symptoms.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza A (HPAI) H5N1 virus is an emerging disease in cattle, and federal and state agencies are moving quickly to conduct additional testing for HPAI H5N1 virus.

The agencies are conducting viral genome sequencing to better understand the situation, including characterization of the HPAI H5N1 virus strain or strains associated with these detections, as well as any other multi-factorial components of the disease event in dairy cattle.

Timeline

On March 20, the Minnesota Board of Animal Health reported a juvenile goat residing on a Minnesota farm tested positive for HPAI, marking the first U.S. case of the virus in a domestic ruminant.

On March 25, the agencies confirmed the detection of HPAI in two dairy herds

BCRC offers spring turnout suggestions

By April, some spring-calving herds have the majority of their calves on the ground and many producers are beginning to make grazing plans for turning their herds out to spring pasture.

The question of when to turn pairs out to pasture is important for every operation, but especially for those in areas with prolonged drought conditions who have dwindling haystacks or need to purchase feed.

In a Feb. 28 article published by the Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC), University of Alberta Rangeland Management Professor Dr. Edward Bork offers suggestions on how best to answer this question, noting aside from spring pre-

cipitation, how pastures looked in the fall may be the best indicator of how they will perform in the spring.

“The better condition the pasture was in October, the faster it will recover,” he states.

Reducing long-term drought impacts

When hay stocks are low and feed costs are high, it may be tempting for producers to turn their pairs out sooner than normal, but Bork cautions producers to be aware of potential long-term consequences.

Instead, he encourages producers to consider holding off – sometimes even longer than they normally would – to give

Recently, I read an interesting study released by Kagan Retail IQ on consumer shopping at the grocery store. The overview was provided by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) with dollars provided by the Beef Checkoff.

I think studies like this, which find consumers’ habits when purchasing beef and other grocery items, is really important for all involved in order to provide the best products for the consumer.

Forty percent of consumers in the study visited the grocery store to stock up on items needed to make meals at home, and around 25 percent visit the grocery store for same-day purchases, such as lunch, dinner or snacks.

The study also found a difference among those shopping online for pick-up at the grocery store and those having their groceries delivered to their home. Online grocery store consumers who get their groceries delivered are eight points more likely to shop for same-day use compared to online consumers who pick up at the grocery store.

The study said, “This would suggest targeting online grocery consumers picking up at the grocery store may be an effective way to increase bulk/larger inventory sales. Meanwhile, online grocery consumers who are having their purchases delivered may be receptive to meal ideas, snacks or dessert items, as well as deli and ready-to-eat meals.”

For those shoppers dining at home, an ongoing study among consumers found taste and value for their money remain a primary consideration for protein purchases.

Another recent study by NCBA found whether consumers are heading to the store to stock up their pantries or pick up a meal, beef is a top protein choice. The study found 45 percent of respondents purchased beef in their most recent visit to the grocery store, while 43 percent purchased poultry, followed by 37 percent who purchased pork.

Meat alternatives made up just around 10 percent of grocery store purchases.

The study also found the average purchase of a consumer’s recent grocery store visit is just under $90, but when consumers added beef, the value to the store increased more than 30 percent to just over $115.

When consumers include both beef and beer in their carts, the value increased just over $135 – more than a 50 percent increase. The inclusion of beef and wine in the cart results in an increase of just over $143 or an increase of more than 60 percent, compared to an average of $89.

The study also showed consumers who add beef to their carts have the potential to generate incremental consumer spending across all areas of the grocery store. This is the reason all grocery stores have such a large meat counter –with beef having the largest share – and why most grocery stores have a liquor store attached. Beef and liquor make for more revenue.

When consumers are happy with a product, it usually puts the manufacturer or producer in good light. I think it really works with our nation’s beef and lamb producers. We need to take advantage of it.

As they say, “The more the merrier.”

U.S. cattle producers do a great job of consistently producing high-quality beef. To ensure consumers continue to demand our product and recognize the great attributes of beef, we need the marketing, promotion and research of the Beef Checkoff.

Opponents of the Beef Checkoff have allied themselves with radical animal rights activists to push for the deceptively named Opportunities for Fairness in Farming (OFF) Act.

I know some people don’t like the checkoff, but being on the same side as known animal rights groups is making a deal with the devil.

The leaders of Farm Action Fund have spent their careers at the Humane Society of the U.S., and other groups

backing the OFF Act include Animals Are Sentient Beings, Inc., a group that says because of animals’ feelings we should no longer eat meat; Attorneys for Animals, a law firm which sues to treat animals as individuals; Four Paws, a group trying to end livestock hauling in Europe and Mercy for Animals, whose mission is ending “the exploitation of animals for food.”

The last thing we need is pressure from activist groups trying to put us out of business.

The checkoff is doing important work to keep consumers buying beef. Checkoff-funded work places beef ads in the media, pushes back on false reporting which claims cattle are killing the planet and keeps our consum-

THE EXPERTISE TO MAKE FINANCING LAND EASY, THE OPTIONS TO MAKE IT POSSIBLE.

ers informed of the latest food safety and nutrition research.

As mainstream media puts the climate blame on ranchers and activists continue to attack us, we need to band together to promote our product, and the Beef Checkoff does just this.

OFF Act proponents have claimed the bill strengthens transparency and oversight of checkoffs, but existing federal law already requires checkoffs to release their budgets, undergo regular audits and prohibits the use of checkoff dollars for public policy.

What the bill does do is prevent checkoff boards from contracting with the groups they want to. I firmly believe the producers who serve on

page 9

NEWS BRIEFS

Scoping meetings scheduled

In association with the Wyoming Water Development Office, Stanec will host two public scoping meeting regarding the Green River and Little Snake River basins conveyance loss level one study.

This study will assess consumptive use and conveyance losses associated with irrigation canals within the Upper Colorado River Basin within Wyoming. This will involve quantifying the conveyance loss, evaporation and consumptive use within irrigation canals to develop regional loss estimates which can be applied to other canals though the basins.

Information obtained in this study may assist in developing water conservation projects and help to better understand losses in canals.

The public scoping meetings are scheduled for April 18 from 2-3 p.m. in the Sublette County Library in Pinedale and on April 19 from 11 a.m. to noon at the Valley Community Center in Baggs.

For more information, contact Skylor Wade at skylor. wad@stanec.com or 307-634-7848.

Sale date announced

The Diamond-McNabb Ranch Horse Sale has announced its 16th annual sale will take place on June 1. The sale will feature 85 quality ranch-trained horses at the Powderhorn Ranch near Douglas.

“We could not be more blessed to be coming up on two decades of offering quality horses to the public, alongside our families, long-time consignors and now many long-time customers as well,” said Hailey True, Diamond-McNabb partner. “We love to ride, we love to ranch and we love to help good people find good horses.”

The auction will feature a distinguished array of registered American Quarter Horses, American Paint Horses and refined grade horses. Among them are descendants of renowned industry sires such as High Brow Cat, Smart Little Lena, Dual Pep and Freckles Playboy.

“For years now, the equine industry has had a growing need for gentle, well-trained horses who have the foundation to take care of a novice rider, compete successfully inside an arena or go on to earn a living with the working rider,” said Ken McNabb, DiamondMcNabb partner.

“With our focus on versatile training and real-life experience on the ranch, Diamond-McNabb horses have helped to meet this need and have gone on to be successful with many new owners throughout 46 states and multiple countries around the world,” he added.

Online and phone bidding are available. For more information, contact horses@wyodiamond.com.

NRCS accepts proposals

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing up to $22 million in partnerships to expand access to conservation technical assistance for livestock producers and increase the use of conservation practices on grazing lands. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting proposals through its Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative until May 26. For more information and to apply, visit grants.gov

Wyoming job expo set

The State of Wyoming is proud to announce the upcoming Wyoming State Government Jobs Expo, an event designed to highlight available state jobs and promote careers in public service.

The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on April 16 at the Wyoming State Capitol. Several communities across the state will also host events throughout the day. A list of all events, locations and times is available online.

The Jobs Expo hopes to attract a wide variety of job seekers – from seasoned professionals looking for a new challenge to high school students just embarking on their career path.

For more information about the Wyoming State Government Jobs Expo, visit ai.wyo.gov/expo

Pork prices spike

California consumers are paying higher pork prices than the rest of the country following the full implementation of the state’s animal welfare law Proposition 12 (Prop 12) on Jan. 1.

This is according to a new analysis conducted by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) economists on behalf of the Giannini Foundation of Agricultural Economics at the University of California.

Last year, the Supreme Court issued a ruling in favor of the state on a lawsuit filed by the National Pork Producers Council. The ruling effectively gave California the goahead to fully implement restrictions on the sale of pork in the state only from facilities compliant with pen-size restrictions established by Prop 12.

Throughout the legal battle, which ended up at the Supreme Court, pork and other industry groups warned California consumers would pay more for pork unless the law was tossed.

“This analysis of preliminary data indicates pork prices of products in California impacted by this new policy rose, on average, 20 percent after July 1, 2023,” the new study said.

“This varies by product, with pork loins experiencing the largest impact with a 41 percent increase in price due to this policy. As expected, products not covered by Prop 12 did not see a significant relative price change,” the study continues. “While we do find significant impacts following the partial implementation and first month of full implementation, there is still uncertainty regarding the long-term impact on California’s retail pork prices.”

Gordon criticizes rule

Citing the outcome as troubling on several fronts, Gov. Mark Gordon criticized the Department of Interior’s final rule released this week from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) on Waste Prevention, Production Subject to Royalties and Resource Conservation – commonly known as the methane waste prevention rule.

The governor called for more scrutiny on the rule to determine whether BLM has extended beyond their statutory authority by adding more burdens to oil and gas producers and stacking on additional emission reductions efforts from the Environmental Protection Agency.

Individually and combined, the effect will be harmful to Wyoming oil and gas producers.

The governor noted Wyoming has led the way on methane regulation nationally. The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality and Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission continue to cooperatively work with oil and gas producers to reduce emissions.

Flaring is a last resort after the company has shown the gas being produced as a byproduct of oil development cannot be used or transported off site. Even then, flared gas is limited to an amount and a finite period of time. The company must come back before the commission to seek further approval of any additional flaring.

Companies often use the excess gas to power equipment and a few have sold the gas to companies to run computing servers.

Safety course scheduled

The annual Nebraska Tractor and Equipment Safety Certification Course with hands-on safety will be held in June in Gordon, Neb. and Gering, Neb. The course is hosted by Nebraska Extension and Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health at the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s College of Public Health.

Federal law prohibits children under 16 from using certain equipment on a farm unless their parents or legal guardians own the farm. The certification course allows 14and 15-year-olds to drive a tractor and certain mechanized equipment.

The two-day certification includes a hands-on safety day with a written test and tractor and equipment safety training with a driving exam. Successful completion of certification days one and two will result in certification for 14- and 15-year-olds to be employed on farms and ranches.

The course costs $40 and includes educational materials, the online learning link – if applicable – supplies and lunch and snacks at in-person training. Payment is via credit card online.

Youth under 14 years of age can register for and attend certification day one only if accompanied by an adult. Students under 14 must still register but will not be charged the registration fee.

Both parts of certification days one and two will be offered in Gordon, Neb. A hands-on safety day with a written test will be offered on June 5 at 613 E. 3rd Street and the second part – a driving exam – will be held on June 6.

In Gering, Neb., only certification day two – a tractor and equipment safety training with a driving exam – will be offered on June 4 at Legacy of the Plains Museum. Attendees must complete the written test online before taking the driving exam.

To register, visit go.unmc.edu/tractor-safety-training

Exports have big impact

Beef and pork exports of $18.1 billion in 2023 had a significant impact on the corn and soybean industries, according to an independent study conducted by The Juday Group and released by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

The study quantified the returns beef and pork exports brought to corn and soybean producers nationally and on a state-by-state level for leading corn and soybean-producing states.

Nationally, U.S. pork and beef exports contributed an estimated total economic impact of 14.6 percent per bushel to the value of corn and 13.9 percent per bushel to soybeans in 2023, according to the study.

The quality of U.S. corn and soybeans as feed inputs is a key differentiator for U.S. red meat in international markets, says USMEF Chair Randy Spronk.

Handouts detailing the impact of red meat exports at the national level and on the leading corn-producing and soybean-producing states are available from the USMEF website.

For more information, call 303-210-3501.

NJW 79Z 103C Ridge 311F EPDs: BW: +0.8, WW: +62, YW: +105, Milk: +36 and M&G: +68 Buyer: Andrew Orsak, Wallis, Texas Lot 255K – NJW 51G 87G Manifest 255K – Price: $29,000 DOB: 8/3/22 Sire: NJW 133A 6589 Manifest 87G ET Dam’s Sire: SHF Zane X51 Z115 EPDs: BW: -0.3, WW: +63, YW: +99, Milk: +37 and M&G: +68

Buyer: Rees Brothers Herefords, Morgan, Utah

Lot 136L – NJW 73E

D287 Daybreak 136L ET

– Price: $27,500 DOB: 2/18/23 Sire: SHF Daybreak Y02 D287 ET Dam’s Sire: FHF 9279 Deadwood 38Y

EPDs: BW: +3.1, WW: +64, YW: +103, Milk: +35 and M&G: +67 Buyer: Big Gully Farm, Maidstone, Saskatchewan, Canada

Yearling heifers

Lot 17L – NJW 129E 619D Spiritqueen 17L – Price: $45,000 DOB: 1/25/23 Sire: BCC Dominator 619D Dam’s Sire: UPS Hutton 4258 EPDs: BW: +1.1, WW: +66, YW: +109, Milk: +28 and M&G: +61

Buyer: Gustavo Camereno

Lot 142L – NJW 32G 148J Rita 142L – Price: $40,000 DOB: 2/19/23

Sire: NJW 300G 20G Zane 148J Dam’s Sire: /S Mandate 66589 EPDs: BW: +0.0, WW: +72, YW: +115, Milk: +31 and M&G: +67 Buyer: Netherhall Farm, United Kingdom

Bred heifer Lot 262K – NJW 79Z 901 Rita 262K ET – Price: $26,000 DOB: 9/8/22

Snowshoe Cattle Company

Annual Bull Sale

and Milk: +30 Buyer: Kim

Keltner, Terry, Mont.

Lot 144K – Snowshoe 173D Endure D21

144K – Price: $7,500

DOB: 8/21/22 Sire: NJW

79Z Z311 Endure 173D

ET Dam’s Sire: Churchill

Red Bull 200Z EPDs: BW: +3.9, WW: +73, YW: +115

and Milk: +35 Buyer: Ethan Feil, Fortuna, N.D.

Lot 17L – Snowshoe

Masterplan

and Milk: +26 Buyer: Tyson

Narjes, Sidney, Neb.

Red Angus bull

Lot 15L – Snow F121

Energize E7313 15L – Price: $11,000 DOB: 2/10/23 Sire: Bieber CL Energize F121

Dam’s

w/Somnus, Bangs Vac., No

Kept, Some would

Replacement Quality, Home Raised Hester Farms 120 Blk Angus Heifers, 650-700#, Weaned a long time, Been on a Grower Ration, Branding Shots: Vista Once, Vision 7 w/Somnus, Weaning Shots: Bovi-Shield Gold 5, Nasalgen 3 PMH, SafeGuard Wormer, Poured with Exit Gold, Booster Shots: Pyramid 5, Vision 7, Pre-breeding Shots

Bridle Bit Ranch/Brandon Dilts 58 100% Blk/Bwf Hfrs, 750-800#, Guaranteed Open, Weaned since Oct. 19, Bunk Broke, Been on a Grower Ration, Branding & Pre-cond. Shots: Vision 7 Somnus w/Spur, Pyramid 5+Presponse, Bangs Vac., Home Raised, Replacement Quality

David Hanson 15 Blk/Bwf (5 Herefords) Hfrs, 850-900#, Running Out, Hay Fed, Complete Vac. Program, Replacement Quality

Ed & Mary Meyer 3 Mx Strs & Hfr, 775-800#, Weaned since Sept., Grass Hay Fed,Cake/Grain Once a Week, No Shots, Home Raised

WEANED

DOI finalizes rule

The Department of the Interior (DOI) announced a final rule from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) which will curb the waste of natural gas during the production of oil and gas on federal and Tribal lands.

This final rule modernizes regulations which are more than 40 years old and will hold oil and gas companies accountable by requiring measures to avoid wasteful practices and find and fix leaks, all while ensuring American taxpayers and Tribal mineral owners are fairly compensated through royalty payments.

By building on technological advances and best management practices to help reduce waste, the rule is expected to generate more than $50 million in additional natural gas royalty payments each year to the federal taxpayer and Tribal mineral owners, while conserving billions of cubic feet of gas which might otherwise have been vented, flared or leaked from oil and gas operations.

This conserved gas will be available to power American homes and industries.

The final rule responds to a series of U.S. Government Accountability Office reports highlighting revenue lost due to the BLM’s outdated regulations. Several states, including Colorado, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Wyoming, as well as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), have taken steps to limit venting, flaring and/or leaks from oil and gas operations either for purposes of preventing waste or improving air quality.

The BLM rule is separate and distinct from the EPA rule and ensures operators can comply with applicable state, Tribal or federal rules while meeting these commonsense requirements.

Weaned a long time, Running Out, Hay Fed, Complete Vac. Program, Bangs Vac., Home Raised

What’s Cooking, Good Looking?

As we welcome in April, I’ve decided to share another springtime recipe. These Lemon Rosemary Butter Cookes are perfect for brunch and will melt in your mouth.

Lemon Rosemary Butter Cookies

Ingredients

1 c. unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 c. brown sugar

2 egg yokes, lightly beaten

Zest of 1 lemon

2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tbsp. chopped fresh rosemary

2 c. all-purpose flour, plus a little extra for rolling

1/2 c. coarse sparkling sugar

Directions

In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream together butter and brown sugar until smooth and fluffy, scraping the bowl as needed. Add the eggs, lemon zest and lemon juice and beat until smooth. Sprinkle the salt, rosemary and flour on top. Beat on low speed until the dough comes together and no streaks of flour remain.

Pat the dough into a ball and set it on a piece of saran wrap. Wrap the dough up, then pat it down into a rough rectan-

gle about a ½-inch thick with your hands. Refrigerate for at least two hours or up to 48 hours.

When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Place the coarse sugar in a bowl. Lightly flour your countertop, then place the dough on top. Flour a rolling pin, then roll your dough out to about ¼-inch thick.

Using a cookie cutter or small juice glass, cut circles of dough out. Roll the edges of the dough in the coarse sugar then line up on the parchment paper, spacing at least one inch apart. Re-roll and cut the dough until none remains.

Bake for eight to 10 minutes or until edges are very light golden brown and centers look set.

Tressa Lawrence lives and works on her family’s cattle ranch, where she runs cattle, cooks a few meals and juggles freelance writing and photography. Comments can be sent to lawrenceranchbeefco@ gmail.com.

New All Metal Stirrup Buckles

Blevins new all-metal stirrup buckle in 3”& 2-1/2” widths. The 3” and 2-12” widths have the posts set horizontally and fit standard holes while the 2” width has the posts set vertically. Made of stainless steel and heat-treated aluminum, the same as our leather-covered buckles.

Blevins Stirrup Buckles Improved

Sleeves same as on regular style buckle. The tongue has no hinge or strap. Available in 3” and 2-1/2” widths.

Easy to change stirrup lengths quickly and easy to install – won’t slip or stick. Made of stainless steel and heat-treated aluminum. Sleeves covered with leather. Order either improved, regular or four post buckles. Also new all-metal buckle in 3”, 2-1/2” and 2” widths. At your dealers or:

BCRC continued from page 1

stressed pasture more time to recover.

“By managing pastures cautiously in the short term, we can prevent having to deal with drought-related issues for the next 10 years,” Bork states.

Deciding when to turn pairs out

When making the decision of when to turn pairs out, Bork recommends producers consider seven things.

First, he notes producers should calculate their carrying capacity and be realistic with the amount of forage they have. Then, they can develop a grazing plan accordingly.

Next, Bork suggests producers wait until the “threeleaf stage” before turning out their pairs.

“Using plant height is not a good way to determine readiness to graze, as plants can vary greatly by height, especially in the early stages,” reads the BCRC article. “Instead, wait until plants have three leaves to start grazing. This gives plants time to build the reserves they need for long-term survival.”

“A common grazing rule of thumb is for every one day you wait to graze in the spring, you save two days in the fall,” the council continues.

Bork further notes it is important for producers to match their grazing plan with their pasture type.

If possible, he says producers should graze tame

pastures before native pastures, as tame pasture is usually more tolerant to grazing stress and may be quicker to green up in the spring.

He says producers should also pay attention to plant litter, which conserves rain and snow melt and contributes to forage reserve.

“Pastures with abundant litter will require less recovery and can be accessed earlier in the season than those where there is little or no litter remaining,” Bork explains. “Grasslands without litter may produce 25 to 60 percent less forage than grasslands with adequate litter. Pastures with reduced litter lose moisture through evaporation and runoff and are at a higher risk of sun and wind exposure.”

Additionally, Bork notes soil moisture levels can help producers decide when to turn pairs out.

“While snow can contribute to moisture recharge, this is not a certainty and may have a limited effect on forge recovery due to its tendency to evaporate – with chinooks, for example – or run off if soils are frozen,” he says.

“Up to 70 percent of our precipitation on prairies comes from rainfall in the growing season as opposed to snow, meaning each year our forage growth is closely tied to the occurrence of May and June rainfall,” he adds.

Lastly, Bork says producers should look back on how forage as been managed in previous years, provide

ample time for rest and recovery and be ready to adapt.

Making tough decisions

In the unfortunate instance producers are faced with drought conditions again, Bork reminds them pastures will benefit from extended recovery and encourages them to implement early steps in preventing long-term damage.

To do this, he recommends using alternative feeds, such as soybean hulls, beet pulp, pellets, screenings and/or other feed sources to extend the winter-feeding season and utilizing annual forages, which may be grazed four to six weeks after seeding and can often be stocked pretty heavily to alleviate pressure on pastures.

Further, Bork says producers might consider tightening their calving season and making some tough culling decisions.

“By shortening up the breeding season and pulling bulls sooner, producers are selecting for cattle which rebreed earlier, tightening up their calving season and allowing them to take advantage of higher grass market prices for open heifers,” he shares. “This can help with culling decisions.”

“Making the decision to cull is never an easy one but it can hep to reduce reliance on stressed pastures and aid in faster recovery,” he concludes.

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

“Do as I say, not as I do.”

We’ve all heard it before, maybe from our parents, grandparents, bosses, teachers or someone else of influence in our lives. But how many of us actually believe this is a good practice?

Plain and simple, it’s hypocrisy at its finest. When we utter those words, we are essentially asking for a pass on our behavior and destroying the effectiveness of our words. It’s completely contradictory.

ally resulting in a decline in respect.

As a result, when we fail to do as we say, we set the example it’s okay for others to behave in the same manner. There are often no real consequences, so there is nothing preventing us from doing it more in other aspects of our lives.

If you do a search for “double standard news today” and “hypocritical news today,” you will find approximately 1,735,200,000 pages. That’s right – almost two billion pages of hypocrisy and double standard news. And this is just what’s getting to the internet.

“The Lord detests double standards. He is not pleased by dishonest scales.”

But has this problem become such a part of our culture it cannot be fixed?

watching and listening. Always. Even at the most micro-level, if you think what you say and do doesn’t matter, think again.

As long as the hearts of people desire to seek their own way without considering the impact it has on others, the problem will always persist.

Mark McConnell 307-438-1218

When we embrace the concept of “do as I say, not as I do,” it bleeds into creating a world of double standards. They’re everywhere. Unfortunately, they are rampant in our country’s political system, our schools, our churches, our businesses and our homes.

Mike McConnell 307-330-5670

believe the teacher is allowed to do what he wants because it’s his classroom. Others may believe the teacher is an adult who went through the process and work of getting his teaching degree and is therefore entitled to assume whatever position he feels comfortable with when teaching.

It boils down to this – we want our way and whatever it takes to get there, and one way or another, we find a way to justify it.

Although this mentality is rampant in our society, it’s a problem which has existed since man walked the Earth. Even the Bible mentions it.

Proverbs 20:23 states,

However, I do think we all carry the capacity to change things for the better. It begins with the complete understanding no matter who we are, where we are or what we are doing, we are always setting an example. No matter what.

Someone is always

Our responsibility lies in holding each other accountable when our words do not match our actions. It’s imperative we boldly exert our influence by informing our leaders we will not support, endorse or tolerate double standards when it becomes their modus operandi.

It’s our obligation to take a stand. The power is in our hands. It lies within us. This is how we begin to cause a change to shape a better future.

Anjie McConnell 307-330-4670

Diane Frank

There are many problems in this world, but in my opinion, the root of many of these problems comes from this small phrase. We’ve perhaps heard it so many times, we forget how impactful it can be.

Just the other night, in a midnight conversation with my son who is a high school senior, this very topic came up. He expressed his frustration to me regarding words versus actions, after his observation of a teacher in his school that day.

There’s more to the story, but I’ll keep it basic for now.

While the teacher sits for most of the class period with his legs stretched out across the desk, no student is allowed to do the same thing. To be clear, I do not condone students lounging at their desks for any reason. But I also do not approve of this body language for teachers either.

It may seem like a petty thing to point out. Some may

Others yet, may argue students are required to do what the teacher says regardless of whether they like it or even if it contradicts the teacher’s behavior. One way or another, someone, somewhere, will find an argument strong enough to justify the case.

I would disagree quite strongly, however, to every rebuttal which might support the premise of “Do as I say, not as I do.”

My argument is simple. Because the teacher is in a leadership position when it comes to educating our youth, he, above all, has an absolute obligation to ensure what he does matches very closely with what he says. And, more importantly, it is his responsibility to recognize big things first grow from little things.

What I mean, more specifically, is when we don’t pay attention to the little things or the things we might view as “irrelevant” or “insignificant,” they most often grow into things that are much larger and more significant.

Furthermore, the teacher’s actions diminish the value of his words, eventu-

Jerry Martin Kennedy

Oct. 30, 1943 – March 22, 2024

Jerry Martin Kennedy, a

figure of Albany and Platte counties passed away on March 22 at the

age of 80.

Born on Oct. 30, 1943 to Dorothy Marguerite (Quirk) Kennedy and William Henry Kennedy, Jerry was raised on the family’s Vale and Dodge Creek ranches. His father homesteaded the land more than 100 years ago and it sits 40 miles west of Wheatland and 38 miles east of Rock River.

Throughout his life, Jerry remained deeply connected to his roots as an Albany County rancher. He was not just a resident,

but a cornerstone of the community, known for his unwavering dedication and multifaceted contributions. Jerry’s impact extended far and wide, reflecting his diverse array of roles and responsibilities.

As a big game outfitter and guide, Jerry shared his love for the outdoors with countless individuals, fostering unforgettable experiences in Wyoming’s rugged landscapes. His commitment to preserving the land was further demonstrated through his involvement with Albany County Weed and Pest, where he served diligently from 1973 to 2001.

Jerry’s civic engagement was exemplary, evident in his tenure as an

Albany County Commissioner until 2018, and his invaluable service for 47 years as a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Fire Guard and Wildland Fire Fighter in the Laramie Peak and Sybille Fire Zones.

His dedication to public safety extended to his role as the governor-appointed Wyolink radio communications project manager, where he played a pivotal role in enhancing emergency response capabilities.

Beyond his public service, Jerry was deeply involved in various community organizations, including the Wyoming Stock Growers Association, Albany County Stockgrowers, National Rifle Association, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Wheatland Masonic Lodge #16 and the Wheatland Grazing Association.

His commitment to his community was unwavering, whether working with the U.S. Census Bureau or contributing to projects such as the University of Wyoming water collection initiative.

Jerry’s skills as a mechanic and machinist were legendary, honed over years of hands-on experience and under the watchful tutelage of Fritz Drube during his high school years.

From his meticulous restoration of a 1981 Chev-

rolet K30 pickup to his role in constructing numerous buildings on the family ranch, Jerry’s craftsmanship left an indelible mark on his home and Albany County.

He learned how to work with, respect and use dynamite as a tool while the Tunnel Road was being built in 1954.

He wore many hats, but none as memorable as his orange BLM firefighter hard hat. This hat saved his life many times over. It will always be a great reminder of him as a loving husband, father, dad, brother, grandpa, great leader and dear friend.

In his personal life, Jerry cherished his family above all else. He and his wife were married for 54 years and together they raised two sons, Gary and Marty.

One of his favorite people, childhood friend and cousin is Gerry Elizabeth Kennedy-Gifford. They spent hours getting into trouble together and racing around in a chopped-up Model A Ford as adventure loving youngsters. They remained extremely close to the day of Jerry’s passing.

Jerry is preceded in death by his beloved wife Evelyn Kennedy on Sept. 2, 2020; as well as his parents Dorothy Kennedy on Jan. 16, 1978 and William Kennedy on July 13, 1983

and brother Gene Kennedy on Dec. 29, 2017.

He is survived by his sons Marty Kennedy and Gary (Karri-Ada) Kennedy; along with grandchildren Carson of Denver, Colo., Colter of Casper and Jeremiah Rogers of Sayre, Penn. and great-grandchildren John Rogers, Jr. of Phillips, Wis. and Kylee Rogers of Sayre, Penn.

He always had a smile and a friendly hello for everyone he’d see.

Jerry will be remembered not only for his myriad of accomplishments, but also for his steadfast integrity, his enduring work ethic and his profound love for his family, friends and community.

His willingness to lend a helping hand will never be forgotten. His legacy of kindness will continue to inspire all of those who were fortunate enough to know him. Our father, friend and one-of-a-kind cowboy will be deeply missed and forever loved.

A memorial service to celebrate Jerry’s life was held at The Bell on April 3.

Donations may be made in honor of Jerry to The Marge Cares Foundation, PO Box 86, Glendo, WY 82213 or to The Shriner’s Childrens Hospital in Salt Lake City at donate. lovetotherescue.org/give and would be appreciated by the family.

stalwart

BRIDGE continued from page 1

tallying a record 1.3 million tons, worth $9 billion, in 2023,” notes Michigan Farmer Editor Jennifer Kiel in a March 30 Farm Progress article. “The port also ranks first for auto and light-truck imports, handling a record 850,000 vehicles last year.”

Sugar and soy industries optimistic

According to Kiel, the Port of Baltimore exported 415,678 metric tons of soybeans in 2023, and raw sugar from cane is the port’s largest bulk import item.

While the collapse of the bridge will certainly create some supply chain disruptions for these two industries, sugar and soy representatives are optimistic the impacts felt won’t be too significant.

“The Baltimore refinery has six to eight weeks of raw sugar supply on hand with a ship currently discharging at the dock and another which finished unloading on Monday,” says ASR Group in a statement on March 26. “Our network of production facilities and warehouses across the U.S. all currently have healthy inventories of finished products which can be utilized if necessary.”

Soy industry experts also believe impact to their sector will be minor and remain regional.

“The Port of Baltimore exported 5.2 million bushels of soybeans in containers in 2020, so it is a vital port for our industry,” says Julia Brown, director of communications for the Ohio Soybean Council.

“However, Baltimore is not a major port for Ohio soy-

ASR Group, which owns the Domino Sugar refinery – boasting the second-highest sugar production capacity in the U.S., with 40 different sugar products – does not expect significant shortterm impacts to sugar production at the plant.

CHECKOFF continued from page 2

these boards should be making decisions, not bureaucrats in Washington, D.C.

As for transparency, just go online and you’ll see all of the Beef Checkoff budgets and audits, so you know exactly where your dollar goes.

Furthermore, checkoff contractors do not receive payment until the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Cattlemen’s Beef Board have accepted the proposed project and approved of the work completed.

All potential contractors to the checkoff must go through this process.

With the enemies we face, we really need the support of the Beef Checkoff to tell our story and keep consumers buying beef.

This will ensure our way of life can continue for our children and grandchildren. I urge you to listen to the facts and tell Congress to keep their hands out of the checkoff.

Mark Eisele, rancher and general partner of the King Ranch Company in Cheyenne, is the president of the National Cattleman’s Beef Association. He can be reached by visiting ncba.org

beans, which mostly leave the country through ports in Norfolk, New York and New Jersey.”

Soy Transportation Coalition Executive Director Mike Steenhoek agrees, noting disruptions caused by the bridge collapse in Baltimore won’t be nearly as significant as those caused by the Mississippi River being shut down.

However, he also notes there is interconnectivity to everything, and as freight is rerouted to other ports, there may be traffic delays

consultant and former president of the Michigan Agribusiness Association, comments, “The quicker they can get a sea crane in there to move bridge pieces, the better. If they can get the center of the Patapsco River cleared where the water is deeper, it will allow the large container ships through. I think it will be reopened pretty darn quick.”

Equipment manufacturers pivot

Kiel notes, according to John Schmeiser, North American Equipment Deal

manufacturer uses the Baltimore port, including John Deere, Agco, both brands of CNH, Caterpillar and Massey Ferguson.

He notes retailers are optimistic the short-term impacts will not be significant and the industry will find a way to pivot.

“However, the longer it takes to find alternate ports and some efficiencies in working with these alternate ports – like trucking or rail to get equipment out –the more potential for negative impact,” he tells Farm

thrives on stability – stability in commodity prices, stability in interest rates, stability in just-in-time delivery on equipment, stability of the parts supply and availability, stability in our economy, etc.,” he adds. “During the pandemic, a lot of instability was created. Looking back, I think our industry adjusted very well, but nobody was anticipating a return of instability on this grand scale so quickly.”

Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup.

LEARNING, PEER-TO-PEER LEARNING, PEER-TO-PEER LEARNING, & INDUSTRY NETWORKING & INDUSTRY NETWORKING & INDUSTRY NETWORKING

LEARN GISTER LEARN GISTER LEARN GISTER

The cash fed cattle market has seen price advances slowly building since the second week in February. It’s been primarily a meticulous grind higher as the drastically reduced slaughter head counts kept a lid on market exuberance.

Yet, the past few weeks have featured a nearly four dollar per hundredweight (cwt) advance as bullish

By Paul Dykstra

live cattle futures positioned price targets higher in the weekly cash market.

Carcass weights take big steps

For the week ending on March 2, carcass weights took a big step upward. This was seen in the latest data with steers gaining five pounds and heifers up 12 pounds.

Not only are these big

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single-week gains, they are an elongation of a tremendous upswing from the winter-inflicted lows touched at the beginning of February.

The other factor in the carcass weights equation is the slowed pace of fed cattle slaughter. Packers have made a concerted effort to reduce production volume, aiming to hold cattle input prices lower while simultaneously pushing boxed beef prices higher.

Not without implications, the tactic has been only mildly successful in dampening the magnitude and speed of increasing fed cattle prices. Yet, the rapid recovery in carcass weights suggests finished cattle supplies are now not nearly as current as they were at the beginning of February.

The final piece of the carcass weight trend is the premium live cattle futures have held over recent spot cash values. Declining costs of gain, coupled with premiums in futures, signaled cattle feeders to continue to feed their inventory.

As winter weather turned more mild, this captured margin.

Carcass quality – i.e. marbling scores – has not responded to rapidly increasing carcass weights in a manner intuition might suggest.

The most recent data for the week of Feb. 26 shows the national percent Choice grade declining eight-tenths of a percentage point over two weeks. As insignificant as this seems, it’s a setback in a season when we expect quality grade to trend toward a mid-March annual peak.

The duration of the setback is very short term thus far. But, it is the one trait which currently doesn’t correlate as observers may expect in a production setting where steer carcasses have seen a 10-pound boost in four weeks.

2023 carcass primal premiums review

Dating back to 2008, Certified Angus Beef (CAB) has collected detailed carcass measurements on several million Angus-type carcasses. Across 17 years, the project has captured large data “snapshots” across multiple packers, increasing in frequency since 2019.

The motivation is to capture large masses of data to continually update what we know about brand-eligible, Angus-influenced carcasses across the industry. While certainly imperfect, the 2.2 million carcasses evaluated in 2023 generate enough data points to offer credibility by way of volume.

CAB product sales volume is only as large as the supply chain will allow. This is pointedly apparent in the currently reduced cattle supply environment.

Improved carcass merit has no downside regardless of supply cyclicity. Yet, when beef production is restricted, it magnifies the strides we should be making to get a larger proportion of Angus-type cattle across the finish line of all 10 carcass specifications for the brand.

The adjacent chart shows the reasons Angus-type carcasses were excluded from the CAB brand in 2023.

As has been the case in

any of the eight years studied, failure to achieve at least a 500 marbling score –the entry point to Premium Choice – explains the vast majority of carcasses missing the target. But, this is a discussion item for another day.

Next in line is ribeye area, where 22.9 percent of failures to meet the standards fell outside of the 10- to 16-square-inch target. Just a fraction – 0.5 percent – were too small and the remainder were larger than 16 inches.

This is easy enough to understand when considering the escalation in modern hot carcass weights, setting new records late in 2023.

The specification for maximum allowable hot carcass weight was changed in October 2022, shifting the limit up 50 pounds to the current 1,100 pound limit. The change shifted, with the 13.8 percent of carcasses which surpassed the 1,050 pound limit in 2020 to just 4.6 percent in 2023.

This has proven to be a timely adjustment given the continued industry trend toward heavier carcass weights.

In the last two years, the correlation of carcass weight and ribeye size has driven the “cattle size” burden of disqualified carcasses over toward ribeye area and away from excess carcass weight.

As the industry has fed

cattle to heavier weights, the range in ribeye area sizes within a box of CAB ribeyes has actually narrowed.

Since all carcasses are heavier, on average, proportionally more brand-eligible carcasses are crowding the 16-inch upper limit allowed in the brand and fewer are near the lower 10-inch lower limit.

It’s not often discussed in feedyard circles but carcasses with backfat thickness over one inch accounted for 7.5 percent of non-conformance for the brand in each of the past two years. Higher proportions of yield grade (YG) four and five carcasses – particularly YG Fives – are associated with this level of excessive fat.

Feeding cattle to their optimum carcass composition and net return outcomes is an evolving process. The largest opportunity to push more cattle from a contemporary management group into CAB-brand acceptance remains squarely in improved marbling.

Managing for “outs” in areas of excess size and fat content not only increases CAB carcass certification but hits the bottom line reducing grid discounts.

Paul Dykstra is the assistant director of supply management and analysis at CAB. He can be reached at pdykstra@certifiedangusbeef.com.

and year branded. Hearty cattle with longevity and the ability to run out on their own.

Jim Koltiska - 20 head of Red Angus home raised heifers, bangs vaccinated, and weighing 650 lbs. Nice set of Red Angus heifers, with years of Red Angus genetics to back it.

Stephen Masters - 20 head of F1 black baldy heifers, bangs vaccinated, and weighing 550-600 lbs.

Gerry Miller - 18 head of Black home raised heifers, bangs vaccinated, and weighing 650-700 lbs. Smaller package that is packed full of maternal quality.

Sabrina Mitchell - 10 head of home-raised black baldy heifers. They are Bangs vaccinated and grain broke. They come from generations of high quality Hereford cattle! We are able to bangs vaccinate any heifers that need it!

Donald and Donna Adamson

•

GRass cattle

•

and

CHAMPIONS continued from page 1

again as the Third Place Overall WDA Bull, reporting a WDA of 3.58 and a ratio of 113.

Lots 97, 98 and 100 –all consigned by Olson Cattle Company and sired by Square B Atlantis 8061 –made up the Champion Sire Group, with a collective ADG of 4.38.

Following in reserve with an ADG of 4.12 was a sire group consigned by RK Perry, consisting of lots 111, 115 and 118. These bulls were sired by Vermilion Growth Fund J611.

Jackpot champions

In addition, Treasure Bull Test holds an annual jackpot, which was started several years ago by Russ and Barb Pepper, according to Perry.

“It’s a little contest where every consignor gets to throw a $100 bill in the pot,” he explains. “The consignor picks one bill from their consignor list on the day of arrival – the bull they think will gain the best.

These bulls are indexed separately from the TBT Index – one-half ADG ratio, onefourth 205-day ratio and one-fourth 365-day ratio.

The winners take all.”

This year, the Treasure Bull Test Jackpot Champion was lot 12, consigned by Willekes Angus of Moore, Mont., with a TBT of 112. This bull was sired by Connealy Big Valley. Marshal Willekes Angus of Choteau, Mont. took home reserve-champion honors with lot 22, a son of Ellingson Deep River with a TBT of 111.

Lot 64 finished the contest in third place. Consigned by Lewis Land and Livestock of Cut Bank, Mont., this bull was a son of Deer Valley Optimum 9246 and posted a TBT of 110.

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

For more information on Treasure Bull Test and the Cowboy’s and Cowgirl’s Performance Bull Sale, visit treasurebulltest.com.

treasure bull test leaders

ADG leaders

1 – Lot 29 – 4.63 ADG, 125 TBT Index

2 – Lot 111 – 4.63 ADG, 125 TBT Index

3 – Lot 127 – 4.59 ADG, 124 TBT Index

WDA leaders

1 – Lot 29 – 3.63 WDA, 115 ratio

2 – Lot 98 – 4.63 WDA, 125 ratio

3 – Lot 127 – 4.59 WDA, 124 ratio

Sire group champions

1 – Lots 97, 98 and 100 – 4.38 ADG

2 – Lots 111, 115 and 118 – 4.12 ADG

Jackpot champions

1 – Lot 12 – 112 TBT

2 – Lot 22 – 111 TBT

3 – Lot 64 – 110 TBT

Producers should consider these facts and tips about bulls as they make this year’s sire purchases

Regardless of how a producer breeds their cows –artificial insemination (AI) or natural service – they need a good bull, or several, relevant to their number of cows. Even when utilizing AI, it pays to have a good clean-up bull since conception rates with AI are rarely 100 percent. It’s actually closer to 70 or 80 percent.

Unless cows are calved year-round – an impractical way to manage beef cows – bulls should be kept separate from other cattle,

except during breeding season. Many producers don’t want cows bred during the wrong time of year for when they plan to calve, and they don’t want heifers bred too young.

A young bull will do better if kept separate from cows after breeding season is over. He’s still growing and needs time off from chasing cows so he can regain lost weight and be in better condition for next year.

A pasture for bulls needs

good fences. It’s always healthier for bulls to have room to exercise and to be out of the mud in wet seasons, so a pasture is better than a small corral, if there is room.

Electric wire can augment a pasture fence to make sure bulls don’t try to go through the fence. It also helps if producers have a buffer field or pen between the bull pasture and any females.

If bulls can’t get nose to nose with females, they

are not as tempted to crash a fence.

Bulls need good feed, but this doesn’t mean grain. If a bull needs grain to stay in good body condition, he’s not very feed efficient and won’t sire feed-efficient offspring.

Many seedstock producers overfeed young beef bulls to get them big enough fast enough – since most bulls are now sold as yearlings rather than two-yearolds – and to have them look

Continued on next page

good by sale time.

Fat young bulls often “fall apart” when turned out with cows. They are not in athletic condition and tire readily. They lose weight rapidly due to the sudden drop in nutrition levels, coupled with drastic increase in exertion.

Overfeeding leads to fertility problems – too much insulating fat in the scrotum keeps it too warm for optimum sperm production and viability – founder and other feet and leg problems.

A yearling bull needs adequate nutrition for growth, but this can be provided with good pasture or good quality hay with an adequate protein level. Mature bulls should do fine on pasture or good grass hay or a grass-alfalfa mix.

Watch body condition and adjust the feed accordingly.

If older bulls get too fat, this not only hinders fertility but can also impair athletic ability, stamina and sex drive.

If bulls start losing weight, increase the quantity or quality of feed. A good mineral supplement is also important for optimum fertility, if feeds are deficient.

Bulls are bulls

Handle bulls with firmness and respect and never forget they are bulls – their instinct is to dominate other animals.

Don’t make a pet of any bull. If he looks upon a human as an equal and has no fear/respect, he may eventually become dangerous as he gets older and more aggressive. In his mind, he must always be the dominant member of the team, never to be challenged.

Sometimes it helps to carry a stock stick when handling bulls on foot, such as working or sorting them in a corral, but producers should rarely have to use it if they keep a confident attitude.

If a bull respects an individual, they generally don’t need to use a stick.

Some bulls become aggressive at a young age and others become more aggressive as they get older. Most bulls will start questioning authority by the time they are four or five years old, though a few remain mellow and manageable for longer.

If a bull starts challenging a producer’s authority, they should get rid of him.

Selecting a bull

A bull provides onehalf of the genetics for any calves a producer sells or keeps as future cows, so it is important to find a good bull that suits the goals of an operation.

If the bull is purebred, check his performance records and those of his sire and dam, to know what to expect from his calves

regarding birth weight, weaning weight, etc.

If he’ll be breeding heifers, make sure he isn’t too large and heavy or he may injure them during breeding, and check his projected birth weights to make sure he’ll sire small calves that are easy born but grow fast.

Birth weight is partly a result of gestation length, which is a heritable trait.

Evaluate him visually to make sure he has good conformation and will stay sound, siring daughters with good conformation.

He should have strong feet and legs – good bone and strong hoofs – not crooked or weak and should travel well, with legs moving straight forward instead of crookedly.

If he has too much angle in his hind legs – sickle hocks – or not enough angle in hocks and stifles –post-legged – he may suffer strain and injury when trying to breed cows. He should have a strong back – not sway-backed nor humped up – and be long in body, not pot-bellied.

If an individual plans to keep daughters as future cows, they should always look at the bull’s mother, especially her udder shape, milking ability, etc. His daughters will be a lot like the mother of the bull.

If she has faults – big teats at calving time, bad disposition, etc. – they

likely will too. Make sure he has a good disposition and is easy to handle. Temperament is partly inherited. Producers want a bull that not only sires easy-born, fast-growing calves and good-milking daughters, but also passes on a calm, intelligent behavior.

How producers handle and train their cattle can make a big difference in tractability, but it helps if they have good intelligence and an easy-going nature to begin with.

An aggressive and mean or wild and flighty bull will sire calves with the same bad attitude. They will be

difficult to handle, more easily stressed and won’t gain weight as readily as calmer individuals.

Never use a bull with traits one wouldn’t want in their calves or in daughters they might keep as cows.

Considerations prior to turnout

Always have a breeding soundness exam (BSE) performed before the breeding season, to check semen and any other factors which might affect his fertility or breeding ability.

Unless he’s a virgin bull, he should also be tested for trichomoniasis and any other sexually transmitted diseases which might be

prevalent in the region.

Vaccinate bulls annually or semi-annually for some diseases and make sure vaccinations are current ahead of breeding season by at least three weeks.

Have a local vet perform a BSE and semen check, even if the bull was fine last year. The bull may have suffered injury or infection between then and now, and it is important to make sure he’ll be fertile and able to breed cows.

Heather Smith Thomas is a corresponding writer for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@ wylr.net.

being developed for the most critical purebred breeder and commercial cattleman.

The 2024 Cowboy’s and Cowgirl’s Performance Bull Sale will be livestreamed on Northern Livestock Video Auction and bulls can be previewed at northernlivestockvideo.com

Over the years

Irvin and Bobbi Meiwald established TBT in 1968 and ran it for 10 years before selling it to Russell and Barbara Pepper.

As hard-working members of their community, the Peppers, a young couple who were respected in the agriculture industry, joined the TBT family and ran the test for the next 39 years.

In their first year of ownership, the Peppers became widely known for selling the bull QAS Traveler for $60,000, which was hauled to the test center that fall in a pink horse trailer.

Other industry leading sires to come out of the TBT test include VDAR

Shoshone 548, Band 105 of Hyline 2380, AAR Maverick 2240, WAF Power 312, Highwood Hero LCH and Premier Chairman 6011A.

Finding an outlet for Ryan Perry’s registered cattle was how he initially became associated with TBT. Before purchasing TBT, he was a bull buying customer and consigned his own bulls to the sale.

Ryan and his wife Karnell purchased TBT from the Peppers in 2017 with the vision to continue the legacy of the 50-year-old business.

“I want a test where the main focus is growth and performance,” Ryan says. “I want to focus the test on bulls and genetics which will satisfy ranchers’ needs.”

The couple has numerous connections, is widely involved in the agriculture industry and has great knowledge of what kind of cattle are in demand across the country.

“One of the reasons I bought TBT is to put bulls

“I want a test where the main focus is growth and performance. I want to focus the test on bulls and genetics which will satisfy ranchers’ needs.”

– Ryan Perry, Treasure Bull Test

in front of a crowd and provide the right type of stock and cattle, it’s very gratifying selling bulls and females with multiple active buyers bidding on stock,” Ryan adds. “I enjoy the camaraderie the sale brings too.”

The TBT sale retains an advantage, as the Perrys can hand pick top stock, ensuring every bull in the sale meets their customers’ needs.

The TBT website states, “Some tests will only sell the top 70 to 80 percent of bulls, but if everyone brings us good cattle, then we will sell 150 bulls. We want a specific type though. Bulls need to be masculine, structurally sound, have good dispositions and meet strict performance standards.” The test

When the Perrys became involved with the test, it had already established a strong reputation across the industry.

Once the bulls hit the feedlot, they start on a ration carefully planned by North Montana Feeder’s nutritionists for the bulls to gain three pounds per day.

It is a 112-day test period, where bulls are weighed upon arrival and again at 56 and 112 days on feed. At the end of the test, each bull is ultrasounded to collect carcass data.

USDA to gather data

Starting in May and continuing through November, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will conduct the monthly Agricultural Yield Survey.

The information captured in this survey will help NASS track changes in yields which can occur due to weather, pests, disease and other factors from farmers and ranchers in the Mountain Region for the states of Arizona, Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.

“This survey is critical in assessing the true state of agriculture in the Mountain Region,” said Rodger Ott, director of the NASS Mountain Regional Field Office. “The data farm operators provide through NASS’s Agricultural Yield Survey allows us to provide the necessary information producers, agribusiness and local, state and federal authorities need to make sound business decisions.”

Also of note, other USDA agencies rely on this data to assist in determining crop insurance and disaster aid payments, as well as other program benefits.

In the survey, NASS asks participants to answer a variety of questions about how many acres of particular crops they planted, how many acres they intend to harvest and their expected yield per acre. NASS will follow up with the same farmers in subsequent months asking them to

update their expected yield per acre assessments.

As with all NASS surveys, the results of this survey will be available in aggregate form only, ensuring no individual operation or producer can be identified. NASS will compile, analyze and publish sur-

vey results in the monthly Crop Production report. These and all NASS reports are available online at nass. usda.gov/publications/

For state specific questions, contact Wyoming USDA NASS State Statistician Leslee Lohrenz at 800392-3202.

“We gather data including average daily gain and weight per day of age and emphasize the ultrasound carcass data,” Ryan says.

The data collected helps to highlight producers with the highest-performing bulls and give smaller registered producers a great venue to market their top end.

Ryan credits the Peppers and Meiwalds, as well as Montana’s reputable Angus genetics for drawing a broad-based, high-quality set of producers to the test each year, and he plans to carry on the reputation of TBT, providing quality genetics to return customers and the new ones they hope to reach.

For ranchers in northern Montana, the sale falls at the perfect time of year, as it is one of the last bull sales in the country to find some high-quality bulls.

Ryan continues, “Ranchers can go to the sale, buy the bull right out of the test, take them home and go straight out with the cows. They don’t need a special spot to babysit those yearling bulls until it’s time to turn them out.”

TBT consignor

The Thibault family, owners of Gem State Angus in Twin Falls, Idaho have been raising highquality Angus seedstock

for over 30 years, says Don Thibault, who started breeding registered cattle after retiring in 1997.

The Gem State Angus Ranch has been consigning bulls at TBT since the early 2000s and have been there almost every year since, says Kevin Thibault, Don’s grandson and third-generation producer, who has taken the lead on the family’s seedstock program.

“My granddad became friends with the Perrys, and we know TBT is committed to data collection, balanced traits and consistency, which has won them repeat customers,” states Kevin.

“My dad, Kent Thibault, started purchasing registered cows and focusing on genetics back in 1989,” Kevin adds. “Cows and the seedstock business are what I know and what I enjoy. Things happened to fall into place, and my wife and I were able to come back home and take on the breeding program full time.”

Gem State Angus is showcasing three high-performing, quality bulls at the 2024 Cowboy’s and Cowgirl’s Performance Bull Sale, all sired by GSAR

Top Game 23k.

Lot 86 is a heifer bull prospect who stacks up some of the best maternal bulls Sitz and GartnerDenowh have produced.

This bull has longevity and maternal function on the top and bottom of his pedigree, and his paternal granddam was in production until she was 18 years old. His maternal granddam, out of Density, is in production at 12 years of age.

Other prospects include lot 87 and his brother lot 88, coming from a larger frame 10-year-old cow who has done a fantastic job and should produce outstanding daughters, according to Kevin.

The Gem State Angus Ranch is proud to feature their bulls at the Great Basin Bull Sale, Midland Bull Test and at TBT and provide repeat and new customers with private treaty sales.

“Check us out on Facebook or contact us directly to inquire about our private treaty sales,” Kevin says.

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

April 8 Town of Pinedale Public Meeting, 5 p.m., Town Council Chambers, Pinedale Town Hall, Pinedale. For more information, contact Matt Bowers at 307-7332087 or mbowers@nelsonengineering.net.

April 8-12 Second Annual Wyoming Funding Summit, Riverton. For more information and to register, visit lummis.senate.gov/wyoming-funding-summit/

April 9-10 Wyoming Beef Council Meeting, 12 p.m., Riverton Holiday Inn and Convention Center, Riverton. For more information, contact Ann Wittmann at ann.wittmann@wyo.gov or call 307-777-6399.

April 10 Yonts Water Conference, 8:30 a.m., Panhandle Research, Extension and Education Center, Scottsbluff, Neb. For more information or to register, visit go.unl.edu/yonts

April 13 2024 Ram Test Field Day, 470 Highway 230, Laramie. For more information, visit wyowool.com

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 308233-1799.

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 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 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 28-29 National Small Business Week Award Ceremony, Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Washington, D.C. For more information, visit sba.gov/national-small-businessweek

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

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/

John Baird – 6 fancy replacement heifers, 650#, complete vacc, running out.

TD Farms – 95 mixed black & red, 600-800#, complete vacc, weaned.

Gene Robertson – 25 mostly black steers, 400-700#, long-time weaned.

Haun Farms – 100 black feeder heifers, 750-850#, fully vaccinated.

Jacob Nicholas – 120 black feeder calves, 550-650#.

TD & Sons – 125 black feeder heifers, 600-700#.

Paul Ward – 70 black heifers, 550-600#, weaned, two rounds of shots.

Wooden Shoe Farms – 10-11 mixed black, 350-450#.

E Triangle Ranch – 15 black calves, 700-750#, two rounds of shots, weaned since October.

David Gillett – 80 black steers, 700-800#, two rounds of shots, long-timed weaned.

Thursday, April 18 • Weigh-Up Special w/ All Class Cattle, Sheep & Goat

Troy John Corbett – 23 open cows, 20 mixed age bred cows, calve May, bred black.

Linda Strock – 7 Boer cross nannies, 1 Boer/Nubian billy, 4 small Boer cross goats.

April 8

Gray’s Angus Ranch Bull Sale, at the ranch, Harrison, Neb., 308-668-2525, 308-668-2520, graysangusranch.com

April 8 Colorado State University 38th Annual Yearling Commercial Angus Bull Sale, One Bar Eleven Ranch, Saratoga, 307-710-2938, 970-491-2722

April 9 Beckton’s 79th Anniversary Bull & Heifer Sale, at the ranch, Sheridan, 307674-6095, 307-674-8162, becktonredangus.com

April 9 Peak View Ranch Annual Production Sale, live online, 719-263-4321, ccilive.com, peakviewranch.com

April 9 SO Cattle Inc. Angus Bull Sale, Riverton Livestock Auction, Riverton, 307438-1218

April 10

April 10

April 10

April 11

April 11

Triple T Land and Livestock Annual Production Sale, Buffalo Livestock Marketing, Buffalo, 307-746-8509, bar-t3livestock,com

Pass Creek Angus Ranch 50th Annual Bull Production Sale, at the ranch, Wyola, Mont., 406-343-2551, 406-679-3391, passcreekangus.com

Maddux Cattle Company “Maternalizer” Bred Cow Sale, Ogallala, Livestock Auction, Ogallala, Neb., 308-350-1133, 308-414-6682, madduxcattle.com

McClun’s Lazy JM Ranch Angus & Polled Herefords Annual Production Sale, Torrington Livestock Sale Barn, Torrington, 307-575-3519, 307-5752113, 307-534-5141, mcclunranch.com

Leachman Cattle of Colorado Grass Time Private Treaty Sale, online only, 970-568-3983, leachman.com/sales

April 11 Reich Charolais Ranch 67th Annual Bull Sale, Belle Fourche Livestock Market, Belle Fourche, S.D., 605-892-4366, 605-580-2393

April 12 Mills Cattle Company Annual Production Sale, St. Onge Livestock, St. Onge, S.D., 307-756-2030, millscattle.com

April 12

Salmon Select 25th Annual Mule Sale, Lemhi County Fairgrounds, Salmon, Idaho, 208-756-2125, salmonselectsale.com

April 12 5L Red Angus Spring Profit $eeker Sale, at the ranch, Sheridan, Mont., 406596-1204, 5lbulls.com

April 12

April 12

April 13

April 13

April 13

April 13-18

April 15

April 16

April 17

Sellman Ranch Annual Production Bull Sale, Crawford Livestock Market, Crawford, Neb., 308-430-4223, 308-430-3742, sellmanranch.com

Roghair Angus Ranch Ent. Private Treaty Auction, at the ranch, Okaton, S.D., 605-669-2328, 605-280-9408, 605-730-0708, facebook.com/roghairangusranchent2004

Salmon Select 51st Annual Horse Sale, Lemhi County Fairgrounds, Salmon, Idaho, 208-756-2125, salmonselectsale.com

Best of the Big Horns Horse Sale, Buffalo Livestock Marketing, Buffalo, 307751-8969, 406-697-5882, cattleusa.com

Ludvigson Stock Farms Spring Herdbuilder Bull Sale, Diamond Y Development Center, Park City, Mont., 515-450-3124, 712-229-3431, ludvigsonstockfarms.com

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

Herding and Shearing Sheep

“An Eastern Writer Gives Us Some Very Interesting Facts,” reads a subhead in the March 1, 1908 issue of The Wyoming Industrial Journal. A portion of the article follows:

Speaking in the Review of Reviews for March, Arthur Chapmann interestingly handles the sheep business and especially the herder and shearer of the flocks. He says:

Naturally, the central figure is the sheepherder. He is the man upon whom the owner depends for the safety of an average flock of from 2,000 to 2,500 sheep, which may be worth from $10,000 to $30,000.

It has been the custom to look upon the sheepherder as the man who takes up the employment because he is “locoed,” or because he cannot do anything else. Nothing could be further from the truth. No sheep owner could not put so much responsibility on the shoulders of incompetent or irresponsible men. The herders are selected from the best material the labor market

has to offer and are paid from $50 to $75 per month and board. The herder is furnished with everything he needs, and there is no limit to the quantity or quality of his fare.

He is given carte blanche to order what the market affords, and the “camp tender,” who comes with supplies once or twice a week sees the order is promptly filled.

The sheep wagon, in which the herder lives in winter, is a veritable house on wheels. It is a canvas covered wagon, containing a cook stove, bunk, cupboard and, in short, everything which can make life bearable for the herder.

In one of these wagons, a man can remain comfortable while the “norther” rages without. In summer, while in the mountains, he lives in a tent, but this is all a man requires among such ideal natural surroundings.

In the spring, at lambing time, is the herder’s season of responsibility. It is then a May snow may wipe out a year’s crop of lambs, if the flock is caught in a bad place, and it is then the band must be closely guarded against the danger from coyotes and wolves.

Care must always be exercised in changing feeding ground, lest the sheep get among poison weeds and die. Countless sheep have been lost in this manner, the herder being unaware of any danger until the poisoned animals began to drop by the score.

Sheep shearing brings to the front another interesting class of men, but, then, that is for the next time we gather at the shearing pens.

Sheepherder at his winter home in the Upper North Platte River Valley south of Saratoga in about 1920.

Photo from Anna Pilot Stubbs family albums donated to Dick Perue. Historical Reproductions by Perue

FOR THE WEEK ENDING May 24, 2019

As of March 29, 2024

Compared to last week traditional slaughter lambs steady, others steady to 30.00 lower, except at Kalona, IA firm to 25.00 higher. Slaughter ewes mostly weak to 10.00 lower. Feeder lambs not well tested. At San Angelo, TX 9,083 head sold in a two day sale. No sales in Equity Cooperative Auction. In direct trading slaughter ewes and feeder lambs not tested. 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 110-140 lbs 170.00-192.00; 160-170 lbs 160.00-180.00.

Ft. Collins: wooled and shorn 120-155 lbs 217.50-235.00. South Dakota: wooled and shorn 130-150 lbs 215.00-225.00. Billings: wooled and shorn 120-135 lbs no test. Equity Coop: no sales.

South Dakota: no test.

Billings: no test.

Sheep and lambs slaughter under federal inspection for the week to date totaled 32,000 compared with 40,000 last week and 41,000 last year.

Source: USDA AMS Market News, San Angelo, Texas

National Wool Review

As of March 29, 2024

Domestic wool trading had no confirmed trades reported this week. Prices reflect trades FOB warehouse in original bag or square pack, bellies out, some graded, and 76 mm or longer. No allowance made for coring, freight, or handling fees at the warehouse level to reflect net grower prices. Wools shorter than 75 mm typically discounted .10-.20 clean. Classed and skirted wools usually trade at a .10-.20 premium to original bag prices.

Australian Wool Exchange

Billings: no test.

Slaughter Ewes

San Angelo: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) hair 70.00; Good 2-3 (fleshy) 85.00-100.00, hair 85.00-100.00; Utility and Good 1-3 (medium flesh) 110.00-122.00, hair 109.00-120.00; Utility 1-2

2-3 (fleshy) 74.00-107.50; Utility 1-2 (thin) no test; Cull 1 no test. South Dakota: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) 100.00; Good 2-3 (fleshy) 75.00-80.00; Utility 1-2 (thin) 90.00, hair 65.00-80.00; Cull 1 hair 65.00.

Billings: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) no test; Good 2-3 (fleshy) no test; Utility 1-2 (thin) no test; Cull 1 no test. Feeder Lambs: Medium and Large 1-2 San Angelo: hair 30-40 lbs 270.00-296.00; 40-50 lbs 276.00302.00; 50-60 lbs 280.00-282.00.

As

Compared to last week all hay sales sold steady on a very thin test. Demand was light. With green grass showing up ranchers are thinking they have enough hay to get through until summer turnout. Out of state hay sales in the big player in the market and those sales have been very slow too with most hay going to a feedlot. Few, producers have donated some hay to the cattlemen in Texas after fires burned grass and hay supplies. Weather pattern has been mixed, some snow and wind then sunshine and repeat.

Eastern Wyoming

Alfalfa - Utility Large Square 3x4 110

Alfalfa Pellets 15% Suncured 320

Western Wyoming

Alfalfa - Premium Small Square 3 Tie

Compared to last week bales of alfalfa sold unevenly steady. Sun-cured alfalfa pellets in the east sold 10.00 lower, steady market in the Platte Valley. Millet hay in the west sold 5.00 lower. No test on grass or prairie hay in round bales. Demand was very light. Each day livestock owners are getting closer to summer grass turn out and most continue to have enough hay sitting around and are not looking to buy any at this time. Most contacts said they have more people calling to sell them hay than they have buyers looking for hay. Some alfalfa producers are seeing worms and bugs in their fields and have ordered spraying to be done.

EXTENSION AGENT, SEVERAL POSITIONS ACROSS EASTERN MONTANA, INCLUDING PLENTYWOOD, BILLINGS, SIDNEY, BAKER, CULBERTSON, MILES CITY, FORSYTH, POPLAR AND BROADUS: Will assess local 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

GOTTSCH LIVESTOCK FEEDERS LLC

Red Cloud, NE

RANCH HAND WANTED: Cow work/calving, irrigating, haying, fixing fences. Wages based on experience. Call 307-250-8475 4/27

CALVING HELP NEEDED: Calving, fencing, haying, general cattle work. Horses used. Call 605-347-3403 or 605499-9088 4/13

WYOMING STATE PARKS IS HIRING ENERGETIC EM-

PLOYEES FOR THIS SUM-

MER!! The employment period will run from May until September 2024. Apply here: www.governmentjobs.com/ careers/wyoming by searching job code “ATTP99 024St. Parks & Historic Sites.” Maintenance and fee employees will be paid $10-$16/hour and law enforcement staff will be paid $18-$22/hour. Housing may be available. EEO/ ADA employer 4/6

LAMBING HELP NEEDED. Call 307-431-2642 4/6

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

Cattle

WANTED RECIP COWS: Must be open!! Two to 6 years old, Red Angus or Angusbased cows. For more information, call Corie Mydland, 406-855-5598 (cell), Trans Ova Genetics 4/6

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

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, weigh-up 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 701391-9132 for all you cattle needs!! 4/6

HUGE BIRD AND ANIMAL AUCTION SUN., APRIL 14:

Selling horses, ponies, miniature cattle, goats, llamas, alpacas and birds of all types. Sale starts 9 a.m. Dawson County Fairgrounds, 1000 Plum Creek Pkwy., Lexington, NE. To consign or for more information, call 308-222-0335 or 308-233-1799 4/6

Come Join the Gottsch Livestock Feeders Family! Gottsch Livestock Feeders is looking for Cowboys/Pen Riders for their feedyard in Red Cloud, NE. The main focus of the Cowboy/Pen Riders are spotting, pulling, diagnosing and taking cattle to the hospital and shipping fat cattle. This person will need to be a team player who is seeking a long-term position. You will have the opportunity to work with and learn from some of the best in the industry. We offer a benefits package that includes health insurance, dental, vision, 401(k), health savings, life insurance and paid vacation. Retention bonus offered to full-time employees. Incentives paid out at 6 months and 1 year of employment. If you are interested stop by and fill out an application or visit our website at Call Brandon Furr at 402-257-7769 or 402-746-2222 for more information.

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

www.gottschcattlecompany.com

FULL- OR

DRIVERS NEEDED FROM WORLAND TO CASPER, WY: Nighttime hours, $30/HOUR TO START. Must have CDL, pass background check and clean MVR. E-mail resumes to dingoboy6342@yahoo. com or call Matt, 801-6414109 4/6

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

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, VALLEY FOODS, SARATOGA, WY: Experienced meat cutter needed. Please contact us via e-mail with your qualifications at

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

Angus

REGISTERED BLACK ANGUS BULLS ROYLANCE ANGUS PRIVATE TREATY: Bulls are balanced, displaying calving ease, explosive growth and

YEARLING ANGUS BULLS: These bulls are grown, not fattened, will get out and cover cows. Many will work on heifers. We will deliver. Call Joe Buseman, 605-351-1535 5/4

YEARLING ANGUS BULLS: Very low birthweights, $3,000/ each. Call 307-241-0396, Glendo, WY 4/6

Horses

www.cowcapital.com

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 SimAngus

FOR SALE: Well-broke team of half-draft geldings weighing 1,500 lbs. each and 16 hands at the withers. Sixteen and 13-year-old half-brothers. Call 701-301-1644 or 701-3483401 4/27

FIVE-YEAR-OLD AQHA SORREL MARE, 14.3 hands. Sound and correct, great handle, one hand neck rein broke. Has had lots of exposure. Been to town, worked at sale barn plus ranched on and roped the roping sled. $10,000 with one week guarantee. Can sale with discounted breeding to Bet He’s Gunna Do It. Call 605-440-7517 4/6 14-YEAR-OLD RANCH/REINING HORSE. 14.2 hands, good looking. Call 307-5751122 4/13

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

Wanted 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

ORIGINAL DOCTOR’S BUGGY FOR SALE: Dark green body, red interior, black top. Top folds back to make into a convertible. Oak wheels with rubber on them. A1 condition. Was made by W.A. Heiss Coach Company in Mifflinburg, PA, company was in business from 1884-1920. Single horse shaft, always stored inside. Worland, WY. Call 307-347-2095. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 4/6

REFURBISHED HORSEDRAWN BUGGIES: Early 1900s doctor’s buggy, $2,500. 1863 Canadian runabout, $2,000. A more modern surrey, $3,500. Two-wheel cart, $500. All OBO. ALSO have harness. All in excellent condition. Call 307-241-0396, Glendo, WY 4/6

BEST OF THE BIG HORNS HORSE SALE, APRIL 13, Buffalo Livestock Marketing, 44 TW Rd., Buffalo, WY. Online bidding through www. cattleusa.com, register 3 days prior to sale. Contact El-

surrounding areas.

HarvXtra® alfalfa with Roundup Ready® technology, Roundup Ready® alfalfa and conventional varieties available!

Plant the best!

Buffalo Brand Seed for annual forages, cover crops, pasture grasses, small grains and custom mixes.

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,

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, 307-3514875 or e-mail at saskin12@ gmail.com 5/11

100 TONS ALFALFA HAY: Big round 1,400 lb. 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 small squares, $4/ bale. ALSO, 5x6 round bales, $125/ton. GRAIN/OATS, $20/ cwt. Greybull, WY area. Call 307-762-3878 or 307-899-4714, leave message 4/20

600+ TONS OF GRASS HAY FOR SALE. ALSO have grass/ alfalfa mix and alfalfa hay, cow and barn stored. WHEAT HAY, OAT HAY AND STRAW. Small squares, 3x3s, 3x4s and round bales. Delivery available!! Large quantities still available. Call today for best price, 307-6303046 4/20

GRASS HAY FOR SALE: 1,200 lb. 3x4x8 bales. Cow hay $120/ ton. Horse hay $150/ton. Certified hay $165/ton. Call Kelly, 307-780-7027 4/20

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

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

800 TONS NICE, green grass/ alfalfa mix (80/20); 600 TONS MIX with rain and/or weeds (cow/grinding hay); 300 TONS GRASS HAY, green; 1,000 TONS 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

GOOD QUALITY OAT HAY: 3x4 bales. Barn stored $120/ ton. Outside $110/ton. Tests available, Lusk, WY. Call Paul Hicks, 970-203-5019 4/13

ALFALFA 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 169. Located in Cody, WY. $155/ton. Can load. For more information, call 307-2502329 4/13

ROUND BALES: QUALITY

GRASS HAY FOR SALE, bales weigh approximately 1,300 lbs. each, Laramie, WY. Call 307760-8429 4/6

285 PLUS TONS OF 2023

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

CERTIFIED BARLEY STRAW FOR SALE, 3x4 bales. Cody, WY. Call 307-899-1952 TFN

Trailer Services/ Repairs

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

FOR SALE: 2016 Volvo conventional semi, D13 Detroit engine 435 HP, Volvo I-Shit automatic transmission, 309,000 miles, 180” wheelbase, air slide 5th wheel, very clean and nice. H&S 7+4 17’ and 16’ chuckwagons with bunk feeding extensions and tandem 14 ton running gear. Meyer 18’ chuckwagon with bunk feeding extensions and 14 ton gear, very nice. 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

Hay Equipment

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

PIPE FOR

3 TUBS RANCH: 3,316+ deeded acres in the treed canyons of 66 Mountain, LaGrange, WY. Lush meadows and mountain outcroppings. Deer, antelope, turkey and sage grouse. Run cows through 12 pastures, plus improvements. Excellent calving facilities. $4,700,000 Pictures and video at www.buyaranch. com. Call Casey Essert, Land Broker, 307-532-1750 4/6

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, 541-5234434 (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

APPROXIMATELY 1,400 FEET, 8” ALUMINUM GATED PIPE, with trailer and butterfly valves. ALSO have 2 irrigation pumps, one with 10 HP motor. $4,500. Call 307-575-1122 4/13

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

1997 FREIGHTLINER FLD120 FOR SALE: New paint, 8 new driver tires. Clean interior. Set up with ball to pull trailer. Fresh oil change. Good front end tires. Really good truck, like new!! $34,500. Call Jerry Haensel, 605-321-9237, Montrose, S.D. 4/20 ATVs

Property for Sale Property for Sale

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, 541-5234434 (office) or 208-598-0267 (cell), Intermountain Realty, www.intermountainland.com 4/20

66.856 ACRES, JUST NORTHWEST OF RED LODGE, MT BORDERING

THE GOLF COURSE: This 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 development of a number of homesites and/or other commercial ventures. This property is simply loaded with possibilities. Access is off Willow Creek Road. DNRC Right Nos. 43D 216331-00 and 43D 200020-00, Pryde Ditch and West Fork of Rock Creek. $2,300,000. Property to be shown by appointment only and listing agent shall accompany all showings. Sellers ask that prospective buyers respect their privacy. Call Bill at 406-698-9266 for a tour of this parcel TFN

ANTLER MARKET STEADY TO STRONG!!! APRIL 10-12

PETSKA FUR WILL BE BUYING ALL GRADES OF ANTLER AND LATE SEASON FUR IN THE FOLLOWING TOWNS AND LOCATIONS:

APRIL 10: Newcastle 7:107:30 p.m., Voelker’s Body Shop. APRIL 11: Newcastle 6:30-6:50 a.m., Voelker’s Body Shop; Upton 7:20-7:40 a.m., Joe’s Grocery (drive thru, call); Moorcroft 8-8:20 a.m., The Coffee Cup (drive thru, call); Sundance 8:459:30 a.m., Rapid Stop; Beulah 10-10:20 a.m., Truck Stop (drive thru, call); Spearfish, S.D. 10:30-11 a.m., Butcher Shop; Belle Fourche, S.D. 11:30 a.m.-12 p.m., Runnings (NE parking lot); Aladdin 12:20-12:50 p.m., General Store (drive thru, call); Hulett 1-1:30 p.m., Tower Valley Ag Supply; Alzada, MT 2:15-2:30 p.m., B&J Convenience (drive thru, call); Gillette 7-7:30 p.m., Rocky Mountain Sports and Howard Johnson Motel room 143 7:45-8:15 p.m. APRIL 12: Gillette 5:45-6 a.m., Rocky Mountain Sports (drive thru, call); Wright 6:30-7 a.m., Big D (drive thru); Midwest 7:508:10 a.m., Sinclair Truck Stop (drive thru,

TIONS: APRIL 13: Meeteetse 6:30-6:45 a.m., Elk Horn Bar; Worland 7:50-8:20 a.m., Coop One Stop; Thermopolis 9-9:20 a.m., Renegade Guns; Shoshoni 10:10-10:30 a.m., public restrooms/bus stop (drive thru, call); Riverton 11:15-11:45 a.m., Vic’s Body Shop (behind the Dollar Tree); Hudson 12:15-12:30 p.m., Wyoming Custom Meats (drive thru, call/text); Lander 12:50-1:30 p.m., Zanders; Jeffrey City 2:30-2:45 p.m., Split Rock Cafe (drive thru); Muddy Gap 3-3:10 p.m., (drive thru, call/text); Alcova 3:50-4 p.m., Sloanes General Store (drive thru, call/text); Casper 4:305:15 p.m., Wagner Outdoor Sports; Glenrock 5:45-6 p.m., east exit on I-25 (drive thru, call/text); Douglas 6:30-6:40 p.m., Douglas Feed. APRIL 14: Douglas 6:30-6:45 a.m., Douglas Feed; Orin Junction 7:10-7:30 a.m., Truck Stop (drive thru, call); Lost Springs 7:40-8 a.m., truck pull off 1 mile east (drive thru, call); Manville 8:10-8:30 a.m., Truck Stop (drive thru, call); Lusk 8:40 a.m.-9:10 a.m., Decker’s Grocery; Hartville 9:50-10 a.m., Miner’s & Stockman’s Restaurant (drive thru, call); Guernsey 10:15-10:45 a.m., Crazy Tony’s; Wheatland 11:15-11:45 a.m., Wheatland Travel Center; Chugwater 12:15-12:30 p.m., Stampede Saloon (drive thru); Cheyenne 1:15-1:45 p.m., Tractor Supply; Archer 2:10-2:30 p.m., Home on the Ranch Processing (drive thru, call); Carpenter 2:30-3 p.m., Antelope Truck Stop (drive thru, call); Pine Bluffs 3:15-3:30 p.m., Sinclair (drive thru, call). For more information, call Greg, 308-750-0700 or visit www. petskafur.net 4/6

ANTLER MARKET STEADY TO STRONG!!! MAY 5 PETSKA FUR WILL BE BUYING ALL GRADES OF ANTLER AND LATE SEASON FUR

Miscellaneous

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 307272-8520 4/20

IT'S THE PITTS

by Lee Pitts

Mated for Life

Well, we made it. My wife and I reached one of my longtime goals when we recently celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary.

I suppose I’m making too big of a deal about this because a lot of people end up being married for 50 years, they just require three or four marriages to do it. As for me, I had beginnerʼs luck and didn’t need a practice wife.

We both took our wedding vows seriously and were mated for life, just like Sandhill cranes, coyotes, dik diks –whatever they are – black vultures, bald eagles and swans. Although it has been suggested in the smutty swan media some male swan husbands, known as cobs, have been caught cheating on their female wives, known as pens.

As a couple, my wife and I are like deer and kangaroo – if one jumps out in front of you on the road, you should slow down because there will invariably be another one. This is us – where you get one, you also get the other.

We’re inseparable, although I can see where some over-eager men might get the wrong idea because my wife doesn’t wear her wedding ring.

This is because she was a grocery store checker for 35

years, and she was always getting it banged up. And, with the work I’ve required her to do, such as feeding cows and lambing our flock, it could easily get lost inside a ewe or thrown out with the hay.

One idea that was floated as to how we should celebrate our golden anniversary was to go on a long cruise, but everyone I know who has done so spent two weeks puking or pooping their guts out due to some COVID-type-illness they caught on board.

Besides, I’ve always hated crowds, and I’d rather swim with the sharks than be cooped up with 4,000 other people on one boat. Rest assured, if I’m going to be on a boat for my anniversary, it will be a fishing boat that only holds two people.

I think jewelers must have started this whole “Golden Anniversary” thing based on the number of people who advised I buy my lovely wife an expensive bauble, but I attribute our massive fortune to the fact I haven’t been inside a jewelry store in 51 years.

Besides, my wife doesn’t wear jewelry, and yes, she does have some, none of which I purchased.

Another secret to our long marriage is my wife has never

asked for anything. She’s what we in the cow business would call “an easy keeper,” so you can see why I was immediately attracted to her.

One relative suggested what we needed was a long road trip to see “new country,” but I spent 40 years traveling 50,000 miles a year and I’ve already been in every state and seen all of the sights.

Besides, ever since my stroke, I haven’t driven and Diane doesn’t relish the idea

of being cooped up in a car with me telling her to “Go slower. Go faster. Turn here. Shouldn’t you be in the other lane?”

One person advised having a big barbecue and inviting all of our friends and neighbors, but we failed to see how spending so much of our own money would be that much fun.

Still another idea recommended was to buy a new electric car, even though we

love our old fossil-fuel burning car, and when I say old, it’s not really that old, just 15 years or so. As a child of the oilfields, I guarantee the first time you see me in some sort of an electrical conveyance, it will be the electric winch lowering my box into the hole.

So I know you’re all dying to know how we did spend the BIG DAY.

I bought Diane a card from the Dollar Store for 50

cents, took her out to lunch for Mexican food and told her she could order anything she wanted – within reason of course. Then I took a long nap.

Taking a cue from a real rich multibillionaire who hired Rihanna – whoever she is – for $6 million to sing at his son’s wedding, I promised my wife if we’re both around to celebrate our 75th wedding anniversary, I’d hire Willie Nelson to come sing.

HPAI continued from page 1

in Texas and Kansas exhibiting these symptoms.

The USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) also confirmed the presence of HPAI in a Michigan dairy herd which had recently received cows from Texas.

The NVSL reported the strain of the virus found in Michigan is very similar to the strain confirmed in Texas and Kansas, appearing to have been introduced by wild birds.

The Idaho State Department of Agriculture identified its first case of HPAI in a Cassia County, Idaho dairy cattle operation on March 28.

According to an April 1 press release from the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), the agency confirmed the detection of HPAI in a dairy herd in New Mexico, as well as five additional dairy herds

in Texas.

Additionally, the CDC reported the same day, a person in Texas tested positive for HPAI H5N1 virus and announced 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.

CDC states, “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.”

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller confirmed on April 2, Cal-Maine Foods, Inc., a poultry facility in Farwell, Texas, received official notice of a positive test for H5N1.

Due to USDA guidance for poultry infections, the

organization will be required to depopulate 1.6 million laying hens and 337,000 pullets at the West Texas facility.

The NVSL performed tests in Ohio, and on April 3, confirmed the virus in a dairy herd in Wood County, Ohio making it the sixth state to report cases.

The Ohio Department of Agriculture said the farm, located in the northwestern part of the state, had received cows from a Texas farm on March 8, where the virus was later confirmed.

Recommendations

APHIS reports this is a rapidly evolving situation and the USDA, federal and state agencies will continue to share additional updates as soon as information becomes available.

“The goal of APHIS is to safeguard the health of the herd and protect the industry, keep our milk and beef supply safe and protect public health and human safety

based on the most up-to-date information we have,” states the APHIS website.

Biosecurity recommendations from APHIS include heightening biosecurity practices to keep disease off of the farm.

They also recommend preventing and controlling the spread of the disease, paying particular attention to mammary health and good milking practices, such as equipment disinfection and milking sick cattle separately or last prior to parlor cleaning.

APHIS also recommends producers isolate newly added livestock to the premises and avoid housing multiple species of animals together.

They suggest limiting non-production animal access to farm areas and implementing measures to exclude domestic pets and wildlife from buildings.

Sick animals

According to recommendations by APHIS, do not

move sick or exposed animals, and producers should monitor herds closely for cattle with clinical signs of the disease.

Symptoms include decreased milk production, reduced appetite, thickened and discolored milk, lethargy, fever and/or dehydration.

“Milk samples from lactating cattle and nasal swabs from non-lactating cattle should be submitted to a National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) laboratory for testing any suspect animals,” APHIS adds. “Although the HPAI H5N1 virus itself is a foreign animal disease (FAD), we are considering this as an emerging disease in cattle. “

APHIS encourages states and industry to use the established FAD/emerging disease investigation process to investigate credible reports of HPAI H5N1 virus in dairy cattle and beef cattle or other domestic livestock species.

“APHIS will reimburse for initial testing of suspect

animals at NAHLN laboratories. Accredited veterinarians can collect samples and should work with state animal health officials and/or APHIS Veterinary Services’ area veterinarian in charge to obtain an FAD number,” the APHIS website reads.

At this time, APHIS is not recommending depopulation of cattle. In most cattle, this appears to be a self-limiting disease with resolution with palliative care, and currently, USDA is not be issuing federal quarantine orders nor is APHIS recommending any state regulatory quarantines or official hold orders on cattle.

To date, USDA has confirmed the detection of HPAI in seven dairy herds in Texas, two dairy herds in Kansas and in one dairy herd in Michigan, New Mexico, Idaho and Ohio.

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

heifers!

BRED COWS

Frank Ranch / SO Cattle- 17 Blk Ang Bred 3 & 4 yr olds. Bred to Blk Ang bulls to calve in May. Rec shots and poured last fall. Nice high elevation cows!

Martin Land & Livestock- 14 Blk Ang Bred Cows (2- 2 yr olds, 12- 4 yr olds). Sitz genetics for years in cow herd. Bred to Sitz Blk Ang bulls to calve May/June. High Desert & Reputation!!

Obsidian Angus- 5 Blk Ang 8-10 yr old Bred cows. Proven cows out of registered herd. Calving now!

Harley & Becky Walters- 4 Blk Ang Bred Cows (13yr old, 4- 8yr olds) Bred to Vermillion Blk Ang bulls. Rec shots this fall and poured this spring. Nice, high desert cows!

HEIFER PAIRS

Fleur de Lis Cattle Co- 50 Blk Ang 2 Yr old Heifer Pairs 1000-1100#. Calves are sired by Reyes Blk Ang bulls. Heifers rec Virashield 6 VL5, Multi-Min & Poured last fall. Calves rec Bo-Se & C&D @ birth. Tagged to match. Nice heifers w/ big stout calves @ their side! Cottonwood Creek Livestock- 6 Blk Ang 2 yr old Heifer pairs 1050#. Rec Virashield 6 & Ivomec @ fall preg check. Poured with Clean Up in January. High desert & high elevation genetics. Fancy pairs that have always been forage developed!! Bitterroot Ranch- 2 Blk Ang Heifer Pairs. Nice calves, tagged to