Wyoming Livestock Roundup 6.8.24

Judge drops price-fixing case against packers

In one of the most complex antitrust cases against the country’s largest packers, a federal court judge in Minnesota ruled on claims brought forth by several major retailers and whole-

Dairy Month

In 1937, National Milk Month was created to encourage Americans to drink more milk in a time when there was surplus production. Today, the month of June is recognized across the U.S. as National Dairy Month and is now celebrated as a way to encourage consumers to and inform them of the nutritional benefits of consuming dairy products. For more information on National Dairy Month and ways to celebrate, visit americandairy.com or idfa.org

Grassland CRP

On June 3, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced agricultural producers and private landowners can now sign up for the Grassland Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Signup runs through June 28. Grassland CRP, offered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency, is a voluntary working lands conservation program which enables participants to conserve grasslands and provide important conservation benefits for wildlife, soil health and carbon sequestration, all while continuing most grazing and haying practices.

Town Hall

With Wyoming facing a barrage of proposed rules from the federal government impacting its energy industries and public lands, Gov. Mark Gordon is hosting a town hall in Gillette to discuss issues with the public and share how the state is responding to protect the economy and energy workforce. The town hall will take place from 1-4 p.m. on June 25 at Gillette College’s Technical Education Center.

Horse Clinics

Uinta County 4-H is offering two free handson horsemanship clinics for youth and their horses this summer. The clinics are open to all levels and will be held at 6 p.m. at the Uinta County Fairgrounds in Evanston on June 17 and July 9. For more information, call 307-783-0570 or e-mail skrieger@uwyo.edu.

salers against the packers, along with similar complaints filed by livestock and agricultural groups.

On May 28, a U.S. federal judge ruled against the small group of cow/calf pro-

ducers in the case against the country’s largest packers over a drop in fed cattle prices in 2015. Minnesota District Judge John Tunheim ruled the group of producers from

Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Tennessee who filed claims against Tyson Foods, JBS S.A., Cargill and National Beef Packing Co. did not show how they were

On June 9, the nation’s top collegiate rodeo athletes will gather for a week’s worth of highly-competitive rodeo during the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) at the Ford Wyoming Center in Casper.

Among the hundreds competing for a prestigious national champion title are nearly 40 athletes representing the Central Rocky Mountain Region. Finishing first in their region, the University of

NWRS policies updated

The federal government is updating its policies regarding the management of the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS), including a new rule which could potentially prohibit cattle grazing on refuge lands.

The new regulations would overhaul several policies affecting agriculture, predator control and refuge managers.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is proposing these new regulations to establish a policy prohibiting farming and grazing on public lands in the national wildlife refuge system, unless new, extra-statutory criteria are satisfied.

“Instead of empowering refuge managers to use the most effective tools at their disposal, the proposed rule ties the hands of refuge managers from making important management decisions by requiring them to work through regulatory red tape before conducting important management actions,” reads the House Committee on Natural Resources website.

The website continues, “Since wildlife refuges are often strapped for resources and manpower, this proposed rule would make it even more difficult for refuge managers to actively manage the lands and waters they have been charged with stewarding.”

If finalized, the proposed rule would make sweeping changes to refuge managers’ ability to utilize several key management tools on NWRS lands, including agricultural practices, native predator control, genetically-engineered crops and pesticides.

Wyoming’s (UW) men’s rodeo team will enter the finals in the 11th slot in the national standings, followed by Gillette College in 18th and Casper College in 20th

Gillette College’s women’s team finished first in the Central Rocky Mountain Region, with a sixthplace ranking in the nation, while the UW women’s

COUNTY FAIR

Raised on her family’s sheep operation in the hills of Casper, agriculture has had a massive influence on 16-year-old Emmy Hornecker.

At just eight years old, Hornecker followed in her older brother’s footsteps and purchased an Angus cow for her first 4-H project, building the foundation for her very own herd and jumpstarting her love of being involved in the program.

A few years later, Hornecker’s mom and a few family friends started the Young Guns 4-H Club and Hornecker

Genetic research

University of Nebraska-Lincoln has identified a new genetic defect in cattle

Researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) have discovered a new defect in composite cattle – Simmental, Red Angus and Gelbvieh – which causes physical collapse when exercised and some calves may never recover.

This autosomal recessive genetic defect – meaning both parents of affected calves must carry one copy of the mutation – can affect the animal’s well-being and the quality of the meat they produce.

UNL Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory herd managers noticed calves from one to six months old lagging behind the herd when moving between pastures.

When the managers increased the calves’ pace, they would collapse and rest for brief periods of time.

A pedigree analysis revealed a standard herd bull in the sire pedigree of each affected calf, leading to the possibility of inbreeding.

This suggests a recessive genetic variant may be responsible for exercise intolerance in these calves.

The research

According to a May 28,

has been heavily involved in all aspects of 4-H ever since, eventually becoming involved in FFA as well.

Today, Hornecker serves as president of the Casper FFA Chapter and as sentinel of her local 4-H club.

Preparing for fair Hornecker notes she has been showing livestock since she first joined 4-H at eight years old.

This year, she will show one market lamb, one market steer and a breeding

WYLR photo

Nearly 40 rodeo athletes to represent Central Rocky Mountain Region at this year’s finals

Our world keeps getting smaller and smaller. As the marketing and supply of our food is becoming more global, we fail to realize the lamb, pork and beef we’re buying at the grocery store is in direct competition with products all over the world, and some of these places would surprise you.

At the recent spring conference of the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) in Kansas City, Mo., USMEF members from across the nation learned about a new program under the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to promote U.S. beef, lamb and pork in new and growing markets through the Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP).

The goal of RAPP is to help U.S. exporters expand their customer base beyond traditional and established markets, focusing on world regions such as Latin America, Southeast Asia and Africa.

Africa has tasted U.S. meat and wants more. Having traveled East Central Africa last September and seeing their small herds of really thin cattle and goats living on practically nothing, I was somewhat reluctant to eat some of their meat and would reach for a carrot instead. I could see U.S. meats finding big markets in the cities though.

Daniel Whitley, administrator of USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service, noted RAPP has a special interest in Africa, which is projected to hold 25 percent of the world’s population by 2050.

Also by 2050, the world’s total population is expected to reach 10 billion people, which presents a massive food production challenge.

Whitley said, “There is no way the global agriculture community will be able to solve the problem of feeding 10 billion people by the year 2050 if we don’t embrace science, technology and innovation.”

“We need all of the wonderful seed techniques and all of the wonderful techniques we use to grow livestock and farm animal products. We’re not going to find new land and plant our way out of this problem, so there’s really one path forward and I think it’s to embrace science, technology and innovation,” he continued.

Since we are in a global market these days, the world’s focus needs to be on food security. We all need to realize when people are hungry, they tend to become violent. I don’t want to get to that point.

Kip Tom, former U.S. ambassador of the United Nations for Food and Agriculture, said, “The innovation that has taken place in agriculture – whether it’s on the livestock side, the grain side or food processing – is something we need to be very proud of. Our national security is dependent on our food security, and we need to embrace production technologies.”

“We often say the U.S. innovates, China replicates and the European Union regulates, but we need to make sure we keep those in check so we can continue to innovate, grow our economy and grow this industry,” Tom added.

I think we are headed down the wrong road if we make our food system political, as some other countries have in getting rid of their livestock. Red meat is an excellent source of protein, and the call to get rid of our livestock, especially cattle, is just rubbish. Cattle and sheep can and are being used as a tool for conservation of our lands, especially our federal lands.

If someone has a problem with it, they should get over it.

GUEST OPINIONS

Washington, D.C. Must Not Let Politics Stand in the Way of American Agriculture

By U.S. Reps. Glenn “GT” Thompson and Bob Smith

Since our nation’s founding, American agriculture has been the primary driver of the U.S. rural economy.

The hard work and determination of our producers have made us the top food exporter in the world, but after more than 50 years of leading the world in agriculture exports, American farmers are now facing trade barriers and higher costs, making it harder to market and sell their goods overseas.

Policymakers in Congress must ensure we are doing everything in our power to support American farmers and ranchers and be willing to go to bat for them globally. The 2024 Farm Bill, appropriately named the Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2024, does just this, by taking steps to open new markets to American grown and raised products.

In 2023, the agricultural trade deficit reached an unprecedented $21 billion, which is projected to grow to $30.5 billion this year, a fact that is especially alarming when compared to the Trump administration, which had an average agriculture trade surplus of over

$5.2 billion.

The current trade deficit is the result of not only poor economic conditions and rising prices for American farmers and ranchers, but also trade barriers across the world creating an uneven playing field in foreign markets for U.S.-produced goods.

The 2024 Farm Bill meets the needs of our farmers and will help them compete abroad. By expanding the reach and impact of our trade promotion programs, the bill will facilitate vital access to new markets for American products.

Funding for the Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development Program would double under the Republican proposal, helping American producers not only access new markets but counteract the Biden administration’s ineffective trade agenda.

As the world’s breadbasket, America is the foremost nation with the agricultural capability to feed the globe. The Ways and Means Committee has been working in parallel to the House Agriculture Committee to use the trade tools at our disposal to expand mar-

ket access for U.S. agriculture and protect the interests of America’s farmers and ranchers.

Last month, the Ways and Means Committee used a reauthorization of the Generalized System of Preferences Program to add, for the first time, new requirements participating countries treat U.S. agriculture exports fairly in order to be eligible for the program. This means dropping both tariff and non-tariff barriers to goods produced by America’s farmers.

In addition to promoting new market access for American-grown products, the 2024 Farm Bill addresses a serious national security concern which has arisen in recent decades –our agriculture supply chain.

For years, China has quietly amassed hundreds of thousands of acres of American farmland. Americans cannot afford China’s malign influence in our food supply.

The Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2024 takes an overdue step to shed light on how much farmland in the U.S. is owned or controlled by foreign entities. The provision

mirrors Ways and Means Committee-passed legislation – the Build It In America Act – which would prevent “Countries of Concern,” including China, Russia and Iran, from buying up American farmland.

China has been eating our lunch under the current administration, and we cannot allow them to control how it is grown too.

The U.S. can no longer stand idly by while foreign countries deny American products access to foreign markets, and we cannot allow our adversaries to meddle in our domestic food supply chain.

The House Republicans’ proposed 2024 Farm Bill puts forward commonsense solutions to protect our food security, our economic security and our national security. Allowing these programs to lapse without these vital reforms would be reckless, given the complex challenges we face as a nation.

Reps. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) and Bob Smith (R-OR) are chairmen of the House Committee on Agriculture. This opinion column was originally published on March 30.

Applications open

The Northern International Livestock Exposition (NILE) Merit Heifer Program is

incredible

for

youth

involved in the cattle industry, and applications are now being accepted for the 2024-25 year.

The NILE Merit Heifer program is a live animal scholarship. Recipients receive a heifer calf to help them get a start in the beef cattle business and gain knowledge about the beef industry.

During the program, participants are responsible for caretaking, recordkeeping, breeding and bringing the heifer back to the NILE Stock Show as a bred heifer to compete for honors such as top showman, top heifer and top herdsman.

Program participants are chosen based on merit, future goals and ability to care for the animal. 4-H or FFA members who are 12 to 16 years old may apply. Applicants are not limited to Montana residents.

This program is possible due to the generous support of donors, and the program is truly grateful for cattle producers who have supported it since its inception.

The NILE Merit Heifer Program is seeking producers interested in donating a heifer calf for the upcoming year. Those interested should call 406-256-2499.

Applications must be submitted via e-mail to shelby@ thenile.org no later than June 30. No hard copies will be accepted. The 2025 recipients will be announced in late summer of 2024.

For more information, e-mail shelby@thenile.org or call 406-256-2499.

China bans beef

China has banned beef imports from JBS’s Swift Beef Company plant in Greeley, Colo., effective on May 27, after U.S. officials found traces of the feed additive ractopamine in meat from the plant set for export to China, according to information from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

According to the USDA FSIS website, the Greeley, Colo. plant is the only JBS plant involved in the ban.

On March 26, the Animal Legal Defense Fund, Center for Biological Diversity, Center for Food Safety and Food Animal Concerns Trust sued the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to force a response to the groups’ 2012 petition for a rulemaking on the use of ractopamine in farm animals.

The feed additive is designed to boost growth rates in pigs, cows and turkeys.

Ractopamine is a banned or restricted in meat production in at least 160 countries including China and all countries in the European Union.

Ruling favors pipeline

A North Dakota Supreme Court ruling favored Summit Carbon Solutions (Summit), a pipeline company currently in a dispute with landowners over the right to access properties to survey the land.

The decision affirms a lower court ruling the pipeline company didn’t need permission from landowners before they accessed the property to determine a possible route for the company’s carbon pipeline.

Yahoo says some landowners refused to grant Summit access to survey their property as Summit continues trying to build a carbon capture pipeline. Summit says it’s secured over 80 percent of its proposed North Dakota route through voluntary easements, but some landowners refused.

North Dakota law doesn’t require written notice to landowners for survey access and allows crews access for projects which would benefit the public to show up at any time. Attorneys representing the landowners say the owners should be compensated and written notice should be required upfront before getting access.

Bezos invests in fake meat

Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos’s charity is establishing a multimillion-dollar research facility at North Carolina State University (NC State) for manufacturing fake meat products –both plant- and cell-based proteins.

According to a release from NC State, the Bezos Earth Fund awarded the university $30 million over five years to create the Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein. The center will become a “biomanufacturing hub for dietary proteins which are environmentally friendly, healthy, accessible and affordable.”

NC State also said the center will include numerous partners from academia and industry, as well as chefs and policymakers, to research, create and commercialize new technologies for manufacturing various protein products.

It will also provide training for the new workforce needed for advanced food processing. The center will also work with consumers to gauge their protein perceptions and preferences.

“Alternative proteins are unlikely to displace animal proteins,” said Bill Aimutis, coprincipal investigator on the grant and codirector of the new center who has experience working with sustainable protein producers and start-up companies. “It is difficult to create an alternative protein product which rivals the flavor and texture of meat and is also appealing and affordable for consumers. This center is more interested in growing the sustainable protein industry as another option for consumers rather than displacing animal proteins.”

Coffee prices high

U.S. consumers are paying more for coffee due to an array of production challenges in key coffee growing regions of the world amid surging global demand. U.S. coffee importers have faced escalating costs, with imported coffee prices rising 65 percent since January 2021.

Those higher costs are now working their way to consumers, who are shelling out 20 percent more for ground coffee than they were in April 2023.

According to a new research brief from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange, higher coffee prices are likely to continue for the foreseeable future, while production recovers and supply catches up to demand.

In the meantime, higher prices may compel U.S. consumers to forego frequent visits to their local barista in favor of boosting their at-home coffee experience.

“Following the pandemic when restaurants were closed, people have gained some experience trying to replicate their favorite dining-out experiences at home,” said Billy Roberts, senior food and beverage economist for CoBank. “It wouldn’t be surprising if, due to sharply higher coffee prices, some consumers turn to recreating their favorite coffee or espresso drinks at home with store-bought flavorings or inclusions.”

While the price of ground coffee for use at home has increased, coffee shop offerings typically remain even more costly. Roberts said a shift to more at home coffee preparations could lead to retailing opportunities for popular flavorings like vanilla, mocha, caramel and hazelnut.

USDA makes investment

The Department of the Interior and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a proposed investment of $2.8 billion in Fiscal Year 2025 through the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) to protect and sustain public lands and Bureau of Indian Education (BIE)-funded schools.

Proposed projects will occur in all 50 U.S. states, Washington D.C. and multiple U.S. territories.

In August 2020, GAOA established the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF), authorizing up to $1.9 billion per year from Fiscal Years 2021-25.

GAOA LRF funding addresses overdue maintenance needs for critical facilities and infrastructure in national parks and forests, national wildlife refuges, recreation areas and BIE-funded schools.

GAOA also provides permanent, full funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund at $900 million annually to secure public access and improve recreation opportunities on public lands, protect watersheds and wildlife and preserve ecosystem benefits for local communities.

HORNECKER

heifer in 4-H, as well as an additional market lamb and steer through FFA.

“Prior to fair, I will be spending a lot of time working the hair of my animals and practicing showing them to ensure they know what to do when we get into the ring at county fair,” she says.

To gain even more experience, she has attended a few jackpots with her cattle this spring and has a few more on her schedule for the summer.

“I don’t attend many jackpots with my lambs because I don’t have a lot of time during my busy sum-

mers,” she says. “Until fair, I will just continue working their leg wool and getting them good to show.”

Additionally, Hornecker competes on both a 4-H and FFA livestock judging team. She notes this year, the Casper FFA Chapter was first at state convention and will represent Wyoming at the national convention in October.

“Right now we are practicing and going to as many of the contests around the state as we can to gain experience and get ready for nationals,” she says. “Other than jackpots

and judging contests, I am really just preparing for county and state fair.”

With this, Hornecker explains her goal for the year is to finish in the top five in both senior 4-H and FFA showmanship with her lambs and cattle, as well as in the top five in the market class with her steers.

“This show season, I am most looking forward to how I do at the shows I compete in,” she shares. “I really like the steers I have his year, and I’m really excited to see how we get along at our upcoming jackpots and especially at county fair.”

Providing a helping hand

While showing is definitely a highlight of Hornecker’s involvement in both 4-H and FFA, she notes other aspects of the programs such as community service are even more important, and she truly enjoys providing a helping hand to her peers and her community.

“My favorite part about being involved in 4-H and FFA is all of the people I get to help and all of the

Ag Books for Kids 2024 winners announced

Food is the common bond tying everyone to agriculture. Donating accurate agriculture books to Wyoming elementary schools has been the goal of the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation (WyFB) Young Farmer and Rancher Committee’s Ag Books for Kids program since its inception in 2004.

In the last 20 years, 11,575 agriculture books have been donated to Wyoming elementary schools.

In 2024, county farm bureau federations across the state donated 710 “Seed, Soil, Sun” books by Cris Peterson to Wyoming elementary schools. Contests are held in association with the book to encourage students to learn more

about agriculture.

The contests included a coloring contest for kindergarten and first grade, a poster contest for second and third grades and a marketing ad contest for fourth and fifth grades.

Students from across Wyoming were recently recognized for their participation in the 2024 WyFB Ag Books for Kids contests.

County winners were forwarded to their district where three winners were selected. The district winners each received a copy of “Seed, Soil, Sun” and their entries were forwarded to the state contest.

In addition to the book they received as a district winner, the state winner in each contest received a

$50 gift card and the state runner-up in each contest received a $25 gift card.

Emma Gordon, a first grader at Lusk Elementary in Niobrara County, was the coloring contest winner, while fellow first grader Lexi Wheeler of Pine Bluffs Elementary in Laramie County was the runner-up.

Lincoln County third grader Birlyn Christiansen of Afton Elementary was the winner of the poster contest, followed by Gus Ivory, a third grader at Story Elementary in Sheridan County, as the runner-up.

In the marketing ad contest, Goshen County fourth grader Lillian Mathias of LaGrange Elementary received the first-place

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people who help me,” she states. “Most of my really good friends are people I have met through my experiences in 4-H and FFA. I love to hang out with them and learn from them, while also sharing my knowledge with younger members and helping them with their projects.”

She adds, “Another goal of mine is to help as many people as I can this

summer with their projects, especially the younger kids who might not know exactly how to show or work with their animals.”

Since 4-H and FFA have been such a large part of her world, Hornecker is also a voice of advocacy for the programs, encouraging everyone to get involved.

“I encourage anyone who is thinking about join-

ing a club or local FFA chapter to join and find out for themselves all of the experiences and opportunities they can receive through these wonderful organizations,” she concludes.

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

and Park County’s Linley Richardson, a fourth grader at Southside Elementary, was the runner-up.

Jeff Ward – Laramie, WY 307-399-9863***Tam Staman –

Justin Smith - Lusk, WY 307-340-0724***Chris Williams - Greybull, WY 307-272-4567***Hunter

Angus operation – At just eight years old, Emmy Hornecker of Casper purchased her first Angus cow for a 4-H project, building the foundation for her very own herd, which is still in operation today.

Courtesy photo

Ranch raised – Emmy Hornecker has an extensive background in agriculture, noting her family has raised sheep for as long as she can remember. Courtesy photo

prize,

Coloring contest state winner – Niobrara County Farm Bureau Federation Board Member Lexie Painter presented Ag Books for Kids prizes to Niobrara County students. Niobrara County Student Emma Gordon was the state winner in the Ag Books for Kids Coloring Contest. Pictured from left to right are Brindel Brown, Leighton Miller, Kimber Cummins, Ben Kruse, Emma Gordon, Amy Kate Hanson and Lexie Painter. Courtesy photo

Coloring contest state runner-up – Laramie County Farm Bureau Federation President Laura Fornstrom presented prizes to Lexi Wheeler who was the state runner-up in the Ag Books for Kids Coloring Contest. Courtesy photo

ABOVE: Marketing ad state winner – Goshen County Farm Bureau Federation Board Member Kent Hunter presented prizes to Lillian Mathias who was the state winner in the Ag Books for Kids Marketing Ad Contest. Hunter also thanked Mathias’ teacher Katrina Gifford for her support of the Ag Books for Kids program in the classroom. Courtesy photo

LEFT: Poster contest state winner – Lincoln County Farm Bureau Federation presented prizes to Birlyn Christiansen who was the state winner in the Ag Books for Kids Poster Contest. Courtesy photo

team is ranked 14th Wyoming women

A dozen women will represent the Central Rocky Mountain Region and the state of Wyoming during this year’s CNFR.

Haiden Thompson, a Yoder native representing Gillette College, finished the regular season as the Central Rocky Mountain Region’s All-Around Cowgirl and is ranked second in the women’s allaround national standings.

Thompson will make a showing in three events at the 2024 CNFR – barrel racing, goat tying and team roping.

Fellow Gillette College Cowgirl and Gillette native Ashlyn Goven will also compete in barrel racing, while teammate Sta-

heli Adams of Cedar City, Utah will make a showing in the breakaway roping.

Wearing the gold and navy vest of Laramie County Community College (LCCC), Rayne Grant of Wheatland will compete in both barrel racing and breakaway roping, while Kassidy Dunagan of Whitehall, Mont. will represent the Golden Eagles in goat tying.

UW Cowgirl Kenna McNeill of Hobbs, Mont. will represent the Pokes in barrel racing, while Olivia Lay of Elbert, Colo.; Landry Haugen of Sturgis, S.D. and Jordyn McNamee of Cheyenne will don their brown and gold for the breakaway roping.

Additionally, UW Cowgirl Riata Day of

EXTENSION EDUCATION

By Dagan Montgomery, UW Extension Educator

Fleming, Colo. will compete in goat tying.

Gillette native Raelee Caldwell, representing Eastern Wyoming College, will also make a showing in the goat tying finals.

Rough stock athletes

Rough stock events at the 2024 CNFR will show off the talents of the Central Rocky Mountain Region’s rodeo athletes as well.

Gillette College Cowboy Thayne Elshere of Sturgis, S.D. will enter this year’s finals as the Central Rocky Mountain Region’s All-Around Cowboy, ranked 16th in the nation, and will compete in both saddle bronc and bull riding.

Three Casper College cowboys – Talon Elshere and Eastan West, both from Hereford, S.D., as well as James Perrin of

Maple Creek, Saskatchewan, Canada – will also make an appearance in saddle bronc riding.

Fellow Casper College Bronc Rider Chase Siemens of Chetwynd, British Columbia, Canada will join Gillette College’s Cooper Filipek of New Underwood, S.D. and UW Cowboy Colton Farrow of Greybull in the bareback riding finals.

Wyatt Phelps of Pinedale and Emmit Ty Ross of Jackson will respectfully represent Sheridan College and UW in the bull riding.

Ropers and wrestlers

Sixteen of the region’s best will take a shot at a national champion title in two roping events during the 2024 CNFR.

UW’s Bodie Mattson of Sturgis, S.D.; Gillette College’s Ty Moser

of Volga, S.D. and Northeastern Junior College’s Tate Talkington of Scottsbluff, Neb. will compete in tie down roping.

Mattson will also make an appearance in the team roping with partner Roan Weil, a Casper College cowboy hailing from Kersey, Colo.

Roan’s brother and fellow Casper College Cowboy Rowdy Weil will rope alongside Gillette College’s Tel Sorenson of Watford City, N.D., while partners Trevor Sorge, a Gillette College cowboy from Garrison, N.D., and Quincy Reynolds, a Gillette native representing UW, will also vie for championship honors.

Other team ropers representing the Central Rocky Mountain Region include UW’s Rio Nutter of Rapid City, S.D. with

partner Reece Wadhams, an LCCC athlete from Pueblo, Colo.; Gillette native and UW Cowboy Weston Mills with partner Coy Johnson, a Gillette College cowboy hailing from Buffalo, and fellow Gillette College athlete Haiden Thompson roping with Otero College representative Brayden Fillmore of Penrose, Colo.

Three UW steer wrestlers round out the list of the region’s impressive student athletes participating in the 2024 CNFR, including David Gallager of Brighton, Colo.; Cam Jensen of Hyannis, Neb. and Kaden Berger of Saratoga.

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

Horn Flies and Cattle: The Challenge and Solutions

As summer arrives in Wyoming, warmer weather means it’s time to switch from the felt hat to straw, open the windows to let in the air and, most importantly for ranchers, turn cattle out to graze and start thinking about haying season.

However, with cold temperatures leaving, it also means the return of our least favorite neighbors –the bugs.

From mosquitoes to ticks, there are plenty of insects to annoy both humans and livestock, but horn flies in particular can take a toll on herds.

Horn flies

Horn flies, or Haematobia irritans, are blood feeding parasites frequently found on cattle in large numbers, where they can feed 24 to 38 times a day. These pesky insects reproduce by laying eggs in manure piles of cattle.

Horn flies can hatch and grow into adults within 10 to 20 days when it’s warm, and horn fly levels usually peak in late summer.

Introduced to the U.S. in the 1800s, these pests are now found across the nation, including in Wyoming.

Horn fly infestations are uncomfortable and annoying for cattle at best and can become extremely stressful, even leading to blood loss when numbers are high enough. This can lead to sacrificed herd productivity, where weight gain, milk production and grazing patterns are all negatively impacted.

Pest impact

Studies have shown horn flies can decrease weaning weights by up to 15

percent in calves and cause up to an 18 percent impact on weight gain in stockers and replacement heifers. Horn flies cause an estimated loss of $1 billion to $2 billion annually across the U.S. beef industry.

Studies from the University of Wyoming have shown herds at higher elevations have much lower infestation rates than those at lower elevations, which is good news for many operations across the Cowboy State, in particular those at or above around 7,000 feet.

However, for those running cattle in lower elevations, such as the northeast corner of the state, horn flies are still capable of causing economic loss through stress caused to cattle.

Control options

At about 200 horn flies per head of cattle, the value of sacrificed production exceeds the cost of controlling the flies. The key is to prevent the fly population form reaching this economic threshold.

Ranchers seeking to mitigate horn fly levels may use several control methods.

One of the simpler forms of control is to break up manure piles with machinery to expose eggs and larva to dry air and insect predators. However, this is only practical on smaller acreages or in other limited operations.

For chemical control, back rubbers, oilers and dust bags have been used for many years and can be effective at applying insecticidal dust or oil to cattle.

It is important to remember, however, these are often voluntary – unless cattle are forced through at a collection point – and will not be effective on animals that do not use them.

Ear tags impregnated with insecticides can also be effective, but the class of insecticide should be rotated every year to prevent insecticide resistance from developing in the fly population.

Adult animals typically need two tags, one on each side, to be effective. Ear tags should also be timed to ensure peak efficacy coincides with high fly populations.

Spray and pour-ons can work to reduce fly numbers on cattle, and there are several forms of application. It is important to be aware these usually are only effective for one to three weeks, so reapplication is usually needed.

These two methods are great when introducing new animals to a herd from off of the property or another pasture, which can introduce flies which weren’t present before, such as at bull turnout.

Before introducing bulls or other new animals, consider using a pour-on or spray on newcomers to reduce the risk of spreading horn flies to the rest of the cow herd.

Finally, oral larvicides –also known as insect growth regulators – can be fed to cattle. These larvicides prevent horn fly larvae from surviving in cows’ manure when the eggs hatch.

New alternatives are also becoming available. These include organics, garlic-infused feeds and even predatory insects which prey on horn flies.

These options are still undergoing study but may prove effective in the future.

Be sure to consider the cost per head of treatment. Each treatment method has varying costs, efficacy and ease of use.

For more thorough information on horn flies, including life cycle, production losses, assessment of infestation levels and control and management options, view wyoextension.org/agpubs/ pubs/B-1386.pdf, a publication by a team of researchers from the University of Wyoming. This publication can also be found by searching “Horn Fly Management for Wyoming Beef Cattle” at wyoextension.org/publications/. The University of Wyoming Extension entomology program also has resources on a number of other insect pests, as well as help identifying insects.

Dagan Montgomery is a University of Wyoming Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension educator. He can be

CONNECTING AG to CLIMATE

By Averi Reynolds, Northern Plains Regional Climate Hub

Rangeland Productivity Forecast Updated

Across the Great Plains, many are seeing warmer and drier conditions as June arrives. Brandings are in full swing, irrigation is ramping up and many herds are heading to summer pasture.

As producers consider the summer grazing season, consulting the latest Grass-Cast forecast may prove valuable to grazing decisions, such as stocking rates and proactive drought management.

Grass-Cast maps, made

on May 28, estimate how many pounds per acre are expected to grow on rangelands at the peak of the growing season compared to the long-term average in a particular area.

The three maps show forecasted production if precipitation from May 29 through Aug. 31 is above normal, pictured left; near normal, pictured middle or below normal, pictured right.

In the right map, more yellow and orange is show-

ing across eastern Wyoming, meaning if the region gets below normal precipitation, producers should expect rangelands to produce five to 30 percent less pounds per acre than the

area’s long-term average production.

In Southeastern Wyoming, in red, rangelands could see a 30 percent or greater reduction of grassland production.

For more specific production estimates in a local area, visit the zoomable maps at grasscast.unl.edu

As the grazing season continues to unfold, GrassCast is updated with newlyobserved weather data. So, producers and managers are encouraged to consult the tool when it gets updated every two weeks.

Averi Reynolds is an ORISE science communications fellow for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Northern Plains Climate Hub, serving Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota, and North Dakota. The USDA Northern Plains Climate Hub strives to provide unbiased information about adaptation and mitigation strategies for ranchers, farmers and foresters to help increase their operations’ resilience to weather variability and a changing climate. For more information on the Northern Plains

What are the chances we get the rain we need?

To provide more information on Grass-Cast forecasts, the National Drought Mitigation Center (NDMC) created the Probability of Exceedance Tool to answer the question, “What are the chances of getting the moisture we need for the rangeland forecast to come true?”

Pop-up boxes on the interactive Grass-Cast map, shown below, share how many inches of precipitation an area has received so far and how many more inches of rain are needed over the rest of the growing season to achieve the forecasted pounds per acre of rangeland grasses.

For example, Johnson County has received 7.70 inches of precipitation as of May 28, and the average precipitation at this time of year is 7.31 inches. In order for the pounds per acre forecasted in the middle Grass-Gast map to come true, Johnson County would have to see 4.46 more inches of rain by Aug. 31.

But, what are the chances of this actually happening?

Using the Probability of Exceedance Tool, individuals can see there is roughly a zero to 30 percent chance of the area receiving 4.5 inches of rain between June 10 and Aug. 31, based on historical precipitation data.

However, as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s three-month forecast has indicated a higher chance of below normal precipitation in the area, the tool can be used to look at the Grass-Cast map on the right for Johnson County.

The pop-up box in this map assumes 2.32 more inches of rain for the rest of the grazing season. Heading over to the Probability Exceedance Tool, individuals can see there is a 60 to 70 percent chance of getting this amount of moisture.

So, if Johnson County receives around 2.32 inches of moisture between now and Aug. 31, for which the chances are historically fairly high, producers can expect grasslands to grow five to 15 percent less pounds per acre than the local area’s longterm average.

To explore the NDMC’s Probability Exceedance Tool and add to an individual Grass-Cast experience, visit drought.unl.edu/ourwork/projects/ProbExceed.aspx

Three-month outlook – The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s seasonal precipitation outlook, made May 16, shows the odds leaning towards below average precipitation for much of the Mountain West through August. Courtesy photo

Updated forecast – As of May 28, much of Eastern Wyoming is forecasted to see a five to 15 percent decrease in pounds per acre of rangeland forage production. Courtesy photo

website, the NWRS is a network of FWS-administered lands, submerged lands and waters which provide habitats for fish and wildlife resources across the U.S. and U.S. territories.

The National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement (NWSI) Act was established to support conservation and management of fish, wildlife and plant resources to benefit present and future generations.

In addition to the NWSI Act, the Biological Integrity, Diversity and Environmental Health (BIDEH) Rule, established in 2001, clearly states wildlife is the FWS’s first and foremost concern.

It also explicitly mentions the importance of active management in the NWRS for the betterment of wildlife, does not prohibit any specific management tools and leaves refuge managers the ability to make decisions.

On Feb. 1, the FWS issued a proposed rule change to the BIDEH policies, including directives on climate, habitat, water, soil and air to maintain BIDEH in the NWRS.

“These directives include regulations prioritizing deference to natural processes as a means of achieving refuge habitat objectives and landscape

planning goals,” states the FWS. “The proposed rule also includes resourceintensive activities, such as logging and livestock grazing, which are to be avoided unless they fully meet the directives of the rule.”

Farming and grazing on refuge lands are common and integrated with other management practices by refuge managers.

Currently, ranchers can apply for special-use permits to graze livestock on refuge lands, which are approved or denied on a case-by-case basis, but the proposed change would create a “default position” of prohibiting grazing.

However, several state agencies and national organizations have submitted comments urging the federal government to reconsider the proposed rule language.

Recent oversight hearing

On April 10, government officials and witnesses gathered for a hearing on the proposed BIDEH Rule by the U.S. House of Representatives Natural Resources Committee’s Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.

The hearing allowed committee members to hear from witnesses around the country to learn more about the proposed rule changes.

FWS states, “The pro-

posal includes a legal standard for managing refuge activities which would instruct refuge managers to use their sound professional judgment, informed by the best available scientific information, to ensure management actions benefit wildlife conservation by contributing to and not diminishing BIDEH.”

House Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-AR) states, “The proposed policy changes would limit the use of proven effective management tools which are mutually beneficial for wildlife, the refuge system and those conducting management activities.”

Subcommittee Chairman Cliff Bentz (R-OR) adds, “I have grave concerns about the proposed BIDEH Rule proposed by the FWS, as this rule is misguided and driven by ideological agendas rather than practical conservation principles, poorly designed and impractical in its application.”

He further states, “This rule would not only hinder proven effective management tools crucial for the well-being of our wildlife and refuge system, but also inappropriately restrict sportsmen and sportswomen who contribute significantly to conservation efforts. Regulations such as this must serve the best interests of our wildlife and those who assist in their stewardship,

and this rule does neither.”

Testimony continues

Testifying before the House Committee, USFWS Deputy Director for Program Management and Policy Steven Guertin states, “The proposal would support conservation and equip refuge managers with tools to better address the threats of climate change and biodiversity loss to fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats.”

However, Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Executive Secretary Gordon Batcheller testified the agency is deeply concerned by the justification and substance of key parts of the proposed rule and accompanying policy updates.

“While the association made the most of the opportunity to engage with the FWS on the review of the draft policy and rule, the vast majority of our substantive input was ignored,” he notes. “The proposed rule is rife with vague, ambiguous definitions which could be leveraged to restrict multiple use of NWRS lands and waters.”

During the hearing, Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-WY) brought up the issue of agricultural production on NWRS, particularly for migrating ducks, stating supplemental rice production is vital to ensure waterfowl have the food sources to provide energy

for migration routes.

While David Wielicki, chief executive officer of the South Carolina Waterfowl Association, expresses his concern the proposed BIDEH Rule updates would eliminate waterfowl food sources.

Public comment

Multiple organizations representing livestock ranchers, including the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Wyoming Stock Growers Association and the Wyoming Wool Growers Association, voiced their concerns in a letter to FWS about the proposed changes.

The Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) submitted its concerns, stating, “Being home to multiple national wildlife refuges and grazed by many producers puts Montana at risk for experiencing all of the negative impacts this rule change may create.”

In their comments, MSGA emphasized the importance and value of livestock grazing for land health, habitat conserva-

tion, rural communities and the economy.

The association also expressed concerns about the detrimental effects on cattle operations surrounding the refuge if predatory species are introduced to the landscape.

Also concerned about the proposed changes, Family Farm Alliance states, “It is our view such innovation in agriculture must be encouraged by the federal government, rather than stifled with new, top-down federal policies and regulations which create uncertainty for irrigated farms and ranches in the rural West.”

National and state hunting and fishing groups have also expressed concerns the new regulations will alienate sportsmen, who are some of the top users and funders of the wildlife refuge system through federal license purchases.

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

AG of Heart

BY AMANDA RADKE

The American Cattle Rancher is an Environmental Success Story

May is a busy month on the ranch – calving, planting, synchronizing for breeding through timed artificial insemination, fixing fence, preparing for haying, branding, working and loading out cow/calf pairs to head to summer grass, and the list goes on.

It’s long days, late nights and physical labor, and although it can be stressful trying to get it all done, there’s nothing sweeter or more gratifying than watching cattle step off of the trailers after a long winter and enjoy their first bites of green grass on pasture.

It’s nature at its finest on the ranch, where native

grasses grow in abundance, butterflies and bees bounce from one wildflower to the next and wildlife such as fox, deer, rabbits, mice, turtles, badgers, coyotes and more tend to their young.

When ruminant animals like sheep, cattle and bison are on the range, they protect precious wildlife habitat from a plow or modern development. Grass cover naturally sequesters carbon. It reduces erosion and keeps the top soil intact. Grasslands capture water, and native grasses have roots that go deep into the soil, thus eliminating compaction.

With every step a cow

takes, she aerates the soil with her hooves. With every bite she eats, she removes overgrown brush, reducing the spread of wildfires and promoting new plants to grow. She can live in perfect concert with the environment around her, an incredible feat which dates back to the beginning of time.

And perhaps what is most incredible is beef animals can convert non-edible cellulosic materials like grass and other roughages and forages and convert it into the most nutrient-dense superfood on planet Earth –beef.

Today’s cattle – thanks to advancements in genetics, nutrition, health and management – can do all of this while using fewer natural resources than a generation ago.

On top of this, when we utilize a beef animal from nose-to-tail, we receive 100-plus byproducts which enrich our everyday lives. And, if we factor in the baselevel carbon footprint of the U.S. beef industry, cattle contribute less than 3.5 percent of total greenhouse gas

Austin Snook • 307-290-2161

Taylor Snook • 307-290-2273

Craig Deveraux • 307-746-5690

Dan Catlin • 406-671-7715

Clint Snook • 307-290-4000

Cheyenne Seymour • 605-641-0638

emissions.

Yet, despite the wild success story that is the modern American cattle rancher, we are continually and repeatedly told cows are bad for the planet and beef is bad for your health.

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s (D-NY) Green New Deal really escalated the conversation, and we all scoffed because we knew the truth. It was right in front of our eyes, evident on the prairie where our cattle roam free.

Fast forward just a few years later, and thanks to

Weston Garrett • 605-210-1629

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"From the ring, to the video, and in the country, we market your livestock the competitive way."

Market Report • June 5, 2024

Good run of summer time weigh ups, selling on a strong market. Thank you and we appreciate your business!

photo

Biden’s 30x30 Initiative to take 30 to 50 percent more land out of production and into the federal government’s control, combined with Green New Deal politicians who are following in the path of Al Gore knowing the climate change hoax is paved with gold, and now all of a sudden, we are seeing legislators in our rural, red, conservative agricultural states falling in lockstep with this sinister agenda to strip producers off of the land and make food less accessible in this country.

To add insult to injury, they tell us with a straight face sequestering carbon through permanent pipelines going through private lands is the way to go about it. They forget to mention the only way projects like this are possible is by building a grossly oversized government and fleecing taxpayers of money through tax credits and incentives, but this is just a minor detail, right?

Instead, they insist this is the future, carbon markets are king and ethanol and corn will fail without their precious pipeline – even if it’s at the expense of seizing control of the neighbors’ land and destroying rural communities where people take care of each other while they do it.

Allow me to say the quiet part out loud – it’s a complete and total government grift, a climate change boondoggle and an attempt to gaslight the general public into thinking this is for the “benefit of all.”

The truth is right in front

of us, folks – God made our land, water, air and natural resources to work in perfect harmony together, and anytime the government attempts to pick winners and losers in agriculture, it wreaks havoc on the delicate balance of our ecosystem, our food system and our national security.

At the epicenter of it all is the American farmer and rancher who have been longtime stewards of these resources while holding the critical responsibility of feeding the world, so let them do what they do best, without government intervention. Let the free market work.

Simply stated, any current propositions to usher in the Green New Deal do not have our best intentions in mind. As individuals vote in this election season, take special note on both sides of the aisle of the people who are truly servant leaders, ready to fight for the people and the land under our feet, verses those who are bought and paid for by the corporate oligarchy, ready to sell our hopes and dreams out to the highest bidder.

The difference is distinct, and once one sees it, it’s hard to ignore. But these are just the musings of an American cattle rancher – I’ll go back to watching my cattle grazing on the South Dakota prairie, knowing this is exactly as God intended it to be.

Amanda Radke is a rancher, author, motivational speaker and podcast host. For more from Radke, visit amandaradke.com

Equipment manuals recalled

John Deere has given farmers the green light to have at least some emission control devices and systems on its equipment repaired by independent repair shops. The move comes after the company issued a voluntary recall of equipment owner’s manuals following a warning from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that the company may have been violating the Clean Air Act.

The EPA issued a warning to John Deere stating previous equipment manuals which prohibited the repair of emissions control systems by anyone other than John Deere authorized dealers may have violated the law. It is not clear how many pieces of equipment were subject to the recall.

“Consistent with its authority under the Clean Air Act, EPA informed John Deere it believed a number of their products did not conform to EPA regulations with regard to their emissions warranty statement,” EPA said in a statement to DTN

“John Deere has conducted a voluntary recall consistent with EPA regulations to address these potential nonconformities. While EPA has authority to compel this kind of remedy, most manufacturers choose to voluntarily recall products to address potential nonconformities as John Deere has done here,” the agency continued.

Courtesy

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CALENDAR

June 9-15

College National Finals Rodeo, Ford Wyoming Center, Casper. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit cnfr.com

June 10 Uinta County 4-H Horse Show, 5 p.m., Uinta County Fairgrounds, Evanston. For more information call 307-783-0570 or e-mail skrieger@uwyo.edu.

June 10-11

University of Wyoming Livestock Judging Camp, University of Wyoming Campus, Laramie. For more information or to register, contact Landon Eldridge at landon.eldridge@uwyo.edu or call 979-224-1340.

June 10-12 7 Triangle 7 Cattle Co., LLC Artificial Insemination Clinic, Akron, Colo. For more information, visit 7triangle7.com or call 970-481-3921.

June 10-14 University of Wyoming Extension Wyoming Ranch Camp, Padlock Ranch, Ranchester. For more information or to register, visit bit.ly/wrc-2024 or contact Hudson Hill at hrhill@wyo.edu or 307-885-3132.

June 12-13 Bureau of Land Management Wyoming Resource Advisory Council Meeting, Holiday Inn Express, Lander. For more information, visit blm.gov/ get-involved/resource-advisory-council/near-you/wyoming

June 13 Wyoming Water and Waste Advisory Board Meeting, 9 a.m., Zoom. For more information, contact Gina Thompson at gina.thompson@wyo.gov or 307-777-7343.

June 13-14 Organic Academy Road Show Training, Northwest College, Powell. For more information to register, visit bit.ly/organic-academy-powell

June 14 Chris LeDoux Days Early Arriver’s Friday Night Rodeo, 7 p.m., Kaycee. For more information, visit chrisledoux.com

June 15 Chris LeDoux Days Rodeo, 1:30 p.m., Kaycee. For more information, visit chrisledoux.com

June 15 Wyoming State Fair Volunteer Days, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Wyoming State Fairgrounds, Douglas. For more information, contact the Wyoming State Fair Office at 307-358-2398.

June 15-16 Laurie Gardner Memorial Ranch Days, Fremont County Fairgrounds, Riverton. For more information or to signup, visit csshaclub.com or call 307851-3820.

June 16 55th Annual Jordan Xtreme Bronc Match, 2 p.m., Jordan, Mont. For more information, follow @JordanXtremeBroncs on Facebook.

June 17 Uinta County 4-H Horsemanship Clinic, 6 p.m., Uinta County Fairgrounds, Evanston. For more information, call 307-783-0570 or e-mail skrieger@uwyo.edu.

June 17-18 Wyoming Water Association and Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts Upper Green River Basin Project Tour, Pinedale. For more information, visit wyomingwater.org or conservewy.com

June 17-20 Wyoming Society of Range Management’s 28th Annual Wyoming Resource Education Days, Pathfinder Ranch, Casper. For more information or to register, visit forms.gle/UQzMCY8zxhR4Wf7X8/

June 17-22 2024 National Rambouillet Show and Sale and National Junior Show, Animal and Plant Sciences Center and Arena, Tarleton State University, Stephenville, Texas. For more information, contact Robbir Eckhoff at rambouilletassn@gmail.com or 409-256-3687 or Lee Munz at tsumunz@yahoo.com or 254-379-6857.

June 19-20 Idaho Wool Growers Association and Western Range Association 2024 Range Tour, Etcheverry Sheep Company, Lava Hot Springs, Idaho. For more information, visit idahowoolgrowers.org

June 20 U.S. Department of Agriculture Conservation Outcomes Webinar, 12 p.m., online. For more information or to register, visit nrcs.usda.gov/conservation-outcomes-webinar?utm_campaign=0514wildlifeconserv

June 21 Bureau of Land Management Wild Horse and Burro Adoption Event, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Wheatland Off-Range Corral, Wheatland. For more information, visit blm.gov/whb/events, call 866-468-7826 or e-mail wildhorse@blm.gov.

June 21-22

June 21-22

June 22

June 24

June 25

June 25

June 7-26

June 10-11

EVENTS

Platte River Rodeo, 7 p.m., Buck Springs Arena, Saratoga. For more information, call Randy Arnold at 307-329-5769 or Cathy Cox at 307-710-7208.

Thermopolis Cowboy Rendezvous PRCA Rodeo, 7 p.m., Hot Springs County Fairgrounds, Thermopolis. For more information, visit thermopoliscowboyrendezvous.com

2024 Donkey Creek Festival, Big Lost Meadery and Brewery, Gillette. For more information, visit donkeycreekfestival.com

Wyoming State Fair Endowment Auction, 7 a.m.-6 p.m., online. For more information, contact the Wyoming State Fair Office at 307-358-2398.

Governor Led Town Hall Meeting, 1-4 p.m., Technical Education Center, Gillette College, Gillette. For more information, visit governor.wyo.gov

Cattle U 2024, Manhattan, Kan. For more information or to register, visit cattleu.net/

Dooley Auction Equipment Online Auction, 406-696-0412, dooleyauction.com

Superior Livestock Auction Corn Belt Classic, 800-422-2117, superiorlivestock.com

June 15 46th Annual Wyoming All Breed Gaited Horse Sale, Park County Fairgrounds, Powell, 307-272-3743, 307-431-2109, henyauctionwy.com

June 15 Big Country Select Horse Sale, Garfield County Chamber Arena, Jordan, Mont., 406-853-0974, facebook.com/bigcountryselecthorsesale

June 20-21

July 2

July 8-10

July 8-12

July 20

Northern Livestock Video Auction Early Summer Special, 866-616-5035, northernlivestockvideo.com

Cattle Country Video High Plains Showcase Sale, UW Marian H. Rochelle Gateway Center, Laramie, 888-322-8853, cattlecountryvideo.com

Western Video Market, Silver Legacy Casino Resort, Reno, Nev., 530-3473793, wvmcattle.com

Superior Livestock Auction Week in the Rockies, 800-422-2117, superiorlivestock.com

South Dakota Sheep Growers Association Premium Yearling Ewe Sale Magness Livestock Auction, Huron, S.D., 406-581-7772, sdsheepgrowers.org

An article in the June 20, 1918 issue of the Powell Leader in part proclaims:

Today, June 14, this Flag Day, Old Glory will float from the staffs of a million American homes, perhaps from 10 or 20 million, but its greater glory – the greatest glory of its 140 years – is it will float in the breezes of France and Flanders beside the flags of France, Belgium and Great Britain and on the seven seas of the world, in the world’s greatest combat against autocratic brutality.

No longer the flag of a group of colonies, Old Glory has become the banner of a world power, the emblem of the mightiest free people who existed.

Never were the stripes of our flag brighter or the stars more brilliant on their field of blue than they are today. In field, in mine, in factory, in home, in garden, in camp, on ship, in trench and in battle line the men, women and children of our vast free empire are united in one great cause, and the free flag of a free people floats over them, unstained and unspotted.

From generation to generation since Old Glory was born, flags have died, but Old Glory has had new birth. From generation to generation, our flag is born anew, recreated in our hearts, ever better loved and more sacred in our eyes,

because it is the flag for which our heroes have died and because it is the symbol of the only government which can endure – a government of the people, by the people and for the people.

It is the flag of no king or czar or emperor, but your flag and my flag

and the flag of the brave boy who has gone with a song on his lips to die so we may remain free. Earth has no greater glory today than Old Glory. For a century and a half it has floated above our soil, a sign we are free. Today it floats on alien breezes, in foreign lands not for conquest but as an earnest plea all nations that desire freedom shall henceforth be free. Those who wish to read the entire article can visit the Wyoming Newspaper Project’s website and call up the June 20, 1918 Powell Leader, then go to page five.

long deliberations and deep wisdom of the founders of the nation made possible a flag of 13 stripes when they decreed each state should continue its individual existence under the national government, and in effect decreed the many-starred blue field when they said new states, as they became worthy, might enter the union. Image from the internet. Excerpt from the June 20, 1918 Powell Leader Historical Reproductions by Dick Perue

Source: USDA AMS Livestock, Poultry & Grain Market News, Greeley, CO

As of May 31, 2024

Compared to last week slaughter lambs under 70 lbs 5.00-25.00 lower, heavier lambs steady to 10.00 higher. Slaughter ewes mostly steady to 5.00 higher. Feeder lambs not well tested. At San Angelo, TX 8,944 head sold in a two day sale. Equity Coop sold 1198 feeder lambs in South Dakota. In direct trading slaughter ewes and feeder lambs not tested. 3,226 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 145-160 lbs 205.00-215.00. Ft. Collins: wooled and shorn 125-155 lbs 190.00-235.00. South Dakota: wooled and shorn 125-160 lbs 220.00-231.00. Billings: wooled and shorn 120-150 lbs no test. Equity Coop: no sales.

Slaughter Lambs: Choice and Prime 1-2

San Angelo: hair 40-60 lbs 228.00-258.00; 60-70 lbs 226.00258.00, few 260.00; 70-80 lbs 230.00-258.00, few 264.00; 80-90 lbs 235.00-258.00; 90-100 lbs 220.00-260.00; 100-115 lbs 224.00-258.00. wooled and shorn 50-60 lbs 250.00-252.00; 60-70 lbs 226.00-250.00; 70-80 lbs 234.00-250.00, few buck lambs 270.00; 80-90 lbs 239.00-248.00, few buck lambs 304.00; 90-100 lbs 240.00, buck lambs 288.00-295.00; 100-110 lbs buck lambs 290.00-309.00. Ft. Collins: wooled and shorn 70-80 lbs 230.00-255.00; 80-90 lbs 235.00-262.50; 90-100 lbs 242.50-290.00; 110-120 lbs 110120 lbs 235.00-252.50. hair 60-70 lbs 230.00-250.00; 90 lbs 235.00. South Dakota: wooled and shorn 40-50 lbs 260.00-265.00; 50-60 lbs250.00-265.00; 60-70 lbs 245.00-275.00; 70-80 lbs 235.00-267.50; 80-90 lbs 230.00-260.00; 90-100 lbs 230.00260.00, few 275.00; 100-110 lbs 225.00-255.00; 110-120 lbs 220.00-241.00, few 260.00. hair 50-60 lbs 240.00-255.00; 7080 lbs 235.00-255.00; 99 lbs 232.50. Billings: no test. Slaughter Ewes San Angelo: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) no test; Good 2-3 (fleshy) 100.00-102.00, hair 80.00-110.00; Utility and Good 1-3 (medium flesh) 108.00, hair 110.00-124.00; Utility 1-2 (thin) 80.00-82.00, hair 88.00-110.00; Cull and Utility 1-2 (very thin) 70.00, hair 70.00-78.00; Cull 1 50.00-66.00.

Ft. Collins: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) 87.50-127.50; Good 2-3 (fleshy) 80.00-122.50; Utility 1-2 (thin) no test; Cull 1 no test. South Dakota: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) 85.00-100.00; Good 2-3 (fleshy) 80.00-110.00, hair 75.00; Utility 1-2 (thin) 70.00-90.00, hair 80.00; Cull 1 25.00-45.00.

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 39 lbs 280.00.

Ft. Collins: 30-40 lbs 255.00-260.00; 40-50 lbs 240.00-255.00. South Dakota: 30-40 lbs 305.00-335.00; 40-50 lbs 300.00335.00; 50-60 lbs 285.00-320.00. hair 29 lbs 310.00; 30-40 lbs 295.00-315.00; 43 lbs 295.00. Billings: no test.

Replacement Ewes: Medium and Large 1-2

San Angelo: yearling hair 100-120 lbs 152.00-176.00/cwt; young hair 100-125 lbs 130.00-134.00/cwt.

Ft. Collins: no test. South Dakota: no test.

Billings: no test.

Sheep and lambs slaughter under federal inspection for the week to date totaled 30,000 compared with 33,000 last week and 33,000 last year..

Source: USDA AMS Market News, San Angelo, Texas

National Wool Review

As of May 31, 2024

Domestic wool trading had 953,655 lbs of confirmed trades reported this week. Some trades are not shown due to them not meeting confidentiality criteria. 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

Source: USDA- CO Dept of

As of June 6, 2024

Compared to last week, bales of old crop and new crop hay too lightly tested for a market comparison. Ground and delivered hay and new crop alfalfa dehy pellets sold steady. Demand is very light for old and new crop hay. Few, isolated sales of new crop alfalfa sold in the easy to transport large squares and small squares in 21 pack bundles. New crop rounds of alfalfa currently at a standstill from reporting contacts. Western area and the far North Central areas are a tick dry on top. But haying conditions are very good with some producers getting dairy quality hay on first cutting. Contacts along with their agronomist around Lexington to Gothenburg areas probed the ground in various fields with a 4-foot probe and soil profile was wet the entire depth. Grass meadows are looking very good and could produce a lot of hay if the conditions continue in a positive way.

Source: USDA AMS Livestock, Poultry

Montana Hay Summary As of May 31, 2024

Compared to last week: Hay was too lightly tested to develop any market trend. Hay sales were near a standstill week. Showers and afternoon thunderstorms fell in many locations this week which helped further improve drought conditions in the east and central portions of the state. Some producers are starting to talk about new crop prices but many remain unclear on where they want to price new crop hay. Only one small contract of new crop hay was seen this week. Western drought conditions continue to see expansion as most locations in western Montana missed the rainfall this past week. Very light demand continues to be seen as most ranchers have turned out pairs for the year. Demand for straw is light as heavy straw supplies continue to be seen especially in the northern portion of the state. According to the drought monitor 37.52% of the state is in Moderate drought or worse, up 2.63% from last week. 7.87% of the state is in an Severe drought or worse, down 1.49% from last week. 0.09% of the state is in Extreme drought or worse, down 1.11% from last week.

Alfalfa Ground (Delivered) 150

Brands

Help Wanted

PLATTE rIVER RODEO

June 21-22, 2024 / 7:00 PM

Buck Springs Arena / Saratoga, WY

WRA sanctioned rodeo events plus amateur, ranch saddle bronc and kid events

$6,000 ADDED MONEY

Adults: $7

Kids ages 12 and under: FREE

For more information call Randy Arnold: 307-329-5769 or Cathy Cox: 307-710-7208

SIGN-ON BONUS!! Full- or part-time 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, 801641-4109 6/15

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 307-864-2278 for a complete job description and application information 6/8

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.

HOUSEKEEPER: Full-time

position(s) at a family-owned ranch near Cody, WY and located in the Shoshone National Forest. Position entails keeping facilities and common areas clean and maintained; vacuuming, sweeping and mopping floors; cleaning and stocking restrooms; notifying managers of necessary repairs; collecting and disposing of trash; dusting; and light outdoor cleaning and maintenance. Experience is welcome but will train the right candidate. The ideal candidate will be reliable; have a strong work ethic; be able to perform individually and with a team; be a self-starter; and must be able to lift 25 pounds. Benefits include health, with optional dental and vision; paid-time-off; and 401(k) with employer matching contribution. Salary based upon previous experience. Send resumes to cg1@colliergroupoffice.com or call 307-5876275 for questions 6/29

HELP WANTED, VALLEY FOODS, SARATOGA, WY: Experienced meat cutter needed, will train the right person. Please contact us via e-mail with your qualifications at valleyfoods9024@hotmail.com 7/20

WANTED RELIABLE, HARDWORKING INDIVIDUAL NEEDED TO LIVE ONSITE AND CARE FOR A BEAUTIFUL 40 ACRE HORSE PROPERTY IN PARKER, CO: Responsibilities include daily turn out for 4 rescue horses, stall cleaning, feed set up, keeping supplies stocked, running tractors for mowing, plowing and manure spreading, keeping fence lines safe, gates in good operating condition and more!! Fully furnished 1 bedroom apartment in exchange for predetermined number of work hours. This is a long-term position. Option for additional work and pay available. Email resume to linda@experienceavatarnow.com. For questions, leave message, 720-320-9681 6/29

LOOKING FOR FULL-TIME

RANCH HAND IN NORTHEASTERN COLORADO: We are 30 minutes away from the towns of Holyoke and Wray in Colorado and Imperial Nebraska. We have spring calving cows and fall calving cows. We are looking for someone to help with checking cows, calving, preparing circles for planting, sprinkler repairs, haying, moving and vaccinating cows, fixing barbwire fence and putting in hot wire fence. We work pretty long hours 6 to 7 days a week from spring through fall. House and work pickup provided! References required! Looking to fill as soon as possible. Call Kim at 970-520-2513 6/29

RANCH HAND/GROUNDS

KEEPER: Full-time position at a family-owned ranch near Cody, WY and located in the Shoshone National Forest. Position entails lawn care, irrigation, heavy equipment operation, carpentry, equipment maintenance, building maintenance and overall residential and agricultural property maintenance. Experience is welcome but will train the right candidate. The ideal candidate will be reliable; have a strong work ethic; be able to perform individually and with a team; be a self-starter and, enjoy working outdoors. Benefits include health, with optional dental and eye; paid-timeoff and 401(k) with employer matching contribution. For the right candidate housing on property is also available. Salary based upon previous experience. Send resumes to cg1@colliergroupoffice. com or call 307-587-6275 for questions 6/29

BIG HORN REDI MIX IS LOOK-

ING FOR A MIXER/END DUMP DRIVER FOR ITS POWELL, WY PLANT: Applicant must have a Class A or B CDL with a clean MVR and must pass a pre-employment drug test. Position is full time, Mon.-Fri. Benefits include 100% employerpaid insurance (medical, dental, vision, life) and paid vacation after one year. Pick up an application at 355 E. North St. in Powell, WY or request one by e-mail at bhrmoffice@rtconnect.net 6/29

FARM/RANCH HAND WANTED: Looking to hire general labor to help in maintaining irrigation and haying equipment. Will also help with small cow/calf operation. Full-time and seasonal positions available. Call 307-351-4175 for more information 6/22

EMPLOYMENT WANTED: Worked livestock and sale barn experience, managed sale barn, purchased livestock and more. Call 620-430-6719 6/8

Services

ALL TYPES OF EQUIPMENT AND VEHICLE FINANCING. Great service!! Great rates!! Call Chuck Brown at C.H. Brown Co., WY LLC, 307-3223232 (office), 307-331-0010 (cell) or e-mail chuckbrown@ wyoming.com 6/8

AGRI-ONE FINANCIAL: Farm/ ranch and all commercial loans. RATES AS LOW AS 5%. We have been helping with all aspects of agricultural, commercial financing and management for years. LET US HELP YOU on a consulting level with management to increase profitability, deal with and fix credit problems and for all your financing needs. WE CARE AND HAVE WORKING PROGRAMS designed for the farmer/rancher and not the banker. Please call Steve, 303-773-3545 or check out our website, www.agrionefinancial.com I will come to you and get the job done!! 6/15

WYOMING BRAND FOR SALE: LSC LBH. Dues paid to January 2025. Does not come with irons, $5,500. Call 307-527-7288 or 307-296-6786 6/29

HISTORIC WYOMING BRAND FOR SALE: Lazy PN has been a registered brand since 1912. LRC, BS, LSH. Renewed to January 2033. Two sets of irons available. SELLER WILL PAY transfer fees. $3,500. Call 307-272-4215 6/8

AKC REGISTERED PEMBROKE WELSH CORGIS: I have 2 adorable male pups left from my Christmas litter. They are show quality, healthy, loving and robust young dogs. Parents are genetically tested clear for major problems. They have been raised in my home and are very loving and well mannered. They get along with other dogs and are very social. Five panel negative genetic tested. Vaccinated, dewormed, dewclaws removed and tails docked to show ring standards. $1,500 with full breeding rights or $1,000 as pets. Will trade for horse quality hay or useable farm equipment. Call Sonya Gangstead at 541480-9567 or e-mail me for pictures and pedigrees at brokersonya@gmail.com. Located in Roundup, MT 6/29

AIREDALE TERRIER OORANG

PUPPIES: AKC registered, will be large, calm, protective dogs. Great farm/ranch protectors from mountain lions, bears, coyotes, vermin... For more information, call 307-219-2217 or 719-2178054 (cell) 6/8

AKC REGISTERED BERNESE MOUNTAIN DOG AND F1 STANDARD BERNEDOODLE PUPPIES: These adorable puppies are microchipped and up-to-date with shots and wormer. Parents are fully DNA and genetic health tested. Males and females available. Shipping and flight nanny available, $2,500, Whitewood, S.D. Call 605-641-8272. Visit us on Facebook at Black Hills Bernese Mountain Dogs. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 6/29

TWO-YEAR-OLD BULLS FOR SALE: We have a good selection of moderate frame, easy fleshing 2-year-old Angus, SimAngus, Red Angus, Hereford/ Angus and Balancer bulls for sale. Many are low birthweight bulls that are suitable for use on heifers. All bulls have been semen tested and have passed a breeding soundness exam. Visit www.jauerangus.com/private. html or call Kurt, 712-253-8710 for more information 6/8

RED ANGUS 2-YEAR-OLD FORAGE

FOR SALE: Bulls for heifers and cows. Smaller framed, efficient, easy fleshing, good dispositions. Not fat, but in great shape and ready to go to work. Have been worked with dogs, on foot and horseback. Raised in rugged, rough, steep, rocky, high elevation country. Red Fork Red Angus, Ken & Cheri Graves, Kaycee, WY, phone 307-7382247, cell 307-267-0724, email gravesredfork@rtconnect.net 6/15

RED ANGUS HIGH-ELEVATION YEARLING BULLS FOR SALE IN NORTHEASTERN UTAH: Out of AI and bull-bred sires. Will be trich, semen tested and fed for free until May 1. $2,500/head. Bar Lazy TL Ranch, David, 435828-1320, barlazytlranch@ gmail.com 6/30

FOR SALE PRIVATE TREATY: REGISTERED YEARLING ANGUS BULLS. Sired by some of the best genetics in the breed as well as our top-end herd bulls. NEVER BEFORE offered. Deep set of CALVING EASE heifer bulls and POWERFUL cow bulls available. Semen tested and up-to-date on summer kickout vaccinations. Ready to go to work for you. Selling on first come, first served basis. Volume discounts apply. Free delivery available. MILLER ANGUS FARMS, Estelline, S.D. Kody, 605-690-1997 or Brady, 605-690-5733. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 6/22

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 6/22

REGISTERED BLACK ANGUS YEARLING AND 2-YEAR-OLD BULLS: For sale private treaty. Performance and fertility tested. Delivery available. REPLACEMENT HEIFERS available. TRANGMOE ANGUS RANCH, Glendive, MT. Call 406-6873315, 406-989-3315 or 907232-6093 6/29

PASTURE WANTED for 2,000 yearlings and 500 pairs. Can split into smaller bunches. Call 701-523-1235 7/6

Hay & Feed

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 307-8994714, leave message 6/15

650 TONS GRASS/ALFALFA IN LARGE ROUNDS, baled green but cut slightly mature; 150 LARGE ROUND BALES GRASS/ALFALFA/CHEATGRASS, grind or build windbreak.... Will deliver!! For sale by Cheyenne, WY area producer. Call 307-630-3768 6/8

GOOD QUALITY OAT HAY: 3x4 bales, barn stored, $90/ ton, tests available. ALSO, grass hay or alfalfa, barn stored, $125/ton. Lusk, WY. Call Paul Hicks, 970-2035019 6/8

ROUND BALED GRASS HAY FOR SALE: Cody, WY area, 1,000 lb. net-wrapped bales, $50/bale. Call, don’t text, Anthony at 307-254-2645 6/8

Equipment

MASSEY FERGUSON 30 INDUSTRIAL TRACTOR with loader (color yellow). New radiator, fan, fan belt, hoses and injector pump. Good rubber. $5,500. ALSO, 2019 CANAM OUTLANDER XT 650 four wheeler, 1,400 miles. Lots of extras: Winch, hand warmers, water cooled. Like new. Always kept inside. $7,500. Call 307899-3597 6/29

WANT TO BUY!! FORD DIESEL 4000 SELECT-O-SPEED row crop tractors, complete, running or not running. Call Lloyd, 701-226-4055 6/15

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, $43,000. Area fields are being subdivided. Call 307-6749092 6/15

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

CODY, WY PROPERTY FOR TRADE OR OUTRIGHT SALE: 8.5 acres in Diamond Basin on Big Sky Road. Seven acres with water rights. Half is developed with pasture, new fencing and gated pipe. There are 3 dwellings in process. Sewer system in place, water tap is paid for, 700 feet of line is in place and hooked up to all three locations. The bunkhouse is about finished. In the other 2, concrete is done, rough plumbing in the ground, sewer in place, ready to be framed. Have 7/16 and 5/8 sheeting OSB, trusses, windows, doors, door knobs, some 12/2 wiring. Lots of 2” rigid styrofoam. Walking path to BLM, under Carter Mountain, pond and gravel road. I have to stop building to have a couple of surgeries. Good opportunity for a builder. Outright sale as is $670,000 or will trade for about anything of equal value in Basin, Greybull, Shell, Powell, Cody, WY areas. Farm ground, older house, shop, etc. Call and visit for more details, 307-578-6345. ALSO, have 2 city lots in Shadow Mountain Subdivision 6/8

LARGE RANCH NEEDED: Generational family ranching business seeking large ranch for lease. Turnkey management services available: Robust ecological stewardship, ranch owner personal needs, upgrading ranch infrastructure to support intensive grazing programs. For contact information visit www.ranchlands.com 6/22

REGISTERED BLACK YEARLING LIMOUSIN BULLS FOR SALE: Performance tested. Contact Nolz Limousin, Mitchell, S.D. Call 605-9997035, visit www.nolzlimousin. com 6/8

Yearlings up to mature bulls available. Developed conservatively so they hold up. Remember a red Shorthorn bull on your homozygous black cows will give you black calves. Shorthorns are excellent maternal cattle that produce quality beef. Francis-Millvale Shorthorns, Gene and Roberta Francis Family, 701-331-2403, e-mail francis. millvale@gmail.com. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 6/8

CERTIFIED WEED-FREE PURE ALFALFA HAY: Small squares, all covered. First, second and third cutting available. Will load trucks and any open trailer. OATS: Combine run. Will auger into truck, trailer or large totes/ag bags. STRAW: Small squares available. Located between Powell and Cody, WY. Call or text Knopp Farms at 307-2540554 6/22

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

BENNY HERNANDEZ IS IN THE AREA AND HAS PLENTY OF HELP TO CLEANUP AND HOE YOUR CROPS. Call 307431-7160 6/8

Park County Fair Grounds | Powell, Wyoming 50 High Quality Hand Selected horses will be sold.

TACK AUCTION

Preceding Sale Promptly at 12 p.m.

Saddles & Tack

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Scott Heny (307) 272-3743 Nancy Knight (307) 431-2109 WWW.HENYAUCTIONWY.COM Email: henyauctioneering@gmail.com

BOOT UP for the COLLEGE NATIONAL FINALS RODEO with 20% $AVINGS ON BOOTS!! HONDO, BOULET, JUSTIN WORK BOOTS, TWISTED X (boots and shoes) and more!! WE CAN ship!! Shop Moss Saddles, Boots and Tack, 4648 West Yellowstone Highway, Casper, WY; 307-472-1872. Our family serving yours for 50 years!! Check us out on Facebook or our website 6/8

VALLEY VIDEO HAY MARKETS, LLC: Hay available. Go to www.valleyvideohay.com or call Barry McRea, 308-2355386 6/22

2023 HAY FOR SALE: First and second cutting, grass/alfalfa mix. ALSO, milo, oat and corn stover hay. All in net-wrapped round bales. Semi load delivery available. Call for pricing, ask for Clint, 701-290-4418, send a text if no answer or keep trying 6/15

HAY FOR SALE: Grass and alfalfa hay. ALSO, OAT HAY AND STRAW. Small squares, 3x3s, 3x4s and round bales. Delivery available!! Call 307630-3046 6/15

2012 DODGE RAM 1500: 132,500 miles, new engine professionally installed with 15,000 miles, 1 year left on 3 year warranty. Excellent condition, 1 owner, always garaged, $17,000. Can text pictures. Call 307-250-1987 6/15

FOR SALE: 1995 FREIGHTLINER FLD 132, 3406 B CAT, 100 miles on overhaul, 64” sleeper, 9 speed. Loaded with all options. Ready to go to work. Asking $30,000 OBO. Have other stuff to go with it. For details call Don, 719743-2330 6/15

2015 WILSON 53’ TRIPLE AXLE CATTLE POT: Air ride suspension, 11’ nose, crank up nose deck, virgin tires. Can text pictures. For more information, call 605-680-1444 6/8

FOR SALE: New Holland 7’ sickle mower. Rowse 16’ v-rake. IHC 656 tractor, gas, wide front. John Deere 7000 6 row narrow, 3 pt. mounted corn planter. 2016 Volvo semi (daycab), D13 Detroit engine 435 HP, Volvo I-Shift automatic transmission, 309,000 miles, air slide 5th wheel, very clean and nice. H&S 7+4 17’ chuckwagons with bunk feeding extensions and tandem 14 ton running gear. Two John Deere 716A chuckwagons with John Deere running gear and bunk feeding extensions, been shedded, nice condition. Phoenix H14 42’ rotary harrow. John Deere 2155 diesel tractor, wide front, fenders, 3 pt., nice acreage tractor. Lorenz 16’x29’ stack mover. 12’ box scraper. All in very nice condition!! Call 605999-5482 6/29

GRAHAM HOEME CHISEL PLOW: 12’, 12 double spring shanks with cylinder and hoses, $2,750. 24-FOOT JOHN DEERE 1100 CULTIVATOR 3 pt. hookup, $3,250. INTERNATIONAL 5100 12’ single disc drill with small seed box, $3,750. Call 307-674-9092 6/15

Property for

Sale

HESSTON 4590 SMALL SQUARE BALER: Excellent condition, $13,000. THREE WHEEL HAY RAKE, $800. Email wachobdoug@gmail.com or call 307-413-0767 6/15

PIPE FOR SALE!! 2 7/8”, 3 1/2” tubing, 4” drill pipe, 4 1/2” casing, 5” casing, 7” casing. Rods 3/4”, 7/8” and 1” located in Montana, can ship anywhere. Call Mike, 602-758-4447. To view photos, go to www.wylr. net in the classifieds 9/21

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

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, 541523-4434 (office) or 208-5980267 (cell), Intermountain Realty, www.intermountainland. com 6/15

715 ACRE LIVESTOCK FARM IN THE BIG HORN BASIN with 4 pivots irrigating 541 acres with free water. Functional improvements, 4 bedroom home, larger shop with attached apartment, livestock barn, large metal building, metal equipment building, corrals and feed pens. $3,190,000. RuraLands Real Estate, frank@ruralands.com, 307-851-2426 6/8

Hay Equipment

2,170 ACRES OF PRIME AGRICULTURAL NON-IRRIGATED FARMLAND: Soils consist primarily of silt and sand loams. Located east of Hawk Springs, WY along the Wyoming/Nebraska state line. Professional care is dedicated to optimizing soil health. Divisible into smaller parcels to meet your investment needs. No improvements. $1,900,000. 4,752± DEEDED

ACRES, LAGRANGE, WY: A top-end grass ranch with 10 wells optimized for maximum cattle production of 250 cows. Includes a stunning brick 5 bed, 3 bath home. Livestock barn with hydraulic chute, tube, concrete and pens. Shop and steel pens for calving and concrete bunk space. Deer, antelope. $4,900,000. 3,316± DEEDED ACRES consisting of improved meadow grass and lush hard grasses. Run 250± cows through 12 pastures. Outstanding condition. Nice home plus excellent corrals and calving facilities. Natural tree-lined draws for livestock protection. Hawk Springs, WY. WAS $5,100,000 NOW $4,700,000!! Pictures and video at www. buyaranch.com. Call Casey Essert, Land Broker, 307532-1750 6/22

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 6/15 Good time management is essential to farming success. That’s why more farmers are turning to T-L center pivot irrigation systems. Hydrostatically powered, T-L’s simple design gives you the low

AMISH BUILT CABIN WITH SEPARATE SHOP/HOME ON 141 ACRES IN ROUNDUP, MT: Adorable 679 sq. ft. cabin, with one bedroom and a full bath, island with electric cooktop, woodstove and gas backup heat, electric HW and fully wired. The shop/home is 1,500 sq. ft. on the main, with additional 480 sq. ft. of loft. Four bedrooms, full bath, smooth concrete floor, well insulated and heated with propane. Wiring installed in the shop/home. Borders 1,000’s of acres BLM land. $795,000. Call 541-480-9567, Sonya Gangstead, Broker, Realty Pros Inc., e-mail brokersonya@gmail.com 6/29

directly hurt or how the packers specifically conspired to bring down fed cattle prices in 2015.

The producers brought the class-action status for all who sold cattle in 2015 directly to the packers, and producers who sold cattle upstream to feedyards at lower prices.

This was the second ruling in the past nine months from Tunheim dismissing the cattle producers’ claims.

According to a Progressive Farmer article written by Ag Policy Editor Chris Clayton, the cattle producers argued the four largest packers conspired in 2015 to use their purchase power to bring down fed cattle prices and limit live trade in the fed cattle markets.

The producers declared the coordinated efforts caused a collapse in fed cat-

tle prices in 2015, which also caused feeder cattle prices to collapse.

They also argued they were indirectly affected by lower fed cattle prices because they typically sell cattle to feedyards or at auction.

Case details

According to the lawsuit, the conspiracy to suppress fed cattle prices has been running in the U.S. from at least January 2015, harming domestic producers of fed cattle.

The producers in the case argued packers violated antitrust laws, including the Packers and Stockyards Act, when the companies conspired to suppress fed cattle prices, which in turn caused the prices of cows and calves to collapse.

While meatpackers have experienced record profits in

recent years, U.S. ranchers have suffered, and this lawsuit argues ranchers have not mutually shared in the profits because the prices they receive for selling live fed cattle to packers are suppressed, due to collusion.

Fed cattle slaughter averages more than 25 million head a year, states the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the leading packing companies process about 85 percent of those cattle, roughly 21.5 million head annually.

In November 2014, fed cattle prices peaked at $170 per hundredweight (cwt), but fell to around $125 per cwt by November 2015.

Fed cattle prices bottomed out at $103 per cwt in September 2019. When COVID-19 hit in March 2020, fed cattle prices dropped to $99 per cwt.

The facts in this case were similar to claims Tunheim ruled against in

August 2023 where JBS agreed to pay $52 million to settle claims by wholesalers in January. However, the cattle producers refiled their claims in October 2023.

More details

The Progressive Farmer article notes the cattle producers are just one set of plaintiffs in what is known as “Re: Cattle and Beef Antitrust Litigation,” No. 20-cv-1319 in the U.S. District Court of Minnesota, but there is a similar case in the U.S. District Court for Northern Illinois which was filed last year.

The Minnesota court docket is full of reports from the packers detailing they have settled with other companies, individuals or have been dropped as defendants from other cases.

Tunheim states in his ruling cow/calf producers had essentially “relabeled themselves” as producers of feeder cattle who indirectly

sold to one or more of the large packers.

By going from cow/ calf producers to producers of feeder cattle, it expands the case to include all “indirect sellers, including cow/calf entities, ranchers and backgrounders,” the judge concludes.

Tunheim further states only one of the producerplaintiffs could possibly be considered a producer of feeder cattle, but all of the other producers have not demonstrated they are producers of feeder cattle and allege they were the target of an alleged conspiracy.

Feeder calves are inherently different than fullgrown cattle the defendants process, he adds.

The plaintiffs’ cattle are several steps removed from the packers’ alleged market manipulation, even if there is a tie between changes in fed cattle prices and changes in the feeder cattle

market, Tunheim states. Tunheim dismissed the cow/calf producers from the cattle and beef antitrust litigation case, which continues due to lawsuits from purchasers of beef, arguing the packers increased the margins between what they paid producers and what they charged for their processed products.

In addition, the federal government is wading into another antitrust fight, where Tunheim resides.

Last September, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a civil lawsuit against AgriStats, a defunct Indiana agricultural data firm who shared “anticompetitive” market reports and even encouraged meat processors to raise prices and reduce supply.

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

LAWSUIT continued from page 1

Lee Pitts IT'S THE PITTS

by

The Middle Man

I was born at the wrong time, but then, my timing has always been off. At the tender age of 21, I was hired as a field editor for a livestock weekly and there were eight of us all together.

Every other man was at least 20 years older than me and most were 30 years older. The editor, publisher and owner were also at least 30 years older, so everything that went wrong was obviously my fault.

When I started work in 1973, the price of feeder calves was 70 to 80 cents a

pound, and within my first year, prices for the same weight and age of cattle dropped to 30 cents per pound. Naturally, this was all my fault too. Due to my youth, my fellow field editors thought they had the right to boss me around. One of them, who I thought was my friend, came to me and said one of his contacts had asked him to find 40 Polled Hereford heifers to be shipped to Japan, but there was one condition – they had to come from Arizona, which just happened to be

part of my territory.

They had to come from a desert environment because cattle from California tested positive for bluetongue even though they didn’t have the disease. My friend said this would be a big feather in my cap, and the grateful breeders would probably buy a big thank you ad on which I’d get a commission. Plus, I’d get to write a fascinating story.

So I paid all of my expenses – motel, gas and food – and crawled all over Arizona to find six people in the whole state who had Polled Herefords for sale. After weeks of work, I finally found 45 head of Polled Hereford heifers and arranged for them all to be blood tested, gathered up at one central location, loaded on a truck and hauled to the port of Oakland, Calif.

There they were

RIVERTON LIVESTOCK AUCTION

inspected by Japanese health officials who found a wart on one heifer the size of a pencil eraser, and they grounded her.

I was not privy to the selling price. All of this was handled by my fellow field editor who I sensed was making money off of my hard work.

This was all part of the massive sale of Polled Herefords around the world – 10,000 of which were exported in 1968-69 to Chile alone. The world wanted our Polled Herefords because they had none of their own, as the breed was started in the U.S.

To write my story, I went to the port of Oakland, Calif. on the departure date where I was allowed inside the stretched jet which would take the heifers to Japan. My tour guide called the jet “four engines

mounted on a coffin” and told me of an earlier shipment of 30 head from the U.S. to South America which had been improperly secured, the load shifted forward, the pilot lost control and everything died.

I did a little investigating for my story and also learned about a planeload of hogs enroute from Chicago to Europe which suffocated on the ground in New York. One of the pilots going to Japan with the Polled Herefords called his beat-up airplane “The Vomit Comet.”

There was another load of cattle from New York to Europe which expelled so much moisture, everything froze up inside the plane and they had to make an emergency landing.

Initially, I thought I could write a better story if I went with the Polled Hereford heifers I’d hand-

continued from page 1

UNL BeefWatch article by PhD Student Mackenzie Batt, the herd had undergone routine genotyping as part of the Integrated Beef Systems Initiative Genomics Infrastructure project, enabling a rapid genomic-based approach to finding the causative mutation.

PAIRS

Jared Schaefer- 4 Red Ang 8-10 Yr old Pairs. Blk calves @ side. Nice mothers, good calves @ side. Ready for turnout! BREDS

Jared Schaefer- 2 Red Ang Bred Cows. WEIGHS

V Ranch- 25 Weigh cows

Garric Martin- 70 weigh cows

Jared Shaefer- 4 weigh cows

TUESDAY, JUNE 18 - No Sale

TUESDAY, JUNE 25

ALL CATTLE CLASSES W/ SHEEP & HORSES START TIME 9:30 AM W/ SHEEP & WEIGH UPS

“A genome-wide association study on 721 animals, including six affected calves and whole-genome sequencing on two affected calves pinpointed a significant region on chromosome 29,” she states.

Affected calves showed a significant increase in glycogen stored in skeletal muscle, almost twice as much as normal and carrier animals.

“Additionally, affected calves had elevated creatine kinase before and after forced exercise,” she states. “This is an essential enzyme which aids in energy production during muscle contraction. Elevated creatine kinase is often a sign of muscle damage or stress.”

picked to Japan, just like the old-time herdsmen who accompanied their cattle on the train trip to Chicago for the International.

After much consideration, I had “reservations” about my reservations for the flight and canceled at the last minute. The whole thing was pretty sketchy, and I thought it prophetic we’d be leaving from a place called a “terminal.”

I didn’t want the last thing to go through my mind to be a load of Polled Herefords.

To make a long story short, afterwards none of the Arizona Polled Hereford breeders would speak to me, my editor never did run my story, and I was later told my “buddy” who gave me the assignment got two free plane tickets and a week’s stay in Tahiti for all of his hard work.

and changing the meat’s color to dark red.

“Mutations in the same gene in humans result in a disease similar to what is observed in these cattle, termed McArdle disease,” Batt continues. “Individuals with McArdle disease experience muscle fatigue and weakness during physical activities but can adjust diet and exercise and live a normal life.”

However, these adjustments are not practical or achievable when raising cattle for production, plus the economic benefits of managing this condition in cattle is limited.

Hellyer Ranch- 75 Blk Ang Pairs (19- 2 yr olds, 15- 3&4 yr olds, 17 5&6 yr olds, 20- 7-9 yr olds, 4- ST) Cows have rec Triangle 5 & poured last fall, Virashield 6 + VL5 & Vision 7 + Spur this spring. All are age branded on left shoulder. Popo Agie genetics for multiple generations. Not exposed for 2024. Fancy, high elevation, one brand pairs!!

TUESDAY, JULY 2 - No sale

TUESDAY, JULY 9

ALL CATTLE CLASSES • START TIME 9:30 AM W/ WEIGH UPS

TUESDAY, JULY 16 - No sale

TUESDAY, JULY 23

ALL CATTLE CLASSES W/ SHEEP & HORSES START TIME 9:30 AM W/ SHEEP & WEIGH UPS PAIRS

TUESDAY, JULY 30 - No sale

“One mutation, not previously identified in this region, was predicted to truncate the protein product of the gene glycogen phosphorylase (PYGM). Due to the expected impact of this variant on the myophosphorylase protein encoded by PYGM and the identification of a previously discovered PYGM variant in Charolais cattle, this variant was prioritized for follow-up studies,” she adds.

Batt further notes 381 cattle, including eight affected calves, were genotyped for this variant, and in each case, both parents of the affected calf were found to carry one copy of the mutation. Each affected calf had two copies, as researchers expected for the recessive genetic variant.

Research conducted at UNL discovered the myophosphorylase encoded by PYGM plays a critical role in breaking down glycogen into usable energy, fueling muscles for sustained activity.

In conclusion, if myophosphorylase is absent, the glycogen breakdown will fail, leading to muscle damage and difficulties in physical activity.

The research study also identified the calves experiencing twitching in their hind limbs and biopsies revealed visible signs of muscle damage.

Despite musclerelated issues, microscopic examination of other organs revealed no abnormalities.

The research team discovered myophosphorylase protein in healthy animals but missing in affected calves. Advancement in genetics

“This result aligned with an additional test, where specific antibodies were used to identify the PYGM protein in the muscle, where a normal calf displayed a positive result with red pigmentation while affected calves distinctly lacked the PYGM protein,” Batt states.

The inability to efficiently break down glycogen compromises the well-being of the animals and negatively impacts the quality of the meat they produce.

She reiterates, “Breaking down stored glycogen efficiently after an animal is harvested is crucial for making highquality beef.”

In the absence of myophosphorylase, glycogen breakdown is restricted, hindering the expected decrease in pH

“This recessive condition significantly affects muscle metabolism, raising concerns about animal welfare and introducing economic challenges in raising livestock,” Batt says. “These repercussions can affect the survival of animals and, subsequently, the quality of the meat they produce at harvest.”

She notes this study stands out as one of the initial efforts to pinpoint a specific genetic mutation linked to this condition, paving the way for future research into the genetics of dark-cutting beef.

This comprehensive research study is crucial for the well-being of beef cattle and assures quality of the final product.

This collaborative effort involved UNL students and faculty across disciplines, including graduate student researchers. The full paper was published in BMC Genomicss and is available at link.springer. com/article/10.1186/ s12864-024-103301#citeas

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

UNL