provides update on sheep and lamb inventory and markets
On July 10, North Dakota University and University of Minnesota Extension services partnered to host a webinar with guest speaker Tyler Cozzens, PhD and director at the Live-
Quick Bits
Vendor Fair
Wyoming Women In Ag (WWIA) is calling all small businesses and local artisans to show off their products and talents during the 31st Annual WWIA Symposium Nov. 7-8 in Laramie. The booth fee is $100, which includes symposium registration. For more information or to register a booth, contact Traci Faxon at 307258-7348.
Ceremony
The Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame Region
One Induction and Reunion Ceremony will take place Aug. 17 at the Pine Haven Community Hall in Pine Haven beginning at 4 p.m. Individuals are invited to attend the ceremony, which will include a night full of music, food and a silent auction. For more information, visit wyomingcowboyhalloffame.org
Seed Event
The Washakie County Conservation District is inviting plant enthusiasts to participate in a volunteer seed collection effort Aug. 9-10 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. in the Shoshone National Forest. Seeds will be collected for the restoration of national forests and grasslands across the Rocky Mountain Region for postfire restoration, long-term soil stability, wildlife habitat and resilient ecosystems. For more information, visit washakiecd.com
Crop Prices
As of July 24, corn traded fractional to a penny gains as drier and warmer weather gave the market a boost. September futures traded at $4.02 per bushel, and new crop December futures were at $4.17. Soybeans pulled back on July 24, with slight losses to start the day. August futures traded at $11.15, and new crop November traded at $10.71. Wheat continued its partial retreat, with most contracts weaker on July 24. September Chicago futures traded at $5.44, with September Kansas City at $5.65 and September Minneapolis at $6.12.
stock Marketing Information Center (LMIC), who discusses the current sheep and lamb inventory and market conditions.
Overall, Cozzens notes the U.S. sheep and lamb
inventory is continuing to decline, with overall slaughter numbers up and cold storage supplies tracking lower.
National inventory
To begin, Cozzens ref-
erences the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Sheep and Lamb Inventory report, published on Jan. 1, which shows all sheep and lambs in the U.S. totaling 5.03
Outstanding Stewardship Practices
S&W Livestock earns the 2024 Environmental Stewardship Award
Each year, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) presents the Environmental Stewardship Award which recognizes outstanding stewardship practices and conservation achievements of U.S. cattle producers across the nation.
State, regional and national award winners are selected for their commitment to protecting the environment and improving fish and wildlife habitats while
operating profitable cattle operations.
A common trait among all award winners is the desire to leave the land in better shape for future generations while also inspiring the next generation of land stewards.
Here in the Cowboy State, the Wyoming Stock Growers Association (WSGA), Wyoming Department
Please see STEWARDSHIP on page 4
Local ranch recognized – S&W Livestock, LLC received the 2024 Environmental Stewardship Award for its outstanding achievements and industry leadership. Pictured from left to right are Wyoming Stock Growers Association (WSGA) Executive Vice President Jim Magagna; WSGA President Jack Berger; S&W Livestock, LLC Co-Owners Dan Wood, Lindsay Wood, Brady Lynn Wood and Don Spellman; Nate Kane and Audubon Rockies Conservation Ranching Director Dusty Downey. WYLR photo
Fitzhugh Ranch celebrates 150th anniversary
On July 20, friends and family gathered at the Fitzhugh Ranch south of Douglas to celebrate its 150th anniversary.
John William Fitzhugh’s youngest son Gordon Vaughn Fitzhugh made his way into Wyoming territory by driving cattle to the Guthrie Ranch, located south of what is now Douglas.
In 1874, Gordon Vaugn and his wife Bertha settled on land known today as the Fitzhugh Ranch.
According to the family, the original piece of land was patented in 1881, and then in 1913, Gordon Vaugn purchased more land, adding a two-story house, meadows and outlying buildings.
Gordon Vaugn also took over the La Bonte Post Office and served as postmaster for several years until 1930.
Second generation
Over the years, the couple had six children, and in 1922 their son Gordon Mathew Fitzhugh settled on the ranch with his wife Mary Catherine where they raised four children of their own.
Gordon Mathew grew up on the family ranch and received his education in the Converse County public school systems and in the old log schoolhouse on the northwest end of the property, the family recalls.
Many children from surrounding ranches also received their education in the log schoolhouse known as the Lower Wagonhound Schoolhouse, where a few remains can still be seen today.
Eventually, Gordon Mathew purchased the ranch in
The 2024 National High School Finals Rodeo (NHSFR) wrapped up on July 20, marking the end of the 76th annual rodeo where hundreds of high school athletes from across the U.S., Canada, Australia, Mexico and New Zealand competed for top honors.
This year, the rodeo made its way back to the Sweetwater Events Complex in Rock Springs, and competitors hailing from Wyoming represented the Cowboy State well.
The Wyoming Girls’ Team finished fourth in the nation with 3,320 points, following Texas in first with 5,655 points; Idaho in second with 4,278.33 points and Utah in third with 4,005 points. Nebraska
Agritourism opportunities
UW’s WORTH Initiative bridges gap between two of Wyoming’s largest industries
During the Wyoming Sheep and Wool Festival, held in Thermopolis July 12-14, University of Wyoming (UW) Outdoor Recreation, Tourism and Hospitality Extension Educator Hailey Sorg highlighted the importance of agritourism and outlined some valueadded ag opportunities for producers in the Cowboy State.
“Agritourism has a really unique way of bridging Wyoming’s second and third largest economies – tourism and agriculture – together and presenting unique opportunities not only for visitors to the state, but also to our residents and our producers,” Sorg stated.
“In Wyoming, we have this Western cowboy culture, brand and lifestyle that people crave and want to be a part of and understand,” she continued. “Agritourism presents a great way for them to come in and understand a little more of who we are and what we do.” Agritourism
Although agritourism is fluid and proves hard to
rounded out the top five with 2,925 points. The Wyoming Boys’ Team finished 14th in the nation with 2,090 points. The boys were led by Texas with 4,997.5 points, followed by Utah in second with 4,037.5 points; Oklahoma in third with 3,630 points; Oregon in fourth with 3,525 points and Arizona in fifth with 3,285 points.
A combined total score of 5,410 points earned Wyoming an overall sixth-place finish behind Texas, Utah, Oklahoma, Idaho and Nebraska in first through fifth place, respectively.
Barrels, goats and poles Wyoming women impressed at the
NHSFR wraps up in Rock Springs
GUEST OPINIONS Northern Cattle
For many years, we’ve been told steers fed in the North always bring more money than Southern-fed steers. We always took pride in the fact and bragged on it. But, I was never quite sure of the reasons for this price difference, especially since most packinghouses are in Kansas or Texas and there are more transportation costs for the Northern steers.
A recent CattleFax UPDATE noted the current “average fed cattle price spread between the North and South – Nebraska versus Kansas – reached $9.44 per hundredweight (cwt) during the week of July 21. This basically matched the widest spread of $9.63 set back in early June.”
The UPDATE went on to say, “The South being discounted to the North is becoming more common, particularly in the late spring and summer timeframe.”
My question is why? What are the factors causing this spread?
The UPDATE explained, “There are many contributing factors which have led to these wider spreads. First and foremost is the fact cash cattle being offered in the North are generally of higher quality than in the South. If you assume a 10 percent difference in grade coinciding with a wide ChoiceSelect spread – nearly $21 per cwt last week – it is easy to see the value difference.”
It is a complex issue to understand, as these factors are complex to begin with. It doesn’t mean all of the cattle in the South are of lesser quality. It’s far from it.
Some Southern cattle breeds used to combat the lengthy hot weather season may not grade as high when processed or take longer to reach desired weight for slaughter. This means a Northern fat steer may grade Prime or Choice more often, and in today’s meat markets, they bring more of a return.
I think in the end it all boils down to genetics of the animal, but there are also changes in supply patterns. The industry has been feeding cattle longer, which has led to changes in the time of year of supply.
Meatpackers, grocery stores and consumers all want a Prime to high Select cut of meat, not only here in America but around the world. This demand is also a factor of higher meat prices.
It has already been five years since the start of the pandemic and the beginning of higher food prices. Those in the know believe we might have one to two years left of high prices for beef, poultry, eggs and dairy products. This and the substantially higher wages at grocery stores is all driving the cost of food at the store.
With the cost of beef staying high, I see no reason it will go down soon. As I’ve said time and time again, there is no evidence of our cattle herd rebuilding. Ranchers are still selling heifers and culling their herds to take advantage of higher prices. They realize money isn’t money until it is in their pockets. Ranchers are building up their savings as they look to lower cattle prices in the future.
Politics and policies are changing lately in the world. There are a lot of unknowns out there, but a dollar is still a dollar. I think hard work and success is the meat and potatoes of life. The gravy is the money. But as we grow older we want more gravy.
Agriculture is on the ballot in November. Again.
Animal extremist groups, anti-agriculture groups and other organizations are forging ahead with an agenda designed to hobble food animal production and ultimately, to end our ability to farm and/or ranch. This is not hyperbole.
Most notable in the antiagriculture movement is the success of California’s Proposition (Prop) 12, which went into effect in January of this year. Approved by voters in 2018, Prop 12 forbids the instate sale of pork that comes from breeding hogs which are “confined in a cruel manner.”
The law has created ripple effects across the pork industry because California consumes 13 percent of all U.S. pork, yet only produces
Their Target is You
By Greg Henderson
one percent.
This year, new ballot initiatives in Denver and California could further chip away at agriculture.
A group calling itself ProAnimal Future (PAF) has successfully put the “Prohibition of Slaughterhouses and Prohibition of Fur Products” on the November ballot in Denver.
PAF, in its own words, is an organization of “volunteers and small donors building a political movement to end factory farming.”
The only slaughterhouse operating in Denver is Superior Farms, in business for 40 years and accounting for 15 to 20 percent of the total U.S. lamb harvest, with 160 employee owners. A study by Colorado State University’s Regional Development Institute found the Denver ban on
slaughterhouses could cost Colorado’s economy up to $861 million and nearly 3,000 jobs.
In Sonoma County, California, farmers are battling what they call a “vegan mandate,” officially known as Measure J, which would prohibit large poultry and livestock operations in the county.
If passed, the law could force at least two dozen farm operations to downsize or shut down within three years. Sonoma County, California would be the first county in the U.S. to ban such “factory farms.”
Direct Action Everywhere, the group behind the Sonoma County, California initiative, says it’s also collecting signatures to get similar question before Berkeley, Calif. voters, though it
is largely symbolic because there are no commercial farms in the Bay Area college town.
The alarming activist battle plan to end animal agriculture was outlined on Iowa Public Radio by Natalie Fulton of PAF, who said, “We are starting at the local level in Denver. We have a few cities in the works right now –definitely Portland, Ore.; San Diego; San Francisco; Houston and Ohio. We definitely want to go national with it, and our main goal is to ban factory farming at the state level within 10 years.”
Greg Henderson is the editor of Drovers magazine and can be reached via e-mail at editors@farmjournal.com or on Twitter @Greg_Drovers. This article was originally published in the Drovers July/ August 2024 magazine.
From the Publisher Dennis Sun
DOD reverses efforts
On July 23, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) confirmed efforts to prevent ultra-processed, labgrown protein from showing up in the diet of the American armed forces were successful, following news the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) is not pursuing lab-grown protein projects for human consumption.
“NCBA was the first and only cattle group to uncover this stream of DOD funding which could go toward lab-grown protein projects, and we were the first and only group to fight back,” said NCBA President and Wyoming Rancher Mark Eisele. “After weeks of engaging with Congress and speaking out against this plan, we are thrilled to have DOD’s confirmation lab-grown protein is not on the menu for our nation’s service members.”
“These men and women make the greatest sacrifices every day in service to our country, and they deserve high-quality, nutritious and wholesome food like real beef grown by American farmers and ranchers,” Eisele continued.
NCBA has worked with agriculture allies in Congress to secure the introduction of several amendments to the Fiscal Year 2025 Defense Appropriations Bill, National Defense Authorization Act and Fiscal Year 2025 Agriculture Appropriations Bill, aimed at preventing lab-grown protein from ever showing up on the plates of American service members.
Cattle producers appreciate the leadership of Reps. Don Bacon (R-NE), Zach Nunn (R-IA), Warren Davidson (R-OH) and Mary Miller (R-IL) and Sens. Roger Marshall (R-KS), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and Deb Fischer (R-NE) in standing up for farmers, ranchers and military personnel.
Farmland values slow
Farmland values in Wyoming have made modest gains over the past six months, according to the latest Benchmark Farm Value Trends Report issued by Farm Credit Services of America (FCSAmerica) and Frontier Farm Credit.
Values for Wyoming farmland have shown an average increase of 2.7 percent in the past six months and 5.1 percent in the past 12 months.
“The combination of higher interest rates and tighter margins for grain producers is having an impact on cropland values,” said Tim Koch, FCSAmerica executive vice president of business development.
Several years of strong profitability created optimism in the real estate market and helped to offset the impact of the Federal Reserve’s rate hikes in late 2022 into 2023, Koch noted. The market continues to benefit from willing buyers competing for limited land, but as grain prices have fallen, attention is shifting to a more challenging economic environment.
As a whole, benchmark values ticked up an average of 0.07 percent across Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming, the five states served by FCSAmerica and Frontier Farm Credit.
Since January 2024, land values made modest gains in eastern Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming.
In Iowa, which generally is on the leading edge of market trends, values declined for the first time in five years. Despite the pullback, Iowa’s real estate values are up nearly 60 percent since 2019.
Across all five states, values remain at or near record levels.
USDA data released
On July 24, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service released the first of the subject series data release which presents 2022 Census of Agriculture statistics broken down by watershed.
The statistics presented in this report include farms and land in farms, land use practices, fertilizer and chemical usage, selected crops harvested and livestock and poultry inventories.
The 2022 Census of Agriculture watershed data can be located by visiting nass.usda.gov/Publications/AgCensus/2022/index.php and clicking on the “Subject Series” link.
Other future releases in the subject series of data releases include Native American reservations, typology, specialty crops and specialty crops for outlying areas.
For more information about the Census of Agriculture including all of the 2022 Census of Agriculture results and tools to access and share the data, visit nass.usda.gov/AgCensus/
For state specific questions, contact Wyoming State Statistician Leslee Lohrenz at 800-392-3202.
Nebraska awarded millions
Gov. Jim Pillen and the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) have announced the receipt of a sizeable grant which will help accelerate the state’s realization of value-added agriculture and the bioeconomy initiative.
The grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) totals $307 million – the largest federal grant ever awarded to NDEE.
NDEE will use the new grant funds to implement voluntary programs to bolster all sectors of Nebraska’s economy while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Projects may include efficiency measures to reduce energy costs, incentives for sustainable agriculture practices and advanced livestock waste management, among others.
The success of Nebraska’s application was made possible by the extensive public input from a broad range of partners and stakeholders across the state, including state and local government departments, public power districts, agricultural stakeholders, subject matter experts and Nebraska’s citizens.
Over the next few weeks, NDEE will negotiate a final grant agreement and workplan with the EPA. The department will then begin work to implement the funded incentive programs. Work will also continue under the original planning grant to develop a Comprehensive Action Plan to address emission reductions through 2050. This plan is due in August 2025.
Public scoping period open
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Wyoming State Office opened a 30-day public scoping period to receive public input on four oil and gas parcels totaling 2,443.11 acres which may be included in a March 2025 lease sale in Wyoming. The comment period ends on Aug. 19.
The parcels the BLM is analyzing, as well as maps and instructions on how to comment are available at eplanning.blm. gov/eplanning-ui/project/2033626/510
The terms of federal fluid mineral leases will be consistent with the Fluid Minerals Leasing and Leasing Process Rule, which reflects Congressional direction from the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, including a 16.67 percent royalty rate for production on any new leases. Revenues are split between the state where the drilling occurs and the U.S. Treasury.
All parcels leased for oil and gas lease include appropriate stipulations to protect important natural resources. Information on current and upcoming BLM leases is available through the National Fluid Lease Sale System.
Bill introduced
Rep. John Curtis (R-UT) has introduced the Operational Flexibility Grazing Management Program Act, aimed at providing ranchers nationwide with greater flexibility in managing lands crucial for livestock feed.
This legislation builds upon a successful 2018 BLM pilot program across several Western states, enabling grazing permittees to adjust operations in response to changing environmental and market conditions, as well as ecological emergencies like droughts and wildfires.
Key features of the Operational Flexibility Grazing Management Program Act include expanding and formalizing the 2018 Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Pilot Program to offer increased flexibility to approved grazing permittees.
It mandates the BLM provide at least one alternative flexible grazing option at the request of the permittee or lessee, developed in collaboration with relevant state and federal agencies, Native Tribes and other affected parties.
The bill also allows permittees and lessees to adjust pasture rotation dates up to 14 days before the agreed upon start date and after the agreed upon end date, accommodating unforeseen ecological changes and temporary conditions which may impact land use.
Additionally, it requires the BLM to establish cooperative monitoring plans and rangeland health objectives to assess the program’s impact, consulting closely with affected permittees.
The legislation has garnered bipartisan support and a Senate version was introduced by Sens. John Barrasso (R-WY) and Ron Wyden (D-OR), currently under review by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Beef celebration held
Moly Manufacturing, LLC., in partnership with Jorgensen Land and Cattle, hosted the inaugural Beef and Greet Celebration. Industry leaders from across the country gathered in Ideal, S.D. to attend the premier event celebrating U.S. beef.
Highlights of the event included a ranch and operation tour of Jorgensen Land and Cattle; livestock handling equipment demonstrations by Moly Manufacturing, LLC and a keynote address by Lamar Steiger, owner of the 808 Ranch and founder of Ranch2Retail, a beef supply chain management firm.
The Beef and Greet Celebration also provided valuable networking opportunities for beef industry professionals to share ideas and strategize ways to collaborate in the future.
For more information about upcoming Beef and Greet Celebration events or if interested in attending or hosting a future event, contact Nicole Bechtel at nbechtel@molymfg.com or visit molymfg.com/contact
BY RON RABOU
’Tis the season. Again.
I’m a farmer, so I primarily run my life depending on which season it is. Typically, while everyone else is on camping trips and hanging out at the lake during the summer season, we are working.
A person can’t grow much here in Wyoming with the five or six months of winter we get, so we must seize the moment.
Summer means tilling, planting, harvesting and a whole lot of other things that take up nearly every minute. There’s honestly just not much downtime. It means long hours and late nights, but frankly, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I am blessed in more ways than I can even understand.
of Agriculture, Wyoming Game and Fish Department and Audubon Rockies are proud sponsors of this prestigious award and presented the honorable award to S&W Livestock, LLC on July 17 in Arvada.
“As the state award winner, S&W Livestock has the opportunity to move on to the regional-level selection process and hopefully onto the
This time, however, the season I am referring to is election season. Just like farming, it seems we get one behind us and here comes another one. This perpetual cycle of ads, yard signs, billboards, mailers and parades full of hopeful politicians, seem to be in constant swing.
While I think our system is the absolute best in the world and has helped build the most prosperous nation the world has ever known, it most certainly does not exist without its faults. No system does.
Without question, despite how we may feel about certain rules or regulations or issues like taxation or the function – or dysfunction – of government, we are immensely free people. I would argue no
national selection process,”
WSGA Executive Vice President Jim Magagna stated. “We wish them the best of luck. S&W Livestock’s history depicts their dedication and hard work conserving the land for the future.”
While the program highlights stewardship, it also provides fellow cattle producers with examples and ideas which may be useful
one in the world experiences the vastness and blessings of freedom more than the people who live in the U.S.
The founders of our country purposefully molded and shaped such an effective system it created the most powerful and prosperous nation in the history of the world.
These men declared, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
For the time in which they lived and the tyranny they found themselves oppressed by, this was an incredibly bold and visionary statement.
It is my belief these few words are ingrained in our very nature as citizens of this country today. Ultimately, it is what helps catapult us to greatness because we are free to think and to “be” and because we are free to create and pursue.
The American engine of limitlessness and ingenuity helps to drive us to do more and to become more. It is
“The American Way.” Our people are resilient, hopeful, independent and hardworking.
On the flip side, however, we are faced with issues, thought processes, ideologies and social and cultural differences which are threatening the very existence of who we are as a people and as a nation.
Winston Churchill summed it up best when he said, “The best argument against democracy is a fiveminute conversation with the average voter.”
That’s a fact.
The true dilemma with any governmental system –free or not – is people. People are what mess things up, always. If the hearts and the minds of the people are not where they should be, the most fool-proof system is still bound to falter or fail.
Today, we live in a political system of absolutes. Just listen. “I’m right and you’re wrong. And if you disagree with me, you’re a racist or a bigot or some other thing that has nothing to do with anything.”
There’s little respect, little
greater good of the community for years to come.
effort to try to understand the other side or a different perspective and little patience or compassion for one another.
Freedom is a remarkably wonderful thing. Throughout history, millions of people have fought for it and enormous numbers have died to protect it. The problems we face in our country are not because we are free. The problem is a vast majority of people in our country do not understand what it takes to continue to be free.
We have become apathetic and complacent. We take our freedoms for granted without even knowing we are doing so. We spew forth what we hear or read or see, all without the knowledge or the understanding of whether any of it is true or good or right.
Most Americans are more passionate and educated about discussions involving social media, the latest app or their favorite Hollywood star than they are about the major issues facing our country today.
In just a few days, early voting will open for this year’s primary election. It’s
develop an intensive grazing system.
one of the most incredible privileges we have as American citizens. It is your chance to speak. But before you do, it’s imperative to understand who you’re voting for. Because it’s election season, each candidate will likely promise you the moon. Regardless of which side of the political spectrum you’re on, the moon’s not for sale, so make sure you have a true understanding of who the candidate really is when he or she isn’t running a campaign, vying for your vote. And remember, the most signs don’t necessarily reflect who the best person is for the job. It’s true – people do mess things up – but I have faith in the American people that we can also fix what is broken and make it better than it has ever been. This election season, I encourage everyone to vote for competent, compassionate, leaders who will stand strong for the ideals and principles that have always been the foundation of our free republic, regardless of their political party affiliation. The only thing standing between us and a better world is ourselves.
on their own farm and ranching operations.
S&W Livestock
In 2013, the Spellman and Wood families joined forces to establish S&W Livestock developing a strong partnership based on trust.
The operation is an example of their dedication to the land they steward for themselves, their families and the
Dusty Downey, event emcee, Audubon Rockies conservation ranching director and longtime friend of Don and Kathy Spellman and Lindsay and Dan Wood, described the S&W Livestock story as one of innovation, leading the next generation of ranchers.
Implementing electric fencing for rotational grazing while changing calving dates has helped the organization
U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Wyoming State Conservationist Jackie Byam described S&W Livestock as a forward-thinking cattle operation.
“They continue to improve their land through water development projects, work with the NRCS on invasive grass control and invite resource professionals out to the ranch to visit so they can continue to improve their ranch management style and land stewardship,” Byam continued.
S&W Livestock collectively has taken responsibility for caring and managing their land by understanding what the land needs to maintain its long-term health.
The tour
After the award presentations, attendees gathered to share a meal before heading out to tour the ranch.
During the first stop on the tour, S&W Livestock Co-Owner Lindsay Wood explained the past and future grazing system of the ranch through water mitigation.
“We have been able to create improvements in our cattle while capturing water to maintain drought resistant plants,” she explained.
Cattle Country Video Production Schedule
“Slowing down the water has helped us keep our pastures grazable, but the electric fencing has increased our ability to rotate the herd in and out of the pasture,” she added. “Plus, putting in electric fence is much easier than standard fencing, as one person can move the fence by themselves.”
Through research and experimentation, S&W Livestock learned frequent moves were more advantageous for forage production and animal performance.
“We have trained our livestock to respect electric fences. Keeping the training area small has helped reduce the time it takes cattle to discover the fence on their own,” she mentioned. “Most livestock, if sufficiently shocked, will not challenge an electric fence.”
“We have over 52 permanent pastures we can further divide with temporary electric fencing,” Don Spellman added.
During the tour, Lindsay explained their process in removing invasive grasses from their meadows and working with Wyoming Weed and Pest on the eradication project.
Dan Wood described how he has maintained pastures through various crop planting rotations.
Planting cover crops has multiple benefits such as controlling erosion, suppressing weeds, reducing soil compaction, increasing moisture and nutrient content of soil and improving yield potential.
“Getting back to a grassalfalfa base is our end goal, but our long-term goal was to build up the soil base in these specific fields,” he explained.
Along with soil developments, S&W Livestock has made multiple improvements in their water distribution, improving livestock management which has allowed them to utilize miles of wildlife-friendly electric fencing, dividing their grazing lands into several pastures.
S&W Livestock has gone above and beyond standard industry conservation practices, and this dynamic operation is a positive example for others to learn from. Melissa Anderson is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
define, Sorg explained the best definition she has come across is from the National Agriculture Law Center (NALC), which defines the industry as a “fork of commercial enterprise linking ag products with tourism to attract visitors to the farm or ranch.”
In Wyoming, agritourism is especially important because it connects tourism and agriculture, which are the state’s second and third largest industries, respectively.
According to Sorg, in 2023 Wyoming received 8.6 million visitors, with numbers continuing to grow, and the tourism industry boasted nearly 33,000 jobs across the state, up nine percent from 2020-21.
Additionally, in 2022 alone, agriculture contributed $2 billion to the state of Wyoming and supplied around 20,000 jobs.
Value-added opportunities
Sorg further noted adding an agritourism feature to a farm or ranch can provide
multiple benefits, including revenue diversification, valorizing the landscape and Western culture, providing opportunities for the next generation and younger residents who may otherwise leave the state to seek work, supporting sustainable economic activity and providing an avenue of education to teach the general public more about agriculture.
“The U.S. Department of Agriculture breaks agritourism into five categories – direct sales, education, hospitality, outdoor recreation and entertainment –and most parts of any agritourism operation can fit into one of these five categories,” she said.
“Altogether, these five things make up one big agritourism pie, and what I absolutely love to see is how people are able to take bits and pieces of each slice and put them together to create something really unique,” she continued.
She also pointed out the value-added opportunities
“To have an agritourism operation, one has to have a passion for it, and not everybody does. But here in Wyoming, I think we all have a lot of passion, in addition to grit, authenticity and a love for our Western way of life.” – Hailey Sorg, University of Wyoming
of agritourism on a farm or ranch can be supplementary, a minor activity to support main operations; complementary, an activity sharing equal weight to what the operation is already doing or primary, in which agritourism is the sole focus of the farm or the ranch.
Examples of agritourism opportunities include anything from direct sales of farm-fresh eggs, produce and honey at an on-farm store; offering horseback riding, mountain biking or wildlife viewing opportunities at a farm or ranch; hosting a pumpkin patch or seasonal festivals once a year or running a full-time guest ranch, just to name a few.
“There are a lot of different opportunities for everybody involved,” Sorg stated. “The list goes on and on.”
While agritourism may add value to some operations, it is not for everyone, Sorg pointed out.
“One of the biggest questions to ask before embarking on an agritourism journey is if it is right for you. I wish I could tell everybody they should add this to their farm or ranch, but it isn’t always the case – it takes a special type of person and/or operation and a unique idea. It isn’t for everybody and that’s okay,” she said.
Sorg further noted the most important factor for
implementing agritourism on an operation is having a passion for it.
“To have an agritourism operation, one has to have a passion for it, and not everybody does. But here in Wyoming, I think we all have a lot of passion, in addition to grit, authenticity and a love for our Western way of life,” she said.
The WORTH Initiative
During her presentation, Sorg also took time to introduce the relatively new Wyoming Outdoor Recreation, Tourism and Hospitality (WORTH) Initiative created by the University of Wyoming in 202122 to support, expand and diversify Wyoming’s economy through outdoor recreation, tourism and hospitality industries.
She explained the initiative was introduced by UW President Ed Seidel in 2021 and was funded by Gov. Mark Gordon’s Wyoming Innovation Partnership.
“What is really interesting about the WORTH Initiative is their partnerships with other departments and colleges across UW,” Sorg said. “We are able to work with individuals across campus and see a lot of different synergies taking place in this great state and at our college itself.”
According to UW, the WORTH Initiative is cur-
uwyo.edu/worth/index.html.
rently in phase one of its implementation, which includes starting up educational products and services such as a Hospitality Management Certificate program, as well as other training programs and certifications relevant to WORTHrelated industries, while also coordinating and consulting with the WORTH Advisory Committee to develop and deploy applied research products and services.
Phase one also included
hiring Sorg, Wyoming’s first-ever WORTH Extension specialist position to support the industry statewide, and developing a long-term funding strategy consisting of a mixture of self-generated fees, fees for service, block grant funds, corporate partnerships and grants.
Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
Kansas State University (KSU) researchers and representatives of Kansas Wheat have published updated findings on the value of feeding wheat to pigs.
On June 14, the KSU Research and Extension news service released findings showing wheat can be used at a similar rate as corn in areas where wheat is available, without a major decrease in the diet energy density.
According to KSU Swine Specialist Joe DeRouchey, this is good news for swine producers and wheat growers.
“Our data collected from 2014-20 suggests wheat’s mean energy content is 99 percent and 98 percent of corn for digestible energy and metabolizable energy, respectively,” says DeRouchey.
“The use of wheat coproducts for the milling industry is a common practice in feeding livestock,” he continues. “For
wheat, there are many different classifications of coproducts, such as wheat middlings, wheat millrun, wheat shorts and wheat red dog.”
KSU partnered with Kansas Wheat to provide an update about the nutritional value of wheat and wheat coproducts.
Aaron Harries, vice president of research and operations for Kansas Wheat, states in the press release, “Wheat milling coproducts – including bran, middlings and shorts – provide good nutritional value. In particular, these products have high phosphorus content, which results in less supplemental phosphorus in the diet and reduced costs for the producer.”
Harries notes the updated findings on feeding wheat to swine “provides valuable new information for swine feeders and allows farmers to consider swine feeding as an alternative marketplace for their wheat.”
Nutritional properties of wheat
According to the research, wheat is a major cereal grain utilized in swine diets across the world and typically serves as a main cereal grain in Canadian, European and Australian swine diets.
Although wheat is not as prevalent in U.S. swine diets, it can still be incorporated, depending on availability and cost.
Wheat contains higher levels of crude protein (CP) and amino acids (AA) compared to most other cereal grains which allows for less soybean meal presence in the diet to meet the pigs AA requirement, DeRouchey explains.
The report notes wheat’s standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of CP and AA is similar to corn but greater than barley and sorghum and has a particularly high tryptophan (Trp) content which results in less feed grade Trp needed to be supplemented to meet
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the pig’s requirements.
The research shows wheat has a lower energy density compared to corn but is higher in energy than other cereal grains and higher in phosphorus (P) and digestibility of P compared to corn.
Therefore, less supplemental P is needed in wheat-based diets compared to diets based on other cereal grains.
It was also discovered grinding wheat to a finer particle size leads to linear improvements in feed efficiency but heat particle size is generally recommended to not fall below 500 micrometers (μm) for swine diets.
Wheat tends to flour when ground too finely resulting in reduced feed intake, stomach lesions and dust accumulation, states the new research study.
Coproducts
According to DeRouchey, wheat coproducts are produced from the flour milling industry and can include wheat bran, wheat middlings, wheat millrun, wheat shorts and wheat red dog.
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Each coproduct is classified based on the combination and concentration of wheat bran, germ and residual endosperm to comprise each coproduct.
The Association of American Feed Control Officials classifies wheat bran as the coarse outer covering of the wheat kernel as separated from cleaned and scoured wheat in the usual process of milling.
Wheat middlings, wheat millrun, wheat shorts and wheat red dog are produced when wheat bran is combined with wheat germ, flour and some offal from the “tail of the mill” and are classified based on crude fiber (CF) content and must contain no more than four percent CF, the researchers report.
They note wheat bran, middlings and millrun have a high P content, and incorporating any of these coproducts may result in less supplemental P in the diet which can help reduce diet costs.
However, wheat shorts and red dog are lower in P than other wheat coproducts and are more similar to conventional wheat.
DeRouchey explains wheat bran has the lowest digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME), whereas wheat red dog has the greatest DE and ME.
According to the research study, wheat coproduct inclusion in swine diets will reduce the energy density due to fiber concentration.
The growth of nursery and finishing pigs will decrease unless other energy sources such as fat are added to the diet to maintain energy concentration.
The researchers note wheat shorts and red dog have lower fiber and higher energy due to increased
starch levels and can be incorporated into diets without impacting pig growth, but in sows, wheat coproduct application may be most beneficial in gestation. It was also discovered high fiber ingredients are gaining attention because of their ability to potentially provide gastrointestinal benefits.
The inclusion of wheat coproducts in nursery diets was observed to improve fecal consistency, antioxidant capacity, gut morphology and reduce pathogenic bacterial populations.
Wheat coproducts have also been found to increase the abundance of bacteria involved in short-chain fatty acid production, antioxidant function, immune response and lactic acid production of growing pigs and sows.
Off-quality utilization
Off-quality wheat, which cannot be used by the flour milling industry, can be utilized in swine diets but this type of wheat is often associated with physical abnormalities or contamination affecting the nutritional value compared to regular wheat, the research team reports.
These products include sprouted wheat, low testweight wheat and mycotoxin-contaminated wheat.
“Even if wheat is not used as the main cereal grain in a swine diet, it can be incorporated into diets as a pelleting aid,” DeRouchey says.
Pelleted wheat diets have been found to have significantly greater pellet durability index – as much as 33.1 percent compared to corn-based diets.
The two organizations have published the updated research information which is now available online at ksre.k-state.edu
Melissa Anderson is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
2024 NHSFR, landing on the podium on more than one occasion.
Sheridan’s Abagail Olson ended the week second in the barrel racing average behind Morgan Beckstrom of Spanish Fork, Utah. Brynn Barto of Winnemucca, Nev. finished third in the event, followed by Rylee Jo Maryman of St. Francisville, La. in fourth place and Kally Sorenson of Watford City, N.D. in fifth.
One second separated Wyoming cowgirl Hadley Thompson of Yoder from the top spot in the goat tying average. She finished second behind Drew Ellen Stewart of Normangee, Texas and in front of Hailey Gibbs of Riverside, Utah in third; Brooke Bruner of Parker, Colo. in fourth and Faith Lundberg of Nanton, Alberta, Canada in fifth.
Wyoming’s Morgan Watts of Eden also clinched a finish in the top 20, ending the week 19th in the goat tying at the 2024 NHSFR.
Two cowgirls hailing from the northeast corner of the state finished in the top 20 in the pole bending average as well.
Gillette’s Abby Millburg concluded the week 17th in the nation, while Caitlin Moore of Wright finished 19th
The top five in the event were Zoey Wagoner of Arnegard, N.D. in first; Rhylan Morgan of Muncie, Ind. in second; Kaden Burger of Pauls Valley, Okla. in third; Stewart in fourth and Kinley Follman of Towner, N.D. in fifth.
Roping and wrestling Thompson had another second-place finish in the breakaway roping, following Baylee Barker of Atlanta, Kan. who took home the national championship title.
In third was Addison Kinser of Capitan, N.M., while Addison Klementis of Molalla, Ore. finished fourth and Arina Haugen of Sturgis, N.D. rounded out the top five in the event.
An Arizona duo including Ketch Kelton of Mayer, Ariz. and Denton Dunning of Surprise, Ariz., swept the competition in the team roping average and were
crowned national champions.
Two teams representing the state of Nevada battled for the second- and thirdplace positions in the event. Jace Jepson of Las Vegas and his partner Kade McKnight of Fernley, Nev. came out on top, while Blake VanStavern of Lincoln Calif. and Noah Williams of Schurz, Ariz. finished third.
Brothers Sanders and Scout McElroy of Mountain View, Ark. ended the week fourth in the team roping average, while Rance Bowden and Sean Weishaar, both of Belle Fourche, S.D., finished fifth.
Wyoming brothers Case and Ryder Kerr of Afton barely missed the mark for the top five in the event, taking home sixth-place team roping honors.
Two Oklahoma cowboys – Chizm Kuykendall of Carnegie, Okla. and Cash Evans of Fort Supply, Okla. –made the Sooner State proud by taking home the first- and second-place titles in the tiedown roping average.
Kelton made the leaderboard for a second time, ending the week third in the event, followed by Cross Fulford of Moore Haven, Fla. in fourth and Jett Smith of Georgetown, Idaho in fifth.
The steer wrestling average was led by Walker Goffard of Berlin, Wis., who was followed by Cache Montgomery of La Pine, Ore. in second place; Carson Cooksley of Valentine, Neb. in third place; Hadly Erickson of Almont, N.D. in fourth place and Kade Odens of Scotland, S.D. in fifth place.
Buffalo’s Colson Myers clinched a top 10 finish in the event, ending the week seventh in the nation, while fellow Wyoming cowboy Tren-
ton Sheehan of Rozet made the top 20 at 14th in the nation.
Roughstock Brenson Bartlett of Cheyenne was the only Wyomingite to make a top 10 finish across three roughstock events at the 2024 NHSFR.
He finished seventh in the bull riding average behind Jack Mitchell of Weatherford, Texas in first; John Crimber of Sunset, Texas in second; Macoy Attebury of Springville, Calif. in third; Clay Guiton of Cherryville, N.C. in fourth and Lane Leeper of Leon, Iowa in fifth.
Another Texas cowboy – Kash Loyd of Cleburne, Texas – took home firstplace honors in the bareback riding average. He was followed in second place by Sean Mahoney of Bend, Ore. and Quaide Skjonsberg of Bluffton, Alberta, Canada in third.
Collin Roland of Childersburg, Ala. was fourth in the event and Carson Hildre of Nelva, N.D. was fifth.
The national champion in the saddle bronc riding at the 2024 NHSFR was Shane Scott of Molalla, Ore., while Trygg Madsen of Morgan, Utah finished second and Jett Williams of Clarinda, Iowa finished third.
Wyatt LaVergne of Sulphur, La. and Holden Atkinson of Black Diamond, Alberta, Canada respectively finished fourth and fifth in the event.
Cutting and reined cow horse
The 2024 NHSFR also included a week’s worth of tough cutting and reined cow horse competition.
Cody Gann of Leighton, Ala. won the boys cutting average, followed by Luke Haskell of Payson, Utah in second; Drew Sherrerd of Wayne, Okla. in third; Ruff Graham of Merkel, Texas in
Wyoming’s four-legged athletes also impress at 2024 NHSFR
Not only did Wyoming’s high school rodeo athletes impress at this year’s National High School Finals Rodeo (NHSFR), so too did its four-legged athletes.
In fact, several horses hailing from the Cowboy State made a showing on the 2024 American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Horse of the Year leaderboard.
Frenchman’s Ace, owned by Abagail Olson of Sheridan, was the second-place AQHA Girls Horse of the Year.
fourth and Cooper Yarbro of Oxly, Mo. in fifth.
Wyoming’s Keyton Hayden of Gillette made the top 20 in the event, finishing 16th in the nation at the end of the week.
Two Wyoming cowgirls also made the top 20 in the girls cutting average. Gillette’s Adeline Norstegaard concluded the competition 14th in the nation, while Karly Peterson of Buffalo finished 19th
A point and a half separated Huntley’s Baliegh Lane from the top 20 in the event. She finished 21st in the nation.
The top five finishers in the girls cutting include Lily Erwin of Lady Lake, Fla. in first; Preslie Green of Perrin, Texas in second; Makenzie Cowan of Ardmore, Okla. in third; Anna Martin of Steelville, Mo. in fourth and Mattie Coberly of Hereford,
Yoder’s Hadley Thompson had two horses in the top 10 running – Gerlies Cat in seventh and CD Smokin Miss Kitty in 10 th . Thompson’s horses were also named the AQHA Top Horse by Event in the goat tying and breakaway roping, respectively.
Additionally, horses owned by Caitlin Moore of Wright and Adeline Norstegaard of Gillette finished in the nation’s top 20.
Moore’s horse Queens Tuff Time was 18 th and Norstegaard’s horse Suen or Lator was 20 th
Next year’s National High School Finals Rodeo will return to the Sweetwater Events Complex in Rock Springs July 13-19, 2025. For more information, visit nhsra.com.
Texas in fifth.
In the reined cow horse competition, Landri Lisac of Pueblo, Colo. took home first-place honors, followed by Marinna Mori of Tuscarora, Nev. in second; Sierra Telford of Caldwell, Idaho in third and Quincy Probst of Wallsburg, Utah in fourth.
Two California cowgirls tied for fifth place in the event – Ruby Robbins of Brawley, Calif., riding for team Arizona and Betty Branquinho of Oakdale, Calif., riding for team California.
All-Around athletes
A pair of Wyoming cowgirls made the leaderboard in the All-Around, with
Thompson ending the week just shy of the taking home All-Around Cowgirl honors. She finished second behind Stewart and ahead of Emma Garjio of Winnemucca, Nev. in third and Haugen in fourth. Olson rounded out the top five cowgirls in the nation.
The boys’ All-Around title was won by Kelton, followed by Jepson in second; Parker Ralston of Collbran, Colo. in third; Leeper in fourth and Williams in fifth. Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
OBITUARIES
Local businessman and former State Legislator Russell William Zimmer, age 98, died peacefully on July 12 at his home, surrounded by his family. He now rests in the arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Russell was born Feb. 27, 1926 in Minatare, Neb., the son of Frank and Erma (Wynant) Zimmer.
The family moved to Torrington in 1936 after purchasing the Goshen Refining Company, where they refined crude oil from Lance Creek which
eventually ceased operations after oil became difficult to obtain for smaller refineries.
He graduated from Torrington High School in 1943 and enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force at the age of 17 as private first class. He learned to fly as an aircrew trainee, a skill he valued and which gave him many enjoyable adventures later in life. He was honorably discharged following the end of World War II and returned home, having been awarded the Good Conduct Ribbon, the WWII Victory Award and the American Defense Ribbon.
He joined his parents in business as the manager of the newly built Z&W Mill, where they specialized in manufacturing livestock feed for the numerous dairy farms in the local area. It continues family operations to this day.
Russell met Ila Lorene Kaufman at a dance hall in Yoder in 1945. They were married in the Torrington
Methodist Church on July 21, 1946 and their lifelong commitment to each other lasted 77 years.
Together they raised four daughters – Vickie, Joanie, Marcia and Mary – who credit their parents for a wonderful childhood, upbringing and education.
Russell was a wonderful and devoted husband and father. The family enjoyed summer vacations in Yellowstone National Park for 18 consecutive years.
Russell envisioned the family business could provide more opportunities to farmers and ranchers in the North Platte Valley, and with this foresight, he grew the business by providing many of the products and services that continue to be offered to this day.
One of his greatest business ventures was a partnership with Lester Maxfield, then owner of the Torrington Livestock Commission, purchasing and feeding cattle in their feedyard west of Torrington.
Russell loved buying, feeding and selling cattle. He gained extensive knowledge of the industry throughout his career and remained commit-
ted to the pursuit of raising beef and playing a part in helping to feed America.
Russell owned a Stinson airplane and flew his friends, family and colleagues to many places, conferences and to view his summer pastures.
In 1972, as chairman of the Goshen County Republican Party, Russell was urged by his friend and then Gov. Stanley Hathaway of Torrington to run for the office of representative. He was elected and served two terms. In the House, Russell served on the Agriculture, Public Lands and Water Resources Committee and the Travel, Recreation and Wildlife Committee.
In 1974, he was helpful in passing the Wyoming Permanent Mineral Trust Fund, on the urging of Hathaway. The legislation created Wyoming’s sovereign wealth fund, funded by severance taxes from the sale of minerals, assuring future generations of Wyomingites the full benefit of the state’s natural resources.
Russell was then elected to the Wyoming State Senate in 1976, representing Goshen, Platte and Niobrara counties throughout his career.
As senator, Russell was a staunch supporter of agriculture, advocating for and proposing legislation to support the state’s industry of which he was keenly involved with.
Prior to the legislature, as a young volunteer with the Torrington Volunteer Fire Department, he advocated for passage of the state’s Volunteer Firemen’s Pension Fund. At the time, the state only had a retirement fund for career firemen. He twice sponsored legislation which helped pave the way for the pension fund to expand, increasing recipient, spousal and child benefits and lowering the retirement age.
As senator, Russell served on the Senate Agriculture Public Lands and Water Resources
Committee as both member and chairman; the Labor and Federal Relations Committee; the Education, Health and Welfare Committee; the Rules and Procedures Committee and Management Council as chairman.
Russell was highly respected in the legislature’s upper chamber, serving as vice president from 1985-86, majority floor leader from 1987-88 and culminated his political career as president of the Senate from 1989-90, retiring from public service in 1992. During his presidency, he helped the state celebrate its Centennial in 1990.
Russell was successful in passage of numerous bills which became law in Wyoming, helping to protect liberty and promote conservatism throughout the Cowboy State. Until his death, he often reminisced of his time in Cheyenne and the countless memories he made as a legislator.
Russell loved the Senate. He admired and held in high regard his many colleagues he served with who became lifelong friends. He was a true statesman and patriot and represented the best of what Wyoming is. He will long be missed.
In 1992, Russell retired and sold the family business to his daughter Mary and late son-in-law Terry Viktorin. As a new venture, he set about learning woodturning by attending many symposiums, reading self-help magazines and became a master woodturner in his basement workshop where he created countless works of art.
Russell and Ila traveled the world, seeing Europe, Australia, Canada, Taiwan, Hong Kong, South America, Russia and China. One of their goals, which they achieved, was to visit the 50 U.S. capitals and take pictures of the
state buildings. Russell was also an avid gardener and grew awardwinning gladiolas for many summers. He was a fisherman and loved to commute with his boat to various reservoirs in the local area. He also loved to play cards, especially poker, pinnocle and pitch. During Russ and Ila’s final years, the family met on Sunday afternoons to eat pie and play pitch.
Russell was a community supporter, serving on local boards and civic groups including precinct committeeman and chairman of the Goshen County Republican Party, Goshen County Fair Board, Goshen County Planning Commission, Goshen County Historical Society, Torrington Rotary Club, Wyoming Community Foundation and Our Savior Lutheran Church. Russell was also a volunteer with the Torrington Fire Department for 40 years.
Russell was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Ila, their daughter Joanie Lynn, sons-in-laws Terry Viktorin and Edwin Ward, sister Avis Johnson, brother-in-law Howard Kaufman and sisterin-law Dolores Kaufman.
Russell is survived by his daughters Vickie (Michael Bond), Marcia Ward and Mary Viktorin; grandsons Landon and Shane Viktorin and Passion (Jaimie) and Zenith (Lisa) Ward and great-grandchildren Dannica and Jaxon Ward and Noah and Jonah Ward. Memorials in Russell’s name may be given to the Torrington Senior Friendship Center. Funeral services will be held on July 27 at 10 a.m. at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Torrington, with the Reverend Scott Firminhac officiating. Burial will follow in the Valley View Cemetery, with full Military Honors provided by the Wyoming Army National Guard.
OBITUARIES
James "Jim" Edward Welch
Oct. 4, 1944 – July 12,
James “Jim” Edward Welch was born on Oct. 4, 1944 in Lander to Edith M. McDougall and Joseph Edward Welch. He passed away in Billings, Mont. on July 12 following a serious stroke.
Jim was raised on the Sweetwater River and spoke of it fondly. After graduation from Fremont County Vocational High
2024
School, Jim enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he spent four years on the USS Montrail. His family and friends loved the stories of his travels around the world.
In his first marriage, Jim married Janna Lee Russell and was blessed with his daughters Jamie Lyn and Jessica Anne. Jim was a cowboy and
CONNECTING AG to CLIMATE
By Windy Kelley,
Recent and Current Conditions
Wyoming experienced its 22nd warmest and 11th driest June out of 130 years, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Centers for Environmental Information database, retrieved July 24.
Scaling to the county level, the adjacent table includes temperature and precipitation rankings of
select counties for the month of June.
The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) map for Wyoming, released July 18, classifies over 45 percent of Wyoming as being abnormally dry (D0), and it shows over 46 percent of the state in moderate (D1) or severe drought (D2).
The remainder of the state – over eight percent –
loved the cowboy life –roping, helping with brandings, hunting, fishing, pack trips and his family were the fun things he enjoyed. With his great horse Mac and his good friends, he covered a good many miles
is classified as none. In other words, these areas are not experiencing abnormally dry or drought conditions. View the current USDM map at bit.ly/usdm-wy
Consider submitting a Condition Monitoring Observer Report at bit.ly/condtionreports
Eight- to 14-day and one-month
NOAA’s eight- to 14-day forecast for July 31 to Aug. 6, issued on July 23, shows a 70 to 80 percent probability of above normal temperatures for all of Wyoming. For the same timeframe, there is a 33 to 50 percent probability for below average precipitation throughout Wyoming.
The one-month forecast
and traveled to a lot of ropings and rodeos.
Jim met Patricia Jones in 1977 and their love of family, good horses and the Western way of life was an immediate attraction for both. They joined families, bringing sisters Stormie and Sunnie and brother Robin into the world.
“We weren’t cut from the same cloth, but we were sewn together perfectly,” the kids would say.
Most people knew “Big Jim” from his 35 years at the Lander Water Department. He could be seen putting in many hours repair-
ing water lines and keeping water flowing in Lander.
Jim was recently preceded in death by his wife Patricia Welch; his parents; his brother Joseph Lee Welch; his cousin Vernon Welch; his grandparents J.T and Margaret McDougall and Lee and Edith Welch and numerous aunts and uncles, including Nan and Harry Garner, Jessie and Donald MacDonald, Meg and Pete Spriggs, PeeWee and Gladys McDougall and Glen and Levis Welch.
Jim is survived by his children Jamie Lyn Deneven of Casper, Jes-
sie Zoller (Tony Jurado) of Pinedale, Stormie (Scott) Williams of Rawlins, Sunnie (Tom) Liams of Lander, Robin (Mabel) Jones of Cheyenne; 11 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; his nieces Ardie Jo (Doug) Wyant and Jodi Dawn (Ted) Rivera and his McDougall and Welch family cousins. Join the family on July 27 from 1-4 p.m. at the VFW in Lander to celebrate the lives of Jim and Patti Welch. Come and have lunch and share stories and memories of Big Jim and Patti Mae.
for August, issued July 18, indicates a 40 to 80 percent probability of above normal temperatures and a 33 to 50 percent probability for below normal precipitation throughout Wyoming.
For additional information and NOAA forecasts visit cpc.ncep.noaa.gov
Windy K. Kelley is the regional Extension program coordinator and state specialist for the U.S. Depart-
ment of Agriculture’s Northern Plains Climate Hub, the University of Wyoming Extension and WAFERx. She can be reached at wkelley1@uwyo.edu or 307367-4380.
Northern Plains Regional Climate Hub
July 21-Aug. 3 Albany County Fair, Laramie. For more information, visit albanycountyfair.org
July 26-Aug. 4 Johnson County Fair, Buffalo. For more information, visit johnsoncountyfairgrounds.com/fair
July 26-Aug. 4 Platte County Fair, Wheatland. For more information, visit plattecountyfair. org/2024-fair
July 27-Aug. 3 Fremont County Fair, Riverton. For more information, visit fremontcountyfair.org
July 27-Aug. 3 Goshen County Fair, Torrington. For more information, visit goshencounty. org/goshen-county-fair
July 27-Aug. 3 Hot Springs County Fair, Thermopolis. For more information, visit facebook. com/hscfairgrounds
July 27-Aug. 3 Uinta County Fair, Evanston. For more information, visit uintacountyfair.org
July 27-Aug. 4 Sweetwater County Fair, Rock Springs. For more information, visit sweetwaterevents.com
July 27-Aug. 5 Sheridan County Fair, Sheridan. For more information, visit sheridancountyfairgrounds.com
July 29-Aug. 4 Big Horn County Fair, Basin. For more information, visit bighornfair.com
July 31-Aug. 10 Laramie County Fair, Cheyenne. For more information, visit laramiecountyevents.com/fair
Aug. 2 Nebraska Women in Agriculture Conference, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Elks Lodge, Sidney, Neb. For more information or to register, visit go.unl.edu/sidney
Aug. 3-10 Carbon County Fair, Rawlins. For more information, visit carboncountyfairgrounds.com
Aug. 5-10 Lincoln County Fair, Afton. For more information, visit facebook.com/LincolnCountyFair
Aug. 8 Wyoming Pork Producers Board of Directors Meeting and Election, 6 p.m., Grace Werner Ag Pavilion, Casper College, Casper. For more information, call Jeremy Burkett at 307-630-6267.
Aug. 9-10 Washakie County Conservation District Volunteer Seed Collection Effort, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Shoshone National Forest. For more information, visit washakiecd.com
Aug. 13 Wyoming Ranch Rodeo Finals, calcutta starts at 6:30 p.m. with rodeo following at 7 p.m., Wyoming State Fairgrounds, Douglas. For more information, call 307-259-1674 or 307-340-1914.
Aug. 13-17 Wyoming State Fair, Wyoming State Fairgrounds, Douglas. For more information, visit wystatefair.com
Aug. 15 Campbell County Conservation District Ranching For Profit Workshop, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Campbell County Public Library, Gillette. For more information and to register, call 307-682-1824.
Aug. 15 Wyoming Pioneer Association 97th Annual Pioneer Meeting, 10 a.m., Ruthe James Williams Memorial Conference Center, Douglas. For more information, visit wyomingpioneer.org
Aug. 16-17 Fourth Annual Grand Encampment History Symposium, The Grand Encampment Museum, Encampment. For more information, visit gemuseum. com/museum-events
Aug. 17 Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame Region One Induction and Reunion Ceremony, 4 p.m., Pine Haven Community Hall, Pine Haven. For more information, visit wyomingcowboyhalloffame.org
Aug. 16-18 Fifth Annual Tom Horn Days Cowboy Rendezvous, Bosler. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit tomhorndays.com
Aug. 16-18 16th Annual Old West Cowboy, Indian, Gun and Collectible Trade Show Civic Center, Hulett. For more information, call 307-467-5668 or 605-892-5324.
Aug. 19 Wyoming Stock Growers Ranch Succession Planning, 1-4 p.m., Cobblestone Hotel and Suites, Torrington. For more information, visit wysga.org/programs/regional-events
Aug. 20
Aug. 21
Wyoming Stock Growers Ranch Succession Planning, 1-4 p.m., Community Room, Platte Valley Bank, Wheatland. For more information, visit wysga. org/programs/regional-events
Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory 25th Anniversary Open House, Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory, Whitman, Neb. For more information or to register, visit go.unl.edu/gslopenhouse
Aug. 21 Wyoming Stock Growers Ranch Succession Planning, 1-4 p.m., Valley Community Center, Baggs. For more information, visit wysga.org/programs/ regional-events
Aug. 21-22
Aug. 22
U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service Pork Stakeholder Meeting, online. For more information, visit ams.usda.gov/ content/usda-livestock-mandatory-reporting-swine-and-pork-industry-stakeholder-meeting
Wyoming Stock Growers Ranch Succession Planning, 1-4 p.m., Platte Valley Community Center, Saratoga. For more information, visit wysga.org/ programs/regional-events
Aug. 23
Aug. 23
Aug. 23-24
Aug. 23-24
EVENTS
Wyoming Stock Growers Ranch Succession Planning, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Martha Hansen Teaching Arena, Laramie. For more information, visit wysga.org/ programs/regional-events
Wyoming Stock Growers Ranch Succession Planning, 3-7 p.m., Wyoming Stock Growers Association Office, Cheyenne. For more information, visit wysga.org/programs/regional-events
Stockmanship and Stewardship, Richfield, Utah. For more information, visit stockmanshipandstewardship.org/
2024 Meeker Mustang Makeover, Meeker, Colo. For more information, visit meekermustangmakeover.org
Aug. 26-Sept. 2 Nebraska State Fair, Grand Island, Neb. For more information, visit statefair.org
Aug. 28-29
Aug. 29
Sept. 6-8
Sept. 14
Sept. 17-19
July 29-Aug. 2
Aug. 1
Aug. 6-7
Aug. 12-13
Aug. 19-20
Aug. 19-23
Aug. 24
Aug. 24-28
Aug. 25
Aug. 31
Aug. 31
Sept. 10
Stockmanship and Stewardship, Lancaster, Wis. For more information, visit stockmanshipandstewardship.org/
Trailing of the Sheep Festival Starry Starry Night Fundraiser, 6 p.m., The Argyros Performing Arts Center, Ketchum, Idaho. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit trailingofthesheep.ejoinme.org/StarryNightTickets
43rd Annual Hells Canyon Mule Days, Wallowa County Event Center and Fairgrounds, Enterprise Ore. For more information, visit hellscanyonmuledays.com
Homesteader Days Festival, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Homesteader Museum, Powell. For more information, visit homesteadermuseum.com
2024 Montana Angus Tour, Lewiston, Mont. For more information, visit mtangus.org/montana-angus-tour.html
Superior Livestock Auction Video Royale, 800-422-2117, superiorlivestock.com
High Country Ranch Real Estate Auction, Sundance, 605-206-0034. 605347-1100, hewittlandcompany.com
Cattle Country Video Oregon Trail Classic Sale, Weborg Center, Gering, Neb., 888-322-8853, cattlecountryvideo.com
Western Video Market, Little America, Cheyenne, 530-347-3793, wvmcattle.com
Northern Livestock Video Auction Early Fall Preview, 866-616-5035, northernlivestockvideo.com
Superior Livestock Auction Big Horn Classic, 800-422-2117, superiorlivestock.com
12th Annual Montana Horse Progress Days Auction, Reuben Miller Farm, Moore, Mont., 406-538-5125, 406-366-4667, montanahorseprogressdays.com
Lauing Mill Iron L Ranch 2023 QH Production Sale, online only, prohorseservices.com/internet-auctions/, 605-347-6193, 605-280-0698, 605-2800398, lauingmillironlranch.com
RQHBA Horse Sale, Besler’s Cadillac Ranch, Belle Fourche, S.D., 605-3471964, 605-639-9482, rqhba.com
Proffit Ranch 23rd Annual Labor Day Horse Sale, Diamond X Barn, Evanston, 307-723-5857, proffitranch.blogspot.com
Huskerland Horse Sale Extravaganza, Burwell Livestock Market, Burwell, Neb., 308-383-0039, dvauction.com
96th Annual Wyoming State Ram Sale, Wyoming State Fairgrounds, Douglas, 307-265-5250, wyowool.com/ramsale
What the County Fair Means
An editorial in the June 19, 1924 issue of the Sheridan Post-Enterprise reads: This, the pre-fair edition of the Sheridan PostEnterprise, carries the premium list of the Sheridan County Fair for 1924. It brings to the notice of everyone interested information which they will desire in preparing their exhibits and contest entries.
It is already time for Sheridan County people to plan what their part in the September fair will be, and this edition will help them to do it.
This year’s fair should be bigger than last year, the exhibits should be larger and more numerous and the interest and cooperation on the part of all the residents of the county should be more in general. For those reasons, it is now time to begin active work toward the fair.
In this column yesterday appeared an editorial regarding the need for cooperation and understanding among and between farmers and city men. The county fair is one of the best means we have
of aiding this cause.
The businessmen of the city, for their own sake as well as that of the businessmen in the country, have got to help the farmers get a square deal, stabilize markets, proportion production and offer
genuine cooperation. And farmers, besides utilizing outside help, need more than anything else to perfect their organizations, in order so they may control their own destinies instead of letting them be controlled by others.
The purpose of a county fair, while primarily to stress agricultural production, is also capable of including other industries. It should stress a farmer’s life, his needs and his organizations, help in solving his problems and give him a broader outlook on the life of the community in general.
Source: USDA AMS Livestock, Poultry & Grain Market News, Torrington
Source: USDA AMS Livestock, Poultry & Grain Market News, Greeley, CO National Sheep Summary
As of July 19, 2024
Compared to last week slaughter lambs mostly steady to 20.00 lower. Slaughter ewes steady to 15.00 lower. Feeder lambs not well tested. At San Angelo, TX 10,221 head sold in a two day sale. Equity Cooperative Auction sold 380 slaughter lambs and 1300 feeder lambs in Wyoming. In direct trading slaughter ewes and feeder lambs not tested. 2,914 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 105-130 lbs 170.00-190.00. Ft. Collins: wooled and shorn 120-150 lbs 190.00-210.00. South Dakota: wooled and shorn 120-150 lbs 181.00-193.00. Billings: wooled and shorn 110-115 lbs 212.50-226.00. Equity Coop: Powell Pools wooled 125 lbs 186.00. Slaughter Lambs: Choice and Prime 1-2 San Angelo: hair 40-60 lbs 214.00-244.00, few 252.00-268.00; 60-70 lbs 213.00-244.00; 70-80 lbs 210.00-236.00; 80-90 lbs 210.00-228.00; 90-100 lbs 208.00-226.00; 100-110 lbs 208.00-226.00. wooled and shorn 50-60 lbs 218.00-228.00; 60-70 lbs 218.00-224.00; 70-80 lbs 218.00-220.00; 80-90 lbs 212.00-220.00; 90-110 lbs 213.00-219.00. Ft. Collins: wooled and shorn 60-70 lbs 235.00-2453.00; 70-80 lbs 235.00-250.00; 88 lbs 222.50; 90-100 lbs 220.00-240.00. hair 60-70 lbs 230.00-240.00; 85 lbs 230.00; 110 lbs 270.00. South Dakota: wooled and shorn 60-70 lbs 245.00-272.50; 70-80 lbs 230.00-260.00; 80-90 lbs 225.00-230.00; 90-100 lbs 221.00-231.00; 100-110 lbs 186.00-211.00; 110-120 lbs 180.00-190.00. 75 lbs 245.00; 108 lbs 165.50; 116 lbs 145.00. Billings: wooled and shorn 65 lbs 245.00; 78 lbs 267.00; 8090 lbs 232.00-251.00; 90-100 lbs 231.00-240.00, few 255.00. hair 43 lbs 175.00; 68 lbs 250.00; 70-80 lbs 230.00-242.00. Slaughter Ewes San Angelo: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) no test; Good 2-3 (fleshy) 82.00-98.00, hair 70.00-96.00; Utility and Good 1-3 (medium flesh) 90.00, hair 81.00-104.00; Utility 1-2 (thin) hair 78.0090.00; Cull and Utility 1-2 (very thin) hair 70.00-88.00; Cull 1 58.00. Ft. Collins: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) 80.00-127.50; Good 2-3 (fleshy) 82.50-125.00; Utility 1-2 (thin) no test; Cull 1 no test. South Dakota: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) 80.00-105.00; Good 2-3 (fleshy) 75.00-105.00, hair 80.00-88.00; Utility 1-2 (thin) 45.0062.00; Cull 1 35.00-60.00. Billings: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) 92.00-97.00; Good 2-3 (fleshy) 90.00-98.00; Utility 1-2 (thin) 79.00-89.00, hair 87.50; Cull 1 62.50-77.00.
Feeder Lambs: Medium and Large 1-2 San Angelo: hair 46 lbs 252.00; 53 lbs 242.00. Ft. Collins: 30-40 lbs 240.00-260.00; 40-50 lbs 235.00; 55 lbs 230.00. South Dakota: 50-60 lbs 225.00-285.00; 60-70 lbs 222.00224.00; 77 lbs 216.00; 80-90 lbs 214.00-216.00; 100 lbs 193.00; 117 lbs 181.00. hair 30-40 lbs 220.00-240.00; 54 lbs 160.00. Billings: 55 lbs 240.00; 60-70 lbs 245.00-255.00; 70-80 lbs 245.00-261.00; 80-90 lbs 245.00-254.00; 90-100 lbs 220.00244.00, few 245.00-250.00; 102 lbs 235.00; 121 lbs 202.00. Equity Coop: WY: 1300: 100 lbs 208.00 for Aug delivery. Replacement Ewes: Medium and Large 1-2 San Angelo: yearling hair 90-115 lbs 144.00-169.00/cwt;
young hair 95-140 lbs 115.00-138.00/cwt.
Ft. Collins: no test. South Dakota: ewe lambs 90 lbs 247.00/cwt; young 180.00/ head.
Billings: no test. Sheep and lambs slaughter under federal inspection for the week to date totaled 36,000 compared with 35,000 last week and 32,000 last year.
Source: USDA AMS Market News, San Angelo, Texas
National Wool Review
As of July 19, 2024
Domestic wool trading had no confirmed trades reported this week. Prices reflect trades FOB warehouse in original bag or square pack, bellies out, some graded, and 76 mm or longer. No allowance made for coring, freight, or handling fees at the warehouse level to reflect net grower prices. Wools shorter than 75 mm typically discounted .10-.20 clean. Classed and skirted wools usually trade at a .10-.20 premium to original bag prices.
Torrington
Nebraska
Wyoming Attorney General’s Office, Consumer Protection Unit, 109 Capitol Building, Cheyenne, WY 82002, 307-777-6397 TFN
LLC Red Cloud, NE
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
www.gottschcattlecompany.com
of age and able to pass background check. Buy, sell, trade. Adults $6, children 12 and under free (when accompanied by an adult). For more information, contact Lisa, 208-420-2295 8/24
Call Brandon Furr at 402-257-7769 or 402-746-2222 for more information.
experienced ranch hand for cow/ calf operation in northeast Wyoming. Must be experienced in feeding livestock, calving,
REMOTE NORTHEAST WYOMING RANCH IS LOOKING FOR A FULL-TIME FARM/ RANCH EMPLOYEE: This position is open immediately. Applicant must be self-motivated, reliable and responsible with knowledge of haying and farming. Mechanical skills are a must. Farming duties include: Swathing, baling and raking hay, etc. THIS IS NOT A COWBOY POSITION, but applicant will need to assist in all aspects of cattle work as well. Those duties include calving heifers, feeding hay, branding and gathering, etc. Nearest big town is 60+ miles and nearest K-12 school is 30+ miles away. Housing is provided and on a school bus route. Please send resume with references by mail or e-mail to: PeeGee Ranch, 1251 Lower Powder River Road, Arvada, WY 82831, pgranch@rangeweb.net. Call 307-736-2461 8/10
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.agrionefi-
Services
Hay & Feed
WELL STOCKED FOR ARENA, RANGE AND ABOVE THE PLAINS!! Gear up for SUMMER!! Large SELECTION of SADDLES, head stalls, REINS, saddle PADS 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 7/27
LS CUSTOM LEATHER: Belts, tack, cell phone cases and much more!! Contact Lester, 307-631-1053, leave a message. Located in Riverton, WY 7/27
2024 NEW CROP HAY: Grass hay, horse quality, 3x4s and round bales, barn stored, tests available, $150/ton. New crop alfalfa, $175/ ton. ALSO, oat/pea hay, 3x4s and round bales, tests available, $150/ ton. Lusk, WY. Call Paul Hicks, 970-203-5019 8/3
VALLEY VIDEO HAY MARKETS, LLC: Hay available. Go to www.valleyvideohay.com or call Barry McRea, 308-2355386 8/17
CERTIFIED WEED-FREE PURE
ALFALFA HAY: Small squares, covered. 2023 first and second cutting available. 2024 first cutting available. Will load trucks and any open trailer. MONIDA
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 for details: 307254-0554 9/14
HAY FOR SALE: 3x3 and round bales. Call 605-840-0015 7/27
HAY FOR SALE: Grass and alfalfa hay. Cow and horse quality hay. ALSO, 2023 hay still available. Small squares, 3x3s and 3x4s. Delivery available!! Call 307-630-3046 8/10
2024 HAY FOR SALE: First and second cutting alfalfa, grass mix, grass/alfalfa, alfalfa with oats for cover crop cut. ALSO, oat 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 8/10
BARLEY STRAW: Certified weed-free small squares, $4/ bale. ALSO, 5x6 round bales, $125/ton. GRAIN/OATS, $20/ cwt. Greybull, WY area. Call 307-762-3878 or 307-899-4714, leave message 8/10
2024 ALFALFA ROUNDS FOR SALE, $150/ton, semi load delivery available, Hemingford, NE. Call Ian, 307-421-9116 8/10
3x4 SQUARE BALES FOR SALE: No rain, tarped and excellent quality!! Alfalfa/grass mix, orchard/alfalfa mix and intermediate brome/alfalfa mix. Sundance, WY. Call 307-6898112 8/3
2023 CROP ROUND BALED
GRASS HAY FOR SALE: 500 tons available. Cody, WY area, 1,000 lb. still solid net-wrapped bales, $50/bale. Call, don’t text, Anthony at 307-254-2645 8/3
LOTS AND LOTS OF HAY FOR SALE!!! 1,350 lb. round bales, net wrapped. Grass/alfalfa mix, native grass, brome grass, straight alfalfa. ALSO, triticale and barley hay. Sheridan, WY area. Come and get it!! For pricing call the ranch, 307-737-2680 or 702-501-4243 (cell) 8/3
600 TONS 2023 GRASS/ALFALFA IN LARGE ROUNDS: Cut slightly mature but baled green!! Will deliver!! For sale by Cheyenne, WY area producer. Call 307-630-3768 8/3
CERTIFIED BARLEY STRAW FOR SALE, 3x4 bales. Cody, WY. Call 307-899-1952 TFN
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 307-899-3597 7/27
Vehicles & Trailers
IMMEDIATE SALE: 2007 KENWORTH W-900 ISX-600, fresh overhaul, near new 18-speed transmission and rear ends. Noemissions. ONE OWNER, blue/ silver (color), 280-wheel-base, 72”-sleeper. ALSO, 2018 Wilson Grain trailer, tri-axle, electric tarp and hopper, new brakes. Call 308-289-2365 8/17
FOR SALE: 1995 FREIGHTLINER FLD 132 CLASSIC XL, 3406 B CAT, 100 miles on overhaul, 64” removable sleeper, 9 speed. Loaded with all options. Ready to go to work. Asking $25,000. Have other stuff to go with it. For details call Don, 719-743-2330. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 7/27
1996 FORD 3/4 TON PICKUP: 4x4, extended cab, 7.3 diesel, heavy duty rear end, running boards, cattle guard, always garaged, show room quality, 134,000 miles, desert sand/ beige. New tires, glow plugs, head bolt heater, belts. Should go another 200,000 miles. Good show or ranch truck. $18,500 OBO. Call 406-259-7759 7/27
Equipment
FOR SALE: New Holland 7’ pull type sickle mower. Rowse 3 pt., 9’ mower. Rowse 16 wheel hydraulic v-rake. Sitrex 6 wheel finger rake. Gehl 1410 manure spreader with double apron chain, slop gate, 410 bushel spreader, shedded, very nice. Richardton 700 silage dump box with auto roof opener. International 656 tractor, gas, wide front. 2016 Volvo semi (daycab), DD13 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. 10’ HD box scraper with tilt. All in very nice condition!! Call 605999-5482 7/27
PIPE FOR SALE!! 2 7/8”, 3 1/2” tubing, 4” drill pipe, 4 1/2” casing, 5” casing, 7” casing. Rods 3/4”, 7/8” and 1” located in Montana, can ship anywhere. Call Mike, 602-758-4447. To view photos, go to www.wylr. net in the classifieds 9/21
2016 JOHN DEERE 6145M
TRACTOR with John Deere 640R loader and grapple, MFWD, CAH, 540/1,000 PTO, left hand reverser, 16 SP. PQ., 3 hydraulic remotes, 3,988 hours. Very well maintained. $91,500. ALSO, JOHN DEERE S680 COMBINE, 2,458/1,718 hours, 2WD, duals, CM. $79,900. 307-575-2427 7/27
TRACTOR FOR SALE: 2024 BOBCAT CT2540, 5.4 hours, 60” FL8 loader, 72” angle blade. Tier 4 compliant diesel engine. Block heater, Full cab, with A/C, heat, AM/FM/Bluetooth stereo. New price $43,609. Asking $33,000, Cody, WY. Call 308631-2082 8/17
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 307-6749092 8/10
FOR SALE: 9600 John Deere combine with 930 30’ grain header and an 893 8 row 30” corn header. A 20’ Krause offset disc (new blades in front). 24’ Model 630 John Deere tandem disc and an International 22’ roller harrow. ALSO, feeder pigs. Contact Greg Keller at 406-679-1136 8/3
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, 970-3244580 7/27
TRACTOR BALER COMBO
FOR SALE. International 186 Hydro: 8,094 hours, new transmission/alternator/batteries/ tires. Hesston 4760 3x3 baler: 24,485 bales, stored inside and very well maintained. Located in Farson, WY. Call 307350-0350 for more info and pictures 8/10
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 307-674-9092 8/10
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 541-4809567, Sonya Gangstead, Broker, Realty Pros Inc., email brokersonya@gmail. com 7/27
OREGON RANCH, Baker City, Baker County, OR. The Alder Creek pasture contains over 2,000 acres of native spring, summer and fall pasture. The rangeland is situated just east of Baker City, OR. The property is in good condition and has good perimeter fencing. The range is gently south facing slope with a variety of native grass. FIRST-TIME OFFERING at just over $500 per acre for deeded and contiguous ownership, $1,095,000. Please give us a call for further information, Greg Sackos, 541-5234434 (office) or 208-598-0267 (cell), Intermountain Realty, www.intermountainland.com 8/10
Buy, Sell or Trade Your unwanted
Items in the Roundup Classifieds!
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 8/10
Guns &
1,230 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. $1,100,000.
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, 307-532-1750 7/27
FOR SALE: 20 acres vacant land on Majestic View Rd. between Cody, WY and Yellowstone Park. Spectacular views, abundant wildlife, private and close to public land. Ideal for cabin. No subdivision, HOA or irrigation. New water well. Power nearby. Invest in your future and call today. List price: $335,000. Listing Agent: Echo Renner, Realtor, DBW Realty, Cody, WY 307-250-9723. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 8/3
CHARLES PATTENGALE PROTECTIVE COATINGS
• Polyurethane foam roofing: Seamless, watertight, lightweight, insulating.
• Rubberized and silicone roof coating: Flat roof, metal roof, gravel roof, single roof, mobile roof, horse arena roofs, grain tank waterproofing, metal roof restorations.
• Services offered: Shop insulation, patching and roof coatings of all types, leak proof your roof self flashing and seamless. Exterior shop painting.
• Serving all of Wyoming, resident, commercial, industrial, farm/ranch.
Call now for your free estimate: 307-365-2621
www.charlespattengalepainting.com
Use a wood stove to heat your home, cabin or shop? If you do, I would like to hear about your experience using yours. What would you like to be improved? Is there something that you would like to be safer? I developed a better stove (in my opinion) and to help with my business, I joined www.CleantechOpen. org and they really want me to do Customer Interviews/ Surveys to get an idea of what real life users want in a wood stove. Go to www.Dakotastove.com to fill out a survey or call 605-380-5562 to visit and share. NO selling, just doing research 8/10
IT'S THE PITTS
by Lee Pitts
Pets Make the Best People
“Our perfect companions never have fewer than four feet.” – Colette
I think I’m growing allergic to people. I never answer the door when nice folks from Jehova’s Witness come around. I hardly ever pick up the phone because I can barely speak above a whisper. My wife has to fetch my prescription drugs for me because I’m fearful of catching something in the drugstore. I can’t stand being in a crowd – a crowd being three or more people –and as Andy Rooney once observed, “I have more
million head.
friends than I have time to keep.”
I also have a problem where I can’t remember anyone’s name – I engraved a name badge for my wife.
I wasn’t always a hermit, but the COVID-19 crises changed me. My doctors warned me if I caught the dreaded disease, there was a good chance it would kill me so I avoided people all together.
Heck, I wouldn’t even talk to people on the telephone, thinking the nasty virus could be carried over telephone or cable wires.
continued from page 1
Additionally, the report shows the national sheep and lamb inventory for 2024 is down around two percent from the year prior, while breeding sheep and lambs are also down two percent, indicating producers are further reducing herd numbers.
“Overall, sheep and lamb populations are in a general downward trend and will likely be for the next 20 to 30 years,” Cozzens states. “My prediction is we will be sitting at about five million head by Jan. 1, 2025, which is another one to two percent decline from where we are now.”
Cozzens also points out many of the nation’s sheep are concentrated across Mon-
tana, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah and Colorado, with big populations in California and Texas.
“Areas with high sheep and lamb populations saw declines of roughly one to nine percent from year-ago levels,” he says.
Drought, forage supplies and crop conditions
Cozzens continues, “One of the big things I want to talk about are forage and crop conditions and feed availability, which shapes producers’ decision making.”
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, nationwide drought conditions are tracking similar to last year’s levels and slightly below the five-year average.
I was always kind of a loner and a recluse who preferred the company of animals anyway, and during the two year COVID19 crises, I relearned something I’ve known all along – pets make the best people.
One of the reasons I like dogs so much is they don’t have cell phones. At least not yet anyway. Pets don’t invite you to lunch, spend the entire time staring at their cell phones and then stick you with the tab.
This is another great thing about pets. Like me, they easily get bored with idle conversation. And, dogs won’t act like they’re your friend, then try to ransom your computer like one scumbag recently did to me. Maybe a cat might try something like this but never a dog or a duck.
Yes, I used to have two pet ducks named Chester
In Western states, the percentage of poor to very poor range and pasture conditions caused by drought has increased over the past few weeks compared to 2022 but is lower than the five-year average.
“Since the start of the reporting season, Great Plains states like the Dakotas and Minnesota are definitely tracking below last year and the five-year average,” Cozzens says. “I would argue range and pasture conditions are very good compared to what we have seen in the past few years.”
“In the Southern part of Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas we have seen some improvement over the past few weeks, but overall conditions in this region are tracking in line with the five-year average –
and Charley, and I miss them terribly. If you can watch a duck or a Berkshire hog go about its daily routine and it doesn’t bring a smile to your face, then you are a very hardhearted person indeed.
Whereas humans have mixed emotions and can love and hate you at the same time, animals can’t. They either love you or they hate you. Period. And you’ll know right away. They’ll either try to scratch your eyes out or bite your arm off or they’ll rub up against your leg looking for a gentle pet. This is why they’re called “pets.”
Pets are apolitical too.
At one time, I figured all dogs were Republicans and all cats were Democrats or Progressives but I changed my mind when I met a toy poodle who was obviously a liberal –always looking for a hand-
it’s nothing too surprising,” he continues.
With this, Cozzens notes overall hay supplies and stocks are in good shape, with May 1 hay stocks up substantially from year-ago levels.
“This higher availability of feed is reflected in hay prices,” Cozzens says. “May prices were about $200 per ton, which is in line with the five-year average but nearly $80 below where they were a year ago, so we are seeing some relief.”
He notes corn prices have also trended lower, averaging around $4.50 per bushel, which is significantly lower than the seven dollars per bushel reported at the beginning of 2023.
“When mapping out futures prices, the expectation is corn prices will track at
out and wouldn’t do a bit of work like a Border collie or a police dog will do. I’m quite sure the toy poodle was an animal rightist too.
So much for my theory all dogs are Republicans.
I also like the fact pets can keep a secret. Even though the canaries and parakeets I’ve owned tweeted or twittered nonstop, they never spread nasty rumors.
Pets are also very good listeners. You can share your innermost thoughts with them and they don’t charge $500 an hour like a psychiatrist would. I’m carrying around a lot of emotional baggage, but I’ve never had to see a shrink for my depression and I attribute it to spending hours and hours on the couch with my pets, not some psycho-doc.
Even my turtle, who I
about four dollars for the rest of the year and into 2025,” he says.
Sheep and lamb supply
Although the national sheep and lamb inventory has continued to trend downward, Cozzens notes overall weekly slaughter year-to-date for the first six months of the year is up about four percent and is expected to remain higher throughout the remainder of the year.
He explains a large part of this is due to a 12 percent increase in mature sheep slaughter.
“It’s twofold – we are seeing higher sheep and lamb slaughter but lower dress weights,” he states, noting the average dress weight is down two pounds or 12 percent year-to-date.
Despite these high
rarely see, has been good for my emotional wellbeing. We’ve stayed close over the years because we’ve stayed apart. I’ve never once had a pet ask me to borrow money or my weedwhacker. Pets won’t steal you blind, they’re great at fetching things and even if they know you have no intention of leaving anything to them in your will, they’ll still be your loyal friend.
They’ll take a hard kick to the head trying to help you corral some cows, they’re the best theft deterrent system ever built and they will do everything in their power to protect you. Even though we might make pets sleep outside or we cage or tether them –and perhaps even cook and eat them – pets will still be your best friend right up until their final breath.
slaughter numbers, Cozzens says overall cold storage is down seven percent, indicating demand is high and product is moving through the supply chain.
“If we started to see cold storage track lower, it might mean demand is going down and consumers aren’t purchasing as much lamb,” he explains. “But, the lambs that are being fed and slaughtered are moving through the supply chain and demand is holding strong.”
Check out next week’s edition of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup for more on Cozzen’s outlook for the sheep and lamb industry.
Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
SHEEP
1931 from his mother and increased its size to 6,700 acres.
At one time he ran 850 head of commercial grade Hereford cattle using the Double Moon and Bar Slash brand between Platte and Converse counties.
He also ran sheep for some time but ended up selling the sheep herd after the Blizzard of 1949.
Gordon Mathew passed in 1981 but worked hard and dedicated his life to the ranch and herd. He was a distinguished and well-respected cattleman throughout the county, the family notes.
Third generation
James “Jim” Gordon Fitzhugh, Gordon Mathew and Mary Catherine’s youngest son, grew up on the family ranch and dedicated his life to his passion for caring for the land and the animals he raised.
The family notes Jim took over ranch management in 1950, the same year the ranch received
upgraded electricity.
Jim and his wife Marilyn “Molly” lived in the original house, which still stands today and raised their family with two children, Kristine “Kris” Elaine and Gordon Dana, known as Dana. Both children began working the ranch at an early age and talk about riding out on their horses to check bulls at five and seven years old, the family states.
Always wanting to leave the land better than they found it, Jim, Molly and Dana made several improvements and additions to the ranch.
In 1972, they sprayed the entire sagebrush population on the home ranch, and in 1976 over 31,000 feet of water pipeline was installed. Over time, 15 springs and seven wells were also established. In 1986, Dana and Jim leased the Nunn Ranch. By adding additional acres, they were able to run more cattle on the property. However, the lease ended in 2015
when Jim fell ill.
During the 1980s, the Fitzhughs gradually transitioned the herd from Hereford to Red Angus, officially transitioning to an allRed Angus herd in 1995.
Jim worked hard building his herd, and he gained the respect of other ranchers and cattlemen alike.
Along with the recognition of other cattlemen, the Fitzhughs have received several awards including the 1983 Goodyear Conservation Award, 1986-87 Wyoming Beef Cattle Improvement Association Outstanding Producer, 18741990 Wyoming Centennial Ranch, 2011 Lifetime Conservation Award and 2015 Northern Livestock Pioneer Producer of the Year.
According to the family, in 1996 while excavating for a new septic field, remains of a French settler’s store was discovered.
The treasure hunt of bottles and artifacts was the highlight for weeks, as Molly organized all of the findings.
Bobbe Kay and they had two children, Megan Day and Shelby Kay.
Sticking with Red Angus cattle, Dana has one of the most respected, reliable herds in the region, his family notes.
Fitzhugh Ranch –Standing the test of time, the Fitzhugh Ranch is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year.
Courtesy photo
The bottle collection is still in the old ranch house for those who want to see a glimpse into the past.
Jim passed in 2018, and a small family cemetery marking his final resting place can be found on top of the hill overlooking his pride and joy.
Fourth generation
Carrying on the family tradition, Dana grew up tending to the land, working cattle and competing in 4-H. He proudly served as an FFA State Officer during his high school years.
From a young age, the ranch captured Dana’s heart, and he continues his family’s legacy to this day, using the Mill Iron Reverse Lazy S to mark his cattle, a brand inherited from Jim’s maternal grandmother.
In 1985, Dana married
Water projects and improvements still continue. Wind-powered wells were gradually upgraded to solar-powered wells, large stock tanks were placed and reservoirs were created.
In 2012, the old calving shed was rebuilt and a new addition named the “Blue Shed” was constructed in 2011.
The family shares the famous “White House” was a perfect addition to the tractor shed in 2014, as many memories and stories have been made there and serves as a gathering place for all.
In the summer months, Dana can be found irrigating the hay fields, putting up hay, checking the cows in the summer pasture and fighting fires when duty calls.
The legend continues
Both of Dana and Bob-
be’s daughters and their families continue to help out at the ranch with calving, branding, haying and shipping.
Megan and her husband Matt are parents to Ella and Hazel and live in Torrington, while Shelby and her husband Ethan are parents to Ava and reside in Lubbock, Texas, where Ethan is completing his medical residency.
Shelby has started building her own herd of Fitzhugh Red Angus cattle
with plans to return to the family ranch and help her dad with operations. She took over Gordon M’s Bar Slash brand the family says, and maybe one day these daughters and granddaughters will become the fifth and sixth generations of Fitzhughs to tend to their beautiful and sacred land. Melissa Anderson is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
Historic location – The Oregon Trail cuts through the majority of the property, crossing the Wagonhound Creek which snakes through the meadows and under the county bridge that still stands. Courtesy photo
Red Angus – The Fitzhugh Ranch has one of the most respected, reliable Red Angus herds in the region. Courtesy photo