Bipartisan efforts work to ban federal funds for lab-grown meat
In yet another attack on the nation’s cattle industry, the Department of Defense (DOD) recently announced up to $500 million available in grant funding for the development of lab-grown
Quick Bits
Public Input
The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public comment on a draft environmental assessment considering a right of way for the Southwest Wyoming carbon dioxide (CO2) Sequestration Project proposed by Moxa Carbon Storage, LLC. The project would store CO2 permanently in nearly 605,100 acres of sub-surface federal pore space beneath Lincoln, Sweetwater and Uinta counties. Additional information, a map of the project area and instructions on how to comment are available at eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2023000/510 The comment period ends on July 30.
UW Publication
The University of Wyoming’s (UW) College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources launched a new annual publication, Roots and Ranges, which is dedicated to showcasing the achievements of educators, students, alumni and community partners across the state. The magazine serves to bridge the gap between campus and Wyoming communities and will be available this fall.
Summer Event
First Lady Jennie Gordon invites the public to the second official Cowgirls Stompin’ Hunger Scarf Launch Party with Alexis Drake, held July 11 from 5:30-7 p.m. in Cheyenne. A limited number of scarves have been ordered and 20% of all sales will go to the First Lady’s Wyoming Hunger Initiative. For more information and to view this year’s scarf, visit alexisdrake.com
Beef Donors
Foster Love with Beef, a nonprofit providing donated beef from local ranchers to foster families, is expanding operations into Wyoming and is looking for donors in Converse, Niobrara, Platte and Goshen counties. The organization asks interested donors to fill out a donor information form to be placed on the donor list. Individuals will be contacted when a donation is needed. For more information or to fill out the form, visit linktr.ee/fosterlovewithbeef
meat products manufactured by the company BioMADE.
The announcement caused outcry across the agriculture industry and military personnel alike, and since the DOD’s announce-
ment, bipartisan efforts have been made to ban federal funds to develop lab-grown meat.
Most recently, Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH), a member of the House Free-
2024 National Rambouillet
Sale held in Texas
The 2024 National Rambouillet Show and Sale and National Junior Show were held June 20-22 at the Tarleton State University Animal and Plant Sciences Arena in Stephenville, Texas. Consignors from multiple states made the trip south to consign some of the top genetics in the country. Overall, 57 total head sold for an average of $907.89 per head with registered buyers from Indianna, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
Top-selling rams
Auctioneer Gabe Spikes of Blanket, Texas got the sale rolling with lot 6, a polled yearling ram consigned by Parker Munz of Moody, Texas, which was named the 2024 National Champion Ram in the national show judged by Dr. Will Dickison of San Angelo, Texas.
The ram sold to an undisclosed buyer for $950.
The 2024 Reserve National Champion Ram was another Texas ram, an early fall ram lamb consigned by Dr. Sam Jackson of Lubbock, Texas. He went east to Aidan Fermier of Ohio for $500.
The high-selling ram was an extremely stout polled yearling ram consigned by Leib Livestock of Oklahoma. He sold to Marshall Sheep Company of South Dakota for $5,600.
Other top-selling rams included a Chapman Rambouillets ram out of South Dakota, which went to an undisclosed buyer for $1,500 and a Benz Rambouillet ram out of Kansas, which went to Paisley Smith of Texas for $650.
dom Caucus, joined eight Republican colleagues, including two members of the House Agriculture Committee, in drafting the Real Meat Act of 2024.
Water source management is key for cattle grazing on summer pasture and/or range
By July, cattle are usually turned out to summer pasture and/or range and producers’ attention turns elsewhere – irrigating hay meadows, fixing stretches of fence and conducting housekeeping chores around the ranch, among others.
But, just because cattle are out of sight for a few months, does not mean they should be out of mind, especially when it comes to the most important, and often overlooked nutrient – water.
In a June 21 Beef Cattle Institute (BCI) Cattle Chat podcast, Kansas State University (KSU) experts note water quality, quantity and availability is critical for cattle during hot summer days, and access to good, clean water can have a positive impact on producer profitability.
Impact of fresh water
While the amount of water cows consume depends on environmental conditions and the type of feed they are on, the general rule of thumb is mature cows need one gallon of water for every 100 pounds of body weight.
According to BCI Clinical
Western states file suit
Wyoming and Utah challenge BLM over new conservation rule
On June 18, the states of Utah and Wyoming filed a joint lawsuit challenging the new Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Public Lands Rule, which took effect on June 10.
The Public Lands Rule, according to the BLM, restores balance in the management of public lands by putting conservation on par with commercial uses like oil and gas, grazing, mining and logging.
The rule also creates “restoration and mitigation leases,” through which the agency can lease degraded public land for rehabilitation by states, nonprofits or developers.
However, the two Western states are suing the U.S. Department of the Interior and the BLM for failure to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
NEPA requires federal agencies to assess the environmental effects of their
USDA rules face challenges
This year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has proposed and/or finalized several new rules related to the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act.
Pushed by the Biden administration, USDA has been tightening enforcement of the P&S Act through a series of rules linked to fairness and market competition as a way to deal with the “imbalance” between packers and producers.
On June 3, the Poultry Grower Payment Systems and Capital Improvements Systems Rule was announced, revising regulations under the P&S Act while addressing unfairness and deception in broiler grower payments, tournament operations and capital improvement systems.
This rule specifically addresses how contract poultry growers are paid, as well as demands by processors for growers to make expensive upgrades to their facilities.
The rule would end poultry integrators’ ability to use the tournament payment system to dock a producer’s pay using comparisons to the performance of other producers.
Most recently, the USDA published another proposed rule, Fair and Competitive Livestock and Poultry Markets. This proposed rule would clarify the interpretation of “unfair” under the P&S Act and ensure livestock and poultry producers receive the full value for their
GUEST OPINIONS Freedom Wins
June 28 was a great day, as the Supreme Court voted to overrule the Chevron doctrine. When the forefathers wrote our Constitution, the separation of powers was heavy on their minds. It was the separation of lawmaking, law interpreting and law enforcing that they saw as the safeguard against the erosion of all the other elements of the Constitutional system.
Until now, we have had many federal agencies making decisions, interpretations and restrictions with water, federal lands and more without approval from Congress. Agriculture and energy have been the victims of many of these agencies’ overreach, brought on by the current and past presidents.
Another overreach of authority has been all of the executive orders (EO) given out by presidents. Some have been to counteract the previous president. I’m not sure if EOs come under this Supreme Court decision, but there needs to be restrictions on EOs replacing Congressional action.
Our current president has issued over 130 EOs. This is no way to run a government.
In the six to three court ruling, judges realized the 1984 Chevron decision was unconstitutional and it is unlawful for agencies to make decisions, interpretations and restrictions on their own.
As Timothy Sandefur, Goldwater Institute vice president of legal affairs, said, “The court declared Chevron is no longer a good law. In fact, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote, ‘The deference rule wasn’t even called for by ordinary federal laws which govern administrative agencies.’ Since courts must exercise independent judgement in determining the meaning of statutory provisions, even under ordinary law there was no reason to carve out exceptions to the Constitutional separation of powers, such as the deference rule.”
Sandefur also said, “This didn’t just endanger freedom, it was also profoundly undemocratic. These agencies aren’t accountable to voters in any meaningful way. They’re staffed by hired employees – not elected representatives – and because of Chevron, these employees were free to implement their own policy choices even if Congress had never considered such policies. Chevron also gave Congress a handy way to get out of its responsibilities, rather than writing laws which specifically declare what is or isn’t allowed, Congress began writing laws which gave broad power to agencies to make up the rules for themselves.”
Chevron has been cited more than 7,000 times by the lower courts, typically to defer to the branches of government when deciding policy questions.
It is terribly wrong for a president or people in their administration to develop decisions based on their own agenda. An agency making those overreaching decisions by itself is just wrong. This country is governed by our Constitution.
I believe the deference rule was an easy way to manage climate change, and it was used as a tool to hinder oil and gas, coal and agriculture and to take total control of lands.
It’s hard for this bunkhouse lawyer to understand why we haven’t overturned this deference rule before now, but it should take the president’s mind off of his recent terrible debate.
Good Biosecurity is Key to Mitigating the Spread of H5N1
The more we learn about highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A (H5N1), the more we understand good biosecurity is a critically important path to containing the virus. Containing and eliminating the virus in our dairy cattle is essential to protect the health of our herds and flocks, farmers, farmworkers, families and the rural economy they make possible.
This past winter, a group of migrating wild birds infected with H5N1 transferred the virus to dairy cattle somewhere in the Texas Panhandle region. This was the first reported case in dairy cattle.
Cows shipped from the Panhandle spread the disease to other parts of the country, and now H5N1 – the same strain of HPAI found in wild birds and poultry flocks – has been found in 115 dairy herds in 12 states.
H5N1 in birds
H5N1 is highly pathogenic in birds, meaning birds that get the virus get very sick very quickly and almost always die as a result. This virus has been at the top of the list for risk of global pandemics for years, as it has circulated among birds and other species.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has been working with poultry and egg producers for a decade to manage the virus, and it is a disease scientists understand well.
For poultry farmers, depopulating affected flocks, disinfecting poultry houses, barns and equipment and improving biosecurity practices has helped
By Tom Vilsack
control the spread of the disease while keeping people safe.
Sadly, migrating birds bring H5N1 with them, so there will likely always be a threat of the disease for poultry farmers.
H5N1 in cattle
H5N1 behaves very differently in cattle. Dairy cows with H5N1 often have a sudden drop in milk production, go off of feed and generally do not feel well.
But unlike birds, sick cows do not typically die from the virus and generally recover after a few weeks, returning to full milk production.
Thus, USDA is making different recommendations to dairy farmers to help them test for and manage the disease in dairy cattle.
These recommendations were designed with input from experts, including dairy producers, veterinarians, state officials and USDA researchers.
Data shows the movement of cows shipped from the Texas Panhandle were initially responsible for the spread of H5N1 to different states, so USDA put in place a federal order – a type of temporary requirement – which directs all dairy farmers to test their lactating cows before moving them across state lines.
The federal order has led to more producers testing their cows, most specifically for pre-movement to raise assurances, which has the added benefit of providing information so producers and veterinarians can take quick action to limit the impact of the disease and help us better understand its spread.
As producers do more
testing, USDA expects to continue to detect additional dairy herds infected with the virus. This is what USDA expected and is an indication the system is working as designed.
Biosecurity
As producers, USDA scientists and veterinarians looked carefully at H5N1, including through detailed epidemiological analysis, we learned the H5N1 virus concentrates in the udder of sick cows and in cows’ milk, which can contain high loads of the virus.
This means even just a small splash of milk can spread the disease. We also came to understand the disease likely spread between dairies in a community through normal business operations such as the movement of people – unintentionally on items like clothing or shoes – vehicles and equipment coming and going on a farm.
These findings indicate improved biosecurity is the key to limiting the spread of H5N1 to keep animals, workers and farm operations safe.
Biosecurity is a set of practices which can help to limit or prevent the spread of virus or disease among animals, as well as people, plants and more.
In this instance, enhanced biosecurity can include practices such as thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting parlors, equipment, clothing and vehicles; separating sick cows and limiting movement of cattle; wearing and disinfecting personal protective equipment and limiting traffic onto the farm.
USDA support
USDA has many
options available to support producers, including the ability to help producers pay for enhanced biosecurity plans, free H5N1 testing for dairy cattle, free shipping to send test samples to the lab, free veterinary costs, free personal protective equipment and more.
Moreover, for producers with H5N1 in their herd, USDA intends to introduce a program through the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP), which is being developed to compensate eligible producers with positive herds who experience loss of milk production.
By statute, ELAP is authorized to pay eligible producers 90 percent of the value of losses. The program would pay an amount per cow for a set period of time. Additionally, for producers who want to help contain the disease and reduce the burden on their operations, USDA recently announced a Voluntary H5N1 Dairy Herd Status program.
At the same time, USDA continues to work closely with federal partners at the Centers for Disease Control and Food and Drug Administration in the interest of protecting the health of farmworkers and farmers and reaffirming the safety of the food supply.
USDA is taking animal health and human health concerns seriously through a whole-of-government response.
While the risk to human health remains low, USDA
Please see H5N1 on page 4
Bookmark and Beyond
Each year, to showcase their understanding and appreciation of Wyoming’s essential resources, second- through fifthgrade students from across the state create bookmarks illustrating a Wyoming resource message through Wyoming Agriculture in the Classroom’s Bookmark and Beyond program.
Approximately 10 winning designs are printed and distributed around the state.
For coming weeks, the Roundup will share photos of the 2024 Bookmark and Beyond finalists.
Registration open
Registration is now open for the American Angus Association’s (AAA) 2024 Angus Convention, held in Fort Worth, Texas Nov. 1-4.
The event will kick off in a “Welcome to Texas” fashion with the National Angus Tour and Beef Blitz on Nov. 1. These ticketed events immerse attendees in the local industry.
All members are welcome to invite commercial customers to take part in the convention, connect with fellow ranchers and attend educational sessions.
Between educational sessions, the association will celebrate the accomplishments of producers who have helped move the breed forward, elect the next board of directors, discuss the state and future of the AAA and explore new industry innovations at the trade show.
Early bird pricing is available through July 31.
For more information or to register, visit angusconvention.com
Memorial gathering set
A memorial gathering for Pat O’Toole will be held at the Ladder Ranch on July 20 at 2 p.m. A barbeque will follow. For more information, visit ladderranch.com/memorial Friends and family are welcome.
BLM holds lease sale
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Wyoming State Office held a competitive oil and gas lease sale, offering 18 parcels covering 10,155.33 acres in Wyoming.
In total, 18 bids were received, with 15 parcels covering 8,533.49 acres leased, roughly 84 percent of the total acreage available. A total of $5,012,502 in high bids were received.
The environmental assessment, maps, parcel lists, notice of competitive lease sale and proposed lease stipulations are available at eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2026886/510
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.
Company converts waste
Revolutionizing sustainable manufacturing, AgroRenew, a startup based in Indiana, is set to revolutionize the plastics industry by turning watermelon waste into biodegradable plastics. The company recently marked a significant milestone with the groundbreaking of its new $83 million facility in southern Indiana, bringing them closer to full-scale production.
The facility, spanning 196,000 square feet across more than 20 acres, plans to be a hub of innovation and employment with over 250 jobs to be created.
Beyond watermelon waste, AgroRenew plans to utilize cantaloupes and pumpkins as feedstock for their bioplastics, implementing a wide range of agricultural waste.
In addition to manufacturing, AgroRenew is establishing a Bioplastics Innovation Center aimed at further advancements in sustainable materials.
For more information about AgroRenew, visit agrorenew.org
Scholarship available
The Public Lands Council (PLC) has been the voice in Washington, D.C. for permittees and lessees who graze on Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service lands in 13 Western states for over 50 years.
PLC hosts an annual convention each year in a Western state and a spring conference in Washington, D.C. The 2024 Annual Convention will take place Sept. 17-19 in Grand Junction, Colo.
The Wyoming Public Lands Coalition, the state affiliate of PLC, is offering a scholarship to a young Wyoming permittee/lessee to attend this year’s convention. The scholarship will include convention registration and three nights lodging plus the opportunity to travel to Grand Junction, Colo.
Scholarship applicants must be between the age of 20 and 30 and must be actively engaged with a ranch holding a federal permit or lease. A letter of application should express the individual’s interest in participation and include their ranching background, education and age.
Submit a letter of application electronically to jim@ wysga.org or by mail to Wyoming Public Lands Coalition, P.O. Box 206, Cheyenne, WY 82003. Applications must be received by Aug. 10.
USDA launches campaign
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) launched the United Nations (UN) International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF) 2026, which the U.S. proposed and the UN General Assembly adopted in April.
There will be many events around the world leading up to IYWF 2026.
“This landmark initiative signals a pivotal movement for empowering women farmers,” USDA said in the program for the event.
The initiative also seeks to align the empowerment of women with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Fourth grade finalist – Created by Colt Stocks, fourth grade, Little Snake River Valley School, Baggs
Fifth grade finalist – Created by Keaton Sasse, fifth grade, Moorcroft Elementary, Moorcroft
OBITUARIES
March 30, 1947 – June 17, 2024
Richard Duane “Dick” Ellis, age 77, of Lander passed away on June 17 at Westward Heights Nursing Home in Lander.
Dick was born on March 30, 1947 to Robert Walter Ellis and Anita Irene (Darnell) Ellis in Lander.
From an early age, Dick set out to be a cowboy. Before he was old enough to be in school, he would ride his horse the half mile from home to the county road to fetch his older brother Bob from the school bus.
As a youngster, he often rode his horse into the Wind River back country with his family on multiday pack-trips. As he got a bit older, he was active in 4-H and FFA. His 4-H projects included horses, rabbits and leathercraft.
He was FFA president his senior year, and he was the 1964 Wyoming State Leathercraft Champion. Two of the saddles he made are still in use on the family ranch.
Growing up on the North Fork of the Popo Agie River, Dick helped his family with their sheep operation in the 1950s and eventually cattle in the 1960s. It was during this period the family started trailing their cattle from the North Fork Ranch through Lander to summer grazing range on Upper Beaver Creek. This tradition continued well into the 1990s.
One of the locally well-
AI classes offered
For those interested in artificial insemination (AI) in sheep and goats, the University of Wyoming (UW) Extension will offer educational programming in Campbell and Fremont counties in July, followed by breeding days in August.
Classroom sessions will take place at the Campbell County and Fremont County Extension offices on July 15. UW personnel and local specialists will discuss nutrition, breeding selection, AI protocol and pregnancy testing.
For those attending only the classroom sessions, no
payment is required. Participants interested in getting their females bred in August must pay $75 per head. Attendees must purchase their own semen, since semen price can vary based on quality. Registration, which reserves food and supplies for the July class, closes on July 8. Anyone interested in breeding their animals or attending the educational sessions should register at tiny.cc/24sheepgoatai
Payment must be submitted by July 15 to participate in the August breeding days.
A registered AI tech-
known photos of a “Wyoming traffic jam” is Dick front and center, leading the herd through town.
Dick loved participating and watching rodeos. He rode calves as a kid, which led to riding bulls as a young man. He won the bull riding in Deer Trail, Colo. in 1967. People joked at six feet and four inches, he was the tallest bull rider in the country.
He was also a team roper for over 40 years, often competing and winning local events around Fremont County.
Dick married Lorraine Primmer in 1966. Together they have two children, Rick and Jodi. They later divorced, and Dick met the love of his life, Patricia “Patt” and her young son Jared. They married in 1979, and together they ranched for the next 45 years until Dick’s passing.
Dick started out as a part-time cattle rancher. He had a special bond with his grandparents, Walt and Sue Ellis, who in their later years, leased their Sinks Canyon Ranch to Dick.
While part-time ranching, Dick was also a U.S.
nician will be available at breeding days in Fremont and Campbell counties in August. Participants will be notified once dates, times and locations have been finalized, with lambing and kidding to be after Jan. 1.
The AI Days program is organized by UW Extension Educators Kim Fry and Chance Marshall, with funding from the John P. Ellbogen Foundation.
For more information, contact the Campbell County Extension Office at 307-682-7281 or the Fremont County Extension Office at 307-332-1018.
Steel equipment operator for a few years before moving on to work at Lander Lumber. In the mid-80s, he fulfilled his dream and started cattle ranching full time.
He and Patt raised Angus cattle on the Ellis Ranch in Sinks Canyon. They also ran the Ellis Land and Livestock herd at North Fork after Dick’s father retired from ranching in 1987.
Dick loved horses. He raised Quarter Horses to use on the ranch. He always had a well-papered Quarter Horse stud – usually gray – which he bred to his own mares and other horses across the county. Many folks around the area have foals descended from the various studs he owned over the years.
While Dick drove a lot of fast cars as a young man, his interests changed to slow cars – really slow cars – as he got older. He loved his Ford Model A and B car and truck collection, most of which started out as nonrunning rust buckets.
He and his friends, Vic Hessling and Joe Antolik, spent thousands of
winter hours in the heated shop refurbishing those old relics. Eventually, he had seven of them fully restored and running.
One of his summer highlights was having his friends and family convoy from Sinks Canyon to drive them in the Lander Fourth of July Pioneer Days Parade.
Dick left a fully restored Model A or B automobile to each of his seven grandchildren.
Shortly before his passing, Dick found out, like his uncle Jack Darnell and cousin Nate Brown, he would be inducted into the Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame.
Dick was widely known and loved. He enjoyed being around his longtime Lander friends, and one would often see him eating lunch with them and the ranching crew at The Oxbow.
He loved trailing cows, riding good horses and spending time in the mountains with his family and friends. He was a gentle giant who lived by a simple mantra, “Be happy and do the best you can.”
Dick was preceded in death by his parents Robert and Anita Ellis of Lander and his nephew Ben Ellis of Nashville, Tenn. He is survived by his loving wife Patt; his brother Bob (Suzy) of Fort Collins, Colo.; his son Rick (Christy) Ellis of Lander; his daughter Jodi Ellis (Travis) Church of Bennett, Colo.; his step-son Jared (Lori) Jamerman of Asheville, N.C.; his grandchildren Anna and Richard Ellis, Coulter, Chloe and Caden Church, Zach Joens and Sam Jamerman, as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, please consider mailing donations directly to The Lander Pet Connection, 120 Chittim Road, Lander, WY 82520 or the Wyoming Wildlife Federation, 669 Main Street, Lander, WY 82520.
A memorial service will be held on July 11 at 10 a.m. at the Lander Community Center located at 950 Buena Vista Drive in Lander. Note this is a change from the earlier planned site of Hudson’s Funeral Home.
Grain stocks reported
As of June 1, corn stocks in all positions totaled 4.99 billion bushels, up 22 percent from 2023. Of the total stocks, 3.03 billion bushels are stored on farms, up 37 percent from a year earlier. Off-farm stocks, at 1.97 billion bushels, are up four percent from a year ago. The March to May 2024 indicated disappearance is 3.36 billion bushels, compared with 3.29 billion bushels during the same period last year.
Grain sorghum stored in all positions totaled 49.8 million bushels, down six percent from a year ago. On-farm stocks, at 5.23 mil-
lion bushels, are down 18 percent from last year. Offfarm stocks, at 44.5 million bushels, are down four percent from 2023. The March to May 2024 indicated disappearance from all positions is 56 million bushels, up less than one percent from the same period last year. Soybeans stored in all positions totaled 970 million bushels, up 22 percent from 2023. On-farm stocks totaled 466 million bushels, up 44 percent from a year ago. Off-farm stocks, at 504 million bushels, are up six percent from a year ago. Indicated disappearance for the March to May 2024 quarter totaled 875 million
bushels, down two percent from the same period a year earlier.
Pulse crops stored in all positions as of June 1 and the change from 2023 include dry edible peas at 2.59 million cwt, down 39 percent; lentils at 844 thousand cwt, down 28 percent; all chickpeas at 1.37 million cwt, down nine percent; small chickpeas at 494 thousand cwt, up 11 percent and large chickpeas, 879 thousand cwt, down 18 percent. For a full copy of the Grain Stocks report, visit nass.usda.gov. For state specific questions, contact Wyoming State Statistician Leslee Lohrenz at 800-3923202.
knows continued transmission among dairy cows can increase concerns the virus may adapt to be more susceptible via mammal-to-mammal spread and increase the risk for humans.
Studies have confirmed our food safety system is working well and America’s food supply remains among the safest in the world.
USDA scientists are also working with partners to develop a cattle-specific H5N1 vaccine, an important tool to eventually help eliminate the virus from the nation’s dairy cattle herd, but this process requires many steps and will take time.
The most important step individuals can take today is biosecurity.
I am calling on producers to use our resources to enhance their biosecurity measures and states and producers to opt in to our support programs and herd monitoring programs, which are designed to limit the spread of this disease in dairy cattle.
Producers are going to lead the charge, but they won’t need to do it alone. USDA is here to support them every day, and we will continue to do all we can to protect animal and human health.
I am confident with the right tools and the hardworking spirit of America’s farmers and farmworkers, together we can get it done.
Tom Vilsack is the 32nd U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and can be reached by visiting usda.gov
Richard Duane "Dick" Ellis
Assistant Professor Dr. Phillip Lancaster, this doubles to two gallons per 100 pounds during summer months.
“Cattle can drink about twice as much water in hot environments than in the cold winter months,” he states.
Lancaster notes this rule also applies to calves, and though their diet mainly consists of milk, they also need water to help their rumen develop and function.
“Water from milk bypasses the rumen, but they still need water in the rumen so they can properly digest any forage they are starting to consume and get their rumen microbial population established,” Lancaster says. “We do need to make sure they have access to water, even at a young age.”
KSU Extension Veterinarian Dr. Bob Larson points out water quality is also important, as low-quality water can affect growth performance and lead to various health issues.
“Any time animals
proposed actions prior to making decisions, but the BLM finalized the Public Lands Rule without the required environmental review.
According to the case filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah, this misstep needs to be corrected as the new Public Lands Rule overhauls the BLM’s land management priorities in ways the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA) does not allow.
In a 34-page complaint, attorneys for both states ask the court to repeal the rule and place an injunction while the process plays out in the court, basically nullifying it for the time being.
The BLM manages roughly 10 percent of all land in the U.S. and approximately 30 percent of its minerals, and in Wyoming, the BLM manages 18.4 million acres of the state’s 62 million acres.
The Cowboy State Gov. Mark Gordon has been opposed to the Public Lands Rule since its first draft was proposed in the spring of 2023.
Gordon announced the lawsuit on June 19, calling the BLM’s rule an attempt to “eliminate multiple use through a corrupted definition of conservation.”
In a press release, he says, “Ever since this abomination of a rule raised its ugly head, demonstrating the Biden administration’s disregard for the law, I have fought it tooth and nail.”
“This legal challenge ensures this administration is called out for sidestepping the bedrock fed-
are not as hydrated as they should be, their weight gain suffers and they are more susceptible to a number of different diseases, including pneumonia,” he says.
Larson notes calves with access to fresh, clean water can weigh up to 30 pounds more than their counterparts drinking out of a dirty stock tank.
“There is definitely some economic benefit to investing in a good, clean water source,” he states.
Assessing pond health
While out on summer pasture and/or range, ponds and streams are generally where cattle get their water, so ensuring proper maintenance and care of these water sources is important.
According to experts at TLC Products, assessing pond health is the first step in good management.
To do this, the company advises producers to analyze water quality including pH, dissolved oxygen and nutrient levels.
Additionally, KSU Assistant Professor of Wildlife and Outdoor Enterprise
eral statutes which guide public land management by attempting to eliminate multiple use through a corrupted definition of conservation, and for doing so with impunity. I look forward to our day in court and putting the BLM back on the right path,” he continues.
In a letter to BLM Director Tracy Stone-Manning, Gordon criticized the rule and the process by which the agency arrived at it.
“The proposed rule was rushed and did not include the benefit of a thorough public engagement effort. It mischaracterizes conservation as something mutually exclusive of what existing users already do, seeks to preempt wildlife management from the states and oversteps the scope of authority BLM was given by Congress under FLPMA,” he writes.
In his letter, he accuses the BLM rule of being pushed from the top down to serve an agenda of organizations whose meal ticket is cultivating hysteria instead of better management.
Over one-third of Wyoming lands are already under restricted use for conservation purposes, and many county economies depend on the ability to properly utilize federal lands.
“It appears Wyoming’s comments and those from our people who depend on public lands for their livelihoods were completely overlooked,” Gordon says in a previous statement.
“The BLM plan will completely upend economies across the West, including grazing, recreation and energy.”
Management Joe Gerken says individuals should assess the edges and slope of their pond.
“A healthy pond will have a slope of about three to one,” he says. “This means, for every three feet they go out, they should get about one foot deeper.”
As ponds fill with sediment and water levels become shallower, more sunlight reaches the bottom, causing more plant growth collecting more sediment, turning into a vicious cycle.
This cycle leads to decreased water quality and aforementioned issues in the herd.
Water source maintenance
To keep ponds healthy and avoid associated issues in cattle, it is crucial producers conduct regular maintenance on their stock water ponds.
“When we think about pond management, we usually only think about the pond itself, but it might be something going on around the pond or upstream in the watershed,” says Gerken.
He notes allowing vegetative growth or installing a sediment filter, such
In June 2023, Gordon testified on the draft rule before the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources in Washington, D.C.
The Beehive State
Joining the fight against the BLM is Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and Utah’s Attorney General Sean Reyes.
The state of Utah is also deeply concerned about the recent Public Lands Rule, which could have a devastating effect on the health of its public lands.
According to a June 21 article in the Salt Lake Tribune, Cox states, “Nearly half of all lands managed by the BLM in Utah are already covered by special designations restricting uses that provide environmental protections.”
He continues, “BLM lands in Utah are also managed in accordance with a variety of federal laws which provide additional safeguards ensuring proper use and management.”
“The new Public Lands Rule is devastating to Utah as it allows the BLM to unnecessarily restrict access to millions of acres of land by adopting a hands-off, museum-like management approach,” adds Reyes. “The rule redefines and prioritizes ‘conservation’ or ‘non-use’ over all other legal and productive uses, directly violating existing federal law and vitiating the intent of multi-use policies as required by FLPMA.”
Assistant Attorney General Kathy Davis comments, “Utah is America’s leader in proactive conservation, where state and local governments work cooperatively with local BLM employees to improve and restore landscapes while mitigating the risk of cat-
as a dry dam, upstream will help slow down water as it enters the pond and limit the amount of sediment it brings with it.
However, Gerken reminds producers it is important to clean out sediment filters at least once a year because, if neglected, they can double the amount of sediment entering the pond.
Experts at TLC Products also suggest implementing an aeration system and beneficial vegetation, while managing unwanted weeds and algae blooms.
According to TLC Products’ website, a high-quality aeration system can promote beneficial bacteria growth and reduce the likelihood of algae blooms, which look and smell unpleasant and, in some cases, can even be lethal.
Some pesky weeds and plants can overtake a stock pond and need to be removed, while others play a vital role in nutrient absorption and erosion prevention.
TLC Products notes producers should do research on what accounts for appropriate and inappropriate pond vegetation in their area
astrophic wildfires, but the Biden administration’s new rule seems specifically designed to hinder those efforts.”
BLM’s substantive priorities under FLPMA changes how the agency will carry out its mission with guidelines for the management of all 245 million acres of federal public land, including 22.8 million acres in Utah.
“Utah is committed to managing our public lands for multiple-use and sustained yield, providing access for all users of all ages and abilities and opposes closing any existing access on public land. The BLM has increasingly failed to keep these lands accessible, forcing Utah to take action in the courts,” Reyes says.
This rule significantly impacts any state where federally-controlled land is plentiful.
Melissa Anderson is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
and manage them based on their findings.
A February 2017 publication written by Oklahoma State University (OSU) Extension further notes any burrowing animals such as beaver, muskrat and gophers needs to be managed, as they can stir up sediment and cause other up/downstream damage.
Limited access watering points
Many experts agree the best management tool for keeping stock ponds healthy is to fence off the water source and allow limited access watering points.
“Water quality and quantity is really important, but it is very hard to achieve in a pond where livestock are allowed direct access,” says Gerken.
OSU also notes fencing eliminates damage to dams and shorelines by overgrazing and hoof traffic, leading to longer pond life and less turbidity.
“With cattle no longer breaking down shoreline areas, the threat of invasion by cattails is reduced,” reads the OSU publication. “When livestock no longer loaf in and around the
immediate pond area, the amount of manure and urine reaching the pond is greatly reduced.”
“Eliminating cattle excrement reduces toxic algae and often improves the palatability of water, potentially resulting in greater livestock gain,” OSU continues.
While limiting access to water is good practice, it is still important cattle have ample room to drink.
Gerken recommends creating a few livestock water access points about 20 to 40 feet wide and long enough cattle can access water four to five feet deep.
The KSU experts also note, although there are costs associated with fencing off a water source, there are federal, state and county resources, such as cost-share programs, available to mitigate costs. They also recommend reaching out to a watershed specialist with further questions regarding pond health and management practices.
Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
Teton Pass reopens
The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) reopened Wyoming Highway 22/Teton Pass to live traffic on June 28, just three weeks after the Big Fill landslide severed the Teton Valley.
WYDOT wants to reassure highway users the slide area will be continually monitored as engineers and other professionals now look to design and plan the reconstruction of the section of highway impacted by the slide. The goal is to have Teton Pass completely rebuilt before the worst of winter arrives.
“Together with our stakeholders, partners, contractors and community advocates, we were able to accomplish this major feat in a matter of weeks – despite expectations it would take months or even years – all while keeping safety paramount,” said John Eddins, WYDOT District Three engineer. “Of course, we have so many to thank for this achievement.”
Evans Construction and its subcontractors worked around the clock to build the temporary detour. WYDOT commends Evans Construction for their dedication, responsiveness and efficiency as their crews accomplished this massive undertaking.
Avail Valley Construction also deserves a hearty thanks for the quick work on the mudslide cleanup and culvert installation at mile marker 15. Understanding the need to relieve commuters from the strain of a nearly four-hour commute, Avail has agreed to continue work with live traffic to allow the detour to open.
Riley Waldrop of Texas sold a late fall ram lamb for $750 to Dakoda Miller, also from Texas.
Borcher Sheep Company of Wyoming sent a ram to the Leib Family for $1,000.
Several other rams sold in the $500 to $600 range, with Chapman Rambouillets closing out the ram portion of the sale strong, selling a February ram lamb to Sadie and Addie Buffe of Texas for $3,900.
Top-selling females
In the female portion of the sale, the 2024 National Champion Ewe was lot 16F, an early fall ewe lamb consigned by Kott Ranch of Texas, which went to an undisclosed buyer for $1,000.
The Reserve National Champion Ewe, consigned by Kimberlyn Kindell of Texas, also sold for $1,000 to an undisclosed buyer.
The yearling ewes started out strong with the high-selling ewe of the sale, consigned by Dew Drop Farms of New York Mills, Minn. and selling to Vivian Stephenson of North Carolina for $3,500.
Borcher Sheep Company sold another nice yearling ewe to Maddox Chapman of Bison, S.D. for $900.
The yearling ewes aver-
aged an extremely strong $1,300 per head. In the early fall ewe lamb portion of the sale, lot 72F consigned by Dew Drop Farms and Lot 37F consigned by Marshall Sheep Company both sold to an undisclosed buyer for $800 a piece.
Dew Drop Farms also sent a late fall ewe lamb to the same undisclosed buyer for another $800.
Averaging a strong $916.66 per head, the January ewe lambs had a nice start when Chapman Rambouillets sold lot 45F to Johan and Josef Grotegut of Texas for $2,000. Chapman Rambouillets also sent lot 46F to Kindell for $750.
The top February ewe lamb was consigned by Kott Ranch. She went to the Groteguts for $2,200.
Dew Drop Farms sold another nice ewe lamb to an undisclosed buyer for $1,050, while Borcher Sheep Company finished up the sale with a $1,000 lamb, going home to Texas with the Buffes.
National Junior Rambouillet Show
Prior to the 2024 National Show and Sale, the 2024 National Junior Rambouillet Show was held. Munz sat at the top of the leaderboard with both the National Champion Ram
A complete set of results from the 2024 National Rambouillet Show and Sale may be found at rambouilletsheep.org. The 2025 National Rambouillet Show and Sale will be held in Gillette in June.
and the National Champion Ewe, while Ty Jones of Kansas exhibited the Reserve Champion Ram and the Reserve Champion Ewe.
Jones was also named the 2024 Junior Showmanship Champion, while Johan Grotegut of Hereford, Texas took home the Champion Senior Showman title.
Along with the National Junior Show, youth competed in a sheep dress up contest, poster contest and wool judging contest, as well as a cornhole tournament and skillathon.
Adults were also allowed to participate in the skillathon and wool judging contest.
In the 2024 National Fleece Show, the University of Wyoming’s Laramie Research and Extension Center exhibited the champion ram fleece, while Kott Ranch had the champion ewe fleece.
At the annual meeting, Darin Bauck of Minnesota was elected to a second term as president of the American Rambouillet Sheep Breeders Associaiton (ARSBA) Board of Directors, while
Stephen Munz of Texas was elected to a second term as vice president.
Alison Borcher of Wyoming was named to a board role in an at-large position, while Burt Anderson of Highmore, S.D. and Beau Chapman of Bison, S.D. were reelected as well.
During the award presentations and annual junior fundraiser auction, $8,000 was raised for the Burk and Bernie Lattimore Scholarship Program. The 2024 scholarship recipients were Ragan Levien of Texas and Grant Luedtke of Wisconsin.
Topping off the annual banquet was the presentation of the ARSBA Legacy Award to the Eckhoff family for their many years as a top producers and advocates for the Rambouillet breed, with the late Leon Eckhoff being instrumental in getting the National Junior Rambouillet Show established back in 1989.
The ARSBA wishes to thank all the hosts from Texas for their hard work and dedication in putting together the 2024 event and Tarleton State University and Zhan Aljoe for all of their hospitality and assistance in allowing the association to hold their event at the Animal and Plant Sciences Center and Arena.
The ARSBA was very fortunate to have a great set of corporate and individ-
ual sponsors from both the Stephenville area, as well as across the state of Texas, along with award sponsors from other parts of the country.
OBITUARIES
Louella Lorraine (Hansen) Davis
Sept. 10, 1932 – June 11, 2024
Louella Lorraine (Hansen) Davis, also known as Mimi, age 91, died June 11 at home. Lorraine was born on Sept. 10, 1932 to Carl and Ella (Toth) Hansen, eight miles northwest of Newcastle in Pedro.
While Lorraine was growing up with her seven siblings, she spent summers on the family ranch located northwest of Newcastle on Highway 585. In the winters, the family lived in Newcastle.
Lorraine attended Newcastle schools and graduated from Newcastle
High in 1950. On Aug. 22, 1953, she married Russell Davis.
In 1962, Russell and Lorraine purchased part of the Edward Thomson Ranch on Beaver Creek where cattle, crops and two children were raised. Lorraine worked for many years at the Weston County Court House in the clerk’s office, but her true passion was the ranching lifestyle.
She passed away on her favorite day of the year, June 11. This was the day she faithfully trailed her cows to summer pasture. She could be found trailing cows on her horse up to the age of 89.
She was active in Chapter X, P.E.O.; 21st Century Club; Cowbelles; Farm Bureau and the First United Methodist Church of Newcastle.
Hours before her death, she woke enough to declare the glorious and beautiful sight of heaven.
ARSBA has been committed to producing the highest-quality meat and fleece available in one breed of sheep. This article is courtesy of ARSBA.
She then repeatedly stated, “You can’t take ANYTHING with you.”
While she could not take anything with her, she left a host of friends and family behind who will never forget her and can’t thank her enough for all she did for us.
Lorraine was preceded in death by her parents; husband Russell, deceased in 2015; brothers Bill Hansen, Jimmy Hansen and Fred Hansen and grandson Garrett Tysdal.
Lorraine is survived by her daughter Dana (Harold) Tysdal of Newcastle; son Grant Davis of Powell; granddaughter Kyla (Micah) Popma of Newcastle; great-grandson Josiah Popma of Newcastle; siblings Rose Allen of Saucier, Miss.; Helen Nicolls, Shirley Borgialli and Jack (Betty) Hansen, all of Newcastle; sister-in-law Barb Hansen of Newcastle and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life was held on June 24 at the First United Methodist Church of Newcastle.
A memorial has been established to the First United Methodist Church of Newcastle.
Top-selling ram – The high-selling ram at the 2024 National Rambouillet Show and Sale was a stout polled yearling ram consigned by Leib Livestock of Oklahoma and sold to Marshall Sheep Company of South Dakota for $5,600. Courtesy photo
Yearling ewe – The top-selling yearling ewe at the 2024 National Rambouillet Show and Sale was consigned by Dew Drop Farms of New York Mills, Minn. and sold to Vivian Stephenson of North Carolina for $3,500. Courtesy photo
Recognizing the positive role cattle play in advancing sustainability, companies and other agriculture stakeholders are increasingly investing in efficiency and resiliency at the ranch level. This gives new opportunities to ranchers to make improvements to their land and herds.
The world’s largest fastfood chain is one such company. McDonald’s wants to support cattle producers in their efforts to increase overall herd efficiencies, while at the same time enhancing soil and grassland health. Implementing customized management practices
To accomplish this, McDonald’s teamed up with AgSpire to provide cattle producers with expert advice, resources and funding through the Ranching for the Future program, offered through AgSpire’s SustainAg Network.
“It’s so rewarding to walk alongside cattle producers in their quest for improvement,” explained Veterinarian Dr. Kristina Porter.
Porter is among the team of SustainAg Technical Advisors at AgSpire who support producers by understanding the operations’ existing management practices and overall herd health to determine if there are any operational efficiencies which could be gained through enhanced genetics or implementation of other customized management practices, like interseeding rangeland or pastures with native or non-native perennial grasses.
“Cattle margins are pretty small, so to be able to suggest customized practices a producer can try out with less risk because the costs are covered is pretty exciting,” Porter said.
Third-generation North Dakota Rancher Karl Bartholomay agreed. For decades, Karl and his dad Keith have focused on implementing conservation practices on more than 4,000 acres of cropland, native range, river bottoms and pastures which make up Bartholomay Kattle Kompany
near Sheldon, N.D.
And, their efforts have been rewarded. As their grassland and soil health have continued to improve, so have overall herd health and efficiency. And another bonus – today an abundance of wildlife now call their ranch home.
“As our rotational grazing intensified, we began to see more wildlife,” Karl said. “It is fun to see the cows interact with the pheasant, deer, turkeys and grouse wandering through while they are grazing. It is nice to see, by implementing regenerative practices, we are not only helping our own operation – the land and cattle – we are helping the whole ecosystem. Everything goes hand-in-hand.”
In 2023, Bartholomay Kattle Kompany was recognized in North Dakota for their sustainability efforts with the national Leopold Conservation Award.
Karl said he and Keith will continue to do more as funding allows, but finding funds for conservation practices has been a challenge.
“We discovered most cost share programs are for ranchers who were just getting into conservation, and then we connected with AgSpire and their SustainAg Network,” Karl said.
The Bartholomays recently enrolled in the Ranching for the Future program. After Porter and an agronomist visited the ranch, they determined interseeding pastures with perennial legumes would further enhance the ranch’s grassland health.
“Interseeding is something we have wanted to do because it could make a big jump in species diversity in a short timeframe. But, the cost is something we need to consider because this ranch needs to support my family and my mom and dad,” explained Karl.
Connecting conservation-minded agriculture producers like the Bartholomays with voluntary, incentivebased grant and private-market sustainability programs is the focus of AgSpire’s SustainAg Network.
“In agriculture, the greatest resources we have are our soil and our kids who we want to be able to return to the farm or ranch,” Porter said.
Utilizing AgSpire
Porter explained regenerative practices – like increasing grassland diversity – have a positive impact on soil health, while also improving the overall health of grazing cattle.
“Cattle thrive on grass because every species of grass matures at a different time. By increasing species diversity, there will be quality forage for cattle throughout the grazing season,” Porter said.
Interseeding perennial grasses also improves an operation’s overall resiliency, explained Hector Menendez, assistant professor and South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension livestock grazing specialist.
“Reestablishing grasslands on marginal agriculture acres or diversifying existing grasslands through perennial plantings and different grazing management practices ultimately helps build resilience to weather extremes like drought or extreme moisture on a ranch,” said Menendez, who works on the Grass is Greener program through a partnership between AgSpire and SDSU.
The partnership began after SDSU received an $80 million U.S. Department of Agriculture grant –The Grass is Greener on the Other Side: Developing Climate Smart Beef and Bison Commodities.
Hector and a team of SDSU researchers are tasked with reviewing cattle producers’ diverse grassland management practices and measuring the actual output of methane by cattle, as well as grassland’s ability to sequester carbon.
“Today’s livestock producers face increasing public scrutiny because animal agriculture is often cited as a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. However, this negative perception does not take into account the carbon sequestration benefits of grazing
livestock,” reads the grant explanation on the SDSU website.
SDSU partnered with AgSpire to help with this program in two ways. First, through its SustainAg Network, AgSpire connects with producers, helping them select and implement practices which align with their land and management goals.
Then, AgSpire helps provide incentives and premiums to producers who implement regenerative practices through the program – producers like Minnesota Cattleman Mitch Pederson.
Pederson is currently utilizing the Grass is Greener program to fund the transition of about 100 row crop acres on his farm to forage for his cow/calf herd. Starting the transition by seeding a forage cover crop mix to graze this fall, Pederson plans to follow the cover crops with a perennial forage seed mix.
Because his farm is located in the Prairie Pothole region, Pederson’s ultimate goal is to transition all of his row crop acres to perennial grasses and use his cattle to harvest them. He is
using the Grass is Greener and other SustainAg Netwok programs to help cover the costs.
AgSpire offers shortterm contracts – one to five years, depending on the practice – so producers like Pederson can make management decisions based on how the program outcomes align with their overall goals.
“I love the perennial systems for resiliency –perennial grasses weather extremes much better than row crops,” Pederson said.
“With perennial grasses, I no longer need to fight against Mother Nature. When we get rains, the grasses will help with water infiltration and when we are faced with drought, the perennial roots will tap into water below the soil’s surface.”
Weathering extremes is important. He explained in the first five years after purchasing the farm from his great uncle, the farm saw both the wettest and driest years on family record.
In addition to helping cover the costs associated with establishing the perennial forages, AgSpire connected him with one
of their technical advisors to maximize success, and because Pederson is enrolled in the Grass is Greener program, he will also receive a per-head premium for cattle grazing on pastures where he implemented the practice.
“Increasingly, we are seeing corporations who want to invest in the positive environmental outcomes which result when cattle are raised sustainably. It is an opportunity for conservation-minded cattle producers to receive a premium for their practices,” explained Ryan Eichler, director of producer programs at AgSpire and a Lake Preston, S.D. cattle producer.
Grass is Greener and Ranching for the Future are two of six programs offered by AgSpire through the SustainAg Network. AgSpire continues to expand its program offerings to farmers and ranchers through new partnerships, like these with McDonald’s or SDSU.
Lura Roti is a corresponding writer for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
New All Metal Stirrup Buckles
Blevins new all-metal stirrup buckle in 3”& 2-1/2” widths. The 3” and 2-12” widths have the posts set horizontally and fit standard holes while the 2” width has the posts set vertically. Made of stainless steel and heat-treated aluminum, the same as our leather-covered buckles.
Blevins Stirrup Buckles Improved
Sleeves same as on regular style buckle. The tongue has no hinge or strap. Available in 3” and 2-1/2” widths.
Easy to change stirrup lengths quickly and easy to install – won’t slip or stick. Made of stainless steel and heat-treated aluminum. Sleeves covered with leather. Order either improved, regular or four post buckles. Also new all-metal buckle in 3”, 2-1/2” and 2” widths. At your dealers or:
BY RON RABOU
It’s hard to leave the farm, especially in the summer. It seems like there is always work to do, no matter how much progress we’ve made. But, I decided long ago if I let our farm dictate our personal life, we’d never leave.
Over the years, we’ve made a very conscious effort to take short trips away from the hustle and bustle of our
operation to enjoy our boys and our time together as a family in different environments, all while exposing our boys to a world outside of where we live.
My wife and I agree there is a tremendous benefit to expanding one’s mind well beyond what you think you know.
For years, we’ve traveled this awesome country
and have seen a lot of truly amazing things and have had some incredible experiences along the way. Collectively, our family has visited 36 states plus Washington, D.C.
We never set out with a specific goal in mind, other than just seeing and experiencing things we wouldn’t otherwise. We just wanted our boys to understand there’s a big world out there full of opportunities to pursue whatever their interests and passions are.
My wife is from Arizona, and for the past couple years, she’s been telling me even though she’s lived here for 26 years, she’s never seen much of Wyoming outside of Yellowstone National Park and
a song, recite a poem or story and bring your musical instruments to play along. Saturday, July 20, 2024
9 AM – GRANDVIEW PARK RAWHIDE, LEATHER & HORSEHAIR DEMONSTRATION
Matteo Abbruzzese (ZZ Rawhide & Leather) and Jeff Freeze (horse hair hitcher and braider) will show their skills of turning rawhide, leather and horsehair into works of art. They will have merchandise to sell.
10 AM – GRANDVIEW PARK 4H KIDS CRAFTING DEMONSTRATION AND SALE
These kids sell items to help fund their 4H projects. Please help support these kids!
10 AM – GRAND ENCAMPMENT OPERA HOUSE QUILT SHOW
Yvonne Hollenbeck, quilt historian, displays family quilts spanning 50 years. She recites poetry and provides a slide presentation of her family history.
11:30 AM - 1:30 PM – GRANDVIEW PARK LUNCH
Sponsored by Encampment / Riverside Lions Club. Fee charged with proceeds going to community projects. NOON – GRANDVIEW PARK WESTERN ENTERTAINMENT ROUNDUP
FREE: Be our guest for an afternoon of top notch entertainment - Bring your camp / folding chairs.Lineup includes: Doug Figgs, Cora Wood, Stampede!, Caitlynn Taussig, Many Strings, Floyd Beard, Valerie Beard, Terry Nash, Kevin Davis, Yvonne Hollenbeck and Daron Little.
ALL DAY – GRAND
7
where we live.
My answer has always been, “We’ll have to go see it sometime.”
But we all know where this answer leads – nowhere. It’s important to understand once upon a time, I traveled all over the state for work and other positions I was serving in. However, my travels typically amounted to nothing more than what my obligations allowed. I had never taken the time to immerse myself in the culture and communities throughout our state.
For the past two years, I’ve had the honor to emcee the Wyoming Governor’s Hospitality and Tourism Conference. Each year, I have met some amazing people and have learned more about what Wyoming has to offer than what I have in the past 51 years of my life. Or, more accurately, what I have neglected to remember about our great state because “vacation” always meant anywhere BUT Wyoming.
So, I finally did what every good man would do – I listened to my wife and took her advice.
We’ve been gradually branching out to experience the awesome opportunities and experiences Wyoming has to offer, and most recently, we traveled to visit my cousin in Kaycee. I’ll admit the only thing I’ve ever done in Kaycee is go to the gas station and my cous-
in’s house, but this time was different.
It just so happens Chris LeDoux Days is a pretty big deal. Watching thousands of people flock to the town to celebrate one of our great legends, along with the cowboy culture and local music scene is downright impressive.
We then traveled to Buffalo, where we experienced a truly remarkable afternoon of live music from some of Wyoming’s most accomplished musicians, some as young as 13. Buffalo’s quaint downtown and unique, friendly businesses were icing on the cake for a very memorable day.
Later on, we hopped back on the road and traveled over the Big Horns, past the occasional moose and elk, where the highway wrapped itself around steep red cliffs, accompanied by the roar of the river which cut its way through tree-covered canyons.
As we entered the community of Ten Sleep, we passed gorgeous fields and farmland, a tidy downtown lined with cars and trucks and the incredible backdrop of the Ten Sleep Brewery.
We continued through the Painted Desert or the “Wyoming Badlands,” down to the town of Worland, surrounded by farms and sugarbeet fields. As our journey pushed forward, the immense changes in land-
scape brought us past Hot Springs State Park, the town of Thermopolis and twisted through the stunning Wind River Canyon, alongside the Wind River, on past Boysen Reservoir, Wyoming’s fourth largest.
That night, we landed in the town of Lander, where we woke to the sounds of the creek flowing outside of our room, engulfed by the surrounding mountains of the Wind River Range.
After enjoying one the best breakfasts ever at the Middle Fork Restaurant, we traveled toward the top of the range to enjoy a day of fishing, enveloped by some of nature’s most picturesque scenes.
As we returned home, for the first time in my life, I even noticed newfound beauty between Jeffrey City and Rawlins, a place in the past I only thought to be desolate and barren, lacking any real appeal.
The lesson I’m learning is this – while the grass always looks greener somewhere else, if we allow ourselves the opportunity to relax and let go, we might find the most incredible experiences and memories can be built right here at home.
Make the choice now to treat yourself and your family to our state’s endless diversity and beauty. We are all blessed to call Wyoming home.
Disasters and emergencies happen suddenly and without warning and unexpected events involving livestock can be traumatic, but there are ways to prepare.
Producers, first responders and animal control personnel should be prepared for any emergency or disaster by being properly trained and creating crisis plans.
When planning for an emergency, remember those responding or providing assistance may not be familiar with livestock or the area.
Priorities for crisis planning varies to some extent depending on the type of livestock, facility, transport, location and type of disaster.
Disasters most likely to occur are trailer accidents, tornados, hurricanes, floods, fires, power outages and contagious disease outbreaks.
However, some areas will have additional hazards to consider, such as high winds, landslides and hazardous materials.
Livestock ERAIL training
The U.S. agriculture industry is robust, and with numerous trucks and trailers transporting millions of ani-
Livestock disaster and emergency planning discussed
mals weekly for food production, exhibition and recreation, accidents will occur.
Transportation accidents are one of the most common disasters horse and livestock owners will encounter.
Michigan State University (MSU) Extension released a guide including tools, training and resources to help first responders.
The MSU Extension office has created priority areas of preparation, including how to respond effectively to transportation accidents involving livestock, virtual training modules on how to understand animal behaviors and Emergency Response to Accidents Involving Livestock (ERAIL) training programs.
ERAIL is an in-person training program to prepare first responders, law enforcement officials and the agriculture industry to handle accident situations.
According to MSU Extension, ERAIL training includes classroom presentations on proper handling practices of various livestock species, animal behavior, handling of compromised animals, mortal-
EXTENSION EDUCATION
By Rob Ziegler, UW Extension Educator
ity management and how to create an ERAIL response trailer.
The training’s hands-on session focuses on growing the confidence of first responders when working with livestock by increasing their understanding and movement of an animal with hands-on practice.
Traditional response vehicles are not equipped with specialized equipment to manage livestock, so during the hands-on training, MSU Extension provides livestock trailers for attendees to walk through and learn from livestock haulers on navigating different types of livestock trailers.
There are important things to know regardless of the type of animal emergency responders are dealing with, but developing an organized network of trained responders throughout the state is key, MSU notes.
Best management practice
Creating personalized emergency plans for evacuating or sheltering-in-place with horses helps owners be as prepared as possible when disasters occur.
During the April 3 epi-
sode of the American Quarter Horse Association’s Let’s Talk podcast, Veterinarian and Oklahoma Large Animal First Responders Volunteer Dr. Clayton McCook discusses the importance of being prepared for a natural disaster or emergency.
Different types of natural disasters pose unique threats to property and animals, so emergency plans need to be tailored to specific scenarios.
He notes, “Being prepared is key. More planning and practice will reduce unknowns and stress during a difficult time.”
Mitigating stress by staying calm and organized with a seamless policy and procedure plan will help reduce trauma to the horse in the event of a natural disaster or emergency.
McCook states, “If the plan to evacuate is put into action, make sure you know the appropriate route and have a paper map in case cell service is not available. Plan to travel with all necessary items to fully maintain animals for several days.”
Be sure to include enough water – 12 to 20 gal-
lons per day per horse – hay, feed and medications for several days for each horse.
“Shelters often do not have enough supplies for every animal during emergencies, so prepare to travel with buckets, bedding material, hay nets, feed and water, a clean garbage can to be filled with potable water, a first-aid kit, several halters and lead ropes, a muck fork, fly spray and grooming supplies,” McCook advises.
He also suggests maintaining up-to-date digital records including Coggins tests, vaccination records, permanent identification and registration records, medication prescriptions, health certificates and photos for identification, including ones showing owners with their animals.
Identifying horses is critical and improves the chances they will be returned
to their owners if they are lost or displaced during a natural disaster.
“Methods of permanent identification include microchips, hot iron or freeze brands and lip tattoos,” he mentions.
“Have a back-up plan in case it’s impossible to transport animals when evacuating,” he adds. “Consider different types of disasters and whether horses would be better off in a barn or loose in a field.”
He concludes, “Reach out for support by contacting local organizations and/ or agricultural Extension offices which may be able to provide you with information about your community’s disaster response plans.”
Melissa Anderson is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
Leveraging the Seasonality of the Cull Cow Market to Help Manage Drought
The drought monitor released on June 25 shows areas of Wyoming in abnormally dry to severe drought conditions primarily on the east side of the state. With minimal precipitation in the extended forecast, producers may want to consider potential drought mitigation strategies.
Managing drought conditions may involve purchasing supplemental feed, liquidating livestock or weaning early, to name a few. Marketing cull cows in late summer is one strategy to capitalize on the seasonality of the cull cow market and reduce stress on pastures.
Identifying and locating cull cows
Diligent recordkeeping can help producers identify and locate cull cows. Unpregnant females are typically the main and first group to cull as they still require feed but will not produce a calf.
For most Wyoming producers, pregnancy status is typically evaluated later in the fall at the time of weaning. In short, rectal palpation, which occurs 35 to 50 days post breeding; ultrasound, which occurs 30 days post breeding and blood tests, which also occur 30 days post breeding, are effective tools to identify
open cows.
To learn more about early pregnancy detection methods, visit bit. ly/3ROnTLB for an article by Nebraska Extension
Temperament is another reason cows may be culled.
Calving season is a true test of a cow’s temper, and cows deemed unsafe to be around are typically added to the culling list several months prior to weaning for spring calving herds.
Health or structurerelated issues affecting legs, feet, udders and eyes are additional reasons to cull.
Records of identification, reasons for culling and pasture location can help reduce the emotion in deciding which cows to cull, as well as the time and labor required to locate and gather culls when drought strikes. Some of the cows identified for culling may have a calf on their side, and management of the calf is an important consideration. In August, calves born in March would be approximately 150 days old and considered early weaned. If these cows were culled, it would be necessary to provide the calves with a high-quality, nutrient-dense feed to replace their mothers’ milk. Introducing calves to supplements and highquality hay prior to weaning
can help with the transition. More information on feeding and managing early weaned calves can be found at bit.ly/4cFaWvL Understanding market trends and cow prices
Production traits mentioned above are adequate reasons to cull, but seasonality of markets should also be considered.
Historically, cow prices trend upward from January, peaking in August and declining throughout the fall. Prices typically trend down throughout the fall, generally due to the increased supply of cows on the market as producers evaluate pregnancy status of their herds and sell opens.
Long-term severe drought may increase the number of cows being sold and put downward pressure on prices. So far, the price in 2024 has followed the historical trend and is on track
for record highs this August.
So, what does this mean for producers dealing with possible drought conditions?
If a producer can pregnancy check their cows in the summer and sell culls, they could save pasture and capitalize on seasonality of the cull cow market.
Capturing this seasonal high could add $11 to $20 per hundredweight to cull sale revenues. The price advantage could be greater if producers liquidate more cows than usual in response to drought.
However, these possible benefits must be weighed against potential added costs associated with working the cows earlier and managing early weaned calves.
Rob Ziegler is the University of Wyoming Extension livestock production and marketing specialist and can be reached at rziegle3@ uwyo.edu.
July 3, 2024 - No Report
Thank you and we appreciate your business!
July 5-13 Central Wyoming Fair and Rodeo, Casper. For more information, visit centralwyomingfair.com
July 6-14 Laramie Jubilee Days, Laramie. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit laramiejubileedays.org
July 9 Uinta County 4-H Horsemanship Clinic, 6 p.m., Uinta County Fairgrounds, Evanston. For more information, call 307-783-0570 or e-mail skrieger@uwyo.edu.
July 10-20 National High School Finals Rodeo, Sweetwater Events Complex, Rock Springs. For more information, visit nhsra.com/nhsfr/
July 11 Cowgirls Stompin’ Hunger Scarf Launch Party with Alexis Drake, 5:30-7 p.m., Cheyenne. For more information, visit alexisdrake.com
July 11 Nebraska Extension Annual Yearling/Stocker Tour, registration begins at 7:30 a.m., Bassett Livestock Auction, Bassett, Neb. For more information, contact Hannah Smith at 402-387-2213 or hannah.greenwell@unl.edu or Erin Laborie at 308-268-3105 or erin.laborie@unl.edu.
July 12-14 2024 Wyoming Sheep and Wool Festival, Hot Springs County Fairgrounds, Thermopolis. For more information, visit wyomingsheepandwoolfestival.com
July 13 Wyoming Sheep Dog Trial, Hot Springs County Fairgrounds, Thermopolis. For more information or to enter, contact Carrie Bennet at 559-719-7127 or LaDonna Miller at 307-431-4587.
July 15 University of Wyoming Extension Artificial Insemination in Sheep and Goats Educational Sessions, Campbell and Fremont counties. For more information, contact the Campbell County Extension Office at 307-682-7281 or the Fremont County Extension Office at 307-332-1018. To register, visit tiny. cc/24sheepgoatai
July 15-22 Converse County Fair, Douglas. For more information, visit conversecountyfair.com
July 17 2024 Environmental Stewardship Tour, S&W Livestock, LLC, Arvada. To attend, RSVP by July 5. For more information, e-mail info@wsga.org or call 307-638-3942.
July 18-20 Cowboy Camp, Northeast Utah and Southwest Wyoming. For more information, visit extension.usu.edu/Utah/4h/events/cowboycamp
July 18-20 American Shorthorn Association Summer Symposium, Lexington, Ky. For more information or to register, visit shorthorn.org
July 19-21 22nd Annual Grand Encampment Cowboy Gathering, Encampment. For more information, visit @GrandEncampmentCowboyGathering on Facebook.
July 19-28 Campbell County Fair, Gillette. For more information, visit campbellcountywy. gov/959/County-Fair
July 20 Memorial Gathering for Pat O’Toole, 2 p.m., Ladder Ranch, Savery. For more information, visit ladderranch.com/memorial
July 20 Albany County CattleWomen Ranch Tour, Laramie. For more information, visit wyaccw.com
July 20-27 Crook County Fair, Sundance. For more information, visit crookcofair.com
July 20-27 Washakie County Fair, Worland. For more information, visit washakiecountyfair.com
July 20-28 Teton County Fair, Jackson. For more information, visit tetoncountyfair.com
July 20-28 Weston County Fair, Newcastle. For more information, visit westoncountyfair.org
July 21-Aug. 3 Albany County Fair, Laramie. For more information, visit albanycountyfair.org
July 22 Cowgirls of the West Annual Fundraiser, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Little America, Cheyenne. For more information or to purchase tickets, call Chris at 307-6310123 or visit cowgirlsofthewestmuseum.com
July 23-27 Park County Fair, Powell. For more information, visit parkcountyeventsandfair.com/park-county-fair
July 24-27 Sublette County Fair, Big Piney. For more information, visit sublettecountyfair.com
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 Wyoming State Fair Volunteer Days, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Wyoming State Fairgrounds, Douglas. For more information, contact the Wyoming State Fair Office at 307-358-2398.
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
Aug. 8
Aug. 13
Aug. 13-17
Aug. 16-18
Aug. 19
Aug. 20
Aug. 21
Aug. 21-22
Lincoln County Fair, Afton. For more information, visit facebook.com/LincolnCountyFair
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.
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.
Wyoming State Fair, Wyoming State Fairgrounds, Douglas. For more information, visit wystatefair.com
Fifth Annual Tom Horn Days Cowboy Rendezvous, Bosler. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit tomhorndays.com
Wyoming Stock Growers Ranch Succession Planning, 1-4 p.m., Cobblestone Hotel and Suites, Torrington. For more information, visit wysga.org/programs/regional-events
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
Wyoming Stock Growers Ranch Succession Planning, 1-4 p.m., Valley Community Center, Baggs. For more information, visit wysga.org/programs/ regional-events
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
July 8-10
July 8-12
July 22-24
July 27
July 27
July 29-Aug. 2
Aug. 6-7
Aug. 12-13
Aug. 19-20
Aug. 19-23
Western Video Market, Silver Legacy Casino Resort, Reno, Nev., 530-3473793, wvmcattle.com
Superior Livestock Auction Week in the Rockies, 800-422-2117, superiorlivestock.com
Northern Livestock Video Auction Summertime Classic, 866-616-5035, northernlivestockvideo.com
South Dakota Sheep Growers Association Premium Yearling Ewe Sale, Magness Livestock Auction, Huron, S.D., 406-581-7772, sdsheepgrowers.org
South Dakota’s Elite Horse Sale, Martin Arena, Sturgis, S.D., 605-515-0503, southdakotaselite.com
Superior Livestock Auction Video Royale, 800-422-2117, superiorlivestock.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
Summer brings a rash of cowboy gatherings, rodeos, ranch events, cowboy music and poetry outings. And best of all, it brings a flood of memories of years past when cowboys were cowboys and family gatherings were something special.
Today, it seems many folks call themselves cowboys but have never rode the range or punched a cow. Others recall the past with a tall tale, a “windy,” old photographs or a poem.
A lot of Wyoming folks will relate with this poem by Roy Welton of Saratoga.
Let’s Pretend
We’re Cowboys
By Roy Welton
Let’s pretend we’re cowboys and ride the range once more, and wear our hat – big at that –just like we did before.
Hoop and holler driving cows and swinging our ropes at heels, spurring our horse through the creek and remember how it feels!
Eat some dust till sundown and get so tired we stall, slappin’ leather and fightin’ weather the memories tell it all!
Stop for grub on a hillside and gaze at the flats below, red cows on green grass and then, you’ll begin to know. Why you
still remember the days when you were young, driving a team, while you dream over a wagon tongue. As time slipped by somewhere we still miss the coyote call.
Let’s pretend we’re cowboys, for a day – let’s just recall!
Others recall cowboy and Western history and tradition through cowboy poetry and music, which will be featured at the 22nd Annual Grand Encampment Cowboy Gathering July 19-21 in Encampment. But then, that’s another story to be told next week.
331-2222
Drive” is the title of this drawing by noted Cowboy and Wildlife Artist R. G. Finney of Riverside. The image was used
promote the 2014 Grand Encampment Cowboy
continued from page 1
products and services.
Through the P&S Act, Congress granted rulemaking and enforcement authority to USDA to ensure appropriate, competitive fair trade and market protections are afforded to those participating in the livestock, meat and poultry industries.
However, these USDA rules are now at greater risk of being thrown out by courts following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling.
What does this mean?
On June 28, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled to overturn the Chevron doctrine which grants agencies the authority to write regulations when federal laws seem ambiguous.
The Chevron doctrine, established in 1984, had directed courts to defer to federal agencies’ reasonable interpretations of ambiguous laws.
The doctrine has allowed agencies to interpret vague laws, and now this change provides opponents a clearer legal path to challenge regulations, potentially forcing agencies to be more cautious in drafting rules.
Over the years, the Chevron doctrine has allowed agencies to change course, even when Congress has not
given the specific authority to do so.
Now, the USDA will no longer have the broad authority to interpret ambiguous statutes or have the ability to create and enforce regulations without explicit Congressional authorization.
For instance, regulations related to farm subsidies or crop insurance will now face closer judicial scrutiny.
The ruling also puts pressure on Congress to draft more precise and detailed legislation, ensuring the statutory language is clear, avoiding judicial challenges while ensuring effective implementation by federal agencies.
Mixed reactions
Following the U.S. Supreme Court decision, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) welcomed the ruling, saying it restored the balance between the executive and legislative branches of government.
“In overturning the Chevron doctrine, the Supreme Court has taken a significant step in reaffirming a core principle of our Constitution – the power to legislate rests with Congress,” Thompsons states.
“For too long, unelected
and unaccountable bureaucrats have wielded unchecked power with widereaching implications,” he adds.
According to the National Pork Producers Council website, “We urged the high court to overrule the Chevron doctrine because it puts a heavy thumb on the scale on the side of agencies when a less constrained judicial inquiry would favor those challenging a law’s interpretation. Chevron incentivizes a finding of statutory ambiguity, rather than a deep inquiry into the meaning of statutory language.”
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) states the decision reins in the legal concept of Chevron deference and reduces overreaching regulations from federal agencies which lack Congressional authority.
“Our elected officials in Congress should be making our laws, not unelected bureaucrats at federal agencies,” states NCBA President Mark Eisele. “Cattle producers have experienced numerous instances of federal agencies enacting overreaching regulations on our farms and ranches, exceeding their authority granted by Congress.”
NCBA adds the Chevron doctrine gave federal agen-
cies the authority to interpret statues they consider vague.
“In the last four decades, Congress has ceded authority to unelected federal bureaucrats who make the regulations impacting farmers and ranchers every day,” says NCBA Chief Counsel MaryThomas Hart.
“Long-term, this decision will impact almost every regulation NCBA has worked on,” she adds. “The decision puts Congress back in the driver’s seat for crafting policy, reins in the administrative state and strengthens accountability by ensuring the people we elect are the ones crafting our nation’s laws.”
But not everyone supports the decision.
U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA), ranking member of the House Agriculture Education and Workforce Committee, states, “By eliminating Chevron deference, the Supreme Court has effectively taken steps to further politicize the courts and cripple the nation’s regulatory systems.”
He continues, “This decision has taken a wrecking ball to the regulatory systems which have served our country for decades. Agency interpretation of vague statutes is necessary to ensure Americans across the country can have reassurance their
food and medication is safe for consumption, workplaces are safe and secure, student borrowers are not defrauded and so much more.”
Closer to home
Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon responded to the U.S. Supreme Court’s reversal of the Chevron doctrine calling the decision a victory for commonsense regulatory reform.
“For years, unelected bureaucrats running federal agencies in Washington, D.C. have used ‘deference’ as an excuse to target certain industries based on politics. Wyoming has experienced this firsthand,” Gordon states. “Limiting their power to overreach is cause for celebration, and this ruling begins this process.
U.S. Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) applauds the U.S. Supreme Court ruling to overturn the Chevron doctrine, a decision curbing the power and authority of unaccountable federal agencies, reads his website.
“Today’s Supreme Court ruling is a major victory for getting Washington, D.C. out of Wyoming. For too long unelected, unaccountable Washington, D.C. bureaucrats have gone unchecked. They abused the rulemaking process for decades,” he states.
“This ruling rightly curbs
the power of rogue federal bureaucrats and puts it back into the hands of the American people,” he adds.
Also showing their support is U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), stating, “For far too long, the Chevron doctrine has empowered unelected and unaccountable federal bureaucrats to have virtually uninhibited power to interpret the law however they please and use this interpretation to cater to this administration’s far left base.”
She adds, “For years, the people of Wyoming have been forced to endure the consequences of an unchecked Biden administration and its heavy-handed regulations, and they have had enough.”
U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-WY) responded to the Supreme Court ruling, stating, “The decision by the Supreme Court to end the Chevron deference is a huge step towards restoring our Constitutional freedoms and separation of powers.”
Many agree overturning the Chevron doctrine will have a tremendous impact on American farmers and ranchers.
Melissa Anderson is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
USDA
Public Notice - Wyoming Pork Producers Association and the National Pork Board The election of pork producer delegate candidates for the 2025 National Pork Producers (Pork Act) Delegate Body will take place at 6:00 p.m., Aug. 8, 2024 in conjunction with a Board of Directors meeting of the Wyoming Pork Producers Association at the Grace Werner Ag Pavilion, 125 College Drive, Casper, WY. All Wyoming pork producers are invited to attend. Any producer, age 18 or older, who is a resident of the state and has paid all assessments due may be considered as a delegate candidate and/ or participate in the election. All eligible producers are encouraged to bring with them a sales receipt proving the hogs were sold in their name and the checkoff deducted. For more information, contact Jeremy Burkett (State Executive for Wyoming Pork Producers Association), 125 College Drive, Casper, WY 82601, (307) 630-6267.
Help Wanted
LIVESTOCK FEEDERS 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
www.gottschcattlecompany.com
Suite 100, in Casper, WY. All interested parties are welcome to attend. For information, please call 307261-5436, Ext. 4. See the proposed budget at www.nccdwyoming.com 7/6
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 email to: PeeGee Ranch, 1251 Lower Powder River Road, Arvada, WY 82831, pgranch@ rangeweb.net. Call 307-7362461 7/13
FARM/RANCH HAND WANT-
ED: Looking to hire general labor to help in maintaining irrigation and haying equipment. Will also help with small cow/calf operation. Full-time and seasonal positions available. Call 307-351-4175 for more information 7/20
SIGN-ON BONUS!! FULLOR PART-TIME DRIVERS NEEDED FROM WORLAND TO CASPER, WY: Nighttime hours, $30/hour to start. Must have CDL, pass background check and clean MVR. E-mail resumes to dingoboy6342@ yahoo.com or call Matt, 801641-4109 7/6
HELP WANTED, VALLEY FOODS, SARATOGA, WY: Experienced meat cutter needed, will train the right person. Please contact us via e-mail with your qualifications at valleyfoods9024@ hotmail.com 7/20
PROVEN RIDER/TRAINER: This is a full-time, all-encompassing position for the True Equine Professional. This professional position includes typical ranch work, barn chores, riding, training, giving lessons to clients, etc. You must be a very good rider with proven abilities in the equine industry. You must be good with horses in the saddle and on the ground. Experience in both Western and English riding is an added advantage. You must have impeccable references and a proven record of accomplishments. Please do not apply if you are not an experienced, proven, good rider as this is a major requirement. This position is based in New Hampshire. Relocation assistance may be available for the right candidate. Send resume, qualifications and references to Info@HollisRanch.com. Phone us at 603-465-2672 for more information and an initial phone interview 7/20
Brands
ALL TYPES OF EQUIPMENT AND VEHICLE FINANCING. Great service!! Great rates!! Call Chuck Brown at C.H. Brown Co., WY LLC, 307-322-3232 (office), 307-331-0010 (cell) or email chuckbrown@wyoming. com 7/6
AGRI-ONE FINANCIAL: Farm/ ranch and all commercial loans. RATES AS LOW AS 5%. We have been helping with all aspects of agricultural, commercial financing and management for years. LET US HELP YOU on a consulting level with management to increase profitability, deal with and fix credit problems and for all your financing needs. WE CARE AND HAVE WORKING PROGRAMS designed for the farmer/rancher and not the banker. Please call Steve, 303-773-3545 or check out our website, www.agrionefinancial.com. I will come to you and get the job done!! 7/13
WYOMING REGISTERED BRAND FOR SALE: RRC, RSS, RSH. Registered until 2031. $3,250. Call 307-2542790 7/27
rough, steep, rocky, high elevation country. Red Fork Red Angus, Ken & Cheri Graves, Kaycee, WY, phone 307-7382247, cell 307-267-0724, email gravesredfork@rtconnect.net
AKC REGISTERED BERNESE MOUNTAIN DOG AND F1 STANDARD BERNEDOODLE PUPPIES: These adorable puppies are microchipped and up-to-date with shots and wormer. Parents are fully DNA and genetic health tested. Males and females available. Shipping options available, $2,500, Whitewood, S.D. Call 605-641-8272. Visit us on Facebook at Black Hills Bernese Mountain Dogs 7/27
BERNEDOODLES READY NOW!! Pups are non-shedding hypoallergenic, come with UTD shots, microchipped, dewormed and health guarantee. Happy to arrange delivery or do a facetime. Visit www.Yellowstonedoodles.com Newspaper special price $2,000. Please reach out with questions. Call 307272-5976 7/20
are excellent maternal cattle that produce quality beef. FrancisMillvale Shorthorns, Gene and Roberta Francis Family, 701-331-2403, e-mail francis.millvale@gmail.com. To view photos, go to www.wylr. net in the classifieds 7/6
REGISTERED TEXAS LONGHORNS: Brush clearing, lowmaintenance cattle, trafficstopping colors, fascinating to watch, great pedigrees. Gentle pairs, steers, heifers, solid and colorful bulls. Raise for excellent beef, fun to show, simple handling. Herd package discounts available. Westhaven Ranch 209-274-9917, e-mail swestmoore@gmail.com, website www.a.com To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 8/10
LEASE TO A PARTNER WHO PAYS!!
Sacred Song Livestock looking for partners commited to the integrity of ranching. Secure the economics and ecology of your ranch for the next generation. Call 970-570-5270
Saddles & Tack
$AVE on BOOTS, BOOTS, BOOTS!!! HONDO, BOULET, JUSTIN WORK BOOTS, TWISTED X (boots and shoes) and more!! Large SELECTION of quality TACK at reasonable prices. 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 7/6
RAMBOUILLET, TARGHEE AND COLUMBIA YEARLING
RAMS FOR SALE. Call or text Russell Bell at 307-6804950 7/20
SDSGA PREMIUM YEAR-
LING EWE SALE, SAT. JULY
27 at 2 p.m., Huron, S.D., Magness Livestock Auction. Offering approximately 500-600 head of top quality registered and commercial replacement ewes born from Jan. 1, 2023Dec. 31, 2023. The sale will include Dorset, Hampshire, MerinoX, Polypay, Rambouillet, SAMM, Suffolk and Targhee breeds. SDSU EXTENSION PROGRAM AT 10 AM, free noon lamb lunch and viewing of ewes offered prior to sale. INTERNET BIDDING available at www.cattleusa. com For more information, please contact Lisa Surber, 406-581-7772, e-mail lisa@ sdsheepgrowers.org or visit www.sdsheepgrowers.org
Check us out on Facebook, South Dakota Sheep Growers Association 7/6
WEANER PIGS FOR SALE, located in Powell, WY. For more information, call 307271-1014 8/3
VALLEY VIDEO HAY MARKETS, LLC: Hay available. Go to www.valleyvideohay. com or call Barry McRea, 308-235-5386 7/20
BARLEY STRAW: Certified weed-free small squares, $4/ bale. ALSO, 5x6 round bales, $125/ton. GRAIN/OATS, $20/ cwt. Greybull, WY area. Call 307-762-3878 or 307-8994714, leave message 7/13
HAY FOR SALE: 2024 first cutting, second cutting available in 2-3 weeks. 2023 first and second cutting, grass/alfalfa mix. ALSO, 2023 milo, oat and corn stover hay. All in net-wrapped round bales. Semi load delivery available. Call for pricing, ask for Clint, 701-290-4418, send a text if no answer or keep trying 7/13
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 7/6
GOOD QUALITY OAT HAY: 3x4 bales, barn stored, $90/ton, tests available. ALSO, grass hay or alfalfa, barn stored, $125/ton. Lusk, WY. Call Paul Hicks, 970-203-5019 7/6
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 702501-4243 (cell) 7/6
Hay & Feed
CERTIFIED WEED-FREE PURE ALFALFA HAY: Small squares, all covered. First, second and third cutting available. Will load trucks and any open trailer. OATS: Combine run. Will auger into truck, trailer or large totes/ag bags. STRAW: Small squares available. Located between Powell and Cody, WY. Call or text Knopp Farms at 307-2540554 7/20
CERTIFIED BARLEY STRAW FOR SALE, 3x4 bales. Cody, WY. Call 307-899-1952 TFN
Crop Cleanup
BENNY HERNANDEZ IS IN THE AREA AND HAS PLENTY OF HELP TO CLEANUP AND HOE YOUR CROPS. Call 307-431-7160 7/6
Custom Spraying
GOT WEEDS WE CAN HELP!! Rockin’ B Ag Services offers property/pasture spraying for noxious weeds in Southeast Wyoming/Laramie County. Neighborhood discounts available. Give the professionals at Rockin’ B Ag Services a call today, 307-351-2038 7/13
Wheat Harvesting
VAN BEEK HARVESTING: WHEAT HARVESTING WANTED, 2024 and beyond. Two John Deere 780 combines with supporting equipment, Pollock, S.D. Call 605848-1080 7/20
FOR SALE: 2010 CHEVY 3500, single cab, single axle, always been in the garage, 32,225 miles, perfect shape, no dings, 8’ box. $20,000. Call 307-680-9834 7/27
2019 KUBOTA RTV x1140: Diesel engine with 2,500 hours. Hydraulic tilt bed, power steering, 4x4. Converts from 2 to 4 seats. $11,000. Call/text Matt, 307-257-4216 for more info/ pics. Located in Gillette, WY. Delivery is an option. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 7/6
672 HEAVY DUTY BROWN BRUSH CUTTER : Six foot wide, used less than 20 hours, $5,500. Call 307-6809834 7/27
MASSEY FERGUSON 30 INDUSTRIAL TRACTOR with loader (color yellow). New radiator, fan, fan belt, hoses and injector pump. Good rubber. $5,500. ALSO, 2019 CANAM OUTLANDER XT 650 four wheeler, 1,400 miles. Lots of extras: Winch, hand warmers, water cooled. Like new. Always kept inside. $7,500. Call 307899-3597 7/27
FOR SALE: New Holland 7’ pull type sickle mower. Rowse 3 pt., 9’ mower. Rowse 16’ vrake. Sitrex 7 wheel finger rake. Big square 4 tine bale spear with push off and Euro mount for loader. New Holland 195 manure spreader with double apron chain, slop gate, big flotation tires. Richardton 700 silage dump box with auto roof opener. International 656 tractor, gas, wide front. Danuser 3 pt. post hole digger with 12” bit. John Deere 7000 6 row narrow, 3 pt. mounted corn planter. 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
MISCELLANEOUS FARM
EQUIPMENT: Panels, gates, water tanks and fuel tanks. Call 307259-5900 7/6
GRAHAM HOEME CHISEL
PLOW: 12’, 12 double spring shanks with cylinder and hoses, $2,750. 24-FOOT JOHN DEERE 1100 CULTIVATOR 3 pt. hookup, $3,250. INTERNATIONAL 5100 12’ single disc drill with small seed box, $3,750. Call 307-674-9092 7/13
2014 NEW HOLLAND T4.105: ONLY 560 HOURS!! Very clean, well maintained, always inside barn or shelter, like new condition. Only used for snow blowing, this tractor has never seen the dirt. Comes with Erskine 96” double auger PTO drive blower that will move almost any snow. This blower is over $23,000 new. Get everything for one low price. $56,000 Call or text 970-846-7999. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 7/13
Hay Equipment
HESSTON 30B STACK HAND, 3 ton in excellent condition, always shedded. Call 785-475-3107 7/6
FOR SALE: 2007 JOHN DEERE 568 ROUND BALER, 15,408 bales. Many new parts, new tires, field ready and in good condition. $18,500 OBO. Call 605-347-3403 or 605499-9088 7/20
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 7/13
FOR SALE!! NEW HOLLAND OR MACDON DOUBLE HARD GERMAN GUARDS, low back $17 or high back $18. Rowse mower, hay conditioner or swather. We have used them for years and are proven. Free shipping if buy 2 boxes. Call Leo Vilhauer, 605-216-8033 Leola, S.D. or Deon Vilhauer, 701-527-5432 Bismarck, N.D. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 7/6
LODGEPOLE PRODUCTS, 307-742-6992, SERVING AGRIBUSINESSES SINCE 1975!!
Treated posts, corral poles, buck-and-rail, western rail, fence stays, rough-sawn lumber, bedding. SEE US at www.lodgepoleproducts.com and click our “Picking A Fence Post” tab to see why folks choose our posts!! TFN
Property for Sale
OREGON RANCH, BAKER CITY, BAKER COUNTY, OR. The Alder Creek pasture contains over 2,000 acres of native spring, summer and fall pasture. The rangeland is situated just east of Baker City, OR. The property is in good condition and has good perimeter fencing. The range is gently south facing slope with a variety of native grass. FIRST-TIME OFFERING at just over $500 per acre for deeded and contiguous ownership, $1,095,000. Please give us a call for further information, Greg Sackos, 541-523-4434 (office) or 208598-0267 (cell), Intermountain Realty, www.intermountainland.com 7/13
Pipe
715 ACRE LIVESTOCK
FARM IN THE BIG HORN BASIN with 4 pivots irrigating 541 acres with free water. Functional improvements, 4 bedroom home, larger shop with attached apartment, livestock barn, large metal building, metal equipment building, corrals and feed pens. $3,190,000. RuraLands Real Estate, frank@ruralands. com, 307-851-2426 7/6
MONTANA RANCHETTE:
3,100 sq. ft. home, 30 acres, irrigation, horse set up with barn and living quarters, Billings, MT, $2.15M. MONTANA FARM GROUND: 120 acres, $360,000 and 240 acres, $720,000, unrestricted, off county road, electric and internet, north of Laurel, MT. WEST END BILLINGS, MT: Seven acres, unrestricted, off Neibauer Rd., 2 wells +irrigation, trees, private, $495,000. WEST END BILLINGS, MT: Log home, on 10.7 acres, irrigation water, 2,240 sq. ft. shop, +2 garages, $589,000. Call Lorie Trump, Landmark of Billings, MT. 406-8602902 7/6
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
Equipment
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 7/6
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
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
Irrigation
QUARTER MILE WHEELINES: 5’ tall, 5” aluminum pipe with movers. Five (used) $4,200 each, Gallatin Valley, MT. Call 406-551-0879 7/27
Property for Sale
NORTHEAST OREGON, THE DLX RANCH: Located near Baker City, OR the DLX is noted as one of the most productive and finest ranches around. It is well balanced and contains 17,000 deeded acres with 4,000 acres of irrigated meadows and cropland. Native and improved rangeland provides good spring and summer pasture. The ranch is well improved with nice homes, excellent livestock working facilities and is noted for its production and ease of operation and management. Abundant water and over 6 miles of the Powder River running through the ranch provide for not only production but unbelievable waterfowl and upland game bird habitat. The ranch also provides good populations of elk and mule deer. Situated in the heart of the Baker Valley, the ranch enjoys very scenic mountain views and is very private yet only a short drive to Baker City, OR. Currently operated as a commercial cow/ calf operation with a permitted feedlot. The ranch would also make an ideal yearling or combination operation. It is rare to find this quality of a ranch and particularly a property that is a going concern. This is a first-time offering and we look forward to hearing from you. $32,500,000. Livestock and rolling stock available by separate treaty. Please give us a call for further information, Greg Sackos, 541-5234434 (office) or 208-598-0267 (cell), Intermountain Realty, www.intermountainland.com 7/13
2,170 ACRES OF PRIME AGRICULTURAL NON-IRRIGATED FARMLAND: Soils consist primarily of silt and sand loams. Located east of Hawk Springs, WY along the Wyoming/Nebraska state line. Professional care is dedicated to optimizing soil health. Divisible into smaller parcels to meet your investment needs. No improvements. $1,900,000. 4,752± DEEDED ACRES, LAGRANGE, WY: A top-end grass ranch with 10 wells optimized for maximum cattle production of 250 cows. Includes a stunning brick 5 bed, 3 bath home. Livestock barn with hydraulic chute, tube, concrete and pens. Shop and steel pens for calving and concrete bunk space. Deer, antelope. $4,900,000. 3,316± DEEDED ACRES consisting of improved meadow grass and lush hard grasses. Run 250± cows through 12 pastures. Outstanding condition. Nice home plus excellent corrals and calving facilities. Natural tree-lined draws for livestock protection. Hawk Springs, WY. WAS $5,100,000 NOW $4,700,000!! 92 ACRE FARM WITH 70 ACRES WATER RIGHTS: Currently gravity irrigated, however, a swing pivot would easily fit. Adjoins Highway 154 approximately 10 miles southwest of Torrington, WY. Excellent soils for alfalfa or any valley crop. Taxes $1,084.38 Nice home sites with deer and pheasants. $320,000. Pictures and video at
AG of Heart
BY AMANDA RADKE
Clarity of Purpose
In my life as a speaker and rancher, I find I do my best thinking in the solitude of pasture rides to look at calves or in the pickup headed to my next event.
In these moments of silence – a break from the chaos and noise of this busy world we live in – I find myself reflecting on my life, and I try to be intentional and purposeful in where I spend my time and attention.
We are only given 24 hours in a day, and we have only one life to live. I’m of the mindset when I get to the end of my life, I don’t want to be well-rested and wrinkle free. I want to have given my all for the things I’m passionate about, earning every wrinkle, line and scar, because at the end of it all, I want to know I did my best to honor my faith, my family and my community.
It’s in these moments of thought and prayer I evaluate the things I pursue. Is it meaningful? Does it help others? Does it lift up my family? Does it honor my marriage, my sibling relationships and my parents? Does it reflect the culture I want to live in? Does it advance the trajectory of the America I want to see?
Perhaps this sounds odd, but I think there are times when we can get distracted by the noise. We can get lost in the day-today grind of the things on our to-do list, the demands of our job, the laundry that needs folded, the lawn that needs mowed and the dishes in the sink that need washing.
Yet, there’s purpose and meaning even in the mundane. Because when you’re living a life of service to
others, no small task is too small and no mundane chore is wasted, if you give it all to a higher meaning beyond yourself.
You’re probably thinking, “Amanda, this is a little deep for an agricultural column.”
And perhaps it is. However, I am continually asked to speak about mental health in agriculture at conferences, and I can see the toll this way of life has on farmers and ranchers in different seasons.
At the end of the day what I’ve realized is when we can be of service to others, it takes the focus off of the challenges, hardships and struggles we experience in our lives, and instead, it helps us focus on making life better for someone else, lessening their load.
It’s hard to be down if you’re extending a hand to someone else, and quite often when you each out to a neighbor or friend during a hard time, they usually, in turn, help ease the heavy load you’ve been carrying without you even knowing it.
In recent weeks, there have been three tragic farm accidents with the loss of life of two children and a young adult. With so much life ahead of them, you wonder and ask yourself, “God, why them? Why now?”
It’s in these hard times when the answers don’t come so easily you realize your only option is to dig deep into your faith and lean on the only one who can help you weather through the storm.
This column could be a reminder about farm safety. In the business of plant-
ing and haying and running hard to get work done while the sun shines each day, we can often be overworked, exhausted and more prone to accidents.
I could write about that, but instead, I think it’s important to reflect on what I continually write about in the heart of rural America.
There is a steady decline of our small communities in rural towns – churches and schools closing, the next generation moving away, and slowly the dreams and opportunities for business and commerce thanks to farmers and ranchers come to an end, as consolidation gobbles up the family businesses which built America. So what does “clarity of purpose” mean?
For me, my purpose is quite clear, and I hope you’ll pick up the torch and carry it with me. If we want to change the political landscape in this country, we must first change the societal culture.
We must be the change we want to see. We must create the opportunities for young people that have been squashed or stagnated. We need to love our families, fight for our marriages and care about our neighbors. These aren’t soft platitudes of a pandering columnist. Instead, it’s an urgent rally cry. If we want to live in the America that once was, then we must be the citizens who fought to build it that way.
I still believe in the American dream, and at the center of it all are faithfilled families who stick together, work together and support each other in community.
If you agree with me, I would love to hear from you. E-mail me your “clarity of purpose” at amanda. radke@live.com, and let’s start creating a path forward where families can thrive.
Amanda Radke is a rancher, author, motivational speaker and podcast host. For more from Radke, visit amandaradke.com
The feds came out with a list of rules to protect wolves, but they make living in the West like walking through a minefield. The feds have now placed booby-traps everywhere in the West which are meant to trap people, so I’d watch my step if I were you.
It’s become very dangerous to tread anywhere on the 46 percent of the 11 Western-most contiguous states that is public lands owned by the U.S. government.
For example, a person may not kill a wolf in the
act of killing livestock on public land. If they do, they face serious prison time and legal bills up the wazoo. If they are one of those people who believe in the three S’s – as in shoot, shovel and shut up – be sure to bury the carcass on the neighbor’s property so he or she will be the one being someone’s girlfriend in prison. These new rules make it harder for urban dwellers too – not just ranchers. Suppose a person lives in a big city and they take Fifi their poodle for its daily walk in a park, which,
unbeknownst to them, is public property.
And, suppose a wolf jumps out of the weeds and starts killing and eating this beloved poodle. Suppose the person picks up a branch and starts trying to beat said wolf so it would stop munching on Fifi.
Well, that person is going to be cellmates with the rancher because they can’t kill or injure a wolf in the act of injuring their pet.
As if to rub it in, a person cannot go home and get their gun, then go back to shoot the wolf now feeding on Fifi’s carcass.
I’d think twice if I were them because it’s now illegal to kill a wolf on public property feeding on the dead carcass of an animal it murdered. We are just supposed to stand there and watch the wolf tear and rip the meat from a dog we
loved dearly.
It is now illegal “to enter official enclosures or rendezvous sites where there is denning behavior.”
Pardon me, but I think one would need a master’s degree in wildlife biology to be able to recognize “wolf rendezvous sites.”
Are these rendezvous like the ones mountain men and trappers traveled to 150 years ago or are they more like the rendezvous when a businessman cheats on his wife by meeting his secretary at some discreet hotel room?
I think the feds should have given us some guidance here as to how to identify a wolf rendezvous site.
Those who are public lands ranchers may not kill a wolf or harass a wolf just because it is hanging around their property. I think we should test this
rule out by taking a few trapped wolves to Washington, D.C. where they could hang out around the offices of Congresspeople.
Just how long do you think it would be before they’d call out the combined might of all four major branches of the U.S. military to deal with said wolves. I bet we’d have F-18 Hornets in the air, M1 Abram tanks on the ground and U.S. Navy Seals trying to kill those wolves.
Here’s a government booby trap which could catch a lot of people – a person cannot shoot a wolf just because they thought it was a coyote or something else. I bet I could select three photos – one each of a large dog, a coyote and a wolf – and the experts at the game and fish departments in Western states couldn’t tell them apart.
I’d advise readers to find out if the bus stop where the bus picks up little Billy and Vanessa is on public land. If it is, DO NOT shoot the wolf deciding who to eat first – your son or your daughter. Remember, to be safe DO NOT KILL OR INJURE A WOLF. PERIOD!
Don’t forget, the only time a person can legally kill a wolf for killing livestock is if it’s on Tribal or private property. But I wonder what happens if a person only wounded the wolf on private property who then goes on public land to die?
These new rules are loaded with such booby traps. Make sure not to get caught in one or you’ll be on the evening news doing the perp walk, dreading your first blind date in prison.
This bill would prohibit funding for research, development, promotion, advertisement or production of cell-cultured meat and outlaw the purchase of alternative proteins, including labgrown meat, through federal nutrition programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
“Fake cell-cultured meat not only poses a health risk to the human body, but it also threatens the livelihoods of America’s hardworking ranchers, livestock farmers and butchers,” says Davidson.
“Recently, laws prohibiting lab-grown meat have been passed in states like Florida and Alabama. Congress must act to ensure U.S. taxpayers are not footing the bill for this inferior, experimental product.”
Grasping at straws
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) has led the charge against DOD’s lab-grown meat sponsorship since the beginning.
During an episode of NCBA’s Beltway Beef podcast, dated June 21, NCBA Senior Director of Governmental Affairs Sigrid Johannes explains the association found out about the situation after BioMADE extended a call for proposals to develop lab-grown meat for military rations.
She notes NCBA members and their allies on Capitol Hill were alarmed by the announcement and confused by the DOD’s efforts, considering there is no shortage of wholesome, nutritious and delicious protein produced every year by farmers and ranchers across the nation.
“In 2023 alone, U.S. cattle producers produced more than 27 billion pounds of beef,” she states. “That is a lot of very nutritious, high-quality and, not to mention, delicious protein we can provide – not just to our military, but to schools, grocery stores, restaurants and millions of consumers around the world. This
doesn’t even account for the billions of other proteins we produce in the U.S. as well – chicken, eggs, lamb, pork, etc.”
She continues, “In total, the livestock sector in the U.S. has tremendous productivity and with it, the best environmental footprint in the world, so it is a pretty baffling choice to say it isn’t enough and turn toward lab-grown protein sources.”
A slap in the face
In addition to believing the DOD is “grasping at straws to find reasons to fund lab-grown meat products,” NCBA also believes the project is disrespectful to the nation’s armed forces.
On June 7, following the DOD’s announcement, NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane released a statement saying, “It is outrageous the DOD is spending millions of taxpayer dollars to feed our heroes like lab rats. U.S. cattle producers raise the highest-quality beef in the world, with the lowest carbon footprint, and
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American troops deserve to be served the same wholesome, natural meat – not ultra-processed, lab-grown protein cooked up in a chemical-filled bioreactor. This misguided research project is a giant slap in the face to everyone who has served our country.”
Johannes reiterates the lack of availability of labgrown meat – because it is expensive, hard to make and ultra processed – ultimately means there is little information on the product.
“There are a lot of unproven aspects of this product that haven’t been test driven with the American consumer. Yet, somehow DOD thinks it is okay to test it on our men and women in the armed forces who often don’t get to choose what they are going to have for dinner that day,” she states.
“It is no secret we can’t effectively fight a war or keep a nation safe if we are marching on an empty stomach, so to speak. The food we provide to our armed forces is really critical,” she adds. “It is not
just a matter of preference, fads or whims in Washington, D.C. – obviously those things change pretty frequently. But, at the end of the day, nutrition is important and is a key component of our national readiness and the effectiveness of our military.”
Bipartisan pushback
Davidson’s Real Meat Act of 2024, introduced at the end of June, is the most recent effort on a long list of other plans to stop federal funding for lab-grown meat.
In May, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a law prohibiting the misbranding of certain food products, including cellcultured meat, while Govs. Ron DeSantis and Kay Ivey signed legislation to prohibit lab-grown meat in Florida and Alabama, respetively.
Johannes notes NCBA has pushed back with a two-pronged approach.
“Our first plan of attack was through the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which recently moved through the House
and is still in the process in the Senate, but we have folks who led efforts on both sides to amend the NDAA and prevent money going to DOD to be used for lab-grown meat projects,” she explains.
NCBA’s second approach is focused on an amendment to the Defense Appropriations Act a bipartisan effort led by U.S. Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE), a cattle industry ally and military Veteran.
“I strongly encourage anybody who has members of Congress on any appropriations committees in the House and Senate to call up their delegation and make it known how much they oppose this funding and to voice their support for Bacon’s amendment,” Johannes concludes.
Individuals can also voice their support for the Real Meat Act of 2024 to their state delegations.
Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@ wylr.net.
