Wyoming Livestock Roundup 8.3.24

Olympic athletes face protein shortages in Paris

The 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris are in full swing, and American athletes are donning their red, white and blue with pride, earning a slew of gold medals and making history

Quick Bits

BLM Extension

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is extending the public comment period 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 comment period will now end on Aug. 30. If approved, the project would store CO2 permanently in nearly 605,100 acres of sub-surface federal pore space beneath Lincoln, Sweetwater and Uinta counties.

Salers Tour

Individuals are invited to celebrate 50 years of Salers cattle in the U.S. during the 2024 Salers National Tour, held in North Dakota Sept. 13-15. The tour will stop at various cattle operations and North Dakota landmarks including MacDonald Ranches, Elm Creek Ranch, RAO Salers, Bodine’s Ninth Avenue Cattle Company, Feist Salers, Effertz Key Ranch, the Blarney Stone, Pioneer Machinery Hall and Badlands Dinosaur Museum. For more information and to register, visit salersusa.org/ events/tour. Registration is $275 per person, including meals, and must be completed before Sept. 1.

National Bird

On July 29, Senate Western Caucus Chair Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) announced their bill to designate the bald eagle as the national bird passed the Senate unanimously. Lummis stated, “For more than 240 years, the bald eagle has been synonymous with American values, yet it is still not officially our national bird. Today’s bipartisan passage brings us one step closer to solidifying the eagle’s place as an enduring symbol of our freedom, and I look forward to seeing this legislation pass the House and signed into law soon.”

with several broken records. Despite their impressive performances, athletes have begun raising concerns over protein shortages and food rationing in Olympic Village, including a lack

IMPORTANCE OF A NEW FARM BILL

AFBF outlines consequences of failure to pass a new farm bill

of eggs and grilled meats essential for fueling the intense nutritional demands of the world’s highest-performing athletes.

During a recent episode of the National Cattlemen’s

Beef Association’s (NCBA) Beltway Beef podcast, dated July 30, NCBA Executive Director of Government Affairs Kent Bacus discusses the protein shortage

On July 25, American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Economists Roger Cryan and Betty Resnick published an article outlining five major consequences of Congress’ failure to pass an updated farm bill.

With the last five-year farm bill expiring in September 2023, the economists point out American agriculture has been “working under a one-year extension of a six-year-old law.”

“Though it was a good farm bill at the time, there are a lot of pieces of this 2018 law badly in need of an update,” Cryan and Resnick write. “Six years of tumult – including the highest inflation in 40 years, geopolitical disruptions to markets for the things farmers sell and the things they buy and rising expectations for what farmers can and should do for the planet –have left key parts of the 2018 farm bill outdated.”

“The world is undeniably different than when the last farm bill was written,” they add.

Crop insurance

First, Cryan and Resnick note insurance programs provided through the farm bill offer producers a “safety net” to continue operating during tough years.

Anders to ride in Mongol Derby

Dede Anders thought she had more than a year to prepare for the Mongol Derby. Now, she only has a few weeks before she competes in the grueling 620-mile Mongol Derby, the world’s longest and toughest horse race.

“I was supposed to go next year,” she told Cowboy State Daily. “But I got moved up on the waitlist this year. I’ll leave Denver International Airport on Aug. 1, and the derby starts on Aug. 7.”

Anders will embark on a nine-day ride, spending up to 11 hours a day in the saddle across 620 miles of Mongolia’s vast, isolated wilderness. But her only concern now is making sure she catches the right flights to get there.

“I’m more nervous about the travel over there because I have so many transfers,” she said. “The race worries me way less. That’s my comfort zone.”

If the past is any indication, Wyoming has a good track record in the Mongol Derby.

In 2019, Cheyenne native Robert Long won. He was 70 at the time, making him not only the oldest winner of the event, but the oldest to even finish the race.

Might be crazy

For Anders, participating in the Mongol Derby is the culmination of a lifelong passion for equestrianism. She’s been immersed in every aspect of horsemanship, including an extensive background in rodeo riding.

“I’ve been riding my whole life,” she said. “I grew up on a little ranch in Greybull, and I ride almost every day when I’m home.”

After graduating high school, Anders served as a medic in the U.S. Army. She then got a degree in nursing from

Contestants from all corners of the country gathered in Southeast Wyoming to compete at the 2024 Cheyenne Frontier Days (CFD) Rodeo, where the top 12 athletes from previous rounds were given a clean slate to vie for top honors on Championship Sunday.

Known for its fast pace, large number of contestants and second-highest payouts on the summer circuit, the 128th annual rodeo took place July 19-28.

Steer roping

The first competition of the final round was steer roping, where Tuff Hardman of Atoka, Okla. clocked a time of 14.5 seconds and secured the win.

A 10th of a second separated the first-

PREC Tour

UW showcases latest crop research during annual field day in Powell

On July 18, the University of Wyoming’s (UW) Powell Research and Extension Center (PREC), located just north of Powell, hosted its annual field day to share results from the center’s latest research projects.

According to the university’s website, PREC is the primary irrigation research center housed under UW, with 175 of the center’s 220 total acres defined as irrigated cropland, where research focuses on agronomic weed control, irrigation, cropping systems, high tunnel production, variety performance testing, transgenic variety response to herbicide treatments and alternative crops.

Field day highlights

During this year’s annual field day, UW PREC researchers and staff discussed several agricultural trial topics on drought-tolerant crops and alternative management strategies.

Participants also had the opportunity to visit prepared exhibits and tour PREC facilities, where they were able to see various field plots examining sprinkler irrigation trials and furrow irrigation experiments.

and second-place cowboys, as fellow Oklahoman Chet Herren of Pawhuska, Okla. finished in second place with a time of 14.6 seconds.

With a 16.2-second run, Trenton Johnson of Blue Mound, Kan. placed third, and Tyler Hargrave of Canyon, Texas had a run of 16.5 seconds to secure fourth place. Jase Johnson of Jacksboro, Texas had a solid 16.9-second run, placing him in fifth.

Bareback riding

Clay Jorgenson, a young bareback rider from Watford, N.D., spurred his way to the top, winning on a proven bucking horse – Summit Pro Rodeo’s Game

Antiquities Act Gone Bad

Individuals who ranch or do business on public lands outside of the state of Wyoming are under the threat of the Antiquities Act.

As we come to the close of the current administration in Washington, D.C., this threat is magnified as it has been the practice of many presidents in the past, mostly Democrats, to leave a legacy for themselves.

Since it was written in 1906, there have been many changes or interpretations of the law, but through the years, there have really been some abuses of the act.

Many presidents don’t realize they are ripping the livelihood from many ranchers and users of public lands when they place large tracts of land under the Antiquities Act. It is politics and personal overreach by presidents at its worst.

Currently, U.S. House Republicans are stepping up ways to reform the Antiquities Act before the Biden administration closes. They fear the president will move to designate millions more acres of public lands with the monument protection before he leaves.

The Congressional Western Caucus held a forum to discuss Congressional oversight of the act. The bill would require Congressional approval of new national monuments designated by the president within six months of the establishing order or the end of the incumbent Congressional term.

I don’t see the bill going anywhere with a Democratic Senate or a presidential veto to overcome, but we can only hope.

The first president to use the executive authority to bypass Congress in order to protect specific sites of cultural and historic significance was President Theodore Roosevelt when he designated some 1,300 acres around Devil’s Tower.

In 1906, the proposal authorized the president – not the secretary of interior – to issue “public proclamations” to protect “historic landmarks, historic and prehistoric structures and other objects of historic or scientific interest” on federal lands as “national monuments.” The important part was this proposal also limited the amount of land reserved for each monument “to the smallest area compatible with the proper care and management of the objects to be protected.”

I would imagine the ranchers around Devil’s Tower thought the land taken was excessive, and now presidents are designating millions more acres.

As I understand it, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt wanted to protect more lands around Jackson Hole where the elk feedgrounds are, the community of Teton County was against the designation as they had just seen all of the lands bought up by the Rockefeller family and turned into Grand Teton National Park.

Congress ultimately approved legislation abolishing the Jackson Hole Monument, but Roosevelt vetoed the bill. Responding in kind, Congress refused to fund the Jackson Hole Monument for the next seven years.

Then, President Harry Truman signed legislation to consolidate it with Grand Teton National Park, but Congress further restricted the president’s authority under the act by including a provision in the legislation which amended the act to prohibit the resident from establishing monuments within Wyoming. The rest is history.

Throughout the years, we’ve seen the Antiquities Act misused by presidents looking for a legacy, it is time for Congress to go back to the original intent and get away from the huge land grabs we’ve seen lately.

GUEST OPINIONS

An Update from Capitol Hill

Last week was action packed, with committee hearings, floor votes and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s joint address to Congress.

I look forward to returning to Wyoming for August recess, where I will be meeting with constituents, holding town halls, having rallies and much more.

House passes bill to protect victims’ voices

On July 23, the House of Representatives passed my bill, the Victims’ Voices Outside and Inside the Courtroom Effectiveness Act, which will ensure a person assuming the rights of a crime victim is eligible to receive restitution in the form of necessary and reasonable expenses associated with participating in the investigation or prosecution of the offense; attending proceedings relating to the offense or transporting a victim to receive medical, physical or occupational therapy, rehabilitation or other services.

Current federal law often requires those convicted of a crime to pay restitution to their victim.

A person assuming the rights for a victim, such as a husband, wife, mother or father may not be eligible for such payments, even when they play a necessary role in the legal process or obtaining medical treatment. This has been a far too common issue in crimes

By Congresswoman Harriet Hageman

of violence and in Tribal communities where locating and protecting missing and exploited women and children is a major challenge.

This bill would correct this injustice and strengthen the ability to care for victims while effectively prosecuting criminals.

I was proud to work with Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) in getting this bill passed through both houses of Congress, and it is my hope President Joe Biden quickly signs this legislation into law.

House passes bill with Wyoming priorities

On July 24, the House passed House Resolution 8998, the Department of the Interior (DOI), Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2025, which funds the DOI, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and several related agencies.

The final bill is extremely favorable to Wyoming and included four of my amendments, as well as my bill to delist the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem grizzly bear.

My amendments included in the bill would prohibit the finalization and implementation of the Rock Springs Resource Management Plan (RMP), block the finalization and implementation of the proposed RMP for the Buffalo and Miles City Field Offices, block the Bureau of Land Man-

agement’s (BLM) Western Solar Plan and prevent the EPA’s new Office of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

The bill also includes language I wrote to prohibit natural asset evaluations, which further helps protect the West against the creation of natural asset companies.

Other Wyoming priorities in the final bill include blocking the BLM’s Conservation and Landscape Health Rule, rescinding Biden’s “Environmental Justice” executive orders, preventing any funding for the housing of illegal aliens on National Park Service land and requiring the secretary to issue a minimum of four oil and gas lease sales in Wyoming, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Nevada and Alaska.

I will continue to fight against the Biden-Harris administration’s radical climate agenda, and this appropriations bill will help with those efforts.

Standing with Israel

Additionally on July 24, I was honored to attend Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s joint address to Congress.

In the wake of the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel and the corresponding surge in anti-Israel protests and blatant antisemitism, it is important America continues to stand with our greatest ally in the Middle East and the Jewish community

both at home and abroad.

I have and continue to support legislation which provides Israel with the funds it needs to defend itself in its ongoing war with Hamas, such as the Israel security supplemental recently signed into law.

I will always stand with Israel in its fight to defend itself against terrorist organizations and states.

Hosting upcoming town halls

I am proud to announce my upcoming town halls to be held in Teton, Sublette and Uinta counties. I invite everyone in the area to attend.

The Teton County town hall will be held on Aug. 6 from 12:30-1 p.m. at the Teton County Library in Jackson Hole, the Sublette County town hall will be held on Aug. 7 from 8-9 a.m. in the Lovatt Room at the Sublette County Library in Pinedale and the Uinta County Town Hall will be held on Aug. 11 from 1-2 p.m. at the Beeman-Cashin Building in Evanston.

Congresswoman Harriet Hageman represents the state of Wyoming in the U.S. House of Representatives. She grew up on a ranch, attended Casper College on a livestock judging scholarship and earned both her bachelor’s degree and law degree from the University of Wyoming. She can be reached by visiting hageman.house.gov

NEWS BRIEFS

Deadline extended

On July 29, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Senior Director of Government Affairs Tanner Beymer released a statement on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) extending the 60-day comment period for their latest Packers and Stockyards proposed rule, Fair and Competitive Livestock and Poultry Markets, by only 15 days.

“Cattle markets are immensely complicated and USDA is planning to make sweeping changes to those markets with only 75 days of public input,” Beymer said. “While today’s extension is welcome news, it is not nearly enough time to properly solicit public comment and review a rule which will have such an overarching impact on the cattle industry.”

“The proposed rule is already a direct attack on producer profitability, and now USDA is running down the clock to prevent meaningful input from cattle producers,” he added.

BLM concludes horse gather

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) completed a wild horse gather on July 23 in the North Lander Wild Horse Complex.

As planned, select mares will now be treated with a fertility control vaccine at the Wheatland Off-Range Corral. The release of the treated mares, along with select, untreated stallions, will return the complex to within its appropriate management level and conclude the initial operation of the complex’s 10-year adaptive management plan.

The gather was conducted to prevent further deterioration of land health due to wild horse overpopulation and to and restore a thriving natural ecological balance and multiple-use relationship on public lands.

The North Lander Wild Horse Complex is made up of the Conant Creek, Dishpan Butte, Muskrat Basin and Rock Creek Mountain herd management areas in Central Wyoming.

The removed horses have been checked by a veterinarian and are now being readied for the BLM’s Wild Horse and Burro Adoption and Sales Program.

Ag groups pen letter

In a recent letter to Congressional leadership, more than 500 agricultural groups called for the passage of a new farm bill.

The letter was signed by major organizations, including the National Pork Producers Council, the National Turkey Federation, the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) and dozens of other state agriculture organizations.

“Millions of Americans rely daily on the provisions of the farm bill to produce food, fiber and fuel; feed their families and others around the world; voluntarily conserve fish and wildlife and their habitat; provide sustainable solutions for clean air and water; provide a producer safety net; facilitate international trade; create local jobs and robust economies and support rural development nationwide,” the letter said.

Several groups are also concerned passing a stopgap extension on this legislation would risk further delay following the presidential election, seating the new Congress and other legislative matters.

“When more than 500 groups – many of which typically have competing agendas – come together and speak with one voice, it clearly demonstrates the urgency and importance of passing a new farm bill,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “We’ve experienced a pandemic, record-high inflation, global unrest and supply chain issues since the current farm bill passed. It’s time lawmakers work in a bipartisan manner and agree on a new farm bill to addresses challenges and look to the future to ensure America’s families continue to have access to the safest, most affordable food, fiber and fuel in the world.”

On July 23, the House Agriculture Committee held a hearing on the financial conditions of farming country throughout the U.S.

House Agriculture Committee Chair Representative Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) delivered opening remarks laying out the state of the bill and what he hopes to accomplish in the next few months to pass it.

Working to protect our conservative values and 2nd Amendment rights

Promoting our foundation industries and fostering job opportunities for young people

Keeping our taxes low and implementing property tax relief

Guarding against federal overreach on our public lands and traditional values

Will fight to bring affordable health care to our communities

Support secure national and state borders

“Wyoming is my home. I am ready to stand up for the needs of folks in my district & the State of Wyoming.”

BLM announces lease sale

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Wyoming State Office announced an oil and gas lease sale scheduled for Sept. 25 to offer four oil and gas parcels totaling 159.38 acres in Wyoming.

The BLM completed scoping on these parcels in February 2024 and held a public comment period which closed in June 2024 on the parcels, potential deferrals and related environmental analysis. A 30-day public protest period to receive additional public input will close on Aug. 26.

The parcels the BLM has analyzed, as well as maps and instructions on how to submit a protest are available at eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2030553/510

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.

Project launched

Gov. Mark Gordon announced Wyoming is advancing its systemic approach to mental healthcare reform.

The WY We Care initiative, announced earlier this year, is the culmination of extensive collaboration among all three branches of state government, local community teams and private sector providers.

This initiative aims to reduce Wyoming’s suicide rate, improve access to behavioral health services and strengthen the state’s behavioral healthcare workforce

The next phase of the governor’s suicide prevention efforts is now in motion. Under the WY We Care initiative, select counties will participate in an intensive community suicide prevention program through the PROSPER Project.

The primary objective is to reduce suicide risk through strength-based, culturally adaptive education, empowerment and community engagement. This is not a one-sizefits-all program. It is tailored to meet the unique cultural values and needs of each community it serves.

Gordon is finalizing plans for a third Mental Health Summit in early October, following the success of the 2022 and 2023 events.

Farm expenditures reported

Farm production expenditures in the U.S. are estimated at $481.9 billion for 2023, up from $452.5 billion in 2022. The 2023 total farm production expenditures are up 6.5 percent compared with 2022 total farm production expenditures.

The four largest expenditures at the U.S. level total $238.7 billion and account for 49.6 percent of total expenditures in 2023. These include feed at 16.6 percent; livestock, poultry and related expenses at 11.6 percent; farm services at 11.3 percent and labor at 10.1 percent.

In 2023, the U.S. total farm expenditure average per farm is $255,047, up 12.4 percent from $226,885 in 2022. On average, U.S. farm operations spent $42,340 on feed; $29,479 on livestock, poultry and related expenses; $28,844 on farm services and $25,669 on labor. For 2022, U.S. farms spent an average of $41,917 on feed; $24,669 on farm services; $22,563 on livestock, poultry and related expenses and $21,109 on labor.

Total fuel expense is $16.5 billion. Diesel, the largest sub-component, is $10.9 billion, accounting for 66.1 percent. Diesel expenditures are down 4.4 percent from the previous year. Gasoline is $2.8 billion, down 5.7 percent. LP gas is $1.8 billion, down 15.5 percent. Other fuel is $1 billion, unchanged.

In 2023, crop farms expenditures increased to $252.5 billion, up 8.2 percent, while livestock farms expenditures increased to $229.4 billion, up 4.7 percent.

The largest expenditures for crop farms are labor at $36.1 billon or 14.3 percent; farm services at $32.1 billion or 12.7 percent; fertilizer, lime and soil conditioners at $31 billion or 12.3 percent and rent at $29.7 billion or 11.8 percent.

Combined crop inputs – chemicals, fertilizers and seeds – are $75.1 billion, accounting for 29.7 percent of crop farms total expenses. The largest expenditures for livestock farms are feed at $77.7 billion or 33.9 percent of total; livestock, poultry and related expenses at $53.6 billion or 23.4 percent and farm services at $22.4 billion or 9.8 percent.

Together, these line items account for 67.1 percent of livestock farms total expenses. The average total expenditure for a crop farm is $298,017 compared to $220,113 per livestock farm.

For a full copy of the Farm Production Expenditures report, visit nass.usda.gov. For state specific questions, contact Wyoming State Statistician Leslee Lohrenz at 800-392-3202.

SDSGA hosts ewe sale

To meet the needs of emerging demand within the sheep industry for superior young ewe genetics available in smaller lot sizes, South Dakota Sheep Growers Association (SDSGA) has hosted a Premium Yearling Ewe Sale the last seven years.

This year the sale was held on July 27 at Magness Livestock Auction in Huron, S.D. This annual event is the signature yearling ewe sale in the region. For the first time, internet sales hit double digits, and a total of 10 lots were purchased through the cattleusa.com platform.

Consignors provided an excellent selection of highquality registerable and commercial ewes ranging from traditional white-faced wool breeds, their crosses and meat breed yearling ewes.

Prices remained strong compared to past sales, with considerable interest on all offerings. Lots were purchased by buyers from three states.

The high-selling registerable lot brought $475 per head for a pen of five, sold by Doug and Lindi Peterson. Matching this was a five-head lot from Gerdes Hampshire, purchased by Lucas Feldhaus.

In the commercial ewes, the highest-selling lot was 15 head of fall-born Suffolk ewes offered by Justin Elder of Westmoreland, Kan. and purchased by Lisa Dennert and Randy Nelson for $575 per head.

The volume buyer of the sale was Donnie Begalka from Castlewood, S.D., purchasing 51 ewes.

Overall, 35 sheep producers registered to bid on 22 lots of ewes totaling 533 head. Over 340 people viewed the sale from all across the country with 50 internet bids being placed. The sale grossed $189,839, averaging $356 per head.

To learn more about SDSGA, contact Lisa Surber at 406-581-7772 or lisa@sdsheepgrowers.org or visit sdsheepgrowers.org

Meetings scheduled

The Wyoming Water Development Commission (WWDC) will hold a workshop at 1:30 p.m. on Aug. 6 at the Historic Roundhouse and Railyards in Evanston.

Livestream of the meeting will be available at wwdc.state.wy.us/. Interested individuals can use this same link to provide public comments.

Additionally, on Aug. 8, WWDC will hold a joint meeting with the Select Water Committee also in Evanston at the Historic Roundhouse and Railyards, beginning at 8:30 a.m.

Livestream for this meeting is available at wyoleg. gov/, and interested individuals can use this same link to provide public comments.

Youth Buyer Credit Program – Annually, the South Dakota Sheep Grower’s Association gives buyer credit of $500 per youth toward ewe purchases. This year, all of the youth credit winners found sheep they liked and bought them. Pictured from left to right are Lisa Surber, Brooke LaMont, Logan LaMont, Lucas Feldhaus, Dustin Vining and Jon Beastrom. Courtesy photo

OBITUARIES

Donald "Don" Jacobs

Feb. 16, 1929 – July 15, 2024

Now that Donald B. “Don” Jacobs, age 95, has passed into the arms of our Lord, his physical life on Earth is over but it is the beginning of an eternal and beautiful journey for him, joining his recently

OLYMPICS

in Paris and other implications of Europe’s anti-agriculture policies.

Organizers underestimate value of animal-based protein

According to Bacus, in an effort to make the Olympic Games more “climate friendly,” organizers pushed a heavy plant-based protein menu, severely underestimating the value of animalbased protein in fueling high-performance athletes, their preference for these protein sources and the amount of protein they would consume.

While serving more than 13 million meals to nearly 15,000 athletes from 208 territories and nations is a monumental task in itself, the Paris Olympic organizers decided to source one-fourth of all ingredients within a 150mile radius of Paris and all of the meat, milk and eggs from France, 20 percent of which would be certified organic and one-third of all proteins as plant based.

“Obviously, they underestimated how much these athletes would consume, and we are talking about a massive protein intake since these athletes need to not only fuel their bodies but also to recover,” says Bacus.

According to a July 30 article by Delish , British Olympic Association Chief Executive Andy Anson has been particularly vocal about the food quality and availability of the 2024 summer Olympics, noting there has been an insufficient amount of proteins and carbohydrates and that athletes were even served raw meat.

German Men’s Hocky Team Captain Mats Grambusch echoed these frustrations, telling DPA International , “Basically, it just takes an insanely long time because they’re com-

deceased wife of 71 years, Rosemae.

We find solace in knowing he’s been reunited with her, and what a joyous reunion it must have been for them both.

Don passed away on July 15 at Avista Senior Living Center surrounded by his children, a few months after moving from Douglas, where he’d been a lifelong resident, prior to his move to Payson, Ariz.

Don was born in Sheridan on Feb. 16, 1929 to Mabel (Schumann) Jacobs and Bass P. Jacobs. His initial schooling started at the Verse Elementary Country School, and he graduated with the class of 1947 from

continued from page 1

pletely overwhelmed at peak times. And then, the quality and quantity of the meals are not good because there are simply too many people coming at the same time.”

In response to these concerns, Sodexo Live!, the French company tasked with catering the 2024 Olympic Games, announced they will be increasing the volume of protein items such as eggs and grilled meats to satisfy athletes’ needs.

Europe’s anti-ag policies have rippling implications

The 2024 Paris Olympic’s “climate-friendly” menu is only scratching the surface of anti-agriculture efforts in Europe.

Bacus explains European producers have seen an emergence of Green Deal policies like restrictions on antimicrobials and deforestation regulations that are “misguided” and “not based on science.”

“I think the biggest concern is a lot of these European policies conceptually make for good press releases and great headlines, but in function many of them lack objective, scientific support and basis,” Bacus says.

He further notes many of these policies, in addition to different animal welfare standards, make it difficult for the U.S. to trade with Europe.

“When they have these misguided policies, even though they may be well intended, they result in additional trade barriers and more burdens for their own domestic producers,” he adds.

In his role on the executive council of the International Meat Secretariat, Bacus shares he has had the opportunity to engage with many European producers on small- to midsized operations who have

Douglas High School. He attended the University of Wyoming for a year and a half in the Department of Agriculture before his help was required back at the family ranch and he had to return to assist his dad due to the Blizzard of ’49.

His pursuits in high school included sports, FFA, the Yearbook Club and class plays.

Later on in life, his interests included many outdoor activities including fishing, hunting and carpentry, and once he retired he still exercised diligently and did yoga.

Don’s activities reflect a deep social connection to his community, being active in the school board for 14 years, as well as the Lions Club, which he helped establish in Douglas. He was a Moose member and a member of the Wyoming Stock Grow-

found it hard to stay in business with these policies in place.

“They are seeing a lot more consolidation in their ag sector, in addition to a big push to do away with livestock production in general,” Bacus says. “Plant-based proteins are being promoted and animal-based proteins, in many ways, are not being promoted, which makes it very difficult for the next generation to continue operating. As a result, there has been

ers Association, Wyoming Wool Growers Association and Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation and was a dedicated 4-H leader. He was also a member of Saint James Catholic Church, and in later years, he was part of the coffee social group at the Whistle Stop.

Don took pride in living 55 miles north of Douglas on the homesteaded family ranch, established in 1919, until his retirement.

For most of his life, Don was a man of the “simple way of living,” exemplified by his hard outdoor work in all weather and at all hours of the day, while raising his family. He loved working outdoors, being his own boss, and even though it could be a tough life, it was all he would have ever wanted to do.

As he grew older, Don

a mass exodus of producers across Europe, creating food security issues.”

Additionally, Bacus notes it is critical for American producers to engage in conversations with the U.S. government to ensure the nation doesn’t suffer a similar fate.

“NCBA has had a permanent presence in Washington, D.C. for the past 50 years, and we engage with Congress and other agencies daily to make sure the voices of U.S. cattle producers are heard,” he states. “We try to make sure many of the policies going forward are benefi-

often referred to himself as an “‘ol’ sheepherder.”

Everyone who knew Don knew he was an extremely hard worker and good provider; a kind, loving and gentle person with a generous spirit who loved his family very much; a good neighbor and an involved member of the Douglas community.

Don was preceded in death by his father Bass on Sept. 26, 1966; mother Mabel on Nov. 8, 1972; wife Rosemae on Feb. 28, 2024 and sister Evelyn Munkres Provine on Aug. 8, 2022.

Forever cherished and remembered as a husband, brother, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and cousin, his memory will live on with them, including his three children Valeri and Hugh Bishop of Georgia, Jolynn and Terry Nimmo of Utah

and Donald “Jake” Jacobs and fiancé Carla Rivera of Arizona; his grandchildren Landon Guth of Colorado, Chris and Griselda Bishop of Georgia, Kristen and Dan Nimmo-Golden of Idaho, Ashlen Nimmo of Kenya, East Africa, Derek Jacobs and his fiancé Sarah Foff of Washington and Daniel and Zulma Jacobs of Texas; his sister Dorothy of Douglas and 10 great-grandchildren.

The loss of Don leaves a huge hole in the hearts of his family and friends.

Funeral services were held at Saint James Catholic Church on July 31.

As an expression of sympathy, donations may be sent to Saint Joseph’s Children’s Home, PO Box 1117, Torrington, WY 82240-1117 or Saint James Catholic Church, PO Box 1500, Douglas, WY 82633.

“I think the biggest concern is a lot of these European policies conceptually make for good press releases and great headlines, but in function many of them lack objective, scientific support and basis.” – Kent Bacus, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

cial for our producers and any policies that are bad for our producers never see the light of day.”

“With this being election season, it is the perfect time for producers to engage with elected officials,” he adds. “It is time to speak up on key issues and policies and to make

sure state delegations understand how decisions in Washington, D.C. effect their respective farmers and ranchers.”

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

EXTENSION EDUCATION

By Dan VanderPloeg, UW Extension Educator

Make Hay While the Sun is Shining

Wyoming might be the best place in the nation to grow alfalfa hay using irrigation. With hot days and cool nights and less pesky rain to mold a windrow, the Cowboy State has many advantages for hay growers.

Over the last 20 years, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) surveys show Wyoming has a stable hay production base averaging 1.5 million tons. This is a stable 20-year trend with the high tonnage mark coming in 2020.

The stability we see locally is not the national trend, however. Nationwide alfalfa hay as a commodity has been falling year-overyear for decades. In the last 20 years, 2003-23 hay tonnage has gone from 76 million to 50 million tons – a reduction of 35 percent.

New seedings were the lowest on record for 2023, so it is doubtful an upward trend is coming.

Expectations for a new genetically-modified alfalfa breakthrough aimed at boost-

ing forage hay plantings will leave many disappointed.

Alfalfa has had two separate traits approved for use.

First was Roundup ready, the trait allowing Glyphosate to be sprayed on hay and control many of the weeds growers battle. The second, in 2014, was HarvXtra, a trait which reduced lignin in alfalfa hay, making it even more available for animal nutrition.

Unlike many genetically engineered (GE) traits in other crops – corn, sugarbeets, etc. – traits in alfalfa never gained the same level of adoption.

Roundup ready hay has never broken 30 percent of the new planted acres in USDA surveys. Low usage rates, lower per acre seed cost and fewer anticipated crop plantings make the prospect of a company shouldering the $100 million-plus expense of a new GE trait incredibly unlikely.

With fewer acres nationwide being used for alfalfa hay production, the seed

industry responded. The year 2024 will be the last year Pioneer Seed will offer alfalfa seed.

Corteva Agriscience, the parent company of Pioneer/ Dairyland, sold their alfalfa seed business in 2023 to DLF USA, a grass seed company. This was similar to the decision Bayer made when it also removed alfalfa from its portfolios of seeds.

The alfalfa seed industry is going through a transition with fewer people researching and producing seed.

The year 2025 will be the first year Bayer and Corteva Agriscience will not have alfalfa seed on offer. But, this does not mean alfalfa seed will not be available.

Public varieties can also still be found in most areas. One may need to switch to a different variety, a different trait or a different company, but they will not need to find a different crop.

DLF USA, Forage Genetics and Legacy Seeds are all still breeding and producing seeds for use in Wyoming and the West. An excellent resource for all available varieties and their disease resistance can be found at alfalfa.org

Dan VanderPloeg is the University of Wyoming Extension educator for agriculture and natural resources serving Washakie County. He can be reached at dvanderp@uwy.edu or 307-527-8568.

In addition to field tours, attendees were able to directly interact with researchers and staff at booth displays, and to conclude the event, participants enjoyed a casual dinner.

According to UW PREC Director Jim Heitholt, the annual event was free and open to individuals of all ages.

“We had a great turnout,” he stated.

Heitholt also noted, “We are excited about several of our pea and chickpea lines, which are showing drought tolerance. Several of our dry bean progeny lines with high yields and earliness are showing to be drought tolerant as well. It is exciting news to share.”

The dry bean accessions screened for drought tolerance at PREC are in their third full year of the project and 30 lines are being screened, according to Heitholt.

With limited rain in the northwest corner of Wyoming, PREC researchers can simulate various drought conditions, from moderate to severe, and analyze how fertilizer rates on chickpeas respond under dif-

ferent drought conditions.

UW is also conducting research on the effects of foliar fertilizer and fungicide applications on sugarbeets.

Currently, UW has multiple trials but some of them were not included in the tour, including the barley, dry bean and sugarbeet trials.

Research study tour

During the research tour, participants heard from UW Graduate Student Michael Atiemo on interceding forage species into corn in PREC’s sprinkler irrigation trial.

UW Assistant Professor of Forage Crop Production and Weed Management Dr. Clint Beiermann discussed research being conducted on forage barley.

Beiermann and his research team are focusing on improving productivity and resilience of forage crop production systems.

Participants also heard from PREC Assistant Farm Manager Cody Hurford who shared information on the furrow irrigation trials on OROAgri dry bean research being done at PREC, as well as a trial on ORO

Agri corn.

Other topics covered in the tour included malt barley variety trials, controlling fungal diseases in sugarbeets, dry bean seed treatments and several presentations about products to help plants grow or improve plant-soil interactions, also known as biostimulants.

More information

Results from crop variety trials conducted at UW’s various research and Extension centers with cooperating farmers are available online.

Variety trials dating back to 1999 are listed at uwyo.edu/uwexpstn/ research-results-impacts/ variety-trials/index.html

Data is posted annually as a service to producers and others interested in the performance of alfalfa, barley, spring wheat, winter wheat, oats, corn, sunflower, canola, dry peas, chickpeas and proso millet.

This data can help producers make decisions about plant varieties, as producers are always trying to grow a profit with thin margins and little room for experimentation.

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

By Paul Dykstra

CAB Market Insider

The fed cattle market was defensive during the third week of July, pressured by slippage in boxed beef values and an underperforming futures market.

Fed cattle in the North traded in a wide range from $193 to $198 per hundredweight (cwt), averaging $196 per cwt on the week, which was two dollars per cwt lower. With a $186 to $188 per cwt price range on small spot market volume, the South continues to trade several dollars behind the North.

Carcass weights jump from summer lows

Carcass weights made a jump up to 916 pounds on the steers, up five pounds in the latest week’s data. Despite the absence of any normalcy in fed cattle weights this year, the chart line has shown the emergence of a summer dip in carcass weights.

This will potentially replace the summer low point two weeks ago at 911 pounds for steer carcasses and 830 pounds for heifers.

A few more weeks of

data is needed to confirm this marks the summer low. If so, the combined steer and heifer summer low carcass weight will be two pounds heavier than that reached in early February.

This pattern stands in stark contrast to a year ago – and most modern years – when the early February carcass weight average was 25 pounds heavier than that year’s lightest weight reached in June.

Boxed beef market trades soft

The boxed beef market traded softer last week in the expected late July pattern.

Middle meat steak items are finding little buying interest as prices are quickly declining. Wholesale buyers are reluctant to “catch the falling knife,” preferring to buy hand-to-mouth, rather than be caught with expensive inventory and the risk of prices continuing lower.

Ground beef remains a summertime demand driver and the fuel continues to be poured onto this fire as 90 percent lean grinding beef will not soon return to

abundant supplies.

As Certified Angus Beef (CAB) recently reported, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Select subprimal cuts from the round continue to see price support to fulfill grinding demand.

Quality in Texas runs high

Quality grades continue to run high as recordheavy seasonal carcass weights meter out marblingrich product in fed steer and heifer plants.

The USDA Prime grade has been the beneficiary of longer feeding periods with the national average Prime share at 10.5 percent. Prime percentages of 12.5 percent, marked in the spring of 2020 and 2021, remain the all-time records. However, the national average Prime grade is always lower in the summer, so the most recent spike to 10.5 percent in June captures the new record for this time period.

A deeper look into the state-by-state grading data shows a strong upward trend in carcass quality in Texas packing plants.

Of the three states with the largest packing plant capacity, Texas is rarely noted for strong production of Prime or CAB carcasses. In 2023, the Texas plants averaged 4.5 percent Prime, well behind the national average of 9.2 percent. However this March, the state’s Prime share has steadily increased from 4.5

percent to 6.6 percent of fed cattle carcasses.

This would be less remarkable if Nebraska and Kansas packers were locked in a similarly increasing Prime pattern this summer. However, these two states are producing a more seasonally declining grade into the summer, despite posting impressively high Prime carcass shares when compared to prior years.

Texas steer carcass weights were last reported at close to 50 pounds higher than a year ago for the same week. Weight increases are widely noted across all regions this year, but the magnitude of the increase is less pronounced while looking to more northern packers.

The Iowa carcass weight is 30 pounds higher than a year ago, in comparison.

The wide fed cattle

price spread is indicative of these regional differences in weights. As well, heavier weights in Texas are promoting the positive carcass quality grade trend.

Also, the beef on dairy cattle supply increase in recent years has been most prevalent in Texas. This can’t be ignored as an impactful development in

the carcass quality discussion in Texas.

These two factors together combine to tell the story of marbling upticks in the South this summer.

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

Be on the lookout for an especially nasty and tenacious biting insect pest – the horsefly – as it hunts for its next blood meal.

Sonja Swiger, PhD and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service entomologist in the Texas A&M Department of Entomology, said she expects reports of horsefly infestations to increase over coming weeks.

Despite the name, horseflies are not host-specific to horses. They will feed opportunistically on available human and animal hosts.

“Like mosquitoes, only female horseflies bite because they need the host’s blood for egg production,” Swiger said. “Horseflies only bite and feed once every few days, but their need for blood meals makes them relentless biters.”

What makes horsefly bites especially savage, Swiger said, is they cut their host’s skin with knife-like mouthparts and then consume the blood that pools around the wound.

Horse flies are larger than common flies, such as stable or horn flies, growing up to an inch long. Some are all black, while many have colored patterns on their abdomen and wings. They also have very colorful eyes which vary with species.

“I would expect higher

numbers than the past two years because of the rain,” Swiger said. “Their larvae need mud to develop, so I would expect an emergence.”

Where horseflies develop, hunt Swiger said the relentless pests typically stay in shaded areas such as along tree lines. They consume carbohydrates in the form of nectars and honeydew, but females will range away from cover to hunt hosts for blood meals.

Female horseflies typically lay eggs over winter and in early spring in shady, semi-aquatic to moist areas, including around the edges of ponds or water tanks.

“They can be in any number of locations, and this makes them hard to treat effectively,” she said.

“The larvae are maggots, but they look like maggots on steroids. Maggots are also very predatory and eat each other, so there will only be one larva in a 10- to 20-foot radius.”

Horseflies have a maximum range similar to most flies – five to 10 miles –though most fly populations remain relatively close to the breeding ground where they emerged, she said. How to reduce horsefly impacts on animals

According to Swiger, controlling horseflies is difficult. There is no available data focused on the

effectiveness of pour-ons designed to curtail the pest.

Pyrethroids, especially synthetic pyrethroid-based pour-ons, have been shown to provide temporary relief, but most synthetic pyrethroid products are not labeled for use on horses.

“There’s just not much

Austin Snook • 307-290-2161

Taylor Snook • 307-290-2273

Craig Deveraux • 307-746-5690

Dan Catlin • 406-671-7715

Clint Snook • 307-290-4000

Cheyenne Seymour • 605-641-0638

labeled for horses, and even on cattle, those chemicals don’t do much to deter horseflies,” she said. “Permethrins may work, but again, it’s going to be limited relief.”

Swiger said the best defense for livestock is to move them from the infested area into a barn or to cover them with lightweight summer sheets designed to stop biting flies and mosquitoes.

Additionally, traps specifically designed for horseflies can reduce numbers in infested areas.

“They are visual hunters so many traps have a black ball, which mimics the belly of an animal,” she said. “We trapped 350 horseflies and 200 deer flies over 10 weeks in two counties for a study. So, they do work. We just

The Wyoming Leadership, Education and Development (L.E.A.D.) program will kick off its 40th anniversary during the Wyoming State Fair.

The program, spon-

Kyle Kallhoff • 605-881-1526

Casey Sellers • 307-217-2614

Jim Forbes • 307-351-5932

Tye Curuchet • 307-351-8666

Kade Kinghorn • 307-620-0525

Market Report • July 31, 2024 • No Sale

Thank you and we appreciate your business!

don’t have enough data yet to say how effective they are.”

Adam Russell is a communication specialist for

sored by the Wyoming Agricultural Leadership Council, is an adult leadership initiative designed to train rural leaders to be spokesmen for Wyoming agriculture.

A public reception to celebrate the program will be held in the Wyoming Livestock Roundup Tent on the state fairgrounds in Douglas on Aug. 17 at 1:30 p.m.

According to Program Director Cindy GarretsonWeibel, Wyoming L.E.A.D. is the state’s oldest leadership program with a statewide focus. She noted 269 Wyoming farmers, ranchers and agribusiness professionals have graduated from the program since its inception in 1984.

Over the course of 15 months, Wyoming

L.E.A.D. includes in-depth leadership and communication training, as well as a close look at Wyoming’s agricultural industries and issues affecting agriculture and natural resources.

Nine training sessions are held in communities throughout Wyoming. In addition, program participants spend a week in Washington, D.C. visiting with federal agencies and national organizations.

The final year of the program includes an international study tour, where the participants focus on global issues and opportunities for agriculture. Participants spend over 40 days in the comprehensive training program.

The Aug. 17 reception will kick off a year-long celebration of the program. Various activities will be held the next year to celebrate the program’s milestone, including an alumni reunion and gala which will be held Dec. 6-7 in Laramie, said Garretson-Weibel. Selection for Wyoming L.E.A.D. class 18 members was recently completed, and their training will begin in September.

Texas A&M AgriLife. This article was originally published in Texas A&M University’s digital magazine, AgriLife Today, on July 8.

Horsefly bites – Livestock and horse owners should monitor their animals for signs of horsefly infestations. Traps can help, but animals should be moved from areas with horseflies to protect them from these persistent blood feeders. Texas A&M AgriLife photo by Katie Hancock

Horsefly closeup – Female horseflies can be stubborn, aggressive blood feeders. Reports of the pest have not been high so far, but they are expected to increase in

that received heavy rains over

weeks. Texas A&M AgriLife photo by Bart Drees

On July 10, Extension services at North Dakota State University and the University of Minnesota held a joint webinar featuring Tyler Cozzens, PhD and director of the Livestock Marketing Information Center (LMIC), to discuss the current sheep and lamb inventory, market conditions and his expectations for the second half of the year.

In the first half of the webinar, Cozzens notes U.S. sheep and lamb numbers are in a steady decline, overall slaughter numbers are up and cold storage supplies are tracking lower.

To wrap up the presentation, Cozzens discusses current and future lamb prices, which seem to be relatively strong.

Cutout values

To begin, Cozzens points out overall lamb prices for the first half of the year have been tracking between $4.60 to $4.80 per pound, which is up nine percent or $40 dollars per hundredweight (cwt) from the year prior.

Additionally, he notes 2024 lamb prices have not seen a lot of seasonality, and although supplies have been low, demand is holding strong and product is moving through the supply chain.

“My prediction is cutout values will remain fairly strong throughout the second half of the year,” he states.

Cozzens breaks this down further, analyzing individual primal cuts.

He notes boxed lamb shoulder prices are holding steady at or just above four dollars per pound, up 13 percent or $45 per cwt from 2023.

“I don’t expect shoulder prices to move lower,” he says. “And, these prices are definitely supporting the high cutout value we have seen over the past six months and will likely see for the next few months moving forward.”

Cozzens says the story is similar for boxed lamb single leg prices, which are up 27 percent or $114 per cwt from last year and boxed lamb loin prices, which are

up 13 percent or $81 per cwt.

Due to seasonality, Cozzens expects loin prices to trend upwards during the second half of the year, reaching around $730 per cwt.

“The rack is another cut that has been tracking above where we were a year ago,” he says. “It is up six percent or $59 per cwt, and I expect it to hold pretty steady at or just below the $1,110 per cwt we are seeing now.”

Live prices

Cozzens explains these higher primal cutout values are contributing to an overall national cutout value that is tracking steady, and therefore, earning producers more money at the sale barn.

He points out there

have been a few weeks with really strong prices in recent months, especially at the Sioux Falls Livestock Auction in South Dakota.

“We are seeing strong slaughter lamb prices for 60- to 90-pound feeder lambs, and specifically looking at the three-state market of Colorado, Texas and South Dakota, the feeder and slaughter lamb average for the first half of the year tracked well above last year, with the past few weeks bringing in prices far above the five-year average,” he says.

“We are currently up 19 percent or $435 per cwt from where we were a year ago, and my expectations for the third quarter is sitting at about $210 per cwt, then a little higher at $220 to $225

for the fourth quarter,” Cozzens adds.

Although prices have been trending higher, Cozzens reminds producers sea-

sonal lamb prices tend to fall during the third quarter and encourages them to wait to market their lambs if at all possible.

MONTANA ANGUS TOUR

Showcasing

Cattle & Producers from the Heart of Central Montana

Tuesday, September 17 th

Lewistown

Early bird registration pricing available until August 1.

Register & Pay Online at: www.mtangus.org/montana-angus-tour.html

HOST HOTEL: Yogo Inn 211 E Main St. • Lewistown MT 59457

•Golf Tournament - Pine Meadows Golf Course, 9:00 a.m.

•Montana Angus Association Meeting

–Yogo Inn, 4:00 p.m.

•State Angus Social & Banquet

–Fergus County Trade Center, 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday, September 18th

Lewistown - Judith Gap - Hobson

•Ballyhoo Printing & Design

Snowy Mountain Angus - Breakfast Stop

•Carr Angus

•Stevensons Diamond Dot - Lunch Stop

•Gaugler Angus with Ray Gardner & Guest

Reserve ONLINE or call 406-535-8721

Reference Montana Angus Tour for rate ALTERNATIVE HOTELS

B&B Motel The Calvert Hotel Super 8 by Wyndham 406-535-5496 406-538-2581 406-535-5411

•Little Belt Cattle Company

•Judith Basin County Farms Feedlot

•Stevenson Angus - Dinner Stop

Thursday, September 19th

Denton - East of Lewistown - North of Lewistown

•Hilltop Angus - Breakfast Stop

•Dvorak Ranch

•Reisig Ranch with Guest Rockin L Genetics

•Arntzen Angus - Lunch Stop

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

WYLR

Trail. He was the only rider to score 90 points on a bareback horse at this year’s rodeo.

With an 89-point ride, Orin Larsen of Inglis, Manitoba, Canada ended the Sunday performance in a two-way tie for second place with Wacey Schalla of Arapaho, Okla.

In fourth place, Waylon Bourgeois of Church Point, La. had an 88-point ride, and in a four-way tie for fifth place, Clint Laye of Cado-

gan, Alberta Canada; R.C. Landingham of Hat Creek, Calif.; Lane McGehee of Victoria, Texas and Jacob Lees of Caldwell, Idaho all scored an 85-point ride.

Steer wrestling Denton Good, a 20-yearold from Long Valley, S.D., topped the scoreboard during CFD’s steer wrestling competition, sealing the deal with a 6.5-second run. Caden Camp from Belrde, Mont., winner of the

Parado Del Sol in Scottsdale, Ariz., took second at the CFD Rodeo with a 6.6-second run.

In third place, Dakota Eldridge of Elko, Nev. ended the final round with a 6.8-second run. Following the top contenders was local athlete Jacob Wang of Laramie, who ended the multi-day competition with a 7.2-second run, putting him in fourth place.

Rounding out the leaderboard was Trisyn Kalawaia from Hilo, Hawaii, securing fifth place with an 8.1-second run.

burg, Wash., brothers Riley and Brady Minor landed in fifth place with a 13.6-second run.

Together for 16 years, the Minors are the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Associationʼs (PRCA) longest running team roping partnership.

Saddle bronc

Up and coming Saddle Bronc Rider Logan Cook of Alto, Texas has been looking for a memorable win, and he found it on CFD’s Championship Sunday where he was crowned champion with a 90-point ride.

Team roping

With an 8.3-second run, Team Ropers Hayes Smith of Central Point, Ore. and Justin Davis of Cottonwood, Calif. were crowd champions during CFD’s Championship Sunday and took home first-place honors.

Trailing in second place was Coleman Proctor of Pryor, Okla. and Logan Medlin of Tatum, N.M. with a 10-second run.

In third place with a solid 10.8-second run was Kaleb Driggers of Hoboken, Ga. and Junior Nogueira of Presidente Prudente, Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Cole Thomas of Meadville, Miss. and his partner Dylin Ahlstron of Hooper, Utah made a showing in the final round, pulling into fourth place with a 13.2-second run.

Hailing from Ellens-

PRCA’s fifth-ranked Saddle Bronc Rider Wyatt Casper of Miami, Texas landed in second place with a score of 89 points.

In a two-way tie, Gus Gaillard of Morse, Texas and Kolby Wanchuk of Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada secured third place with 88.5-point rides.

Lefty Holman of Visalia, Calif. and Zeke Thurston of Big Valley, Alberta, Canada finished in a two-way, fifthplace tie with 87.5-point rides.

Tie-down roping

In the final round of tiedown roping, Shad Mayfield of Clovis, N.M. led the pack.

Mayfield came close to winning the Daddy of ’Em All a couple of times in his career but fulfilled his dream with a 9.8-second run to win the tie-down roping title in front of a packed house at Frontier Park.

Following Mayfield, Chet Weitz of London, Texas secured second place with a 12.5-second run, and Dontae Pacheco of Blanco, N.M. took home a third-place win with a 12.9-second run.

Ty Harris of San Angelo, Texas ended the championship round in the fourthplace position with a run of 13 seconds.

Brayden Roe, a Wendell, Idaho cowboy, finished in the top five at the CFD Rodeo with a 13.1-second run.

Barrel racing World Champion Barrel Racer Jordon Briggs of Tolar, Texas and her famous horse Rollo have been rallying all summer. Briggs stopped the clock at the CFD Sunday performance with a wicked 17.06-second run to secure the team’s first title in Cheyenne.

Three Rivers, Texas Barrel Racer LaTricia Duke won the first performance but fell short by two-tenths of a second in the final round, securing a close second-place finish with a run of 17.08 seconds.

Wenda Johnson of Pawhuska, Okla. took third

place with a 17.24-second run, and Leslie Smalygo of Skiatook, Okla. rounded out the top four with a run of 17.40 seconds.

Montana Cowgirl Tayla Moeykens of Three Forks, Mont. was just two-tenths of a second shy of landing in the top four in the final round, finishing her run at 17.42 seconds in fifth place. Breakaway roping

The 2024 CFD breakaway roping started off with a muddy slack where 200 women slowly dwindled down to the top 12 for the short go.

In the end, Shelby Boisjoli-Meged of Stephenville, Texas emerged victorious on 2024 Horse of the Year Onna, roping in 3.7 seconds to wrap up the win.

Shelby Whiting of Paola, Kan. took home second place with a 4.9-second run, and Kinlie Brennise of Craig, Colo. finished third with a strong performance and a five-flat run in

Jordan Jo Hollabaugh of Canyon, Texas ended in fourth place with a 5.4-second run, and Chenoa Vandestouwe of Weatherford, Okla., with a 5.6-second run, rounded out the top five breakaway ropers.

T.J. Gray, a 23-year-old bull rider from Dairy, Ore., matched up with Dakota Rodeo’s No Dose for a score of 90 points, earning him the championship crown. With a score of 88 points, Ky Hamilton of Mackay, Queensland, Australia took home the second-place title, followed by Schalla in third place with a score of 83 points.

Parker Breding of Edgar, Mont., with a 78.5-point ride, secured fourth place, and closing out the leaderboard in fifth place was Cooper James of Erda, Utah with a score of 78 points. Melissa Anderson is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

Daddy of ’Em All – The 128th annual Cheyenne Frontier Days featured nine days of fast-paced Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and Women's Professional Rodeo Assocation rodeo, culminating in Championship Sunday where 12 champions were crowned. WYLR photo

A Wyoming mule deer that migrated farther than any other deer known to science has died. Deer 255’s life of migrations ended in the Red Desert of Wyoming, about 200 miles from her most recent summer range in Jackson Hole. She was 10 years and 10 months old.

Born in June 2013, Deer 255’s life spanned a significant period in the field of migration science and conservation. Her lifetime saw Wyoming map and designate its first migration corridor in 2016 and ended at a time when 182 migrations had been mapped across 10 states in the American West.

Biologists designated her Deer 255 because she was the 55th animal collared in the second year of a collaborative study led by Matthew Kauffman of the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit and the Monteith Shop at the University of Wyoming (UW), with strong collaboration from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

Deer 255’s story

Biologists first captured Deer 255 on March 11, 2016 in the Leucite Hills near Superior where she spent the winter. UW PhD Student Anna Ortega and a research team were astounded in June 2016 when Deer 255 – having already migrated 150 miles to the Hoback Basin –broke off from the rest of her herd and migrated an additional 90 miles to Idaho.

Deer 255’s walkabout ran from Bondurant and skirted Cache Creek above the town of Jackson. From there, she traversed the shoulder of Jackson Peak and crossed the Gros Ventre River east of Slide Lake.

She passed near Moran Junction and less than a mile from Jackson Lake Lodge, then bounded over a highway to traverse the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway.

After swimming the Snake River near the inlet of Jackson Lake, she climbed over the low north end of the Teton Range, then forded the Fall River in the southwest corner of Yellowstone National Park.

Her final 2016 summer range was four miles from Island Park, Idaho –242 miles from where she started. At the time, no deer had migrated such a great distance from winter range to summer range. Across North America, only Arctic caribou are known to migrate farther.

Ortega and the team could not yet tell if this incredible movement was a true seasonal migration or a dispersal event. Before they could observe her fall 2016 migration to confirm if she would return to the Red Desert, Deer 255’s Global Positioning System (GPS) collar malfunctioned on Aug. 7, 2016.

Deer 255’s whereabouts

were unknown for the next 19 months until March 12, 2018, when Ortega and crew were recapturing study animals on their Red Desert winter range near Superior.

The helicopter pilot spotted a deer on Steamboat Mountain with a brown GPS collar that they could see but not hear on the radio. They captured the doe, and Ortega – with a quick glance at the collar serial number etched into her memory – immediately recognized her as the long-lost deer.

From this point on, biologists had an unbroken record of migration data for Deer 255, during which they tracked her nearly 3,300 miles across seven spring and seven fall migrations.

Her migration tied together a vast swath of Wyoming and Idaho, spanning private working ranches and public lands administered by the BLM, the U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service.

Death as a prey animal

Then, Deer 255’s vast yet incredibly regular movements ended in a patch of sagebrush. She died three days into her 2024 spring migration, having traveled about 16 miles north from her Leucite Hills winter range straddling the Continental Divide near Superior.

She died around noon on April 11, according to GPS collar data monitored by current UW PhD Student Luke Wilde. Wilde and Wyoming Migration Initiative Writer and Filmmaker Gregory Nickerson found Deer 255 five miles north of Steamboat Mountain, a volcanic uplift near the Killpecker Sand Dunes in Sweetwater County. This area is an important spring migra-

tion stopover for Red Desert mule deer.

In the modern West, where deer often die by disease, habitat loss, starvation, fence entanglement or vehicle collisions, Deer 255 died playing her role as a prey animal in an intact ecosystem.

Signs on Deer 255’s body suggested predation as the probable cause of death, most likely a mountain lion.

Deer 255 was healthy as of March 12, when last captured for a field checkup. She was pregnant with twins and had a body fat percentage of six percent, which put her in the top 12 percent of all animals spending the past winter near Superior.

As a long-distance migrant, Deer 255 typically had more body fat than medium- or short-distance migrants that winter in the Red Desert but migrate to the southern Wind River Range or Steamboat Mountain, respectively.

She also had a larger body size than average – 170 pounds, compared to most female mule deer at around 140 pounds – and a notched left ear from an unknown injury.

Throughout her life, she had crossed highways dozens of times and jumped more than 1,000 fences. No doubt she had avoided numerous predators, just as she had eluded field biologists trying to spot her in the field, which earned her a reputation as the wiliest deer in the study.

Long migrations

The long-term research project focuses on the migration dynamics of deer that winter near Superior and make the Red Desertto-Hoback migration. Biologist Hall Sawyer with Western EcoSystems Tech-

JD 5093E TRACTOR

nology, Inc. initially documented this 150-mile mule deer migration in 2014.

The state of Wyoming officially designated the broader Sublette mule deer corridor as “vital habitat” in 2016.

Although mule deer display extreme fidelity to their migration routes year after year, Deer 255 was notable for her ultra-long-distance migration.

Although Deer 255 summered in different spots over the years, she always used the same exact migration route to get there and back. Ortega tracked Deer 255 across the full 242-mile migration from the Red Desert to Island Park, Idaho in both 2016 and 2018.

In 2020-21, Deer 255 spent the summer near Mount Berry and Mount Reid near Jackson Lake in Wyoming, both known locations along her past routes to Idaho.

For the summers of 2019, 2022 and 2023, Deer 255 spent the summer in the Bridger-Teton National Forest in Jackson Hole. Those years, she foraged and nursed her young in habitats 14.5 miles east of the summit of the Grand Teton, near Dry Lake and the Triangle X Ranch.

Using field ultrasounds in 2016 and 2018-2024, biologists documented Deer

255 had eight pregnancies, including seven sets of twins.

Both Ortega and Wilde attempted to collar an offspring of Deer 255 to see if one of her fawns would learn her long migration and carry the knowledge forward for another generation. Despite her multiple successes in bringing twin fawns to winter range in the Red Desert, biologists were unable to track any of her fawns migrating back to summer range.

Researchers suspect other deer make Deer 255’s record-breaking migration, but her specific migration tactic is rare and has yet to

be recorded in any other collared deer.

Of the hundreds of animals tracked in the Red Desert, only one other deer has been known to migrate to Idaho – Deer 665, which spends the summer on Teton Pass and made an exploratory movement to Ririe, Idaho in 2022.

As of this writing, Deer 255’s distance record for mule deer still stands, though biologists expect it will be broken as migration tracking efforts continue across the West. This story was originally published on June 11 by UW Ag News and can be found at uwagnews.com

Four-legged celebrity – The ultra-long-distance migrating mule deer known as Deer 255 has died. Researchers tracked her across 3,300 miles since 2016. Here, she is shown with her twin fawns in a fall 2020 migration stopover in the Prospect Mountains of Sublette County. Benjamin Kraushaar photo

Northwest College and the University of Wyoming, trained as a physician’s assistant at the University of North Dakota and received a Doctorate in Medical Science and Emergency Medicine from Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tenn.

Anders first encountered the Mongol Derby during a slow day at work. Reading about “the longest and toughest” horse race in the world wasn’t intimidating –it was inspiring.

“Every little girl reads books about Mongolian horses, Black Beauty and all of those things,” she said. “I had been looking at horse endurance races, so I threw my hat in.”

Anders applied to the Equestrianists, the organization that puts on the Mongol Derby, hoping she’d be selected to participate. She believed she had the right level of experience, determination and insanity to be seriously considered.

After a year of waiting and interviews by the Equestrianists, Anders was selected to participate in the 2025 Mongol Derby, but when one of the 2024 participants dropped out, Anders got the unexpected call to make the trek a year earlier than expected.

“I might be crazy, but I’m ready,” she said.

The Mongol Derby

The Mongol Derby follows the “postal route” established by Genghis Khan across the Mongolian Steppe in 1224. Horse messengers used the route so the leader of the Mongol Empire could communicate with the far-flung corners of his conquests.

Today, the Mongol Derby holds the record for the longest multi-horse race in the world. Participants ride “semi-wild” Mongolian horses between 25 stations along the 620-mile route, switching horses at each station.

“It’s a little bit about horsemanship and a little bit about endurance,” Anders said. “It’s not a marked route. We GPS (Global Positioning System) our way across there. So, we can miss a checkpoint and get lost. If a person is in between stations and the time to ride is up, they just camp wherever

they are. This is where the racing part comes in.”

Riders can only ride up to 11 hours a day. They can be penalized if they’ve driven their horses too hard. Medics and equine vets are waiting at each station, along with food and water for the riders and their horses.

The Mongol Derby is notoriously treacherous, and riders have gotten lost and injured during the race, sometimes to the point they can’t continue. Simply finishing the derby is worth celebrating.

The modern-day Mongol Derby started in 2009. Anders said only 50 people are selected each year to participate in the grueling endurance race.

“From what I’ve seen so far, I think there are maybe only three or four other people from the U.S. going this year,” she said. “I’m still trying to figure out who everybody is since I’m late to the party, but there are riders from London, Belgium and South Africa.”

The Wyoming advantage

One thing Anders did to prepare for the Mongol Derby was watch the 2017 documentary “All the Wild Horses.” Producer Ivo Marloh completed the derby twice to compile enough footage for the film.

Many people would be deterred by the film’s depiction of the Mongol Derby’s privations and isolation. Anders found it empowering, particularly when she saw the temperament of the horses she’d be riding.

“After I watched it, it reassured me,” she said. “They ride semi-feral horses in the derby, and I’ve been riding feral horses my whole life. Getting on a wild bucking horse is the same dumb stuff my brother and I would do on a normal day.”

Mongolian horses are considerably smaller than most, which Anders said will make riding them more difficult, but the more she learns about the Mongol Derby, the more she sees a lifetime of beneficial experiences in Wyoming.

“The terrain of Mongolia is a lot like Wyoming, and so is the remoteness,” she said. “Some people come from London and

other cities, and they don’t know what it’s like not to have an ambulance or every convenience at their fingertips. I’m used to that. It’s not scary for me.”

Anders knows how to handle a rambunctious horse in rugged, desolate terrain. And she’ll need all of her knowledge and experience to reach the end of the nineday derby.

Finish, then finish first

Even though everyone rides for the same amount of time each day of the Mongol Derby, there is a competitive element to the race. And, there’s already a Wyoming legacy to the race.

In 2022, Jackson equestrian Deirdre Griffith clinched a first-place finish in the Mongol Derby, an honor she shared with South African Willemien Jooste. She was the fourth American and first Wyomingite to win since 2009.

Anders wants to keep a realistic perspective as she embarks a year earlier than expected.

“I want to finish, and then I want to finish first,” she said. “I’d like to finish it, period. There are all kinds of contingencies, and some people say you get disqualified if you get hurt. You can still travel and get the experience of seeing everything, you just may not be a competitor.”

The derby also pres-

ents an opportunity to rally support for causes the riders care about. Griffith’s 2022 victory helped raise $100,000 for the Parental Mental Wellness Program for new parents at St. John’s Health in Jackson.

Anders is riding for Wyo Hoofbeats Equine Assisted Learning. It’s a Cody-based nonprofit organization offering equine-assisted learning and psychotherapy programs for elderly individuals, at-risk kids and families and individuals facing mental health struggles.

For now, Anders is

bracing herself for the difficult journey of navigating international airports. She’ll be flying from Denver to Istanbul on Aug. 1, then catching a flight on one of the only two airlines flying into Mongolia’s capitol, Ulaanbaatar.

The 2024 Mongol Derby begins on Aug. 7, and Wyomingites can track Anders’ progress on the race’s official website. Once it’s underway, Anders trusts her Wyoming pedigree will ensure she endures the longest and toughest horse race in the world.

“I’ve known how to ride feral horses,” she said. “Bigger ones are easier than smaller ones, but the ‘semiferal’ Mongolian horses look like naughty little ponies. I can ride naughty little ponies across Mongolia for nine days. I’ve done it in Wyoming my whole life.” Andrew Rossi is a features reporter for Cowboy State Daily in Northwest Wyoming and can be reached at arossi@cowboystatedaily.com. This article was originally published in Cowboy State Daily on July 20.

Induction ceremony set

The Wyoming Local Assistance State Team is pleased to announce the annual Wyoming Fallen Firefighter Memorial Service and the Wyoming Fire Service Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.

The ceremonies are scheduled for Aug. 17 at the Wyoming State Fire Academy Grounds, located at 2500 Academy Court in Riverton. The hall of fame induction ceremony is scheduled for 10:30 a.m., with the annual Wyoming Fallen Firefighter Memorial Service to follow at 1:30 p.m.

A public reception will follow the memorial service in the Academy building.

Inductees being honored at this year’s Wyoming Fire Service Hall of Fame ceremony include Dana Stone of Uinta County Fire, Arthur “Ray” Bergquist and Lynda Berckfeldt of the Wyoming State Forestry, Ken Sutton of Jackson Hole Fire-EMS, Mark Young of Casper FireEMS, Wyoming State Fire Marshal Ray Weidenhalft and Steve Haines of Johnson County Fire.

The Wyoming Fire Service Hall of Fame celebrates Wyoming firefighters who have demonstrated significant contribution and service to their local communities and the fire service in Wyoming. The Wyoming Fallen Firefighter Memorial Service is held annually to recognize and honor Wyoming firefighters who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the citizens of Wyoming.

Wyoming tough – Dede Anders of Powell lives to ride. She has been preparing for the race of a lifetime in the famous Mongol Derby, a 620-mile race dubbed the longest and toughest on the planet, but a recent call pushed it up to this month. Dede Anders photo

The derby – The Mongol Derby is the world’s longest multi-horse race in the world, following the “postal route” established by Genghis Khan across the Mongolian Steppe in 1224. Participants ride “semi-wild” Mongolian horses between 25 stations along the 620-mile route, switching horses at each station. Mongol Derby photo

OBITUARIES

Larry Richard Vignaroli

Nov. 20, 1933 – July 25, 2024

Larry Richard Vignaroli, known affectionately as Larry to his friends and family, departed this life on July 25 at the age of 90.

Born on Nov. 20, 1933 in Des Moines, Iowa, Larry

FARM BILL

They explain, although permanent programs under the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) – including several commodity and crop insurance programs –wouldn’t go away without a new farm bill, improvements need to be made to make them more affordable for the producers they are supposed to help.

According to the economists, USDA’s crop insurance program payouts are tied to a set of reference prices for certain crops, but these prices haven’t been updated since 2014, prior to today’s high inflation.

“The inflation of the last few years has raised costs and market prices but left this safety net so close to the ground it provides little or no protection for many farmers,” Cryan and Resnick state. “Adjusting these prices or the formulas which use them is necessary just to make these programs do what they were intended to do a decade ago.”

“This year is shaping up as a painful demonstration of the need for higher reference prices. While input prices have eased slightly since post-pandemic highs, commodity prices have been falling at a much faster rate. With sinking commodity prices and stubbornly high input prices, farmers are taking a hit while they wait for Congress to act,” they continue.

Dairy industry aid

The USDA also houses the Dairy Margin Coverage Program, which offers dairy producers protection when the difference between the all-milk price and the average feed price falls below a certain amount selected by the producer.

Cryan and Resnick note anticipated improvements to the program include opportunities to buy coverage for a higher milk-over-feed-cost margin which would cover some of the higher inflation felt in recent years.

They also explain the USDA recently proposed giving a larger share of

lived a full and vibrant life which left an indelible mark on the hearts of those who knew him. He passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by the love and warmth of his family.

Larry was the beloved husband of Jean (Hallen) Vignaroli, also of Des Moines, Iowa and together they built a life rich in love and shared experiences.

An alumnus of Iowa State University, Larry earned his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, a testament to his analytical mind and passion for learning. His education paved the way for a life of

continued from page 1

the value of milk priced in the federal milk marketing orders over to processors, based on a voluntary processing cost survey.

“This would reduce farm milk prices by about five percent,” the economists point out. “Dairy farmers are counting on the farm bill to direct USDA to make an audited and mandatory survey of milk processing costs to ensure the fairness of milk price formulas used to price most milk in the U.S.”

Agricultural sustainability

The third bullet point on AFBF’s list of consequences is agricultural sustainability, and Cryan and Resnick argue the key to supporting agriculture’s contributions to the global environment is to boost funding for conservation.

They believe an updated farm bill provides an opportunity to incorporate the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which has invested millions of dollars into conservation programs, as a permanent baseline for future farm bills.

However, like USDA’s crop insurance programs, conservation programs are defined by a fixed amount of money which do not take recent inflation into account.

Additionally, Cryan and Resnick note over $2.7 billion in IRA funding is projected to be spent outside of the farm bill over the course of its one-year extension, and therefore, no longer available for future farm bills.

“Getting a farm bill passed is the simplest and maybe the only way to convert the one-time limited spending for sustainable agriculture into a longterm commitment,” they say.

“Every year of delay means billions of dollars lost to future programs.”

Research funding Cryan and Resnick continue, “Even more critical to the sustainability of agriculture – and to its capacity to clean up the planet – is growing agricultural productivity. Farmers are being asked

varied and meaningful work.

Larry served his country as a U.S. Army Reserve Commissioned Officer as first lieutenant, a period of his life which instilled in him a deep sense of duty and patriotism.

Later, he channeled his entrepreneurial spirit into owning and managing Modern Electric Company in Casper, where his leadership and innovative thinking were instrumental to the company’s success.

His love for the land and its creatures led him to become a rancher and owner of Vignaroli Ranch Company in Johnson County, where he was also a devoted conservationist. He earned the prestigious Landowner of the Year Award in the Sheridan Region in 2005. He also received the 2017 Wyoming Leopold Conser-

to do more with less, but this depends on having the technology to do so.”

“Supporting the productivity of U.S. agriculture is critical to our competitiveness in the larger world market, fundamental to building our capacity to contribute to environmental sustainability and absolutely necessary to supporting the health and nutrition of the world’s population,” they add.

To do this, the AFBF economists believe the U.S. needs to invest in more agricultural research, which could be provided in a new farm bill through improving research facilities and studying economically important diseases across all sectors of the industry, among other things.

Food security

Finally, Cryan and Resnick explain the farm bill is essential for food, economic and national security for a number of reasons.

“First, the investment in agricultural research is absolutely critical to the growth of production on a limited amount of land. This is the arithmetic which reconciles the needs of a hungry world with the care of the planet,” they say.

Additionally, they believe USDA’s commodity and crop insurance programs aid agricultural production capacity and ensures the nation’s food supply, while other programs outlined in the farm bill – including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – support those in need.

Cryan and Resnick also point out the economic success of American agriculture supports the national economy.

“When farms go out of business, rural and small town economies feel the pinch as the multiplied impact of the farm business is lost to hardware stores, feed stores, implement dealerships and all of the businesses serving people who support the farmer,” they state.

vation Award Finalist, presented by the Wyoming Stock Growers Association.

Larry’s interests were as diverse as they were engaging. He was an avid fly fisherman, finding peace and solitude in the rhythmic casting and flowing waters. Hunting was another of his passions, providing him with a profound respect for nature and wildlife.

Larry was no stranger to the excitement of rodeo or the precision of boxing. He boxed as an Iowa State Cyclone and was also a Golden Glove Champion in 1957.

His commitment to farming and animal husbandry was not just a profession but a way of life which he embraced wholeheartedly.

Those who knew Larry would describe him as a

“Agriculture is economic and national security. The farm bill ensures American production is available to provide families in America – and beyond – access to safe, affordable and nutritious food. This is good for all of us,” they conclude.

Hannah Bugas is the

man of passion, deeply faith-filled and analytical in his approach to life’s challenges. His was a life lived with vigor and intention, with each day seized and each opportunity explored to its fullest.

Larry’s passing leaves a void in the lives of many, but he will be remembered for his unwavering strength, his compassionate heart and the wisdom he imparted. He was a pillar in his community, a trusted friend and a patriarch whose guidance and love shaped the lives of his family.

He was predeceased by his parents Richard and Anita Vignaroli and is survived by his brothers Richard (Lillian) Vignaroli and Robert (Sandy) Vignaroli.

His legacy continues through his children Dawn (Brad) Clair, Pam (Doug)

Smith, Richard (Gerise) Vignaroli and Kristin (Rob) Wilson (Rob), as well as his cherished grandchildren Kristen, Miranda (David), Travus (Kelli), Cynthia (Jake), Jeremy (Cambra), Mandy, Mason (Stephanie), Amanda (Tim), Gunner, Taylor, Sierra, Sidney and Seth. Larry was also a proud great-grandfather to 12 great-grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on July 31 at St. Anthony’s of Padua Catholic Church.

Donations in Larry’s memory may be made to Johnson County Home Health Hospice Care, 497 W Lott Street Buffalo, WY 82834; St. John The Baptist Catholic Church, 532 N Lobban, Buffalo, WY 82834 and/or Bread of Life Food Pantry, PO Box 909, Buffalo, WY 82834.

To read the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Market Intel report in its entirety, visit fb.org/market-intel/ five-things-well-miss-without-anew-farm-bill.

managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roudnup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

BLEVINS

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:

July 31-Aug. 10 Laramie County Fair, Cheyenne. For more information, visit laramiecountyevents.com/fair

Aug. 3-10 Carbon County Fair, Rawlins. For more information, visit carboncountyfairgrounds.com

Aug. 5-10 Lincoln County Fair, Afton. For more information, visit facebook.com/LincolnCountyFair

Aug. 6

Wyoming Water Development Commission Workshop, 1:30 p.m., Historic Roundhouse and Railyards, Evanston. For more information or to submit public comment, visit wwdc.state.wy.us/

Aug. 8 Wyoming Water Development Commission and Select Water Committee Joint Meeting, 8:30 a.m., Historic Roundhouse and Railyards, Evanston. For more information or to submit public comment, visit wyoleg.gov/

Aug. 8 Wyoming Pork Producers Board of Directors Meeting and Election, 6 p.m., Grace Werner Ag Pavilion, Casper College, Casper. For more information, call Jeremy Burkett at 307-630-6267.

Aug. 9-10 Washakie County Conservation District Volunteer Seed Collection Effort, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Shoshone National Forest. For more information, visit washakiecd.com

Aug. 13 Wyoming Ranch Rodeo Finals, calcutta starts at 6:30 p.m. with rodeo following at 7 p.m., Wyoming State Fairgrounds, Douglas. For more information, call 307-259-1674 or 307-340-1914.

Aug. 13-17 Wyoming State Fair, Wyoming State Fairgrounds, Douglas. For more information, visit wystatefair.com

Aug. 15 Campbell County Conservation District Ranching For Profit Workshop, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Campbell County Public Library, Gillette. For more information and to register, call 307-682-1824.

Aug. 15 Wyoming Pioneer Association 97th Annual Pioneer Meeting, 10 a.m., Ruthe James Williams Memorial Conference Center, Douglas. For more information, visit wyomingpioneer.org

Aug. 16-17 Fourth Annual Grand Encampment History Symposium, The Grand Encampment Museum, Encampment. For more information, visit gemuseum. com/museum-events

Aug. 16-18 Fifth Annual Tom Horn Days Cowboy Rendezvous, Bosler. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit tomhorndays.com

Aug. 16-18 16th Annual Old West Cowboy, Indian, Gun and Collectible Trade Show, Civic Center, Hulett. For more information, call 307-467-5668 or 605-892-5324.

Aug. 17 Wyoming Fire Service Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Wyoming Fallen Firefighter Memorial Service, 10:30 a.m., Wyoming State Fire Academy Grounds, Riverton. For more information, contact Ian Kraft at ian.kraft@ wyo.gov or call 307-251-8275.

Aug. 17

Wyoming Leadership, Education and Development Program 40th Anniversary Public Reception, 1:30 p.m., Wyoming Livestock Roundup Tent, Wyoming State Fairgrounds, Douglas. For more information e-mail wylead@gmail. com or call 307-214-5080.

Aug. 17 Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame Region One Induction and Reunion Ceremony, 4 p.m., Pine Haven Community Hall, Pine Haven. For more information, visit wyomingcowboyhalloffame.org

Aug. 19

Aug. 20

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

Aug. 21 Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory 25th Anniversary Open House, Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory, Whitman, Neb. For more information or to register, visit go.unl.edu/gslopenhouse

Aug. 21

Aug. 21-22

Aug. 22

Aug. 23

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/usdalivestock-mandatory-reporting-swine-and-pork-industry-stakeholder-meeting

Wyoming Stock Growers Ranch Succession Planning, 1-4 p.m., Platte Valley Community Center, Saratoga. For more information, visit wysga.org/programs/regional-events

Wyoming Stock Growers Ranch Succession Planning, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Martha Hansen Teaching Arena, Laramie. For more information, visit wysga.org/ programs/regional-events

Aug. 23 Wyoming Stock Growers Ranch Succession Planning, 3-7 p.m., Wyoming Stock Growers Association Office, Cheyenne. For more information, visit wysga. org/programs/regional-events

Aug. 23-24 Stockmanship and Stewardship, Richfield, Utah. For more information, visit stockmanshipandstewardship.org/

Aug. 23-24 2024 Meeker Mustang Makeover, Meeker, Colo. For more information, visit meekermustangmakeover.org

Aug. 26-Sept. 2 Nebraska State Fair, Grand Island, Neb. For more information, visit statefair.org

Aug. 28-29 Stockmanship and Stewardship, Lancaster, Wis. For more information, visit stockmanshipandstewardship.org/

Aug. 29 Trailing of the Sheep Festival Starry Starry Night Fundraiser, 6 p.m., The Argyros Performing Arts Center, Ketchum, Idaho. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit trailingofthesheep.ejoinme.org/StarryNightTickets

Sept. 6-8

Sept. 13-15

Sept. 14

Aug. 6-7

Aug. 12-13

Aug. 19-20

Aug. 19-23

43rd Annual Hells Canyon Mule Days, Wallowa County Event Center and Fairgrounds, Enterprise Ore. For more information, visit hellscanyonmuledays.com

2024 Salers National Tour, North Dakota. For more information or to register, visit salersusa.org/events/tour

Homesteader Days Festival, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Homesteader Museum, Powell. For more information, visit homesteadermuseum.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

Aug. 24 12th Annual Montana Horse Progress Days Auction, Reuben Miller Farm, Moore, Mont., 406-538-5125, 406-366-4667, montanahorseprogressdays.com

Aug. 24

Aug. 24-28

Aug. 25

Aug. 31

Aug. 31

Sept. 10

26th Annual Come To The Source Production Sale, Laramie, 970-231-8384, cometothesource.com

Lauing Mill Iron L Ranch 2023 QH Production Sale, online only, prohorseservices.com/internet-auctions/, 605-347-6193, 605-280-0698, 605-2800398, lauingmillironlranch.com

RQHBA Horse Sale, Besler’s Cadillac Ranch, Belle Fourche, S.D., 605-3471964, 605-639-9482, rqhba.com

Proffit Ranch 23rd Annual Labor Day Horse Sale, Diamond X Barn, Evanston, 307-723-5857, proffitranch.blogspot.com

Huskerland Horse Sale Extravaganza, Burwell Livestock Market, Burwell, Neb., 308-383-0039, dvauction.com

96th Annual Wyoming State Ram Sale, Wyoming State Fairgrounds, Douglas, 307-265-5250, wyowool.com/ramsale

Sept. 10 Western Video Market, Haythorn Ranch, Ogallala, Neb., 530-347-3793, wvmcattle.com

POSTCARD from the Past

Time To Prepare for

County Fair and Give a Boost

Exhibits should be prepared and arranged to give the proper display

Thus reads the headline and subhead of the Sept. 2, 1926 issue of The Riverton Review . This news item followed:

The season is at hand for county fairs. Despite the fact county fairs have been held year after year for a long period of time in many of our counties, interest is just as keen or keener now than was the case 10 years ago.

A few comments along this line will not be out of place at this time.

Value of county fairs

Anyone who would tend to minimize the value of the county fairs and discount their true worth does not have a clear conception of what they have accomplished or may accomplish.

In the first place, a county fair is a sort of mirror of the country’s agriculture for this particular season. It shows what the fields and pens and pastures have been producing and is also an index of what farm women have been accomplishing in the kitchens and sewing rooms.

In later years, especially since boys’ and girls’ club work has become so well recognized, the county fair affords a chance for real competition between these livewire lads and lasses.

In many cases, the county fair serves to determine for the boy and girl whether the club work they have been doing has been really all that it should be. Some of them realize – when they fail to win and the judge puts down their calf or pig at the bottom of the list – perhaps they have not been putting in their very best licks.

The right sort of a boy or girl will go back home determined that next year there will be a real improvement in whatever they decide to bring to the fair. The boy or girl with the wrong viewpoint will perhaps become sore and resolve club work will have no further place in his or her life. That is the wrong idea and invariably reveals a “poor sport.”

Good advertising

Many exhibitors of livestock – and perhaps also of corn, small grains and fruit – find exhibiting at county fairs is a good advertisement and enables them to gain a wider list of customers for their product.

Many livestock sales are made at county fairs to purchasers who are looking for quality stuff which comes up to their ideals.

The county fair in your county deserves your loyal support. Don’t imagine all of the work of making the fair successful should devolve upon a few of the faithful. If you are at all proud of your county, get into the county fair with your exhibits and help boost it all the time. If your exhibit fails to win honors, don’t go home peeved about the matter and don’t resolve that you are through. A good loser is one who takes his defeats without kicking.

The county fair is an old time institution. It is worthy of all support possible and its success depends upon the hardy cooperation of the majority of the county’s farmers and livestock men. – Sheridan Journal

Pictured is an advertisement in the Aug. 31, 1926 issue of the Sheridan Post-Enterprise promoting the Johnson

County Fair to be held in Buffalo. Historical Reproductions by Dick Perue

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

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

National Sheep Summary

As of July 26, 2024

Compared to last week slaughter lambs mostly steady to 20.00 lower, except at Kalona and lambs under 80 lbs at San Angelo firm to 20.00 higher. Slaughter ewes mostly steady to 6.00 higher. Feeder lambs 7.00-12.00 lower. At San Angelo, TX 7,042 head sold in a one day sale. Equity Cooperative Auction sold 460 feeder lambs in Utah. Northern Video sold 6370 feeder lambs in Montana, 15,240 feeder lambs in Wyoming, 1100 feeder lambs in Nevada and 260 replacement ewes in Wyoming. In direct trading slaughter ewes and feeder lambs not tested. 2,654 lamb carcasses traded with no trend due to confidentiality. All sheep sold per hundred weight (CWT) unless specified. Slaughter Lambs: Choice and Prime 2-3 San Angelo: wooled and shorn 105-130 lbs no test. Ft. Collins: wooled and shorn 116 lbs 205.00. South Dakota: wooled and shorn 120-155 lbs 175.00-190.00, few 192.00. Billings: wooled and shorn 110-115 lbs no test. Equity Coop: no sales.

Slaughter Lambs: Choice and Prime 1-2

San Angelo: hair 40-60 lbs 232.00-268.00, few 272.00-276.00; 60-70 lbs 218.00-250.00, few 256.00-270.00; 70-80 lbs 210.00-240.00, few 249.00-256.00; 80-90 lbs 206.00-226.00; 90-100 lbs 190.00-230.00; 100-110 lbs 190.00-208.00. wooled and shorn 50-60 lbs 230.00-240.00; 60-70 lbs 218.00-236.00, few 262.00; 70-80 lbs 210.00-233.00; 80-90 lbs 210.00-234.00; 98 lbs 190.00.

Ft. Collins: wooled and shorn 90-100 lbs 212.50. hair 44 lbs 250.00; 50-60 lbs 232.50-237.50; 81 lbs 217.50; 101 lbs 202.50. South Dakota: wooled and shorn 60-70 lbs 225.00-255.00; 7090 lbs 225.00-245.00; 90-100 lbs 196.00-225.00; 100-110 lbs 186.00-195.00; 110-120 lbs 175.00-183.00. hair 64 lbs 210.00; 79 lbs 180.00; 80-90 lbs 175.00-195.00; 92 lbs 175.00; 115 lbs 162.00.

Billings: no test.

Slaughter Ewes

San Angelo: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) no test; Good 2-3 (fleshy) 80.00-99.00, hair 80.00-93.00; Utility and Good 1-3 (medium flesh) 90.00-104.00, hair 88.00-106.00; Utility 1-2 (thin) 80.0082.00, hair 80.00-91.00; Cull and Utility 1-2 (very thin) 76.00, hair 70.00-78.00; Cull 1 50.00-68.00. Ft. Collins: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) 92.50-120.00, hair 117.50; Good 2-3 (fleshy) 70.00-125.00, hair 107.50-110.00; Utility 1-2 (thin) 87.50-97.50, hair 87.50; Cull 1 60.00-72.50. South Dakota: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) 65.00-105.00, hair 91.00; Good 2-3 (fleshy) 70.00-105.00, hair 90.00-94.00; Utility 1-2 (thin) 50.00-65.00, hair 80.00-100.00; Cull 1 17.00-60.00. Billings: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) no test; Good 2-3 (fleshy) No test; Utility 1-2 (thin) no test; Cull 1 no test. Feeder Lambs: Medium and Large 1-2 San Angelo: hair 35 lbs 274.00; 45 lbs 270.00; 52 lbs 280.00. Ft. Collins: 50-60 lbs 220.00-235.00; 60-70 lbs 215.00-222.50; 90100 lbs 220.00-225.00; 100-105 lbs 210.00-220.00. hair

hair 49 lbs 260.00. Billings: no test.

Equity Coop: UT: 460: 105 lbs 200.00 for Sept delivery. Replacement Ewes: Medium and Large 1-2 San Angelo: hair lambs 48 lbs 288.00/cwt; young hair 80-115 lbs 120.00-138.00/cwt.

Ft. Collins: no test.

South Dakota: yearlings 205.00/head.

Billings: no test.

Sheep and lambs slaughter under federal inspection for the week to date totaled 36,000 compared with 36,000 last week and 31,000 last year.

Source: USDA AMS Market News, San Angelo, Texas

National Wool Review

As of July 26, 2024

Domestic wool trading had no confirmed trades reported this week. Prices reflect trades FOB warehouse in original bag or square pack, bellies out, some graded, and 76 mm or longer. No allowance made for coring, freight, or handling fees at the warehouse level to

.10-.20 clean. Classed and skirted wools usually

Wyoming

CLASSIFIEDS

16TH ANNUAL OLD WEST COWBOY, INDIAN, ANTIQUE, GUN AND COLLECTABLE TRADE SHOW: Civic Center, Hulett, WY. Aug. 16-18, BUY, SALE, TRADE! Free appraisals and admission. New vendors welcome. Dealer table $30. Call 307-467-5668 or 605892-5324 8/10

UP IN ARMS, LLC FLEA MARKET AND GUN SHOW AUG. 30-SEPT. 1 Gillette, WY at the CAM-PLEX. Open to the pub-

Aug.

p.m.-7

9 a.m.-5

Sept. 1, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Giving away a .22 pistol Sunday at 2 p.m., must be present to win, 21 years of age and able to pass background check. Buy, sell, trade. Adults $6, children 12 and under free (when accompanied by an adult). For more information, contact Lisa, 208-420-2295 8/24

WANTED: RELIABLE, HARDWORKING INDIVIDUAL/COUPLE TO LIVE ONSITE AND CARE FOR A BEAUTIFUL 40 ACRE HORSE PROPERTY IN PARKER, CO. Responsibilities include daily turn out for 4 rescue horses, stall cleaning, feed set up, keeping supplies stocked, running tractors for mowing, plowing and manure spreading, keeping fence lines safe, gates in good operating condition and more!! Fully furnished 1 bedroom apartment in exchange for predetermined number of work hours. This is a long-term position. Option for additional work and pay available. Please e-mail resume to linda@experienceavatarnow. com. For questions, leave message, 720-320-9681 8/24

RANCH HAND/GROUNDS

KEEPER: Full-time position at a family-owned ranch near Cody, WY and located in the Shoshone National Forest. Position entails lawn care, irrigation, heavy equipment operation, carpentry, equipment maintenance, building maintenance and overall residential and agricultural property maintenance. Experience is welcome but will train the right candidate. The ideal candidate will be reliable; have a strong work ethic; be able to perform individually and with a team; be a self-starter and enjoy working outdoors. Benefits include health, with optional dental and eye; paid-time off and 401(k) with employer matching contribution. For the right candidate housing on property is also available. Salary based upon previous experience. Send resumes to cg1@colliergroupoffice.com or call 307-5876275 for questions 8/24

BIG HORN REDI MIX IS LOOKING FOR MIXER/END DUMP DRIVERS FOR SEVERAL LOCATIONS IN THE BIG HORN BASIN: Applicant must have a Class A or B CDL with a clean MVR and must pass a pre-employment drug test. Position is full time, Mon.-Fri. Benefits include 100% employer-paid insurance (medical, dental, vision, life) and paid vacation after one year. To apply, call 307-864-3397 or email bhrmoffice@rtconnect.net 8/24

BLAKEMAN PROPANE, INC., IS LOOKING FOR A FULL-TIME DELIVERY DRIVER IN THE SUNDANCE, WY AREA: Must have a valid CDL with tanker and hazmat endorsements or be willing to obtain them. Must pass preemployment and random drug and alcohol tests. Must be able to lift 50 pounds and be part of the on-call rotation. We are looking for a team player that has a strong work ethic, is dependable and has good communication skills. We offer excellent wages and a full benefits package. Blakeman Propane is a Wyoming based, family friendly company with 9 locations around the state and have been offering great customer service and an excellent work environment since 1953. Please go to www.blakemanpropane.com to print an application or stop by one of our offices. Completed applications can be emailed to cskiver@blakemanpropane.com or faxed to 307-7569614 8/24

Services

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 8/10

SIGN-ON BONUS!! Full- or part-time DRIVERS NEEDED FROM WORLAND TO CASPER, WY: Nighttime hours, $30/HOUR TO START. Must have CDL, pass background check and clean MVR. E-mail resumes to dingoboy6342@ yahoo.com or call Matt, 801641-4109 8/3

WCSD# 1 IS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR SCHOOL BUS ROUTE DRIVER: Part time, 9 months/year. District will assist with licensing and training for successful applicant. Retention bonus with completion of school year. Retirement benefits available. Apply online at www.wsh1. k12.wy.u 8/3

HOUSEKEEPER: Full-time position(s) at a family-owned ranch near Cody, WY and located in the Shoshone National Forest. Position entails keeping facilities and common areas clean and maintained; vacuuming, sweeping and mopping floors; cleaning and stocking restrooms; notifying managers of necessary repairs; collecting and disposing of trash; dusting; and light outdoor cleaning and maintenance. Experience is welcome but will train the right candidate. The ideal candidate will be reliable; have a strong work ethic; be able to perform individually and with a team; be a selfstarter; and must be able to lift 25 pounds. Benefits include health, with optional dental and vision; paid-time off; and 401(k) with employer matching contribution. Salary based upon previous experience. Send resumes to cg1@colliergroupoffice. com or call 307-587-6275 for questions 8/24

BLAKEMAN PROPANE IS GROWING. WE ARE LOOKING FOR A SERVICE TECH AND A DELIVERY DRIVER IN THE MOORCROFT, WY AREA: Must have a valid CDL with tanker and hazmat endorsements. We are willing to train the right candidates. Must pass pre-employment and random drug and alcohol tests. Must be able to lift 50 pounds and be part of the on-call rotation. We are looking for team players that have a strong work ethic, are dependable and have good communication skills. We offer excellent wages and a full benefits package. Blakeman Propane is a Wyoming based, family friendly company with 9 locations around the state and have been offering great customer service and an excellent work environment since 1953. Please go to www.blakemanpropane.com to print an application or stop by our office. Completed applications can be emailed to cskiver@blakemanpropane.com or faxed to 307756-9614 8/24

ALL TYPES OF EQUIPMENT AND VEHICLE FINANCING. Great service!! Great rates!! Call Chuck Brown at C.H. Brown Co., WY LLC, 307-3223232 (office), 307-331-0010 (cell) or e-mail chuckbrown@ wyoming.com 8/3 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 de-

Hay & Feed

RANCHERS QUARTER HORSE BREEDERS ASSOCIATION SALE AUG. 25: Located at Besler’s Cadillac Ranch, Belle Fourche, S.D. Selling 71 head. Yearling Futurity $3,000 added. Featuring a yearling in-hand trail class!! All 2024 foals eligible to win in 2025. Ranch Horse Futurity, added money, open to 2- and 3-year-olds sold through the sale. Invitational saddle horse session, have 15 riders and 5 yearlings. Online bidding available day of sale with preapproval through Tri-State Livestock at: www.thestockshow. hibid.com/auction/current. For more information, call Gary Mailloux, 605-347-1964 or Susan Riesland, 605-639-9482, www.rqhba.com “The Sale Where You Can Buy With Confidence” 8/17

GET READY FOR STATE FAIR AT MOSS SADDLES, BOOTS AND TACK!! Ride with pride, LARGE selection of TOP brand names and QUALITY tack!! $AVE on BOOTS, BOOTS, BOOTS!!! HONDO, BOULET, JUSTIN WORK BOOTS, TWISTED X (boots and shoes) and more!! WE CAN ship!! Shop Moss Saddles, Boots and Tack, 4648 West Yellowstone Highway, Casper, WY; 307-472-1872. Our family serving yours for 50 years!! Check us out on Facebook or our website 8/10

Hay & Feed

2024 NEW CROP HAY: Grass hay, horse quality, 3x4s and round bales, barn stored, tests available, $150/ton. New crop alfalfa, $175/ ton. ALSO, oat/pea hay, 3x4s and round bales, tests available, $150/ ton. Lusk, WY. Call Paul Hicks, 970-203-5019 8/3

VALLEY VIDEO HAY MARKETS, LLC: Hay available. Go to www.valleyvideohay.com or call Barry McRea, 308-2355386 8/17

CERTIFIED WEED-FREE PURE ALFALFA HAY: Small squares, covered. 2023 first and second cutting available. 2024 first cutting available. Will load trucks and any open trailer. MONIDA OATS: Combine run. Will auger into truck, trailer or large totes/ ag bags. STRAW: Small squares available. Located between Powell and Cody, WY. Call or text Knopp Farms for details: 307254-0554 9/14

SUFFOLK AND SUFFOLK/ HAMP CROSS BUCK LAMBS FOR SALE. February born, weighing 160-170 lbs. Call 605770-0853 8/24

GERDES HAMPSHIRES HAS 30 REGISTERED PUREBRED HAMPSHIRE RAMS: Born in the winter of 2024. Our rams are big framed, fast growing with plenty of depth, muscle and bone. These are wether producing-type Hampshires without excessive leg length but possess tremendous thickness of loin and leg. Rams are sired by stud rams that were purchased from leading Hampshire sheep breeders at national sales and are sired by sons of Unicorn, UFFDA and Jackalope. For more information, call or text Darrell Gerdes of Madison S.D. at 402-760-0104. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 9/21

Hay & Feed

HAY FOR SALE: Grass and alfalfa hay. Cow and horse quality hay. ALSO, 2023 hay still available. Small squares, 3x3s and 3x4s. Delivery available!! Call 307-630-3046 8/10

2024 HAY FOR SALE: First and second cutting alfalfa, grass mix, grass/alfalfa, alfalfa with oats for cover crop cut. ALSO, oat hay. All in net-wrapped round bales. Semi load delivery available. Call for pricing, ask for Clint, 701-290-4418, send a text if no answer or keep trying 8/10

BARLEY STRAW: Certified weed-free small squares, $4/ bale. ALSO, 5x6 round bales, $125/ton. GRAIN/OATS, $20/ cwt. Greybull, WY area. Call 307-762-3878 or 307-899-4714, leave message 8/10

2024 ALFALFA ROUNDS FOR SALE, $150/ton, semi load delivery available, Hemingford, NE. Call Ian, 307-421-9116 8/10

3x4 SQUARE BALES FOR SALE: No rain, tarped and excellent quality!! Alfalfa/grass mix, orchard/alfalfa mix and intermediate brome/alfalfa mix. Sundance, WY. Call 307-6898112 8/3

2023 CROP ROUND BALED GRASS HAY FOR SALE: 500 tons available. Cody, WY area, 1,000 lb. still solid net-wrapped bales, $50/bale. Call, don’t text, Anthony at 307-254-2645 8/3

LOTS AND LOTS OF HAY FOR SALE!!! 1,350 lb. round bales, net wrapped. Grass/alfalfa mix, native grass, brome grass, straight alfalfa. ALSO, triticale and barley hay. Sheridan, WY area. Come and get it!! For pricing call the ranch, 307-737-2680 or 702-501-4243 (cell) 8/3

600 TONS 2023 GRASS/ALFALFA IN LARGE ROUNDS: Cut slightly mature but baled green!! Will deliver!! For sale by Cheyenne, WY area producer. Call 307-630-3768 8/3

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

Crop Cleanup

BENNY HERNANDEZ IS IN THE AREA AND HAS PLENTY OF HELP TO CLEANUP AND HOE YOUR CROPS. Call 307431-7160 8/3

FOR SALE: New Holland 9’ pull type sickle mower. Rowse 3 pt., 9’ mower with New Holland head and bolt on sections. Rowse 16 wheel hydraulic v-rake. Gehl 1410 manure spreader with double apron chain, slop gate, 410 bushel spreader, shedded, very nice. Richardton 700 silage dump box with auto roof opener. John Deere 2155 diesel tractor, wide front, 3 pt., 3 hydraulics, runs great. International 656 tractor, gas, wide front. 2016 Volvo semi (daycab), D13 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 605-9995482 8/24

672 HEAVY DUTY BROWN BRUSH CUTTER: Six foot wide, used less than 20 hours, $5,500 $1,000. Call 307-6809834 8/10

IMMEDIATE SALE: 2007 KENWORTH W-900 ISX-600, fresh overhaul, near new 18-speed transmission and rear ends. Noemissions. ONE OWNER, blue/ silver (color), 280-wheel-base, 72”-sleeper. ALSO, 2018 Wilson grain trailer, tri-axle, electric tarp and hopper, new brakes. Call 308-289-2365 8/17

TRACTOR BALER COMBO FOR SALE. International 186 Hydro: 8,094 hours, new transmission/alternator/batteries/ tires. Hesston 4760 3x3 baler: 24,485 bales, stored inside and very well maintained. Located in Farson, WY. Call 307350-0350 for more info and pictures 8/10

OILFIELD PIPE: PRICE REDUCED!! RPJ Enterprises, Inc. 2 3/8”, 2 7/8” and 4.5” is available, pricing is coming down. 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 1/11

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

Property for Sale

CHEYENNE COUNTY COLORADO FARM FOR SALE: 4,793+ acres of dryland and expired CRP. Immediate possession to farm upon closing. $5,020,000. Call Larry Hostetler, Colorado Land Investments, LLC, 719342-0665 8/17

Vehicles & Trailers Equipment

TRACTOR FOR SALE: 2024

BOBCAT CT2540, 5.4 hours, 60” FL8 loader, 72” angle blade. Tier 4 compliant diesel engine. Block heater, full cab, with A/C, heat, AM/FM/bluetooth stereo. Price new $43,609. Asking $33,000, Cody, WY. Call 308631-2082 8/17

FOR SALE: 9600 John Deere combine with 930 30’ grain header and an 893 8 row 30” corn header. A 20’ Krause offset disc (new blades in front). 24’ Model 630 John Deere tandem disc and an International 22’ roller harrow. ALSO, feeder pigs. Contact Greg Keller at 406-679-1136 8/3

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 8/10

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 own-

Irrigation Systems

The choice is simple. Big Horn Truck and Equipment Manderson, WY rairdenjlw@tritel.net • 800-770-6280 No wire to steal! Easier On You.

Copper wire is being stolen from electrically powered pivot systems world-wide. Many growers have resorted to 24-hour guards, razor wire, floodlights and daily disassembly to protect themselves. T-L’s hydraulically powered pivot systems can be designed with little or no wire to steal. Stop theft and discover T-L’s reliability, simplicity and low maintenance cost. T-L irrigation systems are easier on you - for life.

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 8/3

315 ACRE TURN-KEY RANCH NEAR REED POINT, MT. All equipment conveys, including multiple tractors with implements plus attachments. Stock trailer, ATV and tools. Large barn with squeeze chutes, sorting pens, corrals, automatic waterers and 5 cross-fenced pastures. Nice home with attached shop plus car port. Plenty of grass and water! Year-round springs, solar well. Owners have run 25-30 pairs plus put up 30 tons of hay each year. $1.7 million. Call George Duke at 406-670-7258 or e-mail gduke@fayranches.com. To view photos, go to www.wylr. net in the classifieds 8/10

FOR SALE: 20 acres vacant land on Majestic View Rd. between Cody, WY and Yellowstone Park. Spectacular views, abundant wildlife, private and close to public land. Ideal for cabin. No subdivision, HOA or irrigation. New water well. Power nearby. Invest in your future and call today. List price: $335,000. Listing Agent: Echo Renner, Realtor, DBW Realty, Cody, WY 307-250-9723. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 8/3

Sheep

NORTHEAST OREGON, THE DLX RANCH: Located near Baker City, OR the DLX is noted as one of the most productive and finest ranches around. It is well balanced and contains 17,000 deeded acres with 4,000 acres of irrigated meadows and cropland. Native and improved rangeland provides good spring and summer pasture. The ranch is well improved with nice homes, excellent livestock working facilities and is noted for its production and ease of operation and management. Abundant water and over 6 miles of the Powder River running through the ranch provide for not only production but unbelievable waterfowl and upland game bird habitat. The ranch also provides good populations of elk and mule deer. Situated in the heart of the Baker Valley, the ranch enjoys very scenic mountain views and is very private yet only a short drive to Baker City, OR. Currently operated as a commercial cow/calf operation with a permitted feedlot. The ranch would also make an ideal yearling or combination operation. It is rare to find this quality of a ranch and particularly a property that is a going concern. This is a first-time offering and we look forward to hearing from you. $32,500,000. Livestock and rolling stock available by separate treaty. Please give us a call for further information, Greg Sackos, 541523-4434 (office) or 208-5980267 (cell), Intermountain Realty, www.intermountainland.com 8/10

AMISH BUILT CABIN WITH SEPARATE SHOP/HOME ON 141 ACRES IN ROUNDUP, MT: Adorable 679 sq. ft. cabin, with one bedroom and a full bath, island with electric cooktop, woodstove and gas backup heat, electric HW and fully wired. The shop/ home is 1,500 sq. ft. on the main, with additional 480 sq. ft. of loft. Four bedrooms, full bath, smooth concrete floor, well insulated and heated with propane. Wiring installed in the shop/home. Borders 1,000’s of acres BLM land. $100,000 REDUCTION, SELLER MOTIVATED, $695,000. Call 541-480-9567, Sonya Gangstead, Broker, Realty Pros Inc., e-mail brokersonya@gmail. com 8/24

1,230 ACRES OF PRIME AGRICULTURAL NON-IRRIGATED FARMLAND: Soils consist primarily of silt and sand loams. Located east of Hawk Springs, WY along the Wyoming/Nebraska state line. Professional care is dedicated to optimizing soil health. Divisible into smaller parcels to meet your investment needs. No improvements. $1,100,000. 3,316± DEEDED ACRES consisting of improved meadow grass and lush hard grasses. Run 250± cows through 12 pastures. Outstanding condition. Nice home plus excellent corrals and calving facilities. Natural tree-lined draws for livestock protection. Hawk Springs, WY. WAS $5,100,000 NOW $4,700,000!! Pictures and video at www.buyaranch.com Call Casey Essert, Land Broker, 307-532-1750 8/3

Alternative

On June 28, Western Landowners Alliance (WLA) convened the second webinar in their ongoing Summer Water Webinar Series. The program covered the challenges and opportunities associated with growing alternative forages and experimenting with drought-resilient crops.

Greg Peterson of the Colorado Ag Water Alliance (CAWA); Landan Wilson of Montezuma County, Colorado and Phil Brink of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association shared their knowledge and experience.

Alternative forage and why it matters to the West

With over 50 percent of water in the Colorado River Basin dedicated to growing forage for livestock, the potential impact of alternative crops on the region’s drought resilience is immense.

As Western lands grapple with ongoing drought, it becomes increasingly clear solutions must focus on doing more with less water.

The recent alternative forage webinar highlighted the research and lessons associated with these drought-resilient forage varieties planted in an effort to sustain producers through years of water shortage.

These discussions are critical not only for understanding the farm and soillevel implications but also for addressing the broader chal-

They say one man’s trash is another

Advertise your

in the Roundup by e-mailing Denise denise@wylr.net .

CHARLES PATTENGALE PROTECTIVE COATINGS

metal roof restorations.

• Services offered: Shop insulation, patching and roof coatings of all types, leak proof your roof self flashing and seamless. Exterior shop painting.

• Serving all of Wyoming, resident, commercial, industrial, farm/ranch.

Call now for your free estimate: 307-365-2621 www.charlespattengalepainting.com

90+ YEARS OF OLD OPERATOR MANUALS for John Deere tractors and implements. 17 Model T and Model A car and truck wooden spoke wheels. ALSO, after market John Deere tractor cabs. TOY TRACTORS in original boxes. Come look, see and make a bid. Call 308660-2894 8/17

forage presents challenges and opportunities

lenges associated with water management decisions.

Drought resiliency projects in Colorado Peterson, the executive director of CAWA, opened the webinar by highlighting their recent work in distributing funds to farmers and ranchers to explore innovative agricultural practices, including those related to growing drought-resilient crops. Other projects cover various needs, including soil practices, livestock management and innovative irrigation techniques.

Peterson emphasized the importance of these projects in areas facing severe water shortages, such as the Rio Grande, Republican River Basin and parts of the Western Slope. These initiatives aim to provide farmers with the tools and resources needed to adapt to changing water availability and maintain productive agricultural practices.

One notable example is the work being done in Grand County, Colorado, where local irrigators are combating the dominance of smooth brome grass in high-elevation meadows. By using heavy equipment to disrupt the sod layer, they are planting warmseason grasses and other crops on a large scale, demonstrating a proactive approach to enhancing species diversity and improving forage quality.

Lessons from the farm Wilson shared his experiences experimenting with

alternative forages to cope with water shortages.

Wilson and his father Brian farm 2,000 acres, primarily alfalfa, which they ship to dairies in Texas and New Mexico. They would prefer to sell their crop locally, but there are no large buyers – feedlots, dairies, etc. – in Southern Colorado.

The recent years of inconsistent water supply prompted them to explore crops requiring less water but providing similar returns.

The Wilsons’ irrigation water allocation from the Dolores Project is measured in acre-inches, referred to as inches, with their full allocation measuring 22 inches. In 2021, severe drought meant they only received 1.7 inches of water, drastically reducing their irrigation capabilities.

Brian remarked in 2002, the previous worst drought year he had experienced, they still received more than six inches of water.

In response, they experimented with alternative forages such as wheat, barley and oats, which require less water than alfalfa. Despite the lower yields compared to alfalfa, these forages proved to be a viable option, allowing them to continue farming without investing in new equipment.

Financial analysis revealed while alfalfa remains more profitable, the alternative forages provided a cru-

cial lifeline during drought years despite the troubles of sourcing buyers for their product.

Their experience also highlighted the supply chain barriers to more “permanent” crop-switching – while they had hoped switching to grain crops for direct human consumption – i.e. wheat – would be financially viable, a shortage of local buyers and processors and storage infrastructure meant they had to take the price offered when the crop was ready, less than the forage crop prices they could get from dairies.

Improving species diversity and soil health

Brink provided an indepth look at a specific drought resilience project aimed at improving species diversity and soil health in high mountain meadows. This project focuses on addressing the challenges posed by smooth brome grass, which forms dense mats limiting soil diversity and productivity.

Brink detailed the process of using heavy tillage to disrupt the sod-bound conditions, followed by planting interim crops to enhance species diversity. The project objectives include improving drought resilience, increasing yield and maintaining high-quality forage while potentially reducing fertilizer needs.

Initial results showed

promising signs of increased species diversity and improved soil conditions. However, the project also highlighted the complexity of managing soil health and the need for ongoing monitoring and adaptation.

Brink emphasized the importance of a holistic approach, incorporating soil tests and samples to guide fertilization practices and ensure optimal crop performance.

No silver bullet

Alfalfa production has become something of a bogeyman for Colorado River watchers, because the crop is notoriously “thirsty.”

But, farmers insist it is a “good crop” and for good reasons – it grows reliably with few non-water inputs in the region’s harsh climate, fixes nitrogen in the soil, has ready and profitable markets in U.S. dairies and feedlots and can be baled and stored until prices are right.

Still, drought pressure in recent years has pushed many farmers to experiment with less water-intensive crops. Longer-term shifts which could be counted on to make more water available to other users in the basin will require considerable changes to agricultural markets and infrastructure beyond any individual farm family to address.

The impacts of crop switches and irrigation changes on soil health, local precipitation patterns, wild-

life and river systems is also just beginning to be studied directly and results so far have varied widely based on conditions and locations. In other words, alternative forage crops are likely to be part but not all or even most of adaptation strategies to a drier, more water-stretched West.

Up next

In the next webinar in the series, the WLA will tackle another hot topic in the water world – how do the West’s headwaters forests effect the water balance in the region’s rivers and landscapes?

Attendees will hear about the Headwaters of the Colorado Initiative’s (HOC) efforts to enhance watershed health and learn how the intersection of healthy forests and rivers can benefit all water users.

Those who are looking for ways to get involved in their own watershed or are curious to know how other landowners are improving theirs can join the panel and gain insights into the science, partnerships and projects of a regional watershed collaborative.

Jake Lebsack is the western water resources coordinator for the Western Landowners Alliance and can be reached at jlebsack@westernlandowners.org. This article was originally published by the Western Landowners Alliance on July 5.

Raffle

I suppose readers have heard Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos made a commitment to give $30 million over a fiveyear period to North Carolina State University for research into manufacturing fake meat.

who would strike fear in the heart of an average cowboy.

The computer geek previously established the Bezos Earth Fund which is the largest philanthropic commitment ever to fight climate change and protect nature. The fund will supposedly disburse $10 billion by 2030 to make the world more sustainable and “create a future in which everyone can thrive.”

hardship for me, but I don’t buy a dozen things per year on the internet and less than half would be courtesy of Amazon.

wear and Craftsman tools from Sears when they started making everything in China, and my boycott bankrupted them too.

went bankrupt too.

For Bezos, $30 million is the equivalent of a $20 bill to me and you because his wealth is currently estimated by Forbes to be $215 billion, which would rank him as the second richest human on Earth. This is even after he gave his wife of 25 years, MacKenzie Bezos, $38 billion in Amazon stock in a divorce settlement.

For some reason, Bezos has beef with beef, and he seems to hate cowboys. Maybe it’s because when he worked on his grandparents’ ranch in Cotulla, Texas early in his life, the rough and tumble cowboys did not play nice with the dweeb. At five feet and seven inches, Bezos does not appear to be someone

Everyone except cattlemen, of course.

Because of his support for fake beef, I am announcing I will never do business with Amazon ever again. Nor will I be a passenger on his space tourism venture, Blue Origin. Folks who get Amazon packages daily from the U.S. Post Office might think my boycott will create a real

RIVERTON LIVESTOCK AUCTION

I prefer to buy direct, and I don’t need a middleman who wants to see fake beef replace the real thing. For the past 50 years, my career has centered around the beef business, and I don’t need to enrich someone who wants to put me out of business.

One might think my boycott of Amazon will have little effect on Mr. Bezos, but I’m warning him several of my boycotts in the past have put many huge companies out of business.

For example, I pulled my money out of Washington Mutual and Indy Mac Bank and both firms declared bankruptcy shortly thereafter. Other companies I’ve boycotted include Enron, Lehman Brothers, Silicone National Bank, Bed Bath and Beyond, World Com and Toys “R” Us, and we all know what happened to them, don’t we?

Another rich guy who is heavily investing in fake beef is Bill Gates, and he now owns the most farmland of anybody in America at 269,000 acres. I started boycotting Gates several years ago when an airline gave me a free Windows-based computer which I tried and then quickly gave to someone I didn’t like.

When I began my boycott, Gates was the richest man in the world, but since the beginning of my boycott, Forbes says Gates has fallen all the way down to the number eight spot at $135 billion.

Poor guy.

These rich dudes shouldn’t question the power of my previous boycotts.

When I switched to Wranglers, it almost devastated Levi’s. I stopped buying Chicken Soup books when they stopped printing my col-

Closer to home, in the cattle business, I never bought or sold a hoof from Eastern Livestock, Easterday or Millenkamp and all three crashed, fired and burned. So too did the Tattooed Chef when I swore to never get a tattoo or to do anything in the kitchen.

Chrysler declared bankruptcy years ago and it was probably because I only bought Oldsmobiles, but then they went out of business when I switched to Buicks. I’ve also never bought a single thing from Starbucks or WalMart, and I’m considering boycotting Costco because they recently hiked the price for admission. I am presently boycotting Russia, dental implants and TikTok –whatever that is.

If anyone sees Bezos please warn him because of his support of the fake meat industry and my resulting boycott, he’ll soon be homeless, panhandling on some street corner and begging for

TUESDAY,

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24