A Look Inside WLSB recognizes outstanding commitment by livestock law enforcement....................Page 5 UW joins collaborative forage systems study..................Page 7 Ranchers discuss the hiring and onboarding process for agricultural jobs................Page 10 Quilt raffle supporting wool programs won by major sheep advocate........................Page 11
Quick Bits CREP Program
Wyoming agriculture organizations look forward to 2022 The year 2020 presented difficult times for agriculture industries and their associated organizations. The state of Wyoming has several organizations which worked diligently through the COVID19 pandemic.
Wyoming Stock Growers Association (WSGA) Executive Vice President Jim Magagna, Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation (WyFB) Executive Vice President Ken Hamilton and Wyoming Wool Growers Association
(WWGA) President Regan Smith shared the activities of their organization in 2021 and provided an outlook for 2022. Wyoming Stock Growers Association One of the WSGA's roles is to inform and educate the
public in regards to the role of the cattle industry in the state. The association works to highlight the commitment of ranchers to resource stewardship, care of animals and production of a healthy and Please see REVIEW on page 6
Environmental Stewardship Award Winner WSGA awards Johnson Ranch for innovative stewardship practices
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is leveraging its authorities under the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) to bring in new types of partners and ultimately expand opportunities in voluntary conservation for the nation’s agricultural producers and private landowners. In direct response to feedback from state agencies, Tribes, non-profits and other groups, USDA has updated CREP’s rule regarding matching fund requirements.
UCOP Tools
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is hosting a two-day Unit Cost of Production (UCOP) Workshop Jan. 13-14 at the Panhandle Research and Extension Center in Scottsbluff, Neb. Enterprise analysis and UCOP are tools to help ranchers identify where value is created on the ranch, where costs are occurring and what changes could be made to improve profit. For more information, view the calendar on page 12.
Current SWE
Currently, Wyoming’s snowpack or snow water equivalent (SWE) is 70% of median with a basin high of 90% in the Tongue Basin and a basin low of 3% in the South Platte Basin. At this time last year, the state median was 79% and in 2019 it was 175%. In the last week, five basins – Powder River, Belle Fourche, Cheyenne, Lower North Platte and South Platte – decreased in SWE measurements.
Med Approval
Virbac announced the launch of their first product in the U.S. production food animal market with the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of Tulissin, a Tulathromycin injectable for use in swine and cattle. Tulissin is effective against the bacteria which most commonly cause Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) and footrot.
Courtesy photo
Elk Mountain – Proudly established in the late 1800s, the Johnson Ranch has a long history of public service and conservation. The ranch, located in Carbon County, is currently under the management of John and Reese Johnson – the fifth generation on the ranch. John and Reese have two children on the ranch full time; their son Shae, his wife Carla and their three kids Kaylee, Kayson and Kanyon; and their youngest daughter Shannon and her boys Isaiah and Micah. During the summer, the ranch becomes a family affair when the rest of the crew – John and Reese’s eldest daughter Cynthia and middle daughter Katie bring their families to help. The Johnsons operate a cow/calf operation and continually work to improve riparian areas, grass resources and wildlife habitat on the ranch. Along the way, Johnson family members serve their communities. Their dedication to improving the quality of their land, conserving natural resources and
serving the public have not gone unnoticed. In fact, the Wyoming Stock Growers Association (WSGA) has recognized the Johnson Ranch as the 2022 Environmental Stewardship Award Winner. According to the Medicine Bow Conservation District, one of many nominators in support of the Johnson family’s recognition with this award, the three most impactful innovative stewardship practices which take place on the Johnson Ranch include adjusting calving season, increasing energy management and planning for wildlife and the future. Johnson Ranch operations The Johnson Ranch has run a predominately Red Angus cowherd since choosing the breed around 1984. In total, the herd nears 700 head including cows, bulls and retained yearlings. Nearly 10 years ago, the Johnsons began the process of transitioning their operation to retain calves and sell them as Please see WSGA on page 4
Landowner awards WGFD highlights landowners for public access Casper – During the Access Recognition Program at the Wyoming Stock Growers Association’s (WSGA) Winter Roundup Convention and Trade Show on Dec. 16, four landowners from across the state were recognized by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) for allowing public access on their lands. “Congratulations to everyone receiving an award, we appreciate all you do for access,” stated Wyoming Game and Fish Commission Vice President Gay Lynn Byrd. “To every landowner, thank you for water improvement, habitat and everything you do for water.” “This collaboration has gone on for quite some time between the WGFD and the Wyoming Board of Agriculture and highlights a lot of the ecosystem services that all of you do and the people that have come before you; to benefit the citizens of Wyoming,” added Wyoming Department of Agriculture Director Doug Miyamoto. “This is a small way that our two groups can collaboratively thank you and the people of this industry and what they provide.” Please see AWARDS on page 15
WWGA focused on land policies
Trucking plan addresses supply disruptions
Federal natural resource management should be based on a set of principles which includes multiple use, protection of property rights, local community needs, the role domestic livestock can play in a healthy environment and sound science, according to a new policy adopted by the Wyoming Wool Growers Association (WWGA). Federal managers should include local governments and private property owners in decision-making processes and recognize the importance of human and economic health, as well as environmental health. Land management WWGA members gathered to lay out policy positions for the organization at its recent winter meeting in Casper. Although the Biden administration’s 30x30 Plan to protect 30 percent of the nation’s land and water by 2030 was discussed at the meeting – with scant details available about how the plan will be implemented – the membership did not directly address the issue, instead focusing on other aspects of land management. Noting that governments – from local to federal – already control more than half the land in Wyoming, WWGA members voted to adopt a policy supporting nonet-loss of ownership or control of private lands in the state. When it comes to federal grazing permits, WWGA’s new policy is opposed to federal laws or proposals allowing permit buyouts which would retire grazing permits rather than retaining vacant allotments and making them available for grazing by other permittees. This is similar to a policy enacted by the Colorado
Washington D.C. – In an effort to address supply chain disruptions, the Biden administration announced the Trucking Action Plan, a bipartisan bill aiming to reduce barriers of entry and incentivize existing commercial drivers to pursue careers in trucking. According to a White House press release, “The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law creates a pathway to address these challenges in the long-term. The administration is announcing a set of concrete actions to address the expansion of trucking. These actions will support the ongoing economic recovery and lay the foundation for a next generation trucking workforce that will strengthen U.S.
Please see WWGA on page 10
competitiveness and support millions of good driving jobs for years to come.” According to the Department of Transportation (DOT), trucks are responsible for carrying over 70 percent of goods in the U.S. In many rural communities, trucks are the only form of freight available. Agriculture is one of dozens of industries affected by this shortage. House Agriculture Committee Chairman David Scott (D-GA) noted, “The food supply chain was able to weather the pandemic-induced challenges, but the availability of truck drivers holds the key to whether or not
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Please see TRUCKING on page 8