Volume 32 Number 23 • October 3, 2020
®
The Weekly News Source for Wyoming’s Ranchers, Farmers and AgriBusiness Community • www.wylr.net
A Look Inside
Replacement heifer selection and development discussed Many cow/calf producers start to make their replacement heifer selections in the fall and begin making plans regarding how to develop those heifers into bred females. During a University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL)
Quick Bits U.S. Drought For all 50 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, the U.S. Drought Monitor showed 35.78% of the area in moderate drought or worse, compared with 33.5% a week earlier. Drought now affects 67,337,130 people, compared with 66,685,462 a week earlier.
Pork Cutouts On Sept. 29, the CME Group announced the launch of a new cash-settled pork cutout contract. The new contract will mirror the Lean Hog Contract during the months of February, April, May, June, July, August, October and December. The pork cutout futures and options factsheet can be found at cmegroup.com.
BeefWatch Podcast, dated Sept. 1, UNL Beef Specialist and Professor Emeritus Dr. Jim Gosey and UNL Extension Beef Reproduction Specialist Dr. Rick Funston offer suggestions on selecting and developing replacement heif-
ers for a cowherd. “Right now, most producers are getting ready to wean their calves or they are in the process of weaning their calves, especially those facing extremely dry conditions,” states Funston. “Many
are also making decisions on which replacement females to keep, and they need to remember records are very important.” Selecting heifers When it comes to selectPlease see HEIFER on page 10
Public lands leadership
PUBLIC LANDS COUNCIL ANNOUNCES WYOMING RANCHER AS PRESIDENT AFTER SUCCESSFUL ANNUAL MEETING The Public Lands Council’s (PLC) 52nd Annual Meeting was held virtually Sept. 23-24. Hundreds of ranchers tuned into the event, featuring sessions on wildfire, drought, public lands grazing and reforms to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Endangered Species Act (ESA). “Meeting on a regular basis is so important – both to our members and to the policy development process directing our staff in Washington, D.C.” said PLC Executive Director Kaitlynn Glover. “Each year brings its own challenges for federal lands ranchers, and 2020 is no exception. I am proud of the way this group has Please see PLC on page 11
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Bill Introduced On Sept. 29, Reps. Chellie Pingree (D-ME) and Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE) introduced The Strengthening Local Processing Act, a comprehensive bill addressing acute livestock supply chain issues and supporting small meat and poultry processing plants. The bill includes support for small plants’ compliance with Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) plans, increased cost share for state meat and poultry inspection programs, increased cost share and expansion of the Cooperative Interstate Shipment Program, a grant program to expand small plants and an education and training grant program.
Wheat Prices Wheat prices pushed December Chicago soft red wheat futures close to $5.80, with December Kansas City hard red wheat futures climbing back above $5 and December Minneapolis Grain Exchange spring wheat futures making it back to $5.40. All-wheat stocks fell 8% year-overyear to 2.16 billion bushels.
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CHECK OUT THE FALL CATTLEMEN'S EDITION INSIDE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT IDAHO FARMS, RANCHES AND AGRIBUSINESSES
FWS update Director Skipwith addresses WSGA convention attendees The general session of the 2020 Wyoming Cattle Industry Convention and Trade Show, hosted by the Wyoming Stock Growers Association (WSGA), invited U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services (FWS) Director Aurelia Skipwith to address attendees in Rock Springs Aug. 25. Skipwith took over the position in 2019. Skipwith shared when she was growing up, her grandfather taught her about taking care of the land. Today, she said, that’s what conservation is all about. Cooperation with private landowners “We cannot secure the future of our native wildlife and habitat without engaging and accommodating the needs of people and the communities who share the landscape,” said Skipwith. “Now, more than ever, the challenges we face in conserving our nation’s wildlife heritage requires an unprecedented level of cooperation.” Skipwith shared the cooperation needs to be among federal agencies, state agencies, tribes and partner organizaPlease see FWS on page 4
Landowners recognized On Sept. 28, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) announced seven families have been selected as 2020 Landowners of the Year. “These awards, now in their 25th year, honor the outstanding practices in wildlife management, habitat improvement, access for hunters and anglers and conservation techniques by these individuals and families,” WGFD said. WGFD says almost half the land in the state is privately owned, meaning landowners have a significant impact on wildlife conservation. “Today’s landowners are more than ranchers or farmers, they are key partners,” WGFD Director Brian Nesvik said. “Landowners preserve critical migration corridors, they improve habitat through costly enhancement projects and they provide important access which allows for our hunting and angling heritage to continue into the future.” The families and individuals receiving the 2020 Landowners of the Year awards include the Hickey Family of Hickey Ranch in the Green River Region, Carl and Kim Asbell of Asbell Family Ranch in the Lander Region, Bill and Beth White of the White Ranch in the Sheridan Region, the True family, Wayne Larson and Brandon Munn of Double Four Ranch/True Ranches in the Laramie Region, the Stacy and Janice Scott family of Eagle Ridge Ranch in the Casper Region, John and Nancy Joyce of JA Corp in the Cody Region and Jim and Charlotte Finley of High Lonesome Ranch in the Pinedale Region.
Preparing for early harvest Early harvest always brings a unique set of challenges for growers to navigate, and the 2020 harvest will likely be no different. In fact, this season may prove even more difficult as Midwest growers face millions of acres of wind-damaged crops, while others deal with severe drought conditions. “As farmers gear up for long hours in the field, the combination of field conditions, fatigue and frustration can lead to deadly accidents if proper precautions aren’t taken,” says Jason Berkland, associate vice president
of Risk Management at Nationwide Insurance. “It’s critical farmers use three tools to prepare for the busy harvest ahead – planning, preparation and patience.” Planning First, Berkland says it is important for growers to start planning. “Farmers need to be aware of field conditions and remain vigilant of the presence of hazards, such as foreign debris blown in from storms or washouts from heavy spring rains,” explains Berkland. “Excessively dry conditions
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Please see HARVEST on page 11