Wyoming Livestock Roundup 10.7.23

Take a look at value-added programs to increase value of calf crop

There are many ways to add value to a calf crop to make them worth more at market. Clint Berry, a fifthgeneration cattleman and Superior Livestock representative, was part of a webinar with the Texas and South-

Quick Bits

Correction

In the Wyoming Livestock Roundup’s 2023 Fall Cattlemen’s Edition, the phone number in the Big Horn Co-Op advertisement was incorrect. The correct phone number is 307-765-2061.

Oil and Gas

Gov. Mark Gordon is rejecting funding from the Biden administration which is harmful to Wyoming’s economy and interests by using federal Inflation Reduction Act dollars to shut down producing Wyoming oil wells. The Emissions Reduction Program offers a total of $350 million to states under the guise of reducing methane emissions. The target is low-volume oil wells, often referred to as stripper wells. Stripper wells provide about 10% of the state’s oil production and generate about $265 million annual revenue to Wyoming. Wyoming’s share from the Biden administration’s program would have been approximately $5 million.

2023 DMC

The August milk margin triggered the eighth consecutive payment for dairy producers who obtained Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) for the 2023 program year. August’s income over feed margin is $6.46 per hundredweight with projected DMC payments totaling $120 million. To date, including the projected August payments, dairy producers have received more than $1.2 billion in much needed economic support for 2023, and margin forecasts indicate the likelihood of more to come before the end of the calendar year.

Firewood

October is Firewood Month. The goal is to slow the spread of forest pests and diseases which can move in firewood. To do this, buy local firewood near home or when arriving at a destination, gather firewood onsite if allowed or buy certified, heat-treated firewood. Don’t move firewood long distances. Learn more online at dontmovefirewood.org

western Cattle Raisers Association on April 18 to discuss value-added programs.

Most of these programs are either export access programs – to help cattle become eligible for export to foreign markets –

or internal domestic product programs to make cattle more valuable in branded programs in the U.S. There are many of these branded programs today, including Country Natural Beef, Certified Angus Beef,

Certified Hereford Beef and dozens of companies which warrant specific requirements producers must follow.

“The easiest way to describe how most of these work is like stair steps. To

PRE-WEANING PROTOCOLS

For many cattle producers, October brings one of the greatest tasks of the season – weaning.

Weaning is considered one of the most stressful periods in the life of a beef animal, and if not done carefully, stress caused from weaning can eventually impact an operation’s bottom line.

As producers gear up for this big event, there are a few things they should keep in mind prior to weaning.

Impact of stress

In addition to being removed from their dam, calves are exposed to numerous other stressors during weaning.

These include physiological changes, castration, vaccination, dehorning, new environments, changes in feed and water sources and seasonal changes in climate.

According to the Oregon State University (OSU) Extension Service, these stressors can impact calves’

short- and long-term health, gain performance and economic viability, which can ultimately impact the producer.

“Calves that are sick during the first 30 days at the feedlot typically have lower daily gains, increased costs of gain and reduced carcass quality and tenderness,” explains OSU.

The Extension service further explains producers who retain ownership of their calves at the feedlot until slaughter are directly affected by health and gain variables, while producers who market their calves at weaning may not see as great of an impact.

However, these producers may lose their reputation as a source of feeder calves in the future, OSU notes.

“From an industry perspective, how we manage our calf crop, pre-weaning, at weaning and post-weaning

Bill update

NCBA co-leads a coalition to fight the ag amendment

During an episode of the Beltway Beef podcast, dated Sept. 14, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane provided an update on Sen. Mike Lee’s (R-UT) attempt to add the Opportunities for Fairness in Farming (OFF) Act to the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Bill.

UW honors alumni, supporters

The University of Wyoming (UW) College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources (CALSNR) honored notable alumni and supporters at the Annual Dean’s Banquet in Laramie on Oct. 5.

The event marked the beginning of Agriculture Appreciation Weekend, a yearly event celebrating UW’s connection to the agricultural community.

Honorees included corporate partner Mountain Meadow Wool, Legacy Award recipient Laura Bucholz of the Gretchen Swanson Family Foundation and outstanding alumnus Roger Stuber and Karen Williams.

Wyoming mill recognized for support of UW sheep program

Mountain Meadow Wool, a regional wool mill in Buffalo, received the UW CALSNR 2023 Corporate Partner Award.

In the six years UW has partnered with Mountain Meadow Wool, the mill has hosted more than 200 undergraduate students and 130 sheep industry stakeholders.

Mountain Meadow Wool also acts as a production partner in Wyoming Wool Initiative’s annual blanket project, now in its third year. Through the blanket project, Operations Manager Ben Hostetler and his team have contributed to traceability research on the use of blockchain technology in the sheep industry.

“It’s not hyperbole when we say Mountain Meadow Wool is an unofficial satellite campus and laboratory in our educational and outreach efforts,” says Lindsay ConleyStewart, Wyoming Wool Initiative coordinator.

Currently, Mountain Meadow Wool is working with

Annie’s Project is a national nonprofit organization created to empower and educate women who have a passion for agriculture.

“The idea behind Annie’s Project is to build confidence, develop networks and create lifelong learners among women farmers, ranchers and growers,” stated Gretchen Gasvoda, University of Wyoming (UW) Extension educator in Big Horn County.

In 2003, Ruth Hambleton, a University of Illinois Extension educator, started Annie’s Project to pay tribute to her mother Annette (Annie) Fleck.

Annie grew up in a small farm community with the goal of marrying a farmer, and

6

In February, Sen. Lee led a bipartisan effort to reform agricultural checkoff programs, joined by Sens. Cory Booker (D-NJ), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Rand Paul (R-KY) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), including U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) and Dina Titus (D-NV), stating the bill would make checkoff programs more responsive to producers who are required to contribute to them.

OFF Act details

“Lee has had a longstanding issue with commodity checkoff programs, and views these programs as a tax, not producers’ dollars promoting a commodity,” Lane states.

According to the Congressional Research Service (CRS), “The OFF Act

in 1947, she did. She spent her life learning how to be an involved partner with her husband, but it wasn’t always easy.

According to the Annie’s Project website, “Through it all, Annie kept records. She kept the farm business running, she kept the family running, and she kept her marriage. Annie knew deadlines, reporting requirements and tax issues. She did little management jobs which supported big management decisions.”

Annie’s Project takes her experiences and shares them with other women who work in the agricultural industry.

WYLR photo

It is a good time of year for those in the livestock business. It’s busy but rewarding. There are a lot of cattle trucks on highways leading into the region, and it only means one thing – ranchers are shipping calves.

Despite the high costs of managing a ranch, there are rewards.

Most experts predict cattle prices will stay higher because of the low number of cattle across the nation and the slow rebuilding of cattle herds. We will know more about heifer retention in a couple of months, which is the key to higher cattle numbers.

I read a report from Darrell Peel, professor of agricultural economics and Extension specialist for livestock marketing at Oklahoma State University.

He says, “Current prices for calves are roughly 18 percent higher than March and April prices, and heavy feeder cattle prices are higher than spring prices by over 30 percent. Feeder cattle prices are sharply higher this year compared to one year ago. Feeder steer and heifer prices at Oklahoma auctions are higher by 45 to 55 percent, compared to the end of September 2022.”

Peel continues, “The situation for cull and replacement cows is similar to feeder cattle with sharply higher prices and reduced volumes year over year. Average auction prices for cull cows in Oklahoma are about 35 percent higher this fall compared to last year. The volume of bred and breeding cows is down 28 percent year-to-date and down 45.6 percent since the end of June. Auction prices for bred cows are up roughly 50 percent year-over-year. I am hearing anecdotal reports of bred cow prices jumping sharply this fall.”

While these statistics are based on Oklahoma prices and volumes, they are similar to this region. The low volume will keep beef prices high for producers for at least the next year, maybe even longer for consumers at the meat counter

For the short term, supplies of market-ready cattle are supposed to grow increasingly thin in the fourth quarter of 2023, which could ignite another rally in the cash cattle market. Fat cattle weights, consumer demand and packer profitability are all going to affect prices of beef at the meat counter, and the big driver is the low numbers of cattle nationally.

We know the prices for cull bulls and canner cows should stay strong, as 60 percent of processed cows goes to hamburger.

There is a new insurance option announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for livestock producers in several states, which will be available in 2024.

The Weaned Calf Risk Protection policy, offered by the USDA’s Risk Management Agency, offers actual production history coverage for beef cow/calf producers to insure revenue from their spring-calving operations.

These policies will insure producers against yield losses due to natural causes such as drought, excessive moisture, hail, wind, frost, insects and disease. This new insurance coverage is provided for a decline in price and loss of yield due to a decrease of overall weaning weight revenue.

The program will be available in Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota and Texas. This program should be made available in all states. The insurance is sold and delivered solely through private crop insurance agents.

Around the first of the year we will have a better look at calves raised and sold to help get a handle on what’s happening with all cattle numbers.

Optional Fund Provides Investment Vehicle for Local Governmental Agencies

The state’s WyoStar investment programs have recently come under attack, and I would like to share a few facts.

These programs allow local governments to make institutional-quality investments with fees lower than what large institutional investors typically pay. The state’s manager charges 0.06 percent, and independent bond managers charge 0.5 to one percent on average.

The state is able to minimize fees by combining many smaller accounts –local government entities –together into a larger fund.

WyoStar programs

These two WyoStar programs have very different profiles. WyoStar I is a short-term, money market type of fund which is liquid and stable. WyoStar II (WS2) is a short maturity bond fund. Its price fluctuates. When interest rates go up, bond prices go down and vice-versa.

The State Treasurer’s Office (STO) hires JP Morgan to manage WyoStar. Over the recent fiscal year ending June 30, JP Mor-

By Curt Meier

gan’s performance ranks in the 18th percentile. This means 82 percent of other funds did not perform as well – a wonderful job during a very volatile period.

STO administers the cash flows of the programs. This helps reduce the cost of the programs to local entities because we do not charge a fee for this service, even though we employ two full-time professionals to administer these programs.

It is important to note a bond fund is not a bond. One can mature a bond and never incur a loss, unless it defaults. Bond funds manage to a total rate of return basis – the primary goal is optimizing returns, not focusing on realized gains and losses.

This is why an asset owner should not match a liability with a bond fund. In asset and liability management, a person can match their asset with the liability due date, so most asset liability managers buy bonds matching the liability date, not a bond fund. They also usually buy U.S. Treasuries to mitigate default risk.

Debunking misinformation

It has been falsely reported WS2 does not hold maturities matching the liquidity needs of the fund. Actually, the short maturity investment grade bonds –two years – that are in this fund are one of the most liquid bonds available in the market other than U.S. Treasuries.

When selling a large position in a fund, it is common practice to hold back a small percentage – usually five to 10 percent – to make sure accounting of accrued interest, capital gains and losses, fees and expenses are complete. Holding back the “tails” is common. It has nothing to do with liquidity.

Converse County Treasurer Joel Schell stated losses on withdrawals will be distributed to all participants. Actually, when the manager sells a bond, the unrealized gain or loss then becomes realized.

The only way not to ever have realized gains and losses would be to mature a bond. Think of this as a stock. If a person owns Apple at $180 and today’s

price is $177, they will show an unrealized loss of three dollars. If they sell it today, they will show a realized loss of three dollars but they still get $177, not some random number.

Realized gains and losses do not change the value of the fund, only market movements do.

Schell insinuated his county’s investment lost a tremendous amount of money. The fact is the return or gain on his county’s investment since inception was more than $500,000 over five years.

Remember, this was during the worst bond market performance in over 40 years due to the quickest increase in federal rates, and JP Morgan was still able to produce a positive return. The hold back he referred to as a “loss” has been returned to the county, in addition to some gains now that all of the accruals have been completed.

I also want to highlight this fund is an option for local entities. These cities and counties have the ability

• candice@wylr.net

JODY MICHELENA, Advertising Director • jodym@wylr.net

DENISE OLSON, Classified Sales Manager • 307-685-8213

• denise@wylr.net

ANDREA ZINK, General Manager • andrea@wylr.net

CURT COX, Director of Livestock Field Services • 307-630-4604

CALLI WILLIAMS, Livestock Field Services Rep. • 605-695-1990

• curt@wylr.net

• calli@wylr.net

Legislation introduced

U.S. Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) introduced legislation to stop the Biden administration from lifting a ban on imports of sheep and goat products until accurate studies show the possibility of contamination or transmission of diseases have been completely eliminated.

In 2022, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) implemented a final rule to remove bovine spongiform encephalopathy-related import restrictions on sheep and goats and their products. The Stop and Study Sheep and Goat Import Ban will stop this rule from taking effect and require updated, thorough research before exposing the sheep and goat industry, and ultimately U.S. consumers, to possible contaminations.

“In Wyoming, the sheep and goat industries have been a part of our ranching way of life since statehood. We know we can rely on American producers to provide families with safe, reliable and healthy meat products,” said Barrasso. “Imported sheep and goats are at a higher risk of being contaminated or diseased. It’s critical we keep the ban on imported sheep and goats in place until we can prove they are free of any possible diseases or contaminations.”

Cosponsors of this legislation include U.S. Sens. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), John Hoeven (R-ND), Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Mike Rounds (R-SD).

This bill has received support from the Wyoming Wool Growers Association and the American Sheep Industry Association.

Coordinator named

Donna Hoffman, a University of Wyoming (UW) Extension educator based in Casper, was recently appointed state coordinator for Wyoming’s Master Gardener program.

With more than two decades of experience as a Master Gardener coordinator, volunteer and Extension educator in Natrona County, she is well suited to the role.

“The Master Gardener program has a long history in Wyoming and we have a lot of passionate volunteers who continue to support the program,” says Bridger Feuz, associate director of UW Extension. “Donna knows what it takes to have successful local programs and can really bring this experience to this role and help others be successful.”

Wyoming’s Master Gardener program offers 40 or more hours of rigorous horticultural training with the expectation participants will share their knowledge through educational programming and volunteer work.

In addition to an annual online course offered through UW Extension, in-person Master Gardener trainings are also conducted across the state.

According to Feuz, Hoffman will oversee the statewide Master Gardener program, coordinate the state Master Gardener conference and lead the online Master Gardener course. She will also continue to serve as UW Extension’s Natrona County horticulturist.

As state coordinator, she will facilitate continuing education opportunities for volunteers and county coordinators across the state, a key component of the Master Gardener program.

To learn more about the Wyoming Master Gardener program, contact Hoffman at dhoffman@natronacounty-wy.gov or 307-235-9400.

FUND continued from page 2

to buy other funds or bonds to match their needs. If an entity does not want to incur realized gains and losses, common practice is to buy bonds – not bond funds – and mature them like normal asset and liability structures.

WS2 was set up as a longer-term investment program. This is not a money market fund. Investors should not go in and out of the fund but rather participate on a long-term basis, like stock investments but with lower volatility.

STO is not a mutual fund. We are providing a service for those local entities that want a low-cost option to help manage cash reserves and hopefully receive a higher return in relation to the index.

Curt Meier is the Wyoming state treasurer and can be reached by visiting statetreasurer.wyo.gov/office/

Registration open

The University of Wyoming (UW) recently opened registration for their Second Annual High Altitude Bull Test and Sale, which will close on Oct. 20. Interested individuals can find entry forms and the consignors’ handbook online at at bit.ly/UWBull_Test_Info_2023

According to UW, the program provides data on individual bull performance and offers a venue for producers to market and sell bulls which have undergone pulmonary arterial pressure testing.

It also offers an opportunity for students to gain real-world experience in bull development, management and marketing.

Testing is conducted at the Laramie Research and Extension Center (LREC), located approximately 7,200 feet above sea level. The 2023-24 test and sale include divisions for both yearlings and two-year-old bulls.

Consignors and producers will receive PAP test and breeding soundness exam results, ultrasound ribeye area and fat thickness measurements, as well as data on individual feed intake. They will also have access to feed efficiency metrics, including feed to gain, residual feed intake and average daily gain.

Bulls must be delivered to the Laramie Research and Extension Center by Nov. 1. Before the test, they will undergo a 45-day screening period to assess their risk for pulmonary hypertension. Testing concludes on Feb. 14.

The 2023-24 High Altitude Bull Test and Sale will conclude with a field day and live sale on March 9 at LREC. The event is free and open to the public. For those interested in buying bulls, online and phone bidding will be available.

For more information, contact Shelby Rosasco at srosasco@uwyo.edu or 307-766-2329.

USDA offers CWD funding

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is providing approximately $12 million to state and Tribal partners to further develop and implement Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) management and response activities in wild and farmed cervids.

“CWD continues to present a risk to deer, elk, moose and other cervids,” said Jenny Lester Moffitt, USDA under secretary for marketing and regulatory programs. “These collaborative efforts between and state and Tribal partners help find and implement new solutions for safeguarding U.S. agriculture and natural resources.”

CWD is an infectious, degenerative disease of cervids causing brain cells to die, ultimately leading to death. The disease has spread widely and the limited number of tools, as well as their effectiveness, impacts the ability to effectively control the disease.

New tools and approaches will enable improved management of wild and farmed cervids at risk for the disease.

New insurance available

On Sept. 29, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a new insurance option for livestock producers in several states.

The Weaned Calf Risk Protection policy, offered by USDA’s Risk Management Agency, offers Actual Production History (APH) coverage for beef cow/calf producers to insure revenue from their spring calving operations.

According to USDA, the policy will be available for the 2024 crop year.

APH policies insure producers against yield losses due to natural causes such as drought, excessive moisture, hail, wind, frost, insects and disease. In the case of the new Weaned Calf Risk Protection, coverage is provided for a decline in price and loss of yield due to a decrease of overall weaning weight like revenue coverage offered for other crops.

The program will be available in Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota and Texas, beginning with the Jan. 31, 2024 sales closing date for the 2024 crop year. Coverage levels between 50 to 85 percent will be available along with catastrophic coverage.

Best Buys in Used Equipment CARLSON EQUIPMENT

is a bill to establish restrictions and requirements for checkoff programs, which are programs overseen by the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to promote and provide research and information for a particular agricultural commodity without reference to specific producers or brands and shall publish and make available for public inspection all budgets and disbursements of funds.”

“Checkoff programs already have transparency. Anyone can go to the web

and view where money has been appropriated,” Lane emphasizes.

The CRS also states the bill prohibits boards established to carry out a checkoff program or a USDA order issued under a checkoff program from entering into a contract or agreement to carry out program activities with a party engaging in activities to influence any government policy or action which relates to agriculture.

Lane continues, “The OFF Act can be harm-

ful to producers as it is a bag of mixed messaging points and adds restrictions on who can contract with the Beef Checkoff, or any other commodity industry, to engage with subject matter experts to perform research.”

“It takes the voice away from producers and empowers other parts of the retail chain to make marketing decisions in the best interest of the given industry,” he adds.

Anti-agriculture activism hits the U.S. Senate

“Since the bill was introduced, Lee has been joined by animal rights

activists who are pushing to pass the OFF Act under the pretext of bringing accountability to federal agencies and derail animal agriculture,” Lane states.

He notes, although checkoff programs have been challenged in the past, this year’s challenge is different because Lee is receiving support from a collection of animal rights groups who aspire to derail animal agriculture.

Lane explains, “The OFF Act would harm U.S. producers, and now organizations such as Farm Action and the Organization for Competitive Mar-

kets are the funding sources behind the OFF Act.”

“This is what animal rights groups want to do – remove the voice of the producer,” he adds. “In the months leading up to the Congressional vote, a highly sophisticated action plan has been introduced by these groups to confuse staffers as they try to figure out fact from fiction, and the mass funding for antimeat agendas has been seen around Capitol Hill on billboards and in ads on social media platforms.”

U.S. House votes on ag amendment

On Oct. 1, NCBA

Senior Director of Government Affairs Tanner Beymer joined the Beltway Beef podcast and discussed the Agriculture Appropriation Bill failure.

“It’s been a very interesting 118th Congress, where three appropriation bills were passed but one did not – the Agriculture Appropriation Bill,” Beymer states. “U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-IN) introduced the controversial anti-checkoff amendment, part of the Ag Appropriation Bill, which was an amendment attacking the Beef Checkoff.”

“What made Spartz’s amendment so puzzling to most in agriculture is no federal funds are used in any of the commodity checkoff programs. All funds used are contributed by the producers of the commodity in question,” he notes. “The amendment did not have a lot of teeth, but it closely related to what we have been talking about in regards to the OFF Act.”

Beymer further explains although the OFF Act is led by radical animal rights groups, numerous state officials and other national

supporters, as well as thousands of U.S. cattle producers, spoke out against Spartz’s amendment.

According to the NCBA website, a letter was sent to Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) from NCBA alongside 129 leading state and national livestock, crop and forestry organizations voicing their opposition to Spartz’s anti-checkoff amendment attacking commodity checkoff programs, which are industry-led organizations existing to promote agricultural products and support U.S. farmers and ranchers.

“The attack on checkoff programs did not work, and the amendment to the agriculture appropriation failed 49 to 377,” he explains.

“Animal rights groups have been utilizing large budgets campaigning for this anti-checkoff bill but don’t have one important thing –grassroots producers.”

“We asked our members to contact Congress directly, and within 24 hours, over 1,600 letters went out to Congress voicing their concerns,” he adds. “Not only did cattle producers voice their concern, but many other commodity industries did as well.”

The Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2024 failed to pass 191 to 237, which was not surprising to many as the bill was on thin ice due to issues with other bill topics.

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

Attend a local class

Trained facilitators at UW Extension offices around the state offer Annie’s Project courses, which were created especially for women who work in and around agriculture.

“The first sessions offered in Wyoming were in 2011 in Lusk and Torrington when UW Extension partnered with Wyoming Women in Ag and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency to offer the programs. The response was enthusiastic, so more programs are planned,” reads the UW Extension website.

“Each program is designed as a six-week course to help women in agriculture develop management and decision-making skills and build peer relationships,” Gasvoda explained. “Sessions include presentations and discussion forums which allow the women to learn from agriculture professionals and network with other women in similar situations.”

continued from page 1

She further noted, during the six-week program, sessions include guest speakers, brief presentations and discussions focused on participants’ questions.

“Annie’s Project allows farm women to learn from female agricultural professionals and connect with other women in similar situations to help them develop their management and decision-making skills for their operations,” Gasvoda said.

Class topics vary widely according to local interest. Still, a typical program would include information in areas of financial records, production and risk management, marketing plans, legal and regulatory issues, business records and documentation, time management and human resources.

“Teaching classes is very rewarding,” Gasvoda added. “In 2022, I had 18 women graduate from the program, and we still stay in touch. It’s great to hear about their success.”

UW continued from page 1

UW on several new projects, including sock production and a feasibility study on first-stage wool processing.

Generous donor helps smooth water rights conflict in the West UW CALSNR named Laura Bucholz, president of the Gretchen Swanson Family Foundation, recipient of the 2023 Legacy Award. The Swanson Foundation recently made a generous gift to UW’s hydrology program in honor of Bucholz’s late husband Kurt Bucholz.

A rancher, veterinarian and legislator, Kurt paved the way for a new approach to irrigation administration in southern Wyoming’s Brush Creek watershed.

His wife has continued his quest for ethical water rights management through her engagement with the Brush Creek project, which brings together area ranchers and UW scientists to manage local water priorities.

The Swanson Foundation’s gift created the Dr. Kurt S. Bucholz Irrigation Science Excellence Fund, which supports water management research in the UW Department of Ecosystem Science and Management.

The gift also established the Watershed Hydrology Graduate Assistantship, which provides funding to a graduate student serving as irrigation administrator in the Brush Creek system.

“This gift will leave an impression not just on the university, but also on the state of Wyoming as a whole,” comments UW President Ed Seidel.

alumnus recognized

Additionally, the col-

Online resources available Annie’s Project offers online resources to help women build successful agricultural businesses, which can be challenging.

Annie’s Project also provides video links and podcasts on their website. In September, women had the opportu-

nity to sign up and join free training on agricultural stress management and farm transition resiliency webinars.

Women can join and celebrate 20 years of empowering women in agriculture at the 2023 National Annie’ Project Convention, held Oct. 18-20 in St. Louis, Mo. If unable

Hfrs, 1000-1025#, No Implants, Coming off grass

to attend in person, Annie’s Project proudly offers 20th Anniversary Showcases.

The showcases include a presentation from Iowa State University featuring cybersecurity and managing financial risks, Missouri Annie’s Project discussing farm succession and Colorado Annie’s

Project presenting on how to manage farm budgets. For more information on Annie’s Project, visit anniesproject.org

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

lege named Roger Stuber and Karen Williams as recipients of the 2023 Outstanding Alumni Award.

The Stuber Hereford Ranch (SHR) has raised and owned bulls at the top of almost every expected progeny difference category at the American Hereford Association, and in 2014, Stuber was inducted into the association’s hall of fame.

Over the years, Stuber has influenced state, national and international legislation through leadership in industry organizations, including the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.

Karen Williams was a champion of educational excellence in Wyoming and beyond. Her life’s work focused on the education of young children and the education of those who teach young children.

One of her most cherished achievements was the creation of UW’s Early Care and Education Center in Laramie.

Williams was also an early advocate for distance learning, leveraging technology to serve placebound students and adult learners. She launched UW’s distance professional child development bachelor’s degree program and later established the Bachelor of Applied Science in Organizational Leadership Program.

More on Stuber and Williams can be found in the Sept. 23 edition of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup or at uwagnews. com

Brooke Ortel is a writer and editor for UW Ag News. This article was originally published by UW Ag News on Oct. 2.

Timothy Cooney 22 Mostly Red Hfrs, 775-875#, Spayed, Complete Vac. Program, Coming off grass

CALVES

Pennington & Hall 225 Blk/Bwf Strs & Hfrs, 450-550#, Branding & Precond Shots

Broken Box Ranch Inc. 190 Mostly Bwf F-1 Cross few Blk/Rd Strs, 575-725#, Branding & Precond Shots, No Implants, Knife Cut, Home Raised

Scissors Ranch 150 Blk Strs & Hfrs, 500-600#, Branding Shots, No Implants, Steers are Knife Cut, Homes Raised 88 Ranch Land & Livestock 40 Red Strs & Hfrs, 600#, Branding Shots, Steers are Knife Cut, Home Raised

Chris & Jerri Jensen 25 Blk Strs & Hfrs, Branding & Precond Shots

Hiser Farms 12 Blk Strs, 600-700#, Weaned 45 days, Been on Alfalfa/Grass Hay Mix, Mineral Program, Branding Shots

CATTLE COUNTRY

to

Shots: 3 Rounds of Modified Live. Weigh w/a 3% on ground. Comments: Choice to fancy set of Eastern Wyoming calves. Weaned 60+ days and most are off of 1st calf hfrs, few were purchased from Wyo ranches as pairs. Majority have no brands. Rep: Lex Madden 307-532-1580. Pending More info 975 Spayed Hfrs. 75% Blk/Bwf, 20% Red/Rwf, 5% CharX. Base Wt: 895 lbs. Sl Uneven to Uneven. Delivery: 10/13/23 to 10/20/23. Located in SE Wyoming. Modified Live Vac Program. Choice set of Feeding Heifers. www.cattleountryvideo.com

Riverside Livestock LLC 350 Blk few Red Strs & Hfrs, 500-550#, Branding Shots

Bridle Bit Cattle Co./Dalton Ward 185 Blk Angus Strs & Hfrs, 500-625#, Branding & Precond Shots

Jill & Trae Seebaum 124 Blk/Bwf Strs & Hfrs, 500-520#, Branding Shots

Dan Marshall 100 Blk Strs, 500-600#, Branding & Precond Shots

Flint Haskins 100 Blk Strs & Hfrs, 500-550#, Branding & Precond Shots, Producer All Natural

Ross & Dede Buckhaults 75 Blk/Bwf Strs, 530-600#, Branding & Precond Shots

Bradley Lang 70 Blk Angus Strs/Hfrs, 400-475#, Branding & Precond Shots

Ron Christensen 70 Blk Hfrs, 450-550#, Branding Shots, Producer All Natural, Sired by Redland Registered Bulls

Norman & Shawn Streeter 62 Blk Strs, 525-540#, Branding Shots

Charolette Denny 53 Blk (3 Char-x) Strs & Hfrs, 475-525#, Branding & Precond Shots

Luke

TORRINGTON LIVESTOCK AREA REPS

Michael Schmitt - Torrington, WY 307-532-1776*** Ty Thompson – Lusk, WY 307-340-0770

Cody Thompson - Lusk, WY 307-340-0150***Zach Johnson Lingle, WY –307-575-2171

Jeff Ward – Laramie, WY 307-399-9863***Tam Staman – Crawford, NE 308-631-8513

Justin Smith - Lusk, WY 307-340-0724***Danny Nicodemus – Cheyenne, WY 307-632-4325

Chris Williams - Greybull, WY 307-272-4567***Hunter Dockery - Lusk, WY 307-340-1202

Nolan Brott - Lusk, WY 307-216-0033 ***Ben

climb up the ladder, a person has to climb on to steps one, two, etc. They can’t go from the ground floor to step five without the other steps,” Berry explains. “These value-added programs work the same way.”

However, Berry also recognizes every operation is different and what fits one outfit won’t necessarily fit another.

“In the cattle market, it’s not uncommon to see a $25 to $50 per hundredweight (cwt) difference in prices for a variety of reasons. On the Superior website, there is a lot of information, including market reports, archived catalogs, value-added programs, etc. This can be a quick reference for buyers,” he says.

“These include vaccination protocols, management, including the weaning status of the cattle and various value-added programs. One program even tells where the producers purchase their bulls. This

can have dramatic effects on economic viability, consumer acceptance and endproduct quality,” states OSU.

will be written in the details of the contract as well,” he adds.

Examples of value-added programs

Berry explains every other year Superior has Kansas State and Merck Animal Health evaluate data.

“They go through it all and try to differentiate what the factors are affecting sale price,” he states. “Some are not traditionally called value-added programs, but it’s important to understand the foundation for them is laid at the management level.”

“The Vac34 and Vac34+ in one instance was adding $4.50 per cwt to the value of cattle, compared with a Vac24. What we call a Vac24 is a bawling calf that has had one round of shots, including a five-way modified live vaccine with a seven-way or higher clostridial like blackleg, with at least one pasteurella vaccine,” he adds. “The pasteu-

rella can be in a combo or as a stand alone. Our minimum criteria is a Vac24 for a baseline.”

Superior does not sell any non-vaccinated calves, and Berry notes their buyers expect calves to come with documented vaccinations.

“The Vac34 has two rounds of the shots, which I previously mentioned,” he says. “They are still bawling calves, but they had one round of shots while they were still a small calf on the cow and another round two to four weeks prior to shipping. Some people call this preconditioning.”

“The Vac45 and Vac45+ shows $8.60 per cwt over the Vac24. It’s the same shot requirements as the Vac34, but the calves are 45 days weaned, minimum,” Berry explains. “On our data, on nearly four million head over the last two years, this was over and above the calves which just received one round of shots and were bawling off of the cow.”

There are other value-

added incentives like Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) certification, which Berry points out has become a requirement for some added-value programs.

Heifers versus steers

Additionally, Berry addresses the difference between selling steers and heifers, which, on average, leads to a $19 difference per cwt.

“This sounds like a lot, but if a producer is feeding heifers, there is a drastic difference,” he says. “There is no difference genetically between steers and heifers, but heifers are an inferior feeding animal, mainly due to lower feed conversion.”

Berry explains, due to genetics and management, carcass quality will typically be equal between steers and heifers, with heifers grading just as well or better than steers. However, females don’t convert as well, so the cost to put pounds on a heifer is higher.

“And, in general, most heifers weigh about 100 pounds less at harvest compared to steers. This is why

it’s not uncommon to see heifers bringing $10 to $20 less than steers, unless they are replacement heifers,” he says.

Marketing strategies

“When thinking about marketing strategies, I look at value-added programs a lot like a railroad track,” Berry says. “People can walk on the left or right side of a track and they will be fine. But, if they walk down the middle of the track, sooner or later they will get run over.”

“For the most part, if a producer decides to go the natural route and take away some of the science and technologies to add production efficiency – pounds, feed conversion, etc. –they have to enroll and have opportunity to capture some of the premiums for those third-party evaluated programs,” he continues.

Conversely, Berry says producers might take the other approach, raising what is considered “conventional cattle” and benefiting from the use of implants, antibiotics and

ionophores.

“Some producers don’t know which way to go so they spend all of their time in the middle, and they miss out on both ends. They either lose out on added pounds or on the opportunity for premiums,” he states. “In my opinion, this is the only wrong decision.”

Therefore, Berry encourages producers to look at their production model and ask themselves what works, what minor changes they could make and how aggressive they want to be.

“Will they take easy pounds with implants or go the other route?” he asks.

“Don’t remove science and technology without stepping in to the audited side where they can market those cattle and capture the premium. When walking down the middle, they lose on both ends,” he concludes.

Heather Smith Thomas is a corresponding writer for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@ wylr.net.

Pre-weaning nutrition

In order to ensure a successful weaning, calf nutrition should be a priority from the time the animal hits the

ground. In fact, it is imperative calves consume colostrum 24 hours after birth to receive passive immunity from their dam, which will have lifelong effects on their health.

From the time they are

born up until the day they are weaned, calves’ diets will largely consist of their dam’s milk and the pasture they graze, which means pre-weaning diets are highly variable.

“This variability does make it challenging to provide recommendations,” notes a March 7 Penn State Extension article originally published in Progressive Cattlemen. “The appropriate concentration of energy and protein for a pre-weaned, continental-breed calf in Montana will not be the same as the concentration for a preweaned, Brahman-influenced calf in Florida, for example.”

Regardless of their environment, as calves move closer to weaning day, a robust and balanced diet of protein, energy, minerals and vitamins is critical.

“Nutrition is a key element in the weight gain and immune response of weaned calves,” writes Nebraska Extension Beef and Range Management Specialist Karla Jenkins, Nebraska Extension Feedlot Veterinarian Dr. Dee Griffin and Former Nebraska Extension Beef Nutrition Specialist Aaron Stalker in a University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) article published in August 2015.

“Milk is rich in energy, protein, vitamins and minerals, and it needs to be replaced with high-quality forage and possibly supplemented to maintain pre-weaning nutrient intake,” the trio continues. “Fortifying the pre- and postweaning diet with vitamins and minerals can contribute to improve immune function and reduce post-weaning sickness.”

If calves are allowed to continue grazing before and during weaning, UNL encourages producers to evaluate the nutrient content of the forage. Since the nutrient content of native range decreases in the fall, they may want to con-

“From an industry perspective, how we manage our calf crop, pre-weaning, at weaning and postweaning can have dramatic effects on economic viability, consumer acceptance and endproduct quality.” – Oregon State University

sider providing calves with supplemental creep feed.

When weaning in a drylot, calves must learn to eat from a bunk.

UNL recommends providing 1.5 to two feet of bunk space per head and adding dirt around bunks to make sure smaller calves can reach the feed.

“Reduced intake typically results in poor weight gain and depressed immune function. Therefore, maintaining feed intake is crucial,” explains the UNL educators. “Feeding long-stem, high-quality grass hay during the first two or three days post-weaning, works well to start calves on feed.”

After two or three days, the specialists recommend adding high-energy feeds to the diet as a total mixed ration or top-dressed on hay.

“Fermented feeds such as silage should be avoided until calves are eating well, as it is not highly palatable to them. Additionally, energy is important but energy sources high in starch, such as corn, should be limited to 50 percent or less of the dietary dry matter,” says Jenkins, Griffin and Stalker.

In both pasture and drylot settings, it is also important calves become accustomed to their new water sources.

“Unlimited access to fresh, clean water is essential for weaned calves. If the post-weaning water source is unfamiliar to the calves, make accommodations to familiarize them,” explains the trio. “Allowing the water source to overflow for a brief time may help calves find the water.”

Calf health considerations

Calf health comes second to nutrition when ensuring a successful weaning.

However, because immune responses to vaccinations are not immediate, many experts suggest producers vaccinate their calves two to three weeks prior to weaning.

According to UNL, an effective pre-weaning vaccination protocol includes a bovine respiratory disease (BRD) viral vaccine, including infectious bovine rhinotracheitis, bovine virus diarrhea and bovine respiratory syncytial virus; a BRD bacterial vaccine, such as Presponse, Pulmo-Guard, OneShot, etc. and a clostridial vaccine, such as a seven-way blackleg vaccine.

Calves should also receive an effective dewormer.

UNL further notes it is important to use low-stress handling techniques to ease calves away from their mothers in order to keep stress at a minimum and boost the response of the vaccinations calves were given prior to weaning.

“All calves should also be castrated, dehorned and branded before weaning to alleviate the stress associated with the weaning process as much as possible,” OSU concludes.

Keep an eye out for additional articles on weaning strategies and post-weaning management in future editions of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup.

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

OBITUARIES

We welcome obituaries. Obituaries are printed free of charge and can be sent to roundup@wylr.net.

Marie Barlow Geis

Dec. 10, 1952 – Sept. 24, 2023

Lamoni, Iowa. This is where she met and fell in love with her Wyoming cowboy. Marie met Keith Geis in the fall of her sophomore year.

A few months later, Keith asked her to marry him – he wasn’t about to let his Southern belle get away. They were married less than a year after they met, and thus began the greatest adventure of a lifetime.

Raising her children and guiding her students in their education sparked a desire in Marie to do more for her community, and she began fostering children, providing them a safe home in their greatest time of need.

While living in Gillette, Keith and Marie fostered over a dozen different children. Many of them also experienced the great southern migration and still laugh about adventures had along the way.

friends was so she could brag about her incredible children and grandchildren.

Better known as Mimi to those who were closest to her, everyone knew, while she loved her husband and loved her friends, she adored her two kids and six grandkids – and she wanted everyone to know.

Ronel Irene Dunlap

July 28, 1956 – Sept. 24, 2023

Marie Barlow Geis, a precious mother, wife, sister and friend, stepped into the arms of Jesus on Sept. 24. She was surrounded by her husband, children and grandchildren, who held her hands and whispered words of love throughout her passing.

Marie was born in Mobile, Ala. on Dec. 10, 1952 to the late Edward Robert and Alice Ruth (Garrett) Barlow. She was raised in a loving family with two sisters – twins Pamela and Patricia. Her childhood was spent attending school in Atlanta; Salem, N.C. and Mobile, Ala. She finished her youth and young adult life at Azalea Road Junior High and Davidson High School in Mobile, Ala.

She was a classic, young, Southern lady with a bit of a wild streak. Active in church, a lifeguard at church camp, a majorette in the marching band and president of Phi Theta Gamma, yet one would find her jumping off Alabama Point Bridge into the Gulf of Mexico with her friends on the weekends.

Her independent nature led her to attend college at Graceland University in

At the young age of 19, Marie moved to Wyoming with her new husband. They both graduated from the University of Wyoming (UW), and Marie began her lifelong career in education. She spent the next 40 years teaching Kindergarten through fourth grade in Torrington; Geneva, Ala.; DeWitt, Iowa; Gillette and Wheatland.

During this time, Keith and Marie expanded their family to include Jared Zane Geis and Havely Marie (Geis) Bauersachs.

Split between family in Wyoming and Alabama, Marie would take the kids on a great Southern migration every summer. As soon as school was out, they would load up and head to Alabama, spending the summer with cherished grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

She always made sure her children attended the same church camp she went to as a young girl and spent as much time at Gulf Shores as possible. This is when she also instilled into her children a love of music – singing away for 3,500 miles and learning how to drum with licorice on the dashboard.

Funding available

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is making more than $3 billion in funding available for agricultural producers and forest landowners nationwide to participate in voluntary conservation programs and adopt climate-smart practices in Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda.

The announcement comes as the Biden-Harris administration hosts the first-ever White House Climate Resilience Summit.

“Thanks to President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, we have additional resources to invest in climate-smart practices as we continue to see high demand for these popular conservation programs,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

“This funding will be used to meet producer demand for our oversubscribed programs and maximize climate benefits across the country while also providing other important environmental benefits,” he continued. “This includes investing in popular commonsense practices such as cover crops, waste and fertilizer management and grazing practices, while continuing to work through existing programs to help producers address other natural resource challenges.”

These additional investments are estimated to help hundreds of thousands of farmers and ranchers apply conservation to millions of acres of land. These funds provide direct climate mitigation benefits, advance a host of other environmental co-benefits and expand access to financial and technical assistance for producers to advance conservation on their farm, ranch or forest land through practices like cover cropping, conservation tillage, wetland restoration, prescribed grazing, nutrient management, tree planting and more.

USDA is opening up the application period for FY24 conservation assistance giving producers the opportunity to apply for this historic funding.

Marie was recognized with the Woman of Distinction Award, Campbell County School District Employee of the Year and Parents of the Year during her time as an educator, parent and foster parent. She built an incredible group of friends who got through many trying times with much laughter, music and love.

As Keith and Marie settled in their final hometown of Wheatland, she began to find interest in new hobbies. She went back to school and received her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction, served on the UW Alumni Board, took up knitting, crocheting, weaving, learned a few tunes on the ukulele and served in Chapter R, P.E.O.

She loved to cruise the town with her new friends, grabbing a “pop,” and catching up on the latest small town news and excitement.

After retirement, she began traveling to South Padre Island, Texas for the winter and developed another core group of friends from all over the country. She loved to tell about the adventures on their annual “senior trip” and laughter was in abundance.

It seems everywhere Marie went, she drew people to her. She loved to visit with friends and she loved to know about people. But, the real reason why she loved to chat and make all of these amazing

Marie lived a life close to Christ, displaying kindness and generosity, loyalty, humor, independence and love. She saturated those closest to her with the same traits, and this was her greatest gift to them.

While Marie was preceded in death by her parents Edward and Alice Barlow, she is survived by her husband of Wheatland, Keith Geis; son and daughter-inlaw Jared and Christina (Walton) Geis of Highlands Ranch, Colo.; daughter and son-inlaw Havely (Geis) and Tate Bauersachs of Douglas; six grandchildren, Lucille, Lillian, Lane, Rachel, Rory and Ruston; her sisters and brothers-in-law Pamela (Barlow) and Wesley Cleaveland of LaGrange, Ga. and Patricia (Barlow) and Jackson Clark of Tallassee, Ala.; 12 nieces and nephews; numerous great nieces and nephews and dear lifelong friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Oct. 21 at 2 p.m. in the AgriPlex located at the Platte County Fairgrounds. A reception will follow. The family asks those in attendance to wear shades of brown or gold in honor of her love of UW athletics.

Ronel Irene Dunlap, age 67, of Garrett passed away on Sept. 24. She was born on July 28, 1956 to Ronald and Hazel (Seaton) in Riverton.

She married Thomas E. Dunlap on Dec. 24, 1990 in Medicine Bow.

Ronel ran a ranch with her husband in Medicine Bow for 18 years and has also previously worked as the secretary for Farm Bureau. She had moved to the Dunlap homestead in 2016, located at Crow Creek.

Ronel loved the QVC

network, crocheting, cross stitching, rock hounding, scrapbooking and was a wonderful cook. During her treatment at the Jeanie Ray Cancer Center, Ronel received wonderful care. Ronel is survived by her husband Tom Dunlap; her children Clinton (Dawn) Barney, Cody (Holly) Barney and Mike Barney; her grandchildren Morgan, Austin, Cadey, (Tyler) Dowton, Cody Jr., Tyler (Indi) and Eddy Barney; her siblings Richard (Lori) Thornburg, Rhonda (Milton) Smith and Wayne (Karen) Thornburg and her dogs Rocky, Rossi and Patsy.

She is preceded in death by her parents Ronald and Hazel Thornburg, her sister Audrey Thornburg and her grandparents.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ronel’s name to the Jeannie Ray Cancer Center of Laramie. Per her request no services will take place.

Wesley "Pat" Allen Sturgeon

Sept. 30, 1939 – Sept. 21, 2023

Wesley “Pat” Allen Sturgeon passed away peacefully with his wife Ila of 63 years by his side.

He leaves behind his wife Ila; daughters Shawna (Wes) Eubanks and Nancy (Loren) Owens; grandsons Shawn Eubanks, Jacob Swindell and Joshua Swindell and granddaughters Amanda Eubanks, Jenna Holt and Caroline Copeland.

Pat was dearly loved and will be missed by many.

Graveside services were held on Oct. 5 at Highland Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers,

memorial donations may be made to the Mountain States Legal Foundation in care of Grant Mortuary, 621 Yampa Ave., Craig, CO 81625.

GUNS GUNS GUNS

• OPTICS LIBERTY GUN SAFES

In my neck of the woods, every Saturday and Sunday from January through March is reserved for someone’s branding. So when it came time to brand my calves, every available day was already spoken for, and no one dared jump on another rancher’s day for fear of being excommunicated.

by Lee Pitts

This meant someone either had to die or quit ranching in order to claim their day.

So for the first five years, my wife and I had to brand our own calves, which meant we worked them on a calf table. Please don’t tell anyone because this is a sin worse than jumping on someone’s branding day.

We finally rose to number one on the waiting list, and when a rancher sold out and moved to Nebraska, we grabbed his day, despite a hotly contested debate about whether the day actually belongs to a person or to the ranch. Lucky for us, the new owner of the ranch wanted to raise yaks, buffalo and ostriches, which I don’t think require any branding.

So we got our own branding day, although it was not a very desirable one – the last Sunday in March. This meant a rustler would have three extra months to steal our slick calves, and by the end of March, even our poorly

calves would be pushing 400 pounds. No one wants to wrestle those monsters.

There has always been an informal competition amongst ranchers as to who could provide the best meal after all of the calves were branded. This could get very expensive by the time the rancher filled his truck at COSTCO with beer, beans, beef and bread. There are two schools of thought, but the multi-generation ranchers believe one should spend the price of a calf on their branding dinner, while the more recent and richer ranchers say they should spend the price of two calves.

The REAL Montana Kind!

They will have as much QUALITY and PROGRAM as any set of females you will find anywhere in America

There were only two exceptions – my friend Pete cheapened back by serving chicken and myself who believes one should spend the price of one leppy lamb.

For our first branding, I took the whole crew down to the Dairy Freeze and told them they could have anything they wanted under two bucks. Drinks and dessert were not included, as I didn’t want to have to buy anyone’s root beer freeze, pistachio milkshake, vanilla cone dipped in chocolate or banana split.

There were several complaints after the meal, and a boycott was threatened if we didn’t up the quality of our barbecue.

So for our second year, we decided on something a little different – serve-yourself tacos and chips. On one table we had big containers of ground beef from a cancer-eyed cow, chopped lettuce, cheese, macaroni salad slightly past it’s “Use By” date and a couple bags of Doritos.

For portion control, my wife handed out two tortillas to each adult and one to every kid. For drinks we bought a new garden hose.

The following year, we waited and waited but no one showed up to our branding.

The problem was a gyne-

cologist had bought a ranch in the area and brazenly jumped on our branding day. He hired a caterer to serve filet mignon steaks, five kinds of salad, corn on the cob and French bread slathered in butter.

To drink there was every kind of soda imaginable, along with expensive wine, local artisan draft beers and drinking water from Fiji. There were real linen table cloths and napkins and real silverware, instead of the plastic kind that always broke. The silverware selection consisted of three forks, two spoons and a sharp knife so the ranchers didn’t have to cut their steak with the same knife they’d been castrating calves with.

Dessert consisted of allyou-could-eat homemade ice cream, served atop apple pie or delightful berry cobbler. There was even a place to wash up, including hot water, Lava, two types of French smelly soap, and there were his and he portable bathrooms with high-dollar toilet paper.

Needless to say, my wife and I were back to branding our calves on a calf table. But, as a reward for my hardworking wife and to prove I wasn’t totally heartless, I took her to a free gourmet mid-day-meal over at the gynecologist’s place.

ADUFA reauthorized

On Oct. 2, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) hailed the reauthorization of the Animal Drug User Fee Act (ADUFA), a top priority for NCBA which is now law following President Joe Biden’s approval of a continuing resolution to fund the government.

Included in the continuing resolution, this “clean” reauthorization of ADUFA keeps the legislation in effect for another five years.

“Keeping our livestock healthy is on every cattle producer’s mind,” said NCBA President Todd Wilkinson, a South Dakota cattle producer. “NCBA made the ADUFA reauthorization a top priority at the 2023 Cattle Industry Convention, and I am proud to see our team’s hard work pay off with this latest reauthorization being signed into law. This is just one of many examples of how NCBA works hard to protect our interests in Washington, D.C.”

ADUFA allows the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Veterinary Medicine to collect fees from animal health companies, which fund the agency’s review and approval process for new animal drugs.

ADUFA ensures FDA has an efficient system for authorizing new cattle medicines and diagnostic tools to keep livestock healthy and protect the safe, wholesome food supply.

815 Pasture Bred

Bred

LBW Vermilion Angus

Poultry restrictions placed

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is placing restrictions on the importation of poultry from France, as well as live ducks, duck eggs and unmitigated/untreated duck products from the APHIS-recognized European Poultry Trade Region (EPTR) – excluding Great Britain – as well as Iceland, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

These restrictions are due to increased risk of introducing highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) into the U.S. and went into effect on Oct 1.

The restrictions are based on the World Organization for Animal Health’s definition of poultry and are the result of France’s decision to vaccinate commercial meat ducks against HPAI. France’s decision to vaccinate presents a risk of introducing HPAI into the U.S.

The U.S. does not currently allow the import of poultry from countries affected with HPAI or from flocks which have been vaccinated by HPAI.

Vaccination of poultry against HPAI may mask the virus circulating in poultry. Vaccinated birds may not show signs of HPAI infection, which could lead to the export of infected live animals or virus-contaminated products to the U.S. APHIS is engaged in ongoing discussions with the European Commission about HPAI vaccination programs in the European Union.

EXTENSION EDUCATION

By Dagan Montgomery, UW Extension Educator

Interpreting Results of Hay Analysis Reports

More and more beef producers nationwide are having their hay sampled to analyze its nutrient content. This relatively simple and affordable exercise allows cattlemen an in-depth look at the actual nutrient profile their herd will receive from hay, allowing them to plan supplemental feed programs accordingly.

However, before a hay analysis can be effectively put to use, it has to be understood.

Depending on the lab performing the analysis, one may receive a simple list of nutrients next to the corresponding measured value, with no indication of whether the value is high, average or low compared to similar feeds.

The nutrients themselves may only appear as abbreviations and could include a long list of measured components, some of which are more important than others.

This article will go through a basic breakdown of the key nutrient components found in most routine hay analyses, as well as the relative values to look for in each.

Moisture

Typically, the first values one will find on a hay analysis report are moisture and dry matter (DM), a means of comparing the amount of water within different feeds. This is determined by drying the hay in an oven and then weighing

all non-water components.

Nutrient values will often be reported as both dry matter (DM) and “as-fed” (AF) or “as received.” Hay should be compared to other feeds using the DM value for nutrients. For the rest of this article, values for other nutrient measurements will be discussed on a DM basis.

Moisture level also greatly influences the stability of harvested forage during storage.

The target for hay is around 85 percent DM or 15 percent moisture. Baleage is usually 40 to 60 percent DM and silage is 30 to 40 percent DM for proper fermentation. Producers will notice some moisture should remain, as being 100 percent waterfree decreases palatability and leads to leaf shatter.

Crude Protein

Protein in ruminant feeds is usually expressed as crude protein (CP) – as a percentage of DM. This is based on the total nitrogen in the plant matter multiplied by 6.25 as plant protein is typically 16 percent nitrogen.

CP level is critical for a productive beef herd. Protein is required for growth, lactation, reproduction and muscle development. This is why protein is the one of the most commonly supplemented nutrients for grazing or hayed cattle. It is also the most expensive.

Dry gestating cows need at least seven percent CP on a daily basis – seven percent value is also considered the bare minimum for wintering cattle, as this is lowest level needed to support rumen function.

For at least the first 60 days after calving, a cow’s needs increase to 11 percent CP. Throughout the rest of lactation cows need at least nine percent CP. Growing rations for calves typically contain 14 to 16 percent CP.

CP can vary based on forage species, maturity, soil and storage stability.

Fiber

The fiber content of the forage is made up of the structural components in the grasses’ cell wall and is usually broken into neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF), both expressed as a percentage of DM.

NDF contains the components cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin and is what remains after the digestible material is removed with a neutral detergent. Forage intake will decrease as NDF increases, and the formula 120 divided by NDF can help determine how much the animal will eat as a percentage of body weight.

For example, if NDF is 50 percent, DM intake will be 2.4 percent of the animal’s weight. NDF can range from 40 to 65 percent DM, and at 60 percent and higher, it begins to noticeably affect feed intake.

Lower values are typically desired for NDF.

ADF is what remains after remaining NDF has been removed with acid detergent. Forage digestibility decreases with increased ADF.

Average ranges for ADF

in hay are anywhere from 30 to 45 percent DM. Values above 40 percent ADF usually indicate a lower-quality hay. Both forms of fiber increase with plant maturity and are typically lower in legumes than grasses.

Energy

Energy in a feed can be measured in several ways.

The most common and practical way to evaluate energy content of a forage is total digestible nutrients (TDN). TDN is also expressed as a percentage of DM and is the sum of digestible carbohydrates, protein and fat the animal will receive.

In general, hay with less than 52 percent TDN would be considered lower quality, hay with 52 to 58 percent TDN would be medium or average quality and hay exceeding 58 percent would be high quality.

Based on the 2016 “Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle, Eighth Revised Edition,” mature cows nursing calves need a minimum of 58 to 61 percent TDN in their diet, whereas a dry pregnant cow should be getting at least 50 to 54 percent TDN, depending on stage of pregnancy.

These values can easily be converted to pounds by multiplying the percentage of TDN by the total pounds of dry matter the animal eats per day.

Minerals

Both macrominerals and trace minerals are critical for cattle growth and perfor-

mance, and several will show up on a good hay analysis.

Two of the key minerals one should look for are calcium (Ca) and phosphorous (P), both usually reported as a percentage of total DM. These are both needed for skeletal growth in growing cattle and are crucial for lactation.

Dry cows need 0.25 to 0.28 percent Ca and 0.16 to 0.19 percent P a day in their diets. Cows at peak lactation need at least 0.31 percent Ca and 0.21 percent P per day. The ratio of Ca to P should remain between 1.5:1 and 4:1, because too much P can impede Ca absorption.

Most common complete mineral mixes are sufficient to provide cattle with enough Ca and P.

Calculated Values

Several values can be calculated based on other results from a hay sample. Relative feed value (RFV) and relative forage quality (RFQ) are calculated values and meant to combine energy content and DM intake into a single value, which is measured against full bloom alfalfa as a standard –full bloom alfalfa is assumed to have a RFV of 100.

These are meant to provide an idea of how well a forage would provide for a ruminant animal if it was all that was being fed. Both may appear on a hay sample analysis. However, depending on the lab, these may need to be specifically requested.

RFV was developed first,

calculated using the measured values for ADF and NDF in the sample. The problem is RFV isn’t accurate across forage types, such as when comparing good grass hay to legumes, so RFQ was developed using TDN as part of the calculation and is considered a better judge of true potential for a forage to predict animal performance.

In most cases, RFQ will range from 50 to 250. In hay, an RFQ of less than 90 is low quality, 90 to 110 is fair quality, 111 to 140 is good quality, 141 to 200 is premium hay and over 200 is outstandingly high-quality hay.

Dry cows can get by on hay in the 100 to 115 range, whereas growing cattle and lactating cows really need hay in the 115 to 140 range.

A good hay analysis can provide a tremendous amount of information about the actual nutrition a herd is receiving. But the data producers get back can be difficult to sort through, especially without a good frame of reference for what the values and nutrient components mean.

Some values are extremely important to pay attention to and can go a long way in formulating a good supplementation program for a herd. Others may not be as crucial.

Dagan Montgomery is University of Wyoming Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension educator. He can be reached at dmontgo8@uwyo. edu.

Oct. 11 Bridger Valley Joint Powers Board Public Meeting, 7 p.m., Bridger Valley Water Treatment Plant, Mountain View. For more information, call Karinda Henry at 307-782-3130 or Gareth Powell at 307-789-6735.

Oct. 13-14 32nd Annual Old West Days and Nebraska Cowboy Poetry Gathering, Valentine, Neb. For more information and tickets, visit oldwestdays.net or call 1-833-693-7638.

Oct. 13-21 Northern International Livestock Exposition, MetraPark, Billings, Mont. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit metrapark.com

Oct. 16-19 International Dairy Federation 2023 World Dairy Summit, Chicago, Ill. For more information, visit idfa.org

Oct. 17-18 First Annual Wyoming Water Quality Conference, University of Wyoming Conference Center, Laramie. For more information or to register, visit deq. wyoming.gov/water-quality/water-quality-conference

Oct. 19 Nebraska Extension Crop Insurance Workshop, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Heartland Events Center, Grand Island, Neb. For more information or to register, visit cropinsure.unl.edu or call 402-472-0366.

Oct. 19-20 American Hereford Association Annual Meeting, Kansas City, Mo. For more information, visit hereford.org

Oct. 25 Virtual Rocky Mountain Soil Health Roundtable, 3-4:30 p.m., online. For more information or to register, visit eventbrite.com/e/virtual-rocky-mountainsoil-health-roundtable-tickets-724263831617?aff=oddtdtcreator

Nov. 2 Nebraska Ranch Practicum, Whitman, Neb. For more information or to register, visit nebraskaranchpracticum.unl.edu, e-mail Troy Walz at troy.walz@unl. edu or call 308-872-6831.

Nov. 2-4 West Central States Wool Growers Convention, Boise, Idaho. For more information, visit sheepusa.org

Nov. 3-6 2023 Angus Convention, Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel, Orlando, Fla. For more information or to register, visit angusconvention.com

Nov. 4 16th Annual Tribute to the Great American Cowboy PRCA Rodeo, 7 p.m., Central Wyoming Fairgrounds, Casper. For more information or to buy tickets, visit greatamericancowboyrodeo.com

Nov. 8-9 Inaugural Wyoming Association of Irrigation Districts Annual Meeting, Ramkota Hotel, Casper. For more information, e-mail waid.wyoming@gmail. com or call 307-439-3597.

Nov. 9 Colorado Simmental Association’s 53rd Annual Meeting, 6 p.m., Zoom. More information will be released at a later date.

Nov. 9-10 30th Annual Wyoming Women in Ag Symposium and Diversity Tour, Worland. For more information, visit wywomeninag.org

Nov. 9-11 104th Annual Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation Meeting, Little America Hotel, Cheyenne. For more information, visit wyfb.org

Big horn Basin

LIVESTOCK

Worland, WY

Visit

SALES

Oct. 13-15 26th Annual Fall Colt & Yearling Catalog Sale & Futurity, Farmers and Ranchers Livestock Commission Co., Salina, Kan., 785-826-7884, 785493-2901, 785-825-0211, fandrlive.com

Oct. 21 Basin Angus Ranch A Lasting Legacy Elite Female Sale, Billings Livestock Commission, Billings, Mont., 406-350-0350, 406-350-2332, 406-366-3612, basinangus.com

Oct. 23 Montana Angus Female Bonanza XX, PAYS, Billings, Mont., 406-861-5664, 406-200-1880, 406-690-1150, norhternlivestockvideo.com

Oct. 25 Micheli Ranch Bull Sale, at the ranch, Ft. Bridger, 307-252-0437, 307-7477786, 307-747-3897, 307-780-8232, micheliranch.com

Nov. 5 Triangle J Ranch Harvest Select Female Sale, at the ranch, Miller, Neb., 308-457-2505, 308-627-5085, trianglejranch.com

Nov. 6 Pharo Cattle Company Sale, Burlington, Colo., 800-311-0995, pharocattle.com

Nov. 9 Bieber Fever Fall Female and Bull Sale, at the ranch, Leola, S.D., 605-4393628, bieberredangus.com

Nov. 11 Leachman Cattle of Colorado Fall Harvest Sale, Leachman Bull Barn, Fort Collins, Colo., 970-568-3983, leachman.com

Nov. 11 HD Dunn & Son Angus Ranch 25th Annual Bull Sale, at the ranch, Tetonia, Idaho, 208-221-3866, 402-382-5810, hddunn.com

Nov. 12 The Wyoming Angus Association 13th Annual Wyoming Select Female Sale, Grace Werner Ag Pavilion, Casper College, Casper, 307-630-1593, wyomingangus.org

Nov. 13 Ludvigson Stock Farms Elite Bred Angus Females Sell, Billings, Mont., 406-601-9192, ludvigsonstockfarms.com

Nov. 16 Largent and Sons “Prime Demand” Sale, at the ranch, Kaycee, 307-7382443, 307-267-3229, largentandsons.com

Nov. 18 Redland Angus Annual Production Sale, Buffalo Livestock Auction, Buffalo, 307-250-1548, redlandangus.com

Nov. 18 Pharo Cattle Company Sale, Three Forks, Mont., 800-311-0995, pharocattle.com

Nov. 21 Paint Rock Angus Annual Fall Sale, at the ranch, Hyattville, 307-469-2206, 307-271-2000, 307-272-5332, 307-578-7392, paintrockangus.com

Nov. 28 Ward Livestock Fifth Annual Red White & Blue Bull Sale, at the ranch, Laramie, 307-399-9863

Dec. 2 T-Heart Ranch High Altitude Female Sale, at the ranch, LaGarita, Colo., 719-850-3082, 719-850-3083, t-heartranch.com

Dec. 2 Leachman Cattle of Colorado High Altitude Sale, Loma Livestock, Loma, Colo., 970-568-3983, leachman.com

Dec. 2 Hollow Top Angus Production Sale, Montana Livestock Auction, Ramsay, Mont., 406-223-5078, hollowtopangus.com

Dec. 4 Pharo Cattle Company Sale, Valentine, Neb., 800-311-0995, pharocattle.com

POSTCARD from the Past

Compiled by Dick Perue rrichardperue@gmail.com

Indian Summer

Bertagnoli & Dannenberg, Newton

1 Blk Cow, 1520# $10350

1 Blk Cow, 1410# $10300 Lucas Revocable Trust - Arapahoe

1 Blk Cow, 1300# $10100 Hicks, Rob - Cody

1 Red Cow, 1695# $10100 Wiechmann, Jason - Ten Sleep

1 Blk Cow, 1335# $9900

1 Blk Cow, 1190# $9500

1 BWF Cow, 1425# $9400

Greer Land & Livestock - Hyattville

1 Red Cow, 1210# $9750

1 Red Cow, 1400# $9300 Mendez Brothers - Otto

1 Blk Cow, 1175# $9700 Whitlock, Boyd - Ten Sleep

1 Blk Cow, 1660# $9600 Wilkerson, Kurtis - Lovell

1 CharX Cow, 1665# $9450 Foss, Luke - Basin

1 Blk Cow, 1350# $9400 Blackstar Cattle Co. - Hyattville

1 SimX Cow, 1665# $9300 Friesen, Kenneth - Moscow

2 – Bred Cow

Special w/ All Class Cattle

1 BWF Cow, 1460# $8750

Consignments

October 9 – Bawl of the Fall • Feeder Cattle

Pete Scripps – 40 yearling red steers, 1,000#.

Mark Hoyt – 110 black steers, 500-550#, shots at branding, fancy, home raised.

Harley and Becky Walters – 100 black steers, 650-700#, fancy high-end genetics, Vermillion sired, Virashield 6, Vision 8 with Spur and Once PMHIM at branding.

Pending – 100 mixed black, 450-550#, complete vacc at branding, high elevation.

Peter Davidson – 70 mixed black, 500-650#, 2 rounds of shots, poured, no implants, 100% Angus.

Mike & Becky Coble – 70 mixed black, 450-550#, complete vacc at branding, high-quality calves.

Kyle and Guy Tharp – 65 mixed black, 600#, complete vacc at branding, high elevation.

Pat and Cyd Pfister – 60 mixed black, 500-600#, vacc at branding, nice bunch of black calves.

Deep Creek Foster Ranch LLC – 60 black steers, 500-600#, complete vacc at branding.

Dave & Sheila Paumer – 45 mixed black, mostly steers, 450-550#, shots at branding, knife cut, sired by Paint Rock Angus bulls.

Layne Weber – 40 mixed black calves, 550-600#, complete vacc at branding, steers knife cut, Paint Rock and SO bulls.

John & Darla Griffin – 40 mixed Hereford & BWF, 500-600#, complete vacc at branding, knife cut, Barney Hereford SOS & Lucky 7 bulls.

Clair Ludwig – 24 black steers, 550-600#, complete vacc at branding.

Heart Y Land and Cattle – 16 mixed black, 450-550#, complete vacc at branding.

Dawn Landowski – 10 black and red steers, 550-650#, shots at branding, poured, one brand, really nice calves.

John Gestner – 10 black heifers, 500-550#, bunk broke, complete vacc at branding.

Troy and Chayla Ostby – 7 red heifers, 3 red steers, 500#.

Harry Herren – 12 mixed black, 500-550#, complete vacc at branding, fancy.

Joe Casciato – 7 red steers, 550-600#, 2 rounds of shots, poured.

Dennis Milton – 5 black steers, 550#.

Charles Valceschini – 2 black steers, 7 black heifers, 500#, shots at branding, weaned and bunk broke.

Randy Trehearne – 5 mixed Hereford X, 450-500#, complete vacc at branding.

Sheldon Skelton – 5 black/BWF heifers, 450-500#, complete vacc at branding.

John & Michelle Schlagher – 10 black steers, 10 black heifers, 500-550#, complete vacc at branding.

Indian Summer is my favorite time of year and has been portrayed in many ways by most of the pioneer newspapers in Wyoming. First, from the Sept. 28, 1907 issue of The Wyoming Press:

The delightful period of Indian Summer this year has excited considerable attention, and at the same time has maintained the reputation of Wyoming for having the greatest climate on Earth.

When the air is languid like summer and yet the thermometer shows summer clothes are out of season; when you are at peace with all the world, forgetting even to register a “kick” against the gas bill, it’s Indian Summer.

They have kept on calling it this from the force of an old habit, because the season was first noticed in this country, when Native Americans were then supreme over the great Northwest.

The air is so still, the smoke and fine particles of dust float in the air, while on the hills in the distance the haze is like the smoke of a faraway prairie fire.

Indian Summer in Wyoming is an inspiration and delight. It will continue for a long period – the clear blue sky serving to indicate it will be many weeks before the great Northwest sweeps the face of the sungod, leaving it yellow and

clear and scatters the mist in the hills, clearing away for real winter.

They have called it “Indian Summer,” and it will continue to be called this because there is no better name for it.



An article in the Wyoming Industrial Journal of Nov. 1, 1908, gives this description of Indian Summer in Albany County:

October has been like a chapter in a story book. Warm, bright days with sometimes a fleecy cloud flecking the sky, and now the haze of Indian Summer softening the rugged peaks and again the air so clear as to enable the eye to reach the remotest points, and always the air so charged with ozone as to make breathing an act of thoughtful delight.

Just now there is a trifle of snow on the more

distant hills, and the air has taken on a slightly sharper note, yet little freezing even at night and no storms.

And, from the Sept. 24, 1921 issue of The Casper Daily Tribune comes this timely poem:

Indian Summer Days

Oh how I love our Indian Summer days, those sweet, cool days that come with early fall, when geese and ducks follow their leader’s call winging to the southland in great relays. And the hills are robed with a purple haze, while the sun sinks in the West a flaming ball casting weird shadows through the trees, so tall and slender, as the horizon is ablaze.

The waterfall on the mountainside sings its good night lullaby; the gray wolf calls to his mate; the cattle low, a horse neighs, and the grouse nestle closer in the windfalls as the ending of the day darkness brings.

Oh how I love our Indian Summer days.

– E. Richard Shipp. Casper, Sept. 24, 1921

Pioneer Ranch along the Upper North Platte River all decked out in its glorious colors at the signal of a gorgeous Indian Summer in the Saratoga area. Historical reproduction of Virginia Fredrick Large painting from the Dick Perue/Bob Martin collection. Historical Reproductions by Perue

FOR THE WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 6, 2023

FOR THE WEEK ENDING May 24, 2019

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

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

National Sheep Summary

As of September 29, 2023

Compared to last week traditional slaughter lambs 1.00 lower, others mostly steady to 1510.00 lower. Slaughter ewes mostly steady to 10.00 lower. Feeder lambs under 90 lbs steady to 8.00 higher, heavier weights 8.00 lower. At San Angelo, TX 5,546 head sold. No sales in Equity Cooperative Auction. Superior Video sold 580 feeder lambs, 300 slaughter ewes and 320 replacement ewes. In direct trading slaughter ewes and feeder lambs not tested. 4,995 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 100-135 lbs 160.00-182.00.

Ft. Collins: wooled and shorn 100-150 lbs 175.00-185.00; 150-180 lbs 183.00.

South Dakota: wooled and shorn 100-145 lbs 191.00-209.00; 155-170 lbs 205.00-206.00.

Replacement Ewes: Medium and Large 1-2 San Angelo: yearlings 129 lbs 151.00/cwt; yearling hair 115 lbs 185.00/cwt; young hair 90-145 lbs 100.00-134.00/cwt. Ft. Collins: no test. South Dakota: ewe lambs 91 lbs 229.00/cwt; yearlings 290.00300.00/head; young 175.00/head; middle age 130.00-162.50/head; aged 110.00-150.00/head..

Billings: yearlings 145-155 lbs 95.00-97.50/cwt; young 200245 lbs 74.00-90.00/cwt

Sheep and lambs slaughter under federal inspection for the week to date totaled 33,000 compared with 32,000 last week and 34,000 last year.

Source: USDA AMS Market News, San Angelo, Texas National Wool Review

As of September 29, 2023

Domestic wool trading had no confirmed trades reported this week. Prices reflect trades FOB warehouse in original bag or square pack, bellies out, some graded, and 76 mm or longer. No allowance made for coring, freight, or handling fees at the warehouse level to reflect net grower prices. Wools shorter than 75 mm typically discounted .10-.20 clean. Classed and skirted wools usually trade at a .10-.20 premium to original bag prices.

60.00-70.00, hair 64.00-84.00; Utility and Good 1-3 (medium flesh) 74.00-90.00, hair 78.00-92.00; Utility 1-2 (thin) 55.0065.00, hair 62.00-70.00; Cull and Utility 1-2 (very thin) hair 50.00-55.00; Cull 1 24.00-50.00.

Ft. Collins: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) 62.50-75.00; Good 2-3

(fleshy) 65.00-92.50; Utility 1-2 (thin) no test; Cull 1 no test

South Dakota: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) 53.00-82.50; Good 2-3

(fleshy) 55.00-70.00; Utility 1-2 (thin) 42.00-55.00; Cull 1 14.00.

Billings: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) 53.00-54.00; Good 2-3 (fleshy)

49.00-59.00, hair 77.00;

Source: USDA- CO Dept of Ag Market News Service, Greeley, CO Wyoming Hay Summary

As of October 5, 2023

Compared to last week, all reported hay sales sold steady. Demand was light to moderate. The best demand has been on small square bales in the western area of the state. Some producers are starting on beat harvest and when that is completed, they will turn back to selling hay to local customers. Some producers have finished mowing 4th cutting alfalfa in the east and second or third mowed and getting ready to bale in the west. Some areas across the state received rain showers early in the week damping the mood and hay alike. Producers are hopeful the hay will dry and still keep a decent green color and RFV to the hay.

back up a few dollars especially in parts of the state that have had ample moisture this year. Many feedlots laid in a lot of tons of silage and this roughage source will take the place of some dry hay that usually gets added to the ration. There is also, tons of cane and millet hay available. There will be thousands of cornstalk bales put up if Mother Nature allows it. If not, then feedlots and backgrounding lots will have to look to the baled hay market for roughage source. Light to moderate rain across some of the state early in the week. Some areas did get wind with some hail.

Platte Valley Nebraska

Alfalfa - Good Large Round 160-180

Alfalfa Ground (Delivered) 215 Pellets 17% Dehydrated 375-385 Corn Stalk Ground 115 Western Nebraska

Alfalfa - Premium Small Square 10/bale

Alfalfa - Good/Premium Large Square 3x4 260

Alfalfa Ground (Delivered) 150-185

Source: USDA AMS Livestock, Poultry & Grain Market News, Kearny, NE

Dogs

YOUR FAMILY AND PROPERTY PROTECTORS ARE WAITING!!

We have beautiful guardians just wanting and waiting to make you their priority!! Please don’t postpone your next best friend, companion and protector. $1,000. Have been raising these fantastic LGD for 48 years. For more information, call 406-207-7674 10/21

CALF BACKGROUNDING, PASTURE AND feedlot options available. ALSO, seeking cows on shares from now until 2024. Hemingford, NE. Call Ian, 307421-9116 10/28

Notice Events

NOTICE: Publication in this newspaper does not guarantee the legitimacy of any offer or solicitation. Take reasonable steps to evaluate an offer before you send money or provide personal/financial information to an advertiser. If you have questions or believe you have been the victim of fraud, contact the Wyoming

WE HAVE A LITTER OF GREAT PYRENEES LIVESTOCK GUARD DOGS: Four males, ready to go now. They’ve been exposed to various types of livestock. Have sweet and loving personalities. $400/pup OBO. For more information, contact Casey or Cristy Davis, 605-4312067 or 605-206-0495 10/14

Cattle

20 RED ANGUS/RED BALDIE COWS: May calvers, available Oct. 20. Evenings 406-277-3282 or 406-277-3887 10/14

UP IN ARMS, LLC FLEA

3 p.m.-7 p.m. Sat., Nov.

WYOMING BRAND FOR SALE: Quarter circle reverse four, LSC, LSH. Renewal fee paid to December 2032. Irons are included, $4,000. Call 307674-9092, 307-752-4085 or 307-752-4112 10/7

Dogs

300 HOME-RAISED, HIGH ALTITUDE BEEFMASTER STEERS, 825 lbs., delivery first week of October. ALSO, 500 identical steers, 725 lbs., October/November delivery. All natural,100% grass. Hyattville, WY. Call 719-641-4405 10/14

Sunday at 2

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, 208420-2295 11/4

Help Wanted

GUN SHOW NOV. 10, 11 AND 12, Gillette, WY at the CAM-PLEX. Open to the public. Fri., Nov. Call for more Info (308) 633-4011 Apply Online www.btcbulkwest.com

WEAVE Got Your Back!

Warren Transport is looking for Truck Drivers! Family friendly with flexible scheduling, bonuses, benefits and competitive wages. We are an established company with multiple branches and a multitude of options to fit your individual needs! LOCAL CDL TRUCK DRIVERS NEEDED $3,000 SIGN-ON BONUS ~ WELCOME TO THE TEAM! What We Offer: • Competitive Pay • Semi Annual Bonus • PTO and Paid Holidays 401(k) • Referral Bonus • Safety Allowance • Semi-Annual Bonus Health & Life Insurance • Employee Discount Programs

Angus Angus

200 BLACK ANGUS BRED HEIFERS: South Dakota origin, OCVD, exposed to proven LBW Black Angus bulls for 45 days. Start calving Feb. 1, 2024. References available. Call 785-3941955 (cell), 785-394-2374 (home) or 785-731-5067 10/21

Have

BELGIAN SHEPHERD PUPPIES: Out of working parents. Excellent herding cowdogs!! Very loyal, affectionate and intelligent. Mellow demeanors. Eight weeks old and ready for new homes!! They have been wormed and given all shots. Call 605-591-0483 10/21

BULLS FOR SALE

Clay Creek Angus • 307-762-3541

Hereford

Ranch/Pasture Lease Wanted

ISO RANCH FOR LEASE: Looking for a ranch to lease with a house, barn, corrals, etc. Really need it from the months of October-June, to winter and calve 250 cows. If you know of anything around WY, S.D., MT or NE, please call 307-290-0492 10/21

20-YEAR-OLD AQHA GRAY MARE. Granddaughter of Genuine Doc. Broke, used on cattle ranch. Breed her or would make a good recipient mare. $1,500. Call 307-320-5934, leave message 10/14

FOR SALE: Team of gray Percheron mares, 16 hands, 14 years old, broke, pasture bred to blue roan Quarter Horse. $9,500. Call 641-664-1949 10/21

LS CUSTOM LEATHER: Belts, tack, cell phone cases and much more!! Contact Lester, 307-631-1053, leave a message. Located in Riverton, WY 10/28

Dogs

Duties include calving, feeding, care and management of livestock, irrigating, operating haying equipment, fencing and general ranch duties. Horsemanship skills a plus. Housing provided. Competitive wage. Must have experience and references. Call/text Ann, 307431-0594 7/14

FORTRESS DEVELOPMENT SOLUTIONS NOW HIRING FOR THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS: CDL A with tanker endorsement ● CDL A/B ● Heavy duty tow truck operator ● Tree spade operator ● Forage harvester operator ● Heavy haul driver ● Equipment operators ● Operator tractors & yellow iron ● Farm operators ● Zero turn mower operator ● Vegetation/ reclamation inspector ● Certified herbicide applicator ● General laborers/roustabout ● Night gate guard ● Safety admin ● Safety coordinator ● Property caretaker ● 23691 CR 60 1/2, Greeley, CO 80631, 970-353-6666, griselda. islas@fortressds.com, www. fortressds.com 10/14 FULL-TIME POSITION AVAILABLE ON A WELL-ESTABLISHED FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED COW/CALF OPERATION IN

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.

BEAUTIFUL AUGGIE PUPS!!

Pembroke Welsh corgi mom 15 lbs., toy/mini Australian shepherd dad 18 lbs., born June 17. MINIATURE QUEENSLAND HEELER male born March 3. TOY/MINI AUSSIE male “Max” born July 15, mom 18 lbs., dad 25 lbs. Bred for health/disposition/ UTD pup shots/dewormings. Family quality. For more information, pricing/delivery options call 406-581-7586 (call or text). ALSO, older miniature Aussie pups reduced/rehoming fees. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 10/7

Semen

Leatherwork dogs to sell? Advertise Here! Check out wylr.net

WE CARE AND HAVE WORKING PROGRAMS designed for the farmer/rancher and not the banker. Please call Steve, 303-773-3545 or check out our website, www.agrionefinancial.com. I will come to you and get the job done!! 10/7

Saddles & Tack

GET READY FOR THE RIDE!!

Large SELECTION of saddles, HEADSTALLS, reins and SADDLE pads. $AVE MONEY

ON BOOTS!! HONDO, BOULET, JUSTIN WORK BOOTS, TWISTED X (boots and shoes) and more!! Well stocked for arena, range and above the plains. 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 10/7

Hay & Feed

ROUND BALED GRASS HAY FOR SALE: Cody, WY area, 1,000 lb. net-wrapped bales, $70/ bale. Call, don’t text, Anthony at 307-254-2645 10/21

APPROXIMATELY 2,400 TONS

FIRST AND SECOND CUTTING

GRASS/ALFALFA MIX HAY, 4x4x8 squares, delivery available. Call 307-267-6833 10/21

600 PLUS TONS OF 2023

GRASS HAY: Rounds and 3x4s, $175/ton, Encampment, WY. Call 307-321-1444 10/21

Sheep Sheep

Hay & Feed

HAY FOR SALE: Approximately 1,000 bales of alfalfa/grass mix and grass. ALSO, approximately 2,000 bales of sugar bale cane. All in net-wrapped rounds. Call for pricing, 605730-2159 10/14

Crop Cleanup

BENNY HERNANDEZ IS IN THE AREA AND HAS PLENTY OF HELP TO CLEANUP AND HOE YOUR CROPS. Call 307431-7160 10/7

Fire

The most POWERFUL FIRE EXTINGUISHING TECHNOLOGY is here!! FIRE PRO Extinguishers feature a concentrate used for over 30 years by fire departments, race tracks and the military. This formula is a non-toxic, powerful cooling liquid with foam and requires no maintenance!! Economical, doit-yourself refill kits are also available. Choose the best for your equipment today!! For more information, call Arlen Coblentz at 307-850-9663 10/21

Equipment

Equipment

GRAHAM HOEME CHISEL PLOW: 12’, 12 double spring shanks with cylinder and hoses, $3,000. 24-FOOT JOHN DEERE 1100 CULTIVATOR 3-point hookup, $3,750. INTERNATIONAL 5100 12’ single disc drill with small seed box, $4,000. Call 307-6749092 10/7

Hay Equipment

NEW HOLLAND 560 ROLL BELT BALER, bale count 178 bales, in shop every night, $55,000 firm. 2001 MACDON 9250 SWATHER with 922 auger head, 1,771 hours on tractor, 1,384 hours on head, $45,000 firm. Area fields are being subdivided. Call 307674-9092, 307-752-4085 or 307-752-4112 10/28

Fencing

MONTANA RAILROAD SERVIC-

ES: Railroad ties, switch ties and other railroad materials for fencing and landscaping. Best pricing and quality in the region. Call 406-9623514, Silesia, MT. Located 10 miles south of Laurel, MT (off of Clarks River Rd., the old highway). Visit our website www. mtrrservices.com 10/7

ALFALFA HAY

450 Tons - $150/Ton

LAMB SCAN

SHEEP & GOAT ULTRASOUND

TODD REINESCH

605-680-4719

25317 364th Avenue

Kimball, SD 57355

rchoice@midstatesd.net

50 WHITE FACED EWES, young and running age. TWO RAMBOUILLET RAMS, young. TWO PROVEN guard dogs. Call 307-851-2019 10/28

YEARLING RAMS FOR SALE. Call Russell Bell at 307-6804950 10/14

PUREBRED TARGHEE

BUCKS: Reputation genetics, fertility tested, B. ovis negative. $350/head. Call 307-2545115 10/7

Hay & Feed

270 TONS OF FIRST AND SECOND CUTTING ALFALFA: Net-wrapped round bales, no rain. Call for pricing, 307-3313781 10/28

1,000 TONS NICE, GREEN

GRASS/ALFALFA MIX (80/20); 600 tons mix with rain, weeds (cow/grinding hay); 650 tons grass hay, green 1,000 tons triticale hay, mostly green, some with rain all type mostly round bales, some 3×4/4×4. Delivery available. Call 307630-3768 10/28

LOTS AND LOTS OF HAY FOR SALE!!! 1,350 lb. round bales, net wrapped. Grass/alfalfa mix, native grass, brome grass, straight alfalfa… Sheridan, WY area. Come and get it!! For pricing, call the ranch, 307-737-2680 or 702-501-4243 (cell) 10/28

2023 CUTTING HAY CROP:

Put up dry in large round bales, several tons available. $180/ ton, Bar Cross Ranch. Call Katie, 307-699-7375, please leave message 10/28

EXCELLENT QUALITY SECOND CUTTING ALFALFA FOR SALE: Round bales, $200/ton, Lander, WY. Call or text 307349-4063 10/21

OAT/PEA HAY FOR SALE: 300 net-wrapped round bales. No rain. No nitrates, full test results available. Located west of Sterling, CO. Call or text 970-5711182 10/21

Hart Family Farm 397 Lane 13 Powell, Wyoming 82435 Call Skip @ 307-250-3167

2023 ALFALFA AND ALFALFA/GRASS MIX HAY, 3x3 bales barn stored. ALSO, SOME FEEDER HAY available. Call 307-350-0350, Farson, WY 10/14

FIRST CUTTING GRASS/AL-

FALFA HAY FOR SALE: 70% grass, 30% alfalfa. No rain. You load/you haul, $200/ton, 32 bales to a ton. Located halfway between Cody and Powell, WY. Call 307-754-4519 10/14

HORSE QUALITY HAY FOR

SALE: Round bales, average 1,240 lbs., $135/bale or $125/ bale if taken in semi loads. ALSO, 500 bales of horse quality small squares, never rained on, stored in barn, average 75 lbs., $12/bale. All hay located 7 miles south of Sheridan, WY. Call 307-7521992 or e-mail arzymike@ gmail.com. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 10/14

HAY BARLEY FOR SALE: Three-way beardless barley, oats and peas, round bales, about 1,370 lbs. each, $145/ton. ALSO, alfalfa hay, round bales, $165/ton. Hardin, MT. Call 406665-7521 10/14

HAY FOR SALE: Premium quality, high elevation grass hay, loaded with Timothy red top, later orchard grass and meadow brome. 1,000 3x3x8 bales weighing over 800 lbs. each. No rain, $90/bale. Murray Ranch, Robertson, WY. Call 307-780-6862 or 307-780-6519 10/7

BARLEY STRAW: Certified weed-free small squares, $4/ bale. ALSO, 5x6 round bales, $125/ton. Greybull, WY area. Call 307-762-3878 or 307-8994714, leave message 10/7

HAY FOR SALE: Grass, grass/alfalfa mix and wheat hay. Cow and barn stored hay. Delivery available!! Call 307-630-3046 10/7

ROUND BALE BARLEY STRAW AND OAT STRAW FOR SALE: Clean, dry and weed released. Long stem from conventional combine. $100/ton. FOB Powell, WY. Call 307-254-5115 or 406480-1248 10/7

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

307-532-1840 • CHUGWATER, WY

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE:

Agco 7444 4x4 baler; New Holland 1075 balewagon; Massey Ferguson 2190 4x4 baler; Freeman pull type 3 string balers; Vermeer R23 rake; 3 John Deere 9600 combines; CIH 1010 25’ header; CIH 1015 pick-up header; Challenger MT655C tractor; Komatsu WA500 loader; CIH MX150 loader tractor; New Holland 145 bi directional tractor; White 30’ disk; John Deere 960 26’ cultivator; New Holland 357 grinder mixer; Modern Mill (mix mill) feed mill; IHC grain truck; Freightliner sleeper truck; WS sleeper truck; Kenworth crane truck, 18 ton, 82’; WS 90 bbl vac truck, Pete 80 bbl vac truck; IHC 80 bbl vac truck; Wilson 53x102 tri axle cattle pot; Cat 262D skid steer; Mobile Tech 9 yd. volumetric concrete mixer; Degelman 570 rock picker. View equipment at www.bigskyeb.com. Call 406-254-1254 10/21

FOR SALE: 1979 Ford diesel tandem truck with lift tag, 5+ 2 speed, 20’ steel box, scissor hoist and roll tarp, $6,000. Two J&M 385 gravity wagons with running gear and 24.5 truck tires. Miller Pro 18’ chuckwagon with bunk feeding extensions and 14 ton gear, very nice. H&S 7+4 16’ chuckwagon with tandem 14 ton running gear. John Deere 714A and 716A chuckwagons with John Deere running gear and bunk feeding extensions, been shedded, nice condition. Lorenz 16’x33’ stack mover. John Deere 608C corn head. Six foot 3 pt. rotary mower. John Deere 2155 diesel tractor, wide front, 3 pt., runs great. Meyerink 12’ box scraper with tilt. Behlen M1-V cattle working chute, automatic head gate. Portable livestock loading chute. Tag portable calf creep feeder. 24’ portable ground hay feeder. Red Devil 8’ snowblower with hydraulic spout. All in very nice condition!! Call 605999-5482 10/14

Fencing

LODGEPOLE PRODUCTS, 307-742-6992, SERVING AGRI-BUSINESSES SINCE 1975!! Treated posts, corral poles, buck-and-rail, western rail, fence stays, rough-sawn lumber, bedding. SEE US at www.lodgepoleproducts. com and click our “Picking A Fence Post” tab to see why folks choose our posts!! TFN

Pipe

OILFIELD PIPE: RPJ Enterprises, Inc. 2 3/8, 2 7/8, 3.5, 5.5, and 3/4” sucker rod is available. Used for fencing, corrals, cattle guards, etc. 2 3/8 and 2 7/8 are on average 31.5’ long per joint. 3.5” and 5.5” are 42+ lengths. Pierce, CO. Call for details, 970-3244580 2/10

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 11/8

Irrigation

Irrigation

Irrigation Systems

The choice is simple.

Easier On

Killebrew Irrigation

Your one stop shop for all irrigation needs

Lander, WY • (307) 332-3044

• Reinke center pivot sales and field design

• Parts for most major irrigation systems

• Pumps and Motors

• Phase Converters

Property for Sale

ROAD 25 RANCH: A unique Wyoming cattle ranch that provides center-pivot irrigation for pasture land plus expansive native grass pastures. All new substantial fencing and new steel working and shipping corrals. 160 acres of water rights. Livestock water. 118± acres deeded, 400± acres State Lease. Goshen County, WY. $550,000. More pictures and video at www.buyaranch. com. Casey Essert, Land Broker, 307-532-1750 10/7

OREGON RANCH, Baker City, Baker County, OR. The Alder Creek pasture contains over 2,000 acres of native spring, summer and fall pasture. The rangeland is situated just east of Baker City, OR. The property is in good condition and has good perimeter fencing. The range is gently south facing slope with a variety of native grass. FIRST TIME OFFERING at just over $500 per acre for deeded and contiguous ownership, $1,095,000. Give us a call at 541-523-4434, Intermountain Realty, Inc., Greg Sackos, Principal Broker, James Dunlap, Broker, www.intermountainland.com 10/7

RANCH AT MELVILLE, MT, SWEET GRASS VALLEY: Beneath the majestic Crazy Mountains lies 1,410 acres that have been under the same ownership for over 90+ years. 840 acres irrigated. Sweet Grass Creek flows through the ranch providing cover for wildlife and fishing. A full complement of improvements plus 2 homes. Call for pricing, Sidwell Land & Cattle Co., Richard Sidwell, 406-861-4426, 406-3224425 or e-mail sidwell@sidwellland.com 10/28

66.856 ACRES, JUST NORTHWEST OF RED LODGE, MT BORDERING THE GOLF COURSE: This property is presently agriculturally zoned, current use is hay and pasture and it is fenced and cross fenced. Enjoy views of several mountain ranges and lots of water, including Spring Creek frontage, mature trees and lush grass. Could be zoned commercially, allowing for development of a number of homesites and/or other commercial ventures. This property is simply loaded with possibilities. Access is off Willow Creek Road. DNRC Right Nos. 43D 216331-00 and 43D 20002000, Pryde Ditch and West Fork of Rock Creek. $2,300,000. Property to be shown by appointment only and listing agent shall accompany all showings. Sellers ask that prospective buyers respect their privacy. Call Bill at 406-698-9266 for a tour of this parcel TFN FOR SALE: With clear views of the Beartooth Mountains, this pristine 89-acre property with 2,175 ft. of river frontage is located directly across from the Game and Fish hatchery on the Clarks Fork River. With plenty of building sites and abundant pasture, there is plenty of room for livestock, crops or your new home. It is rich with numerous wildlife species and blueribbon fishing, with approximately 50 acres of irrigated ground. All acreage is approximate and subject to survey before closing. Irrigation fees are to be determined as well. CALL MIKE CREEL AT COLDWELL BANKER ANTLERS REALTY, INC. 307-5875533. To view photos, go to www.codyproperty.com, MLS# 10022475, $899,000 10/28

Pipe

Vehicles Wanted

WANTED!!! 1932, 1933 or 1934

Ford car project, restored or older restored one. Call 605290-3208 10/7

“The man who stops advertising to save money is like the man who stops the clock to save time”

RAAA elects leaders and honors members during national convention

Red Angus breeders from across the U.S. gathered in Denver Sept. 13-15 for the National Red Angus Convention.

Over the course of two days. the Red Angus Association of America (RAAA) elected leaders, welcomed new additions and honored several members for their hard work and dedication to the breed.

New leadership and additions

During the convention, RAAA elected their 202324 president as well as four new directors.

Kyley Defoe of Justin, Texas was elected as president, while Keith Hickle of Auburn, Wash. and Will Andras of Manchester, Ill. were selected for their first term on the board of directors and Tony Ballinger of Morgan Mill, Texas and Rob Hell of Hersey, Penn. were re-elected for threeyear terms on the board.

Additionally, the association welcomed new additions to their team as commercial market specialists –Cory Peters of Dorchester, Neb. and Taylor Ohlde of Winchester, Kan.

“We are pleased to announce the hiring of Peters and Ohlde as new additions to our commercial marketing team,” says Tom Brink, RAAA chief executive officer in a Sept. 25 RAAA press release.

“Both have tremendous industry backgrounds, along with the educational foundation and service-oriented mindset to assist our breeders and commercial bull customers in a variety of ways,” he continues.

“Our vision is to take Red Angus to the next level, and Peters and Ohlde will help us accomplish this.”

Breeder of the Year awards

RAAA also honored Red Angus producers from across the West with various Breeder of the Year awards.

Twedt Red Angus, owned and operated by Sam and Emily Twedt in McHenry. N.D., received the 2023 Breeder of the Year Award.

“Sam Twedt has done an outstanding job of developing a top Red Angus herd and marketing his bulls very well within his region,” says RAAA Director Craig Bieber in a Sept. 26 RAAA press release. “Commercial customers are well served by having good young breeders throughout the U.S., and Sam epitomizes what a young breeder needs to do to be successful.”

The 2023 Pioneer Breeder of the Year Award went to Glacier Red Angus of Polson, Mont., managed by Harold and Pat Hughes.

In operation since 1973, RAAA notes Glacier Red Angus is well-known for their high-quality maternal cattle and their genetics have become a cornerstone in many other Red Angus herds across the nation.

“Glacier Red Angus was

one of, if not the dominant Red Angus seedstock program throughout the 1990s. This herd was known for their calving ease and leading maternal genetics, and they produced such breed impact sires as Glacier

Logan 210, Glacier Marias

548 and Glacier Chateau

744,” says Seth Leachman of Leachman Northwest in Pasco, Wash. in a Sept. 27 RAAA press release.

RAAA leadership – New leadership was elected during the Red Angus Association of America’s (RAAA) National Red Angus Convention. Pictured, seated from left to right, are Kyley DeVoe of Justin, Texas; Tony Ballinger of Morgan Mill, Texas; Rob Hess of Hershey, Penn.; Kay Klompien of Manhattan, Mont. and Tom Brink. Pictured, standing from left to right, are Stephanie Jung of Mina, S.D.; Aaron Kravig of Karval, Colo.; Craig Bieber of Leola, S.D.; Jim Yance of Columbia, Ala.; Keith Hickle of Auburn, Wash.; Jeff Petitt of Sebree, Ky.; George Murdock of Pendleton, Ore. and Will Andras of Manchester, Ill. Courtesy photo

He continues, “Their females were some of the most sought after around the country, and they produced several of the top selling females at the prestigious Northern International Livestock Exposition Red Angus Female Sale.” Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

Breeder of the Year – Twedt Red Angus received the 2023 Red Angus Breeder of the Year Award at the National Red Angus Convention held Sept. 13-15 in Denver. Pictured from left to right are Sam and Emily Twedt of McHenry, N.D. and Red Angus Association of America Director Craig Bieber of Leola, S.D. who presented the award. Courtesy photo

Pioneer Breeder of the Year – The Red Angus Association of America presented the 2023 Pioneer Breeder of the Year Award to Glacier Red Angus, operated by Harold and Pat Hughes of Polson, Mont. Harold and Pat’s grandson Luke Larson accepted the award, which was presented by Bruce Ketchum of Plevna, Mont. Courtesy photo

Farmer's

The Field Neighbors

BY RON RABOU

Around this time two years ago, the Wyoming Supreme Court issued a public censure of a Cheyenne attorney who was the lead prosecutor in a case against an Albin farm owner, her son and two contractors who were present when Director or Central Intelligence (DCI) agents stormed a farm northeast of Albin.

This attorney and the Laramie County District Attorney’s Office claimed these individuals were conspiring to grow, possess and distribute marijuana. Despite overwhelming evidence disproving the claim, they refused to recognize the crop as hemp.

In its findings, the Supreme Court confirmed, “In the course of testifying at a preliminary hearing, the law enforcement officer upon whose investigation the charges were brought, testified falsely with respect to material aspects of the case. Singleton – the prosecuting attorney – knew

the testimony was false, but failed to bring the falsity of such testimony to the court’s attention.”

Fortunately, a Laramie County judge threw the case out upon conclusion of the preliminary hearing. In the end, it was ludicrous to believe the crop was marijuana when multiple tests during the growing season indicated the crop was well within legal limits of THC – the psychoactive component of marijuana – and it was proven genetically to be hemp.

There was no conspiracy, just an attempt by a farm owner to learn if some other legitimate crop could be grown on the dry plains.

Despite the truth, four people were unjustifiably charged with three felony counts each and were left with massive legal bills, emotional trauma and false charges which will follow them the rest of their lives.

In addition to an immense waste of taxpayer dollars, the collat-

eral damage was unspeakable. Inside the home on the property, two children were doing homework when DCI agents stormed the home with body armor and drawn weapons. Armed agents held them for hours and denied them communication with their parents.

Had the Laramie County judge not seen through the smoke and mirrors, it is absolutely frightening to think of the fate of these individuals and their families.

Not only would all four have likely gone to prison, but we, as the public, would have never known the falsity committed by people we trust to do the right thing – those who are engaged in law enforcement and those who work for the district attorney’s office, whose leader was elected to represent the public’s best interest.

What’s more disturbing to me, however, is a neighbor and longtime “friend” of the lady being accused made the claim and contacted law enforcement without ever directly inquiring or visiting with her first. Instead, malicious accusations were made to boost a completely irrational and inexcusable narrative.

In a small community where every person plays a valuable role in its survival and prosperity, we must ask ourselves, “Why?”

Why would someone do this, especially when we should all be trying to edify, support and encourage those we live around and claim to know?

Good neighbors should not and do not conspire to undermine one another. Our words and our actions have meaning and consequences and should be exercised with a great deal of purposeful thought.

Prior to this case’s resolution, we all watched looters on the news burn and destroy businesses owned by people of all races, religions and political beliefs. While I watched, I couldn’t help but draw a parallel between that and what I sometimes see in my own community.

Though it is on a lessobvious level, neighbors often turn against each other. Some act as spoiled children when they don’t get their own way, many start rumors or make accusations that aren’t true, while others respond with intimidating tactics mirroring a schoolyard bully.

Though their process

may be different, their end goal is the same – to attempt to harm or destroy the very people they live around.

But is this the type of behavior we should be modeling to our children or deem acceptable in a small community? There’s no doubt we all make mistakes, and we aren’t always going to agree on everything.

But what we can and should agree on is, in the end, we are all neighbors and part of a community boasting numerous positive attributes. We should embrace the fact differing opinions, personalities and interests are necessary to help bring success to a community.

I testified at the preliminary hearing on behalf of the farm owner because she asked me to. When people reach out to you and ask for help, you stand with them and do the right thing. You support them. This is what good neighbors do.

Doing the right thing is what builds better relationships, stronger communities and ultimately, helps make this world a better place. In times like these, it’s exactly what we need.

As a member of Rotary for over 10 years, I am reminded at each meeting

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

about the importance of my words and actions. We all need the same reminder.

The next time someone begins to tell you what they heard about someone else or you feel the need to place judgment upon or lash out at someone for what you think they did, remember the Rotary Four Way Test: 1. Is it the truth? 2. Is it fair to all concerned? 3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships? 4. Is it beneficial to all concerned?

If the answer isn’t “yes” to all four questions, then the conversation you are having offers no positive value whatsoever. If you find the subject matter to be so very important, your first conversation should always be directly with the person who it involves, and it should be done respectfully. In the case of the Albin hemp farmer, one conversation with her would have changed the course of everything.

Our community is what we make it. This shouldn’t be a place where it’s “us against them.” It should be a place where people want to live and where they should feel supported and welcomed. It’s up to each one of us to contribute to making this happen.

Weston Garrett • 605-210-1629

Casey Sellers • 307-217-2614

Jim Forbes • 307-351-5932

Tye Curuchet • 307-351-8666

Daniel Escoz • 307-217-1440

Kade Kinghorn • 307-620-0525

Market Report • October 4, 2023

Shorter run of calves for our October 4th sale, with all calves coming in smaller packages. Calves still selling on an active market despite the futures marketing trending down. Fall shots are making a huge difference. Weigh-up market was steady to slightly softer with no real test on fleshy cows, prices determined on condition and fill. Next week big Spring Calf Special on Wednesday October 11th and Weigh-up Special on Saturday October 14th. Please remember to leave a shot sheet!

Thank you and we appreciate your business!

"From the ring, to the video, and in the country, we market your livestock the competitive way."

Lummis leads effort in introducing the Protecting the Right to Keep and Bear Arms Act

U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) joined Sen. Mike Braun (R-IN) and 19 of her colleagues in introducing the Protecting the Right to Keep and Bear Arms Act, which would prevent the President and the Secretary of Health and Human Services from declaring a public health emergency to impose gun control.

The bill would serve as a firewall to protect the Second Amendment rights of people in Wyoming from the anti-gun activists in the Biden administration.

Earlier this month, the governor of New Mexico instituted a public health emergency for the purposes of suspending the Second Amendment-protected car-

Representative

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10

CALF & YEARLING SPECIAL

START TIME 9:00 AM

YEARLINGS

RR Ranch – 200 Predom. Blk Ang, few Red/RWF Yrlng

Strs 900-925#.

220 Spayed Yrlng Hfrs 875-900#. High elevation!

Eastfork Livestock – 245 Ang & Ang/HerefordX Yrlng

Strs 850-925#.

110 Ang & Ang/HerefordX Spayed Yrlng Hfrs 800-

850#. 2 rounds of Vision 7 w/Somnus, Pneumonia Vista Once & 1 shot of Multi Min. One brand, one raising, powerful, high elevation! Reputation yearling steers & heifers!

Annette McDonnel – 12 Blk Ang Strs 800-850#. No implants. Coming straight of grass. Fancy!

CALVES

Mike & Cindy Fabrizius – 310 Blk Ang & AngX 400-450#. Rec Vision 7 w/ Somnus, Once PMH Nasalgen, Vista

Once & Multi Min @ Branding. Complete mineral program at all times. High quality genetics! One brand, high elevation!

Joe & Deanna Crofts – 300 Blk Ang & AngX Strs & Hfrs 400-475#. Rec Virashield 6, Vision 8 w/Somnus + spur. Year-round mineral program. Sired Powerful Blk Ang bulls. One iron, high desert, green & Fancy!

Bob & Dar Vogel – 200 Blk AngX Strs & Hfrs 450-525#. Rec 8 way & CattlActive @birth & 8 way, CattlActive & Nasalgen @ branding. 100% Black Angus sired. Choice, high desert calves!!

Jack & Amy Robinson – 170 Blk AngX Strs & Hfrs 550600#. Rec One shot Ultra & 8-way @ Branding. Run above 7,500 ft. Sired by Sim/Ang bulls. Powerful, choice calves!

Bitterroot Ranch – 150 Blk Ang Strs & Hfrs 550-600#. Rec Vista 5, Once PMH, 7 way & Fusoguard @ branding. Lucky 7 genetics for multiple generations. High elevation & powerful!

Wanda Miller – 120 Blk Ang Strs & Hfrs 500-575#. Comp vacc @ Branding. High elevation. Sired by good Blk Angus bulls, great performing calves!

Huxtable/McKee Ranch – 100 Blk Ang & AngX Strs & Hfrs 500-550#. Rec Vista Once SQ & Vision 7 @ branding & Precon 9-16. Sired by Hancock & Northwest Angus Black Angus bulls. High elevation, Green, High Quality Calves!!

Red Bluff Ranch – 70 Blk Ang/AngX Strs & Hfrs 400500#. Rec Pyramid 5 w/ Presponse & 7 way w/ Somnus @ Branding. Knife cut. High Elevation.

Steve Hovendick – 95 Blk Ang Strs & Hfrs 550-600#. Rec Vision 8 w/Somnus + Spur, Vista BVD CFP & Nasalgen

3-PMH @ branding. Sired by Popo Agie & Hancock Blk Ang bulls. Fancy, High elevation!

Clay & Sally Espinosa – 80 Blk Ang Strs & Hfrs 550600#. Rec Vision 8 w/Somnus + Spur, Vista BVD CFP & Nasalgen 3-PMH @ branding. Sired by Popo Agie & Hancock Blk Ang bulls. High elevation. Super set of growthy calves!

Robinette Ranch – 50 Blk Ang Strs 475-500#. 25 Blk Ang Hfrs 450-475#. Hfrs are bangs vacc. Calves had comp vacc @ branding & precon.

Otis & Norma Jones - 30 Blk Ang/AngX Strs & Hfrs 400500#. Rec Pyramid 5 w/ Presponse & 7 way w/ Somnus @ Branding. Knife cut. High Elevation.

Rob & Heidi Crofts – 25 Blk Ang & CharX Strs & Hfrs 475-525#. Rec Vista Once SQ & Vision 7 w/Somnus @ branding. Sired by Valley View Charolais bulls & Hoos

Black Angus bulls.

Sarah Faith – 20 Blk Ang Strs & Hfrs 350-400#. Rec Bovishield gold one shot, Vision8 way & Nasalgen @ branding & precon. High elevation!

Zeke & Dixie Suddreth – 17 Blk Ang Strs & Hfrs 500600#. All natural, no implants. Knife cut. Sired by OCC Legend Black Angus Bulls. High elevation!

rying of firearms.

This week, President Biden announced an Office of Gun Violence Prevention which is set to be led by multiple left-wing activists who have previously worked for pro-gun control groups, including the Community Justice Action Fund, an organization dedicated to declaring a national gun violence public health emergency as one of its three policy planks.

The Protecting the Right to Protect and Bear Arms Act prohibits the President or their designee, from declaring an emergency pur-

suant to the National Emergencies Act or major disaster pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act in order to impose gun control.

The act also prevents the Secretary of Health and Human Services from declaring public health emergency pursuant to the Public Health Service Act for the purpose of imposing gun control and prevents any government official from prohibiting the manufacture, sale or transfer of a firearm or ammunition during a disaster or emergency.

ing. Sired by Popo Agie bulls. Range raised. Steers are knife cut. Steers are Age & Source verified by IMI.

John Stoll – 170 Blk & Red Strs & Hfrs 475-550#. Rec Vision 7 w/ Somnus @ Branding. Knife cut. All natural. Sired by Lim Flex bulls. High elevation, powerful & fancy!

Kerry & Jeanie – 125 Blk Ang & AngX Strs 500#. Rec Vista Once SQ & 8-way w/Somnus + Spur @ branding. 100% Angus sired. High elevation & Fancy!

Martin Land & Livestock – 500 Blk Ang Strs & Hfrs 525-550#. Rec Vista Once SQ & 7-way w/ Somnus @ Branding. Sired by Sitz Blk Ang bulls. AI sons of SAV Resource, Connealy Investment & Connealy Arsenal. Cowherd Sitz genetics for multiple generations! Bull battery w/ high WW, YW & $Beef. Reputation, high desert. Osborne & Campbell – 220 Red Ang & Red AngX Strs & Hfrs 450-525#. Rec’d Vista Once SQ, Nasalgen 3, 7-way w/spur @ branding. Sired by Beckton Red Ang bulls. Hfrs are replacement quality. Run @ 8,500 ft. High desert! Shane & Chris Eberline – 200 Blk Ang & AngX Strs & Hfrs 450-550#. Rec C & D @ Birth; Vista Once SQ & 7-way @ Branding. Sired by Lucky 7 & Popo Agie Blk Ang bulls. Reputation, high elevation! Green!

Double D Ranch – 150 Blk AngX Strs & Hfrs 475550#. Rec Nasalgen, Vista Once SQ & 7-way w/ Somnus + Spur @branding. All Natural. Sired by SO & Power Genetic Blk Angus bulls. High elevation, green calves!

Matt Salisbury – 100 Blk Ang Strs & Hfrs 550-600#. Rec Vista 5, Vision 7 & Once PMH @ branding. Fancy, high elevation calves!! Bob Lucas – 75 Blk Ang Strs 550-600#. 25 Blk Ang Hfrs 500-550#. Rec Inforce 3, 7-way @ branding. 100% Lucky 7 Sired. High elevation. Choice, Angus calves!! Ron & Becki Weber – 85 Hereford Strs & Hfrs 600675#. Rec Ultrachoice 7 @ branding, Ultrachoice 7 & Bovishield One Shot @ turnout & this fall. Sired by Van Newkirk & Churchill Hereford bulls. Run @ 10,000’. Fancy, Reputation Calves that are bred to perform!

Russ & Rita Lucas – 70 Blk Ang/GelbX Strs & Hfrs 575-600#. Rec 8-way w/Somnus @ branding.

Ran above 6500’. Real nice set of calves!

Leach & McKee – 65 Blk AngX Strs & Hfrs 580-650#. Rec Vista Once SQ, 8-way w/ Spur & poured w/ Ivomec @ branding. Sired by Hering & Abernathy Ranch Blk Ang Bulls. Powerful! High elevation!

Ramon Walker – 60 Blk Ang Strs & Hfrs 500-600#. 8 way @ branding. Long time registered cow herd. Lots of genetics! Fancy!

Challis & Jessie Whitlock – 40 Blk Ang Strs & Hfrs 450525#. Rec Vista Once & Vision 7 @ branding & Precon (10-1). Knife cut. High elevation. Fancy & Green!

Doug Hamel – 40 Blk Ang Strs & Hfrs 500#. Rec 7 way @ branding. Heifers are bangs vacc. Good set of calves! Cindy Spriggs – 37 Blk Ang Strs & Hfrs 600-650#. Rec Vista Once, Vision 8 w/Somnus & Nasalgen @ branding. Sired by Popo Agie bulls. Powerful calves!

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20 BRED COW SPECIAL • START TIME 9:00 AM W/ WEIGH UPS • BREDS @ NOON

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24

CALF & YEARLING SPECIAL

CALVES

Ruby Ranch – 250 Blk Ang Strs 450-525#.

150 Blk Ang Hfrs 425-500#. Rec Vista 5, Nasalgen & 7way @ branding. Sired by powerful Blk Ang Bulls (predom. Lucky 7 bulls) High elevation & Fancy!!

E Spear Ranch – 200 Blk Ang Strs & Hfrs 475-525#. Knife cut. Rec Vista Once SQ & Vision 8 w/Somnus @ branding. Sired by SO Cattle & Reyes Blk Angus bulls. High elevation!

Hellyer Ranch – 90 Blk Ang Strs 490#. 90 Blk Ang Hfrs 475#. Rec Vision 7 w/ Spur, Stimulator 2 + BRSV, Pro-Bac 4 + IBRk & BVDk @ brand-

Todd & Cindy Jones – 115 Blk/BWF (F1) Strs & Hfrs 470-485#. Rec 8-way, Virashield, Multimin, CattlActive & poured w/ Ivomec @ branding. Run @ 900010,000’ elevation.

Homer Hunsberger – 70 Blk Ang Strs & Hfrs 450500#. Rec CattlActive & C&D @ birth, Bovilis Nasalgen 3 PMH & Vision 7 + Spur @ branding. Nice calves!

Kenneth Persson – 60 Lim-Flex Strs & Hfrs 550-650#. Rec 8-way, One Shot & Multi Min @ branding. Knife cut. Jan- March calves with growth!

Suhn / Stalley – 20 Blk Ang Strs & Hfrs 500-600#. Rec Vista Once SQ & Vision 7 w/ Somnus @ branding. Knife cut. Sired by Blk Ang sons of Hickock. Nice, One Iron calves!

TUESDAY,

CALVES

Josh & Avery Anderson – 300 Blk Ang & AngX Strs & Hfrs 400-500#. Light, green high desert calves! Fancy! Steve Husted – 160 Blk Ang Strs & Hfrs 525-575#. Rec Vista Once & Vision 7 @ branding & precon. Sired by Popo Agie bulls.

Fort Ridge Cattle Co – 100 Blk Ang Strs & Hfrs 500-550#. Rec Vista Once SQ & Vision 7 w/Somnus + Spur @ branding. Sired by Sims Cattle Co & Pathfinder Saler Powerful bulls! March/April born. Fancy, high desert calves!

Dewayne Aragon – 80 Blk Ang & AngX Strs & Hfrs 450525#. Comp vacc @ branding. 100% Blk Ang sired. Choice, High Desert calves!

Rowan Anderson – 80 Red AngX Strs & Hfrs 530-600#. Rec 8 way & Pyramid 5 @ branding & Precon. Sired by powerful bulls! Fancy calves!

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3

COW SALE • START TIME 9:00 AM

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7

CALF SPECIAL • START TIME 9:00 AM

CALVES Sarah Faith – 120 Blk Ang Strs & Hfrs 350-400#. Rec Bovishield gold one shot, Vision8 way & Nasalgen @ branding & precon. High elevation!

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10

BRED COW SPECIAL. START TIME

9:00 AM • BRED COWS @ NOON

BRED HEIFERS

Hicks Livestock – 45 Red Angus Bred Hfrs 9501000#. Bred to LBW Nelson Blk Ang bulls to calve March/ April. Rec Cydectin & Virashield. Heifers coming straight off high mountain grass!

BRED COWS

Hicks Livestock – 20 Blk Ang Bred 3-6 Yr old Cows. Bred to Nelson Blk Ang bulls to calve Feb/ April. Rec Cydectin & Virashield. Coming straight off high mountain grass!