Volume 33 Number 24 • October 9, 2021
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The Weekly News Source for Wyoming’s Ranchers, Farmers and AgriBusiness Community • www.wylr.net
A Look Inside
Rangeland specialist discusses impacts of fire on great plains
Estate planning is discussed for agricultural operations and families ......................... Page 2
In a University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) BeefWatch podcast, dated Sept. 8, Extension Rangeland Specialist Dr. Mitch Stephenson discusses the impact of unprescribed fires or wildfires on range-
Soil management practices are outlined for Wyoming environments ...................... Page 6 September shipping in the Big Horns is featured .......... Page 8
land and pasture in the Great Plains, as well as tips for how to manage land post fire. With increased fire presence, it is important for producers to be prepared to adapt their man-
agement practices to ensure forage resources are available and manage land for healthy production following a fire. Adaptable rangelands Stephenson explains, historically rangelands
have been well adapted to burn frequently. “Every five to 15 years, there would be a wildfire that would go through some of these areas and the plants are very well Please see FIRE on page 9
Lee Pitts discusses his preference for the night ....... Page 16
Quick Bits Recovery Work The Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) released 20 blackfooted ferrets on the historic recovery site near Meeteetse. WGFD released 10 male and 10 female captiveborn ferrets to add another chapter to Wyoming’s work on endangered species recovery. Once thought to be extinct, the black-footed ferret was rediscovered in Wyoming 40 years ago.
USDA Policy The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has a new insurance option for agricultural producers with small farms who sell locally. The Micro Farm Policy simplifies recordkeeping and covers post-production costs like washing and value-added products. This program is offered through Whole-Farm Revenue Protection.
Legislative update work on capitol hill continues The end of the fiscal year is always a crunch in Washington, D.C., according to National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane. In the Oct. 4 episode of NCBA’s Beltway Beef podcast, Lane provides an update on producer-focused issues from the Capitol. Lane shares, Congress had been busy debating a continuing resolution, though extra complications, including a large infrastructure bill and a $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation package, stand
in the way of progress, in addition to the possibility of confronting a looming debt ceiling. NCBA’s focus has been primarily on a few key areas of debate, according to Lane. Tax provisions “First and foremost, we have heavily focused on ensuring our producers around the country don’t pay the cost for big spending sprees in the form of an elimination of stepped-up basis or other harmful tax provisions that could make it harder Please see BILLS on page 4
Hay Show Two Wyoming hay producers were recognized with winning hay submissions during the 2021 World Forage Analysis Superbowl at the World Dairy Expo. Hardrock Farms Inc. of Wheatland was recognized with Grand Champion Commercial Hay and Third Place Grand Champion Grass Hay. Lazy 2K Livestock, also of Wheatland, was recognized for Fifth Place Grand Champion Commercial Hay and Second Place Grand Champion Grass Hay.
U.S. Drought For the contiguous 48 states, the U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) showed 47.44% of the area in moderate drought or worse, compared with 47.83% a week earlier. Drought now affects 78,277,395 people, compared with 78,203,258 a week earlier. For all 50 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, the USDM showed 39.71% of the area in moderate drought or worse, compared with 40.04% a week earlier. Drought now affects 79,056,339 people, compared with 78,982,201 a week earlier.
WYLR photo
Winter feeding Judge: Dell Creek feedground permit expired Sublette County – The Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s (WGFD) permit to feed tons of hay in the upcoming winter season to wild elk wintering around the Del Creek feedground in Bondurant was in jeopardy due to WGFD oversight and a Sept. 21 court decision. However, in an Oct. 4 press release WGFD stated a plan to continue a process to gather input on feedground management plans while continuing operations for this year. History The Dell Creek feedground is one of two WGFD winter elk feedgrounds in Sublette County’s Hoback Basin. The other is the McNeel feedground on private property WGFD leases near the Hoback River. The Dell Creek feedground, however, is on U.S Forest Service (USFS) land and its use must be permitted and analyzed for environmental impacts. Both feedgrounds are located near cattle ranches Please see FEED on page 5
Convention season begins For many producers, fall work often leads into the season of meetings and conventions hosted by several state and national associations. Though COVID-19 persists, many individuals and organizations are opting to host or attend in-person annual meetings and conventions. Fall conventions The Wyoming Water Association (WWA) Annual Meeting kicks off the convention season this fall with an in-person meeting at the Lander Community Center to be held Oct. 20-22. The theme for this year’s event is Adapting and Rebuilding: A Foundation for the Future. On Oct. 20, WWA will host a discussion on the history, challenges and opportunities associated with the Colorado River Compact, the economic impacts of the Green and Little Snake rivers and drought monitoring. WWA will focus on aging water infrastructure on Oct. 21 hosting variety of breakout sessions in the afternoon. The WWA Business Meeting and Advisory Panel discussion will be held Oct. 22. For more information on the event, visit wyomingwater.org. The Wyoming Weed and Pest Council (WWPC) will host their Annual Fall Conference at the Little America Hotel in Cheyenne Nov. 1-4. This conference will host a series of educational sessions, committee work and business meetings. On Nov. 3, activities at the WWPC Annual Fall Conference will begin with Don Day as a keynote speaker, followed by a roundtable discussion on state weed laws and an afternoon full of educational breakout sessions. For more information, visit wyoweed.org. The next week, the 28th Annual Wyoming Women in Ag Please see EVENTS on page 15
WOMEN in Ag
Oldham works to impact youth in ag Lander – Odessa Oldham was born and raised on the Navajo Reservation in Arizona but has rich ties to Wyoming through her father, Dwayne, who is originally from Lander. When she was 13, her family moved to Fremont County. In her early years, Odessa was very involved in agriculture organizations. “I attended high school in Lander and participated in 4-H and FFA,” she says. “I was a state FFA officer and showed horses, cattle, sheep and pigs at the county fair.” Following her year as a state FFA offi-
cer, Odessa was the first federally recognized American Indian National FFA candidate from any state. She continues, “Although I didn’t get into office, I was able to work with Dr. Larry Case and travel the U.S. promoting agriculture, Native American FFA members and diverse people.” Shortly after graduating high school, Odessa continued her postsecondary education, studying agriculture communications at Casper College and
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Please see OLDHAM on page 7