November 17, 2018

Volume 30 Number 29 • November 17, 2018

®

The Weekly News Source for Wyoming’s Ranchers, Farmers and AgriBusiness Community • www.wylr.net

A Look Inside Dallas Mount reflects on a sabbatical to Australia..........Page 6 Dugouts and dams offer winter watering options..............Page 8 Following mid-term elections, the ag industry is hopeful for quick action in Congress.............................Page 11 Wyoming Farm Bureau’s annual convention elected new leaders and policies......Page 22

Quick Bits Holiday Break The Wyoming Livestock Roundup offices will be closed Nov. 21-25 as we celebrate Thanksgiving with our families. The advertising deadline for the Nov. 24 edition of the Roundup will be 5 p.m. on Nov. 19. Roundup offices will re-open on Nov. 26 as normal. The Wyoming Livestock Roundup wishes our readers a safe and happy Thanksgiving holiday.

Breeding Game Pedigree is a board game currently under development that is designed to simulate animal reproduction and genetic selection in an exciting, fast-paced manner. The base game is species-neutral and includes the game board, player boards, action cards, sire markers and money tokens. The included animal card deck will be cattle, with future decks planned for horses, dogs, sheep, goats, pigs, as well as decks for specific breeds. It is anticipated that the game will be available in the summer of 2019.

Sims addresses WACD for final time in Evanston Evanston – “It’s been wonderful hosting this convention here in our home town on the last year that I will be president,” said Shaun Sims, Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts (WACD) presi-

dent, on Nov. 15, opening WACD’s annual meeting.

Sims started as president of the association in 2010.

“Over the past eight years, I have had the honor and privilege to represent

some of what I have come to realize are the most progressive conservation districts in the United States,” he said. “The most dedicated and engaged board members come from the state of Wyoming, as do

the best congressional staff and the best Department of Ag and Natural Resources Conservation Service partners.”

Transparency In the state, Sims noted Please see WACD on page 14

Beef industry finds ways to tackle challenges ahead

Future of business

Mead opens Wyoming Business Forum with accomplishments, future challenges Cheyenne – The 36th Annual Wyoming Governor’s Business Forum welcomed over 600 attendees to Little America in Cheyenne for two days of networking and information sharing, starting with an address by Gov. Matt Mead, who reflected on his last eight years as governor.

“Compared to where we were eight years ago, we have smaller government, fewer positions in state government and fewer rules and regulations,” Mead stated, noting about 700 fewer personnel are employed by the state and regulations have been reduced by approximately 30 percent across each agency. “The rainy day fund has also grown about $900 million to between $1.8 and $1.9 billion.”

In addition, Mead touted improvements in the private sector, infrastructure and in broadband.

“When I came into office, some of our schools had internet that was the equivalent of a slow telegraph, and now, Education Superhighway recognizes us as one of the best in terms of both speed and capacity in our schools,” Mead said, further noting that 10 gigabyte service has been announced in communities across Wyoming. “Those in broadband have put not hundreds but thousands of miles of fiber in the state.”

He added, “We recognize the advantages broadband provides, and I couldn’t be prouder.”

Please see MEAD on page 7

Governor’s Business Forum – Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead addressed his last Governor’s Business Forum on Nov. 14 in Cheyenne. The audience at the event numbered almost 600.

Saige Albert photo

Wool Benefits

A new study has confirmed that wearing superfine Merino wool helps ease the symptoms of eczema and improves the wearer’s quality of life. Professor Joe Fowler at Dermatology Specialists Research in Louisville, Ky. undertook this two-year study assessing the effect of Merino base-layer fabrics on 50 of his patients with mild-to-moderate eczema.

Hay Exports Tariffs and water shortages in Saudi Arabia are turning the alfalfa hay export picture upside down. For September, the Saudis bumped China from the number one spot as an importer of U.S. alfalfa, according to USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service.

The U.S. exported 62,341 metric tons (MT) of alfalfa to Saudi Arabia in September compared to 53,032 MT going to China. Year-overyear, Saudi Arabia’s September total was up 49%, while China was down by 32%.

Sustainability question By 2050, economic projections indicate farmers and ranchers will need to produce 70 percent more food to feed the growing population of the world.

“For the meat industry, it is good news because estimations for how much protein will be needed is astounding,” says Kim Stackhouse of JBS USA. The projections are 40 million metric tons of beef and 100 million metric tons of chicken.

“From a sustainability standpoint, how do we meet those kind of expectations for protein? How do we meet all these demands with the resources we have? This has been said to be the greatest challenge of every generation’s time,” Stackhouse says.

Keys to efficiency Efficiency and technology will be key to making the use of resources even more efficient in Stackhouse’s opinion.

“We will continue to innovate so we can feed the world, and the U.S. will be a powerhouse when it comes to animal proteins. We have an impressive history of meeting demand,” she states.

Stackhouse believes an increased percentage in Please see BEEF on page 5

Roundup wishes Happy Thanksgiving In 1621, colonists at Plymouth shared an autumn harvest feast with the native Wampanoag Indians, marking the beginning of the modern-day Thanksgiving. The first feast lasted three days and likely included dishes like venison, lobster, seal and swans.

It wasn’t until 1863 that President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving Day to be a national holiday, held the fourth Thursday of November.

Today, Americans celebrate with a traditional turkey dinner. Starting in the 1940s, farmers would gift the president of the United States with some plump birds for roasting over the holidays. John F. Kennedy was the first American to formally “pardon” a turkey, but the White House tradition officially started with George H.W. Bush in 1989.

The American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) 33rd annual survey of classic items found on the Thanksgiving Day dinner table indicates the average cost of this year’s feast for 10 is $48.90 or less than five dollars per person. This is a 22-cent decrease from last year’s average of $49.12.

“Since 2015, the average cost of Thanksgiving dinner has declined steadily and is now at the lowest level since 2010,” said AFBF Chief Economist John Newton.

The turkey cost slightly less than last year, coming in at $21.71 for a 16-pound bird. That’s roughly $1.36 per pound, down three percent from last year. The survey results show retail turkey prices are the lowest since 2014.

“Thanks to an ample supply, turkey remains affordable for consumers, which helps keep the overall cost of the dinner reasonably priced as well,” Newton said.

After adjusting for inflation, the cost of this year’s Thanksgiving dinner is $19.37, the most affordable in more than a decade.

Marsh: Fail to plan kills business

Casper – The West Central States Wool Growers came together in Casper the weekend of Nov. 8, focused on networking within the sheep industry and learning about the latest in the agriculture industry to improve their operations.

With extensive experience on the business side of the agriculture industry, Micahel Marsh of the National Council of Agriculture Employers gave the keynote presentation at the event.

Marsh, who works with many agricultural employees across the country, was raised in Lingle and earned degrees in history and law school before he became a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

“In public accounting, I got involved in forensic investigation and fraud,” he said,

noting he got involved in the agriculture industry, as well, working as Chief Financial Officer for several large agriculture organizations, including the largest dairy organization.

Focusing on the details of running a thriving business, Marsh told wool growers, “If we fail to plan, we plan to fail.”

Business plans “A business plan is multi-purpose, but first, it has to be a guide for management to make their decisions,” he said. “It helps to focus on making specific objectives and goals.”

In addition, the plan can be helpful at the bank as producers are working with their bankers to secure working capital.

“We want to use the plan to anticipate

periodical

periodical

Please see PLAN on page 21

2

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 29 • November 17, 2018

Thanksgiving, Thank You

We are coming up on Thanksgiving week, and it is time to reflect on the past year and be thankful for what we have.

I’m not sure I like all of the Christmas stuff coming out around From the the first of November. In fact, I Publisher don’t like it. I do like Christmas but Dennis Sun just in December. The early start of Christmas is brought on by the businesses who want to get your last dollar before the new year, and they are good at it. Some businesses think of Thanksgiving as just the day before Black Friday.

On the good side, more and more stores are closing on Thanksgiving.

It is always easier to think of all the negativity in our lives, but it is the positives that make the difference and provide the opportunities for us. If we are not in a position to take advantage of good luck, it doesn’t do us much good.

It is always good during the Thanksgiving week to hold up a minute or two and reflect on the good in our lives, and thank God and whomever you want to for that good.

First, we have to be thankful for our families and friends, as they are who we depend on and they depend on us in need. They bring the joy into our lives which makes life good. I can’t imagine life without family or friends. It would be such a void.

I’m thankful myself, family and friends live in America and the West, it’s who we are.

The following poem, written by Captain Jack Crawford in 1910, says it all.

Thanksgiving We thank Thee, God, the Giver of all good, For Peace and Justice, strenuous truths uniting – For giving us that glorious Man who stood Between the lines and stopped inhuman fighting: For bounteous harvests, strong heroic souls, Who dare to follow him we call our Teddy – For truth and honor where Old Glory rules; For statesmen unafraid, true, strong and steady.

God speed the truth, let Justice reign supreme – Let Labor, Law and Loyalty combine To make it real, our brightest, happiest dream Of Liberty and Love and God’s Sunshine; And when Thanksgiving Day returns once more May Peace and Plenty, strolling hand in hand, Go on and on toward a richer shore, While Song and Laughter echoes through the land.

And echoing from every hill and glen Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Amen From all of us at the Roundup and our families, have a blessed Thanksgiving and stay on the positive side.

They say an optimist is a person who starts a new diet on Thanksgiving Day.

Wyoming Livestock Roundup Reporting the News by the Code of the West Wyoming Livestock Roundup (USPS # 005-774) is published weekly by Maverick Press, Inc. P.O. Box 850 • Casper, WY 82602 Periodicals postage paid in Casper, WY Fax: 307-472-1781 • E-mail: roundup@wylr.net

Phone: 307-234-2700 800-967-1647 • www.wylr.net

DENNIS SUN, Publisher • Cell: 307-262-6132 e-mail: dennis@wylr.net SAIGE ALBERT, Managing Editor • saige@wylr.net AMANDA BELL, Production Coordinator • amanda@wylr.net JODY MICHELENA, Advertising Director • jodym@wylr.net CURT COX, Director of Livestock Field Services • 307-630-4604 • curt@wylr.net CODY NEGRI, Livestock Field Services Representative • 208-697-1093 • cody@wylr.net ANDREA ZINK, Circulation/Accounting Manager • andrea@wylr.net DENISE OLSON, Classified Sales Manager • 307-685-8213 • denise@wylr.net

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This publication is © 2018 by Maverick Press, Inc.

GUEST OPINIONS Food Safety for the Holidays

By Tammie Ostdiek, Extension Educator for Food, Nutrition and Health Family and friends gather in the kitchen and around the table during the holidays, but nobody wants to miss the fun times with family and friends because of foodborne illness. Follow these food safety guidelines to reduce the risk of contamination.

Plan ahead. Thawing turkey in the refrigerator will require about 24 hours for every four to five pounds. A 20-pound bird will defrost in about five to six days. A thawed turkey can safely remain in the refrigerator for one to two days before cooking.

Turkey can be submerged in cold tap water for thawing. The water should be changed every 30 minutes, and the turkey cooked immediately after it is thawed.

Separate and prevent cross-contamination. Use separate cutting boards for raw, cooked and ready-to-eat foods. Defrost meats in a container to prevent the fluids from dripping onto other items in the refrigerator.

The most important thing a cook can do to keep food safe is to wash hands for 20 seconds before and after preparing foods. Keep the kitchen and utensils clean.

Rinse fruits and vegetables. There is no need to rinse meat or poultry because it will be cooked. Rinsing meats may spread bacteria to kitchen surfaces.

The only way to know when foods have reached the correct temperatures is by using a food thermometer.

Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the food,

and make sure it doesn’t touch bone, fat or gristle. Then, check the temperature in two places.

USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service indicates the guidelines for safe temperatures. Poultry should be cooked to 165 degrees Fahrenheit (F), and if the poultry is stuffed, the center of the stuffing must reach 165 degrees F. Casseroles and combination dishes should also reach 165 degrees F, and ground meat should be cooked Please see FOOD on page 7

Cooking temperature – Achieving a proper temperature for meat protects against food-borne illness. Courtesy photo

Shop Local, Dine Local Supports our Small Business Heroes

By Dan Nordberg, Small Business Administration Region VIII Administrator

Every year after Thanksgiving, Americans kick off the holiday shopping season with big stores advertising deal after deal. Not long ago, Americans during the holiday season typically would visit locally-owned small retailers in a downtown area to purchase all of their gifts. Business owners would decorate their shops with lights and ornaments or create elaborate window displays to grab the imagination of a passerby and encourage them inside. It was a magical time of year, and many of us still hold on to those memories today.

With the dramatic changes in retail over the last 20 years, those holiday scenes have been in danger of passing into the realm of nostalgic folklore. Recent surveys show that 79 percent of Americans make regular online purchases throughout the year. Brick-and-mortar businesses are looking for new ways to compete and provide a more personalized customer service focus, as well as benefits to the local community by creating jobs and boosting the local economy.

Their efforts are working, and small businesses remain the top producers both in Wyoming and nationally. Here at home, Wyoming’s 66,000 small businesses continue

to generate two of every three net new jobs and deliver essential goods and services to the state’s population. As the voice of our nation’s entrepreneurs, the U.S. Small Business Administration celebrates the United States’ 30 million small businesses that still ignite our local economies and enrich our communities throughout the year.

In 2017, Small Business Saturday provided a huge boost to the overall U.S. economy when 108 million consumers shopped or dined small and generated nearly $12 billion in reported spending. With the increased consumer confidence in the economy, combined with the benefit of the president’s tax cuts, this year’s Small Business Saturday, on Nov. 24, looks to be even brighter.

In addition to the tax cuts themselves, which have benefited virtually everyone, more than 6 million American workers have received a bonus, a pay raise or improved job benefits as a result of these cuts. This translates into great news for small retailers and restaurants across the country, because consumer spending during the holidays is expected to increase by five percent as a result of our growing economy. By cutting taxes and regulations, the Please see LOCAL on page 14

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 29 • November 17, 2018

NEWS BRIEFS

Prop 12 hits ag industry

Californians voted to let chickens roam freely on Nov. 6. Proposition 12, which would require all eggs sold in the state come from cage-free hens by 2022, was approved with 59 percent of the vote.

Called by many the most progressive animal welfare law in the nation, Proposition 12 comes a decade after California banned battery cages with Proposition 2 in 2008.

Proposition 12 was opposed by both the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). NPPC says it will raise costs for farmers and, eventually, prices for consumers. PETA opposes Proposition 12 because it doesn’t go far enough to stop what it sees as animal cruelty.

The new law also adds provisions that would affect veal and pork production, setting new minimum requirements on the size of pens for sows and calves raised for veal, and it bans the sale in California of products from hens, calves and pigs raised in other states that do not meet California’s standards.

Proposition 12 was sponsored and financed by the Humane Society of the United States, which also backed Proposition 2, and says the upgrade will strengthen the earlier measure.

Wyoming Grown survey out Businesses making or growing products in Wyoming are encouraged to take a survey about the Wyoming Business Council’s Made in Wyoming and Grown in Wyoming programs.

The Wyoming Business Council, Wyoming’s economic development agency, created the survey in conjunction with a University of Wyoming senior marketing class to assess how well the two state-branded programs are meeting the needs of its members and how the programs can improve.

Program members receive benefits like the use of the Bucking Horse and Rider logo, social media promotion and selling opportunities at events like the Wyoming State Fair.

Interested business owners can take the survey at tinyurl.com/statebrandedsurvey by Nov. 21 to make their voices heard as the Business Council works to support better Wyoming’s small manufacturers and artisans.

Program deadlines approach U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director Lois Van Mark reminds Wyoming producers who experienced losses from natural disasters during the 2017 and 2018 calendar years that they may be eligible for assistance through the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and FarmRaised Fish Program (ELAP) and Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP).

“We want to ensure that all eligible agricultural producers who experienced losses from natural disasters get the assistance they need,” said Van Mark.

Wyo sugarbeets up Based on Nov. 1 conditions, sugarbeet production in Wyoming is forecast at 958,000 tons, up eight percent from the 891,000 tons produced in 2017, according to the Nov. 1 Agricultural Yield Survey conducted by the Mountain Regional Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service at USDA. Growers expect to harvest 30,900 acres this year, compared with 31,600 acres a year ago. Yields are expected to average 31 tons per acre, down 1.3 tons per acre from the Oct. 1 forecast but up from last year’s yield of 28.2 tons per acre.

As of Nov. 4, Wyoming’s sugarbeet harvest was estimated at 97 percent complete, compared with 97 percent last year and the five-year average of 88 percent.

NRCS program sign-up available Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Field Offices are currently accepting applications for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) program and the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP).

All signed applications on file by Dec. 21, 2018 will be considered for funding in Fiscal Year 2019.

EQIP, AMA and RCPP are voluntary conservation programs that provide technical and financial assistance to eligible agricultural producers to address a wide variety of resource issues such as water quality, inadequate fish and wildlife habitat, inefficient use of irrigation water, inadequate livestock water, invasive species, wind and water soil erosion concerns, residue management and others.

Applications for general EQIP and AMA are being accepted.

High protein diet supported A widely held and controversial myth that high-protein diets may cause kidney damage in healthy adults has been debunked by scientists at McMaster University, who examined more than two dozen studies involving hundreds of participants.

The meta-analysis, published in the Journal of Nutrition, challenges the perceived dangers of a protein-rich diet, a notion first introduced in the 1980s which suggested processing large amounts of protein leads to a progressive decline in kidney function over time.

“It’s a concept that’s been around for at least 50 years, and we hear it all the time – higher protein diets cause kidney disease,” says Stuart Phillips, a professor of kinesiology at McMaster who oversaw the study. “The fact is, however, that there’s just no evidence to support this hypothesis.

In fact, the evidence shows the contrary is true. Higher protein increases, not decreases, kidney function.”

USDA tightens corn crop USDA cut its forecast of corn and soybean production and projected tighter corn carryout, but rising soybean inventories in its latest Crop Production report, which was released on Nov. 8 morning.

Corn posted modest gains, while soybeans sold off as a result. USDA lowered its assessment for U.S. corn production and noted smaller ending stocks, despite also noting lower feed and residual use and lower exports. Production is now estimated at 14.626 billion bushels, trending 152 million bushels lower than October estimates.

Supply fell more than use, sending corn ending stocks down 77 million bushels. All told, the agency revised its season-average price of corn by 10 cents, with a new midpoint of $3.60 per bushel.

Cheney to lead Republicans

Congresswoman Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) was elected as the House Republican Conference Chair for the 116th Congress.

Cheney commented, “I look forward to working with Leader McCarthy, Whip Scalise and all the members of our GOP Conference to ensure we go on offense to fight for our nation’s future.”

“The Democrats’ radical agenda threatens our nation’s economy and security. The House Republican Conference will work every day on behalf of pro-growth, pro-jobs, pronational security policies we know are crucial for the health of our country and the future for all our kids and grandkids,” she added.

3

CWD continues expansion The Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) confirmed a buck mule deer has tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Deer Hunt Area 5. The deer was harvested south of Sundance. CWD has previously been documented in neighboring deer hunt areas and an overlapping elk hunt area.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is concerned about CWD and how it may affect the future of Wyoming’s deer. The disease is fatal to deer, elk and moose. Recent research in Wyoming shows that it poses a threat to deer populations in areas with a high prevalence of the disease.

To ensure that hunters are informed, WGFD announces when CWD is found in a new hunt area. A map of CWD endemic areas is available at wgfd.wyo.gov.

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 29 • November 17, 2018

NEWS BRIEFS USDA releases meat prices

New brucellosis infection found

Funding targets healthcare

A new case of brucellosis has been found in a northwestern Wyoming beef cattle herd nearly a month after another herd was discovered with the disease.

Wyoming State Veterinarian Jim Logan has been notified by the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory and the National Veterinary Services Laboratory of the new case of brucellosis in a cattle herd in Teton County, which is in the Wyoming Brucellosis Designated Surveillance Area (DSA).

Testing at both laboratories has shown reactor level results on five animals from one herd. Further testing, including bacterial culture, will be conducted to confirm serology results.

Logan and Assistant State Field Veterinarian Thach Winslow are working with the owner of the infected cattle and are conducting an epidemiologic investigation. The herd with known Brucella-positive animals is under quarantine at this time. No sexually-intact cattle can be moved from the quarantined premises until conditions of the quarantine release are met. At this time, Logan does not believe there are any additional herds epidemiologically linked to this case.

This case is not related to the case found in early October in Park County, where three cattle tested positive for the disease. Officials say there is no epidemiologic link between the two cases.

USDA’s Economic Research Services released retail meat sales data on Nov. 15, and the Daily Livestock Report (DLR) explains, “That retail data can be used to calculate a variety of spreads between retail outlets, wholesalers and the farmers.”

They continue, “Beef gross packer markets have had an excellent year so far this year, steaming ahead of last year by almost $100 per steer in some months. June had the largest spread of the year at $393 per steer but was also the month with the smallest gain from a year prior, topping 2017 by a mere one percent.”

This was a new record high for packer gross margins. Other months this year gained anywhere from five to 54 percent.

The latest data in October was $43 per steer larger than last year.

Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett on Nov. 14 announced USDA is investing $501 million in 60 projects to help improve healthcare infrastructure and services in rural communities nationwide.

“Creating strong and healthy communities is foundational to increasing prosperity in rural America,” Hazlett said. “Under the leadership of Secretary Sonny Perdue, USDA is committed to partnering with rural leaders to improve quality of life and economic development through modern and accessible healthcare.”

Of the funds, a $21.3 million loan to Hot Springs County Hospital District and a $4.3 million loan to Westward Heights in Lander were given to Wyoming projects.

Top wheat yields announced The National Wheat Foundation’s (NWF) National Wheat Yield Contest (NWYC) offers growers the opportunity to compete with farmers from across the United States and improve their production practices through new and innovative techniques. NWF announced the national winners for the 2018 National Wheat Yield Contest on Nov. 14.

“A special congratulations to Phillip Gross for being the high yield winner for the third year in a row,” stated Foundation Board President Wayne Hurst. “Phillip’s entry topped the 200 bushels per are level for the first time ever in the contest.”

Gross is from Adams County, Washington.

Hurst continued, “It’s great to see growers who have entered and won in previous years continue to take part in the contest. We also welcomed several new applicants this year, many of whom won.”

The contest recognizes winners in two primary competition categories – winter wheat and spring wheat, and two subcategories – dryland and irrigated.

State of Meat strong for lamb

The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) opened its annual strategic planning conference on Nov. 13 with a status report on the current state of U.S. beef, pork and lamb exports, followed by a discussion of the key trade policy issues shaping the outlook for exports in 2019 and beyond.

USMEF Chair Dennis Stiffler began with an overview of U.S. lamb production, demand and exports. Stiffler is president of the Texas Division of Halperns’ Steak and Seafood and CEO emeritus of Mountain States Rosen, a fabricator, processor and distributor of lamb and veal products.

He noted lamb exports struggled in 2017 but have rebounded this year, mainly due to an uptick in lamb variety meat shipments to Mexico. Access to the Japanese market, which recently reopened to U.S. lamb for the first time in 15 years, is “a real game-changer” for the lamb industry, Stiffler added

AAA elects officers

Five directors were elected to the 2018-19 American Angus Association (AAA) board of directors, as well as a president and chairman and a vice president and vice chairman of the board, during the 135th Annual Convention of Delegates hosted at the 2018 Angus Convention in Columbus, Ohio.

A total of 298 delegates from 41 states and districts represented Association members at the Annual Convention of Delegates and elected the 2018-2019 officers and directors. Directors can serve up to two threeyear terms on the board and, if elected, serve additional one-year terms in office as president and chairman and/ or vice president and vice chairman.

Elected to his first term is Jim Brinkley of Missouri and elected to their second three-year terms are James Coffey of Kentucky, Chuck Grove of Virginia, Mike McCravy of Georgia and Mick Varilek of South Dakota.

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 29 • November 17, 2018

BEEF continued from page 1 dressed weight of cattle could lead the way.

“We have continued to produce more pounds per carcass. Less than 10 years ago, we started to see average dressed weights for U.S. slaughter cattle explode. At JBS USA, we average 63.5 percent yield. Even a percentage jump is a lot more beef.

We will continue to get more efficient to meet this protein demand,” she explains.

Changes in consumer demand The meat case has evolved since the 1960s, allowing consumers more choices. It is not uncommon to find grassfed, conventional, natural and antibioticfree beef side by side in the meat department.

“As an industry, we have adapted to consumer change and response. Everyone in the beef industry should be proud of the choices we can now offer consumers,” Stackhouse explains. “What is more impressive is the developments we have made in

animal health.”

“When research came out years ago saying meat was bad for us, we stepped up and changed our genetics to produce meat with less fat and more lean muscle cuts,” she continues.

Media reports “Everyone lumps everything under sustainability,” Stackhouse says.

When a United Nations report came out years ago accusing livestock of being responsible for 18 percent of man-made greenhouse gases, it started activist movements that still exist today, like meatless Mondays.

Consumer Reports jumped on the bandwagon to attack beef by publishing information about how bad beef was for consumers.

“It is a big ask for American consumers, who don’t have time to do the research, are not close to food production and antibiotics or realize how hard we work every day to produce safe food, that Consumer Reports may

5

be good at picking out a safe car seat but not our food,” she says. “This kind of stuff really matters, and I stay awake at nights worrying about this fear of food movement.”

Expectations Consumer expectations are changing and with it is a growing expectation about transparency.

“I even found this on a box of baby wipes the other day,” she jokes. “Millennials will pay more, even if they don’t have the money, if they think it will change the world.”

Stackhouse continues, “They are twice as likely to care if food is organic. They are more concerned with political and ethical issues, and they care about what’s genuine and authentic.”

“That same generation grew up with the internet, but their parents told them not to trust Wikipedia. They trust their friends more than facts, which has completely shifted the paradigm of retailers.

Now, retailers have a group of consumers who don’t trust facts but trust relationships,” she says.

In response, Costco developed a strong brand recognition with moms, Stackhouse states.

“Costco developed an authentic relationship with consumers through their business plan. They only make money off the membership we pay for,” she describes.

“Everything else they sell in their store for what they pay for it. Members believe they get this incredible value, and through their membership they say, ‘Make sure the things you buy fit my values.’”

With 750,000 cow/calf producers in the U.S. and the average herd size of 40 head, the beef industry is complicated.

“Moms expect Costco to have their backs, and that is a big job for Costco,” she explains. “It has forced companies like JBS USA to become more transparent. We have to demonstrate to these retail partners that we have alleviated risk from our system, and that we share the same values of our retail partners.”

“We now have a more

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public facing approach to how we do business,” she says.

Competing with other proteins “From a beef perspective, our other proteins are meeting customers and consumers where they are at because they are able to. They are more integrated supply chains that are not as complex or as expensive as producing beef,” Stackhouse explains.

“Consumers define sustainability as organic, natural and cage-free. These proteins have been able to develop the trust with moms who read Consumer Reports and go to Costco.”

“Costco wants to transition everything to organic, because that’s what their customers believe in,” she notes.

“Beef is missing from connecting with customers on a value level. It is a challenge for us because of the increased costs, which may make it prohibitive.”

Innovation Blockbuster once had a chance to purchase Netflix for $50 million, Stackhouse shares. Blockbuster declined

saying the company didn’t fit their business model.

“Last I read, Netflix was worth more than $190 billion, and what happened to Blockbuster? So my question is, do we innovate?” she asks.

“We may not agree with where our customers are, but we have to meet them where their values are at and develop a trusting relationship with them,” she states. “It is critical for our success as a beef industry, moving forward.”

“I realize we don’t have the flexibility or ability from a cost-perspective to change like chicken does. But, our challenge is to develop relationships and trust where their values are, in a different way,” she explains.

Stackhouse talked to producers, nutritionists and students about sustainability and how the beef industry can meet consumer expectations during a recent High Plains Nutrition Roundtable in Laramie.

Gayle Smith is a correspondent for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 29 • November 17, 2018

EXTENSION EDUCATION

By Dallas Mount, UW Extension Educator

Lessons from Australia My family and I spent three months in Australia January through March this past year while I took an extended professional development leave from University of Wyoming (UW). The goal of the trip was to learn from leaders in the ranching world south of the equator. Of course, “ranching” isn’t a term used there. They call themselves “graziers,” which appeals to me, since it focuses the mind on the ecology side of the business which is where most of the action happens anyway.

I was fortunate to be hosted by two organizations that work with graziers across the continent.

Resource Consulting Service (RCS) – the equivalent of the Ranching for Profit School

here, and KLR Marketing – a company started by three graziers to teach Bud Williams style marketing.

I spent most of my time in Queensland, the northeast state, which is 2.5 times the size of Texas, and did a week in New South Wales, the state just to the south of Queensland. The latitude of where we lived in Queensland would be similar to just south of the Sothern most tip of Florida. Tropical, warm season plants abound, and frost isn’t part of the discussion.

I also traveled inland where rainfall quickly declines, and extended periods of dryness are common creating challenges for those raising livestock.

Here are some lessons

I learned during my travels that hopefully will challenge your thinking about how you can position your business.

Low overheads Overhead costs include labor, machines and buildings. Queensland is extensive ranching country. The average livestock units (LSUs) per full-time employee (FTE) in Queensland is around 1,800. Most momand-pop stations run around 2,000 cows.

Machinery sheds for these places are not full of expensive machines to do the work. The places are run with simplicity in mind. I got to spend several days on a place that usually runs 4,000 to 6,000 head. Machinery consisted of a couple of pickups, usually mid-size Toyotas, two side-by-sides, a couple of motor bikes, one loader tractor and a shop of normal hand tools for the ranch.

Think about what a typical Wyoming ranch that runs 4,000 to 6,000 head would have. Sure, they don’t have to contend with winter there, but they have challenges

related to managing vast country with poor roads and extremely variable weather.

How can we adopt systems that emphasize simplicity that allow us to do more with less? For most ranchers I work with, managing overhead costs is one of the greatest challenges. We could learn some things from the Aussie graziers on keeping overheads low.

Infrastructure and public support The poor-quality roads and distance to markets was a surprise. The family and I spent quite a bit of time traveling north and south on the main highway that parallels the East Coast. This is their version of I-25. In most areas, it is our equivalent of a two-lane highway with no shoulders and poor asphalt.

In some areas, it is a single lane of pavement where cars meeting each other must drop a tire in the gravel.

Needless to say, it takes a long time to go places. The country roads usually don’t have culverts, so most vehicles are equipped with a snorkel for water crossings.

During rainfall events, you wait for the water to recede before traveling.

To add one additional challenge, fuel costs are about double over what we pay. All this impacts the ability of the graziers to get their animals to market. During dry times, if producers don’t make timely decisions to destock, the options become pretty grim. Hauling in feed over vast country is expensive, and if animals get thin, they are not likely to survive the trip to market.

The Aussies let me know that they envy the way U.S. farmers and ranchers are viewed in the public eye.

From their perspective, we are respected and appreciated, where they often feel ostracized, and there is a per-

ception that they are abusing the resources they manage.

Despite vast expanses of rural land, Australia’s population is largely urban, and the politics reflect this. Rural people have a difficult time having a voice in the decision making, and rules from the capitol often don’t make sense in the rural areas.

Those of us in the West can certainly relate, but it also makes me thankful for the infrastructure we have and the voice of rural America.

More similarities than differences I was fortunate to be involved with a few dozen ranch business strategy meetings while there. The common challenges are that Aussie graziers prefer working on things like moving stock, water development, breeding programs, other ranch projects and put off things like business strategy, cash flow planning, developing systems for getting and keeping the right employees, etc.

In short, they tend to work in the business and neglect working on the business. Sound familiar?

Other common struggles were succession planning. Questions like, how do we build competency in the incoming generation? What level of control is appropriate for the outgoing generation? What about off-farm heirs? What about in-laws?

One of the business owners had been brave enough

to bring in professional help assist his family in navigating this process.

They weren’t lawyers or accountants but rather professional ag business succession facilitators that help lead the conversations and understand the desires of ownership. They then bring in the lawyers and accountants after the desires are clearly understood and the family has reached consensus.

I asked what this cost him, and he said about $30,000 for the 18-month process. He also said he would have paid $1 million for the result they achieved.

After all, if they do not get this right, then everything he had built would be for nothing. I appreciated his dedication to making sure the business will go on after his term of leadership is over.

There are many more than these three, but that is a taste. This opportunity for my family is something I will be forever grateful for.

How about your ranch business and your family’s experience? What are you doing to stretch your comfort zone and experience something totally different from your normal experience? If you can’t leave the ranch, is that a problem? When the years have flown by, what will you remember and cherish the most? In what experiences lie the greatest opportunity for learning and growth? It likely isn’t by doing the same things every year.

Tool helps gauge monetary risk Partial budgeting can be helpful in evaluating management decisions for any agricultural operation. The technique examines potential changes in costs or returns associated with adjustments in strategy or business operations.

The Risk Scenario Planning (RSP) tool from RightRisk.org is a risk analytics tool that helps agricultural producers use a range of values when making budget projections or production decisions.

The RSP tool can help a manager include the risk associated with a particular decision or change and may help eliminate some of this uncertainty by assigning a range of probable outcomes associated with the selected variables.

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 29 • November 17, 2018

MEAD continued from page 1 Local governments have also built infrastructure, and the state has the best school buildings in the country, said Mead.

Mead continued that Wyoming’s seven community colleges are “critical to provide the workforce to young adults and for those who have changed careers,” and he sees the University of Wyoming (UW) as a leader in research.

“The High Bay facility is doing research that no one else in the world is doing. We couldn’t be prouder of UW and what they have accomplished,” Mead said. “UW has been, are and will continue to be critical into the future.”

Leading industries Wyoming’s top three industries – minerals, tourism and agriculture – continue to be strongly supported.

“Wyoming is a leader in mineral production – trona, uranium, bentonite and of course oil and gas,” Mead said. “We are now in the process of building the nation’s largest wind farm, which means a great deal not only for revenue but in terms of jobs.”

The state has pursued two energy strategies under Mead’s leadership, which proactively plan energy processes.

“We in Wyoming have continued to find the balance between energy development and our environment. We understand that, long-term, we can’t have energy development if we don’t take care of Wyoming.

We understand the value of clean air, clean water and wildlife,” he noted.

“I think Wyoming should be a leader not just in production but a leader in innovation,” Mead continued, citing the work of the Integrated Test Center and a competition that seeks to find the best way to use CO2 as an asset for the state. “That could be a game changer to coal, which is important to the state.”

Tourism In the tourism sector, Wyoming has worked to

draw visitors to the state through a variety of innovative competitions and events.

“The Cowboy Tough Adventure Race has turned into an international competition that highlights recreation,” Mead said. “We started the Governor’s Cup, and we had 27 of the 50 best shooters in the world in Cheyenne, including Olympians.”

“We have seen tourism increase in amazing ways. Visitor spending has increased by 36 percent in the last eight years, and direct and indirect taxes have increased by 72 percent,” he described, noting the Great American Eclipse only added to the benefits from tourism.

Agriculture Mead continued, “Of course, agriculture, which is near and dear to my heart, has been and always will be, important to the state. It provides so much to both tourism and energy.”

Mead emphasized the importance of the Wyoming State Fair, noting the agriculture industry must remain strong.

As he has focused on issues like the Endangered Species Act through his Chairman’s Initiative with the Western Governors’ Association, Mead said he has seen progress in a variety of ways, including when the sage grouse was not listed.

Mead also focused on water, implementing a water strategy to protect one of the state’s most valuable resources.

“Without water, we can’t do anything. We need to make sure we always protect and utilize our water in the best way possible,” he said. “Our water strategy helps every citizen, every industry and every community in a big way.”

“We can’t have a bucking horse on our license plate and not take care of ag,” he joked. “If that’s not a rule, it should be.”

Looking forward Looking to Governor-

FOOD continued from page 2 to 160 degrees F. Finally, steaks, chops and roasts of beef, pork, lamb or veal should be cooked to 145 degrees F. Lastly, be sure to refrigerate perishables and leftover foods within two hours. If trying to cool a large quantity, such as a pot of soup, divide into smaller containers to allow the food to cool more quickly.

The standard guideline for handling leftovers is four-day throwaway. Some foods will last longer, but some should be thrown out sooner.

A new phone app is available for download.

For more information, go to food.unl.edu/four-daythrow-away.

Remember to keep food safe for an enjoyable holiday season. Practice good personal hygiene, cook and store foods properly, and prevent crosscontamination from raw poultry or meat.

For more information, contact your local Extension office or check out USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service at fsis.usda.gov. Questions can be e-mailed to mphotline.fsis@usda.gov, or the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline is available toll free at 888-MPHotline or 888-674-6854.

elect Mark Gordon, Mead commented, “I didn’t leave your time as governor fruitless. I left you challenges.”

With budgets, healthcare and education all facing serious trials, Mead laid out a series of concerns he sees in the future.

“It’s not that these aren’t issues we haven’t worked on or previous governors haven’t worked on. They are just challenging issues,” he said.

Education is surrounded by a myriad of questions, including topics such as teacher salaries and what future funding looks like.

“As we have debates about education, I think it’s a fair debate to have,” Mead explained. “We must never lose the fact the education is critical. This is a problem Wyoming needs to solve because there is no great future if we don’t have great education.”

7

The challenges surrounding healthcare are also abundant, since Wyoming has the highest healthcare costs in the country.

“If we want to expand the economy, we need to address healthcare. It doesn’t have to be in the Washington way, but in a Wyoming way that recognizes we have holes in healthcare,” Mead said.

“The state needs to have an informed discussion and a

real debate on healthcare.”

Optimism “If we believe in Wyoming and want to encourage companies to stay and come, we need to invest in ourselves,” Mead commented. “As we reflect on where we have been and chart a new course, I have been motived by our businessmen and women, our heroes, our homeless, our military and my family.

I’m motivated by all types of citizens.”

He continued, “If it is true – and I believe it is so – that the world needs more cowboys, this is the time, this is the place, and we are the people to provide our country and our world with more cowboys.

Let’s saddle up, Wyoming, and keep moving Wyoming forward.”

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

Steer slaughter runs below 2017 levels

Steer slaughter continues to run below year-ago levels so far this year, despite the fact that the quarterly feedlot inventories have shown more steers on feed in 2018 compared to last year.

For the year-to-date, steer slaughter is about one percent below last year, but in the last four weeks, it has averaged very close to year-ago levels.

Steer slaughter has averaged 51.6 percent of total cattle slaughter so far this year, down from 52.9 percent of total cattle slaughter in 2017. As heifer and cow

slaughter return to normal levels, steer slaughter will move closer to the longterm average of 50.6 percent of total slaughter.

Steer carcass weights have averaged about four pounds above year-earlier levels so far this year. Weekly steer carcass weights may have peaked seasonally a bit early the first week of October at 903 pounds. Steer carcass weights averaged 895 pounds in the latest weekly data, but could jump to a higher seasonal peak yet in November.

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 29 • November 17, 2018

Stock water system utilizing dugouts provide potential winter water benefits Many cattle producers use ponds or dugouts to collect water to service a water system.

“Our region is very hilly, with quite a bit of slope, so we can also use dams to hold back and collect water in those draws and then put a water system below it to let some of that water into a trough,” said Gerald Vandervalk who raised cattle near Clareshom, Alberta, Canada.

Dams versus dugouts “This is a little different than a dugout,” Vandervalk continued. “In my opinion, a dugout is in a relatively flat area where there might be a depression where water collects, and we just dig it deeper, for more storage.”

Conversely, a dam involves locating an area

where water would normally run through, then installing a structure to catch and store the water. The pond created by the dam or dugout, he explained, may be fenced off so cows can’t get into it.

Often, the water collected behind a dam is seasonal runoff, such as in the spring or after any major rain holding enough water to store there for cattle use.

“When we are making the dam, we put a pipe through the bottom of the dam because it’s easier to do then. We put a valve on that pipe, similar to a stop or drain valve, where the valve is below ground,” Vandervalk explained. “The valve is always below frost, so if we need water for the cows in January, we can go turn that valve on and have easy

access to water coming through the pipe at the bottom of the dam.”

Summer or winter These systems work well for summer or winter.

“In the summer, we just put a float on the trough.

The water flows in until the trough is full, and then, it shuts off automatically,” he said.

During the winter months, when the water requirements for cattle are less, Vandervalk allows the valve to run continuously, with less flow.

“We put a pipe fitting down to half-inch, quarterinch or whatever size we think we need and let it run all the time, which helps keep it from freezing. There is usually enough water in the dam to supply the cows

for a while, especially if they are only there for a few weeks in that pasture,” he said.

In this situation, the trough would have an overflow. The excess water runs through a buried overflow pipe that diverts water down the draw and away from the trough. The strategy avoids overflow water creating an ice-skating rink for cattle.

“We usually use at least a 30-foot overflow pipe so the water would come out farther down the coulee,” Vandervalk explained. “We don’t want the overflow pipe too long, however, or it might freeze and plug up.”

“It helps if there is a good slope, so the water flows readily down the overflow pipe and won’t freeze,” he added.

Other options “Another option we sometimes use on a dugout if it has a little bit of slope is to install a tire trough just

“It helps if there is a good slope, so the water flows readily down the overflow pipe and won’t freeze.” – Gerald Vandervalk, Clareshom, Alberta, Canada a little way from the dugout and use a 12-volt pump to pump the water from the bottom of the dugout to the trough,” Vandervalk said.

“The pump can be powered by electricity if it is available, solar panels, a windmill or batteries.”

“We use a 1.5-inch line to the trough and insert a smaller line, only 0.5 inches, inside it,” he continued. “We pump water up the half inch line into the trough and let it run all the time, always pumping water from the dugout and up to the trough.”

The water goes into the trough and the bigger, outer pipe acts as an overflow.

When the trough is full, it runs right back down that line and back into the dugout, recycling any water that

isn’t used.

“This way the trough doesn’t freeze,” he explained. “The pump is running all the time, but these little pumps don’t take much power, depending on how far we have to lift the water into the nearby trough.”

However, Vandervalk encouraged producers to consider how many cows they are watering.

“If there are only 20 cows, we’d only need a very small pump, but if we are running 300 cows, we’d need more water flowing,” he said.

Heather Smith Thomas is a correspondent for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup.

Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

Under dams – When constructing a dam, Gerard Vandervalk recommends putting in a pipeline with a shut-off valve at the base, which offers the potential for producers to use stored water late in the season and during winter months. Courtesy photo

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 29 • November 17, 2018

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Wyoming Wool Growers Association honors members for supporting sheep industry Casper – The 2018 West Central Wool Growers Convention brought nearly 300 sheep producers from Wyoming, Utah, Idaho, Colorado and Montana together for three days of

information sharing, networking and conversation.

During the final night of the event, Nov. 10, the President’s Banquet treated attendees to the final chance to visit and

Collegiate association – The University of Wyoming Collegiate Wool Growers Association was recognized for their formation nearly a year ago. CWGA President Lexi Julian (right) accepted recognition for the association. Courtesy photo

Wool Growers Association – The Wyoming Wool Growers Association Board includes UW Extension Sheep Specialist Whit Stewart, Regan Smith of Powell, Tommy Moore of Douglas, Executive Director Amy Hendrickson, WWGA President Vance Broadbent, Makayla Mette of Casper and Mike Curuchet of Kaycee. Courtesy photo

Sheep contributions – Jw Nuckolls was posthumously honored for his contributions to the sheep industry. He will be recognized with his name, ranch name and brand on the wall at the entrance of Wyoming Wool Growers Association office. Courtesy photo

Wool growers recognition – The Wyoming Wool Growers Association hosted the President’s Banquet of the West Central States Wool Growers Convention on Nov. 10. During the event, supporters of the sheep industry were recognized, and attendees celebrated the bright future of the industry. Makayla Mette photo

the opportunity to recognize several important contributors to the Wyoming Wool Growers Association (WWGA).

The University of Wyoming (UW) Collegiate Wool Growers Association (CWGA) was recognized for their contributions to bringing young producers and college students more

information and fellowship around the wool industry.

Whit Stewart, advisor for the organization and UW Extension sheep specialist, and Lexi Julian, CWGA president, accepted the award.

In addition, WWGA honored Jw Nuckolls, posthumously, by adding his name and brand to the

Recognizing Jw – Wyoming Wool Growers Vice President Regan Smith hugs Thea Nuckolls after her late husband Jw was recognized by the association for his efforts to support the sheep industry.

Makayla Mette photo

WWGA entrance wall. The wall features the brands and names of those people who have made an impact on the sheep industry.

WWGA is also accepting funds honoring Nuckolls to support the memorial, which will be placed in the association’s trust fund.

Lastly, WWGA Board recognized Executive

Director Amy Hendrickson for her hard work and service to the association, noting that her dedication enables WWGA to grow and be effective in advocating for the interests of the sheep industry in Wyoming and beyond.

Learn more about WWGA and its activities at wyowool.com.

Honoring the executive director – The Wyoming Wool Growers Association honored Executive Director Amy Hendrickson (right) with a public recognition and bouquet of flowers, thanking her for hard work and service to the association and the sheep industry.

Makayla Mette (left) presented the bouquet during the President’s Banquet on Nov. 10. Courtesy photo

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 29 • November 17, 2018

CROSSWORD Wyoming Livestock Roundup Crosswords, created by Myles Mellor. Solution available at wylr.net or in next week's Roundup. Mail your complete crossword to Wyoming Livesock Roundup, PO Box 850, Casper, WY 82602 for a special prize!

Across 1. Large green areas 6. Weight measurement, for short 8. Look towards 9. Bring back to good health 10. Got a cow to accept a calf she did not give birth to 11. Sheep ___ in the Absaroka range 12. Quality grade of beef 16. All right 18. Name for the pattern in beef as defined by streaks of fat 20. Vet title 23. Ranch basic 25. National Western Stock Show’s Citizen of the West, Bob _____ 27. Make look prettier, 2 words 29. Like many Wyoming mountains, 2 words 32. Two-way 33. Condensed moisture 34. Lamb sire 36. Walt Longmire’s county 37. Bull ____

Down Popular western series Land measurement Start of a plant Beef cattle brand Slow speech “The Magnificent Seven” character, played by Robert Vaughan 7. Resting area 8. Rancher’s herd 13. Period before an event 14. Very, very long time 15. Maker 17. Putting a mark on cattle 18. Green expanses 19. Great deal 21. Snake or Yellowtone, for example 22. Pig’s digs 24. Right away 26. Food safety grp.

28. Sound system, for short 30 Neighbor of Wyoming, abbr.

31. They prosecute perps 35. Grand Teton or Dome, abbr.

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Beef exports continue strong U.S. beef exports were “very strong” in September, but stiff retaliatory tariffs on pork imposed by China and Mexico battered exports in those countries, officials at the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) reported.

Beef exports were up six percent from a year ago at more than 110,000 metric tons with a value of $687.1 million, a gain of 11 percent, USMEF reported using USDA data. September pork export volume was down two percent from September 2017 at more than 179,000 metric tons, with export value falling seven percent to $420 million in the latest period.

Year-to-date beef volume was up nine percent, at 1 million metric tons and a value of $6.2 billion – up 18 percent – while all pork exports between January and September rose a more modest one percent to 1.8 million metric tons from record 2017 levels. Value rose two percent to $4.79 billion. – Meatingplace

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 29 • November 17, 2018

11

Woodall: Mid-term elections bring challenges for beef industry

The Democratic party took control of the House of Representatives in Nov. 6’s election, with Democrats picking up at least 26 GOP-held seats.

Republicans preserved their majority in the Senate.

“The results leave President Donald Trump with a choice,” said Farm Progress. “He can reach for bipartisan deals in areas such as infrastructure and healthcare or stick to a well-worn strategy of stoking passions on immigration and other divisive issues to maintain enthusiasm with his supporters.”

With a variety of agriculture-related bills up in the air, including but not limited to the 2018 Farm Bill, America’s rural communities have voiced concern about the path forward.

Following the elections, Colin Woodall,

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) senior vice president of government affairs, said the organization will continue to focus on passing a farm bill as Democrats take control of the House.

Woodall said NCBA was prepared for a split congress and is not surprised by this outcome.

“We were prepared for this, and we anticipated this to be one of the potential outcomes,” he said. “If history is an indicator, this will be a race to the finish line to get as much legislation through as possible.”

Farm bill In the short term, the farm bill remains an urgent matter and will be a top priority in the lame duck session as the time of Republican control wraps up.

Woodall reported that ranking House Agriculture Committee Member Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) is

Barrasso bill targets CWD On Nov. 15, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) was joined by Sens. Doug Jones (D-Ala.) and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) in introducing legislation to increase wildlife managers’ ability to keep wildlife healthy.

The bill authorizes a special resource study to determine how chronic wasting disease (CWD) spreads and could be prevented in deer and elk. CWD can affect both wild and domestic herds of deer and elk in 25 states.

However, state recommendations for preventing the spread of the disease vary.

The bill would give state wildlife agencies and wildlife experts information to conduct targeted research on how the disease is transmitted, determine which areas are most at risk and develop consistent advice for hunters to prevent further spread.

“Chronic wasting disease has negatively affected white-tailed and mule deer in Wyoming for decades,” said Barrasso. “To protect our wildlife populations and our hunters, we need to know more about how this disease is spread and which areas are most at risk. Our bill gives wildlife managers the tools they need to research and identify exactly where chronic wasting disease is most prominent and how we can better prevent it. It’s a critical first step to addressing this debilitating disease and keeping our wildlife herds healthy.”

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on board to pass the farm bill without a total rewrite, which spells good news for producers across the board.

Peterson also said he had the full support of the Democratic leadership for finalizing a bill in the lame duck session.

Woodall added Peterson has also supported NCBA’s priority issue of funding an foot-and-mouth disease vaccine bank within the farm bill.

Other priorities Other top priorities for the lame duck session include language on fake meat.

In a recent edition of Beltway Beef, NCBA urged its members to submit commentary in support of USDA regulation of lab grown meat specimens as opposed to Food and Drug Administration regulatory authority.

“Outside of the farm bill and updating language on the foot-and-mouth dis-

ease vaccine and electronic logging device regulations, I doubt much else will get done before the end of 2018,” said Woodall.

Additionally, Woodall stressed the importance of reforming the Endangered Species Act. “We have spent years working with outside groups to create a bill that everyone can work around, and the Senate Environment and Public Works committee did nothing with it,” said Woodall.

“Now, our opportunity has passed with Rep. Raul Grijalva as the House Natural Resources Committee Chair. He won’t touch anything with the endangered species act attached.”

Woodall fears the change in power may stop any modernization of the Endangered Species Act in the foreseeable future.

“We may never have another opportunity in our careers at NCBA,” he commented.

“Outside of the farm bill and updating language on the FMD vaccine and ELD regulations, I doubt much else will get done before the end of 2018.”

– Colin Woodall, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Woodall says NCBA will continue to work with friends in the Democratic Party to help secure the interests of cattleman and work through the newly split congress.

“The thing that everyone needs to understand is, just because there is change does not mean we are dead in the water,” said Woodall. “We will simply have to retool on how to operate in a split congress.”

Bigger picture In the long term, Woodall predicts this split congress will result in gridlock, with little legislation actually passed.

“The Democratic House will spend time on congressional oversight of

the Trump administration,” said Woodall.

Woodall predicted the Senate will spend time trying to thwart any house legislation and get as many Trump nominations through as possible. This will limit the amount of actual legislation that gets through congress.

Though a congress is often judged by the amount of legislation passed, it is not always a bad thing, said Woodall, noting, “A congress that doesn’t do much and leaves us alone is a good congress.”

Callie Hansen is a correspondent for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup.

Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr. net.

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 29 • November 17, 2018

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 29 • November 17, 2018

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 29 • November 17, 2018

WACD continued from page 1 increasing attention has been focused on transparency in government, and districts across the state have begun to see pressure as a result.

“Transparency in government is something I think we all support and believe in,” he explained.

“When we’re responsible for managing the public’s money, we all owe it to the public to take the best care of those finances and spend those monies appropriately.”

Sims commended dis-

tricts for stepping up and responding to records requests they have been receiving.

As the Joint Corporations Committee of the Wyoming Legislature considers changes to the Public Records Act, Sims said potential changes could require organizations to respond in a set amount of time, with the possibility of legal activity for failure to respond.

“There are several groups supporting this effort, including the envi-

ronmental community, Open the Books, Liberty Groups and others,” he said. “Governorelect Gordon and Auditorelect Kristi Racines have appointed a Transparency Working Group to address this.”

Looking forward, Sims encouraged conservation districts to work toward efficient and responsive ways to be transparent while also realizing that the entities have natural resource work to get done.

“At the WACD Board meeting, action was taken to create a task force to explore a type of platform

to host records and make it more accessible for the interested public to access,” Sims said. “I see this issue as one of the highest priorities in the coming year as the legislature is going to grapple with the Public Records Act again.”

Serving WACD Recognizing the address would be his last opening WACD address as president, Sims said, “It has been a wild ride.”

“I’ve had the opportunity to meet many amazing people, starting here in Wyoming, across the nation, across the western range and nationally.

These are people I now call friends,” he said.

He has learned about the differences and similarities between Wyoming and other states.

“I have to admit, I never thought when I stood here eight years ago at this very convention I would end up not only having the opportunity to serve you but would advocate for Wyoming’s issues and to serve on the national association as their board member and ultimately to serve as the western region executive board member,” he said.

Sims noted he has testified in front of Congress in

a congressional hearing, as well.

“WACD has been an honor to represent,” he said.

“This organization is strong because of its members’ ability to listen and hear each other’s concerns, work through disagreements, come together and act as a solid front when needed.”

He commented, “These attributes will enable Wyoming to work forward as a progressive leader in conservation.”

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

Exiting leader – Shaun Sims addressed the Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts for the last time as president, after serving the association for eight years. Photo courtesy of Lacee Sims, Leather-N-Lace Photography

LOCAL continued from page 2 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act has helped small businesses, the backbone of Wyoming’s economy, to thrive and grow.

Their accelerating prosperity is good news not only for America’s small businesses themselves but for society as a whole. In so many ways, small businesses act as the glue that holds our communities together. They fund the local tax base, finance local nonprofits and charitable organizations and create good jobs that boost the overall economy.

On Nov. 24, Small Business Saturday, join me in making at least one purchase from a locally-owned small business in your city or town. These business owners are true heroes of our community. Let’s all join the more than 100 million Americans in shopping and dining local as we begin this holiday season.

Dan Nordberg serves as the SBA’s Region VIII Administrator and is based in Denver. He oversees the agency’s programs and services in Colorado, Montana, Utah, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming.

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 29 • November 17, 2018

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Proper management of replacement heifers begins at conception, according to SDSU specialist Developing replacement heifers can start as early as conception, according to a South Dakota State University Extension cow/calf field specialist. Taylor Grussing tells producers the point when heifer development starts can vary by a producer’s goals and if they are raising or buying replacements.

“For some producers, it starts at birth when we notice that she’s a nice heifer and will hopefully make a good replacement,” she explains.

For other producers, she comments, it is careful genetic selection at breeding to produce heifer replacement prospects.

“If we buy replacements, it could start at weaning or when we are buying bred heifers,” she says.

“What is important to realize is that we develop heifers with a system that matches our environment, our goals and our wallet,” Grussing explains. “When talking about maximum versus optimum heifer development, it comes down to economics.”

“We want to get as many heifers in the herd bred as possible, but it comes down to doing that in the most economical way,” she says.

Top development In a maximum development scenario, Grussing tells producers the heifers would be fed ad Librium, consuming as many nutrients as they want and growing to their optimum potential. Every heifer in the pen would be bred, the bulls would be left in for 60 or more days, pregnancy checking would be later, and open heifers would be rolled into a fall program to give them another opportunity to breed.

In an optimum scenario, replacement heifers would be limit-fed to reach

a targeted weight while providing them with a supply of feed so they could grow efficiently. Only the oldest heifers would be bred, and the breeding season would be limited to 30 to 45 days.

“It is one of the best ways to put selection pressure on fertility, and it gives the females that breed early a competitive and economic advantage.

Producers would also have the option of pregnancy checking the females early, and marketing the ones that are open,” she says.

“Which scenario a producer chooses depends upon their goals,” she continues. “If we sell replacement heifers, our goal is to get as many bred as possible. If we want to raise our own replacements, we will want to select ones that will stay in the herd longest because of development costs.”

Selection With either option, Grussing says it is important to recognize the importance of selecting the right heifers to meet those goals.

She recommends keeping the oldest heifers and culling the late-born ones.

She doesn’t recommend selecting the largest size for replacements.

“Larger-frame heifers may be the hard-doing ones later on. It could also increase the cow size of our herd. I would eliminate the small ones, the tall ones, the poor doers or heifers born to cows that have bad udders and feet,” she notes.

Many producers select replacement heifers from dams with proven performance.

“A fertile heifer will be a fertile cow,” she says.

“Age is directly correlated to puberty. Puberty is a factor we can try and select for by physically monitoring the heifers to see which ones are mounting or riding one another.”

Most likely, producers should notice activity about 30 to 60 days prior to breeding.

“If we aren’t seeing estrus activity at that point, we may want to consult a veterinarian,” Grussing says.

Size at puberty can be influenced by age, preweaning growth and expected mature weight.

“It is an interaction of growth genetics, mothering ability, forage availability, and milk production,” she says. “Heifers given high energy rations will reach puberty at an earlier age.”

Some heifers fed a high energy ration too early in life may stall when it comes to puberty. Precocious puberty, which means they stop growing puberty, can occur at four to eight months.

“It can also be caused by underdeveloped frame and pelvic area, and they may stop cycling. These

heifers may need help to start resuming their cycle later” she says.

Pre-breeding exams Grussing recommends contacting a veterinarian to help analyze heifers prior to breeding. A reproductive soundness exam can help producers get an idea of how successful the heifer will be in terms of growth 35 to 45 days pre-breeding.

During this exam, the veterinarian pelvic measures the heifer and also calculates a reproductive tract score.

Producers can also calculate a body condition score, which is a great indicator of energy reserves the heifer has available. If a scale is available, they may also want to calculate body weight, evaluate frame score and make a functional soundness exam.

When the veterinarian calculates a reproductive tract score, it is scored from one to five, with four

“A fertile heifer will be a fertile cow.” – Taylor Grussing, South Dakota State University and five being the best scores. Grussing recommends culling any heifers that score one or two. Heifers that score a three may need more development time, she says.

“It gives us an idea on fertility, which has lifelong impacts,” she says.

Heifers scoring below 145 centimeters pelvic measurement should also be culled.

“The veterinarian is measuring the width and height of the pelvis to see how big of a calf the heifer can have,” she explains.

Developing heifers When developing heifers, Grussing says it is important to cull the right ones.

“Any with a small pelvic area, infantile reproductive tract, disposition, hard fleshing and soundness issues should all be

culled. If we are custom developing heifers and selling them, we may also want to select heifers that are all uniform in color, and cull any with short ears or tails,” Grussing says.

She also recommends considering hybrid vigor.

“Research shows that heifers conceiving within the first 21 days of the breeding season stay in the herd the longest and raise the equivalent of an extra calf in their lifetime,” she says.

If the earliest born heifers calve early, 90 percent of them will calve within 15 to 20 days on either side of that when they are a cow, research shows.

Gayle Smith is a correspondent for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 29 • November 17, 2018

CALENDAR

Submit your events to: Editor, Wyoming Livestock Roundup, P.O. Box 850, Casper, WY, 82602, or e-mail to roundup@wylr.net.

EVENTS Nov. 17 Nov. 19 Nov. 19 Nov. 20 Nov. 21-25 Nov. 29 Dec. 3-5 Dec. 4 Dec. 13 Dec. 19 Dec. 20

Carbon County Stock Growers Meeting, Saratoga, Platte Valley Community Center.

Early Advertising Deadline for the Nov. 24 Roundup. Call Jody at 307-2342700 or e-mail jodym@wylr.net to place your ad today.

What are Your Minerals Worth? Torrington, Goshen County Fairgrounds 4-H Building, 6:30 p.m. Call Reba at 307-701-1073 or Craig at 970-580-0335 for more information.

2018 Southeast Wyoming Beef Production Convention, Torrington, Goshen County Fairgrounds Rendezvous Center, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For a full schedule or to RSVP, visit bit.ly/2018WYObeefconv.

Wyoming Livestock Roundup offices closed. Happy Thanksgiving!

Landowner Solutions Workshop: Everything Horses, Glenrock, Glenrock Community Library, 3 p.m. RSVPs are requested to Scott Cotton at 307-2359400 or scotton1@uwyo.edu.

Wyoming Stock Growers Association Winter Roundup, Casper, Ramkota Hotel and Convention Center. Find more information and register at wysga. org.

Natrona County Predator Management District Annual Meeting, Casper, Wyoming Game and Fish Department Office, 3:30 p.m. Learn more by calling 307-258-0024 or e-mailing ncpmd1@charter.net.

Wyoming Bighorn Sheep Domestic Sheep Interaction Working Group Meeting, Lander, The Inn at Lander.

Early Advertising Deadline for the Dec. 22 Roundup. Call Jody at 307-2342700 or e-mail jodym@wylr.net to place your ad today.

Early Advertising Deadline for the Dec. 29 Roundup. Call Jody at 307-2342700 or e-mail jodym@wylr.net to place your ad today.

SALES Nov. 20 Nov. 23 Nov. 24 Nov. 24 Nov. 26 Nov. 28 Nov. 28 Nov. 28 Nov. 29-30 Dec. 1

Paint Rock Angus Annual Bull Sale, at the ranch, Hyattville, 307-4692206, 307-469-2252, paintrockangus.com Perham Stockyards Black Friday Bred Cow Sale, Perham, Minn., 218346-3415, perhamstockyards.com Vermilion’s Fall Performance Sale, Public Auction Yards, Billings, Mont., 406-670-0078, 406-672-5844, vermilionangus.com St. Onge Livestock Annual Thanksgiving Bred Heifer and Stock Cow Special, St. Onge, S.D., 800-249-1995, 605-680-0259, stongelivestock.com Stevenson’s Diamond Dot 58th Annual Production Sale, at the ranch, Hobson, Mont., 406-374-2250, 406-366-9023, stevensonsdiamonddot.com Western Video Market, Nugget Casino Resort, Reno, Nev., 530-347-3793, wvmcattle.com Utah Cattlemen’s Classic All Breeds Bull Sale, Utah State Fair Park, Salt Lake City, Utah, 801-540-6818 Beef Country Genetics Sale, Midland Bull Test, Columbus, Mont., 406-7800176, 406-322-4447 mcdonnellangus.com Broken Arrow Angus Ranch Complete Dispersal, at the ranch, Harrison, Neb., 308-665-5085, brokenarrowangus.com Ward Livestock Ranch Red, White and Blue Bull Sale, at the ranch, Laramie, 307-399-9863

Dec. 1 Dec. 1 Dec. 1 Dec. 6 Dec. 7 Dec. 8 Dec. 10 Dec. 12 Dec. 12 Dec. 14 Dec. 14 Dec. 15

Pyramid Beef Annual Bull Sale, Fredrickson Ranch, Spearfish, S.D., 605645-1630, pyramidbeef.net Leachman Cattle of Colorado High Altitude Bull Sale, Western Slope Cattlemen’s Livestock Auction, Loma, Colo., 970-568-3983, leachman.com Sega Gelbvieh Female Sale, at the ranch, Pierce, S.D., 970-590-4862, 970381-0600, segagelbvieh.com Sitz Angus 53rd Annual Fall Bull Sale, at the ranch, Harrison, Mont., 406685-3360, 406-683-5277, 208-670-2364, sitzangus.com KG Ranch Annual Production Sale, at the ranch, Three Forks, Mont., 406285-3660, 406-600-7514, kgranch.com Ludvigson Stock Farms Sale, CSU ARDEC Facility, Fort Collins, Colo., 406-534-4263, ludvigsonstockfarms.com Cross Diamond Cattle Company Annual Production Sale, at the ranch, Bertrand, Neb., 308-876-2211, crossdiamondcattle.com Shipwheel Cattle Company 10th Annual Bull Sale, Clear Creek Ranch, Chinook, Mont., 406-357-2492, shipwheelcattle.com Spruce Hill Ranch Sale, at the ranch. Ludlow, S.D., 605-576-3205, sprucehillranch.net Bowman Cattle Rugged Two-Year-Old Bull Sale, Platte Valley Livestock, Gering, Neb., 307-287-6503, 307-246-3281, bowmancattle.com Profit Maker Bulls Complete Dispersal, Profit Maker Bulls Genetic Evaluation Center, Ogallala, NE, 308-284-8280, 308-280-2225, profitmakerbulls.com Sandpoint Cattle Company Complete Dispersal, Ogallala Livestock Auction Market, Ogallala, NE, 308-483-5100, 308-390-5697, sandpointcattle.com

POSTCARD from the Past

Compiled by Dick Perue rrichardperue@gmail.com

Prayer for Thanksgiving

In observance of Thanksgiving, we offer the following loose interpretation of an old Indian prayer of thanks: We thank the Great Spirit that we are here to

praise Him. We thank Him that He has created men and women and ordered that these beings shall always be living to multiply the earth.

We thank Him for mak-

Family adventure – A father introduces his daughter to turkeys on a ranch just north of Saratoga in the 1920s, or maybe they are picking out a bird for Thanksgiving dinner. Photo from Yoakum/ Pilot family album in Martin/Perue collection, Historical Reproductions by Perue

ing the earth and giving these beings its bounty to live on.

We thank God for the water that comes out of the sky and earth and runs over our lands.

We thank Him for all the animals on the earth.

We thank Him for the vines and trees that give us fruits, shade and shelter.

We thank God for the light of the sun which works for our good.

We thank Him for all the products that sustain healthy bodies.

We give thanks for our harvests and to all those who help pluck.

We thank God for the darkness that gives us rest.

We thank Him for the bright spots in the skies that give us signs, the stars.

We thank God for His goodness in making us healthy, content, happy and prosperous.

We give thanks for the persons who can sing the Great Spirit’s music and pray they will be privileged to continue in His faith.

We thank God that we have the privilege to gather with family and friends for gracious, peaceful and pleasant occasions.

We give thanks that the voice of the Great Spirit can still be heard through the pages of the Bible, the words of our preachers and the prayers of all people.

Most of all we ask God to give each and every one a most bountiful, healthy and Happy Thanksgiving!

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 29 • November 17, 2018

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 29 • November 17, 2018

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PLAN continued from page 1 what it is our banker wants to know. We have to figure out how much money we need and how we’re going to pay it back,” he explained.

The plan begins by assessing assets and liabilities, while also looking at anticipated expenses and revenues, to figure out payback.

“If we calculate that and have it ready to put in the plan, it is helpful,” Marsh said.

Tough questions However, financial planning involves answering challenging questions.

“I worked with a guy who mislead his banker,” Marsh

said, noting the man narrowly avoided prosecution for bank fraud and prison. “We have to be credible to what we put into the plan.”

Marsh also said it can be difficult to estimate anticipated rates of future cash flows. Use of hedging tools, for example, can help to provide those estimates, but he said it is impossible to account for all possibilities.

“Nobody has a crystal ball, and we can never take into account all the Acts of God that might impact agriculture,” he said. “But we can try our best to determine what

future cash flows might look like.

When analyzing cash flow, Marsh also encouraged producers not to forget expenses related to investing in the operation.

“If we do all this really good planning and we’re cash flowing well, but we let the place go, it won’t work over the long-term,” he said. “We have to put some money back into the place.”

Marsh noted that saving during the best times allows producers to cash flow lean times.

Why we operate An important part of the operation should also include a mission statement, which is

SALE REPORTS

Eighth Annual Wyoming Angus Association Select Female Sale Reported By: Curt Cox, WLR Field Editor Nov. 11, 2018 Grace Werner Ag Pavilion at Casper College, Casper Auctioneer: Matt Printz Sale Manager: Sears Marketing Services 17 Registered Bred Heifers Avg. $2,676 27 Registered Heifer Calves Avg. $2,229 Top Sellers Heifer calves Lot 24 – KJN Princess 84F – Price: $4,750 DOB: 1/30/18 Sire: Panther Creek Incredible 6704 Dam’s Sire: SB Sisco 209 EPDs: BW: +0.8, WW: +69, YW: +118 and Milk: +21 Consignor: Nickel Cattle Company, Veteran Buyer: Southard Land and

Cattle, Wheatland Lot 39 – WEBO Katinka 8142 – Price: $4,000 DOB: 3/3/18 Sire: JMB Traction Dam’s Sire: McD Performer 120 EPDs: BW: +1.5, WW: +56, YW: +103 and Milk: +32 Consignor: WEBO Angus, Lusk Buyer: Stevie Williams, Columbus, Mont.

Bred heifers Lot 3 – RL Tour of Duty

Hilda 705 – Price: $5,000 DOB: 1/16/17 Sire: R B Tour OF Duty 177 Dam’s Sire: H A Image Maker 0415 EPDs: BW: -1.1, WW: +59, YW: +98 and Milk: +31 Consignor: Rock Lake Land and Cattle, Wheatland Buyer: Darlene Herman, Elk Mountain Lot 11 – Lisco Bardella 723 – Price: $3,400 DOB: 2/18/17 Sire: JMB Traction 292 Dam’s Sire: Lisco Finale 902 EPDs: BW: +0.0, WW: +61, YW: +106 and Milk: +28 Consignor: Lisco Angus, Douglas Buyer: M Diamond Angus, Glenrock

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included in the business plan.

“It’s hard to take time out of our busy days to really think about things like a mission statement, but we need to take some time to figure out what we’re doing and why we’re doing it to make sure it aligns with the future,” he said.

Next, clear objectives and goals should be established.

Goals should be specific and measurable.

“We put key performance indicators in many business plans to actually measure what we’re doing and how we compare to our plan,” Marsh added.

He continued, “Our goals should also be attainable. If our goals aren’t attainable, we’re spitting into the wind.”

Lastly, Marsh said goals should be rewarding, offering something positive for producers to pursue.

Critical look One of the most challenging pieces of a business plan is the critical look that producers must take to ensure they are accurate and honest.

“It’s tough sometimes, but we need to really be critical in determining our profitability,” Marsh said.

When looking at cost of labor, for example, Marsh said producers must also include cost of management because farmers and ranchers spend so much time and energy in their businesses.

“Keep a focus on operating expenses and make sure to be critical and include everything,” he commented, listing cost of management, cost of pasture and cost of repair.

“With our fixed cost, we need to include depreciation and interest. We will need to replace things as they age, so keep them in mind.”

H-2A program On Nov. 9, proposed rulemaking for the H-2A program was published, Marsh said.

“Early in April 2107 and in the early days of the Trump administration, the National Council of Agriculture Employers (NCAE) approached the White House about H-2A reform,” Michael Marsh of NCAE explained. “Now, we’re not going to be able to fix everything with this H-2A reform as it goes through the regulatory process. We’re still going to need some legislative fixes, but this is a pretty good start.”

He encouraged sheep producers – particularly those who utilize the H-2A program – to submit comments as part of this rulemaking process.

“It’s really important that agriculture has their voices heard in this rulemaking process because we know for darn sure those activists will make sure their voices are heard.

Let’s make sure that agriculture comes out with resounding support for these reform measures,” he encouraged.

“We have to continue to invest and continue to grow,” Marsh commented. “If we stop growing, we won’t keep up with the competition.”

Marsh encouraged ranchers to take advantage of opportunities as they arise, whether that be in purchasing new real estate of building the operation, to capture value.

A number of templates are available in business planning, and Marsh said producers should find the one that works best for them.

Most important piece “There is one last part of our business plan that many templates leave out,” Marsh noted, “but this is the most critical component of our plan.

A lot of us in ag don’t like to do this.”

He continued, “There is one certainty in life – we’re not going to be here into the future.”

Estate planning and succession planning is absolutely critical, he mentioned.

“We’ve got to think about this,” Marsh said. “We need to talk to our CPA and our attorney to avoid probate and make sure our estate is set up.”

If producers forget about estate planning, Marsh said they have to ask themselves, “What happens to the legacy we have built over years when we’re no longer here? Take that into account.”

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

RED, WHITE & BLUE

Bull Sale Taking Elevation to New Heights SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2018 LARAMIE, WY

Female sale – The Eighth Annual Wyoming Angus Association Select Female Sale brought a large crowd to Casper. Dennis Sun photo

SELLING

25 Two-year-old Hereford Bulls from Ward Livestock 30 Two-year-old Angus Bulls from Krebs Ranch 15 Two-year-old Charolais Bulls and 6 Two-year-old Red Angus Bulls from Thomas Ranch

ALL BULLS ARE PAP TESTED & FERTILITY TESTED Sale will be held at the Ward Livestock Ranch 106 Hanson Lane • Laramie, WY

Contact Jeff Ward for more information.

(307)399-9863

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 29 • November 17, 2018

Wyoming Farm Bureau sets policy for coming year, elects leaders during meeting Sheridan – Food issues and labeling, regulatory overreach, taxes and voting procedures were among the many topics included in policies adopted at the 99th annual meeting of the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation (WyFB).

Held Nov. 7-9 in Sheridan, the meeting is an important step in the grassroots policy development process of Farm Bureau.

“The Farm Bureau grassroots policy development process ensures our policy begins at the local level,” WyFB Executive Vice President Ken Hamilton explained. “Much discussion takes place on each proposed resolution at the county, district and state levels as our members guide the work of our organization.”

New resolutions Farm Bureau members weighed in on discussions regarding plant-based and laboratory grown protein products.

“Farm Bureau members are concerned about lab-grown protein products being incorrectly labeled as meat,” Hamilton said. “Our members support policy to ensure that plant-based and/ or lab-grown protein cannot be labeled as meat or a meat product.”

In related labeling

issues, policy was approved supporting regulation that any liquid not derived from a lactating animal cannot be labeled as milk or a milk product.

“Consumers needs accurate information for their decision making,” Hamilton continued. “Falsely labeling products is misleading and confusing for the consumer and damaging to the farmer and rancher.”

In other labeling issues, Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) continues to be important to Wyoming farmers and ranchers, as several policies dealing with the desire to institute COOL on beef products were reaffirmed.

“Through these reaffirmations, our members are seeking to find a way to more closely follow those products that already have COOL in place,” Hamilton explained. “There are products that have been able to implement COOL, and we want to get that accomplished with beef and pork.”

Private property Concern about federal regulation of activities on private property led to policy stating the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) shall not apply viewshed regulations to prevent development on private property, whether surface or

sub-surface.

“This comes into play when a private property has mineral development with federal minerals,” Hamilton explained. “This also comes into play if the private property is developing their mineral rights, but at some point in the horizontal drilling, it may touch the federal minerals and that is the nexus BLM uses to regulate the viewshed because of an archaeologically significant find.”

Federal land Multiple-use of federal lands is important. Farm Bureau members continue to resist efforts to turn federal lands into single or limited-use management through wilderness area designations.

Policy was reaffirmed opposing the removal of the multiple use mandate for public lands by special designation. The policy also called for areas currently designated as Wilderness Study Areas to be released immediately.

“U.S. Forest Service statistics show over 30 percent of the Forest Service land in Wyoming has been placed into wilderness protection by Congress. This is the highest percentage of Forest Service lands in wilderness of any state in the Union,” Hamilton stated.

“The kicker in the Wilderness Study Areas process is that until Congress authorizes or releases those areas the agencies have to manage them as wilderness making them de facto wilderness.”

Taxes Regarding taxes, Farm Bureau members voiced opposition to granting municipalities the authority to implement a sales tax.

“What goes on inside a municipality would affect those outside of the municipality who cannot vote for the tax increase,” Hamilton said. “This type of tax would essentially silence the voice of people affected by those actions.”

Other issues Maintaining the integrity of voting procedures was also an important discussion.

“Our members want to keep the current system of polling places rather than mail-in ballots,” said Brett Moline, WyFB Director of Public and Governmental Affairs. “They also voiced concern with the switch over voting that occurred in this last election and adopted policy to restrict future switch over voting at the polls recognizing that can be done before election day, if the voter so chooses.”

Protecting members from over-reaching

“The Farm Bureau grassroots policy development process ensures our policy begins at the local level.” – Ken Hamilton, Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation and unnecessary regulation is a cornerstone to the work of Farm Bureau. Last March, farmers and ranchers were protected from the over-reaching regulation of Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) reporting requirements when legislation became law clarifying that air emissions from animal waste at a farm are not applicable under this act.

For Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA) reporting, the rule exempted reporting of such releases if the farm had fewer animals than a large concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO).

Voting delegates approved policy supporting agriculture’s exemption from CERCLA and EPCRA. “These policies will be added to our policy book to help guide the federation in the work we do to protect

private property rights,” Hamilton concluded.

The Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation is the state’s largest general agriculture organization. Policy development is grassroots beginning at the local level where members discuss issues impacting them. Resolutions that pass locally proceed to the district and then the state. Those resolutions with national impact proceed to the national convention. The purpose of the Nov. 7-9, 2018 WyFB annual meeting was to develop policy to guide the organization in the coming year. The organization will hold its 100th annual meeting Nov. 14-16, 2019.

The primary goals of the organization are to protect private property rights and help members achieve an equitable return on their investment.

This article was submitted by Wyoming Farm Bureau’s Kerin Clark.

Visit wyfb.org for more information on the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation.

Fornstrom elected to third term as Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation president Sheridan – Todd Fornstrom of Laramie County was elected to his third term as president of the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation (WyFB) at the organization’s 99th annual meeting in Sheridan.

“Serving as president of the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation is very rewarding, and I appreciate the opportunity to serve,” Forn-

strom stated. “Advocating for agriculture is something Farm Bureau members do every day, and I’m honored to be counted in that group as Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation President.”

“This position has enabled me to meet a lot of people and build relationships, and it is a complete blast,” Fornstrom continued. “I am proud to serve as

we move into our centennial year of representing Wyoming farmers and ranchers.”

Fornstrom and his family farm in Laramie County. He and his wife Laura have four children.

Fornstrom works with his family on the Fornstrom Farm near Pine Bluffs. The diversified farm consists of irrigated corn, wheat, alfalfa, dry beans and a cattle and sheep feedlot.

They also run a trucking business and custom harvest, and Fornstrom is in a partnership and runs Premium Hay Products, an alfalfa pellet mill.

Vice President Voting delegates elected Cole Coxbill of Goshen County to his third term as WyFB Vice President. Cox-

bill and his wife Sammie have three kids. They run a trucking business, commercial spraying business and raise cattle.

Coxbill began his leadership in Farm Bureau through the Wyoming Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Rancher Committee. He has also served on the board of directors for the Goshen County Farm Bureau Federation.

“It is an honor to serve as a leader for this organization because of the grassroots organization structure and the family focus that makes a difference for Wyoming farmers and ranchers,” Coxbill said.

New directors Mike Whaley of Big Horn County was elected to

his first term as the Directorat-Large.

Whaley is the president of the Big Horn County Farm Bureau and serves as the State Chair of the WyFB State Governmental Affairs Committee. He and his two daughters ranch and farm in Big Horn County.

“I’ve been a long-time member in Big Horn County, and I would like to think I bring wisdom and experience, but I realize there is still a lot to learn,” Whaley said. “I’m looking forward to serving on the board to help people through our grassroots policy development process that is the strength of Farm Bureau.”

Other directors In addition to the three statewide elections, five dis-

trict directors and the Young Farmer and Rancher state chair serve on the state board.

The Young Farmer and Rancher Committee elected Toni Swartz of Campbell County to her first term as the state committee chair. This position has a seat on the WyFB Board of Directors.

Rounding out the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation Board of Directors are district directors Northeast District Director David Garber, Southeast District Director Kevin Baars, Central District Director Tim Pexton, Northwest District Director Thad Dockery, and Southwest District Director Justin Ellis.

This article was submitted

by Wyoming Farm Bureau's Kevin Clark.

New leaders – During their annual meeting, the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation elected Vice President Cole Coxbill, Director-at-Large Mike Whaley and President Todd Fornstrom to serve the organization over the next year. Courtesy photo

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 29 • November 17, 2018

It’s the Pitts

by Lee Pitts

My House Runneth Over There are many benefits to being a syndicated columnist. Although you work for a pittance, the gifts you get more than make up for the paltry salary.

For example, I wrote that I had a barbed wire collection, and Dan from South Dakota, a longtime reader, sent me his entire barbed wire collection.

Years ago, Jack, a longtime friend from Nebraska, sent me a really nice threefoot windmill he made from barbed wire. Consequently, when people enter my home, they don’t know if they’ve entered a private residence or a barbed wire museum.

Speaking of our home, due to all the nice gifts people have given me over the years, our house currently runneth over. I hardly have room for all the books people have sent me because my bookcases are filled with my miniature anvil collection. Publishers have sent books hoping I’d give them a plug, while many others have sent me books they wrote. I read most of them, too, and came to the conclusion that there are a lot of people out there who can write better books than

what I find in Barnes and Noble. After Renaissance Magazine ran a couple of my columns, they paid me off with a 1957 red Chevy Bel Air convertible. Too bad it’s only three inches long.

I collect practically everything, and people have added to my knife, spur, bit, hat, bullet pencil, art and clock collections.

Will and Deb donated to my branding iron collection by sending me one that folded up. Bob made me a miniature branding iron of my own iron, and Range Magazine gave me a bigger golden version of my brand that I cherish even though it isn’t real gold.

One of my most meaningful gifts was a cutting board Skinner made from wood from his own ranch, and EC has given me 40 years’ worth of date books I’ve used to tell me where to be and when.

Butch sent me several blabs for my blab collection – they prevent a calf from sucking, and the Red Bluff Bull Sale Committee gave me a beautiful bridle, reins and Garcia bit. John sent me a favorite piece of art that is a pencil drawing of the stages a horse goes

Feuz honored by Extension

Developing programs for ranchers focusing on increased production and efficiency and collaboration with peers are among reasons why one Uinta County University of Wyoming (UW) Extension educator has received the organization’s highest honor.

Bridger Feuz, based in Evanston, was presented the Jim DeBree Award at Extension’s training conference Nov. 6-8 in Casper.

“Bridger Feuz is undoubtedly an exceptional extension educator who contributes significantly to the University of Wyoming’s statewide engagement mission,” said Kelly Crane, associate director of UW Extension.

“Bridger’s resounding success as an Extension educator is attributable to his genuine obligation to listen and respond to the contemporary challenges facing Wyoming farmers, ranchers and community members.”

Livestock specialist – Bridger Feuz, UW Extension livestock specialist, was recognized by UW Extension for his work and contributions to the agriculture industry. Courtesy photo

through to become a reined cow horse.

Jerry, a great artist and cowboy columnist himself, sent me one of his original oils that will be worth a fortune someday when we’re both dead. As a Mad Jack cartoon fan, I created a shrine of sorts with the eight he drew, colored and signed for me. Jerry also sent me one of his original cartoons.

The Western States Beefmaster folks gave me a plaque with a clock on it, the Brangus Association gave me a Cross matching pen-and-pencil set, and Bubba from the Akaushi Association sent me a con-

23

tainer filled with great tasting steaks.

People must look at my skinny body and think I need fattening up because I’ve received everything from A to Z in foodstuffs – from almonds from Bill to zucchini from Glen. The bottles of wine people have given me would have filled a cellar.

Kind folks see how I’m dressed and try to dress me. Auction markets have given me a lifetime supply of caps and jackets, and Don sent me several Pendleton shirts – my favorite – and a beautiful Mark Dahl engraved belt buckle to remind me I’m really

“Due to all the nice gifts people have given me over the years, our house currently runneth over.”

– Lee Pitts not a very good engraver.

I wear a CAB jacket that Rick gave me and a Charolais shirt from Dennis, and I have to be careful not to wear the Charolais shirt to an Angus sale and vice versa.

Writers receive so much stuff I’m thinking of starting a registration service for writers like there is for newlyweds. That way, you’d know we need a 72-inch TV and a satellite dish a whole lot more than we do a silver chafing dish.

And it might put an end to the odd gifts I get, like the box of flies I got one time. And no, they weren’t the kind for fishing. They weren’t from an irate reader either, but from a company that sells castrated male flies to decrease the fly population. Imagine how small the Callicrate banders must be for them.

The gift was fleeting, however, because I turned them loose and never heard from them again.

24

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6, Lane layer to fake eral united under age 7 highlights Montana’s primary of Pow- driver is agriculture, but Lane and commercial cattle, with n , seedstock Amy Miller commi is in the familiar predicasays, brate 50 years PLC will celeting and lands. com- high-quality north economic an extra d ,” issues decisio county protec Just – Wyoical neede of since threats exec- numerous producers carrying on a century-long tradi- and the ll state’s largest industry provides open landFSA to local ....Page 2 its ment of defending itself earPowe Photo on public Please rsity of against PLC Vet courte important Univeeri see PLC forma..........

Optimism tection ranching have 100-y Ag tion on their farms and ranches. scapesell, andthebeautiful vistas forrch visitors to the state.

Resea sy of UW .......... ll against claims that antion page Ethan Lane, nar making “We of the cattle Don 9 mentsClose, Cente ianrs Gov. (UW)inPowe This fall, the Wyoming Livestock Roundup feaIn ming an article the Missoulian, Steve Bullock senior ana“It’s history Ag biotic use in animals can or, Fossion efforts impo enc long cer resea Exten saying, govern to rtant to plus tured a selection of livestock producers and associ- touted becau agriculture, “There’s realour demand produ lyst at Rabo AgriFinance organized se we run for skills, ability 4 and contribute to antimicrobial agefor do rch In his haveines Powell comb breeding touts deterbreedi industry’s s in our agthem good ...Page ated industry businesses from southwest Montana products thetosolid world.” specializing in beef, gave a toC) Research (PRE resistance. .......... theiraround tion ter Friess input Extension soundness ng souTerry Arthur, teams. fulles rams,and ranchers drive and indus the 2018 Fall Cattlemen’s Edition.

The edition covers Innaria the oftry Montana, make evalua presentation at the Kansas work in thatfarmers who andnstate microare conndness ess tiest exten t,” Cleon and we want testing awho is a research has been highlightCenter field ness resea influpriori ndn ranches asgfar north as Helmville, how westthe toexams Polaris and up about fiverch, percent of the . population, breeding at the U.S. to perState Ranching Summit in day instru Kimbwith 17 ation sou utilize biologist mine s new evalua the station and Powell ment soundness Meat expla e inocul ability of forcrops ch on ducte includ alein ramto erling , eastedin to Bozeman, providing a look inside the climate, cent health of Montanans holding jobs related the industry. ined. “Larg August on what lies in store bre 5 y breed Legum tions ness exam resear d.

Animal Research Center PREC exam ell, the – Just north a, breedinga veterithe sustain .........Page atrams ing age ranching important ng soundchallenges and more of living in d and e scrota ences Sharm Staff practices, 59.7 million acres ofincre Montana's Land for .......... for the beef industry on both University of Powsound a breedi beyon (USMARC) in Clay Center, how the exam l circuis used encour Vivek is rcher ming (UW ases age crops..

Andi The exam nation looks abilit twinn Kimb the area. and ranchour production.

Check out the mfere 2018 Falls are cona aria globalns and domestic scale, The breed ness testing s y toiate ducted.

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Kimberling ng sound Brad livestock Geri on is condu qualit y whic , notin n looks andinquantity cattle andram calves.

In 2017, production west corner of ,” the state aregers raising the on the es “a optimistic animal semenof ram isand its try input ,” Cleonforram Camb hMana we havemoreextent reproducti market......... cer breedi microbial resistance looke Breeding Parso of the ns mine , assess of e conducted g, “A total beyond d inside because nation fer and l in Farm rather to ferenc prior fullest tract.” ve er of livestock and products hit $1.636 billion, with beef land and ensuring Montana remains the Big Sky State.

Soun The deter physi agriculture, specifically the exami tract. tant Schae menta their ities that the effects oning feedlot and uctive dbreed research l circum cal ” beef , with an Keith ness exam, a given numb really them to been instru 6 Samantha importance of ram’scattle emphasis has North on soundness drive American beef induson the reprod May and It’s also potenproducers. ng sound “Large scrota gnate on page ned. tial abilit Associate Staff the station. narian who ch, explai twinning. ng period.” exam The breedi ability to impre Please see RAMS ses now.”

Office try, as I am right y tointerface Human health Researche at PREC impregnate, rather, asses olt, the lambi Geri Parsons ram’s potential . ness resear ng rams increa n Heith inclu Fulton shorte ses “a breedi de 1, Jim Since the global health a given Research r Vivek healthy is our ability to by veterinarian ing Soundthe UW On Aug. AssociateSharma, Pierson, crisis and the concern Please for see RAMSnumber of of head of and important erlingWLSB was joinedtitled “Ram Breed Rules Andi on page formerly of Agriculture Sciimportance Farm Camby human health, antimicrobial Kimb webinar 6 inside the Manager Plant College June 25The Wyoming looked Livestock tant FarmReynolds, resistance has become a hot Resources , took over during a ation,” which Natural Board released their ChapManagers AssisAs the tment May and topic, Arthur noted. ness Evalu Wyo Fair ences Deparof PREC. ter 2 Vaccination Against Office Keith Scha Brad “For years, we’ve been rapidly ming State 120 or efer the as direct July 19, over and Surveillance for BrucelFulton. Associate Sama and able to use antibiotics to Wyoming approaches On at PREC Roundup ntha losis rules for public com’s Livestock, improve human health and gathered On and Budget attendees out the center ment. The public comment formerlyAug. 1, Jim Heith reduce disease. Now, we’re Douglas with improved partnered to check period ends Nov. 26. The ch, visit UW College head of the olt, finding resistance to those Fair and “Wyomingon an latest researmingle with revisions more accurately Natural of Agriculture UW drugs, and our rate of disState chers, Rodeo Resources Guide.” resear and ences Depa depict the purpose and intent and more. year, Program covery of new drugs has week’s Inserted leadership said, “This rtment, Plant Scias direc of the rules and reflect recent in slowed dramatically. There paper, took over to have tor of PREC Fulton guide provi the progrthis changes in federal brucellofortunate are very few new drugs On Half. for each des a guide am we were Pete, UW’s attendeesJuly 19, over sis rules. Learn more at wlsb. coming out,” he said.

Presnoon of morning and d tour 120 Pistol and PREC, and proto check gathered at state.wy.us.

Antibiotic use in at the fourafterls along out the PREC lingers, latest e Nicho with even day event, and humans started in the 1940s center’s resea tions and ident Lauri ng remarks researcher rch, visit t descr with penicillin, which was ipState inside. more. Chec RAAA Producers vided openi attendees.” leadership s, mingle with with k it out Wyoming used to treat disease. In the , imporSaige and more UW visited with As the y approaches Albert is really During their 65th Annual Fulto photo Please see HEALTH on page 9 .

“PREC cers in the Big tock we were n said, “This Fair rapidl ing Lives las Awards Banquet in Water4 produ Broadb year, on page fortunate tant for Pisto PREC Cat the Wyom and Doug an town, S.D. on Sept. 14, and l and Pete, to have tlemen' Updatefor service Please see PLC honors Magagna On Aug. lingers, Roundup partnered on 2018, the Red Angus AssoDouglas s Con at PRECUW’s HalfState ture – During 1, Agri Lands Council ident (PLC) Budget ferenc ciation of America (RAAA) Park City, UtahSecre , and Pres“Wyoming am 106 th Laurie cul- and durin – The tary the Public due Celebration, e age vided gEliason PLC President improved Rodeo Progrthis that afternWyoming State announceSonn honored producers for their 50th Anniversary y Perwill Dave opening Nichols pronda set will hostMagagna oon, the d USD Chair Fair will visited the remarks Anniversary 50thinves Fair and Inserted in am impact to the industry. In recognized LivesJim t $97 Committee with Ruthe opens on 12 quality. calves’ immune tock RounFarm Credit and million A Guide.”

2018proje President’s the progr 2018, three commercial pro- with the impr “PRE attendees. lis cts to Award. dup Cattle Services Jame ands carcas Williamsd Aug. at the15, paper, guided tour “Our provide ofinPacific of Amealso tant for C is really ” ,” Lippo looke Build oveCaroline amance project announced in late the agriculture industry globally, Clair men’ week’s In addition, Legalspeak Foundaducers were honors with forIn des a ul ers stressf rural Lobell s Conf eaned ing Sepproducers imporor tion on “We rica and vaccinations service will provi ine-wTradi the latest erenc broad and after-, Wyom tember, United General Melamed, CEO of the Global Partnerguide provi tional wean thein2018 Friend ofband PLC Award. fencelcalve the Commercial Producer tion received e. to Nations in the know that de somethe 11 state ng is very Please se and ing morning issues to illing photo set weanisupport s, whic respon see PREC the Big ing is very really s,for facin attendvulne Albert Assembly looks to“Nose pool-flap farming dataduring ship for Sustainable Development Data, Wyo for each the four-day event ional Both were recognized their andrable inclu nda the Year Award, includthe ming Lives h leave impo Saigeof ees ming ipned.

Tradit the agric d- continued on page time eatingness immugne age nium stressful rtant since thesure s them example explai 15, . Mille leaves them ted from rare more tock 4 Netw ulture inform noon of from around the world to enda- separa worldsays, “My favorite about dedication to the organization, providing advostress Aug. event descr toless ing Toedtli Ranch of northfor data vulne toinhinde Roun spend more syste ference learn orks, n-, whichleadership indus This year’ tends it out being openveon calves dup with m. To some spend calves and afterand willrecei Publi stress tends along with wide on wean gender intofarming.” thing cating and fighting forngtheLLC interests of Prage public lands ranchers hinder rable to ill- mance and carca Buildi ng andhunger. east Colorado and Mike days try, en's Con sntly willsince sher msjust stress, iswalki more. Check we d and agenda ahead over few new,” State Fair lion efficie stresse the r Denn ness effici and Willia of ing tlem first ing less than a immu ss $1.3 to Cente wean says th plan “We produ incluing tions are Wyoently and is Sun. initiative specifically Melamed notes, “For a long to 50x2030 to Catand Sandy106Rossi, Jamesacces the West.

To Wyom prov Wyom as well ne time, mil- . wool be set also lookequality. desThe d, rather cer ide broad system Ruthe across the accord price needsr ofrly, ica sand respo a conve cows.atThey with of – TheFarms of Nation up towith needshad inside. datadown fromrelaxe 50 countries policymakers a picture oon, theRed es of Amer d at the producer sit and lessfarmers nse to band aslas Yance rsatio researcher do it propeto plan Wooltoonlook prope Doug an updat looks and 44 to 143 hous hear n with stress, aWyom explained. that aftern JYJServic aheadsubsistence a- ehold ng.” time lying do Stock sms I as vaccinatio calves’ immu to ing e onto this bawli s.either helpr- governments make better deciunitaccor doing inform during in busin and CreditAla. Conference. up Maga Jim Larry puta familyrly, Columbia, ate andAngus critici and year’ Grow tant to the d st set “Nos Unive falo s esses Farm Katy Upd be ne calve s Wyom ns,” have impor aroun biggeThe projrecor the men’s dingthe gna. Oregoers Valleyry, and wein Bufn State the Assosions Lippolis,or a business where s spend e-flap and and in ending world farming d-hig ing beef ofhunger.

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