Happy Thanksgiving!
Volume 35 Number 30 • November 18, 2023
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The Weekly News Source for Ranchers, Farmers and the Agribusiness Community • www.wylr.net
A Look Inside
WyFB adopts policy and elects leaders during annual meeting
WGFD and landowners are working together to manage elk populations........... Page 2
The Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation (WyFB) held its 104th Annual Meeting Nov. 9-11 at the Little America Hotel and Resort in Cheyenne. During the three-day
Test your knowledge with this month’s crossword puzzle............................. Page 10 Colorado Simmental Association provides highlights from annual conference.......... ................................. Page 12 WyFB presents awards during annual convention............ ................................. Page 15
Quick Bits Correction
An article titled “WWGA update: Borcher provides update on Wyoming sheep industry” on page A13 of the Nov. 11 edition of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup included an incorrect statement. The Bureau of Land Management issued a ban on M44 cyanide devices, not M-44 firearms.
event, WyFB members and other attendees participated in a “Water in Wyoming” Seminar, attended standing committee meetings, heard from keynote speakers, adopted policy and elected leaders.
Give Thanks to Agriculture
WSGA Meeting
The Wyoming Stock Growers Association is reminding producers and other agriculture stakeholders they will be hosting the 2023 Winter Roundup Convention and Trade Show Dec. 4-6 at the Ramkota Hotel and Conference Center in Casper. Early-bird registration ends Nov. 30. Prices will increase after this date. For more information or to register, visit wysga.org or call 307-6383942.
USDA Funds
On Nov. 9, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced USDA is investing more than $1.2 billion in loans and grants to spur economic development, catalyze rural prosperity and advance equity through rural cooperatives in 36 states and Puerto Rico. In October, USDA celebrated its 59th Annual National Cooperative Month and the vital role cooperatives play in helping people build bright futures in rural America.
WWAB Meeting The Wyoming Water and Waste Advisory Board (WWAB) will meet Dec. 11 at 9 a.m. via Zoom and in person at the Department of Environmental Quality Office in Cheyenne. Interested parties may contact Gina Thompson at gina. thompson@wyo.gov or at 307-777-7343 for information on how to join the meeting via telephone or Zoom.
Opening session On the morning of Nov. 10, WyFB kicked off their general session with WyFB President Todd Fornstrom presiding. Fornstrom called the
WYLR photo
meeting to order and delegates were seated together by county. WyFB Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&R) Committee State Chair Quade Palm led the Please see WYFB on page 17
America’s biggest feast wouldn’t be possible without the nation’s farmers and ranchers Every year, on the fourth Thursday of November, Americans from coast to coast gather to visit with friends and family, count their blessings and enjoy the biggest feast of the year. Although traditions might look a little different at each kitchen table, the Thanksgiving holiday would not be possible without the nation’s farmers and ranchers who work tirelessly year-round to put food on everyone’s plate. The first Thanksgiving Like many holidays celebrated around the world, Thanksgiving has agrarian roots. The first Thanksgiving was celebrated in 1621, when Plymouth colonists and the Native Wampanoag Tribe shared an autumn feast in celebration of the settler’s first successful corn harvest. According to History.com, after landing in the “New World,” colonists endured a brutal first winter and many of them remained onboard the Mayflower, where they suffered from exposure, scurvy and outbreaks of other contagious diseases. Only half of the original passengers and crew lived to see their Please see THANKSGIVING on page 4
USDA issues new rules On Nov. 8, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a series of actions under President Joe Biden’s Executive Order on Promoting Competition in America’s Economy, including new rules on red meat purchases, poultry contracts and seed sales. Red meat purchases According to Vilsack, effective immediately, all red meat including beef, pork, lamb and bison products purchased by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Market Service (AMS) must come from animals born, raised and slaughtered in the U.S. in order to “meet the domestic origin requirements for purposes of USDA purchasing.” In a Nov. 8 press release, the department notes AMS uses food products of domestic origin in nutrition assistance programs and to evaluate the effectiveness of their food purchase programs. In 2022, these purchases totaled $800 million. “Upon review, the guidelines for procuring beef, pork, lamb and bison products were not as clear as other commodities,” reads the release. “This clarification to the domestic origin requirement will ensure U.S. producers reap the full benefit of USDA purchase programs and recipients of nutrition assistance programs benefit from domestically-produced meat products,” it continues. Poultry contracts Additionally, Vilsack announced a finalized rule under the Packers and Stockyards Act, which is aimed at helping poultry growers under contract “compete more effectively and better understand the terms of their agreements with major Please see USDA on page 5
Making connections Women in agriculture gather in Worland for annual symposium Women gathered in Worland Nov. 9-10 for the 30th Annual Wyoming Women in Agriculture (WWIA) Symposium. WWIA is a nonprofit organization providing information on current topics important to women in the agriculture industry. WWIA recognizes and supports women in agriculture by providing a support network and up-todate industry information. Through annual symposiums, which feature educational workshops and information sessions, women in agriculture can acquire the tools necessary to improve their industry management capacity. This year’s symposium included Keynote Speaker Brandi Buzzard, various breakout sessions, suicide prevention training and local agricultural tours. Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) delivered closing remarks to end the two-day event and recognized the women in attendance with a Congressional Record certificate. Buzzard’s Beat This year’s keynote speaker at the event was Brandi Buzzard Frobose, Please see WWIA on page 7
WAID meets in Casper for first conference The Wyoming Association of Irrigation Districts (WAID), a newly established nonprofit organization dedicated to progressing the interests of irrigation districts across the state, held its first annual conference Nov. 8-9 at the Ramkota Hotel and Conference Center in Casper. The organization’s vision is to cultivate effective water resource management at the local level and stand as a collective voice for Wyoming’s emerging network of irrigation districts. WAID plays a vital role in sustaining water-related initiatives which contribute to the well-being of communities while sharing information to find solutions to common issues.
Conference highlights The WAID conference promoted sustainable water and collaboration among irrigation professionals. Attendees at the conference shared knowledge and exchanged ideas to address current challenges and opportunities irrigation and water management face. Attendees at the WAID convention had the opportunity to listen to keynote speakers State Sen. Dan Laursen and State Rep. Cheri Steinmetz and attend open forum discussions on the latest technologies in irrigation. The convention also had exhibits showcasing cutting-edge irrigation products and
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Please see WAID on page 11