Volume 32 Number 34 • December 19, 2020
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The Weekly News Source for Wyoming’s Ranchers, Farmers and AgriBusiness Community • www.wylr.net
A Look Inside Lynn Harlan takes a look back at Christmases past...... Page 2 Test your knowledge with this month’s crossword puzzle......... ...................................... Page 5 Dick Perue shares Teense Willford’s poem about spending Christmas as a ranch roustabout............................. Page 6
Cattle producers need to keep winter tetany in mind While many producers are aware of grass tetany, an issue generally occurring in the spring when cattle or sheep are turned out on lush grass or annual cereal forages such as rye, wheat and/or tritcale, Uni-
versity of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) Extension Specialists Aaron Berger and Mary Drewnoski remind producers of the threat of winter tetany in upcoming months. During an episode of
UNL’s Beefwatch pocast, Berger explains grass and winter tetany are common names for hypomagnesaemia, a metabolic disorder related to a deficiency of blood magnesium. “Magnesium is criti-
cal for proper nervous system and muscle function,” states Drewnoski, noting cattle with low magnesium may exhibit hyper-excitability, reduced feed intake and muscle twitching, while Please see TETANY on page 5
Lee Pitts dicusses ranch burn out............................... Page 12
Quick Bits CRP Payments The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is increasing incentive payments for practices installed on land enrolled in the Continuous Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is upping the Practice Incentive Payment for installing practices, from 5% to 20%. Additionally, producers will receive a 10% incentive payment for water quality practices on land enrolled in CRP’s continuous signup. FSA administers CRP on behalf of the Commodity Credit Corporation.
IF GOD HAD CHOSEN COWBOYS If God had chosen cowboys, instead of those fellers herdin’ sheep to welcome the Baby Jesus, while the world was fast asleep, would the Christmas story, and the carols that we sing be a little different, maybe have a different ring?
When the cowboys got the message from them angels heard on high, they’d have ridden into town, shootin’ their pistols in the sky and thundered to the stable bathed in that star’s bright light, I’m tellin you boys, it would not have been a silent night.
Please see COWBOYS on page 12
MERRY
Christmas!
FROM THE WYOMING LIVESTOCK ROUNDUP
Corn Exports Trade estimates placed on the Dec. 17 new corn export sales figure between 31.5 million and 63 million bushels. During the Dec. 4-10 reporting week, Mexico booked three large daily flash orders of U.S. corn, totaling 30.8 million bushels.
Soy Prices Despite continued strike activity at Argentine ports and soybean crush facilities, the soy complex fell prey to a round of profittaking after prices surged to two-week highs in the Dec. 16 trading session. January soybean futures edged 1.25 cents per bushel lower to $11.825, while March futures shed a penny to $11.87 per bushel. January soyoil futures fell four cents per pound to $39.01, and January soymeal futures followed one cent per ton lower to $393.80.
Game Birds The Downar Game Bird Farm stocked birds at Glendo State Park and Goshen County Walk-In Areas 24, 29 and 63 through the week of Dec. 14. Pheasant hunters should note the Springer/Bump Sullivan Wildlife Habitat Management Area (WHMA) closed to pheasant hunting on Nov. 13. Hunters are urged to check the 2020 Upland Game Bird Regulations before setting out to hunt.
Original illustration by Hannah Bugas
WGFD initiates discussion The Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) manages several elk feedgrounds in northwest Wyoming. Over the years, the supplemental winter feeding of elk has grown in complexity. Among the complexities are wildlife diseases, specifically increasing concerns about the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD) across the state. While there are benefits to feeding elk on feedgrounds, there are also challenges, which is why WGFD is preparing to develop a plan to guide the long-term – 10 years and beyond – management of feedgrounds. “Given the growing complexities of feedgrounds, I feel strongly we are at a point where we needed to talk to the public and give all the facts on WGFD’s approach,” said WGFD Director Brian Nesvik. “People may be familiar with feedgrounds as it relates to their interests but don’t know the why behind WGFD’s decisions. This is an educational effort.” Background information The federal government first fed hay to elk during winter on the present day National Elk Refuge in 1912, primarily to prevent starvation and keep elk out of private haystacks. In 1929, Wyoming legislation was passed resulting in WGFD being financially liable for elk damage to hay crops, and state-sanctioned winter elk feeding began that same year. WGFD found it more efficient and less expensive to feed elk in strategic locations to draw them away from private property and livestock feeding operations. Today, keeping elk away from domestic cattle to reduce the risk of brucellosis transmission has become a primary driver of elk feedgrounds, along with the prevention of private Please see WGFD on page 5
Weather Outlook La Niña conditions drive above average temperatures and below average precipitation in areas The expectation La Niña conditions will persist throughout the coming winter is the number one driver for The Weather Company’s current weather outlook, which predicts mild and above average temperatures across the U.S. through the next few months. “Mild temperatures could dominate a large part of the U.S. this winter, especially in the South and East,” states The Weather Company. “Above average temperatures are expected in most locations from the southern and eastern states to the West Coast. Areas from the Southern Plains to the Southeast and Northeast could have temperatures way above average, while parts of Montana and North Dakota are the only areas where somewhat colder average temperatures are expected.” La Niña According to the National Weather Service’s National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), La Niña refers to the periodic cooling of ocean surface temperatures in the Please see WEATHER on page 4
Wyoming cowboys perform at NFR The Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) boasted 10 performances featuring the top cowboys and cowgirls vying for the world title Dec. 3-12 in Arlington, Texas. Several cowboys with Wyoming ties were among those competing. Saddle bronc riding Qualifying for his fourth NFR, Hillsdale native Brody Cress finished third in the world with a total of $173,847 in earnings this year. Cress tied for fifth in the first round with 84.5 points on Burch Rodeo’s Maria Bartiromo. He also took second in the fifth round on Calgary Stampede’s Special Delivery with a score of 89 points and placed sixth
in the sixth round on Dakota Rodeo’s Cover Girl. In the seventh round, Cress rode Bar T Rodeo’s Hell Boy for 88.5 points, earning second place. In the final round, he finished with a strong 90.5 point ride on Sutton Rodeo’s South Point. Cress finished 11th in the NFR average with 598 points on seven head, winning $64,308 during the NFR. Casper College alum Shorty Garrett finished 10th in the world with 2020 earnings totaling $118,621. Garrett, who currently lives in Eagle Butte, S.D., split fifth in the third round with Ryder Wright on
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Please see NFR on page 11