Happy New Year!
Volume 35 Number 36 • December 30, 2023
®
The Weekly News Source for Ranchers, Farmers and the Agribusiness Community • www.wylr.net
A Look Inside Advancements in beef grading technology made by USDA............................ Page 4 Cheyenne Livestock Expo show results provided.............. ..................................... Page 5 Beef industry’s environmental benefits proved through Canadian research....... Page 8
Judge in corner crossing case misunderstood trespass law A federal judge erred in interpreting a new Wyoming law he used, in part, to rule corner crossing is not trespassing, the Wyoming Stock Growers Association (WSGA) says.
The industry group, along with the Wyoming Wool Growers Association (WWGA), argued in a recent amicus brief Wyoming lawmakers did not intend the 2023 bill titled “Prohibiting
travel across private land for hunting purposes” to authorize the contentious method of accessing public land. The new law – an amendment to existing statute – allows Wyoming
Game and Fish Department (WGFD) wardens to cite hunters for trespassing if hunters “travel through” private property on their excursion. Please see WSGA on page 6
Highland cattle prove to be a unique and efficient breed....... ................................... Page 11
LOOKING AHEAD TO Quick Bits
2024
Ag Summit The 13th Annual Women’s Agriculture Summit, hosted in memory of Tracy Alger and sponsored by the Johnson County CattleWomen, will take place Jan. 13 from 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. at the Hampton Inn and Suites in Buffalo. For more information or to register, contact Jenna Foss at 307217-1818 or Tressa Lawrence at 307-217-1226.
Meeting
Experts look back on 2023 and release agricultural projections for the new year This past year was a rocky one for agriculture. From record high prices to arguably more ag-related policy passed in a single year than ever before, it seems producers, business owners and other industry stakeholders were constantly defending their livelihood. 2023 ag highlights The beginning of the year saw some exciting advancements in technology when the world’s first agriculture-focused satellite, EOS SAT-1, was launched from Cape Canaveral, Fla. A few days later, the American
Farm Bureau Federation and John Deere signed a memorandum of understanding ensuring farmers and ranchers had the right to repair their own farm equipment. January wasn’t as rosy for the poultry sector, which suffered a devastating hit from the worst breakout of highly pathogenic avian influenza the U.S. has ever seen. Since early 2022, U.S. producers lost more than 50 million laying hens, which was evident when grocery stores couldn’t get eggs on their shelves. Please see 2024 on page 15
The Fremont County Cattleman Annual Meeting and Banquet is scheduled for Jan. 27, starting at 12:30 p.m. Lunch will be provided. Following the business meeting, there will be a social hour at 5 p.m. and a prime rib dinner at 6 p.m. with live music by Barcode 307. The meeting will also include a silent auction and door prizes. For more information or to buy dinner tickets, which will be available until Jan. 20, call Jay Klaahsen at 307-217-2110.
Risk Programs On Dec. 18, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced agricultural producers can now enroll in the Farm Service Agency’s Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs for the 2024 crop year. As of Dec. 18, producers can enroll and make election changes for the 2024 crop year. The deadline to complete enrollment and any election change is March 15, 2024.
For Sale
The storied and historic Pitchfork Ranch of Meeteetse has been posted for sale by a real estate company in Thermopolis, with a list price of $67 million, making it the most expensive listing in the state right now. The ranch spans a total of 96,000 acres, including 13,886 deeded acres, dispersed between state and Bureau of Land Management leased land and two U.S. Forest Service permits covering 44,984 acres.
WYLR photo
Improving profitability Producers encouraged to benchmark herd performance The Colorado State University (CSU) Department of Animal Sciences hosted the 28th Range Beef Cow Symposium Dec. 13-14 at The Ranch Events Complex in Loveland, Colo., highlighting a variety of industry speakers who delivered valuable, cutting-edge information on beef cattle management strategies, ranging from consumer drivers of sustainability to feeder calf marketing. Guest Speaker Matt McQuagge studied animal science at the University of Florida before attending CSU where he earned his master’s degree and is currently completing his PhD in beef systems, focusing on profitability indicators in Colorado cow/calf and stocker operations. Benchmarking is the process of conducting a comparative analysis of cow/calf businesses with the averages of the benchmark herds. Creating benchmarks “We need to define benchmarking,” stated McQuagge. “Benchmarking can exist either on an internal standpoint or an external standpoint, and today Please see PROFIT on page 4
Weather outlook provided Producers from across the West gathered in Loveland, Colo. to hear from national and international industry experts at the 28th Annual Range Beef Cow Symposium at The Ranch Events Complex Dec. 13-14. The biennial event is sponsored by the Cooperative Extension Service and animal science departments of the University of Wyoming, South Dakota State University, University of Nebraska and Colorado State University. Guest speaker Brian Bledsoe, lead weather consultant at Brian BledsoeWX, LLC and KKTV chief meteorologist, provided symposium attendees with a review and outlook of national weather. For the past 20 years, Bledsoe has been assisting farmers, ranchers and other interested parties on how to utilize long-range and short-range weather forecasting for business risk management. Bledsoe noted, “I’m a forensic scientist. I look at all of the evidence I have at my disposal and all I have learned and taught to help producers understand and make important decisions.” Pacific decadal oscillation “I talk a lot about the Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO), which is a climatic event covering vast areas of the Pacific Ocean over large periods of years, and currently, we are seeing some warm spots in the Indian Ocean. Overall, the Pacific Ocean is in a very cold phase right now,” Bledsoe stated. The PDO has positive and negative phases, and climate impacts during a PDO event can go hand-in-hand with impacts from El Niño or La Niña and can wax and wane Please see WEATHER on page 8
Water risks threaten agriculture Recently, the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) published a document entitled “Scarcity and Excess: Tackling Water-Related Risks to Agriculture in the U.S.,” which notes the nation’s agriculture industry is at risk from climatic extremes and groundwater over extraction. “Water is essential for growing the food and fiber society depends on. Water availability directly influences agricultural productivity, food security and ecosystem health,” reads the report. “Depending on a region’s climate, crop water needs may be met by natural precipitation, irrigation or a combination,” it continues. “Adequate water supply is essential for germination, growth
and development of crops, affecting their yield, nutritional value and resilience to pests and disease. Furthermore, water plays a vital role in maintaining soil health and optimizing nutrient intake.” Because agriculture is so reliant on water, EDF notes the industry is particularly susceptible to water-related risks from scarcity and excess. Adverse impacts To begin, EDF’s document outlines the adverse effects of water scarcity and excess. EDF notes water scarcity, as a result of dry or drought conditions and/or human interventions, negatively impacts
periodical
periodical
Please see WATER on page 9