Volume 33 Number 32 • December 4, 2021
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The Weekly News Source for Wyoming’s Ranchers, Farmers and AgriBusiness Community • www.wylr.net
A Look Inside Read about a Wyoming producer’s perspective on global climate change discussions...........Page 2 Shop the Christmas Corral for gifts for friends and family.Page 4 Lee Pitts explains primal differences between cats and dogs...... ...........................................Page 9 Pearl Harbor impacted Wyoming families and businesses in every county...............................Page 10
Quick Bits Meat Labels
On Dec. 1, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service related to the labeling of meat or poultry products that contain lab-grown animal cells. NCBA believes the term “beef” should only be applicable to products derived from livestock raised by farmers and ranchers.
WNFR kicks off competition for titles and gold buckles Las Vegas, Nev. – The 63rd Annual Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (WNFR) started on Dec. 2, and will continue through Dec. 11. This year the finals returned to the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nev., after a
one-time event in Arlington, Texas in 2020 due to COVID19 facilities closures. The city that never sleeps will soon be cowboy town, host to many events related to the western way of life, including Cowboy Christ-
mas, the Yeti Junior World Finals, the WNFR Breakaway Roping and the crowing of a new Miss Rodeo America. Cowboy Christmas The official gift show of the WNFR, held at the Las
Vegas Convention Center, will host more than 500,000 square feet of showroom floor with over 350 exhibitors. A variety of products – jewelry, western fashion, art work, home goods, furniture, Please see WNFR on page 4
Great Northern Livestock Expo Inaugural Wyoming stock show holds successful event
Cheyenne – The Great Northern Livestock Exposition (GNLE) was created by ranchers, for ranchers and took place in Cheyenne Nov. 15-22 at the Archer Complex. GNLE Coordinator Louann Fraser provided comment on the event. The event hosted roughly 530 exhibitors and 20 venders from across the U.S – New Hampshire, West Virginia, California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Iowa, New Mexico, Mississippi, Montana, Utah and Wyoming
were some of the states represented. The exposition showcased multiple events including 15 open and junior cattle breed shows as well as pen shows for bulls. Point shows took place for the following breeds: American Highland, Charolais, Chianina, Limousin, Maine-Anjou, Miniature Hereford and Simmental. The American Angus Association added premiums for the Angus Open Show. In addition, a junior sheep and goat market show was offered with
$5,000 awarded to the exhibitors of the Supreme Champion Market Lamb and Supreme Champion Market Goat. There are also plans in the works to have mutiple Great Northern Livestock Exposition events in the spring of 2022. “It’s not completely set in stone yet, but we’re certainly hoping that we’re going to kick it off in the spring,” Fraser shared, noting dates are to be announced at a later date. Please see EXPO on page 7
Grizzly MOA
Gov. Gordon has issued a statement of support for the Nov. 30 action by the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission, which approved a revised tri-state Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) regarding the management and allocation of discretionary mortality of grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The approval, which awaits approval from Idaho and Montana, is the first step in the process to address the court’s concerns to delist grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
WBC Meeting
The Wyoming Bean Commission (WBC) met Nov. 30 to approve minutes from the previous meeting, hear a budget update, discuss assessment rate changes, discuss WBC logo and branding, hear an update on dry bean revenue production for great northern beans, discuss seed bean insurance in Wyoming and cover any other business as necessary. For an agenda and more information, visit agriculture.wy.gov/ divisions/ts/Wyoming-beancommission.
U.S. Drought
For the contiguous 48 states, the U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) showed 53.42% of the area in moderate drought or worse, compared with 50.52% a week earlier. Drought now affects 89,180,472 people, compared with 83,180,500 a week earlier. For all 50 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, the USDM showed 44.75% of the area in moderate drought or worse, compared with 42.32% a week earlier. Drought now affects 90,901,425 people, compared with 84,280,542 a week earlier.
Supreme Overall Open Heifer– The Blind Badger Ranch team with the Fox Family and Supreme Judges Cheramie Viator, Carolyn Beldon-Carson and Mandy Fischer are shown with owner/exhibitor Tyson Fox (at the halter) of Fort Morgan, Colo., as well as sponsor Maurice W. Brown, Town & Country Supermarket Liquors. Heidi and Charles Anderson, Legacy Livestock Imaging photo
Bill halts Brazilian beef imports Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) introduced legislation suspending Brazilian beef imports into the U.S. until a systematic review of the safety of the imported commodity can be made. This announcement comes after Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), otherwise known as mad cow disease, was detected in imported beef from Brazil. “Folks expect their beef to have been rigorously tested against the strictest standards, and concerns about Brazilian imports not only jeopardize consumer trust, but present a serious health risk to Montana producers,” Tester said. Several agricultural organizations weighed in on the bill, noting the strong record of U.S. beef producers and importance of consumer trust. “We cannot wait for an endemic animal disease to reach our borders before we take action,” said U.S. Cattlemen’s Association Director Emeritus Leo McDonnell. “There is a clear and present threat associated with the importation of Brazilian beef we need to halt imports immediately.” National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane shared, “U.S. cattle producers have a longstanding track record of meeting U.S. Department of Agriculture’s rigorous oversight standards in order to promote public health, food safety, animal health and wellbeing – and any country who wishes to trade with the U.S. must be held to those same standards.” “R-CALF USA greatly appreciates Sen. Tester’s leadership in protecting both the U.S. food supply and the U.S. cattle industry from the possible introduction of beef from a country with a long history of food safety infractions,” said R-CALF CEO Bill Bullard. “American consumers and cattle producers deserve no less.”
Water outlook State engineer provides update on snowpack and water storage Cody – The Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts (WACD), held Nov. 30-Dec. 1, provided space for many important conversations regarding the state’s natural resources – and management of those resources. On Dec. 1, Administrator of Interstate Streams in the Wyoming State Engineer’s Office Jeff Cowley provided an agency update during the general session. Cowley mentioned areas of more significant drought have moved around the state of Wyoming over the last couple years, though the entire state is currently experiencing drought. “The December through February outlook for Wyoming doesn’t say much one way or the other for precipitation or temperature,” Cowley said. “But, we are gearing up for a second year of La Niña, which doesn’t look good for Wyoming.” Remaining in the La Niña cycle typically means cooler, drier conditions, which Cowley shared will impact how many people across the state operate. Snowpack implications Along with the lack of precipitation, Cowley shared Please see WATER on page 7
Denue named to Cowgirl 30 Under 30 Cody – The Wyoming tourism industry is no stranger to dude ranching. While most ranching families are boggled by the idea of paying to do ranch activities, many people flock to this kind of vacation as a way to experience a way of life foreign to many urban dwellers. Jamie Denue has been a driving force of this industry across the West, notching herself a spot in the coveted COWGIRL Magazine’s 30 Under 30, presented by the Cowboy Channel. Originally from Oregon, Denue grew up on a ranch and was highly involved in 4-H and rodeo as a youth. “Growing up in Oregon, ranching is just what we did,” Denue explains. “I went to college, got a degree in ecotourism and
hospitality, and realized dude ranching was a thing.” “It took me awhile to realize what I loved the most could overlap with my career,” she says. Women of the West With a mission to seek out and recognize young women who are making a name for themselves in the western industry, COWGIRL Magazine has been assembling their 30 Under 30 since 2019. Denue is the second employee of the Dude Ranchers’ Association to be recognized. “This title truly means a lot to me,” she says. “I grew up in a traditional rural cattle operation, and I often got overlooked for
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Please see DENUE on page 8