Shively Hardware Co.

CBB elects officers

Cattle producers Jimmy Taylor, Andy Bishop and Ryan Moorhouse are the new leaders of the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board (CBB). This officer team is responsible for guiding the national Beef Checkoff throughout 2023.

Taylor, Bishop and Moorhouse were elected by fellow CBB members during their winter meetings, held during the 2023 Cattle Industry Convention in New Orleans Feb. 1-3.

Taylor, the 2022 vice chair, will now serve as CBB’s chair, while Bishop will transition from his role as the 2022 secretary/treasurer to become the 2023 vice chair. Moorhouse is the newest member of the officer team, taking on Bishop’s former responsibilities as secretary/treasurer.

“As 2023 gets underway, demand for beef continues to be strong, both domestically and internationally,” Taylor said. “However, ongoing drought and economic uncertainty continues to challenge our industry. As the new chair of CBB, I’m looking forward to working with our dedicated members and contractors to develop plans and initiatives designed to advance our industry and build upon the momentum generated during 2022.”

Gov. hosts prayer breakfast

Gov. Mark Gordon invites the public to attend the 2023 Governor’s Prayer Breakfast featuring keynote speaker Anne Beiler, founder of Auntie Anne’s, the world’s largest handrolled soft pretzel franchise.

A longstanding tradition spanning more than 70 years, the Governor’s Prayer Breakfast will take place at 6:30 a.m. on Feb. 15 at the Little America Hotel and Resort in Cheyenne.

Individual tickets are on sale through the Governor’s Prayer Breakfast website for $50 each. Tickets are sold on a first come, first served basis and are available at wyoprayerbreakfast.org

This year’s event is sponsored by Rocky Mountain Power, Black Hills Energy, Cheyenne Frontier Days, NextEra Energy Resources, TerraPower, UniWyo Credit Union, Western Vista Credit Union, Wyoming Downs, Wyoming Energy Futures and Wyoming Hospital Association.

“Jennie and I are immensely grateful for the ongoing support Wyomingites have shown for the prayer breakfast the past four years,” Gordon said. “We are eagerly looking forward to the 2023 event.” second in hogs, third in reasons, third in sheep and goats and fifth in cattle. Courtesy photo

The Wyoming Governor’s Prayer Breakfast traces its origin to the National Prayer Breakfast tradition, held annually in Washington, D.C. since 1953. The breakfast is nondenominational and nonpartisan. It is hosted by Gordon and the Wyoming Governor’s Residence Foundation. Visit wyoprayerbreakfast.org to learn more.

Judging team impresses

The Casper College

Livestock Judging Team made an impressive showing among tough competition during the livestock judging contest at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo in Fort Worth, Texas on Feb. 3.

The team, made up of members Jessy Barger, Robert Choma, Eddie Plumier, Bailey Mast, Madi Lupher, Rylee Helm, Colter Sharp, Kassidy Brooks, Madison Henry, Aspyn Green, Kaylee Davis, Wade Leachman, Kaley Pieper, Jacob Klaudt, Kadyn Braaten and Braden West and coached by Jeremy Burkett and Colby Hales, ended the contest as the fifth place team overall.

Additionally, the team brought home bragging rights for third place in reasons, second place in hogs, fifth place in cattle and third place in sheep and goats.

Individual awardees included Jessy Barger, who placed fifth in swine, 10th in reasons and was the

12th high individual; Jacob Klaudt who placed fifth in horses and Bailey Mast who was the second high alternate for horses.

Aspyn Green brought home the titles of first high individual in swine, fourth high individual in horses and seventh high individual alternate, while Colter Sharp received honors as third high individual alternate, fifth high alternate in cattle and fifth high alternate in horses.

Braden West ended the contest as fifth high individual alternate, first high alternate in horses, third high alternate in reasons and fourth high alternate in sheep and goats.

Kaylee Davis brought home the prestigious title of high individual alternate. In addition to finishing as the second high alternate in sheep and goats, third high alternate in cattle, third high alternate in horses, fifth high alternate in swine and fifth high alternate in reasons.

WWPC celebrates 50 years

The Wyoming Weed and Pest Council (WWPC) is proudly celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2023. On Feb. 10, 1973, the Wyoming State Legislature passed and Gov. Stan Hathaway signed, the Weed and Pest Act into law.

This law established WWPC and 23 districts throughout the Cowboy State. It was the first time all counties were required to have a district. While times have changed since 1973, WWPC continues to successfully manage invasive species, educate the public and help keep Wyoming wild and beautiful.

John F. Turner, a former Wyoming state senator who was there to pass the act, stated how gratified he was to see it passed and to see how successful it’s been.

“We wanted to emphasize local control and be sure the program had the best research and expertise,” Turner said. “Looking back, it certainly is one of Wyoming’s landmark conservation programs. The benefits to Wyoming’s landscape and citizenry have just been immense.”

The fight against invasive species in Wyoming started in 1895 when the first weed law was passed to manage Russian thistle and “kindred pests” – also known as noxious species. Now, WWPC continues to research, educate and use the latest science and technology to control and reduce the spread of invasive species.

For tips to stop the spread of invasive species or for information about WWPC and its 50th anniversary, visit wyoweed.org

APHIS hiring

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is currently in search of individuals who are passionate about animal health and interested in helping protect and defend the U.S. food supply and the nation’s livestock through a position as a veterinary medical officer on their team.

In this role, individuals will review the health status and disease potential of livestock, pets, other animals, animal products and animal byproducts imported and exported by the U.S. They will coordinate the inspection and approval of facilities importing and exporting restricted animal products.

Current openings nationwide for both supervisory and nonsupervisory veterinary medical officers through APHIS include a vacancy for a supervisory veterinary medical officer – epidemiologist in Wyoming, a vacancy for a veterinary medical officer – epidemiologist in Georgia, three vacancies for supervisory veterinary medical officers – epidemiologist in Indiana, Iowa and Minnesota and one vacancy for a veterinary medical officer – epidemiologist in New York or New Jersey.

There are also four vacancies for veterinary medical officer – emergency coordinators in Idaho, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Washington; two vacancies for area veterinarians in charge in Texas and Utah and two vacancies for area veterinarians in charge in Missouri and Texas.

HOF nominations open

Each year, two Wyoming citizens or couples are recognized for their involvement in the state’s agriculture industry by induction into the Wyoming Agriculture Hall of Fame (HOF) The Hall of Fame has honored 73 Wyomingites to date.

Last year’s inductees were Pat and Sharon O’Toole and the late Scott Keith.

“The Wyoming Ag HOF award was first started in 1992 to recognize leadership in the ag community,” says Wyoming Livestock Roundup Publisher Dennis Sun. “The need is there to recognize people who have been leaders, given themselves, their time and countless resources to help the ag community in the state.”

“There are a lot of good people in Wyoming who have accomplished a lot for their communities and the ag industry,” adds Sun. “Anyone who knows someone who fits these characteristics should fill out a nomination form and send it in.”

To nominate someone for the Wyoming Agriculture HOF, visit wylr.net and click on the Ag Hall of Fame tab, e-mail roundup@wylr.net or call the office at 307-2342700. Nominations must be submitted by June 1.

After nominations are submitted, a panel of three independent judges will be selected to review applications and select the winners. HOF inductees will be honored at the Wyoming Ag HOF picnic, scheduled for Aug. 16, in conjunction with the Wyoming State Fair Aug. 15-19.

At the picnic, nominees will receive a commemorative poster and belt buckle.

Forms can be mailed to Wyoming Livestock Roundup, PO Box 850, Casper, WY 82602 or e-mailed to roundup@ wylr.net. Two letters of support are required with the application, but feel free to include any supplemental information with the nomination form. Call 307-234-2700 with any questions.

Session

continued from page 2 as they face down ballooning inflation and a looming recession?

EVs cost, on average, $18,000 more than internal-combustion vehicles. A report last year found EVs cost as much as 50 percent more per mile than gas vehicles.

Further, this resolution is as much about oil and gas as it is about the power grid. From a practical perspective, we have yet to see a plan from California and other states banning internal combustion engines outlining how the new demand for the electricity required to run electric vehicles will be met.

Rather than following California’s luddite approach of banning technologies disfavored by the woke left, the Wyoming Legislature is focused on innovation and technology, including cleaner uses for coal and natural gas.

Pocketbook, dinner table issues

This all points to a larger picture – the Wyoming Legislative Majority is focused on the pocketbook and dinner table issues affecting Wyoming’s hardworking men and women. And, we won’t let dug-in, out-ofstate forces distract us from advancing commonsense legislation which improves the lives of our constituents.

There is a lot of work to be done and a lot of opportunity to make a difference.

The legislative majority is committed to tackling skyrocketing property taxes, which are driving out long-time residents and making home- ownership even more unattainable for many.

Already, the legislature has fully funded $5 million for the Property Tax Refund Program in the Supplemental Budget, which will be debated in coming weeks.

We are focused on creating economic opportunity and diversifying our economy. Bills being crafted now run the gamut from making it easier for local food producers to sell their products to creating opportunity for the rare earth elements industry to significantly expand operations in Wyoming.

These measures are just the tip of the iceberg.

What voters can count on is this – the Republican Majority is keenly focused on issues affecting families when they balance their checkbooks, when they buy food, when they send their kids to school and when they consider their futures.

And, we are steadfast in our resolve to push ahead with good ideas and good policy to make a difference in their daily lives – not high-minded political dogma which ignores our realities here in Wyoming.

Sen. Jim Anderson represents Senate District 28. Sen. Brian Boner represents Senate District Two. Sen. Ed Cooper represents Senate District 20. Sen. Dan Dockstader represents Senate District 16. Rep. Donald Burkhart represents House District 15, and Rep. Bill Henderson represents House District 41. For more information or to contact Wyoming’s senators and representatives, visit wyoleg.gov

GRANT continued from page 1

Since the approval of the grant, the project has shifted into the design phase, with plans to begin construction in 2023. The facility is set to open in early 2025.

Advancements in emerging technology

Plenty Unlimited, Inc., a company dedicated to advancing the emerging technology of indoor agriculture, got its start in Laramie.

According to the governor’s office, Chief Science Officer Dr. Nate Storey cofounded Bright Agrotech, LLC in 2010 while enrolled in a graduate program at the University of Wyoming (UW).

Later, in 2014, Storey and a group of entrepreneurs founded the startup Plenty Unlimited Inc., which later bought out Bright Agrotech.

Today, Plenty has more than 400 employees nationwide, including a research and development team of more than 75 scientists and 100 engineers. Over the past two years, this team has created more than 100 new patent filings for innovations as diverse as new crop growing systems, plant stress detection and new tomato varieties.

“As a Wyoming native, I have devoted my career to advancing plant science in my home state and am proud to be a part of helping the state play a leading role in advancing a new field,” said Storey in the press release. “This state- of-the-art facility will not only accelerate our research and development pipeline, but it will also create an incredible opportunity to attract and employ a talented workforce to further innovation and diversification for Wyoming.”

“Creating this new center of excellence greatly expands Plenty’s ability to transform indoor agriculture,” said Plenty CEO Arama Kukutai in a Feb. 2 Business Wire article. “We’ve already built one of the top indoor farming research ecosystems in the world in Wyoming. Our new facility will expand our capability to grow the widest variety of crops, which is key to unlocking the potential of this category and addresses a major limitation for the industry today.”

“This continued commitment to innovation is what’s needed to push indoor farming forward and make fresh food accessible to everyone,” Kukutai continued.

Gordon commented, “Wyoming is proud to invest in the continued success of a business that was first innovated here in Wyoming by one of our own and demonstrated at the 2015 World Expo. The level at which Plenty will be operating in this new facility will truly advance Wyoming’s preeminence as a global center of indoor agricultural research. This