Volume 32 Number 47 • March 20, 2021
®
The Weekly News Source for Wyoming’s Ranchers, Farmers and AgriBusiness Community • www.wylr.net
A Look Inside Prepare cows for successful rebreeding after calving ........... ...................................... Page 6 Todd Fornstrom gives his insight on National Ag Day ....... ...................................... Page 9 Wyoming’s first female physician was a model according to Dick Perue.................. Page 16 Veterinarian cautions producers to look for foot rot in wet conditions ................... Page 21
Quick Bits
Wyoming celebrates ‘Hearty Meat Day’ March 20 Following the announcement of March 20 as ‘MeatOut Day’ in Colorado, Gov. Mark Gordon proclaimed the day as ‘Hearty Meat Day’ in the state of Wyoming during a legisla-
contribution to providing a well-rounded diet. The proclamation Signed into action on March 11, the proclamation states, “Wyoming beef, lamb and other meat are widely
recognized as an important part of a healthful, balanced and nutritious diet.” “Livestock are a valuable tool in managing our vast rangelands, enhancing Please see MEAT on page 12
Midland Bull Test attracts the country’s finest bulls Marda Angus Farms sees continued success at Midland Bull Test with exceptional Angus genetics
Record Snow Several one- and twoday snowfall and precipitation records were broken during Winter Storm Xylia on March 13-14. The 1979 record of 19.8 inches for one-day snowfall in Cheyenne was broken on March 14 with 22.7 inches. The March 13-14 storm ranks second in two-day snowfall with 30.8 inches to the infamous January 1949 blizzard posting 31.9 inches. Look for photos and stories of the storm in next week’s Roundup!
tive reception sponsored by the Wyoming Stock Growers Association (WSGA), Wyoming Wool Growers Association and the Wyoming Racehorse Industry to support ranchers and farmers in their
Marda Angus Farms, based in Lodi, Wisc., was started by Cody Quam’s grandparents when they were married. Dave Quam, Cody’s grandfather, began raising Angus cattle in 1942 when he bought his first female to start a 4-H project. Throughout the last seven decades, the Quam family has continued to raise purebred Angus cattle
to meet the needs of seedstock producers and commercial cattlemen throughout the nation. Diverse family operation Through the years, Marda Angus Farms has done a little bit of everything in the cattle business, including feeding cattle, custom raising cattle Please see MARDA on page 14
HAULS Act The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association endorsed the Haulers of Agriculture and Livestock Safety (HAULS) Act of 2021 introduced by Sen. Fischer (R-NE), Sen. Tester (D-MT) Sen. Wicker (R-MS) and Sen. Smith (D-MN). The bipartisan bill is meant to deliver much-needed flexibility for livestock haulers, representing a permanent change to existing hoursof-service regulations to preserve animal welfare and road safety.
Oil Permits The Biden administration said the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) office staff would resume processing oil and gas drilling permits following a two-month period where those approvals were limited to senior officials in the Washington, D.C. office. The Department of the Interior, which oversees the BLM, notes it would begin providing monthly updates on pending and approved drilling permits on federal lands in an effort to improve transparency.
SWE Update The statewide snow water equivalent (SWE) and snowpack has increased to 98% percent of median. The South Platte Basin SWE increased 43%, the Lower North Platte Basin SWE increased 42 percent, the Laramie Basin increased 25% and the Powder Basin increased 20% following significant snowfall. Mountain snow is expected to accumulate in the upcoming weeks across basins east of the Continental Divide.
Page 1
Midland
2021 Midland Bull
Test Edition • Wyoming
Livestock Roundup
2021
BULL TEST April 1-2, 2021 na Columbus, Monta
April 1
South Devon Simmental Red Angus Charolais Gelbvieh Hereford Salers
April 2 Angus
This week's Roundup cover and Midland Bull Test Special Edition cover photos are courtesy of Chelsee Camblin A Publication Of
®
Find the 2021 Midland Bull Test Edition inserted in the week's Roundup
USFS directive Ranch and family planning will rely on more communication following grazing directive update There is now extra time for permitees and producers to review and submit comments on the U.S. Forest Service’s (USFS) new handbook of proposed nationwide grazing directives until April 17. The original deadline to comment on the USFS’s Grazing Permit Administration Handbook was extended to give more people time to study the details. The manuals and handbook are being updated after 30 years and rewritten to clarify rangeland management directives for its employees, according to USFS National Press Officer Babette Anderson. Any grazing permittee with questions should talk to their local USFS rangeland manager, Anderson said. “The proposed updates to Forest Service Manual (FSM) Section 2240.3 add clarification to existing policies regarding rangeland improvements. No additional requirements are being added to permittees,” Anderson Please see USFS on page 15
Ag Day promotes producers Hosted by the Agriculture Council of America, March 23, 2021 marks the 48th anniversary of National Ag Day. The theme of this event, celebrated in classrooms and communities throughout the country, is “Food Brings Everyone to the Table.” The National Ag Day program encourages every American to learn how food and fiber products are produced from agricultural commodities, appreciate the role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant and affordable products, value this essential role in maintaining a strong economy and acknowledge and consider career opportunities in the agriculture, food and fiber industries. Gov. Mark Gordon and First Lady of Wyoming Jennie Gordon share in an interview with the Wyoming Department of Agriculture, “Wyoming agriculture is a cornerstone of this state. From our territorial beginnings and open range to the modern era, agriculture has consistently been an underpinning part of our culture and economy.” They continue, “We want to make sure all ag families have the opportunity to stay and work the land they love and also introduce this industry to a new generation to agriculture, like we were fortunate enough to do with our kids. Ag folks are humble people and we don’t often brag about the wonderful things we do, so National Ag Day is for all of our producers and it’s a little chance to celebrate everything wonderful about agriculture – a little chance to be proud of how special our producers really are.” Keep an eye out for next week’s Roundup featuring National Ag Day celebrations throughout the state.
Legislature session continues Despite delays caused by Winter Storm Xylia, which hit the southeast quadrant of the state, the Wyoming Legislature convened on March 17 to continue their work as crossover approached. March 19 was the last day for bills to be reported out of committee in their house of origin. As of March 18 at 8 a.m., 264 bills and 16 joint resolutions had been introduced in the House, while the Senate saw 157 bills and four joint resolutions. Budget review During the week of March 8, the Wyoming House and Senate separately considered House Bill One and mirror
bill Senate File One, General government appropriations. Both bodies passed the legislation, with the House voting 49-10-1 and the Senate 18-11-1. Sen. Brian Boner (R-Douglas) reflected on budget discussions from the week. “It’s been great to meet in person again,” Boner commented. “We needed to have an in-person component for discussions like the budget.” He added, “I’m also glad we’ve been able to get the vaccine out to those who wanted or needed it, so we could get back and do the people’s work in the
periodical
periodical
Please see SESSION on page 8