Volume 31 Number 50 • April 11, 2020
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The Weekly News Source for Wyoming’s Ranchers, Farmers and AgriBusiness Community • www.wylr.net
A Look Inside Superior Livestock will be marketing lambs in 2020............ .......................................Page 5 Grain bins should be emptied promptly and safely........Page 6 Spanish Flu dominated Wyoming headlines in 1918.............. .....................................Page 10 Mixed marriages can be tricky according to Lee Pitts...Page 15
Quick Bits Wool Testing Montana State University (MSU) has moved to a level two security protocol based on the governor’s shelter in place recommendation. The MSU Wool Lab applied for an exemption to remain open while operating under strict safety protocols. As of April 6, the lab doors have been locked and the lab is not accepting any walk-in samples or visitors. All samples need to be shipped by mail.
USDA CSP
The next deadline for Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) applications to be considered for funding this year in Wyoming is June 5. Through CSP, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service helps farmers, ranchers and forest landowners earn payments for expanding conservation activities while maintaining agricultural production on their land. CSP also encourages adoption of new technologies and management techniques.
Wyoming senator seeks investigation into meat packers Sen. Ogden Driskill of Devils Tower is seeking a federal investigation into the four major meat packers as the packers appear to be violating laws set out by the Packers and Stockyards Act. “It is pretty clear there is
a pattern of the packers taking advantage of market crisis to create windfalls for themselves,” Driskill says. “The first evident case was following the 2019 fire at a Tyson Fresh Meats plant in Kansas.” He continues, “We
instantly saw spikes in retail pricing, yet packers decreased prices on cattle and didn’t cut any actual slaughter numbers. Packer profits went from $150 per head to nearly $600 per head and the exact same thing is happening with the
COVID-19 pandemic.” “As this pandemic continues, we are seeing the highest retail beef prices in history,” Driskill notes. “At the same time, the packers have reduced bids for cattle coming
Please see PACKERS on page 9
SHEARING SHEEP
Kerr family continues shearing tradition after 25 years In the early 1990s, sheep shearer George Kerr was employed by Dale Aagard in Worland, who was contracted to shear nearly 85 percent of the sheep in Wyoming. “At that time, the plant didn’t have a name, just the 10-man shearing plant,” says George. “I worked on the plant from 1991-1992, the last season it traveled was 1995.” George notes the plant employed 33 shearers and had five different plants. The shearers were divided between a 10 man, a seven man, a six man and a threeman plant. “The 10-man plant was decommissioned and replaced with an additional seven-man plant in conjunction with the Wyoming Wool Growers Association,” says George. “This plant was designed to better class the fleece and be an all-around better plant for the care and processing of the wool.” “Another major reason the plant ceased to exist was because sheep numbers began to drop following the removal of the wool subsidy program,” he explained. “There were just fewer sheep available to be shorn, and a 10-man plant was too much at that time.” Back in business After finding the 10-man plant his father had sheared so many sheep in, Isiah Kerr was able to get the plant back into commission and shear nearly 12,000 sheep in its first year back in 25 years. “I saw the plant just sitting in a field and I offered to buy it off the owner,” explains Isiah. “The owner told me if I could come get it, I could just have it. The Please see SHEEP on page 15
Shearing traditions – Shearer Maggie Ulrich carries fleeces during a busy shearing season. Megan Kerr photo
COVID-19 U.S. COVID-19 cases rose by 32,509 cases to 432,438 cases on April 9 as the virus continues to spread rampantly across metro and rural areas around the U.S. According to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center, the death toll rose by 1,897 lives, to 14,808 deaths as of April 9. The virus’ peak is expected to inflict the most casualties on the U.S. population the third week of April.
Implant technology may keep beef operations more sustainable “Sustainability is the word of the year and I think rightfully so,” states Burt Rutherford, senior editor of BEEF Magazine. “Technology has played a huge role in helping cattle producers remain sustainable and implants are an important part of this technology.” During an episode of BEEF’s Science Talks webinar series, titled Beef Cattle Implants for Sustainability, released March 18, Rutherford sat down with Dr. Peter Anderson, director of research at Midwest PMS and Dr. Marshall Streeter, associate director of cattle technical services for Merck Animal Health. “The key element of sustainability is using our resources efficiently. Implant technology certainly improves the efficiency of cattle and in turn, makes operations more profitable,” notes Anderson. Benefit of implanting cattle “An implant is a compressed tablet containing growth hormones,” explains Anderson. “It is placed under the skin of the ear through a non-surPlease see IMPLANT on page 4
College Finals On April 8, the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association and College National Finals Rodeo Committee announced the cancellation of the 2020 College National Finals Rodeo. The cancellation is in observation of public safety in regards to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event was set to take place June 14-20 in Casper.
Beef implants
Branding can be safe The branding season has begun in Wyoming. This is not only a necessary annual chore on cattle ranches, it is the social event of the year for many ranchers. Family, employees and neighbors all get together to complete the task, then enjoy spirited conversations and great homecooked food. However, a 2020 branding will represent one of the highest COVID-19 risks to many ranching families. Wyoming Stock Growers Association (WSGA) has taken the healthcare advice provided by the experts and attempted to adopt it to the branding corral. “When available, utilize a calf table to reduce the number of people needed and to allow participants to better maintain distances,” WSGA suggests. “Where possible, do not exceed 10 people.” “Where possible, plan to accomplish this work using only family members and employees who are already on the ranch,” WSGA says. “Respect employees and do not require them to travel to brandings at other ranches unless they are comfortable with doing so,” they stress. “Do not allow family members or employees who are elderly or have health problems to participate.” WSGA continues, “If neighbors are coming to assist, insist they do not include similar vulnerable individuals. Maintain sixfoot separations when not engaged in an activity that demands a closer working space.” “Avoid all handshakes, hugs and other physical contact,” WSGA says. “Prepare or purchase boxed meals which can be set out, picked up by those participating and be eaten while ‘sitting on the fence’ and maintaining distance. Do not gather around the kitchen table.”
Cheatgrass management researched “Managing cheatgrass in rangelands and pastures is a perpetual, widespread problem that has been increasing over time,” states Dr. Mitchell Stephenson, assistant professor of range and forage sciences at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) during the university’s Beefwatch podcast. During the April 1 episode of the university’s podcast, Stephenson notes he is personally interested in managing cheatgrass through targeted grazing. Targeted grazing research “Targeted grazing is the application of grazing animals at a specified time and intensity to achieve a partic-
ular vegetation outcome,” he explains. “We are currently doing a joint research project on this concept with USDA Agriculture Research Service (ARS) in Cheyenne.” Stephenson further explains the team has been working on this research for the past three years, which includes tracking cheatgrass consumption of cattle early in the grazing season until cheatgrass has reached its maturity. “We try to get cattle out grazing cheatgrass when the plant is about two inches tall, which is usually around mid to late April,” he notes.
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Please see GRASS on page 4