May 16, 2020

Volume 32 Number 3 • May 16, 2020

®

The Weekly News Source for Wyoming’s Ranchers, Farmers and AgriBusiness Community • www.wylr.net

A Look Inside Foxtail barley can be grazed safely at the right times of the year............................... Page 2 Paint Rock Angus hosts its spring production sale in Hyattville................................ Page 4 Early lambs were protected by fleece coats in 1916...... Page 6

ASI works to secure sheep and wool supply in case of FMD The implications of a foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak on an unprepared sheep population would be disastrous. In preparation for this scenario, the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) has com-

pleted the Secure Sheep and Wool Supply Plan to ensure business continuity.

ASI worked with the Center for Food Security and Public Health at the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine to

develop this plan.

“The sheep industry is a diverse industry producing quality meat and wool products under a variety of management and environmental conditions,” said ASI in a press release. “The Secure

Sheep and Wool Supply Plan focuses on business continuity in the event of an FMD outbreak.”

The release continued, “FMD is the most highly contagious disease of live-

Please see FMD on page 11

Lee Pitts discusses unemployment and boss woes......Page 12

Quick Bits COVID-19 Coronavirus cases in the U.S. as of May 14 totaled 1,390,764 cases, up 20,748 cases from the previous day according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. The death toll rose by 1,747 lives to 84,136 deaths as of May 14.

U.S. Stocks U.S. stocks were pessimistic ahead of weekly unemployment report releases. Stocks continued to wobble after Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell refuted any claims of negative interest rates and indicated more government stimulus would be needed in the face of a slow recovery from the initial economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dow futures traded 136 points or 0.6% lower to 23,027 points.

LIVESTOCK MARKETING Coronavirus creates complications for livestock marketing As if marketing livestock wasn’t complicated enough, the global coronavirus pandemic presented producers with an even greater challenge. After factoring in unstable markets and plant shutdowns, marketing livestock in today’s economy seems as challenging as ever.

Therefore, Iowa State University Extension Livestock Marketing Economist Dr. Lee Schulz and Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Economist Dr. Derrell Peel say producers need to stay as current as possible when marketing their livestock in these tough times.

A situation like never before “We’ve had shutdowns in the past, but it was typically only one plant and the others were operating normally, so they could absorb the extra volume,” says Schulz. “With this situation, it’s not a single plant, which makes it more difficult.”

“We’ve never had a situation where we’ve seen a reduction in plant operations across multiple species,” Peel adds. “In this environment, everything can change so quickly.”

In fact, hog processing plants in Columbus JuncPlease see RISK on page 12

Wheat Prices The wheat complex flirted with two-month lows as the prospect of heavy global stocks and strong production forecasts in Europe dragged prices down. Low corn prices continue to outbid wheat as a viable feed alternative for livestock as well.

Cash bids for soft red winter wheat were unchanged.

Basis for hard red winter wheat at a Texas rail facility shipping into U.S. Gulf export channels weakened two cents per bushel to $1.30 above July futures prices amid weak export demand. Cash offerings below breakeven prices deterred new sales.

Lamb Bids The U.S. Department of Agriculture is now accepting bids for a lamb purchase pursuant to the Agricultural Marketing Service Master Solicitation for use in the National School Lunch Program and other Federal Food and Nutrition Assistance Programs. Acceptances will be announced by May 29 and lamb deliveries are to be made between July 1 and Sept. 30.

WYLR Photo

Hay season Considerations for baling and storing hay discussed Management decisions, equipment maintenance and proper storage can have a big impact on waste and efficiency when baling hay, according to Andy McCorkill, livestock specialist at the University of Missouri.

Bale size McCorkill says producers should tailor bale size to their facilities and animals. However, he also points out overall, bigger bales are more efficient.

“With larger diameter bales, producers will have less loss,” he states. “With smaller bales, producers will have basically two times the surface area exposed for the same amount of hay.”

Texas A&M Extension Beef Specialist Jason Banta says it is also important to utilize a bale size that equipment can handle.

“Some producers just don’t have a large enough tractor to handle some of the bigger bales comfortably,” Banta says. “But if increasing the size of bales is possible, I encourage producers to go from five feet in diameter to six feet.”

“If we can increase the diameter on those bales, for bales that’ll be stored outside, we’ll see less storage loss,” he adds.

Bale density Iowa State University Please see HAY on page 10

Donations streamlined

House Agriculture Subcommittee Chairs Marcia Fudge (D-OH), Jim Costa (D-CA) and Stacey Plaskett, a democrat of the U.S. Virgin Islands, unveiled legislation that will help streamline the donation of food by farmers to food banks across the country as it confronts growing hunger related to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Farm to Food Bank Enhancement Act would provide $25 million for states to expand or establish new farm to food bank projects as part of The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). The federal funding would be used to cover up to 100 percent of harvesting, processing, packaging and transportation costs for covered commodities.

“At the same time millions of hungry Americans are lining up at food banks as a result of the pandemic, many of our nation’s farmers and agriculture producers are seeing their demand disappear and are having to destroy millions of pounds of fresh food,” said Rep. Fudge, who chairs the Agriculture Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight and Department Operations. “Our bill will help to connect those two important parts of the emergency response, making great strides toward preventing food waste and fighting hunger that is reaching new, unprecedented highs.”

“California farmers and food banks have already proven this model works,” said Rep. Costa. “As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture, I know our fruit, vegetable, dairy, livestock and poultry farmers have lost markets for their products, and this bill will help get some of what they produce to the people who need it more than ever right now.”

“This legislation is a step in the right direction for Please see FOOD on page 10

Anxiety management is critical In just a few short months, “coronavirus” and “COVID-19” have become household terms and lives around the world have changed dramatically.

Naturally, many individuals are experiencing anxiety about ways the virus will impact their families and communities, and while little is known regarding the impacts of the pandemic, licensed Psychologist Dr. Lauren Welter of Monticello, Iowa, says there are ways to manage these anxieties.

Anxiety surrounding the virus “Anxiety is an innate, evolutionary important human response to threats in the environment,” explains Welter in her blog, Country Couch. “Feelings of unease

and uncertainty motivate us to take action in order to protect ourselves and our loved ones.”

She continues, “However the amount of anxiety we have should be related to the degree of the threat. Unfortunately, our communal anxiety regarding COVID-19 is high, in part, because given its novelty, we do not know how to judge the severity of this threat.”

Managing anxiety Welter notes there are things people can do to manage their anxiety.

“We can focus on the facts and shift our focus onto other areas of our lives

periodical

periodical

Please see ANXIETY on page 4

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 32 No. 3 • May 16, 2020

It’s Unreal

Once the COVID-19 pandemic is behind us, there is no doubt there will be some changes in our everyday lives. It may not be so drastic for those living in the country, but farmers and ranchers will hopefully have better marFrom the kets for livestock and crops.

Publisher

I think there will be some Dennis Sun changes in the food supply sector, and the packinghouses are under extreme pressure with their large profits. The reason we need some Congressional hearings and other investigations is to find out just what is happening.

We can all point our fingers at the packers, but I don’t really know the issues involved and how to correct them.

I do know I don’t like foreign ownership of our farm land, packinghouses, energy companies and other vital industries.

We think we need more medium and smaller packinghouses. The Wyoming Business Council recently completed a study on doing just that in Wyoming. We need to hear more about the study at some time.

We realize most of the large packinghouses are pretty old, at what point is that going to affect the beef and pork supply?

The number of animals these large packinghouses process daily is huge. We found out what happens to cattle prices if a large plant goes down and was that price decrease illegal? There is so much we don’t know about the management of these large packinghouses, we just need a good investigation.

Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) are co-sponsoring a bill to phase out large scale farming and feedlots. Remember, these two were democratic candidates running for president on a socialist agenda that went nowhere, thank God. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) is also co-sponsoring the effort and has introduced companion legislation to the U.S. House.

The Farm System Reform Act would stop large farms and feedlots over 1,000 head and would change some of the ways large packinghouses buy their fat cattle. I’m for changing how they should buy their fat cattle if it helps ranchers in the hills and those feeding the cattle.

I’m not sure we need that kind of legislation at this time until we understand just what will work. I am against limiting the size of farms and feedlots. It is apparent those sponsoring the legislation are more interested in the socialistic and radical environmental aspects of the bill.

A good part of the bill would prohibit the labeling any imported meat as a “Product of USA.” I don’t know the packers are getting away with that now, it’s just wrong.

Although the legislation doesn’t appear to go too far, it does have support from several consumer and radical environmental groups. Also, besides the legislators listed, there are six other Democrats as co-sponsors. It is a partisan piece of legislation.

We haven’t reached the worst of the meat issue, some have said there is no good answer to the meat industry nightmare. First, we have to get the packinghouse workers healthy and train them in good healthy practices after hours.

GUEST OPINIONS Grazing Foxtail Barley is an Option

By Jeremiah Vardiman, University of Wyoming Now is the time to graze foxtail barley. Foxtail barley is a fair to good forage value in the springtime and can be grazed safely by livestock prior to seed development. If you have this nuisance weed, take advantage of every opportunity that is available, which in the spring can be some forage value.

Grazing does suppress foxtail barley’s vigor and growth, though it will not kill or stop the spread of this obnoxious weed.

Under heavy or continuous grazing situations, foxtail barley will spread mainly due to livestock’s selection for more desirable plants in the area.

Even though foxtail barley is native to North America, it is typically identified as a weed and associated with poor soils or poor management.

This cool season perennial bunch grass mainly receives this categorization because of its negative impact to livestock and decreased hay values.

This plant is typically not an issue or concern until it reaches maturity with the course seed

head. Once the seed head emerges, the grass is no longer palatable to livestock and wildlife, and is usually avoided because barbed awns can cause sores in the eyes, nose, mouth and skin of livestock. These sores can become infected impacting the animal’s health, especially from abscesses in the mouth.

Hay contaminated with foxtail barley is deemed unsafe for livestock. Unlike a pasture situation, livestock fed contaminated hay cannot avoid eating the plants and injury to their mouths.

Injury symptoms can be visible awns lodged in the skin or snout, drooling, swollen jaw and lack of appetite.

Foxtail barley is found in floodplains, pastures, wetlands, roadsides and disturbed areas. It is usually associated with poorly drained soils and alkali/saline soil conditions. The largest concern for this weed is usually in pastures and perennial cropland, such as hay fields and minimum tillage production.

The best control for foxtail barley is maintaining a healthy stand of competitive desirable plants, adequate drainage, good fertility and proper grazing practices. Desirable grass species for low saline soil conditions would be orchardgrass, timothy and bromes. Sites with moderate to high saline soil conditions would benefit from desirable grass species like tall fescue, garrison creeping foxtail, tall wheatgrass and saltlander wheatgrass.

Burning is not usually an effective control for foxtail barley. In pasture situations, fires tend to move too quickly and do not achieve the necessary temperature to kill the seeds. Burning contaminated windrows can be effective in reducing seed dispersion.

Mechanical control methods, like mowing and grazing, can be a shortterm management to prevent seed dispersal. Tillage is an effective means of removing foxtail barley from production areas, especially when the soil is turned over.

This is due to the low

seed viability, which is approximately one year, and destruction of the root’s tillers. Seed survival is the greatest on the soil surface, while on the other hand seeds that are buried three inches deep can barely survive beyond the initial year.

There are also chemical control options for foxtail barley, which are mostly dependent on the presence of desirable plants and site of the application. Control of foxtail barley is best in early growth stages and prior to infestation levels.

This spring, start getting a handle on the foxtail barley patches by grazing the plants prior to seed development. Follow the grazing with a chemical or tillage option, whichever is feasible for the site, and encourage desirable plants that can grow in that area.

For selection of herbicides for foxtail barley, contact your local Weed and Pest office or Extension office.

Jeremiah Vardiman is an agriculture Extension Educator with University of Wyoming Extension. He can be reached at jvardima@uwyo.edu.

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 32 No. 3 • May 16, 2020

3

NEWS BRIEFS Correction In the May 9 edition of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup in the article titled, WCHF announces inductees, Marie Bell and Jean Harshbarger’s names were misspelled.

Both are being inducted into the Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame (WCHF). Bell is being inducted from Region 3 and Laramie County and Harshbarger is being inducted from Region 1 and Weston County.

Enzi releases comments At a Senate Health Committee hearing focused on efforts to get Americans back to work and school, U.S. Sen. Mike Enzi (R-WY) said it is critical we are well prepared for a COVID-19 vaccination and also a possible second wave of outbreaks later in the year.

“Not only should we be working on this and preparing, but we need to look at the future, too,” Enzi said. “We’re fighting a virus at the same time scientists are learning about it, so we need to be nimble. We also need to be sure we’re prepared for a second wave of outbreaks that could coincide with the start of the flu season, potentially stressing our health care system more than it already has been.”

Enzi said while the U.S. made progress in vaccine development, there is a gap in preparedness with the domestic manufacturing of needles and syringes. According to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn, there is an “all-of-government approach” to ensure there are not only enough possible vaccines, but also a plan to administer them.

“We’ve been leaning in on this supply chain to ensure when a vaccine is ready to go, we will have the necessary supplies to actually administer it and operationalize the vaccination,” Hahn said.

Kinner announces re-election Citing the many challenges Wyoming is facing amid the COVID-19 pandemic that is adversely impacting families, small businesses, communities and core energy industries, Rep. Mark Kinner (HD-29) announced he will seek re-election to the Wyoming House of Representatives.

“Serving the people of House District 29 continues to be one of the greatest honors of my life,” said Kinner. “I’ve been proud to advocate for our families, small businesses, senior citizens, schools and core values over the last five years, but there is still much work to be done.”

He continued, “The Wyoming Legislature has significant work ahead of it in the coming weeks, months and years to help small businesses stay afloat while growing and diversifying our economy, assisting our hospitals and healthcare providers while improving access for citizens, expanding educational opportunities, all while trying to right our fiscal ship. I look forward to campaigning in Sheridan and earning the support of House District 29 once again.”

NCBA opposes bill

Restrictions eased Gov. Mark Gordon has announced updated public health orders effective May 15 will ease restrictions on several business categories and permit restaurants to resume indoor table service statewide. The governor has also allocated $17 million in federal funding to expand COVID-19 testing, improve contact tracing and add to the state’s supply of personal protective equipment (PPE).

“We have been working diligently to modify our public health orders to continue a safe and sensible reawakening of Wyoming’s economy,” Gordon said. “I am also pleased to be directing funds available through the CARES Act to improve our ability to identify cases of COVID-19 and limit public exposure to the virus.”

The modified orders allow restaurants to offer indoor and outdoor dining services under specific conditions intended to limit the potential spread of COVID-19. These include adequate spacing of tables, a requirement that staff wear face coverings and be screened for symptoms of COVID-19, as well as the implementation of increased sanitation measures.

The further easing of orders expands the public gathering limit and permits larger gatherings for churches, religious organizations and funeral homes as long as they implement social distancing measures and specific sanitization procedures.

Movie theaters and performance venues will also be allowed to reopen in a limited capacity and permit public gatherings of up to 25 persons. Gyms may now open locker rooms, offer personal training and provide group classes for up to 20 participants. Childcare centers will be permitted to have up to 25 persons total in a classroom.

Delegation supports beef U.S. Sens. Mike Enzi (R-WY) and John Barrasso (R-WY) sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, (D-NY) urging them to pass the New Markets for State-Inspected Meat and Poultry Act as part of the federal government’s COVID-19 response efforts. The legislation would allow local meat and poultry products to be sold across state lines.

“As of May 2, beef processing was down 26 percent for year-over-year and beef production was down 24 percent from the four weeks prior. This loss in processing has resulted in a reduction of 507 million pounds of beef and created a backlog of 667,000 cattle waiting to be processed. The pork and poultry industries are facing similar backlogs resulting in protein shortages nationwide,” the senators wrote in the letter.

“While the best solution to this problem is to get meat and pork processing facilities back up and running at capacity, we have state-based solutions to help offset the problem. Specifically, we urge Congress to include the New Markets for StateInspected Meat and Poultry Act in the next relief package,” they continued.

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Policy Division Chair and South Dakota Rancher Todd Wilkinson released the following statement in response to the bill introduced by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) that would require a minimum of 50 percent of a meatpacker’s volume of beef slaughter be purchased on the cash market.

“Currently, cattle producers utilize a multitude of methods to market their livestock, including the cash market,” Wilkinson said. “Increased price discovery will benefit all segments of the cattle industry.”

“Any solution must not restrict an individual producer’s freedom to pursue marketing avenues that they determine best suit their business’ unique needs. Government mandates, like that being proposed by Sen. Grassley, would arbitrarily force many cattle producers to change the way they do business. We will continue to work toward a more equitable solution and invite Sen. Grassley, and other lawmakers interested in this conversation, to join us in the search for an industry-led solution,” he concluded.

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4

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 32 No. 3 • May 16, 2020

CROSSWORD

Wyoming Livestock Roundup Crosswords, created by Myles Mellor. Solution available in next week's Roundup. Mail your complete crossword to Wyoming Livesock Roundup, PO Box 850, Casper, WY 82602 for a special prize!

Across 1 Wyoming cattle breed, 2 words 6 Kilogram, for short 8 Large predator 9 Breaks, as a wild horse 11 Smell 12 Non-plant material fed to cattle

that allows rumen bacteria to

produce protein 14 Cattle call 17 Sound from a horse 18 Important trace mineral in cattle diets 21 Agricultural, for short 22 Lady pig 24 Carry out 25 Amount and composition of an

animal’s daily feed 27 Have the title to 29 Moved fast 30 Jumping vertically as a horse 31 Like yoghurt, milk and cheese,

as products 33 Small plant shoot

34 Young calves up to the age of one

year old Down 1 ___ Mountain ranch purchased by

Kanye West, 2 words 2 Below normal ph in the rumen 3 Kilohertz, for short 4 Congressional turndown 5 ___sound 7 Route finder and tracker 10 Lactation product 13 Rearing 15 Pioneer’s transport 16 Clipping the sheep 19 Young kangaroo 20 Alternative to rent 23 Cattle related 24 Mortgage amounts 26 Color of Jersey cattle, sometimes 28 Mark on the skin 31 It passes on hereditary charcteritsics 32 Positive response

ANXIETY continued from page 1 where we do have some control,” she says. “To be blunt, it seems many people unconsciously, or even consciously, fear exposure to COVID-19 means imminent death.”

Luckily, for most, Welter says this is an irrational fear, which can and should be challenged in order to manage anxiety.

However, she also notes there is a desire to protect those who are most at risk from the virus, including older adults and those with underlying health issues, which is why national, state and local governments

have limited commerce and human interactions.

“This response has been swift and extreme, inciting fear and anxiety while intending to protect us,” Welter states. “It is, however, important to remember these steps are designed not to prevent the spread of this virus, but to slow its spread in order to protect our most vulnerable citizens. This distinction is critical.”

Similar to the flu, medical experts note they expect many Americans will contract COVID-19 and the majority of them will have

mild cases and recover fairly quickly, according to Welter.

“Unfortunately, this virus is quite severe and has been deadly for some people. The primary goal of social distancing and shelter-in-place policies is to maximize our medical system’s ability to respond to the severe cases of the illness,” Welter explains.

“Because many people, especially children, will be carriers of the illness, without showing symptoms, by limiting social contact, we can slow the spread of the virus,” she says. “This allows those who need specialized and intensive medical care, to have access to

it, significantly improving health outcomes and limiting mortality rates.”

Anxiety can be helpful While anxiety surrounding the virus has created a lot of fear, Welter says it has also been helpful.

“Our communal anxiety around COVID-19 has been helpful in encouraging us all to take important steps to reduce risk, including handwashing, deep and frequent cleaning in public spaces and universal social distancing,” she states. “Beyond these steps, we unfortunately have little control over the spread of the virus.”

Despite this, she points out there are many steps

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“We can focus on the facts and shift our focus onto other areas of our lives where we do have some control.” – Dr. Lauren Welter individuals can take to reduce fear and improve their own wellbeing as well as that of their communities.

“Consider limiting exposure to news media and utilizing only fact-based news sources, such as scientifically-based websites

like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the World Health Organization,” she says.

Hannah Bugas is the assistant editor for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup.

Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

SALE REPORTS Paint Rock Angus Spring Production Sale Reported By: Curt Cox, WLR Field Editor May 7, 2020 Paint Rock Angus Ranch, Hyattville Auctioneer: Joe Goggins 74 Yearling Angus Bulls Avg. $3,691 Top Sellers Bulls Lot 3 - Paintrock Motive 355-9 - Price: $14,000 DOB: 1/31/19 Sire: PRA Motive 501 Dam’s Sire: PA Full Power 1208 EPDs: BW: +1.1, WW: +54, YW: +98 and Milk: +19 Buyer: Bob Stoddard, Douglas Lot 1 - Paintrock Trapper 671-9 - Price: $12,000 DOB: 2/9/19 Sire: Paintrock Trapper Dam’s Sire: Pra 4097 2195 EPDs: BW: +1.0, WW: +61, YW: +108 and Milk: +27 Buyer: Powder River Angus, Spotted Horse Lot 2 - Paintrock Focus 68-42-9 - Price: $7,500 DOB: 2/11/19 Sire: Paintrock Focus 423-68-7 Dam’s Sire: Paintrock Trapper EPDs: BW: +0.4, WW: +57, YW: +96 and Milk: +27 Buyer: Bob Stoddard, Douglas Lot 6 - Paintrock Renown 14-9 - Price: $7,500 DOB: 2/1/19 Sire: S A V Renown 3439 Dam’s Sire: Paintrock Silver Bullet EPDs: BW: +1.8, WW: +55, YW: +99 and Milk: +21 Buyer: Rocking Chair Ranch, Philipsburg, Mont.

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 32 No. 3 • May 16, 2020

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May 2020

UW EXTENSION | AGRICULTURE & HORTICULTURE | USDA | NIFA

COVID-19 safety recommendations during agricultural activities All of us prioritize the safety of agriculture families and the sustainability of the industry as part of our mission and clientele. With that in mind we share these items for farm and ranch safety.

Considerations • • • • • •

•

Interactions with sources of infection are imminent due to the interface of agriculture and communities, Consider rescheduling interactions that can be delayed or breaking them into smaller efforts, Agriculture functions must be completed to provide food and fiber to our nation, Many rural communities are dependent on the agriculture industry, Rural America values are largely based on agriculture functions, Agriculture production families are such a small segment of the population that avoiding compromise of this essential group is essential to the world, Always have a safety monitor to watch for someone with symptoms and sideline them.

Recommendations For daily operations • Recognize the signs of infection and address them promptly, • Practice good handwashing technique and other cleaning and hygiene practices, • Practice 14-20 days of isolation for any new entries into your location, These resiliency and safety tips for agriculture producers amid the COVID-19 pandemic and springtime agricultural work were recently shared by the University of Wyoming Extension’s state lead for the Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN).

Scott Cotton made the recommendations based on a combination of agricultural functions, epidemiological principles and disaster resilience.

The University of Wyoming Extension has also created a one-stop shop for resources to help the public at bit.ly/uwyo-extension-covid.

• • •

Reach out to elder and challenged neighbors to help them during a pandemic, If family or employees are ill, immune compromised or infected, have them avoid all interactions with others, Discourage visitors and unnecessary deliveries until infection levels drop.

For group work • Schedule events with the minimum number of workers possible, • Ask all help to wear personal protection (facemasks and gear that will not hold or transfer moisture) and maintain as much social distance as possible, • Clean all equipment before and after work events and anytime a different user operates equipment by establishing cleaning and disinfection stations at the worksite, • Form work teams from family or those who are regularly interacting, avoid mixing teams with other operations, • If risk and workers can be reduced by doing repeated smaller events – consider it, • Evaluate if changes in equipment can reduce manpower needs and cross-exposure, • Do not trade jobs or roles during group work efforts, • If food or water is provided, make sure exterior moisture surfaces are minimized, and package meals in dry containers separately and avoid open container use, • Limit social interaction before, during and after functions.

• Monitor all participants for 15 days and encourage medical evaluation promptly.

For large audience events (sales, auctions, other) • Arrange seating to allow wider than normal separation, • Provide enough space for audiences to examine livestock without crowding, • Clean the site before and after the event, • Double the amount of properly cleaned restrooms,

•

Include requests that all attendees wear PPE and send only one representative per agricultural operation if possible, • Ask catering to provide individually packaged food and drinks with lids, • Arrange coverage by video or internet, if possible, for off-site viewing, • Limit social interaction before, during and after functions, • Encourage reporting and sharing of illness reports before, during and for 15 days after events.

For more information, contact the author (information below).

Scott Cotton is serving on the Wyoming Unified Command COVID Response Team. He is from a legacy Wyoming ranch family and served for over 30 years as a rural Emergency Medical Technician, firefighter, state certified blood-borne pathogen trainer, and is the senior area extension educator based in Natrona County and also serving Converse and Niobrara counties. He can be reached at (307) 235-9400 or at scotton1@uwyo.edu.

Amendments invigorate garden soils Wyoming soil can present some challenges in soil type, pH, fertility levels, electrical conductivity (salt in the soil) and moisture.

There are some easy and inexpensive ways to amend soil for a successful vegetable garden. Start with a soil test and know exactly what is needed. A soil test kit can be picked up at your county extension office or from the Colorado State University soils lab. The CSU address is Colorado State University Soil, Water and Plant Testing Laboratory, Room A320, Natural and Environmental Sciences Building,

Colorado State University, Fort Collins CO 80523. Its web address is www.soiltestinglab.colostate.edu.

Wyoming native soils tend toward the alkaline side of the scale with pH around 7.5 and higher. This higher pH tends to tie up plant nutrients, which may reduce crop yields. Vegetables like soil more acidic with a pH of 6.5 to 6.0, which is difficult to achieve without a lot of amendments like peat moss or sulfur.

Peat moss has a pH around 5.5 to 4.5 and is a great vegetable garden amendment.

Leaves, grass clippings, coffee grounds (filter, too), kitchen vegetable scrapes, pulp from juicing - all make great soil amendments. They help increase soil organic matter, add fertility, help loosen hard soils, and give sandy soils more structure. They are a form of all-season, slow release fertilizer, which is best for growing vegetables. You can direct bury the scraps for cold composting and feed the worms, or you can do regular composting.

Adding manures to the garden soil can cause short-term and long-term soil problems. The references of being too “hot” is caused by the salt content, not the nitrogen content, of manure. Manure will also have weed seeds along with the risk to plant and people pathogens like E. coli, even if it’s been composted for a year. I don’t recommend using manures in western soil vegetable gardens.

Soil should only be worked when dry. Working soil when wet risks compaction and a net loss of organic matter. Soil compaction is very difficult to overcome and will take a lot of non-manure compost to undo.

Add organic matter every time you work the soil, and only work the soil a couple times to make it ready to plant. Excessive tilling just breaks down the soil.

Catherine Wissner is the University of Wyoming Extension Laramie County horticulturist and can be reached at (307) 633-4480 or at cwissner@uwyo.edu.

Transforming decrepit ground into dynamic soil Want to know more about soils for successful gardening in Wyoming?

University of Wyoming Extension educators and specialists answer questions from the public and discuss the many ingredients that help turn wimpy ground into robust soil.

This recorded Facebook Live presentation is by the Barnyards and Backyard small acreage project.

Go to https://bit.ly/soil-vegetable-garden.

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 32 No. 3 • May 16, 2020

CALENDAR

July 6-10 July 13-15

Submit your events to: Editor, Wyoming Livestock Roundup, P.O. Box 850, Casper, WY, 82602, or e-mail to roundup@wylr.net.

July 27-31

EVENTS May 18-19

University of Wyoming Energy Transition Symposium, Laramie. For more information visit uwyo.edu/ser/events/energy-transition-symposium.

CANCELED Sandhills Cattle Association Convention, Thedford, Neb., Thomas County Fairgrounds. Visit sandhillscattle,com for more information.

May 25 Wyoming Livestock Roundup Office closed for Memorial Day. May 29-31 Buck Brannaman Horsemanship Clinic, Spearfish, S.D., Seven Downs Arena. For more information, call 605-515-3995.

June 11 Natrona County Predator Management District Meeting, Teleconference. To dial in, call 605-313-6272 and use access code 553517.

CANCELED College National Finals Rodeo, Casper, Casper Events Center. Visit cnfr.com for more information.

June 19-21 Permaculture Design Workshop, Lander, Central Wyoming CollegeLander. For more information or questions, please contact CWC Lander at 307-332-3394 or landercenter@cwc.edu.

July 3-11 Central Wyoming Fair, Casper, Central Wyoming Fairgrounds. Visit centralwyomingfair.com for more information.

July 9-20 Converse County Fair, Douglas, Wyoming State Fairgrounds. Visit conversecountyfair.com for more information.

July 17-26 Teton County Fair, Jackson, Teton County Fairgrounds. Visit tetoncountyfair.com for more information.

July 21-25 Park County Fair, Powell, Park County Fairgrounds. Visit parkcountyfair. com for more information.

July 22-25 Sublette County Fair, Big Piney, Sublette County Fairgrounds. Visit sublettecountyfair.com for more information.

July 21-Aug. 1 Albany County Fair, Laramie, Albany County Fairgrounds. Visit albanycountyfair.org for more information.

SALES May 17 June 10-11 June 24-25 June 25-26 July 1

Gordon Livestock Market Horse Sale, Gordon, Neb., 308-282-1171, 308-282-9998, 308-282-2655, gordonlivestock.dvauction.com Superior Livestock Auction Corn Belt Classic XXII, Council Bluffs, Iowa, 800-422-2117, superiorlivestock.com Superior Livestock Auction Big Sky Roundup IV, Billings, Mont., 800422-2117, superiorlivestock.com Northern Livestock Video Auction Early Summer Special, 866-6165035, northernlivestockvideo.com Cattle Country Video High Plains Showcase Sale, Goshen County Rendezvous Center, Torrington, 888-322-8853, cattlecountryvideo.com

Big horn Basin

Worland, WY

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May 14, 2020 – 312 Head BULLS Riley, Michael - Burlington 1 RWF Bull, 1600#...............................$10050 Diamond E Properties LLC - Thermopolis 1 Blk Bull, 2005# ..................................$10000 1 Hfrd Bull, 1990# ..................................$9400 Sorch, Tyler - Crowheart 1 Blk Bull, 1815# ....................................$9700 Snell, Raymond - Lovell 1 Blk Bull, 1865# ....................................$9600 1 RWF Bull, 1650#.................................$9250 Lyman Ranch Co. - Ten Sleep 1 Blk Bull, 1990# ....................................$9600 1 Blk Bull, 1670# ....................................$9500 1 Blk Bull, 2095# ....................................$9400 1 Blk Bull, 1390# ....................................$8300 1 Blk Bull, 1625# ....................................$8300 Carter Livestock Inc. - Ten Sleep 1 Blk Bull, 1795# ....................................$7850 Jackson, Tom - Worland 1 BWF Bull, 1860# .................................$7850 BRED COWS Schatz, Gene - Lovell 3 BWF Bred Cows .........................$1125/Hd. COWS Diamond E Properties LLC - Thermopolis 1 Blk Cow, 1205# ...................................$6650 1 Blk Cow, 1345# ...................................$6550 1 Blk Cow, 1335# ...................................$6500 2 BWF Cows, avg. 1470# ......................$6200 Twitchell, Louis - Fort Washakie 2 Blk Cows, avg. 1070# .........................$6650 Charter Place LLC - Jackson 3 Blk Cows, avg. 1305# .........................$6550 2 Blk Cows, avg. 1313# .........................$6400 1 Blk Cow, 1245# ...................................$5900 Diamond S Ranch LLC - Hyattville 1 Hrfd Cow, 1175# .................................$6300 1 Hrfd Cow, 1315# .................................$6300 1 Hrfd Cow, 1210# .................................$6200 1 Hrfd Cow, 1485# .................................$5800 Bodtke, Dale - Ten Sleep 1 Blk Cow, 1265# ...................................$6300 Durbin Creek Ranch - Thermopolis 1 Hrfd Cow, 1130# .................................$6250 1 RWF Cow, 1415#................................$6150 1 Hrfd Cow, 1465# .................................$5700 1 Hrfd Cow, 1260# .................................$5700 1 Hrfd Cow, 1570# .................................$5400 1 RWF Cow, 1725#................................$5000 Crowfoot Ranch Inc. - Worland 1 Blk Cow, 1130# ...................................$6200 2 Blk Cows, avg. 1328# .........................$6150 1 Blk Cow, 1300# ...................................$5950

Hillberry, Dee - Thermopolis 1 Hrfd Cow, 1395# .................................$6200 1 Hrfd Cow, 1345# .................................$6000 1 Hrfd Cow, 1330# .................................$5650 1 Hrfd Cow, 1625# .................................$5600 Mueller, Terry - Shell 1 Blk Cow, 1185# ...................................$6200 1 Blk Cow, 1255# ...................................$6000 Johnstone, Casey - Ten Sleep 1 RWF Cow, 1315#................................$6150 1 Blk Cow, 1435# ...................................$5800 Doyle Ranch Inc. - Hyattville 1 Hrfd Cow, 1375# .................................$6100 1 Hrfd Cow, 1435# .................................$6100 2 Hrfd Cows, avg. 1433# .......................$5850 TD Partnership - Worland 1 BWF Cow, 1365# ................................$5850 Lake, Jerry - Thermopolis 1 Blk Cow, 1330# ...................................$5800 Herman Livestock LLC - Hyattville 1 Blk Cow, 1500# ...................................$5700 1 BWF Cow, 1545# ................................$5500 Brost, L. Wayne - Lovell 1 Red Cow, 1515# .................................$5550 HEIFERETTES Mueller, Terry - Shell 2 Blk Hfrettes, avg. 978# .......................$9600 3 Blk Hfrettes, avg. 877# .......................$9500 Twitchell, Louis - Fort Washakie 7 Blk Hfrettes, avg. 854# .......................$9100 PAIRS Sorch, Tyler - Crowheart 20 Blk Hfr Pairs ............................. $1750/Hd. Schatz, Gene - Lovell 13 BWF Hfr Pairs .......................... $1650/Hd. 2 Blk Short, Solid Pairs ................. $1275/Hd. 2 Blk Short, Solid Pairs ................. $1225/Hd. Paxton, Alan - Basin 3 BWF 5-Year-Old Pairs ............... $1610/Hd. Brost, L. Wayne - Lovell 3 Blk 4-Year-Old Pairs .................. $1585/Hd. 1 BWF Heifer Pair ......................... $1450/Hd. Bodtke, Dale - Ten Sleep 1 Blk 5-Year-Old Pair .................... $1375/Hd.

• Upcoming Sales • May 16 May 21 May 28 June 11 June 20 June 25

– – – – – –

July 20-22

Saturday Horse Sale at 1 PM All Class Cattle, Sheep and Goats All Class Cattle Pair Special with All Class Cattle Saturday Horse Sale at 1 PM Weigh up Special with All Class Cattle July 9 – Weigh up Special with All Class Cattle July 18 – Saturday Horse Sale at 1 PM July 23 – All Class Cattle, Sheep and Goats

Aug. 4-5 Aug. 17-18 Aug. 17-21 Aug. 24-25 Aug. 28-29 Sept.

Sept. 5 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 18-19 Sept. 21 Dec. 1

Superior Livestock Auction Week in the Rockies XXXII, Loveland, Colo., 800-422-2117, superiorlivestock.com Western Video Market, Nugget Casino Resort, Reno, Nev., 530-3473793, wvmcattle.com Northern Livestock Video Auction Summertime Classic, 866-6165035, northernlivestockvideo.com Superior Livestock Auction Video Royale XXVIII, Winnemucca, Nev., 800-422-2117, superiorlivestock.com Cattle Country Video Oregon Trail Classic Sale, Gering Civic Center, Gering, Neb., 888-322-8853, cattlecountryvideo.com Western Video Market, Little America, Cheyenne, 530-347-3793, wvmcattle.com Superior Livestock Auction Big Horn Classic, Sheridan, 800-4222117, superiorlivestock.com Northern Livestock Video Auction Early Fall Preview, 866-616-5035, northernlivestockvideo.com 2020 League of Legends Invitational Horse Sale, Heart K Land & Cattle Company Arena, Livingston, Mont., 406-381-2347, turnerperformancehorses.com Cattle Country Video Sandhills Roundup Sale, Goshen County Rendezvous Center, Torrington, 888-322-8853, cattlecountryvideo.com 19th Annual Labor Day Horse Sale, Diamond X Ranch, Evanston, 307789-2474, proffitranch.com 92nd Annual Wyoming State Ram Sale, Wyoming State Fairgrounds, Douglas, 307-265-5250, 307-351-1422, wyowool.com Western Video Market, Haythorn Ranch, Ogallala, Neb., 530-347-3793, wvmcattle.com 24th Annual Van Norman and Friends Production Sale, Elko County Fairgrounds, Elko, Nev., 775-756-6508, 775-934-7404, vannormansale. com Northern Livestock Video Auction Fall Premier, 866-616-5035, northernlivestockvideo.com Western Video Market, Silver Legacy, Reno, Nev., 530-347-3793, wvmcattle.com

POSTCARD from the Past

Compiled by Dick Perue rrichardperue@gmail.com

Overcoats for Lambs Fleece Lined Overcoats to Protect Early Lambs from the Chilly Breezes Henry Sales of Cody is said to have placed with a local tailor an order for 1,000 coats for new-born lambs with which he will protect his lamb crop this spring.

The garments are fleece lined and so designed

that they may be easily slipped on a lamb, protecting his body but leaving his legs and head exposed.

If the experiment is successful other flock masters in that district will adopt the system.

There is a heavy loss of lambs each spring because of cold. Sales is said to believe his lamb coats will

Building of lambing sheds throughout Wyoming was popular in the 1910s. Rambouillet ewes and lambs are shown in front of the lambing shed on the Quealy Land & Livestock Company’s Ranch, Cokeville, Wyoming, Breeders of Purebred Sheep and Cattle. It was reported in the April 10, 1918, issue of the Kemmerer Camera that, “The long lambing sheds on the ranch are steam-heated and modern throughout.”Photo from Kemmerer Camera as shown on “Wyoming Newspaper Project” web page.

Historical Reproductions by Perue

reduce the loss to the minimum. It is feared by sheepmen, however, that the mothers of lambs will refuse to recognize them if they wear clothing.

This article appeared on the front page of The Cokeville Register, dated March 23, 1916. Makes for a good story, but we are just a little suspicious since that date is close to April 1.

The tag line for the Register reads, “Cokeville is the Railroad Town for one of the Richest Agricultural and Livestock Valleys in Wyoming and has the Highest Assessed Valuation of any School District in Lincoln County.”

Lower on the page was the following lambing story.

Lambing successful J. D. Noblitt returned from the desert Wednesday evening, where he has been the past two weeks looking after the erection of lambing sheds and things in general during lambing time.

Lambing on the desert was an experiment with the Cokeville Land and Livestock Company this year and Mr. Noblitt reports the lambs and ewes are doing nicely.

FACTORY DIRECT PRICES We have chutes in stock. bighornlivestock.com Call Kevin McClurg • Big Horn Livestock Services 307-751-1828 • Your Wyoming Silencer Dealer

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 32 No. 3 • May 16, 2020

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 32 No. 3 • May 16, 2020

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 32 No. 3 • May 16, 2020

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 32 No. 3 • May 16, 2020

HAY continued from page 1 Extension Agriculture Engineer Brian Dougherty says efficiency for bigger bales comes from less dry matter loss and less twine or net wrap used.

He explains the key factors of bale density are the baler settings and the forage itself.

“Denser bales have a variety of benefits,” Dougherty states. “I recommend making the densest bales a baler can achieve without exceeding what can be handled safely.”

“The more dense a bale is, the better it will repel water,” Dougherty adds. “It’s not going to pick up as much moisture from the ground and it’s going to avoid more spoil-

age.”

For dry bales, Dougherty says nine to 13 pounds of dry matter per cubic foot is a good target.

“Denser bales hold their shape better, especially if they are net wrapped,” he says.

“Producers will end up with higher feed quality with netwrapped bales.”

McCorkill says producers can adjust windrows as forage volume varies during the year and with different forage types.

“The quicker a producer can get the forage into the baler, the tighter the bale will be,” he says.

Hay storage McCorkill notes there are several different ways pro-

ducers can store their hay, even if they can’t get it all under a roof.

“In a perfect world, everybody would have a nice, long hay barn to store a year’s worth of hay,” he says. “But this isn’t always the case.”

“Producers should consider rainfall when storing hay outside,” he adds. “A gravel base can cut down on moisture loss and make it easier to get to our hay bales.”

Banta says, “The higher the rainfall is, obviously the more concerns we’re going to have with storage losses outside.”

McCorkill notes it is not a good idea to store hay under trees, because water leaks through the leaves, which slows down the drying process. He also points out in this situation, producers aren’t utilizing the sun and wind to

help dry out their hay.

“When deciding where to store bales outdoors, it can be helpful to consult the USDA Web Soil Survey so producers can identify less productive soils on which to store their bales, and so they can store on soils that drain water better,” Banta suggests.

“Another good practice is to keep a little more space between rows of hay bales that are stored outdoors,” Banta continues. “A good rule of thumb is to put rows three feet apart.”

Hay testing According to Banta, this spacing also makes it easier to get hay cores for testing.

“Hay testing is a good idea because even hay put up on the same farm will vary in nutrition from cutting to cutting and from field to field,” he says.

He explains the ideal time for hay testing is in the fall or about four to six weeks before producers begin feeding their hay.

“A hay test is also a good idea before buying hay,” Banta states. “It’s pretty easy to justify testing when we look at it relative to feed cost.”

McCorkill says he sees value in hay testing as well.

“A producer should know what they are buying,”

he says. “Even if they’re harvesting their own hay, it’s good to have a quantitative number of what they have.

It helps us do a better job of building feed rations for our cattle.”

Dougherty also recommends producers buy hay by the ton and not by the bale.

Hannah Bugas is the assistant editor for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup.

Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

FOOD continued from page 1 both our farmers and our food-insecure families.

As Chair of the Biotechnology, Horticulture and Research Subcommittee, I am committed to ensuring that we support spe-

cialty crop farmers during this difficult time and better connect families in need more quickly with nutritious fruits and vegetables,” added Rep. Plaskett.

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 32 No. 3 • May 16, 2020

FMD continued from page 1 stock and affects domestic cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, swine, sheep and goats, and many wild animals such as deer, bison, pronghorn antelope and feral swine. FMD is not a food safety or public health concern.”

ASI notes having the Secure Sheep and Wool Supply Plan in place prior to an FMD outbreak is critical for food security and animal health and well-being.

“The Secure Sheep and Wool Supply Plan will facilitate the safe movement of sheep and wool with no evidence of disease from farms in an FMD control area to harvest channels or to other farms,” ASI explains. “The Secure Sheep and Wool Supply Plan will enhance coordination and communication between all parties, speed up a successful FMD response and support continuity of operations for sheep producers and associated industries.”

“The industry is pleased to have completed this plan with the assistance of the

Iowa State’s Center for Food Security and Public Health and the volunteers that served on the stakeholder group,” said ASI President Benny Cox of Texas. “ASI funded this project because it is important for our producers to have a plan to follow to ensure the economic viability of the American sheep and wool industry during an FMD outbreak.”

ASI notes the Secure Sheep and Wool Supply Plan is consistent with USDA’s FMD response goals and other Secure Food Supply Plans to maintain business continuity for sheep and wool producers whose animals are not infected with FMD and to provide a safe, continuous supply of lamb, mutton and wool for consumers.

Foot and mouth disease According to the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), FMD is a severe, highly contagious viral disease.

“The FMD virus causes illness in cows, pigs, sheep, goats, deer and other ani-

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mals with divided hooves,” according to Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). “It does not affect horses, dogs or cats and is not a public health or food safety threat.”

APHIS notes it is also not related to hand, foot and mouth disease, a common childhood illness caused by a different virus.

“FMD is a worldwide concern, as it can spread quickly and cause significant economic losses,” says APHIS. “While many countries across the globe are dealing with FMD in their livestock populations, the United States eradicated the disease in 1929.”

Animals with FMD typically have a fever and blisters on the tongue and lips, in and around the mouth, on the mammary glands and around the hooves.

“These blisters, called vesicles, pop and turn into red areas called erosions,” APHIS explains. “Pain and discomfort from the vesicles and erosions lead to other symptoms such as depression, anorexia, excessive salivation, lameness and reluctance to move or stand.”

APHIS continues, “Most

Local meat available Interest in local sourcing for meat has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, and a University of Wyoming (UW) Extension Specialist reminds consumers that local ranchers have long been able to sell quarters and halves of animals to customers.

“Buying local meat can be confusing since the rules about what can be sold vary,” said Cole Ehmke, UW Extension rural entrepreneurship specialist.

“Custom processing is typically how halves and quarters are processed,” he said.

“Animals purchased for an individual’s own use do not have to be slaughtered at a USDA slaughter and processing facility,” explained Ehmke.

“The producer usually contacts the custom processor on their behalf and arranges for delivery,” said Ehmke. “The butcher will cut the animal any way you prefer, including further processing such as for sausage or smoking. However, the

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meat cannot be sold.”

Local food networks are developing to help local buyers find local sources.

Caitlin Youngquist in the UW Extension office in Worland in the Big Horn Basin has assembled a list of local suppliers and information for people new to buying meat this way.

“Sourcing local products, like meat, could support economic development in small towns,” said Youngquist.

“We’re seeing tremendous interest in local sourcing now,” said Youngquist. “We wanted to help people find what they need and support producers who are trying to develop these markets.”

Youngquist said she hopes people will continue to buy local products long after the pandemic ends.

“When people consume a local product, it supports economic development, especially in a place like Wyoming where we could easily be at the end of a very long supply chain,” she said.

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affected animals will not die from FMD, but the disease leaves them weakened and unable to produce meat and milk the way they did before.”

“FMD causes production losses and hardships for farmers and ranchers,” APHIS stresses. “It also has serious impacts on livestock trade. A single detection of FMD will likely stop international trade completely for a period of time.”

APHIS notes there are seven known types and more than 60 subtypes of the FMD virus. Immunity to one type does not protect an animal against other types or subtypes.

Wyoming involvement Wyoming sheep producers and State Veterinarian Jim Logan have been involved with formulation of the plan since the beginning.

Logan notes planning began in early 2019 when ASI confirmed there needed to be a secure plan for the sheep industry in the case of a foreign animal disease such as FMD. “FMD is highly contagious and affects cloven-hoofed species such as sheep, goats and cattle and can also affect wildlife,” says Logan. “If we ever end up with a disease like this in the U.S. there would have to be required movement stop-

pages.”

“Every state is vulnerable if an FMD event were to occur,” he says. “It could show up anywhere and spread across the country very quickly.”

According to Logan, sheep will not display symptoms at the same severity as other animals such as cattle and swine.

“Sheep could be affected and not show the traditional lameness and oral lesions presented by cattle and swine,” Logan explains.

Logan notes Wyoming producers can log into the Secure Sheep and Wool Supply Plan website at securesheepwool.org to view the plan and begin developing their own biosecurity plans.

“Other commodity groups such as beef, dairy, swine and poultry also have secure supply plans, and I would encourage these producers to be involved in developing their own plans based on their specific species guidelines,” Logan stresses.

“One of the main reasons these plans are vital is because they provide outreach and education about biosecurity and what they can do to protect their animals,” Logan explains. “If we get movement stoppages, producers would be required

Torrington Livestock Markets PO Box 1097 • Torrington, WY 82240 307.532.3333 Fax: 307.532.2040

to have their own plan in place to get a movement permit.”

Wyoming Wool Growers Executive Director Amy Hendrickson notes producers should start their plan with identifying which parts of their operation are most vulnerable to disease introduction.

Hendrickson notes attention was paid to producers grazing on public lands.

“In some states that may not matter but here in Wyoming a lot of producers are using public lands and there needs to be a plan in place to get them off allotments in the case of a stop movement order,” Hendrickson says.

“This is a great tool for the sheep industry,” says Hendrickson. “The Secure Sheep and Wool Supply plan is intended to help keep our industry going in the event of an animal health emergency.”

“There are lots of things we’ve learned from COVID-19, but one of them is the importance of having a continuity of business plan in the event of an emergency. It is vital to the livestock industry,” she concludes.

Callie Hanson is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup.

Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

Lex Madden 307-532-1580 Michael Schmitt 307-532-1776 Chuck Petersen 307-575-4015

www.torringtonlivestock.com

FRIDAY, MAY 22 - FEEDER SPECIAL/ALL CLASSES Frontier Land Co. 40 Blk/Bwf Cow Pairs, ST, Calves at side are Blk with few Red/Char CJ Gilmore 35 Blk/HerfX Pairs Mxd Age, April-Early May Calves at Side, Cows have been on Complete Vac Program, Calves have not been worked JP Werner & Sons 15 Red Angus Cows, Mx Ages, Bred to Red Angus Bulls, CF: June 15 for 30 days, Home Raised, Shots last Fall: ScourBoss 9, Vibrio/ Lepto Travis & Mandy McIntosh 4 Angus Cow Pairs, 4 yr olds, 1200# Cows with 80-100# calves at side, Tagged to Match, Calf Shots: Ultra Choice 7, Enforce 3, Bovillis Coronavirus, Cow Shots: Express FP5VL5, Poured w/Dectomax, Oral wormed w/Synanthic, Home Raised MANY MORE CONSIGNMENTS BY SALE DAY

SALE RESULTS - FRIDAY, MAY 8 - 1831 HD

William & Judy Hageman 1 Black Cow 1300 Petsch Ranches Inc 1 Black Cow 1515 Bremer Land & Cattle 1 Black Cow 1745 Broken Box Ranch Inc 5 Black Cow 1307 L R H Inc 8 Black Cow 1423 Oak Leaf Ranch 3 Black Cow 1195 David Fredrickson 2 Black Cow 1397 William & Judy Hageman 2 Black/Red Cow 1262 David Fredrickson 1 Red Cow 1000 Rear of the Steer 12 Black Bull 935 Bremer Land & Cattle 1 Black Bull 2185 M Diamond Angus Ranch 1 Black Bull 2045 Kenneth Pickinpaugh 1 Black Bull 1745 Kelley Morava 4 Black Heiferette 793 Scott Ranches LLC 4 Black Heiferette 1002 Cross Ranch 3 Black Heiferette 920 William & Judy Hageman 7 Black Heiferette 972 Bill & Mary Owens 16 Red Steer 630 Randall Haefele 18 Black Heifer 700 Larry Hume 8 Black Heifer 841 William Sturgeon 10 Black Heifer 958 Bill & Mary Owens 12 Black/Red Heifer 569 Larry Hume 12 Black/Red Heifer 690 Bill & Mary Owens 51 Red Heifer 613 College of Agriculture Rodeo 11 Black Steer Calf 526 James Hastings 7 Black Heifer Calf 420 James Hastings 8 Black Heifer Calf 479 Will & Jennie Whitlock 11 Black/Red Heifer Calf 360 Todd Kaisler 4 Black Bred Cow/SM-June 1470 Corey Cattle Co 21 Black Bred Cow/SM-Summer 1101 Necktie Ranch 16 Black Pairs/Hfr 1102 Tom Herbst 7 Black Pairs/3-4yr 1070 Tom Herbst 19 Black Pairs/5yr 1210 Tom Herbst 16 Black Pairs/5yr 1250 Corey Cattle Co 11 Black Pairs/SM 1355 Tom Herbst 12 Black Pairs/SS 1257 Corey Cattle Co 12 Black/Red Pairs/3-SM 1314

73.00C 70.50C 67.00C 65.50C 63.00C 60.50C 58.50C 53.50C 77.00C 109.00C 96.50C 92.50C 85.50C 106.00C 100.00C 98.00C 89.00C 150.50C 126.50C 124.00C 107.00C 138.50C 126.00C 134.00C 160.00C 155.00C 145.00C 170.00C 1310.00H 1150.00H 1800.00H 1700.00H 1700.00H 1700.00H 1435.00H 1300.00H 1375.00H

VIEW SALES & BID ONLINE AT CATTLE USA

“Like Us” for Sale Updates, Results and News

SALE POLICY DURING COVID-19 TORRINGTON LIVESTOCK MARKETS INTENDS ON HAVING WEEKLY SALES. AT THIS TIME WE ASK ALL NON-ESSENTIAL PEOPLE TO NOT ATTEND THE SALES. CONSIGNORS WE ASK THAT YOU MINIMIZE TIME SPENT AT THE BARN. OUR STAFF IS THERE TO UNLOAD YOUR CATTLE AND FROM THERE YOU CAN RETURN HOME. ONLY BUYERS WILL BE ALLOWED IN THE SALE ARENA. WE ENCOURAGE BUYERS TO SPREAD OUT IN THE SALE ARENA. AS ALWAYS SALES ARE AVAILABLE FOR ONLINE VIEWING AND BIDDING THROUGH CATTLE USA. IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE WITH SETTING UP AN ACCOUNT ON CATTLE USA PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE AT 307-532-3333 OR CALL MICHAEL AT 307-532-1776.

www.torringtonlivestock.com

Lex Madden 307-532-1580 Michael Schmitt 307-532-1776 Chuck Petersen 307-575-4015

12

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 32 No. 3 • May 16, 2020

It’s the Pitts

by Lee Pitts

One Too Many I understand a lot of folks have quit looking for work and are out of a job, an experience I’ve never had as an adult because I’ve never had a job to be unemployed from. I’ve never belonged to the class of people known as “salarymen” and haven’t had to dust off my resume in over 40 years.

I never knew what I wanted to be when I was growing up but I was sure of one thing, I didn’t want to work by the hour. I did that in the fruit orchards as a high schooler, and later in the oilfields as a college student,

and I swore I’d never do that again!

Right now, I couldn’t tell you within two dollars what the minimum hourly wage is, which is what I’d be making if I entered the job market.

One of the big reasons why I’m self-employed is that I’m the only person who would hire me.

Another reason is that if I ever did get into a position where I was truly paid for what I was worth, I’d starve to death. I couldn’t live on that little.

Besides not wanting to work by the hour, I never

RISK continued from page 1 tion, Iowa and Sioux Falls, S.D. temporarily shut down or indefinitely suspended operations as of April 14, while beef processing plants in Tama, Iowa and Greeley, Colo. also temporarily suspended operations due to a large number of employees being diagnosed with coronavirus.

“It’s a huge challenge when we back up a lot of meat, especially pork,” Schulz says. “With cattle, we have more options as far as placement and marketing. We don’t have that luxury with pork or poultry.”

Risk management Even though cash and

futures prices are already looking bleak, Peel notes there is still some downside risk in the livestock market.

He also says he advises producers to keep an eye on risk management opportunities, since they will likely be few and far between this year.

“The bulk of the impact is already here,” Peel says.

“Some producers had coverage in January and saw the benefit, but others didn’t.”

“Prices could drop even more over the next few weeks,” he adds. “Feeder cattle sales were down in March as more producers hang on to calves.”

Peel continues, “Once

wanted to sell myself short to some big corporation. I don’t take orders well, I’m more stubborn than a oneeyed mule, never did play well in the sandbox and I don’t respond well to people of authority.

I’m just not the corporate type. I hate meetings and memos, and I only own one suit, which I’ve worn exactly once. I’m a lousy salesman, and I’m not a team player. I wouldn’t last 30 minutes as a Walmart greeter. I’d tell those customers where to go!

Granted, there are downsides to working for yourself.

I can’t ask for a raise or complain to the boss. I suppose I could, but it wouldn’t do any good. I have no pension, golden parachute or safety net, and without my wife’s medical insurance I’d be in debt to the doctors for over a million bucks. Talk about homeland insecurity!

I also do a lot of things I’d be fired for if I worked

for a big corporation. If I get tired of writing I go work in my shop, and if I need a break I don’t ask for anyone’s permission. I never wear a wrist watch and I don’t get rudely awakened by a rooster or an alarm clock.

I get up when I wake up, work until 10 at night and never really know what time it is. I quit when I get tired.

As a writer I’ve had at least one deadline per week, and usually two, for 40 years but I get my work done so far in advance that I’m not pressured by my deadlines.

That’s because for me my work is also my pleasure.

And my hobby. I love what I do and as long as you do that your job is never “work.”

Although we’ve only taken one major vacation in 43 years of married life I feel like I could take one at any time if I wanted to. But that’s just it: I don’t want to. I live where other people come to vacation so why would I leave?

we get past this and prices don’t go a lot lower, that’s when we’re probably at the bottom of all of this. Of course, we’re going to be coming out of this virus in a recession, so there will still be challenges.”

Marketing response In response, Peel says some feedlots might choose to feed cattle only enough to maintain weight. He also notes cattle numbers are usually seasonally higher this time of year, resulting in more beef destined for grills and restaurants.

“We essentially have about half of the market shut down because of the closing of the food service industry,” he states. “Beef destined for restaurants is now being moved into the retail sector.”

He also explains further disruptions with packing plants could make the situation even worse, since a slowdown could result in a brief shortage of meat.

Schulz says wholesale and retail meat prices could increase with more plant shutdowns, while at the same time decrease the price at farm level.

“It is imperative producers stay as current as possible when marketing, since plant shutdowns and low prices make it such a challenge,” he says.

Hannah Bugas is the assistant editor for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

It takes a certain kind of person to be self-employed and I’m it. I think a lot of other people are that kind of person too but they’re afraid to make the jump to being self-employed. You don’t find many college students majoring in entrepreneurship these days.

Although I loved college life, and found my wonderful wife there, I think I could have been just as successful in my work if I’d used the $20,000 I spent to pay my way through college to start my own business. Even

if I failed it probably would have been a better education.

In the final analysis everything has worked out just fine. I might have made more money and had a lucrative pension working for the government but I’ve never had to live in an appliance carton and I’m infinitely more happy than if I’d have worked for a slave-driver.

“Oh, what’s that honey?”

Excuse me but I gotta go now, I hear my wife calling, reminding me that having one boss is more than enough.

LOYA/WARDELL ANGUS SELLING 50 OF “THE BEST” LONG YEARLING ANGUS BULLS

BY PRIVATE TREATY View Videos & EPDs on our Website

loyawardellangus.com

SELLING 50 FANCY, REGISTERED YEARLING HEIFERS COME SEE ANY TIME! 18253 COUNTY RD 32, PLATTEVILLE, CO 80651

JUAN: jyloyaangus@gmail.com (970) 396-0035 ROY: (970) 785-0145

RIVERTON LIVESTOCK AUCTION Tuesday, May 12, 2020 Market Reports • 227 Head Sold RIVERTON LIVESTOCK WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE SALES WE REALIZE THIS IS A CRITICAL TIME FOR OUR CUSTOMERS THAT NEED THE CASH FLOW FOR SPRING EXPENSES, AND WE WANT TO CONTINUE OFFERING THE OPPORTUNITY TO SELL FOR THOSE THAT WANT OR NEED TO DO SO. WE DO ASK, FOR THE SAFETY OF YOU, OUR BUYERS AND STAFF, TO PLEASE MINIMIZE THE TIME YOU SPEND AT THE MARKET, ESPECIALLY IN THE SALE ARENA. WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO BRING YOUR STOCK TO TOWN AND LET US TAKE IT FROM THERE. PLEASE CALL THE OFFICE WITH YOUR CATTLE INFORMATION. WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR AUCTIONS THROUGH CATTLEUSA.COM. INTERNET BUYERS, PLEASE HAVE A BACK UP PLAN. DUE TO INTERNET VOLUME, PLEASE HAVE A PHONE NUMBER TO REACH A PERSON ON SITE TO ASSIST YOUR BIDDING NEEDS. WE WILL KEEP YOU INFORMED OF ANY CHANGES. PLEASE LIKE/CHECK OUR FACEBOOK PAGE FOR UPDATES AS WELL. OUR GOAL AS ALWAYS, IS TO PROVIDE SERVICE TO OUR CUSTOMERS. WE ARE COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING COMMERCE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR BUSINESS. PLEASE CALL US ANYTIME. THANK YOU & GOD BLESS JEFF BROWN & ALL THE CREW AT RLA

Representative Sales COWS

LANDER 2 Cow, 1435# ...........................$77.00 2 Cow, 1050# ...........................$71.50 RIVERTON 1 Cow, 1215# ...........................$66.50 LANDER 3 Cow, 1215# ...........................$60.00 RIVERTON 1 Cow, 1400# ...........................$58.00

LANDER 6 Cow, 1139# ...........................$57.00 BIG PINEY 4 Cow, 1322# ...........................$56.00 LANDER 4 Cow, 1417# ...........................$55.00 RIVERTON 7 Cow, 1147# ...........................$54.50 KEMMERER 5 Cow, 1319# ...........................$54.00

THERMOPOLIS 5 Cow, 1322# ...........................$53.00 LANDER 6 Cow, 1296# ...........................$52.50 BULLS KEMMERER 1 Bull, 1735# ............................$77.00 BOULDER 2 Bull, 1760# ............................$76.50 DIXON 3 Bull, 1850# ............................$75.00 KEMMERER 1 Bull, 1805# ............................$72.00 2 Bull, 1872# ............................$70.00 PAIRS LANDER 2 Pair, 1492# .......................$1,725.00 BIG PINEY 3 Pair, 1310# .......................$1,275.00 9 Pair, 1408# .......................$1,100.00 HEIFERETTES DANIEL 5 Heiferette, 739# ..................$120.00 RIVERTON 6 Heiferette, 896# ..................$107.00 2 Heiferette, 1050# ..................$86.50 PAVILLION 3 Heiferette, 1106# ...................$77.00 RIVERTON 6 Heiferette, 1122# ...................$75.00 3 Heiferette, 1108# ...................$74.00

Early Consignments TUESDAY, MAY 19 ALL CATTLE CLASSES START TIME 9:00 AM W/ WEIGH UPS Hollis Givens - 1 Blk Ang 3 Yr old Bull 1 Polled Hereford 3 Yr old Bull. Semen & Trich Tested.

Approx 70-75 lb Birth weights. Fancy Breeding bulls!

TUESDAY, MAY 26 ALL CATTLE CLASSES W/ SHEEP & HORSES START TIME 9:00 AM W/ SHEEP & WEIGH UPS

TUESDAY, JUNE 2 NO SALE

TUESDAY, JUNE 9 ALL CATTLE CLASSES START TIME 9:00 AM W/ WEIGH UPS

TUESDAY, JUNE 16 NO SALE

TUESDAY, JUNE 23 ALL CATTLE CLASSES W/ SHEEP & HORSES START TIME 9:00 AM W/ SHEEP & WEIGH UPS

TUESDAY, JUNE 30 NO SALE

Contact: Riverton Livestock Auction (307) 856-2209 • Jeff Brown (307) 850-4193 • Tom Linn (307) 728-8519 • Mark Winter (580) 747-9436 • www.rivertonlivestock.com • Also watch our live cattle auction at www.cattleusa.com

1490 South 8th Street East • Riverton, WY 82501 • (307) 856-2209