May 7, 2022

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Volume 34 Number 2 • May 7, 2022

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

A Look Inside ASI president discusses ongoing commitment to sheep industry........... .................................................Page 2 Dick Perue shares old-timer’s advice .................................................Page 6 Weekly classifieds highlight businesses and ads................. Page 8-10 Lee Pitts describes real types of cowboys....................................... Page 12

Quick Bits SWE Report Currently, Wyoming’s snowpack/Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) is 100% of median, with a basin high of 126% in the Tongue Basin and a basin low of 70% in the Lower Green Basin. Last year the state SWE was at 86% of median and at 88% in 2020. This report and map displaying basin percentages of median for the state can be found at wrds.uwyo.edu/wrds/nrcs/ snowmap/snowmap.html.

Representatives review 2018 Farm Bill and SNAP Washington, D.C. – The House Agriculture Committee held a hearing April 28 to review the 2018 Farm Bill and discuss the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which accounts for roughly

80 percent of the farm bill’s budget. U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Stacy Dean mentions approximately 43 million

individuals receive SNAP benefits and the annual cost is estimated at $127 billion. “SNAP participation is linked to better health, education and employment outcomes,” she says. “About 70 percent of SNAP recip-

ients are children, older Americans or adults with disabilities.” SNAP overview Chairman David Scott (D-GA) recognizes SNAP as one of the most impactful Please see FARM BILL on page 11

Historic Hearing House Agriculture Committee examines unfair practices in cattle markets

Washington, D.C. – The U.S. House Agriculture Committee held a legislative hearing April 27 to discuss price discrepancies, transparency and alleged unfair practices in cattle markets. “We’re holding this critical hearing to discuss cattle markets, concentration in the meatpacking industry and allegations the big four meatpackers have partaken in unfair practices which have driven down prices for cattle producers and have left distorted markets,” says Rep. David Scott (D-GA), chairman of the committee. “Over half a million ranchers have gone out of business since the 80s and this threatens the food security of our great nation.”

Witness testimonies During the hearing, three witnesses gave their testimonies. “Rural America is under attack by the greed and corruption of the big four,” says Coy Young, fourth-generation cow/calf producer. “For years the packing industry has been concentrated more and more, with fewer large mega plants to process our proteins.” Young defends the cattle industry by saying, “The big four packers have manipulated the system with their alternative marketing agreements (AMAs) with huge, corporate owned feedyards controlling 87 percent of the fed beef in this Please see HEARING on page 5

Working Group The Upper Green River Basin Sage Grouse Working Group will hold a meeting from 1-5 p.m. May 16 at the Sublette County Conservation District conference room (217 Country Club Lane in Pinedale) or virtually via Teams at bit.ly/3vYkheu. The local working group will be discussing the allocation of funds for projects to implement their sage grouse conservation plan.

Food Security National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) CEO Ted McKinney publicly supports the Biden administration’s announcement of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Agency for International Development taking the extraordinary step to draw down the full balance of the Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust as part of an effort to provide $670 million in food assistance to countries in need. “NASDA applauds the administration for stepping up to enhance food security around the globe,” he says.

CRP Signup On May 3, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture is accepting more than two million acres in offers from agricultural producers and landowners through the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) general signup – the first of the program’s multiple signups occurring in 2022.

WYLR photo

WWGA welcomes Alison Crane Wyoming Wool Growers Association (WWGA) President Regan Smith is pleased to announce sheep specialist Alison Crane has been selected as the organization’s next executive director. Crane’s background in small ruminant science, combined with a passion for working with sheep producers and promoting the sheep industry, will help further advance the mission of the association as it celebrates its 117th year of representing the state’s sheep and wool producers. “The WWGA board is so thrilled to have found Alison Crane amongst the many applicants for the execuAlison Crane tive director opening,” Smith said. “Her burning personal desire to get to the Mountain West, to making the most of her education and her love of the sheep industry, is a perfect match for what we need to continue our growth in the WWGA.” When Crane assumes the role in July, she will serve as the public face and spokesperson for the organization and will manage its day-to-day functions, including serving as WWGA’s primary contact with key partners, agency staff and governmental leaders. “I could not be more excited to take part in the legacy of premier wool and sheep production in the state of Wyoming. It’s an honor to be chosen to work with and support the producers in this state,” Crane stated. Please see WWGA on page 4

Upcoming convention WSGA set to celebrate 150 year anniversary Cheyenne – The state of Wyoming and the ranching community are looking forward to celebrating the Wyoming Stock Growers Association (WSGA) 150th Anniversary Celebration June 8-11. The celebration’s theme is “Celebrating our Past – Empowering our Future.” Several highlights will include a chuckwagon dinner and rodeo, ranchers’ roundup banquet and celebration, a downtown parade and proclamation signing, in addition to general sessions and meetings. Preliminary agenda On June 8, registration opens at 1 p.m., followed by a U.S. Department of Agriculture Ag Research Station tour or a Beef Quality Assurance training at 2 p.m. There will be a Young Producers Assembly (YPA) meeting during the same time frame. At 5 p.m., the festivities will kick off with an opening reception at the King Ranch. An action-packed day is planned for June 9, with registration opening at 6:30 a.m. followed by a breakfast. The day will then begin Please see WSGA on page 4

Smiths hold final WYO Quarter Horse Sale

The WYO Quarter Horse Sale has been known as an elite, arena, ranch-broke gelding and Quarter Horse production sale for 39 years. Bill and Carole Smith started the sale in 1983 and have hosted 59 sales over the years. They will hold their final sale on May 21 in Thermopolis. Love for horses Bill grew up with horses and found a special interest in saddle bronc riding. He rode professionally for 20 years. Bill won the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association World Championship in 1969, 1971 and 1973. “Horses have always been a big part of Bill’s life,” says Carole.

Carole grew up on a dairy farm where her dad always made sure she had horses to ride. “I would ride them bareback,” she says. “I was always with my horses, and when I got older I became interested in competing in barrel racing.” She participated in barrel racing throughout her high school and college years and barrel raced professionally. Bill and Carole met through these competitions, and their shared passion for horses created a bond between them. First sale Bill and Carole decided starting a sale of their own would be a better idea than taking their horses to other sales.

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Please see SALE on page 4


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