June 12, 2021

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Volume 33 Number 7 • June 12, 2021

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

A Look Inside Generational transfer of farms and ranches explained.... ...................................... Page 2 Risk scenario planning tips provided........................ Page 5 Flag Day traditions from 1903 shared........................... Page 6 Good sports help raise funds.. .................................... Page 11

Quick Bits Rabies Tests The Montana Department of Livestock received confirmation of a second rabies case in 2021, as a rabies-infected skunk was captured in Powder River County. In Adams County, Colo., the Colorado Departments of Agriculture and Public Health and Environment confirmed a miniature horse tested positive for rabies – the second case of rabies in domestic livestock in Colorado this year.

JBS cyberattack results in market changes, consumer concerns On May 30, a large cyberattack threatened the JBS meatpacking company. This attack impacted beef markets in the weeks following. Now, nearly two weeks after the hack, industry leaders have been

reflecting on the event. Moments after After the JBS cyberattack, company officials and White House leaders kept information private. “The actual details or inside information has

been very thin, which is totally understandable,” shares Nebraska Cattlemen’s Vice President of Marketing Jeff Stolle in a podcast on NewsRadio 1110 KFAB dated June 2. Stolle continues,

“From what we have been able to gather via various sources within the industry as well as various news sources, it appears that the JBS information technology (IT) systems were Please see JBS on page 11

Opportunities and challenges Beef industry advocates continue work in new administration At the Wyoming Stock Growers Association Wyoming Cattle Industry Convention & Trade Show held in Sheridan June 2-4, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Director of Governmental Affairs Danielle Beck and shared her perspective on challenges and opportunities facing agriculture and the beef industry. “For every challenge, there is an opportunity and for

every opportunity, there is a challenge,” she shared, noting working with new faces in both the White House and Congress present many challenges. However, there is an opportunity to educate every new individual of the work of NCBA membership, the strides beef producers in the U.S. have made in conservation and why beef needs to be Please see BEEF on page 12

Check Points Wyoming and Colorado will likely be coordinating livestock checkpoints this summer. Both states are brand inspection states, and Colorado Brand Commissioner Chris Whitney shared they are hoping to remind people of the brand requirements for everyone’s protection. Whitney said Highway 85 is a likely checkpoint location in coming months.

Rural Jobs The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Justin Maxson unveiled a resource guide to help rural community leaders start and expand employment opportunities and access resources to train, recruit and create a sustainable rural workforce. The guide outlines programs and services available through USDA and helps local entities access resources to create jobs, train talent, expand educational opportunities and provide technical assistance. For more information, visit rd.usda.gov/rwin.

Water Outlook As of June 1, snowpack above 9,000 feet was below average, around 70%, according to Wyoming Natural Resources Conservation Service Hydrologist Jim Fahey. Precipitation totals in Wyoming for May were below average, at about 85%. Overall, reservoir storage for late May was above average at 82%. Statewide stream flow snowmelt for June and July are forecasted to be generally below average, around 70%.

Role of beef – Industry advocates look forward to educating new faces in the administration about the role beef plays in conservation and nutrition in the U.S. Savannah Peterson photo

Summer gains Implants can improve cattle performance With cattle out to pasture, many producers in the region are now focusing on ways to get more growth out of their calves. One of the most efficient ways to put pounds on calves is the use of implants. University of Wyoming James C. Hageman Sustainable Agriculture and Research Extension Center (SAREC) Director and former Wyoming State Beef Extension Specialist Steve Paisley said, “The big reason producers use implants is additional weight gain while grazing. Most of these implants are going to give cattle a pretty significant weight gain.” “Generally, we see a 15 to 20 percent increase in weight gain,” Paisley continued, sharing specific differences in performance. “For example, for cattle gaining two pounds per day grazing summer grass, producers would expect to see something like 2.3 to 2.4 pounds of gain per day on implanted cattle while they are on grass. If this gain is over a summer grazing season, producers could see 30 to 40 pounds of weight gain response to an implant.” While implants make cattle gain weight, there are other variables which Please see IMPLANT on page 4

CNFR returns in 2021 The College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) returns to Casper June 13-19 at the Ford Wyoming Center. Wyoming college rodeo athletes have made the Cowboy State proud throughout the fall and spring rodeo seasons. In fact, two Wyoming-raised athletes top the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association leaderboards. Donny Proffit of Kemmerer leads the nation in bareback riding, and comes to the CNFR with a total of 1,479 points. Big Piney native Karson Bradley is first in the nation in barrel racing with a total of 1,140 points. Both Proffit and Bradley rodeo for the University of Wyoming (UW). The top three athletes from each region qualify to compete at the CNFR. In the saddle bronc riding, Central Rocky Mountain Region qualifiers include Garrett Uptain from UW, and Quinten Taylor and Jack Skavdahl from Casper College. Bareback riding qualifiers are Proffit, Rowdy Moon from Chadron State College and Josh Parker from Otero Junior College. Qualifiers in the bull riding include Quinten Taylor, Coby Johnson from Sheridan College and Stefan Tonita from Laramie County Community College (LCCC). Qualified tie-down ropers are Jase Staudt and Seth Peterson from UW and John Jensen from Eastern Wyoming College. In the steer wrestling, Cauy Pokorny from LCCC, Seth Peterson and Caden Camp from Gillette College qualified. Jase Staudt, Jon Peterson of Gillette College and KelPlease see CNFR on page 4

Wyoming facing hay shortage While Wyoming and other western states are experiencing back-to-back droughts, farmers and ranchers alike have production concerns, including a shortage of quality roughage to feed. With poor pasture and range conditions, producers are left worrying about decisions like keeping enough hay, while also producing enough hay to sell. “There’s a shortage of quality hay right now because there’s no carry over of inventory due to the really cold winter,” said Kelly Burch, a Casper rancher and member of the Casper-Alcova Irrigation District.

As the cost of production steadily rises, consumer hay prices will likely increase. “It costs so much to produce hay right now,” Burch continued. “Every input this year has gone up, specifically fertilizer, fuel costs, repair parts and machinery.” Along with an increased cost of production, an expected increase in hay demand this fall will also contribute to a rise in consumer hay prices. Summer 2021 The persistent drought over much of Wyoming has also changed water usage

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Please see HAY on page 10


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June 12, 2021 by Wyoming Livestock Roundup - Issuu