Collegiate rodeo athletes conclude season with

impressive showing at CNFR

Casper – June 17 marked the official end of the 2022-23 collegiate rodeo season, as elite athletes from across the nation gathered in the Ford Wyoming Center to compete among the best of the best at the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR).

Eleven cowboys and cowgirls representing colleges from coast to coast were crowned as national champions in nine events including saddle bronc rid-

WSGA adopts new policies

Riverton – On the last day of their 2023 Summer Cattle Industry Convention and Trade Show, the Wyoming Stock Growers Association (WSGA) adopted a handful of new policies for the coming year.

The new policies are listed below.

Conservation and landscape health

Whereas the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) “Conservation BLM and Landscape Health” rule, threatening the multiple-use mandate, released a proposal for the management of federal lands;

Whereas this rule was admittedly developed without any input from state and local governments and the multiple use community including livestock grazing;

Whereas this rule directly violates the Federal Land Policy Management Act and was developed without compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act;

Therefore be it resolved WSGA calls on the BLM to withdraw this proposed rule;

And, be it further resolved WSGA supports strong Congressional efforts to prohibit implementation of the rule.

Traceability

Whereas WSGA recognizes the critical role an appropriate traceability system can contribute to assuring the health of our cattle herd and marketability of our high-quality beef;

Whereas a national electronic identification (EID) system, if properly developed with producer input, can best achieve these goals;

Therefore be it resolved WSGA will support development of a voluntary EID system which provides maximum ing, bareback riding, bull riding, tie-down roping, team roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing, breakaway roping and goat tying.

Saddle bronc riding

Following a first-place finish in the first round with an 84-point ride and a second-place finish in the third round with an 80.5-point ride, Quintin

Please see CNFR on page 9

“We are happy to announce an 8.5 percent pay increase has been approved for our local brand inspectors, and I would like to thank the board and Gov. Mark Gordon for the brand inspectors’ compensation increase,” he stated.

True further informed the board, “Future legislative topics to be discussed this fall include changes in indemnity rates, reimbursement rates for quarantined livestock and the hide inspection statute. The next Joint Agriculture Committee meeting will be held in Pinedale in early September.”

True proposed two action items for board

County Fair Series

Weston County fair stirs excitement

Fair week is right around the corner for Weston County exhibitors. The anticipation to step out in the ring and show off months worth of hard work is building throughout the community, and many exhibitors are working harder than ever for the week they look forward to most every summer.

Whether it is livestock, horses or even dogs, participants in Weston County are beyond excited to kick off fair week.

First-time exhibitor Tyler Stith states, “I am most excited for showing off my two heifers, which I have been working with all year, and I’m excited to show off what I have built on all year.”

Tyler has received countless hours of mentoring throughout the process of preparing his projects for fair week, including one-on-one instruction with family members and attending showing camps.

Tyler’s excitement motivates him to continue being a competitive force in coming years.

Aidan Butler, another Weston

Sage grouse are making big news again out in the hills of Wyoming, as the U.S. Department of Interior and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) are rewriting management rules for the species.

For those who are involved in the businesses of ranching, energy, mining or recreation, these new management rules may cause Wyoming and other Western states some new regulations.

I don’t want to sound negative, but the current administration has not done any favors for the West since they have been in power.

The government has been developing new rules for months, and now they are saying these new regulations are coming soon.

Wyoming was the first state to aggressively develop a management plan in hopes of keeping sage grouse from being listed on the Endangered Species Act, and other Western states used this plan as a template while adopting their own plans.

Most other states were not as aggressive as Wyoming, but don’t forget, Wyoming has more sage grouse than any other state. A listing could really hurt large portions of Wyoming.

Around 2007, a broad stakeholder group – the Sage Grouse Implementation Team (SGIT) – was established and tasked with developing a regulatory mechanism for the protection and management of sage grouse and its habitat in Wyoming.

SGIT established core areas with some restrictions, and the state of Wyoming and the BLM approved these core areas, all of which contained private, state and federal lands.

At the time, landowners across the state were really not aware of what was happening with their private lands.

I woke up one morning and realized my whole ranch was painted green on a map as a core area. I didn’t feel I had any part of the decisions being made on my private lands, but realizing the threat of a listing, I didn’t contest the action. I just wish someone would have contacted me and explained what was happening on my private lands.

Currently, the state is going through this same process to develop new core areas and to try to influence the government not to force more sage grouse restrictions on the state.

I applaud SGIT for their proactive approach in keeping sage grouse from being listed, but I wish landowners would have been kept more in the know of what was being planned with their private lands.

The first map that surfaced showed a large number of new core areas, which really concerned landowners of their possible loss of rights. Instead of focusing on sage grouse, private lands rights have taken over as the main topic for discussion.

The second map, which came out June 15, showed a lot less of the new core areas and does not affect as many landowners.

Public comments will be accepted through June 28 on the topic, and SGIT will meet in Lander July 6 to consider these comments.

The third and final map is supposed to be approved by SGIT on July 7 in Lander, following the comment session on July 6 and will be released following this meeting.

For some landowners, trust has eroded with SGIT and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. Now, instead of partnering up, it is an “us against them” situation.

Either way, if it is the U.S. or state government, private landowners aren’t going to win with sage grouse.

Wyoming Livestock Roundup

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All are Invited to the Wyoming Sheep and Wool Festival

By Alison Crane, Wyoming Wool Growers Association

The Wyoming Wool Growers Association (WWGA), Wyoming SHEEP Foundation and the Wyoming Wool Initiative would like to invite everyone to the First Annual Wyoming Sheep and Wool Festival in Kemmerer June 30-July 2.

This is gearing up to be an exciting event to celebrate the sheep and wool industries and give the public the chance to experience firsthand what it’s like to be a sheepherder. The event is free to everyone.

Festival commences on June 30

On June 30, the festival will commence with a self-guided driving tour of the local sheep trails from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. – a map will be provided in the festival program and on the website.

At 4 p.m., events will move to the South Lincoln Training and Event Center, starting with a range talk from University of Wyoming (UW) Extension Educator Barton Stam, leading into the opening reception, which will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a juried Art and Woolcraft Show.

The opening reception will feature freshly roasted lamb and other sides, as well as a walk through of art for the public to decide on a People’s Choice Award and a Children’s Choice Award.

Also during the reception, beginning at 6:30 p.m., a historical, multigenerational sheepherder panel will discuss the industry – from changes over the generations to the daily challenges they face as Western range sheep ranchers.

Activities continue on July 1

The Vendor Fair will kick things off on July 1 at the Triangle Park in downtown Kemmerer from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. There will be educational and interactive demonstration booths, as well as product vendors. A list of vendors in attendance will be provided on the website.

The Art and Woolcraft Show will also open at 9 a.m. in the South Lincoln Training and Event Center for the public to view and vote, while also surveying for the silent auction later that evening.

The first educational program for the day, “Lamb. It’s What’s For Dinner,” a lamb cooking demonstration from UW Meat Scientists Warrie

Brucellosis confirmed

The Wyoming State Veterinarian received confirmation from the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, seven cattle originating in a herd from Sweetwater County were positive for brucellosis.

The brucellosis-positive cattle, also known as reactors, were initially identified at the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory (WSVL) in Laramie. The herd was identified on a routine slaughter sample submitted as part of Wyoming’s voluntary custom slaughter brucellosis surveillance program. The sample indicated a possible brucellosis reactor, prompting testing of the herd.

Although the herd is located in Sweetwater County, there are several links to Wyoming’s Designated Surveillance Area (DSA), where a brucellosis reservoir in elk persists.

The Wyoming Livestock Board (WLSB), in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is conducting an epidemiologic investigation into the source of the herd’s brucellosis exposure.

A quarantine was placed on the herd following the results from WSVL. The herd will remain under quarantine until required testing has been completed under a brucellosis-affected herd plan. The brucellosis reactor cattle will be necropsied at WSVL for further diagnostic testing.

An epidemiologic investigation is underway, with further testing in the herd of origin and contact herds planned. Preliminary investigation suggests the brucellosis exposure originally occurred within the Wyoming DSA.

The investigation is a cooperative effort between herd owners, WLSB and USDA-APHIS. Epidemiologic tracing will be conducted in coming weeks by both WLSB and USDA-APHIS personnel.

For further information, contact Dr. Hallie Hasel at 307840-1389, the WLSB office at 307-777-7515 or e-mail lsbbrucellosis-mitigation@wyo.gov.

USDA accepting applications

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) is accepting applications from U.S. exporters for a trade mission to Santiago, Chile.

During the week of Sept. 25-29, U.S. agribusinesses will participate in business-to-business meetings with potential importers from both Chile and Peru.

The trade mission will coincide with the USDAendorsed Espacio Food and Service Trade Show –Chile’s major food show and a significant gateway to the Latin American market, offering additional networking opportunities for U.S. participants.

In addition to conducting business-to-business meetings, trade mission participants will also have an opportunity to receive detailed market briefings from FAS staff and local and regional industry experts. The event will include receptions and other opportunities to network, engagements with USDA leadership and relevant site and retail visits in Santiago and the surrounding area.

Strong opportunities exist for exporters across many sectors, including but not limited to, alcoholic beverages, animal protein, cheese, consumer-oriented products, dog and cat food, ingredients for processing, tree nuts and wheat.

To apply, visit fas.usda.gov. The deadline to apply is July 5.

Annual sheep festival scheduled

Sheep have been trailing through the Wood River Valley of Idaho for well over a century and a half and are an integral part of Idaho’s Western heritage. The iconic Trailing of the Sheep Festival, to be held Oct 4-8, celebrates the sheep, herders, history and food of this unique cultural tradition and is recognized as one of the top 10 fall festivals in the world by msn.com

Each fall, the Trailing of the Sheep Festival honors the 150-plus year annual tradition of moving sheep from high mountain summer pastures down through the valley to traditional winter grazing and lambing areas in the South.

This annual migration is living history and the focus of a unique and authentic festival celebrating the people, arts, cultures and traditions of Idaho’s sheep ranching families, highlighting the principal contributors – the Basques, Scottish and Peruvians.

The five-day festival includes nonstop activities in multiple venues – history, folk arts, an authentic Sheep Folklife Fair, lamb culinary offerings, a wool fest with classes and workshops, music, storytelling, national qualifying sheepdog trials and the always entertaining, Big Sheep Parade with 1,500 sheep hoofing it down Main Street in Ketchum.

For the detailed schedule, tickets and lodging deals, visit trailingofthesheep.org

Hunting quota raised

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) has proposed to boost its mountain lion hunting quotas by approximately 50 percent in two Western Wyoming mountain ranges where mule deer populations were decimated by winter.

Draft regulations were released by the state agency on June 13 to increase the maximum numbers of cats which can be killed in four Wyoming and Salt River range hunt areas from 46 to 70 animals total.

The hike comes after numerous big game hunting outfitters and guides pressured WGFD officials to go after lions, bears and coyotes in the wake of an especially deadly winter for mule deer.

FSA accepting nominations

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is now accepting nominations for county committee members for elections occurring later this year. Additionally, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is unveiling a new geographic information systems (GIS) tool to make it easier for producers to participate in the nomination and election processes for county committee members, who make important decisions on how federal farm programs are administered locally.

All nomination forms for the 2023 election must be postmarked or received in the local FSA office by Aug. 1. Elections will occur in certain Local Administrative Areas (LAA) for members. LAAs are elective areas for FSA committees in a single county or multi-county jurisdiction, and they may include LAAs focused on an urban or suburban area.

Customers can locate their LAA through a new GIS locator tool available at fsa.usda.gov/elections

Agricultural producers may be nominated for candidacy for the county committee if they participate or cooperate in a USDA program and reside in the LAAs up for election this year.

A cooperating producer is someone who has provided information about their farming or ranching operation to FSA, even if they have not applied or received program benefits. Individuals may also nominate themselves or others, and qualifying organizations may also nominate candidates. USDA encourages minority producers, women and beginning farmers or ranchers to nominate, vote and hold office.

Producers should contact their local FSA office today to register and find out how to get involved in their county’s election, including if their LAA is up for election this year.

Other information about FSA county committee elections is available at fsa.usda.gov/elections. Election ballots will be mailed to eligible voters beginning Nov. 6.

UW runs festival programming

The University of Wyoming (UW) Extension and Wyoming Wool Initiative have partnered with the Wyoming Wool Growers Association to provide programming on the science, art and practice of Wyoming sheep and wool production.

UW Extension programs will be held in Kemmerer June 30-July 1 at the inaugural Wyoming Sheep and Wool Festival.

Programs will take place at the South Lincoln Training and Events Center and the Kemmerer Downtown Triangle.

On June 30 at 4 p.m., Extension Educator Barton Stam will discuss sheep grazing and its benefits in promoting ecological diversity and providing ecosystem services.

On July 1 at 10:30 a.m., UW Meat Scientists Warrie Means, PhD, and Cody Gifford, PhD, will present various lamb cuts and preparation options. Participants will also enjoy some savory samples.

In the afternoon, Whit Stewart, PhD, and John Kane, a third-generation livestock dealer from Madison, Wis., will provide insights on non-traditional market channels. The session will conclude with a question and answer panel discussion with Stewart, Kane and other regional experts.

Stewart and UW sheep program students will also host a wool learning kiosk and hand-spinning fleece auction at the Kemmerer Triangle. Interactive displays will allow festival attendees to learn more about the unique, eco-friendly qualities of wool fiber.

UW Extension programing will conclude with the Sheepherders Come Bye, an annual celebration of Wyomingʼs sheep industry sponsored by Wyoming Wool Initiative. A lamb dinner and awards ceremony for Wyoming wool growers and sheep producers begins at 6 p.m., followed by live music and dancing.

Tickets for the lamb dinner can be purchased at bit.ly/ come-by-2023. All other Extension programming is free and open to the public.

For more information about the festival, visit wyomingsheepandwoolfestival.com

USDA purchases grapes

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a $39 million purchase of table grapes for feeding programs and schools.

A 65-page document was published by the agency detailing produce businesses that won awards for the grape purchase.

The agency said the grapes will be used for distribution to child nutrition and other related domestic food assistance programs for Fiscal Year 2023, which extends through the end of September.

The grapes were purchased on FOB destination basis, according to the document, with deliveries to be made from July 31 through Dec. 13 this year.

USDA said the total volume purchased is 1.95 million 19-pound cartons, with a price range from $15.37 to $26.97 per carton. The entire grape purchase totals $39.26 million, according to the purchase summary.

California’s Proposition 12 (Prop 12) could have a negative impact on future pork prices.

On May 11, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of Prop 12, banning the sale of pork in California from farms anywhere in the U.S. where breeding pigs or their immediate offspring are confined.

The law further states female pigs kept for the purpose of breeding, who are at least six months old or pregnant, must have at least 24 square feet of usable floor space per pregnant pig, according to the U.S. Supreme Court website.

Prop 12

Prop 12 bans the instate production and sale from any source of meat not produced to the law’s specifications, which defines not only the type of animal production systems allowed, but also the technical details required for compliant systems.

Pork prices appear volatile following implementation of Prop 12

The California law is not new – it was enacted on Jan. 1, 2022. However, it will be enforced by Dec. 31, as the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) agreed this week, to postpone the change from July 1 to Dec. 31, to allow for a smoother transition for the entire pork industry.

Those who propose Prop 12 claim the law was pushed by animal rights groups, not because they wanted compliant pork sold in California, but because they don’t want any pork sold in California.

CDFA acknowledges some products procured before July 1 will still be in circulation and there will be a transition period throughout the rest of the year.

Darcy Fitzgerald, executive director of Alberta Pork, stated, “There’s a lot of uncertainty and confusion as the law comes into effect on July 1, and it is unclear what this means in terms of what pork will be allowed into California and what will be banned.”

This raises the concern pork will become limited in California while supplies intended for California will pile up across the U.S. in need of a buyer.

Hours after the Supreme Court’s decision, U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) proclaimed the decision was “an attack on our breakfast” and declared the judgment was a “major blow to the pork and ag sector.”

Pork outlook

On June 7, at the World Pork Expo in Des Moines, Iowa, Partners for Production Agriculture Economist Steve Meyer, PhD, conveyed a bleak message, “Don’t expect 2023 to be a profitable year, and 2024 is likely to be difficult as well.”

“Production costs have entered a new era, and they aren’t likely to go back,” said Meyer.

He noted he believes the upcoming U.S. Department of Agriculture Hogs and Pigs Report, published at the end of June, will reflect reduced supplies.

Meyer added, “Half of the current pork products going to California can’t go there, so it’s going to have to go somewhere else.”

“Prices will soar in California, while the surplus in the rest of the U.S. will hammer values, creating prices to fall in order to clear the market,” he continued, further stating it is a fundamental market principle.

Meyer estimated pork cut-out values – the price of the meat leaving the packing plant – will fall in the U.S. $10 to $15 per hundredweight. This is an alarming position for hog farmers, who already took a loss on the hog market.

“While prices don’t look terrible compared to recent years, cost of feed, grain and labor have soared in the past two years, causing an enormous squeeze on farmer profitability,” Meyer reiterated.

On a positive note, for producers, there is potential for growth in Central and South America.

“Exports are up eight percent already for 2023, this is encouraging for the industry, but it won’t be enough to get producers to strong profitability levels,” Meyer concluded.

Industry pushback

According to Scott Hays, National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) president and Missouri pork producer, “We are very disappointed with the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling, allowing state overreach. It will increase prices for consumers and drive small farms out of business, leading to more consolidation.”

However, he further noted NPPC will continue to fight for U.S. pork farmers against these mis- guided regulations.

Other advocates, including Pro Farmer Policy Analyst Jim Wiesemeyer, stated, “The ruling could force pork producers to implement costly changes to keep selling in the country’s most populous state.”

Some out-of-state producers who choose to comply with Prop 12 may incur new costs, and the cost to comply with the new ruling could cost the pork industry $290 million to $350 million, according to Wiesemeyer.

The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to uphold Prop 12, regulating space given to breeding pigs and their offspring, could create hardships for both pork producers and consumers and possibly have a negative impact on animal health.

Melissa Anderson is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

2023 YCC program wraps up

During the second week of June, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Young Cattlemen’s Conference (YCC) program concluded its successful relaunch after a three-year hiatus. This year’s class included 71 leaders from across the nation and every segment of the beef industry.

After nine days of intensive leadership training and a five-city tour, which showcased every facet of the beef industry, these leaders completed their trip with a full day of representation in Washington, D.C.

The event, which is sponsored by Corteva Agriscience, Elanco, Farm Credit, Five Rivers Cattle Feeding, John Deere, Tyson and NCBA, is designed to give participants exposure to the full supply chain. Completion of YCC prepares participants to serve as leaders within their state associations, in addition to being advocates for NCBA and the beef community.

“Over the past nine days, each member of the class has had the opportunity to better understand the cattle and beef industries and the complex relationships representing the industry today. In addition, each of us has made connections and had experiences which will benefit us now and in the future. The leadership skills and the knowledge we’ve gained will allow each of us to continue on our leadership journey and provide us with ways we can give back to the industry we love,” said 2023 YCC Chair Jake Feddes, a Montana cattle producer.

“Visiting the offices of our elected officials in Washington, D.C. to advocate for the issues affecting us was particularly meaningful for our class, and we’re proud of the impact we had on Capitol Hill,” he continued. “After spending time with each of these talented individuals, I’m absolutely confident the future of the beef industry is bright.” protection against the disclosure of EID information to any outside parties and its use for any purpose other than disease traceability except as authorized by the owner of the livestock and is compatible with the use of the same radio frequency identification tags for cattle marketing purposes unrelated to animal health.

Water right transfers

Whereas Wyoming water law and Wyoming Court decisions are clear any transfer of a water right to a different beneficial use and any change in the point of diversion of a water right must not injuriously affect the rights of other appropriators;

Whereas transfers can result in a significant permanent loss of available water for agricultural production;

Therefore be it resolved WSGA opposes any such transfers or changes not preceded by open public meetings, consultation with potentially affected appropriators and careful analysis of potential impacts by the state engineer.

Elk populations

Whereas elk populations in many areas of Wyoming far exceed population objectives by more than the 20 percent recognized to accommodate statistical uncertainty;

Whereas excessive elk populations are occupying ranges critical for deer and other ungulate populations, thereby diminishing the health and productivity of these populations;

Whereas forage competition from elk is forcing ranchers to reduce livestock numbers and seasons of use in order to protect the health of the rangelands;

Whereas elk feedgrounds and other supplemental feeding, while critical to reducing brucellosis risk by maintaining separation between elk and cattle, are diminished in effectiveness while becoming far more costly due to the excess populations;

Whereas excess elk populations grazing on private lands constitute an unlawful “taking” of private property;

Therefore be it resolved WSGA calls upon the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission (WGFC) to aggressively employ all tools available to them to restore and maintain elk populations at or below population objectives;

And, be it further resolved the Wyoming Legislature take steps to provide WGFC with any additional tools and funding needed to achieve these reductions within a period not to exceed two years.

For a complete list of WSGA policies, visit wysga.org.