Volume 33 Number 10 • July 3, 2021
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The Weekly News Source for Wyoming’s Ranchers, Farmers and AgriBusiness Community • www.wylr.net
A Look Inside Wyoming Beef Council celebrates 50 years............. Page 5 UW Extension hosts a successful inaugural ranch management camp.............. Page 6 Beef sustainability research is discussed ..................... Page 8 Irrigation pattern options can provide optimal water usage..... .................................... Page 15
Quick Bits Fourth of July The Wyoming Livestock Roundup office will be closed Monday, July 5 in observance of the Fourth of July holiday. We wish you and your families safe travels and a happy Fourth of July.
State Fair The Wyoming State Fair is excited to announce tickets for entry and all events were available beginning July 1. This includes all grandstand entertainment, as well as carnival wristbands and admission. Wyoming State Fair Manager Courtny Conkle says, “We’re thrilled to welcome back fair-goers to the 109th Wyoming State Fair.” Tickets are available for purchase online at wystatefair. com. Keep an eye out for the Wyoming State Fair and Rodeo Guide in an upcoming Roundup!
UW sheep specialist tasked with supplement research University of Wyoming (UW) Assistant Professor and Extension Sheep Specialist Dr. Whit Stewart was recently asked by a scientific journal to contribute to the findings of sheep supplementation. The review paper
he submitted in response is a summary of all international research, along with some of UW’s own research data on mineral supplementation for sheep. “It was prestigious to be asked to be an authorita-
tive resource in this certain field,” says Stewart. Supplementing sheep is a much more difficult task in the western U.S., compared to the Midwest and Southeast. In the West, sheep graze diverse land-
scapes with various soil types and plant communities. Whereas in the Midwest and Southeast, sheep have simple diets with a few ingredients, so it’s easier in those circumstances to crePlease see UW on page 7
fighting for western water
Sen. Barrasso’s proposed bill helps Wyo water infrastructure On June 23, U.S. Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) introduced the Western Water Infrastructure Act of 2021. The act, introduced by the Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, is aimed to help the western states during drought by authorizing funding to eliminate infrastructure maintenance backlog. Barrasso explains, “Water is the lifeblood of everything we do in Wyoming. From cattle ranch-
ing to energy exploration to recreation, it’s critical to our lives and our livelihoods.” Water is one of the most important natural resources to the state, and Barrasso is a key leader in addressing the shortage the country is facing. “My legislation will fix aging irrigation systems and storage infrastructure so Americans have access to a clean, reliable supply of water. I will Please see WATER on page 4
Grapes in WY The Growing Grapes in Wyoming Symposium in Sheridan is the first event of a three-year effort to provide specialized education for cultivating grapes in Wyoming. The event will be held Aug. 20-21 at the University of Wyoming’s Sheridan Research and Extension Center. The symposium will focus on the management of grapes at the end of the growing season into harvest. For more information or to register, visit bit. ly/WYGrapes2021.
U.S. Drought For the contiguous 48 states, the U.S. Drought Monitor showed 47.18% of the area in moderate drought or worse, compared with 47.66% a week earlier. Drought now affects 80,463,065 people, compared with 91,352,228 a week earlier. For all 50 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, the U.S. Drought Monitor showed 39.53% of the area in moderate drought or worse, compared with 39.88% a week earlier. Drought now affects 81,099,064 people, compared with 92,003,837 a week earlier.
Averi Hales photo
Grazing review Former sheep allotments reviewed for cattle use Sublette County – Five years ago, a historic sheep ranching family retired its grazing permits on the Upper Green River, after being bought out by a group to reduce contact between domestic sheep and native Bighorn sheep high in the Gros Ventre and Wind River ranges. The Thomans held permits for four areas – the Elk Ridge, Lime Creek, Rock Creek and Tosi Creek grazing allotments in the Pinedale Ranger District of the BridgerTeton National Forest (BTNF). They agreed to a buyout led by the Wyoming Wild Sheep Foundation – neither the first nor the last to retire their U.S. Forest Service sheep grazing permits. The proposal to turn the Thomans’ former sheep rangelands into new cattle allotments was announced by Pinedale – and acting Big Piney – District Ranger Rob Hoelscher on June 6. Allotment review The proposed Elk Ridge Complex Rangeland Please see USFS on page 8
CoANR looks to the future The University of Wyoming (UW) College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CoANR) has many current projects and new programs rolling out to continue supporting Wyoming agriculture and rural communities. In spite of budget cuts, CoANR Dean Barbara Rasco shared the college is making headway with new facilities for the UW rodeo team, implementing blockchain, featuring UW research centers and planning the new ranch management program. Overcoming budget cuts For this next year, the UW CoANR took a $1.7 million budget cut, which Rasco explained is in line with budget decreases seen in other colleges across the UW campus. Stating the biggest concern is student enrollment, Rasco said, “We expect to see a lot of students return to the college in the fall, and if energy prices come back, the tax base in the state would be a little better.” The college has looked into some federal programs to help support their operations, but none have been implemented at this point. “We’ve been able to be strategic within the CoANR to focus on our core areas of student success, community engagement and supporting Wyoming agriculture and rural community vitality and health,” Rasco shared. “We are able to absorb some cuts without substantial impact to our programs, but if there is another cut, it will be hard to manage through it.” Laramie facilities One of the recent focuses has been to improve and expand facilities in Laramie, including facilities for the rodeo Please see CoANR on page 6
county fair series
Burkett brothers strive for success The Central Wyoming Fair is set to kick off July 9 in Casper as the first county fair in Wyoming. In preparation, many 4-H and FFA members are putting the finishing touches on their livestock projects. Whether it’s raising lambs, rinsing steers or driving hogs, the Burkett brothers are no strangers to the livestock industry in central Wyoming. Family affair The oldest, 15-year-old Garrett and 12-year-old Gage, are patiently waiting
for ring time to show off this summer’s hard work. Garrett has been showing for six years, while Gage has shown for four years. While the brothers are seasoned veterans, they can find their younger brother, seven-year-old Grayden, ringside at shows ready to give high fives. Garrett, Gage and Grayden have followed in their parents’ footsteps when it comes to showing livestock, as both of their parents, Jeremy and Karen Burkett,
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Please see BURKETT on page 9