Jul 31, 2021

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Volume 33 Number 14 • July 31, 2021

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

A Look Inside Fires burn across Western states..............................page 5 Scott Sims honored with conservation award..............page 6 Minimize the risk of pregnancy loss in your herd.............page 7 Dick Perue shares tips for starting old tractors..............page 10

Quick Bits USDM Survey As the National Drought Mitigation Center (NDMC) continues to plan for and prioritize products for the U.S Drought Monitor (USDM) website, one recurring topic is the reason behind changes of the current USDM map menu. To understand the needs of stakeholders, NDMC has released a survey to learn which maps hold the most potential. This survey can be found at ssp.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/ SV_0JKUSGAwO6aXpNY.

Loan assistance, ag business planning provided “It’s been a tough year and a half,” said First Interstate Bank’s Market President of South Central Wyoming Victor Robbins. “As community bankers, we do as well as our community does, so we

want to make sure we are doing whatever we can to help our businesses and the producers in the area grow.” Robbins shared information on how First Interstate Bank worked pro-

Olympic Roper Gymnast and team roper Brody Malone, a 21-year-old from Georgia, is currently competing in the Tokyo Olympic Games. Growing up, Malone competed in roping jackpots and junior rodeos, including the National Junior High Finals Rodeo, all while playing baseball and competing in gymnastics. This summer, he won the U.S. Nationals in Fort Worth as well as the Olympic Trials in St. Louis.

Please see LOAN on page 7

COWBOYS SUCCEED AT NHSFR

Eastern Wyoming cowgirl brings home national championship title The National High School Finals Rodeo (NHSFR) just wrapped up at the Lancaster Event Complex in Lincoln, Neb. Many Wyoming high school students had a successful showing at this year’s finals. Among the top competitors, upcoming senior Haiden Thompson of Yoder won the goat tying event with an average time of 23.67 seconds. Thompson beat her next competitor by one-hundredth of a second.

Damages soaring over the $30 million mark were the result of a recent case regarding the American Akaushi Association (AAA) on a failure to deliver services to buyers. Twinwood Cattle Company sued AAA, HeartBrand Holdings and Ronald Beeman, the chairman of both entities, over DNAverified pedigrees for registered cattle bought through HeartBrand.

Starting in August, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will conduct a monthly agricultural yield survey. The information of this survey will help NASS track changes in yields for row crops which can occur due to weather, pests, diseases and other factors from farmers and ranchers in the Mountain Region states of Arizona, Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.

and banking relationships. Loan assistance Throughout the last year, First Interstate Bank has loaned nearly $1.7 billion in Payroll Protection Program (PPP)

Cattle profit

AAA Lawsuit

Crop Data

actively to provide assistance to their clients through tough times in matching financial assistance to agricultural operations and business clients, as well as information related to ag markets

Goat tying champion – Yoder's Haiden Thompson wins the 2021 NHSFR goat tying title with a combined average time of 23.67 seconds. Courtesy photo

While still young, the 17-year-old set big goals heading into the NHSFR. Putting in time at the arena back home, Thompson has been practicing and working hard to achieve these goals. “My goal going into the finals was to make three good, smooth runs that I have been practicing,” Thompson shared. “I ended up doing that and it all worked out.” Thompson won the first go with a time of 7.36 seconds. The second go, she fell behind, but still clocked in at 8.4 seconds. In the finals, Thompson finished in 7.91 seconds. Combined, these times won her the average title. Reflecting on her exciting experience in Lincoln, Thompson explained, “I am most proud that all of my hard work actually paid off. I put countless hours of practice into it all. For it to have finally paid off, I am supper happy.” While Thompson was the one competing, she credits much of her success to others who helped get her to the rodeo. “I was thankful for all of the opportunities I had been given just to be there. I could not have done it without my parents, my siblings or my sponsors,” said Thompson. Although this season has come to a close, Thompson is chasing the same title next year. She is confident her years of practice will help her put in three more smooth runs in next year’s season. Optimistic, she shared, “If it’s not meant the be, it is not meant the be, but if I go and do what I know how to do, then it should surely workout.” Wyoming NHSFR results Thompson was not the only Wyoming contestant Please see NHSFR on page 14

Expertise shared for achieving profitable outcomes in cattle business In early July, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) Extension specialists and educators conducted workshops for farmers and ranchers to achieve more profitable outcomes. UNL Agricultural Business Professors Jay Parsons and Elliot Dennis, as well as Extension Educators Jim Jansen and Randy Saner spoke on several economic topics relating to the cattle industry. Market conditions The primary topic of concern remains making a profit in the cattle industry, despite recent dramatic changes. UNL Assistant Professor Elliot Dennis discussed cattle market conditions, noting, “There are three primary drivers that are really moving prices as we see them – those three drivers are demand, cattle inventories and feed conditions. We are at historic levels of beef demand, both in retail and in exports.” Dennis continued, “Sometimes we have heard the per capita consumption is increasing so demand is increasing.” However, he said this is “fundamentally incorrect.” “In the U.S., we have a Please see PROFIT on page 8

WY mourns death of Sen. Enzi Following the news of former U.S. Sen. Mike Enzi’s passing July 26, many throughout the Cowboy State have mourned the great loss. From 1975-82, Sen. Enzi served as the mayor of Gillette. He was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1997, where he served until his retirement in 2020. Sen. Enzi was a servant leader. Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon shared, “Mike was a friend and a dedicated pubRetired U.S. Sen. Mike Enzi lic servant who cared deeply about Wyoming and its people. His leadership in the Senate was tireless and productive.” Gordon continued, “He was a strong advocate for the state’s interests and was always committed to finding consensus where possible. He understood what is important for America.” Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation President Todd Fornstrom said, “Sen. Enzi represented Wyoming well and gave unstintingly of his time to represent our citizens. He will certainly be missed.” Gordon concluded, “We are all heartbroken by this terrible loss. Jennie and I join the thousands offering their prayers and well wishes for Diana and the family. God Bless you, Mike. Thank you for your service, and Godspeed.”

county fair series

County fairs continue throughout the state Sam Yount and Katelynn Englehart may live 360 miles from each other in complete opposite parts of the state, but they still have one goal – to take quality animals to their respective county fairs. Park County Fair Sam Yount, a 15-year-old from the Powell-Shoshone FFA Chapter, is exhibiting his first black face market lamb this year. Sam’s family has been farming for over 50 years, and his mom and uncle grew up showing in FFA while living in California.

Sam bought his market lamb from a local producer and shared he is excited to show the wether at county fair. “I have spent hours out with my lamb, playing with him and training,” Sam said. Sam’s also been fortunate to have friends that have lent him a hand in learning about his project. “My friends who show sheep have given me advice on showing,” Sam explained. Sam also mentioned he has worked to

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Please see FAIR on page 5


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