July, 8 2023

Groundbreaking farming technology developed by Wyoming resident utilizes humates Page 4

Sweet clover provides excellent forage with proper precautions in place Page 7

Value of sagebrush control in sage grouse conservation studied at UW Page 14

National Rambouillet Sale results provided Page 15

Quick Bits

WLSB Rule

On June 28, Gov. Mark Gordon approved the Wyoming Livestock Board’s (WLSB) Emergency Chapter Six rules for brucellosis risk mitigation activities and compensation. Emergency rules are in effect no longer than 120 days. Rules can be viewed at rules.wyo.gov

WGA Chair

At the close of the Western Governors’ Association (WGA) 2023 Annual Meeting June 28, Gov. Mark Gordon was elected by his fellow governors as chairman. As the new chair, Gordon identified carbon capture utilization and sequestration (CCUS) as his chair’s initiative. This initiative will explore how CCUS technologies can position Western states at the forefront of emerging carbon markets and reduce the effects of carbon emissions on the environment.

BLM Event

On July 28, the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Wheatland Corral will offer up to 30 untrained wild horses and burros for adoption. Those interested can preview the animals starting at 8 a.m. until the competitive auction begins at 9 a.m. Bids will start at $125. Animals not placed during the auction will be available on a first come, first served basis until 12 p.m. for the standard adoption or sales fee. For more information or to get preapproved to adopt, visit wildhorsesonline.blm.gov/

StreamStats

The U.S. Geologic Survey (USGS) and Wyoming Water Development Office (WWDO) have partnered to develop the publicly available StreamStats tool for the state of Wyoming, which will be released this month. USGS will hold a workshop on its use July 12 at 1 p.m. at the WWDO conference room in Cheyenne with a virtual option available.

Experts remind public to avoid HCBs in Wyoming water sources

As summer temperatures rise and residents head to local waters to cool off and relax with friends and family, the Wyoming Department of Environmental Qual-

ity (WDEQ) and other state officials want to remind the public to avoid harmful cyanobacterial blooms (HCBs), report suspected blooms to WDEQ and report bloom-

related illnesses to the Wyoming Department of Health.

The Wyoming Livestock Board also reminds the public to protect pets and animals from HCBs by reduc-

ing exposure, identifying symptoms and reporting any HCB-related illnesses.

What are HCBs?

According to the WDEQ

Please see HCB on page 5

Wyoming Sheep and Wool Festival

Flexible operation

Skavdahl Ranch featured in Nebraska Stocker-Yearling Tour

The biggest decision ranchers have to make when faced with drought is to sell cows or buy feed, but the best decision is to create a simple drought plan by building a flexible cattle operation.

One flexible solution is running a stocker-yearling drought program, which gives producers the ultimate flexibility for grazing.

Implementing a stocker-yearling program

Building a stocker-yearling program for an existing cattle operation is an option which provides flexibility without sacrificing capital or genetics.

UW Extension outlines benefits of sheep grazing during inaugural event

Kemmerer – The Wyoming Wool Growers Association and Wyoming SHEEP Foundation hosted the firstever Wyoming Sheep and Wool Festival June 30-July 2 to celebrate the state’s sheep industry.

Festivities over the three-day event included an art show and reception, a panel discussion, a sheep trailing tour, a vendor fair, a dinner party, dancing with live music and educational programming provided by the University of Wyoming (UW).

Hot Springs County Extension Educator Barton Stam kicked off UW’s programming on June 30 with

Lamb-A-Year awards presented

Kemmerer – During the Sheepherders Come Bye, an annual celebration of Wyoming’s sheep industry, sponsored by the Wyoming Wool Initiative and held on July 1 during the inaugural Wyoming Sheep and Wool Festival, University of Wyoming (UW) Extension recognized award winners through their Lamb-A-Year program.

This year’s program featured lambs from 23 donors across the state.

The lambs had a collective average daily gain (ADG) of 0.45 during the backgrounding phase and an average ADG of 0.7 during the finishing phase.

Additionally, the lambs had an average hot carcass weight of 74.3 pounds, an average yield grade of 2.81, an average dressing percent of 49 percent, an average loin eye area of 2.83 inches squared and an average percent of boneless, closely-trimmed retail cuts of 46 percent.

Growth performance winners

The 2023 Lamb-A-Year Top Performing Wether was donated by Bob and Kate Harlan with an ADG of 0.61. Following close behind was a lamb donated by John Driskill with an ADG of 0.6, and a lamb donated by Camino and Sons with an ADG of 0.58 came up third.

The top performing ewe in the program was donated by Brandon Dilts with an ADG of 0.64, and with an ADG of 0.60, a ewe lamb donated by Scott Johnson took the second place position. A lamb with an ADG of 0.57, provided by Driskill, was third.

Driskill also took home the award for the 2023 Overall Top Performing Lamb, with an ADG of 0.58. Second

a discussion regarding the benefits of sheep grazing.

Targeted grazing

To begin, Stam noted one of the greatest benefits of grazing sheep on rangelands is their ability to target graze, meaning they can target forage that may be invasive or undesirable to other grazing animals.

This ability comes from their nimble mouthparts, which allow sheep to be incredibly selective.

Stam nodded to a specific area in Uinta County, used for both sheep and cattle grazing, which was set

Please see SHEEP on page 6

When a dry spell arrives and feed runs short, running a stocker or yearling herd allows an operation more flexibility and to maintain focus on the core cow herd. It is also a smart idea as stockers and yearlings are easier to sell than cow/calf pairs, and there is always a market for them.

According to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) BeefWatch website, when drought conditions threaten livestock producers, utilizing a management practice allows for a robust

Please see UNL on page 5

County Fair Series

Fair prep isn’t just for exhibitors

Preparation for Wyoming county fairs is currently in full swing.

And, while youth exhibitors and their families spend countless hours in the barn working with livestock projects or perfecting a recipe for the exhibit hall, Extension educators across the state are working just as hard behind the scenes.

Sweetwater County Extension

Sweetwater County 4-H Youth Development Extension Educator Marty Henry has fond feelings toward and an

extensive history with county fairs.

In fact, she has been involved since the age of eight, exhibiting a number of different projects including market beef, market hogs and market lambs, along with various food and visual arts projects. She also competed in livestock judging. Marty explains after high school, she obtained a scholarship to Casper College and then Texas A&M University for livestock judging. She knew she wanted to continue in agriculture education after school, so she became an ag science and

Please see FAIR on page 8

WYLR photo

A recent report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Economic Research Service titled, “Concentration and Competition in U.S. Agribusiness,” has brought to light how market concentration has hurt agriculture and consumers in past years.

This concentration on a national level has hurt ranchers and farmers and the prices they receive for products.

The summary of the report notes the issue of market concentration and its impact on competition has attracted growing public scrutiny.

A prime example of concentration is the potential merger of Kroger and Albertsons grocery stores and how it may raise the cost of groceries for consumers. I realize the concentration of companies has the potential to hurt both ends of the food chain.

The study states, “Critics argue many industries have grown too concentrated, with fewer firms competing with one another and a consequent weakening of competition. The issues surrounding concentration extend to agribusiness, particularly to three agribusiness sectors where concentration has increased over time – crop seeds, meatpacking and food retail. The report details consolidation in each of these industries, explains the driving force behind increased concentration and examines public policies aimed at encouraging competition, with a focus on the implementation of merger policy.”

It continues, “The study did find market concentration, measured by the share of industry sales held by the largest firms, has increased sharply over the last four decades in many seed, livestock and food retail markets. Between 2018-20, two seed companies accounted for 72 percent of planted corn acres and 66 percent of planted soybean acres in the U.S. In 2019, the four largest meatpackers accounted for 85 percent of steer and heifer slaughter and 67 percent of hog slaughter. In most metropolitan areas, five to six store chains account for most supermarket sales.”

“Economic theory and empirical analysis demonstrate high concentration can facilitate the exercise of market power, with firms driving sale prices above or livestock purchase prices below the prices that would prevail in competitive markets,” it says.

The study further notes, “However, the relationship between concentration and market power is not tight, and high concentration can often result from factors like innovation or the realization of scale economies which improves productivity and reduces costs and prices.”

“Competition often occurs in local and regional markets, especially in food retail sales and live procurement for meatpackers,” it continues. “Some local markets are highly concentrated, with just two to three firms competing with one another.”

“Between 1990 and 2020, prices paid by farmers for crop seed increased by an average of 270 percent, while seed prices for crops grown predominantly with genetically modified traits rose by 463 percent, substantially more than commodity output prices,” says the study. “The increase in seed prices reflected to a large degree the higher productivity of improved crop varieties and provided a return on investments in research and development by seed companies.”

It concludes, “The transformation of meatpacking industries featured shifts of production to larger plants to realize economies of scale, as well as tighter vertical coordination among production and processing stages through reliance on contract arrangements in place of cash markets.”

This report validates what farmers and ranchers have been saying among one another, testifying before Congress and visiting with USDA about for years.

While I don’t think USDA can fix all past actions of concentration, laws are already in place to regulate it, but nothing has happened. USDA needs to step in and stop more market concentration.

GUEST OPINIONS

What's the Deal with "Knee High by the Fourth of July?"

“Knee high by the Fourth of July” is an old adage used by corn farmers near and far to measure the success of their crops come Independence Day.

Recently, farmers across the U.S. celebrated the fourth in the same spirit as generations before them, but when they looked to their crops, did they see the same knee-high cornstalks as their predecessors?

Years ago, knee-high corn in early July was thought to indicate high yields for the year. However, fast forward to present day, and knee-high stalks in late June and early July signal trouble to farmers.

With significant advances in agricultural technol-

By BASF Ag Solutions

ogy, genetics and improved plant health, today’s farmers can expect corn to reach far higher than the knee come Independence Day. According to the Iowa Corn Growers Association, under good conditions, corn plants typically reach a height of eight feet by midsummer.

Corn as high as an elephant’s eye In some areas across the U.S., farmers have turned to Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical Oklahoma! for a new adage. Since knee-high is no longer as relevant, corn should be “as high as an elephant’s eye by the Fourth of July.”

The saying comes from the Oklahoma! song “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning,”

in which the main characters marvel at the height of the corn singing, “There’s a bright golden haze on the meadow. The corn is as high as an elephant’s eye, an’ it looks like it’s climbin’ clear up to the sky.”

“Knee high by the Fourth of July” may be in the past, but thanks to its catchy nature and once practical use in predicting yields, the phrase has transformed into a tradition for many. For others, the new Oklahoma! inspired tradition has also taken hold.

Regardless, the Fourth of July remains a milestone in the growing season and a time when many farmers look to their crops for indication of a plentiful harvest come fall.

“Either way one looks at it, farmers ultimately measure their success after harvest,” said Paula Halabicki, BASF Ag Solutions Technical Marketing Manager. “To this end, it is critical for farmers to maintain healthy crops throughout the growing season.”

With increased disease control, growth efficiency and stress tolerance, corn has begun to reach new heights and new yields. Hopefully, this Independence Day – traditions aside – farmers across the country turned to their crops to see everything really is going their way.

This article was originally published by BASF Ag Solutions and can be found at agriculture.basf.us

Horse racing bettors win big

As the country celebrated Independence Day weekend, lady luck shined upon four fortunate Wyoming residents, who brought home more than $382,596 after playing at various Horse Palace locations around the state.

A Rock Springs resident started the winning streak with a $10,089 win on June 29 at the Rock Springs Horse Palace, while a woman from Sheridan County then hit the $308,546 jackpot at the Sheridan Horse Palace on June 30.

Those wins were joined by a $44,642 jackpot and a $19,319 hit on July 1, both at Cheyenne Horse Palace locations.

“Wyoming Horse Racing is elated for our latest jackpot winners,” said Wyoming Horse Racing General Manager Steve Jimenez. “It is always a thrill to congratulate our Wyoming Horse Palace players.”

These lucky strikes follow a number of big Wyoming Horse Palace jackpots over the past year, including a $798,549 jackpot won in Evanston last July, a $313,840 jackpot in Cheyenne in December and a $206,216 win in Gillette in April.

Wyoming, Colorado sign MOU

The state of Wyoming and state of Colorado announced they have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) regarding direct air capture (DAC) activity and development.

The bipartisan interstate agreement will focus on the DAC industry’s potential to complement existing and emerging industries and increase jobs and economic development in both states, while simultaneously reducing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Govs. Mark Gordon and Jared Polis announced the news during the Western Governors’ Association meeting in Boulder, Colo.

DAC is a method of carbon dioxide removal in which CO2 is removed from the air and then sequestered and stored to produce high-quality carbon removal credits or used for industrial applications, such as enhanced oil recovery or as a chemical feedstock for other products.

The federal government has established several significant incentives and competitive grant opportunities to test and scale DAC technologies and projects.

The Mountain West is uniquely positioned to lead on these efforts, and this bipartisan agreement represents the first such multistate partnership in the county.

This agreement builds on further regional collaboration between Wyoming and Colorado with Utah and New Mexico to develop the Western Interstates Hydrogen Hub. This existing partnership will mobilize billions of dollars of investment in clean hydrogen infrastructure, another emerging technology to reduce pollution and continue the West’s leadership on global energy solutions.

Shively Hardware Co.

Workshops scheduled

For those engaged in beef cattle production in the northeast corner of the state, University of Wyoming (UW) Extension will offer educational programming in Weston and Johnson counties in July.

Evening workshops will take place from 6-8 p.m. at the Weston County Fairgrounds in Newcastle on July 11 and from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Johnson County Fairgrounds in Buffalo on July 12. Both events are free and open to the public.

UW Extension Beef Specialist Shelby Rosasco will provide an update on her heifer development research program and other research activities in the UW Department of Animal Science.

Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator Micah Most will discuss digital grazing management tools to enhance monitoring and utilization of forage resources. Each session will conclude with an open question and answer session.

Light refreshments will be served. Attendees are encouraged to RSVP.

For more information and to RSVP, contact the Johnson County Extension Office at 307-684-7522.

Governor signs EO

Gov. Mark Gordon has signed an executive order (EO) creating the Wyoming Semiquincentennial Planning Task Force to make recommendations on the planning of events and activities to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the founding of the U.S.

“The signing of the Declaration of Independence is of major significance in the development of the U.S.’s national heritage, establishing foundational American values of individual liberty, representative government and the attainment of equal and inalienable rights,” the governor’s proclamation reads.

The task force created by the EO will prepare proposals for events and activities which will occur as part of the celebration in 2026. It will include members appointed by the governor representing the Wyoming Legislature, the Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone Tribes, Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources, Wyoming Office of Tourism, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, University of Wyoming and Wyoming community colleges and other non-governmental or industry organizations.

The EO does not authorize the task force to expend or obligate funds, unless those funds are specifically appropriated by the legislature in a future session.

Those interested in serving on the Wyoming Semiquincentennial Planning Task Force should e-mail an expression of interest to boards@wyo.gov.

Senators reintroduce act

Senate Western Caucus Chair Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) joined U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) in reintroducing the Real Emergencies Act. This legislation seeks to clarify the president does not have the authority to declare a national emergency on the premise of climate change.

The administration implementing a climate emergency would be incredibly harmful to domestic energy production in Wyoming and throughout the West.

“I will not let President Biden abuse his powers to force the Green New Deal on the West,” said Lummis. “My home state of Wyoming has already been devastated by the Biden administration’s spending, the resulting inflation and burdensome regulations which have significantly increased costs, hurt small businesses and sent good-paying jobs overseas.”

“We cannot allow the Biden administration to reuse the COVID-19 playbook of declaring an endless emergency to allow the federal government to expand and gain control over every facet of our lives,” she continued.

Specifically, the Real Emergencies Act would prohibit the president from using the three primary statutory authorities available – the National Emergencies Act, the Stafford Act and Section 319 of the Public Health Service Act – to declare a national emergency solely on the basis of climate change.

Actual national emergencies or major disasters, such as hurricanes, flooding, etc., may still be declared.

BLM sale nets $14,776,920

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Wyoming State Office conducted a competitive oil and gas lease sale offering 116 parcels covering 127,014.62 acres in Wyoming. In total, 67 parcels covering 69,149.39 acres sold for $14,776,920.

The environmental assessment, maps, parcel lists, notice of competitive lease sale and proposed lease stipulations are available online at eplanning.blm.gov/ eplanning-ui/project/2021772/570

As authorized under the Inflation Reduction Act, BLM will apply a 16.67 percent royalty rate for any new leases from this sale. More information about the act is available on BLM’s online fact sheet.

Leasing is the first step in the process to develop federal oil and gas resources. Before development operations can begin, an operator must submit an application for permit to drill detailing development plans. BLM reviews applications for permits to drill, posts them for public review, conducts an environmental analysis and coordinates with state partners and stakeholders.

All parcels leased as part of an oil and gas lease sale include appropriate stipulations to protect important natural resources. Information on current and upcoming BLM lease sales is available through the National Fluid Lease Sale System.

AWARD continued from page 1

place was a two-way tie between lambs donated by Camino and Sons and Cassandra Scott, both gaining 0.55 pounds per day. Third place went to a lamb from Kay and Dave Neves’ 7K Ranch with an ADG of 0.53.

Innovations in biological farming systems are created by balancing minerals and soil life in relation to diversity and volume.

Research is proving humic substances stimulate plant roots, soil life and chelate minerals, while improving a plant’s ability to grow. Humates grow stronger plants, which ultimately yields larger returns.

Ground-breaking technology developed by local research teams, led by OroGro 307 General Manager and Doctor of Applied Physics Noel Tanner of Byron, is leading the way to create a completely organic liquid humate product to benefit plant life.

Utilizing humates

According to Tanner’s research, the root structure of a plant has semi-permeable membranes which identify minerals, vitamins, phosphates, nitrogen and other beneficial compounds and lets the plant’s membrane utilize them.

Many beneficial compounds in the soil are not

Carcass performance winners

In the carcass performance category, producers were awarded for percentage of boneless, closelytrimmed retail cuts, measured in pounds; rib eye

area, measured in inches squared and leg score.

Hamilton Ranch received honors for donating the top performing lamb with 42.66 pounds of boneless, closelytrimmed retail cuts. The second place lamb, with 40.11 pounds, was donated by the Laramie Research

The future of farming utilizes

recognized by the root membrane and are not absorbed. Essentially, the plant misidentifies beneficial compounds.

Humates are a salt of humic acid (HA) and form over millions of years as a result of the decomposition of plant and animal tissues which have been compressed. Humates are the only substance with the ability to hold onto nutrients in the soil.

Tanner explained, “Chelation is the process where humates attach themselves to beneficial vitamins, minerals and other nutrients already present in the soil. Essentially, chelated nutrients have a much higher chance of being absorbed successfully into the plant to provide nutrition.”

“Just one aspect of our product, which puts it above the competitors, is OroGro 307 is made from pure leonardite and reverse osmosis purified water with no extracting chemical agents at all. Our process is a breakthrough innovation in

our industry – a completely mechanical, non-chemical extraction technology,” he continued.

Tanner, a graduate of Brigham Young University and Cambridge University, took a leap into humic science as OroGro 307’s development team, which consists of science experts and agricultural specialists, created a unique blend of humates to improve soil’s ability to retain oxygen, water and nutrients.

Tanner noted, “We work with farmers to improve productivity, fertility and health of their soil, creating uncommonly rich farmland.”

Some humate products are in powder form, but Tanner and the team have created a liquid humate product, and using roughly one pint per acre, applied once to twice a year, gets the job done.

Manufactured in Wyoming

Tanner, who was born and raised in Byron and a 1958 graduate of the Byron school, was able to pur-

FRIDAY, JULY 14 - ALL CLASSES

and Extension Center, and the third place lamb, with 38.92 pounds, was donated by 7K Ranch.

A rib eye area of 3.61 inches squared earned Mike Curuchet an award for the lamb with the largest rib eye area. A Hamilton Ranch lamb with a rib eye area of 3.55 inches squared

was second, while a lamb of Driskill’s with a rib eye of 3.25 inches squared was third.

At 12.5, Regan Smith was recognized as having the lamb with the best leg score. Following close behind in the second-place position was a Boner M Diamond lamb with a score

humates in production systems

chase his hometown school three years ago. He now utilizes the school as a production facility, and with breakthrough technology, produces a new and unique product line through custom-fabricated production equipment.

OroGro 307 is American-made, and the raw materials are sourced and manufactured in the U.S. OroGro 307 proudly implements strict quality controls and uses tight regulations to guarantee a quality product.

“For purity and safety, we pasteurize our humates to remove any pathogens or contaminates,” Tanner explained.

OroGro 307 has more than 50 fully chelated minerals and almost undetectable levels of mercury, lead and other toxic metals.

However, he further stated, “OroGro 307 humates work well when mixed with a liquid fertilizer. It serves to buffer the soluble fertilizer, can dramatically improve the effectiveness of the fertil-

of 12.4. Third place saw a two-way tie between Julian Land and Livestock and Marvin Schmidt, with lambs scoring 12.3. Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@ wylr.net.

For more information on OroGro 307, visit goldnhumatesorogro307.com.

izer and does an excellent job of buffering the pH of the soil. Therefore, helping to release nutrients into the soil.”

Humates provide stable and long-lasting nutrition to support fundamental humus in soil. OroGro 307 is meant to add to a fertilizing routine, not to replace it.

“OroGro 307 is the finest-ground humate product on the market. The production process is expensive and difficult to manufacture using cutting-edge technologies originally invented for the gold mining industry,” Tanner added.

Tanner and his team of scientists pride themselves on creating a product with fine particles, eliminating past issues of plugged spray nozzles or the need to constantly stir tanks.

Humate benefits

The Journal of Animal and Feed Sciences states fulvic acid is a result of the microbial breakdown of organic matter in soils, known as humus, which contains HA and fulvic molecules chelate minerals in the soil, creating fulvates.

Through Tanner’s research, he concluded humic substances are beneficial not only for crop production but for human and animal health as well.

fence and have been shown to improve microbial function in the rumen and digestive tract of cattle.

Arkansas Biosciences Institute supports research which concluded fulvic molecules in free form have benefits for plants and animals, identifying HA stabilizes intestinal microflora and ensuring improved nutrient utilization and feed efficiency, which leads to an increase in the live weight of animals without increasing the amount of feed.

And, according to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, a new study indicates HA can break down prions causing chronic wasting disease.

A Canadian researcher took commercially-produced HA and applied it to an infected elk brain, and according to Science News, “In tissue samples with higher concentrations of HA, chemical signatures left by the infectious prions decreased by as much as 95 percent, signaling prions had likely broken down.”

Both fulvic acid and HA contain a wide variety of minerals, including trace minerals and are similar in molecular structure, but each offers a unique benefit.

CATTLE COUNTRY VIDEO

OREGON TRAIL CLASSIC

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DEADLINE: FRIDAY, JULY 14TH

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“HA is well documented in nutritional trials, particularly on the beef side of the

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

– Cheyenne, WY 307-632-4325

Scott Redden - Burns, CO 970-596-3588

HCB continued from page 1

website, cyanobacteria, commonly known as blue-green algae, can form HCBs, which are dense concentrations of cyanobacteria that produce toxins and irritants and pose a health risk to humans and animals.

HCBs are episodic and can last for a few hours or several months.

Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory (WSVL) Director Dr. Will Laegreid stated, “HCBs normally develop when water temperatures increase in still or slow-moving water such as rivers, lakes and reservoirs or when wind aggregates HCBs near shorelines. HCBs can vary in color from blue-green to brown and even red.”

“Cyanobacteria will resemble spilled paint on

the surface of the water, giving the water a translucent appearance or appear as floating clumps of grass, scum or green water, mostly occurring in late summer and early fall,” he added.

Laegreid further explained cyanobacteria produce neuro and liver toxins, which are poisonous to nearly all livestock, wildlife and domestic animals, and there is no antidote for blue-green algae poisoning.

If a bloom is present, avoid contact with the water, do not ingest the water and if individuals, pets or livestock come into contact with the bloom, rinse off with clean water immediately.

Protecting pets and livestock

It can rapidly become fatal when animals are

UNL continued from page 1

drought contingency and grazing management plan, which should be part of the risk management for any operation.

A proactive approach to drought management is critical to drought survival.

UNL Beef Cattle

Nutritionist Travis Mulliniks notes, “Optimizing a herd mix of different animal classes offers different degrees of flexibility in management, and a common recommendation in drought-prone areas stipulates the breeding herd forage demand should be capped at no more than 50 to 70 percent of a ranch’s carrying capacity during average rainfall years.”

“This mixed herd can provide the grazing manager needed flexibility to quickly reduce stocking rates to match the reduced forage available on rangelands during drought years,” Mulliniks explains.

“A stocker-yearling flexible grazing enterprise may not fit the goals and structure of every cow/calf producer. A yearling operation can increase production costs and financial risk, which may not justify the potential added net returns for a risk-averse producer,” Mulliniks concludes.

However, he further notes the use of flexible grazers is a management tool producers should consider adding to their operation as part of a drought risk management plan to increase management flexibility and profitability.

Skavdahl Ranch

In an effort to promote stocker-yearling programs and inform producers of potential benefits during drought years, UNL Extension hosts an annual ranch tour.

This year’s stockeryearling tour was held on June 29 at the Skavdahl Ranch near Harrison, Neb.

The Skavdahl Ranch is

exposed to or digest cyanotoxins from algae blooms.

Laegreid stated, “Animals can be exposed to toxins by eating bloom material, drinking or swimming in water with HCBs or licking their fur after contact with the bloom.”

Typically, livestock poisonings occur when wind blows the dying bloom into a concentrated mass to the shoreline where cattle drink.

Research from South Dakota State University reported, due to the rapid advancement of death, the observation of clinical signs including tremors, paralysis, respiratory failure and diarrhea, are not often seen.

The most frequent indicator of toxicity from bluegreen algae is finding a dead animal close to contaminated water.

“Symptoms in animals could appear minutes to

ularly checking the U.S. Department of Agriculture Drought Monitor.

days after exposure, and if an animal appears sick after contact with HCBs, immediately rinse them off with clean water and seek veterinary care,” Laegreid added.

If the death of an animal is suspected to be caused by exposure to bluegreen algae toxicity, a water source inspection would be conducted and the edges of the water source would be checked for other deceased animals.

In addition, a local veterinarian would need to be contacted to collect appropriate samples to confirm or deny the blue-green algae toxicity and have the water tested.

Laegreid said, “Preventing exposure is the most effective way to avoid this deadly toxin.”

According to North Dakota State University Extension, producers can reduce livestock exposure

by reducing nutrient levels entering the water source, fencing off ponds, utilizing other water sources following dry, hot weather and adding copper sulfate to the water supply if the water has a history of algae bloom.

Predicting HCB activity

WDEQ is collaborating with researchers at UW’s Department of Zoology and Physiology to better predict and manage HCBs within the state.

WDEQ HCB Coordinator Kelsee Hurshman stated, “WDEQ does not have an indication about whether HCBs may be worse this year than in other years, as HCBs thrive in warm temperatures and sunlight.”

“With cooler temperatures this spring, blooms may form a little later in the season at some waterbodies than they did last year,” she

added. “Last year, bloom advisories were issued for two waterbodies with high densities of cyanobacteria by the end of June.”

Hurshman continued, “It is almost July, and no advisories have been issued yet this year. But, WDEQ expects to begin receiving reports and finding HCBs soon and will begin routine monthly monitoring for cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins at high recreation locations of 25 prioritized waterbodies in mid-July.”

This research will help inform the effectiveness of satellite imagery to identify and quantify HCBs, help identify environmental conditions leading to HCBs and identify management methods to prevent future HCBs.

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

run by brothers Josh and Jud, their dad Bill and their uncles Jim and Charlie. The family has ranched in Sioux County for generations, and they run cattle from start to finish.

“Each part of the family has their own operation, but they share labor, equipment and resources,” states Brent Plugge, UNL Extension educator. “A stocker-yearling operation allows them to adjust stocking rates to maintain range quality and their cow herd in dry years.”

Staying ahead

According to Progressive Cattle, Grazing Land Consultant and Founder of American Grazing Lands Services Jim Gerrish recommends ranchers stay ahead of drought by reg-

Individual states also have drought sites, such as the Water Resources Data System and State Climate Office in Wyoming.

Dealing with drought is a continuous issue, and producers are often recovering from one or planning for the next.

South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension recommends always having a drought management plan. Implementing a written drought management plan creates a practical outline for before, during and after a drought.

SDSU research determined a drought management plan should have a trigger mechanism to determine when stockers and/

or yearlings should be marketed. It is best to set triggers early in a drought to maximize forage and restock after drought recovery, rather than attempting to rebuild the genetics in a

cow herd.

Preserving the balance of cattle performance and rangeland health is key to a producer’s yearly success, and it becomes easier when a drought management plan

is implemented when preparing for the next drought. Melissa Anderson is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

BLEVINS

New All Metal Stirrup Buckles

Blevins new all-metal stirrup buckle in 3”& 2-1/2” widths. The 3” and 2-12” widths have the posts set horizontally and fit standard holes while the 2” width has the posts set vertically. Made of stainless steel and heat-treated aluminum, the same as our leather-covered buckles.

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on fire after a transformer blew up a substation in late August 2020.

“It burned up about 500 acres of private and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land just east of Evanston,” he explained. “Immediately after, this site was black, and I mean the kind of black where there is nothing left – the sagebrush was reduced to very small stems.”

After a burn occurs on federal land, Stam noted the BLM will usually opt to rest

the site completely for a few years or delay grazing until later than normal. However, in this instance, because the producer utilizes multi-species grazing, they were able to go in early with their flock.

“The benefit of having sheep available is they are able to target some of the invasive, less desirable species such as thistle and snowberry. Then, producers can let cattle go in later in the summer to restore some of the competitive advantage for the grass,” he said.

Although this particular burn site is still healing, Stam noted the landscape has ultimately improved and new growth is popping up.

“One of the coolest things about grazing with sheep is the ability to use a targeted grazing approach, in which we are not only producing lamb and wool, we are also improving the habitat,” he said.

Multi-species grazing

Because they are able to target specific plants, another benefit to grazing sheep is the ability to use them in multi-species grazing operations.

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Many cattle producers – especially those across Western Wyoming this year – have to fight larkspur on rangelands. According to Stam, larkspur kills more cattle in the U.S. than any other poisonous plant.

“There are several species of larkspur – low larkspur, tall larkspur and plains larkspur – and there are some slight differences in how to manage the risk of them in cattle,” he explained. “They are all extremely toxic to cattle, but one of the biggest problems, depending on the time of year and environmental conditions, is that

there is a great deal of palatability for cattle.”

Stam further explained there are a few other issues with larkspur. For instance, in the spring, it is one of the earliest plants to come up, so cattle start picking at it.

With low larkspur, plant density is more important than timing as seven to eight plants per square yard can prove lethal.

Additionally, with tall larkspur, spraying herbicide may actually increase palatability of the plant, while toxicity remains the same.

“And, even if a plant is dead and laying on the ground, toxicity is often still high enough to kill cows,” he said.

However, operations utilizing multi-species grazing are able to use sheep in places with larkspur to minimize risk before sending cattle out to graze.

“On a pound per body weight basis, sheep have a much larger tolerance for larkspur,” Stam stated.

He mentioned although there is technically a lethal toxicity level in sheep, larkspur has never been reported or proven to intoxicate and kill them in Wyoming.

Stam also referred to a study conducted by UW researchers who have found sheep not only reduce larkspur density, they also gain weight on it with no clinical signs of poisoning.

“And, in years with a lot of productivity, cattle can go in and graze the remaining grass after sheep have reduced the risk of larkspur,” he said.

Distribution

The third and final

advantage to grazing sheep discussed by Stam is the ability to distribute animals. However, he doesn’t believe producers have taken full advantage of this yet.

“When I look at areas of private and public land, I would argue in most cases, while there may be localized instances of overgrazing, what we actually have is a distribution problem, not an overgrazing problem,” he stated.

“But, one of the coolest things about sheep is we have the ability to put them where we want them, much more so than with cows because of their tendency to herd better and because they usually have herders with them,” he added.

Stam encouraged producers to take a hard look at how they can improve distribution on their operations.

“It isn’t just about how to avoid overgrazing, it is also about taking advantage of places on a ranch that may not be the most natural places for livestock to graze – steep slopes, long distances from water, etc.,” he said.

“Producers have the ability to increase the efficiency of grazing by working on distribution,” he continued. “Don’t let this advantage to grazing sheep slip by, because if producers can improve distribution and increase efficiency, it may mean more dollars in their pocket.”

Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

Guernsey Reservoir lowered for annual silt run

The Wyoming Area Office of the Bureau of Reclamation (BuRec) in Mills will be lowering the water level in Guernsey Reservoir in preparation for the annual silt run.

The silt run is an operation which provides siltladen water to Goshen, Gering-Fort Laramie and Pathfinder irrigation districts under contract with BuRec.

Checkoff dollars support culinary programs like Family Career Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) and Pro Start, by providing educational materials as well as sponsoring annual competitions where beef is cooked and judged.

Wyoming Beef Council PO Box 1243 . Cheyenne 307.777.7396

gary.gwin1@wyo.gov

As the silt-laden water gets diverted into an irrigation canal, the water slows down and silt sinks to the bottom of the canal. This works as a type of temporary sealant to help minimize seepage out of the bottom and sides of the canal.

On the evening of July 9, the release of water from Glendo Reservoir will be decreased from approximately 3,500 cubic feet per second (cfs) to a flow of between 2,000 cfs and 1,000 cfs. The decreased flow will cause a rapid decline of the Guernsey Reservoir level of approximately 25 feet starting the morning of July 10 and continuing through July 16.

By July 15, the boat

ramps at Guernsey Reservoir will no longer be useable due to the low reservoir level. Water being released from Glendo Reservoir will flow through Guernsey Reservoir, flushing silt from Guernsey Reservoir into the canals of downstream irrigators.

The silt run will begin on July 16 and is anticipated to continue through July 29.

Beginning on the evening of July 29, the release of water from Glendo Reservoir will be rapidly increased to refill Guernsey Reservoir. The level of Guernsey Reservoir is expected to be suitable for boating again by the morning of Aug. 1.

However, the reservoir will continue to rise by approximately three feet per day and is expected to reach the normal reservoir operation level on Aug. 4.

Boaters, recreationists and irrigators should take proper precautions regarding changing river flows below Glendo and Guernsey reservoirs and the rapid lowering and refilling of Guernsey Reservoir.

From the Kitchen Table

By Lynn Harlan

Springtime in the Rockies

I carefully nudged the tip of my knife under the metal band, circling the very small bottle of soremouth vaccine. These little bottles are $40 or more these days and a crime to spill the contents.

I painstakingly eased around the top of the bottle, trying not to jab my hand, which I’ve done plenty of times before. I’ve also tried pliers to tear off the band – I just don’t want to scatter the contents of the two bottles before they’re mixed. One is dry ingredients and one is liquid “live virus.”

Yellow and white sweet clover seems to be everywhere this year. Timely rainfall has sweet clover growing in road ditches, fallow areas, pasture and range and even in places no one has ever seen it before.

Species common to the Great Plains

Sweet clover comes from Eurasia and is found from Central Europe to Tibet.

The first report of sweet clover growing in what would become the U.S. traces back to 1739. Since then, it has become naturalized across the continent, but it is common in the Great Plains states.

“Yellow and white sweet clovers are biennials, meaning it takes them two years to complete their life cycle,” says James Rogers, North Dakota State University (NDSU) Extension forage systems specialist. “Sweet clover will re-seed itself naturally, with seeds remaining viable in the soil bank for up to 40 years.”

The plants seen flowering now are second-year plants which will set seed and then die. New seedlings will remain vegetative the first year, developing a deep taproot and a crown with buds which will produce multiple branches in the second year of growth.

There are some annual forms of sweet clover, but these are rare.

“Sweet clover has long been recognized as a soilimproving crop with a number of desirable characteristics,” says Rogers. “It is a legume capable of nitrogen fixation. It forms a deep soilpenetrating taproot which aids in water infiltration and aeration.”

“Sweet clover also tolerates alkaline soils, which makes it an attractive option to include in seeding mixture for alkaline land reclamation,” he continues. “It also has many wildlife benefits, providing food, cover and nesting habitat.”

When I first started helping vaccinate lambs for soremouth, the bottles of vaccine cost under two dollars.

It was our first big docking, and I was asked to vaccinate lambs. There had been a couple of smaller dockings, but we had been waiting to do this bunch around the rain. The lambs were born in the shed in April and were getting big. Thank goodness for high school boys and girls!

So, back to work.

After the deep snow we fought all winter, the

Sweet

Negative characteristics

As with all forage species, sweet clover also has some negative characteristics, Rogers adds. It does not tolerate close grazing or haying in its first year of growth, and it can cause bloat.

Most notably, it contains coumarin which gives the plant a distinctive sweet odor when crushed but also creates a bitter taste and can reduce palatability to livestock. Overtime livestock can adjust to the taste.

When sweet clover is harvested as part of a hay crop and is not dried properly for baling, overheating can occur within the bale, creating fungi that can convert coumarin to dicoumarol.

Dicoumarol reduces the blood clotting ability of animals consuming the forage, which can lead to internal hemorrhaging. The issue can be difficult to detect, as it may take several days for symptoms to develop.

“When feeding hay containing sweet clover, watch for muscle stiffness or lameness or hematomas – swelling under the skin – as this could be an initial indication of sweet clover poisoning,” says Karl Hoppe, NDSU Extension livestock systems specialist. “Cattle tend to be more affected than sheep or horses, which have more selective eating habits than cattle.”

Feeding cattle hay with extremely high concentrations of dicoumarol can lead to death within a day.

Feeding recommendations

Hay containing sweet clover should be thoroughly cured and stored to avoid development of mold. As it reaches maturity, sweet clover develops thick, coarse stems, which makes drying difficult.

When harvesting for hay, use a mower conditioner to crush the stems and improve drying. Pure stands of sweet clover will be the highest risk for dicoumarol due to the lack of a dilution factor

land was dry in early May. Mother Nature sent rain and plenty of it. We managed to get the calves branded and the herds moved before the rains set in.

We range lambed in the rain, and we’ll see how it worked when we start docking those bunches, but it was never too cold so hopefully the rain didn’t hurt too much. We have to sacrifice to the rain Gods to raise all this gorgeous grass. And, Wyoming is gorgeous this spring.

Bob and I slipped off to Maine for a getaway in mid-May. I suggested a trip to Maine is for the fall – to adore the varied fall foliage from all the hardwoods that we don’t have here. But, fall is too busy so off to Maine we went.

Maine is beautiful, and I just had to imagine all of those trees cloaked in vivid reds, oranges and yellows

from other species.

“Because of the abundance of sweet clover this year, it will be difficult to avoid producing hay with at least some sweet clover presence,” says Hoppe. “If properly baled and stored, dicoumarol development should not be an issue.”

Low-coumarin varieties of sweet clover have been released, but caution still is advised.

Feeding management can reduce the risk of feeding hay containing sweet clover. Options include blending hay containing sweet clover with other hays to dilute the dicoumarol or using an alternating feeding schedule.

Feed sweet clover laced hay for two days followed

instead of their brilliant green. Maine gets rain too.

We ate lobster-in-therough – right out of the pot – fried clams and various other gifts from the sea. We went out in the harbors on a small fishing boat, a sailboat and a tourist lobster boat.

Maine has as much shoreline as California with all of its inlets, bays and peninsulas. The quaint villages had houses and churches, dated back to the 1690s, 1700s and 1890s, which was way before Wyoming was a state.

It was a nice trip, and we even got to explore the tunnels under downtown Boston while trying to return the rental car near the airport.

While driving back from the Denver airport, in the rain of course, we noticed Cheyenne and northward are absolutely verdant. And, natural snow fences made of trees and

shrubs have done so well.

We weren’t home long before my brother from Texas came to visit. He likes to golf and enjoys the course in Buffalo, which is one of the nicest ones in the state. He hadn’t been to Devil’s Tower or Cody.

He said if it wasn’t a horse show or rodeo he got dragged along to, or a high school football trip, he hadn’t seen it. He graciously asked me to go along as tour guide, so I quickly re-packed and off we went.

Four rounds of golf and 1,300 miles later, we hit Devil’s Tower, Sheridan, Highway 14A off to Lovell, on up to Red Lodge, Mont., drove down on the Beartooth Highway, the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway into Cody and back through the Big Horn Basin to Highway 16.

We drove through Tensleep Canyon by Pow-

der River Pass and down through Crazy Woman Canyon to Kaycee. We had plenty of rain off and on and a deep slush at Beartooth Pass Summit at 10,947 feet. Every creek and river were raging full.

So, vacation trips are over, a nephew’s wedding in Colorado is over, Chris LeDoux Days has ended, the College National Finals Rodeo is finished and spring was officially over on June 21. Now, a busy summer begins.

My grandson lost the rain gauge, but when it kept coming and coming, I just judged the deluge by the puddles in the road and how deep it was in the wheelbarrow. The grass is tall and the reservoirs are full and overflowing.

We are blessed.

“Without rain, there would be no life.” – John Updike

by hay without sweet clover for three to four days.

Avoid feeding hay containing sweet clover for at least 30 days prior to animals being castrated or dehorned to avoid hemorrhaging issues. Also avoid feeding sweet clover hay to pregnant cows one to two months before calving.

Do not feed moldy hay containing sweet clover to livestock, and do not rely on visual observation to determine toxicity. Even small amounts of mold can result in toxicity.

NDSU Extension specialists recommend ranchers test all hay containing sweet clover for the presence of dicoumarol. Testing for dicoumarol concentration in hay is available at the

NDSU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.

“Sweet clover has become a naturalized part of our pastures and range,” says Rogers. “It provides many benefits to the soil and wildlife and is an excellent forage. It does have some disadvantages, but they can

be managed. Proper curing and testing of hay containing sweet clover, as well as proper feeding management, can overcome potential issues.”

Elizabeth Cronin is a writer for Drovers. This article was originally published in Drovers on June 30.

clover is an excellent forage with the right precautions

Adobe Stock photo

FAIR continued from page 1

FFA advisor in Texas.

She later moved back home to Wyoming and took the 4-H educator position in Sweetwater County in 2015, after her former 4-H educator contacted her with the opportunity.

Today, Marty continues to help youth pave their future through 4-H programs. After working in this position for eight years, Marty says she plans to continue educating the exhibitors in Sweetwater County for a while longer.

4-H and FFA provide lifelong benefits

There is no doubt being involved in 4-H and FFA has numerous, lifelong benefits. Marty notes this list is endless, but the biggest two lessons are respect and responsibility.

She states, “There is a huge opportunity of skill sets to be learned in 4-H – from animal husbandry to engineering, networking and fine arts. Travel is another huge aspect – 4-H allows kids to get out and

see the world, meet new people, spend time in different communities and learn new things.”

“I would also say speaking skills are fine tuned in this program, usually without many kids even knowing. But, the biggest thing I’d like to point out is there are so many ways for kids to learn and to earn educational opportunities, such as scholarships to attend college and make way for a future they will enjoy,” she adds.

Marty is a prime example of how fair offers far more than showing livestock in a ring. She reiterates how much 4-H and FFA have helped her through life and explains numerous life skills exhibitors learn and retain through the program.

She believes by being a 4-H member and/or FFA member, youth are already a step ahead in life.

Marty also believes county fair is a snapshot of the ag industry’s future, stating one thing that continues to strengthen and build agri-

“But, the biggest thing I’d like to point out is there are so many ways for kids to learn and to earn educational opportunities, such as scholarships to attend college and make way for a future they will enjoy.”

culture’s future is the work 4-H and FFA exhibitors do year-round. She believes the skills these kids are learning is crucial to the future of ag. True meaning behind fair Marty states, “Fair means celebration, a culmination for kids to show off what they do and work hard at every day. It is also a time for families to get together and have a sort of ‘vacation.’”

Marty highly encourages exhibitors to dig deep to understand the underlying education and lifelong lessons that come with being involved in 4-H and FFA, as well as to step out of comfort zones to learn new skills.

She also expresses how important it is to continue working hard and to never give up, because one day all of the hard work will pay off.

Preslee Fitzwater is an intern for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net

For ticket reservations call CHRIS – 307-631-0123 or SHARON – 307-632-6589

Farmer's

The Field

BY RON RABOU

Middle Ground is Better Ground

Whether a person is involved in agriculture or not, I’m sure they remember the extreme drought our region dealt with last year. From a production agriculture perspective, it was perhaps some of the most frustrating times I can remember.

Our farm received so little rain in a 160-day period, it was not even mentionable. On top of this, a significant hard freeze at the end of May cut the yields on our growing crops by up to 80 percent.

High temperatures early in the summer caused our remaining flowering crops to mostly fail, some of which were total losses.

I remember, very well, the hopelessness of watching over a year’s worth of labor and inputs disappear with no reward or compensation in the end. I remember the helplessness of going through all of the motions of planting crops, knowing deep inside, they had no chance.

I remember it so well, I can assure readers I never want to have this experience or those feelings ever again.

As the snow began to fall this past winter, there was a glimmer of hope maybe things would change for the 2023 growing season. But, as snow melted and spring began to take hold, it became painfully obvious the extreme winter conditions had taken its toll on the wheat crop, which was struggling to emerge from dormancy.

“Here we go again,” I thought as we began the painful process of tearing out some of our wheat crop which had clearly not survived the winter.

Then, miraculously, things began to change –it started to rain! In fact, it

rained so much, the month of May brought well over 10 inches of rain to our parched land.

Slowly, everything started to grow and turn green. Plants that struggled to live in the previous year’s drought were now showing off vibrant colors of red, blue, yellow, purple, orange, white and of course, green.

At first, the land drank the water so quickly, it was as if it had never rained at all. Then, the water began to stay on the surface.

Small lakes in our fields took the place of what had been dry dust for so long. Ducks began to move in, and now we watch little ducklings swim as we plant our crops around the water.

Since the beginning of May, rain has become almost as dependable and predictable as the Wyoming wind. It has brought new life, hope and peace.

But, it has also brought challenges – small windows of productivity, flooded and washed fields, washed out crops, delayed planting and a farmer’s favorite – weeds.

Would I take one over the other? Absolutely!

I’ll take wet and the challenges it brings any day over dry. But, here is my underlying point – it seems like it’s nearly always one extreme to the next. The conditions of the past year could not be much further apart.

All things considered, I can’t help but ask myself why there can’t be some happy middle ground. Is it too much to expect a compromise of the extremes? Probably so. It’s the weather, and there isn’t a darn thing we can do to change it.

The story of these two extremes has given me perspective on what is going

on in our great country. We tend to operate in a world of extremes. Our own selfish desires and beliefs help to create environments of “all or nothing.”

However, the problem with a society operating in a world of absolutes, is we lose the comradery; the thoughtful, healthy debate; the understanding; the learning and the wisdom which can be gained by taking the time and the willingness to engage each other in any kind of meaningful way.

When a farm is forced to operate facing extremes, it is enormously difficult to experience high productivity. Instead, frustration, helplessness and maybe even a bit of anger begins to set in. When a society is forced to operate with extremes, the results are no different.

While a farmer is faced with challenging weather, there is nothing that can be done to change the fact the weather will do what the weather will do. Societal extremes, however, can be controlled and can be changed.

But, it takes the willingness and open-mindedness of human beings to learn to respect, appreciate, compromise and work with others. It takes maturity and understanding to realize we can’t always get our own way all of the time.

So, the next time someone tries to pull you into the gossip chain, respectfully decline the invitation.

The next time you’re faced with road rage, remove yourself from the situation and get on with your day.

The next time you’re in a heated debate, consciously make an effort to listen to the other side, without simply reacting, and the next time you don’t get your own way, be thankful sometimes you do.

Finally, remember a farmer can’t grow his crops if it always rains or if it never rains. The best crops are the result of a variety of conditions, just like the best work in our society is done – not on the fringes, but in the middle, where a variety of influences can be implemented to create the best results.

Marty Henry Courtesy photo

– Marty Henry, Sweetwater County 4-H Youth Development Extension Educator

App lications Needed for Fall: GrowinG Inte r nship Program 2023

Growing Beginning Farmers & Ranchers in Wyoming

The GrowinG Internship Program is extending our internship season. We are excited to offer the potential for Fall 2023 internships. Internships are funded through a USDA Beginning Farmers and Ranchers grant, offering education and practical experience to qualified applicants. “GrowinG strives to provide hands-on internships at working farms and ranches to beginning farmers and ranchers, in cooperation with state producer organizations and educational institutions,” explained Kendra Faucett, Program Coordinator.

production year for comparison and enter the coverage percentages in the desired intervals (50 percent May‑Jun; 50 percent Jul‑Aug).

Our team is looking to connect selected hosts and interns for ten-weeks between September 1st and the end of December. The specific dates will be set by host/intern availability and the GrowinG coordinator. Interested interns and site hosts are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Clicking the Calculate button at the bottom of the table generates the estimated overall coverage, premium costs and estimated indemnities based on the production year selected. The ability to compare coverages and potential indemnities can be useful to examine what indemnity payments would have been in past drought years, as well as evaluate how helpful RI‑PRF insurance might be in

production year for comparison and enter the coverage percentages in the desired intervals (50 percent May‑Jun; 50 percent Jul‑Aug).

The program provides $5,000 stipends for a 10-week work experience. Eligible applicants are 18 years or older who identify as ready to begin farming or who have been involved in managing their own farm or ranch enterprise for fewer than 10 years.

Interns

IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS

Clicking the Calculate button at the bottom of the table generates the estimated overall coverage, premium costs and estimated based on the production year selected. The ability to compare coverages and potential indemnities can be useful to examine what indemnity payments would have been in past drought years, as well as evaluate how helpful RI‑PRF insurance might be in getting through those years.

IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS

Selected interns will assist a Wyoming ranch/farm with daily activities, while learning from the owner/manager and others. Interns also take part in at least one agricultural educational event, such as a UW Extension meeting, during their internship.

“This week has been the start of learning how to tan a hide ... we went through a stack of hides and I chose a black and tan, an Icelandic ewe from the herd.” 2023 Summer Intern

There are several important factors to consider when analyzing potential RI‑PRF coverage. First, remember that the rainfall received on a specific site may not be indicative of the final rainfall index calculated; it is possible to receive an indemnity with rainfall or vice versa. Second, coverage must be purchased for periods where rainfall is most critical to forage production by selecting the appropriate index intervals. Third, total RI‑PRF coverage results from a combination of the levels selected for maximum coverage, productivity level and insured acres. The level of coverage provided should be balanced against the value you estimate the harvested forage is worth.

There are several important factors to consider when analyzing potential RI‑PRF coverage. First, remember that the rainfall received on a specific site may not be indicative of the final rainfall index calculated; it is possible to receive an indemnity with rainfall or vice versa. Second, coverage must be purchased for periods where rainfall is most critical to forage production by selecting the appropriate index intervals. Third, total RI‑PRF coverage results from a combination of the levels selected for maximum coverage, productivity level and insured acres. The level of coverage provided should be balanced against the value you estimate the harvested forage is worth.

“Short work summaries submitted weekly help the intern reflect on day-to-day work and educational experiences throughout the internship,” noted Ben Rashford one of the project co-directors. (See at GrowinG-WY.org/post/Intern_Tales)

Hosts

“I’d like to call myself a well-rounded person who’s seen a little bit of everything, but working sheep is a new frontier for me.”

2023 Summer Intern

Selected hosts agree to provide room and board for the internship experience. Hosts work with the intern to provide safe and educational learning experiences, keeping in mind their learning objectives when possible. “We encourage interns and potential hosts to apply now” said John Hewlett project co-director. “A state committee will help select candidates and match interns with host sites, beginning in mid-August.”

When evaluating coverage, it is also important to remember that the goal is not to maximize potential indemnities. We frequently see producers fall into this trap. RI‑PRF is insurance, not a guaranteed payout. Instead, the goal should be to purchase coverage that will provide some level of guaranteed revenue if drought conditions occur. Finally, reduced premium rates are available to individuals who qualify as beginning or veteran farmers and ranchers. More information and details, including a premium cost estimator, are available at rma.usda.gov.

Applications

When evaluating coverage, it is also important to remember that the goal is not to maximize potential indemnities. We frequently see producers fall into this trap. RI‑PRF is insurance, not a guaranteed payout. Instead, the goal should be to purchase coverage that will provide some level of guaranteed revenue if drought conditions occur. Finally, reduced premium rates are available to individuals who qualify as beginning or veteran farmers and ranchers. More information and details, including a premium cost estimator, are available at rma.usda.gov.

Online application forms for Fall 2023 internships are available at GrowinG-WY.org . The site offers background information on the overall project, as well as links to collections of helpful resources and materials for beginning farmers and ranchers.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

FOR MORE INFORMATION

For more information, contact the GrowinG Internship Program at information@GrowinG-WY.org or GrowinG-WY.org .

“We rotate both groups every three days or more to keep our pastures healthy and regenerative. We have to keep a pretty detailed account of our pasture rotations by entering the rotations into an excel sheet”

2023 Summer Intern

Pasture, Rangeland, Forage - Rainfall Index insurance (RI-PRF) is the most subscribed federal crop insurance available in Wyoming. Covering forage losses due to drought, it can be an important part of managing risk on a farm or ranch. For more information on RI-PRF coverage, visit a local crop insurance agent or rma.usda.gov. Further risk management resources related to drought and other topics can be found at RightRisk.org

Pasture, Rangeland, Forage - Rainfall Index insurance (RI-PRF) is the most subscribed federal crop insurance available in Wyoming. Covering forage losses due to drought, it can be an important part of managing risk on a farm or ranch. For more information on RI-PRF coverage, visit a local crop insurance agent or rma.usda.gov. Further risk management resources related to drought

topics

at (307) 766‑2166

(307)

and other

can be found at RightRisk.org dates in your area).

James Sedman is a consultant to the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics in the University of Wyoming College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources, and John Hewlett is a farm and ranch management specialist in the department. Hewlett may be reached at (307) 766‑2166 or hewlett@uwyo.edu

The Historical Index can be used to research precipitation trends.

Kendra Faucett is the GrowinG Internship Coordinator in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, University of Wyoming College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources. Faucett may be reached at (307) 766-3799 or kfaucet2@uwyo.edu. Ben Rashford is Department Head and Associate Professor in the department. Rashford may be reached at (307) 766-2386 or brashfor@uwyo.edu. John Hewlett is a farm and ranch management specialist in the department. Hewlett may be reached at

766-2166 or hewlett@uwyo.

James Sedman is a consultant to the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics in the University of Wyoming College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources, and John Hewlett is a farm and ranch management specialist in the department. Hewlett may be reached

or hewlett@uwyo.edu

The Protection Table displays coverage, premium and possible indemnities for the example situation.

The Historical Index can be used to research precipitation trends.

July 1-10

Laramie Jubilee Days, Laramie. For more information, visit laramiejubileedays.org

July 7-15 Central Wyoming Fair and Rodeo, Casper. For more information, visit centralwyomingfair.com

July 10 University of Wyoming Extension Geodome Building Workshop, 8 a.m., Boys and Girls Club, Douglas. For more information, contact Jeff Edwards at jedward4@uwyo.edu or call 307-837-2956.

July 10-11 U.S. Cattlemen’s Association Inaugural Summer Business Meeting, Reno, Nev. For more information, visit uscattlemen.org/meeting_registration

July 11 High Plains Journal’s Cattle U, Manhattan, Kan. For more information, visit cattleu.net or contact Kylie Reiss at kreiss@hpj.com or Lacey Vilhauer at lvilhauer@hpj.com.

July 11 Wyoming Air Quality Advisory Board Public Meeting, 9 a.m., online via Zoom or in Cheyenne. For more information, contact Amber Potts at 307777-2489.

July 11 Northeast Wyoming Beef Production Workshop, 6-8 p.m., Weston County Fairgrounds, Newcastle. For more information, e-mail mmost@uwyo.edu or call 307-684-7522.

July 11-14 University of Wyoming Extension Geodome Building Workshop, 7:30 a.m., Wyoming State Fairgrounds, Douglas. For more information, contact Jeff Edwards at jedward4@uwyo.edu or call 307-837-2956.

July 11-15 Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo, Colorado Springs, Colo. For more information or to buy tickets, visit pikespeakorbust.org

July 12 Northeast Wyoming Beef Production Workshop, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Johnson County Fairgrounds Community Building, Buffalo. For more information, e-mail mmost@uwyo.edu or call 307-684-7522.

July 12 Wyoming Stock Growers Association Environmental Stewardship Day and Tour, Big Creek Ranch, Encampment. For more information, contact the Wyoming Stock Growers Association at 307-638-3942.

July 12-16 2023 Wyoming Quarter Horse Cowboy Summer Classic, Wyoming State Fairgrounds, Douglas. For more information, visit wqha.org

July 14 University of Wyoming Extension Sheep and Goats Artificial Insemination Class, 1-4 p.m., Campbell County and Fremont County Extension offices. For more information, contact the Campbell County Extension Office at 307682-7281 or the Fremont County Extension Office at 307-332-1018.

July 15 Class of 2023 ProRodeo Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Colorado Springs, Colo. For more information, call Ashley Johnson at 719-528-4732.

July 15 Albany County CattleWomen Ranch Tour, Laramie. For more information, visit wyaccw.com or call 307-760-5590.

July 15-22 Converse County Fair, Douglas. For more information, visit conversecountyfair.com

July 21-30 Weston County Fair, Newcastle. For more information, visit westoncountyfair.com

July 22 Cowgirls of the West Annual Fundraiser, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Little America Hotel and Resort, Cheyenne. For more information, visit cowgirlsofthewestmuseum.com

July 22-29 Crook County Fair, Sundance. For more information, visit crookcofair.com

July 22-29 Washakie County Fair, Worland. For more information, visit washakiecountyfair.com

July 22-30 Teton County Fair, Jackson. For more information, visit tetoncountyfair.com

July 23-29 101st Annual Days of 76, Deadwood, S.D. For more information, visit daysof76.com

July 23-Aug. 7 Johnson County Fair, Buffalo. For more information, visit johnsoncountyfairgrounds.com

July 24-29 Park County Fair, Powell. For more information, visit parkcountyeventsandfair.com/park-county-fair

Big

Worland, WY

July 10-12

July 10-14

Western Video Market, Silver Legacy, Reno, Nev., 530-347-3793, wvmcattle.com

Superior Livestock Auction Week in the Rockies, Steamboat Springs, Colo., 800-422-2117, superiorlivestock.com

July 22 South Dakota Sheep Growers Association Premium Yearling Ewe Sale, Magness Livestock Auction, Huron, S.D., 406-581-7772, sdsheepgrowers.org

July 24-26

Northern Livestock Video Auction Summertime Classic, 866-616-5035, northernlivestockvideo.com

July 31-Aug. 4 Superior Livestock Auction Video Royale, Winnemucca, Nev., 800-4222117, superiorlivestock.com

Aug. 8-9 Cattle Country Video Oregon Trail Classic Sale, Gering Civic Center, Gering, Neb., 888-322-8853, cattlecountryvideo.com

Aug. 12 HK Yak Ranch Live and Online Auction, Buffalo Livestock Marketing, 970462-6551, contact@hkyakranch.com, buffalolivestockwyo.com

Aug. 14-15 Western Video Market, Little America, Cheyenne, 530-347-3793, wvmcattle.com

Aug. 21-22 Northern Livestock Video Auction Early Fall Preview, 866-616-5035, northernlivestockvideo.com

Aug. 21-25 Superior Livestock Auction Big Horn Classic, Sheridan, 800-422-2117, superiorlivestock.com

Aug. 26 Nebraska Quarter Horse Classic Performance Horse Sale, Ogallala Livestock Auction Market, Ogallala, Neb., 319-795-4649, 308-289-2508, 308-458-9685

Aug. 26-29 Lauing Mill Iron L Ranch 2023 QH Production Sale, online only, prohorseservices.com/internet-auctions/, 605-347-6193, 605-280-0698, 605-2800398, lauingmillironlranch.com

Aug. 27 RQHBA Horse Sale, Besler’s Cadillac Ranch, Belle Fourche, S.D., 605-3473294, 605-639-9482, rqhba.com

Sept. 2 Proffit Ranch 22nd Annual Labor Day Horse Sale, Diamond X Ranch, Evanston, 307-723-5857, proffitranch.blogspot.com

Sept. 1-3 PRQHBA 46th Annual Futurity and Horse Sale, Powder River County Fairgrounds, Broadus, Mont., 406-853-3554, sales@prqhba.com

POSTCARD from the Past

Compiled by Dick Perue rrichardperue@gmail.com

State Rings With Cowboy Poetry and Music

Summer brings a rash of cowboy gatherings, rodeos, ranch events, cowboy music and poetry outings. And best of all, it brings a flood of memories of years past when cowboys were cowboys and family gatherings were something special.

One of Wyoming’s top attractions of the summer is the Grand Encampment Cowboy Gathering July 14-16 in Encampment. In addition to cowboy poetry starring Andy Nelson from Pinedale and cowboy music, the event features three shows, a campfire jam session, Dutch oven cooking, a songwriting workshop, grub, ranch breakfast and cowboy church.

One can see this advertisement in this week’s Wyoming Livestock Roundup

This public service announcement was snuck into this week’s Postcard by the writer of this column, who just happens to be a 20-year committee member and one of the founders of the gathering in Encampment.

Today, it seems many folks call themselves cowboys, but have never rode the range or punched a cow. Others recall the past with a tall tale, a “windy,” old photographs or a poem.

A lot of Wyoming folks will relate with this poem by Roy Welton of Saratoga entitled “Let’s Pretend We’re Cowboys.”

It goes: Let’s pretend we’re cowboys and ride the range once more,

and wear our hat – big at that –just like we did before.

Hoop and holler driving cows and swinging our ropes at heels, spurring our horse through the creek, and remember how it feels!

Eat some dust till sundown and get so tired we stall, slappin’ leather and fightin’ weather the memories tell it all!

Stop for grub on a hillside and gaze at the flats below, red cows on green grass and then, you’ll begin to know.

Why you still remember the days when you were young, driving a team, while you dream, over a wagon tongue.

As time slipped by somewhere we still miss the coyote call.

Let’s pretend we’re cowboys, for a day – let’s just recall!

If you make it to the gathering, stop by and say hi. I’ll be at the Friday evening and Saturday afternoon shows telling off-color stories and handing out goods, including raffle tickets for the framed print shown in this week’s column.

Since its start, the Grand Encampment Cowboy Gathering has featured a drawing by a Wyoming artist. For the past 18 years, this artist has been R. G. Finney of Riverside. For the first time, he has sketched and donated a painting of a Native American instead of a cowboy. He calls it the “Restless Prize.” During the gathering, someone will take this framed painting home. Photo courtesy of Lynn and R. G. Finney. Historical Reproductions by Perue

MARKETS

Compiled from USDA Market News Service information and other sources

FOR THE WEEK ENDING July 7, 2023

WEEKLY CATTLE AUCTIONS

FOR THE WEEK ENDING May 24, 2019

Greeley, CO

WEEKLY

Ft. Collins: no test.

South Dakota: no test.

Billings: no test.

Sheep and lambs slaughter under federal inspection for the week to date totaled 33,000 compared with 34,000 last week and 34,000 last year.

Source: USDA AMS Market News, San Angelo, Texas National Wool Review

As of June 30, 2023

Domestic wool trading had no confirmed trades reported this week. Prices reflect trades FOB warehouse in original bag or square pack, bellies out, some graded, and 76 mm or longer. No allowance made for coring, freight, or handling fees at the warehouse level to reflect net grower prices. Wools shorter than 75 mm typically discounted .10-.20 clean. Classed and skirted wools usually trade at a .10-.20 premium to original bag prices.

of June 30, 2023

Compared to last week traditional slaughter lambs 8.00-13.00 higher, others mostly weak to 20.00 lower. Slaughter ewes steady to 20.00 lower. Feeder lambs not well tested. At San Angelo, TX 6,225 head sold in a one day sale. No sales in Equity Cooperative Auction. Superior Video sold 525 feeder lambs in Idaho and 510 feeder lambs in Colorado. In direct trading slaughter ewes and feeder lambs not tested. 3,834 lamb carcasses traded with no trend due to confidentiality. All sheep sold per hundred weight (CWT) unless specified.

Slaughter Lambs: Choice and Prime 2-3

San Angelo: wooled and shorn 100-120 lbs 181.00-184.00. Ft. Collins: wooled and shorn 100-115 lbs 190.00-205.00. South Dakota: wooled and shorn 105-140 lbs 195.00-210.00; 164 lbs 200.00.

Billings: wooled and shorn 105-125 lbs no test.

Equity Coop: no sales.

Slaughter Lambs: Choice and Prime 1-2 San Angelo: hair 40-60

Wool Exchange

Del Price Change from 75-85 Percent

5 AREA WEEKLY WEIGHTED CATTLE PRICE

USDA- CO Dept of Ag Market News Service, Greeley, CO Wyoming Hay Summary

As of July 6, 2023

Billings: no test. Slaughter Ewes San Angelo: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) hair 60.00; Good 2-3

52.00-78.00, hair 60.00-88.00; Utility and Good 1-3 (medium flesh) 60.00-91.00, hair 92.00-110.00; Utility 1-2 (thin)

44.00-66.00, hair 60.00-88.00; Cull and Utility 1-2 (very thin)

44.00-52.00; hair 50.00-60.00; Cull 1 25.00-40.00.

Ft. Collins: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) 87.50; Good 2-3 (fleshy)

60.00-100.00; Utility 1-2 (thin) no test.

South Dakota: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) 35.00-80.00; Good 2-3 (fleshy) 35.00-55.00; Utility 1-2 (thin) 30.00-60.00; Cull 1 15.00-25.00.

Billings: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) no test; Good 2-3 (fleshy) no test; Utility 1-2 (thin) no test; Cull 1 no test.

Compared to last week sun-cured alfalfa pellets sold steady with alfalfa cubes trading 20.00 higher. Very little hay put up on first cutting across the state. Several producers continue to seek a window where the rain showers might stop so they can produce some alfalfa hay bales. There will be tons of discolored first cutting alfalfa for sale this year. More than likely it will go to a feedlot to be ground into a ration. Some producers are very concerned where they will find enough green, dry and non-rained on hay to full fill orders to the dairy clients they have. Next week is the second week in July and many producers are just trying to finish up first cutting of alfalfa. Crazy weather pattern this summer.

Eastern Wyoming

Alfalfa Pellets 15% Suncured 390

Western Wyoming

Alfalfa - Good Large Square 3x4 200

Alfalfa Cubes 400

Source: USDA AMS Livestock, Poultry & Grain Market News Torrington

Nebraska Hay Summary

As of July 6, 2023

Compared to last week round and square bales of alfalfa and grass hay sold steady. Ground and delivered hay sold sharply lower. Dehy alfalfa pellets sold steady. Demand was good from areas in drought conditions with light demand in areas that have been getting some rain showers. Many alfalfa producers continue to struggle on getting up good dry bales of hay in the central and western areas. Demand for good, green baled hay still exist, but not quite a good as it was last year. It may be another month before livestock owners get to looking and start buying hay for winter needs. Several talks of pivots of cane and millet has been planted in different areas of the state. Also, some hay experts say alfalfa hay will follow the price of corn down. Guess time will tell on what the market will be this summer and fall.

NOTICE: Publication in this newspaper does not guarantee the legitimacy of any offer or solicitation. Take reasonable steps to evaluate an offer before you send money or provide personal/financial information to an advertiser. If you have questions or believe you have been the victim of fraud, contact the Wyoming Attorney General’s Office, Consumer Protection Unit, 109 Capitol Building, Cheyenne, WY 82002, 307-777-6397

LOOKING TO HIRE ASE

CERTIFIED MECHANICS:

Prefer 10-12 years of experience. Salary is $30-$50/hour flat rate. DOE. ALSO, looking for autobody technicians, pay DOE. Call 701-339-3037 or 406-655-3546 or e-mail resume to toptechbillings@ gmail.com 7/15

MTC LOGISTICS HAS

PART-TIME DRIVER POSITIONS AVAILABLE FOR DRIVER CLASS B & A CDL IN CASPER (downtown area) AND WORLAND, WY: Must have clean driving record, no felony record and able to pass extensive background check and drug test. Class B license also required, $28/hour. E-mail resumes to dingoboy6342@ yahoo.com or call Matt, 801641-4109 7/8

SUMMER HELP WANTED: Haying and fencing. Call 605-3473403 or 605-499-9088 7/8

HOT SPRINGS COUNTY

WEED & PEST DISTRICT IS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE POSITION OF RANGE MANAGER: The position is in Thermopolis, WY. Send letter of application, resume and 3 references to: Hot Springs County Weed & Pest District, PO Box 543, Thermopolis, WY 82443. For additional information, call 307-921-0574. Hot Springs County Weed & Pest is an EOE 7/8

FARM MANAGER WANTED: Expertise in pivot sprinkler irrigation, operation and maintenance of farm equipment. Farm planning, planting, harvest, etc. Self-motivated. Full time. Must relocate to southeast Wyoming. Housing will be provided as well as other benefits. Send resume and references to faughtck58@ gmail.com or call Kirk, 307247-1190 7/15

Services

Dogs

PUREBRED, PURE WHITE GREAT PYRENEES PUPPIES:

Born Easter 2023. Great livestock protectors. Both parents are ranch, working dogs. Never aggressive toward humans or livestock they are acclimated to. These females have spent time with chickens, guineas, cats, turkeys, sheep, goats, cows and other dogs. They are looking for homes where they have space to do their job. Located in Wheatland, WY. $500 each. Call or text Anthony at 307331-3427. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 7/8

WORKING BORDER COLLIE PUPPIES FOR SALE: Born March 30. Located in Powell, WY. Parents onsite. Asking $500 OBO. For pictures or more information, call 307899-3533 7/15

BROWN FAMILY FARMS LP/ TIMBERLINE STOCK RANCH HEELER PUPS FOR SALE: Reds and blues. Call 406-8552211 or 406-855-6237 7/8

AKC MINI AUSSIE PUPPIES: Well socialized, basic training started. Both parents are OFA certified. Three year genetic health guarantee. Will be ready for their furever homes July 14. To reserve your puppy or to schedule a visit to the farm, call or email Dennis, 406-366-5453 or oldwood@ibyfax.com. To view photos, go to www.wylr. net in the classifieds 7/15

YOUR FAMILY AND PROPERTY PROTECTORS ARE WAITING!! We have beautiful guardians just wanting and waiting to make you their priority!! Please don’t postpone your next best friend, companion and protector. $1,000. Have been raising these fantastic LGD for 48 years. For more information, call 406207-7674 7/15

RED ANGUS 2-YEAR-OLD FORAGE BULLS FOR SALE: Bulls for heifers and cows. Smaller framed, efficient, easy fleshing, good dispositions. Not fat, but in great shape and ready to go to work. Have been worked with dogs, on foot and horseback. Raised in rugged, rough, steep, rocky, high elevation country. Red Fork Red

Angus, Ken & Cheri Graves, Kaycee, WY, phone 307-7382247, cell 307-267-0724, email gravesredfork@rtconnect.net 7/15

SimAngus

FOR SALE BY PRIVATE

TREATY: Semen tested yearling SimAngus bulls. Moderate birthweights with added performance. Jordan Cattle Company, Hulett, WY. Call for more information, 307660-1380 7/8

HEREFORD BULLS FOR

SALE: Home of the Champion Pen of Bulls at the 2021 Wyoming State Fair. Big, stout, sound Hereford bulls with calving ease and high growth potential. Lots of pigment and no extra white. Get 30-40 lbs. bigger weaning weights on your baldy calves through the heterosis factor from these bulls. BUY WYOMING FIRST!! Gene Stillahn, Sticks & Stones Ranch, 307-421-1592 7/8

Pasture Wanted

PASTURE WANTED for 2,000 yearlings and 500 pairs. Can split into smaller bunches. 701523-1235 7/29

Services

AGRI-ONE FINANCIAL: Farm/ ranch and all commercial loans. RATES AS LOW AS 5%. We have been helping with all aspects of agricultural, commercial financing and management for years. LET US HELP YOU on a consulting level with management to increase profitability, deal with and fix credit problems and for all your financing needs. WE CARE AND HAVE WORKING PROGRAMS designed for the farmer/rancher and not the banker. Please call Steve, 303-773-3545 or check out our website, www. agrionefinancial.com. I will come to you and get the job done!! 7/15

Services

Scott Blakeley, Owner ppr@pronghornpump.com www.pronghornpump.com

Financial Services

ALL TYPES OF EQUIPMENT AND VEHICLE FINANCING. Great service!! Great rates!! Call Chuck Brown at C.H. Brown Co., WY LLC, 307-3223232 (office), 307-331-0010 (cell) or e-mail chuckbrown@ wyoming.com 7/8

Dogs

BORDER COLLIE PUPPIES:

Born May 23. Out of ranch raised, working parents. Four black and white males. Good with kids. Need homes where they can work cattle and/or sheep. Have had first shots and wormer. Ken & Cheri Graves, Kaycee, WY, phone 307-7382247, e-mail gravesredfork@ rtconnect.net 7/15

BORDER COLLIE PUPPIES:

Born May 22, out of working parents, $500 each. Call 307-2369047. To view photos, go to www. wylr.net in the classifieds 8/29

Yearlings and

150 ANGUS BRED HEIFERS: Home raised from 27 year closed herd, 2/3 of these heifers are AI sired out of top Angus genetics, bred to sons of Captalist-316, Sept.-Oct. calvers, total health program.

450 ANGUS COWS, 4-7 years old, home raised from 27 year closed herd, 2/3s AI sired, bred to registered Angus bulls, to calve Sept.-Oct., calves consistently grade to high 90% Choice, total health program.

40 ANGUS 2- AND 3-YEAROLD BULLS, AI sired, bred for calving ease and carcass quality. Steer mates’ grades 98% Choice or better, total health program See our website, www.JBCattle.com. Call 573578-3086 7/15

FOR SALE: 70 head of 2-yearold Black Angus heifers with Black Angus calves. Call Ron Hoffman, 307-921-1544 7/8

Yaks

SAT., AUG. 12 AT 1 PM BUF -

FALO LIVESTOCK MARKETING SELLING 90 YAKS FROM HK YAK RANCH, IN BUFFALO, WY. There will be a mix of steers, cows, calves, yearlings and bulls. Downsizing our herd to 60 head so we can better manage it for future operations. Online at www.cattleusa.com . For questions, pictures or additional information, call HK Yak Ranch, 970-4626551 or e-mail contact@ hkyakranch.com. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 7/29

Angus

BULLS FOR SALE

for heifers and cows. From popular sires & industry leaders including Spur, Rito 707, Encore and others. Semen tested & ready to go. www.claycreek.net

Clay Creek Angus • 307-762-3541

Kip Fladland

Horsemanship Clinic

kipfladlandhormanship.com

August 4 - 6, 2023 Circle T Arena Hermosa, S.D.

Classes: Foundation & H1 $550/per class/per rider FMI call or text Lori at 605-415-8701

46TH ANNUAL POWDER RIVER QUARTER HORSE BREEDERS ASSOCIATION HORSE SALE: SEPT. 3, BROADUS, MT, POWDER RIVER COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS. Offering weanlings and yearlings from some of the top producers in the area. Ranch broke horses and young prospects. Lance Bateman Memorial Ranch Horse Classic, Fri. Sept. 1 Twoyear-old futurity, Sat. afternoon, Sept. 2 Performance Yearling Futurity and Youth Halter Futurity Sun., Sept. 3, 8 a.m. Horse sale preview to follow. HORSE SALE 1 PM ON SUN., SEPT. 3. For more information, call Dan Davis, 406-427-5420 or 406-8533554 7/29

FOR SALE: 2002 APHA black and white overo mare along with 2023 sorrel and white overo stud colt, born April 30, 2023. Registration application is up to date. Can send pictures of sire’s papers, Hotshot Hancock Three and the dam’s papers, E K Delaney, along with the pictures of dam’s 2021 black and white filly. The breeding on this mare goes back to Dry San Peppy, Peponita, Poco Bueno, Doc Bar and Tanner McCue. Mare stands 14.3 HH. Stallion stands 16 HH. The mare has been pasture exposed to the same stud. Asking $4,000 for the pair. For more information, call 701-641-9933. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 7/8

MINIATURE HORSES FOR SALE OR TRADE: Pretty lawn ornaments, sweet and gentle. One stallion, 2 mares and 1 two-year-old colt. Call or text Tuesdays, Thursdays or Fridays, 307-258-2175. To view photos, go to www.wylr. net in the classifieds 7/8

Saddles & Tack

WELL STOCKED FOR ARENA, RANGE AND ABOVE THE PLAINS!! Gear up for SUMMER!! Large SELECTION of SADDLES, head stalls, REINS, saddle PADS and more!! WE CAN ship!! Shop Moss Saddles, Boots and Tack, 4648 West Yellowstone Highway, Casper, WY; 307-472-1872. Our family serving yours for 50 years!! Check us out on Facebook or our website 7/8

Hereford

Sheep

Sheep

SDSGA PREMIUM YEARLING EWE SALE

Saturday, July 22, 2023 @ 2 p.m. • Huron. S.D. Magness Livestock Auction

Approximately 600-700 head of top quality registered and commercial replacement ewes born from Jan. 1, 2022 - Dec. 31, 2022. The sale will include Dorset, Merino, Polypay, Rambouillet, SAMM, Suffolk and Targhee breeds. SDSU EXTENSION PROGRAM @ 11 a.m., free noon lamb lunch and viewing of ewes offered prior to sale.

INTERNET BIDDING available at www.cattleusa.com

For more information, please contact: Lisa Surber, 406-581-7772 • e-mail lisa@sdsheepgrowers.org or visit www.sdsheepgrowers.org • Check us out on Facebook South Dakota Sheep Growers Association

Need a new sheep camp or the old one restored?

Call us at 785-734-2663.

Our camps are handcrafted with hand-forged iron work. We also offer wooden wagon wheel restoration, wheelwright services.

Travel Trailers

2005 AIRSTREAM INTERNATIONAL FOR SALE: Sleeps 5, mint condition, factory solar system, microwave, flat screen TV, stereo system. Brand new 8 ply tires. Four batteries. Loaded!! Call 307-870-7605 7/22

Property for Sale

RAFTER 7 MERINOS

19.3 FLEECE

138 ewes: Two & 3 years old with lambs

EWE & MARCH/JUNE

LAMB UNIT

$475 each OBO 970-710-1659

ARE YOU IN NEED OF A NEW HERDER CAMP OR A PERSONAL RANGE CAMP FOR YOUR FAMILY? Contact us at Western Range Camps and see what we can build for you. We specialize in quality, handcrafted camps built to your specifications. Contact us today to design the camp just right for you. Western Range Camps, 435-4625300, heidi@wrcamps.com, 1145 S. Blackhawk Blvd, Mt. Pleasant, UT 84647 7/8

SELL YOUR SHEEP HERE FOR JUST $25/week

Seed

GRASS SEED FOR SALE: Manifest wheatgrass, Manska wheatgrass, Cache Meadow Brome, good germination, $3.90/lb. Call Big Horn Seed Company, 307-202-0704 or 307-645-3322 TFN

Hay & Feed

VALLEY VIDEO HAY MARKETS, LLC: New crop of alfalfa available soon. Go to www.valleyvideohay.com or call Barry McRea, 308-235-5386 7/29

WANTED: STANDING HAY, straw, alfalfa, CRP, cornstalks or damaged wheat straw. Southeast Wyoming, western Nebraska or northern Colorado. Call for competitive rates, 307-214-5290

307-630-3046 7/22

HAY FOR SALE: 2023 alfalfa, alfalfa/grass mix and intermediate grass. ALSO, 2 loads of 2022 CRP grass mix, cut early, good green. All in netwrapped round bales. Semi load delivery available. Call for pricing, 701-690-8116, please send a text if no answer or keep trying 7/8

THREE SEMI LOADS AL -

FALFA/GRASS MIX AND 8

LOADS ALFALFA : First cutting, net-wrapped rounds. Hemingford, NE. $225/ton. Call 307-421-9116 7/8

Koch Ranch • Kaycee, WY

1,780 + deeded acres • $9,500,000

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE: White 30’ disk; John Deere 960 26’ cultivator; Lawson 12x30 double drum land aerator; 3 John Deere 9600 combines; New Holland 1075 balewagon; John Deere 567 baler; CIH 8570 3x3 baler; Massey Ferguson 2190 4x4 baler; Freeman pull type 3 string balers; Vermeer R23 rake; CIH 1015 pick-up header; New Holland 357 grinder mixer; Modern Mill (mix mill) feed mill; Freightliner grain truck; Freightliner sleeper truck; WS sleeper truck; Kenworth crane truck, 18 ton, 82’; WS 90 bbl vac truck, Pete 80 bbl vac truck; IHC 80 bbl vac truck; Wilson 53x102 tri axle cattle pot; Cat 262D skid steer; Mobile Tech 9 yd. volumetric concrete mixer; Degelman 570 rock picker. View equipment at www.bigskyeb.com. Call 406254-1254 7/22

FOR SALE!!! 2021 Earthquake brand pull behind deck mower.

Model Acreage RC 4432. ONLY USED ONCE!! Can be pulled by a four wheeler, side-by-side UTV or a lawn tractor. Has been tarped since new. Comes with a new battery. Located in Cheyenne, WY. Photos on request, $1,500 OBO. Call Bev, 307214-0113, if no answer please leave a message 7/22

FOR SALE: Rowse 3 pt. 9’ sickle mower. Rowse double 9’ sickle mower. Hesston/ AGCO Allis 5556 big round baler, wide pickup, net wrap/ twine. Nine wheel pull type finger rake. 7’ 3 pt. rotary mower. John Deere 2155 diesel tractor, wide front, 3 pt., runs great. H&S 7+4 17’ chuckwagon with tandem 14 ton running gear. John Deere 714A and 716A chuckwagons with John Deere running gear and bunk feeding extensions, been shedded, nice condition. J&M 325 gravity box with 12 ton gear and roll tarp. Meyerink 12’ box scraper with tilt. John Deere 7000 4 row wide corn planter with corn meters and bean cups. All in very nice condition!! Call 605-999-5482 7/15

FOR SALE: Rawhide large portable corral, WW hydraulic chute. ALSO, 2021 John Deere C500 MoCo, only cut 60 acres. R2800 Vermeer hydraulic rake. Kramer 14 bale retriever. Call 605-842-5515 8/26

1971 KENWORTH W9, Cummins 400 with an Eaton 13 speed transmission, wet kit, no tank. In good condition, clean title, $8,500. Call or text 307389-4070 7/8

2019 JOHN DEERE 560M ROUND BALER: In good working condition, has 9,000 bales on it. Large flotation tires. Net wrap and twine tie options included. $40,000 OBO. Near Pinedale, WY. Call 307-360-9386 7/29

HAY EQUIPMENT: 38 John Deere 9’ mower, $1,200; Hesston 5580 round baler, good condition, bales hay, $1,800; New Holland 56 side delivery rake, $1,200. Keystone, S.D., delivery possible. Call 605-593-6637 7/15

PIPE FOR SALE!! 2 7/8, 3 1/2 tubing, 4” drill pipe, 4 1/2 casing, 5” casing, 7” casing. Rods 3/4, 7/8 and 1” located in Montana, can ship anywhere. Call Mike, 602-758-4447. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 11/8

OILFIELD PIPE: RPJ Enterprises, Inc. 2 3/8, 2 7/8, 3.5, 5.5, and 3/4” sucker rod is available. Used for fencing, corrals, cattle guards, etc. 2 3/8 and 2 7/8 are on average 31.5’ long per joint. 3.5” and 5.5” are 42+ lengths. Pierce, CO. Call for details, 970-324-4580 8/26

Irrigation

Property for Sale

3 TUBS RANCH: 3,316+ deeded acres in the treed canyons of 66 Mountain, LaGrange, WY. Lush meadows and mountain outcroppings. Deer, antelope, turkey and sage grouse. Run cows through 12 pastures, plus improvements. Excellent calving facilities. $5,100,000. Casey Essert, Land Broker; Empire Realty, Torrington, WY, 307532-1750 7/8

Irrigation

Irrigation Systems

The choice is simple.

1-844-WYO-LAND chasebrothersllc.com

Lic. in WY, MT, SD & NE

OREGON RANCH, Baker City, Baker County, OR. The Alder Creek pasture contains over 2,000 acres of native spring, summer and fall pasture. The rangeland is situated just east of Baker City, OR. The property is in good condition and has good perimeter fencing. The range is gently south facing slope with a variety of native grass. FIRST TIME OFFERING at just over $500 per acre for deeded and contiguous ownership, $1,095,000. Give us a call at 541-523-4434, Intermountain Realty, Inc., Greg Sackos, Principal Broker, James Dunlap, Broker, www.intermountainland.com 7/15

RANCH AT MELVILLE, MT, SWEET GRASS VALLEY: Beneath the majestic Crazy Mountains lies 1,410 acres that have been under the same ownership for over 90+ years. 840 acres irrigated. Sweet Grass Creek flows through the ranch providing cover for wildlife and fishing. A full complement of improvements plus 2 homes. Call for pricing. Sidwell Land & Cattle Co., Richard Sidwell, 406-861-4426, 406-3224425 or e-mail sidwell@sidwellland.com 7/8

Modular Home

1982 MAGNOLIA DW HOME:

COUNTRY LIVING ON THE

EDGE OF TOWN, STERLING, CO: Newer ranch style home, 5 bedroom, 3 bath, many upgrades with an open floor plan, 3,800 sq. ft., lots of storage. Large barn with indoor riding arena, 6 heated stalls, wash bay, tack room, indoor hay storage, bathroom. Outdoor riding arena: 3 runs, 3 corrals, 3 loafing sheds, dog run/kennel, RV hookup. 42.25 acres, recently surveyed, 3 adjacent parcels available for sale. Call Steve Robinson, Real Estate Broker Associate, 970-6315023, A. Stephen and Company, Inc 7/15

Roof Coating

TANK COATINGS ROOF COATINGS

Available for METAL, composition shingles or tar roofs. Long lasting and easy to apply. We also manufacture tank coatings for concrete, rock, steel, galvanized or mobile tanks.

LODGEPOLE PRODUCTS, 307-742-6992, SERVING AGRIBUSINESSES SINCE 1975!! Treated posts, corral poles, buck-and-rail, western rail, fence stays, rough-sawn lumber, bedding. SEE US at www.lodgepoleproducts.com and click our “Picking A Fence Post” tab to see why folks choose our posts!! TFN Hay Equipment

Good time management is essential to farming success. That’s why more farmers are turning to T-L center pivot irrigation systems. Hydrostatically powered, T-L’s simple design gives you the low maintenance time, cost, safety and reliability to let you manage your farm instead of calling electricians or replacing gearboxes. Simplify your complex world and make irrigation easier on you.

1,344 sq. ft., 3 bedroom, 2 bath. Includes appliances, wood stove and central air. Vaulted ceilings, walk-in closets, laminate and carpet flooring. Very clean. 8’x16’ deck included. MUST BE MOVED WITHIN 60 DAYS OF CLOSING. Located near Pavillion, WY. $125,000. Range Realty, LLC, 307-840-0593 7/15

Easier On You.

Hunting & Fishing

Big Horn Truck and Equipment

Manderson, WY

rairdenjlw@tritel.net • 800-770-6280

NEW GRUNDFOS SERIES LCS, SPLIT COUPLED END SUCTION PUMP. Run 20 minutes. 350 gpm, 20’ head, 5 HP, 3-phase. Asking $5,000 OBO. Call or text for more information, 307-8400593 7/15

IRRIGATION EQUIPMENT FOR SALE: Used Wade Rain wheel line 5” 40 ft. pipe with attached 5 ft. wheel, well maintained. In yard, as is, you dismantle wheel and haul. Quantity 32 pipes, $210 each pipe. Two Nelson P200 Big Guns on carts for 6” ringlock pipe. Includes cart, $1,500 each. A&M 6” ringlock Series 55 aluminum pipe. 6”x30’ pipe. Selling as is, pipe stacked, $135/pipe. Call 406600-4146, Bozeman, MT 7/15

TWO THUNDERBIRD WHEEL LINES, one is about 1,000’ and the other one is 940’. Complete with movers and 5” pipe, extra pipe and parts. Already disassembled. In good condition, $3,500 each. Call 307-2507358 7/8

Antique & Vintage

LOOKING FOR NATIVE AMERICAN and Mexican jewelry, items and textiles. Call Ray, 307-267-4205 7/22

Fire Extinguishers

The most POWERFUL FIRE EXTINGUISHING TECHNOLOGY is here!! FIRE PRO Extinguishers feature a concentrate used for over 30 years by fire departments, race tracks and the military. This formula is a non-toxic, powerful cooling liquid with foam and requires no maintenance!! Economical, do-it-yourself refill kits are also available. Choose the best for your equipment today!! For more information, call Arlen Coblentz at 307-8509663 7/29

WANTED: PROPERTY TO ARCHERY HUNT IN THE NORTH PLATTE RIVER REGION BETWEEN GUERNSEY, WY AND NEBRASKA OR NEARBY. Whitetail deer only. Must be east of I-25 and south of U.S. Hwy. 20. Open to a lease or permission based day-to-day agreement. I do not sublease or guide. It’s just me. I work well with duck and deer hunters. Call 970-227-8598 7/29

VIRDEN PERMA-BILT CO. 806-352-2761

www.virdenproducts.com

Call for our free catalog: Scan the QR Code with your mobile device to visit our website!

Mineral Rights Mineral Rights

Three Crown Petroleum P.O. Box 774327 • Steamboat Springs, CO 80477

We Buy or Lease Minerals 970-756-4747

hcooper@ipcoilandgas.com

970-457-5555

OBITUARIES

We welcome obituaries. Obituaries are printed free of charge and can be sent to roundup@wylr.net.

Toby Nelson Vineyard

Aug. 18, 1980 – June 22, 2023

the cookies from the trophy house’s soda fountain.

These are just some of the memories he never forgot while living there. Toby truly loved living at the PK and working there later on in life.

partners to qualify for the NHSFR, including Devin Worman and Jeremy Biley. He traveled with Tyler for a couple years and then on his own with his partner at the time.

A favorite memory of his during this time was catching baby geese for his mother on her birthday with Shiloh Brown. The geese probably got the best of the two young men.

those two watching MASH, eating crackers and string cheese, teaching Amy’s cat to eat string cheese from the container or causing trouble somewhere. Shiloh was a strong presence in Toby’s life, and so many memories were made with him.

in 2019 and stayed with her until 2022. Together they enjoyed having the kids over and running them to rodeos and barrel racing. They both strived to help the kids in any way they could.

Toby Nelson Vineyard was born Aug. 18, 1980 to Sheri and Guy Vineyard in Sheridan, where he joined his older brother Tyler.

Toby spent most of his childhood at the PK Ranch outside of Sheridan with his parents, brother and beloved grandpa and grandma.

One could find Toby in his younger years running around the ranch with Tyler, giving out speeding tickets to “speeders” coming in, fishing, finding shenanigans to get into, trying to learn to swim and stealing all of

Wyoming

Efforts to improve sage grouse habitat through conventional management practices may be ineffective – and even counterproductive –according to research by Wyoming scientists.

Sagebrush reduction strategies including mowing and herbicide application are often employed to enhance habitat for Greater sage grouse and other sagebrush-dependent species.

The theory is clearing large sagebrush shrubs improves food sources in sage grouse nesting and brood-rearing habitats by allowing other, more nutritious vegetation to grow with less competition.

This, in turn, should increase invertebrate populations, another food source for sage grouse.

But, a new paper published in the journal Wildlife Monographs suggests these methods may be misguided.

UW study

In a nine-year experimental study, researchers examined how Greater sage grouse populations in Central Wyoming responded to mowing and applying the herbicide tebuthiuron to Wyoming big sagebrush.

According to their data, these treatments did not benefit the birds.

“Some managers think treating sagebrush for wildlife is how it’s supposed to work, and we’ll keep doing it,” says Jeff Beck, University of Wyoming (UW) professor of ecosystem science and management and principal investigator for the study. “Hopefully, this will get people to start

Toby attended Beckton Elementary for a few years and enjoyed the ride into school with his Grandma Roberts. Beckton, being a small school, allowed pocket knives, and Toby fondly remembered playing games during recess with throwing knives at the ground.

Toby and his family moved to Clearmont in 1990, where Toby and Tyler would attend Clearmont Junior and Senior High School.

Toby enjoyed team roping and spent most of his off time in the arena on his horse Bill. Toby and Bill would attend the National High School Finals Rodeo (NHSFR) twice during his high school career.

Toby roped with many

Toby also played basketball during junior high and high school and enjoyed the time he spent with his great friend Dusty Bates. These two would grow close throughout the school years, causing Lynn Latham stress and anxiety throughout the FFA season.

She took it like a trooper, and she was one of Toby’s favorite teachers. He valued her friendship later in life.

Toby worked on the family ranch with many hired hands and helpers. Nick Roadifer and Toby found time to hunt, check cows, work on cars, go snowmachining and work on the ranch together. They became quick friends.

Shiloh also came to work for the family ranch, and one could usually find

After high school, Toby moved to Arizona, bought a place and built an arena to continue to do what he loved to do – work with horses and rope. He met John and Wayne Folmer there and continued to rope with them on and off.

Toby moved back to Wyoming in 2006 and married Amy Bohlmann. They had two amazing children during their time together, Bronc and Brindle Vineyard. Toby taught both kids the love of horses and how to ride. He also taught Bronc to rope and noticed he had a natural talent, like most of the Vineyards.

Toby loved both of his kids immensely and tried to do best for them when he could. Toby helped buy a horse for both kids and helped Brindle with her barrels. He enjoyed watching the kids compete in either rodeo or basketball.

Toby met Tucker Smith

Toby started his job at Sunlight Ranches in the fall of 2022, and Bronc had the opportunity to work on the Ceded Strip Ranch with him in the summer of 2022. Toby was so proud of Bronc and the work ethic he showed that summer.

In June of 2023, Toby proposed to Lacey Dowdy. They had planned to wed in the fall of 2023. Toby had many friends throughout his lifetime – too many to mention. His circle was large and he had a friend wherever he went.

Toby was someone who would’ve given the shirt off his back, even if it was his last one. He’d help anyone who needed it. Toby had a huge heart. He enjoyed his kids, roping, riding good horses, having a good time with his friends, swapping cowboy stories and living the cowboy lifestyle.

Toby was the epitome of a cowboy. He lived life well and without hesitation.

In his younger years, he

could sit in a saddle with the best of them, and he trained a lot of really good horses. He made friends in many genres of the horse world and loved to talk and learn more about what makes a good horse. He worked hard and loved working with his draft horses as well, trying to keep the cowboy tradition alive and pass it down to his kids.

On June 23, Toby joined his mom, grandma Ermal Roberts, grandpa Don Roberts and grandma Carolyn Vineyard in Heaven. Toby gained the peace and happiness he had longed for, for many years. He will be missed by many.

Toby is survived by his two children Bronc and Brindle Vineyard, his brother Tyler (Stacy) Vineyard, his two nieces Caytlen and Cathryn Vineyard, his father Guy (Becky) Vineyard and his grandpa Nelson Vineyard.

A celebration of life was held at the Clearmont Community Church on July 1 with Pastor Kevin Cooley officiating.

There has been a memorial set up for his two children at First Northern Bank in Sheridan.

question value of sagebrush control in conserving sage grouse

thinking, ‘If we’re going to spend money to improve habitat, we’ve got to find some other ideas.’”

Beck’s co-authors include Kurt Smith, a former UW PhD student who is now an ecologist with Western EcoSystems Technology; Jason LeVan, a former UW master’s student who is now a range and wildlife conservationist for Pheasants Forever; Anna Chalfoun, UW associate professor and assistant unit leader of the U.S. Geological Survey Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit; Stanley Harter, a wildlife biologist with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD); Thomas Christiansen, a retired WGFD sage grouse program coordinator and Sue Oberlie, a retired Bureau of Land Management wildlife biologist.

The researchers tracked behaviors and survival rates of more than 600 female Greater sage grouse in response to mowing and tebuthiuron application. They also monitored

effects on invertebrate populations, sagebrush and herbaceous vegetation.

Throughout the study, responses were compared to untreated plots near the treated areas as well as offsite control plots.

Pre-treatment data were collected during 2011-13, and mowing and tebuthiuron applications were implemented in winter and spring of 2014.

After six years, 201419, of post-treatment monitoring, Beck and his colleagues determined sage grouse responses to treatment were neutral at best.

“Neither mowing nor tebuthiuron treatments influenced nest success, brood success or female survival,” they reported.

Furthermore, treatments used to reduce Wyoming big sagebrush coverage resulted in slight avoidance by sage grouse.

Negative impacts

Invertebrates and herbaceous vegetation also did not respond positively to reduction of Wyoming big sagebrush, indicating treatments did not improve the

quantity and quality of sage grouse food sources.

Instead, reduction of Wyoming big sagebrush cover may negatively impact sage grouse and other species using sagebrush shrubs to nest and seek refuge from predators, the researchers suggest.

They predict expanding experimental treatments to larger areas may reveal greater negative effects of Wyoming big sagebrush reduction on sage grouse populations.

“Management practices which focus on the maintenance of large, undisturbed tracts of sagebrush will best facilitate the persistence of sage grouse populations and other species reliant on the sagebrush steppe,” they wrote.

Their results are consistent with many other studies suggesting controlling Wyoming big sagebrush negatively impacts wildlife. However, they caution, their findings should not be generalized to other sagebrush species and subspecies, such as mountain big sagebrush.

Rather than removing Wyoming big sagebrush, says Beck, conservation strategies should focus on removing encroaching pinyon and juniper and invasive species such as cheatgrass. These types of vegetation alter the sagebrush ecosystem and influence fire cycles, potentially damaging sage grouse habitat.

Enhancing wet areas in sagebrush habitats is another promising strategy

for improving the quality of sage grouse brood-rearing habitat, he notes.

This research was supported by the WGFD’s Wyoming Sage Grouse Conservation Fund; the Bates Hole, Big Horn Basin, South Central, Southwest and Wind River/Sweetwater River local sage grouse working groups; the Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust; the BLM’s Lander Field Office; the Margaret and Sam Kelly Ornithological Research Fund and the Wyoming Reclamation and Restoration Center’s graduate assistantship program.

Brooke Ortel is a writer and editor for UW Extension. This article was originally published in UW Ag News on June 26.

Reducing shrub cover – University of Wyoming researchers found reduction of Wyoming big sagebrush cover may negatively impact sage grouse and other species who use shrubs to nest and hide from predators. Experimental treatments in their nine-year study included mowing and herbicide application. Stanley Harter photo

researchers

Behavior and survival – University of Wyoming researchers tracked behavior and survival rates of more than 600 female sage grouse in response to mowing and tebuthiuron application. Pictured is a sage grouse at Wilson Gulch in Fremont County. Stanley Harter photo

2023 National Rambouillet Show and Sale held in South Dakota

The 2023 National Rambouillet Show and Sale and National Junior Show were held June 22-24 at the South Dakota State Fairgrounds in Huron, S.D. Consignors from multiple states made the trip to Huron to consign some of the top genetics in the country.

Overall, 78 total head sold for an average of $1,019.49 per head with registered buyers from North Carolina, Texas, North Dakota, Minnesota, Kentucky, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Ohio, Missouri, Wisconsin, South Carolina, Kansas, Wyoming, Illinois, Indiana, Pennsylvania and Mexico.

Top-selling rams

Auctioneer Casey Humble of Mud Butte, S.D. got the sale rolling with the top-selling ram, lot 44, a horned yearling ram consigned by Chapman Rambouillets of Bison, S.D., which was named the 2023 National Champion Ram in the national show judged by Travis Hoffman of Fargo, N.D.

When the gavel dropped, the ram sold at $4,800 to the Grotegut Family of Texas.

The 2023 Reserve National Champion Ram was also a South Dakota ram, an early fall ram lamb consigned by Marshall Sheep Company of Arlington, S.D. This ram went east to O’Banion Farms of Ohio at $1,900.

Other top rams were Chapman Rambouillets’ lot 43, which went to Chance Porsborg of North Dakota at $2,400, while another Marshall Sheep Company ram went to O’Banion Farms for $2,000.

Dew Drop Farms of Minnesota sold lot 78 to Regehr Sheep of South Dakota for $2,400, while Benz Rambouillet of Kansas sent lot 10 to Kentucky to Mike and Dianne Hellwig for $3,500.

Dew Drop Farms’ lot 79, an early fall ram lamb, found a new home in North Carolina with Vivian Stephenson, who picked him up at $2,200.

Chapman Rambouillets sent a January ram lamb to Minnesota to G String Ranch for $1,800.

One February ram lamb was consigned by Red Barn Family Farm of Minnesota, and he went south to Texas to Sadie and Addie Buffe at $1,000.

Top-selling females

In the female portion of the sale, the 2023 National Champion Ewe was lot 81, a yearling ewe consigned by Dew Drop Farms. She went east to Vivian Stephenson at $3,500.

A North Dakota yearling ewe, consigned by

Lynn Frey, was named 2023 Reserve National Champion, and she was purchased at $2,400 by Moriah Geiser of Minnesota.

A nice consignment of yearling ewes averaged $923, while three pairs of yearling ewes averaged $1,290 per pair.

In the ewe lamb portion of the sale, lot 13F, consigned by Benz Rambouillet of Kansas went to the Grotegut Family at $1,600, while Wyatt Leib picked up a Joslin Family ewe at $900.

Cade Parker of Texas picked up the top January ewe lamb at $1,725 from Chapman Rambouillets, while the Grotegut Family also secured a Chapman Rambouillets ewe at $1,700.

Allison Shipp of Missouri purchased a Borcher Sheep Company ewe out of Wyoming at $1,100, while also finding a Joslin Family ewe for $1,000.

The January ewe lambs had a nice average of $1,015 per head.

The top February ewe lamb was consigned by Borcher, and she went to Sadie and Addie Buffe at $1,000. Three pairs of ewe lambs went to three separate buyers, with the Grotegut Family picking up the top pair at $2,600 per pair.

National Junior Rambouillet Show

Prior to the 2023 National Show and Sale, the 2023 National Junior Rambouillet Show was held with 42 junior exhibitors representing six different states.

Oklahoma’s Wyatt Leib’s yearling ram was named National Junior Champion Ram, while Kasandra Knutson of South Dakota had the National Reserve Champion Ram.

In the ewe division, Avery Walton of Texas took home the champion title, and August Anderson of South Dakota claimed reserve.

Along with the National Junior Show, youth competed in a sheep dress up contest, a poster contest and a cornhole tournament.

For the adults, the annual Sheepherders Classic Golf Competition was held with a group from North Dakota taking the top spot in a putt off for the championship.

New this year was a salsa contest, with Weier Farm of South Dakota taking the top spot.

In the 2023 National Fleece Show, Chapman Rambouillets had the Champion Ram Fleece, and Estelle Cook of Cook Sisters Rambouillets won the title of Champion Ewe Fleece.

At the annual meeting, Darin Bauck of Min-

nesota was named the new American Rambouillet Sheep Breeders Association (ARSBA) president of the board of directors, while Stephen Munz of Texas was elected as vice president. Russell Rossiter of California was elected to fill the board role Munz vacated.

During the award presentations and annual junior fundraiser auction, $9,000 was raised for the Burk and Bernie Lattimore Scholarship Program. For 2023, Allison Shipp and Moriah Geiser of Minnesota were named as scholarship recipients.

Topping off the annual banquet was the presentation of the ARSBA Legacy Award to Estelle Cook for her many years as a top producer and advocate for the Rambouillet breed.

The ARSBA wishes to thank all the hosts from both South Dakota and North Dakota for all of their hard work and dedi-

cation in putting together this year’s event. Special thanks goes to local hosts Burton and Laura Anderson of Highmore, S.D. who worked very hard over the past year to make the event so successful.

In addition, a huge thank you goes out to Nina Steinmetz of Hot Springs, S.D. for all her work in put-

ting together the activities for the junior exhibitors.

The ARSBA was very fortunate to have a great set of corporate and individual sponsors from both the greater South Dakota area as well as other parts of the country that made for an outstanding week.

The 2024 National Rambouillet events will be held in Stephenville, Texas in June 2024.

ARSBA has been committed to producing the highest quality meat and fleece available in one breed of sheep. This article is courtesy of ARSBA.

National Champion Ram – Consigned by Chapman Rambouillets of South Dakota, purchased by the Grotegut Family of Texas. ARSBA photo

Reserve Champion Ram – Consigned by Marshall Sheep Company of South Dakota, purchased by O’Banion Farms of Ohio. ARSBA photo

National Champion Ewe – Consigned by Dew Drop Farms of Minnesota, purchased by Vivian Stephenson of North Carolina. ARSBA photo

Reserve Champion Ewe – Consigned by Lynn Frey of North Dakota, purchased by Moriah Geiser of Minnesota. ARSBA photo

IT'S THE PITTS

by Lee Pitts

No Chit Chat

My friend Rod gets all of his news by reading the headlines on a website called Market Watch because he refuses to pay one dollar per week to read the complete stories. But, this only partially explains his stupidity.

“What’s all this excitement about artificial intelligence (AI)?” he asked. “I read one company’s stock went up 700 percent because it’s a leader in AI. And, every other headline was about how AI is the next exciting big thing.

Heck, we’ve been artificially inseminating (also AI) cows for decades now and Wall Street just found out? And just ask any brown-shouldered AI technician how ‘exciting’ it is.”

Admittedly, Rod’s not very computer savvy. He thinks a byte is what rattlesnakes and cantankerous old horses do. His chips are ruffled with ridges, and he thinks software refers to the plastic knives, forks and spoons they pass out at bull sale barbecues. And, cookies are what you get

for dessert.

“Rod, if you weren’t so cheap and could read the complete stories you’d know the AI they’re referring to is artificial intelligence, not artificial insemination,” I said.

Obviously, Rod hasn’t had too many run-ins with intelligence, real or artificial, and I’m beginning to wonder about myself.

Not too long after the encounter with Rod, I was reading a story in the New Mexico Stockman magazine about stress in cows caused by cold weather. It was a ho-hum story and not up to the usual excellent standards of the magazine.

And then, I read the fine print, and one can imagine my surprise when I read the sample article was written BY A COMPUTER!

Well, my friends, I’ve

RIVERTON LIVESTOCK AUCTION

TUESDAY, JULY 11

YEARLINGS

Arapahoe Ranch – 300 Blk AngX Strs & Hfrs 500-600#. Hay fed. Rec Bovishield One Shot & Ultrabac 7. Knife cut. Age & source verified - IMI Global. 100% all natural. Sired by Diamond Peak & small % Colyer Hereford bulls. Green, very high quality! BULLS

Shippen Angus – 6 Yrlng Blk Ang Virgin Bulls. Rec 2 rounds of Express 5, Nasalgen, & Vision 7. Fertility tested, ready for cows, selling as commercial. COWS

Don Buchholtz – 1 JerseyX Pair. March born calf.

1 JerseyX Yrlng Hfr.

2 CharX cows.

2 Mini Hereford Cows.

TUESDAY, JULY 18 - No sale

TUESDAY, JULY 25

TUESDAY, AUGUST 1 - No sale

TUESDAY, AUGUST 8 ALL CATTLE CLASSES & 4-H RESALE (NOON) START TIME 9:00 AM W/ WEIGH UPS

TUESDAY, AUGUST 15 - No sale

TUESDAY, AUGUST 22

ALL CATTLE CLASSES W/ SHEEP AND HORSES & 4-H RESALE (NOON) START TIME 9:00 AM W/ SHEEP & WEIGH UPS

TUESDAY, AUGUST 29 - No sale

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5

seen the future, and it doesn’t include me.

I blame something called ChatGPT, which will write a story all by itself without any human intervention. Now, one can add ‘writer’ to the list of jobs destroyed by the Internet.

So, if you see me on the side of the road with a sign saying, “Will work for food,” throw me a quarter or two. Actually, the nerds and geeks say ChatGPT doesn’t write the stories, it generates them.

So, I’m a “generator” now or a “linguistic engineer,” as one out-of-work writer referred to herself.

ChatGPT is an “AIpowered chatbot” – whatever that is – which can write novels, poems that don’t rhyme, e-mails from Nigerian princes, malicious computer code or your son’s fifth grade report about the Amazon rainforest.

It does this by scanning sources like Wikipedia, the National Enquirer, books,

the New York Times, scientific journals and my column, no doubt, then putting it all together in one jumbled article.

Trust me, ChatGPT writing would put a person with caffeine-intoxication to sleep.

Evidently, teachers aren’t able to tell if a student wrote a report because given the same topic, ChatGPT writes something different every time. I’d hope a teacher could tell a “D” student did not write a report on how to build a nuclear bomb.

I read one account saying ChatGPT can write good rap songs, but I don’t think there is such a thing. One article said ChatGPT can even write humorous columns, but in all honesty none of them left me hemorrhaging with laughter.

ChatGPT does all of this by plagiarizing content actually written by real people like me without any attribution or royalty paid to the original writer. This

Activists Agriculture

By M.P. Cremer

A few years ago, I designed a handful of “pro-agriculture” T-shirts and listed them on a site called Redbubble. Recently, I found out my account was suspended from Redbubble because it “broke community guidelines.”

Let’s chat about this.

Redbubble is a popular site for artists of all kinds to get their artwork out there. Designs are uploaded by artists and can be printed on canvases, coffee cups, T-shirts and stickers. They can even be printed on shower curtains – the possibilities are endless.

The real beauty of selling designs on Redbubble, in my opinion, is artists are out zero dollars. They simply just upload their designs, set their prices and wait for orders to roll in. All items are made to order by Redbubble, and they take out the cost of goods after a buyer purchases the artist’s products.

In my opinion, this model is a win-win.

As an artist, individuals are out absolutely nothing to sell their products. As a buyer, one can see a design they like and have it printed on different styles of T-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, keychains, phone cases, etc.

However, in my case, it’s no longer a win-win –it’s a total loss.

All but one of my

is flat-out stealing and just one more example of the moral decay in our country.

One of the unforeseen problems with ChatGPT is there has to be real writers writing original content for the chatbot to be able to steal from. I guarantee if some poverty stricken editor at the New York Times or LA Times is forced to pick between a bad article written for free by a computer or a good article written by a professional, they’ll pick the free one every time.

An article written by ChatGPT might contain one sentence saying one thing and then in the very next sentence it says the exact opposite. So basically, what you end up with are two computers lying to each other.

I read where ChatGPT already has 100 million users and 1.8 billion visitors per month, but I don’t know if the glowing report was written by a real person or some self-serving computer.

deemed them “offensive.” I’m going to go out on a limb here and say it was probably one of my best-selling designs –a muscle tank that says CARNIVORE.

designs was centered around promoting agriculture. Some were simple with just my Activists vs. Agriculture logo on them, while others promoted farming and ranching.

My two favorite designs read “Support your local sodbuster” with a drawing of a vintage plow and “Without agriculture you’d be naked and hungry” with a drawing of a cotton bowl.

Sure, the latter toes the line of being inappropriate, but it’s why I love it. To this point, there are far more inappropriate designs being sold on Redbubble every day by random artists, but I digress.

I haven’t uploaded an ag-related design – or any design for that matter– in a while. However, I had purchases for multiple items from my Redbubble store in the past year with my Activists vs. Agriculture logo on them as well as my Walking P Productions logo, which is my photography business.

I recently tried to login to my Redbubble account to order another Walking P Productions T-shirt to fit over my pregnant belly.

Sadly, however, I was met with a notice my account was suspended because I “broke community guidelines” with my designs as someone

I’m going to go out on another limb here and say it was probably some anti-ag activist who found my Instagram account and followed the link to my Redbubble store to report me.

I’m not shocked by this, really, it was just a matter of time.

I’ve been flagged on social media before for posting “offensive” content. One report, in particular, was a photo of a junior 4-H member kissing her show lamb on the nose. I’m not sure how this is offensive, but the anti-ags have done this many-a-time in the past.

I just didn’t think it would happen on a random Tuesday in May of 2023, in a time when I hadn’t promoted my agriculture merchandise in over a year. But, it did.

I’m not bitter about this fluke. I was taken aback when I first saw the suspension notification, but at this point it’s kind of like “Are you really surprised?”

Anti-ags will go to the ends of the earth to bury anything positive about agriculture. They’ll protest in front of innocent businesses, report social media posts and trash talk children who are excited about agriculture, planting seeds in their head they’re “bad people.”

Anti-ags will flat out lie about agriculture to push their agenda, so why would it shock me some fragile, cowardly, propaganda pushing antiag would get my account suspended from an independent designer website?