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

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

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.

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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.” 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.

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.

“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.