August 7, 2021

Volume 33 Number 15 • August 7, 2021

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

A Look Inside UW Extension provides financial literacy tool.............. page 5 A 1903 article gives information on the world’s longest tramway. .................................... page 10 Casper College cowboys compete in horse competition.......... .................................... page 15 Lee Pitts looks into contradicting statements............. page 16

Quick Bits Farm Expense According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service Farm Production Expenditures Report, farm production expenditures in the U.S. are estimated at $366.2 billion for 2020, up from $357.8 billion in 2019, an increase of 2.3%. The four largest expenditures include feed, farm services, livestock and poultry related expenditures and labor.

MSLF continues post-COVID-19 ag loan litigation In March 2021, the Biden administration signed into action the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Within this legislation, $4 billion was slated to forgive

loans for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.

The Mountain States Legal Foundation (MSLF), along with the Southeastern Legal Foundation, have worked together to bring light to what they call a

“violation of the Constitution’s guarantee of Equal Protection,” provided by the Fifth Amendment.

According to MSLF, preliminary rulings suggest claims of equal protection rights violations have suf-

ficient merit to halt controversial payouts of loans held by socially disadvantaged groups.

Current cases In Holman v. Vilsack, the government requested Please see MSLF on page 14

water rule update

Agricultural organizations keep water regulation in scope Water rights have been a hot topic in legislation for many years. In 1986, the idea of a federal water rule first entered the Supreme Court, and eventually entered legislation. Nearly 35 years of debate has made for countless different regulations on every water feature.

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Chief Environmental Counsel Scott Yager joined

the Beltway Beef podcast on July 29 to share how the rule has progressed and what the future of water rights looks like.

Background Starting in 2008, the Obama administration bypassed the legal system to create the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule. By 2015, this Please see WATER on page 4

AIS Found The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has verified the presence of two aquatic invasive species (AIS) in Flaming Gorge Reservoir – curly pondweed and New Zealand mudsnails. Both species of AIS have been found in Wyoming before, however this is the first time New Zealand mudsnails have been documented above the Flaming Gorge dam.

Hog Weights Barrow and gilt dressed weights have been on a gradual decline since the start of the year. This year, dressed weights have seen a faster rate of decline from the typical seasonal pattern.

Barrow and gilt dressed weights started out the year at 220 pounds and dropped 13 pounds, or 5.9%, since then, to 207 pounds. The five-year average for the same time period indicates a drop of 6.6 pounds or 3.1%.

U.S. Drought For the contiguous 48 states, the U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) showed 46.31% of the area in moderate drought or worse, compared with 46.30% a week earlier. Drought now affects 75,219,617 people, compared with 75,554,813 a week earlier. For all 50 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, the USDM showed 39.99% of the area in moderate drought or worse, compared with 39.74% a week earlier. Drought now affects 76,060,379 people, compared with 76,477,557 a week earlier.

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WY operation shifts focus When a practice has been in the family for generations, change can be hard. However, being willing to find new ways to raise cattle to improve the herd can prove to be successful.

The Sims family has gone from decades of artificially inseminating (AI) cattle to raising their own herd bulls. Shanon Sims of McFadden joined the Working Cows podcast to share how his family operation made the change.

The family started to AI cows in 1985. At the time, this technology was new and rare, so the family built a legacy on the unique new practice.

Sims shares, “Even our neighbors started to identify us as the people who utilized AI in the cowherd when nobody else was.”

At the time, this breeding method brought many benefits to the operation. Specifically, the family noticed AI offspring’s 205-day weight increased almost 60 pounds in the first year.

The Sims family continued their AI protocol on the cows every year. Then, in 2014, the family wanted to transition to a more holistic operation. In 2016, the family artificially bred their last group of heifers and in 2020, the family moved completely away from AI within their herd.

“It took a while for us to go ahead and make this move,” Sims shares. “We talked about it every year, and there was always a reason to go ahead with AI, but finally we pulled the plug.”

Changing the narrative Without intensive AI protocols taking place on the operation, the family turned to raising their own herd bulls.

Please see BULLS on page 14

Healthy weights Ewe body condition score could affect productivity Raising lambs, producing wool and practicing environmental stewardship are all expectations a sheep producer holds. The American Sheep Industry Association’s recent research discusses body condition scoring on ewes ready for production.

Dr. Clay Elliot, a Wyoming native and Purina animal nutrition specialist joined the discussion to address regular body condition scoring and nutrition to help ewes maintain condition through all seasons.

BCS for production “Producers should take advantage of looking to make sure their ewes are at least in moderate body condition,” says Elliot. “This means they are at an acceptable body condition – not too thin and not too fat.”

He explains the body condition scoring chart for sheep works on a one through five system, where one represents the thinnest body condition and five represents obese sheep.

“The reason to look at a ewe’s body condition score (BCS) is to enhance productivity,” Elliot says. “It plays Please see BCS on page 16

Blue-green algae poses threat The Water Quality Division of the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), along with the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) and the Wyoming Livestock Board released a statement in June as summer temperatures began to heat up reminding people to avoid cyanobacterial blooms and report any suspected illness to the DEQ and WDH. In a recent University of NebraskaLincoln (UNL) Beefwatch podcast and newsletter, UNL Extension Educator Amy Timmerman shared the dangers of cyanotoxins produced by blue-green

algae to livestock and wildlife.

“We typically see blue-green algae in situations where drought conditions have existed,” she explains. “Luckily, we have seen very timely rains in the region, but in drought-like conditions, blue-green algae can occur in ponds and dugouts, or in any water source where water is stagnant.”

The DEQ explains, harmful cyanobacterial blooms (HCBs) have the ability to produce toxins and other irritants which pose a risk to both human an animal health.

periodical

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Please see ALGAE on page 9

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 33 No. 15 • August 7, 2021

The Fight is On Since the last week in July, the U.S. Senate has focused on getting an infrastructure bill written and, ultimately, passed. There are other bills waiting for more discussion, but not much interest is generated – From the except for two bills that affect agriculture.

Publisher

One of these bills would raise Dennis Sun the inheritance tax, and the other would lower the estate tax exemption. Both of these bills pose those a threat to those in a family business, especially an agricultural family business. By Aug. 4, the entirety of Republican Senate members had given floor speeches, released press releases and delivered a letter to President Biden on the Democrat’s spending, as well as their stance on raising capital gains taxes and eliminating the stepped-up basis for inherited assets – all actions that stand to hurt family businesses.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Democratic Senators are saying 98 percent of family farms and ranches would not be affected by the plans to raise taxes on people making more than $400,000 a year. Secretary Vilsack also said farmers, ranchers and other family-owned businesses would not be affected by proposed increases in capital gains or the elimination of stepped-up basis, as long as heirs continue to operate the farm or ranch.

We are told the tax hikes would only affect families who end up selling the farm or ranch. Republican Senators have asked Secretary Vilsack for proof of his statements, but he has not answered their request.

The Democrats are in a hurry this week to pass the infrastructure bill before the Senate takes its traditional August recess.

Behind this bill, the Democrats have a larger bill they want passed soon. This bill contains social issues Republicans have cut from the infrastructure bill, such as immigration reform. The bill could also include tax hikes and reforms, including eliminating the stepped-up basis for capital gains taxes. There is no telling what else would be thrown into the bill.

Democrats hope to pass this bill through reconciliation, which they can do if every Democrat Senator votes “yes” and the vice president votes to break the tie. The only thing saving agriculture is some Democratic Senators from agricultural and rural states may vote against the bill or have amendments in the bill passed to exempt farms and ranches, but not other family businesses as I see it.

The president’s tax plan would tax unrealized capital gains at death at 43.4 percent, up from 23.8 percent after including the Medicare surtax. The plan would exempt $1 million in assets for an individual and $2 million for a couple. This action would repeal the stepped-up basis carryover heirs receive from their estates.

As one could guess, Republicans are fighting the president’s plan and the bills I mentioned.

A Texas A&M Agricultural and Food Policy Center study released in July stated just two of 94 representative farmers are affected by current tax policy which exempts $11.7 million in assets for individual heirs in an estate, or $23.4 million per couple. Under the planned bill to eliminate stepped-up basis, 92 percent of the 94 representative farms would carry tax liability averaging $726,104 per farm.

On another bill that would roll back estate tax exemptions to $3.5 million for an individual or $7 million per couple, combined with dropping the stepped-up basis, the tax liability is roughly $2.17 million per farm. This is why the fight is on.

The difference between a taxidermist and high taxes is that a taxidermist takes only your skin, not your family farm, ranch or other family business.

Wyoming Livestock Roundup Reporting the News by the Code of the West

Wyoming Livestock Roundup (USPS # 005-774) is published weekly by Maverick Press, Inc. P.O. Box 850 • Casper, WY 82602 Periodicals postage paid in Casper, WY Fax: 307-472-1781 • E-mail: roundup@wylr.net

Phone: 307-234-2700 800-967-1647 • www.wylr.net

GUEST OPINIONS Allocation of Sale Price with the Sale of a Farm or Ranch

By Chris Nolt Allocating the sale price of a farm or ranch among the different types of assets involved in a sale is a necessary and often neglected task.

Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 1001(a) states a taxpayer realizes gain or loss on the “sale or other disposition of property.” Generally, the code defines gain and losses to consist of the difference between the amount realized on the “sale or disposition” of an asset and the adjusted basis of an asset.

The basis of an asset is typically determined under IRC Section 1012 (purchase: cost), 1014 (inherited: dateof-death at fair market value) or 1015 (gift: carry-over basis from donor).

The sale of a ranch will typically involve the realization of gain upon the sale of a “mixed bag” of assets. Some gain will need to be recognized as capital gain or ordinary income in the year of sale, while some realized gain might not need to be recognized due to the operation of IRC Sections 121, 664 or 1031.

This mixed bag of assets often includes a personal residence, fixtures including outbuildings, barns, fences and wells, personal property such as equipment, sprinkling systems and livestock as well as land. IRC Section 1060 requires “the consideration received for such assets shall be allocated among such assets.”

Of particular significance is the requirement which states “the transferee and transferor [shall] agree in writing as to the allocation of any consideration, or as to the fair market value of any of the assets [and] such agreement shall be binding on both the transferee and transferor unless the secretary

Subscription Rates: 1 year: $50; 2 years: $75; 3 years: $110 Postmaster: Send address changes to: andrea@wylr.net Wyoming Livestock Roundup • P.O. Box 850 • Casper, WY 82602 Member: Wyoming Stock Growers Association Wyoming Wool Growers Association Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation • Wyoming CattleWomen Livestock Publications Council • National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Fremont County Cattlemen's Association Green River Valley Cattlemen's Association Wyoming Angus Association Converse County Stock Growers Association Carbon County Stock Growers Association

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do not apply.

In the context of preparing Form 8594, an allocation of the purchase price must be made to determine the purchaser’s basis in each acquired asset and the seller’s gain or loss on the transfer of each asset. Often, unless there is a definite reflection of value, such as a current appraisal, the values to be allocated to various assets is left to the negotiation and determination – in writing – of the parties and their legal representatives.

For example, a seller will generally want high valuations applied to a personal residence and land. Conversely, a buyer will want higher valuations applied to depreciable personal property and fixtures.

While county property tax valuations may be helpful in this regard, they often do not reflect current fair market values. When necessary, a qualified farm or ranch real estate agent or an appraiser is often engaged to assist in arriving at correct values.

The values agreed-upon in writing by the parties are typically acceptable to IRS, unless so skewered as to not be representative of actual values, and such might occur in the case of a corporate seller with a large net operating loss deduction who agrees to an allocation of an inordinately high value to depreciable assets.

The seller will typically wish to see an asset value allocation including certain levels of personal residence, raw land, fixtures and personal property. For a married couple, up to $500,000 of gain realized upon the sale of a personal residence does not need to be recognized or reported on a tax return.

Raw land is generally taxed at favorable long-term capital gain tax rates. In most

cases, IRC Section 1250 does not mandate depreciation recapture on fixtures such as buildings and barns, except to the extent there has been “additional depreciation.”

Note, all such buildings placed in service after 1986 must have been depreciated using the straight-line method.

Personal property such as equipment, tractors and breeding livestock are types of depreciable assets which are typically subject to IRC Section 1245 recapture. In such case, the amount of gain treated as ordinary income is the lesser of the total gain realized on the disposition of the assets or the depreciation deduction previously taken with respect to the asset.

The IRC Section 1031 Exchange and IRC Section 664 Charitable Remainder Trust are powerful tax deferral strategies which can be used when selling farm and ranch property. Even in the context of a complete or partial sale involving a 1031 exchange or charitable remainder trust, ordinary income recognition on the recapture of deprecation may occur.

Thus, it is important, even in this context, to negotiate the most tax-favorable allocation of asset value.

Chris Nolt is the author of the book “Financial Strategies for Selling a Farm or Ranch” and the owner of Solid Rock Wealth Management, Inc. and Solid Rock Realty Advisors, LLC, sister companies dedicated to working with families around the country who are selling a farm or ranch and transitioning into retirement.

To order a copy of Chris’s book, call 800-517-1031 or go to amazon.com. For more information, visit solidrockproperty.com and solidrockwealth.com.

Coming Soon!

2021 FALL CATTLEMEN'S EDITION FEATURING SUBLETTE COUNTY

DENNIS SUN, Publisher • Cell: 307-262-6132 e-mail: dennis@wylr.net AVERI HALES, Editor • averi@wylr.net BEAU PITT, Production Coordinator • beau@wylr.net JODY MICHELENA, Advertising Director • jodym@wylr.net DENISE OLSON, Classified Sales Manager • 307-685-8213 • denise@wylr.net ANDREA ZINK, Circulation/Accounting Manager • andrea@wylr.net CURT COX, Director of Livestock Field Services • 307-630-4604 • curt@wylr.net CALLI WILLIAMS, Livestock Field Services Rep. • 605-695-1990 • calli@wylr.net SAVANNAH PETERSON, Intern • savannah@wylr.net CAMERON MAGEE, Intern • cameron@wylr.net

determines such allocation or fair market value is not appropriate.”

Inasmuch as most realtors are not also tax professionals, it is not uncommon for this important requirement to be ignored in the context of drafting and executing a buysell agreement and associated documents. This creates a problem for both parties in the context of preparation of tax returns, as Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations require both the seller and purchaser of a group of assets that makes up a trade or business must use Form 8594 to report such a sale if the purchaser’s tax basis, also known as IRC Section 1012, in the assets is determined by the amount paid for the assets. Additionally, each party must attach Form 8594, reflecting agreedupon allocated values, to their income tax return for the tax year in which the sale date occurred.

The IRS instructions to Form 8594 specifically state that generally, both the purchaser and seller must file Form 8594 and attach it to their income tax returns when there is a transfer of a group of assets that make up a trade or business, and the purchaser’s basis in such assets is determined wholly by the amount paid for the assets. This applies whether the group of assets constitutes a trade or business in the hands of the seller, the purchaser or both.

However, a Form 8594 is not required if a group of assets is exchanged for likekind property in a transaction to which Section 1031 or 664 applies. If Section 1031 or 664 do not apply to all the assets transferred, however, Form 8594 is required for the part of the group of assets to which Section 1031 or 664

To schedule your advertising in the Fall Cattlemen's Edition,

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s tititolenmen'Deadline: a Advertising September 17, 2021 C d E

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 33 No. 15 • August 7, 2021

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NEWS BRIEFS Gordon gives COVID-19 update Eager to see another successful school year, Gov. Mark Gordon is committed to standing behind local school districts as they make decisions on how students can return to the classroom safely. The governor will not require districts to implement mask mandates.

“Wyoming was first in the nation in having a safe and successful in-person school year last year,” Gordon said. “My focus is on supporting local school boards as they take into account conditions in their community and work to assure students learn safely this year too.”

As he has done throughout the pandemic, Gordon will work with the Wyoming Department of Education and the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) to ensure districts are prepared to respond to changes in local conditions with equipment, testing and expertise.

“We need to follow and respect the science,” Gordon added.

WDH recently reported that among 300 persons infected by COVID-19 who were recently hospitalized, nearly 94 percent were not fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The number of new COVID-19 vaccinations has been increasing during July as the Delta variant of the virus has become dominant in the state.

“As our hospitals continue to see more COVID-19 hospitalizations, and as long-term and child care facilities are forced to close due to COVID-19 infections, it is time to remember all the things we learned last year and consider getting vaccinated as the most effective way to protect yourself against severe illness,” Gordon said.

“And, let us not forget the Wyoming way and work to be kind to one another.”

Gordon firmly supports the rights of private businesses to operate in the manner they deem best. In May, the governor issued a directive that prevents state agencies, boards and commissions from requiring “vaccine passports” to access state spaces and state services. This directive remains in place and encourages other entities, including local governments and private businesses, not to impose vaccine mandates.

Transparency increases The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced Aug. 5 that it will begin publishing a National Daily Direct Formula Base Cattle report, which will provide greater information into the foundational prices used in cattle market formulas, grids and contracts as well as a National Weekly Cattle Net Price Distribution report, which will show the volume of cattle purchased at each different level of pricing within those formulas, grids and contracts.

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) has long urged USDA to adopt policies which increase transparency in the cattle markets and applauds this effort to provide producers greater insight into cattle transactions.

“USDA’s announcement is a significant step toward increasing transparency in the cattle markets,” said NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane. “As Livestock Mandatory Reporting awaits Congressional reauthorization, it is encouraging to see the administration taking proactive steps to broaden the scope of this critical information tool.”

Lane continued, “NCBA remains committed to maximizing market transparency and looks forward to building on this momentum to shed more light on the fed cattle trade.”

ADMB announces vacancies Applications are now being accepted to fill one vacancy on the Wyoming Animal Damage Management Board (ADMB). The board is seeking applications for the non-consumptive user of wildlife – someone who holds no licenses to fish, hunt, etc.

The ADMB was created in 1999 by the legislature as a pilot program for the purposes of mitigating damage caused to livestock, wildlife and crops by predatory animals, predacious birds and depredating animals or for the protection of human health and safety.

The board consists of 15 members, 12 voting representatives and three federal ex-officio non-voting members. Members are appointed and serve four-year terms.

Interested individuals should submit applications to the Governor’s Office as soon as possible. Applications are available on the state of Wyoming website at governor.wy.gov/governor/boards/boards.asp. Individuals may also contact the Animal Damage Management Board at 307-777-6781 or the Governor’s Office at 307777-5647 to obtain an application.

Beef Checkoff battle ends A federal appeals court ruling has ended a sixyear legal battle over the Beef Checkoff. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court’s ruling that the Beef Checkoff is not in violation of the First Amendment and speech by state beef councils is government speech.

The lawsuit was filed in Montana in 2016 by Ranchers-Cattlemen’s Action Legal Fund United Stockgrowers of America (R-CALF USA) who alleged the use of industry assessments collected by state beef councils for advertising and promotional materials was a violation of First Amendment rights of beef producers.

In 2018, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) entered into Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with many state beef councils which gave USDA “significant discretion” to approve or reject any of the Qualified State Beef Council’s (QSBC) promotional activities. Based on the new MOUs, in 2020 the U.S. District Court ruled that speech by the Montana Beef Council and other qualified state beef councils is government speech.

That ruling was appealed, but the three-judge appellate panel rejected R-CALF’s argument the QSBC’s aren’t receiving adequate government oversight.

Comment period open On July 9, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced it will commit $500 million of USDA’s Build Back Better Initiative funds through the American Rescue Plan to support new competitive entrants in meat and poultry processing.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide grants, loans and technical assistance to address concentration within the meat and poultry sectors and relieve supply chain bottlenecks by supporting new meat and poultry processing facilities.

USDA has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to solicit public input into its strategy to improve meat and poultry processing infrastructure, and the RFI is now available on regulations.gov.

Comments may be submitted at regulations.gov through Aug. 30.

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COWBOY STATE DAILY Publisher Bill Sniffin invites you to join 12,000 of your Wyoming friends by becoming a digital subscriber to the fastest growing statewide internet news source in Wyoming – the Cowboy State Daily.

Cost study included in bill U.S. Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) praised the vote in the U.S. Senate to include their highway study bill as an amendment to the bipartisan infrastructure framework, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The Senate voted 95-3 to include their bill, the Highway Cost Allocation Study Act of 2021, which would require the Secretary of the Department of Transportation to conduct a study of vehicular highway use, to understand how American highway use has changed since the last study.

The ensuing study would provide Congress and the Department of Transportation with updated information about highway use for the first time since 1997, almost a quarter of a century ago. This information would inform decisions to address the Highway Trust Fund’s revenue shortfalls during its next reauthorization cycle.

“This amendment is the first step we must undertake to determine how we pay for our infrastructure moving forward,” Sen. Lummis said.

Subscriptions are free! Just go to cowboystatedaily.com and “sign in” and you will get your morning news each day about 7:30 a.m.

This includes a daily forecast by Wyoming’s number-one weather forecaster Don Day. Join Publisher Bill Sniffin, Executive Editor Jimmy Orr, Editor Jim Angell, reporter Ellen Fike and favorite columnists like Dave Simpson and Ray Hunkins on our pages.

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4

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 33 No. 15 • August 7, 2021

WATER continued from page 1 rule effectively controlled all U.S. water systems.

Under WOTUS, anyone has to get permission from the federal government to manage water.

Giving insight into the extensive rule, Yager shares, “If someone is draining a stock pond, the stock pond is now a federal WOTUS and permission from the federal government is required.”

With very in-depth regulations, the new rule at the time infringed on producers’ water rights.

Throughout the years, U.S. cattle producers have been very opinionated on this rule.

“The rule really gets at private property rights and a rancher’s ability to use their land in the way it is most economically beneficial,” says Yager.

NCBA and cattle producers joined Congress to fight the expansive new water rules.

“A lot of features on cattle country were going to be federally regulated where they have

never been before,” Yager explains. “So, we opposed the rule in Congress.”

When the Trump administration took office, the 2015 WOTUS rule was repealed and replaced. A new water act, the Navigable Waters Protection Rule, was put into place.

Eager for the new legislation, Yager explains, “This rule effectively pushed back some of the federal overreach and tried to provide clarity and exclusions for farmers and ranchers.”

Water rule status The 2020 Navigable Waters Protection Rule is still in place today.

“It is still an effective law, meaning right now this is the law we are living under as a landowner, land user or agriculture producer,” says Yager.

While still fairly new, Trump’s water rule has made progress across the country. The rule has taken some of the federal government out of producers’ management. However, there has been some backlash.

Yager, giving examples of some cases, shares, “There has been a number of decisions where cases had the opportunity to overturn the Trump Navigable Waters Protection Rule, but decided not to.”

Environmentalists and law makers are continuing to fight over cattle producers’ use of water. Still, the recent wins in court mean change is not in the near future.

“This effectively means the Trump administration’s rule stays in place for the foreseeable future, if and when the Biden administration finalizes a policy change,” says Yager.

If the new administration decides to take action against the Navigable Waters Protection Rule, they will have to produce a final rule, and the process for this action takes notable time.

Yager notes, “Producers can take a sigh of relief because nothing is changing right now – it is the status quo.”

Moving forward While many believe the Trump administration made big progress with

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water rules, NCBA hopes to continue the effort.

Between new litigation, defending the Navigable Waters Protection Rule and working with the Biden administration, the organization is continuing to fight for cattle producers’ rights.

Focusing on their biggest task, Yager shares, “We will also be continuing to have conversations with the Biden administration.”

Unfortunately, some of the conversations taking place in the Capital are not going towards progress for cattle producers. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) leadership is against the Navigable Waters Protection Rule.

“The EPA is going down the path of poten-

“Producers can take a sigh of relief because nothing is changing right now – it is the status quo.”– Scott Yager, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association tially repealing and replacing the Trump administration’s rule and working with members of Congress,” says Yager.

However, NCBA is still fighting back. They have taken action to continue the 2020 water regulations.

Yager concludes by introducing NCBA’s new plan, saying, “There are a number of members in Congress mentioning the WOTUS rule who will be introducing new legislation. We are working with

those members behind the scenes to move cattle production in all good directions.”

Cattle producers are still fighting for rights to water management and keeping the government overreach to a minimum.

Yager encourages water users to reach out to their Congressmen to continue efforts.

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

OBITUARIES

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

Edward Carl Bliss Aug. 27, 1928 – July 23, 2021

Edward Carl Bliss, 92, passed away peacefully at the Platte County Legacy Home on July 23 in Wheatland.

Carl was born on Aug. 27, 1928 to Frank and Meta (Schulz) Bliss in Wheatland. His family lived southeast of Chugwater on Windmill Road.

In 1936, the family moved southwest of Chugwater on Chalkhill Road near Little Bear Community where they purchased land and raised sheep and cattle.

Carl graduated from Chugwater High School in 1946 and then attended the University of Wyoming (UW), earn-

ing his bachelor’s degree in agriculture. While there, he was on the livestock judging team, became an avid UW fan and always cheered the Cowboys on.

Carl enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1952. He served on active duty in Korea until 1954. He transferred to the Army Reserves and was honorably discharged as a Sergeant in 1960.

Returning back to the ranch, Carl was the caretaker of his grandpa Schulz and of his parents, as well as operating the ranch. He was an expert welder and loved fabricating all sorts of things from scrap metal.

Carl loved to fix and tinker on machinery and work his Angus cattle herd. Throughout the years, Carl’s dogs were the spark of his life, and he loved buying them ice cream cones when they would go to town.

Carl loved fam-

ily gatherings, playing cards – especially pitch – until midnight, and he enjoyed a little chokecherry wine his grandpa Schulz always made.

Carl retired from ranching and moved to Wheatland where he enjoyed visiting with everyone.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother John (Darlene) Bliss, and Auntie and Unk Gard. He is survived by his nieces Peggy (Brad) Hovey of Riverview, Fla. and Terri (Jim) Huck of Cheyenne, a loving extended family and innumerable friends. His kind, loving manner will be remembered by everyone.

A celebration of Carl’s life will be held on Aug. 29 from 1-3 p.m. at the Catholic Church Hall in Chugwater. All friends are invited to come visit and have a cookie or two.

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Junior livestock evaluators – Youth members competed in the judging contest at the 2021 National Junior Angus Show in Grand Island, Neb. July 10-17. From left to right are Landon Marshall of Weyers Cave, Va. who earned first place, Molly Hansen of Carrington, N.D. in second and Hadley Cooper of Powell who placed third. Photo by Pearl’s Pics

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 33 No. 15 • August 7, 2021

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UW Extension launches financial literacy web page COVID-19’s yearand-a-half crunch on bank accounts and escalating job losses prompted the University of Wyoming (UW) Extension’s community development education (CDE) team to launch a new financial literacy website.

The UW Financial Literacy page is at bit.ly/uwefinancial-literacy with the categories of Earning, Saving and Investing, Spending, Borrowing, Protecting, Elder Exploitation and other available courses.

“We want clients to

have access to financial literacy materials, resources and websites 24/7 without us having to be there and be able to learn on their own,” said Michelle Vigil, Extension CDE educator serving northeast Wyoming.

She said to determine topics, CDE team members drew from recognized general subjects and their importance and urgency for Americans. Team members helping with the website in addition to Vigil were Educator Mary Martin in Teton County and

Entrepreneurship and Personal Finance Specialist Cole Ehmke.

“As a team, we wanted to be able to have the information online and keep it updated so we can help the citizens of Wyoming in this particular area, especially with the downturn of the economy,” said Vigil.

She said the site offers unbiased, research-based information in addition to what can be found on the web.

Offered are programs such as Wyoming Saves on Facebook, the video series

Michelle’s Money Minute and Money Talks and the Master Money Manager Coach training. The page offers relevant information no matter the interest and financial levels and life stage, according to Vigil.

Vigil noted trends she’s noticed in Wyoming over the last year.

“People are saving more within the last year because of the pandemic – its health crisis and the supply chain problems,” she said. “Because of all those things, people really started to tighten their belts

and examine their personal spending. The savings rate went up; however, people still have an incredible amount of debt they have not addressed.”

She said most people are fiscally responsible, have been paying attention and many are more interested in estate planning, a subject covered under the Protection link.

Vigil said team members have community partnerships and anyone can contact team members if they need materials that could help residents.

“What’s important about this website is having people access things that are truly researchbased and helpful,” Vigil said. “That’s what we’re in the business of doing is educating and helping people with our free, researchbased information.”

This article was written by University of Wyoming Extension Senior Editor Dr. Steve Miller and is courtesy of the University of Wyoming. Miller can be reached at slmiller@uwyo. edu. For more information, visit uwagnews.com.

Feeding elevated levels of corn silage to reduce liver abscesses Liver abscesses are the main culprit for liver condemnation in finishing cattle. Feeding high-grain diets with little

roughage can make the rumen environment more acidic and potentially cause damage to the rumen wall, which can

For more information, see the 2021 Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports at go.unl.edu/silage-liver-abscesses and go.unl.edu/silage-economics.

Tips for hay sourcing As agricultural producers strive to find adequate feed for livestock during severe drought conditions and a damaging wildfire season, the Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA) has issued guidance for out-of-county or state shipments of hay to prevent the spread of noxious weeds and other invasive pests.

“The need for hay far outweighs our supply right now in Montana,” said MDA Acting Director Christy Clark. “We recognize the need to find hay for our producers, but there can be some very serious consequences if we don’t do our due diligence in making sure hay donations and shipments from other states aren’t bringing weeds and insects that are not currently present in Montana with them.”

Hay being transported from other states and counties has the potential to introduce or spread noxious and invasive weed species, insect pests and plant diseases.

MDA recommends the following best management practices to mitigate and prevent their introduction and spread: Ask where the hay was grown/donated from, and use certified weed-free forage, if available, feed hay in an area that can be easily monitored for new weeds for several years, coordinate with a local weed district or Extension office to monitor areas and identify unknown weeds and pests and control weeds before they produce seed and defer moving livestock through any area with a new weed species until it is removed or contained.

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expose bacteria to the bloodstream and lead to the development of liver abscesses.

Including an adequate amount of coarse roughage in the diet helps stimulate rumination and increases saliva production, which serves as a buffer in the rumen. Severe cases of liver abscesses can not only negatively impact cattle performance and carcass value, but also create concern for animal well-being.

The antimicrobial, tylosin, is often included in finishing diets to reduce the incidence of liver abscesses, which requires veterinary approval through a Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD). In an effort to reduce the use of antibiotics and need for a VFD, the University of Nebraska-

Lincoln (UNL) conducted a study to determine if feeding higher levels of corn silage without the use of tylosin would decrease the prevalence of liver abscesses in finishing cattle.

In this study, cattle were fed 15 percent or 45 percent corn silage – on a dry matter basis –with or without tylosin.

Replacing up to 45 percent corn in the diet with corn silage resulted in lower daily gains, poorer feed conversions and required 28 more days on feed to reach a common backfat endpoint, but had greater final body weights compared to cattle fed 15 percent corn silage.

Liver abscesses were most prevalent – at 34.5 per-

cent – in cattle fed 15 percent corn silage without tylosin and decreased to 19 percent when tylosin was included in the diet. However, increasing corn silage inclusion to 45 percent of the diet reduced the prevalence of liver abscesses to 12.4 percent, regardless of whether tylosin was fed.

Economic returns were greatest for cattle fed 45 percent corn silage without tylosin due to greater final body weights and lower ration cost.

This increase in pounds sold and decrease in feed costs offset the increase in days on feed and poorer feed conversions for cattle fed higher levels of corn silage.

As the price of corn increases, it becomes more cost-effective to feed corn

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silage at higher inclusion levels. For example, cattle fed 45 percent corn silage returned $11.87 per head more than cattle fed 15 percent corn silage when corn was $3 per bushel and $40.64 per head more when corn was $5 per bushel.

Feeding elevated levels of corn silage in finishing diets can help reduce the incidence of liver abscesses without antibiotic use and can be an economical feeding option, especially for farmer feeders who can market their corn through their cattle.

Erin Laborie is a Beef Systems Extension educator at the University of NebraskaLincoln and is based in Beaver City, Neb. She can be reached at erin.laborie@unl.edu.

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6

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 33 No. 15 • August 7, 2021

SALE REPORTS SDSGA holds 4th Annual Premium Yearling Ewe Sale July 24, 2021 Magness Livestock Auction, Huron, S.D. Gross receipts: $197,793 Average dollars per head: $ 439 Number of consignors: 15 To meet the needs of emerging demand within the sheep industry for superior young ewe genetics available in smaller lot sizes, South Dakota Sheep Growers Association (SDSGA), has hosted a Premium Yearling Ewe Sale annually for the last four years.

The sale was held July 24 at Magness Livestock Auction in Huron, S.D. This annual event is the signature yearling ewe sale in the region.

Sale summary Consignors provided an excellent selection of high-quality, registerable and commercial ewes ranging from traditional whiteface wool breeds, crossbred and meat-breed yearling ewes.

Prices remained strong

throughout the sale with considerable interest on all offerings. Lots were purchased by buyers from five states.

The high selling registerable lot brought $605 per head for a pen of five, sold by Shady Lane Farms in Redfield, S.D. and purchased by John Callies of Howard, S.D. In the commercial ewes, the high selling lot was 20 head of Merino ewes offered by Jewell Merinos of Rifle, Colo. and purchased by TW Schalesky and Dally Myers, each with 10 head, for $585 per head.

The volume buyer of the sale was Kent and Brandee Fjeldheim from Herreid, S.D., purchasing 120 head.

A total of 68 sheep

producers registered to bid on 23 lots of yearling ewes, totaling 450 head.

SDSGA education Prior to the sale, South Dakota State University Extension educational programming and lunch were held. A total of 45 sheep producers attended the programming and 85 people, attended the free lamb lunch.

A roll over auction was offered on one ewe donated

by Sage Creek Targhees and Tommy Mills to benefit SDSGA’s Youth Buyer Credit Program. The ewe earned more than $2,100 toward continuation of this successful program, providing $500 awards to regional youth looking to get into or expand their sheep flock.

This year, one award was given to John Callies of Howard, S.D. To learn more about the SDSGA, contact Dr. Lisa Surber at 406-5817772 or by e-mail at lisa@ sdsheepgrowers.org.

The 2021 SDSGA annual convention will be held Sep. 24-25 in Pierre, S.D. To learn more, visit sdsheepgrowers.org.

Youth purchasing program – SDSGA Executive Secretary Dr. Lisa Surber stands with John Callies of Howard, S.D., the SDSGA Youth Buyer Credit Winner and SDSGA President Jim Van Dyke in the presentation of $500 to Callies to purchase ewes at the sale. Courtesy photo

Top sellers – The high selling consignment ewes, a pen of five, brought $605 per head. Ewes were consigned by Nicole Jessen and Shady Lane Farms and purchased by John Callies. Courtesy photo

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 33 No. 15 • August 7, 2021

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 33 No. 15 • August 7, 2021

EXTENSION EDUCATION

By Jeremiah Vardiman, UW Extension Agriculture and Horticulture Educator

Managing alfalfa in high temperatures High temperatures, grasshopper reports and drought conditions have made this year interesting.

These events could be affecting certain producers greatly, or only impacting the fringes of operations depending on where producers are located and if they have access to irrigation. These conditions have stimulated various questions, and one question that has been asked multiple times is how best to manage alfalfa during temperatures over 100°F. This question is primarily for irrigated alfalfa fields.

Alfalfa is native to the Middle East, such as Turkey and Iran, making it well-adapted for hot and dry conditions. Although alfalfa can tolerate hot conditions, extended periods of high temperatures can have an impact on alfalfa plants and limit the ability to produce highquality hay.

A decrease in stem diameter, accelerated crop maturity, an increase in lignin and a decrease in plant height, leaf-to-stem ratio and digestibility is commonly seen when temperatures are consistently over 100°F. Overcoming heat Maintaining adequate soil moisture is the best management during hot periods. Alfalfa commonly experiences moisture stress during this period of heat stress, even though soils may be moist.

Alfalfa stands experiencing moisture and heat stress will respond by shutting down, which slows the growth of the plant and encourages maturing of the crop.

Irrigation helps alfalfa respond to this stress, however, yields can still be reduced.

Slow plant growth is triggered by the increase of respiration, or the

breakdown of carbohydrates into energy, especially when respiration exceeds photosynthesis.

Unlike photosynthesis, which depends on light, respiration occurs 24 hours per day. Respiration rates increase with temperature and can exceed photosynthesis rates when high temperatures are maintained, especially at night.

Fortunately for Wyoming, there are typically good fluctuations in daytime and nighttime temperatures. For example, on July 27, Powell’s daytime high was 102°F with a nighttime low of 73°F. Lower temperatures at night gives a plant time to recover from any heat or water stress during the day and replenish on water.

If nighttime temperatures do not cool down, alfalfa plants expend more nutrients, which results in producing finer stems high in fiber, and even though they can contain high protein, this results in low relative feed values.

Managing maturity The early maturity of alfalfa crops is another concern during high temperature summers. Alfalfa fields may begin to bloom early when temperatures exceed 90°F. Typically, bloom is an indication for harvest timing. This early

blooming in high temperatures can be misleading because the alfalfa plants have not had enough time to rebuild nutrient reserves in their roots since the last harvest.

Watch the calendar and the plants to schedule the next cutting. Plants should be allowed to grow for 30 days or more prior to cutting again to maintain the health of a plant. There are instances when the field could bloom within 20 days or less because of hot and dry conditions.

When to cut is the last consideration during high temperatures. Cut alfalfa that maintains 50

percent moisture or more will continue to respire, decreasing the quality of hay and yield. Research has proven hay cut in the afternoon produces higher quality hay than if cut in the morning.

Everyone is striving for the best hay. It is important to keep in mind cutting hay when the best drying conditions are available to get the hay below 50 percent as soon as possible also needs to be considered. Cutting hay in the morning during good drying conditions may still be wise.

The best way to manage alfalfa in high temper-

atures is to maintain adequate soil moisture, track crop maturity on a calendar as well as in the field and select the best drying conditions for cutting hay, even if this means cutting in the morning.

Wyoming is known for difficult growing conditions, but its natural fluctuations between daytime and nighttime temperatures allows for quality hay to be produced during hot conditions.

Jeremiah Vardiman is a University of Wyoming Agriculture and Horticulture Extension Educator. He can be reached at jvardima@uwyo.edu.

Crook County gleans new greenhouse A group of 4-H and FFA members, as well as University of Wyoming (UW) Extension personnel, members of Grow Your Own from the Wind River Indian Reservation and Wyoming Department of Agriculture’s (WDA) Coleman Griffith worked together to build a 22-foot-diameter geodesic dome greenhouse on the Crook County Fairgrounds in Sundance on July 13.

According to a UW press release, Crook County 4-H Extension Educator Sara Fleenor secured funding from Casper’s Food for Thought, channeled through both WDA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s specialty crop block grant.

The dome complements what Fleenor calls the Learning Lab at the

fairgrounds, where Sundance elementary students learn to grow food and then harvest and prepare meals. The dome sits beside a small hoop house built by State Extension Small Acre/ Horticulture Specialist Jeff Edwards and other workshop participants in 2011, called the pizza garden. Students will use the tomatoes, herbs and other vegetables growing there to make pizza this fall.

“I think even in a rural community like Sundance, the kids still don’t necessarily know where their food comes from,” Fleenor said. “I think that is something we are losing – if you have cream, you can make butter. If you’ve got a 20-foot space, you can grow a sustainable garden. This is really important for anybody.”

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 33 No. 15 • August 7, 2021

ALGAE continued from page 1 Livestock concerns “We’ve heard about the risk of blue-green algae to humans, especially through recreational lake closures, but this is also harmful to livestock and wildlife,” Timmerman shares. “While not all blue-green algae produces a toxin, this toxin is very dangerous for livestock to consume.”

Often, livestock stand in pasture water sources, especially when it is hot, Timmerman notes. This action increases the amount of manure, and in turn, nitrogen in the water. Bluegreen algae feeds off of nitrogen and phosphorus within a water source.

“Once concentrations are high enough, symptoms of toxicity poisoning appear in full-size cattle anywhere from two to 24 hours after consumption,” she continues. “It doesn’t take very

long at all before we see impacts to cattle health.”

Signs of cyanotoxin poisoning include neurological symptoms, such as weakness, staggering, difficulty breathing, paddling and convulsions, Timmerman shares. Additionally, the toxin affects the liver and producers may see a pale color in mucus membranes, overall weakness, and bloody diarrhea. Severe infection of the toxin may lead to death of the animal.

Spotting HCBs To look for potential harmful blooms of bluegreen algae, Timmerman recommends producers view the leeward or downwind side of the water source. Any blue-green, red, yellow or green scum on top of the water could be indicative of blue-green algae growing on the water surface.

Additionally, Timmerman shares producers should look around to see if any wildlife, including dead fish, snakes, frogs or rabbits, are in the area. If any blooms are spotted, producers should take action to keep livestock from utilizing these water sources.

“If cattle do consume toxic blue-green algae, there is no antidote,” Timmerman says. “Animals that only consume a small dose do recover, but recovery is slow and producers will see a loss in weight.

Lighter colored cattle, such as Charolais and any white-faced cattle tend to become photosensitive and will need a few weeks to recover from skin damage.”

While not all blue-green algae blooms are toxic, it is important to watch closely and test if needed.

Prevention If producers notice HCBs being a consistent problem, they can take action to keep their live-

BLM fire restrictions remain The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) High Desert District remains in Stage One fire restrictions for all BLMadministered public lands within the boundaries of Sweetwater, Unita, Sublette, Teton, Fremont and Lincoln counties.

Recent rainfall and cooler temperatures have provided a brief reprieve from wildfires but vegetation remains

dry and warmer temperatures are in the forecast.

“I am asking everyone to respect the fire restrictions that are in place and help prevent human caused wildfires,” said Assistant Fire Management Officer Jon Ziegler. “There is a lot of fire season left this year and we need to help each other protect the lands in Wyoming from wildfire.”

9

stock safe. First, Timmerman recommends fencing a problem water area off from livestock. Second, producers can bring in an alternative water source, and for those who have the ability, can pump contaminated water out of the tank.

“Blue-green algae is only typically found on the top six inches of a water source, so if it is possible to remove water, cattle will be able to utilize the water source again without hauling water,” Timmerman says.

She continues, “Depending on where ponds or dugouts are, implementing a good nutrient management program and grazing management plan can help prevent bluegreen algae toxicity. The one big thing is we want to graze pastures correctly and

“Animals that only consume a small dose do recover, but recovery is slow and producers will see a loss in weight. Lighter colored cattle, such as Charolais and any white-faced cattle tend to become photosensitive and will need a few weeks to recover from skin damage.”

– Amy Timmerman, University of NebraskaLincoln Extension make sure there is plenty of vegetation to catch water before it washes into a dugout.”

Research has indicated maintaining buffer strips of perennial plants surrounding a pond both encourages cattle not to overgraze, but also acts as a nutrient buffer.

“Another preventative action is to keep livestock from loitering in water, which is especially difficult in hot weather, or forcing cattle to drink on the

windward side of the water source,” notes Timmerman.

“Last, if producers are constructing a new pond of dugout, I recommend the water source to be at least 20 feet wide, 80 feet long and 10 feet deep to avoid wind impacts and ensure the water is deep enough to pump out if it is needed.”

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

Current advisories According to the Wyoming DEQ website tracking cyanobacterial blooms and suspected toxic blooms, current bloom advisories in Wyoming are in place for the Hundred Springs Reservoir at Leazenby Lake, West Granite Springs Reservoir, Pathfinder Reservoir, Saratoga Reservoir, Big Sandy Reservoir, Eden Reservoir, Woodruff Narrows Reservoir, the Buckboard Marina at Flaming Gorge Reservoir and the Firehole at Flaming Gorge Reservoir. Additionally, toxin advisories have been issued for all of these water sources.

Buffalo Bill Reservoir and Brooks Lake are both under investigation for cyano-

bacterial blooms. Recent investigations have closed for the Kendall Warm Springs, Flaming Gorge Reservoir and Alcova Reservoir.

Once a cyanobacterial bloom has been reported, WDH may follow up on potential illness related to the bloom and DEQ will investigate, as outlined in Wyoming’s HBC Action Plan, whether waterbodies where cyanobacteria or toxins may pose a risk to humans or animals who come into contact with the water.

To view advisories, visit WyoHCBs.org.

r e i m e r p s ’ Wyoming

t n e v e r e m m Su -21, 2021 August 17

FOR A FULL LINEUP OF EVENTS & TO Purchase TICKETS: www.wystatefair.com

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 33 No. 15 • August 7, 2021

CALENDAR

Sept. 14 Sept. 14

Submit your events to: Editor, Wyoming Livestock Roundup, P.O. Box 850, Casper, WY, 82602, or e-mail to roundup@wylr.net.

Sept. 16

EVENTS

Sept. 16

July 28-Aug. 7 Albany County Fair, Albany County Fairgrounds, Laramie. For more information, visit albanycountyfair.org or call 307-742-3224.

July 29-Aug. 7 Goshen County Fair, Goshen County Fairgrounds, Torrington. For more information, visit goshencounty.org or call 307-532-2525.

July 29-Aug. 7 Uinta County Fair, Uinta County Fairgrounds, Evanston. For more information, visit uintacountyfair.org or call 307-783-0313.

July 30-Aug. 8 Campbell County Fair, Cam-Plex, Gillette. For more information, call 307-687-0200 or e-mail eae73@ccgov.net.

July 30-Aug. 8 Johnson County Fair, Johnson County Fairgrounds, Buffalo. For more information, visit johnsoncountyfairgrounds.com/fair/ or call 307-6847357.

July 30-Aug. 9 Sheridan County Fair, Sheridan County Fairgrounds, Sheridan. For more information, call 307-672-2079.

July 31-Aug. 7 Carbon County Fair, Carbon County Fairgrounds, Rawlins. For more information, carboncountyfairgrounds.com/fair-schedule or call 307-3287811.

July 31-Aug. 7 Fremont County Fair, Fremont County Fairgrounds, Riverton. For more information, visit fremontcountyfair.org.

July 31-Aug. 7 Niobrara County Fair, Niobrara County Fairgrounds, Lusk. For more information, call 307-334-4670.

July 31-Aug. 8 Sweetwater County Fair, Sweetwater Events Complex, Rock Springs.

For more information, visit sweetwaterevents.com/p/wbs or call 307-3526789.

Aug. 4-14 Laramie County Fair, Archer Complex, Cheyenne. For more information, visit laramiecountyfair.com or call 307-633-4670.

Aug. 7-14 Lincoln County Fair, Lincoln County Fairgrounds, Afton. For more information, visit lincolncountyfair.info or call 307-887-1451.

Aug. 10-11 Wyoming Wool Growers Summer Membership Meeting, the Inn in Lander. For more information, visit wyowool.com.

Aug. 10-12 Cattle Industry Convention and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Trade Show, Nashville, Tenn. For more information, visit convention. ncba.org.

Aug. 11 Sage Grouse Implementation Team Meeting, the Inn at Lander, Lander.

More information will be provided closer to the meeting date.

Aug. 11-12 Select Water Committee Workshop and Wyoming Water Development Commission Joint Meeting, Converse County Library, Douglas.

For more information, visit wwdc.state.wy.us.

Aug. 13-15 Tom Horn Days Cowboy Rendezvous, Laramie River, Bosler. For more information, visit tomhorndays.com.

Aug. 17-21 109th Wyoming State Fair, State Fairgrounds, Douglas. For more information, visit wystatefair.com.

Aug. 18 Wyoming Agriculture Hall of Fame Award Ceremony and Picnic. 5 p.m., Riverside Park, Douglas. For more information, call the Wyoming Livestock Roundup at 307-234-2700.

SALES Aug. 10-11 Aug. 16-17 Aug. 16-20 Aug. 22 Aug. 23-24 Sept. 3-5 Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 11

Cattle Country Video Oregon Trail Classic Sale, Gering Civic Center, Gering, Neb., 888-322-8853, cattlecountryvideo.com Western Video Market, Little America, Cheyenne, 530-347-3793, wvmcattle.com Superior Livestock Auction Big Horn Classic XVII, Sheridan, 800-4222117, superiorlivestock.com Ranchers Quarter Horse Breeders Association 21st Annual Sale, Besler’s Cadillac Ranch, Belle Fourche, S.D., 605-347-3294, 605-9933256, rqhba.com Northern Livestock Video Auction Early Fall Preview, 866-616-5035, northernlivestockvideo.com Powder River Quarter Horse Breeders Association 44th Annual Horse Sale, Futurity & Versatility Ranch Horse Show, Broadus, Mont., 406427-5420, prqhba.com Proffit Ranch 20th Annual Labor Day Horse Sale, Diamond X Ranch, Evanston, 307-723-5857, proffitranch.com Open Box Rafter Ranch 28th Annual Horse Sale, Rapid City, S.D., 605538-4450, rafterranch.com Rafter 7 Merinos Annual Ram and Ewe Sale, Eureka County Fairgrounds, Eureka, Nev., 775-221-3206, 843-693-2461, 775-237-6134, rafter7.com

Big horn Basin LIVESTOCK AUCTION LLC

Sept. 15

Sept. 17 Sept. 17-18 Sept 19 Sept. 30

Nov. 1 Nov. 20 Nov. 30

93rd Annual Wyoming State Ram Sale, Wyoming State Fairgrounds, Douglas, 307-265-5250, 307-351-1422, wyowool.com Western Video Market, Haythorn Ranch, Ogallala, Neb., 530-347-3793, wvmcattle.com 8th Annual Montana Ewe Sale, Eastern Montana Fairgrounds, Miles City, Mont., 406-945-0404, mtsheep.org 96th Annual Montana Ram Sale, Eastern Montana Fairgrounds, Miles City, Mont., 406-210-2852, mtsheep.org Cattle Country Video Sandhills Roundup Sale, Cheyenne Frontier Days Event Center, Cheyenne, 888-322-8853, cattlecountryvideo.com Northern Livestock Video Auction Fall Premier, 866-616-5035, northernlivestockvideo.com 25th Anniversary Van Norman and Friends Production Sale, Elko County Fairgrounds, Elko, Nev., 775-756-6508, 775-934-7404, vannormansale.com 19th Annual Sugar Bars Legacy Sale, Sheridan County Fairgrounds, Sheridan, 605-347-8120, sugarbarslegacy.com Marcy Livestock Scale Crusher Mature Cow Herd Dispersal and Marcy Cattle Company Bred Female Complete Dispersal, Gordon Livestock Auction, Gordon, NE, 308-638-7587, 308-430-2005, marcycattlecompany.com Pharo Cattle Company Sale, Burlington, Colo., 800-311-0995, pharocattle.com Redland Angus Annual Production Sale, Buffalo Livestock Auction, Buffalo, 307-250-1548, redlandangus.com Western Video Market, Silver Legacy, Reno, Nev., 530-347-3793, wvmcattle.com

POSTCARD from the Past

Compiled by Dick Perue rrichardperue@gmail.com

World’s Longest Tramway Recently, during Living History Days at the Grand Encampment Museum (GEM) in Encampment, the old fashioned print shop, which I established and operate, put out a pamphlet which featured a new exhibit at the GEM. It was concerning dedication of a new diorama – see photo and information below – now on display at the entrance of the Doc Culleton building.

The four-page document pictured the diorama and related history of the “World’s longest tramway”, a story which we now

share with Postcard from the Past readers.

A headline in the Saratoga Sun, published June 18, 1903, reads, “Ore Successfully Carried,” followed by a subhead which states, “First Bucket of Ore Passes Over the Aerial Tramway of the North American Copper Co. on Tuesday of Last Week, (June 9, 1903).”

Thus, began operation of the world’s longest tramway at that time. The article in the weekly newspaper published at Saratoga continued.

The first bucket of ore was carried over the aerial tramway of the North American Cop-

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A diorama of the aerial tramway that once graced the skies of Grand Encampment mining district and the Sierra Madres was dedicated at the Grand Encampment Museum on June 9, 2021.

The diorama measures 16 feet in length, representing one foot of every mile that the mighty tramway once spanned. This incredible diorama started with Andy Peryam designing and building models of the buildings that supported the tramway. The exhibit evolved with the help of volunteers Anita Morris, Bob Masson, Vickey Ward and Jerry Anderson. Photo courtesy of Grand Encampment Museum

per Co., from the Ferris-Haggarty mine to the smelter at Encampment, a distance of 16 miles. It was the realization of the hopes of thousands of people and was observed as a day of rejoicing and speech making.

The tramway wires were started early in the forenoon and long before the bucket of ore arrived the towers in and around Encampment were covered with people waiting to catch the first glimpse of the bucket, and when it came, decorated with the stars and stripes, there was a race from one tower to another to get a piece of ore as a souvenir.

The crowd followed the bucket to the smelter and carried off about half of the ore brought down, to keep in remembrance of the occasion.

The tramway was in operation the first of the week, running with full buckets. There is a quantity of ore at the Rudefeha mine, which it is probable the company will run over to the smelter at once, and that plant is getting in operation as soon as sufficient ore is in the bins to keep it running for a time.

The building of the tramway and getting it in running order… to one of the most complete smelter plants in the west, 40 miles from the nearest railroad station, at the cost of an enormous sum of money, is a piece of work that the average citizen does not realize the extent of, until brought into actual contact with the reality.

In an accompanying article titled “Dimensions of Tramway,” the Saratoga Sun noted the structure was built between February 1902 and October 1902, cost $350,000 and had 293,275 feet of cable…

But then, that’s another “Postcard from the Past.”

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 33 No. 15 • August 7, 2021

11

Ag technology advances Extreme drought throughout western states has brought to light the use of precision agriculture, including the ability for real-time data points gathered from web-enabled devices to help farmers pinpoint the best way to prepare the soil, plant seeds, water, fertilize and ultimately harvest.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the U.S. National Science Foundation recently announced a $40 million investment to develop a multi-institutional research institute to study the integration of artificial intelligence (AI).

“AI has a serious potential to make groundbreaking discoveries and transform our decision-making capabilities,” said Ananth Kalyanaraman, the lead principal investigator for the Institute at Washington State University, where the facility will be based. Oregon State University; University of California Merced; Heritage University; Wenatchee Valley College; and Kansas State University will also be involved.

The goal is to train the next generation of farmers in precision agriculture technology and develop and rigorously test new equipment.

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 33 No. 15 • August 7, 2021

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 33 No. 15 • August 7, 2021

However, this choice did not come easy. Ultimately, they chose raising highquality cattle over AI. Confirming his decision, Sims shares, “Utilizing outside genetics built for growth and milking was taking us backwards.”

The Sims family wanted to raise higher quality livestock and did not feel the AI bull studs were fulfilling this role.

“Utilizing genetics coming from a farm in North Dakota or a ranch in north Texas wasn’t really moving us towards quality livestock adapted to our environment,” explains Sims. Placing a definition on quality, he says they needed to raise “livestock that can survive in our area and on our resources.”

The southeast Wyoming ranch faces 90 miles per hour wind speeds and nearly 12 months of snow cover. No ordinary cow could thrive in these conditions.

To add more confidence to their decision, the Sims family considered the strain decades of AI placed on their herd.

“We couldn’t afford to spend 21 days to AI cows with heat detecting and allnatural cycle, so synchronizing was the option,” continues Sims. “We started wondering if those cows were building a reli-

ance on the drugs causing them to cycle.”

When placing an emphasis on making a profit, the family ranch could not afford cow infertility. Sorting through the reformations of AI and natural breeding, the family opted to change their breeding protocol to improve their herd.

Two years of results After two years of their new bull breeding program, the Sims family has seen improvement within their herd. However, none of the growth would have been possible without a rigorous selection process and it all starts with the cow.

Sims explains the expectations of the bull’s dam, sharing, “In order for a bull to stay in our program, he has to be born to a cow that was bred in the first 21 days of the calving period.”

The first three years of a cow’s life are the most productive. If the cow is bred every year and has no birthing difficulties, any of their bull calves can be brought in as herd bulls. When it is time to become a bull, the Sims family has a very special technique for maintaining their bulls.

“We will wean at the end of February, and bulls will go right on to a hay ration,” Sims explains. “We are not trying to grow them out very big, but we want to

know which can survive in our climate.”

“Once they’ve made it thorough the loop, everything is PAP tested and fertility tested,” says Sims, less concerned about the bull’s phenotype.

But, with every new advancement comes a challenge. For Sims, one of the most challenging parts of raising herd bulls is the lack of control.

He shares, “Producers give up a lot of control over their genetics. We are used to having a lot of control on what we manage.”

Although the family ranch only has a few years of practice on this new breeding management technique, they are optimistic for its future.

Focusing in the marketing benefits of the practices, Sims explains, “When we have a fertile cowherd, we have a lot of flexibility. If I can sell lots of pregnant cows because I have lots of pregnant heifers, my playbook is wide open.”

Have the flexibility to sell four-year-old cows that have peaked in their appreciation opens them to a pool of newer, younger heifers with the genetics the operation is after.

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

in some respects regarding the loan status, but not under ARPA. The complaint reads, “Because she has no job other than ranching, her entire family’s income stems from the ranch.

Although she meets the definition of “socially disadvantaged” for some purposes related to the USDA’s Farm Service Agency, she is not covered by the American Resuce Plan Act. On the other hand, if she were a different race – regardless of whether she was affected

by COVID-19 or in fact needed loan forgiveness – the federal government would automatically forgive her loan.”

MSLF shares the administration is looking at a similar bid to stay Leisl Carpenter v. Tom Vilsack and Zach Ducheneaux.

MSLF comment “When it comes to race discrimination, justice can’t wait,” said MSLF General Counsel William E. Trachman in a MSLF press release. “The government hoped it could put our equal protection rights

on ice by trying to pause this case for what would have been years on end, and we’re pleased to see the federal government’s attempt to halt this case completely rejected by the judge.”

He continued, “It’s time for the government to end its efforts to resegregate us by race, and we look forward to litigating this case to its conclusion.”

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

BULLS continued from page 1

MSLF continued from page 1 a stay and on Aug. 2, the judge on the case denied the request. MSLF shares this action means the case may move forward.

Robert Holman, a Tennessee farmer, filed against Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsack and Farm Service Agency Administrator Zach Ducheneaux, seeking a declaratory judgment that the loan forgiveness program provided to socially disadvantaged

farmers and ranchers under ARPA violates the Equal Protection Clause and is seeking to enjoin the program.

The order granting motion for preliminary injunction stated, “Farmers, such as the plaintiff, who have U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) loans and who are white/ Caucasian are not considered to be socially disadvantaged and, thus, are

not eligible for debt relief regardless of their individual circumstances.”

“The government has not disputed that the plaintiff, as the holder of two USDA direct farm loans, would be eligible for debt relief if he was a member of one of the specified racial classifications,” the injunction continued.

Another case, Leisl Carpenter v. Tom Vilsack and Zach Ducheneaux was introduced as the USDA considers Carpenter, a Wyoming rancher, to be socially disadvantaged

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 33 No. 15 • August 7, 2021

15

Casper College cowboys take second at Road to the Horse challenge Three Casper College Rodeo team members took second place at the recently held Days of ’47 Rodeo and Road to the Horse Collegiate Colt Starting Challenge July 23-24 in Salt Lake City.

The team competed for $30,000 in scholarships against two other colleges – the University of Montana Western and Utah Valley University.

“We recruited colleges who had strong horsemanship programs and who were in the region,” said Tammy Sronce, director of operations for Road to the Horse.

The team members participating were Ty Christensen of Plain City, Utah; Carson Johnson of Casper; and Beau Rees of Tooele, Utah. The three were accompanied by Sandy Bob Forbes, Casper College

rodeo team assistant coach.

According to Jerry Hawkes, dean for the Casper College School of Science, the three students were chosen based on their ability, interest and availability to compete in Salt Lake City.

“What a great choice Ty, Beau and Carson were for us,” said Casper College Athletic Director Paul Marble. “They really represented Casper College in a professional and highly respectful manner and had the leadership of Sandy Bob. His experience is just what the team needed.”

Each team chose an unbroken colt from the Diamond-McNabb Ranch Horse Remuda. There were five colts to choose from, and the teams selected the colts in a random go-order.

According to Sronce, over two days, Road to the

Horse celebrity judges Jeff Williams, Ken McNabb and Wade Black scored the teams in different categories that tested the students’ standards of horsemanship while gentling the colt selected by their respective team. “[It was] a close competition that came down to the final obstacle course,” said Sronce.

The Casper College team, dressed in matching shirts branded with the Casper College logo, were in the lead after three rounds.

“In the performance stage, our horse chose not to walk across a tarp,” noted Marble.

This one issue allowed the University of Montana Western to take the lead.

“Our students did a magnificent job of preparing a previously unbro-

ken horse for an incredible competition,” Marble continued. “I am still dumbfounded how they were able to get a young colt in two days to a point where it would do all that they did in the obstacle course.”

Carson, Christensen and Rees will equally divide the $10,000 scholarship prize money and apply it to their educational requirements.

“The event was a great success for our students who gained a great deal of experience, exhibited their skill set and made a great addition to their individual networking associations,” said Hawkes.

According to Sronce, the purpose of Road to the Horse, founded in 2003, is to identify the superior colt starter who accumulates the highest score throughout the competition.

“Judging focuses on the competitor and the effectiveness of their horsemanship methodology to communicate, educate and build a partnership with their colt based on trust,” said Sronce.

“Fans witness the entire journey, from colt selection to the final obstacle challenge.”

This article is courtesy of Casper College.

For more information, visit caspercollege.edu.

Cowboy competition – Three Casper College Rodeo team members recently competed at the Days of ’47 Rodeo and Road to the Horse Collegiate Colt Starting Challenge where they took home a prize of $10,000. From left, Beau Rees, Ty Christensen, Carson Johnson and Casper College Rodeo Assistant Coach Sandy Bob Forbes. Photo courtesy of Road to the Horse

Custom fencing professionals share best infrastructure tips Keeping fences in good repair not only extends their life, but reduces risk of injury to livestock and reduces the chance of animals getting out on a highway or into a neighbor’s pasture.

Most permanent pasture fences for cattle utilize barbed wire, net wire or multiple strands of high tensile electric wire, secured to well-set posts.

In some terrain, however, a jack fence is better than trying to set posts in deep mud or solid rock.

Pole fences need periodic maintenance to make sure no poles come loose, and poles often need replaced as the lifespan of a wood fence is 20 years or less. A properly built wire fence will last longer.

Solid corners Jason Nelson, a rancher in southern Alberta, does custom fencing for many ranchers in his area. He says the key to a good barbed-wire fence is good braces.

In easy terrain on straight stretches without corners, Nelson puts a brace every quarter mile – at the end of every roll of wire.

He explains, “Low spots require additional braces to make sure the tight wire doesn’t pull up the posts.

Often, when we go through a gully, we put a brace on each side, but with some we put eight-foot posts through the low spot.”

With this practice, main wires can go straight across

with additional wires in the low spot.

In some situations, Nelson hangs an anchor in the gully to keep the tight wires from pulling up the posts, and normally uses large diameter eight-foot posts that will hold well.

“I also use eight-foot posts for braces and a 12-foot angle brace and these hold very well,” says Nelson.

Good materials Wire spacing – and how many wires – will depend how big the pasture is, how much pressure there will be on the fence and whether there is a lot of wildlife pressure. Post spacing can vary, as well.

“With a typical four-wire fence we usually put posts every 12 to 13 feet,” Nelson said. “This is standard in range country, but in high-pressure areas some ranchers want a five-wire fence,” he notes.

Nelson uses barbed staples for attaching wires to wood posts. They stay in better and don’t pop out as readily as smooth staples if an animal hits the fence.

Wood posts last longer in dry ground and dry climates, but the biggest factor in how long a post lasts is the treat – to keep the wood from rotting – and the greatest risk area for rot is at ground level.

Moisture is not as damaging for wood posts as exposure to sunlight, oxygen and water – a combination that breaks down wood.

Nelson explains, “This is why a post should never be set deeper than the treated portion; the treat should extend at least two or three inches above ground after the post is set.”

Sometimes you can adequately repair or extend the life of an old fence by setting steel posts in between old wood posts that are starting to rot off. Metal posts may eventually rust but last much longer than wood.

Nelson often uses posts made of sucker rod with wire hooks welded on.

“These go through rocks very well and don’t bend easily,” he says. “We set the wires in the hooks and take a pipe wrench and give the post a quarter turn and it locks the wires into place. We often use these posts when fencing in frozen ground, because we can pound them down through frost – a lot easier than trying to set a wood post.”

Metal posts also work nicely when a fence must go

through wet areas where it would be difficult to drive wood posts.

He shares, “I’ve done fencing through bogs and used seven-foot T-posts. They go far enough down to hit solid ground and hold.”

Replacing fence Dick Iversen of Timber Creek Ranch near Culbertson, Mont. has had a lot of experience building and repairing fences.

“We had a flood in 2011 and had to replace seven miles of fence on our river bottom place,” Iversen says. “Then, we had a fire a few years later and had to replace six miles of fence between us and the neighboring ranch, in rough terrain.”

He continues, “We use some temporary electric fence but also a lot of permanent fencing with 12.5 gauge hightensile electric wire. We’ve used every type of post one can imagine, from oil field sucker rod to Insultimber from

New Zealand, to wood posts and steel posts. We use a lot of single-wire high-tensile permanent electric fence, and some perimeter fence that’s two wires, though we generally use barbed-wire for the boundary fences.”

Iversen explained oil field drill-steel pipe is great for making braces in rough terrain.

“When we had the fire, the only thing that burned were the wood posts,” he adds. “The pipe posts did not burn.”

Iverson has replaced many deteriorated wood braces with pipe braces.

He continues, “With wooden H-braces, the posts often rot off or the horizontal

pole falls out after about 10 years. The pipe post bracing system is cheaper, lasts longer and is easier to install.”

Additionally, he notes pressure-treated wood posts last longer than standard wood posts when an operation is considering replacing fence.

“There are a few companies that pressure treat and give a 40- or 50-year guarantee,” he says. “We’ve put in many posts that rotted off in five or six years, we have to get the right kind of pressure treat.”

Heather Smith Thomas is a corresponding writer for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup.

Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

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Jack fences – In certain aesthetics or over tough terrain, building a jack fence is often a better alternative to setting posts in deep mud or through rocky soil. Courtesy photo

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16

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 33 No. 15 • August 7, 2021

It’s the Pitts

by Lee Pitts

Two-Faced Frauds We’ve become a nation of pompous two-faced frauds.

We like to eat good food, but hate the farmers and ranchers who produced it. We think food comes from the grocery store and water comes from the tap.

We cuss fossil fuels, and yet, drive cars and trucks that run on oil and gas. We turn up the thermostat in winter and expect heat to automatically come on as if it was produced by magic. Ditto for air conditioning in the summer. The only time we think about it is if the grid goes down.

Voters elect politicians who vow to get rid of fossil fuels not even thinking of the repercussions and then complain to high heaven when there are blackouts that last for three days like the ones they have in California when everyone turns on their air conditioner at the same time.

We badmouth the foresters and their angry chainsaws, but live in houses made of wood. We despise miners who “rape” the earth, but wear jew-

elry, hoard gold and use cell phones dependent on mined metals.

A city, county or township sends out notices warning residents to keep the dry vegetation cut down on their property and if they don’t comply, they’ll chop it down and send a bill.

Yet, the bureaucrats want to kick cows off public land that are mowing the dry vegetation for free. In fact, ranchers are paying for the privilege.

Using the bureaucrats same logic, shouldn’t the rancher be paid for reducing the fire danger?

We’ve gone from a nation that made, grew or built things to transporting, moving and managing Chinese imports and massaging and manipulating money on Wall Street.

We say we want to eat pure food without chemicals and then turn around and buy fake meat with 32 different ingredients – many of which people know nothing about unless they’re a chemistry professor.

BCS continued from page 1 a huge role in reproduction and immune support.”

He continued, “If ewes are too thin, the first thing to go is reproduction. If they end up bred, producers will likely see single lambs and a significant number of open ewes.”

Additionally, Elliot shares producers may struggle with the overall health of their ewes in thin body condition. The ewe may need to fight off sickness or disease she could be exposed to at any time, and BCS relates to the overall health of the animal.

“On the other hand, if ewes are at a BCS of five, they are obese and they’ll also have trouble getting bred,” Elliot explains. “Obese ewes will have trouble moving because they are out of shape.”

Many producers will also see reproductive troubles caused by obesity, including the functionality of udders and the ability to milk properly.

Effective management Although running sheep across a scale may seem easier than giving an individual body condition score, it could actually hinder the flock.

Elliot shared it is important producers get a visual of what their ewes are looking like and if the

weight on each ewe’s frame is adequate.

“All sheep are different in size,” says Elliot. “Those females could be 125 to 165 or 170 pounds. A 125pound ewe doesn’t require as much input as a larger ewe would.”

He continues, “I would certainly recommend independently evaluating each and every ewe in the flock or a small segment of ewes.”

Elliot says it’s important to evaluate ewes and asks questions of the flock, including whether or not both large ewes are comparable in BCS to small ewes in the herd. Asking questions gives the producer a way to better understand what the forage is doing for the sheep.

Target BCS Elliot notes knowing what to look for when body condition scoring ewes is very important.

“A BCS of one is too thin – those ewes are skinny,” he says. “At this point, we are going to sacrifice production, hip bones are standing up, producers can count the ewes’ ribs and their spine is visible.”

“On the other end of the spectrum, a BCS of five is the most obese and those ewes are smooth over their ribs, the hip bones are not prominent and a spine can’t be seen,” Elliot continues.

“Somewhere in between is where we’d like our females to be – the sweet

Then, we badmouth beef, which has only one ingredient… beef.

Hollywood starlets and movie stars go on Ellen and say they don’t want any foreign substances in their bodies, and then they smoke weed and snort cocaine.

We’re all for biodiversity, yet we want to rid the world of non-native species, except of course those who cross borders to mow our lawns, reroof our houses and raise our kids.

We vow to save endangered species like red headed frogs and fairy shrimp which live in the rural west, while 97 percent of our population lives on three percent of our land – which they’ve turned into a sterile environment where there are no species left to save. They wiped out all the species in their neighborhood and now want to tell us how to save them in ours.

The urbanites dictate what happens on the other 97 percent of the land because they know so much more about nature than the rural families who’ve survived there for five and six generations.

The animal rightists are aghast that cattle, swine and sheep are humanely euthanized, but don’t say a thing when packs of wolves rip the flesh from the bones of a baby lamb or eat the hind end out of a cow as she calves, leaving behind the cow and the calf to die a slow death. spot lies between a BCS two and a BCS four.”

Elliot shares if females are scoring at a two, they could certainly use more input to move them to a BCS of 2.5 or 3.5. When looking at sheep in this range, producers can still see the shape of the ribs and can make out a prominent hook bone, but will struggle to see the spine.

Scoring frequency “I think it’s important sheep producers look at the ewes in their flock at least once a month,” says Elliot.

He continues, “Their body condition definitely regards forage quality. If producers know they are getting plenty of rain and grass is good, ewes are probably in moderate body condition.”

Most operations have struggled this summer through drought, and Elliot offers supplemental feed as an option to maintain body condition.

“Sometimes ewes could be struggling right before our eyes and so we need to do some supplementation, but it is important to keep our eyes on our ewes to know when they could use extra nutrition,” states Elliot.

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

We see the use of words like “sustainable” from environmentalists while they work in “cube farms” and live in concrete jungles where they can’t even see the sun.

They think humanity is the greatest cancer on Mother Earth and we’re all going to either freeze or burn to death to pay for our sins. They ease their conscious by writing an

annual check to the Sierra Club at Christmas.

First, they said paper bags were terrible, so they switched us all to plastic and then we had to bring our own bag to the store. Then, they found this wasn’t sanitary or sustainable, so now they’re back to paper bags.

It will be the same thing with many of these issues.

When they finally wake up and discover food comes from farmers and cows, sheep and goats make great fourlegged firemen, there won’t be anyone left who knows a tulip from a turnip or which end of the cow gets up first.

They’ll have “Meatless Mondays” all right... Starvation Sundays and Saturdays, and food-less Fridays, too.

RIVERTON LIVESTOCK AUCTION Market Report, Tuesday, August 3, 2021 - No Sale

Early Consignments

TUESDAY, AUGUST 10 ALL CATTLE CLASSES W/ 4-H RESALE (NOON) START TIME 9:00 AM W/ WEIGH UPS Steve Ward - 1 Load of Weigh Cows Teton Valley Ranch - 2 Longhorn Bulls (1 Yrling & 1- 2 Yr Old). Purebred, Virgin bulls.

Flying B Livestock - 4 Yr old Corriente Bull. Good horns, good disposition. Throws good sized calves that last.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 17 - No Sale TUESDAY, AUGUST 24 ALL CATTLE CLASSES W/ SHEEP & HORSES & 4-H RESALE (NOON) START TIME 9:00 AM W/ SHEEP & WEIGH UPS

TUESDAY, AUGUST 31 - No Sale TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 LABOR DAY FEEDER SPECIAL START TIME 9:00 AM WEIGH UPS JM Livestock - 285 Yrling Spayed Hfrs 800-850# (90% Blk, 10% Red & CharX). High elevation.

Coming out of the dry. Green!

Banner Ranch - 110 Hereford & HerefordX Yrling Strs 700-800# 70 Hereford & HerefordX Yrling Spayed Hfrs 600-700#. All natural. One brand, high elevation.

Riverside Ranch - 125 Yrling Strs 700-750# (90% Blk, 10% BWF/RWF). No implants. Green!

Fancy, lightweight Yrling Strs!

Rafter Cross Livestock - 65 Blk Ang Yrling Spayed Hfrs 900#. Coming out of dry conditions.

High elevation. Fancy!

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 CALF & YEARLING SPECIAL START TIME 9:00 AM W/ WEIGH UPS

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 CALF & YEARLING SPECIAL START TIME 9:00 AM W/ WEIGH UPS

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 CALF & YEARLING SPECIAL W/ SHEEP & HORSES START TIME 9:00 AM W/ SHEEP

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5 CALF & YEARLING SPECIAL • START TIME 9:00 AM Mike & Cindy Fabrizius - 200 Blk Ang & AngX Strs & Hfrs 400-450#. Rec Vision 7, 7-way w/ Somnus, Once PMH Nasalgen & Vista Once @ Branding. Complete mineral program at all times. High quality genetics! One brand, high elevation!

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8 COW SALE • START TIME 9:00 AM

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12 CALF & YEARLING SPECIAL • START TIME 9:00 AM Mike & Cindy Fabrizius - 65 Blk Ang & AngX Strs 450# 35 Blk Ang & AngX Hfrs 400#. Rec Vision 7, 7-way w/ Somnus, Once PMH Nasalgen & Vista Once @ Branding. Complete mineral program at all times. High quality genetics! One brand, high elevation!

Contact: Riverton Livestock Auction (307) 856-2209; Jeff Brown (307) 850-4193 • Tom Linn (307) 728-8519 Mark Winter (580) 747-9436 www.rivertonlivestock.com also watch our live cattle auction at www.cattleusa.com

1490 South 8th Street East • Riverton, WY 82501 (307) 856-2209