9.5.2020 Roundup

Volume 32 Number 18 • September 5, 2020

®

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

A Look Inside

Fall ram purchases will have long-term implications on flocks

Holistic management is being utilized in crossbred sheep operation....................... Page 4

Decisions made with this fall’s ram purchases will have long-term implications on a producer’s flock.

Many traits can be selected for and against, in contrast to some flocks, in which the criteria may sim-

Grazing utilized along with other management tools for growing sheep ranch..... Page 7 State Ram Sale schedule and consignors highlighted.............. ................................. Page 8-11 New exhibit built to highlight sheep industry............. Page 19

Quick Bits AMS Values During the last week of August, as calculated by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), the steer byproduct value, including non-meat items such as hide, liver, etc., was $7.82 per hundredweight on a live animal basis. This value has increased for five consecutive weeks.

Disaster Aid With Hurricane Laura wreaking havoc in the Southeast and wildfires raging across the West, it is now more important than ever for producers to utilize federal programs designed to provide financial relief. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is offering financial programs for natural disaster relief, which can be found at ncba. org/disasterreliefresources. aspx. USDA is also offering hurricane relief and wildfire assistance programs, which can be found at usda.gov.

ply be the ability of that ram to breed ewes. Regardless of personal preferences, there are some “absolutes,” which, regardless of selection program and management scheme, need to be considered.

To begin, look at the fundamentals. The following might be a helpful reminder in the midst of ram sale season.

Teeth and eyes Properly aligned teeth and good eyes cannot be

compromised whether a producer is raising their own replacement rams or purchasing rams at a sale.

Proper alignment of teeth with the upper dental pad is important because it Please see RAMS on page 12

2020 WYOMING STATE RAM SALE EDITION

Sheepherders Rendezvous

Annual event celebrates Wyoming’s sheep heritage The third annual Sheepherders Rendezvous was held in Glenrock Aug. 29-30. The event showcased traditional sheep wagons, Dutch oven cooking, blacksmithing, wool spinning and weaving demonstrations, western lifestyle vendors and the Dick Grabow Memorial Dog Trials.

Rita Redig, a member of the event organizing committee, shares, “I believe we had a very successful rendezvous.

It was certainly an enjoyable weekend.”

History of the rendezvous Sheep ranching has a rich and extensive history in the state of Wyoming. There are many families scattered across the state who have been raising sheep for many generations, some even before Wyoming was a state.

“The sheep business is part of what started Wyoming,” notes Redig. “Sheepherding and sheep wagons are a part of Please see EVENT on page 5

WSGA Award The Wyoming Stock Growers Association (WSGA) is looking for applications for the Environmental Stewardship Award, which recognizes cattlemen whose natural resource stewardship practices contribute to the environment and enhance productivity and profitability in Wyoming. This recognition is for any Wyoming producer or operation and does not need to be a member of WSGA. The application can be found at wysga.org/programs. The deadline to apply for next year’s award is Sept.

25, 2020.

Output falls For the week ending Aug. 28, ethanol output fell 1% to 38.7 million gallons per day. Weekly ethanol production has seemingly plateaued between 38 million to 40 million gallons per day in the post-lockdown era, which means corn purchased for ethanol has struggled to consistently break past 101 million bushels of usage per week. Weekly corn consumption for ethanol averaged over 115 million bushels in the pre-pandemic weeks of 2020.

Working dogs – The Dick Grabow Memorial Sheepdog Trials took place on Aug. 29, during the third annual Sheepherders Rendezvous in Glenrock. Averi Hales photo

Facility coming soon The American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) announced a new processing option for lamb producers on Aug. 28. Double J Lamb Inc. of Texas, the newest member of Double J Meat Packing, will soon be available for producers.

In an interview with Western Ag Network, Jeff Hasbrouck, whose family runs Double J Meat Packing and Double J Lamb Feeders, said, “Lambs are getting bigger every day. With the loss of Mountain States Rosen (MSR), we felt like we had to do something for the industry.”

“In our mind, we had to make a decision. We knew we didn’t have a lot of time to get this done,” explained Hasbrouck. “Were we going to help the industry and help our customers or were we just going to sit back and see what happened?”

Fabrication capabilities a must The Hasbrouck family, from Ault, Colo., made the decision to purchase the old Ranchers’ Lamb of Texas processing facility due to the fabrication capabilities of the plant and the recent loss of MSR to the industry.

Another lamb processing facility, Colorado Lamb Processors, in Brush, Colo. is set to open in September, but will only harvest lambs.

“MSR was a harvest and fabrication facility, they could do it all,” said Hasbrouck. “The new plant coming online, Colorado Lamb Processors, can only harvest.”

“We thought this might be a little bit of an issue because of what MSR did and what we need to do going Please see PLANT on page 6

Sheep study UW grad student studies nutrition on winter range, provides producers with supplement advice Alexis Julian, a 23-year-old Kemmerer native, has spent the last two years conducting research on sheep nutrition and supplementation in Wyoming as part of her graduate degree at the University of Wyoming (UW).

“I grew up on a sheep ranch in the southwest corner of Wyoming. My family operates around 10,000 head of sheep as well as some cattle, so I have always been heavily involved in agriculture,” Julian says.

This extensive background in the ag industry, as well as Julian’s passion for the sheep industry in particular, lead her to pursue an undergrad degree at UW in pre-veterinary and animal science.

She is now working toward her master’s degree, where she has dedicated her graduate research to working with and helping sheep producers across the state of Wyoming.

Producer-focused research With the help of UW Please see UW on page 4

Wyoming lamb producers find niche market Frank Moore and Brad Boner, otherwise known as The Lamb Guys, began selling and direct marketing frozen lamb amidst many concerns in the lamb industry. Impacts from the coronavirus and the loss of the Mountain States Rosen processing facility have many producers searching for new opportunities.

Taking advantage of a tough situation “While we have always wanted to try selling frozen or boxed lamb, the launch of our business was COVID-19 related,” shared Moore. “Demand from packers was down, and we had lambs

that were ready to go. COVID-19 was a catalyst to move our business beyond a vision and into actual marketing.”

Springtime is usually the peak time for American lamb producers to market their product, according to Moore.

Restaurants made up approximately 50 percent of lamb meat sales, and due to COVID-19 food service industry closures in March, sales dropped significantly.

Both Moore and Boner had lambs at peak quality, and ready to market, but with no immediate buyer.

“Rather than letting our lambs get

periodical

periodical

Please see LAMB on page 13

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 32 No. 18 • September 5, 2020

The Word Is Resilient

Resilient is a good word to describe those in the agriculture business. This word does an even better job of describing sheep producers in the West.

This past year has really pushed the gauge as the planets lined up against From the western sheep producers. But, that cenPublisher tury old resiliency comes to the forefront Dennis Sun to meet the better days ahead.

I recently read an address by Col. Edward N. Wentworth, who was the director of Armour’s Livestock Bureau of Chicago, Ill. This address was given before the Wyoming Wool Growers Association Convention in Worland on Aug. 2, 1940.

In this address, Wentworth spoke on the history of domestic sheep in Wyoming and the West. In his talk, he mentioned sheep most likely came into Wyoming between 1836 to 1839 on the Oregon Trail to Fort William, later called Fort Laramie.

The first authentic reports on the movement of sheep came in with the Mormon expeditions of 1847. By 1850, sheep were coming into the region from California to Salt Lake City and most likely to the Ft. Bridger area as well.

Wentworth said in his address, four Mormon companies brought nearly 358 head of sheep west on the Oregon Trail to Salt Lake City in 1847. The next summer they brought 1,065 head.

Both Mormons and gold seekers were using the Oregon Trail to bring small flocks of sheep west. Wentworth said immigrants trailed even more sheep from California, and by the spring of 1851, it was estimated at least 5,500 sheep were in Utah, the majority of which had crossed Wyoming via the Oregon and Overland routes.

1853 saw the greatest sheep movement. That spring, the immortal Kit Carson started 6,500 head from New Mexico to the California gold miners by way of Fort Laramie and the Overland Trail.

I don’t understand why he came so far north to get to California, maybe because there was more Army protection from the Indians or the increased availability of water or maybe it was just a poor travel agent. It was estimated nearly a quarter million head of sheep traversed the state of Wyoming enroute to the West during the decade of 1847 to 1856.

Around 1858, sheep movement across the state began to decline, and it was well after the close of the Civil War before it was resumed to an important degree. During this time, Wentworth said small flocks of breeding sheep had settled around Ft. Bridger.

Wentworth went on to say, “The impulse to take sheep west was beyond control by the close of the Civil War. The Federal Commissioner of Agriculture in 1862 estimated throughout the two decades preceding the war, the cost of keeping sheep was twice as great in the East as in the West.

Land values were low, cost of range stock light, expense of handling small and grass and water free. Numbers of discharged veterans turned their attention to prairie and mountains, and the settlement of the West progressed in earnest.”

Then came the railroad and the West was more exposed.

I read in Wentworth’s address about all the sheep moving into Cheyenne, but then blizzards and drought wiped out flocks from 1870 to the early 1800s.

However, sheep came back time and time again, as Wentworth spoke of in 1940. Today is no different. Sheep producers wonder if they can hold on until conditions improve. Why not?

They always have before.

GUEST OPINIONS Food and Fiber Should be Considered Part of the Nation’s Basic Infrastructure

By Amy Hendrickson It’s a thing these days to explain things that happen with, “Well, its 2020.” That little catchphrase says it all, and everyone understands what it means. For the sheep industry, 2020 has been a shock. We started out the year experiencing a tremendous growth in demand for American lamb. By the end of March, prices hit lows not seen in some time, and they kept going down.

Sadly, for many producers in our industry, the economic situation is made worse because of poor wool and pelt markets. The downturn in the wool market, which began in early 2019 because of the China trade situation, accelerated to a crash with the COVID-19 shutdown orders.

These circumstances are particularly harmful to Wyoming wool producers whose wool quality has substantially improved. Instead of reaping the reward for improved quality, Wyoming ranchers are now stockpiling their wool or selling for much less than it is worth.

The most significant blow of course has been the loss of the second largest lamb processing plant.

State and local COVID19 shutdown orders forced the Mountain States Rosen (MSR) lamb plant into bankruptcy, and its subsequent sale has left lamb producers in Wyoming bewildered and worried about their ability to market their lambs this fall.

The closure of the MSR lamb plant has pushed our industry into an economic downturn, which some believe will be too much for sheep ranchers to overcome. With only one major lamb packing plant left at this time, it’s easy to see why

people believe this. However, a lamb processing facility in Colorado is expected to come online very soon.

While this is a good thing, the plant may not be as beneficial as some hope. Its capacity is not able to match that of MSR, and there are not fabrication capabilities at the plant. Also, as a packerowned facility, it will not provide the industry with additional transparency in price reporting.

Currently, mandatory price reporting for lamb is discontinued due to confidentiality concerns, leaving those who try to sell lambs with little knowledge or transparency in the prices they will receive, including pelt credits.

The recent news that the old Ranchers’ Lamb Plant in Texas has been purchased is positive, particularly if the plant can begin operations in the near future. This plant has fabrication capabilities, which allows it to meet customers’ needs directly. The challenge will be to regain and grow those American lamb markets once held

by MSR, and which have most likely been filled with imported lamb.

Our governor and our state legislators have done the best they can to assist agriculture, including the sheep industry, with the economic blows COVID-19 has dealt us. Unfortunately, due to restrictions on the use of the money – we must show a coronavirus-related loss – many of our producers have not been able to benefit from these aid programs as yet.

Our congressional delegation has been terrific at the national level in their efforts to ensure the sheep industry has been included in the

Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). The program as developed was not particularly helpful to Wyoming sheep producers, primarily due to age restrictions and eligibility dates.

Most of our ranchers don’t sell lambs in the beginning of the year and most don’t have lambs on the ground until after April 15, which meant they couldn’t take advantage of the relief payments. Fortunately, USDA changed the age restrictions so running age ewes could be included in inventory counts.

I believe our sheep industry is resilient, but I have no doubt this year will change the industry as we know it. The fact is, COVID19 has shown a bright light on how existing public policy views agriculture in this country.

After the Great Depression and World War II, U.S. agriculture policy was simple – provide U.S. citizens with affordable food and fiber. It was believed the best way to ensure Americans had food was to ensure farmers and ranchers could grow, produce, process, manufacture and distribute its own food and fiber.

U.S. policy over the years has unfortunately moved away from this principle. It has rewarded consolidation, to the point that little, if any, competition exists anymore. While this may be a theoretical question to many, in the U.S. sheep industry today, it is a reality.

Had adequate domestic food processing infrastructure existed, the impact from the removal of the MSR plant, although painful, would have been more easily absorbed.

Similarly, the lack of

U.S. apparel and textile manufacturing capabilities (i.e., infrastructure), results in most of America’s wool being outsourced to foreign countries, most notably China, where it is processed and manufactured into apparel and textiles. Ironically, the finished items are often exported back into the U.S. for sale to the consumer.

It is time for a state and national policy discussion on our current understanding of what constitutes U.S. infrastructure. In addition to bridges, roads and highways, the capability to ensure the processing, manufacturing, fabrication and distribution of U.S. food and fiber to U.S. citizens should be considered a part of the nation’s basic infrastructure.

The governor’s recent announcement of the Meat Processing Expansion Grant Program and efforts to allow interstate sale of stateinspected meat are a good start. Mountain Meadow Wool Mill in Buffalo also plays an important role in stabilizing our industry.

I once heard an interview given by the Director of Agriculture in Missouri, in which he gave the following statistic: four out of four people eat. The ability to feed our nation in times of crisis, such as what we have seen this year, is critical.

Our country has come to realize our dependence on foreign-sourced energy is a national security risk. Perhaps we should now consider what being dependent on a foreign supply of food could mean.

Amy Hendrickson is the executive director of the Wyoming Wool Growers Association. She can be contacted at amy@wyowool.com.

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 32 No. 18 • September 5, 2020

3

NEWS BRIEFS U.S. fires reported

The National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), reported 2,102,666 acres burning in the United States as of Sept. 3rd. Sixteen new fires were reported, bringing the total number of large fires, not including fires apart of fire complexes, to 85. The fire report as of Sept. 3rd is as follows.

Alaska is currently reporting four large fires, with 21,593 acres burning. Eleven fires burning 78,050 acres are reported in Arizona.

California is leading the U.S. fire report with 19 fires currently burning 1,533,521 acres. Only one of the reported 20 fires is contained.

Colorado reports six large fires, burning 208,456 acres and Idaho reports seven fires burning 5,955 acres.

Montana reported eight new fires on Sept. 3rd. Total burned acreage is 71,692 with the largest fire burning 30,000 acres four miles north of Jordan, Mont.

One fire in Nevada has been reported, with 14,000 acres burned. New Mexico has two active fires for a total of 4,373 acres. Eight fires in Oregon have burned 82,801 acres.

South Dakota reports one fire, burning 375 acres.

Texas reports one fire burning 11,000 acres. Four fires in Utah are burning 4,695 acres. Washington has reported five large fires, burning 54,995 acres.

Wyoming reports three fires, two of which were new Sept. 3rd. One fire has burned 960 acres 23 miles southwest of West Yellowstone and is 60 percent contained.

Campbell County reported two new fires, both burning 5,000 acres 25 miles northwest of Gillette for a total of 10,960 acres.

The 10-year average of fires year-to-date is 42,609 fires burning 5,530,457 acres. The NIFC reported 40,308 fires burning 4,224,078 acres as of Sept. 3.

The NIFC predicts temperatures to rise well above normal, marking the beginning of an extended late-season heat wave.

WSF considered a success Wyoming State Fair (WSF) managers joined the Wyoming Legislature’s Joint Agriculture, State and Public Lands and Water Resources meeting on Aug. 27 to report on the event held Aug. 8-16.

“Outside of the showcase of agriculture as an essential industry, we feel like the WSF has two major responsibilities – to create a safe and healthy environment for all of our guests and exhibitors and to be an economic driver for the state of Wyoming,” shared WSF General Manager Courtny Conkle.

“We do feel like we did that this year.”

“The average case count of lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 from July 27 through the start of the state fair was 43.64 cases per day,” reported Conkle. “The average daily case count from Aug. 8 through Aug. 27 was down to 38.45 cases per day.”

“On the health and safety front, it was a huge win for us as the state fair, for the state of Wyoming as well as for the higher agriculture and fair industry,” Conkle shared. “Now that we look at true data, we believe we made the right choice by having the state fair, one of only three state fairs taking place in entirety.”

“Total admissions revenues were up 129.35 percent and the carnival gross revenue increased by 41 percent,” Conkle noted. “Grandstand entertainment net profit improved by $19,330 or 137 percent.”

“WSF lost 12 sponsors from 2019, all due to heavy impacts from COVID-19,” shared WSF Assistant General Manager Reba Sundseth. “However, we were able to recover $48,500 from the $52,000 in sponsorships that was lost.”

“Rodeo specific sponsorships saw an increase of $25,750 which was over 344 percent,” said Sundseth. “WSF increased cash payouts by $25,444 and total net revenue from the rodeo increased $29,335 or 150.50 percent.”

“This was the first profitable rodeo at the WSF in over two decades,” Sundseth shared. “Not only is it great to be able to keep our state sport alive and well at WSF as a representation of what is so great about the state of Wyoming, it is really great to be able to make some money while doing so.”

Grant program launched Gov. Mark Gordon has announced the launch of the Wyoming Meat Processing Expansion Grant Program to provide support for Wyoming meat processing facilities and Wyoming citizens impacted by supply chain disruptions and regional shutdowns of processing facilities resulting from the COVID-19 public health emergency.

The governor has appropriated $10 million in Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act funds to the program, which seeks to strengthen Wyoming’s local food supply chain and address meat shortages at retail locations and food banks within the state. Wyoming-based meat processing businesses and nonprofits may submit grant applications for capacityrelated improvements made before Dec. 30, 2020.

“As anyone who has tried to get a beef cut up this year knows, processing in Wyoming is facing significant bottlenecks in 2020. The First Lady’s initiative has seen this across the state,” Gordon said. “This is why we have set up the Meat Processing Expansion Grant Program, which will help improve our meat processing capacity and ensure our citizens have access to highquality products.”

Applications will open Sept. 15 and be reviewed by a group from the Wyoming Business Council, Wyoming Department of Agriculture and the Governor’s Office. The grants require a portion of processed and retail products to be provided to local food banks, pantries, soup kitchens, prisons, schools or other charitable organizations to help feed hungry or underserved populations.

For additional information on the program, visit wyagric.state.wy.us.

Meeting registration open Registration is now open for the Public Lands Council’s (PLC) 52nd Annual Meeting. This year’s meeting will be held Sept. 23-24 and will be entirely virtual. Registration is free for all participants.

“The COVID-19 pandemic threw a wrench in many of our plans and day-to-day activities. As a result, the 2020 PLC Annual Meeting will move to a virtual setting,” said PLC President Bob Skinner. “While it saddens me our industry will not gather in person this September, a virtual meeting provides an opportunity for a larger portion of our industry to develop strong relationships and engage in policy discussions affecting the future of our industry.”

For more information and to register, visit publiclandscouncil.org.

Payments coming soon

Farmers may be receiving a second round of Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) payments sometime after Labor Day, said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue during a news conference on Aug. 26. USDA has about $14 billion available from funds allocated by Congress to the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) starting in July.

In a briefing with reporters, Perdue was asked how USDA would be utilizing the additional $14 billion in authority available to the agency under the CCC. In response, Perdue said the additional CCC monies will be used in the CFAP 2, echoing comments he made earlier in August that a second round of the program was on tap.

USDA will continue taking applications on the first CFAP round of funding until Sept. 11.

As of Aug. 24, USDA said it had distributed about $9 billion in CFAP payments to more than 500,000 producers.

While there has been pressure on USDA for the dates it used to determine payments under the initial CFAP effort, Perdue suggested one reason for the April 15 cutoff was to get money out quickly.

He said USDA is looking at the cutoff as they move forward and also highlighted moves by the department to cover more commodities under the program and the recent decision to issue the final 20 percent of payments to producers under the initial CFAP effort.

Judge rejects COOL

A New Mexico federal judge has permanently dismissed a pair of lawsuits regarding country of origin labeling (COOL) practices against Tyson Foods, Inc., JBS USA, Cargill Meat Solutions and National Beef Packing Company.

The decision was appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit.

Two separate lawsuits were filed in February in New Mexico’s U.S. District Court, one by a cattleman and one by a consumer, which were subsequently consolidated. Both suits alleged labeling of beef products “Product of the USA” misleads consumers because the label is accepted even if the animal was raised and harvested in another country.

According to USDA regulations, the beef needs only be further processed in the U.S. for the label to be used.

The lawsuits claim packers have imported $6.2 billion worth of cattle and beef per year since 2015.

On Aug. 27, the District Judge granted the defendants motion to dismiss, agreeing the federal labeling law supersedes the state of New Mexico’s laws regarding consumer protection. Since the labels had been approved by USDA, they had already been determined to be lawful at the federal level.

The cases were dismissed with prejudice, meaning they can’t be refiled, prior to their being appealed.

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 32 No. 18 • September 5, 2020

Dog Tale Ranch utilizes holistic management, crossbred ewes and dogs “Working with nature, not against her, has always been my motto,” says Arlette Seib, who runs a sheep farm in Saskatchewan alongside her husband.

They purchased the land in 2004, but at that time it was crops and native prairie.

“We started crop farming, and it only took a couple years to become buried in debt, with a work load that was overwhelming,” Seib says. “We began to wonder what we were doing this for.

We had city jobs at the same time so we were working off the farm while also running the farm into the ground. We realized we needed to change something or we would not do well farming and probably

not stay together as husband and wife. We were not enjoying what we were doing.”

Seib notes she has had dogs all her life and was eager to buy a few sheep to be able to work her border collie.

“I bought five sheep in the winter of 2005 and started thinking about getting a few more,” she says. By 2007, the Seibs began to turn some of the farmland into grass.

Holistic management Seib was working in the College of Agriculture at the University of Saskatchewan and found several holistic management books including Allan Savory’s textbook.

“I soaked up all of the information I could find.

While finding the informa-

Hired help – The Seibs utilize stock and guardian dogs to help herd and protect their flock. Courtesy photo

Crossbred flock – Dog Tale Ranch runs crossbred ewes with Clun Forest and Corriedale influences. Courtesy photo

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tion and looking at the five wooly animals in front of me, I decided to give a grassbased approach a try,” says Seib.

She notes their farm is hilly with some native prairie that was too rough to break up for farming.

“Now our entire property is grass. We got rid of the machinery except one little, old tractor,” she explains.

The Seibs grow their own hay, harvested by a neighbor who cuts and bales it in exchange for half the hay crop for his cattle.

“This allows us to maintain minimal equipment and run our farm with very low input,” she says.

When Seib learned about holistic management she started reading more about it.

“There was not a lot of information about doing this with sheep, so it’s been a learning experience,” she notes. “Sheep are different to handle than cattle and prefer different forage plants. It was trial and error, learning as we went, but the basic principles are the same.”

Moving away from fencing As the Seibs were growing their flock and establishing fences, they used a lot of temporary fence and netting.

“We had some strips set up to do strip grazing, and during lambing, I was doing a lot of rotations to keep the sheep moved to new, clean areas as they lambed. Today, however, we don’t use much fencing. We’ve changed to woven wire. We’re putting it up on the perimeter and using less of the temporary fence we have to haul around,” she says.

“Hauling around and setting up the temporary fencing needed to graze a large flock was labor inten-

sive. We now have the place fenced into quarter sections and some are broken down into 80-acre parcels,” Seib explains. “This is much more manageable. If I wish, I can always put a temporary fence across the 80-acre pasture and cut it down to 40.

We do some rotational grazing, but it’s not intensively managed.”

Crossbred flock The flock has evolved along with the grazing management. The Seibs run a commercial wool breed.

“We started with North Country Cheviot/Clun Forest cross ewes and then added a few purebred Corriedale ewes. We kept the Clun influence but diminished the Cheviot influence,” Seib says. “Currently, we have Clun Forest Corriedale crossbreds and we really like them. The maternal instincts in the Clun Forest cross is a benefit because we are lambing on pasture.”

“We are hands off, so the sheep have to do it on their own. We do check them, and help a ewe in trouble, but they do not come into barns. There are no buildings here,” Seib states. “The flock we have now has really good maternal skills, and those skills are tested on pasture. There are no jug pens to keep them with their lambs or allow a shepherd to easily interfere. We are producing the kind of ewes we want to retain in our flock. We find out pretty quickly whether they have a good maternal instinct or not.”

She continues, “Our flock has developed into hardy, easy keepers. These ewes live on pasture yearround and raise their lambs on pasture. They lamb on pasture from mid-May through June, with the group

UW continued from page 1 Extension Sheep Specialist Dr. Whit Stewart and UW Extension Rangeland Specialist Dr. Derek Scasta as well as several other UW Extension Educators, undergraduate and graduate students, Julian has spent the last two years conducting her graduate research, which focused on sheep nutrition in Wyoming during the winter months.

“The study was very producer focused. In fact, we designed it specifically with producers in mind,” explains Julian.

“The research looked at sheep nutrition during winter months.”

According to Julian, the goal of the study was to provide producers with a baseline of their forage mineral content on winter ranges and to use the information they found to help guide supplementation management decisions.

“During the winter, producers ask a lot of their

sheep. Ewes are expected to breed up and then maintain a fetus during a time when they are provided with a very low plane of nutrition,” she explains.

Forage mineral analysis Julian says the study looked at forage and shrub trace mineral content across 25 different ranches in Wyoming. To accomplish this, Julian visited each ranch, clipped forage samples on their winter range and sent the samples to a lab for analysis.

“We’re particularly interested in the trace mineral contribution of dormant grass and shrub species and how they provide essential trace minerals,” she explains. “The lab analyzed the forages for crude protein, phosphorus, calcium, potassium, sodium, sulfur, magnesium, zinc, iron, manganese, copper, molybdenum, selenium and cobalt.”

“We looked into these because clinical and subclinical deficiencies can

“We are producing the kind of ewes we want to retain in our flock. We find out pretty quickly whether they have a good maternal instinct or not.” – Arlette Seib, Dog Tale Ranch moved frequently to new pasture.”

The Corriedale is a docile breed so the Seibs’ cross makes the sheep less flighty, while also producing nice wool fleeces.

“This breed also lends a bit more flocking instinct to the herd as Clun Forest sheep can be very independent. Because of predators, we need our sheep to stay together as a flock. They are also easier to manage,” says Seib.

Herd management “We do not feed grain, pelleted feed or creep feed.

We graze the sheep as long as is suitable for grass health,” Seib explains. “We utilize stockpiled forage and swath grazing when grass begins to run out. As we go into our coldest winter months, we feed a grass/alfalfa hay, rolled out on the ground. We provide plenty of feed during cold months since we are not offering any other supplemental feed.”

Seib says she believes a good mineral program is important in helping keep the flock healthy.

“We follow the program laid out in Pat Coleby’s book, “Natural Sheep Care,” with adjustments made for our place and our sheep.

Our deworming protocol is to selectively deworm the individual animals who need treatment,” she explains. “The last wholeflock deworming treatment we conducted was back in 2007, when we switched to our current mineral plan.”

She adds, “We are con-

vinced focusing on the flock rather than on maximizing lamb production is why we have ewes that require very little in the way of routine treatments. If the ewes are well kept, the lamb crop will be good.”

Utilizing stock and guardian dogs Seib has Australian Kelpie stock dogs and uses them on pasture moves, lambing checks, bringing the flock in for sorting and moving rams around. The dogs are also very useful at shearing time.

“The dogs are valuable for helping us, otherwise taking care of sheep would be a lot more time-consuming and probably cause a lot of anguish and upset,” she says.

“The dogs are much better than a hired person.”

Seib continues, “I greatly enjoy the working dogs. The other dogs we rely on are guardian dogs because we are out on the prairie with predators. We don’t have many large predators like wolves or cougars, but we have plenty of coyotes.”

“The guardian dogs are remarkable. They taught us the concept of coexistence with wildlife and predators.

Our goal is not for the dogs to kill coyotes. They just need to be here so the coyotes can be somewhere else.

The dogs’ presence is enough deterrent and this allows for coexistence,” Seib says.

Heather Smith Thomas is a corresponding writer for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@ wylr.net.

“During the winter, producers ask a lot of their sheep. Ewes are expected to breed up, while alsomaintaining afetusduring atimewhen they are provided with a very low plane of nutrition.”

– Alexis Julian, University of Wyoming result in major economic loss to the producer,” Julian adds.

Study results Julian says she received the laboratory analyses and sent out reports to each of the 25 ranches.

“The study lasted two years, but for the most part, we’re done collecting samples and are in the analysis phase,” she says. “I wrote up specific reports for each of the 25 ranches in our study and sent them out about a week ago.”

“Although most of the results were pretty specific to each operation, we did see some potential trace mineral deficiencies across the state,” Julian continues.

In fact, Julian explains preliminary results from the 25 ranches indicate 88 percent of ranches sampled may not meet phosphorus requirements and 68 per-

cent may not have enough dietary zinc provided for their ewes.

“Another interesting thing we came across is the lab analysis indicated shrub species across the state provide a more complete diet than grass species,” she notes.

“The fact that sheep have a lot of dietary flexibility in their preference for grasses and shrubs make them efficient at utilizing Wyoming’s working landscapes,” says Stewart. “The fact that sheep can produce such a high-quality fiber and protein on our landscapes is a great story to be told for our industry.”

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

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 32 No. 18 • September 5, 2020

EVENT continued from page 1 our history and our heritage.”

Redig shares Jim Spraggs, who has since passed, spearheaded the event a few years ago.

“The committee wanted to share and educate attendees

about our history and heritage for our traditions to continue,” she notes.

In the first year of the event, there were three or four sheep wagons. Stock dog trials were added the second

year. According to Redig, the rendezvous had a great turn out and saw lots of growth.

“We are fortunate to have new ideas shared with us,” says Organizing Committee Member Rick Davis. “We want the event to continue to evolve.”

Stock dog trials Beginning in the second year of the event, stock dog

OBITUARIES

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

Margaret (Margie) Lamora Nauta (Tanner) July 28, 1946 – Aug. 30, 2020

Margaret (Margie) Lamora Nauta (Tanner) passed away Aug. 30, 2020 at University Hospital in Denver, Colo.

Margie was born July 28, 1946 to Harold A. Tanner and Virgene L. (Schlattman) Tanner in Sheridan. Margie was the oldest daughter of Harold and Virgene. Her sister Jerri Jill Wright lives in Kaycee with her husband Jack Wright.

Margie attended school in Gillette. Upon graduation from Gillette High School, she moved to Denver to attend Denver University (DU) and received an accounting degree. After graduating from DU, Margie earned her Certified Public Accounting license.

Margie worked for several different companies, ranging from the FAA, starting her own accounting firm, several years in the oil and gas industry, and she was a licensed pilot.

On Feb. 22, 1980, Margie married Carl E. Nauta in Glendo. Carl and Margie had five children – Rene, David, Justin, Kirby and Susan.

Carl and Margie settled in the Douglas area and together ran Skylark Construction Company for several years. While running their company, they would often travel with their younger children all over the wonderful state of Wyoming while completing several different types of asphalt paving jobs.

Carl and Margie were heavily involved in the First Baptist Church in Douglas from teaching Sunday School, to being involved in church music and being on the Deacon and Deaconess Board for the Church. Margie found great strength and peace in her personal relationship with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. No matter the challenges she faced, she was always a strong woman of faith.

In their later years of life, Carl and Margie settled into Evansville. Margie could be seen at any activity involving her grandchildren, her nieces and extended family.

From sporting events, to FFA events and livestock shows, she was there.

Margie also loved to crochet blankets for family members with the help from her dear friend Donna Heald.

Margie was very passionate about her family and her faith. She will be missed by all who loved her.

Margie is survived by her husband of 40 years, her children Rene Nauta of

Torrington Livestock Markets PO Box 1097 • Torrington, WY 82240 307.532.3333 Fax: 307.532.2040

Casper, David (Melinda) Nauta of Manassas, Va., Justin (Christina) Nauta of Spearfish, S.D., Kirby Nauta of Spearfish, S.D., and Susan Ditson of Greeley, Colo., her sister Jerri (Jack) Wright, grandchildren Teasa Nauta, Tanner Nauta, Tiffanie Austin, Shaelin Nauta, Elizabeth Thacker, Brian Thacker, Casey Nauta, Stacy (Zach) Wall, Braden Nauta, Kyle Ditson and Neal Ditson, as well as family including Jase Wright and Lisa Hill of Kaycee, Tim and Jackie Reimler of Buffalo, Barny and Kaylee Long of Buffalo, Breanna Reimler of Buffalo, Lee and Linda Nauta of Colorado, Leta Tanner of Gillette, Richard Tanner of Texas and Tim and Dahlia Chenoweth and their family from Casper.

Margie is also survived by several great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews as well as many extended family members and friends that touched her life.

Margie was preceded in death by both of her parents, one grandchild, one uncle and a cousin. Memorials and condolences may be sent in her name to Rene Nauta at 10700 Central Park Ave, Evansville, WY 82636.

A celebration of life service for Margie will be held at the Faith Bible Chapel in Casper on Sept. 19 at 10 a.m.

5

trials were a popular attraction and added to the living history of working sheep. The Dick Grabow Memorial Sheepdog Trials took place Saturday, Aug. 29 during the Sheepherders Rendezvous.

Dogs navigated sheep through the trial course with commands from the sheepherder during their run and were judged on both technique and time.

Wendy Auzqui, with her dogs Cort and Frank, took home both first and second place. Michelle Miller finished in third place and Allison Jarrard with Rain took fourth place.

Sharing living history “Demonstrations on how our parents and grandpar-

ents lived, cooked and ultimately survived out of a sheep wagon provided lots of education,” says Redig. “We had wagons of all kinds – there was a wagon from the 1920s, restored wagons and modern sheep wagons people have built for fun.”

“It was great to see everyone with their wagons,” notes Redig. “One sheep wagon traveled from Kansas to be with us. The hinges and the doorknobs were even handmade.”

Wool spinners and weavers presented a sheep-to-shawl exhibition. The process of washing and carding a fleece, then spinning wool and weaving it into a shawl was demonstrated throughout the dura-

tion of the event.

Isabelle Anderson, a weaver, shares that the shawl will be raffled at next summer’s rendezvous.

The Sheepherders Rendezvous also showcased Dutch oven cooking and a blacksmith with his forge.

“We enjoyed the opportunity to visit and share stories about a more simple time,” shares Redig. “The committee extends many thanks to everyone who helped with the event and participated, and we look forward to next year’s event.”

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

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6

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 32 No. 18 • September 5, 2020

Kramer focuses on holistic ranching and sheep production Rob Kramer purchased his ranch near Denbigh, N.D. in 1987 at the age of 22 and built his current operation from scratch.

Today, he has a cow/calf operation with about 100 cows and 50 yearlings. He also runs 190 sheep.

Early on, Kramer became interested in holistic management and started focusing on highdensity grazing with cattle and sheep by utilizing electric fencing, bale grazing, windrow grazing, seeding legumes in tame grass pastures and reducing invasive bluegrass to allow native plants to recover and grow from the seed bank. He uses sheep to manage leafy spurge.

His primary goal is to keep improving his land while operating with minimal inputs.

Starting at a young age Kramer knew he wanted to be a rancher from the time he was very young.

“My folks didn’t have a ranch. As a young man, I tried to find a place, then later this ranch became available. I bought nine quarter sections of sand hills covered with leafy spurge and trees. I only run about 100 cows because that’s all this place will handle. I keep my heifers over as yearlings and

sometimes the steers as well,” he says.

His cowherd started with one calf when he was six years old. His dad bought him a heifer that they hauled home on his lap in the back seat of the car. After the heifer grew up, he kept heifers from his first cow and gradually built a small herd.

“I rented pasture here and there. I had 26 cows when I bought this place, and then bought another 60. But, when buying cows, a person never really gets exactly what they want,” Kramer notes.

Getting into the sheep business Kramer started with sheep later in life.

“The sheep became a necessity because this place was totally covered with leafy spurge. I tried spraying it. Then I tried flea beetles because they eat the spurge,” he says.

“My cousins have always run sheep. One day they told me they were going to South Dakota to buy ewes and asked if I would like some. I bought 100 Rambouillet ewes about 20 years ago,” Kramer continues. “They are still out here eating spurge. I have a guard dog because we have a lot of coyotes and an occasional wolf or mountain lion.

My dog is a Great Pyrenees named Bubba.”

Kramer’s ewes start lambing the first of June and lamb out on pasture.

“When I first got my sheep, I was lambing in May. Then I tried February, and it was an absolute disaster because it never got above 15 below zero that year. I had a 40 percent lamb crop, so I went back to lambing in May,” Kramer says.

He continues, “But, when I finally got smart enough to switch my calving to May, I moved lambing to the end of March.

The first year didn’t work very well, then the second year was phenomenal with the best lamb crop I’d ever had. The lambs weaned at 110 pounds. That year the weather was great and it got up to 40 degrees every day.”

“However, the next year it was below zero every night, and I ended up with a 70 percent lamb crop. I had to do something different,” he says.

Kramer notes his cousin had switched to June lambing.

“I decided to try it because in May I was too busy and couldn’t spend 12 hours a day in the lambing barn. The first year my ewes lambed in June didn’t work too well,

but it’s been getting a little better every year. The biggest problem with June lambing is the ewes are breeding so late in the season they have almost stopped cycling,” he explains.

Kramer says he turns the rams out on Jan. 6, and by then the days are starting to get longer and some of the ewes are no longer cycling.

“They start cycling in the fall when days are getting shorter and weather starts freezing in September. October is when they are the most fertile, and their fertility goes downhill from there. But these past few years breed-up has been better,” he says.

Practicing holistic management Kramer has been interested in holistic management for a long time.

“I was lucky enough to spend a couple of days with Greg Judy a few years ago, and it was an amazing experience. A lot of the mentors in the North Dakota Grazing Lands Coalition have also helped me,” Kramer says.

“I make lots of mistakes, and people can learn from me about what not to do.

Sometimes I have to make the same mistake twice to see if it was actually that bad, like with March lambing.”

“My sheep pretty much do it on their own now. I used to try to do too much, and now I try to make things easier,” continues Kramer. “One year I was unable to do much at all after an injury, and almost had as good a lambing percentage as I did the year before when I micromanaged. Sometimes we work ourselves too hard when we don’t really need to.”

“I don’t use herbicides anymore and try not to use any pesticides. I haven’t dewormed my cattle for about seven years,” Kramer explains. “Pasture rotation takes care of most problems and is better than using chemicals.”

“Sheep are harder to keep free of internal parasites because they graze close to the ground, but I haven’t dewormed the whole flock for two years.

I am trying to build a resistant flock, because most of the worms are becoming immune to the deworming drugs, and those drugs don’t work anymore any-

way,” he says.

It’s important for producers to have an intimate knowledge of their land, forage and livestock because it will always be different than someone else’s.

“It’s just like dealing with leafy spurge,” Kramer says. “For me, it can be utilized as a forage even though it’s a noxious weed. My sheep take care of it. It’s part of their diet, and it’s no longer a problem.”

“The sheep keep leafy spurge under control on pastures, I hay it, and the sheep eat spurge most of the winter as hay.

They also graze before the cows do because they can paw through snow and the cows can’t,” he adds.

“The sheep were out grazing in March. I feed them a little grain, and they paw through the snow to get the grass. Sheep are a lot more resilient than people think they are, unless it snows the day after they get sheared.”

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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Managing parasites – Kramer has moved away from pesticides and now relies on rotational grazing to manage internal parasites. Courtesy photo

PLANT continued from page 1 forward,” Hasbrouck continued. “We felt like we had to have the fabrication. This was the main reason we reached out to the old Ranchers’ Lamb of Texas facility and why we had to get that lamb plant up and running.”

“We looked at some other facilities,” said Hasbrouck. “We just didn’t see any other facilities with the capacity to really help the industry.”

Working to open soon Hasbrouck shared Double J Lamb Feeders feeds out many Mountain States Co-Op members’ lambs.

“We knew how con-

cerned they are about where they are going to get their lambs processed this year,” he said.

“We hope to have the plant up and running in two months,” said Hasbrouck. “We’re pushing through right now to get this done. The lamb industry cannot wait.”

“It hasn’t been used in quite a few years, so there’s a lot of work to do,” said Hasbrouck. The plant, located near San Angelo, Texas, closed to lamb processing in 2005.

“We will have to ramp up, so we’ll probably just be harvesting lambs at first, but will start fabri-

cating soon after that,” Hasbrouck noted.

According to ASI, the Ranchers’ Lamb of Texas facility was built to handle 1,700 to 1,800 head per day.

“This is a bold, innovative step the Hasbrouck family is taking in looking for a new way to support the American sheep industry,” says ASI Executive Director Peter Orwick. “I think the entire industry will applaud their efforts and wish them the best of luck in this new endeavor.”

Averi Hales is the editor for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup.

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

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 32 No. 18 • September 5, 2020

7

Hasselstroms run unique sheep enterprise in Idaho Sheila and Eric Hasselstrom have a dryland farm in north central Idaho, originally Eric’s grandparents’ farm.

“My husband has been farming here since he was in high school. We have expanded the farm to 3,500 areas and grow dryland wheat, canola, barley, garbanzo beans, black peas and 800 acres of hay,” Hasselstrom says.

She continues, “We originally had cattle. About 10 years ago we were expanding our farm ground, and the cattle numbers were down to 150. We hadn’t planned to get into sheep, but a rancher owed us money for hay and paid us in 50 head of sheep. That was the start of our sheep operation, and we eventually sold the cows.”

Utilizing sheep Hasselstrom notes their sheep enterprise has grown because of the way they are able to utilize the sheep.

“We had always been cattle people, but there’s a lot of area on our farm that could be grazed more readily by sheep.

As we got into it more, we also began to use the sheep to improve our cropland,” she explains.

The Hasselstroms have been a no-till farm for the past 30 years. Sheep grazing the fields helps to keep the soil healthier, while also helping with weed management.

On pasture ground too rough for growing crops, the sheep reduce brush and weeds.

“We originally considered sheep because they might make more money than cattle. We can run seven ewes for each cow. They also have multiple lambs,” Hasselstrom says. “Being able to use sheep on the farm as a soil health program makes them even more beneficial.”

“I took over the sheep and made it my own enterprise because it was easier for me to handle the sheep than the cows,” she notes. “Every year I nearly doubled the flock. Last year was my largest flock. I purchased another group of sheep and ran them all summer and through the winter. I lambed in March, and my 650 head of ewes lambed out 950 lambs.”

Rotational grazing Last summer the Hasselstroms made another change to their operation.

“We do a lot of cover cropping and have a lot of farm ground we move the sheep across for rotational grazing. Last year, we put all the ewes and their lambs on 110 acres of different cover crops including mixes of clovers, oats, black peas and barley,” she explains.

“As the herd began growing, I took an interest in how we were rotating them around the farm, and started paying attention to the time it took me to put up electric fence. I realized if I was going to grow the flock any larger, I needed a herder,” Hasselstrom adds.

“I hired a gentleman from Peru on the H-2A program.

He took down all my electric fence and started moving the flock around the farm ‘on the

free’ without having to worry about fences,” she explains.

This year with ewes and lambs together, she ran 1,400 head for the summer.

Reversed operation “Our program with the sheep is to run them on our place in Idaho until October, grazing all of our property.

Then we wean and market the lambs. In mid-October, we take the sheep to the Columbia Basin in Washington and graze some grass seed production fields,” explains Hasselstrom.

“We graze there until February until the sheep are sheared.

This is a great program because the grass seed growers want their fields grazed after they harvest the seed.”

“We partner with a really great farmer and keep the sheep there until the end of February, then they are sheared and ready for lambing,” she adds.

In years past, the Hasselstroms have brought the sheep back to Idaho to lamb, and Sheila managed the lambing operation from home starting the first of March.

“However, this year my herder and I took the sheep to some wheat stubble near Touchet, Wash. to lamb. There was a small barn and clean ground. The weather was fabulous and the lambing went much better,” she says.

“We’re a backward sheep operation. Most sheepmen run their sheep in the valley in winter and haul them to the mountains for summer.

We live in the mountains and bring our sheep home in summer to use on our farm for soil health and cleaning up our weeds and brush. They are a multi-purpose crop,” she says.

Maintaining the herd Hasselstrom says she plans to grow the herd to 800 head and keep it at that number for a while.

“There are so many additional challenges when growing larger. Sheep are very labor

intensive and must be handled more than cattle. I think I’ll just see what the capacity is on our farm to run the flock on all of our acres,” she says.

“We are also hoping to get certified organic on some of our cropland, so we can grow organic wheat and barley,” Hasselstrom adds. “We want to figure out how to use the sheep on those crops to clean up the ground. We are working at this 100 acres at a time, learning how to use the sheep as a tool on the ground and change the soil profiles with the sheep.”

Marketing lambs This year is her largest lamb crop, and marketing them will be a new experience.

“The way everything is right now, I am not sure what the markets will be like. I was planning on doing an online video sale and trying to presell my lambs for September/ October delivery, but I don’t know how it will work this year,” she explains. “In the past I have sold lambs to local

buyers who buy lambs for the big feedlots. One year, I sold lambs to an ethnic market in southern California, 100 head at a time. That was a good market.”

“I have done it several different ways. I also sell about 10 to 15 butcher lambs locally each year,” she adds. “I’m looking toward doing a little more of that – learning how to sell direct to consumers.”

There is a growing interest in buying meat directly from a producer as more consumers are interested in knowing where their food comes from.

“Our social media capabilities have grown, and our ability to ship to most areas has opened this market. With the current pandemic, if a person has the opportunity to tap into direct marketing, this is the time,” she says.

This situation may encourage producers to explore more options and get more diversity in marketing again.

“It will also push the con-

Reversed operation – Instead of sending their flock out for the summer like most operations, the Hasselstroms bring their ewes home. Courtesy photo

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sumer into looking at different ways to acquire their meat. I think people will start paying attention to the label,” Hasselstom notes. “We need mandatory country of origin labeling because people want to know where their food comes from.”

“Most of the lamb purchased in the U.S. goes to restaurants for fine dining and cruise ships. I didn’t realize how much went through these markets, and with those

shut down, our U.S. lamb is not moving,” she states. “But, New Zealand has been continuing to ship regular amounts of lamb into the U.S. All of our storage is being filled by foreign meat, and it’s something that needs to be resolved.”

Heather Smith Thomas is a corresponding writer for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@ wylr.net.

Navigating 2020 – This year, Sheila Hasselstrom saw her largest lamb crop and says marketing them in such a unique year will be a new experience. Courtesy photo

Utilizing sheep – Sheila Hasselstrom says they have been able to grow their operation because of the unique way they utilize their sheep. Courtesy photo

8

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 32 No. 18 • September 5, 2020

For information or to Request a Catalog

www.wyowool.com | www.facebook.com/wyowool

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 32 No. 18 • September 5, 2020

9

92ND ANNUAL STATE RAM SALE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS SEPTEMBER 14, 2020 — MONDAY 8 AM – DEADLINE FOR ALL RAMS TO BE IN PLACE Consignors MUST have sheep in pens by 8 AM 9:30 AM – SIFTING OF ALL CONSIGNED RAMS WILL BEGIN 3:30 PM to 5 PM – SHEEP PRODUCTION WORKSHOP Location: Wyoming State Fairgrounds Tri-State G&T Center, Douglas, WY Dr. Whit Stewart, University of Wyoming Sheep Extension Specialist • Determining current levels of production and ram buying for specific production goals.

• Visual selection criteria. What matters and what doesn't.

• Nutrition of ewes and rams to maximize reproductive efficiency • Lamb and wool market outlook updates • Interactive Q&A and door prizes 6 PM - 9 PM – BUYER & CONSIGNOR APPRECIATION DINNER Location: Moose Club, 120 N. 2nd St. Douglas, WY 6 PM – Happy Hour 7 PM – Lamb Dinner Everyone Welcome!

SEPTEMBER 15, 2020 – TUESDAY 11 AM MDT Wyoming State Ram Sale Location: Wyoming State Fairgrounds Tri-State G&T Center

Welcome from the Wyoming Wool Growers Association President Ram Sale is about the business of transferring genetics within the sheep industry. This long-standing range ram sale offers rams that meet the most discriminating purebred buyers’ requirements.

All rams are rigidly evaluated by a panel of noted western sheepmen and knowledgeable veterinarians for soundness and health defects. Our rigor-

ous standards – the most of any sale in the country – means we offer high-quality, healthy rams.

The sale provides our producers with an opportunity to promote their rams, but it is also a time when sheep producers get together to visit and renew old acquaintances and to make new ones. It is a time to come together to learn about the industry and the

issues we face.

The WWGA will host an educational seminar on Monday afternoon, Sept. 14, in the show center where the sale will be held from 3:30 to 5 p.m. This Sheep Production Workshop will be presented by Dr. Whit Stewart, University of Wyoming Sheep Extension Specialist. Topics include determining current levels of production and ram buy-

Raising high quality Targhee, Rambouillet, and Columbia breeding sheep in northern Converse Co, WY.

Russell & Kathy Bell Gillette, Wyoming

TARGHEES RAMBOUILLETS COLUM BIAS

The Wyoming Wool Growers Association (WWGA) is excited to once again host the Wyoming State Ram Sale in Douglas. All sheep producers are invited to join us in Douglas on Sept. 15. The sale begins at 11 a.m. For the first time, our sale will be livestreamed

by DV Auction at dvauction. com. Those interested can also call in at 402-316-5460.

The Wyoming State

(307) 358-2188

Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/bell-livestock

ing for specific production goals, visual selection criteria – what matters and what doesn’t, nutrition of ewes and rams to maximize reproductive efficiency and lamb and wool market outlook updates.

With our new COVID19 world, we will be meeting recommended COVID19 protection protocols throughout the event. For more information, please

visit our website at wyowool.com. Individuals can find a copy of the sale catalog there as well.

The two days spent in Douglas are intended to be fulfilling, informative and fun, and we think we meet those goals every year. We look forward to seeing you there.

Vance Broadbent President, Wyoming Wool Growers Association

Chapman

Rambouillets • Quality Rambouillets since 1967 • Wool Grade 64-70 Lenard Chapman • (605) 244-5469 Beau Chapman • (605) 244-7166 Box 342 • Bison, SD 57620 www.chapmanrambouillets.com

10

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 32 No. 18 • September 5, 2020

THE WYOMING WOOL GROWERS ASSOCIATION PROUDLY PRESENTS

92ND ANNUAL WYOMING STATE RAM SALE

DONA LIVESTOCK Producing rams for all lamb producers

Whether you have a range operation or small farm flock OUR SIRES WILL PRODUCE. If you are wanting to: Start your own flock, Introduce new genetics to your existing flock or Hit the show ring, WE CAN SERVE YOUR NEEDS!

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New England, ND * 1-701-238-6287

Find us on

Epperly Family Hampshires

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John & Anita’s

“Looking for ‘ewe’ at the Wyoming State Ram Sale”

Bringing these and other top Suffolk yearlings and ram lambs to the Wyoming Ram sale

Heupel Farms

Kurt and Carol Heupel

heupelfarms@gmail.com

Weldona, Colorado 970-768-1291

J & A Phillips Ranch

LEE & PEG ISENBERGER 5925 Hwy. 59 Gillette, WY 82718 ( 307) 464-1289

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 32 No. 18 • September 5, 2020

11

92ND ANNUAL WYOMING STATE RAM SALE

THE BEST THE WEST HAS TO OFFER

Jim & Teena Lynn

(307) 735-4538

McCormick Rambouillet James, Laura & Mike

Registered rams and ewes for sale. Drop by and have a look.

258 Sentinal Rock Road Glendo, WY 82213 Visit us on the Web: www.geocities.com/mccormicksheep

MANEOTIS RANCH

Suffolk & Suffolk-Hampshire Cross Lambs

Check Out Our Entries at: Wyoming State Ram Sale Newell Ram Sale Craig Ram Sale Utah Ram Sale

40 Plus Years of Quality Sheep.

Thanks for past purchases & support.

Rams & Ewes Always Available Nick & Karen Maneotis Craig, Colorado

(970) 629-2719 www.maneotisranch.com

VON KROSIGK FAMILY TARGHEES

Yetter SHOW SHEEP

Erk Brothers

Scott & Dana Yetter 3894 Rd. 162 LaGrange, WY 82221 (307) 834-2478

Selling 5 Suffolk / Hampshire Lambs

Selling Polled Rambouillet Rams

Thank you 2019 Buyers

Lot 9 - Tommy Moore Lots 26, 43A & 55 - Smith Sheep Co Lot 43B- Kevin Forgey C/O Paul & Beth Erk 16683 Erk Road - Newell, SD 57760

REGISTERED Targhees Maria Geis

(307) 660-3086

(605) 456-2709

12

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 32 No. 18 • September 5, 2020

RAMS continued from page 1 directly affects functionality and longevity on Wyoming’s challenging landscapes. Specifically, this relates to the friction, or “nip” force, between the lower teeth, or incisors, and the upper dental pad, which cuts plant material.

The inability to properly sever forage limits the ability of animals to consume

adequate forage. Proper teeth-to-pad contact reduces the stress at the tooth root and will result in proper wear.

Incisors have to align with the upper dental pad.

Broadly speaking, the upper dental pad cannot extend beyond the lower incisors. This is known as parrot mouth (see Figure

1). Nor can the lower teeth extend beyond the upper dental pad, known as bulldog mouth.

From professional observation, most parrot mouthed sheep are identified and culled. Yet, there is far too much tolerance for bottom teeth sliding above the upper dental pad.

Producers should slide a finger along the front of the teeth and dental pad, paying attention to the protrusion of either the teeth or den-

Figure 1. Example of an overshot dental pad, also known as parrot mouth. Whit Stewart photo

Figure 2. Example of a scoring system for front legs, back legs, pasterns and hock shape, with a score of three being optimal. The system was adapted from Australian Wool Innovation and Meat and Livestock Australia.

tal pad, which helps prompt more visual observation.

For a producer, being a realist means understanding the costs associated with developing rams and all other important criteria when selecting a ram. Yet, in instances where this ram is siring the next three or four years’ worth of replacement ewes and rams, taking the chance on a poorly aligned mouth is risky.

Visually examining eyes is another aspect that appears overlooked far too often.

Inverted lower eyelids, known as entropion, is the most common and highly heritable eye defect. This is most commonly identified shortly after birth, but from time to time is overlooked.

Identifying and marking both the lamb with entropion and potentially the dam are critical, especially if producing breeding stock.

Weeping of eye fluids and staining below the eye are tell-tale signs of entropion problems. There are ways to remedy the problem in the young lamb with clips and sutures to get the lamb to market, but given the genetic component, breeding sheep with this problem need culled.

More emphasis on culling the ram should be considered if there is a greater incidence within a particular sire line. Failure to cull animals with this defect spreads the problems to potential buyers for generations. There needs to be zero tolerance with entropion eye lids.

Legs and feet Research has concluded rams will travel two to five times more than ewes during breeding season, with eight to 38 services every 13 hours.

Proper structure of legs and feet is extremely important. This takes on slightly different meanings in different segments of the industry, commercial versus exhibition, but overall, it estimates the ability of rams to travel with ease to cover ewes.

Broadly speaking, determining proper structure requires observing the movement of a ram to identify discomfort in legs or restrictions in movement.

Looking for proper flex in the knee and the correct tracking of the back legs can help to determine discomfort or limitations of movement.

Oftentimes, short, rapid steps can suggest stiffness or underlying discomfort and can serve to estimate the durability and longevity of a ram. Unfortunately, if a ram exhibits soreness and stiffness coming out of a dry-lot environment, it’s not going to improve in the breeding pasture.

A scoring system for each component of the leg and feet is helpful to select future replacement ewes and lamb.

In theory, this could entail a repeatable numerical scale system, based on visual similarities for a spe-

cific component in an animal.

The University of Wyoming has utilized a hybrid Australian system (see Figure 2) in some of our ram test evaluations with students. Specifically, we emphasize the front legs, back legs, pasterns and hock shape.

Breeding soundness exams A larger scrotal circumference can be an initial screening tool and is highly correlated to sperm concentration and volume.

A 20 to 30 percent increase in scrotal circumference from spring to fall is to be expected with greater increases expected for seasonal breeds.

For example, a recent study at Montana State University observed an eight-centimeter, 20-percent increase in scrotal circumference in Targhee rams from June to August.

Work done with range rams by Ruttle and Southward (1988) reported rams with a scrotal circumference of less than 30 centimeters were usually classified as unsatisfactory in their annual breeding soundness exams.

If rams don’t measure up in the late summer or early fall, they don’t measure up. Rams with a larger scrotal circumference, especially as ram lambs and yearlings, generally will sire earlier maturing, more reproductively efficient ewe lambs.

Components of a breeding soundness exam There are several components of a breeding soundness exam.

The first is to palpate testicles for firmness, which should be similar to tone in a forearm when making a fist. The scrotum should be free of cuts or lesions. The testicles should be symmetrical with no swelling of the lower epididymis.

Second is an examination and palpation of prepuce for ulcers or scabs.

Maintaining rams on a diet of less than 16 percent crude protein prior to breeding season will help prevent and remediate pizzle rot.

Deworming is warranted if rams were managed on irrigated or subirrigated pasture throughout summer.

Rams’ front teeth, the incisors, should align flush with the dental pad. Feel the upper molars through the cheek for excessive wear or abscesses.

Body condition score (BCS) of rams should be three to four on a scale of one to five. Stamina, libido and semen characteristics will decline in under-conditioned rams. Unadapted, excessively fat rams will also struggle with stamina, libido and thermal regulation of testis.

Fat rams sell well at ram sales, yet should be put on medium-quality grass hay after purchase to ensure rams are adapted to new environments prior to

breeding season.

Testicular inflammation or an enlarged epididymis may point to infectious agents such as Brucella ovis. Consulting with an attending veterinarian can help delineate disease versus physical injury.

Semen testing Begin semen evaluations at least two months in advance of the breeding season. Semen testing rams older than six years should be a priority as these generally show a decline in quality semen characteristics.

Formation of sperm, or spermatogenesis, lasts 50 days, with an additional 12-14 days required for the new sperm to travel through the epididymal duct. Six to eight weeks advanced planning will allow finding a suitable replacement ram if semen quality problems are identified.

Semen abnormalities, for example, low concentration, poor motility or poor morphology, may be attributable to a physiological challenge 50 days prior. This may include fever, nutrient deficiency, heat stress and/or shipping stress.

Semen testing too early in the summer, from May to June, especially in more seasonal European-type breeds, may indicate poor specimens when, in fact, these breed types should be retested closer to breeding season.

Semen testing twice within one day, especially for virgin rams, where feasible, or 10 days later, might determine if the abnormalities were from environmental factors or permanent infertility.

Also, consider some rams do not collect well as a result of the collection process and should be evaluated accordingly. Consulting with the attending veterinarian can provide additional cull or keep criteria and other abnormalities that might have been experienced during collection.

Ram sale considerations What is clear when working with Wyoming sheep producers is they have subjective opinions on what type and kind of ram they like, which is great.

What is less up for debate is all producers need to avoid the structural, teeth, eye and reproductive defects when buying and selling rams.

Rams sold at the Wyoming Ram Sale in Douglas on Sept. 15 are sifted to avoid many of these defects discussed. The quality of rams and friendship exchanged make the Wyoming Ram Sale a great experience every year.

Regardless of this year’s lamb market, producers should look forward to looking through the pens and enjoying a visit with buyers and sellers in Douglas.

Whit Stewart is the University of Wyoming Extension sheep specialist. He can be reached at whit. stewart@uwyo.edu.

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 32 No. 18 • September 5, 2020

EXTENSION EDUCATION

By Whit Stewart, PhD Assistant Professor, Extension Sheep Specialist

Enterprise Budget Can Help Determine Breakeven Costs and Set Producers Up For Financial Success “Thought provoking” is a phrase that would probably be further down the list when describing 2020.

The series of unforeseen circumstances affecting the U.S. lamb industry and highlighting the need for producers to look at their finances have made it clear few would leave 2020 unscathed. These impacts are real and hard felt.

As Winston Churchill aptly stated, “In challenging times one must question the accepted reality, because things are going wrong, rapid answers are needed and the solution may well be found outside the usual compass,” which has relevance to the

U.S. lamb and wool industries this year.

Still, in a year where so much is out of individual sheep producers’ control, there is so much to look at on an enterprise level, “outside the usual compass.”

Cost of production Hoping for better feeder and fat lamb markets is an energy sink most years, whereas determining cost of production and break-even analysis is proactive. The American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) funded a study in 2015 looking at baseline costs of production in the U.S. sheep industry.

This straightforward

enterprise budget analysis surveyed producers in different regions of the country regarding their lamb and wool revenue in relation to their associated variable costs of production on a per-ewe basis.

In the Intermountain West from 2010 to 2018, the highest-ranked variable costs included hired labor at $33.12 per ewe, pasture at $13.77 per ewe, operator and family labor at $12.83 per ewe, fuel, lube, repairs and utilities at $9.86 per ewe and hay at $6.90 per ewe.

This is an average of $104.23 per ewe per year in variable costs.

These costs vary by operation, especially with H-2A mandatory wage requirements, but the general theme of these costs cutting into a producer’s bottom line is the same regardless of operation.

It’s helpful to know where our levels of production and associated costs stand in relation to others.

Business benchmarking in the U.S. sheep industry isn’t too common, unfortunately, but will likely be the difference between success and

13

failure in the future.

The more productive question is, what can be done to either reduce these costs or maximize the output on these specific expenditures?

Breakeven anaylsis Whether raising stud rams, marketing feeders or selling fat lambs, an enterprise budget can help determine breakeven costs and set producers up for financial success.

The table below shows an example of break-even scenarios based on varying ewe costs, weaning percentages and average weaning weights. The formula appears simple, but the truth is, low annual ewe costs and high-weaning percentages is a deliberate process that requires deliberate action.

The answer to these questions merits many more words than this column allows.

Solutions may include, but are not limited to, technology to reduce and/or eliminate additional labor, continuing education for hired help to maximize lamb survival, prioritizing guard dog management, etc.

Breakeven Analysis for Ewe-Lamb Enterprise

But, unfortunately, for many of us the initial step of figuring out what the costs on our operation are is the hardest step.

May 2020 grant us the silver lining of helping us “find solutions outside the normal compass,” as Churchill suggests.

Results from the ASI Cost of Production study and enterprise budget worksheets are available at bit.ly/ASIcostofproduction.

Whit Stewart is the University of Wyoming Extension sheep specialist. He can be reached at whit.stewart@ uwyo.edu.

LAMB continued from page 1

overly fat and lose quality, we decided to custom harvest our lambs and freeze them,” said Moore.

“I’ve always felt like there should be a market for frozen lamb,” Moore added. “If the opportunity looks like it makes sense, we should work for it.”

Direct marketing lamb The coronavirus has sparked a lot of conversation in the beef industry about direct marketing meat products directly from the ranch.

“There are not a lot of people who direct market lamb,” Moore explained. “Some ranchers sell their lamb seasonally on a small scale.”

“We hope to keep our lamb in stock and have products available year round,” shared Moore.

The Lamb Guys have hit farmers’ markets across Wyoming to market their products, as well as promote their products online.

“We also wanted to make high-quality lamb available economically to less-populated places,” said Moore.

The Lamb Guys sell lambs from both the Moore and Boner families’ operations. They

offer half lamb boxes, as well as lamb racks, chops, top rounds, bonein and boneless legs, ground lamb, baby back ribs, hind shanks and fore shanks.

Evolving and learning The Lamb Guys started out with approximately 1,000 lambs in half lamb boxes.

“That is a pretty optimistic number of lambs to sell in our first year,” said Moore. “But, I think that is a goal we can achieve.”

“Currently, we are trying to figure out how to ship our products and make it economical for our customers,” Moore shared. “Cooler weather coming up should make it easier.”

“We hope this venture is successful enough to keep it going,” shared Moore. “We really enjoy what we have done so far and are thankful for the interest in our lamb.”

“We are just getting our feet wet,” Moore noted. “But, we have had a really great response so far.”

Averi Hales is the editor for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup.

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

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 32 No. 18 • September 5, 2020

CALENDAR

Sept. 16 Sept. 17

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

Sept. 18-19

EVENTS Sept. 3-Dec. 10 University of Wyoming Extension Master Gardener Online Training.

Register at bit.ly/master-gardener-2020. For more information, contact Chris Hilgert at chilgert@uwyo.edu.

Sept. 6 Delta Fair Open Hereford Show, Cordova, Tenn. For more information, visit deltafest.com.

Sept. 6-7 Don King Days, Big Horn, Big Horn Equestrian Center. For more information, visit thebhec.org/donkingdays.

Sept. 7 Wyoming Livestock Roundup office closed for Labor Day. Have a safe and happy holiday!

Sept. 8-11 Cattle U and Trade Show, Online. For more information, visit cattleu.net.

Sept. 9 Wyoming Game and Fish and University of Wyoming Extension Collaborative Trapping Meeting, 6 p.m. Laramie, Wyoming Game and Fish Regional Office, 1212 S. Adams St. For more information, visit wgfd.wyo.gov.

Sept. 10 Wyoming Game and Fish and University of Wyoming Extension Collaborative Trapping Meeting, 6 p.m. Lander, The Inn at Lander, 260 Grandview Dr. For more information, visit wgfd.wyo.gov.

Sept. 11-12 2020 ICOW Annual Meeting and Convention. Casper, Clarion Inn at Platte River, 123 West E Street. For more information, visit icowwy.org.

Sept. 12 Sept. 12 Sept. 15 Sept. 15

Powder River Quarter Horse Breeders Association 43rd Annual Horse Sale, Futurity & Versatility Ranch Horse Show, Broadus, Mont., 406427-5420, prqhba.com Open Box Rafter Ranch 27th 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, rafter7.com Western Video Market, Haythorn Ranch, Ogallala, Neb., 530-347-3793, wvmcattle.com 92nd Annual Wyoming State Ram Sale, Wyoming State Fairgrounds, Douglas, 307-265-5250, 307-351-1422, wyowool.com

Big horn Basin LIVESTOCK AUCTION LLC

Worland, WY

Sale Barn: 307-347-9201 Danny Vigil: 307-388-0781

Broadcasting and Online Bidding Available At lmaauctions.com.

Please visit to fill out an application and view auctions.

Authorized Dealer

Danny Vigil Northern Livestock Represenative

WE HAVE NITROGEN TO FILL YOUR SEMEN TANKS

Sept. 3, 2020 – 252 Head

Cows $1 to $2 Higher • Bulls $3 to $4 Lower BULLS Hessenthaler, Charles - Lovell 1 Blk Bull, 2085# ....................................$8950 1 Blk Bull, 2085# ....................................$8600 Hessenthaler, Brandon - Byron 1 Hrfd Bull, 1950# ..................................$8850 Greet Ranch, Inc. - Ten Sleep 2 Blk Bulls, avg. 1763# ..........................$8800 Durbin Creek Ranch - Thermopolis 1 Hrfd Bull, 1705# ..................................$8700 1 Hrfd Bull, 1740# ..................................$8650 1 Hrfd Bull, 1760# ..................................$8400 Hampton Sheep Co. - Worland 1 Blk Bull, 1955# ....................................$8400 Crowfoot Ranch, Inc. - Worland 1 Blk Bull, 1955# ....................................$8300 Casdorph DBA M Bar Cattle - Worland 1 Blk Bull, 1525# ....................................$8250 Wilkinson, Kurt or Thomas- Basin 1 Blk Bull, 2345# ....................................$8150 Schatz Irrevoc Trust - Lovell 1 Blk Bull, 1505# ....................................$8000 COWS Big West Land and Cattle - Riverton 1 Blk Cow, 1850# ...................................$7800 1 Blk Cow, 1290# ...................................$7700 1 Blk Cow, 1470# ...................................$6750 Spear D Ranch, Inc. - Basin 2 CharX Cows, avg. 1678# ....................$7250 1 CharX Cow,1790# ..............................$7250 1 CharX Cow, 1675# .............................$7000 1 CharX Cow, 1405# .............................$7000 2 CharX Cows, avg. 1568# ....................$6950 1 CharX Cows, avg. 1620# ....................$6950 2 Mxd Cows, avg. 1485# .......................$6950 2 CharX Cows, avg. 1405# ....................$6950 2 CharX Cows, avg. 1453# ....................$6900 1 CharX Cow, 1705# .............................$6900 3 CharX Cows, avg. 1610# ....................$6850 2 CharX Cows, avg. 1573# ....................$6850 1 CharX Cows, avg. 1720# ....................$6700 1 CharX Cow, 1305# .............................$6500 Hessenthaler, Charles - Lovell 1 Red Cow, 1115#..................................$7250 1 Blk Cow, 1425# ...................................$7000 1 Blk Cow, 1470# ...................................$6850 1 Spotted Cow, 1130#............................$6500 Boardman, Jared & Wendy - Frannie 1 Blk Cow, 1175# ...................................$6650 1 Blk Cow, 1210# ...................................$5800 Tharp, Cal & Amanda - Hyattville 1 Blk Cow, 1585# ...................................$6650 Schatz, Gene - Lovell 1 Blk Cow, 1370# ...................................$6600 2 Blk Cows, avg. 1165# .........................$6250 1 Blk Cow, 1340# ...................................$5900

Sept. 19 Sept. 19-20 Sept. 21 Oct. 3 Oct. 3 Oct. 9-10 Oct. 11 Oct. 17 Oct. 26

SALES Sept. 4-6

Sept. 17

Robertson, Bruce - Crowheart 1 Blk Cow, 1345# ...................................$6600 O’Donnell, Gary - Ten Sleep 1 BWF Cow, 1300# ................................$6600 1 Blk Cow, 1485# ...................................$6500 Diamond S Ranch LLC - Hyattville 1 BWF Cow, 1515# ................................$6550 1 Hrfd Cow, 1525# .................................$6500 1 BWF Cow, 1670# ................................$6450 1 BWF Cow, 1550# ................................$6350 2 Hrfd Cows, avg. 1448# .......................$6200 Gerstner, John or Justin - Ten Sleep 1 Blk Cow, 1425# ...................................$6450 1 Blk Cow, 1270# ...................................$6250 Jones, Stanley Jensen - Otto 1 Spkld FC Cow, 1395# .........................$6450 1 Spkld FC Cow, 1290# .........................$6200 Baird, John & Virginia - Thermopolis 1 Blk Cow, 1205# ...................................$5600 HEIFERS Thompson Cattle Co. Inc. - Billings, MT 30 Mxd Hrs, avg. 784# ........................$13300 Hessenthaler, Charles - Lovell 12 Mxd Hfrs, avg. 890# .......................$12850 8 Mxd Hfrs, avg. 943# .........................$12600 9 Mxd Hfrs, avg. 1026# .......................$11500 Turnell Cattle Co. - Meeteetse 7 Blk Hfrs, avg. 897# ...........................$12850 Diamond S Ranch LLC - Hyattville 7 Hrfd Hfrs, avg. 948# .........................$12500 STEERS Donley, Janell Dee - Worland 4 Mxd Strs, avg. 753# ..........................$13800 Gerstner, John or Justin - Ten Sleep 2 Blk Strs, avg. 825# ...........................$13350 PAIRS Schatz, Gene - Lovell 5 Blk Pairs..................................... $1300/Hd.

Oct. 28 Nov. 8 Nov.14

7th Annual Montana Ewe Sale, Eastern Montana Fairgrounds, Miles City, Mont., 406-945-0404, mtsheep.org 95th Annual Montana Ram Sale, Eastern Montana Fairgrounds, Miles City, Mont., 406-210-2852, 406-853-5239, mtsheep.org Cattle Country Video Sandhills Roundup, Goshen County Rendezvous Center, Torrington, 888-322-8853, cattlecountryvideo.com 24th Annual Van Norman and Friends Production Sale, Elko County Fairgrounds, Elko, Nev., 775-756-6508, 775-934-7404, vannormansale. com 20th Annual WYO Quarter Horse, Arena, Ranch Broke Gelding & Production Sale, Hot Springs County Fairgrounds, Thermopolis, 307-8645671, 307-272-0593, 307-921-1164, wyohorses.com Sugar Bars Legacy 18th Annual Horse Sale, Sheridan County Fairgrounds, Sheridan, 605-347-8120, sugarbarslegacy.com Northern Livestock Video Auction Fall Premier, 866-616-5035, northernlivestockvideo.com Grand Hills Cattle Complete Dispersion Sale, at the ranch, Eaton, Colo., 970-215-5281, 785-672-3195, grandhillscattle.com 2020 Huskerland Breeders Production Sale, Buffalo County Fairgrounds, Kearney, Neb., 308-230-0455, 308-383-0039 Fall Classic Catalog Horse Sale and Futurity, Farmers and Ranchers Livestock Commission Co., Salina, Kan., 785-826-7884, 785-493-2901, 785-825-0211 23rd Annual Fall Colt & Yearling Catalog Sale, Farmers and Ranchers Livestock Commission Co., Salina, Kan., 785-826-7884, 785-493-2901, 785-825-0211 The NILE Gold Buckle Select Horse Sale, Billings, Mont., 406-2562497, thenile.org J & L Livestock Montana Angus Female Bonanza XVII, PAYS, Billings, Mont., 406-861-5664, 406-200-1880 Micheli Ranch Bull Sale, at the ranch, Ft. Bridger, 307-780-8232, 307747-7786, 307-747-3897, micheliranch.com The Wyoming Angus Association 10th Annual Wyoming Select Female Sale, Casper College, Casper, 307-630-4604, wyomingangus.org Rocky Mountain Angus Association Sale, Golden Spike Events Center, Ogden, Utah, 801-540-6818, 916-837-3095

POSTCARD from the Past

Compiled by Dick Perue rrichardperue@gmail.com

Labor Day Proclamation

By Gov. Nellie Tayloe Ross, 1925-1927.

All the works of civilization teach the dignity of labor. It is the foundation of all progress, the cornerstone of every achievement. Only through labor can man realize his highest destiny.

Whether in the home or the field or the shop, whether in the dark caverns underground whence is drawn the fuel for industry and for the hearth or on broad acres under the beating rays of the sun, whether in the factory or in

the office, man must earn his living and climb upward by labor.

Not his physical wellbeing alone, but the spiritual also depends upon labor. For without labor, both soul and body would perish. He who seeks luxury and avoids labor gains that which serves neither him nor his neighbor, but he who foregoes luxury and embraces labor is builder of homes and nations.

There is no excellence without great labor, and all the enduring contributions, which have been made throughout

• Upcoming Sales •

Sept. 10 – All Class Cattle Sept. 17 – Feeder Special with All Class Cattle, Sheep & Goat Sept. 19 – Saturday Horse Sale @ 1pm Sept. 24 – Feeder Special w/ All Class Cattle Oct. 1 – Feeder Special w/ All Class Cattle Oct. 5 – MONDAY SPECIAL – BAWL OF THE FALL – Feeder Cattle Only Oct. 8 – Feeder Special w/ All Class Cattle Oct. 15 – All Class Cattle, Sheep & Goat Oct. 17 – Saturday Horse Sale @ 1pm Oct. 19 – MONDAY SPECIAL – BAWL OF THE FALL – Feeder Cattle Only Oct. 22 – Weigh-Up Special w/ All Class Cattle Oct. 26 – MONDAY SPECIAL – BAWL OF THE FALL – Feeder Cattle Only

September 3, 2020 Consignments Turnell Cattle Co. – 8 open heifers, 1,000# • Gene Schatz – 18 exposed cows • Durbin Creek Ranch – 10 weigh up bulls • Spear D Ranch, Inc. – 1 load of weigh up cows September 17, 2020 Consignments Leroy Shumway – 8 yearling steers & heifers, 750#, 30 steer calves, 550-600#, 12 weigh up cows October 5, 2020 Consignments - 1st Bawl of the Fall Special, Feeder Cattle Only Bonita Ranch – 150 black steers and heifers, 475-525#, spring and fall shots

Wyoming’s and the nation’s first woman governor, Nellie Tayloe Ross, issued the proclamation for observance of the 1926 Labor Day celebration, which appeared on the front page of the Sept. 3, 1926, issue of the Wyoming Labor Journal, along with this photo.

Historical Reproductions by Perue

the ages to the development and glory of the human race have been the product of toil.

It is fitting then that one day should be set aside every year for the contemplation of the essential and all embracing importance of labor in human affairs.

Therefore, I, Nellie Tayloe Ross, governor of the state of Wyoming, do designate Monday, the sixth day of September, A.D. 1926, Labor Day. I ask all citizens of the state close their places of business and participate in the parades, meetings and festivities, which may be arranged in celebration of that day.

In witness whereof, have hereunto set my hand and caused the great seal of the state of Wyoming to be affixed.

Done at the office of the Executive this 24th day of August, A. D. 1926.

The above proclamation appeared on the front page of the Sept. 3, 1926 issue of the Wyoming Labor Journal, along with this picture of the nation’s first woman governor, Nellie Tayloe Ross, and the following headline and news article.

Wyoming should lead the nation in labor legislation, says Gov. Nellie Tayloe Ross When President William Green of the American Federation of Labor visited Wyoming this year for the annual Convention of the State Federation at Casper, he was graciously greeted by the first woman governor, Nellie Tayloe Ross, in a speech of welcome which deserves to be characterized as one of the most comprehensive and sympathetic, from the point of view of labor, ever delivered by any public official in this state.

But then, that’s for the next time we go to work.

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 32 No. 18 • September 5, 2020

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Little Snake River Museum opens new exhibit dedicated to Wyoming’s sheep industry On Aug. 15, the Little Snake River Museum in Savery hosted a grand opening celebration for their new building and exhibit – the MacPherson Sheep Center.

“The event was great,” noted Little Snake River Museum Director Lela Emmons. “We had a weekend full of fun activities, and about 250 people, from all across the state and Colorado, were in attendance.”

Grand opening celebration Emmons explained the grand opening began with a ribbon cutting ceremony by John and Kathy MacPherson of Rawlins, whose generous donations made the new exhibit possible.

“We also had three presenters. The first was Suza Bedient of Lander, one of the few woman sheep shearers in the state,” said Emmons. “Suza has traveled around the world shearing sheep, so she talked about her life on the shearing circuit.”

Cat Urbigkit of Pinedale was the second presenter and discussed predators and guard dogs. David Romtvedt of Buffalo gave a presentation on the Basque culture and the presence of Basque culture in the West.

Romtvedt also performed Basque accordion music.

“On Saturday, we had a free barbeque. We served local lamb, in addition to hamburgers and hot dogs,” said Emmons. “We also showed a few movies related to the sheep industry throughout the day.”

“Ann Dillon brought bum lambs for the kids and Yampa Valley Fiber Works of Craig, Colo. had a tent showcasing their woolen goods,” she continued.

Emmons noted the festivities continued into Sunday, with a free pancake breakfast and a trek to the Little Snake River Museum’s Divide Sheep Camp.

MacPherson Sheep Center “The center came about after the MacPherson family came to us and asked if we would be interested in taking five sheep wagons they had collected from different outfits in Carbon County over the years,” Emmons explained. “We were interested but they wanted them stored inside, and we didn’t have any room for them.”

However, the MacPherson family didn’t let this stop them from creating an exhibit dedicated to Wyoming’s sheep industry. In fact, they returned to the museum with a monetary donation for the construction of a new building and the MacPherson Sheep Center was erected.

Today, according to Emmons, the new exhibit showcases the five sheep wagons donated by the MacPherson family as well as other antique and modern equipment used in sheep ranching and photos from historic Carbon County sheep operations.

“We will also be receiving another sheep wagon

and a supply wagon, both of which will be donated by the Wyoming Wool Growers Association,” Emmons said.

“We have always felt it would be important to have a sheep exhibit in our museum since the sheep industry has played such an important role in the Little Snake River Valley and in the state of Wyoming.

The MacPhersons just happened to come out of the woodwork, and they were extremely generous so we were able to finally make it happen,” Emmons said.

“In addition to the sheep exhibit, we plan on using our new building for events,” she continued. “We designed it to be a multifunctioning building. Not

only can people come visit for a taste of history, they can also rent it out for weddings and other events.”

The Little Snake River Museum and the new MacPherson Sheep Center are open after Memorial

Day through mid-October, seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Hannah Bugas is the managing editor for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup.

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

Historic exhibit – The MacPherson Sheep Center is dedicated to showcasing the history and importance of the sheep industry. Courtesy photo

l a s r e p s i D

“We have always felt it would be important to have a sheep exhibit in our museum since the sheep industry has played such an important role in the Little Snake River Valley and in the state of Wyoming.” – Lela Emmons, Little Snake River Museum

Generous donation – Thanks to the generous donation from the MacPherson family, the Little Snake River Museum erected a new exhibit. Courtesy photo

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 32 No. 18 • September 5, 2020

It’s the Pitts

by Lee Pitts

Tools Of The Cowboy Several years ago I read in a man’s magazine, a list of the top ten tools of all time. Duct tape was number one and “Vice” Grips was also included, which I’m pretty sure is properly spelled Vise Grips®.

Believe me, Vise Grips® have no vices.

Also on the list were zip ties, margarine tubs, a big screwdriver, and to demonstrate how old the list was, a phone booth and a quarter was number 10.

I haven’t seen a phone

booth in years, and I believe, based on personal experience, they’ve been outlawed in Nebraska for years.

According to the article, really only two tools are needed – Duct Tape and WD 40®. One for things that refuse to move and the other for things that move but shouldn’t.

When I was making my living as a cowboy, not a single one of my essential tools was found on that list. When I composed my

Visit leepittsbooks.org for more from Lee Pitts.

list of cowboy tools, I left off things like a pick-em-up truck, a horse, Gooseneck® trailer, chaps and saddlebags.

They are all indispensable, but I didn’t consider them tools. Horses are members of the family, saddlebags are for holding tools, like a toolbox, and chaps are more appropriately called clothing, not tools.

I also didn’t include things like a chainsaw, nail gun, drone or ladder. Although cowboys are occasionally called upon to use such things, they usually avoid them like the plague. Here’s my list of the top 10 tools of the modern day cowboy.

10. The cell phone: Although I don’t own one, I hate to admit the cell phone has become a vital tool for the modern cowboy. If they can get service out in the boonies where they work, a cell phone might come in handy if their horse bucked them off and ran home, or

they’re trying to find the trucker who was supposed to show up two hours ago.

9. American-made fence pliers: The average cowboy knows the most expensive thing they’ll ever buy is a cheap tool. This is why cowboys don’t buy fence pliers at Harbor Freight that were made in China.

8. Digging bar: Unfortunately, these are needed to dig post holes, but they also come in handy for putting behind recalcitrant cows in the lead-up alley to keep them from backing up.

7. Hoof pick: Used for getting rocks out of the frog of a horse’s feet, and in a pinch, it can be also be used as an offset screwdriver.

6. Cowboy hat: Also known as a lid, war bonnet, conk cover, hair case and a Stetson. Cowboys live their life under one. It can be used as an umbrella, to throw in the face of a charging cow, fan a fire to get it started, water a horse and keep rain water from dribbling down their back. It

“When I composed my list of cowboy tools, I left off things like a pick-em-up truck, a horse, Gooseneck® trailer, chaps and saddlebags.”

– Lee Pitts can even be put on a stick and raised above rocks to draw gunfire from renegade outlaws.

5. Leatherman® MultiTool: Used for cutting baler twine, castrating calves, picking teeth, gutting fish, pulling out a hook or a splinter or cutting the meat at a bull sale.

4. Wild rag: Can be used as a napkin, towel, tourniquet, handkerchief, piggin’ string, dish rag, sling, to keep out the dust when riding drag, cover up an ugly face, rob a bank or act as a spur strap when one breaks.

Speaking of which...

3. Spurs: Also known as gut hooks, pet makers, persuaders, irons, rib wrenches, can openers, Chihuahuas and grappling irons. They can be used to communicate messages to a

horse and to make it giddyup.

2. Saddle: A cowboy’s workbench. This is where a cowboy does his best work.

It provides front-row seating for sunsets, wrecks, brandings and ropings. A saddle can act as an anchor, someplace to tie to, a foot protector in brushy country, a cup holder, closet to hang his or her slicker and is a portable string dispenser of “whang” leather to cut off and be used as needed.

1. Rope: Also known as a reata, string, lasso and twine. Unlike non-cowboy tools, the rope comes with no instructions written in six different languages.

It’s been said the simpler the tool, the harder it is to master, and that certainly applies to the cowboy’s number one tool.

RIVERTON LIVESTOCK AUCTION Tuesday, September 1, 2020 Market Reports • 446 Head Sold

Representative Sales COWS RIVERTON 1 Cow, 1560# .....................................$74.00 ENCAMPMENT 1 Cow, 1540# .....................................$71.00 RIVERTON 6 Cow, 1272# .....................................$70.00 LANDER 2 Cow, 1175# .....................................$65.00 RIVERTON 1 Cow, 1385# .....................................$65.00 3 Cow, 1611# .....................................$64.50 5 Cow, 1298# .....................................$64.00 8 Cow, 1431# .....................................$63.50 7 Cow, 1272# .....................................$63.00 4 Cow, 1705# .....................................$63.00 2 Cow, 1117# .....................................$61.50 4 Cow, 1292# .....................................$60.00 DANIEL 6 Cow, 1449# .....................................$57.50 RIVERTON 8 Cow, 1150# .....................................$57.00 BULLS LANDER 1 Bull, 1075# ....................................$101.00 RIVERTON 1 Bull, 1065# ......................................$99.50 LANDER 1 Bull, 1790# ......................................$92.50 THERMOPOLIS 1 Bull, 2070# ......................................$87.50 RIVERTON 1 Bull, 1940# ......................................$87.00 LANDER 1 Bull, 2135# ......................................$86.00 1 Bull, 1995# ......................................$84.00 THERMOPOLIS 1 Bull, 1925# ......................................$80.50 1 Bull, 2180# ......................................$80.00 RIVERTON 2 Bull, 1802# ......................................$78.50 BOULDER 1 Bull, 2590# ......................................$75.00 JEFFREY CITY 1 Bull, 2020# ......................................$69.50 STEERS LANDER 8 Steer, 433#....................................$162.00 SHOSHONI 15 Steer, 472#....................................$158.50 FT WASHAKIE 12 Steer, 490#....................................$155.50 THERMOPOLIS 4 Steer, 765#....................................$144.50 LANDER 3 Steer, 668#....................................$143.50 PINEDALE 3 Steer, 845#....................................$140.00 SHOSHONI 3 Steer, 771#....................................$136.00 HEIFERS FT WASHAKIE 2 Heifer, 352#...................................$160.00 SHOSHONI 2 Heifer, 370#...................................$147.00 LANDER 3 Heifer, 398#...................................$145.00 SHOSHONI 8 Heifer, 473#...................................$140.00 RIVERTON 6 Heifer, 650#...................................$135.00 11 Heifer, 784# ...................................$131.50 16 Heifer, 835#...................................$130.00

HEIFERETTES LANDER 2 Heiferette, 865# ..............................$83.50 2 Heiferette, 1020# ............................$77.00 BOULDER 4 Heiferette, 1046# ............................$73.25

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 LABOR DAY FEEDER SPECIAL START TIME 9:00 AM W/ WEIGH UPS YEARLINGS @ 10:30 AM CALVES/YEARLINGS Bar V - 400 Yrling Spayed Hfrs (85% Blk, 15% Red & CharX) 775-825#. Choice, green, high desert feeding Hfrs!

Fleur de Lis Cattle Co - 160 Blk Ang & AngX Yrling Spayed Hfrs 800-850#. Fancy, green, high desert Hfrs!

Gary Adels - 60 Crossbred Yrling Spayed Hfrs 750# Paul & Ginger Ward - 38 Blk Ang Yrling Hfrs 800# 17 Blk Ang Yrling Strs 800#. One brand, one raising. High desert, fancy cattle!

Scott Schulz - 45 Blk Yrling Strs 800-900#.

Fancy & green!

Stan Horton & Sons - 38 Blk Ang & AngX Spayed Hfrs 800-850# 4 Blk Ang & AngX Yrling Strs 800#. 100% Blk Ang sired. One brand, fancy!

North Forty Ranch - 40 Black & Crossbred PTO Hfrs 900# Fremont Street - 31 Blk Ang Yrling Strs 675#.

Fancy!

Freeman Ranch - 25 Crossbred Spayed Hfrs 775# Fred Tammany - 25 Blk & Red Strs & Hfrs 425475#.

Dode Givens - 20 Blk Ang PTO Yrling Hfrs 800#. Lucky 7 sired. High desert.

V Ranch - 20 Blk Yrling Strs & Hfrs 700-750#.

High elevation, fancy!

Reno & Gwen Shepperson - 13 Yrling Strs & Hfrs 850#. All natural. SweetPro mineral program.

Blk PTO Yrling Hfrs 825850# Diamond X Ranch - 10 Yrling Strs 750-850# Otis Jones - 9 Blk Yrling Strs 725# Jon McConahay - 5 Corriente Strs & Hfrs 300350# Dixon Ranch - 2 Heifers 1,200#. 100 days on grain.

COWS/BULLS Jon McConahay - 6 Young Corriente Bred cows. Have been running back with Corriente bull since June 1st.

1 Corriente Bull

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 CALF & YEARLING SPECIAL START TIME 9:00 AM W/ WEIGH UPS Dick Ellis - 300 Blk Ang & AngX Strs & Hfrs 525-

Early Consignments 575#. Rec Bovishield Gold 5 & One Shot Ultra @ Branding. High elevation. Great performing, powerful calves!

21 Livestock - 25 Blk Ang & AngX Running Age Pairs. Summer calves @ side.

Gary Horton - 11 Red & Blk SimAngus Strs & Hfrs 550-700#. Rec Vision 7 w/ Somnus @ Birth & Branding; Fusoguard in July. Hfrs are replacement quality.

Annette McDonnel - 10 Blk Ang Yrling Strs 800#. Fancy!

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 CALF & YEARLING SPECIAL START TIME 9:00 AM W/ WEIGH UPS Mary Klaahsen - 20 Blk Strs & Hfrs 525-550#.

Rec Once PMH & Vision 7 @ Birth; Once PMH, Vision 7 & Pyramid 5 @ Branding; Vision 7 & Pyramid 5 @ Precon. Sired by Powder River Blk Ang bulls. Fancy set of preconditioned calves!

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23 BRED COW SPECIAL • START TIME 9:00 AM W/ WEIGH UPS, BREDS @ NOON

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27 CALF & YEARLING SPECIAL START TIME 9:00 AM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30 COW SALE W/ SHEEP & HORSES START TIME 9:00 AM W/ SHEEP & WEIGH UPS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3 CALF & YEARLING SPECIAL START TIME 9:00 AM

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6

CALF & YEARLING SPECIAL W/ SHEEP & HORSES START TIME 9:00 AM W/ SHEEP & WEIGH UPS

COW SALE • START TIME 9:00 AM

Forgey Ranch - 40 Peewee Lambs 35#

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6 CALF & YEARLING SPECIAL START TIME 9:00 AM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10 CALF & YEARLING SPECIAL START TIME 9:00 AM W & M Thoman Ranches - 90 Hereford & HerefordX Strs 400# 50 Hereford & HerefordX Hfrs 345#. Rec Vision 8 @ Birth; Vision 8 & Pyramid 5 @ Branding. Sired by powerful Registered Hereford bulls. Fancy, high desert.

COW SALE • START TIME 9:00 AM

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13

BRED COW SPECIAL • START TIME 9:00 AM W/ WEIGH UPS, BREDS @ NOON

CALF & YEARLING SPECIAL START TIME 9:00 AM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16 COW SALE • START TIME 9:00 AM

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20 CALF & YEARLING SPECIAL START TIME 9:00 AM

Osborne & Campbell - 220 Red Ang & Red AngX Strs & Hfrs 500#. Rec Alpha C & D, Once PMH @ Birth; 7-way, Once PMH & Pyramid 5 w/ Presponse @ Branding. Sired

by Beckton Red Ang bulls & out of a very low maintenance cow herd. Run @ 8,500 ft. High desert & green!

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17 CALF & YEARLING SPECIAL START TIME 9:00 AM

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20 COW SALE W/ SHEEP & HORSES START TIME 9:00 AM W/ SHEEP & WEIGH UPS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24 CALF & YEARLING SPECIAL W/ WEIGH UPS • START TIME 9:00 AM W/ WEIGH UPS

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