September 8, 2018

Volume 30 Number 19 • September 8, 2018

®

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

A Look Inside The WLSB will consider several brand inspection updates at their next meeting, says WLSB Director Steve True........Page 2 Brisket disease and its impacts are a current topic of study for researchers in the University of Wyoming Animal Science Department....................Page 8 The Whitney Foundation is being honored by the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources for their dedication to higher education.......Page 15 Slow tractors and farm vehicles are a staple in rural communities, according to Lee Pitts. .....................................Page 15

Quick Bits Producing Beef Beef production, at 2.23 billion pounds, was 6% above the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.77 million head, up 6% from July 2017.

The average live weight was down 3 pounds from the previous year, at 1,330 pounds, according to the most recent statistics from USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.

UW research find no CWD impact on cattle

Laramie – New research out of the University of Wyoming (UW) has the ability to impact cattle producers significantly, says Mike Day, UW Animal Science Department head.

“We reached a signifi-

cant new finding that says we’re pretty safe as cattle producers from chronic wasting disease found in our wild species,” says Day. Reports are continually released from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department

(WGFD) about the incidence of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in deer and elk populations across the state of Wyoming, and Day comments that until recently, it was unclear if the disease impacted cattle or not.

New research “A paper was recently published based on work done in our vet lab, a Colorado vet lab and the Wildlife Research Center at Sybille,” Day says, noting the paper Please see CWD on page 4

UW CELEBRATES AG Ag Weekend set for Sept. 15 at UW

Laramie – On Sept. 15, the University of Wyoming (UW) will celebrate the ag industry, with a barbecue and recognition during the football game, bringing Wyomingites from across the state to cheer on the Pokes.

The annual Ag Day BBQ starts at 11:15 a.m. and runs to 1:45 p.m., prior to kick-off of the UW vs. Wofford football game. Held in the southwest corner of the Pepsi Pre-game Zone in the Wyoming Indoor Practice Facility, the Food Science Club will prepare a meal including BBQ beef, pork and lamb sandwiches, along

with side dishes.

The cost for the barbecue is $12 for adults and five dollars for youth ages six to 12. Children under six eat free. Proceeds benefit student ag groups, and credit cards will be accepted.

Last year’s barbecue raised more than $4,200 for about 70 students in 15 different clubs and organizations.

The football game, UW vs. Wofford, will kick off at 2 p.m. on Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium. Tickets are available at gowyo.com/tickets for $20 to $45.

2018 UW EDITION

American Lamb

On the heels of Japan’s acceptance of American lamb after a 15-year closure, a new survey by the American Lamb Board touts American consumers’ preference for domestic lamb and a growing trend in consumption.

The online study was conducted during 2018 among 2,084 U.S. adults aged 18 to 74 years.

Public Lands

Across the West, 9.52 million acres of public lands sit entirely landlocked and can be accessed only with the permission of the neighboring private landowners, according to a new report released Aug. 29 by the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership and a GPS mapping company.

Photo courtesy of UW College of Ag and Natural Resources

Andersons leave UW legacy

Driving west on Highway 450 between Newcastle and Wright, a turn south onto Lynch Road heads to the Converse County line – right through the Earl and Minnie Lynch Ranch.

Jill Anderson’s parents built that ranch in Weston County.

They were among the last homesteaders in the state, starting out at a time when others were giving up.

Jim and Jill Anderson established the Earl and Minnie Lynch Agriculture Scholarship in 2015 to honor the Lynches’ determination and dedication and specifically to support students pursuing graduate degrees in the College of Agriculture Please see AG on page 9

Chinese Tariffs

President Trump plans to follow through on a plan to slap tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese goods with a public comment period that ended Sept.

6. The president plans to impose the tariffs once the deadline passes, the anonymous sources are quoted as saying. Trump first threatened this round of tariffs in July, less than a week after a 25% U.S. duty went into effect against $34 billion of Chinese products.

Levin honored for exemplary support of agriculture Jody Levin walked out the University of Wyoming College of Agriculture and Natural Resources’ doors in 1997 as a graduate student and always maintained agricultural connections.

This Outstanding Alumni Award recipient is an unapologetic supporter of agriculture, with her roots running deep into Wyoming, having grown up on a Boulder-area ranch, and receiving her undergraduate and graduates degrees from the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

“I believe strongly in the rural way of life and being connected with the land,” says Levin. “It’s always been very important for me to maintain a relationship with the ag industry.”

She adds, “I owe everything to the College of Agriculture.”

Levin launched Levin Strategic Resources, LLC, in 2009, specializing in government and public affairs representation. Services include lobbying and advocacy, community outreach, public relations and issue management.

Most of her clients now focus on infrastructure, such as pipelines, transmisPlease see LEVIN on page 7

UW cowboy acts as change agent A broken arm at age five instilled in Adalberto Angel Pérez de León traits that have characterized his life’s work – discipline, pluck and tenacity.

Although right-handed, he learned to write with his left. Swimming first to strengthen both arms evenly led to swimming competitively at state in Indiana and national levels in Mexico.

“It is humbling to appreciate how everything is interconnected,” says Pérez, who now serves as laboratory director of the USDA-Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory in Kerrville, Texas.

Research conducted there helps keep the United States free of the ravages of

cattle fever ticks and screwworms and benefits livestock industries and human lives worldwide.

Early interests Pérez says although he was an urbanite growing up in Veracruz, Mexico, he nurtured a keen interest in animals.

As a teen, he collected a book series, with his father, called Enciclopedia de la Fauna about animals and habitats around the world. He still keeps it.

After returning from a year as an exchange student in Indiana, he pursued a degree in veterinary medicine because, at the time, his hometown uni-

periodical

Wyoming legacy – Jim and Jill Anderson of Denver, Colo. are descendants of Wyoming homesteaders. Jon Paul Anderson, Peacocking Productions

Outstanding alumnus

periodical

Please see UW on page 6

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 19 • September 8, 2018

The Brown and Gold

Coming up is the Ag Appreciation Weekend at the University of Wyoming (UW), where we will honor those selected for awards from the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. As always, it will be a big weekend for the Ag College as they From the showcase the college.

Publisher

For most of the last year, there Dennis Sun have been many changes in the College of Ag. First, Dean Frank Galey retired and moved to a position at Utah State, and the director of UW Extension Glen Whipple retired. The college shuffled people around, and the University of Wyoming appointed Bret Hess as Interim Dean of the college. Bret was the director of Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Stations previously. We support the move by the university, as Bret is well qualified for the interim position. The university also appointed a transition team made up of some great people from the College of Ag. This, too, we feel was a good move.

Now that all of this has happened, we know the College of Ag is in good hands. Those who have been appointed have stepped up and shown their leadership skills. They have taken up their additional or new duties with a lot of enthusiasm and skill.

A national search has been initiated, and they hope to have a new dean next spring.

Before he left, Dean Galey reorganized the Dean’s Advisory Board to make it more workable and to get better advice.

For years, the board was a venue for college leaders to update important stakeholders on the activity of the college, with less of a traditional advisory board focus. It was well-intentioned and board members all wanted to help, but it really wasn’t structured to help the College of Ag grow for the future. The new structure has really helped the Advisory Board to plan for the future.

The Interim Dean and the transition team along, with the advisory board, will be working with UW administration on internal growth and external relationships. That means a better Ag College at UW. The University of Wyoming is a land-grant college, which means it is an institution of higher education designated by a state to receive the benefits of the Morrill Acts of 1862 and 1890.

The Acts were established to assist and provide the country education to assist with the industrial revolution. The mission of a land-grant university is to focus on the teaching of practical agriculture, science, military science and engineering.

I know that all happened a many years ago, but it still has very important meaning today, especially in Wyoming at the UW College of Ag. Lately we’ve heard the President of the University, Laurie Nichols, speak to the fact that the University of Wyoming is a land-grant university and the importance of the land-grant mission. We think she is a great president of the only four-year university in our state. We feel she is the right person at the right time with the right vision of not only the university, but also the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, in mind. President Nichols is saying the right things, and now is the time to walk the right path for the College of Ag to grow.

Gov. Mead and the ENDOW Committee both want Wyoming to have a tier one College of Ag, which is a very high standard. It will take lots of money to achieve that goal of education and science. It will take new buildings, new research facilities and staffs to use them.

The best part is, we can do it. This is a vision that is achievable in Wyoming, and the timing is right.

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

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This publication is © 2018 by Maverick Press, Inc.

GUEST OPINIONS

Brand Inspection Updates

By Steve True, Wyoming Livestock Board Director Greetings to Wyoming’s producers as we head into another busy fall harvest and shipping season.

I would like to offer to all producers an update on the budgetary challenges the Wyoming Livestock Board (WLSB) has faced in the 2017-18 fiscal biennium and the current biennium, 2019-20, along with the actions taken by the WLSB to offset these reductions and maintain producers the same accessibility to Inspectors in order to conduct commerce in the fashion they require.

The Brand Inspection program of the WLSB has been funded by a blend of 65 percent producer fees and 35 percent General Fund (GF) since 2007. We began the 2017-18 biennium with a blend of revenue containing 70 percent producer fees and 30 percent GF. This amounted to a total of $3.362 million in GF monies for the Brand Inspection program.

There were a series of Legislative and Executive Branch budget reductions during this biennium resulting in a GF reduction of approximately $1.2 million, or 36 percent.

It should be noted than when expenditures of the brand program are tallied, 85 percent of the expense are inspector salary and benefits, nine percent mileage, three percent cost allocation, which is money paid to other agencies for their services, such as Attorney General, etc., and three percent all other costs.

Thus, both WLSB and a producer committee formed to review our program determined there were no expenditure cuts to be found to offset the GF reductions. The WLSB then put into rule a temporary 10 percent fee increase to offset some reductions while further discussions were held. The Legislature had increased the WLSB ability to raise fees “one time per fiscal year” from 20 percent to 25 percent.

The WLSB felt it was important to offset a part of these cuts immediately, while producers were asked to voice their opinions.

We were presented with our standard budget for 201920 in the fall of 2017. With another $500,000 taken from our 2019-20 budget, we begin the next biennium with only $1.775 million in GF contribution to Brand Inspection.This equates to a 48 percent cut to GF appropriations in two years.

WLSB and producers propose these cuts be offset to continue providing the current Inspection services.

The total reductions are just over $1.6 million. By making the 10 percent fee increase permanent and voting an additional 15 percent increase in inspection fees, WLSB has been able to offset approximately $1 million of these cuts. WLSB has offered discussion with producers on changing the fees and/or structure of the in-state range permits and the fee structure of the out-of-state range permits to offset the balance of approximately $600,000 in budget cuts per biennium.

Two notes before discussing permits. First, the fee increases will include some rounding of numbers. For example, cattle inspections could be $1.65 plus 15 percent to equal $1.89. The fee will be rounded down to $1.85. Secondly, there are no further increases to recording fees.

The permit discussion has begun with out-of-state permits. These are a full inspection, which statute only allows us to charge 30 percent of the underlying inspection fee. We would simply ask this be raised to not more than 50 percent.

This would help to offset the cost of sending an Inspector to do a full inspection, yet maintain a significant discount to the producer.

In-state permits are a bit more complicated. The current cost of a permit is $80.50, which allows movement of cattle both to and from accustomed range. We average approximately 240,000 head of cattle moving on these permits annually.The permits have been called “gratis” permits for years, and the name fits, as they are almost free. WLSB feels that Please see TRUE on page 4

The Colorado River Drought – What Does it Mean for Wyoming?

By Pat Tyrrell, Wyoming State Engineer Editor’s note: This is part three of a three-part series on the Colorado River Drought. Parts one and two, printed in the Aug. 11 and Aug. 25 editions of the Roundup, respectively, talked about the water responsibilities that Wyoming has to states in the Lower Colorado River Basin and described the Upper Basin’s Drought Contingency Plan (UBDCP), which includes weather modification and cloud seeding, influencing management of federal reservoirs and demand management.

All of these responsibilities for water under the Colorado River Compact and the Upper Basin’s Drought Contingency Plan bring me to why the topic of “water banking” was raised at the meeting of the Joint Agriculture, State and Public Lands and Water Resources Committee meeting in Pinedale in June. It’s because if, say 50,000 acre-feet of saved water is created in Wyoming and we want that amount to be available as our share of the water needed to blunt a compact curtailment event, it will have to be “banked” somewhere, over a period of possibly many years.

Think of wetland banks or sage grouse habitat mit-

igation banks. Both of those essentially record a protected asset for later use or transfer. That is essentially what a water bank might do, but no authority to create or use one currently exists in Wyoming statutes. When the Joint Agriculture, State and Public Lands and Water Resources Committee voted to have the Legislative Services Office draft such a bill for consideration later this year, it appears that is what they were asking be done.

Whether the bill will be narrow or broad in scope or apply to our part of the Colorado River Basin only or to the entire state, is yet to be seen, as is whether or not the bill will attempt to address the ability to “shepherd” conserved water past other headgates.

Whatever emerges should be designed to put Wyoming on a path to decide for ourselves how we want to handle potential water use shortages should the Colorado River drought continue all while protecting our water rights and our apportionment under the compacts.

At the same time, we must remember that Wyoming is not on an island. Whatever tools we consider to address drought and compact compliance, including demand Please see TYRRELL on page 6

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 19 • September 8, 2018

NEWS BRIEFS

WLSB sets meeting date

The Wyoming Livestock Board (WLSB) has scheduled a public board meeting for Sept. 13 at 10 a.m. at the Hampton Inn in Casper.

Topics for the meeting include reports from the director, brand commissioner, state veterinarian and a budget update. WLSB will also consider draft Chapter 2 Vaccination Against and Surveillance for Brucellosis rule revisions, annual review of Chapter 6 Brucellosis Risk Mitigation Activities and Reimbursement fees and annual review of brand zones per statute 11-20-203(c).

Additionally, the in-state and out-state range permit proposal update, draft Chapter 21 Re-recording of Livestock Brands rule revisions, and other administrative board business and matters will be considered.

An executive session will be held if needed to discuss legal and personnel issues.

Visit wlsb.state.wy.us for more information.

Estate course online

Creating a valid will in Wyoming, making health care decisions and setting up trusts is explained in a new online course from the University of Wyoming Extension.

According to a new Caring.com survey, only 42 percent of U.S. adults have estate planning documents, such as a willor living trust. For those with children under age 18, the figure is even lower, with just 36 percent having a plan in place.

The Extension publication series “Planning Ahead, Difficult Decisions,” available at bit.ly/wyoplanahead, provides a start with the estate planning process.

Horses quarantined for EIA A horse illegally moved from Colorado to Wyoming has resulted in the Wyoming Livestock Board quarantining nine total premises after it was found the horse was positive for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA). That horse was returned under quarantine to Colorado.

“We do not have an infected horse in Wyoming to our knowledge,” said Wyoming State Veterinarian Jim Logan, “but we have many EIA-exposed horses.”

Wyoming Livestock Board’s investigation has led to the quarantining and testing of approximately 55 head of horses that were potentially exposed to the positive horse before it was known that it was infected. Forty-one were exposed at a Sweetwater County premise where the horse was sent illegally from Colorado. The remaining horses were exposed to the same horse in Colorado prior to being shipped to Wyoming.

All but two of these exposed horses were imported illegally into Wyoming, as well.

NBA seeks FDA intervention

The National Bison Association this week launched an online petition asking the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service and the Food and Drug Administration to immediately develop new labeling policies to stop water buffalo products sold in the U.S. from being labeled only as “buffalo.”

The petition effort was launched after the National Bison Association learned of a growing number of retail stores carrying water buffalo meat that is labeled only as “Wild Buffalo” or “Free Range Buffalo.”

Dave Carter, executive director of the National Bison Association, said, “Our ranchers and marketers have worked hard over the past two decades to build a relationship with our customers that is built upon quality and trust. That trust is threatened by water buffalo products coming into the market disguised as bison.”

Perdue highlights e-Connectivity U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue unveiled a new webpage featuring information about the importance of rural e-connectivity and the ways the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing to help deploy high-speed broadband infrastructure in rural America.

“Rural high-speed broadband e-connectivity is as important for economic development as rail, roads, bridges and airports – and as vital as the buildouts of rural telephone networks were decades ago,” Perdue said. “USDA is committed to being a strong partner with rural leaders in deploying this essential infrastructure.”

Study: Soil health impacts climate Low-tech ways of improving soil quality on farms and rangelands worldwide could pull significant amounts of carbon out of the atmosphere and slow the pace of climate change, according to a new University of California, Berkeley, study.

The researchers found that well-established agricultural management practices, such as planting cover crops, optimizing grazing and sowing legumes on rangelands, if instituted globally, could capture enough carbon from the atmosphere and store it in the soil to make a significant contribution to international global warming targets.

When combined with aggressive carbon emission reductions – the best scenario for limiting warming from climate change – the study found that improved agricultural management could reduce global temperatures 0.26 degrees Celsius – nearly half a degree Fahrenheit – by 2100.

3

Labor scarcity threatens ag A new study from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange Division, “Help Wanted,” finds labor scarcity and wage inflation threatens the rural economy and puts additional stress on profitability of the agricultural industry. Manual laborers are chasing higher wages offered in industries like transportation, construction, hospitality and mining.

The scarcity of farm labor is also exacerbated by the shrinking number of migrant workers from Mexico. In addition to immigration controls, such as tightening borders and increased immigration enforcement, birthrates in Mexico are falling and populations are moving toward urban areas, which leaves fewer people with agricultural backgrounds who would be interested in U.S. farm work.

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 19 • September 8, 2018

CWD continued from page 1 focused on the impact of cattle exposure to chronic wasting disease. “This 10-year study is really important and involved lots of co-investigators that all wanted to know if CWD in deer and elk is transmissible to cattle.”

The paper, which is titled “Cattle resist chronic wasting disease following oral inoculation challenge or 10 years’ natural exposure in contaminated environments,” was a longterm effort by UW, WGFD and Colorado Division of

Parks and Wildlife’s (CPW) Wildlife Health Program to understand the potential impacts of CWD on livestock.

Primary investigators Elizabeth Williams of UW, Donal O’Toole and Jean Jewell of UW, Michael Miller of CPW and Terry Kreeger of WGFD published the paper in the Journal of Wildlife Diseases in 2018 “When an animal is exposed to CWD, they don’t necessarily have a fever tomorrow,” Day explains. “It

might have symptoms next year or two years from when the animal is exposed.”

Symptoms According to WGFD, “CWD is a chronic, fatal disease of the central nervous system in mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk and moose. CWD belongs to the group of rare diseases called transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs).”

TSEs are caused by abnormally folded proteins called prions, adds WGFD. First identified in 1985 in free-ranging mule deer in southeast Wyoming, elk were found to have the disease in 1986.

“Over the past 20 years, surveillance data has shown an increase in prevalence and distribution of CWD in Wyoming, particularly in deer,” the agency continues.

“CWD is now found across the majority of the state, with new detections suggesting continued westward spread of the disease.”

As CWD progresses in wildlife, “Affected animals show progressive weight loss, reluctance to move, excessive salivation, droopy ears, increased drinking and urinating, lethargy and eventually death,” says WGFD. “Animals will test positive for the disease long before these clinical signs appear, and the majority of CWDpositive animals that are harvested appear completely normal and healthy.”

Study As a result of the long incubation period for CWD, researchers co-mingled cattle and CWD-exposed deer and elk over a 10-year period. Two groups of cattle with 10 to 12 animals each experienced constant CWD exposure for the entire 10-year period.

“Researchers co-housed cattle with infected deer and elk. The animals lived together, drank out of the same water sources, ate out of the same bunks and inter-

“Essentially, research directly gave cattle CWD prions, but none of them developed the neurological disease. They did not show outward signs of CWD as living animals.”

– Mike Day, UW College of Agriculture and Natural Resources acted in the same housing units,” Day explains.

Researchers also homogenated the brains of infected deer and elk, which is where the CWD prion is found, and orally innoculated 12 calves with the brain matter.

“Essentially, research directly gave cattle CWD prions,” he says, “but none of them developed the neurological disease. They did not show outward signs of CWD as living animals.”

Later, the cattle were euthanized, and their brain and lymphoid tissues were studied. Researchers could find no evidence of prions in cattle.

“This is an important outcome,” Day emphasized. “While we never

Learn more about work from the UW College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Animal Science Department by visiting uwyo.edu/ anisci, calling 307-766-2224 or e-mailing animalscience@uwyo.edu.

TRUE continued from page 2

Thanks the sponsors of our 2018 ANNUAL ROUNDUP BARBEQUE & FUNDRAISER DIAMOND

The Betts Foundation • Gretchen Swanson Family Foundation • Bruce and Beth White

PLATINUM

Brush Creek Ranch

GOLD

BNSF Railway • Mark and Jennie Gordon • Mantha Phillips, Merris Group Platte Valley Bank • The Pronghorn Agency • Purdy Family Foundation Bart & Liz Rea • USDA, NRCS Wyoming

SILVER

Anadarko • Burke and Carole Baker • Clear Creek Cattle Company • Cottonwood Ranch Barbara Dilts • Exxon Mobil • Farm Credit Services of America • Grindstone Cattle Company Hall and Hall • IXL Ranch • J Bar 9 LLC • King Ranch • John and Kathy McKinley Sommers Herefords, LLC • Sundance Ranch, Nels and Jeanette Smith Tracy Swanson and Frank Boley • Western United Realty LLC, James Rinehart Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Wyoming Stock Growers Association Wyoming Tent and Event Supply

COPPER

The Alley Family • Allied Investment Advisors • Anton Collins Mitchell LLP Alan and Marge Barnett • Burns Insurance • Cloud Peak Energy • Davis and Cannon, LLP Devon Energy Corporation • Joe Glode • Hallady Auto Group • Lonabaugh and Riggs, LLP Bill and Michelle Panos • Pathfinder Ranches • New Frontier Ranches, Kevin and Tracey Pearce Rock Springs National Bank • S-A Cattle Company • Sims Cattle Company Steve Carter, DVM, Inc. • Sundance State Bank • The Conservation Fund Urban Outbound, Janet Marschner • Wayland H. Cato Jr. Foundation • Wyoming Bank and Trust Wyoming Natural Resource Foundation • Wyoming Game and Fish Department

CONSERVED RANCH TOUR SPONSOR U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services

permit holders should share some of the cost of the budget cuts and we ask for industry input.

Discussions have involved instituting a tiered structure, based on potential head counts on permits. Also, there has been discussion of pricing the permits on headcount based on 50 percent of the underlying fee to be charged one time.

This increases revenue to WLSB to aid in offsetting cuts while still maintaining significant advantage to the permittee.

Simply, if we were to charge $0.90 on 240,000

want to say that there is no risk of CWD transmission to cattle, it is also fair to say cattle on a typical Wyoming ranch aren’t going to have this much contact with wildlife that are infected, so we can say the risk of transmission is pretty low.”

Day addressed a large audience at the 2018 Cattlemen’s Conference, sponsored by Farm Credit Services of America and the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. The conference was held on Aug. 15 in conjunction with the Wyoming State Fair.

Saige Albert is managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to saige@wylr.net.

head, WLSB would gain $222,000 annually in revenue, which would nearly offset the $500,000 remaining GF reduction.

Involved in this discussion are some of the criteria necessary to qualify for a permit. Separating veterinary work across county lines from other criteria and stiffening of the requirements for notification of movement would be required.

Currently, failure to notify an inspector of a pending movement is a revocable offense but has not enforced.

It would be enforced in the future, with a likely suspen-

sion of a permit upon a second offense, with appeal to the Board. WLSB will fashion an easily used format on our website and offer other avenues to ease notification issues.

WLSB requests and expects discussion with our stakeholders on these changes. We have had preliminary discussions with our Joint Agriculture Committee, and they have offered to help draft necessary legislation.

Our next Board meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Sept. 13 in Casper at the Hampton Inn. The Board requests that interested producers attend to hear the discussion, latest updates and offer comment.

Joe & Charlotte Brummer Farm Auction Bagan Rd. 3.5 miles east of Chinook, MT. On Hwy Saturday, September 22, 2018 3552 turn and across the tracks 1/4 mile. Register for

TRACTORS & CRAWLER

bidders numbers at 9 a.m. Auction starts at 10 a.m.

tires are new, 4,952 Hr. Joe says “nice ditcher tractor.”

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• John Deere 420 tractor, 2 Cyl., wide front, 3 Pt., PTO, power steering.

• 1980s Hesston 980 4X2 tractor, cab air, 91 Hp 6 Cyl. diesel, 12 speed, • IH TD-9 crawler, starts on gas and runs on diesel, new battery, nice 3 Pt., dual PTO, di lock, Murphy pump switch, dual 18.4-34 duals two 18 inch wide tracks, 9 1⁄2 Ft. Hyd. dozer, Nice unit.

TILLAGE

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LIVESTOCK EQUIPMENT

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• 2 - Hesston 60A Stack-Hands, 1 for parts.

• 24 Ft. Wishek model 342T heavy duty disk, newer 25 inch disks, sells with Gates double arm mounted harrows 9/16th teeth.

• Vicon pull type V style deep ripper, 5 shanks.

• 16 Ft. Triple K 3 Pt. cultivator, rolling basket harrows Hyd. wing fold.

• Cow Country portable loading chute with walkways, sells with 20 - 12 Ft. panels 1 with a gate.

TRAILERS • W-W portable squeeze chute with auto • 2004 H&H 30 FT 5th wheel trailer, tandem axle, tandem wheel, head catch.

• 1992 IH 4900 truck, 466 diesel engine, 5 245/75R16 tires, winch, ramps, 8.5 Ft. wide, 5 Ft. beaver tail. & 2 speed, air lift tag axle, 22 Ft box & hoist, • 1994 DURALITE 5th wheel all aluminum 20 Ft stock trailer, divider + gravel sides, & 25 Ft. round bale rack, gate, roll up door in rear gate,14 ply tires, nice shape.

• Large selection of Redwing crocks.

372,950 miles.

Visit www.OphusAuctions.com for full listing Ophus Auction Service

Shane & Gwen Ophus, Owners • Shane, Blaine & Taylor, Auctioneers • Mason Ophus, Clerk For more information, call Shane at (406)788-6662

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 19 • September 8, 2018

OBITUARIES

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

Douglas Allen Blaney Dec. 19, 1953 – Sept. 3, 2018 Douglas Allen Blaney, 64, passed away at his home from complications of liver cancer on Sept. 3.

Doug was born Dec. 16, 1953 in Lusk and was later adopted by Robert Lloyd and Bonna Jean (Monger) Blaney.

Doug grew up in Wyoming where his father, a mechanic for Continental Pipeline, worked in various places. He spent his early years in Horse Creek, Cheyenne, Glenrock and Lance Creek.

He attended elementary and junior high school in Lance Creek and graduated from Niobrara County High School in Lusk in 1972. In high school, he played football, basketball and participated on the rodeo team. He qualified for the National Finals High School Rodeo his senior year in team roping, which enabled him to also compete in the tie-down roping.

Following high school, he took a one year course at the Technical School of the Rockies in Thermopolis, where he received a certificate as a Veterinary Technician in 1973. In January 1974, he began his freshmen year at the University of Wyoming, graduating with B.S. in Animal Science in December 1977.

Doug married Darlene Schroeder on Aug. 9, 1975 in Wheatland. After marriage, both continued their college education at the University of Wyoming. In 1978, they moved to Idaho Falls, Idaho, where he worked for a farm implement dealer, selling farm equipment in Idaho and Montana.

In 1979, the couple returned to Cheyenne, and in 1980, he moved to Carr, Colo., where he farmed and ranched.

Doug enjoyed working with cattle, sheep and horses. He especially liked horses, and over the years, he raised and trained several horses and also worked as a professional farrier.

Doug was committed to his family and always made sure to lend a helping hand to his children with 4-H, sports and school activities. It was unusual for him to miss any game in which his children played, and he was always available to help with school and extracurricular activities.

In his later years, he stayed involved with his grandchildren, babysitting almost daily and ensuring rides to important activities were available.

His love for children was overflowing. He combined his love of basketball with his love of children when he coached middle school basketball at Heritage Christian Academy and coached for the Fort Collins, Colo. summer recreation league. For kids he was willing to go the extra mile, ensuring that latch-key children had a ride to and from practice.

Doug was open and giving. Several nieces and nephews spent time with the family during their high school and college years. Doug was never too busy for anyone. Over the years, he shuttled countless people to Denver, took people camping and hunting, coached middle school basketball, served as chauffeur for family vacations and ensured that his friends and family were well cared for. He was happy to lend a hand where ever it was needed.

He is survived by his wife Darlene (Schroeder) Blaney; daughter Alyssa (John) Ledingham; son Daniel (Mattie); granddaughters Makayla, Katelyn and Natalie Ledingham; half-brother David (Judy) Stallman; and half-sister Cindy Olsen.

A memorial service was held on Sept. 7 at Timberline Church in Fort Collins, Colo. Graveside services followed at Wheatland Cemetery in Wheatland.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Royal Family Kids, 3000 West MacArthur Boulevard, Suite 412, Santa Ana, CA 92704, 714-438-2494.

Donations can be made online at rfk.org or use the site to find a local affiliates.

The Gorman Funeral Homes – Platte Chapel of Wheatland is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family at gormanfh.com.

USDA focuses on prosperity Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett announced USDA is hosting listening sessions to solicit feedback on a plan to increase access to capital in rural areas by streamlining regulations for four Rural Development loan guarantee programs.

“At USDA, we know that for many rural communities the regulations that govern our programs can be outdated and difficult to navigate,” Hazlett said. “Under the leadership of Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA is committed to simplifying our regulations and streamlining our program resources so we can be a better partner to rural leaders in building prosperity.”

The Rural Development Innovation Center is hosting listening sessions this month to solicit comments on the reforms.

For more information, please see page 45091 of the Sept. 5 Federal Register.

5

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 19 • September 8, 2018

UW continued from page 1 versity didn’t offer a bachelor’s in zoology.

An internship in pathology toward the end of his veterinary studies introduced him to research as a way to address scientific questions.

Today, Pérez is frequently invited to speak on issues in pest management, disease transmission and vectors in countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, China, Ukraine and New Zealand.

Becoming a cowboy “It’s no secret I stood on the shoulders of giants,” says Pérez of his experience as a doctoral student in the University of Wyoming (UW) College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

One of those he credits is his co-adviser Jack Lloyd, who died in March 2018.

“Jack unleashed the potential of students as scientists and helped us become research visionaries,” he says.

At UW, Pérez conducted interdisciplinary research looking at diseases caused by microbes transmitted by arthropods – animals with jointed legs, such as insects and ticks.

He made foundational dis-

coveries on how bioactive factors produced in biting midge salivary glands enhance the transmission of viruses causing bluetongue, a disease that affects livestock.

“It is amazing how much talented people from all over the world can learn when challenged with solving problems together,” he says.

In the basement of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Building, Pérez shared an office with three other international students.

“Jack and Deanna Lloyd, among others, made us feel part of the UW family,” he adds.

Next steps After graduating in 1996, he continued his research with a postdoctoral appointment at the USDA ARS Arthropod-Borne Animal Diseases Research Laboratory then at UW. His subject was the transmission of vesicular stomatitis viruses by blood-feeding insects.

His family life was established during his seven years in Laramie, as well.

Pérez married his wife Valerie at the Laramie Plains Museum on a cold January day. Two of their three children were born here.

“They can claim the honor of being cowgirls,” he says.

Their son was born after the family moved to North Carolina.

Mexico to Laramie Bees provided Pérez with the entry into entomology that led him to combine veterinary medicine and insect research. Specifically, he was sent into the field between 1987 and 1989 by the joint U.S.-Mexico Integrated Plan to Control Africanized Honey Bees.

“Those were extraordinary years,” he says, “working with beekeepers from sunrise to sunset in tropical settings with stunning scenery.”

The connections landed him at the University of Georgia, where he earned his master’s degree in entomology. While Pérez was there, Christopher Chase, then with the USDA ARS Laboratory in Laramie, made a travel detour for a recruitment visit.

“When I first met him, it was apparent there was something special about Beto,” says Chase. “Now, he has made his mark as a world-renowned leader in developing policy and plans for national programs in both veterinary and medical entomology.”

Schmid-Pizzato appointed to trustees

Gov. Matt Mead appointed Laura Schmid-Pizzato of Rock Springs to the University of Wyoming (UW) Board of Trustees. She fills a vacancy created by John MacPherson, who resigned in July.

Schmid-Pizzato earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish from UW and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Utah. She is a licensed clinical social worker and currently the Recovery Services Manager for Southwest Counseling Service in Rock Springs.

She is also the President of the Wyoming Congressional Award Council and has maintained connections to UW through the UW Alumni Association, Cowboy Joe Club and as professional mentor for

UW students.

“I am pleased Laura has accepted an appointment to the UW Board of Trustees,” Governor Mead said. “She has been active in the Rock Springs community for 26 years, in both professional and volunteer capacities including involvement in her local k-12 school district and Western Wyoming Community College. Her unique background and points of view makes her a good fit for the Board of Trustees. I am confident she will represent the University of Wyoming well in this role.”

Schmid-Pizzato and her husband are the parents of three children, including one who attends UW in Laramie.

“Beto is ambitious, bright and innovative,” says Walter Tabachnick, who was co-adviser to Pérez before leaving to serve as director of the Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory.

He says, “His personality is warm, supportive, and caring for the people he works with while also demanding of excellence.”

Gratitude In a move Pérez likens to “letting go of the swing,” he left the ARS in Laramie to work for national and international corporations for 10 years, overseeing research and managing science and technology

“It is amazing how much talented people from all over the world can learn when challenged with solving problems together.” – Adalberto Angel Pérez de León programs in the U.S. and abroad.

“I am fascinated to witness the evolution of science over the last 20 years.

It used to be about breaking things apart to try to understand how each piece works.

Now we ask research questions that bring livestock pests and arthropod-borne diseases into the context of ecosystems,” he says.

Professor Emeritus Stephen Williams, former UW soil sciences department

head, says, “Beto has had a stunning career.”

Says Pérez, “I am grateful to my family, mentors, collaborators and friends. I am fortunate to have learned from individuals smarter than me, to travel the world and experience diverse cultures. And I am grateful to the insects and ticks for keeping me in awe.”

This article is courtesy of the University of Wyoming College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Field work – Adalberto Pérez de León in the field speaks about a three-year research project on cattle fever tick management to protect livestock herds in Puerto Rico from tick-borne diseases. Photo courtesy of the University of Wyoming

TYRRELL continued from page 2 management and storage, must be investigated with the other Upper Basin states of Colorado, New Mexico and Utah. We all share the obligation to the Lower Basin states under the 1922 Compact. If we develop tools in Wyoming without considering what will also work in the other three Upper Basin states, we risk creating tools that won’t work for us the way we want them to. I thank the committee for taking on this assignment, and look forward to continuing discussions

of this important concept.

In closing, I would note that the Upper Colorado River Commission recently passed a resolution ending its role as the contracting entity for System Conservation Pilot Program (SCPP) after completing its 2018 obligations. This was not a value judgment on the program or a negative statement about its operations.

The resolution simply recognizes that for the success of SCPP to grow into a demand management program with value

for the four Upper Basin states, it must evolve to more fully investigate the connection to storage accounts in the federal reservoir system. Metaphorically, if we learned to ride with SCPP, demand management requires we kick the training wheels off.

Accomplishing that gives Upper Basin water users a choice on how to respond to continued drought in the Colorado River Basin, if it happens. If the drought goes away, great. If not, we’ll be much better positioned to withstand its effects.

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 19 • September 8, 2018

LEVIN continued from page 1 sion lines, broadband and railroads, among others.

Policy focused Her work prior to starting her business provided experience in the vast public policy and political landscapes in Washington, D.C., in business and in Wyoming.

She entered college as an agricultural education major but switched to ag communications. Her agricultural economics experience – to which she credits Professor Emeritus Dale Menkhaus for his invaluable guidance and assistance – helped her understand markets, consumer preferences and how they drive choices.

She had been immersed in FFA and honing public speaking skills and says the two degrees were a winning combination for her.

Levin worked as a student in the dean’s office when she commented to then-Dean Steve Horn she wanted to go to D.C. to work on policy matters.

When Republican Sen. Craig Thomas called asking if Horn had any students he would recommend, Levin was off to Washington.

“And take off she did,” writes Menkhaus.

Levin received her master’s degree in December that year and that February started as a legislative aide, then becoming legislative assistant and finally legislative director 2001-02.

She gained experience coordinating natural resource and agricultural policy at the state and national levels.

“In the early 90s, the political climate was very different than now,” she says. “When I went to D.C., there was tremendous cooperation between Republicans and Democrats, especially on regional

issues and those related to agriculture.”

She returned to Wyoming and served as the state’s inaugural endangered species coordinator for Gov. Jim Geringer. She then represented Qwest Communications as Wyoming director of public policy, then started Levin Strategic Resources.

Working toward yes Levin has emulated Thomas’ process to reach consensus among differing views.

“He reached across the aisle and worked with Democrats and all constituencies,” she says. “He was never a draw-a-line-in-thesand person. He always worked to find a compromise.”

She says he believed doing so was the path toward yes, and she uses that with her clients.

Associate Professor Ben Rashford outlined Levin’s successes in his nomination letter, from her accomplishments helping ensure authorization of

the 2000 Water Resources Development Act to the 2002 Farm Bill and as the first state of Wyoming endangered species coordinator.

Those aren’t her most important successes, he says.

“Her most noteworthy achievement is more general, and noted by Jim Magagna, the credibility and respect she has brought to the lobbying profession in Wyoming,” says Rashford, head of the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics.

“She has been a staunch advocate for issues affecting Wyoming citizens, and her grassroots advocacy and community outreach have made her a trusted liaison between the people and government,” he says.

Levin was selected to serve on the board of the Wyoming Capitol Club, the home for lobbyists during legislative sessions, and just finished her term as president.

Magagna, executive vice president of the Wyoming Stock Growers Association, has worked along-

7

side her for over 10 years.

“I have been able to observe the manner in which she brings credibility and respect to the profession of lobbying by being professional, dedicated and a source of information to legislators,” says Magagna.

Levin grew up with some of the legislators and went to school with others. She might even run into them at a local grocery store.

“If I were to lead a legislator down the wrong path, that would not only hurt my reputation but my clients,” she says.

Legislators don’t have the staff to be experts in all subjects that arise in a short time frame during a session. They figure out which lobbyists to trust.

“What I end up doing is giving them resources on issues I’m not even working on, or they come to me for information and advice,” she says. “That’s the ultimate compliment.”

This article is courtesy of the University of Wyoming College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Ag advocate – 2018 Outstanding Alumni Jody Levin of Cheyenne received her undergraduate and graduate degrees from UW’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Courtesy photo

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 19 • September 8, 2018

University of Wyoming animal scientists focus on impacts of high altitude disease on cattle Laramie – With a large portion of Wyoming at an altitude above 5,000 feet in elevation, high altitude disease, also known at brisket disease, altitude sickness, high mountain disease or pulmonary arterial hypertension, can be a big concern for cattle producers in the states.

A team of researchers, including Scott Lake, Mark Stayton and Colby Hales of the University of Wyoming (UW) and Tim Holt, Milt Thomas and Mark Enns of Colorado State University, continue to evaluate the impacts of altitude sickness on cattle.

“We call this brisket disease as a result of the swelling we see in affected cattle,” says Mike Day, UW Animal Science Department head.

“The fluid accumulation that may occur when cattle are at altitude can be really pronounced, but brisket disease is a lot more complicated than just edema.”

Inside the disease Brisket disease begins with alveolar hypoxia, explains Day, which means the alveoli in the lungs aren't transferring enough oxygen to the blood.

“When that happens, the pulmonary artery, which brings blood back to the heart, constricts and remodels, and we get hypertension,” Day explains. “Then, we get hypertrophy of the right ventricle of the heart, dilation of the right ventricle and eventually right heart congestive failure.”

He adds, “The edema we see is fluid pushed to the area from the high pressure in the heart and lungs.”

Animals with brisket disease see remodeling of the right side of their heart, which makes the opening to the heart much smaller, meaning the heart has to pump harder to get the same amount of blood through.

“When we get to that

point, heart failure is just around the corner,” explains Day. PAP score The susceptibility of cattle to brisket disease is determined by PAP score, which measures the amount of pressure in the pulmonary artery.

To determine the PAP score, animals are transported to at least 5,000 feet in elevation or above and allowed to climatize for at least 30 days.

Then, a transducer is inserted in the jugular vein and pushed through to the atrium and ventricle to the pulmonary artery, where the pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury.

“As we look at PAP scores, 41 is a low risk of brisket disease, 42 to 49 is moderate risk and over 50 is a high risk of contracting brisket disease,” Day comments. “When we take measurements in Laramie at 7,500 feet, we consider 41 to 45 acceptable levels.”

Farm Bill Conference continues

House Agriculture Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway (TX-11) on Sept. 5 made the following remarks after the 2018 Farm Bill Conference Committee concluded its first public meeting, saying, “Today, my colleagues in the House and Senate highlighted the urgency in farm and ranch country and just how desperate times are as net farm income is slated to fall again this year.”

Conaway continued, “While I’m

pleased with progress on the farm bill, we must pick up the pace. This will all come together quickly if all four principals are willing to make meaningful compromises. I have made it very clear that I am willing to do so. We still have a lot of work to do, but I believe we can get this done on time.”

To view the archived webcast of the meeting, visit agriculture.house.gov/components/redirect/r.aspx?ID=7152-4574.

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PAP is a heritable trait, and up to 1,000 genes have been identified by CSU as being related to the trait.

Calf losses To date, Day says it is difficult to determine the exact losses that can be attributed to brisket disease, but the best number suggest losses of five percent at elevations of 6,500 feet or higher.

“It’s hard to estimate because producers don’t necessarily know what caused cattle losses on high mountain allotments for the summer,” Day says. “We see a range of estimates between three and 35 percent losses as a result of brisket disease.”

A more recent trend has shown increases in right heart failure in feedlot cattle, even at moderate elevations.

“This may be related to the weight and size of animals we’re producing now,” Day explains. “A big study looking at 1.5 million head showed 10 in 10,000 cattle were lost as a

“We know we have animals that die as a result of the disease, but how many animals in our herds are working extra hard every day to get enough oxygen?” – Mike Day, University of Wyoming result of right heart failure.”

Day comments, “It appears that brisket disease is affecting a bigger proportion of the cattle in the United States.”

More questions Beyond just death loss, Day says there are bigger impacts to consider.

“After studying reproduction all my life, I can’t help but wonder what the subclinical costs of brisket disease are,” he says. “We know we have animals that die as a result of the disease, but how many animals in our herds are working extra hard every day to get enough oxygen?”

Further, Day asks, “Does it affect their ability to get pregnant or maintain a pregnancy if they’re struggling to get oxygen all the time? Long-

term, do we see these cows drop out of the herd after only three or four years because they’re fighting for oxygen?

We don’t know the answer to these questions yet.”

“These are interesting questions, not only at high elevations, but at more moderate elevations where we raise cattle,” he says.

Day addressed a large audience at the 2018 Cattlemen’s Conference, sponsored

by Farm Credit Services of America and the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. The conference was held on Aug. 15 in conjunction with the Wyoming State Fair.

Saige Albert is managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to saige@ wylr.net.

SALE REPORTS Northern Livestock Video Auction Early Fall Preview Aug. 20-21, 2018 Billings, Mont.

Compared to last month, steer calves were mostly steady with niche market program calves a touch lower. Heifer calves sold higher and yearlings sold mostly steady.

Two Dot Ranch from Cody sold 720 head of steers weighing 420 pounds for $223.

John Stewart from Shoshoni sold 450 head of steers weighing 475 pounds for $207.

7L Livestock Company from Casper sold 200 head of steers weighing 510 pounds for $185.50 and 110 head of heifers weighing 480 pounds for $168.

Axtell Ranch, LLC from Thermopolis sold 320 head of steers weighing 520 pounds for $185 Justin Reed from Thermopolis sold 100 head of steers weighing 540 pounds for $184.

Forgey and Smith Angus, LLC from Douglas sold 95 head of steers weighing 550 pounds for $182, 85 head of steers weighing 640 pounds for $176.25 and 92 head of replacement heifers weighing 520 pounds for $173.

Lyle and Colleen David from Riverton sold 100 head of weaned steers weighing 620 pounds for $177.75 and 100 head of weaned heifers weighing 560 pounds for $175.50.

Fitzhugh Ranch from Douglas sold 84 head of steers weighing 660 pounds for $177 and 60 head of heifers weighing 590 pounds for $169.

John Jones and family Miles City, Mont. sold 95 head of steers weighing 650 pounds for $177.

Falkenburg Ranch from Douglas sold 90 head of steers weighing 680 pounds for $168.50 and 82 head of replacement heifers weighing 600 pounds

for $164.50 Forgey Land and Livestock from Powder River sold 1,100 head of weaneds weighing 83 pounds for $162.50.

Sims Sheep Co, LLC from Rock Springs sold 3,650 head of mixeds weighing 83 pounds for $158.50, 300 head of cull ewes weighing 135 pounds for $31 and 300 head of short-term ewes weighing 150 pounds for $80.

Mark Dooley from Casper sold 475 head of mixeds weighing 88 pounds for $151.

Southern Nevada Water Authority from Ely, Nev. sold 2,750 head of feeder weighing 80 pounds for $154.50.

For complete results go to northernlivestockvideo.com.

Northern’s next and final video auction of 2018 is the Fall Premier Sale Sept. 17, with a consignment deadline of Sept. 1.

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 19 • September 8, 2018

AG continued from page 1 and Natural Resources.

Rural upbringing “Growing up, I did not go to kindergarten, I went to a one-room school house, three and a half miles away,” Jill says. “One year, there were seven of us, and one year there were only three.

The school had outdoor toilets and a pump for water.

It was the early 1950s, and my brothers and I felt lucky to have a school.”

After eighth grade, she went to high school in Newcastle.

“For two years, I boarded with a relative, but my dad missed me, so the last two years, he drove me every day 18 miles to catch the school bus – the entire round trip was 100 miles,” she continues.

After graduating, Jill waited a year, then went to Laramie for college.

Family history Jill continues that her father was born in Omaha, Neb., and his father, Jill’s grandfather and Lyn Sherwin started the 4W Ranch on the Cheyenne River. The property borders the Lynch Ranch.

“My dad met my mother, but she was five years younger. Her family lived on a homestead where cowboys and travelers stopped on their way to Newcastle,” she explains. “She was a plati-

num blonde cutie with big brown eyes. He took other girls to dances, but he knew he had to wait and just let her grow up.”

Jill adds, “My mother was 18 in 1933 when she graduated from high school, and they married.”

At the time, 4W Ranch had no house for a married couple, so Jill’s father quit his job and homesteaded in 1933.

“Of course, that was dryland Wyoming, and it’s hard to make a living on just one homestead,” Jill explains.

“During the drought and Depression of the 1930s, a lot of homesteaders were leaving, and my dad bought more land. Now, it’s been a familyowned working cattle ranch for 85 years.”

She continues, “My parents were married 65 years.

I had two brothers. Byrd was killed in an oilfield accident in 1957 when he was 22 years old. He left a wife and three little girls. My brother Patt Lynch, his son Troy and his sons, Tyler and Travis, continue on the ranch today.

That’s a pretty neat legacy right there.”

UW greats Jill started attending the College of Ag in the 1960s, spending two years studying home economics before switching to education.

“While I was there, Margaret Boyd was my adviser,”

she says. “Doc Boyd in the geology department was my husband’s adviser. Doc Boyd may never have lived on a ranch, but he is a true cowboy.”

“When I took Geology 101, Doc Knight taught the class. At the time, I didn’t know it was such a big deal to be taught by him,” she continues, noting Jim was a graduate student in the geology department when they were married. “Our rent was $40 a month. I remember we couldn’t afford paper towels.”

“We choose to support graduate students because we’ve been there,” Jill notes.

“In addition to the Lynch Scholarship, Jim and his mother Marie established the Earl F. and V. Marie Anderson Endowment to support graduate students in natural resource development geology.”

Passing it on Jim’s dad’s parents homesteaded in the early 1900s in Laramie County, and his mother’s parents moved to the Chugwater area from Iowa about 1928.

“Jim’s family raised black-faced Suffolk sheep,” Jill comments. “His dad was known for his rams, which he would sell in Casper, Buffalo and Craig, Colo.”

Jill first met her husband in Douglas at the Wyoming State Fair, remembering he was showing sheep at the sheep barn at the time.

“My family is cattle all

9

the way,” Jill comments. “My dad started with Herefords.

Now, my brother raises Black Angus. Consumers love the grass-fed, free-range beef.”

Professionally, Jill taught three-, four- and five-yearolds in Jefferson County, Colo. for 23 years, saying, “I loved it. You teach the kids and the parents, too. You are a mentor to them. My partners and I wanted to start kids out with a positive school experience. Some who have graduated from high school still contact me. You don’t realize when it’s happening, what kind of influence you have.”

More cowboys “My brother, Patt, is a good old cowboy. He can tell a story, and he knows a lot of western history,” says Jill. “I like to go up for branding and weaning.”

She continues, “At this time, we put on quite a feed.

We serve prime rib for about 30 people who come from Gillette, Casper and Colorado to help. This is just neighbors helping neighbors.”

Five years ago, their dryland ranch was hit by an endof-July storm, with as much as 13 inches of rain and hail falling in a very short time.

“It took my brother’s house, two barns and almost his life,” she comments. “In one place, the water was 25 feet deep. “Patt lost his old dog, who wouldn’t leave and got swept away. The water was so strong, but Patt was saved because he was able to

“Jim and I feel so strongly about ranching. It’s a lifestyle. It’s not for the rich and famous. We’ve been blessed with family, friends, business and education. We can’t ask for more than that.”

– Jill Anderson grab the bed of the truck.”

Jill continues the story, adding, “The next morning, people came from all over.

They were unbelievably generous and helped him get back on his feet. A lovely young woman gave him her dog, Ruff. Now, Ruff is Patt’s constant companion and goes everywhere with him. One little lady in the nursing home gave five dollars. Patt had a hard time accepting it all. We said, ‘You know if it was any-

body else, you’d be the first one there.’”

Jill emphasizes, “That’s the heart of cowboy country. Jim and I feel so strongly about ranching. It’s a lifestyle. It’s not for the rich and famous. We’ve been blessed with family, friends, business and education. We can’t ask for more than that.”

This article is courtesy of the University of Wyoming College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Food insecurity improves in 2017 An estimated 15 million U.S. households – or 11.8 percent – were food insecure last year, down from 12.3 percent in 2016, a new USDA report said.

The latest data show a continued decline from a high of 14.9 percent in 2011. However, the figure is still above the pre-recession level of 11.1 percent in 2007.

The percentage of households with food insecurity in the severe range also declined from the previous year, according to the report, titled, “Household Food Security in the United States in 2017.”

Food-insecure households are defined as having had difficulty at some time during the year providing enough food for all their members due to a lack of resources. – Meatingplace

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 19 • September 8, 2018

CALENDAR

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

EVENTS

Sept. 7-9

38th Annual Hells Canyon Mule Days, Enterprise, Ore. Visit hellscanyonmuledays.com or call 541-426-3271 for more information.

Sept. 8-9

Copper Days Festival, Encampment. For more information, visit saratogachamber.info or call 307-326-8855.

Sept. 11

Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts Area III Meeting, Powell. Hosted by Powell Clarks Fork Conservation District. Visit conservewy. com for more information.

Sept. 11-14

Wally Olson’s Livestock Marketing School, Cheyenne. Visit olsonranchllc.com, call 918-244-0654 or e-mail olsonranch@junct.com for more information.

Sept. 12

Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts Area IV Meeting, Lander. Hosted by Popo Agie Conservation District. Visit conservewy.com for more information.

Sept. 12

Ranching for Profit with Dave Pratt, Gillette, Fire Training Center. Register or learn more by contacting Lauren Connell at 307-696-4453 or lauren. connell@wy.usda.gov.

Sept. 13

Wyoming Livestock Board Meeting, Casper, Hampton Inn, 10 a.m. For more information, visit wlsb.state.wy.us.

Sept. 13

Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts Area V Meeting, Baggs.

Hosted by Little Snake River Conservation District. Visit conservewy.com for more information.

Sept. 15

Wyoming Agriculture in the Classroom Barn Burner 5K and Lil’ Buckaroo Races, Cheyenne, Lummis Ranch, 8:45 a.m. Visit wyaitc.org to register or for more information.

Sept. 15

Wyoming Agriculture in the Classroom Barn Burner 5K and Lil’ Buckaroo Races, Casper, David Street Station, 8:45 a.m. Visit wyaitc.org to register or for more information.

Sept. 15

University of Wyoming Ag Weekend, Laramie. Visit uwyo.edu for more information.

Sept. 18

Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts Area I Meeting, Sundance. Hosted by Crook County Natural Resource District. Visit conservewy. com for more information.

Sept. 10

Western Video Market, Haythorn Ranch, Ogallala, Neb., 530-347-3793, wvmcattle.com

Sept. 11

90th Annual Wyoming State Ram Sale, Wyoming State Fairgrounds, Douglas, 307-265-5250, 307-351-1422, wyowool.com

Sept. 11

Cattle Country Video Sandhills Roundup Sale, Goshen County Rendezvous Center, Torrington, 888-322-8853, cattlecountryvideo.com

Sept. 13

Marcy Livestock and Marcy Cattle Company Mature Cow Herd Dispersion, Gordon Livestock Auction, Gordon, Neb., 308-430-2005, 308-4300370, marcycattlecompany.com

Sept 14-15

22nd Annual Van Norman and Friends Production Sale, Elko County Fairgrounds, Elko, Nev., 775-756-6508, 775-934-7404, vannormansale.com

Sept. 16

Sugar Bars Legacy 16th Annual Horse Sale, Sheridan County Fairgrounds, Sheridan, 605-347-8120, sugarbarslegacy.com

Sept. 16

Horse Sale, Gordon Livestock Market, Gordon, Neb., 308-282-1171, 308282-9998, gordonlivestock.dvauction.com

Sept. 17

Northern Livestock Video Auction Fall Premier Special, 866-616-5035, northernlivestockvideo.com

Sept. 18

Absolute Estate Auction, 447 Crook Street, Custer, S.D., 605-673-2629, bradeenauction.com

Sept. 20

Annual Replacement Ewe, Ewe Lamb and Feeder Lamb Special & Customer Appreciation BBQ, Newell Sheep Yards, Newell, S.D., 605-641-2333, 605-6411700, 605-490-9829, stongelivestock.com

Sept. 22

Second Annual Faith Livestock Consignment Horse Sale, Faith Livestock Auction, Faith, S.D., 605-515-1535, 605-580-5878, 605-967-2200, faithlivestock.com

Sept. 22

Auction, 189 Young Road, Riverton, 307-850-5506, stonesauctioon.com

POSTCARD from the Past

Compiled by Dick Perue rrichardperue@gmail.com

Health of Man and Beast Good Friend fellow citizen; are Up Against It? you being pressed

and you Are and

jammed and hammered so hard that your mind wants to quit thinking and your spirit is tender and winc-

SALES

Emergencies – In the same issue of the Grand Encampment Herald that Hugh O’Neill emphasized human health, this accompanying advertisement encouraged veterinary health, as well, touting the usefulness of the telephone to reach the vet in case of emergency. Advertisement from the Sept. 1, 1911 Grand Encampment Herald, Historical Reproductions by Perue

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ing with bruises?

That’s the question posed in an editorial published in the Sept. 1, 1911 issue of the Grand Encampment Herald. In an attempt to answer that question the article continues: Well, here’s a piece of philosophy to help you out.

Fight Harder than ever fought before. Do Better Work than any you have done heretofore. Don’t think of Quitting; don’t Complain; don’t get Impatient with the trials that seem unjust or unmerited. Acquire the invaluable faculty of Enduring Patience. Go after the thing you want with Redoubled Tenacity, and its dollars to doughnuts that You’ll Get It. Remember that the average man suffers more or less from The Tired Feeling. Physically, or mentally, or spiritually, he Can’t Stand The Gaff.

And, just as genius is the infinite capacity for taking pains, so success is the ability to stand the gaff And Keep On Standing It. And remember that to be able to Keep On Standing the Gaff, You Must Know How To Keep Healthy and keeping healthy. Maintaining a Good Physical Condition is the Simplest Thing in the World.

– Hugh O’Neill in Denver Times Extensive use of capital letters was that of the editorial writer and original author.

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 19 • September 8, 2018

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 19 • September 8, 2018

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 19 • September 8, 2018

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 19 • September 8, 2018

Heating Equipment

Property for Sale

ELIMINATE ● RISING ● FUEL COSTS: Clean, safe and efficient wood heat. Central Boiler Classic and E-Classic Outdoor Wood Furnace; heats multiple buildings with only 1 furnace, 25-year warranty available.

Heat with wood, no splitting!

Available in dual fuel ready models. www.CentralBoiler. com. WE ALSO HAVE whole house pellet/corn/biomass furnaces. Load once per month with hopper. www.Maximheat. com. A-1 Heating Systems.

Instant rebates may apply! Call today! 307-742-4442. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds....................TFN

BUSINESS, HOME AND RANCH: This property makes sense!! Well designed 3,820 sq. ft. home and outbuildings on 160 acres at a great location, 5 miles north of Red Lodge, MT. Approximately 99 acres irrigated, 65 acres licensed for gravel production and is presently an operating business selling to local contractors. Outbuildings include a 40’x60’ pole barn, 30’x40’ insulated and heated shop with plumbing, 14’x40’ RV port and a large truck scale house. $1,800,000. Red Lodge Country Real Estate 406-4463232 or 406-698-9266......9/22

Fencing LODGEPOLE PRODUCTS 307-742-6992 SERVING AGRIBUSINESSES SINCE 1975!!

Treated posts, corral poles, buck-and-rail, western rail, fence stays, rough-sawn lumber, bedding. SEE US at www. lodgepoleproducts.com and click our “Picking A Fence Post” tab to see why folks choose our posts!!..........TFN

Pipe

HISTORIC 3 BEDROOM 1,900 SQ. FT. RANCH HOUSE ON 23 ACRES: Seven miles east of Broadus, MT with rental of 900 sq. ft. Includes outbuildings, 20’x32’ shop and garage. $290,000 OBO. Call 406-4362289 or e-mail nnsampson@ gmail.com. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds...................................9/15 NEW LISTING!! Rock Creek Hereford Ranch, 200 acres, 60 acres irrigated. Highway location, $1,100,000. FORMER BEAR CLAW STABLE: The former Bear Claw Stable is ready to move right in. Set up for a wide range of events and sizes. Heated, 14 stalls, tack room and office. 38 irrigated acres with 100’x240’ indoor arena. 100’x200’ outdoor arena, plus many other amenities. This equestrian estate is a must see to appreciate. Price reduced $975,000!!! Sidwell Land & Cattle Co., Richard Sidwell, 406-861-4426, 406-322-4425 or e-mail sidwell@sidwellland.com...........................10/6

OILFIELD PIPE: RPJ Enterprises, Inc. Used for fencing, cattle guards, etc. ALL SIZES!!

Quantity discounts and delivery available. Pierce, CO 80650.

Call 970-324-4580, e-mail rpjenergy@gmail.com.......1/5

IRRIGATED HAY MEADOWS and impressive improvements on this balanced 360 acre property located near Veteran, WY. Nice home, shop, machine shed, livestock barn, Quonset, grain storage and corrals. Ideal for a purebred livestock operation. 120 acres deeded plus 240 acres state lease. Was $766,615. Reduced!

Now $699,000.

GOSHEN COUNTY, WY: Pivot irrigation.

160 m/l acres. Zimmatic pivot with 153 shares Horse Creek Conservation. Home, shop, hay barns. Five miles southwest of Yoder, WY. $650,000. Casey Essert at Empire Realty at 307-534-2222 or 1-888-340FARM. More listings available at www.buyaranch.com ..........................................TFN

Irrigation

Irrigation

Property for Sale

Property for Sale

10 ACRE PROPERTY: Great value with 100’x225’ indoor arena plus a lovely 4 bedroom, 3 bath home. Only 1 mile south of Torrington, WY on Hwy. 85.

Fantastic opportunity for private or commercial equestrian clinics, ropings, self boarding with indoor and outdoor riding.

Includes pasture paddocks with shelters. $555,000. Reduced!

Now $535,000. VETERAN, WY, 518 ACRES TOTAL: 118 acres deeded plus 400 acres Wyoming State Grazing Lease. 2004 Zimmatic 7 tower pivot. Excellent combination of sub-irrigated grass, hard grass, irrigated grass and tall brush for calf protection. $405,000. Casey Essert at Empire Realty at 307-534-2222 or 1-888-340FARM. More listings available at www.buyaranch.com ..........................................TFN

FOR SALE: 656.9 acre hay farm and feedlot on Tunnel Hill Rd., Pavillion, WY. Very productive hay farm with 3 feedlots for up to 850 head of cattle, which makes a great winter unit. 388 acres is irrigated ground: 330 acres under 3 pivots, 58 acres with gated pipe. Historical production of 1,400 to 1,600 tons of high-quality alfalfa and some grass hay. Improvements include a 1,740 sq. ft. main house, 4,600 sq. ft. metal shop and storage building. Four wells provide more than adequate water for the 3 feedlots, which have separate tire tanks. The slope and soil-types of the feedlots ensure cattle do not stand in mud. Must see to appreciate. $1,950,000. Call Ray Elser, Broker, Contour Investment Properties, Jackson, WY 307-690-4313 or e-mail ray@ contourproperties.com...10/20

PIPE FOR SALE: 2 3/8 heavy wall, 2 7/8 reg and heavy wall, 3/4, 7/8 and 1” rods, 4” drill pipe, 41/2 casing, 7” casing and guardrail. ALSO have 50,000’ of pvc water line pipe. Can ship to most locations. Please call Ron at 406-425-3100................10/6 FENCE PIPE: Structural pipe for fence, pens, feeders, rails and much more!! All sizes available, 2 3/8 7”. Pete Maxwell 307-258-8784....................9/22

Property for Sale

Property for Sale

Mineral Rights WANT TO PURCHASE mineral and other oil/gas interests. Send details to: PO Box 13557, Denver, CO 80201................. 10/13

Roof Coatings

Mineral Rights

Mineral Rights

the roundup gets results

Want to Buy SCRAP METAL RECYCLING, Rawlins, WY. Call 307-321-1444 ..........................................TFN

Roundup Online Subscriptions Available

Immediate access to the Roundup every Friday afternoon!

View, download and print the Roundup before the post office can process it.

$30/year www.wylr.net

PastureMap can aid in range monitoring Ranchers may find it difficult to monitor rangeland. However, monitoring is the most important tool to measure how well a rancher is doing managing grazing land. With many different apps and ways of monitoring grazing land, producers have to decide which method is most suited to their needs.

Christine Su spoke at the Nebraska Grazing Conference about PastureMap, which is an app that can help producers map their pastures, herds and equipment. The CEO and cofounder of PastureMap says it is a technology company that helps ranchers increase profits on healthy grasslands.

“I believe human knowledge and creativity on the land is the key to regenerating landscapes and building a vibrant and just food system,” Su says.

More accurate data Su sees PastureMap as technology producers can use to improve their grazing operations in the future. Where producers once relied on visual observations and photos to monitor range, now satellites, remote sensing data, virtual fencing, robotics and software may all play a role in how the next generation monitors grazing land, she tells producers.

“Understanding these trends will empower the next generation of producers to quickly share knowledge, build resilience and respond to shifting patterns in a rapidly changing world,” she says.

Su believes the next generation will need to be more

adaptive and resilient to technology, and become more creative.

“Knowledge and creativity over assets are the currency of future business,” she explains.

Tech updates “Grazing management tools need updated,” Su continues.

Technology is good for repeating simple, repetitive tasks quickly and accurately, but humans still need to make the final decisions and trust their judgment, she tells producers.

If ranchers use an app as a tool in their toolbox, they should still make time to go out and look at the grazing land themselves so they can observe what is happening to it, and if the ecosystem is headed in the direction they want it to go, she adds.

Rangeland recovery The PastureMap app can help them set up optimal recovery periods based on certain pastures.

“The tool can help professional grazers become more mobile. It enables humans to look at the landscape and determine how to change it and possibly get more out of it,” she says.

PastureMap also helps producers create accurate adaptive grazing maps and plans and make more informed decisions based on prior season moves. It can record past and future herd moves, record pasture inventories and visually track herd weights, which helps ranchers improve their herd performance with weights tied to grazing records.

It also helps producers plan out future grazing moves or consider making different conservation or wildlife priorities.

“PastureMap helps producers make decisions more quickly. They can get ahead of things like rainfall and drought. Rainfall totals can be put into the tool,” she explains.

The app can be used with drones to make grazing decisions.

“If a rancher is going to use drones, make sure they have GPS capability so they know where the photos are from,” she notes.

Free up time Using the PastureMap app can free up time for producers and their employees. For instance, it can be used to transect spots in the fence that need to be fixed or something as simple as where the feed wagon was left.

“It just helps improve communication,” Su says.

Soil carbon data Currently, Su is working with the USDA Conservation Innovation Partnership to integrate soil carbon data into PastureMap. They are using satellite or aerial imagery overlays with a goal of showing soil regeneration outcomes with data.

“Satellite imagery is important, because soil is a lagging indicator, and vegetation is a leading indicator. Ground truthing and monitoring is the critical translation layer for big data,” she says.

Once completed, ranchers can opt in to upload soil data and look at other soil data regionally.

Gayle Smith is a correspondent for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@ wylr.net.

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 19 • September 8, 2018

It’s the Pitts

by Lee Pitts

Slow Moving Traffic If all the cars in the world were placed end to end, they’d probably be behind a slow moving cattle truck.

Everyone is in such a hurry these days they don’t have time to waste behind a gooseneck filled with cattle. So they pass with no visibility or lay on their horns, as if that’s going to speed things up. They’ll risk their lives hurrying themselves to death so they can get to their final destination earlier. And when I say, “final,” I mean final.

I prefer a less hurried pace. I hate life in the fast lane with everyone crowding, shoving, pushing and running over each other. We live in a fast-paced world where we brag about the speed of our internet service and agonize over which would be faster, the escalator or the elevator.

Everyone is so stressed out and in such a hurry, I heard about one housewife who quickly loaded her dirty plates and dishes in the microwave before rushing out the door only to dis-

cover upon her return that a microwave is not a dishwasher. We have a frenetic friend who loaded her threemonth-old baby in the baby carrier and then went off leaving it and the baby sitting on the kitchen table.

I’ll never forget my first ranch job out of college when the owner wanted me to take the bobtail cattle truck and bring back a load of feed from the mill.

No problem. I’m the son of a long-haul trucker, and I know my way around a set of gears. I was surprised he trusted me that much and that he didn’t want to tag along, but I quickly discovered the reason when I tried to navigate the two-lane road around windy curves with steep grades and descents.

I was soon being followed by a long line of cars, and everyone had one hand on their horn.

15

The average driver will honk a horn 15,250 times in their life, and many of the drivers behind me that day were using up half their quota. I’d have given anything for a bumper sticker that said, “Keep honking.

I’m reloading.”

I subscribe to the theory that you should never drive faster than your age, and if I recall correctly, I was about 21 at the time. The speed limit in 1905 was 20 miles per hour, and I think that was the year the truck I was driving was made. I considered driving in reverse up the steep grades because the reverse was geared lower and would probably have been faster. I was going so slow algae had time to grown on the tire treads.

I pulled over every chance I got, but still every sports car or SUV that whizzed by me had a one

“One wonders why all those irritated folks were all in such a big hurry anyway.” – Lee Pitts finger salute thrust out the window. I was embarrassed and couldn’t say I blamed them because I had no right to slow them down. But what was I to do, disobey orders from the boss and get fired from my job that paid a whopping $600 a month?

There was simply no other way to get to my destination.

Anyone who has driven a tractor on the asphalt or stopped traffic to drive sheep or cattle across a road has experienced the same hatred as I did that day. We ought to form our own victim’s group, get ourselves a high priced lawyer and sue someone.

One wonders why all those irritated folks were all in such a big hurry anyway. If it was work, a doc-

tor’s appointment or an IRS audit, what was the rush? I remember theorizing that perhaps they were all in such a hurry because they had to use the restroom facilities 10 miles distant, but I came to the conclusion that all of their bladders couldn’t have been that bad. I think it’s all just part of the human condition that says anyone who is going slower than you is a hayseed moron, and anyone driving faster is a reckless maniac who is “going to get us all killed.”

It must have been especially humiliating and galling that day for all the highspeed drivers who flipped me off when I passed them in the slow lane when we all ended up at the same signal light together.

Whitney Foundation helps create agricultural pathways for students Edward Whitney spent three decades crafting the first educational foundation in Wyoming.

His early learning experiences may have fashioned his education focus.

He was born in Massachusetts and enrolled in school at St. Anthony’s Ter-

race in Vevey, Switzerland, later learning geological engineering in France.

Whitney traveled the world, but the Vevey experience was apparently especially memorable. He had half his ashes buried in Sheridan Municipal Cemetery and the other half in an urn

EPA transitions to compliance On Aug. 31, Colin Woodall, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association senior vice president of government affairs, applauded the Environmental Protection Agency’s transition from National Enforcement Initiatives to National Compliance Initiatives “Cattlemen and cattlewomen take their role as environmental stewards seriously. Now, rather than being the targets of continuous prioritized enforcement, they can finally operate on a level playing field,” Woodall said.

“We are grateful that Acting Administrator Wheeler and his team have refocused the agency’s priorities. This action clearly reflects the continued commitment beef producers make to protecting our nation’s precious natural resources, and the commitment of this administration to ensuring that stakeholders and regulators work together to find solutions.”

2nd Annual

FAITH LIVESTOCK Consignment Horse Sale Saturday, September 22, 2018

Faith Livestock Auction • Faith, SD 9 a.m. Loose Horses • 11 a.m. Catalog Preview 1 p.m. Sale Offering: 110 colts, weanlings, yearlings with proven ranch and arena genetics 20 ranch/performance broke saddle horses

For a sale catalog or more information, contact: Dace Harper: 605-515-1535 Mason Dietterle: 605-580-5878 • Sale Barn: 605-967-2200

WWW.FAITHLIVESTOCK.COM

at St. Martin’s Church at St. Anthony’s.

He died in 1917 and provided Whitney Foundation be established from his estate 10 years later with the singular mission to benefit youth. Directors are not paid, per his direction.

He also instructed establishment of an agricultural college in or near Sheridan.

One hundred and one years and over $100 million expended per his instruction, the foundation’s purpose has not faded.

Whitney Benefits is this year’s Research/Outreach Partner Award recipient for its collaborative efforts to create and strengthen agricultural paths for students seeking advanced education.

The foundation’s agricultural efforts include $1.3 million to Sheridan College in 2014 toward building the Forrest Mars Agriculture

Center on the campus, as well as numerous other contributions.

In 2007, a $1.25-million gift to Sheridan College enabled the University of Wyoming (UW) to strengthen the college’s agricultural curriculum for an enhanced degree program.

That same year, the foundation made a $750,000 endowment to Sheridan College to fund the Edward E. Whitney Agricultural Instructor position, filled by Assistant Professor Sadanand Dhekney in the Department of Plant Sciences in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at UW. In 2017, Whitney Benefits pledged $1.475 million to Sheridan College for agricultural opportunities to continue funding the instructor position and an agriculture business instructor and create a new rangeland man-

agement instructor position and a new seasonal farm assistant to support student and faculty member laboratory work.

Whitney Benefits offered a 50-year “free” lease to UW for the Adams Ranch immediately south of Sheridan College. The ranch has old water rights plus rights to stored water in the Park Reservoir in the Big Horn Mountains.

Whitney Benefits Vice President Roy Garber says that, in close cooperation, Sheridan College and the University of Wyoming provide educational experiences and hands-on training to area college and high school students.

“Whitneys’ goal is to increase collaborative agricultural educational and research opportunities between Sheridan College and UW students,” Garber says.

The long-term goal is to increase various fouryear bachelor’s degrees and experimental agricultural experiences for students.

“We believe Mr. Whitney would be quite pleased to see these educational opportunities for both local and the state’s youths,” Garber says.

This article is courtesy of the University of Wyoming College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

The foundation’s agricultural efforts are only one facet of Whitney Benefits’ mission. More information is at www. whitneybenefits.com.

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 30 No. 19 • September 8, 2018

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