September 9, 2023

Producers encouraged to start preparing a winter feed plan

As the number of daylight hours begins to wane and temperatures start their seasonal decline, producers are encouraged to take a look at their forage feeding plan and initiate prep-

Quick Bits

Suicide Month

September is National Suicide Prevention Month, which can be a painful reminder life is tough in rural America. Individuals who are in crisis or know of someone who is struggling are reminded to call or text the 24-hour, free and confidential National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or visit 988lifeline.org.

AHA Meeting

The American Hereford Association (AHA) Annual Meeting is fast approaching and will take place Oct. 19-22 in Kansas City, Mo. The educational forum will feature industry speakers and opportunities to learn about AHA resources. To view the event schedule, register and book hotel reservations, visit hereford. org. Hotel rooms need to be reserved by Sept. 25.

USDA Grants

On Aug. 31, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the availability of $65 million through two funding opportunities for new tools, approaches, practices and technologies to further natural resource conservation on private lands through the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program. Of this funding, $25 million will be delivered through President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act. Applications are open and will be accepted through Oct. 30.

OSLI Request

In coordination with the Sheridan County Commissioners, the Columbus Peak Ranch (applicant) and the State Lands Action Team have requested the Office of State Lands and Investments (OSLI) rescind the timeline given previously to present the Columbus Peak Ranch Land Exchange to the Board of Land Commissioners for final consideration. The request seeks to provide more time for the applicant and the public to review the land exchange and provide comment related to recreational use of the property. Accordingly, OSLI is rescinding the timeline previously provided.

arations on their winter feedgrounds to ready for the cold months ahead.

From ongoing drought conditions in Northeast Kansas to abnormally wet conditions in Southwest

Wyoming, producers across the West should plan for this winter in advance.

Preparing winter feedgrounds

In a Aug. 2 Drovers article written by Elizabeth

Cronin, North Dakota State University (NDSU) Extension Livestock Environmental Management Specialist Mary Keena notes a producer’s management of

Applied Reproductive Strategies in Beef Cattle

Meat science

Top sirloin research reveals opportunities

MeatsPad is the official podcast of the American Meat Science Association, a platform dedicated to sharing breakthrough knowledge in a way that is accessible to the meat industry.

Podcast Host Phil Bass, a professor of meat science at the University of Idaho (UID), interviewed Sierra Jepsen, owner and lead butcher of Butcher Solutions, LLC, during an episode dated April 11.

During the podcast, Bass and Jepsen’s topic of conversation focused on Jepsen’s research project at UID on the top sirloin, a sub-primal cut of the beef loin primal.

UW and BRTF host annual ARSBC Symposium in Cheyenne

Cheyenne – On Sept. 6-7, the University of Wyoming (UW) joined the Beef Reproduction Task Force (BRTF) in hosting the annual Applied Reproductive Strategies in Beef Cattle (ARSBC) Symposium at the Little America Hotel and Resort.

The convention brought in producers, veterinarians, artificial insemination (AI) technicians, students and other members of the beef industry from across the U.S. and provided educational programming on a wide array of topics including estrous synchronization and AI pro-

Tour reveals risk to soybeans

The annual Pro Farmer Crop Tour concluded Aug. 24 amid smothering heat and drought in the western Midwest, and the data collected suggests smaller harvests for both corn and soybean crops in the U.S. this year.

The Pro Farmer Newsletter estimates the national average corn yield at 172 bushel per acre, compared to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) modeled number of 175.1, and a national average soybean yield of 49.7 bushels per acre, versus USDA’s estimate of 50.9 bushels per acre.

The yield for most states surveyed on the tour improved over last year’s poor performance. Crop scouts, though, observed both crops struggling in triple-digit heat during the tour.

The states included in Pro Farmer’s survey – Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio and South Dakota – account for roughly 70 percent of the U.S. corn crop and 60 percent of the soybean crop.

The tour provides insight into how USDA may adjust yield in its September Crop Production Report, which will be based on objective yield surveys. Crop yields in previous USDA reports were model-based.

Corn versus soybean outlook

Scouts on the Pro Farmer Crop Tour found sporadic and highly variable yields for both corn and soybeans, especially across the western Corn Belt. Early heat and drought stress in June accelerated maturation for both crops.

While rains in July brought relief to much of the Midwest crop, the return of record heat and dry conditions in August have negatively impacted crop development.

With the majority of the soybean crop still in the critical

on page 5

tocols, nutritional management, brucellosis, male fertility, sire selection considerations, bull development, herd health and more.

According to UW Extension Beef Specialist Shelby Rosasco, BRTF is made up of research and Extension specialists from around the nation, and the annual symposium is cohosted with state Extension programs to distribute the latest information on reproductive technology in cattle production.

In 2022, Jepsen received her master’s degree from UID, focusing on meat science with an interest in innovative carcass fabrication and was an assistant lecturer at the University of Wyoming (UW) from 201721, where she coached the UW Meat Judging Team and managed the Cowboy Branded Meats program.

Jepsen’s project aims to identify other grillable items which can be created from

Potential swine disease emerge

A potential emerging disease, porcine sapovirus (PSaV), was addressed at the 2023 Nebraska Pork Expo held in Lincoln, Neb. in July and during the Swine Disease Reporting System’s July monthly podcast.

More recently, the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) and American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) held a webinar on Aug. 30 regarding PSaV.

Sapovirus is an up-and-coming topic among producers, veterinarians and researchers, but PSaV is not new. The virus was initially detected in U.S. swine herds over 40 years ago but drew little to no attention.

Speakers at each event shared their field experience with PSaV, including diagnosing, clinical research, production impacts, strategies and other insights into the virus.

PSaV History

During the August webinar, Qiuhong Wang, PhD and professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Ohio State University in Wooster, Ohio, shared a historical perspective on PSaV.

Wang states, “The Cowden strain was first detected in the U.S., together with rotavirus and astrovirus, by electron microscopy in the intestinal contents of a 27-day-old diarrheic pig from an Ohio

Expert panel – On Sept. 6, the Applied Reproductive Strategies in Beef Cattle Symposium hosted a panel discussion on what makes a successful estrous synchronization and artificial insemination program. Pictured from left to right, the panel included Select Sires’ Sandra Utter; Newcastle’s Ty Miller of Ty Miller Solutions; Dudley Booth of Torrington, owner of Booth Angus and representative for Genex/Alta and Nicky Oosthuizen of ABS. WYLR photo

Cat Urbigkit’s guest opinion discusses the BLM’s plan to eliminate livestock grazing Page 2 Feeding for the future, as outlined by UW Extension’s Chance Marshall Page 4 Central States Fair exhibitors enjoy an eight-day stretch in Rapid City, S.D. Page 7 Wyoming’s fall foliage will soon be on display Page 15

As Americans, we all have rights we are proud of and hold dearly – the right to vote, the right to free speech and among many others, the right to own property.

In addition to owning property, property holders have private land rights. However, in the last few years, I feel our private land rights have eroded significantly, not only by people, but by the government and its agencies.

When discussing private land rights, some people only think of urban house lots or other land and buildings in an urban area. They don’t believe ranch, farm, small acreage or private recreation lands have the same rights as a house or lots in an urban area.

In past years, trespassing on private lands has become a larger issue in rural areas as people disrespect rural private lands, especially during hunting season.

To be technically correct, a vast majority of hunters respect this law and don’t trespass. But, unlawful trespassing is on the rise in rural areas. I think it has to do with people viewing the vast amount of raw lands in the country and thinking it is okay to use them, or they mistakenly take them for public lands.

In some areas of the West, public and private lands are intermingled, and without a Global Position System (GPS), people have no idea whose land they are on, especially on checkerboard lands close to railroads.

While many wouldn’t think of trespassing in someone’s yard in an urban setting, some think nothing of trespassing on a farmer or rancher’s backyard – farmers and ranchers just have larger yards.

Few realize the state’s trespassing laws equally apply to both urban and rural areas. If corner-crossing becomes legal, it will be legal in both urban and rural lands.

Most every person I have caught trespassing is also a terrible liar – their excuses are some of the tallest tales one will ever hear.

Rural areas are also bearing the brunt on infringements by government and their agencies, the Endangered Species Act is a prime example of this. With some species, farmers and ranchers were told what they could and couldn’t do on their private lands.

What should have been voluntary actions, are now forced ones. The reasons for some of these changes were caused by a lawsuit and a friendly judge.

Hunters now want to access private lands to get to public lands, but without permission it is illegal.

As ranchers and farmers, we are in the same position as boundaries were formed many years ago. These boundaries harm both hunters and private landowners today. Now, hunters want the Wyoming Game and Fish Department to buy access for them because they don’t want to have any of their chips on the table.

It all boils down to respect – respect for other’s property, both in urban and rural areas. We hope this fall, hunters will take the time to see where the boundaries of private lands and public lands are.

Just because they have a side-by-side or 4-wheeler, it doesn’t give them the right to go everywhere they want. If a landowner gives access to enter private lands, don’t exit those lands a different way.

Remember, we all have backyards, some are larger than others, but size doesn’t make any difference under the private lands laws.

Wyoming Livestock Roundup

GUEST OPINIONS

How to Eliminate Livestock Grazing Without Prohibiting Livestock: BLM Has a Plan

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is mandated by the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) to manage public lands in a manner “which recognizes the nation’s need for domestic sources of minerals, food, timber and fiber from the public lands” by managing public lands on “the basis of multiple use and sustained yield.”

One wouldn’t know this by reading the BLM’s preferred alternative in the draft Rock Springs Resource Management Plan (RMP).

BLM’s preferred alternative

The plan sets aside 1.3 million acres into areas of critical environmental concern, eliminates mineral development on more than two million acres, excludes 2.4 million acres from rightof-way authorizations and eliminates more than 15,000 miles of roads, trails and linear disturbances.

It imposes a broad array of restrictions on human use, emphasizing nonuse and “natural processes” as its preference.

Livestock grazing is set to take a big hit under the BLM plan.

Water developments for livestock could be made “only if wildlife habitat and resource conditions would be improved or maintained,” but water development for wild horses is allowed.

The agency’s preferred alternative would have the highest number and acres

By Cat Urbigkit

of wild horse herd management areas, support the highest number of horses –up to 1,796 – and allocate the largest number of grazing animal unit months –21,552 – to wild horses.

While salt and mineral replacement for livestock is currently restricted within 500 feet of water or wetlands, the proposal would restrict this placement within one-half mile of even ephemeral water sources or riparian areas and “within three miles on each side” of any national historic trails, if the site could be viewed from the trail.

Current BLM management calls for wildland and prescribed fires to be “managed in all vegetation types to maintain or improve biological diversity and the overall health of the public lands,” but under the proposal this would switch to “allowing wildfire to function as a natural ecological role” with limits on fire suppression activities and resting “a minimum of five growing seasons from livestock grazing.”

This is up from the currently prescribed two-year rest or adapting management based on a site-specific analysis.

Stocking rates, duration of use

The BLM proposes to establish allotment stocking rates which result in forage utilization levels in areas preferred by livestock, “generally a light 21 to 40 percent utilization level” to

provide for wildlife cover and utilization.

The plan prescribes light grazing as “livestock grazing consuming no more than 30 percent of the current year’s growth of forage plants. Light refers to the effect on the landscape, which is measured through utilization monitoring. One may reduce the number of animals by 30 percent and still not achieve ‘light grazing,’ if those remaining animals consume more than 30 percent of the current year’s forage growth.”

If a land health evaluation shows standards are not met and current livestock grazing management is determined to be among the causal factors, BLM will implement a 20 percent reduction annually from the 10-year average of actual billed animal unit months (AUMs) for each permit/ lease up to three consecutive years – 60 percent – in active AUMs until standards are met.

Any changes resulting in improved vegetative production will be allocated to wildlife or other resource values “before considering it for livestock,” across the 1.3 million acres set aside under special designations.

BLM acknowledges its livestock grazing management actions would restrict operators by providing for “decreased flexibility in managing livestock and additional management complexity.”

This plan includes a

range of restrictive measures, as well as changes to seasons or duration of use and lower utilization rates.

The plan notes, “Requiring implementation of grazing management to improve rangeland conditions could increase operating costs. Higher-intensity, short-duration grazing management programs would increase the amount of herding and range improvement maintenance required by the livestock operator.”

BLM will designate the entire Rock Springs planning area as a “restricted control area,” in which animal damage control activities may be limited to certain methods or times and non-lethal methods will be emphasized.

The plan calls for allowing animal damage control “on BLM land, only if it would benefit special status species or is needed for valid safety concerns.”

Grazing and wildlife

Livestock grazing would be prohibited “in big game parturition habitat during the birthing season – usually from May 1 through June 30.” The plan defines big game to include pronghorn antelope, deer, elk, moose and Bighorn sheep.

The prohibition is worded so it applies not just to designated ranges or special designation areas, but for “parturition habitat” throughout the Rock Springs district.

The plan calls for much

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Stock Growers Association

UW studies plant recovery

Using clues from the fossil record, researchers at the University of Wyoming (UW) are traveling back in time to study a mass extinction event which occurred 66 million years ago. Their goal is to better understand how and when life rebounded after a meteor wiped out 75 percent of species on Earth.

The five-year study is part of a multidisciplinary effort led by the Denver Museum of Nature and Science and funded by a nearly $3 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Seven collaborating research institutions, including multiple universities and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, are involved in the project.

As research findings become available, they will be shared with the public through museum exhibits, classroom presentations and other outreach events.

“The study will focus primarily on the collection and analysis of plant fossils from the Denver Basin and Williston Basin,” says Ellen Currano, UW professor and paleobotanist. “We have a really good understanding of how old the rocks are in these basins, which will allow us to understand the amount of time different phases of recovery took.”

“Plants form the base of terrestrial ecosystems, and everything else relies on plants for food and habitat,” Currano explains. “If we are going to understand how life on land recovered after the bolide impact killed off the dinosaurs and approximately 75 percent of all species, we need to understand what was going on with the plants.”

In addition to offering clues about the evolution of modern plants and animals, studying past extinctions can provide insight into extinctions occurring today.

“In the larger scheme of things, my research agenda is to understand how ancient forests responded to abrupt environmental changes, with the hope we can apply what we learn to the present day,” says Currano.

When the NSF project concludes, Currano hopes to expand her research to new sites in Wyoming.

To learn more, contact Currano at ecurrano@uwyo.edu.

BLM asks for comments

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is welcoming public input on a plan to inform recreation management on America’s public lands. The new Blueprint for 21st Century Outdoor Recreation will guide BLM decisions to proactively meet modern demands for unique outdoor experiences, complementing the public land investments in President Biden’s Investing in America agenda.

“BLM hosted more than 81 million visitors on our public lands last fiscal year – a 40 percent increase since 2012. We are thrilled at this trend but also recognize more guests means a need for varied and diverse response strategies,” said BLM Director Tracy Stone-Manning. “The blueprint aims to help BLM meet the growing demand for exceptional recreation experiences on public lands.”

Managing for recreational opportunities is a core tenet of BLM’s multiple use mandate and aligns with BLM’s mission to sustain the health, diversity and productivity of public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

The increasing demand for recreational activities on public lands has provided a critical window of opportunity to advance a transformational shift in recreation management. This blueprint will help BLM prioritize recreation investment and staffing appropriate for current and future needs.

BLM is seeking input from partners and the public, including in person and virtual recreation blueprint roundtables hosted by the Foundation for America’s Public Lands. Together, BLM and its partners will implement a strategy to guide the agency in providing the resources and experiences visitors to public lands expect in the 21st century.

The blueprint is not a formal management plan but rather a strategic document to guide the agency’s work.

To submit input, e-mail blm_recreation_feedback@ blm.gov.

BLM sale nets $13,207,883

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Wyoming State Office conducted a competitive oil and gas lease sale on Sept. 6, offering 81 parcels covering 67,183.78 acres in Wyoming. In total, 53 parcels covering 35,701.21 acres sold for $13,207,883.

The environmental assessment, maps, parcel lists, notice of competitive lease sale and proposed lease stipulations are available online at eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2022737/510

As authorized under the Inflation Reduction Act, BLM will apply a 16.67 percent royalty rate for any new leases from this sale.

Leasing is the first step in the process to develop federal oil and gas resources. Before development operations can begin, an operator must submit an application for permit to drill detailing development plans.

The BLM reviews applications for permits to drill, posts them for public review, conducts an environmental analysis and coordinates with state partners and stakeholders.

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

Address scheduled

U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Xochitl Torres Small will provide perspective on administration priorities and issues important to the agriculture and food industry during the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) Annual Meeting Sept. 10-13.

This event will represent the deputy secretary’s first public address to NASDA in her new position and will take place on the last day of the meeting, Sept. 13, at approximately 11 a.m. during the closing plenary session.

Both virtual and in-person conference attendees will be able to watch the remarks. The NASDA Annual Meeting is being held in Cheyenne at the Little America Hotel and Resort.

more broad seasonal vehicular travel closures.

“Seasonally close vehicular travel in crucial and important wildlife habitats and during crucial and important periods – big game crucial winter ranges, Nov. 15 to April 30; deer parturition areas, May 1 to June 30; elk calving areas, May 1 to June 30; moose calving areas, May 1 to June 30 and raptor nesting areas, Feb. 1 to July 31,” it reads.

Most current travel

restrictions are for big game wintering areas, but this plan extends some closures to July 1 for calving areas and to Aug. 1 near raptor nests.

The plan doesn’t fully address either sage grouse or wild horses. Instead it has placeholder sections for these species, as both are subject to separate planning processes. Once those processes are completed, management actions will be added to the draft RMP.

Stunningly, the BLM

document declared livestock grazing is “likely to adversely affect” a variety of federally protected species, including four Colorado River fish species as well as Platte River species, including whooping crane, least tern, piping plover, pallid sturgeon and Western prairie fringed orchid.

None of these species or their designated critical habitats occur within Wyoming, but they use habitats associated with downstream waters connected to the planning area.

“Water withdrawals or depletions may occur as a result of the actions associated with livestock grazing management,” the BLM states. “Specifically, water

developments authorized as part of livestock grazing management may have minor associated water withdrawals.”

Yet the RMP determines this will “likely adversely affect” these federally protected species. Eliminating livestock grazing BLM further notes livestock permittees will view its preferred alternative “as harmful to their abilities to maintain their livelihoods and the customs and culture of ranching, and they also would be concerned this alternative would impact the long-term viability of maintaining livestock grazing as an important part of the traditions and econo-

EXTENSION

By Chance Marshall, UW Extension Educator

Feeding for the Future

Cow/calf producers are constantly looking for ways to improve reproductive efficiency and herd performance. As producers move into the colder seasons, it is important to have a nutrition plan in place for pregnant cows.

Genetic improvements obviously play a big role in herd performance. However, research continues to show dam nutrition, especially during the last trimester of pregnancy also plays a large role in future herd success.

Approximately 75 percent of fetal growth occurs during the final two months of pregnancy.

For most spring-calving operations in Wyoming, the

last trimester of gestation takes place during the first few months of the year.

During this time period, the dam’s nutrient demands are very high in order to maintain herself during winter conditions, grow the fetus and prepare for lactation.

Hay fed during this time period often lacks the nutrients – protein and energy – required to meet these demands. Therefore, if the dam is not supplemented nutrients during this time, the development of the fetus may also be restricted.

A series of studies were conducted at the University of Nebraska comparing performance of offspring from

mies of local communities.”

The plan appears to be BLM’s path to eliminating livestock grazing without outright imposing a prohibition.

It’s that bad for permittees.

Domestic livestock grazing is designated by Congress as a “principal or major use” of public lands. FLPMA requires both chambers of Congress be notified if any management decision or action excludes “one or more of the principal or major uses for two or more years” on lands of 100,000 acres or more so Congress can decide whether to reject such action.

If the BLM’s restrictions are approved, the plan

protein supplemented dams to nonsupplemented dams.

The results suggest protein supplementation during late gestation would not necessarily impact their own future pregnancy success but would have a lasting impact on their offspring and the operation.

Weight and performance

This research also showed steer progeny from protein-supplemented dams were heavier at birth, had increased carcass weights and had a greater percentage of grading Choice compared to steers born to nonsupplemented dams.

Heifer calves born to supplemented dams reached puberty earlier in life, grew faster and resulted in greater pregnancy rates compared to heifer calves born to nonsupplemented dams.

Impacts to feed efficiency

Other studies have shown maternal nutrient restriction affects the calf’s ability to absorb and utilize nutrients.

Because immature ruminants do not have a fully functional gastrointestinal system early in life – the rumen is bypassed – nutrient absorption through the small intestine is critical.

Calves born from nutrient-restricted dams during pregnancy have shown to have longer small intestines compared to calves born from dams fed their nutrient requirements. Longer small intestines generally correspond with a higher ability to efficiently absorb nutrients.

Therefore, nutrient restriction to a calf during

may indeed exclude this major use of public lands, but will sidestep Congress in doing so. Perhaps this was BLM’s intention.

The 90-day public comment period on the draft RMP closes Nov. 16 and dates for public meetings haven’t yet been announced. The draft documents can be found online at eplanning. blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/13853/510

The Wyoming Legislature’s Select Federal Natural Resource Management Committee is also slated to discuss the draft RMP at its Oct. 6 meeting in Casper. Cat Urbigkit is an author and rancher who lives on the range in Sublette County.

development can program the calf to have a greater ability to absorb nutrients.

Additionally, poor prenatal diets have been shown to hinder muscle development while increasing the rate of fat development.

Vigor and survival

Several other researchers have reported calves born to nutrient restricted dams have increased morbidity and mortality rates.

For example, increased sickness and death rates were recorded in calves born to dams receiving 65 percent of their dietary energy requirements during the last 90 days of gestation compared to calves born to dams receiving 100 percent of their dietary energy requirements.

Additionally, a lower percentage of calves are weaned from nutrient-restricted dams and a greater number of calves were treated in the feedlot for sickness.

Supplementing cows during late gestation does a lot more than just keep the cow in good body condition. Feeding to meet nutritional demands of gestating cows now can set future generations up for success.

The negative long-term impacts of restricting cow/ calf nutrition during this period most certainly outweigh the short-term savings in feed inputs for the year.

Chance Marshall is a Fremont County University of Wyoming Extension educator. He can be reached at cmarsha1@uwyo.edu or 307-332-2363.

U.S. drought reported

For the contiguous 48 states, the U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) showed 36.02 percent of the area in moderate drought or worse, compared with 34.28 percent a week earlier.

Drought now affects 76,059,128 people, compared with 74,819,313 a week earlier.

For all 50 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, the USDM showed 30.20 percent of the area in moderate drought or worse, compared with 28.76 percent a week earlier.

Drought now affects 77,184,072 people, compared with 75,944,257 a week earlier.

To find populations affected by drought for specific states or time periods, visit droughtmonitor.unl.edu/ dmdata/datatables.aspx

For more information, contact National Drought Mitigation Center GIS Manager Chris Poulsen at cpoulsen2@ unl.edu or call 402-472-8828.

SOYBEANS continued from page 1

stage of setting pods, which determines yield, a continuation of heat and dry conditions for the remainder of the growing season will have more impact on soybeans than corn.

Yield potential for corn has largely been determined. More than one-half of the corn crop is now denting, according to USDA, which means the risk to yield from prolonged heat and drought is more limited.

Crop scouts, though, saw a high level of sagging ears, which could mean more tip-back or kernels being aborted. The result may be smaller kernels, which would lower test weights.

Corn, though, benefits from expanded acreage this year, up 6.2 percent year over year, which allows more cushion to any further reduction to crop yields.

The situation for soybeans isn’t as forgiving.

USDA estimates soybean planted acreage fell 4.6 percent year over year this spring to the lowest level since 2020, making the soybean balance sheet more sensitive to yield loss.

Outlook for soybean merchandisers and processors

The soybean crop is still in the critical pod-setting phase, which depends on moisture in August to maximize yield potential. Thus, persistent dry conditions are raising concerns on supply availability at a time when the U.S. soybean balance sheet is already the tightest in three years.

According to the USDA, 38 percent of the U.S. soybean production area is within an area experiencing drought as of Aug. 22 compared to 20 percent

last year.

Crop scouts on the tour observed soybean pods being aborted in the tripledigit heat.

Although pod counts were higher in many states versus last year and the three-year average, more pods will likely be aborted if hot and dry conditions continue. Additionally, scouts widely noted sudden death syndrome and white mold.

If hot and dry conditions in the Midwest continue and yield loss for soybeans increases, U.S. soybean supply will tighten further, resulting in stronger interior cash basis and a higher buy basis for co-ops, merchandisers and processors.

However, high temperatures late in the growing season are also associated with a higher soybean oil content, according to the U.S. Soybean Quality Annual Report.

Coincidentally, soybean oil prices are historically strong relative to soybean meal prices.

The soybean oil versus soybean meal price ratio, currently at a three on a pound-for-pound basis, continues to trade above historical averages, driven by the expansion in demand for renewable diesel.

Although hot temperatures during the growing season tend to reduce soybean protein levels and lower soybean meal values, the combination of higher oil extraction and higher soybean oil prices will be benefit processor margins.

Tanner Ehmke is lead economist for grains and oilseeds in CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange research division. This article was originally published by CoBank on Aug. 31.

USDA to measure milk production

Thousands of milk producers across the country, including approximately 500 producers in Arizona, Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming, will receive surveys from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) as the agency collects information for the October 2023 Milk Production Survey.

“The dairy industry is an important component of the Mountain Region’s agricultural economy, and it is crucial for all involved to have access to accurate data.” said Rodger Ott, NASS director at the Mountain Regional Field Office.

NASS conducts the Milk Production Survey every January, April, July and October. The survey asks producers to provide the number of milk cows in their herd, cows milked and total milk production for the first day of the month.

In addition to milk, the October survey will also ask producers to provide data on hay purchased to feed the dairy herd, herd replacement prices, as well as value per ton of corn silage on hand.

By participating in the survey, milk producers can ensure NASS provides timely, accurate and useful data all sectors of the U.S. milk industry can use to make sound

business decisions.

“At NASS, we have a strong commitment to respondent confidentiality,” Ott said. “We are required by law to protect the privacy of all responses and publish data only in aggregate form, ensuring no individual producer or operation can be identified.” Survey results will be published in the Quarterly Milk Production Report, released Oct. 19.

All NASS reports are available at nass.usda.gov/publications/

For state specific questions, contact USDA NASS Wyoming State Statistician Leslee Lohrenz at 800392-3202.

AG of Heart

BY AMANDA RADKE Man in the Arena

Last weekend, I had the exciting opportunity to be a seminar speaker leading up to a production sale with a live auction.

Of the hundreds of agricultural events I’ve presented at over the years, this was my first time speaking at a cattle sale, and I must say, it was both exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time.

It was exciting because these are “my people.” These are the folks who have dedicated their lives as stewards of land and livestock. They love the risks and rewards of the beef cattle business. They are in

the constant pursuit of raising the perfect animal by carefully selecting innovative, progressive genetics to move the breed forward.

It was also nerve-wracking because these are folks I highly respect and I greatly value their opinions. These are folks who are leading the industry, who have accomplished a great deal and who inspire me as a fellow beef producer.

And, it was largely nerve-wracking because I knew whatever I said on stage that day, I was setting the tone for the sale and determining if folks felt fired up and optimis-

MEAT continued from page 1

the top sirloin.

After graduation, Jepsen opened Butcher Solutions, LLC in Livingston, Mont. and specializes as a traveling butcher school and meat industry consultancy focused on hands-on meat science education.

A guide to cuts of beef

While shopping for beef cuts, many have probably wondered where the best cuts of beef come from, which piece is most tender or which is best to grill.

Meat is separated from the animal carcass in a primal cut – the first cut made in the butchering process. A beef carcass is initially divided into eight primal cuts.

According to the U.S.

Department of Agriculture (USDA), primal cuts are then divided into hundreds of sub-primal cuts, not to be confused with Prime cuts, which refer to a high-quality finished cut of beef.

Each cut’s flavor, tenderness and price are determined by the characteristics of the primal cut they originate from. Usually, the further away a muscle is from the horns and hooves, the more tender and pricier it is.

The loin primal contains the short loin and the sirloin, located behind the ribs at the top part of the cow, furthest away from the horns and hooves.

The USDA website shows sub-primal cuts from

tic about the beef industry or if they would have hesitations, worries or fears setting in as I laid out the challenges facing us in this industry we love.

Add to the nerves is the fact this production sale was being hosted by a young man and his family, and it was his first time putting on an auction sale at his farm.

If you’ve ever been on this end of things, you know the level of time, work and pressure that comes with hosting an event of this ilk and making it run smoothly, without a hitch.

The evening before the sale, a group of us were visiting in the barn, discussing the ups and downs of the business and our shared excitement for the sale day ahead. Our sale day host executed the weekend with such grace and professionalism one would have never guessed it was his first time putting on an auction sale.

However, he shared with

the loin primal are the tenderloin, strip loin, short loin and sirloin, and these cuts are highly regarded as some of the most tender on the entire animal. But, the top sirloin has been viewed as one of the lesser-value cuts.

Top sirloin is the transition from back to the rump of the animal and is viewed as less desirable, but recent research at UID has brought this sub-primal cut into the light of consumers.

Top sirloin research project

Jepsen conducted her thesis on profiling the muscles of the beef top sirloin and has discovered evidence the top sirloin should receive more attention.

“There are four muscles in the top sirloin sub-primal cut – biceps femoris, gluteus

me the neighbors doubted he could make it in the seedstock business. Critics were everywhere, and the naysayers were vocal.

Isn’t this how it goes though, in agriculture and in small towns?

If you push the envelope, try something new, work to expand, diversify or add value to what the farm has always done, you’ll get pushback from folks who can’t perceive it themselves, so they don’t imagine there’s any pathway for you to achieve it.

As I listened to his stories, I reminded him right now he was the “man in the arena.”

In 1910, President Theodore Roosevelt gave a prolific speech titled, “Man in the Arena.” In this speech, he talked about daring greatly, and no matter how many times I hear it, I’m still deeply moved by his words.

Roosevelt said, “It is not the critic who counts; not

medius, gluteus accessorius and gluteus profundus, and by separating the muscles individually before cutting steaks, the top sirloin muscles can then be better managed and merchandised,” Jepsen states.

She notes even if the top sirloin is selling well, the industry can dive deeper into dividing the four muscles up and bring more value to the sub-primal cut.

“The biceps femoris, also known as the top sirloin cap, is great as a grilling roast, while the gluteus medius, known as the top sirloin center cut, is less popular than the top sirloin cap due to the cap actually being more tender,” she says.

However, Jepsen and Bass agree the center cut should not be overlooked.

the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

For anyone reading this column today, I hope you will dare greatly. There may be challenges we must face and overcome in production agriculture, and there

Jepsen describes how to identify the seam of connective tissue running through the center-cut top sirloin, cut down this seam and effectively remove the “chewy stuff” from the equation.

“Performing this butchering technique turns the gluteus medius muscle into two very consistent roasts which can be prepared in this manner or cut into steaks resembling tenderloin filets known as ‘baseball top sirloin steaks,’” she adds.

Although top sirloin center-cut steaks are not as tender as the tenderloin, they are still considered “very tender” by USDA standards based on Jepsen’s research.

Jepsen notes, “The remaining muscles in the top sirloin are much smaller than previous cuts, and when combined, they make what is called the ‘mouse’ of

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are many who don’t want to work hard, who aren’t up for the task.

But, for the survivors who can withstand external pressures, who can keep a steady head and who can continue to the daily grind to get the job done – it’s those who will know victory. It’s those who will feel triumph of high achievement.

And if we fail, well, at least we gave it our all.

It’s ingrained in us as farmers and ranchers – this life we lead takes great courage. And I don’t know about you, but I’m going to keep daring greatly, to do things in this industry and for my family which dad, grandpa and great-grandpa could maybe never even envisioned possible.

Go be great, my friends. I’m cheering you on!

Amanda Radke is a rancher, author, motivational speaker and podcast host. For more information, visit amandaradke.com

the top sirloin. When separated, one of these two muscles turns out to be a readyto-grill steak that is also the most tender in the whole top sirloin.”

Jepsen’s research discovered the gluteus accessorius is about eight to 10 ounces naturally, which means it’s practically already portioned when it comes off of the carcass, and being so tender, it lends itself to the user-friendliness of the grill.

Before Jepsen’s research, the top sirloin was made into ground beef, and because of this study, the only thing remaining on the top sirloin for ground beef now is the last muscle – the gluteus profundus.

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

Comment period extended

The Sage Grouse Implementation Team (SGIT) has modified the draft sage grouse core area map after considering public comment. The updated map, DraftThree, is now available for public review and comment. The deadline to submit public comment is 5 p.m. on Sept. 19, and written comments will be accepted through a Google form, e-mailing bob.budd@wyo.gov or via hand mail to SGIT Chairman Bob Budd, Hathaway Building, Suite 161, 2300 Capitol Avenue, Cheyenne, WY 82002.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is in the process of reviewing and modifying its 2015 sage grouse management plans as ordered by a federal district court. For the past several months, SGIT has been updating the state of Wyoming’s sage grouse core map and will present the map as part of the proposed Wyoming alternative for the BLM to consider in their modified sage grouse management plan.

“SGIT has done remarkable and commendable work throughout the summer, and I encourage landowners, industry and the general public to review the updated draft map and provide public comment,” said Budd. “External groups will likely attempt to petition the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to list the sage grouse as endangered or threatened. The efforts the state of Wyoming is making through this mapping process is vital to present evidence a listing is not warranted.”

SGIT will review the comments and make a recommendation to the governor on a final map. The governor will formally submit the updated sage grouse core area map as part of the Wyoming alternative to the BLM for their selection.

Jim Purdy and Mantha Phillips

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Carole & Burke Baker III | Grindstone Cattle Company | Jim Roscoe | John & Kathleen McKinley Kelly & Liz Lockhart | King Ranch | Lazy Hanging G, LLC | Marissa Taylor | Steve & Sonja Sharkey Tracy & Liz Swanson | V Ranch

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Hosts TY Ranch - Cody, Danielle, Ryden, Creedly & Trailen Post

2023 Central States Fair, Aug. 18-26

All photos courtesy of Melissa Burke

Pen of Three – The Pen of Three Show allows ranchers to compete with each other as well as to exhibit a sample of their own range cattle. This pen of Grand Champion Angus Steer Calves averaged 797 pounds. They were brought to town by Jerry Hammerquist of Caputa, S.D.

Washed and dried – Wakonda, S.D.’s Ryan Crist, age 12, dries off his breeding goat doe entry after a bath. Ryan’s parents are Michael and Annie Crist.

Exhibitor anticipation – Thirteen-year-old Landon Harrod of Edgemont, S.D. and his Hereford breeding heifer wait for their class in the Central States Fair Youth Beef Show. His parents are Darrell and Tanya Harrod.

Goat showman – From Rozet, 15-year-old Liberty Cook fluffs the hair of her market wether before the Central State Fair’s Youth Goat Show. Her parents are Cole and Emmy Lou Cook.

Longhorn sale – The Fifth Annual Top Hand Texas Longhorn Sale boasted 75 lots. This pair sold as lot 33 for $2,700 to Shane Dye of Alliance, Neb. They were consigned by James and Candette Hammond of Big Springs, Neb.

– Overall Grand Champion Heifer honors went to Kendall Sellman, age 12, with her Maintainer heifer. Kendall and her parents, Ryan and Sandi Sellman, are from Chadron, Neb.

Grand

Hydrated hog – Fifteen-year-old Dakota Vrbas of Kimball, Neb. makes sure her breeding gilt stays hydrated. Aubrey and Farris Vrbas are her parents.

Practice and exercise – Tanner and Joey Stoltz exercise their market wether entries after arriving from Norfolk, Neb. Dave and Laura Stoltz are their parents.

Showtime preparations – Fifteen-year-old Zane Downey of Whitehall, Mont. applies spray product to the legs of his market gilt. Zane’s parents are Levi and Corie Downey.

Champion honors

their winter feedgrounds –be they drylots or a specific area in a field – should begin with manure.

In the spring, many producers use a drag to break up and spread out large volumes of manure in their fields.

However, if this hasn’t previously been done or producers are using a corral, Keena says, “An easy place to start is pushing up manure in the winter feeding areas. Making stockpiles of manure allows the pen or field surface to dry. It also allows the manure to start heating, reducing total volume and, in turn, deducting total loads hauled when removed.”

If animals are still present in the area, Cronin explains fly control via manure management is also important.

“Flies lay their eggs in the top few inches of manure, and the eggs hatch every seven days,” she writes. “By pushing the manure into a pile and turning the piles, one can compost manure and stay ahead of the fly cycle.”

Manure may also give rise to unwanted weeds.

In Cronin’s article, NDSU Extension Agent Penny Nester explains mowing weeds repetitively can reduce their competitive ability, deplete carbohydrate reserves in their roots

and reduce seed production, all while killing annual and biennial weeds and suppressing perennial weeds.

Additionally, Nester says producers may control weeds with the use of herbicides, noting it is best to apply chemical to young weeds because they are able to absorb it more effectively than mature weeds.

“Herbicide can also be effective to treat actively growing weeds in the weeks following mowing,” writes Cronin.

“Ideal temperatures for applying most herbicides are between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit,” Cronin continues. “Avoid applying volatile herbicides such as 2,4-D ester, MCPA ester and dicamba during hot weather, especially near susceptible broadleaf crops, shelterbelts or farmsteads.”

Formulating a winter feed plan

In addition to preparing feedgrounds, producers should also take some time to formulate their winter feeding plan in advance.

A common suggestion from experts in the field is to begin by body condition scoring cows and sorting them into multiple production groups in order to provide “custom” dietary plans to meet differing nutritional requirements.

“Body condition scoring cows is the most cost effective management tool producers have. It can help them decide when to strategically improve the nutritional plane to get optimal production and reproduction,” states North Carolina State (NC State) University Ruminant Nutrition Extension Specialist Matt Moore in an article published by NC State Extension on Oct. 16, 2018.

Moore also encourages producers to pencil out how many days they will likely be feeding and evaluate their forage inventory.

“Each lactating cow will need about three percent of body weight per day of hay, which includes waste. This means small cows will need

about 33 pounds of hay and large cows might need as much as 40 pounds of hay daily,” he explains.

“Knowing how much cows weigh is one factor producers will need to know to calculate an accurate feed budget,” Moore adds. “If they have other livestock, they also need to plan for their hay needs, and can do so by figuring four percent of body weight for sheep or goats and 2.5 percent of body weight for horses.”

After determining how much hay they will need to get through the winter, producers should then inventory their forage supply by counting bales on hand, estimating bale weight and testing nutritional quality.

“Usually grazed forages

will meet the needs of a lactating beef cow with moderate milk production. However, it is very common for hay to be harvested late or under poor drying conditions, resulting in forage not up to the requirements of a typical beef cow,” says Moore.

He notes a mature cow generally requires about 60 percent total digestible nutrient (TDN) and 11 percent protein. However, an average hay crop usually tests near 50 percent TDN and 10 percent protein, meaning the herd will need further supplementation.

Producers may consider purchasing protein tubs, byproduct blends, corn gluten feed or whole cottonseed.

“If a producer comes up significantly short of hay, they will need to do something to balance their budget,” he says. “One strategy would be to sell off some cows or other cattle and use the funds to build hay supply. The other option is to buy hay, and because supply is likely to be short, I strongly recommend doing it before cold weather arrives.”

“I would strongly suggest testing hay before buying a whole lot and also weighing some bales so producers know what they are paying for,” he concludes. Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

WYLR photo

SWINE continued from page 1

swine farm in 1980.”

“PSaV is a genomic organization of a single-stranded, positive-sense RNA genome and shares illustrations of its structure,” Wang continues. “PSaV’s classification includes 19 genogroups, of which eight infect pigs.”

According to SHIC, “Current testing to diagnose PSaV includes histopathology, PCR and RNAscope. However, there is no treatment for PSaV.”

Symptoms SHIC explains, “PSaV, a calicivirus, has been detected in swine with or without diarrhea and coinfection is common. However, PSaV has been identified as the sole cause of diarrhea in some outbreaks and infection but is often subclinical, occurring most frequently during the postweaning period.”

Diarrhea can be mild to severe and is usually selflimiting, although it may result in productivity and efficiency setbacks.

“Swine of all growing stages can be infected with PSaV, but young and postweaning pigs have a higher infection rate than other age groups,” SHIC continues.

AASV advises, “A definitive lab diagnosis is necessary to know which pathogen or combination of pathogens cause clinical disease in a swine herd.”

Marcelo Almeida, DVM, PhD and assistant professor at Iowa State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine explains, “The epidemiology of PSaV shows it can be detected in pigs both with and without diarrhea, and detection does not equal causation.”

He continues, “PSaV detection rates are higher during suckling and nursery phases and transmission is fecal-oral.”

“Early detection of

PSaV in piglets is common, but questions remain on surrounding sow-to-piglet transmission and environmental contamination,” he concludes.

Raising awareness

A Nebraska-based swine veterinarian at ArkCare, Dr. Tom Petznick, fielded questions from pork producers regarding PSaV at the July Nebraska Pork Expo and participated in the August webinar with SHIC and AASV.

“It is indistinguishable in my eyes to identify it in the crate,” Petznick states.

“Looking at it from weaning to day seven, it can look like coccidia, rotavirus or a combination of them, but if a producer is still fighting it from day seven to 21, signs point to it being PSaV.”

“In my experience with PSaV, the disease was selflimiting at or shortly after weaning with high morbidity and low mortality, and the pigs didn’t respond to treatment,” he shares.

“While there was low mortality, affected pigs exhibited 1.5 pounds of lost weaning weight, and for some pigs who were too light at weaning, morbidity was a variable.”

Petznick continues, “The pursuit of a diagnosis continues with collaboration from Iowa State University’s Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, Sequivity, the producer and SHIC, as the next generation sequencing unexpectedly found PSaV, which has not been identified in U.S. herds for decades.”

Prevention and awareness

SHIC notes, “Cleaning and disinfection are important to prevent PSaV outbreak, and sick pigs should be isolated to minimize disease spread as PSaV is stable in environments and can survive at high temperatures and in acidic conditions. But,

Crop prices reported

According to Farm Futures, corn prices traded flat to two cents per bushel higher on Sept. 7. Brazil’s food agency, CONAB, announced the South American country’s 2022-23 corn harvest is likely to top 5.189 billion bushels as its harvesting activities come to a close.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) estimate of 5.315 billion bushels is still higher, but the market interpreted this news as mostly bearish as freshly harvested U.S. and Brazilian corn supplies begin to flood the international market.

Soybean prices fell three to five cents per bushel overnight as harvest progress ramps up in the U.S. and bargain buyers swooped in to take advantage of price gains. Strong competition from Brazil and worries about Chinese demand ahead of peak U.S. soybean export season also contributed to the bearish price action in the soy market.

Chicago and Kansas City wheat prices drifted two to five cents per bushel lower on Sept. 7 as global markets remain satiated by Russian and Ukrainian wheat supplies. Harvest is wrapping up on spring wheat crops in the Northern Plains, but the yield losses expected from late summer drought are keeping Minneapolis futures trading one to two cents per bushel higher.

PSaV is inactivated by using a solution of sodium hypochlorite at 2.5 milligrams per liter and leaving it on for 30 minutes.”

Petznick continues discussing PSaV on the SDRS webinar and describes a PSaV outbreak he has been involved in.

“What prompted us to do an investigation is we had done previous diagnostic work which would commonly show minimal amount of rotavirus or we couldn’t find coccidiosis, and we kept getting lesions similar to what one would see with rotavirus,” Petznick says.

“It was put to the challenge by the owner to fix this,” he states. “It was a

very clean herd at the time – triple negative pigs – but it just wasn’t acceptable where we were at with weaning weights.”

“After implementing environmental sanitation and controlled or timed exposure in an unsuccessful effort to control the PSaV outbreak, further investigation led to vaccination efforts,” Petznick notes.

Petznick recalls, “It was costing the producer one to two pounds of growth per pig at weaning, so we used next-generation sequencing to isolate the pathogen’s genetic code and we were able to develop an initial vaccine.”

In this field trial, Petznick observed almost

For more information regarding PSaV, visit swineheatlh.org.

complete disappearance of diarrhea and increased weaning weights when a four-step process included reviewing previous data, identifying the sample subject, analyzing fecal shedding versus weaning weight and performing a vaccine field trial.

He concludes, “Prescription vaccine platforms have favorable efficacy and are available to manage PSaV, but other practical management strategies should be utilized as well.”

He notes he intends to survey producers to learn more about the incidence

Austin Snook • 307-290-2161

Taylor Snook • 307-290-2273

Craig Deveraux • 307-746-5690

Dan Catlin • 406-671-7715

Clint Snook • 307-290-4000

Cheyenne Seymour • 605-641-0638

of PSaV infections and also to raise awareness of their impact on production.

For over 25 years, Petznick has successfully met client needs through a balance of science-based and practical approaches to livestock health and is respected as a leader in PSaV research and will receive the 2023 Science in Practice Award at the Allen D. Leman Swine Conference in September. Melissa Anderson is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

Weston Garrett • 605-210-1629

Casey Sellers • 307-217-2614

Jim Forbes • 307-351-5932

Tye Curuchet • 307-351-8666

Daniel Escoz • 307-217-1440

Kade Kinghorn • 307-620-0525

Auctioneer: Curt Westland • 605-210-3329

Market Report • September 6, 2023

the ring, to the video, and in the country, we market

livestock the competitive way."

“Early detection of PSaV in piglets is common, but questions remain on surrounding sowto-piglet transmission and environmental contamination.” – Marcelo Almeida

Sept. 10-13 2023 National Association of State Departments of Agriculture Annual Meeting, Cheyenne. For more information, visit nasda.org

Sept. 11 Sage Grouse Implementation Team Meeting, 11 a.m., Pronghorn Center, Gillette College, Gillette. For more information, call Will Schultz at 307-3212438.

Sept. 11-15 University of Wyoming Extension Geodesic Dome Greenhouse Construction School, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Laramie. For more information, contact Jeff Edwards at jedward4@uwyo.edu or call 307-837-2956.

Sept. 12 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Waters of the U.S. Update Webinar, online. For more information, visit epa.gov

Sept. 13 2023 Commercial Cattlemen’s Symposium, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., DoubleTree by Hilton, Denver, Colo. To register, visit rdangus.org

Sept. 13-14 Montana Wool Growers Association Annual Ram and Ewe Sale, Miles City, Mont. or online at frontierlivesale.com. For more information, visit mtsheep.org

Sept. 14-16 South Dakota Angus Tour, meet in Rapid City, S.D. For more information or to register, contact Tyrell Dieters at turtleccreekangus@hotmail.com or call 605-748-2404.

Sept. 15-16

Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Casper. For more information, visit wyomingcowboyhalloffame.org

Sept. 16 Arapaho Traditional Ecological Knowledge Presentation, 1 p.m., National Historic Trails Interpretive Center, Casper. For more information, visit blm. gov/learn/interpretive-centers/national-historic-trails-interpretive-center or call 307-261-7700.

Sept. 16 Bureau of Land Management Cody Field Office and Absaroka Fence Initiative’s National Public Lands Day, 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Clark’s Fork, Yellowstone River, Cody. For more information or to register for the event, visit absarokafenceinitiative.org/events, e-mail absarokafenceinitative@gmail.com or call the Cody Field Office at 307-578-5900.

Sept. 16-17 Ranch Horse Weekend, Hansen Arena, University of Wyoming, Laramie. For more information, contact Jenny Ingwerson-Niemann at jingwers@uwyo.edu.

Sept. 16-17 Rapid City Gun Show, Monument Event Center, Rapid City, SD. For more information, call 605-391-8843.

Sept. 19 Bureau of Land Management Public Meeting, 3-6 p.m., Lyman Branch Library, Lyman. For more information, contact Kimberlee Foster, field manager at the Rock Springs Field Office, at 307-352-0201.

Sept. 23 Making Fort Bonneville Presentation, 1 p.m., National Historic Trails Interpretive Center, Casper. For more information, visit blm.gov/learn/interpretivecenters/national-historic-trails-interpretive-center or call 307-261-7700.

Sept. 26 Bureau of Land Management Public Meeting, 3-6 p.m., Big Piney and Marbleton Town Hall, Big Piney. For more information, contact Kimberlee Foster, field manager at the Rock Springs Field Office, at 307-352-0201.

Sept. 27 Bureau of Land Management Public Meeting, 3-6 p.m., Rock Springs Field Office, Rock Springs. For more information, contact Kimberlee Foster, field manager at the Rock Springs Field Office, at 307-352-0201.

Sept. 30 Timber Dan Fall Toy Show and Sale, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., First National Bank Exhibition Building, Larimer County Fairgrounds, Loveland, Colo. For more information, visit lovelandlionsclubs.org/sites/ToyShow.htm

Oct. 2-4 Montana State University Extension Pesticide Education Program, Northwest Montana. For more information, visit montana.edu/extension/pesticides/ events/2023pmt.html or call 406-994-5067.

Oct. 4-8 Annual Trailing of the Sheep Festival, Ketchum, Idaho. For more information, visit trailingofthesheep.org

Oct. 13-14 32nd Annual Old West Days and Nebraska Cowboy Poetry Gathering, Valentine, Neb. For more information and tickets, visit oldwestdays.net or call 1-833-693-7638.

Oct. 16-19 International Dairy Federation 2023 World Dairy Summit, Chicago, Ill. For more information, visit idfa.org

Oct. 19-20 American Hereford Association Annual Meeting, Kansas City, Mo. For more information, visit hereford.org

Big horn Basin

Worland, WY

Redland, Adam - Burlington

1 Blk Cow, 1365# $10000

Davidson, Peter - Burlington

1 Blk Cow, 1525# $10000

Whitt,

Sept. 9-12

2 Red Cows, avg. 1378# $10150

Denvir, Margaret - Cody

1 BWF Cow, 1160# $10450

1 Blk Cow, 1310# $10200

Herman, Jordan - Hyattville

1 Blk Cow, 1225# $10300

Sorensen, Aaron - Riverton

1 Blk Cow, 1390# $10250

1 Blk Cow, 1185# $10200

Reindl Quarter Horses and Comp Quarter Horses Second Annual Online Horse Sale, prohorseservices.com/internet-auctions/, 605-840-8286, 605496-4873

Sept. 12 95th Annual Wyoming State Ram Sale, Wyoming State Fairgrounds, Douglas, 307-265-5250, wyowool.com/ramsale

Sept. 12 Western Video Market, Haythorn Land & Cattle Co., Ogallala, Neb., 530-3473793, wvmcattle.com

Sept. 14 Cattle Country Video Cheyenne Roundup Sale, Cheyenne Frontier Days Event Center, Cheyenne, 888-322-8853, cattlecountryvideo.com

Sept. 15-16 27th Annual Van Norman Production Sale, Elko County Fairgrounds, Elko, Nev., 775-756-6508, 775-934-7404, vannormansale.com

Sept. 17 21st Annual Sugar Bars Legacy Sale, Sheridan County Fairgrounds, Sheridan, 406-812-0084, sugarbarslegacy.com

Sept. 18 Northern Livestock Video Auction Fall Premier, 866-616-5035, northernlivestockvideo.com

Oct. 6-7 National Ram and Ewe Sale, Heber, Utah, nationalramsale.com

Oct. 13-15 26th Annual Fall Colt & Yearling Catalog Sale & Futurity, Farmers and Ranchers Livestock Commission Co., Salina, Kan., 785-826-7884, 785493-2901, 785-825-0211

Oct. 25 Micheli Ranch Bull Sale, at the ranch, Ft. Bridger, 307-252-0437, 307-7477786, 307-747-3897, 307-780-8232, micheliranch.com

Nov. 5 Triangle J Ranch Harvest Select Female Sale, at the ranch, Miller, Neb., 308-457-2505, 308-627-5085, trianglejranch.com

Nov. 6 Pharo Cattle Company Sale, Burlington, Colo., 800-311-0995, pharocattle.com

Nov. 13 Ludvigson Stock Farms Elite Bred Angus Females Sell, Billings, Mont., 406-601-9192, ludvigsonstockfarms.com

Nov. 18 Pharo Cattle Company Sale, Three Forks, Mont., 800-311-0995, pharocattle.com

Nov. 21 Paint Rock Angus Annual Fall Sale, at the ranch, Hyattville, 307-469-2206, 307-271-2000, 307-272-5332, 307-578-7392, paintrockangus.com

Nov. 28 Ward Livestock Fifth Annual Red White & Blue Bull Sale, at the ranch, Laramie, 307-399-9863

Dec. 2 T-Heart Ranch High Altitude Female Sale, at the ranch, LaGarita, Colo., 719-850-3082, 719-850-3083, t-heartranch.com

Dec. 4 Pharo Cattle Company Sale, Valentine, Neb., 800-311-0995, pharocattle.com

Dec. 5 ZumBrunnen Angus Annual Bull & Female Production Sale, at the ranch, Lusk, 307-216-0198, 307-334-2265, zbangus.com

Dec. 5 Western Video Market, Silver Legacy, Reno, Nev., 530-347-3793, wvmcattle.com

Dec. 8 Bowman Cattle Ranch-Ready Rugged 2-Year-Old Bull Sale, Sugar Valley Stockyards, Gering, Neb., 307-287-6503, 307-575-4992, bowmancattle.com

Dec. 12 Rock Lake Angus Production Sale, at the ranch, Wheatland, 307-331-1175, 406-600-7514, rocklakeangus.com

Jan. 13 Rafter T Angus Annual Bull Sale, Buffalo Livestock Marketing, Buffalo, 307736-2415, 307-299-4569, raftertangus.com

Jan. 16 Ken Haas Angus 43rd Annual Right Combination Bull Sale, at the ranch, LaGrange, 307-834-2356, kenhaasangus.com

POSTCARD from the Past

Compiled by Dick Perue rrichardperue@gmail.com

A Vicious Cycle For Deer Herd

This week’s Postcard is a repeat from 2011, but is more relevant today than back then.

It was inspired by the great articles in the Special Mule Deer Issue of Wyoming Wildlife – one of the finest publications in the country. The entire September issue should be required reading for every wildlife lover in the country – hunter, non-hunter, observer or illegal feeder.

More than 10 years ago I wrote:

“It’s just a vicious cycle going from too many mule deer to not enough,” a pioneer hunter quipped this week after reading the hometown newspaper, which

reported meetings being held in order to determine why the deer herd in Southcentral Wyoming is down, while an article from 50 years ago in Reflections reports there are too many deer.

The headline in the Sept. 28, 1961 Saratoga Sun reads:

Clubs ask Game and Fish to drop 15-day doe season here

The possible depletion of our mule deer population through excessive big game seasons and multiple deer area and season extension was the major topic of two recent meetings here.

Last Thursday night the Saratoga Lions Club

took action on this issue, and Tuesday evening the Platte Valley Game and Fish met in a special session to review the situation.

Both groups felt the proposed 15-day doe season from Nov. 1-15 should be discontinued by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. This decision was reached in light of the recent expansion of the three-deer area to most of the east side of the Upper North Platte River Valley and the extension of a season to Sept. 30.

Several of the ranchers, guides, hunters and businessmen at both meetings felt the reduction in the local deer population has already been adequate.

The recommendations of the Lions Club and the Platte Valley Game and Fish have been forwarded to the Wyoming Game and Fish Commissioners. Action on changing any established season must be taken by the commissioners at either a special or regular meeting.

Rep & Auctioneer • (307)

Mule deer were everywhere in the late 1960s and early 1970s, especially on the Sanger Ranch, southeast of Saratoga. Photo courtesy of the Sanger family. From the Dick Perue/ Bob Martin collection. Historical Reproductions by Perue

MARKETS

Compiled from USDA Market News Service information and other sources

FOR THE WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 8, 2023

FOR THE WEEK ENDING May 24, 2019

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

Source: USDA AMS Livestock, Poultry & Grain Market News, Greeley, CO

National Sheep Summary

As of September 1, 2023

Compared to last week traditional slaughter lambs 10.00-11.00 lower, others mostly steady to 20.00 higher, except at New Holland, PA steady to 10.00 lower. Feeder lambs 6.00-25.00 higher. At San Angelo, TX 5,513 head sold. No sales in Equity Cooperative Auction. In direct trading slaughter ewes and feeder lambs not tested. 3,865 lamb carcasses traded with no trend due to confidentiality. All sheep sold per hundred weight (CWT) unless specified.

Slaughter Lambs: Choice and Prime 2-3 San Angelo: wooled and shorn 115-130 lbs 161.00-170.00.

Ft. Collins: wooled and shorn 100-145 lbs 170.00-210.00; 150185 lbs 175.00.

South Dakota: wooled and shorn 100-150 lbs 200.00-220.00; 150-155 lbs 215.00-218.00.

Replacement Ewes: Medium and Large 1-2

San Angelo: hair ewe lambs 70-100 lbs 180.00-234.00/cwt, 100-115 lbs 160.00-168.00/cwt; young hair 80-125 lbs 110.00127.50/cwt.

Ft. Collins: no test.

South Dakota: no test.

Billings: yearlings 128 lbs 165.00/cwt; young 130-140 lbs 61.00-80.00/cwt.

Sheep and lambs slaughter under federal inspection for the week to date totaled 33,000 compared with 32,000 last week and 34,000 last year.

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

As of September 1, 2023

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

5 AREA WEEKLY WEIGHTED CATTLE

Source: USDA- CO Dept of Ag Market News Service, Greeley, CO

As of September 7, 2023

Compared to last week all reported hay sales sold steady. Demand was light to moderate. Most producers in the east are on third cutting of hay. In the central and west producers are on second cutting of alfalfa. There might be a few producers in the central and west that will get a few acres of third cutting put up but Mother Nature will have the final decision.

190.00; 95 lbs 190.00. Slaughter Ewes

San Angelo: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) no test; Good 2-3 (fleshy)

74.00-80.00, hair 72.00-84.00; Utility and Good 1-3 (medium flesh) 66.00-78.00, hair 63.00-84.00; Utility 1-2 (thin) 53.00-

68.00, hair 60.00-74.00; Cull and Utility 1-2 (very thin) 40.00, hair 40.00-54.00; Cull 1 30.00-42.00.

Ft. Collins: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) 70.00-97.50; Good 2-3

(fleshy) 62.50-95.00; Utility 1-2 (thin) no test; Cull 1 no test

South Dakota: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) 30.00-60.00; Good 2-3

(fleshy) 40.00-60.00, hair 70.00; Utility 1-2 (thin) 25.00-50.00; Cull

3x4 175-180

Square 265 Alfalfa - Fair/Good

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

As of September 7, 2023

Compared to last week all reported hay sold steady. Demand was light in most areas expect good demand was noted in eastern parts of the state. Silage chopping and baling cane or millet hay is in full swing.

talks of high moisture corn harvest starting in the next couple of weeks. Hot and dry weather across most of the state the last seven days burning up grass pastures and dry land crops. Some producers have been bailing drought soybeans for hay instead of combining it.

The latest markets data can be found by visiting USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service at https://www.ams.usda.gov/market-news

Ask

Angus

200 BLACK ANGUS BRED

HEIFERS: South Dakota origin, OCVD, exposed to proven LBW Black Angus bulls for 45 days. Start calving Feb. 1, 2024. References available. Call 785-3941955 (cell), 785-394-2374 (home) or 785-731-5067 9/23

Notice Events

Help Wanted Help Wanted

Services

300 BRED BLACK ANGUS

NOTICE: Publication in this newspaper does not guarantee the legitimacy of any offer or solicitation. Take reasonable steps to evaluate an offer before you send money or provide personal/financial information to an advertiser. If you have questions or believe you have been the victim of fraud, contact the Wyoming Attorney General’s Office, Consumer Protection Unit, 109 Capitol Building, Cheyenne, WY 82002, 307-7776397 TFN

RAPID CITY GUN SHOW:

Sept. 16, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sept. 17, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Monument Event Center, Rapid City, S.D. 57701. Buy, sell and trade, $5 daily admission. For more information, call 605-391-8843 9/9

TIMBER DAN TOY SHOW & SALE, LOVELAND, CO SEPT. 30, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The Loveland Lions Club Fall Timber Dan Toy Show and Sale of vintage, antique and collectible toys will be held Sat., Sept. 30 at the First National Bank Exhibition Building, Larimer County Fairgrounds (The Ranch, 5280 Arena Circle, Loveland, CO). 200+ tables and over 70 dealers from 9 different states. Admission $5. Early entry before public from 7-9 a.m., $10. For more information, contact Sherlyn Sampson, 970-663-9392, e-mail sks80538@gmail.com or visit website at www.lovelandlionsclubs.org/sites/ToyShow. htm or Facebook at Loveland

Lions Clubs/Events 9/9

Help Wanted

FULL-TIME POSITION AVAILABLE ON A WELL-ESTABLISHED FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED COW/CALF OPERATION IN THE SOUTHERN BIG HORNS OF WYOMING:

Duties include calving, feeding, care and management of livestock, irrigating, operating haying equipment, fencing and general ranch duties. Housing provided. Competitive wage. Must have experience and references. Call/text Ann, 307431-0594 9/16

HOT SPRINGS COUNTY

WEED & PEST DISTRICT IS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE POSITION OF RANGE MANAGER: The position is in Thermopolis, WY. Send letter of application, resume and 3 references to: Hot Springs County Weed & Pest District, PO Box 543, Thermopolis, WY 82443. For additional information, call 307-921-0574. Hot Springs County Weed & Pest is an EOE 9/16

HELP WANTED: Five years plus cattle handling experience. All aspects of ranch operations: Irrigation, haying, feeding, cattle stewardship and horseback skills. Housing, benefits and salary. Only serious, committed candidates should apply. Eastern Oregon cow/calf operation. Send resumes to lisa.steele@ pvranch.com 9/23

FORTRESS DEVELOPMENT

SOLUTIONS NOW HIRING FOR THE FOLLOWING PO-

SITIONS: Ranch hand ● CDL

A with tanker endorsement

WEAVE Got Your Back!

Solar Water Pumping Systems

AGRI-ONE FINANCIAL: Farm/ ranch and all commercial loans. RATES AS LOW AS 5%. We have been helping with all aspects of agricultural, commercial financing and management for years. LET US HELP YOU on a consulting level with management to increase profitability, deal with and fix credit problems and for all your financing needs. WE CARE AND HAVE WORKING PROGRAMS designed for the farmer/rancher and not the banker. Please call Steve, 303-773-3545 or check out our website, www.agrionefinancial.com. I will come to you and get the job done!! 9/9

Cattle

COMPLETE DISPERSION OF 300 COWS: Home raised balancers. 7/8 Angus and 1/8 Gelbvieh. Sired by top-end Dave Lensegrav bulls. CONSIGNED TO SELL SEPT. 18 via Northern Video Auction. For more information, call Doug Gardner, 406-853-4217, Tyler Gardner, 406-670-9859 or Dan Catlin, 406-671-7715 9/9

SMALL HERD OF AMERICAN DEXTER CATTLE FOR SALE.

Registered: One bull and 3 cows. Full bloods: Seven cows, heifers, calves all bred back. Two cows no calves. Will sell together or individually. Steamboat, CO. Call 970-879-5811 or e-mail czeller2014@gmail. com 9/9

3- TO 4-YEAR-OLDS: $3,000/ head. Ready to ship in November from Riverton, WY. Guaranteed bred at shipping. These girls have spent the summer on good, high elevation grass in Cora, WY raising a great set of calves. In October the calves will be weaned and the cows will be ultrasound tested, receive vaccinations and bled so they are guaranteed to be brucellosis free. Bred to Black Angus bulls for 60 days to start calving the 20th of March. Feeding options available. Call 307709-2375 with any questions. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 9/30

BULLS FOR SALE

Registered

Brands

WALKING M REGISTERED WYOMING BRAND: Renewed to March 1, 2031, RRC, RSS, RTH, single iron, branding iron included. $5,000 OBO. Call 307-714-2484 9/30

REGISTERED WYOMING BRAND: LRC, single iron, dues paid to March 1, 2027, iron available. $10,000. Call 307-5750681 9/16

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR

A REALLY NICE SET OF BLACK BRED HEIFERS, WE HAVE SOME FOR YOU!!

Custom Feeding

WINTERING COWS IN FORSYTH, MT: Developing heifers and backgrounding calves. Call Joe at 406-930-2645 9/30

CALF BACKGROUNDING, PASTURE AND feedlot options available. ALSO, seeking cows on shares from now until 2024. Hemingford, NE. Call Ian, 307421-9116 9/30

● Heavy duty tow truck operator

● CDL A/B

● Tree spade operator

● Heavy haul driver

● Forage harvester operator

● Equipment operators ● Operator tractors & yellow iron

YOUR FAMILY AND PROPERTY PROTECTORS ARE WAITING!! We have beautiful guardians just wanting and waiting to make you their priority!! Please don’t postpone your next best friend, companion and protector. $1,000. ALSO, new litter ready now. Have been raising these fantastic LGD for 48 years. For more information, call 406-207-7674 9/23

REGISTERED BORDER COL-

LIE PUPPIES AVAILABLE!!

These girls have spent the summer on good, high elevation grass in Daniel, WY. They are bred to Vermillion heifer bulls for 60 days to start calving the 20th of March. At the end of September they will be ultrasound tested in 30 day cycles, receive vaccinations and bled so they are guaranteed to be brucellosis free. Pick up in Riverton, WY in November. $2,800/head. 400 available. Feeding options available. Call 307-709-2375 with any questions. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 9/30

BLACK CALVES FOR SALE:

CUSTOM FEEDING, BACKGROUNDING, HEIFER DEVELOPMENT AND COW WINTERING, bedded pens. Billings, MT. Call Ryan at 406-696-0104 11/11

● Zero turn mower operator

● Farm operators

● Certified herbicide applicator

● Night

● General laborers/roustabout

gate guard

● Safety admin

● Safety coordinator ● 23691 CR 60 1/2, Greeley, CO 80631, 970-353-6666, griselda.islas@fortressds.com, www. fortressds.com 9/16

Mission Falls Ranch is a familyowned business that has been raising registered working border collies for over 30 years. We produce great family dogs with good temperament and drive for herding, agility, SAR or fun. Call 406-552-3354 or check out our available litters at www.missionfallsranch.net 9/9

1,000 head of 400 weight black steers and heifers. These calves spent the summer in Cora, WY. They have had all of their shots at branding: Enforce 3, One Shot, Vision 7 with Somnus, Multilin 90 and poured with Dectomax. They will be weaned the end of September and will get all of these shots again along with a shot of Draxin. Pick up in Riverton, WY in November. Feeding options available. Call 307-709-2375 with any questions. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 9/30

Horses

FOR SALE: 11-year-old, light sorrel Belgian stallion. Sire is Final CD Mike and Dam’s sire is Belle Planes Rocky. Worked on farm, well broke. Non-carrier of JEB. $9,000. Call Samuel Hershberger, 307-271-1881 9/23

FOR SALE: PEPPYDOCS SHINEY NIC. Four-year-old registered palomino Quarter Horse mare, 14 HH, 90 days of professional training with reined cow horse trainer. Still green and needs work, stands for baths and farrier. $5,500 OBO. Call for complete details, 970-6162311 9/16

Saddles & Tack

BACK TO SCHOOL SAVINGS!!

Large selections with great prices!! HONDO, BOULET, JUSTIN WORK BOOTS, TWISTED X (boots and shoes) and more!! PURSES, belts, WALLETS, socks etc. WE CAN ship!! Shop Moss Saddles, Boots and Tack, 4648 West Yellowstone Highway, Casper, WY, 307-472-1872. Our family serving yours for 50 years!! Check us out on Facebook or our website 9/9

TUCKER OLD WEST TRAIL

SADDLE: 17.5 in seat size. Wool contoured saddle pad. Bridle, bit, reins, breast strap. Western skirt, wide tree, brown. KING RANCH wooden saddle stand. Never been used, mint condition. ALSO, 1 very old hand carved yoke for oxen and 1 very old hand carved yoke for cattle, acquired in Spain. Cody, WY. For more information, call 307-272-8520 9/23

Leatherwork

LS CUSTOM LEATHER: Belts, tack, cell phone cases and much more!! Contact Lester, 307-6311053, leave a message. Located in Riverton, WY 9/9

Sheep

LAMB SCAN

SHEEP & GOAT ULTRASOUND TODD REINESCH

605-680-4719

25317 364th Avenue

Kimball, SD 57355 rchoice@midstatesd.net

FINE WOOL TARGHEE YEAR-

LING BUCKS FOR SALE: 35 big, growthy, open faced, all natural, not pushed and range raised. Born May 2022. ALSO, 150 HEAD TARGHEE YEAR-

LING EWES, approximately 135150 lbs., fine wool, open faced, range raised and growthy, born May 2022. For more information, call 605-866-4828 (home) or 605892-5872 (cell) if no answer leave message 9/30

YEARLING RAMS FOR SALE. Call Russell Bell at 307-6804950 9/16

GERDES HAMPSHIRES HAS 30 REGISTERED PUREBRED

HAMPSHIRE RAMS: Born in the fall of 2022 and winter of 2023. Our rams are fast growing with plenty of depth, muscle and bone. These are wether-type Hampshires without excessive leg length but possess tremendous thickness of loin and leg. Rams are sired by stud rams that we purchased from leading Hampshire sheep breeders at national sales and are sired by sons of Unicorn and Jackalope. For more information, call 402-760-0104. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 9/9

SEVEN INTACT KATAHDIN RAM LAMBS, 50 lbs. Will sell separately. First come, first served, asking $250 each. Located in Sundance, WY. Call 970398-0017 to reserve 9/9

SHORT GRASS GENETICS would like to invite all sheep producers to the Wyoming State Ram Sale. Come inspect our high-quality yearling Targhee rams. For more information contact JD 307-247-2296 or Karen 307-939-1393 9/30

Sheep

SUFFOLK AND SUFFOLK/ HAMPSHIRE CROSS RANGE RAMS: Yearling rams available. B. ovis and scrapie free. Vet checked and semen tested. Ready to work, $600/ head. Raised in eastern Montana for nearly 30 years. Delivery options. Call or text Gibbs Range Rams, Pat, 406-9772852, Jordan, MT 9/30

Hay & Feed

HAY FOR SALE: 2023 alfalfa, alfalfa/grass mix, oat/pea mix, intermediate grass and CRP. ALSO, two loads of 2022 CRP grass mix, cut early, good green. All in net-wrapped round bales. Semi load delivery available. Call for pricing, 701-690-8116, send a text if no answer or keep trying 9/30

2023 CUTTING HAY CROP: Put up dry in large round bales, several tons available. $190/ ton, Bar Cross Ranch. Call Katie, 307-699-7375, please leave message 9/9

LOTS AND LOTS OF HAY FOR SALE!!! 1,350 lb. round bales, net wrapped. Grass/alfalfa mix, native grass, brome grass, straight alfalfa… Sheridan, WY area. Come and get it!! For pricing, call the ranch, 307-737-2680 or 702-5014243 (cell) 9/30

1,000 LARGE ROUND GRASS

BALES: No rain, $130/ton. Call Pete Bertolino at Roberts, MT, 406-425-1351 9/30

2023 CUTTING HAY CROP: Put up dry in large round bales, several tons available. $180/ ton, Bar Cross Ranch. Call Katie, 307-699-7375, please leave message 9/30

FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD

CUTTING ALFALFA HAY: No rain, big, heavy net-wrapped round bales. Delivery available. Call 605-848-1563 9/16

BARLEY STRAW: Small bales or big round bales. ALSO, horse hay, small bales or big rounds. West Billings, MT. Call 406-6566896 9/30

ROUND BALED GRASS HAY FOR SALE: Cody, WY area, 1,000 lb. net-wrapped bales, $70/bale. Call, don’t text, Anthony at 307-254-2645 9/23

WANTED!!! High Valley Feed Mill, Antonito, CO is looking for 30 SEMI LOADS OF WHOLE CORN for 2024. Will pickup if needed. Call 719843-0182 9/30

PREMIUM LARGE NETWRAPPED ROUND BALES

NORTH PARK TIMOTHY

HAY: Semi load quantities. Call 303-681-0646 or 970723-4431 9/30

VALLEY VIDEO HAY MARKETS, LLC: New crop alfalfa and oat hay available. Go to www.valleyvideohay.com or call Barry McRea, 308-2355386 9/23

CERTIFIED BARLEY STRAW FOR SALE, 3x4 bales. Cody, WY. Call 307-899-1952 TFN

2023 ALFALFA AND ALFALFA/GRASS MIX HAY, 3x3 bales barn stored. Call 307-350-0350, Farson, WY 9/16

HAY BARLEY FOR SALE: Three-way beardless barley, oats and peas, round bales, about 1,370 lbs. each, $150/ton. ALSO, alfalfa hay, round bales, $180/ton. Hardin, MT. Call 406665-7521 9/16

ALFALFA MIXED HAY FOR SALE: Clean, no rain. $150/ton. Call 307-631-4104 9/16

HAY FOR SALE: Grass and grass/alfalfa mix. Cow and barn stored hay. Delivery available!! Call 307-630-3046 9/9

2023 FIRST CUTTING GRASS HAY, meadow brome and orchard grass. Certified weedfree, small squares. $275/ton, Cody, South Fork, WY. Call 307272-4354 9/9

BARLEY STRAW: Certified weed-free small squares, $4/ bale. ALSO, 5x6 round bales, $125/ton. Greybull, WY area. Call 307-762-3878 or 307-8994714, leave message 9/9

Hay & Feed Hay & Feed Fencing

Loomix Services

Specializing in Vigartone mineral & QLF protein lick tubs for cattle and sheep.

Call for fall pricing!

Seth Brockman • 307-331-0390

HAY FOR SALE: Premium quality, high elevation grass hay, loaded with Timothy red top, later orchard grass and meadow brome. 1,000 3x3x8 bales weighing over 800 lbs. each. No rain, $90/bale. Murray Ranch, Robertson, WY. Call 307-780-6862 or 307-780 6519 9/9

HAY FOR SALE: 2023 winter rye grass, 5’x6’ large rounds at an 1,100 lb. average, net wrapped, approximately 250 tons available, $125/ton. Near Nisland, S.D. Call Jake at 605892-5218 for more information 9/9

Crop Cleanup

BENNY HERNANDEZ IS IN THE AREA AND HAS PLENTY OF HELP TO CLEANUP AND HOE YOUR CROPS. Call 307431-7160 9/9

Fire

The most POWERFUL FIRE EXTINGUISHING TECHNOLOGY is here!! FIRE PRO Extinguishers feature a concentrate used for over 30 years by fire departments, race tracks and the military. This formula is a non-toxic, powerful cooling liquid with foam and requires no maintenance!! Economical, do-it-yourself refill kits are also available. Choose the best for your equipment today!! For more information, call Arlen Coblentz at 307-850-9663 9/23

Equipment

FOR SALE: Lorenz 16’x33’ stack mover. John Deere 608C corn head. Rowse 9’ pull type sickle mower. Hesston/AGCO 5556 big round baler, wide pickup, net wrap/twine. Nine wheel pull type finger rake. 7’ 3 pt. rotary mower. John Deere 2155 diesel tractor, wide front, 3 pt., runs great. Miller Pro 18’ chuckwagon with bunk feeding extensions and 14 ton gear, very nice. H&S 7+4 16’ chuckwagon with tandem 14 ton running gear. John Deere 714A and 716A chuckwagons with John Deere running gear and bunk feeding extensions, been shedded, nice condition. J&M 325 gravity box with 12 ton gear and roll tarp. Meyerink 12’ box scraper with tilt. Tag portable calf creep feeder. All in very nice condition!! Call 605-999-5482 9/9

WANT TO BUY!! 1962-1964

FORD 4000 with 172 cubic inch diesel 4 cylinder engine, selecto-speed transmission, can be row crop or utility models, need not be running or for parts. Call Lloyd, 701-226-4055 9/9

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE: Agco

7444 4x4 baler; New Holland 1075 balewagon; Massey Ferguson 2190 4x4 baler; Freeman pull type 3 string balers; Vermeer R23 rake; 3 John Deere 9600 combines; CIH 1010 25’ header; CIH 1015 pick-up header; Challenger MT655C tractor; Komatsu WA500 loader; CIH MX150 loader tractor; New Holland 145 bi directional tractor; White 30’ disk; John Deere 960 26’ cultivator; New Holland 357 grinder mixer; Modern Mill (mix mill) feed mill; IHC grain truck; Freightliner sleeper truck; WS sleeper truck; Kenworth crane truck, 18 ton, 82’; WS 90 bbl vac truck, Pete 80 bbl vac truck; IHC 80 bbl vac truck; Wilson 53x102 tri axle cattle pot; Cat 262D skid steer; Mobile Tech 9 yd. volumetric concrete mixer; Degelman 570 rock picker. View equipment at www.bigskyeb.com. Call 406254-1254 9/23

LODGEPOLE PRODUCTS, 307-742-6992, SERVING AGRI-BUSINESSES 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

Equipment

Equipment

RANCH AT MELVILLE, MT, SWEET GRASS VALLEY:

Beneath the majestic Crazy Mountains lies 1,410 acres that have been under the same ownership for over 90+ years. 840 acres irrigated. Sweet Grass Creek flows through the ranch providing cover for wildlife and fishing. A full complement of improvements plus 2 homes. Call for pricing. Sidwell Land & Cattle Co., Richard Sidwell, 406-861-4426, 406-322-4425 or e-mail sidwell@sidwellland.com 9/16

ROAD 25 RANCH: A unique Wyoming cattle ranch that provides center-pivot irrigation for pasture land plus expansive native grass pastures. All new substantial fencing and new steel working and shipping corrals. 160 acres of water rights. Livestock water. 118± acres deeded, 400± acres State Lease. Goshen County, WY. $550,000. More pictures and video at www. buyaranch.com. Casey Essert, Land Broker, 307-5321750 9/9

66.856 ACRES, JUST

NORTHWEST OF RED LODGE, MT BORDERING

FOR SALE: Rawhide large portable corral. WW hydraulic chute. Kramer 14 bale retriever. Call 605-842-5515 9/23

FOR SALE BY SEALED BID: 2016 John Deere 15’ no-till drill. Bids must be received by Dec. 1 Call East Pennington Conservation District at 605-2792451, ext. 3, PO Box 308, Wall, S.D. 57790 9/16

Pipe

Hay Equipment

VERMEER 605N SELECT ROUND BALER: Excellent shape, $30,000. Call for more information, 701-690-8116, send a text if no answer or keep trying 9/30

NEW HOLLAND 560 ROLL BELT BALER, bale count 178 bales, in shop every night, $55,000 firm. 2001 MACDON 9250 SWATHER with 922 auger head, 1,771 hours on tractor, 1,384 hours on head, $45,000 firm. Area fields are being subdivided. Call 307674-9092 9/30

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

OILFIELD PIPE: RPJ Enterprises, Inc. 2 3/8, 2 7/8, 3.5, 5.5, and 3/4” sucker rod is available. Used for fencing, corrals, cattle guards, etc. 2 3/8 and 2 7/8 are on average 31.5’ long per joint. 3.5” and 5.5” are 42+ lengths. Pierce, CO. Call for details 970-3244580 2/10

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

THE GOLF COURSE: This property is presently agriculturally zoned, current use is hay and pasture and it is fenced and cross fenced. Enjoy views of several mountain ranges and lots of water, including Spring Creek frontage, mature trees and lush grass. Could be zoned commercially, allowing for development of a number of homesites and/or other commercial ventures. This property is simply loaded with possibilities. Access is off Willow Creek Road. DNRC Right Nos. 43D 216331-00 and 43D 200020-00, Pryde Ditch and West Fork of Rock Creek. $2,300,000. Property to be shown by appointment only and listing agent shall accompany all showings. Sellers ask that prospective buyers respect their privacy. Call Bill at 406-698-9266 for a tour of this parcel TFN OREGON RANCH, Baker City, Baker County, OR. The Alder Creek pasture contains over 2,000 acres of native spring, summer and fall pasture. The rangeland is situated just east of Baker City, OR. The property is in good condition and has good perimeter fencing. The range is gently south facing slope with a variety of native grass. FIRST TIME OFFERING at just over $500 per acre for deeded and contiguous ownership, $1,095,000. Give us a call at 541-523-4434, Intermountain Realty, Inc., Greg Sackos, Principal Broker, James Dunlap, Broker, www.intermountainland. com 9/9

Firearms

LIKE NEW .45 ACP GLOCK

21SF: 5” SS barrel, 3.5 lb. trigger, Glock sights, dot optic ready, 3 New OEM Glock 13-rd. mags in pkgs., Glock case. $550. Call for photos, 307-381-9020 9/9

Semen

Irrigation Systems

The choice is simple. Easier On You.

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

Big Horn Truck and Equipment Manderson, WY

rairdenjlw@tritel.net • 800-770-6280

Killebrew Irrigation

Your one stop shop for all irrigation needs

Lander, WY • (307) 332-3044

• Reinke center pivot sales and field design

• Parts for most major irrigation systems

• Underground and Surface PVC pipe and fittings

• Pumps and Motors

• Phase Converters

Mineral Rights

Mineral

OBITUARIES

Trigg G. Marquiss

Oct. 25, 1948 – Aug. 30, 2023

From the Wagensen side, came Trigg’s love of horses, and from the Marquiss side, his quirky humor and inventive spirit.

Montana sheep sales set

The Montana Wool Growers Association is inviting the public to attend the 98th Montana Ram Sale and 10th Annual Montana Ewe Sale. Both sales will be held in Miles City, Mont. at the Eastern Montana Fairgrounds on Sept. 13-14.

Last year the sales drew buyers from seven states.

Sheep week kicks off with consignors and sheep arriving from across the state early in the week. On Sept. 13, Montana State University Extension will host the First Annual Sheep and Wool Judging Contest for youth and adults. Sheep judging will start at 9 a.m. and wool judging will begin at 1:30 p.m.

After the judging contest, a social hour will be held at 5 p.m., with the ewe sale following at 6 p.m., in which 1,280 head of reputation ewes will be offered from 20 consignor families.

On Sept.14, the 98th Montana Ram Sale will start at noon, following a lamb BBQ beginning at 11 a.m. Twenty-one Montana consignors will deliver over 285 of the best rams produced in the state.

Breeds available include Rambouillet, Targhee, Suffolk and Hampshire/Suffolk cross. Most rams have data available, such as estimated breeding values, scrapie codon, production records, ribeye scans, ratios, wool micron results and more.

All rams and ewes on site will be vet checked and ready to perform.

The sales will be offered in person and online. Frontier Productions will be offering the online portion of the sale at frontierlivesale.com. Lewistown Livestock, Inc. will be handling the sale management.

For more information on breeds and lot sizes, as well as sale updates and details, visit mtsheep.org

A Wyoming horse enthusiast who owned two world-champion stallions in his lifetime has passed away at age 74. Trigg Marquiss, a native of Gillette, died on Aug. 30 after an ATV accident in Story.

Trigg was born on Oct. 25, 1948, the middle child of Quentin and “Toots” Marquiss. Both of his grandfathers amassed historic ranches along the Belle Fourche River and helped nurture the fledgling town of Gillette.

Starting around 1973, Trigg raised cattle and horses on his grandfather Fred Wagensen’s Beaver Creek Ranch, southwest of Gillette. He invested in the 1972 blue roan Quarter Horse stallion, Mr. Racerunner, which later won a world title.

He began raising Leoand Clabber-Bar-bred horses with his TM brand on the right jaw or dollar sign on the left buttock.

During Trigg’s 19-year marriage to Denise, they held several production sales “under the chandelier” in Gillette, while also hosting team roping jackpots and raising three children who were immersed in 4-H,

By Lindsay Graber Runft

CAB Launches Direct-to-Consumer Program

Could your freezer beef carry the Certified Angus Beef (CAB) brand logo?

Perhaps. With the launch of a new program, Angus farmers and ranchers have the option to market their beef directly to consumers as CAB product.

Ranch to Table, a direct partnership program between CAB and cattle operations using Angus genetics, allows ranchers to use the brand’s trusted reputation for increased gain.

“Many Angus ranchers take a tremendous amount of pride when they see the CAB logo on product, whether it’s in their local grocery store or on a restaurant menu,” says Kara Lee, CAB’s director of producer engagement. “This is just another way for them to continue to have equity in the brand by being able to hang brand standards on those cattle that ultimately qualify.”

CAB qualifications

To participate in the

rodeo and horsemanship.

Trigg, who collected vintage silver bits and spurs like he did great horses, served on his county’s land board, on the Wyoming Quarter Horse Association and more recently as a founding member of the Sheridan WYO Rodeo’s Gold Buckle Club.

In 2015, Trigg invested in the blue roan yearling Still Get Jealous by One Time Pepto out of a High Brow Cat/Smart Chic Olena mare. Now nine years old, the stallion is a former National Reined Cow Horse Association futurity champ and was selected for herd work in last year’s World’s Greatest Horseman contest.

Trigg loved watching Jealous’ foals grow near his home in Story and would even move them near the highway so travelers could enjoy them too.

For the past quartercentury, Trigg enjoyed summers in Story and winters in Carefree, Ariz. with his wife JoAnn. And, he delighted in his grandson – Trigg’s name-

sake, born on his own 60th birthday.

Trigg “threw a big loop” or was interested in many different facets of life. He provided horses and Longhorn steers to TV and movie sets. The proponent of “tough love” was at the same time quite proud of the accomplishments of his kids, his grandson and of the horses he bred and raised.

He is survived by his wife JoAnn; his daughters Stephanie (Jason) Gies and Stacy Marquiss; his son Tait (Jennifer) Marquiss; his grandson Trigg Marquiss and his stepdaughters Jennifer and Jessica Newson. He’s also remembered by his brother Gary Marquiss; his sister Glo Clark and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, a lasting contribution in his memory can be made in the form of a donation to the Wyoming High School Rodeo Association “in Memory of Trigg Marquiss.” Checks can be sent to Shelly Thompson; 4180 Road 44, Yoder, WY 82244.

Ranch to Table program, a producer’s cattle supply must incorporate registered Angus genetics, which may require American Angus Association active membership or proof of bull registrations.

Producers must also be Beef Quality Assurance certified.

As with any CAB product, cattle must meet the brand’s live-animal evaluation with a predominantly solid-black hide. In addition, carcasses must meet CAB’s 10 specifications.

“One of the beautiful things about the Ranch to Table program is the end product itself is going to be just as consistent with the end product of other traditional CAB outlets,” Lee says. “So, we are not compromising on any of our brand standards.”

Ranch to Table program

Typically, cattle move from feedyard to a CABlicensed packing plant and

then are distributed to the end user. With the Ranch to Table program, licensed producers are responsible for working with a processor and U.S. Department of Agriculture grader to verify brand specifications are met.

A marketing plan is required for the application process, but upon being licensed, producers will have access to a toolkit and marketing resources to use in leveraging the brand’s quality.

“For some, direct-toconsumer beef merchandising is an expanded financial opportunity. Perhaps it’s the opportunity for the next generation to come back and join the family business,” Lee says. “A lot of members have years of carcass data to support the

For more information on the Certified Angus Beef Ranch to Table program or to begin the application process, visit cabcattle.com/ranch-to-table.

quality of the cattle they are raising. Previously, we didn’t have an infrastructure allowing them to access CAB brand merchandising, and the Ranch to Table initiative allows us to do just that.”

The program is not restrictive solely based on the quantity of cattle a producer would process. Instead, CAB will evaluate the business’ operating plans and marketing approach for the beef produced.

“Ultimately, we’re looking to put an asset in the toolbox of registered Angus breeders – something to allow them to add value to their own product or to the calves they’re purchasing back from customers whose genetics tie to the breeder’s own operation,” says Lee.

Lindsay Graber Runft is the director of producer communications for CAB. She can be reached at lrunfit@certifiedangusbeef. com.

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

As summer draws to a close, days become shorter and the night air begins to cool, signaling fall is on its way.

Fall in Wyoming means summer vegetables are harvested, the last bale of hay is stacked, cows have been checked, hunting season is in full swing, pumpkin lattes are being served and most impressively, the state begins to change color.

Wyoming’s beautiful mountains and meadows begin to transform into a glorious piece of art as the state’s vastness becomes a canvas etched with gold, orange and rich mahogany.

Wyoming offers multiple places to witness the splendor as well as through a variety of avenues.

Opportunities to enjoy fall

Individuals who want to see the leaves in action may consider attending a fall festival, as Wyoming is home to many.

If hitting the road and going for a scenic fall drive sounds more appealing, the Cowboy State offers numerous winding roads, allowing viewers to weave through a splendid variation of color.

Scenic byways are scattered throughout the state, offering breathtaking views of the fall foliage.

Nothing is better than experiencing fall through the spirit of the old West on horseback. Fresh mountain air, crisp sounds and majestic views can take anyone back to the pioneer days.

Outfitters and dude

ranches across the state offer trail rides, allowing individuals to step into the state’s work of art and see up-close mountains awash with a cornucopia of fall colors.

Take in the fall colors from the sky – hot air balloon rides offer unforgettable views from high above.

Many may enjoy taking a leisurely stroll or a strenuous hike through Wyoming’s numerous state parks. Conversely, others may enjoy the fall transformation while fishing or floating along local rivers or lakes.

Wyoming is a great place to have family fun while taking in the breathtaking fall scenery, and many families may enjoy fall together at a local pumpkin patch.

Location, location, location

According to Travel Wyoming, “Wyoming is home to amazing fall getaways and drives along scenic byways, capturing the vibrant colors of fall.”

Travel Wyoming’s list includes walking among the trees for a better view of the leaves in Aspen Valley, which is secluded in the Sierra Madre Range outside of Encampment.

Next on the list for fall hiking fanatics is taking a trek in the brilliant colors at Paintbrush Canyon, located in Grand Teton National Park.

Devils Tower National Monument has become one of the most iconic places to view brilliant colors as well.

Fall fanatics may also

want to visit Pinedale, where Squaretop Mountain hosts some of the most vibrant colors Wyoming has to offer – a blend of golden hues with evergreens makes for a breathtaking sight.

Jackson Hole offers travelers an iconic view of the Teton Mountain Range covered in rich shades of yellow and gold, and for a closeup of the fall foliage, they may take the aerial tram to gain an incredible view high above the trees.

Buffalo is home to the Cloud Peak Skyway Scenic Byway, allowing individuals to take in the colorful view

from their car while stopping and exploring along the way.

In the center of the state, atop Casper Mountain, lies Beartrap Meadow, a beautiful clearing surrounded by various trees where the fall colors are set to please any fall enthusiast.

Tongue River Canyon near Dayton makes for a fantastic fall hike. Rich in various colors, individuals will be stunned by the scenery.

The Vedauwoo Recreation Area outside of Laramie rounds out the list. Best known for its rock-climbing faces, it is also surrounded by the best fall foliage, radiating warm golds and copper hues.

Other options include Oxbow Bend in Grand Teton National Park or Arrowhead Springs near Rock Springs.

“The leaves may start changing in Wyoming mid to late September, but the best time for the fall colors won’t be until October when leaves reach peak foliage,” reads the Farmer’s Almanac.

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

WYLR photo WYLR photo

WYLR photo

IT'S THE PITTS

by Lee Pitts

Really Good Bad Ideas

I was talking with my buddy Ralph who lives in “America’s Outback,” and he was complaining he couldn’t participate in the trend towards “agri-tourism” because his starveout ranch is right in the middle of Nevada’s big nowhere.

“Not every ranch is blessed to be a dude ranch hotspot,” said Ralph. “The only reason people come to Nevada is to gamble or to get married, which, I suppose, is redundant.”

“You just have to work with what you have plenty of, like heat,” I replied.

“Have you ever thought of offering the world’s only outdoor slot machines? You could advertise them as the ‘hottest’ slots in Nevada. Or, to take a page from Las Vegas, you could make it a ‘clothing optional’ slot resort.”

“And, since your average tourist wants to go places where there aren’t a lot of tourists, you could put a billboard on I-80 steering everyone to your place, promoting the fact you offer plenty of elbow room and the largest parking lot in the world,” I added. “You could bring

the folks in on party buses from California.”

“This is the best bad idea I ever heard,” said Ralph. “ Do you have any others?”

“Well, I suppose you can’t grow pumpkins or strawberries in your semiarid desert, so a pick-yourown farm won’t attract anyone,” I said. “And since you don’t have any trees, a zipline is probably out of the question. I don’t know if you can make wine from locoweed either, so you might have to skip the wine tasting tours. By the way, what can you grow on your God-forsaken place?”

“It’s 110 degrees Fahrenheit out here during the day and 20 degrees below zero at night, so our ‘growing season’ is relatively short, which rules out a corn maze. Radishes are about the only thing we can grow because they

SYMPOSIUM continued from page 1

Welcome to Wyoming

To kick off this year’s symposium, Rosasco, BRTF Chair Vitor Mercadante and Associate Dean and Director of UW Extension Kelly Crane welcomed attendees and thanked them for making the trip to Cheyenne.

“Welcome to the 2023 ARSBC Symposium. It’s always a pleasure to host this meeting, and we hope you enjoy it. We are excited to hear from all of our speakers and to interact with everyone as much as we can,” stated Mercadante before introducing other BRTF members and thanking event sponsors.

“I want to offer a genuine welcome to the state of Wyoming and to Chey-

enne. We are tickled to have you here,” said Crane during his turn at the mic.

“We are proud of our university, we are proud of our state, we are proud of our faculty and we are proud of our students. We are proud of Shelby and her work and the work of this group. We feel very blessed to work in Wyoming and to serve the ag industry and communities in this state.”

He continued, “I want to convey my genuine appreciation for the work of this task force and all of the individual contributions to this work. It is always encouraging to see a collaborative effort connecting basic and applied

research with Extension, and the task force does this in spades.”

2023 educational programming

Following the welcome and introduction, Mercadante started educational programming for the day with his presentation on understanding and controlling the estrous cycle.

Texas A&M University’s (TAMU) George Perry and University of Idaho’s Joe Dalton then discussed how to be successful when using natural service and estrous synchronization, and Merlyn Sandbulte talked about cryogenic concerns.

To round out the morn-

grow in 21 days,” Ralph said.

“That’s it,” I screamed in excitement. “You could have the world’s only radish maze! It would be a huge hit for the intellectually challenged amongst us.”

“I suppose it would be easier than a corn maze, and insurance would be cheaper because no one would get lost,” said Ralph, warming to the idea. “About the only other thing we can grow out here are tumbleweeds, and the sagebrush stands five feet tall in a good year.”

“There’s another great idea,” I said. “You could have a ‘you-pick’ sagebrush farm at Christmas time and sell environmentalists on the idea sagebrush Christmas ‘trees’ are far more environmentally friendly than trees you have to grow and water.”

ing session, Kansas State University’s (KSU) Sandy Johnson provided insight on tools to put an estrous synchronization plan into action and a panel discussion looked at things that make an AI and synchronization program successful.

After lunch, KSU’s Jennifer Borman explained new research for genetic prediction of male fertility; TAMU’s Ky Pohler and Mario Binelli of the University of Florida (UF) teamed up to tackle post breeding management strategies to minimize pregnancy loss and New Mexico State University’s Eric Sholljegerdes discussed managing the cow herd for fertility in limited feed environments.

The first day of the event rounded out with a

“I can just hear it now,” said Ralph. “As the family gathers around their tumbleweed to decorate it on Christmas Eve, they’ll be yelling ‘Ow! Ouch! These limbs have @#$&*^% stickers on them!”

“Yeah, I see your point. Everything in your neighborhood either tends to have thorns or is poisonous. Is there any wildlife on your ranch hunters might like to take a shot at?” I asked

“Well, no one has seen our Congressman in this neck of the woods since he got elected and went to Washington, D.C,” he replied. “Other than that, the only thing folks out here would like to kill are scorpions and rattlesnakes. We do have way too many federal bureaucrats and wild horses despoiling the country, but lobbing as much as a paintball in

their direction would land one in prison for the rest of their life.”

“Are there any endangered species enviro-visitors could take pictures of?” I asked.

“The only thing out here that’s endangered are cows. Thanks to the Bureau of Land Management, we hardly ever see one around here anymore,” he answered.

“That’s it!” I exclaimed. “Cow safaris! Agri-tourists could shoot photos or guns at cows. You could mount ‘dudes’ on the wild horses they love so much and turn them loose to shoot the cows they seem to despise. If you run out of wild cows, you could buy shelly, old canners and cutters to replace them at the sales yard. I think it’s what professors and bureaucrats call a ‘sustainable business.’”

For more information on the Beef Reproduction Task Force, visit beefrepro.org.

presentation on management strategies to enhance fertility and longevity in replacement heifers from Rosasco and UF’s Philipe Moriel, followed by an award ceremony and a question and answer session.

On the second day, Colorado State University’s Dr. Tim Holt and Mark Enns looked at selecting sires to work at high altitudes, Dr. Kerry Sondgeroth of the U.S. Department of Agriculture gave a presentation titled “Brucellosis 101” and University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Dr.

Rebecca Funk talked about calving management. The program concluded with a presentation on the impact of over conditioning on bull fertility, given by Pedro Fontes of the University of Georgia and UW’s Jeremy Block discussed the basics of embryo transfer. Look for more articles from the ARSBC Symposium in future editions of the Roundup Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@ wylr.net.

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