New meat processing facilities are being developed or have recently opened with the aim of increasing processing capacity and boosting local economies.
In Wright City, Mo., American’s Heartland Packing LLC constructed a 775,000 square-feet beef processing
In the 19th snow report for Water Year 2025, the state’s snowpack telemetry data reads 89% of median, with a basin high of 98% and a basin low of 1%. Last year, the state was at 91% and at 127% in 2023. The report and a map displaying basin snow water equivalent percentages of median for the state may be found at wrds.uwyo.edu/wrds/nrcs/ nrcs.html
According to an April 20 article in the North Platte Post, the North Platte Stockyards recorded one of the most historic sales in U.S. cattle market history on April 15 with a standout performance in feeder calf offerings, including the third-highest five-weight sale ever recorded nationally. A powerful run of 145 head averaging 524 pounds brought $439.50 per hundredweight. The sale came within 50 cents of the national all-time record and stands as the highest fiveweight price ever recorded in Nebraska. It also marked the top national price ever recorded for a lot of 100 head or more.
On June 12-15, the Art of the Cowgirl Foundation will host its Wyoming Gathering 2025 at the historic TA Ranch in Buffalo, an all-inclusive cowgirl art retreat featuring hands-on workshops and clinics giving participants the opportunity to refine their skills in traditional Western trades, horsemanship and craftsmanship under the guidance of instructors. New this year, the event will also feature the inaugural Art of the Cowgirl Foundation Women’s Retreat, offering an immersive experience designed to connect, rejuvenate and inspire women through hands-on learning and shared experiences. For more information or to register, visit artofthecowgirl. com or e-mail savanna@ artofthecowgirl.com.
facility which is expected to be fully operational later this month, while Sustainable Beef, constructed near North Platte, Neb., held a ribbon cutting ceremony on March 24, confirming the completion of its $400 million plant which took nearly six years to construct.
In an interview with “KNOP” during the event, Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-NE) states, “You see, it’s our ranchers who are coming together to to create this facility to be able to get better prices for their cattle.”
“Founders like local Rancher Rusty
The University of Wyoming’s (UW) annual ram test wrapped up during the 2025 Ram Test Field Day, held on April 5 at the Laramie Research and Extension Center (LREC) in Laramie.
According to UW Extension Sheep Specialist Dr. Whit Stewart, the university has conducted this 140-day performance test since 1961, and today it stands the test of time as one of the only two central performance ram tests left in the nation.
During the test, ram performance is evaluated based on growth performance, feed conversion efficiency and muscling, as well as wool traits such as weight, fineness, length and clean yield.
Rams performing in the top 30 percent of the test are eligible for the Certified Rambouillet Index and the Wyoming Certified Index.
The test culminates with the annual field day, which provides a venue for university personnel to present results from the 140-day performance test and offer producers relevant information, including how test results can be used to make selection decisions.
According to LREC Sheep Unit Manager Kalli Koepke, this year’s test included 100 rams representing 22 producers from Alberta, Canada; South Dakota; Colorado; Texas and Wyoming.
Koepke noted Laramie’s mild winter helped maintain overall health of rams throughout this year’s test, resulting in some exceptional scores including an average daily gain of 1.03 pounds, average micron of 22.51, average hundredweight of 1.52 inches and average clean fleece of 12 pounds.
As May quickly approaches and spring-calving herds start to wind down, Wyoming’s sheep producers will gear up for lambs to hit the ground, and part of these preparations include getting flocks shorn.
Whether shearing a handful of sheep or a massive range flock, an efficient shearing day is critical, and producers are reminded not to overlook the details of the annual task from one year to the next.
“A year is spent growing the product, while only a few minutes are required to harvest it. It is in this brief harvest period quality is often adversely affected,” reads a passage in the American Sheep Industry Association’s (ASI) “Code of Practice for Preparation of Wool Clips.”
Weeks ahead
In the weeks ahead of shearing, ASI notes it is essential to contact a shearer and set a shearing date early. But, it is also important to remain flexible since Wyoming’s unpredictable spring weather, broken equipment, illness, time spent at other operations, etc. can hamper the shearer’s ability to make
Please see WOOL on page 14
Starting seedlings indoors allows growers to get a head start on the season, often leading to a more fruitful harvest and allowing them to plant a much wider range of varieties than the transplants found at the store, which can also be more expensive than purchasing seeds.
According to multiple sources, seeds should be started indoors about six weeks prior to the area’s last frost date, and with a last frost date ranging from May 1 to June 31, some Cowboy State gardeners can begin sowing seeds indoors any time now.
Getting started
When planning for indoor seed starting it is important to remember not all
UW wraps up Ranching in the West Series
Wyoming’s agriculture industry encompasses diverse opportunities merging traditional farming, ranching and tourism.
To cover the different aspects of this diverse industry, the University of Wyoming (UW) Ranch Management and Agricultural Leadership (RMAL) Program hosted its annual four-part Ranching in the West Seminar Series over the course of the past few months, wrapping up with the third and fourth installments in April.
On April 3, the third seminar took place at Northwest College in Powell, where UW Johnson County Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Educator Micah Most introduced a series of speakers who discussed practical strategies for integrating tourism experiences into working agricultural operations.
UW Extension educators presented to agricultural professionals, ranch owners and entrepreneurs on how to create sustainable revenue streams while sharing authentic ranch life experiences and diversifying family ranch operations.
seeds should be started indoors. In fact, many vegetables grow better when they are started outdoors and prefer not to be transplanted.
According to the 2025 Old Farmer’s Almanac, crops best started indoors include broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, tomatoes, cauliflower, celery, eggplant, peppers, radishes and peas, as well as many annual flower varieties. Sources agree seeds should be started in small, divided, individual containers to prevent seedling roots from growing into each other and being injured during transplanting. This could include anything from small plastic pots to egg cartons.
With supply and demand ruling today’s cost of beef, both those in the beef industry and consumers are scratching their heads wondering what the future holds.
The American beef industry is currently in unchartered waters. For the last couple of years, the price of beef has steadily rose, but so has input prices.
Today, both are at record prices and, with the threat of tariffs and volatility of the stock market, along with smaller issues such as Mexico sending cattle into the U.S., it makes it hard to predict beef prices.
The beef industry is just like other industries, as it doesn’t like uncertainty. Where all meats are a commodity, this means bad news can change the markets overnight. As we’ve learned in the past, it is usually a negative change, but with the demand for meats – especially beef – it can prove to be a positive.
According to Certified Angus Beef Supply Management and Analysis Director Paul Dykstra, around 591,000 head of federally-inspected cattle were processed earlier in April. The cattle harvest was 18,000 head smaller than the week prior and 23,000 head smaller than a year ago.
Dykstra said, “With this said, the production volume trend is positive, with a two-week average of 600,000 head per week compared to the prior two weeks, averaging just 571,000 head.”
Two months ago, ranchers, feeders and processors were all talking about when ranchers would start retaining heifers to expand their herds. This would increase the supply of beef in three years. While I hear there has been some retention, ranchers and feeders are still selling heifers to meatpackers for processing.
A positive for ranchers, feeders and consumers is American’s love of hamburger. Ground beef demand was record high in 2024 and is expected to be higher yet in 2025.
This demand is because of lower cost and the many ways to cook ground beef. Consumers also realize the great taste, along with the healthy high-protein qualities of hamburger and the short amount of time it takes to prepare a meal, is just what they are looking for.
An update from CattleFax noted, “The U.S. ground beef supply comes from three sources – fatter trim from fed cattle, lean trim from slaughter cows and bulls, and the bulk of imported beef also tends to be lean trim.”
I think processors are trying to keep ground beef at low prices to appease consumers.
CattleFax also said, “On a per-capita basis, this translates to 31.7 pounds of U.S. ground beef consumption in 2024. Compared to total beef consumption of 59 pounds per capita, ground beef rose to a record share of 53.7 percent of consumption.”
“Ground beef demand has been record strong, composes a significant portion of beef supplies and is a lowercost beef option for the consumer. Maintaining the quality and safety of the U.S. beef supply is critical for protecting a key component of beef consumption and demand,” CattleFax continued.
When consumers ask a rancher when they think the price of beef will come down and they answer, “I don’t know,” it is the most honest answer they can give you.
HANNAH BUGAS, Managing Editor • hannah@wylr.net MELISSA ANDERSON, Editor • melissa@wylr.net
CANDICE PEDERSON, Production Coordinator • candice@wylr.net
JODY MICHELENA, Advertising Director • jodym@wylr.net
DENISE OLSON, Classified Sales Manager • 307-685-8213 • denise@wylr.net
ANDREA ZINK, General Manager • andrea@wylr.net
CURT COX, Director of Livestock Field Services • 307-630-4604 • curt@wylr.net
CALLI WILLIAMS, Livestock Field Services Rep. • 605-695-1990 • calli@wylr.net
Across the country this morning, men and women in every region and every state are rising to grow the food, fiber and renewable fuel Americans depend on. Most of them have been working for hours before sunup this morning, and many will be working still as the sun dips below the horizon this evening.
The days are long on the farm, and the work is hard. Farmers and ranchers don’t shy away from a hard day’s work, though. We know our nation is counting on us, not only to keep our food supply secure but also to help fuel our economy.
The latest Feeding the Economy report highlights the critical role U.S. agriculture plays across our economy. While fewer than two percent of Americans are farmers, 100 percent of Americans need a farmer, every single day.
Farmers are the key to a long supply chain, from tractor manufacturers upstream to grocery stores downstream.
Today, this supply chain directly
By Zippy Duvall
makes up more than one-seventh of the U.S. economy. In 2024, the direct and indirect economic impact of the agriculture supply chain totaled $9.5 trillion or one-third of the U.S. economy.
To put this in terms of the global economy, if the U.S. agricultural supply chain were its own country, it would support the third-largest economy in the world. Let this sink in for a minute. This is an American-grown success story.
Agriculture’s economic value is fueling jobs too. In 2024, direct employment in the food and agriculture supply chain grew by more than one million jobs. Altogether, jobs directly in the food and agricultural supply chain make up 15 percent of employment in the U.S., for a total of more than 24 million jobs.
When we add in all of the jobs supported by agriculture, the yields nearly double. From scientists and researchers to engineers and truck drivers, farmers and ranchers and their supply chain support more than 47 million
jobs in the U.S.
We know Americans are counting on farmers.
As farmers and ranchers know from hard, personal experience, yields are not guaranteed. One good season – or even one dozen good seasons – does not guarantee the next. We cannot take agriculture for granted.
Most consumers got a glimpse of this truth with the empty grocery store shelves at the height of the COVID19 pandemic and with the egg shortage this year. But our memories can be short, and most folks do not understand the tremendous pressures farmers and ranchers are facing.
From inflation and rising labor costs to an outdated farm bill, many farmers are operating on razor thin margins, and some cannot hold on for a better season.
Farm bankruptcies were up 55 percent from 2023-24, and more than 141,000 farms went out of business from 2017-22, according to the U.S. Please
Rep. John Rose (R-TN), a member of the House Committee on Agriculture, eighth generation farmer and former Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture, reintroduced House Resolution 2462, Black Vulture Relief Act.
The bipartisan legislation is being co-led by Rep. Darren Soto (D-FL), who serves on the Committee on Natural Resources.
The legislation will allow livestock producers and their employees to take black vultures without a permit if they believe the vulture will cause death or injury to their livestock.
It is currently illegal to take black vultures without a subpermit from the authorizing state agency, encasing the issue in bureaucratic red tape and limiting producers’ ability to combat these predators.
“The American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) encourages support for this legislation as vultures are a growing predator of lambs in America, and farmers and ranchers have few options today to address these losses,” said Steve Clements of South Dakota, who serves as vice chair of ASI’s Resource Management Council and Predator Management Committee. “Predator losses of sheep and the associated management costs are the second-largest expense of many sheep operations in America.”
Gov. Mark Gordon addressed attendees of the Third Annual Funding Summit via video messaging at Central Wyoming College in Riverton. Alongside the governor, the four-day event was cohosted by Sens. John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis (both R-WY).
Summit attendees included state agencies, local government and nonprofit personnel, small business owners, landowners and Tribal and organizational leaders seeking information on available funding opportunities to address needs including water and sewer infrastructure; housing, health and social services; agriculture; workforce development; energy development; wildfires and emergency management.
Gordon noted Wyoming has historically been challenged in its efforts to secure grant funding for critical projects, hence the Governor’s Wyoming Grants Management Initiative – spearheaded by the Wyoming Grants Management Office (GMO) and Wyoming Grants Integration Manager Dru Palmer – was launched following last year’s summit.
During his address, the governor lauded attendees for their commitment to Wyoming and commended the GMO for spearheading the summit and standing up the Wyoming Grant Assistance Program (WYGAP).
Since its inception last summer, WYGAP has assisted in over 300 requests in all 23 Wyoming counties, servicing technical requests, facilitating one-onone grant writing training and local needs assessments to assist with planning.
The governor explained his office utilized technical assistance through WYGAP, ultimately involving the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Small Business Administration to host statewide webinars for those impacted by wildfires last summer.
The governor concluded his remarks on a hopeful note.
“This is an exciting time for Wyoming and the country under the new leadership of President Donald J. Trump,” he said. “Wyoming is well-positioned to do our part in meeting the president’s goals of ‘Unleashing American Energy’ and ‘Increasing Timber Production.’”
Department of Agriculture’s Census of Agriculture.
I give these reminders not to be despairing but to remind us of how important it is we remain committed to strengthening American agriculture.
This is why American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) is actively engaging with lawmakers and leaders across Washington, D.C. and across the country. From Capitol Hill to federal agencies, we are taking a seat at the table to address the challenges facing agriculture. We know Americans are counting on farmers, and farmers are counting on us.
Farmers and ranchers have been raising American-grown products for generations, and if we’re going to keep agriculture strong to ensure a secure food supply and to help feed our economy, we need to ensure farmers and ranchers have the tools they need.
AFBF is committed to being the leading voice of agriculture because we understand how high the stakes are for farmers, ranchers and rural communities.
Our nation is stronger when farmers and ranchers have the resources, tools and freedom to do what they do best –feed our nation and our economy.
On March 28, the Office of State Lands and Investments (OSLI), on behalf of the State Board of Land Commissioners, released a detailed analysis of a proposed land exchange.
Specifically, Quentin Kissack has expressed interest in exchanging a deeded parcel for a state land parcel, both located in Campbell County.
More information is provided in the detailed analysis posted on the OSLI website.
OSLI is also hosting a public hearing on this exchange on May 8 from 12-1 p.m. at the Campbell County Public Library in Gillette.
OSLI is also accepting written public comments by mail or by e-mail to slf-public-comments@wyo.gov. The public comment period will end on May 27.
This exchange of real property is expected to be considered at the board’s regular public meeting on June 5.
On April 22, the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) asked for changes to the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule to bring it in line with the Sackett vs. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Supreme Court ruling, which called for more clarity in water regulations.
AFBF submitted comments in response to the EPA’s request for recommendations.
“Considering drains, ditches, stock ponds, impoundments, irrigation ditches and low spots in farm fields and pastures as jurisdictional ‘waters’ opens the door to regulation of ordinary farming activities which move dirt or apply products to the land on those lands,” AFBF stated in its comments.
“Everyday activities such as plowing, planting or fence building in or near ephemeral drainages, impoundments, ditches or low spots could result in enforcement action triggering the Clean Waters Act’s (CWA) harsh civil and criminal penalties unless a permit was obtained first,” AFBF continued. “Bear in mind permitting under CWA requires the investment of significant amounts of time and money. Most farmers and ranchers have neither of those in abundance.”
Therefore, AFBF’s recommendations include creating a definition of the “relatively permanent standard,” which guides agencies in determining whether a body of water falls under federal jurisdiction; regulating wetlands only when they are indistinguishable from and have a continuous surface connection to WOTUS waterways and providing clear exemptions and exclusions so farmers and ranchers can use their land without the risk of severe penalties.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Wyoming is encouraging residents across the state to get involved in an important citizen science effort aimed at sustaining one of the world’s most essential pollinators – bumblebees.
The Mountain States Bumblebee Atlas, coordinated by the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, is looking for volunteers to help track and conserve native bumblebee species in Wyoming.
Participants will receive free training, adopt a survey area – known as a grid cell – and collect valuable data to support critical conservation efforts.
No prior experience is necessary – just a love for wildlife, a spirit of exploration and a commitment to completing at least two surveys during the 2025 field season.
Registration and full training materials are available at bumblebeeatlas.org/pages/mountain-states
Once again, National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) members will be able to showcase their talents behind a camera lens in the annual NJAA Angus Journal Photo Contest at the upcoming National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) in Tulsa, Okla.
The event is designed to help young Angus breeders perfect another set of communication skills, as they use their creative eye to capture images conveying deeper messages and feelings.
Junior, intermediate and senior NJAA members can enter four categories – Angus Cattle, Angus People, Angus Landscape and Around the Farm or Ranch. All categories except Around the Farm or Ranch must feature Angus cattle as a main component of the image.
A panel of qualified judges selected by the American Angus Association (AAA) will critique the images submitted. Evaluations are made with 60 percent based on creativity – communication power, composition, etc. – and 40 percent based on technical quality –proper light exposure, true color, sharp focus, correct cropping, etc.
Prizes will be given to the top three in each category of each age division, as well as the overall winner of each age division. All photos will be displayed at the NJAS, and winners will be recognized at the awards ceremony, set for July 4.
As space allows, top images will also be printed in the Angus Journal’s coverage of the NJAS in the September issue.
Entries are due May 15 and should be submitted electronically through the AAA Login Online Contest Portal.
For more information or a complete set of contest guidelines, visit angus.org/njaa/get-involved/contests
By Micah Most, UW Extension Educator
In the spring, the state is busy thinking ahead to the growing season and production year. The calves and lambs hitting the ground are the market
crop for this fall and the replacement females for next year.
Seed catalogs arrive in the mail and greenhouses go up in parking lots of hard-
ware stores. Equipment for haying and irrigating are dusted off and necessary repairs are made.
A lot of the focus is on the future.
FEEDERS
The future of
Wyoming agriculture
Likewise, in Extension offices and high school ag classrooms around the state, young agriculturalists are getting their livestock projects lined out, participating in Youth Quality Assurance training and making plans for other skill-based projects they will exhibit at their county fairs.
Many of these young people will spend their summers working on their family operations to help produce the food, fiber and fuel that drive our local economies.
Alan Steele 238 Blk Strs & Hfrs, 700-750#, Weaned a long time, Alfalfa Hay Fed, 2 Rounds of Shots (Branding and Weaning): Bovi-Shield Gold, Nasalgen, 8-way w/ Somnus, Sired by Powerline Bulls, Heifers are Replacement Quality, Home Raised Bill & Kay Erskine 144 Mx Strs, 650-800#, Running out, Hay Fed, Complete Vac. Program Aaron Clausen 95 Blk Hfrs, 650-700#, Weaned a long time, Been on a Grower Ration, 2 Rounds of Shots (Branding/Pre-cond.), No Implants, Replacement Quality, No Replacements Kept, May/June Calves, Home Raised
Ivan Eddy 45 Mostly Blk few Red Hfrs, 700-800#, Full Vac. Program, Coming off grass, Bunk Broke, Home Raised, Sired by McClun Bulls Irwin Livestock Co. 33 Blk/Bwf/Rd/Hereford Hfrs, 750#, Weaned since October, Been on a Light Grower Ration, 3 Round of Shots: Vista Once, Vision 7 w/Somnus, Poured (2x), Preg-Guard (2x), No Implants, Bangs Vac., Producer All Natural, Home Raised, Year branded, Replacement Quality Alvie/AW Manning 30 Mx Hfrs, 700#, Weaned a long time, Light Grower Ration, Complete Vac. Program, Home Raised Berry Herefords 22 Bwf Strs, 650-750#, Weaned a long time, Bunk Broke, Been on a Light Grower Ration, Complete Modified Live Vac. Program, No Implants, May/ June Calves, Home Raised, Wintered for grass
JW Butterfly LLC 20 Mx Strs & Hfrs, 650-800#, Weaned a long time, Running Out, Hay Fed, All Shots
Weaned Calves Hill Land & Livestock 150 Blk few Red/Char-x Strs & Hfrs, 450-500#, Weaned a long time, Hay Fed, Branding and Weaning Shots: Vista Once SQ, Covexin 8, May/June Calves, Home Raised, High Elevation, Green Ammie, Deb & Bruce Murray 140 Mostly Hereford few Bwf Hfrs, 500-550#, Weaned since January, Hay Fed, Branding and Weaning Shots: Vira Shield 6 w/Somnus, Bangs Vac Lungren Land & Cattle 80 Blk/Rd/Char-x Strs & Hfrs, 550-750#, Weaned since Nov. 1, Steers Running out, Hay fed, Heifers have been on a High Roughage Grower Ration, Branding and Weaning Shots: Bovi-Shield Gold One Shot, Inforce 3, Ultrabac 7 w/Somubac, Poured, No Implants, Home Raised, May/June Calves Cole Creek Sheep Co. 39 Mx Strs & Hfrs, 480-650#, Weaned a long time, Running out on grass supplemented with Hay and Protein Tubs, 2 Rounds of Shots, Heifers are Bangs Vac., Home Raised
Betschart Land & Livestock 35 Blk (2 Bwf/2 Rwf) Strs & Hfrs, 450-500#, Weaned 38 days, Been on Grass/Alfalfa Hay Mix, 2.5# of Flake Grain, Protein Tubs, Branding Shots: Bovi-Shield Gold 5, Vision 7 w/Somnus, Cydectin Pour On, Weaning Shots: Bovi-Shield Gold 5, Covexin, Clean Up 2 and Cydectin Pour On, No Replacements Kept, Calves are out of late summer calving herd
Jack Johnson 30 Blk Hfrs, 570#, Weaned since March 11, Running out on pasture and Hay Fed, Branding Shots, Bangs Vac., Producer All Natural Alan Steele 30 Blk Hfrs, 550#, Weaned a long time, Alfalfa Hay Fed, 2 Rounds of Shots (Branding and Weaning): Bovi-Shield Gold, Nasalgen, 8-way w/Somnus, Sired by Powerline Bulls, Home Raised
Aaron Clausen 20 Blk Strs, 550-600#, Weaned a long time, Been on a Grower Ration, 2 Rounds of Shots (Branding/Pre-cond.), No Implants, May/June Calves, Home Raised, Wintered for Grass
FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2025 - PAIR/BRED & ALL CLASSES
Pairs Heart 21 Livestock 19 Mostly Blk Cow Pairs, 5-6 yr olds, Tagged to Match, Calves are March/April, Calf Shots: C & D, Not Exposed Back to Bulls Breeding Bulls Sheaman Ranch/Kerry Sheaman 8 Purebred Virgin Red Angus Bulls (12 months Old), 1100-1200#, PAP Test by
by Countryside Vet Clinic in Greeley,
and
CATTLE COUNTRY VIDEO 2025 Summer Production Schedule
HIGH PLAINS SHOWCASE
Tuesday, July 1st, 2025 Marian Rochelle Gateway Center Laramie, WY Deadline: Friday, June 13
OREGON TRAIL CLASSIC August 12th & August 13th, 2025 Gering Civic Center - Gering, NE Deadline: Friday, July 18
FRONTIER FALL ROUNDUP Thursday, September 11th, 2025
Cheyenne Frontier Days Event Center Cheyenne, WY
Deadline: Friday, August 22 www.cattlecountryvideo.com
These youth are the future.
Local 4-H clubs and FFA chapters teach young people in Wyoming communities the value of caring for natural resources on which the nation’s agriculture industry depends, and the activities of these youth development programs would not be possible without ongoing support from local community volunteers and sponsors.
In 2024, Wyoming 4-H had 1,228 certified, screened adult volunteers; 787 five- to seven-year-old “clover buds” and 7,186 active members ages eight to 18.
Each level of membership is supported by generous volunteers and sponsors.
Ways to support
There are many ways to support local 4-H or FFA programs, and they are not all financial in nature.
Fly-Fisherman Allen Gardner once wrote, “Passion that isn’t shared with others is wasted.”
Wyoming 4-H and FFA take a similar approach.
A 4-H program is only as strong as the volunteers and leaders who buy in and help facilitate programs. The 4-H program relies on the expertise of volunteer leaders to support youth development across a wide range of official project areas and programs.
Have a passion for shooting sports, a green thumb, experience with dog obedience or a background raising high-quality livestock?
Volunteers make all the difference in supporting the future of Wyoming agriculture. Some of the greatest support Johnson County 4-H has received has been through volunteers on committees that do the things nobody sees.
Dedicated community members can be found stuffing envelopes, prepping awards for the fair, scoring record books, sitting in on scholarship interviews and in many other ways requiring little to no expertise. The only requirement is someone who cares.
Contact a local University of Wyoming (UW) Extension office to see what volunteer opportunities are available.
To view locations and contact information for UW Extension offices, visit bit.ly/ uwe-county
If time or expertise are limiting, consider financial support. Many Wyoming 4-H and FFA programs offer opportunities to sponsor awards for the county fair to assist with purchasing supplies for specific project areas or to help with scholarship funds.
Torrington,
Zach Johnson Lingle, WY –307-575-2171***Jeff Ward – Laramie, WY
Tam Staman – Crawford, NE 308-631-8513***Justin Smith - Lusk, WY
Chris Williams - Greybull, WY 307-272-4567***Hunter Dockery - Lusk, WY 307-340-1202 Nolan Brott - Lusk, WY 307-216-0033 ***Ben Kukowski - Kaycee, WY 307-217-1472*** Scott Redden - Burns, Co 970-596-3588
Property owners outside of city limits with a little extra room can host livestock or gardening projects for youth who live in town and don’t have access to adequate facilities.
This is especially important for building practical knowledge and understanding in students who are new to agriculture. What better way to teach a young person where their food comes from than to help them grow a tomato in the corner of a vegetable garden or to dedicate an open pen or two to some 4-H steers or lambs?
Benefits and opportunities
Youth in Wyoming 4-H and the Wyoming FFA Association have significant advantages which they have garnered without realizing through their years in the programs.
Not only are youth in these two organizations learning and honing skills in their specific interest areas, but these two agricultural organizations paint much larger pictures in youth development.
This includes networking, because the youth in these programs interact with adult volunteers and passionate people from an array of industries, the extensive network which can be built for a young adult is incredible and civic engagement, as youth in these organizations learn both the impact of community service and servant leadership. Both organizations understand creating a better life for others, as well as themselves.
Other developmental outcomes 4-H and FFA youth gain compared to those who are not active in similar programs include growing personal standards, social competence, personal responsibility, contribution, purpose, being open to challenges, wellbeing and a sense of belonging.
Although it varies from community to community, a nonprofit organization often formally supports local 4-H or FFA groups. Donations to the local “4-H Advisory Council” or “Friends of the FFA” might have associated tax benefits. Work with a financial advisor to determine eligibility. Every contribution helps.
Many volunteers go above and beyond in other ways unique to their specific community.
Beyond this, individuals who complete the 4-H and FFA programs through their senior year in high school increase their scholarship opportunities. Their employment skills are greatly enhanced, and this group is shown to be those who have the most ongoing civic participation. This is good news for Wyoming agriculturalists. Youth in 4-H and FFA are the next generation of the state’s industry leaders and government officials, and their participation in these programs builds genuine connections to the Wyoming agricultural and business communities. In this way, an investment in the youth is an investment in Wyoming’s future. What is planted this year by supporting local youth development programs will reap benefits for many years into the future.
Micah Most is the UW Extension agriculture and natural resources educator serving north-central Wyoming and Bryce McKenzie is the 4-H youth development educator serving Johnson County. They can be reached at mmost@uwyo. edu or bmckenz7@uwyo.edu, respectively.
On April 11, several senators reintroduced the Organic Science and Research Investment (OSRI) Act to expand research and support for organic agriculture.
The bill is led by Sens. John Fetterman (D-PA) and Adam Schiff (D-CA), joined by Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Peter Welch (D-VT), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Angus King (I-ME) and supported by more than 80 farm and food organizations across the U.S.
The OSRI Act focuses on increasing investment in organic research by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture (USDA), boosting farmerled innovation and improving tools for a strong domestic food system, while also ensuring the USDA considers organic research priorities in its budget justification to Congress.
Additionally, the OSRI Act would build on existing organic research by creating a statutory grant program to support producers as they transition to organic production.
“I’m proud to introduce this bill to increase organics research within the federal government and at our leading research institutions to ensure our commonwealth can remain on the cutting edge of this growing industry. I’m grateful for Schiff’s partnership as we work to pass this crucial support for American farmers,” Fetterman states in a joint press release with Schiff on April 10.
Schiff adds, “America’s agriculture is the envy of the world, and agriculture research is essential to ensuring food and farm organizations have the resources they need to grow food affordably, safely and sustainably.”
According to the Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF), this legislation comes at a pivotal moment for organic agriculture, and it is backed by strong grassroots support.
“The OSRI Act is timely and transformative legisla-
tion which lays the groundwork for a more resilient, economically vibrant and science-driven food system,” reads OFRF’s website. “It delivers targeted investments into organic agricultural research, helping address one of the sector’s most pressing challenges – the rise in organic imports.”
What is the OSRI Act?
This bill would make strategic investments into USDA-funded organic agriculture research, better equipping farmers to meet the growing demand for organic products and keep organic dollars circulating in rural and regional economies.
The OSRI Act strengthens federal commitments to organic agriculture through creating, coordinating and expanding the organic research initiative at USDA to assess and efficiently expand the agency’s organic research portfolio.
The bill notes an increase in funding for the Organic Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) from its current budget of $50 million annually to $100 million by the end of the next farm bill and formally authorizes the Organic Transition Research Program to support farmers transitioning to organic practices and renaming the program to the Researching the Transition to Organic Program (RTOP).
“Doubling the farm bill support for the Organic Production and Market Data Initiative improves market transparency, supports market development investments and improves risk management tools,” OFRF reports.
Industry experts say directing the USDA’s Economic Research Service to evaluate the full economic, ecological and community impacts of organic agriculture is imperative at a time when food security and economic resilience are more important than ever, and the OSRI Act will ensure U.S. producers – not foreign suppliers – are meeting the needs of American consumers.
Rural opportunity
A core feature of the bill is its support for farmerled research. The OSRI Act
would require researchers to collaborate directly with farmers, helping ensure results at the farm level.
By funding methods like crop diversification and natural pest control, the act encourages environmentally-friendly practices and includes Traditional Ecological Knowledge, recognizing Indigenous farming wisdom.
“Every dollar invested in agricultural research returns $20 to the U.S. economy,” states the OFRF. “The USDA’s current investments into organic agricultural research are less than two percent of their total budget, while organic products make up over six percent of all U.S. food sales and over 15 percent of all U.S. produce sales.”
The OSRI Act is designed to course correct this imbalance, ensuring public investment better reflects the growing role of organic agriculture in the U.S. food system and economy.
Backed by science Research studies have shown farmers greatly benefit when they lead onfarm research trials at their farms. Conducting local research allows them to address farm-specific questions and has historically supported the adoption and innovation of sustainable agricultural practices.
“Through OREI and the RTOP programs, the OSRI Act requires researchers to collaborate directly with farmers, ensuring realworld challenges shape research questions and that the solutions developed are practical, locally relevant and readily adoptable on farms of all sizes and types,” OFRF adds.
According to reports, nearly all of the farmers who have historically participated in OREI projects have been compensated for their participation, and this bill builds on the existing trust between researchers and communities, while also incentivizing future connections.
Melissa Anderson is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
“The field day included presentations from UW Meat Specialist Dr. Cody Gifford, Interim Sheep Specialist and Graduate Student Dylan Laverell and Assistant Wyoming State Veterinarian Dr. Rose Digianantonio,” Koepke shared. “All speeches were awesome, and the producers gained more knowledge of developing research at the university, as well as some biosecurity measures which can be taken to protect
flocks from potential disease outbreaks.”
This year, the top indexing ram for the Wyoming Certified Index was consigned by Ivan Laird of Lander, and the top indexing ram for the Rambouillet Association Index was consigned by Mike McCormick of Glendo.
Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@ wylr.net.
• 14 dun gelding by Blackburn Double 40-team rope, breakaway
• 24 red roan stallion grandson of Metallic Cat 24 red roan stallion grandson of Metallic Cat
20 chestnut gelding by Cactus Rondo-ranch horse
• 24 red roan mare granddaughter of Metallic Cat
• 24 palomino mare granddaughter of Metallic Cat
24 bay mare granddaughter of High Brow Cat 13 buckskin gelding “Bucky”- pretty family horse
• 24 bay mare by Travelin Jonez- riata buckle, NRCHA cow horse incentive, royal crown, gold buckle eligible
24 red roan stallion grandson of Metallic Cat
21 sorrel gelding by grandson of High Brow Cat-started heeling
• 20 gray gelding by Ranger Cookie-2023 F&R futurity champion started heading
21 sorrel gelding ½ draft-pickup horse gentle
20 bay mare by Cant Kick This Cat-gentle, breakaway, heel horse
• 15 buckskin gelding grandson of Rooster-good broke
• 20 bay mare granddaughter of Smart Little Lena-ranch, heel horse
21 black gelding grandson of Paprika Pine-ranch, started roping
• 18 chestnut mare granddaughter of Two Eyed Red Buck-family horse, ranch rodeos
22 palomino stallion grandson of Reds Diamond Jack-F&R Futurity & HPI eligible
• 22 buckskin gelding by Jacks Red Hombre-ranch broke, good prospect
22 bay gelding by Shooter Cat-good prospect, gentle
23 bay roan mare by Stylin With Pepto- Riata Buckle eligible
• 19 sorrel gelding grandson of Metallic Cat-team rope, ranch rodeos
24 sorrel mare by Electric Code-eligible for 8 NRCHA Derbies and Futurities
21 palomino mare by MP Hot Hayday-Ruby, Pink and Riata Buckle eligible
19 sorrel gelding by Cant Kick This Cat-ranch, team rope
21 sorrel gelding by Smooth As A Cat-riata buckle
24 blue roan mare Peptoboonsmal X Hashtags
• 24 sorrel stallion by Peptoboonsmal & Smooth As A Cat
15 blue roan gelding by Wyo Blue Driftwood-ranch/started team roping
Kemp worked hard to find the right people to invest in this place so we could create this great institution in Nebraska which is going to be so much for our state and for the community of North Platte,” he adds.
According to a Jan. 29 Independent Processor article, Missouri Department of Agriculture Director Chris Chinn states, “America’s Heartland
Packing is a game changer for Missouri agriculture.
The impact of this plant not only reaches producers, but also feed stores, farm supply stores and veterinary clinics in towns across the area as producers retain cattle for processing.”
He adds, “We welcome American Foods Group (AFG) and thank them for bringing this family-owned business to Missouri.”
Missouri plant
America’s Heartland Packing is a fresh meats division of AFG, supplying quality beef for food service, retail and international markets in Warren County,
Missouri which broke ground in 2022. The $800 million mixed-cattle facility is slated to begin processing operations in April.
A key component of this project is the new wastewater treatment facility in Wright City, Mo. The $140 million project, funded and built by AFG in collaboration with Missouri Public Water Supply District Two, replaced the current lagoon system with a modern facility which expands capacity from 500,000 to 3.5 million gallons per day.
This upgrade supports the new beef processing facility and benefits the wider District Two community, paving the way for sustainable growth.
“From the state to the county, cattlemen to local community organizations, the support we’ve received has been remarkable,” said Steve Van Lannen, president and chief operations officer of AFG. “As a community-focused company, we are grateful to call War-
ren County, Missouri home. We remain dedicated to a seamless start to operations and eagerly anticipate coming online. While tours are currently paused to prioritize our startup efforts, we plan to host an open house for our partners and supporters this fall.”
AFG is enhancing efficiency by bringing beef processing closer to cattle production, lower costs and reduce energy consumption, benefiting both producers and consumers in Missouri.
Once fully operational, the facility is expected to process more than 2,400 cattle each day, which will increase the U.S. beef harvest capacity and support the company’s growth strategy.
Jennifer Dibbern, AFG executive vice president of marketing and corporate communications states in an April 16 Northern Ag Network article, “It is a mixedcattle plant and will pull cattle from the entire region. The plant will employ 1,300 people when it is scaled up
to full production.”
Nebraska plant
Sustainable Beef, which plans to be fully operational by the summer of 2025, broke ground for its 560,000 square-feet facility in October 2022, with a processing capacity of approximately 1,500 head per day and 850 employees.
The rancher-led meat processing plant, backed by $20 million from Nebraska’s American Rescue Plan and in partnership with Walmart, ensures a steady demand for Nebraska’s high-quality beef.
According to “KNOP,” once the North Platte, Neb. facility starts operating, Walmart will assist in delivering beef from the facility to consumers across the country, and as part of the equity investment, the retailer will have a seat on Sustainable Beef’s Board of Directors.
“We are thrilled to be here today to work with Sustainable Beef, help create more capacity for the beef industry and help ensure more long-term sustainable growth for cattle ranchers, family farms
and Walmart,” said Tyler Lehr, senior vice president at Walmart, during the ribbon cutting ceremony.
The facility will operate as a single-shift, family-friendly packinghouse with flexible hours to support working parents, enabling parents to drop off and pick up their children from school, with assistance from the after-school program provided by North Platte, Neb. schools.
Impact According to DTN Livestock Market Analyst ShayLe Stewart in an April 16 Northern Ag Network article, the onset of having two new packing plants open in 2025 is significant for the cattle and beef industry.
“Producers and feedlot managers remember the days in which shackle space was an issue and how it gravely limited fed cattle and feeder cattle prices,” she states. “From a grassroots perspective, more competition in the marketplace is always welcomed, and it will likely help drive stronger feeder cattle and fed cattle prices as new
buyers will need to source cattle for those plants.” These plants are experiencing success during a challenging time, with business concerns regarding the longevity and sustainability of these facilities.
“Given the U.S. beef cow herd sits at a record low, will those plants be able to find enough cattle to run their operation profitably? And the second part that’s vital to a packing plant’s success is being able to competitively market the meat they cut to a retail outlet,” Stewart adds.
Stewart mentions Sustainable Beef’s contract with Walmart would offer them protection against certain vulnerabilities.
In the past, new packing plants have gone out of business because larger, more established plants dominate the retail industry. This dominance makes it difficult for new plants to succeed, as they struggle to market their end products.
Melissa Anderson is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
the sting of the paddle once, and it’s when he had everyone in the class grab their ankles so we’d feel the full force of his paddle.
by Lee Pitts
Child rearin’ these days sure is a lot different than when I grew up. And when I say “rearin’” that’s where the biggest difference occurred – in the rear end.
A person these days would rightly be put in jail and have their children taken away if they were caught administering punishment the same way our parents did.
There were degrees of punishment at our house. For a minor crime, my mom would bend us over her knee and say, “This is going to hurt me more than it hurts you, but it’s for your own good.”
For heaven’s sake, our ag teacher had a long paddle an inch thick which he used for swatting the bottoms of unruly students. I only felt
Then she’d spank our bottom several times with her bare hand. If the offense was a major misdemeanor, like stealing some change from her purse to buy a 50/50
bar from the ice cream man, she’d break one of her yardsticks walloping us a good one. And then she’d wonder where all of her yardsticks went when she needed one for dressmaking. If we committed a felonious assault on a sibling she’d say, “You just wait until your father gets home.”
My dad was a longhaul trucker so he could be gone for several days, and this meant we’d have to anticipate the spanking for a long time which made it that much worse. His favorite tool for committing child
abuse was the belt, and he was a very strong man.
A kid might not be able to sit down for days after the rear attack.
The second worst whoopin’ I ever got was the time I was kicked out of school for three days for throwing an egg, which was a tradition at our school. The seniors lobbed eggs and water balloons at the freshmen almost daily, and to the best of my knowledge, no one had ever been kicked out of school before – or since – for the offense.
I missed high with the egg I threw so it hit a tree branch and the yolk dripped all over the vice principal’s daughter. I was ratted out, called to the office of the vice principal – who was also the football coach – given a tongue lashing and sent home for three days with a note.
Now here’s where it gets real interesting. The captain of the football team just happened to be the boyfriend of the dripped-on girl, and he was the one who brought the egg to school and dared me to throw it. Of course, nothing happened to him.
I’ve endured a lot of physical pain in my life, but the most agonizing I’ve ever experienced was when I was 10 years old and had to sit through an entire dance recital of my younger sister’s dance class.
A person can only endure so much of watching 15 sixyear-olds in tight tutus shuffling off to Buffalo.
After one such experience, my sister’s picture appeared on the front page of our local paper, and my mother was quite proud.
My older, perfect brother – the exalted one – took the newspaper my mom wanted to preserve for posterity and drew horns and a goatee on my sister with an ink pen so she looked like a fat devil. I thought it was quite a good likeness, but my mom hit the roof and naturally thought I did it. And, my perfect brother was more than happy to let me suffer the pain which only got worse when my father got home.
I insisted between swats I was not the culprit, but this only made the blows get harder. When I was 40, my brother finally admitted to my mom he was the guilty party, and everyone got a good laugh out of it. Ha, ha.
I’ve suffered from PTSD – post-traumatic swatting disorder – ever since.
Interestingly, when I ran on the school’s cross country team as a freshman, I was crammed and locked inside a locker by two burly guys on the football team and stayed crumpled up for two hours. Of course, they were never kicked out of school because the coach needed them on Friday night.
Containers should be fitted with a clear plastic dome – or plastic wrap – to allow light in, retain heat and keep moisture from escaping. Domes or wraps should be removed when the seedlings are tall enough to touch them.
Experts recommend filling containers with a soilless seed-starting mix, usually composed of peat and vermiculite, which is sterile, lightweight and free from weed seeds, with a texture and porosity specifically crafted for germinating seeds and tiny seedlings.
According to a seed starting guide published by University of Minnesota (UMN) Extension, planted containers should be set out of the way of heavy traffic, pets, cold drafts and excess heat, and individuals should avoid placing planted seeds in a windowsill.
“A windowsill is not a good location for starting seeds,” UMN Extension writes. “Window sills can be the coldest place in the house, especially at night, and then the hottest during the day.”
“Most seeds need consistently warm soil to germinate and produce strong roots. Cooler soil temperatures can lead to seedling death due to disease, and excess heat during the day can dry out the potting mix, leading to seedling death,” UMN continues.
Planting and growing
Seeds should be planted according to the depth and spacing instructions outlined on the package, and containers should be labeled using a waterproof permanent marker.
It is also essential to provide seedlings with an arti-
ficial light source instead of relying solely on natural light.
Since plants need 12 to 16 hours of light each day, as well as a short dark period at night, UMN recommends installing a timer so lights turn on and off automatically.
Several sources also suggest using electric heating mats to provide a constant source of heat from the bottom up, since temperatures in the potting mix of indoor containers can be as much as five degrees Fahrenheit below the indoor air temperature.
“Bottom heat can help to prevent damping off – the death of tiny seedlings due to pathogens at the surface of the potting mix,” UMN states. “Seeds of most plants started indoors germinate sooner and produce healthier roots when the potting mix is warm.”
Experts note it is also essential to keep potting mix moist while seeds are germinating, and they mention the best way to do this is to gently mist the surface with a spray bottle daily to avoid washing potting mix out of the containers.
UMN notes, “Seedlings draw energy for germination from nutrients stored in the seed. They don’t need fertilizer until they have several sets of true leaves.”
At this time, they recommend using a weak generalpurpose, water-soluble fertilizer mixed at one-fourth strength once a week.
Transplanting
When seedlings start to outgrow their individual cells – usually around the time they have two pairs of leaves – they should be transplanted into containers one to
two inches wider in diameter than the cell packs. Larger peat pots or plastic cups with holes punched in the bottom work well for this.
“Don’t delay transplanting seedlings, as you don’t want them to become overcrowded, which can cause all sorts of issues, such as leggy seedlings or disease,” notes the Old Farmer’s Almanac
Growers are reminded to handle seedlings by their leaves, taking special care not to damage fragile stems and roots.
“One way to do this is to bring along as much of the potting mix around the roots as you can,” the Old Farmer’s Almanac reads. “This is one reason, in fact, why working with really young, small seedlings is often better – they are really quick growing and their roots are nowhere near as extensive as more established seedlings, so there’s less root to damage.”
It is important to note, larger seedlings in larger containers will require more space and often another set of lights.
When it is time to move seedlings outdoors, growers are reminded to do it gradually since plants started indoors will not have been exposed to full sun, fluctuating temperatures, wind and other elements.
“If seedlings are not gradually accustomed to the outdoor environment – a process called hardening off – their leaves may be scorched by sun or wind. They may even wilt or die,” notes UMN Extension.
To harden off seedlings, they should be placed outside in the shade for a few hours during the warm afternoon in a location protected from wind two weeks before they are planted outdoors,
then moved back inside before temperatures begin to drop at night. Each day, plants should be left out a little longer than the last to expose them to more and more sunshine.
“Keep soil moist at all times during this period,” states the Old Farmer’s Almanac. “Dry air and spring breezes can result in rapid transpiration.”
By the end of the twoweek period – unless there are freezing temperatures in the forecast – seedlings can stay outside in a sunny area until they are ready to be permanently transplanted into the garden.
“Hardened-off plants may wilt when first exposed to full sun, but they gener-
ally recover within a day or so,” UMN explains. “Row covers and other types of plant protectors can help plants get off to a good start in the garden by reducing damage from wind and temperature fluctuations.”
The Old Farmer’s Almanac continues, “If outdoor conditions allow, plant seedlings outside while they are still quite young – sometimes as soon as three to four weeks after first sowing. Younger seedlings tend to establish quicker than those that have become root bound in their containers.”
Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
Livestock Roundup Crosswords, created by Myles Mellor.
On April 11, the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) released its weekly recap including updates on legislative priorities, introduction of legislation to fix Proposition 12 (Prop 12), tariffs affecting the pork industry and an outlook on U.S. pork exports.
NPPC’s role is to protect the livelihood of pork producers in the U.S. by advocating for sensible public policies, publicizing industry events and highlighting important industry research.
Legislative update
According to NPPC, more than 120 pork producers from 21 states were in Washington, D.C. for NPPC’s Spring Legislative Action Conference, lobbying Congressional lawmakers on several issues important to the U.S. pork industry.
This event is an important opportunity for pork producers to help advance various issues of importance to the U.S. pork industry and for policymakers to learn about the many benefits the industry provides in their districts, states and throughout the country.
During the visit, NPPC producer leadership par-
ticipated in meetings with senior Trump administration officials, U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin to discuss the vital role of advancing policies to protect the livelihood of pork producers.
Day one of the 2025 conference started with strong momentum, as pork producers heard from House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) and Congressman Don Davis (D-NC), who highlighted the critical steps needed to tackle ongoing challenges facing pork producers, including labor issues, Prop 12, trade and tariff challenges and the U.S. Swine Health Improvement Plan.
Prop 12
On April 8, U.S. senators introduced legislation which would revoke Prop 12, pulling support from one of the leaders in the pork industry.
The Food Security and Farm Protection Act, introduced by Sens. Charles Grassley (R-IA), Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Roger Marshall (R-KS) would prevent any
state or local government from passing laws interfering with commerce and agricultural practices outside of their jurisdictions.
A significant aspect of the four-page bill recently introduced is it would allow agricultural producers to sue states like California in order to “invalidate” such regulations and seek damages for any economic losses incurred.
The legislation would mandate courts issue preliminary injunctions to prevent the enforcement of laws, such as those established by Prop 12, until final judgments are made.
Additionally, the bill would establish a 10-year statute of limitations for farmers to file such claims.
“Prop 12 is dangerous and arbitrary overregulation which stands in direct opposition to the livelihoods of Iowa pork producers, increases costs for both farmers and consumers and jeopardizes our nation’s food security,” Ernst states in an April 8 press release. “I’m proud to be leading the charge to strike down this harmful measure and will keep fighting to make sure the voices of the farmers and experts who know
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best are heard.”
In the same press release, Grassley states, “California’s Prop 12, along with Massachusetts’ Question Three, are based on arbitrary, nonsensical standards and have resulted in a harmful patchwork of regulations across all 50 states. They’re a threat to Iowa, which leads the nation in pork production, and to farmers and consumers across this country. Consistent with its authorities under the Commerce Clause, it’s time for Congress to solve this problem by passing legislation.”
NPPC President Duane Stateler, a pork producer from Ohio, thanked the senators for standing up for the American pork producer, especially during these times of uncertainty.
He states, “U.S. pork producers have just suffered the worst 18 months of financial losses in history, and many farm families are contemplating whether they can pass along their farm to the next generation. We urge the Senate to take up this legislation immediately to provide us much-needed relief.”
In January 2025 the NPPC, along with multiple
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states, filed an appeal to the Supreme Court challenging Prop 12, arguing the law is discriminatory because it imposes regulations on pig farming practices across the entire nation.
Trade
During a busy time for international trade, President Donald J. Trump made several tariff announcements, including a 90-day suspension.
According to the NPPC website, the organization urges the Trump administration to support U.S. pork export by negotiating new markets for U.S. pork, including elimination of all tariff and nontariff barriers to trade which still exists between the U.S. and Vietnam.
Currently, China’s retaliation against the U.S. has led to an effective tariff rate of 172 percent on pork exports to that market.
While relieved with reciprocal tariffs being temporarily lowered through the suspension, pork producers cannot compete in the China market with such a high tariff imposed.
“More than 25 percent of pork production is exported to high-value markets around the world, and U.S. pork exports support over 140,000 jobs domestically,” states NPPC.
Exports
January pork exports were down two percent in value and three percent in volume compared with the same period in 2024, with February exports down two percent in value and four percent in volume compared with year-ago levels, despite continued strong demand from Mexico and Central America, according to data recently released by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Commerce and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation
“The U.S. pork industry in February exported more than 241,000 metric tons of pork valued at $671.5 million,” NPPC reports. “Mexico, the industry’s number one export market, imported more than $200 million of product, the eighth consecutive month it has taken at least this much. Pork shipments there in the first two months of the year were seven percent higher than January through February 2024.”
Exports to Costa Rica were up 93 percent, while Guatemala was up 32 percent and Honduras was up 23 percent in value.
Overall, a small drop in exports was due in large part to lower shipments to top markets Canada, Japan and South Korea.
Those countries took eight percent, 19 percent and 20 percent, respectively, less pork in January through February 2025 compared with the same period last year.
Other countries showing positive growth in U.S. pork imports over the first two months of the year compared with 2024 included China up nine percent, Cuba up 169 percent, New Zealand up 59 percent and the Philippines up 48 percent.
“U.S. pork producers are dependent on exports, which in 2024 were a record $8.6 billion, equating to an average of more than $66 in value from each hog marketed, up about four percent from 2023, and accounted for 25 percent of total production. Pork exports support more than 140,000 U.S. jobs,” the NPPC reports. Melissa Anderson is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
Red Angus
Lot 2 – Schuler Macallen-4454 – Price: $20,000 DOB: 3/9/24 Sire: Wedel Prime-Time 0007 Dam’s Sire: 5L Transporter 4916-25F EPDs: BW: -3.4, WW: +79, YW: +133 and Milk: +28 Buyer: Pehrson Red Angus, Laurel, Neb. Lot 8 – Schuler Made for This-4446 – Price: $17,000
DOB: 3/6/24 Sire: Bieber Jumpstart J137 Dam’s Sire: 5L The Real Deal 603-393G EPDs: BW: -3, WW: +89, YW: +149 and Milk: +31 Buyer: Lone Rock Ranch, Kansas Lot 1 – Schuler Private Label-4438 – Price: $16,000
DOB: 3/4/24 Sire: Wedel Prime-Time 0007 Dam’s Sire: 5L Transporter 4916-25F EPDs: BW: -4.7, WW: +74, YW: +128 and Milk: +28 Buyer: Bryan Wilson, Lakeside, Neb. Red Composite Lot 136 – Schuler
“Agriculture is constantly evolving. New things come up, and old things come back around,” said Makayla Getz, a UW Park County Extension educator who helped organize the event. “It is not the exact same field it was when our grandparents were in tractors and combines and when they were out feeding cattle.”
Marketing
Getz and UW Jay Kemmerer Wyoming Outdoor Recreation, Tourism and Hospitality (WORTH) Institute Extension Educator Hailey Sorg addressed agricultural marketing and how traditional agricultural producers can benefit from agritourism.
Tourism is the second largest industry in Wyoming, generating over $4.8 billion in 2023. In addition, tourism is the largest private employment sector in Wyoming, employing over 33,000 individuals. WORTH helps support, expand and diversify Wyoming’s economy through the outdoor recreation, tourism and hospitality industries.
To improve ag marketing, producers can focus on understanding their target audience, utilizing digital marketing and highlighting the value of their products or services.
“This includes leveraging social media, e-mail marketing and content marketing, as well as emphasizing sustainability and building strong customer relationships,” Getz stated. “Another great way to market products or goods is to attend in-person events, such as farmers’ markets.”
Getz went on to explain how content marketing is utilized in the ag industry, as it is used to attract and engage with target audiences and build trust, while educating consumers and building brand awareness.
“Branding benefits include getting the business name and product out to the public, driving sales and increasing product value by generating local connections,” she concluded.
Sorg joined Getz to discuss agritourism and provide a definition. Agritourism, she said, is a form of commercial enterprise linking agricultural
William “Bill” H. Rishel of North Platte, Neb. has been named the 2025 inductee of the prestigious Saddle and Sirloin Portrait Gallery. Rishel will become the 380th member of this historic gallery and his portrait will be unveiled at an induction banquet to be held on Nov. 16 during the North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE) in Louisville, Ky.
Not many Angus producers can claim to have successfully touched every segment of the beef industry during their lives. Even fewer can say they produced a groundbreaking purebred bull that today has more than three million registered descendants going back 11 generations.
determine if participating in the carbon market aligns with their operations.
products and/or processes with tourism to attract visitors on to a farm, ranch or other agricultural businesses for the purpose of entertainment and/ or education while generating income for the farm, ranch or business owner.
“The U.S. Department of Agriculture categorizes agritourism into five main types – education, hospitality, outdoor recreation, entertainment and on-farm direct sales,” she explained. “Here in Wyoming, we are lucky to partner with a lot of local schools to bring children out to participate in agritourism activities, providing them with learning experiences.”
Final seminar
On April 17, students and area participants gathered at the Laramie Research and Extension Center (LREC) in Laramie for the final event in this year’s UW Ranching in the West Seminar Series, titled “Ranch Stewardship at High Elevation.”
Hosting the event was RMAL Associate Director Dr. Randall Violett, who works to bridge multidisciplinary classroom instruction with hands-on learning, connecting students with producers and industry leaders to enhance real-world agricultural education.
Joining Violett was the seminar’s emcee UW LREC Director Dr. Derek Scasta who oversees all LREC farm and ranch operations, as well as research and Extension initiatives including cooperation with more than 20 faculty colleagues annually.
Among the presenters for the morning session were UW Extension Beef Specialist Dr. Shelby Rosasco who discussed the 2025 High Altitude Bull Test and Sale which took place at the Cliff and Martha Hansen Teaching Arena in Laramie.
Nicki Nimlos, a thirdyear UW PhD researcher who specializes in opportunities for ranchers in the voluntary carbon market, gave a brief review of services producers from across the western U.S. have available and how she can help ranchers navigate carbon contracts to
Rishel can make both of those assertions. From his childhood days managing successful 4-H beef projects, to his animal science degrees and impressive livestock judging record at Pennsylvania State University during the 1960s, Rishel was well prepared for a career in the beef industry.
In 1975, with limited resources, Bill and his wife Barb made the bold decision to leave New York and move to Nebraska to establish themselves within the western cattle industry. With their three young daughters Jill, Joy and Judy; the bull New Criterion; 12 purebred Angus females and a shared passion for good cattle and a vision of excellence, they
UW Research Associate Timm Gergeni, the UW infrastructure development and associate grazing manager for the McGuire Ranch, provided updates on the university’s Metrics, Management and Monitoring (3M) grant project.
According to Gergeni, the 3M project is a multi-region research initiative with the primary goal of understanding how farmers’ and ranchers’ management practices impact soil health, carbon sequestration and overall ecosystem health on pasture and rangelands between three different ecoregions located in Wyoming, western Colorado, midwestern Michigan and southern Oklahoma and Texas.
Song bird research
Amanda Norton, a thirdyear UW PhD student in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management who focuses her research on the intersection of wildlife conservation and rangeland management, discussed research conducted at the McGuire Ranch, which was aimed to understand how the timing, duration and intensity of cattle grazing affect songbird nesting survival during the breeding season.
Additionally, she explained how grazing influences changes in songbird density and diversity.
During the breeding season, sagebrush-obligate songbirds may choose nest locations on functioning ranches dominated by shrub species for nesting coverage and foraging opportunities.
She reported habitat has declined since 1970, with about 700 million birds lost – approximately 53 percent of the total population – and in arid-land birds, there has been a 36 million population loss, which is about 23 percent of the total population.
Historic high-intensity, continuous cattle grazing on sagebrush steppe ecosystems has caused declines in the songbird population by altering vegetation structure and creating less favorable conditions for nest success.
However, according to her research results, of the
began developing Rishel Angus.
Rishel has had many industry firsts and achievements through the decades.
During the last 60-plus years, he has received numerous honors, held dozens of volunteer leadership roles in state and national beef organizations and with educational institutions, judged numerous cattle shows and presented many impactful presentations.
An original oil portrait of Rishel, painted by renowned Artist Richard Halstead, has been commissioned and will be framed and hung when the award is presented at the NAILE in November.
For more information, visit rishelportrait.com/
689 observed occurrences for all species, three focal species dominate the songbird community on the McGuire Ranch, including the Brewers sparrow, horned lark and vesper sparrow.
Research suggests intermediate grazing intensities may be beneficial for maintaining bird abundance and richness, while high or low grazing intensity can negatively impact bird populations. But, utilizing different grazing systems such as restrotation versus season-long grazing have varying effects on songbird populations.
Concluding the event Monte Reed, a third-generation rancher who helps manage his family ranch located on the south end of Thunder Basin National Grasslands, explained how his family’s operation has been raising sheep and cattle with an emphasis on improving rangeland grasses to benefit both livestock and wildlife using virtual fencing.
According to Reed, utilizing virtual fencing can keep cattle out of areas, limiting heavy foot traffic which leads to erosion or using fencing to keep or guide cattle to areas where the forage
is potentially better or needs to be grazed down. The Reeds are a founding member of the Thunder Basin Grasslands Prairie Ecosystem Association and are also involved in the Audubon Conservation Ranching program. While improvements on the ranch have been done for the livestock, they also benefit wildlife, balancing the need for conservation while keeping the land profitable. Melissa Anderson is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
Vigil, Madison - Manderson
1 Blk Breed Bull $2550/Hd. BULLS
Graber, Allen - Byron
1 SimX Bull, 2440# $19800 Geis, Ernest - Worland
1 Red Bull, 1830# $19150 Davidson, Peter - Burlington
1 Blk Bull, 2140# $18500
Lazy T Ranch - Ten Sleep
1 Hrfd Bull, 1955# $18450
1 Hrfd Bull, 2050# $18000
2 Hrfd Bulls, avg. 1783# $17200
Borntrager, Alvin - Byron
1 Red Bull, 1705# $18100
TD & Sons LLC - Worland
3 Blk Bulls, avg. 2083# $17800
Borre, Gene - Burlington
1 Red Bull, 1920# $16200 COWS
Black, Vern - Riverton
2 Blk Cows, avg. 1260# $16750
Hoyt, Mark - Basin
5 Blk Cows, avg. 1153# $16700
1 Blk Cow, 1395# $15850
4 Blk Cows, avg. 1439# $15700
Thomas, Fred - Meeteetse
1 Blk Cow, 1240# $16250
1 Blk Cow, 1545# $15800
Vigil, Danny - Worland
1 Blk Cow, 1555# $16200
2 Blk Cows, avg. 1615# $16000
5 Blk Cows, avg. 1414# $15700
Starbuck Ranch - Ten Sleep
1 Blk Cow, 1490# $16200
Lungren, Sarah - Worland
1 CharX Cow, 1215# $16200
Doyle McKim & Sons - Manderson
1 Blk Cow, 1175# $16000
1 Blk Cow, 1740# $15400
Herman Livestock - Hyattville
1 Blk Cow, 1525# $15750
Nielsen, Jr., Jack - Greybull
1 Red Cow, 1700# $15600
Dooley Livestock - Worland
1 Blk Cow, 1355# $15600
J & J Baling - Manderson
1 Blk Cow, 1435# $15400
Bottoms, Michael - Greybull
2 Blk Bulls, avg. 1508# $15300
Skorcz, Brian - Farson
1 Blk Cow, 1720# $15300
1 Blk Cow, 1475# $15200 Ward, Paul - Thermopolis
2 Blk Cows, avg. 1290# $15300 Homewood, Lucky - Frannie
1 CharX Cow, 1300# $15000
TD & Sons LLC - Worland
1 BWF Cow, 1540# $14800 Dewey, Jesse - Otto
CharX Cow, 1365# $14800
April 30 Low-Tech Process-Based Restoration Virtual Workshop, 8:30-11:30 a.m., online. For more information or to register, visit westoncountynrd.org/ltpbrworkshop/
May 1-2 Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Summit, Marian H. Rochelle Gateway Center, Laramie. For more information, visit uwyo.edu/worth/outdoor-rec-summit.html
May 2-3 Fourth Annual Sheepherder’s Festival, Rockpile Museum, Gillette. For more information, call 307-682-5723.
May 3 First Annual Clem McSpadden Cowboy Trade Day and Ranch Horse Competition, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Will Rogers Stampede Arena, Claremore, Okla. For more information, call 918-237-3739 or 918-805-1917.
May 3 Wyoming Collegiate Cattle Association Second Annual Formal Gala and Auction, 6 p.m., The Black Fox, Laramie. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Lily Stewart at lstew19@uwyo.edu or 719-650-6127.
May 6 Montana Wild and Domestic Sheep Commingling Project Public Meeting, 5:30-6 p.m., Wolf Creek School, Wolf Creek, Mont. For more information, visit animalrangeextension.montana.edu/wildlife/index.html
May 6-8 Social Drivers of Health Bridging the Gap Conference, Best Western Downtown, Casper. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit wyoming211.org/event/bridging-the-gap/
May 8-9 Women in Ranching Education and Development Series, Coalville, Utah. For more information or to register, visit ancw.org/wired
May 13-14 Wyoming Animal Damage Management Board Project Application Meeting, Thyra Thomson Building, Casper. For more information, visit wyadmb.com/
May 14 Low-Tech Process-Based Restoration Virtual Workshop, 8:30-11:30 a.m., online. For more information or to register, visit westoncountynrd.org/ltpbrworkshop/
May 15 Montana Wild and Domestic Sheep Commingling Project Public Meeting, 5:30-6 p.m., Elks Lodge, Thompson Falls, Mont. For more information, visit animalrangeextension.montana.edu/wildlife/index.html
May 16-18 7 Triangle 7 Artificial Insemination Spring Training, Akron, Colo. For more information or to register, visit 7triangle7.com or call 307-481-3921.
May 16-18 Rocky Mountain Leather Trade Show, Sheridan. For more information, visit leathercraftersjournal.com
May 17-18 59th Annual Colorado Gun Collectors Association Gun Show, Island Grove Event Center, Greeley, Colo. For more information, visit cgca.com, e-mail CGCAShow@cgca.com or call 720-482-0167.
May 20 Montana Wild and Domestic Sheep Commingling Project Public Meeting, 12-1 p.m., 4-H Building, Beaverhead County Fairgrounds, Dillon, Mont. For more information, visit animalrangeextension.montana.edu/wildlife/index.html
May 20 Montana Wild and Domestic Sheep Commingling Project Public Meeting, 5:30-6 p.m., Jeffers Building, Madison County Fairgrounds, Twin Bridges, Mont. For more information, visit animalrangeextension.montana.edu/wildlife/ index.html
April 30
4R Land and Cattle Ranch Absolute Land Auction, Moose Lodge, Belle Fourche, S.D., 605-685-4556, 605-798-2525, 605-423-6000, 605-347-1164, piroutekauction.com arnesonauction,com
May 1 J Spear Cattle Company Annual Production Sale, Belle Fourche Livestock Auction, Belle Fourche, S.D., 605-685-5964, 605-279-1026
May 3 Lamar Community College Legacy Horse Sale, 2401 S. Main Street, Lamar, Colo., 719-336-6663, 719-336-1624, lamarcc.edu
May 16-17
Farmers and Ranchers Livestock Commission Ranch Horse Competition and Spring Spectacular Catalog Horse Sale, Salina, Kan., 785-825-0211, 785-826-7884, fandrlive.com
May 24 16th Annual Full House Horse Sale, Weston County Fairgrounds, Newcastle, 307-746-5690, 307-746-8592, 307-746-8536, fullhousehorsesale.com
June 17-19
July 1
July 7-11
July 14-16
July 24
Superior Livestock Auction Corn Belt Classic, 800-422-2117, superiorlivestock.com
Cattle Country Video High Plains Showcase Sale, UW Marian H. Rochelle Gateway Center, Laramie, 888-322-8853, cattlecountryvideo.com
Superior Livestock Auction Week in the Rockies, 800-422-2117, superiorlivestock.com
Western Video Market, Silver Legacy Casino Resort, Reno, Nev., 530-3473793, wvmcattle.com
Stellpflug Cattle Company “New Frontier” Female Sale, at the ranch, Guernsey, 307-351-1712, stellpflugcattle.com
Consisting of about 100,000 ties, nearly to the river. No trouble about dams or headgates
J.H. Mullison came in Monday from Pass Creek where he has been superintending the Teller tie drive of about 100,000 ties. The ties are nearly to the river, and the drive will be finished so far as the creek is concerned in a few days.
Mullison was asked about the dams and headgates in the creek and said, “There isn’t a dam in Pass Creek which can be called a dam and never was. We were careful about the headgates to the ditches and sent men along ahead to place ties across them in such a manner they were not harmed in the slightest.”
“The bridges across Pass Creek were very low, and it was necessary to prop them up to let the ties under, which interrupted the crossing as long as the ties were passing – which was about a day in most cases. The bridges were then let down, and everything was fixed securely,” he added.
“The ranchmen on the creek are perfectly satisfied, and they will tell you if they had not seen the drive pass, they would not have known, so far as the ties damaged their ditches and headgates, that there had been a drive,” Mullison concluded.
This story came from a June 7, 1900 edition of The Saratoga Sun Rivers and streams transport ties
Recently, local young folks have been asking questions concerning the crosstie drives down the Upper North Platte River and adjoining streams. Following is some of what I pass along to them.
Rivers and streams have historically been
used to transport forest products in many parts of the U.S. As the railroad pushed into the Central Rockies during the late 1860s, the need for crossties necessitated the use of many streams as conduits to move timber from the forests to the railheads.
Between 1868 and 1945, millions of railroad crossties, sawlogs and mine props were cut and transported down major rivers and their tributaries in Wyoming, Utah and Colorado. Early reports from the Medicine Bow National Forest estimate millions of board feet of timber were harvested from that forest alone between 1860 and 1910.
Given the absence of motorized vehicles and developed roads during this period, much of the total was moved by water.
As the Union Pacific Railroad moved across southern Wyoming and northeast Utah in the late 1860s, the first forests cut were in the Laramie, Medicine Bow and Uinta mountain ranges. Later, with the construction of spur lines, new railroads and improved transportation routes, extensive tim-
ber resources were also exploited in the Sierra Madre, Wind River and Big Horn ranges.
Streams tie-driven included the Little and Big Laramie rivers, Rock Creek, Medicine Bow River, Upper North Platte River, Encampment River, Green River, the Black’s Fork, Wind River, Tongue River, Bear River, Henry’s Fork, Cottonwood Creek, Douglas Creek, French Creek, Pass Creek, Mill Creek and the Smith’s Fork.
Tie drives were carried out during high water periods of spring snowmelt runoff, usually May or June. The ties were hewn in the woods during the fall and winter and decked along streams awaiting the spring thaw.
To facilitate the drives, flumes and splash dams were often built. Also, “stream improvements” were made to assure a swift trip downstream. Common practices included blocking off sloughs, swamps, low meadows and banks along wider sections with log cribbing to keep the mix of water and logs in the main channel and blasting or removing boulders, logs, debris and encroaching riparian vegetation to prevent jams.
Frequently, small lowgradient streams were substantially widened as a result of the frequent flushing by the splash dams and the impact of logs on streambanks. See above article
Source: USDA AMS Livestock, Poultry & Grain Market News, Torrington
Source: USDA AMS Livestock, Poultry & Grain Market News, Greeley, CO
National Sheep Summary
As of April 18, 2025
Compared to last week slaughter lambs mostly 15.00-50.00 lower. Slaughter ewes mostly steady to 5.00 lower. Feeder lambs not well tested. At San Angelo, TX 4,360 head sold in a one day sale. No sales in Equity Cooperative Auction. 2,800 lamb carcasses sold with no comparison due to confidentiality. All sheep sold per hundred weight (CWT) unless otherwise specified. Slaughter Lambs: Choice and Prime 2-3 San Angelo: wooled and shorn 105-130 lbs 172.00-182.00. Ft. Collins: wooled and shorn 110-125 lbs 245.00-260.00; 156 lbs 212.50.
South Dakota: wooled and shorn 115-145 lbs 182.00-210.00; 150-165 lbs 155.00-174.00.
Billings: wooled and shorn 120-130 lbs no test. Equity Coop: no sales. Slaughter Lambs: Choice and Prime 1-2 San Angelo: hair 40-60 lbs 268.00-292.00; 60-70 lbs 268.00288.00; 70-80 lbs 260.00-284.00, few 288.00-290.00; 80-90 lbs 240.00-282.00, few 283.00-292.00; 90-105 lbs 220.00-272.00, few 284.00. wooled and shorn 55 lbs 270.00; 67 lbs 274.00; 95 lbs 260.00.
Ft. Collins: wooled and shorn 70-80 lbs 290.00-300.00; 103 lbs 290.00. hair 50-60 lbs 262.50-277.50, few 290.00; 60-70 lbs 257.50-262.50; 84 lbs 275.00; 97 lbs 237.50.
South Dakota: wooled and shorn 50-60 lbs 245.00-255.00; 60-70 lbs 215.00-270.00; 70-80 lbs 225.00-250.00; 80-90 lbs 240.00-255.00; 90-100 lbs 237.50-245.00, few 265.00. hair 53 lbs 255.00; 60-70 lbs 215.00-240.00.
Billings: no test.
Slaughter Ewes
San Angelo: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) hair 90.00; Good 2-3 (fleshy) 98.00-117.00, hair 103.00-124.00; Utility and Good 1-3 (medium flesh) 120.00, hair 116.00-140.00; Utility 1-2 (thin) 108.00-118.00, hair 94.00-116.00; Cull and Utility 1-2 (very thin) 95.00-105.00, hair 104.00; Cull 1 no test.
Ft. Collins: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) 87.00-130.00; Good 2-3 (fleshy) 74.00-130.00.
South Dakota: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) 75.00-90.00; Good 2-3 (fleshy) 80.00-115.00; Utility and Good 1-3 (medium flesh) hair 115.00; Utility 1-2 (thin) 75.00-90.00, hair 115.00; Cull 1 no test.
Billings: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) no test; Good 2-3 (fleshy) no test: Utility 1-2 (thin) no test; Cull 1 no test.
Feeder Lambs: Medium and Large 1-2
San Angelo: hair 30 lbs 315.00; 40-50 lbs 282.00-308.00; 51 lbs 292.00.
Ft. Collins: 40-50 lbs 262.50-282.50.
South Dakota: 36 lbs 275.00; 40-50 lbs 230.00-280.00; 65 lbs 240.00. hair 28 lbs 240.00; 40-50 lbs 215.00-240.00.
Billings: no test.
Replacement Ewes: Medium and Large 1-2
San Angelo: y young 90-100 lbs 121.00/cwt; young hair 90115 lbs 142.00-155.00/cwt; hair ewes and lambs 132.00/head. Ft. Collins: no test. South Dakota: no test.
Billings: no test. Sheep and lamb slaughter under federal inspection for the week to date totaled 34,000 compared to 41,000 last week and 34,000 last year.
Source: USDA AMS LPG Market News, San Angelo, Texas
National Wool Review
As of April 18, 2025
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
CO
Wyoming Hay Summary As of April 24, 2025
Compared to last week all reported hay sales sold steady. Demand was mostly light to instances moderate. Sellers are starting to let go of some tonnage since new crop will be here before we know it and they all need space in hay barns for the 2025 product. Some producers still have some 2023 sitting around the farm. Per NASS, week ending April 19, sugar beets planted is at 33% completed compared to 35% for last year. Corn planted is at 1% compared to 3% last year. Barley emerge is at 27% compared to 41 last year. Few reports of some sprinkles or very light rain across different areas from visiting with hay producers.
was light to instances moderate. Some hay going to out of state feedlots in bales or as ground and delivered product. Quite a few forage producers are holding hay over into the new crop year due to the dryness in the area. Also, they are hoping to increase the price per ton they are selling there hay. Per NASS, for week ending April 19, corn planted is at 8% a little ahead of the five year average of 5% planted. Soybeans come in at
WASHAKIE COUNTY IS SEEKING APPLICANTS FOR A FULL-TIME EQUIPMENT OPERATOR WITH THE ROAD AND BRIDGE DEPARTMENT. CDL is required. For more information, please contact Road and Bridge Superintendent, Stuart Bower at 307-3884848 5/3
REGISTERED WYOMING BRAND FOR SALE: RHC, RJH, renewed to Jan. 1, 2031. Electric and hot iron available. $5,000. Call 307331-9092 5/10
WYOMING BRAND FOR SALE: RRC, BS, RSH, one iron brand. Electric irons available. Fees paid to Jan. 1, 2035. $4,000 OBO. Call Al, 307-575-1314 5/17
RED ANGUS HIGH-ELEVATION YEARLING BULLS FOR SALE IN NORTHEASTERN UTAH : Out of AI and bull-bred sires. Will be trich, semen tested and fed for free until May 1. $2,700/head. Bar Lazy TL Ranch, David, 435828-1320, barlazytlranch@ gmail.com 6/14
out what you really have. CGCA.com
it to the Colorado Gun Collectors Show May 17 & 18, 2025 and find out more about it and what it’s worth. PEEGEE RANCH NEAR ARVADA, WY IS LOOKING FOR A FULL-TIME FARM/RANCH EMPLOYEE: This position is open immediately. Applicant must be self-motivated, reliable and responsible with knowledge of haying and farming. Mechanical skills are a must. Farming duties include swathing, baling and raking hay, etc. This is not a cowboy position, but applicant will need to assist in all aspects of cattle work as well. Those duties include calving heifers, feeding hay, branding and gathering, etc. Nearest big town is 60+ miles and nearest K-12 school is 30+ miles away (location of the ranch is remote). Housing is provided and on a school bus route. Please send resume with references by mail or e-mail to: PeeGee Ranch, 1251 Lower Powder River Road, Arvada, WY 82831, pgranch@rangeweb.net. Call 307-736-2461 5/17
DEVILS TOWER FOREST PRODUCTS A LUMBER MANUFACTURER IN HULETT, WY IS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR FULLTIME PLANER, SAWMILL, MILLWRIGHT AND BOILER POSITIONS: Benefit package includes company paid medical and dental insurance (including dependents), life insurance, company matching 401(k) retirement program, safety incentives, holiday pay and paid vacation. Mandatory employment and random drug testing conducted. D.O.E. Contact Joe Ortner at 307467-5252. You can also send your application with resume to Joe.Ortner@devilstowerfp.com E.O.E 5/3
ALL TYPES OF EQUIPMENT AND VEHICLE FINANCING. Great service!! Great rates!! Call Chuck Brown at C.H. Brown Co., WY LLC, 307-3223232 (office), 307-331-0010 (cell) or e-mail chuckbrown@ wyoming.com 4/26
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!! 5/17
RT CLAYPOOLE AUCTION SERVICE LIVE SPRING CONSIGNMENT AUCTION!! Join us 10 a.m. Sat. May 10 at the Moffat County Fairgrounds: 640 E. Victory Way in Craig, CO. We will be accepting consignments the Wednesday, Thursday and Friday before the sale. We will accept tools, vehicles, equipment, farm/ranch supplies, quality building supplies, hunting/outdoor gear, antiques/collectables and quality household items. Give Tanner a call to consign early for advertising, 970-7569353. Keep checking our website for incoming items www.rtclaypooleauction. com, e-mail rtclaypooleauction@hotmail.com 5/3
WYOMING HORSE BRAND FOR SALE: ID A1616100, LSC, LTH, registered until Jan. 1, 2035. No horse with brand, branding iron included. $3,500, Call after 5 p.m., 307-388-2456 4/26
WYOMING BRAND FOR SALE: RRC, RSS, RHH. Expires Jan. 1, 2029. Electric iron included. $2,500. Call 307-575-6589 4/26
WYOMING BRAND FOR SALE: RRC, RSS, LTH, registered until Jan. 1, 2035. Irons and electric iron, $2,500. Call after 5 p.m., 307388-2456 4/26
REGISTERED WYOMING BRAND: LRC. Current through Jan. 1, 2033. $2,500 OBO. Contact Gene at 307-331-1049 5/3
REGISTERED WYOMING BRAND: RRC, RHH. Current through Jan. 1, 2033. $4,500 OBO. Contact Gene at 307-331-1049 5/3
REGISTERED WYOMING BRAND: LRC, RHS, LHH. Current through Jan. 1, 2033. $2,500 OBO. Contact Gene at 307-331-1049 5/3
WYOMING BRAND FOR SALE: RHC, RHS. Dues paid to 2035. No irons available. $2,500 OBO. Call 307-575-2793 5/3
REGISTERED WYOMING BRAND: RRC. Current through Jan. 1, 2031. $3,000 OBO. Contact Gene at 307-331-1049 5/3
WYOMING BRAND FOR SALE: RHC, RHS, RHH. Dues paid to 2027. One set of irons. $2,500 OBO. Call 307575-2793 5/3
HISTORIC WYOMING BRAND FOR SALE: Lazy PN has been a registered brand since 1912. LRC, BS, LSH. Renewed to January 2033. Two sets of irons available. SELLER WILL PAY transfer fees. $2,500. Call 307-2724215 4/26
REGISTERED WYOMIING BRAND FOR SALE, lazy RM. RRC, RHH, renews in January 2027, two sets of hot irons and two sets of electric irons. $3,000. Calls only, 307-899-3737 5/10
OLD FASHIONED WORKING RANCH BRED AUSSIES (no show lines), guaranteed to work stock. Father heads, mother heads/heels, gritty enough for pairs, lots of drive, biddable, sweet, extremely smart, works with relatively little training. Capable of trialing or fetching stock out of fields and corral work and capable of getting brushed up cattle out. Pups are showing interest now on goats. Quality lines, Pincie Creek, Los Rocosa, CCK, Hangin’ Tree (Aussie) lines. Ready for homes now. Health tested parents, had his shots and wormed. One male, black bi, 20 weeks. $100 OBO. Can potentially deliver. Accepts texts, or call and leave a message, Lacey, 801-721-8620, southwest Wyoming. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 5/10
BASSETT HOUND PUPPIES: Exceptional temperaments and bloodlines. Sweet, gentle, great with kids and other dogs. AKC registered, shots, wormed. M/F available. Ready to go now. Call 719-309-8864. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 5/10
SIMANGUS BULLS FOR SALE: Yearlings and 18-month-olds. All bulls have GE EPDS, are homozygous polled, most are homozygous black. Bulls can be inspected at Dilka Cattle, pictures available by request. All bulls guaranteed for first breeding season. Information on the bulls may be requested by e-mail at thedilkas@aol.com or calling 970-396-8791 4/26
REGISTERED ANGUS BULLS FOR SALE: Calving ease, growth. AI sired. Docile. Delivery available. Earhart Farms, Powell, WY 307272-8876 5/17
ROYLANCE ANGUS, REGISTERED BLACK ANGUS BULLS: These bulls come with explosive growth, fueled by breed topping genetics. Calving ease, excellent feet, great dispositions. Sired by Coleman Rock 7200, Coleman Marshal 7170 and Coleman Navigator 614. Competitively priced. Semen tested, vaccinated. One breeding season guarantee. Sold private treaty on the ranch in Charlo, MT. Call or text, Adrian, 406214-4444 5/3
REGISTERED BLACK ANGUS
YEARLING AND 2-YEAR-OLD BULLS: For sale private treaty. Performance and fertility tested. Delivery available. REPLACEMENT HEIFERS available. TRANGMOE ANGUS RANCH, Glendive, MT. Call 406-6873315, 406-989-3315 or 907-2326093 6/28
YEARLING AI SIRED BLACK ANGUS BULLS: Will work on heifers. Sires include Johnny Walker, Sterling Pacific and Myers Fair-N-Square. Semen tested. Minatare, NE. Call Byron Miller, 303-818-8152, leave message 5/3
YEARLING ANGUS BULLS: These bulls are grown, not fattened, will get out and cover cows. Many will work on heifers. We will deliver. Call Joe Buseman, 605351-1535 5/3
FOR SALE: 100 RED ANGUS
PAIRS. Raised own replacements for 51 years. Sold many registered Red Angus bulls, Cows are gentle. Will be ready around May 10. Call Jim Shepherd, 406-698-6657 4/26
CUSTOM FEEDING AND FINISHING FOR CATTLE AND SHEEP. Cactus Hill Ranch Company, Fort Collins, CO. Contact AJ Nelson, 970-3728273 5/10
ARE YOU IN NEED OF A NEW HERDER CAMP OR A PERSONAL RANGE CAMP FOR YOUR FAMILY? Contact us at Western Range Camps and see what we can build for you. We specialize in quality, handcrafted camps built to your specifications. Contact us today to design the camp just right for you. Western Range Camps, 435-462-5300, heidi@wrcamps.com, 1145 S. Blackhawk Blvd, Mt. Pleasant, UT 84647 4/26
CALL FOR SHEEPWAGONS!! Fourth Annual Sheepherder’s Festival, May 2-3 in Gillette, WY. For more information, call Heather at 307-682-5723, Rockpile Museum 4/26
WIGGINS FEEDYARD, FEEDING CATTLE OF ALL CLASSES: Drylot cows; yearlings or calves to background or finish. Call Steve, 308-279-1432 or Sue, 308-2790924 (cell) 5/17
LOOKING TO RENT OR LEASE PASTURE FOR
50-150 cow/calf pairs for 2025, longer or yearly lease if possible.
Preferably northeastern Wyoming. Call 307-660-0294 and leave a message if no answer.
WANTING TO RENT PASTURE IN NORTH-CENTRAL WYOMING: Enough for 20 to 50 pairs. Call 605-252-8156 4/26
PARK COUNTY, WY RANCH
NEAR CODY, WY IS AVAILABLE FOR A LONG-TERM
LEASE: The ranch has over 50,000 acres and supports an irrigated hay base with BOR water rights. Carrying capacity is 700 animal units yearround with hay production. Willing to split the hay ground and grazing. Please e-mail Honora Beirne (hbeirne@ acpg.com) and Melanie Giliati (mgiliati@acpg.com) for details 5/17
WANTED: Sugar Bars and non-Sugar Bars-bred saddle horses for the 23rd ANNUAL SUGAR BARS LEGACY
SALE SUN., SEPT. 21 Held in Sheridan, WY. NEW ONLINE BIDDING option thru Frontier Live. Please contact Jim, 406-812-0084 or e-mail deerrunranch@gmail.com for consignment and sale information 4/26
LAMAR COMMUNITY COLLEGE LEGACY HORSE SALE!! Join the Legacy. Lamar Community College has been training high-quality performance and ranch horses since the 1970s. JOIN US ON SAT., MAY 3 IN LAMAR, CO TO SHOP HIGH-QUALITY HORSES. Mark your calendars and follow our social media pages to stay up-to-date on the Lamar Community College Legacy Horse Sale. Preview at 9 a.m., sale at 12 p.m. 2401 S. Main Street, Lamar, CO 81052. Also online with DV Auction. Call Savanna Mauch, 719-336-1624 or Jaci Brown, 719-336-6663 4/26
HORSE TRAINING: Will train horses to drive, single or double. Call Joe @ 701-851-0357 5/17
LS CUSTOM LEATHER: Belts, tack, cell phone cases and much more!! Contact Lester, 307-631-1053, leave a message. Located in Riverton, WY 4/26
WEANER PIGS FOR SALE, located in Powell, WY. For more information, call 307271-1014 1/17
OPEN POLLINATED SEED CORN out produces hybrid for silage and grazing quality grain, $69/bushel +S/H. Call 217-857-3377 or text cell 217-343-4962, visit website www.borriesopenpollinatedseedcorn.com 5/3
SEED FOR SALE: Conventional alfalfa, sorghum sudan grass and a full line of forage products available. “If it’s GREEN and GROWS, we probably can supply it!”. Dealer inquiries welcome. Call Koerperich Seeds, 970-5805438, 308-697-4848, e-mail alankoerperich@yahoo.com 5/10
ROUND-BALED GRASS: 2024 crop $40/bale. 1,000 lb. net-wrapped bales. Cody, WY area. Call, don’t text, Anthony at 307-254-2645 5/24
BARLEY STRAW: Certified weed-free small squares, $4/ bale. ALSO, 5x6 round bales, $125/ton. GRAIN OATS, wheat and barley, $20/cwt. Greybull, WY area. Call 307762-3878 or 307-899-4714, leave message 5/17
108 3X3 BALES OF THIRD CUTTING, certified weed free, tested alfalfa hay. Been covered. RFV 204.7, crude protein 21.2, nitrates 0.44. Riverton, WY. Call 307-8514634 4/26
HAY FOR SALE: 2023 milo and grass/alfalfa. 2024 first, second and third cutting alfalfa, first cutting 90% alfalfa/10% grass mix, grass mix, grass/alfalfa, milo cut late in the season. ALSO, 2024 haybet barley, nitrates low, protein high, 2023 and 2024 CRP hay. All in net-wrapped round bales. Semi load delivery available. Call for pricing, ask for Klint, 701-290-4418, send a text if no answer or keep trying 4/26
CERTIFIED BARLEY STRAW FOR SALE, 3x4 bales. Cody, WY. Call 307-899-1952 TFN
WIGGINS FEEDYARD, FEEDING CATTLE OF ALL CLASSES: Drylot cows; yearlings or calves to background or finish. Call Steve, 308-2791432 or Sue, 308-279-0924 (cell) 5/17
CERTIFIED WEED-FREE PURE ALFALFA HAY: Small squares, covered. 2023 first cutting available for a reduced price. 2024 first, second and third cutting available. Will load trucks and any open trailer. MONIDA OATS, $16/cwt. Combine run. Will auger into truck, trailer or large totes/ag bags. Located between Powell and Cody, WY. Call or text Knopp Farms for details, 307-254-0554 4/26
CLASSIC: 1983 JEEP CJ8
SCRAMBLER PICKUP, frame off restoration, custom half cab, 258CI inline 6 cylinder engine, 5 speed manual transmission, 12,000 lb. winch, very clean, runs great, garage kept, car show ready, 10,000 miles on rebuilt engine, $43,750 OBO Call 406-498-1830. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 5/17
FOR SALE: John Deere 4995 diesel, self-propelled discbine with 16’ cutter head, cab/heat/air and auto steer capable. Phillips 45’ hydraulic rotary harrow. Mandako 45’ landroller. Rowse 9’ pull type mower. Rowse 9’ 3pt. mower. Rowse 14 wheel high capacity vrake. Lorenz 16’x29’ 18 ton bale mover with tandem axles. Farmhand 870 hydraulic grinder/mixer with scale. 2020 Freightliner, automatic transmission, DD13 engine, 178” wheelbase, 407,673 miles, runs and drives nice. Vermeer BP7000 bale processor. Summers hydraulic rock picker. Miller Pro 5100 18’ chuckwagon with bunk feeding extensions and tandem running gear. H&S 7+4 18’ chuckwagon with bunk feeding extensions and tandem 14 ton running gear. John Deere 716A chuckwagons with John Deere running gear and bunk feeding extensions, been shedded, nice condition. 12’ HD box scraper with tilt. All in very nice condition!! Call 605-999-5482 5/3
EQUIPMENT FOR SALE, FARMER RETIRING: John Deere 71 Flex 8 row corn planter on a 24’ stackable bar. AC Model 1300 30’ ripper with rakes. 16’ Eversman fold up land plane with S tine rippers. 9600 John Deere combine with 930 30’ grain header and an 893 8 row 30” corn header. A 20’ Krause offset disc (new blades in front). 24’ Model 630 John Deere tandem disc. Safety pull with a bull hitch. John Deere front suitcase weights. IHC front suitcase weights. Round John Deere wheel weights. Contact Greg Keller at 406-6791136 4/26
1960 JOHN DEERE 95 COMBINE: Round back, 16’. All new belts, stored inside, overhaul on engine. $4,500. ALSO, 2000 HESSTON 8450, 14’ head, stored inside, field ready. $28,500. JOHN DEERE 2013 R450 WINDROWER, 16’ rotary head, good condition, $89,500. Call Ivan, 307-6290974 5/3
Hydraulic calf table with tub and alley, completely portable. ALSO, calving pens and loading chutes available. Call or Text Mike 605-842-6653
MANUFACTURER OF HEAVY DUTY CONTINUOUS FENCE: Corral panels, farm gates, free standing panels and more. Call for pricing and delivery, Rocky Ridge Welding, Nevada, MO, 417-549-1077 8/9
MONTANA RAILROAD SERVICES: Railroad ties, switch ties and other railroad materials for fencing and landscaping. Best pricing and quality in the region. Call 406-962-3514, Silesia, MT. Located 10 miles south of Laurel, MT (off of Clarks River Rd., the old highway). Visit our website www.mtrrservices.com 4/26
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
WANT TO BUY!! Gehl 206 6 wheel finger rake. ALSO WANTED Gehl 207 9 wheel finger rake. Call Lloyd, 701-2264055 4/26
1,000 TONS OF HAY FOR SALE: First, second and third cutting alfalfa, RFV 177. All bales are 4x4x8 in size. Location between Lovell and Powell, WY. Contact Crosby Farms, 307-272-3712 5/3
PREMIUM GRASS HAY FOR SALE: Barn stored, 3x3 square bales. Cow and horse quality. Delivery available!! Call 307630-3046 5/17
90 NET-WRAPPED ROUND BALES, 1,500 lbs. grass/alfalfa mix, 2024 crop, $125/ton. Calls only, 307-899-3737 5/10
APPROXIMATELY 60 TONS SECOND CUTTING ALFALFA, little bales, $5/bale or $120/ ton. APPROXIMATELY 400 LITTLE BALES OAT STRAW, $3/bale. APPROXIMATELY 100 BALES OAT STRAW IN ROUND BALES, nice, $50/ton. ALSO, approximately 4,000 bushels of clean oats $12/cwt. Call Eddie Shumway, 307921-9217 5/3
GRASS HAY FOR SALE, 1,400 lb. net-wrapped round bales, $140/bale. Near Laramie, WY. Call 307-760-8429 5/3
VALLEY VIDEO HAY MARKETS, LLC: Hay available. Go to www.valleyvideohay.com or call Barry McRea, 308-2355386 4/26
2012 DODGE 3500: Dual rear wheels, double doors, 131,000 miles, diesel, auto, WITH MODEL 355 HYDRABED BALE BED, heavy duty front bumper replacement, 135,000 miles. $35,000. ALSO, 2015 SOONER 7x24’ aluminum stock trailer, $16,000 and 2015 TITAN 8x6x22’ dual tandem flatbed with mega ramps, $10,500. Calls only, 307-8993737 5/10
TWO FOUR WHEELERS UP FOR BID: 2013 POLARIS SPORTSMAN 550, comes with tracks as well as regular tire set up, 5,614 miles on the machine. 2017 HONDA FOREMAN RUBICON, no plastic damage, seats in great condition, 2,631 miles on the machine. BIDDING WILL END ON MAY 13 at 12 PM. Please feel free to call Crook County Weed and Pest with your bids, questions or concerns 307-283-2375. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 5/3
1932, 1933 OR 1934 FORD
WANTED, in any condition, unrestored or restored. Call 605-2903208 4/26
FOR SALE: JOHN DEERE 8630 4WD TRACTOR, 3 hydraulics, PTO, 3 pt., good tires, 18.4X38, mechanically sound, 4,700 hours, $15,000. Call 970520-7138 5/10
CASE 1070 TRACTOR: 5,000 plus hours, with Du-Al loader and grapple. $12,500. ALSO, 2010 AGCO HESSTON 7115 small square baler, $15,000. Calls only, 307-899-3737 5/10
WANTED TO BUY T6 OR TD6 with good tracks and rails or just the tracks and rails. Call James, 307-254-0087 5/10
JOHN DEERE 8520 TRACK
TRACTOR: Very good condition, 6,000 actual hours, always shedded. For more information, call 402-640-7014 5/3
LODGEPOLE OUTDOOR FURNACES, 307-223-2046. Your authorized Central Boiler Dealer. Get your outdoor wood furnace today!! $2,000 tax credit on qualifying models!! Efficient wood heat. Heat multiple buildings. Invest in your heating, don’t just pay for it!! See us at www.cb.lodgepoleproducts. com!! 4/26
JOHN DEERE 535 ROUND BALER, $2,000. ALSO, Hesston 6400 swather, $2,000. JOHN DEERE GRINDER/MIXER, $1,500. For more information, call 307-359-0129, Douglas, WY 5/3
PIPE FOR SALE!! 2 7/8”, 3 1/2” tubing, 4”
5/10
APPROXIMATELY 1,200 FEET, 8” ALUMINUM GATED PIPE, with trailer and butterfly valves. ALSO HAVE 2 irrigation pumps, one with 10 HP motor. $4,100 OBO. Call 307-5751122 5/10
55,136 ACRES, METZGER RANCH IN CHERRY COUNTY, NE: One of Nebraska’s crown jewels. This historic multi-generational, 2,500 cow ranch. Traversed by the Snake River and Gordon Creek. Over 4,000 acres of sub-irrigated hay meadow. Ranch headquarters with 6 homes, facilities, airplane hangar and grass runway. Call John Childears, 308539-4450. Marshall Land Brokers & Auctioneers, Miles Marshall, broker. To view photos, go to www.wylr. net in the classifieds 5/10
GOLD & SILVER
Certified rare date quality coins from Carson City, San Francisco, New Orleans, Denver, Philadelphia, West Point Charlotte & Dahlonega Mints Call with your want list or inquiries for great pricing. TLR Enterprises 800-287-5804
ANTLER MARKET STEADY TO STRONG!!! MAY 7-10 PETSKA FUR WILL BE BUYING ALL GRADES OF ANTLER AND LATE SEASON FUR IN THE FOLLOWING TOWNS AND LOCATIONS: MAY 7: Newcastle 7:10-7:30 p.m., Voelker’s Body Shop. MAY 8: Newcastle 6:30-6:50 a.m., Voelker’s Body Shop; Upton 7:20-7:40 a.m., Joe’s Grocery (drive thru, call Greg); Moorcroft 8-8:20 a.m., The Coffee Cup (drive thru, call Greg); Sundance 8:45-9:30 a.m., Rapid Stop; Beulah 9:5010:10 a.m., Truck Stop (drive thru, call Greg); Spearfish, S.D. 10:20-10:50 a.m., Butcher Shop; Belle Fourche, S.D. 11:20 a.m.11:50 a.m., Runnings (Old Belle Inn parking lot); Aladdin 12:2012:50 p.m., General Store (drive thru, call Greg); Hulett 1-1:30 p.m., Tower Valley Ag Supply; Alzada, MT 2:15-2:30 p.m., B&J Convenience (drive thru, call Greg); Gillette 7-7:30 p.m., Rocky Mountain Sports and Howard Johnson Motel room 143 7:45-8:15 p.m. MAY 9: Gillette 5:45-6 a.m., Rocky Mountain Sports (drive thru, call Greg); Wright 6:20-6:50 a.m., Rest Area (drive thru, call Greg); Midwest 7:50-8:10 a.m., Sinclair Truck Stop (drive thru, call Greg); Kaycee 8:35-9 a.m., Sinclair Truck Stop; Sheridan 10:30-11 a.m., Sportsman’s Warehouse; Buffalo 11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m., Good 2 Go; Ten Sleep 1:50-2:20 p.m., Pony Express; Hyattville 3-3:20 p.m., Paint Rock Processing (drive thru, call Greg); Manderson 3:40-3:50 p.m., Hiway Bar (drive thru, call Greg); Basin 4-4:20 p.m., Overland Express Mart (drive thru, call Greg); Greybull 4:40-5 p.m., Overland Express Mart (drive thru, call Greg); Lovell 5:40-6 p.m., Good 2 Go (drive thru, call Greg); Byron 6-6:15 p.m., Cardtrol Station (drive thru, call Greg); Powell 6:30-6:50 p.m., Murdoch’s (drive thru, call Greg); Cody 7:30-7:50 p.m., Nature’s Design Taxidermy; Meeteetse 8:308:45 p.m., on street in front of firehouse (drive thru, call Greg); MAY 10: Worland 7:30-8 a.m., Coop One Stop; Thermopolis 8:50-9:20 a.m., Renegade Guns; Shoshoni 10:10-10:30 a.m., Fast Lane/Exxon (west of truck diesel pumps, (drive thru, call Greg); Riverton 1111:45 a.m., Vic’s Body Shop (behind the Dollar Tree); Hudson 12:10-12:20 p.m., Wyoming Custom Meats (drive thru, call Greg); Lander 12:50-1:30 p.m., Pit Stop; Jeffrey City 2:30-2:45 p.m., Split Rock Cafe (drive thru, call Greg); Muddy Gap 3-3:10 p.m., (drive thru, call Greg); Alcova 3:50-4 p.m., Sloanes General Store (drive thru, call Greg); Casper 4:30-5:15 p.m., Wagner Outdoor Sports; Glenrock 5:456 p.m., east exit on I-25 (drive thru, call Greg); Douglas 6:306:45 p.m., Douglas Feed. For more information, call Greg, 308-750-0700 or visit www. petskafur.net 5/3
ANTLER MARKET STEADY TO STRONG!!! MAY 11-12 PETSKA FUR WILL BE BUYING ALL GRADES OF ANTLER AND LATE SEASON FUR IN THE FOLLOWING TOWNS AND LOCATIONS: MAY 11: Douglas 6:30-6:45 a.m., Douglas Feed (drive thru, call Greg); Orin Junction 7-7:10 a.m., Fast Stop (drive thru, call Greg); Lost Springs 7:30-7:40 a.m., truck pull off 1 mile east (drive thru, call Greg); Manville 8-8:10 a.m., Truck Stop (drive thru, call Greg); Lusk 8:30 a.m.-9 a.m., Decker’s Grocery; Hartville 9:45-10 a.m., Miner’s & Stockman’s Restaurant (drive thru, call Greg); Guernsey 10-10:30 a.m., Crazy Tony’s; Wheatland 11-11:30 a.m., Wheatland Travel Center; Chugwater 1212:15 p.m., Stampede Saloon (drive thru, call Greg); Cheyenne 12:45-1:15 p.m., Tractor Supply; Archer 1:40-1:50 p.m., Home on the Ranch Processing (drive thru, call Greg); Carpenter 2:10-2:30 p.m., Antelope Truck Stop (drive thru, call Greg); Pine Bluffs 2:45-3 p.m., Sinclair (drive thru, call Greg); LaGrange 5-5:20 p.m., Bear Mtn. Stage Stop; Hawk Springs 5:30-5:45 p.m., Longbranch Saloon (drive thru, call Greg); Yoder 5:45-6 p.m., Yoder Store (drive thru, call Greg); Lingle 6:30-6:45 p.m., Ty’s Pit Stop. MAY 12: Torrington 6:50-7:20 a.m., Insight Precision Arms; Scottsbluff, NE 8:30-9 a.m., Murdoch's. For more information, call Greg, 308-750-0700 or visit www.petskafur.net 5/3
ANTLER MARKET STEADY TO STRONG!!! MAY 3-4 PETSKA FUR WILL BE BUYING ALL GRADES OF ANTLER AND LATE SEASON FUR IN THE FOLLOWING TOWNS AND LOCATIONS: MAY 3: Ft. Bridger 7:30-8 a.m., Cash Store; Evanston 8:45-9:15 a.m., Prairie Inn; Woodruff, UT 9:4510 am., Corner Store (drive thru, call Greg); Randolph, UT 10:1510:30 a.m., Crawford’s Trough (drive thru, call Greg); Kemmerer 11:10-11:30 a.m., Ham’s Fork Station; Cokeville 12:15-12:30 p.m., Flying J Truck (drive thru, call Greg); Montpelier, ID 1-1:30 p.m. (call Greg for appointment); Afton 2:45-3:15 p.m., Gardner’s Country Village; Thayne 3:303:40 p.m., Farmer’s Feed (drive thru, call Greg); Alpine 4-4:20 p.m. Tack & Treasure Gun Shop (drive thru, call Greg); Hoback Jct. 4:45-5 p.m., Hoback Market/Exxon (drive thru, call Greg); Bondurant 5:30-5:45 p.m., Elk Horn Bar (drive thru, call Greg); Daniel 6:15-6:30 p.m., The Den (drive thru, call Greg); Pinedale 6:45-7 p.m., Gannett Sports. MAY 4: Big Piney 6:30-6:45 a.m., Public RR/Visitor Info. lot; La Barge 7:10-7:25 a.m., All American Fuel (drive thru, call Greg); Green River 8:45-9:05 a.m., Hitching Post (drive thru, call Greg); Rock Springs 9:3010 a.m., WY Wool Warehouse; Wamsutter 11-11:15 a.m., Conoco (drive thru, call Greg); Rawlins 11:45-12:15 a.m., Tractor Supply; Saratoga 1-1:30 p.m. Saratoga Feed & Grain; Elk Mountain 2:10-2:20 p.m., Conoco on I-80 (drive thru, call Greg); Hanna 2:30-2:45 p.m., Hanna Market (drive thru, call Greg); Medicine Bow 2:50-3:05 p.m., JB’s (drive thru, call Greg); Rock River 3:30-3:45 p.m., Rancher’s Supply (drive thru, call Greg); Laramie 4:30-5:15 p.m., West Laramie Fly Shop. For more information, call Greg, 308-7500700 or visit www.petskafur. net 4/26
The Wyoming State 4-H Foundation awarded more than $69,000 in scholarships to Wyoming 4-H’ers attending the University of Wyoming or a Wyoming community college in the 2025-26 academic year.
The scholarship committee awarded approximately $36,000 to first-time winners, says Steve Mack, Wyoming State 4-H Foundation director.
Sixteen Ella Schloredt continuing scholarships ranging from $1,800 to $2,400 were awarded this year. Past winners of the Ella Schloredt Scholarship are eligible to continue receiving this scholarship for up to four years, providing they maintain a GPA of at least 3.0 and meet academic progress requirements.
First-year awards for $1,700 went to Maycee McKim of Big Horn County, Jayden Haugen and Samantha Marshall of Campbell County, Cora Remacle and Emma Hill of Fremont County, Amelia Beck of Goshen County and Hayden Overfield of Hot Springs County.
Ella Schloredt continuing awards were presented to Thaddaeus Christensen of Albany County; Reaghan Foss of Big Horn County; Jackson Hill of Fremont County; Lexi Overfield of
Hot Springs County; Lily Crago, Cassie Downare and Hannah Qualm of Johnson County; Bryli Groll and Eli Linford of Lincoln County; Sara Loghry and Tavia Ossa of Natrona County; Hadley Paisley and Chloe Palmer of Platte County; Grace Hinton of Sheridan County; Dustin Larsen of Sublette County and Aubrey Reger of Uinta County.
Two $1,500 Marian M. Henderson Memorial Scholarships were awarded to Mikayla Alexander of Albany County and Gabriella Santee of Fremont County; while Ethan VanWhy of Platte County was awarded the $1,000 Edna Mae and Wallace McClaflin Scholarship; Aldo Chacon of Lincoln County was awarded the $1,000 Farmhouse Foundation Scholarship; Lillianna Martens of Laramie County was awarded the $300 J.M. Nichols Scholarship; Trey Erickson of Park County was awarded the $750 Lynette Wallace Scholarship and Megann Farley of Converse County was awarded the $500 Lael Harrison Scholarship. Additionally, Tiegan Blain of Park County was awarded the $750 Linnabur Scholarship; William Hibbert of Sublette County was awarded the $1,000 Underwood Scholarship; Sarah Marotz
the designated date.
In the meantime, producers should order any needed supplies such as wool packs or bags, clips, markers, veterinary provisions such as antiseptic spray and fly ointment and other supplies such as disinfectant, insecticides, wormers, vaccines, hoof trimmers and branding fluid.
“Individuals should also schedule extra help for shearing day,” ASI notes. “If their shearer doesn’t offer wool handling and/or classing services, they’ll want to find someone who can help with that. They’ll also need extra sets of hands to move and pen sheep, as well as a variety of tasks which often come up on shearing day.”
Additionally, producers should prepare holding pens and, for smaller operations, a clean, dry environment will need to be prepped for shearing to take place.
“The area should be large enough for the shearer to maneuver while shearing and easy to sweep so it can be kept clean,” ASI suggests.
“Two four-feet by sixfeet sheets of plywood on flat ground in a covered barn make an excellent shearing floor for a small flock.”
ASI recommends raising the shearing floor off of the ground to help reduce contamination and to make wool handling easier, and notes, the shearing floor should be flat, non-sloping, solid and smooth, but not slick or rough.
“Sheep should not be shorn on old rugs, carpets or poly tarps,” ASI continues. “Make sure the area is well lit and electrical outlets are available within six feet of the shearing surface.”
Sheep should also be kept off of feed and water for approximately 12 hours before shearing depending on age and stage of production.
ASI notes this is important for the health and safety of both the sheep and the shearer.
“If the gut of a sheep is full, it can add significant weight to the sheep, placing additional downward pressure on the sheep’s organs when in the shearing position, which causes discomfort for the sheep,” ASI explains. “This might cause the sheep to kick or struggle, leading to more stress on the sheep and extra work for the shearer.”
“We also want to avoid having sheep urinate or defecate on the shearing surface,” ASI continues. “In addition to contaminating the wool, this can create a slippery work surface for the shearer.”
Shearing day When shearing day arrives, ASI recommends shearing white-faced sheep first, followed by colored sheep and hair crosses to avoid contamination of the wool.
Belly wool and any areas of high contamination should be removed from the fleece, and topknots and excess tags should be packaged with the floor sweepings. Wool should also be skirted, classed and packaged with similar wool for marketing purposes.
Immediately after shearing, sheep should be fed and watered. If cold, wet weather blows in after shearing day, it is recommended to provide shelter for the flock.
of Laramie County was awarded the $500 Janie Smith Scholarship; Katelyn Schimic of Laramie County was awarded the $500 Wilbur Brettell Scholarship; Carolin Crago of Johnson County was awarded the $750 Bonnie Ellenwood Scholarship; Elizabeth Jordan of Crook County was awarded the $500 Peterson Scholarship; Molly Stanton of Sweetwater County was awarded the $500 Brown Kohl 4-H Appreciation Scholarship and Anna Grant of Converse County was awarded the $500 Nolan “Tim” Bixby Scholarship.
A $1,250 Murdoch’s Ranch and Home Supply Scholarship was presented to Emma Johnson of Albany County; Leah Hill of Goshen County and Blair and Cooper Sanchez of Laramie County, while the $1,250 Wyoming 4-H Foundation Scholarship was awarded to Garrett Burkett of Natrona County and Gracie ZumBrunnen of Niobrara County.
Five students were also awarded the $1,000 W.D. Whitmire Leadership Scholarship including Tymber Eckley of Hot Springs County, Sarah Marotz of Laramie County, Trey Erickson and Kate Morrison of Park County and Brix Hooten of Uinta County.
Wool handling and packaging equipment should be cleaned and set up, and a clean, dry area should be set aside for wool storage.
Days prior
In the days leading up to the shearing date, sheep should be sorted in the order they will be shorn. First and foremost, ASI recommends sorting sheep by wool type, but sheep can also be sorted by age, sex, pasture group and health status.
Additionally, sheep should be penned in dry, covered, contaminantfree pens to keep wool as dry and clean as possible. Wet or damp wool should not be shorn.
“And, while the sheep and wool are the first priority on shearing day, remember to take care of shearers,” ASI says. “Always ensure sheep are penned and supplies ae ready. Providing bathroom facilities, a meal and easily accessible water for them will go a long way toward assuring they return the following year.”
“Remember, shearing is a difficult, physically demanding job and there are fewer and fewer people willing to take it on every year, so it is important to keep shearers happy,” ASI concludes.
Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
“Remember, shearing is a difficult, physically demanding job and there are fewer and fewer people willing to take it on every year, so it is important to keep shearers happy,” –American Sheep Industry Association
Spring emerges as the most crucial period for row crop production, often taking the lead as the busiest time of the year.
However, rushing through spring fieldwork can create problems extending far beyond the planting process, so taking the time to prepare properly is essential for a successful season.
According to a March 28 Farm Progress article by Gil Gullickson, farmers have to navigate issues depending on planting conditions which vary significantly each spring and change planting schedules, causing interruptions, delays or replanting.
However, according to United Soybean Board Director and Iowa Farmer Robb Ewoldt, the bottom line is all about growing more bushels and enhancing yields.
Preparing seedbeds
Before planting a crop, it is important to start with a weed-free seedbed through effective practices such as the use of burndown herbicides or tillage.
A known culprit is waterhemp, which has small seeds and must germinate near the surface of the soil. It is easier to control when it’s in the seedling stage.
“The earlier you can get something on from a preemergence perspective, the better,” Gullickson states. “A strong preemergence herbicide mix featuring multiple sites of action can effectively halt grasses and broadleaves, such as waterhemp, for several weeks until an overlapping postemergence residual can take over.”
Another way to mitigate waterhemp is to limit light exposure to the soil surface. Cover crop residue, crop canopy closure or targeted tillage may reduce waterhemp populations.
Management efforts should include reducing the number of waterhemp plants setting seed contributing to the seedbank. However, managing waterhemp for zero seed production requires additional management and expense.
“A combination of tactics in an integrated weed management approach is necessary to keeping a field clean and stopping weeds from going to seed. This will reduce the likelihood of heavy weed pressure the following year,” Gullickson states.
Farmers ask the question each year, what should be planted first corn or soybeans, but depending on location, weather and seedbed conditions, it can vastly differ across the country.
Soil temperatures of 50 degrees Fahrenheit, followed by four to five days of forecasted good weather, suits well for planting corn, says Andrew Penney, a Bayer Preceon agronomy lead.
Conversely, soybeans gain the go ahead if soil temperatures hover around 48 to 49 degrees Fahrenheit, with an adverse four- to five-day
weather forecast.
“Soybeans can germinate in temperatures lower than those of corn,” Penney says. “We can tolerate losing a few soybean plants. With corn, losing a few plants matters a lot more.”
In the last two decades, it has been reported soybeans have shifted from being the last crop to be planted to the first, but a more strategic approach involves planting soybeans when conditions are adequate and planting corn when conditions are truly optimal.
“However, as weather patterns change from dry springs to monsoon summers, which do not cease in some areas until July, it’s important to choose hybrids and varieties which can tolerate wet feet but also have good drought tolerance,” Penney adds.
He mentions, with soybeans, a drop in population in highly-productive areas is necessary to save on seed costs
while maintaining yields.
“It’s a different story in poorer field areas,” he explains. “In those spots, we want to raise populations to increase plant-to-plant competition, plant height and branching so the canopy can close quicker.”
Additionally, soybeans can fill in and adapt better to poor emergence, thanks to seed genetic improvements, management and possibly weather cycles. Late-planted corn has not seen the yield hits witnessed two decades ago, according to Gullickson.
Nitrogen application
Penney suggests growers consider a split nitrogen application strategy, with a pre-plant application followed by in-season side dressing or pre-tassel nitrogen applications.
“If all nitrogen is put on upfront and wet weather results, there’s the potential to lose a lot of it,” Penney says. “No one wants to see their nitrogen move deeper
into the soil profile, where the plant can’t access it. The more we split up applications of nitrogen, the better off the return on investment will be.”
Over the past 70 years, modern hybrid corn varieties exhibit improved nitrogen use efficiency and resilience to nitrogen stress, with a greater ability to take up nitrogen after silking and maintaining yields even under nitrogen-deficient conditions.
“We’re planting latermaturing corn and capturing additional yield because of heavier kernel weight,” Penney says. “To get those heavier kernel weights, we need more nitrogen later in the growing season. All of the science shows us we need more nitrogen later, and yet we’re still putting a lot of our nitrogen on in a one-pass system.”
Fungicide application
Managing tar spots is key, and genetically-resis-
tant hybrids are the first place to start. The second is keeping the plant healthy, and knowing when to apply fungicide is critical to help corn tolerate disease better.
Penney suggests, in most cases, the optimum timing normally occurs around the tasseling stage (VT), but weather conditions can alter this timing.
“I always tell growers if it has been dry two weeks prior to tassel and the forecast is for dry weather, they can delay the application to ensure protection later into grain fill,” Penney says.
In such cases, he recommends waiting until the blister stage to consider applying a fungicide.
“However, this hinges on a farmer’s ability to schedule a timely aerial application, or if a farmer owns a ground rig to quickly apply a fungicide,” he adds. “If a farmer is at the mercy of a commercial applicator, aim for the VT timing.”
In regards to the success of a two-pass fungicide application, Penney mentions it doesn’t pay off. Conditions spurring tar spot infestations over long periods can result in applications at VT and milk stage (R3), spurring a favorable return on investment, he says.
“Even at the sent stage (R5), farmers still have corn kernels needing to accumulate roughly 45 percent dry matter to maximize yields,” he says. “That is 45 percent of their yield.”
If tar spot infestations continue, an R3 fungicide application can protect yields later into the growing season.
However, if corn enters into the dough stage and R5 stage, it is getting too late for a fungicide application, Penney contends.
Melissa Anderson is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
The 2025 Yonts Water Conference was held on April 9 at the Panhandle Research, Extension and Education Center in Scottsbluff, Neb. It is named in honor of Dean Yonts, who was the center’s irrigation specialist for many years.
Runoff estimates
The snowpack/snowmelt runoff estimates delivered by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (BuREC) in Mills for the upper North Platte River Basin were presented at the conference.
The forecasted runoff above Seminoe Reservoir is currently 650,000 acre-feet or 89 percent of the 30-year April through July runoff.
Forecasted runoff for the Sweetwater River drainage is 50,000 acre-feet or 91 percent, and Alcova to Glendo is 75,000 acre-feet, or 51 percent, of the 30-year April through July runoff.
The forecasted total water supply on the North Platte River System is forecasted to be 1,364,035 acre-feet.
Water allocations
No water allocations are expected for the 2025 growing season, in part due to carryover from the 2024 season. However, the dry soil
A federal court delayed a Clean Water Act (CWA) case against a Bruneau, Idaho ranch by 60 days to give the Trump administration time to decide whether to continue to pursue the case.
The U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho granted a motion by the federal government to delay the case against Ace Black Ranches on March 27, meaning the Trump administration is expected
conditions will impact the 2025 runoff as the ground recharges with the initial runoff moisture.
Releases from Glendo and Guernsey reservoirs will increase to move water to fill the inland lakes, and a potential hay run in May.
The trigger amount forecasted for an allocation is a supply less than 1,100,00 acre-feet.
Carryover storage
The North Platte project – Pathfinder and Gurnsey reservoirs – had a carryover of 575,858 acre-feet.
The Kendrick Project – Seminoe and Alcova – had a carryover of 734,639 acre-feet.
The Glendo reservoir – for irrigation – had a carryover of 95,274 acre-feet, as of Sept. 30, 2024.
Carryover storage in the reservoirs is slightly below average, and water releases from the reservoirs can be expected to be above average to meet the demand for an expected hot, dry summer.
As of April 9, Seminoe Reservoir is at 49 percent capacity or 501,403 acre-feet. Pathfinder Reservoir is at 56 percent capacity or 599,911 acre-feet. The Glendo Reservoir has a capacity of 71 percent or 349,513 acre-feet.
The BuREC Wyoming
Area Office covers most of Wyoming east of the continental divide into western Nebraska. It oversees seventeen reservoirs, with 3,800 miles of canals and laterals.
The BuRec Western Area Office operates and maintains 11 hydroelectric power plants located on the reservoirs, which provide power to over 80,000 homes.
$28 million.
The total value of the hydropower generation on the North Platte River facilities was approximately
to decide by the last week in May.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) alleged the ranch made several alterations to the Bruneau River and surrounding wetlands, as part of a sand and gravel operation on the property. The agency alleged the ranch had been operating without a CWA dredge-and-fill permit.
The court previously dismissed the lawsuit
against Ace Black Ranches, ruling the agency did not comply with the Supreme Court’s ruling in the Sackett vs. EPA case.
Attorneys for Ace Black said the EPA’s new complaint does not say when the ranch or anyone else “allegedly cut off” the river from adjacent wetlands.
EPA said in the amended complaint, however, “historical aerial imagery since October 2017 reveals sand and gravel mining opera-
tions and equipment on the site.”
Ace Black Ranches said EPA does not have “unconditional authority” to order landowners to reconnect severed wetlands. In addition, the ranch’s attorneys argue the statute of limitations ran out as it pertains to the ranch’s actions.
Under federal law, the EPA can only file a lawsuit or proceeding to enforce civil fines, penalties or forfeitures within five years
from the date when a claim is first made.
In the amended complaint, the EPA stated it conducted an inspection of the site in April 2023.
The ranch faces civil penalties of up to $66,712 per day per violation.
The EPA said ranch owners initially agreed to join the EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on a visit to inspect the ranch on May 18, 2021.
On May 17, 2021, how-
Gary Stone is a University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension water and cropping systems educator. For more information, call 308632-1252 or e-mail cguzman2@unl.edu.
ever, the ranch instead filed a complaint and a motion for preliminary injunction in federal court to prevent the agencies from entering the ranch.
This court action was dismissed in February 2022, according to the lawsuit. EPA obtained an administrative warrant in May 2021 and inspected the ranch for the first time from June 14-16 2021. The agency conducted another inspection from April 24-28, 2023.
riverton@winterlivestock.com
TUESDAY, APRIL 29