USDA launches National Farm Security Action Plan
On July 8, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced the National Farm Security Action Plan, which establishes American agriculture as national security and aims to safeguard
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Quick Bits
Sage Grouse
The Northeast Wyoming Sage Grouse Local Working Group will hold a meeting on July 23 at 1 p.m. at Peregrine Global Services in Gillette. The meeting will also be available via Zoom. During the meeting, working group members will review project applications, and all interested members of the public are encouraged to attend. For more information or to access the Zoom link, visit wgfd.wyo.gov/wyomingwildlife/sage-grouse-management/sage-grouse-localworking-groups
Meeting Set
The third statutory meeting of 2025 for the Wyoming State Board of Control commences Aug. 18 at 9:30 a.m. at the National Museum of Military Vehicles in Dubois. Remote access will also be available. For more information, contact Cheryl Timm at 307-777-6899 or cheryl.timm@wyo.gov.
USDA Aid
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced producers who experienced eligible crop losses due to natural disasters in 2023-24 can apply for financial relief through the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program. USDA began accepting applications on July 10 at local Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices. For more information, visit fsa.usda.gov/resources/programs/supplemental-disaster-relief-program-sdrp or contact a local FSA office.
Workshop
Individuals interested in shooting rodeo photos or improving their skills as a photographer are invited to attend an upcoming workshop with renowned Rodeo Photographer Click Thompson Aug. 29-30 in Fort Worth, Texas. The workshop will be held in conjunction with the Cowtown Coliseum, Stockyards Championship Rodeo and Fort Worth Camera. For more information or to reserve a spot, call 817823-2675 or e-mail clickthompson@gmail.com.
the industry from foreign threats, biosecurity risks, cyberattacks and vulnerabilities in ag research and infrastructure.
In a symbolic moment on the steps of the Jamie
Whitten U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Building, Rollins was joined by top officials, including Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Secretary
of Homeland Security Kristi Noem to underscore interagency collaboration behind the initiative.
“We feed the world, we lead the world and we’ll
WYOMING SHEEP AND WOOL FESTIVAL
Annual gathering offers inside look at sheep industry
Sheep producers and wool enthusiasts from all corners of the Cowboy State came together for the third annual Wyoming Sheep and Wool Festival, held July 11-13 at the Johnson County Fairgrounds in Buffalo.
The Wyoming Sheep and Wool Festival is a project of the Wyoming Wool Growers Association (WWGA) and the Wyoming SHEEP Foundation.
“The Wyoming Sheep and Wool Festival is a culminating vision Marie McClaren, Cat Urbigkit and I had in 2022,” stated WWGA Executive Director Alison Crane. “We knew it was an achievable dream that would be a rewarding collaborative event with partners from across the state and a true celebration of the sheep and wool industries.”
2025 highlights
This year’s festival gave attendees an inside look at one of Wyoming’s foundational agricultural industries through grazing tours, educational workshops, live demonstrations and speakers. The festival also included a wide variety of vendors showcasing Wyoming’s finest sheep and wool products as well as an art show and an awards presentation.
Crane says this year’s festival was a great success.
Please see FESTIVAL on page 14
Award winner announced
The Wyoming Stock Growers Land Trust (WSGLT) is proud to announce the Flitner family of Diamond Tail Ranch has been selected to receive the 2025 Kurt Bucholz Conservation Award.
This award recognizes the Flitners’ deep-rooted commitment to land stewardship, rangeland health and wildlife conservation, all while maintaining a productive and sustainable ranching operation.
The Kurt Bucholz Conservation Award, a highlyesteemed recognition, is a testament to the legacy of the late Dr. Kurt Bucholz, a rancher from Carbon County who was an early supporter of the WSGLT.
The award is bestowed upon individuals who, like Bucholz, embody the agricultural stewardship values and conservation ethics which are the foundation of WSGLT’s work.
“The Diamond Tail Ranch exemplifies conservation and cattle ranching with a long-standing commitment to improving rangelands, riparian areas and wildlife habitats,” said nominator Barton Stam. “Through innovative practices like sagebrush management, wetland restoration and strategic livestock grazing and feeding, the Flitner family has demonstrated both environmental stewardship and agricultural sustainability.”
The Diamond Tail Ranch has implemented a wide range of conservation efforts, including collaborative work with the Bureau of Land Management to maintain and improve grazing allotments, as well as proactive sagebrush management to enhance habitat for mule deer, sage grouse and other native species.
Lamb Report
Quarterly report shows positive trends in American lamb industry
Each year, Midan Marketing provides the American Lamb Board (ALB) with quarterly reports on the sales performance of lamb within the contiguous U.S.
In June, the agency released its 2025 Quarter One (Q1) Lamb Report, which compares lamb sales from Q1 2024 to Q1 2025.
Although numbers remained relatively flat year-over-year, the report predicts several positive trends and continued success for the American lamb industry.
Key market findings
Midan reports overall sales of both domestic and imported lamb dipped 1.4 percent and volume sales fell three percent.
“Surprisingly, this decrease in national sales can be solely and entirely attributed to the Northeast,” reads the report. “The Northeast experienced a 9.5 percent decrease in dollar sales of lamb and a stunning 14.6 percent decrease in volume sales of lamb between Q1 2024 and Q1 2025.”
The report goes on to note, if it had not been for the Northeast, overall U.S. lamb sales would have actually seen an increase in both
YCC primes next generation of producers
Since 1980, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) has hosted the Young Cattlemen’s Conference (YCC) annually as an avenue for young producers to learn about the beef industry, network with fellow cattlemen and develop leadership skills vital to the industry’s continued success.
Cattle producers from across the U.S. between the ages of 25 to 50 apply or are nominated by affiliated organizations to attend the conference each summer.
The 2025 YCC, held May 29 through June 6, brought together a class of 60 young producers from across the U.S.
The tour began in Colorado and included stops in Nebraska, Iowa and
Ohio before concluding in Washington, D.C., where attendees met with government representatives face-to-face about issues surrounding the beef industry in each of their respective states.
2025 conference highlights Wyoming Livestock Roundup Field Services Representative Calli Williams attended the 2025 YCC on behalf of the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association (SDCA). Williams lives near Mitchell, S.D., where she serves as the SDCA’s vice president of membership in addition to managing TW Angus, a first-generation cattle operation, with her husband Tate and
GUEST OPINIONS And The Truth Is
For years now people have been blaming cattle for playing a large part in global warming by producing methane. While cattle do produce methane, the truth is they don’t produce near the amount some people think.
So, what happens to the methane once it leaves the cow’s stomach and mouth?
That’s right, a belch. It doesn’t come from the other end of a cow as many think. Some need to do their research and find out the truth.
I recently read a great article in Drovers Magazine, written by Angie Stump Denton, about a Beef Cattle Institute (BCI) podcast titled “Diving into Diets” with Kansas State University (KSU) Veterinarian Dr. Brad White and KSU BCI Nutritionist Phillip Lancaster, who discussed how methane is created, along with several mitigation strategies.
First, all ruminants produce methane. This includes cattle, sheep, deer, elk and buffalo. So, if you are driving through Yellowstone National Park, take some oxygen with you so you don’t have to breathe in all of that methane.
All ruminants with their unique four-compartment stomach produce methane through enteric fermentation – a natural digestive process which occurs in the rumen. It’s created when methanogens – a type of archaea microbe – in the rumen convert hydrogen and carbon dioxide into methane during feed digestion after eating plants, then digest the carbon stored in the plants.
This process creates gasses such as methane, and methane is then belched out. After approximately 10 years, methane is broken down in the atmosphere and converted back to carbon dioxide, which plants can take in. Without carbon dioxide, plants and trees would not grow.
Methane has a relatively short atmospheric lifespan, unlike carbon dioxide, which can remain in the atmosphere for hundreds to thousands of years.
Cattle-produced methane is part of a natural carbon cycle, where plants absorb carbon dioxide and ruminants release it, unlike fossil fuel emissions which introduce new carbon into the air.
The article states, “According to BeefResearch.org, between 1961 and 2019, the U.S. beef industry, through continued sustainability efforts and improved resource use, has reduced emissions per pound of beef produced by more than 40 percent while also producing more than 67 percent more beef per animal. Emissions from cattle, including those which come from feed production, fuel and electricity account for 3.7 percent of the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the U.S.”
Currently, emissions from U.S. beef cattle are less than half a percent of the world’s GHG emissions. Emissions from beef cattle represent 2.2 percent of total U.S. GHG emissions.
As farmers and ranchers continue to practice improved grazing methods, these numbers will fall more. One could argue, with proper grazing and storing carbon in the ground, U.S. cattle have a net zero of emissions.
If some want to point the finger at U.S. cattle for GHGs, they need to get their facts straight. We can admit they produce methane, but not to the extent some people think. Agriculture and livestock are easy targets, but they do have their benefits for the land and those who eat beef and lamb.
Our nationʼs cattle inventory has plummeted to a 73-year low, creating a serious challenge for the American beef industry and the consumers who depend on it.
In the face of this, we need decisive, responsible leadership to ensure families can continue to afford highquality American beef. This is precisely what we have in U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, whose recent announcement of a phased, science-based reopening of the border to Mexican feeder cattle is a critical and welcome step forward.
This decision was not made lightly. It is the result of months of rigorous work and firm diplomacy. Rollins didn’t just ask our partners in Mexico to improve their New World screwworm (NWS) detection and treatment –she held them accountable, demanding and verifying results. When standards weren’t met, she stood her ground.
The proof is in the data. Five U.S.
By Robby Kirkland
Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) teams across Mexico have been on the ground, ensuring the sterile fly distribution meets stringent U.S. standards.
Their surveillance confirms the NWS outbreak has not moved northward for more than eight weeks, and case numbers in Mexico have stabilized. This is not a matter of hope. It is a matter of science. If we believe in making decisions based on evidence, we can and should have confidence in this reopening.
This confidence is backed by an ironclad, multi-layered safety protocol. Thanks to stringent USDA oversight, the U.S. and Mexico have maintained a safe cattle trade for decades. Under Rollins’ leadership, those protections are now even stronger.
The reopening is not a return to the old standard but an advancement of it.
The process will be meticulous
and phased, not a flood of new cattle. It begins with a single port in Douglas, Ariz. – a location chosen specifically for its low geographic risk and its proven history of successful collaboration with USDA APHIS.
Every animal will be subject to thorough inspection and mandatory, preventative treatment protocols.
Other ports will be considered only when this initial phase is proven safe and effective.
This careful approach allows us to address our domestic cattle shortage while upholding our highest duty – protecting the health of the U.S. herd.
The economic stakes are clear. For over 25 years, an average of 1.15 million head of Mexican cattle have crossed the border safely each year, playing a vital role in America’s food security.
This trade, strengthened under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, has provided U.S. consumers
NEWS BRIEFS
Field day set
The University of Wyoming (UW) Sustainable Agriculture Research and Extension Center (SAREC) and Eastern Wyoming College (EWC) are partnering to host the North Platte Valley Ag Expo and UW Field Day, taking place on Aug. 7 at SAREC in Lingle.
This annual event brings together producers, students and community members for a day of agricultural learning, hands-on demonstrations and networking opportunities.
The day will begin with SAREC Field Day Tours from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., offering an inside look at current research and innovation in sustainable agriculture. A complimentary lunch, provided by UW SAREC, will be served at 12 p.m., followed by speakers.
From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., guests are invited to enjoy equipment demonstrations and expo activities showcasing the latest in ag technology and local resources.
Attendance is free and open to the public.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for producers, students and community members to see firsthand the innovative work happening in our region’s agriculture sector,” EWC Director of Agriculture Development Martin Winchell said. “As a distinguished alumnus from UW, I am proud to help connect our community with the resources and partnerships that keep our local ag industry strong and thriving.”
To register, visit ewc.wy.edu
For more information, contact Winchell at 307-5328267 or mwinchell@ewc.wy.edu.
Festival continues
Sheep have been trailing through the Wood River Valley of Idaho for well over a century and a half and are an integral part of Idaho’s Western heritage. It is only fitting they take center stage at the 29th annual celebration of the iconic Trailing of the Sheep Festival, set for Oct. 8-12, which celebrates the sheep, herders, history and food of this unique tradition and is recognized as one of the “Top 10 Fall Festivals in the World” by msn.com
Each fall, the Trailing of the Sheep Festival hon ors the 150-plus year annual tradition of moving sheep from high mountain summer pastures down through the valley to traditional winter grazing and lambing areas in the south.
The five-day festival includes nonstop activities in multiple venues – history, folk arts, an authentic Sheep Folklife Fair, lamb culinary offerings, Wool Fest classes, music, storytelling, National Qualify ing Sheepdog Trials and the always entertaining Big Sheep Parade with over 1,200 sheep hoofing it down Main Street in Ketchum, Idaho.
For a detailed schedule, tickets and lodging deals, visit trailingofthesheep.org/
Treatments to begin
Sublette County Weed and Pest, along with the Wyo ming Game and Fish Department and other partners, will conduct aerial cheatgrass treatment on Bureau of Land Man agement, U.S. Forest Service, state of Wyoming and private lands throughout Sublette County starting on July 15.
Sublette County Weed and Pest’s aerial contract appli cator will be treating along the Wind River Front and Wyo ming Range. Treatment will occur daily and with multiple helicopters each day through August.
Roads leading to active treatment areas will be marked in the field with signs. Individuals should avoid these active treatment areas to allow for work to continue. Updates will be posted weekly on the Sublette County Weed and Pest Facebook page.
Deadline approaching
Farmers have until July 25 to submit nominations for the 2026 Farm Bureau Farm Dog of the Year Contest, which comes with cash prizes and bragging rights. This is the eighth year of the contest, supported by Nestlé Purina PetCare, which celebrates farm dogs and the many ways they support farmers and ranchers.
The grand prize winner will win a year’s worth of Purina Pro Plan dog food and $5,000 in prize money. The winner will be recognized at a Farm Dog of the Year Award Ceremony at the American Farm Bureau Convention in Anaheim, Calif. in January 2026.
The 2026 Farm Dog of the Year will also be featured in a professionally-produced video.
Desired attributes for the Farm Dog of the Year include helpfulness to the farmer and his/her family, playfulness and obedience.
Farm dog owners must be farm bureau members to enter their dogs in the competition. For more information or to submit a nomination, visit fb.org
Treatments scheduled
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) High Desert District Rock Springs Field Office, in coordination with the Sweetwater County Weed and Pest Control District, plans to implement cheatgrass treatments on multiple BLM-managed lands and partner lands during late July and possibly early August 2025.
This is contingent upon weather meeting the required application conditions. The treatments will only be implemented if specified parameters are present.
Aerial application of Indaziflam herbicide – trade name Rejuvra – will potentially occur south of Rock Springs in the Greasewood Draw, Currant Creek Ridge, Richards Mountain and Laney Rim areas. Approximately 11,500 acres of cheatgrass-infested foothills and rangelands will be treated.
These projects will manage and remove cheatgrass, an invasive, non-native, early-season annual grass from range-
BLM to offer timber sales
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will offer two timber sales for up to 3.4 million board feet to be harvested from about 1,273 acres in Crook and Weston counties.
Timber from these sales will provide critical supplies for construction and other industries and support jobs across local economies. The projects are designed to improve forest health, reduce fuel loads to minimize risk of standreplacing catastrophic fires, improve firefighter and public safety and improve wildlife habitat and grazing.
The Stateline Timber Sale includes roughly 2.4 million board feet of commercial thinning on 651 public acres.
The Goldie Divide Timber Sale includes roughly one million board feet of commercial thinning on 622 public acres.
Bids will be opened at 11 a.m. on Aug. 8. All bids must be received via mail or hand-delivered at least 30 minutes prior to the bid opening. Bids can be mailed to the BLM Newcastle Field Office, 1101 Washington Blvd., Newcastle, WY 82701.
For more information, contact BLM Forester Dave Morrill at dmorrill@blm.gov or 307-746-6600.
Enrollment open
On July 14, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced agricultural producers and private landowners can enroll in the Grassland Conservation Reserve Program (Grassland CRP).
Sign-up runs until Aug. 8.
Grassland CRP, offered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), is a voluntary working lands conservation program which enables participants to conserve grasslands while also continuing most grazing and haying practices.
Grassland CRP emphasizes support for grazing operations, plant and animal biodiversity and grasslands and land with shrubs and forbs under the greatest threat of conversion.
Currently, more than 25.8 million acres are enrolled in CRP, with nearly 9.7 million acres in Grassland CRP. On May 12, FSA opened General and Continuous CRP enrollment for 2025.
FSA is currently reviewing submitted offers and
For more information, visit sublettecountyweed.com call 307-367-5617.
ROLLINS
continued from page 2
with a consistent supply of high-quality beef. Mexi can producers responding to American demand have invested heavily in improved genetics, diversifying the supply chain and helping meet consumer demand at a time when it has never been higher.
We in the cattle industry do not want NWS in the U.S. Our livelihoods depend on the health of our herds.
We are confident the science-based protocols and decisive leadership demonstrated by Rollins and the Trump administration will protect our industry while ensuring a steady, high-quality beef supply for Americans. This is the right plan to secure our border, herds and food supply.
Robby Kirkland is chairman of the Texas Cattle Feeders Association Board of Directors and is the owner of Kirkland Feedyard. He can be reached by visiting kirklandfeedyard.com
continued from page 1
On their private lands, the Flitners have actively improved riparian
and restored
In a recent project, the ranch relocated corrals away from sensi-
tive marshlands, balancing ranching needs with improved water quality and wildlife protection. Their innovative use of hay feeding as a soilenhancement technique also reflects their practical and creative approach to land stewardship.
EXTENSION EDUCATION
By Jedidiah Hewlett, UW Extension Educator
Beyond their conservation work, the Flitners have been active voices in the broader agricultural community.
Jamie Flitner has served on the Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources Committee in the Wyoming Legislature, and the family has a long history in leadership roles within the Wyoming
Stock Growers Association (WSGA). In recognition of the Flitners’ dedication to conserving Wyoming’s agricultural lands, the family will be presented with a bronze statue sculpted by the late Jerry Palen during WSGLT’s 25th Anniversary Celebration at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Events Center in Cheyenne
on Aug. 22. Tickets for the celebration can be purchased by visiting auctria. events/25thCelebration , e-mailing kendra@wsglt.org or calling 307-772-8751.
WSGLT is dedicated to conservation through ranching. Based in Cheyenne, the nonprofit organization serves the entire state and is Wyoming’s
only agricultural land trust. Through partnerships with ranch families, WSGLT holds and stewards conservation easements on more than 300,000 acres of agricultural land throughout Wyoming. Founded in 2000 by WSGA, it is one of the largest regional land trusts in the U.S. For more information, visit wsglt.org
The Management Task of Planning
Planning is one of the key tasks of any manager.
Although planning requires intentionality, it is not a difficult process.
Crafting a plan is simply the careful organization of a series of steps for reaching a desired outcome.
Although plans look to the future, they can and often should be informed by present and past experiences.
A plan might have a narrow focus, such as the establishment of a new hedgerow, or more broadly encompass many aspects of man-
agement simultaneously. A whole-farm operating plan would be one such example, where the output of one enterprise becomes the input of another and so on.
The plan may have aspects happening on different time scales, such as days, months or years down the road.
It may be tempting to put off planning until circumstances are more certain, but it is only reasonable to assume perfect information will never be available.
While well-informed
decisions have a better chance of trumping ignorant blunders, many decisions must be made when “enough” information is known rather than knowing “everything.”
Planning not only means accepting the uncertainty of a situation but also taking the opportunity to proactively manage the uncertainty towards desirable outcomes.
It is important to avoid the mistake of creating conflicting plans, such as retaining calves when the foregone income would prevent the cash flow requirements from being met.
There are several aspects of planning which should be recognized.
Create a vision
A vision is a vital component of the plan, but the two should not be confused. The vision identifies where we want to go but says nothing about how to get there.
A well-crafted mission or purpose statement
FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2025 - ALL CLASSES
is highly effective for guiding decisions in response to an ever-changing operating environment. If the vision of the business or operation is at the forefront of the manager’s mind, each decision is given meaning and direction.
The everyday grind quickly becomes dull when it is taken out of the context of contributing to the end game, so posting the vision in a prominent place can be a helpful reminder.
After establishing a robust statement of purpose, a manager must develop goals to make the vision become a reality.
Set goals
For a plan to be effective, it is critical to identify what steps need to be completed to achieve the vision. Writing down goals with a date or time can be very useful for maintaining accountability and tracking progress.
A lack of specifics in planning will proportion-
ally correspond with a result which may be different than the desired outcome. This is the reason why setting specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time-bound (S.M.A.R.T.) goals have been emphasized so much.
Placing goals in sequence along a timeline can be a tremendous help for prioritizing efforts and resources to be used moving forward. If certain goals are not time sensitive, some other criteria may be better suited for arranging the hierarchy of priorities.
Dividing a daunting goal into smaller steps can be an effective motivation strategy for making progress.
Small wins help boost self-confidence and provide encouragement to keep going. As goals are completed, they become a way to measure progress towards milestones and, ultimately, realization of the vision.
Once the vision has been identified and goals have been set for how to reach the outcome, a plan is beginning to take shape.
Identify resources
To make progress in any direction, the beginning and ending points must be known first.
The completion of most goals will require the use of resources. The task of planning itself requires time and experience. In this context, resources might include equipment, financial capital, labor or other supplies. Performing a resource inventory is a way to find out if shortfalls exist in the system.
Finding solutions for resource deficiencies can easily become an action step which leads toward the achievement of goals.
The resources required to accomplish one goal should also be considered in relation to other goals. For example, if stockpiled hay is used during the summer months, will
there be enough remaining for winter feeding?
Improvisation may be needed if specific resources cannot be obtained or if it would be too costly to do so.
A partial budget may be useful for determining which would be the most profitable use of a resource.
Once an inventory of resources is completed, the manager can assess if the plan is reasonable or if adjustments may be needed given the constraints.
In the end, the combination of a clearly defined vision, specific goals and resource requirements are essential for a manager to craft a good plan. It is important to realize even the best-laid plans may need to be adjusted in response to a crisis or other factors that were unforeseen.
A little forward thinking can make all the difference between having a good “plan B” and last-minute improvisations.
The intent of the planning exercise is to outline tangible steps which can be taken in a positive direction.
Though the plan may be influenced by many sources of information, perspectives and advice, it is ultimately up to the manager to organize and arrange the plan in a coherent fashion.
Once this is done, the entire plan should be communicated in a way everyone on the team can understand.
When done well, planning helps unify the efforts of the workforce for a common purpose and helps make transitions from one effort to another easier and more efficient.
Jedidiah Hewlett is the University of Wyoming Extension agriculture and natural resources educator serving Converse County. He can be reached at jhewlett@uwyo.edu or 307358-2417.
A Nation of Pansies
I’ve been self-employed my entire working life, and in my eight businesses, I looked upon everyone as a competitor. If I didn’t feel confident I could outsmart and outwork my competition, I didn’t enter that particular business.
I didn’t enter any business that depended on luck – gambling – or based on connections – politics. I didn’t enter any business requiring huge assets to begin with, required borrowing money or was prone to overregulation by the government.
For example, I’d never partner with the Bureau of Land Management.
A good example of how the government can put one out of business overnight is the proposed legislation recently unmasked by the always-interesting New Mexico Stockman. It seems the New Mexico Environment Department is attempting to adopt a new set of rules aimed at preventing heat-related illness and injuries in the work place to take effect in July 2025.
The proposed rules would require employers to implement workplace safeguards
when the heat index exceeds 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
The heat index uses air temperature and humidity to arrive at what the temperature feels like to the human body.
Here are just a few examples of the idiocy.
1. In “high heat” workers doing heavy labor in full sun may require 40-minute rest breaks after every 20 minutes of work.
This means in a standard eight-hour day there would be 160 minutes of work done, which is not even two hours.
Keep in mind, these rules were dreamed up by bureaucrats who are used to doing less than two hours of work per day in an air-conditioned office.
2. Another proposed ridiculous regulation says at least one quart of water must be provided per hour, and hydration breaks must be encouraged every 15 minutes.
I guarantee if a person is drinking this much water, they’re also gonna need several bathroom breaks, which further lessens the amount of work getting done.
3. The new rules recognize the heat index and sun exposure as risk factors, stat-
ing “direct sunlight can raise the experienced heat index by up to 13 percent, and protections are needed when workers wear protective gear which retains heat.”
Without some nitwit at a desk telling us, I think we’ve already figured out for ourselves not to wear long underwear when it’s 85 degrees Fahrenheit outside.
4. The new proposed regs say cooling areas with shade or mechanical ventilation should be located close to workplace.
Does this mean a truck has to pull a trailer with a roof on it behind every cowboy on the ranch so he can shade up in a cooling area?
Trust me, cowboys figured out a long time ago trees provide excellent shade and, lacking that, horses can also provide shade during the 160 minutes the cowboy will be allowed to work when it gets above 80 degrees Fahrenheit, which is pretty much every day of the year from June through September in most parts of cow country.
5. Under the proposed New Mexico regulations, monitoring systems such as buddy checks, self-assessments or pre-shift safety briefings will be required.
We all know how much bureaucrats love meetings, but cowboys and farm workers, not so much. Whoever wrote these rules has never met a cowboy.
They already do selfassessments such as “It’s hotter
than a two dollar cookstove” or “We’ll have to feed hens ice chips today to keep them from laying hard-boiled eggs.”
6. The proposed rules call for acclimation plans for new and returning workers, and their workload should gradually be increased over several days.
Does this mean the 160-minute-a-day worker might start out at 60 minutes a day and gradually work up to 160? If these proposed rules and regulations are implemented, every farmer and rancher in New Mexico will go out of business.
I don’t know about you, but I got hotter than 10 acres of chili peppers reading these proposed rules and regulations.
What are the bureaucrats and politicians trying to do, create a nation of pansies who are just like them?
Believe me, America works when Americans work.
dollar and volume sales.
Of notable importance, American lamb outgrew overall lamb sales, with a 1.2 percent dip in dollar sales but an increase of 0.4 percent in volume sales.
Midan also emphasizes the fact that the 13-week period comprising Q1 2025 does not include Easter, as it did in 2024. Since Easter is a major season for lamb sales, this means Q1 2024 and Q1 2025 are not quite of equal comparison, and the fact Q1 2025 sales were on par with the previous year despite not including Easter sales “speaks volumes,” Midan says.
Sales by cut
When breaking the data down by cut, Midan reports leg roasts and racks were responsible for the majority of the decline in dollar sales of lamb in the
first quarter of the year.
Racks had a 4.4 percent decrease in dollar sales and an 8.1 percent decrease in pounds sold, while leg roasts had a four percent decrease in dollar sales and a 6.3 percent decrease in pounds sold.
While loin chops saw a slight increase in dollar sales, they also sharply declined in volume sales, to the tune of 6.4 percent. Midan contributes this to a sharp increase in average price, as loin chops jumped 7.8 percent from $7.74 per pound in Q1 2024 to $8.35 per pound in Q1 2025.
“Loin chops also helped drive the decrease in overall volume sales, accounting for more than onehalf of the total decrease in pounds of lamb sold in Q1 2025,” reads the report.
On the contrary,
ground lamb had an enormous surge in sales, skyrocketing 17.2 percent in terms of dollars and 19.2 percent in terms of pounds sold between Q1 2024 and Q1 2025.
In fact, the middle two weeks of March were the best-selling weeks of ground lamb in history, even outselling weeks of peak demand during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Additionally, Midan reports sirloins, blade chops and ingredient cuts saw notable growth in sales as well. Sales by market
On the domestic front, a few major markets witnessed growth in sales – Houston, Denver and Atlanta.
Midan notes Houston grew the most in terms of dollar sales with an increase of 7.8 percent, while Atlanta saw the most growth in volume sales with an increase of 6.6 percent.
& 26
Meanwhile, Boston and New York saw sharp declines in both dollar sales, which fell 11 percent and 7.3 percent respectively, as well as pounds sold with respective decreases of 14.9 percent and 13.3 percent.
Midan further reports the average price of lamb increased across nearly
every major U.S. market between Q1 2024 and Q1 2025, excluding Atlanta, which saw prices fall more than 20 cents, or 2.5 percent, from $8.47 per pound to $8.26 per pound.
Midan’s data shows Miami remains the most affordable market, reporting prices at $7.47 per
pound, while Boston and New York are the most expensive markets, with prices upwards of $8.60 per pounds.
Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@ wylr.net.
Database access denied
A John Deere database will not be made available to the Federal Trade Commission, five states and a group of farmer plaintiffs in ongoing antitrust right-to-repair lawsuits, as a federal judge denied motions to compel Deere to provide the information.
All plaintiffs in the case had asked the U.S. District Court for the District of Northern Illinois to require Deere to produce its dealer financial analysis data set and other information.
The dataset is a comprehensive spreadsheet which aggregates financial metrics including dealer profitability, revenues from parts sales and repair services, customer pricing, operating returns, market share, cost absorption and incentives.
According to a court order, the motions were denied as the court found, while the data may be relevant to the case, Deere had already provided needed data earlier in discovery.
The information sought is the company’s most comprehensive record of dealer profitability and consolidates data on financial metrics.
Attorneys for Deere provided a list of data already released in the case that would be duplicated if the additional request were allowed.
Adobe Stock photo
two young sons Jack and Tommy.
Williams notes the YCC was the “trip of a lifetime” where she forged meaningful connections while learning about the cattle industry and developing advocacy and leadership skills that will aid her in the future.
“Going into the YCC, I was a little hesitant because it’s hard to leave home for so long when you have kids, cattle and work,” Williams says. “But now it’s something I will highly suggest to anyone considering it – especially if their state program or organization funds it.”
“The tours, trainings and Congressional meetings were all incredible, and the networking gained was outstanding,” she continues.
Tours and trainings
The YCC included several tours of industry offices and producer facilities, including a behind-thescenes look at operations at the NCBA headquarters in Denver, Colo., as well as a visit to the Certified Angus Beef Headquarters and Culinary Center in Wooster, Ohio.
The group also toured industry production sites, including a division of Five Rivers Cattle Feeding – the nation’s largest cattle feeding company – in Colorado and a Tyson Beef Packing Plant in Nebraska.
Williams notes the exchange of knowledge at each tour stop went far beyond the initial presentations due to the range of questions posed by members of the YCC from different backgrounds.
“We had people from so many sectors – ruminant nutritionists, geneticists, representatives from the American Angus Association, NCBA employees, etc. –so the questions were really good everywhere we went,” Williams says.
Diversity of experience also helped enhance leadership trainings held throughout the YCC, aimed at identifying personal strengths and developing confident communication strategies.
“We were all able to combine different strengths to meet a common goal as a team while also learning more about ourselves and our leadership strengths in the process,” Williams says.
Williams highlights the workshops as some of her favorite aspects of the YCC, crediting the experience of seeing classmates “stepping out of their comfort zones and putting in the work to become better spokespersons” for the cattle industry as being particularly motivating.
She also notes the “eyeopening” experience of talking with producers from
other states about local challenges like predator control, weather conditions and ongoing battles with government representatives, adding to her ability to be a better all-around advocate for the beef industry.
Time on the Hill NCBA’s emphasis on leadership development is a hallmark of the YCC and serves attendees particularly well throughout the final leg of the trip.
The Washington, D.C. portion of the YCC provides a platform for attendees to advocate for agriculture by bringing personal insights as producers to conversations
about policy.
“NCBA staff kept saying, ‘You are the experts in your industry.’ They just wanted to help polish us and prepare us to be spokespersons,” Williams recalls.
The Washington, D.C. portion began with a full day of briefing and interview preparation before coming face-to-face with representatives. Williams notes her conversations with South Dakota representatives went well due to the state’s ag-forward focus, but there were many who weren’t as lucky.
Williams says she returned from the trip with a new perspective on politics, including
a stronger understanding of how to advocate for agriculture on multiple stages.
“It showed me the importance of speaking up, and it definitely changed my perspective on what we can be doing from home,” Williams says.
She also emphasizes the strength found in a newfound network of young producers shaping the future of the beef industry.
“The YCC Class of 2025
are optimistic, driven, goaloriented individuals focused on continuing to improve and serve the beef industry as producers and powerful advocates,” Williams says. “I am thankful to have gained friends and allies who cover the entirety of the U.S. over the course of this journey.” Grace Skavdahl is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
Ag advocacy – The Young Cattlemen’s Conference (YCC) Class of 2025 featured 60-plus producers from 30 different states. Pictured is the YCC Class of 2025 on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. during the final leg of the conference, which involved meetings with state representatives to advocate for issues surrounding the cattle industry in their areas. Courtesy photo
Trip of a lifetime – Wyoming Livestock Roundup Field Services Representative and Cattle Rancher Calli Williams was selected to attend the 2025 Young Cattlemen’s Conference on behalf of the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association. Courtesy photo
OBITUARIES
Mary Lou Perkins
July 5, 1941 – July 7, 2025
Mary Lou Perkins, age 84, of Lovell passed away peacefully at North Big Horn Hospital on July 7 surrounded by her loving family.
Born on July 5, 1941 in Lovell, Mary Lou was the daughter of Pearle and Almy Pryde. She was the older sis-
ter of Jack Pryde, who was born on Dec. 10, 1943. Mary Lou spent much of her childhood in Lovell, where she attended all grades except for her third year, during which her family moved to Upton. She cherished her time in Lovell and carried a
deep love for the community and the land throughout her life.
In September 1957, Mary Lou married Jack Bischoff, and together they raised three children – Robb, Cindy and Jay. Though their marriage ended in divorce, Mary Lou found love again when she married Gerald Perkins on March 3, 1970. This marriage added Chuck to her family and blessed them with a son, Andy.
Her life was centered
around the love and care of her family, and she cherished her role as a mother and grandmother.
Mary Lou was a natural caregiver, taking great pride in raising her children and later nurturing her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was known for her warmth, generosity and ability to make anyone feel at home.
Whether hosting family holiday dinners or welcoming others into her fold, Mary Lou’s home was always open
to friends, extended family, rodeo families and anyone who needed a place of comfort. Her culinary skills were legendary, and she was honored as the Betty Crocker Homemaker of the Year for Wyoming in 1956.
Throughout her life, Mary Lou was active in her community and served in several roles, including as a dispatcher for the Sheriff and Police Department. She also worked at American Colloid, as well as helped run a pallet and fencing business with Gerald for many years. She later worked for the school district as a substitute teacher.
However, her most cherished role was as the matriarch of her family, always offering guidance, advice and support when needed.
Mary Lou was also an engaged member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS), where she actively served.
Her service extended beyond the church to several local organizations, including the Lovell Drain Board, the Kane Museum Board, the Big Horn County Library Board and the Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame. She served as secretary and treasurer of the Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame Board of Directors for many years, contributing her time and energy to preserving the region’s rich history.
Mary Lou was preceded
in death by her parents Pearle and Almy Pryde; her brother Jack Pryde; her sister-in-law; her stepson and her beloved husband of 48 years, Gerald Perkins.
She is survived by her children Robb (Bonnie) Bischoff, Cindy (Tim) Marton of Buffalo, Jay (Deb) Bischoff of Lovell and Andy (Becky) Perkins of Lovell; eight grandchildren, Jake Bischoff, Lacee (Billy) Davila, Jamie Perkins, Sammie Perkins, Dylan (Morgan) Marton, Rylee (Cameron) Lloyd, Shawn Perkins and Addisyn Perkins and seven great-grandchildren, Jaylee, Demee and Dallas Davila, Aftyn Grant, Coy Brower, Charlie Marton and Cruz Lloyd.
Mary Lou will be deeply missed by all of her family, especially for her famous macaroni and the comforting hugs and advice she gave so freely.
A funeral service to celebrate Mary Lou’s life was held on July 14 at the Lovell LDS Stake House.
Donald “Don” Leroy Sims
March 5, 1930 – Jan. 21, 2025
Donald “Don” Leroy Sims of McFadden passed from this world on Jan. 21.
He was born on March 5, 1930 to Roy and Opal (Printy) Sims in Laramie.
A celebration of life will be held on July 26 at 11 a.m. at the Rock Creek Valley Fire House in McFadden.
WSGLT position open
The Wyoming Stock Growers Land Trust (WSGLT) is seeking a dynamic and experienced leader to serve as its next executive director. The organization’s mission is to conserve Wyoming’s working agricultural lands which also provide open space, wildlife habitat and environmental benefits for future generations.
With deep roots in the ranching community and strong partnerships across the state, WSGLT is a respected organization committed to voluntary, private land conservation which supports Wyoming’s agricultural heritage, rural communities and iconic landscapes.
The executive director will bring a passion for Wyoming’s land, people and way of life; a collaborative leadership style and ability to foster a strong internal culture; experience working with landowners, policymakers and conservation professionals; fundraising acumen and the ability to inspire philanthropic and public support and a deep commitment to the mission and values of WSGLT.
The WSGLT office is located in Cheyenne, and the position offers a competitive salary range of $120,000 to $160,000 with a benefits package. Compensation will reflect the candidate’s experience and qualifications.
Relocation assistance will be considered for the right candidate.
Applications will be reviewed as they are received and accepted until the position is filled. Priority will be given to applicants who submit material prior to or by Aug. 1. Confidential inquiries, nominations and applications – including a resume, cover letter detailing interest and qualifications and references – may be submitted electronically to Sarah Kauer at sarah@wsglt.org. For more information or to apply, visit wsglt.org/ wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2025-WSGLT-ED-Posi
OBITUARIES
Ronald “Ron” Ivan Hoffman, age 87, of Thermopolis passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on July 5. Ron was born Feb. 24, 1938 in Platte, S.D. to Ivan and Edris (Kratochwill) Hoffman. He spent his childhood helping on the family farm near Kimball, S.D. and graduated from Kimball High School with the Class of 1956.
On June 18, 1960, Ron married the love of his life, Faye Ostert. Guided by a passion for cattle that had taken root in childhood and encouraged by his dad and uncle, he shaped every chapter of their married life around livestock. The new-
lyweds first farmed near Kimball, S.D., later moving to White Lake, S.D. along the way, growing feed for Ron’s large and steadily expanding cow/calf herd.
A four-year stint in Montana soon followed, where open country and big cattle outfits affirmed ranching would be his lifelong vocation. In 1980 the family settled in Thermopolis, where Ron managed the historic Arapahoe Ranch before partnering with his eldest son Ronnie to establish and run a ranch of their own.
After the passing of his son Stephen, Ron integrated Stephen’s trucking company into the family operation, proudly coordinating cattle hauls which kept the business moving across the West.
Whether horseback on the range or planning the next shipment from his desk, Ron pursued his love of good livestock every day, right up to his final moments.
A true cowboy at heart, Ron was happiest on horseback out on the open range
or back at home leafing through livestock journals with a classic episode of “Gunsmoke” playing in the background.
His true passion in life was cattle, and he loved a good drive, whether hauling cattle, checking distant fence lines or simply taking the scenic route across Wyoming’s back roads.
He enjoyed hunting in his younger years, watching football, attending rodeos, playing cards with friends, exploring antique-machinery and cowboy museums and sharing his knowledge through seasons of 4-H leadership with his children.
A lifelong Catholic and faithful member of St. Francis Parish, Ron was known for his quiet strength, unwavering trust in people and deep affection for his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death and welcomed into eter-
nal rest by his son Stephen Hoffman, his parents Ivan and Edris Hoffman and his brother Douglas.
He is survived by his wife Faye Hoffman of Thermopolis; his five children, Ronnie Hoffman of Thermopolis, Greg (Connie) Hoffman of Thermopolis, Roxann (Michael) Pharris of Colorado Springs, Colo., Jennifer (Erich) Strege of Salt Lake City, Utah and Doug (Shellee) Hoffman of Logan, Utah; 16 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
A Rosary and visitation was held on July 10 at St. Francis Catholic Church.
“Though his saddle now rests and his boots stand still, his footprints guide us down every trail.”
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the T-Town Cancer Crusaders or to a charity of one’s choice.
Land values remain stable
Despite ongoing challenges in commodity markets and uncertain farm profitability, agricultural land values have remained remarkably stable through mid2025, according to Farmers National Company. This resilience is mainly driven by the basic economic principle of supply and demand – there are simply more motivated buyers than willing sellers.
While producers remain the main buyers of ag land, interest from individual and institutional investors cannot be ignored, Farmers National Company noted. As land values stabilize after reaching peaks within the past five years, investors are increasingly attracted by both annual returns and long-term appreciation.
According to Farm Credit Services of America, benchmark Midwest farmland values have increased 56.9 percent over the past five years and 38.3 percent over the past decade, reinforcing land’s appeal as a long-term asset.
Inventory remains limited, with listings down 20 to 25 percent from the peak in 2020-21. Many long-term landowners are choosing to hold onto their properties, recognizing the stability and value appreciation land offers compared to more volatile investments.
According to Paul Schadegg, senior vice president of real estate at Farmers National Company, farm profitability will be a key factor affecting land values in the future.
July 16, 2025 - No Report
CALENDAR
July 18-27 Cheyenne Frontier Days, Cheyenne Frontier Days Event Center, Cheyenne. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit cfdrodeo.com
July 19 Albany County CattleWomen Ranch Tour, Laramie. For more information, call 307-760-5590 or visit wyaccw.com
July 19-27 Teton County Fair, Jackson. For more information, visit tetoncountyfair.com
July 19-27 Washakie County Fair, Worland. For more information, visit facebook.com/ washakiecountyfair/
July 21-Aug. 2 Albany County Fair, Laramie. For more information, visit albanycountyfair.org
July 27-Aug. 4
EVENTS
Sheridan County Fair, Sheridan. For more information, visit sheridancountyfairgrounds.com
July 28-Aug. 3 Big Horn County Fair, Basin. For more information, visit bighornfair.com
EVENTS SALES
July 22-25 2025 American Lamb Summit, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho. For more information or to register, visit lambboard.com
July 22-26 Park County Fair, Powell. For more information, visit parkcountyeventsandfair.com
July 23 Northeast Wyoming Sage Grouse Local Working Group Meeting, 1 p.m., Peregrine Global Services, Gillette. For more information, visit wgfd.wyo.gov/ wyoming-wildlife/sage-grouse-management/sage-grouse-local-working-groups
July 23-26 Sublette County Fair, Big Piney. For more information, visit sublettecountyfair.com
July 25 Wyoming State Fairgrounds Volunteer Day Three, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Wyoming State Fairgrounds, Douglas. For more information, visit wystatefair.com
July 25-26 Red Desert Roundup Rodeo, Sweetwater Events Complex, Rock Springs. For more information or to purchase a ticket, visit rdrodeo.com
July 25-Aug. 2 Niobrara County Fair, Lusk. For more information, visit facebook.com/NiobraraCountyFair
July 25-Aug. 3 Campbell County Fair, Gillette. For more information, visit campbellcountywy. gov/2280/Fair-Week-Activities
July 25-Aug. 3 Platte County Fair, Wheatland. For more information, visit plattecountyfair.org
July 26 Fifth Annual Art and Music Festival, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Crazy Woman Square, Buffalo. For more information, visit jcahc.org, call 307-217-1979 or e-mail jcahc16@gmail.com.
July 26-Aug. 2 Crook County Fair, Sundance. For more information, visit crookcofair.com
July 26-Aug. 2 Fremont County Fair, Riverton. For more information, visit fremontcountyfair.org
July 26-Aug. 2 Goshen County Fair, Torrington. For more information, visit goshencounty. org/226/Goshen-County-Fair
July 26-Aug. 2 Hot Springs County Fair, Thermopolis. For more information, visit facebook. com/hscfairgrounds
July 26-Aug. 2 Uinta County Fair, Evanston. For more information, visit uintacountywy. gov/1080/Uinta-County-Fair
July 26-Aug. 3 Johnson County Fair, Buffalo. For more information, visit johnsoncountyfairgrounds.com/fair
July 26-Aug. 3 Sweetwater County Fair, Rock Springs. For more information, visit sweetwaterevents.com
July 26-Aug. 3 Weston County Fair, Newcastle. For more information, visit westoncountyfair.org
Big Horn Basin Livestock Auction will be having their last summer sale Thursday, June 26.
We will be tearing out the indoor ring to put in ring scales the months of July and August. Due to the construction, we will not be having any live auctions during these months.
We apologize for the inconvenience this may cause. If you have livestock that you need to market during these months, please contact Danny Vigil at 307-388-0781 or the office at 307-347-9201. We will start with our first Thursday sale on September 4, 2025. We appreciate your understanding.
Weber • Field Rep & Auctioneer • (307) 331-2222
July 30-Aug. 9 Laramie County Fair, Cheyenne. For more information, visit laramiecountyevents.com/fair
July 31-Aug. 1 National Strip-Tillage Conference, Iowa City, Iowa. For more information or to register, visit striptillfarmer.com
Aug. 1-9
Aug. 2-9
July 21-23
July 24
July 26
Lincoln County Fair, Afton. For more information, visit facebook.com/LincolnCountyFair
Carbon County Fair, Rawlins. For more information, visit carboncountyfairgrounds.com
Northern Livestock Video Auction Summertime Classic, 866-616-5035, northernlivestockvideo.com
Stellpflug Cattle Company “New Frontier” Female Sale, at the ranch, Guernsey, 307-351-1712, stellpflugcattle.com
South Dakota Sheep Growers Association Premium Yearling Ewe Sale, Magness Livestock Auction, Huron, S.D., 406-581-7772, sdsheepgrowers.org
July 28-Aug 1 Superior Livestock Auction Video Royale, 800-422-2117, superiorlivestock.com
Aug. 2
Aug. 11-12
Aug. 12-13
Aug. 18-19
Aug. 18-22
Aug. 23
Aug. 23
Aug. 24
Aug. 23-26
Montana Horse Progress Days Sale, Moore, Mont., 406-366-4667, montanahorseprogressdays.com
Western Video Market, Little America, Cheyenne, 530-347-3793, wvmcattle.com
Cattle Country Video Oregon Trail Classic, Gering Civic Center, Gering, Neb., 888-322-8853, cattlecountryvideo.com
Northern Livestock Video Auction Early Fall Preview, 866-616-5035, northernlivestockvideo.com
Superior Livestock Auction Big Horn Classic, 800-422-2117, superiorlivestock.com
Memory Ranches Third Annual Foal Sale, at the ranch, Wells, Nev., 208412-6156, 208-695-0399, memoryranches.com
Colorado Horse Sale, Adams County Fairgrounds, Brighton, Colo., 970744-8989, coloradohorsesale.com
RQHBA 25th Annual Horse Sale, Besler’s Cadillac Ranch, Belle Fourche, S.D., 605-347-1964, 605-639-9482, rqhba.com
Lauing Mill Iron L Ranch 20th Annual QH Production Sale, online auction only, prohorseservices.com, 605-347-6193, 605-280-0698, 605-280-0398, lauingmillironlranch.com
POSTCARD from the Past
Compiled by Dick Perue rrichardperue@gmail.com
Growth of the Great Plains
By Dan Sage,
the “Long-Haired Poet” Way out upon the Western Plains not many years ago, by civilization unrestrained roamed the elk and buffalo.
Where Indians camped on every stream, in quest of fish and game, and fought their bloody battles there, for conquest and for fame.
No explorations had been made, the climate was unknown, and all in silent slumber lay as Nature’s laws had sown.
Where the waters of the Platte and Loups, o’er sand and pebbles flow, it all belonged to far-off France one-hundred years ago.
Civilization gave no echo then, not a cultured voice arose, unconquered Nature silent lay, in undisturbed repose.
The tables, hills and valleys wide, with verdure bright and green, then in a state of wildness lay, all tranquil and serene.
Uncle Sam then bought the land and had it all surveyed, where civilization’s greatest foe in war paint was arrayed.
Where played the Indian girls and boys untutored and untaught,
and savage tribes of wild red men their many battles fought.
The buffalo and the elk are gone, the Indian is corralled, to live a life of quietude by force is now compelled.
The country all from east to west, with civilization teems, and trade and commerce onward roll, in constant, steady streams.
A wondrous change has taken place in a score and a half of years, where solitude once reigned supreme a different scene appears.
Where the red Indian roamed at will with tomahawk and gun, broad fields of waving golden grain now ripen in the sun.
The land is dotted o’er with towns, the railway passes by, and voices by the telephone to neighbors quickly fly.
The schoolhouse and the church are here, and they have come to stay, to Christianize and educate the young, the fair, the gay.
The lawless all have moved away, the cowboy met his fate, and all our morals will compare with those of any state.
We are growing greater every day as Father Time unfolds, our state at the present time contains one million souls.
While researching another project, I came across the above poem and felt it worth passing along, especially since Cowboy Poetry and Music season is upon us, including the Grand Encampment Gathering this weekend.
Pictured are buffalo roaming the open range years ago. Photo from Dick Perue/Bob Martin collection. Historical Reproductions by Perue
US #1 Pinto Beans Food Grade Min Dak 26-28/cwt
Source: USDA AMS Livestock, Poultry & Grain Market News, Torrington
Source: USDA AMS Livestock, Poultry & Grain Market News, Greeley, CO
National Sheep Summary
As of July 11, 2025
Compared to last week Slaughter lambs 10.00 to 14.00 higher. Slaughter ewes mixed. Good demand for all weights of slaughter lambs, moderate demand for slaughter ewes. All sheep sold per hundred weight (CWT) unless otherwise specified. Slaughter Lambs: Choice and Prime 1-3 San Angelo: wooled and shorn 50-60 lbs 260.00-290.00 6070 lbs 262.00.00-278.00; 70-80 lbs 260.00-268.00; 80-90 lbs 262.00; 90-100 lbs 242.00-244.00.
Billings: No test.
Ft. Collins: No test.
Sioux Falls: 70-80 lbs 230.00-245.00; 80-90 lbs 235.00; 90100 lbs 225.00-236.00; 100-110 lbs 215.00-235.00; 110-120 lbs 227.50-240.00 120-130 lbs 221.00-236.00; 130-140 lbs 225.00-240.00; 140-150 lbs 229.00-239.00. Equity Coop: No test. Slaughter Ewes
San Angelo: Good 2-3 124.00-126.00; Good 4-5 102.00130.00.
Billings: No test.
Ft. Collins: No test.
Sioux Falls: Good 2-3: 75.00-120.00; Good 4-5: 100.00115.00; Utility 1-2: 60.00-80.00. Feeder Lambs: Medium and Large 1 San Angelo: No test.
Billings: No test.
Ft. Collins: No test.
Sioux Falls: 40-50 lbs 270.00-285.00; 50-60 lbs 240.00280.00; 70-80 lbs 215.00-240.00; 80-90 lbs 220.00-234.00; 90-100 lbs 231.00.
Equity Coop: No test.
Replacement Ewes: Medium and Large 1-2 San Angelo: No test.
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 31,000 last week and 35,372 last year.
Source: USDA AMS LPG Market News, San Angelo, Texas
Source: USDA- CO Dept of Ag Market News Service, Greeley, CO Wyoming Hay Summary As of July 10, 2025
Compared to two weeks ago, old crop square bales of alfalfa sold steady. Alfalfa cubes and pellets sold steady. On comparable new crop sales of alfalfa sold steady on a thin test. Demand was light to instances moderate. Spotty rain showers across different areas of the state along with several contacts noting their next cutting of alfalfa was pretty much destroyed by hail. Most contacts have mowed and baled what was left of their alfalfa hoping for a good regrowth and decent tonnage on the next round of production.
Source: USDA AMS
Torrington
Nebraska Hay Summary
As of July 17, 2025
Compared to two weeks ago small square bales of alfalfa and grass hay sold steady. Not enough test on round bales for a market trend. Ground and delivered hay sold steady to 5.00 lower. Dairy hay contracts between the same parties sold 10.00 lower than last year’s contract. Several of the ground and delivered companies are off the market on buying new crop hay as they continue to work through previous years stockpile hay supplies. Demand was almost nil these last two weeks. Most areas of the state have had rain, hail, wind or a combination of all. Most of the state looks pretty good for the middle of July with several fields of corn shooting tassels and some silking. Some areas across the state are still abnormal to moderate drought and need more moisture to fill the soil profile. Overall, in way better shape than 60 days ago. Alfalfa producers are finishing up second with others starting on third cutting. Grass hay production is off some from last year tonnage as spring moisture was slow to come and the plants are just maturing late. Maybe 2 to 4 weeks behind a “normal” year.
of fraud, contact the Wyoming Attorney General’s Office, Consumer Protection Unit, 109 Capitol Building, Cheyenne, WY 82002, 307-777-6397 TFN
Events Services
Currently hiring for multiple positions at multiple locations! Call 307-237-9301 for details. Equal Opportunity Employer Vets, Disability
LOOKING FOR A FULL-TIME FARM/RANCH EMPLOYEE:
Dogs
“SCOUT” MALE, MERLE, MINI AUSSIE: Born June 4, $750, Laramie, WY. Call 307-761-2449. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 7/26
AKC LABRADOR RETRIEVER
PUPPIES, yellow, ready July 10, will be vet checked, first shots and dewormed. Very cute and playful. Call 307-272-6738 7/26
BULLS FOR SALE: Registered yearling and 2-year-old Black Angus range bulls for sale private treaty. Good selection for heifers and cows. From popular sires and industry leaders. Semen tested and ready to go. CLAY CREEK ANGUS, 307-762-3541, www. claycreek.net TFN
MYDLAND ANGUS RANCH: Yearling Angus bulls. Performance tested, EPDs available. Home raised. Call 406-591-3404 or 406-855-5598 7/19 UP IN ARMS, LLC FLEA MARKET AND GUN SHOW AUG. 29-31 Gillette, WY at the CAMPLEX. Open to the public. Fri., Aug. 29, 3 p.m.-7 p.m. Sat., Aug. 30, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun., Aug. 31, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Giving away a .22 pistol Sunday at 2 p.m., must be present to win, 21 years of age and able to pass background check. Buy, sell, trade. Adults $6, children 12 and under free (when accompanied by an adult). For more information, contact Lisa, 208-420-2295 8/23
COYOTE DAYS 2025: The largest gathering of predator control and fur harvesting experts in the world. Twenty instructional demos on all aspects of the industry. Come learn about an outdoor activity that can be very rewarding. Aug. 15-16, Niobrara Co. Fairgrounds, Lusk, WY. Vendors, drawings, banquet, fur fashion show and more. For more information, call 307-334-9930 8/9
5TH ANNUAL ART AND MUSIC FESTIVAL JULY 26 CRAZY WOMAN SQUARE, BUFFALO, WY 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Chalk Art, Paint Out, music, art, performers and vendors. Dance 7-11 p.m., music by Saddle Tramp. Sponsored by Colleen & Shawn Delaney. For more information, call Johnson County Arts & Humanities Council, 307-217-1979, e-mail jcahc16@gmail.com or visit www.jcahc.org 7/19
interested stop by and fill out an application or visit our website at Call Brandon Furr at 402-257-7769 or 402-746-2222 for more information.
HELP WANTED: LOOKING FOR AN EXPERIENCED RANCH HAND/LABORER. Haying, maintenance, operating equipment, well work, etc. Must be able to work 10-12 hour days if needed. Also, mornings on the weekends occasionally. Free room and board, outside Medicine Bow, WY. Call 605580-0493 7/19
Seeking a motivated individual to assist in day-to-day operations of our working ranch. The role supports the current foreman and works alongside to ensure smooth and efficient operation of livestock, haying, equipment and facility management. Applicant must have a strong agricultural background and a hands-on approach to problem solving and daily ranch work. The position is long term and offers a clear path to increased responsibilities, pay and leadership over time. Location of the ranch is remote. Housing is provided and on a school bus route. Position open immediately. 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 8/9
CORRECTIONS AGRICULTURE CORPS PROGRAM SUPERVI-
SOR: Are you a seasoned ag leader wanting to make a real difference? Join Wyoming’s Department of Corrections as a Corrections Agriculture Corps Program Supervisor in Riverton, WY. You’ll manage everything from seed planting to harvest, supervise inmate workers and teach essential life and vocational skills while supporting livestock feed programs and sustaining farm equipment operations. Three to 4 years’ experience in agriculture/farming or bachelor’s in ag. Knowledge of crop science, irrigation and farm equipment. Strong leadership and safety awareness. Rewarding opportunity to contribute to public safety and inmate rehabilitation. $24.78/hour +full benefits: Tuition reimbursement, retirement, health care. Riverton, WY, Wyoming Honor Farm. Learn more and apply: www.governmentjobs.com/careers/wyoming/ jobs/4943010/corrections-agriculture-crops-program-supervisor-2025-01356. Grow with us, help cultivate futures, both in the field and beyond. #WyomingJobs #Agriculture #Reentry #PublicService #LeadershipOpportunity 8/2
HEREFORD SEEDSTOCK OPERATION NEAR CHEYENNE, WY LOOKING FOR FULL-TIME RANCH EMPLOYEE. Duties include: Calving, extensive AI program, calf wintering and extensive fencing and corral repair. Plenty of cattle work but not a lot of riding. Housing and utilities provided and good schools on a bus route within 20 miles of home. Salary and DOE. Please send resume and references to jaberryherefords@msn.com or call 307-634-5178 7/26
FULL-TIME FARM/RANCH
HAND WANTED: Experienced in farming, haying, irrigation, equipment maintenance, fencing and livestock care/handling. CDL and welding experience preferred, references required, location northeast Wyoming. Please e-mail tamij.jci@gmail.com, fax, 307-896-3164 or call 877-896-2261 7/19
CONSTRUCTION BY OATES
ENTERPRISES: Offering custom welding and dirt construction: Livestock pens, feeders, pipe fencing, road work repair, pad building, excavation for mechanical into homes and businesses, pond reclamation, NRCS registered vendor. Free estimates, www.constructionxoe.com Call Levi Compton at 254-4333434, Casper, WY. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 7/19
NICE WYOMING BRAND FOR SALE: Lazy JF. LHC, LHH, $1,500. Call 307-258-2269 8/9
WYOMING BRAND FOR SALE: RRC, RSH. Registered until Jan. 1, 2035. No horses or cattle with brand. No irons available. $1,500. Contact Ronnie at 303-913-2493, leave a message if no answer 6/21
RED ANGUS 2-YEAR-OLD FORAGE BULLS FOR SALE: Bulls for heifers and cows. Smaller framed, efficient, easy fleshing, good dispositions. Not fat, but in great shape and ready to go to work. Have been worked with dogs, on foot and horseback. Raised in rugged, rough, steep, rocky, high elevation country. Red Fork Red Angus, Ken & Cheri Graves, Kaycee, WY, phone 307-7382247, cell 307-267-0724, email gravesredfork@rtconnect.net 7/19
Ranch for Lease
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 year-round 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 7/19
LS CUSTOM LEATHER: Belts, tack, cell phone cases and much more!! Contact Lester, 307-631-1053, leave a message. Located in Riverton, WY 7/19
SDSGA PREMIUM
ALL TYPES OF EQUIPMENT AND VEHICLE FINANCING. Great service!! Great rates!! Call Chuck Brown at C.H. Brown Co., LLC, 307-322-3232 (office), 307-331-0010 (cell) or email chuckbrown@wyoming. com 7/19
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!! 8/9
BRAND FOR SALE, lazy RM. RRC, RHH, renews in January 2027, 2 sets of hot irons and 2 sets of electric irons, $3,000. Call only, 307-899-3737 7/26
SPRINGER SPANIEL PUP-
PIES FOR SALE: Great hunters and family dogs. Health tested. AKC registered. Wyoming Springer Spaniels, 307-575-5703. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 7/26
FOR SALE: Cow dog puppies, 8 weeks old, 7 female, 1 male. Parents are half border collie and half Hangin’ Tree. Shots and wormed, $500 each. Call 406939-1699, Glendive, MT. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 7/19
BERNEDOODLES AND GOLDENDOODLES READY NOW!! Pups are non-shedding hypoallergenic, come with UTD shots, microchipped, dewormed and health guarantee. Happy to arrange delivery or do a FaceTime. Visit www.yellowstonedoodles.com Newspaper special, price $2,000. Please reach out with questions. Call 307-272-5976. To view photos, go to www.wylr. net in the classifieds 7/19
YEARLING EWE SALE, SAT. JULY 26, 2025, at 2 p.m., Huron, S.D., Magness Livestock Auction Offering approximately 500+ head of top quality registered and commercial replacement ewes born from Jan. 1, 2024-Dec. 31, 2024. The sale will include Dorset, Hampshire, MerinoX, Polypay, Rambouillet, SAMM and Targhee breeds. Plus other fine and medium wool crossbred ewes. SDSU Extension program at 10 a.m. Free noon lamb lunch and viewing of ewes offered prior to sale. INTERNET BIDDING available at www.cattleusa.com For more information please contact Lisa Surber, 406-581-7772, e-mail lisa@sdsheepgrowers.org or visit www.sdsheepgrowers.org Check us out on Facebook, South Dakota Sheep Growers Association
Custom
CUSTOM FEEDING AND FINISHING FOR CATTLE AND SHEEP. Cactus Hill Ranch Company, Fort Collins, CO. Contact AJ Nelson, 970372-8273 8/2
FAITHFUL FEEDERS: Heifer development, backgrounding, and grass calf prep. Billings, MT. Call Ryan, 406-696-0104 4/11
AND
CUTTING ALFALFA AND GRASS/ ALFALFA, round bales. For more information, call 307-7545864 7/19
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 8/9
2025 CERTIFIED GRASS HAY SMALL SQUARE BALES: Barn stored, $10/bale, 71 lb. average. 2025 GRASS ROUND BALES, net-wrapped, $220/ ton. 2025 ALFALFA ROUND BALES, net wrapped, $240/ton. 1,300 lb. average on rounds. No rain on any. ALSO, some 2024 net-wrapped grass and alfalfa bales available. Bales handled with skid steer 8 pack and tractor with bale spear. Powell, WY. Call 307-254-4865 8/9
TONS AND TONS OF HAY FOR SALE!!! Alfalfa, alfalfa/ grass mix, straight grass (crested wheat and native grasses), winter wheat, 1,300-1,350 lb. net-wrapped round bales. Deliveries are available if needed or come and get it. Sheridan, WY area. Call the ranch, 307737-2680 or 307-751-2068 (cell) 8/2
CERTIFIED WEED-FREE
PURE ALFALFA HAY: Small squares, averaging 70-80 lbs. each. 2025 first cutting available for $225/ton. ALSO, 100+ tons of 2024 hay with weather damage. Would be good cow hay or great for compost. $50/ton. 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 8/16
CERTIFIED ORGANIC ALFALFA/GRASS MIX HAY: No chemicals, 3x3 squares and round bales. Adrian Troyer, Byron, WY. Call 307-6314104 12/27
HAY FOR SALE: Approximately 430 tons of 2024 straight rye grass and grass/alfalfa mix. No sorting, Cody, WY. Call 307899-4532, early mornings or before 9 p.m. 7/26
HAY FOR SALE: 2022 first and second cutting alfalfa. 2023 first and second cutting alfalfa, milo and grass/alfalfa. 2024 first and second cutting alfalfa, grass/alfalfa. ALSO, haybet barley, call for feed analysis. GRINDING HAY also available. UPCOMING 2025 NEW CROP, first cutting alfalfa and grass/ alfalfa mix. 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 7/26
Hay & Feed
VALLEY VIDEO HAY MARKETS, LLC: Representing 40 of the best growers in eastern Wyoming and western Nebraska. Call now for your summer/fall needs, Barry McRea, 308-2355386, www.valleyvideohay. com 7/19
ROUND-BALED GRASS: 2024 crop $40/bale. 1,000 lb. netwrapped bales. Cody, WY area. Call, don’t text, Anthony at 307-254-2645 8/16
Crop Cleanup
BENNY HERNANDEZ IS IN THE AREA AND HAS PLENTY OF HELP TO CLEANUP AND HOE YOUR CROPS. Call 307431-7160 7/19
is in Stock
2012 FORD F650 FLATBED: 6.7L Cummins, Allison automatic. Good condition, 18’ flatbed, Vanair PTO driven air compressor, 161,000 miles. Best offer. Golden, CO. Call Eric at 720-312-9582. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 8/2
FEATHERLITE 2001, 3-horse, gooseneck, slant load. Large, carpeted tack room, water tank and excellent tires. $8,750. Leave message, 307-6348410, Cheyenne, WY 8/2
FOR SALE: 2008 FORD
F350, 4x4, 6.4 diesel, Super Cab, 170,000 miles, deleted with Many Max Tuner at 70,000 miles, air bags, grill guard, Bradford flatbed with boxes, fifth wheel ball, tires above average, $15,000. 2012 CHEVY C2500, 4x4, 4 door, gas, 243,000 miles, power windows, power locks, A/C, grill guard, flatbed with toolboxes below and both rails, fifth wheel ball, excellent tires, $7,500. 2003 TOYOTA PRERUNNER, 4 door, 2WD pickup with 4 cylinder, 180,000 miles, hail damage, excellent tires, $2,000. Reese 16k fith wheel camper hitch, $500. For more information, call 719-688-8971 7/19
2023 KIOTI RX7320: Power shuttle with creep, 73 HP, 3 remotes, live hydraulics to the front, fluid in tires, block heater, 92 hours and Bluetooth stereo. $48,500. For more details, call 307-388-3300 8/9
JOHN DEERE 106 COMBINE FOR PINTO BEANS: Spike tooth cylinder, folding belt conveyor, bean leg, Sund pickup, stored inside, well maintained. Comes with extra parts, $4,500 Minto, N.D. For more information, call 701-360-3181 7/26
FOR SALE: WATER TRAILER with (4) 1,500 gallon water tanks, 3 cones, 2 pumps, 50 ft. hose, electric start. ALSO, International 1256 tractor and John Deere 4520 tractor. Call 701290-2504 8/9
Equipment
NEW HOLLAND 7150 HAYBINE: 18’ head. Stored inside off season, 300 acres on guards and sickle, $19,000. Call 701-2693621 7/26
ARTSWAY 786A BEET DEFOLIATOR: 6 row 22 inch, 1 steel, 2 rubber drums. Steerable wheels, scalpers, extra parts. Very good working condition. Call 406-5910797 8/2
JOHN DEERE 4230, 70-SERIES: Cab, A/C and heat, power shift with John Deere 158 loader, 9,000 hours. $15,000 or consider trade. Call 406-847-2636 7/26
FOR SALE: Lorenz 16’x29’ 17 ton bale mover. Tonutti 9 wheel finger rake. Rowse 9’ pull type mower. Rowse 9’ 3 pt. mower. H&S 14 wheel high capacity v-rake. New Holland H7460 16’ pull type discbine. 2024 AGT mini excavator H13R with tracks, new machine, $5,000. Ford 7N tractor with wide front, runs great. John Deere 3975 silage cutter with 3RN green cutter head. Burns portable calf creep feeder. Burns portable loading chute. For-Most cattle working chute with palp cage and automatic headgate. 2020 Freightliner, automatic transmission, DD13 engine, 178” wheelbase, 407,673 miles, runs and drives nice. 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. 12’ HD box scraper with tilt. All in very nice condition!! Call 605-999-5482 7/26
Equipment
2015 GRAIN AUGER 14122 FARM KING: Less than 100,000 bushels ran through it. The flighting and tube on this auger are twice as heavy as a Westfield. Hydraulic swing out, $40,000 would consider any reasonable offer. ALSO, 2001 FREIGHTLINER CLASSIC, long hood C15 Cat engine less than 100,000 miles on complete overhaul at Butler machinery, 18 speed tag axle, new steering tires, drive tires over 60%, wet kit with 4 remote tower in cab. Day cab, would be willing to pull engine and sell separately, $60,000 for complete truck. If interested in engine or want more details, call 605-228-0471 8/9
1960 JOHN DEERE 95 COMBINE, round back, 16’. All new belts, stored inside, overhaul on engine. $2,500. Call Ivan, 307629-0974 TFN
RETIREMENT SALE!! Corral panels, Cattle Master squeeze chutes, John Deere 6400 tractors ($40,000/each), Peterbilt 379, step deck trailer. Call 208651-8698 8/2
CASE 1070 TRACTOR: 5,000 plus hours, with Du-Al loader and grapple. $12,500. Calls only, 307899-3737 7/26
PIPE FOR SALE!! 2 7/8”,
anywhere. Call Mike, 602-758-4447. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the
7/26
Equipment
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, 417549-1077 8/9 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
90 NET-WRAPPED ROUND BALES, 1,500 lbs. grass/alfalfa mix, 2024 crop, $125/ton. Located in Cody, WY. Calls only, 307-899-3737 7/26
CERTIFIED BARLEY STRAW FOR SALE, 3x4 bales. Cody, WY. Call 307-899-1952 TFN
WANTED: LARGER STRAIGHT WATER TRUCK, prefer 1,0005,000 gallon. Please call 605580-0493 7/26
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!! 7/26
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. A 20’ Krause offset disc (new blades in front). 24’ Model 630 John Deere tandem disc. Safety pull with a bull hitch. 2003 IHC 9400I Eagle semi fifth wheel truck, Cat engine, 26’ end dump trailer with roll tarp. 1997 Kenworth T800, Detroit engine, 20’ box with hoist, roll tarp, both beet and grain end gates. John Deere front suitcase weights. IHC front suitcase weights. Contact Greg Keller at 406-6791136 7/19
“One of my personal missions was to recreate the old sheepherder parties we all hear about and wish we had been a part of,” Crane said. “Folks always describe these as not only a great time, but a time for celebrating one another, the past and things to come.”
“I had some members come up to me on Saturday night and say, ‘This is how it used to be.’ That was my golden ticket, telling me we are going in the right direction with this event.
It was a true celebration of each part of the industry,” Crane concluded.
First day highlights
The first morning began with a sustainable sheep grazing workshop hosted by WWGA and the National Grazing Lands Coalition. It took place throughout the Bighorn National Forest and covered a series of relevant topics including post-fire grazing and predator management practices, as well as the benefits of using sheep for invasive plant management.
“Folks from Wyoming, Nevada, Missouri, Colorado and more gathered to learn about depredation, grazing management, invasive plant species and management tools and the challenges that come with each of those,” Crane highlighted.
In the afternoon, the University of Wyoming (UW) Extension office hosted an educational “Train the Trainer” demonstration detailing the basics of competitive wool evaluation.
The day concluded with a reception for the Art and Woolcraft Show – a weekend-long display of wool and sheep-centric art from across Wyoming.
The reception also included a multigenerational sheepherder panel where local sheepherders offered unique insights on the past, present and future of Wyoming’s sheep industry.
Second day highlights
Saturday’s schedule was jam-packed with a vendor fair featuring wool and sheep products from across Wyoming and several live woolcraft demonstrations. A presentation on the history of sheepherding in Johnson County also took place in the afternoon.
WWGA held their annual summer meeting, during which the board reflected upon the past year and held elections.
Mike Curuchet is the immediate past president. Gwen Geis will serve as president, with Shaun Sims as vice president, and Megan O’Toole Lally will serve as treasurer.
The region one director is Regan Smith, the region two director is John Iberlin, the region three director is Marie McClaren and the region four director is Hardy Musselman.
Sheepherders Come Bye Dinner and Awards
The day concluded with the Sheepherders Come Bye Dinner and an awards pre-
sentation. The dinner menu featured lamb from the Lamb-A-Year Program prepared by the UW Meat Science group led by UW Meat Scientist Cody Gifford.
Johnson County native Gov. Mark Gordon was present at the dinner, along with several industry stakeholders.
“It is wonderful to see so many people from my county,” Gordon remarked.
“It is an honor being here this evening, and if it weren’t for the families here in this room, this state would not be what it is.”
WWGA President Gwen Geis then shifted the conversation to the awards portion of the evening.
The Lamb-A-Year awards for the top performers were presented by Interim UW Extension Sheep Specialist Dylan Laverell.
First, the Legacy Award went to Brad and Ryan Boner of M Diamond Angus. This award recognizes the donor with the greatest financial impact on the program, measured by pounds of lamb.
Second, the highest growth performances measured by average daily gain and highest feed efficiency were both awarded to Regan and Wendy Smith of Smith Sheep n’ Stuff.
The Carcass Merit Award, which is evaluated based on dressing percentage, loin eye area, yield grade and quality grade measured in pounds, was given to Trent Boner of TJ Livestock.
The most consistent head of lambs with the least amount of variability was awarded to the Marton Ranch.
Finally, the Top Hand Award was awarded to UW Laramie Research and Extension Center Sheep Unit Manager Kalli Koepke for her assistance with many aspects of the Lamb-A-Year program, from intake of animals to daily care.
Crane then presented WWGA’s annual awards –The Harold Josendal Patron Award, the Compadre Award, the Amigo Award and the Portavoz Award.
The Portavoz Award was presented to Russell Nemetz and Lane Nordlund of Western Ag Network in recognition of the broadcast company’s outstanding coverage of the sheep industry.
Mountain Meadow Wool Mill earned the Compadre Award, which recognizes industry contributions from a professional in a field related to sheep production who demonstrates significant contributions to the industry’s organizations and producers above and beyond what is asked of them.
Karen and Ben Hostetler, as well as many mill employees, were present to accept the award.
The Amigo Award was presented to the U.S. Department of Agricultureʼs Animal and Plant Health Inspection Servicesʼ (APHIS) Wildlife Services (WS) of Wyoming
in recognition of outstanding achievements in innovative management of natural resources, as well as a strong commitment to teaching and educating producers.
APHIS WS Biologist Jaren Zierenberg and APHIS WS District Supervisor Mike Burrell were on site to accept the award.
Two recipients were honored with the Harold Josendal Patron Award this year – Cat Urbigkit and the Johnson County Wool Growers – in recognition of their substantial contributions to the Wyoming sheep industry, WWGA and other volunteer efforts.
Peter John Camino accepted the award on behalf of the Johnson County Wool Growers, recognizing fellow Johnson County producers in the crowd.
Urbigkit was unable to attend the dinner but WWGA Immediate Past President Mike Curuchet spoke of her saying, “Anyone who knows Cat knows she is a formidable adversary, but she is also a very formidable advocate. She puts her whole heart into everything she does, and she fights with everything she’s got.”
The evening concluded with a concert by Tris Munsick and the Innocents.
The 2026 Wyoming Sheep and Wool Festival is slated to take place in Powell. For more information and to get involved, visit wyomingsheepandwoolfestival.com
Grace Skavdahl is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
Amigo Award – The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services’ (APHIS) Wildlife Services (WS) of Wyoming received the Amigo Award, presented by the Wyoming Wool Growers Association (WWGA). Pictured from left to right are APHIS WS District Supervisor Mike Burrell, APHIS WS Biologist Jaren Zierenberg and WWGA Executive Director Alison Crane. WYLR photo
Compadre Award – Mountain Meadow Wool Mill earned the 2025 Compadre Award for their contributions to Wyoming’s sheep and wool industries. Pictured from left to right are Wyoming Wool Growers Association (WWGA) Executive Director Alison Crane and WWGA President Gwen Geis alongside Ben and Karen Hostleter, who received the award on behalf of Mountain Meadow Wool Mill. WYLR photo
Harold Josendal Patron Award – The Johnson County Wool Growers were one of two awardees of the Harold Josendal Patron Award. Pictured from left to right are Wyoming Wool Growers Association Executive Director Alison Crane and Johnson County Producer Peter John Camino, who accepted the award on behalf of the Johnson County Wool Growers. WYLR photo
Harold Josendal Patron Award cont. – Cat Urbigkit was the second recipient of the Harold Josendal Patron Award but was unable to attend the presentation. Wyoming Wool Growers Association Immediate Past President Mike Curuchet spoke of Urbigkit, making note of her whole-hearted advocacy for the Wyoming sheep industry. WYLR photo
High performers – Regan and Wendy Smith of Smith Sheep n’ Stuff earned recognition for having both the highest growth performances and highest feed efficiency in the University of Wyoming (UW) Lamb-A-Year program. Pictured from left to right are Regan and Wendy Smith with Interim UW Extension Sheep Specialist Dylan Laverell. WYLR photo
Legacy Award – The University of Wyoming (UW) Lamb-A-Year Legacy Award went to Brad and Ryan Boner of M Diamond Angus. Pictured from left to right are Brad Boner and Interim UW Extension Sheep Specialist Dylan Laverell who presented the Lamb-A-Year awards. WYLR photo
Johnson County proud – Gov. Mark Gordon highlighted his pride in being from Johnson County and representing the state of Wyoming in a brief address which he delivered during the Sheepherders Come Bye Dinner and awards presentation. WYLR photo
Celebrating history – The Wyoming Sheep and Wool Festival is a weekend-long celebration of the past, present and future of Wyoming’s sheep and wool industries. Sheep are woven into the history of Wyoming as one of the state’s foundational agricultural sectors. WYLR photo
never let foreign adversaries control our land, our labs or our livelihoods,” Rollins states. “This action plan puts America’s farmers, families and future first – exactly where they belong. Under President Donald Trump’s leadership, American agriculture will be strong, secure and resilient. He will never
stop fighting for our farmers and ranchers.”
Seven-part plan A component of the Trump administration’s Make Agriculture Great Again initiative, the National Farm Security Action Plan intends to take aggressive action across seven critical areas.
First, the plan looks to secure American farmland by banning new land purchases from countries of concern, such as China, Russia, Iran and North Korea; employing presidential authority to reclaim land already owned by these nations and reforming the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act to increase transparency and raise penalties.
RIVERTON LIVESTOCK AUCTION
The second component of the plan looks to boost supply chain resilience by pinpointing critical farm inputs and materials, conducting vulnerability crisis simulations and upgrading pathogen import controls to prevent dangerous biochemicals and biological agents from entering the U.S.
The plan also aims to protect safety net programs by cracking down on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program fraud, especially by foreign adversaries, as well as prioritizing U.S. producers when it comes to providing loans, grants and other food safety contracts housed under USDA’s aid programs.
Additionally, USDA hopes to defend ag research and innovation by shielding intellectual property, halting partnerships with adversary-linked entities and pioneering collaboration with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency on domestic ag technology.
The last two aspects of the plan include safeguarding plant and animal health by strengthening biosecurity measures to defend against agro-terrorism and foreign disease treats and protecting critical infrastructure by treating farms, processing plants and supply chains as vital national assets and bolstering cybersecurity protections for agriculture.
Big announcement – On July 8, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture
Brooke Rollins was joined by several top officials on the steps of the Jamie Whitten U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Building to announce the National Farm Security Action Plan, which establishes American agriculture as national security and aims to safeguard the industry. USDA photo
Widespread support USDA’s action plan quickly garnered widespread support, especially from agricultural groups across the nation.
In fact, just one day after Rollins’ announcement, representatives of cattle industry organizations from 28 states, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the American Farm Bureau Federation issued statements of support.
NCBA President and Nebraska Cattleman Buck Wehrbein comments, “America is blessed to have hundreds of thousands of family farms and ranches producing beef right here at home. NCBA strongly agrees with Rollins that farm security is national security. We are pleased USDA is protecting our family farms and ranches, scrutinizing foreign acquisitions to ensure they don’t threaten American agriculture, protecting U.S. agri-
cultural research from foreign adversaries and bolstering animal health programs to prevent a foreign animal disease outbreak. Rollins and President Trump are true friends of American agriculture.”
Additionally, Wyoming Stock Growers Association Executive Vice President Jim Magagna states, “In Wyoming where energy production is so critical, we are accustomed to what we do being important for the security of this nation. We appreciate the recognition agriculture – an equally important industry in Wyoming – also contributes to national security. Every day, our producers pursue their work with the understanding it’s more than a job, it’s about raising safe and healthy food critical to our nation’s security.”
Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
