WAIC
Quick Bits
BLM RMP
Gov. Mark Gordon welcomed news there will be an opportunity to amend the Rock Springs Resource Management Plan (RMP) published in December 2024. The Rock Springs Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) notified cooperating agencies the office will be issuing a notice of intent to amend the Rock Springs RMP in coming days, giving the public another opportunity to weigh in on the plan.
Volunteer Days
The second and third 2025 Wyoming State Fairgrounds Volunteer Days are respectively set for June 21 and July 25 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a free lunch served at noon. Volunteers will help clean, paint, weed, garden and get the grounds ready for the 2025 Wyoming State Fair. Volunteers of all ages and families are welcome.
Scholarship
Applications are now being accepted for the Gary Beach Memorial Scholarship, which was created in 2006 in honor of Gary Beach, a longtime Department of Environmental Quality employee. Eligible applicants must be enrolled at the University of Wyoming or in an accredited Wyoming community college bachelor’s degree program with a major in environment and natural resources, water resources, rangeland ecology and watershed management or a related field. Applications are due on July 7. For more information or to fill out an application, visit docs.google.com/forms/d/ e/1FAIpQLSe7ZBMQu8i Ln5yK_QW0TCE6VK FMdLDo4CNrY9DR4V prxFA/viewform
APHIS Review
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) invites public comment on a petition to deregulate corn developed using genetic engineering to resist feeding damage caused by certain lepidopteran pests. The public will have 30 days to review, and the comment period will close on July 3. For more information or to provide comments, visit regulations.gov/
State vet provides animal health update for Wyoming producers
Disease traceability, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), trichomoniasis (trich), brucellosis and New World screwworm (NWS) were the source of long discussions during several committee meetings at the 2025 Wyoming Cattle Industry Convention
and Trade Show, hosted by the Wyoming Stock Growers Association in Laramie June 2-4.
During the Livestock Health Committee meeting, Wyoming State Veterinarian Dr. Hallie Hasel provided updates on all of these topics and
more, along with their impact on the state of Wyoming.
Animal disease traceability
First, Hasel touched on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal Disease Traceability Rule,
ON TO NATIONALS
Pathogen smuggled into U.S.
Two Chinese nationals, including a scholar at the University of Michigan, were arrested for allegedly smuggling a pathogen into the U.S. which is known to be destructive to corn, wheat, rice and barley crops, according to a criminal complaint filed in federal court on June 2.
Yunqing Jian, age 33, and Zunyong Liu, age 34, both citizens of the People’s Republic of China, were charged with conspiracy, smuggling goods into the U.S., false statements and visa fraud, according to a complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.
The U.S. Attorney Office in Detroit said in a news release on June 3 the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) arrested Jian in connection with the pair’s alleged smuggling into the U.S. of a fungus called Fusarium graminearum, which scientific literature classifies as a potential agroterrorism weapon.
The fungus is known to cause head blight, a disease of wheat, barley, corn and rice, and is responsible for billions of dollars in economic losses worldwide each year. Fusarium graminearum’s toxins cause vomiting, liver damage and reproductive defects in humans and livestock.
The complaint
The complaint filed in federal court, however, does not allege the couple had plans to unleash the pathogen on U.S. farms.
According to the complaint, Jian received Chinese government funding for her work on the pathogen in China.
The complaint alleges Jian’s electronics contain information describing her membership in and “loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party” (CCP).
Wyoming High School rodeo athletes wrap up state finals, head to nationals
During the first week of June, Wyoming high school rodeo athletes gathered at the Johnson County Fairgrounds in Buffalo to compete in the highly competitive Wyoming High School State Finals.
Additionally, the top four in each event punched their ticket to the National High School Finals Rodeo (NHSFR) in Rock Springs July 13-19.
Rough stock, roping and steer wrestling
With 166 points, Cheyenne’s Brenson Bartlett led the bull riding and will make the trip to nationals, followed by Stetson St. Clair of Crowheart with 114 points, Owen Monfeldt of Cody with 90.5 points and Kolby Smith of Sheridan with 36.5 points.
Kutter Acord of Bingham, Utah claimed the first-place position in the saddle bronc riding with 169.5 points, followed by Owen Thomson of Gillette in second with 145 points and Kyle Fox of Kemmerer in third with 122.5 points.
A two-way tie for fourth took place between Lovell’s Jasper Hatch and Ty
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) published the June 2025 Wyoming Basin and Water Supply Outlook Report on June 1.
This report analyzes snowpack, precipitation, streamflow and reservoir storage across the state of Wyoming.
The report also assesses the water supply outlook for the entire state of Wyoming, as well as individual basins including the Snake River, Madison Headwaters, Yellowstone River, Wind River, Big Horn River, Shoshone River, Powder River, Tongue River, Belle Fourche River, Cheyenne River, Upper North Platte River, Lower North Platte River,
Industry Update
NCBA, PLC provide updates from Capitol Hill during WSGA summer meeting
The third day of the 2025 Wyoming Cattle Industry Convention and Trade Show, hosted by the Wyoming Stock Growers Association (WSGA) in Laramie June 2-4, kicked off with updates from ag agencies and organizations based in the state of Wyoming and beyond.
Representatives from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and Public Lands Council (PLC) were among the lineup to provide attendees updates from Capitol Hill.
NCBA update
NCBA Policy Division Chair Skye Krebs was first to take the stage, noting NCBA has been hard at work with the new administration, scoring victories on everything from pulling back the Bureau of Land Management’s Conservation and Landscape Health rule and getting a big win for the Maude family in their South Dakota federal land dispute.
At the forefront of many people’s minds is President Donald J. Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which Krebs praised for raising tax exemptions.
“It’s indexed for inflation and supposedly permanent, which would be
River, Sweetwater River, South Platte River, Little Snake River, Upper Green River, Lower Green River and Upper Bear River basins.
Snowpack and precipitation
As of June 1, snow water equivalent (SWE) across the state was 53 percent of median. The highest SWE was reported in the Tongue River Basin at 118 percent of median, and the lowest SWE was reported in the Sweetwater River Basin at zero percent of median.
The report notes the Tongue River Basin also had the highest precipitation recorded for the month at 124 percent of median, while the Lower Green River
Laramie
Courtesy photo
More Countries are Exporting Beef
One of the best barometers to measure the demand for beef worldwide is to count the countries exporting beef today. Demand is setting records for tons exported, as beef is being promoted as a great source of lean boneless trimmings – ground beef. There are many people around the world who wouldn’t have the faintest idea how to grill a steak, but they all know how to cube or shred it.
Grilling beef has become more popular in European countries, but not in undeveloped countries.
Two countries which have protective tariffs and are exporting more beef are Australia and New Zealand. Australia exports around $29 billion worth of beef to the U.S., but will not accept any beef from the U.S. This is about as unfair as it gets.
New Zealand has an interesting history with cattle and is closely related to Australia.
Cattle first came to New Zealand around 1814 from Britain – a 15,000-mile trip. Many of the first cattle were used as draft animals and later were a major form of transportation. Beef cattle – mostly Durham cattle – started to arrive from Australia by the early 1900s.
On the North Island of New Zealand, forests were cleared and good grass seeds from Britain were planted for pasture to create great forage for cattle. Today, over 70 percent of New Zealand’s cattle are on the North Island.
New Zealand is a major global producer and exporter, as their exported meat accounts for around five percent of the world’s exported meat, and New Zealand is considered the sixth-largest beef export nation.
New Zealand has a large dairy industry, and like the U.S., most of the dairy steers are a result of cross breeding with British breeds to create a better meat product to sell.
While New Zealand’s beef herd is getting smaller, their meat exports are forecast to grow. Even though they are under a quota in the U.S., they can still grow their exports here.
Southeast Asia is becoming a major region for New Zealand’s meat exports because of the shorter distance between the countries.
While China has reduced American exports somewhat, New Zealand and Australia have stepped up their exports. One has to realize American exports are mostly muscle meats, while New Zealand exports are frozen, boneless trimmings.
New Zealand’s special beef market is exporting Halalcertified beef with close to 50 percent of their beef slaughter certified Halal and exported to countries with large Muslim populations.
For a number of years, New Zealand exported live dairy heifers to China which turned out to be a great market for their dairy industry. In 2022, the value of live cattle exports was around $374 million, but later a ship loaded with 5,867 head sank in a typhoon, killing all of the cattle and 43 crew members and resulting in a government ban of live animal exports.
At the end of 2023, New Zealand voted in a new government which recognized farmers and ranchers as stewards of the lands and removed many anti-agriculture policies of the past government.
They say it is still hard to be profitable in agriculture, but times are getting better as people are looking more at beef for their protein.
GUEST OPINIONS
Sen. Mike Lee’s OFF Act is an Attack on American Agriculture
Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) is at it again with his reintroduction of the Opportunities for Fairness in Farming (OFF) Act, a deceptively named bill which threatens the ability of farmers and ranchers to unite through self-funded commodity checkoff programs.
These programs are created and governed by producers to support marketing, research and education for products like beef, dairy, Christmas trees and others without taxpayer funding.
By Colin Woodall
Lee’s relentless attacks on checkoff programs undermine the very backbone of American life – a safe, wholesome and affordable food supply.
Despite the title, there is nothing “fair” about this legislation, nor does it create opportunities for farmers and ranchers.
Instead, the OFF Act completely undermines producers’ right to collectively invest in their industry. It limits the ability for producers to speak with one
voice in a marketplace increasingly dominated by misinformation, and it blocks the ability to differentiate real beef from a confusing array of fake products.
Lee’s OFF Act – couched in populist, anti-tax rhetoric – would bury these programs under layers of unnecessary bureaucracy, prohibit them from working with industry partners and silence their ability to counter misleading or hostile narratives about agriculture. This is not
DENNIS SUN,
• curt@wylr.net
CALLI WILLIAMS, Livestock Field Services Rep. • 605-695-1990 • calli@wylr.net
From the Publisher Dennis Sun
WBC meeting set
The Wyoming Beef Council (WBC) will meet via video conference on June 16 to discuss the proposed Fiscal Year 2026 marketing plan and budget and to hear an update from U.S. Meat Export Federation Wyoming Director Scott George. The meeting will begin at 8 p.m.
The mission of WBC is to benefit Wyoming’s beef community and economy by heightening domestic and international beef demand. Council members ensure responsible and effective allocation of checkoff funds to improve the marketing climate for beef and beef products.
A copy of the agenda and a link to the meeting can be obtained by contacting WBC Executive Director Ann Wittmann at 307-777-6399 or ann.wittmann@wyo.gov.
Auction open
The Wyoming State Fair (WSF) is proud to announce the return of its fourth annual Wyoming State Fair Endowment Auction, taking place online on June 23 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
This unique fundraising event gives supporters the chance to bid on exclusive experiences and premium perks, while investing in the future of one of Wyoming’s most treasured summer traditions.
Each year, this auction raises support for the Wyoming State Fair Endowment Fund, which was established in 2018 to create a sustainable future for the fair.
The 2025 auction offers a range of exciting items designed to elevate the fair experience, including first pick of a coveted RV spot at the 2025 WSF, VIP livestock show experiences, ringside golf cart parking and a week-long stay at a beautiful ranch house in Saratoga, among others.
“It’s been incredible to be part of this program and see it grow. I can’t believe we’re already celebrating year four,” said WSF General Manager Courtny Hinds. “This auction offers a truly one-of-a-kind opportunity to experience WSF in a whole new way, with specialty access not available anywhere else. And the best part? One-hundred percent of the proceeds go directly to the Wyoming State Fair Endowment Fund, helping to ensure a bright future for the WSF for generations to come.”
The auction link is live now at wystatefair.com/ endowment/ and on the Wyoming State Fair Facebook page, where interested bidders can preview available items.
Bidding officially opens at 7 a.m. on June 23 and will close at 6 p.m.
Whether a long-time supporter or new to the WSF family, this auction offers the perfect chance to elevate the fair experience while helping preserve yesterday for tomorrow.
Be aware of HCBs
With summer upon the Cowboy State and more people heading to Wyoming’s lakes and reservoirs to recreate, the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WDEQ), the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) and the Wyoming Livestock Board, in collaboration with other partners, want to remind the public to avoid and keep animals away from harmful cyanobacteria blooms (HCBs) and to report suspected blooms and bloom-related illnesses to the WDEQ and WDH at WyoHCBs.org
Cyanobacteria, also called blue-green algae, can form HCBs which produce cyanotoxins and other irritants, posing risks to human and animal health. HCBs usually appear in mid- to late-summer and can occur in streams, rivers, lakes and reservoirs.
HCBs can vary in appearance. They may be green, tan, brown or blue-green, and they can float in or on the water. They often look like spilled paint, clumps, grass clippings or scum.
HCBs may also stick to underwater surfaces like rocks, plants or debris, appearing as films, mats or jellylike balls.
Legislation introduced
U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) has introduced legislation to ensure family farms and ranches can survive by helping heirs avoid having to sell productive farmland to pay federal estate or “death” taxes.
This bill is the direct result of conversations at the Common Ground Summit in April.
The Helping Ensure Rural Inheritance Transfers Are Generationally Enduring (HERITAGE) Act would help preserve family-owned agricultural land by adjusting the Internal Revenue Code which forces many families to sell their farmland to pay federal estate tax liabilities.
The HERITAGE Act would amend IRC Section 2032A, which was enacted in 1976 to allow special-use valuation of farmland to reduce the estate tax value of farming operations. The maximum reduction under the 1976 law was just $750,000.
Adjusted for inflation in 2025, this figure is $1.42 million and woefully inadequate for preserving modern family farm operations – many of which are considered “land rich but cash poor.”
Hyde-Smith’s legislation would, among other things, increase the special use valuation cap to $15 million for qualified real property used for farming purposes. This change would help keep many heirs from being forced to face a choice between selling portions of their productive farmland or incurring substantial debt to pay estate tax liabilities.
WyFB awards scholarships
The Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation (WyFB) has awarded $5,500 in college scholarships to nine students for the 2025-26 school year, supporting future leaders with strong ties to agriculture and rural communities.
Cora Grant of Glenrock received the $1,500 Livingston-King Scholarship, as well as a $500 WyFB Scholarship. She plans to study agriculture business and animal science at Eastern Wyoming College.
Five students also received $500 WyFB Scholarships, including Quinn Harman of Clearmont, Megan Hedges of Casper, Gunner Henrie of Encampment and Allyster Ingraham of Saratoga.
Additionally, three Continuing Education Scholarships of $500 each were awarded to Mikayla Alexander of McFadden, Maylee Potas of Meeteetse and Megan Sagner of Chugwater.
For more information, visit wyfb.org/Article/WyFBAwards-Scholarships
WyFB highlights winners
With agriculture touching everything from crayons to car parts, the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmer and Rancher Committee celebrated another successful year of connecting students to the industry that feeds and fuels the world.
Now in its 21st year, the 2025 Ag Books for Kids program reached classrooms across the state with 734 donated copies of “Full of Beans: Henry Ford Grows a Car” by Peggy Thomas.
The featured book explores how soybeans were used in automobile manufacturing, offering students a glimpse at agriculture’s innovation and reach.
To encourage deeper learning, students participated in age-appropriate contests – a coloring contest for kindergarten through first grade, a poster contest for second and third grades and a marketing ad contest for fourth and fifth grades. Local winners advanced to district and state competition.
This year, the coloring contest winner was Kinley Carlson of Goshen County and the runner-up was Maddie Mullen of Johnson County.
Lincoln County students dominated the poster contest, with Zoe Rasmussen crowned winner and Rhett Nunn as the runner-up.
In the marketing ad contest, Tyree Hubbard of Niobrara County received winning honors, while Hilda Reza of Laramie County was the runner-up.
To view a full list of district winners or to learn more about Ag Books for Kids, visit wyfb.org/Article/Ag-Books-for-Kids-2025-Winners-Announced
Inaugural Ag and Art tour set
Officials confirmed
On June 10, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane issued a statement congratulating Stephen Vaden on his confirmation as deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and David Fotouhi to be deputy administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
“The cattle industry is thrilled to see two more highly-qualified nominees receive confirmation by the U.S. Senate. Vaden has spent his career immersed in trade issues and fighting for farmers and ranchers. His unique skillset will be especially important
Scarborough of Pine Bluffs, both of whom scored 85 points.
In the bareback riding, Keon Norris of Gillette swept the competition, earning 241 points for first place, followed in second by Diamondville’s Roany Proffit with 195 points.
A total of 163.5 points landed Gillette’s Tyson Schmelzle third in the event, and Trenton Rogers of Laramie rounded out the top four qualifiers with 138 points.
Steer Wrestler Landon Gold of Riverton earned 219 points to win the state finals and a spot at nationals.
right now as the Trump administration works to expand market access for cattle producers,” Lane said. “Fotouhi has a wealth of experience in environmental law and will be a key leader for ensuring the EPA returns to its core mission of protecting natural resources rather than obstructing family farmers and ranchers.”
“NCBA looks forward to working with Vaden and Fotouhi. We strongly encourage the U.S. Senate to continue swiftly confirming key nominees across the administration which directly impacts the success of family farmers and ranchers throughout the country,” he continued.
Second place in the competition was Gillette’s Baylon Sneathen with 196.5 points, followed by Carter Hutchison of Rozet with 187 points and Teague Goodman of Green River with 172.5 points.
On the roping front, partners Cael and Hays Espenscheid, both of Big Piney, finished first in the team roping with 219 points. They were followed in second by Turek Thompson of Yoder and Trigg Thompson of Cheyenne, who scored 148 points. Partners Hadley Thompson of Yoder and Asa Pixley of Sundance were third
with 140 points, followed by Jace Bowles of Big Piney and Glade Parker of Laramie with a total 124 points for fourth.
A total 185 points landed Baggs Cowboy Kolbe Chant first in the tie-down roping, followed by Bridger Peil of Thermopolis with 174 points, Cael Espensheid with 164 points and Carter Hutchison with 152 points.
In the breakaway, Hadley Thompson punched another ticket to nationals, earning 177 points, followed by Jami Garson of Torrington with 169.5 points. Gillette’s Rhame Hicks finished the event in third place with a total 149.5 points, while Gabriella Longwell of Evansville finished
For those interested in local art and agriculture, University of Wyoming (UW) Extension will lead three selfguided tours in Wyoming counties this summer.
The first Ag and Art event takes place on June 28 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Three farms and ranches in Park County will host art and educational booths.
Participants may visit the three host sites at their own pace. At each of the sites, they will experience handson demonstrations of the everyday operations of the
fourth with 139 points.
Cow horse and cutting
In the reined cow horse event, Big Piney’s Kaleb Miller finished first in the average, scoring 236.3 points, in front of second-place Josie Waite of Morrill, Neb. who scored 224.8 points. James Foss of Buffalo was third in the event with 209 points, and Cooper Justus of Parkman rounded out the top four with 169.75 points.
With 239 points, Karly Peterson of Buffalo topped the leaderboard in girls cutting, with three Gillette cowgirls rounding out the topfour rankings.
TeAnna Jolovich earned 225 points to secure second
farm or ranch Participants will check in at each host site. At their first host site, they will receive a passport to fill out as they complete the tour. Completed passports can be turned in at their last tour stop to be entered into a raffle.
Event organizers request participants leave pets at home, as pets may not be safe at the working agricultural operations hosting the events.
To register for the event, visit bit.ly/ag-art-tour. The cost is $10 per person ages 11 to 64. Guests 65 or older
place, followed by Kaitlyn Snyder in third with 204.5 points and Abby MillburgHolcomb in fourth with 168.5 points.
Leading the pack in the boy’s cutting event was Cody Hyaden of Gillette with 240.5 points, followed by Clancey Adamson of Cheyenne with 230 points, Kaleb Miller with 208 points and Carter Hutchison with 147.5 points.
Barrels, goats and poles
Boulder’s Kloe Nichols swept the barrel racing with an impressive 241.5 points. Hadley Thompson followed in the second-place slot, punching her ticket to nationals in a third event, with 197.5 points.
Third in the event was Kendrie Ewing of Douglas with 176.5 points, followed by Shayda Lesmeister of Rozet in fourth with 153 points.
reform, it’s sabotage. These programs are not taxpayer funded. They’re financed and directed by farmers and ranchers themselves for the benefit of all who pay into the program, and they work. U.S. Department of Agriculture studies show the Beef Checkoff returns more than $13 for every one dollar invested.
More concerning is who stands to benefit if the OFF Act passes. The legislation is championed not by mainstream producers, but by a loose coalition of anti-agriculture activists, radical animal rights groups and fringe organizations which have been working long and hard to destroy the checkoff system.
These groups have found sympathetic supporters like Lee and radical left Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), who is a champion of the animal rights movement, to further their cause.
Anti-checkoff efforts serve no purpose other than to weaken the voice of American agriculture and clear the way for animal rights activists, plant-based advocates and fake protein companies to dominate the conversation about food, farming and climate.
By dismantling checkoff programs, the OFF Act would make it harder – not easier –for small- and medium-sized farmers and ranchers to compete with well-funded fake meat companies. It would allow more
and children 10 and under may attend for free. College students may attend for a discounted rate of seven dollars. All participants, including those attending for free, are asked to pre-register for the event.
Additionally, the second Ag and Art tour is scheduled for Aug. 9 in Albany County, followed by the final tour in Laramie County on Aug. 23.
For more information, contact the UW Ag and Art Team at wyagandarttour@ gmail.com or visit bit.ly/agart-site
Hadley Thompson will compete in a fourth event at nationals after sweeping the competition in the goat tying, where she scored a total 234.5 points. The second-place cowgirl was Caitlin Moore of Wright with 205 points. Bleu Butler of Big Horn claimed the third-place position with 184 points, and Rhame Hicks rounded out the top four with 174 points.
A total of 202 points landed Emma Martin of Lander on top in the pole bending, followed by Emeree Tavegie of Newcastle in second with 187 points, Abby Millburg-Holcomb in third with 176 points and Caitlin Moore in fourth with 160 points.
Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
effective and coordinated attacks on agriculture.
In short, the OFF Act would cripple the very programs that help build consumer trust, drive demand and grow markets.
Far from creating opportunities, this bill would remove one of the few reliable tools producers have available to level the playing field. Lee knows farmers and ranchers in his home state of Utah oppose the OFF Act. He has already met with Utah Cattlemen’s Association and Utah Farm Bureau members who have rejected his bill. He also knows farmers and ranchers nationwide oppose the OFF Act. So, the real question is why does he continue to push such unpopular legislation?
Make no mistake, the OFF Act isn’t about transparency or fairness. It’s about dismantling a proven system of producer-led self-determination in favor of ideological purity tests and Washington, D.C. micromanagement. This doesn’t create opportunity, and it’s certainly not about fairness.
Lee should reconsider his alignment with anti-agriculture interests seeking to put farmers and ranchers out of business. American farmers and ranchers deserve support, not sabotage.
Colin Woodall is the chief executive officer of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and can be reached by visiting ncba.org
NHSFR continued from page 1
OBITUARIES
22, 1934 and was a lifelong resident of Carbon County, living on the family ranch in Savery and later on the ranch in Rawlins.
Peg grew up in the Little Snake River Valley on the Grieve Family Ranch her father Leeland Grieve started when he bought the Morgan Place, operating the ranch under Battle Mountain Company.
When Peg turned five, her father bought the Toole place, which many know as the 4L, right on the Wyoming-Colorado state line. It
William “Bill” Cody Smith, age 83, peacefully passed away on June 1 in Thermopolis.
Bill lived a legendary life. From humble beginnings in Bearcreek, Mont. where he was born on June 28, 1941. Bill rose to rodeo greatness, winning three Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Saddle Bronc Riding World Championships in 1969, 1971 and 1973 and qualifying for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo 13 times.
His achievements and accolades in the rodeo world are numerous.
Bill’s impact on the sport of rodeo was profound. He was inducted into the PRCA’s Hall of Fame inaugural class and recognized in numerous others, including the National Rodeo Hall of Fame, Montana Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame, Wyoming Sports Hall of Fame, Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame and the Hot Springs County Hall of Fame.
Among his many accolades, Bill received the prestigious Ben Johnson Award from the National Rodeo Hall of Fame.
He was also a Gold Card member and served on the PRCA Board of Directors, continuing to shape the sport he loved. Bill attributed much of his success and fulfillment in life to the sport of rodeo. What Bill loved most about rodeo were the horses that could buck.
Following his esteemed rodeo career, Bill continued to pursue one of his greatest passions – horses – becoming a renowned
was then she started school in Slater, Colo. in a oneroom schoolhouse.
When Peg was in seventh grade, the family moved to Rawlins, where she completed her education and graduated from Rawlins High School.
Peg attended the University of Wyoming and attained her degree in elementary education, leading to her career as a beloved schoolteacher in Rawlins. She started teaching fourth grade at Sunnyside School, where the central office is now. She then went on to teach at Pershing Elementary School.
Peg married Phillip Blake Espy on Sept. 2, 1958 in Fort Collins, Colo. Throughout their life
together, they lived on the Reader Ranch in Savery and the Espy Ranch south of Rawlins.
While raising two sons –James and John – they found time to purchase the Green Mill Bar in Rawlins, which they ran and later were in the process of selling when it tragically burned down.
Parts of the one-of-akind wooden inlaid bar are now with dear friends, as well as at the 19th Hole of the Rochelle Ranch Golf Course.
Peg was active in many facets of the community. She served as token women on the Chamber of Commerce in Rawlins and was the first woman to serve on the Carbon County Fair Board. For many years, she
ran the Rawlins Saddle Club Drill Team.
Peg was active in Beta Sigma Phi, P.E.O. and Queen of the Red Hats in Rawlins.
Peg was preceded in death by her parents Leeland Uriah and Evylen Wren Grieve, husband Phillip Blake Espy, brother Robert Grieve, in-laws Francis Blake Espy and Ellenor Rendle Espy, sister-in-law Patsy Grieve, brother-in-law Kenneth Espy and cousin Barbera Rieman.
Peg leaves behind her sons, Jim and his wife Peggy (Arambel) of Savery and John and his wife Diana (Jungck) of Rawlins; three grandchildren, Michael Espy of Washington, D.C., Ty Espy and Rob-
ert Espy, both of Rawlins; brothers Leeland Thomas Grieve of Baggs and Jim Grieve and his spouse Judy of Nampa, Idaho and many extended family members and dear friends, especially his “lil sis” Helen Shepard of Casper and Barbera Cooper of Rawlins. Peg wished to be cremated, and her ashes spread with her husband Phil overlooking the ranch south of Rawlins.
A funeral service was held on June 12 at Saint Thomas Episcopal Church in Rawlins.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Carbon County 4-H Foundation, PO Box 280, Rawlins, WY 82301.
horseman and a guiding mentor to many aspiring to follow in his footsteps.
The only thing Bill loved more than horses was his girl Carole, as he affectionately called her. Together, Bill and Carole built their dream, the WYO Quarter Horse Ranch in Thermopolis.
Just one trip over the notorious hill leading to the ranch revealed the “never take the easy road” spirit Bill embodied.
Over the years, Bill and Carole produced 39 sales showcasing the horses of the WYO Quarter Horse Ranch family – a legacy built on quality, dedication and a shared passion for the Western way of life.
Bill loved the Beartooth Mountains, and for the past 70 summers, one could find him at the front of a long pack string with a wide grin on his face as he headed up the trail to camp.
Some of his best trips were those he took on the back of his favorite buckskin horse, Nick. The time in those mountains was sacred – shared with friends, family and horses. Laughter from an intensely competitive game of Hearts or Pinochle could often be heard from the cook tent, with dish duty hanging in the balance.
Bill’s story wouldn’t be complete without a nod to Decent. Bill revered Decent as one of the greatest bucking horses he ever knew. The record between Bill and Decent was a close one – five rides, four buckoffs. But in true Bill fashion, he was known to say by the fifth ride, Decent was getting up there in age, so he wasn’t sure it should count. He’d just call it a draw.
Years later, long after both had retired, they had a chance encounter at the PRCA Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs, Colo.
As Bill and Carole approached Decent’s pen, the old bronc stood in the corner, true to his typically standoffish nature, but
as they watched, Decent slowly made his way over to Bill. When Bill reached out to pet him, Decent accepted. Their quiet reunion was a testament to their bond and Bill’s deep, natural connection with horses.
Bill was a valiant yet humble man – larger than life – and determined to make those lucky enough to be around him feel the same. He was a masterful storyteller, an avalanche survivor and a bucking horse rider.
His legacy lives on in the horses he raised, the horsemen and saddle bronc riders he inspired and the countless lives he touched.
He was preceded in death by his parents Glen H. and Edna M. Smith, father-in-law Jim O’Rourke, mother-in-law Phyllis O’Rourke, sister Eileen Smith, brothers-inlaw Russell Reid and Jim Fike, nephew Tom Wipplinger and niece Lori Coy.
He is survived by his wife Carole Smith; his siblings Barbara Reid of Cody, Chuck Smith of Billings, Mont., Diane Fike of Lander, Jim Smith of Sheridan and Rick (Lynn) Smith of Douglas, Ariz. and his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Kathy (Clyde) Funk of Livingston, Mont.,
Craig (Barbara) O’Rourke of Worland and John (Laurel) O’Rourke of Sheridan, Mont.
Additionally, he is survived by Bill and Carole’s devoted nephew Reid (Jenn) O’Rourke of Thermopolis, along with a large extended family of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and
nephews and even greatgreat-nieces and nephews – each of whom brought joy to his life.
A celebration of life will be held in conjunction with the Cody Bill Classic Bronc Match on July 28 at 1 p.m. at the Cody Stampede Rodeo Grounds in Cody.
Margaret Evelyn Grieve Espy, known to all her dear friends as Peg, died on June 4. Peg was born on Dec.
great,” he stated. Since it is unlikely a new farm bill will be rolled out anytime soon, he further noted NCBA has made it a priority to ensure this reconciliation bill includes reimbursements for predation caused by federally-protected predators, expands the livestock forage disaster program to deal with wildfire and drought and includes the three-pronged approach to dealing with foot and mouth disease – a vaccine bank, the National
Animal Health Laboratory Network and the National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program. Another hot topic debated in the industry is the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and Krebs mentioned two important bills producers should be paying attention to – the Pet and Livestock Protection Act, which would delist the gray wolf nationwide, and the ESA Amendment Act proposed by Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-AR), which
would impact assessments used when making listing decisions.
In regards to labor, Krebs said, “There was an interesting program that didn’t get a lot of press. It’s called the Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan and Venezuelan Labor Program, and it was a legal guest worker program for people from these countries seeking asylum. It just so happened a lot of them went to work in the packinghouses on the swing shift and cleanup crew, so when Trump came in swinging his big stick, he axed the program.”
“But, there wasn’t a trained workforce on the swing shift or the cleanup crew at the plants so it turned into a health and safety issue, and a federal judge stopped it,” he added. “They are going to let this program expire on its own time so they can have workers trained to come in and take over those jobs.”
Krebs mentioned the H2A Visa Program is also a priority for NCBA when it comes to labor.
Lastly, Krebs noted the new administration’s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative, which caused an uproar among farm groups.
“MAHA came out in May, and it targeted things like ultra-processed foods, poor diets, pesticides, over medication, stress and other factors that are part of American’s chronic health problems,” he said. “Farm groups were obviously concerned about the pesticides, but on the beef side of things, we weren’t nearly as impacted by this report.”
In fact, he noted beef was actually portrayed in a positive light in the report, which outlined sciencebacked evidence beef supports muscle growth and is an essential part of a healthy diet.
Krebs said NCBA sees this as welcome news after the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s attempt to nix red meat from Americans’ diets and replace it with beans, peas and lentils.
To conclude, Krebs shared his belief NCBA is in a very strong position to continue working with the Trump administration.
“We are going to continue working with them, and we welcome engagement from anyone or any group who wants to work on these issues and help fulfill our goals,” he concluded.
PLC update
PLC Director Garrett Edmonds noted positive changes in the administration as well.
“A year ago, we had a divided Congress and an administration that wasn’t receptive to our interests and our industry,” he began. “We are willing to work with anyone and everyone, but part of it has to come with receptiveness on both sides.”
Today, Edmonds said there is a slim Republican majority in the House and the Senate, as well as an administration who has proved their willingness to listen and work with PLC.
“They have been very
effective getting nominees out, and we have Senate leadership that has been effective at getting them confirmed,” he continued.
“We are thrilled to see former Wyoming Game and Fish Director Brian Nesvik appointed to serve as our next U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services (FWS) director, and we are continuing to urge Senate leadership to move his nomination forward.”
The issue of the ESA also came up in Edmonds’ talk, and he discussed the past administration’s revisions to the grizzly bear’s distinct population segment (DPS) and 4(d) rule for management flexibility and the proposal to list the Monarch butterfly, which Edmonds said is a firstof-its-kind listing with no direction on how to navigate herbicide and pesticide use.
“When we talk about the grizzly DPS proposal, I think it is an absurd proposal, to say the least,” he stated. “I had a conversation with FWS and they view this as a way to move towards a quicker direction of delisting, but I don’t see how they can make that argument. So, we are pushing back against this pretty hard, and I think our next FWS director being from this state will have key interest in fleshing this out and talking about it a little more.”
Additionally, Edmonds noted PLC has partnered with the National Endangered Species Act Reform Coalition to provide comment in support of revising the definitions of “harm” and “harass” in the ESA.
He also mentioned, like NCBA, PLC is working to build support for the Pet and
What caused catastrophic honeybee colony losses earlier this year? Researchers, scientists and beekeepers have been looking for answers since January, and now new research from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Research Service has identified causes behind the devastating losses.
The findings point to alarmingly high levels of viral infections – vectored by Varroa mites with resistant genes to a common treatment – as key drivers of colony collapse, according to a news release from the Honey Bee Health Coalition, a project of the Keystone Policy Center.
“I think we always thought it would be some kind of viral load transmitted from the Varroa mite,” Matt Mulica, senior project director with the Key
(EPA) which has called Varroa mites “a national threat to bee colonies and in turn to farmers with crops dependent on pollination services provided by bees and ultimately to food security in the U.S.,” proposed to register one technical and two end-use products containing the new active ingredient Vadescana – a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) –for control against the destructive mites in honeybee hives.
“This is really promising news beekeepers now have even more tools to use, as these mites are becoming resistant to their primary tool, which is amitraz,” said Mulica.
EPA further said it is prioritizing pesticide applications which target Varroa mites to provide beekeepers with a variety of tools to combat the pest.
Where do beekeepers go from here?
“Just like all epidemic epidemiological studies, we must control the vectors of the disease and control the diseases themselves,” said Mulica. “During COVID-19, once they learned what it was, they immediately started working on a vaccine, and then they also had recommendations of how to avoid getting it.”
Mulica said the best practices applied during COVID-19 are what’s happening now in beekeeping to rebuild hive strength and avoid the virus spreading to other bee colonies.
“We have tools in the toolbox coming out which will hopefully take the place of amitraz to control the vector of the disease,” he said. “USDA is also working on
antivirals. For the past 10 years, they’ve been screening hundreds of plant compounds to see what they could provide to bees to help them heal if they got these viruses.”
Preliminary recommendations and best practices to control the virus include cleaning hive tools between use or wiping down with isopropyl alcohol, and if someone has hives that are dwindling and not growing, know there’s probably something wrong so keep those hives isolated, Mulica explained.
For beekeepers who have a dead colony, Mulica recommended letting it sit and air out for a few weeks before repopulating to allow the viruses to dissipate.
While these are the Honey Bee Health Coalition’s initial recommendations, the organi-
zation is working on an FAQ, currently in draft mode, which will be released in the coming weeks.
Impact to food supply
While viruses and Varroa mites were confirmed as primary contributors, the USDA’s research also pointed to other stressors including pesticide exposure, poor nutrition and environmental conditions which may have exacerbated the losses.
“With estimated bee colony losses at 62 percent of all the hives in the country, beekeepers are working to meet their pollination services contracts for the fruits and vegetables we all rely on,” said Mulica.
In normal conditions, a beekeeper can take a strong hive and split it into up to four new hives by putting in three
more queens, said Mulica, adding this is a much more challenging endeavor with fewer and weaker hives.
“An impact to food prices is a distinct possibility,” he said. “But I think beekeepers are pretty resilient, and they’re scrambling to make sure they meet those contracts.
“We’re just entering the height of the pollination season, where they’re going around to apples, blueberries and melons, various cucumbers and nuts,” he continued. “I think they’re a resilient industry and they’ll pull through, but it’s certainly going to be financially very difficult for a lot of these operations.”
Jennifer Strailey is an editorial director for Farm Journal. This article was originally published by The Packer on June 5.
Basin saw the lowest precipitation at 54 percent of median.
Streamflow yields
NRCS forecasts streamflow yields from June through September across Wyoming basins – excluding streamflow in the Cheyenne, Little Snake, Lower Green and Upper Green river basins – to average 73 percent. Streamflow yields at these four basins are expected to respectively average 40 percent, 46 percent, 66 percent and 82 percent from June through July.
Median streamflow yields for June through July are forecast to average 48 percent for the Lower North
It is further alleged Jian’s boyfriend Liu works at a Chinese university where he conducts research on the same pathogen and that he first lied but then admitted to smuggling Fusarium graminearum into the U.S. through the Detroit Metropolitan Airport, so he could conduct research on the pathogen at the laboratory at the University of Michigan (UM) where his girlfriend Jian worked.
It wasn’t the first time
Platte River, 61 percent for the Sweetwater River, 69 percent for the Upper North Platte River, 76 percent for both the Laramie and Powder rivers and 78 percent for both the Big Horn and Snake rivers.
The report also shows yields will average 83 percent for both the Wind River and Shoshone River, 88 percent for the Yellowstone River and 89 percent for the Tongue River.
Reservoir storage
For the entire state of Wyoming, NRCS reports average reservoir storage at 80 percent of median.
According to NRCS, reservoirs in the Upper North
Platte River Basin, Cheyenne River Basin, Belle Fourche River Basin, Lower North Platte River Basin, Wind River Basin and Upper Green River Basin reported numbers at 73 percent, 81 percent, 87 percent, 90 percent, 94 percent and 99 percent, respectively.
Additionally, reservoirs in the Lower Green River and Big Horn River basins both reported numbers at 101 percent of median, while the Buffalo Bill Reservoir on the Shoshone was at 104 percent of median and reservoirs in the Snake River Basin were at 109 percent of median.
Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
Jian allegedly smuggled into the U.S., according to the complaint, as it details another instance in August 2022.
Jian was scheduled for her first appearance in federal court in Detroit on June 3.
A single smuggling charge comes with up to 20 years in prison.
More information
On July 27, 2024 Liu arrived at the Detroit airport from Shanghai and was found to have Fusarium gra-
minearum samples concealed in tissues in his backpack, according to the complaint.
Liu initially denied knowledge of the materials but later admitted to smuggling them to conduct research at the UM’s Molecular Plant-Microbe Interaction Laboratory where his girlfriend worked.
Jian is a postdoctoral researcher at the UM and denied knowledge of Liu’s smuggling, according to the complaint.
“FBI agents obtained and executed a federal search warrant for the electronically stored information contained in Liu’s electronic devices. FBI agents found WeChat messages between Liu and Jian in the months and days prior to Liu’s smuggling of Fusarium graminearum on July 27, 2024,” the complaint said.
Fusarium graminearum is responsible for billions of dollars in economic losses worldwide each year, the complaint said. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) website, the agency requires a permit to
import the pathogen.
“According to records maintained by USDA, Jian and Liu have never applied for, nor have they been issued, a permit to import Fusarium graminearum into the U.S.,” the complaint said.
The complaint further noted WeChat messages between the couple indicate Jian was aware of Liu’s samples and her effort to mislead investigators about their presence in the UM laboratory.
U.S. Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr. said the fungus the couple allegedly was working on posed a threat to
U.S. agriculture.
“The alleged actions of these Chinese nationals –including a loyal member of the CCP – are of the gravest national security concerns,” Gorgon said in a statement.
“These two aliens have been charged with smuggling a fungus that has been described as potential agriterrorism weapons into the heartland of America, where they apparently intended to use a UM laboratory to further their scheme.”
Todd Neeley is an environmental editor for DTN This article was originally published in Progressive Farmer on June 3.
Bookmark and Beyond
Each year, to showcase their understanding and appreciation of Wyoming’s essential resources, secondthrough fifth-grade students from across the state create bookmarks illustrating a Wyoming resource message through Wyoming Agriculture in the Classroom’s Bookmark and Beyond Program.
This year, 12 winning designs were printed and distributed throughout the state.
For coming weeks, the Roundup will share photos of the 2025 Bookmark and Beyond finalists.
WYLR photo
Fifth-grade finalist – Created by Ruby Delaware, fifth grade, homeschool, Cheyenne, sponsored by the Wyoming Department of Agriculture
Fifth-grade finalist – Created by Romeo Medina, fifth grade, Verda James Elementary, Casper, sponsored by Jonah Bank of Wyoming
Meat exports reported
April beef exports totaled 100,659 metric tons (mt), down 10 percent from a year ago, while value fell eight percent to $824.5 million. Exports to China declined nearly 70 percent and shipments also trended lower to Mexico, Taiwan and the Middle East. These results were partially offset by larger exports to South Korea, Japan and Central and South America.
For January through April, beef exports were three percent below last year’s pace at 411,027 mt. Export value was down just one percent to $3.35 billion.
China’s total duties on U.S. beef peaked in April at 147 percent. The rate was lowered to 32 percent on May 14 when the U.S. and China agreed to a temporary de-escalation to allow for further negotiations.
President Donald J. Trump spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping on June 5 and said further talks will be held soon.
Pork exports totaled 237,250 mt in April, down 15 percent from a year ago and the lowest in 10 months. Export value fell 13 percent to $675.3 million. Exports to China, which are mainly pork variety meats, declined 35 percent from a year ago.
Shipments were also lower year-over-year to leading market Mexico and to Japan and Canada, but April was another outstanding month for pork exports to Colombia and Central
America, which are both on a record pace.
For January through April, pork exports were five percent below last year’s record pace at 991,738 mt, while value fell four percent to $2.78 billion.
China’s total duties on U.S. pork and pork variety meats peaked in April at 172 percent. The rate was lowered to 57 percent on May 14. As with beef, product which shipped prior to April 10 and arrived by May 13 was allowed to clear without the additional 125 percent.
April exports of U.S. lamb muscle cuts totaled 257 mt, up 49 percent from a year ago, while value increased 15 percent to $1.44 million.
Growth was driven by a near-doubling of shipments to leading market Mexico, which increased 97 percent to 118 mt. For the first time since 2014, shipments to Mexico have been above 100 mt for four consecutive months.
For January through April, lamb muscle cut exports increased 31 percent year-over-year to 1,004 mt, while value was up 16 percent to $5.6 million, with shipments trending higher to Mexico and the Caribbean.
A detailed summary of the January through April export results for U.S. pork, beef and lamb, including market-specific highlights, is available at usmef.org
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PAULA VENUTO LEUSCHEN, PARKMAN WY
1 BLK-HFRTTE 1035 196.00 WT 2,028.60
1 BLK-COW 1480 159.00 WT 2,353.20
1 BLK-COW 1335 160.00
1
RICHARD
1
CHEYENNE OR LARAMIE SEYMOUR, ROZET WY
1 BLK-COW 1285 174.00 WT 2,235.90
SHAWN JACKSON, ROZET WY
1 RWF-COW 1510 162.00 WT 2,446.20
GRANZER LAND CO LLC, GILLETTE WY
1 RWF-COW 1660 162.00 WT 2,689.20
FADDIS-KENNEDY CATTLE CO, SHERIDAN WY 11 HERE-COW 1230 154.00 WT 1,893.50
7 HERE-COW 1304 155.50 WT 2,028.16
2 HEREHFRTTE 930 218.00 WT 2,027.40
4 HERE-COW 1073 187.00 WT 2,005.57
1 HERE-COW 1235 149.00 WT 1,840.15
PRODUCERS LIVESTOCK -
KENNETH
2,166.11 1 BLKCOWETTE 1130 198.00 WT 2,237.40 2 BLK-COW 1418 159.50 WT 2,260.91
1 BLKCOWETTE 1155 195.00 WT 2,252.25
CHUCK GRIEVES, NEWCASTLE WY 3
2,203.20
SCHOTT ANN, EVANSVILLE WY 1 RED-COW 1130 171.00 WT 1,932.30
MATTHEW & CHRISTINA GENSRICH, WESTON WY 1 BLK-COW 1535 162.00 WT 2,486.70
TURKEY TRACK LIVESTOCK CO, DOUGLAS WY 3 RED-COW 1167 184.00 WT 2,146.66
2 REDCOWETTE 1208 174.00 WT 2,101.05
2 RED-COW 1288 166.00 WT 2,137.25
JAMES MOORE, GILLETTE WY 3 BLK/BWF 1363 170.50 WT 2,324.48
SADIE CROSS, LYMAN NE 1 BLKCOWETTE 1130 192.00 WT 2,169.60
CALENDAR
June 14 Deerwood Open Ranch Days Wild Horse and Burro Adoption Event, 9 a.m.-3p.m., Deerwood Ranch, Centennial. For more information, visit blm.gov/ whb/events
June 14 Chris Ledoux Days, rodeo at 1:30 p.m. with auction, concert and street dance to follow, Harold Jarrard Park, Kaycee. For more information, visit chrisledoux.com
June 14-15 World Famous 64th Annual Woodchopper’s Jamboree and Rodeo, Encampment-Riverside Lions Club Arena, Encampment. For more information, visit woodchoppersjamboree.org
June 14-15 Wind River Flywheelers Edge and TA Northwest Regional 29th Annual Antique Engine and Tractor Show, East Park Rest Area, Shoshoni. For more information, call Sonja Holm at 307-921-9371, Cindy Leonhardt at 307851-9681 or Dave Stark at 307-850-2744.
June 15-21 College National Finals Rodeo, Ford Wyoming Center, Casper. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit cnfr.com
June 16 Wyoming Livestock Board Public Meeting, 8:30 a.m., State Capitol Building, Cheyenne. For more information, visit wlsb.state.wy.us/
June 16-21 2025 National Rambouillet Show and Sale, CAM-PLEX, Gillette. For more information, visit rambouilletsheep.org
June 19-20 Rocky Mountain Katahdin Association Annual Educational Meeting, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Fairbridge Inn and Suites, Miles City, Mont. For more information, e-mail babfief87@gmail.com or call 719-468-0928.
June 19-20 Wyoming Water Association Summer Tour, Buffalo. For more information or to register, visit wyomingwater.org
June 19-20 Women in Ranching Education and Development Series, Bentonville, Ark. For more information or to register, visit ancw.org/wired
June 20-21 Thermopolis Cowboy Rendezvous PRCA Rodeo, Hot Springs County Fairgrounds, Thermopolis. For more information, visit thermopoliscowboyrendezvous.com
June 20-26 2025 National Junior Limousin Show and Congress, Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agriculture Center, Perry, Georgia. For more information, visit nalf.org.
June 21 Bureau of Land Management Wild Horse and Burro Adoption Event, 8 a.m. Wheatland, Off Range Corral, Wheatland. For more information, visit blm. gov/whb/events
June 21-27 2025 Grand Ole Gelbvieh Junior Classic, Lebanon, Tenn. For more information, visit gelbvieh.org/juniors/agja-events/junior-classic
June 24-25 University of Wyoming Extension Rancher’$ EDGE Program, 1 p.m., Thermopolis. For more information or to register, visit wyoextension.org/ranchmanagement/?page_id=7
June 26-28 American National CattleWomen Region Five Meeting, Black Butte Ranch Resort, Sisters, Ore. For more information, visit oregoncattlewomen.org
June 26-28 Stockmanship and Stewardship, Watertown, S.D. For more information, visit stockmanshipandstewardship.org
June 28-July 5 2025 National Junior Angus Show, Expo Square, Tulsa, Okla. For more information or to register, visit angus.org/
June 30 University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Analyzing Stocking Rates for the Modern Cow Workshop, 10 a.m., Mid-Plains Community College, Valentine, Neb. For more information or to register, contact the Sheridan County Extension Office at 308-327-2312 or the Cherry County Extension Office at 402-376-1850.
July 1 University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Analyzing Stocking Rates for the Modern Cow Workshop, 8 a.m., Cody Community Building, Cody, Neb. For more information or to register, contact the Sheridan County Extension Office at 308-327-2312 or the Cherry County Extension Office at 402-376-1850.
July 1 University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Analyzing Stocking Rates for the Modern Cow Workshop, 12:30 p.m., Gordon Community Building, Gordon, Neb. For more information or to register, contact the Sheridan County Extension Office at 308-327-2312 or the Cherry County Extension Office at 402-376-1850.
1 Blk Cow, 1135# $15000 Gillett, Gary - Powell 1 Blk Cow, 1370# $16100 1 BWF Cow, 1480# $15650 Hessenthaler, Brandon - Byron
1 BWF Cow, 1230# $16100
2 BWF Cows, avg. 1438# $15550
2 Blk Cows, avg. 1640# $15450 Mastre, Josh - Worland 1 BWF Cow, 1425# $15950 Rios, Armando - Basin
2 Blk Cows, avg. 1298# $15750 Hamilton Ranch, Inc. - Hyattville
1 Blk Cow, 1490# $15750 Dooley Livestock LLC - Worland
1 Blk Cow, 1455# $15700 Geis, Nick - Worland
1 Blk Cow, 1390# $15700
2 BWF Cows, avg. 1460# $15600 Friesen, Kenneth - Moscow
1 Blk Cow, 1400# $15700 Warner Living Trust - Pavillion
1 Red Cow, 1625# $15650 Black, Vern - Riverton
1 Blk Cow, 1655# $15650
2 Blk Cows, avg. 1353# $15250 Zeller Ranch - Meeteetse
1 RWF Cow, 1375# $15550 Greer, Lory - Hyattville
1 Red Cow, 1500# $15500 Ward, Dougan - Thermopolis
June 16-21
June 17-19
June 19-20
June 24
July 1
July 7-11
July 7-13
July 11-12
July 14-16
July 21-23
July 24
July 26
July 28-Aug 1
Aug. 12-13
Aug. 18-19
Aug. 18-19
Aug. 18-22
Aug. 23
2025 National Rambouillet Sheep Show and Sale, CAM-PLEX, Gillette, 409-256-3687, rambouilletsheep.org
Superior Livestock Auction Corn Belt Classic, 800-422-2117, superiorlivestock.com
Northern Livestock Video Auction Early Summer Special, 866-616-5035, northernlivestockvideo.com
Rocky Mountain Gravel Online Auction, 208-431-9300, 208-595-8561, bigmountainauctions.com
Cattle Country Video High Plains Showcase, UW Marian H. Rochelle Gateway Center, Laramie, 888-322-8853, cattlecountryvideo.com
Superior Livestock Auction Week in the Rockies, 800-422-2117, superiorlivestock.com
Colorado Horse Sale Saddle Horse Sale, online at coloradohorsesale.com, 970-744-8989
Mile High Summer Classic Sale, Adams County Regional Park, Brighton, Colo., 970-381-3649, 970-381-3547, joshwhiteauctions.com
Western Video Market, Silver Legacy Casino Resort, Reno, Nev., 530-3473793, wvmcattle.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
Superior Livestock Auction Video Royale, 800-422-2117, superiorlivestock.com
Cattle Country Video Oregon Trail Classic, Gering Civic Center, Gering, Neb., 888-322-8853, cattlecountryvideo.com
Western Video Market, Little America, Cheyenne, 530-347-3793, wvmcattle.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
POSTCARD from the Past
Compiled by Dick Perue rrichardperue@gmail.com
Blk Cows, avg. 1898# $15400 Lungren, Luke - Worland
1 Blk Cow, 1295# $16100
1 Blk Cow, 1355# $15850
6 Blk Cows, avg. 1346# $15800
1 Blk Cow, 1675# $15600
5 Blk Cows, avg. 1298# $15550
2 Blk Cows, avg. 1338# $15400 Mendez Brothers - Otto
2 Blk Cows, avg. 1425# $15400 Fabricius, Dale - Burlington
1 Mxd Cow, 1595# $15350 Gillett Farms, Inc. - Powell
1 Blk Cow, 1585# $15300
Geis, Marcus - Worland
2 Blk Cows, avg. 1415# $15300
Bentley, Larry - Thermopolis
1 Blk Cow, 1405# $15250 Vega, Emilano, Sr. - Worland
1 Blk Cow, 895# $15000
Marchant, Lloyd - Burlington
1 Blk Cow, 1295# $14900
Baird, John - Thermopolis
2 Blk Cows, avg. 1280# $14900
Goton, Michael - Shell
1 Blk Cow, 1385# $14000
Frimml, Chad - Worland
1 Red Cow, 1495# $13850
Casey, Diana - Greybull
1 CharX Cow, 1625# $13400 PAIRS
WS Livestock, Inc. - Riverton
6 Blk Pairs
Friesen, Kenneth - Moscow
$4000/Hd.
3 Blk Pairs $3800/Hd.
• Upcoming Sales •
June 26 – All Class Cattle, Sheep & Goat
July 10 – All Class Cattle
July 24 – All Class Cattle, Sheep & Goat
August 7 – All Class Cattle
August 21 – All Class Cattle, Sheep & Goat
Father’s Day, June 17, Every Dog Has His Day
This intriguing headline topped a Father’s Day article in the June 13, 1928 issue of The Wyoming State Journal of Lander, followed by this story: Well, father’s come into his own at last.
Father’s Day has been held his since 1914, but it has had as much trouble as a chancery suit in a mid-Victorian novel. Some people seemed to resent the notion a father could have anything all to himself.
They would not even let him have his own flower, but insisted the dandelion was the flower for Father’s Day. Somebody discovered the more one tramples on a dandelion, the stronger it grows.
This was the Old Man to a T, but the dandelion idea did not go at all. Nobody who buys flowers to sell again bought any dandelions, so everybody who bought flowers for Father’s Day bought red roses because somebody told them red roses were the flower for Father’s Day. And, red roses are pretty.
Nobody asked father about it. It was all right with him, only he did wish they would give the flowers to mother or the girls.
But Father’s Day this year is June 17, and the whole country is really awakened to it.
The world of home – of mothers, sons and daughters – loves father and knows how good, decent and unselfish he is. They all wanted to do something for him. Year by year they have been doing it in greater numbers on Father’s Day. They gave him ties, bathrobes, clippers, golf clubs, cigars and everything.
The actual history of Father’s Day began in 1910 when Mrs. John Bruce Dodd of Spokane, Wash. promoted the Father’s Day notion so successfully the city of Spokane made it a holiday with a big celebration.
The idea took hold, and the day was observed first on the second Sunday in June.
Congress endorsed the celebration of Father’s Day in 1914, and the date was made the third Sunday in June. The sec-
ond Sunday in June is actually Children’s Day, but is not generally observed as a national festival.
Real, positive efforts have been made to change Father’s Day and make it Father and Son Day and also Father and Mother Day, but it did not succeed.
Humorists, satirists and all kinds of public bug hunters have jibed and joked and viewed with alarm the notion of Father’s Day, seeing in it only as a commercial opportunity promoted by merchants of articles of remembrance. But the sons and daughters of America – to say nothing of the mothers – have vindicated the thought father, the American father, is well entitled to his own distinctive day. – Colony Coyote
“Gifts for Man in the Service Take the Spotlight for Father’s Day,” reads the headline above this illustration in the June 18, 1943 issue of the Sheridan Press. In part, the accompanying news item continues, “The spotlight of Father’s Day shines brightest on fathers in the armed forces and the folks back home who want to say, ‘We’re thinking of you, Pops’ in a tangible way, will find a wealth of attractive gifts in the shop. Following are some of the gift suggestions – towel kit with two white towels and two washcloths; a case for carrying garrison or naval caps; toilet kits; shaving powder, razor, blades, styptic pencil, tooth powder, toothbrush, a sewing kit and a comb, all neatly strapped in a leather case; shaving accessories; after-shaving lotions; blade sharpener; clothing items; socks are always good; shirts; regulation neckties; ‘jewelry’ items such as service insignias; wrist watches and sterling identification tags and a money belt or a good billfold with a large compartment for a photo of mom and the kids.” Historical reproductions by Perue
Source: USDA AMS Livestock, Poultry & Grain Market News, Torrington
Source: USDA AMS Livestock, Poultry & Grain Market News, Greeley, CO National Sheep Summary
As of June 6, 2025
Compared to last week Slaughter lambs 50-90 lbs. 10.00-20.00 lower, 90-130 lbs. 30.00-40.00 lower and slaughter ewes 10.0015.00 lower. Feeder lambs not well tested. 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 274.00-276.00 60-70 lbs 274.00.00-280.00; 70-80 lbs 266.00-280.00; 80 lbs 265.00.
Billings: No test.
Ft. Collins: wooled and shorn 70-80 lbs 215.00-245.00; 80-90 lbs 210.00-255.00; 90-100 lbs 220.00-270.00; 100-110 lbs 230.00-270.00; 120-130 lbs 215.00-270.00; 130-140 lbs 210.00-240.00.
Sioux Falls: 60-70 lbs 235.00-260.00; 70-80 lbs 215.00247.00; 80-90 lbs 215.00-252.50; 90-100 lbs 220.00-257.00; 100-110 lbs 230.00-250.00; 110-120 lbs 215.00-247.50; 120130 lbs 212.50-2245.00; 130-140 lbs 215.00-240.00; 140-150 lbs 205.00-219.00.
Equity Coop: No test. Slaughter Ewes San Angelo: Good 2-3 99.00-135.00; Good 4-5 90-110.00; Utility 1-2 76.00-100.00.
Billings: No test.
Ft. Collins: Good 2-3 85.00-135.00; Good 4-5 82.50-135.00. Sioux Falls: Good 2-3 70.00-130.00; Good 4-5 65.00-100.00; Utility 1-2 55.00-120.00. Feeder Lambs: Medium and Large 1 San Angelo: 40-50 lbs 245.00-252.00; 50-60 lbs 260.00. Billings: No test.
Ft. Collins: No test.
Sioux Falls: 30-40 lbs 300.00-315.00; 40-50 lbs 290.00322.50; 50-55 lbs 240.00-270.00; 60-70 lbs 230.00; 70-80 lbs 271.00.
Equity Coop: No test. Replacement Ewes: Medium and Large 1-2 San Angelo: No test.
Billings: No test.
Ft. Collins: No test.
South Dakota: No test. Sheep and lamb slaughter under federal inspection for the week to date totaled 38,000 compared to
Source: USDA- CO Dept of Ag Market News Service, Greeley, CO
Wyoming Hay Summary
As of June 12, 2025
Compared to last week hay sales sold steady. Demand was mostly light. Some producers in the Eastern side of the state lost all their first cutting of alfalfa to large hail and wind. With others having some damage from storms. Other reports of the dreaded weevil doing quite a lot of damage along with irrigation districts curtailing water amounts early in the growing season will cost producers quite a few tons of product. Some reports in the east that tonnage is about 30 percent less than a normal year because of several influencers noted on this report. Producers in the central and west are just getting started with first cutting and so far, think tonnage will be close to a normal year. Little carry over from previous year, but nothing like the tonnage that hay producers dealt with on the 2024 production year.
Central Wyoming
Alfalfa - Supreme Cubes
480 Eastern Wyoming
Alfalfa - Supreme Pellets 15% Suncured 260 Western Wyoming
Alfalfa - Supreme Cubes 380 Small Square 240
Source: USDA AMS Livestock, Poultry & Grain Market News Torrington
Montana Hay Summary
As of June 6, 2025
Compared to last week: Hay sold generally steady. Very little hay is moving as most are waiting on first cutting to be put up. Ranchers are already reaching out to producers to purchase hay, with some making offerings to buy. Offers have been well received but many are passing as they wait for the market to develop. Most ranchers have cattle turned out and hay usage is down significantly as a result, however with dry conditions noted across many portions of the state ranchers have stated without rain many will begin to feed as early as the middle of July. One large hay contract was established this week. Several sales of hay continue to sell to out of state buyers as dry conditions continue in Wyoming. Some producers in southern and eastern Montana have first cutting on the ground. Some hay was put up last week before any rain was seen, however most producers opted to wait till this week as weather conditions were more favorable for putting up high quality hay. Producers in Central Montana report that first cutting is still a few weeks out as most hope to get started buy the middle to the end of June depending on elevation. Producers are expecting a bumper first cutting across much of the central portions of the state where rainfall totals have been the heaviest. Market activity was mostly slow this week. According to the drought monitor 53.87% of the state is in Moderate drought or worse, up 0.63% from last week. 23.45% of the state is in an Severe drought or worse, up 0.24% from last week. 0% of the state is in Extreme drought or worse, unchanged
from last week. 0% of the state is in Expectational drought, unchanged from last week. Notably, 81.55% of the state is abnormally dry, up 3.72% from last week.
N/A
USDA AMS Livestock, Poultry &
South Dakota Hay Summary
As of June 6, 2025
Few reported sales this week, steady undertones. Moderate demand for old crop hay, good demand for straw and corn stalks to bed confinement barns. First cutting of alfalfa was difficult to put up between the rains and the cooler weather, it warmed up Sunday and Monday but it was hard to get hay to fully dry and cure. Warmer weather in the forecast next week. There is still quite a bit of old crop hay around as the winter was mild and open. Good rains across the state the last few weeks have greatly improved the grazing outlook as it was rather grim looking two weeks ago. N/A
Stalk (Straw) Round
USDA AMS Livestock, Poultry & Grain
CLASSIFIEDS
307-234-2700 • 1-800-967-1647 • Fax: 307-472-1781 • E-mail: jodym@wylr.net or denise@wylr.net
Website: www.wylr.net
NOTICE: Publication in this newspaper does not guarantee the legitimacy of any offer or solicitation. Take reasonable steps to evaluate an offer before you send money or provide personal/financial information to an advertiser. If you have questions or believe you have been the victim of fraud, contact the Wyoming Attorney General’s Office, Consumer Protection Unit, 109 Capitol Building, Cheyenne, WY 82002, 307-777-6397 TFN
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESS-
MENT, RANGELAND GRASSHOPPER AND MORMON CRICKET SUPPRESSION
PROGRAM: The Wyoming U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine has completed the Draft 2025 Site-Specific Environmental Assessment for the Rangeland Grasshopper and Mormon Cricket Suppression Program. This EA covers potential federal involvement on suppression programs within the state of Wyoming. USDA APHIS PPQ will accept comments from the public and concerned agencies until COB on June 29. Copies of the EA are available for review at the Cheyenne office by contacting 307-432-7979, USDA APHIS PPQ, 5353 Yellowstone Road, Suite 208, Cheyenne, WY 82009 or on the APHIS website at www.aphis. usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/ planthealth/plant-pest-anddisease-programs/ea/grasshopper-cricket-ea/grasshopper-cricket-by-state 6/14
NATIONAL RAMBOUILLET
SHOW AND SALE: June 16-21, CAM-PLEX, Gillette, WY. For more information, visit www. rambouilletsheep.org 6/14
WE’RE HIRING!! WE ARE LOOKING TO FILL THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS AND ARE WILLING TO TRAIN: MEAT CUTTER, SLAUGHTER FLOOR OPERATIONS AND WRAPPERS: We are located in Dayton, WY about 20 miles from Sheridan, WY. Starting pay is going to be dependent on experience. We are starting between $20-$30/hour and will train you. If you are interested in any of the positions, please call 307-6552551. You can also stop into our plant to apply for any of these positions or for more information, Valley Meat Co., 297 Hwy. 343, Dayton, WY 82836. If you have any questions about the positions, please feel free to send us an e-mail at sam@ valleymeatco.com. Thank you and looking forward to your application!! 7/5
LARGE RANCH AND HAYING
OPERATION NEAR MEDICINE BOW, WY: Looking for ranch help/ foreman with knowledge of ranching and irrigation. Wages DOE. Housing available. Needed immediately. Call 605-580-0493 or e-mail resume and references to n.tippmannranches@gmail. com 6/28
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 307634-5178 6/28
LOOKING FOR A RANCH HAND IN NORTHEASTERN WYOMING: House and utilities provided. Wage DOE. Call 307-660-3112, can send resume to donita@theamericanranch.net 6/28
TORRINGTON LIVESTOCK MARKETS IS HIRING
YARD HELP – Looking for someone with cattle handing & sorting experience PEN BACK – Some computer skills needed. Calling pens after cattle are sold Call 307-532-3333 or send resume to: Torrington Livestock PO Box 1097, Torrington, WY 82240
LIVESTOCK FEEDERS
LLC Red Cloud, NE
Come Join the Gottsch Livestock Feeders Family! Gottsch Livestock Feeders is looking for Cowboys/Pen Riders for their feedyard in Red Cloud, NE. The main focus of the Cowboy/Pen Riders are spotting, pulling, diagnosing and taking cattle to the hospital and shipping fat cattle. This person will need to be a team player who is seeking a long-term position. You will have the opportunity to work with and learn from some of the best in the industry. We offer a benefits package that includes health insurance, dental, vision, 401(k), health savings, life insurance and paid vacation. Retention bonus offered to full-time employees. Incentives paid out at 6 months and 1 year of employment. If you are interested stop by and fill out an application or visit our website at
www.gottschcattlecompany.com
Call Brandon Furr at 402-257-7769 or 402-746-2222 for more information.
WASHAKIE COUNTY IS SEEKING APPLICANTS FOR A FULL-TIME EQUIPMENT OPERATOR WITH THE ROAD AND BRIDGE DEPARTMENT. CDL is required. For more information, please contact Road and Bridge Superintendent Stuart Bower at 307388-4848 6/28
PEEGEE RANCH NEAR ARVADA, WY IS LOOKING FOR A FULL-TIME FARM/RANCH EMPLOYEE: This position is open immediately. Applicant must be self-motivated, reliable and responsible with knowledge of haying and farming. Mechanical skills are a must. Farming duties include swathing, baling and raking hay, etc. This is not a cowboy position, but applicant will need to assist in all aspects of cattle work as well. Those duties include calving heifers, feeding hay, branding and gathering, etc. Nearest big town is 60+ miles and nearest K-12 school is 30+ miles away (location of the ranch is remote). Housing is provided and on a school bus route. Please send resume with references by mail or e-mail to: PeeGee Ranch, 1251 Lower Powder River Road, Arvada, WY 82831, pgranch@rangeweb.net. Call 307-736-2461 6/14
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!! 6/14
Parker Blakeley, Owner ppr@pronghornpump.com www.pronghornpump.com
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 254-433-3434, Casper, WY. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 7/19
REGISTERED WYOMING LIVESTOCK BRAND: RRC, RSH, renewed to March 2027. Have 3 sets of irons to go with the brand. Price is negotiable. Call 307-672-8596 6/14
BEST LAST CHANCE SALE!!
LYTLE RED ANGUS is offering via private treaty yearling bulls from their grazing developed herd of consistent, efficient and proficient cows. Bulls have passed breeding soundness exams and are ready to work for you!! Visit www.lytleredangus.com or call Zeb, 605-441-7658. To view photos, go to www.wylr. net in the classifieds 6/28
CAUCASIAN SHEPHERD PUPS FOR SALE: Four females and 3 males, ready mid-July. Take care of your wolf and predator problems. Protect your family, property and livestock with this Russian sheep dog. Call 406-210-4807 6/21
AKC BERNESE MOUNTAIN DOG PUPPIES: All first shots, microchipped and vet checked. Ready for their new homes now!! $800. Call or text 605-680-2571. To view photos, go to www.wylr. net in the classifieds 6/14
WANTED RECIP COWS: Must be open!! Two to 6 years old, Red Angus or Angus-based cows. For more information, call Corie Mydland, 406-855-5598 (cell), Trans Ova Genetics 6/14
SHORTHORN BULLS FOR SALE PRIVATE TREATY: Yearlings up to mature bulls available. Developed conservatively so they hold up. Remember a red Shorthorn bull on your homozygous black cows will give you black calves. Shorthorns are excellent maternal cattle that produce quality beef. Francis-Millvale Shorthorns, Gene and Roberta Francis Family, 701-331-2403, e-mail francis.millvale@gmail.com. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 6/21
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 6/14
YEARLING ANGUS BULLS: These bulls are grown, not fattened, will get out and cover cows. Many will work on heifers. We will deliver. Call Joe Buseman, 605-351-1535 6/28
MYDLAND ANGUS RANCH: Yearling Angus bulls. Performance tested, EPDs available. Home raised. Call 406-5913404 or 406-855-5598 6/21
REGISTERED BLACK ANGUS YEARLING AND 2-YEAR-OLD BULLS: For sale private treaty. Performance and fertility tested. Delivery available. REPLACEMENT HEIFERS available. TRANGMOE ANGUS RANCH, Glendive, MT. Call 406-6873315, 406-989-3315 or 907232-6093 6/28
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 6/21
RED ANGUS HIGH-ELEVATION YEARLING BULLS FOR SALE IN NORTHEASTERN UTAH : Out of AI and bull-bred sires. Will be trich, semen tested and fed for free until May 1. $2,700/head. Bar Lazy TL Ranch, David, 435828-1320, barlazytlranch@ gmail.com 6/14
FAITHFUL FEEDERS: Heifer development, backgrounding, and grass calf prep. Billings, MT. Call Ryan, 406-696-0104 4/11
CUSTOM FEEDING AND FINISHING FOR CATTLE AND SHEEP. Cactus Hill Ranch Company, Fort Collins, CO. Contact AJ Nelson, 970-372-8273 7/5 Pasture Wanted
LOOKING FOR RANCH OR PASTURE TO LEASE FOR 150-200 HEAD: Will pay lease or run owner’s cows. Looking for place with corrals. Long term. Call 307-689-6172 (cell) or 307-868-2170 (house) 6/14
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 6/14
STANDING 4-YEAR-OLD HAFLINGER STUD: Fee $250. Small draft style, blonde, docile, great for work, packing, riding and driving. Located south of Buffalo, WY. For more information, call Daniel Yoder, 307217-9737 6/21
SILVER STATE INTERNATIONAL RODEO JUNE 30JULY 7: Winnemucca Events Complex, Winnemucca, NV. $20,000 ADDED money. ALL STAR TEAM: Each state will pick 5 contestants to represent their state. The team with the most points will win $1,500 cash. Prizes include: Cash prizes, saddles for event winners and buckles for 2nd-4th and go round prizes, 1st-3rd. For more information or to register online, visit www.ssir.us, call Kathy, 775-217-2810 or e-mail silverstate10@yahoo.com. Check us out on Facebook 6/21
Red Angus
FIVE-YEAR-OLD SADDLE
MULE: One brand and imprinted, 16.2 hands tall, broke to ride, pack and drive. Sweet disposition. $10,000 or will consider reasonable offer. He will sell himself!! Call 406-860-0106 or 307899-3700 7/5
ORIGINAL DOCTOR’S BUGGY FOR SALE: Dark green body, red interior, black top. Top folds back to make into a convertible. Oak wheels with rubber on them. A1 condition. Was made by W.A. Heiss Coach Company in Mifflinburg, PA, company was in business from 1884-1920. Single horse shaft, always stored inside. Worland, WY, asking $4,000. Call 307-347-2095. To view photos, go to www.wylr. net in the classifieds 6/21
BOOT UP for the COLLEGE NATIONAL FINALS RODEO with 20% $AVINGS ON BOOTS!! HONDO, BOULET, JUSTIN WORK BOOTS, TWISTED X (boots and shoes) and more!! WE CAN ship!!
Shop Moss Saddles, Boots and Tack, 4648 West Yellowstone Highway, Casper, WY; 307-472-1872. Our family serving yours for 50 years!! Check us out on Facebook or our website 6/14
BUTCHER PIGS FOR SALE: Located in Hardin, MT. Call 406-679-1136 6/21
WEANER PIGS FOR SALE, located in Powell, WY. For more information, call 307271-1014 1/17
LOTS AND LOTS OF HAY FOR SALE!!! Alfalfa, alfalfa/grass mix, straight grass (crested wheat and native grasses), winter wheat, 1,300-1,350 lb. netwrapped round bales. Deliveries are available if needed or come and get it. Sheridan, WY area. Call the ranch, 307-737-2680 or 702-501-4243 (cell) 7/5
GOOD RIVER BOTTOM
GRASS HAY AVAILABLE:
Large round bales, approximately 1,200 lbs., $50/each. Near Medicine Bow, WY. Can load. Approximately 400 bales. Please call 605-580-0493 7/5
HAY FOR SALE: 2024 big rounds of second and third cutting alfalfa, 47 bales of third cutting, bales average 1,440 lbs., $100/bale, 37 bales of second cutting, bales average 1,200 lbs., $75/bale. Discount when buy 10 bales or more. Hay is located in Frannie, WY. Contact Keri Merrill, 307-389-3377 6/28
CERTIFIED ORGANIC ALFALFA/GRASS MIX HAY: No chemicals, 3x3 squares and round bales. Adrian Troyer, Byron, WY. Call 307-631-4104 12/27
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 307-762-3878 or 307-899-4714, leave message 6/14
CERTIFIED BARLEY STRAW FOR SALE, 3x4 bales. Cody, WY. Call 307-899-1952 TFN
CERTIFIED WEED-FREE PURE ALFALFA HAY: Small squares, covered. 2023 first cutting available for a reduced price. 2024 first, second and third cutting available. Will load trucks and any open trailer. MONIDA OATS, $16/cwt. Combine run. Will auger into truck, trailer or large totes/ag bags. Located between Powell and Cody, WY. Call or text Knopp Farms for details, 307-2540554 6/21
VAN BEEK HARVESTING: WHEAT HARVESTING WANTED, 2025 and beyond. Two John Deere 780 combines with supporting equipment, Pollock, S.D. Call 605-848-1080 6/21
2012 FORD F650 FLATBED:
6.7L Cummins, Allison automatic. Good condition, 18’ flatbed, Vanair PTO driven air compressor, 161,000 miles. Golden, CO. Call Eric at 720-312-9582. To view photos, go to www.wylr. net in the classifieds 7/5
1999 WILSON STRAIGHT DECK 48X96 TRAILER. $10,500. Located in Jackson, WY. Call Jack at 307-690-4687 with questions 6/14
2018 LAKOTA LIVING QUARTERS/STOCK COMBO TRAILER, 13’ living quarters with one slide-out, 16’ stock quarters, 4’ tack with saddle rack. New tires and new batteries, charcoal color. Like new. Everything works. Ready to go, $62,500 OBO. Call for pictures 307-680-1561 6/28
CLASSIC: 1983 JEEP CJ8 SCRAMBLER PICKUP, frame off restoration, custom half cab, 258CI inline 6 cylinder engine, 5 speed manual transmission, 12,000 lb. winch, very clean, runs great, garage kept, car show ready, 10,000 miles on rebuilt engine, $43,750 OBO Call 406-4981830. To view photos, go to www. wylr.net in the classifieds 6/14
Equipment
JOHN DEERE 250 SKID STEER, 2,309 hours, has foot controls, cab enclosure with heat, excellent tires, 66” bucket, auxiliary hydraulics, excellent shape and runs great. $21,000. Call or text 308-241-2188. To view photos, go to www.wylr. net in the classifieds 6/14
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!! 6/28
FOR SALE: New Holland 1441 pull type discbine. Sitrex 9 wheel finger rake. Rowse 9’ pull type mower. Rowse 9’ 3 pt. mower. Rowse 14 wheel high capacity v-rake. 2024 AGT mini excavator H13R with tracks, new machine, $5,000. Ford 7N tractor with wide front, runs great. Meridian 240 seed tender with hydraulic remote control, roll tarp, Honda motor, excellent condition. John Deere 7000 8RN corn and bean planter. John Deere 3970 silage cutter with John Deere 3RN head. 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 605999-5482 6/28
CASE 1070 TRACTOR: 5,000 plus hours, with Du-Al loader and grapple. $12,500. Calls only, 307899-3737 6/28
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. 9600 John Deere combine with 930 30’ grain header and an 893 8 row 30” corn header. A 20’ Krause offset disc (new blades in front). 24’ Model 630 John Deere tandem disc. Safety pull with a bull hitch. John Deere front suitcase weights. IHC front suitcase weights. Round John Deere wheel weights. Contact Greg Keller at 406-679-1136 6/21
2004 JOHN DEERE 4995 WINDROWER with 2004 John Deere 995 16’ rotary platform, rubber conditioner, 18.4x26 button drive tires, 3,405 engine hours, 2,451 cutting hours, $51,000. Call Allen, 970-218-0780. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 6/21
ORIGINAL ROUND BALER
BELTING FOR ALL MAKES: Save $100s. Free shipping, www.balerbelts.com. Call Hammond Equipment, 334627-3348 10/25
RAIL TIES: #1-9 ft., #1 and #2-8 ft. USED CULVERTS: Three ft., 2 ft., 18” and various lengths. Call EMC2, 307-630-2345 or 307-5345253 6/14
MANUFACTURER OF HEAVY DUTY CONTINUOUS FENCE:
Corral panels, farm gates, free standing panels and more. Call for pricing and delivery, Rocky Ridge Welding, Nevada, MO, 417-549-1077 8/9
LODGEPOLE PRODUCTS, 307-742-6992, SERVING AGRIBUSINESSES SINCE 1975!! Treated posts, corral poles, buckand-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 6/28
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 6/21
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 and forage oat hay, low nitrates, good protein, call for feed analysis.
GRINDING HAY also available. 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 6/21
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
Copper wire is being stolen from electrically
ers
Irrigation
USED IRRIGATION PIVOTS FOR SALE, www.zimmag. com Irrigation systems are COMPLETE with custom sprinkler package, SORTED, BUNDLED and ready to ship ● 2020 Zimmatic 8500 8 tower 1,296’ ● 2013 Valley 7000 7 tower 1,336’. Call 402-910-3236 7/5
PIPE FOR SALE!! 2 7/8”, 3 1/2” tubing, 4” drill pipe, 4 1/2” casing, 5” casing, 7” casing. Rods 3/4”, 7/8” and 1” located in Montana, can ship anywhere. Call Mike, 602-758-4447. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 7/26
OILFIELD PIPE: PRICE REDUCED!! RPJ Enterprises, Inc. 2 3/8”, 2 7/8” and 4.5” is available, pricing is coming down. Used for fencing, corrals, cattle guards, etc. 2 3/8” and 2 7/8” are on average 31.5’ long per joint. Pierce, CO. Call for details, 970-324-4580 6/28
and
grow out pens, hay/ implement/livestock barns, horse/tack/tool, riding arena, round pen area, vet clinic. $1,450,000. First Class Realty Services, Susan Wilson qualifying broker/realtor 505-328-4172, contact Jay 505-263-7419. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 7/5
I was raised in the church – the Methodist Church to be precise. Mine was a churchgoing family right up until the time the preacher ran off with the choir director and both of them were married to other people at the time.
Before that, the biggest scandal in our church had been the time one of the ushers absconded with Sunday morning’s haul and blew it all on the Craps tables in Vegas.
After the pastor and the choir director snuck off together, it took great courage to admit to someone in
our small town we were a church-going Methodist, so for a while we became what is known in the trade as “C and E Christians,” which meant the only time we went to church was on Christmas and Easter.
It got so I’d rather drink Drano than go to Sunday services presided over by our new and worst preacher in the business. This is how shooting pool on Sunday morning at my grandpa’s house became a new ritual and how I became a good pool hustler and a terrible Christian.
Prior to the aforementioned incident, my mom taught Sunday school and mimeographed the program for Sunday services; my grandma was the designated soloist and my brother and I were often the acolytes who had to wear long white robes, walk up the center aisle and light the candles standing on either side of the beautiful cross which had been made by my great-grandfather.
I had nightmares every Saturday the wick in my long-handled candle lighter would go out before I got my candle lit, and my older brother would have to bail me out once again by lighting my candle in front of everyone.
It’s a lot of pressure to put on a 10-year-old kid.
When we were churchgoers, the part I liked best was watching babies being
baptized. I’ve always loved babies, probably because my wife and I couldn’t have any.
There are only two things I didn’t like about babies – number one is they grow up to be teenagers, and number two is the ever-present puke on your shoulder.
My favorite Dave Barry line was if you ended up with poop on your shoulder, you were holding the baby upside down.
While we’re on the subject of poop, I must admit I have never changed a baby’s diaper in my life, nor do I intend to. I don’t have a clue if you have to change them twice a week or just once. Changing a baby’s diaper is definitely not on my bucket list.
Speaking of babies and church, we’ve all been there when a baby started crying in the middle of the sermon and all eyes would immedi-
ately turn to the poor mother. Then one of the ushers would escort mother and baby outside because it might wake up those parishioners trying to get some sleep during the sermon.
I hate to brag, but I’ve always been good at putting babies to sleep, and for that matter, I’m not too bad at putting adults to sleep either, which I might be doing at this very moment.
I love holding babies, and because I can’t join in on holiday feasts due to the small problem where I can’t digest food, I invariably end up holding someone’s new baby so the exhausted mother can join in on the festivities without worrying about her baby much.
They trust me to hold their precious baby because I have a long track record of having never once dropped one on its head. This and a
little whiskey in its bottle –just kidding – are how I’ve become the all-time greatest designated baby holder in my community.
If I do get roped into going to church for a wedding or a funeral, I always try to grab someone’s baby to hold because they serve as the perfect “get outta jail free card.”
I’ve only ever had one mother complain about the job I did while holding her baby in church. The mother asked me afterwards, “What did you do to my poor baby? After you held her, she had little bruises on her baby butt?”
“You caught me,” I had to admit. “When our boring preacher wouldn’t shut up, I lightly pinched your baby on her bottom in hopes she would cry and I’d have to be escorted out by the ‘hushers.’”
Light My Fire by Lee Pitts
which went into effect on Nov. 4, 2024 and requires identification (ID) tags for interstate movement of sexually-intact cattle, yak and bison 18 months of age or older; cattle, yak and bison of any age used for rodeo or recreation or shown for exhibition and all dairy cattle be both visually and electronically readable.
Hasel reminded producers the rule only applies to tags applied after November 2024, and all tags placed before this date are grandfathered in.
She also mentioned there are only two things that changed from the previous 2013 rule – official ID must be both visually and electronically readable and the definition of dairy cattle was revised.
Additionally, she noted official ID tags must carry the “840” prefix, as well as the U.S. shield, and while many veterinarians prefer orange brucellosis tags, Hasel noted tag color is irrelevant.
“Unfortunately, there are counterfeit tags out there already. They can be purchased online for about 50 cents apiece. They do look similar and they will start with ‘840’ but they will not have the U.S. shield or be readable,” she said. “In cases where they have been purchased on accident, we are trying to help producers replace tags at no cost.”
On this note, however,
Hasel noted a frequently asked question she runs into often is if the Wyoming Livestock Board has official electronic ID tags for all producers and when they will be getting more.
While she is hopeful there may be some coming by September or October, she reminded producers states are only allocated a certain number of tags by the USDA, and while this number was tentatively set to increase, the government has been working on a continuing resolution for several years.
“We were allocated a set number of tags, but we actually only received half as many,” she said. “We try to get them to livestock markets first, so tags are gone immediately. We hope to have some by October, but we’re not sure yet. At this point, veterinarians and producers in Wyoming are buying their own tags.”
Highly pathogenic avian influenza
HPAI has been top of mind for producers across the U.S. for several years, and Hasel reminded those in attendance of its high death toll.
“Keep in mind, HPAI is transmitted most during times of migration for wild birds and is transmitted primarily through wild waterfowl. Waterfowl can transmit it to dairy bovine, and dairy cows can transmit it back to waterfowl. It
5 Cow, 1135# $177.50
2 Cow, 1145#
Cow, 1235# $175.00
2 Cow, 1325# $172.00 MANILA, UT 4 Cow, 1210# $169.00
6 Cow, 1200# $168.50 RIVERTON
4 Cow, 1196# $168.50 MANILA, UT
3 Cow, 1213# $165.00 FORT BRIDGER
2 Cow, 1192# $165.00
LANDER 14 Cow, 1284# $164.50
FORT BRIDGER
5 Cow, 1495# $164.50
LANDER 10 Cow, 1326# $163.50
THERMOPOLIS
8 Cow, 1386# $163.50
FORT WASHAKIE
5 Cow, 1304# $163.50
THERMOPOLIS
8 Cow, 1348# $162.50 MANILA, UT 3 Cow, 1365# $162.00
also infects people, rodents and cats and causes sudden death in chickens and turkeys. In fact, in just three days, it can take out 95 percent of a flock.”
Hasel noted one dairy in Wyoming tested positive for the disease in the summer of 2024, and monitoring has continued to take place across the state.
“There is still a federal order in place, so interstate movement of a lactating dairy animal requires a negative HPAI test on milk, which also includes any lactating diary animal being taken to a livestock market,” she added.
Today, all three of Wyoming’s licensed dairies are participating in a voluntary milk tank test, which deems Wyoming a monitored, unaffected state and allows cows to cross state lines without receiving individual tests.
Sexually transmitted disease
Hasel went on to share updates on trich and brucellosis.
For trich, she said the state has pretty much seen one case per year for the last few years, often in common grazing areas across Lincoln, Sweetwater and Carbon counties.
As a result of a positive test in Lincoln County this year, 3,200 head were placed under quarantine, and testing was completed with no new cases found.
“Trich testing in the state continues to increase every year throughout the herds, and requirements for our state include testing of any bulls over 24 months of age and all nonvirgin bulls,” she said. “If they are going out to common grazing, they have to have a negative test prior to turnout. If they are going to change ownership or go to market, they must have a negative test within two weeks prior to sale.”
She continued, “Brucellosis continues to be an issue because of the Wyoming Designated Surveillance Area, which includes six counties on the far western side of the state. Unfortunately, we have had four herds under quarantine for brucellosis right now, which is the most we have had in many years.”
Hasel noted this uptick in cases likely has to do with changing land use and more urbanization which causes constant elk and cattle exposure since elk are no longer migrating because they have nowhere to go.
“The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has increased hunting numbers and they are working very hard to help us with this issue, but we need to figure out new ways to mitigate our risk. We don’t have all of the answers yet, but we are working on it,” Hasel said.
She also pointed out the importance of vaccination in the state of Wyoming, and because produc-
ers have been vaccinating long enough in the U.S., the disease is not necessarily linked to abortion anymore.
“We see positive results in very healthy cows that raise big calves. They’ll be some of the best looking in the bunch,” she admitted. “But they shed bacteria, so we might see weak calves, some joint disease and calves that are unthrifty. And it might cause an abortion in a neighbor’s cow or some other poor reaction in animals that aren’t fully vaccinated.”
With this, Hasel encouraged producers not only to vaccinate for brucellosis, but to administer a booster shot every three years as well.
New World screwworm
Lastly, Hasel brought up the hot button topic of NWS, which has dominated ag news in the past few weeks.
Known for their preference to living flesh, NWS cause severe, painful infections, and left untreated, can kill an animal within a week.
Hasel noted larvae have small tusks which they use to burrow into flesh around any orifice – eyes, nose, mouth, bones, umbilicus, ears and castration wounds – and eventually make their way to the brain or gastrointestinal system.
Hasel mentioned NWS were eradicated from the states once before using the sterile insect technique (SIT), in which sterile male flies are released to breed
with female flies so eggs are infertile.
A release center was created at the Darien Gap in Panama, the smallest place between Central and North America with few roads and restricted movement. However, DNA of flies released through SIT weakened and NWS females started mating with fertile males.
“Unfortunately, this all started happening before people were paying attention, and they didn’t respond as quickly as they should have, which is how the NWS fly has progressed back up through Central America,” Hasel said.
Today, the USDA and other partners continue to work with Mexico to prevent the fly from reaching America’s southern border.
Hasel noted there is a plant in Mexico they are evaluating to start producing flies, as well as a place in Texas.
“But, it’s going to be six months to a year before this will actually happen,” Hasel admitted. “To produce these flies, it is first extremely expensive, and keep in mind, these things eat live flesh so the smell from these plants is ungodly and nobody wants it around.”
Hasel further mentioned they have changed the DNA of sterile flies they are producing today to ensure they are more vigorous.
Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
PINEDALE
5 Cow, 1310# $161.50 DUBOIS 4 Cow, 1532# $161.00 DANIEL
3 Cow, 1465# $160.50
THERMOPOLIS
8 Cow, 1552# $160.00
BOULDER 5 Cow, 1294# $160.00 PINEDALE 3 Cow, 1511# $159.00 FORT BRIDGER 2 Cow, 1265# $159.00
SHOSHONI 11 Cow, 1315# $158.50 LANDER 3 Cow, 1406# $157.50
RIVERTON 4 Cow, 1556# $156.00 FORT BRIDGER 10 Cow, 1236# $155.00 SHOSHONI
1426#
1306#
COKEVILLE
2 Bull, 1212#
BOULDER 1 Bull, 1895# $185.00 PINEDALE 1 Bull, 1835#
Heiferette, 935#
5 Heiferette, 994#
LYMAN
1 Bred Cow, 1660#
COWS
2 Bred Cow, 1597#
5 Bred Cow, 1300#
12 Bred Cow, 1425#
Steer, 605#
MOUNTAIN VIEW
Steer, 780#
8 Steer, 781#
Heifer, 780#
Heifer, 796#
AUGUST 12