House advances President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill”
On May 22, following intense negotiations and some last-minute amendments, the U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed President Donald J. Trumps “One Big Beau-
Quick Bits
Correction
An article titled “A Big Win: Trump administration drops criminal charges against South Dakota ranchers in fence line dispute,” published in the May 3 edition of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup, listed Rep. Dusty Johnson from Colorado. Johnson is actually a South Dakota representative in the U.S. House.
Office Closed
The Wyoming Livestock Roundup Office will be closed on May 26 in observance of Memorial Day. We wish all of our families, friends and dear readers a safe and happy holiday.
Snow Report
In the 23rd snow report for Water Year 2025, the state’s snowpack telemetry data reads 72% of median, with a basin high of 89% and a basin low of 19%. Last year, the state was at 100% and at 102% in 2023. The report and a map displaying basin snow water equivalent percentages of median for the state may be found at wrds.uwyo.edu/ wrds/nrcs/nrcs.html
BQA Class
On June 2, during the 2025 Wyoming Stock Growers Association Cattle Industry Convention, University of Wyoming (UW) Beef Extension Specialist Dr. Steve Paisley will host a Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Certification Class for producers who would like to become BQA certified or recertified. The class will take place at the UW Conference Center in Laramie. For more information and to register, visit wysga. org or call 307-638-3942.
Convention
The Sandhills Cattle Association will host its 86th Annual Convention and Banquet on June 6 from 4:30-8:30 p.m. at the Cherry County Fairgrounds in Valentine, Neb. The event will include a cocktail hour, annual membership meeting, scholarship benefit auction and educational speakers. For more information or to register, visit sandhillscattle.com
tiful Bill” in a 215-to-214 vote.
This comes after the bill stalled on May 16 when five House Republicans voted against it. Then, two days later, the House Bud-
get Committee advanced the bill with four members voting “present,” yielding a 17-to-16-to-four vote.
According to multiple sources, the One Big Beautiful Bill is a com-
Tips offered to ensure healthy babies this lambing and kidding season
prehensive legislative proposal created to extend and expand 2017 tax cuts, increase defense and border security spending and implement significant
named interim director
The University of Wyoming (UW) College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources (CALSNR) has appointed Doug Stark interim director of its Ranch Management and Agricultural Leadership (RMAL) Program.
The program, which was launched in 2022, is designed to address contemporary workforce needs articulated by Wyoming agribusinesses.
In the early stages of the RMAL Program’s development, Stark helped facilitate listening sessions with Wyoming ranch owners and managers. As a distinguished agribusiness leader and UW alumnus, he is well positioned to guide the program’s next phase.
A familiar name in Wyoming and national agricultural communities, Stark graduated from UW in 1980 with a degree in agricultural business, then embarked on a 37-year career with Farm Credit Services of America.
From 2005 until his retirement in 2017, Stark served as president and chief executive officer of the financial cooperative, which provides agricultural credit, risk management and financial services to farm and ranch operators in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming.
As a founder, instructor and now interim director of the RMAL Program, Stark is committed to the program’s
Lambing and kidding season marks the busiest and most important time of year for small ruminant producers, and by the end of May, many pasture and range flocks across the state of Wyoming have started welcoming – and likely welcomed –their newest members.
Success or failure during this time plays a huge role in the profitability of a flock, and the days and weeks following the birth of a lamb or kid is crucial to how they will perform for a lifetime.
In a Jan. 19, 2024 Dakota Farmer article written by Senior Editor Sarah McNaughton-Peterson, Montana State University Sheep and Wool Extension Specialist Brent Roeder notes, “A lot of livestock management with sheep and goats is knowing how to manage stress, especially when lambing or kidding. Knowing what to feed, when to feed, when to vaccinate, how to manage in cold weather and how to keep predators out are all things that play in to maximizing performance.”
Setting the stage
Setting the newest members of the flock up for success starts long before they are born.
In the days and weeks leading up to lambing and kidding season, producers should be sure jugs are clean, dry, warm and clear of any debris or traces of previous births.
Please see BABIES on page 12
Economic Outlook
Farmer Mac economist provides outlook on ag economy for second half of the year
The 2025 Wyoming Agricultural Bankers Conference was held at Eastern Wyoming College in Torrington May 14-15.
To kick off the second day of the event, Farmer Mac Senior Economist Blaine Nelson provided an economic outlook for the ag industry for the second half of 2025.
“We had a very volatile beginning of the year and a lot of it is due to President Donald J. Trump,” Nelson states. “You may love the guy or hate the guy, but he’s the president and he’s making a lot of changes. So we need to embrace this as ag lenders and understand what it means for the folks we work with.”
Tariffs
To begin, Nelson touched on the hot button topic of tariffs.
While he admitted he wouldn’t be able to offer accurate predictions on tariff rates in coming weeks and months, Nelson did provide insight into why the Trump administration has pushed
Differing views on corner crossing discussed
Corner crossing has remained a pressing and important issue in the state of Wyoming, especially after the infamous Elk Mountain case that stirred up opposition about five years ago.
The case involved four out-of-state hunters sued by Elk Mountain Ranch Owner Fred Eshelman for corner crossing, the practice of stepping from one public land parcel to another at a shared corner.
Eshelman argued the act violated his airspace and constituted trespass.
However, a three-judge panel of the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals sided with the hunters, ruling corner crossing was in fact legal under the Unlawful Inclosures
Act and access to public lands via corner crossing could not be blocked, so long as private land was untouched.
On May 1, during a panel discussion at the 2025 Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Summit held in Laramie, Ryan Semerad, the attorney who represented the four Missouri hunters, sat down with Wyoming Stock Growers Association Executive Vice President Jim Magagna to discuss differing perspectives on the hot button topic.
“We’re not here to debate winners and losers, but to better understand the legal, ethical and practical implications of these court decisions and what they mean
Adobe Stock photo
Stark
Doug Stark Courtesy Photo
More Competition in the Meat Case
Beef is still king in the meat case, but with younger generations wanting to expand and explore different flavors, competition will rise.
Some competition will come from other meats. Pork, lamb, chicken, turkey and bison are showing up in the grind, or as we know it in the beef industry, ground beef or hamburger products.
Through the years, if there ever was a success in the beef business, it was ground beef.
I’m dating myself, but I can remember when hamburger was frowned upon in the ranch cookhouse. Years later, in drive-ups – or what we now call fast food joints – ground beef exploded.
More recently, the COVID-19 pandemic and current record-high beef prices have made ground beef over 50 percent of today’s beef carcass.
Millennials account for around 67 percent of the unit growth in ground beef today. This is not because they’re rediscovering burgers, though they are eating them. It’s because they are using ground beef across a wide range of cuisines and meal occasions.
The current popularity of all meat grinds and their convenience are the tip of the iceberg for broader trends in the meat industry. It seems experimentation is baked into Millennials’ and Gen Z’s relationship with food.
But even though many say they want to experiment with different types of meat and cuts, studies show poultry and ground beef remain the favorite choice, mainly because these individuals’ favorite meals involve meat but don’t revolve around it.
Studies show Millennials now account for a large part of meat buying, and their preferred meals are very different from older generations. According to the Power of Meat survey, 54 percent of Millennials love to try new types of protein, compared to 40 percent of Gen X and just 27 percent of Baby Boomers.
Furthermore, while 44 percent of Millennials said they were very interested in worldly meat products, just 23 percent of Boomers shared the same view.
Meat processors are aware of the changing definition of favorite meals, and what people cook at home is an opportunity for other proteins, cuts and value-added products. They realize younger consumers are no longer content cooking Italian food, rather, they want to cook regionally specific dishes, such as pea pesto tortellini with pancetta from Genoa.
As many know, older people are creatures of habit and tend to buy the same proteins and cuts of meat. We also realize the meat industry is not doing a good job of communicating cuts in a consumer language to make it accessible to everyone.
With labor prices rising and younger generations wanting vacuum-sealed, case-ready meat, supermarkets continue to lose consumers to supercenters and club stores.
In 2007, 72 percent of Americans considered supermarkets for their primary grocery needs, compared to 23 percent for supercenters and just three percent for club stores. Today, the supermarket share is down to 48 percent, and 34 percent of grocery shoppers shop at supercenters for groceries and club stores just up to five percent.
All grocery stores are aware of the need to reinvent their meat cases as they have to find ways to keep all ages coming back to purchase meat products, no matter their age. They are going to be more convenient, more educational and hopefully suit the customers’ needs.
GUEST OPINIONS
Family Business Matters: How to Cope with Succession Anxiety Disorder
Succession is notoriously difficult. Figuring out how and when to transition the ownership of farm and ranch assets takes having the knowledge of what you want to do, the right experts to help you do it and following through on your intentions.
Furthermore, handing the management of your business to the next generation takes confidence in their skills, clarity about your own future role and a willingness to let go.
In short, the transition is hard, and for many producers, a formal succession plan remains elusive and overwhelming.
I call the angst surrounding the succession process “Succession Anxiety Disorder.”
While contemplating this nownamed condition, I came across Chip Conley, an entrepreneur who works with people going through mid- and late-life transitions. Conley devel-
By Lance Woodbury
oped a set of 16 “Emotional Equations,” explained in his 2012 book of the same title, describing the cognitive processes our brains experience which create emotional responses.
I found two equations particularly relevant to the family business succession process.
Disappointment = expectations minus reality
When things don’t go well, when you are disappointed in the outcome of a situation, it is primarily due to the gap between what you expected to happen and what actually occurred.
Take the case of a younger family member returning to the farm. The senior generation suggests the younger generation member should return and he or she will “end up” with the farm. The younger member is excited and eager to come home.
In many cases, this is as far as the conversation goes. There is no discus-
sion about the timeline of the transition, the parents’ economic expectations for the change or how the financial terms will be settled with off-farm siblings.
The younger generation is expected to simply trust it will all work out.
In the absence of a specific plan, the younger generation begins to develop assumptions around how the handoff should work. Later, their expectations meet the reality of the parents, who may have developed a very different idea, plan or set of assumptions.
Worse, they may not even want to talk about the future or the details of their arrangement. They may not even have a plan.
The result is a tremendous amount of disappointment and often conflict between generations because of the gap in expectations by the younger generation and the
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From the Publisher Dennis Sun
BRIEFS
Bookmark and Beyond
Each year, to showcase their understanding and appreciation of Wyoming’s essential resources, second- through fifthgrade 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.
Lamb summit set
The 2025 American Lamb Summit is set to take place July 23-25 at the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho.
This year’s summit promises to be an enriching experience. It will feature presentations on the latest trends, management strategies and best practices in the lamb industry. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals who are passionate about promoting American lamb and enhancing the overall quality of our products.
“Whether you’re a seasoned producer or new to the industry, this event is designed for everyone involved in the lamb supply chain,” says American Lamb Board Chairman Jeff Ebert. “Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, share and grow together.”
The event will feature presentations, small group and panel discussions, a pasture walk and an American lamb barbecue.
Registration is $150, including meals and transport, and there is a discount for young entrepreneurs.
View the full agenda with registration and hotel accommodations at lambboard.com/lamb-summit
Safety tips given
Memorial Day weekend offers a great opportunity to enjoy Wyoming’s public lands with friends and family. As outdoor recreation increases, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is reminding visitors to help prevent human-caused wildfires which threaten lives, property and precious resources every year.
“Our firefighters across the state are working hard with our partners around the state to be prepared for fire season,” said Richard Putnam, BLM Wyoming acting state fire management officer. “With so many incredible places to explore in Wyoming, we ask everyone to stay vigilant and help prevent wildfires this holiday weekend and throughout the summer.”
Before heading outdoors, visitors are encouraged to check for local fire restrictions or public safety closures and take precautions to avoid starting a fire.
For the most up-to-date fire conditions and restrictions, visit BLM Wyoming’s web page at blm.gov/programs/fire/regional-info/wyoming/fire-restrictions
Disaster aid announced
On May 7, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins held the Inaugural Farmers First Roundtable at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Rollins hosted Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen, the Board of Directors for the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) and over 20 farmers and ranchers from 11 states who run smaller-scale, independent, family-owned operations.
After studying the needs and current state of the farm economy, Rollins will launch a plan later this month to ensure smaller-scale, family-owned farming operations are economically viable and those who want to start and keep their own farms for generations to come are able to.
The states are key stakeholders in supporting American agriculture and the group discussed ways USDA will work together with states and federal and private sector partners to put farmers first.
Alongside NASDA President Wes Ward, Rollins signed a memorandum of understanding to improve collaboration, coordination and to ensure partnerships.
Following several natural disasters which deeply impacted farms and ranches across the country, Rollins also announced plans to expedite $21 billion in disaster assistance.
Farmers receiving livestock relief for drought and wildfire can expect to receive payments as soon as the end of this month.
“While we aim to move all payments out expeditiously and to cut timelines where possible, it is important to note some elements of the Congressionally-appropriated assistance are more specific and labor intensive and were also not statutorily required, therefore will take a bit more time,” Rollins noted.
Gianforte signs bill
Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte recently signed into law a bill to ban the manufacturing and sale of lab-grown meat in Montana.
“If you’ve ever had the pleasure of enjoying a cut of Montana beef, you know there is no substitute,” Gianforte said. “By signing House Bill 401 into law, I am proud to defend our way of life and the hardworking Montana ranchers who produce the best beef in the world.”
Sponsored by Montana State Rep. Braxton Mitchell, House Bill 401 prohibits the manufacture for sale, sale or distribution of cell-cultured edible product. The bill defines cell-cultured edible product as “the concept of meat, including but not limited to muscle cells, fat cells, connective tissue, blood and other components produced via cell culture, rather than from a whole slaughtered animal.”
Starting Oct. 1, any retail food establishment in Montana which manufactures, sells or distributes cell-cultured edible product is subject to suspension of their license and could be found guilty of a misdemeanor and faced with fines and imprisonment if convicted.
Maps released
The Wyoming State Geological Survey (WSGS) has published updated geological maps of the Rawlins and Red Desert Basin quadrangles, providing critical new insights into the geology, natural resources and land-use potential across central southern Wyoming.
The mapped area extends east from Rock Springs to just beyond Rawlins and spans from the Killpecker Sand Dunes in the north to Miller Hill and Delaney Rim in the south.
These new maps incorporate the latest field data and updates based on high-resolution lidar imagery. Geologists focused particularly on the complex geology of the Rawlins and Rock Springs uplifts, as well as the Great Divide Basin, northern Atlantic Rim and parts of the Washakie Basin.
The region covered by these quadrangles is economically significant, containing uranium, hydrocarbon resources, coal and potential sites for CO2 sequestration.
The area is also a major transportation corridor, covering a large portion of U.S. Interstate 80, the railway corridor and part of U.S. Highway 287. The new geological maps will enable more effective resource exploration, geologic hazard mitigation and informed planning decisions, benefiting state and local governments, industry and the public.
Both maps are available through the WSGS website and include comprehensive supporting documentation for further research and decision-making purposes.
Fifth-grade finalist – Created by Grace Shrewsbury, fifth grade, Homeschool, Cheyenne, sponsored by WMS
Third-grade finalist – Created by Hadley Apland, third grade, Hulett School, Hulett, sponsored by the University of Wyoming
NEWS BRIEFS
USDA celebrates program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is celebrating 25 years of the agency’s popular Farm Storage Facility Loan Program this month.
For a quarter century, family-owned agricultural operations have received low-interest financing through the program to enhance or expand their operations and manage marketing of the commodities they produce by building or upgrading permanent and portable storage facilities and purchasing needed handling equipment.
Eligible commodities for storage loans include grains, oilseeds, peanuts, pulse crops, hay, hemp, honey, renewable biomass commodities, fruits and vegetables, floriculture, hops, seed cotton, wool, maple sap, maple syrup, milk, cheese, yogurt, butter, eggs, unprocessed meat and poultry, rye and aquaculture.
Most recently, controlled atmosphere storage was added as an eligible facility and bison meat has been also added to the list of eligible commodities.
Producers can contact their FSA County Office for more information and to make an appointment.
WIRED event set
Individuals interested in chute-side behavior or new herd management techniques should attend the Women in Ranching, Education and Development event. With exciting guest speakers, workshops tailored to hot topics in the industry and hands-on learning opportunities, WIRED is the perfect place for all females with a passion for beef cattle to gather together.
The Wyoming event will be held at the Laramie Research and Extension Center and is hosted by Noble Research Institute and Wyoming Collegiate Cattlewomen.
For more information, visit ancw.org/event-6034617
Registration closes on Aug. 5.
Tour scheduled
Each summer, the Wyoming Water Association partners with organizations around the state to provide members with unique, hands-on opportunities to learn about and tour water projects and sites in Wyoming.
This year’s tour is set for June 19-20 in conjunction with the Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts.
The tour will start in Buffalo and includes visits to the Tie Hack Dam, ditch systems diverting from Piney Creek, Tunnel Hill and Story Fish Hatchery and ending at Lake DeSmet.
A full itinerary and registration is available at wyomingwater.org. The Hampton Inn special rate ends on June 1.
USCA brings voices to D.C.
The U.S. Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) brought cattle producers from across the country to the nation’s capital for its 2025 D.C. Fly-In May 5-6, where focus was placed on trade, continued strength in the marketplace, animal identification, labeling and domestic herd health.
“America’s cattle producers are facing unprecedented challenges and opportunities. Through direct conversations in Washington, D.C., USCA members delivered a clear, unified message – we need policies that put producers first, protect the integrity of U.S. beef and guarantee our standards are not compromised,” USCA President Justin Tupper said. USCA members urged reforms to the Packers and Stockyards Act to improve price discovery and encourage fair competition among cattle producers; advocated for science-based, voluntary solutions to maintain the nation’s robust animal disease traceability system; urged the Department of Commerce and Customs and Border Protection to proactively place trade holds on beef imports from countries facing animal disease outbreaks and discussed the importance of truth in labeling.
For more information about USCA’s policy priorities and the 2025 D.C. Fly-In, visit uscattlemen.org/
Safety courses scheduled
The Tractor and Equipment Training Course will be held June 3-4 at the Legacy of the Plains Museum in Gering, Neb.
The safety course will also be held June 5 at the Dawes County Fairgrounds in Chadron, Neb.
Federal law prohibits youth under 16 years of age from using certain equipment on a farm unless their parents or legal guardians own the farm. However, certification received through the National Safe Tractor and Machinery Operation Program (NSTMOP) grants an exemption to the law, allowing 14- and 15-year-olds to drive a tractor and to do field work with certain mechanized equipment.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension and CSCASH collaborate to offer NSTMOP certification. Certification is earned by completing a two-day certification course, which includes a written test and a driving exam.
The cost of the course is $60 and includes educational materials, the online learning link, supplies, lunch and snacks at the in-person training. Payment should be made via credit card if registering online or via check if registering by mail.
To register, visit go.unmc.edu/tractor-safety-training
For more information, contact Kelsey Irvine at kepalm@ unmc.edu or 402-321-4236.
Conference held
Representatives of the entire U.S. red meat supply chain gathered in Fort Worth, Texas on May 21 as the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) opened its Spring Conference.
USMEF Chair Steve Hanson, a rancher, cattle feeder and grain farmer from southwestern Nebraska, welcomed members with an optimistic message, despite heightened uncertainty in the trade policy arena.
“While our industry is obviously facing many challenges, it’s also a very exciting time to be in the red meat business,” Hanson said. “Our products are better than ever, and international demand is outstanding. There are many factors we cannot control, so it is important to remain customer-focused and not lose sight of our mission, which is to expand the global footprint for U.S. pork, beef and lamb.”
The conference continued May 22-23 with guest speaker Dr. John Newton, executive head of Terrain, Jihae Yang, USMEF vice president for the Asia Pacific, Latin America Representative Homero Recio and Gerardo Rodriguez, regional director for Mexico, Central America and the Dominican Republic.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has announced a lower fee schedule for Chinese-built ships arriving in U.S. ports than anticipated, but the charges could still impact U.S. rice exports and those of other commodities.
The new schedule issued in a Federal Register notice on April 17 delays the fees for 180 days to Oct. 15, exempts ships which arrive at U.S. ports empty to pick up cargo such as grain and coal and varies the fees by tonnage or type of cargo.
But the revised structure could still mean higher costs for larger Chinese-owned or operated vessels or Chinese-built ships operated by non-U.S.-owned companies than the $1 million to $1.5 million fee proposed by the Office of the USTR’s Section 301 Committee in March.
Referring to a “phased fee on Chinese vessel operators and owners,” the April 17 Federal Register notice said, “The fee will be set at zero dollars for the first 180 days, then will be set at $50 per net ton of cargo on Oct. 14 and will increase by $30 per ton annually over the next three years, beginning on April 17 of each of those years.”
Fee update
This would mean a medium-sized Chinese vessel with a cargo capacity of 15,000 to 50,000 tons could be assessed fees of $750,000 to $2.5 million for a visit to a series of U.S. ports.
USTR said ships will not be charged for each entry to a U.S. port as was implied in the earlier announcement.
Container ships will be charged $18 per net ton beginning Oct. 14 with the fee increasing by five dollars per net ton in each of the next three years or $120 per container beginning Oct. 14 with the amount increasing to $153 on April 17, 2026; $195 on April 17, 2027 and $250 on April 17, 2028.
The fee can be charged up to five times per year
per vessel.
Vessels carrying foreign automobiles to the U.S. will be charged $150 per car equivalent unit. The fee apparently will not increase from this level under the current proposal.
The proposal also delays for three years a requirement U.S. vessels be used to transport a “certain percentage” of liquified natural gas (LNG) shipments from U.S. ports and allows other operators to ship LNG if they purchase a U.S.-built LNG vessel in this time period.
USTR began a Section 301 investigation after five unions representing workers involved in the shipbuilding industry filed a petition regarding the “acts, policies and practices of China to dominate the maritime, logistics and shipbuilding sectors” on March 12, 2024.
As a result of its investigation, USTR found China’s targeting of the maritime, logistics and shipbuilding sectors for dominance is unreasonable and burdens or restricts U.S. commerce and is actionable under Sections 301b and 304a of the U.S. Trade Act.
“In particular, USTR determined China’s targeting of the sectors is unreasonable because it displaces foreign firms, deprives market-oriented businesses and their workers of commercial opportunities, lessens competition and created dependencies on China, increasing risk and reducing supply chain resilience.”
World export markets
Commodity organizations whose members rely heavily on exports said – no matter how well-intentioned – the USTR’s proposed port fees fly in the race of the realities of the world export markets.
“USTR cannot turn back time and make vessels built in China disappear,” USA Rice said in its Rice Daily e-newsletter. “They are now an integral part of global shipping, especially for agricultural commodi-
ties like rice. Realistic solutions need to take this into account.”
“The problem of subsidy-driven overcapacity should have been addressed sooner, before a critical American industry was brought to its knees. Perhaps the Trump administration should keep this lesson in mind as the American rice industry continues its calls for action on subsidy-driven overcapacity in India,” USA Rice continued.
Trade groups representing importers and exporters said the newly proposed fees will continue to force shippers to charge more and will lead to ships being routed away from U.S. ports.
These proposals are “better, but not necessarily good enough,” the Agriculture Transportation Coalition’s Peter Friedmann said, adding that shipping soybeans and almonds via container ships will cost more.
“When ocean carriers raise rates, American families will pay the price through higher costs and growing product shortages,” said Nate Herman
with the American Apparel and Footwear Association.
“Penalizing, shippers for not using American-flagged or built vessels when they cost five times more and are in limited supply is counterproductive.”
Port redirection
BBC News is reporting the Trump administration’s tariffs are already resulting in more ships being directed to ports in the United Kingdom (UK) and the European Union (EU) where tariff duties remain unchanged.
WEDNESDAY,
The U.S. tariffs have caused “significant build ups” of ships in the EU and “significant congestion” at UK ports, according to Marco Forgione, director general of the Chartered Institute of Export and International Trade.
“We’ve seen a lot of diversion of ships from China, ships that were due to head to the U.S. coming to the UK and into the EU,” he said, noting in the first three months of 2025 Chinese imports to the UK
have increased by 15 percent and into the EU by about 12 percent. For its part, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said the fees will raise prices for American consumers and “will not revitalize the U.S. shipbuilding industry.”
Forrest Laws spent 10 years with The Memphis Press-Scimitar before joining Delta Farm Press in 1980. This article was originally published by Delta Farm Press on May 8.
SPECIAL
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Expert offers tips to spot garden pests and stop damage to tomatoes and other crops
Homegrown tomato lovers, beware. A sneaky pest may be lurking in the garden, which could be why fruit turns tough, blemished or completely inedible.
Leaf-footed bugs are appearing in gardens, and they’re especially drawn to tomatoes.
Molly Keck, Texas
A&M AgriLife Extension Service integrated pest management specialist, said now is the time for gardeners to closely watch for leaffooted bugs because catching them before adulthood is vital for preventing damage.
She shared simple strategies to stop pests before they ruin crops.
What to look for in various stages
Leaf-footed bugs are named for their flattened, leaf-like extensions on their back legs.
Adults are dark brown, about three-quarters of an inch long, with a white to yellowish stripe across their back and fully-developed wings. And like stink bugs, which they are sometimes confused for, mature leaffooted bugs emit an odor when handled.
Immature nymphs look quite different. They are much smaller, with red or orange and black bodies and black legs. They typically
group in clusters on plants and move like spiders.
Keck said while the pest is particularly drawn to tomatoes, they also feed on cucumbers and prickly pear cactus. As they feed, their sharp, sucking mouthparts pierce the fruit.
“They pierce the fruit, leaving yellow, bleachedlooking marks with hardened skin around it or it will make a rotten spot,” she said. “It makes the tomato not palatable.”
When to look for leaf-footed bugs
Leaf-footed bugs typically appear when tomato
plants begin to bloom. This is when Keck recommends paying even closer attention.
“The trick is to catch them when they’re immature,” she said. “You prevent more damage by catching them before they become adults and stop the next generation.”
Keck prefers a handson approach to managing leaf-footed bugs, including pouring rubbing alcohol into a baking sheet, holding the tray below the nymph’s cluster, flicking or shaking the tomato plant to make the bugs fall into the tray and squashing any bugs
that held on to the plant or missed the tray.
To eliminate nymphs in particular, some gardeners use a hand vacuum or simply squash them. Nymphs are easier to remove than adults, which can fly away.
Keck said these pests can become adults in just five to eight weeks, so early timing is important.
Vigilance in the garden
Regular walks in the garden are one of the best
defenses against the pest.
Keck suggests spending a little time each day looking under leaves, around stems and in other tucked-away places of each plant’s canopy.
“It’s just good to have a regular scouting regimen,” she said. “In a small garden, this might mean a good look every day. Those who have larger gardens should break up their scouting into sections of different plants each day.”
The pest can also hide in
tall grass or weeds near the garden. To prevent this risk, keep the area clear of potential hiding spots.
“If you are working hard for tomatoes, watch out for leaf-footed bugs,” Keck said. “It’s worth your time to protect your plants.”
Adam Russell is a communications specialist for Texas A&M AgriLife. This article was originally published by AgriLifeToday on May 5.
Nuisance in the garden – Adult leaf-footed bugs begin showing up in home gardens as tomatoes and other plants flower. Both adults and nymphs can damage fruit. Texas A&M AgriLife photo by Michael Miller
Pest prevention – Catch leaf-footed bugs at the nymph stage to reduce damage to fruit and the chance of a larger infestation. Herman Auer photo
BY RON RABOU
The blame game – it’s everywhere these days. Thiry years ago, I would have never imagined a world so full of so many people who are unwilling to take responsibility for their own actions or inactions.
Furthermore, I would never have imagined a world where so many things seem to always be someone else’s fault.
Deflect the blame. That seems to be the game. In fact, it’s become so much of the norm, I’ve begun to address it in many of my seminars and writings, including in my last book, “Make Your OWN Way.”
Can you believe I once had someone blame me for “costing them several hundred thousand dollars?” Of course, they didn’t tell me that, just everyone else in the community. And now,
somehow, I’m a horrible person in their eyes.
What this person was referring to was my offer on a piece of real estate on the open market, because the seller chose not to take this person’s original offer on a first right of refusal which was for less than one-half of what the seller was asking for the property.
As a result, if this person wanted the property, they would have to at least match my offer. Now it’s my fault, I see.
If you’re breathing, I’d be certain you’ve had similar experiences as well. I can’t help but ask myself why the world seems to be so full of excuse-makers and blame-pushers.
In the world I grew up in, one didn’t blame others for their mistakes. And what’s more, even when
others might actually be to blame, you accepted at least mutual responsibility, even when it was clearly not your mistake. You embraced each situation with moral courage, a strong sense of responsibility and acted in all circumstances with decency and respect.
Unfortunately for many today, I find this to be quite contrary.
What’s happened to cause our society to move in such a direction?
Is it because parents aren’t holding their own children accountable because the repercussions might be painful? Is it because our teachers have been mandated to “leave no child behind,” despite their lack of understanding or competency in a subject matter?
Is it because employers are scared to fire toxic, lazy or non-performing employees because of the fear of retribution related to false claims of racism or discrimination?
Is it because the world has taught us doing what feels good is more important than doing what is right?
Is it because when we disagree or are intimidated by others, we stir up trouble
on social media, but do so anonymously? Is it because we are so addicted to what everyone else is doing on social media, we forget to take care of our own “side of the fence?”
Is it because society has become so infatuated with who has more or who makes more, we have neglected to realize our egos and our desire for power are shaping our lives more than ever?
And has this infatuation twisted our minds so perversely we have forgotten the priorities and importance of meaningful relationships which are the foundation of thriving homes, schools and communities?
Is it because we spend more time talking and gloating than we do listening and understanding? Is it because we spend more time planning for vacations and retirement than we do living in the present?
Is it because our desires lie more in building our balance sheets than they do in
making a positive impact on the lives of others? Is it because we have forgotten, in all our busyness and selfishness, the biggest gift to mankind came from a servant leader who sacrificed his life so we could all be forgiven of our iniquities?
Honestly, it’s probably at least a portion of all of the above.
It’s true. None of us are perfect, and there aren’t any of us who aren’t guilty of blaming others or deflecting blame away from ourselves.
Our failure as a society doesn’t rest in the fact none of us are blameless. Our failure as a society rests in the fact we fail to recognize and admit when we are to blame.
It’s okay to make mistakes. This is not the issue. The issue is owning up to it when we do. The issue is recognizing the fact our own ideas might not actually be the best ones, our own competence just might not be enough and our own actions
might not always accurately reflect who we are or who we want to be. We should all strive to gain enough emotional intelligence so we can recognize the world does not – and should not – revolve around us and all of our perceived “greatness.”
Beyond recognizing none of us are blameless, the way we can step away from the blame game is to set our eyes upon the greater good. This means taking our eyes off of ourselves and our own selfish wants and demands.
Our focus should be to help find solutions through listening, understanding and cooperation. And this, I am sure, is something we can ALL do.
Ron Rabou is president of Rabou Farms, Inc. in southeastern Wyoming, a nationally known author and speaker and co-host of the nationally-syndicated podcast AgInspo. For more information, visit raboufarms.com
long-term success.
“It’s off to a great start already,” he says. “My goal at this point in time is help provide insights and resources to help evolve the program. Hopefully we’re going to be turning around great students who can be employed in Wyoming businesses, including Wyoming ranches.”
Raised in Riverton, Stark himself is a homegrown success story. He currently resides just outside
of Shawnee and remains an ardent UW supporter, devoting time, expertise and funds to further his alma mater’s mission.
In addition to his pivotal role in launching the RMAL Program, Stark has established multiple student scholarships and serves on the CALSNR Dean’s Advisory Board. He is also chair of the UW Foundation Board of Directors.
In recognition of his per-
sonal achievements and continued engagement with the university, Stark received an Outstanding Alumni Award from UW in 2013. In 2022, he received UW’s Distinguished Alumni Award.
Brooke Ortel is a writer and editor for UW Extension and can be reached at bortel@uwyo.edu. This article was originally published in UW Ag News on May 14.
By Paul Dykstra
CAB Market Update
Federally-inspected cattle harvest totaled 566,000, an increase of 7,000 head on the prior week but 31,000 head smaller than a year ago.
Steer carcass weights pulled back eight pounds in a week to average 938 pounds. Comparatively, this 15-pound increase over the same week a year ago remains significantly wide, but this is the smallest margin seen in 2025.
The year-to-date average steer carcass increase over 2024 is 29 pounds.
Prices continue higher
Cash fed cattle prices continued higher last week with Iowa and Nebraska leading the charge within the five-area trading region.
Those northern states
constitute most of the negotiated trade volume with packer demand pushing prices up to the high of the report at $231 per hundredweight (cwt) but averaging $228 per cwt for the week. Thin volume of negotiated trade in Texas and Kansas set those markets at $219 to $220 per cwt.
Live cattle futures continue to ignore the strength in spot cash trade with a sharp downside correction on May 14, extending into May 15 and pulling five dollars per cwt off of the June contract in a hurry. This, despite the preceding weekend’s news the U.S. border would close again to Mexican cattle imports due to New World screwworm concerns.
The June contract traded at a $14 per cwt discount to the cash, a basis level about three dollars per cwt wider than is historically typical.
Carcass cutout values advanced strongly during the week of May 12, adding to the already steep upward pattern that’s been almost unshaken since early March.
Urner Barry’s weekly average quote for the Certified Angus Beef (CAB) brand carcass was $361.30 per cwt, up 12.7 percent from early March.
Carcass price spreads across the quality spectrum narrowed last week as net wholesale price levels began to consolidate from U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Select on up. As well, weakening rib primal valuation pressured quality spreads further.
The loin primal is the source of most recent price inflation as end-users continue to seek premium quality steak items for Memorial Day and spring grilling, while pivoting away from the pricier ribeyes in the small volume
spot market trade.
Onward with quality
It’s been a quality-rich season in the fed cattle business, as added days on feed and heavier weights continue to push quality grades higher. The last confirmed steer carcass weights indicate a sharp single-week pullback of eight pounds, pulling the year-over-year increase for the week down to just 15 pounds compared to the 29-pound average year-to-date.
The more updated formula, grid and forward contract weight information indicates a quick reversal back to heavier weights.
The historic annual trend of the lightest carcass weights being posted in early May has been replaced with a trend pushing the annual lows out into midJune.
On a more regional basis, the heaviest weights are in the already high-quality carcass state of Nebraska with the latest steer and heifer carcass weights at a 938-pound average, followed in a distant second by Iowa cattle at 919 pounds each.
This has held the Nebraska Prime grade share up to 15 percent in the latest data, while the national average surged to 13 percent Prime. This extends the streak to nine weeks in a row with USDA Prime outpacing USDA Select in the total carcass count.
CAB-certified carcass counts are underpinned by the grade trend and expansion of the allowable ribeye size up to 17 square inches. Neither factor is solely responsible for the noted uptick in the percentage of Angus-type carcasses certified, as both factors have made measurable impacts since the beginning of March.
Setting aside the detailed analysis, the CAB capture rate for Angus-eligible carcasses has been above 40 percent for the last nine weeks. This is quite the contrast to acceptance rates 20 years ago, when the annual average CAB acceptance rate bottomed at 14 percent.
Even though the increasing share of CAB carcasses as a percent of all fed steers and heifers continues forward, premiums remain strong for the brand’s car-
casses. Granted, smaller weekly harvest levels have kept net branded carcasses on either side of last year’s weekly supply, but mostly below for most weeks so far this year.
However, the CAB cutout compared to USDA Choice has been wider this year than last.
The chart depicts CAB cutout premiums advancing nicely into the modern era with the past five-plus years posting a premium range averaging near 17 cents per pound. These gains have come simultaneously as the brand’s share of the fed steer and heifer supply has grown to 24 percent in 2025.
USDA reports the CAB grid premium has increased to average $5.21 per cwt in the last two weeks, as pressure from smaller harvest levels pulled certified head counts lower. The top of the CAB grid premium range is posted at $11 per cwt, no doubt on a grid structure featuring a minimum threshold CAB percentage.
Paul Dykstra is the director of supply management and analysis at CAB. He can be reached at pdykstra@certifiedangusbeef.com.
reality of the parents’ strategy.
Anxiety = uncertainty x powerlessness
In this equation, not knowing what the future holds is multiplied by an inability to do anything about it.
Conley suggests these two concepts should be multiplied, because the resulting anxiety is bigger than either uncertainty or powerlessness alone.
Family members who experience anxiety might develop severe conflicts with those with whom they work or live. They may shock the family with an addiction or mental breakdown or initiate destructive behaviors toward themselves or others.
These behaviors may, in part, stem from stress caused by uncertainty or mixed signals around how or when their transition into – or out of – ownership or management will occur. A lack of clarity or unrealistic expectations about what role they will play may also exist.
Multiply this uncertainty with an inability – real or perceived – to influence or control the transition timing, strategy or outcome.
Young or old, they feel totally helpless, maybe even trapped in the family business as it stands today.
Taken together, Conley’s two equations shed light on why succession may be difficult. The gap between expectations and reality in transitions and the uncertainty and sense of powerlessness during the process foster anxiety in the family.
If your family can recognize and discuss Succession Anxiety Disorder, you’ll be better at alleviating the condition.
Lance Woodbury is a DTN farm business advisor and can be reached at lance.woodbury@pinionglobal. com. This opinion column was originally published in Progressive Farmer on April 15.
changes to multiple federal programs and educational policies.
Now, the bill will advance to the Senate where it is expected to undergo further debate and revisions. Republican leaders are then hoping to pass the bill via budget reconciliation by July 4 to avoid a filibuster and raise the debt limit by August.
“This is a big day,” said U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson during a press conference held on May 22 after the vote. “We said it on the House floor, – it’s finally morning in America again.”
“Today, the House has passed a generational, truly nation-shaping legislation to reduce spending and permanently lower taxes for families and job creators, secure the border and unleash American energy dominance, restore peace through strength and make government work more efficiently and effectively for all Americans,” he added.
In a celebratory post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “This is arguably the most significant piece of legislation that will ever be signed in the history of our country. Great job to Johnson and House leadership, and thank you to every Republican who voted ‘yes’ on this historic bill.”
Bill provisions
According to a May 20 ABC News article, some highlights of the bill include making tax cuts from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permanent and introducing new tax breaks, including eliminating taxes on tips and increasing the child tax credit to $2,500.
The bill also proposes a higher cap on state and local tax, which would allegedly benefit residents of high-tax states.
In regards to education reform, sources note the bill would increase eligibility requirements for Pell Grants, introduce Workforce Pell Grants for trade school students, halt Federal Direct subsidized loans for undergraduates and eliminate the Department of Education’s ability to regulate based on gainful employment.
ABC News points out the bill makes big changes to Medicaid as well, imposing new work requirements for 19- to 64-year-old ablebodied recipients who don’t have dependents.
It would also require states to conduct eligibility redeterminations at least every six months for all Medicaid recipients and remove undocumented migrants from eligibility, as well as increase copays for recipients who make more than the federal poverty limit and increase required paperwork for income and residency verification.
“Under the bill’s current text, these work requirements don’t kick in until
2029, when Trump leaves office. But, House Republican hardliners are looking at moving the date up to 2026-27 in their negotiations with leadership,” ABC News says.
Another big provision in the bill pertains to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). According to ABC News, the bill would tighten eligibility requirements, demanding those aged 55 to 64 and all children to face additional work requirements to qualify for SNAP benefits.
Currently 100 percent federally funded, the bill would also require states to share in at least five percent of SNAP benefit costs beginning in 2028.
“Changes could have indirect impacts on school lunch programs, require some previously eligible families to apply for access and impact federal reimbursement payments for some school districts,” ABC News reports.
An additional highlight of Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill is $50 billion to revive construction along the U.S. and Mexico border and to make sweeping changes to immigration policy.
ABC News notes the bill includes $4 billion to hire 3,000 additional Border Patrol agents and 5,000 customs officers, as well as $2.1 billion for signing and retention bonuses and funds for 100,000 more Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and investigators.
Ag impacts
According to DTN Ag Policy Editor Chris Clayton, for agriculture producers specifically, the bill would improve the safety net outlined in the 2018 Farm Bill, offer better reference prices and broader protection under commodity and insurance programs and increase the payment limit for farm programs.
Specifically, Clayton reports the bill would increase reference prices for the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) program in line with the farm bill package passed out of the committee last year, which includes $4.10 per bushel for corn, $10 per bushel for soybeans, $6.35 per bushel for wheat, 42 cents per pound for cottonseed, $16.90 per hundredweight for rice and $4.40 per bushel for grain sorghum.
per bushel for soybeans, 55 cents per pound for upland cotton and $3.72 per bushel for wheat.
“Producers would also see payment limits increase under the bill from $125,000 per individual or entity to $155,000, starting with the current 2025 crop year,” Clayton notes. “The adjusted gross income limit for producers would remain at $900,000 – except for individuals or legal entities which demonstrate at least 75 percent of their income is derived from farming, ranching or silviculture.”
“For base acres, the bill creates a mechanism to add 30 million base acres, reflecting large tracts of farmland have gone into production, but those acres have been excluded from commodity programs,” he continues. “Eligibility to enroll those acres will be limited based on planted acres and an allocation formula the U.S. Department of Agriculture will use to spread out enrollment.”
For the dairy industry, Clayton says the bill would improve Dairy Margin Coverage protection from five million pounds to six million pounds.
While several industry groups have praised the bill for addressing much needed reform and funding priorities, they have also voiced concern.
Both the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) admitted the bill addresses several of their priorities.
“Cattle farmers and ranchers need Congress
to invest in cattle health, strengthen our resources against foreign animal disease, support producers recovering from disasters or depredation and pass tax relief to protect family farms and ranches for future generations,” says NCBA President and Nebraska Cattleman Buck Wehrbein in a May 22 press release. “Thankfully, this reconciliation bill includes all of these key priorities. NCBA was proud to help pass this bill in the House, and we will continue pushing for these key policies until the bill is signed into law.”
NCGA, however, also voiced concern about the imbalance of investment across various commodities and the potential impact of changes made to the PLC program.
Likewise, National Farmers Union President Rob Larew says he appreciates plans to improve the safety net and maintain conservation programs, but criticized the process that led to cutting SNAP.
“Pitting farm and nutrition priorities against one another creates unnecessary division and weakens the broader effort,” Larew says. “A strong farm bill, however it comes together, must reflect the full scope of challenges facing agriculture and rural communities, and it must work for everyone it touches – farmers, ranchers and families across the country.”
Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
Reclamation awarded
The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is pleased to award the 2025 Excellence in Mining Reclamation Award for coal to the Buckskin Mine.
Buckskin Mine is operated by Buckskin Mining Company. The mine permit area encompasses 9,160 acres and is located in Campbell County north of Gillette.
Buckskin Mine is recognized for their work on a 50-acre parcel reclaimed for big sagebrush shrubland habitat. The area was first drill seeded using a barley cover crop to stabilize the soil and prevent weed establishment. A native shrub seed mix was later drilled and broadcast-seeded into the barley. The shrub seeds were locally sourced, adding an advantage of local adaptations of the parent plants, improving their germination and success rates.
Buckskin Mine estimates the reclamation project resulted in the establishment of 500,000 shrubs to provide a diverse habitat for mule deer, pronghorn, sharp-tailed grouse and other native species.
The successful reclamation led to DEQ’s Land Quality Division approving Phase Three bond release of the area in 2024.
Brady Rivenes, environmental coordinator for the Buckskin Mine, said they were very honored to be selected for the 2025 DEQ Excellence in Mining Reclamation Award, stating, “This award demonstrates our efforts in producing quality reclamation for postmining land use.”
Lummis introduces bill
Senate Western Caucus Chair Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) led her colleagues in introducing the Forest Protection and Wildland Firefighter Safety Act of 2025, aimed at safeguarding firefighters, communities and property in Wyoming and across the West from the destructive impacts of wildfires.
Sens. John Barrasso (R-WY), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Jim Risch (R-ID), Steve Daines (R-MT) and Tim Sheehy (R-MT) are original cosponsors. Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) also introduced a companion bill in the House of Representatives.
For Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC), the ARC guarantee would increase from 86 to 90 percent of benchmark revenue and the maximum payment rate for the ARC County Program and ARC Individual Program would increase from 10 percent to 12.5 percent of benchmark revenue.
The legislation ensures federal, state, local and Tribal firefighting agencies can continue using fire retardant to combat wildfires without being hindered by permitting delays.
If the injunction is granted and fire retardant is not available for use in 2025, firefighters and individuals living in forested areas would be in greater danger and billions of dollars of infrastructure would be at risk.
The bill would also raise loan rates for nonrecourse marketing loans to producers. For corn, the new loan rate would be $2.42 per bushel, $6.82
CORNER CROSSING
for the future of recreation, hunting and land stewardship,” stated Dan McCoy, director of the University of Wyoming’s Jay Kemmerer Wyoming Outdoor Recreation, Tourism and Hospitality Institute, to kick off the panel.
Unlawful Inclosures
of Public Lands Act
To begin, Semerad reiterated the decision made in the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals under the Unlawful Inclosures of Public Lands Act, which was enacted in 1885.
“This federal statute trumps any contrary state law, statute, regulation or court decision, and it says private landowners in the checkerboard of Wyoming, as well as other private landowners in the state, cannot use legal means including trespass actions to enclose interior public lands. There has to be a method of access,” he stated.
Magagna noted, from his perspective, the Elk Mountain
court case “made it clear” the Unlawful Inclosures of Public Lands Act puts limitations of private property rights and leaves airspace unprotected.
“It was made clear, in this case, the decision applies in the 10th Circuit Court. It’s not intended to be a national decision, as I read it,” he said.
“But we will be looking to make sure the right parameters surround it because it opened a little door that we don’t want to keep getting pushed open further.”
Magagna added, “I would agree the Unlawful Inclosures of Public Lands Act applies to all public lands, but as I read the court’s decision, I found it more specifically directed to checkerboard lands. So to decide how it may apply to lands in northeast Wyoming, for example, could, in my view, require different litigation.”
Semerad disagreed, noting he believes the act does apply to public lands outside of the checkerboard and at a
national level.
He also reminded those in the audience about the limitations surrounding the 10th Circuit Court’s decision.
“It doesn’t mean you can go jump on your side-byside or your four-wheeler and have at it. It doesn’t mean you get to go on private property without permission or consent,” he said. “What it means is youʼre have reasonable access – a step from one section to the next – so long as you are situated appropriately, you know where the monument marker is, you know where you’re going, you know your cardinal directions and you have respect.”
Semerad also noted corner crossing should only be used when there is not an alternative path of access.
Challenges and concerns
In addition to worrying about private property rights, Magagna mentioned a few other concerns plaguing Wyoming landowners.
The first issue he men-
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tioned, for both sides of the coin, is point of access. He noted surveys indicating where an actual corner is –and the resulting monument markers – were done so many years ago, “they wouldn’t necessarily be accurate.”
He also said, “It’s pretty clear landowners can’t deny access to checkerboard lands, but does this mean they have to allow crossing at every corner? If I wanted to identify
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one of four corners to control as the access point, do I have the liberty to do this? Or if I want to designate a path through the middle of my private land, in lieu of granting access across a corner, can I do that?”
In response, Semerad stated, “Monument markers are legally perfect. Wherever they are, that is the corner, even if it’s not. The law says the corner is perfect, so where it was monumented, that is in fact where it is.”
“The bigger question is when the monument marker is missing, what do we do?” he continued. “It’s a question of proof, because both ways individuals need to know where they are as a land user. It’s their obligation.”
Collaboration
Despite their differing views, Magagna and Semerad agreed the best way to approach this contentious topic is through respect and collaboration.
“Put the legal side of this aside for a moment,” Magagna said. “The real answer to all of this, to me and to many of the people I represent, is the relationships we build in Wyoming between private landowners and the recreation and outdoor community, particularly sportsmen, hunters and fisherman.”
plaints about damage caused by individuals after they are given access, whether it is to grazing lands or people not respecting boundaries and “stretching their activities back on to private lands.”
While Magagna admitted not all landowners are going to be pleasant to work with, recreationalists should still exercise the courtesy of communicating with the landowner whose land they will cross.
“Cooperation and collaboration takes both sides, and I think, in my own personal experience, the recreation community in Wyoming has been good to work with, although there are always some exceptions,” he shared. “But with so many people coming into Wyoming from elsewhere, I think our opportunity and duty as citizens of this great state is to make outsiders aware of how we do business in Wyoming – through collaboration and cooperation, not through litigation, except in extreme cases when it is necessary.”
Semerad agreed, stating, “I wholeheartedly agree with Jim about cooperation. We need to remember to regain and foster a culture of cooperation when it comes to our public lands. This is how it is going to work moving forward.”
1
He noted, in his position with WSGA and being a landowner himself, he has had numerous conversations with other landowners, including those in the checkerboard, who happily grant recreationalists access to public lands and even offer suggestions on where they should go.
However, he has also received countless com-
As of printing of this story, Eshelmanʼs legal team has until June 16 to appeal the March decision. They have asked for a 30-day extension to file a petition seeking the Supreme Court review the case.
Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
Fostering collaboration – During the 2025 Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Summit, held May 1-2 at the Marian H. Rochelle Gateway Center in Laramie, a corner crossing panel discussion determined collaboration between landowners and recreationalists is key. Pictured from left to right are Wyoming Stock Growers Association Executive Vice President Jim Magagna, Attorney Ryan Semerad and Jay Kemmerer Wyoming Outdoor Recreation, Tourism and Hospitality Institute Director Dan McCoy. WYLR photo
To get every broodmare safely in foal, it pays to start preparing both mares and stallions well ahead of the breeding season. This includes an assessment of health, nutrition, body condition and breeding soundness.
By addressing problems early enough, there is a greater chance to correct them.
Teeth should be checked to make sure there are no dental problems.
Regular foot care is important, especially paying close attention to any lameness and soundness issues.
If a mare struggles with pain from laminitis, navicular syndrome or other leg and foot injury issues, she may not breed successfully, and lameness problems are likely to get worse when she gains weight during late gestation.
Jean Simmons of Rockin J Bar S Ranch in Phoenix, Ariz. has been breeding American Paint Horses for more than 40 years. She started with Quarter Horses when she was 18, then began breeding paints when they started to become popular.
“It was a good change for me. I was a female trainer who was already breeding horses and handling stallions. I had a hard time showing my Quarter Horses because we had some of the best trainers and the largest circuit shows in the nation here in Arizona,” Simmons says.
“All of these big-name trainers were here, and as a woman trainer trying to compete with them, I realized I had to do something different,” she continues. “I got my foot in the door with this new breed and had a way to make a name for myself.”
Readying mares
Throughout her journey, Simmons has accumulated experience in equine reproduction.
When it comes to readying mares for the breeding season, she notes a mare’s history should be taken into consideration to ensure the best chance of conception.
If the mare was recently retired from an athletic career, she will need adequate “let-down” time to grow accustomed to her lifestyle change.
Factors that could compromise reproductive ability of these mares include athletic injury or drug therapy. If the mare has had anabolic steroids, for instance, it could hinder reproductive performance.
Simmons recommends giving mares several months to get these drugs out of their system before trying to breed.
Additionally, older mares may have fertility problems due to infections from previous foaling or degenerative changes in their reproductive tract. The older the mare and the more foals she has had, the greater the chance for problems.
Simmons says older mares should be carefully monitored and managed to
optimize their chances for a successful pregnancy. They may also need hormone therapy to keep them in foal.
Successful breeding goes hand in hand with understanding reproductive cycles, and Simmons urges those involved in the breeding process to track each mare’s cycle and understand their patterns.
“Those who pay attention to their mares are ahead of the game,” she says.
She also notes many of the mares she deals with are artificially inseminated with shipped semen, which is not cheap.
“I tell my clients we only want to do one shipment. This is the goal. We don’t want to have to do it again, so I want the mare ready,” she says. “We usually do a culture and a biopsy if she’s had issues to make sure she’s clean before we breed her. If she’s not, we treat her and get her cleaned up for at least one heat cycle before she gets inseminated.”
“I don’t breed very many shipped semen horses until March and April because the early heats in a lot of mares are transitional and not as fertile,” adds Simmons. “They have a longer, abnormal heat and may not ovulate properly.”
Simmons reiterates, if the mare is to be bred to one of the stallions she’s standing and has a good follicle, she might go ahead and collect the stallion to breed the mare, but if it’s a mare that’s to be bred with shipped semen, she passes her by until she has a better heat cycle later on.
“If the mare isn’t perfect, I won’t call for the semen,” she states. “If she still has a winter hair coat and is not cycling, don’t bring her to me. If she is not shedding her winter hair coat, she’s not cycling. Leave her home and save some money on mare care and breeding expenses. I don’t want to waste time and money on the ones that are not ready to be bred.”
“When you see her in heat, log it into her record and bring her in about two weeks later. When every thing is just right, we will call for semen,” she adds.
Simmons also makes sure all mares have their rhino vaccinations ahead of breeding and during preg nancy. She notes vaccina tions are now given at three, five, seven and nine months for pregnant mares, instead of waiting five months, as previously recommended.
“I have too much horse traffic here to take any chances. I show horses dur ing the off season and have mares coming in and out every day during breeding season. We started being very aggressive on vacci nating because some peo ple have called and said their mare isn’t pregnant anymore. They don’t even make it to five months,” shares Simmons. “We rec ommend starting the vacci nations at three months post
conception, and so far, all of those mares stay pregnant. It takes too much effort to get mares in foal, so I want to keep them in foal.”
Simmons also notes many of her customers show and compete, and there’s always risk for bringing home a virus. She recommends keeping all horses vaccinated because there are more cases of rhino now all around the country.
Preparing stallions
Likewise, stallions need to be prepared for breeding.
Most young stallions that begin a breeding career have already proven themselves in a show or performance career. If the young horse has done well showing at two and three years of age, for instance, he may begin breeding mares as a four-year-old.
Before starting the breeding season, he will need training on how to behave when breeding a mare, being controlled by his handler or how to mount the dummy or phantom for semen collection.
Additionally, a semen evaluation should be done.
Stallions which have been trained should have a clean-out collection prior to breeding mares.
Simmons notes she puts her open mares and stallions under lights on Dec. 1 to get stallions motivated for breeding season and stimulating mares to cycle earlier. She has also found the use of lights seems to help stallion libido and sperm counts.
Simmons also begins feeding stallions supplements in December, about 60 days before breeding season starts.
“We start increasing their grain ration, and some of them get a supplement
called Magnitude which is high in omega fatty acids,” she says. “This seems to boost sperm counts and motility. Stallions need vitamin E and lots of omega-3 fatty acids. We’ve had some fertility issues with a few stallions, but when we put them on these supplements it made a big difference.”
Simmons says she does everything she can to optimize stallion fertility, especially if it’s a horse she’ll be shipping semen from.
“It needs to be really good semen. If it won’t last at least 72 hours, I’m not going to ship it,” she admits. “I test my stallions to make sure their semen will ship. We do a couple trial runs with each of them around the end of January just to see what their semen is looking like – even though we won’t
ship any semen until Feb. 10 and see what we might need to correct. We always test different extenders to see which extender is the right one for each stallion.”
for the
Roundup.
on this article to roundup@ wylr.net.
Heather Smith Thomas is a corresponding writer
Wyoming Livestock
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Pregnancy ultrasound – Powder River Veterinary Hospital’s Dr. Candice Carden ultrasounds a pregnant mare. Courtesy photo
Successful breeding season – This cute paint foal is the product of a successful breeding season at Jean Simmons’ Rockin J Bar S Ranch in Phoenix, Ariz. Courtesy photo
Roeder notes the importance of avoiding overcrowded conditions, which can cause caprine arthritis encephalitis, ovine progressive pneumonia and ovine Johne’s disease, while also ensuring adequate ventilation, since poor ventilation can result in pneumonia. All of these things, according to Roeder, drain an operation’s long-term profits.
Experts agree it is also important to have essential supplies on hand. This includes gloves and OB sleeves, lubricants, a seven percent iodine solution, clean towels, umbilical tape or clamps and oral calcium and magnesium supplements, to name a few.
Administering CD/T vaccines to ewes a month before their expected due date has been shown to boost immunity of dams and their offspring.
According to Iowa State University Small Ruminant Extension and Outreach Specialist Carolyn Ihde, producers should also learn or refresh their knowledge on the three phases of parturition.
She explains phase one is known as pre-labor and includes dilation of the cer-
vix and the onset of uterine contractions. This phase can last between 12 to 24 hours, and the ewe or doe may isolate from the flock, become restless, frequently lay down or get up, urinate or defecate often, paw at the ground, build a nest and have a warm udder.
Phase two is active labor, in which a water bag will appear, followed by a lamb or kid.
Normal presentation includes the two front feet forward with the head resting on top. Assistance may be needed for unnatural presentation or if no progress is made after 30 minutes of strenuous pushing, Ihde notes.
“Phase three, post labor, is the final phase, during which the fetal membranes and placenta are delivered, typically a few hours after the lamb or kid is born,” Ihde says. “After the lamb or kid is born, the dam will clean the offspring and encourage them to stand and nurse.”
Healthy beginnings
On this note, experts agree ingesting colostrum shortly after birth is one of the most important factors to an animal’s long-term success.
“Newborn lambs and kids can be exposed to unfamiliar bacteria and pathogens, putting health and future performance at risk,” reads an article published by Purina Animal Nutrition. “Nearly 20 percent of lambs die before weaning, with 80 percent of those losses occurring during the first 10 days of life. Research on kid pre-weaning mortality rates shows similar trends.”
Colostrum, however, is essential for equipping newborns with antibodies needed to fend off disease.
“Kids and lambs don’t receive immune support from their mothers while in utero, so feeding highquality colostrum or colostrum replacer during the first hours of life are essential for long-term health and performance,” the Purina article reads. “Colostrum also contains high energy levels to help newborns stay warm and vitamins A and E to promote digestive and respiratory system development.”
Purina experts reiterate protection against disease hinges on quality and timing of colostrum ingestion and notes newborn lambs and kids should receive at least 10 percent of their body weight by 18 hours of age, at least one-half of which should be consumed four to
eight hours after birth. Proper naval care is also crucial, and Tri-State Veterinary Services LLC notes umbilical cords should be attended to within the first 30 minutes of life.
In its Feb. 5, 2024 article, the veterinary service notes if the cord is longer than four inches, extra length should be torn off with gloved hands or tied off with string and cut below the tie.
If the cord is bleeding, producers can use string, an umbilical clamp of their fingers to pinch it off until bleeding stops. However, it is crucial the instrument is clean.
Navals should be dipped in a seven percent iodine of cholorohexidine solution for 15 seconds. This should be repeated every 12 hours for two days, and the naval should be monitored for signs of swelling, discharge,
heat or bleeding.
Roeder notes, “If you have a lamb that’s unthrifty, pot-bellied and/or kind of humpbacked, it’s a sign they have naval ill and the liver has some infection in it. There are a lot of products out there that are 2.5, three and five percent iodine, but to get the naval cured and blocked off, you need to use seven percent iodine dip.”
Early vaccinations are also important to mitigate health issues in young animals.
Tri-State veterinarians recommend administering two milliliters of a CD/T vaccination to lambs and kids at one week, four weeks, three months and four months of age.
Roeder also recommends keeping lookout for slimy mouth, which is caused by an E. coli infection in the animal’s lungs.
“We don’t really know
how exactly they get it, but basically it starts out as a clear slime on the animal and as it progresses, they look like they’re drooling,” he explains. “You have to catch this one fairly early –within the first six hours or so – and the only way we have seen control with this condition is to orally administer Nuflor to the animal.”
Additionally, the vets at Tri-State recommend dehorning kids between five to 10 days of age and disbudding after 14 days to increase the likelihood of scur formation.
They also note castration for lambs or kids should be performed between four to six months of age to reduce the risk of urinary calculi obstruction in the future.
Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
EXTENSION EDUCATION
By Dan VanderPloeg, UW Extension Educator
Be Aware of Alfalfa Weevil This Spring
As spring begins and my family starts to ask about turning on the air conditioning, hayfields across Wyoming are starting to jump out of the ground. Nothing else makes me embrace the new growing season like this.
As hay comes up so does our most damaging pest – the alfalfa weevil.
Lifecycle
Adult alfalfa weevils are very distinctive, measuring approximately one-
fourth of an inch long with a blunt “snout,” thick golden hairs covering the body and a distinct dark, narrow stripe down the back.
These are the harbingers one will find in their fields earlier in the spring.
Female beetles will lay eggs in the stems of alfalfa. These eggs will then hatch, and the more destructive part of the weevil’s life cycle will emerge.
Alfalfa weevil larvae will crawl up stems and
begin to voraciously eat alfalfa leaves around the growing point. The larvae will grow throughout the spring, getting up to around three-eighths of an inch in length.
For identification purposes, alfalfa weevil larvae are legless with a prominent black head. Larvae are wrinkly and yellowgreen in color with a white stripe along the middle of the back.
If left alone, these larvae will pupate and a new adult will emerge. This adult does not begin to repeat the cycle immediately. Rather, it feeds and slows it maturation to try and survive a winter and begin the cycle anew.
Timing
A lot of research has gone into the association between alfalfa weevil and temperature.
Many studies looking at this link prove we should expect eggs to hatch around 310 Growing Degree Days (GDD), with the first instars at 350 GDD and second instars at 425 GDD.
This is a great model and is consistent with field conditions. Current Wyoming forecasts are based on weather stations located outside of an alfalfa field.
Use this as a guide for field scouting. On-theground results will vary.
Control
As with all farming endeavors, control can be accomplished in a myriad of ways.
Early harvest and insecticide treatments are going to be the main avenues most hay growers use.
Each has its advantages.
Early harvest is the most natural and doesn’t
Growing Degree Days
Using the model provided by uspest.org , I ran timing forecasts for Worland, where I currently work, and Torrington on the other side of the state.
Worland
• May 23, 2025 – Egg hatch
May 31, 2025 – Second instar
Torrington
• May 17, 2025 – Egg hatch
• May 26, 2025 – Second instar
introduce chemicals into the field. It should be noted, though, when hay is cut there will be larvae that fall to the ground and start munching on the next cutting.
In contrast, should one decide to spray, they will need to factor in economic benefits and harvest restrictions into the equation.
With an eye on the forecast and the hayfield, producers should be able to get ahead of alfalfa wee-
vil before they become a problem.
For questions, reach out to a local Extension agent and we will be happy to work with you.
Dan VanderPloeg is the agricultural and natural resources educator with the University of Wyoming Extension serving Washakie County and northwest Wyoming. He can be reached at dvanderp@uwyo.edu or 307347-3431.
WSU researcher helps lead report on genetically-modified food animals
A Washington State University (WSU) researcher was among a select few scientists who unveiled a national report which will shape the future of research and regulation around the genetic modification of cattle, pigs and other food animals.
Jon Oatley, whose extensive research and public appearances have made him a prominent ambassador for the field, was one of four members of a committee of the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine who introduced the Congressionally-mandated report in a recent public webinar.
The report’s release followed two years of committee meetings, study and peer review and it details the state of the research on genetically-
modified food animals, lays out areas of caution moving forward and identifies subjects ripe for future research.
“The potential impact of this report is huge,” said Oatley, associate dean for research for the College of Veterinary Medicine and professor at WSU. “It is intended to be a guidebook – a bible if you will – for what we’re doing in the world of genetic modification of food animals to feed the world in a more sustainable and secure way. Its impact is going to ripple across the globe.”
Report highlights Though the report stopped short of declaring absolutely there is no human health hazard from genetically-modified foods, committee members empha-
sized they believe such foods are safe to eat and noted they would have to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before entering the market.
They highlighted several areas where more research is needed, emphasized the importance of continued study of health implications for humans and animals and called for a study group into consumer attitudes toward the products.
As the global population grows – and as the land, water and resources needed to produce food animals shrink – the use of genetic modifications is seen as a crucial tool for feeding people more efficiently and sustainably.
The technologies essen-
tially create a high-tech version of selective breeding, which has been used for millennia to improve traits in food animals, by targeting changes in an animal’s DNA which can be passed on to future generations.
This process, known as heritable genetic modification, can be used to breed animals that are more disease resistant, productive or resilient in hot weather, among other traits.
The FDA has approved three lines of geneticallymodified food animals, including Atlantic salmon that grow faster, cattle whose coats provide more heat tolerance and pigs modified to avoid a rare food allergy. None are yet on the consumer market.
WSU researcher Oatley was one of 15 experts from institutions all over the country named to the ad hoc committee, formed at the direction of Congress in 2023. His work focuses on creating new traits in pigs and cattle using tools such as CRISPR, and he’s appeared widely in public – from Congress to the Consumer Electronics Show – to promote the benefits of the technology. He has published more than 90 scholarly works in the field, and he was the first academic scientist to be granted investigational food-use authorization by the FDA for human consumption of a gene-edited food animal product – a distinction marked on the WSU campus
in Pullman, Wash. at an event where sausages made from gene-edited pigs were served to the public.
Oatley mentioned those sausages during his presentation, noting there was a positive reaction from the public.
He said the report will lay the basis for the next stage of development, as more food from genetically-modified animals moves toward the consumer market.
“This is the way we’re going to feed people going forward,” he said.
WSU is a public landgrant research university in Pullman, Wash. Founded in 1890, WSU is one of the oldest land-grant universities in the American West. This article was originally published in BEEF Magazine on April 24.
®
Thursday & Friday – June 5 • 9:00 AM & 6:00 PM June 6 • 9:00 AM & 6:00 PM Tuesday, June 3 - 8:00 AM & 3:00 PM (RCH & Cutting) Sheridan College Indoor Barn Wednesday - June 4 • RCH & Cutting Finals 7:00 AM Sheridan College Indoor
NOW HIRING: Executive Director
Wyoming FFA Foundation
Location: Remote (within Wyoming) | Type: Independent Contractor
Compensation: $48,000/year + potential bonus
Application Deadline: May 30, 2025
About the Role
The Wyoming FFA Foundation is seeking a motivated and mission-aligned leader to serve as Executive Director. This independent contractor will lead fundraising efforts, strengthen partnerships, and support programs that develop Wyoming’s future agricultural leaders. Working remotely with statewide travel, the Executive Director is the primary representative of the Foundation and reports to the Board of Directors.
Key Responsibilities
• Lead fundraising campaigns, cultivate donors, and manage donor recognition
• Develop and implement a strategic plan with measurable fundraising goals
• Prepare and manage the annual budget, report monthly to the Board
• Support Board operations and represent the Foundation at events
• Increase awareness through outreach, media, and marketing efforts
• Collaborate with FFA chapters, alumni, business partners, and educators
• Attend important FFA events throughout the year including but not limited to:
• Wyoming FFA Convention
• Summer Conference for Agriculture Teachers
• Wyoming State Fair
• Midwinter Conference/FIRE-CPC
• National FFA Convention
Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree and/or 3+ years of fundraising or nonprofit experience
• Strong written, verbal, and organizational skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365; experience with QuickBooks and donor management software
• Background in agriculture, education, or FFA is highly desirable
• Ability to travel and manage work independently
• Strong sales experience and self-starting talent
Contract Details
• Contract Rate: $48,000/year paid monthly (contractor is responsible for taxes and benefits)
• Bonus: Board will consider a bonus annually based on funds secured by the Executive Director throughout the year.
• Expenses: Mileage and business-related costs reimbursed per IRS guidelines
• Term: One-year contract, renewable annually after performance review
How to Apply Submit your resume, cover letter, and 2–3 references to Lindsey Freeman (Board Chair) at lfreema5@gmail. com by May 30, 2025.
Questions? Contact Lindsey Freeman – lfreema5@gmail.com or 307-286-1049.
Make
May 25 21st Annual Hyattville Cowboy Carnival, Hyattville Community Center, Hyattville. For more information, visit hyattville.org
May 26 Wyoming Livestock Roundup Office Closed in Observance of Memorial Day. Wishing all of our readers a very safe and happy holiday.
May 29 Montana Wild and Domestic Sheep Commingling Project Public Meeting 5:30-6 p.m., Emigrant Community Hall, Emigrant, Mont. For more information, visit animalrangeextension.montana.edu/wildlife/index.html
May 31 Second Annual Cody Hutchins Memorial Clay Target Shoot, Pawnee Sportsman Center, Briggsdale, Colo. For more information or to register, call Bret Robinson at 303-243-0444.
May 31-June 1 Colorado Breed Bash, Morgan County Fairgrounds, Brush, Colo. For more information, visit facebook.com/ColoradoBreedBash
June 1 Wyoming Agriculture Hall of Fame Nominations Due. For more information, contact the Wyoming Livestock Roundup at 307-234-2700.
June 2 Beef Quality Assurance Certification Class, University of Wyoming Conference Center, Laramie. For more information or to register, visit wysga.org or call 307-638-3942.
June 2 Natrona County Predator Management District 2025 Budget and Board Meeting, 6 p.m., Wyoming Wool Growers Office, Casper. For more information, e-mail ncpmd1@charter.net.
June 2-4 Wyoming Stock Growers Association Summer Cattle Industry Convention and Trade Show, Laramie. For more information and to register, visit wysga.org
June 2-8 2025 Wyoming High School State Finals Rodeo, Johnson County Fairgrounds, Buffalo. For more information, call 307-351-1327.
June 3-4 Tractor and Equipment Training Course, Legacy of the Plains Museum, Gering, Neb. For more information or to register, visit go.unmc.edu/tractorsafety-training
June 5 Tractor and Equipment Safety Course, Dawes County Fairgrounds, Chadron, Neb. For more information or to register, visit go.unmc.edu/tractor-safetytraining
June 6 Sandhills Cattle Association 86th Annual Convention and Banquet, 4:308:30 p.m., Cherry County Fairgrounds, Valentine, Neb. For more information or to register, visit sandhillscattle.com
June 6-7 37th Annual Overland Stage Stampede Rodeo, 7 p.m., Green River. For more information, call 307-872-0514.
June 7 Albany County Firewise Education Event, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Boulder Ridge, Laramie. For more information or to RSVP, visit eventbrite.com/e/Albanycounty-firewise-education-event-tickets-1245451983409?aff=oddtdtcreator
June 7 Up In Arms LLC Flea Market and Gun Show, 9 a.m.– 5 p.m., Hot Springs County Fairgrounds, Thermopolis. For more information, call 208-420-2295.
June 8 Up In Arms LLC Flea Market and Gun Show, 9 a.m.– 3 p.m., Hot Springs County Fairgrounds, Thermopolis. For more information, call 208-420-2295.
June 8 Bureau of Land Management Rawlins Field Office and Xerces Society Free Public Bumblebee Workshop, 1-4 p.m., Bureau of Land Management Rawlins Field Office, Rawlins. For more information, visit xerces.org/events/ wyoming-bumble-bee-atlas-short-training-workshop-rawlins-wy
June 9-12 Beef Leaders Institute, Saint Joseph, Mo. For more information, visit angus. org/angus-media/angus-journal/2025/01/bli-apps-open
June 9-13 Wyoming Ranch Camp, Ladder Ranch, Savery. For more information, visit wyoextension.org/fremontcounty/agriculture-natural-resources/ranch-camp/
June 12-15 Art of the Cowgirl Foundation Wyoming Gathering 2025, TA Ranch, Buffalo. For more information or to register, visit artofthecowgirl.com or e-mail savanna@artofthecowgirl.com.
June 13-15 7 Triangle 7 Artificial Insemination Spring Training, Akron, Colo. For more information or to register, visit 7triangle7.com or call 307-481-3921.
June 13 Chris Ledoux Days Early Arrivers Friday Night Rodeo, 7 p.m., Harold Jarrard Park, Kaycee. For more information, visit chrisledoux.com
June 13-14 National Bison Association Southern Summer Conference, Oklahoma Trophy Ranch, Allen, Okla. For more information or to register, visit nationalbison.org/event/southern-nba-summer-regional-conference/
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
Nielson, Hunter - Worland 1 Blk Cow, 1335# $15700 1 Blk Cow, 1485# $14900 Gitlitz, Karla Dee - Meeteetse
1 CharX Cow, 1455# $15650 Lyman Ranch Co. - Ten Sleep 1 Blk Cow, 1495# $15500 Geis, Jack - Greybull
1 Blk Cow, 1305# $15200
2 Blk Cows, avg. 1718# $14500 Mascaro, Justin - Ten Sleep
1 Blk Cow, 1645# $15150 Beldon, Isabel - Thermopolis 1 Blk Cow, 1410# $14900 Bjornestad Land & Cattle - Manderson
2 Blk Cows, avg. 1298# $14850
1 Blk Cow, 1430$ $14500 Mueller, Terry - Shell
2 Blk Cows, avg. 1385# $14800
2 Blk Cows, avg. 1220# $13550 Devries, Gerald - Thermopolis
2 Blk Cows, avg. 1263# $14750 Diamond Tail Ranch - Greybull
3 BWF Cows, avg. 1342# $14700 2 Blk Cows, avg. 1335# $14400 Kirby Creek Ranch - Thermopolis
May 30-31
June 16-21
June 17-19
Leachman Cattle – Hobble Diamond Ranch Partnership Dispersal, Leachman Cattle’s New $Profit Center, Meriden, 970-568-3983, leachman.com
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
July 1 Cattle Country Video High Plains Showcase Sale, UW Marian H. Rochelle Gateway Center, Laramie, 888-322-8853, cattlecountryvideo.com
July 7-11
July 7-13
July 11-12
July 14-16
July 24
July 26
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
Stellpflug Cattle Company “New Frontier” Female Sale, at the ranch, Guernsey, 307-351-1712, stellpflugcattle.com
South Dakota Sheep Growers Association Premium Yearling Ewe Sale, Magness Livestock Auction, Huron, S.D., 406-581-7772, sdsheepgrowers.org
July 28-Aug 1 Superior Livestock Auction Video Royale, 800-422-2117, superiorlivestock.com
Aug. 12-13
Cattle Country Video Oregon Trail Classic Sale, Gering Civic Center, Gering, Neb., 888-322-8853, cattlecountryvideo.com
Aug. 18-19 Western Video Market, Little America, Cheyenne, 530-347-3793, wvmcattle.com
Aug. 18-22 Superior Livestock Auction Big Horn Classic, 800-422-2117, superiorlivestock.com
Arbor Day
An attempt was made at the last legislature to eliminate Arbor Day holidays and add Labor Day and Armistice Day from the list of Wyoming’s legal holidays, but it was unsuccessful. As to the latter being made a legal holiday, it will probably be done later, but to discontinue Arbor Day would be taking away one of the greatest factors which help to colonize, develop and beautify the state.
Parts of Wyoming are heavily wooded and need no artificial forestry, but there are stretches of country where not a tree may be seen for miles and miles.
There are also towns in the state which are treeless and barren, but the general public is interested in planting trees and shrubs in making this great state of ours so attractive and comfortable the traveler passing through will be glad he came this way and may perhaps return to pitch his tent and stay.
editorial article advocated the planting of a tree for every man who fell in the World War fighting under the stars and stripes. Such living monuments scattered throughout our land would be wonderful tributes to our soldiers and sailors.
This inspiring article was swiped from a column in the May 1922 issue of the Wyoming StockmanFarmer. The column, entitled “In the Home Circle,” was edited by noted Wyoming Author Agnes Wright-Spring.
A search of the internet gave the following information.
Arbor Day, which literally translates to “tree” day from the Latin origin of the word “_arbo_r,” is a holiday which celebrates the planting, upkeep and preservation of trees. For centuries, communities spanning the globe have found various ways to honor nature and the environment.
Nebraska City, Neb.
A journalist by the name of Julius Sterling Morton moved to the state with his wife Caroline in 1854, a little more than 10 years before Nebraska gained its statehood in 1867. The couple purchased 160 acres in Nebraska City and planted a wide variety of trees and shrubs in what was primarily a flat stretch of desolate plain.
Morton also became the editor of the state’s first newspaper, the Nebraska City News, which was a perfect platform for Morton to spread his knowledge of trees and to stress their ecological importance to Nebraska.
His message of tree life resonated with his readers, many of whom recognized the lack of forestation in their community. Morton also became involved with the Nebraska Board of Agriculture.
COWS Larsen Ranch Co. - Meeteetse
2 Blk Cows, 1310# $15900
1 Blk Cow, 1330# $15500
1 Blk Cow, 1495# $14400 Davis, Dan - La Barge
Bower, Keith - Worland 1 Blk Cow, 1635# $14000 Heinze Ranch Ltd Part - Thermopolis
1 Blk Cow, 1520# $13650 Crowfoot Ranch, Inc. - Worland
1 Blk Cow, 1280# $13600 Harry, Craig - Fort Washakie
2 Blk Cows, avg. 1620# $13550 E Spear LLC - Riverton 1 Blk Cow, 1140# $13350 PAIRS Martinez, Senorino - Worland
4 BWF Pairs $3550/Hd.
June 12 – All Class Cattle
June 26 – All Class Cattle, Sheep & Goat
July 10 – All Class Cattle
July 24 – All Class Cattle, Sheep & Goat
August 7 – All Class Cattle
1 BWF Cow, 1535# $14400 • Upcoming Sales • May 29 – All Class Cattle
August 21 – All Class Cattle, Sheep & Goat
Every tree in the City Park of Cheyenne, our capital city, has been planted by the citizens of the town – many of the trees having been planted on various Arbor Days. This park is like an oasis in the desert to hundreds of tourists traveling either the Lincoln Highway or the Yellowstone Trail. In addition, all of the city residents enjoy the shade and shelter.
Arbor Day exercises in the schools impress upon the minds of children the great value of planting trees and shrubs and also gives them a sacred regard for the trees when they realize with what care they must be grown.
A recent newspaper
The origins of Arbor Day in the U.S. date back to the early 1870s in
On Jan. 7, 1872, Morton proposed a day that would encourage all Nebraskans to plant trees in their community. The agriculture board agreed, and after some back-andforth about the title – the event was originally going to be called “Sylvan Day” in reference to forest trees – Morton convinced everyone the day should reflect the appreciation of all trees, and “Arbor Day” was born.
This illustration, entitled “Origin of Arbor Day,” appeared in the May 16, 1929 issue of The
. The
reads, “President Woodrow Wilson helping plant trees at White House gardens.” Historical Reproductions by Dick Perue
Dubois Guide
cutline
AMS Livestock, Poultry & Grain Market News, Torrington
Source: USDA AMS Livestock, Poultry & Grain Market News, Greeley, CO
National Sheep Summary As of May 16, 2025
Compared to last week slaughter lambs traded firm, Slaughter ewes mostly firm. Feeder lambs not well tested. Equity Cooperative Auction had no auction. All sheep sold per hundred weight (CWT) unless otherwise specified. Slaughter Lambs: Choice and Prime 1-3 San Angelo: wooled and shorn 50 lbs 281; 60-70 lbs 285.00.00-310.00; 70-80 lbs 285.00; 120 lbs 310.00. Billings: No test.
Ft. Collins: Good 2-3
80.00-130.00; Good 4-5 80.00-130.00. Sioux Falls: 50-60 lbs 275.00-315.50; 60-70 lbs 270.00 305.00; 70-80 lbs 245.00-277.50; 80-90 lbs 255.00-290.00; 90100 lbs 265.00-270.00; 100-110 lbs 267.50-270.00; 120-130 lbs 205.00-237.50; 130-140 lbs 218.00-222.00; 140-150 lbs 209.00-212.00; 150 lbs 205.00.
Equity Coop: No test. Slaughter Ewes San Angelo: Good 2-3 100-200 lbs 95.00-128.00; Good 4-5 lbs 200-250 lbs 115.00-124.00.
Billings: No test.
Ft. Collins: Good 2-3
80.00-130.00; Good 4-5 80.00-130.00. Sioux Falls: Good 2-3 95.00-130.00; Good 4-5 80.00-120.00; Utility 1-2 95.00-135.00. Feeder Lambs: Medium and Large 1 San Angelo: no test.
Ft. Collins: no test.
Sioux Falls: 40-50 lbs 315.00-375.00; 50-55 lbs 305.00360.00.
Equity Coop: 95 lbs 223.00; 100-110 lbs 209.50-216.00; 110120 lbs 205.00-205.50; 125 lbs 198.00.
Billings: No test.
Replacement Ewes: Medium and Large 1-2 San Angelo: no test.
Ft. Collins: no test. Sioux Falls: no test.
Billings: no test. Sheep and lamb slaughter under federal inspection for the week to date totaled 36,000 compared to 35,000 last week and 36,000 last year.
Source: USDA AMS LPG Market News, San Angelo, Texas National Wool Review
Source: USDA- CO Dept of Ag Market News Service, Greeley, CO
Wyoming Hay Summary
As of May 21, 2025
Compared to last week, demand and movement has slightly decreased. Most of the hay sold last week was in small loads. The demand for cubes has decreased slightly with grass greening up, the demand for pellets remains steady. There is expected to be some carryover when new crop starts with demand being slow and producers not moving much hay. Some producers have said demand has been slow for old crop and there’s quite a few tons of 2023 and 2024 hay left to sell all over the state. According to the U.S. drought monitor website, Wyoming is under abnormally dry to moderately dry soil moisture with the area of Southeast Wyoming having extreme dry soil moisture. According to the Wyoming crop progress report, as of May 19th, pasture and range conditions are 17% good condition, alfalfa hay is 52% good condition, other hay is 63% good condition, 59% corn has been planted.
Wyoming Alfalfa
Source: USDA AMS Livestock, Poultry & Grain Market News Torrington
Nebraska Hay Summary
As of May 22, 2025
Compared to last week alfalfa 10.00 to 20.00 higher, grass hay sold fully steady. Ground and delivered hay, sun-cured and old crop dehy alfalfa pellets steady. Demand and buyer inquiry was good. With the recent rain showers in various areas of the state the panic button was not hit as often, and the phones were a little more quite. Prospective buyers are crossing their fingers, hoping that more rain will come, and they will not have to feed livestock all summer with supplemental hay nor must liquidate livestock. Tonnage appears it will be light for first cutting of brome grass and alfalfa in some areas. Weevils’ infestation is more prevalent this year than in past years. Many contacts feel like the south winds have blown them into Nebraska this spring. Quite a lot of new crop alfalfa baled in the eastern area. Some dehy mills thinking of starting after the Memorial holiday.
CLASSIFIEDS
The Natrona County Predator Management District is holding its 2025 Budget/Board Meeting on Monday, June 2nd, beginning at 6:00 p.m. This meeting will be held at the Wyoming Wool Growers, 811 N. Glenn Road, Casper. All producers, Wyoming Game and Fish representatives, Wildlife Service representatives and the public are invited to participate. The purpose of this meeting is to review the 20252026 proposed budget submitted to the Department of Audit and Animal Damage Management Board (ADMB). For additional information, please contact the NCPMD office at ncpmd1@charter.net
LIVESTOCK FEEDERS
YEARLING AI SIRED BLACK
ANGUS BULLS: Will work on heifers. Sires include Johnny Walker, Sterling Pacific and Myers Fair-N-Square. Semen tested. Minatare, NE. Please call Byron Miller, 303-8188152, leave message 5/31
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 5/31
REGISTERED BLACK
Shorthorn
UP IN ARMS, LLC FLEA MARKET AND GUN SHOW JUNE 7-8, Thermopolis, WY at the Hot Springs County Fairgrounds. Open to the public. Sat., June 7, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun., June 8, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Giving away a .22 pistol Sunday at 2 p.m., must be present to win, 21 years of age and able to pass background check. Buy, sell, trade. Adults $6, children 12 and under free (when accompanied by an adult). For more information, contact Lisa, 208-420-2295 5/31
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
RANCH HAND/GROUNDS
KEEPER: Full-time position at a family-owned ranch near Cody, WY and located in the Shoshone National Forest. Position entails lawn care, irrigation, heavy equipment operation, carpentry, equipment maintenance, building maintenance and overall residential and agricultural property maintenance. Experience is welcome but will train the right candidate. The ideal candidate will be reliable; have a strong work ethic; be able to perform individually and with a team; be a self-starter and enjoy working outdoors. Benefits include health, with optional dental and eye; paid-time off and 401(k) with employer matching contribution. For the right candidate housing on property is also available. Salary based upon previous experience. Send resumes to cg1@colliergroupoffice.com or call 307-5876275 for questions 6/7
www.gottschcattlecompany.com 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
If you are interested stop by and fill out an application or visit our website at
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 307-3884848 5/31
BAR K CATTLE, ALSO KNOWN AS MID-AMERICA FEED YARD, IS LOOKING FOR QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED FULL-TIME PEN RIDERS WITH HORSES AND TACK PREFERRED AND YARD CREW HELP WITH A CONSTRUCTION BACKGROUND. Hours 7 a.m.-5 p.m., M-F with every other weekend. Seven holidays observed. Call 402-295-2216 for an application 5/24
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 5/24
ALL TYPES OF EQUIPMENT AND VEHICLE FINANCING. Great service!! Great rates!! Call Chuck Brown at C.H. Brown Co., WY LLC, 307-3223232 (office), 307-331-0010 (cell) or e-mail chuckbrown@ wyoming.com 5/24
AGRIBOOKS LLC: LOOKING FOR A BOOKKEEPER? Serving the agriculture community and beyond! Please contact Sara Rankin at 307290-2336, for more information!! 5/24
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, 303-7733545 or check out our website, www.agrionefinancial.com. I will come to you and get the job done!! 6/14
WYOMING BRAND FOR SALE: RRC, RSS, RHH. Expires Jan. 1, 2029. Electric iron included. $2,500. Call 307-575-6589 5/24
WYOMING BRAND FOR SALE: RRC, RSH. Registered until Jan. 1, 2035. No horse or cattle with brand. No irons available. $2,000 includes transfer fee. Contact Ronnie at 303-913-2493 5/24
WYOMING BRAND FOR SALE: RRC, RSS, LTH, registered until Jan. 1, 2035. Irons and electric iron, $2,500. Call after 5 p.m., 307388-2456 5/24
WYOMING BRAND FOR
SALE: LSC LBH. Dues paid to January 2035. Does not come with irons, $2,000 OBO. Call 307-5277288, leave a message if no one answers 5/31
AKC BERNESE MOUNTAIN DOG PUPPIES: All first shots, microchipped and vet checked. Ready for their new homes now!! $1,200. Call or text 605-680-2571. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 5/31
AUSSIEDOODLES (25 lbs.) AND COCKAPOOS (15 lbs.), potty trained and crate trained. Raised in our home with our children. Ready for homes. Montana Beartooth Doodles, call 406-633-1660 or visit www. montanabeartoothdoodless. com 5/31
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 406-687-3315, 406-989-3315 or 907-232-6093 6/28
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 5/31
TWENTY RED ANGUS PAIRS: Second calvers, Beckton genetics. Located in Torrington, WY. Call 307-2312883 5/24
RED ANGUS HIGH-ELEVATION YEARLING BULLS FOR SALE IN NORTHEAST-
ERN 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
SimAngus
SIMANGUS BULLS FOR SALE: Yearlings and 18-month-olds. All bulls have GE EPDS, are homozygous polled, most are homozygous black. Bulls can be inspected at Dilka Cattle, pictures available by request. All bulls guaranteed for first breeding season. Information on the bulls may be requested by e-mail at thedilkas@aol.com or calling 970-396-8791 5/24
Hereford
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. FrancisMillvale Shorthorns, Gene and Roberta Francis Family, 701-331-2403,
Red Angus
CUSTOM FEEDING AND FINISHING FOR CATTLE AND SHEEP. Cactus Hill Ranch Company, Fort Collins, CO. Contact AJ Nelson, 970-3728273 6/7
Trucks & Trailers
ARE YOU IN NEED OF A NEW HERDER CAMP OR A PERSONAL RANGE CAMP FOR YOUR FAMILY? Contact us at Western Range Camps and see what we can build for you. We specialize in quality, handcrafted camps built to your specifications. Contact us today to design the camp just right for you. Western Range Camps, 435-462-5300, heidi@wrcamps.com, 1145 S. Blackhawk Blvd, Mt. Pleasant, UT 84647 5/24
Sell your Vehicles or Trailers here
Swine
ROOM FOR 1,160 YEARLINGS OR 530 PAIRS: Available now. North and west of Medicine Bow, WY. Would be split in two groups of 250 and 910. Full care, fenced and great water. Excellent care. Salt provided. ALSO willing to entertain cattle on shares of profit. We also have ground load scale for shipping off grass. Lots of experience and historic 1.7-2.0 lbs. daily gains on these ranches . reGen LLC, call or text Sage Askin for more information, 307-3514875 or e-mail saskin12@ gmail.com 5/31
Pasture Wanted Pasture
BUTCHER PIGS FOR SALE: Located in Hardin, MT. Call 406679-1136 5/24
WEANER PIGS FOR SALE, located in Powell, WY. For more information, call 307271-1014 1/17
Seed
RANGER ALFALFA SEED: Lab tested 99.89% pure, 94.9% PLS, no noxious weeds, 2,000 lb. totes, $3/lb. Call 308430-4380 5/24
Hay & Feed
Hydraulic calf table with tub and alley, completely portable. ALSO, calving pens and loading chutes available. Call or Text Mike 605-842-6653
Hay Equipment
2020 GOOSENECK KAUFMAN TILT FLATBED TRAILER, 8’x30’ with dovetail ramps, dual tandem axles with 14 ply tires, good shape, torsion suspension. Title in hand, asking $14,000. Call Larry Carlson, 605-224-6100 (home) or 605-280-3879 (cell), if no answer leave message 5/24
ORIGINAL ROUND BALER BELTING FOR ALL MAKES: Save $100s. Free shipping, www.balerbelts.com. Call Hammond Equipment, 334627-3348 10/25
Tractors Wanted
WANTED TO BUY INTERNATIONAL T6 or TD6 CRAWLER with good tracks and rails or just the tracks and rails. Call James, 307-254-0087 6/7
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
MONTANA RAILROAD SERVICES: Railroad ties, switch ties and other railroad materials for fencing and landscaping. Best pricing and quality in the region. Call 406-962-3514, Silesia, MT. Located 10 miles south of Laurel, MT (off of Clarks River Rd., the old highway). Visit our website www.mtrrservices.com 5/24
FOR SALE: One new bundle of galvanized, 24’x3’ windbreak panels. Originally $5,000, now $3,000. Call 307-680-9834, Patt Lynch, Newcastle, WY 6/7
WANTING TO RENT PASTURE IN NORTH-CENTRAL WYOMING: Enough for 20 to 50 pairs. Call 605-252-8156 5/24
LOOKING TO RENT OR LEASE PASTURE FOR 50-150 cow/calf pairs for 2025, longer or yearly lease if possible. Preferably northeastern Wyoming. Call 307-660-0294 and leave a message if no answer. Ranch for Lease
PARK COUNTY, WY RANCH
NEAR CODY, WY IS AVAILABLE FOR A LONG-TERM LEASE: The ranch has over 50,000 acres and supports an irrigated hay base with BOR water rights. Carrying capacity is 700 animal units yearround with hay production. Willing to split the hay ground and grazing. Please e-mail Honora Beirne (hbeirne@ acpg.com) and Melanie Giliati (mgiliati@acpg.com) for details 6/14
Saddles &
Tack
BOOT UP FOR SUMMER!! $AVE on BOOTS: HONDO, BOULET, JUSTIN WORK BOOTS, TWISTED X (boots and shoes) and more!! SOMETHING for EVERYONE!! Great SELECTION of GIFTS for all OCCASIONS!! 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 5/31
LS CUSTOM LEATHER: Belts, tack, cell phone cases and much more!! Contact Lester, 307-631-1053, leave a message. Located in Riverton, WY 5/24
ROCKY MOUNTAIN KATAHDIN ASSOCIATION IS HOLDING THEIR ANNUAL EDUCATIONAL MEETING JUNE 19-20 FROM 10 AM - 5 PM EACH DAY. Lunch is provided. The Ft. Keogh Livestock and Range Research Laboratory is hosting. The meeting will be held at the Fairbridge Inn and Suites in Miles City, MT. There’s a special rate if they mention the Rocky Mountain Katahdin Association meeting. Hotel reservations can be made by calling 406-2323661. For more information, call 719-468-0928 or e-mail babfief87@gmail.com 6/7
BARLEY STRAW: Certified weed-free small squares, $4/ bale. ALSO, 5x6 round bales, $125/ton. GRAIN OATS, wheat and barley, $20/cwt. Greybull, WY area. Call 307762-3878 or 307-899-4714, leave message 6/14
ROUND-BALED GRASS: 2024 crop $40/bale. 1,000 lb. net-wrapped bales. Cody, WY area. Call, don’t text, Anthony at 307-254-2645 5/24
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, 307254-0554 6/21
HAY FOR SALE: 2023 milo and grass/alfalfa. 2024 first and second cutting alfalfa, grass/alfalfa. ALSO, haybet barley and 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, 701-2904418, send a text if no answer or keep trying 5/24
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, 308-235-5386, www. valleyvideohay.com 5/24
54 3X3 BALES OF THIRD CUTTING, certified weed free, tested alfalfa hay. Been covered. RFV 204.7, crude protein 21.2, nitrates 0.44. Riverton, WY. Call 307-8514634 5/24
Classic Vehicles
CLASSIC: 1983 JEEP CJ8
SCRAMBLER PICKUP, frame off restoration, custom half cab, 258CI inline 6 cylinder engine, 5 speed manual transmission, 12,000 lb. winch, very clean, runs great, garage kept, car show ready, 10,000 miles on rebuilt engine, $43,750 OBO Call 406-498-1830. To view photos, go to www.wylr. net in the classifieds 6/14
1986 FIAT FR10 PAYLOADER, 4 speed power shift, 125 HP, 2.5 yard bucket, low hours, very tight, $34,250 OBO. Retiree. Call 605-3660690 6/7
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!! 5/31
Equipment
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Krause offset disc (new blades in front). 24’ Model 630 John Deere tandem disc. Safety pull with a bull hitch. John Deere front suitcase weights. IHC front suitcase weights. Round John Deere wheel weights. Contact Greg Keller at 406-6791136 5/24
1960 JOHN DEERE 95 COMBINE, round back, 16’. All new belts, stored inside, overhaul on engine. $2,500. Call Ivan, 307-629-0974 TFN
CONTINUOUS FENCE PANELS: 4, 5 and 6 rail options, 14 gauge, 1.25” tubing 20’ long, welded, pinch cut tubing uprights, no sharp edges, 4 uprights per panel with center spacing for posts, convenient install and unique stronger design, 6 rail 49”H, $138, 5 rail 46”H, $125, 4 rail 37”H, $110. GATES: 8’, 10’, 12’, 14’ and 16’ options, 12 gauge, 1.75” tubing, 16’ gate $210, 14’ gate, $185, 12’ gate, $175, 10’ gate, $160, 8’ gate, $150. HARDWARE: Clips, $.50 per piece, self-tapping screws, $15 per 250. Contact Willis Yoder, 307-855-1114, 425 W. Pavillion Rd., Pavillion, WY 82523. To view photos, go to www.wylr. net in the classifieds 5/24
MANUFACTURER OF HEAVY DUTY CONTINUOUS
FENCE: Corral panels, farm gates, free standing panels and more. Call for pricing and delivery, Rocky Ridge Welding, Nevada, MO, 417549-1077 8/9
LODGEPOLE PRODUCTS, 307-742-6992, SERVING AGRI-BUSINESSES SINCE 1975!! Treated posts, corral poles, buck-and-rail, western rail, fence stays, rough-sawn lumber, bedding. SEE US at www.lodgepoleproducts. com and click our “Picking A Fence Post” tab to see why folks choose our posts!! TFN
FOR SALE: Meridian 240 seed tender with hydraulic remote control, roll tarp, Honda motor, excellent condition. John Deere 7000 8RN corn and bean planter. Ford 7N tractor with wide front, runs great. Phillips 43’ hydraulic rotary harrow. Rowse 9’ pull type mower. Rowse 9’ 3 pt. mower. Rowse 14 wheel high capacity v-rake. John Deere 3970 silage cutter with John Deeres 3RN head. 2020 Freightliner, automatic transmission, DD13 engine, 178” wheelbase, 407,673 miles, runs and drives nice. Summers hydraulic rock picker. Miller Pro 5100 18’ chuckwagon with bunk feeding extensions and tandem running gear. H&S 7+4 18’ chuckwagon with bunk feeding extensions and tandem 14 ton running gear. 12’ HD box scraper with tilt. All in very nice condition!! Call 605-999-5482 5/31
Livestock Equipment
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
Sheep
Irrigation Systems
Irrigation
The choice is simple.
No wire to steal! Easier On You.
Copper wire is being stolen from electrically powered pivot systems world-wide. Many growers have resorted to 24-hour guards, razor wire, floodlights and daily disassembly to protect themselves. T-L’s hydraulically powered pivot systems can be designed with little or no wire to steal. Stop theft and discover T-L’s reliability, simplicity and low maintenance cost. T-L irrigation systems are easier on you - for life.
Big Horn Truck and Equipment Manderson, WY rairdenjlw@tritel.net • 800-770-6280
Business for Sale
REPUTABLE FERTILIZER
and ready to ship ● 2021 Zimmatic 8500 7 tower 1,297’ ● 2020 Zimmatic 8500 8 tower 1,296’ ● 2013 Valley 7000 7 tower 1,336’. Call 402-910-3236 6/7 APPROXIMATELY 1,200 FEET, 8” ALUMINUM GATED PIPE, with trailer and butterfly valves. ALSO HAVE 2 irrigation pumps, one with 10 HP motor. $3,600 OBO. Call 307-575-1122 6/7
Property for Sale
NEW MEXICO RANCH 209+
ACRES, 38 miles to Albuquerque, N.M. Incredible mountain views and your livestock from a 1,000+ sq. ft. deck. 2,843 sq. ft., 3 bed, 2 bath home. Two car carport, 2 car garage and RV bay. Pipe corrals, 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 505328-4172, contact Jay 505-2637419. To view photos, go to www. wylr.net in the classifieds 6/7
CUSTOM-BUILT LOG HOME ON 40 ACRES NEAR FORT LARAMIE, WY, 1,352 sq. ft., 2 bedroom, 2 bath home. Beautifully set among trees and natural rock outcroppings. Stunning views, including Laramie Peak. Thirty acres fenced, ideal for horses or livestock. Horse shed included. For more details, visit www.ranchworldads.com under Horse Properties. Price, $475,000. Shown by appointment only. Call Neil, 260-4130626 5/31
BUSINESS FOR SALE!! BE YOUR OWN BOSS!! Currently operating in western Colorado, Rodman’s Custom Fertilizer Company is FOR SALE. Includes ALL EQUIPMENT needed and a LIST of CURRENT HAPPY CUSTOMERS!! Some training will be provided by a respected expert in the field of fertilization. This business is proven to make generous income within just a few short months of the year. Lots of room for expansion and more money to be made for someone with young energy and drive! Business and equipment available for purchase for $175,000. Entire home base, located in Paonia, CO, encompassing 5.47 acres, an expansive shop/storage facility and a modest home also available for a package price of $475,000. Address 40822 Stewart Mesa Rd., Paonia, CO 81428. Don’t let this opportunity slip by!! Contact listing brokers at Needlerock Mountain Realty and Land LLC. Liz Heidrick, 970-234-5344, liz. needlerock@gmail.com or Bree Pearce, 970-201-5705, bree.needlerock@gmail.com. To view photos, go to www.wylr. net in the classifieds 6/7
LOOKING TO BUY ANTIQUE COWBOY, INDIAN AND OLD WEST ITEMS: Saddles, spurs, bits, chaps, horsehair bridles and pre-1930 bead work. Willing to buy entire collections. Contact Matt at 308-637-3300 5/24
Bureau of Land Management requests comments
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is seeking public comment on the proposed Lucky Star transmission line project in Carbon and Albany counties.
If approved, Lucky Star LLC could construct, operate, maintain and eventually decommission a 230-kilovolt double circuit alternating current transmission line across nearly five miles of public lands, almost entirely within the West-Wide Energy Corridor. The line
would also cross about 20 miles of non-federal lands in a checkerboard ownership pattern area. The power line would connect the 500-megawatt Lucky Star I Wind Project, planned on private lands in Carbon and Albany counties, to PacifiCorp’s Aeolus substation near Medicine Bow and distribute power to Wyoming, Utah, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and California.
Work on BLM-managed public lands would
include construction of 38 above-ground H-frame transmission towers and temporary tensioning, pulling and other work areas.
To minimize impacts, existing roads and twotracks would be used to access the project during construction and maintenance. No new crossings of perennial streams are planned on BLM-managed public lands.
Additional information is available at eplanning.blm.gov, where com-
ments may be submitted through the “Participate Now” option.
Comments may also be delivered to BLM Rawlins Field Office, Attn: Lucky Star Transmission Line Project, PO Box 2407, Rawlins, WY 82301-2407.
The public comment period is open for 30 days and will close on June 6.
For more information, contact the Rawlins Field Office at 307-328-4224 or Rawlins_WYMail@blm. gov.
USDA signs memo on wildfire preparedness
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum signed a joint memo May 20 on wildfire preparedness, ensuring the two departments are working in close coordination this fire season.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will work across President Donald J. Trump’s cabinet and with trusted state, local and Tribal partners to ensure the nation’s wildland fire-
fighting system is highly coordinated and focused on fighting wildfires quickly and effectively.
Just beforehand, Rollins and Burgum received a 2025 operational fire briefing at the U.S. Forest Service National Fire Desk.
“President Trump has directed the entire federal government to take immediate action to protect the people, communities and natural resources our country depends on from wild-
fire risk. Now more than ever, Secretary Burgum and I are working in lockstep, alongside our federal partners, to effectively combat wildfires,” says Rollins.
“Our mission is clear –protect lives, defend critical infrastructure and preserve the natural landscapes that sustain our way of life,” says Burgum. “Through unity, preparation and the dedication of our firefighting workforce,
the U.S. is ready to meet this year’s wildfires with strength and resolve.”
“May is National Wildfire Awareness Month and a great time to come together and think about the role every American can play in reducing wildfire risk. Whether you are hiking in the backcountry or operating logging equipment, we all have a role to play to keep our communities and landscapes safe,” states the press release.
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Taxing Time by Lee Pitts IT'S THE PITTS
Dateline: April 15
Well, the worst is over. Our income tax is in the mail, now all I have to do is find the money to cover the check. You sure gotta hand it to the IRS, literally. Somehow they always manage to get another raise, even when we make less money.
Every time we send in our state and federal income taxes, along with our estimated taxes, I feel like an emaciated Holstein who just got her crankcase squeezed until she was bone dry.
My wife does all of the heavy lifting on our taxes, spending two months getting everything ready for the accountant. I tell her I’d be glad to help, but she says people with high blood pressure should NEVER do their own taxes.
She’s afraid I’d have another stroke or become “intoxicated” if I even got near a 9. Plus, my wife knows I’d make all kinds of mistakes because I’d try to write off last year’s taxes as a bad investment or claim two dependents –the feds and the state.
I feel I’ve already contributed enough just so politicians can live the lifestyle to which they’ve become accustomed, but my work is still not done because Tax Freedom Day – the day of the year when the average taxpayer has theoretically earned enough income to pay for local, state and federal taxes – is estimated to be June 12 this year. Let that sink in.
If you still don’t get my point, consider the average worker pays more in income tax than food, shelter and clothing costs combined.
My wife and I sat down and made a list of all of the taxes Americans are forced to pay, and they include federal income tax, state income tax, capital gains tax, gift taxes, payroll taxes, value-added taxes, sin taxes on cigarettes and booze, sales tax, bond issues, gas tax, estate tax and on and on.
I’m sure you can probably think of a lot more to add to our list.
Rubbing it in, right about the time we have to pay our state and federal taxes and estimates, we get hit with the worst tax of all – property tax. Paying it is like having to buy something we already own.
The bureaucrats in Sacramento, Calif. say I shouldn’t object because my state taxes go towards paying for things we
use constantly like road repair, fire suppression and schools. But we don’t have kids and our roads have potholes that make the Grand Canyon look like a dimple.
And if losing their homes wasn’t bad enough, the burned-out residents of Los Angeles learned after the fact the salary of the fired LA fire chief was $439,772 per year, counting overtime and benefits. And the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion officer in charge of the LA Fire Department’s Equity Bureau made more than that.
What the heck is an Equity Bureau?
If this doesn’t give you a pain in the wallet, how do you feel about paying for...
• The $59 million the Federal Emergency Management Agency handed over to house illegal immigrants in luxury New York City hotels.
• A Congressional inquiry found the U.S. Air Force was spending $1,300 for every reheatable coffee cup aboard one of its aircraft, and a two-year audit by the U.S. Department of Defense’s inspector general last year found Boeing overcharged the Air Force by $149,072, or 8,000 percent over the previous price for soap dispensers.
• During the height of the war in Afghanistan, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) spent millions of dollars to persuade Afghan farmers to grow fruits and other vegetables instead of opium, and the results? Opium poppy cultivation across the country doubled as the farmers used the new canals, financed by us, to grow more poppies.
• Over four years, USAID gave Morocco $27 million in funding to train Moroccans how to create and design pottery. Morocco has, for thousands of years, created pottery dating back to 6,000 B.C.
• And one of my favorite Department of Government Efficiency findings –$1.6 million of your dollars, thank you very much, was given to the University of Florida to study the “social and institutional detriments of vulnerability and resilience to climate hazards in African Sahel.” I fear I may have caused you some distress or given you a headache. In this case, take two “Senditall” tablets, which also describes the new short form for filing your taxes next year.
tariffs on U.S. export countries so aggressively.
“In my personal opinion, I believe the new administration is justified in trying to open up some of these markets to U.S. agricultural products – exports are a huge deal to us,” he stated.
Nelson said he believes other motivation for the administration’s actions is their desire to keep China from sidestepping tariffs by shipping products through other countries. To prevent this, he said the administration has simply “slapped tariffs on everyone.”
“Tariffs have started to have an impact. When we look at the shipping container traffic just off of the nation’s southwest coast, we see a huge drop,” Nelson explained. “Some may say this is old news. We’re going into a 90-day reprieve on tariffs with China. We are early in Trump’s term, and if there is any prediction I feel 100 percent confident about it’s that we are nowhere near the end of the game with China in terms of our trading relationship.”
“Trump is just trying to put maximum pressure on China and a lot of other bad actor countries to come to the table and give us better market access,” he added.
Nelson reiterated he believes tariffs will put the
U.S. ag industry in a better space by opening up markets.
“U.S. producers can compete across the world on a level playing field, but there has to be a level playing field,” he said. “I want to highlight, in the mediumterm, tariffs can be a triple threat – we can pay more for inputs, we can see lower output prices and we can create a stronger dollar.”
DOGE cuts
According to Nelson, another way Trump has been shaking things up is through sweeping cuts made by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to create a “more efficient federal government.”
“I can absolutely get behind what DOGE is doing, but one of the things Farmer Mac is concerned about is if the pendulum is swinging too far in certain areas,” he stated.
Nelson said the Farm Service Agency (FSA) alone has seen a 36 percent reduction in staff, which is a major concern for the ag industry.
Consumer spending
Broadly speaking, Nelson noted U.S. consumers “remain on stable financial ground,” but there is concern consumer sentiment is dropping.
“Consumer spending makes up the vast major-
ity of the U.S gross domestic product (GDP). When we think about if the U.S. is growing, a lot of it tends to rest on the consumer,” Nelson said. “We do continue to grow, the consumer continues to spend and, overall, consumer financials remain relatively strong.”
However, Nelson believes media headlines are causing a vicious cycle of falling sentiment.
“The concern is we do not want this to become a self-fulfilling prophecy where consumers are actually doing relatively well financially but they start to believe what they read in the media about not doing well. Then they change how they’re spending, and all of
a sudden, if enough of them stop spending money, the U.S. GDP starts to decline, economic growth slows and it becomes a snowball rolling down a hill,” he said.
“The Federal Reserve has actually been cited saying consumers, from a behavioral standpoint, are doing some weird things, but we are just going to have to monitor it,” he added.
Farmland values
To conclude his presentation, Nelson touched on nationwide farmland values, which have started to plateau.
While citing data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s August 2024 land value survey, Nelson noted landowners in Wyo-
ming have seen a trend similar to other states.
“We saw this nice run up in property values and interest rates were low. Folks were very excited about the economy in 2021-22. Then we start to see a plateau effect where landowners point back to where they might have been if the long-term historical growth rate had occurred,” he explained. “Where we see the most positive values are for things like pasture and cattle.”
Along these lines, Nelson noted the cattle and livestock sector, overall, have continued to outperform the rest of the broader market.
“Obviously, feed costs have come down at the
expense of our row crop producers, but it has been beneficial to the livestock sector overall,” he continued. “In terms of cattle, we will continue to watch retail demand for beef, which continues to incline like crazy. Domestic and foreign consumers really want U.S. beef, and it obviously has a huge positive impact on things.” Nelson also pointed out the bigger implications caused by drought and producers’ sentiment to not restock the nation’s herd, as well as record-high prices across all sectors.
Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
1 Cow, 1465# $149.50
1 Cow, 1295#
1 Cow, 1050#
PINEY 5 Cow, 1414# $147.50
CO 1 Cow, 1245# $146.50
4 Cow, 1205# $146.00
Cow, 1475#
Cow, 1332#
1515#
Cow, 1460#
1 Bull, 2295# $175.00
2 Bull, 1767# $171.00
1 Bull, 1640# $170.00
Heiferette, 975# $221.00
Heiferette, 1000# $220.00
1 Heiferette, 1060# $211.00
RIVERTON
2 Heiferette, 990# $210.00 LANDER
1 Heiferette, 1130# $208.00 PAVILLION
1 Heiferette, 1105# $194.00 PAIRS
SHOSHONI
4 Pair, 1267#
CROWHEART
$3,675.00
1 Pair, 1750# $3,500.00
SHOSHONI
3 Pair, 1511# $3,325.00
RIVERTON
8 Pair, 1566#
$3,200.00
8 Pair, 1468# $3,150.00
8 Pair, 1435# $3,100.00
FARSON
1 Pair, 1515# $3,100.00
3 Pair, 1551# $3,000.00
SHOSHONI
1 Pair, 1420# $2,800.00
BRED COWS & HEIFERS
RIVERTON
2 Bred Cow, 1415# $2,950.00
BIG PINEY
4 Bred Cow, 1633# $2,900.00
RIVERTON
1 Bred Cow, 1530# $2,850.00
1 Bred Heifer, 1165# $2,850.00 BIG PINEY
3 Bred Cow, 1325#
3 Bred Cow, 1580#
Steer, 851#
Heifer, 382#
Heifer, 601#
Heifer, 826#
Heifer, 915#
Adobe Stock photo