The Wyoming Weed and Pest Council (WWPC) will host business meetings during its fall conference, set for Oct. 29-31 in Jackson. Business meetings will take place on Oct. 28 at 3:45 p.m. and Oct. 30 at 8 a.m. in the Grand Teton Room of the Snow King Resort. There will be a chance for public comment during the meetings, and the public is welcome to attend. For more information or to view a full meeting agenda, visit wyoweed.org/ or contact Lindsey Woodward at lindsey. woodward@wyo.gov or 307777-6585.
Working Group
The Southwest Sage Grouse Local Working Group will meet from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. on Oct. 29 at the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s Green River Regional Office. The group will discuss project funding. The public is welcome to attend, but there will be no virtual option. For more information, e-mail Nyssa Whitford at nyssa.whitford@ wyo.gov.
WWGA Meeting
The Wyoming Wool Growers Association (WWGA) Membership Business Meeting will be held on Nov. 8 during the West Central States Wool Growers Convention in Cody, with an approximate start time of 2:15 p.m. For more information, contact WWGA Executive Director Alison Crane at alison@wyowool.com.
Crop Prices
As of Oct. 21, December corn fell 3.5 cents to $4.19 per bushel to halt a five-day win streak which sent the market to its highest close in over three weeks. Prices faded after December futures failed to make a concerted test of the prior week’s intraday high at $4.24. November soybeans fell one cent to $10.30 after fading from an overnight rally. December SRW wheat futures fell 4.5 cents to five dollars. Prices are still up from a contract low at $4.92 a week ago.
Happy Halloween!
Administration makes bold announcements regarding beef
On Oct. 17, President Donald Trump announced a new campaign to lower beef prices for U.S. consumers. This news had immediate and signifi-
cant impacts on the market, with feeder cattle closing more than nine dollars to end the week.
The president made bigger waves
HARVEST MOON
only a few days later when he proposed to expand imports of Argentine beef as a means of lowering record-high prices,
Halloween is deeply rooted in agriculture, originating from the ancient Celtic harvest festival of Samhain which marked the end of harvest season.
Additionally, the bright orange Harvest Moon that rises over the plains each autumn has become a timeless symbol of hard work, abundance and the successful culmination of another productive season.
By the light of the moon
The Harvest Moon is the first full moon closest to the autumn equinox and often occurs in September or October.
Several sources note, throughout the year, the moon rises about 50 minutes later each night on average, while the Harvest Moon rises at nearly the same time – at or just after sunset – for several nights in a row, roughly 25 to 30 minutes later in the U.S. and 10
NWS threat spurs USDA action
As the New World screwworm (NWS) continues its northward march, sounding alarm bells across the nation’s livestock industry, key players like the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Texas A&M University (TAMU) are ramping up public education and prevention efforts.
While no detections have occurred in the U.S. to date, NWS has been confirmed most recently in Nuevo León, Mexico – less than 70 miles from the Texas border – marking the nearest report of the parasitic fly in decades.
Billion-dollar threat
Cochliomyia hominivorax – commonly referred to as NWS – is a tropical, metallic green-blue fly with large orange eyes, about twice the size of a common housefly.
NWS is not a biting fly. Instead, it causes damage to living, warm-blooded animals by depositing eggs into preexisting wounds – though it rarely affects birds.
NWS larvae feed on the living tissues of their hosts, burrowing or “screwing” into the animal’s tissue with their sharp mouth hooks – hence the fly’s namesake – causing significant damage. If wounds go untreated, infestations can result in infection which can be fatal.
According to an Oct. 13 Texas A&M AgriLife article by Communications Coordinator Kay Ledbetter, the fly previously posed a problem in the southern U.S. prior to its eradication in the 1960s.
“Effective eradication in the U.S. was accomplished in 1966, and by 1967, U.S. cases had fallen to fewer than 1,000 – a 99 percent reduction,” Ledbetter writes. “Incursions by the pest continued for several years, prompting a multinational coordinated eradication effort in the late
to 20 minutes later in Canada and Europe.
Scientifically, this occurs because of the moon’s elliptical orbit and its position relative to Earth’s tilt. Around the equinox, the moon’s path is nearly parallel to the horizon, which keeps it visible longer after sunset.
Prior to today’s advancements in technology and modern farming techniques, this extra moonlight provided growers and Native American Tribes with a predictable and consistent source of light, allowing them to continue working after the sun went down.
The ability to harvest crops for an extended period of time allowed them to gather as many crops as they could before the frost set in and the land went dormant, maximizing their yield and ensuring they had
CREEPY COWBOY CHRONICLES
Although primarily renowned for its plentiful natural splendor, America’s first national park also boasts some fantastic history on the supernatural side.
A ghost story dating back more than a
Wyoming State Championship Weigh-Off and Giant Pumpkin Drop reaches new heights
On Oct. 4, a group of spectators and giant pumpkin growers gathered at the Washakie County Fairgrounds in Worland for the annual Wyoming State Championship Weigh-Off and Giant Pumpkin Drop.
This family-friendly tradition helps ring in fall each year and features an impressive display of massive pumpkins exhibited by expert gourd growers hailing from across Wyoming and surrounding states.
The event always ends with the fan favorite giant pumpkin drop, where the heaviest pumpkins are hoisted hundreds of feet high before careening to the ground.
This year, the winning pumpkin weighed in at 1,788 pounds, setting a new site record before being sent crashing down onto a port-apotty from 200 feet in the air.
Weigh-off results
In total, 20 giant pumpkins ranging in size from just under 60 pounds to nearly one ton were on display at the 2025 contest. The weigh-off featured growers from all across Wyoming, as well as one competitor from Montana.
Chad Kurtenbach of
century marks the hallways of Yellowstone National Park’s historic Old Faithful Inn, where the spirit of a young bride met by a murderous end is rumored to roam.
The story
Yellowstone’s most notorious ghost story dates back to 1915. It begins in New York City, where the daughter of a wealthy shipping company owner was arranged to be married to the son of another well-todo family.
The daughter rejected the arranged marriage, as she had fallen in love with a much older man who worked as a servant in the family home and planned to marry him instead. Enraged, her father threatened to cut the woman and her new husband out of any shred of inheritance.
WYLR photo
Something for Everyone in the Business
As October comes to a close, convention season will kick off, running from Oct. 27 to Dec.10 this year.
In the next 45 days there will be many ag-related events taking place, and it is a good time to get up-to-date on state and national agricultural issues.
The season starts Oct. 27-28 with the Wyoming Farm to School Conference.
This two-day conference in Casper is the first of its kind. It is about those in production agriculture supplying local schools with meat and vegetables for lunch. This worthwhile movement has really caught on in Wyoming and will only get larger.
On Oct. 29-31, the Wyoming Water Association Annual Conference, to be held in Casper, will focus on water issues around the state. There will be much discussion about the Colorado River Pact.
The American Angus Association will hold its annual conference from Oct. 31-Nov. 2 in Kansas City, Mo., bringing Angus breeders together from around the world.
On Nov. 6-7, the Wyoming Association of Irrigation Districts will hold its annual meeting in Casper. With the state’s water being so valuable, there will be many discussions on irrigation water.
Also on Nov. 6-7, the 32nd Annual Wyoming Women in Ag Symposium will be held in Gillette. This event is always very informative and includes a local tour of ag businesses.
The West Central States Wool Growers Convention will be held Nov. 6-8 in Cody. This is always a well-attended convention by those involved in the sheep, lamb and wool industry.
On Nov. 10-11, the Range Beef Cow Symposium will be held in Cheyenne. This collaboration of Wyoming, Colorado and South Dakota Extensions provides a great wealth of information about raising cattle in the region. A trade show and the best information from ag colleges and other ranchers makes for a great time.
The 42nd Annual Governor’s Business Forum will take place in Laramie Nov. 11-13 where businesses from all industries will gather to hear speakers on the strength of Wyoming industries and what is happening around the state.
The Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation 2025 Annual Meeting and Vendor Fair is set for Nov. 13-15 in Gillette. This is always a good place to plan policy for the coming year and join with people from around the state. It is a real family-friendly event.
The Cheyenne Livestock Exposition in Cheyenne, set for Nov. 17-30, is a great place for all ages to show high-quality livestock.
On Nov. 18-19, the University of Wyoming Extension Rancher’$ E.D.G.E. Program in Evanston will provide important information for ranchers to learn and gauge how their ranches are doing.
The 80th Annual Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts Convention will take place in Gillette Nov. 19-21. It is a time to discuss policy, water, soil and wildlife, along with a great fundraising auction for the Wyoming Natural Resources Foundation.
On Nov. 20-22, the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union Annual Convention will be held in Cheyenne, featuring discussions on crops and policy.
Finally, the Wyoming Stock Growers Association Winter Roundup Annual Convention will take place in Casper on Dec. 8-10 for three days of policy, information, a trade show and speakers from around the nation and Washington, D.C. We hope to see you somewhere.
GUEST OPINIONS
New Ninth Circuit Decision Raises the Question, Does FLPMA
Recently, the Ninth Circuit issued a decision which could have grave consequences for farmers, energy users and anyone who relies on exploration of federal land.
In a case called Shoshone-Bannock Tribes vs. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the court addressed how a specific federal statute – the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) – interacts with Tribal rights and treaties.
In short, the Tribe won a victory, for now, holding an early 20th century treaty constrains BLM from allowing a company to explore federal land for minerals.
Put simply, the decision is alarming, particularly for anyone who cares about energy independence, food security and the prosperity of the American West.
Ordinarily, FLPMA resolves uncertainties when it comes to how federal land can be used.
When it comes to major projects like the one at issue in the case, predictability is the key, and while respect for treaty
By Ivan London
rights is a core principle of federal law, federal courts must also give effect to FLPMA’s mandate. The two should be reconciled, not placed in conflict.
But in its ruling, the Ninth Circuit declared FLPMA’s cornerstone duty to reset management of federal lands in the West is meaningless in the context of a Tribal treaty. Instead, the court held that treaty provisions from the early 20th century can override FLPMA’s framework, even on lands which have been under federal management for generations.
Respecting treaty rights is important, but it should not come at the expense of disregarding Congress’ clear statutory directives. So, while courts have put forth a narrative that FLPMA fundamentally changed land management in the West, the Ninth Circuit instead articulated a major loophole which renders the law nearly meaningless.
The Ninth Circuit was not painting on a blank canvas though. For years, federal courts have used FLPMA as a
sword against projects on federal land but not given it the same credence when FLPMA would protect private conduct. This is just not right.
At Mountain States Legal Foundation (MSLF), we rarely cheer for larger or more invasive government. Our mission has always been to hold federal regulators in check. But in this case, the public’s interests are best served by giving effect to Congress’ clear statutory mandate in FLPMA.
This law protects projects providing energy, food and jobs – reflecting the pro-project public Congress had in mind, rather than the litigation-driven opposition of groups determined to stop every use of public lands.
Congress enacted FLPMA in 1976 to ensure federal lands would be managed for multiple use and sustained yield. These are terms of art which have legal meanings.
Congress required BLM to prevent
From the Publisher Dennis Sun
Groundbreaking to begin
According to Nebraska Extension Water and Cropping Systems Educator Gary Stone, it has been six years since the tunnel collapse and canal breach on the Goshen and GeringFort Laramie main line canal, which curtailed water deliveries to over 107,000 acres in Nebraska and Wyoming for 44 days.
Replacement for Tunnel Number Two on the Goshen and Gering-Fort Laramie canal will begin this fall.
A groundbreaking ceremony will take place on Oct. 28 at the Goshen Irrigation District Office in Torrington, followed by a review of the anticipated work at the Tunnel Number Two site.
The preliminary work this fall will include development of the inlet and outlet structures at Tunnel Number Two prior to actual removal and replacement of the tunnel. Building access roads to the construction sites and installation of powerlines to serve the construction equipment during the tunnel replacement will also be initiated.
Actual tunnel excavation and replacement will not start until the fall of 2026, and anticipated replacement of both tunnels is expected to be completed in the spring of 2028.
Funding for the project continues to be a challenge for the irrigation districts. The total anticipated cost of the project is estimated to be $150 million.
The irrigation districts have secured $64.5 million in grants from Nebraska and Wyoming and have an option to access $58.5 million from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation as a lowinterest loan. Additional support is required for the balance.
Sale sets records
According to an Oct. 16 National Beef Wire Facebook post, Buffalo Livestock Marketing set 24 barn records during its Oct. 15 sale, including the best calf sale in barn history, marking all-time highs for four-, five- and six-weight cattle.
The barn posted the top three four-weight sales in its history, led by 19 head at 415 pounds bringing $627.50, which ranks as the sixth-highest four-weight sale in the U.S., followed by 12 head at 440 pounds for $607.50 and 23 head at 433 pounds for $589.
The five-weights were equally strong, with eight of the top 10 all-time barn prices set during the sale, including 108 head at 514 pounds for $539.50 and 62 head at 525 pounds for $520, now the top two in barn history.
The six-weight division also hit new highs, with 32 head at 617 pounds selling for $464.50 and 30 head at 613 pounds selling for $464, part of the top four sixweight sales ever recorded at Buffalo.
Workshop scheduled
The American Lamb Board (ALB) will host another Solar Grazing Workshop from Dec. 8-10 in Franklin, Ky.
The event is a three-day opportunity for farmers, ranchers, industry leaders and solar advocates to network, learn about sheep production and gain hands-on experience.
The workshop will also provide current and new producers with a comprehensive overview of the emerging field of solar grazing.
As solar development expands across the U.S., workshops like this highlight the complementary relationship between renewable energy and agriculture. By bringing grazers and solar operators together, events like the ALB Solar Grazing Workshop foster innovation, address real-world challenges and accelerate the adoption of solar opportunities.
For more information or to register, visit lambboard.com
Governor praises innovation
On Oct. 7, Gov. Mark Gordon was invited by the organizers of the 12th Annual Jackson Hole Global Technology Summit to deliver remarks showcasing innovation in Wyoming and the Rocky Mountain Region.
At the summit, the governor discussed Wyoming’s energy, education and digital asset innovations. The event garnered national attention, with more than 400 entrepreneurs, policymakers, venture capitalists and innovators in attendance.
The governor’s message and subsequent conversations highlighted Wyoming’s leadership in the digital asset space with the imminent launch of the Wyoming Stable Token – the first-ever, state-issued, fullybacked stable token – and Wyoming’s first Learning and Employment Record and digital wallet for verified education and workplace credentials.
The governor concluded with a call-to-action to work collaboratively, advocating for healthy economic policies which foster innovation and a sound business climate in Wyoming.
Registration open
Registration is now open for the 2025 Wyoming Society for Range Management (SRM) Fall Conference and Training.
Themed “Bridging Science and Stewardship for Wyoming’s Rangelands,” the three-day event is scheduled for Nov. 7-9 at the Intertribal Education and Community Center on Central Wyoming College Campus in Riverton.
SRM’s in-person event provides the opportunity to connect with fellow rangeland and natural resource managers, partners and producers and to gain valuable insights about industry happenings.
Agenda items include management of poisonous and invasive species, Tribal natural resources, wild and feral horses and bison, as well as advocacy from Wyoming ranches in Washington, D.C.; succession planning on rangelands; agency and partner updates and more.
For more information or to register, e-mail wysrmeditor@gmail.com or russell@y2consultants.com.
Request denied
The Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) expressed disappointment with the U.S. Supreme Courtʼs decision to not hear a crucial corner crossing case.
In August, MSGA filed an amicus brief alongside the Wyoming Stock Growers Association and Wyoming Wool Growers Association to the U.S. Supreme Court in a crucial corner crossing case.
“MSGA has defended private property rights for more than a century and will remain engaged in supporting movements toward affirming those protections,” stated Lesley Robinson, MSGA president. “We believe we provided a compelling argument from a landowner’s perspective for the court to take up the case and highlighted the importance of a property owner’s right to protect their airspace and land from trespass.”
The original litigation centered around four hunters who accessed checkerboarded public land via a ladder over the corner of private property. The landowner – the plaintiff –sought to uphold the long-established principal in Wyoming which considered corner crossing to be a trespass.
However, in March 2025, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the right to corner cross to access federal public lands as long as a private landowner’s land is not physically touched.
The plaintiffs have since filed a petition for the case to be elevated to the U.S. Supreme Court.
NEWS BRIEFS FSA offices to reopen
Viral avian disease detected in Wyoming
The detection of avian paramyxovirus, a viral disease often affecting doves and pigeons, was recently found in Wyoming.
Eurasian collared-doves from Casper, Green River, Riverton and Rock Springs tested positive for avian paramyxovirus, which can spread rapidly in areas where birds congregate and can cause large die-offs in pigeon and dove populations.
“We detect this virus from time to time around the state,” said Liz Wheeler, Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) wildlife disease biologist at the WGFD’s Wildlife Health Lab in Laramie.
Birds infected with this disease may exhibit neurolog-
ical symptoms, diarrhea, weakness, respiratory distress or die acutely.
Samples tested negative for avian influenza and Newcastle’s disease, a more virulent strain of paramyxovirus.
Wheeler said avian paramyxovirus is best controlled with frequent disinfection of bird feeding and watering equipment, especially if doves are regularly present. Disinfecting equipment with a 10 percent bleach solution is recommended.
People who see three or more dead birds in an area are encouraged to notify their local WGFD regional office.
For more information, including disease factsheets and online distribution maps, visit wgfd.wyo.gov
BEEF COW SYMPOSIUM
XXIX · November 10-11, 2025 Event Center at Archer, Cheyenne, Wyoming
REGISTER NOW!
For detailed information, schedule, pricing, exhibitor information and to register, visit www.rangebeefcowsymposium.com
SCAN THE QR CODE TO LEARN MORE!
» Featuring speakers and topics that address range beef cow production in the four-state region of Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, South Dakota – and beyond.
» Registration includes panel breakout sessions, evening “Bull Pen” sessions and a trade show of 50+ vendors.
» Registration includes digital proceedings and postevent access to recordings of all presentations.
» Held only every other year, this is an educational symposium you don’t want to miss!
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices reopened on Oct. 23 to perform core operations. Offices have been closed since Oct. 1 due to the government shutdown.
According to a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) spokesperson, President Donald Trump directed Rollins to take “decisive action” and bring back core USDA services and FSA employees.
“President Trump will not let the shutdown impact critical USDA services while harvest is underway across the country,” the spokesperson said. “He is committed to supporting America’s farmers and ranchers, and this action will release over $3 billion in assistance for farmers Congress has held up for over 20 days.”
So far, administration officials have not specified where they found funding to resume FSA operations. However, much of the $3 billion in assistance will be distributed through Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) payments which were previously on hold.
In addition to ARC and PLC payments, FSA will resume processing farm loans, allocating disaster relief payments and distributing funds through other programs.
About 2,100 FSA offices are found across the country, and beginning on Oct. 23, each county office will be staffed by two employees for five days per week.
CONTACT: Shelby L. Rosasco, Ph.D. Assistant Professor – Beef Extension Specialist srosasco@uwyo.edu (307) 766-2329
According to the USDA spokesperson, they will perform normal functions for programs funded by the Commodity Credit Corporation. They will also accept applications and information related to programs funded by other sources.
WGFD seeks info
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) is asking for the public’s help in protecting the state’s shared natural and cultural heritage after a recent incident of artifact looting and vandalism on Wyoming Game and Fish Commission lands near Dubois.
Commission lands are managed to conserve wildlife habitat and provide public opportunities for hunting, fishing and recreation. They also hold important cultural and historical resources telling the story of Wyoming’s past.
“Looting not only strips the land of irreplaceable history, it jeopardizes the privilege of public access to these areas for everyone,” said Lander Regional Wildlife Supervisor Jason Hunter. “These lands are owned by the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission and are open to unlimited public access for much of the year. It is the department’s responsibility to safeguard them for future generations.”
To encourage leads in this case, an anonymous donor is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information resulting in a conviction.
Anyone with information is urged to call the Stop Poaching Hotline at 877-943-3847 or submit a report online. Tips can be made anonymously.
Energy discussions continue
On Oct. 20, Gov. Mark Gordon participated in the New Mexico and Wyoming Advanced Energy Landscape Roundtable Meetings in Santa Fe, N.M. Gordon joined New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Japanese Ambassador to the U.S. Shigeo Yamada.
The roundtable discussions focused on prioritizing Rocky Mountain natural gas for global and domestic sale, streamlining regulatory processes and enabling public and private partnerships, all of which are critical to ensure Western states like Wyoming can deliver fast and affordable energy to growing markets. By lowering shipping costs and shortening transit times, Wyoming gas becomes even more competitive.
During the discussions, the Rocky Mountain Gas Roadmap and Implementation Playbook was presented, a study identifying two infrastructure routes which position Rocky Mountain natural gas as a leading and cost-effective solution for both increasing domestic and international energy demands – beating out gas transported from the Gulf Coast.
Wyoming, along with other Western states and Native American Tribes, helped fund the study which identifies two key routes – the Pacific Northwest Pathway and the Southwest Pathway – which would would use existing infrastructure and rights-of-way to transport Wyoming and Rocky Mountain gas to growing markets in the U.S.
They would also provide the fastest, cheapest route to Asian markets and avoid Panama Canal delays, a plan strongly supported by Gordon.
Gordon continued discussions with the Japanese ambassador, building on previous talks in Japan focused on promoting Wyoming energy in crucial Asian markets.
SALE REPORTS
Basin Angus A Lasting Legacy Elite Female Sale
Reported By: Curt Cox, WYLR Field Editor
Oct. 18, 2025
Billings Livestock Commission, Billings, Mont. Auctioneer: Roger Jacobs Sale Manager: Dick Beck
Steve Perry 33 Mx Strs & Hfrs, 475-525#, Birth, Branding & Precond Shots
Marcus Anderson 30 Blk Strs & Hfrs, 490-580#, Branding & Precond Shots, Producer All Natural
Dale Anderson 26 Blk/Bwf few Rwf Strs & Hfrs, 500-550#, Branding Shots
Jerry Scott 4 Mx Strs & Hfrs, 400-500#, Branding Shots
UPCOMING SALE SCHEDULE
Wednesday, October 22nd - Feeder/Calf
Friday, October 24th - All
Monday, October 27th - Bred Cow Special
Wednesday, October 29th - Feeder/Calf Friday, October 31st - All
Monday, November 3rd - Calf
Wednesday, November 5th - Feeder/Calf Friday, November 7th - All Classes
Monday, November 10th - Bred Cow
Wednesday, November 12th -
Friday, November 14th
Monday, November 17th
November
OBITUARIES
Myra Jean (Flaharty) Hanna
Oct. 16, 1927 – Oct. 8, 2025
Myra Jean (Flaharty) Hanna, age 97, a lifelong rancher in the Sybille Canyon area, passed away peacefully on Oct. 8 in Laramie. Myra lived a good and long life, ranching with grit and perseverance.
Myra was born on Oct. 16, 1927 in Wheatland, the daughter of Earl F. and Myrtle Augusta (Rosentreter) Hanna. She went to rural school at the ranch and graduated from University Prep and the University of Wyoming.
Myra and Elwood Hanna were married in 1952, and they worked for John and Marie Bell living at the Konold Ranch. They moved to the PR5 Ranch, buying it and the Hereford cattle from Myra’s parents Earl and Myrtle Flaharty and her brother Cliff Flaharty. They later bought part of the Rosentreter Ranch, which included Myra’s
Billy George Owens
June 15, 1950 – Oct. 18, 2025
grandfather’s and mother’s homesteads. They shipped calves to the Omaha Stockyards for many years and sold several club calves that won top awards.
Myra loved the ranch, riding and working cattle into her 80s. She kept detailed records of the cows and their calves and could point out a cow in the pasture and tell you about her history. Myra had an eye for cattle, winning several cattle judging awards.
In 2006, Myra and her family were proud to have the PR5 Ranch recognized as a Wyoming Centennial Ranch at the Wyoming State Fair in Douglas.
Myra and Elwood had a daughter, Susan. Myra helped Susan with her cattle projects and horses in 4-H, horse shows and rodeos. Susan Hanna and Martin Weaklim married and had
a central part of his life.
children, Julia Weaklim and Ian Weaklim.
Myra loved her family and enjoyed having her grandchildren help on the ranch riding horses, branding and trailing cattle and hiking around the ranch with her and the rest of the family.
Myra enjoyed visiting and working with neighbors and friends and supporting the local Sybille community.
Myra was the grand marshall for the Platte County Fair and Rodeo parade in 2016. For many years, she supported the fair, entering baked goods, apples and other exhibits while attending and helping with 4-H events.
Myra supported agriculture. She was active in and held several offices in the Laramie Peak, Albany County and Wyoming Cattlewomen’s clubs and attended annual Wyoming
Stock Growers Association conventions.
She wrote the Barbie-Q column for the Wheatland and Laramie newspapers with beef recipes and stories about ranch life.
Myra was a 50-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star and was named the grand representative to Texas from Wyoming. She participated in the National Eastern Star meeting in Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas.
She was also a member of the Wheatland United Methodist Church.
Myra liked to go to Wyoming Cowboysʼ football and basketball games and had contributed calves to the Cowboy Joe Steer-AYear program.
Myra liked rodeos, and she rarely missed Cheyenne Frontier Days and the National Western Stock Show, often going with the
whole family.
Myra, Susan and Julia went to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, and Myra enjoyed it so much she and Susan took in the finals for several more years to catch both the rodeo and concerts there.
Myra is preceded in death by her parents Earl on Aug. 30, 1974 and Myrtle on June 15, 1993; husband Elwood on June 17, 2002 and brother Cliff on June 29, 2002.
She is survived by her daughter Susan (Martin) Weaklim and grandchildren Julia (Mike) and Ian (Katya). Memorials may be made to the Albany County Cowbelle Scholarship Fund in memory of Myra Hanna, PO Box 2157, Laramie, WY 82073.
Services were held on Oct. 17 at the First Christian Church in Wheatland.
Billy George Owens, age 75, moved to greener pastures on Oct. 18 after a heart attack while working in his barn. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend whose rugged spirit, resilience and unwavering work ethic left a lasting impact on all who knew him.
Billy was a proud graduate of Red Lodge High School’s Class of 1968. He furthered his education at Northwestern College and later Montana State University, where he was on the Meat Judging Team and the Rodeo Team, roping calves.
Billy was born on June 15, 1950 to James (Jim) and Madelyn Owens of Red Lodge, Mont. Named after his parents’ friend Billy Greenough, he grew up learning the ways of ranching and developing a lifelong love for the mountains and hunting. These passions became
Buys
During the summers, he shod horses for the National Park Service and packed supplies to fire lookout towers, exemplifying his strong work ethic and love for outdoor work.
In 1978, Billy stole the heart of Mary Allemand, and they shared a life full of love and adventure for 47 years.
Billy’s adventures often took him into the mountains with Mary, exploring the wilderness on countless pack trips and working livestock on horses and mules. Their shared love for the mountains and outdoor life brought many stories and lifelong memories.
Together, they cared for cattle on a mountain permit, packing all supplies into a remote cabin via mules.
Later, they managed a large cattle ranch, where Billy learned more intensive cattle production methods, including artificial insemination, and together they started a Red Angus herd
HAYING & FORAGE (cont’d)
– an achievement rooted in their dedication.
Billy enjoyed working with livestock, caring for his cattle and horses with the same toughness and dedication that defined him. In 1989, the two purchased a sheep and cattle ranch north of Casper where they continued to pursue their passion for ranching, livestock and outdoor life.
Their work side by side in the rugged terrain, caring for their cattle and sheep, exemplified their shared commitment and bond.
Throughout their time together, Billy taught his sons the value of hard work, resilience and respect for the land – lessons they still carry with them to this day.
Billy’s passions included hunting, spending time with
his border collies and working in his barn, where he loved to tinker and mend. His strong work ethic, rugged toughness and love for his family and outdoor life defined him.
He was a proud father to his two sons, Jim (Jozie) and Mike (Sara) and a proud grandfather to his grandsons Jackson and Jameson. Billy’s deep love for his family, outdoors, and ranching life will never be forgotten.
Billy would wish us the “Cowboy Blessing,” which says, “May your belly never grumble, may your heart never ache, may your horse never stumble and may your cinch never break.”
Billy will be dearly missed, but his legacy of strength, perseverance and love will live on forever.
WyFB meeting set
“Saddles to Solutions” is the theme for the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation (WyFB) 106th Annual Meeting, which will take place Nov. 13-15 at the CAM-PLEX in Gillette. Policy discussion is the main impetus of the WyFB Annual Meeting.
The meeting also centers on grassroots policy development, where members discuss and vote on resolutions shaping the organization’s direction. Delegates will conduct state officer elections during the business session.
The event will begin with a coal mine tour at Caballo Mine on Oct. 13, organized by the Wyoming Farm Bureau Foundation, followed by standing committee meetings and a marketing workshop for county presidents and information chairs led by WyFB Marketing and Communications Director Callie Hanson.
That evening, members can enjoy Taproom Trivia Night at The Railyard, led by Andy Schwab of the Northern Ag Network
The Oct. 14 general session features updates from WyFB leadership and guest speakers Danny Munch, economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), and Austin Large, AFBF senior director of membership and organization development.
The evening concludes with an annual awards banquet and foundation auction, followed by live music from Tris and Sam Munsick.
The Oct. 15 agenda begins with South Dakota Ranchers Heather and Charles Maude, who will share their firsthand experiences navigating a boundary dispute with the U.S. Forest Service.
The meeting will conclude with the election of state officers and an at-large Young Farmer and Rancher (YF&R) representative to the WyFB YF&R Committee.
For more information, to view the full agenda or to register, visit wyfb.org
“unnecessary or undue degradation,” precisely to strike a balance between development and conservation. For decades, this mandate has shaped how BLM regulates grazing, oil and gas production, timber harvests, mining projects and rights-of-way.
BLM doesn’t always get it right, but at least FLPMA is supposed to guide how decisions are made in these areas. And courts and agencies alike are supposed to treat the “multiple-use” standard as a real, enforceable standard.
It says nothing about deferring to older treaties which would constrain BLM from applying FLPMA in the usual course.
But this dedication to the law has eroded over the past years, including a recent effort by BLM to create leases rewarding applicants for perversely taking federal lands away from the public.
The agency is now proposing to walk this effort back, and MSLF will support BLM in making sure the effort was short-lived.
Now, however, the Ninth Circuit has reduced the multiple-use duty to a hollow formality in one context here.
This about-face undermines both the statute’s text and decades of agency practice. Worse still, it comes after “anti-use” groups spent decades wielding FLPMA
to block grazing, oil and gas leasing, mining and timber harvests – all of which are uses of federal lands Congress elevated as national priorities.
If FLPMA was a sword for activists who wanted to block all of these projects yesterday, then how can the same premise suddenly provide no shield for American producers today? The law must be equally available to all.
The consequences of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes vs. BLM case may be felt across the economy.
In the case, BLM had authorized a company to use land to obtain potash and phosphate – two common ingredients used in fertilizer for farmers.
Without reliable domestic sources of potash and phosphate, American farmers will have to consider relying on fertilizer imports from Morocco, Russia and China.
In broader terms, the decision may affect energy exploration, since Tribes can assert treaties which long ago disposed of their lands in favor of federal ownership but still come with strings attached.
Without confidence national-priority projects can be approved under a fair legal standard, the U.S. risks falling behind in securing the critical resources needed for affordable, reliable and responsible energy,
manufacturing and national defense.
And without tools like active forest management, communities in the West will face more catastrophic wildfires which threaten lives, livelihoods and the very lands FLPMA was meant to protect.
To be sure, the ShoshoneBannock Tribes vs. BLM case was a two-to-one vote at the Court of Appeals, meaning one of the three judges dissented from the holding. This dissent got it right – courts must give meaning to Congress’ words.
To say FLPMA doesn’t protect the process here is to say Congress wasted its breath, which is a conclusion the Supreme Court has rejected repeatedly when interpreting federal statutes.
Let’s hope the case doesn’t stop with a negative ruling because our energy independence, food security and the health of our forests and other lands demand a legal framework that means what it says.
If courts have meant what they said about FLPMA providing this framework, then they need to be consistent.
In this recent case, the Ninth Circuit worked hard to invent a loophole. It’s not there though. Pretending otherwise is a mistake.
Ivan London is a senior attorney at MSLF, practicing energy and natural resources law. He can be reached by visiting mslegal.org
UW launches program
From October 2025 to May 2026, University of Wyoming (UW) Extension will lead a program to inspire outdoor adventures and encourage families to spend time together.
“Ready, Set, Explore” is a free annual program open to the public. Participants can complete monthly activities with anyone they consider family, from parents and siblings to friends and neighbors.
Those who register for the program between October and May will receive an e-mail with a link to all eight months of activities. Each month includes outdoor activities, tips about health and nature, a handout on a natural resource, a snack idea and a journal prompt.
Activities are designed to help families connect to each other and to nature. October’s activities, for example, include going on a fall scavenger hunt, decorating pumpkins and building a scarecrow.
Families can receive a small prize every month for completing at least four activities and submitting a written reflection on their experience with these activities.
Ready, Set, Explore is led by UW Extension Educators Hailey Sorg, Josh Bliss, Joddee Jacobsen, Gretchen Gasvoda and Jedidiah Hewlett.
Families who participate in Ready, Set, Explore for at least four of the eight months are awarded an annual day-use pass for Wyoming State Parks. The pass covers day-use fees for one vehicle for all Wyoming state parks and historic sites. It does not cover other fees, such as camping fees.
For more information or to register for the program, visit bit.ly/readyset-site. Contact the Ready, Set, Explore team at readysetexplore.4h@gmail.com or 307-235-9400.
Lungren, Luke - Worland
Pierce, Karl - Deaver
1 Blk Bull, 2140# $19050
1 Blk Bull, 1915# $18600
Dobson, Martin - Burlington
1 Blk Bull, 1535# $18700
1 Blk Bull, 1670# $18600
Spear D Ranch - Basin
1 Red Bull, 1765# $18650
Vacher, Kayden - Riverton
1 Blk Bull, 1700# $18500
RCA Livestock - Worland
1 Red Bull, 2055# $18500
Preator, Norman - Burlington
1 Blk Bull, 1940# $18100 COWS
Mooncrest Ranch - Cody 1 BWF Cow, 1345# $20500
1 Blk Cow, 1660# $17700
1 Blk Cow, 1620# $17300
5 BWF Cows, avg. 1332# $16500
Warner, Michael - Worland
1 BWF Cow, 1205# $20500
1 CharX Cow, 1940# $18100
Lake, Tucker - Thermopolis
1 Blk Cow, 1195# $18500
1 Blk Cow, 1235# $17200
1 Blk Cowm 1400# $16950
Starkey Farm & Livestock - Lovell
1 Blk Cow, 1340# $18050
1 Blk Cow, 1350# $17900
1 Blk Cow, 1295# $17350
Redland, Mark - Ten Sleep
1 Blk Cow, 1440# $18000
1 Blk Cow, 1385# $16750
40 BWF Cows, avg. 1431# $17900
1 Blk Cow, 1515# $17700
1 Blk Cow, 1795# $17600
Greybull River Land & Cattle - Meeteetse
1 Blk Cow, 1635# $17900
1 Blk Cow, 1440# $14200
Hayhook Angus LLC - Meeteetse
1 Blk Cow, 1440# $17800
Brandon Haun - Worland
1 Blk Cow, 1435# $17800
Double Doc Ranch - Shell
1 Blk Cow, 1350# $17800
1 Blk Cow, 1210# $17300
1 Blk Cow, 1445# $17200
Lyman Ranch Co. - Ten Sleep
1 Blk Cow, 1425# $17600
Martinez, Scott - Evansville
1 Blk Cow, 1125# $17500
Durbin Creek Herefords - Thermopolis
3 Hrfd Cows, avg. 1265# $17350
1 Hrfd Cow, 1300# $17300
1 Hrfd Cow, 1355# $17100
Price, Kent - Daniel
1 Blk Cow, 1315# $17300
Swing or Sami Mcrae - Worland
1 Blk Cow, 1290# $17200
1 Blk Cow, 1345# $17100
Doyle Ranches, Inc. - Hyattville
1 Hrfd Cow, 1090# $17200
Brunko, Gary - Burlington
1 Blk Cow, 1495# $17100 Paumer, Dave - Hyattville
1 Blk Cow, 1505# $17000
1 Blk Cow, 1450# $16900
Ten Sleep Cattle, Inc. - Ten
Consignments • October 27 • Monday • Bawl of the Fall Feeder Special
Bjornestad Land & Cattle – 100 black steers; 100 black heifers, 500-550#, shots at branding.
Craig & Mikala Harry – 65 mixed black, 500-600#, two rounds of shots, weaned, knife cut, poured.
De Vries Farms – 30 black & red steers; 30 black & red heifers, 550-600#, two rounds of shots, Bangs vacc.
Mark Dooley – 50 mixed black, 400-500#, two rounds of shots.
Truman Trosper – 50 mixed black, 400-600#, shots at branding, high elevation.
Brian & Robin Skorcz – 40 mixed black, 500-550#, shots at branding, poured +.
Jim and Alice Emerson – 20 black & BB steers; 10 black & BB heifers, 500-600#, shots at branding.
ML Land & Livestock – 30 mixed black, 400-500#, two rounds of shots, weaned.
Ty Henderson – 30 black steers, 500-550#, two rounds of shots, weaned.
Blackstar Cattle – 30 black heifers, 500#, complete vacc at branding.
Whispering Creek Cattle – 25 black & red steers, 400-500#, two rounds of shots, black bulls, high desert.
Keith & Lisa Bower – 25 black heifers, 500-550#, two rounds of shots, weaned.
Blackstar Cattle Co. – 21 black heifers, 450-500#, two rounds of shots, weaned.
Jeff & Monica Nicholson – 20 black mixed, 550-600#, complete vacc at branding.
Torry & Shane Burson – 19 black & BB mixed, 500-600#, shots at branding, weaned 45+ days.
Jeff Lapp – 15 mixed red, 450-500#, two rounds of shots.
RCA Livestock – 12 red mixed, 500-550#, complete vacc at branding, poured & bunk broke, weaned Sept. 28.
Leroy & Rob Klitzke – 10 black & BB mixed, 500-600#, complete vacc at branding.
Triple C Farms – 10 black heifers, 600#, complete vacc at branding, replacement quality.
Matt & Kari Root – 9 black & BWF steers, 550#, two rounds of shots.
Deb Simon – 5 black steers; 3 black heifers, 450-600#, poured, weaned Sept. 15.
Chancy & Karla Gitlitz – 4 black steers; 4 black heifers, Bangs vacc, 400-500#, two rounds of shots.
James Roush – 7 black steers, 450-600#, two rounds of shots, poured, weaned Sept. 15.
E Spear – 50 black yearling steers, 950-1000#.
Austin Snook • 307-290-2161
Taylor Snook • 307-290-2273
Craig Deveraux • 307-746-5690
Dan Catlin • 406-671-7715
Clint Snook • 307-290-4000
Cheyenne Seymour • 605-641-0638
EXTENSION EDUCATION
By Sara Fleenor, UW Extension Educator
Youth Ag Safe Day Held for Crook County Students
Agriculture is the third largest industry in Wyoming, just behind mining and tourism. Agriculture is also an industry where 33 children in the U.S. are injured daily, and a child dies every three
Kyle Kallhoff • 605-881-1526
Casey Sellers • 307-217-2614
Jim Forbes • 307-351-5932
Tye Curuchet • 307-351-8666
Daniel Escoz • 307-217-1440
Kade Kinghorn • 307-620-0525
"From the ring, to the video, and in the country, we market your livestock the competitive way."
October 22, 2025
Record breaking head count for our sale today, selling just under 4700 head of high-quality calves. A lot of the offering coming without fall shots, the fall shots making a big difference. Calves sold on an active market, despite the futures market being locked limit down. Thank you and we appreciate your business!
days – surpassing all other industries combined.
In an industry so crucial to America, prevention education is imperative, so Youth Ag Safe Day was created.
According to the National Center for Fatality Review and Prevention, youth agriculture fatalities are primarily related to vehicles and machinery, such as tractors, skid steers and mobile implements; drowning and fall or crush incidents.
Many of these injuries and deaths are due to the smaller size of children, lack of experience and being given independence on tasks beyond their capabilities.
Additionally, kids visiting farms and ranches are exposed to conditions and events they are unfamiliar with and don’t know how to handle.
University of Wyoming (UW) Crook County Ag and Natural Resource Extension Educator Sara Fleenor planned an agriculture safety day primarily aimed at students in seventh and eighth grades.
The event was designed to educate kids who are getting old enough to be given more responsibility and independence.
Working with the Crook County Public Health Prevention Coalition, handson programing was catered to production and industries found in Crook County. By creating educational opportunities to teach safety measures on events commonly seen in Wyoming agriculture, the expectation is to prevent serious injury or death.
Specialists and safety personnel from Powder River Energy Corporation (PreCorp), Devils Tower Forest Products, Crook County Emergency Management, Crook County Sheriff’s Department and Grossenburg Implement presented hands-on learning stations for over 200 students from the three Crook County schools.
FFA chapter officers from the Bearlodge/Sundance FFA, Devils Tower/ Hulett FFA and Whitcomb/ Moorcroft FFA led student groups, and students were given real-life scenarios and demonstrations to learn about the dangers they might encounter.
PreCorp demonstrated powerline danger and electrical safety protocol. Additionally, they demonstrated the need to call 811 to locate underground powerlines before digging and how this call could save a life.
Students were shown what happens in the event of a downed powerline and how to safely maneuver around electricity. They were educated on what to do if a powerline hit their vehicle, and if exit was critical, how stepping correctly could prevent death.
Logging is an important industry in Crook County, and Devils Tower Forest Product employees shared timber operations and safety measures for logging, forklifts and chainsaws. Images of safety hazards and the resulting injuries were also provided to students.
The Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Management gave information about laws, potential dangers and how to stay safe. Students were shown computer and drone capabilities in the event of a missing person. They were also told how to properly call 911 and what information they should have ready for the operator.
Tractor safety, power take-off dangers and moving equipment hazards were presented by Grossenburg Implement with their tractor and baler demonstrations.
Participants were also served a lunch provided through a generous grant from the Wyoming Pork Producers Council, Crook County Farm Bureau and Pinnacle Bank of Wyoming.
Planning is underway for another safety day next fall. Individuals interested in participating in this event can contact the Crook County Extension Office at crookcty@uwyo.edu.
Sara Fleenor is the University of Wyoming Extension agriculture and natural resources educator serving Crook County. She can be reached at sfleenor@uwyo. edu or 307-283-1192.
Student mentors – FFA chapter officers from Hulett, Moorcroft and Sundance led groups during Crook County Youth Ag Safe Day. Courtesy photo
Dangerous encounters – Here, a Powder River Energy Corporation employee demonstrates the impact of digging into a buried powerline. Courtesy photo
IT'S THE PITTS
by Lee Pitts
Hog Slop
My elders have always told me I loved animals from the time I first laid eyes on a dog.
They say, and I find this hard to believe, I was even captivated by my grandma’s cat – the one who’d later try to scratch my eyes out.
Growing up I read every book I could about animals, never missed an episode of “Wild Kingdomˮ on TV and would rather see real animals in a zoo than I would animatronic animals at Disneyland.
Animal behavior has always been my favorite field of study, and I must say most of what I learned was – pardon my language – hog slop. For instance, I was taught humans are the only ones who killed their own kind.
Evidently, these experts never had an ant farm as a child like I did. If they had, they’d have known ants go to war against other ants at the slightest provocation.
Dare I say ants are more murderous than Hitler, Stalin, Genghis Kahn, Charles Manson and John Wayne Gacy?
MOON
Did you also know ants always fall on their right side when intoxicated?
I know from experience rabbits sometimes kill their own babies, and hogs have not only killed their piglets but eaten them too. Some insects kill others of the same species as part of their mating ritual.
We’ve turned wild murderous animals into plush toys and Disney movies, but in the wild, animals are not quite so nice.
Have the experts not seen two mountain goats go head to head to see who got the goat? The female goat, that is. Even if they didn’t kill each other, I bet they both had a headache that made them wonder if a roll in the hay was worth it.
I own a bronze called “To Sire The Herd,” which basically shows two wild stallions attempting to kill each other. Roosters kill each other in cockfights, and some raptors regularly eat the eggs of other birds. If this isn’t murder in the first degree, it’s manslaughter, at least.
continued from page 1
enough food stored for upcoming winter months.
Going with the tide
Originating from Native American Tribesʼ “Corn Moon” or “Barley Moon,” which was used to determine when corn was ready for harvest, many ancient growers also believed the Harvest Moon could influence the success of their crops.
According to legend, the moon could affect everything from soil moisture levels and sap flow to the gravitational pull on plants, and while modern technology has changed how harvest season unfolds, many producers believe the Harvest Moon still carries weight.
To this day, there are growers who recognize the changing of the seasons and timing of months by a lunar calendar, using moon cycles to guide their planting decisions.
Also referred to as biodynamic principles, these practices suggest planting crops under the Harvest Moon will yield a larger, tastier harvest.
Sources note some biodynamic methods propose specific planting and harvesting times based on the moon’s phases, encouraging growers to plant aboveground crops during the waxing phase and harvest them under the Harvest Moon, while planting and harvesting belowground crops under the waning moon.
Although science in support of these theo-
And do you know of all those spotted owls we had to save by shutting down the forestry industry in the great northwest? Well, researchers now say those spotted owls are being killed off by their own kind. Barred owls are not only stealing their nests, researchers have witnessed them murder their cousins in cold blood.
There are countless other myths which have been debunked since I went to school.
For one, we were taught humans are the only species that uses tools, which makes me wonder, was one of the
qualifications they wore a tool belt and bought tools off the Snap-On truck?
Researchers have since discovered chimps, elephants, dolphins, sea otters, gorillas and crocodiles are just a few of the animals better with tools than your average recent college graduate. Another little snippet I remember reading was humans are the only ones who are empathetic and generous. Now we know capuchin monkeys like to both give and receive, and elephants show their empathy by mourning their dead for longer periods than most heirs to
And Friends
ries is mixed, the tradition persists as a testament to growers’ long-standing relationship with the Earth’s natural rhythms.
A symbol of season’s end
From European settlers who tracked the moon for planting to Native American Tribes who named full moons to mark seasonal cycles, the Harvest Moon is woven into folklore across cultures.
In China, the MidAutumn Festival, which takes place under the Harvest Moon, celebrates summer’s abundant harvest and is marked by enjoying baked goods called “mooncakes” and lighting lanterns as beacons of light in people’s paths to prosperity and good fortune.
Some believe the color of the Harvest Moon is significant, with its robust red tint signaling a good harvest, while others mark it as a warning of lean times ahead.
In rural communities, the Harvest Moon represents closure and gratitude, a reminder the year’s work of sowing, watering, weeding and waiting has reached its end.
So, as October settles in and nights grow longer, agriculture’s oldest nightlight serves as a reminder that even in the darkness, the work of the nation’s ag producers still goes on.
Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
great fortunes do. We were also taught humans are the only ones who can love and hate the same person, but cattle can do it too. We know they hate cowboys at branding time, but don’t you know, they love those very same cowboys during a three-day North Dakota blizzard when the cowboys haul hay to them?
One factoid I’m suspicious of is humans are the only ones who can experience joy and knowledge of the future.
Have scientists never seen the look on the face of a bull after he’s bred a cow?
You can’t tell me it’s not joy. As for them having no knowledge of the future, why do you think rogue, open cows go to such lengths to avoid being caught and sent to town?
After a lifetime of doing my own research, I’ve come to the conclusion I agree more with Maxine of Hallmark card fame more than I do the experts. Maxine says, “Sometimes I think the only thing separating us from animals is the fact animals don’t have near the selection when it comes to hair products as we do.”
Undeterred, the young bride went through with the marriage despite her father’s warning. As a wedding gift, the father sent his daughter into her new life with a sizable dowry on the condition the couple leave New York and never return.
Shortly after their union, the newlyweds set off for a honeymoon in Yellowstone.
Early into the 2,000-mile journey, the woman realized she had made an awful mistake. Much to the young bride’s dismay, her new husband spent money recklessly, drinking and gambling at several stops along the way.
Tensions were running high and cash was running low by the time they reached Yellowstone. The young couple checked into Room 127 at the Old Faithful Inn –and the bride never checked out.
The stay Several sources report
the couple’s brief stay at the inn was troubled from the start, plagued by loud arguments overheard by staff and other guests. By the end of their stay, there was not even enough money left to cover the hotel bill.
The young woman placed a long-distance call to New York City to beg her father for a loan. He refused her request and hung up the call, not knowing it would be the last time he would ever hear his daughter’s voice.
That night, the shouts and sounds of struggle from Room 127 were louder than usual. Finally, they came to an end, followed by a slamming door and heavy footsteps of the enraged husband as he fled the Old Faithful Inn, never to be seen again.
The same cannot be said of his bride, whose headless body is said to have been discovered by hotel staff in the bathroom of Room 127 a few days after the couple’s
final argument.
The horrific tragedy was exacerbated once again when a foul odor drifting from the crow’s nest of the inn’s extravagant dining room led to the discovery of the young woman’s missing head.
The sightings Reports of a ghostly woman in white carrying her head under her arm have since surfaced a handful of times, and the legend of the headless bride of the Old Faithful Inn remains one of Yellowstone’s most famous.
The best-known sighting of the nameless, headless bride is said to have occurred nearly 70 years after the alleged murder.
In the early 1980s, a bellman named George Bornemann was up late when he heard strange noises coming from a hallway. Upon investigation, he found nothing out of the ordinary – the first two times.
During his third venture, however, Bornemann allegedly saw something which
would remain in his mind –and in the minds of curious visitors – for years to come.
As the clock struck midnight, he wandered into the balcony overlooking the inn’s lobby.
Here, Bornemann reportedly saw “a white, sort of ghostly figure coming down the stairway of the crow’s nest,” according to a 1991 interview with the former bellman published by Deseret News
“She was walking down the stairs, and the weirdest thing about her was she didn’t have a head,” Bor-
nemann told Deseret News “Or she did have a head, but it wasn’t on her neck. She was carrying it under her arm.”
Several sources report similar sightings in years since, but whether they are legitimate or simply informed by the legend birthed by Bornemann’s account remains uncertain.
The truth?
While the tale of the teenage bride’s tragic fate is certainly entertaining, there are several questions surrounding the story’s authenticity.
For one, factual evidence regarding the grisly account is nonexistent. No newspaper clippings report a murder or a marriage of similar description circa 1915 or any other time period.
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Additionally, further details about the bride and her relatives who remain nameless in every account are sparse despite of the family’s alleged wealthy, well-to-do background.
Even the most famous
sighting was admitted to be exaggerated. In the same 1991 Deseret News article, Bornemann admitted to fabricating the story’s details in order to add intrigue to the inn and appease curious visitors.
“People always come in here expecting a ghost story,” Bornemann told the Deseret News reporter. “I made up that story about the woman without a head. I’ve heard people who I’ve never met tell it back to me, so it’s made the rounds.”
Still, Bornemann claims he only embellished the story after actually hearing strange, footstep-like sounds coming from the hallway.
These noises have also been reported by other visitors, leading many to maintain the possibility of paranormal activity at the historic hotel is not entirely unfounded.
Grace Skavdahl is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
What’s Cooking, Good Looking?
Spooky season is upon us. The crisp mornings and cool autumn days make the marathon of fall work much more enjoyable.
Whether you are cooking for a crew or simply enjoying a cozy evening at home, you’ll want to give this stew a try.
In a large pot, brown stew meat over medium heat. If you are sipping on the extra wine, go ahead and pour yourself a glass now.
Add onion and garlic to the pot, and sauté until softened.
Stir in tomato paste, thyme and bay leaf.
Next, pour in the red wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
Add beef broth, carrots and potatoes. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1.5 to two hours, until the meat is tender.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve in hollowed-out bread bowls for a spooky cauldron presentation.
Tressa Lawrence lives and works on her family’s cattle ranch, where she runs cattle, cooks a few meals, juggles freelance writing and photography and is currently trying to survive the fall run. Send comments on this recipe to lawrenceranchbeefco@gmail.com.
historic Old Faithful Inn, the home of an alleged nameless, headless ghost bride who met a murderous end in 1915.
Historic Hotels of America photo
Witches Cauldron Beef Stew
SDSU researchers develop natural food dyes from ag byproducts
Work was underway at South Dakota State University (SDSU) to develop natural food-coloring alternatives long before U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. began talking about possible negative effects of synthetic dyes.
“In the last few years, my research has focused on natural food-color production,” says Ananda Nanjundaswamy, professor of biotechnology and bioprocessing at SDSU. “Natural food colors are the next alternative to synthetic food dye.”
While his work has progressed to scaling up production of natural dyes, others note the shift won’t happen overnight. So far, the only federal ban on synthetic dyes was enacted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in April.
Synthetic, petroleumbased food coloring Red No. 3 must be removed from food by January 2027. West Virginia’s ban on multiple synthetic food dyes, effective in 2028, is the only state action so far.
Seeking alternatives
Higher cost of natural colors led manufacturers to synthetic dyes.
Nanjundaswamy targeted molasses, a byproduct of sugarbeet production, as the carbon source for growing fungi and yeasts. These organisms produce carotenoids, which yield naturally occurring pigments.
The SDSU team focused on astaxanthin, the carotenoid which gives salmon a pinkish-reddish color, and beta-carotene, the carotenoid that makes carrots orange.
Carotenoids also have antioxidant properties. They
can prevent some types of cellular damage and offer pro-vitamin A activity. So, besides coloring food, they offer nutritional value.
Initially, Nanjundaswamy used benchtop bioreactors to optimize conditions for growing microbes in molasses. As they grow, technicians harvest colorful carotenoids and lipids.
Nanjundaswamy says they must scale up fermentation to a commercial level beyond lab benches for these natural pigments to have value commercially.
Working with Dakota BioWorx, which opened in Research Park at SDSU in 2023, he produced a 70-liter batch using molasses as the substrate. Studying those results provides valuable information on processes and challenges involved in scaling up from labs to production plants.
Challenges and hurdles
Looking ahead, Nanjundaswamy sees potential for natural pigments in animal feed and beyond.
He also points to highfructose corn syrup as another agricultural byproduct produced in large quantities which could serve as a nutritional base to grow carotenoid-rich microbes.
For this to happen, however, these processes must make sense economically.
Allison Bechman, a professional in the food industry with 12 years of experience, notes not all challenges come down to dollars and cents.
“These are not onefor-one substitutions,” she says. “You can’t always replace a specific amount of synthetic dye with the same amount of a natural alternative. It may require
more of the natural product. Plus, the colors may still not be the same.”
For food companies, shifting to natural colors requires a paradigm shift. Instead of calling a supplier and ordering a synthetic dye
which can be made quickly, it requires changes in timing and ordering practices. When relying on agricultural-based colors, whether they’re made from sugarbeets in the Dakotas or black carrots in Turkey, fickle
weather conditions can impact the supply chain, Bechman notes.
There are also unanswered questions, she adds.
For example, what labeling will FDA require on colors produced through biofermentation? Will they still be considered natural by consumers?
Tom J. Bechman is the Midwest crops editor for Farm Progress. This article was originally published by Farm Progress on Oct. 15.
Tom J. Bechman photo
1960s to eradicate the fly to southern Mexico and later to the Darién Gap in Panama.”
Since then, North America has been considered
NWS free, while infestations have been reported in Jamaica, Cuba and across South America.
Ledbetter notes an out-
break was also reported on southern Florida’s Big Pine Key in 2016, causing significant loss of male Key deer, which are considered endangered. Eradication was achieved the following year, but at great financial cost.
“Until 2023, the Darién Gap quarantine line held, with occasional incursions into areas west of the Panama Canal – about 25 occurrences per year. Since 2023, NWS has been reestablished north of the Panama Canal,” Ledbetter explains. “There have been 6,500-plus cases in 2024, and the screwworms have moved as far north as Veracruz, Mexico as of May but not yet into the U.S.”
vent further northward movement of the fly.
An Oct. 13 DTN article by Senior Livestock Editor Jennifer Carrico notes the border closure has had a ripple effect on the cattle industry on both sides of the border.
Carrico explains Texas feedyards – many of which rely heavily on Mexican cattle – are reporting sharp declines in capacity.
The draft playbook, which USDA describes as a “living, dynamic document,” is available on the NWS Foreign Animal Disease Preparedness and Response website.
USDA says it will continue to gather feedback from states and industry representatives to “ensure operational useability and alignment with field practices.”
Sept. 20– Nov. 2, 2025 • Casper, WY
Saturdays and Sundays 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Reservations during the week are available
Turn right on 33 Mile Rd. and take for 3 miles. Turn right on County Rd. 121 and take for 2.5 miles and you're there! Follow the Pumpkins!
For more more information, visit GreenAcresCornMaze.net or call the MAZE Hotline at (307) 797-8796
Like us on Facebook! Celebrating 13 Years of Family Fun!
Proceeds from this year’s corn maze will benefit Natrona County local non-profits
However, most recently reported only 70 miles from the border in a strong northward advance, NWS has been of increasing concern to U.S. officials and producers alike.
According to TAMU data, reestablishment of NWS in the U.S. could cause potential damages exceeding $2.1 billion to the nation’s cattle industry and $9 billion to the hunting and wildlife sectors in Texas alone.
Border closures
In response to NWS detections earlier this year, USDA suspended imports of live cattle, horses and bison from Mexico in May to pre-
Mark Rogers, owner of Rogers and Sons, Ltd. Custom Cattle Feeders in Dimmitt, Texas, tells DTN imported cattle have historically made up 90 to 95 percent of his feedyard’s volume. Because of the border closure, he is now only running 70 percent of his facility’s capacity.
Mexican producers are also feeling the strain.
Omar Gonzalez, a cattle broker based in Chihuahua, Mexico, notes there is nowhere for Mexican cattle to go. Therefore, excess cattle and limited facilities are creating widespread challenges.
PRIVATE TREATY OFFERING - 20 AGE-ADVANTAGED RED ANGUS BULLS
Producers urged to stay alert Additionally, USDA officials and other industry experts are urging producers – especially those in southern and central states –to remain vigilant.
Ledbetter reminds producers livestock, wildlife and pets can all be at risk, and signs of infestation include wounds which fail to heal, excessive drainage, maggots and/or foul odor.
“It’s a real problem,” he tells DTN. “Farmers here are having to sell their cattle at half the price they typically would because there’s just nowhere to go. They are keeping cattle as long as they can in hopes some spots will open at feedyards.”
Carrico further notes the decrease of cattle coming into the U.S. affects all sectors of the industry, including truckers, employees at ports of entry and “those who help expedite getting cattle to the border on the Mexican side and to the feedyards on the U.S. side.”
New Response Playbook
Among a long list of measures taken in response to NWS, USDA’s most recent action was the release of the NWS Response Playbook on Oct. 17, which details how federal, state and local agencies will respond if the pest is detected in the U.S.
The plan outlines strategies for surveillance, outbreak management and containment, including how to coordinate communication with state officials, wildlife managers and livestock producers; how to reduce the spread of non-infested animals and prevent NWS from establishing in new areas; how to manage NWS on infested premises; how to maintain continuity of business and how to ensure the flow and management of information.
Created with input from state animal health officials and industry and veterinary organizations, USDA notes activities outlined in the playbook will “allow for a flexible, science-based approach and data-driven decisions to allow responders to plan, act and adapt across all phases of an outbreak.”
“USDA continues to execute our five-pronged plan to keep NWS out of the U.S.” says U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins in the corresponding Oct. 17 press release. “We’re aggressively protecting the border, supporting eradication efforts in Mexico and ensuring domestic response plans are ready if needed.”
“Historically, ranchers have altered breeding dates to avoid birthing during the fly season,” Ledbetter explains. “Common livestock management practices and events, such as castration, dehorning, branding and birthing in all animals, often result in infestations. Infestations can occur at the site of any recent wound like a scrape, lesion or even a tick-feeding site.”
“Other wounds of common infestation include those from ear tagging or shearing, as well as mucous membranes and antler shedding in deer. Newborn mammals are prone to infestations at the healing umbilical cord site,” she continues.
When it comes to control measures, typical insecticide has not proven as effective as it has with other insects due to NWS’s wide range of hosts and high occurrence in wildlife.
Experts note eradication has been the best way to control NWS, although removal of flies and larvae found on hosts is critical to reducing pest populations and animal suffering.
In the instance screwworm larvae are found in a wound, producers are required to contact a veterinarian, who is then mandated by law to collect samples and submit them to the USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory for confirmation.
“Also, the animal should be immediately confined for wound care, and all larvae should be removed and placed in alcohol,” Ledbetter states. “After removing larvae, treat the infestation with topical pesticides labeled for use on the animal to kill any larvae which may not have been removed and reduce the likelihood of reinfestation. The wound should be monitored until it fully heals.”
“When dealing with livestock, all other animals in the herd should be checked for wounds and larvae. Anyone who finds fly larvae infesting a living animal must report it to a state veterinarian,” she concludes.
Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on
encouraging cattle producers to “get prices down.”
These suggestions angered cattlemen and ag industry groups across the country, tearing a rift between the White House and some of Trump’s longstanding supporters.
At the same time, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced a sweeping strategy to strengthen the American beef industry and reinforce longterm supply chain stability.
Producers push back
Due to years of persistent drought and increased input costs, the nation’s beef cattle herd is the lowest it’s been in over seven decades, resulting in record-high prices for both live cattle and beef at the meat case and some rare profitable years for producers.
In an Oct. 22 Truth Social post, Trump claims the rewards cattle producers are reaping come from tariffs he has imposed on imports and encourages them to lower prices so consumers will continue buying beef.
“The cattle ranchers, who I love, don’t understand the only reason they are doing so well for the first time in decades is because I put tariffs on cattle coming into the U.S., including a 50 percent tariff on Brazil,” the president writes. “They also have to get their prices down, because the consumer is a very big factor in my thinking, also.”
Multiple ag organizations voiced strong opposition to this plan, believing it to be misguided with a large risk of negatively impacting markets and producers alike and doing “almost nothing for consumers.”
In an Oct. 21 Associated Press article, Journalists Josh Funk and Sarah Raza say ranchers are arguing the scale of Argentine beef available for import is too small to meaningfully lower consumer prices, but large enough to create market uncertainty for producers.
The two reporters note Argentine beef currently only accounts for about two percent of U.S. beef imports, making it doubtful the measure will relieve price pressures.
In the same article, Kansas State University Economist Glynn Tonsor says the move could actually have the opposite effect, discouraging ranchers from expanding their herds due to increased policy uncertainty.
Other economists agree, noting, although Trump is calling for lower prices, high prices are needed to incentivize ranchers to expand their herds.
StoneX Chief Commodities Economist Arlan Suderman tells Reuters, “President Trump needs to take a class in supply and demand. Cattle prices are high because demand is stronger than the supply. If we want to increase the supply of beef long term, we don’t do it by lowering prices.”
In a statement made on Oct. 22, NCBA Chief Executive Officer Colin Woodall says the association and its members will not stand behind Trump’s proposal and encourages the president to simply “let the cattle markets work.”
“If President Trump is truly an ally of America’s cattle producers, we call on him to abandon this effort to manipulate markets and focus instead on the promised New World screwworm facilities in Texas; making additional investments to protect the domestic cattle herd from foreign animal diseases such as foot and mouth disease (FMD) and addressing regulatory burdens, such as delisting the gray wolf and addressing the scourge of black vultures,” Woodall says.
In an interview with PBS News, NCBA President Buck Wehrbein notes the association isn’t only concerned about beef coming in, but the quality of beef as well.
“Argentina has a long history of FMD, and USDA has not done a good enough job yet of making sure everything coming in from there is safe,” Wehrbein says. “So, we’re not only concerned about the amount of beef coming in, but also animal health issues. This is bigger than just cattle prices.”
He reiterates NCBA’s hope the administration will
give markets time to take care of themselves.
“The main message is markets work and they will work. What we don’t need is anybody manipulating them,” he concludes.
Other state and national groups including the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association (USCA), American Farm Bureau Federation, National Farmers Union, Farm Action, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Texas Department of Agriculture, South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association and Iowa Cattlemen’s Association have expressed their disappointment in this move as well.
USCA President Justin Tupper comments, “The cost of producing beef today is accurately represented in consumer markets where it is sold. Ranchers are facing historic highs for feed, fuel, labor and land, and those costs have risen far faster than beef prices on grocery shelves.”
“Efforts to support consumers must consider the
economic realities on the ground and ensure the voices of independent ranchers lead the discussion,” Tupper adds. “Market-driven prices – not mandates or panic interventions – have delivered value for generations. Let’s focus on transparency, market integrity and maintaining conditions for sustainable rural economies.”
Rollins rolls out plan
Amid the backlash, Rollins formally unveiled a national strategy with a threepronged approach to “fortify the American beef industry,” focusing on protecting and improving the business of ranching; expanding processing, consumer transparency and market access and building demand and domestic supply.
Key components of the plan include increasing grazing access on federal lands, streamlining permitting processes, unlocking vacant allotments, increasing disaster relief, making risk management tools more affordable and implementing new
standards for compensating producers for losses caused by predation.
The plan also looks to expand processing capacity and market transparency, as the USDA aims to boost U.S. processing infrastructure and promote locally-raised beef to schools and institutional buyers.
Furthermore, the plan seeks to stabilize beef supply chains while giving consumers more affordable choices, with the administration calling the beef supply chain “a matter of national security.”
In an Oct. 22 press release, USDA notes the U.S. has lost over 17 percent of family farms – more than 100,000 operations – since 2017, all while the national herd is at a 75-year low and demand for beef has grown nine percent over the past decade.
“Because increasing the size of the domestic herd takes time, USDA is investing now to make these markets less volatile for ranchers over the long term and more
affordable for consumers,” the press release reads.
Rollins comments,
“America’s food supply chain is a national security priority for the Trump administration. We are committed to ensuring American people have an affordable source of protein and America’s ranchers have a strong economic environment where they can continue to operate for generations to come.”
“At USDA, we are protecting our beef industry and incentivizing new ranchers to take up the noble vocation of ranching,” she continues.
“Today, USDA will immediately expedite deregulatory reforms; boost processing capacity, including getting more locally-raised beef into schools and working across the government to fix longstanding commonsense barriers for ranchers like outdated grazing restrictions.”
Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
CALENDAR
EVENTS SALES
Oct. 27-28 Wyoming Farm to School Conference, Wyoming Sports Ranch, Casper. For more information or to register, visit edu.wyoming.gov/parents/nutrition/ wyoming-farm-to-school/
Oct. 28 Tunnel Replacement Groundbreaking Ceremony, Goshen Irrigation District Office, Torrington. For more information, visit goshenirrigation.com
Oct. 29 Southwest Sage Grouse Local Working Group Meeting, 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Wyoming Game and Fish Department Green River Regional Office, Green River. For more information, e-mail Nyssa Whitford at nyssa.whitford@wyo.gov.
Oct. 29-31 2025 Wyoming Water Association Annual Conference, Ramkota Hotel and Conference Center, Casper. For more information or to register, visit wyomingwater.org
Oct. 29-31 Wyoming Weed and Pest Council Annual Fall Conference and Business Meeting, Snow King Resort, Jackson. For more information, visit wyoweed.org/ or contact Lindsey Woodward at lindsey.woodward@wyo.gov or 307-777-6585.
Oct. 30 Environmental Protection Agency Wyoming Coal Combustion Residuals Program Public Hearing, 8:30 a.m., Wind River Basin Room, Wyoming State Capitol, Cheyenne. For more information, to register or to access the livestream, visit epa.gov/coal-combustion-residuals/forms/public-hearingwyomings-coal-combustion-residuals-permit-program
Oct. 31-Nov. 1 Montana Farmers Union 110th Annual Convention, Yogo Inn, Lewistown, Mont. For more information, visit montanafarmersunion.com/news-events/ annual-convention/
Oct. 31- Nov. 2 Angus Convention, Kansas City Marriott Downtown, Kansas City, Mo. For more information, visit angus.org
Nov. 3 Sheridan Community Land Trust Virtual Fencing Field Day, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Sheridan Community Land Trust Community Rooms, Sheridan. For more information or to register, visit sheridanclt.org/virtual-fencing/
Nov. 3 Nebraska Extension Fundamentals of Feeding the Cow Webinar Series 6:30-7:45 p.m., online. For more information, contact Erin Laborie at erin.laborie@unl.edu or 308-268-3105. To register, visit go.unl.edu/feedingthecow
Nov. 6 Wyoming Nonprofit Network Understanding Internal Controls for Nonprofit Organizations Webinar, 10-11 a.m., online. For more information or to register, visit wynonprofit.org/event-6366486
Nov. 6 West Central States Wool Growers Shearing Calcutta, 6 p.m., Holiday Inn and Convention Center, Cody. For more information or to enter, contact Alison Crane at alison@wyowool.com or 307-265-5250.
Nov. 6 Nebraska Extension Fundamentals of Feeding the Cow Webinar Series
6:30-7:45 p.m., online. For more information, contact Erin Laborie at erin.laborie@unl.edu or 308-268-3105. To register, visit go.unl.edu/feedingthecow
Nov. 6-7 Wyoming Association of Irrigation Districts Annual Conference, Ramkota Hotel and Conference Center, Casper. For more information, visit waidwy.org
Nov. 6-8 West Central States Wool Growers Convention, the Holiday Inn, Buffalo Bill Resort, Cody. For more information, visit wyowool.com/2025wcswgconvention
Nov. 1
Nov. 1
Nov. 2
Nov. 10
Nov. 11
Nov. 12
Nov. 13
Ochsner Roth Cattle Company Private Treaty Sale, at the ranch, Torrington, 307-532-3282, 307-575-5258, qualitybulls.com
Pharo Cattle Company Fall Sale, Valentine Livestock Auction, Valentine, Neb., 800-311-0995, pharocattle.com
Triangle J Ranch Harvest Select Female Sale, at the ranch, Miller, Neb., 308627-5085, 308-457-2505, 308-293-9241, trianglejranch.com
Pharo Cattle Company Colorado Fall Sale, Burlington Livestock Exchange, Burlington, Colo., 800-311-0995, pharocattle.com
Nov. 20 K2 Red Angus Fall Female Sale, K2 sale barn, Wheatland, 307-331-2917, k2redangus.com
Nov. 20
Nov. 20
Largent and Sons “Prime Fuel” Sale, at the ranch, Kaycee, 307-738-2443, 307-267-3229, largentandsons.com
5L Red Angus Fall Profit $eeker Bull Sale, at the ranch, Sheridan, Mont., 406596-1204, 406-842-5693, 5lbulls.com
POSTCARD from the Past
As reported in the Converse County Herald on Oct. 29, 1903: We are again on the threshold of another Halloween, also known as All Saints’ Day or All Hallows, as it was called in olden times. Then, it was customary to observe the eve preceding All Hallows, and it was consequently called Halloweven and, in time, Halloween.
Perhaps it was because the saints were thought to be in the ascendancy on Nov. 1 that the superstitious folk of ye olden days imagined mischievous fairies and all other imps and gnomes held their highest revel of the year the night before.
Anyhow, all of the witches who ever were heard of were looked for on Halloween, and from time immemorial the eve of All Hallows has been the particular night of the year when “high jinks” of the weirdest and uncanniest sort prevail.
Every year of the late years, all of the popular publications of the day have devoted more or less space to telling over again the old Halloween rites, but none of them gives so good an account of the Halloween mysteries as Robert Burns’ poem “Halloween,” which any and everyone may read for themselves.
Remember, one who does not know old Scottish dialect must read an edition of Burns with footnotes or a glossary.
The ancient Halloween customs are dying out in part, even among the
Old and New
Scottish peasantry, where they were most firmly entrenched, but Halloween parties, in which some of the more modest of the old games are played, are given each year by young people all over America, England and Scotland.
The modern Halloween party is apt to be a dance and supper, with a few more or less modified games of other days thrown in.
The old-time supper was buttered sowens, a kind of porridge made of oatmeal dust, eaten the year round but with butter only on holidays.
Modern appetites do not care for sowens, and the up-to-date Halloween supper does not differ from the spreads prepared for refined palates at other merrymakings, except perhaps, in the quaintness of menu cards.
What is sowens?
Sowens is a Scottish dish made using starch remaining on the inner husks of oats after milling.
Husks are allowed to soak in water and ferment for a few days. The liquor is strained off and allowed to stand for a day to allow the starchy matter therein to settle.
The liquid part, known as swats, is poured off and can be drunk.
The remaining sowens are boiled with water and salt until thickened, then served with butter or dipped into milk. The flavor is distinctly sour. The origins of Halloween
The origins of Halloween can be traced all the way back to the ancient Celtic festival known as Samhain –pronounced ‘sow-in’ in Gaelic language. It was originally an event marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter in Ireland. The day after, Nov. 1, would mark the ancient Celts’ new year. Like other ancient Gaelic festivals, Samhain was seen to be a liminal time, when the boundaries separating the spiritual world and the real world were reduced. This is why Halloween has become associated with the appearance of spirits, fairies and ghosts from the mythical “Otherworld.” –As reported on HistoryHit on the internet.
Source: USDA AMS Livestock, Poultry & Grain Market News, Greeley, CO National Sheep Summary As of October 17, 2025
Compared to last week slaughter wooled and shorn lambs sold firm. Slaughter ewes sold firm. All sheep sold per hundred weight (CWT) unless otherwise specified. Slaughter Lambs: Choice and Prime 1-3 San Angelo: 50-60 lbs 312.00; 60-70 lbs 300.00; 70-80 lbs 280.00-288.00; 80-90 lbs 215.00-240.00; 100-110 lbs 230.00. 130-140 lbs 205.00-221.00.
Equity Coop: No test. Replacement Ewes: Medium and Large 1-2 San Angelo: No test.
Billings: No test.
Ft. Collins: No test.
Sioux
Source:
Source: USDA- CO Dept of Ag Market News Service, Greeley, CO Montana Hay Summary
As of October 17, 2025
Compared to last report(10-03-25): Hay sold generally steady. Very few new hay sales were seen again this session as many ranchers are busy marketing calves. Much of the state has received beneficial fall rains and mountain snow over the last few weeks. This continues to green and keep pastures and rangeland in good grazing condition especially in Eastern and Southern Montana. Many producers have and plan on keeping cows out on pasture as long as they can to help curb wintering costs. Ranchers have put buying hay on a back burner as a result. Most sales this week were from dry western counties. A few producers continue to try and finish putting up 3rd cutting, however rains and shorter days make drying hay difficult. Another system moves across the state this weekend and is forecast to bring additional rain and mountain snow. Heavy supplies of grain hay continue to weigh on the market. This has put some pressure on the hay market as ranchers and feedlots opt to buy a lower cost feed. Market activity was mostly slow to moderate this session. According to the drought monitor 46.78 of the state is in Moderate drought or worse, up 6.04% from 2 weeks ago. 28.89% of the state is in an Severe drought or worse, down 2.92% from 2 weeks ago. 8.55% of the state is in Extreme drought or worse, unchanged from 2 weeks ago. 0% of the state is in Expectational drought, unchanged from 2 weeks ago. Notably, 78.18% of the state is abnormally dry, up 5.24% from 2 weeks ago. N/A
1 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Bomber Mountain Civic Center, 63 N. Burritt, Buffalo, WY. Vendors, food, music, arts and more. Sponsored by Johnson County Arts & Humanities Council and Johnson County Tourism Association. For more information, call Johnson County Arts & Humanities Council, 307-217-1979, e-mail jcahc16@gmail.com, see us on Facebook @ Johnson County Arts & Humanities 10/25
UP IN ARMS, LLC FLEA MARKET AND GUN SHOW NOV. 7-9 Gillette, WY at the CAM-PLEX. Open to the public. Fri., Nov. 7, 3 p.m.-7 p.m. Sat., Nov. 8, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun., Nov. 9, 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, 208-4202295 11/1
interested stop by and fill out an application or visit our website at Call Brandon Furr at 402-257-7769 or 402-746-2222 for more information.
COMMERCIAL/AG LOAN OFFICER, BUFFALO, S.D.: Pioneer Bank & Trust is hiring a full-time Loan Officer to join our team in Buffalo, S.D. This role involves business development, portfolio management and a variety of lending types including commercial, ag and consumer. We offer: Competitive salary, profit sharing and bonus program. Full benefits: Medical, dental, vision, 401(k). Generous PTO. Moving and daycare assistance. Advancement opportunities!! Ideal candidates have a degree in Business or Finance and 5+ years of lending experience (or related). Join a community-focused bank with a strong reputation and long-term career potential. EOE, including disability/Vets. Apply today at www.pioneerbankandtrust. com/employment 11/15
Help Wanted
Is looking for an Executive Director to lead their organization!
MPAS is a nonprofit member association dedicated to serving agriculture employers by ensuring access to a continuous, reliable and legal source of labor. The incumbent will be responsible for the strategic leadership, operational effectiveness, financial sustainability and external representation of MPAS. Having a background in range management, agriculture management, business management and H2-A will set an applicant apart. We offer a health insurance stipend, Simple IRA with a match, paid holidays, vacation and sick time with a competitive salary!
This position is based in Casper, WY.
To apply, follow the listing here: https://jobsofthewest.co/job/executive-director-1
For further information, please contact our recruiter, Jenifer Malek of BBSI at Jenifer.malek@bbsi.com or 801-716-3423.
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 vision; 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 10/25
Financial Services
ALL TYPES OF EQUIPMENT AND VEHICLE FINANCING. Great service!! Great rates!! Call Chuck Brown at C.H. Brown Co., LLC, 307-3223232 (office), 307-331-0010 (cell) or e-mail chuckbrown@ wyoming.com 10/25
to
Heartland Cattle Co.
Selling 60 AI fancy heifers bred to AAR Midas, calving Feb. 11 and 30 AAR bull bred, calving March 3. SELLING AT ARNTZEN ANGUS FEMALE SALE
Lewiston Stockyards • Nov. 14, 2025
Call Daniel Troyer at 406-366-4539 or Dan Deichman at 406-799-5200 for more information.
Hereford
75 BRED HEREFORD HEIFERS: TURNER RANCH, LLC SELLING NOV. 3 AT VALENTINE LIVESTOCK. Thirty-five are AI bred to historic polled Hereford bull owned by Ed and Jan Ward, Sheridan, WY, to start calving March 23, 2026. ALSO, 40 pasture bred to LBW son of historic polled Hereford bull, to start calving March 23, 2026. For more information, call Turner Ranch/Lawrence Turner, 402-376-5248 10/25
Pasture Wanted
CATTLE WINTERING LAND AVAILABLE: Located 60 miles north of Gillette, WY at Kuhbacher Ranch. Program scheduled to begin Nov. 1, but entry date negotiable. Call 605-591-2036, 307-467-5337 or 307-467-5269 11/1
The
has
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!! 11/1
REGISTERED WYOMING BRAND FOR SALE: RHC, RHH, no earmarks, registration #A0715200, renewed to Jan 1, 2027. Comes with cattle irons and horse irons. $1,000 OBO. Call 520-904-8305 11/15
AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD/ BORDER COLLIE MIX PUPPIES: Ranch raised. Six weeks old. Working parents on site. Have had first shot, dewormed, tails docked and dewclaws removed. All different colors available, $650/ each. WE ALSO OFFER and work with Veterans who need service dogs. For more information about these wonderful puppies, call or text 307-272-0509. To view photos, go to www.wylr. net in the classifieds 11/8
60 BLACK ANGUS BRED HEIFERS: South Dakota origin, OCVD, exposed to proven LBW Black Angus bulls for 45 days. Start calving Feb. 1, 2026. References available. Call 785-394-1955 (cell), 785394-2374 (home) or 785-7315067 11/8
WAGYU BULL FOR SALE: Six years old, red. Has been doing his job well. Call for information 307-752-5920 10/25
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 11/15
Horses
FOR SALE: Yearling and 2-year-old blue roan draft cross fillies. For more information, call Henry Lambright, 307-467-5651, leave message 11/15
Saddles & Tack
TRIBUTE TO THE GREAT AMERICAN COWBOY PRCA RODEO IS NOV. 15: Moss Saddles, Boots and Tack is ready to outfit you for the fun!! Fine selection of JEWELRY, silk SCARVES, bolo TIES AND MORE. $AVE on BOOTS, BOOTS, BOOTS!!! HONDO, BOULET, JUSTIN WORK BOOTS, TWISTED X (boots and shoes) and more!! GREAT TIME TO SHOP for Christmas. WE CAN ship!! Cowboy up at 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 10/25
LS CUSTOM LEATHER: Belts, tack, cell phone cases and much more!! Contact Lester, 307-6311053, leave a message. Located in Riverton, WY 10/25
YEARLING RAMS FOR SALE: Purebred TARGHEE, purebred RAMBOUILLET and purebred COLUMBIA. Whole flock this year 20 micron. Call or text 307680-4950
ARE YOU IN NEED OF A
BULLS FOR SALE: Registered yearling and 2-year-old Black Angus range bulls for sale private treaty. Good selection for heifers and cows. From popular sires and industry leaders. Semen tested and ready to go. CLAY CREEK ANGUS, 307-762-3541, www. claycreek.net TFN Offering custom processing and bulk meat sales. Veteran Owned 605-456-2230 • Newell, S.D. Call to schedule!
CAMP OR A
SONAL 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
TRITICALE SEED READY FOR FALL PLANTING: High yield, makes excellent forage and cover crop. Can be grazed in the fall and winter and hayed in the spring. Call 308-4303457, for pricing and delivery. Phone calls only 10/25
ALFALFA FOR SALE: Over 100 tons, dairy quality, has some grass. $210/ton. Located around Lebanon, S.D. Call 605-7694049 11/1
STRAW FOR SALE: 400
TONS OF BARLEY STRAW, 4x4 squares, $40/ton. Located west of Powell, WY. Call or text 307-202-0532 for more information 11/15
HAY FOR SALE: Grass, grass/ alfalfa mix and millet. No rain. Call Greg, 605-222-2976 or Mark, 605-641-0156 11/1
2025 NET-WRAPPED ROUND
BALES: Grass/alfalfa mix, first and second cutting available, $150/ton. 2024 CROP, 90 netwrapped round bales, 1,500 lbs., grass/alfalfa mix, $125/ton. Located in Cody, WY. Calls only, 307899-3737 11/15
GOOD QUALITY HAY FOR SALE: Alfalfa/orchardgrass mix and straight alfalfa, all in net-wrapped round bales. Nisland, S.D. For more information and pricing, call 605892-5676 10/25
ALFALFA/GRASS MIX: Large round bales. STRAIGHT ALFALFA, large rounds and small square bales. ALSO, oat straw, large round bales. For more information, call 307754-5864 10/25
HAY FOR SALE: Triticale, barley, pea blend with alfalfa. Nice hay, 3x3 bales. ALSO, alfalfa with some rain, 3x3 bales. Shed stored. $170/ton. Farson, WY. Call 307-350-5472 11/8
CERTIFIED WEED-FREE PURE
ALFALFA HAY: 2025 second cutting available in 3x3 squares, averaging 750-800 lbs. 2025 first and second cutting also available in small squares, averaging 70-80 lbs. ALSO, 100+ tons of 2024 hay with weather damage. Would be good cow hay or great for compost. 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 12/6
HAY FOR SALE: First, second and third cutting alfalfa, alfalfa/orchardgrass and grain hay options, net-wrapped round bales, 3x3 square bales and small square bales/21 pack bale bundles. Delivery available. WE ALSO OFFER CUSTOM TRUCKING, hay hauling and side dump to haul gravel. Call Cheney Trucking/ Jonathan Cheney, 605-5690469 10/25
HAY FOR SALE: 1,400-1,500 lb. net-wrapped bales. Alfalfa, mixed and grass. Located in Slope County, N.D. Will load. Still cutting, will have approximately 1,000 bales. $85/ton. Call 701-440-1764 11/8
EAR CORN FOR SALE. NON GMO, no pesticides. Minatare, NE. Call Byron, 303-818-8152, leave message 11/8
HAY FOR SALE: Grass and alfalfa hay. ALSO, forage wheat and straw. Round bales and 3x4 square bales. Delivery available!! Call 307-630-3046 11/8
HAY FOR SALE: 2025 grass/ alfalfa, first and second cutting alfalfa, millet, haybet barley and CRP hay. 2024 first cutting grass/alfalfa, first and second cutting alfalfa and CRP hay. GRINDING HAY also available. All in net-wrapped round bales. Semi load delivery available. Call for pricing, ask for Klint, 701-290-4418, send a text if no answer or keep trying 11/8
VALLEY VIDEO HAY MARKETS, LLC: Representing 40 of the best growers in eastern Wyoming and western Nebraska. Call now for your fall/winter needs, Barry McRea, 308-235-5386, www.valleyvideohay.com 11/8
ROUND-BALED GRASS: 2025 crop 1,000 lb. net-wrapped bales. $50-$60/bale depending on variety. Cody, WY area. Call, don’t text, Anthony at 307254-2645 11/8
CERTIFIED BARLEY STRAW FOR SALE, 3x4 bales. Cody, WY. Call 307-899-1952 TFN
CERTIFIED ORGANIC ALFALFA/GRASS MIX HAY: No chemicals, 3x3 squares and round bales. Adrian Troyer, Byron, WY. Call 307-6314104 12/27
EXCELLENT QUALITY PRAIRIE HAY: Big round bales, weighing 1,400-1,500 lbs. each. Located near Chambers, NE. Call for price and delivery, 402-583-9924 or 402-340-2218 (cell) 11/1
THIRD CUTTING ALFALFA: 3x3 square bales, no rain, stored in barn. Wheatland, WY area. Call 307-331-3781 11/1
HAY FOR SALE: Barn stored, 3x4 and small squares, straight alfalfa and straight grass. First and second cutting, trucking available, Riverton, WY area. Call 307-7096290 11/29
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 11/1
LARGE ROUND BALES OF CERTIFIED WEED FREE GRASS HAY FOR SALE, $85/ ton. Bales are approximately 1,175 lbs. Contact Lee at 307-254-5115 or Bill at 406480-1248 11/1
QUALITY HAY FOR SALE: Grass, grass/alfalfa mix and straight alfalfa, net-wrapped large round bales, no rain. Western Nebraska location. Pick up or delivery available for fee. Call or text 303-9062691 10/25
HAY FOR SALE: Alfalfa, barley hay, mixed grass, oats and pea hay. Feed analysis and trucking available. Call 701290-2363 10/25
Good time management is essential to farming success. That’s why more farmers are turning to T-L center pivot irrigation systems. Hydrostatically powered, T-L’s simple design gives you the low maintenance time, cost, safety and reliability to let you manage your farm instead of calling electricians or replacing gearboxes. Simplify
EQUIPMENT FOR SALE,
FARMER RETIRING: John Deere 71 Flex 8 row corn planter on a 24’ stackable bar. AC Model 1300 30’ ripper with rakes. A 20’ Krause offset disc (new blades in front). Safety pull with a bull hitch. 2003 IHC 9400I Eagle semi fifth wheel truck, Cat engine, 26’ end dump trailer with roll tarp. 1997 Kenworth T800, Detroit engine, 20’ box with hoist, roll tarp, both beet and grain end gates. John Deere front suitcase weights. IHC front suitcase weights. Contact Greg Keller at 406679-1136 11/8
Trucks & Trailers
1951 DODGE 2 TON: 14’ grain box with hoist, 6 cylinder flathead engine, good shape. $1,000. Call 307-797-9785 11/1
Hay Equipment
ORIGINAL ROUND BALER BELTING FOR ALL MAKES: Save $100s. Free shipping, www.balerbelts.com . Call Hammond Equipment, 334627-3348 10/25
Equipment
CASE 1070 TRACTOR: 5,000 plus hours, with Du-Al loader and grapple. $12,500. Calls only, 307899-3737 11/15
IH 330 12’ DISC: Good shape, $1,000. Call 307-797-9785 11/1
Equipment
FOR SALE: John Deere 714A and 716A chuckwagons with John Deere tandem running gear. H&S 7+4 18’ chuckwagon with bunk feeding extensions and tandem 14 ton running gear. J&M 385 gravity box with 12 ton gear, truck tires. 32’ header trailer. Landoll 36’ cushion gang disc with 3 bar mulcher. Gehl 410 bushel manure spreader with slop gate, double floor chains, 2 beaters, tandem axle. Meridian 240 PT seed tender, all hydraulic and roll tarp. Vermeer BP 7000 bale processor. 2019 Freightliner, DD13 engine, 12 speed automatic, daycab, good rubber, air ride. Burns portable loading chute. 14’ HD box scraper with tilt. Farm King 8’ snowblower with hydraulic spout. All in very nice condition!! Call 605-999-5482 11/15
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!! 10/25
RAIL TIES: #1-9 ft., #1 and #2-8 ft. USED CULVERTS: Three ft., 2 ft., 18” and various lengths. ALSO, 14 pieces of heavy duty schedule 80 PVC, 3.5” ID, 20’ long with stainless steel couplers. Call EMC2, 307-630-2345 or 307-5345253 10/25
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
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 12/27
160 ACRES 8 MILES SOUTHWEST OF YODER, WY: Conveniently located at the end of a lightly traveled oil road. This property offers both privacy and opportunity. Beautiful setting to build your dream home with sweeping views of Goshen Hole. This producing farm is ready for your vision. $150,000.
SELLING WYOMING STATE
LEASE: 650 acres located
15 miles northwest of Cheyenne, WY. For the first time in 50 years, this long held lease is being offered for sale. Features a beautifully renovated home. In pasture and farmland. $595,000. Pictures at www. buyaranch.com. Call Casey Essert, Land Broker, 307-5321750 TFN
Wanted to Buy
WANTED TO BUY!! Coins and coin collections, jewelry old new or broken, Native American jewelry, Sterling flatware, old watches, firearms, federal license. Call Ted at 720-327-7867, I will come to you!! 11/1
prevented this goal from taking place.
MONSTER MASHUP
Lovell set a new site record with his champion pumpkin, which was grown in his backyard, weighing a whopping 1,788 pounds. It was Kurtenbach’s second consecutive championship, having also won the 2024 contest with a 1,254-pound pumpkin.
Second place went to Joe Nigro of Billings, Mont., whose 1,591-pound pumpkin set a record in its own right, replacing the previous Montana state record of 1,348 pounds, according to an Oct. 9 Northern Wyoming News article written by Karla Pomeroy.
Worland native Ray Butz earned third place with an 857-pound pumpkin.
Two more Worland growers, Jay Richard and Dustin Reid, rounded out the top five placings with pumpkins weighing 570 and 518 pounds, respectively.
The remaining 15 pumpkins were all grown in Wyoming and ranged in
size from 512 pounds to 58 pounds, contributing to an overall total of roughly four tons of pumpkins weighed throughout the day.
Giant pumpkin drop
After the contest concluded, Kurtenbach’s prize pumpkin became the largest pumpkin ever dropped in Wyoming, followed by an array of other heavy hitters from the day.
According to an Oct. 4 article for Cowboy State Daily written by Andrew Rossi, the pumpkins were loaded into a custom harness built by Ed Keller of Wyoming Bucket LLC before being hoisted into the air by a crane provided by local Swing Trucking, Inc., and then dropped from a height of 200 feet.
Rossi further reports the original plan was to drop the pumpkins from 275 feet high, which would have been the greatest height reached in the pumpkin drop to date, but windy weather
Still, the spectacle was a sight to behold and a fun and unique autumn activity for all in attendance.
Wyoming whopper
The same day, a new Wyoming state record for the largest pumpkin produced in the Cowboy State was set at a contest in Colorado.
On Oct. 4, Andy and Amy Corbin of Cheyenne broke their own state record with a mammoth 2,085pound pumpkin exhibited at Nick’s Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off in Aurora, Colo.
In a Cowboy State Daily article published on Oct. 6, Rossi notes the Corbins actually expected the 2025 pumpkin to weigh “at least 2,350 pounds” and were somewhat disappointed to fall short of this goal, despite beating their previous record of 2,062 pounds, which was set in 2023.
Grace Skavdahl is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
As the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has delayed plans to remove wild horses from the checkerboard land ownership area near Rock Springs – where no private landowner has consented to the presence of wild horses on their property and the horse population is estimated at more than 2,700 – a paper recently published in a scientific journal lends support to managing horse herds for ecosystem health through removal of excess animals.
Federal law requires wild horses and burros be maintained at an appropriate management level (AML) to preserve a “thriving natural ecological balance and multiple-use relationship” on western rangelands.
The law mandates wild horse and burro management activities shall be at the minimal feasible level, but when an overpopulation exists, the federal government shall immediately remove excess animals above AML.
Paper highlights
The 26-page perspective published in the peerreviewed journal HumanWildlife Interactions sets forth considerations for grazing management for livestock as well as wild horses and burros for resilience of riparian and upland ecosystems.
Sherman Swanson, professor emeritus of rangeland and riparian ecology at the University of Nevada Reno,
notes human movement of livestock is used to control the impacts of livestock grazing and meet management goals. These actions can be supplemented with the use of virtual fencing and other stockmanship techniques.
Yet when it comes to wild horse management, options are much more limited, as even harassment of animals is not allowed.
While livestock numbers are controlled by ranchers and through BLM authorizations, the same is not true with wild horse numbers.
Swanson points out authorized and billed animal unit months (AUMs) for livestock on BLM lands in 2016 were 29 percent lower than permitted AUMs and 52 percent lower than those in 1954.
In contrast, since 2018, BLM’s wild horse herd numbers have exceeded 270 percent of their AMLs.
Swanson also notes wild horses differ in behavior from other wild ruminants.
Some species, including Bighorn sheep, pronghorn and mule deer, are displaced by wild horses at watering areas. These other species tend to avoid overgrazing riparian areas, and their population levels are managed through hunting.
Hundreds of other wildlife species are also impacted by wild horse use.
Swanson cited a Nevada study in which wild horse use of priority sage grouse meadows was twice the
level of livestock use and 18 times more than all wild ungulates combined.
Similar studies in northern Nevada and Wyoming found preferential selection of riparian areas by horses.
Swanson stated, “If stocking rate is the only consistently available management for horses, it may need to be curtailed substantially to enable riparian plants to thrive, function properly and sustain the rich wildlife and/or aquatic habitats so many could support but do not.”
“Lacking other graz-
ing management options, reliance on stocking rates makes adherence to AML even more important in moderating grazing intensity,” Swanson added.
BLM gathering delays
Delays in gathering excess wild horses and burros allow herds to produce more foals, increasing the costs and risks of irreversible ecological damage, according to Swanson.
Advances in fertility control, when combined with gathering and removing excess wild horses and burros, will assist in achiev-
ing and maintaining AML, reducing the number of animals which must be gathered in the future.
Once agencies achieve AML, reduced numbers of excess horses and fertility control could enable adoptions to preclude the need for more off-range holding.
“This is the essence of making the Wild Horse and Burro Program sustainable, integrating gathers and removals with natural mortality, fertility control and adoptions. Getting to AML quickly will mitigate spiraling off-range holding
costs,” Swanson wrote. While some horse advocates propose livestock AUMs be reallocated to wild horses and burros, Swanson notes a predicted outcome would be the loss of ecological resilience and damage to important wildlife habitats through chronic growing season overgrazing in uplands and chronic hot season overgrazing in riparian areas.
Cat Urbigkit is a corresponding writer for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
4 Cow, 1063# $182.50 BIG PINEY 1 Cow, 1320# $182.00
2 Cow, 1112# $151.00 BULLS
RIVERTON
1 Bull, 1960# $192.00
CROWHEART
1 Bull, 2120# $192.00
PAVILLION
1 Bull, 2235# $190.50
THERMOPOLIS
1 Bull, 1845# $190.00
RIVERTON
1 Bull, 1820# $189.00
ETHETE
1 Bull, 1925# $186.00
SARATOGA
2 Bull, 1827# $185.50
KEMMERER
2 Bull, 1817# $184.50
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28
YEARLINGS
Ferris Mtn. Ranch Inc – 49 Blk Ang & AngX Yrlng Strs 700-850#. Life long @ 6,800-9,000 Mtn Desert. Rec Vision 7 w/ Somnus + Spur, boosted w/ One Shot Ultra 7, Bovi-Shield Gold 5, MLV. Knife Cut. One Hip Brand. Completely all natural. Quiet dispositions, handled on foot, horseback, & ATV.
CALVES
Star Shadow L/L- 400 Blk Ang & CharX Strs & Hfrs 400-450#. Rec Virashield 6 & Bar Vac 7 @ branding. Sired by McKim Charolais & Redland Redbank Blk Ang Bulls. High desert, Powerful May/June born calves!! Fancy! Griffin Bros- 330 Blk Ang/Ang X Strs 450-525#. Rec Nasalgen 3, Vista Once SQ, Vision 7 @ branding. 100% Lucky 7 Angus Sired. Reputation, High Desert Str calves!! Feed Efficient Low Pap Genetics!
Josh & Avery Anderson- 300 Blk Ang & AngX Strs & Hfrs 400-500#. Light, green high desert calves! Fancy! Sired by Clay Creek Black Angus bulls. Hellyer Ranch – 200 Blk Ang Strs & Hfrs 450-525#. Rec Vision 7 w/Spur, Stimulator 5, & ProBac4 @ branding. Steers are knife cut, & EID tagged S&A Sampson. Sired by Popo Agie Blk Ang bulls. Reputation calves!!
Tim & Anna Rodewald- 200 Blk Ang & AngX
Strs & Hfrs 450-550#. Rec Pyramid 5 w/ Presponse, 7-way w/Spur @ branding. Rec Pyramid 5 w/Presponse, 7-way w/Somnus, Safe-Guard Dewormer & Pro Zap Pour-On @ Precon(10/11/25). Knife cut. One brand. Sired by Hague Blk Angus bulls. Kerry Cooper – 100 Blk Ang & AngX Strs 450-500#. 25 Blk Ang & AngX Hfrs 400-450#. Rec Vista
Once sq & 8 Way w/ Somnus + Spur. Knife Cut. 100% Angus Sired. Fancy, green, High desert calves.
Ransom & Jill Logan- 120 Blk Ang & AngX (BWF & RWF F1) Strs & Hfrs 475-575#. Rec Vista Once SQ & Vision 7 w/Somnus + Spur @ branding (poured w/ Ivomec) Knife cut. Sired by Redland Redbank Blk Ang & Collyer Herford Bulls. High elevation, real performing crossbred calves! Fancy!
Van & Maggie Hill- 100 Blk Ang & AngX Strs & Hfrs 425-550#. Rec Vision 7 + Spur, Guardian & BoSe @ birth, Vision 8 w/Somnus & Vista Once SQ @ branding. Knife cut. Sired by Low PAP Lucky 7 Blk Ang & small % Durbin Creek Hereford bulls. On a complete mineral program. High desert calves!
Dan & Anna Smedts- 100 Blk Ang Strs & Hfrs 450550#. Rec Vision 7 w/Somnus & Vista Once @ branding. Good set of calves!
Fort Ridge Cattle CO- 90 Blk Ang & AngX Strs & Hfrs 500-550#. Rec Vista Once SQ & Vision 7 w/Spur @ branding. Sired by McFadden & Gerstner Sim bulls. High desert, reputation calves!
Boone & Jeni Sindecor- 80 Blk Ang & AngX(BWF) Strs & Hfrs 450-600#. Rec 8 way w/Somnus, Nasalgen & Presponse 5 @ branding. High elevation. Green & Fancy!
Trudy & Steve Slagowski – 80 Blk Ang & AngX (F1) Strs 470-550#. Rec Vista Once sq & Vision 8 @ branding. Knife cut. Sired by low pap, high altitude bulls. High desert calves!
Preston Ranch- 80 Blk Ang & AngX Strs & Hfrs 550600#. Rec Vista Once SQ & Vision 7 spring & fall. High elevation. Jay Givens – 70 Blk Ang Strs & Hfrs 500-550#. Rec Vision 7 & Vista Once @ branding. Sired by Redland Ang bulls. Fancy, high elevation calves!
Cathy Meyer- 60 Blk Ang & AngX Strs & Hfrs 450500#. Rec Vista Once SQ & Vision 7 @ branding. Knife cut. Blk Ang sired. High desert, green & fancy!!
Sierra Tidzump- 60 Blk Ang & AngX Strs & Hfrs 400450#. Rec spring & fall vacc. High elevation. Will Thompson- 55 Blk Ang & AngX Strs & Hfrs 475-525#. High desert calves!
Leonor Vasco- 50 Blk Ang & AngX Strs & Hfrs 400500#. Rec Cattle Active, Vista Once SQ & Vision 7 w/Somnus @ branding. Sired by Lucky 7 Blk Ang bulls. Powerful feeding calves!
Pat & Travis Baker- 50 Blk Ang Strs & Hfrs 600700#. High elevation, Low PAP, High Production Carcass RADG. Rec Inj Cydectin, Nasalgen 3 PMH & Vision 8 w/Somnus + Spur @ branding. Complete mineral program. Heifers are replacement quality w/calving ease EPD’s.
Randy Hall- 50 Blk & Red Ang Strs & Hfrs 450-600#. Rec C&D @ birth; Virashield 6, Vision 8 w/Somnus+Spur @ branding & Precon. Poured w/ Ivomec @ precon. Knife cut. High elevation. Sired by Leachman Angus bulls.
Dwight & Kelly Lloyd- 46 Blk Ang & AngX Strs & Hfrs 550-600#. Rec Vista Once & Vision 8 @ branding & Precon (3 wks.) Injectable Ivomec this fall. High desert calves! Leclair Ranch- 40 Blk Ang & LimFlex Hfrs 500575#. Rec 7 way & Vista Once @ branding; Vision 7 w/Somnus & Vista Once @ Precon (10-1). Nice, reputation heifers!
William Calligan – 40 Blk Ang Strs & Hfrs 600-650#. Comp vacc @ branding. Sired by Lucky 7 & Clay Creek Angus Black Angus bulls. Nice, high desert calves!
Alvin Miller – 35 Blk Ang Strs & Hfrs 625-650#. Rec 8 Way @ branding. Hfrs are replacement quality. Good, fancy calves!
Dion Tidzump- 30 Blk Ang & AngX Strs & Hfrs 400450#. High elevation. Knife cut.
Mark & Alicia McConnell- 14 Blk Ang Strs & Hfrs 500-525#. Rec C&D @ birth, Vision 7 w/Somnus & MultiMin @ branding. Sired by SO Cattle Blk Angus bulls.
Boroff Land & Livestock- 13 Blk Ang Strs & Hfrs 425-450#. Comp vacc spring & fall. Nice high elevation calves.
Larry Anesi- 12 Blk Ang Strs & Hfrs 550-600#. C&D @ birth, Vista Once SQ & 7 way @ branding. High elevation. Good calves!
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31
COW & BULL SALE • START TIME 9:00 A.M. BRED COWS Randy Hall- 2 Blk Ang Bred Cows. WEIGHS Louis Roberts- 2 loads opens Randy Hall- 5 weighs cows/bulls
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4
CALF SPECIAL • START TIME 9:00 A.M. YEARLINGS
D&D Livestock- 20 Corriente Yrlng Strs & Hfrs 700-800#. Siems Labarge Creek Ranch – 13 PTO Blk Ang Yrlng Hfrs. Bryan Neely – 8 Blk Ang Strs 800-900#. Poured, wormed, and rec 5 Way in May. CALVES Ruby Ranch- 500 Blk Ang/Ang X Strs & Hfrs 425-525#. Rec Vista 5, Nasalgen & 7 way @ branding. Sired by Powerful Blk Angus Bulls. Reputation, High Desert, Green Calves!! Broken Bones Cattle Co- 239 Blk Ang & AngX(F1) Strs & Hfrs 450-500#. Rec Vision 7 & Virashield 6 @ branding. Year-around mineral program. Sired by Lucky 7 Blk Ang bulls & Hereford bulls. Nice, high desert, reputation calves!
E Spear Ranch- 200 Blk Ang & AngX Strs & Hfrs 450-500#. Rec Vista Once SQ &
Vision 8 w/Somnus + Spur @ branding. Knife cut. High elevation. Sired by Reyes & Abernathy Blk Ang Bulls. Nice set of One brand calves!!
Linden Cattle- 200 Blk Ang & AngX Strs 500550#. Rec C & D & CattlActive @ Birth; Vista Once SQ, Vision 8 w/ Somnus @ Branding. Vigortone mineral. Sired by Popo Agie Blk Ang & Durbin Creek Hereford bulls. Fancy, Reputation & high desert! Jack & Vera Roberts – 130 Blk Ang & BWF Strs & Hfrs 475-600#. Rec Vista Once sq & Vision 8 w/ Somnus. Hfrs are bangs vaccinated. Sired by low pap Blk Ang bulls. High elevation calves! Dick & Sue Thoman- 75 Blk Ang Strs & Hfrs 530-600#. Rec Vision7, Vista Once & Nasalgen @ branding. High elevation. Sired by Registered Blk Angus Brooks Chalky Butte bulls. OCC Legend genetics. Solid set of one brand calves! Siems Labarge Creek Ranch – 55 CharX Strs & Hfrs 500-575#. 20 Blk Ang Hfrs 375-425#. Comp vacc @ branding. High elevation. Jac, KayLee & Mary Klaahsen- 65 Blk Ang & AngX Strs & Hfrs 550-650#. Sired by Powder River Angus, Kretchmen Angus & Six Iron Red Angus bulls. March/April calves. Weaned Sept 13th. Rec Once PMH IN & C&D @ birth; Once PMH IN, Vision 7 & Pyramid 5 @ branding; Once PMH IN, Vision 7 w/Somnus+Spur & Pyramid 5 @ weaning. Come from a year-round Purina Mineral program. Calves are raised @ 6000’. BQA certified. Easy fleshing, fancy calves! Lee Shaffer- 40 Blk Ang & AngX Strs & Hfrs 575-650#. Rec Pyramid 5 + Presponse & Vision 7 @ branding. Good, stout, high elevation calves! Tommy Thoman- 12 Blk Ang Strs & Hfrs 530600#. Rec Vision7, Vista Once & Nasalgen @ branding. High elevation. Sired by Registered Blk Angus Brooks Chalky Butte bulls. OCC Legend genetics. Solid set of one brand calves!
BRED COWS
Dick & Susan Thoman- 10 Blk Ang Bred ST Cows. Bred to Brooks Chalky Butte Blk Ang bulls to calve March/April. Proven set of high desert cows! NURSE COW Dick & Susan Thoman- 5 yr old Milking Shorthorn Bred Nurse Cow. Bred to Brooks Chalky Butte Blk Ang bulls to calve March/ April. Broke to lead. Nice, gentle cow! WEIGH COWS Siems Labarge Creek Ranch – 2 load open Blk Ang Cows & Bulls.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11
CALF SPECIAL • START TIME 9:00 A.M. LOAD LOTS START @ 10:30 A.M. CALVES John & Kay Stoll- 180 Blk & Red Strs & Hfrs 475-550#. Rec Vision 7 w/ Somnus @ Branding. Knife cut. All natural. Sired by Lim Flex bulls. High elevation, powerful & fancy! Dale & Amy Hamilton- 110 Blk Ang & AngX Strs 500-575#. 65 Blk Ang & AngX Hfrs 475-550#. Rec Once PMH IN & 7 way. Knife cut @ branding. Sired by Paintrock Blk Ang bulls& small % Hereford. Reputation, high desert, choice!! Falula Farms- 85 Blk Ang & AngX Strs & Hfrs 500-525#. Rec 8 way @ branding. High desert calves.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14
BRED COW SPECIAL • START TIME 9:00 A.M. W/ COWS & BULLS • BRED COWS @ NOON
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18
CALF SPECIAL • START TIME 9:00 A.M. LOAD LOTS START @ 10:30 A.M.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21
COW SALE W/ SHEEP & HORSES START TIME 9:00 A.M. W/ SHEEP & WEIGH UPS
