American lamb sales see significant growth Page 4
Check your answers for this month’s crossword puzzle Page 6
Thermopolis FFA participates in nationwide initiative Page 8
Big Springs FFA launches ag education program Page 15
Quick Bits
Workshop
The Wyoming Stock Growers Association (WSGA) will provide free, informative workshops in October with University of Missouri Extension Farm and Ranch Transition Specialist Wesley Tucker. Workshops will focus on navigating family business dynamics and ranch succession planning and are scheduled for Oct. 3 in Riverton, Oct. 4 in Thermopolis, Oct. 6 in Cody, Oct. 7 in Greybull and Oct. 8 in Worland. For more information, visit wysga.org or call 307-638-3942.
Meeting
The Wyoming Water Development Commission (WWDC) will host a public meeting on Sept. 25 starting at 8:30 a.m. The meeting will take place at the WWDC Office in Cheyenne, with a livestream option available. For more information, to view the livestream or to provide public comment on meeting topics, visit wwdc.state. wy.us/
Conference
The U.S. Meat Export Federation Strategic Planning Conference is set for Nov. 12-14 in Indianapolis, Ind. Conference topics will include global and domestic economic forces, the future of North American agricultural trade, current and future market conditions and strategies to bolster U.S. red meat demand. For more information or to register, visit usmef.org/ events/strategic-planningconference-1-1
Fur Expo
Nebraska Fur Harvesters is encouraging livestock producers and cattlemen’s associations to attend the Western Nebraska Sportsman’s Expo and Nebraska Fur Harvesters Convention Sept. 26-27 at the Dawes County Fairgrounds in Chadron, Neb. The expo will feature demonstrations, a fundraising banquet, raffles and an auction. For more information, visit nebraskafurharvest.com or contact Mark Ross at 308762-2482.
WGFD releases 2025 hunting forecast
As summer’s warm embrace leaves on the crisp autumn breeze and the bright green landscape blushes with hints of amber, crimson and gold, residents and visitors alike will head for Wyoming’s vast wilderness in pursuit
of one of the Cowboy State’s best offerings – wildlife.
With hunting season getting started, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) rolled out its 2025 hunt forecast, which provides a comprehen-
sive breakdown of big and small game outlooks across the state’s eight regions.
Elk Wyoming remains one of the premier states to harvest elk, and with
SHIPPING SEASON
Experts offer advice on reducing stress during weaning and shipping
As temperatures dip and leaves change color across the Cowboy State, fall signals the arrival of another critical season for ranchers – weaning and shipping.
While weaning and shipping are routine parts of ranching operations, it’s good to remember some tips on keeping stress levels low and profit margins high this season.
Weaning and preconditioning
Weaning can be one of the most stressful times in a calf’s life. An effective weaning and/or preconditioning program can help calves adjust to their new environ-
Peck appointed associate director of UW Extension
University of Wyoming (UW) Extension is excited to announce the appointment of Dannele Peck as its new associate director.
As one of two associate directors, Peck will provide leadership for Extension educators throughout the state. She will oversee the Master Gardener program and lead the agriculture and natural resources and community vitality and health teams.
“We are thrilled Peck has joined the UW Extension team as associate director,” says UW Extension Director Mandy Marney. “Her understanding of Wyoming, administrative experience and passion for serving communities make her a great fit for this role.”
Peck earned a bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology in 2000 and a master’s degree in agricultural economics in 2002, both at UW. She went on to achieve a doctorate in
ment and ensure healthy animals come shipping time.
Most cow/calf operations wean calves at six to eight months old, but early weaning at four to six months can also be utilized with proper planning. In both cases, calves must have developed rumens and be consuming solid forage before being separated from their mothers.
Several techniques from fenceline weaning, nursing prevention tools and abrupt weaning can be utilized. In all cases, calves should be monitored for signs
Please see SHIPPING on page 14
Fall Checkpoints
UW sheep specialist discusses decisions shaping next year’s lamb crop
It’s the time of year when brief, chute-side conversations at ram sales and ranch visits turn into quick knowledge exchanges.
In a fast-paced world, sometimes a few timely reminders go a long way, especially on topics that keep coming up.
The following is a concise fall-themed roundup of what producers are asking –and what science is saying. Recordkeeping and culling
Whether running a large commercial flock or a smaller outfit, not everyone has the luxury of detailed recordkeeping, and even fewer consistently use the records they do keep.
When it comes to fall culling decisions, many producers still rely on what they can see – bags, body condition and teeth. But udder health is a harder issue to evaluate because most mastitis problems, especially subclinical ones, happen early in lactation long before fall comes around.
For those who do keep lambing records, now is the time to revisit them.
Collaborative research from the University of Wyoming, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Sheep Experiment Station and
on page 5
Mountain states host successful ram sales
During the second week of September, both Wyoming and Montana held their respective state ram sales, offering producers some of the best genetics in the West.
97th Annual Wyoming State Ram Sale
The 97th Annual Wyoming State Ram Sale was held on Sept. 9 at the Wyoming State Fairgrounds in Douglas, preceded by a sheep production workshop led by University of Wyoming Extension Sheep Specialist Dr. Whit Stewart and a free reception the day before.
Overall, the sale offered 305 rams, selling 290 head for an average of $1,234.40 per head.
The largest offering in the sale were
Rambouillet yearlings, totaling 97 of the 290 head sold and averaging $1,346.13 per head. Targhee yearlings made up the second-highest offering, with 61 head selling for an average $849.34, followed by Suffolk yearlings, of which 39 head sold for an average of $1,775.64.
Additionally, 31 head of SuffolkHampshire cross yearlings averaged $1,743.55; four head of Hampshire yearlings averaged $1,187.50; four head of Targhee-Dohne-SAMM yearlings averaged $750; seven head of Columbia yearlings averaged $628.57 and one Ile de France yearling brought $2,500.
The sale also offered several breeds
Please see SALES on page 8
Dannele Peck Courtesy photo
Adobe Stock photo
Showcasing Agriculture is Important
Those in agriculture understand the importance of promoting our products –from crops and livestock to recreation. We also need to promote our way of life and our businesses. We’re getting better, but it is hard to tell our story, and many of us are not very good at it.
Agriculture is misunderstood by many, and there is so much misinformation out there. Some even want ranching and farming to disappear for good. However, I believe once people realize it is a family farmer or rancher who provides their food, they will change their minds.
Like I said, it is up to us to promote ourselves and tell our story.
One of the problems for those in ag is finding the time for promotion, but there are many ways to support ag, such as supporting Wyoming Agriculture in the Classroom (WAIC).
This organization works with teachers in secondthrough fifth-grade classrooms across Wyoming. WAIC provides a curated curriculum, which meets state standards and informs students about agriculture and natural resources in the Cowboy State.
I was surprised while recently reading study results on the impact of county and state fairs and the value of fairgrounds. Fairs are a great way to promote agriculture, especially these days when cowboy and cowgirl culture is so popular.
The International Association of Fairs and Expositions shared detailed information and results of a recent study on the overall economic impact of fairs and fairgrounds across the nation, illustrating a significant influence across the Rocky Mountain Region.
Coupled with statewide data from nine associations, the result was a database comprising nearly 1,400 fairgrounds throughout the U.S.
This comprehensive study provides valuable insight into the economic and fiscal contributions in host communities with fairs and fairgrounds.
Some of the key findings from the study across the sixstate Rocky Mountain Region were fairgrounds generated $4.9 billion in economic activity. More than 50 percent of the economic impact is generated by the 80 smallest fairs and 35 percent of the population of these states attends a fair.
These are huge numbers, but it is important to remember this is rodeo and ag country.
Some other key findings in our region were fairs and fairgrounds attracted 219.8 million visitors, 64.8 percent of the population, and they brought in $4.9 billion in economic impacts.
Also 192,880 hotel room nights were generated; 39,200 ongoing jobs were sustained; $1.7 billion in wages were created and $101.1 million state fiscal impacts were generated in sales and hotel tax revenues.
Besides the fiscal contributions, think about all of the promotion on the Western way of life and youth with their 4-H and FFA projects that tell the story of agriculture.
I never would have guessed those numbers could be so high, but just look how agriculture was promoted. We’ll take it.
GUEST OPINIONS
Celebrate and Educate This Constitution Day
By two acts of Congress, Constitution Day and Citizenship Day occur each year on Sept. 17.
It was on this day in 1787 when 39 signatures representing the original 13 colonies were affixed to the Constitution in Philadelphia. Its first three words read, “We the people,” and it established a new U.S. government which was designed –and exists today – to serve its citizens.
Constitution Day became law in 2004 and requires public schools and
By Ed Meyer
federal offices to provide educational programs which promote a better understanding of the Constitution.
Citizenship Day, originally created as a joint Congressional resolution in 1940 as “I Am an American Day” by President Franklin Roosevelt, was enacted in 1952 by President Harry Truman and is dedicated to promoting civic responsibility. It is also a reminder of the nation’s values.
Today, both celebrations are recognized as a single civic holiday.
There are several practical ways to celebrate these two days, and at the same time, educate yourself, your family and your friends.
I’ve put together a list of eight, nocost celebratory ideas which you can perform alone or with a small group.
1. Watch the 11-minute YouTube video “The Constitutional Convention” by the National Constitution Center (NCC).
From the Publisher Dennis Sun
WSGA welcomes new staff
The Wyoming Stock Growers Association (WSGA) welcomes Anna Holley as the new marketing and communications director.
Originally from northern Nevada, Holley has strong personal ties to the beef cattle industry and a deeply rooted passion for serving ranchers. She holds a Master of Science in Agricultural Communications from Oklahoma State University and a Bachelor of Science in Equine and Ranch Management from Feather River College.
While earning her master’s degree, Holley conducted research focusing on beef cattle producers in the Intermountain West and their perceptions of industry representation.
Holley can be contacted at anna@wysga.org or 307638-3942.
WSGA is also pleased to welcome Cashlyn English to a legal externship with Executive Vice President Jim Magagna for the fall semester.
English is a second-year law student at University of Wyoming who grew up on a ranch in northern Nevada and holds an undergraduate degree in philosophy with minors in political science and constitutional studies.
She has been active in rodeo, and her goal is to use her legal education to serve the ranching community.
Workshop set
The American Lamb Board’s (ALB) Targeted Grazing Workshop is a comprehensive, hands-on program designed to educate and empower producers on the effective use of sheep for targeted grazing.
Participants gain knowledge and skills to take advantage of lucrative targeted grazing contracts with solar companies. This workshop is presented in partnership with the American Solar Grazing Association (ASGA) and qualifies as an official ASGA certification course.
The next workshop is scheduled for Sept 24-26 in Greeley, Colo.
For more information or to register, e-mail rae@ americanlamb.com.
Cattle prices jump
According to a Sept. 16 Western Ag Network article, cattle sellers across the North saw a sharp jump in calf and feeder prices during the September 2025 Video Auction compared to a year ago, according to a price breakdown provided by Northern Livestock Video Auction.
Across all weight classes, the average increase was $163 per hundredweight (cwt), up 56.6 percent from 2024. This translates to more than $1,051 per head, a 59 percent jump in value.
Steer calves posted some of the most dramatic year-overyear gains.
The 700- to 749-pound steers led the way with an astounding $1,322 per head increase, a 73 percent gain.
Even lighter calves, like the 400- to 449-pound class, were up over $1,014 per head or 65.2 percent.
Heavier steers above 900 pounds still posted gains above $1,100 per head, with increases averaging more than 50 percent compared to last year.
Heifers also sold significantly higher, with an average increase of $152 per cwt, up 57.7 percent year-over-year. This equals a $944 per head rise, nearly 59 percent higher than September 2024.
The strongest surge came in the 600- to 649-pound heifer class, which climbed $178 per cwt, up 73.3 percent, boosting values by over $1,076 per head.
Heifers weighing 500 to 549 pounds weren’t far behind, gaining $938 per head, a 64.3 percent improvement.
Even the heavier end of the heifer offering, such as 850- to 949-pound weights, saw close to $950 per head increases.
ASI awarded funding
The American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) has been selected to receive funding through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service for Fiscal Year 2025 under the Quality Samples Program (QSP).
QSP is one of four competitive grant programs ASI participates in each year to help develop new international markets for American wool. The program plays a critical role in introducing American wool to international buyers by allowing them to learn about the value of American wool and evaluate product quality through direct sampling.
“Foreign buyers can sample American wool to see how it processes with their equipment,” said ASI Executive Board Member Julie Hansmire. “Also, QSP is used to find markets for coarser and higher vegetable matter lots that have less demand in the U.S.”
Through the QSP program, ASI has built lasting customer relationships resulting in the purchase of millions of pounds of American wool over time.
Mining plan approved
Gov. Mark Gordon has issued a statement in support of a decision by the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) to approve a mining plan modification which will allow the Black Butte Mine in Sweetwater County to mine an additional 9.2 million tons of federally-owned coal.
“This is great news for southwest Wyoming and for Wyoming energy consumers. Once more, the Trump administration is demonstrating its commitment to a wise, multiple-use approach to public lands and minerals in Wyoming,” Gordon said.
“After the Biden administration ignored my earlier requests to move forward with this approval, it is most gratifying DOI Secretary Doug Burgum took action and expedited the review of the environmental impact statement on the Black Butte Mine Expansion. This will allow mining operations to resume and continue through 2039,” he added.
Internship applications open
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) has opened applications for spring 2026 semester internships in the association’s Colorado headquarters and Washington, D.C. office.
Internships are available for public policy, producer education and sustainability and meetings and events.
The public policy internship supports NCBA’s Government Affairs team and will allow students to learn more about lobbying, government relations and advocacy on behalf of the cattle and sheep industries. This internship is full time and based in NCBA’s Center for Public Policy in Washington, D.C.
The producer education and sustainability internship supports outreach related to the Beef Checkoff-funded Beef Quality Assurance Program and helps advance the cattle industry’s sustainability initiatives through research and communications support. This internship is full time and based in NCBA’s headquarters in Centennial, Colo.
The meetings and events internship will teach individuals how to manage large-scale conventions and tradeshows, in addition to the logistics behind smaller meetings and conferences. This internship is full time and based in NCBA’s headquarters in Centennial, Colo.
All internships run from January to May 2026 and are paid positions. Applications are due by Oct. 6.
For more information or to apply, visit ncba.org
USDA rolls out aid
Livestock producers who suffered feed losses from floods or wildfires in 2023-24 will be able to apply for $1 billion in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) disaster aid to help offset higher feed costs.
USDA recently announced the new payment assistance will become available to livestock producers under the Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) for 2023-24 Flood and Wildfire (2024 FW).
Sign-up for ELRP and 2024 FW began on Sept. 15 and will run until Oct. 31.
Under the program, the Farm Service Agency has determined counties qualifying for the ELRP 2024 FW include those in California, Texas and most states on the eastern seaboard due to floods, as well as some counties in Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, Wyoming and Texas and New York due to wildfire losses.
Under the program, producers can receive up to 60 percent of one month of calculated feed costs for a qualifying wildfire or three months for a qualifying flood. The monthly feed calculation is the same as the Livestock Forage Disaster Program.
The 2023-24 payments have a combined limit of $125,000 for each program year. Also, producers who have already received the maximum payment for ELRP in 2023-24 for drought and wildfire will not be eligible to receive an additional payment under ELRP 2024 FW. Producers can submit a waiver form to be considered for doubling the payment limit to $250,000.
For more information or to apply, visit fsa.usda.gov
MOU signed
The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA), the NASDA Foundation and the National Agricultural Law Center (NALC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to expand collaboration on agricultural law, policy, research and student development initiatives during the NASDA Annual Meeting. Through this agreement, the three institutions will commit to strengthening their longstanding partnership by launching new student-focused programs and hosting joint conferences. The MOU will also create opportunities to further shared agricultural education and public engagement efforts. Key components of the MOU include expansion of NASDA’s Next Generation student program and the establishment of law-focused student fellowships; cohosting conferences and events, including a new annual program in Washington, D.C. and collaborating on communications, cross-promotion and resource sharing to expand the reach of each organization.
Lamb sales see significant growth
Total lamb sales have increased significantly, indicating strong consumer demand, according to the latest Midan Marketing Quarterly Retail Report, based on retail scanner data from Circana.
In the second quarter of 2025 – April through June – dollar sales increased by 17.7 percent and volume sales grew by 12.5 percent, compared to the same period last year, even after accounting for Easter.
Over the past year, both dollar sales and the volume of lamb sold have experienced significant growth, with increases of 10.9 percent and 11.2 percent, respectively.
All major markets experienced quarterly growth in both volume and dollar value for lamb, along with growth compared to the five-year historical average.
Houston and Denver led the pack in terms of dollar growth at 27 percent each, and San Francisco increased volume sales by nearly 30 percent.
Without exception, virtually every retail cut witnessed an increase in both
dollar sales and pounds sold between the second quarter of 2024 and the second quarter of 2025.
Significant growth
Looking at retail sales data from the group of retailers who only sell American lamb, domestic lamb sales experienced significant growth in quarter two, with dollar sales increasing by 16.5 percent and volume sales rising by 15.3 percent.
Growth for American lamb was steady across various cuts, with ground lamb, blade chops and loin chops each recording double-digit increases in both dollar and pound sales.
“While it’s encouraging to see more U.S. consumers cooking lamb, I’m even more encouraged to see consumers are seeking out American lamb,” says American Lamb Board (ALB) Chairman Jeff Ebert. “It’s more important than ever for producers to find ways to boost production to take advantage of rising lamb demand.”
Production levels for American lamb also increased in the second quarter. Lamb and yearling production was
7.7 percent higher than the same period last year.
Increasing prices
Lamb sales increased despite consumers carefully considering grocery options.
Inflation continues to boost dollar sales to new heights across most segments, including lamb. The average price for lamb in the U.S. rose 4.6 percent over the past year, from $8.03 per pound to $8.40 per pound.
Despite these price hikes, meat – including lamb – and dairy remain important exceptions with strong unit and volume growth alongside dollar growth.
Overall, the U.S. lamb
FEEDERS
Pending 168 Mx Hfrs, 81 Mx Hfrs, 800-950#, Complete Vac. Program
****87 Mx Hfrs, 700-775#, Complete Vac. Program
****4 Mx Strs, 1050#, Complete Vac. Program
market is experiencing positive growth, with increasing sales and consistent demand for American lamb.
ALB is the national promotion, research and information checkoff program working on behalf of all American producers – commercial and seedstock –feeders, direct marketers and processors to build demand for American lamb. Funding is through mandatory assessments paid by all industry segments, and the 13-member board represents all industry sectors, geographic regions and sizes of production. For more information, visit lambboard.com, e-mail info@americanlamb.com or call 303-759-3001.
Dan Cushman 55 Mostly Hereford few Blk/Bwf Strs, 900-950#, Complete Vac. Program, Coming off grass
****7 Char/Angus-x Strs, 900-950#, Complete Vac. Program, Coming off grass
Gary Johnson 30 Blk Hfrs, 850-870#, Spayed, Full Vac. Program, Fuseguard, Multimin, No Implants, Coming off grass
James P. Kruse 24 Hereford few Blk/Bwf Hfrs, 800#, PTO @ ranch on 9/22 by Dr. Smylie, Complete Vac. Program, No Implants, Coming off grass, Been on a Salt and Mineral Program, Home Raised, Producer All Natural Kruse Cattle Co. 10 Hereford Hfrs, 675-700#, Guaranteed Open, Complete Vac. Program, No Implants, Coming off grass, Home Raised, Producer All Natural WEANED CALVES
Groene Family 10 Angus/Hereford/Angus-x Strs & Hfrs, 450-650#, Weaned 30 days, Bunk Broke, Hay Fed, Start on grain, Branding and Weaning Shots: 7-way w/Somnus, Bovi-Shield Gold, Ivomec Pour On, AI’d Sired, Home Raised, Heifers are Re placement Quality CALVES
Eller Ranch 80 95% Blk few Red Strs & Hfrs, 475-575#, Branding Shots: Pyramid 5+Presponse, off cows
Mike & Valorie Heatherly 64 Char/Char-x Strs & Hfrs, 475-575#, Branding Shots: Ultra Choice 7, Pyramid 5, Pre-cond. Shots: Ultra Choice 7, Pyramid 5+Presponse SQ, Poured w/Brute on Sept. 1 on Sept. 11, Producer All Natural
SEPTEMBER 26,
Clayton Johnke 20 Blk Strs & Hfrs, 450-550#, Branding & Pre-cond. Shots: Bovi-Shield Gold, 7-way REP RESULTS -FEEDER SPECIAL
WEDNESDAY,
UPCOMING SALE SCHEDULE
UW Extension welcomes educator
University of Wyoming (UW) Extension welcomes Peyton Loss as an Extension educator on the Wind River Indian Reservation (WRIR).
Loss will be leading both 4-H youth development and agriculture and natural resources educational programming. She will also provide support for the Federally-Recognized Tribes Extension Program.
Loss earned her bachelor’s degree in agricultural business from the University of Minnesota Crookston in 2022. She went on to achieve her master’s degree from the UW College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources in 2025, where she studied agricultural and applied economics and water resources.
During her time at UW, Loss worked as a graduate assistant with the Wyoming Anticipating Climate Transitions (WyACT) grant. This project aims to predict how weather and climate changes may impact hydrology, ecosystems, wildlife and human communities.
In her position with WyACT, Loss helped create a symposium focusing on water resource management in the Big Horn Basin in collaboration with partners at WRIR, Central Wyoming College and UW.
Loss has also held several positions where she worked with youth, including coaching a competitive swimming team.
As a UW Extension Educator, Loss is committed to serving the Wind River community and sharing her knowledge about natural resource management.
Loss started her new role with UW Extension on Aug. 29 and can be reached at ploss@uwyo.edu.
Peyton Loss Courtesy photo
WYLR photo
Montana State University shows subclinical mastitis – infections one can’t see –can cost producers 10 to 17 pounds of lamb weaned per ewe.
At two dollars per pound, this is $20 to $30 lost without any clear symptoms.
More obvious clinical mastitis – swelling, heat or complete udder loss – may only affect six to eight percent of ewes, per USDA data, but it remains a leading reason for premature culling.
Physical signs such as lumps, uneven udder halves or a completely non-functional side often point to past intramammary infections. Large, uniform swelling can be a red flag for ovine progressive pneumonia (OPP), while elongated or misshapen teats may signal long-term breakdown of udder tissue.
Ewes with these problems almost always underperform, and fall provides the best opportunity to cull them so poor udder health and reduced lambing performance are not carried into the next season.
Teat placement matters
Another often-overlooked trait is teat placement, and it turns out it matters a lot.
Research shows younger ewes with poorly positioned teats – pointing straight down or straight out to the side –tend to wean fewer lambs.
Teat placement is scored from one to nine. One means vertical, nine means horizontal and five is ideal.
A score of five sets the
teats at about a 45-degree angle, which makes the ewe less susceptible to mastitis and makes it easier for lambs to latch on quickly.
Ewes with scores between four and seven consistently weaned heavier lambs, while those scoring three or less or eight or more weaned up to three times less in one-year-old ewes. This is a huge loss in early productivity.
Remember, 45-degree teats mean healthier udders and stronger lambs.
This fall, consider scoring teat placement at weaning. It’s a quick, visual tool producers can use chute-side to make smarter replacement and culling decisions. In the long run, small changes in how producers evaluate udders can lead to big gains in productivity.
Ewe body condition and flushing
Body condition is an important return-on-investment indicator which should not be overlooked during fall evaluations.
At breeding, ewes should ideally score between 2.5 and 3.5 on a five-point scale.
Identifying ewes in poorer condition is essential, as culling or treatment decisions often hinge on whether low condition is the result of poor dentition or underlying illness.
A substantial body of international research demonstrates improving a ewe’s body condition score from two to three prior to breeding can result in approximately 20 percent greater
CONSTITUTION DAY
2. Read the entire Constitution itself or a subset of its preamble, articles and amendments.
3. Listen to the 75-minute “The Intellectual Inspirations Behind the Constitution” podcast.
4. Hear a 26-minute reading of the Constitution at jbs.org/constitution/
5. Explore and review the “Putting the Bill of Rights to the Test” workbook from the National Archives.
6. Take a virtual road trip and visit the NCC’s Signers’ Hall exhibit.
7. Join the signers of the Constitution and add your name to this founding document at archives.gov/founding-docs/jointhe-signers as if you were a delegate and attended the convention yourself.
8. Complete the NCC’s online 10-ques-
lamb survival to weaning.
For prolific ewes raising multiple lambs, this improvement may translate into an additional 20 to 30 pounds of lamb weaned per ewe, according to several studies.
The challenge, of course, lies in regaining any lost body condition.
Monitoring and managing body condition leading into breeding is one of the most straightforward nutritional strategies for return on investment, but these decisions must be made early – at weaning and during the pre-breeding period – to give producers the best chance of success.
Flushing refers to the practice of increasing a ewe’s energy intake before and during breeding season to enhance ovulation rates and improve conception.
Studies have shown flushing can result in a 10 to 20 percent increase in lambs born per ewe, particularly in those of average to below average body condition.
The most bang for the buck comes from flushing ewes in these categories, as overconditioned ewes show little response.
Flushing can be as subtle as moving ewes to a fresh pasture with higher-quality forage, but the response is often maximized with supplementary feeding of highenergy feeds.
Not all feeds are created equal. For example, alfalfa pellets provide about 1.15 Megacalories (Mcal) per pound of metabolizable energy (ME) and 55 to 60 percent total digestible nutrients (TDN), while whole-
tion quiz and test your convention delegates smarts.
The U.S. Constitution is the world’s longest surviving written charter of government. It established our nation’s representative form of government as implemented by its three distinct and separate branches of government, and it is easily the most influential document in American history.
Join many fellow countrymen this week to celebrate the Constitution’s 238th anniversary and learn a little more about its importance and why so many individuals around the globe want to become American citizens.
Ed Meyer owns and operates G2 Farm and Ranch in Wheatland and can be reached at ed.meyer@earthlink.net.
shell corn provides about 1.54 Mcal per pound ME and 88 to 90 percent TDN.
Corn is more energy dense thanks to its high starch content and greater rumen fermentability, meaning more of its energy becomes available to the ewe quickly.
Research dating back 30 years shows feeding 0.75 to one pound of corn daily on dormant cool season pasture can enhance flushing without reducing forage intake.
Cost matters too. At ballpark current prices, alfalfa pellets at $250 per ton cost 12.5 cents per pound and corn at $180 per ton costs nine cents per pound.
On an energy basis, alfalfa pellets work out to about 10.9 cents per Mcal, while corn costs about 5.8 cents per Mcal.
So, if producers feed one-half pound per head per day, they’re paying about 2.9 cents per head per day for corn and 5.5 cents per head per day for alfalfa pellets. This is a difference of 2.6 cents per head per day or $2.60 per 100 ewes per day, which is significant when feeding over multiple weeks.
Keep in mind early recognition of pregnancy is the most critical phase prone to conceptus loss, so a good flushing program should begin two to three weeks before ram turnout and continue 30 to 45 days
into breeding.
It’s easy to see quality and quantity of pastures in the fall are not what they were in May and June. Not only does digestibility and protein content decline, but the mineral composition of many grass species also drops.
Offering a vitamin and mineral supplement freechoice in a location where uniform consumption can be achieved is key.
A common challenge is getting all ewes to consume free-choice mineral consistently.
Mixing mineral with a supplemental feed, especially during flushing, can improve uniformity of intake.
Another strategy is ordering a winter supplement already fortified with vitamins and minerals. While it may add to the upfront cost, it ensures the “non-consumer” portion of the flock is minimized, reducing the risk of production losses from deficiencies.
Bottom line
There are always more
tasks in the day than hours to do them, but the planning producers invest in the fall will pay dividends across the production year. Opportunity often turns on the hinges of small, deliberate choices. Whether it’s identifying ewes with mastitis-damaged udders, poor teat angles which will hinder next year’s lambs or thin body condition scores which can be corrected now with the right supplement, what one observes this fall reflects the story ewes have been writing for months. It is also a producer’s best chance to step in and change the ending.
Using observations, records and a measure of daily foresight to guide culling, feeding and breeding decisions is what ultimately shapes the flock’s future productivity Dr. Whit Stewart is the University of Wyoming Extension sheep specialist and associate professor in the Department of Animal Science. He can be reached at whit.stewart@uwyo.edu.
WYLR photo
EXTENSION EDUCATION
By Brenna Litynski, UW Extension Educator
What does success look like in the agricultural industry? And more importantly, what is “success” in the first place?
It’s a question I find myself circling back to often in my role as an Extension educator and as a young entrepreneur in my personal life.
Success in agriculture
At Extension, I get the privilege of working with people at every level of
PECK
agriculture – producers who manage thousands of acres, small-scale growers selling at local farmers market, students just beginning to explore ag careers and the many contributors and supporters who keep the entire agricultural system running.
For some, success looks like yield per acre, profit margins or expansion of land and herd.
For others, it’s about sus-
continued from page 1
agricultural and natural resource economics from Oregon State University in 2007.
Post graduation, Peck worked in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics at UW for almost a decade. She taught courses on rangeland economics and conducted research on the economics of animal health management, such as the costs and benefits of brucellosis prevention.
From 2016-25, Peck worked at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service as the director of an outreach team focused on making weather and climate information accessible and useful for farmers,
ranchers and foresters.
In this position, she developed tools like GrassCast, which predicts how much grass will grow during the year, allowing producers to plan how much forage they will need to provide for their livestock.
“I find great joy in connecting with people and supporting them as they pursue their goals,” says Peck. “In my new role as associate director, I have the honor of supporting an amazing team of Extension professionals who share this passion for helping others.”
Peck started her new role with UW Extension on Aug. 28. She can be contacted at dpeck@ uwyo.edu.
tainability – being able to pass the farm on to the next generation in better condition than when they received it. For others still, success is simply being able to make a living doing something they love, staying connected to the land and feeding their community and/or their families.
The reality is there isn’t one single definition of success.
Success in agriculture can be financial, environmental, educational or deeply personal. It might mean adopting a new practice to improve soil health, seeing a 4-H student discover their passion, building resilience in the face of unpredictable economies or weather systems or collaborating with others to strengthen communities.
Finding fulfillment
So maybe the better question isn’t what success looks like but rather how we pursue the version of success that truly matters to us.
In my humble opinion, the heart of success is actually fulfillment – the sense of meaning and satisfaction that comes from doing something worthwhile. Fulfillment, like success, looks different for everyone.
For some, it’s financial stability. For others, it’s watching a newborn calf survive a Wyoming blizzard. For others still, it’s starting an operation from scratch – goat by goat, sheep by sheep, calf by calf.
So then, how do we find fulfillment as agricultural contributors? I believe it comes down to a
few key practices.
First, embrace the journey. Whether you come from a well-established operation or you’re building from the ground up, be patient with yourself. Believe in your work and your path, even when progress feels slow.
Second, practice humility and gratitude. Agriculture comes with a lot of well-earned pride, but it also demands humility. Celebrate the small victories as much as the big ones, and never lose sight of the simple blessings – family, community and connection to the land itself.
Third, find peace in your own path. Comparison can be a dangerous trap. Spend too much time measuring yourself against others and it begins to drain
your energy, your health and your joy. Growth happens when we learn to value where we are, while still striving for where we want to go.
In the end, success in agriculture isn’t a trophy, a number or even a destination. It’s fulfillment found in the day-to-day work, the relationships we build and the resilience we carry forward.
Perhaps this is what makes agriculture so special – success isn’t onesize-fits-all, but instead as unique and enduring as the people who live it.
Brenna Litynski is the University of Wyoming Extension agriculture and natural resources educator serving Albany County. She can be reached at blitynsk@uwyo.edu or 307721-2571.
Farmer's
The Field
BY RON RABOU
“First, they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak for me,” said Pastor Martin Niemoller, a prominent Lutheran pastor in Germany.
Niemoller would eventually find himself in a Nazi concentration camp for eight years for being an outspoken critic of Nazi church policy.
On my latest trip to Washington, D.C., I was finally able to find the time to visit the Holocaust Museum. It was powerful
and impactful in ways I cannot describe.
It was during this visit Niemoller’s quote struck me with such force I cannot forget it.
Readers may have noticed in the past two years of me writing this column, I tend to stray from politics as much as possible. In fact, politics have taken such a turn in our country I find the divisiveness, deception and hypocrisy they have created to be quite repulsive and shameful.
Politics, in large part, seek only to divide us, and both parties are guilty.
Extremists from both sides of the aisle seek nothing less than total destruction of the other side.
They do not allow debate, discussion or respectful conversations.
CROSSWORD
They do not wish to seek the truth, recognize the truth or base their opinions on the truth. They do not care to listen or to engage in thoughtful discussion.
They talk of tolerance but do not tolerate anyone who disagrees with them. They speak of equality, but only if it benefits them the most. They speak of love but hate all that is good.
They function only in their own delusional world of absolutes, and they anxiously await the opportunity to destroy anyone whose opinions are not exactly like their own.
This constant, deepening dissention, largely provoked by such extremists, is no way to solve realworld problems, and it’s not helping to make us a better nation. It serves only the interests of a few, while the large majority, just like Niemoller described, stand on the sidelines in silence.
But once in a great while, a figure emerges from the ashes of our selfimposed destruction and speaks with such clarity, strength, knowledge, passion and understanding, we pause for just a moment to remember who we really are.
They cause us to reflect on what is good, what is right and what is true. They help us to reflect on our own humanity and cause us to understand the path to progress does not lie in the fringes, but rather in the ability to respectfully listen to opinions outside of our own and to engage those with differing opinions in a manner which creates greater levels of understanding, even when we disagree.
What causes these leaders – who are most always outside of the political realm – to gain such a large and faithful group of supporters?
It’s their depth of knowledge, conviction to Biblical truths and their unapologetic commitment to their faith. It’s their boldness in the face of fear and dissention.
The word “truth” appears in the Bible about
380 times. It seems to me any word mentioned this many times must carry some heavy weight on its level of importance.
One of the best parts of our great country is the freedom to conduct debates centered around subjects we find to be of greatest importance and the opportunities these debates create for us to learn and express ourselves through thoughtful dialogue.
But the fringes can’t stand this. A debate with them can only be considered an argument or a yelling match, usually laced with profanity. Their positions are not based in truth, nor can they be realistically defended, so the embodiment of the extreme right and the extreme left is this – when they are challenged on their position about anything, in any way, their first response is to eliminate those who stand in their way.
Today, the powerful words from Niemoller take on an even deeper meaning. The horrific and senseless assassination of Charlie Kirk is a travesty beyond my level of comprehension. It is an inept attempt to silence us all. But no more.
I believe Charlie’s legacy will become an even stronger force for good if those of us who have been silent for so long will now finally stand up, loudly and unapologetically, to embrace the foundational principles our country was founded on and to live each day by the Biblical truths he fought so valiantly to protect.
There was only one Charlie, but because of him, there are now tens of millions of us who can confidently rise up and boldly speak out. For America. For Charlie.
Now, it’s up to us.
Ron Rabou is president of Rabou Farms, Inc. in southeastern Wyoming, a nationally known author, speaker and co-host of the nationally-syndicated podcast AgInspo. For more information, visit raboufarms.com
Wyoming Livestock Roundup Crosswords, created by Myles Mellor. Solution for the Sept. 13, 2025 crossword
The Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB) will invest approximately $38.1 million into programs of beef promotion, research, consumer information, industry information, foreign marketing and producer communications during Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26), subject to U.S. Department of Agriculture approval.
At the end of its Sept. 3-4 meeting in Denver, the Beef Promotion Operating Committee (BPOC) approved checkoff funding for a total of 14 authorization requests or grant proposals for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1.
The committee, which includes 10 producers and importers from CBB and 10 producers from the Federation of State Beef Councils, also recommended full CBB approval of a budget amendment to reflect the split of funding between budget categories affected by their decisions.
Approved authorization requests
Nine contractors and three subcontractors brought 14 authorization requests worth approximately $49 million to the BPOC this week, approximately $10.9 million more than the funds available from the CBB budget.
“We continue to be impressed by the quality and creativity of the proposals our contractors bring forward each year, which makes funding decisions especially tough,” said Ryan Moorhouse, CBB and BPOC chair. “While we receive many outstanding proposals, our limited resources mean we can’t fund everything we’d like.
BPOC approves Fiscal Year 2026 Beef Checkoff Plan of Work
Inflation continues to reduce the impact of each checkoff dollar, so prioritizing the most impactful programs is more important than ever.”
“As expected, this year’s authorization requests were full of fresh ideas and innovative approaches to support the Beef Checkoff’s core efforts of research, promotion, foreign marketing, industry and consumer information and producer communications. I’m proud of how our committee worked together to thoughtfully balance the budget and direct our limited resources in the most strategic way,” Moorhouse continued. “I’m grateful to our contractors and fellow committee members for their dedication, and I look forward to seeing the results of their hard work in FY26.”
In the end, the BPOC approved proposals from nine national beef organizations for funding through the FY26 CBB budget.
This includes $705,000 to the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture; $1.8 million to CBB; $650,000 to the Meat Foundation; $1 million to the Meat Import Council of America and Northeast Beef Promotion Initiative; $35,000 to the Meat Institute; $235,000 to the Meat Institute and New York Beef Council; $25.1 million to the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association; $75,000 to the National Institute for Animal Agriculture; $650,000 to the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association and Kansas State University and $7.9 million to the U.S. Meat Export Federation. Budget components Broken out by budget
Project moves forward
At the Sept. 9-10 meeting in Lander, the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission voted to recommend consideration of the entire Sublette Antelope Migration Corridor for designation to the governor, including the East of Farson and Red Desert segments. The decision came after initial recommendations from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD), followed by public comment and discussion.
The Sublette Antelope Migration Corridor is used by one of Wyoming’s largest antelope populations, with migration routes ranging from six to 165 miles across Fremont, Lincoln, Sublette, Sweetwater and Teton counties.
The corridor was formally identified in March 2024 to delineate paths antelope use as they migrate between summer and winter ranges. WGFD used data from more than two decades of research, including GPS collar data from more than 500 antelope, to understand and manage these movements.
WGFD is working to officially designate the corridor through the process outlined in the Governor’s Migration Corridor Executive Order. The goal is to identify and mitigate threats pronghorn are facing. Threats are evaluated for all corridors and include habitat fragmentation, off-road vehicle use, roads and fencing, invasive annual grasses and poor habitat quality. Using data to delineate seasonal use aids in the long-term management of the herd.
During the September meeting, WGFD recommended the designation of eight segments of the corridor to the commission – North, Bondurant, Foothills, East of 191, Central, Caplet, Fontenelle and Southwest. Keeping in line with the executive order’s flexibility between designation and identification, the two southeastern segments – East of Farson and Red Desert – were not recommended for designation at this time. WGFD cited a lack of high-use segments, no identified bottlenecks and limited threat levels in this area.
component – as outlined by the Beef Promotion and Research Act of 1985 – the FY26 Plan of Work for the CBB and Research Board budget includes $9.2 million for promotion programs, including beef and veal campaigns focusing on beef’s nutritional value, eating experience, convenience and production and $9.3 million for research programs focusing on pre- and post-harvest beef safety, scientific affairs, nutrition, sustainability, product quality, culinary technical expertise and consumer perceptions.
Another $7.7 million will be used for consumer information programs, including Northeast influencer outreach and public relations initiatives, national consumer public relations including nutrition-influencer relations and work with primary- and secondary-school curriculum directors nationwide to get accurate information about the beef industry into classrooms.
Additional initiatives include outreach and engagement with food, culinary, nutrition and health leaders; media and public relations efforts and supply chain engagement.
Additionally, $2.2 million will be used for industry information programs, including dissemination of accurate information about
the beef industry to counter misinformation from other groups, as well as funding for checkoff participation in the annual national industrywide symposium about antibiotic use. Additional efforts in this program area include beef advocacy training and issues and crisis management and response.
To round out the funding, $7.9 million will be used for foreign marketing and education, focusing on 13 regions representing more than 90 countries around the world and $1.8 million for producer communications, which includes investor outreach using national communications and direct communications to producers and importers about checkoff results.
Elements of this pro-
gram include ongoing producer listening and analysis, industry collaboration and outreach and continued development of a publishing strategy and platform and a state beef council content hub.
The full FY26 CBB budget is approximately $42.4 million. Separate from the authorization requests, other expenses funded include $305,000 for program evaluation; $762,000 for program development; $280,000 for checkoff education resources; $575,000 for U.S. Department of Agriculture oversight; $220,000 for state services; $200,000 for supporting services and litigation and approximately $2 million for CBB administration.
The FY26 program bud-
get represents an increase of slightly less than one percent, or $195,000, from the $42.2 million FY25 budget.
Established as part of the 1985 Farm Bill, the Beef Checkoff assesses one dollar per head on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle, in addition to a comparable assessment on imported beef and beef products. The checkoff acts as a catalyst for change and is designed to stimulate beef sales and consumption through a combination of initiatives including consumer advertising, research, public relations and newproduct development. For more information about the Beef Checkoff and its programs, visit drivingdemandforbeef.com or call 303220-9890.
Thermopolis FFA participates in nationwide ag appreciation initiative
Every year, the National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE) leads a nationwide initiative called National Teach Ag Day to raise awareness about ag education and celebrate the impact of ag teachers.
Members of the Thermopolis FFA Chapter at Hot Springs County High School got involved with the program through a series of events leading up to National Teach Ag Day on Sept. 18 under the guidance of FFA Advisor Britton Van Heule and Assistant FFA Advisor Linda McCumber.
The goal of the project was to celebrate ag teachers and promote the agricultural teaching profession while encouraging more individuals to pursue careers in agricultural education.
“This project is a way to show support for ag teachers who are working really hard,” Van Heule says. “Relationships are key for ag programs and communities.”
National Teach Ag Day NAAE statistics reflect a decline in ag teachers across the country in recent years, influenced by factors like low pay, heavy workload and lack of support.
Initiatives like National Teach Ag Day bring awareness to this crisis and offer avenues for students to learn more about ag education as
of ram lambs.
Thirty-one SuffolkHampshire lambs brought an average of $696.77 per head, while six Suffolk rams sold for an average of $900 per head and two Hampshire
a career path.
Van Heule has been an ag teacher for 23 years. He notes, in recent years the age demographic of ag teachers has shifted from older teachers in long-term positions to younger ones who often relocate several times before retirement.
“It’s hard to find teachers, not only in Wyoming, but all over the U.S.,” Van Heule notes. “When a district can’t find a teacher to hire, it’s usually when a program goes away.”
“As an older teacher, I felt like it was a good idea to bring awareness to this situation,” Van Heule continues. “We want our students to understand ag education is a career they can pursue and to get involved with giving back to ag teachers in our state.”
Showing support
With help from Wyoming State FFA Advisor Stacy Broda, members of Thermopolis FFA sent out a survey asking ag teachers across the state questions about their jobs.
The survey garnered 14 responses, which students published on the chapter’s Facebook page throughout the week in a series of slides highlighting Wyoming ag educators.
The FFA chapter also mailed out mugs to teachers in their district. Mugs
lambs brought an average $775 per head.
Two head of Ile de France lambs averaged $1,000 and one Katahdin lamb brought $350. In addition, three head
were customized using the ag shop’s laser machine and feature the FFA emblem and an owl since the advisor is “stationed by the owl” in FFA opening and closing ceremonies.
Ag appreciation
Ella Slover and Mac McCumber serve on the Thermopolis FFA Officer Team as treasurer and third vice president and are passionate about bringing the message of supporting ag teachers to their chapter and community through this project.
“If we lose ag teachers, we won’t have FFA in general,” says Slover. “FFA creates so many opportunities like getting out of your shell, learning new things and helping out the community.”
Slover further notes FFA has improved her public speaking skills and emphasizes the organization’s role in providing scholarship opportunities for high school seniors.
Mac says FFA has provided a platform to build skills like work ethic, problem solving and time management while getting involved with community service.
“Ag allows us to grow as individuals and prepares us for more careers than other subjects,” Mac says. “Ag teachers are the founda-
of certified rams sold for an average of $2,400, and a natural-colored ewe lamb donated by the Camino family of Buffalo brought $500.
100th Annual
Montana Ram Sale
Up north in the Treasure State, history was made during the 100th Annual Montana Ram Sale and 12th Annual Montana Ewe Sale, hosted at the Eastern Montana Fairgrounds in Miles City, Mont.
Thirty consignors from across Montana offered over 400 head of ewes and 277 head of rams. Buyers hauled sheep home to South Dakota, North Dakota, Michigan, Oregon, Wash-
tion of things that improve our community and the way we look at things.”
Additionally, both students emphasize the important role advisors play in creating opportunities for their chapters and boosting confidence.
“They support you no matter what they have going on in their life,” Mac says. “It gives you a baseline to start growing.”
“It’s always helpful to know your advisor is there,” Slover adds. “You’re more confident. If you do make a mistake, you know you have somebody who will lift you up and get you back to where you were.”
Grace Skavdahl is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
ington, Wyoming, Idaho, Utah and across Montana.
The milestone 100th Annual Montana Ram Sale was held on Sept. 10, where a total 277 bucks were offered and sold for an overall average of $1,566 per head. Overall, the ram sale grossed $433,825.
The black-faced breeds averaged $1,280 per head on 40 head.
Heart Lazy P of Miles City, Mont. topped the black-faced portion of the sale, selling a SuffolkHampshire cross buck for $3,000 to Little Ranch of Leiter.
Rambouillet bucks sold with an overall average of $1,605 per head on 47 head.
Helle Rambouillet of Dillon, Mont. topped the Rambouillet portion of the sale, selling a pair of Rambouillet-Merino cross bucks for $6,200 to Peter Wirtzfeld of Sentinel Butte, N.D.
Three South AfricanMeat Merino cross bucks were offered by the Montana Ag Experiment Station of Bozeman, Mont., and the high seller sold for $800.
Four Columbia bucks were offered by Gasvoda Columbias of Big Sandy, Mont., averaging $300.
The Targhee sale average was $1,670 on 182 head.
The overall high-selling ram was a Targhee consigned by Montana Sheep
Company of Fort Shaw, Mont. The buck sold for $8,500 to Dennis Voss of Two Dot, Mont. Two Targhee lots sold for $8,500 per head.
12th Annual Montana Ewe Sale
On Sept. 10, a total 413 ewes sold for an overall average of $410 per head during the 12th Annual Montana Ewe Sale, which grossed $169,125.
John and Betty Sampsel of Hughes Newford in Stanford, Mont. donated a yearling Targhee ewe to kick off the sale. The proceeds from the donation were collected to support legislative efforts.
Montana Sheep Company and Michelle Hersrud topped the ewe sale with a consignment of 10 head each of Targhee ewes, selling for $600 per head to Jeff Clark of Whitewood, S.D. and Brad Boner of Glenrock. The volume buyer was Bill Schaefer from Hoven,
During the sale, whitefaced ewes sold onsite averaged $408 per head and black-faced ewes sold onsite averaged $525 per
Off-site sales averaged $285 per head. The average for pens of 10 was $463 per head, while the average on pens of 20 was $434 per head. Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on
Ag appreciation – The Thermopolis FFA Chapter showed appreciation for ag educators on National Teach Ag Day by gifting teachers in their district with customized coffee mugs. Courtesy photo
Future leaders – The Thermopolis FFA Chapter got involved with National Teach Ag Day to show support for ag educators nationwide. The chapter’s officer team consists of Tyler Morris, Ryan Axtell, Alex Martinez, Mac McCumber, Tymber Eckley, Madi Shaffer, Paige Jones, Reagan Huckfeldt and Ella Slover, pictured left to right. Courtesy photo
Cattle keep getting better, but it doesn’t mean producers should slow down progress. This is what attendees took home from the 2025 Feeding Quality Forum, held Aug. 14-15 in Rochester, Minn.
“I would say congratulations to those responsible for the genetic selections behind this improvement,” said Paul Dykstra, Certified Angus Beef (CAB) director of supply management and analysis. “The rest of you added management to it, and together, the choices we’ve all made bring the consumer back to a very elite-priced protein item in the meat case.”
Cattlemen who focus on carcass traits are paid on grid performance, which is one of their biggest opportunities to capture more dollars. Quality tracks seasonal trends – primarily based on the cattle cycle and when calves are born – which leads to periods of high premiums and months with just okay premiums, Dykstra said.
Fed cattle are averaging 70 percent Choice with yield grades two, three and four. The market encourages more days on feed to add weight to these cattle. The result is increased hot carcass weight, backfat and higher yield grades.
While yield and composition have been a priority since before the first National Beef Quality Audit in 1991, greater attention has been given to improving quality grades until now.
CAB President John Stika shared his perspective as a member of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Red Meat Yield Working Group, which is evaluating whether the industry is using the right tools to determine cutability and effectively communicate relevant value difference back to producers.
The current yield grade equation hasn’t been updated since it was developed in 1960, and cattle and management practices influencing composition have changed dramatically since then.
“It’s not a matter of choosing quality or yield, it’s a matter of choosing how we’re going to move both of them forward, jointly and together,” Stika said.
No ceiling on quality
Cattle prices have reached a new pricing plateau, according to Dan Basse, AgResource Company president. Each week, cash cattle prices are up, and the packer keeps bidding higher and higher.
Basse estimates beef will bring in $113 billion of revenue this year, while the total corn crop may bring $57 billion.
More good news for cattlemen, he said, is the younger generation likes protein and vegetables.
“If you would’ve told me last year the retail price of beef could be somewhere
in the vicinity of $9.50 per pound, and we had no demand rationing, no shifting to chicken or pork, I would have told you you’re crazy,” he said.
Quality and a consistent, repeatable eating experience are behind this, noted David O’Diam. With all beef expensive, the most detrimental thing for consumers would be a bad eating experience.
The increase in Prime carcasses since 2020 has resulted in a more consistent supply of Prime beef in the meat case, thus creating stronger demand for high-quality beef in grocery stores. With 12 percent of the fed cattle grading U.S. Department of Agriculture Prime, there is enough supply to fill consistent orders.
“There’s more demand for this product than what we have,” O’Diam said. “It’s item specific and there are a lot of caveats to it, but the reality is we are demanding more Prime today than ever before and selling it specifically at retail.”
Continuing the progress
Changing cattle takes time. Genetics is part of the equation, but management is just as important.
Dallas Knobloch of 4K Cattle LLC manages a cow/calf herd and buys feeder calves to fill his Minnesota feedyard. As he works with ranchers, he encourages them to work on the 90 percent of things they can control, and the price will follow.
“It’s about getting everything else right first,” Knobloch said. “Whether it’s health, genetics, shipping or trucking, the timing for when we do a lot of these things makes a huge difference at the end of the day on carcass and consistency across a pen.”
“Cattle feeders like predictability. The value of a set of feeder calves varies, and many feeders have been burned before by blackhided cattle with unknown genetic composition,” said Tim Schiefelbein, partner at Schiefelbein Farms and contract manager for American Foods Group.
Cattle feeders want to know what they’re getting
and have a marketing plan in mind when they put a group of calves on feed.
“When you know what someone’s supplying you and you get comfortable, that’s when feeding gets fun,” Schiefelbein said. “Nobody wants a surprise.”
Marketing tools like AngusLinkSM verify what’s under the hide and let cattle buyers know exactly what they’re getting.
Genetic differences are easily masked by management and environment, said Brian McCulloh, Woodhill Angus founder.
“Data-driven selection speeds up what nature does slowly,” McCulloh said.
The tools are here, from genomically enhanced expected progeny differences (EPDs) and dollar indexes to genetic testing. Knowing heritability also helps to further a balancedtrait approach, because there may be unintended consequences of thinking narrowly.
“Establish breeding objectives and stay focused on them. Don’t get lost in the mania of choices,” McCulloh encouraged cow/ calf producers.
Management includes the resources on a ranch. Identifying outliers in the cow herd, alongside increasing productivity of land, will help keep beef on the plate, noted Jason Rowntree, Michigan State University professor.
“Managed grazing is having cattle at a place for a given period of time to accomplish a purpose with a given behavior,” Rowntree said. “And this purpose can be to improve animal productivity. It can also be to improve landscapes.”
Ducks Unlimited (DU) works with cattlemen to provide conservation dollars to keep grasslands in top shape, not just for wildlife, but for grazing cattle as well.
“You don’t keep the American grasslands for habitat and wildlife unless you keep the cattle and the cowboy on the land as well,” said Ryan Taylor, North Dakota rancher and director of public policy for DU.
“This is more about
building a cow sanctuary –then the ducks, pheasants and everything else will show up,” said Troy Hadrick, South Dakota rancher.
In recent years, Hadrick has worked with DU to find ways to increase grass utilization. The better they manage their grass, the more cows they can have on the ranch. Input costs are high, so accessing support for fencing supplies or pipe for new water sources can be the deciding factor on what projects get done.
From the ranch to the feeder, numerous factors affect cattle making it to the packer.
As cattle get bigger and better, different problems are identified. One question the industry faces is if cattle are getting too big for their hearts to handle.
Angus Genetics, Inc. President Kelli Retallick-Riley shared the most recent research on bovine congestive heart failure (BCHF). What was thought to be a problem in steers and heifers on their way to the packer is causing more deaths at 110 days of age, according to the data.
While there may be a genetic component, there are likely also management strategies to minimize BCHF deaths.
“The challenge to all of us is very few issues have been solved with genetics alone,” Retallick-Riley said.
This is promising for an industry of forward-think-
ing producers with more tools at hand than ever before.
The 2025 Feeding Quality Forum was sponsored by Alltech, AngusLink, NCBA, Cattlemen’s Education Series sponsored by National Corn Grow-
manager at CAB. This article was originally published by CAB on Sept. 4.
ers Association, Diamond V, Drovers, FeedLot, Rabo AgriFinance, Select Sires, Selko and Upper Iowa Beef. Morgan Boecker is the senior producer communications
Expert discussion – A panel of experts, pictured from left to right, including Kirsten Nickles of Certified Angus Beef (CAB), Ryan Taylor of Ducks Unlimited, Troy Hadrick of Hadrick Ranch and Jason Rowntree of Michigan State University shared practical conservation practices they have been using or researching. CAB photo
Guest speaker – David O’Diam
CALENDAR
Sept. 24-26 American Lamb Board Targeted Grazing Workshop, Greeley, Colo. For more information or to register, visit lambboard.com
Sept. 25 Wyoming Water Development Commission Public Meeting, 8:30 a.m., WWDC Office, Cheyenne. For more information, to view the livestream or to provide public comment on meeting topics, visit wwdc.state.wy.us/
Sept. 26-27 Western Nebraska Sportsman’s Expo and Nebraska Fur Harvesters Convention, Dawes County Fairgrounds, Chadron, Neb. For more information, visit nebraskafurharvest.com or call Mark Ross at 308-762-2482.
Sept. 27 Bureau of Land Management Wyoming Wild Horse and Burro Adoption Event, Deerwood Ranch Wild Horse EcoSanctuary, Laramie. For information, visit blm.gov/whb/events, e-mail wildhorse@blm.gov or call 866-468-7826.
Sept. 30-Oct. 2 South Montana Angus Association’s Montana Angus Tour, Butte, Mont. For more information, visit mtangus.org/montana-angus-tour.html
Oct. 3 Wyoming Stock Growers Association Ranch Succession Session, Riverton. For more information, visit wysga.org or call 307-638-3942.
Oct. 4 Wyoming Stock Growers Association Ranch Succession Session, Thermopolis. For more information, visit wysga.org or call 307-638-3942.
Oct. 6 Wyoming Stock Growers Association Ranch Succession Session, Cody. For more information, visit wysga.org or call 307-638-3942.
Oct. 7 Wyoming Stock Growers Association Ranch Succession Session, Greybull. For more information, visit wysga.org or call 307-638-3942.
Oct. 8 Wyoming Stock Growers Association Ranch Succession Session, Worland. For more information, visit wysga.org or call 307-638-3942.
Oct. 8-12 29th Annual Trailing of the Sheep Festival, Ketchum, Idaho. For more information, visit trailingofthesheep.org
Oct. 9-26 2025 American Royal Livestock Show, Kansas City, Mo. For more information, visit americanroyal.com
Oct. 10-18 Northern International Livestock Exposition Stock Show and Rodeo MetraPark, Billings, Mont. For more information, visit thenile.org
Oct. 11 University of Wyoming College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources Ag Day Barbecue, 2-5 p.m., Indoor Practice Facility, Laramie. For more information, uwyo.edu/uwag/students/ag-day-bbq-university-of-wyoming.html
Oct. 11 Independent Cattlemen of Wyoming Annual Meeting, Riverton. For more information, visit newsite.icowwy.org
Oct. 15-16 Second Annual Water Quality Conference, University of Wyoming Conference Center, Laramie. For more information, visit deq.wyoming.gov
Oct. 18
Bureau of Land Management Wyoming Wild Horse and Burro Adoption Event, Wheatland Off-Range Corral, Wheatland. For information, visit blm. gov/whb/events, e-mail wildhorse@blm.gov or call 866-468-7826.
Watkins, Steve - Greybull
1 Blk Bull, 1560# $17400
L U Ranch - Worland
1 Blk Bull, 1660# $16400 COWS
Paxton, Bobbi - Basin
1 Red Cow, 1990# $15400
Brubaker Sheep Co. LLC - Ten Sleep
2 Blk Cows, avg. 1395# $14500
Lazy B V Cattle - Meeteetse
1 Blk Cow, 1555# $14450
Oct. 21
Oct. 22-26
Oct. 27-28
Robert - Worland
5 WF Lambs, avg. 86# $20400 Klitzke, Robert - Greybull
9 WF Lambs, avg. 95# $19800 Rankine, Ann - Worland
11 WF Lambs, avg. 105# $18600 Kienlen, Jerry - Worland
13 WF Lambs, avg. 132# $14700 BULLS
Spear D Ranch, Inc. - Basin
1 Red Bull, 1745# $18750 Rice Ranch Inc. - Ten Sleep 1 Red Bull, 1680# $18500
Dewey, Jesse - Otto
1 BWF Bull, 1720# $18350
Otter Creek Grazing Assoc - Ten Sleep
1 Blk Bull, 1810# $17950 Galloway, Clayton - Manderson
1 BWF Bull, 1590# $17750 Brown, Shelly - Powell
1 Blk Bull, 1415# $17550
Whitlock, Robert - Lander
3 BWF Cows, avg. 1348# $18200
2 BWF Cows, avg. 1348# $16100 Whitt, Britt - Meeteetse
1 Blk Cow, 1165# $18000
1 Blk Cow, 1220# $17400 Humphry, Bobby - Thermopolis
2 CharX Cows, avg. 1060# $18000
1 Blk Cow, 1305# $15700
Bales Living Trust - Cody
2 Blk Cows, avg. 1225# $17600
4 Blk Cows, avg. 1348# $17100
3 Blk Cows, avg. 1388# $16300 Calvo, Joe - Burlington
1 Red Cow, 1495# $17100
1 Red Cow, 1445# $15200 Brown, Shelly - Powell 1 Red Cow, 1405# $17000
1 Red Cow, 1740# $16400 Weaver, Reuben - Powell
3 Blk Cows, avg. 1778# $16700 Luke Lungren - Worland
1 Blk Cow, 1540# $16450
1 CharX Cow, 1210# $16300
Schuebel Land & Livestock - Cody
2 Blk Cows, avg. 1448# $16450
Hubbard, Carla - Ten Sleep
1 Blk Cow, 1365# $14100
• Upcoming Sales •
Sept. 25 – All Class Cattle
Sept. 29 – Monday • The Bawl of the Fall Feeder
Special
Oct. 2 – Weigh-Up Special w/ All Class Cattle
Oct. 9 – All Class Cattle
Oct. 13 – Monday • The Bawl of the Fall Feeder
Special Oct. 16 – All Class Cattle, Sheep & Goats
Oct. 23 – Weigh-Up Special w/ All Class Cattle
Oct. 27 – Monday • The Bawl of the Fall Feeder Special Oct. 30 – All Class Cattle
Consignments • Sept. 25 • All Class Cattle
Rudy Yoder – Gentle, Jersey milk cow, 5 YO, calving October, four good quarters, six gallons of milk/ day, hand or machine milk.
Sept. 29 • Bawl of the Fall Feeder Special & Customer Appreciation Day
Kenny & Karl Pierce – 150+ mixed, mostly black, 350-450#, two rounds of shots, weaned, fed hay and Vitalix tubs.
Brewster Ranch – 120 black steers, 450-525#, shots at branding, Byoreg, high elevation.
Mark Hoyt – 100 black steers, 525#, shots at branding.
Susan Neves – 100 mixed black, 500-550#, shots at branding.
Split Rock – 70 black steers, 500-550#, compete vacc.
Ken & Rita Friesen – 85 black mix, 500-550#, shots at branding.
Bonita Ranch – 130 black mix, 550-600#, two rounds of shots.
Pat Pfister – 80 black mix. 500-550#, shots at branding.
PAR Ranch – 65 black steers, 400-500#, two rounds of shots.
JR or Gladys Johnstone – 50 mixed black, 500#, shots at branding; 10 black yearlings mixed, 600-700#, two rounds of shots.
Jediah Ranch – 64 black mix , 550-600#, two rounds of shots.
Harry and Donna Herren – 12 black mixed, 550#, shots at branding.
Doug & Betty Miller – 10 weaned black steers, 500-550#.
Will Whitlock – 25 black yearling heifers; 15 black yearling steers, 650-700#, two rounds of shots.
Jace Hook – 7 black and red, mixed yearlings, 700-750#, two rounds of shots.
Lois Martin – 2 black steers; 5 black heifers, 500#, two rounds of shots, weaned and poured.
Bryan and Martha Warner – 8 mixed F1 SimX, 350-450#, complete vacc.
Bureau of Land Management Wyoming Resource Advisory Council Meeting, location TBD. For more information, visit blm.gov/get-involved/resourceadvisory-council/near-you/wyoming
2025 World Hereford Conference, Kansas City, Mo. For more information, visit worldherefordconference.com
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. 29-31 2025 Wyoming Water Association Annual Conference, Ramkota Hotel and Conference Center, Casper. For more information or to register, visit wyomingwater.org
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. 6-7
Oct. 3-4
Oct. 11
Oct. 18
Oct. 22
Nov. 1
Nov. 2
Nov. 13
Wyoming Association of Irrigation Districts Annual Conference, Ramkota Hotel and Conference Center, Casper. For more information, visit waidwy.org
Colorado Draft Horse & Equipment Auction, Adams County Regional Park, Brighton, Colo., 970-381-3649, 970-381-3547, joshwhiteauctions.com
Colorado Horse Sale, Montrose County Fairgrounds, Montrose, Colo., 970744-8989, coloradohorsesale.com
Basin Angus Ranch Elite Female Sale, Billings Livestock Commission, Billings., Mont., 406-350-0350, 406-350-2332, 406-366-3612, basinangus.com
Micheli Cattle Company Bull Sale, at the ranch, Ft. Bridger, 307-747-7786, 307-747-3897, micheliranch.com
Ochsner Roth Cattle Company Private Treaty Sale, at the ranch, Torrington, 307-532-3282, 307-575-5258, qualitybulls.com
Triangle J Ranch Harvest Select Female Sale, at the ranch, Miller, Neb., 308-627-5085, 308-457-2505, 308-293-9241, trianglejranch.com
Stellpflug Cattle Company Fall Bull Sale, Hoffman Ranch Facility, Thedford, Neb., 307-351-1712, stellpflugcattle.com
Nov. 20 K2 Red Angus Fall Female Sale, K2 sale barn, Wheatland, 307-331-2917, k2redangus.com
Nov. 20
Nov. 21
Nov. 22
Largent and Sons “Prime Fuel” Sale, at the ranch, Kaycee, 307-738-2443, 307-267-3229, largentandsons.com
Leachman Cattle of Colorado Fall Roundup Bull Sale, Meriden, 970-5683983, leachman.com
Redland Angus Annual Production Sale, Buffalo Livestock Marketing, Buffalo, 307-250-1548, redlandangus.com
“It’s just a vicious cycle going from too many mule deer to not enough,” a pioneer hunter quipped this week after reading the hometown newspaper which reported meetings being held recently in order to determine why the deer herd in southcentral Wyoming is down.
An article from 50 years ago in the “Reflections” section reports there are too many mulies.
The headline in the Sept. 28, 1961 Saratoga Sun reads:
Clubs ask WGFD to drop 15-day doe season here
The possible depletion of the mule deer population through excessive big game seasons and multiple deer area and season extension was the major topic of two recent meetings here.
Last Thursday night, the Saratoga Lions Club took action on this issue, and on Tuesday evening, the Platte Valley Game and Fish Department met in a special session to review the situation.
Both groups felt the
proposed 15-day doe season from Nov. 1-15 should be discontinued by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD).
This decision was reached in light of the recent expansion of the three-deer area to most of
the east side of the Upper North Platte River Valley, and the extension of a season to Sept. 30.
Several of the ranchers, guides, hunters and businessmen at both meetings felt the reduction in the local deer population has already been adequate.
The recommendations of the Lions Club and the Platte Valley Game and Fish Department have been forwarded to the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission. Action on changing any established season must be taken by the commissioners at either a special or regular meeting.
A Vicious Cycle for Deer Herd
A pioneer hunter poses with his faithful dog and a large mule deer in this 1910 photo taken on the Jenkins Ranch on French Creek east of Encampment. Photo courtesy of Vera McCargar from the Wood/Jenkins family photo album. Historical Reproductions by Perue
Source: USDA AMS Livestock, Poultry & Grain Market News, Torrington
Source: USDA AMS Livestock, Poultry & Grain Market News, Greeley, CO National Sheep Summary As of September 12, 2025
Compared to last week slaughter lambs firm and ewes weaker. All sheep sold per hundred weight (CWT) unless otherwise specified. Slaughter Lambs: Choice and Prime 1-3 San Angelo: 40-50 lbs 320.00; 50-60 lbs 280.00-304.00; 6070 lbs 285.00-296.00. Billings: Choice 1-3: 70-80 lbs 215.00-220.00; 80-90 lbs 207.00-216.00; 90-100 194.00-200.00.
F t. Collins: 50-60 lbs 265.00-290.00; 60-70 lbs 260.00; 70-80 lbs 240.00; 80-90 lbs 225.00-235.00; 90-100 lbs 217.50-225.00; 100-110 lbs 202.50-230.00; 110-120 lbs 207.50-225.00; 120-130 lbs 195.00-210.00; 130-140 lbs 190.00-212.50.
Sioux Falls: 70-80 lbs 212.00-220.00; 90-100 lbs 225.00235.00; 100-110 lbs 215.00-244.00; 110-120 lbs 217.50-225.00; 120-130 lbs 225.00-235.00; 130-140 lbs 225.00-238.00; 140150 lbs 205.00-231.00; 150-160 lbs 236.00-240.00. Equity Coop: No test. Slaughter Ewes San Angelo: 90.00-119.00.
Billings: 83.00-99.00.
Ft. Collins: 80.00-127.50. Sioux Falls: 105.00-120.00. Equity Coop: No test.
Feeder Lambs: Medium and Large 1 San Angelo: 40-50 lbs 222.00-235.00.
Billings: 50-60 lbs 257.50-266.00; 60-70 lbs 229.00-242.00; 70-80 lbs 212.00-226.00; 80-90 lbs 203.00-217.00; 90-100 lbs 195.00-215.50; 100-110 lbs 194.00-201.00; 110-120 lbs 196.00-199.00.
Ft. Collins: No test.
Sioux Falls: 60-70 lbs 245.00-267.50; 80-90 lbs 225.00260.00. Equity Coop: No test. Replacement Ewes: Medium and Large 1-2 San Angelo: No test.
Ft. Collins: No test..
Billings: Open young 325.00-350.00 per unit. Sioux Falls: No test. Sheep and lamb slaughter under federal inspection for the week to date totaled 35,000 compared to 28,000 last week and 35,908 last year.
Source: USDA AMS LPG Market News, San Angelo, Texas National Wool Review As of September 12, 2025 Domestic
Source: USDA- CO Dept of Ag Market News Service, Greeley, CO
Wyoming Hay Summary As of September 18, 2025
Compared to two weeks ago, most hay sales sold steady. Demand was moderate. This week’s trades were a pretty even mix of hay
Source: USDA AMS Livestock, Poultry & Grain
Torrington
Colorado Hay Summary
As of September 11, 2025
Compared to last report: Trade activity and demand moderate. Small squares and medium square 3x3’s of horse hay sold unevenly steady. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor’s High Plains Summary for September 9, 2025, heavy precipitation (more than 2 inches) occurred in D- nada areas of central Kansas, but significant precipitation (1.5 to inches) led to a minor decrease in abnormal dryness (D0) in southwestern Kansas. Conversely, a slight increase in D0 and moderate drought (D1) was made to eastern Kansas. Significant precipitation (more than 0.5” and locally 2-3”) supported improvements across southern Colorado, while worsening SPIs led to a slight expansion of severe (D2) to extreme (D3) drought for northern Colorado. A majority of the Dakotas, Nebraska, and eastern Wyoming remain drought-free. The next available report will be Thursday, September 25, 2025.
Events
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 & bonus program
· Full benefits (medical, dental, vision, 401k)
· Generous PTO
· Moving & daycare assistance
· Advancement opportunities!
Ideal candidates have a degree in Business or Finance and 5+ years of lending experience (or related). Join a communityfocused bank with a strong reputation and long-term career potential. EOE, including disability/Veterans. Apply today at: https://link.edgepilot.com/s/383d5dd0/ LBx8jYkrDE29gbpjKKup8g?u=http://www.pioneerbankandtrust. com/employment
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
RANCH HAND NEEDED: Located in northwest South Dakota. Call Will Simpson, 325277-8420 10/4
Auctions
RT CLAYPOOLE AUCTION
SERVICE LIVE FALL CONSIGNMENT AUCTION!! Join us Sat.. Sept. 27 10 a.m. at our NEW AUCTION YARD!! 1430 N. Yampa Ave. in Craig, CO. We will be accepting consignments now through Fri., Sept. 26. We will accept vehicles, equipment, tools, farm/ ranch supplies, hunting/outdoor gear, antiques and quality household items. Give Tanner a call to schedule delivery of your consignments, 970756-9353. Keep checking our website for incoming items www.rtclaypooleauction. com, e-mail rtclaypooleauction@hotmail.com 9/20
DEVILS TOWER FOREST PRODUCTS INC., A LUMBER MANUFACTURER IN HULETT, WY, IS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR FULL-TIME BOILER/KILN OPERATOR, MILLWRIGHT SAWMILL AND PLANER PRODUCTION OP-
ERATORS: Benefit package includes company paid medical and dental insurance (including dependents), life insurance, company-matching 401(k), safety incentives, holiday pay, paid vacation and sign-on bonus. Mandatory employment and random drug testing is conducted. EOE. Starting wage D.O.E. Online applications are available at wwww.neimanenterprises.com. E-mail applications to joe.ortner@ devilstowerfp.com or fax to 307-467-5418, contact Joe Ortner at 307-467-5252 with additional questions 9/20
FOR SALE: Wyoming registered 1 iron, 2 letter brand, RRC, RSS, RSH. One hot iron available. Asking $3,500 for this easy to read brand, registered until 2031. Call or text 307254-2790 if interested 9/13
DOUBLE DOLLAR TRUCKING, LLC
Brands
AGRI-ONE FINANCIAL: Farm/ranch and all commercial loans. RATES AS LOW AS 5%. We have been helping with all aspects of agricultural, commercial financing and management for years. LET US HELP YOU on a consulting level with management to increase profitability, deal with and fix credit problems and for all your financing needs. WE CARE AND HAVE WORKING PROGRAMS designed for the farmer/rancher and not the banker. Please call Steve, 303-773-3545 or check out our website, www.agrionefinancial.com I will come to you and get the job done!! 10/4
originally issued in 1910. Purchased by my grandfather in 1913. Easy to read when placed on cows or horses, $12,500. Call 307631-6838 10/4
110 BRED HEIFERS FOR SALE: All solid red Beefmaster, hand picked from 600 replacement females. Calving AprilMay. FOB Hyattville, WY. Call 719-641-9677 9/27
COW MAGNETS FOR SALE: 7,000 AVAILABLE, BULK PRICING!! Prevent hardware disease in beef and dairy herds with high-strength cow magnets, used but in very good condition. Bundled and ready to go. Ideal for Holsteins, Herefords, Longhorns, Angus and more. $1/magnet. Bulk pricing available. Generous discounts on large orders. Local pickup or delivery options available. Willing to travel or meet halfway depending on location and quantity. Based in Logan, UT. Serving UT, WY, ID, CO, NV. Willing to make a deal. Let’s talk and get your herd protected! Call/text 435-915-6481, e-mail boudrero.rob.1978@gmail.com. To view photos, go to www.wylr. net in the classifieds 9/26
REGISTERED WYOMING BRAND FOR SALE: LRC, LSS, LSH. Fees paid thru January 2029. Two fire irons, 2.5 and 3.5 inch. Three electric irons, 2.5, 3.5 and 5.5 inch. $3,250. Call or text 307-575-7065 9/6
WYOMING BRAND FOR SALE: RRC, RSH. Registered until Jan. 1, 2035. No horses or cattle with brand. No irons available. $1,200 OBO. Call Ronnie at 303-913-2493, leave a message if no answer 10/11
WYOMING BRAND FOR SALE. LRC, renewed to 2033. $2,500. Call 307-2592062 10/4
WYOMING BRAND FOR SALE. LRC, LBH, renewed to 2033. $1,500. Call 307-259-2062 10/11
REGISTERED WYOMING BRAND FOR SALE: LRC, renewed to Jan. 20, 2027. $2,000 OBO. Call 605-201-7173 9/20
230 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 10/11
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
STOCK DOG PUPPIES FOR SALE: Awesome working dogs for cattle and sheep. Mom is a border collie/kelpie and dad is a border collie. Also, good with kids. For more information, call 406-380-2629. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 10/4
LIVESTOCK GUARD DOG FOR SALE: Spayed female started on sheep, out of great working mother with proven predator control. She is Akbash/Komondor. Sire is Akbash/Pyrenees/Anatolian. Blue Lady was born July 4, 2024. UTD on shots. Ready to go, with the flock now. $1,000. Near Moore, MT. Call 406374-2406 9/20
FOR SALE LIVESTOCK GUARDIAN DOG PUPPIES: Great Pyrenees/Anatolian shepherd/Akbash and Maremma cross. From working parents. Shots current. Six months old. Working experience. Currently with goats. Call Donna, 307-262-5699 or Clay, 307-331-5762, e-mail cenix@wyomail.com 9/20
PEMBROKE WELSH CORGIS: AKC registered, shots/wormed. Parents are sweet and well behaved. Dad is double registered AKC corgi and American Stock Dog. Crate trained. Beautiful and sweet babies. Call/text 719-3098864. To view photos, go to www. wylr.net in the classifieds 9/20
GALLOWAY CATTLE
or Patty Thomas, 406-861-3036. To view photos, go to www.wylr. net in the classifieds 9/20
AQHA WEANLINGS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE: Bloodlines include Frenchman’s Guy, Sun Frost, Freckles Playboy, Poco Bueno and many more. Douglas, WY. For more information, call 970-768-4597 or visit www.lefflerlivestock.com 9/20
COMMERCIAL HERD, KA-
TAHDIN CROSS 2025 LAMBS FOR SALE: Fifty ewe lambs and 60 wether lambs available, $195/head wethers, $225/head ewes. Born March/April. Call or text 307-254-2650. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 9/20
WEANER PIGS FOR SALE, located in Powell, WY. For more information, call 307271-1014 1/17
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. ALSO CERTIFIED TRITICALE STRAW and 500 bales of triticale hay. Call 308430-3457, for pricing and delivery. Phone calls only 9/27
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 10/11
HAY FOR SALE: First, second and third cutting alfalfa, alfalfa/ orchard grass and grain hay options, 3x3 and net wrapped round bales. Delivery available. WE ALSO OFFER CUSTOM TRUCKING, hay hauling and side dump to haul gravel. Call Cheney Trucking/Johnathan Cheney, 605-569-0469 9/27
EAR CORN FOR SALE. NON GMO, no pesticides. Minatare, NE. Call Byron, 303-818-8152, leave message 10/11
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. $110/ton. Call 701-440-1764 10/11
HAY FOR SALE: Grass and alfalfa hay. ALSO, forage wheat and straw. 3x4 square bales. Delivery available!! Call 307630-3046 10/11
2025 HAY AVAILABLE: Round bales and small squares. Grass/ alfalfa mix and alfalfa. ALSO, have certified grass and alfalfa. Located in Powell, WY. Call JK, 307-254-8201 10/11
Hay & Feed
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 10/11
ROUND-BALED GRASS: 2025 crop 1,000 lb. net-wrapped bales. $40-$60/bale depending on variety. Cody, WY area. Call, don’t text, Anthony at 307254-2645 11/8
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 10/4
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
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 10/11
HIGH QUALITY HAY FOR YOUR HIGH QUALITY ANIMAL: Alfalfa/native grass mix, small squares, $7/bale. Delivery available at 59 cents/mile for orders of 50 or more. Call/text Jeremy, 406-208-7132 10/4
2025 OAT HAY FOR SALE:
Net-wrapped bales put up with a John Deere 569 baler with average bale weight of 1,4001,425 lbs. Call for exact pricing and pickup/delivery options. Located near Java, S.D. Call 605-281-3002. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 10/4
ALFALFA FOR SALE: Over 100 tons, dairy quality, has some grass. $210/ton. Located around Lebanon, S.D. Call 605-769-4049 10/4
STRAIGHT ALFALFA: First, second and third cutting, 3x3x8 bales, 850 lb. average. Loading and local delivery available. $70-$90/bale. Powell, WY area. Call Casey, 307250-3070 9/20
2025 FIRST CUTTING HAY FOR SALE: Grass mix, large round bales. Located at Murdo, S.D. Call 605-516-0107 9/20
90 NET-WRAPPED ROUND BALES, 1,500 lbs., grass/alfalfa mix, 2024 crop, $125/ton. Located in Cody, WY. Calls only, 307-899-3737 9/20
Trucks & Trailers
2023 LOGAN BULLSEYE 3 HORSE SLANT, BUMPER PULL, FRONT TACK: Trailer measures 6.8’ wide x 7’ tall x 16’ box with a 2 5/16” ball, diamond plate gravel guard, front tack has a swing out saddle tree, bridle hooks, blanket tree, brush tray and a spare tire. The horse area is equipped with padded stalls, roof vents, double lined with vortex lining on all walls, big bus windows on butt side, fully framed drop down windows with safety bars and Logan screens, 3 LED load lights, aluminum skin and polished sides, double back doors and a rubber rear bumper. Brand new condition. Asking $18,900. ALSO, IRON BULL DUMP TRAILER: 5’x10’, GVWR 7,000 lbs., 2 3,500 lb. axles, tarp system, spare tire, 2 slide-in ramps. $4,500. Call 307-213-0062. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 9/27
Equipment
AG
2023 KIOTI RX7320: Power shuttle with creep, 73 HP, 3 remotes, live hydraulics to the front, fluid in tires, block heater, 92 hours and Bluetooth stereo. $46,500. For more details, call 307-388-3300 10/11
FOR SALE: WATER TRAILER with (4) 1,500 gallon water tanks, 3 cones, 2 pumps, 50 ft. hose, electric start. ALSO, International 1256 tractor and John Deere 4520 tractor. Call 701-290-2504 9/20
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 10/11
FOR SALE: John Deere 3975 silage cutter with 3RN green cutter head. Lorenz 16’x29’ 18 ton bale/stack mover. Gehl manure spreader with slop gate, double floor chains, 2 beaters, tandem axle. Meridian 240 PT seed tender, all hydraulic and roll tarp. Bale King 3000 Vortec hydraulic bale processor. Rowse double 9’ hydraulic mower, like new. Rowse 9’ pull type mower. H&S Hay Machine II hydraulic windrow fluffer. J&M 365 gravity box with 12 ton gear truck tires. Ford 7N tractor with wide front, runs great. Landoll 36’ cushion gang disc with 3 bar mulcher. 2019 Freightliner, DD13 engine, 12 speed automatic, daycab, good rubber, air ride. For-Most cattle working chute with automatic headgate and palp cage. Burns portable calf creep feeder. Burns portable loading chute. John Deere 716A chuckwagon with John Deere tandem running gear. H&S 7+4 18’ chuckwagon with bunk feeding extensions and tandem 14 ton running gear. 14’ HD box scraper with tilt. Farm King 8’ snowblower with hydraulic spout. All in very nice condition!! Call 605-999-5482 9/20
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!! 9/27
CASE 1070 TRACTOR: 5,000 plus hours, with Du-Al loader and grapple. $12,500. Calls only, 307-899-3737 9/20
FOR SALE: Pickett one step bean cutter, 8 row. Serial #9060, model 8022-1-B. Call for price, 307-754-2304 9/20
Livestock Equipment
HYDRAULIC SQUEEZE CHUTE with 8’ alley and 16’ round tub. PORTABLE LOADING CHUTE. Saint Ignatius, MT, delivery available. For more information and pricing, call 406531-1036 9/27
Property for Sale Property for Sale
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
ORIGINAL ROUND BALER BELTING FOR ALL MAKES: Save $100s. Free shipping, www.balerbelts.com . Call Hammond Equipment, 334627-3348 10/25
MONTANA RAILROAD SERVICES: Railroad ties, switch ties and other railroad materials for fencing and landscaping. Best pricing and quality in the region. Call 406-9623514, Silesia, MT. Located 10 miles south of Laurel, MT (off of Clarks River Rd., the old highway). Visit our website at www.mtrrservices. com 9/20
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
PRAIRIE COUNTY MONTANA RANCH FOR SALE: 2,910 acres, 165 animal units, 640 acres dryland, hay springs, well, reservoirs and pipeline. Several pastures. Two homes, shop, storage shop, barn and corrals. $3,000,000. Sidwell Land & Cattle, Richard Sidwell broker, 406-8614426 10/4
NEW MEXICO RANCH 209+ ACRES, 38 miles to Albuquerque, N.M. Incredible mountain views and your livestock from a 1,000+ sq. ft. deck. 2,843 sq. ft., 3 bed, 2 bath home. Two car carport, 2 car garage and RV bay. Pipe corrals, grow out pens, hay/implement/livestock barns, horse/tack/tool, riding arena, round pen area, vet clinic. $1,450,000. First Class Realty Services, Susan Wilson qualifying broker/realtor, 505-328-4172 or contact Jay, 505-263-7419. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 9/20
Wanted to Buy
WE WILL PICK UP SCRAP IRON: On-site processing and removal. Receive $$$ top dollar $$$ for your junk!! Call for details, Pacific Steel and Recycling, 307-234-6006. Casper/ Central Wyoming 9/20
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 come to you!! 11/1
Property for Sale Property for Sale
K2 Ranch - Clark,
Rare Opportunity! Own an expansive tract of mountainous sage steppe land, offering rare seclusion, incredible wildlife and breathtaking dramatic landscape. This extraordinary property shares over 6.5 miles of border with U.S. Forest Service, BLM and State of Wyoming lands.
Two developed springs provide water for both livestock and thriving wildlife: 200 elk winter/calve on the property deer, antelope, coyotes, foxes, bobcats, mountain lions, bears and an astounding variety of bird species. For the ornithologist or nature lover, this property is a dream come true.
A private, one-mile driveway leads to a truly remarkable building site featuring a passive solar-designed southwest-style home which is self-sustaining, powered by solar energy with 18,000 Kwh battery storage and a 5,000-watt backup generator. Two 1,500-gallon cisterns ensure backup water supply. The guest house offers its own full kitchen, bathroom, laundry area and a covered deck with panoramic views. Livestock corrals, loafing sheds, a wildlife drinking pond and a spring-fed water system for animals. The property is protected by a conservation easement, preserving its natural beauty and ecological value.
Whether you’re seeking a secluded getaway, a wildlife sanctuary, or a truly unique Western retreat, this is a once-in-a generation offering.
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
Irrigation Systems
The choice is simple.
Easier On You.
Big Horn Truck and Equipment Manderson, WY rairdenjlw@tritel.net • 800-770-6280
Killebrew Irrigation
Your one stop shop for all irrigation needs
Lander, WY • (307) 332-3044
• Reinke center pivot sales and field design
• Parts for most major irrigation systems
• Underground and Surface PVC pipe and fittings
• Pumps and Motors
• Phase Converters
IRRIGATON PIPE: Approximately 1,300’ of 10”, 80 lb. PVC irrigation pipe, never used. $4.50/ft. Powell, WY area. Call Adrian, 307-6314104 9/20 Find it in the Roundup Classifieds
HUNTING
nearly all regions across the state at or above objective, WGFD predicts high success for elk hunters this year.
The Jackson region is home to one of the stateʼs most robust elk populations, boasting four large herds which total over 16,000 elk.
WGFD notes elk in this region remain at objective levels with steady bull-tocow ratios, and harvest success will depend heavily on snowfall and weather conditions. The department also reminds hunters they must secure permission slips to hunt the National Elk Refuge and that chronic wasting disease (CWD) testing is required in Hunt Areas 75 and 77.
In addition, the Pinedale region manages nearly 10,000 elk across three major herds. WGFD reports healthy populations in the area will likely result in excellent opportunities for hunters this fall.
across the state of Wyoming have taken a major hit in recent years due to hard winters, ongoing drought, disease and depredation.
Severe winter conditions in 2022-23 hit western Wyoming’s Wyoming Range Herd especially hard, significantly reducing populations.
As this herd continues to recover, hunters in the Pinedale, Green River and Jackson regions can expect fewer deer overall, tough hunting conditions in general areas and conservative seasons in place.
WGFD notes the Sublette herd of the Pinedale region and the South Rock Springs herd of the Green River region fared better than their counterparts in terms of winter losses and may offer slightly better opportunities for hunters this fall.
White-tailed deer Small white-tailed deer populations exist in some riparian zones of the Pinedale region, and general season hunters have opportunities across all hunt areas. A limited quota of 50 licenses will also allow white-tail harvest in Hunt Areas 138140 and 142-143.
In the Casper region, white-tailed deer populations are rebounding from epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) outbreaks in 2021-22, particularly around Casper and Douglas.
WGFD notes generous hunting seasons are in place to prevent overgrowth, and hunters should remember most whitetails in the area reside on private land, with the Black Hills offering the most notable public opportunities.
draw a license can expect success.
Moose numbers in the Cody region are trending upward, and WGFD suspects hunters will have good opportunities for a successful harvest this season.
In Laramie, the Snowy Range herd continues to provide excellent opportunities for hunters, with high harvest success and strong bull ratios. WGFD says hunters drawing licenses here can expect a rewarding season with reliable success rates.
of sickness and provided with ample forage and water opportunities.
Some experts recommend implementing a preconditioning program – weaning at least 45 days before shipping day – and focusing on building health through vaccinations, deworming and nutrition before entering the next phase.
Former South Dakota State Extension Beef Nutrition Feed Specialist Madison Kovarna notes preconditioning is not a one size fits all for operations, and benefits should be weighed in consideration with practicality.
In the long run, improved calf performance starts with a low-stress weaning program.
Low-stress shipping
Practicing low-stress methods during shipping is also essential.
In an October 2021 University of Nebraska Lincoln BeefWatch article titled “Preparing for cattle transport saves time, money and stress,” Director of Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance
Jesse Fulton highlights the importance of management techniques in reducing stress and shrink in cattle come shipping day.
Fulton notes elevated stress levels lead to increased shrink loss and decrease in profit for the producer. Handling cattle gently and efficiently and making sure they have access to feed and water in the hours leading
up to loading is essential to keeping shrink levels low.
MWI Animal Health supports these statements in an October 2021 article titled “12 preparation tips before shipping livestock” and notes tailoring feed programs and presorting several days ahead of shipping in order to allow time for cattle to settle down before loading can help ensure healthy livestock.
Additionally, MWI Animal Health reminds producers to keep timing and efficiency in mind. Make sure all equipment is in proper working order before starting the loading process and communicate clearly with crews and truckers leading up to shipping day to make sure everyone is on the same page.
Furthermore, avoiding overcrowding, maintaining clean trucks and minimizing transit time can help ensure cattle health and minimize stress during transport. Bottom line
Overall, implementing low-stress weaning, handling and shipping methods can help keep shrink at a minimum and ensure healthy calves and high prices at the sale barn.
As shipping time approaches, ensuring a plan is in place can set an operation up for success.
Grace Skavdahl is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
Up north in the Cody region, WGFD says hunters can expect another strong season with thriving herds and solid calf recruitment. Specifically, the Cody herd is over objective, which has prompted an expanded cow elk season and more licenses issued.
“Hunt areas are at or slightly above objectives, and managers have set liberal hunting seasons to encourage antlerless elk harvest,” WGFD states. “In two hunt areas – 123 and 129 – there continues to be a Type 8 License allowing hunters the opportunity to purchase an unlimited number of cow/calf elk licenses valid only on private land. Hunters were successful with these licenses in 2024.”
Further, WGFD notes hunters with limited-quota tags in the Big Horn Mountains should have plenty of opportunities to harvest an elk, though access on private lands outside the forest must be arranged in advance.
Strong harvest is also predicted for the Casper region, where limitedquota areas continue to offer excellent bull quality.
WGFD says Type 2 and 3 licenses will provide solid chances at younger bulls this season, while unlimited Type 8 Licenses remain available in multiple hunt areas. However, hunters are urged to secure private land access before buying.
Healthy populations across Lander, Laramie and Green River will also provide widespread hunting opportunities for hunters.
WGFD notes, although Green River saw a reduction in licenses issued based on past harvest success, bull hunting in the area should remain solid.
Mule deer
Mule deer populations
While overall numbers of mule deer in the Casper region are also low, WGFD says buck ratios remain strong, which will provide good opportunities for hunters in limited-quota areas and on private lands. However, general license hunters on public land should anticipate lower success.
“In the Black Hills, the season will again be open Nov. 1-20, with antlered deer hunting only,” WGFD reports. “Hunters who have drawn a license in conservatively-managed, limited-quota areas should see good buck ratios with modest trophy potential. In Hunt Areas 10, 22, 34 and 89, most prime-age, mature bucks don’t grow large antlers compared to mule deer in other parts of the state. However, these herds are managed for good numbers of older-aged bucks and produce some good deer each year.”
Additionally, mule deer herds in the Lander region have continued to struggle with reduced fawn recruitment, resulting in belowobjective numbers. Antler point restrictions remain in place near Lander and Rawlins, and most opportunities will be for young bucks.
Mild winter conditions helped improve mule deer survival in the Laramie region, but populations remain below objectives. CWD prevalence is rising, especially in the Goshen Rim herd, which is now near 39 percent.
WGFD reminds hunters Hunt Area 70 requires mandatory CWD testing.
While most mule deer herds in the Cody region are still below objective, WGFD says hunters should find conditions in this region slightly better than in 2024. Season changes this year include a threepoint antler restriction in Hunt Areas 50 and 53 and extended general seasons in Hunt Areas 105, 106 and 110-114.
Additionally, whitetailed deer can be found around Dubois, Lander, Riverton and Jeffery City, where hunting seasons remain liberal. WGFD says hunters can expect results similar to last year.
In the Jackson region, small white-tail populations exist along rivers, and additional limited-quota opportunities are available on the National Elk Refuge where CWD testing is mandatory.
In the Sheridan region, white-tailed deer are rebounding after EHD and bluetongue outbreaks. Liberal seasons continue to help manage populations, especially on private lands where most whitetails reside. WGFD says hunters should note CWD prevalence often exceeds 30 percent of this region’s whitetail herds.
Moose
While moose remain limited in number across the state of Wyoming, populations have seen improvement in several key areas in recent years.
WGFD notes, overall, moose hunters in the Cowboy State will likely be successful this year, especially those who draw coveted licenses.
According to the WGFD report, the Sublette herd of the Pinedale region boasts one of the largest Shiras moose populations in North America. The herd remains stable and has seen slight increases in recent years, with a management focus on maintaining trophy-quality bulls.
WGFD notes the Sublette herd’s winter objective is 1,500 animals, and for 2025, 140 bull and five antlerless licenses were issued. Hunter success in the region has averaged 92 percent in recent years and should remain high.
WGFD further notes moose in the Big Horn Mountains of the Sheridan region are thriving, with a healthy number of mature bulls. Quotas were adjusted slightly in 2025 to reflect the state’s 90-to-10 resident to non-resident split, and hunters fortunate enough to
For the northwest part of the state, the WGFD report notes moose populations in the Lander and Jackson regions remain at or below-desired levels and license numbers are limited. In the Dubois area, moose counts continue to be historically low.
Bison
The Jackson region offers the only bison hunting in the state of Wyoming, and the herd is currently within its population objective, according to WGFD.
Harvest success has varied widely from year to year depending on the weather and herd movement. In fact, WGFD reports in 2023 hunters only saw a 39 percent success rate, but this jumped dramatically to 95 percent in 2024.
“In general, recent trends by which mild weather and aversion to hunting pressure on the National Elk Refuge have resulted in delay or lack of movement from Grand Teton National Park into the open hunt area on the refuge,” WGFD says. “These conditions make it difficult to achieve harvest, often with an extremely limited number of days where bison are available for harvest on the refuge, if at all.”
“Some bull hunting occurs on national forest lands, but bison availability there is intermittent and low, and access can be challenging,” the department continues. “For this reason, license holders are encouraged to capitalize on any harvest opportunity available, as opposed to selecting for bulls only.”
Additionally, WGFD reminds those who plan to hunt on the National Elk Refuge to obtain a permission slip. In addition, all license holders must pick up a harvest reporting card, tooth envelope and blood collection tube at the Jackson regional office before heading afield.
Check out next week’s edition of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup for the WGFD’s 2025 hunting outlook for pronghorn, Bighorn sheep, mountain goats, game birds and upland and small game.
Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
SHIPPING
Big Springs FFA launches program to support families, boost ag education
A new volunteer program is bringing agricultural education and community stewardship to the next generation of agriculturists in Thermopolis.
The Fun Fridays in Agriculture Boot Camp is a brand-new community initiative being spearheaded by the Big Springs FFA Chapter of Thermopolis Middle School with support from several volunteers. The program aims to provide support for the surrounding community and grow awareness of local agriculture through a series of events for elementary students hosted throughout the school year.
Events will take place once a month, providing a safe, fun and enriching environment for kids to learn about agriculture and enjoy meals aided by contributions from the surrounding community.
Fun Fridays in Agriculture
According to a corresponding press release from the Big Springs FFA Chapter, the school district recently transitioned to a four-day school week, leaving Fridays open and raising challenges related to meals and childcare for some families.
The Fun Fridays in Agriculture Boot Camp will help meet these challenges for groups of 20 to 25 students once a month.
Each session will include agricultural lessons and hands-on activities, as well as mentorship from Big Springs FFA members. Students will receive breakfast and lunch funded by grants from Farm Credit Services of America, Wyoming Pork Producers Council and the Hot Springs County Education Endowment.
“Fun Fridays in Agricul-
ture is about more than just fun,” says Big Springs FFA Advisor Becky Martinez. “It’s about giving kids the support they need while connecting them to agriculture and their community. Our middle school FFA members are excited to step into leadership roles as mentors.”
First event
The first Fun Fridays in Agriculture event of the school year took place on Sept. 5.
The day focused on the process of producing crops from seed to harvest and featured a field trip and comments from Kent Hessenthaler, a local sweet corn producer and former Hot Springs County High School math teacher.
Hessenthaler began his presentation by showing students a variety of seeds and explaining their different traits. Then, students had the opportunity to observe sweet corn and alfalfa plots up close to learn about farming in a hands-on environment.
Throughout the event, Hessenthaler answered a variety of questions about growing crops and combatting challenges posed by deer and other wildlife. Students were also given the opportunity to taste fresh sweet corn straight from the stalk.
Volunteer opportunities
Big Springs FFA is actively searching for adult volunteers from the surrounding area to help support the Fun Fridays in Agriculture Boot Camp program.
There are plenty of ways to get involved, including assisting with activities, preparing meals and providing extra hands to help out during events.
In addition to general volunteers, the chapter is seeking local agriculture producers willing to host field trips, provide tours or share other expertise with the next generation of agriculturists.
As noted in the press release, these volunteer partnerships will help grow community and give local students a real-world look
at how food is grown, raised and produced right at home in Hot Springs County.
“The Fun Fridays in Agriculture Boot Camp represents the heart of what the National FFA Organization is all about – leadership, service and agricultural education,” Martinez says. “By investing in kids now, we’re helping grow the next generation of leaders.”
contact Becky Martinez at 307-921-9339 or bmartinez@hotsprings1.org.
Grace Skavdahl is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
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
Kyle Kallhoff • 605-881-1526
"From the ring, to the video, and in the country, we market your livestock the competitive way."
September 17, 2025
Another great sale here on Yearlings. Weigh Up market a full steady, big Spring Calf Special next week. Thank you and we appreciate your business!
JEREMY
TYLER
RANCH
ADAMI RANCH LLC, BUFFALO WY
5 RED-HFR 929 319.00 WT 2,963.51
2 RED-HFR 908 319.00
WESTON WY
BLK-COW 1193 211.00 WT 2,516.17
K KRETSCHMAN, GILLETTE WY 4 BLK-COW 1238 206.00 WT 2,549.25 JACK & CONNIE KAY FIEDOR, RANCHESTER WY 1 BLK-COW 1015 202.50 WT 2,055.37
POWDER RIVER ANGUS LLC, ARVADA WY 1 BLK-COW 1275 201.00 WT 2,562.75
CROSS H RANCH INC, BUFFALO WY
1 BLK-COW 1055 200.00 WT 2,110.00
JACK & CONNIE KAY FIEDOR, RANCHESTER WY
1 BLK-COW 1295 192.00 WT 2,486.40
IT'S THE PITTS
by Lee Pitts
Ropes I’ve Known
My very first rope – or lasso as my grandpa called it – was a grass rope he gave me when I was 10.
The problem was I didn’t have a horse despite the fact grandpa was an avid team roper and produced rodeos which he always called “ro-day-ohs.”
My grandpa sold his rope horses and quit team roping before he could teach me anything, so I was left to my own devices.
Although I couldn’t rope a dead Longhorn when I first started, after using
that old grass rope for some time, I became a world champion at roping fence posts and my younger sister. Yes sirree, I was a regular rock ‘em, sock ‘em, double hock ‘em roper. Whenever my sister saw me dragging my rope in her direction, she planted both feet firmly on the ground and wouldn’t move. This is why I became a header.
The legendary Ace Reid said, “A man shouldn’t rope something he doesn’t plan to brand, doctor or eat,” but without any cattle, I was
forced to rope dogs, chickens and even my sister’s Hampshire show pig.
I slept with the old grass rope, and like all good cowboys, I did everything but eat with it. So, one can understand my consternation when my uncle tried to pull his truck out of the mud with it and turned it into cow feed.
When grandpa heard about the demise of my grass rope, he gave me an old maguey rope made from the century plant. Talk about a temperamental rope with a mind all its own. Those long fibers of the cactus plant were extremely stiff and what Mexican charros called “hot,” because it gave the worst rope burn of any rope.
I swear a person could cut a tree down with that rope.
I never got the hang of it, and I threw a lot of empty loops with it. The only useful tasks I could think of for the rope was to either hang the person who originated it or use it to clean the lint out of my wife’s dryer vent. I could feed the stiff maguey through the vent, and it was like a regular Roto Rooter.
When I got my first show steer, I bought my first real rope at the feed store. It was a manilla rope, and I used it to rope my mean steer so I could get a rope halter on him. At least this was the excuse I gave. Frankly, I just needed the practice.
This rope confirmed I was a header, not a heeler, because whenever I aimed for my steer’s feet, all I caught was dried up cow pies.
When my grandpa saw I’d bought a manilla rope, he
hit the roof and brought me two leather reattas. Grandpa was a traditionalist.
He told me if I wanted to be a cowboy, I had to use the 30-foot reatta, but if I wanted to be a buckaroo, I should use the 60 footer.
It didn’t really matter because I couldn’t catch a cold with either one.
I couldn’t tie hard and fast without breaking the reatta, and I had to give up some slack when a calf hit the end of the line or it’d snap in two. I had to dally round my horn and giveand-take, which was more like fishing than roping.
I never could get the hang of it, and I retired both ropes and hung them on the wall.
As a leatherworker, I’d always wanted to visit King Ropes in Sheridan because Don King was king of the
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23
1
1 Cow, 1245#
1
1 Cow, 1245# $165.50
Bull, 775# $302.50
1 Bull, 860# $300.00
1 Bull, 805# $290.00
1 Bull, 1080# $221.00 RIVERTON
1 Bull, 1230# $202.00 THERMOPOLIS
5 Bull, 1286#
1 Bull, 1850#
1 Bull, 1930# $184.00
2 Bull, 1687# $183.00 LANDER
1 Bull, 2035# $182.00 THERMOPOLIS
1 Bull, 1830# $181.00 RIVERTON
1 Bull, 1785# $180.50 PAVILLION
1 Bull, 2100# $177.00 KINNEAR
1 Bull, 1895# $174.50 THERMOPOLIS
1 Bull, 1895# $172.00 BRED COWS
1 Bred Cow, 1340#
1 Bred Cow, 1250# $2,875.00 1 Bred Cow, 1245# $2,600.00 STEERS
PINEY
748#
766# $367.00 4 Steer, 756# $365.00
761#
861#
859#
334# $582.50
372# $582.50
YEARLINGS
Graham Ranch- 94 Blk & BWF Strs & Spayed Yearling Hfrs 700-750#. Comp vacc. High desert. Tim Tolton- 22 Blk Ang & AngX Yrlng Strs & Hfrs 850-900#. CALVES
Matt Eastman- 36 Blk Ang & AngX(F1) Strs & Hfrs 600#.
Rec 2 rounds of Bovishield Gold & 7 way. No implants. Knife cut. Sired by Powerful Blk Ang & Hereford bulls. Bred to perform! Brad Eastman- 34 Blk Ang & AngX Strs & Hfrs 550-600#. Rec Vista Once SQ & 7-way w/Somnus @ branding & 2nd round Vista Once SQ on July 1st, prior to going to the mtn. Knife cut. Sired by Herring Blk Ang bulls. High elevation. Reputation feeding calves!!
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30
YEARLINGS
Hicks Livestock- 130 Blk Ang & Sml % Red/CharX Yrlng Strs 725-850#. Rec Pyramid 5, 8 way & inj Cydectin this spring. Tracy Eckhardt- 23 Blk Ang & AngX Spayed Yearling Hfrs 800#. Rec 7 way, Pink Eye & Fusogard. CALVES
Arapahoe Ranch- 400 Blk Ang &AngX Strs 400-500#. High elevation. IMI Global certified. No hormones. Rec Ultrabac 7/Somubac, Inforce 3 & Bovishield Gold One Shot @ branding. Weaned 45-60 days. Hay fed. Sired by Sitz, Stevenson & Walter Blk Ang bulls. Very high quality! Brad Carlson – 250 Blk Ang & AngX Hfrs 400-500#. Rec Pyramid 5, Once PMH & Vision 7 w/Somnus + Spur @ branding. Knife cut. Sired by Broken Arrow Blk Ang bulls. High desert, green, and fancy!
Wyoming Honor Farm- 200 Blk Ang Strs & Hfrs 550-600#. Rec Vision 8, Nasalgen 3PMH & Vista Once @ branding. Sired by Hancock & Northwest Angus Association Blk Ang bulls. Powerful, stout calves!
Huxtable & McKee- 85 Blk Ang Strs 450-500#. Rec Vision 7 & Vista Once SQ @ branding. Rec Vision 7 & Vista Once SQ @ Precon (9/13). Sired by Hancock, SO, & Flying M Blk Ang bulls. High elevation calves! Lucinda Calvert – 34 Blk & BWF Ang Strs 500-600#. Rec 7 way @ branding. Out of Wagler Blk Ang genetics.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7
CALF & YEARLING SPECIAL • START TIME 9:30 AM
YEARLINGS
Smoky Canyon Ranch- 10 Blk & BWF Yrlng Strs 875-900#. CALVES
Mike & Cindy Fabrizius – 175 Ang and AngX Strs 425475#. 120 Ang and AngX Heifer Calves 400-450#. Good quality mineral products available at all times. Vacc @ Branding vision 8, once PMH Nasalgen, vista 5, and Multimin 90. High quality genetic Black Angus sired. Hire desert, green and fancy. Joe & Deanna Crofts- 275 Blk Ang & AngX Strs & Hfrs 400450#. Rec Virashield 6, Vision 8 w/Somnus +Spur. Yearround mineral program. 100% Black Angus sired. One iron, high desert, green & Fancy!
Rimrock Cattle Co- 200 Blk Ang & AngX Strs & Hfrs 400500#. Rec Vista Once SQ, Nasalgen & Vision 7 @ branding. Knife cut. Sired by Blk Ang Bulls. High desert, green & fancy!
Bitterroot Ranch- 170 Blk Ang Strs & Hfrs 500-550#. Rec Vista 5, Nasalgen 3-PMH & Vision 7 w/ Somnus @ branding; Fusoguard May 1st. 100% Lucky 7 Angus sired. Reputation, high elevation calves!
Ruby Ranch- 150 Blk Ang & AngX Strs 450-525#. Rec Vista 5, Nasalgen & 7way @ branding. Sired by powerful Blk Ang Bulls (predom. Lucky 7 bulls) High elevation & Fancy!! Wanda Miller – 130 Blk Ang Strs & Hfrs 550-600#. Comp vacc @ Branding. High elevation. Sired by good Blk Angus bulls, great performing calves!
saddlemakers and made famous the “Sheridan style” of leatherwork.
When I worked the Buffalo Creek Sale in Sheridan, I finally got the chance to visit.
When you walk into King’s Saddlery, you are met by a wall of ropes, and if you walk to the back of the store and across the alley, you enter a fabulous museum dedicated to the art of leatherworking and the Western cowboy. Of course, I bought a King Rope and the requisite King Ropes ballcap.
When I wrote for Super Looper – now defunct –someone gave me a Classic Ropes “Rattler,” and this rope had eyes. People still talk about the time I roped two calves and the fence post they were standing next to all in the same loop.
of All Natural calves, that are out of powerful bulls! Ryan & Dillon Hedges- 40 Blk, BWF, Red & RWF SimX Strs & Hfrs 400-600#. Rec Vista Once & 7way @ branding. Sired by Hogg Sim Angus & Jackson Sim bulls. High desert calves! Fernando Roman – 30 Blk & BWF Ang Strs & Hfrs 400500#. Rec vision 7 w/ Somnus + spur @ branding. March/ April calves. Sired by Blk Ang Basin Pay weight. Fancy, Stout & high desert!
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10
COW & BULL SALE • START TIME 9:30 AM
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14
CALF & YEARLING SPECIAL • START TIME 9:30 AM
YEARLINGS JM Livestock – 600 spayed hfrs
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17