LMD February 2020

Riding Herd “The greatest homage we can pay to truth is to use it.”

– JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL

February 15, 2020 • www.aaalivestock.com

Volume 62 • No. 2

Billionaire’s Land Rush

BY LEE PITTS

Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.

T

hirty three years ago I wrote in this space about “The Buffalo Commons”.

It was an idea conceived by two urban studies professors Frank and Deborah Popper, supposedly after an argument the couple had in their car about what should be done with the West.

It would be analogous to two ranchers getting together at an auction market cafe in Brush or Ogallala to decide what should be done about that blight on the American landscape called Chicago.

In their 1987 article in Planning Magazine called “The Great Plains: From Dust to Dust,” the Poppers put forth their plan to transform the Great Plans into a 10-state national reserve where buffalo would roam but not cows. Later the idea would grow to include large populations of grizzlies and super wolves, a blend of the Canadian wolf with Mexican gray wolves that would rendezvous somewhere in the middle for breeding purposes.

The Sandhills in Nebraska, for example.

At the time I thought the Popper’s idea was ringier than a Salvation Army soldier out in front of the grocery store at Christmas time.

Well, guess who is having the last laugh now?

The Great Wealth Transfer

NEWSPAPER PRIORITY HANDLING

Those folks who gave us computers, the Internet and cell phones are now getting a little long in the tooth. Bill Gates looks like a shriveled creosote root and his partner in Microsoft, Paul Allen, has passed on to hippie heaven.

So too has Apple’s Steve Jobs.

As these tech multi-billionaires

and multi-millionaires write their wills and trusts they are attempting to leave a legacy and one way they are doing so is by buying up huge chunks of land on which to leave their brand. Invariably the land they covet is in the West. In fact, they worship the ground you walk on.

With their squandering ways I don’t know how they did it but my generation, the baby boomers, has become the wealthiest generation in American history, now controlling 70 percent of all U.S. disposable income.

Now these billionaire boomers and millionaire mobs are about to pass down their wealth which is being called “The Great Wealth Transfer.” The amount of money we’re talking about is twice the amount we thought it would be just ten years ago, thanks to a decade-long run-up in the stock market. It’s now estimated that 45 million U.S. households will transfer $68

TRILLION in wealth over the next 25 years!

In many cases the rich are looking at their kids, 35 percent of whom between the ages of 18 and 35 still living at home, and thinking they need to park their wealth in something that is not as easily accessible as stocks, bonds and cash. Something like real estate. Your real estate.

Selling Out This great wealth transfer comes at the the same time that a large percentage of farmers and ranchers are wanting to retire and move to Arizona. In Nebraska, for example, 19 percent of the population is over 65. This gentrification of American farmers and ranchers is especially advanced in the Great Plains, coincidentally the area where the Poppers envisioned their Buffalo Commons. In land auction after land auction in the Midwest the buyer

these days is most often some rich guy who made his money elsewhere and now wants to squirrel it away where the kids can’t squander it. Either that or a green group funded by aging tech gazillionaires who want to kick the cows off and let the buffalo roam.

As we look at the future of the cow business the big question will be who will manage the land in the west? Will it be the Nature Conservancy, or a management firm working on behalf of the inheritors who live in a big metro area hundreds of miles away, or sons and daughters who try to make a go of ranching while paying off their siblings and cousins? That will become increasingly more difficult to do surrounded by buffalo and wild horse preserves with bad fences that pay no taxes thereby further decimating the small towns that are trying their darndest to hold the fabric of the west together.

A Good Question Most all of these rich old techies who are leaving their fortunes to liberal green groups really believe that cow farts will destroy the earth some day.

So the first thing these techies want to do is replace the cows with bison and in so doing they think they are reducing the continued on page two

Disturbing Reality About Those Trying to Close Fort Huachuca & Crush Rural Arizona

BY BRIAN SEASHOLES / EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SOUTHWESTERN COMMUNITIES COALITION, BENSON, ARIZONA

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ith the February 2020 deadline approaching when several so-called environmental groups may follow through on their notice of intent sue the Departments of Defense and Interior to restrict Fort Huachuca’s water use, there is the possibility the fort could close for good. Make no mistake; this is these groups’ end game.

“Ultimately, the question is, can we shut down Fort Huachuca?” Robin Silver, co-founder of the Center for Biological Diversity, the group leading the most recent threatened lawsuit, asked in 2014. “This area is too fragile to support the fort and its surrounding population,” Mark Larson, president of Maricopa Audubon Society, another of the groups threatening to sue the fort, asserts about the current threatened lawsuit. “Everything but the proving grounds can be moved to other military bases without losing national defense capabilities.”

The Center for Biological Diversity and others are trying to close Fort Huachuca with lawsuits to restrict its access to water and by lobbying to have missions moved to military bases in other parts of the country. If either or both of these strategies are successful, it will be increasingly difficult for the Department of

Defense and Congress to justify Fort Huachuca’s continued existence. And it will be easier for opponents of the fort to justify closing it.

Closing Fort Huachuca would devastate Cochise County, for which the fort is by far the largest employer and economic contributor, with 21,327 direct and indirect jobs and $2.9 billion in annual economic activity. Moving all but the Electronic Proving Ground to other military bases, as those currently threatening a lawsuit advocate, would be a deathblow to the fort. There are roughly 580 people employed at the proving grounds; 399 civilians, 179 contractors, and 1 military, based on 2012 data. So by extrapolating, moving all but the Electronic Proving Ground would mean the loss to Sierra Vista and Cochise County of 97% of the jobs and economic activity provided by Fort Huachuca, or 20,747 jobs and $2.82 billion in economic activity. This would reduce Sierra Vista to a ghost town, devastate Cochise County, and likely lead to the fort’s closure.

Despite the danger to Fort Huachuca, there are some in Sierra Vista, Cochise County and beyond who are responding to the most recent threatened lawsuit with a wait-and-see approach, because this is the ninth legal challenge against the fort since 1994 but the Fort is still going strong. This is a grave miscalculation for several reasons. continued on page three

by LEE PITTS

The Company Tank

A

t the ripe old age of 21 I went to work for a leading livestock newspaper as a field editor. This was at a time when most of the other field editors and breed reps qualified for the senior citizen’s discount at Denny’s. As the youngest person in the trade at the time I was walked on, stabbed in the back and even punched in the face.

Really.

I was given a company car and an expense account but those costs were subtracted from any commission I made selling advertising in my territory. Unknown to me, my colleagues referred to my territory as the Great Advertising Desert because it was nearly devoid of cattle.

It consisted of Southern California, the southern tip of Nevada (which had more endangered turtles than it did cattle), Arizona and Utah.

The amount of my speeding tickets in Utah exceeded my ad sales in that great state.

While most of the field men drove Lincoln Town cars, which was the greatest road car ever built, I, on the other hand, drove a German tank. Or at least it felt like it.

It had the turning radius of a Carnival Cruise ship and I never knew how fast I was going because the speedometer was broke, as was nearly everything else in, or on, that poor excuse for a car we lovingly called ‘The Tank’.

I’ve only run out of gas three times in my life and all three were in The Tank because the gas gauge didn’t work either! You could see asphalt through holes in the floorboard, it got two gallons of gas per mile and the tires were balder than my uncle Charles. It had a V-5 engine (a V-8 with three bad pistons), and the air conditioning consisted of rolling down the windows... by hand.

There was evidence in the glove box that The Tank had been totaled by at least three insurance companies.

Worst of all, the car wreaked of cigarette smoke.

A used car salesman told me once that if he turned on a car’s radio and it blared rock and roll he knew the transmission was shot, but if all the ash trays were full and it smelled like smoke it was a rental car. I complained about the car to my boss but he said, “Quit complaining.

Back when I began my ca-

continued on page three

Page 2

Livestock Market Digest

February 15, 2020

LAND RUSH

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methane or greenhouse gasses that are contributing to climate change. Do they not realize that bison are ruminants too?

Before there were cattle that roamed North America there were wild ruminants like bison, caribou, and aurochs and every single one of them produced methane. In fact, even the green scientists admit that they probably produced 85 percent to 100 percent of the amount of methane and greenhouse gases that all the domesticated animals are producing today.

Which begs the question, why is the cow’s methane a dangerous cause of climate change but not the bison’s?

Most of the green groups that are beneficiaries of the techie’s cash also want to get rid of cowboys and put out the welcome mat for wolves. Although Ted Turner is not a “techie” in the truest sense, he is the second largest landowner in America. He owns 15 ranches in nine western states. He is also the nation’s, if not the world’s, largest bison breeder. He owns more than two million acres in America and in Argentina and has a bison herd exceeding 51,000 head. His largest property is the Vermejo Park Ranch in Northern New Mexico with 585,000 acres. It was a dude ranch before he bought it in 1996 and Turner has turned it into a top rated hunting ranch.

He also owns the Ladder Ranch and Sierra Grande Lodge & Spa in southern New Mexico.

It seems Turner is conflicted between running bison or a nature Disneyland for billionaires to go glamping.

After Turner bought the Flying D Ranch in Montana he hired Mike Phillips who once worked with The Wildlands Project and was influential in returning wolves to Yellowstone. Turner told the publication, Mountain Outlaw, that Phillips told him, “That if we provided habitat on the Flying D, the wolves of Yellowstone would eventually find their way to the ranch.” And they did. “When wolves established a pack,” said Turner, “I was overjoyed. I think we may have been one of the first, if not the first, ranch in the West to lay out a welcome mat for wolves!

I have literally howled to wolves off the back deck of my house with my family and friends.”

Turner continued, “I also hoped the Flying D could provide a home for grizzlies. In the past several months, we received reports that a sow with cubs had taken up residence in the ranch interior. I was pretty excited. Wolves and grizzlies have reputations that are far worse than the reality, but if you give them room to roam, we can live with them peacefully. I’m proud to say that my home in Montana is also their home.”

The New Robber Barons and Vulgarians Many millionaires and billionaires will bequeath their ranches to the Nature Conservancy which, if past is prologue, will then flip it to the federal government which will label it a reserve or a park and name it after the billionaire who made it all possible. Viola, instant legacy.

The Nature Conservancy will use the profit it made on one ranch to buy another and do another flip. That’s how the Nature Conservancy got the

continued from page one

nickname “America’s Realtor.”

Since almost all of these ranches in the west have a large portion of their acreage as BLM or Forest land, that will give the federal government, which already owns one third of all the land in the west, an opportunity to get rid of cattle and the pesky folks who raise them. But because the BLM has a multiple use mandate and a “use it or lose it” requirement, they can’t just let their land sit idle and so they will fill it with buffalo.

And tell me again, how do they differ than cows, other than the fact they are much harder to manage and their meat doesn’t taste as good.

A Race To The Middle The Nature Conservancy isn’t the only one playing this game. Similar organizations are springing up all over New Mexico and Montana and are working towards building the Buffalo Commons from both ends. Kind of like the transcontinental railroad. Caren Cowan, Executive Director of the New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association thinks this is because “New Mexico and Montana have lots of rural land and a few high class mecas that are havens for elitist rich people who want, and can afford, to buy us out.”

They will be the new robber barons and vulgarians. Andrew Carnegie in cowboy boots.

You’ve probably never heard of most of the groups attempting to build the Popper’s Buffalo Commons. Take the Western Landowners Alliance, for example. They are a Ted Turner funded group that is trying to reform the West. Cowan’s group, the New Mexico Cattle Growers’, has been fighting with them for five years over their attempt to remove agriculture from the land by creating a special use valuation for “conservation” as part of the ag special use valuation which allows agriculture to pay vastly reduced property taxes for land in ag production.

On the other end, in Montana, you have the American Prairie Foundation. Last year writer Dave Skinner did a fabulous job in RANGE MAGAZINE in unveiling this group and what they call, “The most ambitious and successful “rewilding” effort ever attempted.”

According to Skinner this group has dreams that “thousands of buffalo, which Congress recently designated America’s national mammal, will soon thunder horizon to horizon.” The folks behind the American Prairie Preserve “are trying to gather together a critical mass of land, money and buffalo.” According to Skinner, The group was created in 2001 by the World Wildlife Fund as a “land trust partner and set a goal of raising $450 million over time, buying a half-million acres of private “base” properties associated with millions of acres of grazing rights on multiple-use BLM lands, as well as some grandfathered grazing rights on the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge controlled by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, then combine the whole mess into a unified “reserve” of 3.5 million acres, as the American Prairie Reserve.

On that reserve, as APR board member Susan Myers says in a promotional video, “someday continued on page four

February 15, 2020

Livestock Market Digest

ARIZONA First, it is a dangerous game of chicken. One day, those seeking to close Fort Huachuca may be able to land a knockout blow, especially because the eight previous legal actions against the fort have been successful, according to the Center for Biological Diversity. These previous legal actions have been body shots designed to weaken support for the fort and test legal strategies.

For those who think the prospect of the potential lawsuit against Fort Huachuca succeeding is farfetched, take a look at what happened to Hudbay’s Rosemont copper mine southeast of Tucson.

Hudbay spent 11 years and over $100 million on permitting and legal battles alone and thought they were finally in the clear. Then in July, 2019, literally the day before Hudbay was going break ground for Rosemont, an activist judge halted the mine by agreeing with the radical and novel legal theory advanced by groups, led by the Center for Biological Diversity, who have been battling for over a decade to close the project. A similar scenario is plausible in the case of Fort Huachuca. All that is required is one activist judge, and the Center for Biological Diversity and fellow litigants are very adept at finding and persuading such judges. Past unsuccessful lawsuits to close Fort Huachuca are no guarantee of future results, especially given the additional reasons below.

Second, these groups’ ultimate goal is to cripple and depopulate rural America by controlling use of land and natural resources, especially water—a process better known as rural cleansing. “We will have to inflict severe economic pain,” in order for the center to achieve its goal, Robin Silver stated.

“We’ve basically crushed the timber industry” in the Southwest, Kieran Suckling, another

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co-founder of the Center for Biological Diversity, bragged.

Third, the Center for Biological Diversity and its allies are constantly growing, looking to expand their rural cleansing efforts, are very patient, and will never stop trying to crush any industry that uses natural resources, directly or indirectly, or supplies these industries, which include ranching, homebuilding, mining, logging, and defense. An example is the ongoing litigation, by many of the same groups trying to close Fort Huachuca, to stop The Villages at Vigneto, a planed 28,000-residence community in Benson that would result in almost $24 billion of economic activity over eighteen years of construction.

Upon completion, The Villages would employ 8,780 people permanently and generate $1.2 billion annually, making it Cochise County’s second-largest employer and economic driver—assuming Fort Huachuca remains as-is.

Another example is the Center for Biological Diversity’s threatened lawsuit in July 2019 to subject the entire 9.7 million acres of the Upper Gila River Watershed—about half in Arizona, half in New Mexico—to the Endangered Species Act. This appears to be the leading edge of the center’s long-desired goal of regulating entire ecosystems, especially watersheds. “An ecosystem is not a legally protected entity. A plant or animal species is,” Kieran Suckling remarked about his goal of legal protection of ecosystems. For the time being he will use the Endangered Species Act to work toward this goal. Regulating entire ecosystems, and grabbing the water in them, will make current problems created by the Center for Biological Diversity and allies look like child’s play.

Currently, the Center for Biological Diversity and allies

are doubling down, because they are larger, more powerful, and more aggressive, especially in their efforts to grab water. The Center for Biological Diversity’s revenues (adjusted for inflation) and number of employees when the center filed previous lawsuits against Fort Huachuca illustrate this: 2002—$2.7 million & 30 employees; 2005—$4.6 & 54; 2011—$8.2 & 83; 2019— $20.5 & 188. It is wishful think that the most recent lawsuit threat against Fort Huachuca is business as usual.

Fourth, these “environmental” groups, especially the Center for Biological Diversity, are better identified as lawsuit mills because they do little if any tangible conservation, despite tens of millions of dollars with which to do so.

Environmental lawsuit mills’ modus operandi is to ‘just say no’ and offer no practical solutions in their never-ending, litigation-driven campaign to cleanse rural America. Lawsuits are cheap and easy; real conservation is hard work and time consuming. Real conservation is done by groups like the Cochise Conservation and Recharge Network, which consists of the cities of Sierra Vista and Bisbee, Cochise County, Hereford Natural Resource Conservation District, and The Nature Conservancy.

Since its formation in 2015, the network’s projects have conserved over 20,000-acre feet of water. In addition, Fort Huachuca’s aggressive water conservation efforts over the past decade have resulted in a net decrease in groundwater use of 71%, or 2,272-acre feet annually.

Fifth, these lawsuit mills have no interest in negotiation, cooperation, or practical solutions because their business model is based on conflict and confrontation.

Cleansing rural America is a nasty business that requires

brutal people to carry it out.

Sixth, Center for Biological Diversity has a proven record of lying, which other lawsuit mills have apparently supported. So why should anyone believe anything these groups claim? In 2005, the center was found by a jury to have defamed Jim Chilton, an Arizona rancher, due to publishing false and misleading photos and a news advisory claiming Chilton’s cattle caused ecological damage. The jury awarded Chilton $600,000 in damages and found the Center for Biological Diversity’s actions rose to “actual malice”, legalese for promulgating a malicious lie. In 2006, the center lost its appeal to the Arizona Court of Appeals, which issued a harshly worded opinion.

Several fellow environmental lawsuit mills filed amicus briefs in support of the Center for Biological Diversity’s appeal, and apparent right to lie maliciously, including the two joining the center in the most recent lawsuit against Fort Huachuca, the Arizona chapter of the Sierra Club and Maricopa Audubon Society.

In 2007, the Arizona Supreme Court declined to hear the center’s appeal.

It is high time for citizens, businesses, organizations and public officials in Cochise and other counties in southern Arizona to start realizing the lawsuit-driven war led by the Center for Biological Diversity will not pass them by, and to start fighting for their jobs and the futures of their families and communities. It is also high time for people, especially in the media, to start questioning why they should believe the Center for Biological Diversity, an organization that maliciously lied, as well the Sierra Club’s Arizona chapter and the Maricopa Audubon Society, both of which supported the center’s apparent right to lie.

RIDING HERD continued from page one

reer we had to start our cars with a crank. Just be thankful you’ve got power steering and power brakes.

Sometimes, anyway.”

I was at the Arizona National Livestock Show one year when a breed field man asked if he could borrow The Tank to go snap a couple bull photos “just down the road.” I hesitated because I didn’t feel right loaning out the company’s car. But he promised to buy my supper and what could he do to The Tank that had not already been done to it? So I handed him the keys and asked him to be careful. I got a little nervous when my friend didn’t return in time to buy my supper and I tossed and turned all night. I was extremely relieved the next morning when I looked out the motel window and saw The Tank taking up three spaces in the motel parking lot.

When I got home I took The Tank in for a long overdue oil change but the mechanic called later and said he couldn’t change the oil because the drain plug was welded to The Tank’s heavily scarred oil pan.

WHAT? I was puzzled at first but then I remembered when ‘my friend’ borrowed The Tank. So I called him up and he came clean. It seems the photo shoot was two hours away and 30 minutes of that was on a dirt road with protruding rocks the size basketballs, one of which hit the oil plug and shredded the oil pan. Since they couldn’t get parts for at least two days my friend told the mechanic to just weld it all together.

But my ‘friend’ had somehow forgotten to mention all this to me!

Both The Tank and I quit shortly thereafter. I quit because I was making more money in my previous job as a cowboy ($650 per month). I have no idea why The Tank finally quit but I suspect the new oil was just too much of a shock to its system. wwwLeePittsbooks.com

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Livestock Market Digest

February 15, 2020

The Need for Unification on a Disease Traceabililty Program

BY ABBIE BURNETT / CAB CATTLE CREW

I

t’s been 16 years since the “cow that stole Christmas” shut down exports from North America and cost the beef industry an estimated $9 billion.

Those were the days when terrorists also threatened to infect U.S. herds with anthrax.

All these years later and still no national traceability program?

Four Sixes Ranch manager Joe Leathers let some exasperation show while addressing the Feeding Quality Forum in Amarillo this summer.

“How can we afford not to have a disease traceability program as an insurance policy?” he asked. “Are we going to have another disease outbreak? Yeah.

That’s realistic.”

Leathers put traceability to the test during the 2011 drought when he secured leases for nine ranches in five states north and west of his base in Guthrie, Texas. Moving up to 5,000 cows across state lines meant reading metal clips and culling. It took four summer-dawn roundups

that had to end by mid-morning to avoid greater heat and stress.

“I figured out real quick, this is not efficient,” he recalled. “It’s not good on the cattle. It’s not good on your labor.”

That’s when the Four Sixes team began using electronic identification (EID) tags that permitted collecting and loading the cattle in a single day.

Tag numbers downloaded to a computer, he printed and delivered them to the vet barn, where interstate shipping papers were soon in hand.

Use of those tags has become a management tool that easily pays its way, with implications for all who ask for incentives, he added.

Rather than scan each animal down an alley chute, the UHF tag reader records individual cattle by group. Leathers can call up details on any cow from his phone, including location, breeding and vaccination history.

He can see her calves’ data or whole pens of feedyard and carcass grading performance, and generate reports for potential buyers. Finding a sire group

that made 35% Prime, he adjusted sire selection to create more of the best to highlight in those reports.

“Then I ask for a price substantially higher than what the market is,” he told cattlemen.

“You know what? I nearly always get what I ask for.”

U.S.-produced beef sets the world standard for quality, and the industry makes use of production technology. But when it comes to using those tools for traceability? “We use very little,” Leathers said.

The biggest obstacle he sees is a lack of standardization. UHF readers don’t read all UHF tags the same way, and data storage options are varied but lack user choice as to national, state or third-party group.

“We’ve got to keep the flexibility as individual producers to make our own decisions,” he said, noting a need for common-sense regulations that work for every size operation “at the speed of commerce.”

Leathers said even if traceability technology didn’t happen to pay its own way up front,

there’s no room for debate.

“The consumer wants it. End of discussion,” he said. “Whether their concerns or their desires are realistic, it makes zero difference.”

More and more consumers simply want to know more about their food.

“Who is responsible for giving them what they want and need so that we can sell our product for a higher price? We are. Yet our industry is segmented in arguing and bickering,” Leathers noted.

Rather than take the reins in proactive leadership, Leathers said most industry organizations are merely reactive, from politics to foreign trade.

“If we don’t do anything, we lose our competitive advantage in the world with foreign trade,” he said. Leading means moving past a simple, “this won’t work.”

It also means getting past the October announcement that USDA has paused program development. That doesn’t mean the issues will go away, but it could mean more time for producer input.

LAND RUSH we want to see a herd of 10,000 bison in our lifetimes.”

According to the APR, the group has already assembled 1.5 million acres, the largest area devoted to wildlife conservation in the Great Plains. According to Skinner, “It is safe to say that APR intends to permanently eliminate production agriculture from a large landscape, in favor of “restoring” the full suite of native flora and fauna, including predators.”

Selling Beef To Raise Bison Donors to APR include folks like the now deceased Roger Enrico who ran Pepsi and DreamWorks SKG; Jacqueline Badger Mars age 79 who is ranked the 33rd richest person in America in the Forbes 400; and John Mars age 83 and his wife Adrienne who gave more than $20

“There is going to be a disease traceability program in our future in the United States. So get over it. It’s either going to be mandated or it’s going to be something designed by producers and the industry,” Leathers said.

The 12-member Producer Traceability Council he co-chairs shared a few consensus points in May, but it’s still an open discussion. The Producer Traceability Council is comprised of individuals focused on moving forward in the implementation of traceability by identifying and promoting immediate steps that will lead to an enhanced system. Current members of the Producer Council include Chuck Adami, Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales Assn., Mike Bumgarner, United Producers, Jarold Callahan, Express Ranches, Ken Griner, Usher Land & Timber, Inc., Kevin Hueser, Tyson Foods, Joe Leathers, 6666 Ranch, Jim Lovell, Green Plains Cattle Company LLC, Bob Scherer, Tyson Foods, Dr. Justin Smith, Kansas Animal Health Commissioner, Dr. Sarah Tomlinson, USDA, APHIS, VS, and Keith York, Dairy Farmer.

continued from page two

million. A host of Silicon Valley venture capitalists also contributed. But the donors that Dave Skinner unveiled that made me the maddest were Erivan and Helga Haub. According to Skinner, the Haubs were worth $6.4 billion and “were members of a family which controls an international, multibillion-dollar retail empire, the Tengelmann Group, with family members in both America and Germany, some holding dual citizenship.”

Does anyone besides this reporter see anything wrong with foreigners trying to lock up land in America while getting a huge tax write-off in their own country by doing so? According to Skinner, “Germans can donate up to 20 percent of their pretax income, and in Germany the tax rate on incomes over 265,000 Euros ($299,420 U.S.) is a whacking 45 percent.

So whoever donated two million dollar gifts got a $450,000 write-off.”

Ervian passed away last year but his wife Helga sits on the board of the American Prairie Reserve.

You’d think that the American Prairie Reserve would want nothing to do with cattle but they are so desperate for cash to replace cows with bison that they are marketing their very own Wild Sky Beef to raise money. I guess beef is okay as long as it’s raised by liberal green groups.

Cutting The Rope Turner told Mountain Outlaw that he first became interested in buying up land after attending a seminar on philanthropy in Washington, D.C. His largesse is said to have been an inspiration and example for Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett to follow. What’s scary is such seminars are being held in cities across America every day by environmental organizations. Just remember, the greenies and billionaires don’t have to own every acre to own us in ways big and small. Or to make their Buffalo Commons a reality.

If they are so intent on getting rid of any evidence of mankind a good place to start would be Chicago or Detroit. Leave the west alone. If they want an America like it was when Columbus found it, a bunch of Anglos, Italians, Mexicans, Germans and Asians will have to go back home. I’m all for tearing down Manhattan and giving the Indians their beads back and while we’re at it, replace the fake bulls and bears on Wall Street with real ones.

One gets the sense that the billionaires don’t really care about a bunch of smelly bison as much as they do preventing others from using private property and capitalism to get rich like they did. They are attempting to cut the rope they used to get to the top so nobody else can follow.

February 15, 2020

Livestock Market Digest

Pendley BLM leader, grazing reg’s and federal control of water

W

illiam Perry Pendley, acting director of the BLM, has spent his first day of work in his new office in Grand Junction, Colorado. The event was not without controversy, as a few local enviros met him with what they described as an “unwelcoming committee”. They lined Horizon Drive with signs protesting Pendley’s appointment. A spokesman for the group complained, “William Perry Pendley is a staunch anti-public lands advocate. This would be akin to putting an arsonist in charge of a fire department” and called for Pendley’s resignation.

Actually, many westerners hope Pendley will be putting out fires, both literally and figuratively. Literally, we hope for significant changes in federal land management that will to limit the number and severity

of wildfires that annually sweep across the West, and figuratively, we would like to see cold water thrown on those current BLM programs that are anti-multiple use and restrict the public’s access to federal lands and resources. A good place to start would be the “lands with wilderness characteristics” policy that is currently infesting the land use plans undergoing revision. This a program initiated by former Secretary Salazar, and later rescinded by him because of the controversy it caused. That was just a subterfuge as the BLM is still implementing the concept as I write this. Pendley, please pick up a big bucket and douse.

The other immediate issue was whether Pendley would be reappointed to the acting director position. A coalition of ninety-one groups wrote to In-

Collectors Corner

Condition W hen buying items online, a buyer relies heavily on pictures. They also rely on the description added by the seller (or seller’s agent). The condition of an item, especially when it comes to collectibles, is a large factor in value. So it is important for sellers to understand the condition, or any defects an item may have when describing it for potential buyers.

Good pictures are a must when buying and selling online, but so is an accurate condition report.

Over the years, there has become a pretty universal language (or basic categories) that dealers use when describing condition. Although it can vary some from seller to seller, it is a good idea to “learn the language.” Below is a list of some different categories we use and a definition of what is meant when we use that particular description.

New - New in box (NIB) - New old stock (NOS) — There are a few different ways of saying it, but what this means is that it has never been purchased by a customer. This means it is, or has been, owned by a store or dealer its entire life. Even if it is fifty years old (NOS) it means that no end user, customer, collector, etc. has owned it during its lifetime.

Excellent - Like New — This means it is just like new and would be like the items in the category

above, but it has been owned by a customer or end user. Things that commonly fall into this category are items that have been purchased and left in their original packaging or put on a shelf or in a drawer its entire life and have no damage or wear of any kind. They are just like “New.” Some have argued that it is still “New” when in this kind of condition, but technically it is pre-owned, even though it may be in “like new” condition.

Very Good — This is an item that is almost like new (see above), but maybe there is some shelf wear or a little bit of use showing. These items are still highly desirable as far as condition goes, but they do not quite qualify as “excellent” or “like new.”

Good — This is how we would categorize an item that is pretty average for its age. It is not excellent and on the other end of the spectrum, it is not used up or worn out either. It shows moderate use, but not abuse. An item which falls in this category or higher typically is the most desirable to collectors.

Pretty Good - Fairly Good — This item is almost as good as the “Good” category, but it shows just a little more use. Maybe it has been used a little more than average. It is in below average condition for its age. However, it has not been abused.

terior Secretary Bernhardt demanding Pendley resign or be removed from the position, saying “his actions betray BLM’s mission and demonstrate his lack of fitness to lead it.” Bernhardt must have misread the letter because he reappointed Pendley to the temporary position.

“These groups have to do what these groups do,” Pendley said. “They exist to push their agenda and they are in conflict not with me. They are in conflict with Secretary Bernhardt and more importantly they’re in conflict with President Trump.”

Page 5 be held in Miles City, Montana on Feb. 6; Las Cruces, NM on Feb. 11; Elko,Nevada on Feb. 18; and Casper, Wyoming on Feb. 20.

All livestock grazing permitees should be on notice that while this may sound like a bunch of regulatory gobbledygook, it is vitally important to participate in this first step. Issues not raised during the scoping phase will not be addressed in the final regulations. It is a speak up or forever hold your peace situation.

WOTUS

The BLM has published a Notice of Intent (NOI) to revise their livestock grazing regulations and to prepare an Envronmental Impact Statement (EIS) to accompany those regulatory revisions. BLM states the primary goals of the proposed revisions are to: • Update and modernize the reg’s to allow for greater flexibility in the administration of the livestock grazing program • Improve efficiencies in the program for such things as the expanded use of categorical exclusions and streamlining the protest and appeal process • Explore ways to use livestock grazing to reduce wildfire risk and improve range condition, and • Increase public participation To kick off the NEPA process BLM will conduct a series of scoping meetings to determine the relevant issues to be addressed. You can comment directly to the BLM or attend one of the scoping meetings to

The controversial 2015 Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule introduced by the Obama administration in 2015 to define which waters are regulated by the Clean Water Act has been officially replaced by the Navigable Waters Protection Rule.

Speaking to the American Farm Bureau convention, President Trump said “…this rule gave bureaucrats virtually unlimited authority to regulate stock tanks, drainage ditches and isolated ponds as navigable waterways and navigable water.

You believe that? Sometimes you’d have a puddle, a little puddle, and they’d consider that a lake. As long as I’m President, government will never micromanage America’s farmers.”

In announcing the new rule, EPA administrator Andrew Wheeler said, “EPA and the Army (Corps of Engineers) are providing much needed regulatory certainty and predictability for American farmers, landowners and businesses to support the economy and accelerate critical infrastructure projects.

After decades of landowners

Fair — This is an item that shows wear. It still functions, but not perfectly. In some cases, it still may look ok, but it has damage or above average wear.

Poor — This item is worn out, damaged, broken, not in working order, etc., etc.. Items in this category are often used for parts, rustic decorations, re-purposing, etc..

We try to break things down into

these different categories. Some sellers choose to use more, or less, descriptive categories. These categories are for general condition description. We also try to point out anything that “stands out” and we feel needs to be separately pointed out. Of course, a picture is worth a thousand words (so they say), but if you put a picture of damage up and do not also disclose it in the written

BLM Grazing Reg’s

relying on expensive attorneys to determine what water on their land may or may not fall under federal regulations, our new Navigable Waters Protection Rule strikes the proper balance between Washington and the states in managing land and water resources while protecting our nation’s navigable waters, and it does so within the authority Congress provided.”

Congrats to the Trump administration for bringing about much needed change in both the programs mentioned above.

My only question is why did they wait to the last year of this term to propose these changes?

When I worked for Secretary Jim Watt during the Reagan administration, the Department of Interior set our goals and objectives to be met during the first eighteen months in office.

All of the proposed changes were met before the eighteen month deadline, and we had to set new items for change or improvement. Secretary Watt met with each wing of Interior once a month to review the status of each item, and I recall the very uncomfortable feeling experienced if you were running behind schedule. Each of us underlings did our best to not have to explain why there was a delay, and things got done. I guess they just don’t manage government agencies like that anymore.

Until next time, be a nuisance to the devil and don’t forget to check that cinch.

Frank DuBois was the NM Secretary of Agriculture from 1988 to 2003, is the author of a blog: The Westerner (www.thewesterner. blogspot.com) and is the founder of The DuBois Rodeo Scholarship and The DuBois Western Heritage Foundation

description as well, you are opening yourself up to that old “I didn’t see the picture” line. Of course, the person may not have read it either, but having both a good picture and an accurate condition report is a must in today’s selling climate where online purchase are now the “norm” and not the exception.

Jim Olson © 2020, www.WesternTradingPost.com

Call/Text/Email for information: Galen Fink: 785.532.9936 finkbull1@twinvalley.net Gene Barrett: 785.224.8509

Page 6

Livestock Market Digest

February 15, 2020

SOCORRO PLAZA REALTY On the Plaza

521 West Second St. • Portales, NM 88130

575-226-0671 or 575-226-0672 fax

Buena Vista Realty

Scott Land co.

1301 Front Street, Dimmitt, TX 79027 Ben G. Scott – Broker Krystal M Nelson –CO/NM QB#15892 800-933-9698 day/eve. www.scottlandcompany.com

Ranch & Farm Real Estate

WE NEED LISTINGS ON ALL TYPES OF AG PROPERTIES LARGE OR SMALL!

■ PARMER CO., TX – Hub Farm & Feedyard – 389 ac. +/-, 1,650 ft. of bunks, 170 ac. under one pivot, Hwy. 86 frontage.

■ COWEN ROAD FARM – Sedan, NM – 2 circles in CRP until 2023, 1 circle sown back to native grasses, all weather road.

■ WEST HAYDEN RANCH – Union/Harding Counties, NM – 9,670.76 ac. +/- (8,350.76 ac. +/- Deeded, 1,000 lease/ purchase acres, 320 ac. +/- NM State Lease) of really good ranch land, well watered by a large spring, mills & subs, on pvmt., home, barns & 2 sets of pens.

■ ELK CANYON RANCH – Harding County, NM - Another “hunter’s paradise” listed by Scott Land Company, LLC along w/the Elkridge Ranch, great opportunity for livestock/ hunting/recreation, 2,240 ac. +/-, well watered w/good fences. Located just west of the West Hayden Ranch.

■ ELK RIDGE RANCH – Capulin, NM area, 100hd. +/herd of Elk seen on property from time-to-time, 5,520 ac. +/- w/nice home, barns & pens, watered by wells & live water, no outside access through the property. Brochure being prepared!

■ COLFAX CO., NM – 7402.09 ac. +/- (4,789.69 Deeded – 2,612.4 State Lease) w/historic “POINT OF ROCKS” monument on the Santa Fe Trail, attractive improvements, all weather access!

■ LONESOME DOVE RANCH – Union Co., NM – 3,840.76 +/- ac. of choice NM grassland, remodeled home, virtually new working pens, well watered, on pvmt.

■ SEDAN SPECIAL – Union Co., NM – 955 ac. +/- w/ excellent improvements for a stocker or cow/calf operation, modern ¼ mi. sprinkler, all-weather roads on three sides, 374 ac. +/- CRP. ■ PECOS RIVER RANCH – Guadalupe Co., NM – Scenic, 968 +/- ac. deeded & 519 +/- state lease acres, live water ranch on both sides of the Pecos River (strong flow daily)

between Santa Rosa & Ft. Sumner; wildlife, paired w/water & cattle for the buyer looking for top tier assets in a rugged New Mexico ranch!

■ OTERO CO., NM – 120 scenic ac. +/- on the Rio Penasco is surrounded by Lincoln National Forest lands covered in Pines & opening up to a grass covered meadow along 3,300 feet +/- of the Rio Penasco. This property is an ideal location to build a legacy mountain getaway home.

■ LOGAN/NARA VISA, NM – 980 ac. +/- w/940.6 ac.

CRP, irrigated in the past, land lays good & is located on the north side of Hwy. 54.

■ TEXLINE SPECIAL – 472.4 ac. irr., on Dalhart/Clayton hwy. in New Mexico, adjoins the Grassland w/Organic Potential.

■ GRASSLAND W/ORGANIC POTENTIAL – Union Co., NM - adjoins the Texline Special, 927.45 ac. +/-, on pvmt.

■ PRICE REDUCED! MALPAIS OF NM – Lincoln/Socorro Counties, 37.65 sections +/- (13,322 ac. +/- Deeded, 8,457 ac. +/- BLM Lease, 2,320 ac. +/- State Lease) good, useable improvements & water, some irrigation w/water rights for 2 pivot sprinklers, on pvmt. & all-weather road.

■ EAST EDGE OF FT. SUMNER, NM – a 900 hd. grow yard w/immaculate 7.32 ac. +/-, a beautiful home, & other improvements w/a long line of equipment included, on pvmt.

■ FT. SUMNER, NM – 10.287 ac. +/- w/water rights currently planted in alfalfa & a beautiful home built in 2007 w/3 bdrms., 3 bathrooms, an oversize garage & a 24X50 metal shop.

■ PRICE REDUCED CONSIDERABLY! WE CAN DIVIDE this Springfield, Co. 1,440 ac. farm, ranch & feedlot as follows: an irrigated farm in strong water area for alfalfa, corn or other high moisture crops, a 5,000 hd. fdyd. w/acreage & improvments & grassland/CRP w/improvements. Please see our website for further information.

Please view our website for details on these properties, choice TX, NM & CO ranches (large & small), choice ranches in the high rainfall areas of OK, irr./dryland/CRP & commercial properties. We need your listings on any types of ag properties in TX., NM, OK & CO.

Call Buena Vista Realty at 575-226-0671 or the listing agent Lori Bohm 575-760-9847, or Melody Sandberg 575-825-1291.

Many good pictures on MLS or www.buenavista-nm.com

775/752-3040

SCOTT MCNALLY

Nevada Farms & raNch PrOPerTY

Ranch Sales & Appraisals

www.bottarirealty.com

AG LOANS AGLAND LAND LOANS

COLETTA RAY

AsLow LowAsAs 3% As 4.5% OPWKCAP 2.9% OPWKCAP 2.9%

575-799-9600 Direct 575.935.9680 Office 575.935.9680 Fax coletta@plateautel.net www.clovisrealestatesales.com

INTEREST RATESAS AS LOW 3% INTEREST RATES LOW ASAS 4.5% Payments Scheduledon on2525 Years Payments Scheduled Years

TEXAS & OKLA. FARMS & RANCHES ONE OF TEXAS’ BEST - 840 ac, Hunt Co., TX. 20 miles to McKinney, 30 miles to Dallas, 8 miles to Greenville. Beautiful modern 4,000 sq ft home sets high on hiill with view to all of the ranch. 20 lakes and dirt tanks, excellent grass, barns, cattle pens, nice barn, apartment, 8 pastures.

All this 3.4 million. Owner ready to retire.

Joe Stubblefield & Associates 13830 Western St., Amarillo, TX 806/622-3482 • cell 806/674-2062 joes3@suddenlink.net Michael Perez Associates Nara Visa, NM • 575/403-7970

SOLD

230 AC GAME & RETREAT that is a dream. Lakes, woods, meadows, game galore, 35 miles out of Dallas, Kaufman Co.

Joe Priest Real Estate

1-800/671-4548

joepriestre.net • joepriestre@earthlink.com

New New Mexico MexicoProperties PropertiesFor ForSale...

Sale...

THE 100 RANCH – –Ifare you areare looking for aforquality cattlecattle ranchsuitable then the Ranch just what youwhat need.

Theneed.

100 include Ranch is THE RANCH – If you forlooking a quality cattle ranch for100 a the registered cattle operation.

Improvements THE100 100 RANCH If looking you a quality ranch then 100 isRanch is just you The 100 aRanch scenic, well improved with The stunning views of Sacramento Jicarilla Mountains.

Located approximately Price: $2,500,000 Call for then the is 100 iswell justcattle what ranch you need.

100with Ranch is the nearby twoofsets pens, and shop, and hay barn.Jicarilla a Ranch scenic, improved cattle ranch stunning views theofnearby Sacramento and Mountains.

Located mileswell northwest of cattle Carrizozo, Mexico on theNew Chupadera ranch is comprised of 15,931 acres, aonbrochure or view onMesa. my website: www.ranchesnm.com a30 scenic, improved ranchNew withofstunning views of the approximately 30 miles northwest Carrizozo, Mexico Mesa. theTheChupadera The ranch is deeded comprised of 30,680 15,931 nearby Sacramento and Jicarilla Mountains.

Located federal BLM lease acres and 9,208 NMlease State leaseapproxacres.9,208 The maximum of the ranch is listed at 1,200 deeded acres, 30,680 federal BLM acres and NM Stategrazing lease capacity acres. The maximum grazing capacityA.U.Y.L. of the BLACKWATER DRAW RANCH – Nice well improved ranch imately 30 northwest Carrizozo, Mexico onno the The ranch is fully readyThe toNew turn outiswith start up costs.

Watered wells extensive pipeline system. ranch is miles listed atoperational, 1,200ofA.U.Y.L. ranch fully operational, ready to turnwith outsixwith noand startanup costs. Watered with six property located just 15 minutes from downtown Roswell, NM Chupadera The ranch of Ample 15,931 deeded Ample big Mesa. game hunting onis comprised the system. ranch to includebig elk,game mulehunting deer, antelope and oryx.

Accesselk, to the is limited wells and an extensive pipeline on the ranch to include mulepublic deer,land antelope and with oryx. alongincludes and south U.S. Highwayand 70/380.

Improvements include acres, federal acres and NM approximately 7,000 acres private land gated andState locked.

The price all ofranch equipment.

Ranch Access30,680 to the publicBLM landlease isof limited with9,208 approximately 7,000 acres of private land vehicles gated and locked.

The The 100100 Ranch has a custom designed rock home, guest house, Quonset Barn, lease acres.

The maximum grazing capacity of the ranch isalisted has two owners since 1940s. oneofof akind. kind.Co-listed Co-listedwith with Mossy Mossy Oak Oak Properties Properties NM NM Ranch & Luxury, LLC. had had just just two owners since thethe 1940s.

It It is isone Ranchinto & two Luxury, LLC. barns, and a good set of pipe pens.

Partitioned larger atPrice: 1,200$11,000,000 A.U.Y.L. The ranch is fully operational, ready turn out www.ranchesnm.com Callfor for brochure view onto my website: www.ranchesnm.com Price: $9,995,000 Call aabrochure ororview on my website: pastures and two smaller pastures. Acreage includes 2,185 with no start up costs. Watered with six wells and just an extensive COCHISE RANCH – Ranch property located west of Roswell, NM U.S. Highway 70/380 totoRuidoso, COCHISE RANCH – Ranch located just west of Roswell, NMalong along and adjacent U.S.Lease Highway 70/380 Ruidoso, deeded acresand andadjacent 320 NMtoto State acres.

The Blackwater pipeline system.

Ample big game property hunting on the ranch to include NM. Comprised of 6,607 deeded acres and 80 acres ofofNM State Lease acres.

Water isisprovided by three solar wells and pipelines.

NM. Comprised of 6,607 deeded acres and 80 acres NM State Lease acres.

Water provided by three solar wells and pipelines.

Draw Ranch is adjacent to the Cochise Ranch, the two may be elk, mule deer, antelope and oryx. Access to the public land is Fenced into several and small traps for aa registered cattle operation.

Improvements sets Fenced several pastures pastures traps suitable suitable registered cattlevery operation.

Improvements include two setsofofpens, pens, $1,350,000include Call fortwo a brochure or combined easily. Price: limited withinto approximately 7,000 and acressmall of private land gatedforand shop, Price: $2,500,000 Call for aa brochure on my shop, and and hay hay barn. barn.

Price: $2,500,000 brochure oror view view onon my website: www.ranchesnm.com view mywebsite: website:www.ranchesnm.com www.ranchesnm.com locked.

The price includes all ranch vehicles Call and for equipment.

BLACKWATER DRAW RANCH – Nice well improved ranch property located BLACKWATER RANCH Nicethe well1940s. improved property located just just 15 15 minutes minutesfrom fromdowntown downtownRoswell, Roswell,NM NM The 100 Ranch has DRAW had just two owners–since It is ranch KELLEY PECAN ORCHARD – 10.2 acreshouse, with over 230 Barn, along of 70/380.

Improvements along and south of U.S. U.S. Highway 70/380.

Improvements include aa custom custom designed designed rock rock home, home, guest guest house, Quonset Quonset Barn, one of aand kind.south Co-listed withHighway Mossy Oak Properties NM Ranch &include mature producing pecan trees located just west of Roswell, barns, and good set Partitioned into and smaller pastures.

Acreage includes 2,185 barns,LLC. and aaPrice: good$11,000,000 set of of pipe pipe pens. pens.

Partitioned into twolarger larger pastures andtwo twowater smaller pastures.

Acreage includesirrigation 2,185deeded deeded Call for a brochure or two view on pastures Luxury, NM. Artesian rights with one well supplies acres and NM isis adjacent toto the Cochise Ranch, the two may be combined acres and 320 320 NM State State Lease Lease acres. acres. The The Blackwater Blackwater Draw Draw Ranch Ranch adjacent the Cochise Ranch, the two may be combined my website: www.ranchesnm.com water through a newly installed sprinkler system to the orchard. very website: very easily. easily. Price: Price: $1,350,000 $1,350,000 Call Call for for aa brochure brochure oror view view on on my myImprovements website: www.ranchesnm.com www.ranchesnm.com include a large 5,400 square foot two story coloCOCHISE RANCH – Ranch property located just west of KELLEY PECAN ORCHARD – 10.2 acres with over 230 mature producing pecan west Roswell, KELLEY PECAN ORCHARD – 10.2 acres with over 230nial mature producingthat pecan trees located just just west ofofLiving Roswell, style residence hastrees been located featured in Southern Roswell, NM along and adjacent to U.S. Highway 70/380 to NM. Artesian water rights with one well supplies irrigation water through aa newly installed sprinkler system toto the NM. Artesian water rights with one well supplies irrigation water through newly installed sprinkler system the Magazine.

This property is one of a kind.

Call for an appointment Ruidoso, NM. Comprised of 6,607 deeded acres and 80 acres orchard. Improvements include aa large 5,400 square foot story colonial residence has been include large by 5,400 square foot two two storya look colonial style residence that has been featured featured Price: $975,000 Call for ainin to take or forstyle a color brochure.that oforchard.

NM StateImprovements Lease acres. Water is provided three solar wells Southern Living Magazine.

This property isis one aa kind. for take look Southern Living Magazine.

Thispastures propertyand one ofoftraps kind. Call Callbrochure for an an appointment appointment take aawww.ranchesnm.com look oror for for aa color color brochure. brochure. or view on mytotowebsite: and pipelines.

Fenced into several small Price: Price: $975,000 $975,000 Call Call for for aa brochure brochure or or view view on on my my website: website: www.ranchesnm.com www.ranchesnm.com CONTACT CONTACT

Paul Bottari, Broker

Pioneer Realty 1304 Pile Street, Clovis, NM 88101

BAR BAR M M REAL REAL ESTATE ESTATE

Bar M Real Real Estate Estate

Bar M Real Estate

Bottari Realty

www.ranchesnm.com 575/622-5867 575/420-1237

Selling residential, farm, ranch, commercial and relocating properties.

Scott McNally, Qualifying Broker

Scott Qualifying Broker Scott McNally, McNally, Qualifying Broker Bar M Real Estate, LLC P.O. Box 428, Roswell, NM 88202 Roswell, 88202 Roswell, NM NM 88202 Office: 575-622-5867 Cell: 575-420-1237 Office: •• Cell: www.ranchesnm.com Office: 575-622-5867 575-622-5867 Cell: 575-420-1237 575-420-1237

www.ranchesnm.com www.ranchesnm.com

Qualifying Broker

505-507-2915 cell 505-838-0095 fax

116 Plaza PO Box 1903 Socorro, NM 87801 www.socorroplazarealty.com dbrown@socorroplazarealty.com

Qualifying Broker: A.H. (Jack) Merrick 575-760-7521 www.buenavista-nm.com

REAL ESTATE GUIDE GUIDE

Donald Brown

521 West Second St., Portales, NM 88130

575-226-0671 www.buenavista-nm.com

Near Conchas and Ute Lakes - 1616 S Sixth St. 3 bdr, 1 full and a 3/4 bath 1600 sq. ft. home on a large lot in Tucumcari, drive thru carport with large yard, great neighborhood, near all schools and Mesa College.

Ute Lake - Logan, NM - 715 Fox Drive - 1/2 mile from boat ramp, fenced w/chain link. Nice 2 bdrm, 1 bath mobile home with sturdy carport on each side, and very nice deck on east side.

Lots of pictures of both properties on website

See these and other properties at www.buenavista-nm.com

M U R N E Y , ASSOCIATES, REALTORS® 1625 E. Primrose • Springfield, MO 65804 • murney.com • 823-2300

See all my listings at: paulmcgilliard.murney.com Paul McGilliard - Cell: 417/839-5096 • 1-800/743-0336

Missouri Land Sales • A STUNNING HORSE FACILITY. Situated in a desirable area, Rogersville schools, beautiful 4,139 sq.ft home. 4 bdrms and 4 baths, a 7,200 sq. ft. indoor riding arena, 5 horse stalls expandable to 7 (12 x 12), a 72 x 12 walkway, 36 x 12 tack room, feed room, 72 x 24 hay loft, outdoor wash rack, 120 x 12 outside overhangs, individual fenced horse runs from stalls. Entire property is fenced annd cross fenced, 5 pastures and acreage for hay. This home has geo-thermal heating and cooling, as well as a full Generac backup generator, all set up.

Also included is a full sprinkler system on all floors of this home. Three fireplaces (one on each level). So much to offer, and quite unique to find something this well-built. A must-see property. MLS#60148628 • GREENFIELD TRADING POST. Available for sale at the corner of Hwy. 160 (Grand) & H Hwy. Newer tile floors, ADA bathrooms, outside storage tanks, 4 double side gas pumps. Owner reports a brisk business with sales around $1m last year. Store features a bait room for fishing at nearby Stockton Lake. Property has roll up garage door for easy storage of equipment and inventory. Vendor for popular Hunt Pizza with small eat-in area. Multiple coolers, coffee makers and shelving are included in sale. 2080 sf in store, 1120 sf for storage of inventory. This is an unbranded station. MLS# 80140975.

O’NEILL O’NEILL LAND, LAND, llc llc P.O. Box 145, Cimarron, NM 87714 • 575/376-2341 • Fax: 575/376-2347 P.O. Box 145, Cimarron, NM 87714 ••575/376-2341 • Fax: 575/376-2347 land@swranches.com www.swranches.com

land@swranches.com • www.swranches.com

CHICO CREEK RANCH, Colfax County, NM. NEW WAGON MOUND Mora/ LISTING. 6,404.26 +/- TotalRANCH, Acres, Located approxHarding 8,880.80 +/imately 10 Counties, miles east ofNM. Springer New Mexico.

3,692.60 +/- deeded acres withholding balance in state Total Acres, a substantial with lease. and water. miles of goodExcellent mix ofgrass grazing landTwo andplus broken the Chico Creek meandering through the River. center of country off rim into Canadian the property. Additional wells and dirt tanks. Nice Has modern water system located historic head quarters privately located with shade 17 miles east views of Wagon Mound off trees and excellent of the property.

Shipping pavement miles on county pens in central then portion3of property. $2,837,318 road. TwoMOUND bedroom historic house, WAGON RANCH, Mora/Harding once a NM. stage stop. +/Wildlife include Counties, 8,880.80 Total Acres, a substantial holding withdeer goodand mix some of grazing antelope, mule elk.land and broken country off rim into Canadian River. $2,440,000 $2,710,000 Has modern water system located 17 miles east of Wagon Mound off pavement then 3 miles FRENCH TRACT FARM, 491.55 +/-on county road.

Two bedroom historic house, deeded acres, Colfax County, NM once two a stage stop.some Wildlifegated include pipe, antelope, muleirrideer pivots, 371 and some elk. $2,710,000 $2,440,000 gation shares in AVID, House, barn, MIAMI HORSE HEAVEN, Colfax County, NM. close to exit 419 off I25 on HWY 58.

Very private approx. 4,800 sq ft double walled All in4 bedroom, one contiguous parcelwithwith adobe 3 bathroom home many accessfeatures, on all sides. custom 77.50 $700,000 +/- deeded acres with water rights and large 7 stall barn, insulated RATON DOLLAR VIEW, metal shop MILLION with own septic.

Would suit indoor Colfax County, +/- deedgrowing operation,NM. large97.68 hay barn/equipment ed acres in 2 parcels with excellent shed. $1,375,000 FRENCH TRACT FARM, 491.55 +/- deeded acres,

C O N TR A C T P E N D IN G

Colfax County, NM two pivots, some gated pipe,

home, big shop, a true 371 irrigation shares wildlife, in AVID, House, barn,million close to dollar view atonthe end a private road. exit 419 off I25 HWY 58.of All in one contiguous parcel with access all sides.with $700,000 $489,000.

Alsoonlisted the house RATON DOLLAR VIEW, Colfax County, and oneMILLION parcel for $375,000 NM. 97.68 +/- deeded acres in 2 parcels with MIAMI 20 ACRES, Colfax NM excellent home, big shop, wildlife,County, a true million quality 2,715 sqftof adobe home, barn, dollar view at the end a private road. $489,000.

Also listed fruit with the house one parcel for grounds, trees andandmature trees. $375,000 private setting. REDUCED Extremely MIAMI 20 This ACRES, NM listed quali$355,000. is aColfax mustCounty, see. Also ty 2,715 sqft house adobe home, barn, grounds, fruit with same with 10 +/deeded trees and mature trees. Extremely private setting. acres for $310,000 REDUCED $355,000. This is a must see. Also listed with same19.50 house with ACRES, 10 +/- deeded acres MAXWELL Colfax for $310,000 County, NM quality extensive remodMAXWELL 19.50 ACRES, Colfax County, NM eled two bedroom, one bathroom home quality extensive remodeled two bedroom, one with waterhome rights, for livebathroom with outbuildings water rights, outbuildings stock in NEinNM. Great south facingporch porch for livestock NE NM. Great south facing for for sipping iced tea cooling offftatelevation.

6,000 sipping iced tea cooling off at 6,000 make great summer winter ftWould elevation.

Would makegetaway greatand summer ski base. $270,000 getaway and winter ski base. $270,000

CONTRACT P E N D IN G

MORA COUNTY COUNTY 160 ACRES, 12 miles south MORA 160+/-+/ACRES, 12 miles east of Wagon Mound, remote,remote, excellentexcelsolar south east of Wagon Mound, well good mix of sub irrigated and range. Small lent solar well good mix of sub irrigated cabin. $154,000 and range. Small cabin. $154,000

February 15, 2020

Livestock Market Digest

The View

Beef Checkoff Prevails in Court Ruling

A

Montana magistrate judge granted summary judgement on January 29, 2020 to the government and the 15 qualified state beef councils targeted in the R-CALF vs. Sonny Perdue lawsuit. That decision will now be forwarded to the federal district court for a final ruling, a process that may take months or longer. It could continue to be appealed by either party after the district court judge issues an opinion.

In May of last year R-CALF USA had asked Montana’s federal district court to declare the beef checkoff in 15

states unconstitutional, contending the state beef councils are private corporations that have been keeping half of all the mandatory beef checkoff assessments collected within their states to fund their private speech. R-CALF, through its legal counsel Public Justice, argued the beef councils’ actions violated the First Amendment.

The states named were: Hawaii, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont, and Wisconsin.

USDA Proposes Criteria to Better Determine Violations of Packers and Stockyards Act SOURCE: USDA AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE |

T

he USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) published in the Federal Register a new proposed rule on January 10, 2020, specifying four criteria the Agency would consider when determining whether an undue or unreasonable preference or advantage has occurred in violation of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act. The public is invited to comment on the proposed criteria until March 13, 2020.

The P&S Act states that it is unlawful for a packer, swine contractor or live poultry dealer to make or give any undue or unreasonable preference or advantage to a seller or grower of livestock or poultry. An undue or unreasonable preference or advantage is an action that creates excessively favorable conditions for one or more persons, reducing opportunities for optimal pricing and business success for competitors.

The proposed criteria will serve as a basis to determine whether these differences are a reasonable and fair preference or advantage. Under the proposed rule, USDA would consider whether a preference or advantage meets one or more of the criteria below: •cannot be justified on the

basis of a cost savings related to dealing with different producers, sellers, or growers.

•cannot be justified on the basis of meeting a competitor’s prices.

•cannot be justified on the basis of meeting other terms offered by a competitor and, •cannot be justified as a reasonable business decision that would be customary in the industry.

USDA would not be limited to considering only these four criteria, but could also take other factors into consideration as appropriate on a case-bycase basis. The proposed rule retains necessary flexibility while providing greater clarity around what may constitute a violation.

These criteria are being provided for public comment for 60 days. Comments will be taken into consideration as we work to finalize these guidelines. Comments must be submitted through http://www. regulations.gov and should reference the document number on the top of the first page of the proposed rule, along with the Federal Register date and page number where the published proposed rule is located.

AMS will make all submitted comments available to the public, including the identity of the commenter and any personal information provided.

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Page 7

FROM THE BACK SIDE

Fake Cow Herd and Other Fake Outs

BY BARRY DENTON

(The views expressed in this column are not necessarily those of the New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association or this publication.)

I

was thinking about this the other day. If you are going to have fake meat, a person would have to raise a lot of fake cows, and why can’t I be the first?

Will I need fake cow dogs to work the cattle? Fake meat just sounds fun, kind of like fake Hollywood. However, what do you feed a fake cow?

Plastic would be my first guess. Perhaps, I could get a contract for all the illegal plastic straws in California to feed the fake cows. I should have no problem finding help, as there are lots of fake cowboys.

I’ll just start recruiting at drug stores. You know those guys that have a big hat and not much else?

I should be able to find

a fake ranch easily, because those abound as well. I think California has an abundance of fake. Yes, we all expect the movies to be fake, but now they even have a fake governor. It’s remarkable that he told you he would act like a governor when he took the job and has not done anything that even resembles being a real governor.

Let’s get on with something serious here. By now we have all heard about how wonderful fake burgers are for you and the environment. Ha! Ha! Ha! I just cannot stop laughing when people tell me a fake burger will help save the environment.

Whole Foods CEO John Mackey says, “The brands who are capturing the imagination of people—and I’m not going to name these brands because I’m afraid I will be associated with the critique of it, says Mackey, “but some of these that are extremely popular now that are taking the

world by storm, if you look at the ingredients, they are super highly processed foods. I don’t think eating highly processed foods is healthy. I think people thrive on eating whole foods.”

“They are not necessarily healthier than beef burgers,” Alissa Rumsey, a registered dietician, told CNBC. “They’re totally fine to eat, but there’s no need to replace your beef burger if you don’t enjoy these, Rumsey added, pointing out that both beef burgers and plant-based burgers have the same amount of sodium and saturated fat.

However, I am amazed at the proponents of this stuff and how good of a job that they have done convincing the public that it is true. People get up in the morning thinking that they will save the planet.

I think you will find many of them driving around in their Toyota Prius. You won’t find them racing the engine on continued on page ten

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Page 8

Livestock Market Digest

February 15, 2020

Cyclical Herd Expansion Over; Record Beef Production in 2020 from the 2014 low of 29.0 million cows. That is a total cyclical expansion of 9.4%, or an average of 1.9 percent per year for the five years of expansion.

Beef replacement heifers were pegged at 5.77 million head, down 1.9% year over year.

The inventory of beef replacement heifers is 18.4 percent of the beef cow inventory, a level that historically has not indicated significant liquidation.

However, in 2019, replacement heifers were 18.6 percent of the beef cow inventory but sharply higher beef cow slaughter at the end of the year pushed the culling rate fractionally over 10% and resulted in modest reduction in the herd inventory. The number of beef heifers expected to calve in 2020 is 3.5 million head, 0.8% lower, year over year.

The dairy cowherd on Jan. 1 was 9.33 million head, down

BY DERRELL S. PEEL, OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION LIVESTOCK MARKETING SPECIALIST

T

he latest cattle report issued by USDA confirms that cyclical herd expansion in the U.S. is over. The total inventory of all cattle and calves on Jan. 1, 2020, was 94.413 million head, down 0.4% from one year ago. The numbers indicate that, while cattle inventories have stopped growing, no major liquidation is underway.

The beef cow inventory is 31.3 million head, down 374,000 head or 1.2% lower year-over-year. The peak beef cow inventory for 2019 was 31.7 million (revised down by 75,000 head from the previous report).

This means that the total herd expansion in this cycle was an increase of 2.73 million head

a scant 18,800 head from last year. Dairy replacement heifers were 4.64 million head, down 0.9% year over year. The dairy replacements heifer inventory is 49.7% of the dairy cowherd, slightly lower than the average of the last decade. The number of dairy heifers expected to calve this year is down 2.5% year over year.

The 2019 calf crop was 36.06 million head, down 0.7% year over year. The cyclical peak 2018 calf crop of 36.3 million was the largest calf crop since 2007 when the total calf crop was 36.8 million head.

The Jan. 1, 2020, inventory of other heifers was 9.71 million head, up 0.9% year over year; the inventory of steers over 500 pounds was 16.67 million head, down 0.5%; and calves under 500 pounds had an inventory of 14.74 million head, up 1.4%

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year over year. The total of other heifers, steers, and calves minus the cattle on feed inventory leads to an estimated supply of feeder cattle outside of feedlots of 26.45 million head, down 0.4% from one year ago.

The cattle on feed inventory of 14.67 million head, up 2.1% year over year, is the largest since the 2008 level of 14.8 million head. These numbers show that the last pulse of larger cattle numbers are currently in feedlots and cattle slaughter will be up in the first quarter before declining through the second half of the year. However, higher carcass weights are projected to offset a slight decline in cattle

slaughter and push total 2020 beef production higher to new record levels. Beef production is likely, however, to be lower year over year by the fourth quarter of the year.

Market conditions in 2020 will determine the trajectory of the cattle industry from this point forward. Modestly higher prices are projected in 2020, combined with improved international market potential, could restart herd expansion. Alternatively, continued political and economic turbulence or shocks, such as coronavirus, could drag markets down and hold cattle inventories flat or fall into more liquidation.

Do You Have a Flight Plan?

w o N e W b i r c s b Su ock

and phone passwords • Bank account information (where accounts are held, achat is a flight plan and count numbers) why do people need • Safety deposit box information one? The name comes (location and who can access) ck public • Lock codes or vcombinations from the hymn “I’ll fly away.” livesto e i t a gun safe, in-home “I’ll fly away, oh, glory, I’ll fly (gatet ilocks, nform os barn m safes, or buildings) s ’ away. When I die, hallelujah, by t s uthwe o • Payment information such as and by, I’ll flyhaway.”

S e T payee, due dates, and payment

By Albert E. Brumley KET A flight plan is simply a fold- amounts for important Rdebts A M er that contains important doc- (i.e. mortgage, land payments, uments, key information that operating notes) heirs may need to access upon • Identification documents: someone’s death, hospitaliza- copies of driver’s licenses, birth social security tion, or other state of incapaci- certificates, tation. Taking the time to gather cards, marriage licenses, miliup important documents and tary discharge papers. critical information is one of the • Documents related to real esbest gifts that a person can give tate: deeds, titles, registrations, Please subscribe mesurto leases, royalty documents, to his or her family.

What should be included in veys, water permits the Livestock Market Digest for: the flight plan? Here are some • List of assets (personal property and all business assets) at $29. ideas to help get 1 started: Year at $19.95 2 Years • Current estate planning docu- • List of livestock, stored crops, ments (will, powers of attorney, and marketing contacts • Crop insurance policies and advanced directive) • Retirement plan information FSA contracts NAME • List of all key business rela(IRA/401K/Pension) • Copies of any life insurance tionships (attorney, accountant, banker, insurance agent, compolicies ADDRESS • Copies of health insurance modity buyers) Once this information is policies • Burial plot location and funer- gathered, it needs to be put somewhere safe. It is also crital instructions PHONE • Email, account, computer, continued on page nine

BY TIFFANY DOWELL LASHMET FOR THE TEXAS AG LAW BLOG

t s e Liv Digest 3Yes.

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February 15, 2020

Livestock Market Digest

Page 9

BLM Takes Steps to Improve Administration of Grazing Regulations WASHINGTON – The Bureau of Land Management has published a Notice of Intent in the Federal Register to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement to consider proposed revisions to the agency’s grazing regulations. The BLM currently manages livestock grazing on 155 million of the 245 million acres of public land and administers nearly 18,000 grazing permits and leases.

“Administration of sustainable livestock grazing on public lands is a key part of the Bureau of Land Management’s multiple-use mission. We continue to seek ways to improve and streamline the grazing permit process to achieve greater efficiencies and service to permittees,” said Acting Assistant Secretary of Land and Minerals Management Casey B. Hammond.

“This rulemaking effort is designed to strengthen and improve our administration of grazing permits across the West, and we welcome public and stakeholder ideas and perspectives.”

The proposed revisions will update, modernize and streamline the grazing regulations and provide greater flexibility for land and resource management. Through this rulemaking, the BLM seeks to improve existing landuse planning and grazing permitting procedures, while simultaneously promoting public lands conservation. The BLM hopes to improve its stewardship of the nation’s rangeland resources by strengthening controls to prevent unauthorized grazing, enhancing environmental protections across various non-grazing land-use programs, and improving public input opportunities.

The BLM is currently managing 11 demonstration projects in six states as part of our outcome-based grazing authorizations initiative. These demonstration projects provide BLM, working in partnership with ranchers and other partners, with opportunities to improve our guidance and best management practices to use when issuing grazing permits. Lessons learned from developing cooperative monitoring plans and land health evaluations under this initiative may also be incorporated into this regulatory process.

By publishing this Notice of Intent, the BLM is informing the public about the proposed revisions and how interested parties can comment. Public scoping meetings will be held in in February to further inform the public about this project. These meetings include:

Las Cruces, New Mexico: February 11 at the Las Palmas Grill, 201 East University Ave., from 4:30-7:30 p.m.; Elko, Nevada: February 18 at the Elko Convention Center, 700 Moren Way, from 4:30-7:30 p.m.; and Casper, Wyoming: February 20, at the Casper Events Center, 1 Events Dr., from 4:30-7:30 p.m.

Comments on the proposed regulation revisions may be submitted in writing until March 6, 2020.* Meeting information, announcements, instructions on how to provide comments, and pertinent documents can be found at the BLM website at https://go.usa.gov/ xyMqb. For more information, contact Seth Flanigan, BLM Project Manager, at 208-384-3450 or BLM_WO_grazing_ email@blm.gov.

Novel Coronavirus and Livestock: Is There a Connection?

W

hen reports of the novel coronavirus epidemic in China first hit the U.S., very few people had likely heard of coronaviruses, with some notable exceptions: cattle producers and their veterinarians.

It’s not that people involved with cattle health have any particular insight into the increasing human toll the novel coronavirus is inflicting overseas.

Rather, it’s a reflection that generations of cattle producers have recognized coronavirus as a significant cause of diarrhea in their young calves.

FLIGHT PLAN ical to let someone else know where this information is located and to ensure that someone has access. For example, if the flight plan is going to be stored in a safety deposit box, it is important to ensure that at least two other people know the location of the plan and that those people have access to the safety deposit box on the signature cards.

I realize that this may seem like a daunting project. It is time-consuming and it is never enjoyable to think about one’s own death. But by taking the

What’s the connection between novel coronaviruses in China and the “scours” germ cow-calf and dairy producers deal with? Except for the name, very little.

There are many different versions of human and animal coronaviruses throughout the world. Many animal caretakers have probably dealt with coronavirus infections for years without realizing it.

Swine producers and their vets have fought Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PED) Virus and (historically) Transmissible Gastroenteritis (TGE) Virus.

Companion animal veterinarians recognize Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) Virus as a cause of illness in cats – all coronaviruses. continued from page eight

time to prepare a flight plan, a person empowers family members to act when something happens without having to search for information.

Additionally, having this information collected will be helpful for additional steps in the estate planning process and will likely allow more efficient use of an attorney’s time and the client’s money when it comes time to sit down and make an estate plan and draft documents like wills, trusts, LLCs, or other necessary documents.

Considering the above list, it should be apparent that the vast majority of these coronaviruses stick to their own species.

No human or cross-species illnesses have resulted from bovine coronaviruses, PED, TGE, or FIP. This is due to the very specific molecular makeup of the “spikes” on the surface of each different coronavirus version.

In order for coronaviruses to cause infection, these specific spike molecules need to attach to very specific molecules on a body cell, in a lock-and-key fashion. Pig cells have different surface molecules than do calf cells, than do human cells, and so on. Additionally, respiratory cells have different surface molecules than do intestinal cells. This explains why different coronavirus strains affect specific species and body systems, as well as the variability in the usefulness of different coronavirus vaccines (fair for bovine coronavirus, good for TGE, poor for PEDV).

Yet changes can occur to these viral molecules over time.

A small shift in the molecular structure of the spike, and you may end up with a virus that

mal” coronaviruses cause cold symptoms in people everywhere.

Could common animal coronaviruses (e.g., bovine coronavirus or PEDV) ever morph into viruses that make people sick? Despite our long history with these germs, it hasn’t happened yet. When PEDV splashed into the world of pork production in 2013, it wasn’t because of a change in the virus: it simply was moved from overseas to the US. Despite its likely animal origin, the current novel coronavirus hasn’t yet made animals sick where human illnesses have been common. That’s the good news for our animals, should the virus become established in the US. Swings in global financial markets have occurred due to worries about restrictions on travel and other human activity, not any perceived problem with livestock or the food supply.

But things can change. The novel coronavirus situation bears close watching, especially if evidence emerges that the virus is behaving in a different manner than currently expected.

can affect a different part of the body or different species.

In investigating where the Chinese novel coronavirus began, authorities have pointed the finger at a “wet market” in one Chinese city. Wet markets are fascinating places where people can buy supplies, food, and live animals. The variety and number of live animals for sale can be astounding: chickens, pigeons, bats, rodents, snakes, and more. Throw in thousands of human shoppers and you have a unique opportunity for viruses to “try out” infecting species besides their normal host. Sometimes – apparently in this case – it works.

There’s some historical precedence to fall back on here.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) took the world by storm in the early 2000’s.

With its likely origin in a bat, it looks like that coronavirus slowly circulated among people in wet markets before it became efficient at infecting people. MERS (Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome) emerged quite similarly more recently – with origins in bats and camels. Much more commonly, other circulating “nor-

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Page 10

Livestock Market Digest

February 15, 2020

Federal Takeover of Electricity Production?

BY GAVIN BADE / POLITICO.COM

S

enator Bernie Sanders has put nationalizing health insurance at the center of his presidential campaign, but his proposal to fight climate change also calls for a government takeover of a fundamental segment of the economy — electricity production.

Sanders has laid out a $16 trillion climate change plan that would transition U.S. electricity generation away from fossil fuels to renewable resources like wind, solar and hydropower by 2030. That’s far faster than any other Democratic candidate’s target and sets a pace that rivals like former Vice President Joe Biden say is unrealistic.

And like Sanders’ healthcare plan, the green energy push would muscle many of the coun-

try’s biggest companies out of the business.

A Sanders administration would pour funding into the four existing “power marketing administrations” that are overseen by the Energy Department, as well as the Tennessee Valley Authority and one newly created entity, to vastly expand their solar, wind and geothermal power production. Those organizations currently provide power from hydroelectric dams to 33 states, and would be able to sell the increased green energy to local utilities nationwide — creating a sort of “public option” that would compete with the coal, natural gas and nuclear plants owned by privately owned power generators.

But critics say that government expansion won’t sit well in many parts of the country, in-

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cluding some places Democrats will need to defeat President Donald Trump.

“What the Sanders proposal would do is create an 800-pound federally owned power gorilla that would make it very hard for the existing generators to compete,” said Josh Freed, head of energy and climate policy at Third Way, a centrist think tank that opposes the Sanders plan.

“I think a plan like this could turn off voters in large parts of the country. It would have challenges in Pennsylvania, Michigan — a lot of the states that are competitive for the election.”

The Sanders campaign has defended its plan as the only one that could reduce greenhouse gas emissions quickly enough to meaningfully combat climate change, and his allies have applauded his desire to take on the utility industry, which for decades resisted climate action.

“This threat is beyond ideology — it’s a question of life and death,” said Sanders’ national policy director Josh Orton.

“That’s why [Bernie’s] plan is not only the most comprehensive, but is truly the only plan that makes the investments necessary to prevent irreversible damage to the planet.”

Critics say the Sanders plan would dramatically shrink the utility companies like Dominion, Duke Energy and Exelon that have major power-producing businesses. And they worry that saddling the federal utilities with a massive green power mandate would hamper the thriving renewable energy industry and complicate an already slow transition to a low-carbon economy.

“This isn’t health care,” said Pat Wood III, the former chairman of the board at generator Dynegy and Republican head of

the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission under President George W. Bush. “We don’t need more cost-effective [clean energy] supplier options. There are plenty of them.”

Representatives of the American Public Power Association and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, which represent municipal and customer-owned utilities, declined to comment on the plan. The Edison Electric Institute, which represents privately owned utilities, did not respond to a request.

Sanders plans to use the EPA to set strict carbon dioxide emissions limits — much more stringent than the Obama EPA’s rules for power plants that were rolled back by the Trump administration — to force utilities to retire coal and gas plants.

To replace that electricity, local utilities could buy renewable energy from the federal utilities, or from clean power plants owned by privately owned generators.

Reshaping the federal utilities would be no simple task: It would require Congress to amend multiple laws authorizing the entities, like the Tennessee Valley Act and DOE Organization Act, likely along with the Clean Air Act to give the EPA stronger authority to regulate carbon. Even if Democrats were to win control of the Senate in November, those plans would still face a tough path in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, where the top Democrat, West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, has been a staunch supporter of the coal and natural gas industries. Manchin’s office did not respond to a request for comment.

But like other Sanders energy plans — such as his proposal

FAKE COW HERDS their muscle cars sitting next to you at the stop light. Adding to that the kids of these planet freaks, think it is being “cool” to brag about how many miles to the gallon their cars get.

How sad is that, no one has told them it is not cool. They are missing out on building engines in the backyard that will run hard and go fast, and suck lots of fuel through a double barreled carburetor. There is nothing worse for the kid than taking a girl out on a date in a boxy car that cannot make it up the mountain going faster than 30 mph. Don’t worry, on her next date she will be riding in a car with a boy that has racing slicks on the back.

Have you noticed how successful the Barrett Jackson car auctions are? Americans still love their fast cars and fossil fuels, especially since we are no longer dependent on the Middle East.

When the scientists come up with better fuels that have more power, and are less expensive, you will see America embrace it, but not until then.

The planet has been here for millions of years, man cannot save it or destroy it. Man may make parts of it more miserable than it is now, but the earth will recover and prevail in spite of man.

Think of the Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989 in Prince William Sound, Alaska. It was touted as the worst oil spill in history.

They cleaned it up and now thirty years later, it is back to being one of Alaska’s prime fishing areas. Of course, the extreme environmentalists at the time said the area was ruined forever. Once again they were proved to be wrong. Speaking of hypocrites, did you notice the Sierra Club or Greenpeace knocking on Saddam Hussein’s door with a lawsuit when he dumped Kuwait’s oil into the Persian Gulf? Doesn’t that sound a little fake to you?

Those organizations are truly only committed to ruining lives where there is zero risk to them.

It never quite dawns on these folks that someone has more power than mankind. Common sense tells you that climate change has been around

to reshape federal power regulations — his campaign insists changes to government-owned utilities could be pushed through Congress’s budget reconciliation process, which lawmakers used to enact the Affordable Care Act and requires only a simple majority vote. If that fails, Sanders could use the president’s power to declare a national emergency on climate, which would give him broad authority to reshape the utilities but would likely be challenged in court.

Established under President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal, the power marketing administrations were created to close a divide in U.S. electricity access that persisted into the 1930s.

By forming utilities like the Tennessee Valley Authority and the Bonneville Power Administration, the government financed the electrification of poor, remote communities where private utilities saw little opportunity for profit.

The Sanders plan comes amid an uptick in progressive groups’ calls to expand public power.

Climate activists from the Democratic Socialists of America have called for San Francisco to take over parts of Pacific Gas and Electric, the investor-owned utility that declared bankruptcy last year as it faced billions in liabilities for multiple deadly California forest fires. In Chicago, activists are pushing the city to split from the nuclear-heavy utility Exelon, and in Maine, Gov. Janet Mills signed a bill last summer directing state regulators to study forming a public power group.

In the past, public power campaigns, including a years’continued on page eleven continued from page seven

since the beginning. People that think climate change is man made are quite arrogant in my book. Since when does mankind have power over much of anything? limate change is fake news folks, as evidenced by weather charts, cycles, and storms. Mankind has never effected weather in any way nor could it. Stop and think about it. Mankind cannot even predict weather accurately because it changes and we cannot keep up with it. Meteorologists do their best, but are proven wrong time and time again.

For example consider the beautiful Monument Valley of Arizona and Utah. Scientists have pretty well proven that that area was under water for thousands of years causing the unique erosion.

Are you going to tell me that mankind drained the water out and formed a desert just so tourists could go and visit there?

Have you ever considered that climate change promoters are hucksters? Look down through history, if you can scare masses of people, and convince them that you are their saving grace, then you can control them. That’s what socialists are attempting to do with our alleged free country.

They are trying to scare you into giving up your rights. If you doubt me consider how many laws politicians create every year trying to erode your freedom bit by bit. Fake fear is promoted constantly in this country. Don’t vote for any law unless it is a repeal of an existing one.

The United Nations Agenda 21 is alive and well in these United States trying to eliminate our rural lifestyle. Now, that is a real threat that you need to examine pretty close. Consider that the Center For Biological Diversity currently has 179 lawsuits against the Trump Administration. Let’s hope they lose them all.

I urge you all to invest in my fake cow herd, because if you don’t Al Gore’s end of the world in 2013, will show up in 2021 and you will all perish.

Al & I will have lots of fake burgers for years to come.

February 15, 2020

Livestock Market Digest

Page 11

FEDERAL TAKEOVER long push to create a municipal utility in Boulder, Colo., have run aground over disputes about purchasing utility lines and power plants from their owners. But the Sanders’ campaign says its proposal differs in a critical way: It would not make the government purchase power plants from existing utilities — it would build new renewable energy to compete with them.

“It is a hybrid plan and it harkens back to the original New Deal where they created these [federal utilities], and they were about lowering the cost of energy for consumers and having cooperative relationships with municipally or publicly owned utilities,” said Johanna Bozuwa, co-manager of the climate and energy program at the progressive think tank The Next System Project. “That creates more incentive and more potential for states, cities and regions that are trying to take over their power supplies. They know they have this option of cheap renewable energy.”

Energy analysts, however, caution that Sanders’s 2030 plan would require a federal infrastructure investment not seen since the construction of the interstate highway system.

To get close to Sanders’ 100 percent clean energy goal by 2030, researchers estimate the U.S. would need to add about 800 GW of wind and solar resources — about 25 times the amount the federal government expects to be built this year — along with ample amounts of battery storage and transmission. The Sanders camp forecasts that would cost about $2 trillion.

“Our best year for solar and wind — we’d have to multiply that by three and then sustain it for the next decade,” said Sonia Aggarwal, vice president at the analysis firm Energy Innovation, which advises world governments on their climate targets.

While turning the power grid over to 100 percent renewables presents significant technical difficulties, the clean energy deployment is “not out of the question,” Aggarwal said. However, Sanders’ plan to shut down nuclear power plants will make it “much more difficult.” The nation’s 60 nuclear plants generated more than half of U.S. carbon-free energy last year, but the Sanders campaign says it will phase them out by denying extensions of their operating licenses when they expire.

Many of those nuclear plants have licenses that expire after 2030, but Sanders expects the cheaper solar and wind power to drive most them into retirement. The stability those reactors provide to the power grid would be hard to replace with the variable output of the renewables, said Leah Stokes, assistant professor of political science at the University of California Santa Barbara.

“I feel like his plan does not grapple with the modeling that suggests 100 percent renewables is very expensive and very technically difficult,” Stokes said. “You can get to maybe 80 percent renewables easily, but I don’t think you can get to 100 percent that easily by 2030 … [and] if you compare to a situation where the nuclear energy stays open and you added all those renewables, then you’d have even more clean energy.”

For Sanders allies, the call

continued from page ten

to scale up renewable energy so quickly is a major reason to support their plan. If the federal government doesn’t intervene, they say, the private market won’t deliver the needed wind and solar growth quickly enough to combat climate change.

“We have done this type of scale before,” said Bozuwa.

“The Rural Electrification Administration, which was largely based on cooperative and public ownership, electrified a massive amount of the country in 10 years and that is the type of scale that we’re talking about here.”

Critics contend that the existing federal utilities may not be up to the task. Today, the Tennessee Valley Authority still generates about half its power from coal and is in the top-ten of carbon emitting U.S. utilities.

The four western power marketing administrations get most of their energy from hydropower dams, but many are also skeptical they are ready to undertake a massive renewable energy build-out.

Instead of relying on those agencies, Stokes and Wood said Sanders could achieve the

same goal with a national renewable energy standard that would force private utilities to buy renewable energy from private suppliers. In that case, the federal utilities could be used to

build only the riskiest projects the private companies won’t touch.

“I could see the benefit of having the federal government take on riskier, longer term proj-

ects that are needed for grid stability like concentrating solar power projects and pumped hydro,” Stokes said, “which probably is not how they’re thinking about it.”

14th Annual Bull Sale Cattlemen’s Livestock Auction Belen, NM

Monday, March 16, 2020, 1pm Wayne Connell – Auctioneer Cattlemen’s Livestock Auction – Belen, New Mexico Registered Angus Bulls

Remember: IT’S NOT BLACK HIDE, IT’S ANGUS INFLUENCE!

CALVING EASE • GROWTH • CARCASS

Selling 100 head two-year-old & yearling registered Angus bulls.

Made in the USA

For catalog call 575-535-2975 or email dogilvie1 @hotmail.com

BL

AC K

AN

GUS

Heartstone Angus, LLC U Bar Ranch J-C Angus

Page 12

Livestock Market Digest

February 15, 2020

l l u B s u g n a r B l l e w s Ro emale Sale 20 F

Females sell at 10 a.m.

Bulls sell at 1 p.m.

&

0 2 , 9 2 y r ! a L u L r E b e S F L L , I y a W d S r L u t L Sa R BEST BU

U O Y ONL 60 Brangus & Angus Plus Bulls

AT ROSWELL LIVESTOCK AUCTION ROSWELL, N.M. • 575/622-5580 Cattle may be viewed Friday, Feb. 28, 2020

• Most with EPDs • Registered and Commercial • Fertility Tested • These bulls have been bred and raised under Southwest range conditions.

• Most bulls rock-footed • Trich-tested to go anywhere

at Roswell Livestock Auction

This sale offers you some of the highest quality Brangus in the Southwest! The “good doing” kind.

BUY DIRECT FROM BRANGUS BREEDERS! NO HIGH-PRICED COMMISSION MEN TO RUN THE PRICE UP!

Females— 500 to 700 • Registered Open Heifers • Registered Bred Heifers and Bred Cows • Bred Cows and Pairs – 3- to 7-yrs.-old • Bred Heifers – Coming 2-yr.-olds • Open Yearling Heifers FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: Years Raising Bulls

Total:

41 years 16 years 36 years 36 years 36 years 46 years 206 years

Years as IBBA Director 12 years 5 years 6 years 6 years 3 years 6 years 38 years

Gayland/& Patty Townsend Steven Townsend Troy Floyd Bill Morrison Joe Lack Larry Parker

580/443-5777, Mob. 580/380-1606 Mob. 580/380-1968 575/734-7005, Mob. 575/626-4062 575/482-3254, Mob. 575/760-7263 575/267-1016 520/508-3505, Mob. 520/845-2411

TO RECEIVE A CATALOG CONTACT: Bill Morrison: 575/482-3254 • C: 575/760-7263 To Consign Top Females Contact: Gayland Townsend: 580/443-5777 • C: 580/380-1606