The Progressive Rancher - January 2021 by The Progressive Rancher

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IN THIS ISSUE 2 Cover - Meet Becky Prunty Lisle 19 Churchill County Cowbelles Update & Beef Recipe 3 President's Perspective & BQA

4 NCA Roundup | Special Meeting, 20 USDA | Conservation Efforts Continue Amid Challenging Year 55th Fallon All Breeds Bull Sale & 2020 President’s Award & 21 Falen Law Offices | Amy Coney Friend of PLC Winners Barrett: A Win for Landowners 6 NBC Checkoff News | 2021 22 Capital Issues | Updates from the Leadership Changes & Drool Log Public Lands Council 7 Nevada Beef Council Recipe 24 UNR Cooperative Extension Beef Sweet & Sloppy Joes Nevada’s Best Kept Secret: Conservation Districts, Part 1 8 Mind of a Millennial | Ringing in a New Year (Thank Goodness) 26 UNR Cooperative Extension Nevada’s Best Kept Secret: 10 Eye on the Outside | The Election Conservation Districts, Part 2 12 Nevada Farm Bureau | Have We Lost Government of the People?

28 Nevada Today | UNR Sheep Sale

New Ideas for Production Ag

30 NFB | Dec 2020 News Update

32 Van Norman 24th Annual Production Sales Results

34 NDA | Trich Announcement & 2020 Centennial Awards

The Progressive Rancher Owner/Editor/Publisher – Leana Litten Carey progressiverancher@elko.net Graphic Design/Layout – www.AllegraReno.com

Cover Credit: “Layton Rolly Quaid” by Becky Prunty Lisle

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President's perspective Tom Barnes, President, Nevada Cattlemen's Association Happy New Year to everyone! It feels good to have 2020 behind us and although none of us know what 2021 will bring, we need to continue moving forward because time waits for no one. As I’ve mentioned before, we are facing a very important legislative session. With the legislature opening in just a couple of weeks, we have a lot of work to do. There are various water bills being considered this session pertaining to priority as well as our ability to prove and maintain beneficial use. The NCA supports maintaining current water law and will continue working

toward that end. I continue to hear complaints regarding the Nevada Department of Agriculture’s animal industry division and we are working to make sure that our needs are known. Another concerning issue we are keeping a close eye on is SB 54, a bill that could potentially change the makeup of the Nevada Board of Agriculture and result in livestock losing as many as three positions on the board to food distribution. We have already been in discussions within our executive board and with some of our legislators to maintain our existing positions and

Nevada Cattlemen’s Association Short-Term Cows & Beef Quality Assurance

The combination of these two issues requires that these cows be placed on a nutritive dense ration which is softer in texture and smaller in particle size.

ensure that the livestock industry is well represented. We are a large part of the agricultural industry in this state and we are committed to ensuring that we will not be forgotten or pushed aside.

Tom Barns Tom Barnes President, NCA

be able to travel. Make sure their mammary system is still functional having no bottle teats or blown-out bags. Given today’s high feed costs, avoid extremely thin and Cows living and producing past their prime are usually weak cows. Flesh cannot be economically returned once worn-out and need all the help we can give them in it is lost. Issue the pink slip immediately to those cows Tom Barnes, NCA President order for them to produce their last calf. For this reason, that have already turned the corner. They are a poor risk. Jon Griggs, NCA President Elect a winter ration high in protein and energy is ideal for Timely marketing of market-ready cows is the right the older cow. An example of a nutritive dense ration thing to do. Hanes Holman, NCA First Vice President may include chopped hay with a concentrate or one of Taking advantage of the late summer, market-ready Dave Baker, NCA Second Vice President the inexpensive, softer vegetable matter, by-product feeds. superior cow market will often pay for the extra feed It is also important to take into account that many of the and care required to get that extra calf. An option Ron Torell, NCA BQA Coordinator vital organs of the older cow may not be running at peak employed by many ranchers is to over-winter their old For years our industry has referred to spent cows as performance. For this reason they will often benefit from March calving cows on the ration previously discussed. culls. This is perhaps a poor choice of words used to a micro-mineral package and administration of a type 2 They will then graze the cow-calf pairs inside on quality describe market-ready animals. As beef producers each de-worming product. pasture in the spring and early summer. After weaning of us has the responsibility to recognize when it is time to the calves at about 170-days of age, the old cow is then In every herd of cows, the “boss cow” pecking order chainsend a cow to market. The industry cannot tolerate the immediately sold. marketing of shelly, weak, and down cows. November and of-command is well established. Never winter feed the December, also known as pregnancy check time is when short-term cows with the main bunch. Consider winter Quantity has a quality all its own. This certainly holds the keep cull decision is usually made. One option is to feeding these old cows separately or with the younger, true when it comes to short-term cows. A smoothdefer issuing pink slips to the experienced veterans of the higher nutrient demanding group. Some of these old mouthed pregnant cow often brings a small premium herd; those pregnant, smooth-mouthed cows who are ten cows have had their way for more than ten years, so allow over market-ready rail prices. If you are not willing or years old and beyond. These senior bovine employees have plenty of bunk space to compensate for the “boss cow” able to follow the management suggestions made in already proven themselves yet are past their prime largely hierarchy. If feeding on the ground, feed over a large area this article, perhaps you are better off to haul the olddue to their age and lack of teeth. Squeezing that last so the older cows can have their share. timers to town and let someone else with the necessary calf out of an old cow does not work in every case. It may, It’s important to do your homework when making the resources put together the quantity of short-term cows however, if you apply a few basic management principals. decision to short-term your older bovine employees. to make it work. Short-terming works best in years when fall marketWith old cows, consumption and feed efficiency decreases ready cow prices and feed costs are low and there is a If you do not have the resources to treat these old cows while nutrient requirements remain the same. A proper good probability of relatively high calf and market-ready with the care they require, timely marketing of these old functioning ruminant digestive system is dependent on cow prices the following year. In contrast, given the high girls would be the right thing to do. Timely marketing of small particle sizes of feed stuffs. Mechanical breakdown feed costs and cow prices we are currently experiencing, market ready cows is but one example of the management of feed stuffs requires a full mouth of teeth which are often this scenario may not work unless you have access to practices taught through the Beef Quality Assurance absent in these older animals. In the absence of teeth, the program. inexpensive feed required by this class of livestock. particle size of consumed feed stuffs is increased. As a result, passage rate is slowed and consumption reduced. Be very selective on the cows you short-term. Some cows If you and your ranch crew are not already BQA In addition to increased particle size, many of these old are depleted and will not produce under any circumstances. certified the NCA recommends you take that step or cows have lost some of the villa in the lining of their Short-term candidates need to be pregnant to calve get re-certified at www.bqa.org/bqa-certification/ early, stand structurally correct and strong, and must certification/online-certification digestive tracts. www.progressiverancher.com

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JANUARY 2021 3

NCA Special Annual Meeting & 55 All Breeds Bull Sale th

Hello members! The Nevada Cattlemen’s Association held a Special Annual Meeting on December 1, in lieu of Convention and Trade Show at the Western Folklife Center in Elko, Nevada. Nothing about 2020 has been normal or conventional, but besides the fact that most of our attendees were signing in virtually, appearing as little black boxes with names on them, the NCA Annual Meeting still had the same purpose. Cattlemen and women from across the state getting together to address issues facing the industry. For a bunch of technologically inexperienced ranchers the meeting went off with no major glitches or interruptions. Mostly in thanks to our wonderful coordinator, Laura Van Riper. The NCA is very grateful to Laura as well as Liz Munn and Katlyn Uhart for volunteering to help navigate the ins and outs of Zoom. Thanks to the efforts and knowledge of these lovely ladies our meeting was a success. We listened to a variety of speakers including NCBA’s Public Lands Council Representative Kaitlynn Glover, Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane, Director of Government Affairs and Market Regulatory Policy Tanner

By Darci Riggins NCA Interim Executive Director

Beymer, United States Fish and Wildlife Services Director Aurelia Skipwith, and Senator Catherine Cortez Masto. In between speakers, committee members gave updates on issues regarding animal health, public and private lands, education, and legislative happenings. Our thanks go to President Tom Barnes, President-Elect Jon Griggs and Executive Secretary Sharon McKnight for the hours of preparation and organizing that went into making this meeting happen. Hopefully, our next gathering will not have such a large virtual element but if the agriculture industry is known for one thing, it is the ability to adapt and overcome. The 55th Annual Fallon All Breeds Bull Sale will be February 20 at 11:00 am at Fallon Livestock, as in previous years, with sifting the day before. We look forward to another successful sale with top bulls and proven genetics to fit into any breeding program. The deadline for consignments was December 1 and now the process of organizing and preparing the catalog begins.

PLC Announces 2020 President's Award & Friend Of PLC Winners The Public Lands Council (PLC) during the 52nd Annual meeting on September 24, 2020, announced that John Falen was selected as the recipient of the 2020 PLC President's Award. PLC leadership also announced they selected Aaron Schlagel as the 2020 Friend Of PLC. Both awards acknowledge individuals who have made significant contributions to the public lands ranching community. Each year, the current PLC President selects an exemplary member of the public lands ranching community who has made a notable contribution to promoting livestock production on federal lands. John Falen has more than 30 years of service to PLC and its affiliates, serving as PLC president, a regional representative for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, and president of Nevada Cattlemen’s Association.

"John is deserving of this award because of his dedication, commitment, and tireless service to the Public Lands Council and the livestock industry as a whole," said PLC President Bob Skinner. "During his years on the Executive Committee, he was an influential part in establishing the Public Lands Endowment Trust, served as a member of the National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Committee, and worked hard to defend the rights of the ranching industry. John has truly been a war horse for our industry and I am honored to be able to present him with this award," The Friend of PLC award recognizes a person outside of PLC, who has gone above and beyond their duties to help the mission of public lands ranchers. Aaron Schlagel is a senior director at the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) and has provided logistics support to PLC for many years.

"We thank Aaron for his tireless help behind the scenes. He makes himself available dayin and day-out to ensure our team is well-prepared and well-housed. Whether we need assistance with travel, getting out of a snow storm, or finding the best hotel rates, Aaron has always been there to help. Numerous events have only been possible due to his quick thinking and expertise. I can think of no other person more deserving of this award." 4 JANUARY 2021

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JANUARY 2021 5

NBC Leadership Changes in the New Year

Beef Returns to Broadcast TV for Holiday Season

With the new year upon us, the Nevada Beef Council team offers a grateful farewell to long-time member Gary Ward, and a warm welcome to rancher Keri Pommerening who joins the board this year.

For the first time since 2003, Beef Checkoff-funded advertisements and the iconic Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. brand returned to broadcast television, with more than 50 commercials airing on the Hallmark Channel during the holiday season. With holidays looking a little different this year, the campaign sought to ensure one thing remained the same for families across the country – that BEEF was for holiday dinners. For the 2019 holiday season, the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. brand successfully released the “Drool Log” – a two-hour long video of a beef prime rib roast slowly cooking over an open flame, intended to replace the popular “Yule Log” during holiday gatherings. The video created quite a following with more than 14 million views. In 2020, a newer and shorter version of the Drool Log was created for an ad campaign focusing on holiday programming. Just prior to Thanksgiving and running all through New Year’s Day, the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. Drool Log TV commercial aired on the Hallmark Channel as part of its “Countdown to Christmas” holiday programming event, with ads airing during highly popular timeframes, such as movie premier showings, the Thanksgiving Day movie marathon, and the Countdown to Christmas weekend spotlight. In addition to the television commericals, a new landing page was created at www.BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com/cooking/holidays sharing the original Drool Log video, holiday recipes and menu inspiration, tips for cutting a prime rib roast, and more. Also, an additional video reminded people that beef farmers and ranchers across the country were behind the season’s holiday gatherings. To learn more about this and other recent checkoff-funded efforts, visit: www.BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com/newsroom

Gary Ward

Ward had been a member of the NBC since 2014, and served as chair since 2015. Prior to joining the NBC, he had long served on boards at the local, state and national level, and his interest in how Beef Checkoff dollars were invested and what programs they supported led to him applying to the Council. After hitting the ground running learning about the structure of the NBC and Beef Checkoff, Ward quickly rose to leadership positions, steering the organization through some difficult budgetary years.

“One of the challenges we face as State Beef Councils, particularly in Nevada, is not having a consistent revenue stream from year-to-year, which can lead to tough budget decisions that need to be made,” said Bill Dale, Executive Director of the California and Nevada beef councils. “Gary was able to navigate the NBC through some of those challenges, and provided support and leadership to the staff that made our jobs enjoyable and a bit easier in the tougher years. He was an excellent chairman and board member, and the entire NBC team appreciates his years of commitment to our industry.” “In the five years that I served as chairman, we had some good years and really tough years,” notes Ward. “I was proud of the council for doing what was right in investing the producer’s dollar wisely. I felt like we were able to get the most for our money. Thank you to the staff and board for the wonderful experience of being a part of the Nevada Beef Council.” As Gary Ward departs the NBC, new council member Keri Pommerening joins the organization. Pommerening, who currently ranches with four generations of her family in the heart of western Nevada, is also a former teacher and active member of the Nevada CattleWomen. The NBC is pleased to welcome her to the board, and will provide additional background and introduction in next month’s column. With these changes already confirmed, there is also opportunity for other producers who may be interested in joining the Nevada Beef Council. The NBC is currently accepting applications for three board seats that will become available this May. One of the available board seats represents the dairy sector, and the other two represent the cow-calf sector in both the Western and Eastern regions of Nevada. Beef producers representing these sectors who are interested in serving as a council member must submit an application by April 30. The council meets three times annually – twice in person, and once via conference call. Council members provide feedback, guidance and input on the activities and programs of the NBC. Applications are available at www.nevadabeef.org, or call 877-554-BEEF (2333) to request one to be mailed or e-mailed to you.

By Nevada Beef Council Staff 6 JANUARY 2021

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Beef Sweet & Sloppy Joes

Courtesy of Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.

By Nevada Beef Council Staff

With the holiday feasts behind us for another year, you just might be planning simple, easy meals for the next few weeks. This kid-friendly recipe is a cinch to prepare, and is popular with adults too. And if your New Years Resolutions include anything health-related, you’ll be pleased to know this recipe is certified by the American Heart Association®. Bon appetit!

Ingredients: • 1 pound Ground Beef (96% lean) • 1 cup chopped bell pepper (any color) • 3/4 cup finely chopped onion

• 1 can or bottle (12 oz) 100% vegetable juice • 2 tablespoon lightly-packed brown sugar • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce • 4 whole wheat hamburger buns, split

Cooking: 1. Heat large nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot. Add Ground Beef, bell pepper and onion; cook 8 to 10 minutes, breaking beef up into 3/4-inch crumbles and stirring occasionally. 2. Stir in vegetable juice, brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, www.nevadabeef.org 7 to 9 minutes or until most of the liquid has evaporated and thickens slightly, stirring occasionally. www.mybeefcheckoff.org 3. Evenly place beef mixture on bottom half of each bun; close sandwiches.

January 12 February 9 BULL SALE February 20 Starts at 11am For info about our Team Roping, please visit FallonLivestock.com www.progressiverancher.com

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JANUARY 2021 7

In the Mind of a Millennial Ringing in a New Year (Thank Goodness) By Jill Scofield | Director of Producer Relations, California & Nevada Beef Council I know I’m not alone in being pretty happy to see 2020 end. It was quite a year. When I talk to other parents around my age, the consensus seems to be that this past year will be what we refer to when we’re telling our grandkids how tough we had it. Our generation’s shared story of “walking to school uphill in snow”, if you will. But at the same time, I think we can all agree that it’s a bit tiresome continuing to complain about the year that was 2020. None of us was immune to negative impacts the year and its challenges brought us, even if those impacts looked different for each of us individually. So, this column will not continue with the “bellyaching,” but focus on how some of the shifts in consumer behavior and perceptions over the past nine months impact the beef industry specifically. And guess what? There’s actually some positive news!! In December, some great consumer insight was released by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), a contractor to the Beef Checkoff. A thorough report titled “State of the Consumer, Fall 2020” is now available at BeefResearch.org, and contains really interesting data and trends from the past several months. This report was compiled and analyzed by a Checkoff-funded research team, and provides some useful information for producers to better understand the consumer’s mindset after the year that was 2020, as well as what the long-term outlook might be for the beef industry. If you are interested in this type of data, I highly recommend you download the full report. I’ll share some of the key takeaways here, but you might enjoy a deeper dive into the information. Here’s what the data suggests.

In terms of the impact to the food industry, the seismic shock of the pandemic-caused shutdowns resulted in a nearly 80% decrease in transactions at full-service restaurants, and over 40% decrease at quick-service restaurants at the peak of the pandemic. And while that has steadied somewhat, overall transactions still show a decline. On the flipside of this decline in the foodservice industry, at the retail level, the opposite was true, especially in the early days of the pandemic. Even though the number of consumers claiming to be stocking up on more than they need has gone down since the beginning of the pandemic, well over half of consumers continue to stock up. Looking at meat specifically, sales in July of 2020 were 36% higher than a year prior. (For context, a 1-2% growth in a typical year would be positive.) And if you recall some of the empty store shelves we saw in March, it’s probably not a big surprise that beef sales were quite high – there was a week in March in which beef sales were nearly 90% higher than the same week in 2019. In terms of types of meat products consumers were stocking up on, 59% claimed to be stocking up on chicken, with 55% stocking up on ground beef, 30% stocking up on beef steaks, and 13% stocking up on plant-based proteins.

Not surprisingly, as the world shifted seemingly overnight to a stay-at-home scenario, behavior shifted as well. Online media consumption during the height of the pandemic continued to grow. According to Nielsen, in the second quarter of 2020, 142.5 billion hours were spent streaming video, which is 74% higher than the same quarter in 2019. And this wasn’t just staples like Netflix and YouTube – video views on social media platforms were high, with 66% of Gen Z and 53% of Millennials claiming to have watched social media videos in the month of July alone.

For beef, consumption and positive perceptions increased during 2020. From January to September, the percentage of consumer claiming to eat beef at least weekly increased from 67% to 72% compared to 2019, and the number of people with a positive perception about beef also increased, with positive perceptions reaching 70% overall for the first time. What’s more, positive perceptions specifically regarding how cattle are raised increased 18% compared to 2019.

Also not surprisingly, digital website visits increased, with consumers spending nearly 50 more minutes on app or web-based content through their cell phones or tablets. Regarding beef specifically, searches that took consumers to BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com also saw shifts, with notable increases in searches for classic meals like meatloaf, stuffed peppers, and London Broil recipes. There was also more focus on oven roasting recipes, which supports an overall increase in Google search behavior about roasts in general.

If you’d enjoy reading the full report, I encourage you to visit BeefResearch.org to download it. You’ll also find some other fascinating studies and reports on a variety of aspects about beef production, consumption, consumer behavior and more. As I close out this month’s column, I hope everyone stays safe and healthy in 2021, and that we all experience better days ahead. Happy New Year!

*Note: All data cited in this article was pulled from the “State of the Consumer, Fall 2020” report, available at BeefResearch.org. Specific sources for each data point are available in the report.

8 JANUARY 2021

With this behavior taking place throughout the country, and the decline in foodservice transactions, the amount of cooking at home consumers were doing in the pandemic increased significantly as a result. One outcome of this has been an increase in confidence in cooking, with 62% of consumers claiming they are more knowledgeable now about selecting and preparing meat compared to prepandemic.

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JANUARY 2021 9

By Joseph Guild

THE 2020 ELECTION The recent Nevada and National elections provide an opportunity for a perspective aside from commenting on the individual wins and losses. One thing for sure, in my mind, the founders of our country did not spend months and months in vain to create the unique system we have to elect our national leader. The founders of this country, in reaction to the dominance of a faraway absolute monarch, a negative colonial experience and a revolutionary war, created a government unique in the history of mankind. The solution to their complaints against the tyranny of absolutism was a limited government with three co-equal branches; executive, judicial and legislative so that power could not be concentrated in one or two branches over the others.

Why is this important?

However, Republicans flipped three seats in the Assembly and gained one seat in the We are seeing this play out as the nation Senate. Thus, even though the Democrats prepares to see if the United States Senate control both houses of the Legislature and will continue to be run by the Republicans the Governor is a Democrat, some balance because there is a runoff election for two has been restored and the two parties Senate seats in Georgia currently held by will have to work together to solve some Republicans. If the Democratic candidates of Nevada’s pressing problems caused win both of these seats the power in the by the COVID 19 pandemic including Senate will shift out of Republican hands. significant budget deficits. There is no black and white in politics just as there isn’t in life as much as many As of this writing, it appears one of the people would like there to be no gray areas. Republicans will retain their seat in There are always political nuances and this Georgia which means the U.S. Senate is illustrated by the current drama being will remain narrowly controlled by the played out in Georgia. If a voter wants to Republican Party. I believe this helps see a complete dominance by one party, to support my argument the voters the Democratic party, even if they do not have expressed a desire for a balanced like the candidates then they will vote for government. dominance over balance.

If all the power in our national elected government, the Executive and Legislative As an example, the Electoral College branches was lodged in one party, the was devised to prevent more populous Democratic party, I believe this would go states from dominating the election of against the wishes of our founding fathers. our President. This institution has come I also believe there is something almost under a lot of criticism in recent elections. in the DNA of the voters in this country It is ironic that the Democratic Party which reflects this visceral reaction against complained loud and hard when Hillary one faction or party domination by our Clinton won the popular vote in 2016 but elected officials. That is why the Georgia lost to President Trump in the electoral election has captured the attention of college because he picked up enough people outside of Georgia. popular votes in three states to give him the election with 306 electors. Of course, This phenomenon was also illustrated in they are not complaining now because the election results here in Nevada. There the electors met and voted the election in was a fundamental change in Nevada’s Legislature reflecting the founder’s favor of Joe Biden. original intent. Prior to the election, the If there was no Electoral College a Nevada State Assembly had what is known candidate for President would be able as a super-majority. This means that house to win the election by campaigning in could pass new taxes and could override very few states while ignoring the rest the Governor’s veto of one of their bills of the country. TV ads would dominate with just Democrat votes. the election and a candidate would not campaign very hard in places like Iowa, Additionally, the Nevada Senate needed one Minnesota or Tennessee. Most of the more Democrat Senator to achieve the same large population centers of our country super-majority status. The common preare predominantly Democratic so it would election wisdom was the Assembly would be very difficult to achieve a balanced retain their status and the Senate could pick government by occasionally having a up its needed seat. The result of this outcome Republican President or one or both would have been a complete dominance by houses in Congress run by Republicans. one political party in this state. 10 JANUARY 2021

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Thus, as reflected in some of the 2020 election results, one unintended consequence of the founder’s vision to create a limited government might also be a voter instinct that favors a balanced system of compromise, conservative action and limitations inherent in each of the coequal branches of our unique government which militates against complete dominance by one faction over another. Therefore, even if the election results did not go the way you wanted, from a larger viewpoint whether a Republican, Democrat, affiliated with some other party or an Independent, you should take comfort in the notion that a balanced government is a stronger, more representative government.

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JANUARY 2021 11

Nevada Farm Bureau

Have We Lost Government Of The People? By Doug Busselman | Nevada Farm Bureau | Executive Vice President When you use your web browser and type in “leg.state.nv.us” you will be taken to the Nevada Legislature’s website. You will notice, near the top of the page, this announcement – “The 81st (2021) Session of the Nevada Legislature will begin on February, 1, 2021.” What isn’t said, because at this point we don’t know, … is how the 81st Session of the Nevada Legislature will be carried out. Yes, the webpage for the Nevada Legislature makes the rather bold statement that the Nevada Legislature is “The People’s Branch of Government.” On the other hand, having made that statement, you will recall from the experiences of the 2020 special legislative sessions (Special Session # 31 and # 32) that they were conducted without any citizen being allowed into the Legislative Building. Elected representatives (who wanted to attend in person) were permitted into the building. Certain staff members of the legislature were allowed in the building. Selected members of the media were permitted to be in the building. Beyond those limited qualifications, Nevada citizens were not allowed to enter the building and participate in person in the discussions of proposed legislation. Committees of the Whole meetings would be scheduled to be broadcast on the Nevada Legislature’s YouTube feed. Frequently these meetings were scheduled to meet at 10 a.m or even sooner and then they actually would start in the evening and go into the early hours of the next morning. “Citizen participation” came in the form of being told to call a phone number and wait for the assigned time of being in favor of the legislation, opposed to the legislation or neutral. When allowed to speak, based on whether the devoted timeframe wasn’t already exceeded by others who might have been called on before you did, you would be granted two minutes to make your statement. 12 JANUARY 2021

Will the 2021 Legislative Session be the same? Do those who are in charge of the operations of Legislative process really want for citizens to be engaged? The isolated, non-interaction with those being represented seemed to favor an agenda geared to having government be in charge without limitations… Based on the videos that came out of one of the special sessions, when members of the Nevada Assembly as well as staff members who were necessary for the process to operate, the video on Facebook showed how busy they were piling beach footwear (“flip-flops”) in front of one of the Senator’s office and then trailed the footwear down the hall and down the stairs. Nevada citizens being allowed in the Legislative Building might have cramped the legislative process from being as meaningful as it was during those serious times. Beyond the question of how the 81st session’s business will be conducted, there are also a few other things that will be necessary to work through. A destroyed state economy, because of the forced closures of a number of businesses, record levels of people being thrown of out work have also brought about less revenue being sent to pay for the amount of government than some believe is necessary. The gap between what government would like to spend and what is available to spend is going to require attention. The boundaries of legislative districts (re-apportionment) is another rather significant agenda item for the 2021 Nevada Legislature. As you continue to sift through the elements to be talked about (whether citizens are allowed in the Legislative Building or limited to only a virtual experience of watching it on computer or tablet screen), there is a growing stack of legislative proposals which will be dealt with in some fashion. From what we have been able to determine so far, water will be at a high level of priority for 2021 with many critical details that need to be worked out. Over the past several months there

have been regular interactions with the Nevada Division of Water Resources and through these discussions there may at least be a better understanding, if not agreement. The willingness of the State Engineer and staff of the Division of Water Resources to engage in open discussion is a definite plus which we have appreciated being able to be part of. On the other hand, those conversations, at least as far as we know, have not included members of the Nevada Legislature, and ultimately it comes down to working with legislators rather than just getting to have a group of stakeholders interacting with the agency representatives.

There are many reasons for initiating contact with the members of the Assembly and Nevada Senate who will be representing you in the 81st Legislature, but maybe the primary reason should be to stress with them is the need for an open 2021 legislative process with meaningful ability for public engagement and full participation in the deliberations ahead.

Locking the doors to “The People’s Branch of Government” is not an acceptable approach for the 2021 Nevada Legislature. Pretending that the 31st and 32nd Special Sessions were okay, given the circumstances of how state government required that people should Beyond water, there are other legislative not interact with other people, does not proposals of interest (several dealing with constitute a legitimate work-around. important agricultural matters) surfacing in pre-filed legislative bills and more to We need to be firm in the conviction come as we get to the introduction process that we are a government of the people when legislators have an opportunity to and not just in the revamped fashion of make formal introductions. mailing in election ballots.

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Haaland’s bills offer clues to how she might run Interior Michael Doyle, E&E News reporter 12.21.2020 • www.eenews.net Rep. Deb Haaland has already mapped out what she might try to do as Interior secretary through the myriad of bills she’s introduced in Congress.

Long before being named President-elect Joe Biden’s pick to lead the Interior Department, the New Mexico Democrat defined her priorities through the 51 bills and resolutions she’s authored. Few House members have sponsored as many during the soon-to-expire 116th Congress. One bill, for instance, H.R. 8455, directs the Interior to establish an “Advisory Committee on Reconciliation in Place Names” to examine renaming geographic features with offensive place names. The 16-member panel would include four members of an American Indian tribe and one representative of a tribal organization.

“Offensive or racist place names are restricting access and prevent many from feeling welcome on lands that belong to all of us,” Haaland said. “It’s past time to change the offensive names of public lands, especially with input from groups who have been discriminated against.”

The existing U.S. Board on Geographic Names is housed within Interior’s U.S. Geological Survey, and if confirmed as secretary, Haaland could set up the new advisory committee without needing congressional approval. In a similar vein, another Haaland bill, H.R. 8420, would establish a “Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policy in the United States” to study the impacts of a federal policy under which American Indian and Alaska Native children were forcibly removed from their family homes and placed in boarding schools. As Interior secretary, with a jurisdiction that includes the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Bureau of Indian Education, Haaland could be in a strong position to organize a commission and investigate a policy whose subjects included her own Native American parents. “I know not many people are aware of the history of Indian boarding schools, and I know it’s not taught in schools,but our country must do better to acknowledge our real history and push for truth and reconciliation,” Haaland said.

Yet another measure, H.R. 8401, calls upon Interior and the Agriculture Department to complete an interagency report on the use of special recreation permits by recreation service providers serving environmental justice communities.

The bill defines an EJ community as a community with significant representation of communities of color, low-income communities, or tribal and Indigenous communities that experience, or are at risk of experiencing, higher or more adverse human health or environmental effects than other communities.

“Equal access to natural areas and open lands is a right that everyone holds,” Haaland said. “However, low-income communities across the U.S. are consistently denied access to these natural treasures, and the benefits that public lands provide.” It would be a relatively simple matter for Haaland to order up such a study if she were confirmed as Interior secretary.

Other priorities, as expressed in her introduced legislation, would require congressional action.

One bill, for instance, H.R. 1050, would, among other steps, designate lands within the Organ Mountains - Desert Peaks and Rio Grande del Norte national monuments in New Mexico and in the Gold Butte National Monument in Nevada as wilderness and as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System. www.progressiverancher.com

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JANUARY 2021 13

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New Year, New Ideas for Production Agriculture! New this year was a NCW Special Gratitude Award. Keri Pommerening introduced the Bell Family and spoke about this year’s winner, Lilla Bell. Lilla passed away on September 17, 2020. NCW wanted to honor Lilla’s hard work in the beef industry. Lilla was instrumental in getting more women involved in the American Polled Hereford Association, and was the first woman to serve as the chairman for this board which represented five Western States. She was also involved in helping youth The meeting started with our special guest speakers. with 4-H and FFA beef projects. Lilla was known as one Agricultural Advocate, Amanda Radke, has dedicated her of the top producers for her registered Hereford breed career to serving as a voice for the nation’s beef producers. and was very active in the cattle industry. Her knowledge She gave a powerful discussion on what family ranches and passion will be greatly missed by all who knew her. need to be prepared for. Amanda also urged us to support our friends and neighbors, we are all facing uncertain Maddison Bowers and Keri Pommerening times. Our very own ANCW President, Evelyn Green, of the Nevada CattleWomen Development joined the meeting from Alabama. She gave a power Fundraiser Committee have exciting news: point presentation on all of the empowering programs NLW has teamed up with our friends at that the American National CattleWomen are involved Smith Valley Garage to offer a RAFFLE for in. ANCW will have an influential future in 2021 under a Kubota Side-by-Side. This 4WD gasoline Evelyn’s leadership. Jill Ceresola Scofield from California utility vehicle RTV-XG850 Sidekick will be and Nevada Beef Council gave an update on the beef raffled off on August 1, 2021. Winner need check off and what it is doing for you. She also updated not be present to win. NCW executive board us on the Stewardship and Stockmanship training that members will be selling tickets online and is scheduled for this summer in Elko, Nevada. To round at local bull sales and agricultural events for out our special guest speakers was Nevada Cattlemen $100 a ticket, with only 200 tickets being sold, President-Elect, Jon Griggs. Jon gave a brief talk on which are excellent odds for winning. Contact the programs that Nevada Cattlemen are involved in any NCW executive board member or myself throughout Nevada and Nationally. Jon reminded us that at (775) 385-3619 for more information. 2021 is a legislative year for Nevada, He would appreciate your support for Nevada Agriculture. In early December, Nevada CattleWomen Inc. held a special Annual Meeting via Zoom. The Nevada CattleWomen Executive Board felt it was important to gather safely. The General Membership meeting had Guest Speakers, Special Gratitude Award, Secretary’s and Treasurer’s reports. Presidents from Affiliates gave updates on what their affiliates were busy with, State Committee Chairs gave reports, and I had president announcements.

Let’s Talk Ag Staci Emm | Editorial

As the year 2020 comes to a close, there are no words that really fit what exactly this year has brought each and every one of us; and what is lurking ahead. We have seen and been through so much over the past year. We have seen a state shutdown, lost loved ones, participated in the first federal stimulus (CARES Act), tumbling cattle and dairy prices, and a crash in the Nevada economy. We are also walking that tight rope of whether to sell cattle this fall, or wait until spring realizing that there are so many unknowns in the markets.

Some earnings from the August Kubota raffle fundraiser will fund the Collegiate Beef Advocate and other youth programs. Ana Dagenhart, who has a strong passion for our beef industry, has been hard at work developing these new programs. Ana is very committed to getting Nevada’s youth involved in ag program and will be emailing Collegiate Beef Advocate forms to affiliates presidents.

Past President Stacie Emm presented the Nominating Committee Report. The following names were voted to serve as the officer team of NCW until late fall of 2021. President, Melinda Sarman, Lamoille President-Elect, Maddison Bowers, Ruby Valley Vice President, Ana Dagenhart, Genoa Secretary, Keri Pommerening, Smith Valley Treasurer, Erin Costa, Carson Valley Parliamentarian, Janice Connley, Spring Creek Past President, Staice Emm, Schurz

The meeting wrapped up with announcements from the president. The well-attended ANCW annual meetings held February 2020 in San Antonio, Texas were informative and educational. After shut downs hit, many meetings were held via zoom. The ANCW Annual Meeting has been set for August 8-12 in Nashville, TN. I am very delighted with our officer team. They have been truly amazing and have come up with great new concepts for NCW. They all have such a passion for the beef industry and Nevada agriculture. I am so very proud of what they do and what they contribute to CattleWomen. Until next time, stay healthy and safe.

Looking Toward 2021 I encourage everyone to take a break this holiday season and enjoy your family and friends, even if you have to at a distance using Zoom, Facetime, or just the telephone. Take this break because it is unknown what we will be facing in 2021. There is a vaccine, but it is going to take time to get it distributed. We also got at the 11th hour a new stimulus bill passed by Congress that should be signed by the President by the time you are reading this.

like an invite to this meeting. We should know more about this second stimulus package and what funding is going where by the end of January.

There is also one more program that I would like to highlight and that is the 2021 Cattlemen’s Update. This is the first time in several decades that our team from UNR will not be able to make our rural tour. We are holding the Cattlemen’s Update this year, it is just going The bill called the “Consolidated Appropriations Act to be virtual on January 12 -13, 2021. I encourage you 2021” provides for about $900 billion in stimulus relief all to attend and register for the webinar. There will be and provides for a federal budget for the 2021 fiscal year. two days of events that highlight two-hour sections on This passed the weekend before Christmas, and there is a Animal Health; Market Outlook; Meat Production, lot of different things in the Act. One of the biggest things Slaughter and Processing; and Rangeland. You can see that everyone was hoping for is an extension of time to a more detailed agenda and sign up for the webinars at As the year comes to a close, there is also a specific deadline spend down the CARES Act funds. The Extension is https://naes.unr.edu/cattlemens/ that all state, local, tribal, and federal programs are facing. in the Act, which provides a lot of relief for those trying I encourage everyone to be hopeful in bringing in the new It is the deadline for expenditures under the CARES Act, to spend down CARES Act funds by the December 30, year. We know there are going to be struggles, but we and the depletion of unemployment funds in the state 2020 deadline. also know we have each other. We will get through this by the end of the year. I myself have been working on a CARES Act project under the Nevada Department of I host the Nevada Ag Outlook every month to discuss ag together, by working together and supporting each other. Agriculture to create an on-ranch mobile slaughter unit markets, Nevada economic and unemployment numbers, Our lives have been changed forever. But, we must look that engulfed most of my time this fall. It became a very and assistance programs available to producers. Our next to our future and find the opportunities and the blessings. stressful time for most us as we faced Covid-19 related meeting is scheduled for January 27, 2021 at 10 a.m. via The are there. We just need to recognize them. Zoom. Drop me a note at emms@unr.edu if you would delays, and had to strategically find that “Plan B.” www.progressiverancher.com

The Progressive Rancher

JANUARY 2021 15

RANGELAND HEALTH: Perspectives on Landscapes By Dan Harmon and Dave Voth

The Society for Range Management-Nevada Section held its annual summer meeting on July 17, 2020. Like the rest of the world we were adapting to Covid-19 concerns and the meeting was held virtually via Zoom. We incorporated this new-world method of meeting because of our concerns for our members and the community and embraced making the best of a virtual meeting. We had already lined up a great group of presenters before the pandemic and luckily, they were more than willing to present via Zoom. While we missed the opportunity to be in the field seeing firsthand the concepts of each presentation, the expertise of the presenters and their stockpile of field photographs allowed for many realworld examples.

The theme of this year’s meeting was “Rangeland Health: Perspectives on Landscapes.” The field of range management is a multifaceted discipline encompassing many aspects of land use. From a wildlife manager to a cattle operator to the recreational enthusiast, we all share common core beliefs of rangeland health, yet each of us may interpret differently to judge the health of the range on specific values. While we may have a different perspective on the landscape based on our specific working fields, we are all connected by that landscape. The first presenter was Keith Barker, fire ecologist with the Carson City District Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Keith conducts many projects in his district and his presentation was titled “Implementing Multiyear Large-Scale Rehabilitation Projects.” Keith began by describing the various ways the rangeland ecosystem undergoes detrimental large-scale changes. He discussed rapid changes that occur from a fire to gradual changes that occur from juniper invasion. He then described some of the methods he uses to address these changes. Some methods can be used proactively, like controlling juniper expansion through thinning operations or herbicide use to decrease annual grass fuels and creating firebreaks, or reactively, such as seeding efforts following wildfire.

initiated, but that would soon change. In July 2017, the Long Valley Fire burned a large portion of the project area. This changed most treatments from being proactive to reactive, but many of the tools remained the same. Because of the high density of cheatgrass pre-fire and likely increase post-fire, the use of the pre-emergent soilactive herbicide, Imazapic, was applied and fallowed for 1-year prior to seeding, in an effort to decrease cheatgrass competition and increase seeded species success. As often occurs with BLM seeding efforts in northern Nevada, introduced species like Siberian wheatgrass and ‘Immigrant’ forage kochia were limited to their use. Introduced species seed mixes were seeded as firebreaks extending a limited distance from roads, while native seed mixes covered larger areas, often upslope with hopes the increase in elevation would provide increased seeding success. This long term effort is an ongoing project and we look forward to hearing about the results in the future.

Nonnative Plant Invasions”? Jeanne first explained what a plant specie’s fundamental niche and realized niche are and how they affect nonnative plant invasions. A species fundamental niche is determined by the environment, climate, topography and soil type. The realized niche is determined by the species composition of the existing plant community. These two, combined, can determine the likelihood of nonnative invasion. Dr. Chambers then described how our sagebrush communities exist over a wide range of environmental gradients, giving them various degrees of resistance to invasions of nonnatives such as cheatgrass (Figure 1).

Wyoming big sagebrush habitats, which are at lower elevations and exhibit warmer and dryer conditions, therefore support lower densities of perennial grasses and forbs and are less resistant to cheatgrass invasion. Mountain big sagebrush sites which are higher elevation and experience cooler and wetter conditions and thus Keith finished his presentation by showing some photos support higher densities of perennial grasses and forbs, of a recent fire south of Carson City, the Numbers Fire. are more resistant to cheatgrass invasion. To further He showed how a firebreak treatment area, which had simplify, higher densities of perennial grass equal greater removed juniper fuels, helped stop the fire. This was a resistance to cheatgrass invasion. This is the framework great example of proactive management being effective at for fuel breaks that Keith Barker discussed, where the aim stopping fires with fuel breaks. is to establish a high density of perennial grass to keep The next presenter was Dr. Jeanne Chambers, senior out cheatgrass and associated fuels that would carry a fire. scientist with the USDA Forest Service. Her presentation Jeanne described mechanisms that perennial grasses use was titled “What Makes Plant Communities Resistant to to resist cheatgrass invasion. FIGURE 1. Brooks & Chambers et al 2016

Keith discussed the recent Virginia Range project north of Reno, Nevada. Approved February 2017, the project covered approximately 190,000 acres. Its main objective was to protect habitats and infrastructure by treatments to modify fire behavior. The BLM partnered with the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), U.S. Geological Service (USGS), Nevada Division of Wildlife (NDOW), USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and other groups to determine the best treatments to achieve these goals. Treatments would include juniper removal, prescribed fire, seeding, and herbicide use. As with many projects in critical habitats, the area had not yet burned in February 2017 when the project was 16 JANUARY 2021

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By sharing the same soil root zone as cheatgrass, the perennial grass can deplete the water and nutrient resource pool, thus limiting the establishment and growth of the annual invader. Jeanne determined through experimental and observation comparisons of perennial herbs that about 20% perennial herbaceous cover is required to resist increases in cheatgrass. She finished her presentation with a discussion of the tenuous balance between grasses, shrubs and annual invaders. If shrub density gets too high, the shrubs can outcompete the perennial grasses and decrease the cheatgrass resistance, and thus increase wildfire threats. Best grazing management practices are of critical importance to maintain a healthy, diverse balance of shrubs, perennial grasses and low annual grass cover. Postfire rehabilitation that maintains or establishes the required perennial grass cover is also of critical importance. The next presenter was Gabe Ludwig, a representative with Bayer Environmental Sciences. His presentation was titled “Rejuvra® A Newly Registered Herbicide for Annual Grass Control in Rangelands.” The active ingredient in Rejuvra, Indaziflam, is also the ingredient in EsplAnade™ 200SC, which is registered for areas that are not to be grazed. With the grazing approval for Rejuvra the opportunities for annual grass control on rangelands is greatly increased, he said.

Gabe explained how the use of a pre-emergent herbicide like Rejuvra which controls the annuals while having no negative effect on established perennial plants can help to break the invasive annual grass fire cycle. Not only is the annual grass controlled but the existing perennial grasses are often “released,” increasing their vigor and period of greenness and decreasing the chance and season of wildfire. By removing the annual grasses, the soil resources and moisture they would use can now be used by perennial grasses. He noted that while previously used pre-emergent herbicides such as Imazapic provide about 1-year growing season of control, Rejuvra has been observed to provide up to 4-years growing seasons of new seedling control. This is likely to be highly variable based on the environment which the herbicide is used but provides promising longer-term control. This may provide a great management opportunity in those areas where the perennial grass cover falls just short of the 18% cover that Dr. Chambers determined is required for cheatgrass resistance.

By controlling the annual grasses in those plant communities and releasing the perennial grass component, fire threats will decrease. Multi-year control can also further deplete the persistent cheatgrass seed bank which is critical for long-term cheatgrass management. As with other pre-emergent herbicides, such as Imazapic, application timing is critical and needs to occur in early fall prior to any germination events. For now, the BLM process for approved use of Rejuvra on Nevada BLM rangelands hasn’t begun, but hopefully as more benefits are demonstrated approval can proceed. Presenting next was Shannon Clark, a faculty affiliate with Colorado State University and a contractor for Bayer, Western Stewardship and Development. Her presentation was titled “Promoting Native Forb Habitat While Reducing Wildfire Risk.” Shannon first discussed the threat that annual invasive grasses pose to pollinator habitats on the Colorado Front Range. Like Gabe Ludwig’s discussion of releasing perennial grasses by controlling annual grasses, www.progressiverancher.com

Mark discussed how he defines a successful seeding effort, which can be subjective, based on the goals of the effort. He stated that in general, NDOW’s goal is to facilitate plant community improvements with herbicide use and seeding efforts that can further improve through passive management efforts. He described the multiple methods of seed acquisition NDOW use to purchase large quantities of seed each year and the importance of getting the seed early enough to have seeding efforts occur before the winter season (before January). Unlike the BLM they do not have the limitations of native vs. nonnative seed use. FIGURE 2. Shannon presented examples of increasing perennial forb presence by controlling annual grasses using Rejuvra (Figure 2). Shannon’s research found increases in flower production, cover percent and richness of forbs, and 2.5 times more rare species in herbicide treated vs. untreated areas, likely due to annual grasses outcompeting these forbs. Shannon discussed how increases in forb richness facilitate pollinator diversity, and how controlling annual grasses with Rejuvra® decreased the wildfire threat. At Shannon’s study area, cheatgrass litter or fuel decreased from 900 lbs./acre to less than 100 lbs./acre on herbicide treated plots.

Last, Shannon gave an example of a study using Rejuvra to control annual grasses in Wyoming where a wildfire unexpectedly started during the study and burned around the study area. She showed photos where the fire was unable to burn through the herbicide treated plots, presumably from the lack of annul grass fuels and the increase in green perennial grass cover. This was another great realworld example of these treatments, like Keith Barker’s example of fire breaks being successful at controlling wildfires.

Both Shannon and Keith’s examples of effective fuels management are proactive efforts, but we know fires are going to happen, so we also need effective post-fire treatments. Our last presenter, Mark Freese with the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW), focused on effective post-fire rehabilitation treatments. Mark is the Western Regional Habitat Biologist for NDOW and heads an impressive team that, in cooperation with public (BLM and Forest Service) and private landowners, seeds tens of thousands of rangeland habitat annually. His photographic records of the outcomes of these projects as they relate to different seed mixes, rates, application timings and methods is a valuable bank of knowledge.

Mark explained they focus on plant functional groups and the service they provide to wildlife as opposed to focusing on specific species. Mark gave many examples of his projects with success, failures and missed opportunities (Figure 3).

Mark discussed the concept of hedge betting seed mixes, where introduced plants such as Siberian wheatgrass and especially ‘Snowstorm’ forage kochia are added to primarily native seed mixes, so that if low precipitation or high cheatgrass competition occurs, the introduced plants can provide some degree of successful establishment. Using animal fecal pellet counts, they found magnitudes greater wildlife use where ‘Snowstorm’ forage kochia established. Mark’s take-home message was “doing nothing and limiting yourself is a choice,” but let’s take some risks and do more on the landscape using the best science and past experiences, hedge our bets and use the best timing practices to have a positive impact on the health of our rangelands. To view the full presentations please visit Nevada.Rangelands.org.

FIGURE 3 .

Mark began by emphasizing what Dr. Chambers and others had discussed, that deep rooted perennial bunchgrasses are the primary factor to suppress cheatgrass and decrease wildfire threats. He stressed that this narrow focus on one functional group does not limit the importance of plant community diversity or the ability to manage for plant diversity which is critical for wildlife populations. Plant diversity is most achievable when resistance to annual grass invasion and decreased wildfire threats occur, which relies on maintaining perennial grass cover. The Progressive Rancher

JANUARY 2021 17

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CED +2 | BW +2.0 | WW +84 | YW +135 | MK +35 CW +62 | MB +.51 | RE +1.04 | Fat +.004 $M +89 | $W +99 | $F +95 | $G +52 | $B +147 | $C +280

Lot 22

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#19840507 CED +5 | BW +1.0 | WW +70 | YW +119 | MK +17 CW +65 | MB +.47 | RE +.36 | Fat +.074 | $M +88 | $W +69 | $F +115 | $G +35 | $B +151 | $C +284

CED +8 | BW +.9 | WW +80 | YW +139 | MK +26 CW +56 | MB +.63 | RE 1.05 | Fat -.024 $M +64 | $W +84 | $F +93 | $G +60 | $B +153 | $C +262

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18 JANUARY 2021

The Progressive Rancher

bobcatangus@northerntel.net www.progressiverancher.com

Churchill County Cowbelles Update By Susan Van Patten, President January is traditionally a time to look to the future and make resolutions to improve. Personally, I am looking forward to the upcoming months. With all the challenges we experienced during last year I hope we have learned some valuable lessons. For me closing the book on 2020 is huge, but I learned that incorporating God into my life daily is my personal lesson learned and New Year’s Resolution. Cowbelles is looking to the future with hope, yet we are being realistic. We are moving forward as if all our past activities will transpire. Individually and as a nation we have overcome great setbacks, persevered in the light of restrictive governmental mandates, and demonstrated our indomitable spirit. We had our scheduled meetings in September, October, and November. Unfortunately, our December meeting and Christmas Dinner were canceled due to the COVID-19 Crisis. Flexibility has become an essential component of planning for us.

Presently, we are in the process of planning the annual Bull Sale Dinner, scheduled for Friday, February 19, 2021. In light of the ever-changing regulatory mandates over the past nine months this could be revamped or canceled in a heartbeat. I am determined to resolve this at our January meeting. We are continuing to support the Cattleman’s Update slated for January which will be held via ZOOM. The how of the support has yet to be determined. Last year Cowbelles entered into a collaborative effort with the Churchill County Jr. Livestock Show to sponsor a “New and Improved Carcass Program”, planned for the end of April 2021. We are hopeful, realistic, and determined that we will move forward to accomplish our mission of “Promoting the beef and agricultural industries in the community, schools, and youth organizations in Churchill County.” The youth activities we have sponsored in the past are on the agenda for the upcoming year. As we move forward on these activities, we will update everyone on relevant scholarship application information as well as the

Jr. Cattleman’s Award. If readers are aware of youth activities that are in line with our mission, please contact a Cowbelles member or send an email to ChurchillCountyCowbells@gmail.com. We may be able to place the event on our Facebook page to get the word out. As a final note, I want to recognize one hardworking Churchill County youth. At the October meeting Clayton Rigney was honored as he received the Churchill County Cowbells Junior Cattleman Award. This award of $250.00 is based on a scoring rubric that has five components. Anyone who has received this award should be proud of their accomplishment. All youth 12 years of age or older residing in Churchill County and enrolled in the Youth Livestock Program are eligible. Questions? Check with a member or email us at the above address.

Beef & Mushrooms with Smashed Potatoes INGREDIENTS 1-1/2 pounds red potatoes (about 6 medium), cut into 1-1/2-inch pieces

3/4 teaspoon pepper, divided

1 pound ground beef

1 can (14-1/2 ounces) beef broth

1/2 pound sliced fresh mushrooms

2 tablespoons butter, softened

1 medium onion, halved and sliced

1/2 cup half-and-half cream

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1/2 cup french-fried onions

1/2 teaspoon salt, divided

DIRECTIONS Place potatoes in a large saucepan; add water to cover. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium; cook, uncovered, until tender, 10-15 minutes. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook and crumble beef with mushrooms and onion over medium-high heat until no longer pink, 6-8 minutes; drain. Stir in flour, 1/2 teaspoon pepper and 1/4 teaspoon salt until blended. Gradually stir in broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until thickened, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Drain potatoes; return to pan. Mash potatoes to desired consistency, adding butter, cream and the remaining salt and pepper. Spoon into bowls; top with beef mixture. Sprinkle with fried onions. www.progressiverancher.com

Test Kitchen Tips If you have time, cook the mushrooms separately from the ground beef. The beef will brown a bit more and the mushroom juices will stay with the mushrooms, creating even more flavor. After returning the drained potatoes to the pan, heat them over low heat for 1-2 minutes before adding the butter and half-and-half. Any water will evaporate, leaving a richer flavor. Try this: Spoon portions into individual ramekins. Top with your favorite cheese and french-fried onions. Bake at 350° for 5-7 minutes or until the cheese is melty. Yum!

The Progressive Rancher

JANUARY 2021 19

United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service

Contact | Heather Emmons | State Public Affairs Officer (775) 834-0875 | heather.emmons@usda.gov

Conservation Efforts Continue on Nevada’s Farms and Ranches Amid Challenging Year The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Nevada continued its conservation work across the state despite a tough 2020 marked with a pandemic and several natural disasters. The agency helped farmers, ranchers and forest landowners implement conservation practices on their working lands, which help conserve natural resource such as soil, water and wildlife as well as boost producers’ bottom lines. Additionally, NRCS launched new online tools that increased the efficiency, effectiveness and delivery of crucial programs. “NRCS helps people help the land in the good times and the challenging times,” said Ray Dotson, NRCS State Conservationist in Nevada. “I have heard stories from across the state, where our team often uses creative means to help producers meet their conservation and business goals. Additionally, we continued our efforts to streamline program delivery and to work with our USDA counterparts to best serve the needs of producers.” Key highlights from 2020 include: Conservation Delivery Amid Pandemic: NRCS continued to deliver services during the COVID-19 pandemic using social distance guidelines, phone and online tools. This year, NRCS worked with producers and communities to: • Develop more than 100,000 conservation plans nationally. • Co-invest $1.32 billion through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to put conservation practices on 10 million acres, as well as $507 million through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) to put conservation enhancements on 9.3 million acres. This includes 63,962 acres of EQIP and 6,003 acres of CSP in Nevada. • Enroll more than 430 new easements, totaling 230,000 acres, into the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). This includes 4,100 acres in Nevada. • Enter into over 420 agreements with local sponsors to cooperatively implement emergency recovery measures through the Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP) and obligated more than $251 million in EWP funds in FY 2020.

Links to the above-mentioned programs: EQUIP: www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/financial/eqip/ CSP: www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/financial/csp/ ACEP: www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/easements/acep/ Disaster Recovery Assistance: Wildfires, hurricanes, drought and the derecho had significant impacts on agricultural operations nationwide. NRCS coordinated closely with USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) to deliver disaster assistance programs. EQIP-funded conservation practices, including streambank restoration and vegetative buffers, protect land from erosion, support disaster recovery and help mitigate loss from future natural disasters. And, in some cases, EQIP funds can assist livestock producers with emergency animal mortality disposal following a natural disaster event. NRCS also partners with communities to aid disaster recovery through the EWP program. In addition to responding to 55 disasterrelated watershed emergencies, EWP projects were also completed that addressed issues of unique, local significance, including protection of properties in historically underserved Alaskan communities and projects that preserved critical infrastructure in rural Iowa counties. 20 JANUARY 2021

Soil Health: NRCS continued to prioritize adoption of soil health management systems. In fiscal 2020, NRCS provided financial assistance to help producers plan to plant cover crops on 18 million acres and to use no-till on 7.3 million acres. Additionally, NRCS rolled out a new Soil Health Toolbox, which offered useful tools to demonstrate how soil functions and to help guide management decisions that will improve soil health with NRCS conservation practices. Water Quality: NRCS continued its investments in targeted water quality initiatives, which increase the return on investment in terms of improving water quality in priority waterways. NRCS will continue its work through the National Water Quality Initiative and Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watersheds Initiative in 379 priority watersheds for fiscal year 2021. Wildlife Habitat: Farmers and ranchers across the country have continued their work on managing for habitat on working lands. From the sagebrush sea in the West to the longleaf pine forests of the South, producers are making a difference for wildlife. NRCS continues to plan for future wildlife conservation, and this year rolled out a new five-year Working Lands for Wildlife conservation strategy for the gopher tortoise, the keystone species of longleaf pine forests in the Southeast. In Nevada, two Sage Grouse Initiative contracts for 1,638 acres were completed, as we continue work in sage grouse habitat areas. Online Tools and Resources: NRCS and the Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) Business Center rolled out a new decision tool this year for producers on farmers.gov. The Conservation Concerns Tool enables landowners to learn about conservation concerns that might impact their agricultural operations, then search for solutions targeted to fit their business needs. Producers can also find a new video series, called Conservation at Work, that spotlights how producers are using key conservation practices. In addition to finding information, producers can also log into farmers.gov to manage their conservation business online. During the past year, key functions from NRCS’s Conservation Client Gateway were moved to the farmers.gov portal to provide one place where producers can manage all their USDA business online. CONSERVATION CONCERNS TOOL: www.farmers.gov/conserve/tool VIDEOS: www.farmers.gov/conserve/conservation-at-work YOUR ACCOUNT: www.farmers.gov/sign-in NRCS works on public land? You bet! Teri Knight, NRCS district conservationist (L), discusses the installation of a solar pumping plant with producers/BLM permittees Greg and Ken Newby, and Cameron Boyce (R), assistant field manager for BLM Nevada on the Newbys BLM allotment.

Amy Coney Barrett: A Win for Landowners By Katherine E. Merck | Falen Law Offices, LLC With the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, President Trump has the opportunity to flip one of the most liberal Supreme Court seats in history. Each time a new associate justice joins the Supreme Court, the balance of our nation’s highest court shifts. With the recent nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett, special interest groups are eager to examine her decisions and writings to predict where she might stand on major issues like healthcare and abortion. However, what is often far more consequential to landowners and agricultural producers is how Barrett’s confirmation could impact environmental rulings. Unlike Justice Brett Kavanaugh, the most recent addition to the bench, Barrett does not have an extensive history in environmental and administrative law cases. The environmental cases she has been a part of indicate that she may make it more difficult for environmental groups to bring lawsuits in federal court.

this means is that a citizen cannot bring a lawsuit in federal court merely as a “concerned bystander” seeking to protect the environment. Put simply, “injury to the environment” is not injury to a particular person, which makes it significantly harder for environmental groups to bring federal lawsuits. This is important because many environmental lawsuits originate from individuals who do not even live in the area effected.

There are several significant environmental cases that may be heard by the Supreme Court in the next few years, including the validity of several important Trump regulations trying to curtail radical environmental In 2018, Barrett reversed an earlier ruling that found 13 regulations. Thus, Barrett’s take on environmental policy acres of Illinois wetlands fell under the protection of the may have a dramatic impact on the shape of environmental Clean Water Act. This ruling is seen as a victory against law moving forward. While it is impossible to predict government overreach in favor of landowners and how a justice might rule on any given case, Barrett’s views may indicate that Barrett is wary of agency overreach. in the environmental realm could go a long way in reining Additionally, Judge Barrett has written articles in favor in the governmental overreach that has become prevalent of courts breaking with bad precedence. This could go over the past several decades. a long way in curtailing issues of government deference Katherine E. Merck is an Associate Attorney with Falen and the natural corruption such deference creates.

In 2000, the Supreme Court vastly expanded the ability of citizens to sue based in environmental lawsuits. The late Ruth Bader Ginsburg, writing for the majority, stated that a plaintiff did not need to prove actual harm to an individual to have standing to sue in federal court.

Barrett is known as an “originalist,” which means she believes that the Constitution should be applied as written. This judicial theory may indicate that Barrett will favor limiting agencies to operating within strict interpretations of regulations, a change from the current deferential approach taken by the court.

Barrett, who currently serves on the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, penned the opinion in a similar case but held that a citizen must be able to demonstrate actual and particularized harm (harm to the individual) in order to bring an environmental lawsuit in federal court. What

Barrett being confirmed may place Justice Kavanaugh in the position of swing vote. Kavanaugh has historically been an outspoken critic of allowing agencies to interpret and enact statutes when Congress has not provided clarity in a specific area, known as Chevron deference.

Partnerships and Innovation: The Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) and Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) Program continued to rally partners to help increase the reach of conservation and support the development of new tools, approaches, practices and technologies to further natural resource conservation on private lands. NRCS just closed the application period for RCPP, with plans to invest $360 million nationally in projects that improve the nation’s water quality, combat drought, enhance soil health, support wildlife habitat and protect agricultural viability. Additionally, NRCS invested $50 million nationally in 10 conservation projects through RCPP Alternative Funding Arrangements, where partners are given the liberty to manage projects and the associated relationships with producers and landowners directly. In October 2020, NRCS awarded more than $14.6 million in grants to 24 CIG projects nationally. This USDA investment has generated more than $15.3 million in partner matching funds, resulting in almost $30 million for conservation innovation nationally. Authorized in the 2002 Farm Bill, the CIG Program has awarded nearly $300 million to date. In Nevada, the RCPP project with Duck Valley Indian Reservation working with their partners, including the Duck Valley Conservation District, tribal wildlife and parks, the business council, and the water board, concluded with great success. (Watch Video: https://youtu.be/opJ3VY-IE9g) The reservation saw the completion of a more efficient irrigation system, including installation of 25 nose pumps to provide frost-free winter water for livestock, and solar livestock watering systems in areas where the water table is greater than 25 feet that includes water wells with solar pumps, troughs, and pipelines. Several of the main diversion structures are now www.progressiverancher.com

The late Justice Antonin Scalia, whom Barrett clerked for in 1999, similarly favored reining in agencies. If Barrett follows in her mentor’s footsteps, her appointment would be a major win for landowners and agricultural interests.

Law Offices, LLC with a primary focus on property rights, environmental, and natural resources law. Falen Law Offices, LLC, has attorneys licensed to practice law in Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. This article should not be understood to state or imply that any lawyers of this law firm are certified as specialists in a particular field of law. Colorado does not certify lawyers as specialists in any field. The Wyoming State Bar does not certify any lawyer as a specialist or expert. Anyone considering a lawyer should independently investigate the lawyer's credentials and ability, and not rely upon advertisements or self-proclaimed expertise. This article is informational and is not legal advice. Use of this article or contact with this law firm does not create an attorney-client relationship.

automated, allowing water delivery to be controlled from a computer, and submerged orifices were installed to effectively measure water throughout the reservation. 2018 Farm Bill Implementation: NRCS made tremendous strides in implementing the 2018 Farm Bill in the past year. NRCS published final rules for EQIP and CSP this fall and is preparing to publish final rules for ACEP and RCPP. Additionally, NRCS completed and published updates to its set of National Conservation Practice Standards, which includes 58 standards. (www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/ national/newsroom/releases/?cid=NRCSEPRD1692218) The 2018 Farm Bill required review all 169 of its national conservation practices to seek opportunities to increase flexibility and incorporate new technologies. NRCS is a part of the Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) mission area at USDA. Other 2020 highlights can be found here: www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/ nrcs/detail/national/newsroom/releases/?cid=NRCSEPRD1717843 All USDA Service Centers are open for business, including those that restrict inperson visits or require appointments. All Service Center visitors wishing to conduct business with FSA, NRCS or any other Service Center agency should call ahead and schedule an appointment. Service Centers that are open for appointments will prescreen visitors based on health concerns or recent travel, and visitors must adhere to social distancing guidelines. Visitors are also required to wear a face covering during their appointment. Our program delivery staff will continue to work with our producers by phone, email and using online tools. More information can be found at farmers.gov/coronavirus.

The Progressive Rancher

JANUARY 2021 21

FROM THE DESK OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR There are two kinds of people: those who have all their Christmas gifts purchased, wrapped, and under the tree by December 1, and those who are still madly shopping for that one last bauble at 4:59 on December 24.

Updates From

Public Lands Council Leadership & Staff

THE PRESIDENT'S PUBLICATION As 2020 comes to a close, many of us reflect on the strange year we’ll now put behind us. Between fires and droughts, global pandemics and travel restrictions, this year has given many of us cause to reassess many of our priorities and figure out what truly matters to each of us.

This Christmas season like all those that came before it will be filled with joy, and I hope a little optimism is also under those Christmas trees.

Normally, I’m in that first category, but 2020 had a way of throwing a wrench into things and turning me into an 11th-hour shopper. The federal government also found themselves in that category, having entered December laden with quite a long regulatory to-do list. As you’ll see in the Policy Update section below, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, and U.S Forest Service had a busy week publishing several draft and final rules in the Federal Register. Midnight regulations – those finalized by the agencies between election day and inauguration day – aren’t always welcome additions to federal authorities, but the regulations finalized this month are welcome news to livestock producers who have been working toward these goals for 4 years. We see clearer direction in the Endangered Species Act and closure to a regulatory process that saw significant investment from all of you. While many of these Christmas deliveries bring an end to certain regulatory processes, others are just beginning. While we’ll take a few days off to enjoy the holiday cheer, work will resume on proposed regulations that require our feedback and guidance. Comments are in development on the Forest Service’s grazing handbook and directives revisions and the BLM continues their slow march toward revision of their grazing regulations. With the new year comes the swearing-in of new members of Congress, who will be hearing from PLC as soon as the closing lines of their oaths are spoken. As we head toward January 20, conversations are ongoing with the transition team to lay the groundwork for PLC to continue to be engaged with the next administration.

MEMBERSHIP MESSAGE Twelve months ago I never thought we would be where we are now. But, heck we made it! I’m extremely thankful for our team whether it was our interns this year or Kaitlynn, our Executive Director. Throughout these past 10 months, we all came together as a team and were able to roll with the punches. This year has proven one thing – we have a strong team. Hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and happy New Year!

Allie Nelson, Director of Operations

202-879-9135 | cell: 406-231-3328 | anelson@beef.org

POLICY UPDATES USFWS Finalizes Endangered Species Act Critical Habitat Proposed Rule The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) released text of a final rule to amend section 4 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) related to the agency’s parameters in establishing critical habitat for protected species. The final rule follows the draft rule released in September. public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2020-28033.pdf While the rule considers a wide variety of factors related to the process of designating critical habitat, it most notably provides the ability for the agency to consider excluding federal lands during the designation. While the USFWS notes they did receive both support and opposition for this component of the rulemaking, the Service did clarify their ability to consider the “extent to which consultation would produce an outcome that has economic or other impacts, such as by requiring project modifications and additional conservation measures by the Federal agency or other affected parties, on a case-by-case basis”. In essence, the Service seeks the ability to apply the same standard on public lands that they use on private land during the designation process, and evaluate each of the potential excluded areas based on their individual attributes. Text of the rule begins on page 43 of this pdf: public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2020-28033.pdf

Each year, December brings gifts that keep on giving. 2020 is no different, other than that many of those gifts will be unwrapped over Zoom. While I expect many meetings next spring will continue to be virtual, we are 2019 ADUFA Summary Report of committed to getting everyone back together just as soon Antimicrobials Sold or Distributed as we can. for Use in Food-Producing Animals We know there are challenges ahead, so we’re focusing on From Washington state to Washington, D.C., Alexandria On December 15th, the U.S. Food and Drug finding common ground and being “at the table” rather to Arizona, sending you the warmest wishes for a Administration, Center for Veterinary Medicine than being “on the menu”. wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year. Thank you (FDA, CVM) published the 2019 Summary Report on A lot will happen between now and inauguration day, for spending your year following along with PLC as we Antimicrobials Sold or Distributed for Use in Foodand PLC leadership and staff will be there at the table to learned to navigate this virtual world. The public lands Producing Animals. Section 105 of the Animal Drug represent each of you until we’re able to make the annual grazing community is richer for your involvement and User Fee Amendments of 2008 (ADUFA 105) requires investment. Merry Christmas. that animal drug companies annually report to FDA trek to Washington, D.C. ourselves. the amount of antimicrobial drugs that they sell or From our homes to yours, wishing you a very Merry distribute for use in food-producing animals. ADUFA Christmas and Happy New Year. 105 also requires FDA to issue annual summary reports of the sales and distribution data. The 2019 summary Kaitlynn Glover report shows that the domestic sales and distribution of Executive Director medically important antimicrobial drugs approved for use Public Lands Council Niels Hansen in food-producing animals increased by 3% between 2018 Office direct: 202-879-9128 Presidentr and 2019. While sales data does not necessarily reflect Cell: 202-525-0789 Public Lands Council actual use of antimicrobial drugs, sales volume observed Email: kglover@beef.org over time can serve as an indicator of market changes While 2021 is sure to bring its share of challenges, we will at least be able to confront them in person. I look forward to return to meeting in person, sitting across the table from all of you and from the folks coming into the Biden administration.

22 JANUARY 2021

The Progressive Rancher

www.progressiverancher.com

related to antimicrobial drug products intended for food- · In the southwest quadrant, all seven of the families who came together in 2002 to establish what is now called producing animals. At the same time, when evaluating the Chimney Butte HMA have been recognized. the progress of ongoing efforts to support judicious use of antimicrobials, it is important to take into account More information on these award recipients can be found additional information sources including actual use data, here: www.wylr.net/2020/12/13/accessyes-awards-fouranimal demographics, animal health data, and data on wyoming-landowners-receive-recognition-from-wgfd/ resistance. The complete 2019 FDA Summary Report on Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation Honors Antimicrobials Sold or Distributed for Use in Food- Industry Professionals, Donors Producing Animals can be found at the link www.fda. During the 2020 Nebraska Cattlemen Annual Business gov/media/144427/download and updated frequently Meeting, the Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation (NCF) asked questions can be found at this link: https://www. recognized three industry professionals and contributors fda.gov/industry/animal-drug-user-fee-act-adufa/ virtually. questions-and-answers-summary-report-antimicrobials· The Nebraska Range & Conservation Endowment sold-or-distributed-use-food-producing-animals award honors those professors or instructors that are providing cutting edge research and/or student Final Habitat Definition(s) Under instruction in a range management and conservationEndangered Species Act related area. This year the Foundation presented this U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), in coordination $4,000 grant to Dr. Dirac Twidwell, Associate Professor with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), and Rangeland Ecologist at the University of Nebraska. published the text of the final rule to define “habitat” under the ESA. (public-inspection.federalregister. · The Nebraska Beef Industry Endowment award honors those professors or instructors that are providing gov/2020-27693.pdf ) The final rule follows the issuance cutting edge research and/or student instruction in a of a proposed rule, published in August, which provided beef industry related area. For 2020, the Foundation two potential definitions (detailed in the previous awarded this $4,000 grant to Mark Goes. Mark is affiliate update below). NCBA provided comment on the Professor of Agriculture Business & Management proposed definitions of the term. Technology at the Southeast Community College The final rule defines “habitat” as follows: "For the (SECC) in Beatrice. purposes of designating critical habitat only, habitat is the abiotic and biotic setting that currently or periodically · The Friend of the Foundation award is presented annually to a person and/or business that has shared contains the resources and conditions necessary to endless amounts of time, talent and/or treasure with the support one or more life processes of a species." Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation. The 2020 recipients This definition differs greatly from either of the proposed are Bill and Barb Rishel. Bill and Barb have spent definitions offered in the proposed rule, but does reflect their lifetime committed to the efforts of improving feedback we offered in our comments. In the comments the beef cattle industry. Their passion has been beef PLC submitted on the proposed rule earlier this year, we cattle genetics and Rishel Angus genetics have played a emphasized the need to make clear that simply defining dominate role in beef industry worldwide. “habitat” did not inherently expand the regulatory capacity or jurisdiction of the USFWS or the NMFS, nor More information on these recipients is available here: should the process of defining “habitat” be perceived as https://krvn.com/agricultural/nebraska-cattlemenhaving any effect on the process by which the agencies foundation-honors-industry-professionals-donors/ designate critical habitat. Wyoming Women Recognized

MEETING RECAPS Four Wyoming Landowners Receive Recognition From WGFD During the Access Recognition Program at the Wyoming Stock Growers Association’s Winter Roundup Convention and Trade Show on Dec. 9 in Casper, four landowners from across the state were recognized by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) for allowing public access on their lands. · The Burnt Ranch, owned and operated by Rob and Martha Hellyer and Jim and Timmery Hellyer, is the award recipient from the northwest quadrant. · The recipient from the northeast quadrant of the state is Miles Land and Livestock, located south of Casper and owned and operated by the Jim, Peg and Casey Price family. · Heward 7E Ranch, owned and operated by the Todd and Malia Heward family, is the award recipient for the southeast quadrant. www.progressiverancher.com

From ranchers and rodeo competitors, to business executives and entertainers, there is no doubt the agriculture industry is seeing a rise in a powerhouse of women who are influencing the industry in big ways.

LEOPOLD CONSERVATION AWARD Nominations and applications are now being accepted for the 2021 South Dakota Leopold Conservation Award, the organization announced Monday. The $10,000 award honors ranchers, farmers and forestland owners who go above and beyond in their management of soil health, water quality and wildlife habitat on working land.

Nominations may be submitted on behalf of a landowner, or landowners may nominate themselves. The application can be found at sandcountyfoundation.org/ApplyLCA. The application deadline is March 5, 2021. Applications can be emailed to award@sandcountyfoundation.org. If mailed, applications must be postmarked by March 5 and mailed to: Leopold Conservation Award, c/o South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association, 116 N. Euclid, Suite C, Pierre, SD 57501.

LENDING A HAND First generation farmer and producers can have a difficult time getting their foot in the door and starting out. The National Young Farmers Coalition, born in 2010, is working to help these first generation producers get established and fighting on their behalf. The coalition goes back to first-generation farmer Lindsey Lusher Shute, who farms with her husband, Benjamin, in New York's Hudson Valley. They believed young farmers and ranchers needed a coordinated voice in Washington, D.C. Today, the Coalition has more than 200,000 supporters across the country, with 46 farmer-led chapters in 27 states. For more on this story, visit: www.dtnpf. com/agriculture/web/ag/livestock/article/2020/12/14/ first-generation-ranchers-look-ways

RETURN OF A LEGEND Growing up in certain families, it’s not uncommon to hear stories of an old family business subsequently lost to history. When Alex Chatham was a child, he heard a story like this about a company bearing the family name that made long-lasting wool blankets that traveled the world. An industrial designer by trade, Chatham recently set out on a bold project: after many years of dormancy, he was going to revive the manufacture of Chatham Blankets.

When it comes to Chatham Blankets and the Chatham Manufacturing Company, that narrative of industrialization is front and center. Alexander Chatham founded the company, and its first mill became operational To honor these women, and as part of their mission in 1877. Based in Elkin, North Carolina, the Chatham to promote and empower females in the industry, Manufacturing Company was a prominent local employer COWGIRL Magazine began a recognition program at for decades, and Chatham Blankets were sold around the the beginning of 2020 to spotlight individuals who are country. They proudly helped keep soldiers warm during building a future through their passion for the western World War I and World War II. The company left family ownership in 1988 and ceased to exist shortly thereafter, lifestyle. which meant the end of the mill in North Carolina that On Nov. 30, the publication announced the 2021 lineup had employed so many people over the years. for COWGIRL Magazine’s 30 Under 30, which includes Alex Chatham’s plans for the rebirth of Chatham Blankets three women from Wyoming. These women include: don’t stop at the model he’s relaunching the business with · Bryce Albright so if things go according to plan, the relaunch could be · Katherine Merck part of an even bigger moment for American industry. · Sarah Armstrong Read more about Chatham Blankets and Alex Chatham's Learn more about these women and their influence on plan to revive the legacy here: https://www.insidehook. the industry here: https://www.wylr.net/2020/12/13/ com/article/gear/meet-the-man-reviving-an-iconicwool-blanket-chatham wyoming-women-recognized/ The Progressive Rancher

JANUARY 2021 23

Nevada’s Best Kept Secret: Conservation Districts History & Functions | Part 1 of 2 by Gary McCuin, Eureka County Extension Educator Second VP Nevada Association of Conservation Districts “As a governmental agency, CD’s possess perhaps the most unique ability of any public or private entity. This is the ability to work across boundaries of both public and private land. Districts are able to, and often do, work in cooperation with other CD’s to address problems on a watershed basis. For this reason, many federal and state agencies look to CD’s to address and implement natural resource projects” (NV State Conservation Commission Strategic Plan 2010-2015). Conservation Districts (CD’s) grew from public concern for the condition of our natural resources in the early 1930’s; think the Dust Bowl and “The Grapes of Wrath”. In 1935, while on Capitol Hill testifying about the extraordinary erosion problem in the U.S., soil scientist Hugh Hammond Bennett threw back the curtains to reveal a sky blackened by dust originating from the Midwest. That year Congress unanimously passed legislation declaring soil and water conservation a national policy and priority. Because nearly threefourths of the continental United States was privately owned in the 30’s and the various agencies working towards conservation ended up competing with each other, Congress realized that only active, voluntary support from landowners would guarantee the success of conservation work on private land. Local leadership was needed to coordinate agency efforts and tie them into local conditions and priorities. Subsequently, in 1937, Congress developed a model Conservation District law, for consideration by state governments. Many states, including the Nevada State Legislature passed an enabling act establishing conservation districts the same year. CD’s were charged to direct programs protecting local renewable and natural resources. In The Worst Hard Time, by Timothy Egan, he states that “In 2004, an extensive study of how farmers treated the land before and after the great dusters of the 1930’s concluded that soil conservation districts kept the earth from blowing - this study found that what saved the land, was what Hugh Bennett had started: getting farmers to enter contracts with a soil conservation district and manage the land as a single ecological unit. Hugh Bennett’s legacy, the soil conservation districts, spread throughout America and is the only New Deal grassroots operation that survives to this day.” Presently, there are nearly 3,000 conservation districts across the U.S. almost one in every county. Nevada has 28 districts which cover all 17 counties. 24 JANUARY 2021

Conservation is the ethical use and protection of valuable resources, such as trees, minerals, wildlife, water and others. It focuses on maintaining the natural world in order to protect the sources of resources. - from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Conservation Districts were founded on the philosophy that conservation decisions should be made at the local level. The function of a Conservation District is to take available technical, financial and educational resources, whatever their source, and focus or coordinate them so that they meet the needs of the local land users for conservation of soil, water and related resources. They often work in cooperation with counties, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, as well as other public and private entities.

The Nevada Conservation District Program in the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources provides administrative support to the State Conservation Commission (SCC), which develops policy and regulations for Nevada’s 28 locally elected conservation districts. Information on the Nevada Conservation District Program may be found at http://dcnr.nv.gov/divisions-boards/conservationdistricts-program. The mission of the Nevada or State Conservation Commission (SCC) is to provide leadership for natural resource conservation issues for the citizens of the state of Nevada, by facilitating CD goals and public and private partnerships, dispensing conservation funds, advising and overseeing CD’s, and administering Nevada Revised Statutes 548.

By developing and utilizing partnerships, CD’s can have positive influence and involvement on natural resource issues and significantly multiply funding and subsequent local benefits through “on-theground” conservation projects and management that is beneficial to both the local community and natural The Nevada Association of Conservation Districts resources. This is their strength and unique opportunity. (NvACD) is a non-profit, nongovernmental organization made up of three area associations of conservaCD’s develop and implement programs to protect and tion districts and serves as a state voice on state policy, conserve soil, water, prime and unique farm and range legislation, communication, and funding for CD land, woodland, wildlife, energy, and other renewable activities. NvACD also provides forums to inform, resources on private and public lands. Districts can train, and educate supervisors, and recognize outstandstabilize local economies and resolve conflicts in land ing district individuals and programs. use and management. Nationally, conservation districts operate under the following general policies: The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) is a non-profit, nongovernmental organi• That conservation should be led by local zation representing over three thousand districts and citizens; their state associations in the fifty states, Puerto Rico, • That the final responsibility for conservation and the Virgin Islands. NACD lobbies for federal lies with the landowner; conservation legislation and funding in Congress. It also provides brochures, reports, conservation films, • That landowners have legitimate operating training, and education at www.nacdnet.org. goals; • That conservation districts are responsive to Conservation districts are subdivisions of state landowners, operators, and the community government. Each district is governed by a board of as a whole; and six or more supervisors. Supervisors are locally elected residents who serve without pay. They serve as grass • That the best agricultural land should be roots representatives of landowners and the general maintained for agriculture. “The central thing for which conservation stands is to make this country the best place to live in, both for us and our descendants. It stands against the waste of natural resources which cannot be renewed, such as coal and iron; it stands for the perpetuation of the natural resources which can be renewed, such as foodproducing soils and forests...” - Gifford Pinchot The Progressive Rancher

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Find useful information at the NVACD website: www.nvacd.org

public in your community, providing leadership and direction to bring volunteers and agencies together for natural resource conservation programs. Supervisors carry out the responsibilities of their position in accordance with the Nevada Conservation District Law NRS 548 and NAC 548. In many Counties the Conservation District may be the only entity capable of developing and formalizing a natural resource plan (Conservation Plan) or policies that are District or county wide and they have the ability to work across boundaries of both public and private land. Districts can work in cooperation with other CD’s to address problems on a watershed basis. For this reason, many federal and state agencies look to CD’s to address and implement natural resource projects (NV State Conservation Commission Strategic Plan 2010-2015). Conservation district supervisors develop a wide variety of programs depending on local needs. Examples of successful conservation district programs include: • Develop Natural Resource Conservation Plans and Policies; • Serve as a cooperating agency for Federal actions requiring NEPA; NRS 548.113 (GRSG LUPA’s and table 2.0); • Receive and administer grants; • Coordinate and develop projects, i.e. wildlife habitat and/or grazing management; • Provide technical assistance, materials, and equipment to control soil erosion ; • Sponsoring youth conservation camps (Nevada Youth Range Camp); • Implement Best Management Practices (Irrigation efficiencies, Grazing practices, etc.); • Assist wildlife habitat, including actions supporting Sage-grouse; and • Lead or sponsor local working groups for Coordinated Resource Management Projects or “Locally Led Conservation” projects. Under these and other authorities in NRS 548 Nevada CDs are doing thousands of acres of weed control and inventory/monitoring each year, clearing and snagging and bank stabilization on the Carson River, sponsoring rancher-led groups such as SANE, implementing urban gardens, improving storm water treatment to keep sediment-laden highway runoff out of Lake Tahoe, clearing thousands of acres of PJ encroachment to improve water availability and rangeland condition, providing education and outreach, assisting the Diamond Valley Groundwater Management Planning www.progressiverancher.com

Group, supporting soil and snow surveys, making equipment available to local producers, providing annual tree sales of locally adapted plants, maintaining buildings important for local uses, seizing the moment to remove sediment from the Walker River, and reviewing Washoe County planning projects, among numerous other projects. To develop and maintain effective programs, CD’s identify local conservation needs; set corresponding goals; develop a plan/s to achieve those goals; ensure implementation of the plan/s, and evaluate district program effectiveness. Planning is the basic tool for developing effective CD programs. The Annual Plan outlines specific objectives and activities to achieve long range goals. If a CD is ambitious and aggressive with their plans and goals, the workload and funding requirements often outstrip the Supervisors capacity to achieve those goals. The good news is that CD’s can accept grant funding and form partnerships that can greatly expand their immediate capacity, resources and social support. A CD is not a land use planning agency, but a CD is responsible for knowing the resource concerns in their area, identifying possible solutions and initiating programs, positions or policy to address them at a local level.

CD’s can appoint volunteer committees to address various needs and functions. Membership on these committees need not consist entirely of CD supervisors. A group such as Stewardship Alliance of Northeast Nevada (SANE), a group of eight ranches in northeastern Elko County whose focus is on-theground habitat projects and long term collaborative solutions to sagebrush habitat related conflicts, could serve as an ad hoc committee to the local CD or group of CD’s providing input on Sage-grouse projects and collaborative solutions. In return the CD/s can obtain grants and other funding to implement the projects and collaborative mechanisms identified by SANE. Multiple parties can benefit by working together without losing or sacrificing individual or group identity and values. This is especially true when the groups utilize facilitation and consensus building processes such as those employed by the National Riparian Service Team. CD’s can integrate desired projects into NRCS funding pools and planning mechanisms, serve as an official cooperating agency with BLM, USFS and USFWS on NEPA processes and become the entity to embody and magnify local interests in Sage-grouse planning, land use management (Grazing, mining, energy, etc.), and project implementation across all of Nevada. Through partnerships and coordination local initiatives gain the critical mass and funding necessary to be efficient and functional across a broad area. CD’s are statutorily recognized as the local conservation entity in state and federal statute; we simply have not utilized this authority to its fullest potential in Nevada to date. The Progressive Rancher

The “Restore New Mexico”initiative is a perfect example of the potential CD’s have for local communities to address resource issues across private, state and federal lands at a state wide scale. Their goal was to pool their resources to restore hundreds of thousands of acres of land each year within priority watersheds, regardless of land ownership, leading to the restoration of landscapes to their full ecological potential. Through this initiative Restore New Mexico have developed and funded over 170 Coordinated Resource Management Plans and completed 62 watershed /landscape scale treatments through 13 CD’s and treated 2 million acres since 2005. All of this was achieved by local citizens working with BLM and other agencies to utilize their Conservation District and State CD Association to engage in partnerships to gain the support and funding necessary to accomplish landscape restoration while maintaining and enhancing local ranching and natural resource values critical to them. Hopefully, this article has provided the background about CD functions and authorities to inspire people to contact their local CD to investigate their activities and volunteer to serve on a committee, help implement a project, or even serve as a Supervisor. I have often heard the desire of Nevadan’s to be heard and participate in conservation and management of our natural resources at the local level. This is your opportunity to accomplish just that and utilize the CD system to its fullest potential. In the next article I will provide more details about CD’s statutory authorities and the intent of Congress and State legislature to lead and implement conservation efforts at the local level through implementation of community based and locally led conservation. JANUARY 2021 25

Nevada’s Best Kept Secret: Conservation Districts History & Functions | Part 2 of 2 by Gary McCuin, Eureka County Extension Educator Second VP Nevada Association of Conservation Districts The first article about Conservation Districts outlined the history and philosophy of CD development and the purpose and structure of CD’s at the national and state level in Nevada. The concept of conservation can be traced back to 1662 with John Evelyn’s Sylva – A Discourse of Forest Trees and the propagation of Timber. Later in the 19th century European concerns over depletion of Teak trees used for ship building further advanced forestry conservation and set the foundations of Forestry and conservation in the United States. Since its inception, conservation has focused on the sustainable use of natural resources expressly for their continued use by humans. When Congress, and subsequently the states, created and empowered CD’s, they believed that conservation decisions should be made at the local level and that CD’s should have positive influence and involvement on natural resource issues. CD’s could significantly multiply funding and subsequent local benefits through “on-the-ground” conservation projects and management that is beneficial to both the local community and natural resources. Towards those ends CD’s operate under the following general policies: • That conservation should be led by local citizens; • That the final responsibility for conservation lies with the landowner; • That landowners have legitimate operating goals; • That conservation districts are responsive to landowners, operators, and the community as a whole; and • That the best agricultural land should be maintained for agriculture. This article attempts to define Community Based Conservation and some of its sociological underpinnings. Given this background, I will describe what I believe are fortuitous and significant events that provide opportunities for local communities and industry to affect policy and management of natural resource conservation at the local level on both private and federal lands. Involvement through your local Conservation Districts provides the authority, power and potential for local citizens to manage or comanage local natural resources for sustainable multiple use for the benefit of the community and their natural resources, i.e. real Community Based Conservation. 26 JANUARY 2021

Wikipedia defines Community Based Conservation “as a conservation movement that emerged in the 1980s through escalating protests and subsequent dialogue with local communities affected by international attempts to protect the biodiversity of the earth. The object of community-based conservation is to incorporate improvement to the lives of local people”. Federal wildlife and land management agencies philosophy of management has developed very differently. These agencies were created and authorized by Congress to manage and protect natural resources through law and regulation. Generally speaking, their management begins at the national level and devolves to the local level. “People don’t have horse problems, horses have people problems.” - Ray Hunt The same can be said for natural resources

There is no template to follow when tackling a “wicked problem” and teams that approach wicked problems must literally make things up as they go along. There is no definitive right or wrong answer and it is very difficult to measure success because “wicked problems” bleed into other “wicked problems” (think about Sage-grouse planning and the Wild Horse and Burro controversy). Thus, a new approach to natural resource science and management is evolving through a process by which researchers, managers and stakeholders interact, often with professional facilitation, to define important questions, objectives of study, relevant evidence and incorporate local knowledge and needs to develop a course of action. To deal with these complex systems, working partnerships can be built between managers and resource users, i.e. Community Based Conservation. Adaptive management, or as social scientists term “Adaptive co-management” is often crucial to the success of these partnerships and ultimately a workable solution, which recognizes, as a starting point, that information will never be perfect. The use of imperfect information for management necessitates a close cooperation and risk-sharing between the management agency and local people. Such a process requires cooperation, transparency, and accountability so that a learning environment can be created and practice can build on experience over time.

Particularly in Nevada, this philosophy of “top down, command and control” management has created significant controversy and conflict between the federal agencies, local citizens and communities. Resource management professionals have long recognized that social factors and communication are increasingly essential in resolving conflict and achieving meaningful conservation and application of Adaptive co-management captures two key elements constructive management. to making community-based conservation work: Many of our environmental problems, including sharing of management power and responsibility - as those related to conservation; do not lend themselves opposed to token consultation and passive participation to analysis by the conventional, rational approach of - and creating a context that encourages learning and defining the problem, collecting and analyzing data as stewardship and builds mutual trust (Berkes, 2004). the basis for making decisions and crafting regulations. This approach, bringing the community actively into There is too much variability which creates uncertainty; the management process, is fundamentally different goals keep shifting and objectives are often not defined from the top down command-and-control style that and are difficult to achieve in the timeframe we desire. has historically defined federal wildlife and land Issues must be constantly redefined and regulatory management. constraints/gridlock often obstructs the ability of users and managers to achieve timely management Incentives to Community Based Conservation and adaptations. All of these factors combined create a class management are multidimensional. Equity –fairness of problems that social scientists have termed “wicked in the distribution of benefits-and empowerment problems” (Rittel, 1973). They have “no definitive are often more important than monetary incentives formulation, there is incomplete or contradictory (Chambers, 1983). Workable Community Based knowledge, there are a large number of people and Conservation helps inform and implement decision opinions involved, there can be large economic burdens, making processes that are legitimate, accountable, and any one problem or issue is interconnected with and inclusive and that take into account multiple stakeholders and interests. Knowledge is power, and other problems. The Progressive Rancher

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The terms cooperate, coordinate and consult denote a desire by Congress that federal, state and local governments work together for the general welfare of all citizens with special emphasis on localized needs.

the use of local and traditional ecological knowledge is a mechanism for co-management and empowerment. Local indigenous knowledge is utilized in the cooperative process of creating conservation projects and management strategies. Two key processes: (1) sharing of management power and responsibility through multiple institutional partnerships that involve government agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO’s), and communities and (2) feedback learning and building of mutual trust among the partners are necessary for sustained successful Community Based Conservation. Given the background just provided, we can review the statutory authorities of CD’s, legislative factors and events that I feel has poised and empowered CD’s to have real positive impact and power through Community Based Conservation. In Nevada and other states where federal government administers and manages significant portions of the land within the state, CD’s serve a vital role connecting private and public interests. NRS Chapter 548 grants CD’s specific duties and powers to develop and carry out the District policies or Conservation Plans for the conservation and management of renewable natural resources across both private and federal land. NRS 548.113, recently passed by the State Legislature, officially recognizes that CD’s “may be recognized as having special expertise regarding local conditions, conservation of renewable resources and the coordination of local programs which make conservation districts uniquely suitable to serve as cooperating agencies for the purpose of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. §§ 4321 et seq., and any other federal laws regarding land management, and to provide local government coordination for the purposes of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, 43 U.S.C. §§ 1701 et seq., and any other federal laws regarding land management”. As a “cooperating agency,” CD’s get a seat at the table with the proposing agency and other cooperating agencies to provide comments, offer suggestions and assist in the development of the management action being drafted. This provides the opportunity to ensure that local natural resource plans and policy of the CD and county is considered at the very beginning of the NEPA process, not merely as a member of the public commenting on the proposed action after the action is drafted. The Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLMPA) provides explicit directives for the BLM to coordinate federal land use planning with county governments (including CD’s), and to ensure that federal land use plans are consistent with local plans to the maximum extent possible. Federal agencies are required to coordinate with state and local agencies 43 CFR 46.155 (DOI). www.progressiverancher.com

In 2008 the Farm Bill provided an allowance to expend EQIP funds on federal lands where resource issues and impacts extend across ownership and management boundaries creating new opportunity. It is essential to recognize, understand, and utilize, to the fullest extent possible, the authorities granted by state and federal statute to CD’s in the planning, development, and implementation of resource management plans and policies at the local level. A general lack of recognition of these duties and powers of CD’s by federal land and wildlife management agencies, and more significantly, by CD’s themselves may be one of the reasons that CD’s, in general, across Nevada are not functioning at their full potential. When dealing with federal agencies locally developed natural resource conservation plans are crucial to local guidance, acceptance, and management of natural resources on federally administered lands. On July 16, 2013 the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) and the United States Bureau of Land Management (BLM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) providing for a cooperative working relationship between the NACD and the BLM. The MOU provides for similar arrangements between State BLM offices and State Conservation District Associations such as the Nevada Association of Conservation Districts (NvACD) The intent is to “form a framework for cooperation that supports common goals and interests in managing, developing, and protecting federal and private land and water resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner, consistent with applicable statutory and regulatory requirements”. This MOU recognizes and supports the role of Conservation Districts taking the leading role in administering locally led conservation practices and provides for national and local sharing of technical, fiscal and administrative support to local conservation districts. This relationship will help to develop and implement specific plans of action for cooperative conservation activities on private land that can benefit neighboring public land resources and vice versa. The Nevada Collaboration Conservation Network (NVCCN) began in 2016 when more than 80 participants from across Nevada came together to learn collaborative processes and develop relationships among the people who will implement the sage-grouse plan amendments and the people who will be affected by them. During this training, trainees identified that there was a lack of cross-agency, cross-partner conservation and communication in sagebrush management to promote this collaborative network. Participants identified an overall desire for this network to achieve Sagebrush ecosystem enhancement in addition to implementation of the sage-grouse plan amendments. The NVCCN workshop recognized and identified that Nevada is a unique and diverse state where implementation of federal land use plan amendments is best understood and accomplished by incorporating local science and knowledge provided by those closest to the land. In order for federal land management agencies like the BLM and U.S. Forest Service to successfully implement the actions described in the sage-grouse plan amendments for Nevada, The Progressive Rancher

collaboration between state, federal, and local partners operating in an adaptive management environment is essential. Community Based Conservation, which is initiated and developed at the local level and is beneficial to both the community and natural resources is imperative in order to regain local trust, input and acceptance for implementation of any meaningful land management actions going forward. NVCCN continues to build its network to enhance meaningful communication and provide structure to support local, diverse stakeholder groups working to achieve conservation that incorporates best science with local knowledge through a collaborative planning and implementation approach. It serves as a bridge between various groups that are already operating at the local, state and federal levels as a way to enhance and expand conservation efforts across the state. The Network includes ranchers, individuals involved with existing collaborative conservation efforts, conservation districts and local area working groups, non-government organizations and representatives from state and federal land management agencies.” See their website at www.nvccn.org. Conservation Districts across the nation continue to identify, prioritize, plan and implement community based local conservation programs on vast acreages; across ownership boundaries; utilizing private and federal partnerships and leveraging private and federal funds on projects and resource management that is beneficial to the local community and society at large. Conservation Districts in Nevada are accomplishing great things within their Districts. However, due to a general lack of funding and recognition in Nevada of the potential CD’s have to identify, implement and manage natural resources within local communities keeps Nevada CD’s from realizing and accomplishing what has been accomplished in other states. History bears out that there is a pervasive independent spirit of the citizens of the “Battle Born” state to demand local governance particularly in regards to management of land and natural resources. Utilizing the full potential and authority of the Conservation Districts Program and Conservation Districts offers a very real and legal means to accomplish that desire. There is more opportunity for involvement and real beneficial impact at the local level than ever before. But in order to realize the benefits, local people must become involved at the local level with their Conservation Districts and the NVCCN to make opportunity become the reality. Contact your local CD and become involved, attend meetings, ask questions, offer solutions, help identify and plan projects, volunteer to help accomplish what you want to see happen in your area. Then Nevada’s best kept Secret may become her best Success Story. Works Cited: Berkes, F. (2004). Rethinking Community-Based Conservation. Conservation Biology, 18: 621–630. Chambers, R. (1983). Rural development: putting the last first. London: Longman. Holling, C. S. (1996). Command and control and the pathology of natural resource management. Rittel, H. (1973). Dilemmas in a General Theory of Planning. Policy Sciences, 155-169.

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Annual sheep sale held for new agricultural research and extension center UNR completes their first sale in Eureka County Mike Wolterbeek | www.unr.edu/nevada-today/news/2020/sheep-sale

More than 200 sheep were sold in auction to buyers from western U.S.

More than 200 sheep were auctioned off at the annual sale of the nationally famous Rafter 7 sheep herd held recently at the Eureka County Fairgrounds, and the first auction that will help fund the University of Nevada, Reno’s new Great Basin Research & Extension Center located in Eureka.

Buyers came from all states adjoining Nevada plus nine others from around the country. There were 85 buyers at the fairgrounds and many buyers from distant states via telephone for the Sept. 12 event that brought in $137,000.

“Overall the auction went well,” Gary McCuin, director of the Great Basin Research & Extension Center, said. “We were about a hundred dollars less than last year’s average of $750 a head. However, given the state of the nation and sheep industry due to COVID, drought and politics, this sale went pretty well.”

Many sheep were sold individually, some were sold by pen.

The highest price paid for one sheep was $3,100, for a two-year old purebred Merino ram, and the lowest was $500. In all, 183 rams and 30 purebred Merino yearling ewes were sold. The rams were both purebred Merino and the popular Rambouillet/Merino crossbreeds developed in the 1990s by the University. They are not show sheep, and are grown out under harsh range conditions in the high-desert mountain ranges of Nevada.

Herd Comes Full Circle The herd of 1,800 head of sheep, famous for their fine wool and heartiness on marginal grazing lands, was purchased by the University’s College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources in July, coming full circle after having sold the herd to Rick Powers in 2013.

The annual auction attracted almost 100 buyers, some from distant states via telephone.

Bill Payne was hired as dean of the College in 2014. A few years later and with a better economic picture for the College, he showed an interest in reaquiring the herd. A couple of years ago he also began planning for an agriculture center based in Eureka that would focus on research to support the agriculture and livestock industry that would have a statewide, national and international impact. The two ideas merged into what is now the Great Basin Research & Extension Center operated by the Experiment Station and Extension. “I was very pleased with the auction,” Payne said. “The level of support from the industry and ranchers despite COVID-19, commodity prices, wildfires, and other sources of uncertainty was quite gratifying.”

The Rafter 7 sheep are grazed in three bands in the rangelands and mountains of Central Nevada. 28 JANUARY 2021

Payne added that the College had recently hired a sheep geneticist, who will join the College next July, and is currently recruiting a ranch manager to work in Eureka alongside Tom Filbin, the current manager. Other capital improvements and equipment purchases for the Center are underway.

In an article in Sheep Industry News following this year’s sale, Rick Powers said, “I’m excited about the transition. The Progressive Rancher

I think that the interest the University has in this flock is historical. It was their baby and their property and I’m very happy that they are interested in bringing this flock home to the University. I believe that this flock has and will continue to have a tremendous impact on the sheep and wool industry in the United States.”

Purebred Merino and Rambouillet/ Merino crossbreeds The sheep are both purebred Merinos and Rambouillet/ Merino crossbreeds that were initially developed about 30 years ago under the direction of Hudson Glimp, professor emeritus of animal biotechnology at the University’s Experiment Station.

Observing that the efficiency and production of the sheep industry was less than ideal, Glimp sought to improve the sheep industry in the state and nationally, and made it part of his research. Working with Skip Avansino, and with generous support from the E.L. Wiegand Foundation of which Avansino was chairman, they began building a purebred Merino sheep flock at Rafter 7 Ranch in the Walker River Basin area of northern Nevada. Before 1989, Nevada had primarily Rambouillet sheep. The animals chosen to establish this new Merino flock were originally based or developed at the Dubois, Idaho U.S. Sheep Experiment Station, then under the management of Glimp.

Glimp and Avansino then purchased 400 yearling purebred ewes that were used to develop the Merino stock in Nevada. Two hundred ewes came from Montana and 200 ewes came from South Dakota, both from ranches considered to be among the best in the Western U.S. Combining genetics from Australian sheep and the Rambouillet, they developed two breeding lines, Merino and the Merino-Rambouillet cross. These two lines have made significant progress over the foundation ewe flock during the crossbreeding and upgrading phase, and came to be recognized as the flagship Merino flock in the Western states.

In 2013, the Wiegand Foundation wanted to leave the sheep industry, and Rafter 7 was sold to Powers. Soon after, because of the 2014 federal buyout of land in the Walker River Basin to maintain Walker Lake water levels, Powers relocated the Merino stock to Eureka County from the Rafter 7 Ranch in Yerington, Nevada.

In Eureka, Powers continued the annual auction, attracting buyers from around the world and continuing the extensive and detailed record keeping, which includes a compilation of records that are used in the sale catalog with details on sire and dam history, as well as the birthing, weaning and wool records on the animals. Estimated breeding www.progressiverancher.com

values, or EBVs – heritable traits that can be tracked and measured – are calculated based on the Western Range Index as well as Rafter 7 EBVs for wool value, lamb value and combined value.

Wool quality improves with Rafter 7 genetics Each of rams and ewes sold this year had wool samples taken in August analyzed through an Optical Fiber Diameter Analyzer that measures wool fiber thickness. and Overall wool and production numbers were then computed and analyzed to determine salability. This information was provided to interested buyers. “One of the unsolicited statements I heard from three or four buyers from Nevada and other states was how much the Rafter 7 Merino sheep program has helped improve wool quality and economics for the range sheep industry, and how appreciative they are that the University has stepped in to carry this breeding program forward,” McCuin said.

“That makes it all worthwhile to me and is a direct and positive impact from the University in its land-grant mission,” he said. “From that standpoint credit must also go to Rick Powers, who the sheep were purchased from, and manager Tom Filbin for their expertise in breeding and managing this herd and for organizing and implementing an efficient and profitable event.” McCuin, who is also the University’s longtime Eureka County Extension educator, has gradually increased his involvement over the last two years to acquire the permits and land base for the College’s new initiative for rural Nevada, and significantly more time in the last year with herd manager Tom Filbin in assistance with determining how the University would accomplish the logistical operation of the sheep. But, the Center isn’t just about selling sheep. It will also address the related agricultural and naturalresource issues of sustainable grazing management of dryland rangelands, livestock, crop production under water-limited environments, and alternative water and irrigation strategies for crop production. Research will draw upon expertise from the College’s Experiment Station and Extension faculty and staff located across the state. Extension programming and additional projects will adapt to the needs of the community.

“Extension has made a significant financial investment in the Great Basin Research & Extension Center, mainly because the research generated at the Center will be immediately available to producers through Extension,” Ivory Lyles, director of Extension and associate dean for engagement in the College, said. The College, one of the land-grant University’s founding colleges, is spearheading the enterprise on a 644-acre ranch in Diamond Valley near the town of Eureka, along with several grazing permits on Bureau of Land Management lands in the Diamond and Fish Creek Mountains surrounding Diamond Valley.

The College, the Experiment Station and Extension offices have had a statewide presence for more than 100 years, including research happening around the state, seven field stations and Extension offices serving every county in Nevada. www.progressiverancher.com

Nevada researchers study cattle microRNA effects on meat quality, human health Team combines agriculture and nutrition programs with bioinformatics and molecular medicine

Media Contact | Mike Wolterbeek, UNR Communications Officer | 775-784-4547 | mwolterbeek@unr.edu A team of scientists at the University of Nevada, Reno are investigating how cattle microRNAs and the genes they influence affect the human body and health. MicroRNAs are small RNA molecules involved in the regulation of gene expression that convert DNA code into proteins that carry out cellular functions, such as development, differentiation, growth and metabolism. The interdisciplinary team of researchers is seeking to understand how feeding cattle different diets will affect the microRNA profile in beef; how microRNAs may be used as biomarkers for meat quality; and how these small molecules may affect human health, specifically chronic diseases. In cooked and digested beef, the team will identify microRNAs that may be absorbed by the intestines and further regulate pathways associated to cancer, coronary artery disease, apoptosis of cardiac cells, repression of breast cancer, inflammatory diseases and diabetes.

“This nutritional value relationship to elements of meat has never before done in Nevada,” Amilton de Mello, a veterinarian and assistant professor of meat science and food safety in the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources, said. “We’re looking at grass fed versus grain fed – and their nutritional values. We’re not looking at vitamins and minerals, but at a molecular level, small nucleotides, part of our DNA and how much from the animal goes to our genes.”

for the animals. The 900-acre Field Lab in east Reno is part of the College’s Experiment Station. Among other things, it is home to 520 cattle, of which 24 are being used in this study. All 24 cattle were pasture fed, and then as their 110-day finishing diet, 12 were grass fed and 12 were corn fed.

“First, we want to know if feeding corn or grass will increase the expression of microRNAs that silence genes that are antagonists to tenderness and fat deposition, affecting meat quality,” de Mello said. “Second, we will identify the microRNAs from each type of beef – corn fed or grass fed – that are in high quantities after being digested. This will allow us to also then compare the beef microRNA profiles to other diets that do not contain animal protein. Our goal is to first understand what beefderived microRNAs can promote at the small intestine level and then compare that with plant-based protein diets, for example.” The three-pronged research – animal growth performance, meat quality and the functional role of beef microRNAs in humans – will focus on identifying microRNAs in both fresh and digested beef. The microRNA profile in fresh beef will allow the team to identify biomarkers associated with the expression of genes relevant to their research.

While Fonseca is responsible for conducting the animal feeding trials at the Main Station Field Lab and for calculations for statistical and mathematical modelling, The team, including three graduate students, will also de Mello and Bradley Ferguson, in the College’s nutrition look for biomarkers for meat tenderness when comparing department, will identify the microRNAs in digested grain-fed versus grass-fed cattle and map all the variables. beef that may be associated with human diseases and possibly absorbed by the human intestines after cooking “We’re also looking for what modulates sensory traits like and digestion. De Mello is also responsible for evaluating flavor and tenderness,” de Mello said. “So we’re looking quality parameters of the meat and identifying the for microRNAs for tenderness and will silence the gene microRNAs and genes of interest that modulate genes so it doesn’t let the meat get tough.” affecting tenderness and intramuscular fat deposition. The team is led by de Mello. He said this work, evaluating Tong Zhou, from the University’s School of Medicine, the interactions between genomics and nutrition, is will develop models evaluating which microRNAs can part of a new branch of science called nutrigenomics. silence specific genes. Nutritional values of foods are commonly related to Ultimately, their project will identify what animal carbohydrate, fat, protein, mineral and vitamin content. diet affects the expression or suppression of desirable But in this approach, they are looking at how microRNAs microRNAs from a human nutrition standpoint, and of cattle may affect human health. hypothesize nutrigenomic effects on human health. “This is the first project done here in Nevada where The work began in January 2020 and will run through the we’ve fed animals and analyzed growth performance, end of 2021, and is funded by the College’s Experiment meat quality and nutritional values at a molecular level,” Station and Hatch Act funds. he said. “We’re marrying our agriculture and nutrition programs, and bringing in bioinformatics and molecular medicine, looking at the nutritional value relationship to Cattle at UNR's 900the elements of meat.” acre Main Station As part of the project led by animal scientist and Assistant Professor of Agriculture Mozart Fonseca, the team remodeled the Main Station Field Laboratory feedlot to meet the needs of the research, adding gates, electronic water troughs, a weather station, new fences, panels on fences to minimize wind and a shade structure The Progressive Rancher

Field Lab at the east end of Reno are being used for microRNA research to determine attributes such as meat quality and human health effect

JANUARY 2021 29

Nevada Farm Bureau More Fees Sought By Nevada Department of Agriculture Another change in regulations operating within the realm of the Nevada Department of Agriculture has been noticed. This time it is from the Department’s Plant Pathology Lab and comes in the form of seeking to implement a fee schedule for diagnostic testing, analytical or other services. As we read the proposal (read here: https://files. constantcontact.com/ce74815a701/239065ff-1be84739-9637-a7897a7e4848.pdf ) the new sections that the agency is wanting to insert (at the bottom of page 6 when you read the link above) into current Nevada Administrative Code is a proposal to create this fee rate, starting at $30 per sample for plant disease diagnosis.

DECEMBER 2020 N E W S U P D AT E Media Contact | Doug Busselman | doug@nvfb.org

Nevada Department Of Ag Proposes Bill To Change Governing Board Nevada Farm Bureau policy takes the view that the Nevada Board of Agriculture is responsible for the direction taken by the Department of Agriculture. This view has also advocated for the Board of Agriculture to maintain strong connection with the state’s agricultural organizations, providing Nevada agricultural producers with the opportunity to give input and influence into services or programs which are needed to benefit farmers and ranchers.

These are the Senators who serve on this committee and who could be interested in hearing from you in reaction to your view on the changes that the Department of Agriculture has for the Board that they are supposed to be reporting to:

Chairwoman Senator Yvanna Cancela Yvanna.Cancela@sen.state.nv.us

Vice Chair Senator Melanie Scheible It would appear that the Nevada Department of Melanie.Scheible@sen.state.nv.us Agriculture would prefer to have a different make-up to the Board of Agriculture than what current law outlines. Senator Chris Brooks The agency has proposed a bill draft that it is part of the Chris.Brooks@sen.state.nv.us pre-filed bills that lawmakers will be able to get started on right away (even if we don’t know what that format and Senator Pete Goicoechea process might turn out to be). Pete.Goicoechea@sen.state.nv.us • If that were to involve an on-site plant disease inspection Senator Ira Hansen and diagnosis you would be looking at $60 per hour SB 54 (read here: www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/81st2021/ Ira.Hansen@sen.state.nv.us – plus mileage. Another level for additional testing Bills/SB/SB54.pdf ) restructures the current membership samples would be assessed on the basis of whatever the structure and qualifications for membership, downgrading the number of livestock producers from the current Department decides. Latest Congressional COVID Relief number of four to two and replacing these with new This fee schedule would apply to samples or services categories. One of the new members the Department Package Being Sorted Through requested by customers and state inspectors submitting seeks to include is a member who is working in the field The briefing that state Farm Bureaus received from the samples on behalf of businesses or programs including, of supplemental nutrition distribution. The other new American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) staff on but not limited to, nursery stock inspections, export member would be someone who is actively engaged in Monday, December 21st was that there was plenty to be certificates, seed and plant health certificates, quarantine food manufacturing or animal processing. grateful about in the massive 5,593 page bill that was inspections, pesticide misuse and the hemp program. Nevada Farm Bureau policy (#127 – Board of Agriculture concluded over the weekend. The legislation includes In order to move forward with the proposed fees, the – Composition) does seek changes in the section of state not only the next round of the COVID Relief package, check-the-box requirement for the Department is to ask law pertaining to the Nevada Board of Agriculture (NRS but also the $1.4 trillion fiscal year 2021 funding bill. those who might be impacted or interested to complete 561.055). Although there hasn’t been any discussion with this online survey: www.surveymonkey.com/r/PB8PSYD the Department of Agriculture regarding their bill draft, Not every detail has been discovered in the over-stuffed They have determined that the survey is due from those the matter was raised with the Board of Agriculture legislation, but the highlights include $13 billion more in total policies and programs for support of farmers, who would complete this perfunctory requirement by during their December Board Meeting. ranchers and the ag. sector, read that information here: January 1, 2021. Nevada Farm Bureau’s policy promotes a composition https://www.fb.org/market-intel/whats-in-the-newthat offers a better representation regarding the state’s covid-19-relief-package-for-agriculture agricultural industry. The proposed changes by the Department of Agriculture are more geared to connecting Broadband, the spending opportunity that keeps taking with their programs (especially the significantly huge and taking, is getting another $7 billion from the • Another set of proposed fee increases program with major funding that has been added to legislation with $300 million in specific earmarked dollars from Department of Ag deal with distribution of food – Food and Nutrition: for more buildout of rural broadband. read information here: https://agri.nv.gov/Food/Food/) • Department of Ag proposes legislation than considerations for agricultural production concepts The measures also included a to change Board of Ag members that Farm Bureau’s policy would possibly contemplate. number of tax extenders, which • Congress passes massive funding bill Farm Bureau has been working to for COVID and 2021 federal funding During the December Board of Ag meeting there was fit into some type of legislation to no actionable provision on the agenda which would • AFBF 2021 Annual Meeting Details pass before this session of Congress allow the Board of Ag or the public to give input. It was ended. Also included in the category • Possible actions for agriculture to take basically a mention made in passing during the Director’s of necessary tax language were the in the zero greenhouse gas emission plans Board report. provisions to make certain that being made by governments there is deductibility of expenses The legislation (SB 54) will be going to the Senate • Regulation workshop: January 13 at 9 am paid out for forgiven Paycheck Natural Resources Committee when things get rolling in the 2021 Legislature. Protection Program loans.

IN THIS ARTICLE

30 JANUARY 2021

The Progressive Rancher

www.progressiverancher.com

The funding for federal government spending for fiscal year 2021 included provisions that deal with another priority for Farm Bureau, approval of the every two-year water projects legislation under the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) umbrella. This time around approval was granted for 46 new projects and the ability to start study of another 27 additional projects. Extension was again granted for the exemption that livestock haulers have in using electronic logging device mandates.

Under her leadership, Land O’Lakes, Inc. will soon join AFBF in the century club in 2021, when it celebrates 100 years as a farmer-owned cooperative.

AGRICULTURE Agriculture Land Management Activities

• Promote and provide incentives for the adoption of Workshop topics range from the future of the livestock silvopasture practices. industry to financial planning for disasters and from standing up for agriculture with effective advocacy to • Promote manure and nitrogen fertilizer management practices that reduce GHG emissions. sustainability in 2021 and what it will mean for farmers and ranchers. The following link offers a detailed look at • Promote practices to reduce emissions from enteric the workshops to be held as well as the scheduled times: fermentation. https://annualconvention.fb.org/educational-workshops The schedule of the events is located at this link: https:// annualconvention.fb.org/schedule-of-events

Carbon Sequestration

• Provide incentives to sequester carbon through land restoration and retirement, thereby removing highly Registration is required for everyone attending and erodible or environmentally sensitive land from members can use this link to take care of getting registered: agricultural production. https://registration.experientevent.com/ShowAFB211/ • Promote “no-till” and “low-till” farmland management Over the past several weeks there has been an effort to Individuals should use the top box at the top of the practices to protect soil from erosion. provide the opportunity for those who are interested registration site. It is titled: “Virtual Annual Convention to register for the American Farm Bureau Federation Registration – For Use by Farm Bureau Members and Non- • Promote hedgerow, windbreaks, and shelterbelts best practices to protect soil from erosion. 2021 annual meeting. This year’s event will be virtual and Members.” open to all members who wish to register and connect up There is also new information that has been released • Explore opportunities and incentives to increase carbon sequestration on agricultural and range lands. on the Internet. on the American Farm Bureau Foundation and the “Ag Foundation Night In.” Read that information here: Given the political priority that national and state The AFB Virtual Convention will be held Jan. 10-13, https://annualconvention.fb.org/news/singers-sara- governments are putting their emphasis, whether real 2021, and for the first time ever, registration fees are being evans-and-phil-vassar-headline-foundation-night-in or otherwise, climate change and government actions to waived to give all Farm Bureau members and anyone interested in agriculture the opportunity to experience Register to participate and enjoy headline entertainment accomplish their agendas will be made something that is going to need attention. As we’ve had explained clearly in one of agriculture’s premier events from the comfort and featuring Sara Evans and Phil Vassar! the past, “elections have consequences.” safety of home.

American Farm Bureau Federation Virtual Annual Meeting Provides All Members With Ability To Attend

“We are excited to open up the doors of this event and to bring home the high-quality content our attendees have come to expect from our events,” AFBF President Zippy Duvall said. “Our featured speakers this year are no strangers to Farm Bureau. We are honored to have Mike Rowe, Rorke Denver and Beth Ford join us as we reflect on this unique year and press on, stronger together, for agriculture and our rural communities.” Best known for his hit TV series Dirty Jobs and most recently his show Returning the Favor featuring people making a difference in their communities, Mike Rowe will join the AFB Virtual Convention as our special guest for a fireside chat in the closing general session. As the country’s leading advocate for skilled labor and the CEO of the mikeroweWORKS Foundation, Rowe seeks to debunk myths and misperceptions about blue-collar jobs. His foundation has granted millions of dollars in scholarships to help close the skills gap.

What Nevada Division Of Environmental Protection (NDEP) Might Have In Mind For Agriculture’s Fit For Addressing Climate Change This past weekend there was a radio program which included Bradley Crowell the Director of the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources discussing the recently released Nevada Climate Strategy. One of the sub-agencies in the Department, the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP), has included their thoughts on possible ways that various sectors, might need to do to bring about the State’s goal of greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. (Read the information here: https://climateaction.nv.gov/ policies/ndep-policies/

Land O’ Lakes President and CEO Beth Ford will join At this point the full weight of state government AFBF President Zippy Duvall to discuss hot topics and mandating specific actions have not been started, but it issues facing agriculture today. A native of Sioux City, would seem likely that the gears are being greased to get Iowa, Ford is a passionate advocate for farmers and the game started. The first areas of focus are thought to be rural America and electrical generation and transportation. is committed to Agriculture is way down the list (at this point) and, connecting consumers depending on what the incoming Biden Administration to the farmers and might do from the federal government level, the activities rural communities for agriculture could take more of an incentive-based who grow their food. approach. Ford was recently recognized by Fortune Carbon sequestration appears to be the most likely firstMagazine as one of the steps. From the list that NDEP has assembled they World’s 50 Greatest appear to be considering theoretical concepts as opposed Leaders and Most to whether they have any applied relevance for what Powerful Women. happens in the real world of Nevada agriculture. www.progressiverancher.com

The Progressive Rancher

Nevada Water Resources Announces Regulation Workshop Circle January 13 on your calendars! At 9:00 a.m., a virtual workshop will be held on the proposed regulations for the extension of time.

As we reported in last week’s newsletter, after a rather contentious workshop that took place this past summer, covering an expansive regulation package for language changed in law (AB62) for extension of time, there were changes made to divide the one large package into three regulations. (Read AB 62 pdf here: www.leg.state.nv.us/ Session/80th2019/Bills/AB/AB62_EN.pdf ) At this point, the review that Farm Bureau has made for the rewrite of the regulation, there has been major improvements coming from this latest version. (Read rewrite here: https://files.constantcontact. com/ce74815a701/a426b3c1-8db0-45e8-b492f2e7d906fd18.pdf ) We welcome feedback from members who have more extensive experience on how the outline for this process fits from a practical point of view. For the remaining two proposals for regulations, one of the rewrites (covering water surveyors) has been released, but Nevada Farm Bureau has not made a point to work on that set of regulations. One other proposal is anticipated, but has not come out for review. When we arrive closer to the scheduled workshop (ahead of January 13), Farm Bureau will provide the necessary details for providing links to join the virtual meeting. JANUARY 2021 31

24TH ANNUAL SALE RESULTS

77 HORSES • $558,250 For complete results, visit

www.vannormansale.com The 24th annual Van Norman & friends Production Sale was held on September 18 and 19, 2020 at the Elko County Fairgrounds.

In spite of the challenges of putting on the sale amid COVID-related regulations and restrictions, the sale was the by far the highest grossing sale to date, bringing in $558,250 total with a strong demand across the board for all ages and types of horses. A total of 77 horses sold, with lively competition among telephone, internet, and in-person bidders. Because of the requirement to allow for social distancing, the sale was moved out of the 4-H auction barn and to the main grandstands, with the sale ring and auctioneer stand being set up on the racetrack and the sale office being in the parimutuel building. While the reason behind the change was unfortunate, the expanded venue and ample seating space was very well received over-all. The Star Hotel provided concessions as well as an open-air bar area.

Lot #70

The sale kicked off with the national anthem beautifully sung by Marrina Mori and a prayer led by renowned auctioneer, Colonel Steve Friskup of Muleshoe, Texas. Friskup rolled through the 77 horses with his signature style and humor, keeping energy and enthusiasm high throughout the afternoon. He was accompanied by Casey Bieroth providing insight and commentary about the horses, riders, and breeding programs represented. Bid spotters Bucke Waite, Justin Morris, and Jody Doescher assisted by phone ringmen Pete Mori, Sam Mori, Joe Cahill, Allie Bear, and John Wright, along with Katie Colyer(LiveAuctionsTV) on the computer kept Steve on his toes throughout the afternoon. Sale results are also posted on the sale website, www.vannormansale.com.

The 2021 sale will be our 25th Anniversary event. It’s scheduled for September 17 & 18. Visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/vannormansale to follow the sale!

Lot #61

TOP SELLERS #70 Stylish N Classy $28,000 #52 Locks Top Thunder $25,000 #61 JPS Slim Lena $21,500 #57 Boons Smart Chex $21,000 32 JANUARY 2021

Lot #52 The Progressive Rancher

Lot #57 www.progressiverancher.com

LOT#

CONSIGNOR

HORSE

SALE PRICE

LOT#

CONSIGNOR

HORSE

SALE PRICE

VAN NORMAN

JP ROLLING N FAME

$6,000.00

VAN NORMAN

JP DRIFTIN WEST

$5,700.00

VAN NORMAN

JP TRAVELIN TWO TIME

$3,000.00

VAN NORMAN

JP NEVADA STAR CATT

$10,000.00

VAN NORMAN

GNG TATER TOT

$8,250.00

VAN NORMAN

ROLLING LIL TUCKER

$0.00

SHELMAN

LIZZYS DRIFTIN SMOKE

$2,600.00

LLOYD, TAYLOR

JPS SLIM LENA

$21,500.00

RHOADS

DR PEPTOS LAST EBONY

$6,000.00

BUNCH

DW IM YOUR HUCKLBERRY

$2,200.00

HAWS, SHAMUS

JM CEE BLUE CASH

$8,300.00

MORI

SAPHIRES N DYNAMITE

$6,500.00

RHOADS

DR DUNIT ZIPALONG

$4,500.00

BUCKMASTER

STRANGER N FICTION

$2,200.00

WINTER, DARBY LEE

SUNDAYS OBVIOUS ANGEL

$4,200.00

VIPHAM

ONE SPICY CAT

$6,700.00

BURROUGHS, ZEB

HES DUN SMOKED UM

$7,700.00

HAWS, SHAMUS

RUL SWEET SUGAR BEE

$8,500.00

RUBY VIEW QH

SWEET EVERYTIME

$7,000.00

RHOADS

DR PEPTO SKIPPER

$9,700.00

SHELMAN

PISTOLS POWDER

$4,700.00

WAKELY

STYLISH N CLASSY

$28,000.00

VAN NORMAN

COLONEL LOTSA FRECKLES

$5,200.00

VAN NORMAN

JP GONE AND DUN IT

$2,500.00

RHOADS

DR PEPTO BROWN LADY

$5,700.00

KOBERSTEIN

TIME TO SHOW EM SMOKE

$9,000.00

MORI

BERTS MAGNUM PI

$5,000.00

BURROUGHS, ZEB

MZ PLAYIN ON A SANJO

$2,800.00

VAN NORMAN

COUGAR PISTOL

$10,000.00

JOURNIGAN

KCR REYS MACHO PINE

$2,500.00

KOBERSTEIN

PEPTOS NIFTY JACK

$6,000.00

LISLE

YY CASH BOONANZA

$3,500.00

WHITELEY

TQ PISTOLS POCO LENA

$3,000.00

VAN NORMAN

JP HONEY BISCUIT

$8,500.00

RHOADS

DR LIL OAKIE

$6,700.00

RIANDA, KYLA

SAMBA TIME

$8,700.00

VAN NORMAN

JP ALL STAR KATT

$2,000.00

MORI

SMART SKOR

$3,200.00

LISLE

YY STARLIT FLIT

$2,600.00

RHOADS

DR PEPTO ANGIE PRIZE

$7,500.00

HAWS, SHAMUS

BEST BLUE PLAYGUN

$5,000.00

SEVERE, MATT

MISS SUNNY CAT

$6,000.00

VAN NORMAN

JP JUST PLAIN FAME

$2,500.00

RUBY VIEW QH

RENO ROYALTY

$6,700.00

BIEROTH, CASY

KCR SMOKUM CASH

$10,500.00

BUNCH

DW SEEIN STARS

$3,500.00

BLANTHORN, CLAYTON

LOVELY SUNMAN

$19,500.00

BUCKMASTER

CHICKASHA BOON

$4,000.00

RHOADS

DR PEPTO LUCY LUCK

$6,000.00

SHELMAN

LADYS DRIFTIN SAND

$4,000.00

VAN NORMAN

JP THIS BUDS FOR YOU

$4,000.00

RHOADS

DR PEPTO STINGREY

$11,000.00

VAN NORMAN

JP WRANGLERS BLUEBOY

$19,000.00

RHOADS

DR DUNIT CD

$9,500.00

BURROUGHS, ZEB

MZ BETTIN ON A PEPPY

$2,200.00

VAN NORMAN

JP DUN DRINKIN

$3,900.00

VAN NORMAN

GUN TOTIN HARLEY

$16,500.00

MCLAIN, M

DW NIC N ROBIN

$6,500.00

VAN NORMAN

JP DAKOTA FAME

$5,500.00

VAN NORMAN

JP MOLLY SUE

$17,500.00

MORI

CORRINA PINE

$4,200.00

BUNCH

DW BLUE THUNDER

$6,000.00

LISLE

YY PLAYBOY BUNNY

$1,600.00

SHELMAN

PISTOLS NATIVE BABE

$2,700.00

VAN NORMAN

JP NOWYOUVEDUNIT

$6,000.00

BUNCH

DW TELLIN WHITE LIES

$3,800.00

RHOADS

DR PEPTO SPECABLUE

$7,200.00

THOMAS, IKE

BUCKIN FOR GLORY

$12,000.00

JOURNIGAN

KCR REYS CASH DEAL

$2,500.00

MORI

DOUBLE STAR COCOA

$4,200.00

HAWS, SHAMUS

PLAYGUN ALERT

$6,200.00

VAN NORMAN

JP JALAPENO THUNDER

$10,700.00

WHITELEY

TQ PISTOLS STARBRITE

$3,000.00

RHOADS

DR PEPTO SMOKER

$10,000.00

RIANDA, KYLA

LOCKS TOP THUNDER

$25,000.00

BUCKMASTER

COFFEE BLACK

$3,200.00

LISLE

COYOTE N CASH

$8,000.00

JONES, RICK

BOONS SMART CHEX

$21,000.00

www.progressiverancher.com

from Van Norman & Friends

The Progressive Rancher

JANUARY 2021 33

Trich Announcement for Livestock Industry Animal Industry Division

NDA to offer pooled testing for trichomoniasis beginning Dec. 1, 2020

The Nevada Department of Agriculture Animal Industry Division is pleased to announce exciting changes to trichomoniasis testing in our Animal Disease Laboratory (ADL). Beginning Dec. 1, 2020, the Animal Disease Laboratory (ADL), located at Sparks NDA headquarters, will be offering pooled PCR testing for trichomoniasis. Samples will still need to be submitted individually, but upon request, up to five individual By Dr. Amy Mitchell, State Veterinarian PCR samples from herds that have not had a history of trichomoniasis will be pooled for testing at the laboratory. Amy Mitchell, DVM, joined the Nevada Department of ADL staff have been working diligently on this change Agriculture (NDA) as the state veterinarian in May 2020. to help facilitate the need for a cost-effective option for She brings 18 years of experience in various aspects of producers that still offers improved accuracy over T. foetus veterinary medicine to the role, including managing a private culture. This long-awaited development will facilitate practice and teaching. Her background includes large and easier compliance with state regulations, offer producers small animal medicine, as well as herd health management. testing options in preventing trichomoniasis within their Dr. Mitchell studied at the University of Kansas and herds and improve interstate commerce. Testing for the University of Georgia, prior to earning her Doctor of trichomoniasis is an important tool for producers to keep Veterinary Medicine degree from Kansas State University, their herds healthy, since it can spread quickly during College of Veterinary Medicine. breeding seasons and result in economic loss.

With the recent impacts the pandemic has had on the livestock industry, it is important to offer producers a more cost-effective option of managing their herds and preventing unnecessary losses due to trichomoniasis. Trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted disease that affects beef and dairy cattle, is a reportable disease in the state, which means positive results are required to be reported to the NDA within 48 hours. If a pooled sample tests positive, each sample will be retested individually for an additional cost. NDA will also be accepting pooled PCR results on healthy herds to meet Nevada state import requirements. In conjunction with this laboratory update, NDA is also taking steps to improve communications with all accredited veterinarians in Nevada who are performing trichomoniasis testing. This will allow the lab to keep practicing, accredited veterinarians updated on the latest changes to the program, as well as the status of trichomoniasis in Nevada. Fees and submission forms will be posted at agri.nv.gov/animal by Dec. 1.

Two Nevada families receive Centennial Awards in 2020 Lattin & Weishaupt families honored with Centennial designation Two families were recognized as Centennial Farms and Homesteads in 2020. Lattin Farms and the Weishaupt Homestead were both founded in 1918, totaling more than 200 years of combined family heritage and farming in Fallon, Nevada. The Centennial Awards began in 2004, and, with the addition of the Lattin and Weishaupt families, 54 family-run operations have been inducted.

Weishaupt Ranch (1918)

“The Lattin and Weishaupt families have been contributing to the agriculture industry for more than 100 years,” NDA Director Jennifer Ott said. “We are thrilled to recognize these Centennial families as they represent the best qualities of Nevada – hard work, dedication and commitment to family.”

Lattin Farms (1918) Lattin Farms is in Fallon, Nevada and was purchased by George William Lattin in 1918. Lattin purchased an 80-acre parcel of farmland that was later sold to his son Ralph, who grew alfalfa, corn and cattle. Upon returning from World War II in 1946, Ralph’s two sons, Bill and Dick purchased a neighboring farm as the Lattin brothers. Five generations after the original purchase, Bill’s son, Rick, continues to farm the now 400-acre farm and agritourism business. Many members of the Lattin family continue to live on the farm, where they carry on the Lattin family legacy through the Lattin Grower’s Market, Lattin Kitchen and agritourism business. 34 JANUARY 2021

The Progressive Rancher

Albert and Addie Weishaupt bought 80 acres in 1918 in Fallon, Nevada. They built the Weishaupt Homestead where they farmed the land for alfalfa and raised dairy cows, sheep, hogs and turkeys. In 1946, Albert and Addie’s youngest son, Karl, returned from serving in World War II, marrying Bettie Atwater and raising three children. In 1977, Karl and Bettie bought the home from his parents. Bettie passed away in 2013, but at the age of 95, Karl still lives on the family ranch where his son, Dana, continues to farm. Visit agri.nv.gov/Centennial_Awards to learn more about the Nevada Centennial Awards program and read the full history of Lattin Farms, Weishaupt Homestead and the rest of Nevada’s Centennial families. www.progressiverancher.com

STEADFAST SUPPORT

Our job is to serve and support you through the ever-changing challenges of a life in agriculture. From unpredictable weather to market shifts to global crisis, we are committed to supporting your financial needs. We remain dedicated to facing today’s challenges with you, while working toward a better tomorrow.

Call 800.800.4865 today or visit AgLoan.com A part of the Farm Credit System. Equal Opportunity Lender.

www.progressiverancher.com

The Progressive Rancher

JANUARY 2021 35

The same Angus cowherd, raised on the same ranch by the same family for 102 yrs.

Bull & Female Sale: March 8, 2021 160 Bulls & 50 Females Sons and daughters of these proven sires sell.

Spring Cove Reno 4021

Spring Cove Compound 12E

Mogck Entice

Reg 17926446 CED+7 BW+.9 WW+82 YW+136 SC+1.17 Milk+38 PAP+1.70 CW+52 Marb+.98 Rib+.69 $M+81 $G+72 $B+151 $C+277

Reg 18875915 CED+18 BW-3.2 WW+60 YW+113 SC+.51 Milk+28 PAP+1.67 CW+51 Marb+.78 Rib+.54 $M+67 $G+55 $B+149 $C+265

Reg 18952921 CED+3 BW+2.3 WW+74 YW+135 SC+2.60 Milk+27 PAP+1.50 CW+68 Marb+.82 Rib+.80 $M+55 $G+65 $B+180 $C+288

BUBS Southern Charm AA31

Spring Cove Crossbow

Sydgen Enhance

Reg 17853196 CED+4 BW+3.2 WW+68 YW+114 SC+1.99 Milk+26 PAP+2.85 CW+38 Marb+.84 Rib+.81 $M+70 $G+65 $B+140 $C+252

Reg 17924903 CED+17 BW-1.2 WW+56 YW+104 SC+.38 Milk+23 PAP+.69 CW+45 Marb+.94 Rib+.59 $M+50 $G+66 $B+162 $C+260

Reg 18170041 CED+10 BW+.2 WW+66 YW+135 SC+1.57 Milk+27 PAP+4.42 CW+63 Marb+1.12 Rib+.75 $M+76 $G+76 $B+200 $C+335

For sale catalogs call : 208-352-4332 www.springcoveranch.com Find us on Facebook The Pioneer Herd of the West

Spring Cove Ranch Angus since 1919 269 Spring Cove Rd Bliss, Idaho 83314

For more information call:

Art Butler: 208-280-1026 Stacy Butler: 208-320-8803 Josh Mavencamp: 208-358-0057 Sarah Helmick: 208-490-0741 Randy Lancaster, Triple L: 208-731-1947

The Progressive Rancher - January 2021

Articles inside

Editorial by Staci Emm

UNR Cooperative Extension

Society for Range Management Rangeland Health

Van Norman 24th Annual Production Sales Results

Mind of a Millennial | Ringing in

UNR Cooperative Extension Nevada’s Best Kept Secret

Nevada Beef Council Recipe Beef Sweet & Sloppy Joes

NCA Roundup | Special Meeting, 55th Fallon All Breeds Bull Sale 20 USDA | Conservation Efforts Continue Amid Challenging Year

NBC Checkoff News | 2021