IN THIS ISSUE
Webinar: "Pecos Watershed Conservation Initiative" If you have already registered for today's webinar, consider this a reminder. If you haven't, there is still time to register for Pecos Watershed Conservation Initiative. The 10 a.m. (MST) webinar is part of the series for the Western Governors' Species Conservation and Endangered Species Act Initiative. The Pecos Watershed Conservation Initiative brings together state and federal agencies, industry, and conservation organizations to restore water quality and wildlife habitat throughout the Permian Basin of Texas and New Mexico. The webinar will be moderated by Chris West, Director, Rocky Mountain Regional Office, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Panelists include: MylesCulhane, Assistant General Counsel, Occidental Petroleum Corporation; Ross Melinchuk, Deputy Executive Director - Natural Resources, Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife; Nick Owens, Senior HSE Representative, Anadarko Petroleum; Debbie Hughes, Executive Director, New Mexico Association of Conservation Districts and Xavier Montoya, New Mexico State Conservationist, Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Register Now
The Western Governors' Association represents the Governors of 19 Western states and 3 U.S.-flag islands. The association is an instrument of the Governors for bipartisan policy development, information exchange and collective action on issues of critical importance to the Western U.S.
You are invited to
You are invited to
COWBOY CHURCH!
COWBOY CHURCH!
Bible Study Fri @ 9 am
Sunday @ 11am services
4275 Solias Rd Fallon, NV
Bible Study Wed @ 6 pm
Are you having a Rodeo or Livestock event? GIVE US A CALL. We would love to come to your event or ranch and host Cowboy Church for you.
Harmony Ranch Ministry Tom J. Gonzalez | Diana J. Gonzalez, Pastor threecrossls@cccomm.net
(775) 240-8870 Cell (775) 867-3100
FIND MORE ARTICLES ON OUR WEBSITE www.progressiverancher.com WGA’s Top 10 Policy Accomplishments in 2017 1/3 of Idaho Elected Representatives Petition Sessions Recognizing Sites for Effective Mitigation in Sage-Grouse Habitat 2 March 2018
NRRC "Rancher Support"
18
Master Stockman Consulting "Beef Outlook"
19
Photos by Jessica Olson
22
NDA "Virginia Range"
24
NSRM "We Are Range Club"
28
Range Plants "Snowberry"
Letter to the Editor "Thoughts by Dave Secrist"
30
Master Stockman Consulting "Calculating AUM"
12
NBC Checkoff News
32
NV Farm Bureau News
14
In the Mind of a Millennial "Industry Insight"
38
Cow Country Church "A Picture of the Church"
Riding for the NCA Brand NCA President's Statement
4
NCA Executive Column Bull Sale Recap & Scholarship
7
NCBA "Bipartisan Bill"
8
Nevada Cattlewomen
10
Eye on the Outside "Attend Conventions"
11
The Progressive Rancher
ABOUT WGA
3767 Keyes Way Fallon, NV 89406
15
3
Owner/Editor/Publisher – Leana Litten Carey progressiverancher@elko.net Graphic Design/Layout – Allegra Print & Imaging www.AllegraReno.com
Cover Photo credit: Brenda Burdick Published 8 times each year, The Progressive Rancher is mailed to more than 7,000 approved addresses, and has digital and print readership reaching more than 30,000. The views and opinions expressed by writers of articles appearing in this publication are not necessarily those of the editor. Letters of opinion are welcomed by The Progressive Rancher. Rates for advertising are available upon request. Advertising in The Progressive Rancher does not necessarily imply editorial endorsement. Liability for any errors or omissions in advertisements shall not exceed the cost of the space occupied by the error or omission. The Progressive Rancher is free to people working and active in the livestock industry. The Progressive Rancher is donated to the agricultural industry. If you are not currently receiving this magazine on a regular basis and would like to be a part of The Progressive Rancher family, contact us by e-mail at progressiverancher@elko.net today, so we can include you on our mailing list. If you have moved or changed addresses, please notify us by e-mail so we can keep you informed. All requests for the magazine must be made by e-mail.
© The Progressive Rancher Magazine. All rights reserved.
Leana Litten Carey, Owner/Editor
1188 Court St., #81, Elko, NV 89801 (208) 358-2487 • progressiverancher@elko.net
WWW.PROGRESSIVERANCHER.COM Ads sent to or built by The Progressive Rancher become property of this magazine.
The Progressive Rancher
www.progressiverancher.com
From the desk of your NCA president By Sam Mori, NCA President
Sam Mori
Hello to Everyone,
I hope all is well on your outfits and in your endeavors. We have been blessed with some much-needed moisture. A nice start to spring! As of this writing, we have returned from The National Cattleman’s Beef Association Convention in Phoenix. There is much optimism in the beef business. Some of the points discussed of importance to our industry included the need to keep our trade agreements moving in a manner that sends a significant amount of our production out of the country. The increasing middleclass, globally, has an appetite for our nutritious, delicious American beef. Discussion in the Federal Lands Committee gave us the opportunity to comment on the need for flexibility and adaptability in grazing permits, to be able to address the issues pertaining to sage grouse, fire, and general range land management. We are reminded of the fact it is important for all of us to be engaged in the process through communication with our agency personnel all the way to our congressional delegation. Your association would be glad to provide you with any contact information you may need. Our office number is 775-738-9214. We just completed the Fallon All Breeds Buy Sale. It was surely nice to see and visit with so many wonderful people. Thank you to ALL who worked so hard to make this event happen! This sale is one of the major income sources for your association. Half Page Program(5.5”x4.25”) The importance of your membership is not overlooked and is very much needed and appreciated. If you are a member, thank you. If you are not, we extend a welcome to join us in the interest of keeping this great industry strong! As we move into the spring season, your association will be working on many issues that are important to our daily business operations. This time of year is so hectic with everything needing to be done “yesterday”, it’s easy to forget to take time and smell the roses. As we fly through our busy days, let us remember your Nevada Cattleman’s Association is here to serve and help you. If there is anything we can do to be an asset, let us know!
Timing counts when it comes to your social security benefit Social Security can be one of your most valuable retirement assets. The decision of when you start taking your benefit impacts how much you’ll receive.
Call or visit today, and learn how your decision impacts your overall retirement income strategy. Final decisions about Social Security filing strategies always rest with you and should always be based on your specific needs and health considerations. For more information, visit the Social Security Administration website at www.socialsecurity.gov.
Until next time,
Jason B Land, AAMS®
Sam
Financial Advisor IRT-7557B-A
.
www.progressiverancher.com
2213 North 5th Street Suite A Elko, NV 89801 775-738-8811 The Progressive Rancher
www.edwardjones.com
Member SIPC
March 2018
3
2018 Nevada Cattlemen's Association Annual Fallon All Breeds Bull Sale Recap
F
By Kaley Sproul Chapin, NCA Executive Director and FBS Sale Secretary
rom Thursday, February 15th through SaturKaley (Sproul) Chapin day, February 17th of 2018 in Fallon, NV, the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association held their 52nd Annual Fallon All Breeds Bull Sale. Consignments arrived on Thursday and the festivities began early on Friday. Sifting and Grading of the bulls took place in the morning while the Outdoor Tradeshow Vendors set up and the Stock Dog Trials began. This year’s sale featured bulls ranging from 14-25 months of age. Cattlemen from California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, and Utah attended the sale looking to buy their range-ready bulls for the year. The Sale Average for the top 75 bulls sold comes to $3,214.00. Breed Averages included: Angus for $2,735.29; Balancer for $2,710.00; Charolais for $2,137.50; and Herefords for $3,582.35. Each year, the consignors continue to bring highquality bulls. Because of the high quality of bulls and dedicated support to the sale, the sale continues to be a success and reach out to many of the western states. The Nevada Cattlemen’s Association and Fallon Bull Sale Committee thank you for your participation and congratulate this year’s award recipients. The Top Range Bull Award and the Angus Best of Breed was awarded to Thorenfeldt Land & Cattle for lot #144. It was sold to Dave Stix for $4,250. Thank you to both parties for your participation and support of the Fallon All Breeds Bull Sale. The Hereford Best of Breed was awarded to Daniels Hereford Ranch for lot #S-202 selling for $4,000 to Chris Gansberg. The Charolais Best of Breed was awarded to Siddoway Charolais for lot #1. It was sold to Kenny Lee for $2,500. The Balancer Best of Breed was awarded to Deep Creek Mountain
4 March 2018
Gelbvieh/Angus for lot #159. It was sold to Shorty Brown for $3,750. The High Selling Bull was from Phil Allen & Son for lot #22 sold to Louis Scatena for $7,250. This year’s recipient of the volume buyer jacket is Dave Stix. Thank you to our volume buyer and all of our buyers. Whether you bought one bull or eleven, your continued support of the Bull Sale is appreciated. Along with the dedicated group of buyers and consignors that participate in the sale each year, there are several sponsors who help make the sale possible year after year and they include: Pinenut Livestock, (awards for Best of Breed, Top Overall Range Bull, and ear tags for the sale); Fallon Convention Center (grant for advertising); Progressive Rancher (advertisement for the sale); Ott’s Farm Equipment (general sponsorship); Big R (for donating the panels for the FFA raffle); and Great Basin Ranch of Southern Nevada Water Authority (for donating the “Raffle Calf ”, proceeds go to benefit Churchill FFA and the NCA Scholarship Fund). Also, each year Gayle Hybarger organizes the Stock Dog Trials and Auction, proceeds go to benefit a family in need of help in the livestock industry. Along with these dedicated sponsors, we would also like to thank Stix Cattle Company for contributing a donation calf. Without the support of these great sponsors, the Fallon Bull Sale would not be possible. Nevada Cattlemen’s Association and the Fallon Bull Sale Committee would like to send a thank you to everyone for support and assistance in making the Sale a success each year! Lastly, a very big thank you to Tommy Lee and his Family along with the crew at the Fallon Livestock LLC., the Churchill County FFA, the Churchill County Cowbelles, Sale Ringmen, Eric Duarte (Auctioneer) and the Fallon Bull Sale Committee members. Your hard work is greatly appreciated!
The Progressive Rancher
Daniels Herefords - Best Of Hereford
Balancer Best of Breed - Deep Creek Mountain Gelbvieh / Angus
Best of Breed & Top Range Bull - Thorenfeldt Land & Cattle / Angus
Siddoway Charolais - Best Of Breed
www.progressiverancher.com
Nevada Cattlemen’s Association Offers $1,000 Scholarship for High School Seniors Each year the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association accepts application for a $1,000 Scholarship open to all Nevada High School graduation seniors. Eligibility requirements for the Scholarship include:
• Student must be a senior graduating from a High School in Nevada
• Student must plan to attend a Community College or a 4-year College or University • Students must be seeking a degree in an agriculturally related field • Student must have at least a 2.5 GPA
In addition to completing an application, candidates must also submit: • A typewritten essay of 1,000 to 1,500 words on any current issue involving the beef industry including references cited • A copy of the student’s official transcripts • Three letters of reference
Scholarship application forms can be downloaded from the Nevada Cattlemen’s website at www.nevadacattlemen.org, or applicants can call the NCA office at 775-738-9214 or send a request to nca@nevadabeef.org for a copy.
Completed application form and all required information must be postmarked by Monday, April 30, 2018 and sent to: Attn: Research & Education Committee, c/o Nevada Cattlemen’s Association, P.O. Box 310, Elko, NV 89803; or submitted by email with subject line, “2018 NCA Scholarship Applicant (Your Name)” to nca@nevadabeef.org.
www.progressiverancher.com
The Progressive Rancher
March 2018
5
Efficient, Easy-Flesh ing, Moderate-Sized, Low-Input, Grass-Based Genetics
Earl should buy his bulls from PCC.
Earl proudly shows off his new bull after the spring bull sale...
Earl trails his new bull home in the fall...
482 PCC Solar Bulls
Developed Without Grain Sell in April
P HARO C ATTLE C OMPANY www.PharoCattle.com
800-311-0995 Bulls@PharoCattle.com Call or Email for a Sale Catalog 6 March 2018
The Progressive Rancher
www.progressiverancher.com
National Cattlemen's Beef Association
Cattlemen Applaud Introduction of Strong Bipartisan Bill in U.S. Senate to Prevent Farms, Ranches From Being Regulated Like Toxic Superfund Sites by Ed Frank and Max Moncaster
Ten Republicans, Ten Democrats Join Together As Initial Co-Sponsors on Fischer-Donnelly FARM Act
T
he National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) today applauded the introduction of bipartisan legislation in the U.S. Senate that would prevent farms, ranches, and other agricultural operations from having to report livestock manure data under CERCLA, the law that governs toxic Superfund sites. The bipartisan bill was introduced today with the support of 10 Republican cosponsors and 10 Democratic co-sponsors. “There’s not a lot of truly bipartisan legislation in Washington these days, but one thing that pretty much everybody can agree on is that a responsibly-run cattle ranch isn’t a toxic Superfund site,” said fifthgeneration California rancher and NCBA President Kevin Kester. “On behalf of cattle producers across America, I want to sincerely thank the Senators from both parties who worked together to introduce this bipartisan bill. I also want to encourage other Senators to join the effort and pass this bill as quickly as possible.” Initial bipartisan cosponsors of Fair Agricultural Reporting Method Act (or, FARM Act) are U.S. Sens. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Claire McCaskill (DMo.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Joe Manchin (D-W.V.), Bob Casey (D-Penn.), and Tina Smith (D-Minn.). The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) was enacted to provide for cleanup of the worst industrial chemical toxic waste dumps and spills, such as oil spills and chemical tank explosions. CERCLA was never intended to govern agricultural operations, for whom emissions from livestock are a part of everyday life. To make this clear, in 2008, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a rule to clarify that farms were exempt from CERCLA reporting and small farms, in particular, were exempt from EPCRA
www.progressiverancher.com
reporting, given that low-level livestock emissions are not the kind of "releases" that Congress intended to manage with these laws. Upon being sued in 2009 by environmental advocacy groups, the Obama Administration's EPA defended the exemption in court on the grounds that CERCLA and EPCRA do not explicitly exempt farms because Congress never believed that agriculture would be covered under these statutes, so a specific statutory exemption was not viewed to be necessary. Unfortunately, in April 2017, the D.C. Circuit Court vacated the EPA's 2008 exemption, putting nearly 200,000 farms and ranches under the regulatory reporting authorities enshrined in CERCLA and EPCRA. The new reporting requirements could have gone into effect on Jan. 22, but the Court delayed implementation of the requirements until May 1, 2018, which gives Congress time to act. NCBA in January kicked off a media campaign on the issue with an online video featuring the group’s Chief Environmental Counsel, Scott Yager. In the video, Yager donned a yellow hazmat suit and explained the issue at an actual toxic Superfund site near Fredericksburg, Virginia. He then shows the contrast between the contaminated Superfund site and a cattle farm in nearby Louisa County, Virginia, that would likely have to comply with the new reporting requirements. "This is most certainly not a toxic Superfund site,” Yager explained from the Virginia cow pasture. “Unfortunately, a recent court decision may force cattle producers and other agricultural operations to report a bunch of information about their cow poop to the federal government under the Superfund laws that were only meant to deal with toxic waste. That is unless Congress acts soon.”
The National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) has represented
America's cattle producers since 1898, preserving the heritage and strength of the industry through education and public policy. As the largest association of cattle producers, NCBA works to create new markets and increase demand for beef. Efforts are made possible through membership contributions. To join, contact NCBA at 1-866-BEEF-USA or membership@beef.org.
The Progressive Rancher
March 2018
7
SIDNEY WINTERMOTE
Treasurer/Past President of Nevada Cattlewomen, Inc.
S
idney Wintermote was born to parents Kenny and Terri Merkley. She grew up in Jiggs, Nevada attending Mound Valley School and Spring Creek High School. She was very active in 4-H, FFA, and high school rodeo.
After high school, she attended the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls, ID and Great Basin College in Elko, NV. She graduated with an Associates Degree in Animal Health. She returned to live on the family ranch and interned for the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association right out of college. She got a job working with the state veterinarian at Nevada Department of Agriculture in 2007.
In 2013, she married Kelly Wintermote in Jiggs, NV. Kelly teaches science at Elko County High School and coaches several sports. Sidney and Kelly spend time on the family ranch that has been in her family since 1881. They help the family on the ranch whenever needed. Sidney and her brother, Tom, are the fifth generation to work on the family ranch.
Kelly & Sidney Wintermote
“Growing up on a cattle ranch allowed me to develop a passion for ranching and the beef industry at a very young age. The men and women that form this community are a tight knit, hard working group that respect the land and the stock they raise.” Sidney said, while adding, “Their admiration for this industry has inspired me to carry on the traditions and educate consumers on animal husbandry, the nutrition of beef and the importance of understanding what is involved to put food on the family table.” Sidney has been a member of Elko County Cattlewomen for the last 10 years. She is currently the Treasurer/Past President of Nevada Cattlewomen, Inc.
8 March 2018
The Progressive Rancher
www.progressiverancher.com
2018 American National Cattlewomen Meetings
T
his month I would like to talk about my first experience attending the American National Cattlewomen, Inc. (ANCW) in Phoenix, AZ on January 29-30, 2018.
The meeting started out with a President’s council and then the executive board meeting began to prepare for the main meeting on January 30. ANCW is in good financial standing due to the volunteerism of the national leaders. Membership is still below what it was in the past and there are efforts and programs being created to increase membership. This coincides with what Nevada is trying to do to increase membership in our state organization, and bring more affiliates from across the state into the organization.
Staci Emm
UPCOMING ANCW REGION VI MEETING • Hyatt Regency in Monterey, CA • April 23-25, 2018 Early registration deadline March 1, 2018 • Room reservation deadline March 23, 2018 Information at: https://ancw.org/region-meetings/
There are also several programs that ANCW offers and is trying to expand. One of these programs is the leadership certification program. I was just called this last week to see if I would participate in this program possibly as a future instructor. This training program is getting ready to graduate their first class after the program was redesigned. I plan on attending the summer meetings in Denver where the in-person workshops occur this next year. The program includes three in-person workshops and two webinars. This training content covers several topics from how to run a successful meeting and conflict resolution to beef advocacy and promotion. I think this program has a lot of potential and we will see what the future brings. Lastly, Nevada Cattlewomen, Inc. provided funding in this year’s budget to assist the affiliates with agriculture in the classroom materials. We do have 400 copies of the “Wow that Cow.” We also will be purchasing educational books for the classroom. We hope to be working with you soon.
Special Feeder Sale Tuesday, March 13 at 1pm Special Feeder Sale Tuesday, April 10 at 1pm Special Feeder Sale Tuesday, May 8 at 1pm
www.progressiverancher.com
The Progressive Rancher
March 2018
9
By Joseph Guild
Y
Attending Conventions
ou raise beef cattle somewhere in the inter-mountain west and you love your work and your lifestyle. How can you celebrate all things beef in one place with thousands of your fellow cattle producers from all over the country? Where can you express your opinion about policies affecting your industry? You have not taken that many vacations through the years because there is always something to do to keep you close to home and the responsibilities of operating the ranch. So where can you go for a break that will also offer a chance to learn some new things of value to take home and make your operation better? Many long time readers have read my unflinching support for joining and participating in cattle industry associations such as the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association, Nevada Farm Bureau and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA). Joining is the first step. Participating by attending committee meetings, arguing for specific policy positions and following through by holding staff accountable to these positions is another. The only way one can do this is to show up and be heard.
I would suggest the next time an NCBA Convention comes to a city in your region you take a little time off and attend. Even if the Convention is not in your region go anyway. You will be rewarded with new knowledge about any number of subjects which will help improve your business. You will make new friends from all over the country and just talking with them about their ranches and farms and how they operate will expand your horizon and make you better. Also, you will be entertained and laugh a little. And, you will be exposed to the latest products and services to make your operation a more optimum enterprise.
All the things mentioned above occurred in Phoenix, Arizona where the most recent NCBA Convention just closed. I attended along with over 15 fellow Nevadans and close to 7,600 others for four days of education, entertainment, good food and drink and fellowship. 10 March 2018
The week started with a Cattlemen’s College event. Subjects featured and taught by cattle producers and other livestock scientists and professionals were: Infectious Diseases Update by Nevada State Veterinarian J.J. Goicoechea , Latest Techniques for Cattle ID and Management, Interactive Strategies for Engaging with Federal Agencies and True Stories of Beef Business Survival, among others. There was also an outdoor demonstration area where low stress cattle handling ideas on foot alone or using dogs and from horse back were shown and discussed.
"Conventions are well worth the time and effort and should be experienced at least once." Walking around the downtown Phoenix Convention Center area near many of the hotels in close proximity felt like being in a small western town instead of one of the largest cities in America because of all the boots, hats and friendly faces.
Speaking of walking, the trade show, which included the outdoor exhibit space and the demonstration area mentioned above, covered almost eight acres, so you certainly had to have comfortable boots or shoes to see it all. This was not a place to break in a new pair of boots, although you could buy boots and a whole new wardrobe in the trade show. You could also buy a new corral system, feed truck, tractor, back hoe, feed mixer or stock trailer. If you did not want to buy you could simply ask questions and obtain information about equipment and services. As to services, you could ask about an Alaskan fishing trip, crop or health insurance, legal representation, real estate or global commodity marketing.
Every animal health pharmaceutical company had a booth in this trade show with over 350 other exhibitors, so you could learn about the latest innovations in animal health as well. Interested in animal science research and The Progressive Rancher
practical application of the research? Many of the top Agricultural Colleges and Universities were in attendance in the trade show. If all you did in attending this convention was wander through the trade show and talk with the exhibitors you were interested in, three days was not enough time to see it all.
So how about the entertainment? I am sure most of the readers of this publication have heard of Bill Engvall. He headlined the final night’s festivities and the audience laughed itself into collective tears he was so hilarious and with his companions, Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood from “Whose Line Is It Anyway”, the whole world seemed funny for at least a little while. Another evening was devoted to Hispanic culture with a fiesta and a Charro Rodeo accompanied by music, Mexican food, beer and mixed drinks.
There was plenty of inspiration too with former Major league pitcher Jim Abbott who spoke of his journey to play baseball at the highest level as the only one- handed pitcher in the history of the game- a man who pitched a no-hitter when he was playing for the New York Yankees. A real crowd pleaser and another impressive life story was told by the star of the Food Network, The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond. A cattle rancher herself with her Oklahoma ranch raised husband, she spoke the language of the audience with a message of perseverance and taking advantage of opportunities that present themselves to all of us. An early morning market report from Cattle Fax helped every attendee see where we might be headed for the next year as we sell our calves and cattle. The week finished with an NCBA Board of Directors meeting. New officers were chosen and policy was passed to set the coming year's direction for the Washington D.C. lobby staff.
All in all, these conventions are well worth the time and effort and should be experienced at least once by every cattle producer if possible. I hope to see you soon at a convention or someplace else.
www.progressiverancher.com
Le††er †o †he Editor
I
Some Thoughts by Dave Secrist
just received the current issue of the “Progressive Rancher” and was very appreciative of the heart felt story written by Joseph Guild. I’m one of the very few, old, mossback dinosaurs left that was president of the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association back in the dinosaur days about forty years ago. Joe touched on a subject that is very thoroughly embedded in the makeup of ranchers and cowboys as well as other rural living people. These folks respect the land they live on and the environment that surrounds them. Joe’s well written story touches on the emotional side of a range rancher that the general public should be exposed to but seldom sees. It’s published in a well- known livestock magazine most of the general public never reads. Forty years ago when I was president of the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association much of the general public still looked at the rancher and range cowboy in a positive way. I just assumed it would always be that way. Because of the pressures of the MX Missile program and reduction of lawful AUM’s (that were hot issues at the time) on public lands, etc. I made a mistake and didn’t realize the importance of getting the true story of the cowboy/rancher directly to the general public. For too long we’ve let the extreme environmental organizations tell the rancher’s story to the American public with their spin on it. Joe’s story placed in a livestock publication gives me a chance to make the following point. Forty years ago we also wrote heart felt stories. We sent them to livestock publications were they were published and in due time they ended up back in the mailboxes from which they were sent. Few if any arrived in publications normally read by the general public where the stories should be read. Now forty years later, back to Joe’s well written column. I’ll bet a plug nickel that letter was sent from Joe’s ranch mailbox. I know it was sent to a livestock publication to be published and I’ll bet another plug nickel Joe’s story was not read by the general public. I know Joe intended this letter to be read by his peers, friends, and livestock industry personal but this type of story needs to be told to the American public.
www.progressiverancher.com
For years during the early nineteen thirties the American public was bombarded with what was called Western or cowboy movies shown in movie theaters every Saturday night. These cowboy movies depicted cowboys/ranchers as hair triggered individuals firing from the hip with both pistols blazing while they chased the bad guys. To add to this image of the rancher, for the last fifty years extreme environmental organizations have presented the cowboy/rancher to the general public as being money hungry individuals, over using the land they live on while destroying the environment that surrounds them. I have been a cowboy and rancher for nearly all of my ninety years of life. I can proudly say most if not all of the land I owned or steward of was in better shape when I left it than when I found it. In my opinion this statement could, in most instances, truthfully be reported where ever ranchers or other rural living people make their living from the land they live on. A feeling for the land they live on and the environment that surrounds them runs deep. This may be one of the most important secrets that are being kept from the general public as we enter the twenty first century. I used to tell our kids to look around and enjoy the things surrounding them that we often take for granted. Many people spend big money just to stay a short time enjoying the environment ranchers live in year around. Beside the emotional connections, most range cowboys/ ranchers have for their land, ranchers learned over half a century ago they could not starve a living out of a cow, horse, sheep or the range they graze. Releasing this secret to the general public may be one of the most important things cattlemen’s association can do as we face the twenty first century. A big thanks to cattlemen associations that present a united front so we as ranchers can operate our ranches independently. Sometimes I believe if ranchers were raising buffalo instead of cows the general public would think we were pretty good guys and gals after all. Note: I was hoping you might find room in the next “Progressive Rancher” to print my ramblings. I meant them to compliment Joe's “Eye on the Outside” column, and remind ranchers and cattlemen’s associations of an important issue that in my opinion has been slipping through the cracks.
The Progressive Rancher
March 2018
11
CHECKOFF NEWS: Nevada Beef Council Update By Nevada Beef Council staff
T
his month’s Nevada Beef Council (NBC) update is being written on the heels of the 2018 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show, held in Phoenix. These events always provide great information about what’s happening throughout the industry and the nation, and this year’s convention was no different.
Consumer Insights
During a session on consumer insight and beef ’s performance at the food service and retail level, the NCBA research team shared some promising results from recent research. Here’s a quick synopsis of a few tidbits that piqued our interest: ✔ Consumers are projected to eat 7.8 percent more beef in 2018 than in 2015. ✔ There remains a strong business case for beef at the retail level: adding beef to the shopping cart results in a bigger shopping cart, and drives sales across the entire store. ✔ For food service, the business case is also strong: having beef on the menus increases gross profit dollars, and increases add-on sales of other menu items. ✔ Nutrition remains a strong incentive for consumers to consume more beef. When it comes to perceptions of what the best sources of protein are, beef ranks number one among consumers, followed by eggs and chicken. ✔ When older millennial consumers have children, their beef eating increase by 11 percent, primarily through adding ground beef.
Demand Determinants
Additional insight shared during the convention came from a newly released study commissioned by the Beef Checkoff Program called “Assessing Beef Demand Determinants.” This report summarizes the current knowledge of consumer demand for beef and identifies the best opportunities for the industry to influence demand positively. In short, the study finds that beef quality, consumer incomes, attention to beef in health articles in medical journals and the general media, and shifts in race composition of the U.S. population are key determinants affecting beef demand in the long term.
Understanding Beef Demand
Given the state of the cattle industry’s supply, the understanding of beef demand versus consumption is critical, as is clarifying the role of per capita consumption in beef demand. Per capita consumption is, in effect, per capita availability of beef, the report authors note. Demand, on the other hand, effectively refers to the quantity of beef that consumers will purchase at a given price, with all other factors held constant. "Beef purchasing decisions have become less sensitive to retail beef prices. While prices will always matter, this reinforces the importance of industry focus on beef quality aspects of taste, appearance, convenience and freshness," said report co-author Dr. Glynn Tonsor, professor of livestock marketing at Kansas State University.
“In short, both beef supplies and cattle prices increased in 2017 relative to 2016 – an outcome only possible with demand growth,” the report notes. “A perpetual industry priority is to better understand and monitor beef demand, and to inform stakeholders because demand directly influences overall industry success.”
Importance to Beef Producers
It has been a critical need for the industry to understand what beef demand is: Is it as strong today compared to the past? What has made it strong? Those kinds of basic questions have long been of importance to the beef checkoff. If beef demand is strong, then higher prices are being paid for beef than would otherwise be the case. That’s because higher prices being paid for beef in turn leads to higher prices for wholesale beef, higher fed cattle and higher feeder cattle prices, and most producers recognize that benefit in the form of higher cattle prices. One thing the research for this study did was update elasticity estimates, or how sensitive purchasing behavior is to prices. If the price goes up by one percent, how many fewer pounds are purchased? This study shows U.S. consumers are less sensitive to beef prices than they used to be. That does not mean price doesn’t matter, but the numbers showed that a one percent increase in price has a smaller impact on beef consumption than it used to.
What Can the Checkoff Do?
The report includes five key recommendations for consideration in making decisions about how to invest checkoff dollars: ✔ Beef quality aspects such as taste, appearance, convenience, and freshness remain key for sustaining and growing beef demand. ✔ External coverage of “hot topics” is likely to continue to be dynamic for the beef industry, so the recommendation is for systematic reassessment of which topics have the largest net impact on beef demand and focus on those. ✔ Increase collaborative approaches with the U.S. pork and chicken industries. Given limited cross-price sensitivity and a host of common challenges and opportunities, a more collaborative approach may better utilize the industry’s limited resources given recent increases in competition from plant-based protein sources. ✔ Additional targeting of beef product development, messaging and marketing to consumers with particular attention to race, income, age, political ideology and product type considerations. ✔ Conduct a systematic evaluation of information sources available to gain beef demand insight, with more focus on leveraging existing industry investments to regularly assess beef demand. In addition to Dr. Tonsor, authors of this report included Dr. Jayson Lusk, distinguished professor and head of the Department of Agricultural Economics at Purdue University, and Dr. Ted Schroeder, professor of livestock marketing at Kansas State University. “Assessing Beef Demand Determinants” is available on MyBeefCheckoff.com Note: Some of this content provided by the Beef Checkoff Program.
For more about the Nevada Beef Council or the Beef Checkoff, visit www.nevadabeef.org or www.mybeefcheckoff.org 12 March 2018
The Progressive Rancher
www.progressiverancher.com
“Courtesy of Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.”
Rustic Corned Beef and Potato Bake By Damon McCune, NBC Director of Food and Nutrition Outreach Fuel up with this hearty dish for St. Patrick’s Day. It may be the luck of the Irish or the 27 grams of protein per serving that keeps you going strong through the day… or helps you recover from the night before. This meal is like a hug in a bowl for your body. It contains all the comforts of bold flavor with a solid foundation of potassium to help maintain hydration status, zinc to assist in metabolic activity, iron to aid in delivering nutrients throughout the body, and of course protein to nourish your muscles and recovery. The preparation is easy and can incorporate last night’s leftover corned beef brisket or be made fresh. Show your friends and family the pot of gold this holiday by preparing a meal that will not disappoint. The only thing that will be pinched will be the utensils to serve more. Makes 4 servings INGREDIENTS • • • • •
12 ounces Corned Beef Brisket, coarsely chopped 1 tablespoon butter 1/2 cup chopped onions 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme 2 tablespoons reserved horseradish-butter mixture
(See Dijon-Glazed Corned Beef with Savory Cabbage and Red Potatoes for recipe.)
• 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese • 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese • 2 cups reserved potato halves
INSTRUCTIONS FOR BEEF AND EGG BREAKFAST MUGS
• Heat oven to 375°F. Melt 2 teaspoons butter in large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onion and thyme; cook and stir 3 to 4 minutes or until onion is tender. Remove from heat; stir in Corned Beef and horseradish-butter mixture. Meanwhile, coat bottom and sides of 9-inch glass pie plate with remaining 1 teaspoon butter; set aside. • Cut each potato half into 4 wedges. Arrange 1/2 of potato wedges in single layer over bottom of pie plate; stick remaining potato wedges upright around the edge of the pie plate. Combine cheeses in small bowl. Sprinkle potatoes with 1/2 of cheese mixture. Top with corned beef mixture and remaining cheese mixture. Press firmly with spatula to compact layers; cover with aluminum foil. • Bake in 375°F oven 25 to 30 minutes or until heated through. Uncover; continue baking 3 to 5 minutes or until cheese is melted and edges begin to brown. Let stand 5 minutes. Cut into wedges. Cook's Tip: If using deli Corned Beef and frozen prepared roasted potatoes, increase covered baking time to 35 minutes. Nutrition information per serving: 445 Calories; 28g Total Fat; 13g Saturated Fat; 11g Monounsaturated Fat; 121mg Cholesterol; 1130mg Sodium; 121g Total carbohydrate; 27g Protein; 2.5mg Iron; 2.6mg Niacin; 0.3mg Vitamin B6; 2.3mcg Vitamin B12; 5.1mg Zinc; 33mcg Selenium; 1.5g Fiber. Find more ideas for main dishes and leftovers at www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com.
www.progressiverancher.com
The Progressive Rancher
March 2018
13
In the Mind of a Millennial By Jill Scofield, Director of Producer Relations, California & Nevada Beef Council
Industry Insight
I
f you’ve already read this month’s Nevada Beef Council update shared in this issue of The Progressive Rancher, you’ve read about some of the great insight shared at the 2018 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show, held in Phoenix in early February.
If you haven’t yet read that article, though, I’m going to restate here some of the interesting points provided during a session on consumer insight and beef ’s performance at the food service and retail level. (If this is repetitive to you, skip ahead to the next paragraph.) • Consumers are projected to eat 7.8 percent more beef in 2018 than in 2015. • There remains a strong business case for beef at the retail level: adding beef to the shopping cart results in a bigger shopping cart, and drives sales across the entire store. • For food service, the business case is also strong: having beef on the menus increases gross profit dollars, and increases add-on sales of other menu items. • Nutrition remains a strong incentive for consumers to consume more beef. When it comes to perceptions of what the best sources of protein are, beef ranks number one among consumers, followed by eggs and chicken.
California beef councils work to connect with channel influencers and consumers in innovative ways across broad platforms. We’ve talked a lot about the NBC’s work with Ibotta, a mobile based shopping service, which is fast becoming a go-to for consumers looking for discounts on their favorite products or food items. These partnerships have resulted in a broader reach through our retail promotions, and a bigger bang for your checkoff dollars. (Stay tuned next month for results from a recently completed Nevada Ibotta promotion.) As part of this innovation, the reintroduction of the new Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. brand has brought the beef industry and this classic campaign tagline back to the forefront for American consumers. Through updated content, new videos sharing the production story, and a broad campaign designed to engage producers, this effort has reached tens of millions of consumers in the first few months. One specific component of this promotional push was a series of “Nicely Done Beef ” graphics shared through online and social media efforts. (See a couple of our favorites, shared here.) This is a lot of information and data to throw at you in one article, but this just scratches the surface of the checkoff-funded research that helps ensure our programs continue to be on-target with today’s consumer. For more on these and other great programs made possible by your checkoff investment, visit www.mybeefcheckoff.org.
• When older millennial consumers have children, their beef eating increase by 11 percent, primarily through adding ground beef. Checkoff-funded research also indicates that consumers are very positive about beef ’s taste and flavor profile, but aren’t always confident in how to prepare certain cuts of beef. There’s been a lot of work done about that over the past several years, thanks in large part to the “Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. Culinary Center,” which develops and shares instructional brochures, fact sheets and videos on the BeefItsWhatsForDinner. com website and social media platforms to help consumers learn how to select and prepare the prefect cut for the right occasion. And this work seems to be paying off: • 70% of consumers say it is easy for them to pick the right cut of beef • 79% say that beef delivers good results consistently • 84% say they know how to prepare beef well. I’ve also shared in the past about how the continued and heavy adoption of digital technology and social media are leading to consumers continually seeks better ways to find information about the food they eat. Pulled from the “2018 State of the Beef Industry”, the following quote details why this is so important to our industry. “Whether it’s new recipes or insight into how food is produced, consumers are discovering more and better ways to find and use online digital information. This is especially true for millennials, the generation that essentially grew up during the digital age, and represents a considerable opportunity for beef, given their numbers and spending potential.” Diving into this a bit deeper, millennials, of which there are approximately 102 million in the United States, spend an average of 53 hours a week online, and 30 percent of them shop for groceries online. Being a part of this technology revolution is vastly important for the beef industry, which is why both the checkoff and state beef councils such as the Nevada and 14 March 2018
The Progressive Rancher
Jill Scofield is the Director of Producer Relations for the California and Nevada Beef Councils. She grew up on a cow-calf ranch in Northwestern Nevada. www.progressiverancher.com
NRRC Continues Support for Nevada’s Public Land Ranchers
T
By Rachel Buzzetti he Nevada Rangeland Resources Commission funded a variety of agencies and organizations in 2017 to support their mission to inform Nevadans about the positive role ranchers play in public land grazing.
At their March 2nd meeting in Winnemucca, the commission will again consider requests from applicants to fund programs designed to promote responsible grazing on Nevada's rangelands. “The Arid West”, a 60 minute television documentary, funded by NRRC, covered the many issues that the prolonged drought has caused Nevada Ranchers. It aired in prime time on the Charter network in Reno in March of 2017. The documentary was produced by Golden Productions. The production is also available on Facebook and for viewing on NRRC’s website: www.nevadarangelands.org. A new NRRC 30 minute documentary targeting ranchers, land management agencies and teens attending “The Nevada Youth Range Camp” was filmed at Smith Creek Ranch in the Desatoya Mountains in June. “Future Stewards of the Range”, also produced by Golden Productions, will premier in the spring of 2018 on Reno television and then air repeatedly throughout the year. This project will also be promoted aggressively on social media. NRRC’s “Responsible Ranching” advertising campaign, launched in 2016 on Reno TV channels KAME Fox 11 and KRXI My21, was continued in 2017. The 30 second and 15 second commercials featured the public land rancher perspective on the wild horse issue, sage grouse, grazing fees and sustainable grazing. All commercials can be viewed on www.nevadarangelands.org. Additionally in 2017, NRRC sponsored booths at the Nevada Farm Bureau’s annual convention in Minden, and at the Nevada Cattlemen’s Convention in Elko. A survey was conducted to solicit input from public land ranchers attending to gage their approval on how the Commission is spending their funds. Results will be presented to the commission at the March, 2018 meeting. Range Magazine, Progressive Rancher, Great Basin Water Network, Nevada Rancher Magazine and Nevada Ag Foundation also received funding from NRRC to support their efforts promoting public land ranching. Nevada ranchers with public land grazing allotments fund the NRRC, which is based on the number of AUM's they are authorized to graze on their respective allotments. The NRRC is governed by a commission of nine voting members. These members are nominated through each of the grazing boards: Nevada Cattlemen's Association, Nevada Woolgrowers and the Farm Bureau; then appointed by the Governor. Current commissioners include: Hank Vogler; Chairman, Rama Paris; Vice Chairman, Tim Delong, Joe Kircher, Mike Riordan, Richard Huntsburger, Bert Paris, Mitch Heguy and Bevan Lister. www.progressiverancher.com
The Progressive Rancher
March 2018
15
16 March 2018
The Progressive Rancher
www.progressiverancher.com
JBC Wrangler 84C RCM Blk Ace 335A
TSB Apache 52A
Our family has been raising cattle in the rugged desert mountains of western Utah for more than 150 years. We raise both commercial and registered cattle. we select for problem free cows that bring a calf home every year until they are 14 to 16 years old. We have used Salers for more than 30 years our Salers cows are the best mother cows we have ever had.
50 Yearling Bulls Sired By:
Ace, TSB Apache 52A, JBC Topeka 79B, TSB Bongo 141B, and JBC Wrangler 84C
RCM Blk P
Bulls & Heifers Sold Private Treaty Fertility • Longevity • Calving Ease • Disposition • Efficient Performance
Gregg Jasperson 801.667.3565 or 801.361.8122 P.O. Box 12 • Goshen, UT 84633 Email: jaspersoncattle@gmail.com Website: www.jaspersoncattle.com • Follow us on Facebook www.progressiverancher.com
The Progressive Rancher
March 2018
17
B E E F OUTLO O K The beef cow herd expansion slows, price projection similar to 2017 By Bridger Feuz
T
hree major factors affect the market dynamics of the beef industry; the supply of beef, the demand for beef, and the status of beef trade. Looking at each of these factors provides a better understanding of long-term market trends.
– cost of imports) was negative in 2015 but bounced back to $880 million in 2016. When 2017 numbers are tallied they will likely be similar to 2016.
2017 calf prices saw a slight rebound from 2016 and trended up throughout the year. 2017 prices for 500-600 pound steer calves were averaging $155 per cwt. at the January 1 beef cow inventory saw back to back years of 3% beginning of the year, but trended upward October price growth or more in 2016 and 2017. However the January 1, were averaging $165. By the end of the year prices were 2018 beef cow inventory number showed a more moderate at $170. growth of only 1.6%. Starting in 2006, the January 1 cow So what will 2018 look like? We still are faced with an inventory declined year over year through 2013. 2014 was increasing supply of cattle. The Livestock Marketing the turn-around year and 2015 saw moderate growth, with Information Center is projecting prices for 500-600 pound 2016 and 2017 experiencing significant growth. January steer calves to be between $157-$163 per cwt. in the third 1, 2018 beef cow inventory has increased 1.6 percent for quarter of the year and $149-$156 in the fourth quarter. a total of 31.7 million head of beef cows. The number of heifers held as beef cow replacements gives us an indication Bridger Feuz is the University of Wyoming Extension of the trend for January 1, 2019. 6.1 million heifers were Livestock Marketing Specialist and can be reached at retained for replacements as of January 1, 2018. While (307) 783-0570 or bmfeuz@uwyo.edu. this is still a historically high number, it is actually a 3.7% decline from 2017. This is the first year that fewer heifers were retained as compared to the year prior since 2011. Beef demand is a combination of the amount of beef consumed in the U.S. with the amount of dollars spent on beef. These two factors are combined to form the demand index. The beef demand index, an index that adjusts for inflation and uses 1990 as the base year for comparison with a value of 100, bottomed out in 1997 and again in 2010 at 75 a 33% decline from 1980 levels. Since 2010 demand has been stronger for beef and has continued to grow through 2015, topping out at 92. The demand index for 2016 was 89. Consumer’s willingness to stick with beef even under relatively high retail prices over the last few years has been a big driver for the demand index. The U.S. dollar began to strengthen in 2013 and continued through much of 2016. As a result export markets were down slightly in 2014 and down more significantly through 2016. The annual net value of our exports (sales of exports 18 March 2018
The Progressive Rancher
www.progressiverancher.com
Photos by Jessica Olson
www.progressiverancher.com
The Progressive Rancher
March 2018
19
FEED YOUR COWS SOME OF THIS!! Cover Crops are Hot!
Annual Clovers Fix 100lbs of Nitrogen/acre
CUT BEFORE BLOOM and get a second grazing for free!
One of our annual, No Bloat Clovers
MIX THIS WITH YOUR OATS OR TRITICALE Cut planting rate of triticale and/or oats Plug up every other drop tube in your grain drill If you plant trit. or oats on March 1, wait till April 1, to broadcast your clover For additional details, go to website.
Why would you plant straight oats or triticale @ 11% protein when you can average 19-20% protein by adding this high yielding and very nutritious cover crop?
BOOK YOUR SEED NOW FOR SPRING DELIVERY Alan Greenway Seedsman Over 40yrs Experience
20 March 2018
GREENWAY SEEDS
Caldwell, Idaho Alan cell: (208) 250-0159 msg: (208) 454-8342 www.greenwayseedandindustries.com
The Progressive Rancher
www.progressiverancher.com
st
21 Annual
MaagAngusO&ftHereford Vallad Bull Sale MARCH 15, 2018 • 1 P.M. OFFERING 200 HEAD
OF REGISTERED ANGUS & HEREFORD BULLS SIRED BY WORLD CLASS A.I. BULLS LIKE THESE...
RB Tour of Duty
Quaker Hill Rampage
12 sons sell! PA Fortitude 2500
13 sons sell! 13 sons sell! Churchill Sensation 028X
5 sons sell!
10 sons sell! FREE FEED FOR 1 MONTH AFTER SALE ALL BULLS TESTED BVD PI FREE 1ST BREEDING SEASON GUARANTEE COMPLETE FERTILITY TESTING NEGATIVE TRICH TEST & TAG
Bob & MaryAnn Maag (541) 473-2108
WR Journey 1X74
Maag Ranch Headquarters Vale, Oregon
Terry & Susan Oft (541) 889-6801
See complete offering online at www.maagangus.com www.progressiverancher.com
The Progressive Rancher
Jason & Deanne Vallad (541) 889-4562 Bid Online:
March 2018
21
NDA Releases Request for Proposals for Virginia Range Estray Horses Deadline for potential owners to apply is April 16
T
By Rebecca Allured he Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) released today a request for proposals (RFP) to identify a new owner of the Virginia Range estray horses. The RFP comes after a directive given by the Nevada Board of Agriculture during their Dec. 12, 2017 meeting.
“Our number one priority has always been the protection of public safety, which requires access to resources that we have never possessed,” Director Barbee said. “Our hope is that, under new ownership, the horses can be managed on the range according to their needs. The selected nonprofit owner will have full decisionmaking capacity.”
“The intent, as outlined by the board during their meeting and in the RFP, is to select an owner that will work to keep the horse population on the range and facilitate adoptions of any horses that need to be removed from the range,” Director Jim Barbee said.
The Virginia Range estray horse population includes all feral and estray horses roaming in the area from highway 395 to 95A and I-80 to highway 50. The most recent census shows there were 2,951 horses counted in the Virginia Range area.
Per the RFP, potential owners must detail plans and ability in five areas: livestock management (including addressing public safety risks), fertility control, stakeholder and local government coordination, partnership development and management, and fund development.
The RFP will include two question and answer periods and can be found online here: http://agri.nv.gov/Administration/Grant_ Opportunities/
ATTACHMENT A - VIRGINIA RANGE FERAL HORSE POPULATION CENSUS
Virginia range feral horse population census Nevada Department of Agriculture Interstate 80 ( !
( ! ! (
( !
( ! ( ! ! ! ( (
Fern ley
( ! ( !
( ! ! ! ( (
! ( ( ( ! (! ! ( ! ( (! ! ( ! ( ! ( !
( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! !! ( ( ! ! ( (( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ! ( ( ! ( ( ! ( ! ! ( ! !! ( ( ! ( ( ( ! ! ( ! ! ( ( ! U.S. 95 Alternate ( ( ! ( ( ! ! (! ( ! ! (! ( ! ( ! ! ( !! ( (! ( ( ! ( ! (( ! (! ! ( ! ( ( ! ! ( ! ( ! ! ( ( ( ! ( ! ( ! ! ! ( ( ! ( ! ! ( ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ! ! ( ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ( ! !( ( ( ! ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ( ! ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( !! ( (( ! ! ( ! ( ( ! (! ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ( ! ! ( ( ! ( ! ! ! ( ( ! ( ! ( ! ( (! ! ( ! ( ! ( ! (! ! ( ! ( ! ( ( ! ( ! Silv er Springs ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ( ! ! ( ! ( ! ( ( ! ! ( ! ( ( ! (! ! ( ! ( ! ( !
Reno
( ! ! ( (! ( ( ! (! ( ! (! ! ( (! ! ( ! ( ! ( !! (
( (! ! ( ! ( ! ! ( ( ! ! ( ( !
( !
! ( ( ! ! ( ! ( ( ( ! ! (! ! ( ! ( ( !
( ! ! ( ( !
( !
( !
( ( ! ! ( ! ( !
( !
( ! ( !
( !
( !
( !
( ! ( !
U.S. 395 Alternate
( !
( !
( !
( !
( ! ( !
( ! ( !
( !
( !
( !
( !
( !
( !
( !
( !
Virginia City ( ! ( ! ! (! (
( ! ( !
( ! ( ! ! ( ( !
! ( ( !
( ! ( ! ! ( ( ! ! ( ( (! !
( !
( ! ( ! ( !
!! ( (
( !
! ( ( !
( !
( ! ! (
( ! ! (
( !
NDA
( !
Highway 50
Count count by location Count Count Horse
( !! (
( ! ( ( ! !
- 11 111-11 --111 11
( !
( ! ( ( ! !
12 - 22 12 -- 22 12 22 12-22
( ! ( ( ! !
23 - 33 23 -- 33 23-33 23 33
( ! ( ( ! !
34 - 44 34 -- 44 34-44 34 44
( ! ( ( ! !
45 - 55 45 -- 55 45-55 45 55
( !
Dayton
Survey Track Survey track Survey Track Survey Track
TOTAL HORSE COUNT: 2,9511
1. Horse count conducted January 2018 by a Bureau of Land Management Wild Horse and Burro specialist via helicopter fly-over.
NBA Director Jim Barbee
The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) promotes a business climate that is fair, economically viable and encourages a sustainable environment that serves to protect food, fiber and human health and safety through effective service and education. NDA includes the divisions of Administration, Animal Industry, Consumer Equitability, Food and Nutrition and Plant Industry.
NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE • agri.nv.gov • 775-353-3601 • Document Date: January 25, 2018
22 March 2018
The Progressive Rancher
www.progressiverancher.com
www.progressiverancher.com
The Progressive Rancher
March 2018
23
We Are Range Club Faith Syfrett, Louis Mendive, Ashley Huntsberger, Ashley Cale and Emily Harmon - University Nevada Range Club
T
he importance of young men and women to get involved in natural resources at a young age is critical for future management of these great rangelands. The Range Club at the Figure 3. Range Club student taking a break of helping out with daily chores out at the Gund Ranch. University of Nevada Reno is an excellent avenue for young men and women entering the University or already enrolled in The University. The University Nevada Range Club currently consist of young men and women pursuing degrees various disciplines from rangeland management, wildlife conservation, forestry, education, veterinary science, and everything in between. What has brought such a diverse group together is the common passion for the beautiful rangelands our state has to offer. Whether our background came from a rural setting or bigger city setting, our love and appreciation for the outdoors only grows. Some of our students fell in love with the cattle and the way of life on the range, others love the scenery and smell that our sagebrush rangelands have to offer, or the passion of habitat that provides such great outdoor opportunities. The unique characteristics the Silver State brings enhances the passion to help in the conservation and restoration of these great rangelands. During the academic year, the Range Club prepares themselves educationally and financially for the annual Society for Range Management National Meeting. The Society for Range Management national Meeting is hosted annually at various locations from California to Florida. In 2017 the meeting was held in St. George, Utah, 2018 in Sparks, Nevada and in 2019 in Minnesota, Minneapolis. Along with our personal academic studies, the Range Club has to take time out of their busy week to study up for various individual as well as group tests in the range. In studying these plants, we are able to identify a plant based off that are held at the Society for Range Management Meetings. The group meets of the characteristics each plant has and we are then able to determine the to study plant identification of plant species that we would commonly see out scientific name of the plants family, genus, and species. Other academic studies we participate in include becoming efficient in Figure 2. Range Club student, Louis Mendive, helping out with branding activities at the Gund Ranch. determining and calculating a sustainable stocking rate, basic practices of management of the rangelands, and familiarizing ourselves with native plants and wildlife of our area. Our students also prepare ourselves to participate in extemporaneous speaking contests, research projects, and a booth competition in where we get to show others what our club does during the year. All under the representation of the University Nevada Reno (Figure 1). Along with spending months studying for the meeting we spend time fundraising to help pay for our attendance. This year we have participated in several events that we have put on as a club. Our big fund-raising event is the gun raffle that takes place every year, and this year we have been lucky enough to be able to raffle off a hand crafted saddle custom made by a local Nevadan, Duane Coombs. In 2017, the Society for Range Management-Nevada Section donated $2,000 to help us travel to The Society for Range Management Meetings in St. George, Utah, as well as another $2,500 to help pay for the custom made saddle that the club could raffle off and raise funds for future activities such as these annual meetings. The Range Club has also spent quite a bit of time chopping, selling, and delivering firewood to customers around the area. Another traditional event is sending Range Club students to the Gund Ranch, operated by the University Nevada College of Agriculture, in central Nevada to help brand cattle, repair fence, learn some of the basics of being a ranch hand for those who have not had that experience, and help educate ourselves of range management during a hands on experience (Figure 2 and 3). © Noppadol Paothong 24 March 2018
The Progressive Rancher
www.progressiverancher.com
Figure 1. University Nevada Range Club at the 2018 Society for Range Management in Sparks, Nevada.
The Society for Range Management annual meeting just came to an end February 2, 2018, and the Range Club were busy at work from sun up to well past dark. Many students competed in both the plants identification test, and the undergraduate range management exam. One of our Range Club student placed third for the extemporaneous speaking contest (Figure 4), and the club as a whole placed first in the club booth presentation (Figure 5). Range Club students who were national student conclave officers for the 2017 meeting were busy assisting student ran events that helped connect students and professionals in many different networking events, all while we attended symposiums and technical sessions to broaden our knowledge, education and understanding of natural resource findings and challenges. The Society for Range Management Meetings truly helps us grow as individuals and future professionals. The University Nevada Reno Range Club has provided us hands on experience as we begin our futures in the conservation and restoration of these lands. This club has brought together many young adults in a group that supports one another and our ambitions. We have been able to network through many different branches, which has given us a strong foundation for our future. However, the club is only as great as the individuals that are involved. We have an advisor, Tamzen Stringham, whom extremely knowledgeable and passionate about this field, as well as professors in the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology, and Natural Resources that have put a tremendous amount of effort and time in educating us and preparing us for our future. This leadership provides Range Club students with the necessary drive and determination to make the Range Club a better and stronger club each and every day. We in the Range Club are very hard working and determined to be the best we can be as our efforts as our accomplishments are well recognized. The Range Club has passionate and dedicated student officers that have a history of ranching, strongly involved with organizations such as FFA and 4-H where livestock was introduced to many of us at a young age and stayed with us growing up, as well as having officers whom have taken it upon themselves to become national officers for the Student Conclave in the Society for Range Management. All of our members are involved with many other organizations, clubs, and events that show our passion of this lifestyle and allow us to spread our knowledge with others. As we continue is our careers the success comes from individuals we learn from, peers that support one another, and organizations that continue to share the same passion we do. www.progressiverancher.com
Figure 4. Louis Mendive accepting his award for placing 3rd in Extemporaneous Speaking Contest at the 2018 Society for Range Management in Sparks, Nevada. Figure 5. University Nevada Reno Range Club awarded with 1st Place “University Display” at the Society for Range Management 2018 National Meeting.
The Progressive Rancher
March 2018
25
Jack Payne
OFFICE: 775-423-7760
26 March 2018
The Progressive Rancher
Cell: 775-217-9273 Alt: 775-225-8889
www.progressiverancher.com
www.progressiverancher.com
The Progressive Rancher
March 2018
27
RANGE PLANTS FOR THE RANCHER By Paul T. Tueller, Ph.D., CRMC
F
or this issue another mountain shrub is described. The plant is Symphoricarpos albus a shrubby species of flowering plant in the honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae) known by the name common snowberry. It is native to North America, where it occurs across much of Canada and the northern and western United States. It is found throughout the Great Basin.
Snowberry grows in shady and moist mountain and forest habitat, in woodlands and on floodplains and riverbanks. It can grow in a wide variety of habitat types. Snowberry grows up to six meters tall and is an erect, deciduous shrub, producing a stiff, branching main stem and often several smaller shoots from a rhizome. It can spread and colonize an area to form a dense thicket It reaches 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft) in maximum height.
The leaves are large, opposite, divided into five to seven leaflets, and toothed or irregularly lobed. They are generally oval, differing in size and shape, and up to 5 cm (2.0 in) long, or slightly larger on the shoots. The fruits are dull white, berry like drupes (a simple fruit), and one to one and a half centimeters in diameter (3/8 inch) containing two seeds. The flowers are small, white to creamy, with a strong unpleasant odor; numerous in a rounded or pyramidal parasol-like cluster blooming from mid-May to July. The inflorescence is a raceme of up to 16 flowers. Each flower has a small, five-toothed calyx of sepals. The bell-shaped, rounded corolla is about 0.5 cm (0.20 in) long and bright pink in color. It has pointed lobes at the mouth and the inside is filled with white hairs. The plant sometimes reproduces via seed but primarily reproduces by sprouting from its spreading rhizome. Birds disperse the seeds after they eat the fruit. It tolerates several soil types but grows best in heavy clay soils. Snowberry grows well in sun or shade. It grows in full sun to full light shade and a well-drained soil that is slightly acid to well alkaline, pH range of about 6.0 to 8.5, it is easy to transplant with its fibrous, shallow root system. Since it is a desirable shrub it is often planted. Seeds are best sown in the fall after maturity. Dormancy of this species is caused by hard seed coat and immature embryo, which can be broken by stratification in sand and peat for 90 days at 77º, plus 180 days at 41ºF. When the seedlings are large enough to handle they can be placed into individual pots and grown in a greenhouse for their first winter. Plants can then be seeded into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer. Unfortunately, snowberry is poisonous to human beings. Snowberry fruit contains low concentrations of a bitter principle, saponin, which foams in water. It is very poorly
28 March 2018
The Progressive Rancher
www.progressiverancher.com
absorbed by the body and can be broken down by thoroughly cooking the fruit. It contains the alkaloid chelidonine, which causes gastrointestinal problems and dizziness if eaten. The risk of severe poisoning does not appear great because of vomiting that occurs after ingesting. The plant can also cause dermatitis. This shrub is used for erosion control in riparian areas, and it is planted in ecological restoration projects on disturbed sites such as abandoned mines. Its white fruits and blue-green foliage made it popular as an ornamental plant planted around old houses of the 1890s through the 1920s. This shrub is an important food source for a number of animals, including bighorn sheep, white-tailed deer, and Bear. Livestock such as cattle and sheep readily browse it. Many birds and small mammals use it for food and cover. Pocket gophers dig burrows underneath it during the winter. Native Americans use the plant as a medicine and a soap, and sometimes for food, and the wood was good for arrow shafts.
www.progressiverancher.com
The Progressive Rancher
March 2018
29
Calculating an AUM Price By Bridger Feuz
O
ne of the most common questions asked of university extension faculty, is “How much is an AUM worth?, or How much is an AUM currently going for?”. Unless the extension educator has done a full survey of the pasture and ranges in the area, it is likely not prudent to provide an educated guess. As these “educated guesses” can often result in market setting prices. A better response to the question is to provide a method for calculating a more accurate value based on the producers input.
animal. To calculate the number of AUMs per yearling, divide the initial weight of the yearling by 1000. Then multiply the yearling value created times the adjusted AUMs to calculate the total potential value of an AUM.
Several methods exist for calculating the value of an AUM. Some methods focus on the costs of alternative sources such as grain or hay. Other methods take a cost approach to the problem. That is they add up all the costs associated with offering a pasture for rent as a starting point. However, this bulletin will look at the value created in the cattle grazing the pasture, or range, to calculate the AUM price.
When grazing pairs this method assumes the primary objective is to create value in the calf. The value created per calf is calculated the same as the yearling calculation.
The two most common cattle grazing options are yearlings and pairs. Since the value created in grazing a yearling is slightly different than grazing a cow/calf pair, the basic method has been adapted to accurately reflect an AUM price for both situations. In both cases a total AUM value is first calculated. This is not an AUM price, but rather the total potential value. The price is then set by adjusting the share of the total value the lessor and lessee receive.
Calculating the Total Value of a Yearling AUM
The total value per yearling is represented by the value of the pounds gained by the yearling. Another way to look at is simply the potential value of the yearling at the end of the month less the known value of the yearling at the beginning of the month. First calculate the initial value of the yearling. This is the easiest calculation; it is simply the weight of the yearling at entry multiplied by the current market price for that yearling. Initial Value: 700 lbs X $1.50 = $1050.00 Next calculate the potential value of the yearling at the end of the month. The two factors that will affect this value are the amount of weight gain, and the new market price. Most producers are able to estimate a potential weight gain based on prior experience with a pasture. This method then uses the price slide to adjust the original market price for the yearling. As animals gain weight the market price for that animal declines on a per pound or cwt basis. This is known as the price slide. On average the price slide is $9 per cwt. So to calculate the potential ending value of the yearling multiply the projected month end weight by the price slide adjusted market price. End Weight: 750 lbs Price Slide: $150 cwt – ((50 lbs/100 cwt) X $9) = $145.50 End Value: 750 lbs X $1.455 = $1091.25 Next calculate the value created per yearling by subtracting the initial value from the end value. Value Created: $1091.25 - $1050 = $41.25 Finally calculate the total value of an AUM based on the number of yearlings per AUM. An AUM is defined as a 1000 lb cow with a calf. Yearlings are the equivalent of 0.6 AUMs for a light animal up to 1.0 AUMs for a heavy 30 March 2018
Yearling AUMs: 700 lbs / 1000 lbs = 0.70 Total AUM Value: $41.25 / 0.70 = $58.93
Calculating the Total Value of a Cow/Calf Pair AUM
Initial Value: 300 lbs X $2.00 = $600
End Weight: 375 lbs
Price Slide: $200 cwt – ((75 lbs/100 cwt) X $9) = $193.25 End Value: 375 lbs X $1.9325 = $724.69
Value Created: $724.69 - $600 = $124.69 In the yearling method the amount of AUMs for each yearling was then calculated. However in the situation of a cow/calf pair the cow is the factor to be adjusted for not the calf when calculating the AUMs. Remember an AUM is a 1000 pound cow with a calf. Since most producers no longer run 1000 pound mature cows we will need to adjust the AUMs per pair. For this use standardized adjustments of; less than 1050 lbs = 1, 1051 - 1150 lbs = 1.1, 1151 – 1250 lbs = 1.15, 1251 – 1350 lbs = 1.2, 1351 – 1450 lbs = 1.25. Pair AUMs: 1200 lbs cows = 1.15
Total AUM Value: $124.69 / 1.15 = $108.42
Calculating an AUM Price
Although the math to get to a total AUM value is relatively straight forward and easily agreed to, the calculation of an AUM price is a negotiation. Determining a fair share for the lessor and the lessee is the challenge. In other industries many service providers utilize a 1/3 to 2/3 revenue sharing split. That is they are willing to price their service at 1/3 of the potential value. This bulletin uses a 1/3 split as a base value. This would assume that the lessor was providing basic services such as the pasture, fencing, and some animal care and handling. A 50/50 revenue share is also calculated and would represent top level service provided by the lessor. It would also imply additional advantages to the lease such as close proximity or limited availability. Yearling AUM Price 33% Share: $58.93 X .33 = $19.45 Yearling AUM Price 50% Share: $58.93 X .50 = $29.46 Pair AUM Price 33% Share: $108.42 X .33 = $35.78 Pair AUM Price 50% Share: $108.42 X .50 = $54.21 The AUM prices calculated using this method are meant to serve as a starting point for the negotiation process. The method allows both the lessor and the lessee to see the total potential value creation per AUM. However, the actual agreed upon share may vary, with a 1/3 to 2/3 split being a good starting point in the negotiation process. A calculation tool can be found online at: www.uwyoextension.org/ranchtools
The Progressive Rancher
www.progressiverancher.com
www.progressiverancher.com
The Progressive Rancher
March 2018
31
NEVADA FARM BUREAUFARM NEVADA
BUREAU
High Level Agricultural Visitor Stops in Las Vegas
O
By: Brittney Pericoli, Director of Communications, NVFB
n Monday February 12th the Nevada Farm Bureau, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) welcomed United States Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue to Las Vegas, Nevada. This was not the first time Perdue had been to Nevada, but the first time he was able to visit agriculture operations as well as learn more about agriculture issues facing Nevada farmers and ranchers. An agriculture tour was set up for Perdue that ended with a town hall style Q and A to end the day.
The first stop of the tour was at the Aria Casino on the Las Vegas strip. This was an important component to cover the recycling process involving former Nevada Farm Bureau President Hank Combs and his brother Clint Combs. Combs Brothers Recycling takes food scraps from several casinos not only on the Las Vegas strip, but throughout the Las Vegas area that are then used to feed pigs at their Las Vegas Livestock operation. Aria Casino is committed to reducing food waste and providing an eco-friendly casino for guest. Combs Brothers Recycling helps Aria Casino by sorting through the recyclables to find food scraps that can then be used to feed the pigs. Purdue was intrigued to see how these massive Las Vegas casinos are taking steps to become eco-friendly, while also working in cooperation with the agricultural industry. The next stop was to see how the gathered food scraps are then used to feed the pigs at the Las Vegas Livestock Operation. Las Vegas Livestock Operation is also owned by Hank Combs and his Brother Clint Combs. Sarah Stallard is in charge of the pig operation and gave us a better understanding of how the food scraps are prepared in order to feed the pigs. Requirements for this type of operation are for the food scraps to be cooked at 212* F for 30 minutes. Once the food scraps are cooked they are than available to be feed to the pigs. Approximately 30 tons of food scraps are 32 March 2018
Hank Combs meeting Sonny Perdue at the Aria Casino
processed daily to feed the current inventory of 3,000 pigs. The projected capacity of Las Vegas Livestock is 25,000. The final stop of the tour was lunch and a town hall style Q and A at Gilcrease Orchard. Clark County Farm Bureau was the gracious sponsor of the wonderful lunch provided for Perdue and the over 60 attendees. Several area 4-H clubs were enlisted to help in serving the meal. After lunch the town hall Q and A began where attendees were able to ask Perdue his thoughts and what he had planned for important agriculture issues facing Nevada. The discussion was great for attendees to learn more about what was happening in Congress as well as giving Perdue a better understanding of what issues where facing Nevada farmers and ranchers. It was successful day showing Perdue just some of the wonderful agriculture Nevada has to oer.
The Progressive Rancher
www.progressiverancher.com
NEVADA FARM BUREAUFARM NEVADA
BUREAU
Town Hall Meeting
Sarah Stallard explaining the pig operation to Sonny Perdue.
www.progressiverancher.com
The Progressive Rancher
March 2018
33
NEVADA FARM BUREAUFARM NEVADA
BUREAU
The Emerging Picture of Proposed Reorganization of Department of Interior Structure
A
February 2nd meeting in Salt Lake City, hosted by U.S. House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Rob Bishop, provided an overview of plans being laid by the United States Department of Interior for a possible reorganization structure for agencies operating under the Department’s authority. Promoted as a forum for transforming government to better serve the American public, the afternoon session featured James Cason, Associate Deputy Secretary of the Interior, offering some details on the concepts being pursued as part of the Department’s reorganization plans. The primary feature of the plan outline is establishing common regional territories for all of the agencies under the umbrella of the Department of Interior. These common regions are being proposed to align with an ecosystem structure, ignoring and completely abandoning the state-based structure that is used by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), one of the agencies which would be incorporated into the ecoregion structure.
By: Doug Busselman, NVFB include some type of authority over the various agencies that would bring about the results of being unified.
also raised concerns about the contrary way this ecoregional restructuring will work against building stronger state-federal relationships.
As proposed and currently being considered the common regions of the Department of Interior would subdivide Nevada into three different regions. This split would result in the Northern portion of the state fitting into the Great Basin Region, the Southeastern portion of the state into the Colorado Basin Region and Nye County being aligned with the region of Southern California, possibly called the Pacific Mountains Region.
Federal agencies have pressed the idea of ecosystem management in the past and on several fronts, especially focusing on resource planning processes.
Being divided in this fashion causes questions over the problems associated with having the administrative structure farther removed from the ground than a state office involves. There has been a long-held believe, proven over time, that a good working relationship with resource managers is more likely if those in charge are located and interact on a regular basis with stakeholders on the ground. Although not publicly promoted, the Department of Interior has held some level of sharing and discussion with their Department’s employees sometime in January.
The alignment of all the agencies into this ecoregion system is intended to provide for better collaboration and coordination of the various tasks and activities that each of the agencies currently carry out, separately, as part of their normal course of operations. Supposedly, this unified and consolidated approach is going to benefit the American public.
According to the comments that Associate Deputy Cason offered at the February 2nd Salt Lake City meeting, there also has been some discussions with some Governor’s organizations, although the impression from Western Governors has been that they don’t believe they’ve been given their due consideration in the planning process.
Helping to unify the operations of the various agencies in working in unison, a head person on a region-by-region basis would be assigned the responsibility of the coordination of the agencies. This working process would likely
A February 1 letter from the Western Governors took exception to the proposal to the change in the regional office boundaries, prior to whatever public release was made on January 10. The Western Governors’ Association letter
34 March 2018
The Progressive Rancher
When you review the ideas related to ecosystem management, perhaps by looking into the description available at Wikipedia’s Ecosystem Management link -- https://en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/Ecosystem_management -- you get the view of how government planning and control from a top-down vantage, driven by the experts, would be enhanced with such a restructuring. It also highlights the concerns by the private sector, dependent on natural resource use, have held in pushing back against the federal agencies attempts to implement. During Associate Deputy Cason’s presentation and follow-up discussion with those who attended the Salt Lake City forum, he invited those attending (mostly county Commissioners from several Western states) to weigh in with input to himself, or Secretary Ryan Zinke. Several county Commissioners from Nevada were in attendance at the meeting. Potentially, this input could include the reasons for maintaining state borders for housing the multi-agency common “regional” boundaries. There may also be sound reasons for wondering whether coordinated efforts of federal agencies offer merits from natural resource users being negatively impacted by concentrated force being focused against them? Recent experience with the topdown, federal Sage Grouse plans imposed in 2015 by the cooperating federal agencies and embodied in land use plans might be one example worth recalling… (continued)
www.progressiverancher.com
$250,000 offered through
SPECIALTY CROP GRANT
Letters of Intent are Due March 15 Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) officials are pleased to announce funding for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Approximately $250,000 will be offered to projects that serve to enhance the competitiveness of Nevada’s specialty crops. Specialty crops are defined as “fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, legumes, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture).” “This funding is made available in partnership with the USDA to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in Nevada,” said NDA Director Jim Barbee. “The grant allows us to support projects that increase awareness and education about specialty crops or enhance these Nevada crops through research.”
Grant funds through this program have been used to establish many community projects such as Great Basin Community Food Coop’s Distributors of Regional & Organic Produce & Products (DROPP) program, the Fallon Food Hub and the Desert Farming Initiative’s High Tunnel Raspberry Production Research Trial at the University of Nevada, Reno. Project proposals that promote and enhance specialty crops through research, marketing, education, and production must have multiple beneficiaries and may not be used to benefit only one individual or organization. Individual agricultural producers, non-profit and tribal organizations, minority groups, disadvantaged farmers, agricultural associations, industry groups, community based organizations and academic institutions are encouraged to apply. Letters of intent are due by March 15, 2018 and full application proposals are due by April 15, 2018. The request for proposals, past funded projects and more information can be found on the NDA website. The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) promotes a business climate that is fair, economically viable and encourages a sustainable environment that serves to protect food, fiber and human health and safety through effective service and education. NDA includes the divisions of Administration, Animal Industry, Consumer Equitability, Food and Nutrition and Plant Industry.
Proposed Reorganization: continued... The mailing address for follow-up input on the reorganization idea is: Ryan Zinke, Secretary U.S. Department of Interior 1849 C Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20240. State Governors, county commissioners, Farm Bureau and others are working to catch up in learning what is moving forward and determining how effective responses can be provided. Even though there is not a formal process that seems to be available for feedback, the impression is that the reorganization is on something of a fast-track with some elements being considered for action in the current fiscal year. More details and specifics will need to be made known before a complete understanding of the proposal is available. In spite of this, the direction being considered seems to be in apparent conflict with the idea of renewing and strengthening the principle of federalism and the way that federal agencies will work as partners with states. As opposed to this top-down and ecosystem regional plan, a much improved system will empower ground-up solutions to specifically give attention to what needs local attention. Instead of the narrow pursuit of federal agencies working closer together, improvements will come when federal agencies work closer with stakeholders and address ways of improving partnerships in resolving natural resource issues in nonregulatory ways.
www.progressiverancher.com
The Progressive Rancher
March 2018
35
SHORT ON WATER ? Two Alfalfas in One Plant If Your Pivot Only Pumps 400gal/
Plant On Dryland On the Market for 29 years
(and still unbeatable)
Greenway
360-D
We are a non-GMO seed house! Never a positive hit for GMO
Alfalfa
port Never a Re ill of Winter K
yland ing Dr Plant ays use When a alw Alfalf ed seed! coat e it!) s prov (Let u
This Alfalfa has been called a tetraploid anomaly by alfalfa breeders. On the market for 25 years, and being improved twice, It remains the highest yeilding, low water alfalfa on the market! HERE’S WHAT GROWERS ARE SAYING: "We plant 360-D every year, and we now have over 1000 acres. We took a second cutting when many other growers in our area only cut once." Bruce Davenport - Goldendale, WA
"We We planted 360-D in an irrigated field that was very short on water. Side by side was field with normal water. The 360-D yielded with the well irrigated adjacent field! No difference in yield! yield!" Ryan Telford - Richfield, ID
Alan Greenway Seedsman
Over 40 Years Experiance
Greenway Seeds Caldwell, ID Alan Greenway 208-250-0159 (cell) 208-454-8342 (message)
36 March 2018
√ √ √ √ √ √ √
Will produce AT LEAST 80% of crop with 50% of water Will produce a subsequent cutting after water is gone Plant on dryland/ guaranteed to out yield Ranger or Ladak Plant under pivots that only pump 400 gal/ Plant on fields that have only early season creek water Plant under end guns on pivots Plant in the late fall with your dormant seeded grasses
w w w. g r e e n w a y s e e d a n d i n d u s t r i e s . c o m We have sold out by March 1st each of the last 3 years. Order early!
The Progressive Rancher
www.progressiverancher.com
It matters who you work sun-up to sun-down with.
IT MATTERS WHO YOU BANK WITH.
The load is lightened when you work with someone you trust. That’s why Nevada State Bank works alongside you on everything from equipment financing and operating lines to livestock purchases and real estate.* Our agriculture specialist, John Hays, is here for you—and he’s already got his sleeves rolled up. *Subject to credit approval. Terms and conditions apply.
John Hays
®
Agricultural Banking Specialist
NSBANK.COM | 775.393.2376 www.progressiverancher.com
The Progressive Rancher
March 2018
37
Cow Country Church ~ A Picture of The Church
W
By Pastor Diana Gonzalez
hen we get to travel though cow country, I enjoy looking at old barns, corrals, and loading chutes. I try to imagine those old chutes with cattle loading out many years ago. I’ll wonder which cowboys worked here? What did they look like? Was their life a good and happy one? What hardships did they endure in their time? Old churches draw my interest also, and I try to picture in my mind how Sundays in cow country may have been like way back in the old days. Someday I’m going to take my time and get some pictures of these old places.
What did a picture of the early church look like in the Book of Acts? Read Acts 4:1-37
The Church, the body of believers, was a picture of spiritual unity. They were a picture of boldness and power. They were of one heart and one soul. (vs.32) They were all with one accord (Acts 2:1) same mind, same purpose, all in agreement, with all things in common. Spiritual unity. The Church was exploding with signs, wonders and miracles, with multitudes coming into the church body. Read Acts 5:12-16
It would be hard to photograph the early Church in the Book of Acts. They met in houses, court yards, and even in The Temple. The Church wasn’t a building it was a body of believers. Believers in Jesus The Messiah.
Boldness, power, spiritual unity, believers operating with the power of The Holy Spirit. All were healed, all were set free. Praise God!
(The body of born again believers.)
John 3:16 = Good News! John 10:10 = Good News! Isaiah 53 = Good News!
Ephesians 5:23 — Christ is head of The Church; and He is the Savior of the Body. NKJV Ephesians 5:30 — For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. NKJV
The Church is not necessarily a building, it’s a body of believers, who are members of Christ’s body. We all have a part, and yet we are all different. (Ref. 1 Corinthians 12 )
Signs wonders and miracles draw attention to God’s power and love. It sets the stage for The Gospel to be preached. (Good News)
The Good News is that Jesus came to save a lost and dying world, and the Good News is He is still at work today though His body of believers – The Church – That’s you and me. Extra Credit: read Acts chapters 1-5
MONEY BACK?
BETTER BELIEVE IT. Once again American AgCredit is paying cash dividends to our members!—!$59.8 million for 2017, more than $400 million since 2005. This effectively lowered borrowers’ interest rates an average of .75% over the past 10 years.
Find out how it works at AgLoan.com/dividends or call us at 800.800.4865. A part of the Farm Credit System. Equal Opportunity Lender.
38 March 2018
The Progressive Rancher
www.progressiverancher.com
Celebrating our 50th year in the Registered Hereford Business
37th Annual Hereford & Red Angus Bull Sale, Monday, March 12th, 2018 at Spring Cove Ranch, Bliss, Idaho 1:00 pm MDT & on LiveAuctions.TV
Selling: 40- 2 yr old & spring yearling Hereford & Red Angus Bulls & 175 Spring Cove Ranch Angus Bulls and 75 Heifers
Dam of “Boom Town” /S Lady Thor 1271Y
Selling sons of: /S JBB/Al Boom Town 44608 Reg 43567160 Sire: NJW 73S W18 Hometown 10Y Dam: /S Lady Thor 1271Y CED+9.0 BW-0.1 WN+55 YW+90 SC+1.8 CEM+.5 FAT+.046 REA+.54 MARB+.31 BMI$+18 CHB$+30
JBB/AL Boom Town 7046
Selling sons of: NJW 98S R117 Ribeye 88X ET Reg 43094146 CED+6.7 BW+1.1 WN+53 YW+76 SC+.7 CEM+4.0 FAT-.014 REA+.38 MARB+.35 BMI$+29 CHB$+28
“7046” Reg 43792156 CED+4.1 BW+2.5 WN+59 YW+97 SC+1.6 CEM+1.6 FAT+.006 REA+.55 MARB+.20 BMI$+22 CHB$+31 He sells March 12th, 2018
“7019” Reg 43792162 CED+10.0 BW+.4 WN+57 YW+91 SC+1.6 CEM+4.7 FAT+.036 REA+.53 MARB+.28 BMI$+22 CHB$+29 He sells March 12th, 2018
JBB Boom Town 7019
www.progressiverancher.com
Selling sons of: Brown JYJ Redemption Y1334 CED+17 BW-4.9 WN+66 YW+116 CEM+9 MARB+.79 REA+.04
JBB/AL Herefords James & Dawn Anderson Bev Bryan Skeeter Anderson Jae Anderson 1998 S 1500 E Gooding, Idaho 83330
James: 208-280-1505 Skeeter: 208-280-1964 Dawn: 208-280-1509 jbbalherefords@hotmail.com Find us on Facebook
For Sale Catalogs call: 208–280-1505
The Progressive Rancher
March 2018
39
Spring Cove Ranch THE Pioneer Herd of the West
We’ve been raising registered Angus cattle at Spring Cove Ranch for nearly 100 years. Our bulls are raised outside on dry range conditions, are genetically designed to provide meat, marbling and muscle and to perform in our western environment while enhancing the durability, fertility and longevity in your cowherd and in ours.
Annual Production Sale Monday, March 12, 2018 Selling 175 Angus bulls , 75 Angus females & 40 JBB/AL Hereford & Red Angus Bulls
Spring Cove Reno 4021 Reg 17926446 Sired by: KM Broken Bow 002 MGS: CCA Emblazon 702 CED+11 BW-0.4 WW+78 YW+132 SC+1.34 Milk+32 CW+53 Marb+.80 Rib+.63 $W+88.33 $F+105.85 $B+171.68 Reno sons and daughters sell March 12, 2018
Spring Cove Crossbow 4205 Reg 17924903 Sired by : KM Broken Bow 002 MGS: CCA Emblazon 702 CED+17 BW -1.6 WW+61 YW+110 SC+.17 Milk+17 CW+54 Marb+1.01 Rib+.53 $W+55.29 $F+73.16 $B+165.93 Crossbow sons and daughters sell March 12, 2018
Basin Bonus 4345
Sitz Longevity 556Z
Sitz Longevity 556Z Reg 17179073 Sire: Connealy Final Product MGS: Woodhill Foresight CED+6 BEPD+.2 WEPD+60 YEPD+108 SC+.95 Milk+30 CW+38 Marb+.80 Rib+.34 $W+67.63 $F+79.58 $B+130.71 Longevity sons and daughters sell March 12, 2018
Basin Bonus 4345 Reg 17904142 Sire: Basin Payweight 1682 MGS: Connealy Consensus 7229 CED+9 BEPD+1.0 WEPD+75 YEPD+130 SC+.76 MEPD+38 CW+54 Marb+1.03 Rib+.54 $W+88.94 $F+98.06 $B+162.10 Bonus sons and daughters sell March 12, 2018
Spring Cove Paygrade 5064 Reg 18251392 Sired by: Basin Payweight 1682 MGS: CCA Emblazon 702 CED+12 BW-.6 WW+55 YW+92 SC+.99 Milk+26 CW+34 Marb+1.04 Rib+.23 $W+64.45 $F+50.38 $B+123.55 Paygrade sons and daughters sell March 12, 2018
S A V Resource 1411
Sitz Resource 525C Reg 18084910 Sire: S A V Resource 1411 MGS: Sitz SLS Rainmaker 6914 CED+9 BEPD+.9 WEPD+60 YEPD+113 SC+1.48 MEPD+16 CW+42 Marb+.50 Rib+.84 $W+52.22 $F+69.19 $B+131.21 525C sons and daughters sell March 12, 2018
Also Featuring 20 Sons of Basin Payweight 1682 Spring Cove Ranch
For Sale Books Call: 208-352-4332 www.springcoveranch.com
Angus since 1919 40 March 2018
Find us on Facebook The Progressive Rancher
For more information call: Art or Stacy Butler Josh Mavencamp Sarah Helmick Bliss, Idaho 208-352-4332 www.progressiverancher.com