Let’s Talk Ag

By Staci Emm | Editorial

NV STOCK WATER & WELCOME 2023

It was great to see everyone at the 2023 Cattlemen’s Update, and we are seeing an influx of storms that we hope will keep coming in hopes of a good water year. We just got back from our yearly Cattlemen’s Update, where we get out in the state, and get to see everyone. About three years ago, we starting hosting a webinar on Monday’s where we can incorporate speaker panels on different topics. This year we had a panel on water where we had State Engineer Adam Sullivan; Executive Director of the Central Nevada Regional Water Authority Jeff Fontaine; and Nevada Assemblyman Howard Watts. We had a great discussion on urban, rural and agriculture water issues in Nevada. There were several questions and a discussion about stock water.

The state engineer presented to the group that the state does recognize stock water rights. Nevada does have Nevada Revised Statues (NRS) that deal with stock water permitting and even temporary permitting of stock water wells. This became interesting language when you realize how this would work on public lands managed by the federal government. I am sure that stock water issues have been handled several different ways involving public and private land over the past century.

The main question to the panel regarding stock water was whether the State of Nevada and the federal agencies work together through “collaboration” on stock water infrastructure and overall stock water issues. I really didn’t realize the importance of this issue until I began to research how the management of stock water on public lands occurs in Nevada. The NRS combined with an online Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Nevada Water Rights Policy really opened my eyes that we have a stock water infrastructure issue just as much as we have a surface water infrastructure issue in the state. BLM has online policy that limits their ability to assist a livestock producer, all because the water permit is not in the name of the federal agency. While I did not do in-depth research on this exact issue, I think we all need to revisit or at least think about these types of issues and the collaborations needed. Does it matter if the producer holds the stock water permit for his livestock in the ranch’s name or his personal name? Why should collaboration and financial federal assistance be limited if the water permit is not in the federally agencies name and holds a beneficial use for livestock? How much is this happening in Nevada?

Some of this problem might be mitigated, in the short term, for some livestock producers in a recent policy change within a USDA, Farm Service Agency (FSA) program. The policy changes just happened and is supposed to address wells on public lands. I encourage you to go into your local FSA office if you are interested. But, while this may be the quick fix, it does not take care of the collaboration issues between the state and the federal government.

What should the relationship be between the federal land management agencies and the State of Nevada in the regulation and infrastructure of stock water in Nevada? We all know that it is just not livestock that use this water infrastructure, and that wildlife and feral horses are utilizing this water too. I believe that there has to be a collaboration, and an understanding on all sides between producers, wildlife managers, and public land managers. I have many colleagues, as UNR has one of the best range programs in the country, that believe livestock can be used as an effective range management tool. This should facilitate a strong collaboration moving forward.

I am so thankful that I get to participate in the Cattlemen’s Update every year. I learn something new and get to visit with so many great people. As we start our 2023 legislative session, there will be some focus on water. We are also getting some weather, which means we have a chance at getting a decent water year.

See next two pages for a comprehensive article on this year's Cattlemen's Update

The annual Cattlemen’s Update, presented annually in January by the University of Nevada and sponsored by a number of businesses and agencies, crisscrossed Northern Nevada in to present information to ranchers and other stakeholders that may affect their businesses and the Nevada cattle industry.

The first day was presented virtually and then presenters headed east to Fallon, Ely, Elko and Winnemucca to offer a wide variety of topics. The Cattlemen’s Update is a partnership led by the university’s College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources (CABNR) and its Extension and Experiment Station units.

Attendees received information not only to help them with their operations but also make them aware of critical problems or issues facing those who work the land. As he has done for years, Dr. Barry Perryman, a researcher, professor and chair of the College’s Department of Agriculture, Veterinary & Rangeland Sciences, moderated the three-hour program.

A new problem weed

Dr. Lesly Morris, associate professor in Rangeland Ecology and Management, sounded a warning shot involving an invasive species of weed that has spread across the Pacific Northwest and has the ability to be a problem in the Great Basin. She said cheatgrass and Medusa head, a nonnative, noxious winter weed that has been identified to be harmful to Nevada’s agriculture, the general public or the environment.

Morris said ventenata could be the next problem grass, which is a wispy, little plant that grows from 4 to 18 inches tall and has very smooth, slender leaves. The first recorded collection occurred in1952 in Washington state and then began to spread to eight other states.

Morris pointed out ventenata has a limited distribution and has been placed in category A on the noxious weed list. She said the worst case scenario is for the weed could grow anywhere in the Great Basin.