The Progressive Rancher - MAY-JUNE 2024

The Public Lands Council is hiring a Director of Government Affairs. The position serves in conjunction with our affiliate, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, out of our Washington, D.C. office. We’re looking for a leader in natural resource policy, advocating for ranchers and permittees to Congress and the federal agencies at a pivotal time for our industry. The application period is open until filled, so share the position with your network. To learn more or apply, visit https://jobs.keldair.com/ncba/jobs/81086/directorgovernment-affairs-and-public-lands-council or directly contact Kaitlynn Glover, PLC Execuctive Director at kglover@beef.org

NEVADA SOCIETY FOR RANGE MANAGEMENT

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Cover photo by Leana Carey | Thank you to Richard Allegre, Addison & Hayes Allegre (grandchildren) and Lealand Paladini for your “Why We Brand, How We Brand” presentation for the 2nd Annual CC Farm Bureau Ag Fest held at Churchill County’s NV Rafter 3C Arena, April 25, 2024. Richard is the High Desert Grange’s Beef Club Leader.

Published 8 times a year. View all issues at www.progressiverancher.com

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Leana Litten Carey, Owner/Editor

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President’s Perspective | War Horses and Colts!

I had a black horse here at the ranch named Token. He was a true “War Horse” in my opinion. I rode him at the Bob Feist Invitational Team Roping, Reno Rodeo, Jordan Valley Big Loop, Elko Fair, Eureka Fair, and just about everywhere you could think of where money was up for grabs. He wasn’t just a “town horse” though. I picked up bucking horses and drug bulls out of the arena on him at most of the High School rodeos at the same time that my kids used him in the rodeo. If you had a tough ranch job to do he was the one you relied on. Foot Rot cows to doctor, calves to brand or a bull to get out of the willows, he was your best mount. There never was a circle too big or a job you couldn’t count on him for. He never let me down. He is now semi-retired and lives the easy life in Texas with my oldest daughter doing a little team roping now and then. He earned it!

When he went on to retirement, I realized what a hole he left in my string of horses. I now have a lot of green colts that are really not prepared to go do some of the jobs that they are going to have to do. To tell you the truth I’m a little annoyed at myself for not spending more time to prepare them. Always

in a hurry, knowing the job I was going to do was going be challenging and wanting to just “get it done” I would rely on my old standby thinking “I’ll get to the young ones later”. Lots of time to educate the colts later. Later is here and I haven’t done my job to get the young one prepared. Fact of it is, some of the colts have tons of ability and talent, I just haven’t made the necessary investments to cultivate them. They’re going to have to step up now for “on the job” learning because there is no other choice. I am going to have to invest in these young ones future, both time and money to catch them up. Too much time has passed relying on the War Horses to get the tough jobs done.

As you read this you may have had the fleeting thought that I may not be just talking about horses. You may think that in my own witty way I just might be using this as a metaphoric parable to invoke thought about some random Cattlemen’s Association and the status of their membership. Let me assure you that I would do no such thing :) !

Oh, I almost forgot to mention that Anthony Barnes (youngest son of Tom and Kelly Barnes, Grandson of Harvey and Susie Barnes) is going to write the

President’s Perspective article next month. As Co-Chair of Nevada Cattlemen’s Legislative Affairs Committee he is attending the NCBA’s (National Cattlemen’s Beef Association) Legislative conference in Washington DC on our behalf along with Martin Paris, Dave Baker and Marlow Dahl. I look forward to his article. With that, I better go, I have some colts to ride!

Cheers!

Hanes Holman

Hanes Holman President, NCA

by

Martin Paris | NCA

Happy May everyone! I’m not sure where the time goes, but it sure goes fast. I hope everyone is having a good spring season so far. As usual, there is a lot going on policy wise lately that has impacts on cattle production, so I’ll dive right in.

Toward the beginning of April, the Biden Administration finalized three different rulemakings that rolled back previously made improvements to the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The revisions made do a couple of different things of importance. First, a version of the “blanket 4(d) rule for threatened species was reinstated. This means that a lot of the protections extended to endangered species will now also apply to threatened species. Second, Section 4 of the ESA previously stated that determinations must be made based on the best available scientific and commercial information. The rule now states that determinations on listing status and habitat must be made “without reference to possible economic and other impacts”. Third, and also under Section 4 of the ESA, was a change regarding unoccupied Critical Habitat Designations. Previously, the regulations dictated that in order for an unoccupied area to be considered essential to a given species, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service had to determine that the unoccupied area would contribute to the conservation of that species and the area contained one or more physical or biological features essential to its conservation. As a result of the new rule, the agency may now designate critical habitat in any area that it believes is essential for the conservation of a species. In other words, any land in the country can be critical habitat for a given species if U.S. Fish and Wildlife believes the species is threatened by factors such as climate change.

These changes have the ability to significantly impact the livestock industry and in areas that have not had ESA related actions before. The Nevada Cattlemen’s Association will continue to find avenues to advocate for commonsense ESA regulations.

On a somewhat similar note, the Bureau of Land Management recently released their draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Greater Sage-Grouse Rangewide Planning effort. The plans consist of over 600 pages of materials and would amend

MISSION STATEMENT | The mission of the Central Nevada Regional Water Authority is to prepare communities in central and eastern Nevada for sound water-resource decisions that promote prosperous economies and strong civic institutions in a healthy natural environment. For more information, please contact: Jeff Fontaine, CNRWA Executive Director 775-443-7667 / ccjfontaine@gmail.com / cnrwa.com

77 Resource Management Plans covering up to 69 million acres across 10 western states. The plans contain two separate comment deadlines. A proposal considering the establishment of Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACECs) has a 60-day comment period concluding on May 14th. The actual sage grouse plan amendments themselves have a 90-day comment period ending on June 13th. Anyone interested in viewing the proposal can do so here- https://eplanning.blm. gov/eplanning-ui/project/2016719/510. Due to the massive scale of the proposal and information included, the Public Lands Council and Nevada Cattlemen’s Association have formally requested that BLM extend both comment periods to instead be due on September 11th. The short comment periods do not allow anyone to thoughtfully digest and incorporate the discussion into comments. Stay tuned as NCA dives into the proposal and pushes for some additional time.

Shifting gears a bit, at the end of March the U.S. Senate voted 70-25 in support of S.J Res 62, a resolution disapproving of USDA’s final rule to allow fresh beef imports from Paraguay. The resolution now heads to the U.S. House of Representatives for consideration and if approved, will go to the White House for final approval. Again, fresh beef imports from Paraguay pose a significant health risk to our domestic cattle and NCA greatly appreciates the 70 Senators who voted to protect the health of U.S. cattle. We look forward to engaging with the Nevada members of the House of Representatives to get the resolution over the finish line.

Finally, please mark your calendars for the 88th Annual Nevada Cattlemen’s Association Convention & Tradeshow. This year we’ll be in Fallon at the Rafter 3C Arena, November 20-22nd. NCA is working hard to bring you a memorable and educational event this year and we hope you’ll be able to make it.

This is just a snapshot of some of the work NCA is doing on your behalf. If anyone has any questions, concerns, input on the above or any other issue, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at nca@nevadabeef.org or (775) 738-9214.

PROTECTING YOUR WATER RIGHTS

The Central Nevada Regional Water Authority was established in 2005 to proactively address water issues in the Central Region, the largest of Nevada's 14 hydrographic regions. CNRWA formulates and presents a united position on water-related issues; monitors, assesses and responds to water projects that may adversely impact a member county; implements a groundwater monitoring program and encourages citizen participation in water-related issues. CNRWA’s nine member counties are: Churchill, Elko, Esmeralda, Eureka, Humboldt, Lander, Nye, Pershing, and White Pine.

Exploring Consumer Behavior And Sustainability In The Beef Industry: A Deep Dive

Courtesty of Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner | Makenzie

Within the current consumer landscape, a complex interplay of consumer behavior and sustainability practices is evolving. It is a world where taste, ethics, and environmental consciousness intersect, influencing not just purchasing decisions but also production practices.

This evolution of consumer consciousness is playing out in a myriad of products and services and the beef industry is no exception. Through the data, we unravel the multifaceted tapestry of consumer preferences, environmental considerations, and the crucial role of trust in the beef industry.

Understanding the Shift Towards Sustainability

Central to our exploration is the discernible shift in consumer consciousness towards sustainability. In recent years, there has been a palpable surge in consumer demand for products that echo their environmental values. This is evident in the burgeoning popularity of sustainable alternatives, such as reusable bags, and the increasing preference for products boasting natural, eco-friendly ingredients.

Recent surveys reveal a significant portion of consumers actively engage in behaviors that support environmental causes. More than half of shoppers have already changed or are likely to change their shopping behavior due to environmental concerns. ¹ From reducing single-use plastics to opting for products with sustainable attributes, consumers are signaling a broader shift towards greener, more eco-conscious shopping habits.

This shift towards sustainability is not just a passing fad; it is a fundamental reorientation of consumer values. As concerns about climate change and environmental degradation intensify, consumers are increasingly seeking out products that align with their ethical and environmental principles. The question for the beef industry is are these general consumer trends specifically impacting beef consumers, and if so, how can operators respond accordingly.

Neves

| Manager, Producer Education & Engagement

Navigating the Path of Sustainability

As consumers pivot towards sustainability, manufacturing practices and ingredient sourcing come under scrutiny. This heightened awareness of sustainability considerations underscores the growing demand for transparency and accountability within the beef industry. A 2022 Kearney study found that in the last five years, Google searches about the carbon footprint of beef have increased by 18%. ² Consumers want to know not just where their beef comes from but also how it is produced. This presents an opportunity for supply chain operators to embrace more sustainable practices, from sourcing strategies to packaging materials, and to communicate these efforts transparently to consumers.

Even though consumers have increasing awareness regarding beef sustainability, it does not mean that their sentiment is negative. Recent results from NCBA’s Consumer Beef Tracker, a contractor to the beef checkoff, reveal that relative to other proteins, beef ranks #1 as supporting causes important to consumers. ³ Further evidence shows that consumers consistently perceive production of beef to be the most environmentally friendly with meat alternatives in second place. ⁴ Moreover, beef’s lead over meat alternatives has been steadily increasing since 2019. ⁴

The Role of Trust in Beef Production

Trust is the bedrock upon which consumer confidence in the beef industry rests. Consumers increasingly want assurance that the beef they purchase is not only safe and nutritious but also produced responsibly and ethically. In fact, over 70% of consumers trust that beef is nutritious and safe to eat. ⁵ However, there are areas where operators can improve communications to help elevate trust within consumer perceptions about how cattle are raised. Looking at the same data set, consumers surveyed reported lower levels of trust when asked if cattle health is a priority and if cattle are given room to roam.

1.

ShopperScape

2018 – 2023. Q11: For the statement shown, please rate each protein based on your experiences. You can

so you will need to place them in the order that you intend them to be.

Consumers tend to place an elevated level of trust in sources such as veterinarians, farmers, and government institutions. Amongst the consumers surveyed, veterinarians, farmers, and ranchers scored the highest at 62%, with organizations like the USDA-FDA and the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) placing third and fourth at 57% and 53%, respectively. Anecdotally, large media outlets such as The New York Times and Fox News ranked last at 26%. ⁶

This emphasis on credible sources underscores the importance of transparency and reliability in building consumer trust within the industry. By fostering open communication and providing verifiable information about production practices, industry stakeholders can strengthen consumer trust and confidence in the beef supply chain.

Sustainability Is Only a Small Part of the Consumer Mindset

Despite concerns about health and sustainability, there are several factors that rank higher in terms of why consumers choose to purchase beef over other proteins. Data from the Consumer Beef Tracker reveals that taste, convenience, and nutritional value continue to drive consumer preferences when it comes to beef products. A full 80% of consumers plan to maintain or eat more beef in the future. Of the 15% that plan to eat more, they cite reasons such as taste, adding protein to their diet, and the fact that beef is quick and easy to prepare. Unsurprisingly, of the 14% who plan to eat less, their reasons include higher prices, other meats are healthier, and health concerns. Interestingly, only 2.8% of that group cites ‘Eating Less Beef is Better for the Environment’ as a reason to eat less. ⁷ This simple fact illustrates that although sustainability concerns amongst consumers are growing, it remains a small motivator when it comes to beef consumption.

Conclusion

The data from the Consumer Beef Tracker provides valuable insights into the evolving landscape of consumer behavior and sustainability in the beef industry. As consumers increasingly prioritize sustainability and transparency, there is a need for supply chain operators to understand and share more about how beef is raised for food, and for the industry to stay committed to continually improving its environmental, economic and social responsibility.

BRUNCH BEEF STRATA

This crowd-pleasing breakfast casserole can be prepared the night before so the morning is relaxed and easy!

Ingredients

1-1/2 pounds Ground Beef

1 tsp salt & 1 tsp pepper, divided 1 tablespoon olive oil

4 ounces button mushrooms, sliced

1 cup chopped onion

1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves

2 cups milk

5 large eggs

Nonstick cooking spray

8 cups crustless bread cubes (3/4”)

2 cups shredded

Asiago or fontina cheese

1 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half

Thinly sliced fresh basil

Directions

Heat large nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot. Add Ground Beef; cook 8 to 10 minutes, breaking into 3/4-inch crumbles and stirring occasionally. Remove from skillet with slotted spoon; season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Set aside. Pour off drippings from skillet.

Heat oil in same skillet over medium heat until hot. Add mushrooms and onion; cook 3 to 4 minutes or until vegetables are tender, stirring frequently. Return beef to skillet. Add thyme; cook 3 to 5 minutes or until heated through, stirring frequently. Remove from heat. Set aside.

Whisk milk, eggs, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in large bowl until blended.

Spray 2-1/2 to 3-quart shallow baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Layer half of the bread cubes, 1/2 cup of the cheese and half of the beef mixture in dish. Pour half of the egg mixture over the top. Top with remaining bread cubes, 1/2 cup of the cheese and remaining beef and egg mixtures. Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup cheese. Press any dry bread cubes into egg mixture. Cover with aluminum foil; refrigerate 6 hours or as long as overnight.

Cook’s Tip: To bake strata immediately, heat oven to 350°F. Assemble strata in dish as directed. Bake, covered, 40 minutes. Uncover; bake 10 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned.

When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350°F. Bake covered, 55 minutes. Remove foil. Bake uncovered 10 to 15 minutes or until puffed and lightly browned. Let stand 5 minutes. Top with tomatoes and basil, as desired.

Photo: Johnstone Crop in Alamo, NV

Let’s Talk Ag

By Staci Emm | Editorial

Emergency Management in Agriculture

The importance of emergency management in agriculture should be one of the first things we think about, especially under the current impacts of Highly Pathogenic Avialian Influenza (HPAI/bird flu).

I am starting this week at my University Extension job working with the United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA, APHIS). We have been in discussions about Extension’s role regarding emergency management training. As I wrote Extension’s outreach component this morning and had the emails hit my desk about the influenza with the US dairy herds, I begin to realize what an important role emergency management has in our food production systems.

Our climate team was warning us a few months ago that we had the warmest winter on record and to expect added disease and pests in 2024. We all thought this was important to make sure cattle herds were vaccinated and noxious weed controls were in place. We did not expect there to be bird flu reported in dairy herds in the Spring of 2024. My biggest concern is the impact to the dairies and subsequently, to milk prices as they investigate the evolution and risk management protocols.

Emergency management does not always mean that the emergency has happened. It also focuses on the ‘what if’ something happens. While the livestock industry will deal with USDA, APHIS in its planning and regulatory compliance, all USDA agencies have a responsibility under different scenarios. For example, the USDA, Food and Nutrition Service has a food safety emergency response system.

Testing is showing that our milk supply is safe for human consumption. It is the hype that makes it scary for consumers. It brings back the discussion we had earlier this year about raw milk at the Small Ag Conference in Fallon; it is the pasteurization processes that are assisting in keeping the milk products safe for consumption and so it can be used as an emergency management tool. The US Food and

Drug Administration (FDA) is advising against the consumption of raw milk. There are rumors that USDA will begin testing ground beef samples from grocery stores in the near future as a precaution.

The global H5N1 bird flu outbreak began in 2020 in Europe. The bird flu has been increasing infecting mammals on land and in the sea. The poultry industry was hit the hardest with more than 90 million birds euthanized in the United States. It seems that the dairy herds are recovering, but testing is showing remnants of the virus. The infographic below describes the detection of the virus in wild and captured mammals from USDA, APHIS Wildlife Services, which was the only infographic available at this time.

I believe that emergency management planning is something we all need to think about. How do we continually protect our agricultural products (animals and food products) to the best of our ability? We do have access to the USDA with its vast knowledge and expertise. We need to do the planning, and find our partners, before something does happen. Once something happens, the chain reaction can be harmful to the industry as a whole.

I encourage you all to pay attention to what is happening in the dairy industry. It could have a chain reaction that could also hit the beef industry. All producers that I know, take pride in what they produce and do everything they can to have a safe product.

The fear is that sometimes we are so worried about the local emergency management of floods, heat, and feed that we don’t look at the larger picture of what is happening in the US and World when it comes to the type of product we produce. Especially, those types of things that are way out of the producer’s control.

We are navigating 2024 now with some water, high temperatures expected, and more disease and pests expected. Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) is taking a proactive approach to monitoring HPAI/ bird flu and is communicating with the industry. Being a cattle producer and/or a dairyman is not for the faint of heart.

We need to use all resources available to us and all work together for a vibrant future livestock industry.

WASHINGTON CREEK RANCH LANDER CO.

640 +/- acre Reese River Valley farm, 6 pivots, water rights for 500 acres, 3 mountain streams and 3 ag wells. Currently producing quality horse hay, with strong repeat customer base. Pride of ownership throughout $2,950,000 MLS #3623776

Off grid, 718 acres, 325 irrigated, 2 artesian wells flowing 300+ gpm each of 68° water. 10 wheel lines, can run 5 simultaneously on gravity flow, more w/ diesel booster pumps, corrals w/loading chute. $2,500,000 PRICE REDUCED $1,900,000 MLS #3623335

CENTRAL NEVADA RANCH

Beautiful, iconic ranch, formerly known as the Hanks Ranch, established in 1868 with 435 deeded acres and 122,080 acres of BLM ground with 4776 AUMS. The 435 deeded acres comes with 90% mineral rights! This cattle ranch runs 400 head of cattle year-round with an abundant supply of water! On the deeded ground there is a beautiful natural bottomless spring that produces 227.4 GPM. You will also find several natural springs throughout the entire ranch with 5 springs already developed on the East side from the mountain to the foothills, and on the West you will find springs that feed down the draws for ease of watering your cattle year-round. The water table is high so the valley floor has abundant lush meadow grass, which has previously been hayed or can be pastured. You will find a full set of working pipe corrals and a permanent loading chute located at the ranch headquarters. There are two houses on the property--the main house is 1352 sq ft 3 bed, 2 bath home and the bunk house is a 2 bed 2 bath home. This ranch has endless opportunities--This would be a perfect opportunity for anyone to run cattle year-round or to add to their existing operation. A true must see! Call Chad Steele on this one. 775-962-1356

CENTRAL NEVADA FARM

In Railroad Valley just North of the ranch above. 320 deeded acres with 250 acres of certified underground water rights for irrigation. Two wells are in and an irrigation system is needed. There is a custom home which is 55% complete of over 3000 sq ft plus a 3 car attached garage. Not far off Hwy 6. Good water in this valley and should be able to expect 3-4 cuttings

WEBER RANCH LINCOLN COUNTY

120 acre off grid oasis, 40 irrigated, year round live stream and pond, 100+ mature pecan trees, solar panels with back up diesel generators, two 30’ x 100’ greenhouses. $1,750,000 MLS #3623477 CHICKEN RANCH ELKO COUNTY

DIXIE RANCH PERSHING COUNTY

Unique 64 acre property at Unionville. 10 irrigated acres & pond fed by Buena Vista Creek. 3,000 sqft main home, 1,800 sqft 2nd residence, 1,200 sqft apartment. Great personal retreat or commercial venture. Nevada’s oldest school house is on the property. Wet bar & bandstand offers a great setting for social events. $3,480,000 PRICE REDUCED $2,480,000 MLS #3624119

NDA AG LITERACY RESOURCES

National Agriculture in the Classroom Curriculum Matrix

An online, searchable, and standards-based curriculum map for K-12 teachers. The Matrix contextualizes national education standards in science, social studies, and nutrition education with relevant instructional resources linked to Common Core Standards. Search our instructional, classroom-ready resources now! Grades: K-12. To access the curriculum matrix, visit: https://agclassroom. org//teacher/matrix/index.cfm

Combating Food Insecurity Curriculum

An engaging middle school-level curriculum consisting of six lessons on world hunger and agriculture’s role in finding solutions. Developed by the National Turkey Federation and the National FFA Organization. Grades: 6-9. To access the curriculum, visit: https:// ffa.app.box.com/v/combatingfoodinsecurity

Healthy Eating, Smart Learning –Nevada School Meal Pattern Activity Booklet Series

Inspired by Nevada’s School Meal Pattern, each activity booklet addresses one of the food groups on a student’s breakfast or lunch tray. Students learn about healthy eating, food and agriculture, a connection of a food group to Nevada, career opportunities and more. Grades: 3-5. Available Activity Booklet downloads:

Fruits: https://agri.nv.gov/uploadedFiles/agrinvgov/Content/ Resources/Brochures/whole_book_proof_fruits_Final.pdf

Grains: https://agri.nv.gov/uploadedFiles/agrinvgov/Content/ Resources/Brochures/whole_book_proof_grain_KS_NEW_918.pdf

Meats/Meat Alts: https://agri.nv.gov/uploadedFiles/agrinvgov/ Content/Resources/Brochures/whole_book_meat_final.pdf

Milk: https://agri.nv.gov/uploadedFiles/agrinvgov/Content/ Resources/Brochures/whole_book_dairy_Final.pdf

Vegetables: https://agri.nv.gov/uploadedFiles/agrinvgov/Content/ Resources/Brochures/whole_book_proof_vegs_Final.pdf

Hungry Pests - Educator Tools

Hungry pests are invasive species that threaten to harm our crops and trees. Left unchecked, they can devastate entire agricultural industries, eliminating jobs, threatening our food supplies and costing billions. There are things that each of us can do to help stop the spread. It’s up to each of us to be sure that we’re not packing a pest when we move things outdoors, go camping, or travel internationally. The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has created tools for educators to utilize including: middle school curriculum; service learning curriculum for elementary, middle, and high school; Youth activities, videos, booklets and more! Grades K-12. View educator tools here: www.aphis.usda. gov/plant-pests-diseases/hungry-pests/resources/educators

Nevada Agriculture Map

When kids know where their food comes from, they are more likely to make healthy, nutrition-conscious choices. This double sided poster offers information about the food process and what agriculture looks like in Nevada. Grades K-12. Download a map: agri. nv.gov/uploadedFiles/agrinvgov/Content/Outreach/Ag_Literacy/ NV_Ag_Map_final.pdf

View MANY more resources here:

https://agri.nv.gov/Outreach/Ag_Literacy/Resources/

May 23

Consignment Deadline: May 15 WVM Headquarters | Cottonwood, CA

June 6

Consignment Deadline: May 29 WVM

Headquarters | Cottonwood, CA

July 8 - 10

Consignment Deadline: June 20

Silver Legacy Casino Resort | Reno, NV

(530) 347-3793

wvm@wvmcattle.com

www.wvmcattle.com

Responding To BLM’s New Sage Grouse Management Plans

By Doug Busselman | NFB Executive Vice President

The March 15, 2024, Federal Register carried a notice that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) had prepared a Draft Resource Management Plan Amendment (RMPA) and a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Greater Sage Grouse range wide.

This notice included a 60-day comment period for proposed to designate Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) that were embedded in their proposal and a 90-day comment period for the Draft RMPA/EIS. The deadline for the ACEC comments is May 14, 2024, and the 90-day deadline will be June 15 or 15-days after the last public meeting (whichever is later).

Should the proposal go forward as crafted 77 BLM land use plans would be amended in a single swoop, impacting 10 Western States.

In conducting the obligatory National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process, BLM has provided six alternatives for analysis and for the public to offer their comments. In brief, the Alternatives cover:

Alternative 1: BLM would re-adopt the applicable Greater Sage Grouse habitat management area boundaries, goals, objectives, and actions that they offered in their 2015 Records of Decision. This proposal got shut down by a court injunction and brought about the adoption of the 2019 version. This option would allow the agency to return to their management of Sagebrush Focal Areas with the recommendation of using this designation to withdraw mineral location and entry under the Mining Law of 1872. It would also allow for prioritization of other activities to vegetative treatments like livestock grazing and wild horses & burros.

Alternative 2: This is suggested to be the agency’s “No-Action” Alternative, operating under the applicable decisions from the 2019 Record of Decision (except for areas in the Montana/Dakotas). It is being considered as the “No-Action” Alternative because it reflects management currently in BLM’s Resource Management Areas. This option also most closely follows the Sage Grouse plans that were developed by the states.

Alternative 3: In their own words, this alternative “includes the most restrictive measures to protect and preserve Greater Sage Grouse and its habitat.” Armed with the ACEC’s (covering over 11 million acres) that the agency would like to include, this proposal would make all habitat management to the level of priority habitat management and exclude all multiple uses, including livestock grazing. It even suggests that BLM would pull all Wild Horses and Burros from the designated areas.

Alternative 4: This proposal updates the habitat management areas and associated management based on new information and science that has become available since the 2015 and 2019 versions of BLM’s top-down requirements. In Wyoming it dings new oil and gas leases and puts into place the potential of compensatory mitigation to be used in specific conditions. It would allow for more opportunities for consideration of local habitat characteristics when applying mitigation exceptions but still requires functional habitat prior to granting the exception. Lastly, this alternative would treat the previously identified Sage Grouse Focal Areas to be managed as Priority Habitat Management Areas with removal of the withdrawal from mineral entry recommendations and prioritization strategies.

Alternative 5: This proposal has been identified as BLM’s “preferred alternative.” State Sage Grouse management areas have been updated in this version of possible management. It is also considered to be the option with fewer restrictions and more flexibility, using higher degrees of compensatory mitigation to offset impacts on Sage Grouse and their habitat. For wind, solar and major rights-of-ways projects (top priority BLM objectives) have less direct avoidance and provides more opportunities for considering compensatory mitigation to offset the impacts on the birds as well as their habitat.

Alternative 6: This alternative is proposed to be similar to Alternative 5 with the exception that it includes the addition of ACECs to follow the restrictions found in Alternative 3. Supposedly the ACEC scheme in Alternative 6 is going to seek less restrictions in comparison with the plans for Alternative 3.

ACEC Issues:

While the six alternatives have their own consequences for consideration, the proposal for using ACEC designations in conjunction with the agency’s management scheme provide reasons for serious points of concern. In the alternatives, Alternative 3 and Alternative 6 contemplate the use of ACECs to install “special management” practices. Alternative 3 is especially draconian in the way that they envision “special management” to exclude all multiple use from the designated areas. They even go so far as to suggest that total removal of Wild Horses and Burros would be included in the provisions of implementing ACECs. It is difficult to imagine that BLM would go so far to hold themselves accountable for managing Wild Horse numbers in the ACECs, but simply implying that this could be an option causes other multiple users to understand how disposable they are.

There is the possibility that ACEC designations might be stand-alone considerations, above and beyond the six alternatives.

With the release of the BLM’s “Conservation” Regulations on April 18th and the obvious obsession that those in charge of BLM today have for ACEC designation – it appears that ACECs are on the top of the list for any, and all things BLM wants to do. Amending Resource Management Plans is the main mechanism for slapping ACECs into place (there also appears to be additional ‘unofficial’ ways to bring about ACEC level management) and the main thrust of the proposed BLM Sage Grouse Plan is to amend Resource Management Plans.

Quoting directly from the Conservation Rules, “the rule clarifies and expands existing ACEC regulations to better support the BLM in carrying out FLPMA’s direction to give priority to the designation and protection of these important areas.”

Responding Through Your Comments:

It is important to participate in the process that has been provided for public comment, sharing your thoughts with the agency regarding their possible next steps. While conservation of Sage Grouse is an important priority, multiple use of federal lands is also important and should be an emphasis that BLM works to carry out. Given the recent rash of proposed actions and actual new rules/regulations the common theme is more about limiting and restricting multiple use, pursuing whatever options that are available to justify excluding multiple uses.

To offer your comments, you can use the website at: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/ project/2016719/510

You can email your comments to: BLM_HQ_ GRSG_Planning@blm.gov

Or, you can mail your comments to:

BLM Utah State Office Attn: HQ GRSG RMPA

440 West 200 South #500 Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Nevada AG in the Classroom

Agriculture is one of Nevada’s — and the nation’s — major industries, yet fewer and fewer people have exposure to farm and ranch life or even a basic understanding of how food and fiber are produced.

Agriculture literacy materials help students develop an understanding of the food, fiber and landscaping systems and how agriculture affects their daily lives. This knowledge encourages students to function more effectively as agriculturally literate citizens.

Teaching about agriculture in Nevada is an ideal way for students to learn what their state is all about and provide real-life connections to science, math and social studies concepts. Agriculture themes provide perfect real-world connections to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education and make learning relevant to students. Agriculture is one of the topics that students can easily connect to because they can apply learned concepts to daily life. After all, who doesn’t enjoy talking about food? Nearly everything we eat, wear, use -- even the fuel that powers the cars and buses we ride in -- comes from plants and animals grown on farms.

See page 11 for more resources

Nevada Farm Bureau

USDA Amends Animal Traceability Regulations

On April 26, 2024, the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced that they were amending animal traceability regulations, requiring electronically (and visible) readable ear tags for interstate movement of cattle and bison. The rule will take effect 180 days after it has been published in the Federal Register. https://www. aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/ traceability-final-rule.pdf

This required electronically readable ear tag will apply to all sexually intact cattle and bison which are 18 months or older. It will also apply to all female dairy cattle of any age and dairy male cattle born after March 11, 2023. This “Frequently Asked Questions” might assist you with details that you would be interested in considering: www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/ files/traceability-faq.pdf

More Details On USDA Federal Order On Requirements For Dairy Cattle Movement

In last week’s newsletter we reported on the federal order that the USDA released on interstate lactating dairy cattle movement. After the newsletter made it to your email inboxes the agency’s Guidance document was distributed and further details were made known about the specifics. While the initial Guidance document provided for dairy cows which were headed straight to slaughter facilities (across state boundaries) there were still burdensome provisions relating to whether those animals which were going through auction markets and then on to out-of-state slaughter facilities. On Saturday, April 27, this news release from the Nevada Department of Agriculture further

clarified that Lactating dairy cows consigned to a sale barn in Nevada for subsequent interstate movement to a slaughter facility do not require a negative test.

U.S. House Passes Bill Seeking Withdrawal Of BLM Rule

On a vote of 212 to 202 the U.S. House passed HR 3397 which was sponsored by Congressman John Curtis of Utah. Nevada Congressman Mark Amodei was one of the 20 co-sponsors who joined on the legislation. HR 3397 seeks to require the Director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to withdraw the recently released “Conservation and Landscape Health Rule.” Farm Bureau supported passage of the legislation and sent letters to each member of the U.S. House supporting passage. Congressman Amodei was the only member of Nevada’s House delegation to vote in support of the bill.

There is a strong likelihood that a Senate Bill will also be introduced, but passage is rather unlikely and whatever might take place, the legislation will require a two-thirds vote to over-ride the extremely likely veto of President Biden.

The House And Senate Ag Committee Chairs Release Something On Farm Bills

U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee and Congressman G.T. Thompson, Chair of the House Agriculture Committee have released partial information on what they are planning to be their respective committee’s version of the next Farm Bill. This preliminary information prompted American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) President Zippy Duvall to comment that his organization appreciates the signals of some progress happening.

On the other hand, the two sets of Farm Bill ideas didn’t come out with very

extensive details. The Senate version was an outline of the various sections that will likely become the Senate bill and the House version was also more of Title-by-Title outline. In a video conference discussion with State Farm Bureau Presidents, part of the monthly meeting that President Duvall host, Chairman Thompson was the featured speaker, and he offered a few more details as well as answered various questions from State Farm Bureau Presidents.

The Congressman noted that he plans to have a committee markup of the bill on May 23rd. He also promised that the House version will include “robust” provisions aimed at “putting the ‘farm’ back in the Farm Bill.”

Senator Stabenow has not indicated what her timetable might be for committee actions.

Background Paper On Crop Insurance

One of the major priorities for the Farm Bill involves the program of Crop Insurance. American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Economist Daniel Munch offers this Market Intel Report with basic information relating to crop insurance: https://www.fb.org/marketintel/crop-insurance-101-the-basics

Time To Begin The Discussions On Nevada Farm Bureau Water Policy

The last session of the Nevada Legislature was a heavy-duty water session with a significantly increase in the number of legislative proposals. Whether the 2025 session will include that many proposals remain to be seen, but based on the ideas being circulated from various organizations and groups with interests in water it could be a busy one. Nevada Farm Bureau has been engaged in conversations with other water advocates and has been sorting through other concepts that have been offered by different groups.

The Nevada Legislature’s Interim Joint Natural Resources Committee will be meeting on Friday, May 10th. There’s no agenda for the meeting at this writing but based on the conversations that we’ve been in as well as the concept

papers that are being circulated, we are expecting a number of different possible ideas to be presented at the interim meeting.

This brings us to where Nevada Farm Bureau’s policy might need to be revised, prior to the start of the 2025 Nevada Legislative Session. We’ll be better equipped to get those discussions started after the May 10th interim committee meeting, but from what we understand at this point, Farm Bureau policy will need a complete review.

Does Your Family Have A Centennial Farm/Ranch?

An interesting news blurb in the April issue of the newsletter from the Nevada Department of Agriculture caught our eye this week, noting that if your family has a Centennial Farm/Ranch, you need to make this milestone mark known. You are able to reach out to make the contact through the Department’s Website Page for the Centennial Farm Program. To qualify as a Centennial ranch or farm, an applicant’s ranch or farm must have belonged to his or her families for at least 100 years and must be a working ranch or farm with a minimum of 160 acres or if it is less than 160 acres, it must have gross yearly sales of at least $1,000.

SDA Issues Federal Order On Requirements For Dairy Cattle Movement

On April 24th the United States Department of Agriculture issued a federal order pertaining to interstate lactating dairy cattle movement. At this writing we are still waiting to receive the Guidance document which spells out the exact details for movement, but from what has been shared the federal order mandates testing of lactating dairy cows (with negative results for H5N1 Avian Influenza).

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsak, in speaking to a group of industry interest, stressed that the main purpose for the testing requirements are to gather as much data as possible to better understand the emerging situation. At this point a total of 33 dairies in Texas, Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico,

Ohio, North Carolina and South Dakota have had animals which tested positive for H5N1.

Throughout the discussions of the past month and stressed again in the announcement for the Federal Order, the milk supply and food supply remains safe. Pasteurization of milk has continually proven to inactivate bacteria and viruses like H5N1 in milk.

We’ll keep you posted on on-going developments as they become available.

BLM Conservation and Landscape Health Rule

Since the April 18th release of the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) new “Conservation and Landscape Health” rule we have been spending some significant time going through the document and contemplating the regulation changes that BLM has decided as their final rule. The rule will take effect 30-days after being published in the Federal Register.

For those who want to just read the actual regulations (minus the puff and self-justification that the agency has prepared to convince everyone that the are doing the right thing and have the authority to do what they have decided)

– the last 46 pages of the 178-page document have the regulation language. To describe the final rule as something multiple-use advocates might be willing to appreciate – would be totally wrong. This rule has nothing of merit, despite those who suggest that it is positive that everyone will now have to live with rangeland health standards like livestock grazing has had to deal with since their adoption. The rule calls for setting “national land health standards” (which will be brought from the topdown within BLM) and could easily clamp down harder on livestock grazing than what is now in place.

Whether it is designations of Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACES); managing for “intact landscapes;” restoration or mitigation leasing…or any of the other multitude of ecologically-correct aspirations liberally seasoned into the rule, the bottom line is that this rule promises to use “Conservation” as the tool to

preclude multiple use from continuing to occur on BLM managed lands. This will be accomplished all the while the agency is swearing that their intentions is not to have “Conservation” to be anything different (or more equal) than the multiple uses that Congress actually wrote into the Federal Land and Policy Management Act (FLPMA).

To quote directly from the documents used to announce their final rule…

“The Conservation and Landscape Health Rule establishes the policy for the BLM to build and maintain the resilience of ecosystems on public lands in three primary ways: (1) protecting the most intact, functioning landscapes1; (2) restoring degraded habitat and ecosystems; and (3) using science and data as the foundation for management decisions across all plans and programs.”

Reminder For Upcoming Western Law Conference…

The Second Annual Western Agricultural & Environmental Law Conference is scheduled for June 1314 at the University of Nevada, Reno. “We’re very excited about this year’s program and hope we’ll see you there,” Harrison Pittman, Director of the National Agricultural Law Center said. He added that they hope that “you can help spread the word about the program with others you think may be interested.”

The agricultural industry in the western U.S. is uniquely impacted by changes and developments in state, federal and international laws and policies. Additionally, many of those unique issues – water rights, Ag. labor and immigration, California Propositions and many more – often more broadly impact the agricultural industry throughout the country.

This conference focuses on legal and policy issues directly relevant to the Ag industry in western states, and is designed for attorneys, students, and other Ag professionals who work in the western Ag industry. It’s a unique learning and networking opportunity. Conference agenda, registration, and other information can be found here: https://nationalaglawcenter.org/ western2024/

UNR Extension Seeking To Fill Two Openings In Fallon

Extension Director Jacob DeDecker has distributed through various channels, including Nevada Farm Bureau, a request for spreading the word about openings the University of Nevada, Reno Extension is recruiting for two positions to be located in Fallon, NV.

He shared that they would appreciate any assistance you can provide for dissemination of information about this opportunity to your contacts, colleagues and graduates.

Livestock Specialist | The University of Nevada, Reno is recruiting for a Statewide Livestock Specialist, located in the Churchill County office in Fallon, Nevada. We are looking for a candidate who is passionate about helping Livestock producers, especially bovine and small ruminants, learn and improve their industry. More more info: https://tiny.cc/LivestockSpecialist

Extension Ag Educator: The University of Nevada, Reno is recruiting for an Extension Agriculture Educator. This position is in Fallon, NV, at the Churchill County Extension Office and reports to the Northern Extension Area Director. For more information, visit: https://tiny.cc/ExtensionAgEducator

EXTRA NEWS....

BLM: Public comment period opens for Rio Grande del Norte National Monument plan; Agency announces new Assistant Director for Energy, Minerals, and Realty Management.

BLM is seeking public comment on the draft amendment to the Taos Resource Management Plan and associated Environmental Assessment for the Río Grande del Norte National Monument Management Plan. The Río Grande del Norte National Monument spans 242,668 acres. It was designated on March 25, 2013, by Presidential proclamation under the authority of the Antiquities Act of 1906 for its significant natural, cultural, and scientific values.

The amendment aims to protect and restore Monument objects while allowing for the enjoyment and use of Monument lands and resources. The plan will establish goals and objectives, while identifying allocations and allowable uses to achieve a balance of protection and use for the Monument. This public comment period provides an opportunity for the public to participate in the decision-making process and share thoughts on the Environmental Assessment. More information on the planning process, including draft documents, maps, and instructions on how to submit comments, can be found on the BLM National NEPA Register. Comment period closes May 23, 2024.

BLM announced today the selection of David Rosenkrance as the Assistant Director for the Energy, Minerals, and Realty Management Program. In this role, Rosenkrance will manage BLM’s work on renewable energy, oil and gas, mining and minerals, and grants for rights-of-way associated with solar and wind energy development on public lands. Additionally, he will oversee the realty management program, which administers land exchanges and other actions often linked to recreation and public access projects. Rosenkrance previously worked for the BLM and will return to start his new position in late May. With over 30 years of relevant experience as an engineer, natural resources manager, and leader of national and regional programs, Rosenkrance brings a wealth of expertise to the BLM. Rosenkrance is currently serving as a Senior Advisor for the US Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

Before joining BLM, Rosenkrance served for six years as the Deputy Regional Forester for the US Forest Service’s Intermountain Region based in Ogden, Utah and as the Acting Director for the US Forest Service’s Minerals and Geology Management program. He was also Associate District Manager for BLM Colorado. Early in his career, he worked in various engineering roles for BLM in ID and OR. He holds a BS in Engineering from Northern Arizona University and a Graduate Certificate in Hazardous Waste Control from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan.

Nevada Cattlewomen’s Beef & Wine Paring Event

Join us for an educational event on beef cuts, beef preparation and which wine pairs best with those prepared cuts! At this event you’ll get to sample wines that pair with each prepared cut of meat as well as sample the prepared cut of meat. You will be able to purchase the cuts of meat that are sampled. immediately following the event.

June 2, 2024 2:00 pm

Park Home Ranch Venue

1452 SR-88 Minden, NV

Non-Nevada CattleWomen members | $50 per ticket

Nevada CattleWomen members | $40 per ticket

For more information, email: caninc@gmail.com

Cattlewomen’s Corner of the Corral

Nevada Cattlewomen Beef and Wine Pairing at the Park Home Ranch in Minden, Nevada

Nevada Cattlewomen have been busy on several projects to promote the beef industry. One of those projects is our first Beef & Wine Pairing to be held in Minden, Nevada at the Park Home Ranch Venue, on June 2 at 2 pm.

What is a Beef & Wine Pairing? The intent is for the attendee to learn about different cuts of meat, how to best prepare those cuts, do a taste test and sample the appropriate wine that pairs best with each cut. Six different cuts of beef will be prepared at six different stations and paired with a sample of the appropriate wine. Park Ranch Meats will be present to answer questions and sell the same cuts of

By Keri Pommerening, NVCW President

beef. Bottles of the sampled wines will also be for sale. A recipe card for each sampling will be given out with the beef cuts. The attendee will leave prepared to cook the meal that night. Bringing producers and consumers together to enjoy the tasty benefits of beef in a fun and interactive workshop, beef and wine, what else do you need? Tickets will be $50 ($40 for Nevada Cattlewomen members). Tickets will be available to purchase on our website nevadacattlewomen.com or you can email us at cwnv.inc@gmail.com for further information. We also plan to host pairings in Elko in the summer and Southern Nevada in the late fall or winter.

Applications for our Beef Ambassador contest have been received and we will be introducing our new ambassadors next month.

We have also been busy updating our website. Check us out at nevadacattlewomen.com. We’d love to have you join our membership and help us promote the beef industry.

Until next month, whether you are irrigating, branding calves, or moving cattle to spring grass, enjoy the sunshine.

Cattlewomen – a voice from the past with a vision for the future.

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Natural Resources Conservation Service

U.S. DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

NEWS RELEASE

Contact: Rachel Larue (775) 870-0941 Rachel.Larue-Uecke@usda.gov

RENO, NV – Natural Resources Conservation Service in Nevada announces additional funding opportunities for farmers and ranchers in Fiscal Year 2024. The third ranking signup period is for Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Nevada has approximately $8 million available to producers.

The local field office must receive applications for EQIP before 4 p.m. on May 31, 2024. Applications received after this deadline will be considered for funding during the next funding cycle.

EQIP is a voluntary, technical, and financial assistance program designed to help farmers, ranchers, forestland owners, and Tribes with conservation measures focusing on carbon sequestration, greenhouse gas emissions, reduced energy, and soil health. The program focuses strongly on conservation planning, implementation, and solving natural resource concerns related to climate change. Conservation practices are limited to those listed in the Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry Mitigation Activities List.

IRA enables USDA to get more financial assistance to producers for conservation than ever before. In fiscal year 2023, USDA supported more than 45,000 conservation contracts, more than any year in the 89-year history of USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, totaling over $2.8 billion in financial assistance to producers for conservation efforts nationwide. NRCS is seeking to benefit both the climate, by reducing greenhouse gas emissions; and the producer, by improving access to programs and providing financial and technical assistance to improve their farm, ranch, urban operation or forest land. Learn more about NRCS Climate-Smart Mitigation Activities on the NRCS website.

Historically underserved (HU) participants, including limited resource farmers and ranchers, beginning farmers and ranchers, socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, and veteran farmers and ranchers, are eligible for advance payments to help offset costs related to purchasing materials or contracting services through EQIP. HU participants may elect to receive an advance of not less than 50 percent of the EQIP conservation practice payment amount. Participants who receive advance payment must expend the funds within 90 days of receiving the advance.

Water management entities who assist private agricultural producers with managing water distribution or conservation systems can also apply for EQIP. These entities are defined as a State, irrigation district, groundwater management district, acequia, land grant-merced, or similar entity that has jurisdiction or responsibilities related to water delivery or management to eligible lands.

Contact your local NRCS office to learn more about EQIP or other programs. Office locations can be found at https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/ conservation-basics/conservation-by-state/nevada and selecting the Nevada Service Center Map.

Mormon cricket treatment planning underway in northern Nevada

NDA seeks public reports to track cricket populations to aid in treatment of public lands

Contact: Ciara Ressel (775) 353-3603 cressel@agri.nv.gov

(SPARKS, NV.) – The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) encourages the public to report cricket sightings to aid in population tracking and treatment planning. As of April 18, 2024, 220 reports were received from Washoe, Pershing, Churchill, Humboldt, Lander, Eureka, White Pine and Elko counties.

Based on reported sightings and surveying of the area in 2023-24, the NDA has submitted a proposal to the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) to protect 222,254 acres by aerial treatments. These treatments are pending USDA PPQ approval and funding.

“Whether we’re treating public lands or you’re treating your own property, we have to be strategic to maximize efficacy of these treatments,” said NDA State Entomologist Jeff Knight.

Treatments must be strategic in terms of timing, weather, location and budgetary constraints. Areas can only be treated once per year, meaning if treatments and baiting are conducted now, those same areas cannot be treated again later if adult crickets are causing damage. At their current life stage, the Mormon crickets are not as apt to eat the bait. Both baits and sprays can only be applied during specific weather conditions, precipitation and wind being the primary barriers for application. Other environmental concerns are also taken into consideration. The NDA is only permitted to treat public lands and those must meet other criteria including density per square yard. Private landowners can purchase bait at agriculture supply stores.

“Actions we take now greatly reduce options available to us later,” said Knight. “The Mormon crickets are less likely to be affected by baits or sprays right now. If we treat now and they are not as impacted as we’d like, we won’t be able to do it again.”

Mormon crickets are a common occurrence throughout northern Nevada and other western states. Populations can reach levels that pose a risk to agriculture and public safety on roadways. Several factors, including temperatures and late snows, can impact what populations will look like in any given year, making it difficult to predict what the year will look like. Generally, populations in northern Nevada have trended downward over the last few years, however, populations in Eureka and Elko have remained about the same. Each year is different and different areas may be heavier or lighter than the prior year.

Please continue to report sightings at agri.nv.gov/entomology. This drives surveying efforts, helpos determine treatment priority, and offers recommendations to local officials and private landowners regarding treatment options on private lands, where the NDA cannot treat. For more info, review the FAQ at agri.nv.gov/entomology.

Mormon Cricket Treatment Surveying and Planning Timeline

2/29/2024 – First Mormon cricket reported in Elko County.

3/14/2024 – Aerial treatment plan submitted to USDA for approval, based on surveys from 2023 and 2024, updated 4/3/2024.

3/18/2024 – Surveying began to verify treatment sites and reports.

4/4/2024 – NDA staff have received nearly 100 reports of crickets and added those sites to the survey list.

4/22/2024 - Ground treatments anticipated to begin.

First or second week of May (tentative) – Aerial treatments anticipated to begin.

Agricultural Research Service

Great Basin Rangelands Research Unit, Reno NV

www.ars.usda.gov/pacific west area/reno nv/ great basin rangelands research/

GBRRU congratulates Dr. Beth Newingham for outstanding contributions and celebrates ARS Women in Science!

GBRRU Hosts Stakeholder Engagement Meeting

Volume 2

April 2024

Dr. Beth Newingham, Research Ecologist, was recently highlighted in ‘Celebrate Woman’s History Month” by USDA. Beth works alongside private and public land managers in order to conserve soil and plant resources on rangelands that are threatened by wildfires, invasive plants and climate change. Beth was encouraged by an undergraduate professor to pursue a career in science.

https://fb.watch/qQ5CuW3iKE/

Employee Highlights

Over 40 participants from state and federal agencies, the University of Nevada Reno, agricultural producers and private interest groups joined the GBRRU to discuss their concerns for rangeland management research in the Great Basin.

Dr. Newingham, Dr. Snyder and GBRRU acting research leader Charlie Clements presented their current research focus and discussed the future direction of GBRRU research. USDA-ARS PWA area director, Dr. Tara McHugh, along with associate directors Dr. John Dyer and Dr. Fred Pierson attended the meeting. USDA-ARS National Program Leader, Dr. Peter Vadas, also participated. Many discussions focused on making the science usable or applied to help the agricultural community and land managers.

Rivers Harmon visits his dad at work for USDA bring your kids to work day. “My favorite part was seeing everyone's lab, especially the insect lab, I love bugs!” Rivers

Photo: above, Duane Coombs discusses the hardships of livestock operations and how important the agricultural community is in supporting each other through the “hard times”

GBRRU SRM Symposium “Stakeholder Driven Research”

GBRRU along with stakeholders presented an overview of Great Basin rangeland issues and research accomplished by the unit at the 2024 annual Society for Range Management meeting in Sparks, NV. Over 1600 people attended the meeting throughout the week with a packed room for the GBRRU Symposium. Jeremy Drew with Resource Concepts Inc. moderated the symposium. Duane Coombs (Rancher) and Harry Quicke (ENVU) joined Charlie Clements, Keirith Snyder, Kirk Tonkel and Dan Harmon as they presented the importance of ARS research for stakeholder concerns and rangeland management.

(Photo: Dr. Keirith Snyder “The effects of pinyon and juniper on components of the water budget: how much water do trees use?”)

A joint effort initiated 5 years ago between the USDA-ARS Great Basin Rangelands Research Unit and the University of NevadaReno to convert an untended green strip at the unit location on campus into a resource for native pollinators has been successful beyond expectations. A variety of species of native plants are thriving in the garden, and in June of 2023, survey efforts carried out by UNR students for the Natural History Museum on campus have found numerous species of bees visiting flowers in the renovated green strip. In addition, a variety of other flowervisiting insects, including flies, beetles, and butterflies, have been observed in the garden. To get such a large number of pollinators and other native insects attracted to the urban garden in just a few years is an example of how opportunistic these insects are when provided with food sources. Hopefully, future surveys will turn up even more species of these beneficial insects. Kirk Tonkel

James Albert Young Aug 19, 1937 - March 18, 2024

Dr. James A. Young passed away on March 18th at the age of 86 with his family by his side. Dr. Young spent 43 years as a Rangeland Scientist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, ARS, GBRRU in Reno, Nevada. Upon Dr. Young’s retirement, he was recognized on the United States Senate floor for his commitment and preservation of western rangelands. Dr. Young is renowned for his knowledge of Great Basin Rangelands and was awarded the U.S. Department of Agriculture Outstanding Scientist of the Year Award (1993) and honored by the Secretary of Agriculture with the Superior Service Award in 1995, the highest honor given by the USDA. Dr. Young authored more than 700 scientific articles including numerous books such as “Cattle in the Cold Desert” and “Cheatgrass: Fire and Forage on the Range”. Dr. Young has touched so many lives in the range management field in such a positive way, he will be dearly missed.

Great Basin Rangelands Research Unit / University of Nevada – Reno Pollinator Garden

Biden-Harris Administration Finalizes Strategy to Guide Balanced Management, Conservation of Public Lands

Public Lands Rule will help conserve wildlife habitat, restore places impacted by wildfire and drought, expand outdoor recreation, and guide thoughtful development

The Department of the Interior today announced a final rule to help guide the balanced management of America’s public lands. The final Public Lands Rule provides tools for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to help improve the health and resilience of public lands in the face of a changing climate; conserve important wildlife habitat and intact landscapes; facilitate responsible development; and better recognize unique cultural and natural resources on public lands.

The Public Lands Rule builds on historic investments in public lands, waters and clean energy deployment provided by President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, which recognizes the critical value of our public lands to all Americans. It also complements the President’s America the Beautiful initiative, a 10-year, locally led and nationally scaled effort to protect, conserve, connect and restore the lands, waters and wildlife upon which we all depend.

Building on decades of land management experience and emphasizing the use of science and data, including Indigenous Knowledge, to guide balanced decisionmaking, the rule applies the existing fundamentals of land health across BLM programs, establishes restoration and mitigation leases, and clarifies practices to designate and protect Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACECs). The rule helps ensure the BLM continues to protect land health while managing other uses of the public lands, such as clean energy development and outdoor recreation.

“As stewards of America’s public lands, the Interior Department takes seriously our role in helping bolster landscape resilience in the face of worsening climate impacts. Today’s final rule helps restore balance to our public lands as we continue using the best-available science to restore habitats, guide strategic and responsible development, and sustain our public lands for generations to come,” said Secretary Deb Haaland. “Complemented with historic investments from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, we are implementing enduring changes that will benefit wildlife, communities and habitats.”

“America’s public lands are our national treasures and need to be managed and made resilient for future generations of Americans,” said John Podesta, Senior Advisor to the President for International Climate Policy. “Today’s final rule from the Department of the Interior is a huge win for ensuring balance on our public lands, helping them withstand the challenges of climate change and environmental threats like invasive species, and making sure they continue to provide services to the American people for decades to come.”

“The Interior Department is ensuring our public lands are managed with an eye to future generations, complementing President Biden’s ambitious conservation agenda,” said White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Brenda Mallory. “From the most rugged backcountry spots to popular close-to-home recreation areas, these reforms will help deliver cleaner water, healthier lands, abundant wildlife, and more recreation opportunities for all of us.”

The final rule comes amid growing pressures and historic challenges facing land managers. The impacts of climate change—including prolonged drought, increasing wildfires, and an influx of invasive species—pose increasing risks to communities, wildlife and ecosystems. The Public Lands Rule will help the BLM navigate changing conditions on the ground, while helping public lands continue to serve as economic drivers across the West.

“The BLM received and considered over 200,000 comments on the proposed rule from individuals, state, Tribal and local governments, industry groups and advocacy organizations, which led to important improvements in this final rule,”

said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management Dr. Steve Feldgus. “Continued broad collaboration with this diverse group of partners will be key to our implementation of this rule to ensure that our public lands are being managed for all Americans.”

“Our public lands provide wildlife habitat and clean water, the energy that lights our homes, the wood we build with, and the places where we make family memories,” said BLM Director Tracy Stone-Manning. “This rule honors our obligation to current and future generations to help ensure our public lands and waters remain healthy amid growing pressures and change.”

The final rule clarifies and refines concepts first proposed in April 2023. The BLM provided a 90-day comment period on this rule, holding five public meetings and receiving over 200,000 comments, the vast majority of which supported the effort. In response to the substantive comments received, the BLM clarified and refined concepts laid out in the proposed rule.

The final rule:

Directs BLM to manage for landscape health. Successful public land management that delivers natural resources, wildlife habitat and clean water requires a thorough understanding of the health and condition of the landscape, especially as conditions shift on the ground due to climate change. To help sustain the health of our lands and waters, the rule directs the BLM to manage public land uses in accordance with the fundamentals of land health, which will help watersheds support soils, plants, and water; ecosystems provide healthy populations and communities of plants and animals; and wildlife habitats on public lands protect threatened and endangered species consistent with the multiple use and sustained yield framework.

Provides a mechanism for restoring and protecting our public lands through restoration and mitigation leases. Restoration leases provide greater clarity for the BLM to work with appropriate partners to restore degraded lands. Mitigation leases will provide a clear and consistent mechanism for developers to offset their impacts by investing in land health elsewhere on public lands, like they currently can on state and private lands. The final rule clarifies who can obtain a restoration or mitigation lease, limiting potential lessees to qualified individuals, businesses, non-governmental organizations, Tribal governments, conservation districts, or state fish and wildlife agencies. Restoration and mitigation leases will not be issued if they would conflict with existing authorized uses.

Clarifies the designation and management of ACECs. The final rule provides greater detail about how the BLM will continue to follow the direction in the Federal Land Policy and Management Act to prioritize the designation and protection of ACECs. Following public comments, the final rule clarifies how BLM consideration of new ACEC nominations and temporary management options does not interfere with the BLM’s discretion to continue advancing pending project applications.

The Public Lands Rule complements the BLM’s recently announced final Renewable Energy Rule, providing consistent direction and new tools for mitigation, helping advance the efficient and environmentally responsible development of renewable energy on BLM-managed public lands, providing greater clarity and consistency in permitting, and allowing for the continued acceleration of project reviews and approvals, while managing public lands under the principles of multiple use and sustained yield.

The final rule will publish in the Federal Register in the coming days.

University of Nevada, Reno researcher takes on fight against deadly cattle tick

Pioneering researcher wins highly competitive Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award for collaborative international research project

A tiny cattle tick is causing big economic losses to farmers and ranchers worldwide. A pioneering University of Nevada, Reno researcher in the field of tick research to help reduce the incidence of Lyme disease in humans has now been awarded a prestigious Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award to apply her research to try to unlock effective ways to control the tick that is wreaking havoc with cattle.

Monika Gulia-Nuss, an associate professor and graduate program director in the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology in the University’s College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources, is working closely with researchers in Uruguay, where the national government is committed to protection of its important cattle industry from the economic ravages of the cattle tick, which are estimated to be well over $30 million in losses annually. Up to 90% of cattle infected with a fever carried by the tick suffer death, while tick damage to cattle skins impacts the leather industry and tick-borne illness also reduces milk production.

Gulia-Nuss already has broken important new ground in understanding the genetic code of ticks, beginning with the deer tick, which carries Lyme disease-causing bacteria that infect humans. In the past decade, her lab has developed innovative tools to analyze and modify the ability of deer ticks to spread pathogens.

Generally, genetic modification relies on injection of genetic materials along with a fluorescent marker into a tiny embryo — whether it’s a tick, a mosquito or a larger animal — so that scientists can observe activity of a targeted gene.

But researchers have been stymied in their attempts to inject tick eggs, which have hard outer shells, high pressure within, and a tough wax coating that female ticks apply to provide further protection. About two years ago, Gulia-Nuss and her researcher husband, Andrew Nuss, an associate professor in the University’s Department of Agriculture, Veterinary & Rangeland Sciences, announced they’d successfully overcome those challenges, opening the door for injections into tick embryos and possible genetic modification.

“There is a huge demand for the development of genetic tools for tick research,” Guila-Nuss said. “Our deer-tick methods have already been adopted by many labs around the world, and we have trained many scientists in our labs in implementation of these methods.”

More complex mystery

But the cattle tick, Gulia-Nuss acknowledged, presents a far more challenging genetic mystery than the deer tick. For starters, the genome of the cattle tick is large and complex — it’s twice the size of the human genome — and the genome hasn’t yet been fully mapped.

That’s critically important because Gulia-Nuss seeks to identify genes of cattle ticks that could be targeted for genetic control or improved pesticides. Alternatively, better understanding of the tick’s genetics might allow development of effective vaccines for the cattle that host the ticks.

Gulia-Nuss and Michael Pham, a research scientist in the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, will travel in June to the INIA Colonia institute in southwestern Uruguay. There, Gulia-Nuss and Pham, who also conduct

research as part of the University’s Experiment Station, will work with researchers Alejo Menchaca of INIA and Pablo Fresia of the Pasteur Institute in Montevideo, Uruguay, to set up a suite where ticks will be raised and prepared for the injections that will allow understanding gene functions.

Early in 2025, Gulia-Nuss will return to Uruguay for a three-month tenure supported by the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award. During that time, she’ll inject thousands of tick embryos to better understand their genetic workings. She also expects to begin some genetic modifications.

Given the size of the cattle-tick genome and the gaps in existing knowledge, there will be challenges that the researchers are ready to overcome.

“However, we are up to the challenge, and our prior work with two other tick genomes will help us navigate the issues that may arise,” Gulia-Nuss said.

International collaboration

The highly competitive Fulbright U.S. Scholar Awards — only about 10% of applicants are approved annually — are designed to build collaboration between scholars in the United States and those elsewhere in the world. The awards support travel, lodging and other expenses for researchers; institutes in the host countries fund the research itself.

The government of Uruguay strongly supports the cattle-tick research. Even 25 years ago, economic losses caused by the cattle tick in Uruguay were estimated at nearly $33 million a year. Currently, the only method of controlling cattle ticks is heavy use of chemical insecticides. But ticks are developing resistance to those chemicals, and lingering chemical residues may limit the ability of ranchers to sell their animals.

Although the tick is found in the United States only in a thin strip along the southern border with Mexico, it’s established elsewhere in nearly every tropical or subtropical region of the world where people raise cattle. Uruguay is among the hard-hit regions.

“Uruguay’s economy is highly dependent on agriculture, especially cattle. Cattle fever tick is a huge economic problem in the country, and the Uruguayan government is committed to research to develop genetic tick-control methods,” said Gulia-Nuss. That’s why it’s particularly noteworthy, she said, that scientists in Uruguay sought out collaborators in far-away Nevada.

“Uruguay only provides one Fulbright Research Award a year,” Gulia-Nuss said. “Getting this award at the University of Nevada, Reno, emphasizes the quality of research at our University. Our team that has been working on tick research is extremely honored and excited to be working with our colleagues in Uruguay on this important project.”

UNR Associate Professor Monika Gulia-Nuss has been awarded a U.S. Fulbright Scholar Award to conduct research in Uruguay on ticks affecting cattle worldwide.

The change in agriculture today is just a glimpse of what lies ahead. It’s why, more than ever, we are committed to being the partner you can trust, who understands your needs and delivers value to help you achieve your goals.

Wherever agriculture goes, we’ll be there, alongside you, as you lead the way.

University of Nevada, Reno Extension appoints new state leader for Nevada 4-H

Lindsay Chichester to foster growth of the youth development group

University of Nevada, Reno Extension has appointed Lindsay Chichester as the new state leader for the 4-H Youth Development Program. With a focus on enhancing youth engagement across Nevada, she will officially begin her role on June 1.

Chichester brings extensive experience in Extension community work, having served in related positions for nearly 15 years. Before her tenure at the University, she was an educator at University of Nebraska – Lincoln Extension for six years, where she focused on beef and livestock systems. She joined University of Nevada, Reno Extension in 2016, initially as the Extension educator in Carson City, and then transitioned to the Extension educator in Douglas County in 2018.

As an Extension educator, Chichester has provided guidance to livestock producers, helping them to maximize productivity and ensure the health of their livestock. She has also developed and implemented educational programs for the 4-H Youth Development Program, including the promotion of initiatives such as Youth for the Quality Care of Animals Program. Additionally, she has provided expertise for various youth contests and events, such as honeybee and pollinator programs and livestock judging. In her most recent position as the Douglas County Extension educator, she leveraged her skills in community outreach and hands-on learning to develop methods for measuring impacts of Extension programs within the community.

“I am excited about this new opportunity, as 4-H has heavily influenced the trajectory of my life and my career,” Chichester said. “The skills I learned as a youth gave me life advantages throughout college and continue to shape my professional career. I am humbled and honored to move into this leadership role in Nevada 4-H, where I was once a member. It has come full circle.”

Chichester embarked on her 4-H journey in Lyon County, Nevada, at the age of nine, where she acquired skills such as sewing and raising homegrown livestock, in addition to leadership skills. Following this, she participated in collegiate 4-H and volunteered as a 4-H leader.

As Nevada’s new 4-H leader, Chichester will work collaboratively with Extension specialists, parents, community leaders and volunteers to lead and develop educational and leadership programs for the group’s nearly 26,000 youth participants. Her objective is to expand youth engagement in 4-H programs across Nevada and ensure that the organization offers opportunities to every youth in the state.

Chichester earned her bachelor’s degree in animal science and agriculture business, and master’s degrees in animal/meat science and speech communication from West Texas A&M University, where she later earned a Ph.D. in systems agriculture. Her instructional expertise spans a diverse range of topics, including livestock programming, food safety, agriculture business, environmental sciences, horticulture and cropping systems.

“As we welcome Lindsay as the state leader for the 4-H Youth Development Program, we embrace not just her wealth of experience, but also the passion and dedication she brings to empowering the youth of Nevada,” said Jacob DeDecker, Extension director and associate dean for engagement with the University’s College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources. “Her journey with 4-H reflects a deep-rooted commitment to nurturing young minds and shaping the leaders of tomorrow, and I have every confidence that her vision will inspire positive change and growth within our 4-H community.”

The Nevada 4-H Youth Development Program caters to youth, ages 5 to 19, providing hands-on learning experiences, mentorship opportunities, and the chance to explore various STEM disciplines in fun and interactive ways. The program offers a diverse range of clubs, STEM programs, in-school and afterschool activities, and summer camps, all aimed at empowering youth with the skills and confidence needed to thrive as engaged citizens.

Chichester is excited to, among other things, help grow the 4-H summer camps, which have provided lifelong memories for Nevadans for decades. This year, summer camps in southern Nevada’s 4-H Camp and Learning Center in Alamo are scheduled from late May to early September, while those in northern Nevada’s Nevada State 4-H Camp at Lake Tahoe will run between early May and midJuly. Chichester said registration is open for campers, and camp counselors are also needed as well.

The Nevada 4-H Program will also present hands-on, fun and educational activities at the College’s 2024 Nevada Field Day & Ag Expo. Those interested in camp information or the program in general are encouraged to stop by the event on May 31, 2 – 6 p.m., at 1000 Valley Road.

Persons in need of special accommodations or assistance should contact Paul Lessick, civil rights and compliance coordinator, at plessick@unr.edu or 702-2575577 at least five days prior to the scheduled event with their needs or for more information.

Lindsay Chichester will begin her new role as Nevada’s 4-H state leader on June 1. Photo by Robert Moore

Two Years of Above Normal Snowpack Brings Good Water Supply to Nevada

By: Natural Resources Conservation Service Staff

March snowstorms provided a good ending to winter after a disappointing start in December. Snowpacks for this winter are above normal across Nevada, which follows one of the biggest snowpacks ever measured across the Sierra Nevada, the Great Basin and the Colorado Basin in the winter of 2023. The last time Nevada had back-to-back winters with above normal snowpacks was in 2016 and 2017.

History

Nevada has the longest history of snow water measurements in the country. James E. Church, who worked at the University of Nevada, Reno, is considered the father of snow surveying. Church developed the snow tube design that snow surveyors still use today. These tubes core and weigh the snow water content of the snowpack.

The first measurement at Mount Rose was made in 1910 and April 1 measurements continue each year at this location. So, the Mount Rose snow course has the longest snow water measurement record in the United States and, most likely, worldwide.

Each winter, staff from USDA’s NRCS take readings and maintain equipment at 92 SNOTEL sites across Nevada and the eastern Sierra. Snowpack, precipitation, air temperature and soil moisture are monitored at the stations. NRCS Snow surveyors and cooperators from other state and Federal agencies also collect snow tube measurements at an additional 45 snow courses.

The data are used by hydrologists at the NRCS National Water and Climate Center to produce seasonal streamflow forecasts for the region’s water managers and water users. Water Supply Outlook Reports are also used by state and Federal agencies, Tribes, individuals, and organizations to make decisions regarding irrigation allocations and agricultural production, fish and wildlife management, municipal and industrial water supply, flood control, power generation and recreation.

Forecast percentages in NRCS Water Supply Outlook Reports have been based on medians, not averages, since 2022. The median is the middle value of the 1991-2020 dataset. The median is considered more representative of “normal” than the average since the median doesn’t get skewed upward by a handful of large years. The Normals Dashboard has a 15-minute YouTube presentation that goes into detail about how this impacts Nevada and can be watched at https://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/ftpref/support/states/NV/web/normals.html.

NRCS publishes reports from January through May. The reports summarize snowpack, precipitation and water supply conditions throughout the state. Visit https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/nevada/snow-survey to see the latest report and subscribe for updates.

Snowpacks across the state have peaked above normal for the second year. April 1 snowpack percentages are:

• 108-117% of median in the Eastern Sierra basins (Lake Tahoe, Truckee, Carson and Walker),

• 115% in the Upper Colorado basin,

• 147% in Eastern Nevada,

• 164-227% across other parts of northern Nevada including the Northern Great Basin, Humboldt, Owyhee and Snake basins

• 244% in the Spring Mountains in southern Nevada

Image: Jeff Anderson, NRCS Hydrologist, uses snow tubes to measure snowpack at Mount Rose, April 1, 2024.

April 1 Snowpack Map based on first of month SNOTEL readings and snow course measurements show above normal conditions across the state.

The snowpack started slow in the Truckee, Tahoe, Carson and Walker basins.

The January 1 snowpack was only 44% of the median, ranking sixth lowest for the date back to 1981. There was only a 30% chance the Eastern Sierra snowpack would reach the median peak by April 1. That unlikely scenario happened with the help of March storms.

The Humboldt Basin has not seen back-to-back winters with this much snow since 1982 and 1983. The Upper Humboldt Basin’s April 1 snow water amount ranks seventh highest since 1981 compared to peak snow water amounts. After a relatively slow start to snow accumulation this winter, the Ruby Mountains change in snow water between January 1 and April 1 ranked second highest, just behind 2023.

Nearly all SNOTELs across northern Nevada measured January through March accumulation in the top five years, and eight SNOTELs had the highest or second highest January through March accumulation on record.

Precipitation

Water year precipitation in the mountains as measured by NRCS SNOTEL stations ranges from 99-103% of median in the Eastern Sierra basins, 107% in the Upper Colorado, 119% in the Spring Mountains, 121-141% across the rest of northern Nevada as on April 1. Monthly precipitation was very strong statewide from January through March with well above normal amounts each month.

Streamflow Forecasts

According to the NRCS April 1 streamflow forecasts, Nevada will likely have normal to well above normal April-July runoff. However, there are still a range of possible outcomes depending on the weather. Monitoring changing weather and hydrologic conditions in the coming months is important. Cool, wet or hot, dry weather conditions can create above- or below-normal precipitation and impact streamflow.

The Humboldt, Owyhee and Snake basins could be poised for one of the best snowmelt runoff seasons in several years. The April 1 50% exceedance forecasts in these basins range from 154-639% of the median (138-271% of average), and most rank above the 85th percentile compared to historic volumes. The mainstem of the Humboldt River is one to pay particular attention to. It generally has higher runoff volumes when back-to-back above normal snowpacks prime the system.

Valley and Rangeland Conditions

Seasonal snow cover replenishes soil moisture and provides water for plant growth on rangelands. A useful tool to track the lower elevation snowpack is NOAA’s Modeled Snow Water Equivalent Map, accessed at https://www.nohrsc.noaa.gov/interactive/html/map.html. The April 1 map shows much of Nevada’s lower elevations received modest snow amounts the last weekend of March, which increased the total snow water across Nevada’s mountain ranges during March.

Drought Status

Most of Nevada is currently classified as drought-free. However, a portion of southern Nevada has moderate drought due to the multi-decade declines in storage in the lower Colorado reservoirs. The water level in Lake Mead has improved since July 2022, but storage is currently only 37% of capacity.

NRCS Offers Financial and Technical Assistance

Snow Survey is an important aspect of the work done by NRCS, but it is only one part of what the agency does. NRCS offers financial and technical assistance through several federally funded, voluntary conservation programs to help farmers and ranchers protect and conserve the natural resources we all depend on. Applications for programs are accepted year-round.

Upper Humboldt Basin comparison of April 1 snow water equivalent (blue bars) with each year’s peak snow water equivalent (triangles). Compared to 2023 and 2024, the last time back-to-back winters had similar snow amounts was in 1982 and 1983. Peak SWE typically occurs after April 1 in the Upper Humboldt Basin. ...continued next page

NRCS SNOTEL monthly precipitation as a percent of median across Nevada’s basins from October 2023 through March 2024.

Most of Nevada is currently classified as drought-free. However, a portion of southern Nevada has moderate drought due to the multi-decade declines in storage in the lower Colorado reservoirs. The water level in Lake Mead has improved since July 2022, but storage is currently only 37% of capacity. Drought status for April 2, 2024 Source: U.S. Drought Monitor

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program, commonly known as EQIP, is a voluntary, financial and technical assistance program providing funding to agricultural producers and non-industrial forest managers to address natural resource concerns and deliver environmental benefits such as improved water and air quality, conservation of ground and surface water, increased soil health and reduced soil erosion and sedimentation, improved or created wildlife habitat, and mitigation against drought and increasing weather volatility. EQIP funding can be used on private and public land.

The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) is for all private working lands and agricultural land under the jurisdiction of a tribe. This program provides annual payments for meeting certain benchmarks in the management of the land. Additional payments are earned by agreeing to complete enhancements to the land. On-farm benefits include increased crop yields, decreased inputs, wildlife habitat improvements, and better resilience to weather variables.

The Agricultural Management Assistance Program (AMA) helps producers use conservation to construct or improve watershed management structures or irrigation structures, install high tunnels, plant trees to form windbreaks or improve water quality. AMA funding can also mitigate financial risk through production or marketing diversification or the implementation of resource conservation practices including soil erosion control, integrated pest management or the transition to organic farming.

The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) helps landowners, tribes, and partners enroll wetlands, grasslands and farmlands into conservation easements. ACEP protects the agricultural viability and related conservation values of eligible land by limiting nonagricultural uses, protecting grazing use and related conservation values by restoring or conserving eligible grazing land, and protecting and restoring and enhancing wetlands on eligible land. Eligible partners include American Indian tribes, state and local governments and nongovernment organizations that have farmland, rangeland or grassland protection programs. Eligible landowners include private land owners, including land held by tribes and tribal members.

For more information and to find your nearest local office, visit: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/nevada.

Valley Temperature and Precipitation: The table (below) provides a summary of water year precipitation and temperature from October through March for valley climate stations across the state. Most stations have been on average wetter and warmer than normal since October. October 2023 through March 2024 summary of valley climate stations.

Source: http://www.rcc-acis.org/

The April 2024 report and forecast tables are available on the Nevada Snow Survey Webpage: www.nrcs.usda.gov/nevada/snow-survey

Watch this overview video about how the Nevada NRCS snow program can serve you: youtu.be/gWm5TeASLY8

Western Video Market Reorganizes To Better Serve The Livestock Industry

The shareholders of Western Video Market, Inc. (WVM) have recently made the decision to restructure the company to ensure its longevity and cement the company’s role as the marketing outlet of choice for livestock producers. This change has been a long time in the making, but both the previous and new shareholders felt the time was right to make this transition.

“Everyone involved in this change has been a key part of the company—some from the very beginning—and some in more recent years,” said John Rodgers, Cofounder of WVM. “All of the participants share the same goal of providing the same personal customer service to our consignors and buyers that is the trademark of who Western Video Market always has been, and will continue to be.”

The new ownership group includes members who have been part of Western Video Market since its beginning in 1989, including founders Ellington Peek and John Rodgers. As part of this restructure, Ellington Peek has been named Chairman Emeritus in recognition of his significant contributions to livestock marketing and the formation of Western Video Market.

Ellington, along with his son Andy, who passed away in 2008 after a battle with pancreatic cancer, and John Rodgers, formed Western Video Market to help their auction market consignors reach a national buyer base. The company grew with the support of an affiliation of auction markets and reps throughout the country to become the second largest livestock video marketing company in the nation.

The emphasis on providing the best service possible to customers helped drive the decision to reorganize Western Video Market. Part of the goal is to involve the next generation of livestock marketers who have contributed to the company.

“This is an exciting time for WVM as we create a succession plan for the next generation,” said Rick Machado, lead auctioneer for WVM. “It means that our customers can be assured that the company and people they know and trust will be right there alongside them marketing their cattle with the same personal attention they have always received.”

Callie Peek Wood, also announced her retirement as Controller of Western Video Market, after serving the company in that role since its founding. Michelle Birt, long-time accountant for WVM has been named as her successor, and Holly Foster will continue as WVM Operations Manager.

“We are indebted to the groundwork that has been laid by the founders and core participants of WVM,” said Jake Parnell, President and Chairman of the Board. “2024 marks the 35th year that Western Video Market has been in business. The founders, staff and reps that created WVM were innovators in their time. We’re excited to have a group that is committed to bringing new ideas and seeing the company continue to grow. Our goal is to offer our consignors a marquee platform to sell their product and serve our buyers to the very best of our ability.”

Western Video Market oWners

Ellington Peek John Rodgers,* Rick Machado* Co-Founder Co-Founder

Brad Peek* Donald Doverspike* Holly Foster*

Justin Niesen* Matt Norene JC Niesen

Todd Muller Laurie Peek Norene Betty Peek

Cattlemen’s Livestock Market (Jake Parnell*)

Turlock Livestock Auction Yard (Max Olvera*)

Ogallala Livestock Auction Market (Jay Nordhausen & Lance Van Winkle)

Crawford Livestock Market (Alicia Hunter-Robertson and Rich Robertson*)

*2024 WVM Board Members are indicated with an asterisk

Contact: Holly Foster (530) 570-0757 holly@wvmcattle.com

THE ROUNDUP

Congress: DOI Secretary to testify before Senate Natural Resources Committee following heated House hearing.

House Republicans grill Haaland on energy, public lands, E&E News - Interior Secretary Deb Haaland on Wednesday ran a Republican gantlet as the House Natural Resources Committee’s GOP members pressed her repeatedly on her department’s energy and public land actions. Though the morning hearing was billed as a look at the Interior Department’s $17.8 billion budget request for fiscal 2025, dollars-andcents questions played second fiddle to myriad policy disputes, some pointed criticisms and occasional flashes of irritation. “Your agency continues to ignore local voices and pursue vague and ill-defined goals dictated by a radical agenda,” said Arkansas Republican Rep. Bruce Westerman, the committee’s chair, adding that “this administration treats policymaking as a game, using American communities as political pawns.” Westerman, along with several other Republicans, blasted the Interior Department’s rejection last month of the proposed 211-mile Ambler Road in Alaska, which would have provided access to potential copper, zinc and other mineral deposits. Interior determined the road would harm wildlife and other environmental resources. Facing the claim that the Ambler Road decision showed a blind eye to the nation’s energy needs, Haaland replied that “since President [Joe] Biden has been in office ... Interior has approved 40 mining or mining modification projects” and that “increasing the demand for renewable energy has never been greater, and Interior is leading the way to a clean energy future.” Responding to a friendlier round of questions from Rep. Susie Lee (D-Nev.) about a shorthanded Bureau of Land Management, Haaland said BLM has “initiated a number of hiring and recruiting efforts to fill those vacancies” and that the department will “remain committed to ensuring that we can fill these positions.” The department’s fiscal 2025 budget proposal seeks funding to hire 461 additional full-time BLM staffers, which would bring the bureau’s total staff to 10,083. BLM Director Tracy Stone-Manning has made reinforcing the staff a priority in the wake of a Trump administration reorganization that prompted a number of experienced staffers to leave the bureau. On several occasions, Republicans on Wednesday asked specific fact questions for which they did not get answers.

Farm Bill: House and Senate reveal opposing Farm Bill plans, dueling proposals among party lines.

Dueling farm bill plans reveal big House, Senate divide, E&E News - Republicans and Democrats remain far apart on a new farm bill, as the parties released their own dueling proposals Wednesday. The partisan split threatens to sink the five-year legislation. In the Senate, Agriculture Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) released a detailed framework — but not bill text — outlining how the majority Democrats there would keep farm policy focused on combating climate change and preserving nutrition programs for low-income families. In the House, Agriculture Chair Glenn Thompson (R-Pa.) put forth a less detailed set of clues about the forthcoming bill, promising conservation policies less focused on the climate but still expanded compared to the last farm bill in 2018. Thompson promised a May 23 markup in committee. It could prove to be a partisan affair, given ranking member David Scott’s (D-Ga.) negative reaction Wednesday to the chair’s outline. Stabenow said differences remain between her and ranking Republican John Boozman of Arkansas, including on approaches to conservation, nutrition programs and how to pay for provisions in the bill, but that they continue to look for ways to iron out differences. Stabenow acknowledged that releasing a proposal from one side of the aisle breaks with the tradition of bipartisan farm bills, although she let Boozman know her plans ahead of time. “I think we’re in different times, and so I think it was the right thing to do, for me to move forward and hopefully begin to spur some serious negotiations,” Stabenow told reporters. Boozman said he’ll release a Republican framework after the House Agriculture Committee marks up its bill.

Stabenow’s detailed document — a section-by-section summary runs more than 90 pages — includes multiple provisions to make greenhouse gas reductions a higher priority in conservation programs. It would create a permanent disaster fund to bolster food production against natural calamities and to reduce the need for ad hoc assistance that has ballooned into the billions of dollars over the years. The plan would pull unspent money from the Inflation Reduction Act’s conservation provisions, about $14 billion, and put it in the farm bill, maintaining the Inflation Reduction Act’s requirement that it be targeted at climate-smart programs.

House Ag Committee chair provides a glimpse of the upcoming farm bill, Brownfield Ag News - The House Ag Committee has released a summary of the new farm bill that includes new investments for agriculture. The framework indicates a boost in base acres for the Ag Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs and a reference price increase. Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson tells Brownfield it’s not going to be a blanket set amount or percentage across the board for all commodities. “Every commodity is in a different situation,” he says. The proposal also includes adding the $14 billion from the Inflation Reduction Act to the baseline of the farm bill for conservation

investments and enhancing crop insurance options. Farm bill updates take money, and there hasn’t been new money available until now. Thompson says thanks to Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack’s recommendation, the Commodity Credit Corporation funds will be used. “He mentioned that there’s a significant amount of money, statistically significant and financially significant, that doesn’t get spent out of the CCC every year,” he says. “The way it works, it’s a revolving credit card, so they don’t send it back, but it just doesn’t get recharged, right? It doesn’t get spent.” He says the use of CCC funding requires Congress to follow Congressional Budget Office rules and would limit Vilsack’s authority on the funding for a few years. Thompson says he plans to meet with Senate Ag Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow next week to discuss the new farm bill. A public draft of the legislation is expected a week before the House Ag Committee’s markup of the new farm bill scheduled for May 23.

Ag Organizations React: 2024 Farm Bill Plans, Morning Ag Clips - Today, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane responded to the release of Farm Bill frameworks from the House and Senate Agriculture Committees: “We are very pleased with the Farm Bill framework released by House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson. Since 2023, Chairman Thompson has gone to great lengths to meet with America’s cattle producers in every region of the country and craft a Farm Bill that supports their unique needs. We are especially pleased by the Chairman’s focus on voluntary conservation programs that are increasingly popular with cattle producers, animal health provisions that protect the U.S. cattle herd, and investments in food security that support our broader national security. “Unfortunately, the Senate Agriculture Committee majority has failed to engage in the same level of outreach to real cattle producers, and their framework reflects that lack of producer input. While there are some bipartisan elements to the Senate proposal, there are many provisions which would be harmful to livestock producers. We look forward to the House Agriculture Committee’s May Farm Bill markup and will continue engaging with committee members to advocate for the cattle industry.”

National Monuments: Biden will expand two monuments in CA.

Biden Will Expand Two National Monuments in California, New York Times - President Biden is expected to announce on Thursday that he is expanding the perimeters of two national monuments in California, protecting mountains and meadows in a remote area between Napa and Mendocino as well as a rugged stretch east of Los Angeles. The San Gabriel Mountains National Monument and the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument will each get new boundaries designed to preserve land that holds cultural significance for Native American tribes and that is teeming with biodiversity as well as wildlife corridors. “These expansions will increase

access to nature, boost our outdoor economy and honor areas of significance to tribal nations and Indigenous peoples as we continue to safeguard our public lands for all Americans and for generations to come,” said Vice President Kamala Harris, who as a senator from California had introduced legislation to expand the San Gabriel Mountains monument. The Biden administration has announced a slew of climate and conservation measures this spring as the president seeks to shore up environmental protections and strengthen his support among young, climateconscious voters ahead of November’s election.

Food Safety: USDA testing ground beef for HPAI confirms meat supply is safe.

USDA Testing Retail Ground Beef for HPAI H5N1; Maintains That U.S. Meat Supply is Safe, Food Safety Magazine - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has revealed that it is testing ground beef at retail for the presence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1—also known as the “bird flu”—as the virus continues to spread through U.S. cattle herds. The agency stresses that the U.S. meat supply is safe. USDA confirmed the claim that it is testing retail ground beef for HPAI, explaining that the agency is working on three different beef safety studies related to HPAI H5N1 in cattle: 1) sampling and testing via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of ground beef at retail in states with confirmed cases of the virus, 2) beef muscle sampling of cull dairy cows condemned at USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)-inspected slaughter facilities, and 3) a ground beef cooking study. Previously, USDA issued a federal order mandating HPAI H5N1 testing for dairy cows. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also has its eye on the ongoing HPAI outbreak. The agency has been testing retail milk samples for the virus, and although preliminary findings show HPAI H5N1 genetic material in one in five samples, further testing is required to determine whether intact HPAI H5N1 is present in retail milk and if it remains infectious. Additional preliminary results from other agency sampling and testing activities have demonstrated the efficacy of pasteurization against HPAI, supporting FDA’s confidence in the safety of the U.S. milk supply. On April 1, 2024, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that a person in Texas tested positive for HPAI H5N1 after being exposed to infected dairy cattle—the second confirmed case of the virus in the U.S., following a previous human case that occurred in 2022 in Colorado.

Multiple Use: House votes on mining bill, faces setback from opposition.

Republicans cross aisle to sink contentious mining bill, E&E News - A bipartisan mining bill that’s facing opposition from many Democrats and the White House suffered a procedural setback on the House floor Wednesday, with half a dozen Republicans voting to send the measure back to the House Natural Resources Committee. Lawmakers voted 210-204 to recommit H.R. 2925, the “Mining Regulatory Clarity

Act,” from Reps. Mark Amodei (R-Nev.) and Mary Peltola (D-Alaska). Republican Reps. Andy Biggs and Eli Crane of Arizona, Matt Gaetz and Anna Paulina Luna of Florida, Bob Good of Virginia and Dan Bishop of North Carolina joined Democrats in opposing the bill. Fifteen members did not vote. Republican Rep. Bruce Westerman, who chairs the House Natural Resources Committee, told E&E News after the vote that he believes Republicans crossed the aisle to express objections related to a separate bill on antisemitism. The House passed that bill 320-91 on Wednesday. Biggs, Crane, Gaetz and Luna voted against the measure, while Good and Bishop voted in favor. “My understanding was it had to do with the antisemitism bill and not this bill,” said Westerman. A Republican House aide agreed that conservatives voted against the bipartisan mining bill in protest but added that the measure could again be up for a vote on the House floor as soon as Tuesday.

Forest Service: Environmental groups file lawsuit to halt timber project in UT; Agency receives nearly $38M in CA fire settlement.

Lawsuit looks to stop US Forest Service project in Utah’s Uinta Mountains, TownLift - Environmental groups are suing the U.S. Forest Service over a project that would remove trees in the Ashley National Forest, which includes a large section of the Uinta Mountain range and Flaming Gorge reservoir in northeastern Utah. Filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court for Utah’s Central Division, the Center for Biological Diversity, Yellowstone to Uintas Connection, Alliance for the Wild Rockies and Native Ecosystems Council — all environmental nonprofits — are accusing the U.S. Forest Service of violating the Roadless Rule, which prohibits new roads and timber harvesting in certain areas. The complaint also names Susan Eickhoff, Ashley National Forest supervisor. A spokesperson for the Forest Service said the agency could not comment on active litigation. The lawsuit takes issue with the Ashley National Forest Aspen Restoration Project, which the Forest Service calls a “phased treatment approach to restoring aspen forests.” By authorizing treatment of trees on over 177,000 acres of Ashley National Forest, the Forest Service says “aspen groves will reach a more desirable condition for overall health,” according to documents from the project.

U.S. Forest Service to receive nearly $38 million in Thomas Fire settlement, Sun News - Southern California Edison agreed to pay the United States $80 million to resolve claims and recovery costs associated with suppressing and recovering from the 2017 Thomas Fire—ending a nearly four-year litigation process. “Obviously, we are not happy about the fire and the cause of the fire, but we are happy to reach a settlement with SCE [Southern California Edison] and use the funds to restore the natural resources and infrastructure that was destroyed by the fire,” said Christopher Stubbs, the Los Padres National Forest forest supervisor. “We are still having downstream effects from the fire. The floods we had last winter and this winter and lasting damage is

in part due to the Thomas Fire.” The Thomas Fire began in 2017 as two separate fires that later joined to burn more than 280,000 acres total—including 150,000 acres of national forest lands in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. In 2020, the United States filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Forest Service against SCE to recover costs incurred while fighting the fire and to fund continued restorative efforts. “Forest Service investigators determined that the Thomas Fire ignited when power lines (conductors) SCE owned, maintained, and operated made contact with each other during a high wind event, causing heated material to ignite dry vegetation below the conductors,” according to the complaint filed by the United States. “SCE violated its general, statutory, and regulatory duties by failing to properly construct and maintain its equipment and power lines … which may cause a fire and failure to take reasonable precautions to avoid starting and spreading a fire.”

This is the largest wildfire cost recovery settlement made by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Central District of California—which includes Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties, according to the U.S Attorney’s Office. Of the $80 million, about $37.7 million will be allocated to the Los Padres National Forest for recovery and restoration efforts—dollars expected in the next few months, Stubbs said. “We’ll endeavor to use the funds as expeditiously as we can, but we also want to do it in a measured and thoughtful way. It does have to be directly related to the Thomas Fire or the downstream effects, and that will be the focus of our efforts,” he said.

The Forest Service prepared a resource damage assessment for the lawsuit, which included some specifics as to how the $37.7 million will be allocated, but the Forest Service is still determining how it will implement those dollars.

Climate: How to contribute to weekly drought report.

How residents can contribute to weekly drought report, KFYR - Farmers and ranchers aren’t the only ones who benefit from reports about droughts. Paige Brummund, an NDSU extension agent, said the U.S. Drought Monitor is used by those who monitor for fire risks, people who use bodies of water for recreation and people who look out for wildlife, for example. She said the monitor is used nationwide. Findings are released every week and people can contribute to it. “The more data points that they have from all across the state and all across the nation, the more accurate those reports and the maps that come out weekly are going to be,” said Brummund. The monitor collects information through the Condition Monitoring Observer Report, also known as the CMOR. Brummund said it asks a series of questions about the latest outdoor trends in your neighborhood. You can submit your findings here:

https://droughtimpacts.unl.edu/Tools/ ConditionMonitoringObservations.aspx

THE PRESIDENT’S PUBLICATION

J. Mark Roeber, President, PLC

Here we are - spring is here, grass is starting to green, and young calves are on the ground - a fresh start for all!

While we remain optimistic and excited for the rest of the year, we have a lot of challenges coming our way. Federal agencies are proposing and implementing new rules left and right. The Public Lands Council has been and remains ready and willing to take on those challenges for each and every one of our producers.

After a successful week in Washington D.C. at our Legislative Conference, we accomplished the necessities from a strategic business standpoint, and we stand prepared for what comes next. With numerous rules coming down the pike, we must band together and be of help wherever and whenever we can; I know we can count on each of our members to do just that.

I thank all of you for taking your time and effort to work together for a brighter future and remember we will improvise, adapt and overcome.

From the Desk of the Executive Director

Kaitlynn Glover, Executive Director | kglover@beef.org

Spring is always a busy time in Washington, as a flurry of activity overtakes Capitol Hill. A huge “Thank you!” to all of you who attended Legislative Conference and lent your voice to the important issues Congress must address this year.

From anticipated action on a House Farm Bill draft before Memorial Day, to administrative action on the BLM Public Lands Rule, NEPA Phase 2, sage grouse land use plans, Forest Service rangeland futuring and more, these next few months will result in some of the most consequential policy affecting land use management for the next decade.

As your state associations begin to have their summer meetings, the PLC leadership team and staff look forward to seeing all of you out in the country and urge you to keep in touch with your PLC Board member to keep up with our latest activity and events.

On a different note, please join me in thanking Sigrid Johannes for her time with PLC. On May 1, she will begin a new role in the animal health space with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and will no longer work on natural resources issues. We have appreciated her expertise in our issues and dedication to our members over these last few years and will miss her daily direct engagement. While we will soon bring some new staff on board, please reach out to me in the interim for direction on policy issues so I am able to connect you with the most appropriate staff contact.

Wishing you good moisture, productive meetings, and healthy families this spring.

Policy Update

Sigrid Johannes | sjohannes@beef.org

A range of recent actions, both good and bad, are once again pushing gray wolf management into the national spotlight. The issue has certainly felt like a snowball rolling downhill this month, picking up new attention and a renewed urgency around delisting the recovered species.

Ranchers in northwest and north central Colorado are beginning to bear the consequences of the Governor’s decision to reintroduce 10 wolves to the state in December. Just this month, those same wolves have racked up six confirmed cattle kills. Producers with the Middle Park Stockgrowers Association asked that CPW address the problem-wolves, but CPW is refusing to take any action out of fear of undermining the den they believe the wolves have established nearby to breed. That means come early summer, after a gestation period of just 60-75 days, those two resident wolves could have 2-9 pups with them.

This is a growing issue CPW refuses to address head-on, and Colorado ranchers are paying the price. However, we are seeing some forward progress on the legislative front. Congresswoman Lauren Boebert’s “Trust the Science Act” is slated to be on the House floor next week. The bill passed the House Natural Resources Committee a year ago, and would force U.S. Fish and Wildlife to reissue the 2020 nationwide delisting rule. First thing Monday morning, be sure to call your members in the U.S. House and encourage them to support H.R. 764 on the floor.

Wolves will also be at the center of a Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries subcommittee hearing led by Oregon’s Congressman Cliff Bentz. We appreciate Rep. Bentz’s commitment to pursuing commonsense, state-led management of predators. On the regulatory front, USFWS continues to drag its feet and ignore deadlines when it comes to issuing a new nationwide gray wolf rule. This absurd refusal to act, in defiance of the science and out of fear of activist litigation, is disappointing but sadly not surprising. Rather than wait for the agency to decide to do the right thing in their own good time, PLC is reopening our original appeal in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to try to force the issuance of a new rule. We will keep you all posted on our progress. This is the latest action in our multi-year case, after the oneyear abeyance expired in February of this year.

Administrative Update

Will Baugh, Associate Director | wbaugh@beef.org

April showers have indeed brought May flowers! This past month has been a whirlwind of hard work and fun, and it is all thanks to each of you.

Last week, PLC hosted its annual Legislative Conference here in Washington, DC. We had over 75 attendees, along

with many additional folks who came out for our joint rooftop reception with NCBA! We heard from many public servants, including those from BLM, USDA, Members of Congress, and many more! Good times were had as well as robust conversations focused on public lands policy. Thanks to each of you who attended and participated.

As we near summer, please be on the lookout for more information regarding our Annual Meeting that will take place September 17-19 in Grand Junction, Colorado. Registration and hotel reservation links will be available late-May.

FALL 2024 INTERNSHIP APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN!

This full time, in person internship at the DC office is a unique chance for students interested in the beef industry and federal policy to gain inside knowledge on how policy is affected on the federal level. Interns will have the opportunity to engage with PLC and NCBA staff on several fronts, including policy, communications, and membership, and will work closely with the lobbying and regulatory teams to advance policies important to the beef and sheep industries. This internship will be from Monday, August 26, 2024 - Friday, December 13, 2024. Apply today: https:// jobs.keldair.com/ncba/jobs/80966/public-policy-internship-fall-2024

Wells FFA Brings Home The Gold

By Cristina Salazar | Wells FFA Chapter Reporter

Wells FFA competed at the 95th State FFA Convention, March 25 - March 28, 2024. The chapter loaded up the bus early Monday morning and went to Reno, Nevada to the FFA convention. The chapter was super excited and worked on making friendship bracelets to exchange with other FFA members all over the state since this year’s theme was “Sparking Connections.”

The Wells FFA Chapter had a busy week. Despite competitions, Wells FFA members were able to visit the Fly High Trampoline Park where they got time to relax and let all their competition jitters out. Wells FFA members also went shopping and ate at various restaurants together. They also had the opportunity to see the hypnotist Hypno Hick after the first general session. In addition, they attended all four general sessions led by a past Wells FFA member and 20232024 Nevada FFA State President, Morgan Noorda.

Members of the Wells FFA Chapter were able to compete in various career and leadership development events (CDE) this year. For months the Wells FFA chapter members had been working very hard in studying for their Career and Leadership Development Events and their hard work has been paid off. This year, members of the chapter competed in 18 different CDE’s and brought home 10 gold emblems.

Meat Evaluation and Technology (1st place team) included members Torrey Glaser (1st high individual), Marli Dahl (2nd high individual), Marcus Uhart (3rd high individual), Isaac Gale (4th high individual), and Mason Noorda (5th high individual).

Farm Business Management (1st place team) included members Taylor Glaser (1st high individual), Torrey Glaser (2nd high individual), Jake Glascock (3rd high individual), Truman Kington (4th high individual), and Spencer Gale (5th high individual).

Poultry Judging (1st place team) included members Carson Ballard (2nd high individual), Gage Uhlig (3rd high individual) , Cameron Livingstone (5th high individual), and Cache Coates. Carolina Johnson competed in Employability skills and won 1st high individual.

Milk Quality and Products (1st place team) included members Christopher Burcham (2nd high individual), Gage Uhlig (3rd high individual), Isaac Gale, Spencer Gale, and Adam Eggleston.

Senior Floriculture (1st place team) included members Carolina Johnson (1st high individual), Evelyn Walz (5th high individual), Liz Rivera, and Madison Dahl.

Agricultural Issues Forum (1st place team) consisted of Carolina Johnson, Cristina Salazar, Hannah Prescott, Spencer Gale and Truman Kington. Novice Parliamentary Procedure team (1st place team) consisted of Isaac Gale (High Chairperson), Carson Ballard, Colter Runnion, Hannah Prescott, Grace Otto, and Marcos Cobian.

Best Informed Greenhand included members Aron Hansen (1st high individual), Alta Atkin (3rd high individual), Mason Noorda (4th high individual), and Marli Dahl (5th high individual).

Novice Floriculture (1st place team) included members Taylor Glaser (1st high individual), Alta Atkin (2nd high individual), Aryanna Rodriguez (3rd high individual), Reagan Brandt (5th high individual), and Heather Prescott.

Novice Veterinary Science (3rd place team) included members Aron Hansen (3rd high individual), Callie Brodsho, Marli Dahl, and Madison Dahl. Novice

Horse Evaluation (3rd place team) included members Aryanna Rodriguez, Heather Prescott, Reagan Brandt, and Johnny Glascock.

Agricultural Sales and Service (4th place team) consisted of Carolina Johnson (4th high individual), Grace Otto, Hannah Prescott, and Cache Coates.

Agriculture Technology and Mechanics (5th place team) included members Jake Glascock, Ian Livingstone, Marcus Uhart, Anton Mesna, and Johnny Glascock.

Environmental and Natural Resources (7th place team) included Ian Livingstone, Colter Runnion, Mason Noorda, and Anton Mesna. Mason Noorda competed in Creed speaking.

The following teams competed in the fall:

Soils and Land Judging (2nd place team) included members Adam Eggleston (2nd high individual), Spencer Gale (4th high individual), Gage Uhlig (5th high individual), Carson Ballard, and Teagan Calton.

Range Management (2nd place team) Jake Glascock (2nd high individual), Ian Livingstone, Cristina Salazar, and Hannah Prescott.

Livestock Evaluation (2nd place team) included members Marli Dahl (4th high individual), Aron Hansen, Stacia Hansen, Colter Runnion, Hannah Prescott, and Heather Prescott.

Callie Brodsho, Christopher Burcham, Cristina Salazar and Liz Rivera received their American FFA Degree which is the highest degree achievable in the National FFA Organization.

Overall, the Wells FFA chapter had another successful year at the 95th State FFA Convention! Twenty-five members of the Wells FFA qualified to compete at the National FFA Convention in the fall!

The Chapter is staying busy and having an eventful spring, and are now preparing for their annual banquet to celebrate all of their hard work and accomplishments.

33 members from the Wells FFA Chapter attended the 95th State FFA Convention.

With the weather warming up in northern Nevada, Mormon Crickets have begun to emerge. The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) has received reports from Washoe, Pershing, Churchill, Humboldt, Lander, Eureka, White Pine, and Elko counties. These insects are native to northern Nevada and other western states, but can cause damage to rangeland forage and agricultural crops and can pose a public safety risk on roads. The NDA began ground treatments in Elko County the week of April 22, and will continue to do treatments across other counties in the coming weeks and months.

Treatments for crickets must be strategic and consider the weather, location, budgetary constraints, and the life stage of the cricket. Areas can only be treated once per year, meaning if treatments and baiting are conducted when crickets are young, those same areas cannot be treated again later if adult crickets are causing damage.

The NDA has submitted a proposal to protect 222,254 acres of public land with aerial treatments. These treatments are pending USDA Plant Protection and Quarantine approval and funding. The NDA is only permitted to treat public lands and those must meet other criteria including density per square yard. Private landowners can purchase bait at agriculture supply stores.

Please continue to report cricket sightings to aid in population tracking and treatment planning at agri.nv.gov/ entomology. Reporting drives surveying efforts and can help determine treatment priority, as well as offer recommendations to local officials and private landowners regarding treatment options on private lands, where the NDA cannot treat. For more information, please review the Frequently Asked Questions at agri. nv.gov/entomology.

Thank you,

Director Goicoechea

News from the desk of NDA DIRECTOR GOICOECHEA

Be part of history with the Nevada Centennial Awards

Does your family have a long history of farming or ranching on the same land in Nevada? The Nevada Centennial Awards Program recognizes agricultural families who have owned and operated the same land for 100 years or more! To qualify as a Centennial ranch or farm, an applicant’s ranch must be a working ranch or farm with a minimum of 160 acres or if it is less than 160 acres, it must have gross yearly sales of at least $1,000. For more information or to apply visit agri.nv.gov.

The USDA has issued a federal order requiring testing of lactating cows for interstate movement

The NDA has updated entry requirements in compliance with the USDA’s order requiring a negative test for Influenza A virus from an approved National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) lab to be documented on a Certificate of Veterinarian Inspection (CVI) within seven (7) days prior to interstate movement for all lactating dairy cows. Dairy producers should work with their veterinarian to arrange for testing prior to transport. Nevada producers moving lactating dairy cattle out of state should reference the updated entry guidelines for the state to which they are traveling. Nonlactating dairy cattle, including heifers, dry cows and bull calves, are not currently subject to testing for interstate movement due to their risk profile. Cattle traveling direct to slaughter from the owner do not require testing. Lactating dairy cows consigned to a sale barn in Nevada for subsequent interstate movement to a slaughter facility do not require a negative test.

For more info, visit: https://agri.nv.gov/ Animals/Animal_Disease/Import_ Requirements/

Nevada and Republic of Ghana meet to discuss Ag opportunities

The NDA had the pleasure of hosting the Ahafo Regional Minister, Hon. George Boayke, and his team to explore sharing technical knowledge with Ghanaian farmers, trade partnerships and trade initiatives while promoting Nevada’s producers. The delegation toured the Las Vegas Livestock pig farm, known for its sustainable practices.

Swing into Nevada Craft Beverage Passport Day with the Reno Aces

This year, the NDA is partnering with the Reno Aces for a special Nevada Craft Beverage Passport Day on Sunday, July 28 at 1:05 p.m. dedicated to promoting local craft beverage establishments. A portion of ticket sales contribute to supporting the program! Secure your tickets here: https://fevoenterprise.com/event/Doacraft

Complete Form to ensure students continue to receive free meals

NDA encourages families to complete a Free- and Reduced-Meal Eligibility Form to ensure eligible students continue to receive free or reducedcost meals in the next school year. Free pandemic and post-pandemic school meals will be coming to an end and families should complete and submit the form for the 2024-25 school year. Visit your school or district website to complete the Form.

Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program kicks off Low-income seniors are eligible for coupons for fresh fruits, vegetables, and local honey from participating farmers’ markets. Eligible participants must be NV residents aged 60+, meet the 2024 Income Guidelines, and register at a local distributing agency site. Coupons are on a first-come, first-served basis. Distribution agency sites are located throughout the state. Visit: https://agri. nv.gov/Food/Senior_Farmers_Market_ Nutrition_Program/SFMNP-Senior_ Farmers_Market_Nutrition_Program/

Don’t forget to pay your head tax Livestock assessments (Head Tax) were due in July of 2023. Owners must annually declare their livestock and fulfill a minimal per-head assessment. Failure to pay will result in a $5 late fee, brands may be deactivated, and brand inspections may be denied. Please visit nv.certifyag.com/headtax to complete your assessment today. For questions, email LivestockInspection@agri.nv.gov or call 775-753-1360.

Brand renewals PAST DUE

Livestock brands should have been renewed in January of last year (2023). If you have not already, please renew your brands. Late brand renewals can be completed over the phone at 775-753-1360 or via email at LivestockInspections@agri.nv.gov. Please note, a late fee will be assessed. All brands must be renewed every five years. Current brands will be valid through Dec. 31, 2027. Email LivestockInspection@agri.nv.gov or call 775-753-1360 with any questions.

Annual fees for seed retailers and NV wholesalers implemented NDA’s Seed Program is implementing annual fees for seed retailers and wholesalers operating in the state, as per changes to NRS 587.077 and NRS 587.083 approved in 2022. Fees support the Seed Program, ensuring that seeds produced and sold in Nevada are viable. Wholesalers must obtain a Seed Wholesaler License $750; retailers need a Seed Retailer License $75.00 Licenses must be acquired by July 1 and are valid through the following June 30. Contact program staff at 775-353-3711 or email at seed@agri.nv.gov for any questions. Prevent West Nile Virus this mosquito season

It’s almost mosquito season! The NDA reminds horse owners of the importance of vaccinating against West Nile Virus (WNV). Contact your vet to set up a vaccination schedule for your animals.

Nevada Native Seed Partnership awarded

$3.74M for habitat restoration

The Nevada Native Seed Partnership announced today that it was awarded $3.74 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL)/Burned Area Rehabilitation (BAR) funding to increase native seed collection, production and use in restoration across the Great Basin.

“A lack of readily available native seed and plant materials prevents us from successfully restoring ecosystems,” said Sarah Kulpa, botanist and restoration ecologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Reno, Nevada. “This funding will help us, in the Great Basin, increase the supply of native seeds to meet the growing restoration demand, as these seeds are one of our most powerful tools for conserving and restoring healthy and resilient ecosystems.”

Across the Great Basin there are 3,189 native plant species. The right native seed exists on the landscape, unfortunately, much of the infrastructure and resources needed to collect, grow, clean, and store native seed doesn’t. The Nevada Native Seed Partnership will use this funding to jump start new or shore up existing projects or initiatives to help bridge gaps in the native seed supply chain.

“I am so excited about this project, as it is going to create the resources in Nevada to tackle all parts of the restoration cycle,” said Elizabeth Leger, foundation professor and director of the University of Nevada Reno Museum of Natural History. “Historically, we have relied on surrounding states for some of these steps, and not surprisingly, the native plants that grow naturally in Nevada haven’t been their main targets. Now, we will be able to collect Nevada’s plants, clean and store seeds in-state, move them to growers for increase, and then get them back out on Nevada’s wild lands!”

Thirty-three million dollars were made available in fiscal year 2024 to support BIL/ BAR habitat restoration needs across the Department of Interior, and additional funds are anticipated in fiscal years 2025 and 2026.

This year’s funding will be distributed to various partners across the Great Basin in support of the following efforts: $1.4 million for seed collection, $1.2 million for seed production, $548,831 to establish an equipment network to support native seed growers and $536,188 for seed cleaning and storage.

“There is an ever-growing demand for native seed in order to address the threats and restoration needs of our natural habitats,” Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Great Basin Research Center coordinator Kevin Gunnell said. “The information to facilitate the production of native seed at the needed quantities is as important as the seed itself. This funding will help to ensure we can empower seed producers with the knowledge and resources needed to meet and sustain active restoration efforts across the Western U.S.”

Funding to support the use of BIL/BAR to proactively develop plant materials was approved by the Department of Interior Fire Directors. This funding was focused on landscapes that are unlikely to recover naturally from large-scale high-severity wildfire by ensuring plant materials, like native seeds or nursery plugs, are available to revegetate and restore habitat impacted by wildfire. By focusing investments now on developing the infrastructure necessary to collect and produce native seed, land managers across the Great Basin will be able to procure and use the right, locally-adapted native seed in post-fire restoration projects in the future.

ABOUT | The Nevada Native Seed Partnership was established in 2017 to help Nevada increase the availability of locally-adapted native seed to restore diverse plant communities and sustainable landscapes across the state. The NNSP is guided by the Nevada Seed Strategy and is made up of the following agencies: the Bureau of Land Management, Nevada Conservation Districts Program, Nevada Department of Agriculture, Nevada Department of Wildlife, Nevada Division of Forestry, RenoSparks Indian Colony, University of Nevada, Nevada Division of Natural Heritage, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, The Great Basin Institute, U.S. Geological Survey, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Walker Basin Conservancy, The Nature Conservancy and the Nevada Department of Transportation. www.partnersinthesage.com/nevada-native-seed-partnership

Interstate movement requirements for dairy cattle during H5N1 outbreak

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced a Federal Order requiring testing for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1) in lactating dairy cattle prior to interstate movement. In addition, detections of H5N1 must be reported to the USDA APHIS. This order goes into effect Monday, April 29, 2024.

As of April 26, 2024, detections of H5N1 in dairy cattle have not been reported in Nevada. Please review the following requirements and recommendations. This is an evolving situation, and requirements are subject to change with minimal notice. Please continue to monitor your email and the Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) for up-to-date information.

Animal movement | The NDA has updated entry requirements in compliance with this order requiring a negative test for Influenza A virus from an approved National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) lab to be documented on a Certificate of Veterinarian Inspection (CVI) within seven (7) days prior to movement. Dairy producers should work with their veterinarian to arrange for testing prior to transport. Nevada producers moving lactating dairy cattle out of state should reference the updated entry guidelines for the state to which they are traveling. Culled dairy cows consigned to a sale barn in Nevada for eventual processing out of state must also test negative for H5N1 within 7 days prior to sale or movement out of state. Non-lactating dairy cattle are not currently subject to testing for interstate movement due to their risk profile. Cattle traveling direct to slaughter from the owner do not require testing.

Costs | APHIS will reimburse for Influenza A testing at NAHLN laboratories associated with this event for the following submission reasons:

• Suspect cattle: Suspected cases should be reported to the NDA State Veterinarian at diseasereporting@agri.nv.gov.

• Apparently healthy cattle that have been exposed to or epidemiologically linked to suspect or confirmed positive HPAI cattle.

• Sick or dead domestic animals near affected premises.

• Sick or dead wildlife (reason for submission must indicate emerging event).

• Monitoring of healthy cattle via bulk tank samples.

Costs for sample collection and shipping will not be covered.

Detections | Any positive detections of Influenza A must be reported to the NDA State Veterinarian at diseasereporting@agri.nv.gov and USDA APHIS at HPAI. Results@usda.gov. More information on testing is available from APHIS. Biosecurity | Good health safety practices are important to protecting herd health.

• Monitor for Sick Animals: Producers should monitor herds closely for cattle with clinical signs of disease.

• Movement of Cattle: Movement of cattle should be minimized; movement of cattle should be focused on preventing movement of disease.

• Vehicles, Equipment, and People on the Farm: Producers should limit the movement of vehicles and visitors on and off livestock and poultry premises and establish dedicated routes for vehicles that do come onto the premises.

• Wildlife Management: Producers should monitor and report any odd behaviors and die offs in domestic and wild animals immediately.

• Worker safety: Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is recommended for personals working with or around cattle or materials potentially contaminated with H5N1. Avoid rubbing eyes, eating, drinking, smoking, chewing gum, and other such activities in and around areas with cattle. Wash hand regularly.

The FDA maintains the meat and dairy supply remain safe for consumption, and the CDC states the virus is not transmissible to humans, so public risk remains low.

For H5N1 updates, visit: aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avianinfluenza/hpai-detections/livestock or contact diseasereporting@agri.nv.gov

In Loving Memory EDDIE BROOKS

12.01.1932 ~ 04.09.2024

Eddie was born December 1, 1932 to Paul and Olene Brooks in Fort Worth, Texas. Eddie grew up around the Fort Worth Stock Yards where his father worked for Swift & Company providing table ready meats for consumers. He had a fascination for all things leather and the cowboy life style.

When Eddie was twelve years he had a neighbor that was a leather worker and would give scraps of leather to Eddie and then helped him learn to use the tools to create designs. Eddie had a natural artistic and mechanical talent which caused him to excel at this new found passion and he even created some of his own tools at this early age. Eddie learned to make belts, wallets and purses that he sold to earn money to buy his own school clothes - he grew up at the end of the depression era and things were difficult for everyone so Eddie did what he could to help his family survive.

In 1953 at the age of twenty, Eddie was drafted into the United States Army and served two years at Ellsworth, South Dakota at an Air Force Base and was in the Anti-Aircraft Artillery Unit. Upon his discharge he returned to Fort Worth and went to work at the Fort Worth Stock Yards as a cowboy. There were several well known saddle shops in the area so Eddie was able to continue to pursue his interest in leather work. He spent quite a bit of time at the saddle shop owned by Bill Foster and learned a lot about the trade where he would eventually become a World Renown Saddle Maker. Bill Foster eventually went to work for Frank Leddy at Leddy Brothers Saddlery and Eddie went to work for Bill as an apprentice.

During the 1950’s and 1960’s Eddie also pursued his passion for rodeo and he became a member of the RCA - Rodeo Cowboy’s Association. He competed in the bareback bronc riding which he enjoyed immensely. He also enjoyed jackpot team roping. Everything in Eddie’s life revolved around the cowboy and he was proud to be one.

Eddie worked for Leddy Brothers Saddlery from 1957 to 1964 when he was contacted by Paul Bear about coming to Elko to work as a saddle maker for the J.M. Capriola Company. He worked for Capriola’s for a period of two years and he enjoyed both the country and the people but his family was homesick for Texas so he returned to the Fort Worth area and went to work for Ryon Saddlery. He continued to work as a saddle maker for Ryon’s from 1966 until 1973. At that time he went to work once again for Bill Foster who had moved to Denton, Texas and opened his own shop and Eddie worked there until 1975.

Eddie had always wanted to return to Elko, Nevada and in 1975 he was contacted by Paul Bear’s children who had taken over the business to see if he would be interested in coming back and running the saddle shop. Eddie was delighted to return to Elko and would remain there the rest of his days. He worked at Capriola’s from 1975 until 1982 when he opened his own shop just a few blocks away. Eddie made the final move of his saddle shop in 1989 to his home where he had converted a large porch area into his shop - he now was home and could work at his will.

Eddie so appreciated the cowboys in the Great Basin area and realized that the saddles used in this area needed to be well made because of the miles and hard use they get. Eddie developed a style of mechanical excellence and artistry that made his saddles be at the top of the list of any cowboy wanting to purchase a saddle. He wanted his saddles to last and at the same time he was mindful of a cowboy’s wages and did all he could to keep his saddles at a fair price.

Eddie was so talented both mechanically and artistically but he was also an excellent teacher. Eddie was a mentor to many individuals pursuing the saddle making trade and he was always available to answer any questions for anyone with a need to know whether they just dropped by or called him on the phone. He was gracious with both his time and talents.

Eddie achieved some noteworthy accolades. In January of 1964 he set up a saddle shop in the lobby of the Fort Worth’s Continental National Bank to promote the cowboy lifestyle to the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo crowd. During that exhibition he made the saddle for the then Governor of Texas, John Connelly. Eddie received the Governor’s Art Award in 1993 for his quiet, steady contribution to one of Nevada’s distinctive working art forms. Eddie was honored by the Academy of Western Artists with the Saddle Maker of the Year in 2003 and again with the Don King Memorial Saddle Maker of the Year in 2017.

Eddie was an only child and was preceded in death by his parents; Paul and Olene Brooks. He is survived by his loving wife of thirty years, Linda and his children; Linda

(Kim) Cox, Texas; Cindy (Stayce) Sampler, Texas; Brenda Gokey and partner Steve Gaines, Texas; Edward P. aka Hooter (Stephanie) Brooks, Alabama; Kristy (Jacob) Elliff; Texas; stepchildren Melissa Maddux, Montana; Marc Calder, Arizona; and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

The family would like to thank New Horizon Home Health Care and Guiding Light Hospice for the loving care that was provided to Eddie and his family during his end of life transition.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Eddie’s honor on Saturday May 11th at the Western Folklife Center located at 501 Railroad Street in Elko, Nevada from 1:00 pm until 5:00 pm with a no host bar available. Any donations may be made to a charity of your choice. May the Lord grant His favor and protection upon all those who Eddie considered his friends!

GREENWAY’S GRAZING CORN

Graze Yearlings1500 on a 130 Acre Pivot for 30 Days

28 Ton Silage Pasco, WA

3.5 lbs. of Gain Per Day (69% TDN) 5-7 wt. Cattle*

* Jesse Norcutt, Currant, NV

Greenway Seeds Grazing Corn (GX80) is the No. 1 grazing corn in the nation because it is 5-6 days earlier than the competition. This allows the rancher to plant 5-6 days later and still reach peak sugar content (pre tassel) before the frost shuts you down!

OVERSEED ALFALFA with Grazing Corn

Plant with a grain drill following second cutting on an older field alfalfa. Ready to graze in early September.

“We planted GX80 following second cut alfalfa. If we had to do that over we would follow third cut. We grazed 400 head for two weeks on 20 acres” Cory Veterre - Greenriver, Utah

HERE’S WHAT RANCHERS ARE SAYING

Casey Calvin - Monte Vista, CO

We grazed lambs on GX80. They ate it all the way to the ground. Unbelievable! (See website for photos)

Crawford Cattle - Winnemucca, NV

Planted mid July, it was way over our heads. We were surprised as to how long we were able to graze. We also baled some of it. We’re buying again.

Cory Miller - Grass Valley Farm, Missoula, MT

We planted our GX80 under wheel lines and watered heavily before layby. This was key as the corn grew 7ft tall!

Tom Kerns for Mike Becker Ranch - Baker, OR

We were able to carry 14 A.U.M.’s per acre with our late season grazing of GX80.

Jesse Norcutt - Currant, NV

We cut and baled the GX80 at pre-tussel. It was fed to 5-7 wt. cattle, and they gained 31/2 lbs/day