The Progressive Rancher - NOV-DEC 2024

IN THIS ISSUE

Grazing Management for the

Six-Part

Series 22 Nevada Farmer Represents U.S. at IYWF Event

24 SRM | Does Grazing Cheatgrass Spread It Across The Range? 26 PLC | The Roundup

NDA | The Director’s News 29 2024 Cantaloupe Festival Update 30 Heritage Club Helps Preserve CA’s Rich Agricultural History

31 USDA | Applications for Assistance Programs Due ASAP 31 UNR | Preparing for Wildfire

32 UNR | Wolf Pack Meats Operating in the Black 34 UNR | NV Ag Outlook Update

35 Cattlewomen’s Corner of the Corral

36 PLC | Capital Issues: Annual Meeting & Officers Update

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Whiskey’s for Drinking, Water’s for Fighting!

If you have lived in Nevada very long, you have heard the adage “Whiskey is for drinking and water is for fighting,” and from what I have seen it is true.

I am going to take this month’s article to first introduce everyone (if you don’t know him) to Dave Baker, your incoming President for NCA, and second let him make you aware of the water lawsuit that is going on in Baker, Nevada. NCA is preparing an Amicus Brief to help chime in on what we feel is a violation of Nevada Water Law. With that, here is Mr. Baker…

Greetings! President Hanes Holman asked me to write this month’s article because I am closest to a current issue that threatens many water right holders throughout the west.

My two brothers and I own and operate a ranch in Baker, Nevada near Great Basin National Park. With the exception of a couple of small supplemental wells, the irrigation water for the main ranch is provided by Baker and Lehman Creeks. These creeks originate and flow through the park (established in 1986). From the 1870s until 2012, we and our predecessors maintained the stream channels, keeping the water in the stream channels and removing obstructions as necessary. This was done using hand tools. This practice is expressly authorized by Nevada law.

In 2012, the National Park Service (NPS) informed us that we would be arrested if we removed any debris or obstructions from the streams. In the years that followed, some of Baker Creek was diverted into a crack in a limestone cliff, resulting in a dried-up stream channel during low flows. We are only aware of one other instance of this section of the creek running dry in the history of the ranch. The NPS cut and felled trees into Lehman Creek contributing to braiding of the stream, and then planted riparian vegetation along the braids.

In the 1920s, the Nevada state engineer conducted an adjudication of Baker and Lehman Creeks and submitted it to the state court. This resulted in the Baker/Lehman decree of 1934. The National Forest Service was given notice of the proceedings and did not participate.

When Congress established Lehman Caves National Monument in 1922, the government acquired water rights that were adjudicated and determined in the decree. When the park was established, Congress reserved for it only those water rights that were associated with the 1909 withdrawal of the National Forest and the 1922 withdrawal of Lehman Caves National Monument.

The McCarran Amendment is a federal law, enacted in 1952, which waives the U.S. government’s sovereign immunity in suits concerning ownership or management of water rights. It enabled suits concerning federal water rights to be tried in state courts.

Baker Ranch and other plaintiffs filed suit against the Department of the Interior and the National Park Service in the Nevada state court that issued the decree, pleading one claim for enforcement of the decree. After various proceedings in state court, United States District Court (USDC), and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, the USDC has dismissed the case, contending that the McCarran Amendment doesn’t apply, and therefore, the U.S. government is not subject to state authority over the waters of Baker and Lehman Creeks.

In Dugan v. Rank (1963), the Supreme Court ruled that the McCarran Amendment only applied to comprehensive adjudications. In our case, the USDC concluded that the McCarran Amendment didn’t apply because the original adjudication did not consider any federal reserved rights that might be created later, and therefore, was not “comprehensive.” When these two court decisions are taken together, the McCarran Amendment is effectively nullified, and the undeniable intent of a congressional act is reversed. Congress passed the McCarran Amendment to ensure that the U.S. government is treated no differently than a private appropriator of water.

Although the facts of this fall squarely within the plain language of the statute, the USDC held that the U.S. government is above the law and beyond the reach of any court if it asserts federal reserve rights that were not claimed or determined in a state adjudication that occurred prior to 1952.

As a result of this dismissal, no court has jurisdiction to prevent the National Park Service from violating the decree and diverting water that belongs to others, even though it benefits from the decree rights and the protection afforded by the decree.

If upheld, this decision could exempt the federal government from adhering to state water laws in many systems governed by state decrees. On streams governed by a pre-1952 decree, the U.S. government can now assert - for the first time - a federal reserved right to use water in a manner contrary to the rights established in the decree, and illegally use water in violation of the decree without any consequences.

The stability and sanctity of any rights recognized in a state court decree that predates the enactment of the McCarran Amendment of 1952 are now in jeopardy. The decision not only jeopardizes the water rights of farmers and ranchers, but also the water rights held by many municipalities throughout the west.

If this decision is upheld, it will greatly reduce the western states’ authority over water and transfer it to the federal government. Western states have the choice to oppose this decision or forfeit their authority. States and other organizations that wish to oppose this USDC decision can do so by submitting an amicus brief in support of our appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

The United States District Court’s decision is available here: https://casetext.com/case/bakerranches-inc-v-haaland-5

Hanes Holman, NCA President

Dave Baker, NCA President-Elect

by Martin Paris | NCA

NCA November Update

I can’t believe it’s already November. Hopefully everyone is surviving a busy weaning and shipping season. There is definitely no shortage of work to be done here at NCA headquarters. The Nevada Cattlemen’s Association Annual Convention is right around the corner. We have an engaging line up of speakers and events that will surely keep you informed and up to date with issues that impact our industry.

At Convention, in attendance will be members of NCA, Nevada Land Action Association, Nevada CattleWomen, Inc., Nevada Wool Growers, Nevada Central Grazing Committee, Nevada Rangeland Resources Commission, industry vendors and guest speakers to celebrate the Nevada Livestock Industry. NCA staff and officers are working hard to provide a memorable and educational experience. Please come to the convention and learn more about how NCA is working to increase public awareness of the Nevada livestock industry and make sure your voice is heard. Registration for the convention is on our website at nevadacattlemen.org. If you are interested in attending or would like more information, call the office at 1-775-

On the policy front, we saw a rather uneventful ending to the fiscal year in Congress. Congress once again failed to pass full appropriations bills for fiscal year 2025 and instead elected to kick the can down the road by approving a stopgap continuing resolution. The continuing resolution will fund the government until December 20th and tees up another tumultuous negotiation process. NCA will continue working to ensure that several critical provisions for livestock producers remain in place no matter the result of those negotiations. These priorities include wild horse and burro gather funding, funding to reinstate grazing on vacant allotments, and in some cases provisions that prevent the expenditure of funding on bad ideas. These include provisions that do not allow resources to be spent on listing the Greater Sage Grouse on the Endangered Species List and language that would prevent the Bureau of Land Management from allocating resources to implement their proposed “Public Lands Rule”.

On a similar note, the latest deadline to reauthorize a new Farm Bill also passes unceremoniously on

to pass a new bill or create an extension. Congress will have to scramble in the lame-duck session after elections to come up with some type of agreement before benefits run out at the end of the year. Several important programs related to disaster assistance, price protections, and animal disease preparedness will languish if a full authorization or extension is not completed before the end of the year. The NCA is working hard with our Congressional delegation to stress the importance of the Farm Bill to livestock producers in Nevada and maintain hope that an agreement can be reached in the near future.

Finally, if you have heifers and steers for sale this fall/ winter and are looking to get the best bang for your buck, please consider consigning them to the upcoming Silver State Classic Feeder Sale. The special sale will start at noon on December 7th at Fallon Livestock LLC in Fallon, NV. Fallon Livestock LLC donates a portion of the sale commission back to the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association which helps us represent you on the issues that matter. We greatly appreciate Fallon Livestock LLC’s support over the years and hope to

Nevada Beef Council’s Summer Grilling Campaign Showcased Both the “Sizzle”

and the “Steak”

by Nevada Beef Council | Courtesy of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board

What says summer more than the unmistakable sizzle of beef on the grill? From strip steaks to ribeyes to burgers and more, that one-of-a-kind aroma and backyard barbecue flavor defines the long, lazy days of summer.

For summer 2024, the Nevada Beef Council (NBC) celebrated the season with Sizzled in Nevada, focusing on all things “beef on the grill.” The campaign, which ran from June 13 through July 24, featured savings on beef through the Checkout 51 mobile app or online, summer grilling recipes, videos, and a sweepstakes for a summer grilling prize pack, all housed on the campaign landing page at SizzledInNevada.com.

“We know that among our top target audiences, which include significant segments of Gen X and Millennials who are enthusiastic about social gatherings and family food events, grilling is one of the top three preparation methods, and ‘taste’ is one of the top three factors driving their protein decisions,” said Annette Kassis, the NBC’s Director of Consumer & Brand Marketing. “Our promotion for this campaign focused on reaching these family-and-friend-focused, social, younger-skewing consumers.”

Working with iHeartMedia, NBC deployed media tactics that included SmartAudio radio spots that use artificial intelligence and audience profile data to enhance audience targeting and spot placement. In addition, locationbased, geo-fenced mobile display ads reached target consumers on their mobile devices when they were within a one-mile radius of retail stores, and streaming ads across the iHeartRadio app reached consumers outside the broadcast area. All media drove consumers to the SizzledInNevada.com landing page to access the Checkout 51 beef offer, sweepstakes entry, and other content. Campaign media tactics resulted in almost 2.5 million media impressions and nearly 7,500 store visits that could be tracked back to digital media.

The Checkout 51 beef offer gave consumers $2 savings on the purchase of $10 or more on their favorite steaks for summer grilling. The cash-back beef rebate had over 900 consumers engage with the offer by adding beef to their grocery shopping list, and more than 330 consumers redeemed the offer. “At a time when consumers are feeling the pressure of elevated grocery prices, it’s beneficial to offer consumers an incentive to purchase beef so we keep them in the beef category, and not trading out of the category when grocery shopping, said Christie Van Egmond, the NBC’s Director of Retail & Foodservice Marketing.

“We know from the campaign metrics that those redeeming the offer are busy on-the-go families with one or more kids in the household, and it’s important to keep those families fueled up with beef.”

Not only did the offer provide some price relief for consumers, but it also generated more than a $5.00 dollar return on each Beef Checkoff dollar invested by Nevada beef producers, which is a win-win for both Nevada consumers and beef producers.

Grilled Steak Flatbread

This easy grilled flatbread-style pizza is quick and nutritious, and while it’s light on calories, it’s heavy on delicious flavor!

Ingredients:

1 beef Strip Steak, Boneless (about 1 pound)

1 (8 ounce) refrigerated pizza dough

1 white onion, sliced

1-1/2 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 cup roasted red peppers

Nutrition:

1/2 cup blue cheese

1/2 cup arugula leaves

1 tablespoon balsamic syrup

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

1. Pre-heat a small skillet over medium heat; add 1/2 tablespoon olive oil and onions to the pan. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until onions are caramelized; Remove from skillet and set aside.

2. On a greased sheet pan, take the pizza dough and form it to the size of the sheet pan. Brush both sides of the dough with 1/2 Tablespoon of olive oil. Place pizza dough on grid over medium heat. Grill the dough for 30 seconds to 1 minute on each side being careful not to burn it. Remove the dough and place it back on the sheet pan. Top the flat bread with roasted red peppers & 1/4 cup of blue cheese. Bake in the oven at 375°F for 10 minutes; once the cheese is melted slightly remove from oven and set aside.

3. Season both sides of the steak with salt & pepper. Place steak on grid over medium, ash-covered coals or over medium heat on preheated gas grill. Grill according to the chart for medium rare (145°F) to medium (160°F) doneness, turning occasionally. Remove steak and let rest for 5 minutes. Slice into 1/2inch strips and set aside.

4. Take the flat bread and top with the caramelized onions, arugula, sliced steak, remaining blue cheese, and drizzle the balsamic syrup on top. Cut into 6 even sized squares and serve.

Over-Regulation

By now many readers have heard about the Supreme Court decision in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo which did away with the so-called Chevron Deference. This deference was granted to agencies by the federal courts with the assumption the agencies were populated by experts whose technical knowledge of complicated policies could be relied upon. This deference meant in cases where there was an ambiguous law or regulation the courts would defer to the judgment and interpretation of the experts in the agencies. Effectively, Executive branch agencies had more power than Congress when their decisions were challenged by the regulated class of users many times in the application of the regulation which would defy common sense and the need for practical use. Thus, the Founder’s desire for three equal branches of government had been thwarted for the fifty years this Court ruling in the Chevron case has been in effect.

The decision doing away with Chevron Deference is a giant step forward in controlling the everaggressive nature of the regulatory state of affairs in our government; yes, that government “of the people, by the people and for the people”. However, while this is a good start, the agencies will continue to add more regulations and figure out new areas to regulate because, in my experience, bureaucracies are not always content with the status quo. Thus, before we, in the regulated classes, become complacent in relying on this latest decision we should analyze the state of our administrative arena a little more carefully.

Here are some examples to illustrate my point. I am reading a book by Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch entitled “Over Ruled”- “The Human Toll of too Much Law”. Justice Gorsuch and his co- author Janie Nitze argue the premise that increasingly we citizens are restricted by too many laws in what we can say, what we can do, and how we may live. This situation is made worse because such restrictions in the face of common sense and practicality also have the effect of undermining our respect for our government and our institutions such as the courts.

The U.S. Code was contained in 54 volumes and about 60,000 pages in 2018. A hundred years earlier the whole code was in one volume. The Code is the Statutes passed by Congress. The Federal Register was begun in

the midst of the Great Depression in 1936, and it was 16 pages. This was to be the first place one could find proposals and final rules issued by the federal agencies. By 2021 the Code of Federal Regulations could be found in 200 volumes comprising over 188,000 pages. So our laws are contained in over 60,000 pages and the regulations implementing those laws can be found in 188,000 pages. Remember the U.S. Constitution in Article I says “All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress…” But people in agencies are exercising that power with no particular oversight every working day. Another thing many forget is the Guidance issued by agencies purported to explain a statute or regulation outside of the regular legislative process, but which ends up having the force of law. Thousands of lawyers across the country are employed to help their clients navigate this catalogue of laws and regulations impacting their businesses, but what is the average person to do even once finding the relevant regulation to interpret its meaning?

To put a finer point on what I am talking about above Justice Gorsuch relates in his book this startling fact. In 2015, Congress adopted approximately one hundred laws and the government’s agencies issued 3,242 final rules and proposed 2,285 rules. I do not think anyone could argue credibly that we are not a very regulated society. I will agree there are regulations needed to provide for a safe and orderly America. However, some things do not need to be regulated or could achieve the same purpose with less stringent regulation.

The first example to support my assertion is from the Loper Bright case discussed above. A fisherman in New England became upset when the federal agency regulating the number and kind of fish allowed to commercial fishermen changed the requirement to inspect a catch from a dockside event which cost a few hundred dollars to a commercial vessel required to carry an inspector on board at a cost of ten times the dockside inspection. The increased cost to the fisherman resulted in his business becoming unprofitable. He sued and the result was the Supreme Court determination that the agency had exceeded its statutory authority to the extent it could not rely on a Chevron Deference defense for its decision. The Federal Agency had to go back to its old way of inspecting fishing catches at a more reasonable cost to the fishing industry.

There is one more example from Justice Gorsuch’s book that makes the point we are over-regulated in this country in many impracticable ways. I was unaware the increasing phenomena of braiding hair is a cultural and identity validating custom among certain people in our society. It has been practiced for thousands of years and traces its origins to Africa. It is considered an art form and not just a fashion statement. Some practitioners have been braiding hair for many decades and have a deserved reputation for their artful craft.

One such practitioner is a Texas woman who’s been braiding hair for a living since she was in college. She had several business locations and was so well-known that she taught braiding to others. Notably she did not operate beauty salons where hair was washed, cut and styled. Nor did she use any chemicals or sharp instruments. Her tools of trade were her bare hands.

This practitioner had been in business for over a decade when one day armed police officers raided her establishment and arrested her for braiding hair without a license. To obtain a license one would have meant taking a course in cosmetology at a cost of many thousands of dollars and three hundred hours of training. One problem became very apparent; there was no cosmetology course in Texas that could train someone in this thousands of years old African art form. The rules had been recently changed with no notice for people like this young lady and no accommodation for training teachers in the craft. Ironically, our arrested rule breaker could have taught the course to herself and others. She fought the criminal charges and was eventually exonerated. It took a fight of almost twenty years before the young lady could be allowed to braid and teach braiding but eventually the rules were amended to allow the practice of braiding if one obtained a certificate for thirty-five dollars.

Are you as amazed in reading this as I was writing this to think of many examples of rules related to the livestock industry that have as much impractical application and non-nonsensical relevance as hair braiding rules in Texas did to our young persistent braider. I would like her on my side in a fight against the bureaucracy.

I’ll see you soon.

What Happens When a Farm Bill Dies?

by Roger Cryan, Chief Economist |

Washington, D.C., September 30, 2024. The 2018 farm bill will die tonight. It could be revived later this year with another extension, but its time has come. In some ways, this bill has been dying for years: thanks to unanticipated price inflation the dollar is only worth 80% of what it was in 2018. The fixed reference prices from that farm bill, which define the help from USDA that farmers depend on in tough times, are only worth 80% of what they were in 2018. The value of dollars set aside for research and innovation grants and for certain conservation programs are only worth 80% of what they were in 2018.

In addition, a lot of the funding for other climate-focused conservation programs is being spent for the last time, rather than entering the farm bill baseline accounting to become available for the next farm bill. But we have shared before what we will miss without a new farm bill.

DEATH AT MIDNIGHT

The death at midnight begins a calendar of expirations, let downs and price support on steroids. Some programs will be shut down immediately, as their day-to-day authority depends on the farm bill. Among those are:

• Numerous international programs, like the Market Access and Foreign Market Development Cooperator trade promotion programs and Food for Progress;

• The Biobased Markets Program and Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels;

• Several important animal health programs;

• Programs for socially disadvantaged, veteran, young and beginning farmers;

• Specialty Crops Block Grants program; and

• National Organic Certification Cost-Share program

CONSERVATION STOPS… AND GOES

New enrollment in some conservation programs will stop at midnight; and some could continue for seven more years. Technical assistance and several emergency conservation and restoration programs are permanently authorized.

The Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act added nearly $18 billion in funding for farm bill conservation programs – outside the farm bill and only for certain programs deemed “climaterelated” by the law’s authors. These programs are all at least partially funded with supplemental funding that doesn’t have to be spent until fiscal year 2031, including the Conservation Stewardship Program (other than the Grassland Conservation Incentive), the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP, other than livestock projects), the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program and the Regional Conservation Partnership Program.

New enrollments for most of the rest of USDA’s conservation programs, however, end tonight, including the bedrock Conservation Reserve Program, livestock projects under the EQIP program, the Grassland Conservation Incentive, and several wetland, forest and watershed restoration programs.

www.fb.org/market-intel/what-happens-when-a-farm-bill-dies

PERMANENT LAW

A number of current farm bill programs operate under permanent law (law without a sunset date). The most important of these are crop insurance programs and the primary nutrition programs – the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and The Emergency Food Assistance Program . Happily, these will continue to operate, although without the potential improvements and updates that would happen in a new farm bill. They both also adjust automatically to changes in price levels each year – and the crop insurance program has avenues for expansion to new agricultural products and new tools – so that they don’t need as much updating as the rest of the farm bill.

Several disaster programs are also permanently authorized, such as the Livestock Indemnity Program; Livestock Forage Disaster Program; Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bee, Farm-Raised Fish Program, and Tree Assistance Program.

When people talk about permanent law and the end of a farm bill, they’re usually talking about farm programs dating back to the 1940s and 1930s that are still on the books, but which are suspended in each farm bill. Various farm bill commodity support programs will be extended through the current crop year, but over time they will be replaced with permanent law.

Congress has left these laws on the books as a guarantee that it will take some action to prevent the return of these old programs. The programs would support certain farm prices that are (good news) far above the current support prices and (bad news) so far above market prices that they would be very disruptive to the agricultural economy and costly to the government. These support prices are based on prices in 1910 to 1914, with adjustments for rising input costs but not for (vastly) improved yields and input efficiencies. The USDA still publishes “parity prices” monthly. For the field crops that are eligible (wheat, cotton, rice, corn, sorghum, barley, oats and rye) this wouldn’t kick in until the 2025 crop is harvested.

THE DAIRY CLIFF: MILK AND HONEY

What could kick in soon (January 1) are price support purchases of milk and honey. The all-milk price in July 2024 was $22.80 per hundredweight. The parity price of milk is $65.90 and permanent law says that USDA should support July milk at 75% of parity, or $49.43 per hundredweight. This was historically translated into cheese, butter and nonfat dry milk purchases: the equivalent cheese price would be about $6 per pound, compared to recent prices below $2.25 per pound. The July market price of honey was $2.53 per pound; the support price under permanent law would be $4.75.

The last time the farm bill expired for more than a couple months, USDA slow-walked rulemaking to implement these purchases and a new farm bill was in place before a pound of milk or honey was purchased; but USDA has the know-how and the facilities to begin these purchases by January 2nd, if they are so inclined. Purchasing cheese, butter and nonfat dry milk at multiples of the market

price would be severely disruptive to markets, would badly distort pricing under the federal milk marketing order system and would undermine demand at home and abroad in return for very uneven benefits to farmers over a limited time. And the release of USDA stocks when permanent law is suspended again would depress markets for months. On the other hand, it would send a strong message to Congress that action is needed.

NO SAFETY NET FOR SOY

If there was no new farm bill or extension through next year, USDA would pay excessive prices under these old programs for certain crops harvested in 2025 through purchases and nonrecourse loans. The table below shows the support prices for all the crops supported under permanent law. Every other commodity loses its support programs: no program for soybeans, peanuts, sunflower seeds, canola or several other crops.

Once again, permanent law would mean a heavy cost to the government for uneven and likely temporary benefits to farmers; the high support prices would drive up prices for food, fiber and fuel, at home and abroad; and the release of stocks if and when permanent law was suspended again would flood the market.

CCC AUTHORITY

The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) has historically been used as the secretary of Agriculture’s Swiss Army knife (regardless of political party). The farm bill directs numerous programs to draw funding from the CCC and many of those will expire tonight and in the coming months, including the commodity price and margin support programs.

The secretary’s broad ad hocauthority to support farm prices, farm income, agricultural marketing, exports, domestic consumption and conservation programs, and to provide emergency relief remains, however. And when the Department of the Treasury pays the Agriculture Secretary’s bills this fall, he has a $30 billion line of credit to work with.

This gives the secretary flexibility to operate farm income support and disaster programs to supplement action not taken by Congress. This is in line with his recent suggestions that he can use CCC authority to fill the funding gap in various farm proposals, and a point of contention among some in Congress.

CONCLUSION

The 2018 farm bill was a good law for its time, but that time is past. And that farmers are calling for a new farm bill, and not an extension, is telling. Farmers face many difficulties this year and next, from crashing crop prices to backed up transportation systems to this weekend’s devastating hurricane. All of these demonstrate how much farmers can suffer from a lack of the certainty and support that a new farm bill can provide.

It’s not too late to imagine a new five-year farm bill coming out of this Congress. It is not that hard, unfortunately, to imagine the price of inaction.

It Isn’t Too Soon Getting Prepared For 2025 Nevada Legislature

By Doug Busselman | NFB Executive Vice President

As this is being written we are a day away from the start of early voting in Nevada. It will be a while before we learn everyone who will be sitting in the chairs at the Nevada Assembly and Senate, but we are starting to get glimpses of some of the legislative proposals that will be considered.

There are general ideas that were surfaced during the interim legislative committee meetings and from these early indications we know that the 2025 Nevada Legislature will have a number of water related proposals. There will more than likely be additional bills surfacing from other places and these unknown ideas will also need to be reviewed and evaluated.

When the Joint Interim Standing Committee on Natural Resources and their Subcommittee on Public Lands met in August there were 14 legislative bill draft ideas approved to come before the 83rd Nevada Legislature.

Three legislative measures (two resolutions and one bill) were given the green light for processing by the Natural Resources Committee. The proposed resolutions deal with land use planning and “Smart from the Start” solar development as state of Nevada policy. A legislative measure will be advancing to amend Title 26 of Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) to cover inclusion of a policy statement that is intended to prioritize “tribal expertise and knowledge” as local knowledge of public lands in Nevada.

There are seven water-related proposals that gained support from the full committee to be brought forward. Several of these proposals have been offered in past sessions.

One of the repeat ideas involves legislation focused on special assessments that are available for the State Engineer to assess on groundwater basins which are designated. Water right owners in designated basins may or may not be charged depending on whether the State Engineer determines that fees are needed to cover costs for the additional management activities that the State Engineer decides are needed for the basin. The outline of the legislative proposal offers the removal of minimum charges and establishes a maximum charge for special assessments. Basins where groundwater use is predominantly for agricultural purposes would fit within this proposed

change. The bill concept also would limit the special assessment to activities directly connected to that groundwater basin – as opposed to being spent elsewhere or used within the general operations of the Division of Water Resources. As part of a greater emphasis on transparency where special assessments are spent, this legislation seeks to require annual reporting on the expenditures and activities funded by the special assessment. Last, and not least, the measure promotes a $1 million increase for spending by the state to support the State Engineer and the Nevada Water Initiative that is an on-going effort to update water information in the state’s water basins.

Another repeat bill request is directed at authorizing county boards of commissions to establish groundwater boards for the designated groundwater basins in their areas. This concept is to enhance the local level of knowledge as well as improve opportunities for improved communications with local water right owners and the State Engineer.

The 2023 Nevada Legislature authorized appropriation of funds to the Desert Research Institute for carrying out a cloud seeding program. Another proposal from the interim Natural Resources Committee would continue this type of program with $600,000 per year of the biennium going to such an operation.

Another repeat legislative effort involves the establishment and funding of a Nevada Water BuyBack and retirement of water rights. This type of legislation stalled in the 2023 Nevada Legislature (SB 176) but a different program was provided through federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) infrastructure funds that went to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. There are currently a couple of different approaches for what might proceed forward in this legislative proposal.

Water conservation legislation is coming forward in a couple of different proposals that the Interim Committee approved. One concept is to add language to state law for filing conservation plans with the State Engineer and giving the ability to the State Engineer to treat the conserved water as appropriated water. This non-used water that has been identified as “conserved water” would not be subject to forfeiture.

Somewhat also seeking to provide non-pumped water for conservation, a proposal seeks to extend the time limit of a temporary conservation designation to go for wildlife purposes.

How these various ideas make their way into bill language will yet to be determined and even after that comes out through the legislative introduction process all kinds of possible changes will be discussed, cussed and considered.

The Interim Legislative Natural Resources Committee is including an agricultural bill that was also attempted in the 82nd legislative session but fell short of gaining passage. The bill, if passed into law, will create a Healthy Soils Initiative and will work to support regenerative agricultural practices. The initiative envisioned by the legislative concept is to create a Soil Health Advisory Board that will operate through the Conservation Districts program of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. This program would oversee educational programs as well as grants for agricultural producers in pursuing transitions to regenerative agricultural practices.

Outdoor Recreation, Wildfire and Wildlife are areas where each respective topic has a bill that has been approved by the Interim Committee. Outdoor Recreation’s bill relates to creating a “Transit-toTrails” Task Force who would assist in gaining funding for public transit that runs to trailheads and identifies the high-priority areas for potential future transit to trails programing.

The Wildfire legislative proposal would give authority to the Governor and Nevada Division of Forestry to enter certain fire compacts.

Wildlife’s bill, from the Interim Natural Resources Committee, proposes $5 million from the General Fund to go into the Wildlife Crossings Account to support construction of new wildlife crossings in areas of need around the state.

These legislative proposals are just a sampling of the much greater list that will start coming out later this year and before the February 3rd start-up of the 2025 Legislature. As more specifics become available there will be opportunities for Nevada agricultural advocates to weigh in, keeping our members informed and engaged.

105th NFB Annual Meeting

By Brittney Money | Director of Communications

We are excited to announce registration for the 105th Nevada Farm Bureau Annual Meeting is open. We invite all members to join us November 7th through the 9th in Fallon, Nevada, at the Rafter 3C Arena.

If you haven’t had a chance to join us for one of your annual meetings, we encourage you to join us. It is an excellent opportunity to get together with other Farm Bureau members from across the state. Each year we come together to work on Farm Bureau policy to strength the work we have done throughout the year. In addition to policy work we have wide variety of events planned to interest everyone from Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&R), Women’s Leadership and a wide range of breakout session.

NFB Women’s Leadership Committee will be sponsoring a silent auction to raise money for agriculture promotion and education. County Farm Bureaus are encouraged to donate items for the silent auction. All proceeds go to the Women’s Leadership Committee, Young Farmers and Ranchers and the Heritage Foundation.

YF&R members are invited to participate in the annual YF&R Discussion Meet. One lucky winner will not only win a cash prize, but an electric scooter. In addition to the cash prize and electric scooter the winner will also get the opportunity to participate in the American Farm Bureau Federation YF&R Discussion Meet in San Antionio, Texas, in January.

We have a four different registration options depending on if you can attend for the day or the whole time:

• The Full Package (All meals included registration to the full conference) $195

• Thursday, November 7th, Full Day (All Meals Included) Registration $100

• Thursday, November 7th, Half Day (Lunch & Tour Only) Registration $40

• Friday, November 8th, Full Day (All Meals Included) Registration $100

These are early registration fees and prices will go up on October 20th. Make sure to register as soon as possible to take advantage of the discounted registration fees.

We are finalizing the conference agenda, but the most current information on all things 105th Nevada Farm Bureau Annual Meeting can be found on the Nevada Farm Bureau website under the events tab.

Registering is easy and can be done with the following link: https://www.nvfb. org/events/105th-nevada-farm-bureau-annual-meeting/ or by scanning the QRC above. We look forward to you joining us and if you have any questions, please reach out to Brittney Money at brittney@nvfb.org.

Does Your Business Need To File A BOI?

In last week’s Grassroots Newsletter, we shared the details on the requirements of filing a Beneficial Ownership Information report (BOI). You will recall that this needs to be submitted to the U.S. Treasury Department by January 1, 2025. Samantha Ayoub, Associate Economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), covered the background information as well as the status of how few businesses (especially farmers and ranchers) have submitted the necessary report. In her Market Intel piece she noted that on a national basis less than 11 percent of those who are required to complete and submit the report have done so at this point. (Read “Corporate Transparency Act Deadline Looming” onlne here: www.fb.org/market-intel/corporate-transparency-act-deadline-looming)

As a follow-up with Ayoub and seeking better information on what business enterprises were covered by the requirements, Nevada Farm Bureau obtained this link which might be more expansive in explaining whether you need to submit the information required: www.fincen.gov/sites/default/files/shared/BOI_Small_ Compliance_Guide.v1.1-FINAL.pdf

STAY UP TO DATE ON CURRENT AG NEWS!

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Echoes of ’80s Farm Crisis in Current Economy

By Bernt Nelson, Economist |

Facing tumbling commodity prices and livestock prices that are a mixed bag at best, American farm families are struggling to keep their heads above water; and the farm bill that is supposed to provide a safety net for times like this is not there to protect them. Many aspects of today’s economy have us pointed in a direction similar to the farm crisis of the 1980s, but it’s not too late to avoid that.

This Market Intel details the economic landscape for farmers and some ways in which it is similar to the farm economy crisis of the 1980s. It will build on several past Market Intel reports and be followed by another that will lay out the leadership traits and actions that can help weather this storm.

State of the Economy

USDA’s September farm income forecast estimates that 2024 net farm income will fall 4.4% from 2023 to $140 billion. More alarming, net farm income has fallen 23%, or $42 billion, in just two years. Overall, states with more crop production are forecasted to have a bigger drop in income compared to states with more livestock production (Figure 1). While livestock prices have been a mixed bag, livestock receipts are expected to rise by 7.1% on the back of stronger-thanexpected prices in cattle, eggs and dairy.

Farmers’ Struggles Go Beyond Finances

According to Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer’s September report, which is based on a monthly survey of producers, farmer

www.fb.org/market-intel/echoes-of-80s-farm-crisis-in-current-economy

sentiment fell dramatically in one month to its lowest level since the ag economy downturn in 2016. Read more here: https://ag.purdue. edu/commercialag/ageconomybarometer/ farmer-sentiment-reaches-lowest-levelssince-2016-as-income-expectations-weaken/ (See Figure 2, next page)

Prices

ROW CROPS & GRAINS

Spring’s favorable planting conditions and summer’s good growing weather is resulting in robust yields and a growing supply of many U.S. row crops. USDA’s World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report, released on August 12, estimates record-setting and well-above-trend yields for many crops, including corn, soybeans and wheat, pushing prices near 2020 lows. Basis is the difference between a futures price or a standard market point price for a commodity and the local cash price actually being offered for that commodity. Basis varies by geographic region and is sensitive to events that disrupt or increase costs for shipping. Corn and soybean stocks are up 30% over last year, leaving farmers and buyers short of storage space and creating widening and more uncertain basis. These large stocks combined with the monster harvest being brought in could drive grain buyers to slow

FIGURE 1. STATE-LEVEL CHANGES IN FARM INCOME

Percentage Change in Net Farm Income 2022 to 2023

delivery and reduce the farmers’ price. Supply chain disruptions, including the recent port strike, Mexican rail stoppages, low water in the Mississippi River and the impacts of Hurricane Helene’s devastation, all add even more risk to this scenario, as it upends normal time and distance relationships.

LIVESTOCK

The U.S. cattle inventory is at a 73-year low as result of drought, inflation and high supply costs all driving farmers to sell cattle. This pushed beef prices to record levels in July. Packers have slowed slaughter pace, while lower prices for feed grains have incentivized feeding cattle to heavier weights. USDA’s September WASDE estimates the average 2024 price for fed steers is $185.11, up 5% from last year but down 1.5% from a month ago.

Hog prices have recovered some from 2023, when average losses for farrow to finish farms were estimated at $31 per head, but slow demand and elevated costs have minimized profits. It could take years for hog farmers to make up for 2023’s losses.

POULTRY & EGGS

At an estimated $1.28 per pound, 2024 broiler prices would be unchanged from 2023. Table egg production in 2024 is estimated to be 7.8 billion dozen table eggs, down about .8% from 2023. This change reflects the smaller layer inventory from the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in 2022. Lower production has pushed wholesale egg prices higher. The average New York daily wholesale price for large eggs was $4.01 per dozen in August and is the highest monthly average since egg prices hit record highs 12/2022. Egg receipts, originally forecast to drop by 12%, are now expected to surge by 38.7%.

Costs

While many commodity prices have fallen, the cost of production is far above pre-pandemic levels. Drought conditions fueled a market rally in grains from 2020-2022, but farmers and consumers alike were facing another rally during this time, inflation. Following a short but severe recession caused by COVID-19-related supply shutdowns, the Federal Reserve increased the money supply by 42% in just 22 months using a combination of low interest rates and “quantitative easing.” The result of this oversupply of money was the highest inflation we had seen in nearly 40 years. The impact on farmers was immediate, with prices for supplies such as chemicals, equipment and seed headed to new highs. Fertilizer prices hit record levels in April 2022 following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. According to USDA’s farm income summary, total production expenses are now forecast to decrease slightly, by $4.4 billion (1%), following three consecutive years of record highs, mostly due to an 11% drop in fertilizer prices.

Mistakes of the Past—The ’80s

Today’s farm economy looks a lot like the ’80s farm crisis. There are several similarities that have the farm economy pointed in the same direction but there are some big differences and it’s not too late to change for the better.

The time between 1964 and 1982 would become what is called “The Great Inflation,” a result of the Federal Reserve’s expansion of the money supply to combat unemployment decades before.

In 1973, President Nixon’s secretary of Agriculture responded to a multiyear contract with the Soviet Union for feed grains by calling for American farmers to produce as much as possible and plant “fencerow to fencerow.” Land values increased and lenders were more than happy to provide credit to farmers. By 1980, inflation had risen to 14.5% and unemployment over 7.5%. Prices were sky high when the Fed implemented their policies to combat inflation, increasing the federal funds effective rate. As inflation fell, the real cost of borrowing, including existing loans, took off for all Americans, but hit hardest at the farm families and rural bankers who had made those encouraged production investments. These rate hikes, along with crashing crop prices, caused land values to plummet and were followed by a massive recession.

The 1981 farm bill focused primarily on crop insurance and crop insurance subsidies. It was not able to serve farmers during this time of high inflation. This is a lot like how the recently expired 2018 farm bill wasn’t serving farmers as intended after four years of inflation and rising interest rates. Toward the end of the ’80s, farmers produced a massive crop just in time for a global economic slowdown. Prices crashed, and farmers were left with production losses and less able to use credit because of low income, lower land values and high interest costs (Sound familiar?).

FIGURE 3. FEDERAL FUNDS RATE & INFLATION RATE (1960-2024)

The 1985 farm bill, the Food Security Act, provided more effective commodity price income supports and created several new conservation programs. But for many it was too little, too late. By the end of the ’80s, it is estimated that 300,000 farms had defaulted on loans and more banks had failed than during the Great Depression.

How Today is Different From the ’80s

As in the ’80s, in 2022 the Fed began using interest rate hikes to reduce inflation, moving from 8% down to a target rate of 2%. Due to the large amount of capital needed up front to farm, farmers across the country also rely on credit to help meet cash flow needs. When the Fed increased interest rates, it increased their interest costs by 43% from 2022 to 2023. The Fed’s recent decision to drop interest rates by half a percent will help, but this still leaves minimum interest rates for an operating loan, the kind a farmer would use to plant a crop, at about 8%. While these interest rates are lower than they were in the ’80s, they are the highest in quite some time (Figure 3).

Another difference between now and the ’80s farm crisis is land values. According to USDA-National Agricultural Statistics Service’s most recent Land Value Summary report, released on Aug. 2, land values increased to an average of $4,170 per acre in 2024, up 5% from the year before. This is, so far, the opposite of what happened in the ’80s, when land values fell 7.3% between 1980 and 1990. Land value is important for ag lenders because increased land value gives a farmer with land more collateral to borrow against (although it also raises the cost for rented land farmed.) When land values fell in the ’80s it restricted farmers’ ability to get a loan just as prices fell.

Conclusions

The most alarming piece of the current ag economy is lower commodity prices without a farm bill to help sustain our farmers. U.S. farmers have produced a massive crop two years in a row. While this is amazing in terms of productivity and the ability of our farmers to feed the world, it has also caused commodity prices to drop dangerously low. Stocks of stored grain are up, and a record crop without matching demand threatens to put more downward pressure on prices.

On top of that, inflation has driven up costs for inputs, with very few coming down in recent years. Interest rates are elevated due to the Fed’s battle to bring down inflation, driving up the cost of borrowing.

When Congress got around to passing a farm bill in the ’80s, it was too little, too late for many. This is a lesson from the past: that America’s farm families are the ones that will pay for an outdated (or expired) farm bill. The farm economy is at a pivotal moment, if policymakers are not able to learn from the mistakes of the past, the past could repeat itself. The good news is that interest rates have started to come down, and land values have not fallen like they did in the ’80s. It will be critical for interest rates to continue dropping so farmers have access to credit to help weather cash flow issues until an updated farm bill is passed.

Many farmers entered 2024 with strong balance sheets; but expensive credit comes with a price. It may help farmers survive this year, but using credit at higher interest rates depletes working capital. Less working capital and lower crop prices mean that the access to credit could be worse in 2025 and the burden of debt could make many of these same farmers vulnerable.

Leading Your Family Farm Through Tough Times

By Bernt Nelson, Economist

Though getting to the other side of a major economic downturn isn’t easy, there are leadership traits, actions and tools that can help farmers get there. As promised in a previous Market Intel, “The State of the Farm Economy and What it Means,” we’ll discuss some of the ways farmers and ranchers can bolster themselves and their businesses as they work through a financial situation that bears some instructive similarities to the 1980s farm crisis.

Leadership

About 88% of all farms are small, family-owned businesses, and combining family and business requires a special kind of leadership. Farming presents unique challenges—whether you’re growing corn in the Midwest, raising cattle in Texas, or producing citrus in Florida. Those challenges, the pressure and uncertainty, create some of the strongest, loyal, salt-of-the-earth leaders you will ever meet, much like how a diamond is formed under pressure of the earth. Leadership on the farm requires courage, empathy, accountability and a good attitude day-in and day-out. The greatest leaders develop a strong character and work to grow in these qualities consistently.

It’s not easy to lead a family business. Mounting pressures can create emotions that can cloud decisionmaking. To help prevent that from happening, a farm leader should develop the farm’s mission, vision and goals. These should be written and visible to provide a consistent, visual reminder when the path forward isn’t clear.

MISSION | The farm’s mission should be present tense. This is the statement that defines what the farm does, how it does it, and why.

VISION | The farm’s vision is a statement about the future. It outlines where the business aspires to be. A helpful way to create a vision for the farm is to answer the question: “What should the farm look like in five years in my perfect world?” Organize this answer into general categories such as work-life balance, and financial goals. Then use the categories to write the vision statement.

GOALS | Goal setting is an important and often overlooked leadership tool, which provides focus and direction. Goals help leaders focus on controllable variables and manage around uncontrollable ones. Good leaders have goals: great ones write them down. Writing down goals gives leaders—and those they are leading—a map. Goals can be set both short-term (six months to one year) or long-term (three years, five years or more). One good approach is to use the SMART goal system: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound.

Financial

The farm economy has entered a period of low returns and we don’t know how long it will last. Low incomes can result in lower levels of cash and working capital, requiring farmers to use other resources to remain

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financially stable. The financial decisions made during this time will determine the long-term sustainability of many American farms. The following are some tips that can help farm leaders make good financial decisions.

Write a Marketing Plan

While marketing decisions won’t be enough to offset lower prices, they are still important to managing income. One of the most important things a decisionmaker can do is make a written marketing plan that includes all production costs and identifies the breakeven price needed to cover those costs. Marketing plans should be flexible. A good marketing plan doesn’t need to be complicated and can serve as a benchmark for pricing products throughout the year. As sales are made, it’s important to keep records so that the decisionmaker can learn whether the plan is working or should be adjusted. Remember, even the wrong paths can lead to the right places if we are willing to learn from mistakes.

Relationship Building

Develop a relationship with your ag lender and other third parties who can act as advisors. A farmer’s lender does far more than just provide credit. Ag lenders care deeply for their clients and can provide valuable financial advice. The more transparent and open you are with your ag lender, the better they can serve you, especially when tough circumstances arise.

Credit can provide liquidity when working capital is depleted. However, it’s important to use credit appropriately and understand the cost. Due to the high upfront cost of farming, a lot of farms rely on an annual operating loan for cash flow. If this isn’t enough, refinancing or term loans can be the next option. These options, while sometimes necessary, are costly and every time one of these is used, another lifeline gets taken off the table. Farm managers need to be sure that using these options is necessary and aligns with the written goals and vision of the farm.

Spending

The best managers are proactive about spending, including spending on family living. Family living is one of the more controllable expenses, but it can easily get away from you. Decisions about spending should reflect a dedication to goals and vision. If it doesn’t, you won’t accomplish the goals that would allow the farm to reach that vision.

Don’t waste money on unproductive assets. Years like this, when it’s all too easy to eat into working capital, are not a good time to spend money on something like a trial product that has little research supporting a claimed yield boost. Focus on profitability and margins, not chasing revenue and yield.

Top-tier producers with a proactive approach to spending tend to have lower rent and fertilizer costs. Many companies will price match their competitors, so shopping around for products like chemicals and

fertilizer can pay off. Keep an eye out for pricing opportunities throughout the year because pre-buying can often save money.

Tough Circumstances

Often, tough circumstances are unforeseen and uncontrollable. Other times they may be a result of a decision. This might be a situation where a farmer has to decide whether or not to buy the land he’s been renting or risk losing it to a new owner, or it could be a natural disaster like the recent hurricanes or droughts Whatever the case is, these tough circumstances are the reason why it’s important to have your written goals, vision and mission to align your decisions with.

And when disaster strikes, seek out available government assistance and keep good records so it’s easy to apply for that assistance when it becomes available.

Hurricanes Helene and Milton have created devastating and unimaginable circumstances for many people. For information on how to support victims, please visit our Hurricane Relief Webpage.

Farm State of Mind

Farming is stressful and comes with increased levels of anxiety and depression. Multiple studies show that farmer suicide rates are two-to-five times higher than the national average. According to an American Farm Bureau Federation survey, 91% of farmers and farmworkers believe that financial issues impact their mental health. According to the same survey, 87% of farmers and farm workers believe that fear of losing the farm impacts their mental health.

The American Farm Bureau Farm State of Mind campaign builds awareness to reduce stigma and provides access to information and resources that promote farmer and rancher mental health wellness. One of the Farm State of Mind resources provided by the Farm Family Wellness Alliance, including AFBF, is Togetherall, a safe, anonymous, online peer-to-peer community available 24/7. These mental health and wellbeing services provide a nationwide safety net of confidential and on-demand support to farmers, ranchers and farm families in the United States.

Conclusions

Many farmers are struggling to keep their heads above water in this farm economy. But there are actions farmers can take to help them lead their businesses and families through the hard times and become a sustainable business for generations to come. Great leaders write down marketing plans, goals and visions for the farm. They calculate spending and avoid investing in unproductive assets, especially when cash flow is not abundant. Lastly, they develop relationships with their third-party advisors such as their lender. Doing these things takes courage, and when done consistently, can help lead farms through the down ag economy.

TRADE: The Issue Overview

America’s farmers and ranchers lead the world in producing safe, sustainable food, fiber and fuel for consumers at home and abroad. Agricultural trade is critical to our national economy and to the economic sustainability of family farms and ranches, but nonscientific trade barriers and tariffs restrict farmers’ ability to compete in global markets. We rely on robust trade agreements to establish a level playing field for farmers and ranchers and to protect the jobs and businesses that agriculture supports in the U.S.

Trade Initiatives

AGRICULTURE AND TARIFFS

In 2018 the U.S. imposed Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from major trading partners. The U.S. also imposed Section 301 tariffs on a range of imports from China. In response, China, the European Union, Mexico, and Canada imposed retaliatory tariffs on a wide range of agricultural products. These tariffs increased the price of U.S. agricultural exports in these markets which resulted in a reduction in exports. U.S. agricultural exports, due to the retaliatory tariffs, declined by $27 billion in 2018 and 2019, combined. Many of the retaliatory tariffs on U.S. exports have been reduced or removed due to agreements. Canada and Mexico’s tariffs were removed in 2019, and China removed many tariffs on U.S. agricultural products with the U.S.-China Phase One Agreement in 2020. The European Union tariffs were suspended pending further agreements on steel and aluminum imports.

Tariffs on a variety of Chinese products, especially in the tech and energy sectors, are continuing in effect.

INDO-PACIFIC ECONOMIC FRAMEWORK

The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework has been formally launched by the U.S., along with Australia, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam. The Administration’s objectives for the new IPEF includes working with the other countries to expand trade, improve supply chains, promote sustainability, support agriculture, and remove non-tariff trade barriers. The IPEF focuses on science-based food safety standards, will reduce trade barriers, and help expand trade opportunities for U.S. agricultural goods.

U.S. – TAIWAN

The U.S. and Taiwan will begin trade talks following an agreed upon agenda, called the “Initiative on 21stCentury Trade.” Taiwan imported $3.8 billion of U.S. agricultural products in 2021, including beef, dairy products, soybeans, fruit, tree nuts, vegetables, and other products. An agreement that adopts sciencebased food safety standards will help expand trade opportunities for U.S. agricultural goods.

The agreed upon trade agenda will include sciencebased regulatory practices, agriculture collaboration on common standards, digital trade, labor, environment, trade facilitation, state-owned enterprises, and nonmarket practices. The initiative will not include market access measures such as reducing or eliminating tariffs.

U.S. – UK TALKS

The United States and the United Kingdom began trade agreement negotiations in May 2020. The U.S. exported $2 billion in agricultural products to the UK in 2019, while the UK exported $1.9 billion in agricultural products to the U.S.

As the UK has left the EU it is able to conclude a trade agreement with the U.S. However, these negotiations have not continued since 2020.

OUR TRADE NEGOTIATION OBJECTIVES

• Include all agricultural products and policies in the negotiations

• Eliminate non-tariff trade barriers

• Ensure market access for biotechnology products

• Address issues concerning import-sensitive products

• Oppose the Precautionary Principle

• Oppose the use of geographic indicators

Recent Trade Agreements

U.S.-CHINA PHASE 1 AGREEMENT

On Jan. 15, 2020, the U.S. signed a “Phase 1” trade agreement with China that went into force on February 14, 2020. As a part of the agreement, China has agreed to purchase at least $80 billion of U.S. agricultural products cumulatively in 2020 and 2021. The U.S. exported $27 billion of agricultural products to China in 2020 and $34 billion in 2021. Soybeans, corn, pork sorghum and wheat were major purchases by China.

Reforms in food standards affecting imports of beef, poultry, dairy, and horticultural products have been implemented by China. America’s farmers and ranchers are eager to get back to business globally and restoring our ability to be competitive in China is key to that.

KEY POINTS

U.S.-MEXICO-CANADA AGREEMENT

With the implementation of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, U.S. farmers and ranchers are eager to realize the more than $2 billion in additional farm exports and $65 billion in gross domestic product the pact is expected to provide. The three countries signed the USMCA, the successor to NAFTA, on Nov. 30, 2018, and a revised version of the agreement was signed Dec. 10, 2019. With all three countries having ratified the agreement, USMCA entered into force on July 1, 2020.

KEY POINTS

• Ongoing work with Mexico to resolve disputes regarding biotechnology approvals and the use of glyphosate.

• Continued case with Canada’s dairy import regulations.

• Designed to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement, the USMCA builds on important trade relationships in North America.

• The agreement is expected to increase U.S. ag exports by $2 billion and result in a $65 billion increase in gross domestic product.

• The agreement will provide new market access for American dairy and poultry products while preserving the zero-tariff platform on all other ag products.

• In particular, the agreement gives U.S. dairy products access to an additional 3.6% of Canada’s dairy market – even better than what was proposed in the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement.

• U.S. wheat will be treated more fairly, thanks to Canada’s agreement to grade our wheat no less favorably than its own.

• Mexico and the United States have also agreed that all grading standards for ag products will be non-discriminatory.

• Additional provisions enhance science-based trading standards among the three nations as the basis for sanitary and phytosanitary measures for ag products, as well as progress in the area of geographic indications.

• The agreement also includes measures that address cooperation, information sharing and other trade rules among the three nations related to agricultural biotechnology and gene editing. Additional resources, including AFBF news and market analysis, can be found here. TRADE | Agricultural trade is critical to our national economy and to the economic sustainability of family farms and ranches, but non-scientific trade barriers and tariffs restrict farmers’ ability to compete in global markets.

• Reduction or elimination of non-tariff barriers is included for meat, poultry, rice, dairy and other products. The biotechnology approval process is also improved.

• Tariffs, imposed on September 1, 2019, have been reduced from 15% to 7.5% on $112 billion of imports from China. Tariffs remain at 25% on $250 billion of imports.

Economic Issues For Farmers and Ranchers

A Serious Concern

“The drop in net farm income is not just an economic hiccup, it’s evidence of an agricultural downturn.” American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) President Zippy Duvall said in response to the September 5th announcement by USDA’s Economic Research Service that since 2022, America’s net farm income is estimated to decline by 23 percent this year.

“High inflation, severe weather and plummeting crop prices should serve as a wake-up call for Congress to finally step up and do the right thing by modernizing the farm bill.” Duvall continued adding, “We’ve lost 141,000 farms in five years -- is Congress going to wait to act until we lose another 150,000 or 300,000? It has been two years of kicking the can down the road when it comes to the farm bill, and there is no road left for some farmers in light of the current economic realities and antiquated safety net programs.”

Along with the effort that Farm Bureau has been working with other agricultural and groups interested in the food assistance programs that the Farm Bill provides, AFBF Economist Daniel Munch has prepared a Market Intel report which details the estimate of our country losing nearly a quarter of the net farm income over the past two years. Read more here: www.fb.org/market-intel/ agriculture-in-the-red-net-farm-income-dropsagain-in-2024-forecast

Some segments of our nation’s agriculture, like livestock industry have made some improvement. Others, like crop farmers, have lost even more keeping the net loss at about one-fourth of farmers and ranchers income.

The costs for labor, interest, and taxes, along with reduced government support, continue to present significant challenges for U.S. farmers, who remain financially vulnerable as they head into another difficult year.

Those of us in agriculture are no stranger to risks involved with agriculture that are taken every day, whether it is financial, production, legal, price/ market or human resource risks. While we can’t control everything, there are measures that can be taken to protect one’s operation and reduce risk. Each year the Farmers & Ranchers College hosts Dr. David Kohl, Professor Emeritus from Virginia Tech who does an excellent job describing global risks which affect us locally and how those risks will affect the agricultural industry.

Several points I’d like to share are what Dr. Kohl coins as the top 40% of proactive producers or “greenliners” and the bottom 30% of producers or “redliners” and his top twelve practices observed of successful farmers and ranchers.

Characteristics of the top producers include being proactive by challenging themselves to improve their operation in three areas. These producers also have a sound financial system which includes accrual adjustments, knowing their cost of production for each enterprise or even better, each field. Sound financial systems also look at trend analysis and ensure the records are in a safe and secure place (backed up, protected from cyber-attacks and in a fireproof safe). Proactive producers also have lower rental and fertilizer costs, have a third-person audit their practices and practice modest living. Understanding that a family might have to make sacrifices and pass on that new boat or trip can cut costs drastically, as they rose during the “good times”.

Now let’s take a look at the bottom 30% of producers. These producers typically overpay on marginal resources such as land. They lack financial or marketing skills. Kohl pointed out that something as simple as making one’s own spreadsheets or utilizing a solid record-keeping system is crucial to monitoring one’s cost of production and recommends quarterly meetings with your lender. “Redliners” often do not make necessary improvements in their operation to keep with the times such as replacing worn out equipment. In fact, when operations are transitioned to the next generation, if everything is rusted and wore out, that next generation’s chance of “making it” are significantly reduced. These producers need to manage taxes, not minimize taxes. These producers often have a high cost of living and lack the ‘HUT’ principle which is to Hear what others tell you, Understand what they are saying and Take Action.

Dr. Kohl also shared when he teaches producers strategies for success, he spends a large amount of time teaching about goal setting. Half the problem

Strong Leadership: Reflections from Dr. Kohl

by Brandy VanDeWalle

vandewalleviews.com/2017/12/11/reflections-from-dr-kohl/

with businesses is that they don’t have WRITTEN goals. These should include business, family, personal, one and five-year goals. Balance in life is essential in every career, including farming and ranching. Making time for your spouse and other family members will prevent problems down the road. In addition to goals, he teaches producers to have a projected cash flow, break evens calculated, consider different “what-if” scenarios, updated balance sheets by Groundhog’s Day, develop a personal living budget and monitor your business with a lender or advisory team on a quarterly basis.

Dr. Kohl also provided the ten commandments of character. Character is often overlooked, but crucial to one’s integrity and success. His ten commandments of character included:

1. Follow thru on commitments (educational program and financial statement requests).

2. Use borrowed funds as agreed upon.

3. Be accurate with financial statements such as balance sheets, income statement, etc.

4. Have a willingness to sacrifice lifestyle pursuits and balance with business growth.

5. Practice good communication of goals and in times when there are issues and challenges.

6. There should be minimal surprise business purchases.

7. Be willing to work with an advisory team, including a third party.

8. Consider constructive coaching.

9. Properly use profits, cash flows and windfalls.

10. Utilize a network of people, peers and pursuits. In summary, those who are unable to embrace change should open their minds and consider making changes. Kohl encouraged the college students in attendance to do an internship or take a job away from home to learn from others and bring fresh, new ideas back to the operation. He applauded those producers in attendance, as they are willing to learn and improve their business. When you graduate from high school or college, you are not done with learning and if you think you are, you will likely be left behind. This is where I’m proud to be a part of Nebraska Extension as we offer educational programs that provide research-based knowledge and our Nebraska OnFarm Research Network is a great avenue to test new practices, ideas or products.

Let’s Talk Ag

Nevada’s Food System

The federal government is focusing on strengthening local and regional food systems by building capacity for producers to access local and regional supply chains linking producers to wholesalers and distributors straight to the consumer.

The new lingo on the street is the term, “Food System,” or looking at a complex grouping of activities to include production, processing, distribution, and marketing right into the hands of the consumer.

We have global, national, regional and local food systems that all have their unique attributes. I have been involved within the last year on focusing on Nevada’s regional to local food system. I am enjoying this new journey and finding that I truly have a passion for local food.

Nevada is part of the Southwest Food Business Center (SFBC) led by the University of California Cooperative Extension system. USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service is the federal agency in charge of the food business centers across the United States. This program does not provide assistance in production, but it does provide technical assistance and capacity building in processing, distribution and marketing.

There are two different subcontracts in Nevada: one to Nevada’s Extension system and the other to the Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA). These subcontracts are to provide technical assistance to producers and small businesses in the local and regional food systems to get products into the marketplace. While it took a while to get all the contracting in place, Nevada is providing technical assistance and is currently hiring staff with expertise in food systems.

By Staci Emm | Editorial

The NDA has put their resources to work in the state meat inspection program. Extension is working statewide to provide technical assistance to all producers and small food business owners, and provide re-granting of funds to eligible entities that want to get a product into and/or expand into the local and regional food system. Extension is working with USDA in hopes of releasing its first Request for Proposals (RFP) to producers in November 2024. There will be $300,000 in grant awards to Nevada producers available in late 2024 to 2025 ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 each. The goal is to provide over $900,000 to producers in Nevada over the next 3 years to build capacity in the local and regional food system.

We are hoping to release the website in a couple of weeks to highlight the Nevada team, the expertise available, and the support for those interested in a local and regional food business. I started down this road during COVID-19 when we were awarded a NDA project to construct a mobile harvest unit. I did not realize that this would lead my work teams and me to where we are today.

Our Meat Team is paving the way every day, and we are successfully maintaining USDA inspection at our Yerington site and providing technical assistance to meat entrepreneurs. We are working with Western Nevada College to implement a dual enrollment certificate program in Meat processing at two Nevada high schools, and we have roundtables in So. Nevada is hopes of working toward a Las Vegas Food Hub.

The Food System has a way of bringing people together on how and what we eat. It brings me back to my Nevada CattleWomen, Inc. days when we were promoting and advocating for the beef industry. Nevada is unique in our agricultural industry, and we are very vibrant. However, this does not always relate to the consumer and consumer behavior.

As we continue to roll out the Southwest Food Business Center, we will keep you updated and informed the best that we can. We plan to be at all the industry meetings this fall, and we hope to see you there. The team will begin to highlight our champions that have produced a retail product and are marketing their products locally and regionally. We also are looking at our diverse communities across the state and trying to identify these small food centers within the larger food system. While there is a lot of work to do, it is passionate work, in that it gives Nevada producers the ability to grow a product and take that product to market.

Six-Part Film Series

This series highlights the Bureau of Land Management’s Outcome-Based Grazing Authorizations through the ranching families and federal staff dedicated to environmental and rural community well-being. www.partnersinthesage.com/blog/grazing-management-film-series

“In agriculture, you’re the eternal optimists, always hoping for just a little more rain or a little cooler weather. Every year the grass starts at a different time. There was one year that it was super early, and everything was blooming. On the other end of it, sometimes winter doesn’t come until the end of February.” - Nick Schultz, Rancher, Winnett, MT

On any livestock operation, timing is essential: In spring you make a plan for the upcoming grazing season, and hope that Mother Nature will cooperate when you need her to. Two ranches in Montana, Gran Prairie and Joe King and Sons, have taken part in the Outcome-Based Grazing Authorization effort as an alternative to a traditional grazing authorization. Their OBGA has built-in flexibility that allows them to change their pasture rotations based on weather, water, and seasonal vegetation availability. The OBGA allows them to modify livestock management according to the resources and manage in response to ecological conditions—for the benefit of landscape health, wildlife habitat, and their business.

Thank you so much for watching these videos! Please consider sharing them with anyone across the west who might be interested in learning more about OutcomeBased Grazing Authorizations. Our fifth video will bring us to Craig, Colorado!

Megan McGrath | Sagebrush Communications Specialist

Intermountain West Joint Venture | C: 914-980-7292

Nevada farmer represents U.S. at International Year of the Woman Farmer event

Nevada farmer, Jeannie Damonte, owner of Sterling Farms Nevada, took part in a panel discussion hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome on Sept. 30, 2024. Damonte was the sole U.S. farmer representative on a panel of women farmers and agricultural experts from across the globe addressing key challenges faced by women in agriculture, including limited access to land rights, training and climatesmart technologies.

The panel discussion was part of the lead-up to the International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF) 2026, as designated by the United Nations General Assembly. The declaration highlights the key role women play in global food security and sustainable development.

“It’s an honor to represent not just Nevada, but all U.S. women farmers,” said Jeannie Damonte. “Programs like the Women’s Farm2Food Accelerator, led by the Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA), National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) Foundation, and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), are providing women with the tools and resources they need to succeed.”

Damonte shared the challenges she faces as a women farmer and called for more support and resources for women in agriculture. The panel also discussed the role women play in farming and how global efforts can build support for IYWF 2026. IYWF 2026 will focus on closing the gender gap in agriculture, improving women’s access to resources, and addressing hunger, poverty and climate change.

“We are proud to have Jeannie Damonte represent us,” said NDA Director J.J. Goicoechea. “Women are underrepresented in the agriculture industry. By providing women farmers with resources, we not only strengthen our local communities, but we also promote diversity in agriculture.”

The Women’s Farm2Food Accelerator program, of which Damonte credits for providing women in agriculture with tools to succeed, is accepting applications until Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, at noon. Apply at f2faccelerator. org/nv-program.

Water Rights / Resource Permitting Expertise

Thomas K. Gallagher, PE

775 • 825 • 1653 / FAX 775 • 825 • 1683 333 Flint Street / Reno, NV 89501 tomg@nevadawatersolutions.com

Nevada Water Solutions LLC

If you’re looking to sell a farm or ranch, give us call!

Humboldt River Property outside of Elko

650 deeded acres of which over 300 acres has older surface Water rights. We may consider selling some of the surface water rights off if downstream users need more. Borders I-80 with access onto the Ryndon Exit. Price: $1,200,000. Call Paul Bottari 775-752-0952

Elko County 8,000 + deeded

with BLM

This range starts about 16 miles North of Elko and is well watered With spring seeps and several developed wells with solar pumps. Will run 400 pair for the Spring to Fall season. Working corrals and Loading chute on site. Add it to the Property Above to make a year around operation. Call Chad Steele 775-962-1356

The Bottari Realty Team

Paul Bottari, Broker ALC 775-752-0952

Chad Steele, Salesman 775-962-1356

NV Broker License No B015476

BottariRealty.com • 775-752-3040

December 3

Consignment Deadline: November 14 Silver Legacy | Reno, NV

January 6

Consignment Deadline: December 26 North Platte Stockyards | North Platte, NE

wvm@wvmcattle.com (530) 347-3793

www.wvmcattle.com

Does grazing cheatgrass spread weeds across the range?

By William Richardson, Graham Holton, Lucas Phipps and Tamzen Stringham University of Nevada Reno, Rangeland Ecology Lab

The article “Evaluating the effects of ruminal incubation and abomasal enzymatic digestion on the germination potential of Bromus tectorum” from a team from the University of Nevada, Reno, College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources, provides important insights into how cheatgrass seeds behave after being consumed by cattle and exposed to the digestive system.

This research holds great importance, as cheatgrass is an invasive species that has become a major ecological and economic challenge, particularly in the Great Basin region of North America.

The study’s primary aim was to determine whether cattle grazing could unintentionally aid in the spread of cheatgrass by dispersing viable seeds through their feces.

OVERVIEW OF THE STUDY

The study utilized both in vitro and in situ methods to simulate and observe how cheatgrass seeds respond to conditions in the rumen (the first compartment of a cow’s stomach, where microbial fermentation occurs) and the abomasum (the fourth chamber of the stomach, where enzymatic digestion takes place). Cheatgrass seeds were collected in two different seasons: fall (October 2022) and spring (May 2023). This allowed researchers to compare the effects of seasonality on seed viability after ruminal fermentation. It is well known that green feed moves through a cow much quicker than dry late season forage.

A primary concern for land managers has been that cattle grazing on cheatgrassinfested rangelands may act as a seed dispersal mechanism by moving the seeds through their excrement. However, this research provides important evidence that challenges this idea, showing that targeted grazing can, in fact, reduce the cheatgrass seed bank without contributing to its spread.

METHODOLOGY

The study incorporated seeds collected from two distinct seasonal periods—fall and spring. These seeds were incubated in both in vitro (laboratory-simulated) and in situ (inside cattle) environments. The seeds were exposed to ruminal fermentation at various time intervals (0, 12, 24, 36, and 48 hours), followed by three hours of abomasal digestion simulation. Afterward, the seeds were tested for their germination potential.

The researchers also conducted in situ studies, where seeds were placed in cannulated steer’s rumens to observe how real-world digestion affected seed viability (Figure 1). Seeds from both the fall and spring harvests were placed in the steer’s rumens for various periods of time, with subsequent tests to assess their ability to germinate. This helped determine whether cheatgrass seeds that had passed through the digestive system of cattle would still be viable enough to grow and spread.

The seeds were further subjected to a fecal germination experiment to simulate real conditions of seed dispersal through cattle excrement. Seeds were placed into containers with fecal material to observe if they could germinate under those conditions.

KEY FINDINGS AND SEASONAL COMPARISON

The findings of the study revealed significant differences in seed viability between seeds consumed in the fall and those consumed in the spring. The germination rates of cheatgrass seeds followed a negative linear relationship with increasing ruminal incubation time, meaning that as the seeds spent more time in the rumen, their ability to germinate decreased.

However, the season during which the seeds were harvested also played a crucial role. Seeds collected in the fall showed a delayed response to ruminal microbial degradation compared to spring-collected seeds. So fall-collected seeds took longer to lose their viability during ruminal fermentation. This difference can be attributed to the nature of cheatgrass during these two seasons.

In the fall, cheatgrass is highly lignified, which means that the plant’s fibers are tougher and less digestible. As a result, seeds consumed during the fall take longer to break down in the rumen because they are part of a lower-quality, more mature forage. The slower digestion and prolonged retention in the rumen give the microbial community more time to degrade the seeds, reducing their germination potential. After 36 hours of ruminal fermentation followed by abomasal digestion, germination was nearly completely inhibited.

On the other hand, seeds consumed in the spring come from younger, higherquality cheatgrass, which is less lignified. These seeds are broken down more rapidly in the rumen, leading to quicker loss of viability. The results of the study showed that the germination potential of spring-harvested seeds decreased faster than that of fall-harvested seeds, confirming the significant influence of seasonal differences on the digestion process.

Figure 1. Picture of a cannulated cow used in the study.

RUMINAL INCUBATION AND SEED VIABILITY

One of the most critical findings of the study is that cheatgrass seeds, after 36 hours of ruminal incubation and three hours of abomasal digestion, lost almost all ability to germinate. This is a key insight for land managers concerned about the potential for cattle to spread cheatgrass through their excrement. The prolonged exposure to microbial fermentation and enzymatic digestion effectively renders the seeds nonviable, eliminating the risk of seed dispersal via feces.

The negative linear relationship between time spent in the rumen and seed viability indicates that the longer seeds are retained in the rumen, the lower their chances of germination. This finding is critical because it suggests that cattle grazing could be a viable method for reducing the cheatgrass seed bank in cheatgrass-infested areas without increasing the spread of the species.

FECAL GERMINATION TRIALS

To further assess the risk of seed dispersal, fecal germination trials were also conducted. Cheatgrass seeds were placed in fecal matter at varying depths and observed for five weeks. After this period, none of the seeds showed signs of germination, regardless of the depth at which they were placed in the fecal material. Even after an additional five-week watering period, no seeds germinated (Figure 2).

This lack of fecal germination strongly supports the conclusion that cheatgrass seeds passing through the digestive system of cattle are not likely to germinate and spread. Whether this is due to the critical time spent in the rumen or the absence of favorable conditions for germination in fecal matter, the findings suggest that cattle grazing poses little to no risk of cheatgrass dispersal through excrement.

DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS FOR LAND MANAGEMENT

The implications of this research are significant for rangeland management and the control of invasive species like cheatgrass. One of the main concerns about targeted grazing has been the potential for cattle to act as vectors for cheatgrass seed dispersal. This study provides evidence that cattle grazing can effectively reduce the cheatgrass seed bank without contributing to the spread of the species.

Less than 90% germination observed in fall-harvested seeds is particularly noteworthy for land managers. The fall season presents a unique opportunity to target cheatgrass through grazing, without negative effects on desired bunchgrasses.

On the other hand, spring grazing also presents an opportunity to manage cheatgrass infestations. Spring grazing of actively growing cheatgrass can effectively reduce seed production and inputs into the seed bank, helping to prevent the species from proliferating. Both seasonal approaches to grazing offer tools for land managers to incorporate into their cheatgrass control strategies.

CONCLUSION

The study provides a clear indication that cattle grazing on cheatgrass-infested rangelands, whether in the fall or spring, do not pose a significant risk of spreading cheatgrass seeds via excrement. The nearly complete inhibition of germination after 36 hours in the rumen followed by abomasal digestion supports the conclusion that ruminal conditions effectively destroy the viability of cheatgrass seeds.

The seasonal differences observed in the study further highlight the importance of timing in grazing management. Fall grazing presents an especially effective method for reducing cheatgrass cover and seed bank inputs without damage to perennial bunchgrasses. In contrast, spring grazing still holds value in reducing seed production, however the intensity of livestock management is greater during the growing season for perennial bunchgrasses.

This research supports the use of targeted grazing as a sustainable method for cheatgrass control, alleviating concerns about cattle contributing to the invasive spread of the species. With careful management, grazing can be an effective tool in reducing cheatgrass fuel loads, managing invasive species, and maintaining the ecological integrity of rangelands in the Great Basin and beyond.

2. Cheatgrass seeds which have been exposed to ruminal fermentation for 48 hours (Top image) and 0 hours (bottom image).

Figure

THE ROUNDUP

An analysis of western ranching politics.

RECENTLY IN WASHINGTON...

The Growing Need for Robust Disaster Relief

In recent months, the United States has been hit by two of the worst hurricanes in history, Helene and Milton, which caused significant damage to Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and more. Both storms left immense devastation to infrastructure, lifelines, and took the lives of almost 250 people.

While hurricanes have devastated the east, the West continues to grapple with destructive wildfires. Over the past year, wildfires have burned 7.8 million acres, destroying homes, threatening rural communities, and impacting the agricultural industry. As Congress prepares to address disaster relief in November, it is crucial that legislation includes not only aid for hurricane recovery but also wildfire prevention and recovery efforts. Funding for recovery is essential, but equally important are the tools needed to prevent future disasters, such as proper forest management, firebreaks, and grazing to reduce wildfire fuel loads. As we have noted, wildfire season starts long before the first blaze sets, it begins when agencies and regulators use these avenues for wildfire prevention and maintenance. As we have seen, the continued mismanagement and inadequate preparation by federal regulators have caused irreversible damage to economies, communities and our industries. We are calling for long-term, strategic action by Congress to prevent these disasters from occurring and protect the industries that rely on the land they dictate.

Our position: PLC has consistently supported pro-grazing and forest health legislation, which leverages grazing to reduce wildfire fuels and increase forest resilience. Legislation such as Congressman Westerman’s Fix Our Forests Act (H.R.8790), Congressman LaMalfa’s bill to increase the use of livestock grazing as means of wildfire risk reduction (H.R.7666), and Senator Manchin & Senator Barrasso’s Promoting Effective Forest Management Act of 2023 (S.2867) aim to reduce regulatory burdens and enhance forest restoration projects, livestock grazing, and make it easier to protect western lands from devastating wildfires.

What can you do? Contact your members of Congress to share your support for these bills. By prioritizing prevention alongside recovery, disaster relief can have far-sighted impacts. Additionally, PLC will continue educating agencies and lawmakers by bringing producers’ perspectives to the forefront of the conversation. Facilitating constructive dialogue, establishing collaborative partnerships, and legislative action is our opportunity to find relief in the wake of these disasters.

BLM National Advisory Committee for Public Land

This week, BLM announced the establishment of the National Advisory Committee under the Bureau of Land Management’s Public Land Rule (https:// public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2024-24131. pdf ). The FACA committee will advise the agency on implementation of the rule in the future.

Nominations will be accepted for the next 30 days, and can be submitted direcly to the BLM. Representatives on the committee will include state, local and tribal governments, the general public, non-governmental conservation groups, livestock industry representatives and more.

PLC will continue to work with its industry counterparts to engage in discussions regarding the future of the Public Lands Rule and its impact on our industry.

IN THE STATES...

Wildfire Update - State & Federal Resources Available

The National Interagency Fire Center claims that in 2024, there have been 42,594 reported fires, affecting over 7.8 million acres in the U.S. As of October 18th, there are currently 1,148,348 acres actively ablaze. The 3 most affected states today are Wyoming, Idaho, and Oregon which are contributing to 81% of all active burns.

In the week of October 15, USFS contained one of the worst wildfires in North Dakota history. The Elkhorn fire which spread over 100,000 acres had been burning since October 5 and is only 1 out of 40 blazes reported. Western wildfire activity remains intense, particularly in the states of Wyoming, Idaho, Nevada, and Utah. These areas are experiencing critically high fire danger due to prolonged hot and dry conditions. As a result, aggressive fire behavior has been reported daily. Almost 10,000 firefighters have been dispatched to incident management teams to manage suppression efforts in these regions. The NICC has brought in Canadian firefighting crews to assist in fighting the Red Rock Fire in the Salmon-Challis National Forest. For next week, the Great Basin area is of particular concern as a fuels and fire behavior advisory has been reissued for this region. Fast-moving flames have damaged and are threatening more communities and

natural resources. Weather conditions will continue to challenge firefighting efforts in the West. Strong and dry southwest winds are forecasted to hit the Great Basin and Southwest, with wind reaching 30-50 mph. Many of these fires affect PLC members and ranching operations. PLC has compiled a list of disaster resources from the state level here: publiclandscouncil. org/producer-resources-2/disaster-resources/ Stateaffiliate programs for direct support of producers are available for, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Wyoming and North Dakota.

REGISTER for the 9NGLC Conference!

The 9th annual National Grazing Lands Conference is coming up soon! You do not want to miss out on the chance to connect with other producers and be involved in insightful conversations. We encourage you to attend PLC’s panel discussion, “Regulation and recovery: When the Endangered Species Act hinders biodiversity, what happens to grazing?”. During the session, grazing permittees will share their experiences with management under the looming regulatory requirements of the Endangered Species Act, and what can be done to address longstanding issues. Don’t miss this chance to ensure your operation is prepared—join us for this important discussion! Register now here: https://whova.com/portal/registration/natgl_202412/

REGISTER for PLC Affiliate Fall Meetings!

As we enter into the fall season, PLC leadership and staff will be travelling across the West to a meeting near you! Check out the upcoming meetings below to find out more about your state affiliate meetings.

Idaho Cattle Association Annual Convention & Tradeshow

November 11-13, 2024 | Sun Valley, Idaho www.idahocattle.org/ events-meetings/annual-convention

Nevada Cattlemen’s Association Convention & Tradeshow November 20-22, 2024 | Fallon, Nevada www.nevadacattlemen.org/events-meetinwgs/ convention-and-trade-show

California Cattlemen’s Association Convention December 4-6, 2024 | Reno, Nevada calcattlemen.org/event/ 108th-annual-cca-ccw-convention/

Montana Stockgrowers Assoc Annual Convention December 4-6, 2024 | Billings, Montana mtbeef.org/msga-events/ annual-convention-and-trade-show/

Oregon Cattlemen’s Assoc Annual Convention December 5-7, 2024 | Pendleton, Oregon orcattle.com/event/annual-convention-2/

Wyoming Stock Growers Association Winter Roundup December 9-11, 2024 | Casper, Wyoming wysga.org/programs/convention-trade-show

I am pleased to announce the return of the Governor’s Conference on Agriculture after a six year hiatus.

The 2024 Governor’s Conference on Agriculture will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, at the Rafter 3C Arena in Fallon, Nevada. This year’s conference is free to attend and will offer invaluable sessions on business resources, industry outlooks, licensing, and certification opportunities for the agriculture industry.

The conference will precede the 88th Annual Nevada Cattlemen’s Association Convention and Tradeshow, making it a great opportunity to connect with industry leaders.

We hope you will join us this year. I look forward to seeing you support the future of Nevada agriculture.

Register for the Governor’s Conference here: https://tinyurl. com/2024-GCA

Thank you,

JJ Goicoechea

JJ Goicoechea, Director

Nevada Dept of Agriculture

405 South 21st Street Sparks, NV 89431

News from the desk of NDA DIRECTOR GOICOECHEA

Nominate an agriculture, food and beverage small business

The NDA and Made in Nevada are seeking nominations for the third annual Nevada Agriculture, Food and Beverage Small Business of the Year Award. This annual award recognizes the extraordinary work done by agriculture, food and beverage industries in Nevada. Nominations are encouraged for any Nevada small business that provides locally produced agriculture, food or beverage products. Businesses are also able to self-nominate. To be eligible, businesses must be licensed in Nevada, produce or manufacture at least 51 percent of their agriculture, food or beverage product in Nevada and have less than 150 employees

Nominations are due by Dec. 6, 2024 here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2024smallbusiness

October is National Firewood Month

This October, in recognition of National Firewood Month, the NDA reminds you to burn local firewood to help prevent the spread of invasive species.

Even healthy-looking wood can carry invasive insects that harm our local agriculture. Here is how you can help protect our agricultural landscape:

• Gather firewood on site (where allowed)

• Use heat-treated firewood

•Buy firewood near the area where you’ll burn it

Funding Opportunities

 USDA Farm Service Agency adverse weather resources

• Emergency Conservation Program (ECP): https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/ conservation-programs/emergency-conservation

• Emergency Farm Loans: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/ resources/programs/emergency-farm-loans

• Emergency Relief Program (ERP): https://www. fsa.usda.gov/resources/programs/emergency-reliefprogram-erp

 USDA Rural Development resource guide to help rural entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses is here: https://www.rd.usda.gov/

 Visit www.usda.gov/meat for open and pending meat and poultry expansion programs

Livestock owners will be required to use electronic ID ear tags beginning Nov. 5

Per the USDA, beginning Nov. 5, 2024, livestock owners will be required to use electronic identification ear tags (EID) to allow for real time animal tracing to help mitigate disease outbreaks, and allow for continuity of commerce. There is NO CHANGE to the animals requiring tags to move interstate, only the type of tag is changing. Cattle that already have non-electronic official identification, such as a metal brite tag or metal brucellosis vaccination tag, applied before Nov. 5, may continue to use that tag for the span of its life. A limited supply of EID tags will be available through the NDA at no cost.To request EID tags, have your veterinarian email Keith.Forbes@agri.nv.gov and for more information on this USDA ruling please visit the following links:

FAQ: Animal Disease Traceability Rule: www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/traceability-faq.pdf

More info: www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/traceability

Join us for the 2024 Governor’s Conference on Agriculture

The NDA is excited to be hosting the 2024 Governor’s Conference on Agriculture on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, at the Rafter 3C Arena in Fallon, Nev. The conference will cover regulatory and economic development information and resources for Nevada’s farmers, ranchers, food producers and industry partners. This event is free to attend and will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., immediately preceding the NCA’s 89th Annual Convention and Trade Show. To register, visit: https://agri.nv.gov/govcon/

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Every Tuesday at noon mountain time on Cattle USA

Selling load lots of mentioned cattle off your ranch

For more information contact:

NEVADA: Robert Morales (435) 757-8145

OREGON: Jason Johnson (541) 212-1587

Stewart Severe (541) 589-0713

Katlen Schimmelpfenning (208) 859-0577

IDAHO: Steve Taylor (208) 324-4345

We look forward to working for you in marketing the most out of your cattle !

The Agriculture Experience: A New Highlight at the 2024 Fallon Cantaloupe Festival & Country Fair

by Michelle Gabiola-Rogers

The 2024 Fallon Cantaloupe Festival & Country Fair brought an exciting new dimension to its festivities with the introduction of the Agriculture Experience attraction, significantly expanding the festival’s focus on agricultural education. As Northern Nevada’s longest-running agriculture festival, this new feature reinforced the festival’s commitment to celebrating and promoting the vital role of agriculture in everyday life, particularly through education aimed at the younger generation.

The Agriculture Experience attraction was designed with a clear objective: to educate children and young adults about the integral role agriculture plays in their daily lives. From the food on our plates to the clothes we wear, agriculture shapes the world around us. By immersing visitors in hands-on, interactive experiences, the attraction showcased the vast reach of agriculture, offering a fun yet informative journey for attendees of all ages.

The festival attracted a diverse group of vendors, each contributing valuable insights into different areas of agriculture. Topics ranged from the basics of fruit and vegetable cultivation to more complex subjects like how yarn is made from wool, the intricacies of the beef industry, the role of dairy in the food supply chain, and the essential role of pollinators in supporting ecosystems. Vendors enthusiastically shared their knowledge with both children and adults, creating an engaging and educational environment.

One of the standout features of the Agriculture Experience was the display of drone technology used in modern agriculture. Visitors learned how drones are revolutionizing farming practices by helping farmers monitor crops, optimize water use, and increase yields. This cutting-edge technology offered an exciting glimpse into the future of farming, demonstrating that agriculture is not just about tradition, but also about innovation.

Another key highlight of the Agriculture Experience was the presence of the Nevada Farm Bureau Ag Wagon. This mobile educational exhibit allowed guests to walk through and explore various aspects of agriculture, providing them with a deeper understanding of how food and fiber are produced. The Ag Wagon offered interactive displays and activities that brought the agricultural learning experience to life, giving visitors a hands-on opportunity to see the inner workings of modern agriculture.

The Agriculture Experience attracted approximately 1,000 visitors during the festival, with both youth and adults engaging enthusiastically with the various exhibits. The feedback from visitors was overwhelmingly positive, with many praising the attraction for its informative and fun approach to educating the public on agriculture. Parents were especially appreciative of the hands-on learning opportunities for their children, while many young visitors expressed excitement at discovering new aspects of farming and food production.

The success of the Agriculture Experience highlights the importance of continuing educational offerings at community events. By connecting people to agriculture in engaging and interactive ways, hopefully deepens visitors’ understanding of the vital role farming plays in their lives and inspires a new generation to appreciate and perhaps even pursue careers in the field.

Heritage Club Helps Preserve California’s Rich Agricultural History

150-year-old Chico-area farm among 5 farms and ranches at least 100 years old honored this year in event sponsored by Farm Credit

In 1844, four years before California became a part of the U.S. and before John Marshall discovered gold at Coloma, a 16-year-old boy left his home in what later became West Virginia and joined an ox team headed west. James John Morehead was by himself, with only a horse and flintlock gun to his name. After the Gold Rush began, he tried mining but soon began raising cattle and farming wheat south of Chico.

Morehead prospered and in 1872 he purchased 765 acres of fertile land just outside of Chico, and eventually expanded his holdings into neighboring counties. It was Morehead’s good fortune to have come west, for in his thirty-three years in California he acquired 1,700 acres in Butte, Colusa and Tehama counties, 13 lots in Chico, increased his assets a hundredfold and was regarded as a prominent and successful farmer and businessman. (Unfortunately, Morehead’s flintlock – with many notches in the stock – and powder horn were stolen in the 1930s from the fireplace mantle of the family’s summer home in Magalia and never recovered.)

Today, the Morehead-Hill-Baker Ranch grows mostly almonds, and the remaining property is farmed by fourth- and fifth-generation family members. This historic farming operation was one of five farming and ranching enterprises that have been in business for at least 100 years that were honored at this year’s California State Fair in July. The ranch was recognized for 150 years of California farming.

Each year, the Fair, through its California Agricultural Heritage Club, honors farms and ranches, ag-related businesses and ag-related organizations that have been in operation for at least 100 years, at least 125 years, at least 150 years and at least 175 years. Some farm and ranch owners apply when they hit their threshold, but others do so a few years later, in most cases because they weren’t aware of the program.

Club chair Judy Culbertson, whose family’s ranch was inducted in 2003, said emceeing the event is one of the most enjoyable events she does during the year.

“These are warm, salt-of-the-earth farm and ranch families who are proud of what they do and of each other. You don’t find many 100-year-old companies, and some of their stories are heart-wrenching,” she said.

Farm Credit has been a top sponsor of the breakfast event since 2015 and was one of the 100-year honorees in 2016, noted Kevin Ralph, CA President for AgWest Farm Credit.

“As a more than century-old institution, Farm Credit is proud to sponsor the ceremony each year,” Ralph said. “The inductees are integral members of California’s agricultural community, whose families built the foundation of our state’s giant agricultural enterprise.”

Mary Pimentel, Relationship Manager with American AgCredit, added that without sponsors, the event could not be held.

“Without the California Heritage Agricultural Club, these pioneer farms and ranches wouldn’t receive the recognition they’ve earned – and without sponsorships, the Club wouldn’t be able to put on their program each year,” Pimentel said. “As California agriculture continues to move forward, it’s also important to honor the men and women who have made California the proud leader in food production and agriculture.”

Farm Credit organizations supporting the event are AgWest Farm Credit, American AgCredit and CoBank. These organizations are part of the nationwide Farm Credit System – the largest provider of credit to U.S. agriculture.

Culbertson said the program began in 1948 – the centennial of the California Gold Rush – as the 100 Year Club. In 2001, it was given its current name and expanded to recognize businesses and organizations that had been in existence for up to 150 years and began honoring 175-year-old ag-related companies in 2010.

All this year’s honorees have colorful histories.

George Thompson immigrated to California from Ireland in the 1860s. He and his wife, May, moved from New York to Big Valley in Lassen County where they started their homestead along the Pit River in 1871. After George passed away, his 13-year-old son Jim took over running the ranch for his mother. He eventually bought out several neighbors to expand to the present-day 4,040-acre ranch. Now with nearly 500 head of cattle, the Thompson Ranch is still owned and operated by the Thompson Family.

Scott Brothers Dairy was founded by Ira J. Scott in 1913 when he moved from Iowa to California. and has continued to grow ever since. Originally located in Pomona, the company added a second dairy, manufacturing plant and retail location added just down the road in the agricultural zone of Chino in 1961. The dairy farm is now located in San Jacinto. The family-owned and -managed 900-acre farm has over 1,000 head of cattle, with all the milk sent daily to the production facility in Chino. Now in its fourth generation, the company sells dairy products in 54 countries under private labels and copacking agreements – and is one of the largest manufacturers of frozen yogurt in the world.

In 1919, Faustino Silva arrived in California from Portugal with a dream to start a farm and ranch. He discovered the beautiful and fertile Sacramento area and got to work. His son, Gary Silva Sr., followed in his footsteps and continued to build their dream. Today Gary Silva Jr. has taken over the family tradition with his wife, Tracy, and their children, Justin and Alexis. Together, the family continues to provide delicious top-quality ranchraised, grass-fed, grain-finished beef from the Silva Ranch in Herald.

Today the largest grower of fresh artichokes in North America, Ocean Mist Farms’ family farming roots took hold exactly 100 years ago when Daniel Pieri, cousins Amerigo and Angelo Del Chiaros, and Jim Bellone immigrated to the U.S. from Italy. They settled in Castroville and joined forces with another founding father, Alfred Tottino, to form the California Artichoke & Vegetable Growers Corp. Together, they leased land south of Castroville and set up shop in a tin-roofed wooden shed at the Del Monte Junction. In addition to artichokes, the company has since added 30 other fresh vegetables to its line and members the Pieri-Reasons and Tottino families continue to be involved in operations.

Owners of farming and ranching operations that have been in business for at least 100 years are encouraged to apply to be recognized during the 2025 California State Fair. Applications are available at https://calexpostatefair.com/special-events/ca-agheritage/

Applications for EQIP Classic, EQIP IRA, and AMA programs due November 22

The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Nevada is offering financial and technical assistance to help agricultural producers apply conservation practices through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program Classic (EQIP Classic) and Inflation Reduction Act (EQIP IRA), and the Agricultural Management Assistance Program (AMA). More than $16 million is available to producers through EQIP and AMA.

Applications for EQIP Classic, EQIP IRA, and AMA must be received by the local field office before 4 p.m. on November 22, 2024. Any applications received after the deadline will be considered for funding during the next funding cycle.

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. To learn more, visit the Nevada webpages for EQIP and AMA.

AMA program funds help 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

Nevada youth prepare communities for wildfire

Youth learn about wildfire preparedness and win prizes by competing in challenge

Nevada Youth are taking action to prepare their communities for wildfire. This summer, teams of Nevada youth from grades K-12 participated in the first ever Nevada Youth Wildfire Preparedness Challenge organized by the University of Nevada, Reno Extension’s Living With Fire Program.

This year’s grand prize-winning team, the Battle Mountain Future Farmers Association (FFA) walked away with a whopping $1,500 prize, sponsored by the NV Energy Foundation in recognition of the team’s outstanding work in their community. The team of students identified defensible space needs on a local ranch in Battle Mountain, and then cleared dead vegetation and installed a new water line for trees on the property.

“One thing I enjoyed about being a part of the Living With Fire Challenge was the fact that we had an enormous task before us but as we all worked together it was amazing to see the difference and progress that we made,” said FFA student Ella. “This gave me a sense of accomplishment that we could provide a safer living environment that will help prevent fires.”

The group is using the prize funds to go to the FFA National Convention in Indianapolis to further their education in agriculture and environmental impacts. Spencer Eusden with Extension’s Living With Fire Program says that, besides the prize money, students participating in the contest gain an understanding of steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of wildfire, which can also help alleviate some of the trauma that they may experience when wildfires do occur.

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.

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, ground water management district, acequia, land grant-merced, or similar entity that has jurisdiction or responsibilities related to water delivery or management to eligible lands.

To learn more about EQIP and AMA, or for general information about NRCS programs, contact your local NRCS office. Office locations can be found by going to https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/conservation-basics/conservation-by-state/nevada and selecting the Nevada Service Center Map.

“Although wildfires can be big scary events with a lot of things out of our control, taking action to prepare for wildfire before it happens is a great way to reduce your risk of wildfire and bring more peace of mind when wildfires do happen,” he said. This is especially true for youth, who are more vulnerable to experiencing trauma from wildfire.”

The NV Youth Wildfire Preparedness Challenge for the 2024-2025 school year is now open for submissions. Thanks to continued support from the NV Energy Foundation, first-, second- and third-place prizes will be awarded to winning teams from three age groups, K-5, 6-7 and 9-12.

“NV Energy is committed to reducing the risk of wildfire across Nevada,” said Tony Gildone, NV Energy Director of Operations, Northeast Districts. “The Battle Mountain FFA team has shown how youth can make a difference in their community for preparing for wildfire. The NV Energy Foundation is proud to recognize their impact, and to continue to support this program.”

Full details for entering this year’s challenge can be found online. Entries are due by May 15. For more information about how to support Living With Fire and Extension, contact Robin Schimandle, development director, at Robin@unr.edu.

NV Energy DO, Northeast District Tony Gildone, recognizes the wildfire preparedness work of the prize-winning Battle Mountain FFA team. Photo by Battle Mountain Yearbook Club.

NEVADA TODAY

Wolf Pack Meats operating in the black, increasing production, training workforce

UNR facility on track to double animals processed from two years ago

The University of Nevada, Reno has been operating Wolf Pack Meats at its Main Station ranch, part of the University’s Experiment Station unit, since 1967, harvesting, processing and producing fresh local meat for local ranchers, as well as conducting research and educating students in animal science and meat processing. But, the operation has faced challenges keeping up with the local demand from ranchers at times, as well as operating a financially sustainable operation. A little over a year and half ago, in March 2023, JD Hoagland, CEO of his own processing plant in Homedale, Idaho, was awarded a two-year contract to turn that around. He and his team have now turned that corner.

“With the tremendous turnaround, Wolf Pack Meats is now on much sounder financial footing and rapidly approaching the break-even mark,” said Amilton de Mello, associate professor with the University’s College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources, who oversees the College’s animal science programs. “We’re able to serve more producers, as well as supply the Northern Nevada Food Bank and Pack Provisions with some fresh local meat. We’ve got the right team now.”

One of those team members is Tom Kulas, operations manager who came on board about a year before Hoagland and serves as the University’s main liaison for ranchers, educators and customers, as well as oversees day-to-day operations at the facility. Kulas dug up figures on the number of animals the facility has harvested over the last few years.

We’re on track to double the amount this year, compared to 2022,” he said. “It’s just much more efficient, a much more focused operation.”

Kulas says by the end of the year, with what’s booked now, the facility is on track to harvest 989 animals. That compares to 474 animals harvested in 2022. He says the facility is pretty much booked up, in terms of harvesting and processing for producers, through the end of the year. At times in the past, there was up to a one-year waiting list.

Meeting the workforce challenge

Hoagland says the turnaround has taken a lot of time, effort and teamwork. And, as is the case for many local businesses, one of the biggest challenges has been developing, training and retaining a dedicated workforce. He said the state is lacking an adequate supply of workers trained in the meat harvesting and processing industry.

The College has programs in the works to help address this short fall, including collaborations with Western Nevada College and local high schools, and employing a mobile harvest unit for training purposes. De Mello is also working with colleagues to develop curriculum that the College plans to use for a new animal science degree program, greatly expanding animal science coursework and experiences for students. Currently, animal science is a specialization under the agricultural science degree program, which somewhat limits the specific animal science components in students’ course of study, and students are wanting more education

focused specifically on animal science. There’s also a new state-of-the-art classroom almost finished at Main Station that will expand student offerings and hands-on educational experiences.

In the meantime, Hoagland says it has taken the management team a little over a year to get the workforce put together to handle the increase in production that was needed to serve producers, while putting worker safety, food safety and the humane treatment of animals at the forefront.

“We were able to get it off the ground with a handful of guys, two in particular who had experience,” he said. “I had staff from my operation in Idaho come down and help train, and help out in the transition. But, it took some time – a little over a year – to get the right team of Nevada employees trained in the industry. In the end, it’s been a huge win for the community, and we have a sustainable plant now.”

Addressing infrastructure/equipment needs

Hoagland says they have also worked through some infrastructure challenges, identifying bottlenecks and working to reduce them. Besides meeting the demand of local producers to assist them with harvesting and processing, Wolf Pack Meats processes beef and lamb raised at various Experiment Station facilities across the state to supply to the community, only increasing the need for efficient production.

“It’s all grass-fed and grass-finished,” he said. “Our beef is a registered black Angus line too. We’ll be getting our prime rib ready for sale before Thanksgiving. The local community really appreciates having us as a source of locally produced high-quality beef and lamb – both consumers and restaurant owners.”

Hoagland says they also help youth who raise animals, such as those who participate in Livestock Shows and Fairs, to process their animals at Wolf Pack Meats.

“Those are costly for us on the processing side, but at the same time, it’s very beneficial for the future of the industry,” he said. “We have to invest in the kids and the future. We’ve also had some FFA kids come through and participate in the meat cutting side of it. It’s super beneficial because they’re engaging in understanding the cuts more, and learning about it. It might inspire some of them to want to become part of the workforce, planting a seed.”

Between processing its own Wolf Pack Meats, and processing for producers and youth, Hoagland says the processing line has struggled to keep up with the harvesting capacity. And while that is still the case to some extent, he says they have been able to take several steps to decrease that gap, as well as to expand meat offerings, that has resulted in an overall increase in production.

Wolf Pack Meats Packaging Specialist Carli Keller enjoys using the new vacuum sealer to package local beef.

Photo by Claudene Wharton

Last summer, they acquired a stuffer and a clipper for packaging ground beef. A stuffer is a machine that ground meat goes into, the machine stuffs it down a horn and pours it down into the casing or packaging, measuring one-pound portions. The clipper then clips, or seals off, the ends. Hoagland says before getting the new equipment, they had to use a hand stuffer, estimate the weight vacuum seal the package and label it, which was a very time-consuming process. The new machine creates consistent one-pound packages, and allows for production of about 30 pounds per minute, compared to the old process of getting around 5 pounds per minute.

This summer, Wolf Pack Meats was also the beneficiary of a gift from Antonia and Stephen Hurst that allowed the purchase of a new vacuum sealer.

“The vacuum sealer was killing us, said Robin Schimandle,” development director for the College. “The Hursts really stepped up to help us out by buying us the new one. I’m not sure people understand that Wolf Pack Meats is providing such a critical resource for small- to medium-sized ranchers. As the only local USDA-approved facility, without it, our producers can’t sell their meat at retail locations.”

Kulas said the new vacuum sealer has made a huge difference in the processing line, helping Wolf Pack Meats to keep up with the demand from the ranchers, as well as providing better packaging overall.

A smiling woman in a white helmet and apron over a white gown poses by a table with piles of shrinkwrapped meat.

Wolf Pack Meats Packaging Specialist Carli Keller enjoys using the new vacuum sealer to package local beef. Photo by Claudene Wharton.

“Before, we could seal about six packages in three minutes. Now, we can do 12 packages in about 40 seconds,” he said. “It seals the packages as fast as we can load them up on the machine. It doesn’t back up there anymore. And, it’s a better seal and helps the food last longer. As long as it’s frozen immediately, it’s a very long shelf life. It gives it a better presentation as well. The producers say it looks better.”

In addition, the Hursts contributed funds that paid for an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) livestock tracking system that makes weighing and tracking the animals’ data easier and more efficient. With the system, an animal is tagged with an electronic technology device, the scale has an element, the worker waves a wand over the animal, and the system weighs the animal and automatically records the weight in a database. The Hursts also funded new tables for growing plants for the College’s Desert Farming Initiative, as well as equipment to help maintain the Nevada State 4-H camp in Lake Tahoe.

Another development this summer that holds further promise for Wolf Pack Meats is that Hoagland purchased Ponderosa Meats in Reno. Mutually beneficial collaborations are still being explored, but Ponderosa Meats doesn’t do harvesting, so Wolf Pack Meats may help Ponderosa Meats with that. If Wolf Pack Meats gets a rush on the processing end,

Ponderosa Meats may be able to help with that. In addition, Ponderosa Meats has an extra hamburger patty maker that will be going to Wolf Pack Meats, so that Wolf Pack Meats will now be able to make patties on site.

Finally, Wolf Pack Meats has upgraded its website, which now allows producers to schedule their animals’ harvesting online. Customers can also buy quarter, half or whole beefs online, and there are plans to further expand online purchasing.

“Hopefully, it will just be a lot easier to schedule their animals than it has been the last couple of years,” Hoagland said. “We’ll be able to increase that capacity and provide a level of customer service higher than it’s ever been.”

Planning for the future

Still, Hoagland says there are limitations with the current facility. He said that the processing room is small, and that they have maximized the use of the current space. Also, there are only two 18-wheelers to provide cold storage.

“The floor was designed in the 60s, and capital infrastructure is expensive, so we need to find the funds to help us build that out,” he said.

He explained that currently they process beef, pork, lamb and goat at the facility, but that meats from different animals can’t be comingled during processing. Everything has to be washed down after one type of meat before switching to processing another. That affects the production capacity for the day because it takes time to wash the processing floor down, therefore reducing efficiency.

“If we could expand the plant, we could have a line for each, increase the number of workers and increase the cold storage. We would be able to process a lot more,” he said.

The wish list includes about 2,400 square feet more, for processing, and for refrigeration and freezer storage; and some more equipment, including for packaging and smoking meat. A rough price tag would be around $2 to $3 million, he estimates.

Besides expanding processing, Hoagland and de Mello both mentioned that there are plans to put in a feedlot that would allow Wolf Pack Meats to raise more animals on site to provide more local meat to the community, both consumers and restaurants.

“We’re in the process of finding the right person to hire to put in and run a feedlot,” de Mello said. “We need it, not only to produce more local meat, but also for teaching and research.”

Finding animal science solutions for generations to come

De Mello’s thoughts drift way past the next decade or two, and he has three labs on campus where he and colleagues are looking for solutions to bigger challenges that he thinks future generations will face. The labs include the Cellular Agriculture Ottoboni Lab, the Molecular Biology Lab and the Meat Science Lab. The research is complex and interdisciplinary,

including collaboration with nutrition faculty and colleagues at the University’s School of Medicine, but ultimately, it is aimed at improving human health for longevity and ensuring human health as conditions on Earth continue to change. He firmly believes that producing nutritious meat is an imperative piece of the puzzle, and speaks with a passion and concern for future generations that is inspiring.

“We are aiming for things that are not on other people’s radar,” de Mello said. “We need to figure out how we can sustainably produce meats in environments that we are going to have in the next 200-300 years. There will be extreme overpopulation, we’re using up resources, and emissions are going to be too high. These things actually keep me up at night. How can we minimize our presence here on this planet, so we can continue to survive? In order to sustainably produce meat, we need to try to consume less resources and produce more, and food needs to be more nutrient dense. We’re trying to understand how, if we were to start feeding our livestock things we haven’t fed them before, how is that going to change the molecular level, and ultimately, how is that going to impact human health?”

For more information about how to support Wolf Pack Meats and the College, contact Schimandle at Robin@unr.edu.

Wolf Pack Meats raises and sells locally produced beef and lamb to the community. Photo by Tom Kulas.

Tom Kulas, operations manager (left), and JD Hoagland, consultant, have worked together to increase efficiency and production. Photo by Mark Earnest.

Nevada Agricultural Outlook Fall 2024 Update

Malieka Bordigioni | Research Manager | UNR Extension

Please visit www.progressiverancher.com/nevada-agricultural-outlook-fall-2024-update for full article with charts & references

In fall 2024 a Nevada agricultural commodity model was updated to generate five-year projections for four of the largest production sectors in the state: alfalfa/hay, cow-calf, milk, and sheep. This model is managed at the Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station (NAES) with funding from the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI). A wide array of global, national, and state data from private and public sources available in August 2024 informs the model. The five-year projections reflect expectations, holding the current conditions and assumptions constant. In reality, economic and production environments will certainly change, but the model output provides baseline measures that can be useful in decision making.

Moving out of the high economic volatility of the last several years, model projections point toward expectations for steady projection paths below recent peaks for most model estimates. However, macroeconomic measures such as interest rates and price levels are not expected to return to the pre-2020 levels before pandemic-related effects disrupted global markets. Expectations differ across different types of ag production – ie, expectations for cow-calf producers are much rosier than those for alfalfa/hay producers. Of course, the outlook for agriculture generally, and each commodity specifically, is also a function of short-term uncertainties like weather, or mediumterm factors such as the cattle cycle or realizing full production of an alfalfa stand. A full set of charts will be provided here: www.progressiverancher.com/nevadaagricultural-outlook-fall-2024-update as a summary of the model projections in August 2024 (vertical black bars separate historic recorded data from model projections). References for model input data and researcher contact information are provided at the end of the article if interested in more detail. The model will be updated in spring 2025 and a corresponding report will be available through the NAES website.

Macroeconomic Factors

| Like all U.S. commerce, Nevada agricultural economy is impacted by global, national, and regional economics, all subjected to much uncertainty and volatility. At the risk of oversimplifying, only a few of many macroeconomic factors will be discussed here. U.S. GDP did not fall as far in 2020 as many countries or regions and recovery has been strong relative to other advanced economies. The U.S. three-year (20212023) average annual growth is 3.4%

compared to 3.3% for other advanced economies. Along with the relative strength of U.S. GDP, the U.S. dollar has been much stronger to other global currencies than prior to 2020. This can be beneficial for importing goods with stronger buying power but can discourage exports of goods that are effectively more expensive to many trading partners.

The Nevada economy could be considered upstart or emerging as compared to the U.S. and as such reflects much stronger growth of 5.1% over the same period. Nevada agriculture has faced greater adversity given lingering pandemic effects on the meat supply chain and severe multi-year drought through 2022. These challenges are reflected in a three-year average GDP of -15.8% (or 2.0% if netting out the extreme contraction in 2022 of -51.5%).

Though GDP growth rates and exchange rates are important to economic framework, these factors may be experienced more indirectly to both producers and consumers than interest rates, inflation rates, and price levels. The charts below reflect downward movement of interest rates, even since the recent model estimations, and are expected to average about 1% higher than 2019 levels. Softening interest rates is in part a reaction to falling inflation rates which have already returned to about 2.5%, nearing pre-pandemic levels.

While inflation rates are well off recent peaks, price levels remain well above pre2020 level. Price levels are expected to continue to grow at approximately 2.5% annually throughout the projection period.

The price indexes shown here reflect a general basket of goods. In recent years, prices for important agricultural inputs such as feed, fertilizer, and fuel have been influenced by factors such as weather and global conflict and as such have been much more volatile than an average basket of goods might represent.

Alfalfa/hay | The current outlook for Nevada alfalfa/hay producers is most reflective of how current price levels squeeze profits. Combined with low cattle inventories (preview of cow-calf projections) and sufficient water in the last few years, both alfalfa and other hay September 2024 prices are well below the projection period respective averages of $187 and $167 per ton.

Gross revenue for alfalfa considers projected prices and is estimated on a per acre basis as are total operating costs. Gross revenue averages $778/per acre over the projection period as compared to $746 per acre average for the six-year period

ending in 2019, a $32 per acre increase. The per acre total operating costs over the projected period are $969, reflecting current price level expectations discussed earlier. This paints poor expectations for all hay producers with a projection period average annual net revenues of -$191. Increase in demand with market expansion including growth in cattle inventories and high-test markets might help push per ton prices higher and minimize losses.

Cow-Calf | In contrast to alfalfa/hay producers, cow-calf producers expect to see a period of strong profitability similar to 2014 and 2015 throughout the projection period. Beginning in 2023 both U.S. and Nevada cattle price per hundredweight has been historically strong, approximately 25% higher than prior peak in 2014, and is expected to remain primarily due to relatively low cattle numbers. January beginning inventory for beef cattle in 2024 were about 6% lower than 2011 for the U.S. and about 1% lower over the same period for Nevada.

Though Nevada is not a large beef producer, beef prices are an important economic marker in the cattle supply chain. Average projection prices of beef per pound are about 43% higher than 2014, though 2023 represents the prior peak for beef prices reflecting inflationary effects. U.S. net exports generally increased through 2022 but have been trending downward given the relative strength of the U.S. dollar and soft GDP growth of many trading partners.

On a bred-per-cow basis, expected gross value of production for Basin & Range cow-calf pair averages $1,060 over the projection period compared to $776 for the six-year period ending in 2019, an increase in value of about 37%. The average for all costs across the projection period is $639, about a 9% increase compared to the sixyear period ending in 2019, with non-feed related costs growing the most at 27% using the same comparison. The expected bumper profits for the projection period may be tempered as the cattle cycle moves back towards peak inventories, demand loss as beef prices rise, and weakened demand for U.S. beef exports.

Dairy | Expect to see stable prices and moderate profits throughout the projection period. Projection period prices for U.S. all-milk and Nevada class I average just under $21 per hundredweight, up about 13% compared to the six-year period ending in 2019. Nevada class IIIa prices average just under $17 per hundredweight, up about 7% compared to the six-year period ending in 2019. Both U.S. and

Nevada dairy cow inventories are expected to remain relatively steady as they have for the past decade with very moderate gains in yield. Expected price growth is primarily driven by growing domestic and export demand.

Expected gross value of production for Nevada sold milk averages $22 per hundredweight over the projection period compared to $21 for the six-year period ending in 2019, an increase in value of about 5%. The average for all costs across the projection period is $20, about a 12% increase compared to the six-year period ending in 2019, with the largest portion of costs attributed to purchased feed. Expected profits for the projection period average $2 per hundredweight, down about one-third from the six-year period ending in 2019, but still providing a cushion of profitability. For several decades, U.S. dairies have been trending towards greater concentration allowing producers to benefit from scale generating lower costs per unit. This also has provided a measure of stability for the sector when compared to other types of cattle operations.

Sheep | Nevada sheep producers expect to see stable prices and profits similar to historic averages through the projection period. Projection period prices for Nevada sheep average $81 per hundredweight, up about 32% compared to the sixyear period ending in 2019. Projection period prices for Nevada lamb average $185 per hundredweight, up about 27% compared to the six-year period ending in 2019. Projection period prices for Nevada greasy wool average $1.75 per pound, down about 16% compared to the six-year period ending in 2019. Both U.S. and Nevada sheep inventories have declined significantly over the last several decades, with the decline relatively slowing since about 2016. Expected price growth for animals supported by low inventories, while wool prices continue to recover from pandemic era drop in demand.

Expected gross returns for sheep averages $297 per bred ewe over the projection period compared to $234 for the six-year period ending in 2019, an increase in value of about 27%. Average operating costs across the projection period are $206, also about a 27% increase compared to the six-year period ending in 2019. Note that for the sheep sector, price data is available allowing for Nevada specific estimations, but only U.S. data is available for sheep operating costs and thus projections reflect national rather than state level costs.

CHARTS & REFERENCES HERE: www.progressiverancher. com/nevada-agricultural-outlook-fall-2024-update

Cattlewomen’s Corner of the Corral Nevada Cattlewomen Introduce Beef Ambassadors

By Keri Pommerening, NVCW President

As summer ends, and the fall activities have begun, I hope this finds you seeing some successes in the cattle industry.

Nevada Cattlewomen are pleased to announce the beef ambassadors who were chosen to represent our group and share their passion for the cattle industry. (See information to the right.) It is our hope these aspiring cattle producers will work together as a team as they represent at various activities.

We are very excited to be working with Gabriella and Lander. They will be at the Nevada Cattlemen’s Convention so if you are in Fallon at the 3C Events Center, please introduce yourself to them. I think they may just be a part of our Nevada Cattlemen and Cattlewomen group for quite some time.

Speaking of the NCA Convention, we are looking forward to coming together again to share the joys of success and ideas for improving in the cattle business. To that end, we hope to see you at our Board of Director’s meeting on Wednesday, November 20 at 5:00-6:30 pm, and at our General Membership meeting November 21, 7:30-8:45 am.

Please take a minute to check out our silent auction while you are there, as this is how we fund our Beef Ambassador Program.

While at the Convention, we are looking forward to hearing from Ruth Coffey, ANCW president. Seth Joel and Charlie Holland will also be sharing with us about their progress on their book Ranch Raised Kids in Nevada. We are really excited to bring this project to fruition. If you are unfamiliar with their work in other states, please check out this website: ranchraisedkids.com

Here’s to a productive November. Whether you are weaning, processing, feeding, buying, or selling cattle, remember to take time to enjoy family.

We hope to see you in Fallon!

Empowering women who share a passion for the beef industry

Meet Gabriella Minoletti

My name is Gabriella Minoletti and I was raised in Eureka, Nevada as a 6th generation farmer and rancher. Growing up as a farmer and rancher, I was immersed into agriculture, learning the invaluable lessons that only agriculture can teach. These lessons have contributed to my character and values of hard work and dedication. After graduation from Eureka County High School, I have been working towards a degree in Agricultural Sciences and Secondary Education. While working towards my degree, I have been active in the Nevada FFA Association and the Young Farmers and Ranchers Club. These experiences not only sharpened my leadership skills but also provided me with a platform to advocate for the agricultural industry. Looking ahead, I plan to graduate from the University of Nevada, Reno to become an agricultural educator at a high school in Nevada. Alongside teaching, I hope to eventually start my own herd and run cattle alongside my family. I hope that I can continue being a part of different agricultural organizations to inspire the younger generations who will become our future agricultural leaders.

Meet Lander

Smith

My name is Lander Smith, a 5th generation Nevada livestock producer. It was my time spent growing up on my grandparents’ ranch that fed my passion for agriculture. It was on that ranch that I learned more about life, livestock and our industry than any class has ever taught me. However, it was my time in FFA that showed me how to leverage my passion and experience to help influence others. Serving as a Nevada FFA State Office and a run as Nevada FFA’s National Officer Candidate helped me to understand the power of strong leadership and the power we all possess to advocate and influence. It was those experiences that set me up to spend the last year as the Agricultural Literacy Outreach Assistant for the Nevada Department of Agriculture where I engaged in many ag literacy events, assisted in “Ag in The Classroom” efforts, supported Nevada FFA and much more. As I continue my studies at the University of Nevada, Reno I’m excited to take the next step in my journey advocating for our industry. It just so happens that my next step is serving as a Nevada Cattlewomen Beef Ambassador!

The President’s Publication:

From One Leader to the Next

As we wrap up another Annual Meeting and move closer to election day, now is a good time to make a self-assessment. We have an army of self-proclaimed experts assuring us that they know who will be elected and what we can expect over the next four years. We all know change is coming, the important question is. Are we ready to respond to any change that may be coming our way? I believe we are.

Over the last two years, our team worked hard to improve our ability to share information with affiliate groups and the families we represent. The biggest thing that has the ability to weaken our industry is lack of information or misinformation about upcoming threats and how we are dealing with them.

Our staff and officers participate in multiple organizations and groups sharing and educating people about the importance of federal land grazing, both to the health of the land and to the economic health our communities and states. PLC represents you on many levels and in different capacities, whether that be your state affiliates, Washington, D.C., or the numerous coalitions we have built over the years to ensure continuity and representation across the nation.

As my Presidency comes to a close, I can’t help but reflect on the many good times I have had with each of you, but more importantly, the passion and dedication I have seen from every member of PLC. Your determination to preserve and protect this industry is the core of this organization and it is each of you who fuel the work we do in Washington and across the West.

I am going to issue you one final insight as I enter a new role: when you have problems or concerns, reach out to your state affiliate, your PLC representatives, or the PLC staff in Washington. Get to know the issue and the whole story before you take up a position. There is very little difference in the core values and beliefs of our ranching community. Don’t let the difference between your area and mine be the divider of what is at stake.

Our industry will survive, and we are always stronger when we work together.

J. Mark Roeber President Public Lands Council (2022-2024)

Howdy there! For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Tim Canterbury, and I am from Colorado. I am honored to be chosen to serve as the PLC President for the next two years. We run a cow-calf operation here in Colorado, and I am the 5th generation to tend these lands.

Administrative Update

Back in DC now, I just can’t stop thinking about our time in Grand Junction! During our time together last week, we heard from distinguished speakers, engaged with industry experts during discussions, honored federal agency stewardship awards, hosted many receptions with old and For those who made it to our Annual Meeting in Grand Junction this past month, thank you for taking the time away from your operation to engage in our efforts. Without you all participating and speaking out about the issues we face daily, there is no direction for us to move forward in the coming months and years. May your fall work go smoothly and show profit. As we move forward and issues arise, know that your PLC staff and leadership are working tirelessly on all fronts. I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible in the coming weeks this fall and winter.

Tim Canterbury, President (2024-2026)

From the Desk of the Executive Director

Most people say October 1 is the beginning of “spooky season”, but September is by far the strangest month in Washington.

For the last many years, Congress has raced to meet the September 30 deadline to fund the government, missing the mark several times. This year, it again was a legislative

footrace to beat the clock. The House and Senate both passed a short-term funding bill just under the wire. This means we have some predictability for the next few months, but it also means we get to go through this exercise again at the end of December.

If the government funding process is one of the “lows” of the month, PLC Annual Meeting is surely one of the “highs”. This year, we had great attendance at our 56th meeting in Grand Junction, where attendees debated hot issues like the increasing footprint of solar development, how to best enshrine ecosystem services into policy to protect and promote grazing, and more. We are well-positioned with our policy, our new leadership, and our members’ engagement for the year to come.

As we look to the year ahead, I’m excited for the things we have planned. Stay tuned for an updated webinar schedule, Legislative Conference plans, and ways to engage over the next 12 months.

In the meantime, don’t let the September [government funding] spookiness get to you. If you encounter any issues related to government funding or with program delivery, please reach out to our staff our leadership.

Kaitlynn Glover | kglover@beef.org Executive Director,

Public Lands Council

new friends, and learned new practices in workshops - all while conducting yearly business, such as policy committee meetings and leadership meetings. If only that long list could encapsulate all of the fun we had in the meantime!

As we wrapped up our time in Grand Junction, it was amazing to count up nearly 150 people that came together in the name of PLC. Attendees came from all over the West, including agency officials from the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, USDA-APHIS, USFWS, and other industry related organizations. Whether you flew in from Oregon or Arizona, or drove in from Utah or Idaho, we are so grateful to have had everyone gathered together for a great week.

The spirit of and pride for public lands grazing is alive and well. It’s meetings like this that remind us why we do what we do. Advocating for ranchers across the West is the name of our game, and I’m so grateful we had the chance to advance the side-by-side this week. I am counting down the days until we meet again in 2025!

As we enter our fall season, I am excited to not only focus on PLC’s status as we embark on a new Administration and Congress, but I also look forward to engaging with our members across the West to ensure that your voices are heard, seen, and represented back here in D.C. With state affiliate meetings ramping up this fall and winter, please be on the lookout for our 2024 Executive Officer team and PLC staff as we travel to your home state!

It is always such an honor to serve our PLC members, and I look forward to seeing you all again real soon.

Will Baugh | wbaugh@beef.org

Associate Director, Public Lands Council

RECAP: PLC 56th Annual Meeting

This year’s PLC Annual Meeting was exciting and productive. Attendees left feeling great about continued opportunities to advocate for public lands issues. Members and partners worked hard to foster constructive and innovative conversations around industry issues and policy solutions. Topics included rangeland and grazing management, risk protection, BLM cooperative monitoring, natural disasters and more. Meetings took place around the strategic policy initiatives for the year. After thorough deliberation and thought, no new policy was introduced or amended. Additionally, PLC welcomed new members and new executive leadership to its team. With this fresh perspective, PLC and its staff will continue to push the boundaries within the public lands space in order to protect its members and their industries.

Policy Update

With the close of September and October approaching, another legislative session has passed. Before I discuss some of the details of this session, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on my first PLC Annual Meeting.

As a newcomer in this role, I was initially anxious about attending and speaking at the PLC Annual Meeting. I believe many of you can relate to the nerves that come with stepping into a new role or a new environment. However, the experience turned out to be incredibly informative and welcoming. I left Grand Junction, Colorado, with a deeper appreciation for our members, association, and agricultural livelihood. I want to express my gratitude to all those who attended and shared their perspectives on the issues. Your contributions have been invaluable, and I am committed to representing them here in Washington, D.C. Now onto what has been happening on Capitol Hill.

A couple of bills advanced in a positive direction during the September legislative session. Congressman Bruce Westerman introduced the ESA Amendments Act of 2024, which passed out of committee markup on September 19, 2024. Additionally, the Fix Our Forests Act was passed in the House and received bipartisan support. The September legislative session closed out on September 25th with the passage of a clean continuing resolution (CR). The House and Senate have entered recess upon dispensing with the CR until after the election. No more legislation will be taken up until the Lame Duck session of Congress begins on Nov. 12th.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out as we prepare for the road ahead in October.

Garrett Edmonds gedmonds@beef.org Director, Public Lands Council

Meet PLC’s Executive Officers 2024-2026

As PLC kicks off a new fiscal year and a new year of leadership, we want to highlight the amazing officers who serve on the front lines of this organization!

Tim Canterbury - President

Tim Canterbury is the 2024-2026 PLC President, as well as a fifth-generation rancher and a lifetime resident of Howard, Colorado, where his family has owned and operated ranches since 1879. Tim is the former President of Colorado Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) and acts as Chairman of the Public Lands Council (PLC). Tim also serves as Chairman of the Board of District Advisors for Royal Gorge Resource Grazing Council and is a member of the Arkansas River Basin Roundtable. He served on the Fremont County Planning and Zoning Board of Commissioners for 14 years, as well as the Fremont County Cattlemen’s board for over 20 years.

Ron Cerri - Vice President

Ron is the 2024-2026 PLC Vice President and a 4th generation Humboldt County rancher. He and his wife, Denise, own a family cow/calf ranch in Orovada, Nevada and also lease another ranch in Eureka County, Nevada. Two of Ron’s children, their spouses, and families, are involved in the ranching operation, and another daughter, spouse and family live nearby. His family raises natural Black Angus beef cattle that run on private, BLM, and Forest Service permits. He is an ardent proponent for the agriculture and livestock industries, serving as past chairman of the Nevada State Grazing Boards Central Committee, has been a member of N-2 Grazing Board for over 20 years, and is a past president of the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association. Ron currently serves on NCA Executive Committee, Board of Directors, and is Co-chairman of Public Lands Committee.

Western Caucus “Fire, Food, & Ranching” Tour

Robbie LeValley - Secretary

Robbie LeValley is the 2024-2026 PLC Secretary and is an active advocate for the beef industry and public lands and runs a cow-calf operation in Hotchkiss, Colorado. As a fourth-generation rancher in the state, LeValley has set the standard for Colorado ranching. When she’s not working on the ranch, she is volunteering her time with several different beef industry organizations. She is very active in the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Colorado Cattlemen’s Association (serving as president in 2010), Society for Range Management (serving as president in 2008), Club 20, Colorado Beef Council (currently serving as a Board Member), and of course the Public Lands Council as well as numerous other boards. Robbie continues to ranch in western Colorado on the multigenerational LeValley Ranch, which was awarded the Sand County Foundation’s Leopold Conservation Award in 2023.

Brenda Richards - Treasurer

Brenda Richards is the 2024-2026 PLC Treasurer and runs a cow/calf operation in Reynolds Creek, Owyhee County, Idaho with her husband Tony where they manage 55,000 acres of public land. Brenda is a past-president of the Public Lands Council (20152016) and has served in various leadership roles across other associations including the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the Idaho Cattle Association, and the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association. Additionally, Brenda served on the Boise District Bureau of Land Management Resource Advisory Council for seven years and engages with the Owyhee Initiative, a multistakeholder group addressing management of public lands in southwest Idaho.

Mark Roeber - Immediate Past President

Mark Roeber is the 2024-2026 PLC Immediate Past President and is the fourth generation on his family’s ranch in Paonia, Colorado, which was homesteaded in 1889 by his great grandfather. Mark and his wife Jody have a cow-calf operation that runs on both BLM and Forest Service land. His operation is a member of Homestead Meats. Homestead meats include six local Colorado ranches that raise and harvest natural, highquality meat. Since 2012, Mark has been represented Delta County as country commissioner. Mark has been a serving member on the board of directors of Colorado Counties Inc. since 2016 and was the 2019 president of the board. Mark also serves as a member of the Southwest Colorado BLM Resource Advisory Committee and has been active since 2014.

This month, the Western Caucus Foundation hosted a Field Tour and Policy Forum in Boise, Idaho. Kaitlynn Glover, PLC Executive Director, spoke on a Wildfire Disaster panel to over 100 attendees, including five Congressional Western Caucus Members, Senate Members, congressional staff, and key stakeholders.

The panel on wildfires and grazing embraced discussions on how grazing can help prevent wildfires and how active land management is a key part of preserving and protecting public lands. Glover provided deep insight to attendees on how cattle are the first line of defense against environmental threats.

With cattle and sheep grazing approximately 250 million acres of public land, they are key producers of the land from an environmental and economic standpoint. In California alone, cattle and sheep grazing can reduce fine fuel loads by more than 11 billion pounds in a year. Insights like this fostered innovative and thoughtful discussions around the value of public land grazing and wildfire prevention that lasted long after panel discussions concluded.

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.

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. 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

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