NCA 2009 President’s Award Recipient
IN THIS ISSUE 3
Riding for the NCA Brand
4
NCA Roundup
5
PLC Recess Roundup
8
NV Division of Forestry
9
NDEP
10
NCBA News
12
Checkoff News
14
Look Up
16
UNR Cooperative Extension Perennial Pepperweed
20
USDA News
22
Eye on the Outside
24
NSRM Cheatgrass
28
UNR Cooperative Extension Medusahead
32
Master Stockman Consulting
33
Poem: “The Stand”
34
Dept. of the Interior
35
E.J. Financial Focus
36
NV Farm Bureau News
42
HWCWMA Dyer’s Woad
44
Budd-Falen Law Offices, LLC
45
NDA News
46
WVM 28th Annual Video Sale
The Progressive Rancher Owner/Editor/Publisher – Leana Litten Carey progressiverancher@elko.net
Graphic Design/Layout – Sara Dowling SaraLDowling@gmail.com
Letter to Attorney General Jeff Sessions - 1/3 of Idaho elected representatives petition to free Bundy group and free Hammonds
Cover Photo by Leana L. Carey Taken August 2017 in the Silver Creek area near Austin, NV while deer hunting Published 8 times each year, The Progressive Rancher is mailed to more than 7,000 approved addresses, and has digital and print readership reaching more than 30,000. The views and opinions expressed by writers of articles appearing in this publication are not necessarily those of the editor. Letters of opinion are welcomed by The Progressive Rancher. Rates for advertising are available upon request. Advertising in The Progressive Rancher does not necessarily imply editorial endorsement. Liability for any errors or omissions in advertisements shall not exceed the cost of the space occupied by the error or omission. The Progressive Rancher is free to people working and active in the livestock industry. The Progressive Rancher is donated to the agricultural industry. If you are not currently receiving this magazine on a regular basis and would like to be a part of The Progressive Rancher family, contact us by e-mail at progressiverancher@elko.net today, so we can include you on our mailing list. If you have moved or changed addresses, please notify us by e-mail so we can keep you informed. All requests for the magazine must be made by e-mail. © The Progressive Rancher Magazine. All rights reserved.
Leana Litten Carey, Owner/Editor
1188 Court St., #81, Elko, NV 89801 (208) 358-2487 • progressiverancher@elko.net
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2
September/October 2017
The Progressive Rancher
www.progressiverancher.com
from the desk of your nca president By David Stix, Jr. NCA President
W
ell, my friends, this summer is turning out like our winter to be one for the books. Even though the market is somewhat better and there’s a record amount of feed out there, the very slow progression of the new Administration’s policies and fires are keeping us all on our feet! Let’s start with horses. I know it feels like “What’s the use?” and “This is just another song and dance.” This could be an historic time as the Trump/ Zinke plan slowly moves forward, running headlong into one obstruction after another. The recommended Federal budget gives a green f lag to allow for the public sale of over AML horses and burros gathered on the public lands. Just recently we saw the adoption of an amendment sponsored by Rep. Stewart of Utah that will allow the humane euthanasia of wild horses and burros. Never have we been granted an opportunity like this — let’s cross our fingers that the President is given the ability to sign this legislation and the Law as it was originally intended can be enforced.
David Stix, Jr.
to be thrown in the burn barrel now! NCA will take the case to BLM that we need a more aggressive f lexible grazing permit that will not only allow different turn out and gather dates, but also include longer grazing periods that could include increased AUMs. We understand that in times of dry conditions where a site cannot perform, we may not be able to graze under the current permit requirements; however, on a year like this last winter, permittees should be able to, this grazing year, turn out earlier than normal, graze longer if the ecological conditions allow, and increase the herd numbers to better manage fuel loads. Many allotments have already been burned 100% and if we mess this up these grazing sites may be permanently ruined beyond any reasonable use. We, and I mean us and BLM and FS, cannot fail. The lip service must end. Again, the Nevada Cattlemen’s is always looking out for all our members’ interests and the industry. Together we can move forward, and we will. Best wishes and God bless, Davy Stix, President
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result, and these post-fire plans that the BLM continues to administer are, well, INSANE and they need to be thrown in the burn barrel now! Leaving Your Employer?
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Understand Your 401(k) Options. At Edward Jones, we can explain options for your 401(k), including leaving the money in your former employer’s plan, moving it to your new employer’s plan, rolling it over to an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) or cashing out the account subject to tax consequences.
To learn more, call or visit your financial advisor today.
How about the Bird… Well, again, what a great time we are in. Secretary Zinke asked that western states that are in the grip of Sage Grouse Plan implementation, like Nevada, put forward their proposals of the plan that best fits their State. NCA is fighting hard that any language relating to specific grass height triggers be removed from Table 2.2 and that the plan does more to consider the site potential of an area as it relates to ecological conditions. What can the land produce at that specific site at a specific time as it relates to not just feed for cattle and sheep, but also habitat for Sage Hens. And finally, the fire season is turning out to be one we will not want to remember for a long time, and to make it worse we haven’t even seen serious lightning yet. A million acres already burned this year in Nevada alone! NCA is working right now to sit down with the BLM and have serious discussions and let’s be frank! It’s not working, people! The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result, and these post-fire plans that the BLM continues to administer are, well, INSANE and they need
The Progressive Rancher
www.edwardjones.com Member SIPC
September/October 2017
3
NCA happenings
T
By Kaley Sproul, NCA Executive Director
he month of July was a busy one for the Association. In the office we have been taking the first steps of preparation for the Fallon Bull sale and the annual convention. Consignments are opened to members of the Association August 1, 2017 and opened to nonmembers on September 1, 2017. If you would like a consignment form for the 52nd Annual Fallon Bull Sale, please contact the NCA office or look online at our webpage. We have put on a great sale for consignors and buyers and are expecting another great sale this year. Along with the bull sale, the association has been working on the convention. This year we will meet in Elko on December 4-6, 2017. For three days cattlemen from across the state will meet, learn, connect, and create policy that will steer the direction of the association. Information regarding sponsorship and Tradeshow opportunities can be found on our NCA webpage, registration and a tentative schedule will be available soon. If you have any questions regarding sponsorships or the tradeshow please contact the office at 775-738-9214. In October, we will begin committee meetings to discuss new issues or resolutions to be proposed at convention and review past resolutions. Committee meetings are open to all voting members of the Association and we welcome anyone who would like to participate. For more information on each committee, please contact me or the Committee Chairs.
“Happy Two Years” Lastly, in July it marked two years since I started with the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association and it has been a great experience so far! The people I have encountered such as NCA members, officers, board of directors and staff have given me advice and tools that have helped me in this job—I am so grateful for them! They have been most instrumental in my career by teaching me that being in this industry requires hard work, compassion, understanding, creativity and patience. I value that every task within NCA is unique, challenging and yet gratifying! Some of my NCA goals I have been working towards are getting our Facebook page back up and running, getting our positive stories out to the public in a timely manner, and keeping our website updated with current/helpful relative information; however, I can’t do it alone and this is where I ask for your help. If you have any stories you would like to have highlighted, please send them my way. I would love to know what things you’ve been doing! I also ask that, if you have a Facebook page, please go to our Nevada Cattlemen’s Association Facebook page and “Like” it. Unfortunately, on social media some of the negative/ uneducated voices are louder than the true/positive Kaley Sproul, ones. This is an area where we can change that! Using NCA Executive Director our voices on social media is one of the many powerful
4
September/October 2017
tools Nevada Cattlemen and Cattlewomen can use to contribute and share their experiences to a large number of people in a targeted way. I ask for you to keep sending advice and guidance my way, as it is much appreciated! Thank you for everything you do for the industry! I look forward to seeing you at convention if not before! For more information and to keep up on current NCA events, go to our webpage at http://www.nevadacattlemen.org/.
Nevada Cattlemen’s Association Seeking “100,000 Mile Club” Nominations NOMINATION DEADLINE: OCTOBER 20 We are seeking “100,000 Mile Club” Nominations! We are looking for Cowboys and Cowgirls who have logged 100,000 miles on horseback. This annual award will be presented at the Cattlemen’s Banquet during the Annual Convention in Elko, NV on December 4-6, 2017. Any Nevada resident who has ridden 100,000 horseback miles is eligible for the 2017 Award and Club membership. Nominations should include a narrative story to chronicle the nominees’ miles through their life on horseback. Nominations are open now until October 20, 2017 and may be submitted to the Cattlemen’s of f ice. Please call 775-738-9214 for more information.
The Progressive Rancher
www.progressiverancher.com
THE RECESS ROUNDUP By Tanner Beymer, Manager of Operations & Affi liate Outreach
August 19-20, 2017
GAO Estimates 200,000 Wild Horses Roaming on Federal Land
F
rom Southeast Ag Net Radio Network: “A new report by the Government Accountability Office estimates that 200,000-some wild horses, burros, and mules, are free-roaming on federal and tribal lands. The report released this week also says there could be as many as 9.2 million domesticated horses, burros, and mules in the United States. The GAO says there are several challenges in managing the wild herd, including affording care for the animals, finding new homes for unwanted animals, protecting the welfare and controlling population growth. Additionally, free-roaming horses, burros, and mules could pose unintended environmental impacts to public lands. Farm and land groups such as the American Farm Bureau and Public Lands Council have repeatedly asked lawmakers to address the wild horse population. Last year, AFBF estimated that more than 64,000 wild horses and burros were roaming public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management in ten western states, with an additional 47,000 residing in government-funded holding facilities at a cost of more than $40 million annually to taxpayers.”
Nevada Cattlemen’s Association Seeking 2017 “Teacher of the Year” Nominations The Nevada Cattlemen’s Association has started their fifteenth annual quest for “Teacher of the Year” candidates. We are asking for your help in soliciting nominations from any member of the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association, Nevada CattleWomen’s Association, Nevada WoolGrowers Association, and Nevada Farm Bureau Federation, a presently employed Nevada teacher, or the Principal of the school which employs the nominee. The nominations must be an elementary, junior high, or high school teacher, who incorporates agriculture into their regular curriculum (not including Agricultural Education teachers). For example, a teacher who teaches a one week segment on agriculture and its importance to Nevada. Nominees may also include teachers considered in previous years but were not selected for the award. The deadline for submitting nominations is October 20, 2017. Accepted nominations include an NCA “Teacher of the Year” Application Form and an attached outline of the nominee’s curriculum that has integrated a unit about agriculture. The winner of this award will receive a $1000 school supply stipend, donated by Nevada Agriculture Foundation. The award recipient will also be recognized
www.progressiverancher.com
U.S. Forest Service Chief Tidwell Announces Retirement
T
om Tidwell, U.S. Forest Service Chief, announced his retirement after a 40-year career, characterized by his climb from a firefighter to a District Ranger, Forest Supervisor to the head of the U.S. Forest Service, leading more than 30,000 employees working in all 50 states plus Puerto Rico. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue praised Chief Tidwell, saying, “From the start, we have relied on Chief Tidwell’s experience and counsel, drawing on his years of experience both in the field and in Washington. The Forest Service will miss the benefit of his knowledge but we wish him well on his retirement after more than 40 years of service with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.” Some of his accomplishments include increasing collaboration, with the Forest Service working with states, Tribes, private landowners, and other partners for landscape-scale conservation. These efforts have helped increase the benefits Americans get from their national forests, as well as helped provide rural communities with economic stability. As chief, Tidwell also focused on building a safe and inclusive agency characterized by mutual respect and fairness. He was particularly dedicated to improving safety measures to better protect the lives and well-being of employees, especially firefighters. Moreover, he played an instrumental role early on in drawing attention and public support to confront the increasing severity and costs of wildfires and their residual impacts on the agency’s lands stewardship. Tidwell was appointed Chief of the Forest Service on June 17, 2009. His final day in office was September 1, 2017.
during the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association’s annual awards banquet on December 5th in Elko, NV at the Elko Convention Center. Anyone may submit a nomination form which is available at www. nevadacattlemen.org, or by sending an e-mail request to nca@nevadabeef.org, or by calling (775) 738-9214. Nominations may be submitted by email to nca@nevadabeef.org with “2017 Teacher of the Year Nomination” in the subject line; forms may be faxed to 775738-5208; or sent by mail to, “Teacher of the Year Nomination,” C/O Nevada Cattlemen’s Association, P.O. Box 310, Elko, NV 89803. Nevada Cattlemen’s Association believes that the future of our industry lies in the education of the generations to come, as we explore new and innovative methods of sustainability. Please help us in our efforts to recognize and support our teachers and their vital efforts in educating our youth. Thank you in advance for nominating a deserving teacher!
NOMINATION DEADLINE: OCTOBER 20
The Progressive Rancher
September/October 2017
5
ATTENTION
Proof of pre-statutory vested water rights must be submitted to the Nevada State Engineer before December 31, 2027
C
ARSON CITY, Nev. – With the passage of Senate Bill 270 in the 79th Session (2017), the Nevada Division of Water Resources must require claimants of a pre-statutory vested water right to submit proof of their appropriation, which is the right to use the water, to the State Engineer on or before December 31, 2027. If a claimant fails to submit the required proof by that deadline, the law deems the water right claim as abandoned. Pre-statutory vested water rights are those that predate the law requiring a permit from the State Engineer for the use of water. The relevant dates are: prior to March 1, 1905, for surface water; prior to March 22, 1913, for artesian groundwater; and prior to March 25, 1939, for percolating groundwater. “In order to effectively manage water in Nevada, the driest state in the nation, it is critical we know exactly how much water is committed to and being used - either through the permitting process or through the adjudication of prestatutory vested rights,” explains State Engineer Jason King. “To appropriately manage Nevada’s precious water resources, we must accurately match water usage with estimated water availability so that our shared water resource is sustainable now and into the future. That is why it is so important for everyone to officially file their valid claims of pre-statutory water use. With that knowledge, and by using the best available technology to measure annual water recharge and monitor the health of our aquifers, we are able to make smart, more-informed decisions to best manage our water.” The form for f iling proof of a water right may be obtained at http://water.nv.gov or by contacting the Nevada Division of Water Resources at 775- 684-2800.
STOLEN!
A Complete “Day Money” Team Roping Chute setup was taken from the Venturacci Ranch in Fallon, Nevada. The last piece, the Chute, was taken July 26, 2017 from 445 Venturacci Lane. If you know of anyone who recently bought a Team Roping Chute setup, or knows of anybody that just put in a Team Roping setup, please call Fallon Police Department with this info. The “Day Money” Team Roping setup consisted of the Roping Chute, 2 Lead-Up Pieces and the Stripping Chute. The “Day Money” product is galvanized (silver in color), but BEWARE—thieves are capable of painting this setup!
If you have any information, please call: Fallon Police Department - #775-423- 2111 Steve Venturacci - #775-426- 0917 Thank You Very Much, Steve and Toni Venturacci Toni Venturacci - #775-426- 0921 6
September/October 2017
The Progressive Rancher
www.progressiverancher.com
Carey Hawkins
Jack Payne
Cell: 208-724-6712
Cell: 775-217-9273 Alt: 775-225-8889
OFFICE: 775-423-7760
Full-Service Cattle Sales & Marketing - serving Fallon, Nevada and the Outlying Areas. Market Report - August 12, 2017 STEERS Weight 600-700 700-800 800-900 900-1000
Average $135.00 $126.00 $104.00 $100.00
Top $148.00 $140.00 $134.00 $110.00
600-700 700-800 800-900 900-1000 COWS BULLS
Average $132.00 $107.00 $113.00 $100.00 $72.00 $90.00
September 13th 2017 Starting at 11:30 am
To be held in conjunction with our regular Wednesday sale.
NEXT
HEIFERS Weight
Special Butcher Cow Sale
Top $136.00 $119.00 $123.00 $101.00 $91.00 $101.00
Consign Early - Call Jack Payne 775-225-8889 Carey Hawkins 208-724-6712
Feeder
SALE
September 20th 2017 Starting at 11:30 am
To be held in conjunction with our regular Wednesday sale.
A huge “THANK YOU!” to all of our buyers and sellers for making our sale such a great success! We had over 1000 cows at our special butcher cow sale and nearly 500 feeder calves, too. Your patronage means everything to us, so thank you!
Nevada Livestock Vet Supply, LLC “Where the Ranchers Shop”
It’s weaning time! Come see us in store, or we will come
to you. We can supply all of your animal health needs. We are also happy to ship or deliver to your door.
Office: 775-423-3038
131 Industrial Way
Sales: 775-624-4996
Fallon, NV 89406
www.progressiverancher.com
The Progressive Rancher
Special Butcher Cow Sale RESULTS 08/12/17 SELLER
CITY
ST
#
DESC.
TYPE
AVG./WT.
PRICE/ CWT
Dana Barrett
Golconda
Nv
1
RD
COW
810
58.50
Aaron Williams
Fallon
Nv
1
BLK
COW
880
65.00
Henry Brackenbury
Yearington
Nv
1
BLK
COW
1040
69.00
Rob & Dan Gordon
Winnemucca
Nv
6
BLK
COW
1043
91.00
Harold Rother Farms
Spring Creek
Nv
1
BLK
COW
1070
67.00
Goemmer
Battle Mtn.
Nv
13
MIX
COW
1077
80.00
William Gandolfo
Austin
Nv
9
BLK
COW
1078
65.00
Richard Rosasco
Golconda
Nv
7
MIX
COW
1086
71.00
Casey
Fallon
Nv
4
MIX
COW
1143
75.50
Delong Ranches
Winnemucca
Nv
2
RD
COW
1113
62.00
John & Jhona Bell
Paradise Valley
Nv
19
BLK
COW
1147
59.00
El Torito Cattle
Fallon
Nv
11
MIX
COW
1201
78.00
East Gate JV
Fallon
Nv
17
RD
COW
1262
78.00
Joe McKay
Juntura
Or
6
BLK
COW
1266
78.00
East Gate JV
Fallon
Nv
20
BLK
COW
1269
80.50
East Gate Cattle
Fallon
Nv
28
MIX
COW
1299
80.75
Harper
Paradise Valley
Nv
14
BLK
COW
1304
79.00
El Torito Cattle
Fallon
Nv
25
BLK
COW
1309
74.50
Ira Renner
Spring Creek
Nv
1
RBF
COW
1335
80.00
Dan Cassinelli
Paradise Valley
Nv
1
BLK
COW
1342
77.00
Josh Cassinelli
Paradise Valley
Nv
1
BLK
COW
1343
77.00
Judith Byler
Fallon
Nv
2
BLK
COW
1360
70.50
Rob & Dan Gordon
Winnemucca
Nv
15
BLK
COW
1367
77.00
Richard Rosasco
Golconda
Nv
5
MIX
COW
1389
73.75
Flat Creek Ranch
Orovada
Nv
32
BLK
COW
1395
72.00
Harper
Paradise Valley
Nv
18
MIX
COW
1434
78.50
Mendes Family
Reno
Nv
4
MIX
COW
1481
77.00
T Quarter Circle
Winnemucca
Nv
9
BLK
COW
1487
80.00
Josh Cassinelli
Paradise Valley
Nv
3
MIX
COW
1802
73.00
Oasis Dairy
Fallon
Nv
6
HOL
COW
1593
74.00
Jessie Rose Dairy
Fallon
Nv
2
HOL
HFRT
1015
86.00
Oasis Dairy
Fallon
Nv
5
HOL
BULL
1586
93.50
Goemmer
Battle Mtn.
Nv
6
MIX
BULL
1638
96.75
William Gandolfo
Austin
Nv
1
BLK
BULL
1745
100.50
T Quarter Circle
Winnemucca
Nv
5
BLK
BULL
1746
92.00
Aaron Williams
Fallon
Nv
1
RD
BULL
1810
90.00 89.00
Parsnip Peak
Jordan Valley
Or
4
BLK
BULL
1904
William Card
Fallon
Nv
4
MIX
STR
326
210.00
John & Jhona Bell
Paradise Valley
Nv
12
MIX
STR
603
145.50
John & Jhona Bell
Paradise Valley
Nv
19
BLK
STR
606
143.50
Joe McKay
Juntura
Or
15
BLK
STR
623
147.50
Elko Land & L/S
Battle Mtn.
Nv
18
MIX X-BRD
STR
671
132.00
Joe McKay
Juntura
Or
50
BLK
STR
733
140.25
Elko Land & L/S
Battle Mtn.
Nv
32
MIX X-BRD
STR
754
124.00
Flat Creek Ranch
Orovada
Nv
23
BLK
STR
817
133.50
Les Northcutt
Fallon
Nv
4
MIX
STR
819
126.25
Richard Allegre
Fallon
Nv
28
BLK
HFR
683
135.50
William Card
Fallon
Nv
1
BLK
HFR
830
123.00
Parsnip Peak
Juniper Mtn.
Or
11
BLK
HFR
870
120.50
September/October 2017
7
The Nevada Division of Forestry requests the public’s assistance in identifying areas of white satin moth infestation
C
ARSON CITY, Nev. - The Nevada Division of Forestry (NDF) is issuing a Forest Pest Alert for the White Satin Moth. This non-native insect is causing medium to heavy defoliation in the North Canyon and Marlette Lake areas at Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park. The NDF has recently mapped approximately 200 acres of defoliation in this area. Sightings in the Carson Valley, Spooner Summit, USA Parkway area and Paradise Valley have also been confirmed.
population size. Defoliated trees can produce new leaves the same season and will have a ragged appearance. However, continued, repeated defoliation can weaken trees, causing long term damage and tree death. Current damage is medium to severe with damage ranging from 40-70% canopy loss. The most signif icant areas of defoliation k nown are on the east side of Marlette La ke at the campground and in aspen stands immediately south of the la ke in north canyon. Other damage has not been estimated but will be monitored for the remainder of the summer season. 70% canopy loss, with new growth The NDF will conduct aerial surveys throughout Nevada over the next four weeks to determine the extent of the satin moth problem. In addition, NDF will begin trapping in the next week to monitor populations. The Nevada Division of Forestry will also investigate the possibility of a control program in the future to minimize damage to the aspen forest. NDF is requesting if the public has observed the white satin moth or the damage caused by this insect to please contact NDF Forest Health Specialist Gene Phillips at 775-849-2500 ext 241. Th is will provide valuable information for tracking and monitoring purposes. For more information, visit http://forestry.nv.gov/forestry-resources/ forest-health/white-satin-moth-leucoma-salicis/
Adult moth The white satin moth (Leucoma salicis) is a non-native defoliator of aspen, cottonwoods, willows and other deciduous species and is native to Europe and Asia. It was fi rst introduced into North America in British Columbia in 1920. It is currently distributed from BC to Northern California, and has been present in Nevada since the 1980s. Moths overwinter as larvae, and hibernate on trunks or branches in silken coverings, which are very hard to see because they are covered by bark, mosses and other debris. They emerge from May to early June and feed on the new young leaves. Feeding continues through July as the larvae grow until they are approximately 3.5-4.5 cm long caterpillars. Th is stage is the most often seen and the caterpillar is grayish brown with a dark head and back. Unique markings for identification include a row of large oblong white to pale-yellow patches down the back. The caterpillars spin cocoons and emerge as adult moths from late July through August. The white adult moth is 2-4 cm long and has no markings on the wings. Damage done by the white satin moth larvae is directly related to their 8
September/October 2017
The Progressive Rancher
Satin Moth in the cocoon stage www.progressiverancher.com
Report Finds Program to Restore Lake Tahoe’s Clarity is on Track
L
AKE TAHOE NV/CA – Local governments at Lake Tahoe are meeting targets to reduce urban stormwater pollution and restore the lake’s famous water clarity, according to a report released by the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) and the California Regional Water Board, Lahontan Region (Lahontan Water Board). “Local governments and highway departments are doing tremendous work at Lake Tahoe to reduce stormwater pollution that harms lake clarity,” said Lahontan Water Board Executive Officer Patty Kouyoumdjian, “Because of this work, more than 268,500 pounds of fine sediment particles - which equates to about 70 dump truck loads of fine sediment - will no longer be washing into the lake each year. The accomplishment of this first round of reductions is a major milestone for Tahoe.” The Lake Tahoe Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Program 2017 Performance Report finds that local governments and highway departments at Lake Tahoe collectively exceeded the first round of five-year pollutant reduction targets to reduce fine sediment loads by 10 percent. The Lake Tahoe TMDL program is focusing on reducing the amount of fine sediment f lowing into the lake in stormwater, as research indicates this pollutant has a greater impact on clarity than other causes. One source of the fine sediment is the sand and other wintertime traction abrasives that are routinely applied to roads to prevent cars from slipping. The abrasives are eventually picked up and carried by stormwater into the lake, which reduces clarity. As shown in the report, local governments have utilized the best available road operations technologies to reduce the amount of abrasives applied to roads, while maintaining driver safety. They also improved recovery of these materials by installing stormwater treatment infrastructure that captures and cleans dirty runoff. Collectively, TMDL implementation actions have reduced the amount of fine sediment in the lake, or sediment loads, by 12 percent from 2004 baseline levels. They have also reduced the amount of phosphorus and nitrogen in the lake by 8.5 percent and 6 percent respectively. Launched in 2011, the TMDL Program is a science-based plan to restore Lake Tahoe’s water clarity back to its historic level of 97.4 feet by 2076. The program requires local governments and highway departments at Lake Tahoe to meet regular targets to reduce the amount of clarity-harming pollutants that wash into the lake. Fine sediment particles that wash into the lake scatter light, reducing lake clarity. The nutrients phosphorus and nitrogen deposited into the lake can trigger algae growth that also harms lake clarity. The 2017 TMDL Program Performance Report is organized according to urban and non-urban pollution categories. Stormwater from roads and urban areas is the largest single source of fine sediment particles. These areas represent the greatest opportunity to control fine sediment pollution. Restoring Lake Tahoe’s clarity hinges on meeting urban stormwater pollution reduction goals and sustaining pollutant control effectiveness through regular and continued operations and maintenance. Forested uplands in the Tahoe Basin are estimated to contribute more than a quarter of the total phosphorus loading into Lake Tahoe, while atmospheric deposition from vehicle emissions comprises the majority of nitrogen loading into the lake. The U.S. Forest Service, California State Parks, Nevada State Parks, and other agencies have completed important restoration and land management work needed to achieve TMDL targets. The report released today assesses the work done by local, state and federal land and natural resource management agencies to implement water quality improvements. It shows that their progress will be sufficient to achieve pollution reduction goals for non-urban sources. The Lahontan Water Board and NDEP celebrate this initial success, and look forward to continued progress at restoring Lake Tahoe’s clarity.
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“Reducing pollutant loads from non-urban sources remains an important part of restoring Lake Tahoe’s historic clarity. Our review of the accomplishments over the past several years indicates that implementation efforts remain on track with TMDL established goals,” said Director of the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bradley Crowell. Lake Tahoe’s water clarity reached an all-time low of 64 feet in 1997. Water quality improvements implemented through the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency’s (TRPA’s) Environmental Improvement Program (EIP) have enabled the TMDL Program to exceed its first clarity restoration target of 71 feet of clarity by 2016. Five year average clarity in 2016 increased to 73 feet, a five foot improvement since the TMDL was signed. The next interim target is a five year average of 78 feet of clarity by 2026. “Restoring Lake Tahoe’s famous water clarity requires concerted action around the Tahoe Basin. Meeting this first round of pollution reduction targets and the first clarity restoration target through the TMDL shows that the Tahoe Partnership is strong and working,” said Joanne S. Marchetta, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Executive Director. “Achieving lake clarity and many other watershed goals will only be possible through continued partnership and collaboration.” The full report is available online at: https://www.enviroaccounting.com/TahoeTMDL/Program/Home For more information, contact: Lahontan Water Board: Robert Larsen, 530-542-5439, robert.larsen@waterboards.ca.gov Nevada Division of Environmental Protection: Jason Kuchnicki, 775-687-9450, jkuchnic@ndep.nv.gov
The Progressive Rancher
September/October 2017
9
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Keep the WOTUS Pressure on the EPA! Regular readers will notice that the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) has been a mainstay of our newsletter in recent weeks. Th ank you to all of those who have already submitted comments. We encourage you to share this post with others to help us keep the pressure on the EPA. Comments are open until September 27, 2017 and can be submitted following the simple, two-step process outlined below. Two Easy Steps for Submitting WOTUS Comments: Step 1 - Go to: https://www.regulations.gov/comment?D=EPA-HQ-OW-2017-0203-0001
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I am writing to support the proposal to repeal the 2015 “Waters of the U.S.” rule. As a cattle producer, I strongly support this effort. Water is important to me and my family farming operation. I am glad that you recognize the fl aws of the current WOTUS rule. It is overly broad and creates heavy burdens and costs, legal risk and tremendous uncertainty for farmers, ranchers and others, like me, who depend on the land. Under the 2015 rule, farmers, ranchers and other landowners across the country face new roadblocks to ordinary land-use activities.
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I applaud EPA for taking this important fi rst step toward developing a new defi nition of waters of the United States that will protect water quality while also promoting economic growth, minimizing regulatory uncertainty, and respecting the proper roles of Congress and the states under the Constitution. The WOTUS rule has never been implemented because it was stayed by both a federal district court and a federal court of appeals due to its fl aws and violations. Challengers raised numerous substantive and procedural defects in the rule, including that the rule exceeds EPA’s statutory authority, imposes burdensome regulatory uncertainty, was fi nalized in violation of mandatory procedural requirements designed to ensure a well-informed result, and is otherwise unlawful. In all, the rule was challenged in multiple courts by all sides (31 states and 53 non-state parties, including environmental groups, state and local governments, farmers, landowners, developers, businesses, and recreation groups). The EPA should move forward and ditch this rule once and for all, then go back to the drawing board and write a new rule that protects water quality without trampling the rights of landowners, businesses, and the states.
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Hurricane Harvey Message from the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association From Eldon White, Executive Vice President/CEO
Dear NCBA Friends... First, thanks to all of you for the expressions of support and offers to help. The expression of sympathy and support from our Cattle Industry family has been overwhelming. A common question we are getting is “how bad is it?” The short answer is that we’re not yet sure. With the continuing rain and f looding, it has been difficult to get the initial assessment teams into the affected areas. TSCR A Special Rangers have been a part of those assessment teams along with the Texas Animal Health Commission and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. We have had 6 of our Special Rangers driving the areas over the past couple of days and the needs are now beginning to emerge. With over 1.2 million cattle in the 50 counties declared by Governor Abbott as a disaster area, we’re afraid there will be thousands of displaced and dead cattle. We have additional Special Rangers on stand-by to move into the area when the work of sorting and transporting cattle begins. As an organization, roughly 27 percent of our members (approximately 5,000) are in those counties. It’s evident that cleanup and recovery after the initial storm and ongoing f looding will be an effort that continues for quite some time. Some of you have asked if hay or cowboys are needed. At this time, there is no need for hay to come in from outside Texas. We have had an exceptionally mild, wet summer and there is an abundance of hay within the state. It’s also premature to have volunteers come to help herd cattle. Our best advice is to hold tight and we’ll let you know when volunteers, hay and other supplies are needed. Some of you have also asked about making donations to a relief fund. TSCR A has activated the Cattle Raisers Relief Fund to support relief efforts for ranch families affected by this disaster. This fund is administered by the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raiser’s Foundation (TSCRF), a 501(c)3 organization. Donations may be tax deductible, but be sure to consult with your accountant or tax advisor before making a donation. More information, including distribution standards, is available at w w w.tscra.org/relieffund. Donations may be made online by visiting PayPal.com at: https://w w w.paypal.com/us/fundraiser/107638597766619098. Checks may also be mailed to: Cattle Raisers Relief Fund TSCRF 1600 Gendy Street Fort Worth, TX 76107 As always, our thoughts and prayers go out to those affected by this historic disaster and we appreciate your expressions of support and offers to help. Regards - Eldon
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NCBA Urges Confirmation Hearing for Ted McKinney, Nominee for USDA Under Secretary of Trade and Foreign Agriculture On August 28, 2017, NCBA and partner organizations from across the country sent a letter to leadership of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry supporting Ted McKinney, nominee for Under Secretary of Trade and Foreign Agriculture, and asking for a confirmation hearing as soon as possible. The Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agriculture is responsible for helping open foreign markets to U.S. exports, including beef. Mr. McKinney currently serves as the Director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture and has participated in the U.S. Meat Export Federation. The text of the letter follows: Dear Chairman Roberts and Ranking Member Stabenow: On behalf of America’s cattle producers, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and our affiliated state partners write to support the nomination of Ted McKinney to be Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agriculture at USDA. We also urge you to hold a confirmation hearing as soon as possible. NCBA was one of several groups that pushed for language in the 2014 Farm Bill that created this position. Trade is extremely important to our industry because it allows us to maximize the value of each animal. In fact, existing trade deals are adding nearly $300 to the value of each marketed head of cattle. Trade is critical to the stability and growth of our industry. Given the importance of trade, it is imperative that we have an Under Secretary who understands trade and agriculture. Ted McKinney is just that person. As the Director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, Ted has shown his passion and commitment for farmers and ranchers. His experience in the private sector adds to his experience and expertise. In particular, his participation in the U.S. Meat Export Federation gave him first-hand exposure to the challenges we see in agricultural trade. The U.S. beef industry is doing our part to meet global demand for U.S. beef, and now we need you to field a team that will help us gain access to overseas markets and troubleshoot problems that we may face. There’s no question that we produce a quality product that is in strong demand overseas, but we will never reach our potential without a commitment from the U.S. government to expand market access and fight to keep that access when political winds change in those markets. We have a strong team at USDA that is dedicated to fighting every day for U.S. agriculture, but we need an Under Secretary for Trade that will lead the charge. The confirmation of Ted McKinney as Under Secretary for Trade at USDA will fulfill a promise that Congress made to America’s farmers and ranchers in the previous Farm Bill. We strongly support Ted McKinney for Under Secretary for Trade at USDA and encourage you to confirm this nomination immediately so we can get to work fighting the many trade barriers that face U.S. agriculture. Sincerely, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Alabama Cattlemen’s Association Arizona Cattle Feeders’ Association Arizona Cattle Growers’ Association Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association California Cattlemen’s Association Colorado Cattlemen’s Association Colorado Livestock Association Florida Cattlemen’s Association Georgia Cattlemen’s Association Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council Idaho Cattle Association Illinois Beef Association Iowa Cattlemen’s Association Kansas Livestock Association Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association Louisiana Cattlemen’s Association Maryland Cattlemen’s Association Michigan Cattlemen’s Association Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association Mississippi Cattlemen’s Association Missouri Cattlemen’s Association
The Progressive Rancher
Indiana Beef Cattle Association Montana Stockgrowers Association Nebraska Cattlemen’s Association Nevada Cattlemen’s Association New York Beef Producer’s Association North Carolina Cattlemen’s Association North Dakota Stockmen’s Association Ohio Cattlemen’s Association Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association Oregon Cattlemen’s Association Pennsylvania Cattlemen’s Association South Carolina Cattlemen’s Association South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Texas Cattle Feeders Association Utah Cattlemen’s Association Virginia Cattlemen’s Association Washington Cattlemen’s Association Washington Cattle Feeders Association Wisconsin Cattlemen’s Association Wyoming Stock Growers Association
September/October 2017
11
CHECKOFF NEWS: Checking on the Checkoff By Nevada Beef Council staff
Spring Ibotta Promotion Puts Beef at NBC Welcomes Damon McCune as Director of Food & Nutrition Outreach the Forefront
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ver the past couple of years, the Nevada Beef Council (like several other state beef councils) began evolving its retail promotions to better address consumer trends. NBC retail promotions, which are done in partnership with the California Beef Council, traditionally involved a specific retail chain that would partner with the CBC to offer in-store cost savings or on-pack coupons, increase the beef featuring in store ads and circulars, and sometimes include additional elements such as in-store demos. However, consumer research has indicated for years that shoppers – particularly those in the millennial audience – are turning away from the physical coupons and moving more toward mobile-based apps or digital coupons. As such, the NBC started exploring partnerships with the popular retail mobile app Ibotta, and this spring, wrapped up another successful promotion with the app. Ibotta is one of the most frequently used smartphone apps, partnering with leading brands and retailers to offer rebates on groceries, electronics, clothing, gifts, home and office supplies, restaurant dining, and more. The consumer unlocks the qualifying rebate on the app, purchases the item at the store, and verifies the purchase for a rebate that comes in the form of cash or gift card from Ibotta. As an added element, the brands featured on Ibotta can use their placed rebate as an opportunity to engage consumers, either by sharing a short video, asking a poll question, or sharing recipes or other key information. The NBC’s latest Ibotta promotion was carried out from April 12 to May 16, providing consumers a $1.00 rebate on one pound or more of fresh ground beef, which was good at any participating Nevada retailers. Over the five-week period, there were over 257,358 total brand impressions for beef through the app, 7,657 consumer engagements and shopping list placements, and 3,775 units of ground beef sold through the promotion. Additionally, the redemption rate of the rebate was 49.3 percent, surpassing the Ibotta industry average by over 26 percent. Drilling down further, we know that the average age of the rebate redeemer was 25-34, with 89.1 percent of them female. Finally, top retailers at which rebates were redeemed included Walmart, Smith’s, Albertson’s and WinCo Foods. This latest campaign underscores why partnerships with Ibotta make sense for state beef councils. The various campaigns done thus far have proven to be both successful and more cost-effective than some of the traditional retail promotions previously carried out. What’s more, Ibotta promotions are state-wide and accessible through almost every major grocery retailer in the state, versus being limited to one specific retailer or company. Ibotta’s reach is another key draw. It has been downloaded over 18 million times, has paid out more than $100 million in cash back to its users, and has experienced massive growth – in both size of the company and in numbers of partnering retailers – since its launch in 2012. In addition, 79 percent of app users are female, and 89 percent are under age 45, which speaks directly to our target market.
This summer, the California and Nevada beef councils welcomed Damon McCune as Director of Food & Nutrition Outreach. McCune, who joined the team following the departure of James Winstead earlier this year, will work to advance the NBC’s nutrition education program and broaden its reach to key health and nutrition inf luencers and audiences. Prior to joining the CBC and NBC, McCune served as the Director of the Didactic Program in Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and Coordinator of Performance Nutrition for UNLV Athletics. He is a Registered Dietitian with extensive experience in assisting professional, amateur, and collegiate athletes in achieving their optimal performance. An athlete himself, McCune grew up playing hockey in Michigan and was recruited to play at the Junior level. He has spent the last 15 years involved in the fitness industry with an emphasis on strength training and physique sports. His educational background includes a B.S. in Nutrition Sciences, an M.S. in Exercise Physiology, and he is currently completing a PhD in Exercise Physiology. He completed his Clinical Dietetic Internship with Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas. If you’d like to welcome Damon to the team, he can be reached at damon@calbeef.org.
For more about the Nevada Beef Council or the Beef Checkoff, visit www.nevadabeef.org or www.mybeefcheckoff.org. 12 September/October 2017
The Progressive Rancher
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Muffin-Style Cheeseburger Pizza It’s time to go back to school and that means packing nutritious lunches that your kids will enjoy so they can tackle those books! These nutrientdense muffin-style cheeseburger pizzas are sure to satisfy demanding appetites and supply the energy needed to make it through the day. They are packed with lean protein and essential nutrients. Including whole grain muffins can provide a great source of fiber which, when paired with protein, can maximize satiety to keep hunger in check and optimize focus for those long hours of studying. You’re sure to score a touchdown with this recipe! Makes 6 servings INGREDIENTS • 1-1/2 pounds Ground Beef (95% lean) • 2 cups pasta sauce (any variety) • 1 cup diced onion • 1 cup diced red bell pepper • 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning • 1/4 teaspoon salt • 6 English muffins, split, toasted • 1/2 cup reduced-fat shredded Cheddar cheese • 1/4 cup reduced-fat shredded mozzarella cheese INSTRUCTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Heat large nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot. Add Ground Beef; cook 8 to 10 minutes, breaking beef into small crumbles, stirring occasionally. Add pasta sauce, onion, bell pepper, Italian seasoning and salt; continue cooking 5 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender, stirring occasionally. 2. Top each muffin half evenly with beef mixture and cheeses. Bake at 400°F 5 to 7 minutes or until cheese is melted. TEST KITCHEN TIPS
Cooking times are for fresh or thoroughly thawed Ground Beef. Ground Beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160ºF. Color is not a reliable indicator of Ground Beef doneness. Find more ideas for main dishes and leftovers at www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com.
14 September/october 2017 www.progressiverancher.com
The Progressive Progressive Rancher Rancher The
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love and service by Pastor Diana Gonzalez I John 4:7-11 7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. (NKJV) Wow, what powerful scriptures! God doesn’t just have a fluff y, emotional love for us. God is love! (I John 4:8,16) It’s not just how He feels about us, it’s what He is - Love. Jesus had a lot to say about love and service: John 15:9-14 9“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. (NKJV)
don’t. In other words, it’s not about you, it’s about loving and obeying our Lord. But we will feel rewarded in our hearts, as we love, serve and obey. I remember a time when I helped my good friend when I didn’t feel like it. My friend and I often helped with each other’s cows. We ran some of our cows together and we helped haul, brand and drive each other’s cattle, no problem, and we had a lot of fun! However, my friend had one flaw, she had sheep. So, being the good friend that I am, when she asked me to help gather and load her sheep I reluctantly agreed. The sheep pasture was on a main road so I was in danger of being seen with sheep. But, I keep a lookout hoping no one would come by that I knew. Now my friend had two kinds of sheep. Some big, half wild ewes and a house raised pet. Well we got the sheep into our trap and were trying to coax them into the trailer without them jumping out and running across our faces. At least we had the pet ewe and hay in the front of the gooseneck trailer. However, the pet, being a sheep, and in spite of my friend’s tender coaxing, merely closed her eyes to the hay and set back as my friend stood in the trailer and pulled on her to get in. Now, the sheep’s owner stopped pulling long enough for the stupid sheep to open her eyes and see the hay in the front of the 18’ trailer. Now my labor, my kindness bore fruit (John 15:8 & 16), and my joy was made full (John 15:11) The ewe opened her eyes, saw the hay and quickly jumped in the trailer right between my friend’s legs and ran to the front of the trailer to the hay with her owner riding all the way backwards. I don’t remember how the other sheep got in, because at this point, I had laughed so hard I was on the ground and of no help. My point to the story? Love God, love man made in His image. Obey His Word and serve God and man, your good service will not go without reward and joy. God loves His sheep, and so must ewe. Scripture reading: I John, John chapters 14,15,16 Happy trails. May God richly bless you. We love you and would love to hear from you. If you would like someone to pray with or just have a question, please give us a call at (775)867-3100. ‘Til next time….
John 15:9-14 9“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. 11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. (NKJV) 10
John 14:15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments. (NKJV) John 15:5-8 5“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. (NKJV) John 15:16-17 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. 17 These things I command you, that you love one another. (NKJV) What’s He saying? Love God, love man made in His image. Know His Word and obey His Word, His commandments (if you love him). You show your love for Him by obeying Him. Continually abide and remain in Jesus and God’s Holy Word and you will grow and mature in His love. You will become obedient and become a fruitful, productive, member of God’s kingdom. Joy and satisfaction will fill your life as you love God and serve mankind, in season and out of season. In other words, when service is easy and when service is hard. When you feel like doing a kindness and when you 14 September/October 2017
The Progressive Rancher
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hidden treasure
I
by Kit Pharo
Gregory Lovato Appointed to Lead the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection
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ARSON CITY, Nev. – The Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) is pleased to announce the appointment of Gregory Lovato as Administrator of the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP). Mr. Lovato has served as the acting Administrator of NDEP since February of 2017, and as Deputy Administrator since 2014. As Administrator, Mr. Lovato will lead NDEP’s mission to preserve and enhance Nevada’s environment, to protect public health, sustain healthy ecosystems, and support a vibrant economy across Nevada. Mr. Lovato first joined NDEP in 2006, bringing with him nearly 15 years of experience as an engineer with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Region 9 Office. Mr. Lovato is a registered professional engineer, holds engineering degrees from Stanford University and Claremont McKenna College, and is the recipient of the EPA Gold Medal for Exceptional Service and the EPA National Notable Achievement Award. Under Mr. Lovato’s leadership, the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection will continue developing Nevada-based solutions that prioritize protecting the State’s environment and public health while supporting a growing and thriving economy. Governor Sandoval expressed his support for the appointment. “Mr. Lovato brings a wealth of experience to NDEP and the State. His understanding of Nevada and the Division’s mission, along with his credibility and working relationship with The grass withers and the f lowers fall, but the word of God stands our partners, make him the right choice to lead the agency.” DCNR Director Bradley Crowell reiterated the Governor’s sentiment forever. Isaiah 40:8 and emphasized the strong, collaborative relationship the Nevada Division of What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits Environmental Protection has built with industry and environmental stakeholders across the State to help establish Nevada’s leadership in developing state-based his soul? Matthew 16:26 solutions that advance both our economic and environmental goals. Suppose you really do find 10 diamonds as big as walnuts. What value will For more information about the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, visit they have to you in 100 years? None of your worldly treasures will have any value to you in 100 years. In contrast, the treasures you find in God’s Word ndep.nv.gov. will still have tremendous value to you in 1,000 years – and in 1,000,000 years. I encourage you to read the “Parable of the Rich Farmer” that is recorded in Luke 12:16-21. f I told you that somewhere in Eastern Colorado there was a pile containing 100 tons of dirty black coal, you probably wouldn’t be too impressed or interested. However, if I told you this pile of coal had over one thousand diamonds hidden in it and some of those diamonds were as big as walnuts, you would be very interested, wouldn’t you? What if I told you that everything in that pile was free for the taking? Most people wouldn’t hesitate a bit to drive non-stop to Eastern Colorado in search of this pile of coal with the hidden diamonds. Once they found it they would jump out of the car, run to the pile and start digging in search of those diamonds. I doubt if they would even take time to change their clothes. What would cause good, upstanding, well-dressed people like you and me to act in such a way? We know how valuable a big diamond is. What if we could find several of those big diamonds? It would be worth driving all night and digging through a pile of dirty coal, wouldn’t it? God’s Word, the Bible, is similar to that pile of coal. There are literally thousands and thousands of hidden treasures and promises in it—all free for the taking. In reality, the treasures that can be found in God’s Word are worth much, much more than all the diamonds in the world. Take time to get to know God, your creator, by reading his word. Take time to discover the treasures and promises that can be yours just for the taking.
Don’t just GO to church; BE the church
Mr. Gregory Lovato www.progressiverancher.com
The Progressive Rancher
September/October 2017
15
Nevada’s Priority Agricultural Weeds: Perennial Pepperweed University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Brad Schultz, Extension Educator, Winnemucca, NV
Introduction Perennial pepperweed (Lepidium latifolium L.) is commonly called tall whitetop and is a long-lived perennial weed native to Eurasia. This weed was brought to North America as an ornamental plant and subsequently spread throughout the western states to inhabit many different environmental settings. Perennial pepperweed generally inhabits areas where the soil remains damp to wet for most of the growing season. These types of areas include irrigated or sub-irrigated meadows and pastures, stream banks and associated riparian areas, irrigation ditches, marshes, floodplains, shorelines, exposed lakebeds, irrigated cropland, and areas that receive abundant run-on moisture (e.g., roadsides and seasonal streams). The adverse effects exhibited by perennial pepperweed are numerous. A solitary plant can rapidly develop a large root system that contains many buds, each of which can develop into one or more shoots.
A single plant can develop into a large dense stand of perennial pepperweed that displaces more desired vegetation, ultimately decreasing the land’s value for livestock grazing, field crops, and wildlife. Perennial pepperweed’s root system is large but not dense; thus, it does a poor job of holding the soil together. Patches of perennial pepperweed that are regularly exposed to flowing water have a relatively high risk of severe erosion, particularly during flood events. Furthermore, flooding and erosion break perennial pepperweed’s large roots into small pieces. Root segments as short as one inch long and one-tenth of an inch in diameter can contain a bud capable of developing into a new plant. New infestations are common immediately after a flood because root segments are deposited downstream and reside on or just below the surface of newly deposited sediment. Moist sediment deposits are an optimal growing site for perennial pepperweed. Established perennial pepperweed plants also have
roots that can grow deeper than most of our native plants and they can extract many salts from these depths. As these salts accumulate on the soil’s surface they can change the soil’s chemistry, which can reduce the germination and growth of the more desirable plants.
Basics of Plant Biology Reproduction occurs from two sources: 1) the aforementioned buds on the roots, with as many as one bud per inch of root; and 2) from seed. When perennial pepperweed seed germinates and seedlings emerge, the plant develops a tap root that grows downward deep into the soil (Figures 1a and 1b). This root can reach a depth of almost 3 feet in less than 90 days. The majority of the root system is found in the top two feet of the soil, but in deep soils perennial pepperweed roots can penetrate to over 10 feet deep, often tapping into a shallow water table. The root system usually has an extensive network of lateral roots with growth rates
Figure 1a Figure 1b Perennial pepperweed seedlings at 4-6 weeks of age (Figure 1a) and a one year-old plant (Figure 1b). The seedlings have developed a tap root but have not become perennial. The yearling plant has developed a lateral root from which a new shoot has developed. Additional buds are present throughout the root system of the yearling plant. 16 September/October 2017
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reaching 10 feet per year. Root biomass often exceeds shoot biomass; thus, large amounts of stored energy (carbohydrate reserves) are available for regrowth. The stored energy reserves provide several important functions for perennial pepperweed: 1) they keep the buds alive during long dormant periods, 2) stored energy is used to initiate regrowth after dormancy or following a disturbance that breaks the large roots into small segments, and 3) energy reserves are used to develop the fi rst few leaves that emerge in the spring. After the fi rst few leaves develop the plant has enough leaf area for photosynthesis to meet the energy (carbohydrates) needs of the plant for additional growth and development. The maximum translocation of carbohydrates to the roots (i.e., energy storage) typically occurs between flowering and seed production. New plants can establish on small patches of bare ground, in otherwise well-vegetated meadows and pastures, and develop lateral roots that extend far into the areas vegetated with desired perennial grasses. At least some of the buds on these lateral roots will develop shoots that emerge above-ground. These shoots enable the perennial pepperweed plant to compete with the desired vegetation for all of the resources needed for plant growth (e.g., sunlight, water and nutrients). Seedlings initially develop a rosette of leaves on the root crown. After six to eight leaves have developed the root system starts to develop buds and the plant becomes perennial. The buds on the roots and root crown are what allow the plant to regrow the next growing season. Once root buds have developed, elimination of the plant requires www.progressiverancher.com
killing the buds. Only then is regrowth not possible. Each spring, existing plants develop new shoots from buds on the established root system. These shoots become a rosette of leaves. The leaves in the rosette produce many carbohydrates, which the plant reinvests into further growth, largely in the form of stems (tillers) that grow upward from the rosette. Most rosettes, particularly when growing conditions are good, typically develop a high density of erect stems. The tip of each stem has a terminal growing point called the apical meristem. When the primary stem(s) begin to flower the terminal growing point loses its dominance over plant growth. This permits other buds on the upper one-third of the stem to become active and develop relatively short lateral stems. The short lateral stems initially develop many leaves, followed by a panicle of flowers that is largely located above the leaves. By the time flowering occurs, most of the leaves on a perennial pepperweed plant are located in the upper one-third of the plant canopy. The carbohydrates produced by these “upper leaves� are largely moved upward by the plant to produce flowers and developing seed, not downward as stored energy reserves in the root system. Most of the carbohydrates used to develop and sustain the buds on the roots originate from the leaves found in the lower part of the plant. As the plant matures the development of the upper leaves and the flowers creates a physical barrier for placement of an herbicide on the lower leaves. Placement of an herbicide on the lower leaves typically provides better movement of the chemical to the growing points in the roots, which must be killed for effective weed control to occur.
Perennial pepperweed has exceptionally high seed production, reaching values of 3,000 seeds per inflorescence and 16 billion seed per acre. Up to 14 percent of the seed may remain in the seedheads into December. The retention of seed in the seedheads reduces the amount of seed lost to insects, soil pathogens, deep burial and other processes that typically reduce the number of viable seeds (of any species) on a site. High seedhead retention, however, may improve the efficacy of using fire to destroy seeds, provided the site can be safely burned before seed dispersal. Seed production is highest when perennial pepperweed grows in moist, non-saline soil. Seed production declines substantially when soils remain saturated and/or have high salinity. Up to 95 percent of the seed crop is viable and non-dormant, and can germinate immediately if it falls onto moist soil and temperature conditions are adequate for germination. Seed can remain submerged for at least 12 to 18 months and still remain viable. The highest germination rates are for seed buried less than four-tenths of an inch deep in moist soil (75 percent water holding capacity). Almost no seedlings emerge from seed buried deeper than one inch. This suggests that recently flooded areas with abundant bare-ground and slow drying soil are an optimal germination and establishment site. They should be included for periodic scouting as part of an early detection rapid response program. The ability of perennial pepperweed to produce carbohydrates declines substantially when soils are saturated. After only three days of saturation, plants can reduce their carbohydrate output by as much as 62
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Figure 2a shows a perennial pepperweed infestation treated with Imazapic in late July 2005 (a wet year) shortly after peak flowering. Treatment occurred with an ATV, with the boom located below the flowers. When the boom passed through the infestation it pulled the perennial pepperweed plants over and exposed the lower leaves to the herbicide. Only a couple of perennial pepperweed plants were present one year after treatment. Figure 2a Figure 2b
percent. This dramatically reduces the translocation of carbohydrates to the roots, which probably reduces herbicide transport to the buds on the roots. Mature plants that keep some leaves above the water have the ability to tolerate and survive flooding quite well but grow poorly during the high water period. Systemic herbicides applied under these conditions are unlikely to result in substantial control of the weed because there will be poor movement of the active ingredient to the buds.
Control Methods There are no known biological controls for perennial pepperweed. The success of mechanical or physical control techniques depends upon plant age. These approaches are most successful on seedlings before they become perennial (6-8 leaf stage of development) and unsuccessful on mature plants with established root systems. Mature plants have a large number of buds on their extensive root system and have large amount of stored energy. Th is permits rapid regrowth following tillage, hand-pulling and other types of physical disturbance. Tillage and cultivation treatments typically increase the weed problem because they move root fragments beyond established infestations, and very small root segments can develop into new plants. Mowing typically stimulates established plants to develop new shoots. Mowing or other treatments (e.g., fire) that remove old top growth, however, can improve access to the lower leaves, where herbicide placement tends to have the best results. In California, mowing perennial pepperweed plants at the bud growth stage and applying an herbicide to the regrowth at the flower-bud stage dramatically improved overall control, particularly with glyphosate. On a research plot in Nevada (An Extension publication is in peer review), mowing followed by herbicide application to the regrowth provided enhanced control (but often not much) for some, but not all herbicides. In this study, a single application of chlorsulfuron (Telar), with or without any mowing treatment, resulted in complete absence of perennial pepperweed in midJuly of the following growing season. Cattle, sheep and goats will graze perennial pepperweed, particularly at the 18 September/October 2017
rosette growth stage. As the plant matures coarse stems arise and the leaves often develop waxy coatings. At this growth stage, sheep and goats are more likely than cattle to select the plant for feed. Goats generally will select a greater portion of their total diet as perennial pepperweed, than will the other livestock species. Grazing typically suppresses perennial pepperweed but does not reduce its spatial extent. Once grazing animals are removed from a pasture perennial pepperweed tends to regrow rather quickly, due to the large amount of stored energy in the roots and large number of buds capable of producing new shoots An important consideration anytime a grazing animal is used to control weeds, is how the timing, duration, and intensity of defoliation used to control the targeted weed will affect the desired herbaceous species you want to inhabit the site. Treatment of the weed should not result in a permanent adverse effect on the desired species because some other weed will eventually occupy the ground left vacant by any decline of the desired species. Perennial pepperweed can store more energy in its roots than most, if not all, perennial grasses; therefore, it can withstand heavy prolonged use better than the desired perennial grasses. Flooding can be used in areas where water depth can be controlled for long periods. This approach seems to work best when the entire plant is submerged for at least several months and perhaps as long as six months. There is a new approach applicable to small areas upon which an herbicide cannot be applied. It involves the sequential combination of mowing, tillage and tarping. The mowing and tillage components effectively kill the aboveground biomass and break the upper roots into small pieces. Each root segment can produce a new plant but their small size limits the amount of stored energy available to support the new plant. The tarp prevents sunlight from reaching any regrowth and the new shoots eventually deplete their stored energy and die. It may take some additional time to deplete the energy reserves of the large intact roots that reside below the tillage zone. The desired residual vegetation, as one would expect, also would die, and the site would have to be revegetated with desired species to reduce the risk of reinfestation by either perennial pepperweed or another weed. Weed management is about reducing the risk of a weed rapidly invading a site. The best management approach to reduce the risk of perennial pepperweed rapidly invading a site is to promote a dense stand of vigorous perennial grasses with very
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Table 1. Active ingredients and their representative products known to control perennial pepperweed.
Active Ingredient
Representative Products
Selective
Soil Residual
Growth Stage
Chlorsulfuron
Telar and numerous others
Yes
Yes
Seedlings, or flower bud to flowering stage on mature plants
Metsulfuron
Escort, Cimarron
Yes
Some
Seedlings, or flower bud to flowering stage on mature plants
Imazapic
Plateau and others
Yes
Yes
Seedlings, or bud to later flowering stage on mature plants
2,4-D
Many
Yes
No
Best at flower bud to flowering stage
Glyphosate
Roundup and many others
No
No
Seedlings, or flower bud to flowering stage on mature plants
Imazapyr
Habitat, Arsenal
Only at low rates
Yes
Seedlings, or bud to later flowering on mature plants
Listing a commercial herbicide does not imply an endorsement by the authors, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, or its personnel. Product names were used only for ease of reading, not endorsement. Herbicides should be selected for use based upon the active ingredient and the specific bio-environmental situation. little bare ground. When bare ground is largely absent, there are very few sites upon which a viable seed can eventually fall, subsequently germinate, and if it germinates, survive long enough to establish a root system. Tall, dense, vigorous perennial grasses with deep roots and a large root biomass will extract and use most of the resources (water, nutrients and sunlight) a seed needs to germinate, and a seedling needs to grow and eventually reproduce. Similarly, all sites that see a drastic reduction in perennial pepperweed density will have an increase in bare ground. The desired residual vegetation must be managed differently than before the infestation occurred if it is to rapidly increase and occupy the vacant areas. In some situations, the site may need to be seeded with desired perennial herbaceous plants. For wildland settings,
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perennial grasses usually are the desired vegetation type because: 1) their thick sod or large root crowns, and large root biomass provide the best opportunity to reduce the risk of perennial pepperweed or other weeds from becoming established, and 2) most perennial grasses are tolerant to most of the herbicides used to control perennial pepperweed. There are numerous herbicides used to control perennial pepperweed (Table 1). Most have a lengthy soil residual which helps control seedlings the following growing season. A number of research studies have shown 2,4-D and glyphosate provide less long-term control than most of the other herbicides. These two herbicides, however, may have a very appropriate role in some situations. Every infestation is unique, as are all management operations, and all tools need to be evaluated accordingly. Chlorsulfuron, and metsulfuron have proven very effective on numerous sites in Nevada. The key to achieving the best potential success with any herbicide treatment is placing the herbicide on the plant’s lower leaves, which improves translocation to the buds (sites of action) on the roots (Figures 2a and 2b). This should occur when the plant will be actively growing with high photosynthetic rates for several weeks. The long growth period improves the potential for moving the herbicide deep into the root system and potentially killing more buds. If the treatment area has desired vegetation that needs to increase following the herbicide application it is important to use a chemical that will not harm those plants. Herbicide selection should always consider the effectiveness of the chemical on the weed and its effects on non-target species. Any weed control and management program for perennial pepperweed should consider using an integrated approach that applies two or more methods of weed control. Very seldom does a single approach work long-term. Furthermore, all approaches, except the purposeful management of an area for bare-ground, must consider how to increase the desired species that inhabit an infested site. A dense, vigorous stand of desired herbaceous species, particularly perennial grasses, is the best risk management strategy to prevent a sudden large scale establishment event or the rapid spread of perennial pepperweed should a few plants take root.
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September/October 2017
19
News Release Dairy Producers Can Enroll for 2018 Coverage
W
Secretary Allows Producers to Opt Out
ASHINGTON, Aug. 31, 2017 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) today announced that starting Sept. 1, 2017, dairy producers can enroll for 2018 coverage in the Margin Protection Program (MPP-Dairy). Secretary Sonny Perdue has utilized additional flexibility this year by providing dairy producers the option of opting out of the program for 2018. “Secretary Perdue is using his authority to allow producers to withdraw from the MPP Dairy Program and not pay the annual administrative fee for 2018,” said Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Rob Johansson. “The decision is in response to requests by the dairy industry and a number of MPP-Dairy program participants.” To opt out, a producer should not sign up during the annual registration period. By opting out, a producer would not receive any MPP-Dairy benefits if payments are triggered for 2018. Full details will be included in a subsequent Federal Register Notice. The decision would be for 2018 only and is not retroactive.
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The voluntary program, established by the 2014 Farm Bill, provides financial assistance to participating dairy producers when the margin – the difference between the price of milk and feed costs – falls below the coverage level selected by the producer. MPP-Dairy gives participating dairy producers the flexibility to select coverage levels best suited for their operation. Enrollment ends on Dec. 15, 2017, for coverage in calendar year 2018. Participating farmers will remain in the program through Dec. 31, 2018, and pay a minimum $100 administrative fee for 2018 coverage. Producers have the option of selecting a different coverage level from the previous coverage year during open enrollment. Dairy operations enrolling in the program must meet conservation compliance provisions and cannot participate in the Livestock Gross Margin Dairy Insurance Program. Producers can mail the appropriate form to the producer’s administrative county FSA office, along with applicable fees, without necessitating a trip to the local FSA office. If electing higher coverage for 2018, dairy producers can either pay the premium in full at the time of enrollment or pay 100 percent of the premium by Sept. 1, 2018. Premium fees may be paid directly to FSA or producers can work with their milk handlers to remit premiums on their behalf. USDA has a web tool to help producers determine the level of coverage under the MPP-Dairy that will provide them with the strongest safety net under a variety of conditions. The online resource, available at www.fsa.usda.gov/mpptool, allows dairy farmers to quickly and easily combine unique operation data and other key variables to calculate their coverage needs based on price projections. Producers can also review historical data or estimate future coverage based on data projections. The secure site can be accessed via computer, Smartphone, tablet or any other platform, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information, visit FSA online at www.fsa.usda.gov/dairy or stop by a local FSA office to learn more about the MPP-Dairy. To find a local FSA office in your area, visit http://offices.usda.gov.
20 September/October 2017
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Full story to be seen in the Nov / Dec 2017 issue.
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September/October 2017
21
T
he Winnemucca Convention Center was so crowded there was human spillage out the back and front doors. I am sure it was the same way at the Sparks Nugget a few weeks earlier at another video cattle auction. I walked into the auction area, found a seat and started to follow the action with the handy catalogue produced by the auction company which had a wealth of information about every consignment. Calves I was selling would not come up until the next day but I, like so many others in attendance that day, wanted to get a feel for the market. My partner showed up and as we sat together and compared notes, my mind occasionally drifted a bit. I looked around the room and saw many familiar faces; people I have known and admired for close to forty years. An older couple of long acquaintance sat down at the table behind me. They are both in their nineties now and despite some health problems are remarkably sharp and still very much involved in their family ranch. It was good to catch up with them and I did not regret missing a great many lots which sold without me obtaining any information to make my comparisons. Seeing old friends and making new ones at gatherings such as this is part of the experience and tradition of living and working in rural America. So, these modern video auctions are part family and friends reunion, part county fair and part medieval bi-annual market for those in actual attendance, but also a vital link between buyers and sellers for those who do not actually attend but participate on the internet. Attendees at this auction would enjoy barbeques, adult beverage service and concerts from famous country and western musicians The other thing I did in my daydreams was think back to earlier times in my life and how we used to market our livestock. Sale barns are also still an integral part of the livestock business. Without the ability to go to a nearby sale barn with cull cows and bulls and odd lots of other cattle, our business would be a lot tougher. Indeed, in many places (the Dakotas and Southeastern United States readily come to mind) most of the cattle and calves are still sold at sale barns. However, otherwise in big ranch country video auctions are where most of the cattle are sold. The auction I attended sold close to 60,000 head of cattle
over a four day period. I believe the prices paid were generally an accurate reflection of the current market prices across the country. After all, the feeding sector of our industry took a big bath over the last year and a half. Thus, the feeder market was somewhat soft but still the prices were pretty good. I do not know if feeders paid about what they could afford but the bidding was lively and vigorous. I assume this meant there was optimism about the buyer’s future economic prospects. Sometimes it is easy to forget, occupying only one sector of a diverse industry such as the cattle business, that every segment of the industry is dependent on every other segment and all segments need to make some money to help the other areas stay in business, too. On this day I believe the cow/calf sellers were making some money as long as they kept their costs of doing business in line based on the prices I was recording in my sale book. But, I also thought if I go back forty or so years when I first started in the cattle business and cattle were
Seeing old friends and making new ones at gatherings such as this is part of the experience and tradition of living and working in rural America.
22 September/October 2017
sold on the ranch out in our part of the country. I would get a call from a buyer representative. He would like to go up to the summer range and look at some calves. On the appointed day we would meet up in the mountains. He would get out of his late model Buick and transfer to my pickup truck. We would drive around the pasture and look at what I thought were the best calves for miles around which I obviously commented on. He usually said nothing or certainly very little. Later, in the fall he would return to the main ranch and the owner of the ranch and the buyer representative would have another look at the calves. A bid would be made and a counter expressed by the owner. After some back and forth and a little good-natured ribbing, a deal was made with a handshake. This scene played out all across western cow country and followed a pattern developed over decades. The Progressive Rancher
Union Stockyard & Transit Co., Chicago, IL 1947
By Joseph Guild
An example of another type of marketing was in the era of railroad shipping where animals went to big market terminals such as Kansas City, Los Angeles and Chicago. All of these ways of selling livestock evolved to work in conjunction with the latest technology of that time. This is also true of our present system of video auctions. Today, the benefit of exposure to so many potential buyers through modern technology is obvious to me and others because of the popularity of using such auctions to sell so many cattle in such a short period of time. This factor was not the norm in the good old days. The one constant in cattle marketing has always been the trust between buyer and seller and their brokers and the notion of an actual or figurative handshake transaction. This is a small world market and reputations for honesty or dishonesty are easily made or broken. I have explained this system to people who are not agriculturalists and they are amazed there are no complicated lawyer driven contracts and mistrust when there are so many millions of dollars involved in multiple transactions on any given day. I could overgeneralize, but I really think it comes down to the character and upbringing of the folks involved. Honesty, integrity and straightforwardness are traits still held in high value out in the country and a reputation is an important and valued asset so long as it is a good reputation. Obviously there are bad actors in the agricultural sector as there are in many industries, and we all know a few. However, I would put most people in agriculture up against any other industry for the values that count. Keep up the good work and maybe at the next auction, I’ll see you soon.
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Managing cheatgrass for rangeland restoration efforts Charlie D. Clements - USDA Rangeland Scientist, Great Basin Rangelands Research Unit Rixey Jenkins - U.S. Forest Service Range/Wild Horse and Burro Program Manager, Humbolt-Toiyabe National Forest
T
he Society for Range ManagementNevada section held its annual summer tour June 14, 2017 on cheatgrass-dominated landscapes in northern Nevada. The first stop was located at Mack Farms of Boulder Valley, north of Battle Mountain, NV on Elko Land and Livestock TS Ranch-owned property. Mack Farms consists of several thousand acres of fields that were in hay and potato production 25 years ago. These abandoned fields are now dominated by cheatgrass with very few native perennial grasses and shrubs present. There were a few sporadic attempts to seed crested wheatgrass in the past, but these seeding efforts resulted in little to no success. Dr. Barry Perryman, University of Nevada Range Professor, has been recently researching the effects of fall grazing to reduce cheatgrass fuels in Boulder Valley. During the past decade, new tools developed for the management of invasive annual grasses in the Great Basin have been both refined and introduced, according to Dr. Perryman. The
precise combination of chemical fallow (herbicides) and seeding with both introduced and native deep-rooted perennial grasses and half-shrubs like ‘Immigrant’ forage kochia have provided great successes on many ecological sites and topographies. Likewise, grazing cheatgrass in the fall and early winter months has demonstrated that it can be managed in such a way as to reduce carryover fuels into the next year’s fire season (Figure 1), while simultaneously reducing its ability to dominate sites that still have a perennial grass component in the plant community. Managing cheatgrass, and in some cases medusahead, through the use of dormant season grazing has been very successful at a scale of thousands of acres in both Nevada and Oregon where winter-dominated precipitation occurs. Given these successes in management tool advances, there has been recognition that annual invasive grasses must be managed as a permanent component of the Great Basin and adjacent areas. For the past fifty years or more, all of our management objectives, goals, and
Figure 1. Fall grazing on the left (fuels management), compared to no fall grazing on the right. The carry-over fuel of cheatgrass only increases the chance, rate, spread and season of wildfires. 24 September/October 2017
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practices have been centered on the perennial grass component of our rangelands. Both rest-rotation and deferred rotation grazing systems (and their various combinations) were designed for managing perennial grasses. However, both of them actually favor the proliferation and dominance of annual grasses. Given our new tool strengths and our new found ability to manage annual grasses at very large scales, it is time that we begin considering and implementing both planning objectives and on-theground activities that will allow us to truly manage annual grasses instead of being victimized by them. It is time to realize and come to admission that many of our shrub-dominated communities in the Great Basin no longer have perennial grass understories, instead they have mixed perennial and annual grass understories. With over 50 million acres dominated by cheatgrass, the time of admission is past due. During the tour Dr. Perryman presented the specifics of this research, referred to as the Boulder Valley Grazing Project, which is being conducted in cooperation with Elko Land and Livestock and the USDA, Agricultural Research Service Burns, Oregon Unit. This fall they will begin the fourth year of using cattle to graze cheatgrass in the fall (November) to create a linear fire break across a 7,000 acre, unfenced pasture. Using a single water source in one corner, with a liquid protein supplement station spaced about a half mile apart as behavioral attractants, 800-1200 head of bred cows will graze this cheatgrass-dominated pasture. Cattle concentrate between the attractants, usually consuming 80-90% of the current year’s standing crop of cheatgrass. At the end of four subsequent weeks, the supplement is moved another half mile away from the water source until the space between water and supplement is approximately 2.5 miles. Cheatgrass biomass, height, and cover has been collected both inside and outside of 16 small grazing exclosures in the pasture, and the data will be analyzed after grazing in the fall of 2017. Cheatgrass seed bank densities have also been recorded, showing more than a 75% reduction of cheatgrass in the seed bank. Even though this seed bank number needs to be much lower, the reduction is headed in the right direction. Additionally, GPS collars have been used on a dozen cows to follow their movement tendencies as they graze the fire break. In addition to this, USDA-ARS is seeding inside and outside these small exclosures to test if any seeding success can www.progressiverancher.com
be achieved with the reduction of cheatgrass aboveground and below-ground (seed banks) densities, although to date no success has been measured. The tour continued to the west end of the allotment where Dr. Perryman and other researchers at the University of Nevada, (in cooperation with the Elko Land and Livestock) and the USDA, Agricultural Research Service Fort Collins, Colorado Unit are conducting the Boulder Valley Fire Break Seeding to try and establish and maintain a firebreak. The research is being conducted on a 6 mile long fenced strip with cross fencing to create nine 50-55 acre paddocks. This is the fourth year of data collection on this project to evaluate treatment combination potentials for fire break development in cheatgrass-dominated areas. Study includes evaluation of spring grazing, fall grazing (100 head for 10 days/50 acres) and no grazing. Small soilactive herbicide plots are located in each paddock and numerous species with various seeding methodologies (i.e. drill seeding, broadcast seeding, seed coating) are being tested. The tour did not witness any seeding successes, but did notice some differences in grazing treatments with reduced cheatgrass fuel loads, even though the remaining cheatgrass fuel loads were still in the dangerous zone. The tour then headed to the Hot Pot Fire near the Izzenhood Road where Tom Warren, Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation Manager for BLM in Elko, gave us a presentation on the restoration efforts of BLM and NDOW on the Hot Pot and Izzenhood Fires that burned in 2016. The Hot Pot Fire burned more than 130,000 acres and the BLM in cooperation with NDOW are aggressively rehabilitating a significant portion of this fire, more than 50,000 acres. It is often very common to have a about 3% of the burned habitat receive rehabilitation treatments. The rehabilitation efforts are a great example of what can be accomplished with partnerships. Mr. Warrem took us to a fence line
Figure 2. ‘Snowstorm’ forage kochia provides excellent forage for domestic livestock and big game species. Of added value is its tall growth stature and biomass that provides forage during winter snow depths. Notice the height of this shrub as Dan Harmon, USDA-ARS, holds an upper leader.
contrast where we able to see several different seeding and herbicide treatment strategies and presented some photos on some very good initial successes of these rehabilitation efforts. Mr. Warren pointed out that both BLM and NDOW are excited with the selection to broadcast seed the new forage kochia release, ‘Snowstorm,’ which grows at heights above most average snow depths and provides excellent forage for wintering mule deer and antelope affected by this large catastrophic wildfire (Figure 2). Some of the difficulties that the BLM and NDOW experienced had to do with timing and availability of soil-active herbicide applications (6,000 acres took longer than the optimum September window allowed) and availability of seed from such species as ‘Snowstorm’ forage kochia, resulting in lower seeding rates and less priority areas being treated. USDA, Agricultural Research Service Reno, NV, Great Basin Rangelands Research Unit (GBRRU) Figure 3. Proper application of pre-emergent herbicides successfully researchers Charlie reduces cheatgrass above-ground densities as well as seed banks, Clements and Dan allowing seeded species an added opportunity to emerge and Harmon presented to establish in the absence of cheatgrass competition. the tour “The Use of
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Pre-Emergent Herbicides to Aid in Perennial Grass Establishment.” Pre-emergent herbicides such as Plateau (Imazapic), Landmark XP (Sulfometuron Methyl) and Matrix (Rimsulfuron) provide resource managers and land owners with a viable tool to decrease cheatgrass densities, therefore significantly reducing competition at the seedling stage between seeded species and associated cheatgrass competition for limited moisture and nutrients. It is critically important to understand that these herbicides have a 12-15 month residue activity and they are best suited to be applied in the fall of the year (September-early October) prior to any fall cheatgrass emergence. In our experience, it is not advantageous to apply these pre-emergent herbicides in the spring even if rates are lowered, nor with other herbicides (i. e. Roundup; Glyphosate) as the activity of the soil active herbicide and the foliar activity of Glyphosate will harm seedlings and established residual plants (thus called pre-emergent NOT post-emergent). These pre-emergent herbicides perform best when applied in combination with a 1-year fallow/ fall seeding project. Simply applying these preemergent herbicides without a follow up seeding will not increase perennial grasses. Matrix @ 4 oz/ acre rate performs very well in heavy clay soils as it significantly decreases cheatgrass and medusahead by more than 95%, and is very effective on broadleaf weeds as well. In cheatgrass infested habitats, Plateau @ 6 oz/acre and Landmark @ 1.75 oz/acre rate perform the best on silt, loam and gravelly soils by decreasing cheatgrass densities by 97.8 99.4% (Figure 3). This proper application of preemergent herbicides results in a significant reduction September/October 2017
25
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of cheatgrass, therefore reducing the competition that seeded species seedlings incur at the seedling stage allowing for seeded perennial grass seedlings to survive and establish. The establishment of long-lived perennial grasses is the best known method at suppressing cheatgrass and other undesirable weeds, decreasing the chance, rate, spread and season of wildfires which significantly decreases range closures to livestock, wildlife habitat destruction and erosion to name a few. The GBRRU presented recent data in which the application of the pre-emergent herbicide was tested, in which Landmark XP @ 1.75 oz/acre in September 2015 at an exclosure located on Izzenhood Road. The pre-emergent application experienced 99.4% cheatgrass control. In the summer of 2017, the Hot Pot Fire burned through the area and consumed the exclosure (except for the fallow plot of course), providing the opportunity to research additional observations: 1) Spray/ Fallow/Seed (Figure 4 and 5), 2) Burn/ Seed and 3) Burn/Spray/Fallow/Seed. In September 2016 Landmark XP @ 1.75 oz/ acre was applied to the recently burned habitat. This plot will be fallowed for 1-year and seeded in the fall of 2017. In October 2016 we seeded A) Introduced, 26 September/October 2017
Figure 4. The Hot Pot Fire burned more than 130,000 acres. The use of pre-emergent herbicides not only decrease fuels and fire hazard, but in combination with the seeding of long-lived perennial grasses can reduce future wildfire risks as well as provide critical grazing and wildlife resources. The Progressive Rancher
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B) Native and C) Native/Introduced seed mixes into the sprayed plot as well as the burned plot. Due to the high level of weed control, proper methodology, plant material selection and cooperation from Mother Nature, excellent conditions for the germination and emergence of seeded species occurred and the treated sites are on their way to being dominated by long-lived perennial grasses (Figure 6). The GBRRU researchers emphasized their goal: aggressive and effective weed control practices, as experienced when properly applying pre-emergent soil active herbicides, is to establish long-lived perennial grasses that have the inherent potential to germinate, emerge, establish and persist in a given habitat under arid conditions and in the face of competitive species such as cheatgrass. The establishment of long-lived perennial grasses will suppress cheatgrass, decrease the chance, rate, spread and season of wildfires which will allow succession to take place and be beneficial to all multiple users of Great Basin rangelands. The tour concluded with a banquet dinner at the Star Basque Restaurant in Elko, NV with continued good conversation and company. Please consider joining the Society for Range Management-Nevada Section and become involved in the management of our Nevada rangelands: nevada.rangelands.org.
Figure 5. Long-lived perennial grass species (native and introduced) seeded in the fall of 2016, emerging and growing in the absence of initial cheatgrass competition, April 2017. Aggressive weed control practices using pre-emergent herbicides can increase available soil moisture to these seedlings by more than 40%.
2018 SRM 71st Annual Meeting Jan. 28th - Feb. 2nd The Society for Range Management’s 71st Annual Meeting, Technical Training and Trade Show will be held Jan. 28 to Feb 2, 2018 at the Nugget Hotel in Sparks, Nevada. Figure 6. Seeded long-lived perennial grasses establishing on a formerly cheatgrass-dominated site. Seeded species are experiencing excellent growth and even going to seed on their first year (photo June 2017).
“Our goal is to bring together ranchers, land managers, and scientists so we all understand the benefits of science for sustained resource management.� Submit your abstracts now before Sept. 22nd! http://annualmeeting.rangelands.org/
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September/October 2017
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Nevada’s Priority Agricultural Weeds: Medusahead University of Nevada Cooperative Extension
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edusahead (Taeniatherum caputmudusae L.) is a non-native cool season annual grass originally found in the Mediterranean region of Europe and North Africa, and eastward into central Asia. This weed entered the United States in the 1880s, and was initially found in 1887 near Roseburg Oregon. Weed scientists speculate that the first seeds arrived as either a seed contaminant in cereal grains or attached to the fur of imported livestock. As many as seven distinct introductions have occurred, with each likely coming from a different region of the species native distribution. This weed is a late arrival to the Great Basin and Intermountain West, not appearing in Nevada until the early 1960s. Expansion across the west has continued at about 12% per year, and in the 17 western states over 2.7 million acres are infested, mostly in California, Oregon Washington, Idaho and Nevada. Medusahead has established populations in or near sagebrush plant communities in the northern one-third of Nevada, northeastern California, Southeastern Oregon and much of the Snake River region of southern and western Idaho. The foothill rangelands of California and south-central Oregon (I-5 corridor) also have serious infestations. In Nevada large expanding populations (defined here as more than 1,000 acres) are known to occur in Washoe, Pershing, Humboldt, and Elko counties. Medusahead is primarily a weed of rangelands, pasture, seeps or low lying areas that receive sufficient run-on soil moisture to have at least 10-12 inches of effective moisture, and as much as 24 to inches. Populations have been found at elevations from near sea level to about 6,000 feet. There is an inclination for this weed initially become established on soils with high clay content; however, medusahead has been found on a wide variety of soils, including fine sandy loam and coarse soils. The latter are more common at sites with greater annual average precipitation or run-on moisture. New infestations can readily establish on disturbed ground. Medusahead tends to prefer sites that maintain slightly higher soil moisture content; thus, depressions, swales or areas with additional run-on moisture often are invaded first. At the state level, about 1.8 percent of agricultural producers in Nevada considered Medusahead a problematic weed in 2009, which ranks the plant as the 24th most problematic weed in Nevada. Humboldt and Pershing Counties were the only counties were at least five percent of the agricultural producers 28 September/October 2017
Brad Schultz, Extension Educator, Winnemucca, NV rated medusahead a problematic species. Among managers of public lands, 13.3 percent of survey respondents considered medusahead problematic. The rapid expansion of medusahead across northern Nevada, including isolated populations far from one-another, suggest this weed has the potential to expand quickly and far, and become a potential problem for many ranchers and farmers (and other land users). Several new large infestations have been identified since the 2009 survey of Nevada agricultural producers. Medusahead creates management problems because the weed is highly competitive with more desired plants and it tends to form a thick layer of thatch. Both attributes displace other more desired vegetation. Forage quality for medusahead is low compared to perennial bunchgrasses (native and introduced), largely due to its high silica content (10% by weight). The plant also has barbed awns which result in little or no selection by grazing animals one the seed has matured. Medusahead is highly f lammable and shortens fire cycles resulting in the loss of sagebrush and other non-sprouting shrubs. Sprouting shrubs tend to increase with more frequent fire; thus, plant composition on many rangelands changes dramatically and wildlife habitat undergoes a significant decline in quality.
spells in the winter, however, may permit additional root growth, which enhances medusahead’s ability to compete for moisture and space when rapid growth resumes in the spring. When the fall is dry the seed readily overwinters and germinates in the spring and typically has rapid growth until seed production occurs in the late spring or early summer. Medusahead plants tend to mature a couple weeks later than cheatgrass, the other annual grass common on Great Basin rangelands. This is likely the result of the larger root system that medusahead develops, which increases its ability to extract soil moisture longer into the growing season. Precipitation that occurs from mid to late spring tends to benefit medusahead more than cheatgrass and some early maturing perennial grasses (e.g., Sandberg bluegrass). Medusahead also appears to survive infrequent precipitation events better than cheatgrass or ventenata, another invasive annual grass in eastern Oregon and southern Idaho, but not yet reported in Nevada. All reproduction of medusahead occurs from seed
Plant Biology Medusahead is a winter or cool season annual that may germinate anytime from the early fall through the spring (i.e., the cool months) when soils are not frozen and soil moisture is great enough to result in moisture uptake by the seed. Fall germinants typically overwinter as small vegetative plants with only a few leaves present and resume growth when temperatures warm in the spring. Periodic warm The Progressive Rancher
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and dense infestations can have over 1,000 plants per square foot. Seed production per plant is highly variable, but can result in 5,500 to 6,000 seeds per square foot of soil surface (243 to 261 million seeds per acre). Most seed has little or no dormancy at dispersal and will germinate the first growing season. A small portion of the dispersed seed can survive one to two years in the soil, with only a very small cohort surviving three years. Seed dispersal begins shortly after seedheads mature and can continue into the fall. Most seed falls close to the mother plant with the vast majority of seed falling within 6 to 7 feet of the invasion front. Numbers, however, can be misleading. If only one-tenth of one percent of 261 million viable seeds fall seven feet or more from the edge of a medusahead population, the number of potential viable seeds at least seven feet from the existing population is 261,000. Long distance transport of seed can occur from wind and water, and a suite of human activities that transport contaminated soil (fill dirt, mud on vehicles or clothes, etc.) and/or seedheads short and long distances. Both wild and domestic animals can move seed from infested to uninfested sites. Medusahead seed has small barbs that facilitate attachment to the fur of all animals. Granivorous birds generally do not select medusahead for feed if other seeds are available. Any seed ingested by birds is largely indigestible and can be transported a long distance before being excreted and potentially germinating. Wind dispersal following a fire that removes all of the vegetation across large acreages may result in fairly long distance transport of seedheads. Seedheads from nearby unburned vegetation may roll a long distance before they become lodged in cracks in the soil or are intercepted by unburned vegetation. Laboratory studies have found excellent seed germination within the temperature range of 67 to 77°F. Field studies have found substantial germination at temperatures between 50 and 59°F when the seed is covered by abundant soil litter (thatch), which modifies (decreases variability) soil moisture and humidity around the seeds. Research has found a strong positive link between the accumulation of litter and thatch and the persistence and abundance of medusahead. Seedling establishment of medusahead can be as much as 47 times greater under litter than on bare-ground. Medusahead seed readily germinates within the thatch layer. The first root initially grows downward through the thatch and into the soil, and only then does the plant develop leaves for photosynthesis and subsequent growth. The thick thatch layer not only promotes germination of medusahead but also retards germination and/or survival of the seed from desired perennial grasses, which facilitates continued degradation of the site.
Control Approaches Non-chemical Control Because medusahead only reproduces from seed, control of this weed requires three general strategies: 1) preventing seed production; 2) depleting the soil www.progressiverancher.com
seedbank over at least two to three years, and perhaps longer; and 3) preventing movement of viable seed back onto the site from other infestations. These strategies need to occur without adversely affecting remnant populations of desired species on the site. A vigorous stand of perennial grasses (or other desired species on cropland) must establish and effectively reduce the number of germination “safe sites” in the soil so that medusahead, or some other weed, does not reoccupy the site. “Safe sites” are minute locations in the soil that provide the best microenvironment for a seed to germinate and for the seedlings to establish. If desired species are not present on a treated site they must be seeded and subsequently managed to allow establishment and maintenance of a dense vigorous population. Mechanical tillage methods can effectively control medusahead if the tillage is properly timed to prevent seed production, and the treatments continue across a long enough period to deplete the soil seedbank. The specific method used will depend on the size of the infestation and the terrain and topography of the area infested. Some tools and methods are much less useful on sites that are steep, rocky and/or have shallow soils. New and/or small patches of medusahead can be effectively addressed by hand removal (pulling, digging, hoeing, etc.), as can old infestations that have been treated for several or more years and have only a few plants or viable seed left on the site. Tillage treatments should try to sever the roots from the root crown to reduce regrowth potential after the treatment. Repeated tillage just before seed set can deplete the seedbank dramatically in a few years and also can help reduce the thickness and continuity of the litter and thatch layer, effectively reducing the germination rate of the remaining medusahead seed. Thatch removal can also improve the success of subsequent herbicide treatments with a preemergent, soil activated chemical. These types of herbicides can easily move into the soil when applied directly to the soil, but a significant portion of the chemical may never reach the soil if it must move through the thatch layer first. When topography and soil conditions permit, mowing can effectively control medusahead. Mowing treatments work best when applied at late maturity stages but before viable seed has been produced. Mowing too early in the season often allows the plants to regrow because of good soil moisture levels. These plants will eventually produce seed. Also, new tillers can emerge from basal buds on the root crown or from the base of existing tillers. Clipping studies have found that cutting medusahead plants in the timeframe between the emergence of the awns and emergence of the anthers, virtually eliminates seed production. This period is often brief and the timeframe may conflict with other ranch/farm operations. Obviously, properly planning a mowing/cutting treatment requires operational flexibility for successful treatment to occur. Depending on the amount of regrowth by medusahead following a mowing event, multiple treatments in a growing season may be warranted. If desired perennial grasses inhabit an infested
site, mowing treatments that overlap the stages of plant growth (for the perennial grasses) from the boot stage through early seed head emergence is likely to result in less carbohydrate production and a decline in the plant’s stored energy reserves. Large stored energy reserves are what keep the perennial grasses alive during summer and winter dormancy, and also initiate growth the following growing season. Thus, mowing the perennial species along with the medusahead, can result in a decline in vigor for the very species you may need to fully occupy the site post-treatment. This possible outcome must always be weighed against the potential success of the mowing treatment toward medusahead. Medusahead is considered an unpalatable plant for livestock and livestock generally do not select for it when other forage plants are available. The early vegetative growth stages are nutritious, but usually short-lived. Furthermore, medusahead accumulates silica as it matures, and the seed’s awns and associated barbs can injure the mouth and tongue of livestock. If grazing is used to try and control medusahead two key concepts should be adhered to: 1) the need to reduce medusahead’s seed production (potential new plants) and thatch accumulation (best seed germination environment); and 2) don’t harm the desired perennial species on the site that must increase and fully occupy the area to reduce the risk of medusahead (or another weed) once again becoming the dominant species. In California, on the lower elevation annual grass rangelands high intensity, short-duration grazing when medusahead stems are elongating, but before the seed enters the milk stage, has proven successful. This grazing strategy, however, becomes increasingly difficult to successfully implement as the size of an infestation increases. Also, late spring rainfall can allow grazed plants to regrow which can effectively preclude success from a grazing treatment. Livestock grazing typically works best as part of an integrated management program to help reduce the thatch layer and increase the effectiveness of other follow-up treatments. Conversely grazing may be an effective follow-up treatment to a fire (wild or controlled) or herbicide treatment that eliminates much of the seedbank and the subsequent medusahead population is small and easily accessible to the livestock at the right growth stage. Fire may be useful to control medusahead in some situations but not others. Seed on or just beneath the soil surface, or even in the thatch, is usually not killed by prescribed or wildland fire. The temperature is not hot enough, long enough, for seed mortality to occur. Fires that occur when most of the seed is still attached to the plant typically results in high seed mortality. In the Great Basin this time-frame often coincides with the presence of green and growing perennial grasses. Burning perennial grasses when they are growing typically damages or kills those plants. The benefits of any burning treatment should be weighed against potential adverse effects toward desired vegetation on the site. Burning treatments that will harm the desired residual species should be avoided unless the site can be successfully reseeded with species that
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September/October 2017
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exclude medusahead (and other weeds) and provide a plant community that meets management goals and objectives. For areas with little or no desired residual vegetation, burning can remove the thatch and litter layer, and create a better seedbed for subsequent reseeding after the fire. The use of fire after the perennial grasses have become dormant is unlikely to hurt them and removal of the thatch can reduce medusahead germination the next growing season, and/or improve the efficacy of a pre-emergent soil active herbicide: more of the chemical will move into the soil and come in contact with the medusahead roots. If desired non-sprouting shrubs are present on the infested site and the goal is to maintain them, then fire is not a viable option. Direct flaming with a hand-held torch is unlikely to kill seeds on mature plants (too short period of heat applied) but can desiccate and easily kill seedlings and young vegetative plants. This tool is most easily applied to small infestations that occur in areas where an escaped fire is unlikely to occur and spread across large areas. There are no insects labeled for biocontrol of medusahead. Research has been ongoing about soil borne pathogens as potential control agents. The rhizobacteria Pseudomonas flourescens (strain D7 or ACK55) has been tested extensively on research plots and shows promise for controlling medusahead, but is not yet commercially available, nor has it been well tested at large scales or across the wide variety of management situations that exist. This pathogen should be closely watched for potential use but is not readily available at this time.
Chemical Control The ultimate goal of herbicide control of medusahead is to prevent seed production so the seedbank declines and approaches zero after several years. Plants may be controlled with either a preemergent herbicide that works on germinating seed, or a postemergent chemical that kills the leaves, stems, roots and buds of the vegetative plant prior to it becoming reproductive. There are at least six active ingredients labeled for application to medusahead in Nevada (Table 1) and these ingredients are packaged into at least 59 potential products. Many of these products are pre-mixed packages that include one or more of active ingredients shown in Table 1, and one or more additional active ingredients that often control many other weeds. Some of these often grow in conjunction with medusahead. Most of the active ingredients in Table 1 are selective herbicides, although the degree of selectivity toward perennial grasses often depends on the growth stage of the grass and the application rate. Collectively these herbicides possess varying degrees of soil residual activity from none to very long. Soil residual activity can be important for controlling seedlings that appear months to several years after an herbicide treatment. These herbicides can be very useful for medusahead control projects on rangeland, pasture or non-crop areas, but less useful for areas planted to annual crop species. This reflects the infrequent presence of medusahead 30 September/October 2017
in most agronomic fields, although establishment on field boarders that remain consistently wet to damp is possible and may become more common as the weed spreads across Nevada. The best herbicide control of medusahead occurs from premergent applications in the fall or very early postemergence applications in the spring. For all postemergence applications, the applicator should ensure that there is enough soil moisture in the ground for the medusahead plants to have several weeks of rapid growth, after the application. Rapid growth allows the active ingredient to be moved (translocated) from the leaf surface to the plant’s growing points (meristematic tissues) that produce new leaves, stems and flower heads. Death of these growing points is critical for killing and controlling the weed. Growing conditions that result in little or no herbicide uptake and/or poor translocation to the growing points (e.g., excessively cold, dry, wet or cloudy) are likely to be costly failures. Postemergence applications should strongly consider any adverse effects to the desired plants, and especially the perennial bunch grasses, that occupy the site. Many perennial grass species are quite susceptible to herbicides labeled for medusahead from when the perennials are greening up through development of their first 3 to 5 leaves on each tiller (but some even later). As a group they are very tolerant of the herbicides in Table 1 at later growth stages and when dormant. Loss of the desired perennial species from the herbicide treatment will require the site be reseeded, adding significant cost to the control effort. Recent research has found that low rates of glyphosate (4.5 to 6 ounces of acid equivalent) applied at medusahead’s tillering growth stage have been quite effective at controlling medusahead with little or no effects on the desired perennial grasses and shrubs. No single active ingredient listed in Table 1 is the best herbicide for all infestations of medusahead. Every infestation has some unique biological or management characteristic different from other sites. Herbicide selection should be based on site-specific conditions. Some factors to consider are: 1) do you need an herbicide that is selective and not going to adversely affect the desired vegetation on the site (consider forbs and shrubs, not just grasses); 2) are your short- and mid-term management objectives compatible with a soil persistent herbicide that can leave a significant amount of the active ingredient in the soil for months to years; 3) what will be the growth stages of medusahead when you have time to fit an herbicide treatment into your overall ranching or farming operation; 4) can you make the commitment to any follow-up treatments that are needed; and 5) consider using active ingredients with different modes of action (i.e., killing mechanism) when chemical treatments are needed for several consecutive years. The latter consideration reduces the risk of creating herbicide resistant biotypes of medusahead. An important question of any herbicide treatment is, was I successful? Medusahead reestablishes from seed each growing season. This seed may be from the seedbank on-site or from seed transported to the treated area by wind, water, animals or human activity. An herbicide treatment of medusahead can be 100 percent effective the year it is applied, but successful long-term The Progressive Rancher
control of medusahead may require several more years of completely successful treatment before all of the viable seed in the soil is eliminated. You should always revisit treated sites for at least three or more years to ensure that new plants do not establish and produce seed. If seed is likely to move on to the treated area from another infestation then the area should be revisited early in each growing season to scout for new plants and appropriately treated if any are found. Seedlings left to produce abundant seed will add years to the problem and substantial cost to future control efforts. Remember, one large productive plant can produce hundreds of viable seeds. If only a few young plants are present try and remove them physically or mechanically to reduce the risk of creating an herbicide resistant plant. Repeated use of the same active ingredient or other active ingredients with the same mode of action can lead to herbicide resistance and loss of an effective management tool. Weed control and management programs for medusahead should use an integrated approach that applies two or more methods of weed control. Very seldom does a single approach work long-term. Furthermore, all approaches, except for the purposeful management of an area for bare ground, must consider how to establish and/or increase the desired species on an infested site. A dense, vigorous stand of desired perennial grasses (or crop species) provides the best opportunity to prevent a rapid, large scale establishment of medusahead, particularly when it is combined with periodic scouting to find and eliminate the initial colonizers. Controlling the initial colonizers of a site before they add seed to the soil typically results in a one season control program. Once viable seed enters the soil, a control program will last at least two to three years, and probably longer. Early detection of medusahead and a rapid response to the first few plants provides the best opportunity to prevent large scale establishment and costly, multi-year treatments.
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Soil Residual
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Glyphosate
Accord, Roundup and many others
x
x
Imazapic
Plateau NuFarm
Indaziam
Esplandade 200 SC
Rimsulfuron
Matrix, Solida
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Potatoes
x
x
Mint
Yes
x
Alfalfa
x
Mixed. Can harm some bunchgrasses at greenup
Milestone
Corn
No
Aminopyralid
Small Grains
No
Representative Products
Bare-ground
Yes
Active Ingredient
Fallow
Yes
Range and Pasture Non-Crop
Selective
Table 1. The list below identifies the active ingredients and many of representative products known to control medusahead in the landscape settings and crops for which the active ingredient is labeled. Most herbicides may require multiple applications (retreatment) to achieve high control levels due to the seedbank in the soil. Use the information in this table to determine the potential active ingredients for your specific needs. Product selection should occur only after the applicator has read all current product labels and identified the appropriate products for their specific situation. Many of the active ingredients listed in this table are available in pre-mixed formulations with other active ingredients. Most of those pre-mixed packages (products) are not listed in this table. A complete list of all active ingredients and products labeled to control medusahead can be searched for at the CDMS (http://www.cdms.net/LabelsMsds/LMDefault.aspx?pd=7607&t=) and Greenbook (http://www.greenbook.net/) websites. The order of chemicals below does not reflect any preference or efficacy. Across the spectrum of available products, some may only suppress medusahead (generally means no seed production).
x
x
Sulfometuron
Oust, Spyder
x
x
Mixed but perennial grasses are usually safe
Sulfometuron and Chlorsulfuron
Landmark XP
x
x
Yes
Yes
Metsulfuron methyl and sulfometuron methyl
Spyder Extra
x
x
Yes
Yes
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Growth Stage Late summer to early fall before any germination of medusahead seed In fall Postemergence after all germination occurs and before heading. Any additional germination after initial treatment will require retreatment of site Preemergence or postemergence to plants ≤ 2 inches tall Preemergence with soil incorporation by rainfall (0.25 in). Preemergence (typically best control) with soil incorporation by rainfall or very early postemergence to actively growing weeds Preemergence to early postemergence to actively growing weeds. Preemergence (generally best) or early postemergence to actively growing young weeds Preemergence (generally best) or early postemergence to actively growing young weeds
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Range Management Tool on Wyoming Ranch Tools Website
E
conomists often complain that all animal scientists or range scientists want to talk about is economics. Well I am turning the tables in this article. I am an economist, but I am talking about range management today. However, my co-author is a range scientist. Range management can be a challenge in the West as Mother Nature can often be quite tricky to deal with. Grazing plans are an important component of ranch management. An understanding of grazing fundamentals gives us a foundation on which to plan. Successful ranch managers strive for sustainable use of their forage resources. It is critical that the frequency, intensity, and season of use that grazing occurs be thought out and managed for the health of the plants and livestock performance. Additionally incorporating drought contingencies and mitigation strategies can also be key. Frequency, the number of times a plant is grazed, can influence a plants ability to regrow. Plants grazed often may not be able to replace photosynthetic tissues during the growing season. Intensity, the amount of plant tissue removed, impacts plant health as well. However, if the grazing is done during dormant phases of plant growth even high intensity grazing may have little impact. This timing, or season of use of the grazing is the third component of the basics of grazing from a plant health perspective. Grazing plans should take care to ensure that some pastures are not subjected to too high of frequencies and/or intensities during critical plant growth stages. Grazing plans should consider previous years’ use on pastures when planning for future years. Current year’s growing season precipitation is another critical planning tool for grazing plans. Ranch managers should monitor precipitation and available irrigation. Grazing plans should also include what do to in the case of drought. Drought plans may include partial destocking, purchase of additional feeds and pasture, and increased attention to both plant health and livestock performance. Most pastures on a ranch have had some previous livestock use. With records of what class, age, and weight of animals grazed and for how long they were in the
pasture, producers can estimate how much forage the livestock harvested and use that figure to estimate what the overall production of that pasture was. Although the formulas for making these calculations have been around for quite some time, they have not been in a user friendly online tool. With this in mind Barton and I developed the latest tool on the Wyoming Ranch Tools Website (www. uwyoextension.org/ranchtools). The tool is the “Stocking Rate” tool on the website and is really 3-4 calculators in one. The first calculator on the page allows you to estimate total production per acre from past use records. The user enters in the number of head, average weight per head, days in pasture, acres in pasture and an estimate of the percent utilization. The calculator then provides the total AUMs harvested, AUMs per acre, pounds consumed per acre and total production per acre. Once you generate the total production per acre you can use the second calculator, which helps you estimate a stocking rate. The user enters the total production per acre, pasture utilization percentage, average weight per head, number of months the pasture is to be grazed and the acres in the pasture. The calculator then generates the forage availability for grazing, a one month capacity given the weight of the animals and the number of animals that can be grazed for the intended grazing period. The final calculator on the page helps to estimate a grazing season. Again the user enters total production per acre, pasture utilization percentage, average weight per head, number of head and acres in the pasture. The calculator then provides the forage available for grazing and the months of grazing available for the specified animals. A second tool is available under the clip and weigh tab. If you do not have past use information on a pasture an alternate method for estimating production is the clip and weigh method. This tool walks you through the process of clipping and weighing random hoops to estimate production. Animal performance should also be considered during planning for grazing. Nutrient levels vary over the growing season. During dormant stages some species nutrient levels may not meet the animal’s requirements. Ranch managers should become familiar with the nutrients in their forage species, how they vary over time, and what their livestock nutrient requirements are. No matter what tool you use to estimate forage production and stocking rate, or if you use an online tool or the old pencil and paper method, it is important to include these estimates in a grazing plan. Even more important is to just take the time to think through and develop a written grazing plan. When we go through the process of writing a plan down, we often find things that we have previously overlooked or misjudged. After using these tools, and through experience, a producer may find they have problem areas like; forage bottle necks or frequent forage shortages due to drought. If these are issues you face it may be advantageous to explore USDA RMA Pasture, Rangeland, Forage (PRF) Insurance program. This program allows producers to mitigate risk by insuring forage production for either grazing or hay. Details of this program along with a decision support tool can be found at www.rma.usda.gov. This educational article is funded in partnership by USDA, Risk Management Agency, under award number RM16RMEPP522C01. Bridger Feuz – Owner Master Stockman Consulting University of Wyoming Livestock Marketing Specialist Hudson Hill – Master Stockman Consulting University of Wyoming Area Educator Barton Stam – Master Stockman Consulting University of Wyoming Area Educator
32 September/October 2017
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The Stand
And the symphony of brush strokes played by the trees As the wind had its way with their limbs and their leaves.
By Gaynor Dawson Elk hunting was a privilege given Dad’s sons, At the time of maturity ‘round age twenty one, When we had the time, the need and desire To trade urban living for a place at the fire. Each year in November, the first full week Found us deep in the woods above Rainbow Creek, Where the elk liked to graze and gather around, Before trailing on up to their wintering grounds. We in turn watched over each new band From a spine of basalt we called the stand. The serious hunter neither moves nor talks, Sitting motionless on a stand as if one of the rocks. And that’s how it was for Jeffery and me, If we alone crouched beneath that tree. But Dad’s presence brought other factors to work In which harvesting game was only a perk. Had he mounted rewards from his hunts back then His soul would have hung from the wall of his den. He wasn’t after ribbons for taking first place; He lived for the joy of just running the race. He was there for the time he spent with his sons, And success never hinged on the firing of guns. If he got hungry, he proceeded to eat, And when it was cold, lit a fire for heat, Regardless of the impact it might have on game When they smelled the food or caught sight of the f lame. Now much as we protested those comforts he sought, I can’t think of a time that it cost us a shot. To the contrary, the numbers made it quite clear, He outperformed everyone year after year. When despite all the odds he’d succeed in the end, He’d laughingly credit God’s pity on old men. But even in seasons when the elk moved away, We were always enriched by the end of the day. We’d see the night skies turned coral with dawn Transition to cobalt as the day passed on. We’d watch a clear night devour the day Leaving nothing behind but the Milky Way. Sometimes the earth was a frozen tableau When storm clouds came early with December’s snow; Straining for the sounds of hoof beats near by We’d hear f lights of swans passing high in the sky www.progressiverancher.com
Throughout it all, we hunters three Were one little thread in a tapestry. But the two of us boys instinctively knew The art would be lost if that thread went askew. We were being trained to anchor the line And offer up hope for those far behind. We were guardians of something we couldn’t define But had to pass on in the goodness of time. Sadly the mission became all too clear When Dad passed away in the summer one year. He’d shown us a beacon to cut through the gloom That we couldn’t discard in that hospital room. So we carried his ashes to the places he’d found Like the draws in the Blues where the elk bedded down. The next time I sat there all wrapped up in wool Ostensibly waiting for a shot at a bull, I felt him beside me and knew right away Trophies and meat weren’t the prize that day Much to the shock of my then grown son I broke hunter etiquette, as my father had done. I forsook the stillness and reached to extend My hand for the torch in that world without end. The thread is intact, unbroken and true, Maintaining the image as if it were new; Despite dwindling numbers of game on the land The real prize awaits at a place called the stand. Previously printed in The Progressive Rancher magazine.
2015 Yamaha Grizzly 700 EPS 867 miles. Runs perfectly. Winch, snow plow, racks, and new tires. Professionally maintained. Always garaged. $14,000 invested.
Call Mark at:
$7,000
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775-772-5632 September/October 2017
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Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke’s Statement on the End of the Monuments Review Public Comment Period
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ASHINGTON – On Monday, July 10, the formal public comment period closed for the review of national monuments. More than 1.2 million comments were received on Regulations.gov and thousands more were received via traditional mail. Twenty-seven national monuments designated since January 1, 1996 that are more than 100,000 acres, or that were considered to have inadequate public input are under review in accordance with President Donald J. Trump’s April 26, 2017, executive order. “Too often under previous administrations, decisions were made in the Washington, D.C., bubble, far removed from the local residents who actually work the land and have to live with the consequences of D.C.’s actions. Th is monument review is the exact opposite,” said Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke. “President Trump and I opened the formal public comment period – the fi rstever for monuments designated under the Antiquities Act – in order to give local stakeholders a voice in the decision-making process. After hearing some feedback, I’d like to remind and reassure folks that even if a monument is modified, the land will remain under federal ownership. I am strictly opposed to the sale or transfer of our public lands, and nothing in this review changes that policy. “These comments, in addition to the extensive on-the-ground tours of monuments and meetings with stakeholders, will help inform my recommendations on the monuments,” Zinke said. “I appreciate everyone who took the time to logon or write in and participate in our government.” As required by the executive order, Secretary Zinke submitted an interim report to the White House in June with various recommendations and observations on Bears Ears National Monument, which suggested the monument be reduced in size to conform with the intent of the Antiquities Act, that of designating the smallest compatible area. The report also recommended the creation of a national conservation area, and official co-management by the local Tribal governments. The report came after Zinke spent several days on the ground in Utah touring the monument by air, car, foot, and horseback, speaking with stakeholders from Tribal, local, state and federal government, as well as representatives from the conservation, historic preservation, agriculture, tourism, and education sectors. The Secretary met with the Bears Ears InterTribal Coalition while in Salt Lake City on May 7, and the Acting Deputy Secretary Jim Cason held a four-hour follow-up meeting with the Bears Ears Commission and the InterTribal Coalition on May 25. The Secretary also traveled to Maine’s Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, and to Boston to hold meetings on the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts National Marine Monument off the coast of New England. The Secretary plans to visit Oregon, New Mexico, and Nevada in the coming weeks. Regarding the comment period, the executive order stated:
(iii) the effects of a designation on the available uses of designated Federal lands, including consideration of the multiple-use policy of section 102(a)(7) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (43 U.S.C. 1701(a)(7)), as well as the effects on the available uses of Federal lands beyond the monument boundaries; (iv) the effects of a designation on the use and enjoyment of nonFederal lands within or beyond monument boundaries; (v) concerns of State, tribal, and local governments affected by a designation, including the economic development and fi scal condition of affected States, tribes, and localities; (vi) the availability of Federal resources to properly manage designated areas; and (vii) such other factors as the Secretary deems appropriate. 82 FR 20429-20430 (May 1, 2017).
In making the requisite determinations, the Secretary is directed to consider: (i) the requirements and original objectives of the Act, including the Act’s requirement that reservations of land not exceed “the smallest area compatible with the proper care and management of the objects to be protected”; (ii) whether designated lands are appropriately classified under the Act as “historic landmarks, historic and prehistoric structures, [or] other objects of historic or scientific interest”; 34 September/October 2017
The Progressive Rancher
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UPCOMING SPECIALS! Special Feeder Sale Tuesday, Sept. 12 at 1:00 PM
SALE EVERY TUESDAY
4th Annual Goat And Sheep Sale
Saturday, September 30th At 12:30 PM Special Feeder Sale Tuesday, Oct. 10th at 1:00 PM
Small Barn at 11:00 (Goats, Sheep, Pigs) Cattle Sale at 1:00 PM (Steers, Heifers, Cows, Bulls, Horses)
These special feeder sales are held in conjunction with our regular Tuesday sale. Please call for more information on these special sales, or to arrange transportation for your livestock.
2055 Trento Lane, Fallon, NV 89406 (775) 867-2020 - Fax (775) 867-2021 FallonLivestock.com - Email FallonLivestock@gmail.com Tommy Lee, Owner (775) 741-4523 June Young, Office (775) 217-2259
FINANCIAL FOCUS P re sente d b y J a s o n L a n d , F in a n c ia l A d v is o r, E d wa rd J o n e s i n E l k o , N e v a d a
S
2 2 1 3 No rt h 5 t h S t re e t , S u it e A | 7 7 5 -7 3 8 - 8 8 11
eptember is Life Insurance Awareness Month. And “awareness” is an appropriate designation, because many people remain unaware of the many ways in which life insurance can help families meet their key financial goals. Here are three of the biggest of these objectives, as seen through the eyes of a hypothetical couple, Jim and Joan:
• Pay off mortgage – Jim and Joan have a 30-year mortgage. If one of them dies well before that mortgage is paid off, could the other one afford to keep making payments to remain in the house with the children? It might be quite difficult – many families absolutely need two incomes to pay a mortgage, along with all the other costs of living. At the very least, the death of either Jim or Joan would likely put an enormous financial strain on the surviving spouse. But with the proceeds of a life insurance policy, the survivor could continue making the house payments – or possibly even pay the mortgage off completely, depending on the size of the policy and other financial considerations.
• Educate children – Higher education is important to Jim and Joan, and they’d like to see both of their young children eventually go to college. Of course, college is expensive: For the 2016-17 school year, the average cost (tuition, fees, room and board) was about $20,000 for in-state students at public universities and more than $45,000 for private schools, according to the College Board. And these costs are likely to continue climbing. Jim and Joan have started putting money away in a tax-advantaged 529 savings plan, but if something were to happen to one of them, the surviving spouse www.progressiverancher.com
might be hard pressed to continue these savings at the same level – or at any level. But the proceeds of a life insurance death benefit could be enough to fund some, or perhaps all, of the college costs for Jim and Joan’s children. • Provide for family’s future – Jim and Joan’s future income is their most valuable asset as they continue working. However, an unexpected death could leave this dual-income family with a single income that may not cover all financial obligations and retirement contributions – or even preserve the family’s current lifestyle. Life insurance could help cover these needs. Plus, the death benefit to the family may be tax-free. Clearly, a life insurance policy could allow Jim or Joan to continue on with life, despite, of course, the devastating emotional loss of a partner. But how much insurance should they own? You might read that most people need a death benefit of seven to 10 times their annual income. This might be a good starting point, but everyone’s situation is different. You should consider all factors – including liabilities, income replacement, final expenses and education – to get an accurate picture of how much insurance is appropriate. A financial professional can help you with this calculation. During Life Insurance Awareness Month, take some to time review your insurance situation. You may already have some life insurance, but it’s a good idea to review your coverage to make certain the amount and type of insurance is still appropriate for your needs. As we’ve seen, the right coverage can make a huge difference in the lives of your loved ones.
The Progressive Rancher
September/October 2017
35
N evada Farm Bureau NEVADA FARM BUREAU
Farm Bureau Pressing for Congressional Action for Tax Reform
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hile outcomes of Congressional activities are far from predictable, attention to tax reform is supposed to be front and center when the August recess is completed. Prior to the start of the lengthy summer break, Republican congressional leaders and administration officials issued a joint statement on tax reform highlighting plans lawmakers intent to make good on their promise to overhaul the tax code as soon as this fall. “America’s farmers and ranchers are encouraged to see that key congressional leaders and the administration understand how important tax reform is to all Americans. Fixing our tax system now is crucial to creating economic opportunities for farmers, ranchers and other family-owned businesses. Th is is especially important as farmers continue to face down tough economic challenges,” American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall said in response to the statement regarding the plans. Among farmers’ and ranchers’ top priorities are comprehensive tax reform that helps all farm and ranch businesses; the reduction of combined income and selfemployment tax rates to account for any deductions or credits lost; and cost-recovery tools like allowing businesses to deduct expenses when incurred; and a continuation of cash accounting, Section 1031 “like-kind exchanges,” and the deduction for state and local taxes. The repeal of estate taxes and the continuation of stepped-up basis, along with reduced capital gains taxes, are important as well. “Not only will reform strengthen our economy, but by addressing key issues like overall tax rates, capital gains taxes and enhanced expensing, it will be good for farms and other businesses,” Duvall said. Agriculture operates in a world of uncertainty. From unpredictable commodity and product markets to fluctuating input prices, from uncertain weather to insect or disease outbreaks, running a farm or ranch business is challenging under the best of circumstances. Farmers and ranchers need a tax code that recognizes their unique financial challenges. Farm Bureau supports replacing the current federal income tax with a fair and equitable tax system that encourages success, savings, investment and entrepreneurship. The organization’s policy priorities spell out the need for the new code to be simple, transparent, revenue-neutral and fair to farmers and ranchers. 36 September/October 2017
By: Doug Busselman, Nevada Farm Bureau
Tax reform should embrace the following overarching concepts: Comprehensive: Tax reform should help all farm and ranch businesses: sole-proprietors, partnerships, sub-S and C corporations. Effective Tax Rate: Tax reform should reduce rates low enough to account for any deductions/ credits lost due to base broadening. Estate Taxes: Tax reform should repeal estate taxes. Stepped-up basis should continue. Capital Gains Taxes: Tax reform should lower taxes on capital investments. Capital gains taxes should not be levied on transfers at death. Cost Recovery: Tax reform should allow businesses to deduct expenses when incurred. Cash accounting should continue. Simplification: Tax reform should simplify the tax code to reduce the tax compliance burden. Pass-through Businesses: Any tax reform proposal considered by Congress must be comprehensive and include individual as well as corporate tax reform. More than 96 percent of farms and 75 percent of farm sales are taxed under IRS provisions affecting individual taxpayers. Any tax reform proposal that fails to include the individual tax code will not help, and could even hurt, the bulk of agricultural producers who operate outside of the corporate tax code. Effective Rates: Any tax reform plan that lowers rates by expanding the base should not increase the tax burden of farm and ranch businesses. Because profit margins in farming and ranching are tight, farm and ranch businesses are more likely to fall into lower tax brackets. Tax reform plans that fail to factor in the impact of lost deductions for all rate brackets could result in a tax increase for agriculture. Cash Accounting: Cash accounting is the preferred method of accounting for farmers and ranchers because it provides the flexibility needed to optimize cash flow for business success, plan for business purchases and manage taxes. The Progressive Rancher
Accelerated Cost Recovery: Because production agriculture has high input costs, farmers and ranchers place a high value on immediate expensing of equipment, production supplies and pre-productive costs. This includes fertilizer and soil conditioners, soil and water conservation expenditures, the cost of raising dairy and breeding cattle, the cost of raising timber, endangered species recovery expenditures and reforestation expenses. Farm Bureau also places a priority on Sect. 179 small business expensing and supports bonus depreciation, shorted depreciation schedules, and the carry forward and back of unused deductions and credits. Estate Taxes: Farm Bureau supports permanent repeal of federal estate taxes. Until permanent repeal is achieved, the exemption should be increased, indexed for inflation and continue to provide for portability between spouses. Full unlimited stepped-up basis at death must be included in any estate tax reform. Farmland owners should have the option of unlimited current use valuation for estate tax purposes. Capital Gains Taxes: Farm Bureau supports eliminating the capital gains tax. Until this is possible, the tax rate should be reduced and assets should be indexed for inflation. In addition, there should be an exclusion for agricultural land that remains in production, for transfers of farm business assets between family members, for farmland preservation easements and development rights, and for land taken by eminent domain. Taxes should be deferred when the proceeds are deposited into a retirement account. Farm Bureau supports the continuation of stepped-up basis. Renewable Energy: Farm Bureau supports tax incentives to expand the production and distribution of renewable fuel and power. Other Provisions Important to Farmers and Ranchers: Farmers and ranchers support the continuation of Section 1031 like kind exchanges, the Domestic Production Activities Deduction (Sect. 199), farm and ranch income averaging, installment land sales, elimination of the UNICAP Rules for plants, and the tax deduction for donated food and donated conservation easements.
(continued on page 38) www.progressiverancher.com
THE RETURN OF HEALTH INSURANCE TAX IN 2018...
NV
Oliver Wyman analysis finds the Affordable Care Act’s Health Insurance Tax will result in higher health insurance premiums totaling $157 MILLION FOR NEVADA IN 2018.
Fully insured LARGE EMPLOYERS AND THEIR EMPLOYEES will see their premiums increase
Fully insured SMALL EMPLOYERS AND THEIR EMPLOYEES will see their premiums increase
SENIORS AND DISABLED INDIVIDUALS in Medicare Advantage will see their premiums increase
CONSUMERS IN THE INDIVIDUAL MARKET will see their premiums increase
NEVADA MEDICAID will incur an additional cost of
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The Progressive Rancher
$519 FOR FAMILY COVERAGE
$453 FOR FAMILY COVERAGE
$542 PER COUPLE
$148
FOR INDIVIDUAL POLICIES
$44 M September/October 2017
37
N evada Farm Bureau NEVADA FARM BUREAU Health Insurance Tax Repeal: The Health Insurance Tax (HIT) is possibly another component that should be addressed by a comprehensive tax reform package. HIT increases health insurance costs for farmers, ranchers and other small businesses by imposing a levy on the net premiums of health insurance companies. This additional cost of about $500 per family per year is passed on to consumers who obtain their health insurance through the fully insured market. Repeal of the HIT was included in the House version of the legislation that they passed to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. HIT repeal was also contained in an early proposal of the Senate repeal and repair for the Affordable Care Act but was not in the “skinny” bill which didn’t pass the Senate anyway. The consolidated appropriations bill which passed Congress in December 2015 imposed a one-year moratorium, for 2017, on the collection of HIT. This treatment will provide some temporary relief but the better approach would be a full-fledged repeal.
General Public Support For Tax Reform Associated With Agricultural Benefits A commanding majority of American voters support tax reform, a nationwide poll shows, while most voters also support tax changes that would benefit America’s farm and ranch families. The survey conducted by Morning Consult found that seven out of 10 voters agreed passing tax reform legislation should be a priority for Congress. More than half of voters polled also expressed support for specific tax reform provisions that would benefit farmers and ranchers, such as:
• Three in five voters (61-18 percent) say farmland that is sold to a member of the next generation should be exempt from capital gains taxes. • Three in five voters (60-23 percent) say farmers or small businesses should not pay taxes on equipment sales if money goes toward replacement. • By a 17-point margin, voters say farmers should not pay taxes when they sell farmland and use the money to buy different farmland. • A strong majority (64 percent) supports repealing the estate tax. • Three in four voters (74 percent) support allowing farmers to deduct interest paid on business loans. • Three in five voters (58-19 percent) said farmers and ranchers should be allowed to average their incomes for tax purposes due to wide variations in annual income. Morning Consult conducted the online survey of 1,996 registered voters from July 20 - July 24, 2017, on behalf of the American Farm Bureau Federation. Results from the full survey have a margin of error of +/- 2%.
• Allowing farmers to deduct machinery purchases in the year those purchases are made • Allowing farmers and ranchers to average their income • Decreasing capital gains taxes • Repealing the estate tax Tax rates are one key area ripe for reform, according to the Morning Consult poll. A majority of voters polled (63 percent) say federal income tax rates are too high. Seventy-two percent of voters support lower federal income tax rates for farmers, a matter supported strongly across party lines. There was even greater support for lower federal income tax rates for individuals (82 percent), small businesses (80 percent) and family owned businesses (77 percent). By a 3-1 margin (52-18 percent) voters overwhelmingly recognize that the current U.S. tax system is unfair to farmers in many regards. Two in three voters went so far as to say that farmers and ranchers should be extended special tax treatment due to the combination of challenges and risks that are specific to agriculture. That sentiment was shared across party lines. The poll also included the following findings concerning specific tax provisions: • A strong majority (73 percent) supports the ability of small businesses to write off business-related expenses. • Voters overwhelmingly support (81-7 percent) allowing small businesses to deduct equipment purchases in the year the purchase is made. • Voters support reducing the capital gains tax (54- 26 percent). 38 September/October 2017
The Progressive Rancher
www.progressiverancher.com
N evada Farm Bureau NEVADA FARM BUREAU
A
Summer Cookout Survey
cookout of Americans’ favorite foods, including hot dogs, cheeseburgers, pork spare ribs, potato salad, baked beans, lemonade and chocolate milk, will cost slightly less this year, coming in at less than $6 per person, says the American Farm Bureau Federation. Farm Bureau’s informal survey reveals the average cost of a summer cookout for 10 people is $55.70, or $5.57 per person. The cost for the cookout is down slightly (less than 1 percent) from last year. “As expected, higher production has pushed retail meat prices down,” said AFBF Director of Market Intelligence Dr. John Newton. Competition in the meat case is making grilling even more affordable for consumers this year, Newton noted. “Retail pork prices also declined in 2017, largely due to more pork on the market and ample supplies of other animal proteins available for domestic consumption. Lower beef prices are most likely putting downward pressure on pork prices,” he said. AFBF’s summer cookout menu for 10 people consists of hot dogs and buns, cheeseburgers and buns, pork spare ribs, deli potato salad, baked beans, corn chips, lemonade, chocolate milk, ketchup, mustard and watermelon for dessert. With regard to drivers behind the moderate decrease in dairy prices, Newton said, “We continue to see stability in dairy prices because of the improving export market. Chocolate milk will be a little more affordable this July 4th, in part because some retailers are promoting it as a sports recovery drink superior to other sports drinks and water. He also noted the retail price of American cheese has declined due to very large inventories and a lot of competition in the cheese case.
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Items
Amount
2015 Price
2016 Price
2017 Price
% change
1
Ground Round
2 pounds
$
9.10
$
8.80
$
8.69
-1.0%
2
Pork Spare Ribs
4 pounds
$
13.44
$
13.36
$
12.76
-4.0%
3
Hot Dogs
1 pound
$
2.19
$
2.09
$
2.19
+5.0%
3 pounds
$
8.58
$
8.76
$
8.93
2.0%
28 ounces
$
1.83
$
1.90
$
1.88
-1.0%
4 5
Deli Potato Salad Baked Beans
6
Corn Chips
15 ounces
$
3.26
$
3.17
$
3.26
+3.0%
7
Lemonade
0.5 gallons
$
2.05
$
2.04
$
2.12
4.0%
8
Chocolate Milk
0.5 gallons
$
2.65
$
2.50
$
2.45
-2.0%
9
Watermelon
4 pounds
$
4.21
$
4.49
$
4.67
4.0%
1 package
$
1.57
$
1.61
$
1.63
1.0%
1 package
$
1.50
$
1.59
$
1.61
1.0%
10 11
Hot Dog Buns Hamburger Buns
12
Ketchup
20 ounces
$
1.46
$
1.44
$
1.53
+6.0%
13
Mustard
16 ounces
$
1.14
$
1.24
$
1.16
6.0%
14
American Cheese
1 pound
$
2.86
$
3.07
$
2.83
-8.0%
$
55.84
$
56.06
$
55.70
- 1.0%
$
5.58
$
5.61
$
5.57
-1.0%
Total Per Person
10
Newton said retail dairy and meat prices included in the survey are consistent with recent trends and are expected to continue to be stable. Commenting on watermelon prices, Newton said, “Although U.S. farmers continue to increase watermelon production, consumer demand has also increased, contributing to higher retail prices.” A total of 97 Farm Bureau members in 25 states served as volunteer shoppers to check retail prices for summer cookout foods at their local grocery stores for this informal survey. The summer cookout survey is part of the Farm Bureau marketbasket series, which also includes the popular annual Thanksgiving Dinner Cost Survey and two additional surveys of common food staples Americans use to prepare meals at home. The Progressive Rancher
The year-to-year direction of the marketbasket survey tracks closely with the federal government’s Consumer Price Index report for food at home. As retail grocery prices have increased gradually over time, the share of the average food dollar that America’s farm and ranch families receive has dropped. “Through the mid-1970s, farmers received about one-third of consumer retail food expenditures for food eaten at home and away from home, on average., That figure has decreased steadily and is now about 16 percent, according to the Agriculture Department’s revised Food Dollar Series,” Newton said. Using the “food at home and away from home” percentage across-the-board, the farmer’s share of this $55.70 marketbasket would be $8.74. September/October 2017
39
N evada Farm Bureau NEVADA FARM BUREAU
Humboldt River Corridor Meetings Bring Updates to Those Impacted
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From the Nevada Farm Bureau Grassroots Newsletter
he meetings that Nevada Farm Bureau arranged for Farm Bureau members and others impacted by the conflicting water rights (surface water and groundwater) along the Humboldt River corridor provided those attending with the background of where things stand and what is being considered to try and resolve the matter. Thank you for those who attended and also thank you to the supporting groups who helped distribute the meeting notices to there connected audiences. Each of the meetings were well attended and the discussion lively (even if it was somewhat different, depending on where the participants are located and how the impacts will affect them). The presentation offered a look at proposed regulations and explained the need for input on the anticipated impact on small businesses, should the regulations be initiated. Those offering the input are being asked to compare how they view the consequences of assessing a fee for groundwater pumping which reduces water f low in the Humboldt River versus the alternative potential that is sought by the Pershing County Water Conservation District’s lawsuit. The lawsuit that is in the District 11 court calls for the State Engineer to carry out these actions (as spelled out by state water law). • Bring groundwater pumping of over-appropriated water basins along the Humboldt River corridor into balance with perennial yield. • Curtail all groundwater pumping which is in conf lict that results in reductions of Humboldt River f low. • Discontinue the current practice of treating mine dewatering as a temporary permit and consider the converted mine dewatering as a permanent water right with consideration given to pit lakes and other aspects of how mine dewatering affects groundwater basins. • The alternative solution offered as a concept by the State Engineer’s office is in the extremely tentative process, with the impact on small business being the first step. Based on this input the concept regulations could be advanced into a more formalized process that would result in workshops and regulatory hearings in the future. While the concept regulations are called “conjunctive water management” actions, they really are more accurately understood as mitigation actions, seeking a route around the state law where conf lict is resolved by junior water right owners being required to stop interfering with the ability of senior water right owners to received their water. In the situation of the Humboldt River, the surface water right owners own the senior water rights and those pumping water from groundwater sources are the junior water right owners. There is a four-year study underway to develop groundwater capture models that identify the degree of impacts being caused by groundwater pumping on the f low of the Humboldt River. This study is a couple of years into the process and annual reports of findings have been provided after the first year and will be updated this coming January. 40 September/October 2017
UPCOMING SALES September 11th Haythorn Ranch Ogallala, NE
October 26th Cottonwood, CA
Consignment Deadline: October 17th
November 29th Nugget Casino Resort Reno, NV
Catalog Deadline: November 10th WATCH & LISTEN TO THE SALE on the Web at:
For details call (530) 347-3793 or the representative nearest you:
Gary Nolan
Mark Venturacci
(775) 934-5678
(775) 427-8713
Elko, NV
Fallon, NV
Steve Lucas
Paradise Valley, NV
(775) 761-7575
Brad Peek— (916) 802-7335 or email us at wvm@wvmcattle.com Look for the catalog and video on our website www.wvmcattle.com
Market your cattle with the professionals!
The Progressive Rancher
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The Progressive Rancher
September/October 2017
41
HUMBOLDT WATERSHED COOPERATIVE Weed Management Area by Andi Porreca, HWCWMA Coordinator
Hello from the Humboldt Watershed CWMA! The HWCWMA was developed to address the invasive weed problem and subsequent decline in water quality within the entire 16,843 square mile watershed, which covers most of Northern Nevada. The primary function of HWCWMA has been to provide land managers, owners and weed control groups assistance in the areas of funding, agency and weed group coordination and cooperation.
and July. Dyer’s woad is a prolific seeder and the soil seed reserve is unknown. Managed sites must be monitored for at least 10 years after the last flowering adult plants have been eliminated and treatments need repeated when necessary. The key to effective control of Dyer’s woad is prevention and early detection. Eradicating populations of Dyer’s woad can be achieved through different control methods. When populations are small, hand-pulling is an effective approach. Herbicide applications can be effective also.
Control Methods CULTURAL; Keeping desirable vegetation healthy and thick will help keep invaders out. Survey your land regularly to detect new invaders and eradicate any new populations quickly.
Dyer’s woad flowers
T
his month we would like to introduce you to one of Nevada’s state listed noxious weeds, Dyer’s woad (Isatis tinctoria). This striking yellow plant is native to southeast Russia and is sometimes found as a garden ornamental in the western U.S. Dyer’s woad is a nonpalatable, aggressive weed with allelopathic properties (it produces chemicals which inhibit growth in other plants close by.) In Europe, Dyer’s woad has been cultivated as a source of blue dye and for medicinal properties since the 13th century. Within the last century it has become a serious problem on rangelands and in cropland of the United States. This invader is found mostly in disturbed sites, such as range, cropland, dry areas, woodlands, and pasture sites. This a major problem because Dyer’s woad overtakes native grass, and most livestock and wildlife don’t graze it. Dyer’s woad is spread by seed, which become viable comparatively early during seed production. Fortunately, other than the sheer number of acres infested with this particular weed, it is rather benign compared to some of the other noxious weeds found in Nevada. Dyer’s woad ranges from 1 to 4 feet tall with a deep taproot. The plant acts as winter annual, biennial, or short-lived perennial. The basal rosette produces stalked, bluish-green leaves covered with a fine hair. Leaves have a white mid-rib on the upper surface of the leaf. The flowers are numerous, yellow and very small. Flowers are clustered on the upper portion of multi-branched stems, which typically occurs in April to early June. Fruit or seed pods are winged, slightly pear shaped and change from light green to a shiny purplish-black color as they mature. The seeds contained in the fruit are cylinder-shaped and brownish-yellow. The seeds usually form in June 42 September/October 2017
The Progressive Rancher
Dyer’s woad plants www.progressiverancher.com
MECHANICAL: Hand-pulling or digging are effective control methods when dealing with Dyer’s woad. Hand-pulling should occur when soil is moist and be certain to pull all the roots. It is important to bag specimens carefully so as to not scatter seeds if the plant is flowering. HERBICIDES: The following are recommendations for herbicides that can be applied to range and pasturelands. Always read, understand, and follow the label directions for exact rates. The herbicide label is the LAW! • Metsulfuron (Escort - general use) at 0.5 ounces /acre plus 0.25% nonionic surfactant. Apply at the bolt to bud growth stage. (Late winter to early spring). • Chlorsulfuron (Telar - general use) at 1 ounce/acre plus 0.25% nonionic surfactant. Apply at the bolt to bud growth stage. (Late winter to early spring). Please note this herbicide has residual soil activity that will affect all broadleaf seedlings germinating after application has occurred. As always, please notify the HWCWMA if you see Dyer’s woad growing within the Humboldt River Watershed. We have an opportunity to stop invasive species from spreading if we act quickly and our staff can provide the property owner or appropriate public agency with site-specific treatment options for these plants. The HWCWMA also maps and monitors heavily infested sites in the watershed which allows the HWCWMA the ability to provide educational and financial assistance to land owners and groups in their management efforts, ultimately improving all of the qualities of the land and water in our watershed. The HWCWMA has also developed a website to serve as a clearinghouse for information on invasive weeds in the Humboldt Watershed. Our website (http:// www.humboldtweedfree.org) contains fact sheets for state listed noxious weeds in Nevada, Board of Director’s information, funding partner’s links, and many more features, including a detailed project proposal packet that you can print, fill out and mail back to us at your convenience. We are looking to expand our project area outside of the Humboldt River and always welcome new funding opportunities. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact HWCWMA Coordinator Andi Porreca at (775) 762-2636 or email her at aporreca@humboldtweedfree.org.
Dyer’s woad seeds
See you at the Van Norman & Friends Sale with some good ‘uns! Sept. 15th & 16th, 2017
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The Progressive Rancher
September/October 2017
43
Do You Have a “Right to Farm” in Colorado, Wyoming or Nebraska? By Brandon L. Jensen, Budd-Falen Law Offices, LLC
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eginning in the 1980s, farmers and ranchers became increasingly concerned as more and more people began relocating to rural areas outside of cities and towns, subdividing lands, reducing available farmland, and complaining that longstanding farms and ranches were a nuisance to their brand-new way of life. As rural residences increased substantially across the country, agricultural operations often became the subject of nuisance lawsuits. These lawsuits often claimed that livestock (cattle, horses, sheep, chickens, pigs and goats) and the production of our food and crops was a “nuisance,” because they create dust, noise and obnoxious odors which interfere with the nonagricultural users’ use and enjoyment of their rural property. As a result, many agricultural operations were forced out of business and others were discouraged from making investments in improvements and new technologies. To protect the agricultural way of life and sustainability of farming and ranching, legislators across the county began enacting laws commonly knownmas “The Right to Farm.” Right to Farm laws generally deny nuisance lawsuits against farmers and ranchers who use accepted standard farming practices and have been in existence prior to the adjacent nonagricultural land uses. In addition, many Right to Farm laws limit or deny the ability of state and local governments to adopt ordinances or pass resolutions which may interfere with legitimate and law-abiding agricultural operations. Yet, what do these laws mean? Do you really have a “right to farm?” Do you have a right to make any agricultural use of your private property? The answer, of course, is . . . it depends! To be more specific, it really depends on where you live. Right to Farm laws vary across the country and depending on which side of the fence you live, they may solve all your problems, or do nothing for you whatsoever. For example, in Colorado, the Right to Farm law weighs heavily in favor of prohibiting nuisance lawsuits against all agricultural operations, whether large or small, or commercial or private. The statute provides that “an agricultural operation shall not be found to be a public or private nuisance if the agricultural operation alleged to be a nuisance employs methods or practices that are commonly or reasonably associated with agricultural production.” In addition, and perhaps most importantly, the agricultural operation must be established prior to the use of the adjacent property for nonagricultural activities. In Colorado, agriculture is defined broadly to include the cultivation of plants, fruits, vegetables, flowers, grapevines, grass and ornamental trees; the storage, processing and distribution of milk and milk products; livestock and farm animals; poultry, including chickens and turkeys; bee hives; and “any and all other forms of farm products and farm production.” In Colorado, any ordinance or resolution of a local government – such as a particular town, city, or county – that makes the operation of any agricultural operation a nuisance or provides for the closure thereof as a nuisance, is void, unless the agricultural landowner voluntarily annexes his property into city limits. Thus, if a farmer or rancher in Colorado, “voluntarily” annexes portions of his farm or ranch into city limits, then he risks that one day their agricultural operation may be found to 44 September/October 2017
be a nuisance and ordered closed by ordinance or resolution of their local government. Obviously, farmers and ranchers in Colorado should think twice prior to “voluntarily” seeking to annex their property into city limits. Finally, in Colorado, while local governments may not declare agricultural operations located outside city limits as a nuisance, local governments may adopt ordinances or pass resolutions that provide additional protections for agricultural operations, so long as such additional protections do not prevent the agricultural landowner from seeking approval to put their land into alternative use. As an interesting side note to the Right to Farm law in Colorado, it remains to be seen whether such law will protect the rights of agricultural operations that cultivate, store, process or distribute marijuana for either medicinal or recreational purposes. Do local governments have the right to declare marijuana operations as a nuisance? Is a marijuana operation “agriculture?” Due to the unparalleled explosion of the marijuana industry in Colorado, it is only a matter of time before this provision is tested in the state courts. The Right to Farm law in Colorado would appear to protect virtually any person engaged in agriculture, whether he or she is merely engaged in agriculture for personal reasons, such as owning a handful of horses for riding, sheep for wool, chickens for eggs, or pigs as a “garbage disposal.” He or she does not need to own a significant cattle operation or otherwise engage in the commercial production and sale of farm and ranch products to be protected under the Right to Farm law in Colorado. In Wyoming, however, a person owning livestock or growing crops for personal use is not protected under the Right to Farm law. Rather, in Wyoming, the Right to Farm law only protects those engaged in the commercial production and sale of farm and ranch products. While the law in Wyoming protects the same kinds of operations as those in Colorado, the law in Wyoming specifically does not protect farms and ranches that own big game, such as deer and elk, or game birds, such as turkeys and pheasants. Otherwise, the provisions of the Wyoming law are very similar to the Colorado law. The Wyoming law does not address whether local governments may prohibit, or protect, agricultural operations. If you are a landowner in Wyoming who wants to make sure you are protected by the Right to Farm law, you would be advised to occasionally sell some of your “products” in order to qualify as a “commercial” farm and ranch operation. While the law in Wyoming states that it was enacted “to forever guarantee” the right to engage in farming and ranching in Wyoming, such “guarantee” clearly only applies to those who are engaged in the “commercial production and sale” of their farm and ranch products. The term “commercial” is not defined in the law and has not been clarified by any court. The Right to Farm law in Nebraska is more similar to the law in Wyoming than the law in Colorado. The law in Nebraska only protects farm operations that are “devoted to the commercial production of farm products.” In addition, in Nebraska, in order to receive the protections of the Right to Farm law, you must own at least ten acres which are used for or devoted to the commercial production of farm products. Otherwise, the types of farm operations protected under the law in Nebraska are similar to both Colorado and Wyoming, except that Nebraska has special provisions for public grain warehouses. Unfortunately, in any of the three states discussed herein, new farmers and ranchers have no protection under the law unless you can afford to buy an existing farm or ranch. In every instance – despite the intricacies between each state – to be protected by the law, the farm or ranching operation must have been in existence prior to the adjacent nonagricultural use. Changes in ownership generally are protected under the Right to Farm laws. However, if you purchase a small parcel of land in a rural subdivision hoping to start a small farm, or own a few animals, you probably won’t be protected, especially if your neighbors are there first. If you believe that your rights as a farmer or rancher have not been protected, or have been threatened by encroaching city slickers looking to move outside city limits, then you are strongly encouraged to speak to an attorney concerning the Right to Farm laws in your state and local community. Do you have a right to farm? In some cases, you most certainly do and will be protected by the law. In others . . . not so much. Like so much else in life, it all depends on where you live.
The Progressive Rancher
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West Nile Virus Found in Three Nevada Horses
NDA increases efficiency thanks to online livestock assessment
It’s not too late to vaccinate horses and protect against disease.
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PARKS, Nev. – The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) has confirmed three horses tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV) in western Nevada in the last two weeks. All three horses were not vaccinated. “Vaccination is the best protection horse owners have for their animals,” Dr. JJ Goicoechea, the NDA’s state Dr. JJ Goicoechea veterinarian, said. “With the increased numbers of mosquitoes this year, it’s important all horse owners take this precaution to prevent the spread of disease.” Arboviral diseases like W NV are transmitted to humans primarily through the bites of infected mosquitoes, ticks, sand f lies or midges. Every year, the NDA closely monitors several arboviral diseases to protect public health and safety and the agriculture industry. In addition to W NV, the Animal Disease Laboratory at the NDA tests for two other prevalent arboviral diseases: Saint Louis Encephalitis Virus (SLE) and Western Equine Encephalitis Virus (WEE). Although these diseases cannot be transmitted from a horse, all three can cause severe illness and death both in horses and humans. “Vaccinations, in conjunction with practices that reduce exposure to mosquitos, are very effective in protecting horses from W NV,” Dr. Goicoechea said. “It’s not too late to prevent the spread of disease.” W NV has been prevalent in Nevada since 2004 while SLE and WEE have been widespread in the western United States for decades. Since the Aedes aegypti mosquito has been found in southern Nevada this year, the laboratory also monitors and tests for Zika Virus. All Nevada residents should take precautions such as eliminating mosquito-breeding sites around houses and barns, using insect repellents to fight the bite and keeping horses vaccinated against W NV, SLE and WEE. The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) promotes a business climate that is fair, economically viable and encourages environmental stewardship that serves to protect food, fiber and human health and safety through effective service and education. The NDA includes the five divisions of Administration, Animal Industry, Consumer Equitability, Food and Nutrition and Plant Industry.
By Doug Farris, Animal Industry Administrator
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n our efforts to streamline processes, this year the Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) is only accepting online livestock assessment renewal. Going digital with programs like livestock assessments (also known as head tax) and brand inspections increases our department’s efficiency, making the process easier and quicker for you.
Online renewal is easy 1.
Open your web browser and visit https://nv.certifyag.com/headtax/.
2. Log in using your livestock assessment number (LA#) and livestock pass code to retrieve your record (provided in the renewal letter mailed to you in June). 3. Update your contact information (most fields are required, and the form will not work if required fields are left blank) and click “save and continue.” 4. Enter your average number of livestock (if no animals were present in Nevada for an animal type, please enter zero in the field) and the number of months spent in Nevada. 5. Pay online with an e-check (an electronic version of a paper check, which can be used by anyone with a checking account) or credit card number. 6. Print your receipt for your records. If total head tax is between $0 and $10, NRS Chapters 575.185 and 562.170 require a minimum payment of $10, unless you only raise sheep (in that case your minimum payment is $5). Try it out at the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association Convention NDA staff will be available at the Cattlemen’s convention with a booth in the trade show. Anyone who needs assistance is welcome to stop by for an in-person tutorial. Head tax protects livestock owners Although administered by the NDA, this program was put in place by livestock owners during the 1961 Nevada Legislature for the protection of their livestock and is funded by inspection fees and assessments. To keep the fees as low as possible, each owner must declare and pay his/her fair share.
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Under Nevada Revised Statute (NRS) Chapters 575, 561 and 567 the NDA has authority to collect certain special taxes on livestock. These special taxes include: • Livestock Inspection Tax, which helps support brand inspection, livestock and horse theft investigations and animal health issues • Wool Growers Predatory Animal Control Tax, which helps support the predatory animal damage control program • Sheep Inspection Tax, which supports sheep disease control and other activities related to Nevada’s sheep industry
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If you have any questions, please contact our Elko office at 775-738-8076.
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The Progressive Rancher
September/October 2017
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Western Video Market Holds 28th Annual Video Sale in Reno
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By Holly Foster
very year, Western Video Market holds its signature sale in Reno during the second week of July. The three-day event attracts hundreds of consignors and cattle buyers from throughout the West, and this year was no exception. 2017 also marked a return to the Nugget Casino Resort for this annual event, which is where it all started back in 1990. While a lot has changed in that time, one thing that hasn’t changed is Western Video Market’s commitment to its customers—consignors and buyers alike. With more than 20 representative auction yards from throughout the West consigning cattle on this sale, there was an excellent offering of feeder cattle and breeding stock. Demand was good for the three days on the more than 117,000 head that were offered. The overall supply consisted of 99 percent feeder cattle with the balance being replacement stock. In the feeder supply, 68 percent were steers and 32 percent were heifers. Of the feeder supply, 68 percent weighed over 600 lbs. For the three-day run, 1 percent were South Central Region, 26 percent were from the North Central Region, with the balance being from the West. Deliveries were contracted immediately through January 2018. For a full price report, visit www.wvmcattle.com.
This year’s sale was attended by more than 500 people in person and was also broadcast live on the internet and Dish 998 to a nationwide audience. In addition to the consignors and buyers, WVM also hosted its largest trade show with more than 20 vendors taking the opportunity to interact with some of the best cattle producers in the country. As always, Western Video Market hosted a complimentary consignor and buyer appreciation dinner on the first evening of the sale that is one of the best-attended cattle events in the West. A sale like this would not be possible without the generous support of advertisers and sponsors, and Western Video Market would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of those who participated.
WVM Rep Mark Venturacci, Fallon, NV Western Video Market, Inc. (WVM) was founded in 1989 by veteran livestock marketers Ellington Peek and John Rodgers to help customers sell cattle in an auction format to a national marketplace via satellite, and now on the internet. The company works with 20 affiliate auction yard companies and more than 60 individual representatives to consign cattle from the 16 western states. (530) 570-0757 Mobile | (530) 347-3793 Office (530) 347-0329 Fax | holly@wvmcattle.com
Panoramic shot of room 46 September/October 2017
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Ellington Peek, John Ascuaga, Mike Harry
Leland Schneider
Ellington Peek, Ron Anderson
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The Progressive Rancher
September/October 2017
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The Progressive Rancher
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