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The Nevada Rancher (ISSN 0047-9489) (USPS #003-257) Published monthly at Winnemucca Publishing, 1022 S. Grass Valley Road, Winnemucca, NV 89445 Call us toll free at (866) 644-5011 Periodical Postage Paid at Winnemucca, 89445
Publisher, Peter Bernhard Editor, Ashley Buckingham Staff Writer, Jennifer Whiteley
Well, after our second Winter came I am finally hopeful Spring is on its way! It is a good thing we waited until February to calve.. February was full of mud and road-trips for the NV Rancher Magazine team. Our staff writer, Jennifer Whiteley, attended the first annual Art of the Cowgirl event in Arizona while I headed to Fallon for the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association’s All Breed Bull Sale. It was a great sale. I always value meeting up with so many familiar faces. Perhaps we will see you at the upcoming Winnemucca Ranch Hand Rodeo or the Bulls for the 21st Century sale? This issue has been a fun learning experience for me. The horse and cattle industry go hand in hand and there is always so many new things to discover. Most of my favorite memories include the long days riding with my father and the disappointing feeling when pocket stash of snacks would run out. I pray your fields retain this moisture, your children are able to enjoy our ranching lifestyle and your bulls bring the EPDs that your herd needs. I hope you enjoy this issue. -Ashley
Cover Photo By: Nicole Poyo
In this issue: 5 Panel Horse Testing pg 10
Contributors, Heather Smith Thomas, Michelle Cook, David Glaser, Sarah Hummel, Norma Elliot, Victoria Jackson and Angela Vesco.
Desi Dotson, Monel Shelley, Taylor Hurley, and Jymme Dominguez, the champion team at the first annual Art of the Cowgirl Rodeo.
Sales Representative Ashley Buckingham
Find more on the event on page 20.
Dry-Aged verses Wet-Aged Beef pg 25
Office Manager, Tracy Wadley
To see more photos from the event visit www.nicolepoyo.com
James Shoshone-NCA New Location pg 30
Stallion Showcase pg 12 Tips for Developing a Good Ranch Horse: pg 18
Production Manager, Joe Plummer Graphic Designer, Emily Swindle The Nevada Rancher does not assume responsibility for statements by advertisers nor products advertised within, and The Nevada Rancher does not assume responsibility for opinions expressed in articles submitted for publication. The publisher reserves the right to accept or reject advertising or editorial material submitted for publication. Contents in The Nevada Rancher may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, including, but not limited to original contents and original composition of all ads (layout and artwork) without prior written permission. Subscription rate: $16.00 per year.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Nevada Rancher, Winnemucca Publishing, 1022 S. Grass Valley Road, Winnemucca, NV 89445
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WINNEMUCCA PUBLISHING 4 THE NEVADA RANCHER – MARCH 2019
Social Media Monthly Photo Winner By: Remy Campbell. “Love is found on the Ranch” Bubbles the calico ranch cat. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to enter our monthly photo contest.
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Hello from Cow Country By Sam Mori President, NV Cattlemen’s Assoc.
Hello Everyone, I hope winter has been good to all of you. A normal winter in the Great Basin can be a little unpleasant at times, but the prospect for a productive spring is what keeps us pushing through the snow and mud. The Nevada Cattlemen’s Association (NCA) has started 2019 with a very busy schedule that has taken us many miles. We recently returned from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Convention in New Orleans, LA where it was refreshing to see people from all across our country with very similar problems working together for common goals and sensible solutions. Nevada was very well represented as 38 attendees had our address. I was very proud of the fact we are very well respected and have several members in National leadership roles. Our interests and needs are being heard on the National level as we engaged on the issues that are important to our membership and the western ranching industry. There is much work being done on western range issues that include grazing regulation changes, Endangered Species Act (ESA), and an overhaul of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Trade, Fake Meat, Electronic Logging Devices (ELD), Water and Wild
Horses are some but not all of the things we are engaging in on behalf of the industry. The 2019 Nevada Legislative Session is off and running, and we are watching and contributing when and where needed. If something is of concern or interest to you, let us know, and we can address the issue. Water is certainly one that comes to mind, but many other things are being monitored as the session progresses. As of this writing, the Fallon Bull Sale is a few days away, but I want to thank the consignors, buyers, Fallon Livestock LLC. and our staff in advance for the contribution they have all made to allow this event to happen. It is an important income source for our Association, and your efforts and contribution are very appreciated. As we start looking toward spring, I want to remind everyone that the NCA is here for you as members and non-members. We will be busy turning cattle out and getting our crops in the ground and everything else that needs to be done yesterday. With that in mind, know full well that your concerns and wishes are being addressed in the best interest of industry each and every day. I look forward to seeing and hearing from you down the road. Till next time, Sam Mori President, Nevada Cattlemen’s Association
2019 Fallon All Breeds Bull Sale Was a Success By Kaley Sproul- Chapin Executive Director NV Cattlemen’s Assoc.
(Fallon, NV) February 16, 2019, the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association held their 53rd Annual Fallon All Breeds Bull Sale. Consignments arrived on Thursday the 14th, and the festivities began early on Friday the 15th. Sifting and Grading of the bulls took place in the morning while the Outdoor Tradeshow Vendors This year’s sale featured bulls ranging from 14-25 months of age. Cattlemen from California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, and Utah attended the sale looking to buy their range-ready bulls for the year. The Sale Average for the top 69 bulls sold comes to $3,530.00. Breed Averages included: Angus for $3,570; and Herefords for $3,493. Each year, the consignors continue to bring high-quality bulls. Because of the high quality of bulls and dedicated support to the sale, the sale continues to be a success and reach out to many of the western states. The Nevada Cattlemen’s Association and Fallon Bull Sale Committee thank you for your participation and congratulate this year’s award recipients. The Top Range Bull and the Angus Best of Breed were awarded to Amador Angus for lot #49. It was sold to Kurt Hamann from Gardnerville, NV for $6,200. Thank you to both parties for your participation and support of the Fallon All Breeds Bull Sale. The Hereford Best of Breed was awarded to Phil Allen & Son for lot #86. It was sold to Louis Scatena from Yerington, NV for $6,250. This was also the highest selling bull. This year’s recipient of the volume buyer jacket is Espil Sheep Co. out of Gerlach, NV. Aspecial thank you to our volume buyer and all our buyers. Whether you bought one bull or nine, your continued support of the Bull Sale is much appreciated. Along with the dedicated group of buyers and consignors that participate in the sale each year, there are several sponsors who help make the sale possible year after year and they include: Pinenut Livestock, (ear tags for the sale); Fallon Convention Center (grant for advertising); Progressive Rancher and Nevada Rancher (advertisement for the sale); Ott’s Farm Equipment (general sponsorship); Hoof Beats (for donating the panels for the FFA raffle); and Great Basin Ranch of Southern Nevada Water Authority (for donating the “Raffle Calf”, proceeds go to benefit Churchill FFA and the NCA Scholarship Fund). Along with these dedicated sponsors, we would also like to thank Stix Cattle Company and Demar Dahl for contributing a donation calf. Without the support of these great sponsors, the Fallon Bull Sale would not be possible. Nevada Cattlemen’s Association and the Fallon Bull Sale Committee would like to send a thank you to the Churchill County FFA, Churchill County Cowbelles, Sale Ringmen, Eric Duarte (Auctioneer) and the Fallon Bull Sale Committee members for helping with the Sale each year. Last but certainly not least, a huge thank you to Tommy Lee and his Family along with the crew at the Fallon Livestock LLC., your support and hard work is much appreciated!
6 THE NEVADA RANCHER – MARCH 2019
Photo by Ashley Buckingham
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Myrna Lyn Fisher Elissa Marcel Jones Myrna was born on June 7, 1954 to Robert O. and Donna L. Schneider in Spokane, Washington. Myrna passed away on January 26, 2019 after a yearlong battle with cancer. Myrna married Roger Fisher on February 10, 2001 in Elko, Nevada. They had 18 great years together. Myrna was preceded in death by her father and mother Robert and Donna Schneider. Myrna is survived by husband, Roger; son, Kirk (Kim) Rickey; sisters, Sheryl (David) Watson and Darcy Hobbs; brothers, Byron (Ginny) Schneider; Brett (Gina) Schneider, and Brannon (Staci) Schneider; brother and sister-in-law Pat and Marianne Fisher; Ed and Kathy Fisher and Steve and Terri Voorhees. Myrna also let behind her granddaughters Kelbie and Taelar Rickey, several nieces and nephews, also her best friend Debbi Wynn that she knew most of her life. Myrna worked for the Elko County 4-H program for 11 years; she loved the kids and made life-long friends with a lot of the parents and 4-H kids. Myrna’s passion in life was showing horses, she started showing horses when she was in grade school, in later years she started showing in Reining cow horse classes and ranch cutting classes. She loved riding horses and besides showing horses, she liked going to branding’s or helping move cows, or just going for a ride in the hills. In lieu of flowers you can donate to the Guiding Light Hospice or the Elko County 4-H program in c/o Mia Krenka.
Heavenly Father, I pause, mindful of the many blessings You have bestowed upon me. I ask that You will guide me in my life. Help me, Lord, to live my life in such manner that when I make that last ride to the country up there, where the grass grows lush and the water runs cool, that You’ll take me by the hand and say, “Welcome home, your new trail begins here.”
8 THE NEVADA RANCHER – MARCH 2019
Elissa Marcel Jones of Owyhee passed away at her home on January 25, 2019. She was born on August 17, 1952 in Bryan, Texas to Verna Manning Jones and Jim Dodson. She attended school in Owyhee where she excelled in academics, music, and rodeos. Throughout her junior high and high school years she won many all-around buckles. After graduation, she attended the American International College in Springfield, MA on a full ride scholarship. Upon returning to Nevada she worked in finance and was a blackjack dealer in Las Vegas. She worked in Reno at the Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada, and a stint as a waitress at the Owyhee Recreation Café owned and operated by her parents, Verna and Wallace Jones. In 1987, she began her career with the U.S. Postal Service as a Postmaster in the Mountain City and later Owyhee Nevada offices until her retirement in September of 2014. She belonged to the National Association of Postal Supervisors and ended her 29-year legacy working for the USPS and succeeding at negotiations to keep the post offices open in both Mountain City and Owyhee. Growing up in Owyhee on her parent’s ranch, she was lucky to learn the ins and outs of how to operate a ranch which embodied her love for the outdoors, horses, and family. After her retirement, she was fortunate to have the opportunity to become a full-time cattle rancher and continued running her family ranch until her passing. Elissa’s personality was one of a kind; her beauty and love of seeing those she loved happy was apparent and her priority. Elissa was raised to always be humble, show thanks, and to protect those she loved. Elissa was always willing to help someone in need, her strong work ethic, punctuality and knowledge ran deep which was shown in her professional work life and her family life, something that will continue to live on in those that were lucky enough to know her. Elissa was preceded in death by her daughter Merci Marcel Garity, her sister Bessie Sanchez, her parents, Verna and Wallace Jones of Owyhee & Jim Dodson of Oklahoma; her grandparents Guy and Bessie Manning of Owyhee and C.I. and Kathryn Dodson of Oklahoma and many aunts, uncles and cousins. Elissa is survived by Everett Charles Jones, her beloved sons Lenny Dodson and Jessie Jones; her future daughter in law Melanie Shaw and her right hand Genio Torres all of Nevada. Her brother Guy Dodson Sr.; her grandchildren Tanisha Ricarda McKinney, Kyuss Lee McKinney and Dilan Bill; her great grandchildren MaKayla Lynn, Roman Jay and David Lee Estevan and Isaiah Lewis Numkena all of Nevada. Also surviving are two dear aunts Mary Due and Kathryn Watson of Oklahoma, one uncle, Wilfred Manning of Owyhee and many cousins, friends and former colleagues. Elissa held an unwavering love for those she cared for. She was very proud of her children and grandchildren and would often be found highlighting their successes to anyone that would listen knowing deep down, it was because of her teachings and her influence. She was profoundly loved and will be deeply missed. “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” (Philippians 4:6)
Bonnie Catherine (Black) Colyer
Bonnie Catherine (Black) Colyer, 92, of Bruneau, passed away peacefully from natural causes on February 1, 2019. She was at home and surrounded by her loving family. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, February 10, at 2:00 pm at the American Legion Hall in Bruneau, with graveside services following at the Bruneau Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care of Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel. Bonnie Black was born on February 19, 1926 in Mountain Home, to Errol & Anna Black. Bonnie was the great granddaughter of early Bruneau pioneers, who settled in the valley in 1876. She grew up on the family ranch in Bruneau with her brothers, John & Jim Black. She graduated in 1944 from Bruneau High School. After graduation, she worked at the Jones Store in Bruneau and soon after, a handsome young cowboy from Three Creek named Ray Colyer stole her heart. Much to her father’s chagrin, she eloped with Ray to Elko, Nevada as they desperately wanted to get married before Ray was shipped to Japan during WWII. The spontaneous trip was full of complications, such as their car breaking down and their hotel burning to the ground, but through persistence, Bonnie & Ray were married on June 25, 1945. After the war ended, Ray returned home the end of 1946. During that time, they lived at House Creek, near Three Creek, while Ray was working for the Hawes family. In September of 1947, their daughter, Catherine Rae was born. In 1949, they moved back to Bruneau and began ranching with Bonnie’s family. They added a son, James Guy, in 1950. Through years of hard work and dedication, Colyer Cattle Company was created and became the foundation of the ranch that grew and evolved into what it is today. She looked forward each year to visiting with everyone at their annual bull & heifer sales. Bonnie remained on the ranch in Bruneau for her entire life. Bonnie was a member of the Rebekah Lodge, a lifetime member of the Bruneau Legion Auxiliary, serving as secretary for many years. She was chairman of the BruneauGrand View School District Board during the time the elementary schools were built. She also served as secretary of the Bruneau Buckaroo Ditch Company for many years. In 2013, Bonnie was honored to be the Grand Marshall of the Bruneau Rodeo. At the age of 90, Bonnie received her Concealed Weapons Permit. In her spare time, she enjoyed sewing satin pillowcases and cowboy scarves for family and friends. She was a talented seamstress and had made everything from prom dresses to leather chaps. One of Bonnie’s favorite pastimes was gambling, and she was always up for a trip to Jackpot, Elko, or Reno. Most often, she returned home “a winner”. One of Bonnie’s greatest accomplishments was writing her autobiography titled “Shoo-Fly & Alkali”, which was published in 2013. She had kept a journal for over seventy years, so she had plenty of information to draw from. Over the last five years, Bonnie enjoyed doing book signings, and had personally signed over a thousand books. Bonnie is survived by her husband, Raymond Colyer, her daughter Catherine Sellman (Chet), her son, Guy Colyer (Sherry), five grandchildren- Carla Sellman Carley, Crista Sellman-Jones (Destry), Chad Sellman (Kelly), Kyle Colyer (Bobby-Jean), Katie Colyer, and seven great-grandchildren- Emma Carley, Grayson Carley, Piper Colyer, Cruz Colyer, Dashen Jones, Addison Sellman, & Lola Jones, and nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was expecting her 8th great-grandchild in early May. She was preceded in death by her two brothers, John & Jim Black and her grandson, Robert John Sellman. Donations may be made to one of the following: Bruneau American Legion or Auxiliary, PO Box 582, Bruneau, ID 83604, Bruneau Boosters, PO Box 604, Bruneau, ID 83604, or Bruneau Quick Response, PO Box 294, Bruneau, ID 83604.
David Niles Thompson David Niles Thompson “Pops”, age 68 passed away on January 15, 2019. He was born in Camp Stoneman, California on May 16th, 1950 to George Niles Thompson and Vera May (Spicer) Thompson. In 1969, Dave married his high school sweetheart, Charlotte Hansen. Together, Dave and Charlotte had four children, Nikki, Slade, T.J. and Wendy. Dave was a loving and devoted husband and father to his children. He was a resident of the west, a cowboy adventure, reliable friend known fo rhis one liners such as, “The more miles you put on a pickup the less value it has; The more miles you put on a cold the more valuable it is; If a guy doesn’t take time for kids and colts you are too busy” Dave is surviced by his wife of almost 50 years; his children Nikki Cook and husband Topper, T.J. and wife Lacey, and Wendy Jarrard and husband J.J.; his grandchildren Georgina, Samantha, Cody, Jeremy, Shelby, Gracie, Julie, Johnathan, Seth, Hannah, Nate, and Laura; great grandchildren Brenden, Kayden, Lynden, Azaliah Jo, Spencer, Ashton and Hadley; sister Nyla Thompson, Nadine Cambron and husband Vince, and Bobbi Alwin and husband Bruce; and in-laws Swede and Laura Hansen Dave was preceded in death by his parens George and Vera May Thompson and on son, Slade Paul Thompson. The family would like to thank everyone for their prayers, support, and love in their time of sorrow. Lavendar Lace and Purple Sage Lavendar lace and purple sage, and you riding in about dark. Homemade bread, a quilt on the bed, a fire that crackles and sparks. The sound of your spurs, who needs diamonds or furs, or rich food like fine caviar. We’ve beens in the pot to feed the whole lot, and God gave us our own special star. A speckled blue pup, a hot coffee cup, going to sleep every night with a kiss. A three quarter moon, an ol’ coyotes tune, could life have been any better than this?
By Charlotte Thompson
THE NEVADA RANCHER – MARCH 2019 9
5 Panel Testing
Offers insight to genetic diseases in horses. Jennifer Whiteley Nevada Rancher Magazine
Winnemucca, Nev.-- HYPP. GBED. HERDA. MH. PSSM. These are acronyms stand for some of the most debilitating equine genetic diseases known today. Not long ago, these diseases were relatively unknown, but after years of research and lab hours, scientists and veterinarians have been able not only to understand more about the diseases but to develop a test to determine if a particular horse is a carrier of one of these diseases. This test prepares the owner for necessary treatment if the horse tests positive, and helps breeders make educated decisions about passing on that horse’s genetics and lineage to its offspring. HYPP is also known as Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis. Many quarter horse and stock horse enthusiasts are familiar with HYPP, but do not know much about it beyond its origins back to halter stallion, Impressive, and this disease’s seizure-causing reputation. HYPP is characterized by involuntary and uncontrolled muscle spasms, extreme muscle weakness, and collapse. This disease can even be fatal. These symptoms are caused by a genetic mutation that causes a par-
ticular sodium ion channel to be dysfunctional. Basically, these channels control the electrical impulses that manage muscle contractions. When these channels can’t do their job to properly control those electrical impulses, muscle control is compromised. The good news is that HYPP can usually be managed through diet and medication. There are three results that a horse can receive when tested for HYPP: N/N, N/H, and H/H. An N/N test results means the horse is negative for the disease, is not a carrier, and may possibly prevent the offspring of the horse from requiring testing. An N/H results signifies a horse carries the HYPP gene, but when bred to an N/N horse, has only a 50% chance of passing it along to its offspring. H/H means the horse is not only a carrier of the disease who will pass it on 100% of the time but is also afflicted with the disease itself. These horses are not eligible for AQHA registration, beginning with 2007 foals.
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HERDA, also known as Hereditary Equine Regional Dermal Asthenia is found primarily in stock breeds and is classified as a genetic skin disease. HERDA is characterized by hyperextensible skin, scarring, and severe lesions along the back of affected horses. Affected foals rarely show symptoms at birth. The condition typically occurs by the age of two, most notably when the horse is first being broke to saddle. There is no cure, and the majority of diagnosed horses are euthanized because they are unable to be ridden and are inappropriate for future breeding. HERDA has an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance and affects stallions and mares in equal proportions. Research carried out in Dr. Danika Bannasch’s laboratory at the University of California, Davis, has identified the gene and mutation associated with HERDA. Poco Bueno is the stallion that is linked to this genetic disease. Glycogen Branching Enzyme Deficiency, or GBED occurs in newborn foals. This fatal disease is seen in Quarter Horses and related breeds. The foals lack the enzyme necessary to store glycogen (sugars) in its branched form and therefore cannot store sugar molecules. This disease is fatal as the heart muscle, brain and skeletal muscles are unable to function. GBED is also known to be a cause of aborted and stillborn foals. Due to the inability to store energy, the foal’s brain and muscles, including the heart, are unable to function. Rarely, a foal makes it to 4 months of age; most die or are euthanized before the 8-week mark. While 8-10% of Quarter Horses can be affected by this devastating condition, there is a chance for any breed descended from Quarter Horses to be a potential carrier. There is no treatment.
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10 THE NEVADA RANCHER – MARCH 2019
MH, or Malignant Hyperthermia is an inherited autosomal dominant disease that causes a life-threatening condition in susceptible horses triggered by exposure to halogenated anesthetics or succinylcholine, and occasionally by stress or excitement. This genetic condition has been identified in Quarter Horses and American Paint Horses. A genetic defect in the calcium release channel that results in excessive release of calcium inside skeletal muscle cells which then triggers a hyper-metabolic state that can be fatal. Signs of MH episodes include muscle contracture (rigidity), elevated body temperature (> 40°C), elevated heart rate, irregular heart rhythm, excessive sweating and shallow breathing. Presence of the MH mutation also results in more severe clinical tying-up in horses.
The diagnostic DNA test for MH allows identification of horses that have this mutation and are at risk of developing clinical signs of the disease, especially if subjected to anesthesia. This test is recommended for Quarter Horses, Paints and related breeds. The DNA test will also assist veterinarians to use appropriate medication for surgical procedures and make the correct diagnosis of the cause of a tying-up event. Fortunately, if a horse is known to have the MH mutation, there is medication that can be given prior to being anesthetized. Since this genetic defect is a dominant gene, a horse does not need to have both defective genes present to be affected. The same gene is often found in horses with PSSM (polysaccharide storage myopathy, is a glycogen storage disease also known as tying up) making it a mutation double-whammy for breeders and veterinarians. PSSM, or Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy has similar symptoms to M H, the genetic defect that causes Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (PSSM) is caused by excess glycogen being stored in the muscles, as well polysaccharides (an abnormal form of sugar) to build up in the muscle tissue. To complicate matters, there are actually two forms of PSSM: Type 1 and Type 2. Both cause abnormal levels of glycogen and polysaccharides to build up in the muscles, but each is caused by a different mutated gene. Due to the gene mutation that causes MH influencing the PSSM genes, it is not uncommon for a horse to be afflicted with both defects. Tying-up is one of the most common symptoms of PSSM, followed closely by sweating, muscle stiffness, and refusing to move, particularly after exercise. Aside from a test for this genetic disease, this can also be managed with proactive treatment and many horses have gone on to successful show careers.
Palomino Quarter Horse shown at halter. HYPP has been traced back to the halter stallion Impressive.
Genetic testing is relatively easy. If you are a member of AQHA, and you have any questions about the testing process, reach out to AQHA’s Customer Service at (806) 376-4811. You can request a DNA kit online at www.aqha.com. You fill out your horse’s information, your information, payment information, and which genetic kit you’re choosing, a DNA kit for a registered horse, DNA kit for an unregistered horse, HYPP kit done separate from the panel, the 5-panel test, or the 5-panel test and DNA. Kits are normally shipped out in 7-10 business days. Once you receive the kit, you’ll pull a sample of hair from your horse’s mane or tail, and ship that to the Veterinary Genetics Laboratory at UC Davis. Once results are in, AQHA will update the horse’s record and notify you. If you are a member of APHA, the process is a little different. You will need to go to www.apha.com, print and fill out a DNA kit request, then mail it to APHA. They offer a 6-panel test that includes OLWS (lethal white syndrome found in the paint horse breed) in addition to the tests included in the 5-panel test. From here the process is similar to AQHA. For any questions or concerns, call APHA’s MemberCare at (817) 222-6423. Individual testing can be requested from facilities like the UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Lab. Genetic diseases can be intimidating and devastating. Utilizing genetic testing, our industry is making strides to eliminate the risk of passing on these mutations to the next generation, saving money and heart ache in the breeding industry. Testing also gives you valuable insight to create the best treatment plan for horses with treatable conditions.
An overo paint horse. 5-panel testing is beneficial to breeds related to the quarter horse or have their origins in the quarter horse breed.
THE NEVADA RANCHER – MARCH 2019 11
e s a c w o h S Stallion 5 Tips to consider when choosing Mr. Right for your mare
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2019 Stud Fee $800 Shipped Semen Available Contact Joelene Gould 208.880.1810 or Van Norman Quarter Horses 775.397.2132
2019 Breeding fee is $550. Live cover only. 775.388.3762 Lazy3C.Equine@gmail.com SIX FOLS sor 1978 QUARTER HORSE AQHA#1633277 MARTHAS SIX MOONS SOR 1984 QUARTER HORSE #2230166 GOTO MOONS SOR 15.3 2002 QUARTER HORSE #4254097 MR FIREWATER MARTHA PAL 2015 QUARTER HORSE MS CRYSTAL FIREWATER CREM 2009 QUARTER HORSE
GO FLIGHT TWO BR 1981 QUARTER HORSE AQHA #1791016
LADY BUGS MARTHA BR 1972 QUARTER HORSE AQHA #0921655 GO FOR TWO SOR 1970 QUARTER HORSE AQHA #0699458 DETRA BAR BR1972 QUARTER HORSE FIRE WATER FLIT PAL 15.2 1978 QUARTER HORSE #1566825
ZANTON FIREWATER PAL 15.2 1996 QUARTER HORSE #354852
MS YELLO POCO KING CREM 1999 QUARTER HORSE AQHA #4625274
ZANTONS SOCKS SUR 1980 QUARTER HORSE #1737806 STARS ROLLICKIN FIRE BUCK DN 15 1994 QUARTER HORSE AQHA #3311393
Now Booking Outside Mares for 2019 FRECKLES PLAYBOY
PISTOLS SMOKEY
DW HE BE A PLAYGUN SANTAN QUEEN
CISCO BAY B LADY ~1989 QUARTER HORSE
Whiteley
2018 Foal
Quarter Horses Raising Quality Ranch Horses
Our current sales list holds top shelf well started prospects. For inquiries give us a call or shoot us an email.
Playin Skeets 2004 AQHA Stallion Playgun X Little Lady Skeet by Peppy San Badger NRCHA Earner * Heterozygous Grey * 15.2 Hands * 5 Panel N/N $1000 LFG Live Cover/Shipped Semen
(209)-642-3901
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Owl Barn Ranch LLC
PLAYGUN
MISS SILVER PISTOL
CARLITA LENA
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Travis and Jennifer Whiteley (775) 934-2429 • (775) 934-3207 jebw79@gmail.com PO Box 281183, Lamoille, NV 89828
Dude Ain't Blonde 2016 Sorrel Stallion Plain Ole Freckle X Emily's Not Blonde by Hes Myte Impressive Currently 15.1 Hands * 5 Panel N/N Introductory fee $500 LFG Live Cover Find Us On: www.owlbarnranch.com @owlbarnranchllc
Smooth Bellingrath
2016 NRCHA DERBY OPEN RESERVE CHAMPION 2018 RENO SNAFFLE BIT FUTURITY OPEN TWO REIN CHAMPION
LTE: $101,780+ 2011 AQHA Stallion
Pasture Breeding Fee $2500
Smooth As A Cat x Very Special Peppy (by Peppy San Badger)
Standing at Triple D Ranches LLC Dyer, Nevada
NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Open Finalist NRCHA Stallion Stakes Open Finalist NRCHA Stallion Stakes Open Hackamore Champion NSHA Futurity Open Hackamore Champion NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Open Hackamore Reserve Champion NRCHA Hackamore Classic Open Reserve Champion NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Open Two Rein Reserve Champion
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Colt 76 Company
THE NEVADA – MARCH 2019 15 Nick RANCHER & Jackie Dowers
(775) 813-0241 DowersColt76@gmail.com
PHOTO BY: ROSS HECOX
SMOOTH BELLINGRATH
All Choked Up- A Tale of Tigger By Sarah Hummel, DVM Special to the Rancher
We all love our horses. So much, that they are starting to live well into their 30’s and 40’s. Horses become part of our lives, as we often find ourselves spending hours, upon hours, upon hours on their back...and occasionally on the ground at their feet. Sometimes we raise them from foals, starting them from the ground up, putting on that first ride. We use them for work on the ranch, moving livestock from the range, sorting, and riding pens. We use them for pleasure during community ropings and rodeos.
16 THE NEVADA RANCHER – MARCH 2019
Then, when our bomb-proof, seen-everything, done-everything, not-afraidof-no-rattlesnake horse gets to retirement age, they often become our kids’ first horse. We grow with them and then we grow to trust them with our most precious assets. Tigger was one such horse. He performed as a youngster, was raised on a working ranch, then became a first horse for a young family. In the veterinary community, we call these guys geriatric horses. They are a loved member of the family, tried and trusted. Similar to our own grandpa, horses will eventually loose their teeth or at least the function of their teeth. Horses rely on their teeth to grind down feed so it is a specific length when it reaches the gut. If the length of feed is too small or too large, the digestive tract will become unbalanced and damaged. This puts these older critters at risk for unique ailments including colic, diarrhea, weight-loss, and a medical condition called “choke.” Tigger has had two episodes of choke, all after business hours or weekends and holidays. He likes to schedule it that way I guess. During the first episode, the owner noticed Tigger was drooling excessively, and I mean a lot of drool. He was offered food but refused. If he drank water, it would all come back up. These are tell-tale signs of choke. Choke is a bit of a misnomer. In humans we use the term “choke” to describe an obstruction (blockage) of the trachea (or windpipe). In horses, “choke” describes a blockage of the esophagus (or food and water pipe). Tigger had lost a decent amount of his teeth and the ability to grind his food. He tried to swallow larger stems of alfalfa and grass hay. These large stems got stuck in the esophagus and slowly built up to cause a complete obstruction. The owner was aware of what was going on and tried to give him a small amount of water to relieve the blockage. It did not work right away so she called me. By the time I arrived at their place, Tigger was eating and drinking like nothing had happened. I was confident the choke had passed as he was able to swallow food easily. Horses are often able to relieve the choke on their own. By the time the veterinarian shows up to save the day, the horse has saved himself! But as I explained to the owner, it is still
important to call a veterinarian for a choking horse, because if they are not able to pass it, the damage to the esophagus can lead to permanent problems. The esophagus can scar down on itself and cause a stricture, leading to more obstructions. Choke can also cause an out-pouching of the esophagus where food gets trapped. The worse case scenario, is the esophagus can rupture or the horses can breath in food and saliva and cause pneumonia. I would call a veterinarian as soon as you notice the horse is choking. They may come out right away or they may want to wait for 15-30 minutes to see if the problem fixes itself. In the mean-time, syringe feeding the horse small amounts of tepid water is probably ok, as long as you are sure the horse is not accidentally breathing any of it in. Please do not stick a garden hose down the horses mouth, as that comes with all sorts of really bad consequences! The next time a weekend or holiday rolled around, Tigger choked again. This time was much more serious and it had been going on for over 6 hours. When I got to Tigger, he was dehydrated and a lot more lethargic (tired) then the first time. We spent a few hours that night trying to pass a stomach tube down the esophagus. We would place the tube as far as it would go, put in some water, and try passing it more. We put in water, removed the tube and let it sit for 30 minutes, and tried passing the tube again. I gave him drugs to relax the special muscles of the esophagus, drugs to sedate him, drugs to decrease inflammation but nothing worked. Finally, I added a small amount of a special lubricant to the water. This is substantially more risky than water because if Tigger inhaled lubricant on accident, he could get a life-threatening pneumonia. This still did not work! We were all getting concerned at this point and I had to discuss our options: sending Tigger to a referral clinic, trying to give him a bunch of fluids in his vein overnight and trying again tomorrow, or euthanasia. Tigger is a very old fella, and the damage done to the esophagus may or may not be reparable at this point. Fixing him was going to be expensive, and still may not be possible. Sending Tigger to a referral center was not possible, but the owners didn’t want to give up. We placed a catheter in his vein, and hung two huge bags of fluids which he received overnight. The owners also kept him sedated to ensure that his head was down so he didn’t breath any fluid or food into his lungs. We started him on antibiotics because pneumonia was a huge concern. I called the owners the next day, and Tigger was still drooling and not eating; he was still choked. So my husband and I trudged back out to their place, a bit dismayed. Everyone was concerned that this was going to be the end. I sedated poor Tigger again and placed the stomach tube. It hit a small amount of resistance where the blockage had been, and the slipped on by all the way down to the stomach! We had finally gotten the choke to pass for Tigger! Everyone was pretty overjoyed at this time. We treated Tigger with more antibiotics, a drug to heal and protect the esophagus, an anti-inflammatory, and a very special diet. Tigger now eats mainly alfalfa cubes (not alfalfa pellets as those don’t provide a large enough stem). He is gaining weight and, though we have had many holidays and weekends, he hasn’t had another episode of choke. Tigger’s episodes demonstrate the most temperate as well as the most severe manifestations of choke in horses. Regular dental floats can help prevent some age-related conditions such as these, but if the horse gets old enough, those teeth will eventually wear out. Then it is time to have a chat with your veterinarian about what to feed and how much. On average, horses need about 25 lbs of hay. Chopping hay is possible, but a hassle. Alfalfa cubes are great, but can be more expensive. These can be supplemented with pellets such as rice bran to add in some extra calories.
Spring is a great time to have the condition of your horses teeth checked out by a veterinarian to see if they need some extra TLC, so give myself or your regular veterinarian a call! Sarah Hummel DVM LLC 1155 S Bottle Creek Road Winnemucca NV 89445 775-530-4137 sarahhummeldvm@yahoo.com
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www.scalesnw.com • (800) 451-0187 THE NEVADA RANCHER – MARCH 2019 17
Tips For Developing a Good Ranch Horse By Heather Smith Thomas Nevada Rancher
A good ranch horse is an athlete and versatile—with agility to move quickly, surefooted confidence in steep or challenging terrain, ability to work cattle or do any other job at hand (from checking fences to packing salt), and a good mind. He’s also durable. Unlike some equine athletes whose careers peak at an early age and then they retire—often due to physical breakdown and unsoundness— the ranch horse is expected to work well into his twenties. He may slow down a bit in his older years and need a little extra care to keep old joints comfortable, but he can still hold up his end of a job with the kids or grandkids riding him. PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT – Horses that grow up in big pastures, travelling over all kinds of terrain, are usually more agile and athletic than horses growing up in small pens and stalls. Continual exercise is also important for optimal development of feet and legs, heart and lungs, bone and muscle, strong joints and overall soundness. Feed is another factor in the equation. Young horses need adequate levels of protein, carbohydrates, trace minerals, etc. for optimal growth, but they don’t need to be overfed and pushed for fast growth as some horse breeders tend to do. Youngsters that are allowed to grow up more naturally and slowly—out on pasture running with their mothers and then with their herdmates—tend to have fewer feet/leg and developmental problems than young horses fed a diet high in concentrates. Ranch horses have an advantage over horses that are bred and developed for racing, cutting, and other sports where they must compete at a young age. Many of those horses are pushed too fast, grow up in artificial conditions and tend to break down at a young age. A ranch horse can be allowed to reach his growth potential more slowly and naturally, for a long life of soundness and usefulness. Genetics, feed and environment all play a role in growth and skeletal development. W.B. (Burt) Staniar, PhD (Assistant Professor of Equine Nutrition at Penn State) has studied the growth of foals all over the world, including the Quarter Horse breeding herd at Penn State. “The research we’ve done focuse on the first 2 year of growth, and how nutrition provided by pasture and supplements influence that growth,” says Staniar. “In addition, we pay attention to how other variables, such as date of birth, age at weaning, and when the animals enter training, affect growth patterns, and ultimately athletic potential.” One of the main issues regarding growth is trying to avoid developmental problems that can occur, and to define the kind of growth we want. Do we want rapid growth? Slow growth? “I think our objectives in raising a horse are to maximize the opportunity for that animal to realize the athletic potential that’s a part of its genetics,” says Staniar. “Optimum growth is what we’re looking for, but defining that is difficult. It may be different for each individual--and the end result is often several years down the road. It’s hard to determine how growth at 3 months of age will influence what a horse will be at 3 years of age,” he explains. “In all the growth data I’ve looked at, there’s a decrease in growth rates in the winter months, with February being the lowest for horses raised in the northern hemisphere. The young horse’s body is conserving energy for other purposes and decreasing growth rate. But the decrease at this time represents an opportunity for horse owners. If you realize this will occur, you can provide the weanling with more energy, and an environment that doesn’t allow the growth to decrease quite so much,” Staniar says. You can counterbalance some of the negative effects of that first winter. For example, it’s an opportunity to provide better quality hay for these weanlings. “The thing that’s interesting is that if a foal really drops off in growth (such as at weaning, when he’s stressed and if forage availability and weather are less optimal) with all of these stresses happening at once, he makes up for it later.
18 THE NEVADA RANCHER – MARCH 2019
The more an animal decreases growth at this point and conserves energy (for maintenance instead of growth), when spring comes and there’s good grass again, the more the animal tries to catch up,” he says. This growth spurt is called compensatory growth and it happens in all species. The more the young animal’s growth decreased through that first winter, the more likely there will be an even greater increase in growth the next spring. And it is this type of growth spurt that has been linked with developmental problems in the growing skeleton. If you can compensate for the decrease in growth during winter and also think about it in the spring (not complicating a growth spurt by feeding high energy feeds at that time), this can smooth out the peaks and valleys of the young horse’s growth and potentially help minimize some of the risk for DOD (developmental orthopedic disease). “This bumpy pattern of growth may or may not be detrimental. In extremes, it might be, because it may lead to skeletal abnormalities. There were some studies in the 1940’s and 50’s that looked at wild horses’ patterns of growth. The young ones grow slower in winter and speed up in spring. These are normal cycles,” says Staniar. On the other hand, fast growth in a wild horse might not be as extreme as that of a domestic youngster on lush pasture or one that’s being fed grain and other concentrates to push for faster growth to get ready for showing or early training. Wild horses mature more slowly in a natural environment. They don’t suffer from DOD due to too-fast growth. They may not finish growing until they are 5 or 6 years old, but they also tend to stay sound longer because they are not pushed—either nutritionally or physically. Ranch horses that are allowed to grow up at a natural rate (building strong bodies as they exercise in big pastures), and not pushed into training and hard work at a young age, tend to stay sound longer than racehorses or performance horses that are headed for competitions in their 2-year-old year. A good rule of thumb, even if you start training the young horse under saddle as a 2-year-old to give him the basics, is to wait until he is 4 before he is asked to do hard work. A little patience at the beginning adds many years of useful life at the end. MENTAL DEVELOPMENT/TRAINING – The ideal ranch horse has a good mind and is “part of the team” when you ask him to do a job—willingly responding to your request whether you are on the ground or on his back. Some horses are more mellow and trusting than others because of their genetic tendency toward a naturally good disposition. They are often easier to train, while others require more work to gain their trust and respect. The type of handling given a young horse can make a big difference in how he turns out. It helps if you can work with a horse’s natural tendencies and social make-up as a herd animal. If the horse can look to you as the herd leader, this makes your training job easier. Ranch-raised horses that run free in large pastures as a group—interacting in the herd hierarchy--can more readily transfer their allegiance/respect for the “herd boss” to you as the leader of the team. There are many ways to start handling young horses. They all work, depending on how you go about it. Some people like to imprint foals, handling them immediately after birth to get them accustomed to being touched all over. If done correctly this can be a good training aid. If done incorrectly you may end up with a very pushy horse. Ryon Rypkema, a trainer in South Dakota, says people are becoming better with imprinting, having more understanding of how to do it correctly. “When it first became popular, however, a lot of people tried it. Many of them thought it was great to work with that cute little baby, but that’s the same relationship they kept with that horse—thinking its ok for those foals to be close and snuggle
with them. But if the imprinting isn’t done right and the foal doesn’t get the to take the mare out of the equation and not work with the foals until they are leader-follower relationship, he’s spoiled. The toughest ones we ever started weaned. I’d put 5 or 6 of those weanlings in a round pen, then get on a saddle were the ones people tried to imprint but failed to do properly. Those horses horse and ride amongst them. They are used to being with other horses, and look at you as an equal instead of their leader. They don’t respect your space, now you introduce another animal of their herd and are just riding up above they don’t respect other horses,” says Rypkema. They can be a real challenge, them,” he says. “For the first couple days I wouldn’t do much--just ride through them. I especially if they don’t respect you and become too aggressive. “I’m in an area in western South Dakota where there’s a big difference might try to get close to them and pet them. They are naturally curious and between the ranchers and the hobby horse owners. The hobby owners view come up to the horse. If you can start talking to them and touching them when horses as companion animals rather than livestock. That’s ok. I use my own they come close, and keep it stress-free and relaxed, you’ve gained a lot. They horses hard on the ranch, but they are also my best friends. The hobby horse- will build trust in that saddle horse, and trust with you—because they see the men, however, don’t know how to separate the roles. They don’t understand saddle horse accepting you,” says Rypkema. “I also use a saddle horse when I’m breaking colts, just to have another horse that they must be the leader in the relationship,” he says. They want to be the horse’s best buddy; they are afraid that if they take a leadership role this will in the pen. If a colt gets scared when I get on him the first time or two, he might buck around a little but tend to go to the other horse and become relaxed push the horse away and he won’t like them. “But it works exactly the opposite. If you become a leader in that because that other horse isn’t freaking out. The other horse is his security and a horse’s life, he’ll respect you a lot more (and be willing to do much more for you) good influence. This saves a lot of crashes for me,” he says. The role model of another horse, if he’s calm and dependable, is always helpful. than if he views you as his equal. You have to be the leader,” says Rypkema “I try to do almost everything—when they are young and impressionable and A foal that’s been imprinted properly has learned to respond and “give” and accept the dominance of the human, but one that hasn’t been imprinted cor- until I feel they are accepting me—with another horse. It may be something as rectly is simply unafraid and hasn’t learned respect. “He may sulk up and fight simple as going out and checking them horseback. They start to relate you and you for a week or two when you have to start teaching him respect, but once the trained/finished horse with things being ok and comfortable and they are he accepts your leadership role he will have a better relationship with you in the relaxed about it. It makes the transition easier for them,” he says. end,” he explains. Once the young horse trusts and respects you, the next steps in training The old way of breaking horses, catching them for the first time as wean- are less challenging. The nice thing about training a ranch horse is that after you lings or older and tying them up—letting them fight the rope until they gave accomplish the basics of trust and respect, leading, saddling, mounting, response in--worked with some, but was very hard on others. “When I halter break my to cues for stop, go and turn, it can be gradual on-the-job training. The young young horses now, I like to do it with the mare. Often I’ll put the mare and her horse isn’t ready yet for a hard day chasing cows in rough country until he’s more foal in the round pen. I’ll tie a bowline in the foal’s halter rope and slip it over mature in mind and body, but he can do some easy miles checking fences, learn the mare’s neck. The mare will take her foal wherever she wants to go,” he says. to pack fencing materials or a couple blocks of salt, or follow a herd of cows. He This is similar to the old method of tying a weanling or yearling to a burro and can learn as he goes, doing all kinds of things, as long as you don’t ask too much letting the burro halter break the youngster. of him too soon. Whether you imprint a foal or even handle it very much in the first few weeks or months will usually depend on how user-friendly the mare is. “A lot of broodmares on ranches here were maybe halter broke as weanlings, and that’s the last they were worked with. They are not always cooperative about what you want to do with their foal. They instill a defense response into their foals,” he explains. “If you want to work with the foal from the beginning, first make sure the mare is halter broke, easy to catch, and has the ground manners necessary to work with her.” That’s the only way you can make a positive experience for the foal when working with him while he is still on his mother. The foal needs a good influence from his mother or herdmates, not picking up fear or defensive tactics when confronted with a human. The young horse also needs to learn that he’s not the boss in the horse-human relationship, and must submit to the human as leader. “I turn my weanlings out with my saddle horses. Those geldings teach those colts more manners than 90 days of me working with them,” Rypkema says. The young horse learns discipline from the older horses much quicker than you can teach him. If a foal has very little contact with other horses after weaning, he may grow up more headstrong and aggressive than he would otherwise, trying to treat you as a playmate rather than his trainer. He may think he can dominate you, since he has not had to submit to the bossing of older herdmates. It’s much easier to let an older horse put him in his place and teach him discipline and submission if he is aggressive, than for you to have to do it--especially if he is a pet or spoiled and has no respect for human handlers. Often the best remedy for the headstrong aggressive young horse is just more exposure to older horses. “When you wean foals, put them with a horse that has the most ground manners. The foals will pick this up, too, along with finding security in the company of the adult horse. The foals will make the transition with less stress. The less stress you put on them, the more accepting they will be about everything you want to do with them.” They are more open to Locations to Serve You! what you are doing instead of just being scared and upset, especially if they Pinenut Livestock Supply Inc. Pinenut Livestock Supply haven’t been handled before. 263 Dorral Way, Fallon 1416 Industrial Way Ste. A, Gardnerville “When we had a lot of broodmares at the ranch in earlier years, many (800) 513-4963 (877) 223-5284 were barely halter broke. When dealing with that kind of situation, it’s best
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THE NEVADA RANCHER – MARCH 2019 19
Art of the Cowgirl
The first Art of the Cowgirl celebrates women of the west and their contributions to western lifestyle and culture. Photos and Words by: Jennifer Whiteley Nevada Rancher Magazine
Phoenix, Az.—February 8th, 9th, and 10th the beautiful Corona Ranch in Phoenix, Arizona was the place to be for the first annual Art of the Cowgirl event. Cowgirls from across the western states gathered to celebrate and connect western women around horses and western art. The event featured female gear makers, including master artists, silversmiths, braiders, saddle makers and horsewomen, as well as a trade show to rival all others. The event provided entertainment and honored women of the west, but also provided fellowships to individuals to further their knowledge with master artists in the trade of choice. The contributions of these cowgirl makers are truly worth celebrating. The event kicked off with the Women’s Ranch Rodeo slack the morning of the 8th where 26 four women teams were narrowed down to 4 teams, and opening ceremonies, Lee Smith Colt Starting, and an introduction of the Master Artists, recognition of Wester Horseman’s Women of the west Judy Wagner, and a Western Fashion Show that evening. The top 4 teams included the Bar Up team of Jymme Dominguez, Desi Dotson, Tayler Hurley, and Monel Shelley. Goemmer Ranches of Carmen Buckingham, Dally Goemmer, Riata Goemmer, and Taren Hays. Carmen Team 1 or Jessica Cardon, Justine Munns, Kayla Tiegs, and Carmen Buckingham. Silver Creek Girls of Lindy Lehman, Natalie Norcut, Dally Goemmer, and Riata Goemmer. The contestants competed in team roping, top stock horse, sorting, and branding. Carmen Buckingham of Idaho was awarded the Top Horse Award and Jymme Dominguez was awarded a beautiful pair of spurs made by John Mincer as winner of the Elite Ranch Horse Class winner. Congratulations to the winning team at the inaugural Art of the Cowgirl All Women Ranch Rodeo. The “Bar Up Ranch” team, which included Jymme Dominguez, Desi Dotson, Tayler Hurley, and
HONE
RANCH
Monel Shelley, came into the finals after dominating the first go-round and had an outstanding performance in the final round against some very tough competition. Saturday’s events included trick riding with Brandi Phillips, a cow horse clinic with Sandy Collier, ranch roping with Reata Brannaman, Jessica Cardon, Justine Munns, and Mesa Pate, a Sharon Edsall cowdog demonstration, and the ranch rodeo finals all in the Corona Ranch arena. Art of the Cowgirl featured Master Artists from all over the world who have honed their skills in a western craft. These artists attended the annular event to showcase their work and provide demonstrations. Money was raised during live and silent auctions during the event to award select lucky recipients with fellowships with master artists to learn their craft. Saturday Master Artisans Amy Raymon (silversmith from Jordan Valley, Oregon), Kelly Martin (boot maker from Battle Mountain, Nevada), Jan Mapes (fine artist from Southeast Colorado), Nancy Martiny (saddle maker from May, Idaho), Teresa Black (rawhide braider from Plush, Oregon), and Constance Jaeggi (Photographer from Weatherford, Texas) all talked about their art form on the center stage. Each night ended with live music from Lynda Thurstun & The Genuine Cowgirls, and Trinity Seely. Sunday concluded the event with a Sandy Collier cow horse demonstration, round table discussion with influential western women, horse sale preview, and the horse sale. The Art of the Cowgirl Elite Ranch Horse Sale is a unique event that offered a select group of horses that are the product of some of the handiest women in the ranching industry today. Mesa Pate, who organized the horse sale stated “I took great consideration in all factors in choosing not only horses for this sale, but the consigners as well. That includes their partnership with spouses and significant others. It takes more than one person to produce the kind of horses I wanted for this sale, and most of these horses are the product of many hours spent between family members. It’s been proven over and over; great partnerships create great horses.” Many of the horses consigned to the sale were available for viewing throughout the weekend, used in various demonstrations and the ranch rodeo. 13 horses and 1 puppy were sold through the sale, with the top selling horse being lot #3 “Headlight” a 2013 sorrel gelding consigned by Jessica Cardon of Caliente, California. The average on 11 head of ranch horses was $16,090, the average on 2 two-year-old colts was $5,250, and the sales total was $188,250! The Art of the Cowgirl will be an annual event for years to come and will only get bigger and better each year. If you have the opportunity to leave the ranch in February, head to Phoenix and check it out. The weather is bound to be warmer than Nevada and you will have a great time! For more information, go to www. artofthecowgirl.com or visit their Facebook page.
MJB McD Profound
Sire of four of the bulls consigned to the Bulls of the 21st Century Sale. 15 Bulls being sold! Including calving ease bulls by Jindra Acclaim and Connealy Capitalist 028.
Snyder’s Bulls For the 21st Century Sale Snyder's Bulls for the 21st Century Sale in Yerington, NV March 10th, 2019 WWW.HONERANCH.COM (775)-691-1838 • Gardnerville, Nevada honeranch@frontier.com
20 THE NEVADA RANCHER – MARCH 2019
Above: Clinician Lee Smith of Wickenburg, Arizona walks an attendee through a cattle handling drill. Smith says, “I’m just excited to continue to share some of the things that have made a difference in my horsemanship and my life as a whole,” Lee says. “So I’m really thrilled to present at this event. I love that it gives young individuals a way to have access to some talented artists, and the funds to continue to learn from them! “I just think it’s a tremendous opportunity for us all”.
Above: Battle Mountain cowgirl Jymme Dominguez had an excellent weekend at the Corona Ranch. Her horse Nic won the Elite Ranch Horse award, she was on the winning Women’s Ranch Rodeo team, and she sold “Big Hoss” in the sale. Here Jymme competes in the ranch riding event.
Master Boot Maker Kelly Martin of Battle Mountain, Nevada measures Lacy Hebbert of Nebraska’s feet to build her a custom pair of cowboy boots.
Pictured above: Trick rider Brandi Phillips takes us through a training drill she uses on her horses to prepare them for rodeo season.
THE NEVADA RANCHER – MARCH 2019 21
Importance of Breeding Soundness Examinations for Bulls Heather Smith Thomas The Nevada Rancher
Bulls are a big investment and important for herd productivity. A sound, fertile bull will sire more calves in a shorter time than an unsound or sub-fertile bull. Many factors play a role in fertility and breeding ability, including semen quality, conformation and soundness, desire to breed cows. It’s wise to make sure every bull passes a breeding soundness examination before putting him with cows. This evaluation looks at 5 things: physical soundness (feet/legs, eyes, etc.), reproductive tract soundness, scrotal circumference that meets minimum requirement, percentage of sperm cells that are normal, and acceptable motility. Dr. Ahmed Tibary, Professor of Theriogenology, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Washington State University says there still some producers who don’t pay attention to pre-breeding soundness. The 2007 Beef Cattle NAHMS reported only 57% of large ranches (more than 200 cows) used breeding soundness exams, and the national average was 19.5% Distal mid-piece defet. Oftern caused by It is more common to check young stress, heat or possibly genetics. virgin bulls, and many producers don’t bother to check older bulls that were used the year before; the producer just assumes the bull is fine again for this year. “This is often where we see some problems. A lot depends on how those bulls have wintered. If they had a hard winter with cold weather and wind, we find abnormal sperm,” he says. A bull may have had an injury or infection that the producer was not aware of, and is not as fertile or capable of breeding as he was last year. “The process of evaluation is well established, but I expect there will soon be some modifications in the standard breeding soundness examination. One of my pet peeves is the way many people describe a bull breeding soundness exam as semen testing. This is just a small part; the examination takes many other things into account,” says Tibary. Knowing the history of the bull is important. “It is very difficult for a veterinarian to do an accurate breeding soundness exam without knowing something about the ranch and its management. The veterinarian needs to know what kind of vaccination program and nutritional program they have. For bulls that have serviced cows before, you need some history on each bull and what may have happened to him in the past, and what his calf crop was like,” Tibary explains. “Then there is the hands-on examination, and the semen testing comes last.” SOUNDNESS – “The first thing we look at is health and soundness, doing a physical examination. Does the bull have good feet and legs, able to mount and breed a cow? Does he have any conformation faults? In young bulls, conformation is extremely important. In older bulls, injuries to claws, feet, legs, eyes, back etc. could be a problem,” he says. You also want to be sure the bull is free of disease, and know the history of the herd. “Producers should avoid bringing in bulls that might be carrying contagious diseases that they don’t already have in herd, and it may be something as simple as warts. So a physical examination for health and soundness is very important,” he says. “A detailed examination of reproductive organs includes inspection of external genitalia. The prepuce/sheath is inspected for conformation and to make sure there isn’t anything abnormal. The scrotum is examined for conformation, symmetry or presence of lesions. Testicles are palpated to see if they are normal consistency or too hard or too soft,” says Tibary. One problem often noticed in an external examination is injury to the prepuce. “We also may see lesions on the scrotum, particularly if the winter was cold. Sometimes injuries result from being out on harsh terrain and going through the brush,” he says. SCROTAL SIZE - “One of the most important criteria noted is scrotal circumference. Size and shape is important but some breeds have different standards. In
22 THE NEVADA RANCHER – MARCH 2019
other countries, including Canada, the minimum acceptable scrotal circumference is determined by the breed. Each breed has their own recommended scrotal size per age of the bull.” Some breeds have smaller circumference than the average across breeds, but the bulls are very fertile. “Here in the U.S. we still use the same standard for all breeds, the same minimal scrotal size. Several cattle breed associations are looking into that, and it may change; cattlemen may become stricter about what they need, for their own breed.” Scrotal circumference is important because size of the testes determines how many spermatozoa are produced daily. “We know the amount of sperm produced per gram of testes, so the weight of the testes determines how many sperm are produced daily. Scrotal circumference is an excellent estimate for testicular weight and provides a reliable method for estimating sperm production.” This is usually what determines how many cows can be mated with that bull. Making sure that a bull has at least the minimum circumference standard will ensure that he can be used with at least 25 cows. “The bull-to-cow ratio can be decreased (more cows per bull) depending on scrotal circumference, length of breeding season and management conditions,” Tibary says. A young bull should have at least the minimum scrotal size for his age. PALPATION OF INTERNAL SEX ORGANS - “The next step in bull examination is transrectal palpation of the internal sex organs. In bulls, this palpation allows us to discover one of the most common problems in bulls, which is seminal vesiculitis or vesicular adenitis (inflammation of the seminal vesicle, which is also called the vesicular gland). This is the most common infectious problem in bulls that will result in poor fertility and poor semen quality. We also check for inguinal hernia by Pictured above: Penile Wart palpating the inguinal rings. The accessory glands which are the bulbourethral gland and the prostate are usually not a big concern as far as abnormalities,” says Tibary. “When we palpate these glands and the seminal vesicles we have an idea about how big they should be, and their shape. They should be relatively easy to palpate but not enlarged or painful. There should not be any adhesions associated with these structures. Palpation can detect a diseased gland or seminal vesicle but doesn’t pick up on everything. We always have to keep in mind, when looking at semen, that some abnormalities in the semen may indicate a problem and we may have to go back and determine if there is a problem in the seminal vesicles,” he explains. There are many factors that might cause this type of infection. “Usually it is associated with either a blood-borne infection or an ascending infection up through the reproductive tract. The most common predisposing factor in a battery of young bulls is that around the time they are reaching puberty and being fed high energy/high protein rations, they may experience subclinical acidosis and may be showering some bacteria from the gut. Other possibilities include systemic viral or bacterial infections. This may happen more often with young bulls because they are growing, and just becoming active in terms of their accessory sex glands, and the infection can settle in there,” he explains. “Older bulls may pick up reproductive tract infections when breeding infected cows. Bulls with seminal vesiculitis have increase in abnormal sperm (such as detached heads) and poor semen quality. Prognosis depends on the severity, and on age of the bull. Sometimes younger bulls will get rid of the infection on their own. In older bulls, however, this infection tends to be a bigger problem because they generally don’t respond to treatment,” he says. “There are some advanced treatments that require direct injection of the seminal vesicles, or surgery to remove those glands. These treatments are invasive and expensive and usually reserved for the most valuable bulls as a last attempt to salvage their reproduction,” says Tibary.
SEMEN COLLECTION AND CHECKING THE PENIS - The last part of the exam is semen collection and evaluation. “There is some debate about how to collect semen. The most commonly used technique is electro-ejaculation. There is currently some discussion about welfare issues. Having done breeding soundness exams and semen collections on thousands of bulls, I feel that if it is done correctly and with proper equipment and proper approach, it is no more stressful to the bull than putting him into the chute for vaccinations,” says Tibary. “If someone does not know how to operate an electro-ejaculator and has not ruled out some other problems via physical exam and trans-rectal palpation, the technique can be abused. But in the hands of someone who knows what they are doing, it’s generally not stressful to the bull.” “Using an electro-ejaculator, you have to evaluate whether the bull is responding normally. Most veterinarians won’t have problems with it if they are examining bulls on the ranch. If the bulls are rushed or upset, however--not handled properly as they are brought to the chute--they become nervous and don’t respond very well. Also if bulls are transported to a clinic for semen collection, you need to give them time to relax before starting the procedure. Often the bladder is full if they’ve just been transported, which creates a problem. These are things a person needs to be aware of, and sometimes some bulls just don’t respond. We may give those bulls prostaglandin or oxytocin before we electro-ejaculate them and then they may respond easier,” he says. “During the electro-ejaculation it is extremely important to take this opportunity to examine the shaft of the exteriorize penis to see if it is normal and if there are any lesions, and whether the bull can extend it. One of the most common injuries in bulls is preputial adhesions.” An injured prepuce or broken penis can occur if a bull gets hit by another bull when trying to breed a cow, or if the penis was not completely retracted when chasing a cow through brushy terrain, getting it snagged and torn. It may heal with adhesions to the sheath. “Another common problem we see is penile warts. These are caused by a virus (bovine papilloma virus) and can be contagious—just like other kinds of warts. I’ve seen ranches where more than half their young bulls have warts on the penis. Large warts can interfere with mating. Warts can be removed surgically but it is important to check the bull again, as they may recur,” he explains. “Other problems we see in younger bulls include persistent frenulum, where the penis has not completely detached from the prepuce. In some bulls this is considered an inherited problem. It can be very easily treated; all we need to do is cut that attachment.” But since it is suspected to be inherited, that bull should not be used in a purebred herd; he should be used only in a herd where all his offspring would be sold as beef. “These bulls are fine for breeding after we cut the attachment, but we advise against using them as purebred sires. You don’t want to produce sons from that bull that could have the same problem,” he says. “If I examine a bull and he is more than 12 months old and still has this condition, I advise against using him in a purebred operation. If a very young bull (10 months of age) is being examined and there’s just a little tag of attachment, it’s probably just a sign of immaturity. Anything abnormal, however, whether there’s a little blood or discharge, should be investigated further. But for a simple breeding soundness exam we generally don’t go into further diagnostics or treatment. We just classify bulls as to whether they pass the minimum requirements or not,” says Tibary. SEMEN EVALUATION – The collected semen sample has to be representative of what that bull is producing. “Thus it has to be done according to certain standards. If someone relies on just one drop of semen, this isn’t a true examination. We want to make sure we have an adequate sample, with good concentration, and not contaminated with urine. We want a decent flow of ejaculate. The sample also needs to be protected before you examine it,” says Tibary. If the evaluation is done outside on a cold day, and the semen is placed on a cold slide, this may chill the sperm and hinder motility. “When we collect semen outside, I use not only the collection tube but also a secondary tube or jacket to put it into, and that jacket contains warm water. This is very important in cold weather. The first problem we find in a sample if it is exposed to cold is poor motility. The standard for motility according to the Society of Theriogenology guideline is not very high—only 30% minimum—but we want to see at least 30% progressive motility. Other countries have higher standards. The semen needs to be protected from cold. The examination notes gross motility, which evaluates
a wavy motion, versus individual motility which requires dilution of the sample with proper diluting solutions so the motility is preserved,” he says. “Cold may also affect the way the sperm looks after staining, which is another important evaluation. This is the next step—to stain the semen and look at morphology (form and structure)—to determine if there are abnormalities. We note the proportion of normal sperm versus abnormal sperm. The standard technique is to use a slide that has been stained with what we call an eosin nigrosine stain. The nigrosine (a black stain) gives us a background so the sperm can be seen. The eosin stain penetrates the sperm and stains them pink or red. Usually we don’t use it to check for dead versus live sperm because you need specific conditions to do that. We generally just stain the slide so the sperm can be easily seen under the microscope. Once the stain is prepared, we have to examine at least 100 sperm and determine the proportion of normal sperm and the proportion of each abnormality—and there are many different abnormalities. “Some have more effect on fertility than others, but each abnormality tells us something about what is going on with that bull. For a breeding soundness examination, the most important thing—no matter what the abnormality— is that a bull must have at least 70% or more normal sperm in order to pass,” says Tibary. “Where we pay attention to what type of abnormality we see is when we have a valuable bull and we want to try to predict whether he might improve or not, and whether we should re-test him later. Or perhaps we have an entire battery of bulls that have the same abnormalities and we want to know why,” he says. An example: after very cold weather and exposure to wind and cold, semen will have morphological changes. “If there is history of stress we often see a certain number of abnormalities. The same thing can happen if a group of bulls were on rations containing high content of cottonseed, with high gossypol levels. They will show a lot of abnormalities with certain characteristics,” he explains. Then the veterinarian and the rancher might talk about whether to retest the bull or bulls later, to see if the sperm becomes more normal.
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The very first ejaculate may not be typical of what a bull will produce, especially if he has not been breeding cows yet (such as a young bull or a bull that’s been apart from cows over winter). “This first ejaculate is often referred to as a ‘rusty’ load. There is an accumulation of old sperm that doesn’t look good. This is not the case with all bulls, but some have a tendency to accumulate old sperm and you’d need to collect them several times before they clean out, to get a true picture of their semen,” he says. “We may retest a bull once, or several times, depending on the results and what we find, and depending on how long the rancher wants to wait in order to determine if the bull is ok. This may depend on whether the bull is going to a sale,” says Tibary. The staining technique used in evaluating semen does not show other cells, just sperm. “It won’t show inflammatory cells or other cells we might want to see. If we suspect that motility is not what it should be, or we see there are too many detached heads and suspect an infectious process going on, we can use other stains as well. These can better visualize inflammatory cells or germinal cells, if we suspect there may be a testicular problem,” he says. “Depending on the intent of the examination, we may do more elaborate testing. The initial examination is just for screening (pass/fail) but we may do a bit more than that, depending on the bull,” he says. SUMMARY – Tibary emphasizes the fact that breeding soundness exams are simply screening exams and not a fertility predictor. “The exam is intended to pinpoint and remove any bulls that may have problems. It is a good screening tool, to make sure a bull is normal, with no problem that would interfere with breeding ability and fertility. After we examine the bulls, we can classify them as satisfactory, deferred (to be tested again later to see if the bull improves) or unsatisfactory breeders.” The satisfactory potential breeders don’t have any problems in terms of history, physical examination on the day of the exam, and meet the minimum requirements for testicular size and sperm morphology and motility. If a bull is in the deferred category, the veterinarian should have a discussion with the rancher
and see what he/she wants to do—what the intent is for use of the bull, and his value. “What we saw in that bull is not extreme and can be resolved with either time or treatment. We may defer the bull for a few weeks, and check him again,” Tibary says. The third category is the unsatisfactory bull. “There is no reason to waste time and money on this bull. If you look at the reasons why bulls fail the exam, however, the very young bull may fail because he is immature, especially if we do the examination on bulls that are only 12 months old or less. They may be just starting to mature. Their semen may contain a lot of proximal droplets, which is typical of immaturity. We know that a high proportion of those bulls will pass their exam at 15 months, but we can’t guarantee that. Those bulls need to be checked again,” he says. The older bull that is unsatisfactory should be culled. “Studies have looked at thousands of bulls, and the most common reasons for failure are sperm morphology (too many abnormal sperm) and physical unsoundness. The younger bulls that fail generally have a problem with sperm morphology and/or lack adequate scrotal circumference,” says Tibary. “Breeding soundness exams cannot evaluate serving capacity, or libido. We don’t know if that bull will actually breed a cow. There are tests for that, but in a routine exam not many people will look at this aspect.” It takes more time to examine libido and see how able a bull is to find the cows in heat and breed them. This is important to know, however, and at the start of breeding season bulls need to be monitored to know if they are actually doing their job. “It becomes more complicated to do this, however, in multiple-sire groups. The dominant bull may keep the others from breeding.” Another aspect to keep in mind is regulatory factors regarding certain diseases, particularly trichomoniasis. Testing for “trich” is not part of the routine breeding soundness examination, but should always be recommended for ranchers bringing in non-virgin bulls or using bulls in community pastures. Testing is required in some states.
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24 THE NEVADA RANCHER – MARCH 2019
Aged Beef
Aged Verses Is there a difference? Jennifer Whiteley Nevada Rancher Magazine
Winnemucca, Nev.-- Meat has been hung and dry aged throughout history after butchers discovered that this method makes beef more tender and flavorful than meat eaten immediately after slaughter and butchering. In the 1960s, a combination of meat hanging’s expense and the new process of wet-aging caused meat hanging to almost stop entirely. Meat hanging experienced a surge of popularity in the 1980s though, and dry aged beef continues to be sold in high-end restaurants around the world. Aging beef increases the tenderness and taste of the meat by producing a more succulent, beefier flavor. Dry-aged beef is beef that has been hung or placed on a rack to dry for several weeks. After the animal is slaughtered and cleaned, it is hung as a full or half carcass. Primal or subprimal cuts, such as strip loins, rib eyes, and sirloin, are placed in a refrigerator unit, also known as a “hot box”. This process involves considerable expense, as the beef must be stored near freezing temperatures. Subprimal cuts can be dry aged on racks either in specially climate-controlled coolers or within a moisture-permeable drybag. Moreover, only the higher grades of meat can be dry aged, as the process requires meat with a large, evenly distributed fat content. Because of this, dry-aged beef is seldom available outside of steak restaurants and upscale butcher shops or groceries. The key effect of dry aging is the concentration and saturation of the natural flavor, as well as the tenderization of the meat texture. The process changes beef by two means. Firstly, moisture is evaporated from the muscle. The resulting process of desiccation creates a greater concentration of beef flavor and taste. Secondly, the beef’s natural enzymes break down the connective tissue in the muscle, which leads to more tender beef. The process of dry-aging usually also promotes growth of certain fungal species on the external surface of the meat. This does not cause spoilage, but rather At Left: Meat hanging in the first cooler room of the processing facility. Freshly slaughtered animals are on the left, day-old animals on the right.
forms an external “crust” on the meat’s surface, which is trimmed off when the meat is prepared for cooking. These fungal species complement the natural enzymes in the beef by helping to tenderize and increase the flavor of the meat. Dry-aged beef is typically not sold by most supermarkets in the U.S. today, because it takes time and there is a significant loss of weight during the aging process. Dry-aging can take from 15 to 28 days, and typically up to a third or more of the weight is lost as moisture. This type of beef is served in higher-priced steakhouses and by select restaurants. Dry-aged beef is commonly described as having a nutty, roasted flavor with a great deal of depth. Today, most beef is aged in shrink wrap in a process called wet aging. Wet-aged beef is beef that has typically been aged in a vacuum-sealed bag to retain its moisture. This is the dominant mode of aging beef in the U.S. It is popular with producers, wholesalers and retailers because it takes less time: typically, only a few days and there is no moisture loss, so any given piece of meat sold by weight will have a higher value than a dry aged piece where moisture loss is desired for taste at the expense of final weight. The beef is usually kept for a period of 4 to 10 days in wet aging. Modified-atmosphere packaging is usually employed for the vacuum packaging of meat; typically, between 60 and 80 percent oxygen to retain its appetizing color. The vacuum-packed beef is stored under a temperature of 32 °F to 45 °F. Since the vacuum-sealed plastic doesn’t allow the meat to breathe, it ages in contact with its own juices, which creates a savory taste that many have come to love. The longer the meat is left to age, the stronger the flavors will become, with different nuances appearing in peaks and troughs throughout the process. Different people will prefer beef aged for varying lengths of time, and it often depends on the venue and manner in which the product is served. At Right: Wet-aged beef is beef that has typically been aged in a vacuum-sealed bag to retain its moisture.
Special Feeder Sales: Second Tuesday of Each Month Tuesday March 12 Tuesday April 9th THE NEVADA RANCHER – MARCH 2019 25
Non-traditional succession helps couple realize dream Michelle Cook Nevada Rancher Magazine
“They have the desire and motivation to lift the heavy stuff off my shoulders,” says Allan Schweizer from his place at the kitchen table in a recently renovated farmhouse in eastern Oregon. Schweizer is the 65-year-old owner of Schweizer Organics. “It’s nice to see what I envisioned, what I built, continue,” he says. Schweizer is speaking about the 950-acre organic grain farm which he has managed and owned through several incarnations across the span of four decades. Schweizer is in the process of transitioning the farm to the young couple seated across from him. Schweizer’s successors, Gary and Reesa Hanson, hold sweat equity in the farmhouse renovations. In exchange for their work, they live here with their growing family on the farm they now co-manage with Schweizer. The couple holds no familial relation to Schweizer, and met him through a Craigslist ad. But, Reesa says, to the nodding of heads, “We have become a family.” All this has been made possible by Schweizer, who — in wanting to ensure his farm found the right heirs—allowed an enterprising couple to realize their dreams in an industry where many newcomers struggle to ever achieve viability. Schweizer only began to think about retirement and succession planning around 55. His children are now adults following their own paths—and though he has a son who farms with him, he would prefer to stay out of the farm’s management. So, Schweizer has had to pursue a less conventional route to the succession of the farm. Schweizer posted an ad on Craigslist early in 2014. It read: “I am seeking a
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forward-thinking individual or couple to join my 950-acre organic farming operation … Ethics and trust are a cornerstone of organic farming and are important to my operation. I want to share my 40 years of farm experience with someone who is willing to work to improve my farm.”
Farm dreams The Hansons met working in the kitchen at a bilingual school in Ecuador. A native Iowan, Gary had always dreamed of farming, and Reesa, who is from Colorado and holds a degree in secondary education and years of professional experience in kitchens, was eager to support this dream. “I was always moving toward what felt important to me,” Reesa says. “Farming, producing people’s food—that felt important.” When the Hansons returned to Iowa, they hoped to farm on Gary’s family land. When that proved unfeasible for reasons beyond their control, they began to look for other options. The initial investment necessary to raise livestock alongside grains at a marketable scale limited the Hansons’ ability to start from scratch. To create the farm they envisioned, they sought an established operation managed by someone willing to work with them to realize the farm’s future. When the Hansons answered Schweizer’s ad, they were still wet behind the ears. But they shared Schweizer’s values—they wanted to farm as land stewards using practices modeled by balanced ecosystem function. In teaming up with Schweizer, they found a perfect fit. Before joining Schweizer, the Hansons gained much of their understanding
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of farming practices through online research. Reesa says they both gleaned as much as they could from resources such as Practical Farmers of Iowa and MOSES. When they finally did get to work side by side, Gary says Schweizer shared knowledge of another sort. The veteran farmer knows how fields will carry water after a rain, when to plant or weed, and what grows well where and why. In short, Schweizer knows the intimate details of his land and its seasons. Five years into their arrangement, their roles have developed definition. Reesa takes the lead with the kids, manages marketing, keeps the books, and collaborates on planning decisions. Schweizer is mechanically inclined: he likes his tractors and enjoys the hands-on aspects of farming. Gary, Schweizer says, “is the boss.”
Organic diversity Schweizer Organics is a farm that specializes in growing grains: wheat, rye, polenta corn, hay, and buckwheat. With plans to continue diversifying with the addition of a granary and flour mill, the operation is poised to lead the operation into a new era of local, value-added organic grain products grown with an eye for soil conservation and land stewardship – all grown organically. Gary demonstrated his ease with planning as he launches into a description their crop rotations. “When we started, it was a pretty typical Iowan rotation of corn, soybeans, and small grain—in spring, start with small grain like oats or barley to establish alfalfa and make hay, then plow that alfalfa under for corn again,” he says. “What we’ve done is extend that into fall with planting grains.” They also transitioned the spring grain mix to include spring wheat for bread flour, and last year, they started growing buckwheat. “So we’re looking at more of a six-to-seven-year rotation as opposed to four to five,” Gary says.
Looking down from 30,000 feet on Nevada’s craggy, arid landscape doesn’t evoke an image of what most people think of as rangeland. But this vast and seemingly desolate place as viewed from five miles high actually supports a vital and healthy livestock industry. In an environment which receives an average 7.5 inches of precipitation a year, careful and constant management of these particular rangelands is crucial. More than 85 percent of Nevada is managed by the federal government under the supervision of the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service, and the military. Because private land is very limited, ranchers need to use some of these public lands, as well as their own, for grazing herds of cattle and sheep. Ranchers are given an allotment and a predetermined number of livestock are allowed to graze at a per-head fee.
In addition to these changes, with the aid of a Farm Service Agency (FSA) microloan, the Hansons have introduced a small beef herd to the mix. The cattle allow the farmers to keep their soil nutrients in a closed loop, and the longer crop rotations allow them to, in Reesa’s words, “limit tillage; manage weeds, pests, and diseases; and grow and conserve our soils.” Schweizer has always been open to adaptation, but thanks to the Hansons, he has come to value diversification. New Grain Breads, an organic bakery based nearby, already bakes exclusively with grains sourced from Schweizer Organics. When the small-scale bakery opened two years ago, owner and head baker Leah Wells says she was faced with a decision: “Organic or local?” With Schweizer Organics, she and her customers get both. Schweizer now plans their yearly production with New Grain Breads in mind, but allows Wells to pay for her purchases incrementally. The arrangement is somewhat unconventional, but Wells says it is one of the many benefits to the relationships that grow through sourcing locally. The focus on relationship-building is reflected in the farm transition. The Hansons and Schweizer have yet to work out the fine print, but they’re okay with letting the transition take shape organically. Schweizer sees himself easing into full retirement within five to 10 years. In those years, the group plans to continue to evolve alongside their ideas about how best to delegate responsibilities and ownership. For now, they’re content to know they share a vision and common goals. When asked what others might learn from their experience, Reesa says, “You don’t need to have a certain salary; you need to be secure in your life. You need to have a path forward in your future. It’s about our common goal and our values. It’s about maintaining this land organically.”
This has been an agreeable partnership for close to a hundred years, with both parties active in managing the land to accommodate many uses such as wildlife habitat and recreation as well as grazing. The health of our rangeland is in everyone’s best interest. Land has always been the foundation of our nation’s wealth and the men and women who work that land are the traditional caretakers. Land management and conservation science have advanced greatly over the last decades and modern ranchers keep up, or are in the lead.
Carefully grazed rangeland has been shown to be healthier and more productive than ungrazed land separated by only a wire fence. Grazing animals control invasive species and organic matter that fuels destructive wildfires. Like most of the west, nevada has been impacted by urban growth, especially by the increased demands on a limited water supply. Natural resources are under pressure so it becomes increasingly critical to manage our rangelands to benefit not only our livestock industry, but the very place we call home.
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This ad is funded through the NRRC’s assessment of 10¢ per AUM paid by public land ranchers. THE NEVADA RANCHER – MARCH 2019 27
k o o b p a r c S Ranching
“A big sorrel horse with a kind eye is my favorite kind of horse.” ~Jennifer Whiteley.
At Left: Mark Lundy of the Gamble Ranch moves yearlings up the alley on a rainy Lamoille spring day when he worked for Maggie Creek Ranch.
Heart Photos and Captions By Jennifer Whiteley Nevada Rancher Magazine
I talked to a friend just the other day, who’s got lots of opinions and plenty to say. We discussed what we both like to see in a horse, his requirements and mine were different of course. He likes a clean throatlatch and long skinny neck, and prefers that their hocks are set close to the deck... short back, hard feet and clean slopin’ shoulder, and a gaskin that looks like it swallered a boulder. He likes a short face and big ol’ soft eye, and says these are the horses he’s likely to buy. And when he’d completed his lengthy discourse on all of the attributes of the quality horse, he asked my opinion, and where do I start? And I said that I...just want a horse with heart. I said I want heart above all the other. I don’t care if he’s Smart Little Lena’s full brother, or just how much money his grandmother won, or whether he’s roan, palomino or dun. But give me a horse with some grit and some try, and some heart and some guts and that’s the one I’ll buy. And I’ve found it’s the same with a woman or a man... the good ones won’t quit when the shit hits the fan. Poem by Monte Baker
At Right: Travis and Trent Whiteley of Lamoille, Nevada work together halter breaking a filly they raised.
Steve Benbough of Maggie Creek Ranch throws a loop at a calf at branding time.
Teresa (Dahl) Dastrup of Spring Creek, Nevada drags a calf to the fire at a Ruby Valley, Nevada branding.
Above: BJ Wachob of Elko, Nevada and his horse take a break after branding calves all day.
“But give me a horse with some grit and some try.and some heart and some guts and that’s the one I’ll buy.”
At Right: Casey Bieroth of Mountain City, Nevada eyes calves as he waits for the irons to heat up on a chilly branding day.
Cowboys at the Carlin Ranch Rodeo watch the goings on in the arena as the sun sets.
Above: Jeff Arrizabalaga of Mountain Home, Idaho and his son Newt trail cows to their summer range on Merritt Mountain
A New Mural and New Location for the New Nevada Cattlemen’s Association Office
Cowboy artist and Nevada buckaroo James Shoshone add to the local culture. Words and Photos by Victoria Jackson Special to the Rancher
Elko, Nev.--The sound of traditional Native American music can be heard in the background as area cowboy artist, James Shoshone, works on his latest creation, a mural for the new headquarters for the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association office, just one block over from their current space in the Henderson Bank Building. The newly renovated space sits above the Cowboy Arts and Gear Museum in downtown Elko. This is not the first large painting that Shoshone has created. In 2018, Shoshone designed and painted one of the Centennial Boots for Elko Land and Livestock. Almost a year ago, Shoshone attended an art workshop in Texas to hone in his painting skills and now utilizes the skills he obtained to create this piece, which sits in the board room. The initial idea was to paint the Nevada Cattlemen’s logo, which Shoshone responded, “I thought, Nevada with horns, okay. They’re going to have a board
room here, and my art, I’ll have a Nevada cowboy sliding his bridle horse because cowboys are always working on their horse.” Shoshone wanted his design to stand out and represent any rancher in Nevada, “who might say, my grandpa dressed like that, my uncle dressed like that, because when it comes down to it, they have a style all their own.” Shoshone recalled a time he cowboyed at a large reservation in Idaho and an individual commented about his “fancy” gear, he commented, “it’s not the same atmosphere as you feel working in Nevada, Oregon, southern Idaho, the Great Basin area.” Raised in Woodfords, California, Shoshone had no connection to the buckaroo life. When he attended schools in Oregon and California, he was exposed to various rodeo cowboys from different Indian reservations. He bought his first rope after a friend taught him how to do tricks with ropes. He later found out that his mom’s side of the family were horseman. It wasn’t until he visited the Fort McDermitt Indian Reservation that he was exposed to ranching, then he later moved around to other areas to hire out to cowboy for other ranches. The first ranch he ever worked at was the IL Ranch in Tuscarora, Nevada. “At IL, they cut us six horses that we had to shoe and learning how to rope and dally…that was something else.” He begin his professional career in school, drawing pictures of buffalo herds, Indians with war bonnets and bull riders to sell to his classmates for a few dollars a picture. He recently hosted a sketching workshop in Elko and continues to sell his art at various trade shows. Shoshone’s calling is in art, “There’s a feeling that I put into my artwork that I try to convey to the general public. I want them to feel what I feel, freedom.” The mural for the Nevada Cattlemen’s association began January 29 and is projected to take two weeks to complete. “This painting is going to be a part of me, and I hope I put a smile on the face of whoever sees it.”
Raised in Woodfords, California, Shoshone had no connection to the buckaroo life. Today in addition to his art work, he buckaroo’s on the IL. When Shoshone attended schools in Oregon and California, he was exposed to various rodeo cowboys from different Indian reservations. He bought his first rope after a friend taught him how to do tricks with ropes.
COURTESY PHOTO
30 THE NEVADA RANCHER – MARCH 2019
Shoshone front foots a horse at the 4th of July Rodeo in Owyhee, Nevada. Shoshone was tasked with painting the Nevada Cattlemen’s logo, the state of Nevada and horns. “I thought, Nevada with horns, okay. They’re going to have a board room here, and my art, I’ll have a Nevada cowboy sliding his bridle horse because cowboys are always working on their horse.”
The mural for the Nevada Cattlemen’s association began January 29 and is projected to take two weeks to complete. “This painting is going to be a part of me, and I hope I put a smile on the face of whoever sees it.”
Shoshone wanted his design to stand out and represent any rancher in Nevada, “who might say, my grandpa dressed like that, my uncle dressed like that, because when it comes down to it, they have a style all their own.” COURTESY PHOTO
THE NEVADA RANCHER – MARCH 2019 31
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Meet Lynn Conley
A CattleWomen Series Produced by Ruby Uhart- www.rubyuhart.com My name is Lynn Conley and I have been married to my husband, Russell, for coming on 12 years. Together we have 3 children – Trent (10), Avery (4), and Chett (3). Our story is a little bit different from most I think because we aren’t living on a long-time family ranch. Shortly after we were married, we teamed up with my husband’s parents to buy a hay farm in Diamond Valley, near Eureka, NV which is where my husband went to high school. We both grew up in ranching and agriculture – him on a ranch his dad managed for 30 years, and me as the 5th generation on my family’s place that is more like a really large homestead. I grew up raising sheep and cattle for mostly 4-H and FFA projects. My parents place was big enough for us to raise lots of animals and always have work to do, but not big enough for them to make a full-time income in traditional agriculture. We live about 15 miles from Eureka where there is a little grocery store that can get you by, but we are about 110 miles from the nearest big sized grocery store and 4.5 hours away from a Costco. Thank goodness for UPS and Amazon! My roles and responsibilities are constantly changing depending on the seasons, so my days are usually always different. I always start my mornings with coffee and a little bit of self-time before I am bombarded with the joys of motherhood that come with raising 3 wild little monkeys! After feeding my crew and getting the oldest off to school, I always try to make sure my kitchen is clean and I start 1 load of laundry before I head out to do morning chores. By doing those 2 things – it always makes my days run a little bit smoother, because as you know, when you have animals you never know what you might find when you go outside that could end up changing your plans for the day. My morning chores usually consist of taking care of my small animal conglomeration that I have acquired, as well as feeding any calves or butcher animals in the corral, the horses, and also taking care of my milk cow. I got a milk cow to put leppy calves on because I think that bottle feeding calves is one of the absolute worst chores ever! But – who am I kidding – I also like to drink and use fresh milk so I usually milk my cow 3-4 times a week, and the calves get extra on days I don’t have time or don’t want to milk. After those things are done, I move onto whatever tasks I am needed for that day. My roles include wife and mother, bookkeeper, cook, tractor driver, cow work, general “go for” anything, as well as being an avid gardener and photographer. I know my roles aren’t different from most ranch wives. I just try to fill in wherever and however I can based upon what needs done, usually with my kids in tow. In this season of my life I don’t get to do a whole lot of riding, which I miss, however before too long all my kids will be big enough to ride on their own and we will be able to do those kinds of things as a family. For now, I just try to enjoy them being little. The focus of our ranching industry is a cow/calf operation. Typically, we wean our calves around mid-September and haul them into our farm where they are fed and pastured on the pivot aftermath for at least 45 days before they ship. We are also currently pursuing what it would be like to add a retail/wholesale meat aspect to our cow/calf operation. I truly believe that diversity in some form is always a benefit, so that you basi-
Below: Lynn and her family; Husband, Russel and their 3 children Trent (10), Avery (4), and Chett (3).
34 THE NEVADA RANCHER – MARCH 2019
cally don’t have all your eggs in one basket. When we started out 12 years ago, we had some haying equipment and about 60 cows between the 4 of us. After 2 years of working full time town jobs, Russell was able to quit to come home and work, and I followed 3 years after that. Over the course of the last 12 years we have grown our cow herd 8-fold and increased our haying operation – we are very proud that all of our growth has been paid for in cash. We currently have a good lease on a ranch about 75 miles away from our hay farm, ironically in the same valley my husband grew up in. My in-laws stay at the ranch with the main cow herd, while we live in at the farm, which is nearer to the school for our children. We all travel back and forth all the time to do the work that needs to be done. While we aren’t living at the ranch, we ALWAYS have cattle at the farm. We use the farm to wean and background calves, develop and breed replacement heifers, calve out first calf heifers, and keep bulls. Out at the ranch our main cow herd spends 10 months out of the year grazing on our BLM permit, only coming home for 2 months in the late winter where we can keep an eye on them during calving. One of the most unexpected things that has ever happened to us, happened after our first year at the ranch we are leasing. We brought our first calf heifers’ home to calve and just 1 month before calving, we started having abortions of full-term fetuses. You always expect some, but this was like an epidemic. I think we ended up with 20 abortions or weak calves that died within hours of birth that year just in the heifers alone. I don’t remember our exact losses in the cows but it was also bad. It was probably one of the most depressing and scary times we have ever experienced. We sent off countless blood and fluid samples and numerous fetuses to different labs, and spent hours talking to different vets and our vaccine company. We finally received a positive identification that the abortions were caused from the tick that carries Foothill Abortion. Something that we had NO idea was even in our area. We were worried that this tick was going to be the end of our cattle raising business. We found out that California had an experimental vaccine study going on, and we were able to apply and be admitted to the Foothill Abortion Vaccine trial. This vaccine alone has made a huge difference in our operation. We still experience a few abortions, as no vaccine is ever 100% effective, but nothing like the staggering losses we experienced that first year on the ranch. I don’t know if there is really anyway to prepare for complications that change your plans. I think that mostly you just have to learn to roll with the punches, be flexible, and trust that God has other plans. I think this gets easier for us the older and maybe “wiser” we become. It was definitely a huge struggle for my husband and me in our early twenties. That being said, I also always try to make sure that there are lots of leftovers in the fridge or some easy freezer or home canned meals that can be prepared quickly. Around my crew, everyone gets “hangry” easily and as long as I have something good to feed them with, it seems to help keep spirits up more. The ranching lifestyle I think is definitely less stressful than those who live the fastpaced urban life. They are constantly beholden to other people and surrounded by the drama that comes with living in close proximities with lots of people every day. Ranching is not without its serious stresses, but it is a different kind of stress. I have several favorite things about ranch life. I love that every day we get to experience animals, fresh air, and wide-open spaces. Even on days that I have to drag myself out to do chores, once I am out, there is something so peaceful and refreshing about being out in that every single day. I also love that there are seasons and the jobs change. Just about the time I think that I can’t stand checking heifers anymore, or if I have to spend one more day on a tractor, then it turns into a different season and the jobs change. That was one thing I hated about working in town behind a desk – it was the same thing every day, all year long. I am not sure if I could pick just one season that is my favorite. They all have their plusses and minuses. I think if I had to choose though it would be a combination of calving and branding season. Spring has always been my absolute favorite season. The weather is starting to warm up and in Nevada, it’s about the only time it is really green. I love calving because of the gift of seeing new life brought to us. I also do love the stories that come from those hormone crazed cows that chased you or someone else up the fence. It makes me laugh later and provides hours of storytelling! I also love branding season too because it is one of the few times during the year that we end up getting to spend time with some of our closest friends. We all have an excuse to carve out time to help each other get everyone’s calves branded and get time around camp fires and back porches, making memories and strengthening friendships. One memorable event that stands out to me is when we were calving heifers last year. The weather turned horribly snowy and cold as soon as calving started so Russell and I were constantly out checking. We kind of felt like walking zombies for 2 months. Anyway – this particular day we had cleaned out the corrals because the mud just kept getting deeper. It was so soupy that you couldn’t even scoop it with the backhoe, you had to just kind of push and roll it out of the corrals into a pile. The consistency reminded
feel that this goal is definitely closer to our grasp than ever before! I attribute that to not me of slow-moving lava. It was awful to work in. One morning we had 3 new pairs to let out and when we opened the gate, instead of going around the gooey pile, they all only hard work and sacrifice, but our dedication (very hard at times) to living a frugal and ran straight into it. The heifers managed to muddle their way out of it and 2 of the calves debt free lifestyle and only paying cash for our growth. I think it would be so hard to stopped a few steps in and we were able to get them out. One calf though just wouldn’t try and make a living with both a land and a cattle payment. If ranching or agriculture is stop until he was in the very center, buried up to his ribs and stuck. Russell got a rope the lifestyle or career you want to pursue – make sure you are passionate about it. The and threw it around him and when we started pulling on the calf his head went straight hours stink and the pay is usually pretty lousy but if it is your passion – none of that will down into the mud and stuck. I panicked and said – “he is going to suffocate!” so Russell really matter. I encourage everyone to follow your dreams. I still believe that hard work, stopped pulling and started trudging out to grab him by the ears and pull his head out. passion, and sacrifice will get you just about anywhere you want to go! Looking back, we probably should have just pulled really fast the last 6 feet and gotten him out… but Russell waded out and grabbed the calf to get his face out of the mud. As he started to pull him though, Russell’s legs got kind of stuck and crossed at the same time and he ended up face planting with his wool coat and warm clothes in this gooey pile of mud and poo. He was pretty disgusted and I may or may not have fallen over laughing! Sometimes, even when it should be simple, cow work can take a weird turn and there’s a chance someone will end up discouraged. I don’t know why? Cows will be cows and sure enough one of them is not going to do what they are supposed to, or they won’t live up to our expectations in some way – typically in a way out of our control… the older I get I notice that I just try to ignore it when someone gets their drawers in a wad. But – bring beer! Beer always helps ease the stress of cow work! I definitely think it is important for ranchers to share their story! In today’s society – especially with the “gift” of social media I believe there are so many negative thoughts and misconceptions about agriculture in general! Even some that pit agriculturists against each other, such as the smaller family operation digging on the larger family operations. Most everyone in agriculture is here because they have a love for land and animals and hard work. Nearly all are working hard to feed the world and leave behind a place for their children to grow up and work hard on as well. There is never a one size fits all method for anything in life and agriculture is no different. Everyone finds what works for them with their specific situations and beliefs, with the end goal all being the same: To be good stewards of the land and animals, and to raise good quality and healthy food for the world. Before Russell and I were married I had several people, who I very much respect in the cattle industry, tell me that if I wanted a ranch someday, I should probably marry Avery and Chett riding a horse that is worth its weight in gold. someone who already had a ranch. While we don’t yet own our own ranch, we still
THE NEVADA RANCHER – MARCH 2019 35
Sharing Beef’s Role in a Sustainable Food System with Nevada Dietitians When it comes to diet trends and advice on what a healthy diet consists of, there is a lot of conflicting advice on what is considered “healthy.” And when you throw in the fact that the conversation has expanded beyond just nutrition to include considerations of foods’ sustainability, it’s no wonder that consumers are often confused about just what is “good” and “bad” to eat. While there is a significant amount of data and evidence that shows livestock production has a multitude of environmental benefits, sometimes it’s difficult to know just where to look for the best information on the topic. To help cut through some of this confusion, beef producers have long funded research projects through the Beef Checkoff to build a solid foundation to inform all of us about what contributes to a healthy and sustainable diet. In January, the Nevada Beef Council (NBC) sought to share some of the insight and research on beef’s role in a healthy, sustainable diet with registered dietitians in the state of Nevada. Sara Place, Ph.D., Senior Director of Sustainable Beef Production Research at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, joined the NBC for a meeting of the Nevada Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (NvAND). The meeting was held at the Cooperative Extension office in Las Vegas, with roughly 75 dietitians in attendance at that location. It was also webcast and available throughout the state, with another 10 dietitians gathered in Reno to view it as well. Dr. Place’s presentation offered research findings showing the unique role cattle play in a sustainable food system, noting that because of their unique stomach structure, they eat and digest what humans cannot. In addition to the grasses they graze on for most of their lives, they can eat numerous other byproducts from plant-based food production, such as brewers grains, pea pulp, beet tops, potato peelings and sunflower hulls, which are all byproducts of human activities or other products. Instead of going to a landfill, cattle eat these “waste” products and turn them into a high-quality protein edible for human consumption. Cattle also graze in areas where it’s impossible to grow crops – such as Nevada’s arid landscape – taking those grasses and turning them into high quality protein, in places that could otherwise never be used to feed a growing population. The topic of productivity was also covered by Dr. Place, who noted that we produce the same amount of beef in the U.S. today with 33% fewer cattle compared to 1977, and 18% of the world’s beef with only 8% of the world’s cattle. This is a result of better animal health and welfare, better animal nutrition and better animal genetics. Dr. Place also shared that limiting beef consumption wouldn’t be quite as impactful as some people think. Research has demonstrated that removing all livestock and poultry from the U.S. food system would only reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by only 0.36 percent. And further, if all Americans participated in Meatless Monday, U.S. greenhouse gas emissions would perhaps be reduced by 0.37 percent. What removing beef WOULD do is remove a high-quality protein from diets, both in the U.S. and globally. “More and more, people are considering the environmental footprint of the food they’re eating when making dietary choices,” says Damon McCune, Director
of Food and Nutrition Outreach for the California and Nevada beef councils. “We thought it was imperative to connect Nevada dietitians and nutrition influencers with Dr. Place and her research, and provide science-based information about the realities of beef’s sustainability. Feedback from this session was overwhelmingly positive, with many attendees noting that their own perceptions of beef production were altered thanks to this presentation.” In addition to those attending and viewing the presentation, all members of NvAND received a fact sheet on beef sustainability whether they tuned in or not. Any registered dietitian who is a member of the national Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and identifies themselves as a resident of the state of Nevada is automatically a member of NvAND as well, so it is estimated that roughly 500 members received the fact sheet on sustainability. For more on beef sustainability, visit BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com and click on “newsroom.”
Let’s eat!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day Chicken By Jennifer Whiteley
Lamoille, Nev.—Saint Patrick’s Day is a favorite holiday around our house, and not for Irish Whiskey or green beer! The boys love the idea of wearing green, pinching anyone who isn’t, setting leprechaun traps, and they are always excited to see what mischief that dang leprechaun has gotten up to! Generally, the milk has turned green overnight, which makes the pancakes for breakfast green, and when I can find Ameraucana Chicken eggs, our eggs are turned green overnight as well. We all have a little fun with it. I kind of feel like one of the best parts about having kids is getting to do all of these fun, silly, little things with them. I dread the day when they decide they are too old for these little traditions we have. A typical Irish dinner consists of potatoes (cooked whole), cabbage, and meat, that will stick to your belly like glue. Corned Beef is not a traditional meal in Ire-
land. Corned Beef is an American meal, but neither was chicken. Traditionally, chickens and poultry were managed by women in rural settings and seldom killed for the home table. Eggs were a source of income rather than chickens being a source of protein. The eggs were sold to buy household goods or shoes for children – so a regular small income from farm poultry was crucial for women running households. Since the 1930’s, there has been a steady rise in chicken consumption in Ireland, so this is a relatively “new” recipe. I really liked this recipe. It is made from pantry staples and is a one pot meal. There is minimal cleanup, which is a huge bonus! The cabbage with potatoes and bacon are delicious, and the juices from the chicken keep everything from drying out. While my family isn’t overly fond of chicken as a meal, they did like this recipe!
Irish Chicken Ingredients 1 whole chicken - cut into parts, or chicken thighs 1/2 head of cabbage 1 medium onion 4 potatoes 4 slices thick bacon 1/4 cup water Your favorite poultry rub (we love Spade L for poultry) Instructions Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Roll the chicken pieces in the rub and set aside. Be generous, this is where all of the flavor in this meal comes from! Fry the bacon. When cooked put on a paper towel to drain. Drain most of the bacon grease from the pan, leaving enough to brown the chicken in. (you can also use olive oil if desired) Quickly brown the chicken pieces. When browned set aside on a plate. While the chicken is browning, roughly chop the cabbage. Then slice the onion into thin slices. Next peel the potatoes and slice into rounds. When the chicken is browned, add the cabbage to the pan with 1/4 cup water, after a few minutes mix in the potatoes and onions. Take off of the heat. Cut the bacon into pieces and sprinkle over the cabbage mixture. Add the chicken pieces on top of cabbage mixture. Place the pan in the oven and cook until the chicken is done, about 45 - 50 minutes for all to cook. The juices from the chicken will help to cook the cabbage and potatoes.
Photo By: Jennifer Whiteley
Here’s an alternative dish for St. Patrick’s Day! It’s Irish Chicken with Cabbage, Potatoes, Bacon and Onions. I can’t begin to tell you how good this was. It’s all cooked in one pan and then after assembling, into the oven it goes.
Enjoy!
THE NEVADA RANCHER – MARCH 2019 37
Applying EPDs to your herd By: Angela Vesco Special to the Rancher
When you are selecting bulls do you look at phenotype and then the Expected Progeny Difference’s (EPD) or do you look at EPDs and then phenotype? Whichever way you do it is fine, but you need to be looking at both. It is very important to pay attention to the EPDs because phenotype doesn’t tell you everything, it only tells you half of the story. Expected Progeny Difference numbers were created to make animals comparable across a breed and to give producers a way to evaluate that animal’s genetic potential. Expected Progeny Differences remove the environmental factors that influence traits so that you can fairly compare the animals regardless of where they were raised. If you take the actual birth weight of a calf born in Texas and try to compare that to the actual birth weight of a calf born in Montana, you are comparing apples to oranges. The actual raw weights are not directly comparable because the calves were born in totally different environments. The nutrition given to their dam was different, the weather when they were developing as a fetus was different, the temperature when they were born was different. So the EPDs puts the cattle on a level playing field and tells you the genetic potential of the animal. Selecting bulls based off of their EPDs and their phenotype can rapidly change the quality and productivity of a cowherd. Sometimes it can be overwhelming with how many EPDs are available on bulls and it can be tough to sort through.
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38 THE NEVADA RANCHER – MARCH 2019
So how do you apply these EPDs to your herd? Let’s go through a few traits that are the most relevant to the commercial cowherd. Calving Ease Direct (CED) is probably the EPD that every cattle producer is the most familiar with. Nobody likes to pull calves and I don’t blame you. But I think you need to evaluate how much CED you actually need in your herd because if you are happy with how your cows and heifers are calving you don’t need to adjust your CED threshold very much. If you are having to pull calves and don’t want to do much of that, then yes, select bulls with a higher CED than what you have been selecting. Now, where I think you can start to see the law of diminishing returns is when you start to add bulls to the herd that have more CED than what you may necessarily need. Don’t forget that CED is strongly correlated with Birth Weight (BW). Typically, the higher the CED, the lower the BW which is good up until a certain point. Do you want a 55 pound calf or a 75 pound calf out of your cows? Those calves are probably going to be sold on the same day so the 55 pound calf is going to have to catch up to the 75 pound calf to put the same amount of money in your pocket when they load the truck. You can sacrifice performance if your birth weights get too low.
Weaning Weight (WW) and Yearling Weight (YW) are ones that I think we forget to consider the true impact it has on our herd. We all like to have big weaning weights, right? Who wouldn’t? We get paid by pounds! But if we have an really high weaning weight, we also have a high yearling weight. Those two traits are also strongly correlated. So why don’t I get too excited about buying a bull with the largest YW in the sale? Because any daughters kept out of him that go back into the herd as replacements may have the genetic potential to also be a large framed animal that requires more nutrients than say a more moderately sized cow. Now don’t get me wrong, I want a calf that weans off at a good weight, but we raise cows in the desert, not in lush green pastures. Select your cows to match your environment.
Below you will find an EPD chart for one of the AI sires available at ORIgen.
In last month’s article, I touched on the Milk EPD. The higher the Milk EPD typically the higher the WW which is great. But think about the nutrition it takes for a lactating cow. That stage of production for a cow requires quite a bit of nutrients and you have to make sure that she is getting enough nutrients to feed her calf and herself at the same time. She is already working hard for you, don’t put her at a disadvantage. Carcass traits are important to pay attention to as well. Many of us sell our calves at weaning so maybe we don’t put as much selection pressure on these traits as we do others but nonetheless, they are still important. You need to think about your customer, you are not the end user of the product you are producing. There is a feedyard and a packer that get their premiums from carcass quality. If you are raising calves that have the potential to feed and marble well, you start to build a good reputation with the buyers and that is very valuable. EPDs are important when you are selecting bulls whether it is an A.I. sire or bulls you are turning out with the cows. They help us produce better beef. We have this growing demand to feed the world population so use the selection tools available to produce more efficient, quality cowherds.
Angela Vesco
www.origenbeef.org | 406.348.2345
775.421.9894 | angelav@origen-beef.com Call or email for more information on bulls, request a directory, or place a semen order
Find your next AI sire at the company built BY beef producers FOR beef producers ORIgen bulls in the Top 25 AI Sires in the Angus breed in 2018 HA Cowboy Up 5405 | Basin Payweight 1682 | RB Tour of Duty 177 WR Journey-1X74 | V A R Generation 2100 | EXAR Stud 4658B Calving Ease and Feed Efficient Red Angus bull Brown BLW Fantastic C5959 *more industry-leading Angus and Red Angus bulls available along with Hereford, Simmental, Charolais, Wagyu
THE NEVADA RANCHER – MARCH 2019 39
National Collegiate Beef Advocate
Nevada’s Very Own: ASHLEY HUNSTBERGER
Ashley with past ANCW President, Penny Zimmerman
My involvement in the beef industry started at a young age. I grew up on my family’s cow/calf operation in Smith, Nevada, and plan to take over eventually. I have been involved with Western Nevada CattleWomen’s, Inc. since before I can remember. When I was in college, I decided to apply for the newly revised Nevada Collegiate Beef Advocate position. I was awarded this position and performed two campus events where I promoted beef by handing out free beef jerky along with educational pamphlets, recipe booklets, and stickers. This set me up to apply for the American National CattleWomen’s National Collegiate Beef Advocate program. I received this award at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) annual meeting in Phoenix last February. This past year, I have done my best to promote beef in person, via social media, an on-campus event where I handed out free beef jerky, and a community event where I spoke
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By Ashley Huntsberger about beef by-products. I never would have thought that I would hold a national position, but all I can say is if you are passionate about something then follow it as far as you can! In January, I traveled to the Certified Angus Beef headquarters in Wooster, Ohio. They showed us what they have done to create a branded beef. There was a lot of hands-on activities where we got to see the qualifications that a carcass must meet to qualify for the program. We also discussed how to better advocate for the beef industry and ways to improve and expand upon “telling our story.” I traveled to New Orleans for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association annual meeting and tradeshow. I was awarded for my time as a National Collegiate Beef Advocate during the American National CattleWomen’s meetings and had the rest of the time to attend the conference. I participated in the Cattlemen’s College and it was quite the plethora of information! I’m glad they send out the recordings of each talk because there was so much to learn. I also attended meetings, policy updates, and Young Beef Leaders events. My biggest takeaway from being a collegiate beef advocate is that the average consumer doesn’t know what we as beef producers do and there are so many misconceptions that we need to correct. However, with the number of ranchers who are sharing their story, I think we are doing a great job and should be proud! The biggest impact this past year has had on my future would have to be all the incredible people I have met. While I was doing my student teaching this fall in Angles Camp, California, I got to network with members from other organizations like the Calaveras County Cattlewomen and the Gold Country Young Farmers and Ranchers. When I went to Ohio, I met students involved in all aspects of the beef industry; while I was in New Orleans, I got to meet up with them! Left to Right Taylor Evans (Alabama), Will Shelby (Oklahoma), Holding a national title at a national convenAshley Huntsberger (Nevada). tion also opened me up to meeting people from all over who I can stay connected with, I may one day do business with, or could possibly offer me a job opportunity. I would have to say the thing that impacted my future the most by holding this position is being connected in the beef world. This past year holds so many memorable experiences, and I am sad to see it ending, but I will continue to advocate for beef and the people who raise it!
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THE NEVADA RANCHER – MARCH 2019 41
Online tools help match new farmers and ranchers with land Expensive land blocks many from taking up the profession Michelle Cook Nevada Rancher Magazine
America has a farmland problem. It’s too hard to find land for sale or lease at reasonable rates, making growth a challenge, especially for new farmers going into business for the first time. Land access is the top challenge young farmers face, says Holly Rippon-Butler, the Land Access Program Director for the National Young Farmers Coalition (NYFC). The issue isn’t just land prices, which have increased by a stunning 1600 percent since they bottomed out during the farm crisis of the 1980s. American farmland is also increasingly consolidated, owned by non-operators who see their holdings as an investment, and would rather rent than sell. Rippon-Butler and her colleagues also see a lot of people who are looking for second homes—people who earned money in urban areas, and now want to find land in rural places, squeezing out the folks who try to make a living in those places. This gathering crisis is coming to a head as the oldest current generation of farmers prepares to retire. The average age of U.S. farmers and ranchers is 58, a number that’s been on the rise for 30 years. What happens when those farmers retire? It depends, but if a farmer’s children decide not to get into the farming business the land is likely to be sold to non-farmers, developers, or corporate landlords who want to profit from agricultural land without farming it themselves. The NYFC estimates that nearly 100 million acres of U.S. farmland will change hands in the next few years, a development that’s likely to make affordable land even scarcer. Will Lorenzen and Adrienne White — two Iowan farmers in their late 20s — say the most challenging part about breaking into farming has been land access. The couple has been farming for eight years, but say they were in no financial position to put down cash for a property that could be worth as much as $200,000 on the open market. Gaining access took a complex deal struck with the land’s retired owner and Sustainable Iowa Land Trust (SILT), which preserves farmland and makes it accessible to young farmers. It’s rare to see Lorenzen and White’s demographic taking over land. Because retiring farmers need income to sustain them through their later years, they often sell to developers or to large corporate or expanding family farms at a price that small farmers can’t afford, says Neil Thapar, an attorney with the Sustainable Economies Law Center. “They don’t have a safety net for retirement, but from their farming career they have assets, land, equipment. They can’t sell that to next-generation farmers because [the next generation] doesn’t have access to the kind of capital they need to buy at $7,000 per acre,” he says. A USDA report published in March 2018 found that large farms own more of the nation’s farmland compared to a few decades ago. In 1987, farms with over 2,000 acres operated 15 percent of the nation’s farmland; by 2012, that number had grown to 36 percent. “If we don’t do something now to offer new options and new tools, all we are going to see is consolidation,” says SILT director Suzan Erem. The USDA report noted that consolidation is also happening through contract farming, as large corporate firms play a coordination role in U.S. farming, particularly in hog and poultry production. Some firms—for example, in specialty crops, cattle feedlots, poultry, and hogs—operate multiple farms. But there’s also the concern, voiced by the NYFC and others, that huge investors and pension funds, such as TIAA-CREF, the Hancock Agricultural Investment Group (HAIG), and UBS Agrivest — an arm of the bank’s global real estate division — have a bottomless appetite for farmland, purchasing up parcels and adding to a lack of access and affordability. “Over the next 20 years, 400 million acres, or nearly half of all U.S. farmland, is set to change hands as the current generation retires. With an estimated $10 billion in capital already looking for access to U.S. farmland, institutional investors openly hope to expand their holdings as this retirement bulge takes
42 THE NEVADA RANCHER – MARCH 2019
place,” according to the Institute’s 2014 report, “Down on the Farm: Wall Street: America’s New Farmer.” The farmland-conservation advocacy group American Farmland Trust (AFT) echoes this concern. The group notes that people over 65 years old own 40 percent of the nation’s farmland, and a major transfer of the agricultural land and wealth is afoot. As of now, large corporate farms are scooping up most of that property. That’s why advocacy groups, land trusts, and other non-profit organizations are looking for ways to ensure that land continues to be working farmland, passed down to the next generation of farmers. Some hope that new online tools can make the process of finding and financing farmland easier, and two solutions, specifically, could provide models for the future. The first acts like an online matchmaker, connecting people selling land with the farmers who need it. The second helps to demystify the confusing economic prospect of acquiring farmland in the first place. PCC Farmland Trust, which works to conserve land for farming in the Northwest, sees over and over new farmers who are looking to buy land. But the non-profit conservation organization has another angle on the issue, too: It also hears from farmers looking to sell. “We know that more than two-thirds of owners are close to retiring, want to pass land on to future farmers, and haven’t chosen a successor,” says Megan Jenny, the Trust’s community engagement manager. “But not all of them are people we can work with through conservation programming.” For years, the Trust looked for ways to preserve the farmland that their usual methods, like conservation easements, didn’t work for, while also helping young farmers start their businesses. Ultimately, land-matching just made sense as a solution, fitting into their existing in-house strengths and programs. The tool, launched in last June at farmtofarmer.org, works something like an online matchmaker. Though PCC Farmland Trust’s program is fairly new, it looks to older programs as examples, including the Maine Farmland Trust’s FarmLink, which has made 190 matches through the years. Farm to Farmers’s land seekers can say whether they’re looking to lease or buy, how many acres they want (minimum and maximum), and filter by keyword, organic status, and housing availability. Land owners can search for a farmer by the same categories of buy/ lease and preferred acreage, but also by years and type of experience, type of business, and whether or not they’re currently farming. Another online tool, NYFC’s Finding Farmland Calculator, lets farmers build up to three different scenarios, starting with the price and size of the farm, then manipulate different financing systems and options to add to the price of the farm. It’s not entirely different from the kind of mortgage payment calculator you might find for homebuyers, except that it is specialized to the options available to farmers, including USDA Farm Service Agency loans and conservation easements. In order to address the issue of land access for young farmers on a national scale, online tools like Farm to Farmer and Finding Farmland Calculator can’t work alone. They need to go hand in hand with other means of breaking down barriers. For example, because of the way tax law is written, farmers are incentivized to hold onto land until they die. One of NYFC’s goals is to see to see a waiver of capital gains taxes for sales to incoming farmers, which could encourage the practice of passing land to a new generation who want to farm it. Offering capital gains tax breaks to retiring farmers who sell to younger farmers could be a strong incentive because “it can make a significant difference in the net bottom line,” says Jerry Cosgrove, farm legacy director with AFT. In the meantime, the tools bring hope and help to farmers looking to speed up the long process of finding their own land. “We’re so satisfied with the work we do,” say Lorenzen and White. “It brings us a lot of joy.”
Traditional Basque Dinner to be held in Denio, NV Words by Georgina Minto Photos by Janet Johnson Jackson Mountain Homemakers
Pick up the phone, crank, waiting, “Number Please” give the number, wait for the connection, answer, “Go ahead please,” – Those were the “Party Lines” Jackson Mountain Homemakers is a non-profit organization in the Denio area, which was organized in August of 1978. The organization has grown into a wonderful group of ladies dedicated to raising funds for the rural community and schools, as well as families that may need a hand from time to time. The group holds meetings from Sept – May at ranch homes of the members. Lively meetings include fun gift exchange, crafts and ravioli making (the husbands’ favorite meeting). It’s not all fun and games though, the group works hard to raise funds throughout the year by selling The Party Line Cookbook and of course hosting the Annual Basque Dinner held in April, with all profits earned going to help others. The Jackson Mountain Homemakers donate to many groups and individuals during the year including: Denio Library, Denio School, Humboldt County 4-H and High School Rodeo, Denio BBQ, scholarship program, students attending leadership programs in Washington DC, Humboldt County Museum, children in the county facing medical difficulties, and Christmas gifts for needy children. When companies were plying the public to subscribe to their telephone service, the cheapest tease of all was the party line. Several customers shared a single line to the central office. The system was thought to attract folk into making the telephone a habit. The Jackson Mountain Homemakers sell a Party Line Cookbook, which holds an amazing amount of area history and photographs, along with delicious recipes by local ranch wives and area residents. Some recipes date back to before present-day people were even a spark, while there have also been recent additions, and the book holds a glimpse into the heart and lives of local families. Food is the cornerstone of family gatherings, and the Party Line Cookbook combines family traditions carried from generation to generation. Some recipes are steeped in Basque tradition and some are recipes that are unique to the individual ranch wife. When you pick up a Party Line Cookbook you are holding a tome of the past, an intimate look into the lives of the local people and their strong family traditions. Then, after so many teenagers hogged the line or eavesdroppers cultivated the grapevines of gossip, a switch to a private line justified the expense. But many Americans liked the homey quirkiness of the party line and kept it a national institution until the manual setup was completely phased out. The Jackson Mountain Homemakers host the Annual Basque Dinner, which has become a yearly event that many look forward to, held in April each year in Denio, Nevada. The home cooked dinner consists of Lamb Stew, Chorizo, beans, potatoes, salad, wine, and many authentic Basque desserts including bread pudding. In the early years, one of the founding members, Dale DeLong began a tradition of making denim quilts out of old jeans, that were raffled off to raise funds. Keeping this tradition in mind, a beautiful denim quilt made by Christy Wright, Dale’s granddaughter, is the coveted door prize. Many of the ladies bake traditional Sheepherder’s Bread in dutch ovens, these loaves are auctioned off and the bidding is very lively, and there are many items for the Silent Auction and Raffle which are generously donated by local businesses. The Irrentzi Basque Dancers of Winnemucca provide the entertainment for the evening, performing traditional dance from their Basque heritage. They also give a brief history of the Basque culture, sharing with the attendees their proud history. Visitors come for all over to experience the fun and extraordinary food to make the annual fundraiser a huge success. The Jackson Mountain Homemakers are a very active fundraising group of ladies. With the ongoing events and charity giving, it will be a group that spans time and remains committed to improving the lives of the local families.
The Basque Dinner this year will be held on April 27 from 5:00-7:00pm at the Denio Community Hall, tickets will be $15 for adults, and $8.00 (6-12) and 5 and under will be free. As late as the 1970’s many rural Americans still relied on their party lines. (from the back page of The PartyLine Cookbook ‘New Generation”)
THE NEVADA RANCHER – MARCH 2019 43
Reno Snaffle Bit Futurity Expands Schedule in 2019: September 8-15 RENO, NV: The Reno Snaffle Bit Futurity is adding a day to the 2019 event schedule. The reined cow horse futurity tradition will continue on the West Coast with the third annual event beginning on Sunday, Sept. 8, and ending with the crowing of the 2019 Open futurity champions on Sunday, Sept. 15. Presented by Lucas Oil and Protect the Harvest, the Reno Snaffle Bit Futurity will be held at the Reno-Sparks Livestock Event Center in Reno, Nev. “We experienced tremendous growth in 2018 in both futurity and horse show class entries and have added a day to the 2019 schedule in anticipation for continued growth,” said Ted Robinson of Oak View, Calif., and one of the founders of the Reno Snaffle Bit Futurity. Open, Non-Pro, Youth and Limited Non-Pro horse show classes will be held in conjunction with the 2019 futurity, and scholarship monies will be awarded to the Youth Bridle and Youth Limited classes, and 17 saddles will be awarded to all futurity division champions and select horse show class champions. “In 2019, we will have a preliminary round for all three Non Pro Limited horse show classes, and are pleased to announce we will be awarding a total of three saddles for these classes in 2019. The top five in each the Non Pro Limited, 5K and 1K Non Pro Limited classes will compete in a Saddle Box-Off during the Open Futurity finals,” shared Robinson.
Schedule of Events (Tentative) • Sunday, Sept. 8 – Open, Intermediate Open, Limited Open, Level One Futurity Preliminary Herd Work • Monday, Sept. 9 – Open, Intermediate Open, Limited Open, Level One Futurity Preliminary Rein Work; Open Two Rein • Tuesday, Sept. 10 – Open, Intermediate Open, Limited Open, Level One Futurity Preliminary Cow Work; Non Pro, Intermediate Non Pro and Novice Non Pro Bridle • Wednesday, Sept. 11 – Open Hackamore Preliminaries and Limited Open Hackamore; Open Bridle Preliminaries and Limited Open Bridle; Non Pro Two Rein • Thursday, Sept. 12 – Non Pro, Intermediate Non Pro, Amateur and Non Pro Limited Herd Work; Youth Limited; Non Pro Hackamore; followed by Hall of Achievement Banquet at Silver Legacy
44 THE NEVADA RANCHER – MARCH 2019
• Friday, Sept. 13 – Non Pro, Intermediate Non Pro, Amateur and Non Pro Limited Rein Work; Non Pro, Intermediate Non Pro, Amateur and Non Pro Limited Cow Work; Sale Preview in main arena (2 p.m.); Wild Spayed Filly Futurity (6 p.m.) • Saturday, Sept. 14 – Non Pro, 5K and 1K Non Pro Limited (Rodeo Arena); Reno Snaffle Bit Futurity Horse Sales (10 a.m. in main arena); Open Hackamore Finals (6 p.m.); Youth Bridle; Open Bridle Finals • Sunday, Sept. 15 – Open, Intermediate Open, Limited Open Futurity Herd Work Finals; Open, Intermediate Open, Limited Open Futurity Rein Work Finals; Saddle Box-Off for Non Pro, 5K and 1K Non Pro Limited classes; Open, Intermediate Open, Limited Open Futurity Fence Work Finals Futurity and horse show competitors can find entry information online at www.renosnafflebitfuturity.com/entry-forms. The first futurity entry payments are due on June 1.
Snaffle Bit Horse Sale – Saturday, Sept. 14 The Reno Snaffle Bit Horse Sales, managed by Jake Parnell and John Dickinson of Parnell Dickinson, Inc., is scheduled for 10 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 14 with the sale preview at 2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 13 in the main arena. The horse sale will feature two-year-olds, performance and ranch horses, and yearlings and broodmares. Consignment information will be available at www.snafflebitsales.com in May 2019.
Vendors & Sponsors Reno Snaffle Bit Futurity competitors and fans will be able to shop for clothing, tack, home décor, trailers, and more. Western vendors will be located along the concourse of the Reno-Sparks Livestock Event Center throughout the show. For vendors interested in purchasing a booth space, contact Trade Show Coordinator, Nancy Shearer at (817) 269-0779. For information regarding event, saddle, buckle and award sponsorship opportunities, contact Sponsor & Media Coordinator, Trilby Barton at (559) 740-8006 or email media@ renosnafflebitfuturity.com. Up-to-date information about the 2019 Reno Snaffle Bit Futurity can be found on www.renosnafflebitfuturity, and by following “Reno Snaffle Bit Futurity” on Facebook and Instagram. For more information, contact Trilby Barton, Media Coordinator, at (559) 740-8006 or email media@renosnafflebitfuturity.com
Presented by
September 8 – 15, 2019
Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center, Reno, Nevada Entry information and schedule available online at
www.renosnafflebitfuturity.com RENO SNAFFLE BIT SALES
Sale Preview: Friday, September 13 at 2 p.m. Sale Day: Saturday, September 14 at 10 a.m. Selling Performance and Ranch Horses, 2-Year-Olds, Yearlings and Broodmares
Consignment info available May 1 at www.snafflebitsales.com. Sale entries due July 20.
THE NEVADA RANCHER – MARCH 2019 45
THE NEVADA RANCHER – MARCH 2019 47
By Norma Elliott There is much to say about the horse. I can’t help but think of all the horses that have come and gone into our lives. Horses that blew in two, horses wanting to please. Horses with good minds and those with pea sized brains. Horses that boogered at everything and ones that had no try. Horses we were glad to see go and the ones we never wanted to let go of.
Horses takes us to impossible place, call our attention to a calf or rider we may not otherwise see, navigate for a button on their first cattle drive.
And I can’t help but think…”God, thank you”. How is it that You would allow us, the rancher to have such a connection to a noble creature, so powerful but yet with so much heart? How can it be that Today I can’t help but think of one who’s been in our little string for even though they do not speak they understand by the shifting in the a long time. He’s an old guy named Tot...allow me to describe him a saddle that I want to vere away to the right to head off cattle? How is it they know how I’m feeling and can somehow bring me comfort bit. He’s like your uncle in the flannel shirt. The one that is as reliable with the sound of their hooves in a trot? How is it they can teach me as the sunrise. He’s the one that you can call anytime. He’s the uncle something new each time I swing my you run out to greet when you hear leg over the saddle? And how is it I the rattle of his truck. He’s the one can call them friend? with candy in his pocket, the pot “Do you give the horse its strength belly, and the laugh you can hear In this scripture above, God, like any or clothe its neck with a flowing mane? for miles. good boss is having to ask Job quesDo you make it leap like a locust, That describes our Tater Tot Joe. tion to remind him just how powerful striking terror with its proud snorting? Now Tot wasn’t always reliable, he He is. To remind Job that He is the use to flip over with rider attached. one that made the strength of the It paws fiercely, rejoicing in its strength, He use to throw fits when riding horse. The one that made his flowand charges into the fray. away from other horses. Our boys ing mane. For bravery to beat wildly It laughs at fear, afraid of nothing; rode him through miles and miles in his chest to accomplish his task. of Texas….into deep draws and Through Job 38-39, Our Creator and it does not shy away from the sword. worked him up sides of mountains. His creation…...to vast for my mind The quiver rattles against its side, Roped probably hundreds of calves to even grasp. I cried reading it! along with the flashing spear and lance. and took many a cholla from his The scripture above hits home. I have tail. In frenzied excitement it eats up the ground; seen a horse, in “frenzied excitement Tot was passed down to me. I it cannot stand still when the trumpet sounds. eat up the ground”, I have even used him for a few years and imagined my own horse laughing, At the blast of the trumpet it snorts, ‘Aha!’ then he became our grandson’s maybe not at fear but at me. I can It catches the scent of battle from afar, horse. He went from rebel to relirelate to the bravery as she makes able. Our grandson Trace loves Tot the shout of commanders and the battle cry” the mad cow submit to her course and we do too. Trace often leads and her playfulness when cutting in Tot around the house. His head is Job 39:19-25 the herd. dropped watching the steps of a I say all this not to exalt the horse but three year old boy, careful not to to stand amazed at THE ONE who get ahead and mindful of his many would give us an opportunity to be it’s partner. stops and distractions. Those horses are worth a million. Tot is part of the family. We get so use to him being here. I dread the day I look out Thank you for reading…..thecowboypastorswife and no longer see his presence. His knees have a few issues and he can’t handle the work he use to do. Follow The Cowboy Pastor’s Wife on Instagram and Facebook
48 THE NEVADA RANCHER – MARCH 2019
THE NEVADA RANCHER – MARCH 2019 49
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MISCELLANEOUS 2011 Krone 1290 HDPXC 3x4, Cutter, Baler, 29,000 Bales, VFS, Rebuilt...................... $52,500 CaseIH RMX 790 Disk, 14ft Stubble, 32” Blades ...............................................................$39,390 Parma 15 ft. Double Roller, Hydraulic Lift, Gooseneck Hitch .......................................... $19,096 Case IH 530C, Ecolotiger, One Pass Tillage, 5 Shanks .................................................. $39,854 Great Plains 18 ft, TurboMax, Hydraulic Adjustable Turbo Coulters ................................ $52,172 Kuhn SR112 Rakes - 3 Left ................................................................................. $2,800 to $5,200 Elston GA800 Heavy Duty, Gopher Killer ........................................................................... $4,725 Koenig Finish Ripper with Wings, Rear Crumbler, Hitch ................................................... $18,995 Koenig Ring Rollers, 14 and 16 foot, In Stock .................................................................. CALL Blanket Harrows,1/2 inch to 3/4 inch Tines, In Stock ........................................................ CALL Kuhn VT168 Vertical Mixer, left and right discharge, 760 cu.ft. capacity .......................... $54,000
ALLIE BEAR REAL ESTATE Specializing in Hunting, Ranching and Horse Properties
Gavica Ranch
10750 Gavica Lane, Paradise Valley. Beautiful 48 acre ranchette near the base of Santa Rosa Mountains. A clean updated home with 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, stucco exterior, metal roof, covered patio, spacious garage, carport, lawn and mature trees. The acreage produces approximately 60 ton of prime grass hay. There are 39.36 acres of water rights with a well maintained irrigation system. There is a shop and corrals and currently runs 40 head of cows for 9 months of the year. Unique location!
Clear Creek Ranch
Year round cattle ranch with 10,400 Deeded Acres, parcels in Humboldt and Antelope Peak Ranch: 5,300 deeded plus BLM permit attached Pershing to ranch. 5 center Counties, plus BLMpivot’s allotment. 6 pivots, 790 irrigated acres, 2 large diameter irrigation wells, ranchofmanager's irrigating approx. 583 acres plus another 28 acres with surface water rights out large home and equipment yard, Log Cottage. Excellent surface and under ground water rights with one of the longest perennial spring. Three homes plus shop and other outbuildings. This Elko Co.inranch offered streams the Great Basin.atPrice includes all equipment and cattle.
$3,900,000.
Mason Mountain Ranch: 3782 deeded acres plus small BLM permit. Summers up to 300 pair In 279.93 Acres Lamoille the past. Recent improvements to stock watering sources and new set of Beautiful Property wihcorrals. Ruby Mountain Views and seasonal creek. Access is from Lower Lamoille Road. Landowner Elk Tag(s). This is good summer range! $1,750,000. PENDING Still showing and back-up offers considered! Ruby Valley Ranch: 1,023 Acres at foot of the Rubies with surface water rights for approx.. 300 Diamond Valley Farm acres and permits for 375 acres of underground water for irrigation. road. all with yards and trees. The farm is 1,080 Nice family farmOn withpaved three homes Some improvements Price: $750./acre. acres in Eureka County with Certificated Water Rights, six pivots, 3 pivots alfalfa, 1
pivot wheat, 2 pivots in permanent Fescue and Garrison. Two hay barns, 2 @NV Rancher Magazine White Flats: Approx. 2560 deeded acres, all contiguous, approx.. 15 miles South of Elko with feedlots, working corrals, loading chute, arena, large equipment shop with stalls. Farm runs 350 to 400 head from May through November. fence for 4 milesand already. Would make Follow us on Facebook Instagram for a good seeding! Price: $499,500. exciting giveaways, conversation and more! 775-738-8535 • 775-777-6416
View Complete listings at www.ARanchBroker.com
Jiggs, Nevada Smith Creek Property: 2 20 deeded acres with approx.. 126 withDsurface a w n Mwater itton, Broker/Realtor rights out of Smith Creek. Great homesite already carved out of the hill above the meadows with well and trees planted. On county maintained road approx.. 30 miles out of Elko. Price: $700,000. Paul D. Bo�ari, Broker Ranch properties now available through E-mail: paul@bottarirealty.com • Bus. 775-752-3040 • Res. 775-752-3809 Bottari and Associates Realty • Fax 775-752-3021 • 122 8th Street • P.O. Box 368 • Wells, NV 89835
Allie Bear, Broker/Realtor
Bottari & Associates Realty
PENDING!
OFF THE MARKET!
Still showing and accepting backup offers
Antelope Peak Ranch
Owners decided not to sell - Have multiple buyers looking for something similar! Give me a call!
Smith Creek Property, Jiggs, Nevada
5,300 deeded plus BLM permit attached to ranch. 5 center pivot’s irrigating approx. 583 acres plus another 28 acres with surface water rights out of large spring. Three homes plus shop and other outbuildings. 1 land owner Elk Tag. This Elko Co. ranch offered.
220 deeded acres with approx. 126 with surface water rights out of Smith Creek. Great homesite already carved out of the hill above the meadows with well and trees planted. On county maintained road approx. 30 miles out of Elko.
Price: $3,900,000.
REDUCED Price: $650,000.
Flatnose Ranch
700+ acre property in Lincoln County just 7 miles E. of Pioche. 211+acres in production, Alfalfa hay. 346 Water righted acres irrigated out of 3 underground Wells and Flatnose Spring. 4 pivots some handline. Ranch got 6 landowner Mule Deer tags in 2018. Next to Echo Reservoir. Priced at Appraisal: $2,700,000.
Need More Ranch Listings For additional information on these properties go to:
BOTTARIREALTY.COM
Market Report
Fallon Livestock LLC Fallon, Nevada
300-400 lb.
400-500 lb.
133-141 avg
162-179 avg
Stock Cattle by Weight 500-600 600-700 lb. lb.
700-800 lb.
800+ lb.
Slaughter Cattle 64-64 Butcher Bulls
Breakers (Fat Cows)
142-166. 134-144 avg 126-136 115-128 avg Boners (Med. Flesh) 50 avg avg 131-142 avg 138-164 avg 136-150 125-136 avg 118-125 110-110 avg Cutters (Lean) Heifers avg avg Preg Tested 3,4,5 year solid Top cow: 990 lbs (avg. 70) Shelly Cutters (Thin) mouth No Test February 12h, 2019 sale; volume: N/A. Single, small-framed or plainer cattle 30 to 65 less than top offering. Steers
Stock Cattle by Weight
Cattlemen’s Livestock Marketing Galt, Calif.
Shasta Livestock Auction Yard, Cottonwood, Calif.
Steers Heifers
300-400 lb. #1 quality
400-500 lb. #1 quality
No test No test
155-178 140-167
500-600 lb. #1 quality 150-168 130-145
600-700 lb. #1 quality 60-100 130-143
60-60
60.50-61
Shelly Bulls
No test
53.50-59
Cutter Bulls
115-124
No test
Top Bull
60
Slaughter Cattle 700-800 lb. #1 quality 60-100 60-100
800+ lb. #1 quality
Boner Cows
44-54
No Test No Test
Breaker Cows Cutter Cows
35-50 30-35
Bulls
52-70
Pairs: no test January 30, 2019 sale; volume 616. Market notes:Compared to the previous week slaughter cattle were$10 higher. Compared to the previous week feeder cattle under 600 lbs. were steady. Compared to the previous week feeder cattle over 600 lbs. were steady
Steers Heifers
300-400 lb.
400-500 lb.
200-204 (2 sets) 159-181
171-211 150-171
Stock Cattle by Weight 500-600 600-700 lb. lb. 160-190 144-164.50 130-151
135-146.50
700-800 lb. 140-149.5 0 125-131.5 0
Slaughter Cattle 56-63 Bulls
800+ lb.
High yielding
No Test
Medium yielding
48-67
No Test
Low yielding
No Test
55-80.50
Results from February 8th, 2019 sale; volume 681. Market notes: Cull cows and bulls higher again.Feeder cows good. Another good week on the grass type cattle; lots of demand. Off and small lots $25-$50 below top lots.
7 Rivers Livestock Commission Emmett, ID
Stock Cattle by Weight 500-600 600-700 lb. lb.
300-400 lb.
400-500 lb.
Steers
165.30 avg
159.50
143.10
Heifers
130
142.50
136.20
700-800 lb.
800+ lb.
High Yielding
130.85
133.75
127.60
Medium Yield
56
126.10
123.85
120.60
Thin Cows
53
Slaughter Cattle Bulls
62.50
Heiferettes: 61.50 avg
Pairs, full mouth Bred Heifers No Test no test Results from February 12th, 2019 To consign or other questions call the office @ 208-365-4401 Sale every Tuesday at high noon.
Stock Cattle by Weight
Producers Livestock, Salina, Utah
59
Steers Heifers
Slaughter Cattle
300-400 lb.
400-500 lb.
500-600 lb.
600-700 lb.
700-800 lb.
800+ lb.
141-217.50
163-185
129-145
128-136
140-160
129-161
154-172. 137-158 50 137-148. 123-143.50 50 Heiferettes: No Test
125-133.7 5
103-127.50
Cows:46-55
Commercial/Utility Cows
No Test
Cutting Bulls
No Test
Slaughter Bulls
63.75-68.25
February 121h, 2019; volume: 733 The figures on this report are computer generated from “The Hottest Sale in the West” at Producers Livestock in Salina, UT. Notes: For great service contact the Salina Producers Auction at (435) 529-7437. For current market information call toll free 1-888-287-1702.
Producers Livestock, Vale, Ore.
Steers Heifers
300-400 lb.
400-500 lb.
167-196
154-191
139-171
141-167
Stock Cattle by Weight 500-600 600-700 lb. lb. 149-180. 139-163 75 131-149 126-145
700-800 lb. 129-141
800+ lb.
121-130
No Test
128-134
Butcher Cows – bulk Shelly Cows Thin
Slaughter Cattle 55-61 Butcher Bulls 45-54
Top Bull
363-76 80
Young cow pairs Older BM Cows Heiferettes: 66-76 No Test No Test February 13th, 2019 1,829 volume: GOOD & Active Feeder Sale market with good quality calves offered. Still somewhat sluggish on the bigger feeder steers and heifers. These are the extreme high spots and bulk prices. Questions about the market and/or to consign, call Producers Livestock, Vale Oregon, at (541) 473-3136
52 THE NEVADA RANCHER – MARCH 2019
Auction Directory Get the most up-to-date market reports by visiting these websites NEVADA Nevada Livestock Marketing LLC Sale every Wednesday 1025 North Allen Road, Fallon, Nevada Office: (775) 423-7760 Fax: (775) 423-1813 www.nevadalivestock.us • Fallon Livestock LLC Sale every Tuesday 2055 Trento Lane, Fallon, Nevada Office: (775) 867-2020 Fax: (775) 867-2021 www.fallonlivestock.com • Superior Livestock Auction Load-lots of cattle sold via satellite and the Internet Northern Nevada
Representative Allie Bear (775) 738-8534 www.superiorlivestock.com
CALIFORNIA Shasta Livestock Auction Yard Sale every Friday Cottonwood, California Office: (530) 347-3793 Fax: (530) 347-0329 www.shastalivestock.com • Cattlemen’s Livestock Market Sale every Wednesday 12495 E. Stockton Blvd., Galt, California Office: (209) 745-1515 www.clmgalt.com
IDAHO Producers Livestock Marketing Assn.
11 South 100 West, Jerome, Idaho Office: (208) 324-4345 Cattle auction every Tuesday; dairy auction every-other Wednesday www.producerslivestock.com • Treasure Valley Livestock Auction Beef sale every Friday; General sale every other Saturday 1901 E. Chicago, Caldwell, Idaho Office: (208) 459-7475; (800) 788-4429 treasurevalleylivestock.com • Twin Falls Livestock Commission
www.twinfallslivestock.com Office: (208) 733-7474 630 Commercial Ave. Twin Falls, ID
OREGON Producers Livestock Marketing Sale every Wednesday P.O. Box 67, Vale, Oregon Office: (541) 473-3136 www.producerslivestock.com • Central Oregon Livestock Auction Sale Every Monday 3457 S.W. Hwy. 97 Madras, Oregon Office: (541) 475-3851 www.centraloregonlivestock
Livestock Auction Services SALE EVERY WEDNESDAY! Jack Payne, Mgr.: 775-217-9273 Carey Hawkins: 208-724-6712 Office: 775-423-7760
SALE EVERY TUESDAY 2055Trento Lane, Fallon, NV 89406 (775) 867-2020 - Fax (775) 867-2021 FallonLivestock.com - Email FallonLivestock@gmail.com Tommy Lee, Owner (775) 741-4523 office (775) 217-2259
SALE March 21, 2019 Video Auction Consignment Deadline March 11 April 4-5, 2019 Gulf Coast Classic IV April 18, 2019 Video Auction Consignment Deadline April 8
THE NEVADA RANCHER – MARCH 2019 53
All In A Day’s Ride
An old cowboy was once asked by a young eastern tourist lady, “So, Cowboy, who really is your best friend?” The ol Buckaroo paused for a moment, “Well young lady that depends.” She giggled and turned red, said, “I didn’t think you cowboys wore them?” The ol feller kinda grinned as he politely explained to her that their conversation was on Commentary by two different levels and that David W. Glaser they were not even speaking the same language. As he was an older feller and had seniority and really didn’t give a shit, he was duty bound to educate this young lady. First of all, I have the floor, you will not speak unless you are asked to, and you are to take mental note of every thing I say! You asked me a question that has many answers. Who is your best friend? At the moment, you are Not, and I do not wear Depends!” However, if the circumstance came up an we were in a cowboy bar an I had a fair amount of whisky in my body and you walked in with your tight-fitting jeans and asked me to dance, you’d sure be my best friend till daylight. You getting the drift? There’s lots of sayings, your dog is man’s best friend, and that is true most of the time. Take for instance, when we’re dancing cheek to cheek, Shep is out in the truck, still loving me, waiting for us to go home. He’s still my best friend. Now you take Alma the ranch cook, she’s a shaky ol girl with varicose veins and combs her hair once a week whether she needs it or not, but I love
“Comin’ up on Saint Paddy’s Day, boys,” Windy said, coming in on final approach to an empty chair. Perfect two-point landing. Loretta filled his cup with fresh and he reared back and addressed the members of the Mule Barn truck stop’s world dilemma think tank. “Almost here, yessir. But this one ain’t gonna be like the last one … not by a strong shot. Lead us not into configuration, thass what I always say.” Well, yes he does, actually. In fact, expanding the world’s vocabulary seems to be the life mission of our old cowboy camp cook and philosopher, Alphonse “Windy” Wilson. And dang, he’s good at it. “What happened last St. Patrick’s Day, Windy?” asked Doc, politely. And then we braced ourselves for his answer. “Wellsir, there I were, boys, findin’ myself in the capital city on Saint Paddy’s Day and I were jest walkin’ along, peruvulatin’ the sidewalks, as it were, when I chanced upon a publication house. Thass what they call ‘em in Ireland, you know. So I rears back and walks on in. Boys, the party was on all right. There was Irishers ever-where! One of ‘em, a big booger, comes over and says to buy him a beer, cuz I’m the only one in there who hasn’t bought him one, yet.” “Did you buy him one, Windy?” “Do I look stoo-pid? A-course I did. And I danced a little jig and had a couple myself. And ‘bout that time here come that big ol’ drunk guy again and he said it were time to buy him another beer. I told him I didn’t have no more money, and that’s when I found myself out on the sidewalk, the whole eastern side of my face hurtin’ somethin’ fierce. Then I remembered that little sign they had in there. Had it right over the bar. It said, “If you ain’t a mick, you’re gonna get sick.” Them Irish is right ever now and then.” Two of Slim’s books, Ol’ Jimmy Dollar and The Cowboy’s Bucket List, are now deeply discounted for his readers and listeners. Check out the offer at www.riograndebooks.com.
54 THE NEVADA RANCHER – MARCH 2019
her. When you an I get through cutting a rug and come staggering into the ranch. She’ll be waiting with a pot of hot coffee and big breakfast of pancakes and bacon an eggs. She’ll give you the once over, ask no questions and give me a big ol wink. She’s my best friend Time to go to work, I have to move some cows up to the forest, but first, I’ll take you out to meet another of my best friends. The horse! For centuries the horse has been man’s best friend. They have helped settle this great nation, they have fought and won wars and they have helped many an old cowboy find his way home in the dark. So, I have to say the Horse is at the top of my best friend list. Take that sorrel gelding that’s leaning over the fence smelling your hair. His name is Wild Bill, an he likes beer, which is why he is sniffing you over, cause you probably smell like last nights bar. I don’t doubt you are his best friend right now. See the grey gelding, over there, he has got me out of more nasty wrecks than I can count. and the paint gelding, Poncho. I roped a wild, crazy bull on him one time, we tore up more ground and sage brush getting him into the trailer, but he never let me down. Then there is Nick, the Bay who waited for me to get on, after I broke my leg on a rock slide, and took me home very slowly. Guess I have to say the Horse is my Best friend. So young lady, are you getting the drift? Do you understand the answers to your original question? “Yes sir”, was the young lady’s reply. “If you will give me time to go home and change my clothes, I’d like to come back and ride Wild Bill and help you moved those cows. Maybe I can become one of your best friends in the daylight? It’s all in a Day’s Ride! David W Glaser Contact David to purchase his book dhranch3@gmail.com or call 208-9895404
“A Kid’s Look at Ranch Life!” High School Grades 9-12
Middle School Grades 5-8
Elementary School Grades K-4
$25 Visa Gift Card for the Winner in Each Category. PLUS Your photo in the Nevada Rancher Magazine! Submit your photos (limit four) via email along with the following information: Name, Age, Address, Phone Type of Camera, Photo Location Photo Caption (up to 30 words)
Contest Closes April 1, 2019 Email: J.Whiteley@winnemuccapublishing.net with the subject line: Photo Contest
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