NOTICE OF COMING EVENTS
Friday Feeder Sales Special Sale Dates: April 18th May 21st & June 18th
Feeder Sale Friday March 21st
Wow, cattle just keep getting higher. It was a great day, good weather, good help, had a good group of auctioneers and lots of buyers. Cattle numbers continue to decline in the US so these prices should hang around for awhile. Hope ranchers can nally get ahead and save some money for down the road.
Next feeder sale April 18th. We are already getting calls for that sale. Expecting cattle to continue being pulled forward by this incredible market. Thanks everyone for a great sale. Hope to see you next month! We could possibly have some bred cows and pairs, so stay tuned!
According to the National Beef Wire written by Rob Cook:
Nevada Livestock Marketing delivered a truly historic auction on Friday, March 21st, hosting the largest Friday sale in the country and what many now consider the greatest sale in the company’s history...
Nevada Livestock Marketing Delivers Record-Smashing Sale
Nevada Livestock Marketing delivered a truly historic auction on Friday, March 21st, hosting the largest Friday sale in the country and what many now consider the greatest sale in the company’s history. With more than 5,000 head marketed and buyers from across the U.S. competing aggressively, the sale set a new standard for the Western cattle trade.
The event produced all-time barn records across seven steer weight classes—3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9-weights—a rare and remarkable achievement.
Headlining the sale was a group of 27 head at 337 lbs that brought $500.00/cwt, the first $500 sale ever recorded at Nevada Livestock Marketing and a new Nevada state record for 3-weight steers. Also commanding attention, 85 head at 436 lbs sold for $472.00/ cwt, placing among the top four sales in state history, and 14 head at 503 lbs brought $394.00/cwt, landing in the top three all-time for 5-weights.
Additional record-setting achievements included:
• Highest 4-weight price ever recorded in Nevada
• Top 3 sales for 5-weights in Nevada history
• Top 2 sales for 6-weights in Nevada history
• Top 4 sales for 7-weights in Nevada history
“This was the highest sale I’ve ever been at,” said Corbitt Wall, well-known market analyst and auctioneer with DVAuction. “Outstanding cattle, serious buyers, and a barn full of energy—this market is leading the West.”
Demand was especially strong for lightweight stocker cattle, with buyers targeting heifers and steers to turn out on grass. Many of the top-performing cattle were bound for California and the Midwest, with notable online bidding through DV Auction. Featured prices included:
Online engagement helped drive momentum. Dusty Markham, Business Director at DVAuction, noted:
“We had 374 online viewers and 488 bids, with 481 head sold online to buyers in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and locally. That kind of activity shows just how respected this barn is. The quality and consistency brought strong interest from across the region.”
Re ecting on the event, Jack Payne, Owner/Operator of Nevada Livestock Marketing, shared his gratitude:
“We can’t thank everyone enough for making this one of the most amazing sales in our history. To all the buyers and sellers who showed up and supported us, your trust means the world. A huge shoutout to our hardworking crew who went above and beyond, and to Corbitt Wall for bringing the energy and helping us showcase these cattle to their fullest potential. And of course, big thanks to the folks at DVAuction for giving us a national platform that connects our barn to buyers everywhere. We’re proud of what happened here— and we’re just getting started.”
Next Special Sale: Join Nevada Livestock Marketing again on Friday, April 18th for the next big event. With strong consignments already lined up, momentum is high and expectations even higher.
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Moisture, Babies and Lots of Coffee
Wow-April already. We are officially a quarter way through the year. With the warm weather, the hustle for Spring work takes precedence. Branding, shipping, turning-out, the long days are amongst us.
This month we celebrated 1 whole year with my son Truu. BobiRose was gifted from her grandfather, a purebred Angus heifer from Barker Cattle. She is very excited for their future together.
The cattle market continues to hold high and the horse market is on the rise again just in time for horse sale season.
I hope your garden starts grow strong, your irrigation water is plentiful, and you find joy in seeing neighbors at brandings after the long Winter.
Thank you and as always, I hope you enjoy! Just a note!
Thank you for the continued support, positivity and readership! Please support these advertisers within the publication when you do business.
Ranching Scrapbook - pg. 12 & 13
2025 Ranch Hand of the Year Award- pg. 14 The Cowboy Pastor’s Wife - pg. 21 Let’s Eat: Happy Easter - pg. 20
heifers check out the
By Jennifer Whiteley
Replacement
new guy “Kit” on pasture in Lamoille. Kit is by Pistols Smokey out of Foxy Playboy Kiowa. Photo
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Ag Scholarship, Education, and Promotion Fundraiser opin' pring
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s c h o l a r s h i p p ro g r a m s, b e e f e d u c a t i o n , a g r i c u l t u r e p ro m o t i o n , a n d e v e n t s !
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P O B o x 2 5 0 , S m i t h , N V 8 9 4 3 0
REMEMBERING OUR LOVED ONES
David G. Abel
August 28, 1946 ~ February 17, 2025
Dave was born on August 28th, 1946 in Merced, California, to William H. Abel and Gloria M. Abel. He Attended Merced Grammar School and Middle School.
Dave’s family moved to Lovelock, Nevada in 1960. He attended Pershing County High, where he played football, basketball, baseball, and participated in high school rodeo. Following graduation, he enrolled in California Polytechnic College in San Luis Obispo. There he met Susan Sparrow. He graduated from Cal Poly with a Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Husbandry.
Dave and Sue married on December 7th, 1968, in Santa Barbara, California. The couple moved to Lovelock, where Dave’s family ranched. In 1969 they moved to Fallon where Dave worked
Mary Ellen McNinch
November 20, 1946 - February 11, 2025
Our mom, Mary Ellen McNinch, passed away peacefully in the early morning of February 11, 2025, in Winnemucca, Nevada. Mary was born in Winnemucca on November 20, 1946, the second child to David Howard and Opal Ruth McNinch. Along with her older brother, David, Jr. and younger brother, John. Mary grew up on the McNinch Ranch to the west of Winnemucca near the Humboldt River. Ranch life involves the whole family, and Mary worked alongside her parents and siblings.
Because Mary was such a talented cook,
at the Fallon Feedlot. He attributed a lot of his “cow sense” to his time spent with manager, Sam Broyles.
In 1971, Dave and Sue made their home in Elko and he went to work for the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association as their Executive Secretary where he was a staunch supporter and participant in the Sagebrush Rebellion.
Dave traveled across Nevada, Oregon, Idaho, and California for 35 years as a field representative of Tri-State Livestock Credit Corporation. His years at Tri-State led to many friendships and an unprecedented knowledge of ranch backroads. He retired in 2011.
Dave is proceeded in death by his parents, Bill and Gloria. Dave is survived by Sue, his wife of 56 years. He also leaves behind daughters, Gloria (Brian)Hutchison, of Spring Creek, Nevada, Sarah (Gabe) Fogarty of Lone Pine, California; grandchildren, Hillary Hutchison of Elko, Abby (Bradley) Ashby of Reno, Nevada, David Hutchison of Spring Creek, Tommy and Rissa Fogarty of Lone Pine; brother Bill Abel of Missouri; brother Will Abel and step-mother Jeanie Abel, of Templeton, California.
Dave enjoyed braiding rawhide and collecting Spanish style bits and bridles. He always rode nice horses and raised his girls to appreciate the Western lifestyle.
This summer, Dave’s ashes will be spread over the Lovelock Desert where he and his family ranched, with a birthday celebration to follow. The family would like to thank the many people who cared for Dave in his final years, especially the nurses and staff at Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital, the fire crew at the Spring Creek NDF fire station, and the superb dialysis staff at DCI. We appreciate the love that you showed him.
she often served in that role when at cowboy camp with her family.
Mary attended school in Winnemucca and graduated from Humboldt High School.
She enjoyed the choir and debate team, which was perfect for her as she enjoyed interacting with people and speaking.
She had three children: Janie, Glenn and Jennifer. They also made their life at the family ranch.
In the early 70’s, Mary moved to Salt Lake City to further her education. As a member of the LDS church, she studied at Brigham Young University and in 1976, she received a degree from the College of Beauty.
Soon after she completed her studies, she returned home to Winnemucca. She worked a variety of jobs in town, including a few years as a Juvenile Probation Officer at Humboldt County’s Leighton Hall. Her favorite job, however, was property management as it was challenging, and she enjoyed the people.
In the early 90’s, Mary moved to California where she would continue her career in property management. She mostly managed rental homes and apartment communities in the Sacramento and Kelseyville areas. She worked until 2007 when she retired.
Upon retirement, she moved to Colorado where she enjoyed the outdoors and beauty of the mountains. She was a member of various organizations and an advocate for Judicial Justice.
Mary returned to Winnemucca in 2020, and she considered it a great blessing to be able to spend her final years in her beloved hometown.
At her last private residence at Larios
William Jay Wright
December 9, 1933 — February 21, 2025
William Jay Wright, age 91, peacefully passed away with his family by his side on February 21, 2025 after a battle with cancer.
Jay was born in Cedar City, Utah on December 9, 1933, the son of John Peter Wright and Eloise (Schofield) Wright. Jay was raised and attended school in Hiko and Alamo Nevada. Jay loved the FFA program, he was the Nevada State FFA President and went on to become the Pacific Regional Star Farmer. He was elected as the National FFA Vice President representing the Pacific Region from 1954-1955.
Jay attended Brigham Young University in 1955, where he was a member of BYU’s rodeo and livestock judging teams. In 1956, he was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served his country until 1958. After he was released from the Army, he returned to Brigham Young University where he met Marjorie Anne Garwood, his eternal sweetheart. Jay and Marjorie were married in 1960 and were sealed in the St George, Utah Temple. They eventually became the parents of five children, three boys and two girls.
During his early married years, Jay worked in the field of agriculture and owned and managed a race horse, Petite Regards. Jay raised American Quarter Horses for the past 63 years and this began during this time. After 50 consecutive years of raising horses, he received the honor of being inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame for his American Quarter Horse breeding program.
Arms, she loved to watch the sunset behind Winnemucca mountain, over the same desert landscape she grew up in.
Mary enjoyed a number of hobbies throughout her life, such as arts and crafts, cooking, and ceramics. She loved family get-togethers and celebrations.
She maintained her love of cooking throughout her life, and she was frequently asked to cater and bake for various occasions.
Even in her last years, she still entertained friends and family, who are grateful for the time they had to enjoy her company, her quick wit, and her spunky sense of humor.
She also loved to travel, and she was especially fond of her experiences on Victoria Island in British Columbia.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents Doss and Mabel McNinch, Gladys Garber, her parents Dave McNinch, Sr. and Opal McNinch and daughter Janie Heston. She is survived by her son, Glenn McCoy and daughter Jennifer McCoy, grandchildren Dustin, Lacey, Russel,
In 1965, Jay was offered a job as a loan appraiser for Tri-State Livestock Credit Corp, a large livestock financing institution out of San Francisco. He worked this job until 1969. From 1969 to 1971, Jay operated a couple ranches for the Art Linkletter family, one near Bliss, Idaho and the other in Spring Valley, Nevada. He then was able to start his own cattle operation which was his ultimate goal. He raised his family in Hiko, Nevada while he ranched in southern Nevada. He then went on to own and operate ranches in northern Nevada, Idaho, New Mexico, and Arizona. Jay also worked as a sales representative for Superior Livestock Auction from 2005-2011. Jay and Marjorie served as missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the New Mexico Farmington Mission during 2011-2012. Jay and Marjorie also served as temple workers in the Lubbock, TX Temple and in the Snowflake, AZ temple. Jay was a great friend, he loved to visit. He had friends wherever he went. He loved his wife dearly, and they were great partners in marriage as well as business. His children were blessed to learn from his great work ethic, his love for God, and his integrity. As a Grandpa, he had an infectious smile and laugh and lots of hugs. His family brought him the greatest joy.
William Jay is a cherished husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, and a friend to so many. He loved and cherished his family and friends and his Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ.
Jay is survived by his wife, Marjorie Wright, his daughter-in-law, Julie (Brad) WrightLeggett of Jerome, Idaho, his children, Sonja (Kenneth) Firmage of Eagle Idaho, John (Stephanie) Wright of Twin Falls, Idaho, Jeanne (Brian) Higbee of Spanish Fork, Utah, and Flint (Jamie) Wright of Cottonwood, Arizona, 14 grandchildren, and 12 greatgrandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Eloise, his son Jeffrey, grandson Garrett, his two sisters, Lorene and Ina, and his brother Kay.
The family invites you to leave a message or memory in their Guest Book at www. moapavalleymortuary.com.
John and Jett. Great grandchildren Rally, Rexen, Easton, Audrey, Everley and Hailey. Her brothers Dave (Janie) and John, nieces, nephews and numerous cousins.
She touched the lives of many people, and her family and friends will miss her dearly.
Per mom’s request, no funeral or memorial service will be held. She will be buried in the family plot, next to her mother, at the Winnemucca Cemetery.
A celebration of life will be scheduled for summer.
A very special thank you to Humboldt General Hospital and Harmony Manor’s doctors, nurses, support staff and kitchen staff, all dedicated professionals, who provided exceptional care for my mother during her time at both facilities.
Your professionalism, expertise, and unwavering dedication made a world of difference in my mother’s life. In her final days, she expressed how proud she was of HGH and Harmony Manor.
Nevada Cattlemen's April Round - Up
Happy Spring! I hope everyone is getting through calving season without too much difficulty. We probably couldn’t have asked for a much better winter than the one we received. There seems to be plenty of moisture throughout the state and we avoided those bone chilling temperatures for the most part. As always, it’s been a busy spring at the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association. The Nevada Legislature is in full swing. At this point in time NCA is keeping tabs on 26 different pieces of legislation that have do with everything from changes to Nevada water law and trucking insurance, to mandatory overtime pay for agricultural workers. One of the most consequential pieces of legislation thus far has been SB172, dubbed the “Ag Workers Bill of Rights”. If passed, the proposal would require all agricultural employers to pay workers overtime for anything over 8 hours per day or 40 hours per week. It also includes provisions that would allow agriculture workers to unionize, sets periods for meals and rest, and would require ag employers to provide unfettered access to “key service providers”, amongst other things.
As the price of doing business continues to skyrocket, our industry cannot afford to be saddled with increased labor costs. As we know, ranchers and farmers are price
takers and do not have the ability to pass on increased costs, labor or otherwise, to our consumers. The legislation also sets standards for employment that do not apply to any other classification of employee. Unlike many other situations, we do have the unique ability to know how similar legislation is playing out in other states. A quick dive into things leads you to research out of UC Berkeley that suggests that similar policy in California has actually led to a decrease in pay for agricultural workers. Or you’ll find an article from NPR titled “These farm workers thought a new overtime law would help them. Now, they want it gone”, which paints an eerily similar picture of how a similar law is playing out in Washington state. As a result, NCA was quick to voice strong opposition to the bill.
The “First House Passage” deadline for legislation is quickly approaching on April 22nd. Any bills not passed out of either the Assembly or Senate (whichever one they originated in) die after that date. NCA is continuing to work with stakeholders and legislators on SB172 and many others as we hit the midway point of the Legislative Session.
On the federal side of the equation, things continue to unfold at a rapid pace. The level of fluidity makes it pretty difficult to capture where things stand at any given
point in time. Since last month’s article we have seen tariffs come and go and come again, efforts to streamline the National Environmental Policy Act, the formal ending of BLM’s Public Lands Rule Advisory Board and some pretty size-able changes to the federal workforce with litigation involved all along the way.
NCA has been engaged with our partners, agencies, and Congressional delegation to ensure we continue to maintain the ability to do business at the speed of commerce and begin efforts to start chopping away at layers of regulatory burdens that NV ranchers face day in and out.
Finally, NCA will be sending a contingent to Washington D.C. in mid-April. During the trip we intend to discuss the laundry list of detrimental regulatory mechanisms our industry is burdened with, the overpopulation of wild horses, federal land designations, federal programs, and much more. This trip serves as a great opportunity for NCA to meet face to face with our Congressional representatives to discuss priority issues and for them to see and hear from producers who are impacted every day by the decisions they make.
Till next time.
Martin Paris, NCA Executive Director
Trade Tariffs & Green Grass on the Horizon!
I just removed about three inches of wet snow off of the hood of my pickup to go feed this morning and even though I usually do it with a grumble, this morning I had a cheery demeanor. As I sit down to write this article, the heady wet snow is still coming down. Normally I’m not a huge fan of snow and cold so why the cheery demeanor during this “Ides of March” storm you ask? I maintain the theory that a warm wet spring will do more for range conditions than a long cold deep snow winter. This is a warm wet snow we are having! Even though the snow and mud bring on some challenges they also bring opportunity and promise. When you’re trudging through the mud you have to have faith something better is on the other side and it always is.
I have to maintain this same attitude when I turn on the news and begin to worry that the Trade Negotiations this administration are working on may begin to affect the US Cattle Markets and the US Economy as a whole. I’m fairly certain that no one really knows just how things are going to play out and what effects all the negotiations will have for certain. As President Trump warned there may be some “bumps in the road” but that is to be expected if you want to get some meaningful change
in global policy. I personally have to have faith that as we go through the “hiccups” and trudge through a little mud it is going to get us to a better more level and fair playing field of global trade. As global trade becomes increasingly important so will our trade agreements. We just as well engage in those agreements now, even though it might be a little painful in the short term.
I feel obligated to note that foreign trade is above our pay grade at the Nevada Cattlemen's office. We engage where we can with our delegation but President Trump hasn’t called us to see what we think the right move would be and frankly I wouldn't know what to tell him. I do have a level of comfort knowing that there are folks in Washington DC watching our back and engaging heavily on this issue and NCA does talk to them on a regular basis.
As we “keep marching” through these uncertain times I would encourage everyone to strap on your mud boots and keep smiling because green grass is on the horizon!!
Cheers-Hanes Holman, NCA President
Virtual Fence Keeps Cattle Where You Want Them
By Heather Smith Thomas
To manage livestock and keep them in the proper areas or graze rotationally, ranchers need a way to keep them in desired locations. Traditional fencing, such as permanent boundary fences made from wood, wire or steel, or portable electric fencing have been the norm. Now there is another option. Virtual fencing creates invisible boundaries that can be readily moved using a computer in the comfort of your home or with a smart phone, using GPS coordinates. Cattle are fitted with GPS collars and trained to respect the boundaries.
The communications network consists of towers set up on the property to provide cellular communications to and from the collars on the cows and the internet. As an animal approaches the virtual boundary, the collar emits a warning beep. If the animal continues to approach, it receives an electric shock. Cattle soon learn to back away from the “fence” and respect the boundary, to avoid the shock.
New uses for this technology are being tried every year. Currently there are a growing number of projects testing virtual fencing on
rangelands to keep cattle out of riparian areas, or divide large allotments into several pastures or keep cattle out of burned areas to allow recovery of the vegetation before grazing them again.
Paul Meiman, Extension Specialist, Rangeland Livestock/Wildlife Interactions, University of Nevada-Reno started an experimental project in 2020 on two ranches in Nevada. “A few years before that, I was involved in research on poisonous plants, especially larkspur, in Colorado. A graduate student and I started thinking about ways to manage grazing so cows could eat larkspur and avoid death loss,” said Meiman.
If a large herd could be concentrated on the larkspur so each cow only ate a small amount-rather than a few cows eating a lot and being poisoned--this might prevent losses. Grazing off the larkspur every year before it went to seed could possibly reduce those patches.
“Field studies showed that by clipping above-ground portion of these plants, you could reduce the concentration of alkaloids
in the plants. They would be less poisonous. We got to thinking about how to do this with grazing—holding cattle there so they all eat a little and no one gets too much. This might be done with herding, or temporary electric fence. Then we heard about virtual fencing.” It would be less labor intensive.
“This opened my eyes to all the other things we might be able to do, like limit the time cattle spend in riparian areas or other sensitive areas, or keep cattle in a certain location for targeted grazing. Some range managers are using targeted grazing on cheat grass, for instance, to reduce this invasive species,” he said.
“One of the ranchers I met in northeastern Nevada had problems with larkspur and was interested in virtual fence as a way to keep cattle out of those areas. He wanted to be part of our project, and we also got another ranch involved. Here in Elko County, Maggie Creek Ranch and Cottonwood Ranch agreed to try some virtual fencing.”
The cattle start with a training period. When they approach the virtual boundary they hear a beep from the collar. If they keep approaching, they get an electric shock. It works best to train them near an actual fence. The cattle see that boundary and this helps them equate the boundary with stimulus from the collar. You don’t want them to run through the virtual boundary; you want them to learn to turn around when they hear the beep. Just like learning about an electric fence; you want them to respect it and stay back rather than jumping on through if they get shocked. After they respond in the training period, the virtual fence can be moved farther away from the conventional fence and eventually they will respect it wherever it is.
The first trial on those two ranches took place during the summer of 2020. One of the ranches—Maggie Creek Ranch--had a stocker operation near Lamoille, just south
of Elko. Travis Whitely, Foreman on the Lamoille division, was asked about being a part of this project, to try the virtual fencing for two years. “We decided to collar about 200 yearlings,” said Travis.
The yearlings were kept in relatively small pastures on the home ranch, with about 80 head per 100-acre pasture. “We were trying to see if we could do rotational grazing using virtual fence rather than periodically moving electric fence. We wanted to see how intense we could get—whether we could cut the pasture in half, or in quarters, and keep the cattle in those portions—or graze certain areas harder than others. A stream runs through each pasture and we wanted to set up water gaps and have the cattle only go into the stream where we wanted them to,” he said.
It took some training for the yearlings, with the virtual fence set up along the boundary fence—a barrier they could see. Once they responded to the virtual fence, the invisible fence line was moved farther away from the actual fence
“The virtual fence was moved farther and farther away, into the area we wanted the cattle to be. Some of them figured it out quickly, but others were more independent and didn’t respect the virtual fence. Yearlings are typically more independent and like to wander,” he said.
Another problem was that those first collars were made for adult cows; they weren’t designed to fit yearlings. Some would slip the collars off, or the collar got hooked on something and broke the buckle—which they were designed to do, so the animal wouldn’t get hung up on something. Then there might be 15 to 20 heifers that were not staying where they should be.
Those would go to the other end of the field and graze, and the others would see them. Part of the herd would go through the virtual fence to join their wayward buddies. “Some got to the point they’d just endure the shock and run through the virtual fence and go wherever they wanted,” Travis said.
“During the summer we always have to doctor a few for pinkeye or foot rot, on those meadows. We just pasture doctor—catching
them out there, rather than bringing them to a corral. One of my concerns was how the collars would hold up when we roped those yearlings, and whether they’d run through the virtual fence when we were trying to catch them. That wasn’t a problem, however. We were able to hold them at one end of the pasture, away from the virtual fence and get them doctored, and when we roped them we never did pull a collar off. A person might have to move the collar a bit when giving an injection into the vein, but it wasn’t a problem,” he said.
The virtual fence trial was an interesting experiment and the ranchers felt it had a lot of potential. “The company redesigned the collars to fit better. The first ones were a little too loose on yearlings; some would flip upside down and wouldn’t make contact for giving the shock.” They would still beep when the animal approached the virtual fence, but without the follow-up shock the animal quit paying attention to the beep.
The virtual fence company kept improving the collars. “One of the original types was pretty rough and made the cattle’s necks sore. When they changed to a nylon strap it was a lot better, and then they modified it so the cattle couldn’t step on the end of it (and break it) when their heads were down, grazing,” Travis said. There’s a lot of potential for virtual fences on large rangelands, such keeping cattle out of riparian areas or larkspur patches, or to keep them in a certain area. “There are rose-briars and thistles in some of our pastures, and we generally try to mechanically mow or spray them, but a person might be able hold cattle in those places early in the grazing season and make them eat it down; the cattle could get good use from those patches, rather than people having to
spray or mow, and eventually reduce the thistles and briars,” Travis said.
The GPS aspect of the collars, being able to track every animal and know where it is at any given time, can be useful for ranchers with cattle out on large range pastures. “I could be in the house in the morning, drinking coffee, and look at my phone and see that such-and-such animal is in the wrong pasture. I’d wonder if that was really true. Then I’d go down there, and sure enough—that yearling was where the GPS showed it to be. It was pretty accurate,”
Travis said.
“Each collar had an ID number and I’d know which animal it was. I might find one in another group of cattle where it didn’t belong, or out of the boundary area. A person could locate missing cattle this way. Or, if that collar isn’t moving, the animal might be sick, lame, or dead. The company was also talking about additional technology in which you could pull up that individual animal on your phone and see what its body temperature is.” Some of this new technology might be very beneficial.
The virtual fence signal works off towers set up in the pasture. The towers in his pastures were protected with hog panels around them so animals couldn’t rub on them or the guy wires holding them. “The towers are expensive so you don’t want them damaged,” he said.
“One rancher in Montana was collaring all the cows that he turned out, collecting data from the GPS collars. He hoped to increase his numbers over the next few years, by giving this information to the BLM or Forest Service to show the cows’ actual use in certain areas, and the fact the forage and vegetation is still abundant and the cattle are not damaging it in any way,” said Travis. This kind of data provides real numbers; CONT PG 10
Lifetime Pipe for Agriculture & Mining
CONT PG 9
it’s not just someone’s word about how the cattle (or how many cattle) are using that land.
“Our ranch is no longer using virtual fence today, partly because of the labor involved in putting the collars on and taking them off. The
last year we did it, we were mainly experimenting with various uses, like changing the access to water—moving the water gaps into the stream, etc. On our small pastures for yearlings, it probably isn’t a great tool, but on a
larger scale it could be very useful,” he said.
“In a larger range pasture cattle would drift away from it a lot better once they are trained—and virtual fence could keep cattle out of a burned area and enable them to graze
the rest of the allotment without having to build a fence.” In rugged terrain a person could put the towers on high spots and create virtual fences in areas where it would not be feasible to put in a real fence or even an electric fence.
Bull Sale Reports
Thank you to the following bull sale clients for trusting the Nevada Rancher Magazine to help promote their sales.
Great Basin Bull Sale
February 15, 2025 Fallon, NV
The 3rd annual Great Basin Bull Sale was another year of success. A great weekend that included a ranch rodeo, and a fantastic dinner and dance featuring music by the Bellamey Brothers, proceeded the sale. 170 all breeds bulls were sold on Saturday the 15th in rapid fashion. Breeders from Nevada, California, Idaho, Utah, and Oregon consigned some of their very best bulls which contributed to the sales success
170 All Breeds bulls averaged 6,881.
144 Angus averaged 6,984.
10 Charolais averaged 8,125
7 Sim-Angus averaged 4,850
7 Hereford average 5,471
Top Sellers: Awards:
Ranching Scrapbook TURN OUT TIME
Lamoille, Nev.—March was in like a lion this year. Lamoille saw temperature and weather extremes. We went from shirt sleeves one day to 12” of new snow the next, just in time for calving. Our meadows were already super saturated from all of the moisture we received from all the last fall and early winter rainstorms we experienced. We just needed to get the ranch cows turned out on our crested wheat seedings before they started calving. We already had a few babies on the ground, and it is a long walk from the ranch to the seedings when you are on wobbly legs!
Wouldn’t you know, the morning we decided to turn out would be a day with setbacks? While the boys were feeding the leppy calf and wrangling horses, the Cowboss and I went to feed the first calvers and our personal cows. When I parked at the gate, I looked up and saw a neighbor’s dog harassing QT’s favorite Charolais cow “Rock Star.” She was doing her best to fight him and not stomp on her newborn calf. I headed over to check everything was ok. I got the dog ran off and checked on our first calf of the year, a big bull calf that was
chilled, but Rock Star didn’t step on him, so that was a bonus! We got him loaded and cranked up the heater in the pickup. Got that bunch fed and moved to the heifers where we found a new little black bull chilled down too. Loaded him up in the tractor and hauled both calves to the warm room for the morning. At this point we were way behind schedule.
We got to the barn and our friend Addie who came to help us was already there. One boy had his horse caught, the other did not. I helped QT get his horse caught and caught mine as well. Trying to saddle horses while finding tack for kids and warm clothes for their friends is a challenge, but we got it done and only had to reload a couple of horses to avoid personalities clashing. Five horses, 3 kids, a Cowboss, 3 cowdogs, and 1 stressed out cowgirl are finally loaded and on their way. Everyone has gloves, a hat and chinks, and I think we are doing good. At least we are out of the yard! These cows usually flat run to the seedings on turn out day. In the 17 years we’ve been doing this, it’s never taken more than 3 hours, start to finish,
and its usually a race to beat the lead cows to open the gate to let them out of the field when they see us coming. Not this year. It took us an hour to get them across Lamoille Creek and out of the Haw Berry trees. They never did figure out what the plan was and that they were going somewhere dry with better feed than nasty old hay. We pushed those girls every step of the way, minus one that cleaned the boys and ran back to Rabbit Creek. Five hours later we were back to the corral to get Rock Star in and the heifer with the chilled calf.
QT, Addie and I got Rock Star in while the Cowboss got his heifer in. The kids quit us at that point. I couldn’t blame them. I was tired, hungry, and needed a nap! We got cows and calves reunited, made sure they nursed, and the Cowboss and I headed back to Rabbit Creek to rope and load a cow, which is a story for another day!
Sunday Funday could have been more pleasant if the wind could have let up a bit and the cows would have lined out and traveled!
Jymmie the cowdog checks for reinforcements.
Words & Photos By: Jennifer Whiteley
A chilled new baby gets a ride in the tractor to the warm room!
When you are tired you will sleep anywhere!
TR Whiteley and Addie Connelley watch as cows finally trail out of the gate at the start of their journey.
We finally made it to the gate!
Trailing cows from the snowy Ruby Mountains to Spring Creek.
The Cowboss helping the Charolais bull nurse before turning him out with his mom.
Buttercups! Spring is here!
The Bird Flu and the Hunt for Eggs!
Winnemucca, Nev.— Thanks to inflation and the widespread bird flu, the national egg supply is light, and egg prices continue to rise. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for eggs has increased 134% from January 2024 to February 2025. The biggest factor pushing up egg prices is a wave of avian flu. Outbreaks of the highly pathogenic avian influenza in December saw the depopulation of many commercial egg layer flocks. According to the USDA, 13.2 million birds were disposed of in December. More than 166 million birds have been lost to the highly pathogenic avian influenza. Yet the
demand for eggs remains steady to increasing.
In addition to Nevada, a number of states are considering revoking cage free egg bans in the hopes of increasing the egg supply. According to the USDA, the price of eggs is expected to increase by nearly 20% in 2025.
There is good news though. As of March, the USDA reported that egg shortages are easing and wholesale prices are dropping. This could provide some relief on the retail side of things before Easter. David Anderson, a professor and extension economist for livestock and food marketing at Texas A&M University, said wholesale figures dropping is a good sign that prices could go down as shoppers react to the high prices by buying fewer eggs. “What that should
tell us is things are easing a little bit in terms of prices,” he said. “So going forward, the next CPI report may very well indicate falling egg prices.” We can’t expect lasting changes until bird stock can be replenished though and production replaced. While wholesale pricing is good news, the increased demand for eggs at Easter could drive a temporary increase in prices.
The Trump administration has unveiled a plan to combat bird flu, including a $500 million investment to help farmers bolster biosecurity measures, $400 million in additional aid for farmers whose flocks have been impacted by avian flu, and $100 million to research and potentially develop vaccines and therapeutics for U.S. chicken flocks, among other measures. But it will likely take a while for that plan to make an
impact.
With Easter right around the corner, there is definite concern about the nation’s egg supply and the rising cost of eggs. Eggs are an integral part of the holiday.
The practice of decorating eggshells is quite ancient. Decorated, engraved ostrich eggs have been found in Africa believed to be 60,000 years old. In ancient cultures, eggs were associated with death and rebirth, as well as kingship. Decorated ostrich eggs and
Jennifer Whiteley The Nevada Rancher
Pace eggs boiled with onion skins and leaf patterns.
Right: Red colored Easter Eggs. One legend says Mary went to the Emperor of Rome and greeted him with “Christ has risen,” whereupon he pointed to an egg on his table and stated, "Christ has no more risen than that egg is red." After making this statement it is said the egg immediately turned blood red.
representations of ostrich eggs in gold and silver were commonly placed in graves of the ancient Sumerians and Egyptians as early as 5,000 years ago. According to many sources, the Christian custom of Easter eggs started among the early Christians of Mesopotamia who stained them with red coloring in memory of the blood of Christ that he shed at his crucifixion. The Christian Church officially adopted the custom regarding eggs as a symbol of the resurrection of Jesus around 1610. Some Christians symbolically link the cracking open of Easter eggs with the empty tomb of Jesus. In Orthodox Churches, Easter eggs are blessed by priests at the end of the Paschal Vigil (Holy Saturday) and distributed to the faithful. The eggs are seen by the followers of
Christianity as a symbol of resurrection. While being dormant it contains a new life sealed within.
The use of eggs as favors or treats at Easter originated when they were prohibited during Lent. Traditionally, eggs are among the foods forbidden on fast days. All of the household eggs were expected to be used up before Lent began. A common practice in medieval England was for children to go door to door, begging for eggs on the Saturday before Lent began. People handed out eggs as special treats for children prior to their fast.
The practice of giving away easter eggs was briefly banned in 1916 in Hungary in the Easter Egg Act due to the scarcity of eggs caused by the ongoing war. The ban was only lifted when the war ended.
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Top: Croation Easter Basket.
WINNEMUCCA, Nev.—Will DeLong was named the 2025 “Ranch Hand of the Year” before the kickoff of the 36th annual Ranch Hand Rodeo.
The event was held Saturday and Sunday, March 1-2, at the Winnemucca Event Center.
The “Ranch Hand of the Year” award is sponsored by the Agricultural District No. 3 as a way to recognize men and women who make their living in the ranching industry.
Agricultural District No. 3 Chairman Kent Maher said Will DeLong’s life was the epitome of what the ranch hand award represents.
“Will’s entire life represents exactly what a strong ranch heritage can provide; he was dedicated to this way of life and wanted to help others also see success within ranching and rodeo.”
Maher continued, “Will’s honor came a little earlier than we anticipated because of his death, but it is easy to see how much he deserves this award and the chance to stand alongside all those who have strengthened our local ranching heritage.”
Will was born January 16, 1974, in Winnemucca, Nevada, to John and Judy DeLong. He joined sisters Christy and Jhona on Trout Creek Ranch, becoming part of the fifth generation of family ranchers on the Jackson
In Memory: Will DeLong Named 2025 "Ranch Hand of the Year"
Mountains. Along with his sisters and cousins, Will’s younger years were filled with the adventures of ranch kids.
Will started school at home at Trout Creek, attended the one-room Jackson Mountain School, and graduated from Albert M. Lowry High School with the Class of 1992. Will wrestled in junior high and high school and was a member of the Humboldt County High School Rodeo Club, competing in steer wrestling, tie down roping, team roping and cutting, where he won the Nevada State High School Rodeo Championship in Steer Wresting in 1992.
After high school, Will attended the College of Southern Idaho and Treasure Valley Community College as a college rodeo athlete. He earned his Associate’s Degree in Ag Business in 1995. He was also active in team brandings, stock horse competitions, and ranch rodeos. It was during this time in 1998 that he met and began dating the love of his life, Katie Marvel. They were married on June 1, 2002, at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Winnemucca and began their life together at Jackson Creek Ranch, ranching and raising high-quality Natural Red Angus cattle.
Will and Katie had three children: son William “Billy,” daughter Matti,
and daughter Louise. Will considered his three children to be his greatest accomplishment. He taught his children to never give up, stay positive, work hard, and always do their best. He was a wonderful husband and amazing father who loved his family so much.
Will was a hard-working cattle rancher his entire life and loved his horses, cattle and lifestyle. Will was an avid reader, loved spending time with his family, and loved watching his kids compete in Junior High and High School Rodeo as well as other activities and sports such as wrestling, dance and basketball. He was their biggest supporter and helper, providing them with any opportunity that he could.
Will was an adult director for the Humboldt County High School Rodeo Club for many years and helped numerous kids and families at the rodeos. He was also a board member for the Nevada N-2 Ag Board, a board member for the Nevada Cattlemen’s, and active in other associations in the cattle industry. He was President of his family-owned business, DeLong Ranches, Inc., which was honored numerous times by the Red Angus Association for their high-quality cattle. Will was loved and adored by many and will
be greatly missed.
Will is survived by his wife of 22 years, Katie DeLong. His son Billy and daughters, Matti and Louise DeLong. By his parents, John and Judy DeLong, and in-laws, Mike and Theresa Marvel. By sisters, Christy Wright and Jhona (John) Bell. By brother-in-law, Matt (Mary) Marvel, and sister-in-law, Jamie (Matt) Melarkey. His nephews and nieces: Trase, Quint and Cade Bell, Monte (Elizabeth) Stanton, Sophie Stanton, Trissa Wright, Ben, Macy and Michael “Amigo” Marvel, Anna, Lily and Maisie Melarkey. And two great nephews, Wayde and Teller Stanton. Will is also survived by a large extended family and many friends. The “Ranch Hand of the Year” award was introduced in 2006. Past recipients include Frank Loveland, Loui Cerri, Harold Chapin, John and Tim DeLong, Buster Dufurrena, Jane Angus, Larry Hill, Louie and Frank Bidart, Sammye and Dan Ugalde, John Falen, Lilla and Woodie Bell, Garley Amos, Buck Tipton, Jack Warn, Ross Zimmerman, Diana Vesco, Chris Bengoa, Robert “Dennis” Brown, and Suzanne Montero.
Special To The Nevada Rancher Photos Provided
Schedule a Visit with FSA to Enroll for ARC and PLC Farming is risky, ARC and PLC can help! You may be eligible for the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs, which provide vital income support to farmers who experience substantial declines in crop price or revenue. For coverage for the 2025 crop year, you must make elections and enroll by April 15, 2025. Be sure to schedule a visit to your local FSA office to sign your ARC/PLC contract (even if you are not changing your program election). Make the most of your time and sign-up for other key FSA programs including the new Emergency Commodity Assistance Program and available disaster assistance and farm loan programs. With April 15 right around the corner, the countdown is on, enroll in ARC/PLC today.
For more information about FSA programs, visit the Farm Service Agency’s ARC and PLC webpage or contact the FSA at your local USDA Service Center.
NEW LISTINGS:
Cross L Ranch, Railroad Valley, Nevada
*3,314 deeded acres *Water Rights *Winter and Summer Range *339,266 acres of BLM to run cattle on *1500-1800 tons per year (to feed and sell) *Cattle and Equipment Included *several home for the help and new home for ranch manager $12,000,000
Segura & Fish Creek Ranch, Tonopah, Nevada
*1,075 acres *support 450-500 head of cattle & 2,500+ sheep *500,000 contiguous BLM land, AUMs for both cattle and sheep with over 1,186,411 acres with 250,725 operating acres *Two 120 acre pivots and a 60 acre pivot *diesel powered wells *50 acres gravity fed irrigation from a pond *1,000 tons of feed annually *sheep pens *home $8,000,000
Old Lynn Farm, Railroad Valley, Nevada *113 acres water rights *Permit 27491 for 111.08 ac. ft. *Permit 38565 for 368.92 ac. ft. *Newer pivots *Small house *Great Starter Farm $479,000 Make offer!
Wildhorse Ranch, North Elko County, Nevada
*Owyhee River Watershed *4,500 contiguous acres with 3116 acre feet of water rights plus 908 supplemental water rights *native grasses *runs 600+ cow calf pairs *summer ground for 1,5001,700 head of yearlings *private land $8,000,000
2623 N Canyon Road, Lamoille, Nevada
*3.68 acres *Corner Lot *Fenced and cross fenced *perfectforlivestock/horses*naturalgrasses
*smaller corrals *old single wide *large shed *bunkhouse *Amazing views of the Majestic Ruby Mountains. $350,000
703 Clover Valley Road, Clover Valley (Wells), Nevada
*Bailey built home 2018 *4 bedroom 2 bathroom *open concept *large kitchen *2,220 sq ft *1,000 sq ft garage (3 car) *10 acres *fenced forlivestock/horses*AngelCreekrunsthrough property *View of East Humboldt Mountains *secluded in Clover Valley $635,000
850 Diamond Foothill Road, Eureka, Nevada
*640 acres *Base of the Diamond Peak Mountain Range *Fenced and cross fenced *3 irrigation wells *2 pivots approx. 125 & 115 acres *BLM 3 sides *access 3
Small Livestock & Bar CK Cattle Company
Winnemucca, NV February 20, 2025
90 Charolais Bulls Averaged $7,275
122 SimAngus Bulls Averaged $7,275
28 RA x Char Composite Bulls $6,025
Barker Cattle Company Bull & Female Sale
February 25, 2025
Burley, ID
8 Angus Bulls Average 8,469
80 SimAngus Bulls Average 6,919
49 Heifers Average $2,678
Ward Ranches
March 15, 2025
Gardnerville, NV
66 Angus Bulls Average 5,254
TOPS: Ward Cascade 360W, 8/6/2023 by Dal Porto Cascade Z33; to Gary Silva Sr., Galt, CA, $9,750.
Ward Cascade 363B, 8/18/2023 by Dal Porto Cascade Z33; to Gary Silva Sr., Galt, CA, $9,000
Spring Cove Ranch
March 10, 2025 Bliss, ID
203 Angus bulls Average $10,003
38 Angus open heifers Average 4,285
TOPS: Spring Cove Power Up 36M, 1/23/2024 by EZAR Step Up 9178; to Select Sires, Plain City, OH, and
Edgar Brothers, Rockham, SD, $57,000.
Spring Cove MVP 25M, 1/19/2024 by Spring Cove Feat 50K; to 333 Ranch, Elko, NV, $34,000.
Spring Cove Feat 31M, 1/21/2024 by Sitz Feat 729H; to Cannon Ranch, Hiko, NV, $32,000.
Spring Cove Long Shot 159L, 9/24/2023 by DDB Stunner J28; to 333 Ranch, Elko, NV, $30,000.
Spring Cove Legend 16M, 1/12/2024 by Sitz Essential 731J; to Baker Angus, Vale, OR, $29,000
Nevada issues temporary order allowing the sale of non-cage-free eggs
The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) State Quarantine Officer Director J.J. Goicoechea, DVM, has temporarily suspended Nevada's cage-free egg law. Beginning Feb. 20, 2025, eggs for retail sale can be sourced from any egg producer meeting food-safety guidelines, regardless of whether the eggs originated from hens in a cage-free housing system. This order was issued to address the strain on egg supplies and high egg prices in Nevada.
"Eggs are typically the most cost-effective protein source for food insecure populations," said NDA Director Goicoechea. "When families can't find eggs on the shelf, and when they do the prices are not attainable, this can leave them without an essential food they depend on."
In 2021, Nevada passed cage-free egg regulations requiring all eggs sold in Nevada to be sourced from cage-free hens. "Cage-free" is defined as eggs from hens in an enclosure in which they are unrestricted and free to roam, with a total space of at least one square foot per hen in the enclosure. As Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) continues to impact the poultry industry, particularly cage-free egg producers, the supply of cage-free eggs has been significantly reduced.
During the current 83rd Legislative Session, Assembly Bill 171 was passed and signed allowing for the temporary suspension of cage-free regulations for up to 120 days in emergencies. Director Goicoechea issued the order, beginning the 120 day period, on Feb. 20, 2025. This order also allows for the sale of "Grade B" quality standard eggs. These eggs must meet all of the food safety requirements of "Grade A" eggs, but may have different colors, shapes and sizes.
"This egg shortage didn't happen overnight, and we cannot resolve it overnight," said Director Goicoechea. "We anticipate roughly 30 days before we can secure new contracts and start to see increased egg supplies on the shelf, and hopefully lower prices as availability increases."
Iron Lorenzen
Madras, OR March 15, 2025
118 Bulls
$8,487
15 Red Angus Pairs $5,333 20 Fall Bred Red Angus Cows
$2,750
Sale Highlights
Lot 58 $17,000 to David and Jill Kennedy, Oakland, OR; IRON LRNZN Jumpstart 4194; Bieber Jumpstart X LSF SRR Kingmaker 5009C
Lot 11 $16,500 to White Cattle Company, Atwater, CA; IRON LRNZN Debonair
4002;
HXC/CLZB Complete X RREDS Seneca 731C
Lot 3 $15,000 to Otis Cr zeek Ranch Drewsey, OR; IRON LRNZN Prime Hedge 4990;Bieber Stockmarket X LSF SRR Identity 0295H
Lot 2 $15,000 to David and Jill Kennedy, Oakland, OR; IRON LRNZN Spotify 4003; LSF SRR Identity 0295H X Pie Quarterback 789
Lot 8 $15,000 to White Cattle Company, Atwater, CA; IRON LRNZN Power Balance 4012;
HXC/CLZB Complete X Pie Quarterback 789
Lyman Livestock
Salina, UT
February 22, 2025
91 SimAngus bulls Average
$7,080
Let’s eat! KULICH
Lamoille, Nev.—Kulich is the Russian name for Easter bread.
For the eastern Slavs, the festive bread was round and tall, and dough decorations were made on top of it. The cylindrical shape of the cake is associated with the church practice of baking artos. An artos is a loaf of leavened bread that is blessed during church services in the Eastern Orthodox and Byzantine Catholic churches. Artos in Ancient Greek means "cake,” but in Modern Greek it is now more commonly used in the context of communion bread.
The Paska bread tradition spread in cultures which were connected to the Byzantine Empire and is a traditional cultural part of countries with an Orthodox Christian population. It is eaten in countries like Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Romania, Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, North Macedonia and Serbia. Kulich is a variant of Paska Easter breads and represents not
only Easter but also the spring. Easter is a very important celebration in Eastern European countries, even more important than Christmas.
Traditionally after the Easter service, the kulich, which has been put into a basket and decorated with colorful flowers, is blessed by the priest. Blessed kulich is eaten before breakfast each day. Any leftover kulich that is not blessed is eaten with Paska for dessert.
Kulich is baked in tall, cylindrical tins like coffee or fruit juice tins. When cooled, Kulich is decorated with white icing which is slightly drizzled down the sides, and colorful flowers. Kulich is only eaten between Easter and Pentecost. The recipe for kulich is similar to that of Italian panettone but is denser and thus weighs considerably more. Historically, it was often served with cheese Paska bearing the symbol ХВ, from the traditional Easter greeting of "Christ is risen."
X 1 cup Milk
X 1/2 cup lukewarm water
X 2 tsp sugar
X 2 pouches or 2 Tbsp. quick rise - Instant yeast
X 6 to 6 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
X 5 eggs
X 1 tsp salt
X 1/2 cup butter melted
X 2 tsp vanilla extract
X 1 1/2 tbsp. grated lemon zest
X 2 cups raisins
Frosting:
X 2 cups powdered sugar
X 1 tbsp. lemon juice
X 1-2 tbsp. Milk
1. Scald milk; cool to lukewarm.
2. Pour lukewarm water into a large bowl. Stir in 2 tsp sugar. Sprinkle with yeast. Let stand 10 min; stir well.
3. Stir in milk and 1 cup of flour. Beat until smooth. Cover with a damp cloth. Let rise in a warm place until light and spongy, about 1 hour.
4. Beat eggs gradually beat in salt and 1/2 cup sugar and continue beating until light. Beat in butter, vanilla extract and lemon rind.
5. Add egg mixture and raisins to yeast mixture and mix well. Gradually work in sufficient additional flour to make a soft dough, 5 to 5 1/2 cups more.
6. Turn dough onto floured board and knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 min. Place in greased bowl and brush top with melted
butter. Cover and let rise in a warm place until double in bulk; about 45 min.
7. Punch dough down; turn onto a lightly floured board and knead until smooth. Divide dough into 4 equal portions. Shape each into a ball and place in 4 well buttered 1 lb coffee or juice cans. Brush tops with melted butter.
8. Cover and let rise in a warm place until triple in bulk and dough reaches tops of cans, about 25 to 30 min.
Bake in a preheated 350°F oven 30 to 35 min.
Remove from cans and cool loaves on wire racks.
Turn loaves occasionally while cooling. Frost tops with frosting and sprinkle with sprinkles.
Frosting:
Combine powdered sugar, lemon juice, and milk.
Pour over loaves. Decorate as desired.
Yields: 4 loaves
Jennifer Whiteley
The Nevada Rancher Magazine
NRCHA money earner, “Smooth Gunnin” a 2021 AQHA gelding by “A Royal Smooth Cat”
The Cowboy Pastor’s Wife
Let Tension Draw You Not Drive You
If you’ve ever worked cattle with your husband, then you have felt tension. I remember one time we were sorting cattle and I was tending the gate. This one ‘ol hag kept barreling past me. Finally my husband told me to sort and he’d tend the gate. We switched but you know that cow had no respect for a horse, she tried her luck several times, almost causing a wreck. He’s just a heck of a lot handier and braver than I am. After a little schooling she learned the tension of being drivin’ away and then roped. It was a lesson that not only frustrated both my husband and myself but one that needed to be done, to keep her from doing it the next time. As for my husband and myself, we survived and didn’t kill one another.
We can all picture the tension of a rope, whether you’ve seen it in the dragging pen or pulled your kiddos on a sled in the snow. That’s what tension does. It brings something to us or can drive something away. Even swinging a rope while training a colt in the round pen, drives him with pressure. The solution seems hard at first, inconvenient, and frustrating but tension can often bring positive results. The colt learns to give to pressure and will turn towards the trainer, even to the point, if the trainer turns his back and starts walking, the colt will follow.
For many couples, tension can lead to eye rolls, arguments, someone on the couch that night, disrespect, and immaturity. Arguments can break out simply with the wrong tone, with little sleep, or even just, I don’t know… being crabby.
I’d like to return however to the good tension and use a recent example to drive home the point.
While preparing speaking notes for a marriage session, my husband kept asking me the question, “what do you mean by that?” but after awhile I was getting irritated! He knows what I mean, does he think I don’t know what I’m talking about? Is he just trying to pick a fight? I finally came out and asked him. To my surprise he was trying to draw out my answer. He wanted me to feel the frustration that perhaps a wife was feeling or that the audience was asking. I told him I felt it alright and he better not do it again…..joking, of course but not really.
The frustration, the tension, caused me to blurt out the answer and he smiled. There it was…..the answer! I promised myself I would do this back to him just to make him feel tension too. Questions are not a bad thing. I didn’t need to be so offensive, ready to pounce to prove my point. That kind of tension is the kind I was talking about earlier, it drives us away, just like that colt in the round pen. The trainer in the pen has the challenge of waiting for the horse to do the right thing. If he leaves the round pen with just the driving part, his work was useless. It’s crucial to his training program to wait for the proper response before quitting, ending on a good note.
But…it’s not always with our spouse that we feel tension, nor with a cow, that you know you’re gonna ship.
We feel tension in many situations. When we are learning a new skill. When we are being taught scripture that we don’t understand. When we are set on only one way of coming up with results. When we fail to listen completely to communicate. We can also experience this in a new business start, training a colt, or a new job. Unfamiliar doesn’t always mean to quit or avoid it. I realized when Wendel was drilling me for answers that day, that the tension did make me want to step away from the keyboard and let him prepare the talk alone. Was he driving me away so I’d quit? I wanted to leave the room. Instead that day, I stayed….I listened…I came up with answers in the tension. I reached the results and that was the point.
Tension should do these two things for us:
1. Draw Out The Proper Questions
2. Draw Out The Proper Response
First, let’s begin with the proper questions. This is not easy to do when we are busy thinking of your own response. We want to prove we are right. Begin with listening and not cutting one another off.
On the other hand, if we are just trying to please someone, we may abandon an important issue. Not everyone is good at communication, especially when under pressure. We may quickly agree with someone but wish we would have responded another way fifteen minutes after the conversation ended.
Drawing out the proper questions should involve
1. Listening completely without thinking about a response ahead of time
2. Ask specific questions to understand their perspective
3. Remember the specifics of your point. Many times we dance around the subject without coming out and saying it outright. Ask, “why is this important?”
Tension is not fun for many of us, especially with those we love the most. I do admire those who can do so with great skill. They have just the right amount of comic relief and wisdom. They are able to get others to laugh or are kind enough and humble enough to work through until the solution. This comes naturally to some and awkward to others. For those of us more likely to avoid confrontation, take your time, sort out your thoughts and be patient. It will get better with time, when we learn to ask proper and productive questions.
For others, they enjoy tension. They know they will learn in tension. They prepare answers with greater impact and think through before answering. Often, they ask questions to get to the point. They enjoy causing tension in others to make them think. I’m learning this is immensely bene ficial and helps me understand even my own thoughts on a particular subject. Making quick assumptions can and often lead us to misunderstand. For those that love tension, it’s important not to force your point and count it as a win. Make sure you’ve asked the proper question, “did this help answer your question or am I missing the point?”
That leads us to the second thing necessary in tension, the proper response. There are times when we ask the proper question that we may be in a tough situation. This may be from someone trying to accuse us(this is not typi cally your spouse). The best example I can think of is when Jesus asked the the religious leaders, when they challenged His authority to teach in the temple courts. Jesus asked, in Mark 11:29-30
Straight Up & Scratchin'
Straight up and scratching, like that old Jo Mora sketch, Horse in the air, spurs parting hair, with all the strength they can fetch, No rodeo crowd watching, showmanship for himself alone, No gold buckle at stake,
So you park the old Ford and lay down the bittersweet load, But it feels like something is missing, Summer stars have got you wishing, Saddle leather calls your name once more, But the arena lights don’t shine as bright, the crowd doesn’t thrill anymore, Before getting back into the game you wonder, who are you riding for? But then you get out on the desert or up in the moun
But Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question, and you answer Me, and then I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Was the baptism of John from heaven, or from men? Answer Me.” w
His question left them in a bind and they answered back, 31 And they began considering the implications among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ 32 But should we say, ‘From men’?”—they were afraid of the people, for they all considered John to have been a real prophet. 33 Answering Jesus, they *said, “We do not know.” And Jesus *said to them, “Neither am I telling you by what authority I do these things.” Jesus is our perfect example. He shows us how to ask good questions with the proper response.
However, Jesus often asked those he loved and those He was drawing to himself questions such as, “ But who do you say I am”(Luke 9:20) “Why are you afraid, you of little faith”(Matt. 8:26), and “...do you notice the log that is in your own eye” (Matt. 7:3). Many questions cause us to think of the condition of our own heart.
And that is most important question we can ask ourselves. “What is the condition of my own heart?”. Do I seek understand, to be drawn to Christ, and to listen. Do I love others enough to draw out good questions and understand where they are coming from with the proper response. Remember tension draw us and drives us. So with that, I encourage us all to… keep a tight rope.
Thank you for reading, The Cowboy Pastor’s Wife
6 439 H VX R 6497R 6516R 6517R
WL 336HQ.RR
WL 356HQ.RR
WL 372HQ.RR
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& RECLAMATION SEED
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