NOTICE OF COMING EVENTS
Friday Feeder Sales Special Sale Dates:
Feeder Sale: Friday, December 20th
Feeder Sale, December 20th, 4150 head from 150 consignors. Thats an average of 27 head per seller. We love achieving these big prices for the smaller producers.
I get so many calls and texts asking about the market and where it’s headed. It’s hard to separate out what I think “should happen” and what will probably happen. First let’s talk about what should happen followed by what probably will happen. The new administration should shut down all imports from these foreign countries. It’s not America’s responsibility to bail out every country that produces more beef than it consumes. It’s very simple, American ranch lands are turning into subdivisions, hunting preserves, solar farms and decadent dead grass lands begging for catastrophic fires while we outsource our food production to countries that hate us. It’s a food security issue which is a national security issue. Forget what NCBA’s boots-n-suits try to tell you about imports and exports, we can grow it locally, finish it locally and consume it locally, period. They don’t have rural America or the consumers best interest in mind, they have their own profits and those of the big four. Next get rid of this stupid USDA 30 month rule on no roll/hard bone cattle. The packing industry is using it to steal billions from the American cattle industry. It’s been proven older fat cattle (over 30 months) are much higher in nutritional value than these “calf fats” we are forced to eat now. All this bullshit was shoved on us in the name of “saving our export market to Asian countries”. If you have a fat choice steer they deem to be over 30 months of age the packer gives you less in the meat rail price than a 10 year old cow. Basically stealing the best, most nutritious beef we produce. Do you think they sell that beef to the retailers at less than old cow price? Hell no, they don’t. And have you heard your cattlemen’s organizations bring this topic up for discussion? Nope, they just plod along focusing on crap like carbon credits and global warming and playing right into Gore and Gate’s hands. USDA needs a house cleaning like never before. I’m hopeful Elon and DOGE cut these corrupt SOBs down to 10% of what they are currently. Oh and something else they aren’t talking about is what’s going to happen when the #MakeAmericaHealthyAgain plan goes into effect and they start rendering animal fats for cooking oils instead of seed oils. NCBA’s rehearsed talking point I’ve heard 1000 times during the cocktail hour round table is “We have to have that imported lean to blend with our fat cattle trim”. Well guess what? Imports are up so drastically that fat cattle trim is running in extremely short supply and going to get much shorter when they start rendering it for cooking oils. It looks like we are importing too much lean and it’s got the fat/lean ratio out of whack. But NCBA doesn’t care because they get checkoff dollars not per head but per pound on imported beef. Makes my blood boil to think our checkoff dollars are used to pay for adds telling us how great checkoff money is doing for American cattle producers while they advertise in the NCBA’s propaganda machine known as Drovers magazine along with many other Ag media publications.
It’s costing your farm to table beef sellers around $1100 per head to have their home raised local beef processed. This is ridiculous.
January 17th, February 7th, February 21st
Because The big four have a stranglehold on USDA with under the table dirty money nobody can get a small regional plant opened. They have made the state and federal red tape so thick and so deep it takes half a decade to cut through it. So if consumers can’t buy local beef they are stuck with buying at Walmart, Costco and other national chain grocery stores. Good on ranchers for getting more money out of their calves through the 44 farms/Walmart bull scam, but just know you are helping them and they aren’t doing it because they care about you and your families future and for Pete’s sake don’t give the crooked corporations your carbon credits! Do you think this is coincidence or an accident? Hell no it isn’t. Trump needs to get these mom and pop butcher shops some help and some relief from overburdensome USDA immediately after taking office.
I’m optimistic that good things will come from the Trump administration if we can pierce the corporate wall of corruption and get directly to the president. Thats why we fought so hard to get the right cabinet picks. It’s not too late to save the cattle industry in America but we can’t waste time. Mega feedlots, 5000 head per day kill plants, although necessary, are not the complete answer to saving our industry. Local is the answer in my opinion and it scares the corporate world to death to hear that word. They will spend an unlimited amount of money to keep things the way they currently are.
One thing is for sure, cattle numbers will continue to decline over the next few years if something doesn’t happen immediately to reverse the current trend. Slaughter cow prices barely dipped this fall which is unheard of. Look out come spring, cows and bulls are going to get insane high and that will continue to drive down domestic cattle numbers. We have sold 11,000 plus head in December and only 22 heifers I’m aware of went back to be replacement females. This December 20th Feeder Sale saw as many heifers as it did steers telling me ranchers are “selling them while they are high”. Bred cows although higher are not in high demand as you would expect, interest rates being the biggest factor.
Next Feeder Sale is scheduled for January 17th and is sure to be a big one. Several thousand cattle already consigned. We have scheduled another Feeder Sale February 7th to try and spread them out if possible. No cattle will be accepted on Friday January 17th unless prior arrangements have been made. Two Feeder Sales in February, the 7th and the 21st. Thanks everyone for a great finish to 2024, at Nevada Livestock Marketing we are looking forward to working for you in 25! Hope to see you at a sale soon and please keep some replacement heifers, you will be glad you did! Merry Christmas!! Ya, we get to say that again!
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The Nevada Rancher (ISSN 0047-9489) (USPS #003-257)
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Just a note!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
A NEW SEASON TO CELEBRATE YOU!
As we close out one year, there is plenty to look forward to as we enter into 2025. Reflection on the past 12 months for some, holds life lessons and growth for others it may have been a year full of heartache. No matter the reflection, I hope you are able to seek new opportunities and rise from hardships. Inside this issue we kick off Bull sale
season, mental health tools as we head into much needed winter weather along with insight to livestock care during the cold days.
I hope you and yours had a cherished Christmas holiday and head into the new year with love, good health and prosperity.
Thank you as always for reading the Nevada Rancher Magazine. Ashley Buckingham
Remembering Our Loved Ones - pg. 5
The Cattleist: 7 Ways to Savor the Season - pg. 19
The Cowboy Pastor’s Wife - pg. 21
Let’s Eat - pg. 22
Pictured is Ashley, her children BobiRose and Truu, her parents Kathy and Bob, and her Grandmother, Sally Fiddyment.
ASHLEY BUCKINGHAM
Cover Photo by Kirstin McSharry McDermitt NV/OR border
WILL DELONG
Life-long Humboldt County resident, Will DeLong, age 50, passed away on November 13, 2024 in Reno, Nevada. Will DeLong 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 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 Jr. 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 HS Rodeo Championship in Steer Wresting in 1992. After high school, he 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
Remembering Our Loved Ones
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, Nevada, 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 Jr. 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. Will was 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 good friends.
The Celebration of Life for Will DeLong will be at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Winnemucca, Nevada with a Rosary (Thursday, November 21st at 6pm) and a Funeral Mass (Friday, November 22nd at 11am). A Reception will be at the Winnemucca Event Center (Friday, November 22nd at 2pm).
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to help other cowboys in crisis at:
WSRRA Foundation, C/O Strong Will, 5530 W. Rose Creek Rd, Winnemucca, NV 89445. Or in Will’s memory to St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Winnemucca, Nevada or to a charity of your choice.
RAY DONALD HARDY
Ray Donald Hardy came into the world on June 29, 1975 and rode off into the sunset on September 29, 2024. To know Ray was to love him. He could take you from side splitting laughter to wanting to smack him in the back of the head all in one visit. He was also a man of many talents. He could run equipment, rope a wild cow, break a rank horse, cook a mean meal, hold a baby with the most gentle hands and love with his whole heart.
R.D. as many knew him, was born to Ray Hardy Sr. and Donna Funk Hardy. Ray spent his youth growing up in Tonopah, Golconda and Elko. He graduated from Elko High School in 1994. While in high school, rodeo was his passion. He was the Nevada State High School Champion Bull Rider both his Junior and senior year. After graduating, he spent his younger years traveling the rodeo circuit and filling his PRCA permit. There were countless stories and friendships that he made during those years and he held them close to his heart. He often joked about writing a book of all his tales, but they were a little too wild to be put in print.
After hanging up his bull rope, Ray continued to cowboy at numerous ranches around the state of Nevada. Including C-Punch, White Horse, Quinn River and Kings River. During this time he took part in countless ranch rodeos. He truly enjoyed this time with his friends and family.
Of all the things Ray did in his life, his two greatest accomplishments were his children Cashlen Cooper born on November 22, 2010 and Colt Jiggs born on May 3, 2012. . He was so proud of them and loved them unconditionally. Ray is preceded in death by his father Ray Sr. and mother Donna. He is survived by his step mother Cathy Hardy, brothers Billy Hardy and Duncan Miller, sisters Jenifer Hardy and Lorena McGee and the two most important people in his whole world as he affectionately called them (Baby Daughter) Cashlen Hardy and (Son) Colt Hardy.
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PATRICIA SHEPARD PEARCE
Patricia Ruth Shepard Pearce was born at home in Fallon, October 26, 1928, to Charles and Irma Moody Shepard. She passed away November 18, 2024, at the age of 96.
As a child, Pat lived with her parents, brothers George and John, and grandparents on the family homestead farm in Churchill County. In the 1930s, Fallon schools didn’t offer kindergarten, so Pat went to first grade at age four since her birthday was October 26. In fourth grade, Pat learned to play the clarinet at Oats Park School and played it in school bands for the next 13 years.
After eighth grade, her family moved from Fallon to Sparks. She graduated from Sparks High School at the age 16. Pat attended the University of Nevada and majored in education with a minor in economics. She played her clarinet in the university marching band all four years. One of the highlights of her band experiences was playing at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco for the newly formed 49ers football team. Pat graduated in 1950 and came to Elko for a teaching job at Grammar 2.
In Elko, she met Bob Pearce. They were married in Reno at
the Methodist church March 28, 1953. Bob died November 18, 2014, after 62 years of marriage.
Pat took a few years off from teaching while their children were in grade school. She returned to teaching in 1968 at Northside School, teaching third and fourth grades for the next 30 years. Pat touched the minds and hearts of many students. Some still have the plants and Christmas ornaments they made in her classroom. A few of her students were second generation with Pat. She loved meeting her old students and reminiscing. Pat also was a substitute teacher at NYTC in the summer for 10 years.
After she and Bob retired, they rarely missed their grandchildren’s activities. They explored the California Trail with groups and traveled around New England and Great Britain. A trip highlight was to the Basque country to explore the “old country” when their granddaughter, Mollie, was married in San Sebastian, Spain
Pat was a loving person and always interested in others with an open heart. She rarely turned down an invitation to go somewhere. Perhaps she was the original FOMO (fear of missing out) lady! Her farming roots always came into play with her ongoing gardening skills-indoors or outside. Shopping was always an interest - in person or from catalogues. Above all, Pat
was kind and generous to her family and friends, never forgetting a birthday or special event. She was active in the Presbyterian Church in Elko for over 70 years, a 74-year member of PEO (Philanthropic Educational Organization), 50-year member of Delta Kappa Gamma teacher’s group, OCTA (Oregon California Trails Association) and DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution).
Bob died November 18, 2014. Pat passed away exactly 10 years later on November 18, 2024. She is survived by her children, Janet Pearce Petersen (Dennis), Kaye (Mills) Lane, Howard (Lynn) Pearce, grandchildren Paul Petersen (Melissa), Mollie Petersen Starr (Adam), Douglas Petersen (Laura), Matthew Petersen (Nicole), Terry Lane (Tiffany), Tommy Lane (Chantelle), Jackie Graham (Preston); great grandchildren, Carson Petersen, Chase Petersen, Oliver Starr, Owen Starr, Lillian Petersen, Ashley Petersen, Henry Petersen, Emma Petersen, Kensley Petersen and Caroline Graham. Services will be held at a later date. Pat’s family would like to thank the employees at Highland Manor in Elko for the extraordinary and compassionate care given during her short time there.
Memorials may be made to the Elko Presbyterian Church, 1559 Sewell Drive, Elko, NV 89801 or PEO Chapter A, 1065 Dotta Drive, Elko, NV 89801
JANE S. SECRIST
October 2, 1936 – October 20, 2024
Carol Jane Smith Secrist (Jane) 88, passed away peacefully on October 20, 2024. Jane was born October 2, 1936 in Clendenin, West Virginia, the second daughter of the late Fred Wilson Smith and Ethel Clare (Morford) Smith and was predeceased by her husband, John David Secrist, and her siblings Margaret (Peggy) Smith Sinnett, Frederick Alan Smith, and Mary Smith Holbert.
Jane and her family moved to Spencer, West Virginia in 1946 where she graduated from Spencer High School in 1954 as Valedictorian. Jane attended West Virginia University where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics in 1958. After graduation, Jane worked for Penn State University as an extension home economist before moving to California in 1971. She earned a master’s degree in Home Economics and Education from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California in 1972 subsequently moving to Reno, Nevada where she again worked as an extension home economist.
Jane married the love of her life John David Secrist (Dave) in 1978 and moved to the Dinner Station Ranch in Elko, Nevada where Jane developed her love of the West. She and Dave moved to San Jacinto Ranch in Jackpot, Nevada in 1985 where they spent over 15 years. Jane was a lifelong teacher and taught in several schools within the Elko County, Nevada, school district before retiring to Twin Falls, Idaho in 2001. In 2009, Dave wrote and (with Jane’s help editing) published Long Winding Trails,
a book of true stories about life in the American West. Jane and Dave spent their retirement years traveling to rodeos and Western fairs to continue to share these stories with the people they met.
Jane loved a good story, a beautiful antique, and entertaining family and friends that surrounded her life through the years.
Jane is survived by her daughters Laura Rhodes Clarke (George) and Tracey Rhodes Breski (Brandt) along with Cindy Secrist Bachman (Frank) and Gregory Secrist (Bonnie), 11 grandchildren – Pierce Clarke, Erin Clarke, Kayleigh Parker Moseley (Shane), Logan Parker, Alec Parker, Moriah Parker, Kit Bachman (Jessica), Lynn Bachman (Tiffany), and Jeana Bachman Jardine (Dean), Geoff Secrist (Jessica), Gregory Secrist (Michelle), and 19 great-grandchildren – Trinetey, Kas, Hattie, Isaac, Sage, Paden, Annakay, Elsie, Jacob, Lillie, Paige, Ella, Zachary, Haylee, Reese, Chance, Tori, Avery, and Emmitt.
As much as I look forward to the NCA Convention every year it’s always a relief when it is over, especially when you are the President. Our Convention was cut a little short with the passing of Will DeLong. With everyone wanting to attend the services in Winnemucca the Executive Committee made the decision to hold the Awards Banquet early and postpone the Board of Directors meeting until a later date, which was an easy decision to make.
Will was family and a good friend of mine…. I just have no words.
If you weren’t able to attend the Convention this year you really, and I mean really missed out. Our Executive Director did an outstanding job of holding everything together! Big thanks to all of our agency friends that came and gave updates. It was a really good opportunity to engage with them and ask questions. Next to the NCBA crew. I deeply appreciated the strong showing that they made. Colin, Gene, Tanner, and Kaitlynn were OUTSTANDING in their panel updates. Having the
opportunity to engage closely with high-ranking leadership was awesome. There is a lot of BS being spread around about them being controlled by the packers and it just isn’t true. They really are a grass roots organization governed by their membership (which is ranchers who attend the meetings). All of the NCBA crew are highly intelligent, motivated and working on your behalf no matter what propaganda you might be made to believe. They came all the way too little ol’ Nevada to hear our concerns. If you’re not paying your NCBA dues you should be! I couldn’t come up with a better team to engage on our behalf in Washington D.C., than the team at NCBA. The CattleFax update during the “Sam Mori Inspirational Breakfast” was very well done. If you can’t attend anything else during the convention I highly recommend you make it to this event. In a two-hour breakfast you get all the necessary industry business planning data you need to set up your operation for success. It always baffles me how many producers make huge business decisions on “gut feeling” without any hard data to back it up. This business is hard enough to make good decisions even with all the best data and information, so why would
a person think they could make well informed decisions without any information? We all have to guess what the market is going to do, but we can at least try to make an educated guess, be informed like Sam!
The goat branding Thursday night was a blast! Thanks to Tommy and Nora Lee for bringing the goats and making it happen and to all the kids that came to rope.
We were able to present some awards Thursday night during the dinner in the Trade show. It was low key, but very nice and I was glad for the opportunity to celebrate some deserving folks in our industry.
Big thanks to our vendors and sponsors that always hang with us even through the changes that happened this year. If you’re in Fallon and need a meal I highly recommend the Slanted Porch. They were great to work with and the food was awesome.
Even though the Convention this year was not well attended it was maybe one of the best we have put on. Thanks again to everyone that did attend and hopefully next year we can get a few more folks to attend because they really missed out.
Hanes Holman is NCA president.
Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a great Christmas and is off to a good start to the year. Before I turn the page on 2024, I want to thank everyone that consigned cattle to the 22nd Annual Silver State Classic Feeder Sale last month at Fallon Livestock LLC. There were a lot of great cattle through the ring this year and prices remained strong. A big thank you goes to Fallon Livestock LLC for all of their support year after year.
As we turn the calendar to 2025, we will be working with a new Presidential administration, a new Congress, and some fresh new faces at the State Legislature in Carson City, NV. As these governing bodies begin to hit the ground running, NCA will continue engaging with the entire political spectrum to make sure livestock producer’s interests, concerns, and needs are known and addressed. It’s important to hear from you should you feel something needs to be brought forward. Remember, NCA works for you.
NCA has our sights set on several high priority issues as the new year begins to take shape. These include BLM’s Conservation and Landscape Health Rule, amended Greater Sage-Grouse Land Use Plans, the Solar Energy Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement in response to the Biden-Harris administration’s goals of permitting 25 gigawatts of renewable energy on public lands by 2025, tax policy, the Farm Bill, and endangered species listings, just to name a few.
There are also a few noteworthy
events taking place in the first part of 2025. The University of Nevada, Reno will again be hosting the annual Cattlemen’s Update in person and virtually from January 13-17. The University has hosted these sessions across Nevada for more than 40 years to provide ranchers with current research-based information about issues that may affect the efficiency, productivity, profitability, and sustainability of Nevada’s cattle industry. Please be sure to check out their website, https://naes.unr.edu/ cattlemens/, for additional information on session locations and times the week of January 13-17.
Lastly, if you’re in need of bulls this upcoming season please mark February 15, 2025, on your calendars for the 3rd Annual Great Basin Bull Sale in Fallon, NV at the Rafter 3C Event Center at 1:00 p.m. In the tradition of both the Fallon All Breeds Bull Sale and the Bulls for the 21st Century Bull Test and Sale, there will be a combination of performance tested and range bulls available at the sale. If you’re looking to improve the genetics of your operation, there’s no doubt you should be able to find what you’re looking for at the upcoming sale. For more information about the sale please check out the website at www. greatbasinbullsale.com. Until next time.
Martin Paris is executive director, Nevada Cattlemen’s Association
LEANA CAREY SUBMITTED BY NCA
LEANA CAREY SUBMITTED BY NCA
LEANA CAREY SUBMITTED BY NCA
COURTESY MARTIN PARIS
Wars have been fought over water!
Winter hydration is important
By Jennifer Whiteley
Winnemucca, Nev.—
We’ve all heard silly phrases like “whiskey is for drinking, water is for fighting,” but in the winter, water is more important for drinking than whiskey is when it comes to livestock, especially our horses than most people realize. In the summer it is hot, we think a lot about making sure our horses stay hydrated on hot days and while working and we often forget the importance of water consumption during cooler weather.
Winter hydration is one of the most important things you need to stay on top of for your horses when the temperatures turn chilly. Horses actually need more water during the winter months than the rest of the year. Horses run a higher risk of dehydration and colic than during warmer months. Most 1,000-pound horses need roughly 10 to 12 gallons of water daily. During the summer months, horses are able to draw 60-80% of their water requirements from pasture grasses and lush feeds leading to increased water requirements in the winter when they are fed a dehydrated ration. If your horse doesn’t drink enough water during cold weather, they may eat less and be more prone to impaction colic. Impaction colic is a specific type of colic in horses where dried masses of food or other materials accumulate in the gastrointestinal tract, causing a blockage. It is typically caused by obstructions in the bowel, often due to dry, firm masses of feed or foreign material such as dirt or sand. Impaction colic can be very serious, often requiring veterinarian assistance. Even if you offer quality feed, horses may consume less if they do not drink enough water. In addition to the risk of colic, horses may not have enough energy to tolerate extremely cold temperatures, particularly if they go into the winter in poor body condition. Water intake
Winter hydration is one of the most important most important things you need to stay on top of for your horses when the temperatures turn chilly.
also maintains a horse’s fecal moisture level. If fecal material is too dry, intestinal blockage or impaction may occur. Impaction doesn’t develop in one day but can over several days or weeks of poor water intake.
How do we encourage horses to drink more water in the winter? The first thing we can do is to give them access to clean, fresh, warm, ice-free water. Research has shown that horses increase their
water consumption by 40% when water temperatures are above freezing during cold weather. Keep your horse’s water between 45* to 65*F. A good tank heater and making sure troughs are full and ice-free is the first step. When using tank heaters, check for worn or damaged wires and check the water for electrical sensations or shocks. Chopping ice daily and keeping pathways to streams easily accessible is another option.
The Nevada Rancher Magazine
PHOTOS BY JENNIFER WHITELEY
The upside of watering horses from streams is the added exercise of traveling to and from feed for water as well!
Snow and ice are not adequate water sources for horses. Some studies show that horses acclimated to winter weather can meet their water requirements from snow, but there are several risks involved including the length of adjustment time to learn to ingest snow, actual water content of snow, and their total water intake, making it not worth the risk.
Second, provide free
choice access to a trace mineral salt block, or even a plain white salt block through the winter, or supplement your horse’s feed with a small amount of salt each day as this will increase your horse’s water consumption. A 1,100-pound horse, at maintenance on a cool day needs about 28 grams (2 tablespoons) of salt a day, roughly 2 pounds a month. If they aren’t consuming it in block form, you may need to add it to their feed. They should always have access to additional salt so they can consume more as
they want. Most data suggests that other nutrient requirements do not change during colder weather.
As always, continually monitor your horse’s body condition and adjust feed accordingly! Sorting horses by age, body condition, and nutrient requirements make it easier to feed groups of horses appropriately. Correct body condition will make getting those horses legged up in time for spring work so much easier! Remember, don’t fight over water in the winter, give your horse as much as they will drink!
Horse’s water requirements increase during the winter months. A 1,000-pound horse at minimal work needs roughly 1012 gallons of water a day. That amount increases with the amount of work they are doing.
PREPARING FOR WINTER STORMS
By Heather Smith Thomas
Most ranchers prepare for winter by having adequate feed for their cattle, a reliable water source, and shelter/windbreaks. Sometimes, however, Mother Nature hits us with extreme temperatures or blizzards that we’re not prepared for. Stockmen generally check weather forecasts, and if there is a storm warning they may have a few days to make emergency preparations.
Alfredo DiCostanzo, University of Nebraska Extension specialist (formerly at the University of Minnesota) says ranchers in northern regions generally make sure their cattle have access to
some form of shelter or windbreaks and something that could be used as bedding. “Stockmen should make sure they have old hay, straw or other bedding material stored ahead of time,” he says.
“It might be some hay that wasn’t needed a couple years ago and might have been saved for the next big snowstorm. When a storm is coming, this is the time to use it—regardless of how good the quality was when you harvested it or bought it. This is the time to grab it if you have nothing else.”
If a big storm is coming, it’s also time to look at gates and accesses routes around the farm, and locations where hay or
bedding material is stored—to know whether you will be able to get to it. “If a gate is sagging, this is the time to lift or rehang it—to be able to open it if there’s a snowdrift. Fighting that kind of challenge can be horrible, and I’ve been through all of that,” says DiCostanzo. In the back of your mind, consider places you could take down part of a fence, if you had to. Keep these options in mind.
“The next big thing is water. Your main water sources might fail during a storm or severely cold weather. Be sure the water where the cattle are (or where you are moving them to) is working and won’t freeze”. You might need
to place a tank heater in a trough, or put a heat lamp in your pump house or another structure.
“If pipes might freeze, have a blow drier on hand. This can thaw things out faster than anything else. You can direct it down a riser, to where the water is frozen. To do this, however, you need power.” If electricity might fail during a storm—such as wind or ice or heavy snow taking down power lines—it pays to have a generator for emergencies.
“We always had a couple generators, in case we needed power. The biggest problem is protecting the generator from the cows, so hopefully it can be on the other side of the fence, or you can put
portable panels around it,” says DiCostanzo.
Are the cattle in an area where they can protect themselves from wind and snow? “Are there trees they can go into, or a draw, or maybe into a field of corn still standing, or tall weeds they can hide behind—anything that could serve as a windbreak,” he says. Some ranchers have portable windbreaks, or bales of hay or straw that could be moved to create a windbreak. These can be placed in a V to provide protection from the direction the wind normally comes. The point of the V should be into the prevailing wind.
“Cows can hide behind this,
and hopefully the wind doesn’t sweep around and change direction. We used to put an electric fence around these windbreak bales to keep the cows from eating them, and this works great if you have time. If you don’t have time, it doesn’t matter if the cows eat on the bales. If you have a row of bales just let the cows have access to them,” he says. If you have portable panels you might have time to place some of those next to the bales to keep the cows from eating them.
“You could also potentially tarp panels or gates. Heavy-duty tarps on a fence can make a good windbreak. If the ground is already frozen it’s hard to set posts, but you could tie tarps on existing fences. You need sturdy tarps; the wind can whip and fray the cheap ones.” Even irrigation dam material (that comes in big rolls) can work nicely for temporary windbreaks, tied to a fence. Even if the fence is not tall, the cows can lie behind it.
In an emergency, you won’t have time to create something elaborate. It’s good to have a few things in the back of your mind that you could utilize. “As you drive around your place, keep thinking of possibilities and what you could use or make do with when you get that two-day notice there will be a major storm. If the cows are not in a good location, this is the time to move them. If you are setting up windbreaks you don’t need the cows right around you, bothering you, but
you could set up things today and move them tomorrow,” says DiCostanzo.
You don’t want to wait too long to move them, however; you don’t want to try to move them after a storm has started and they are facing a headwind and don’t want to go. If they are a long ways from where you need them, move them quicker, maybe to a pasture adjacent to where you are setting up windbreaks, so all you have to do is open a gate and let them in.
“Just before you move them, get bedding put out. Most ranchers have some junk bales they can spare or want to get rid of. This is the time to use them; put them where the cows can utilize them. There’s no need to spread them; you can leave the bales intact and the cows will trash them, and lie on them. If it’s a fall-calving herd with baby calves, those calves can find a nice cozy spot to lie in.”
If you don’t have any old hay or straw on hand, and you know a big storm is coming, try to find some hay locally to purchase. This is not the time to save money on hay. “It will probably take about 15 pounds per cow, to serve as bedding. That’s roughly 10 cows per bale. If you have 100 cows, you’ll need 10 bales. The cows will spread the bales themselves and make their own nests. They can also eat bedding, whether it’s hay or straw,” he says. If it’s straw or low-quality hay, cows may need a protein supplement.
“The worst thing that can
happen here is ice. I always prefer a snowstorm and heavy, deep snow rather than ice! Ice makes it difficult for people, cattle or machinery to get around. Cattle may slip and fall and be unable to get up. If you have deep enough bedding, however, this can provide traction, and the cattle walking on it should break up the ice a little. Their hooves are fairly sharp and can dig in and crack that ice surface,” he says. Sand or gravel is nice, but bedding is better.
“As soon as snow starts falling, start making paths through it right away, in case it gets too deep and your equipment might not make it through. You can always go through it again. Park equipment in a place where you can come out plowing. Keep human safety in mind, as well.” Even if you have a heated cab, if you get stranded and walk home, you may perish if you don’t have warm clothing.
It’s also a good idea to have zipped pockets. “If you have a wallet or keys, you don’t want to lose them. Just because you are out there taking care of the animals doesn’t mean you shouldn’t also take care of yourself,” he says. They depend on you and if something happens to you, they won’t be taken care of.
If you have 2 or 3 days’ warning before a storm, make sure your equipment is ready to go. “This includes personal vehicles. Make sure your tractors are fueled up, oil pressure and tire pressure checked, and hopefully in a warm
place, or plugged in, so they will start. Then when you need it you can just drive out and go.”
You don’t want to suddenly find it won’t start, or it breaks down because you weren’t ready.
“Also have a back-up plan. Maybe you have a flatbed truck you could use if the tractor has a problem. Know your neighbor’s phone number. Maybe you know a retired individual who might be able to help you. Again, take care of that person too. Make sure you have an extra coat, and that someone at home is making a nice meal to feed them afterward.”
Basic preparations should start well ahead of time. Summers are always busy and suddenly it’s fall and if there’s an early winter storm you may not be ready. “During haying season you might want to put some bales closer to the winter emergency ground. If you don’t have enough bales, that’s the time to purchase some. At current prices, cattle are still very valuable. It’s worth it to get those extra bales of hay!” You can’t afford to lose any animals or have them get sick because they become too stressed during a severe storm. It is important to keep that cow or her pregnancy going, or that calf growing, and keep them all healthy.” This is not a time to be cutting corners. If you have young calves, it may pay to create an area they can get into to eat and have access to really good quality hay or high-energy feed, and the
cows can’t get into it. “You don’t want starchy feeds, but it could be pellets or cubes. If the storm lasts awhile and you can’t get there to refill it, you don’t want creep feed to be starch-based, or a few calves may die. If it’s simply alfalfa cubes and they run out, it won’t be as dangerous as an abrupt change from the starch diet,” he says.
Your property perimeter fence is hopefully in good shape. Cattle may walk over a fence if it’s snowed under and drifts are hard-packed. “They might walk out of your wintering area, but hopefully your property fence is farther away and they won’t be able to get clear out of your place. We once had about 100 head break out of a pasture feeding area, but thankfully the drifts were so high along the road— where the road was plowed—the high snowbanks on either side served as fences. The cattle were unable to get out on the highway and get killed. We were able to walk them back along the narrow alleyway at the edge of the road,” says DiCostanzo.
“The worst thing you can do in the face of a possible emergency situation is panic. If you are prepared for the worst and the storm blows by and doesn’t affect you much, that’s wonderful, but if it hits, you are ready. In today’s world people tend to make a big deal out of every little storm, and this can sometimes make us complacent. The important thing is just to be ready.”
THE BEST OF 2024
By Jennifer Whiteley
The Nevada Rancher Magazine
Winnemucca, Nev.—2024 was one for the books. We lived, laughed, loved, and ranched hard! We saw sun rises and sunsets, often between a horse’s ears. Watches calves, colts, and kids be born. We experienced love and heartbreak. We
explored new places and returned to old favorites. We made new friends while never forgetting our old ones. When I asked for pictures on social media, I thought I might barely get enough to fill this issue. I was blown away by the number of pictures people submitted! Thank you to everyone who sent in a picture or two!
The Buchanan crew lines out at a trot on somewhere near Eureka, Nevada.
Raelee Christiansen and Shelby Fry present the colors at the Lincoln county fair. CHASSY SCOTT
Carson Oney and Goose trail cows near Fallon. CARSON ONEY
Ruby Uhart trails pairs off of Black Mountain down to the Salmon Falls River.
RUBY UHART
Mackenzie Molsbee ear marks a calf at the Cottonwoods Ranch.
MONA WHALEN
Annie and Boone Tibbits help Damales move cows in Diamond Valley. JAKE TIBBITS
Ella Mae Bottari and her great grandkids Jay and Jolie in Lamoille.
JOSH BOTTARI
Gary Wines rides to the top of the Ruby Mountains. RACHEL WINES
Urinary Calculi (Waterbelly) in Cattle and Sheep
The term “urinary calculi” refers to deposits in the urinary tract. These deposits may block the flow of urine, particularly in male cattle and sheep. Prolonged blockage generally results in rupture of the urinary bladder or urethra, releasing urine into the surrounding tissues. This produces the condition commonly referred to as “waterbelly.”
Two types of urinary calculi, both mineral in nature, predominate in cattle and sheep: (1) the phosphatic type formed principally under feedlot conditions and (2) the siliceous type occurring mainly in range animals. Other types of calculi can also occur.
SYMPTOMS
Animals afflicted with urinary calculi may appear restless with frequent straining in unsuccessful attempts to urinate. Responses to extreme pain include tail wringing, stamping the feet, and kicking at the abdomen. In cases where urinary blockage is not complete, urine may dribble slowly from the sheath. Upon failure to pass the stone and after complete blockage of urine flow, the bladder or urethra finally rupture, releasing urine into the body cavity and surrounding tissues.
Animals with urethral rupture accumulate urine with swelling of the lower abdomen. Urinary bladder rupture results in urine accumulation in the abdominal cavity with fullness of the abdomen gradually developing. At these stages, animals may show loss of appetite and stand quietly or lie down, being reluctant to rise. Death follows. Post-mortem examination of animals with a ruptured bladder generally reveals blood-tinged fluid in the body cavity, severe infection in the abdominal cavity, inflammation of the urinary tract, and a hemorrhagic condition at the point of rupture. One or more stones can often be located at the point of blockage.
PHOSPHATIC URINARY CALCULI
Causes Calculi formed under feedlot conditions are commonly composed of phosphates of calcium, magnesium, and ammonium. Phosphatic calculi are caused by nutritional conditions that promote the production of urine that is alkaline and has a high phosphorus content. The concentrate feedstuffs, such as grains, oil meals, etc., normally fed at high levels to feedlot cattle and sheep, often provide levels of phosphorus in excess of the 0.18 percent while approximately .3 percent is required for optimum weight gains. These concentrate feedstuffs are usually low in calcium content. Both of these factors, the high phosphorus level and the calcium-phosphorus imbalance, tend to promote high urinary phosphorus excretion.
Urine of cattle or sheep is normally alkaline, and the extent that a given feed contributes to urine alkalinity cannot be surmised from the initial acidity or
alkalinity of the ration ingredients. The acids associated with plants or plant fermentation products (corn silage, high moisture corn, etc.) are metabolized in the body and do not reach the urine. Most forages contribute toward an alkaline urine, cereal grains have little influence on urine pH and feeds having a high content of natural protein (soybean meal, alfalfa, etc.) contribute some degree of acidity to urine pH.
PREVENTION
Most materials and practices offering some degree of protection against phosphatic urinary calculi appear to result in at least one of the following: (1) a lowering of urinary phosphorus levels; (2) acidification of the urine; and (3) an increase in urine volume.
To maintain low urinary phosphorus levels, rations high in dietary phosphorus should be avoided and a calcium to phosphorus ratio of less than 6:1 should be maintained. To obtain calcium to phosphorus ratios in this range, it is generally necessary to supplement high-concentrate finishing rations with 1.5 percent to 2 percent ground limestone (a source of calcium). You may reduce this amount by one-half if the ration contains as much as 20 percent of a good quality legume forage. Calcium supplementation in finishing rations is usually achieved by feeding protein supplements that contain 8-10 percent calcium. Acidification of the urine may be achieved by the feeding of acid forming salts. It is recommended to supplement ammonium chloride daily at a rate of 0.25 oz. to sheep, or 1.0 to 1.5 oz. to finishing cattle.
Urine volume may be increased by including salt at a level higher than normal in the diet. Levels up to 4 percent of the total diet have been used for this purpose. An increase in urine volume is dependent upon increased water consumption, and the importance of an adequate water supply is obvious.
It is recommended that phosphorus levels and calcium to phosphorus ratios, as
previously outlined, be controlled in a feeding program. Use of ammonium chloride should be considered when ration changes involving phosphorus and calcium have not achieved desired results. An increase in urine volume through the feeding of a high level of salt has proved to be the least effective of the preventative methods for phosphatic urinary calculi. However, it is sometimes used as an adjunct to practices that reduce urine phosphorus.
SILICEOUS URINARY CALCULI CAUSES
Urinary tract deposits of this type are seen most often in animals grazing the western ranges, but they occasionally occur in animals that are confined and fed feeds such as grass hay, oat straw, and oats. Mature range grass, non-legume grass hay, oat straw and oat hulls generally contain three to seven percent silica.
PREVENTION
Silica absorbed from the diet is rapidly excreted in the urine. Methods for the prevention of siliceous urinary calculi involve changes in the nutrition of the animal to reduce silica intake, or to increase water consumption thereby diluting urinary silica. Limited data suggest that adequate phosphorus supplementation that results in increased urine acidity may be beneficial. Feeds having a low silica content may be used to reduce silica intake. These include alfalfa and other legume forages, and low-fiber cereal grains such as corn and milo. Substituting low-silica feeds for as much as one-half of the ration would be expected to greatly reduce, if not eliminate, the formation of siliceous urinary calculi.
High levels of salt in the diet have been used to increase water consumption and urine volume. Levels of salt in the range of 20 percent to 50 percent of a grain or protein supplement, or approximately 4 percent of the total ration, are sometimes used for this purpose. Successful reduction of siliceous urinary calculi incidence
through the forced feeding of salt is dependent upon an adequate supply of quality drinking water, and use of this method is not recommended in areas where drinking water is known to have a high salt content.
OTHER CAUSES OF URINARY CALCULI
Oxalates, carbonates, protein containing compounds, and others have been found in stones from animals, however, stones from those compounds occur less frequently than phosphatic and siliceous stones. Some plants such as Halogeton tend to be oxalate accumulators, increasing risk to animals grazing large amounts of these plants. Prevention options should address specific types of stones found in affected animals.
MANAGEMENT
Programs designed for prevention of urinary calculi have yielded disappointing results when initiated after the problem has already developed. While a calculi-prevention program may reduce the formation of additional deposits under these conditions, some losses may continue to occur from stones previously formed. In some cases stone analysis may be beneficial for prevention and treatment. Grazing heifers rather than steers may be a logical option in high incidence areas.
HARD WATER IS NOT INVOLVED
In instances of urinary calculi outbreaks, attention is often focused upon the source of drinking water. However, assuming an adequate supply of potable water, there is no reason to suspect that the water may be a contributing factor. Further, the minerals (calcium and magnesium) contributing to water “hardness” are among the factors found to be protective against phosphatic urinary calculi.
TREATMENT
Treatments designed to facilitate passing or dissolving the deposits have generally met with limited success. Surgery represents the most effective treatment, with the stone(s) being removed at the point of blockage. In rams, the point of blockage is often the filamentous urethral process at the end of the penis. In this instance, the urethral process and the accompanying stone may be surgically removed.
In steers, the urethra and penis may be bisected and brought to the outside of the body to bypass the constricted portion of the tract. Steers treated in this manner often make acceptable weight gains for the remainder of the feeding period. Other surgical interventions, such as catheterization, have also been used. These operations require the skill of an experienced veterinarian. Economics rarely allow its application to sheep.
Ivan Rush is a Extension Beef Specialist and Dale Grotelueschen Extension Veterinarian at the University of Nebraska
By- Ivan Rush & Dale Grotelueschen
Pictured is Kimble Wilkinson. “If the belly on a steer calf is over sized, seems to slosh back forth, and they can’t pee or they can just dribble a bit of urine, then more than likely you have a water belly on your hands.” Is what Kimble always says.
PHOTOS BY TAMMY WILKINSON
Managing Ranch and Farm Stress
By University of Nevada College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources
In the agricultural industry, farmers and ranchers face unique stressors that can significantly impact their mental and emotional well-being. This website combines resources from reputable sources to provide a holistic approach to understanding and addressing stress in the farming community.
Stress, depression, and suicide in ranchers and farmers nationally is quite high, but particularly in the western states. In the Mental Health America Overall Ranking 2020 eight of the 13 states of the Western Region had an overall high ranking which shows evidence of a high prevalence of mental illness and low access to care. Of the 7 key western states (Montana, Washington, Alaska, Wyoming, Utah, Idaho, Oregon and Nevada), Nevada had the highest ranking, suggesting that Nevada struggles with high stress and mental health problems coupled with low access to
care. Agricultural productivity is negatively impacted by stress.
UNDERSTANDING FARM STRESS:
Farmers often encounter various stressors, including financial pressures, unpredictable weather conditions, market fluctuations, and the demands of managing day-to-day operations. Understanding the root causes of stress is crucial for developing effective coping mechanisms.
RECOGNIZING SIGNS OF STRESS:
It’s essential to recognize the signs of stress in oneself
and others. Common indicators include changes in mood, sleep patterns, appetite, and physical health. By being aware of these signs, individuals can take proactive steps to address stress before it becomes overwhelming.
COPING STRATEGIES:
This section offers a range of coping strategies tailored to the unique challenges faced by farmers and ranchers. Strategies include:
■ Seeking Social Support: Connecting with fellow farmers, support groups, or mental health professionals can provide a
valuable outlet for sharing experiences and receiving emotional support.
■ Healthy Lifestyle Choices: Prioritizing physical health through regular exercise, nutritious eating habits, and sufficient sleep can help mitigate the effects of stress on mental well-being.
■ Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: Practicing mindfulness, meditation, deep breathing exercises, or engaging in hobbies can promote relaxation and reduce stress levels.
■ Financial Management: Implementing sound financial practices, such as
budgeting, diversifying income streams, and seeking financial assistance when needed, can alleviate financial stressors.
■ Time Management: Efficiently managing time and setting realistic goals can help farmers feel more in control of their workload and reduce feelings of overwhelm.
Here are some tips to stay connected with your family and community:
DESIGNATE FAMILY TIME WEEK
Plan a family game night each week. Setting aside a couple of hours each week for a fun family activity lifts everyone’s spirits and helps develop meaningful relationships.
TALK AND LISTEN
It may feel awkward sometimes to talk about stress/mental health, but the more it is discussed, the easier those conversations become. Avoid trying to ‘fix’ the situation, but rather listen with the intent to offer love and support.
STAY INVOLVED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
Rural communities are stronger when community members are looking out for each other. Reach out to a friend or neighbor to ask how they are doing. Make a point to attend local community events.
FIND WHAT WORKS FOR YOU
Each farm has its own unique stressors that affect the operation. Discuss what these are and how to overcome them as a family and as a community. Managing stress in the agricultural industry requires a multifaceted approach that acknowledges the unique challenges faced by farmers and ranchers. By understanding the root causes of stress, recognizing signs of distress, and implementing effective coping strategies, individuals can better navigate the pressures of farming while prioritizing their mental and emotional well-being. Remember, seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness. You are not alone
STRESS, 16
13 Women have been Selected to Participate in the Workforce Development Program to Further Agribusiness in the State
(SPARKS, Nev.) – The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) and the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) Foundation are pleased to announce the selection of 13 Nevada women for the Farm2Food Accelerator program, which kicked off Nov. 14, 2024.
“We are proud to support this group of talented women,” said NDA Director J.J. Goicoechea.
“This program is a great opportunity for women entrepreneurs to gain the skills, resources and support they need to grow their businesses and make their mark in the agriculture food and beverage industry.”
The Farm2Food Accelerator Program is designed to help Nevada women farmers and entrepreneurs with value-added food or beverage products, or product ideas, grow their business and expand into new markets. A value-added product is a product that has changed in its physical state or form, such as milling wheat for flour or making strawberries into jam. This year’s cohort features women who grow specialty crops, including fruits, vegetables, honey, tree nuts, dried fruits, culinary herbs and spices, or source specialty crop ingredients in the products they make.
Through the 15-week program, participants will gain knowledge and tools related to food safety, product development, marketing and other industry resources; connect with a community of women farmers, food entrepreneurs and food experts; and
launch a new food or beverage product or enhance an existing product for market.
2024-2025 FARM2FOOD ACCELERATOR PARTICIPANTS
Marissa McDonald, Reno
Stephanie Maddux, Las Vegas
2024 Marks the First Governor’s Conference on Agriculture Since 2018
(SPARKS, Nev.) – The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) hosted the Governor’s Conference on Agriculture in Fallon, Nev. on Wednesday, facilitating discussions on economic impacts, business resources, and regulatory information for the agriculture industry. This was the first time the conference was held since 2018.
“Speaking directly with agriculture industry members is critical to fulfilling the NDA’s mission to preserve, protect and promote Nevada agriculture,”
WATCH RECAP ONLINE
Governor’s Conference on Agriculture showcases impact of industry on Nevada
said NDA Director J.J. Goicoechea. “We were proud to welcome Chase McNamara from the Governor’s Office to be part of these conversations.”
In addition to representatives from the Governor’s Office, agriculture stakeholders, policymakers and local governments were in attendance, allowing for
robust conversations, critical to the future of agriculture. Sessions included:
■ Economic outlook for Nevada food and agriculture
■ Business resources for agriculture/agribusinesses in Nevada
■ NDA requirements, licenses, certifications, permits and fees
■ Nevada pressing agricultural issues
More information and clips from sessions can be found at agri.nv.gov/govcon.
Lisa Voigtlaender, Fallon
Rachel McClure, Wellington
Daunelle Wulstein, Gardnerville
Anna Pageau, Reno
Bethany Banks, Las Vegas
Lilian Grey, Reno Ashley Evans, Smith
STRESS
From page 15
in facing farm-related stress, and help is available.
7 ways to help reduce stress:
■ Get enough sleep. Inadequate or poor-quality sleep can negatively affect your mood, mental alertness, energy level, and physical health.
■ Learn relaxation techniques. Prayer, meditation, deep breathing exercises, and yoga are powerful relaxation techniques and stress-busters.
■ Strengthen your social network. Connect with others by taking a class, joining an organization, or participating in a support group.
Learn more about the Women’s Farm2Food Accelerator Program at f2faccelerator.org/ nv-program.
■ Get organized. The more efficiently you can juggle work and family demands, the lower your stress level.
■ Try to resolve stressful situations if you can. Don’t let stressful situations fester. Hold family problem-solving sessions and ask neighbors for support.
■ Nurture yourself. Take a walk, listen to your favorite music, read a book, or do something creative.
■ Ask for help. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from your spouse, friends, and neighbors. If stress and anxiety persist, talk to your doctor. Learn More at: https:// extension.unr.edu/ manage-farm-stress
Cally Wade, Moapa
Julie Ardizzone, Gardnerville Seanne House, Lamoille
Melanie Young, Yerington
Nevada women selected for Farm2Food Accelerator program
Leveraging Beef’s Role in High-Protein Diet Trends
High-protein diets are all the rage these days, especially among younger folks who are all about building muscle, managing their weight, and overall well-being. Gen Z is leading this trend thanks to the influence of social media and fitness culture. A survey by the International Food Information Council (IFIC) found that 53% of Gen Z prioritized protein in their diets in 2023. 1 Additionally, consumers consistently rank beef above other proteins when considering which “is a great source of protein.” 2
This is a golden opportunity for retailers and restaurants to highlight beef as an excellent protein source. Beef is packed with high-quality protein, iron, and other essential nutrients, making it a great choice for health-conscious consumers.
Consumer Beef Tracker, 2019 – June 2024. Q11: For the statement shown, please rate each protein based on your experiences. You can rate each protein anywhere from Agree Completely to Disagree Completely... The scale is set up so that no two proteins
can have exactly the same rating, so you will need to place them in the order that you intend them to be.
THE POPULARITY OF HIGH-PROTEIN DIETS
Fitness enthusiasts, influencers, and dietitians have been singing the praises of high-protein diets for helping muscle building, aiding in weight loss, and keeping energy levels up. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram are buzzing with high-protein meal ideas, and many Gen Zers turn to these platforms for inspiration. With the growing focus on fitness and healthy living, high-protein foods have become a staple in many young people’s diets.
Per the USDA, a 3-ounce serving of cooked beef provides approximately 25 grams of high-quality protein, which is about half of the recommended daily intake for an average adult. In addition, beef also delivers other essential nutrients such as vitamin B12, selenium, zinc, niacin, vitamin B6, phosphorus, choline, iron, and riboflavin. 3 Beef is a perfect fit for this high-protein trend, offering a complete source of
protein with all the essential amino acids needed for muscle repair and growth.
A recent survey found that protein is a top priority when choosing meals with beef in 2024,followed by muscle growth, energy, vitamin & mineral content. Comparatively, most consumers are less concerned about managing specific health conditions when choosing a meal with beef.
4 Retailers and restaurants that highlight beef’s role in high-protein diets can attract health-conscious consumers looking for quality protein.
Consumer Beef Tracker January – June 2024. BB!4r1: How often do you think about each of the following when choosing
a meal with beef? (Select one response for each row.) Analysis: National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, contractor to the Beef Checkoff
650 deeded acres of which over
acres has older surface Water rights.We may consider
off if some Downstream users need more. Borders I-80 with access onto the Ryndon Exit.. Price: $1,200,000.
Retail Strategies for High-Protein Beef
Retailers can make beef a star player in high-protein diets by offering lean cuts like sirloin and tenderloin which are high in protein but lower in fat. Packaging that highlights the protein content and PROTEIN, 18
From page 17
other nutritional benefits like iron and vitamin B12 can draw in health-focused shoppers.
Another smart move is to create high-protein meal kits featuring beef. These kits can be tailored for fitness enthusiasts or anyone looking for convenient ways to get their daily protein. A study by NielsenIQ found that sales of high-protein meal kits jumped by 18% in 2023, showing strong consumer demand for easy, protein-rich options. 5 Retailers could also team up with fitness influencers to promote these products, offering recipes and mealprep ideas that include beef.
Point-of-sale marketing can also be effective. Displays and labels that shout “high-protein” or “lean and nutritious” can catch the eye of shoppers looking to improve their diets. QR codes linking to recipes or nutritional info can educate consumers on the benefits of beef in a high-protein diet.
RESTAURANT MENU INNOVATION
For restaurants, the high-protein diet trend is a chance to get creative with their menus by showcasing beef as a healthy and tasty protein option. They can create dedicated high-protein sections or introduce dishes aimed at fitness-conscious diners. Offering lean beef in dishes like grilled steak salads, beef bowls with
Data from Technomic’s 2023 Protein Consumer Trend Report shows that 61% of consumers are more likely to choose a restaurant if it offers high-protein options. 6 Restaurants can also offer customization, letting diners add extra beef to their meals for a protein boost. This flexibility is especially appealing to those tracking their macronutrient intake.
veggies, or high-protein wraps can attract customers looking to meet their dietary goals while enjoying a delicious meal.
Data from Technomic’s 2023 Protein Consumer Trend Report shows that 61% of consumers are more likely to choose a restaurant if it offers high-protein options.
6 Restaurants can also offer customization, letting diners add extra beef to their meals for a protein boost. This flexibility is especially appealing to those tracking their macronutrient intake.
Marketing beef-based dishes as part of a balanced, high-protein meal is another great strategy. Featuring dishes with beef paired with vegetables, whole grains, and other nutrient-dense ingredients can appeal to health-conscious diners. Highlighting the protein content on menus or promotional materials can help communicate the nutritional value of these offerings.
THE ROLE OF SOCIAL MEDIA AND INFLUENCERS
Social media is a big driver of
dietary trends, especially for Gen Z. Fitness influencers, nutritionists, and health coaches often share content about the benefits of high-protein diets and meal ideas featuring beef. Restaurants and retailers can tap into this trend by partnering with influencers to promote their high-protein beef offerings.
Collaborations with influencers can create engaging content that shows how beef can be part of a healthy, protein-rich lifestyle. Recipes, cooking demos, and “what I eat in a day” videos featuring beef can be particularly effective in reaching younger audiences. Working with fitness influencers who already promote high-protein diets can also add credibility and build trust with potential consumers.
ADDRESSING HEALTH CONCERNS
While promoting beef as a high-protein option, it’s important to address any health concerns consumers might have
about red meat. Highlighting the benefits of lean cuts and promoting recommended consumption amounts can help ease worries about fat and cholesterol. Providing information on the essential nutrients in beef, like iron, zinc, and vitamin B12, can help consumers see the broader health benefits of including beef in their diet.
Transparency is key for health-conscious consumers. Providing detailed nutritional information and sourcing details can reassure those concerned about their health and the environment.
Restaurants and retailers that emphasize responsible sourcing and nutrition can effectively position beef as part of a balanced, health-focused diet.
CONCLUSION
The high-protein diet trend offers a great opportunity for retailers and restaurants to promote beef as a nutritious and valuable protein source. By highlighting lean cuts, offering high-protein meal options, and leveraging social media, businesses can connect with health-conscious consumers, especially Gen Z, who are keen on maintaining a fit and active lifestyle. To appeal to this demographic, transparency, creativity, and alignment with health and wellness values are crucial. By embracing these strategies, retailers and restaurants can position beef as an essential part of a high-protein diet, meeting the
needs of modern consumers while supporting overall health and well-being.
Find more info about lean beef go to https://www. beefitswhatsfordinner.com/ nutrition/all-about-lean-beef
1 International Food Information Council (IFIC). (2023). Gen Z and Protein Consumption Trends.
2 Consumer Beef Tracker, 2019 – June 2024. Q11: For the statement shown, please rate each protein based on your experiences. You can rate each protein anywhere from Agree Completely to Disagree Completely... The scale is set up so that no two proteins can have exactly the same rating, so you will need to place them in the order that you intend them to be.
3 U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Nutrient Data Laboratory. USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 28 (Slightly revised). Version Current: May 2016.
4 Consumer Beef Tracker January – June 2024. BB!4r1: How often do you think about each of the following when choosing a meal with beef? (Select one response for each row.) Analysis: National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, contractor to the Beef Checkoff
5 NielsenIQ. (2023). High-Protein Meal Kit Sales Data.
6 Technomic. (2023). Protein Consumer Trend Report.
7 Ways to Savor the Season
If you go work on a feedyard you’ll quickly recognize how good the cow/ calf sector has it, if you are a cow/calf kind of a person that is. Although each season is laden with work to be done, it is truly only a short stint before we are onto something different. Wintertime can often get a bad rap because the cold can get old, the mud drives us nuts, and having branding season on the other side is just too big of a tease. Since winter is a quarter of the year in length, depending on where you live, I don’t want you to just get through the winter, I want you to learn a few ways to actually savor it.
1. Plan simple and delicious, warm meals that you look forward to coming in to. If I haven’t already told you, I really love food and especially food that is cooked right here at home. The cold can just suck the energy plumb out of you. In order to give your body the rest it needs in a season where it naturally wants to hibernate, you’ve got to do a little planning. Winter is the perfect time to bring out your coziest and brainless recipes, double bonus if they can be put in a crock pot or heavily prepped ahead of time. If you need any recipe inspiration, shoot me a message and I’d gladly share a few. Things like a French Dip Chuck Roast, Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup, Shepherd’s Pie, Chicken and Dumplings, and some Beef Enchiladas are at the top of my list.
2.
Connect with someone face to face.
Nowadays we have gotten so used to texting, Facebook, and FaceTime that we don’t consider meeting face to face an option. Recently, I heard a great saying, “Nobody waves, but everybody waves back.” The next time you are in town, take a moment to connect with the people you encounter. Don’t be afraid to be the one to initiate conversation or exchange smiles. Another way you could connect is by calling up an old friend and inviting them to your place or meeting them in town for a drink or meal.
3.Plan the darn trip. Time marches on and it is easy to keep pushing experiences down the road. Whether you think you don’t have the time or the money, I want to implore you to find a way to make it happen. We finally pulled the trigger on booking a vacation that we’ve wanted to do with the kids for a while. My husband and I were clearly excited, but neither of us anticipated how ecstatic our kids would be. Having a trip planned for when you turn the cows out gives us a level of appreciation for the work we are doing each day between now and then that allows us to go on a trip in the first place.
4.
Find a really great book. There is just something about getting all warmed up after a cold day and reading, even better if it is in front of
a fire or wood stove. If you aren’t currently in a reading groove, ask some readers you know, do a quick search online, or next time you are in town, head to a bookstore. Pick a new genre, I am a non-fiction reader through and through, books about self-improvement or business are my go-to. I remember when I was working full-time on my family’s ranch, I would be so exhausted at the end of a cold day that I’d be lucky to get a couple of pages read before I fell asleep. A man I worked with talked about the books he was reading often. I once asked him, “How much do you read each night? I can only seem to get a few pages read before I crash.”
He responded, “If I get a couple pages read, I am doing good.” I laughed because I was under the impression he read a book a week.
5.
Start planning something memorable for your community. This year a friend of mine had a fun idea of doing a tractor light parade in our downtown. It’s ideas like this and wholesome fun that bring light to the darkness of winter. It doesn’t have to be fancy. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Don’t go into it thinking it has to be an annual thing. It could be a one and done deal. I know making cool things happen for other people and seeing other people enjoy something as a result of my effort or work is a sure way to lift my spirits.
6.
Delight in what’s good right now. If you really stop and think about it. Calving season is inundated with miracles all around us, the miracle of life itself. What a gift. Sometimes it is easy to get into the funk of “another day, another calf, big whoop.” I challenge you to pause a half of a second longer and watch the natural beauty around you. Fall in love with this lifestyle all over again. The views and things we get to watch on a daily basis are spectacular
when you look at it through a fresh lens. I recall many moments of my grandpa getting a kick out of a rock chuck or telling me to look at a momma bird interacting with her babies. It’s that kind of a perspective shift we could all use to appreciate this incredible life we get to live.
7.
Dive into a 5-year plan for your operation. After visiting with our tax consultant a couple of weeks ago, he told me, “You guys really need to sit down and talk about your five year plan.” He is definitely right, and I told him, “That’s the million dollar question.” We have been talking about where we are headed and what success means to us for a solid year almost nightly. The world these days has a way of trying to pull us in two directions. You want to ranch fulltime? What are you going to do about health insurance? You want to live really remote? What about your family that will now live three hours away? What we want and what is
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
best or what we want and what feels responsible as a parent of three kids now feels like two very different things. Maybe you’ve already nailed down your 5-year plan but my guess is that you haven’t. If we don’t, time will keep pressing on and we will be another couple years down the road doing the same thing we’ve been doing. That isn’t always a bad thing, but it is if we are in a place where we are just spinning our wheels.
To everything, there is a season, and I am so thankful for that. Between all the things that need to get done, think about what simple rhythms you could add to your day that will help you appreciate all that winter has to offer. You might enjoy it so much that you actually look forward to it next year. I can imagine a guy reading this thinking this is a bunch of “woo woo” stuff, but I hope you will take a second to think on it. I think there’s something you can certainly take from this list of ideas and make it work for you.
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
Producers discuss tools, genetic progress in beef
2024 Angus Convention in November in Fort Worth, TX
By Sarah Kocher Communications Specialist
Breeding and raising cattle is big business with risk and seasons of opportunity, and a rebuilding of the industry’s cowherd will be one of those times producers have the chance to make gains from financial and genetic perspectives.
A series of educational sessions at the 2024 Angus Convention in November focused on the theme of herd rebuilding. Nevil Speer, an industry consultant, said the U.S. beef cow herd is expected to decline to around 27.8-28 million head by early 2025, as producers have been slow to move toward rebuilding the herd after the recent drought period.
“We are not building a cowherd today,” Speer said. “If we do get into that point in which we’ve just started rebuilding like crazy and the market swings back the other way, guess who gets left behind? It’s the people that sell commodity cattle.”
Speer said he sees market trends continuing to shift toward cattle and beef quality, transparency and an appetite for data, and efficiency in production.
“That’s really what’s driving the business,” he said. “So in the next wave of whether it’s herd rebuilding or business transition, that’s
what becomes important.”
He added that he’s more interested in the business decisions producers are making to stay profitable or increase their profitability than he is in short-term market conditions. Two commercial producers shared their stories with attendees and answered questions about how they made genetic improvements and increased their herds’ profitability.
Ryan Noble of Noble Ranch, Yuma, Colorado, was one of those and is well-known for his heifer development program. Unfortunately, his family had to rebuild their cow herd in 2019 to 2020 more recently than most due to drought.
“God had a plan for us, and we sold every cow for every dollar we asked for them,” Noble said. “It was an opportunity for us. We went out seeking high-quality heifer calves. We knew what we wanted to raise.”
He said their ranch shifted to being a service provider, developing heifers and building back their herd, aiming for what he calls “an apology-free cow herd.”
Noble’s ideal set of females would be docile; healthy with good feet and eyes; and fertile, calving once a year with a good udder.
“She’s got the appropriate amount of growth for your
environment,” he said. “She is going to go garner premiums through he next two stages. You put her on feed, she’s going to get it done. You hang her on the rail, she’s going to get it done. That’s an apology-free cow, and she’s going to do it with a minimal amount of inputs and a minimal amount of labor.”
In pursuit of this stockman’s dream of a cow herd, Noble has come to place great value on known genetics and strategic nutrition investment. He uses genetic testing tools and makes heifers prove they have what it takes to go work for him in his sometimes-unforgiving environment.
“I figure by the time we end up with a bred heifer, she’s probably lived through five or six sorts on our range,” he said. “If she can make it through all that and become pregnant, that’s when we are ready to invest more money.”
Investing in the right females pays dividends, Noble says, because he expects them to have longevity enough “until you’re so old that everybody knows your number.”
Jimmy Taylor of Taylor Ranch, Cheyenne, Oklahoma, has his own ideal cowherd and he has dove into the data to help it become closer and closer to reality. The Taylor Ranch began transitioning to its current model of backgrounding their own calves on the ranch,
retaining ownership through the feedyard and selling them on the grid in 2005.
“I wanted something where I could get a bonus or premium on every calf,” Taylor said. “So I looked around and decided that the best route to do that would be raising carcass cattle while raising good replacement heifers.”
He said his first set of steers were 13% prime in 2012. Today their range is typically between 50 to 75% prime.
Taylor’s carcass data and 10-plus years of genetic data on his females shows his system is working.
“What really got us into high gear was when what I called enhanced GeneMax® Advantage™ happened in 2016, where they had 10 traits and [percentile rankings for each animal] in those traits,” Taylor said. “Now I can target traits and I can make rapid improvement doing that.”
Taylor said individualized data with trait-by-trait analysis has helped him use a more diverse pool of sires and “match specific females up to my bulls’ strong points and weak points.”
GeneMax Advantage now has 19 traits, and the American Angus Association® continues to crank out expected progeny differences (EPDs) as tools for genetic selection with registered bulls.
Both Taylor and Noble said it is worthwhile work to get a handle
on their own herd’s data and identify clear targets.
“What gets us from point A to point B are these tools,” Noble said. Seedstock and commercial producers are not the only ones paying attention to genetics. Industry Insights powered by Angus Media and CattleFax summarizes survey data from cattle feeders across the United States, representing around 3.3 million head of feeding capacity.
“Sixty percent of the feedlot respondents said that genetics play a bigger role in their purchase decision today (than they did five years ago), and that’s going to continue to grow,” said Esther Tarpoff, the Association’s director of performance programs.
Tarpoff says tools like GeneMax Advantage can help commercial producers find the females in their herd that are going to be the most profitable, and there are programs like AngusLinkSM to assist with marketing their calves to build more margin into their herd. These tools also help seedstock and commercial producers align their genetic selection goals and create a common language for marketing Angus genetics throughout the beef production system.
She says ultimately the focus on genetic merit and quality at each of these levels continues driving value through the supply chain.
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The Cowboy Pastor’s Wife
Too afraid To Speak The Truth
Don’t you hate when you want to say something and you really don’t know how? What’s worse is being too afraid to say anything at all. Maybe that’s good in a way, restraint that is. Sometimes it’s better to shut up than to just spew reckless words from your mouth.
It’s like a monkey driving a motorcycle, he has no aim, no purpose, he’s in it for the food. A monkey is trained to perform. As humans we are trained in many things but we are often unqualified to speak the truth correctly. Words should have purpose... direction...we should communicate well. Our words should instruct, encourage, and warn. We can sing with our words or write an article, tell a story, and make someone laugh. Let’s face it, our words accomplish many things throughout our lifetime. Here’s some examples of how we are wired to communicate. Each has it’s benefits and downfalls. Perhaps you can see yourself in one of these.
1.Using Humour:
Comedians are good at sharing this kind of truth. I admit some of the people I admire most are able to correct in this way. Laughing at ourselves is a pleasant way to course correct. This personality type has to beware of making someone the brunt of their jokes.
2.Using Encouragement:
These are the cheerleaders. Their primary job is to find the good and motivate. However, they may over encourage and miss the point entirely. They may be afraid to hurt someone’s feelings. For example, perhaps a person is spending all their money on lotto tickets and can’t pay their bills. Don’t encourage a bad habit and give them money and say, “I know someday you will work it out”.
3. Nitpickers:
Sometimes nitpickers are just complainers and want to find the wrong in everything. Have you ever noticed being around
nitpickers can make you one yourself? Self righteousness can also drive a person to this type of behavior.I don’t think MOST people intend on being nitpickers. This personality type is usually very detailed. Their downfall, they just appear to be picking out everything wrong. On one hand, they are wanting to help someone do something better but on the other hand they come across as judgemental.
4.Quick Tempered:
Saying what ever they want in the heat of the moment, leaving others to pick up the pieces. They will say, “They needed to hear that! At least I say what I think and don’t hold anything back.” I do agree, that sometimes this is better than someone talking behind your back. But do we really want someone to yell, everytime we make a mistake? We should be mad at the right things but control our anger. “A quick-tempered person does foolish things, and the one who devises evil schemes is hated.”
Prov. 14:17
However, sometimes we are too afraid to speak the truth. Perhaps we’ve tried it in the past and didn’t work out so well. We may have lost a friend or had a self righteous attitude. We may have said something that didn’t have the right motive behind it. I’m learning, boy am I learning. I’ve made every mistake possible in this area, have you? Hard conversations are just...HARD. So you just avoid having the conversation because it can be tricky to navigate.
There are three people I have met in life that are excellent at correctly speaking the truth. Bill, Rosetta, and my father-in-law, Hank. This takes excellent communication skills. All three of these people exemplify these unique characteristics.
Bill: One time I made a comment about someone that was taking a long time to rope, while working calves. This of course, made for a long day. In fact, most days we were done around lunch on the two smaller
camps but the headquarters country, took us until about two or three in the afternoon. Bill handled my comment in such a kind way. He said, “Well Norma, we all have to start someplace”. Somehow, I didn’t have to tuck my tail and run. I felt bad for my comment and never want to repeat the manner.
Rosseta: She was a teacher and the drama director at a private christian school. She was good at listening to the right kids that never said anything, versus the kid that was always tattling. To the tattletell, the instant lift of the eyebrows and she’d ask the question, “Hummm, Did Mrs. Moore not show up today (as she looked around)? I didn’t realize you were in charge of the class today”. Of course she always waited for their response. The confusion on their faces left them dumbfounded.
My father-in-law, Hank: He is more of the encourager type. He believes the best in folks, unless they have proven otherwise. He doesn’t compromise his opinion and doesn’t hold back truth. He has helped many people in his life. But he is one that will like you but you work for his respect. He’s an excellent father-in-law and grandfather. He’s an avid reader... devouring everything in sight, has his masters in meat science. He has an excellent memory, recalling history, names, and events. He lets people live their lives and is the one they go to when it falls apart. He gives information with just the right amount of firmness.
In each of these examples we can learn the proper way to speak the truth. We can all find examples of these type of people in our lives. However, the most important place to go to share and know truth is the Bible. When we study the Word, and research, show humility, love the truth, we become the type of people that can share boldly. But it’s not just speaking the truth that will have an impact on others,
Extension offers combined small-acreage and farm-to-fork certification program
RENO, Nev. – University of Nevada, Reno Extension’s Herds & Harvest Program
Feb. 5: Soil health and livestock grazing, focusing on plant needs and how to determine the best plants for a given land space. This will include an overview of how plants grow, nutrients and day length requirements, and soil basics.
it’s showing them through our daily lives. That’s how the people I admire, shared truth with me. I can think of so many others that helped correct and guide me and continue to do so. They are friends. These scriptures remind me to not be silent because saying nothing at all means you agree with a bad behavior, sin, or simply, you do not care. Friends say, “Hey, you’re going the wrong way” and stands in the way of the wide road. A friend also walks along the way with you when you’re struggling, tempted, or are misguiding others.
“Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it.” Matt. 7:13
Teach me Your way, LORD; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name. Psalm 86:11
One who declares truth tells what is right, But a false witness, deceit. Prov. 12:17
The Law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. Psalm 19:7
But we did not yield in subjection to them, even for an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you. Gal. 2:5
Remember, we don’t want to be a monkey, trained to perform. We need to remember to correct with the right heart and even examine our own lives first before we go try and fix someone else. In saying this, it doesn’t mean you wait until you’re perfect and let someone drive off the road, if you know there’s a sink hole ahead. Remain humble, pray and then correct the way you want to be corrected. Don’t be discouraged and don’t be afraid. Speak up for what is right in our schools, our community,and with our family. Friends, be bold with truth, that’s where true freedom resides.
“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32
Thank you for reading, The Cowboy Pastor’s Wife
is providing a certification program Jan. 22 – March 19 geared toward new or upand-coming ranchers and farmers that will allow them to obtain a Nevada Beginning Farmer & Rancher Level 1 Small Acreage and Farm to Fork Certification. The classes will take place 6 – 8 p.m., Wednesdays, Jan. 22 – March 19, with additional field trips touring small-acreage farms and ranches in Washoe and Douglas counties. The program’s courses will be conducted via Zoom and will draw upon the knowledge and experience of established Nevada agriculture producers and University experts. Participants who complete the course, attend a tour or one of the spring Nevada agriculture conferences, and complete a business plan review will receive their Level 1 Certification. Course topics include: Jan. 22: An overview of small-acreage and farm-tofork production, including identifying resources, understanding jurisdictions, developing a business plan and setting goals.
and social media. Participants will also learn how to develop a marketing plan.
Feb. 19: Livestock production focuses on needs and requirements, including basics of livestock and poultry nutrition, feed management, reproduction and the Quality Assurance Program.
Feb. 26: Meat quality, processing and training, including the characteristics of meat based on nutritional management and an overview of meat regulations in Nevada and the statewide meat program.
March 5: Understanding Nevada water, focusing on the basics of water rights and water law in Nevada.
Feb. 12: Value-added programs in Nevada and where and how to market products, including farm stands, direct market sales, sale yards, using Nevada Grown
March 12: Farm financial management in the 21st century, focusing on financially building a farm, building business skills and assets, estate planning,
and balance and cash flow basics.
March 19: Partners and funding, including an overview of opportunities and resources available to Nevada producers.
Field trip (dates to be determined): Field trips touring local farms and ranches in Washoe and Douglas counties will be available to participants, who can choose to attend either a tour or one of the Extension’s Agricultural Conferences to receive certification in the course.
The cost for the program is $60 per person, and registration can be completed online. For more information, contact Staci Emm, Extension professor, at emms@unr.edu or 775312-0424; or Kaley Chapin, Extension outreach specialist, at kaleys@unr.edu or 702-467-2668.
They keep calling us a dying breed, and it isn’t for lack of trying,
Because they keep trying to kill us off, but we keep on not dying, They thought they got us with the barbed wire when they cut up the plains,
And again when the cowtowns got passed up by the trains,
They brought in rigs with eighteen wheels thinking that our time was spent,
Unwittingly providing us with a handy form of retirement,
Then they convinced the valley girls that red meat is bad for their bikini bods,
I guess they plumb forgot, there’s cow fat in their Botox,
They went and birthed the vegans, and gave PETA terrorists a voice,
And got the packers to undercut us, as if we’re not keeping them employed,
If they spent some time out on a ranch they’d get that there’s no use in trying,
With all the near-death stuff we do for fun, somehow we keep on thriving.
Randi Johnson 2020
By University of Nevada, Reno
Parmesan Crusted Baked Halibut
By Jennifer Whiteley
Lamoille, Nev.— I have a love-hate relationship with wrestling season. I love following my boys across the western United States cheering them and their teammates on. I *may* make a fool of myself, being that mom that cheers a little too loudly and embarrasses my kids. I bought a tripod for my cell phone so I can film each match without videoing the floor or the ceiling. I live on antacids. I ride a roller coaster of emotions with each match, you would think I was on the mat. I feel like I am—I’m over the moon with every win and devastated by every loss. I
feel that all in my bones. I hate the diet. I hate making weight. I struggle with the watching every bite all week long and not eating or drinking the day before weigh ins, and then watching the junk our kids binge on for quick energy at tournaments. It is a real struggle for a family that really does enjoy food, especially our carbs to sacrifice all week! We always get a good meal after each tournament, complete with carbs, they have all week to worry about making weight again I guess!
In an attempt to mix the menu up a bit I came across this recipe and the boys loved it. It fit well with their wrestling diet, was filling and had a great flavor.
PARMESAN CRUSTED BAKED HALIBUT
X 1 large (I used 4 frozen servings) halibut fillet
X 1 or 2 bunches asparagus
X 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
X 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
X 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
X 3 garlic cloves, minced X 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil I didn’t measure, just sprinkled lightly
1. To bake the halibut fillet: Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
2. In a shallow plate, mix together the Parmesan, garlic, salt, and pepper.
3. Arrange the halibut fillet on the center of the baking sheet and place trimmed asparagus around the fish. Drizzle the halibut filet with olive oil, then sprinkle the cheese mixture over the halibut, pressing it in lightly with your fingers. Season asparagus with salt, pepper, and any leftover cheese mixture.
4. Bake until the fish is opaque in the thickest part, about 15 minutes. You can crisp up the parmesan crust for 1 minute under the broiler if you like.
The Nevada Rancher Magazine
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