CONNECTING AG to CLIMATE

By Windy Kelley, Northern Plains Regional Climate Hub

Recent and current conditions

Wyoming experienced its 61st coolest and 24th wettest January out of 129 years, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Centers for Environmental Information database, retrieved Feb. 21.

The adjacent table includes temperature and precipitation rankings of select counties for the month of January.

The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) map for Wyoming, released Feb. 16, classified over 44 percent of the state as moderate to extreme drought and nearly 20 percent of Wyoming as abnormally dry.

The remainder of the state – over 36 percent – is classified as none. In other words, these areas are not experiencing abnormally dry or drought conditions.

The current USDM map can be viewed at bit. ly/2S28VTA. Consider submitting a Condition Monitoring Observer Report at bit.ly/3c4WRLR

Eight- to 14-day and onemonth forecasts

NOAA’s eight- to 14-day forecast for March 2-8, issued Feb. 22, shows efit small and emerging businesses in rural areas as specified in the grant application.

Opportunity-type funds can be used for community economic development, leadership and entrepreneur training, long-term business strategic planning, rural business incubators, feasibility studies and business plans and technology-based economic plans and must be consistent with any local and area-wide strategies.

Enterprise-type funds can be used for training and technical assistance, such as project planning, business counseling and training, market research, feasibility studies, rural distance learning for job training and advancement of adult students, rural transportation development and technologybased economic development projects, etc.

The RBDG program sets aside appropriated funds specifically for fed- erally-recognized Native American Tribes, Native American Persistent Poverty and Strategic Economic and Community Development.

For more information, visit rd.usda.gov/wy or rd.usda.gov/ programs-services/business-programs/rural-businessdevelopment-grants/wy.

To date, a few of Wyoming’s RBDG success stories include the Wyoming Women’s Business Center, Powell Economic Partnership, Inc. and the Wyoming Agricultural Leadership Council, according to Barber.

Scoring and scoring criteria

Applicants are scored based on a preset of criteria. First-time applicants can receive additional points. The RBDG program is very competitive, so the higher the score, the more chance to receive funding, shared Barber.

All applicants are evaluated based on the follow- ing criteria: population, unemployment, median household income, economic distress/need in the area to be served, evidence that small business development supported by grant, showing job creation/support at local businesses, successful experience in type of activity, percent of nonfederal funding committed to the project, size of grant request, indirect cost request and other factors such as COVID-19, climate and equity.

Application registration

Interested parties should preregister with the free System for Award Management at sam.gov. Barber shared applicants will want to be filed as a legal entity with the Wyoming Secretary of State at wyobiz.wyo. gov/business/default.aspx a 50 to 80 percent probability or chance for below normal temperatures for all of Wyoming, with the probability increasing from east to west.

“The RBDG Program provides a unique opportunity for nonprofit organizations to make a difference for local businesses and communities. Training and planning functions become more attainable to support economic development in even the smallest of communities,” shared Wyoming State Director for USDA RD Glenn Pauley.

For more information, visit rd.usda.gov/wy, rd.usda.gov/programsservices/business-programs/rural-businessdevelopment-grants/wy or call the Wyoming Rural Development Office at 307-233-6700.

Brittany Gunn is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

For the same timeframe, the forecast shows a 40 to 50 percent probability for above normal precipitation for the entire state.

The March forecast, issued Feb. 16, indicates a 33 to 50 percent probability for below normal temperatures and above normal precipitation for most of Wyoming.

The exception is the greater southeast corner of the state and west into southern Sweetwater County where there is an equal probability for below, near or above normal temperatures and precipitation.

For details and to view more NOAA forecasts, visit cpc.ncep.noaa.gov

Windy K. Kelley is the regional Extension program coordinator and state specialist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Northern Plains Climate Hub, the University of Wyoming Extension and WAFERx. She can be reached at wkelley1@ uwyo.edu or 307-367-4380.

There is no doubt this winter has been a tough one. Months of below-zero temperatures, driving wind and drifting snow have been hard on people and livestock across the West.

In late December, the National Weather Service reported several recordbreaking low temperatures across the state including a record low of -26 degrees Fahrenheit in Cheyenne and a record low of -42 degrees Fahrenheit in Casper. Additionally, the service reported, on Dec. 21 between 1:05 and 1:35 p.m., temperatures in the southeast corner plummeted 40 degrees, shattering the previous one-hour temperature drop record of 37 degrees.

The Wyoming Snow Report noted new snowfall, as of Feb. 22, raised snowpack levels to 114 percent for this period of time across

Wyoming producers battle tough winter weather conditions

the state. The deepest snowpack in Wyoming was last observed at Grand Targee, with a snowpack depth of 102 inches, 104 percent of normal levels at this time, according to the report.

On Feb. 21, meteorologists placed more than 60 million people across 28 states under winter weather advisories in preparation for the massive storm that rolled through this week, and they forecast nasty, winter weather conditions will only continue over the next few weeks.

The team at Wyoming Livestock Roundup asked readers to submit photos of the winter conditions they are currently battling. The adjacent photos on pages A8 and A9 have been submitted by Roundup readers across the state. This weekʼs cover photo was submitted by Blake Fegler of Shoshoni.

Wyoming producers battle tough winter weather conditions (cont.)

“Our ranchers have been digging and pushing snow since before Christmas just to maintain contact with livestock, with little or no relief. Prices for feed and diesel are extraordinarily high, and the situation is serious for many in our ag sector,” he continued. “We are committed to working with our partners at the federal level and our producers to try to get some assistance.”

Secretarial disaster designation process

The Secretary of Agri- culture is authorized to designate counties as disaster areas to make emergency loans available to producers suffering losses in those counties and in counties contiguous to a designated county.

Currently, FSA administers four types of disaster designations: USDA secretarial disaster designation; presidential major disaster and presidential emergency declaration which are done through the Federal Emergency Management Agency; FSA administrator’s phys- ical loss notification and quarantine designation by the secretary under the Plant Protection Act or animal quarantine laws.

A disaster designation specifies the natural disaster which resulted in the designation, the incident period of the disaster and specific counties included in the designation.

The USDA’s secretarial disaster designation process is streamlined to reduce paperwork and documentation requirements at the state FSA level, making the process more efficient and timelier for agriculture producers.

Additionally, the secretarial disaster designation process includes fast-track secretarial disaster designations for severe drought during the growing season and any portion of a county that meets the severe drought (D2) intensity value for eight consecutive weeks or a higher drought intensity value of D3 for any length of time, as reported in the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Furthermore, USDA offers several risk management and disaster assistance options to help producers recover after disasters.

Information needed USDA’s secretarial disaster designations must be requested by the Secretary of Agriculture, a governor’s authorized representative, a Tribal Council leader or an FSA state executive director. The secretarial disaster designation is most widely used.

At the current time, FSA and the governor’s office are asking producers to contact their local FSA county office to share how the winter storm has affected them. Producers will need to provide the date of the storm and supporting documentation of expense and/or death loss.

Wyoming FSA State Executive Director Bill Bunce noted, “We have to have those data points so the secretary can make an informed decision.”

Bunce shared this winter has been extremely hard for producers across the West. The state won’t fully know the impact of the most recent storm until afterwards, and many producers won’t know the livestock lost until this spring, after snow drifts have melted.

Next steps

At this point in time, Bunce anticipated the governor’s request for disaster designation will be statewide, but in the meantime, he is working with his constituents to find any workable solution for Wyoming producers.

“I compliment my partners – the governor’s office and WDA – they’re wonderful people,” shared Bunce. “Wyoming people are tough and we will get through this storm, but it doesn’t make it easy right now. We’ve certainly let our Washington D.C. leadership fully know of the adverse conditions across the state.”

Bunce mentioned livestock producers can receive assistance through several different USDA FSA programs and loans. He encouraged producers to not hesitate to reach out to their local FSA county office for further assistance.

Brittany Gunn is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@ wylr.net.

Sale Reports

Redland Redbank Angus Bull Sale

Reported By: Curt Cox, WYLR Field Editor Feb. 18, 2023

Big Horn Basin Livestock Auction, Worland

Auctioneer: Jace Thompson 44 Two-Year-Old Angus Bulls Avg. $6,568

Buyer: Arapahoe Ranch, Thermopolis

Trade projections decline

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) trade projections through 2032 call for U.S. ag exports to decline at an annual rate averaging 0.7 percent per year, ending at $182.2 billion in 2032.

This is eight percent lower than U.S. ag exports of $196.4 billion in 2022.

All of this decline is projected to occur from 2022 to 2026 where agricultural exports are predicted to fall 3.8 percent annually, USDA said in its annual outlook report. By 2027, USDA said export growth is forecast to resume at an annual rate of 1.9 percent through 2032.

While accounting for a relatively small slice of overall U.S. ag exports, fresh fruit and vegetable export projections also reflect diminished expectations, falling from $7 billion in 2022 to $6.6 billion in 2032.

The USDA said a large source of the export weakness during 2022-26 is associated with grains and feeds, which are forecast to decline from $48 billion in 2022 to a low of $34 billion in 2027.

Likewise, exports of oilseeds and products decline from $45.6 billion in 2022 to a low of $35.2 billion in 2027. These declines are partly due to the record exports of those commodities to China and Mexico in 2022, and as reduced export volumes are expected, lower commodity prices are also expected to follow.

COLD continued from page A1 acute stress occurs over a short period of time – 24 to 72 hours – while chronic stress occurs over a longer period of time – a week or more.

“Livestock can typically handle cold stress in acute form, but when it is sustained over a longer period of time, there will be some severe consequences,” he said.

He also mentioned smooth temperature transitions are much easier on livestock than quick spikes and drops in temperature.

“For instance, the same animals on a ranch that can handle the cold temperatures we have been experiencing will be just fine in the middle of summer,” Most said. “However, if we were to move directly from one to the other without a period of adjustment, there would be some severe consequences.”

“When temperatures fluctuate this quickly and extremely, animals will

The Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame inducted its 14th class and recognized two more award winners on. Jan. 31, prior to the 2023 Cattle Industry Convention and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Trade Show in New Orleans.

The two Hall of Fame inductees for 2023 include Jerry Adams, with Adams Land and Cattle in Broken Bow, Neb. and the late Ed Barrett of Barrett and Crofoot Feedyard in Hereford, Texas.

Thomas “Dee” Likes, chief executive emeritus of the Kansas Livestock Association (KLA) in Larkspur, Colo. received the Industry Leadership Award, and Terry Wegner with Drinnin West Cattle Company in Palmer, Neb. received the Arturo Armendariz Distinguished Service Award.

Hall of Fame inductees

Jerry Adams and his brother Bill Adams started in 1972 with five employees, 5,000 calves and 3,000 acres of farmland near Broken Bow, Neb. From this humble start, the Adams brothers grew Adams Land and Cattle to a finishing capacity of 125,000 head and a backgrounding network of up to 100,000 head in more than 85 locations.

In 1990, Adams started to focus on research and technology in feeding cattle, and today, Adams Land and Cattle is known for its innovation and data-driven model of cattle production, according to the Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame.

Ed Barrett spent his lifetime in the cattle feeding industry. He began his career running Lubbock Feedyard before moving back to Emporia, Kan. in 1968 and building and operating Flint Hills Feedyard.

In 1975, Barrett, with struggle and get really sick,” he added.

Factors affecting cold stress

In addition to fluctuating temperatures, Most noted there are several factors playing a role in whether or not animals will feel cold stress and how severe it will be.

He shared air temperature and humidity are the first factors that come to mind, although humidity isn’t much of a problem for producers in Wyoming.

“Wind speed is something we deal with a lot here, however. Wind is a form of convection, which, depending on whether it is winter or summer can either be desirable or undesirable,” he said.

There are also several nonenvironmental factors, according to Most.

These include nutritional status, body condition score (BCS), rumination, hair coat and wool condition, genetics and stage of development.

“BCS is a big one because animals need to expend energy to maintain their body temperature so they don’t fall outside of the thermal neutral zone. If they are in good BCS, they will have the energy reserves in place, and this is not an issue,” he explained.

“Additionally, ruminant livestock species are special because they have a rumen, which serves as a built in furnace. So, when temperatures get cold, microbes breaking down cellulose in the rumen help ruminants maintain their body temperature,” he continued.

When it comes to hair coat and wool, Most shared it is a good thing when animals have snow on their backs, as this proves their winter coat and fat insulation is working.

However, if producers see animals with snow melting off of their backs, Most suggests they provide shelter to help animals get warm and dry and then reevaluate their feeding program to get them into better body condition.

Managing for cold stress

Although livestock in Wyoming are more prone to experience factors causing cold stress, especially with recent weather conditions, Most said there are several ways producers can manage cold stress in their herds.

“When it gets cold, animals start shivering more to maintain their body heat. They also bunch up and do a lot more standing, which means they aren’t spending as much time laying down and ruminating,” he explained. “The consequences lead to greater feed requirements.”

Most further noted when animals are pushed outside of their thermal neutral zone, they expend energy to shiver in an effort to maintain body temperature, which subsequently translates into an increase in total digestible nutrient demand.

“If animals are out on dormant water range, their intake will be limited because they will be eating typically lower-quality forages,” he said.

Additionally, during this time, many females are nearing late-gestation, which also significantly increases energy demand.

In addition to increasing feed intake, Most also mentioned windbreaks can play a large role in keeping animals warm and dry during nasty, winter weather events.

“The best way to do this is to set up two bases at a 90 degree angle, with the point of the triangle directed into the prevailing wind,” he said. “This will form a protected area in the center, equal to five times the height of the windbreak.”

Animals fit for the environment, as far as genetics go, make managing for cold stress a lot easier as well, according to Most.

“This is an extreme example, but think about the difference between Bos indicus cattle and Scottish highland cattle,” he said. “These two animals will

Industry leaders inducted into Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame

the help of the Crofoot family, established the Barrett and Crofoot Feedyard in Hereford, Texas, growing it to three yards with a total capacity of 135,000 head.

Barrett passed in 2020, but today, his sons and grandsons are continuing his legacy owning and operating the family business.

Industry leadership

According to the Hall of Fame, the Industry Leadership Award is given to distinguished individuals who demonstrate outstanding leadership, provide exemplary service and contribute to the advancement of the cattle feeding industry.

Likes returned to Kansas from his tour of active duty in the U.S. Navy in the

1970s and earned his bachelor’s degree in animal science from Kansas State University.

In 1976, he joined the staff of the KLA, where he spent the rest of his career lobbying on behalf of the state’s livestock producers. He retired after serving several decades as chief executive officer of KLA.

Distinguished service

The Arturo Armendariz Distinguished Service Award is named for a longtime devoted employee of Poky Feeders in Scott City, Kan. It recognizes feedyard employees who go above and beyond in their work to raise beef and improve the cattle feeding industry.

Wegner has worked for more than 45 years with dairy cattle, and today, is employed by Drinnin West Cattle Company, where he uses his wealth of knowledge.

He’s adopted new tech- nology and tools to bring efficiency to the yard, ensuring animal welfare and efficient feeding is maintained.

Farm Progress Editor Jennifer M. Latzke, the handle the cold a lot differently, simply based on their genetics and the environment they come from.”

He continued, “This is something to keep in mind when purchasing animals from out of state.

For example, if a producer went out and bought a bunch of heifers from Texas right now, and then moved them up here in the dead of winter, there might be some consequences.”

Lastly, Most encouraged producers to offer bedding to keep animals off of the cold, hard ground.

He noted this is especially important for ruminants, so they are able to lay down, ruminate to digest their feed and maximize the nutrients they are provided, as well as for breeding males who are more apt to experience frostbite on reproductive organs.

Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@ wylr.net.

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame published this article in Farm Progress on Feb. 21. It can be found at farmprogress.com