USMEF Conference opens with election analysis and focus on U.S.-Mexico trade relations
The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) launched its Annual Strategic Planning Conference in Tucson, Ariz. on Nov. 6 with an analysis of the U.S. election’s potential impact on agricultural policy and international trade.
USMEF members also received an in-depth look at the new administration in Mexico, as the U.S. prepares for a critical phase of trade relations with the largest export destination for U.S. red meat.
Red meat overview and outlook
USMEF President and Chief Executive Officer Dan Halstrom opened the conference with an overview of U.S. red meat exports in 2024 and his outlook for the coming year.
Halstrom highlighted the resilience in international demand for U.S. red meat despite volatility and serious headwinds in major Asian markets.
USMEF forecasts U.S. pork exports will set volume and value records in 2024, surpassing three million metric tons (mt) valued at $8.63 billion. U.S. beef exports are projected to reach 1.28 million mt worth $10.5 billion, an increase of five percent over 2023.
A critical piece of this export performance in a volatile year is the demand growth for U.S. red meat in Latin America. Halstrom emphasized the importance of protecting hard-fought market share in increasingly competitive environments. The Latin American boom is real, and the U.S. industry must keep a close eye on its competition.
“Brazil is starting to get more volume into Mexico, Central America and even into Japan,” Halstrom said.
“This being said, our quality ‒ beef, pork and lamb ‒is second to none. Our products command a superior price, and this is the way we’re approaching it when we work to develop these markets. We need to maximize opportunities in our major markets and carve out new destinations, such as Africa, for the future.”
Election and policy insights
Keynote Speaker Jim Wiesemeyer, a veteran journalist and renowned Washington, D.C. insider, delivered his insights about the presidential and Congressional elections and the potential effects on U.S. agriculture and trade policy.
Wiesemeyer highlighted President Donald Trump is the first candidate in over a century to reclaim the White House after losing it, having gained even stronger support in rural America than he had in two previous elections.
Republicans did much better than most expected
in U.S. Senate races, with a likely pickup of four seats, in addition to the 49 held in the current Congress. Although several House races were still too close to call, it appears the Grand Old Party will hold on to its narrow majority, he reported.
Wiesemeyer speculated on the post-election agendas for the White House and the 119th Congress and identified what he expects will be their key issues.
He stated the election outcome may have improved the chances of completing a new farm bill before the end of 2024, with Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member John Boozeman (R-AR) leading the effort during the upcoming lame duck session of Congress.
U.S.-Mexico trade relations
Although the U.S. election was top-of-mind for conference attendees, key trading partners were also undergoing changes at the highest levels of government.
At the top of this list is Mexico, where President Claudia Sheinbaum was elected in May and inaugurated on Oct. 1.
Guest Speaker Mateo Diego, a partner in the regulatory consulting firm AGON and one of Mexico’s leading trade experts, walked USMEF members through Sheinbaum’s philosophy on critical issues impacting agricultural trade.
Diego emphasized the U.S. and Mexico generally enjoy productive and mutually beneficial trade but cautioned there are “irritants” which could disrupt this relationship. Some directly impact agriculture – such as Mexico’s restrictions on imports of genetically-modified corn, new U.S. Department of Agriculture rules on voluntary country-of-origin labeling of beef and pork and threats from the U.S. side to limit imports of certain produce items.
Another contentious trade issue is automotive rules of origin, which Diego feels will be at the forefront of the upcoming review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
Diego outlined the possible scenarios which could emerge when USMCA comes up for review in 2026. While it is possible the agreement could be reopened, negotiations on key issues fail and the U.S. withdraws from USMCA, Diego sees this as unlikely.
“Unlike the North American Free Trade Agreement, the USMCA is Trump’s baby – he negotiated it,” Diego said. “Trump has talked about USMCA as being the best trade agreement ever, so withdrawing from his own creation
would be a strange signal.”
Nevertheless, Diego urged conference attendees to speak up and voice their support for USMCA.
“We need USMCA and other rules of order to provide certainty to what we do, and keeping a stable trade relationship in the agricultural sector is critically important,” he said.
Keep an eye out for more from the USMEF conference in future editions of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup
USMEF collects and analyzes market intelligence, implements promotional programs and collaborates with industry stakeholders and governmental agencies to increase U.S. red meat exports. This article was originally published on Nov. 7.
Red meat exports – U.S. Meat Export Federation President and Chief Executive Officer Dan Halstrom updates members on red meat export results and the outlook for 2025. Courtesy photo
Shearing and harvesting wool are critical skills needed by the sheep industry all over the world.
However, shearing is a physically demanding trade, and finding the next generation of students who are willing to put in the time and effort to become a skilled professional is becoming daunting.
In a recent American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) podcast, dated Oct. 24, Montana State University (MSU) Extension Sheep and Wool Specialist Brent Roeder joined ASI Host and Texas A&M University (TAMU) AgriLife Extension Sheep and Goat Program Specialist Jake Thorne to discuss bioharvesting wool – an alternative to shearing.
Roeder received his bachelor’s degree in animal science from TAMU, his master’s degree in ruminant nutrition from MSU and served as the agriculture and natural resources agent in Teton County, Montana before becoming an MSU Extension agent in 2018.
Roeder was a research associate in the Department of Animal and Range Sciences in MSU’s College of Agriculture and, during this time, he worked with state sheep and range specialists in programs including the Joe Skeen Center for Rangeland Research and the Montana Sheep Institute. Australia’s sheep industry
This summer, Roeder spent about three weeks traveling Australia with his son and attended the Australian sheep industry’s LambEx Conference, held at the Adelaide Convention Centre in North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia on Aug. 7-9.
LambEx is a biennial event aimed to promote Australia’s sheep and lamb industry as a highly-progressive and professional industry.
“We wanted to go down there to see what they were doing on wool testing and wool research,” he mentions. “With building a new wool research lab and facility at MSU, I felt it was a good idea to visit with worldwide industry leaders and catch up on the latest tools and technology at the trade show.”
According to Roeder, Australia’s sheep industry implemented a mandatory animal traceability program utilizing electronic ear tags, with the government paying for 50 percent of the cost of the tag.
“If they have a foot and mouth disease outbreak, they can pull the data and see exactly where all of the sheep are that were trucked with the infected animal,” he adds. “They were extremely worried about biosecurity and spreading a disease to nearby islands or hitting the Caribbean.”
Recently, there have been numerous discussions
about banning live exports of sheep out of western Australia and how this would impact sheep producers and global trade.
Shearing industry
“In Australia, just like the U.S., it seems there is always a need for more shearers, but why is that the case?” Roeder asks. “With a lack of generational training and the physicality of shearing, it has become difficult to find shearers.”
Shearing is not only physically demanding but mentally as well, and many shearers end up with carpal tunnel or blown out joints. However, Australia is trying to address this issue.
“Australia has a national health care plan, and the shearing industry is impacted by substantial taxing. One of the ways they have tried to address these issues was with efficient shearing tools and techniques,” he adds.
Over the years, the shearing industry has implemented a variety of techniques from the catchand-drag method to using robots.
“Bioharvesting started in the 1990s,” Roeder mentions. “During this time, it was also discovered an epidermal growth factor injection called BioClip could cause fleece to shear off naturally.”
However, the problem with BioClip was the fleece would start falling off three weeks later. It was not very uniform and wool would shed in clumps.
Roeder notes, “They tried to put nets around the sheep to keep the wool in place, but the attempt was not very successful as the wool kept get mixed up in the netting and took longer to harvest. BioClip is no longer available.”
However, researchers in the country never gave up on bioharvesting as a way to combat a shortage of shearers and to develop a system which would be less physically demanding on shearers.
“About three to four years ago, they were pretty sure they had it figured out,” Roeder says. “Looks to me like they are using a protein they isolated from corn. They give the animal a shot, and it works a little bit like chemotherapy, where you start losing your hair.”
But the new product doesn’t create a break like the original efforts at bioharvesting, it creates a weak point in the wool which makes it easier to remove as the wool can simply be pulled away from the skin without injuring the animal.
Now, several companies are working on developing tools to assist in the process. Melissa Anderson is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
Angus cattle have a tradition of excellence in the show ring, and this history continues across the country each year.
The American Angus Association created the Roll of Victory (ROV) Show program in 1984 to recognize show-winning animals, their sires, dams, breeders and owners on a per-year basis.
The ROV Show Heifer of the Year, the ROV Bull of the Year and the ROV Breeder of the Year were honored at the 2024 American Angus Association Awards Dinner and Reception on Nov. 3 in Fort Worth, Texas.
The awards dinner was part of the annual Angus Convention.
American Angus Association Roll of Victory winners awarded
of the Year was BNWZ Executive Decision 2219, owned by Hunter Angus of Fair Grove, Mo. and Kayden Nowatzke of Michigan City, Ind.
The ROV season runs from June 1 through May 31, and the 16 shows consist of six Super ROV Shows and 10 other recognized shows. Points for these shows are accumulated on an annual basis, rather than on accumulation of points over many years.
2023-24 winners
The ROV Show Heifer of the Year was EXAR Princess 2717, owned by Jake Allison of Yukon, Okla. The heifer received grand-champion honors at the North American International Livestock Expo (NAILE) Super ROV Show in Louisville, Ky. and reserve honors at the Fort Worth Stock Show ROV Show in Fort Worth, Texas. The ROV Show Bull
“The 2023-24 ROV Show program included 16 shows across the country. The ROV program continues to showcase the top Angus cattle in the country as they compete for top honors every year,” said Caitlyn Brandt, American Angus Association director of events and junior activities. “We congratulate the winners on their achievements.”
This bull was the grand champion bull at the 2023 Tennessee State Fair ROV Show and the 2023 Kansas State Fair ROV Show. He went on to win the 2023 supreme champion bull at the NAILE, after first claiming the grand-champion title.
He was the 2024 grand champion bull at the National Western Stock Show in Denver and the 2024 grand champion bull at the Fort Worth Stock Show.
The ROV Breeder of the Year was Express Ranches of Yukon, Okla.
Express Ranches earned 759 points from the 16 eligible shows throughout the year. This is the 12th consecutive year Express Ranches has won the award.
Wahlgren
Breeder of the Year – Express Ranches of Yukon, Okla. was named Roll of Victory Breeder of the Year at the 2024 Angus Convention Awards Dinner in Fort Worth, Texas. Pictured from left to right are Miss American Angus Lauren Wolter; Donnie Robertson, Ryan Callahan, Jennifer Callahan, Kevin Hafner and Mark Squires, all of Express Ranches and Mark McCully, American Angus Association chief executive officer. Courtesy photo
Bull of the Year – BNWZ Executive Decision 2219, owned by Hunter Angus of Fair Grove, Mo. and Kayden Nowatzke of Michigan City, Ind., was named Roll of Victory Show Bull of the Year at the 2024 Angus Convention Awards Dinner in Fort Worth, Texas. Pictured from left to right are Miss American Angus Lauren Wolter; Kayden Nowatzke; Clint, Rachel Anne and Jordan Hunter of Hunter Angus; Barry Nowatzke and Mark McCully, American Angus Association chief executive officer. Courtesy photo Heifer of the Year – EXAR Princess 2717, owned by Jake Allison of Yukon, Okla., was named Roll of Victory Show Heifer of the Year at the 2024 Angus Convention Awards Dinner in Fort Worth, Texas. Pictured from left to right are Miss American Angus Lauren Wolter, Jake Allison, Jake’s parents Kristi and Nick Allison and Mark McCully, American Angus Association chief executive officer. Courtesy photo
CROSSWORD
Neil Elmer Irene, age 88, passed away at his home north of Douglas on Nov. 3. Neil was born on June 29, 1936 in Hanna to Elmer and Mary Irene. He grew
up on the family ranch near Elk Mountain with siblings Dorothy, Marilyn, Cheryl and Joe.
Neil was a cowboy. He was the “out on the range,
it will be done on a horse with a rope and once it is done, there will be a really good story to be told” kind of cowboy. Those cowboy skills he acquired at a very young age, but his storytelling improved as he aged. He graduated from Hanna-Elk Mountain High School, where he played basketball and, according to his mother, spent a lot of
time coming up with reasons not to go to school. But, Elmer and Mary quickly solved this problem as Neil soon realized it was easier to go to school than to wash dishes and clothes all day.
On Aug. 31, 1958, Neil married Henriette “Timmy” Cheesbrough. The couple made their home on her parent’s hay ranch, the UL, located on the side of Elk Mountain. Their first three children were born during this time – Tammy, Lori and John.
It was also during this time the Cheesbroughes were finalizing the transition from horse-drawn hay machinery to tractors. Neil’s uncle Vernon Irene had honed his mechanic skills while in the military and spent many late-night hours in the shop teaching Neil how to keep the machinery running.
Neil was still young at heart, and the shenanigans persisted. One in particular lead to an entire haying season spent with broken ribs over a bet he could ride the little pony off of a ramp from the barn. Neil had to “cowboy up” and get the haying job done, as Mr. Cheesbrough was none too pleased.
Neil also roped a bear and sent Louie Boles who had an affliction that made him shake something terrible to get the gun and shoot the bear.
Neil explained, “Louie could have held the bear, but he had the fastest horse to go get the gun.”
Neil and Timmy moved their family to the Lindsey Place in Bates Hole where he worked for Harold Josendahl. Neil always spoke very highly of Josendahl and felt richer for having known him.
In 1968, Neil and Timmy were able to purchase their
own ranch in northeastern Converse County. The first night on their ranch was New Yearʼs Eve 1968 during a brutal winter storm, bringing a temperature of 31 degrees below zero, and just seven weeks before their fourth child Amy was born.
Neil and Timmy enjoyed their new community. Neil taught the neighbors a few cowboy skills, and they taught him how to play Pinochle. The community traded help by day and played cards with a carry-in dinner on many nights.
Even though he was most revered a cowboy, Neil aspired to be known as a cattleman. He spent many evenings reading and learning about feed and genetics and worked consistently at improving his herd.
In 1991, Neil and Timmy purchased the Old Miesner Place 20 miles north of Douglas. Neil purchased a semi and cattle trailer and hauled cattle between the two places. Often, he would haul for other ranchers too.
In 1996, Timmy passed away. Neil no longer felt comfortable at the ranch, so even though he still managed the ranch, he went off in his truck hauling cattle down the “Big Road.” He saw the whole country.
In California he rolled up his Wranglers and went barefoot in the ocean. In Florida he paid attention when they told him where to step to avoid the vicious ants while loading cattle just ahead of the hurricane.
He made treasured friends. He was having a new adventure.
After retiring from trucking, he spent his days enjoying his grandkids. With each generation of grands, his tough cowboy exterior softened. His family will treasure and remember his stories that
are his legacy.
Neil was preceded in death by his father Elmer on July 9, 2000; mother Mary on Dec. 20, 1987; wife Timmy on June 10, 1996 and sisters Dorothy Sintek on Nov. 7, 2023 and Marilyn Helen Dorn on May 19, 2011.
He is survived by sister Cheryl (Rolly) Bowen; brother Joe (Fran PanyeRogers) Irene; daughters Tammy (Gordon) Delyea, Lori (Rick) Case and Amy Irene; son John Irene and grandchildren Kelly Ann (Keith) Hamilton, Emily (Matt) Velazquez, Charles (Jennifer) Delyea, Kippar (Joanna) Irene, Echo Sonesen, Annie Case, Jaymis Sonesen and Dayton Case; great-grandchildren MaKayla Hamilton, Justin Hamilton, Emma Grace Velazquez, Mick Velazquez, Eli Delyea, Jeffrey Cuevas and Natalia Garza and greatgreat-grandchildren Kaislee Bray, Kayson Hamilton and McKinley Bray.
Funeral services were held on Nov. 7 at Christ Episcopal Church in Douglas, officiated by Amy Irene and the Reverend Cannon Bobbe Fitzhugh, followed by internment at the Douglas Park Cemetery. Memorials can be made to the Rancher’s Memorial Scholarship in care of the Converse County Bank, PO Box 689, Douglas, WY 82633.
Although the first snow of the season in parts of Wyoming and other Western states was heavier and wetter than usual, the month of October saw drought conditions worsen significantly across much of the U.S., according to the National Drought Mitigation Center’s (NDMC)
October 2024 Drought Climate Summary, published on Nov. 8.
“Abnormal dryness and drought covered 87.16 percent of the contiguous U.S. as of Oct. 29 – the highest amount recorded by the NDMC as of the map published that week,” the summary reads.
“With a few exceptions, one- or two-category degradations covered most of the Midwest, High Plains and Southern regions. Localized three-category degradations occurred in Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming and the lower peninsula of Michigan, as a very dry weather pattern covered much of the central and eastern U.S. for most of October,” the report continues.
Conditions across the High Plains
According to NDMC, states located in the High Plains Region were both warmer and drier than usual during the month of October, with many locations reporting temperatures three to nine degrees above normal.
“Compared to normal, the driest areas were northcentral Colorado, southeast and northwest Wyoming, western and northern Nebraska, central and eastern South Dakota, most of North Dakota and northwest, southwest and southeast Kansas,” NDMC explains.
“Many locations in the Dakotas, northern and western Nebraska, north-central Colorado, southeast Wyoming and southwest Kansas reported less than 25 percent of normal precipitation for October,” NDMC continues. “Above normal precipitation occurred in much of southern Colorado, especially in the San Juan Mountains, where early-season snows occurred.”
Because of this, drought in the High Plains mostly expanded or stayed the same during the month of October, with only a few parts of Colorado seeing any improvement.
NDMC reports one-category improvements were seen across most of southern Colorado, as well as in the northwest corner of the state.
On the other hand, one-category degradations occurred across eastern Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota and northern Colorado, while two-category degradations spanned large areas of Nebraska, South Dakota, parts of Wyoming, northern Colorado, Kansas and North Dakota.
“Abnormal dryness or worse coverage grew from 78.55 to 88.53 percent. Moderate drought or worse coverage grew from 43.88 to 74.46 percent. Severe drought or
worse coverage grew from 14.96 to 44.81 percent, and extreme drought or worse coverage grew from 3.1 to 11.7 percent,” the report reads.
Additionally, exceptional drought developed in eastern Wyoming in early October and covered 0.16 percent of the region.
Wildfires scorch the Midwest
Ongoing widespread drought conditions had a large impact on the nation’s agriculture industry, with fires, water restrictions and poor harvests devastating producers in numerous states.
While Idaho, Montana and Wyoming battled devastating wildfires through the months of August and September, the Midwest took a hit from the flames during October.
According to the NDMC’s October 2024 Drought Impacts Summary, also published on Nov. 8, fires in western North Dakota engulfed oil fields, ag lands, grasslands and the Badlands, causing one death and hundreds of evacuations.
“Wind gusts ranging from 57 to 75 miles per hour drove the wildfire across dry areas, killing livestock as well,” the report notes. “Over the weekend of Oct. 5-6, the North Dakota Forest Service responded to 33 fires burning 77 square miles. The extent of the wildfires may be one of the worst in the state’s history, according to North Dakota Adjutant General Mitch Johnson.”
Additionally, three wildfires popped up in the Superior National Forest in northern Minnesota, and over 1,500 acres of the Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri were scorched in late October.
“Other Midwestern states implemented precautionary measures to avoid wildfires due to dry conditions,”
NDMC explains. “In eastern Nebraska, some crop harvests were delayed to minimize the risk of field fires. Corn and soybeans contained an unusually low amount of moisture, and fires could easily spark due to machinery. Other burn bans in the Midwest were found in Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, Oklahoma and Wisconsin.”
Several states experience water supply shortages
NDMC notes drought conditions cause the ground to constrict, which was the likely cause of water line breaks in Cape Girardeau, Mo. and Beaumont, Texas during the month of October.
Texas, West Virginia and parts of the Midwest also experienced low water supplies.
The Auburn Board of Public Works issued a water warning early in the month to residents in southeastern Nebraska and imposed several restrictions for lawn watering, filling swimming pools, water wastage and other outdoor water use.
“Just across the Missouri River, stage four water conservation measures were implemented in Shenandoah, Iowa later in the month,” NDMC says. “The restrictions pro-
hibited non-commercial irrigation and outdoor cleaning.”
Low reservoir and river levels caused water restrictions in parts of Texas, where residents were prohibited from wasting water and only allowed to use sprinklers once a week.
Producers face poor harvests
Drought conditions also contributed to low crop yield and poor pasture conditions across much of the U.S. throughout October.
According to the NDMC, New Jersey producers saw 30 to 80 percent crop losses this
season, with cranberries, corn and soybeans taking the hardest hit. The state also saw low honey and apple production.
In Pennsylvania, fruit and Christmas trees were stressed by lack of rain, and corn and soybean yields were less than half of normal.
Soybean quality and quantity were also affected in Ohio, and apple orchards in central Ohio saw smaller apples than usual and early ripening due to insufficient water. Some apple farms in the area closed early due to low production.
In Wisconsin, farmers
harvested soybeans almost four weeks early and corn two weeks early. Yield and quality of both crops suffered due to drought.
In Texas, livestock producers already started to feed hay because pasture conditions are so poor.
“Supplemental feeding was widespread across Texas as pastures deteriorated, with reports coming from the southeast, east, central, south, Panhandle, west central, southwest and north regions of the state throughout the month,” NDMC notes. “Farmers delayed planting
winter forages such as ryegrass and oats due to dry soil. In southwest Texas, dry stock tanks meant producers needed to haul water for livestock, while ranchers culled their herds in southern Texas due to the dry conditions.” Likewise, producers in southeast Nebraska and Oklahoma also resorted to supplemental feed due to poor pasture conditions and a lack of grass.
Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
By Averi Reynolds, Northern Plains Regional Climate Hub
According to the Wyoming Crop Progress Report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), published Nov. 4, some producers around the state started pulling livestock off of summer pastures early due to rangeland conditions and are starting to supplement with hay.
In addition, some reported lower hay production, no regrowth on hayed meadows, higher percentages of open cows while pregnancy checking than expected and calves weighing less than usual at weaning.
While some parts of the state saw moisture in the last couple of weeks, many areas received no measurable rain or snowfall. Looking further ahead, there are many questions about what to expect for precipitation and snowfall to help inform management plans.
Developing La Niña
As some might have seen in the news, a La Niña is likely to develop sometime this winter. La Niña, which refers to a cooling of surface waters in the tropical Pacific, affects global atmospheric circulation and can influence temperature and precipitation patterns.
In Wyoming, La Niña events can bring wetterthan-average conditions for parts of the state, hinting at a potentially above-average winter – December through February – for some.
After an extremely dry summer and recent fires, a wet winter would be more than welcome. However, not all La Niña events are equal, and its effects are not the same across the whole state.
Although not guaranteed, La Niña events generally improve the ability to forecast winter temperature and precipitation trends further out in time, especially
strong La Niña events.
If it does form this year – and there’s a better-thaneven chance of this happening – a La Niña will be arriving later than expected. This timing lowers the odds of it becoming a strong event, meaning there’s less time for it to shape winter patterns before spring.
Late-developing La Niña events are somewhat rare, and a weaker one would have less influence on atmospheric patterns overall, reducing predictability and allowing other factors to play a bigger role in shaping winter weather.
What does it mean?
What does a weak La Niña mean for drought relief in Wyoming, considering the current drought and recent wildfires?
To get a sense of this, we reviewed temperature and precipitation patterns from previous weak La Niña events dating back to 1950.
The historical analysis suggests a slight tilt toward above-average snowfall in the far northwestern part of the state, while central and eastern areas tend to have near-normal precipitation. For winter temperatures, there is a possibility we could see a colder than normal winter across the entire state.
It’s important to remember this analysis only shows past outcomes, not the spe-
cific causes behind them. In some cases, these patterns might simply reflect the typical conditions we normally expect during a Wyoming winter, rather than the influence of La Niña.
Up in the air
The main takeaway is a weak La Niña will not be as helpful in predicting Wyoming’s winter conditions, compared to a stronger event.
So, when folks talk about La Niña forming, it’s okay to be a little skeptical.
Winter is coming. We hope it will be wet – but not too wet – and we can inch our way out of this drought.
Chad McNutt serves as a climate science and adaptation consultant for Lark Environmental, Inc., where he assesses risks associated with weather and climate trends. Averi Reynolds is an ORISE science communication fellow for the USDA Northern Plains Climate Hub (NPCH), serving Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, Nebraska, South
Dakota and North Dakota. The NPCH strives to provide unbiased information about adaptation and mitigation strategies for ranchers, farmers and foresters to help increase their operations’ resilience to weather variability and a changing climate. For more information on the NPCH, visit climatehubs.usda.gov/hubs/ northern-plains. The use of corporation names does not constitute an official endorsement or approval by the USDA.
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NOTICE: Publication in this newspaper does not guarantee the legitimacy of any offer or solicitation. Take reasonable steps to evaluate an offer before you send money or provide personal/financial information to an advertiser. If you have questions or believe you have been the victim of fraud, contact the Wyoming Attorney General’s Office, Consumer Protection Unit, 109 Capitol Building, Cheyenne, WY 82002, 307-777-6397 TFN
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Come Join the Gottsch Livestock Feeders Family! Gottsch Livestock Feeders is looking for Cowboys/Pen Riders for their feedyard in Red Cloud, NE. The main focus of the Cowboy/Pen Riders are spotting, pulling, diagnosing and taking cattle to the hospital and shipping fat cattle. This person will need to be a team player who is seeking a long-term position. You will have the opportunity to work with and learn from some of the best in the industry. We offer a benefits package that includes health insurance, dental, vision, 401(k), health savings, life insurance and paid vacation. Retention bonus offered to full-time employees. Incentives paid out at 6 months and 1 year of employment. If you are interested stop by and fill out an application or visit our website at Call Brandon Furr at 402-257-7769 or 402-746-2222 for more information.
REMOTE NORTHEAST WYOMING RANCH IS LOOKING FOR A FULL-TIME FARM/ RANCH EMPLOYEE: This position is open immediately. Applicant must be self-motivated, reliable and responsible with knowledge of haying and farming. Mechanical skills are a must. Farming duties include: Swathing, baling and raking hay, etc. THIS IS NOT A COWBOY POSITION, but applicant will need to assist in all aspects of cattle work as well. Those duties include calving heifers, feeding hay, branding and gathering, etc. Nearest big town is 60+ miles and nearest K-12 school is 30+ miles away. Housing is provided and on a school bus route. Please send resume with references by mail or e-mail to: PeeGee Ranch, 1251 Lower Powder River Road, Arvada, WY 82831, pgranch@rangeweb.net. Call 307-736-2461 11/30
NOW HIRING: CDL A TRUCK DRIVERS AND FRONT END LOADERS. Home daily, seasonal sugarbeet rehaul. Location: Worland or Lovell, WY. Drivers earn up to $1,900/ week. Loaders earn $25/hour. Flexible work schedules. Drivers must have CDL A with doubles endorsement. To apply, please call 651-364-9578. To view photos, go to www.wylr. net in the classifieds 11/16
THE DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL SCIENCES AT COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY (CSU) INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR THE JOHN E. ROUSE BEEF IMPROVEMENT CENTER NEAR SARATOGA, WY: Responsibilities include maintaining and operating flood irrigation systems, haying, maintaining/repairing equipment, assisting with beef cattle research and processing activities and compliance with university research and accounting requirements. Reqs. include: High School Diploma, General Education Development (GED) or equivalent required and 2 years of relevant, specialized training/experience. Two years' exp. in beef cattle cow-calf/or feedlot operations. Read full job description and apply by Dec. 8: www.jobs.colostate.edu/ postings/153167. CSU is an EO/EA/AA employer and conducts background checks on all final candidates 11/30
TWO WYOMING
BRANDS FOR SALE:
First brand: RHC, RHH. Second brand: LRC, LHH. Both have left ear notch. No irons. $5,000
FOR SALE: NINE-WEEK-
OLD MALE BORDER COLLIE PUPPY. Sire is Kathy Knox’s Seth. Dam is a daughter of Jack Knox’s Coach. Call for more details, 660-9888422 11/23
HEELER/BORDER COLLIE
PUPS FOR SALE: Variety of colors, western Nebraska. Call Johnny, 308-279-2419. To view photos, go to www.wylr. net in the classifieds 11/23
Cattle Wanted
TOP NOTCH BLACK ANGUS HEIFERS BRED TO LK BULLS: Four head calving March 20-25, 2025, average weight 1,045 lbs. Eleven head calving April 3-15, 2025, average weight 1,060 lbs. Seven head calving May 8-15, 2025, average weight 1,025 lbs. TOP NOTCH BLACK ANGUS HEIFERS AI’D TO SILVER BOWL: Seven head calving March 1-10, 2025, average weight 1,040 lbs. SOLID BLACK ANGUS RUNNING AGE COWS, 3-11 YEARS OLD: Ten cows bred to LK bulls calving March 5-April 23, 2025. One cow bred to LK Bulls calving May 13, 2025. Contact Joe, 970-6290757 12/7
FORTY-TWO AI BRED BLACK ANGUS HEIFERS TO CALVE MARCH 1: These girls are deep bodied, medium framed, moderately fleshy and weighing 1,050 lbs. 100% AI bred to Beartooth Atlantis and Sitz Dignity. Ranch developed, handled horseback and with 4 wheelers. Electric fence broke. Full modified live vaccine program since weaning or before. Located in southeast Wyoming. For photos and video, call 970-556-5657 11/23
FOR SALE: Sixty-four head of high elevation front pasture replacement heifers. Sorted by ultrasound to calve the last 2 weeks of April. Bred to 100% registered, PAP tested, calving ease, Black Angus bulls from top notch programs like Sitz, Beartooth and TJS Angus. Top notch vaccine program since birth, most recently: Valbazen, Cleanup, Virashield 6 VL5 and Scour Boss 9 at preg check Aug. 30. From long-time heifer development program X Bar Cattle Co., Laramie, WY. Call 307-760-3837 11/16
250 BLACK ANGUS BRED HEIFERS: South Dakota origin, OCVD, exposed to proven LBW Black Angus bulls for 45 days. Start calving Feb. 1, 2025. References available. Call 785-394-1955 (cell), 785394-2374 (home) or 785-7315067 11/16
LOOKING FOR 200 HEAD OF COWS on a year-round basis, 45 years experience. Full care $55/month. Epp Cattle Company, Lisco, NE. Call 308-7786104 12/7
SUMMER GRASS PASTURE WANTED for 50-200 head of cattle. Call Taylor at 307-3312145 12/7
PASTURE WANTED for 2,000 yearlings and 500 pairs. Can split into smaller bunches. Call 701-523-1235 12/7
WANTED GRASS FOR YEARLINGS SUMMER OF 2025, references available. Maddux Cattle Company 308-350-1133 12/7
Horses
MOLLY MULE FOR SALE: Rides and packs. Backcountry experience. Sweet personality. Friendly and gentle. Shoes easy. Meets you at the gate. Ten years old. Cody, WY area, $10,500. Call 307-413-0767, e-mail wachobdoug@gmail. com. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 11/23
Saddles & Tack
RIDE, WORK, ROPE AND PLAY!! Great selection of: Mohair CINCHES, wool saddle PADS and blankets, silk SCARVES, wool VESTS, winter CAPS and socks…. KENETREK riding packs.!! It’s ALWAYS a great day to $AVE on BOOTS: HONDO, BOULET, JUSTIN WORK BOOTS, TWISTED X (boots and shoes) and more!! WE CAN ship!! Shop Moss Saddles, Boots and Tack, 4648 West Yellowstone Highway, Casper, WY, 307-472-1872. Our family serving yours for 50 years!! Check us out on Facebook or our website 11/16
WEANER PIGS FOR SALE, located in Powell, WY. For more information, call 307271-1014 1/18 Financial Services
CERTIFIED WEED-FREE PURE ALFALFA HAY: Small squares, covered. 2023 first cutting available for a reduced price. 2024 first, second and third cutting available. Will load trucks and any open trailer. MONIDA OATS: Combine run. Will auger into truck, trailer or large totes/ag bags. STRAW: Small squares available. Located between Powell and Cody, WY. Call or text Knopp Farms for details, 307-254-0554 1/4
FEED CORN FOR SALE. ALSO, grass hay, first and second cutting alfalfa for sale. For more information, call 307-7545864 11/16
VALLEY VIDEO HAY MARKETS, LLC: Hay available. Go to www.valleyvideohay.com or call Barry McRea, 308-2355386 12/7
HAY FOR SALE: 3x3 and round bales of grass or alfalfa/grass mix. Prices starting at $70/ton. FOB. Delivered only. Call 605840-0015 11/16
GRASS HAY OR ALFALFA HAY
EXCELLENT ROUND BALES VERY REASONABLY PRICED!! Call 970-522-5030 11/16
HAY FOR SALE: Alfalfa, mix and grass. Rounds and squares. Call 605-670-9242 11/16
GRASS HAY FOR SALE: 2023 crop, 3x4 bales, 1,200 lbs., 100 tons. 2024 crop 135 tons. Call Kelly, 307-780-7027 or Bronson, 307-760-2263, Lyman, WY 12/7
LARGE ROUND BALES OF NET-WRAPPED GRASS AND ALFALFA HAY FOR SALE: Delivered in semi loads. ALSO, custom hay hauling with 53’ step deck. Call 605-770-6453 11/16
HORSE QUALITY GRASS HAY, 3x4s barn stored, $175/ton. 2024 GRASS COW HAY, 3x4s barn stored, $135/ton. 2023 GRASS COW HAY, 3x4s barn stored, $115/ton. Encampment, WY. Call 307-321-1444 TFN
BARLEY STRAW: Certified weed-free small squares, $4/bale. ALSO, 5x6 round bales, $125/ton. GRAIN OATS, wheat and barley $20/cwt. Greybull, WY area. Call 307-762-3878 or 307-899-4714, leave message 11/30
HAY FOR SALE: 2023 and 2024, alfalfa, sainfoin, grass and combine grass/straw. Small squares and 3x3x8 bales. Test results available for 2023 and 2024. Will load 3x3s in open truck and trailer. Call 307-2506005 11/30
CERTIFIED WHEAT STRAW FOR SALE, large round bales. Call 303-898-8496 or 303-5002685 12/28
HAY FOR SALE: 2023 milo and grass/alfalfa. 2024 first cutting 90% alfalfa/10% grass mix, grass mix, grass/alfalfa, millet, milo, CRP cut early, green and high, non-raked and clean. ALSO, new seeding hay field oats/kosha/crested wheat. All in net-wrapped round bales. Semi load delivery available. Call for pricing, ask for Klint, 701-2904418, send a text if no answer or keep trying 11/30
HAY FOR SALE: Large quantities!! Grass and alfalfa. Cow and horse quality. ALSO, forage wheat. 2023 hay still available. Small squares, 3x3 square bales and 3x4 square bales. Delivery available!! Call 307630-3046 11/30
2024 FIRST CUTTING HORSE
QUALITY HAY: Timothy/orchard/ brome with a bit of alfalfa at 14% moisture, 90 round bales averaging 1,450 lbs./bale. Located in Clark, WY. No rain. Barn stored. $175/ton. Call 847-420-9615. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 11/30
200 TONS 2023 GRASS/ALFALFA IN LARGE ROUNDS: Cut slightly mature but baled green!! ALSO, selling 2024 LR certified wheat straw and 200 tons millet hay. Will deliver!! For sale by Cheyenne, WY area producer. Call 307-630-3768 11/23
GRASS HAY FOR SALE: 3x4 bales, some barn stored, some outside. No weather damage. ALSO, alfalfa hay for sale 3x4 bales. Test available upon request. Riverton, WY. Call 307709-6290 11/23
HAY AND STRAW FOR SALE:
Round bale grass, net wrapped, 2023 crop $100/ton, new crop $125/ton. ALSO, round bale barley and oat straw, net wrapped, $90/ton. FOB Powell, WY. Call 307-254-5115 or 406480-1248 11/23
HORSE QUALITY GRASS HAY, first, second and third cuttings, $150-$200/ton. OAT/PEA MIX, $150/ton. All 3x4 square bales. COW HAY, nice green millet, $110/ton. Big square or round bales. Square bales barn stored. Tests available. Lusk, WY. Call Paul Hicks, 970-2035019 11/23
EAR CORN FOR SALE. NON GMO, no pesticides. Minatare, NE. Call Byron, 303-818-8152, leave message 11/23
LOTS AND LOTS OF HAY FOR SALE!!! Alfalfa, alfalfa/ grass mix, straight grass (crested wheat and native grasses), winter wheat, 1,3001,350 lb. net-wrapped round bales. Deliveries are available if needed or come and get it. Sheridan, WY area. Call the ranch, 307-737-2680 or 702501-4243 (cell) 11/23
WE HAVE SMALL SQUARE 21-BALE BUNDLES TO OFFER: First, second and third cutting straight alfalfa. First and second orchard/brome grass. First and second cutting alfalfa and grass bales average 53 lbs., third cutting alfalfa bales average 63 lbs. Prices: First cutting alfalfa, $147/bundle or $7/bale (no rain) tests supreme. Second cutting alfalfa, $126/bundle or $6/bale (price reduced due to some rain) tests premium. Third cutting alfalfa, $210/ bundle or $10/bale (no rain, very leafy) tests high supreme. First cutting grass, $126/ bundle or $6/bale (no rain). Second cutting grass, $189/ bundle or $9/bale (no rain, all leaf, very nice). All hay is either stored inside or covered outside. Able to load semi flatbeds and dry van trailers. Hay analysis upon request. Call Scott, 307-272-4570. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 11/23
2023 ALFALFA ROUNDS: First cutting grinder hay $90/ ton at stack and second cutting good hay $110 at stack. ALSO HAVE NEW CROP GOOD ALFALFA HAY, $130 at the stack. Delivery available in semi loads only. Call 308-279-0490, Bayard, NE 11/16
STRAW FOR SALE: 250
TONS OF BARLEY STRAW, 4x4 squares, $50/ton. Located west of Powell, WY. Call or text 307-202-0532 for more information 11/16
CERTIFIED BARLEY STRAW FOR SALE, 3x4 bales. Cody, WY. Call 307-899-1952 TFN
2020 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD WITH BALE BED, 6.6L, 70,931 miles. Parking and lane assist with backup camera. Clean pickup with Butler arm bed. $54,900. Call Randy, 605332-2173, option 1. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 11/16
Trucks
1996 PETERBILT 379: Lots of recent work, immaculate, well cared for, good tires, retiring. Call 308-320-0905 11/16
EQUIPMENT FOR SALE, FARMER RETIRING: 9600 John Deere combine with 930 30’ grain header and an 893 8 row 30” corn header. A 20’ Krause offset disc (new blades in front). 24’ Model 630 John Deere tandem disc. Safety pull with a bull hitch. John Deere front suitcase weights. IHC front suitcase weights. Round John Deere wheel weights. Two 1,000 gallon fuel tanks with pumps. 500 gallon round fuel tank with stand. Contact Greg Keller at 406-6791136 12/7
FOR SALE: 2016 Mack (day cab), automatic transmission, MP7 engine, air ride, A/C, cruise control, 185” wheelbase, 488,000 miles, very clean truck, runs great. 2015 Freightliner, automatic transmission, DD13 engine, 178” wheelbase, 490,000 miles, runs and drives nice. New Holland 195 manure spreader, 410 bushel with slop gate. Vermeer 7000 bale processor with hydraulic deflector. H&S 7+4 16’ chuckwagon with bunk feeding extensions and tandem 14 ton running gear. John Deere 716A chuckwagons with John Deere running gear and bunk feeding extensions, been shedded, nice condition. Wilson portable wheel corral. 24’ portable ground hay/bale feeder. 12’ HD box scraper with tilt. Farm King 8’ snowblower with hydraulic spout. All in very nice condition!! Call 605-999-5482 11/16
Hay Equipment
SWATHER FOR SALE: 2007 AGCO Challenger swather, model SP115B, CAT motor with 16’ hay head and 25’ draper head for small grain, used very little. Good condition. Call 308430-0346 11/16
OILFIELD PIPE: PRICE REDUCED!! RPJ Enterprises, Inc. 2 3/8”, 2 7/8” and 4.5” is available, pricing is coming down. Used for fencing, corrals, cattle guards, etc. 2 3/8” and 2 7/8” are on average 31.5’ long per joint. Pierce, CO. Call for details, 970-324-4580 1/11
PIPE FOR SALE!! 2 7/8”, 3 1/2” tubing, 4” drill pipe, 4 1/2” casing, 5” casing, 7” casing. Rods 3/4”, 7/8” and 1” located in Montana, can ship anywhere. Call Mike, 602-758-4447. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 2/22
Going, Going, Gone
Equipment
Three
ft., 18” and various lengths. Call 307-630-2345 or 307-534-5253 12/7
LODGEPOLE PRODUCTS, 307-742-6992, SERVING AGRIBUSINESSES SINCE 1975!! Treated posts, corral poles, buck-and-rail, western rail, fence stays, rough-sawn lumber, bedding. SEE US at www.lodgepoleproducts.com and click our “Picking A Fence Post” tab to see why folks choose our posts!! TFN
NORTHEAST OREGON, THE DLX RANCH: Located near Baker City, OR the DLX is noted as one of the most productive and finest ranches around. It is well balanced and contains 17,000 deeded acres with 4,000 acres of irrigated meadows and cropland. Native and improved rangeland provides good spring and summer pasture. The ranch is well improved with nice homes, excellent livestock working facilities and is noted for its production and ease of operation and management. Abundant water and over 6 miles of the Powder River running through the ranch provide for not only production but unbelievable waterfowl and upland game bird habitat. The ranch also provides good populations of elk and mule deer. Situated in the heart of the Baker Valley, the ranch enjoys very scenic mountain views and is very private yet only a short drive to Baker City, OR. Currently operated as a commercial cow/ calf operation with a permitted feedlot. The ranch would also make an ideal yearling or combination operation. It is rare to find this quality of a ranch and particularly a property that is a going concern. This is a first-time offering and we look forward to hearing from you. $32,500,000. Livestock and rolling stock available by separate treaty. Please give us a call for further information, Greg Sackos, 541-5234434 (office) or 208-598-0267 (cell), Intermountain Realty, www.intermountainland.com 11/30
IRRIGATED HOMESITE, WITH ELECTRIC AND NATURAL GAS TO PROPERTY LINE, 38 TO 124 ACRES, several springs, lots of trees, can be purchased with or without older, not fancy, but livable home and 7 outbuildings. Pricing is $228,000 and up, depending on amount of acreage and outbuildings. Comes with Willwood Irrigation District water and older home has well, septic and natural gas. Located 7 miles from Powell, WY. Call 307-219-2217 11/23
GOSHEN COUNTY, WY: Selling 640 acres of pasture grass near Torrington, WY. This is a State of Wyoming Grazing Lease. A 10-year lease with the right to renew. Excellent native grass. No improvements. One well. Selling is the leasehold right. $185,000. NEW PRICE!! 3,316± DEEDED ACRES consisting of improved meadow grass and lush hard grasses. Run 250± cows through 12 pastures. Outstanding condition. Nice home plus excellent corrals and calving facilities. Natural tree-lined draws for livestock protection. LaGrange, WY. $3,900,000!! 1,230 ACRES OF PRIME AGRICULTURAL NON-IRRIGATED FARMLAND: Soils consist primarily of silt and sand loams. Located east of Hawk Springs, WY along the Wyoming/Nebraska state line. Professional care is dedicated to optimizing soil health. Divisible into smaller parcels to meet your investment needs. No improvements. $1,100,000. Pictures and video at www.buyaranch. com. Call Casey Essert, Land Broker, 307-532-1750 TFN
Manufactured Homes
1980 REVER 2 BEDROOM, 1 bath, new windows, doors and vinyl flooring. Must be moved. $20,000 OBO. For more information, call 307-250-4618 12/7
Irrigation Irrigation
Irrigation Systems
The choice is simple.
DEC. 2-3: PETSKA FUR
The Natrona County Predator Management District is holding its 2024 Annual Meeting on Wednesday, December 4th, beginning at 3:00 p.m. This meeting will be held at the ARLC Building, Casper Room, 2011 Fairgrounds Road, Casper. All producers, Wyoming Game and Fish representatives, Wildlife Service representatives and the public are invited to participate. Tentative agenda items will be reports from the NCPMD trappers, game and fish, ADMB and Wildlife Services representatives. At the conclusion, we will conduct Election of Officer’s and set Predator Fees. For additional information, please contact the NCPMD office at ncpmd1@charter.net
Copper wire is being stolen from electrically powered pivot systems world-wide. Many growers have resorted to 24-hour guards, razor wire, floodlights and daily disassembly to protect themselves. T-L’s hydraulically powered pivot systems can be designed with little or no wire to steal. Stop theft and discover T-L’s reliability, simplicity and low maintenance cost. T-L irrigation systems are easier on you - for life.
Big Horn Truck and Equipment Manderson, WY rairdenjlw@tritel.net
SEVERAL DOZEN TRAPS FOR SALE: Sizes, 1, 11/2, 1/34, 2 and 3. Some new, some dyed, night latched and tension set. Some with extra-large pans for mink and muskrats. A few conibears also, 110, 160, 220 and 330. A colony trap and poles. Stretchers, stakes-cable and rebar. Other equipment also available. Call Frank, 307-331-4251 12/7
DEC. 2: Pine Bluffs 3:45-4 p.m., Sinclair; Burns 4:15-4:30 p.m., Antelope Truck Stop (drive thru, call Greg); Cheyenne 4:50-5:10 p.m., Home on the Range Processing (drive thru). DEC. 3: Cheyenne 7:20-7:50 a.m., Tractor Supply; Chugwater 8:45-9 a.m., Stampede Saloon (drive thru); Wheatland 9:45-10:15 a.m., Wheatland Travel Plaza; Guernsey 10:50-11:10 a.m., Crazy Tony’s; Fort Laramie 11:15-11:20 a.m., Ft. Laramie Bar/Grill (drive thru); Lingle 11:30-11:50 a.m., Ty’s Pit Stop; Torrington 12:10-12:40 p.m., Insight Precision Arms; Scottsbluff, NE 1:50-2:20 p.m., Murdoch’s (north side). For more information, call Greg, 308750-0700 or visit www.petskafur.net 11/23
BUYING 200-300 JACKRAB-
BITS PER MONTH AT $10/
EACH: I pay shipping. E-mail ohminocat@gmail.com or call
Dave at 406-529-1080 for further details 12/7
WE WILL PICK UP SCRAP
IRON: On-site processing and removal. Receive $$$ top dollar $$$ for your junk!! Call for details: Pacific Steel and Recycling, 307-234-6006. Casper/ Central Wyoming 11/16
IT'S THE PITTS
by Lee Pitts
Which is Which?
I’ve never been a rancher, but I’m proud to say for most of my life I’ve been a cattleman.
How can this be?
Because a person who owns a ranch may not own a single ruminant, while a cattleman may have thousands of cattle but may not own one acre of ground.
Someone smarter than me once said the only way to acquire a ranch is through marriage, the womb or the tomb. I struck out on all counts. I think I’m the first in my family to have owned a cow, and
On Nov. 13, it was announced South Dakota Sen. John Thune has been selected as the next Senate majority leader.
According to a Nov. 13 AP News article, Thune’s election “represents a major shift in the upper chamber of the Grand Old Party’s conference, as many senators have been eager to move on from Mitch McConnell’s long and powerful reign.” AP News further notes, despite the differences the two have had in past years,
yet they were ranchers.
How can this be?
Because my great-grandmother Nora owned a small place where she grew walnuts, and everyone in my family referred to it as “the ranch.”
In California where I was born, raised and reside, anything on which you can grow a bulb garden or two orange trees is called a ranch, whereas everything in Texas smaller than 30 sections is referred to as “a small little place.”
There are big differences between a rancher
and a cattleman.
A rancher owns heavy equipment, including a road grader, D7 Cat, baler, bagger, Bobcat and a backhoe.
The only piece of equipment owned by a cattleman is an old, rusty stock trailer with sketchy wiring.
There may be 1,500 head of cattle on a rancher’s place but not a single quart of milk in the refrigerator. A rancher’s old saddle is sacked and hanging in the barn. His branding irons have been turned into towel hangers. His spurs are now wall hangers, and old saddle blankets are now part of the decor. A purse dog sleeps in the house, is fed three meals a day plus a snack, rides in the cab and yaps out the window.
A cattleman’s truck also serves as the tack room, and three or four barking cow dogs are in the bed of the
truck. They sleep under the front porch and eat once a day. If they get a snack, it’s road kill or something they dug up themselves.
A cattleman eats breakfast at the auction market café with his friends and cow buyers and may not eat again until 10 p.m. A rancher eats three meals a day at home because the nearest restaurant or coffee shop is an hour away.
A cattleman pays real close attention to the weekly auction market report, the price of fed cattle and shows up regularly at the auction market to take the pulse of the livestock industry. A rancher is more apt to keep abreast of the Dow Jones and NASDAQ and doesn’t go to the auction yard even if he sells his calves there.
A cattleman has a good ranch horse he and the
banker bought and keeps it in his stock trailer saddled up and ready to go at a moment’s notice. He can be mounted up and on the prowl while the rancher is still dressing his horse.
Both the rancher and the cattleman’s saddles, bits and spurs may have silver brands on them, but the rancher’s weren’t financed with a home equity loan.
A rancher belongs to his county cattlemen’s organization; the Farm Bureau, R-CALF, USA or the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, serves on the board of the soil conservation district and is on a variety of committees for countless clubs. The only group a cattleman may belong to is Alcoholics Anonymous.
A rancher goes to Arizona for the winter and team ropes every weekend. A cattleman can barely get out to
Senator John Thune selected as Senate majority leader
Thune has promised to work closely with Trump and be a crucial part of his team in pushing a new policy agenda through.
Experience In 1996, Thune won his first term as South Dakota’s lone member of the U.S. House of Representatives and was reelected to a second term by the largest margin in South Dakota history. In 2001, he returned to Washington, D.C. to serve his third term In 2004, Thune was elected to the U.S. Senate,
where he is currently serving his fourth term.
In the 118th Congress, Thune served on the Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee; the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee and the Finance Committee, as well as a ranking member of the Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Communications, Media and Broadband and the Finance Committees’ Subcommittee on Taxation and IRS Oversight. Support Thune’s selection as the
next Senate majority leader has garnered support from several ag industry groups including the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the Public Lands Council (PLC).
NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane says, “Thune has long been a strong ally for cattle producers and is an excellent choice to secure meaningful relief for cattle producers as he leads the Senate.”
“Throughout his career, he has led the effort to
repeal the federal estate tax and fought to ensure family farms and ranches are able to be passed down to future generations,” Lane adds. “With crucial tax provisions set to expire at the end of 2025, NCBA looks forward to continuing to work with the new majority leader to deliver critical tax relief to producers in the 119th Congress.”
PLC Executive Director Kaitlynn Glover states, “Ranchers across the West have something to celebrate with Thune – a cham-
go to a jackpot because in winter the roads are covered with black ice and the snow drifts are six feet tall.
A rancher probably has kids who live far, far away who want nothing to do with ranching. If the rancher does own some cows, they are probably all black, all calve within 60 days, have electronic ear tags, are weaned for 60 days and top the market when they’re sold. A rancher probably keeps some poultry around the place.
A cattleman doesn’t eat eggs or raise chickens, has ulcers and his bulls run with the cows all year long because he has no other place to put them.
A rancher has a hired hand, a cattleman has a wife. A rancher pays income tax every year but a cattleman only has this problem one year out of 10.
pion of livestock production and rural communities – being selected by his peers to be Senate majority leader. His work protecting grazing rights on public lands and streamlining the federal permitting process is in lockstep with the needs of livestock producers who are in dire need of regulatory relief.”
Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@ wylr.net.
By Paul Dykstra
CAB Market Update
The first week of November’s federallyinspected cattle harvest of 615,000 head was 8,000 head lower than the week prior and 21,000 head below the same week last year. Fed cattle harvest in the past three weeks has been relatively strong, averaging 496,000 head, just 1,000 head shy of the weekly total a year ago.
Carcass weights, on the other hand, continued their record-breaking ascent with steer weights making a massive 10-pound weekly increase to average their heaviest ever weight at 960 pounds apiece – 18 pounds heavier than the previous record set last December.
Heifer carcasses, last posted at 866 pounds each, are 14 pounds heavier than their fall 2015 record high.
For the week of Oct. 14, the carcass weight and head count equation places fed cattle carcass tonnage 1.7 percent larger than a year ago.
Live cattle futures prices have suffered in the past week with the December 2024 contract down more than four dollars per hundredweight (cwt) from the Oct. 29 multi-week peak at $189 per cwt.
This pullback, however, concludes an arduous climb from the August through September fallout which took the December contract down to $173 per cwt.
The more recent correction creates a strong basis in the fed cattle market with
the first week of November’s cash price – a four dollars per cwt premium – to the December futures. This incentivizes feeders to pull cattle ahead in the marketing schedule.
As fourth-quarter holiday buying demand has kicked in, boxed beef cutout values have rapidly progressed in the past three weeks on seasonal strength.
The comprehensive cutout price lost $16 per cwt in value since mid-August to the end of September at $300 per cwt, but has now recovered all of this in the first week of November’s summary average price.
Seasonality takes over
The fourth quarter tends to be the period most prone to follow historical seasonal patterns for carcass cutout prices. Although annual price levels have certainly advanced to record levels, the pattern in spot market values from October through December tends to track a pattern.
The expectation of elevating prices beginning in early October was met with the Choice cutout rallying roughly $20 per cwt.
This is driven primarily on middle meat demand shifting from a much reduced year-overyear price point this summer, now elevating to match 2023 levels.
On the supply side, carcass quality grades also tend to follow a strong seasonal pattern. The percent-
age changes in total U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Prime and Choice carcasses tend to peak in March and bottom in September through October, varying on several factors including cattle age, type and environmental factors.
The range in Choice and Prime was wide in 2023 with an 85 percent March peak and 78 percent October bottom.
This year, the same 85 percent peak was realized in March, remaining much higher than 2023 through September before slipping fractionally to 82 percent.
In the past five weeks, a more pronounced downshift kicked in with a two-percentage point drop to 80 percent Choice and Prime, with Choice giving up ground to Select.
USDA Prime grading remains resilient at the historic seasonal record of 10 percent of total fed cattle carcasses. Yet, seasonal demand for Prime middle meats has driven the Prime cutout premium over Choice to $47 per cwt, according to USDA.
The latest report shows Prime grid premiums matching a year ago at $19.80 per cwt or $184 per head at the 930-pound blended fed cattle carcass weight average.
Record carcass weights have boosted Prime carcass tonnage to a calculated 17 percent surplus over a year ago.
Even though a relatively small portion of subprimal cuts are marketed to end-users at a Prime premium, the steady premium on higher supply provides
direction toward the future. This will be key for added sales volume for the Certified Angus Beef (CAB) brand Prime label and higher gross values for calves and fed cattle. Paul Dykstra is the director of supply management and analysis at CAB. He can be reached at pdykstra@certifiedangusbeef.com.
The Great Plains Heifer Development Program team held their first annual recap at Haskell Ag Laboratory near Concord, Neb. to round out and review yearone performance.
The event brought together consignors, local producers, industry partners and researchers to explore the possibilities for a second year of the program.
Program overview University of NebraskaLincoln (UNL) Beef Extension Educator Connor Biehler and Kiernan Brandt, professional service techni-
Great Plains Heifer Development Program recaps first year
cian with Trans Ova Genetics and former Extension educator with South Dakota State University, spearheaded the program with a shared vision of optimizing and enhancing reproductive efficiency, longevity and heifer development.
This program is unique, as all heifers are consigned by producers looking to enhance their heifer development strategies and increase longevity in their females.
It offers a blend of services focused on the foundational principles of heifer
selection, nutrition, management strategies, genetic tools for sire selection, estrus synchronization protocols, post-breeding management and more.
This year, 11 producers from across Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota and South Dakota consigned 132 heifers to the program, providing variability of type and kind for the program. Ultimately, this variability allows the program to look at more types and kinds and find what fits each individual herd best.
“The goal isn’t to cre-
ate a new ‘tool’ but rather to help producers improve upon what they already have,” said Biehler.
Biehler and Brandt hope to continue to identify strengths and shortcomings of the cow herd in the Great Plains to figure out applicable methods to improve cattle longevity and decrease fallout of replacement heifers in every herd.
Data collected included frame score, pelvic measurements, reproductive tract scores prior to breeding, average daily gain (ADG) per pen and genomic-
enhanced expected progeny differences to help with reproductive and nutrition decisions.
Performance review
From a nutrition standpoint, the program’s goal was to increase the plane of nutrition prior to breeding to help with breed-up. Heifers came in with body condition scores in the three to four range with a target to increase the score to six, which was met with an ADG of 1.67 pounds.
The goal is to produce replacement heifers which outperform their herd mates and are more likely to rebreed on time in the future.
“The only way to put pressure on a lowly-heritable trait like reproduction is to be okay with not getting 100 percent of females bred,” said Dr. Rick Rasby, UNL beef reproduction and management systems specialist.
The pregnancy rate reached in year one was slightly over the benchmark 87 percent with the overall conception rate after two cycles being 88 percent.
Next year, the plan is to incorporate the use of 14-day CIDRs, emphasizing consolidated group synchronization to tighten up the breeding window and increase conception rate.
Partnerships
Partnerships with Cattler, Cargill Animal Nutrition, Zoetis and ABS played a pivotal part in helping Biehler and Brandt make nutritional and breeding decisions in their program.
Representatives from each business spoke about this at the recap event.
Dr. Jarrett Proctor, Cargill animal nutritionist, covered nutritional develop-
ment of beef heifers and explained how he helped Biehler tailor initial diet decisions to promote program goals.
The Cattler software system was used to track pen-by-pen performance and the animals’ overall health. The software tracks factors such as feed efficiency, how much is fed, ADG, cost and overall animal health and gives realtime updates and feeding recommendations, reducing issues caused by human error.
Zoetis’ Inherit Select Test was used for genomic testing to help with breeding decisions for each heifer. Along with speaking at the recap event, they cohosted a webinar with Biehler and Brandt to discuss their findings with producers.
Most of the semen used in the program was purchased from ABS.
“We knew many of the producers in the program and were familiar with the type and kind of their females,” said ABS Beef Sales Team Leader Stephanie Nelson. “We knew the kind of calves they were after and made sire recommendations based on this.”
Looking forward
The enrollment period for the 2025 Great Plains Heifer Development Program is open now.
Producers can find more information at go.unl.edu/ heiferdev or by contacting Biehler at 402-624-8007 or heiferdev@unl.edu.
Abigayle Warm is the Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center communications specialist. This article was originally published by UNL Beef on Oct. 23.
