Roundup 12.21.24

The Wyoming Stock Growers Association (WSGA) held its annual Winter Roundup Convention and Trade Show in Casper Dec. 9-11 at the Ramkota Hotel and Convention Center, boasting three jam-packed days of commit-

Quick Bits

Office Closed

The Wyoming Livestock Roundup Office will be closed Dec. 23-27 for the holiday season. The ad deadline for both the Dec. 21 and Dec. 28 papers will be Wednesday, Dec. 18 at 12 p.m. We wish all of our friends, families and dear readers a very Merry Christmas.

Ag Summit

The Johnson County CattleWomen will host its 14th Annual Women’s Agriculture Summit in memory of Tracy Alger on Jan. 11, 2025 at the Hampton Inn and Suites in Buffalo. Educational programming topics include succession planning, managing the cow herd during drought years, carbon capture, state lands issues and more. For more information or to register, visit johnsoncountycattlewomen.com/ women-s-ag-summit

Goat Roping

The Big Horn County Farm Bureau Federation will host an open goat roping on Jan. 4, 2025 from 10 a.m-4 p.m. at the Big Horn County Fairgrounds in Basin. The roping is open to individuals of all ages, and entry fees can be paid at the door. For more information or to pre-register, call or text 307-410-9301 or 307-272-5499.

tee meetings, educational programming and plenty of fun for the whole family.

During the last half of the event, Wyoming’s elected officials addressed a full house, offering insight into work they have done over the past year and

what they expect in the year to come. Governor’s address Gov. Mark Gordon made an appearance during the event’s popular evening banquet and auction on Dec.

Ag Days

The University of Wyoming’s (UW) WESTI Ag Days are set to return on Feb. 12, 2025, with an exclusive focus on alfalfa production and its significance to Wyoming agriculture. For more information, contact UW Extension Educator Dan VanderPloeg at dvanderp@uwyo.edu.

USDA MASC

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency’s $2 billion Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) program, aimed at helping specialty crop producers expand markets and manage higher costs, is now accepting applications through Jan. 8, 2025.

A Christmas Memory

Just a team of horses, a rancher and a sleigh.

Five hundred miles from Colorado, Southwest Wyoming way.

A holiday tradition, our families gather there.

Kids and dogs and packages, everything everywhere.

Four daughters and their families, stuffed inside his home. Some patience on his part, he’s used to living alone.

Up early in the morning, coffee, news, breakfast on.

Time to rally the troops, “little darlings” it’s way past dawn.

He’s getting a bit antsy now, the team is feeling it too.

But Jace needs mittens, Teisha a coat, “Come on I got things to do.”

The team harnessed and hooked, the runners all broke loose.

The kids’ sleds strung out behind, like a little caboose.

We swing into the field and catch the snow-packed road.

Please see CHRISTMAS on page 6

Champions crowned at the 2024 WNFR

The world’s top rodeo athletes gathered at the 2024 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (WNFR), which took place Dec. 5-14 at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, where they competed for the prestigious Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Gold Buckle.

Fierce rodeo action took place as 121 contestants competed for a share of the record $12.5 million purse and vied for world titles.

Bareback riding

In bareback riding, Dean Thompson of Altamont, Utah landed in second place in the final round with an 88.5point ride on Straight Stick from J Bar J, but was ultimately crowned world champion at the end of the night.

Weatherford, Texas Cowboy Rocker Steiner closed out his season in second place, followed by Keenan Hayes of Hayden, Colo. in third.

Bradlee Miller of Huntsville, Texas had a strong finish and placed fourth in the world standings, while Jess Pope of Waverly, Kan. finished the year in fifth.

Steer wrestling

J.D. Struxness of Milan, Minn. entered the final night projected to take fourth, but walked out of the arena with his first gold buckle and world champion title.

Northwest Mississippi Community College Rodeo Coach Will Lummus of Byhalia, Miss. had another strong showing and finished second in the 2024 average and world standings for steer wrestling.

Second-year Steer Wrestler Cash Robb of Altamont,

In the latest on the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) saga of updating resource management plans (RMP) for field offices across the West, Wyoming and Montana announced on Dec. 12 they will file suit against the agency’s 2024 records of decision (ROD) and approved RMP amendments (ARMPA) for the Buffalo Field Office and Miles City Field Office, which will end new federal coal leasing in the Powder River Basin.

In their claim, Wyoming and Montana argue the ARMPAs are unreasonable, unjustified and unsupported by federal law.

“Instead of working with the states to address their concerns, BLM pushed

Away

they flew

Christmas wouldn’t be as magical without

Santa’s reindeer

One of the most recognizable and beloved Christmas poems, “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” commonly known as “The Night Before Christmas” by Clement C. Moore, describes Santa Claus flying through the sky on a sleigh drawn by magical reindeer.

Moore’s 1823 poem is primarily derived from modern folklore which includes reindeer.

Reindeer were once viewed as mysterious creatures linked to lands in the northern part of the world.

In the 18th century, reindeer were domesticated in Scandinavian and Eastern European countries and were used for transportation, pulling sleds and sleighs and continue to hold significant cultural importance for some indigenous Northern European communities.

Many may have wondered why Santa selected reindeer to pull his sleigh instead of any other animal.

It turns out, their unique biology makes them perfect

through their narrow-minded agenda to stop using coal, ignoring the multiple-use mandate and the economic impacts of this decision, including skyrocketing electricity bills for consumers,” states Gov. Mark Gordon in a Dec. 12 press release. “They did not do their job properly.”

The ARMPA Action taken by the two states comes in response to the BLM’s release of two supplemental environmental impact statements and proposed amendments for the Buffalo Field Office and Miles City Field Office in May, followed by a Nov. 20 announcement that the agency followed through with its preferred

Original artwork by Hannah Bugas

A Cowboy’s Christmas Prayer

I ain’t much good at prayin,’ and you may not know me, Lord –for I ain’t much seen in churches, where they preach Thy Holy Word. But you may have observed me out here on the lonely plains, a-lookin’ after cattle, feelin’ thankful when it rains.

Admirin’ Thy great handiwork.

The miracle of the grass, aware of Thy kind spirit, in the way it comes to pass that hired men on horseback and the livestock that we tend can look up at the stars at night and know we’ve got a friend.

So here’s ol’ Christmas comin’ on, remindin’ us again of Him whose coming brought good will into the hearts of men.

A cowboy ain’t a preacher, Lord, but if you’ll hear my prayer, I’ll ask as good as we have got for all men everywhere.

Don’t let no hearts be bitter, Lord. Don’t let no child be cold.

Make easy the beds for them that’s sick and them that’s weak and old.

Let kindness bless the trail we ride, no matter what we’re after, and sorta keep us on your side, in tears as well as laughter.

I’ve seen ol’ cows a-starvin’ and it ain’t no happy sight. Please don’t leave no one hungry, Lord, on Thy Good Christmas Night –

No man, no child, no woman and no critter on four feet, I’ll do my doggone best to help you find ’em chuck to eat.

I’m just a sinful cowpoke, Lord – ain’t got no business prayin’ but still I hope you’ll ketch a word or two of what I’m sayin.’

We speak of Merry Christmas, Lord –I reckon you’ll agree –

There ain’t no Merry Christmas for nobody that ain’t free! So one thing more I ask you, Lord, just help us what you can to save some seeds of freedom for the future sons of man! –

GUEST OPINIONS

Share Your Bounty This Holiday Season

The season of holiday celebrations continues. There are snack foods and desserts in my house I only prepare for the month of December.

It has become customary for me to whip up a double batch of old-fashioned Chex Mix the weekend after Thanksgiving which typically lasts through the end of December. ‘Tis the season for a variety of Christmas cookies, fudge and other sweet snacks as well.

Pears purchased from a member of the local FFA chapter are another treat during the holiday season.

Food is central to every gathering during the holiday season. While many of us celebrate a bountiful harvest from Thanksgiving

By Cyndi Young

through New Year’s Day, abundance of food is something many of our neighbors lack.

Early this fall, The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service released an updated Household Food Security Report showing hunger is on the rise. The report confirms the pervasiveness of food insecurity in America, revealing approximately one in seven households –13.5 percent – faced food insecurity last year.

Food insecurity was notably more prevalent in urban areas at 15.9 percent and rural areas at 15.4 percent, compared to suburban households at 11.7 percent.

Single-parent households led by women saw a food insecurity rate of

34.7 percent. The reports showed 13.8 million children lived in food-insecure households, a 3.2 percent increase from the previous year.

It should come as no surprise there is a sharp increase in food insecurity amidst historically high food prices.

But it is not only the price of food that is higher now. The cost of gasoline, housing and rent, used cars, utilities, insurance premiums, medical services, prescription medications, shoes, toilet paper, home appliances, clothing, dish soap and so many more items has increased exponentially in the past four years.

It breaks my heart knowing many of our neighbors in rural America

are forced to make the difficult choice between buying food and other basic needs. Many probably do not know how many of their neighbors are struggling this holiday season.

According to Feeding America, food insecurity exists in every county in this country with levels varying across regions. Child food insecurity rates reach almost 50 percent in some counties. Rural counties make up 62 percent of all U.S. counties, but nine out of 10 counties with high food insecurity are rural.

The government’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides financial assistance to many low-income individuals and families

INGALLS ANGUS

JASPER AND RONJA INGALLS 760 N PAVILLION ROAD, PAVILLION, WY 82523 (307) 349-3097

JASPER@BIGWEST.US

S. Omar

Adobe Stock photo

NEWS BRIEFS

Monarch protections proposed

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is proposing federal protections for the monarch butterfly. FWS is seeking public input on a proposal to list the species as threatened with species-specific protections and flexibilities to encourage conservation under section 4(d) of the Endangered Species Act.

Public comments will be accepted on the proposal until March 12, 2025.

With its notable orange and black markings, the monarch butterfly is one of the most recognizable insects in the world.

In North America, monarchs are grouped into two longdistance migratory populations. The eastern migratory population is the largest and overwinters in the mountains of central Mexico. The western migratory population primarily overwinters in coastal California.

Today, the eastern migratory population is estimated to have declined by approximately 80 percent. The western migratory population has declined by more than 95 percent since the 1980s.

The proposal to list the monarch butterfly and designate critical habitat was published in the Federal Register on Dec. 12, kicking off a 90-day comment period which will close on March 12, 2025.

Information about how to submit comments can be found at regulations.gov by searching for docket number FWSR3-ES-2024-0137.

Legislation introduced

U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) introduced the Fence Line Fairness Act, legislation which would create a formal mediation process for land boundary disputes between landowners and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).

Congress has authorized land agencies to offer leases to local producers to use the land in a way to support economic activity, such as grazign and mining while also preserving natural resources. Many producers who obtain these leases also have private land bordering USFS land, which is typically where boundary disputes arise.

The Fence Line Fairness Act would create a committee made up of appointed producers, tasked with mediating disputes and providing recommendations to both the agency and involved producers. The committee would be made up of producers from the state, two of which are appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and three of which are appointed by the state’s Departments of Agriculture or Natural Resources.

This legislation is supported by South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association, South Dakota Stockgrowers Association, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, R-CALF USA, Public Lands Council and U.S. Cattlemen’s Association.

To view the Fence Line Fairness Act in its entirety, visit rounds.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/fence_line_fairness_act.pdf

Boozman seeks assistance

Sen. John Boozman (R-AR), ranking member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, urged his fellow lawmakers on Dec. 2 to provide emergency economic assistance to ag producers facing market losses.

Boozman went to the Senate floor asking his fellow colleagues for support, stating for some producers, this is the second or third consecutive year of negative cash flow.

“This means many farm families are ending 2024 in the red, unable to pay off this year’s operating loan, unable to get the loan to farm in 2025 and face the reality of being the generation to have lost the family farm due to extreme market conditions beyond their control,” he said.

Increased input costs, high interest rates and depressed commodity prices have created significant challenges for rural Americans.

Boozman has continued calling for federal assistance to support American producers and the industry’s long-term outlook.

“Farmers, lenders and community leaders in all regions of the country are saying the same thing – farmers desperately need help,” he stated. “We need to provide producers with the certainty and predictability to be able to go to the bank and have confidence help is on the way so they can continue farming.”

Recently, Boozman met with members of the Arkansas and Texas Farm Bureau Federation, Midwest Council on Agriculture and USA Rice, mentioning they are worried about what bankers will say when they go to get credit for the 2025 crop year and what it means for their future in the industry.

Numerous farm groups support the farm assistance package, including commodity groups representing corn, soybeans, wheat, barley, canola and sunflowers.

“Agriculture is an important part of our country’s heritage and economy. Producers grow an abundant and affordable supply of food and fiber and must have the tools they need to manage this extremely difficult market,” he concluded.

Governor eager for response

Gov. Mark Gordon responded to U.S. District Judge Alan Johnson’s order for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to make a final determination on Wyoming’s petition to delist the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) grizzly within 45 days.

Wyoming’s petition to delist was submitted in January 2022 after the GYE population was determined to be recovered in the region under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

The ESA provides the FWS shall make a determination on a delisting petition within 12 months of its receipt. After multiple months of missed deadlines by FWS, Wyoming filed suit in May 2023, asking the court to order the Department of Interior to issue a final determination on Wyoming’s petition.

Gordon issued the following statement, “This is a step towards returning rightful management of the GYE grizzly bear population back to the states. It should not take a judge’s order for FWS to meet deadlines, and I look forward to the process finally continuing. We have known for years Wyoming’s grizzly bears have exceeded population goals and the state has met recovery criteria time and time again.”

“With the bear recovered, it is long past time for GYE grizzly bear management to be entrusted to the states,” he continued. “The FWS can no longer stand unresponsive to our petition to move forward with the delisting process. The state of Wyoming has proven its ability to manage the bear and ensure the viability and protection of this remarkable species.”

TB found in South Dakota

Bovine tuberculosis (TB) has been confirmed in South Dakota for the first time since 2021.

According to South Dakota State Veterinarian Dr. Beth Thompson, the infected steer was initially identified in late October by meat inspectors during routine inspection at a Wisconsin packing plant.

Records linked the steer to a Hamlin County feedlot, which had marketed the animal. The TB infection was confirmed by the National Veterinary Surveillance Laboratory in Ames, Iowa on Dec. 6.

The state veterinarian’s office is working closely with the feedlot owner as well as other producers who may have sold animals purchased by the feedlot, U.S. Department of Agriculture officials and area veterinarians to locate the steer’s source herd. Necessary precautions are being taken to protect the health of South Dakota’s cattle industry.

Bovine TB is not currently a threat to food safety in the U.S., thanks to milk pasteurization and comprehensive meat inspection programs.

Bovine TB is a chronic, slowly progressive respiratory disease of cattle. Infected animals may transmit infection to other animals when in close proximity for prolonged periods. Cattle rarely exhibit visible signs of illness. Testing of cattle herds is necessary to determine if animals are infected.

The U.S. has nearly eliminated bovine TB due to a cooperative eradication campaign, and South Dakota has officially been recognized as free of the disease since 1982.

Bunning named chief of staff

Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) announced a Rock Springs native is set to take the reins as his new chief of staff.

Longtime Policy Advisor Brad Bunning was given the role and replaced Laramie native Dan Kunsman.

Bunning played a pivotal role in shaping nuclear fuel policy and reviving uranium production nationally and in the Cowboy State, according to a press release from Barrasso’s office. He led the effort to introduce and pass legislation prohibiting Russian uranium imports and securing the future of American nuclear fuel production.

In November, Barrasso named Kunsman – who had served Barrasso’s chief of staff since 2010 – staff director for the Office of the Senate Republican Whip.

The chief of staff is the highest-ranking position in a congressional office and the role typically reports directly to the congressman.

“Bunning has been with me from day one. He’s spent his entire career helping people across Wyoming and beyond,” Barrasso said. “His extensive policy experience and deep knowledge of our state make him an outstanding choice to lead my office as chief of staff.”

Bunning has served in the U.S. Senate for more than two decades and started his career in 2001 with an internship for former Wyoming Sen. Craig Thomas. He has risen through the ranks during his career and served a variety of roles including as a legislative assistant and a senior professional staff member at the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

More EID tags available

For many years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has worked closely with state partners to strategically distribute electronic identification (EID) tags, as part of their effort to help producers achieve compliance with the new Animal Disease Traceability Rule, which went into effect on Nov. 5.

Last fiscal year, APHIS provided eight million EID tags to producers free of charge to jumpstart efforts to enable the fastest possible response to foreign animal disease. APHIS distributed tags to states based on National Agricultural Statistics Service Census of Agriculture data on cattle and bison population numbers.

As part of the implementation strategy, APHIS conducted a review on how to further assist states and producers as they transition to this new way of business.

As a result of their dedicated efforts, in Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25), APHIS will make a one-time purchase to provide states with an additional three million EID tags at no cost to the states or producers to support the industry during the first year of implementation of the new rule.

This brings the number of EID tags provided through APHIS in FY25 to 11 million.

Brad Bunning Courtesty photo

BSAT list updated

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) completed its biennial review of the Biological Select Agents and Toxins (BSAT) list.

As a result of this review, APHIS is removing five select agents from the BSAT list. These include Brucella abortus, Brucella suis and Brucella melitensis; African horse sickness virus and Peronosclerospora philippinensis

“Removing regulatory barriers will greatly advance research on vaccines and diagnostics, which will improve our efforts to control these diseases in animal populations,” notes APHIS.

The delisting of the Brucella spp. does not change the already recommended biosafety levels for work with this species of bacteria.

As part of its biennial review, a working group made up of APHIS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other federal partners evaluated all potential animal and plant select agents based on their effects on health, production and marketability of animals or plants. The group also looked at the select agents’ ability to cause disease and if countermeasures or treatments are available.

The working group also considered whether inclusion on the list would have a substantial negative impact on the research and development of solutions for the animal or plant disease caused by the agent or toxin. Selects agents are subject to strong regulations on both their use and movement to protect the American public and agriculture.

These regulations, while effective at keeping the public safe, also limit the amount and types of research which can be done into developing effective countermeasures and treatment. Removing these five agents should allow more entities to conduct safe research which will only enhance the nation’s ability to control these diseases.

In January 2024, APHIS published a proposed rule and solicited public comment on the possible delisting of these agents. APHIS closely reviewed and considered the feedback and addressed it in this final rule.

Funding available

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced on Dec. 13 $165 million in emergency funding from the Commodity Credit Corporation to protect U.S. livestock and other animals from New World screwworm (NWS) and to increase USDA’s ongoing efforts to control the spread of NWS in Mexico and Central America.

NWS are fly larvae which infest living tissue of warm-blooded animals, causing infection.

Over the last two years, NWS has spread throughout Panama and into Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras and Guatemala. On Nov. 22, the Chief Veterinary Officer of Mexico notified APHIS of a positive detection in southern Mexico, near the Guatemalan border.

APHIS is working with partners in Mexico and Central America to stop the spread of NWS into the U.S. and asking all producers along the southern border to watch their livestock and pets for signs of NWS and immediately report potential cases to their local veterinarian, State Veterinarian’s Office or APHIS Veterinary Services.

Trump eyes privatizing USPS

President-Elect Donald Trump has expressed a keen interest in privatizing the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) in recent weeks, a move which could shake up consumer shipping and business supply chains and push hundreds of thousands of federal workers out of the government.

Trump discussed his desire to overhaul the USPS at his Mar-a-Lago estate with Howard Lutnick, his pick for commerce secretary and the co-chair of his presidential transition. Earlier this month, Trump also convened a group of transition officials to ask for their views on privatizing the agency.

Told of the mail agency’s annual financial losses, Trump said the government should not subsidize the organization. Trump’s specific plans for overhauling the USPS were not immediately clear, but he feuded with the nation’s mail carrier as president in 2019, trying to force it to hand over key functions – including rate-setting, personnel decisions, labor relations and managing relationships with its largest clients –to the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

“The government is slow, slow, slow – decades slow on adopting new ways of doing things, and there are a lot of other carrier services that became legal in the 70s that are doing things so much better with increased volumes and reduced costs,” said Casey Mulligan, who served as a top economist in the first Trump administration. “We didn’t finish the job in the first term, but we should finish it now.”

Wyoming pushes back

In a recent press release, Gov. Mark Gordon announced Wyoming is part of a coalition of states who have brought an antitrust enforcement action against asset managers at Blackrock, State Street and Vanguard for their coordinated and anticompetitive environmental, social and governance (ESG) schemes to disrupt the energy industry.

Each defendant has individually acquired substantial stockholdings in every significant publicly held coal producer in the U.S. and has acquired the power to influence the policies of these competing companies and significantly diminish competition in the coal markets.

Blackrock, State Street and Vanguard publicly announced their respective commitment in 2021 to use their shares to pressure all portfolio companies in which they held assets to align with a climate activist agenda, including goals to reduce carbon emissions from coal by over 50 percent.

“Wyoming is committed to protecting our core industries, whether from federal overreaching regulations or unfair market manipulation. I commend our attorney general for her diligence in pursuing all options to protect the coal industry,” stated Gordon.

“Under the guise of ESG policies, they have leveraged their holdings and voted their shares to artificially constrain the supply of coal and significantly diminish competition in the markets for coal, which resulted in increased energy prices for American consumers and extraordinary profits for the asset managers,” he continued. “Pushing back against anti-competitive ESG policies, especially when they unfairly exact profits from increased energy costs to Wyoming families and businesses, is one of the ways Wyoming continues to defend our coal industry and help power the country.”

Letter penned

Senate Western Caucus Chair Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and Congressional Western Caucus Chair Dan Newhouse (R-WA) wrote a letter to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Director Tracy StoneManning expressing their concerns with its final Greater Sage Grouse Resource Management Plan Amendment (RMPA).

This plan will affect sage grouse habitats in Wyoming, California, Nevada, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Colorado, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota.

In March, Lummis and Newhouse urged the BLM to extend the comment period on this sage grouse plan in order for those who live and work on the lands affected by the proposal to have ample time to provide public comment.

In October 2023, Senate Western Caucus Member Jim Risch (R-ID) led a letter to Senate leadership to keep the Greater sage grouse off of the endangered species list and for states to continue species management.

In July 2023, Lummis led a letter to the Senate Appropriations Committeeʼs Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies urging the committee to continue prohibiting the listing of the Greater sage grouse.

“While the Biden-Harris administration spends its final days catering to its radical climate change base, farmers, ranchers and landowners across the West will bear the consequences of its catastrophic failures for years to come,” said Lummis. “Instead of trusting Wyoming’s experts who have a proven track record on sage grouse management, this administration continues grasping for control of the West by awarding decision-making power to unelected Washington, D.C. bureaucrats who do not know the first thing about western land management.”

“Newhouse and I are calling on the BLM to immediately cease any work on the RMPA in this lame duck period to spare the West from a few more weeks of this administration’s Green New Deal policies,” she added.

USDA announces grants

On Dec. 19, U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the second round of Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP) grants, which is intended to allocate $300 million to 67 partners once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied, expanding American food and agricultural exports in emerging global markets.

This latest investment brings total RAPP funding to $600 million in 2024.

The new grants aim to diversify export markets in regions with rising consumer demand and purchasing power, including Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean and Southeast Asia. These regions offer significant opportunities for U.S. producers seeking to establish a stronger foothold in dynamic and growing markets.

For more information about RAPP grants, visit usda.gov

LETTERS

Submit your letters to: Editor, Wyoming Livestock Roundup, P.O. Box 850, Casper, WY, 82602, or e-mail to roundup@wylr.net. We reserve the right to edit letters. It is the policy of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup that we do not print letters attacking individuals, groups or organizations within the Wyoming agricultural community.

Dear Editor, Intimidation is a very prominent trend in our increasingly structured society.

A very visible tactic employed at a recent public fire meeting – uniformed and armed local law enforcement prominently staged, complete with a coterie of plainclothes of the governor’s retinue interspersed within a mixed crowd of livestock producers, multistate and local bureaucrats

to help them purchase food. However, one-half of those experiencing food insecurity may not qualify for SNAP benefits because of program restrictions based on household income.

SNAP benefits are intended to supplement a household’s food budget, not to cover all of it. SNAP benefits cannot be used for non-food items like alcohol or tobacco.

Many of those food

and the idle curious commingling in the company of enumerable “wildfire specialists,” each hell bent on convincing the attentive crowd he was “in control.”

In looking around, it was apparent control was a major concern.

Yet, this subdued event comes on the tail of an even more frightening issue oozing from the walls of that sacred institution – the heralded halls of Congress, a ubiquitous presence knowing

insecure families in our rural communities will not admit their need for help. They will not apply for the SNAP program or go to a local food bank for help. What can you do to help?

Cyndi Young is the author of the Brownfield Ag News column “Cyndi’s Two Cents.ˮ This article was originally published by Brownfield Ag News on Dec. 11.

only the rein of election day.

The particularly invasive subject matter is an attack upon U.S. citizens and asserts itself in the form of a Congressional mandate known as the Corporate Transparency Act – the execution thereof through the office of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Unit (FinCen), a bureaucracy of the Treasury Department.

Apparently, the federal bureaucracy has overthrown oversight of the state bureaucracy.

We are compelled to comply by threat and intimidation with civil and/or criminal penalty if noncompliant. I’m advised to seek legal guidance – a financial boon to the legal community and a double burden upon myself.

It seems whole communities have been felonized with the stroke of a federal pen.

My thought is that it is not what the forefathers had in mind. It is quite un-American, a malicious attack upon our liberty, Constitutionally guaranteed and warranted by each bonafide voting U.S. citizen.

Needless to say, I lost sleep to fret, worry and time spent researching available sources. To no surprise, faith did glean from the Bible, a tidbit from the book of Isaiah which bespoke of “a people spoiled and plundered, with none to recuse, hidden in prison houses, with no one to say, ‘Restore!’”

The real eye opener here, which is yet to come,

was a November conversation with my financier. Feeling the burden of FinCen, I begged his input. Whereon, he candidly described the financial lending institution’s need to comply with federal auditors’ standards.

The obligation is to maintain a bank officer dedicated to monitoring and vetting bank customers, quasi law enforcement carrying an official FinCen badge, courtesy of the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

Further conversation confirmed the futility of my summertime sweat.

Through association with these lenders, any change in my status quo was duly noted and referenced through proper channels to the federal authority.

I was in tight and proper

SALE RESULTS -BRED COW SPECIAL MONDAY, DECEMBER 16

47 Bar Ranch 15 Black 3yr/Mar-May Bred Cow 1247 $3,500.00

TCL Enterprises 50 Black 3/Mar-May Bred Cow 1028 $3,050.00

TCL Enterprises 17 Black 4/Mar-May Bred Cow 1187 $3,035.00

Ben Mast 15 Black 3-4yr/Apr-May Bred Cow 1073 $2,875.00

Hillside Mountain Ranch 10 Black 3-4yr/Feb-April Bred Cow 1238 $2,800.00

47 Bar Ranch 8 Black 3yr/Mar-May Bred Cow 991 $2,500.00

Luke Lungren 4 Black SM/Mar-April Bred Cow 1498 $2,425.00

Jared Reich 2 Black 3yr/May Bred Cow 1320 $2,300.00

Matt Dockery 19 Black SS-ST/Apr-May Bred Cow 1327 $2,175.00

Luke Lungren 15 Black SS-ST/Mar-April Bred Cow 1431 $2,150.00

Jacobsen Ranch 15 Blk/Red SS/Mar-April Bred Cow 1295 $2,300.00

Verona Cattle 22 Blk/Red ST/Apr-May Bred Cow 1243 $2,100.00

Jacobsen Ranch 86 Blk/Red ST/Mar-April Bred Cow 1268 $2,025.00

TCL Enterprises 15 Mixed 3-4yr/Mar-May Bred Cow 1176 $2,435.00

Rudy Oliver 10 Red 3/Mar-May Bred Cow 1214 $2,925.00

Lawrence Burke 3 Red 3-4yr/May Bred Cow 1180 $2,500.00

Lawrence Burke 17 Red SS-ST/May Bred Cow 1305 $2,050.00

Thomas Allemand 43 Black Feb 10 AI’ed Bred Heifer

Thomas Allemand 6 Black Mar-April Bred Heifer

Circle Nine Cattle Co 54 Black Feb 20 AI’ed Bred Heifer

Thomas

Circle

Knott Land & Livestock 10 Black April-May Bred

with all of the right folk. Yet, rather than grateful, I felt deprived. Somehow tyranny prevails, my integrity impugned, my livelihood threatened and I must quietly demur.

Oddly, I feel a Jan. 6 memorial would be justifiable and not in the least offensive. We could use another federal holiday –a celebration to memorialize the diminished flame of liberty, the memory of the ghost of a colonial minuteman, a much-abused document, the Constitution of the USA and the criminalization of a nation. How sad. There are no heroes, only distraction and – you can fill in the blanks.

John W. Snyder Weston

2025 SALE SCHEDULE

- ALL CLASSES

MONDAY, JANUARY 6 - BRED COW

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8 - FEEDER

FRIDAY, JANUARY 10 - ALL CLASSES MONDAY, JANUARY 13 - BRED COW SPECIAL

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15 - FEEDER SPECIAL FRIDAY, JANUARY 17 - ALL CLASSES MONDAY, JANUARY 20 - BRED COW SPECIAL WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22 - FEEDER SPECIAL FRIDAY, JANUARY 24 - ALL CLASSES

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29 - FEEDER SPECIAL FRIDAY, JANUARY 31 - ALL CLASSES

CONNECTING AG to CLIMATE

By Averi Reynolds, Northern Plains Regional Climate Hub

Earlier this week, I woke up to a very light and unexpected dusting of snow on my porch.

I had checked a private weather app on my phone, so I knew there was a 10 percent chance of precipitation. But I wrote off the chance of actually seeing any snow because of the low probability. Plus, the app didn’t offer any information about how much snow to expect, if any.

This said, I also keep a close watch on the National Weather Service (NWS) Office’s social media pages for my region, where I learned a weather system was moving into western and southeastern Wyoming, with a slight chance of snow moving into central Wyoming.

Snow is tricky to forecast, but its arrival can have major implications for those of us in agriculture.

Lance VandenBoogart, warning coordination meteorologist at the NWS Regional Office in Riverton, talked about the use of

Probabilistic Snow Forecasting during the Nov. 21 Wyoming Conditions and Outlooks Webinar, hosted by the Wyoming Conditions Monitoring Team (WCMT).

“We have a tool which hopefully gives some confidence in making decisions about snowfall – how much you’re going to get and the impacts you might have,” VandenBoogart noted.

“Probabilistic Snow Forecasting is kind of a catchy term right now, but it’s the future of weather forecasting because the future is always uncertain.”

Also called “ensemble forecasting,” this strategy combines many weather models to give meteorologists a range of possibilities, which works well for understanding a “most likely amount” or “at least this much” amount of snow when a weather system moves in.

“The reality is there’s a range of possibilities, and we all know a snow forecast, even when it is a

fairly big range, sometimes falls outside of the forecasted range,” said VandenBoogart. “We have about 100 weather models now in the short term, and we can take into account all of their different opinions on what exactly is happening in the atmosphere and how much snow is going to be squeezed out of those clouds.”

The Probabilistic Snow Forecasting tool covers snowfall expected in the next 24 to 72 hours, when NWS can ensure a level of confidence.

A set of maps are cre-

and North Dakota. The USDA Northern Plains Climate Hub 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 Northern Plains Climate Hub, visit climatehubs.usda.gov/hubs/northern-plains Will a White Christmas be in the Forecast?

WINTER CLASSIC

The Probabilistic Snow Forecasting tool can be found at a regional NWS website. For the Riverton region, visit weather. gov/riw/winter; for the Cheyenne region visit weather.gov/ cys/winter and for the Rapid City, S.D. region, visit weather. gov/unr/winter. To view recorded webinars, visit drought. wyo.gov/Webinars/Webinars.html.

ated for different scenarios based on inches of snowfall expected, from less than one inch to more than 18 inches.

While I wish I could forecast a White Christmas across Wyoming, the best I can do is to keep checking the NWS website to access the Probabilistic Snow Forecasting tool a few days before Christmas to see the latest forecast.

The next Wyoming Conditions and Outlooks Webi-

nar will be held at 1 p.m. on Jan. 16, 2025. To register, e-mail Windy Kelley at wkelley1@uwyo.edu. Learn more about the monthly webinars and other resources available through the WCMT at drought.wyo.gov

Averi Reynolds is an ORISE science communications fellow for the USDA Northern Plains Climate Hub, serving Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota

Vermeer equipment available

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Covolo Auto-Farm Service, a family-owned business since 1972, has expanded its operations to serve the agriculture industry in the surrounding Bridger Valley region.

West to the upper stack to get ourselves a load.

The gate is left wide open, we’re coming back this way.

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Vermeer has a history of pioneering solutions to address the challenges farmers and ranchers face. From inventing the industry’s first mechanical

It’s Christmas Eve, a double feed, so we can celebrate the next day.

Jingling of the tug chains, a long trot for the shed.

Sledding, laughing, caroling, the cows have all been fed.

Sweated horses, frozen hands, everything’s been put away.

He gave the horse a gentle pat and filled the manger with hay.

He paused there for a moment.

wagon hoist to introducing the revolutionary large round baler, Vermeer has helped farmers and ranchers work more efficiently.

Vermeer agricultural equipment is manufactured in the U.S. at the company’s global headquarters in Pella, Iowa and in Griswold, Iowa. Visit Southeastern Farm Supply and Equipment at 80 Rees Road in Mountain View or online at covoloservice.com to learn more about their comprehensive line of machinery and services.

For more product information about Vermeer agricultural equipment, visit vermeer.com

“Papa, why did you stop and stare?”

“Well, in my mind I thought I saw baby Jesus lying there.”

“Kinda got me thinking ’bout that baby’s humble birth, on a dark and holy night that forever changed the Earth.”

I may have been a little girl, but the memory lives to this day.

Just a team of horses, my grandpa and a sleigh.

– Written by George and Hannah Bugas Inspired by Tanaye Carroll-Maez, a wife, mother, granddaughter, physical therapist, UW graduate and tough cowgirl

Wyoming

OUTLOOK

10 and voiced his optimism for the coming year and new administration.

“I’ve got to say, maybe the West is going to get paid attention to,” he started.

However, on a heavier note, Gordon noted one of the biggest challenges for Wyoming’s ag industry this year were the more than 2,000 wildfires scorching over 850,000 acres, 70 percent – or 500,000 acres –of which burned on private land.

While this means some federal resources are not available, the governor and his team are working on providing producers with some relief.

One of these efforts is the release of the Wyoming Wildfire Recovery Guide, which was detailed during the Wildfire Recovery Guide Webinar hosted by the Wyoming Grants Management Office on Dec. 18.

Additionally, the governor requested nearly $130 million in his supplemental budget to replenish the state’s wildfire fund which was completely depleted this year.

On the topic of the budget, Gordon noted he fairly recently introduced his supplemental budget to the Joint Appropriations Committee and believes it is “as clean of a supplemental budget” as his team could put together.

“There are about $7 million in ongoing expenses,” he explained. “The bulk of this is one-time expenditures I’ve requested like fire and restoration funds. There are a few more things we did not anticipate, and then there are some inflationary budget items.”

Gordon concluded his

A team of researchers at the University of Wyoming (UW) are studying how mine reclamation progresses over time.

Kristina Hufford, associate professor in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, recently received a three-year, $450,000 National Science Foundation (NSF) grant for a project titled “Environmental Sustainability of Alternative Mine Reclamation Practices: An Assessment of Ecological Function, Hydrologic Response and Economic Viability. Co-principal investigators include Roger Coupal, professor of agricultural and applied economics; Fabian Nippgen, associate professor of ecosystem science and management and Noriaki Ohara, associate professor of civil and architectural engineering.

Geomorphic reclamation recreates the topography and hills of the surrounding landscape, as opposed to traditional reclamation, which creates a more uniform landscape characterized by steep, linear slopes.

presentation by mentioning Wyoming joined 11 other states in filing an amicus brief in support of Utah on their public lands claims pending before the U.S. Supreme Court, and his team is still working on action regarding the Kelly Parcel and the Bureau of Land Management’s Buffalo Resource Management Plan.

Legislative update

The last morning of the convention kicked off with a legislative breakfast, where State Reps. Chip Neiman and Barry Crago provided an update from the Wyoming Legislature.

Crago started his address by recapping some legislation the Agriculture, State and Public Lands and Water Resources Committee was successful in pushing through this past year.

He noted one of the biggest issues the Joint Ag Committee dealt with were state lands issues and cleaning up related statutes.

The committee created a grace period for renewals, as well as a postmark rule, in which lease applications and renewals are now considered submitted the day they are postmarked versus they day they were received by the office.

The Joint Ag Committee also worked on legislation regarding elk damage payouts, overregulation in slaughterhouses and secured additional funding for the University of Wyoming’s College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources.

“Looking forward, the bodies are going to be somewhat different than they have been in the past, but what I keep telling

everyone is election season is over so we don’t need any more campaign speeches,” Crago stated. “It is time to work together and figure out solutions to the problems facing the state of Wyoming. We need to put all of the rhetoric behind us and get to work because we have a lot of big things to tackle.”

With this, Crago and Neiman noted in the coming legislative session, Wyoming’s ag industry can expect to see legislation move forward on fire recovery funds, eminent domain, delisting of the grizzly bear, livestock theft fines, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) electronic identification mandate, foreign ownership, state lands, taxes and water.

Neiman explained he has heard talk of more pushback from the industry and the coming administration on the USDA’s controversial Animal Disease Traceability Rule.

“In my conversations with people from several states, the consensus is livestock producers and operations don’t want to see this as enforced legislation, they want to have a choice in how they ID their livestock,” Neiman said. “There is a lot of concern there, and we will likely discuss animal disease traceability a lot.”

When it comes to state lands, Crago noted two bills have already been drafted out of two different committees to eliminate taxes on all state lands. Although the bills are fairly similar, one has a sunset of 2026, while the other does not.

“Right now, the bill says all state lands are exempt

from taxation, although I am not sure this is the right answer,” Crago stated.

“I think all grazing lands should be exempt from taxation but there are other state lands for other purposes that maybe should qualify as taxable property.”

“We have had a lot of thoughtful discussion over this, and I am more than hopeful – I am optimistic –one of these two bills will pass,” he added.

On the topic of state lands, Crago noted he has been working with WSGA on a state lands fencing bill to subject the Office of State Lands and Investments to the current state

fencing statute, which requires neighboring landowners to share the expense and labor of keeping up a good fence.

Crago also mentioned a temporary water use bill that the Joint Ag Committee was able to kill this past year but has since resurfaced.

“I am not a big fan of this bill because I believe it will be super harmful to all of our producers and anybody who has water rights,” he stated.

To conclude, Crago said a lot of discussion in the coming legislature will obviously center around the budget.

“I would encourage

University of Wyoming receives grant

Previous research conducted by Hufford and Graduate Student Kurt Fleisher indicates geomorphic reclamation can result in higher species diversity, more native shrubs and less erosion than traditional reclamation methods

Past research mostly has focused on comparing geomorphic reclamation to traditional reclamation. In contrast, this project will study whether sites reclaimed with geomorphic methods provide the same ecosystem services as unmined rangeland and how long it takes these sites to recover and stabilize

The research will take place in the Gas Hills, an abandoned uranium mine in Fremont County reclaimed under the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality’s Abandoned Mine Land program.

The UW researchers will compare Gas Hills locations that underwent restoration over a decade ago to areas in the Gas Hills which recently began the restoration process to model how sites change over time.

The scientists will then compare geomorphic restoration sites to nearby unmined sites.

everyone to pay attention to what we are doing in Cheyenne on the budget because it affects everyone every day,” he stated, encouraging producers to stay involved in the entire legislative process as well.

Neiman further commented, “We are working very diligently to make sure we reflect our agriculture interests in the state of Wyoming, and I think we have done this. I am looking forward to having a very successful session.”

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

To learn more about the new project, contact Hufford at 307-766-5587 or khufford@uwyo.edu.

Austin Snook • 307-290-2161

Taylor Snook • 307-290-2273

Craig Deveraux • 307-746-5690

Dan Catlin • 406-671-7715

Clint Snook • 307-290-4000

Cheyenne Seymour • 605-641-0638

Kyle Kallhoff • 605-881-1526

Casey Sellers • 307-217-2614

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December 18, 2024

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Governor’s address – Gov. Mark Gordon addressed a full house during an annual banquet held at the Wyoming Stock Growers Association’s Winter Roundup Convention and Trade Show in Casper on Dec. 10. Here, the governor voiced his optimism for the new administration and discussed wildfire recovery

McDonald’s, the largest beef buyer in the U.S., sued the big four meatpackers – JBS, Tyson, Cargill and National Beef Packers – on Oct. 4.

The four major beef packers dominate the beef packing industry.

“These four packinghouses control about 85 percent of the supply. They’re a player,” says Jerry Hawkes, interim vice president of academic affairs at Casper College.

The lawsuit

In the lawsuit, the fastfood giant accuses major processors of violating U.S. antitrust laws and claims since 2015, meat processors have conspired together to limit beef, creating an anti-competitive and artificial price increase, according to Grantham-Philips in the Associated Press article “McDonald’s sues top meatpackers for allegedly colluding to inflate the price of beef.”

McDonald’s takes on big beef packers in lawsuit

Grantham-Philips also reports McDonald’s is seeking a trial by jury.

However, this is no new action against the major packers, as restaurants, wholesale food providers, grocers and ranchers have filed various lawsuits in the past.

Although some litigation remains pending, Grantham-Philips reports in Associated Press many past lawsuits have resulted in processors paying settlements but never admitting wrongdoing.

“This is not the first time these packers have had a lawsuit filed against them for anti-competitive behavior, so the situation is not new,” says Bailey Samper, assistant professor of agricultural business and economics at West Texas A&M University.

Long-standing industry concerns

The allegations are part of a broader pattern of legal

challenges tied to longstanding industry concerns.

“The lawsuits are directed to the same thing – the Sherman Act – collusion. It’s the same set of concerns we’ve seen in the poultry and the beef industry for decades,” Hawkes says.

Samper points out the market dominance by McDonald’s has the potential to affect the lawsuit’s outcome. The fast-food giant leads global food service, with over 38,000 locations in more than 100 countries.

Still, Samper highlights the intricacies of the beef industry. The industry is shaped by a multitude of factors which can influence market prices for beef products.

“Prices are determined by underlying supply and demand factors in the market,” she says.

Currently, those supply and demand factors are tipping.

“Right now, we see

record-high cattle prices because we have the lowest beef cow inventory we’ve ever had. When you restrict supply, prices start to go up,” Samper says.

The pandemic and ongoing drought have also played a role in downsizing the national beef herd, Samper furthers. The COVID19 crisis forced many producers to shrink herds, leading to a further reduction in supply. The biological cycle of cattle requires time to rebuild a herd, meaning cattle depletion still affects market prices.

While the lawsuit by McDonald’s claims the leading packers set artificially high prices, Samper notes natural supply and demand factors, such as low beef cow inventories, can also lead to price increases. She emphasizes the complexities of the beef market.

Consequences close to home

Despite the lawsuit’s

KEN HAAS ANGUS

allegations of collusion and market manipulation, some producers are not on edge just yet.

“I’m not any more concerned with the packers today than I have been as a producer for a generation. They control the market, the supply and the flow of supply. But, there are bigger things facing the industry today,” Hawkes says.

Further, because of Wyoming’s unique cow/calffocused beef industry, there is no immediate need for concerns from producers.

“One thing, we don’t finish very many cattle in Wyoming feedlots. We’ve got a couple, but for the most part, we’re shipping animals on to be finished elsewhere, so we’re not directly dealing with packers,” says Jim Magagna, executive vice president of the Wyoming Stock Growers Association.

While Magagna acknowledges the possibility of indirect effects on Wyoming producers, he notes any consequence remains limited.

“I don’t think we have

seen an impact. There might be some secondary impacts, certainly, but not direct impacts that could easily be proved,” Magagna adds.

Despite the pivotal role McDonald’s plays in the industry, Samper suggests producers should not be alarmed just yet.

“Given how strong beef demand is here in the U.S., and especially on our export markets, I would not be concerned our supply chain is going to influence prices like that. I think our supply chain is more than resilient enough to handle something like this,” Samper says.

While the lawsuit raises important questions about market competition and price manipulation, this is not the first time the big four packers have faced pressure. Experts like Samper suggest the beef industry remains stable, driven by a variety of supply and demand factors.

Kassadee Lym is a corresponding writer for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@ wylr.net.

SALE REPORTS

Reported By: Kevin Murnin, WYLR Field Editor Dec.

Top Sellers

Lot 46 – HT Showman 3258 – Price: $11,500 DOB: 4/7/23

Sire: Schiefelbein Showman 338 Dam’s Sire: S A V Final Answer 0035

EPDs: BW: -0.3, WW: +82, YW: +144 and Milk: +29 Buyer: KG Ranch, Three Forks, Mont.

Lot 38 – HT Foundation 3240 – Price: $10,000 DOB: 4/5/23 Sire: S Foundation 514 Dam’s

Sire: HA Cowboy Up 5405 EPDs: BW: +3.4, WW: +73, YW: +128 and Milk: +18 Buyer: Plaggemyer Ranch, Livingston, Mont.

Lot 5 – HT Profound 3124 – Price: $9,500 DOB: 3/24/23 Sire: Sitz Profound 680G Dam’s Sire: HA Cow Man 7939

EPDs: BW: +0.5, WW: +65, YW: +111 and Milk: +25 Buyer: Arapaho Ranch, Coalmont, Colo.

Utah slid into third place, while WNFR veteran Dakota Eldridge of Elko, Nev. secured fourth place.

Performing consistently for the past decade, four-time WNFR qualifier Rowdy Parrott of Mamou, La. rounded out the leaderboard for 2024.

Team roping

With an impressive run of 3.8 seconds in the final round, Tyler Wade of Terrell, Texas was crowned the 2024 World Champion Header and Wesley Thorp of Throckmorton, Texas was named the World Champion Heeler.

Clint Summers of Lake City, Fla. and Jake Long of Coffeyville, Kan. finished second in the world and won the WNFR team roping average.

Coleman Proctor of Pryor, Okla. and teammate Junior Nogueira of Presidente Prudente, São Paulo, Brazil loped into third, and Kaleb Driggers of Hoboken, Ga. and Levi Lord of Sturgis, S.D. secured fourth place.

Rounding out the leaderboard in the team roping event was Dustin Egusquiza of Marianna,

For many, the holiday season would not be complete without evergreens, holly, mistletoe and other traditional plants. But it’s important to exercise care with some of these plants for happy and safe holidays, according to University of Missouri Extension Horticulturist David Trinklein.

“In days of old, people rarely brought holiday greenery into the home before Christmas Eve,” Trinklein says.

Doing so was considered bad luck for the coming year. This meant plant material remained fresh for Christmas Day and posed much less of a fire hazard – a definite must in an era when candles were a primary source of illumination.

Today, however, the holiday season starts with Thanksgiving and lasts through New Year’s Day. Plant material brought home at the beginning of the season is likely to dry out by Jan. 1.

Proper care

Proper care will not only make greenery safer indoors but will add to its attractiveness, said Trinklein.

Evergreen needles turn brown and holly leaves blacken as they age, so start with greenery that is as fresh as possible.

Greenery from local retail outlets might be relatively fresh, Trinklein said, “but the freshest greenery comes from one’s own landscape and should be used whenever possible.”

Whatever the source of greenery, Trinklein advises placing cut ends in water. If

Fla. and Logan Medlin of Tatum, N.M.

Saddle bronc riding

Eight-time WNFR qualifier Ryder Wright of Beaver, Utah led the world standings and clinched his third world title with a strong final ride on the 2024 Horse of the Year All or Nothin’ of Andrews Rodeo Company of Bagwell, Texas.

Damian Brennan of Injune, Queensland, Australia came up just short of the world title, finishing second in the world standings.

Wyatt Casper of Miami, Texas, a five-time national qualifier, squared off against Vold Rodeo Company’s Crossbreed’s Captain Hook, scoring 85.5 points to secure third in the world and first in the WNFR average.

In fourth place, Zeke Thurston of Big Valley, Alberta, Canada was right at home in Las Vegas on Cervi Championship Rodeo Company’s Vitalix Womanizer, scoring 86.5 points in the last round to finish in the top five.

Representing Wyoming, Brody Cress of

Hillsdale rounded out the world champion leaderboard in fifth place with an 89-point ride on R Watson Boots Ed Bishop, another great saddle bronc horse from Cervi Championship Rodeo Company.

Tie-down roping

Riley Webb of Denton, Texas broke his own earnings record and won his second straight tie-down roping world title.

Clovis, N.M. Cowboy Shad Mayfield, riding 2024 Horse of the Year Lollipop, secured second in the tie-down roping event in front of a packed house on the final night of the WNFR.

Haven Meged of Miles City, Mont. rebounded from a slow start and climbed to the third spot in the world standings.

Hitting his stride, Ty Harris of San Angelo, Texas didn’t go home empty handed and secured fourth place, while Shane Hanchey of Sulphur, La. secured fifth in the world and second in the WNFR average.

Barrel racing

Five-time WNFR qualifier Kassie Mowry of Dublin, Texas was crowned the 2024 Barrel Racing World Champion after a

13.59-second run in the final round of competition.

Hailey Kinsel of Cotulla, Texas and her well-known mare Sister didn’t miss a beat and found their way to the winner’s circle, securing second in the world.

Andrea Busby closed out her first WNFR on Jets Top Gun, sired by the legendary Blazin Jetolena, breaking the WNFR aggregate record and capturing third place in Las Vegas.

In fourth was Ashley Castleberry of Montgomery, Texas, and ending a sensational season was Emily Beisel of Weatherford, Okla., winning the final round of racing with a 13.51-second run which pushed her into fifth in the world.

Bull riding

In bull riding, Josh Frost of Randlett, Utah clinched the world champion title and his second WNFR average title by outpacing the field as the only rider to land seven qualified rides.

Bull Rider Hayes Weight of Goshen, Utah had the best regular season of his career and wrapped up the 2024 season in second place.

Hayes was the only rider to make eight seconds in round 10, scoring 87.5 points on Coffee Misunderstood, a bull from Frontier Rodeo Company of Freedom, Okla. that made his debut at the 2024 WNFR.

WNFR Rookie Cooper James of Erda, Utah relied on consistency and earned a win in a tough pen of bulls in round seven, scoring 88 points on Midnight Rider of Rafter H Rodeo Livestock of Hulbert, Okla., pushing him into third in the 2024 world standings and second in the WNFR average.

Coming off of a dream season, Bull Rider T.J. Gray of Dairy, Ore. came to the WNFR on a mission to secure a big win but finished the 2024 season in fourth place.

In fifth, Bull Rider Tristen Hutchings of Monteview, Idaho missed round 10 of the WNFR with a sprained left knee he sustained during round nine when he received a no score aboard Smith Pro Rodeos’ James Bond, but did end the year in third place in the WNFR average.

Breakaway roping

The 2024 breakaway roping season concluded

Deck the halls with proper caution

greenery came from a retail outlet, re-cut the stems first.

in the coolest place possi ble until it is time to move it indoors. Freezing temper atures will not harm green ery, but unfrozen water should be available to the stems at all times.

after moving them into the home. Design decorations so branches fit into a con tainer which holds water.

ing floral preservatives such as those used for cut flow ers. Change the preserva tive solution weekly to keep the water from becoming foul.

near hot air ducts, radiators or other heat sources. Never put decorations with green ery near fireplaces, where sparks might ignite them.

with Kelsie Domer of Dublin, Texas being crowned the world champion, followed by Martha Angelone of Stephenville, Texas who secured second on the world leaderboard.

When the dust settled, Breakaway Roper Josie Conner of Iowa, La. clinched third place, and Shelby Boisjoli-Meged of Calgary, Alberta, Canada landed in fourth place.

Ending the 2024 season, Jackie Crawford of Stephenville, Texas rounded out the leaderboard in fifth place.

All-round winners

After 10 days of competing at the 2024 WNFR, Mayfield took home his second PRCA World Championship with the All-Around title in Las Vegas.

Proctor ended the season in second place and Nogueira added to his winnings by placing third in the All-Around.

Wacey Schalla of Arapaho, Okla. secured fourth and Erich Rogers of Round Rock, Ariz. ended the season in fifth place.

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

contain toxic compounds which may pose a health risk if ingested, Trinklein says. For example, the red berries of holly are mildly poison ous and can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

often attracted to these bright berries, so keep holly well out of the reach of youngsters and make sure any berries that might fall from the decoration won’t land where they can be retrieved by a curious child or pet.

The leaves,

and

Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation honors individuals at annual meeting

On Nov. 8, during the Wyoming Farm Bureau (WyFB) Federation’s 105th Annual Meeting, two individuals were presented awards.

Wyoming State Sen. Cheri Steinmetz was awarded the WyFB Leadership Award, given to those who have devoted much time to the betterment of agriculture in Wyoming through their leadership in farm bureau and beyond.

Additionally, Mountain West Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company (MWFBI) President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jim Geesey was awarded the agency’s Distinguished Service Award, which is presented to those who have gone above and beyond in their service to agriculture.

Leadership awardee

With a strong background in agriculture, Steinmetz has a deep connection to Wyoming’s rural way of life, a passion for the land and a love for the communities that make up her district and state.

“I’m a farm girl from Goshen County, so agriculture is near and dear to my heart, and I understand the battles we’re facing from the federal government and the fiscal challenges facing us right now,” Steinmetz said upon receipt of

her award.

Steinmetz proudly represents Goshen, Niobrara and Weston counties in the Wyoming State Senate.

Since her election in 2019, she has served on the Appropriations Committee, ensuring Wyoming’s resources are carefully managed for the benefit of the state’s communities and future generations.

Her legislative career, however, began long before the state Senate.

From 2015-18, she represented House District Five, where she quickly became known as a principled and effective leader.

In his nomination letter, Lane Hageman noted her tenure has not been without its challenges. Her district has faced multiple natural disasters, including a canal tunnel collapse, a canal breach and devastating wildfires.

“She is a leader in efforts to protect and preserve agriculture and is a champion of private property rights and individual freedom. She has responded to these events with compassion for those affected and leadership to effectively and efficiently handle the problems at stake,” Hageman said.

Throughout her legislative career, Steinmetz has contributed her skills

and passion across numerous committees. She previously served on the Senate’s Agriculture, State and Public Lands and Water Resources Committee; the Transportation, Highways and Military Affairs Committee; the Select Committee on Legislative Facilities, Technology and Process; the Travel, Recreation and Wildlife Committee and the Committee on Capitol and Finance.

She has chaired both the Agriculture, State and Public Lands and Water Resources Committee and the Select

Water Committee.

Through her leadership in these roles, she has championed Wyoming’s agricultural industry, consistently defended private property rights and protected the individual freedoms of her constituents.

Beyond her work in the legislature, Steinmetz has been deeply involved in her local community. She has served as the secretary of the Goshen County Republican Women, on the Goshen County Farm Bureau Federation board and as a precinct committee woman for the Wyoming Republican Party.

Distinguished service honoree “Tireless in his endeav-

ors to serve Wyoming, Geesey has been a member of farm bureau throughout his nearly 40 years of service,” said WyFB President Todd Fornstrum. “He has worked tirelessly to maintain the connection between the insurance company and federation throughout those years.”

In his letter of nomination, Tim Pexton noted Geesey holds a deep understanding of the ties between the insurance company and the federation.

“Under his leadership, the MWFBI shares more than the name and logo of

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farm bureau,” Pexton said.

Geesey is no stranger to service to his home state of Wyoming. At MWFBI, he has served as an agent, agency manager, vice president of marketing and currently serves as the president and CEO.

A proud University of Wyoming (UW) graduate with a degree in industrial management, Geesey has taken on numerous leadership positions, each with significant impact. He has served as director of the Laramie Economic Development Corporation, president of the UW Alumni Association, president of the Wyoming Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors and board member for the Laramie Area Chamber of Commerce. He has also served as a Park County School Board trustee, president of both the Kemmerer Chamber of Commerce and the Kemmerer Lions Club and chairman of the Lincoln County Republican Party. Geesey continues to be active in his community and professional circles. He serves on the Wyoming Business Alliance Steering Committee and sits on the board of the Ivinson Memorial Hospital Foundation. Notably, he is also involved in furthering his leadership skills by participating in the Leadership Academy, a branch of Leadership Wyoming. His commitment to his community goes beyond official roles. He’s shown dedication to causes like United Way and Hospice of Laramie, always ready to give back and help those around him.

The mission of WyFB is to represent the voices of Wyoming farmers and ranchers through

roots policy development while focusing on

ing private property rights, strengthening

ture and supporting

WyFB Leadership Award – Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation (WyFB) Outgoing Director-at-Large Lane Hageman, pictured left, presented Sen. Cheri Steinmetz, pictured right, with the 2024 WyFB Leadership Award at the 105th annual meeting. Courtesy photo

WyFB Distinguished Service Award – Jim Geesey, pictured left, received the 2024 Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation (WyFB) Distinguished Service Award. WyFB President Todd Fornstrom, pictured right, congratulated Geesey. Courtesy photo

by Lee Pitts

I’d like you to settle an argument for me concerning a question that’s been nagging me for quite some time. It is a deep philosophical question which has been debated back and forth for centuries – ever since Socrates and Plato were running cows in Greece.

Here’s the question – do cows know it’s Christmas?

The reason I ask is

because I was down at the farm supply store last week, and the place was buzzing with people buying Christmas presents for their pets. I was lucky to get the last decent dog vest with a matching jacket.

Now, readers might call me a Scrooge, but I think when there’s such thing as a toy catalog for cats, Christmas is getting far to commercialized.

I hate to admit I have a friend who hangs a stocking up every year for his parakeet, and last year he bought it a beak sharpener and a CD of Christmas songs performed by a variety of birds.

I must admit I once bought a bone for my dog for Christmas, but I have never bought red and white block salt for my cows for Christmas like a rancher friend of mine did. And these auction markets closing up for Christmas day just to give the cows a day off is ridiculous.

I contend cows do not know one day from another.

To prove my point, I quizzed a cowboy friend of mine. Jeep had never had a philosophical discussion

before, but he did know a lot about cows.

“Jeep, do cows know it’s Christmas?” I asked.

“Well, they were there when it all started weren’t they?” he replied.

“Yes, now that I think of it, I’ve never seen a nativity scene which didn’t include at least one cow. But how would cows nowadays know about Santa Claus and all of the holiday stuff?” I continued.

“Maybe the reindeer have been talking,” replied Jeep. “Cows celebrate a lot of holidays, but they do it on different days than we do. They celebrate Labor Day when they calve and Independence Day when they wean their calves. They celebrate Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and

even the president’s birthday.”

“Bah humbug,” I said.

I simply could not believe Jimmy Carter had been their president too. Animals are smarter than this.

I still could not believe it. I called the university to find out if there had ever been any research done on the subject. They said their research department would need at least a $100,000 grant to do the proper research.

Next, I called the farm advisor. She said the Government Accountability Office had already done such a study, and found there to be no evidence of such a thing as Christmas.

I was so conflicted, I decided to play it safe. I

waited until the last minute to buy my cows a Christmas gift, and then I bought them a dewormer, although it hardly seems like a nice Christmas gift.

Finally, I made the mistake of asking my wife if animals celebrated Christmas.

My wife insists all animals know when it’s Christmas, and she’s hardly ever wrong.

Keep in mind though, this is the same lady who raised a turkey to have for Christmas dinner. She took Tom for walks, played Frisbee with him and he became one of the family.

When it came time, sure enough, we had him for Christmas dinner. In fact, he sat at the table right next to the dog.

The Wildlife Society recognizes UW scientists for sage grouse research

A group of University of Wyoming (UW) researchers has been recognized by The Wildlife Society for a multifaceted study on the effects of sagebrush reduction on Greater sage grouse.

The Wildlife Society is an international association for professionals involved in wildlife management, conservation and research. The society’s annual awards program recognizes scientists, wildlife managers, educators and others who have made outstanding contributions to wildlife science and management.

Best Monograph Award UW researchers, collaborators and former students received the 2024 Best Monograph Award for their paper titled “Response of Greater sage grouse to sagebrush reduction treatments in Wyoming big sagebrush,” published in the journal

Wildlife Monographs

“It’s a great honor to be recognized with this award, that highlights studies which have long-term, robust datasets asking both broad and specific questions,” says Jeff Beck, UW professor of ecosystem science and management.

Beck’s coauthors include Kurt Smith, a UW alum and now senior research scientist with the UW Department of Zoology and Physiology; Jason LeVan, a UW alum and now rangeland management specialist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Pinedale; Anna Chalfoun, UW associate professor and assistant unit leader of the U.S. Geological Survey’s Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit; Thomas Christiansen, retired Wyo-

ming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) sage grouse program coordinator; WGFD Wildlife Biologist Stanley Harter and Sue Oberlie, retired Bureau of Land Management wildlife biologist.

Paper details

The award-winning paper details the results of a nine-year study in central Wyoming which found sagebrush reduction strategies, such as mowing and herbicide applications, did not benefit local sage grouse populations.

While sagebrush reduction is a common management practice in Wyoming, researchers found effects on the birds were neutral at best.

“Our results may challenge a historic paradigm for sagebrush management,” says Chalfoun.

For six years, after sage-

To view the “Response of Greater sage grouse to sagebrush reduction treatments in Wyoming big sagebrush” paper in its entirety, visit bit.ly/sagebrush-reduction-effects. For more information, contact Jeff Beck at jlbeck@uwyo.edu or 307766-6683.

brush reduction treatments were applied, the scientists tracked behaviors and survival rates of more than 600 female Greater sage grouse. They also monitored effects on invertebrate populations and herbaceous forbs, both of which sage grouse rely on for food.

Results indicated neither mowing nor application of the herbicide tebuthiuron influenced nest success, brood success or female sur-

vival. Instead, the researchers observed a slight avoidance of habitat which had undergone sagebrush reduction treatments.

The treatments also did not appear to positively affect sage grouse food sources.

“We were able to answer questions about whether or not specific habitat treatments consistent with the Wyoming Sage Grouse Core Area Policy were ben-

eficial, benign or harmful to sage grouse, thereby ensuring future conservation efforts and dollars are more effectively spent,” says Christiansen.

Brooke Ortel is a writer and editor for UW Extension and can be reached at bortel@uwyo.edu. This article was originally published by the University of Wyoming’s College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources on Nov. 25.

Research recognized – University of Wyoming Professor Jeff Beck and his coauthors received an award for a publication titled “Response of Greater sage grouse to sagebrush reduction treatments in Wyoming big sagebrush.” Pictured from left to right are The Wildlife Society Chief Executive Officer Ed Arnett, Jeff Beck and The Wildlife Society President Bob Lanka. Katie Perkins photo

American Heart Association (AHA) Vice President of Rural Health Dr. Jennifer Conner was among the lineup of speakers at the 31st Annual Wyoming Women in Ag Symposium, held Nov. 7-8 in Laramie.

Conner stressed the importance of heart health – for all people – but especially those in rural America and shared work AHA has underway to increase access to healthcare in these areas and programs and resources available to these communities.

Community programs

First, since many rural residents are hours away from the nearest trauma center, Conner noted AHA is working with rural hospitals and clinics to ensure they have proper resources to provide adequate care.

“We also know libraries are a hub of many rural communities, so we have a program called Libraries with Heart,” she explained. “The program is three-fold, but what we’ve been doing is putting CPR kits in all 23 county libraries. Just like one can go in and check out a book, they

can also check out a blood pressure monitor.”

Additionally, AHA is setting up telehealth rooms in public libraries so residents with spotty internet service have a place to receive telehealth care.

For the younger generation, AHA has been working with college-based food pantries to ensure students have access to healthier food items and knowledge regarding the long-term effects of excess sodium consumption.

“I know I don’t have to tell everyone here that farm-related stress is at an all-time high. Suicide rates among farmers are at an alltime high,” Conner said. “We’ve had wildfires stress the industry here in Wyoming, so our producers are at higher risk for a stressrelated heart attack or stroke in this type of environment.”

With this, Conner noted AHA is encouraging farmers and ranchers to create cardiac emergency response plans, as well as working with the industry to create tools to help rural producers in an emergency, such

as using the GPS in a John Deere tractor to notify medical services of the individual’s exact location.

AHA is also in the process of brainstorming ways to get more automated external defibrillators (AED) on operations, including a voucher system where the department and the producer share the cost of the AED.

CPR

Making sure the general public understands the basics of CPR has also been a big push for the AHA, according to Conner.

AHA has held a longstanding partnership with the National Football League, but after Buffalo Bills Defensive Safety Damar Hamlin collapsed during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals in January, Conner said there has been a threefold increase in the request for CPR training.

“A big piece of what we do is CPR,” Conner stated. “I don’t know if this is a surprise to anyone, but about 70 percent of Americans feel helpless if they come across a cardiac emergency.”

Because of this, AHA has urged communities and venues to come up with cardiac emergency response plans and offer access to more AEDs.

“We are trying to get an AED in every school. Disproportionately, a lot of our rural schools and sports programs don’t have an AED,” Conner noted.

Since Wyoming’s professional sports realm consists solely of rodeo, AHA has been working to offer CPR training at events such as the National High School Finals, Cheyenne Frontier Days and Laramie Jubilee Days rodeos.

On a larger scale, they are also trying to become affiliated with the College National Finals Rodeo, Fort Worth Stock Show, National Western Stock Show, National Little Britches Rodeo and Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo.

Conner said, “We also have a program with AmeriCorps – a service-based project through the federal government which allows us to reach the most rural areas. We call it Heart-

Corps. So, our HeartCorps members are out teaching CPR at rodeos, going to the library and setting up blood pressure checks and going to schools to talk about nutrition.”

“We currently have host sites in Sheridan, Gillette, Fort Washakie, Casper, Torrington and Cheyenne,” she continued. “I also want to mention we have vacancy, so if you have friends or anybody who is looking to do a paid internship or paid volunteer position, we do have some openings.”

Lastly, Conner noted a few of AHA’s other national campaigns include celebrating National Heart Month in February, National CPR Awareness Week in June and National Restart Your Heart Day in October.

Women’s heart health

Additionally, AHA’s Go Red campaign is dedicated specifically to women’s heart health.

“We want to make it our mission to fight heart disease in women, because it is actually the number one killer in our nation,” Conner stated. “About 420,000 American women die each year from heart disease –one woman dies every minute from heart disease –and more women die from heart disease than all forms of cancer combined. In the U.S., about 43 million women are living with a

heart disease right now.”

She added, “I believe if one woman dies, it’s one too many. We have a job to do.”

With this, Conner said an important thing to note is women often have different heart attack symptoms than men.

While chest pain may be a sign, it doesn’t occur as much in women as it does in men. Instead, women usually experience pain in their arms, back, jaw and stomach; break out in a cold sweat; nausea and vomiting.

Conner noted the acronym “FAST” can be used to remember the signs of a stroke – face drooping, arms tingling, slurred speech and time to call 911.

Conner urges women to stay on top of their heart health and specifically recommends learning family history, improving daily habits, getting regular checkups, knowing baseline numbers, controlling sugar intake, staying active, getting adequate amounts of sleep and managing stress levels.

“Another thing to mention is how oral health impacts heart health, and dental care can be a real issue in rural areas,” she added.

Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on

Adobe Stock photo

for this special job, according to interesting scientific research.

Staying warm

Most mammals have only one layer of fur, but reindeer have two – a dense underfur beneath a blanket of hollow guard hairs.

This allows them to live in the Arctic, where temperatures on long, cold winter nights can drop to negative 30 degrees Celsius.

According to scientific research, reindeer have up to 2,000 hairs packed into a single square centimeter, making it 10 times as dense as human hair.

One layer of fur traps air and creates a cover of insulation, which keeps the reindeer from losing heat and stops snow from reaching and cooling the skin.

Reindeer also have counter-current heat exchange which allows them to recycle heat so the heart doesn’t need to work as hard.

“The arteries and veins carrying blood to and from the heart are intertwined, allowing heat from warm arterial blood to pass to the cold venous blood,” states Nottingham Trent University Wildlife Conservation Senior Lecturer Louise Gentle. “A lot of this heat exchange happens in the specialized nasal bones of the reindeer, where plenty of cold air is inhaled through the nostrils.”

Rudolph’s red nose

In the 1939 fictional

Request for comments on proposals to amend regulations under the Packers and Stockyards Act and to address concerns regarding price discovery and fairness in fed cattle markets has been extended.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced on Nov. 25 it is extending the public comment period for the price discovery and competition in markets for the fed cattle proposed rule.

The document was originally published on Oct. 11, but with the 30-day exten-

children’s book “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” written by Robert L. May, Rudolph, Santa’s ninth and youngest reindeer, used his luminous red nose to guide Santaʼs sleigh through the night sky.

Although fictional, some reindeer do have red noses, according to a December 2012 study in the British Medical Journal

Reindeer have highlyconcentrated blood vessels in their nostrils, which allows them to help regulate their body temperatures in harsh conditions and often gives them a red nose.

According to the study, Rudolph’s legendary luminous red nose “helps to protect it from freezing during sleigh rides and to regulate the temperature of the reindeer’s brain, factors essential for flying reindeer pulling Santa’s sleigh under extreme temperatures.”

In addition, reindeer can perceive shorter wavelengths of light than humans, allowing them to see ultraviolet light, which is easily scattered in fog and could hinder a reindeerʼs sight, according to a 2015 scholarly paper by Dartmouth College Anthropology Professor Nathaniel Dominy and published in the Journal of Frontiers for Young Minds

“Reindeer eyes are equipped with a reflective tissue behind the retina, reflecting light back through the retina and

sion, comments now must be submitted on or before Jan. 10, 2025.

During the initial 60-day comment period ending Dec. 10, AMS received requests from several industry organizations asking for additional time to submit comments, citing the various proposals’ complexity and wide-ranging impacts which could cause significant legal and economic changes in relationships between packers and their suppliers.

AMS said it seeks comment on the experience of producers, packers and other market participants in rela-

enhancing night vision,” states the researchers.

Thus, Rudolph’s red nose, emitting longerwavelength red light, would penetrate fog more easily, permitting the reindeer to see better and making him perfect for guiding Santa on his journey through the night.

Hardiness

According to a June 2011 article in the Quaternary International Journal, reindeer are the only domesticated species of deer, and people have been using them to move around since the Stone Age.

Reindeer migrate farther than any other land mammal – up to 5,000 kilometers a year – regularly covering 55 kilometers a day with speeds up to 80 kilometers per hour, reports the article.

Reindeer have evolved wide, crescent-shaped hooves, allowing them to walk in snow without sinking or getting frostbite.

These special hooves keep them stable and can be utilized to dig down like shovels to find food under the snow.

Reindeer hoof pads shrink and harden over winter, allowing them to walk on the sharp edges of their hooves and reducing the area of the hoof exposed to the cold ground.

The hoof rims cut into the ice and snow and prevent slipping, which is a great adaptation for keeping reindeer steady when

landing on snowy rooftops and is ideal for helping Santa visit every child in just one night.

Adding to their hardy nature, reindeer eat lichen, organisms formed from the symbiotic relationship between algae and fungi during the winter.

In the Arctic, wild, lichens, better known as reindeer moss, are plentiful and an ideal food source for reindeer.

Thanks to the specialized bacteria in their gut, reindeer are the only mammal capable of digesting them.

Perfect for Santa Reindeer can stay warm, see in the dark, stay

tion to the problems undergirding these complaints, as well as the effectiveness, workability and economic impacts of several potential solutions identified and welcomes relevant data, information and opinions to explain those views.

Comments can be submitted on or by Jan. 10, 2025 through the federal e-rulemaking portal at regulations. gov

AMS strongly prefers comments be submitted electronically but will also accept written comments submitted and delivered via mail by Jan. 10,

Rd Bred Cows, 5-6YO $3050/Hd.

Rd Bred Cows, SM $2725/Hd.

Rd Bred Cows, ST $2400/Hd.

Rd Bred Cows, ST $2225/Hd.

TD & Sons LLC - Worland

44 Blk Bred Cows, 3-4YO $3200/Hd.

39 Blk Bred Cows, ST $2285/Hd. Thoman, Blaine - LaBarge

14 BWF Bred Cows, 3-4YO $3050/Hd.

11 BWF Bred Cows, ST $2350/Hd.

44 Blk Bred Cows, ST $1825/Hd.

1 Blk Bred Cow, ST, 1265# $12600

Butterfield, James - Worland

3 Blk Bred Cows, ST $2400/Hd. Goncalves Farms - Worland

2 Blk Bred Cows, ST $2200/Hd. Walker, Eric - Burlington

39 Blk Bred Cows, ST $2075/Hd.

4 Blk Bred Cows, ST, 1261# $13200 Donley, Janell - Worland

6 CharX Bred Cows, ST $2075/Hd. Dobson, Martin - Burlington

4 Blk Bred Cows, ST $2050/Hd.

upright on slippery surfaces and find nutrition in the harshest of environments – all invaluable skills for pulling off the biggest night’s work on Christmas Eve.

Their domestication and long relationship with humans mean they are also well accustomed to pulling sleighs, but Santa’s reindeer can fly.

His steady nine-reindeer hitch can’t thank evolution for this, as their ability to fly comes from a sprinkling of magical Christmas dust.

However, it turns out, most male reindeer shed their antlers before Christmas in early December

at the end of mating season, while female reindeer keep their antlers throughout the winter. So, there is a very good chance Santa’s reindeer are female and have another advantage too. While male reindeer thin down during the mating season, female reindeer go into winter with 50 percent body fat to keep them nice and toasty during low temperatures as they pull Santa’s sleigh across the Wyoming night sky.

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

Herman Livestock LLC - Hyattville

9 Blk Bred Cows, ST $1900/Hd. SLS Cattle Co. - Meeteetse

14 Blk Bred Cows, ST $1675/Hd. Shurtleff, Gavin - Kinnear

5 Rd Bred Cows, ST $1650/Hd. Vacher, Kayden - Riverton

3 Rd/Blk Bred Cows, ST $1500/Hd. Herman Livestock - Lovell

1 Blk Cow, ST, 1355# $10300 COWS

Dobson, Martin - Burlington

1 Blk Cow, 1445# $12750

1 Blk Cow, 1250# $11600

2 Blk Cow, avg. 1295# $11000

Riley, Michael - Burlington

1 Red Cow, 1695# $12450

1 Red Cow, 1165# $11500

Donley, Janell - Worland

1 Blk Cow, 1635# $12000

1 SimX Cow, 1800# $11700

Nielsen, Jr, Jack - Greybull

1 Blk Cow, 1390# $11900

2 Blk Cows, avg. 1340# $10700 Heart Mountain Cattle Co. - Powell

1 Blk Cowk 1515# $11750

Shurtleff, Gavin - Kinnear

1 Blk Cow, 1180# $11700

1 BWF Cow, 1285# $11500

Shuler, Wade - Powell 3 Blk Cow, 1417# $11550

Murdock, Stanley - Pinedale

1 BWF Cow, 1670# $11500

1 BWF Cow, 1420# $11400

1 Blk Cow, 1455# $10600

Thoman, Blaine - LaBarge

2 Blk Cows,

2025, to Docket No. AMSFTPP-24-0013, S. Brett Offutt, Chief Legal Offi-

cer, Packers and Stockyards Division, USDA, AMS, FTPP; Room 2097-S, Mail

Stop 3601, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-3601.

Adobe Stock image

CALENDAR

Submit your events to: Editor, Wyoming Livestock Roundup, P.O. Box 850, Casper, WY, 82602, or e-mail to roundup@wylr.net.

EVENTS SALES

Dec. 15-Jan. 21 Beaver Creek Ranches Silent Auction, 918-413-7016, 307-672-7434, 307461-0906, 307-674-6947, 307-752-6949, beavercreekranches.weebly.com

Jan. 6 Western Video Market, North Platte Stockyards, North Platte, Neb., 530-3473793, wvmcattle.com

Jan. 11

Dec. 23-27

Wyoming Livestock Roundup Office Closed. The ad deadline for both the Dec. 21 and Dec. 28 papers is Wednesday, Dec. 18 at noon. Wishing all of our readers a very blessed and Merry Christmas.

Jan. 1, 2025 Wyoming Livestock Roundup Office Closed. The ad deadline for the Jan. 4 paper is Tuesday, Dec. 31 at noon. Wishing all of our readers a happy and prosperous New Year.

Jan. 4 Big Horn County Farm Bureau Federation Open Goat Roping, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Big Horn County Fairgrounds, Basin. For more information or to register, call or text 307-410-9301 or 307-272-5499.

Jan. 7-10 33rd Annual No-Tillage Conference, Louisville Marriott Downtown Hotel, Louisville, Ky. For more information or to register, visit no-tillfarmer.com

Jan. 10 Bureau of Land Management Kemmerer Field Office Mid-Winter Bald Eagle Survey, Lincoln County. For more information, call 307-828-4517.

Jan. 11 Bureau of Land Management Pinedale Field Office Mid-Winter Bald Eagle Survey, Sublette County. For more information, call 307-367-5359.

Jan. 11 14th Annual Women’s Agriculture Summit, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Hampton Inn and Suites, Buffalo. For more information or to register, visit johnsoncountycattlewomen.com/women-s-ag-summit

Jan. 14 Bureau of Land Management Newcastle and Nebraska Resource Management Plan Public Meeting, 3:30-7:30 p.m., Crook County Courthouse, Sundance. For more information, visit eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2013064/510

Jan. 15 Bureau of Land Management Newcastle and Nebraska Resource Management Plan Public Meeting, 3:30-7:30 p.m., Newcastle Lodge and Convention Center, Newcastle. For more information, visit eplanning.blm.gov/ eplanning-ui/project/2013064/510

Jan. 15 Beef Cattle Research Council Foot and Mouth Disease Webinar, 7 p.m., online. For more information or to register, visit beefresearch.ca

Jan. 15-18 American Sheep Industry Association Convention, Scottsdale, Ariz. For more information, visit sheepusa.org

Jan. 16 Bureau of Land Management Newcastle and Nebraska Resource Management Plan Public Meeting, 3:30-7:30 p.m., Niobrara County Fairgrounds, Lusk. For more information, visit eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/ project/2013064/510

Jan. 16-18 Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmer and Rancher Conference, Cody. For more information, visit wyfb.org

Jan. 16-Feb. 27 University of Wyoming Preserve@Home Course, every Thursday at 1 p.m., Zoom. For more information, contact Vicki Hayman at vhayman@uwyo.edu or 307-746-3531. To register, visit bit.ly/register-preserve

Jan. 22-25

National Bison Association Winter Conference, Omni Interlocken Hotel and Resort, Broomfield, Colo. For more information, visit bisoncentral.com

Jan. 23 Bureau of Land Management Newcastle and Nebraska Resource Management Plan Public Meeting, 5-7 p.m., Zoom. For more information or to access the Zoom link, visit eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2013064/510

Jan. 24-25 National Bison Association 2025 Gold Trophy Show and Sale, National Western Stock Show, Denver, Colo. For more information, visit bisoncentral.com

Feb. 4-6 CattleCon 2025, Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, San Antonio, Texas. For more information, visit convention.ncba.org

Feb. 5-6 Fremont County Farm and Ranch Days, Fremont Center, Fremont County Fairgrounds, Riverton. For more information, call 307-332-2363.

Rafter T Angus Annual Bull Sale, Buffalo Livestock Marketing, Buffalo, 307736-2415, 307-299-4569, raftertangus.com

Jan. 16 Ingalls Angus and Quarter Horses Annual Production Sale, Riverton Livestock Auction, Riverton, 307-349-3097, 307-349-1894, 307-690-7557

Jan. 18 Redland Angus Annual Range Calved-Range Raised Production Sale, Buffalo Livestock Marketing, Buffalo, 307-250-1548, redlandangus.com

Jan. 21 Ken Haas Angus 44th Annual Right Combination Bull Sale, at the ranch, LaGrange, 307-834-2356, kenhaasangus.com

Jan. 23

Marcy Livestock 63rd Annual Angus Bull and Female Sale, Gordon Livestock Auction, Gordon, Neb., 308-430-2005, marcylivestock.com

Jan. 24 McConnell Angus Bull and Female Sale, at the ranch, Dix, Neb., 308-2355187, 308-230-0430, 970-215-3204, mcconnellangus.com

Jan. 25 Little Goose Ranch Eighth Annual Production Sale, Buffalo Livestock Marketing, Buffalo, 307-751-1535, 307-622-8330, 307-673-0049, littlegooseranch.com

Jan. 25 21 Angus 31st Annual Top Cut Bull Sale, at the ranch, New England, N.D., 701579-4221, 21angus.com

Jan. 26

Jan. 27

Triangle J Ranch 35th Annual Bull Sale, at the ranch, Miller, Neb., 308-6275085, 308-457-2505, 308-293-9241, trianglejranch.com

Douglas Booth Family Angus 33rd Annual Bull Sale, Torrington Livestock Market, Torrington, 307-532-5830, 307-532-6207, boothfamilyangus.com

Jan. 27 Bullis Creek Ranch Spring Production Bull Sale, at the ranch, Wood Lake, Neb., 402-376-4465, bulliscreek.com

Jan. 30 Ridder Hereford Ranch Annual Sale, at the ranch, Callaway, Neb., 308-8364430, 402-450-0431, ridderranch.com

Feb. 5 Durbin Creek Ranch 13th Annual Bull Sale, Big Horn Basin Livestock Auction, Worland, 307-867-2404, durbincreekranch.com

Feb. 6

Feb. 7

Feb. 7

Feb. 11

Feb. 13

Feb. 17

K2 Red Angus Winter Bull and Female Sale, K2 sale barn, Wheatland, 307331-2917, k2redangus.com

Powder River Angus Annual Bull Sale, Buffalo Livestock Marketing, Buffalo, 307-680-7359, 307-680-8266, powderriverangus.com

Elkington Polled Herefords and South Devons 45th Annual Range Raised Cattle Sale, at the ranch, Idaho Falls, Idaho, 208-521-1774, 208-681-0765, elkingtonpolledherefords.com

G Bar H Genetics Angus Bull Sale, Torrington Livestock Market, Torrington, 307-575-5520, 307-575-0373

Booth’s Cherry Creek Angus 52nd Annual “Progress Through Performance” Bull Sale, at the ranch, Veteran, 307-534-5865, 307-532-1805, 307-532-1532, boothscherrycreekranch.com

Weaver Ranch 40th Annual Production Sale, at the ranch, Fort Collins, Colo., 970-568-3898

Feb. 22 Kretschman Angus Annual Bull Sale, Buffalo Livestock Marketing, Buffalo, 307-351-0794, 307-736-2327, kretschmanangus.com

Feb. 24

Reyes/Russell 34th Annual Sale, at the ranch, Wheatland, 307-331-1530, 970371-7819, 307-331-1568, mrangusranch.com

Feb. 25 Barker Cattle Company Bull and Female Production Sale, Burley Livestock Auction, Burley, Idaho, 801-792-1036, 208-312-3085, barkercattle.com

March 1

March 15

March 21

Lucky 7 Angus Annual Bull Sale, Riverton Livestock Auction, Riverton, 307850-2514, 307-850-2053, lucky7angus.com

Triangle J Ranch and Altenburg Super Baldy Ranch, LLC Colorado Select Third Annual Bull Sale, Centennial Livestock Auction, Fort Collins, Colo., 970481-2570, 308-627-5085, altenburgsuperbaldy.com, trianglejranch.com

Black Summit Cattle Annual Bull Sale, Black Summit Cattle Sale Facility, Powell, 307-899-3553, 307-899-1764, blacksummitcattle.com

March 22 T-Heart Ranch High Altitude Bull Sale, at the ranch, LaGarita, Colo., 719-8503082, 719-850-3083, t-heartranch.com

March 23

Sinclair Cattle Company Annual Production Sale, Buffalo Livestock Marketing, Buffalo, 307-254-1477, sinclaircattle.com

Source: USDA AMS Livestock, Poultry & Grain Market News, Torrington

Source: USDA AMS Livestock, Poultry & Grain Market News, Greeley, CO

National Sheep Summary

As of December 13, 2024

Compared to last week slaughter lambs steady to 20.00 higher. Slaughter ewes weak to 10.00 lower. Feeder lambs 5.00-19.00 higher. At San Angelo, TX 6,240 head sold. Equity Cooperative Auction sold 640 slaughter lambs in Colorado, 370 slaughter lambs in South Dakota and 355 slaughter lambs in Wyoming. 2,848 lamb carcasses traded with no trend due to confidentiality. All sheep sold per hundred weight (CWT) unless specified. Slaughter Lambs: Choice and Prime 2-3 San Angelo: wooled and shorn 120-140 lbs 161.00-184.00. Ft. Collins: wooled and shorn 130-165 lbs 195.00-199.00; 175190 lbs 145.00-150.00.

South Dakota: wooled and shorn 110-160 lbs 140.00-160.00. Billings: wooled and shorn 110-130 lbs no test. Equity Coop: CO: 640: shorn 155 lbs 130.00. SD: 370: wooled 135 lbs 142.00. WY: 355: Powell pool wooled 140 lbs 140.00. Slaughter Lambs: Choice and Prime 1-2 San Angelo: hair 40-60 lbs 292.00-340.00, few 342.00-356.00; 6070 lbs 276.00-322.00, few 327.00-330.00; 70-80 lbs 242.00-302.00, few 306.00-308.00; 80-90 lbs 220.00-250.00, few 270.00-282.00; 90-110 lbs 200.00-230.00, few 240.00-252.00. wooled and shorn 90-100 lbs 200.00-230.00.

Ft. Collins: wooled and shorn 53 lbs 275.00; 60 lbs 250.00; 70 lbs 245.00. hair 40-50 lbs 255.00-260.00, few 295.00; 54 lbs 265.00; 60-70 lbs 245.00-265.00; 70-80 lbs 227.50-237.50; 80-90 lbs 200.00-220.00; 90-105 lbs 190.00-200.00. South Dakota: wooled and shorn 69 lbs 265.00; 70-80 lbs 215.00240.00; 90-100 lbs 190.00-230.00; 100-110 lbs 160.00-175.00. hair 5060 lbs 235.00-250.00; 60-70 lbs 215.00-240.00; 84 lbs 215.00; 90-100 lbs 151.00-185.00; 106 lbs 141.00.

Billings: no test.

Slaughter Ewes

San Angelo: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) no test; Good 2-3 (fleshy) 100.00-102.00, hair 96.00-112.00; Utility and Good 1-3 (medium flesh) 118.00-125.00, hair 98.00-128.00; Utility 1-2 (thin) hair 92.00-98.00.00; Cull and Utility 1-2 (very thin) 72.00, hair 70.00-80.00. Ft. Collins: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) 100.00-115.00, hair 107.50; Good 2-3 (fleshy) 95.00-115.00, hair 87.50; Utility 1-2 (thin) 76.0090.00, hair 65.00; Cull 1 no test. South Dakota: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) 80.00-115.00; Good 2-3 (fleshy) 75.00-100.00, hair 80.00-95.00; Utility and Good 1-3 (medium flesh) 83.00-86.00; Utility 1-2 (thin) 74.00-95.00; Cull 1 85.00-90.00.

Billings: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) no test; Good 2-3 (fleshy) no test; Utility 1-2 (thin) no test; Cull 1 no test.

Feeder Lambs: Medium and Large 1-2 San Angelo: hair 31 lbs 336.00; 40-50 lbs 328.00-350.00; 50-60 lbs 300.00-348.00. Ft. Collins: 65 lbs 197.50; 70-80 lbs 185.00-190.00; 80-90 lbs 182.50; 90-100 lbs 170.00-180.00. hair 59 lbs 255.00; 81 lbs 190.00. South Dakota: 40-50 lbs 256.00-335.00; 50-60 lbs 253.00-260.00; 60-70 lbs 255.00-265.00; 70-80 lbs 235.00-241.00; 80-90 lbs 200.00-207.00; 90-100 lbs 181.00-198.00;

no test. Replacement Ewes: Medium and Large 1-2

cwt; yearling hair 100-115 lbs 162.00-166.00/cwt; young hair 95135 lbs 128.00-150.00/cwt..

Ft. Collins: ewes with lambs 210.00-250.00/family.

South Dakota: yearlings 250.00/head; young 210.00/head; young hair 128 lbs 115.00/cwt.

Billings: no test. Sheep and lambs slaughter under federal inspection for the week to date totaled 38,000 compared with 39,000 last week and 38,000 last year.

Source: USDA AMS LPG Market News, San Angelo, Texas

National Wool Review As of December 13, 2024 Australian Wool Exchange

Domestic wool trading had no confirmed trades reported this week. Prices reflect trades FOB warehouse in original bag or square pack, bellies out,

Source: USDA- CO Dept of Ag Market News Service, Greeley, CO

Wyoming Hay Summary As of December 19, 2024

According to producers movement and demand is light all over Wyoming, even though a couple of deals were made this week that moved some hay. According to the Wyoming Crop Progress Report, as of November 24th, 2024, other hay 2nd cutting is 93% harvested, pasture condition is 8% good condition and 22% fair condition. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor Website most of Eastern Wyoming is under extreme dry soil

According to the National Weather Service Website precipitation was

CLASSIFIEDS

307-234-2700 • 1-800-967-1647 • Fax: 307-472-1781 • E-mail: jodym@wylr.net or denise@wylr.net

Website: www.wylr.net. Weekly Deadline: Wednesday, 12:00 p.m.

Notice

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, 307-7776397 TFN

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: You are hereby notified that on Feb. 13, 2025, at 2 p.m. the Commissioners for the CasperAlcova Irrigation District will hold a public hearing to consider the Third Amended Bylaws of CasperAlcova Irrigation District. A copy of the proposed Third Amended Bylaws of Casper-Alcova Irrigation District are available on the Casper-Alcova Irrigation District website (www.caidwyoming. com) and in the Casper-Alcova Irrigation District office located at 755 Connie St., Mills, WY, 82644. The Third Amended Bylaws of Casper-Alcova Irrigation District will update the current bylaws and are proposed pursuant to CasperAlcova Irrigation District’s duties under W.S. § 417-303. On Feb. 13, 2025, at 2 p.m., the Commissioners for the Casper-Alcova Irrigation District will hold a public hearing to hear public comment and consider the Third Amended Bylaws of Casper-Alcova Irrigation District. Additionally, prior to the public hearing, any interested person may submit his/ her written views on the proposed Third Amended Bylaws of Casper-Alcova Irrigation District to the office of the CasperAlcova Irrigation District, PO Box 849, Mills, WY 82644 1/4

Help Wanted

Help Wanted

DEVILS TOWER FOREST

PRODUCTS INC., A LUMBER MANUFACTURER IN HULETT, WY, IS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR FULL-TIME

BOILER/KILN OPERATOR, MILLWRIGHT AND PLANER PRODUCTION OPERATOR: Benefit package includes company paid medical and dental insurance (including dependents), life insurance, company-matching 401(k), safety incentives, holiday pay, paid vacation and sign-on bonus. Mandatory employment and random drug testing is conducted. EOE. Starting wage D.O.E. Online applications are available at wwww. neimanenterprises.com. Email applications to joe.ortner@devilstowerfp.com or fax to 307-467-5418, contact Joe Ortner at 307-467-5252 with additional questions 12/21

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 12/28

Services Services

ALL TYPES OF EQUIPMENT AND VEHICLE FINANCING. Great service!! Great rates!! Call Chuck Brown at C.H. Brown Co., WY LLC, 307-3223232 (office), 307-331-0010 (cell) or e-mail chuckbrown@ wyoming.com 12/21

AGRI-ONE FINANCIAL: Farm/ ranch and all commercial loans. RATES AS LOW AS 5%. We have been helping with all aspects of agricultural, commercial financing and management for years. LET US HELP YOU on a consulting level with management to increase profitability, deal with and fix credit problems and for all your financing needs. WE CARE AND HAVE WORKING PROGRAMS designed for the farmer/rancher and not the banker. Please call Steve, 303-773-3545 or check out our website, www.agrionefinancial.com. I will come to you and get the job done!! 12/28

ONE-IRON WYOMING BRAND FOR SALE: LRC, LTH. Comes with 1 fire iron. Dues paid to December 2024, $5,000. Call 605-3904797 1/4

WYOMING BRAND FOR SALE: LSC. Ear marks available, dewlap registered with brand. No cattle with brand. $2,000 OBO. Call 307-365-1393. To view photos, go to www.wylr. net in the classifieds 12/28

LIVESTOCK GUARDIAN PUPS: Kangal and Anatolian shepherd, 9 weeks old, first 2 shots. $800. Call 406-2241078 1/11

AKC BERNESE MOUNTAIN DOG PUPPIES: All first shots, microchipped and vet checked. Ready for their new homes now!! $750. Call or text 605-680-2571. To view photos, go to www.wylr. net in the classifieds 12/28

CATTLE/HAY OPERATION LOOKING FOR YEARROUND HIRED MAN: Wages plus housing provided, 1/2 beef/year and can run a few cattle. Call 406-366-2052 or 406-428-2133 1/18

JUST IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS!! WELSH CORGI PUPPIES. One female, 3 males. Eight weeks, ready to go. For pictures or more information, call Mahlon, 406-409-9486. To view photos, go to www.wylr. net in the classifieds 12/21

WORKING BRED AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD PUPS (NO SHOW LINES), ASCA/ AKC guaranteed to work. Dad heads, mom head/heels, gritty, biddable, sweet, extremely smart, works with relatively little training. Has an off switch but needs a job like most cattle dog breeds. Pincie Creek lines. Ready second week of January. Located in Mountain View, WY. Health tested parents. Two males, 3 females, all black bicolored, $200, high-quality pups. Contact Lacey at 801-7218620, accepts texts. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 1/4

COW DOGS FOR SALE, $500. Call 307-272-5507 12/21

HEELER/BORDER COLLIE

PUPS FOR SALE: Variety of colors. Parents onsite. Will make good farm/ranch/livestock dogs and companions. Western Nebraska. Delivery arrangements available, $200 OBO. Call Johnny, 308-279-2419. To view photos, go to www.wylr. net in the classifieds 12/21

Twenty-Five Years

of Predictability SPRING PRODUCTION BULL SALE

January 27, 2025 • 1:30 p.m. CST At the Ranch • Wood Lake, Nebraska Selling 65 Age Advantage Coming 2-Year-Old Bulls and 4 Commercial Bulls Red Angus • Limousin • Lim-Flex Bullis Creek Ranch • bulliscreek.com • 402-376-4465

BULLS FOR SALE: Registered yearling and 2-year-old Black Angus range bulls for sale private treaty. Good selection for heifers and cows. From popular sires and industry leaders. Semen tested and ready to go. Call 307-762-3541 TFN

150 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 785394-1955 (cell), 785-394-2374 (home) or 785-731-5067 1/11

FOR SALE: Three-year-old bred cows. Longtime heifer development program X Bar Cattle Co., Laramie, WY is proud to offer 35 head bred to calve March 1 for 45 days. Home raised and purchased from reputation ranches in Wyoming, South Dakota and Nebraska. Running at 7,400 feet at the base of Sheep Mountain. Fancy, deep bodied, gentle and already have one calf under their belt. Out of and bred to front end, highly maternal, low PAP, registered Black Angus bulls selected specifically for good feet, structure, performance in the feedlot and longevity in the cow herd from all the top programs i.e. Sitz, WXW, TJS, XLAR and more. For information, photos and video, call 307-760-3837 12/21

48 BRED HEIFERS FOR SALE IN LARAMIE, WY: Seventeen AI’d to calve March 1. Thirty-one bull bred to calve March 15 for 30 days. Bred to 100% registered, low PAP, strong maternal, calving ease, Black Angus bulls from Sitz, Walter and Beartooth Angus. Ranch developed, deep bodied, medium framed. Electric fence, cake broke and gentle. Top shelf vaccine and deworming program. FMI, photos and video, call 970-556-5657 12/21

FOR SALE: 125 registered and commercial Blank Angus and black baldy BRED HEIFERS. Two groups AI bred to our 2 new herd bull purchases: SCR Feat 202K and GB Mogul M64J, 2 elite calving ease bulls. Two groups pasture bred to “sleep all night” low birthweight, calving ease performance Angus bulls. AI bred: Group #1 due March 15. AI Group #2 due March 28. BULL BRED: Group #1 due April 7 for 21 days. Group #2 due April 15 for 14 days. Group #3 due May 1 for 30 days. Vaccinated, poured/dewormed. Full mineral program. Available FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED. Pictures and videos available. Delivery and volume discounts available. MILLER ANGUS FARMS, Estelline, S.D. Kody, 605-6901997, Brady, 605-690-5733 or Greg, 605-690-4399 1/11

WANTED GRASS FOR YEARLINGS SUMMER OF 2025, references available. Maddux Cattle Company, 308-350-1133 1/4

PASTURE WANTED for 2,000 yearlings and 500 pairs. Can split into smaller bunches. Call 701523-1235 1/4

WANTED RECIP COWS:

Must be open!! Two to 6 years old, Red Angus or Angusbased cows. For more information, call Corie Mydland, 406-855-5598 (cell), Trans Ova Genetics 12/21

Horses

AQHA WEANLINGS AND 1 YEARLING CURRENTLY AVAILABLE: Bloodlines include Frenchman’s Guy, Freckles Playboy, Poco Bueno and many more. Douglas, WY. For more information call 970-768-4597 or visit www. lefflerlivestock.com 1/11

COWBOY SANTA SHOPS HERE!! 5 STAR saddle pads and MOHAIR cinches. MONTANA Silversmith and AUSTIN Accent jewelry, MONEY clips, barrettes and MORE… Tom BALDING and DUTTON BITS and SPURS. It’s ALWAYS a great day to $AVE on BOOTS: HONDO, BOULET, JUSTIN WORK BOOTS, TWISTED X (boots and shoes) and more!! RIDE, ROPE, WORK and play!! LEATHER belts, WALLETS, checkbook covers. Wool VESTS, silk SCARVES 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 12/21

FAITHFUL FEEDERS: Heifer development, backgrounding, and grass calf prep. Billings, MT. Call Ryan, 406-696-0104 4/12

Larry’s

Envita makes all plants nitrogen fixing. Nutriquire for phosphrus and potassium enhancement.

Hay & Feed

GRASS HAY FOR SALE: 3x4 bales, some barn stored, some outside. No weather damage. ALSO, alfalfa hay for sale 3x4 bales. Barn stored hay, $150/ton. Outside hay, $125/ton. Test available upon request. Riverton, WY. Call 307-709-6290 12/21

Wyoming Division Larry French 307-272-9194

Larryjfrench1950@gmail.com

Montana Division Jeremy Robertus 406-853-8554

triangle6livestock@outlook.com PO Box 191 • Powell, WY 82435

Hay & Feed

FOR SALE 80 TONS FOURTH

CUTTING ALFALFA: John Deere 5x6 big rounds, net wrapped. RFV 218, protein 20.7%. Delivery available. Call 308-430-0428 1/11

1,000 BIG ROUND FORAGE

WHEAT HAY BALES FOR SALE: Put up dry and right. No nitrates. Feed tests available. Appraised at 55 bushels per acre. Net wrapped 3 times. Weighing 1,200 lbs. to 1,300 lbs. Asking $65/bale. Call 605-848-0291. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 1/11

OAT HAY – LOTS OF OATS: 4x4 bales, $55/bale, bales weigh 1,200 lbs. Good cow hay. Wiggins, CO area. 250 bales available. Call Shawn, 970-390-8111 1/11

STRAW FOR SALE: 250 TONS OF BARLEY STRAW, 4x4 squares, $40/ton. Located west of Powell, WY. Call or text 307-202-0532 for more information 1/11

SUPERIOR 2024 HAY FOR SALE: For horses, cows, dairy cows. Protein 16-18%, RFV 140-175. Lab tested. Lab reports available. Large round netwrapped bales, 1,500 lbs./bale. We arrange trucking and participate in trucking costs for buyers. Price negotiable. Buffalo, WY. Call 307-217-0386 1/11

GRASS HAY FOR SALE: 2023 crop, 3x4x8 bales, 1,200 lbs., $100/ton. 2024 crop, $135/ton. Call Kelly Foianini, don’t text, 307-780-7027 or Bronson Foianini, 307-7602263, Lyman, WY 1/11 MILLET AND BARLEY HAY, 4x4 square bales for sale, $135 and $140 a ton. ALSO, have third and fourth cutting alfalfa available. Located near Douglas, WY. Call 307-351-4175 1/11

EXCELLENT QUALITY OATS FOR SALE, $12/cwt. ALSO, WRANGLER ALFALFA SEED, $2.50/lb. Greybull, WY area. Call 307-272-9259 1/11

VALLEY VIDEO HAY MARKETS, LLC: Hay available. Go to www.valleyvideohay.com or call Barry McRea, 308235-5386 1/4

2024 HAY FOR SALE: First, second and third cutting alfalfa/ orchardgrass mix, roughly 50/50, round bales. If tests wanted, they can be obtained. Thirty miles east of Valentine, NE, trucking available needed. Call or text for more information, 402-759-2033 1/4

HAY FOR SALE: 250 tons of first year, first cutting alfalfa, 4x4 bales, $110/ton. 200 tons of first year, second cutting alfalfa, 4x4 bales, $150/ton. Call 307-765-4393, near Greybull, WY area 12/28

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 307-250-6005 12/28

HAY FOR SALE: Very fine stemmed alfalfa, good horse hay, 3x4x8 bales, 200 available. Call for pricing, 307-2540152, Rivers Bend Ranch, LLC, Greybull, WY 12/28

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, $16/cwt. Combine run. Will auger into truck, trailer or large totes/ag bags. Located between Powell and Cody, WY. Call or text Knopp Farms for details, 307-2540554 1/4

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. 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 12/28

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 12/28

HORSE QUALITY GRASS HAY, third cutting, 3x4 square bales, $200/ton. ALFALFA HAY, second cutting, round bales, $175/ton. OAT/PEA MIX HAY, round bales, $150/ton. COW HAY, nice green millet, 3x4 bales, $110/ton. Square bales barn stored. Tests available. Lusk, WY. Call Paul Hicks, 970-203-5019 12/28

GRASS AND ALFALFA HAY FOR SALE: Cow and horse quality. Large quantities!! Small squares, 3x3 square bales and 3x4 square bales. Delivery available!! Call 307630-3046 12/28

CLEAN ALFALFA AND SOME BARLEY HAY FOR SALE in Riverton, WY area with some trucking available. Call 307-8514532 12/21

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 12/21

HAY FOR SALE: 600 tons total of first, second and third cutting straight alfalfa. Tests available, RFV 140-184. Hay is located between Basin and Otto, WY. ALSO, 200 tons of certified barley straw available. All in 3x4 bales. Call 307-254-3456 12/21

ROUND-BALED GRASS: 2023 $40/bale; 2024 $50/bale. 1,000 lb. net-wrapped bales. Cody, WY area. Call, don’t text, Anthony at 307-254-2645 3/1

LOTS AND LOTS OF HAY FOR SALE!!! Alfalfa, alfalfa/ grass mix, straight grass (crested wheat and native grasses), winter wheat, 1,300-1,350 lb. net-wrapped round bales. Deliveries are available if needed or come and get it. Sheridan, WY area. Call the ranch, 307737-2680 or 702-501-4243 (cell) 12/21

CERTIFIED WHEAT STRAW FOR SALE, large round bales. Call 303-898-8496 or 303-5002685 12/28

WE HAVE SMALL SQUARE 21-BALE BUNDLES TO OFFER: First, second and third cutting straight alfalfa. First and second orchard/bromegrass. 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. Located in Powell, WY. Call Scott, 307-272-4570. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 12/21

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

CERTIFIED BARLEY STRAW FOR SALE, 3x4 bales. Cody, WY. Call 307-899-1952 TFN

FOR SALE: 1995 FREIGHTLINER FLD 132 CLASSIC XL, 3406 B CAT, 100 miles on overhaul, 64” removable sleeper, 9 speed. Loaded with all options. Ready to go to work. Asking $25,000. Have other stuff to go with it. For details call Don, 719-743-2330. To view photos, go to www.wylr. net in the classifieds 12/21

2000 GMC 2500: 4x4, long bed, regular cab, automatic, toolbox, headache rack, air conditioning, power windows, very good tires, 173,000 miles. Runs as it should. $5,900 OBO. 2011 FORD F450: 6.7 diesel, 4 door, 4x4, long bed, dually, automatic, air conditioning, cruise control, power windows, locks, custom rims and tires, bedliner, 103,000 miles. Absolutely a head turner, very beautiful, ready to go to work. $39,500. 2018 DODGE RAM LARIAT 3500: 6.7 diesel, 4x4, 4 door, loaded, dually, automatic, air, sliding rear window, 200 gallon slip tank, tires are like new, ready to go to work. Private party, located in Powell, WY. Call 307-219-2217 or 719-217-8054 (cell). To view photos, go to www. wylr.net in the classifieds 1/4

Trailers

FOR SALE: 2008 FEATHERLITE LIVESTOCK TRAILER, 24’, aluminum, 14 ply tires, new mats. Just gone through Carl’s Trailer Sales, $18,000. Call 307680-9834 1/11

2007 KIOTI FRONT END LOADER, BACKHOE AND SNOWPLOW: 30 HP diesel, 200 engine hours. Pictures available upon request. Call 303-4427543, leave a message. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 1/11 FOR SALE: ONE CANNONBALL HAY UNROLLER. Excellent condition, on 2001 Dodge pickup that leaks oil out steering gear. $8,000. Call 307-6809834 1/11

CATERPILLAR 12E ROAD GRADER: This machine was built in the 1960’s. Serial# 099E03772, pre-DEF, has been used continually for the past 20 years by me for snow removal and road maintenance. Machine has block heater and electric start. Lights work. Comes with a set of chains. Clean machine. Near Rapid City, S.D., $19,000 OBO. Call Bill Maher, 605-391-6526, e-mail bevillage66@yahoo.com 12/21

FOR SALE: Vermeer BP8000 bale processor. Helm 285 mixer wagon. Vern’s loading chute. Summers hydraulic rock picker. John Deere 3020 gas tractor, with fresh overhaul, fenders and 3 pt. Landoll 36’ cushion gang disc with 3 bar mulcher. 2016 Mack (day cab), automatic transmission, MP7 engine, air ride, A/C, cruise control, 185” wheelbase, 488,000 miles, very clean truck, runs great. 2019 Freightliner, automatic transmission, DD13 engine, 184” wheelbase, 614,413 miles, runs and drives nice. Miller Pro 5100 18’ chuckwagon with bunk feeding extensions and tandem running gear. H&S 7+4 18’ and 16’ chuckwagons 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. Rowse 14 wheel v-rake with wind panels. 12’ HD box scraper with tilt. Erskine 60” snowblower for skid loader. Farm King 8’ snowblower with hydraulic spout. All in very nice condition!! Call 605-9995482 1/11

WANTED TO BUY ENGINE FOR INTERNATIONAL W9 TRACTOR or would consider whole tractor. Contact James at 307-254-0087 1/4

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 406-679-1136 1/4

ALLOWAY STALK CHOPPER: Model WR18, 8 row, side discharge. Field ready, $8,200 OBO. Call 303-651-2665 or 720-413-3707 12/28

RAIL TIES: #1-9 ft., #1 and #2-8 ft. USED CULVERTS: Three foot, 2 ft., 18” and various lengths. Call 307-630-2345 or 307-534-5253 1/4

LODGEPOLE PRODUCTS, 307-742-6992, SERVING AGRIBUSINESSES SINCE 1975!!

Treated posts, corral poles, buckand-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 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

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

Irrigation Systems

The choice is simple.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OUT THERE IN WyLR COUNTRY!

Thank you for making 2024 a successful year for our outfit. Hope all of yours’ was also and wishing you an even better 2025!

RANGE

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Fred Nelson, Broker/Owner 307.840.0593

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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

Irrigation

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continued from page 1

alternative – Alternative A – despite pushback from both states.

Chosen from a set of six alternatives, which were later narrowed down to three, Alternative A would allow existing coal mines in Wyoming to continue operations until 2041, but would close all future coal leasing in the area.

BLM cites reduced coal production and a push for “cleaner energy” for this decision.

“Both U.S. total coal production and Powder River Basin coal production peaked in 2008 and have since declined steeply, according to the Energy Information Administra-

tion,” writes BLM in the May press release. “The 12 active surface coal mines within the Buffalo Field Office produced approximately 220 million short tons of federal coal in 2022, down roughly 400 million in 2008.”

Publication of the proposed amendments kicked off a 30-day public protest period and a 60-day Governor’s Consistency Review.

Through the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process, BLM is required to evaluate and respond to each protest, and responses are compiled and documented in a Protest Resolution Report. These responses, com-

bined with input from the Governor’s Consistency Review, are considered when creating the ROD.

However, in a Nov. 26 press release, Gordon voices his concern with how well the agency actually takes these comments into account.

“Throughout the plan amendment process, and most recently in the Governor’s Consistency Review, Wyoming has raised countless issues with the Buffalo RMP. The BLM simply ignored the state’s concerns,” the news brief reads. “It is apparent BLM has ramrodded this plan through the federal administrative process, rather than addressing legitimate grassroots issues identified by the state and its counties. This is not a balanced

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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, 541-523-4434 (office) or 208-598-0267 (cell), Intermountain Realty, www.intermountainland.com 12/28

resource management strategy, but an anti-fossil fuel, politically-motivated action taken before the door slams on this administration.”

“The state of Wyoming will seek every remedy to overturn this decision, including litigation,” Gordon continues. “We will also work with the incoming Wyoming Congressional Delegation and the Trump administration to reverse this foolhardy decision.”

The lawsuit

True to his word, Gordon joined Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte in filing suit against the BLM in mid-December, arguing the ARMPA fails to comply with NEPA and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act and addressing the importance

Thanks to our friends, clients and customers for the continued loyalty and support. We hope the upcoming year brings you and your family peace and prosperity.

of coal production in the Powder River Basin.

“Coal is still king in the Powder River Basin, which spans across northeastern Wyoming and southeastern Montana and accounts for 85 percent of all coal produced on federal lands,” the petition states.

The petition further notes, because coal production takes place on federal lands, Wyoming and Montana have historically cooperated with the federal government, but the ARMPAs “mark a shift in BLM’s treatment of coal leasing” and a “new era for how BLM will engage with states, counties and local governments.”

“And, it marks a devastating blow to Wyoming and Montana, where

coal production fuels the economy,” the document reads. “Even though these states, their agencies and counties, industry groups and members of Congress objected to the proposed management plan, BLM gave their concerns short shrift and moved forward with its own agenda.”

“The federal government’s abrupt halt of new leasing in the Powder River Basin is unreasonable, unjustified and unsupported by federal law,” the states write. “This court should set aside the Buffalo and Miles City ARMPAs.”

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

What people need to know before shipping and receiving agricultural items this holiday season

People ship and receive packages using express courier companies like FedEx, UPS, DHL and others all of the time, but when the package includes an agricultural item, things could get dangerous for U.S agriculture and natural resources.

“You should know what could be hitchhiking in or on those items – invasive plant and animal diseases and pests,” said Dr. Mark Davidson, deputy administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Plant Protection and Quarantine program. “Once these threats enter our country, they could harm our crops, livestock and ecosystems. Left unchecked, they could devastate entire agricultural

industries, eliminating jobs, threatening our food supply and costing billions of dollars in losses and response costs.”

What is an agricultural item?

Some people might be surprised to learn what USDA considers an agricultural item.

Obvious examples spring to mind, like fruits, vegetables, plants, seeds and meat, but others include dried and processed plant products like rice, herbs and citrus peel; woodcarvings and handicrafts; live insects and snails; microorganisms; soil; pet food, chews and treats, as well as hides, bones, feathers and hunting trophies from certain animals and snack

food items containing animal-origin ingredients like individually-packaged meat snacks and mooncakes.

An even more extensive list can be found on USDA’s contact page for people shipping items via express courier.

Who does this apply to?

Many people who buy agricultural items online receive them from family or friends or ship these items themselves and aren’t aware of the agricultural risk and their legal obligations under USDA’s regulations.

These rules apply to anyone who ships or receives agricultural items via express courier. Common examples of people who ship agricultural items include customers

in an express courier store; customers on an express courier website about to print a shipping label; people in Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands shipping agricultural items to the continental U.S. and gardeners who ship homegrown produce to family or friends.

Examples of those who receive agricultural items include e-commerce customers buying plants or plant products – or animal products or byproducts –including handicrafts, international students receiving care packages or gifts from home including agricultural items and relatives or friends of people receiving a regulated article illegally shipped within the U.S. but out of a

quarantine area CBP checklist

USDA and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) created a checklist infographic to help ensure agricultural items are safe to ship into the U.S.

Sometimes people will need to contact USDA for guidance, and other times they will need to contact both USDA and CBP.

The checklist makes it easy to figure out who to contact.

First, look at the checklist and find the kind of agricultural item one plans on shipping or receiving via express courier.

See if USDA or CBP needs to be contacted before shipping.

Use the link or QR code to find the contact information. Call or e-mail the appropriate unit.

“USDA and CBP know agricultural items shipped in express courier packages can be a dangerous pathway for invasive pests and diseases to enter our country,” said CBP Acting Executive Assistant Commissioner Diane Sabatino. “The good news is the public can help us protect the things they love, like healthy animals and plants, fresh and affordable food and lush forests.”

Greg Rosenthal is the communications manager for USDA’s Plant Protection and Quarantine program. This article was originally published by USDA on Dec. 12.

WyFB unveils 2024 membership survey results at annual conference

Earlier this year in April, Wyoming Farm Bureau (WyFB) members were given the chance to participate in a short anonymous survey.

During the 105th WyFB Annual Meeting held on Nov. 7-9 in Casper at the Ramkota Hotel and Conference Center, Pac/West President and Chief Executive Officer Mark Truax unveiled the organization’s membership survey results.

Survey results

This year, the organization focused on four areas including general satisfaction, value and utilization of benefits, member com-

munication and education and advocacy.

The survey results were then broken down into more detailed areas consisting of regular members and associates.

“I have been around the country where there were similar surveys done, and there is a difference between these two membership categories,” he explained. “I think this difference creates a very significant opportunity for all of us.”

“Overall, the general satisfaction rate was 52.4 percent, and 77 percent of members stated they would continue their membership

in the future,” he noted.

“These results show great trust and value in WyFB.”

Survey respondents were also asked what their thoughts were on the WyFB staff, and the survey resulted in members stating they felt the staff would protect them and their interests.

While, there are always ways to grow and improve, the survey found engagement is an area which needs to be further developed.

More results

WyFB is not only working to protect and advocate for their members at the county and state level but also at the federal

SHOSHONI 1 Bull, 1715# $142.00

ROCK SPRINGS 1 Bull, 1945# $141.00 FARSON 1 Bull, 1945# $139.50

LYMAN 1 Bull, 1800# $139.00

HEIFERETTES ROCK SPRINGS 9 Heiferette, 867# $225.00

CORA

LYMAN

2 Heiferette, 955# $180.00

5 Heiferette, 982# $185.00

TUESDAY, JANUARY 7

CALF & YEARLING SPECIAL START TIME 9:00 AM • LOADS LOTS @ 10:30 AM

CALVES

Waldo & Emmi Tarango- 250 Blk Ang & AngX Strs & Hfrs 500-600#. Rec Vista Once & 7 way @ branding; Vista Once SQ, Pasturella, 7 way & wormed @ weaning (11-10). Good set of high elevation calves!

Tim Tolton- 150 Blk Ang & AngX(BWF) Strs & Hfrs 500-600#. Rec Virashield 6 & 8way @ branding. Nasalgen 3 & 8 way @ weaning. No Implants. 60 days weaned, hay fed. High elevation & Green!

Flying A/Britain- 130 Mostly Blk Strs & Hfrs 500600#. Rec 2 rounds of shots. Weaned Oct 1st. High desert & Green!

Linda Strock & Kenny Whitt- 100 Blk Ang & AngX Strs & Hfrs 525-625#. Comp vacc & multi min @ branding & weaning. 90 days weaned. Hay fed. Fancy & high elevation!

Mitch Benson- 100 Blk Ang & AngX Strs & Hfrs 525650#. Rec Vista Once & Vision 7 w/Somnus @ Branding, knife cut. Preconditioned and poured on 11-10, 50 days weaned in corrals, bunk & wa-

level as well.

As an organization, farm bureau works diligently to protect private property rights, minimize taxes and government spending, limit unnecessary regulations and make government leaders aware of citizen needs at a local, state and national level.

“We are an advocacy team, and it’s our job to get up, go out and engage with all of you, as well as the next generation,” Truax stated. “We are also here to help members understand benefits and have more knowledge and awareness about them. Even if members don’t use their bene-

fits, they are still finding them valuable.”

Another topic Truax discussed was the results of how individuals receive communication and where they get their information from.

“This one shocked me, but 78 percent of members are fine with e-mail as a mode of communication, while about 57 percent said they read some form of agricultural news,” he continued. “Reading the newspaper has gone by the wayside, as most people are not getting it delivered to their homes anymore.”

“Most people these days are reading it from

ter trough broke. Weaned on Vitaferm Stress & Conserve Tubs, Protein Meal, Redmond Salt & Alfalfa/Grass Hay. No Implants. Sired by Angel Angus and Hancock Registered Bulls. Nice and Fancy calves!

Abernathy Ranch- 100 Blk Ang & AngX Strs & Hfrs 525-550#. Rec 2 rounds Vista Once & Vision 7 w/Somnus, poured this fall. Weaned a long time. High desert, reputation calves!!

Seth Jones- 100 Blk Ang & AngX Strs & Hfrs 500550#. Rec 2 rounds Vista Once SQ & Vision 7 w/Somnus, poured this fall w/ ivomec. 60 days weaned, hay fed. High desert, reputation calves!! Steve & Trudy Slagowski- 74 Blk Ang & AngX(F1) Hfrs 480-520#. 6 Blk Ang & AngX(F1) Strs 520-600#. Rec 2 rounds Vista Once & Vision 8. Weaned over 60 days. Bunk broke. Sired by Low PAP Durbin Creek Herefords & Diamond Peak Black Angus bulls. High elevation, fancy calves!

Huxtable & McKee- 70 Blk Ang & AngX Hfrs 550650#. Rec Vista Once SQ & Vision 7 w/Somnus @ branding & Precon 9-13. Weaned 10-8. Sired by Hancock & Northwest Angus Black Angus bulls. High elevation, High Quality Calves!!

Jay Rodewald- 57 Blk Ang & AngX Strs & Hfrs 500600#. Rec Vision 7 w/Somnus + Spur, Vista 5 & Once PMH IN @ branding & Precon, Safeguard this fall. Knife cut. Fenceline weaned 11-1-24. Bunk Broke. No growth hormones. Sired by Powerful Blk Angus bulls. Full access to minerals. High desert!

Bill & Shirley Tschannen- 36 Blk Ang & AngX Strs & Hfrs 600-700#. Rec Vista Once IN, Vision 7, Safeguard and knife cut @ brand. Vista Once SQ, Vision 7 w/Somnus, Safeguard and Cleanup @ weaning. 45 days weaned. Sired by performance tested Klein Blk Ang Bulls.

Gary Barney- 35 Blk Ang & AngX Strs & Hfrs 500700#. Rec vacc spring & fall. Weaned Oct 20th. Good, high desert calves!

Bob Chesnovar- 35 Blk Ang Strs & Hfrs 550-700#. Rec 2 rounds Virashield 6 & Vision 7 + Spur. Knife cut. Been weaned on long stemmed hay, bunk broke & out on pasture w/ mineral lick tubs. High desert. Nice set of calves!

a device that fits in their pocket between meetings or other activities,” he mentioned. “But from a marketing standpoint, 57 percent who are reading print material on agriculture is a captured audience.”

“Looking back at the results, connecting and advocating for members go hand-in-hand, but I’m interested in how we can continue to meet members needs and get them the information they are looking for,” he concluded.

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

FRIDAY, JANUARY 10

TUESDAY, JANUARY 14

THURSDAY, JANUARY 16

TUESDAY,

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