Prairie chicken analysis casts doubt on species classification Page 5
UW Extension discusses the reality of rabies Page 6
Horse owners encouraged to pay attention to hoof care between farrier visits Page 9
Federal interest rate cut could provide relief to the ag industry Page 14
USDA Grants
On Sept. 19, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced USDA is awarding more than $35 million in grants to 15 independent meat processors in 12 states to increase processing capacity, spur competition to expand market opportunities for U.S. farmers and create jobs in rural areas. This marks the final investment in the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program, funded by President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan, which was first launched in 2022. For more information, visit usda.gov
New Initiative
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is announcing the launch of the Distressed Borrowers Assistance Network, an initiative designed to provide personalized support to financially distressed farmers and ranchers across the nation. Through a series of cooperative agreements, this national network will connect distressed borrowers with individualized assistance to help them stabilize and regain financial footing. For more information on the initiative, visit fsa.usda.gov
Reservoir
The Bureau of Reclamation will be lowering the water level in Alcova Reservoir after the irrigation season draws to a close. The annual drawdown of the reservoir will begin on Oct. 1. Boat owners and recreationists should be aware of the declining level of Alcova Reservoir and take proper precautions. During October, the reservoir water surface elevation will be lowered about 10 feet, at a rate of approximately four inches per day. The reservoir’s normal winter operating range is between 5,487 and 5,489 feet. Water released in the drawdown of Alcova Reservoir will be restored downstream in Glendo Reservoir. For more information, contact Elizabeth Smith at esmith@usbr. gov or 406-591-4761.
On Sept. 12, U.S. Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (ENR), addressed the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) role in con-
ducting advanced computing research in three specific areas – artificial intelligence, quantum computing and cybersecurity.
The hearing includes testimony from DOE’s Office of Critical and Emerging Tech-
nologies Director Helena Fu, DOE’s Science-Security Initiative Integration Oak Ridge National Laboratory Director Dr. Shaun Gleason and American Policy Ventures Senior Fellow Dr. Divyansh Kaushik.
Sen. Joe Manchin, III (I-WV), chairman of ENR, began the hearing by stressing to the committee, “Computing technology is advancing rapidly across the globe, and the U.S. must proceed
Pregnancy Diagnosis
Chilly morning temperatures and an array of golden hues mark the beginning of fall and the end of summer grazing. Around this time, producers start to gather their cows off of summer range or mountain forests and trail them to meadows at lower elevations.
As they enter this next phase of the production cycle, beef cattle experts remind producers of the benefits of pregnancy diagnosis, as well as available options.
Fall is the time for cattle producers to consider options for pregnancy diagnosis Please see
Benefits of pregnancy diagnosis
University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) Beef Cattle
Reproductive Physiologist Rick Funston notes, although research has shown diagnosing pregnancies in cattle herds ultimately adds to a producer’s bottom line, it is “grossly underutilized” with only 20 percent of producers employing some kind of pregnancy diagnosis at the
PLC honors awardees, elects president
The 56th Annual Public Lands Council (PLC) Meeting took place Sept. 17-19 in Grand Junction, Colo. During the last day of the event, PLC recognized two outstanding individuals and named their new president.
Individuals honored Wyoming’s Dick Loper was among the two individuals honored by PLC, receiving the 2024 Friend of PLC Award for his work as a range consultant and advocate of public lands grazing since the early 1980s.
According to a Sept. 24 PLC press release, Loper’s relationships with staff and political officials in the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Department of Interior have “provided key insight and opportunities to improve conditions for permittees and rural communities.”
“During his legendary career, Loper has worked extensively with state and federal agencies, grazing permittees and other agriculture organizations, and his contributions continue to impact decisions today,” reads the release.
PLC President Tim Canterbury presented Loper with his award, stating, “Loper is a great friend to all grazing permittees and has worked tirelessly to improve range management on public lands for the land and for the ranchers. He has provided a tremendous amount of support for our industry and has consistently promoted all of the benefits grazing has on the landscape.”
“Sheep and cattle producers are so grateful to Loper for his commitment and service to this industry. Generations of ranchers will benefit from Loper’s expertise and
For a University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) research team, launching agriculture in space is not such an out-of-thisworld idea.
Over the past few years, UNL Department of Biological Systems Engineering Assistant Professors Yufeng Ge and Santosh Pitla have set out to achieve the lofty goal of pioneering the first center for agriculture in space and finding ways to sustainably grow food on celestial bodies.
“We’ll be on Mars and the moon – we’ll have settlements – and people have to eat,” says Pitla in a Nov. 6, 2023 Nebraska Today article written by UNL Communication and Marketing Specialist Scott Schrage. “One of the things we are
WASDA update
State ag departments across the West address common issues during annual meeting
The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) hosted its annual meeting Sept. 22-25 in Indianapolis, where commissioners, secretaries and directors of agriculture from all 50 states and four U.S. territories gathered to discuss the latest in the industry.
Themed “Cultivating Common Ground,” the event’s agenda was jampacked with committee and regional meetings, as well as informational sessions and guest speakers.
On the first day, regional state departments of agriculture broke off to hold their own meetings.
Discussions in the Western Association of State Departments of Agriculture (WASDA) meeting centered around the common issues of wildfire, water, drought, livestock, crops, food safety, trade, public lands and funding.
WASDA is made up of state agriculture departments from Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming, as well as the American Samoa Government Department of Agriculture and
looking at is how we grow food in space.” Robot farmer
The creation of a flexible robot (FlexRo) in 2019 by UNL’s Biological Systems Engineering Department, led by Pitla, kicked off the project.
Flex-Ro, a compact multi-purpose tractor of sorts, can collect data with a variety of sensors used to measure everything from reflectance, plant height, temperature and humidity.
“Before humans go to Mars, we’ll want some essential resources there – and for this, we will send robots,” says Pitla. “Think about a greenhouse on a spaceship landed on Mars, and it’s already started
End of Grilling Season
As I welcome the fall season and try to leave the hot summer days behind me, I realize the days of grilling meat is coming to a close. I enjoy grilling and would grill all year round if possible. I’ve noticed people don’t pay much attention to the price of meat when they are grilling. Now, we’re slowly entering the holiday season, and people are more conscious of meat prices.
Beef prices are trending strong through the holiday season. Beef is still in high demand, and low cattle numbers are keeping beef prices steady where they are at.
Still, for the most part, shoppers continue choosing beef. With high inflation and tighter budgets, shoppers are looking for cheaper cuts to try as they search for a change from ground beef, but still, ground beef accounts for around 50 percent of beef sales. It is almost its own industry.
The latest CattleFax UPDATE says, “Retail ground beef prices have risen 44 percent from January 2020 to $5.58 per pound in August – a substantial increase – but remains one of the cheapest beef options and a highly versatile product for consumers. By comparison, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s all beef price has increased 37 percent to $8.16 and the Choice beef composite is up 41 percent to $8.51.”
“Higher-valued beef items such as steaks and the Choice composite have seen periods of pushback and price sensitivity from the consumers. Those months often coincided with stronger year-over-year gains for ground beef,” the report continues. “However, recent months have indicated less trade-down with more even price patterns across items” It looks like ground beef has and will keep its high demand with consumers. This is evident through fast food restaurants raising the price of hamburgers, and the lines are still long at the drive-ins.
Restaurants are really struggling with higher food and labor costs, but the demand for beef dishes is still high. The Restaurant Performance Index continued lower to levels which have previously only been seen in times of recession in the past 20 years, indicating consumers are looking for ways to cut back on spending.
All of those who are involved in the production of beef – and other meats for that matter – are closely watching the potential labor strikes along the East and Gulf Coast ports. Closing supply lines always raises costs.
It is important to know the price of food over the past three years, as it has been in the news almost nightly. I think what consumers don’t realize, and what one doesn’t hear on the nightly news, is the cost to produce food.
These costs have really impacted America’s farmers and ranchers.
In the last four years, the input costs to raise crops and livestock have risen dramatically, and when we throw in new costly regulations, up go the costs again. Then, if one has to borrow operating capital with higher interest rates, the cost goes up even higher.
Farming and ranching are like any other business, except they sell their products wholesale. We’re proud of the farmers and ranchers who produce our high-quality food, which is the safest in the world.
We’ve all been concerned about food inflation the last four years, but we also need to appreciate what it costs to produce our food.
CURT COX, Director of Livestock Field Services • 307-630-4604 • curt@wylr.net CALLI WILLIAMS, Livestock Field Services
GUEST OPINIONS
Agricultural Policy Matters in the 2024 Election
We can’t foresee the future of agricultural policy, but we can influence it.
As the 2024 election approaches, uncertainty looms over agricultural policy, leaving many landowners, farmers and ranchers anxious about their operation’s future. Rising input costs, fluctuating crop prices and growing operational debt have created a challenging economic environment for agricultural producers right now.
Empathizing with these concerns, AgAmerica is here to provide reassurance and financial stability. The precarious future of the 2024 Presidential Election and the next farm bill has many operators in wait-and-see mode.
Like many, we wish we could foresee the future. But outside of psychic abilities, the next best course of action is to stay informed on potential outcomes and do what we can to secure a financial future now.
The 2024 Presidential Election could bring significant changes to agricultural policy, impacting a range of ag-related topics. From taxes to tariffs, understanding where each candidate stands on these ag policy issues is part of effectively preparing for either outcome.
Tax policy changes
Tax reforms, particularly around estate and capital gains taxes, could have huge implications for landowners and the future of the American family farm. With the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017 set to expire in 2026, several tax-related changes could occur if left unaddressed.
The Democratic platform supports allowing at least some of the 2017 TCJA to expire, particularly those benefiting high-income earners and corporations, arguing these cuts have exacerbated income inequality and disproportionately favor the wealthy.
One key tax reform under consideration is removing the stepped-up basis for gains in excess of $5 million per individual, $10 million per couple or $5.25 million and $10.5 million, respectively, when combined with existing real estate exemptions.
This change, along with an increase in the capital gains tax rate, is part of the Democratic approach to raising revenue from higher-income households.
While a majority of U.S. farmers will fall below the $5 million per individual or $10 million per couple threshold, farm groups like the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) have expressed concern regarding the proposed stepped-up basis removal and its impact on family farms’ ability to transfer assets without a significant tax burden.
The Republican platform gener-
By AgAmerica Lending, LLC
ally advocates for extending the tax cuts from the 2017 TCJA, arguing these cuts have significantly contributed to economic growth, job creation and relief for middle-class families and businesses.
They emphasize allowing the tax cuts to expire would result in higher taxes, potentially stifling economic progress and undermining the benefits achieved.
Republicans believe maintaining these tax cuts is crucial for sustaining economic momentum and supporting continued investment and job creation.
Environmental policies
Environmental policy reform remains a pivotal issue, just as it was in the last election, particularly for those in agriculture.
Most major farm groups advocate for cooperative, voluntary programs over regulatory mandates when addressing environmental concerns. They stress collaboration, rather than strict government oversight, will yield better outcomes for both agricultural operations and environmental sustainability. Both major political parties present distinct visions for the future of environmental regulations and their impact on agricultural operations.
If Vice President Kamala Harris wins the presidency, it is expected environmental policies will closely align with the current Biden administration’s approach to promoting measures aimed at addressing climate change.
Her past support for the Green New Deal and her role in advancing the Inflation Reduction Act underscore a commitment to rigorous environmental standards.
The Democratic platform envisions a path to net-zero agricultural emissions by 2050, which includes expanding voluntary incentive programs which encourage farmers and ranchers to adopt environmentally-friendly practices.
Despite her history, Harris’ stance on fracking has evolved. While she previously opposed it, her current position is more nuanced, reflecting the need to balance climate goals with economic realities in key states.
In contrast, former President Donald Trump’s environmental policy stance is centered around deregulation and represents a stark shift from the current administration’s approach. Trump has been vocal in his support for fossil fuels and has promised to dismantle significant portions of the current administration’s climate policies if elected.
His agenda focuses on increasing fossil fuel production, including oil, natural gas and coal. Trump’s environmental policy would likely involve rolling back regulations designed to limit car-
bon emissions and support renewable energy, aiming to lower energy costs and increase domestic fossil fuel production. Republicans argue current climate regulations are overly restrictive and harm economic growth. They propose alternative solutions to protect air and water while promoting energy independence and economic expansion.
Agricultural trade policies
Trade is one of the more popular topics in this presidential race, with a forecasted agricultural trade deficit of $42.5 billion in 2025. Each major political platform has similar yet varied strategies for approaching this issue.
Under a Democratic administration, agricultural trade policy is likely to follow a similar approach as the current one, which has focused on outreach and diversification of existing trade partners to reduce reliance on more volatile trade partners like China.
While less vocal about using tariffs as a negotiation tool, the current administration has maintained tariffs on certain Chinese imports and plans to continue to do so in an effort to protect American industries without creating too much tension in this precarious relationship.
This balancing act could influence crop pricing and market access, as farmers may face fluctuating export opportunities depending on how these trade relationships evolve.
The Republican approach to agricultural trade policy would likely involve a more aggressive stance on tariffs, particularly towards China.
Trump has been a leading advocate of using tariffs as a tool to renegotiate trade terms and protect U.S. industries from unfair trade practices. His administration’s focus on increasing tariffs could lead to heightened trade tensions and potential retaliation from trading partners, affecting market access for U.S. farmers and potentially driving up crop prices.
Trump’s trade policy emphasizes boosting domestic production and reducing reliance on foreign imports, which could result in stricter trade barriers and a tougher stance on trade negotiations. This approach might appeal to those who favor protectionist measures, but could also lead to complications in international markets.
The farm bill and support programs
With the current 2018 Farm Bill already extended by one year, some programs are set to expire on Sept. 30. Lawmakers will need to act to extend or replace the farm bill to prevent the reactivation of laws from 1938-49.
There is mixed commentary on
NEWS BRIEFS
NGLC scheduled
The National Grazing Lands Coalition (NatGLC) will host the Ninth Annual National Grazing Lands Conference (NGLC) Dec. 4-6 in Tucson, Ariz. The triennial event serves as a gathering place for diverse producers and experts in grazing management.
“More than ever, caring for our natural resources and efficiently producing nutritious food is essential,” said Ashley McDonald, NatGLC executive director. “The NGLC brings together ranchers and grazing land managers from across the country to share innovative ideas, demonstrate best practices and build connections for future collaboration.”
The 2024 conference theme is “Expanding Grazing Horizons,” which was selected to honor work that has been done, while encouraging progress to further care for and sustain grazing lands.
The three-day event features education from fellow producers, industry experts and academia related to business continuity and finance; innovation; land health; marketing; best practice and policy. It also serves as a forum for professional networking, business development and socialization among other grazing managers.
Registration for the NGLC is open, and producers and others are encouraged to register by Oct. 15 at grazinglands.org
Scholarship and grant opportunities are available for producers, including the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Rancher’s Resilience Grant, which will reimburse about $1,000 of travel expenses. Additionally, the Lynn Myers/Hezekiah Gibson Producer Memorial Scholarship will provide two producers with $500 to attend the NGLC.
The deadline to apply for the scholarship is Oct. 15.
For more information about the NGLC, visit grazinglands.org/grazing-conference
Record sugarbeets produced
Growers in the Western Sugar Cooperative Lovell Factory District are producing a bumper crop, and the factory is humming as the fall campaign begins, factory manager Shannon Ellis reported at the Lovell Area Chamber of Commerce Membership Luncheon on Sept. 23.
“We had a pretty good crop this year,” Ellis said. “We planted 14,439 acres, and right now we’re looking at probably harvesting 458,000 tons of beets from those acres. This is about an average of 31.72 tons per acre, which is a record. If it comes through, it will be a record for the cooperative in Lovell.”
Sugar content of the beets – currently in the 16 to 17 percent range and heading to around 18 percent – is also looking strong, he said.
The campaign started on Sept. 10.
“It was a pretty good startup,” Ellis said. “We had a few bumps, you know, we always do. There’s always leaks and things like we didn’t get over the year before. This crop should be in around Feb. 15, 2025.”
Pesticide program set
The University of Wyoming (UW) Extension will offer a private pesticide applicator education program in Casper on Oct. 3. The event will be held at the Agricultural and Resource Learning Center, located at 2011 Fairgrounds Road, from 1-5 p.m.
Private applicator licenses are required for anyone who applies or supervises the application of restricted use pesticides. The upcoming program will provide an overview of certification requirements, pertinent regulations, pesticide safety and handling, proper disposal practices and more.
To RSVP, contact Ann Cormican at 307-235-9400 or acormican@natronacounty-wy.gov by Oct. 2.
All participants are required to bring a governmentissued ID, such as a driver’s license, to the event.
Upon completion of the program, applications for private applicator licenses are submitted to the Wyoming Department of Agriculture for approval and issuance of licenses.
Additional private pesticide applicator education programs will be held across the state in coming months. Testing for private applicator licenses is available in all county Extension offices throughout the year. For more information, contact a local UW Extension office.
BLM seeks feedback
The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) State Office initiated a 30-day public scoping period prior to preparing an environmental assessment (EA) regarding a wild horse gentling and adoption partnership held between BLM Wyoming and the Wyoming Department of Corrections. National Environmental Policy Act analysis is a required part of the contract renewal process. The EA will analyze the possible contract renewal with the current contracted partner as well as other alternatives.
For the full scoping notice and to provide feedback, visit eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2034597/510
The scoping period will conclude on Oct. 23 at 4 p.m. For questions, contact BLM Wyoming State Office of Public Affairs at BLM_WY_912@blm.gov.
2024 Statement of Ownership
Statement of ownership, management and circulation
Publication title: Wyoming Livestock Roundup
Publication number: 00-5774
Annual subscription fee: $60.00
Number of issues published annually: 52
Issue frequency: Weekly
Complete mailing address: PO Box 850 Casper, WY 82602
Publisher: Dennis Sun
Managing Editor: Hannah Bugas
Editor: Melissa Anderson
Owner: Maverick Press, Inc. Dennis Sun
Actual number of copies: 5514 (avg.) - 5481 (act.)
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Each person listed can be mailed to at PO Box 850, Casper, WY 82602, unless otherwise noted.
Program changes in effect
As of Sept. 23, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) long-awaited updates to the Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) farm loan programs are officially in effect.
These changes – part of the Enhancing Program Access and Delivery for Farm Loans rule – are designed to increase financial flexibility for agricultural producers, allowing them to grow their operations, boost profitability and build long-term savings.
These program updates reflect USDA’s ongoing commitment to supporting the financial success and resilience of farmers and ranchers nationwide, offering critical tools to help borrowers manage their finances more effectively.
Through these changes, financially distressed borrowers can now defer up to one annual loan payment at a reduced interest rate. This simplified option helps ease financial pressure while keeping farming operations running smoothly.
New repayment options will give borrowers the ability to increase their cash flow and build working capital reserves, allowing for long-term financial planning which includes saving for retirement, education and other future needs.
FSA has also lowered the amount of additional loan security needed for direct farm loans, making it easier for borrowers to leverage their existing equity without putting their personal residence at risk.
These new rules provide more financial freedom to borrowers. By giving farmers and ranchers better tools to manage their operations, FSA is helping them build long-term financial stability.
For more information, contact a local USDA Service Center.
with both ambition and caution, particularly when it comes to our national security and public safety.”
In July, the DOE announced its roadmap for the Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence for Science, Security and Technology (FASST) initiative, which will give the U.S. the tools to deliver secure and dependable artificial intelligence (AI) solutions.
“We can’t discuss this new era of emerging technology development without considering cybersecurity and broader national security implications,” Manchin adds. “We have seen the devastating effects of a cyberattack on our critical infrastructure like the Colonial Pipeline Attack in 2021, forcing the shutdown of the country’s most important fuel pipeline.”
For the past several months, Manchin and Barrasso have been working with their colleagues on the Intelligence Committee to strengthen security for research policies and to secure the science performed at U.S. labs.
Opening remarks
The DOE has a network of 17 national labs which play a key role in U.S. technological innovations.
“Research into advanced computing is crit-
ical – critical to maintaining America’s economic growth, national security and leadership in the world,” Barrasso states.
He notes the DOE currently has the world’s two fastest supercomputers and a third supercomputer among the world’s top 10, advancing AI and quantum computing.
“These are two fields the People’s Republic of China (PRC) seeks to dominate,” Barrasso continues.
“For this reason, the PRC watches nearly every move our national labs make. Our labs are under constant surveillance by a branch of China’s intelligence network focusing on science and technology.”
According to a 2022 report titled “The Los Alamos Club” by Strider Technologies, between 1987 and 2021, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) targeted over 160 Chinese nationals working at Los Alamos National Laboratory.
“Today, thousands of non-U.S. resident Chinese nationals still work at our national labs, and I believe the majority of these foreign nationals strive to further scientific innovation and collaborate in good faith,” Barrasso says. “Yet, make no mistake, they are beholden to an authoritar-
ian regime. Some of these Chinese nationals will see no other choice but to support the CCP through the theft of American research and technology.”
Congress required the DOE to devise a study of counterintelligence efforts at U.S. labs in 2020 and hired MITRE to conduct the study.
“In April of 2023, the MITRE Corporation produced an unclassified report, and upon receiving the report, the Secretary of Energy decided to classify it,” he adds. “The secretary reassigned the Director of the Department’s Office of Intelligence and Counterintelligence without explanation, and I have asked the department to declassify the MITRE report and for the department to come clean with the American people, but the DOE has refused.”
Barrasso notes, “We can’t let our research and technology fall into the hands of China’s dictatorship. The department must dramatically increase its efforts to protect our research from our adversaries, and Congress must step in if the department fails to do its job.”
Additional testimony
During Fu’s testimony, she reiterates the importance of emerging technology and the ability to counter national security threats.
Her testimony explains how DOE is advancing and developing AI through FASST and how to improve the department’s ongoing efforts in quantum information science.
“In order to understand, accelerate and govern today’s technological advancements, our government must have internal capabilities to respond to national imperatives first and foremost,” Fu states. “As we execute these missions, we simply must have the latest tools and brightest experts to maintain critical capabilities.”
Gleason explains how Congress can help advance science through research opportunities.
“Our economic, energy and national security require we continue to invest and innovate to solve the grand challenges across AI, cyber and quantum fields,” he states.
“A good example of AIdriven, adaptive cybersecurity propelling the U.S. out of the reach of adversaries in both information and operational technology systems is our critical infrastructures, such as electrical grid, oil and natural gas systems, water treatment plants and manufacturing systems,” he adds.
While all of these systems provide essential services, the U.S. electric grid is the largest and most complex machine in the world, with approximately 60 million transformers of roughly 80,000 different types, 70,000 substations and 5.5 million miles of distribution lines, which increases the risk of cyberattacks.
For more information on the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources hearing, visit energy. senate.gov.
“Solving this grand challenge requires regional partnerships and testbeds connected to a national cybersecurity coordination network,” he continues.
Kaushik closes the hearing by addressing the PRC and its intense competition with the U.S., aiming to dominate AI by 2030.
“Over the past seven years, they have increased their research and development budgets by 10 percent annually while engaging in sophisticated espionage to acquire technology,” Kaushik states. “This is not just economic competition but a strategic effort to reshape the global order.”
He explains breakthroughs powered by DOE’s supercomputing capabilities could revolutionize areas like material sciences, molecular dynamics and power grid resilience.
However, the PRC has announced the creation of its own national laboratories, which are explicitly designed to mimic and ultimately surpass the DOE complex.
“We can and must maintain our leadership in scientific collaboration, but on terms that protect our national interests,” he states. “This requires funding agencies, enforcement authorities, universities and researchers to work closely together, strongly emphasizing educating researchers about potential risks and best practices.”
He concludes the path laid out during the hearing is undoubtedly challenging and will require sustained commitment and vigilant oversight, but the alternative – a world where the PRC dictates the rules for transformative technologies – is simply not an option the U.S. can entertain.
Closing statements
The committee then questions the panel on increasing energy capabilities to support emerging AI technologies.
“I am concerned because electric power needs to be available, reliable and affordable to capitalize on these opportunities, and it is currently a major constraint on our ability to become the global leader in AI deployment. We’ve seen over 90 gigawatts of coal power retired in the last decade, dispatchable power gone,” Manchin states.
“The reality is, since 2010, we’ve seen the number of the computations we are putting towards AI models is doubling every six months. There’s no reason to believe it’s going to slow down anytime soon and would require more energy to connect to the grid,” Kaushik replies Melissa Anderson is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
UW hosts annual barbecue
The University of Wyoming (UW) will host its 41st Annual Ag Day Barbecue on Oct. 12 before the UW versus San Diego University football game at 1:30 p.m. The barbecue is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. It will be held at UW’s indoor practice facility.
This year’s menu features smoked beef, pork and lamb sandwiches with corn salad, coleslaw and cake prepared by the UW Food Science Club.
The event showcases registered student organizations associated with the College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources (CALSNR). Proceeds from the barbecue help support student organization programming throughout
the year and fund two scholarships for students who staff the barbecue.
Members of any CALSNR student organizations, which include the Range Club, Collegiate Lamb Growers and Wyoming Collegiate Cattle Association, can volunteer to attend and staff the barbecue.
To buy tickets before the event, visit bit.ly/agday-bbq. Tickets can also be purchased at the door, cash or card only. The cost is $20 for adults or $10 for children ages six through 12. Admission is free for children five and under.
For more information, contact Hannah Rasmussen, CALSNR relations representative, at hpowers2@uwyo.edu or 307-766-4034.
Analysis of prairie chickens casts doubt on species classifications
Biologists originally classified the Lesser and Greater prairie chickens of the Great Plains as two different species. Difficult to distinguish by their physical appearance alone, some scientists have wondered for decades if these grouse consist of only one species.
An accurate understanding of prairie chicken speciation gained new urgency in 2022, when the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) listed the Lesser prairie chicken as endangered in the southern portion of its range.
Now, a rigorous genomics study of prairie chickens in Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas, led by Purdue University scientists, has found evidence of hybridization between species with no clear indication of genetic problems such as inbreeding.
The scientists published their findings on July 24 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Nexus
Species hybridization
Using technology Study Coauthor Zachary Lowe, a Purdue adjunct faculty member and executive director of the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, likens to “GPS for genetics,” the results show the power of genomics to document which animals are a mix of closely-related species and which ones genetically qualify as unique lineages.
“With this type of genetic work, we are more informed and more able to get to where we’re going accurately and quickly because this is the best available science,” said Lowe. “When we rely on the best available science, we are more likely to make the best decision and get the best outcome.”
The Endangered Species Act of 1973 provides no clear guidelines about how to address hybrids between two presumptive species which breed with one another. This presents challenges to wildlife managers whose lands include hybrid animals, said Study Coauthor Andrew Black, a former Purdue postdoctoral scientist now at Oregon State University.
The two species began diverging between 600,000 and 900,000 years ago –a short time by biological standards.
“These species will breed easily together, so it’s important to take a study like this and figure out the best way to manage and protect the remaining diversity we see,” Black said.
Genomic analysis and study implications
The preexisting data came from 433 Greater and Lesser prairie chickens –mostly the latter – spanning 10 years and collected by researchers in Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas.
The research team sequenced the entire genome of each bird an average of four times.
Each genome consisted of about one billion nucleotides – the small molecules which make larger DNA molecules. The team needed supercomputers at Purdue’s Rosen Center for Advanced Computing and the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center to process more than one trillion nucleotides of data.
“This is a massive dataset which allows us to assess the genetic health of these populations across the range and to evaluate gene flow between the Lesser and Greater prairie chicken species,” Black said.
The data revealed little cause for concern with respect to genetic diversity.
“Of course, these things can change quickly if they have population declines or disease outbreaks,” he cautioned.
Although the study analyzed the genetics of prairie chickens in five states, the methods are relevant to the nationwide jurisdictional management of endangered and threatened species.
When a species becomes formally listed, management passes from the relevant states to the federal government. Such jurisdictional changes can impact the agricultural and natural resources industries operating in the affected local economies.
Along with Black, Senior Author J. Andrew DeWoody, professor of genetics in Purdue’s Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, published a similar study earlier this year regarding an endangered species of pupfish in New Mexico.
The genomics data from this study indicated what had previously appeared to be one species was actually two.
“This is a tool which will be implemented more and more in conservation,” Lowe predicted. Population designation
The FWS listing designated two distinct populations of Lesser prairie chickens – northern and southern. Species labels aside, the main genetic differences – which were quite small –were between the northern and southern populations.
The genomics data identify the southern population, recently listed as endangered and consisting entirely of Lesser prairie chickens, as distinct from the northern population. The northern population comprises a mix of Lesser and Greater prairie chickens.
“A distinct population segment doesn’t necessarily make it a different species. It just means separation by geography,” Lowe said.
The problem facing prairie chickens is one of habitat fragmentation rather than genetics. Fragmentation results from land-use changes such as converting short native prairie to row crop agriculture and human development. Even the seemingly low-impact change of placing wind farms in high-quality prairie
chicken habitat will affect their behavior.
“They will just quit using the habitat because they avoid tall structures,” Lowe said. “The vast majority of
FEEDERS
the prairie chickens depend on privately-owned agricultural working lands. This speaks to the importance of practical wildlife conservation efforts which support
sustainable grasslands, cattle production and private landowner incentives.”
This research was funded by the Western Association of Fish and
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2,
Wildlife Agencies. Steve Koppes is a communications specialist at Purdue University. This article was originally published by Purdue on Sept. 3.
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to grow food. We need a fully-automated robotic farmer that is doing those things even before humans arrive.”
Cosmic challenges
The challenges of growing food in space will exist with or without human care, however.
According to Schrage, Mars receives significantly less of the visible light powering photosynthesis and more of the DNA-damaging, high-energy radiation Earth’s atmosphere helps shield against.
Additionally, the temperature fluctuates wildly, with a summer day reaching a comfortable 70 degrees Fahrenheit, then plummeting to 100 degrees
below zero at night.
Mars also only offers 38 percent of Earth’s gravity, making it tricky to direct the flow of irrigation, and the soil – known as regolith – is a combination of rock fragments, dust and glass-fused minerals with little to no nutrients, Schrage notes.
Research done at UNL’s Greenhouse Innovation Center by Doctoral Student Cassie Palmer analyzed soybean growth in imitation regolith compared to conventional soil.
“Unfortunately, the shoots of the lunar-planted soybean struggled mightily to sprout throughout a 40-day span,” Schrage reports. “Its roots did the
EXTENSION EDUCATION
By Sara Fleenor, UW Extension Educator
same, though they also outpaced the relative growth of the shoots, apparently in a futile attempt to find nutrients Palmer would show to be missing from the regolith.”
Schrage further notes the imitation regolith tended to solidify when watered, which damaged the plants’ root caps responsible for root migration and nutrient uptake.
Galactic greenhouse
Because space is so harsh, Pitla and his team of researchers are looking at a way to grow crops in a controlled environment, such as a small-scale version of a greenhouse.
David Jones, a member of the team and a professor of biological systems engineering at UNL, explains research done at
the Greenhouse Innovation Center, where a combination of infrared cameras and imaging analysis powered by artificial intelligence occurs, would not be much different than that of space.
“The only difference between this and what we will be doing in space is, well, nothing,” he states. “Space is just another extreme environment.”
Once the team decided a controlled environment made the most sense for growing food in space, they began exploring sensors to monitor plants’ needs, such as light and water.
In a Sept. 11 article published in The Packer, Pitla notes, “On Earth, we understand irrigation, but in space where there is zero gravity, we don’t know how irriga-
tion works. When the plant is deficient in, let’s say fertilizer, or it is stressed because of no water, we can do manual interventions here. But on the surface of Mars or the moon, it needs to happen robotically. So, it’s those types of scenarios we are envisioning and then trying to come up with an engineered system to address it.”
Pitla and Ge believe corn and other Midwestern crops may eventually find their way to space since leftover stalks and leaves can naturally fertilize soil.
“Yes, the first generation of regolith is really harsh for plants,” says Ge. “But hopefully, when we keep adding the corn stalks, soybean residues or some of the waste coming from other processes, we can
improve it to the point we can actually grow plants.”
According to The Packer, while the UNL researchers hope to one day grow the first acre of corn on Mars’ soil, they are first focusing on growing leafy greens like lettuce.
“It is out of this world – it’s very exciting,” says Pitla. “I think it’s a very bold idea, but we know over the last decade we have made a lot of advancements going into space and with large rocket launchings using reusable rockets. I see a day where we will have settlements on space, so I think it’s all very exciting.”
Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@ wylr.net.
Many of us grew up with the stories of Old Yeller or Cujo and know all about rabies and dogs foaming at the mouth, trying desperately to bite the people they used to love. So, this summer when I had raccoons and skunks enjoying the cat food by the patio door at my house, I knew I needed to take action.
None of these creatures were displaying aggressive or abnormal behavior, but
having outdoor cats as a kid made me leery of having wild animals comfortable being close to my house, especially ones which are known carriers of rabies.
Rabies transmission Rabies is an infectious disease affecting the central nervous system in mammals. It’s transmitted through saliva. It is not transmitted through blood, urine or feces of an infected animal, and it is not airborne.
Rabies cannot go through unbroken skin. It is transmitted from a bite or through scratches, abrasions, open wounds or mucous membranes which come in contact with saliva or brain tissue from a rabid animal.
In open air, the virus will die when the saliva dries up.
All mammals can become infected, but raccoons are the most frequently reported rabid animal, followed by skunks, fox, coyotes and bats.
Bats are the most common infector of humans worldwide.
The most common domestic animals affected by rabies are dogs, horses, monkeys, cows, buffalo and rodents.
According to the article
“Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Rabies Virus,” the good news is because of rabies vaccine, infection of domestic animals is about 10 percent of all reported incidences of rabies.
Rabies can incubate from three to eight weeks, but might be as short as 10 days or as long as six months.
During this stage, the virus is not infectious. When it reaches the brain and salivary glands, then it is capable of transmitting through a bite.
Symptoms and phases
There are two major categories of rabies symptoms – the furious form, characterized by aggression and restlessness, and the dumb form where wild animals
may appear tame and have no fear of humans.
Behavior changes include animals becoming unusually aggressive or tame, losing fear of people, nocturnal animals being out in daylight, animals being overly excited or irritable, attacking anything or walking in circles. Rabies can also cause progressive paralysis, staggering and convulsions. Other noticeable symptoms may include excessive salivation, hypersensitivity to light and sound, vomiting, fever, choking, frothing at the mouth and making unusual sounds.
In animals, referencing an article by Dr. Thanet Purapornpong, the disease progresses through three stages.
First is the prodromal phase where the animal’s behavior undergoes a shift. It may go from being playful to lethargic, eating less and drinking less. This phase usually lasts for two to three days.
The second phase is the excitative phase. This is when the neurological symptoms show. The animal may become agitated, restless and exhibit compulsive biting behavior. It may freeze, drool excessively, have a hanging tongue, limb weakness or balance issues.
These symptoms are found one to seven days before the final stage, which is the paralytic phase. Once paralysis sets in, the animal will succumb to death within 24 hours.
In humans, there are also three stages of symptoms.
The prodromal phase beings with flu-like symptoms such as fever, fatigue and vomiting which may also lead to mood changes, anxiety and insomnia.
Phase two includes neurological symptoms including hydrophobia, the fear of water; aerophobia, the fear of wind; nervousness and fear of touch or hallucinatory mania.
The final stage is terminal when the patient becomes unconscious and enters a coma.
Patients typically do not
survive longer than seven days after the onset of initial symptoms.
Disease prevention Rabies is universally fatal.
Once symptoms begin, there is no cure. In the U.S., there are only around three fatalities a year attributed to rabies. Worldwide, the number is around 50,000 deaths, with a majority of these bites coming from bats.
The rabies vaccination is not 100 percent effective, but rabies is always 100 percent fatal. Vaccinating animals does protect them most of the time and protects humans who handle the animals.
Dr. Charles Rupprecht, former chief of the rabies program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, notes higher temperatures might also mean more wild animals in general. More animals overall, means more potentially infected animals, leading to an increase in overall rabies incidence.
Rupprecht notes in drought years where animals are forced to congregate at fewer and fewer available water sources, the uptick in rabid wildlife is even more pronounced.
There are several things those who suspect rabies in animals can do.
First, confine the healthy animal for 10 days and see if symptoms develop. Get ahold of vaccination records.
If the animal – domestic or wild – is showing symptoms, killing the animal is the best option. Rabies cannot be unquestionably diagnosed on live animals. Rabies testing requires brain tissue to be submitted to the lab. Contact a local veterinarian for testing and collection protocol.
World Rabies Day is Sept. 28. Be sure to do your part in helping prevent rabies by getting animals vaccinated and protected.
Sara Fleenor is the University of Wyoming Extension agriculture and natural resources educator serving Crook County. She can be reached at sfleenor@ uwyo.edu or 307-283-1192.
the Guam Department of Agriculture.
Wildfire
This year posed a devastating year for wildfire activity across the West, with fires burning in many of WASDA’s member states.
“Unfortunately, it was a pretty serious fire year in Idaho,” said Idaho State Department of Agriculture Bureau Chief Laura Johnson, who noted the state lost more than half a million acres and suffered a lot of air quality issues.
Oregon Department of Agriculture Director Lisa Charpilloz Hanson noted Oregon has also had a “tragic year in terms of wildfire,” with fires consuming over 1.1 million acres across the state.
Hanson pointed out Oregon ranchers were hit especially hard, but it will take some time before they understand the actual amount of loss in terms of cattle, feed and infrastructure.
While Hanson believes fires in Oregon started much earlier than usual, Wyoming Department of Agriculture Director Doug Miyamoto noted wildfire activity in Wyoming was rela-
tively late.
“We had a lot of wildfire pop up as well, and so far we are north of 600,000 acres burned,” Miyamoto said. “What is different about our fire season this year is it was relatively late. We had a lot of high wind and high temperatures, and we had a lot of residual native grass growth so it burned up very fast. Almost 85 percent of the acres lost were on deeded acres which is also unusual for us.”
He explained his biggest concern while recovering from fire damage is the labor and expense of replacing damaged fence.
Water and drought
Another common issue impacting producers and ag industries across the West is drought and water.
Washington Department of Agriculture Director Derek Sandison shared his home state was hit hard by drought this summer, particularly the Yakima Basin, which consists of rich and productive agricultural lands.
“But, I am pleased to say we saw some of the mitigation measures we have put in place for many
A new online learning platform, BEEF Academy, launched in July for members of the National Junior Angus Association (NJAA). In the future, the platform will be available to other young people interested in learning more about the beef industry.
“I hope to see this program thrive within the ag industry,” says NJAA Member Lyle Perrier of Eureka, Kan. “I think this program can do a phenomenal job of giving people a good overview of the beef industry. It shows the information in a way that makes sense.”
BEEF Academy was created with support from the Angus Foundation, Ingram Angus and the American Angus Association.
“The academy blends these organi-
years finally start to pay off. I think our situation could have been much worse, had those measures not been in place,” he said.
California Secretary of Agriculture Karen Ross also noted the nation’s westernmost state has been suffering drought conditions, and as an inherently dry state, Arizona Department of Agriculture Paul Brierley said his department “always has water on the brain.”
Brierly explained Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs has been looking into a new tool to help regulate groundwater in rural areas.
“This is obviously a great concern for our agriculture, which puts me in the middle of trying to come up with a workable solution to keep Arizona ag in production,” he stated. “They have come a long way, but there is still a lot more work to do.”
“We are dealing with water issues as well, and the governor has released a 50-year water plan,” said New Mexico Department of Agriculture Director Jeff Witte. “Basically, we are planning for 25 percent less water.”
He continued, “We have always been a dry state, but with the pres-
sures of food security, we really have to pay attention and make sure we make agriculture viable with less water.”
Livestock and crops
When it comes to livestock, many state departments have ongoing unease surrounding highly pathogenic avian influenza, especially in dairy cattle, and several voiced concern for a lack of federal inspectors in auction barns and meat processing plants.
Witte also brought up the issue of the declining population of pollinators.
Additionally, several states reported an update on crop production.
According to Johnson, Idaho is on track for a big potato crop, with exports to Mexico up nearly 50 percent. She noted, over the past year, Idaho has shipped over 100 million pounds of potatoes to the nation’s neighbor to the south.
Sandison explained, for the past few years, the state of Washington has had an overproduction of apples, hops and wine grapes. This year, Washington had the opportunity to use their surplus wine grape supply to help producers in British Colombia, Canada who suffered prolonged sub-zero temps
last winter which decimated their crop.
In Oregon, Hanson is battling restrictions on canola production in the Willamette Valley, where the legislature has placed a cap on canola farming to 500 acres until Jan. 2, 2028.
Food safety and trade
The issues of food safety and trade came up in a few state departments updates.
Brierly noted food safety remains a top concern in Yuma, Ariz. – a worldwide leader in ag production – and the state is implementing a rapid response program to help better understand crop health and disease.
Utah Commissioner of Agriculture and Food
Craig Buttars shared Utah is working to improve human safety regarding raw milk, as the state has seen a few toddler deaths over the past two to three months.
On the trade front, Johnson noted Idaho recently opened a parttime trade office in Japan and is working on market access for fresh potatoes.
Additionally, New Mexico State University recently returned from a trade mission in Indonesia, with a focus on dairy operations.
Public lands
Wyoming and Utah have struggled with public lands issues over the past year and are both in an ongoing lawsuit challenging the Bureau of Land Management’s Public Lands Rule.
“The lawsuit was filed directly in the U.S. Supreme Court, and we are hoping for a positive outcome,” said Buttars. “Our argument states we can manage our own lands better than the federal government can, so we are dedicated and committed to fighting this fight.”
Miyamoto noted Wyoming is embroiled in several other federal lands management policy concerns, including sage grouse management, areas of critical environmental concern and public lands grazing.
“We also filed a protest on the Rock Springs Resource Management Plan, so all of these things are ongoing,” he concluded. Keep an eye out for more from the NASDA Annual Meeting in future editions of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
zations’ missions into an online learning experience built especially for young people interested in our industry,” explains Jaclyn Boester, executive director of the Angus Foundation.
The launch was celebrated all week long at the National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) July 1-6 in Madison, Wis. Exhibitors were encouraged to “Take the Pledge” and commit to taking advantage of BEEF Academy’s online learning modules.
There was also a display in the trade show area where attendees of NJAS used a selfie backdrop for a chance to win prizes. Then, a ceremonial ribbon cutting was held on July 6 with representatives from supporting organizations.
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time his article was published in 2020.
The most prominent benefit of pregnancy diagnosis is identifying nonpregnant cows before winter months when producers have to feed hay.
With high input costs driving up the price of feed and drought leaving some producers in a shortage, getting rid of open cows may be necessary to save on labor, money and resources.
In an August 2024 North Dakota State University (NDSU) Extension and Ag Research News article, NDSU Extension Livestock Management Specialist Lacey Quail reiterates this sentiment, stating, “Cattle producers have or will soon be removing bulls from their springcalving herds, bookending another breeding season, and will need to identify which cows will calve next year before winter feed resources are allocated.”
Additionally, UNL Extension Educator Aaron Berger notes open heifers, cows and bred cull cows can provide as much as 20 percent of the gross income to a cow/calf operation annually.
“Taking advantage of opportunities to effectively add value to and market these heifers and cows using timely pregnancy diagnosis and an understanding of market seasonality can allow producers to capture more profit from this segment of the cow/calf operation,” he explains in an Aug.
20 UNL press release. Pregnancy detection methods
Producers who choose to employ pregnancy diagnosis in their herds this fall have three strong options –palpation, ultrasound and blood testing.
Rectal palpation is the most widely used, “triedand-true” method for detecting pregnancy in cattle.
According to Berger, an experienced technician can identify a pregnancy as early as 35 to 50 days after breeding and can give an accurate estimate of age of the pregnancy out to 120 days after breeding using palpation.
“Ultrasound has been utilized for decades and is the most informative of the methods available,” Berger says. “Ultrasound can identify a pregnancy as early as 28 days post breeding.”
He notes experienced technicians who use his method are able to accurately age pregnancies in the first trimester and identify the sex of calves 55 to 110 days after breeding.
Last but not least, blood tests are able to detect pregnancies through the presence of associated glycoproteins. Berger points out this method must be used at least 25 days post breeding in heifers and 28 days in mature cows.
“There are two different testing methods available,” Berger shares. “One requires the submission of a blood sample to a lab for analysis. The other allows
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for rapid results onsite within about 20 minutes of the blood sample being placed in the testing kit. Cows which have calved need at least 75 days post calving to use the blood test method, or false positives may result.”
Factors to consider
Experts across the board agree producers should compare these pregnancy detection options to determine the best fit for their herd management program.
More specifically, Quail encourages producers to consider four factors – cost, timing, required training and completeness – when weighing the pros and cons of each method.
Quail notes cost is the first consideration for many producers when deciding the best way to diagnose pregnancy in their herds, and she recommends analyzing the cost of the method alongside its accuracy, result timeline
and completeness.
“For example, monitoring estrus behavior in the herd after breeding is very affordable. However, this method carries considerable opportunity cost,” she states. “Observing cattle for estrus behavior is time consuming and potentially inaccurate due to the individuality of estrous cycles and the impacts of nutrition, lactation and environment on cyclicity in cattle.”
“Additionally, with estrus detection, the result is simple – pregnant or open. This method provides no other valuable information regarding fetal age or sex,” continues Quail. “On the other hand, techniques such as transrectal palpation or ultrasound are more comprehensive, but more expensive.”
Timing is another important consideration. Quail explains specific methods may align better with certain production timelines.
“If feed resources or cattle handling facilities are limiting factors, it is impor-
tant to know when each pregnancy detection method can be performed,” Quail says. “Retaining and feeding cows is costly, and opting for earlier detection is often beneficial so open cows can be marketed earlier.”
It is also important to note stress caused by handing cattle too early in the pregnancy may result in loss.
Additionally, each method requires various levels of training and expertise.
Quail explains, “The detection of estrus and blood antigen tests both require very minimal, if any, training. They are accomplished by visual observation or simply drawing a blood sample. Both methods can be very convenient options for operations which may not have access to trained professionals.”
“As a trade-off, these methods are not as comprehensive as those requiring more extensive training,” she adds. “Ranchers should consider how the timeline
and expense of these methods may fit into their management plan.”
Lastly, producers should consider the completeness of the detection method. Some operations may be able to get by simply knowing which cows are pregnant and which are not, while others may need a more complete list of information, including age and sex of the calf.
“Every operation raising beef cattle can benefit from pregnancy diagnosis. However, the method used can vary from herd to herd,” Quail concludes. “To find the most cost-effective method for an operation, consider how soon after breeding one needs to detect pregnancy, the labor required, the availability of trained professionals and the information needed for the management system.”
Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
Figure One – Pictured is a table weighing the pros and cons of each pregnancy diagnosis method created by North Dakota State University (NDSU) Extension Livestock Management Specialist Lacey Quail. NDSU graphic
2024 ELECTION
whether a farm bill will pass this year amid the heat of election season.
Even so, there has been little discussion among both candidate platforms so far as Congress continues to argue over the best path forward.
Democrats, including Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), have advocated for updates to the farm bill emphasizing enhanced support for conservation programs, rural development, improved access to subsidies for smaller farms and a bolstered food assistance program.
Under a Democratic presidency, there may be a push for a new farm bill reflecting these priorities. However, achieving these goals will depend on navigating partisan gridlock and securing legislative support.
If Republicans gain control of the Senate, and Sen. John Boozman (R-AR) becomes chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, there could be a significant shift in farm bill priorities.
The Republican focus may include more emphasis on reducing federal spending, streamlining farm programs and supporting commodity-specific subsidies.
Immigration policies
Last but certainly not least, immigration policy has easily been the most popular topic during debates outside of the economy.
While border control and related policies have been a huge part of the discussion, access to farm labor and H-2A Visa Program reform also fall
into this bucket and have largely been left out.
Still, the results of immigration policy reform could directly impact American farmers, who have already faced a seven percent increase in labor costs from 2023-24.
Democrats have faced a challenging shift in public opinion, with increasing calls for stricter border controls despite their previous emphasis on a more humane immigration system.
In response to record border crossings, the Biden administration has adopted measures which align more closely with previous administration policies to curb asylum claims and limit unauthorized immigration.
The 2024 Democratic platform reflects a dual
approach – enhancing border security and deterring unauthorized entry, while also expanding legal pathways for immigration. This focus is likely to remain on balancing security with humanitarian considerations, striving to protect undocumented immigrants already residing in the U.S. while promoting comprehensive immigration reform.
In terms of farm labor, the Democratic party has generally advocated for farmworker protections and wage requirements and has stated they will prioritize, “making the H-2A Visa Program application process more transparent, making visas more accessible to employers and supporting employers who comply with the rules so they are not undercut by those who don’t,” according to a recent AFBF questionnaire.
The Republican plat-
form, on the other hand, has committed to a more aggressive immigration stance, promising to revive and expand the former president’s past policies. This includes calls for mass deportations, the end of birthright citizenship and stricter border control measures.
For Republicans, immigration remains a top priority, with a significant portion of the party’s base viewing it as a critical issue. This platform’s policies would likely include increased border enforcement, significant reductions in illegal immigration and a focus on reversing what is viewed as lenient immigration policies.
This approach reflects a broader Republican emphasis on reducing illegal immigration and reinforcing national security.
When asked how the Trump administration
Horse owners should pay attention to hoof care in between farrier
“No foot, no horse” is an old saying that still rings true today.
Sound feet are crucial to the health and function of the horse, and regular hoof care is one of the most important aspects of keeping a horse and making sure they are able to do their job.
Like human fingernails, horse hooves continually grow to compensate for normal wear and tear.
Free-roaming horses’ feet wear at about the same rate in which they grow, but the confined domestic horses’ feet grow too long if not ridden much. They may also split, chip or break.
At the other extreme, hooves may wear too fast if a horse is ridden a lot. So, proper trimming and shoeing can keep feet healthy and at proper length.
Anatomy of a horse’s hoof
The outer hoof horn protects sensitive living tissues inside of the foot and continually grows down from the coronary band.
The hoof wall is made up of tiny hollow tubes running from the coronary band to the ground surface. They hold moisture to keep the hoof pliable and elastic so it can compress and expand without splitting.
On the inner surface of the hoof wall, these tiny columns of tissue interface with the sensitive portion of the foot containing blood and nerves.
The sole protects the ground surface of the foot and the V-shaped frog which bisects the sole acts as a spongy cushion to help absorb concussion. The hoof wall carries most of the weight, but the sole and frog also provide support.
The digital cushion, a blood-filled pad of tissue just above the frog, helps protect the coffin and navicular bones above it and dissipates concussion when the foot hits the ground.
The frog and digital cushion of a healthy foot
spread a little as the foot takes weight, squeezing and forcing blood back up the leg, enhancing blood circulation. When the foot is lifted, these elastic tissues all spring back to their original shape, so regular exercise helps keep feet and legs healthy, aiding proper circulation.
Hoof growth
A normal hoof wall grows about one-quarter to three-eighths of an inch per month. The entire hoof wall is usually replaced by new hoof horn every eight to 12 months.
If a horse isn’t wearing its feet down as fast as they grow, they must be periodically trimmed to keep them from getting too long.
If a horse is shod, its shoes need to be reset or replaced – after trimming the feet – every six to 10 weeks on average, depending on the rate of hoof growth for the particular horse.
This is why regular farrier visits are important.
Some horses have feet which grow very fast and the toes become too long – putting the feet out of balance – in just four to five weeks after being trimmed or shod.
This creates more risk for stumbling, cracking and/ or chipping if the horse is barefoot and not wearing its feet down enough. These horses need more frequent attention.
Other horses have slowgrowing feet and can go two months or longer –especially if the feet are well balanced by a farrier’s trim – before needing to be trimmed or shod again, unless the shoes wear out faster.
Individuals who ride in rocky terrain or along a gravel road a lot may notice their horses’ shoes wear out before the feet have grown long enough to need trimming. In this situation, a farrier can add hard-surfacing to the shoes so they last longer.
A good farrier will keep feet balanced and functioning properly so hooves will be elastic and resilient, keeping proper foot and pastern angles for optimum movement, agility and hoof health.
Farriers will usually assess the frog and sole to trim away loose tags or excess material, then trim the hoof wall to proper length for the particular foot and the horse’s needs.
If the horse will be left barefoot, enough hoof wall is left at the ground surface to take most of the weight so the horse won’t be walking on his soles and bruising them. The edge of the wall is smoothed so it won’t chip or split.
If the horse will be shod, the farrier trims the hoof wall a little more to make a smooth, level seat for the shoe. The type of shoe chosen often depends on the work the horse will be doing and the type of traction it needs for its job or the footing and terrain the horse will be ridden over or performing on.
Even though farriers may come to trim and shoe horses every five to eight
weeks or so, horses depend on their owners and caregivers to monitor and care for their feet in between visits.
Individuals who ride, train or handle their horses on a daily basis have a perfect opportunity to monitor hoof health.
Hooves should be picked up and examined. When cleaning hooves, individuals should assess the health of the frog and the sole.
A hoof continually packed with mud and/ or manure is more likely to develop thrush, caused by microbes which thrive in moist, dark and airless environments.
If a person detects the beginnings of thrush – black grime along the edges of the frog, with an unmistakable bad odor – they can treat it with a product recommended by a farrier and halt it early.
Picking up and cleaning the feet regularly also gives individuals a chance to feel for any heat and/or swelling in or around the hoof.
If the horse has a serious problem, it will likely be lame. Sometimes, however, a problem starts mildly and won’t be detected early
unless someone is paying close attention.
Just as one would never saddle a horse without brushing the hair off of its back first, the same is true about checking feet. A person should always remove rocks and debris from the bottom of a horse’s feet before riding.
Monitoring horses’ feet also allows one to notice if they are becoming dry, brittle and vulnerable to crack or, on the other hand, too soft.
Hooves in a dry climate may get brittle and crack, but this can also happen if a horse is bathed too often. Being continually wet and dry can deplete the natural oils in the hoof wall and lead to dryness and cracking.
If the horse is standing in mud or walking around in a wet pasture, its feet may become too soft and weak. If the integrity of a horse’s feet is compromised by environmental conditions, ask a farrier about hoof products to use between farrier visits to try to protect the feet from these extremes.
If the horse is shod, check each foot before riding to make sure the shoe is
will navigate the ongoing farm labor shortage, they responded they “will prioritize merit-based immigration, ensuring those admitted to our country contribute to our economy and strengthen our country.”
Your voice matters
As the political landscape shifts, the policies shaping agriculture will be influenced by those who participate. Understanding where candidates stand on critical issues and voting accordingly ensures your voice is heard.
The outcome of this election could directly impact your farm’s future. Taking the time to research and engage in the process is essential for protecting your interests and shaping the future of agricultural policy.
This opinion column was originally published by AgAmerica Lending, LLC on Sept. 18.
visits
tight and no nails are working loose. At the end of every ride, check the feet and shoes again. Don’t ignore the horses that aren’t being ridden, are out to pasture or have a few days off. It pays to do periodic checking to make sure a horse is healthy and sound – including the feet.
There is no substitute for “the eye of the master” when it comes to taking care of horses. If a person notices a problem early, they can take care of it immediately.
Heather Smith Thomas is a corresponding writer for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@ wylr.net.
Market Report • September 25, 2024 - No
Courtesy photo
Sept. 30
Oct. 1
Oct. 1-4
Five-State Beef Conference, Cimarron County Fair Building, Boise City, Okla. For more information or to register, contact Kierra Ortega at 580-5443399 or Britt Hicks at 580-338-7300.
Five-State Beef Conference, Coldwater Veteran’s Building, Coldwater, Kan. For more information or to register, contact Levi Miller at 620-582-2411 or Britt Hicks at 580-338-7300.
World Dairy Expo, Alliant Energy Center, Madison, Wis. For more information, visit worlddairyexpo.com
Oct. 2 Governor’s Mental Health Summit, 7:30 a.m., Events at the M, Casper. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit eventbrite.com/e/fall-2024-governors-mental-health-summit-tickets-966542162627?aff=oddtdtcreator
Oct. 2-6 28th Annual Trailing of the Sheep Festival, Sun Valley, Idaho. For more information, visit trailingofthesheep.org
Oct. 3
Private Pesticide Applicator Education Program, 1-5 p.m., Agricultural and Resource Learning Center, Casper. For more information or to RSVP, contact Ann Cormican at 307-235-9400 or acormican@natronacounty-wy.gov.
Oct. 3 Lincoln County Informational Brucellosis Meeting, 6-8 p.m., Town of Afton Civic Center, Afton. For more information, call 307-777-7515 or e-mail lsbbrucellosis-mitigation@wyo.gov.
Oct. 4-6 University of Wyoming Master Gardener’s Conference, Eastern Wyoming College, Douglas. For more information, call 307-235-9400 or e-mail dhoffman@natronacounty-wy.gov.
Oct. 8-10 2024 Farm Credit Sales Leaders Conference, Omni Charlotte Hotel, Charlotte, N.C. For more information, visit fccsconsulting.com
Oct. 9-27 The American Royal, American Royal Complex, Kansas City, Mo. For more information, visit americanroyal.com
Oct. 11-19 Northern International Livestock Expo, Billings, Mont. For more information, visit thenile.org
Oct. 12 University of Wyoming College of Ag, Life Sciences and Natural Resources 41st Annual Ag Day Barbecue, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Indoor Practice Facility, Laramie. For more information, visit uwyo.edu/uwag/calendar.html
Oct. 15-18 International Dairy Federation World Dairy Summit, Paris, France. For more information, visit fil-idf.org/idf_events/world-dairy-summit-2024/
Oct. 19 Independent Cattlemen of Wyoming Annual Meeting, Riverton. For more information, visit icowwy.org
Oct. 21-22 Wyoming Water Association Annual Meeting and Conference, University of Wyoming Conference Center, Laramie. For more information or to register, visit wyomingwater.org
Oct. 22-24 The Center for Food Integrity Transparency Summit 2024, Chicago, Ill. For more information or to register, visit empoweredevents.eventsair.com/cfitransparency-summit
Oct. 23-26 97th National FFA Convention and Expo, Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, Ind. For more information, visit convention.ffa.org
Oct. 24-27 American Hereford Association Annual Membership Meeting and Conference, Kansas City, Mo. For more information, visit hereford.org/aha-events/ annual-meeting/
Worland, WY
Oct. 5 K E Taylor Drilling, Inc. Business Inventory Liquidation Auction, 211 First Street West, Douglas, 307-532-4976, 307-534-5156, mcnameeauctioncompany.com
Oct. 11-13
27th Annual Fall Colt and Yearling Catalog Sale and Futurity, Farmers and Ranchers Livestock Commission Co., Salina, Kan., 785-826-7884, 785-4932901, 785-825-0211
Oct. 19 Gold Buckle Select Prospect and Ranch Horse Sale, First Interstate Arena, Billings, Mont., thenile.org
Oct. 19 Basin Angus Ranch A Lasting Legacy Elite Female Sale, Billings Livestock Commission, Billings, Mont., 406-350-0350, 406-350-2332, 406-366-3612, basinangus.com
Oct. 23
Micheli Ranch Bull Sale, at the ranch, Ft. Bridger, 307-252-0437, 307-7477786, 307-747-3897, 307-780-8232, micheliranch.com
Triangle J Ranch Harvest Select Female Sale, at the ranch, Miller, Neb., 308-627-5085, 308-457-2505, 308-293-9241, trianglejranch.com
Pharo Cattle Company Fall Sale, Burlington Livestock Exchange, Burlington, Colo., 800-311-0995, pharocattle.com
Leachman Cattle of Colorado Fall Harvest Sale, TBD, 970-568-3983, leachman.com
Ludvigson Stock Farms Fall Herdbuilder Bull Sale and Female Extravaganza Sale, Diamond Y Development Center, Park City, Mont., 406-601-9192, ludvigsonstockfarms.com
Bieber Red Angus Ranch Fall Production Sale, at the ranch, Leola, S.D., 605-439-3628, bieberredangus.com
Pharo Cattle Company Fall Sale, Headwaters Livestock, Three Forks, Mont., 800-311-0995, pharocattle.com
Redland Angus Annual Production Sale, Buffalo Livestock Marketing, Buffalo, 307-250-1548, redlandangus.com
The Wyoming Angus Association 14th Annual Wyoming Select Female Sale, Grace Werner Ag Pavilion, Casper College, Casper, 307-630-1593, wyomingangus.org
K2 Red Angus Fall Female Sale, K2 sale barn, Wheatland, 307-331-2917, k2redangus.com
POSTCARD from the Past
“Autumn is Here” proclaims a headline in the Sept. 19, 1908 issue of The Riverton Republican, followed by this article:
days of July and August, when the thermometer went high and the humidity was overwhelming, then it was nature was making the harvests for man so he could have something for his labor and remuneration for his exorbitant expenditure of perspiration.
the whole year presents such a picturesque landscape as autumn, especially the days of October.
BULLS River Valley Land & Livestock - Lovell
1 Red Bull, 1680# $15000
Spear D Ranch Inc. - Basin
1 CharX Bull, 1905# $14000
1 CharX Bull, 1895# $13350 Frimml, Chad - Worland
1 Red Bull, 2090# $14000 Wilkinson, Kurt - Basin
1 Blk Bull, 1880# $13700 Hoffman, Ronnie - Thermopolis
All Class Cattle Oct. 7 – Monday • The Bawl of the Fall Feeder Special Oct. 10 – All Class Cattle Oct. 17 – All Class Cattle, Sheep & Goat Oct. 21 – Monday • The Bawl of the Fall Feeder Special Oct. 24 – All Class Cattle Oct. 31 – All Class Cattle Nov. 4 – Monday • The Bawl of the Fall Feeder Special Nov. 7 – Bred Cow Special w/ All Class Cattle
Consignments • Sept. 30 • Bawl of the Fall Feeder Special & Customer Appreciation Day & Lunch
Sheep Canyon Ranch – 12 yearling black steers, 800-850#.
Orchard Ranch – 75 mixed yearlings, spayed heifers, 750-800#, shots at branding, one iron.
Paul & Goiner Ward – 40 PTO yearling black heifers, 850-900#.
Karl & Kenny Pierce – 130+ mixed black, 450-500#, two rounds of shots.
Ken & Rita Friesen – 40 black steers, 500-550#, complete vacc at branding.
Brewster Ranch – 130 black & BWF steers, 500-550#, complete vacc at branding, high elevation.
Bud & Kathy Arnold – 100 mixed black, 500-550#, no brands.
307 Wilderness – 55 mixed black, 300-450#, two rounds of shots, knife cut, high elevation.
TD & Sons – 40 mixed black, 450-550#, complete vacc at branding.
Shane Mastre – 55 red steers, 450-525#, two rounds of shots, Virashield 6, Vision 7 w/ Somnus.
Star Whitt – 50 mixed black, 450-500#, complete vacc at branding.
Mike Coble – 50 mixed black, 450-500#, complete vacc at branding.
Shawn & Tracy Stoffers – 35 mixed black & red, 450-550#, complete vacc at branding.
Mike and Karen Cuin – 30 mixed black, 550#, two rounds of shots.
Jason & Jennifer Cole – 20 mixed black, complete vacc at branding.
Lois Martin & Wayne Brost – 7 red & black steers, 500#, 2 red & black heifers, 450#, two rounds of shots, bunk broke, weaned Aug. 31.
Autumn is here. Those melancholy days, as the poet sang them, are come – the saddest of the year. But after all, Lowell did not evidently voice the sentiment of the enthusiastic nimrod, who, when the autumn woods take on the various tints of the rainbow, shoulders his gun and starts for a month’s hunt after big game.
This is one of the most delightful seasons of the whole year. Touches of melancholy may come. Some hearts may be dark and dreary.
Nevertheless, when the autumn does appear and vegetation takes on the color of the rainbow, the leaves fall, the grain is threshed and the crops of the year and harvests of the season are gathered.
The great American sport, known as baseball, is laid upon the shelf when autumn appears on the scene. Football comes in with its – rather than “hair-splitting,” let us say “head-splitting” stunts. Summer sports in general are not as numerous as in July and August. But hunting is the great sport, as previously mentioned.
The nature lover cannot help but appreciate autumn, with all of her beautiful colors and her exquisite and magnificent scenery. No other time in
The autumn days bring the culmination of the year’s toil.
While we sweat and groaned at the hot, sultry
All of these things are necessary. We fail to realize it perhaps at the time, but nevertheless, the Earth may yield her best, we must have unpleasant weather sometimes. Mingled with the sunshine, there must be some days of clouds and rainfall.
Madre Range west of Encampment. Although not quite as colorful as back in 1929 when this black and white photo was snapped by R.I. Martin of the Saratoga Sun, it is still worth the drive along the Deep Creek Road – Forest Service Road 801 – in southcentral Carbon County
Compared to last week slaughter lambs weak to 20.00 lower with most decline on heavy lambs. Slaughter ewes mostly steady to 10.00 lower. Feeder lambs 4.00-14.00 higher. At San Angelo, TX 9,493 head sold in a two day sale. Equity Cooperative Auction sold 1100 feeder lambs in Wyoming and 490 feeder lambs in Utah. 2,156 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 100-140 lbs 150.00-174.00. Ft. Collins: wooled and shorn 115-155 lbs 156.00-182.00. South Dakota: wooled and shorn 110-155 lbs 130.00-152.00, few 153.00-155.00.
Billings: wooled and shorn 120-140 lbs no test. Equity Coop: no sales. Slaughter Lambs: Choice and Prime 1-2 San Angelo: hair 40-60 lbs 256.00-282.00, few 308.00; 60-70 lbs 238.00-270.00; 70-80 lbs 208.00-232.00, few 252.00-265.00; 80-90 lbs 200.00-228.00, few 230.00; 90-110 lbs 186.00-210.00. wooled and shorn 60-70 lbs 238.00-248.00; 77 lbs 210.00; 80-90 lbs 202.00. Ft. Collins: wooled and shorn 70-80 lbs 215.00-240.00; 80-90 lbs 205.00-222.50; 100-110 lbs 205.00-220.00. hair 66 lbs 215.00; 70-80 lbs 210.00-230.00; 83 lbs 222.50; 90-100 lbs 202.50-222.50. South Dakota: wooled and shorn 65 lbs 225.00; 70-80 lbs 210.00225.00; 80-90 lbs 175.00-210.00; 90-100 lbs 180.00-205.00; 100-110 lbs 145.00-155.00. hair 67 lbs 225.00; 70-80 lbs 135.00-150.00; 82 lbs 145.00; 98 lbs 135.00; 105 lbs 135.00.
Billings: no test. Slaughter Ewes
San Angelo: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) no test; Good 2-3 (fleshy)
85.00-91.00, hair 75.00-94.00; Utility and Good 1-3 (medium flesh) 91.00-109.00, hair 90.00-110.00; Utility 1-2 (thin) 80.00-94.00, hair 82.00-99.00; Cull and Utility 1-2 (very thin) 70.00, hair 74.00-80.00; Cull 1 45.00-62.00.
Ft. Collins: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) 72.50-118.00; Good 2-3 (fleshy) 83.00-115.00; Utility 1-2 (thin) no test; Cull 1 no test. South Dakota: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) 75.00-95.00; Good 2-3 (fleshy) 70.00-105.00, hair 90.00-105.00; Utility 1-2 (thin) 60.00-85.00, hair
75.00-85.00; Cull 1 16.00-65.00.
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: 40 lbs 280.00. hair 40-50 lbs 262.00-306.00. Ft. Collins: 40-50 lbs 252.50-257.00; 50-60 lbs 227.00-252.00. South Dakota: 40-50 lbs 230.00-244.00; 50-60 lbs
Ft. Collins: no test. South Dakota: yearlings 180.00-285.00/head; young 170.00-245.00/ head; middle age 140.00-185.00/head; aged 135.00-170.00/head; middle age hair 125.00/head.
Billings: no test.
Sheep and lambs slaughter under federal inspection for the week to date totaled 35,000 compared with 34,000 last week and 35,000 last year.
National Wool Review
As of September 20, 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, some graded, and 76 mm or longer. No allowance made for coring, freight, or handling fees at the warehouse level to reflect net grower prices. Wools shorter than 75 mm typically discounted .10-.20 clean. Classed and skirted wools usually
at a .10-.20 premium to original bag prices.
SOYBEAN FUTURES
Month Week Prev This Week Change
Compared
week’s report. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor’s High Plains summary for September 24, 2024, aside from Kansas, where rainfall provided widespread drought relief, most of the High Plains experienced unchanged or worsening drought conditions. On September 22, topsoil moisture rated very short to short ranged from 29% in North Dakota to 84% in Wyoming, with values also above 50% in Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska. Wyoming led the region on that date with 68% of its rangeland and pastures rated very poor to poor, followed by South Dakota at 44%. According to the NASS Colorado Crop Progress Report for week ending September 22, 2024, Alfalfa 3rd cutting 73%, 4th cutting 18%. Stored feed supplies were reported as 1% Very Short, 5% Short, 74% Adequate, and 20% Surplus. Corn harvested for silage is 52%. The next available report will be Thursday, October 3, 2024. Mountains & Northwest
The latest markets data can be found by visiting USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service at https://www.ams.usda.gov/market-news SETT PRICE
CLASSIFIEDS
NOW HIRING: CDL A TRUCK DRIVERS AND FRONT END LOADERS. Home daily, seasonal sugarbeet rehaul. Location: Worland or Lovell, WY. Drivers earn up to $1,900/ week. Loaders earn $25/hour. Flexible work schedules. Drivers must have CDL A with doubles endorsement. To apply, please call 651-364-9578. To view photos, go to www.wylr. net in the classifieds 10/19
Financial Services
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!! 10/5
TWO WYOMING BRANDS FOR SALE: First brand: RHC, RHH. Second brand: LRC, LHH. Both have left ear notch. No irons. $7,000 for both. Call 307-331-1522 10/19
REGISTERED WYOMING BRAND, RBH, renewed to March 2025, $1,000. Call 307-630-0359 10/19
MIDLAND, S.D. CAN ALSO feed cows, background calves, develop replacement heifers or feed cattle from start to finish. Good facilities, late model equipment and scale. Lots of added winter protection. ALSO, WILLING TO FEED and take care of your breeding bulls year-round. CALL ROBERT TOLTON 605-685-5141.
Helping those affected by the fires in Wyoming and Montana:
One FREE 4 week classified line ad available for anyone with the following to give and for those in need:
• Pasture
• Fencing supplies and businesses
• Hay and feed
Call the Wyoming Livestock Roundup to place a classified line ad at 307-234-2700 or e-mail roundup@wylr.net
WYOMING BRAND FOR SALE: RRC, RSH. Good through Jan. 1, 2027, 3 irons available, $3,500. Call 307-620-1961 10/12
and 1 year of employment. If you are interested stop by and fill out an application or visit our website at
Call Brandon Furr at 402-257-7769 or 402-746-2222 for more information.
REMOTE NORTHEAST WYOMING RANCH IS LOOKING FOR A FULL-TIME FARM/ RANCH EMPLOYEE: This position is open immediately. Applicant must be self-motivated, reliable and responsible with knowledge of haying and farming. Mechanical skills are a must. Farming duties include: Swathing, baling and raking hay, etc. THIS IS NOT A COWBOY POSITION, but applicant will need to assist in all aspects of cattle work as well. Those duties include calving heifers, feeding hay, branding and gathering, etc. Nearest big town is 60+ miles and nearest K-12 school is 30+ miles away. Housing is provided and on a school bus route. Please send resume with references by mail or email to: PeeGee Ranch, 1251 Lower Powder River Road, Arvada, WY 82831, pgranch@ rangeweb.net. Call 307-7362461 10/5
HISTORIC WYOMING BRAND, REGISTERED FROM 1909, LHC, LHH, BS, single iron, registered to 2031. Asking $7,500. For more information, call or text 307315-8555 10/5
LGD PUPPIES BORN JULY 4: Mother is Akbash/Komondor, sire is Pyrenees/Akbash/Anatolian. Dogs and flock are comfortable together. Mother is proven predator control. Weaned. $450. ALSO, 1 neutered male too playful for sheep. Call 406707-0244 10/5
CUSTOM FEEDING AND FINISHING FOR CATTLE AND SHEEP. Cactus Hill Ranch Company, Fort Collins, CO. Contact AJ Nelson, 970-3728273 10/5
LOOKING TO TAKE IN COWS OR BACKGROUNDING CALVES for fall, winter and spring. Located in north-central Nebraska. ALSO, have hay for sale. Call 402-340-1824 9/28
250 BLACK ANGUS BRED HEIFERS: South Dakota origin, OCVD, exposed to proven LBW Black Angus bulls for 45 days. Start calving Feb. 1, 2025. References available. Call 785394-1955 (cell), 785-394-2374 (home) or 785-731-5067 9/21
& Tack
GET READY FOR THE RIDE!! Large SELECTION of saddles, HEADSTALLS, reins and SADDLE pads. $AVE on BOOTS, BOOTS, BOOTS!!! HONDO, BOULET, JUSTIN WORK BOOTS, TWISTED X (boots and shoes) and more!! Well stocked for arena, range and above the plains. 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 9/28
YEARLING HORNED RAMBOUILLET LAMBS FOR SALE: 20 micron on the flock, 150-160 lamb crop. Look us up on Facebook @ Edwards Rambouillet, individual information posted there. If you have questions call 307-670-3360 10/19
WINTER FORAGE FOR 300-PLUS HEAD AVAILABLE NORTH-CENTRAL WYOMING: Looking to take in 300-plus head of cows from Dec. 1 to April 1. Wintered on stockpiled alfalfa/orchardgrass and cornstalk pivots. Supplemented with alfalfa/orchardgrass hay. Full care with salt included - $2.50/day. Would consider taking yearlings - can negotiate a price. Also have room to background calves from Oct. 1 to April 1 - $1.90/ day. Located in north-central Wyoming. Please call Asa at 307-272-5332 9/28
PASTURE WANTED for 2,000 yearlings and 500 pairs. Can split into smaller bunches. Call 701-523-1235 10/12
Ranch Lease Wanted
WANTING RANCH TO LEASE: Looking at western South Dakota, southwestern North Dakota around Medora area, eastern Montana, northeastern Wyoming, Sheridan area back to South Dakota or northwestern part of Nebraska. Wanting 250 AUMs to 500 AUMs for a 3to 5-year lease. Would consider if owner wants to lease ranch and sell his livestock off over a period of years. Would be interested in a percentage of shares or by the month lease cows, sheep and buffalo by the head. Would also consider share cropping with an absentee owner. Call and leave message, 605280-2637 9/28
Horses
Call Barry, 402-750-9155 to make arrangements 10/19
WINTERING COWS, backgrounding calves and developing heifers. Forsyth, MT. Call Joe at 406-930-2645 10/5
ARE YOU IN NEED OF A NEW HERDER CAMP OR A PERSONAL RANGE CAMP FOR YOUR FAMILY? Contact us at Western Range Camps and see what we can build for you. We specialize in quality, handcrafted camps built to your specifications. Contact us today to design the camp just right for you. Western Range Camps, 435-4625300, heidi@wrcamps.com, 1145 S. Blackhawk Blvd, Mt. Pleasant, UT 84647 9/28
CUSTOM LAMB FEEDING AT BASIN WY: 5,000 head feedlot to take lambs to finish weight. Backgrounding replacements. By the day or by gain. Contact Will Miller, 307-250-3332 for information, leave message 10/5
FOR SALE: Blue roan draft cross weanling colts. For more information, call 307-467-5651, leave message 10/19
TRITICALE SEED READY FOR FALL PLANTING: High yield, makes excellent forage and cover crop. Can be grazed fall and winter and hayed in the spring. Call 308-430-3457, for pricing and delivery. Phone calls only 9/28 Seed
STRAW FOR SALE: 250 TONS OF BARLEY STRAW, 4x4 squares, $50/ton. Located west of Powell, WY. Call or text 307-202-0532 for more information 10/19
HAY FOR SALE: 150 tons of excellent quality, second cutting, alfalfa hay in round bales from the Lander, WY area. $150/ton. Call 307-349-4063 10/19
2024 FIRST CUTTING HORSE
QUALITY HAY: Timothy/orchard/brome with a bit of alfalfa at 14% moisture. 110 round bales averaging 1,450 lbs./ bale. Located in Clark, WY. No rain. Currently tarped. $175/ ton. Call 847-420-9615. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 9/28
GOOD QUALITY HAY FOR SALE: Alfalfa/orchardgrass mix, wheat/alfalfa mix and straight alfalfa, all in net-wrapped round bales. Nisland, S.D. For more information and pricing, call 605-892-5676 9/28
CERTIFIED WEED-FREE
PURE ALFALFA HAY: Small squares, covered. 2023 first and second cutting available. 2024 first cutting available. Will load trucks and any open trailer. MONIDA OATS: Combine run. Will auger into truck, trailer or large totes/ag bags. STRAW: Small squares available. Located between Powell and Cody, WY. Call or text Knopp Farms for details, 307-254-0554 11/9
VALLEY VIDEO HAY MARKETS, LLC: Hay available. Go to www.valleyvideohay.com or call Barry McRea, 308-2355386 10/12
ALFALFA HAY FOR SALE: Round bales, second and third cutting, no rain. Wheatland, WY. Call 307-331-3781 10/12
NEW CROP GRASS AND GRASS/ALFALFA HAY: High quality second cutting irrigated brome/perennial ryegrass horse hay. ALSO HAVE second and third cutting grass/alfalfa. Fine stemmed on a new establishment. Average 1,300 lb. netwrapped rounds with trucking available. Located near Wheatland, WY. Call Ryler, 307-2871102 10/12
ONE SEMI LOAD OF OAT HAY FOR SALE, plastic twine-tied round bales. For more information, call 605-490-3429 10/5
HAY FOR SALE: 2023 and 2024, alfalfa, sainfoin, alfalfa/ grass mix, grass and combine grass/straw. Small squares and 3x3x8 sales. Test results available for all baled in 2023. Will load 3x3s in open truck and trailer. Call 307-250-6005 10/5
COW AND HORSE QUALITY
HAY FOR SALE: Grass and alfalfa hay. ALSO, forage wheat. 2023 hay still available. Small squares, 3x3 square bales and 3x4 square bales. Delivery available!! Call 307-630-3046 10/5
2024 HAY FOR SALE: First cutting alfalfa, grass mix, grass/ alfalfa. ALSO, 2024 CRP cut early, green and high, nonraked and clean. 2024 millet available end of September 2024 and 2023 milo. All in netwrapped round bales. Semi load delivery available. Call for pricing, ask for Klint, 701290-4418, send a text if no answer or keep trying 10/5
2024 FIRST CUTTING HAY FOR SALE: Grass mix, large round bales. Located at Murdo, S.D. Call 605-516-0107 9/28
HAY AND STRAW FOR SALE: Round bale grass, net wrapped, 2023 crop $100/ton, new crop $125/ton. ALSO, round bale barley and oat straw, net wrapped, $90/ton. FOB Powell, WY. Call 307-254-5115 or 406480-1248 9/28
REDUCED PRICING BECAUSE OF THE TRAGIC FIRES. Tons and tons 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) 9/28
600 TONS 2023 GRASS/ALFALFA IN LARGE ROUNDS: Cut slightly mature but baled green!! Will deliver!! For sale by Cheyenne, WY area producer. Call 307-630-3768 9/28
HAY FOR SALE. Cow hay: Oat hay, last year’s alfalfa or new millet hay, $90-$110/ton. Horse hay: First and second cutting grass hay, second cutting alfalfa and oat/pea mix, $150-$175/ton. Round bales or 3x4 squares. Square bales are barn stored. Tests available. Lusk, WY. Call Paul Hicks, 970-203-5019 9/28
HAY FOR SALE!!! Alfalfa, alfalfa/grass mix and grain hay in both round and square bales. Large quantities available. Trucking available with hay trains. THE HAY YARD IS OPEN, conveniently located off I-90 and Johnson Ln. exit in Billings, MT, small to large quantities. Call us today for your fall hay needs. Montana Hay Company, 406-670-6551 11/9
1,000 LARGE ROUND GRASS BALES: No rain, $130/ton. Call Pete Bertolino at Roberts, MT, 406-4251351 TFN
CERTIFIED BARLEY STRAW FOR SALE, 3x4 bales. Cody, WY. Call 307-899-1952 TFN
Vehicles Wanted
1932, 1933 OR 1934 FORD WANTED, in any condition, unrestored or restored. Call 605290-3208 9/14
Beds
1999 TRANSCRAFT 48’
FOR SALE: John Deere 3940 silage cutter with 2 row 30” corn head. Richardton 12’ silage hidump with automatic roof opener. Lorenz 16’x29’ stackmover with walking tandems and 1,000 PTO. J&M 1050 grain storm grain cart with tracks, scale and printer, very nice. Vermeer 7000 bale processor with hydraulic deflector. Rowse 9’ 3 pt. mower with New Holland head. H&S 14 wheel high capacity vrake. Gehl 12 wheel v-rake. New Holland 195 manure spreader, 410 bushel with slop gate. 2015 Volvo (day cab), 10 speed manual, D13 455 HP, air ride, A/C, cruise control, 229” wheelbase, 11r 22.5 tires with aluminum rims, quarter fenders, 423,000 miles, very clean truck, runs great. Two H&S 7+4 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. 24’ portable ground hay/bale feeder. 12’ HD box scraper with tilt. Farm King 8’ snowblower with hydraulic spout. All in very nice condition!! Call 605-999-5482 10/19
FOR SALE: Krause 5400 no-till drill, 30’, 7.5” double disk precision openers, 2 pt. hitch, fertilizer with 300 gallon tank and monitor, markers. Call 970-5208131 9/28
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 10/12
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. Call Bill Maher, 605391-6526, e-mail bevillage66@ yahoo.com 10/12
STEP DECK TRAILER WITH 3’ EXTENSION, good rubber, aluminum floor, no hay racks, 2 toolboxes, sliding winches, air ride, $18,500. CALF CREEP FEEDER, $1,250 OBO. PAUL LIVESTOCK SCALE, manual weight, $850 OBO. Call 970-520-5915 or 719-339-9399 9/28
Hay Equipment
NEW HOLLAND 499 12’ HYDROSWING MOWER CONDITIONER: Field ready, $4,000. Call 307-359-8668, Douglas, WY 9/28
Generators
TWEGEN 10KW PROPANE GENERATOR SET UP FOR A REMOTE WELL PUMPING SYSTEM Low hours, $9,000, Shelley, ID. Call 208-5893185 10/5
GOLD & SILVER
Certified rare date quality coins from Carson City, San Francisco, New Orleans, Denver, Philadelphia, West Point Charlotte & Dahlonega Mints
Call with your want list or inquiries for great pricing.
715-ACRE LIVESTOCK FARM IN THE BIG HORN BASIN with 4 pivots irrigating 541 acres with free water. Functional improvements, 4 bedroom home, larger shop with attached apartment, livestock barn, large metal building, metal equipment building, corrals and feed pens. $3,190,000. RuraLands Real Estate, frank@ruralands. com, 307-851-2426 928
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, 970324-4580 1/11
PIPE FOR SALE!! 2 7/8”, 3 1/2” tubing, 4” drill pipe, 4 1/2” casing, 5” casing, 7” casing. Rods 3/4”, 7/8” and 1” located in Montana, can ship anywhere. Call Mike, 602-758-4447. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 2/22
NORTHEAST OREGON, THE DLX RANCH: Located near Baker City, OR the DLX is noted as one of the most productive and finest ranches around. It is well balanced and contains 17,000 deeded acres with 4,000 acres of irrigated meadows and cropland. Native and improved rangeland provides good spring and summer pasture. The ranch is well improved with nice homes, excellent livestock working facilities and is noted for its production and ease of operation and management. Abundant water and over 6 miles of the Powder River running through the ranch provide for not only production but unbelievable waterfowl and upland game bird habitat. The ranch also provides good populations of elk and mule deer. Situated in the heart of the Baker Valley, the ranch enjoys very scenic mountain views and is very private yet only a short drive to Baker City, OR. Currently operated as a commercial cow/calf operation with a permitted feedlot. The ranch would also make an ideal yearling or combination operation. It is rare to find this quality of a ranch and particularly a property that is a going concern. This is a first-time offering and we look forward to hearing from you. $32,500,000. Livestock and rolling stock available by separate treaty. Please give us a call for further information, Greg Sackos, 541-5234434 (office) or 208-598-0267 (cell), Intermountain Realty, www.intermountainland.com 10/5
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. 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. Hawk Springs, WY. Seller is considering offers at this time. “WAS $5,100,000 NOW $4,700,000!! Pictures and video at www.buyaranch.com Call Casey Essert, Land Broker, 307-532-1750 TFN Coins
Federal interest rate cut could provide relief to the agricultural industry
Interest rates significantly impact the agricultural industry by affecting the cost of borrowing money, investment decisions and farmland values.
Currently, interest rates on farm loans are at multidecade highs, and many hope relief will come from a series of anticipated interest rate cuts.
During a news conference on Sept. 18, U.S. Federal Reserve System (Fed) Chair Jerome Powell announced the Federal Open Market Committee voted to cut the interest rate by one-half of a percentage point, which is the first rate cut since 2020.
“We understand our actions affect communities, families and businesses across the country,” Powell says. “Everything we do is in service to our public mission. At the Fed, we will do everything possible to achieve our maximum employment and price stability goals.”
For more information on the U.S. Federal Reserve System’s interest rate cut, visit c-span.org.
Ag outlook Industry experts say the one-half percent rate cut is a good start for easing price pressures on agriculture.
Days prior to the interest rate cut, Farmer Mac Chief Economist and Head of Strategy, Research and Analytics Jackson Takach spoke at the Kansas City Agribusiness Council’s Ag Outlook Forum, stating lower interest rates could start showing up in the upcoming loan renewal season for operating debt but it may take several financial cycles before farmers realize the full benefits of a lower interest rate.
Takach adds, “Over the course of the next 24 months, there’s an expectation of almost 200 basis points of cuts in short-term interest rates.”
farm and ranch families have been hit the hardest.
Many producers will borrow more capital in one year than most Americans will in their entire lifetime.
The August Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor by Farm Journal reports nearly 60 percent of the 70-plus agricultural economists they surveyed are concerned U.S. agriculture is either already in a recession or on the brink of one.
The economists surveyed agreed if it weren’t for strong cattle prices, the ag economic picture would look even worse.
A Life Well Lived by Lee Pitts IT'S THE PITTS
I am just a humble human who never saw a Star Wars movie, never drove faster than 85 miles per hour and never rode a motorcycle, a Caterpiller D9 or a one-ton bull for eight seconds – I never got on one either.
I’ve only owned one foreign car for a very brief time, and I hate myself for this unpatriotic deed.
I’ve never been in jail besides the one time my Den Mother took all of us Cub Scouts to the police station, and the cops locked us in a jail cell to scare us straight. It left a lasting impression on me, and I’ve never been back in jail again.
I’ve never been unfaithful to my wife of 50 years, never had a practice wife and never had the thrill of paying alimony or child support.
I’ve never called in sick when I really wasn’t and never caused a wreck, although I’ve been in three.
The most memorable was after I picked up my wife from work at 10 p.m. and we were stopped in our Chevy truck at the only stoplight in town at the time, when WHAMO!
Some young man who was high as a kite plowed into our truck’s very substantial back bumper in his dinky Japanese car. It totaled his poor excuse for a vehicle, and we got nary a scratch.
I’ve never hit a horse,
dog or any other animal in anger, although I have swatted my share of flies.
I’ve never met a baby I didn’t immediately fall in love with, even though they all had a tendency to burp, poop and pee on my shoulder.
I’ve never puffed on anything other than the candy cigarettes I “smoked” as a kid. I’ve never smoked a cigar, cigarette or marijuana and have always wondered what the allure was about cigarettes that made one smell like a bar, cost a fortune and killed people prematurely.
I never drank more than one sip of coffee in my life so I can spend my money at the Ace Hardware store instead of Starbucks. I readily admit I did drink copious amounts of tea the year we lived in Australia, and when I traveled extensively in Texas, I developed an iced tea habit I continue to enjoy daily.
I’ve never been a registered Democrat and have not served in any political capacity since my college days.
After several days of indoctrination as a 12-year-old, I did become a member of the Methodist Church in town but I haven’t been back since our very married preacher ran off with our very married choir director, and they took the Sunday collection with them.
Despite having a sec-
ond home in Nevada for a while, I haven’t pulled on a slot machine or rolled any dice in many, many years.
I never buy lottery tickets, even when the jackpot exceeds $1 billion because I have no idea what I’d do with the money, and I think it could very well ruin the wonderful life I have now.
I’ve never owned a cell phone or played a video game on my computer, and we’ve always paid off our credit card in full every month.
I’ve never deliberately cut a fence so my cattle could chow down on my neighbor’s abundant grass, and I’ve never served chicken at my branding.
Despite writing a weekly column for 45 years, along with thousands of feature stories, I’ve never been accused of plagiarism nor have I been sued for libel or slander, although I did have to make a minor correction two times.
Despite having lived such a perfect life, I do have some regrets.
I’ve always wanted to go to James Herriott’s Yorkshire Dales but I’ve never been to Europe. I never learned how to barbecue nor did I learn how to drive a team of horses. I’m sorry to say I never owned a team of Clydesdales or mules, much to my regret.
I never got my pilot’s license, never bought a 1952 Chevy pickup, never sold my novel nor have I won a Pulitzer Prize. I’ve never owned a black cowboy hat or a black Lab, and I’m sad to say we never could have kids – of the human or the goat variety.
All in all, I’d say it’s been a life well lived.
Economists had predicted a quarter point reduction, but the Fed cited slowing inflation and weakness in the labor market as the primary factors in its decision to lower rates.
Interest rates impact the ag industry
The interest rate cut could provide some relief for the ag industry, which has been weighed down by elevated lending expenses.
According to recent projections, central bank officials expect to trim the federal funds rate to 4.4 percent by December, 3.4 percent by the end of 2025 and 2.9 percent by 2026.
The ag industry has been challenged by high interest rates far more than any other sector, as the majority of farm assets are tied to real estate, an area influenced by rate changes.
Higher interest rates make it more difficult for agricultural producers to take out loans to expand their operations while maintaining profitability.
In a recent Kansas City Fed report, the average interest rate on farmland loans more than doubled from 2022-24, increasing loan payments considerably.
“Demand for non-real estate loans, including operating loans, has been rising at the fastest rate since,” states the Kansas City Fed. “This spike is the result of higher production costs and lower commodity prices.”
However, high interest rates have impacted other sectors as well, including the strength of the U.S. dollar, which has made U.S. commodities more expensive for foreign buyers compared to other countries, hurting competitiveness.
It’s good news for agriculture because the average interest rate on the farm has increased considerably in the last two years, he adds.
“The Fed has been in a tightening cycle trying to address some of the concerns about inflation, excess gross domestic product and economic growth,” Takach continues. “It’s led to a direct impact on farming and ranching operations as operating costs have increased dramatically with higher interest rate environments.”
A look inside Farm interest expenses are the fastest growing production expense for producers, hitting approximately $35 billion in 2023, nearly a $10 billion increase over the year before.
While all Americans have felt the squeeze of higher interest rates and rising inflation, America’s
Some economists surveyed state, “At least for most crop producers, the sharp drop in prices and cash receipts has resulted in lower net income and financial pressure on leveraged producers. The picture is generally less dire on the animal agriculture side of the ledger, as prices are up for some commodities, like cattle and milk, and feed costs are declining.”
The ag outlook plummeted in August as producers express concern over a weak farm income prospect, citing declining crop prices despite an expected strong fall harvest for many crops.
The total farm sector debt is projected to reach its highest level since at least 1970, and according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, net farm income is projected to fall to $140 billion in 2024, a $42 billion collapse since 2022.
Melissa Anderson is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
CROSSWORD
Wyoming Livestock Roundup Crosswords, created by Myles Mellor.
Nevada Department of Agriculture Director Dr. J.J. Goicoechea was also recognized at the meeting.
In addition to serving on the Nevada Department of Agriculture, Goicoechea helps run his century-old family ranch and has been a Eureka County commissioner, a veterinarian and an active member of PLC and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.
“No one wears more hats in this industry than Goicoechea, and public
lands ranchers are better off because of his tireless work,” states outgoing PLC President Mark Roeber. “He has fought for our industry and has been an advocate for livestock producers for decades.”
“I am proud to be able to work alongside Goicoechea to protect and promote our ranching heritage, and it is my honor to present this award to him, on behalf of all grazing permittees,” Roeber adds. “His work to strengthen the livestock industry is unparalleled, and he continues to be a national leader in all issues related to animal health,
public lands, livestock production and environmental stewardship.”
President named As PLC’s 56th annual meeting came to an end, Canterbury was announced as the new PLC president.
According to a Sept. 20 PLC press release, Canterbury owns and operates his family ranch in Howard, Colo., where they have been ranching since 1879. He has previously served as a member of the PLC Board of Directors, president of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association and chair of the Colorado Public Lands Council.
“Canterbury is the consummate rancher and advocate for this industry, who always finds the time to pro-
HEIFERS
COWS
LANDER
1 Cow, 1145# $140.00
BOULDER
2 Cow, 1127# $119.00
LANDER
1 Cow, 1200# $118.00
FORT WASHAKIE
1 Cow, 1215# $117.00
BOULDER
2 Cow, 1377# $116.50
BAGGS
4 Cow, 1283# $116.00
2 Cow, 1565# $115.00 FORT WASHAKIE
1 Cow, 1295# $113.50 BAGGS
2 Cow, 1402# $112.00 RIVERTON
3 Cow, 1336# $111.50
2 Cow, 1367# $110.00
CROWHEART
3 Cow, 1435# $109.00
LANDER
1 Cow, 1225# $108.50
BAGGS
3 Cow, 1493# $106.50
BOULDER
1 Cow, 1365# $105.00
BAGGS 1 Cow, 1135# $104.00
MCKINNON
1 Cow, 1445# $100.00 HEIFERETTES
LANDER
12 Heiferette, 865# $140.00
2 Heiferette, 1077# $125.50 BULLS
PINEDALE
1 Bull, 2185#
MCKINNON
$161.00
1 Bull, 2160# $159.00
KINNEAR
1 Bull, 2190# $158.00
LANDER
1 Bull, 1920# $158.00
DANIEL 1 Bull, 1910# $154.00
KINNEAR
1 Bull, 1815# $150.00
SHOSHONI
1 Bull, 1895# $150.00 FORT WASHAKIE
1 Bull, 2050# $150.00 PAVILLION
1 Bull, 1885# $144.00
BIG PINEY
1 Bull, 1680# $139.00 STEERS
KEMMERER
6 Steer, 363# $350.00
2 Steer, 312# $340.00
CODY
1 Steer, 480# $320.00 PAVILLION
4 Steer, 370# $310.00 THERMOPOLIS
1 Steer, 450# $305.00 FORT WASHAKIE
8 Steer, 430# $300.00 THERMOPOLIS
4 Steer, 452# $300.00 FORT WASHAKIE
10 Steer, 568# $272.00 LANDER 13 Steer, 618#
6 Steer, 897# $237.50
5 Steer, 932#
2 Steer, 917#
903# $229.50
Steer, 1025# $215.50
mote public lands ranching. We have seen incredible engagement at our annual meeting this week, with ranchers from every western state weighing in on policy which will affect the direction of PLC and the work the new officer team will take on,” says PLC Executive Director Kaitlynn Glover.
“As a fifth-generation rancher who has been involved in livestock associations for decades, I could not be more honored to serve as president and continue fighting for federal lands ranchers,” Canterbury states.
“We are at a critical period in our industry, where it seems like every agen-
“As a fifth-generation rancher who has been involved in livestock associations for decades, I could not be more honored to serve as president and continue fighting for federal lands ranchers.” – Tim Canterbury, Public Lands Council
cy’s rulemaking will make it harder to continue ranching on public lands. At the same time, there are more scientific studies than ever showing the benefits ranching has on wildlife, native plants and the landscape,” he continues. “It is important we protect this industry from false narratives and defend the principles of multiple use against those who want to push livestock off of the landscape because we are proud to be stewards of
Scarbrough Livestock- 55 Blk & Red Yrlng strs 900975#.
Dixon Ranch- 45 Blk & Red Yrlng Strs 700-750#.
Diamond X Ranch- 25 Mostly Blk PTO Yrlng Hfrs 675-725#.
CALVES
Flagstone Ranch- 400 Mostly Blk Ang Strs & Hfrs 450-500#. Rec Bovishield Gold 5 & 7-way @ Branding. One Iron & High desert!
Wyoming Honor Farm- 150 Blk Ang Strs 475-550# 100 Blk Ang Hfrs 450-500#. Comp vacc @ Birth & Branding (Vision 8 w/ Somnus & Once PMH IN).
Sired by Hancock & Northwest Angus Association Blk Ang bulls. Powerful, stout calves!
Warren Fleming- 90 Blk Ang/AngX Strs & Hfrs 550600#. Rec Pyramid 5 w/Presponse and 7 way @ branding. Sired by Herring Bulls. Powerful Calves! Reputation Performance, High Elevation!
Smoky Mountain Ranch- 65 Blk & BWF Strs & Hfrs
425-450#. High elevation, nice, all natural calves!
JJ & Lisa Robinett- 50 Blk & BWF Strs & Hfrs 500550#. Comp vacc @ branding. Sired by Beefus bulls. High elevation & powerful calves!
Jeff Young- 30 Blk Ang Strs 500-600#
20 Blk Ang Hfrs 50-600#. Rec Calf-Guard @birth, Vision 7 w/spur & Vista Once, additional booster of the same given a month later. March/April calves. Sired by SO and Abernathy Bulls.
Brodie Livestock- 40 Blk Ang Strs 575-600#. Rec 8 way @ branding. Sired by Lucky 7 & Diamond Peak Blk Ang bulls. High elevation, great performing calves!
500#. Rec Pyramid 5 w/Presponse and 7 way @ branding. High Elevation. 100% Angus Sired. Fancy!
Jesse Moss- 30 Blk & Red Ang Strs & Hfrs 500#. Comp vacc @ branding. Nice set of calves!
Ray & Ladonna Good- 25 Blk Ang Strs 500-550#. Rec Vista Once SQ & Vision 7 @ branding. Reputation Angus strs!!
Tim ONeal- 20 Blk Ang Strs & Hfrs 500-550#. Rec Vision 8 w/Somnus @ branding. Sired by SO Cattle Blk Ang Bulls. Great set of high gaining calves! BULLS
Teton Valley Ranch- 1 Texas Longhorn 5 yr old Bull. Mostly red coloring. Proven sire. Great disposition! WIEGHS
RO Bar- 130 weigh cows and bulls. James Van Heule- 20 weigh cows.
these working lands.”
The 2024-25 PLC officer team, approved by PLC general voting delegates, assumed their new roles at the end of this year’s annual meeting. Ron Cerri of Nevada was named vice president and Robbie LeValley of Colorado was named secretary.
Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
Hfrs 450-500#. Rec Nasalgen 3 PMH, Bovilis BVD & Vision 7 @ branding. Heifers are bangs vaccinated. Steers are knife cut. Sired by Sitz Blk Ang bulls & Valley View Charolais bulls. Powerful calves! High elevation & Fancy!
Sinead Rooks- 50 Blk & BWF Strs & Hfrs 450-550#. Rec 8 way w/Somnus @ branding. Knife cut. High elevation!
800-850#. Cattle have had 2 rounds of Vista Once SQ & 8way. Sired by great Herd bulls. This is a reputation set of High Elevation, High Performance Yearlings!!
Bar V Ranch- 150 Yearling Spayed Hfrs 825-875#. Coming off High Desert Range. Green!
JM Livestock- 120 Crossbred Spayed Yrlng Hfrs 675750#. High desert & Green!
CALVES
Ruby Ranch- 250 Blk Ang Strs 450-525#. 150 Blk Ang Hfrs 425-500#. Rec Vista 5, Nasalgen & 7way @ branding. Sired by powerful Blk Ang Bulls (predom. Lucky 7 bulls) High elevation & Fancy!!
Joe & Deanna Crofts- 350 Blk Ang & AngX Strs & Hfrs 400-450#. Rec Virashield 6, Vision 8 w/Somnus +Spur. Year-round mineral program. 100% Black Angus sired. One iron, high desert, green & Fancy!
Mike & Cindy Fabrizius- 310 Blk Ang & AngX 400-450#. Rec Vision 7 w/ Somnus, Once PMH Nasalgen, Vista Once & Multi Min @ Branding. Complete mineral program at all times. High quality genetics! One brand, high elevation!
Bitterroot Ranch- 175 Blk Ang Strs & Hfrs 550-600#. Rec Vista Once SQ, 7 way & Fusoguard @branding. 100% Lucky 7 Angus sired & multiple generations of Low PAP, feed efficient genetics! Reputation, high elevation!
Wanda Miller- 150 Blk Ang Strs & Hfrs 500-575#. Comp vacc @ Branding. High elevation. Sired by good Blk Angus bulls, great performing calves! Huxtable & McKee- 90 Blk Ang & AngX Strs & Hfrs 530#. Rec Vista Once SQ & Vision 7 w/Somnus @ branding & Precon 9-13. Sired by Hancock & Northwest Angus Black Angus bulls. High elevation, Green, High Quality Calves!!
Whitt/Strock- 75 Blk Ang Strs & Hfrs 500-600#. Rec Pyramid 5 + Presponse & 8 way @ branding, Nasalgen @ Precon. Reputation set of fancy, high desert calves that perform!
Diamond TA Cattle- 75 Blk & Red AngX Strs & Hfrs 520-560#. Rec Ultrabac 8 & Pyramid 5 + Presponse @ branding. No implants. Sired by Loosli Delegate 339 Red Ang bulls & Powerful Blk Gelbvieh bulls. April/ May calves with growth!
Glen Enos- 45 Blk Ang & AngX Strs & Hfrs 500-600#. Rec C&D @ birth, Vista Once SQ & 7 way @ branding. Run above 8000ft. Powerful calves!
Johnny Desmond- 40 Blk Ang Strs & Hfrs 450-500#. Rec 7 way, Vista Once & Nasalgen @ branding, 7 way & Vista Once @ precon. Knife cut. High elevation. Fancy calves out of reputation genetics!
Ryan & Dillon Hedges- 20 Blk & BWF w/ few Reds Strs 450-600#. Rec Vista Once & Vision 7 @ branding. Year-round mineral program. Sired by Hogg Sim/Ang & Jackson Simmentals. High elevation. Stout & high quality!
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11
COW SALE • START TIME 9:00 AM
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15
CALF & YEARLING SPECIAL START TIME 9:00 AM
CALVES
Jack & Amy Robinson- 180 Blk Ang/SimX Strs & Hfrs
550-650#. Rec Nasalgen, 8 way & Once PMH @ branding. Choice Black Sim/Ang sired calves! Summer over 8500 ft. Powerful feeding calves!
Dwayne Aragon- 120 Blk Ang & AngX Strs & Hfrs 450-525#. Comp vacc @ branding. 100% Blk Ang sired. Choice, High Desert calves!
Scott & Brittany Harris- 55 Blk Ang & AngX Strs &
Cris & Rudy Paravacini- 40 Blk Ang Strs & Hfrs 525550#. Rec Pyramid 5 + Presponse, 8 way & Mycoplasma @ branding & precon this fall. Sired by Connealy & Vermillion Blk Ang bulls. Long time Black Angus genetics. Nice, one iron calves! Ruben Roman- 35 Red Ang Strs & Hfrs 500-600#. Comp vacc @ branding. All Six Iron Red Ang genetics. High desert & Fancy! Chris Harns- 32 Blk Ang Strs 500-550#. Rec Triangle 5, Pasturella, Vision 7 w/Somnus + Spur @ branding & Precon(9-12). Sired by Registered Blk Ang bulls. No implants, knife cut, Choice Strs! Fernando Roman- 30 Blk & BWF Ang Strs & Hfrs 450-500#. Rec Vista Once & 7 way @ branding. March/April calves.
