Roundup for 2.18.23

Foreign Ag Service updates WUSATA on trade, farm bill programs

Washington, D.C. – “We are in a new age at the Western U.S. Agricultural Trade Association (WUSATA),” said Mark Slupek, deputy administrator of global programs in the Foreign Ag Service (FAS). “We are see-

Quick Bits

Snow Report

The 10th snow report for Water Year 2023 shows current snow telemetry data at 111% of median, with a basin high of 146% and a basin low of 75%. The state was at 91% in 2022 and 2021. The report and a map displaying basin snow water equivalent percentages of median for the state may be found at wrds.uwyo.edu/wrds/nrcs/ nrcs.html

Feed Program

The American Hereford Association is gauging interest from breeders and their customers to determine if an additional feedout opportunity for fall calves is of interest. The delivery window would be from June to July 2023 to HRC Feed Yards in Scott City, Kan. Full-pen groups of 50-plus head can be arranged to be sent to HRC Feed Yards at anytime. Forms need to be filled out by March 1. For more information, contact Trey Befort at tbefort@herefordbeef.org or visit hereford.org

First Bills

Gov. Mark Gordon held a formal bill signing ceremony on Feb. 15 in the Governorʼs Ceremonial Conference Room in the State Capitol Building in Cheyenne. During the event the governor signed in Senate File 0023 – Treatment courts, transfer to judicial branch; House Bill (HB) 0028 – Community college capital construction; HB 0029 – Community college funding, distance education credit hours; HB 0045 – Peace officer retirement and rehiring and HB 0069 – Coal-fired facility closures litigation funding, amendments.

APHIS Data

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) posted Fiscal Year 2022 enforcement activity summary data, which provides information on biotechnology, quarantine inspection, animal and plant health, animal welfare and horse protection. Data is available at aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/business-services/ies

ing a lot of good things right now.”

WUSATA held their winter policy meeting in conjunction with the annual meeting of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture

(NASDA) Winter Policy Conference on Feb. 12-15 in Washington, D.C. Among their activities during the meeting were updates on farm bill programs, including the Market Access Program (MAP) and discus-

sions of the WUSATA strategic plan moving forward.

Trade missions

As a critical part of WUSATA’s activities, the organization partners with FAS to plan trade missions

Range sheep Nutrition

Wyoming water

Omnibus planning, construction bills provide topics of discussion for WWA

In 2023, the Wyoming Water Association (WWA) has been busy watching the activities of the Wyoming Legislature, and in a weekly update on Feb. 8, WWA Executive Director Liberty Blair noted, “There is quite a bit of activity with the omnibus bills for construction and planning, as well as the Colorado River bills.”

All three bills offer significant impacts to Wyoming’s water users and have continued to progress through the legislative process.

UW Sheep Specialist and Extension educator provide tips for wintering ewes

“During the summer, rangelands have a lot of different plants and good diversity. But, as sheep producers, we sometimes forget there might be five or six feet of snow drifted in during winter months, and there are only portions of the rangeland our sheep can eat,” stated Brian Sebade, University of Wyoming (UW) Extension educator based in Albany County.

Sebade and his colleague Dr. Whit Stewart, UW Extension sheep specialist and associate professor, presented information on nutrition for ewes in rangeland systems during winter months at the Fremont County Farm and Ranch Days in Riverton on Feb. 8.

With the tough winter many Wyoming producers have battled the past few months, the two experts

WLSB vet gives update

During the Fremont County Farm and Ranch Days in Riverton, Wyoming Assistant State Field Veterinarian Dr. Teckla Webb gave an update on current and emerging livestock diseases from the Wyoming Livestock Board (WLSB) on Feb. 9.

During her presentation, Webb discussed avian influenza, trichomoniasis, brucellosis and vesicular stomatitis.

Avian influenza

According to Webb, the U.S. is currently experiencing the worst avian influenza outbreak in history.

“This is a viral disease, and it’s commonly called the bird flu,” she said. “It occurs naturally in wild birds, especially wild waterfowl.”

She noted wild birds, who do not appear sick, can carry avian influenza and spread it.

There are two different types of this flu virus – low pathogenic avian influenza, which causes mild signs of illness and highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), which is the cause of the current outbreak.

HPAI causes severe illness and a high death rate – up to 90 to 100 percent mortality within the first 48 hours in chickens, turkeys and other gallinaceous birds.

The disease can be spread through direct contact with infected birds or indirectly through contact with virusinfected manure and virus-contaminated food, water, equipment, clothing, etc.

As of Jan. 25, there has been 744 confirmed affected flocks in the U.S., of which 312 are commercial flocks and 432 are backyard flocks. A total of 58.2 million birds have

reminded attendees it is critical to ensure ewes wintered on rangeland systems receive extra care to meet their dietary needs and offered information on the nutritional makeup of different rangeland plants.

Flexible eaters

To kick off the discussion, Stewart cited research conducted at UW over the past few years, which has focused on understanding what sheep eat when they are out on rangelands.

With the help of UW Extension Rangeland Specialist Dr. Derek Scasta, Hot Springs County UW Extension Educator Barton Stam and UW Graduate Student Alexis Julian, Sebade and Stewart analyzed the percentage of

Please see SHEEP on page 8

Colorado River authority House Bill (HB) 222, the Colorado River Advisory Committee, was introduced by Rep. Albert Sommers. Wyoming Water Development Office Planning Section Deputy Director Barry Lawrence noted the bill was agreed upon by the State Engineer’s Office (SEO) and serves to put into statute current activities of the state.

“The bill is basically codifying what’s already being done,” Lawrence

Young Producer feature

Kane continues rich ag involvement

Nate Kane is the 28-year-old son of David and Terri Kane. Nate helps run a cow/calf operation alongside his parents in Sheridan and northwest of Sheridan, near Ranchester, which Nate refers to as the Wolf Creek place.

“We have two separate places, but we work hand in hand,” he says. “Half of the time I’m out there helping my dad do stuff and half of the time he’s out here helping me.”

In addition, Nate also ranches alongside his wife Molly and two children,

soon to be three-year-old Tessa and oneyear-old Hadley.

Nate shares he has appreciated his upbringing in agriculture and the opportunity he has had to ranch in Wyoming, and he’s excited to share this lifestyle with his own family.

Ag involvement

Growing up, Nate was very active in 4-H, and throughout his career he showed two steers and a pig. He notes he took a lot of pride in his 4-H projects since every

Please see KANE on page 16

WYLR photo

In past columns, I’ve discussed the importance of ensuring beef producers are aware of consumers’ needs, likes and dislikes.

While still important to recognize, I think it is also important to note beef is currently the top choice of protein among consumers, despite high price levels, inflation and consumers trying to save a buck.

Earlier this month, the Beef Checkoff came out with a report titled “Today’s Beef Consumer,” which lists 10 facts about the beef consumer. These 10 facts are as follows.

1. More than two-thirds of consumers eat beef on a weekly basis, but 78 percent reported they had noticed an increase in the price of food at both retail and restaurant locations.

2. The pandemic led to a return to in-home cooking for many people, a shift expected to continue as a way to combat inflation. Analysis of the report showed 76 percent of meals are now cooked at home, and 94 percent of consumers who cook more at home say they will continue to do so.

3. Fresh ground beef accounted for 50 percent of the volume of beef sales.

4. Nostalgic recipes were a big hit last year, with recipes for meatloaf breaking 1.7 million page views.

5. Per capita net beef consumption, in pounds, is projected to dip, in part, to lower supplies, going from 59 pounds in 2022 to 56 pounds in 2023.

6. Willingness to pay per pound, per steak has gone down but remains strong. Data for the last two quarters of 2022 showed price per pound of steak at $8.94 on average with the willingness to pay $8.71 per pound.

7. Beef sales at restaurants in 2022 – in both dollars and volume – rebounded to surpass the pre-pandemic levels of 2019.

8. More consumers are ordering groceries online, and of those, 44 percent are including fresh beef in their orders, while 80 percent of consumers are ordering meals online from restaurants.

9. Consumers said at a rate of 15 percent, they plan to eat less beef, given that it is too expensive, other meats are healthier, they are concerned beef will negatively affect their long-term health, beef has too much fat and they are trying to eat more plant-based protein. This number was almost offset, however, by 14 percent who said they would likely eat more beef, with their number one reason being they enjoy the taste.

10. Over two-thirds of consumers are positive about beef in general and with how cattle are raised. Seventy-one percent say they sometimes or always consider how food was raised/grown when choosing a protein source.

While we need to stay aware of consumers’ needs, we should also make the public aware of the needs of beef producers. I feel there are a number of consumers who are supporting beef producers and farmers.

The current administration and some in Congress seem to be against farmers and ranchers with all of their proposed regulations on them. This will come out in the new farm bill as they want us to solve climate change issues.

They are battling us on all fronts with the Waters of the U.S. rule, endangered species, limiting fertilizer, livestock trucking and other issues.

We need to start by talking with our friends in urban areas and outside of our regions. We have proof agriculture can be the solution with carbon, water and air quality.

Proper grazing and water management make for a better environment.

As we embrace the challenges and opportunities 2023 will bring, there are lessons to be learned from the year that has just departed.

One vision I held at the beginning of 2022 was seeing a return to the “old normal,” which had defined my approach to personal and professional relationships prior to the COVID19 pandemic.

This normal was underwritten by the close personal contacts I was able to foster, both with those whom I found common ground as well as those with whom I often disagreed.

Recently, I have seen several writers refer to “neighbor” as a verb. The term does not just describe

By Jim Magagna

those in physical proximity. To “neighbor” is to build relationships with others, to truly care about their wellbeing and to lend a helping hand when needed.

Wyoming farmers and ranchers have historically excelled in “neighboring.”

Today, outside of our agricultural production community, I experience a “new normal” on a daily basis. Participation in countless meetings which, under the “old normal” would have necessitated travel across Wyoming, are now scheduled virtually with few, if any, of the participants coming together.

The critical social content of in-person meetings is lacking. Existing relationships are stressed, and new

ones are not built.

Many point to the convenience and cost-savings of virtual participation. This perspective overlooks both the added progress on the meeting topics and the unanticipated opportunities which often arise from personal contact.

In Wyoming, this “new normal” has permeated both the private sector and the state government. As we enter the 2023 Legislative Session, I reflect on the past eight months of interim committee meetings. The leadership has required most all meetings include a virtual component for the public, and at times, for committee members.

There are, from my per-

spective, at least two negative outcomes.

First, many small Wyoming communities that relished the occasional visit by legislative committees no longer have this opportunity because they lack virtual meeting technology.

Second, those legislators, lobbyists and other citizens who are present are totally unaware of who may intend to testify until that person suddenly shows up on screen.

Once again, the opportunity for personal interaction between legislators or lobbyists and virtual participants is lacking. I am proud to report all testimony offered by the Wyoming Stock Grower’s Please see WSGA on page 4

GUNN, Editor • brittany@wylr.net

CANDICE PEDERSON, Production Coordinator • candice@wylr.net

JODY MICHELENA, Advertising Director • jodym@wylr.net

• denise@wylr.net

• 307-685-8213

DENISE OLSON, Classified Sales Manager

ANDREA ZINK, General Manager • andrea@wylr.net

CURT COX, Director of Livestock Field Services

CALLI

• curt@wylr.net

• 307-630-4604

NRCS welcomes Byam

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is pleased to announce Jackie Byam as the Wyoming State Conservationist. She will begin serving in this position on Feb. 26.

Applications open

On Feb. 15, the Wyoming Women’s Antelope Hunt announced applications for 2023 scholarships are now open. Those eligible for the scholarship include hunters of all skill levels, including first-time hunters.

The program will have at least nine scholarships available, including one for U.S. military Veterans, one for a Wyoming single mom, one for a Wyoming Game and Fish employee and seven general scholarships.

USDA accepting applications

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) is now accepting applications from exporters of U.S. farm and food products for a twocity trade mission to Japan on June 5-8.

Trade mission participants will travel to Tokyo and Osaka, connecting with potential customers and learning first-hand from government and industry leaders about local market conditions.

FAS staff in Japan will arrange meetings between U.S. businesses and potential buyers in the country. Participants will also visit local retail stores and food manufacturers to round out the program.

Applications are due by Feb. 27. For more information or to submit an application, visit usda.gov

Byam follows Astrid Martinez, who served as Wyoming State Conservationist for 10 years. Martinez accepted a new position within NRCS on July 18, 2022.

Jackie Byam

Upon Astrid’s departure, Andi Neugebauer has dutifully acted as Wyoming’s State Conservationist over the past eight months.

Byam has worked with NRCS for 18 years. She has served in several NRCS field offices in Minnesota, and in leadership positions with NRCS in Maryland, Illinois, South Dakota and Kansas.

A Minnesota native, Byam grew up on a small family farm where they raised hogs, corn and soybeans. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Conservation from the University of Wisconsin – River Falls.

Outside of the office, Byam is an active member of Women in NRCS and enjoys traveling. She goes back to Minnesota as often as she can to spend time with her family at their cabin and at the family farm.

For more information, visit nrcs.usda.gov/wyoming

Lummis introduces act

U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) joined Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) in introducing the COVID-19 Vaccination Non-Discrimination Act to ensure people in Wyoming receive the best health care possible, even if they have not received the COVID-19 vaccine.

Lummis cosponsored this bill after reports surfaced health care facilities are denying patients lifesaving treatments, such as organ transplants, if they are not vaccinated against COVID-19.

The legislation will prohibit federal taxpayer dollars from supporting health care facilities denying care to patients based on their COVID-19 vaccination status.

Wyoming has one of the lowest COVID-19 vaccination rates in the country. The American Medical Association has urged physicians to refrain from denying care to patients based on vaccination status.

E-mail alex@wycf.org with questions or visit surveymonkey.com/r/2023huntscholarship to submit applications.

Sheep and lamb loss reported

Wyoming sheep and lamb producers lost 42,000 animals to weather, predators, disease and other causes during 2022, representing a total value of $8.62 million, according to a survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Mountain Regional Field Office.

The total number of sheep and lambs lost was 2,500 head more than last year, and the total value of inventory lost was 15.9 percent more than a year ago. The Jan. 1, 2022 inventory totaled 330,000 head. The lamb crop for 2022 was estimated at 230,000 head.

Lambs lost before docking during 2022 equaled 20,000 head. Sheep and lamb deaths for 2022 amounted to 7.2 percent of the 2022 sheep and lamb supply – inventory plus lamb crop plus lambs lost before docking totaled 580,000 head.

The number of sheep and lambs lost to all predators totaled 21,800 head, down 500 head from last year. Lamb losses by all predators amounted to 18,600 head, up 1.6 percent from last year. The number of sheep lost to all predators totaled 3,200 head, down 800 head from a year ago.

Coyotes remained the largest predator for both sheep and lambs, accounting for 62.4 percent of the predator caused losses and 32.4 percent of all death losses in the state. The value of losses attributed to coyotes was $2.73 million.

The total value of non-predatory losses was $4.23 million in 2022, compared with $3.34 million in 2021. Non-predatory losses accounted for 48.1 percent of all losses.

The largest known non-predatory cause of losses was due to weather conditions, at 8,300 head.

Sheep lost to non-predatory factors totaled 6,800 head, down 2.9 percent from 2021. Non-predatory lamb losses came in at 13,400 head, 3,200 head more than a year ago.

Lambs lost to all unknown causes totaled 1,700 head, compared with 2,900 head last year. Unknown causes claimed 1,100 sheep, compared with 1,700 head last year.

Beef spokespeople selected

The Trailblazers program, developed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, takes advocacy to an unprecedented level by giving participants the tools and training they need to promote beef to new audiences while addressing and correcting myths.

After a competitive application process, 10 Trailblazers from eight states have been selected for the program’s second cohort of beef community spokespeople.

These include Colton Coffee and Rocky Forseth of Montana, Allison Fender of California, Sam Cossio of Washington, Tucker Brown and Ally Spears of Texas, Macey Hurst of Missouri, Joe Lowe of Kentucky, Erin Perkins of New York and Paige Schmidt of Kansas.

The new Trailblazers will receive training to become expert communicators, excel in media interviews and understand how to build confidence in beef-related practices when talking to consumers.

Throughout the year, Trailblazers will receive advanced training from subject matter experts, learn how to effectively engage on various social media platforms, interact with the media and enhance public speaking skills.

For more information on the Trailblazers program, e-mail Chandler Mulvaney at cmulvaney@beef.org.

USDA invests in water issues

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced new investments and strategies to combat drought and climate change in the Western U.S. The Western Water and Working Lands Framework for Conservation Action is a multi-state initiative under the Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) to address water and land management issues in 17 Western states.

Through this new framework, USDA will invest $25 million in three new priority areas and 37 existing priority areas via the WaterSMART Initiative. This initiative is an NRCS collaboration with the Bureau of Reclamation to coordinate investments in priority areas for improving water conservation and drought resilience.

It includes guidelines for identifying vulnerable agricultural landscapes and new strategies to help NRCS state leaders, water resource managers and producers better respond to challenges.

News of the new framework for conversation actions came on the same day NRCS announced $850 million in funding for Western state producers who want to participate in conservation and climate-smart programs.

Funding for this initiative comes from the $19.5 billion allocated for climate-smart agriculture through the Inflation Reduction Act.

Horse prices break records

The South Dakota Horse Sale is known as one of the premiere horse auctions for working stock held during the Black Hills Stock Show (BHSS) and showcases a gamut of horse types, including finished rodeo horses, ranch horses with proven miles, prospects with potential in timed events or trail-riding horses for hobby horsemen.

Dani Herring, BHSS livestock and ag education manager, says the 2023 sale continued to break records in both attendance and prices.

“We had buyers and consignors from Oklahoma, Texas, Canada and a lot from the tri-state area,” she says. “Most attendees come from South Dakota, Montana, Nebraska and Wyoming.”

Sale reports from the 2018 horse sale show the top seller as a gelding, Playin’ Big and Stylish, which sold for $27,000. Just five years later, some horses are selling from $30,000 to $50,000, according to Herring.

In all, the average sale price of all horses also increased, though not as sharply as the top seller. For 2018’s show, the average price was $9,034. This year, the average was $16,700. Herring says this average has been consistently going up over recent years.

The American Horse Council reports the U.S. equine industry contributes a total of $122 billion to the U.S. economy.

USDA announces partnership

As part of its continued effort to prevent the introduction of African swine fever (ASF) into the U.S., the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is announcing a new partnership with the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, National Pork Board and National Pork Producers Council.

Through enhanced coordination and information sharing, the four entities will work to improve ASF prevention and preparedness efforts.

ASF is a deadly, highly-contagious viral disease affecting both domestic and wild pigs. It does not impact human health but quickly spreads between swine populations. People can also unknowingly spread the disease on their clothing, farming equipment or by transporting uncooked pork products.

ASF has never been detected in the U.S., but was discovered in the Dominican Republic and Haiti in 2021 – the closest detections to the states in decades.

This collaborative effort will help ensure response plans are consistent, have been tested and producers receive the information and tools they need to protect their herds.

For more information about USDA’s efforts to prevent ASF, visit aphis.usda.gov/aphis/resources/pests-diseases/ asf/asf

USDA invests in RPN

On Feb. 15, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small announced USDA is providing $262 million to improve access to jobs, health care and infrastructure for people in historically underserved communities across the Rural Partners Network (RPN).

The funding will support 68 projects in Alaska, Arizona, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Puerto Rico.

The funding will create jobs for rural people and help them expand their businesses. It will provide affordable, well-built homes for seniors and low-income families in rural areas.

It will also help farmers and ranchers transition to clean energy and find new and better markets for their products, and it will give people in remote areas access to modern water and wastewater systems and quality education and health care services.

For more information on RPN, visit rural.gov

Association during the 2022 interim has been in person.

While legislators and most lobbyists are now in Cheyenne for the 40-day session, disruptions caused by virtual participation will continue. The valuable experience for citizens who show up at the Capitol to participate in the legislative process will be diminished.

While the decline in the “old normal” was furthered by virtual meetings, it evolved through several other changes over the past two decades.

The recently completed renovation of the State Capitol to include expansive meeting rooms and more private space for legislators and staff, while impressive, has significantly disrupted “neighboring” between legislators and others participating in the process.

Finally, as many longtime participants have observed, this decline began with the closing of

the Hitching Post, as the de facto and home away from home for the vast majority of legislators and lobbyists.

Breakfasts in the restaurant, spouses who socialized daily, pets who visited each other’s rooms uninvited and evenings in the bar, built relationships surviving even the strong disagreements in the Capitol.

Yes, the “old normal” has most likely been relegated to the memories of a few of us and to history books. Our challenge in 2023 and beyond is not to restore the “old normal,” but rather to transform the same types of relationships based on respect and cooperation.

Let us restore “neighboring” as the Wyoming way.

Jim Magagna is the executive vice president of the Wyoming Stock Growers Association. He can be reached at 307-634-3942. This column was originally published in CowCountry Magazine

been affected and have died either directly from the virus or have been culled to contain the spread of the disease, explained Webb.

She noted Louisiana and West Virginia have reported zero outbreaks, but the state of Iowa has been greatly impacted with approximately 15.9 million birds affected.

In the state of Wyoming, 11 total flocks have been affected, impacting 432 birds.

“We currently have three premises under quarantine in the state,” said Webb. “These are backyard flocks.”

The last reported detection in the state of Wyoming was on Feb. 1.

Currently there are multiple species of mammals which have been affected with HPAI. These species include skunks, raccoons, coyotes, bears, bobcats, foxes and opossums.

Webb explained it is likely these mammals ate a bird carcass infected with avian influenza, and the animal subsequently became ill.

She shared many producers have asked if dogs can become sick. At this point in time, there has not been any reported cases of avian influenza infecting domestic dogs, but it’s certainly a possibility.

On the other hand, ruminants such as cows, sheep and goats are not affected by avian influenza. Horses can become sick with other types of influenza viruses, but are not affected by the current strain of avian influenza.

Avian flu prevention

Webb shared the best way to avoid avian influenza infection is to avoid contact with wild waterfowl and other wild birds. Producers can do this by fencing in poultry and putting a roof over the birds’ area.

She also encouraged producers to practice adequate biosecurity, including changing clothing, disinfecting shoes and washing hands before caring for livestock or after visiting other properties with poultry or hunting waterfowl.

In addition, she also encouraged producers to limit visitor contact on their operations.

Although rare, she noted humans can be infected with avian influenza.

National Improvement Poultry Plan

The National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP), endorsed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, offers flock certification for disease freedom from several hatchery disseminated diseases, including avian influenza. This is a voluntary, cooperative state and federal industry program.

Flock producers can purchase birds from NPIP-certified growers, ensuring birds are free from salmonella, mycoplasma and avian influenza. Sample collection for these diseases are com-

pleted by certified testers.

WLSB is conducting a free NPIP Certified Poultry Testing Agent course in April. Webb encouraged those interested to reach out to WLSB for more information.

Trichomoniasis

In addition to avian influenza, Webb noted trichomoniasis is transmitted in cattle herds by infected bulls, which negatively impacts calf production and decreases herd fertility.

She mentioned many producers in the state of Wyoming are familiar with trichomoniasis, and the disease has significantly decreased in the last decade because of the extensive work ranchers and veterinarians have done.

“Veterinarians in Wyoming test between 10,000 to 12,000 bulls annually, which is excellent, but we can’t let our guard down on trichomoniasis because bulls enter the state regularly,” said Webb.

She added California, Texas, Oklahoma and Missouri have historically had numerous trichomoniasis cases. In 2022, she received the announcement of three trichomoniasis positive herds in Box Elder County, Utah potentially exposing nine other herds, in addition to two positive bulls in Summit County.

“Trichomoniasis can come to Wyoming at any time,” said Webb. “If we’re not testing and not testing a lot, we could easily miss it, and it could spread.”

According to WLSB rules, bulls must be trichomoniasis tested before the sale or lease of a bull for reproductive purposes. Bulls sold through a livestock market must have a negative trichomoniasis test within two weeks prior to the sale or the bull can only be sold for slaughter.

In addition, any bull over the age of 24 months must have one negative trichomoniasis test and copies of the test records must be sent to WLSB before turnout in a common grazing area.

Brucellosis and vesicular stomatitis

Brucellosis is an infectious, zoonotic disease caused by bacteria, meaning the disease can spread between people and animals. Webb encouraged attendees to notify their doctor if exposure is ever suspected.

Currently, the state has one herd under quarantine for brucellosis in Park County.

Vesicular stomatitis is a virus causing blister-like lesions which progress to painful sores affecting some or all of the following locations: the mouth, tongue, lips, nose, coronary bands, mammary glands and prepuce.

In 2022, the state had 10 investigations for the disease, but after further testing, there were zero confirmed cases.

Horses and cattle, swine, sheep, goats, llamas and

alpacas can be infected with the virus. People can also be affected and develop flu-like symptoms.

The disease looks identical to foot and mouth disease in ruminants and swine.

Webb encouraged producers to call their veterinarian immediately if they see any suspicious signs, including sores or blister-like lesions in the above locations affecting livestock or horses.

“We want to make sure we can provide the most accurate diagnosis as quickly as possible,” mentioned Webb.

On Jan. 18, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) released a press release sharing its plan to amend animal disease traceability regulations and require electronic identification for interstate movement of cattle and bison. APHIS is proposing to revise and clarify record requirements.

According to the release, “These changes would strengthen the nation’s ability to quickly respond to significant animal disease outbreaks. Major outbreaks hurt ranchers and farmers and all of those who support them along

the best way to avoid disease infection is to practice disease prevention and

the supply chain, threaten food security and impact the ability to trade America’s high-quality food products around the world.”

Interested stakeholders may view the proposed rule at federalregister. gov/public-inspection/2023-00505/ use-of-electronic-identification-eartags-as-official-identification-in-cattleand-bison

Members of the public may submit comments. All comments must be received by March 22. APHIS will review all comments and address them in a final rule.

hygiene practices. Brittany Gunn is the 5 Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 34 No. 43 • February 18, 2023

editor of the Wyoming Livestock

Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@ wylr.net.

WLSB continued from page 1

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22 - YEARLINGS & CALVES & CATTLE COUNTRY VIDEO

a long time, Light Grower Ration, Full Vac. Program, Some Replacement Heifers

Mimosa Limited LLC 66 Mx Strs & Hfrs, 725-900#, Complete Vac. Program

CALVES

Richard Carter/Ten Sleep Cattle Co. 525 Blk Strs, 575-675#, Weaned 120+ days, Branding & Precond Shots

Harris Ranch 380 Blk/Bwf Strs & Hfrs, 475-700#, Weaned 120 days, 3 Rounds of Shots, High Elevation

Ellicott Ranch 340 Blk few Rd Strs & Hfrs, 450-650#, Weaned since Nov., Hay Fed, Birth, Branding & Precond Shots

DL Jackson Ranch152 Blk Strs & Hfrs, 575-625#, Weaned, Branding & Precond Shots, Producer All Natural

Singleton Land & Livestock 95 Blk Strs, 550-650#, Weaned a long time, Bunk Broke, Light Grower Ration, Branding & Weaning Shots

Jeff Garrett 65 Blk Strs & Hfrs, 550#, Weaned 85 days, Bunk Broke, Been on a Light Grower Ration, Branding, Precond & Weaning Shots

Garrett & Cassidy Ryland 50 Blk/Bwf/Rd/Rwf Strs & Hfrs, 400-650#, Weaned for 120+ days, Birth, Branding, Precond & Weaning Shots

Barbara York 28 Blk Hfrs, 550-600#, Weaned since Oct., Hay Fed, Lick Tubs, Branding & Precond Shots, Replacement Quality

Harvat Land & Cattle 27 Sim Angus Hfrs & Strs (7 hd ), 500-550#. Weaned 90+ days, Birth, Branding & Precond Shots, High Elevation

Riverbend Ranch 27 Mx Strs & Hfrs, 575-650#, Weaned a long time, Hay Fed

Brent Lerwick 12 Short Horn Strs & Hfrs, 500-650#, Weaned 90 days, Branding & Precond Shots CATTLE COUNTRY VIDEO - 1:00

Andy & Twila Barnette 159 Weaned Steer Calves. 55% Blk, 45% Bwf. Base Wt: 710 lbs. Wt Stop: 730 lbs. Slide:

Base Wt: 710 lbs. Wt Stop: 730 lbs. Slide: .12 cents. Located: Lusk, WY. Delivery: 2/23/23 to 2/26/23. Feed: Growing Ration, 29#. Branding & Weaning Shots, weigh on the ground w/a 3%.

Comments: Fancy, one iron, home raised steers, very fancy set of Buckskin with a few black nose CharX. Pre-sorted. Test weighed January 17th 50 hd @ 663 lbs. Frt Adj: $500.

Andy & Twila Barnette 101 Weaned Heifer Calves. 100% Buckskin or Black Nose CharolaisX. Base Wt: 680 lbs. Wt Stop: 700 lbs. Slide: .14 cents. Located: Lusk, WY. Delivery: 2/23/23 to 2/26/23. Feed: Growing Ration, 29#. Branding & Weaning Shots, weigh on the ground w/a 3%.

Comments: Fancy, one iron, home raised heifers, mostly Buckskin with a few black nose CharX. Pre-sorted. Test weighed January 17th 58 hd @ 630 lbs. Frt Adj: $500.

Wanda Toombs & Doug Dunlap 138 Weaned Heifer Calves. 98% Blk, 2% Bwf. Base Wt: 710 lbs. Wt Stop: 730 lbs. Slide: .12 cents. Located: Wheatland, WY. Delivery: 2/23/23 to 2/26/23. Feed: Grower Ration. Branding & Weaning Shots, weigh on truck w/a 3%. Comments: Fancy, one iron, home raised heifers. Pre-sorted from 160 hd. Wintered to go to grass or will feed really well. Test weighed 50 hd on February 13th @ 700 lbs. No corn, no implants.

Rep: Ty Thompson 307-340-0770 - www.cattlecountryvideo.com

FRIDAY,

DISPERSALS

FEBRUARY 24 - BRED COW SPEICAL & ALL CLASSES

Doug Derouchey 350 Blk/Rd Cows, Complete Dispersal, Running Ages, Bred to Pete Thompson Blk Angus Bulls, CF: March 20th, Spring Shots but NO Shots this Fall, Poured

Merl Glick 200 Mostly Blk/Bwf/Red/Rwf few Hereford Cows, Complete Dispersal, Mx Ages, Bred to SimAngus Bulls, CF: March 15 to April 30, Poured w/Clean-up

Mackey Family Trust 56 Blk/Rd Cows, Complete Dispersal, Mx Ages, Bred to Blk Angus Bulls, CF: Mar. 15, Ivomec Pour On, Mineral Program, 2412 Lick Tubs

****10 Blk Hfrs, Complete Dispersal, Bred to Blk Angus Bulls, CF: Mar. 15, Ivomec Pour On, Mineral Program, 2412 Lick Tubs

SALE REPORTS

Booth's Cherry Creek Angus Ranch Annual Bull Sale

Reported By: Curt Cox, WYLR Field Editor

Feb. 9, 2023

Booth’s Cherry Creek Ranch, Veteran Auctioneer: Lander Nicodemus 120 Fall Angus Bulls Avg. $6,644

ginia Dale, Colo. Lot 5 – Cherry Crk Advance J317 S – Price:

$11,500 DOB: 9/15/21 Sire: Cherry Crk Advance G248 S

+76, YW: +145 and

Milk: +28 Buyer: Y Cross

Ranch, Horse Creek Lot 27 – Cherry Crk

Blue Collar J200S – Price:

$12,000 DOB: 8/30/21 Sire: Cherry Crk Blue Collar G275

Dam’s Sire: Cherry Crk Pay-

weight C133 M EPDs: BW:

-0.7, WW: +66 YW: +118 and Milk: +7 Buyer: Y Cross

Ranch, Horse Creek Lot 32 – Cherry Crk

Blue Collar J331S – Price:

$12,000 DOB: 9/12/21

Sire: Cherry Crk Blue

Collar G275 Dam’s Sire: Cherry Crk Program 0144

EPDs: BW: +0.3, WW: +71, YW: +127 and Milk: +33 Buyer: Bob Hood, Vir-

Dam’s Sire: Mill Bar Hickok 7242 EPDs: BW: +1.1, WW: +86, YW: +150 and Milk: +23 Buyer: Edwards Livestock, Laramie Lot 10 – Cherry Crk Commodore J177 M – Price: $11,500 DOB: 8/29/21 Sire: Kesslers Commodore 6516

Dam’s Sire: Cherry Crk Absolute C70 S EPDs: BW: +2.8, WW: +99, YW: +174 and Milk: +17 Buyer: Marc Pettit, Pierce, Colo. Lot 31 – Cherry Crk Blue Collar J304S – Price: $11,500 DOB: 9/13/21 Sire: Cherry Crk Blue Collar G275 Dam’s Sire: R/M Ironstone 4047 EPDs: BW: -2.9, WW: +61, YW: +105 and Milk: +32 Buyer: Cobb Cattle Company, Savery

Durbin Creek Ranch Annaul Polled Hereford Bull Sale

Doreangi Living Trust 50

Angus/Hereford (Blk/Bwf/Rd/Rwf) Cows, Dispersal, 1200#, 7-ST, Bred to Registered Angus/Hereford Calving Ease Bulls, CF: May, Shots: Annual Vira Shield 6 VL5, Not Pampered

Ron & Ruth Blake 29 Blk Cows, Complete Dispersal, Mx Ages, Bred to Blk Bulls, CF: April 16th

BRED HEIFERS

Frank Prado 1 Rwf Hfr, 850#, Open, All Shots, Coming off grass

BRED COWS

Andy Barnett 40 Blk Cows, SM-ST, Bred to Hereford & Char Bulls, CF: May 1 for 60 days, Complete Vac. Program, Poured

O D Cattle Co. 30 Hereford/Rwf/Red Angus Cows, 7 yr olds to 12 yr olds, Bred to Red Angus or Hereford Bulls, CF: March 15th for 40 days, Poured this fall but No Fall Shots

PAIRS

Diane Prado 1 Red Cow Pair, SM

Frank Prado 1 Bwf Cow Pair, SM SALE

SALE

TORRINGTON LIVESTOCK AREA REPS

Michael Schmitt - Torrington, WY 307-532-1776*** Ty Thompson – Lusk, WY 307-340-0770 Cody Thompson - Lusk, WY 307-340-0150***Zach Johnson Lingle, WY –307-575-2171

Jeff Ward – Laramie, WY 307-399-9863***Tam Staman – Crawford, NE 308-631-8513

Justin Smith - Lusk, WY 307-340-0724***Danny Nicodemus – Cheyenne, WY 307-632-4325

Chris Williams - Greybull, WY 307-272-4567***Hunter Dockery - Lusk, WY 307-340-1202

Nolan Brott - Lusk, WY 307-216-0033 ***Ben Kukowski - Kaycee, WY 307-217-1472*** Scott Redden - Burns, Co 970-596-3588

Reported By: Curt Cox, WYLR Field Editor Feb. 8, 2023

Big Horn Basin Livestock Auction, Worland

Auctioneer: Joe Goggins

108 Two-Year-Old Hereford Bulls Avg. $5,141 174 F1 Baldy Heifer Calves Avg. $1,443

Top Sellers Bulls Lot 92 – DCR 7059 True Grit 1012 – Price: $13,500 DOB: 3/13/21 Sire: THM

Grits And Grace 7059 Dam’s Sire: DCR 713 Kootenay 247 EPDs: BW: +5.2, WW: +65, YW: +105, Milk: +25 and M&G: +57 Buyer: BIT

Ranch, Sheridan Lot 28 – DCR 8128

Endure 1198 – Price:

$10,000 DOB: 4/23/21

Sire: UPS Endure 8128

Dam’s Sire: BP 247 Kootenay 115C EPDs: BW: +2.0, WW: +56, YW: +94, Milk: +31 and M&G: +59 Buyer:

Uttecht Farms, LLC.,

Woonsocket, S.D. Lot 37 – DCR 6009 Manhattan 1047 – Price:

$9,750 DOB: 3/28/21 Sire: DCR 428B Manhattan 6009

Dam’s Sire: NJW 78P Cowboss 199B EPDs: BW: +3.8, WW: +67, YW: +107, Milk: +29 and M&G: +63 Buyer: Armstrong Ranch, Lander Lot 34 – DCR 6009 Manhattan 1020 – Price: $8,500 DOB: 3/17/21 Sire: DCR 428B Manhattan 6009

Dam’s Sire: DCR 136X Dependable 376 EPDs: BW: +2.7, WW: +62, YW: +95, Milk: +31 and M&G: +62 Buyer: Linden Cattle Company, Riverton

Dip in fruit exports reported

U.S. exports of fresh fruits during Calendar Year 2022 were down eight percent in value and down 13 percent in volume, according to new numbers from the U.S. Department of agriculture (USDA).

Exports of fresh vegetables showed a four percent gain in value but a 10 percent drop in volume, according to USDA.

U.S. fresh fruit exports were rated at $4.1 billion in 2022, down eight percent compared with 2021 and down five percent compared with 2020. Fresh fruit export volume was rated at 2.1 million metric tons, down 13 percent from 2021 and 17 percent lower than 2020.

U.S. fresh vegetable exports were valued at $2.8 billion in 2022, up four percent from 2021 and up nine percent from 2020. By volume, fresh vegetable exports tallied 2.2 million metric tons, down 10 percent from 2021 and three percent lower than 2020.

Total U.S. fresh produce exports were rated at $6.89 billion in 2022, down four percent in value compared with 2021 and unchanged from 2020. Total U.S. fresh produce exports by volume were 4.37 million metric tons, down 12 percent from 2021 and off 11 percent from 2020.

Illinois farmers won the Super Bowl

Super Bowl Sunday is right up there with Christmas morning and the Fourth of July for me – I love it. Admittedly, I am not a big National Football League fan. I’m more of a college football girl.

Nonetheless, I love the Super Bowl. And what’s not to love? The food is always divine, the halftime show is always entertaining, the game is always fun to watch, and my husband always places a few sports bets he’s bound to lose which creates a good laugh for me.

The only aspect of the Super Bowl that is not a consistent win in my book is the commercials.

When I was younger, I loved Super Bowl commercials. They were impactful, innovative and memorable.

I mean, who doesn’t remember the Dilly Dilly commercial from Bud Light?

The Snickers commercial starring Betty White is one I still giggle at today. I still quote Old Spice’s “Look at your man, now back to me, now back to your man, now back to me” commercial.

And no one can forget the arguably best Super Bowl commercial of all time –Dodge’s 2013 “So God Made a Farmer.”

I know I’m going to sound like a geezer when I say this, but they just don’t make Super Bowl commercials like they used to. In fact, in recent years, there’s been a few commercials that don’t sit well with me.

The first one coming to

mind is the 2021 Oatley commercial where the founder of Oatley openly dissed the dairy industry. My optometrist said I wasn’t allowed to watch this one anymore because my eyes were strained from the constant eye rolling this specific commercial caused.

My eyes have also rolled at countless Beyond and Impossible commercials, just as they do every time I see an animal activist fighting to get Budweiser’s Clydesdales off of their TV screen.

I guess these commercials in the past few years have me a little cynical – I anticipated quite a few agbashing ads, but to my surprise, I was mistaken.

Instead, we were met with Sarah McLachlan spoofing her own American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals commercial with Busch Beer’s wildlife commercial. We saw many commercials about food, and none of them promoted alternative proteins.

We saw ads promoting fresh dog food, avocados, peanuts and beer – all of which fall under the agricultural umbrella.

I would be remiss, however, if I didn’t take this time to really talk about a commercial only shown in certain parts of the country from Illinois Farm Families. It didn’t hit my TV screen, but the good people of Illinois got to see a heck of a commercial showcasing Illinois farmers and boasting their status of 96 percent of farms in Illinois being owned by families.

Wool judgers place high

The University of Wyoming (UW) Wool Judging Team had a successful weekend at the 2023 San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo Wool Judging Contest in San Antonio on Feb. 11.

Team members Kristy Benjamin, Hadlee Hollinger and Todd Paisley of Wyoming; Bailey Arends, Megan Perez, Emi Ramirez and Joe Mills of Colorado and Morgan Stratman of Nebraska under the guidance of coaches Courtney Newman, Amy Newman and Wyatt Crane brought home honors as the third high team overall, third high team in grading rail, fifth high team in placings and sixth high team in reasons.

Hollinger placed second in reasons, seventh place in grading rail and fourth place overall. Benjamin placed second in placings and 12th overall, and Joe Mills placed fourth in grading rail and 11th overall.

Per their website, Illinois Farm Families states, “Nearly 70,000 families own and operate family farms in Illinois, growing versatile crops like corn, soybeans and wheat, plus important proteins and nutrient sources like pork, beef and dairy and even specialty crops like pumpkins, peaches and horseradishes.”

“What we grow and how we grow it might look different from farm to farm, but the thing that’s true for nearly all of us, is we’re doing it as a family. This creates an inherently strong desire to do it in a way our family – and yours – can be proud of,” the web-

site continues.

And proud of this statement they are, at least, this is what it looked like in their Super Bowl commercial.

In the 30-second commercial from Illinois Farm Families, we hear the narrator say, “Believe it or not, most folks think farms in Illinois are run by big, faceless corporations. The truth is, 96 percent of farms are actually owned and operated by families. Yep, 96 percent, and we’re 100 percent committed to bringing you the most sustainably grown, healthiest food anywhere.”

As the narrator talks, the commercial shows family

members and the roles they play on the farm.

We see a young girl who’s labeled as an “intern,” a lower-end-of-middleaged farmer whose title is “chief executive officer,” a woman who looks like she’s bookkeeping with the title of “treasurer,” a young boy, surrounded by pens of pigs, who’s role is “procurement” and a friendly looking dog who is described to be “human resources.”

The commercial finishes up with the narrator saying, “Illinois family farmers – we are the 96 percent.”

I’ll use an old, revival saying to capture my reaction

– if that doesn’t light your fire, your wood’s wet. Illinois Farm Families said exactly what needed to be said, not only for agriculture in Illinois, but agriculture all across America.

I wish everyone watching the Super Bowl could’ve seen this commercial, and I’m extremely happy I stumbled upon it.

Those interested in watching can find it on YouTube by typing “Illinois Farm Families, we are the 96 percent” into the search bar. It is the first video that pops up. The commercial can also be found at youtu. be/3uDgRenHtOM

Successful weekend – The University of Wyoming's Wool Judging Team had a successful weekend in San Antonio, placing third overall, third in grading rail, fifth in placings and sixth in reasons. Wyoming Wool Initiative photo

grass versus the percentage of browse plants in a range ewe’s diet.

“What we found is sheep are very flexible when it comes to what they can consume,” Stewart stated.

He explained in the northeast corner of the state rangelands are dominated by crested wheatgrass, so sheep studied in this area had a diet of 95 percent grass.

Comparatively, in the southwest corner where rangelands have more plant

diversity, the majority of ewes’ diets consisted of browse species.

“Sheep really make due with what they have,” Stewart noted. Benefits of plant diversity

In addition to better understanding what sheep eat on rangelands, the team of researchers dived into how much of a ewe’s nutritional requirements are being met if their diet consists of mostly shrub species compared to a diet of mostly grasses.

“We determined ewes

on operations with a lot of plant diversity were more adequately meeting their nutrient requirements than ewes exclusively grazing dormant grass,” said Stewart.

The research included collecting plant clippings and fecal samples from 25 different sites across the state.

“We looked at the percentage of crude protein (CP) in grasses compared to shrubs,” he explained. “A baseline of seven percent CP is needed for a sheep’s rumen to keep moving. We found grass was around four percent CP, which is far

below necessary levels for sheep in the winter. Shrubs were around 10 percent.”

“We don’t necessarily assume our livestock are eating a lot of woody species out on the range, but they have some really high CP percentages,” Sebade said, noting research found juniper has around five percent CP, shadscale saltbush has eight percent, fringed sagebrush and silver sage have nine percent, Wyoming big sagebrush has over 11 percent, gardener saltbush has 12 percent and greasewood has 16 percent.

Comparatively, Stewart and Sebade found needle-

grass has less than three percent CP, basin wildrye has just over three percent, blue grama and crested wheatgrass have less than four percent, Indian ricegrass and intermediate wheatgrass have four percent and bluebunch wheatgrass has 4.3 percent.

“Some other grasses including prairie junegrass, needle-and-thread grass, prairie sandreed and reed canarygrass all come in under four percent as well,” Sebade said.

Stewart noted research also found shrub species tend to have greater amounts of minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, sulfur, sodium, zinc, copper and manganese than grasses.

Supplementation versus substitution

The primary take home message Sebade and Stewart encouraged attendees to walk away with was the idea of supplementation versus substitution and when to use one or the other.

“I realize many producers understand this, but the principle of supplementation versus substitution is important,” Stewart stated, further explaining supplementation is the act of providing a certain amount of high-energy or high-protein feed to bridge the gap in nutritional requirements a ewe may not receive through grazing exclusively.

However, Stewart noted during some winters rangelands may see a lot of snow cover, which makes it hard for ewes to disperse and graze because they don’t have access to feed, and it requires a lot of energy to get around in the deep snow.

In this case, he said producers would need to pivot to substitution.

“With a lot of snow cover, we can’t just bridge the gap. We have to provide the base amount of material ewes need to make ends meet,” said Stewart.

He referred to feedback from across Wyoming which shows many producers in the state supplement ewes with alfalfa and side dress with corn.

“Generally speaking, alfalfa is the most costeffective source of CP, but we have to think about how quickly nutrient requirements jump as we move from maintenance, flushing, early and late gestation and early and late lactation,” Stewart said.

“It’s good to hear producers are providing corn this time of year because corn provides a tremendous amount of energy to a ewe,” he added. “We have done work showing onehalf of a pound of corn will yield nearly 40 percent of the energy requirements for a 160-pound ewe for an entire day.”

“We are knocking out close to half of her energy requirements simply by providing a little bit of supplemental corn,” he continued.

Stewart noted there is some controversy when feeding corn on rangeland systems, however.

“Don’t feed corn on range because it will reduce digestive ability – we hear this all the time,” Stewart noted. “But some excellent work done at UW long before I arrived shows providing corn at one-half of a percent of a ewe’s body weight or around 23 percent of her total daily intake will actually increase lowquality feed consumption on winter range.”

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

SALE REPORTS

Powder River Angus Annual Bull Sale

Reported By: Curt Cox, WYLR Field Editor Feb. 10, 2023 Buffalo Livestock Marketing, Buffalo Auctioneer: Mark McNamee 110 Yearling Angus Bulls Avg. $6,737

DOB: 2/27/22 Sire: U-2

Coalition 206C Dam’s

Sire: DFA Heero 1000

EPDs: BW: +0.5, WW:

+55, YW: +95 and Milk:

+30 Buyer: EB Ranch, Broadus, Mont. Lot 5 – PRA Coalition 2150 – $12,000

DOB: 2/25/22 Sire: U-2

Coalition 206C Dam’s

Sire: HF Tiger 5T EPDs: BW: +0.9, WW:

Sire: PRA Motive 7247 Dam’s Sire: Barstow Bankroll B73 EPDs: BW: +1.2, WW: +63, YW: +109 and Milk: +27

Buyer: Carbon Creek Cattle Company, Medicine Bow Lot 25 – PRA Justified 272 – $10,500 DOB:

Lott Broadbent returns home to family ranch to help with operations

Out on vast stretches of sage and under the big sky of southwest Wyoming, three generations of the Broadbent family harmoniously tend to operations on their diverse, century-old ranch.

Among them is Lott Broadbent, who moved back to the ranch with his wife Malinda following graduation from Utah State University and has taken over several responsibilities on both the familyʼs sheep and cattle operations.

Returning home

As is the case with many multi-generational family operations, Lott was raised on the ranch and looks back on his childhood fondly.

“I can’t think of a better way to grow up than on a ranch surrounded by animals. The playgrounds were endless with hills to roam, haystacks to climb and barns to hide in,” he says. “Some of my fondest memories growing up were spending time with my parents and grandparents docking lambs and branding calves.”

Lott notes while growing up on the ranch he wasn’t always sure the work was worth the time and effort, but at the end of the day, he always felt rewarded.

“I decided after high school I wanted to stay involved in agriculture, so I chose to go to college at Utah State University, where I studied animal science and agricultural systems and technology,” Lott explains.

He further notes this is where he pulled off the accomplishment he is most proud of in life – meeting Malinda and “tricking” her into marriage.

After graduation, Lott and Malinda moved back to the JR Broadbent Merrell Ranch to help the family with operations.

Current operations

According to Lott, the Broadbent family currently run a commercial sheep and cattle operation across three main locations – Evanston, Granger and Manila, Utah.

He explains the sheep operation stretches from Granger to Evanston, and during summer months, sheep are moved toward Evanston and surrounding areas.

“Several of our sheep herds run on forest permits in the Uinta Mountains. After shipping lambs in the fall, we sort through the ewes to make up the winter herds, and they begin the trail back to areas surrounding Granger,” he says.

“The cow/calf operation is based out of Manila. During the summer, cows run across the state line into Sweetwater County,” Lott continues. “We gather all of the mother cows to Manila in the fall where we put up hay on meadows to feed through the winter and calve

in the spring.”

He notes the operation also pastures yearling cattle during the summer and fall months in all three locations.

As far as his responsibilities go, Lott explains he splits his time between Manila and Evanston, taking care of both the cattle and sheep.

“I spend the fall and winter in Manila where we gather cows, wean and ship calves. Then, we spend some time getting the cows built back up to be in good shape to calve again,” he says. “During winter months, whenever I’m not feeding, I spend time checking on a couple of our sheepherders and repairing equipment to get ready for the next season.”

After cows are calved out, calves are branded and pairs are turned out to pasture, Lott moves to the place in Evanston to help run yearlings.

“The harsh winters in Evanston ensure there is always plenty of fence to be mended,” he says. “I spend my time making pasture movements with the yearlings, doctoring sick animals and putting out mineral.”

Remaining optimistic

During his time back on the ranch, Lott has faced a number of challenges, especially in recent years.

“The past couple years have been challenging as we’ve been trying to lower input costs and increase production with hay and fuel prices being so high,” he shares. “This year, the lamb market was down, and the winter has been hard.”

Because the tough winter has brought frigid temperatures, driving winds and a lot of snow cover, Lott says they have also had to feed their sheep hay on ground they can usually graze this time of year.

But, despite these challenges, Lott remains optimistic, noting the tough times make the good ones feel that much better and expresses his love for the way of life.

“It’s a rewarding feeling being able to keep pushing on when things get tough,” he says.

“I really enjoy the diversity that comes with agriculture. Life with animals is never boring. There are so many different ways to achieve the end goal, and it’s always so rewarding to overcome challenges,” Lott adds.

He notes as the world moves away from agriculture and more generations are further removed from knowing where their food comes from, he hopes to keep the family ranch in operation and provide the general population with agricultural products.

For other young producers striving to accom-

plish this same goal, he advises, “Strive to be a lifelong learner. Don’t be afraid to break traditions and try something new – the times are changing, and so should we.”

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

Dan Wall named fellow of American Association for the Advancement of Science

A researcher in the University of Wyoming’s (UW) College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources has been named a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the world’s largest general scientific society.

The tradition of naming an AAAS fellow began in 1874, following the establishment of the foundation in 1848. AAAS includes nearly 262 affiliated societies and academies of sciences and serves 10 million individuals. The association also

publishes Science among five other journals. Kin recognition in social microbes

Dr. Dan Wall, a professor in UW’s Department of Molecular Biology, is being honored for “elucidating the mechanisms of kin recognition in social microbes,” according to his award letter from AAAS.

“We are being recognized for work on the mechanism of kin recognition in social microbes. In particular, we discovered a polymorphic cell surface receptor which allows myxobacteria

to recognize their close kin,” Wall explains.

“In turn, this results in the exchange of cellular components between cells and helps coordinate their social interactions, including multicellular development. This system also allows cells to discriminate against cells not highly related or clonal,” he says. “Our discoveries illuminated a novel mechanism and is arguably the best described system of kin recognition in bacteria.”

Wall will receive his certificate and rosette during the AAAS annual meeting in June in Washington, D.C.

“It’s truly an honor to be recognized by peers and leaders who believe our work is making impactful scientific contributions,” Wall says.

Primary work and UW career

Wall’s primary research at UW is in molecular mechanisms of social interactions in microbes.

“In particular, we use Myxococcus xanthus as a model system. In general, myxobacteria are known as social predators which kill and consume other microbes,” he says. “In response to starvation, thou-

sands of migrating cells aggregate and form multicellular fruiting bodies wherein cells differentiate into different cell types, including environmentally resistant spores.”

“These organisms have some of the most complex social interactions and largest genomes found in the bacterial kingdom and serve as models for understanding how multicellularity may have evolved,” he adds.

Wall joined the UW Department of Molecular Biology in 2007 as an assistant professor and became a full professor in 2018.

Before going to UW, he was a postdoctoral fellow at Stanford University, a senior scientist at Elitra Pharmaceuticals and a principal scientist at Anadys Pharmaceuticals.

Wall received his PhD in molecular microbiology from the University of Utah and his bachelor’s degree in biology from Sonoma State University. Wall’s doctorate work involved studying the heat shock response and molecular chaperones in E. coli

Community cooperation

Wall recently participated in a Zoom interview with Madeline Bar-

ron, the science communications specialist at the American Society for Microbiology, where he discussed and answered questions about an article titled “Kin or Nonkin? Microbial Kin Recognition and Cooperation,” authored by Barron.

“This article and our work is broadly interested in how social cooperation works at a molecular level. In other words, which genes and proteins allow individuals or cells to cooperate and how they work,” Wall says.

“In the context of natural selection and survival of the fittest, in a Darwin-

ian evolutionary framework, the notion of individuals helping other individuals – cooperation – at their own expense, does not seem plausible. However, cooperation is readily seen in many animal species, where individuals help their kin,” he continues.

Wall says this sense of community cooperation is seen, for example, in bird flocks and schools of fish, as well as in microbes.

UW News originally published this article on Feb. 2. It can be found at uwagnews.com/2023/02/02/danwall-aaas-fellow/.

recognized – Dr. Dan Wall, a professor in the University of Wyoming's Department of Molecular Biology, was named a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science for his work on kin recognition in social microbes. UW photo

BY RON RABOU

We can do better

After all the hard work both teams put into their season, many are now declaring a Super Bowl LVII victory was stolen from the Philadelphia Eagles because of a holding call near the end of the fourth quarter.

After the game, Eagles Head Coach Nick Sirianni said, “But, it never comes down to one play. This is not what wins or loses the game.”

Eagles Quarterback Jalen Hurts responded to the loss by saying, “You either win or you learn. I always reflect on things I could have done better.”

Considering recent weather challenges, I think there are some lessons we can learn from these leaders.

While the past few months of snow have brought desperately needed moisture to those of us involved in production agriculture, the storms have also brought forth many challenges and tensions.

I’ve witnessed heated exchanges between various levels of leadership and the public regarding the conditions and maintenance of many of our roads. Perhaps tensions have been brewing for a while and have only been exasperated by recent storms.

It’s always a welcome sight to see snowplows clearing the path. Working in treacherous conditions is a dangerous job, and we owe our gratitude to those who are willing to step up to do it.

There are routes in our state that will never be fixable until after a storm subsides. However, there are others that can be kept clear with a proactive plan of action. While I can only speak about the small corner of the state where I reside, I simply think we can do better.

In every aspect of life, leadership matters. In a world torn in so many ways, leadership in our political system is especially more important than ever. It’s imperative when we elect people to leadership positions, we don’t just “unplug” and develop an apathetic mindset.

We must continue to engage all leadership, elected or not and hold them accountable.

In fact, it’s necessary we hold all those in leadership positions to a high standard. When we don’t, the “it’s good enough” mentality sets in, and we begin to accept things as they are, rather than as they should be.

While most farmers and ranchers in my neighborhood accept the burden of

Cattle industry representatives awarded

The Black Hills Angus Association Banquet was held Jan. 29 during the Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo in Rapid City, S.D.

During the event, the Black Hills Angus Association recognized scholarship winners, the breeder of the year and other cattle industry representatives, in addition to the meal and silent auction.

This year, Kaira Stomprud, Kori Gabriel and Morgan Mackaben were awarded scholarships, and Tim and Marcia Amdahl received the Angus Breeder of the Year award.

using their own resources to keep county roads open, they do it out of necessity.

They cannot operate their businesses otherwise. The expenses they bear in doing so are significant and are an added layer of stress to many operations who have struggled to make ends meet after years of drought.

And it’s not just snow removal. The complete absence of any maintenance throughout the year has created a mound of additional problems. It’s just not acceptable.

When we look beyond the surface of the situation, there’s an underlying problem much bigger than we realize. It is, emphatically, an issue of public health and safety.

If emergency services cannot get to a medical or fire emergency, then lives and property are at risk. If a neighbor cannot get to her cancer treatments, then it’s a massive concern. If children cannot get to school to learn in-person in a consistent manner, then it ultimately becomes a major issue. Virtual learning does not replace classroom time.

When adults cannot make it to work, it creates a trickle-down effect. Furthermore, if a young student is killed traveling on roads which have not been maintained in a timely fashion before morning traffic hits, then I would suggest the burden of liability lies completely with the county or state.

I’ve heard it from everywhere – labor shortages, tight budgets and heavy workloads – I get it. As a business owner and leader, I understand the shortage of labor supply and a pile of other challenges, including weather.

I also know it is my sole responsibility to figure it out. It’s my job. All the excuses and explanations in the world won’t fix problems, only proactive solutions will. This is what we need from our leadership.

For years, we have known it snows, blows and gets cold during Wyoming winters. My question is, what is our contingency plan when things get tough? How can we better deal with these challenges? What processes do other states use

where the winter conditions are much more severe than they are here? Have we thoroughly researched all of the solutions and left no stone unturned? Are we proactively implementing improved processes?

Have we ever considered utilizing private contractors to help when situations become too difficult to manage efficiently? I suspect most contractors would work all hours in nearly all conditions because they would be incentivized to do so.

Competition is healthy, and in this case, performance-based pay is a good thing for everybody. It makes us better.

The bottom line is whenever we are faced with problems, we are presented with an opportunity to learn.

The recent storms should have us all thinking about how we can do better.

Just as Coach Sirianni and Jalen Hurts message is constant improvement, ours should be too.

Only the best will do. We should demand nothing less from ourselves, our tax dollars and our leaders.

Student recognition – Black Hills Angus Association Scholarship winner Morgan Mackaben was recognized at the Black Hills Angus Association Banquet on Jan. 29. She is pictured with her parents and Scholarship Chairpersons Marcia Amdahl and Deb Kukuchka. Courtesy photo

Scholarship winner – Kaira Stomprud was one of three recipients of the Black Hills Angus Association scholarship. Kaira is pictured with her mother Jennifer Stomprud, her brother and her grandparents. Scholarship Chairperson Deb Kukuchka and Marcia Amdahl stand on the far left. Courtesy photo

Academic honors – Kori Gabriel (center, right) received the Black Hills Angus Association Scholarship. She is pictured with, from left to right, Deb Kukuchka, her father TJ Gabriel and Marcia Amdahl. Courtesy photo

Natrona County third grade students learn about agriculture during annual ag expo

Natrona County CowBelles hosted the annual Ag Expo at the Fairgrounds Industrial Building in Casper Feb. 15-16. Natrona County third graders learned about agriculture and the Western way of life by visiting an assortment of 20 different learning stations.

Natrona County CowBelles Secretary Oneta Carter says nearly 700 kids attended the two-day event.

“The Ag Expo event is a way for agriculture to find its way to the kids of Natrona County,” says Carter. “It’s always surprising to me to see how many kids come through every year that haven’t actually seen a live sheep, horse, cow or pig up close, and it’s interesting to see the kids interact with the stations.”

She adds, “The Ag Expo is one of our biggest community involvement activities, so it’s really important for us to keep it going.”

Natrona County FFA

For more information, visit Natrona CowBelles on Facebook or e-mail nccowbelles@ gmail.com.

members assisted with several of the stations. FFA chapters represented were CY FFA, Casper FFA and Windy City FFA.

Carter thanks the sponsors of the event, which include Hilltop Bank, the Wyoming Livestock Roundup, Platte Valley Bank, First Interstate Bank and Stotz Equipment.

In addition to the Ag Expo, the Natrona County Cow-Belles also execute several other community projects to promote beef and agriculture throughout the year.

They host two senior meals a year, give away gift cards during Christmas to promote beef and sponsor the Special Olympic event the Saturday after the College National Finals Rodeo.

The organization also offers scholarships to graduating seniors and donates beef to local charities.

The Natrona County Cow-Belles sole fundraising event is their annual gala, scheduled for March 18 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Casper. Tickets are $40.

“This is our only fundraiser, and it helps put on the Ag Expo,” said Carter. “The event will include a social hour, dinner and silent and live auctions.”

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit Natrona County Cow-Belles on Facebook or e-mail nccowbelles@gmail.com.

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

Weed and Pest – Natrona County Weed and Pest Interim Supervisor Mike Jolivet takes time to visit with Natrona County third graders about invasive species in the state of Wyoming. WYLR photo

FFA chapters – Pictured left to right are 12th graders Harlee Schamber of Casper FFA and Aspen Foster of Windy City FFA, alongside 11th grader Chloe Pruitt also of Windy City FFA, helped at one of the booths during the Ag Expo Days Feb. 15-16 in Casper, pictured left to right, respectfully. The girls taught Natrona County third graders about equine safety and equipment. WYLR photo

Animal care – Tenth grader Peyton Shoeweber, pictured left, and 11th grader and Natrona County Cow-Belles Royalty Tessa Banester, pictured right, took time to visit with Natrona County third graders about animal care and how to wrap a bandage on an animal’s leg. WYLR photo

Wildlife education – Students learn about the habitats of wildlife in the state of Wyoming and Intermountain West. Wildlife Biologist Mike Pipas holds a pelt for Paradise Valley students to observe. WYLR photo

for its member states and partnering small businesses, including trips to Panama in March, the Netherlands in April, Japan in June, Chile in September, Malaysia in October and Angola in December.

“Angola is a new idea for us. We’ve hit some coastal African countries, but Angola is a landlocked center of sub-Saharan Africa,” Slupek said. “We do a lot of poultry business with Angola, and we’re going to see if we can’t make something else happen.”

“Obviously Africa is a key component of this administration’s approach to foreign policy, so we’re happy to announce we’re going to try something more ambitious,” he added.

MAP funding

Slupek explained MAP funding has not seen an increase in a significant amount of time.

“In the early years, we were at $90 million, and everyone was happy,” Slupek said. “In 2006, we hit the magical $200 million mark. Good times had arrived for the cooperator community. Then, for the last 18 years in a row, we are still sitting at $200 million.”

While $200 million sounds like a lot of money, Slupek said it doesn’t buy what it used to.

“In 2011, Congress passed and the president signed the Budget Control Act of 2011, which authorized sequestration,” he continued. “Soon thereafter, program funding started to dip. So, $11 to $15 million has come off the top annually since we started the sequester.”

Additionally, over five million dollars per year are charged to the MAP account for “program administrative expenses,” including salaries, as a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

“This doesn’t even

include inflation,” Slupek added. “Program funding, in 2006 dollars, is only $120 million in 2018.”

Farm bill

Currently, the Cultivating Revitalization by Expanding American Agricultural Trade and Exports Act of 2022 has been introduced to double MAP funding to $400 million, which basically serves to bring MAP funding back to the $200 million seen in 2006.

While the bill is welcomed, Slupek noted, until a farm bill is passed, many things are still up in the air.

The application period for the 2024 MAP program will open in May 2023 against funding which has not yet been authorized in an approved farm bill.

NASDA Executive Director Ted McKinney noted, “Timing on finishing the farm bill is always a wildcard. With WUSATA, we will all meet the deadlines of applying for MAP funds and the environmental management plan. We will meet all the deadlines, and we’ve just got to hope the farm bill is done.”

McKinney noted Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) has indicated the farm bill will be done on time, as well.

“We will intake applications and wink at our participants to say, ‘Apply against the $200 million program,’ but if we get anything above this, we’ll crack the door open and let people apply for more,” he said.

The review of funding applications typically takes several months, lasting into the fall. However, if a new farm bill is not passed, work on 2024 funds immediately halts on Oct. 1.

Farm bill extensions, such as those seen in 2008, can be painful for the agency as well.

Slupek explained extensions mean segmented funding at current levels.

For example, if the

farm bill is extended for three months, MAP will only receive a percentage of the full funding for a year. Subsequent extensions can mean additional challenges in administration of funding.

Farm bill advocacy

“One of the most important things to keep in mind is a lot of the small companies WUSATA works with are in districts where the farm bill is all about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP),” Slupek said.

Slupek noted there is opportunity to garner support for MAP from districts which traditionally only

About WUSATA

The Western U.S. Agriculture Trade Association (WUSATA) was formed in 1980 as a nonprofit organization representing 13 western state departments of agriculture, as well as territorial departments in American Samoa, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.

WUSATA notes, “In an economy continuing to challenge some small businesses, food and agriculture exports remain a bright spot with great opportunity. Increased access to markets eager for U.S. food products is enticing a growing number of companies to export.”

WUSATA’s goal is to connect suppliers in all 13 states with international buyers to help expand distribution. Additionally, WUSATA serves as an interface for international buyers, facilitating supplier meetings, providing online trade leads and providing translation assistance.

Learn more about WUSATA at wusata.org

care about SNAP funding because small businesses who utilize MAP funding for exports reside in more urban districts where tra-

ditional farm bill programs are not seen as valuable.

Slupek added, “This is another story out there.”

Saige Zespy is a cor-

responding writer for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@ wylr.net.

WATER continued from page 1

explained. “There is a position in the bill that is under attack.”

HB 222 includes $200,000 in general funds, which serves to fund meeting activities, as well as an employee to assist with providing information and data to the committee and to act as a liaison between the state engineer and water users.

The Colorado River

Working Group was put together in September 2021 in partnership between the Governor’s Office and SEO. The group has been meeting for several years, but this bill codifies their activity and provides funding, as well as a key person.

“The key here is the committee is advisory to the state,” Lawrence added.

On Feb. 9, HB 222 was re-referred to the Senate Agriculture Committee, but as of Feb. 16, it has not been scheduled to be heard.

Omnibus Water billConstruction

“We did have quite a bit of activity on House Bill 93, the Omnibus Water Bill for Construction,” said Blair.

In the Senate Ag Committee, the bill was passed, then later reconsidered in the same meeting on

Feb. 8 to add $75 million into Water Account III – the dam and reservoir account.

The bill was also amended to remove Board of Control funding from water accounts, and instead, fund the Board of Control from the general fund.

After passing the Senate, the bill was sent to concurrence committee, and in the Concurrence Message, the Senate noted, “It is the intent of the legislature that funds appropriated to the State Engineer for the Board of Control Division shall be made from the general fund in the 2025-26 fiscal biennium and any subsequent fiscal biennium.”

Concurrence was scheduled for discussion late on Feb. 16.

Omnibus water planning bill

Lawrence noted much of the current conversation in the Wyoming Legislature is based on Senate File 96, which is the Omnibus Water Bill for Planning.

The planning bill authorizes funding for level I and level II studies for water projects across the state.

“In addition, there is also a position for Colorado River activities in the Wyoming Water Development Office (WWDO) in the bill, as well as $500,000 consulting services for the Green River study,” Lawrence said.

Legislative activities

The Wyoming Legislature convened just after the start of the new year on Jan. 10.

The last day for third reading on bills in their house of origin was Feb. 8.

With a break scheduled for Feb. 20, the legislative process will move quickly through the rest of the session. Bills must be reported out of committee by Feb. 24 and out of Committee of the Whole in the second house by Feb. 27.

The last day for third reading is March 1, and all concurrence reports are due the following day. Joint Conference Committee Reports are required by March 3, and the legislature must adjourn by March 3 at midnight.

For the latest on the Wyoming Legislature, visit wyoleg.gov

“This bill is pretty politically charged, with Board of Control and Colorado River issues all wrapped into it.”

Currently, the planning bill is sitting with the House Appropriations Committee, where it was referred on Feb. 6.

“The bill was received by the House for introduction, and we fully expected it to go to House Ag, but it did not go to House Ag,” Lawrence explained. “Instead, it went straight to House Appropriations. They skipped a step.”

Typically, water bills go to House Ag Committee, then are re-referred to House Appropriations.

The House Appropriations Committee, in discussions on Feb. 7, had concerns with the idea of getting the Board of Control out of water accounts.

Further, the committee believed using the omnibus bill to take this action was inappropriate, and instead, thought such action should be taken

Additionally, the committee cited the position for the employee in the WWDO should have also gone

through the budget bill.

“Those two things were driven by the Select Water Committee,” Lawrence noted.

He further noted there are three bills separately addressing a position in WWDO to handle Colorado River issues – one in the omnibus planning bill, one in the general appropriations bill and one in HB 222, which deals with the Colorado River Advisory Committee.

“There is a lot of confusion for what’s going on,” Lawrence said. “On Feb. 7, the committee laid the planning bill back and asked the WWDO director and Wyoming state engineer to put together a white paper on the different positions, what each position would do and why they are needed.”

Look for updates in next week’s edition of the Roundup, as well as additional information on bills of importance to the Wyoming agriculture community.

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

A gift to the University of Wyoming supports water management in the state

A gift from the Gretchen Swanson Family Foundation in honor of the late Kurt Bucholz, rancher, large-animal veterinarian and legislator, will support something Bucholz was very passionate about – ethical water rights management and hydrology research in Wyoming and across the West.

“Kurt would have been so excited and supportive of this program,” says Laura Bucholz, president of the Gretchen Swanson Family Foundation and surviving spouse of Kurt Bucholz. “Water was so important to him, and I think this will have a lasting impact across the state.”

The major gift from the Gretchen Swanson Family Foundation supports the Dr. Kurt S. Bucholz Irrigation Science Excellence Fund, which fosters excellence and provides financial support to the University of Wyoming (UW) Department of Ecosystem Science and Management.

“This gift will leave an impression not just on the university, but also on the state of Wyoming as a whole,” says UW President Ed Seidel.

This UW irrigation science excellence fund will support Wyoming agriculture – specifically, directorship or a graduate student engaged in water rights management or hydrology research. A majority of this gift benefited from state matching dollars, and so the impact of this fund will be even larger.

Bucholz paves the way for water management

Bucholz was a wellknown Saratoga rancher, veterinarian and Carbon County legislator who was involved in water administration and supply concerns facing the Upper North Platte River Basin.

He was the founding member of the Upper North Platte Water Users’ Association and served as president of its board for eight years. In 2002, Bucholz was elected to the Wyoming House of Representatives. He died in 2006.

The Bucholz Ranch is nestled in the valleys of southern Wyoming among a patchwork of many large ranches whose survival rests on irrigated water.

With help from UW researchers and administrators, as well as those in the legislature, members of this sprawling community are not only learning more about effective methods for water management, they are also paving the way for complex conflict resolution across Wyoming and other droughtprone areas throughout the American West.

“Ranch Manager Bill Clay and I always felt the more people who had the same information, the better off we would be – if we could all get on the same page,” Laura says. “Our group started talking and having some reasonable discussions. Not to say it

wasn’t a little tense at first, but we’ve come such a long way in the past 10 years. It’s amazing.”

Michael Condict, Upper North Platte Water Users’ Association ranching group coordinator, understands the importance of Wyoming water rights. His family ranch was homesteaded in 1884 and holds water rights in the Brush Creek drainage, Elk Hollow Creek drainage, Cedar Creek drainage and several points in between.

“Before the program, we spent more time fighting with each other and threatening lawsuits than we did irrigating the water once we had it,” Condict says. “And, in most cases, we really didn’t have any way to know whether the water we were fighting over belonged to who we thought it belonged to.”

“We had no way to determine the priority in any of these streams, and frankly, the state had no way of determining a priority in any of the streams, let alone any ability to administer it if we knew what that priority was,” he added.

Brush Creek Watershed Project

The Brush Creek Watershed Project is a model program for irrigation science, technology, management and conflict resolution within the state and beyond.

This shared project advances cooperative and effective administration of water rights among ranchers and other users of the watershed. It has allowed the Brush Creek water rights to move from paper to a realworld digital model.

“The general idea is to provide administration during the summer and to provide an impartial voice at the table when discussing irrigation matters,” says Joseph Cook, a UW graduate student who serves as an irrigation administrator.

“Our main roles are ensuring each person has the correct amount of water, and in order to do this, we have to start by predicting how much of the water is supposed to go in each ditch each day and then spend the rest of the day going around the system trying to match flows as closely as possible to the predictions,” Cook continues.

The administrative focus of the project includes conflict resolution and overcoming decades of contentious debate. The science focus of the project includes computer modeling to calculate water rights priorities in real time.

Watershed Hydrology Graduate Assistantship

The Watershed Hydrology Graduate Assistantship, also established by the Gretchen Swanson Family Foundation, is a vital part of the Brush Creek project. This endowment supports a graduate student in the UW College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources, who is in charge of managing the program.

“The university’s

involvement with this project has been instrumental in resolving water rights conflicts within Wyoming, and I am thrilled we will be able to expand this concept to other regions in need of solutions,” Seidel says.

The graduate assistantship fund, managed through the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, specifically goes to a graduate student pursuing a PhD in hydrologic sciences or rangeland ecology and watershed management at UW.

Support can last five years and can cover the majority of costs for the student to pursue innovative research toward the betterment of water management in Wyoming.

The Gretchen Swanson Family Foundation honors Kurt Bucholz’s mother, Gretchen Swanson (Bucholz) Velde, who served as president of the foundation.

An active and dedicated philanthropist in Omaha, Neb., Velde spent much of her life contributing to nutrition, education and the arts in memory of her family. She also served on numerous boards.

Gretchen was the daughter of Carl Swanson, a turnof-the-century produce wholesaler who founded C.A. Swanson and Sons Co., which developed the TV dinner. The company merged with Campbell Soup Co. in 1955.

The Gretchen Swanson Family Foundation gift was received during the eighth annual UW Giving Day, a philanthropic tradition spearheaded by the UW Foundation, which takes place online and across campus.

“It’s inspiring the ways this community continues to give back,” says John Stark, president and chief executive officer of the UW Foundation. “I am filled with gratitude and admira-

Montana Performance Bull

tion for the impact this will have for the fine people of this university.”

1 Source of fine fleece

3 Vane direction, abbr.

4 To this point

6 Direction of the market

7 Occurring every year

9 Breeding horse

14 Group of poultry with one male and two females 17 Pigs, horses, cows, etc 18

continued from page 1

steer he showcased at the fair was ranch-raised – excluding a show steer he bought one year.

Nate also mentions he has learned numerous valuable lessons growing up on his family’s ranch and showing 4-H projects.

“Helping on the ranch was our summer job – we were always helping dad,” he

shares. “It instilled in me the drive to work hard and to be proud of the work I do.”

He jokes, “Ranch work taught me to do the job right the first time, so I didn’t have to go back and do it again.”

Today, Nate stays busy ranching with day-to-day operations and helping his parents. The ranch is currently moving cows and pre-

paring for calving season.

Community involvement

As the son of the Wyoming Stock Growers Association (WSGA) President David Kane, Nate also volunteers his time and partakes in several roles within WSGA and his community.

In December, he was elected as the vice president of the WSGA Young Producers Assembly (YPA), which was founded in 2015.

The YPA is a group of

WSGA members who came together to create a place of learning, camaraderie and a friendly, family atmosphere while advocating for Wyoming’s cattle industry. The mission of the group is to generate opportunities for young producers to be successful and passionate about the livestock industry in Wyoming.

The current YPA officer team includes President Ty Espy, Secretary/Treasurer Kendall Roberts, Holly Dyer of Region Two, Keren Drumhiller of Region Three, Kyle Smith of Region Four and John Nelson of Region Five.

In addition, Nate serves as the social, recruitment and events committee chair for YPA and is a board member for the Sheridan County Weed and Pest.

“Being involved with YPA has allowed me to be a part of WSGA and help the younger generation,” explains Nate. “We’ve held several fun events and did a ranch tour on our place several years ago.”

He notes, “YPA is a place for the young folks of WSGA to get to know each other, learn and chat about agriculture and the livestock industry.”

Future advice

Growing up in agriculture and the ranching lifestyle has been a long-standing tradition for Nate, and he’s excited to do it alongside his own family.

“I feel very fortunate to come back to a family ranch as a fifth generation rancher and to have my kids be the sixth generation on the ranch,” shares Nate.

Being a young producer within the agriculture community can come with challenges but Nate offers future young producers some words of advice by saying, “Keep your head down and push through. Things will always turn out.”

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

By Jaycie Arndt, UW Extension Educator

Invasive perennial grass spreads through the West

Bulbous bluegrass, otherwise known as Poa bulbosa, is a short-lived perennial grass invasive to North America. In recent years, bulbous bluegrass has begun to spread and dominate vegetation communities in Wyoming and throughout the West.

Bulbous bluegrass was unintentionally introduced to North America in the early 1900s. It appeared as a seed contaminant in shipments. However, in 1906, it was also introduced intentionally to be evaluated as a turf grass to be grown during winter months. It performed poorly as it matured too early and turned brown.

Currently, bulbous bluegrass invades roadsides, rangelands, hay and crop fields. It is becoming more and more widespread in Western states as it has adapted to areas with dry summers, mild winters and winter-dominated precipitation.

Bulbous bluegrass behaves similarly to an invasive winter annual grass, as it

begins growth when late fall precipitation provides adequate moisture. The grass overwinters beneath snowpack and resumes growth early in the spring.

As spring progresses, bulbous bluegrass grows rapidly and usually produces bulblets, then turns brown in dormancy by late June.

Identification

The major identifying characteristic of bulbous bluegrass is it produces bulblets rather than seeds.

Very few grasses in North America reproduce via bulblets. These bulblets are essentially live plants which fall from the parent plant and immediately start growing given adequate conditions. This makes plants easy to identify, as both the inflorescence and the base of plants will be bulblets.

Other identifying characteristics of bulbous bluegrass include a ‘boat tip’ leaf blade, which looks like the front of a boat and is common in bluegrass species.

It has mostly basal leaves

with membranous ligules. It ranges in height from eight to 24 inches and is usually shallow rooted. The bulbs are usually dark purple at the base. As the plant senesces, it turns a dark purple/brown color.

Prevention

It is important to prevent the spread of bulbous bluegrass. Managing this species can become very expensive, so preventing populations from invading rangelands is the most economically efficient strategy.

Bulblets can be moved by livestock, wildlife, infested hay, vehicles, equipment and small mammals. Be sure to keep an eye out for bulblet dispersal and for new populations so they can be treated early on.

Treatment

In small populations, bulbous bluegrass can be successfully managed via intensive hand pulling.

Mowing, however, is not a viable option for bulbous bluegrass control as it can increase infestations due to seed spread. Spring tillage may also help manage bulbous bluegrass populations, but fall tillage is less effective.

Livestock and wildlife use bulbous bluegrass as forage in the late fall and early spring. Intensive spring grazing may reduce bulbous bluegrass infestations. Once the plant begins to mature and senesce, it becomes unpalat-

able to most classes of livestock.

This means producers must be careful when grazing bulbous bluegrass, because livestock may over-utilize desirable perennial grasses when trying to avoid unpalatable bulbous plants.

Several herbicides are effective for bulbous bluegrass control. Recent research conducted at the Sheridan Research and Extension Center found a combination of Rejuvra and Plateau at five ounces per acre, each sprayed in late fall or early spring, provide greater initial control and long-term control of bulbous bluegrass.

With the combination of herbicides, Plateau controls existing plants and Rejuvra prevents bulblet survival in subsequent years. Plateau alone appears to provide good control of bulbous bluegrass in the first year after treatment, but the control diminishes by four years after treatment.

Matrix also provides good control, but does cause some perennial grass damage in the first year.

Other herbicides may be effective at controlling bulbous bluegrass under special circumstances.

Jaycie Arndt is a University of Wyoming invasive grasses Extension educator. She can be reached at jarndt1@uwyo.edu.

Big horn Basin

Meeting scheduled

The Wyoming Board of Agriculture will meet on Feb. 23 in-person and via Zoom at 9 a.m. The meeting will take place at the Wyoming Department of Agriculture main office in Cheyenne.

During the meeting, the board will work on Conservation District appointments, hear a legislative update, an update on Weed and Pest rules and regulations and any other business as needed.

Additionally, during the meeting, the board will hear public comment on a resolution to add Palmer amaranth to the State Designated List. Public comment on this topic will be limited to one hour with one representative per organization and a maximum of five minutes of testimony.

There will be a maximum of 12 comments heard on a first come, first served basis, and the board will be voting on this resolution during the April 10-11 regular meeting. Along with this, the board will discuss listing/relisting of prohibited noxious weeds and hear about Weed and Pest declared resolutions.

The public is welcome to attend and there will be a chance for public comment on the resolution at the end of the meeting.

A full agenda for the meeting and Zoom information can be found at agriculture.wy.gov/boa/agenda Times are tentative and subject to change without notice. If the board finishes one topic, they will proceed to the next topic.

2 Blk Bred Cows $1610/Hd.

Troy John Corbett Living Trust - Pavillion

2 BWF Bred Cows $1525/Hd.

5 Blk Bred Cows $1510/Hd. COWS

Riley, Michael - Burlington

1 Red Cow, 1165# $9600

2 Red Cows, avg. 1305# $8400

Traylor, Reba - Lovell

1 Blk Cow, 1300# $9400

Davidson, Peter - Burlingto

2 Blk Cows, avg. 1528# $9400

3 Blk Cows, avg. 1688# $8850

Troy John Corbett Living Trust - Pavillion

1 Blk Cow, 1150# $8900

3 Blk Cows, avg. 1147# $8400

2 Blk Cows, avg. 1238# $8300

2 Blk Cows, avg. 1238# $8300

Wheatcroft, Alexander - Worland

1 Blk Cow, 1295# $8800

4 Blk Cows, avg. 1239# $8700

1 Blk Cow, 1425# $8150

Wiechamann, Jason - Ten Sleep

2 BWF Cows, avg. 1445# $8700

Karst, Rusty - Powell

1 BWF Cow, 1395# $8500

James R. French Clay Creek - Greybull

3 Blk Cows, avg. 1383# $8400

2 Blk Cows, avg. 1348# $8000

2 Blk Cows, avg. 1113# $7700 Starbuck Ranch LLC - Ten Sleep

1 Blk Cow, 1560# $8400

1 Blk Cow, 1585# $8100

O’Donnell, Gary - Ten Sleep

1 Blk Cow, 1170# $8300

Whitt, Britt - Meeteetse

1 Blk Cow, 1265# $8000

1 Blk Cow, 1140# $7300

Karst, Reece - Powell

1 Hrfd Cow, 1355# $7800

Lyman Ranch Co. - Ten Sleep

1 Blk Cow, 1400# $7500

Anderson, Aaron - Ten Sleep

1 Red Cow, 1240# $7300

HEIFERETTES

Wheatcroft, Alexander - Worland

3 Blk Hfrettes, avg. 827# $12700

3 Blk Hfrettes, avg. 903# $11800

2 Blk Hfrettes, avg. 958# $11550

HEIFER CALVES

Fabricius, Dale - Burlington

8 Blk Hfr Clvs, avg. 606# $20900

9 Blk Hfr Clvs, avg. 516# $19350

Pennoyer & Son Inc. - Thermopolis

41 Blk Hfr Clvs, avg. 622# $20600

Lungren, Luke - Worland

82 Blk Hfr Clvs, avg. 587# $20550

19 Blk Hfr Clvs, avg. 688# $17100

Feb. 21 South Central Sage Grouse Local Working Group Meeting, 1-5 p.m., Carbon County Higher Education Center, classroom number one, Rawlins. For more information, visit wgfd.wyo.gov/News/outh-Central-Sage-Grouse-Working-Group-to-meet or call 307-745-4046.

Feb. 22 U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm and Ranch Tax Strategies Webinar, 1 p.m., online. For more information, visit farmers.gov

Feb. 22 Cattle Market Update and Free Meal, 6 p.m., Beeman-Cashin Building, Evanston. For more information and to RSVP by Feb. 16, call 307-747-6377.

Feb. 22 State Loan and Investment Board and State Board of Land Commissioners Executive Session, 2 p.m. Capitol Complex Auditorium, Cheyenne. For more information, visit lands.wyo.gov

Feb. 23 Wyoming Board of Agriculture Public Meeting, Wyoming Department of Agriculture Main Office, Cheyenne. For more information, visit agriculture. wy.gov/boa/agenda

Feb. 23 Cattle Market Update and Free Meal, 12 p.m., The Cowboy, Baggs. For more information and to RSVP by Feb. 16, call 307-747-6377.

Feb. 23 Cattle Market Update and Free Meal, 6 p.m., Ramkota Hotel, Casper. For more information and to RSVP by Feb. 16, call 307-747-6377.

Feb. 23 State Trade Expansion Program Enhancing a Website for eCommerce Webinar, online. For more information, visit sba.gov

Feb. 23 University of Nebraska-Lincoln Calculating Annual Cow Costs Webinar, 6:30-7:30 p.m., online. To register for the webinar, visit go.unl.edu/cow_costs For more information, contact Aaron Berger by e-mailing aberger2@unl.edu or call 308-235-3122.

Feb. 24-26 Up in Arms Flea Market and Gun Show, CAM-PLEX, Gillette. For more information, contact Lisa at 208-420-2295.

COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS

$1,500 for one incoming freshmen

$500 for five incoming freshmen

$500 for three continuing education

Nine scholarships will be awarded Membership required March 1, 2023 Deadline

Visit wyfb.org and click on the education tab for details/application www.wyfb.org

Pound-Makin’ Genetics Bull sale - March 4, 2023 P

Feb. 20 Weaver Ranch 38th Annual Production Sale, at the ranch, Fort Collins, Colo., 970-568-3898

Feb. 22 Mt. Rushmore Angus Ranch 57th Annual Production Sale, at the ranch, Rapid City, S.D., 605-342-2449, 605-484-6731, 605-381-7361, mtrushmoreangus.com

Feb. 25 Kretschman Angus Annual Bull Sale, Buffalo Livestock Marketing, Buffalo, 307-351-0794, 307-736-2327, kretschmanangus.com

Feb. 25 RV Bar Angus 16th Annual Bull and Female Production Sale, at the ranch, Jensen, Utah, 435-828-1111, 435-828-1116, 435-828-8391, rvbarangus.com

Feb. 25 First Annual Wyoming Select Bred Ewe Sale, Barn 3 at the CAM-PLEX, Gillette, 307-265-5250, wyowool.com/bredewesale

Feb. 27 Reyes/Russell 32nd Annual Sale, at the ranch, Wheatland, 307-331-1530, 307-322-4848, 970-587-2534, mrangusranch.com

Feb. 27 Circle L Angus Annual Production Sale, Dillon Livestock Auction, Dillon, Mont., 406-832-3535, 406-491-7363, circlelangus.com

Feb. 27 Colyer Herefords & Angus 43rd Annual Production Sale, at the ranch, Bruneau, Idaho, 208-845-2313, 208-250-3924, 208-599-0340, hereford.com

Feb. 27 Loya/Wardell Angus Online Sale, 970-396-0035, 970-396-1870, loyawardellangus.com

Feb. 28 Barker Cattle Company Bull and Female Production Sale, Burley Livestock Auction, Burley, Idaho, 801-792-1036, 208-312-3085, barkercattle.com

Feb. 28 JC Heiken Angus & Sons 16th Annual Production Sale, Miles City Livestock Commission, Miles City, Mont., 406-855-7839, jcheikenangusandsons.com

Feb. 28 Haynes Cattle Company 15th Annual “Working Bull” Angus Sale, Ogallala Livestock Auction, Ogallala, Neb., 970-854-3310, 970-520-3374, haynescattleco.com

March 1 Ox Bow Ranch Spring Bull Sale, at the ranch, Wolf Creek, Mont., 406-2354281, 541-965-0088, oxbowranchangus.com

March 2 Bieber Fever Performance Yearling Bull Sale, at the ranch, Leola, S.D., 605-439-3628, bieberredangus.com

March 3 Reminisce Angus Ranch Annual Bull Sale, Big West Feeding Facility, Dillon, Mont., 406-683-6363, remangus.com

March 4 Lucky 7 Angus Annual Bull Sale, Riverton Livestock Auction, Riverton, 307850-2514, 307-850-2053, lucky7angus.com

March 4 Sega Gelbvieh Pound-Makin’ Genetics Bull Sale, at the ranch, Pierce, Colo., 970-590-4862, 970-381-0600, segagelbvieh.com

March 4 Loya/Wardell Angus Online Sale, 970-396-0035, 970-785-0145, loyawardellangus.com

March 6 McCann Red Angus Annual Bull Sale, Billings Livestock Commission, Billings, Mont., 208-743-5517, 208-790-0646, mccannredangus.com

March 6 Veseth Cattle Company 17th Annual Sale, Glasgow Stockyards, Glasgow, Mont., 406-658-2504, vesethcattleco.com

March 7 Ipsen Cattle Company 10th Annual Internet Bull Sale, 208-681-4794, 208681-4793, ipsencattle.com

POSTCARD from the Past

Compiled by Dick Perue rrichardperue@gmail.com

Rough Winter On Game

Many elk and deer must have perished from hunger and cold the past winter

The above headline and sub-head appeared in The Laramie Weekly Boomerang on May 27, 1897.

The winter of 1896-97 will long be remembered as a severe one on elk and deer.

Our readers are familiar with the story of vast herds of elk that wintered in Jackson Hole and their pitiful destruction, by the thousands, from starvation. But, this was not the only place they were compelled, on the account of deep snows, to leave the mountains and come down to the lowlands for food.

Harry Hunter, manager of the Big Creek Livestock Company, who was in the city yesterday, says thousands of deer were driven down out of the mountain ranges surrounding North Park, and their hunger made them so tame they would feed with cattle in the fields and wherever else they could find sustenance.

Hunter had cattle in the park during the later part of the winter, and he says he has seen great droves of deer in the close vicinity of his cattle. The

same thing took place on the Snake River, we are informed, and deer were lower down in the valley than ever before.

All of this indicates mountain ranges are now lying under a heavier coat of snow than for many years before, and game, especially deer and elk, which live in the mountain fastness during the winter, has suffered more than for a long period. –“30”

Wildlife wasn’t the only species suffering during this winter, as illustrated by this story from the history of the Pick Ranch. It was noted:

It was realized after the harsh winter of 188687 cattle would not survive without supplemental hay in hard winters. In those years, many cattle barons were wiped out due to large cattle losses.

An old-timer in the area tells of hearing of this awful winter when “you could walk from French Creek to Pick Ranch stepping on cattle carcasses the entire way.”

This taught cattlemen that their herds could not be wintered successfully without hay obtained from irrigated pastures. . . but, then, that’s another story.

Bad winters aren’t the only killers of wildlife, as shown in this photo of a buck deer trapped in the ice in the Upper North Platte River just south of Saratoga in 1972. As shown by the broken ice path behind him, the buck had evidently swam through the ice for several yards before becoming trapped and eventually dying of exhaustion or becoming frozen in place. Photo by Dick Perue. Historical Reproductions by Perue

FOR THE WEEK ENDING February

1, 2023

FOR THE WEEK ENDING May 24, 2019

age 175.00-210.00/head; bred aged 160.00/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 30,000 last year.

Source: USDA AMS Market News, San Angelo, Texas

National Wool Review

As of February 10, 2023

In Australia this week, the Eastern Market Indicator was up 44 cents at 1400 cents per Kg clean from the sale a week ago. A total of 49,324 bales were offered with sales of 94.3 percent. The Australian exchange rate was stronger by .0082 at .6969 percent of the U.S. dollar. Australian wool prices are quoted US Dollar per pound, delivered, Charleston, S.C. The current freight rate is .15 cents per pound clean.

As of February 10, 2023

Compared to last week slaughter lambs mostly steady. Slaughter ewes steady to 5.00 higher. Feeder lambs not well tested. At San Angelo, TX 4,891 head sold. No sales in Equity Cooperative Auction. In direct trading slaughter ewes and feeder lambs not tested. 4,543 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 110-150 lbs 121.00-162.00; 150-185 lbs 128.00-154.00.

Ft. Collins: wooled and shorn 140-145 lbs 115.00-117.50.

South Dakota: wooled and shorn 110-150 lbs 126.00-132.50, few new crop 136.00-137.00; 150-160 lbs 124.00-131.00.

Billings: wooled and shorn 100-145 lbs no test.

Equity Coop: no sales.

Slaughter Lambs: Choice and Prime 1-2

San Angelo: hair 40-60 lbs 278.00-316.00; 60-70 lbs 262.00

299.00; 70-80 lbs 238.00-270.00, few 306.00; 80-90 lbs 208.00-241.00, few 256.00-260.00; 90-100 lbs 176.00-216.00, few 237.00-241.00. wooled and shorn 54 lbs 290.00; 70-80 lbs

238.00-240.00; 80-90 lbs 212.00-220.00.

Ft. Collins: wooled and shorn 68 lbs 195.00. hair 85 lbs 192.50; 90-105 lbs 187.50-220.00.

South Dakota: wooled and shorn 50-60 lbs 285.00-290.00; 69 lbs

265.00; 88 lbs 232.50; 90-100 lbs 175.00-182.00. hair 49 lbs 280.00; 81 lbs 220.00; 94 lbs 190.00.

Billings: no test.

Slaughter Ewes

San Angelo: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) no test; Good 2-3 (fleshy)

77.00-80.00, hair 73.00-100.00; Utility and Good 1-3 (medium flesh) 117.00, hair 118.00-134.00; Utility 1-2 (thin) 92.00, hair

92.00-120.00; Cull and Utility 1-2 (very thin) hair 87.00; Cull 1

55.00-67.00.

Ft. Collins: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) 85.00; Good 2-3 (fleshy)

67.00-87.50; Utility 1-2 (thin) no test; Cull 1 no test.

South Dakota: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) 54.00-90.00; Good 2-3 (fleshy) 75.00-95.00; Utility 1-2 (thin) 55.00-75.00, hair

70.00-85.00; Cull 1 18.00-50.00.

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

Feeder Lambs: Medium and Large 1-2

San Angelo: hair 30 lbs 299.00; 40-50 lbs 279.00-300.00.

Ft. Collins: no test.

South Dakota: 46 lbs 193.00; 59 lbs 189.00; 60-70 lbs 191.00198.00; 70-80 lbs 168.00-193.00; 80-90 lbs 165.00-180.00; 90100 lbs 150.00-167.00; 124 lbs 145.00.

Billings: no test.

Replacement Ewes: Medium and Large 1-2

San Angelo: yearling hair 90-115 lbs 151.00-182.00/cwt; mixed age hair 100-125 lbs 134.00-152.00/cwt; hair ewe and lambs 96.00-118.00/head.

Ft. Collins: no test

South Dakota: bred young 225.00-250.00/head; bred middle

Market Indicator was up 44 cents at 1400 cents per kg clean. Australian exchange rate was stronger by .0082 at .6969 percent of the U.S. dollar.

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

Wyoming Hay Summary

As of February 16, 2023

Compared to last report, all reported hay sold fully steady. Demand was good throughout the week. Some snow and bitter cold temps across many areas of the state. Snow report for last week came in at 111% for the median with basin high at 146% and basin low at 75%. Last year the state was at 91% and 91% for 2021. Eastern

Source:

As of February 16, 2023

Compared to the last report, bales of alfalfa sold mostly steady, with instances of 25.00 to 30.00 a ton higher. Ground and delivered hay sold steady to 5.00 higher. Grass hay sold steady on a thin test. Cattlemen continue to seek out loads of hay to hopefully get them to summer grass.

The latest markets data can be found by visiting USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service at

Notice

NOTICE: Publication in this newspaper does not guarantee the legitimacy of any offer or solicitation. Take reasonable steps to evaluate an offer before you send money or provide personal/financial information to an advertiser. If you have questions or believe you have been the victim of fraud, contact the Wyoming Attorney General’s Office, Consumer Protection Unit, 109 Capitol Building, Cheyenne, WY 82002, 307-7776397 TFN

Events

BLACK HILLS GUN SHOW

MARCH 10-12: The Lodge at Deadwood, Deadwood, S.D. Call 605-641-0870 or 307-7511877 3/4

2023 CACHE VALLEY COWBOY RENDEZVOUS, MARCH

10-12: Welcomes Billy Dean and Jim Curry, singing the songs of John Denver. Free admission to Cowboy Poetry, Western Music, Vendors and Poetry Contests, etc.

Fri. 3-10 p.m. and Sat. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Cache County Event Center, Logan, UT. Go to www.cvcowboy.org or leave message 435760-0160 3/4

UP IN ARMS, LLC FLEA MAR-

KET AND GUN SHOW FEB. 24-26, Gillette, WY at the CAMPLEX. Open to the public. Fri., Feb. 24, 3-7 p.m. Sat., Feb. 25, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun., Feb. 26, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Giving away a .22 pistol Sunday at 2 p.m., must be present to win, 21 years of age and able to pass background check. Buy, sell, trade. Adults $6, children 12 and under free (when accompanied by an adult). For more information, contact Lisa, 208-420-2295 2/18

Help Wanted

Help Wanted Services Services

RANCH HAND WANTED: Cow work/calving, irrigating, haying, fixing fences. Wages based on experience. Call 307-250-8475 3/4

CALVING HELP NEEDED: Experience preferred. Call 605347-3403 or 605-499-9088, Sturgis, S.D 3/4

HOT SPRINGS COUNTY

WEED & PEST DISTRICT IS

ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE POSITION OF WEED AND PEST DISTRICT SUPERVISOR: The position is in Thermopolis, WY. Send letter of application, resume and 3 references by March 6 to: Hot Springs County Weed & Pest District, PO Box 543, Thermopolis, WY 82443. For additional information, call 307-864-2278 or e-mail hscwpcd@rtconnect.net. Hot Springs County Weed & Pest is an EOE 2/25

WIGGINS FEEDYARD, LLC

HIRING FULL-TIME EMPLOY-

EE: Current driver’s license required. Call Sue Wiggins, 308-279-0924, e-mail sswiggins@wigginsfeedyard.com, 10077 U.S. 385, Bridgeport, NE 69336, provide references with phone numbers 2/25

Solar Water Pumping Systems

Water

Scott Blakeley, Owner ppr@pronghornpump.com www.pronghornpump.com

(307) 436-8513 • Cell: (307)

Brands

REGISTERED WYOMING BRAND FOR SALE: LRC, LTH, one electric branding iron included. $3,000. Call 307-851-5901 2/25

REGISTERED WYOMING BRAND FOR SALE: LRC, RSS, RSH. Expires December 2027. Iron available for pickup in Dayton, WY. $3,000 OBO. Call 307-751-0877 2/18

WYOMING BRAND FOR

SALE: RHC, LBH. Expires Dec. 31, 2026. No irons included, $3,000 OBO. Call 307772-1126 2/18

TEA KETTLE BRAND FOR SALE: One-iron, one strike brand for sale. LRC, LSS, LSH, LRB. Renewed through Jan. 1, 2033. Asking $9,000 OBO. Call 307-338-1529 or 307532-7524, if no answer please leave message 2/25

WYOMING BRAND REGISTERED BY GOELET GALLATIN IN 1912: LRC, BS, LSH. Irons available, seller will pay transfer fees. Renewed until 2033, $3,000. Call 307-272-4215 3/4

REGISTERED WYOMING BRAND FOR SALE: LSC, LHH. $3,000. Call 307-899-3754 2/25

REGISTERED WYOMING BRAND FOR SALE: Lazy V Heart Lazy V. LRC, LTH. Expires January 2027. Includes electric and hot irons. Asking $3,500. Call 608-863-3959 2/25

Dogs

CORGI PUPPIES: AKC. Ranch raised. Males and females. Out of working parents. Affectionate. Good with kids and livestock. Fast, agile, fearless herders. Shots and wormed. Delivery available. Call for details, 719-309-8864 2/25

Help

JOIN THE USDA-APHIS TO HELP PROTECT WYOMING’S AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Summer positions available, salary range $15-$16.57 DOE. Conduct insect and biological control surveys. Weekly travel required. Must be 18 years old. Contact USDA at 307-432-7979 or Bruce.A.Shambaugh@usda.gov for more information. Application deadline March 12.

FAMILY FARM IN SEARCH OF FULL-TIME, LONG-TERM

CREW LEADER to direct and coordinate worker activities such as maintaining ditches, planting, irrigating, harvesting, etc. Leadership skills and experience managing small crew, team player. Must have valid driver’s license and prefer experience operating tractors. CDL a plus but not required. Position to be filled immediately. Salary based on experience. For questions/information Call Britt, 719-429-9934. Send resume to britt@colonorchards.com. Submit references when applying to www.colonorchards. com 2/25

HOT SPRINGS COUNTY WEED & PEST DISTRICT IS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE POSITION OF WEED AND PEST DISTRICT MOSQUITO COORDINATOR/RANGE

MANAGER: The position is in Thermopolis, WY. Send letter of application, resume and 3 references by March 6 to: Hot Springs County Weed & Pest District, PO Box 543, Thermopolis, WY 82443. For additional information, call 307-864-2278 or e-mail hscwpcd@rtconnect. net . Hot Springs County Weed & Pest is an EOE 2/25

LOOKING FOR FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE TO HELP OVERSEE OUR HAYING OPERATION IN SOUTHWEST WYOMING: Must be mechanically sound and have a general understanding of pivots. Looking for a person that is highly motivated and a self-starter. Ranch house, vehicle, beef and paid time off provided. Ranch is located approximately 7 miles from Cokeville, WY. Pay DOE. Call 307-727-7721 3/4

Dogs

BEAUTIFUL TINY TEXAS HEELERS (QUEENSLANDS): One male, 1 female, born Sept. 27, 2022, mom 13 lbs., dad 7 lb. Toy Aussie. ALSO, AUGGIE PUPPIES, born Nov. 28, 2022, 1 male, 1 female, mom 18 lb. Pembroke Corgi, dad 10 lb. Toy Aussie. All bred for health/disposition/smarts, UTD pup vaccines. Parents raised with kids/cats/livestock. For more information, pricing and delivery options, call 406-581-7586. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 2/18

GIVING AWAY!! PUREBRED BORDER COLLIE PUPPIES: Out of excellent working parents. Extremely smart. All are traditional black and white. Call 307-645-3322 3/4

CKC PEMBROKE WELSH

CORGIS: Red coloring, males, $700. Call 307-2179737 3/4

WORKING RANCH DOGS:

AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD PUPPIES. Registered standard size. Foundation working bloodlines. Tails docked, dewclaws removed, current on vaccinations and worming. Ready now. Call 970-8242348, leave message. To view photos go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 3/4

SANDHILL BORDER COLLIES: Working border collies for ranchers. Reds, blacks, merles, mainly short hair. Thirty years experience. Shots appropriate to age, dewclaws removed, wormed weekly. Pups and ready-to-start pups available. Prices vary. Call us (texts are better) to set up delivery, 701-770-2364 or e-mail sandhillbc@yahoo.com. Visit our Facebook page: Sandhill Performance Horses and Border Collies. To view photos, go to www. wylr.net in the classifieds 5/6

AKC LAB PUPPIES: All colors available, whites, blacks, yellows, dark chocolates and dark reds. Excellent hunters, family companions. Full AKC registration. Shots, wormed, dewclaws removed. All puppies are cute, but it’s what they grow into that counts. Not all Labs are the same. Proud to own!! Been raising quality AKC Labradors for 25-plus years. Look at the rest but buy the best. Both parents on site for viewing. Will sell quickly!! $200 deposit, picking order is when the deposit is received. Doug Altman, Mitchell, S.D. Call/text 605-999-7149, click the our Labs tab on the website for pictures, www. southdakotayellowlabs.com WILL DISCOUNT!! 2/25

Auctions

Financial Services

ALL TYPES OF EQUIPMENT AND VEHICLE FINANCING.

Great service!! Great rates!! Call Chuck Brown at C.H. Brown Co., WY LLC, 307-3223232 (office), 307-331-0010 (cell) or e-mail chuckbrown@ wyoming.com 2/18

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!! 2/25

GREAT PYRENEES PUPPIES CURRENTLY WORKING WITH LIVESTOCK!! Proven bloodlines, parents onsite. Socialized. Males and females, 6 months old. $1,000. Have been raising these fantastic LGD for 48 years. For more information, call 406-207-7674 2/25

GREAT PYRENEES LIVESTOCK GUARD PUPS: We have 4 females and 2 males who are ready to go now. They were born Oct. 17, 2022, to working parents. They have sweet, gentle personalities and are great with our kids. WE ALSO HAVE A NEW LITTER from our other female. Those pups will be ready in April. $600 a pup for both litters. For more information, contact Casey or Cristy Davis, 605-431-2067 or 605-206-0495. To view photos, go to www.wylr. net in the classifieds 3/11

Angus Angus

Cattle Raised by Cattlemen for Cattlemen in a Real World Environment at 8,000’ - 9,000’

YEARLING BLACK ANGUS

BULLS FOR SALE: Actual weaning weight 727 lbs. Cow herd AI’d since 1969, predominantly use ABS and Select Sires. Purebred but not papered. $2,000. If we feed till April 1, $2,500. Call 307366-2911 2/25

YEARLING ANGUS BULLS:

These bulls are grown, not fattened, will get out and cover cows. Many will work on heifers. We will deliver. Call Joe Buseman, 605-351-1535 3/11

Registered Angus Yearling Bulls Private Treaty Bridger, MT Opening Day Saturday Louis & Kathy Dubs • Billings, MT 406-652-7515 • 406-208-8643 windingriverangus@gmail.com

Semen For Sale

Son of Connealy Confidence

Plus Reg. #19333156 heifer bull semen; birth EPD +1.0. Excellent semen for cows also. Collected and stored at World West Sire Service, Joliet, MT. $5 per straw, not including shipping; price negotiable for over 50 straws. Call 406-254-0499 or e-mail dsolberg@sevenblackfoot.com

Hereford

STICKS & STONES RANCH

Gene Stillahn: 307-421-1592

Hereford bulls for sale!! 15 horned/polled 2-year-olds & yearlings.

CRR Herefords Good for your Business

Look

COYOTE RIDGE RANCH

TOLMAN RANCH LLC IS ACCEPTING BIDS FOR GRAZING APPROXIMATELY 300 ACRES OF IRRIGATED (40 acres) pasture 30 miles up the Nowood in Ten Sleep, WY. For 40 pairs of cattle or 200 head of sheep. Grazing turn in May 1-Nov. 1. Two year contract with the possibility of renewal. There are a few requirements that will need to be addressed, like responsibility for irrigation of fields, cleaning of ditches and weed spraying. Send bids to Tolman Ranch LLC, PO Box 576, Ten Sleep WY, 82442, postmark by Feb. 20, 2023. For more information, contact Frank Keeler, 307350-6994 2/18

LOOKING TO RENT OR LEASE PASTURE FOR 50-100 cow/calf pairs for 2023 season. Preferably northeastern Wyoming. Call 307-660-0294 and leave a message if no answer.

SUMMER PASTURE NEEDED FOR 2023 AND BEYOND for 100 to 200 cow/calf pairs. Good references. Call 605-347-3403 or 605-499-9088 2/18

WANTED, PASTURE FOR YEARLINGS, 200 to 1,500 head. Call 308-765-0300 2/25

YEARLING PASTURE WANTED for 1,500 head steers/ spayed heifers for 2023 and beyond. Take all or part, smaller places okay. CO, WY, OR and ID preferred. Competitive rates, reference available. Call or text Jon, 831-240-5795 7/1

PASTURE WANTED for 2,000 yearlings and 500 pairs. Can split into smaller bunches. 701523-1235 3/11

Horses

BEST OF THE BIG HORNS HORSE SALE, APRIL 15, Buffalo Livestock Marketing, 44 TW Rd., Buffalo, WY. Online bidding through www. cattleusa.com , register 3 days prior to sale. Contact Ellen Allemand, 307-751-8969 or Kay Lynn Allen, 406-6975882. Visit us on Facebook for updates 4/1

SEVERAL WELL BRED, REGISTERED THOROUGHBRED MARES AVAILABLE TO GOOD HOMES: Most of them are winners. All good broodmares. Owner is 85 years old, only selling due to getting older and health issues. Willing to make a heck of a deal, just want them to go to good homes. For more information, call 559-660-6182 2/18

Horses

COME CHECK OUT COWBOY COUNTRY HORSE SALE AND TRADE SHOW MARCH 17-19, GILLETTE, WY!! March 18, preview 10 a.m., Barn 3 CAMPLEX, HORSE SALE STARTS

3 p.m., Central Pavilion, CAMPLEX. There will be food and alcohol!! Trade Show: March 1719, Central Pavilion, CAM-PLEX. There will be numerous vendors with a variety of awesome items. Please call 307-660-7303 or 307-257-3447. Visit us at www. cowboycountryhorsesale. com!! 2/18

STAY WARM!! Great prices!! WOOL CAPS, wool VESTS, WOOL socks, SILK SCARVES, KENETREK RIDING PACKS, THINSULATE BOULET ROPER style BOOTS. HONDO, BOULET, JUSTIN WORK BOOTS, TWISTED X (boots and shoes) and more!! WE CAN ship!! Shop Moss Saddles, Boots and Tack, 4648 West Yellowstone Highway, Casper, WY; 307-472-1872. Our family serving yours for 50 years!! Check us out on Facebook or our website 3/4

USED HEREFORD CUTTING

SADDLE: Good shape, 16” seat, $1,000 OBO. Call Cliff Vogel, 402-519-1958. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 2/18

Leatherwork

LS CUSTOM LEATHER: Belts, tack, cell phone cases and much more!! Contact Lester, 307-631-1053, leave a message. Located in Riverton, WY 3/11

Sheep

MERINO EWES FOR SALE: CAMPBELL AND HANSMIRE GENETICS, 1,050 HEAD: 250 2-year-olds; 228 3-year-olds; 146 4-year-olds; balance 5 to 7 year’s old, 165-170 lbs. Good body condition. Supplementing on pasture. 19-20 Micron. Wormed and vaccinated 3 times in 2022. Hamp/Suffolk bucks turned in Nov. 22, 2022. Five Akbash dogs. For more information, call 308440-7999 3/4

FIFTH ANNUAL MID-STATES

HAIR SHEEP SALE MARCH 25, 2023, at 11:30 a.m. Starting with equipment. Sheep to follow immediately after. NEW LOCATION!! WAHOO LIVESTOCK SALES 636 1st St., Wahoo, NE 68066. Looking for consignors and buyers. Healthy hair sheep only, all stock will be inspected upon arrival. No sheep with broken or missing teeth. All out of state sheep will need health papers. Veterinarians present to inspect and write outgoing health papers. Brucellosis testing must be done on rams over 6 months old to ship out of state. No more than 2 rams per producer. 10% commission. Sale order will be in order of consignment, call early!! NO consignments day of sale.

REGISTER TO BID ONLINE minimum of 7 days in advance at www.dvauction.com and contact the barn for approval, 402443-3512. To consign sheep call Josh Kaster, 402-245-7391 or Neal Amsberry, 308-6510327 3/18

Hay & Feed

GRASS HAY FOR SALE: 3x4 bales, 1,200 lbs., $250/ton. Lyman, WY. Call Kelly, 307-7807027 2/25

WYOMING CERTIFIED

GRASS SEED GROWER HAS GRASS HAY FOR SALE: 3x4x8 squares baled behind the combine. Bales have all the forage without the seed, $110/ ton. Powell Wyoming area. Call Mike, 307-202-0494 2/25

2022 LARGE ROUND

BALES: Net wrapped, 1,5501,650 lbs., tests done, nitrate free, Japanese and German millet, $130/ton. ALSO, large round bales of 2021 net wrapped and 2022 twine tied grass hay. Will deliver. Call 605-224-6100 (home) or 605280-3879 (cell), if no answer leave message 2/25

SHELL CORN FOR SALE: Very good feed value. ALSO, hay and straw for sale. For more information, call 307-754-5864 2/18

VALLEY VIDEO HAY MARKETS, LLC: Hay still available. Go to www.valleyvideohay. com or call Barry McRea, 308235-5386 3/11

GRASS HAY FOR SALE: Cow and horse quality, 3x4 and 3x3 square bales. Delivery available!! Call 307-630-3046 2/18

HAY FOR SALE: 2022 first and second cutting alfalfa, alfalfa/ grass, grass mix, straight grass, Haybet barley, straight millet and sorghum. 2021 alfalfa, alfalfa/grass, grass, alfalfa/oats, alfalfa/oats/millet. All in netwrapped round bales. Semi load delivery available. Call for pricing, 701-690-8116, please send a text if no answer or keep trying 2/18

SMALL SQUARES OF BROME GRASS/ALFALFA

MIX HAY: Covered, $10/bale. ALSO, second cutting alfalfa. Sheridan, WY. Call Drew, 307752-5920 2/18

307-752-5920

HAY FOR SALE: Teff grass and alfalfa mix. Small square bales. Approximately 70 tons available. Located in Powell, WY. For more information, call 307-2548201 3/11

GOOD AVAILABILITY OF ROUND AND SQUARE HAY AND STRAW BALES FOR SALE: Low delivery charge at cost. Volume discounts available. Call/text 1-204-209-1066 anytime for pricing 3/11

BARLEY STRAW: Certified weed-free small squares, $4/ bale. ALSO, round bales. OATS, WHEAT AND BARLEY, $20/100 cwt. Greybull, WY area. Call 307-762-3878 or 307-202-0108, leave message 3/11

GRASS SEED FOR SALE: Manifest wheat grass, Manska wheat grass, Cache Meadow Brome, excellent germination, $3.90/lb. Call Big Horn Seed Company, 307-202-0704 or 307-645-3322 3/4

WANT TO BUY!! FORD 172

DIESEL INDUSTRIAL ENGINES off of Freeman 300W self propelled small square baler or other industrial applications. Call Lloyd, 701-2264055 2/18

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE: John Deere 8960 tractor with PTO; John Deere 5090e tractor with loader; CIH 1015 pick-up header; John Deere 455 30’ grain drill; White 30’ disk; Morris 53’ airdrill; Lawson 12x30 double drum land areator; Apache 2190 self propelled sprayer; New Holland 1075 balewagon; Freeman self propelled 3 string balers; Freeman pull type 3 string balers; Vermeer R23 rake; John Deere 569 baler; Massey Ferguson 2190 4x4 baler; Cat 950 loader; New Holland 359 grinder mixer; Artsway 425 grinder mixer; Modern Mill (mix mill) feed mill; Freightliner grain truck; IHC 80 bbl vac truck; Merritt 48’x102” cattle pot; 2007 Western Star 4900 sleeper truck; Mobile Tech 9 yd. volumetric concrete mixer; Degelman 570 rock picker. Call 406-254-1254 3/4

FOR SALE: H&S 7+4 17’ chuckwagon with tandem running gear. John Deere 714A and 716A chuckwagons with John Deere running gear and bunk feeding extensions, been shedded, nice condition. Haybuster 2650 bale processor, shedded, like new. Lorenz 16’x33’ 18 ton stack mover.

Farm King 8’ snow blower with hydraulic spout. All in very nice condition!! Call 605-9995482 2/18

Equipment

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE:

440 diesel John Deere crawler dozer, $5,500; 310C gas Case crawler loader, $4,500; 95 John Deere combine round back, $6,200; 1999 4900 Hesston baler, $24,500; 2275 16’ Hesston pull type swather, $14,500. All machinery has been shedded. Call Ivan Policky, 307-6290974 3/11

Heating Equipment

ELIMINATE ● RISING ● FUEL

COSTS: Clean, safe and efficient wood heat. Central Boiler Classic and E-Classic Outdoor Wood Furnace; heats multiple buildings with only 1 furnace, 25-year warranty available. Heat with wood, no splitting! Available in dual fuel ready models. www.CentralBoiler. com WE ALSO HAVE whole house pellet/corn/biomass furnaces. Load once per month with hopper. www.Maximheat. com A-1 Heating Systems. Instant rebates may apply! Call today! 307-742-4442. To view photos, go to www.wylr. net in the classifieds TFN

Pipe

HDPE Pipe for Ranch Water Systems

Quantities up to a truck load.

Delivery available throughout the West. 775-657-1815

Fencing

LODGEPOLE PRODUCTS, 307-742-6992, SERVING AGRI-BUSINESSES SINCE 1975!! Treated posts, corral poles, buck-and-rail, western rail, fence stays, rough-sawn lumber, bedding. SEE US at www.lodgepoleproducts. com and click our “Picking A Fence Post” tab to see why folks choose our posts!! TFN

PLACE YOUR AD HERE

Irrigation

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 6/17

Property for Sale

Property for Sale

BUYING ALL OLD 1950 AND BEFORE U.S. PAPER CURRENCY including Nationals, Colonial, etc. Call 913-271-0060, I live in Wyoming 2/18

Mineral Rights

Feed (drive thru); Etna 10:50-11 a.m., Etna Trading Post (drive thru); Alpine 11:40 a.m.-12:10 p.m., Grey’s River Saloon; Hoback Jct. 12:40-1:10 p.m., Hoback Market/Exxon; Bondurant 1:40-2 p.m., Elkhorn Bar (drive thru); Bondurant 1:552:10 p.m., Post Office (drive thru); Daniel 2:30-2:50 p.m.,

by Lee Pitts

Buyer Beware

Recently, I called a plumber friend to order a toilet thinking I’d get it cheaper than buying it from a big box store or the local hardware store. The toilet was delivered to my house, and in preparing to install it I noticed something was missing – the seat.

Now, I think we can all agree the seat is a fairly important part of the apparatus, just ask any woman who constantly tells her husband to put the seat down after use – otherwise she might sit down and get stuck. And, calling the fire

department to get removed from a toilet is not something someone would want talked about around town.

When I went to the local hardware store to buy a toilet seat, I noticed a banner saying a popular brand of battery-powered drill was only $79. But, when I read the small print, I discovered it did not include the battery or the charger. They were $159 extra. I felt like I was 10 years old again on Christmas morning when I got a toy I couldn’t play with because batteries were not included.

We’ve become a nation of salesmen, promoters and hucksters. We sell stuff better than we make it.

For example, my wife and I were picking out wood flooring to redo our kitchen floor, and after looking at samples for 30 minutes, we finally decided on one we both liked. Then, the salesman informed us it was out of stock, and he didn’t know when it would be available, if ever.

It reminded me of buying a can of nuts with a showing of what we could expect once we opened the can. The label showed numerous cashews – my favorite – but it had onehalf of a single cashew in the entire can.

The pizza joint in our town advertises they are “the home of the eight-dollar pizza,” but this is just

for the crust and the sauce.

If a customer wants pepperoni, cheese and olives, they’re two dollars each, so their eight-dollar pizza is really $14.

Sometimes we’re outright lied to. As a child, I wanted a coonskin cap because Daniel Boone supposedly wore one, only to find out as an adult he actually never did.

Asthma Cigarettes did not cure cancer. Dr Koch’s Cure-All was little more than distilled water. One size does not fit all. Wearing sneakers doesn’t make us look skinny, and we can’t “wash and wear” clothes without looking like a homeless person.

And, why is every item in the grocery store “New and Improved?” I don’t want new and improved, I want “old and reliable.”

Also, whatever happened to truth in advertising?

I am reminded of an incident where telling the truth almost got me sued.

I was working the ring in the all-breed bull sale at San Francisco’s Cow Palace which always attracted a big crowd. For some reason I’ll never understand, the Cow Palace didn’t require their consignors to semen test bulls ahead of the sale – I’ve never heard of another bull sale that didn’t semen test bulls.

The Limousin bulls always seemed to have the highest breed average because two good cattlemen always got in a bidding war over them. They were both my friends and always sat in the section where I was taking bids.

One of the men told me ahead of time, “You let me know if a bull isn’t semen tested because I don’t want one.”

The other bidder was

a dear friend of mine. In fact, I gave the eulogy at his funeral. He’d never speak to me again if I sold him a bull that wasn’t semen tested. So, whenever an untested Limousin bull came through the ring I said in a normal voice, “Not semen tested.”

When I got home a week later there was a letter waiting for me from a Limousin breeder who sold his untested bulls at the Cow Palace and said he was going to sue me if I didn’t pay him the difference between what his untested bulls brought and the average of the tested bulls.

He also threatened to sue me for defamation of character. All I had done was tell the truth because I thought buying a bull that wasn’t semen tested was like buying a toilet without a seat.

Tuesday, February 14 Market Report • 663 Head Sold

Hfrs 525-600#. Rec Pyramid 5 w/Presponse, Vision 8 w/Somnus & Multi Min @ branding & precon. Bangs vacc, Safe Guard & Multi Min this winter. Hay fed & bunk broke. Sired by Lucky 7 & Durbin Creek Hereford bulls (10%). One brand, high elevation & fancy! Ruby Ranch – 80 Blk Ang & AngX Strs & Hfrs 475575#. Rec 2 rounds of shots @ branding & weaning. Hay fed. Sired by Powerful Reg Blk Ang bulls. High elevation calves!

Diamond F Cattle – 70 Red/RWF/Hfd Strs & Hfrs 425475#. Rec 2 rounds of shots @ branding & weaning. Weaned since Oct 30th. Out on pasture w/ long stemmed hay. High elevation!

Nancy Anderson – 50 Blk/BWF Strs & Hfrs 475-525#. Comp vacc @ branding & weaning. Weaned Oct 30th. Out on pasture & hay fed. One iron & high elevation!

Ted Seely – 20 Blk Ang & AngX Strs 500-625#. 28 Blk Ang & AngX Hfrs 500-625#. Rec 2 rounds of shots. Weaned a long time. Nice, reputation calves!

Flying W Ranch – 45 Blk Ang Strs 475-525#. Rec 2 rounds of shots @ branding & weaning. Long stem hay fed. Randall Jones – 39 Blk & BWF Strs & Hfrs 750#. Comp vacc @ branding & weaning & poured (1120). Bunk broke.

Jim Yoder – 30 Blk Ang Strs & Hfrs 550-600#. Rec Vista Once, Nasalgen & Vision 7. Weaned 60 days out on pasture & hay. One iron & fancy!