Roundup for 2.27.2021 Section A

Volume 32 Number 44 • February 27, 2021

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The Weekly News Source for Wyoming’s Ranchers, Farmers and AgriBusiness Community • www.wylr.net

A Look Inside Protecting calves from enterotoxaemia is important during calving.........................Page A9 Alfalfa breeding decisions explained by seed expert.......... .................................. Page A11 Management strategies for grazing through drought conditions are provided.......Page B7 Lynn Harlan shares insight on cold weather in southern states ..................................Page B11

Quick Bits Ag Secretary On Feb. 23, the U.S. Senate confirmed Tom Vilsack as the 32nd U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. Vilsack served as the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture under the Obama administration from 2009 to 2017. During the confirmation hearing, Vilsack said he plans to prioritize food programs, expanding farm-to-school or prison programs and support racial justice, as well as incentivize farmers, ranchers and foresters to adopt climate-friendly practices.

Legislature gears up for 2021 General Session The 2021 General Session of the Wyoming Legislature will gear up to kick off on March 1, reconvening after a nearly monthlong break. Over the last several weeks, a number of committees held meet-

ings, and legislators prepared for the final four weeks of session.

Beginning March 1 at 10 a.m., the General Session will be held in a hybrid format, both virtually and in-person.

Wyoming’s

The first big event of session will happen on March 2 at 10 a.m., with the State of the State and the State of the Judiciary addresses by Gov. Mark Gordon and Supreme Court Chief Justice

top genetics This year marks the 36th anniversary of the Wyoming Beef Cattle Improvement Association (WBCIA) Bull Test and Sale. Rising production costs have made selecting bulls with tested and proven superior genetics

Michael K. Davis. The address will be streamed live on Wyoming PBS’s YouTube channel.

Hybrid format While many legislators are expected to participate Please see SESSION on page A14

WYOMING BEEF CATTLE IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION BOASTS SELECTION OF QUALITY BULLS

a priority for many ranchers.

Bulls selling in the WBCIA Top of the Mountain 36th Annual Bull Test Sale, set for 1 p.m. on March 12 at the Please see WBCIA on page A6

Cold Storage The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Survey released the Cold Storage Report, stating total frozen red meat in cold storage was estimated at over 1.01 billion pounds. Total frozen poultry was over 1.12 billion pounds, and total beef in cold storage was 519.2 million pounds. Total beef and boneless beef in cold storage are the highest levels since 2017.

BLM Director The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced on Feb. 23 Nada Culver will replace William Perry Pendley as the temporary deputy director. Culver previously worked on BLM issues for environmental groups. Currently, President Joe Biden has yet to nominate a director.

SWE Update Statewide, the snowpack or snow water equivalent (SWE) increased slightly to 94% of median, which is still slightly below average for this time of year. The biggest gains in SWE were across basins in western and southern Wyoming. Forecasted snow is expected over the far western mountain areas.

WBCIA photo

Directive overhaul USFS extends deadline for proposed changes to rangeland management directives The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) rangeland management directives, which serve as the primary basis for management of the rangeland management program and act as a primary source of direction to USFS employees in the program, are currently undergoing updates. The focus of this update, according to USFS is to make rangeland management policies more usable, modern and conform to recent legislation including management flexibility and clarifications to guide consistent management of lands.

USFS proposes changes to grazing permit terms and agreements, rangeland planning and decision-making and rangeland improvements as well as cooperation on national forests. The original comment period for the proposed changes has been extended from Feb. 16 to April 17.

Grazing According to the Major Changes Summary provided by the USFS, it is proposed to change the expiration date for all term grazing permits to Feb. 28 rather than Please see USFS on page A10

Slaymaker joins Roundup team A new face joins the Wyoming Livestock Roundup team as Madi Slaymaker, a Casper native, began her work as an editor this week.

Madi is a recent high school graduate and has worked to own and operate a photography business, which specializes in western photography. She started this business over three years ago.

Madi grew up on the Eastgate Ranch east of Madi Slaymaker Casper. While there, she helped with all facets of cattle work, including gathering cows and brandings throughout the years. Her favorite part of living on the ranch was feeding bum calves.

Madi was also active in 4-H growing up. She started 4-H when she turned eight, and she has raised several crossbred steers over the years.

Madi started her own cattle breeding program, resulting in the Overall Reserve Champion Breeding Heifer at the Natrona County Breeding Beef Show. She is hoping to offer show calves to 4-H members in the future.

Madi recently took a class at Casper College to become Please see EDITOR on page A8

FEEDD Act reintroduced Recently, U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN), Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND) and Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) reintroduced a new bipartisan, bicameral bill called the Feed Emergency Enhancement During Disasters (FEEDD) Act. Originally introduced by Johnson in the 116th Congress, the FEEDD Act would allow producers to graze, hay or chop cover crops before Nov. 1 in the event of a feed shortage caused by excessive moisture, flood or drought.

Additionally, through this clear and concise emergency waiver of authority from the

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), producers wouldn’t have to take further discounts on their crop insurance under the proposed act.

Background and proposed legislation According to Johnson, under the current Federal Crop Insurance Program, producers who are unable to plant a crop due to adverse weather conditions are currently eligible to receive a small indemnity. However, they are also prohibited from growing a cash commodity due to the missed window in the growing season.

The bill proposed by Johnson, Craig,

periodical

periodical

Please see FEEDD on page A15

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 32 No. 44 • February 27, 2021

Doesn’t Make Sense

Every so often someone is out there pointing their finger at cattle to claim they are one of the reasons for human-caused climate change.

Of course, we know and science proves, cattle and their belching From the are only responsible for around Publisher two percent of the world’s methane Dennis Sun emissions.

Bill Gates is the latest person to throw the methane garbage out in a book he wrote and recently released.

He comes down hard on raising cattle, especially in rich countries.

We appreciate Bill Gates for what he has done as Microsoft Corporation co-founder and for his donations to many causes. He is honest in realizing he is a contributor to climate change with his jet airplanes, huge houses and other toys.

But, he has a “zillion dollars” and hopes to wreak havoc on the cattle business in America and other rich countries to substitute beef with 100 percent fake meat products.

In an interview with MIT Technology Review, Gates spoke on his new book and emphasized the benefits rich nations could produce by moving to 100 percent synthetic beef. Right off, he has his facts wrong.

There is nothing beef about this synthetic product as it is a 100 percent plant-based product, and some say it would be a poor excuse for even dog food.

“One can get used to the taste difference, and the claim is they’re going to make it taste even better over time,” Gates said.

I guess he means, if one is rich, it doesn’t taste so bad if it is washed down with a $100 bottle of wine. But, for individuals in the middle class or poor countries, it’s OK to eat beef.

He did admit getting rid of cows is viewed as an unpopular approach, but he said the benefits of plant proteins are worth the shift for some countries.

Gates said, “Eventually, the green premium is modest enough one can sort of change the behavior of people or use regulation to totally shift the demand. For meat in the middle income and above countries, I do think it is possible.”

Whoa there Mr. Gates. I don’t think changing the behavior of people and using regulation is how Microsoft was developed or how those computers were so profitable.

“For Africa and other poor countries, we’ll have to use animal genetics to dramatically raise the amount of beef per emissions for them,” Gates told the MIT Technology Review. “Weirdly, because livestock in the U.S. is so productive, the emissions per pound of beef are dramatically less than emissions per pound in Africa.”

“As part of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s work, we’re taking the benefit of African livestock, which means they can survive in heat and crossing in the monstrous productivity both on the meat side and the milk side of the elite U.S beef lines,” he continued.

This all shows if one has a zillion dollars, they can afford to write a book promoting a product produced by companies they have invested in.

GUEST OPINIONS Where Are We Going, Wyoming?

Courageous, Visionary Leaders Wanted

By Cindy DeLancey Where are we going, Wyoming? I raise this question rhetorically, but with all seriousness, there are some hard truths before us, and our leaders are going to have to address them. As we move toward the 2021 General Session, I encourage all to help Wyoming find a new direction.

Recycling the same revenue bills which have failed year after year will not carry us to future success. Nor will cutting our governmental services to the bone.

We need new, big, bold ideas to help our leaders position Wyoming for the short term and the long term.

Hard fact number one – we can’t keep doing what we are doing.

Markets have changed.

Our current and future economy is going to look very different than what has carried the state for generations.

Our friends in the minerals industry have paid the bills for the state for decades. Their success has been our collec-

tive success.

Wyoming’s extraction sector is under tremendous financial pressure right now.

They are fighting hard to hold on and are under enormous regulatory assault.

Asking them to pay more when they have less does not seem to be a sound strategy for success. Simply put, the state has to find a new solution instead of asking the minerals sector to pay more of the bills.

Hard fact number two – change is hard. Wyoming must make some changes.

As industry leaders, Wyoming business owners are uniquely positioned to help bridge change for the state of Wyoming.

The private sector is the master of change. Change is how our businesses stay in business and ahead of the curve. Yes, it is hard and yes, it is painful, but this is what sets entrepreneurs apart.

By embracing change and seeking out opportunities, we can create a positive circumstance. Who isn’t

a creature of habit? I love my favorite slippers and 10-yearold bathrobe.

Business leaders can set the example of how to embrace change. It is our responsibility to help drive the change we want, and this is good for our state’s economy.

Basic business principles of living within our means, finding efficiencies and making smart investments with current resources are all things business owners do daily.

Hard fact number three – Wyoming’s K-12 education is on an unsustainable funding path. Gov. Mark Gordon’s analogy of a car driving 80 miles per hour with the cruise control on could not be more accurate in how the state is approaching education spending.

In Campbell IV, the Supreme Court found the legislature had enacted a system which complied with the state constitution. It also reinforced the legislature’s role in decid-

ing what should be included in the educational basket of goods and in enacting the formula to be used in determining funding.

In my view, to get to where the state’s education needs to go, citizens need the legislature to evaluate and modernize the basket of goods to define their vision of what education is in Wyoming and then determine a modern formula to fund it.

I could continue my list with another three hard facts, but I think one can see where I am going with this message.

The year 2021 is proving to be every bit as hard as 2020, but if courageous, visionary leaders take the reins, guide the horse in a new direction and ride instead of being carried, Wyomingites could be very pleased where the state ends up. Let’s ride, cowboys.

Cindy DeLancey is the president of the Wyoming Business Alliance and the Wyoming Heritage Foundation. Cindy can be reached at cindy@wyoba.com.

Wyoming Livestock Roundup Reporting the News by the Code of the West

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 32 No. 44 • February 27, 2021

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NEWS BRIEFS Health orders relaxed Gov. Mark Gordon and the Wyoming Department of Health have announced the removal of a health order addressing operations of personal care services, along with a continued relaxing of COVID-19 protocols as Wyoming’s metrics continue to improve.

Beginning March 1, Health Order Number Three, which addresses operations of barber shops, nail and hair salons, tattoo parlors and other personal care services is being eliminated completely.

Attendance limits for indoor and outdoor gatherings will increase once again, and protocols for restaurant and theater operations will be adjusted. Indoor gatherings that incorporate social distancing and face coverings are permitted for up to 25 percent of capacity or 1,000 persons and outdoor gatherings of up to 2,000 persons. In addition, sporting events and artistic performances will see participation limits eased.

“Four Wyoming counties have now received variances from statewide requirements in response to local conditions.

Additional changes to statewide protocols are expected to continue as metrics allow. Vaccination efforts are expected to help accelerate this process,” Gordon said.

He continued, “The efforts made so far have allowed us to maximize attendance safely at larger events like the state high school wrestling championships this weekend and the state high school basketball tournament which was canceled last year. If we continue on our current trajectory, I expect us to be able to continue to remove orders as we safely return to a new normal.”

As of Feb. 25, more than 16 percent of the state’s population has received at least one vaccine dose – one of the highest rates in the country. All Wyoming counties are now in Phase One B of the phased distribution plan, which includes adults 65 and over, frontline essential workers and individuals with medical conditions that put them at higher risk. Wyoming vaccine distribution information can be found at health.wyo.gov/publichealth/immunization/wyoming-covid-19-vaccine-information/.

The changes are in effect from March 1-15. A factsheet on the changes can be found at covid19.wyo.gov/.

ALB nominations open Nominations are currently being sought by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) for the American Lamb Board (ALB). The 13-member board is charged with directing research, information and promotion programs for American lamb.

Funded through the national American Lamb Checkoff, the board invests the industry’s valuable resources to foster profitability and create opportunities for all sectors involved in producing American lamb.

Nominations are due April 11, for one producer with 101-500 lambs, one producer with more than 500 lambs, one feeder with 5,000 or more lambs and one first handler. Members will serve three-year terms beginning February 2022 and ending February 2025.

Qualified industry organizations nominate people to serve on the ALB to the USDA AMS. Final appointments are made by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.

“Serving on the ALB has been the most important contribution I could make to advancing our industry on a national level. Every board member is deeply engaged to make the best decisions we can with one of the smallest national checkoff budgets in the U.S.,” says Gwen Kitzan, a South Dakota sheep producer whose family raises purebred sheep, but is also heavily involved in direct marketing. She is serving her second term as chair and will retire from the board in 2022.

For information about the American Lamb Board and the American Lamb Checkoff, visit lambresourcecenter.com. Specific information about the board is available at lambresourcecenter.com/board-info.

Black-footed ferret cloned A black-footed ferret named Elizabeth Ann is the first cloned animal on the U.S. Endangered Species List. Born Dec. 10, researchers share the ferret is a genetic copy of a ferret named Willa who died in 1988 and whose remains were frozen.

When Willa died, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department sent her remains to a program at the San Diego Zoo Global known for cataloging cells from more than 1,100 species worldwide.

“Biotechnology and genomic data can really make a difference on the ground with conservation efforts,” said Ben Novak, lead scientist with Revive and Restore, the nonprofit which coordinated the cloning.

Elizabeth Ann was born to a tame domestic ferret in Fort Collins, Colo. and will remain at the breeding facility. Currently, there are no plans to release future clones of black-footed ferrets into the wild.

Livestock report released Commercial red meat production for the U.S. totaled 4.8 billion pounds in January, down three percent from the 4.96 billion pounds produced in January 2020.

Beef production, at 2.31 billion pounds, was three percent below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.74 million head, down five percent from January 2020. The average live weight was up 24 pounds from the previous year at 1,399 pounds.

Veal production totaled 4.6 million pounds, 28 percent below January a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 32,300 head, 35 percent below January 2020. The average live weight was up 23 pounds from last year at 247 pounds.

Pork production totaled 2.48 billion pounds, three percent below the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 11.2 million head, five percent below January 2020.

The average live weight was up five pounds from the previous year at 295 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production, at 10.4 million pounds, was 12 percent below January 2020. Sheep slaughter totaled 161,800 head, 11 percent below last year. The average live weight was 129 pounds, down one pound from January a year ago.

For a full copy of the Livestock Slaughter Report please visit nass.usda.gov. For state specific questions contact Rhonda Brandt at 800-892-1660

APHIS announces help desk The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced the launch of its new APHIS Core Message Set Help Desk on Feb. 24.

Starting March 1, importers, brokers and filers will be able to contact the help desk to get help with submitting APHIS Core Message Sets in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). The help desk will be available Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Standard Time to review stakeholder message sets, explain error codes and flags, provide disclaim guidance and answer general message set questions.

On March 15, APHIS will expand the APHIS Core Message Set Help Desk hours to Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern Standard Time to better serve its users.

Users can reach the APHIS Core Message Set Help Desk at 833-481-2102 or they can submit APHIS Core Message Set questions by e-mail to ace.itds@usda.gov.

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COWBOY STATE DAILY Publisher Bill Sniffin invites you to join 12,000 of your Wyoming friends by becoming a digital subscriber to the fastest growing statewide internet news source in Wyoming – the Cowboy State Daily.

PPP changes requested A coalition of 35 agriculture groups is urging Congress to work with the Small Business Administration (SBA) to ensure farm partnerships and limited liability corporations have the same access to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) granted to sole proprietors.

The letter, which was signed by all major commodity and farm organizations as well as the Farm Credit Council, cooperatives, banks and other agribusinesses, argues excluding farm partnerships and LLCs produces disparate results based solely on farm structure, not need and misinterprets Congress’ intent.

“Farming and ranching are capital-intensive operations often operating at a loss and with owners who frequently do not work for wages. When Congress designed the original PPP, it did not recognize these special circumstances facing those working in agriculture. As a result, many farmers and ranchers did not qualify for PPP assistance,” the letter states.

With a deadline of March 31, the coalition urges Congress to include a clarification in the next stimulus bill.

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 32 No. 44 • February 27, 2021

NEWS BRIEFS NCBA delivers state of industry During the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) virtual Winter Reboot Conference, NCBA CEO Colin Woodall and NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane discussed the state of the industry and priority issues in Washington, D.C., which could affect cattlemen and women.

Woodall and Lane discussed the availability of USDA programs to assist farmers and ranchers from the damage done by the frigid temperatures seen across the country in February, the impact COVID-19 has had on cattle markets and the work NCBA has done to provide opportunities for increased profitability while ensuring a steady food supply chain.

They went on to discuss the outlook for the Biden administration and the 117th Congress. When talking about the priorities of the Biden administration, Lane shared NCBA has a robust relationship with senior level leadership across various agencies and those individuals are willing to listen to NCBA’s perspective.

“They really want to start these conversations at the ground level. They are making it clear NCBA has a seat at the table,” Lane said. “We can find some common ground and help them see the benefit of some of the things that have been propagated over the past couple years.”

When referencing the work NCBA is doing to ensure the beef industry’s success Woodall said, “What we’re doing is what we do best, and this is being the most effective advocate for cattlemen and women in Washington, D.C.”

CFAP extended

Texas calls for assistance Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is asking the United States Department of Agriculture to help after winter storms have done significant damage to the state’s ag sector.

Abbott sent a letter to Acting Secretary of Agriculture Kevin Shea on Feb. 18 requesting disaster designations for counties affected by severe ice and freezing brought on by winter weather. This designation would make federal assistance available.

The citrus and dairy industries were hit especially hard, especially with severe cold and rolling blackouts. These blackouts meant dairy processing facilities were operating with little or no power, which is causing issues along the production chain.

“Texas citrus sustained approximately $305 million loss to the crop in Cameron, Hidalgo and Willacy counties,” Gov. Abbott’s letter says. “Total damage assessments are still being calculated, but daily agriculture operations across the entire state have been slowed by both the novel coronavirus and by loss of electricity and continued freezing temperatures caused by severe winter weather.”

Beef producers have experienced losses because of the frozen conditions as well. Frozen ponds have created water access challenges and the overall weather brought on by the storm has been fatal for some livestock..

Selling 28 Angus and 4 Red Angus Bulls at the WBCIA Bull Test Sale Friday, March 12, 2021 • 1 p.m.

Pingetzer's Bull & Heifer Development Center • Shoshoni, WY

: g n i r u t a e F LOT 134 Klein Reign 001

1/16/20 AAA# 19893883 CED: +9 BW: +0.2 WW: +59 YW: +106 M: +24 BW: 74# PAP: 43

LOT 142 Klein Blaster 002

1/25/20 AAA# 19854932 CED: +6 BW: +1.2 WW: +58 YW: +105 M: +27 BW: 78# PAP: 37

LOT 151

LOT 149 Klein Top Generation 014

1/26/20 AAA# 19854937 CED: +9 BW: +0.5 WW: +60 YW: +110 M: +27 BW: 78# PAP: 43

Klein Cartwright 011

1/25/20 AAA# 19893898 CED: +8 BW: +1.6 WW: +67 YW: +114 M: +26 BW: 80# PAP: 41

Selling Sons Of:

KB- Top Generation E66 • Basin Rainmaker 4404 • Boyd Cartwright 3303 Deppe Black Granite 693 • Klein Blaster 803

KLEIN ANGUS

Bill Klein • 256 Brookside Rd. Wheatland, WY 82201 • (307) 331-0136

Preview videos at:

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack was sworn into office on Feb. 24, and one of his first actions allows for an extension of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), as well as a promise to quickly review how CFAP was administered under the last administration.

Vilsack said the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will be extending the sign-up during the evaluation of the CFAPAdditional Assistance Program. He noted once USDA makes a determination on how to structure the program, the agency will provide an additional 30 days after the decision for producers to sign-up.

“As we implement this next level of support, we hope to do so in an equitable way and respond to legitimate concerns,” said Vilsack.

American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) President Zippy Duvall commented on USDA’s decision to extend the CFAP application deadline. AFBF sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack requesting an extension for farmers and ranchers.

“AFBF applauds Secretary Vilsack for his swift response to our call for an extension to the CFAP application deadline. Coronavirus aid is a lifeline for farmers and ranchers who are suffering from losses due to the pandemic. Recent severe weather and the suspension of CFAP payments led to challenges and confusion surrounding the application process. The extra time will help ensure America’s farmers have the opportunity to apply for help,” said Duvall.

He continued, “We encourage the USDA to quickly complete its review of CFAP so resources can be distributed to the people who are working to feed families across the country.”

Bicameral, bipartisan delegation from Iowa urged Vilsack to expand the eligibility of COVID-19 relief programs to include custom cattle feeders, as the CFAP-Additional Assistance allowed payments for poultry and hog growers, but not cattle.

“While the USDA and Congress have made efforts to support all sectors of agriculture, it’s important to recognize custom cattle feeders have been left out in the cold,” said Matt Deppe, CEO of the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association. “We look forward to working with the newly confirmed Secretary Vilsack to develop solutions addressing the challenges our producers face.”

WGFD collects teeth The Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) is on-track to gather ages from more than 4,000 big game teeth from the 2020 hunting season. It’s more teeth than have ever been collected from big game harvests in the state due to increased hunter check station efforts and research projects.

Molly Bredehoft coordinates the tooth aging program for WGFD, based in the WGFD Wildlife Forensic and Fish Health Laboratory in Laramie. She noted this year pronghorn tooth submissions saw the biggest boost.

“For 2020, we’ve aged 827 pronghorn teeth so far,” Bredehoft said. “This is much higher than just a few years ago in 2018 when only six teeth were submitted and analyzed.”

This year, the oldest hunter-harvested pronghorn was 13.5 years old. For other big game, the oldest recorded ages for 2020 harvests were 16.5 years for elk, 12.5 years for both white-tailed deer and mule deer and 11 years for moose.

Hunters who submitted a tooth sample can easily check their individual results online by logging into their WGFD account with their username and password. A listing of ages by species is also available for anyone to browse.

Bredehoft cautioned hunters not to be discouraged if they don’t see their submitted tooth results yet as lab personnel are continuing to post information over the coming weeks and will update reports again in March for big game.

In addition to teeth collected annually from hunter harvests, teeth are also collected by WGFD personnel from wildlife captured for research projects and relocations, as well as winter mortalities and road killed animals. Once compiled, the data are part of the WGFD’s Annual Job Completion Reports which details information about the herds in the state.

NILE scholarships offered The deadline is quickly approaching for those interested in applying for the Northern International Livestock Expo (NILE) scholarship. In the midst of daily agricultural tasks, is the daunting task of lining up scholarship opportunities for high school seniors and current college students.

Amid the craziness of 2020 and the cancelation of the 2020 scholarship fundraiser, the NILE Foundation plans to push forward with the scholarship program, awarding over $30,000 to deserving agriculture students. The criteria includes applicants being actively involved in their communities, leaders in their respective programs, excelling in the classroom and having participated in NILE events.

Applications must be submitted to the NILE Office by 4 p.m. on March 2 – postmarked March 2 will not be accepted.

Applications incomplete or late will not be considered. Scholarships will be awarded and announced in April 2021.

For more information, visit thenile.org/p/events/youthevents/scholarships.

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 32 No. 44 • February 27, 2021

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Producers should consider breeding system and environment when selecting genetics For most commercial cattlemen, buying new genetics or undergoing a change in genetics is usually the result of sire purchases. In fact, according to Sean McGrath of Round Rock Ranching, roughly 75 percent of new genetics on commercial operations come through the purchase of a bull.

“When we go out and purchase new genetics, in most cases through bulls, we are really just purchasing DNA to fit into our environment and our breeding system,” McGrath says during the Beef Cattle Research Council’s breeding goals webinar dated Feb. 17.

McGrath is one of two speakers in the webinar and spends his allotted time discussing the importance of matching breeding goals to an operation’s environment and breeding system.

Long and short-term goals First, McGrath mentions the difference between some long and short-term goals in regards to a breeding system, although he notes the majority of these decisions should be focused on the operation’s long-term goals.

“An example of shortterm priorities in a breeding system might be calving ease considerations in sire selection,” McGrath explains. “If I go out and buy a bull to use on my replacement heifers, I want one with a good calving ease expected progeny difference (EPD) because I don’t want to be out helping my heifers calve all spring.

This is a short-term goal.”

McGrath continues, “One of the biggest challenges with beef cows is the amount of time it takes in terms of reproduction.

In fact, cows bred this year won’t calve until the spring of 2022, and we won’t wean these calves until the fall of 2022. If we keep them as replacements, they won’t be bred until 2023, and they won’t calve until 2024.”

Because of this, McGrath emphasizes the importance of long-term planning when making sire selection decisions. He also notes considering how cattle will be marketed five to 10 years down the road is another important aspect of long-term planning.

Reproduction, production and carcass McGrath notes one of his favorite pieces of Extension work, conducted in 1995, splits beef production into reproduction, production and carcass.

“The data shows in a traditional system – breeding cows, weaning calves and selling them off in the fall – reproduction is nearly five times more important to a producer’s decision making and profitability than production and 10 times more important than carcass,” he explains.

For producers participating in a value chain, McGrath says data shows reproduction is twice as

important as production and carcass, and for those in an integrated system, carcass is twice as important as reproduction and production.

“Genetic priorities are different for different operations, and it is important producers are emphasizing and selecting on the priorities that fit their particular needs,” states McGrath.

Genetic potential and the environment Additionally, McGrath explains a cow’s genetic potential has a lot to do with the environment they are in, especially in terms of feed availability and relative stress level.

“If a herd has a lot of available feed and they live in a low-stress environment, they will excel in different traits, such as milk production, they will generally be bigger, and they won’t need a lot of body reserves because all of their energy is supplied in their ration,” he says.

“On the other hand, cows in tougher situations – less available feed and more relative stress – are not able to support large gut and organ mass and high milk production all while rebreeding and maintaining a pregnancy,” he adds. “As far as breeding systems go, producers should be looking for dam and sire crosses that will produce offspring with the proper traits to excel in their particular environment.”

Crossbreeding Another breeding system advantage, according to McGrath, is that of heterosis through crossbreeding.

“One of the things many producers lose sight of in their breeding systems is heterosis,” he states. “By taking advantage of crossbreeding, producers can see higher survival rates, higher calving weights and increased birthweights.

Work done at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center shows a 16-pound advantage in a cross-bred calf over a straight-bred calf.”

In addition to offering heterosis, McGrath also points out maternal heterosis can be advantageous, noting the benefits of a cross-bred cow over a straight-bred cow ultimately amounts to weaning an extra calf over a cow’s lifetime.

“When picking bulls to improve herd heterosis, producers need to not only consider complementary breed traits, they also need to keep similar genetic profiles in mind,” says McGrath. “This will not only allow them to utilize heterosis, it will also weed out a lot of inconsistencies some producers see in crossbreeding systems.”

Selecting new genetics When it comes to choosing sires, McGrath believes looking at herd records is a good place to start, as they speak volumes about an operation.

“One good record to take a look at is calving distribution. This will tell a

producer a lot about their ranch and how their genetics fit into their environment,” he explains. “If the majority of calves on an operation are born in the first 21 days it means the herd is rebreeding quickly and fitting well into their environment. But, if producers notice a change in this distribution, it may mean their genetics aren’t fitting well.”

McGrath also says financial information and profit margins can help a producer understand if their breeding system is working

and encourages producers to look back at information on sires they have bought in the past.

“Producers should look at the EPDs of bulls that have worked well in their system and their environment, then go out and buy more bulls with similar numbers,” he explains.

“They should also look back at information on bulls that did not work to avoid buying bulls like this again.”

He continues, “Most importantly, producers

“When we go out and purchase new genetics, in most cases through bulls, we are really just purchasing DNA to fit into our environment and our breeding system.” – Sean McGrath, Round Rock Ranching need to take some time to understand what their operation looks like – the feed resources they have available, their calving season, their labor resources, if they plan on keeping replacements, when they sell, what they sell and how they sell.

Torrington Livestock Markets PO Box 1097 • Torrington, WY 82240 307.532.3333 Fax: 307.532.2040

These are all really important considerations when choosing genetics to fit the goals of their operation.”

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

Lex Madden 307-532-1580 Michael Schmitt 307-532-1776 Chuck Petersen 307-575-4015

www.torringtonlivestock.com

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3 - FEEDER & CALF SPECIAL

FEEDERS Richard Waddell 300 Yrl Rd Angus Strs & Hfrs, 550-600#, Full Vac Program, Fed chopped hay and oats Paul McCoy 75 Blk Hfrs, 700#, Weaned a long time, Hay Fed, 2 Rounds of Shots, Poured William Gifford 30 Blk/Bwf Strs, 625-725#, Weaned 80 days, Long Stem Grass/Alfalfa Hay (No Grain), 2 Rounds of Shots: Triangle 4, Vision 7 w/Somnus, Poured (2x), No Implants, Home Raised, Mostly March/April Calves few May CALVES Thaler Land & Livestock 275 Blk/BWF Strs, 550-650#, Weaned Oct. 1st, Been Running Out on Meadows, Fed 2# Cake & Hay Occasionally when it Snows, 2 Rounds of Shots: BoviShield Gold One Shot, Inforce 3, & Ultra Choice 7, Dectomax Pour On & VitaCharge Drench Red Fork Ranch LLC 163 Red Angus Strs (5 Blk Angus), 450-600#, Weaned 70 days, Been Running Out on Meadows supplemented with Ground Alfalfa/Grass Hay Mix, Bunk Broke, Vision 7 at Birth, Branding & Weaning Shots: Vision 7/Somnus, Pyramid 5 +Presponse SQ, Poured Twice with Ivomec, No Implants, Tagged with “Yellow” Red Angus FCCP Tags, High Elevation ****33 Red Angus Hfrs, 450-600#, Weaned 70 days, Been Running Out on Meadows supplemented with Ground Alfalfa/Grass Hay Mix, Bunk Broke, Vision 7 at Birth, Branding & Weaning Shots: Vision 7/Somnus, Pyramid 5 +Presponse SQ, Poured Twice with Ivomec, Bangs Vac., No Implants, Tagged with “Yellow” Red Angus FCCP Tags, High Elevation The Murray Family 150 Herf few Cross-bred strs, 500-600#, 2 Rounds of shots, Weaned long time, Hay fed and bunk broke, Home raised, Wintered on grass Vince Rogers 60 Mx Strs & Hfrs, 550-600#, Weaned a long time, Hay Fed Only, Branding Shots: 8-way, Tetnus, Pinkeye, Precond. Shots: Vira Shield 6, Home Raised

CATTLE COUNTRY VIDEO - 1:00 pm MT

Greg Gardner Livestock 95 Weaned Steer Clvs, 570 lbs, Wt Stop: 590 lbs. 100% Blk; Located: Lusk, WY. Delivery: 3/4/21 to 3/8/21. Feed: Grow Ration. Branding, Weaning & Booster Shots. Weigh on truck w/a 3%. Fancy steers, weaned 130 days. Rep: Ty Thompson 307-340-0770 Greg Gardner Livestock 105 Weaned Heifer Clvs, 570 lbs, Wt Stop: 590 lbs. 100% Blk; Located: Lusk, WY. Del: 3/4/21 to 3/8/21. Feed: Grow Ration. Branding, Weaning & Booster Shots. Weigh on truck w/a 3%. Handy wt heifer, wintered for grass. Rep: Ty Thompson 307-340-0770 Wanda Toombs & Doug Dunlap 72 Weaned Heifer Clvs, 730 lbs. Wt Stop: 745 lbs. 97% Blk, 3% Bwf. Located: Wheatland, WY. Del: 3/4/21 to 3/8/21. Feed: Grow Ration. Branding & Weaning Shots. Weigh on truck w/a 3%. Fancy, wintered for grass. Rep: Ty Thompson 307-340-0770 Wanda Toombs & Doug Dunlap 86 Weaned Heifer Clvs, 675 lbs. Wt Stop: 690 lbs. 97% Blk, 3% Bwf. Located: Wheatland, WY. Del: 3/4/21 to 3/8/21. Feed: Grow Ration. Branding & Weaning Shots. Weigh on truck w/a 3%. Fancy, wintered to go to grass. Rep: Ty Thompson 307-340-0770

www.cattlecountryvideo.com

FRIDAY, MARCH 5 - BRED COW SPECIAL & ALL CLASSES

Bar I Bar 40 Blk Cows, 3 & 4 yr olds, Bred to Blk or Red Bulls, CF: April/May Chris or Jamie Donnelly 37 Rwf/Bwf/Blk Cows, 3’s coming 4’s, Bred to SimAngus Bulls, CF: April/May, High Elevation, All had a calf, All are great mothers and easy to handle, Purchased as 2 year olds, Selling only due to change of bloodline program Brad Foos 35 Blk Cows, 3& 4 yr olds, Bred to Blk Bulls, CF: April/May Pending 13 Mx Cows, Running Ages, Brd to Blk Angus Calving Ease Bulls, CF: End of March/April SALE RESULTS -WED, FEBRUARY 24 - 3931 HD Bev & Tracy Preuit 10 Black Steer 622 164.00C Smokey Rassmussen 28 Black Steer 649 159.75C Bev & Tracy Preuit 37 Black Steer 716 157.50C Smokey Rassmussen 52 Black Steer 699 155.00C Jason King 23 Black Steer 745 149.00C Ron Zavorka 15 Black Steer 751 148.00C Tom Wiseman 10 Black Steer 760 146.50C Rod Adams Farms 44 Black Steer 779 145.00C Bev & Tracy Preuit 42 Black Steer 800 142.00C Rod Adams Farms 13 Black Steer 853 136.00C Mountain Valley 25 Black Heifer 641 144.00C Bev & Tracy Preuit 48 Black Heifer 724 137.50C Smokey Rassmussen 33 Black Heifer 672 137.50C Rod Adams Farms 26 Black Heifer 675 135.00C Bev & Tracy Preuit 17 Black Heifer 751 134.50C Paul Adams 19 Black Heifer 680 133.50C Brian Christensen 35 Black Heifer 704 132.00C Ethan Aschenbrenner 18 Blk/Red Heifer 749 129.00C Tyler Aschenbrenner 23 Blk/Red Heifer 795 125.00C D & W Livestock Co 45 Mixed Heifer 743 133.50C Jack Creek Land 38 Black Steer Calf 434 205.00C Jack Creek Land 6 Black Steer Calf 375 202.00C Ron Lien 15 Black Steer Calf 417 200.00C Forshee Ranch 8 Black Steer Calf 465 193.00C Jack Creek Land 44 Black Steer Calf 492 191.50C Forshee Ranch 44 Black Steer Calf 509 187.00C

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for Sale Updates, Results and News

SALE RESULTS -WED, FEBRUARY 24 - 3931 HD Jack Creek Land 191 Black Steer Calf 566 184.00C Jason King 53 Black Steer Calf 561 178.00C Cody Thompson 95 Black Steer Calf 621 168.50C Jack Creek Land 120 Black Steer Calf 645 168.00C Steve Palm 69 Black Steer Calf 629 167.50C Jack Creek Land 42 Black Steer Calf 658 161.00C Cody Thompson 51 Black Steer Calf 704 155.50C Harlan Bradshaw 19 Black Steer Calf 717 151.00C Lee & Moriah Moore 24 Black Steer Calf 713 150.50C Jeff Boardman 17 Blk/Red Steer Calf 588 175.50C Jack Creek Land 24 Mixed Steer Calf 609 167.50C Delton Tinsley 3 Red Steer Calf 456 196.00C Bar R Z Co 62 Red Steer Calf 514 190.00C Jeff Boardman 19 Red Steer Calf 528 180.00C Bar R Z Ranch Co 71 Red Steer Calf 589 176.00C Ron Lien 11 Black Heifer Calf 386 178.00C Ron Lien 24 Black Heifer Calf 417 177.00C Delton Tinsley 2 Black Heifer Calf 455 169.00C Cody Thompson 25 Black Heifer Calf 523 163.00C Steve Palm 53 Black Heifer Calf 583 157.50C Tyler Hollingsworth 22 Black Heifer Calf 579 155.00C Cody Thompson 60 Black Heifer Calf 604 152.50C Cody Thompson 29 Black Heifer Calf 614 150.50C Duck Bar Ranch LLC 111 Char Heifer Calf 628 147.25C Bar R Z Ranch Co 38 Red Heifer Calf 545 159.00C Bar R Z Ranch Co 13 RWF Heifer Calf 510 163.50C

VIEW SALES & BID ONLINE AT CATTLE USA

TORRINGTON LIVESTOCK AREA REPS Cody Thompson - Lusk, WY 307-340-0150 *** Ty Thompson – Lusk, WY 307-340-0770 Zach Johnson Lingle, WY –307-575-2171 *** Jeff Ward – Laramie, WY 307-399-9863 Tam Staman – Crawford, NE 308-631-8513 *** Lander Nicodemus – Cheyenne, WY 307-421-8141 Danny Nicodemus – Cheyenne, WY 307-632-4325 *** Chris Williams - Greybull, WY 307-272-4567 Justin Smith - Lusk, WY 307-340-0724 *** Scott Redden - Burns, Co 970-596-3588

www.torringtonlivestock.com

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 32 No. 44 • February 27, 2021

WBCIA continued from page A1 Pingetzer’s Bull and Heifer Development Center near Shoshoni, have been put through performance testing including expected progeny differences (EPDs), ultrasound, fertility and semen checks, pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) testing and actual individual performance comparisons.

Results from the midterm weigh date are in, and the final weigh takes place during the last week of February.

Mid-term Angus results The 65-day progress report, released in early January, shares bull health and performance has been outstanding, even through extreme weather.

Registered Angus bulls from five consignors had an average daily gain (ADG) of 2.99 pounds per day. The top gaining bull in this division is Klein Cartwright 011, consigned by Bill and Jill Klein of Klein Angus from Wheatland, with a 65-day weight of 1,215 pounds and an ADG of 4.02 pounds per day.

The bulls with the second and third highest gains were also consigned by Klein Angus. Klein Blaster 004 performed with a 65-day weight of 1,025 pounds and an ADG of 4.02 pounds per day. Klein Top Generation 010 produced a mid-test weight of 1,030 pounds and an ADG of 3.94 pounds per day.

There are three commercial Angus bulls consigned, all from Klein Angus. The average 65-day weight was 979 pounds, and the ADG for commercial Angus bulls was 3.46 pounds per day.

Mid-term Red Angus results Consignors of Red Angus bulls brought a group of 32 high-performing bulls with an average 65-day weight of 951 pounds and group ADG of 3.5 pounds per day.

The top gaining registered Red Angus bull, consigned by Pingetzer’s Six Iron Ranch LLC, is Six

New Direction H12. The bull’s 65-day weight was 1,180 pounds, with a tested ADG of 4.26 pounds per day.

Pingetzer’s Six Iron Ranch consigned the second and third highest gaining bulls, Six New Direction H18 and Six Dawson H23. The 65-day weights of the bulls were 1,080 pounds and 1,155 pounds and ADG was 4.28 and 4.26 pounds per day, respectively.

Tyler Klein consigned four commercial Red Angus bulls with a mid-test weight average of 901 pounds and group ADG of 2.94 pounds per day.

WBCIA sale “The WBCIATop of the Mountain 36th Annual Bull Test Sale will offer between 85 and 90 quality bulls after the final cuts are made based on performance and semen tests,” said Program Organizer Bob Pingetzer.

“There will be some really good Black Angus bulls offered to work for both heifers and cows,” said Pingetzer. “There will also be some solid Red Angus bulls.”

Bulls will be available for viewing the day of the sale, but will sell on video.

Pingetzer explained buyers not able to make the sale in person will have multiple call lines available to bid.

Sale videos will be available online at billpelton.com/cattlesale/wyoming-bull-test-wbcia.

A handful of the consignors from this year’s WBCIA sale are advertising their offerings in the sale. Look in this week’s edition of the Roundup to find offerings from Oedekoven Angus, Pingetzer’s Six Iron Ranch, Steve Smith Angus, Buline Angus and Klein Angus. Look for full results from the WBCIA’s Top of the Mountain Genetics 36th Annual Bull Test Sale in an upcoming Roundup.

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

Bull sells for record amount A bull in Scotia, Neb. sold on Feb. 5 for a massive amount. Poss Angus Ranch’s Poss Deadwood, a yearling bull, sold for $900,000.

Poss Deadwood was listed as born on Sept. 5, 2019.

He boasts expected progeny differences (EPDs) of calving ease direct 14, birthweight -1.4, weaning weight 78, yearling weight 141, scrotal circumference 1.20, milk 27, carcass weight 75, marbling 1.70, ribeye area 0.85, maternal weaned calf value ($M) 73, weaned calf value ($W) 85, feedlot value ($F) 128, grid value ($G) 103, beef value ($B) 230 and a combined value ($C) 371.

In describing Poss Deadwood, the sale notes say, “No bull in the breed can compete with his combination of calving ease, growth, carcass merit, as well as designed foot quality. A big-hoofed bull with symmetrically correct hoof shape, as well as has a strong, deep heel designed for covering large areas of rangeland.”

According to the American Angus Association’s data, Poss Deadwood is the second-highest-priced Angus bull sold in the last 25 years.

Poss Angus is a family-owned Angus seedstock operation focusing on superior genetics with calving ease, maternal strength and profitability. The Poss family also produces corn, alfalfa, soybeans and native forages.

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 32 No. 44 • February 27, 2021

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Bench Ranch utilizes grazing strategies to improve production Tom Heyneman has been using intensive grazing to improve grass production on the Bench Ranch near Fishtail, Mont., which his parents bought in the 1950s. They had sheep and dairy cows, and the family raised registered Red Angus cattle.

“They did this for many years, and then in the early 1980s they attended one of Allan Savory’s seminars,” says Tom. “By the mid-1980s, my parents were utilizing some holistic management principles and Wayne Burleson, a certified holistic management educator, began helping them do a lot of cross-fencing.”

“This was such a new concept in the 1980s and 1990s, and many people thought these were radical ideas. There was a lot of skepticism among other ranchers,” Tom explains, sharing the nickname for holistic management was Ranching Made Difficult.

Grazing strategy Originally, Tom’s parents ran 150 cow/calf pairs. Later, with cross-fencing and intensive grazing, they increased their grass production and cattle numbers. In the late 1980s, they dispersed the registered cattle and just had a commercial herd with a Red Angus base.

Tom and his wife Karen came back to the ranch in 2010 and started doing custom grazing. This was easier to operate without having to winter any cattle or feed hay.

“Custom grazing has worked out very well. We can decide what class of animals we want and make decisions on how long they graze,”

he explains. “From a grazing standpoint, for what the pastures need, this has been very helpful.”

Throughout the past decade, the Heynemans have utilized fast rotations through most of the pastures.

“There are larger pastures, about 400 acres in size, we don’t divide,” says Tom. “The cattle stay in those pastures a little longer, which give us a break from moving them.

Instead of moving two or three times a week, the cattle can go a week or 10 days in the pastures without being moved.”

Change over time Tom has greatly appreciated the help Wayne Burleson has given his family’s ranch over the years.

“He’s given tours and pasture walks here as well as hosting classes and workshops,” says Tom. “These pastures have been monitored for a long time, and the photos taken early on by Wayne are a great way to compare what the land looked like when we started to what the pastures look like today and document the progress in grass production.”

“There is an obvious contrast,” he states. “It’s easy to forget what it looked like earlier because the changes are slow and subtle, but in looking at photos from 20 years ago or longer, I can see a big difference.”

Over 20 years ago, the Heyneman’s fed big round bales on some dry benchland during the winter so the cows would stomp out the sagebrush, which had become very dense on the high, dry area.

“The cows broke the elec-

tric fence and got into all the round bales which had been put up there,” says Burleson.

“They trampled all the hay into the soil and deposited lots of manure and urine on one area, which created a sheet of compost.”

Today, one can still see where the cows created the natural compost – the grass is about three times higher than in the areas they didn’t stomp it in.

“The amazing thing is 20 years later, there is a lot more tall grass, especially green needlegrass, still growing on the trampled area and the sagebrush is less,” Burleson continues. “The area next to this spot, which didn’t have the cattle impact, has almost no grass except a few tufts of Idaho fescue and a lot of big, healthy sagebrush.”

Burleson says the changes in the soil are significant on the Bench Ranch in certain locations.

“One such area is in a corner of a pasture where cattle had to come for water from an irrigation ditch,” he says.

“They concentrated in this one flat area for three days or so and trampled all the tall grass into the soil while adding their manure and urine. This action created a layer of sheet compost.”

He continues, “The area used to be short grass but has

now become tall grass.”

Ranch operations Tom and Karen work together on managing the ranch and cattle.

Custom grazing makes life easier, only having to move cattle from pasture to pasture during summer. There are no winter chores, no cattle to feed and no hay to put up for winter feeding.

“We can choose when we want to have cattle here,” Tom says.

“Some years we buy some bred heifers to calve out or yearlings,” he explains.

“One year we bought shortterm cows and calved them out. Other years we just custom graze for someone else.”

He continues, “We have flexibility, so we can do a variety of things depending on what the cattle market is doing. If there is an opportunity we know will make some money then we buy cattle, and other years we don’t have to. We just custom graze for someone else.”

Their cattle program is not at the mercy of the markets, and they can pick and choose what they want to do.

In a drought, they can destock if necessary.

“Karen writes the terms of our custom grazing contracts, and this includes a statement stating we can destock if we see fit. So far, we’ve never

had to, but we always have the option in the grazing contracts,” Tom explains.

Soil health, as well as grass production, has improved on most pastures during the past 35 years.

“We still battle a few weeds, and we haven’t done any soil monitoring so I don’t know the carbon levels or how much organic matter we’ve added,” says Tom. It’s been a progression of learning experiences from the beginning. In the early days, Tom notes, the Bench Ranch was just a small farm with sheep, pigs, dairy cows and the purebred Red Angus herd.

“When Karen and I came on board, we focused more on the grass and custom grazing,” says Tom. “We call ourselves grass ranchers rather than cat-

tle ranchers. Grass is what we grow and everything else depends on it.”

The lifestyle is very satisfying, according to Tom. One of the things he and Karen enjoy most is riding their mules.

“We use them for moving livestock,” says Tom. “We often use a combination of moving cattle with our mules and/or a side-by-side.”

The cattle are easy to move because they are always eager to go to the next pasture, he adds. Tom and Karen practice low-stress cattle handling, which also makes everything easier.

Heather Smith Thomas is a corresponding writer for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup.

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

Range improvements – The Bench Ranch has utilized holistic management practices to improve soils and forage production.

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A8

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 32 No. 44 • February 27, 2021

Researchers enroll sheep to control common fertility disorder A Texas A&M AgriLife study with sheep may soon help address fertility problems in women, if it can discover ways to break the chain of generational transfer of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) – one of the most common infertility disorders.

Dr. Rodolfo Cardoso, a veterinarian and Department of Animal Science assistant professor and reproductive physiologist in Texas A&M’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, will lead a $2.4 million National Institutes of Health-funded project which will investigate the multi-generational effects of prenatal exposure to androgen excess using the sheep as the animal model.

Joining Cardoso on this project are Dr. Renata Landers, a post-doctoral research associate in Cardoso’s program, Jessica Sustaita, a graduate student in Cardoso’s team and Dr. Vasantha Padmanabhan, a professor in

the Department of Pediatrics with the University of Michigan Health System who will also serve as a principal investigator in the project.

PCOS affects about five million women in the U.S. and over 100 million women worldwide. It is a complex syndrome with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and endometrial cancer.

Findings from this sheep model will provide crucial biological information for improving reproductive function across generations and are of clinical relevance to women with PCOS and other hyperandrogenic fertility disorders.

Choosing sheep A critical concern of PCOS is the vertical transmission of unwanted traits to the offspring. A woman who has PCOS is highly likely to pass the disorder to her daughters and grand-

daughters, according to Cardoso. Sheep are very similar in which the daughters of ewes with PCOS also typically have the syndrome.

“The sheep is an animal model which is very translational to humans,” Cardoso explained. “When we look at what happens during fetal life, the development of the ovine fetus parallels the development of humans.”

He continues, “While much of biomedical work uses rodents in research, our ability to translate our findings are much easier and clinically relevant to humans when using sheep.

Other key benefits are sheep only generate one or two fetuses, not a litter, and they have a gestation process more similar to humans.”

Approximately 70 percent of women with PCOS are obese or overweight with metabolic complications, he said. It is well documented if women are able to lose weight and improve

metabolic function, they can improve their fertility.

It is also known whatever happens to a baby during fetal development can affect the health of the individual throughout their life and can also carry over to the next generation upon reproduction.

“What we are trying to answer with this project is how to break this multi-generational cycle using dietary interventions,” Cardoso said. “The goal is to prevent the animals from becoming obese and thus prevent the vertical transmission of PCOS traits.”

It would take 20 or more years to answer the question in humans. The dietary changes would be made with the mother while she was carrying the fetus, but then would require waiting until the daughter grows up and has a daughter.

“With sheep, we can answer the question much quicker,” said Cardoso.

“Within three years, we will have the daughter reaching puberty and soon have a granddaughter present so we can investigate the effects of the dietary interventions.”

Cordoso said the mothers received an androgen treatment during pregnancy. The androgen treatment mimics the conditions or disease occurring in humans which elevate their level of steroid hormones during pregnancy, such as PCOS and congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

The androgen levels in humans can also be raised during pregnancy in other situations such as when women who are unaware they are pregnant continue to take contraceptive pills or after exposure to environmental compounds acting in a similar way to steroid hormones, notes Cordoso.

“We know these sheep will have PCOS and we know when their daughters reproduce, they will develop PCOS. We will do the dietary intervention with those daughters and then study the granddaughters,” Cardoso said.

Beyond the diet In the first four years of this study, Cardoso said he

plans to use dietary interventions or lifestyle modifications to improve the health of pregnant females and then track multi-generational impacts to understand if it worked and if the lifestyle interventions help.

The final year of the study will concentrate on epigenetics studies, identifying mechanisms by which prenatal androgen exposure as well as dietary interventions can control how specific genes are expressed, Cordoso noted.

“We know diet plays an important role in the crossgenerational expression of genes,” he said. “We know in humans lifestyle intervention will improve PCOS. But, what we don’t know is if we can minimize the risk of PCOS being passed to daughters and granddaughters. If we learn the mechanisms of how the diet is improving the health, we may identify therapeutic targets for improving health and fertility in women with PCOS.” This article was written by Kay Ledbetter and is courtesy of Texas A&M AgriLife. For more information, visit agriliferesearch. tamu.edu.

EDITOR continued from page A1 an artificial insemination (AI) technician so she can further her breeding program.

“I remember reading the Wyoming Livestock Roundup in the shop at the ranch while waiting for my dad,” Madi said. “I am excited to be working for the Roundup, and I can’t wait to learn more regarding

the agriculture industry and share the information with readers.”

“We are excited and pleased Madi has joined the Roundup team,” said Wyoming Livestock Roundup Publisher Dennis Sun. “We look forward to working with her and continuing to share quality articles our readers expect.”

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 32 No. 44 • February 27, 2021

A9

Producers need to be aware of enterotoxaemia during calving Spring calving season is knocking at the door of many cattle operations across the West, and with this comes a multitude of unique challenges for producers.

In addition to the more common issues producers should be aware of this time of year, Dr. D.L. Step of Boehringer Ingelheim says producers should also take steps to avoid losses from enterotoxaemia, more commonly referred to as overeating disease.

“Some cattle may show clinical signs of depres-

sion, go off feed, become lethargic and possibly have scours, but most often overeating disease causes sudden death,” says Step.

“Overeating disease can be extremely challenging to diagnose and treat before it’s too late, so it’s critical to have preventive measures in place.”

Protecting young calves The first preventative strategy Step discusses is protecting young calves in the nursing phase.

Step explains clostridial organisms are normally found in small numbers in

NASDA adopts policy At the 2021 Winter Policy Conference of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA), members unanimously adopted policy to emphasize the importance of ensuring all people in America have the dignity of being food secure.

The policy amendment asserts NASDA is committed to addressing hunger and food insecurity with the goal of ending hunger in the United States.

“We are making a promise to continue upholding our duty to grow and enhance American agriculture to nourish people and communities,” NASDA President Dr. Ryan Quarles said. “State departments of agriculture and our farm families have a special role to play in feeding a hungry nation. With this policy, NASDA members will pursue eliminating food insecurity with renewed determination, recognizing the COVID-19 pandemic has deepened challenges to food access.”

The policy amendment also explains NASDA’s unique ability to solve these challenges, highlighting state agriculture departments house many food and nutrition assistance programs while also serving as representatives of the producer community.

California Secretary of Agriculture Karen Ross and Maine Commissioner of Agriculture Amanda Beal sponsored the policy amendment.

Quarles also announced the release of the new NASDA Food Security Toolkit designed to share successes of state food security programs and equip state agriculture departments with additional resources to fight hunger across the U.S. “The vision for the toolkit began prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, understanding the need for better food security is not a new issue,” Quarles said. “This platform to share successes will ignite the work of our commitment to end hunger in the United States.”

a calf’s digestive tract.

“If a sudden or abrupt change in the calf’s diet occurs, such as being separated from its mother for an extended period of time, the calf may consume an excess amount of milk when the pair is reunited,” he explains. “The clostridial organisms may then start to reproduce and release toxins, which may be deadly to the calf.”

Therefore, in order to prevent overeating in nursing calves, Step says it is critical to manage nursing and minimize the amount of time a calf is separated from its mother.

Monitoring older cattle Step notes young calves aren’t the only animals at risk of overeating disease. In fact, the ailment can affect cattle of all ages.

“Overeating disease in older cattle is typically related to a higher carbohydrate or starch diet,”

he states. “High levels or quantities of carbohydrates rates can result in the proliferation of clostridia bacteria, producing potent toxins.”

When it comes to preventing overeating disease in older cattle, Step says it is important to monitor dietary changes and encourages producers to introduce feed to older animals more gradually, while being aware diet inconsistencies can trigger the disease.

Herd prevention While preventing the disease may look a little bit different across age groups, Step encourages producers to vaccinate all of their cattle, young and old, with a single dose of seven-day clostridial vaccine to reduce the risk of fatalities caused by overeating disease.

“A single dose vaccine not only decreases labor costs and logistical

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more relaxed about preventive health protocols following a period without observing the disease,” he says. “With death usually being the first clinical sign of the disease, it is critical to continue vaccinations to keep our herds protected.”

Lastly, Step says he highly encourages producers to work with local veterinarians to create effective preventative programs against overeating disease, as well as many other issues that rear their head during calving season.

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

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Step notes vaccinating calves early on will promote immunity to the toxin causing overeating disease and help further protect suckling calves.

He recommends revaccinating calves under three months of age at weaning or when they are four to six months old.

Step also encourages producers to vaccinate their pregnant cows to create antibodies, which will improve colostrum quality.

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A10

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 32 No. 44 • February 27, 2021

FEEDD continued from page A1 Hoeven and Baldwin would help solve this problem by providing producers with the emergency flexibility they need to help alleviate livestock feed shortages caused by extreme weather events.

Additionally, the FEEDD Act would direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish regional harvest dates for each crop year. Under current legislation, this date – Nov. 1 – is set on a nationwide basis creating many disadvantages for producers in the upper Midwest.

“A one-sized-fits-all approach doesn’t always work, and the cover crop har-

vest date is a good example where this approach falls short,” says Johnson. “I’m grateful USDA provided an administrative fix to the prevent plant harvest date deadline in 2019 after unprecedented flooding in states like South Dakota, but this date flexibility needs to be permanent and regionally tailored.

The government can’t control the weather, but we can enhance predictability for producers when disasters hit.”

Resounding support Reintroduction of the FEEDD Act has been met with resounding support across the nation from agencies and

USFS continued from page A1 Dec. 31. This change ensures the grazing permits coincide with grazing fee years.

Proposed changes terminate the use of all livestock association permits.

“This change clarifies livestock associations are not to be confused with grazing associations and proves direction on how to properly autho-

rize grazing for members of livestock associations,” shared USFS. The directive makes changes to assist in family estate planning. The proposed changes expand the types of entities able to hold term permits, including LLCs and LLFPs, and also allow children and grandchildren of

To view proposed changes or make comments on the proposed directives, visit fs.fed.us/rangelandmanagement/directives.shtml.

organizations including the American Farm Bureau Federation, National Farmers Union, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Milk Producers Federation, National Association of Conservation Districts, American Soybean Association, U.S. Durum Growers Association, American Sheep Industry Association, Edge Dairy Cooperative, Midwest Dairy Coalition, Farm Credit Council, American Bankers Association, Independent Community Bankers of America, U.S. Cattlemen’s Association, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, Quail Forever, Crop Insurance Reimbursement Bureau, Ag Retailers Association, the

Nature Conservancy, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives and FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative.

“Cover crops are an important tool enabling farmers to better maintain their land and provide an important source of feed for livestock,” states Hoeven. “It makes sense to provide adequate flexibility in USDA’s rules for cover crops to address disasters, differences in regional climates and local feed shortages. This is exactly what our bill will provide, all while preserving crop insurance program integrity and preventing penalties for farmers.”

“When farmers lose a crop to flooding, drought or other extreme weathers events, they are left with tough

choices about how to make up for crop losses and protect their soil from erosion,” adds Baldwin. “This bipartisan legislation will give farmers more certainty about their feed options in disaster years.

By reducing uncertainty for farmers, we’re working to ease one of the headaches they face when deciding about putting in cover crops, which will benefit soil health on the farm and water quality in our communities.”

Craig comments, “Especially in light of the COVID-

19 pandemic and economic crisis, Congress has a responsibility to provide farmers and ranchers the flexibility they need to do their jobs successfully. The FEEDD Act will help to support ag producers at no cost to the taxpayer, while incentivizing the planting of cover crops to protect the health and quality of farmers’ soil.”

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

term permit holders to run on older generation’s permitted numbers. A section on conservation easements and agricultural land trusts is proposed to allow ranches to remain in agricultural production.

Further proposals include establishing forage reserves as an official type of grazing allotment, as well as allowing permits to be listed as the total number of animal unit months (AUMs).

“USFS acknowledges many areas have year-round allotments with multiple periods of use and need this flexibility,” states the summary.

Clarifications to grazing agreements, as well as allowing for fee credits to be carried

into future years by smaller associations in order to complete large rangeland improvement projects are among proposed changes.

Range planning and improvements Changes to rangeland planning and decision-making include an explanation of the proper use of annual operating instructions, which are only to serve as instructions for the allotment for a certain year and not as a legal requirement.

The USFS also includes new policies and clarifies existing policies related to rangeland improvement.

“Examples of new or clarified policies include such things as advanced coordina-

tion with journey level rangeland expertise on management decisions, improvement practices, appropriate inventory and monitoring procedures, requirement for permittees to contribute to rangeland improvements and maintenance and maintain all assigned range improvements even periods of nonuse,” reads the summary.

The proposed changes remove most references and discussion concerning noxious weeks and invasive species, stating, “Management and control of noxious weeks and invasive species is nearly always one of the duties carried out by the rangeland management specialist. But,

spread and control of noxious weeds is not a range and livestock problem any more than it is a management problem and control need for every other multiple use.”

Changes to rangeland cooperation expands the discussion on cooperating with other agencies on animal disease control and inserts a new section to expand the discussion of certain diseases.

Information for this article was sourced from documents on the U.S. Forest Service website.

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

“This bipartisan legislation will give farmers more certainty about their feed options in disaster years.” – Sen. Tammy Baldwin

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 32 No. 44 • February 27, 2021

A11

The science behind breeding, seeding and growing alfalfa explained S&W Seed Company’s Alfalfa Breeder, David Mickelson shares the ins and outs of breeding alfalfa during the BottomUp Focus of Forage webinar series on Feb. 15.

Based in Wisconsin, S&W Seed Company was founded by two farmers during the 1980s with the vision to become the world’s preferred proprietary seed company. The company is involved in alfalfa breeding, sorghum, sunflower breeding and the natural sweetener, Stevia.

Mickelson became an alfalfa breeder for S&W Seed Co. during the 90s.

Over time he has witnessed alfalfa breeding become more diverse and regulated with technologies to include Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS).

Alfalfa genetics “Alfalfa genetics are more complicated than other crops,” Mickelson says. “They aren’t like corn where there are true hybrids, but they also aren’t like wheat or soybeans where the plants self-pollinate.”

Mickelson shares every seed in a bag of alfalfa seeds are genetically similar. However, alfalfa varieties are characterized by percentages of genes, meaning every seed in the bag is also genetically dif-

ferent in some way.

The main goal of alfalfa breeders is to breed better alfalfa. For this to happen, many improvements including higher yield, disease resistance, insect resistance, nutrient density and palatability can be made.

Disease and insect resistance can be tested in the greenhouse, according to Mickelson. However, to see how the yield quality has improved, researchers have to monitor plants in the field for several years.

It can take up to eight years for certified seed companies to sell to farmers.

Alfalfa breeding procedures There are several different breeding processes when breeding alfalfa.

Mickelson shares phenotypic recurrent selection and genotypic selection are the most popular processes.

Phenotypic recurrent selection is the simplest method in terms of alfalfa breeding.

“Researchers use between 80 and 200 different parent plants,” he explains. “This method is used to shift the population to get a specific trait without losing the good qualities plants already have.”

As plants grow,

researchers will essentially try to kill all the disease and insect susceptible plants, according to Mickelson. Researchers plant the strongest, hardiest plants in the nursery to be evaluated for several different things based on how the plant looks.

“Genotypic selection is considered parent-progeny testing,” says Mickelson. “Researchers only use between four and 30 different parent plants from synthetic varieties of alfalfa.”

Using a smaller amount of plants allows researchers to have better knowledge of the genetics of the parent plants.

Alfalfa breeding is a reoccurring cycle, Mickelson notes. Researchers consistently select superior plants, make breeding decisions, inoculate to test seeds for disease and insect resistance, screen for yield quality and eventually mass-produce the seeds.

Planting an alfalfa field The best improvements to alfalfa seeds can be made through breeding decisions, but field care and planting practices greatly impact the ability of seeds to grow successfully.

“Checking the pH levels of a field is an impor-

tant task,” Mickelson says.

“Before seeding, farmers should ensure a good seed bed and proper pH levels in their fields.”

He adds it is always a good idea to have soil tested or enroll the help of an Extension agent if alfalfa fields are not seeing success.

He recommends farmers prepare their fields correctly to optimize the amount of alfalfa harvested. Mickelson adds it is a good idea for producers to purchase newer

“I recommend farmers look at planting newer alfalfa seeds because there are continual improvements.” – David Mickelson, S&W Seed Company alfalfa strains because most are coated with a fungicide.

“Alfalfa varieties are extremely hard to identify in the field, so farmers can’t really identify what they have planted before unless it is in their records,” Mickel-

son states. “I recommend farmers look at newer alfalfa seeds because there are continual improvements.”

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

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A12

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 32 No. 44 • February 27, 2021

CALENDAR

March 4 March 5

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

March 6

EVENTS Feb. 26-28

Up In Arms LLC Flea Market and Gun Show, Gillette. For more information, contact Lisa at 208-420-2295.

March 2 University of Wyoming Good Agricultural Practices Class, Jackson or online. For more information, visit uwyo.edu/uwe/foodsafety.

March 3-4 University of Wyoming Acidified Foods FDA Approved Processing Class, Jackson. For more information, visit acidifiedfoodsjackson.eventbrite.com.

March 4 UW Extension Pesticide Applicator License Training, 8 a.m.-12 p.m., Powell, Park County Fairgrounds. For more information, call 307-754-8836.

March 4 Pole Mountain Gateways Virtual Public Engagement Meeting, 5:30 p.m., Zoom. For more information, visit uwyo.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYsdCrrj8tG9ErwtWE1fokSqP6oDCM9c59.

March 6 University of Wyoming Acidified Foods Home Processing Class, Powell.

For more information, visit acidified-food-processing-powell.eventbrite.com.

March 6-7 Wyoming State Chariot Races Championship, Glendo. For more information, call Gene Daly at 307-331-1049.

March 8 Central Flyway Council Meeting, 11 a.m., online. For more information, visit fws.gov/birds/management/flyways.php or e-mail angela.bruce@wyo.com.

March 11-14 Schleining Genetics, LLC Bovine Reproductive Services 2021 AI Schools, Lamar, Colo., Schleining Genetics. For more information, call Dallas Schleining at 970-420-0267 or visit schleininggenetics.com.

March 12-14 Cache Valley Cowboy Rendezvous, Hyrum, Utah, Mountain Crest High School. For more information, visit cvcowboy.org.

March 12-15 American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2021 FUSION Conference, Portland, Ore. For more information, visit fb.org.

March 16 UW Extension Pesticide Applicator License Training, 9 a.m., Worland, Washakie County Extension Office. For more information, call 307-754-8836.

March 17-18 National Cover Crop Summit, online. For more information, visit covercropstrategies.com/national-cover-crop-summit-2021.

March 23-25 Public Lands Council 2021 Legislative Conference, online. For more information, visit publiclandscouncil.org/plc-events.

March 25-28 Schleining Genetics, LLC Bovine Reproductive Services 2021 AI Schools, Ault, Colo., Schleining Genetics. For more information, call Dallas Schleining at 970-420-0267 or visit schleininggenetics.com.

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WE HAVE NITROGEN TO FILL YOUR SEMEN TANKS

Feb. 25, 2021 • 358 Head Cows and Bulls Steady

BULLS Lungren, Luke - Worland 1 SimX Bull, 1825# .......... $10350 1 Blk Bull, 1580# .............. $10200 1 Blk Bull 1765# ..................$9800 1 Blk Bull, 1955# .................$9700 1 SimX Bull, 1990# .............$9600 1 Blk Bull, 1875# .................$9300 1 Blk Bull, 1855# .................$9250 1 Blk Bull, 1900# .................$9100 1 Blk Bull, 1860# .................$8550 Geis, Nick and Karen - Worland 1 Blk Bull, 1875# .................$9900 1 Blk Bull, 1815# .................$9850 1 Blk Bull, 1665# .................$9850 1 Blk Bull, 2085# .................$9550 1 Char Bull, 1960# ..............$9450 1 Blk Bull, 1945# .................$9300 1 Red Bull, 2165# ...............$9300 1 Char Bull, 2065# ..............$9300 1 Blk Bull, 2050# .................$9250 1 Blk Bull, 2025# .................$9100 1 Blk Bull, 2145# .................$8900 1 Hrfd Bull, 2020# ...............$8700 1 Blk Bull, 2015# .................$8600 1 Blk Bull, 1965# .................$8600 1 Hrfd Bull, 1995# ...............$8600 1 Blk Bull, 2120# .................$8550 1 Blk Bull, 2040# .................$8500 1 Hfrd Bull, 2215# ...............$8500 Durbin Creek Ranch - Thermopolis 1 Hrfd Bull, 1675# ...............$8850 1 Hrfd Bull, 1385# ...............$8500 1 Hrfd Bull, 1705# ...............$7700

March 8 March 8 March 8 March 9 March 9 March 9 March 10 March 12 March 12 March 12 March 13 March 13 March 13 March 13 March 15 March 18 March 19 March 20

P\T Livestock Annual High Country Genetics Performance Bull Sale, P\T Livestock Feedlot, Riverton, 307-709-8351, 307-809-8361, ptlivestock.com Loya/Wardell Angus Online Sale, 970-396-0035, 970-785-0145, loyawardellangus.com Ipsen Cattle Company 8th Annual Internet Bull Sale, 208-681-4174, ipsencattle.com SO Cattle Inc. Bull Sale, Riverton Livestock Auction, Riverton, 307-330-4670 Ox Bow Ranch Spring Sale, at the ranch, Wolf Creek, Mont., 406-235-4281, 541-965-0088, oxbowranchangus.com The Adams Connection 52nd Annual Bull Sale, Blackfoot Livestock Auction Company, Blackfoot, Idaho, 208-313-5844, 208-785-4459, 208-313-0235, srvgenetics.com Bieber Fever Spring Production Sale, at the ranch, Leola, S.D., 605-4393628, bieberredangus.com

Big horn Basin

March 6

Allen, Tim or Robin - Burlington 1 Blk Bull, 1680# .................$8250 1 Blk Bull, 1655# .................$8250 Givens, Ronnie - Arapahoe 1 Blk Bull, 1680# .................$7850 COWS Rooted on the River Ranch - Meeteetse 1 Blk Cow, 1635# ................$7200 1 Blk Cow, 1615# ................$6800 1 Blk Cow, 1495# ................$6600 2 Blk Cows, avg. 1363#......$6450 1 Blk Cow, 1520# ................$6450 4 Blk Cows, avg. 1510#......$6400 1 XBred Cow, 1370#...........$6300 TD & Sons LLC - Worland 1 Red Cow, 1230# ..............$6750 Vigil, Danny & Niki - Worland 22 Blk Cows, avg. 1663#....$6500 4 Blk Cows, avg. 1459#......$6350 16 Rd/Blk Cows, avg. 1454# ... $6300 1 Blk Cow, 1395# ................$5400 Schuebel Land & Livestock - Cody 1 Blk Cow, 1470# ................$6450 1 Blk Cow, 1315# ................$6250 2 Blk Cows, avg. 1788#......$6100 Johnson & Schuebel Farms - Cody 2 Blk Cows, avg. 1308#......$6350 1 Blk Cow, 1660# ................$6000 1 Blk Cow, 1500# ................$6000 1 Blk Cow, 1650# ................$5950 1 Red Cow, 1550# ..............$5600 Clay Creek Angus - Greybull 1 Blk Cow, 1255# ................$6350 1 Blk Cow, 1360# ................$6300 1 Blk Cow, 1470# ................$6050 1 Blk Cow, 1400# ................$6000 Lungren, Luke - Worland 1 BWF Cow, 1240#.............$5850

Goton, Michael - Shell 1 Red Cow, 1410# ..............$5550 TD & Sons LLC - Worland 1 Blk Cow, 1135# ................$4800 HEIFERETTE Durbin Creek Ranch - Thermopolis 1 Blk Hfrette, 945# ..............$8700 Rooted on the River Ranch Meeteetse 7 Blk Hfrettes, 960# ............$8250

• Upcoming Sales •

March 4 – All Class Cattle March 8 – Monday - Winter Special - Feeder Cattle Only March 11 – Weigh-Up Special w/ All Class Cattle March 18 – Bred Cow Special w/ All Class Cattle, Sheep & Goat March 25 – All Class Cattle April 1 – All Class Cattle April 8 – Weigh-Up Special w/ All Class Cattle April 12 – Feeder Special Feeder Cattle Only April 15 – Bred Cow Special w/ All Class Cattle, Sheep & Goat April 22 – All Class Cattle April 29 – All Class Cattle May 6 – Weigh-Up Special w/ All Class Cattle May 13 – Pair & Bred Cow Special w/ All Class Cattle

Thursday, March 4, 2021 – All Class Cattle Murray-Mere – 70 blk bred cows, 3-9 YO, calve March & April, bred to blk bulls • John Stewart – 2 loads of weigh-ups.

Monday, March 8, 2021 – Winter Special - Feeder Cattle Only Charles Hessenthalen – 170 blk strs, 650-750#, 80 blk hfrs, 600-700#, Bang vacc, 3 rounds of shots, weaned • Crause Ranch – 140 mxed blk, 675-775#, weaned, 3 rounds of shots • Jerry Johnson – 130 mxd blk, 675-775#, weaned, bunk broke, 2 rounds of shots • TD & Sons – 60 blk hfrs, 550-650#, weaned, 3 rounds of shots.

March 20

Split Diamond Ranch 30th Annual Value Added Angus Bull Sale, Dillon Livestock Auction, Dillon, Mont., 406-498-3005, 406-581-0612, splitdiamond.com Denver Mountain Parks Bison Auction, Genesee Park, Denver, Colo., 303710-8164, 720-865-0900 Lucky 7 Angus Annual Bull Sale, Riverton Livestock Auction, Riverton, 307850-2514, 307-850-2053, lucky7angus.com Sega Gelbvieh Pound-Makin’ Genetics Bull Sale, at the ranch, Pierce, Colo., 970-590-4862, 970-381-0600, segagelbvieh.com Holden Herefords 55th Annual Production Sale, at the ranch, Valier, Mont., 406-450-1029, 406-450-0129, holdenherefords.com Pine Coulee Bull Sale, Wagon Box Ranch, Hardin, Mont., 406-855-2832, 406-780-1230, pinecoulee.com Spring Cove Ranch Bull & Female Sale, at the ranch, Bliss, Idaho, 208-2801026, 208-358-0057, springcoveranch.com Cooper Hereford Ranch 55th Annual Production Sale, at the ranch, Willow Creek, Mont., 406-539-6885, 406-570-5519, cooperherefords.com Hancock Livestock 5th Annual Bull Sale, Riverton Livestock Auction, 307250-6900, hancocklivestock.com Loosli Red Angus 47th Annual Production Sale, at the ranch, Ashton, Idaho, 208-652-3303, 208-227-3779, 208-351-3333, loosliredangus.com Sitz Angus 19th Annual Spring Bull Sale, at the ranch, Dillon, Mont., 406683-5277, 406-685-3360, 208-670-2364, sitzangus.com WBCIA Bull Test 35th Annual Sale, Pingetzer’s Bull & Heifer Development Center, Shoshoni, 307-851-4401, 307-851-4201, wyomingbulls.com Leland Red Angus Annual Production Sale, at the ranch, Sidney, Mont., 701-565-2347, 701-565-2361, lelandredangus.com Quest of the West 16th Annual Cattle Sale, Spanish Fork Fairgrounds, Spanish Fork, Utah, 801-420-2962, questofthewestcattle.net ZumBrunnen Angus Annual Bull Sale, at the ranch, Lusk, 307-334-2265, 307-216-0198, zbangus.com Diamond Peak Cattle Company Diamonds in the Rough Bull Sale, Riverton Livestock Auction, Riverton, 970-326-8620, diamondpeakcattle.com MTR Cattle Company Bull Sale, Buffalo Livestock Auction, Buffalo, 307-6847858, 307-217-0408, 307-217-0409, mtrcattle.com Carlson Equipment Annual Consignment Auction, Riverton, 307-8568123, carlsonequipment.com Rock Lake Angus 3rd Annual Bull Sale, at the ranch, Wheatland, 307-3311175, rocklakeangus.com Carter Cattle Company 22nd Annual Production Sale, at the ranch, Pingree, Idaho, 208-390-4811, 208-681-9711, 208-681-8859, cartercattleco.com Montana Performance Bull Co-op with Basin Angus Ranch Annual Bull Sale, Midland Bull Test Sale Facility, Columbus, Mont., 406-780-1219, 406321-2470, 406-350-0350, basinangus.com Gray’s Angus Ranch “2nd Century” Performance Bull Sale, at the ranch, Harrison, Neb., 308-668-2525, graysangusranch.com Altenburg Super Baldy Ranch LLC Sale, Centennial Livestock Auction, Fort Collins, Colo., 970-481-2570, altenburgsuperbaldy.com

POSTCARD from the Past

Compiled by Dick Perue rrichardperue@gmail.com

Refrigerated Railroad Cars Revolutionize Meat Industry A couple weeks ago, an advertisement in a 1918 weekly newspaper prompted a search concerning slaughterhouses and transportation of fresh meat. The following are excerpts from what I’ve found, so far, on the subject.

Until after the Civil War, fresh meat was not available except at slaughtering time, which usually took place during the winter months. People mainly ate cured pork.

By the 1870s, centrally located Chicago became the

hub of the meatpacking industry. Companies there used the railroads to deliver cattle and hogs from the West to their facilities. They invested in cold storage houses, which held ice from the Great Lakes to run their businesses yearround.

In the 1880s, the widespread use of refrigerated railroad cars by Chicago meatpackers made it possible to ship fresh meat, especially beef, not only to large urban areas but also to small towns across the nation including towns in Wyoming. Gusta-

A circa 1878 refrigerator car developed by Gustavus Swift helped to keep meat fresher for longer periods of time, according to an article on the internet. Another item continued, “In 1878, Swift hired Engineer Andrew Chase to design a ventilated car which was well insulated, and positioned the ice in a compartment at the top of the car, allowing the chilled air to flow naturally downward. Later, ice compartments were added at both ends of the boxcar and hatches in the roof provided access to the ice tanks at each end. The meat was packed tightly at the bottom of the car to keep the center of gravity low and to prevent the cargo from shifting. Chase’s design proved to be a practical solution, providing temperature controlled carriage of dressed meats. This allowed Swift and Company to ship their products across the United States and internationally.” Drawing and information from research on the internet. Historical Reproductions by Perue

vus Swift led the industry in shipping fresh beef.

In 1878, Swift, the founder of the Chicago meatpacking company called Swift and Company, commissioned the designing of a new kind of freight car to carry butchered meat.

The boxcar used large blocks of ice which, when deposited through roof hatches, would chill meat products below.

The floor was covered by raised panels, which could be lifted to clean out condensation and droppings from the transported meat.

The car also had wooden bars running the length of the ceiling which were used to hang dressed meats and carcasses.

To keep the cold in, the boxcars closed with 10-foot wide plug doors which lock into place with a complicated system of rollers, hinges and latches.

While these were unpopular with railroads, who had invested significantly in stock cars to transport live animals, the refrigerator boxcar quickly caught on nationwide. By the 1920s, the Swift Refrigerator Line had over 7,000 reefer cars on rails across North America.

In the latter half of the 20th century, mechanical refrigeration began to replace ice-based systems.

Soon after, mechanical refrigeration units replaced the armies of personnel required to re-ice the cars.

But, then, we’ll keep this on ice until we write again.

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 32 No. 44 • February 27, 2021

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 32 No. 44 • February 27, 2021

Wildlife specialist discusses coyote management during spring calving Every producer knows calving season attracts predators, especially coyotes. Managing coyote populations can be extremely effective when trying to keep calf losses at a minimum.

“Predator population can largely depend on how ranchers care for their cattle,” says Dr. Drew Ricketts, Kansas State University (KSU) wildlife Extension specialist during a weekly educational program hosted by KSU Beef System Specialist Dr. Jaymelynn Farney who is also featured in the KSU Agriculture

Today podcast on Jan. 25.

Ricketts shares a 2015 National Agriculture Statistics Service estimates 11.1 percent of losses for cow/ calf operations are predator losses. Almost half of the 11.1 percent is due to coyotes, he notes.

During the podcast, Ricketts said his PhD research focused on coyotes. The research studied coyotes’ social hierarchy as well as territory range.

“We were studying some GPS collared coyotes near a big cattle operation and

some dead bison,” Ricketts explains. “During the study, it was discovered coyotes would travel over a mile outside the original territory to get to easy meals.”

Ricketts states disposing of deceased cattle can help manage predation, noting producers don’t want to leave animals who have the possibility of attracting predators.

Social hierarchy During the podcast, Ricketts shares a detailed explanation of coyote social hierarchy, noting mated pairs or territorial coyotes often claim a

territory and stay there. Coyote territories are approximately one mile, he adds.

“Territorial animals are staying in one place because they know where to look for food,” Ricketts explains.

“When coyotes become familiar with the area they are in, they don’t need easy meals such as calves.”

Coyotes who aren’t territorial are called transients.

These coyotes will move between and even overlap different territories, covering terrain up to 10,000 acres.

“These coyotes are just

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SIRE: SINCLAIR EMULATION XXP MGS: PINEBANK WAIGROUP 41/97

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trying to make a living wherever they can. They are scavenging at this point,” he states.

Ricketts continues, “Transient coyotes are more likely to cause problems when it comes to producers losing calves because the territorial coyotes in the area have eaten all the mice and rabbits. The transient coyotes are going to be the first to cause producers problems.

This is when producers are going to have to step in and start managing the predator population.”

Population control “From a predator management standpoint, it doesn’t make sense to reduce a coyote population if producers aren’t having a predation problem,” Ricketts says.

“Producers would have to remove over 70 percent of the coyote population for over 50 years to actually make a dent in the population.”

Ricketts suggests the best time to work on predator management is after there is a

predatory issue. If producers aren’t losing calves and start trying to control the predator population, they can influence the social hierarchy and potentially lead to more calf losses.

Ranchers should also be aware of how weather conditions and seasons increase or decrease predator activity, shares Ricketts. Calving season always attracts predators. Calving in barns or corrals close to producers’ home base can help keep predators at bay.

When a coyote is killed, there is another waiting to take its place, he adds. It can become a full-time job for producers trying to eliminate the predator population.

Ricketts recommends checking state laws or contacting wildlife services before proceeding with predator management.

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

SESSION continued from page A1

SINCLAIR EXQUISITE 0X2 #19919831

11

“From a predator management standpoint, it doesn’t make sense to reduce a coyote population if producers aren’t having a predation problem.”

– Dr. Drew Ricketts, Kansas State University

GREG GOLDEN 301-730-6546

S I N C L A I R C AT T L E . C O M F O R U P D AT E S

in-person in Cheyenne, the hybrid format of the session aims to accommodate citizens across the state. Members of the public are invited to participate either online or in-person, depending on their preference.

As noted in a press release from the Legislative Services Office (LSO), all members of the public participating in person will be required to comply with public health orders in place at the time, including the use of face coverings while inside the Capitol Complex.

“The public may also view the proceedings and participate in standing committee meetings remotely by using the ‘testify’ and YouTube links available on the Legislature’s website,” explains LSO. Further the Wyoming Legislature’s Online Hotline, found at wyoleg.gov/postComments/hotlinedisclaimer.aspx, offers the opportunity for citizens to simply voice support or opposition on specific bills to their legislators.

To receive daily meeting and floor calendars, sign up for GovDelivery at wyoleg.gov.

Budget Week The week of March 8-12 is a particular highlight of the monthlong in-person meetings of the Wyoming Leg-

islature, as both bodies begin to discuss the budget for the State of Wyoming.

On March 8-9, the budget will be heard in Committee of the Whole, with the second reading set for March 10 and the third reading slated for March 12.

Joint Conference Committee meetings on the budget will be held during the week of March 15, as necessary.

Meeting in-person is vital to conducting the discussions on the state’s budget, as well as to conduct other activities.

Rep. Hans Hunt comments, “It’s vitally important for us to resume business in person. Meeting virtually just has too many shortcomings, making it subpar to meeting in person, especially with important topics like the budget coming up.”

In next week’s Roundup, look for the update received by the Senate Agriculture, State and Public Lands and Water Resources Committee on federal policy changes which affect the agriculture industry. The meeting was held via Zoom and livestreamed on YouTube on Feb. 25.

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

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 32 No. 44 • February 27, 2021

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Wyoming rangelands await break in La Niña Wyoming agricultural producers are wrestling events outside their control as La Niña off the west coast of the Americas pushes moisture-laden storms on a northern track and seemingly tightening drought’s grip on their rangelands.

National Weather Service charts and models paint a somber mood for the coming growing season. The cool ocean currents of La Niña affect the flow of storms across the northwest, precipitation falling to areas north of much of Wyoming.

Now through May are typically the state’s snowiest months.

Mountain snowpack “The weather pattern right now is pretty scary,” said Barton Stam, a University of Wyoming Extension rangeland Educator based in Hot Springs County.

Mountain basin snowpack totals are edging toward average and in some places are above normal. This doesn’t help rangelands.

The U.S. Drought Monitor map for Wyoming in late February shows extreme drought ballooning in central parts of the state, from the Colorado border to just south of Sheridan County, flowing into Carbon, Sweetwater, Natrona, Fremont, Hot Springs, southeastern Big Horn, Converse and Johnson counties.

Much of the rest of the state is designated as severe to moderate drought.

Producers don’t need weather charts to know their rangelands are dry.

They hope the pattern changes and while Stam can’t give out hope, he says, “What we can give them are tools to best manage through drought.”

Extension Educator Blaine Horn in Johnson County observed grim conditions on the plains east of the Big Horn Mountains last summer and leading into fall and early winter.

There are no concerns over irrigation water, he noted with water basins nearing snowpack averages.

“As far as the plains go, we have pretty good snow cover, but snow this time of year contributes little, if at all, to soil moisture for range plant growth this spring and summer,” he said. “It is too early to tell what the upcoming growing season will be like. We will definitely need good lateMarch to early-June moisture to have a good grazing season as the soil is pretty well dried out.”

Weather modeling Computer models are flipping a coin whether the next three months will see above or below normal precipitation.

“Models for February through April predict above normal temperatures,” said Geri Swanson, National Weather Service hydrometeorological technician, in a presentation during Worland’s WESTI Ag Days held Feb. 16-18.

Computer models for the three months call for equal chances of precipitation.

“This is just telling us the computer models can’t decide if it’s going to be above or below normal, so they’re giving us equal chances,” said Swanson.

“We could see above, we could see below. There’s just too many variables for the three-month window for them to go either direction for precipitation chances.”

Weather forecasters such as Don Day

Deadline approaches The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) is reminding growers the final date to apply for crop insurance for spring crops such as barley, buckwheat, cabbage‚ canola, cigarbinder tobacco, corn, cucumbers, dry beans, dry peas, flax, grain sorghum, green peas, hemp, hybrid seed corn, oats, onions, popcorn, potatoes, processing beans, soybeans, sugarbeets, sunflowers, sweet corn and wheat is March 15 for the 2021 crop year.

Current policyholders who wish to make changes to their existing coverage also have until the March 15 sales closing date to do so.

Producers are encouraged to visit their crop insurance agent soon to learn specific details for the 2021 crop year. Agents can help producers determine what policy works best for their operation and review existing coverage to ensure the policy meets their needs.

RMA is authorizing additional flexibilities due to coronavirus while continuing to support producers. The agency is working through approved insurance providers to deliver services, including processing policies, claims and agreements. RMA staff are working with approved insurance providers and other customers by phone, mail and electronically to continue supporting crop insurance coverage for producers.

Farmers with crop insurance questions or needs should continue to contact their crop insurance agents about conducting business remotely by telephone or e-mail. Find more information at farmers. gov/coronavirus.

are comparing the current La Niña’s effects to those in 2011-12, with severe drought periods.

Recently, new models predict La Niña’s persistent effects through spring and early summer similar to what happened last year – bad news for Wyoming, Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Arizona and California, noted Day. Forage impacts Stam said the next three months will indicate snowpack and spring rain precipitation and how

much grass there will be for livestock grazing and other forage production.

“I want to help permittees or others grazing on private lands to have a plan in terms of a drought,” Stam said. “If drought continues, we’re going to be working with a reduced supply of forages, so how can we use forages most efficiently? In a lot of cases, that’s going to be distributing livestock in a more effective manner.”

Rangeland plants and agricultural produc-

ers have conformed to drought through the years.

“Our rangelands have really adapted to drought very well and they recover from droughts very well once they end,” said Stam.

“But, we definitely need to watch what we are doing now to prepare for the future, so this is why we want to graze in a sustainable manner and we allow our livestock operations to be profitable.”

“The thing I want to emphasize going into a year where we are a little

bit nervous about drought is getting a plan in action now and if they’re working with federal permits, they should be in meeting with their rangeland management specialists,” he added.

This article was written by University of Wyoming Extension Senior Editor Dr. Steve Miller and is courtesy of the University of Wyoming.

Miller can be reached at slmiller@uwyo.edu. For more information, visit uwagnews.com.

Our Record Says It Best

Selling 30 Red Angus Bulls

WBCIA SALE • Friday, March 12, 2021 • 1 p.m.

Pingetzer’s Bull & Heifer Development Center • Shoshoni, WY

Featuring This Herd Bull Prospect

Lot 42 SIX Dawson H23

2/11/20 RAA# 4368063 HXC Dawson 7003E x Larson Sun King 016 ProS: 188 HB: 117 GM: 71 CED: +11 BW: +0.1 WW: +75 YW: +125 Milk: +29 STAY: +21 MARB: +0.62 REA: +0.21 BW: 65# PAP: 43

This herd bull prospect is an absolute powerhouse! He checks all the boxes by ranking in the Top 1% for: ProS, HB and STAY and the Top 5% for GM, WW, YW and ADG.

Sires Include:

HXC Dawson 7003D • TJS Franchise F101 • BPC Excellent Answer E12 DBL Tree New Direction 1510 • HXC Declaration 5504C

SIX IRON RANCH SHOSHONI, WY • (Junction US 26-789 - Wyo 134)

Robert & Paige Pingetzer – 307-851-4401 Brace & Haley Pingetzer – 307-851-5985

A16

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 32 No. 44 • February 27, 2021

KUKUCHKA’S

33 rd ANNUAL

PRODUCTION SALE Act. BW 80 WR 108 BW +1.3 WW +79 YW +137 Milk +26

Thursday, April 1, 2021

Selling sons of SITZ Logo, SITZ Stellar, BUBS Southern Charm, Connealy Thunder, Connealy Dry Valley, Lyons Manhattan and Hoover Dam

Craig and Deb Kukuchka & Family 605-892-2875

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Powerful Yearling Angus Bulls Fancy Commercial Replacement Heifers

BAR69Angus.com

RIVERTON LIVESTOCK AUCTION Tuesday, February 23 Market Report • 589 Head Sold Representative Sales BRED HEIFERS LANDER 1 Bred Heifer, 1350# .....................$1,450.00 SHOSHONI 20 Bred Heifer, 1001# .....................$1,400.00 LANDER 2 Bred Heifer, 1302# .....................$1,385.00 PINEDALE 53 Bred Heifer, 914# .......................$1,235.00 BRED COWS RIVERTON 43 Bred Cow, 1415# (SM)...............$1,450.00 14 Bred Cow, 1097# (SM)...............$1,400.00 LANDER 1 Bred Cow, 1150# (SM) ...............$1,225.00 1 Bred Cow, 1040# (SM)...............$1,125.00 RIVERTON 12 Bred Cow, 1290# (SM - May Calvers) ..........................................................$1,100.00 CASPER 2 Bred Cow, 1327# (SM - May Calvers) ..........................................................$1,000.00 BIG PINEY 3 Bred Cow, 1381# (SS) ..................$950.00 LANDER 1 Bred Cow, 1390# (SS) ..................$950.00 PAVILLION 3 Bred Cow, 1221# (ST) ..................$935.00 SHOSHONI 20 Bred Cow, 1359# (ST) ..................$925.00 LANDER 10 Bred Cow, 1320# (ST) ..................$910.00 HEIFERETTES RIVERTON 1 Heiferette, 915# ..............................$92.25 MILLS 2 Heiferette, 957# ..............................$81.00 PAVILLION 2 Heiferette, 1060# ............................$75.00 COWS CROWHEART 1 Cow, 1090# .....................................$71.50 ARAPAHOE 1 Cow, 1395# .....................................$67.00 RIVERTON 1 Cow, 1470# .....................................$66.00 1 Cow, 1335# .....................................$65.50 1 Cow, 1320# .....................................$65.00 LANDER 1 Cow, 1560# .....................................$64.50 RIVERTON 1 Cow, 1390# .....................................$64.00 LANDER 1 Cow, 1545# .....................................$63.50 PAVILLION 1 Cow, 1280# .....................................$63.00 KINNEAR 1 Cow, 1350# .....................................$62.50 ARAPAHOE 1 Cow, 1260# .....................................$62.00

LANDER 1 Cow, 1130# ....................................$61.50 ARAPAHOE 1 Cow, 1335# .....................................$60.50 PAVILLION 1 Cow, 1270# .....................................$60.00 JACKSON 4 Cow, 1308# .....................................$59.00 LANDER 2 Cow, 1275# .....................................$58.50 1 Cow, 1205# .....................................$58.00 JACKSON 5 Cow, 1219# .....................................$57.50 BULLS RIVERTON 1 Bull, 1795# ......................................$86.00 SHOSHONI 3 Bull, 2041# ......................................$85.50 SHOSHONI 4 Bull, 1915# ......................................$83.50 LANDER 1 Bull, 1945# ......................................$81.00 1 Bull, 1685# ......................................$80.50 SHOSHONI 2 Bull, 1912# ......................................$79.50 DANIEL 1 Bull, 1895# ......................................$78.00 3 Bull, 1811# ......................................$77.00 HEIFERS FORT WASHAKIE 5 Heifer, 457#...................................$153.00 2 Heifer, 542#...................................$140.00 6 Heifer, 615#...................................$133.00 RIVERTON 1 Heifer, 855#...................................$105.00 PINEDALE 3 Heifer, 873#...................................$101.25 PAVILLION 1 Heifer, 960#.....................................$97.00 LANDER 1 Heifer, 1055#...................................$87.00 RIVERTON 2 Heifer, 1070#...................................$74.00 STEERS LYMAN 1 Steer, 370#....................................$165.00 FORT WASHAKIE 8 Steer, 510#....................................$164.00 LANDER 6 Steer, 551#....................................$153.00 FORT WASHAKIE 2 Steer, 587#....................................$146.50 1 Steer, 610#....................................$144.00 5 Steer, 705#....................................$135.50 BIG PINEY 1 Steer, 755#....................................$134.00 DANIEL 4 Steer, 905#.................................... $116.00

riverton@winterlivestock.com

Early Consignments TUESDAY, MARCH 2

TUESDAY, MARCH 9

FEEDER SPECIAL W/ SO CATTLE ANGUS BULL SALE @ 1:00 PM START TIME 9:00 AM W/ WEIGH UPS

BRED COW SPECIAL W/ HANCOCK ANGUS BULL SALE @ 1:00 PM START TIME 9:00 AM W/ WEIGH UPS

SO Cattle Inc - 25 Blk Ang Yearlings Bulls. High elevation, Reputation Bulls!! (1:00 PM) Bass Lake Livestock - 200 Blk AngX Strs 650-675#.

Rec shots this fall & poured. Fancy, high elevation.

Ready for grass!

Jordan Land & Livestock - 150 Blk Ang & AngX Strs & Hfrs 600-700#. Rec Vista Once SQ, Vision 8 w/ Spur & poured. Hfrs are Bangs vacc. Long time weaned. Sired by Lucky 7 Blk Ang bulls. Proven feed efficient. Replacement quality! Powerful, high elevation!

JM Livestock - 150 Blk, Red small % CharX Strs 600650# 100 Blk Hfrs 650-700#. Weaned since mid October.

Rec Pyramid 5 w/Presponse, 7 way w/Somnus & poured. Conditioned for grass, nice yearling makers!!

Evans Ranch - 100 Blk Ang Strs 500-625#. Comp vacc spring & fall. Weaned 10/15. Sired by Oschner Blk Ang Bulls. High elevation & Fancy!!

Hicks Ranch - 90 Blk Ang & AngX Strs 575-600#.

Comp shots. Hay fed, green, weaned a long time!

Dan Bisbee – 35 Blk Ang Strs & Hfrs 600-700#. Shots @ branding & weaning. Hfrs are bangs vacc.

King Ranch - 25 Blk Ang Strs 600#. Hay fed, weaned & fancy!

Al Coyle - 22 Blk Ang Hfrs 600-700#. All natural. Long time weaned! Running out. Replacement quality.

Fancy!

Erik Esterholdt - 19 Hfrs 630-680# 2 Strs 650-700#. Hfrs are bangs vacc. Rec 8 way & Pyramid 5 @ weaning. Calves have been weaned since November. Hay fed & mineral program. High elevation!

Ray Parkhurst - 14 Blk Ang Hfrs 750#. Weaned over 60 days. Rec Vision 8 & CD Bar Vac @ Branding & Weaning. Bunk & hot wire broke. Fancy!!

SATURDAY, MARCH 6

Hancock Angus - 40 Yrling Blk Ang bulls. All sired by proven AI sires. PAP & semen tested & Carcass Ultrasounded. BVD & Bangs tested free. (1:00 PM) Hellyer Ranch - 9 Blk Ang Bred Hfrs. Calving March & April. Bred to LBW Popo Agie Bulls. Poured, Scour Boss, Virashield 6 VL5 on board.

SATURDAY, MARCH 13 DIAMOND PEAK CATTLE BULL SALE START TIME 1:00 PM

TUESDAY, MARCH 16 FEEDER SPECIAL • START TIME 9:00 AM W/ WEIGH UPS

TUESDAY, MARCH 23 BRED COW SPECIAL W/ 43RD ANNUAL NORTHWEST WYOMING ANGUS BULL SALE @ 1:00 PM START TIME 9:00 AM W/ WEIGH UPS BREDS @ NOON Northwest Angus Association - 60 Blk Ang Yrling Bulls - Obsidian Angus, Wagler Angus, Blue Sky, Hoggs Angus, Davidson Angus, Walking W Angus, JOH Ranch.

Bulls are known for calving ease & growth. PAP & Semen Tested, Proven Sires! (1:00 PM)

TUESDAY, MARCH 30 ALL CATTLE CLASSES W/ SHEEP & HORSES START TIME 9:00 AM W/ SHEEP & WEIGH UPS

TUESDAY, APRIL 6

LUCKY 7 ANGUS BULL SALE START TIME 12:00 PM

FEEDER SPECIAL • START TIME 9:00 AM W/ WEIGH UPS

Lucky 7 Angus Bull Sale - 262 Blk Ang 2 Yr old Bulls 60 Blk Ang Yearling Bulls 30 Blk Ang Fall Embryo Bulls PAP tested @ 7,580 ft. Nation’s leader in proven feed efficiency. (12:00 PM NOON)

TUESDAY, APRIL 13 BRED COW & PAIR SPECIAL START TIME 9:00 AM W/ WEIGH UPS

All sales are broadcast live on the internet at www.cattleusa.com.

Please register online to bid on livestock. Be sure to check out our country cattle listings at www.cattleusa.com

Contact: Riverton Livestock Auction (307) 856-2209 • Jeff Brown (307) 850-4193 • Tom Linn (307) 728-8519 • Mark Winter (580) 747-9436 • www.rivertonlivestock.com • Also watch our live cattle auction at www.cattleusa.com

1490 South 8th Street East • River ton, WY 82501 • (307) 856-2209

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