Volume 33 Number 46 • March 12, 2022
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The Weekly News Source for Wyoming’s Ranchers, Farmers and AgriBusiness Community • www.wylr.net
A Look Inside Dick Perue pays tribute to Dick Barkhurst......................Page A10 Insecticide Resistance in Wyoming and Montana........ Page B2 The Case of Elwood’s organic dog meat....................... Page C2 Sheep Specialist answers common questions..............Page C7
Quick Bits AI School The University of Wyoming Extension is hosting an artificial insemination school March 21-23. The school will be hosted at the Laramie Research and Extension Center in Laramie. Students will have the opportunity to work with live cattle during the class each day. Topics include: AI process and palpation, heifer development and nutrition, equipment handling, sync protocols and reproduction anatomy. Cost is $100 for the school. Space is limited and to reserve a spot in the school, email Brian Sebade at bsebade@uwyo.edu or call 307-721-2571.
Federal training now required for CDL drivers, says WYDOT Cheyenne – In November 2021, the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) announced those wishing to obtain a commercial driver license (CDL) will be required to complete Entry-Level
Driver Training (ELDT) starting Feb. 7 with a registered training provider. ELDT regulations set the minimum federal training requirements for entrylevel drivers. They must complete this training prior
to taking the CDL skills test or the knowledge test for a hazardous materials endorsement. The requirements are implemented by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
as part of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP21). There are no requirements for minimum length the training can take, but it is expected to take about six Please see WYDOT on page A6
RESTORING SAGE GROUSE Legislators support bill to raise birds in captivity
On Feb. 8, Senate File 61 was assigned to bill: Sage grouse game bird farms – no certification expiration. The bill reads, “An act relating to game and fish; removing the expiration date on certifications for Greater sage grouse game bird farms; and providing for an effective date.” On March 3, the House placed the bill on General File – pending further legislation consideration in Committee of the Whole; passing the Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources Committee with nine ayes and zero nays, excused, absent nor conflicts. Wyoming Republican Reps. Chad Banks (Rock Springs), Jamie Flitner (Greybull), Jeremy Haroldson (Wheatland), Mark Jennings (Sheridan), Christopher Knapp (Gillette), Sandy Newsome (Cody), Patrick Sweeney (Casper), Rachel Rodriquez-Williams (Cody) and John Winter (Thermopolis) were present and voted.
For several years, sage grouse management has been a topic among many, especially throughout the West. Sage grouse foundation Wyoming-native Diemer True is the president of the Western States Sage Grouse Recovery Foundation. He formerly has served the Wyoming legislator for 20 years and has been involved in republican party politics since he was 17 years old, he shares. “One of the big elephants in the room for the future of Wyoming’s economy is the potential of the Greater sage grouse being listed as an endangered species,” shares True. “In a 2016 study, listing the bird as endangered would cost western states roughly $5.6 billion in lost economic activity annually. So, in considering this loss, there are a number of ways to avoid having the species listed.” Please see BILL on page A6
Scholarship In honor of Wyoming native Scott Keith, BigIron Auction’s has set up a $1,000 scholarship which will be awarded to one student at the University of Wyoming and Casper College. The student must be majoring in agricultural business or a related degree to be applicable for the scholarship. For more information, contact each school’s scholarship department. For more information, visit uwyo.edu under the Scholarships tab or caspercollege.edu under the Admissions and Aid tab.
Career Fair
University of Wyoming Extension 4-H is hosting a virtual career fair March 22 at 6 p.m. Youth will get a snapshot of a variety of careers, and guest speaker Tris Munsick will be joining. There will be door prizes and lots of fun to be had throughout the evening. For more information and to register for this free event, go to wyoming4h. org/virtual-career-night/.
Current SWE
Wyoming’s Snowpack/ Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) is 79% of median with a basin high of 95% in Laramie and a basin low of 68% in Cheyenne. Last year, the state SWE was at 87% of median and at 110% in 2020. Stream flow snowmelt volumes during April through July across Wyoming are forecasted to be generally below median.
WYLR photo
Industry guidance New antibiotic regulations require licensed veterinarian prescriptions On June 11, 2021, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published Guidance for the Industry (GFI) #263 removing any medically important antimicrobials – previously left untouched by the GFI #213 – from over-the-counter (OTC) markets. GFI #213, published in 2017, required veterinarian oversight of medically important antimicrobials administered via feed and/ or water, but left the antimicrobials being administered other ways untouched. GFI #263 is requiring certain products be removed from OTC availability to prescription by June 11, 2023. This means producers will only be able to use these products under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian. Common products expecting to see label changes include: oxytetracycline, penicillins and tylosin. FDA says the new regulations are “part of a broader effort by FDA to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Please see FDA on page A9
Hendrickson set to retire Casper – Amy Hendrickson recently announced her resignation as executive director, effective March 31, with the Wyoming Wool Growers Association (WWGA). Hendrickson, a former Sheridan and Big Horn native is looking forward to retirement. Prior WWGA career accomplishments Prior to her position with WWGA, for nearly 20 years Hendrickson worked for the American Horse Council in Washington, D.C. She then decided to go back to college for her Master’s Degree in Biomedical Science Policy and Advocacy. After obtaining her Amy Hendrickson master’s, she went to work for the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, where she worked alongside commissioners, secretaries and directors of agriculture departments in all 50 states. “This was a job I really loved,” she shares. “But all of my family was in Wyoming, and my daughter was in college at the University of Wyoming. She said to me one day, ‘If you ever want to see me again mama, Please see HENDRICKSON on page A5
WyFB advocates for literacy in ag The week of Feb. 28 through March 5 was recognized by Gov. Mark Gordon as Wyoming Agriculture Literacy Week. This week is designed to educate elementary aged children on agriculture and the responsibilities of Wyoming farmers and ranchers. Wyoming Agriculture Literacy Week also assists in the promotion of the Ag Books for Kids project founded by the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation (WyFB) and Young Farmer and Rancher Committee in 2005. Agriculture literacy Wyoming Agriculture Literacy Week began in 2008 and has been proclaimed annually by Wyoming governors ever
since. WyFB Media and Member Relations Director Kerin Clark mentions school aged children learn the impact agriculture has on their everyday lives during this week. “Wyoming Ag Literacy Week teaches the importance of ag in our lives – the food we eat, clothes we wear, crayons we color with – it’s all because of agriculture,” says Clark. “What would a day be like without agriculture?” She mentions it’s crucial children understand where their food comes from, especially with so many children being raised without access to farms and ranches. “There’s an importance of educating and sharing our story in ag so kids know
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Please see WyFB on page A8