Section B March 18, 2023

Chicken wings and breast meat set to offer reprieve for inflation-weary consumers

Lower prices of both wing and breast meat in recent months are creating a strong opportunity for grocers and restaurant chains to position chicken as an inflation-busting protein item for consumers. And, with March Madness in full swing, the timing couldn’t be better.

This is welcome news after COVID-19. Through much of this period, chicken production struggled to keep up with consumer demand for take-out wings, as labor challenges and other supply constraints emerged through 2020 and during the first half of 2021.

Weekly slaughter rates went from trending between four to six percent above year-ago levels, to down nearly four percent year-over-year through late 2020.

Declining slaughter rates created significant problems for wing supplies in particular, due to the age-old problem of each bird having only two wings. Strong demand coincided with the ongoing supply squeeze, which sent wing prices sky high in 2021.

However, when supplies began to recover, persistently record-high wing prices proved too much for the market to bear.

As a result of market imbalances, wing inventories rose through the end of 2021, and prices began easing during the first quarter of 2022 as needs for the Super Bowl and March Madness – two of the strongest occasiondriven wing disappearance events on the calendar –were fairly easily met.

Wing inventories, as measured by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) monthly cold storage reports, went from setting new fiveyear lows during 2020 and 2021, to growing to fiveyear highs through the first six months of 2022.

As they waited for supply recovery, wingcentric restaurants scrambled to divert attention to other offerings. Some wing-only establishments even went as far as marketing drums or introducing chicken sandwiches as alternatives.

During the most recent 12 months, improved line speeds and growth in head count have further eased availability constraints. Through the tail of 2022, the five-week moving average broiler harvest was frequently around four percent above prior year totals.

At the same time, live weights have remained at or above trend line, contributing added value on a per-head basis, despite broiler valuation slipping.

Bigger birds, lower slaughter rates

While falling slaughter rates were stressing wing supplies in late 2020, bird weights were eclipsing previous record-high levels, often overcoming the deficit in headcount.

A good example occurred during the week ending Sept. 9, 2020. Slaughter was short of year-ago levels by three percent, but average live weights hit a new record, at 6.48 pounds, helping boost total broiler output three percent year-overyear.

By late 2020, elevated live weights were continually helping to offset lower slaughter numbers – despite lower chick placements as the broiler industry dealt with ongoing breeder problems.

Just as wing prices were setting new records, breast meat prices plunged to 20-year lows to end 2020. After finally bottoming out, the market for breast meat garnered attention and gained momentum during the second and third quarters of 2021.

On a tailwind of tighter supplies, high beef prices and resurging food service demand, breast meat prices skyrocketed during the first half of 2022.

But, production also rebounded, to the tune of an additional 75 million pounds per week, on average, in the third and fourth quarters. At the same time, disposable incomes were being crunched by inflation and restaurant visits were decelerating.

This all sent wholesale chicken markets into freefall by November, which is essentially where markets remain today.

Good news for consumer-facing channels

While this looks bad for chicken producers, it should be very inviting for consumer-facing channels to promote chicken as they prepare for the 2023 grilling season – especially since U.S. beef production is set to hit its lowest level since 2017.

With boneless breast meat trending around one dollar per pound – down from $3.50 per pound at mid-year – at the wholesale level to end 2022, it would be surprising if food service and retail outlets alike did not take note and plan accordingly.

This spells price relief for consumers on at least two major animal protein items – chicken wings and breast meat – which they have gravitated towards in recent years, at a time when they are battling inflationary pressures elsewhere.

While market conditions have been favor-

able for chicken buyers in recent months, the same can’t be said for producers.

They have been squeezed by low chicken prices, as well as higher input costs across the board – particularly soybean meal, which has risen 25 percent over the past three months and is again approaching record highs.

Thankfully, the strong profitability in 2022 should provide some cushion for chicken producers to weather the current storm of low chicken prices and high feed costs.

With the shortage of other proteins and returning demand for chicken, CoBank expects the profitability outlook to improve notably by mid-2023.

Brian Earnest is the lead economist for animal protein in CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange Division. This article was originally published by CoBank on March 13 and can be found at cobank.com

Get your SimGenetics from these Colorado members:

7L Diamond’s Hi Altitude Bulls

Leah and Peter Clark Bulls sell April 6, 2023 at Valley Livestock in Monte Vista • 719-849-8223

Altenburg Super Baldy Ranch - Triangle J 120 bulls - Fort Collins, CO

Saturday, March 18, 2023

Willie Altenburg, 970-481-2570

Baty Livestock Spring and Fall Heifer Sales batylivestock@gmail.com facebook/batylivestock

Bridle Bit Simmentals

All-Terrain Bull & Female Sale

Monday, March 20, 2023 at Walsh, CO

Chad Cook, 719-529-0564

Campbell Simmental Part of High-Altitude Bull Sale

Saturday, March 25, 2023 at LaGarita, CO Robert, 970-749-9708

Dilka Cattle

Yearling and 18-mo-old bulls, PT Briggsdale, CO • 970-396-8791 thedilkas@aol.com

Far Out Cattle Ranch

Jerrid Brisendine, 719-353-1747

All-Terrain Bull & Female Sale

Monday, March 20, 2023 at Walsh, CO

Hill Brothers Livestock

Females always available. Paul, 417-849-6851 facebook.com/hillbrotherslivestock

Jay Hill Family

Simmental & SimAngus bulls Private treaty • 970-520-1555 jaywhill@kci.net

Mari Simmental Breeders

Ron Mari • Holyoke, CO

Selling black % & PB ET bulls 970-520-7333 for EPDs & data

Phoenix Cattle Co.

Fleckvieh Simmentals & Fleckvieh/Angus seedstock Roger Schager • 303-550-5592

Cody Pitt Family Black & Red bulls private treaty Hotchkiss, CO • 970-778-9267 cmp5792@aol.com

Rains Simmental Bulls of the Prairie sale

Saturday, March 11, 2023, Oakley, KS Mike Rains, 785-672-7129

Russell’s Reflected R Ranch

SimAngus bulls sell private treaty Call Curt, 719-469-2857 for data or go to www.ReflectedRRanch.com

T-Heart Ranch High-Altitude Bull Sale March 25, 2023 shane@t-heartranch.com 719-850-3082 or 719-850-3083

For sale dates, show details and event highlights, go to: www.ColoradoSimmental.com, e-mail colosimmental@gmail.com or follow us on facebook

New chute improves vaccination accuracy and lessens stress on pork operations

In an effort to improve vaccination accuracy and efficacy on pork operations, while also reducing stress and other issues that come with vaccinating pigs, Brad Hennen of Ghent, Minn., former president of the Minnesota Pork Board and account manager for Fast Genetics, has created a new device for the industry.

During the Minnesota Pork Congress Feb. 20-22, Hennen introduced and displayed the Hennen Pig Chute, which recently gained attention as one of the top 10 finalists in the Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge, earning Hennen $10,000 in startup funds.

Today, the Hennen Pig Chute is manufactured by a Hutterite colony west of

Watertown, S.D., and can be purchased for $7,000, which includes delivery, setup and operational training.

Creation of the chute

In an article published by The Minnesota Mascot, authored by Scott Thoma, Hennen explains he came up with the idea for the Hennen Pig Chute while helping his dad and brother work cattle.

“I started thinking about this project after attending the National Pork Board task force meeting on Feb. 1, 2018,” says Hennen in the article. “They were discussing a way to prevent broken needles in pork during vaccination, and it got me thinking. It’s funny, but pork producers have never been able to come up with a way to restrain pigs during vaccination.”

Production Sale

After presenting his idea to the task force, Hennen was directed to a packing plant in Storm Lake, Iowa, where they utilize a conveyor belt to stun pigs. With this in mind, Hennen began creating components for what would later become the Hennen Pig Chute.

He took these components and his idea to Doug Anderson at the Marshall Machine Shop in Marshall, Minn., and Anderson created a prototype.

How it works

Hennen explains the chute works by channeling 10 to 40 pound pigs through an aluminum chute via poly panels and a pair of conveyor belts, which lifts pigs off of the ground and transports them along the length

of the chute.

Since pigs don’t naturally move in a single file line, Hennen says the chute has been designed to make them come through one at a time, which makes it much easier to vaccinate them.

“It’s all designed to get the pig’s feet up off of the ground. Once the pig is lifted up slightly, it has nowhere to go until after it’s out of the chute,” he says.

Hennen also explains the chute can be set up in a pen or alleyway, entering or exiting a building or room within a barn or wherever a producer is already moving pigs.

Multiple benefits

Hennen’s new device provides a multitude of benefits including improv-

ing vaccination accuracy and efficacy, ensuring correct dosage, reducing stress on both animals and people, reducing bent and broken needles and saving on time and labor.

“A typical vaccine given to a young pig costs roughly one dollar, and I want to make sure producers get a full return on their investment,” Hennen says. “This return is much more likely to be high if they get the vaccine right where it’s supposed to be, which is behind the ear in the muscle.”

Traditionally, vaccinating pigs requires several people – one to hold the pig and one to administer the vaccination. However, as pigs get bigger, it becomes much more difficult, time consuming and exhausting for producers. Because pigs move and squirm, it is also fairly common for needles to break off in pigs as well.

Since the Hennen Pig Chute conveyor is controlled by a foot pedal, it allows a single individual to start and

stop the belts while adjusting speed and administering vaccinations. The chute also sits at slat level, which allows the individual who is administering the vaccination to sit down while pigs are channeled along in front of them.

“The pig chute alleviates many problems, while also putting less stress on the pig. It creates more effective disease control, better management of dosage of vaccines and less workman’s compensation claims,” notes Hennen.

“Farmers are also able to vaccinate more pigs this way in a shorter period of time than ever before, and it’s a lot less strenuous this way,” he adds.

In fact, Hennen notes at top speed, if pigs are coming through the chute nose to tail, producers can process as many as 3,000 pigs per hour.

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

Pine Coulee Bulls, LLC Angus Bull

Buyer: Rick Sorenson, Williston, N.D. Lot 75 – Pine Coulee

Pappy 12K – $10,500 DOB:

12/3/21 Sire: Baldridge

Dam’s Sire:

S A V Resource 1441 EPDs:

BW: +3.8, WW: +70, YW:

+122 and Milk: +22 Buyer:

Tyrel Nilhas, Ellis, Kan.

Lot 29 – Pine Coulee

Bravo J593 – $10,000 DOB:

6/15/21 Sire: Coleman Bravo 6313 Dam’s Sire: S A V

Resource 1441 EPDs: BW:

+0.7, WW: +52, YW: +99 and Milk: +21 Buyer: Shawn Fredricks, Busby, Mont.

Lot 33 – Pine Cou-

lee Resource J566 – $9,500

DOB: 6/24/21 Sire: S A V

Resource 1441 Dam’s Sire:

O C C Juneau 807J EPDs:

BW: +3.3, WW: +62, YW:

+113 and Milk: +23 Buyer:

Bow and Arrow Ranch, Sheridan

Yearling Bulls

Lot 78 – Pine Coulee

Bushwacker 143K – $11,500

DOB: 1/8/22 Sire: B C C

Bushwacker 41-93 Dam’s

Sire: PVF Insight 0129

EPDs: BW: +3.4, WW: +65, YW: +108 and Milk: +28

Pappy Dam’s Sire: S A V

Bismarck 5682 EPDs: BW:

+1.7, WW: +70, YW: +119 and Milk: +18 Buyer: Cross W Ranch, Ekalaka, Mont.

Lot 41 – Pine Coulee

Resource 103K – $9,500

DOB: 12/26/21 Sire: S A V

Resource 1441 Dam’s Sire:

Mohnen Impressive 1093

EPDs: BW: +0.6, WW: +63, YW: +112 and Milk: +25

Buyer: Fred Hoff, Baker, Mont.

Lot 102 – Pine Coulee

Bravo K735 – $9,500 DOB:

1/15/22 Sire: Coleman Bravo

6313 Dam’s Sire: S A V

Resource 1441 EPDs: BW: +1.4, WW: +61, YW: +110 and Milk: +21 Buyer: ZH Ranch, St. Xavier, Mont.

Lot 136 – Pine Coulee

Onward 17K – $9,500 DOB:

12/4/21 Sire: Connealy

Onward Dam’s Sire: Jauer

353 Traveler 589 27 EPDs:

BW: +1.8, WW: +42, YW: +92 and Milk: +29 Buyer: Fred Hoff, Baker, Mont.

New device – Brad Hennen created the Hennen Pig Chute to remove stress for pigs and producers during the vaccination process. Kevin Schulz photo

From the Kitchen Table

By Lynn Harlan

Have You Ever Stayed in Baggs, Wyoming?

Last month, I invited my sister to come to Arizona and do some riding near the striking Santa Catalina Mountains, east of Tucson, Ariz. I loaded up the living quarters horse trailer, grabbed my good ol’ boy out of a snowbank and headed south on Feb. 2.

I had to stop in Alcova for three hours to wait for the road to Muddy Gap to open – if only I had known this was the precursor to my adventure.

I made it to Arizona in good shape, picked up my sister at the airport in Phoenix and headed south. We set up camp at Catalina State Park and had great days of riding on the trails, serenaded by stately saguaro cactus, tinkling waterfalls and warm weather.

Oh, and a couple of margaritas.

A few days later, we headed back to the Phoenix

area for my sister’s flight. That weekend Phoenix was hosting the Super Bowl and the Phoenix Open Golf Tournament. Phoenix is big enough to handle all those folks.

My sister headed back to wintry Colorado, and I camped out at the home of my Wyoming/Arizona friend Renee from Buffalo. Then, the cool, rainy weather set in for a few days.

Arizona has had plenty of cool, wet weather this winter. The desert will be abloom with color this spring.

Unfortunately, at home in Wyoming, the only color was still white. I did some more riding and camping, but on one phone call home, Bob said, “We could probably use you.”

I looked at the weather only to see a big storm was looming, so I decided to try

and beat the storm home. I made it to Baggs.

I arrived in Baggs before the big snow of Feb. 21-22, but I was unaware of just how much the wind was blowing old snow around and keeping most of Interstate 80 (I-80) closed through February, specifically the road north of Baggs to Creston Junction, where it meets I-80.

I had a window of two mornings where if the wind would die down, the road would be open and I could strike for home – it didn’t happen.

If a person is anything like me, they’ve only driven through Baggs on their way to Craig, Colo., Meeker, Colo., Grand Junction, Colo., Moab, Utah and on to Arizona – the shortest route from Kaycee.

Baggs has kind of a drab main street – in winter anyway. If a person turns east, they’ll drive through the Little Snake River Valley – population 406 – which is spectacular. I spent five days and nights in the area and learned more about the town.

There is a restaurant with a bar on main street. It’s worth a look for the wonderful blue pine interior – blue pine is made from resin left in the tree by pine beetles.

I stopped and asked

Wyoming SEO hosts webinar

The Wyoming State Engineer’s Office (SEO) will hold a Colorado River Working Group (CRWG) public webinar on March 22 from 5:30-7 p.m.

The itinerary will include updates on the System Conservation Pilot Program (SCPP) and other rapidly evolving Colorado River issues. The 2023 SCPP is a funding opportunity which is voluntary, temporary and compensated for water conservation actions that result in Conserved Consumptive Use in 2023.

Members of the CRWG and those who have subscribed to the Public CRWG list will receive a calendar invitation.

To join the meeting, visit meet.google. com/ppc-jivp-fju or dial 470-499-3952 and use PIN: 474 700 784#. There will be a recording of the meeting posted for those who cannot participate live.

For more information, visit seo.wyo.gov/ interstate-streams/colorado-river-workinggroup

McnaMee auction coMpany 2023 Spring Consignment Sale

Saturday, April 1st – Starting @ 9AM

In The Pavilion parking Lot

At The Goshen County Fairgrounds – Torrington, WY

Tractors & Haying Equipment • 1974 Massey Ferguson 175 diesel tractor w/ a MF 260 loader w/ grapple. 3 pt., 540 PTO, PS, new injection pump & alternator. Tires like new w/ power adjust wheels. Nice 60 HP tractor • 1952 JD Model 60 tractor. Tractor pull quality that has been restored. SN 6014327 • Case IH 8840 swather (SN CFH 0031163). 14’ head (SN CFH 0032360), dbl. sickles that can go to the field after greasing. W/ Cummins diesel eng. • Vermeer R23 folding hydraulic hay rake, no welds & a nice rake. SN 1VRR201P631003514 Trailers, ATV’s, Riding Mower • 1990 Featherlite, 5 horse alum slant-load horse trailer. Model GNC-721, Front tack, new jack, new lights/ wiring, wheel bearings & tires less than 1500 miles ago. Rubber mats, dividers, solid rear door. Trailer is sound. Sells w/ BOS only. • 2000 Travalong 24’ Stock trailer • 2013 Sussex Welding BP trailer. All metal, 12’ long, 8’ wide & 6’6” between the fenders. Tandem 6000# axels • 1988 Trail King GN flatbed w/ triple, 7000# axels. 18’ deck w/ 4’ dovetail & 3 pc. folding ramps. Deck, lights, & tires all in good shape • 2008 homemade trailer w/ title

• 1976 West GN flatbed trailer. 26’ deck, total of 33’6” length. Adj. axle • 2010 Kawasaki Mule 3010 4WD, w/ 1400 hrs. • Polaris Ranger Crew, 800 EFI side-by-side ATV. 4WD, Will seat 6, Sells w/ 2464 miles.

• 2007 Kubota RTV900 side-by-side. w/ manual tilt box & block heater

• 2005

• 2 Honda Rancher ATV’s w/ 4WD. 2012 models Vehicles

Dodge 2500 Quad cab w/ 149K miles but only 5000 miles on a rebuilt 5.7L gas eng. Big Horn trim, 4X4, running boards, auto trans., new “U”- joints & front end overhaul less than 2000 miles ago.

about a place to stay with my horse and dog. Soon I was headed seven miles east to Dixon – population 77. There is a huge indoor arena complex a little east of Dixon – the Russell Community Park – named after the family who donated the land.

This indoor arena was built in 1990 with grants and is overseen by a local board which has added to and maintained the facility.

I was able to pull my big living quarters horse trailer inside the arena, hook up to electricity, turn my horse and dog loose and wait out the storm. The arena even had a heated restroom. It was going to be as good as it gets.

A nice neighbor helped me get settled in and even loaned me an extra heater for the cold nights. She told me the grocery store restocked on Tuesday, so I headed in for groceries and to check out more of Baggs.

There is a wonderful branch library where I picked up some books and a few DVDs. The grocery store is run by a pair of sisters who grind hamburger meat every day and cut steaks once a week.

They have an awesome selection from A to Z – alcohol, avocados and Zesta saltines. I stocked my fridge.

One day, I went to the community center and had a glorious five dollar shower with unlimited hot water. I found the laundromat and the gas station to fill my propane bottle.

In the end, Baggs didn’t get much snow or wind. But, just a few miles north, the storm struck with heavy snow and unrelenting wind.

The search and rescue team went out on Wednesday night to pick up an oilfield worker. They ended up bringing in 11 guys the same night.

I did treat myself to some socializing in the one restaurant and bar in town. It served good food, by the way. I taught the game of cribbage to a couple of young guys one afternoon – one from Georgia and one from Virginia. There were folks from all over waiting out the blizzard.

On our daily phone calls, I would tell Bob, “If I could just get to Rawlins.” He assured me I was in the best place.

There were days when sections of I-80 were open, but the road from Baggs to Creston Junction was not. Too much snow and wind, and the plows were keeping busy trying to get the interstate open.

Finally, on Feb. 25, I was able to get to Rawlins,

where I pulled into the fairgrounds. My horse was getting spoiled – he spent the night in a heated barn.

The next morning, I headed out early for Laramie on I-80, as the two-lane road to Muddy Gap had little chance of opening anytime soon.

It was a beautiful day for a drive – clear roads and no wind. I drove through Laramie, Sybille Canyon, Wheatland and Casper. I didn’t hit wind until I stopped for fuel in Casper.

It took me a week to get home, and I drove home on the one day I-80 was open.

There are wonderful folks in Baggs, just like any small town in Wyoming. I’ll have to go back in the summer to visit the Little Snake River Museum, as it’s closed during winter months.

We’re still having winter at our place, and it’s getting serious with heifers calving, cows to start soon and sheep shearing coming up. There is still so much snow.

Can we hope for a nice day on March 20, the first day of spring? How about an Easter thaw?

At least when the snow melts it might fill the reservoirs. I’ll be glad when the winter of 2023 is in the books.

• 1995 Chevy 2500. Cab & chassis only, Pickup runs but is in ranch shape

• 1992 Riviera 2 dr. All orig., bucket seats, loaded, w/ sunroof, leather int., new breaks & battery. Sells w/ 168,000 miles

• 2009 Nissan Rouge SL, 4 Dr.

• 1998 Mercury Mystic 4 Dr. w/ 95,782 miles Irrigation

• 1961 Dodge D400, 2 ton farm truck. 318 V8, rear dump metal grain box, 42,000 actual miles. VIN 1481143354

Equipment • 36 joints of 10” gated pipe w/ several fittings

Tillage, Planting, 3 pt. Equipment & Misc. Equipment

• 31 joints of 8” gated pipe

• John Deere grain drill

• 2 pipe trailers

• John Deere 14’

BW disk • 3 pt. post hole digger w 8” & 10” augers

• King Kutter Rotary mower

• Hi Qual, right handed calf chute

• calf table

• Sioux Hyd. Post driver for skid steer mount* grass seeder. Ground driven, 3 pt. or skid steer quick attach, 6’ wide Panels, Gates, Livestock Handling & Fencing

• Sheep working tub

• asst. cattle & sheep panels Shop Items

• AMMCO Lifts Model 82900, 2 post car lift. 9000 # capacity. SN 990830614 Miscellaneous

• Propane weed burner. Adj. torch arm, tank is nearly full of propane

McnaMee auction co, LLc

307-532-4976 or 307-534-5156

www.mcnameeauctioncompany.com

Carl Delton Kerbs

May 7, 1929 – Jan. 21, 2023

Carl Delton Kerbs, 93, passed away on the evening of Jan. 21, in his home on the Four Bar Ranch outside of Saratoga, surrounded by his wife and family.

Carl was born May 7, 1929 in Great Bend, Kan., the third child of Fritz and

Ethel Kerbs. Carl started his life on the Kerbs and Sons Hereford Cattle and Wheat Farm near Otis, Kan. They acquired a ranch near Coalmont, Colo. during the Dust Bowl.

It was in North Park that

Carl met Nadene Chedsey. He and Nadene graduated from Jackson County High School in 1948 and were

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married Sept. 5, 1948.

Their first years of marriage were spent back on the Kerbs Farm in Otis, Kan., before they found their home of 70 years on the banks of Jack Creek in Carbon County in 1952. They first partnered with Carl’s brother Freddie and his family raising cattle and hay.

Later, they went into partnership with the Chedsey Brothers and Carl Hansen family. Milk cows and laying hens were added to the ranch, and twice weekly delivery routes in town with eggs, butter, fresh milk and cream began.

Through their years as 4-H leaders and traveling to stock shows, county and state fairs and livestock judging events, the couple acquired a great circle of friends. They spent many hours on the dance floor with their square dance club.

Carl also enjoyed watching his grandkids play sports and was their number one fan – the Denver Nuggets came in close second in the last few years.

Carl never let any of

Taking care of the land and cattle were a high priority throughout his entire life.

In his later years, he experienced joy in a 20 cribbage hand that could beat his wife’s, family gatherings, hugs from his grandkids and mowing and watering his big, beautiful yard in the summer. It wasn’t quite the same as irrigating meadows and swathing long rows of hay, but it was close.

In their 74 years of marriage, Carl and Nadene were blessed with six children, 14 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, with the 14th due this spring. Their years were filled with hard work, but they did it as a family. Carlʼs children appreciate the work ethic him and Nadene instilled in them.

Carl is preceded in death by his son Carl Blane Kerbs, his parents, his sister Viola (Ollie), his brother in-law Alvin Deutsch, his brother Freddie, his brother in-law David Stone, his in-laws Francis (Pete) and Lois (Spud) Chedsey and his daughter in-law Becky

Kip Kerbs, Heidi (Norm) Custis and Kandi (Kirk) Bennett.

He will also be missed by all of the grandchildren and great-grandchildren he leaves behind.

They are Rindy (Justin) West and their children Braden, Jhett and Wynn of Sheridan; Tad (Hillary) Tipton and their children Myla and Tyne of Sheridan; Kinsey (Jake) Freese and their children Karlee, Jenna and Cora of Pavillon; Matthew Kerbs of Saratoga; Daniel (Kaylee) Kerbs of Sheridan; Aaron Kerbs of Fort Collins, Colo.; Kaylee Kerbs and Corson (Caitlin) Kerbs of Saratoga; Ryan (Masie) Custis and their children Makinlee and Mallory of Burns, Ore.; Krisha (Shea) Geffert and their children Noah and Olivia of Reedsburg, Wis.; Kally (Craig) Lenhardt and their children Avey, Brinley and Robert of Laramie and Brodie (Brodey) Serres, Seth Bennett and Dace Bennett of Meeteetse.

At Carl’s request, no services will be held. His family will celebrate his

Annual Production Sale

March 27, 2023

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The March 10 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s (NCBA) Beltway Beef podcast welcomed NCBA Executive Director of Government Affairs Kent Bacus to discuss Brazil’s history of failing to report cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), otherwise known as mad cow disease.

Due to Brazil’s lack of transparency, NCBA is calling for a suspension of Brazilian beef imports until it is determined Brazil meets the U.S.’s high animal health standards.

During the podcast, Bacus also provides information on the importance of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and the value of collaborating to prevent the spread of foreign animal diseases.

Import update

Bacus notes atypical BSE doesn’t occur naturally, but has occurred in the U.S.

Classical BSE occurs in cattle after ingesting prioncontaminated feed, while atypical BSE is believed to occur spontaneously in all cattle populations.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the last atypical BSE case in the U.S. occurred in Florida in 2018.

“None of the infected animals ended up in the food supply, but as part of

WOAH, we notified all of our trade partners within 24 hours of the incident occurring,” says Bacus.

He adds, “Atypical BSE is not a trade restrictive disease. It’s not like classical BSE where we really have to worry about ruminant feed ban violations, but it’s still a disease that needs to be reported.”

Reporting devastating diseases, like BSE, allows countries to take action and defend their supply chains. According to NCBA, delayed reporting has put U.S. beef at risk.

On Jan. 18, a case was identified in Brazil, but was not confirmed until Feb. 22. Because of a repeated pattern of delayed reporting, NCBA sent a letter to the U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) demanding immediate action.

“We have seen Brazil repeatedly fail to meet the 24-hour requirement for reporting of animal diseases listed by WOAH. In order to protect the safety and security of the U.S. herd and American cattle producers, we demand USDA take immediate steps to block further beef imports from Brazil,” says NCBA President and South Dakota Cattleman Todd Wilkinson in a Feb. 28 NCBA press release.

“Furthermore, we expect USDA to keep the border closed to Brazil

“The U.S. has some of the highest standards in the world when it comes to animal health and food safety. If producers don’t have a healthy animal, they won’t have a product.” –

Kent Bacus, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

until they can demonstrate they are willing and able to play by the trade rules governing all other nations. If they can’t play by the rules, they don’t deserve access. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack needs to act now, rather than kicking the can down the road,” he continues.

Beef imports and reporting

According to USDA, last year Brazilian beef and veal imports accounted for 466.371 pounds, a significant increase from 2021 when import levels were reported at 368.956 pounds.

“We’ve been very consistent in our request with USDA to suspend their access until a thorough investigation and audit can be conducted,” shares Bacus. “This latest atypical BSE case took Brazil 35 days to report, whereas it would take the U.S. 24 hours.”

Bacus says in one instance, it took Brazil nearly two years to report a case of BSE. This why he says access to the U.S. beef market is a privilege, not a right.

“They don’t have a right to the U.S. market, it’s a privilege, and if they’re not going to provide an equivalent level of safety in health and be able to back it up through their reputation, then they don’t deserve to be here,” he says.

Animal health

WOAH is an international, science-based institution, focused on combating foreign animal disease and other animal health issues as they arise, mentions Bacus.

“The U.S. has some of the highest standards in the world when it comes to animal health and food safety,” he says. “If producers don’t have a healthy animal, they won’t have a product.”

For more information or to listen to current and future Beltway Beef podcast episodes, visit ncba.org.

He notes the U.S. has always prioritized food safety and animal health and has always focused on strong science-based standards.

According to Bacus, NCBA is going to continue to advocate for the beef industry in the U.S. and raise concerns with Brazil’s reporting timelines in regards to BSE cases and safety concerns when it comes to animal disease.

“We believe in sizebased trade, but we also believe in accountability, and this is one thing we really have to be consistent on,” he concludes. “If someone’s going to do business here, they better live up to our standards and take all of the same precautions we do.”

“For too long, American cattlemen and women have honored the laws governing international trade, promoting fair and equitable standards, only to have nations like Brazil ignore those same standards. Brazil cannot be allowed to benefit from the investments we have made to build a massive demand for beef around the globe,” Wilkinson concludes in the February press release.

“If trade partners like Brazil fail to follow the rules, there must be consequences, and they must be painful and immediate,” he adds.

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

CONSIGNORS • 800+ BULLS • 24 STATES We develop more than 2,000 bulls annually MIDLAND BULL TEST MccLUN’S

Charolais

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INFO AT: www.MidlandBullTest com

We are America’s largest source of EFFICIENCY TESTED bulls.

SALE REPORTS

Sitz Angus Annual Spring Bull Sale

Reported By: Curt Cox, WYLR Field Editor

Avg. $1,803

UW hosts ram test field day

The University of Wyoming’s (UW) annual ram test will conclude with a field day at the Laramie Research and Extension Center (LREC) on April 1.

This year’s test is the largest yet, with 142 rams from five states delivered to LREC in the fall, reports LREC Sheep Unit Manager Kalli Koepke.

The five-month test evaluates rams on average daily gain, wool quality, carcass data, visual scores and more. The goal is to provide sheep producers with reliable data to improve the genetics of their flocks. Test results are presented at the upcoming field day, which is free and open to the public.

“It is a great place to see top rams,” says Koepke. “They’re never going to look better – they’ve been on full feed for five months – and producers get all the data right there.”

Educational programming, led by UW

Extension Sheep Specialist Whit Stewart, will be held from 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Topics include genomic selection technology used for ram testing, new sheep production technology, an update on the costs of ram production, updates on bent leg genomic research and an overview of this year’s ram test data.

Lunch, provided by the UW Food Science Club and Meat Science group, begins at noon, and the ram evaluation and a silent auction will take place from 1:30-2:30 p.m.

“In short, this is a unique learning event which captures our Extension, research and teaching efforts at the UW sheep program,” says Stewart. “A huge effort goes into this program, so it’s rewarding to culminate with this event.”

For more information, contact Koepke at kkoepke@uwyo.edu or 719314-6571.

Notice

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

Events

THE LANCER LIVESTOCK

SALE WILL BE HELD SUN., MARCH 26 AT 1 PM IN ATEC

BUILDING AT EASTERN WY-

OMING COLLEGE IN TORRINGTON, WY. The ATEC building is located at 3401 West C Street. Selling progress hogs, lambs and goats. All animals purchased are eligible to compete in the Lancer Show Series with 10+ established shows in Wyoming and Nebraska. Prizes and cash awards go to high point earners in each species. For more information, 307-7995419 3/18

FINAL DRIVE FOCUSED!!

CUSTIS SHOW PIGS 18TH AN-

NUAL SALE, MARCH 25, AT 1

PM, CARBON COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS, RAWLINS, WY: Multiple State Fair Grand and Reserve Champions have sold in this sale year after year. Don’t miss the chance to own the next champion!! Call Krisha, 307760-0327 3/18

Help Wanted

GOTTSCH LIVESTOCK FEEDERS

LLC Red Cloud, NE

Come Join the Gottsch Livestock Feeders Family!

Gottsch Livestock Feeders is looking for Cowboys/Pen

Riders for their feed yard in Red Cloud, NE. The main focus of the Cowboy/Pen

Riders are spotting, pulling, diagnosing and taking cattle to the hospital and shipping fat cattle. This person will need to be a team player who is seeking a long-term position. You will have the opportunity to work with and learn from some of the best in the industry. We offer a benefits package that includes health insurance, dental, vision, 401(k), health savings, life insurance and paid vacation. If you are interested stop by and fill out an application or visit our website at

www.gottschcattlecompany.com

Call Brandon Furr at 402-257-7769 or 402-746-2222 for more information.

PART-TIME DRIVERS NEED-

ED FROM WORLAND TO

CASPER, WY: Nighttime hours, $28/HOUR TO START, 33+ hours/week. Must have CDL, pass background check and clean MVR. E-mail resumes to dingoboy6342@ yahoo.com or call Matt, 801641-4109 3/25

Financial Services

Help Wanted

Assistant Farm Manager, Research and Extension

UW SAREC • Lingle, WY

Help Wanted

WIGGINS FEEDYARD, LLC

HIRING FULL-TIME EMPLOY-

EE: Current driver’s license required. Call Sue Wiggins, 308-279-0924, e-mail sswiggins@wigginsfeedyard.com, 10077 U.S. 385, Bridgeport, NE 69336, provide references with phone numbers 3/25

AGRI-ONE FINANCIAL: Farm/ ranch and all commercial loans. RATES AS LOW AS 5%. We have been helping with all aspects of agricultural, commercial financing and management for years. LET US HELP YOU on a consulting level with management to increase profitability, deal with and fix credit problems and for all your financing needs. WE CARE AND HAVE WORKING PROGRAMS designed for the farmer/rancher and not the banker. Please call Steve, 303773-3545, or check out our website www.agrionefinancial.com. I will come to you and get the job done!! 3/25

ALL TYPES OF EQUIPMENT AND VEHICLE FINANCING. Great service!! Great rates!! Call Chuck Brown at C.H. Brown Co., WY LLC, 307-3223232 (office), 307-331-0010 (cell) or e-mail chuckbrown@ wyoming.com 3/18

Brands

WYOMING BRAND FOR

SALE: LRC, BS, LSH. Dues paid to Jan. 2033. No irons included, $3,000. Call 307-746-8243 4/1

• Manage and participate in the tillage, irrigation, fertilization, application of chemicals, harvestiang of hay and care of beef cattle herd and equipment.

• Work closely with feed mills, substation and supply companies to manage, receive and place orders.

• Operate, maintain and repair equipment used in agriculture and farming.

• Assist faculty in conducting research and data collection.

• Estimate the needs of the general farming operations.

• Regularly scheduled weekends/on call are part of this position.

• Move up to 100 pounds regularly with or without reasonable accommodation.

Job Description: Minimum Qualifications:

• Six years work-related experience OR bachelor’s degree with two years of work-related experience.

• Valid driver’s license with motor vehicle record compliant with the university vehicle use policy.

• Valid Wyoming Commercial Pesticide Applicator’s License or ability to obtain within one year.

• Valid Wyoming CDL or ability to obtain within one year.

Desired Qualifications and Knowledge of:

• Agriculture and horticulture practices including, but not limited to tillage, planting, irrigation, pesticide application and harvesting.

• Common techniques, equipment and technology used in both research and production settings across dryland and irrigated cropping systems along with the care and feeding of livestock.

• Safe, conscientious and detailed adjustment and operation of all equipment.

• Technology-based agriculture equipment operation such as GPS guidance, rate control, planter seed rate control, yield mapping and drones.

• Supervision and training techniques and practices.

• Basic computer applications.

• Most work performed outdoors; regular exposure to dirt, noise, adverse weather conditions and mechanical hazards when operating farm tools/ equipment.

For additional information, visit the University of Wyoming HR website, call UW SAREC at 307-837-2000 or e-mail sarec@uwyo.edu. The Univerity of Wyoming is an equal oppotunity/affirmative action institution.

CONVERSE COUNTY WEED AND PEST DISTRICT FULL-TIME JOB OPENINGS:

OFFICE MANAGER: Be able to be the hub of the office, answer and take phone calls, chemical sales, receive money from customers, take weekly or daily inventory, be able to work in Excel and Word, learn weed identification and other tasks as assigned. Must be able to lift 50 lbs. Pay is DOE

ASSISTANT SUPERVISOR: Will need to be able to take a weed science course and be able to obtain, or already have, a pesticide commercial applicator license, you will supervise spray crews along our state and county right-of-ways and in our special project areas, work with landowners on mapping spray areas, perform weed consultations, learn or know how to calibrate sprayers and be able to help landowners calibrate and perform weed-free certifications of fields. Pay is DOE

59 STATE HIGHWAY 59 • PO BOX 728 DOUGLAS, WY 82633 PHONE: 307-358-2775 • ccwp@qwestoffice.net

FIVE RIVERS CATTLE FEEDING, the world’s largest cattle feeding company with feedyards in Colorado, Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma, Idaho and Arizona, invites you to check out our current job openings at www. fiveriverscattle.com/careers

Competitive pay and benefits, paid time off, 401(k) plan and a safety first culture is our mission 4/8

HOT SPRINGS COUNTY WEED & PEST DISTRICT IS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE POSITION OF WEED AND PEST DISTRICT

MOSQUITO COORDINATOR/ RANGE MANAGER: The position is in Thermopolis, WY. Send letter of application, resume and 3 references by April 5 to: Hot Springs County Weed & Pest District, PO Box 543, Thermopolis, WY 82443. For additional information, call 307-864-2278 or e-mail hscwpcd@rtconnect.net. Hot Springs County Weed & Pest is an EOE 4/1

Rough Country Outfitters & Guides

Want a Wyoming adventure with full room & board, excellent seasonal income with gratuities? We seek a self-motivated, young-at-heart couple to serve as camp cook/camp tender in our private ranch lodges and/or backcountry camps. Join us April 15 - May 31 for the spring turkey and/or black bear camps & our fall big game camps Sept. 15 - Nov. 20, 2023 and beyond. Now hiring experienced hunting guides. Send resumes to

Rough Country Outfitters Attn: Deb Schell PO Box 973 • Glenrock, WY 82637 307-436-2304

DRIVER NEEDED FOR LIVESTOCK HAULING: Part-time or full-time. Call 307-921-1544 4/8

BOOKKEEPER/INVOICING

CLERK NEEDED: Computer experience with Quickbooks preferred. Full-time hourly wage and benefits. ALSO, FARM HAND with equipment and haying experience. Pivot system operation a plus. Yearround employment for the right person. Wage is hourly with benefits, DOE. Call Kim, 307350-0350, Farson, WY 4/1

EXPERIENCED COOK FOR SCENIC MOUNTAIN RANCH: Working ranch with cookhouse. Live-in position with private quarters and board included. Car and driver’s license required. Meet interesting people. Call 307-383-2418 or 307-383-2413 3/25

HOT SPRINGS COUNTY WEED & PEST DISTRICT IS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE POSITION OF WEED AND PEST DISTRICT

SUPERVISOR: The position is in Thermopolis, WY. Send letter of application, resume and 3 references by April 5 to: Hot Springs County Weed & Pest District, PO Box 543, Thermopolis, WY 82443. For additional information, call 307-864-2278 or e-mail hscwpcd@rtconnect.net. Hot Springs County Weed & Pest is an EOE 4/1

Auctions

HUGE BIRD AND ANIMAL AUCTION SUN., APRIL 23: Selling horses, ponies, goats, llamas, alpacas and birds of all types. Sale starts 9 a.m. Dawson County Fairgrounds, Lexington, NE. To consign or for more information, call 308-2220335 or 308-457-9313 4/8

REGISTERED WYOMING BRAND: LRC, LSH. Current through Jan. 1, 2031. $2,500 OBO. Contact Gene at 307-331-1049 3/18 REGISTERED WYOMING BRAND: RRC. Current through Jan. 1, 2031. $2,500 OBO. Contact Gene at 307-

REGISTERED WYOMING BRAND: LRC, LTH. Current through Jan. 1, 2031. $2,500 OBO. Contact Gene at 307-331-1049 3/4

WYOMING BRAND FOR SALE: Paid through January 2033, RSC, RSH, $2,000. Call 307-851-4099 3/25

REGISTERED WYOMING BRAND FOR SALE: Paid through January 2032, LRC, LTH. Have a cow iron and a horse iron, $2,700. Call 307-231-1231 3/25

OLD REGISTERED WYOMING BRAND FOR SALE: LRC, LSH, $2,500 OBO. 307-351-2268 3/25

REGISTERED WYOMING BRAND FOR SALE: LHC, LSS, LHH. Dues paid to Jan 1, 2029. Hot irons included. $2,500. Call 307-351-0242 3/18

REGISTERED WYOMING BRAND FOR SALE: LR&HC, LS&TH. Dues paid to Jan 1, 2031. Hot irons included. $3,500. Call 307351-0242 3/18

OLD WYOMING BRAND FOR SALE: RHC, RHH. Dues paid to 2033. No irons. Call 605-662-6066 (home) or 605-890-0225 (cell), leave message 3/18

Dogs

PYRENEES PUPPIES FOR

SALE: Living with sheep. Lambs are bedding with pups. Working parents. Call 307-780-5025 4/8

AKC ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIEL PUPPIES: DOB Feb. 9, ready to go April 1, 2023. Three liver/white males, 2 black/white males. Will have first shots, dewclaws removed and tails docked. $500. Call 406-234-6996 or 307267-5792 3/25

AUSTRALIAN/ENGLISH SHEPHERD CROSS PUPPIES: Born Jan. 2. Vet checked, first shots, dewormed and dewclaws removed. From working parents. Call 719-469-3190. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 4/8

AIREDALE PUPPIES: AKC registered, good with children, good on the farm/ranch, great for predator control, hunting lines, large and healthy. Wormed and first shots. Local breeder. Senior and Veteran discounts. Delivery arrangements available. Call 719-217-8054 4/1

YOUR FAMILY AND PROPERTY PROTECTORS ARE WAITING!!

We have beautiful guardians just wanting and waiting to make you their priority!! Please don’t postpone your next best friend, companion and protector. $1,000. Have been raising these fantastic LGD for 48 years. For more information, call 406-207-7674 3/25

WALKER HOUND PUPS: PKC and UKC registered, 6 months old. Nominated for money hunts. Out of outstanding dogs. ALSO, 10-month-old pointing Labs, AKC registered. Call for more information 801-916-6161 3/18

Dogs

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

SimAngus

SIMANGUS BULLS FOR SALE: 18-month-olds and yearlings. Sired by TJ Cowboy Up, SAV Rainfall, WBF Iron Clad, TJ Stone Cold, TJ Big Easy, TJ Stability, TJ Chief, or sons of Gibbs Pirate and TJ Main Event. James Dilka/Dilka Cattle, 970-396-8791, thedilkas@ aol.com 4/1

Hereford

CRR

MJB RANCH SELLING SALERS AND OPTIMIZER BULLS 1 p.m., March 28 , BLS in Billings, MT. Our customers report enhanced fertility, calving ease, maternal excellence and unmatched rangeability and longevity. MJB Ranch, Jim Doubet, 303-638-2625 3/18

ISO YEAR-ROUND OR SUMMER GRAZING 2023

for 200-600 pairs. Full or self-care. In or around northern WY. Can provide financial and grazing references. Please contact Rick: 402-760-1274

LOOKING TO RENT OR LEASE PASTURE FOR 50-100 cow/calf

SUMMER PASTURE NEEDED for yearling cattle or cow/calf pairs, any amount. Call 307921-1544 4/8

PASTURE WANTED for 2,000 yearlings and 500 pairs. Can split into smaller bunches. 701523-1235 5/6

SUMMER PASTURE NEEDED FOR 2023 AND BEYOND for 100 to 200 cow/calf pairs. Good references. Call 605-347-3403 or 605-499-9088 3/18

BROWN SWISS BRED HEIFERS FOR SALE: Will calve March, April and May. Bred to Brown Swiss bulls. Have had all shots. Poured with Ivomec on regular basis. TB tested and current health papers. Nice, gentle, outside cattle, in good shape and well fed. Delivery options available. For pictures or more information, call Larry W. Carlson, 605-224-6100 (home) or 605280-3879 (cell), if no answer leave message. Pierre, S.D. To view photos, go to www.wylr. net in the classifieds 3/25

Hereford Hereford

LONG-TERM, YEAR-ROUND LEASE OR SUMMER GRAZING LEASE FOR 30 TO 50 PAIRS: Southeast Wyoming, southwest Nebraska Panhandle, north central Weld County Colorado. Excellent references. Willing to discuss a work/trade situation. Calls only please, 303-233-0604 4/1

PASTURE WANTED FOR UP TO 60 PAIRS: Northeast Wyoming or western South Dakota preferred. Please call 307-6604275 3/18

YEARLING ANGUS BULLS:

These bulls are grown, not fattened, will get out and cover cows. Many z work on heifers. We will deliver. Call Joe Buseman, 605351-1535 4/8

BULLS FOR SALE: Had a complete cow dispersal. Need to sale 7 Angus and 2 Hereford bulls. Two- and 3-year-olds (Marcy Cattle, M Diamond Lisco and Ochsner Roth genetics). Semen and trich tested. Call 308-7650300 4/8

RED ANGUS HIGH-ELEVATION

YEARLING BULLS FOR SALE IN NORTHEASTERN UTAH: Out of AI and bull bred sires. Will be trich, semen tested and fed for free until May 1. $2,000/head. Bar Lazy TL Ranch, David, 435-8281320, barlazytlranch@gmail. com 5/27

REGISTERED RED ANGUS

BULLS FOR SALE: Have 2-year-old bulls ready to go now and yearling bulls ready late spring. Delivery available. For more information, call CLR Red Angus, Dan Robertson, 307-431-1013 3/18

Joey Freund 303/475-6062

Pat Kelley 303/840-1848

BEST OF THE BIG HORNS HORSE SALE, APRIL 15, Buffalo Livestock Marketing, 44 TW Rd., Buffalo, WY. Online bidding through www.cattleusa. com, register 3 days prior to sale. Contact Ellen Allemand, 307-751-8969 or Kay Lynn Allen, 406-697-5882. Visit us on Facebook for updates 4/1

MERINO EWES FOR SALE:

Yearling Gelbvieh Bulls Available:

1 Red Bull • 4 Black Bulls (Videos Available in Mid-March)

NINE BAR NINE GELBVIEH 307-351-6453 ninebar9@hotmail.com

WANTED: DRAFT MULES, either a team or single mule, draft size. Needed for summer work, making hay, etc. Powell, WY. Call 307-254-9747 4/8

PLAY!! Great selection of: Quality GLOVES, mohair CINCHES, wool saddle PADS and blankets. Over 300 BITS in stock!! HONDO, BOULET, JUSTIN WORK BOOTS, TWISTED X (boots and shoes) and more!! WE CAN ship!! Shop Moss Saddles, Boots and Tack, 4648 West Yellowstone Highway, Casper, WY; 307472-1872. Our family serving yours for 50 years!! Check us out on Facebook or our website

Leatherwork

LS CUSTOM LEATHER: Belts, tack, cell phone cases and much more!! Contact Lester, 307-631-1053, leave a message. Located in Riverton, WY 4/8

CAMPBELL AND HANSMIRE GENETICS, 350 HEAD: Two to 6 years old, 165-170 lbs. Good body condition. Supplementing on pasture. 19-20 Micron. Wormed and vaccinated 3 times in 2022. Hamp/Suffolk bucks turned in Nov. 22, 2022. Five Akbash dogs. For more information, call 308440-7999 4/1

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

REGISTER TO BID ONLINE minimum of 7 days in advance at www.dvauction.com and contact the barn for approval, 402-443-3512. To consign sheep call Josh Kaster, 402245-7391 or Neal Amsberry, 308-651-0327 3/18

GRASS SEED: Orchard grass, Teff grass and many other varieties available. WE SAVE OUR PRODUCERS THOUSANDS EVERY YEAR WITH OUR HIGH QUALITY GRASS SEED AND ALFALFA VARIETIES. Call for pricing and delivery options 208-740-8532 3/25

SEED FOR SALE: CONVENTIONAL ALFALFA starting at $2.89/LB, DRYLAND BRAND conventional starting at $3.20/ LB. CONVENTIONAL HYBRID CORN starting at $119/BAG. GRASS SEED also available. We ship daily and deliver to Wyoming weekly. ORDER EARLY, PAY EARLY, SAVE BIG!! Call 208-740-8532 3/25

Angus Angus

Seed

Seed

Warner Ranch Seed

Serving Fremont County, Wyoming and the surrounding areas.

HarvXtra® alfalfa with Roundup Ready® technology, Roundup Ready® alfalfa and conventional varieties available!

Plant the best!

Livestock Equipment

Livestock Equipment

24' Free Standing Panels

5’ High 7 Rail

5’6” High 8 Rail

Delivery and Truckload Prices Available Big Horn Livestock Services, Inc. 307-851-1634 • www.bighornlivestock.com

Buffalo Brand Seed for annual forages, cover crops, pasture grasses, small grains and custom mixes.

Call Today!

Bryan Warner • 307-850-7668 (cell)

GRASS SEED FOR SALE:

Manifest wheat grass, Manska wheat grass, Cache Meadow Brome, good germination, $3.90/lb. Call Big Horn Seed Company, 307-202-0704 or 307-645-3322 TFN

Hay & Feed

GRASS HAY FOR SALE: 3x4

bales, 1,200 lbs., $250/ton. ALSO, 200 bales of certified weed free hay. Lyman, WY. Call Kelly, 307-780-7027 3/25

GOOD AVAILABILITY OF ROUND AND SQUARE HAY AND STRAW BALES FOR SALE: Low delivery charge at cost. Volume discounts available. Call/text 1-204-209-1066 anytime for pricing 4/8

BARLEY STRAW: Certified weed-free small squares, $4/ bale. ALSO, round bales. OATS, WHEAT AND BARLEY, $20/100 cwt. Greybull, WY area. Call 307-762-3878 or 307-202-0108, leave message 4/8

VALLEY VIDEO HAY MARKETS, LLC: Hay still available. Go to www.valleyvideohay. com or call Barry McRea, 308-235-5386 4/8

60 TONS OF THIRD CUTTING ALFALFA HAY FOR SALE, 4x4x8 big squares. Call 307-840-4055 4/1

2022 LARGE ROUND

BALES: Net wrapped, 1,5501,650 lbs., tests done, nitrate free, Japanese and German millet, $130/ton. ALSO, large round bales of 2021 net wrapped and 2022 twine tied grass hay. Will deliver. Call 605-224-6100 (home) or 605280-3879 (cell), if no answer leave message 3/25

SHELL CORN FOR SALE: Very good feed value. ALSO, hay and straw for sale. For more information, call 307754-5864 3/18

HAY FOR SALE: 2022 first and second cutting alfalfa, alfalfa/grass, grass mix, straight grass, Haybet barley, straight millet and sorghum. ALSO, 2022 wheat straw and older hay for grinding. All in netwrapped round bales. Semi load delivery available. Call for pricing, 701-690-8116, please send a text if no answer or keep trying 3/18

WE HAVE HAY FOR SALE!! Grass and mix still available. All sizes, all qualities and all quantities. Delivery available!! Call 307-630-3046 3/18

Vehicles & Trailers

2015 FORD F350: SuperCab, single RW, factory cab and chassis, 6.2L, 70,000 one owner miles, KROGMANN

BALE BED, with third hydraulic function, four new mud and snow tires. Very little bale bed use. $36,000. Call 307-3662372 3/18

Equipment

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE: John Deere 2630 tractor with cab, low hours, good condition, with or without 6’ Rhino rear blade and 3 pt. hydraulic wood splitter $8,500 OBO; 2016 Circle D 20’ stock trailer, excellent condition, $13,000 OBO. Located in Story, WY. Call 307-202-1356 3/25

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE: New Holland 359 grinder mixer; White 30’ disk; John Deere 1890 30’ airdrill (disk, 7.5” sp.); Morris 53’ airdrill; Lawson 12x30 double drum land areator; New Holland 1075 balewagon; CIH 8570 3x3 baler; Massey Ferguson 2190 4x4 baler; Freeman pull type 3 string balers; Vermeer R23 rake; CIH 1015 pick-up header; Modern Mill (mix mill) feed mill; Freightliner grain truck; IHC 80 bbl vac truck; Merritt 48’x102” cattle pot; Mobile Tech 9 yd. volumetric concrete mixer; Degelman 570 rock picker. Call 406-2541254 4/1

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE: 95 John Deere combine round back, $6,200; Hesston 3 bale accumulator 4x4 big square, $3,900; 1999 4900 Hesston baler, $24,500; 2275 16’ Hesston pull type swather, $14,500. All machinery has been shedded. Call Ivan Policky, 307629-0974 4/1

FOR SALE: WoodMaxx 72” skid steer snow blower, like new. H&S 7+4 17’ chuckwagon with tandem 14 ton running gear. John Deere 714A and 716A chuckwagons with John Deere running gear and bunk feeding extensions, been shedded, nice condition. J&M 325 gravity box with 12 ton gear.

Meyerink 12’ box scraper. Lorenz 16’x33’ 18 ton stack mover. All in very nice condition!! Call 605-999-5482 3/18

Rupp Hydraulic Calf Tables

Rupp Hydraulic Calf Tables

$5,250

Property for Sale Property for Sale

Black Hills Development Land - Near Rapid City, SD, 782+/- acres, a transition property. Can be purchased in different combinations. Potential exists to access the entitlements of water, natural gas, high speed internet and electricity. Access & road infrastructure is excellent.

$7,895,100

Owl Canyon Ranch - 1,862 contiguous acres near Fort Collins, CO. Historically a working cattle ranch, valleys, rock ridges and formations along with lush native pastures, makes this offering as a transition property suited for prime for development or conservation.

$12,560,000

John Stratman • john@ranchland.com 303-912-8807

www.RanchLand.com

Property for Sale

• Handles Calves up to 300 lbs.

• Handles Calves up to 300 lbs.

• Operates off tractor, bale bed or remote hydraulic unit.

• Operates off tractor, bale bed or remote hydraulic unit.

Call Kevin McClurg, Big Horn Livestock Services 307-751-1828 • bighornlivestock.com

Call Darin Coyle, Big Horn Livestock Services, Inc. 307-851-1634 • www.bighornlivestock.com

ADVERTISE TODAY

Heating Equipment

ELIMINATE ● RISING ● FUEL COSTS: Clean, safe and efficient wood heat. Central Boiler Classic and E-Classic Outdoor Wood Furnace; heats multiple buildings with only 1 furnace, 25-year warranty available. Heat with wood, no splitting! Available in dual fuel ready models. www.CentralBoiler.com WE ALSO HAVE whole house pellet/corn/biomass furnaces. Load once per month with hopper. www. maximheat.com A-1 Heating Systems. Instant rebates may apply! Call today! 307742-4442. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds TFN

Fencing

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

Equipment Decals

OILFIELD PIPE: RPJ Enterprises, Inc. 2 3/8, 2 7/8, 3.5, 5.5, and 3/4” sucker rod is available. Used for fencing, corrals, cattle guards, etc. 2 3/8 and 2 7/8 are on average 31.5’ long per joint. 3.5” and 5.5” are 42+ lengths. Pierce, CO. Call for details 970324-4580 8/26

Irrigation

Irrigation Systems

Irrigation

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Big Horn Truck and Equipment

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VALLEY 6000 PIVOT: Six spans measuring 180 ft., one span 160 ft., 22 ft. overhang with Nelson end gun. ALSO, Nelson drop nozzles. New Valley Icon 5 panel, 11r24.5 tires. $28,000 delivered. Call 307366-2372 3/18

THE ROUNDUP GETS RESULTS!

ALDER CREEK PASTURE, BAKER CITY, BAKER COUNTY, OR: The Alder Creek pasture contains over 2,000 acres of native spring, summer and fall pasture. The rangeland is situated just east of Baker City. The property is in good condition and has good perimeter fencing. The prior owner developed a well for stock water making a reliable source for good stock water. The range is gently sloping, south facing slope for the most part. Variety of native grass makes it desirable for cows/ calves or yearlings. If you are looking for early spring, summer or fall pasture, this is ideal. This the first time being offered at approximately $500 per acre for deeded and contiguous ownership, $1,095,000. Give us a call at 541-523-4434, Intermountain Realty, Inc., Greg Sackos, Principal Broker, James Dunlap, Broker, www.intermountainland.com 3/25

Property for Sale

MONTANA RANCH, ONLY 3 MILES TO VICTOR, MT, US Hwy. 93. Eagle Feather Ranch, 331 Eagle Feather Ln., 59875 in the renowned Bitterroot Valley where "Yellowstone" is being filmed and a small creek runs through it. Elk galore, mountain views. Ditch irrigation rights, spring fed small pond to irrigate the upper pasture, 10+ acres. Three bedrooms, 3 bath classic log home with detached matching log 3 car garage/shop, 4 heat sources. Barn, dry tack room, hay storage building, round pen. Fenced and cross fenced. Lower pasture/hay field sub-irrigated. Older owners since the early 1990s say it’s time for new owners to take over, $1,150,000. Rare find on west side. Wanna be a cowboy, Yee-haw! Martin Kukich, Broker MT/ID, 406-241-9982, martykukich@hotmail.com. Realtors welcome. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 3/25

320 ACRES WITH A MILE AND A HALF OF LIVE SPRING WATER: Alpine setting. Beautiful views. Located in the Dillon, MT area. REDUCED $1,200,000. Call Sidwell Land & Cattle Co., Richard Sidwell, 406861-4426, 406-322-4425 or e-mail sidwell@sidwell-land. com 3/25

Roof Coating

By Paul Dykstra

CAB Insider: Market Update

From a cash price perspective, both cattle and beef markets have continued on a relatively bullish run the past few weeks.

The fed steer price has increased $9.37 per hundredweight (cwt) since the week of Jan. 23, yet the pace of this increase has been doggedly slow. This is potentially a better pace for cattle feeders versus large upward jumps followed by downward corrections.

At $265 per cwt, dressed carcass prices were more attractive than the live steer price at $165 per cwt during the week of March 1. This is due to muddy pen conditions pulling dressing percentages lower than normal.

The $265 per cwt market average is equivalent to a $168 per cwt live market at a 63 percent dressing percentage.

Packers have rated the pace of fed cattle slaughter quite well for a number of weeks now, as 2023 weekly head counts have pulled well under a year ago.

Certified Angus Beef Brand (CAB) noted the pullback in March 4 slaughter schedules, which have shrunk to average just 7,000 head over the past three Saturdays. This compares to a 35,000 head Saturday average for the same weeks last year.

Packer margins relatively unaffected

The one dollar increase in the fed cattle price didn’t hurt packer margins during the first week of March as the comprehensive price was up $7.05 per cwt on the week prior.

The CAB cutout was up $3.80 per cwt, Choice was up $4.98 per cwt, and Select was up $6.55 per cwt. Strength in Select and Choice pulled the quality price spreads a bit tighter.

Narrowing of the Choice-Select price spread has been rapid since the beginning of the year, but the average of $15.13 per cwt for the first week of March remains record-wide for this week of the year.

Similarly, the CAB cutout spread over Choice is historically wide with a $16.28 per cwt value for the

This is a counterpoint to the more generic observation about winter weather impacts described above.

first week of March, which is $3.32 per cwt higher than a year ago.

The Prime cutout premium to Choice is $1.70 per cwt higher than a year ago at $36.24 per cwt, greatly reduced from the October peak of $92.21 per cwt.

Quality holds up under lighter carcass weights

Fed cattle carcass weights have tracked a decidedly lower course this winter with the steer/heifer mix 18 pounds lighter since Jan. 1. Winter weather has left a lasting mark on feedyard performance this season as feed efficiency has slipped away and industry production pounds followed lower.

This reality easily leads to a discussion about the weather impacts on carcass quality grades and CAB carcass certification rates. The logical initial perception might be prolonged cold weather events and muddy, icy feedlot pen conditions would result in decreased marbling deposition.

From several recent years of observation, extended periods of winter weather extremes suggest the industry quality grade mix and associated marbling scores are not harmed during these periods. In fact, Choice and Prime quality grades, along with CAB acceptance rates, are often improved above normal seasonal expectations during significant cold weather events.

This is not especially intuitive when set alongside the more obvious detriment to weight gain and efficiency.

On the other hand, an analysis of carcass weight trends shows heavier carcasses, on average, tend to result in higher marbling scores.

A relatively recent study of nearly half a million head of fed cattle shows the top one-third of carcass quality groups were 14 pounds heavier than the average. Quality grade and CAB acceptance rates improve, on average, at higher pen average carcass weights.

Several feedyard managers have stated recently harvested fed cattle are showing carcass results in-line with expectations. The only difference is the lighter finished weights and disappearance of 30 days of performance, or a similar sentiment anyway.

This is painful on the bottom line, but at least there’s a silver lining on the grid payment sheet.

Quality spreads have been healthy with Prime premiums exceptionally high along with very good values on CAB and Choice carcasses as well.

Recent data drives this point home

The latest data shows the national percent Choice grade at a record-high of 75 percent of the total for the week of Feb. 20. Prime, at 9.6 percent of the mix, is fractionally lower than the same week last year where

10.1 percent was achieved.

The CAB acceptance rate for brand-eligible cattle has been pressing higher, touching 40 percent, equal to the 2021 record for the same week.

While smaller slaugh-

ter levels are testing the customer base and pushing cutout values higher, the proportion of high-quality carcasses in the mix is providing a short-term assist.

We’ll see the seasonal peak in carcass quality dur-

ing March, if the historical trend holds true.

Paul Dykstra is the director of supply management and analysis at CAB. He can be reached at pdykstra@certifiedangusbeef. com.

Spring Herdbuilder Bull Sale April

I’ve had some crappy jobs in my life. I’ve picked citrus with a bracero crew from Mexico, and I’ve waded through pig poop for less than minimum wage.

But, by far the worst job I’ve ever had was shearing sheep. I did it because I could shear on weekends

and evenings when I wasn’t working in the oilfields.

One could say sheep helped pay for my sheepskin – are they even called that anymore?

I always arrived on time and wired my motor to the cattle racks on my grandpa’s old Ford Econoline,

which I was embarrassed to even be seen inside the cab of. And, by the way, I shared the cab with the motor. I’m not exaggerating – THE MOTOR WAS INSIDE OF THE CAB!

Don’t ask me why I would one day pay grandpa $600 for the only truck I’ve ever owned that wasn’t a General Motors product. But, I gotta say, as long as I kept the windows open to avoid asphyxiation, old Herbie was the best pickup I’ve ever owned.

I still have nightmares about one shearing job, which began innocently enough when a gentleman

who ran the ‘zoo’ in the county park on the outskirts of town called and said he needed 10 ewes sheared.

I told him I charged two dollars per head if the owner didn’t watch, and three dollars if the owner did observe. And, I GOT TO KEEP THE WOOL! I was always emphatic on this stipulation.

Upon arrival at the park, I was led to a motley group of livestock the zookeeper insisted were sheep. Trust me, there are 914 breeds of sheep in the world, and none of these were them. For one thing, they were a chocolate color, and the

wool was in really large folds that would be a nightmare to shear.

Their ugly faces were covered with wool as well, which was also a nightmare. The zookeeper said he’d like to watch, but he could not help me catch the wild things because he had a bad back. Of course he did.

Normally, I prefer to shear the way the Aussies do with the sheep sitting on their butt between my legs, but I realized right away I’d have to rely on the Mexican style of tying them up.

While shearing the first few head on the job, I also quickly learned why the sheep were chocolate flavored. It was because their coat of wool was packed with dirt from laying around the pen, which was completely devoid of any type of vegetation.

Normally, I would stop to sharpen my expensive blades every sixth ewe, but I couldn’t even get through one animal before I had to stop to change blades. I found it was impossible to shear them without nicking them a few times, and every time I did the zookeeper would wince and say, “Is this really necessary? Since you cut them so much.”

“I’ll expect no objection to my request you also trim their feet,” he added.

I’ll be the first to admit it looked more like I’d

skinned the sheep, not sheared them. I used up a quart of K-R-S on the wounds, and for the first and only time in my career, I had a sheep die on me.

She was a toothless old witch, and any ovine coroner in the land would excuse me from fault. However, I thought the zookeeper was going to have a coronary on me, which is how I’m sure the ewe died.

The bad news was the ewe waited to die until after I’d sheared her, and I couldn’t possibly charge for shearing a dead sheep, now, could I?

Then, I got the biggest surprise of the day.

Chained to a tree was a 300-pound monster of a ram that I was told was six years old and had NEVER been sheared. When I was done with him, long about sunset, we had a slight disagreement about who got the wool – I CERTAINLY DIDN’T WANT IT!

Adding insult to injury, the zookeeper told me I’d have to invoice the county in order to get paid, which I did immediately. I got paid three months later.

We in the cattle industry say, “There is nothing dumber than a sheep, except the man who owns one.”

After this experience I’d have to say, “There is nothing dumber than a sheep, except the man who shears them.”

Shear Agony by Lee Pitts