Volume 32 Number 1 • May 2, 2020
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The Weekly News Source for Wyoming’s Ranchers, Farmers and AgriBusiness Community • www.wylr.net
A Look Inside Rural americans can claim support through SBA programs...........................Page 2 Dick Perue discussed the art of catching mavericks on the Wyoming range............Page 6 College rodeo may be done early, but UW rodeo is seeing the silver lining............Page 10 Cow punchers and the IRS don’t always mix according to Lee Pitts......................Page 12
Quick Bits NRCS Grant Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) announced a $15 million investment through the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIGs) program to help support the adoption of innovative conservation approaches on agricultural land and forest land. CIGs inspire creative problem-solving solutions that boost production on farms, ranches and private forests and improve natural resources.
Mineral programs can add value For many cattle producers, the chaos of calving season is winding down. Now, they are busy branding their calves and gearing up to turn their cattle out to pasture. During this time, Kansas State University Beef Systems Spe-
cialist Dr. Justin Waggoner says it is imperative producers think about the value of adding a mineral program for cattle that will be turned out to green grass all summer. “Once our cattle go to green grass, life is usually
pretty easy for cattlemen,” Waggoner states. “But it is still important for producers to understand mineral deficiencies and what they can do in terms of a nutritional program to improve their cattle’s productivity and performance.”
EXECUTIVE ORDER
As livestock producers across the country are forced to euthanize animals with no outlet for sale and lowincome families wait in record-long lines at struggling food banks, the Trump administration has deemed meatpacking plants essential and is moving to open up any closed plants. In an announcement on April 28, President Trump announced an executive order (EO) to keep meatpacking plants open, citing the critical nature of these facilities. “We are working with Tyson, signing an EO and
Product tag When it comes to implementing a strong mineral program, Waggoner suggests the first thing producers do is take a look at the product tag to understand what they are
Please see MINERAL on page 12
Trump orders meat plants to stay open
will solve any liability problems so we will be in good shape.” Trump said in an interview with reporters. “We always work with farmers, there is plenty of supply but the issue is distribution. This is a very unique situation due to the liability these large packing plants carry.” This action is followed by some of the nation’s largest meat plants shutting down due to COVID-19 concerns. This EO is being met with extreme pushback from labor unions, who argue the safety of workers supersedes the Please see OPEN on page 4
Directive
Gov. Mark Gordon has extended through May 8 his directive requiring any individual coming to Wyoming from another state or country for a nonwork-related purpose to immediately self-quarantine for 14 days. The governor anticipates allowing the directive to expire at that time, public health conditions permitting. Gordon’s decision to let the directive expire May 8 was done after speaking with county commissioners throughout the state.
COVID-19 Coronavirus cases in the U.S. as of April 28 totaled 1,067,289, up 27,905 cases according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. The death toll rose by 2,644 lives to 60,999 deaths.
Corn Prices President Trump’s Executive Order to keep meat processing plants open helped increase demand prospects for livestock feed in overnight trade. Concern over the executive order’s feasibility offset gains in the energy complex and sent the corn futures market wobbling. Long-term concerns of the meat production chain weighed on corn futures as well.
Beef processing – Workers at a plant in Texas sort and separate beef parts. USDA photo by Alice Welch
Weed control Herbicide resistance is a growing issue in waterhemp and Palmer amaranth “Farmers need to buckle down to reduce the growing problem of herbicide-resistant strains of weeds, especially waterhemp and Palmer amaranth,” says University of Illinois Weed Scientist Dr. Patrick Tranal. In fact, he notes these two weeds are developing stronger defenses against herbicides all across the U.S. and there are very few post-emergence options to treat them. Multiple resistance “Herbicide resistance in these two weeds, among others, has been a factor for several years,” Tranal says. “But, the emergence of resistance to multiple modes of action is growing.” Tranal notes research in the Midwest has reported the existence of Palmer amaranth populations exhibiting four-way resistance. “Waterhemp is even further along,” Tranal states. He continues, “We’re seeing multiple resistance and it’s hard to keep track. We have three-way, fourway and five-way resistant populations. I believe there is even a six-way Please see CONTROL on page 5
Nominations open Each year, the Wyoming Livestock Roundup recognizes two Wyoming citizens or couples for their involvement in the state’s agriculture industry by inducting them into the Wyoming Agriculture Hall of Fame. Started in 1992, the Hall of Fame has honored over 50 Wyomingites to date. “The Wyoming Ag Hall of Fame award was first started in 1992 to recognize leadership in the ag community,” says Wyoming Livestock Roundup Publisher Dennis Sun. “The need is there to recognize people who have been leaders, given themselves, their time and countless resources to help the ag community in the state. It is a memorable and deserving award for those selected.” The 2019 inductees were Dick Hiser and Jim Wilson. Nomination forms are available at wylr.net or by contacting the Wyoming Livestock Roundup at 307-234-2700 or roundup@wylr.net. After nominations are submitted, a panel of three independent judges will be selected to review applications and select the winners. Hall of Fame inductees will be honored at the Wyoming Ag Hall of Fame picnic, scheduled to be held on Aug. 12 during the Wyoming State Fair. At the picnic, nominees will receive a commemorative poster and belt buckle. Nominations are due by June 10. Forms can be mailed to Wyoming Livestock Roundup, PO Box 850, Casper, WY 82602 or e-mailed to roundup@wylr.net. Feel free to include any supplemental information with the nomination form, including letters of support. Call 307-2342700 with any questions.
Namibian beef hits U.S. After decades of negotiations, Namibian beef was officially approved to be imported into the United States in February 2020. In late April, the first shipments arrived at a port in Philadelphia. This will be the first time in history the United States has imported beef from an African nation. Logistics According to the Namibian, a news outlet for the African nation, the country has previously initiated negotiations the U.S. in 2002 and 2005 with the intention of sending boneless, raw beef products such as Prime cuts, chuck, blade and beef trimmings.
Namibian meat processor Meatco will be providing the products, which will be labeled as grass-fed and hormone-and-antibiotic-free. The company has been audited by the USDA and deemed equivalent to U.S. establishments. The country also underwent audits conducted by the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. Boston-based Verde Farms will be the importer for these products. The company prides itself on supporting farmers globally and “allowing cattle to feed on pasture the way nature
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Please see BEEF on page 11