Roundup for 5.20.23

Judge scrutinizes corner-crossing claims at Casper hearing

On May 10, Chief U.S. District Judge Scott Skavdahl said he “has plenty of things to chew on” as he mulls over a corner-crossing suit alleging four hunters – Zach Smith, Bradly Cape, Phillip Yeomans and

Quick Bits

HOF Deadline

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 (HOF). Nominations are currently open, and the deadline has been extended to June 10. To submit nominations, visit wylr.net and click on the Ag Hall of Fame tab, e-mail roundup@wylr.net or call the office at 307-234-2700.

BIF Event

The 2023 Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) Symposium is set to be held July 3-6 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada with a primary focus on precision breeding. At no additional cost, participants can attend the Pre-BIF Angus Tour hosted by the Canadian Angus Association and visit Belvin Angus, Heinz Family Farm and Cudlobe Angus. For more information and to register, visit beefimprovement.org/symposium

Swine Facility

Kingsbury County, S.D. will soon be home to the firstever, all-steel swine barn, which is currently under construction and set for completion this summer. The 55-acre sow complex will include a 187,500-squarefoot farrowing barn and a 225,000-square-foot gestation barn and will house up to 12,000 head once completed. Reduced flammability and increased biosecurity are just a few of the benefits of an allsteel facility.

USDA Positions

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is currently seeking nominations for four positions on the Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production. Nominations opened to the public May 15 and will run to July 15. The 12-member committee, which first convened in March 2022, is part of USDA’s efforts to increase support for urban agriculture and innovative production.

John Slowensky – trespassed by passing through the air above a private ranch.

In response to an hour and 20 minutes of arguments at a motions hearing in Casper, Skavdahl said

he must decide what rights belong to a landowner as he himself attempts to settle the legal claims.

The hearing marked the first instance conflicting arguments in the civil corner crossing case have been

put under rigorous, public and legal scrutiny. Skavdahl questioned whether there is a “genuine issue of material fact” that should be settled by a trial.

Attorneys for Elk

Public Land Use Debate Continues

High-quality beef

2022 NBQA provides up-to-date benchmarks for achieving quality beef production

On May 16, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association hosted a virtual media event to discuss the results of the 2022 National Beef Quality Audit (NBQA).

During the event, a panel of researchers including Texas A&M University’s Dr. Jeffrey Savell, Oklahoma State University’s Dr. Morgan Pfeiffer and Colorado State University’s Dr. Keith Belk sat down to provide insight on how the beef industry has improved since the last audit and how it plans to continue improvement moving forward.

History of the NBQA

Biden administration proposes plan to open public land leases to conservationists

President Joe Biden and his administration recently proposed a plan to let conservation groups buy 10-year leases on government property in order to restore degraded land and make conservation an “equal priority.”

According to a May 15 Associated Press article written by Matthew Brown, this proposal would allow conservationists and/or other individuals to lease and restore federally-owned land, similar to

UW educators honored

Outstanding faculty and staff in the University of Wyoming (UW) College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources (CALSNR) were recognized at the college’s annual awards banquet in Laramie on May 4.

Award recipients include members of the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, Department of Veterinary Sciences, UW Extension and the Laramie Research and Extension Center (LREC).

Educators recognized for excellence in teaching

Two faculty members in the UW CALSNR – Berit Bangoura, assistant professor of veterinary sciences and Karen Vaughan, associate professor of ecosystem science and management – received 2022 Outstanding Educator awards.

“Bangoura has excelled as an instructor because she is very knowledgeable in the field of parasitology, has invested in building her didactic skills and engages with students in a way which demonstrates her passion for education,” comments Jonathan Fox, head of the Department of Veterinary Sciences.

“Karen is a wonderful and effective teacher,” says Tim Collier, head of the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management. “She’s dedicated, passionate and inspires keen interest in soils in her students.”

Three members of UW Extension were also recognized as outstanding educators.

the way oil companies buy leases to drill and ranchers buy leases to graze.

Brown notes companies, such as oil drillers for example, would also be able to buy conservation leases to offset damage to public land by restoring acreage elsewhere.

Prioritizing conservation

Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Director

Please see LAND on page 5

To begin, the panel explained the history of the NBQA, which started in 1991 and has been conducted every five years since.

“The reason for starting the NBQA back then was because people were beginning to see the impacts of using preventative quality management practices and how it reduced costs to consumers while also improving quality and demand,” Belk noted.

USDA offers livestock disaster aid

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) has provided additional flexibilities and further enhanced disaster recovery assistance provided by the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP); Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) and Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) in response to needs expressed by livestock producers in the Western U.S.

Many of these producers have experienced significant feed, forage, animal and infrastructure loss from preexisting, longterm drought conditions further compounded by unprecedented snowfall and

winter storms.

These livestock disaster program policy enhancements include an extended June 2 deadline to submit notices of loss and applications for payment for 2022 losses.

The deadline extension and program flexibilities are available to eligible producers nationwide who incurred losses from a qualifying natural disaster event.

“Impacted producers are encouraged to contact their FSA county offices to take advantage of ELAP enhancements. Expenses eligible for assistance can include above normal feed purchases,

Goshen County 4-H Educator Megan Brittingham excels at mentoring and supporting both 4-H youth

WYLR photo

WYLR Publisher Dennis Sun highlights the issue of wild horse management Page 2 States’ rights violations discussed in the guest opinion Page 2 Postcard form the Past takes a look back on the history of raising sheep Page 6

The issue of wild horses just goes on and on. Literally from the day the Wild and Free Roaming Horse and Burro Act of 1971 was passed placing management under the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), finger pointing, discussions and lawsuits have been the normal.

At the time, BLM didn’t want to be managers of horses and burros – they are a land management agency – but Congress didn’t know who else to hand the problem over to.

So, the BLM established herd management areas (HMA) and began allowing a specified amount of horses in each HMA.

Once they reached this number objective, the horses were rounded up and placed in feedlots or holding pens. However, this got so expensive, the BLM started leasing deeded land to place horses on.

Wild horse numbers need controlled because they have a comparatively large impact on the range.

Over the years, across all of the HMAs, horse numbers have exploded, and the BLM doesn’t know what to do with them. This has resulted in numerous lawsuits, both from landowners and wild horse advocates.

In recent years, the BLM has realized the habitat damage to federal, state and private lands caused by wild horses and has held aggressive horse roundups, placing them on Southern Plains ranches.

Although this has been working well, it comes at a huge cost to taxpayers. Since 2013, the BLM has spent over $550 million supporting these captive animals. Currently, there are over 23,500 wild horses on private lands in Oklahoma.

The University of Wyoming and Oklahoma State University completed a publication on wild horses and their management in the West. The study said, even with aggressive roundups, there are still approximately 50,000 horses above the maximum appropriate management level.

The publication said the 1971 act essentially calls for wild horses to freely roam like wild animals, but they are treated differently from wild animals because the act prohibits hunting.

At the same time, the BLM’s practice of gathering and removing wild horses from the range “more closely resembles livestock operations than wildlife management, whereas adoption programs, sales restrictions and the abolition of slaughter have resulted in feral equids effectively serving as society’s pets.”

Choosing one of the labels – wild animals, livestock or pets – offers the best hope for the federal government to succeed in wild horse management, the scientists wrote.

“As a wild species lacking sufficient predation to keep most populations in check, a hunting or culling program, like those for other wild ungulates, could slow the population growth,” the paper says. “As livestock, gathers and removals leading to sale or slaughter would limit growth and give the animals the monetary value they currently lack.”

It continues, “As pets, simultaneously conducting largescale removals and administering fertility control, including permanent sterilization – and potentially euthanasia – could reduce population sizes and slow growth.”

The researchers’ conclude, “The current state of feral horse and burro management in the U.S. is unsustainable and will continue to be a painful resource sink without fundamental changes to the law. We recommend the U.S. federal government should officially declare the status of feral equids as either wild animals, livestock or pets and should provide the BLM and the Forest Service the legal latitude and funding to develop and implement respective management options.”

Wyoming Livestock Roundup

Reporting the News by the Code of the West

Casper, WY

Fax: 307-472-1781 • E-mail: roundup@wylr.net

Phone: 307-234-2700

800-967-1647 • www.wylr.net

HANNAH BUGAS, Managing Editor • hannah@wylr.net

CANDICE PEDERSON, Production Coordinator • candice@wylr.net

JODY MICHELENA, Advertising Director • jodym@wylr.net

DENISE OLSON, Classified Sales Manager • 307-685-8213

• denise@wylr.net

ANDREA ZINK, General Manager • andrea@wylr.net

CURT COX, Director of Livestock Field Services • 307-630-4604

• curt@wylr.net

CALLI WILLIAMS, Livestock Field Services Rep. • 605-695-1990 • calli@wylr.net

When Does Your State's Rights Violate My State's Rights?

“A house divided cannot stand.”

The Founding Fathers were wise. They understood there were circumstances where states could inflict economic warfare on each other.

The Founding Fathers also understood this nation could not survive economic warfare among the states. They were also worried about large and wealthy states abusing smaller states and imposing their agenda on nonresidents.

It was because of these concerns the Founding

By Conner Nicklas, Budd-Falen Law Offices

Fathers created the Dormant Commerce Clause.

The Dormant Commerce Clause essentially prohibits states from making laws which would economically discriminate against citizens of one state in order to benefit citizens of another. It has also been used to protect industries of one state from being abused by another state.

The nation was an agricultural country at its founding, and it was important to the founders that commerce could be freely traded

between states.

Unfortunately, the Supreme Court appeared to have forgotten these principles, recently giving California the right to control agricultural practices for the rest of the country.

In a five to four decision, the Supreme Court upheld Proposition 12, which was a law made in California prohibiting pork from being sold in the state that is not being raised following very strict and economically unrealistic standards.

California’s requirements would cost pork producers nationally hundreds of millions, if not billions, of dollars to conform to, which will in turn increase the cost of pork for everyone, whether they live in California or not.

The case ultimately turned in California’s favor because the court ruled California has a right to regulate industries within its jurisdiction, and it is Congress’ role to regulate commerce and prevent abusive state laws.

Coalition files lawsuit

On May 10, a coalition of wild horse advocates, environmentalists and academics filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Wyoming against the U.S. Department of the Interior over a federal plan to reduce the wild horse population by 60 percent – the largest-ever eradication of federally protected wild horses – and eliminate 43 percent of designated wild horse habitat on checkerboard private and public land in the Red Desert area.

The American Wild Horse Campaign (AWHC), Animal Welfare Institute (AWI), Western Watersheds Project, Author and Casper College Instructor Dr. Chad Hanson and Wildlife Photographers Kimerlee Curyl and Carol Walker allege the Bureau of Land Management’s plan violates federal law.

The lawsuit is the culmination of a decade-long battle to defend wild horses against demands by the Rock Springs Grazing Association to remove mustangs from more than two million acres of land in the southwestern part of the state.

Conservationists proposed several alternatives to “improve ecological conditions,” including reducing livestock numbers, reintroducing wild bison and resolving checkerboard public land patterns through land swaps or, if necessary, eminent domain.

Feeding operation developed

On April 24, Dakota Valley Growers (DVG) of Bathgate, N.D. signed a letter of intent to develop a 15,000-head premium sustainable beef cattle feeding operation in partnership with Bion Environmental Technologies, Inc.’s (Bion) patented Gen3Tech system.

Put simply, Gen3Tech takes manure and upcycles it into a “a low carbon, ‘climate smart’ pure nitrogen fertilizer product which can be precision applied when and where needed,” according to a Bion press release.

Alongside other fertilizer products, this system also recovers and distills clean water from the waste to be used for the cattle or irrigation.

Once the state-of-the-art facility is constructed, DVG and Bion will stage cattle outside sparingly before moving them indoors for finishing. Capacity will then increase to 15,000 head.

Today, producers in North Dakota typically ship around 900,000 calves to be finished in other states, retaining only 40,000 in the state. DVG’s expansion will keep another five percent of calves in the state.

The operation also expects to use nearly two million bushels of local corn each year and forecasts the production of roughly 4,000 tons of fertilizer annually – enough to fertilize over 11,000 acres of North Dakota corn.

For more information, visit bionenviro.com and/or dakotavalleygrowers.com/

NCBA, PLC internships open

On May 16, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the Public Lands Council (PLC) announced applications are now open for spring 2024 public policy internships in Washington, D.C.

These internships provide students with the opportunity to work jointly with NCBA and PLC to advance policies important to the beef and sheep industries.

Key responsibilities for public policy interns include participating in lobbying efforts, communicating with NCBA and PLC members, reviewing Federal Registry notices, participating in meetings with federal agencies, collaborating with congressional and agency staff and other duties as assigned.

Applicants must be a junior or senior undergraduate student or a graduate student. A background in agriculture or the beef industry is preferred. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and be available for the duration of the internship – January 2024 to May 2024. Successful applicants will also have excellent research, writing and communications skills.

Interested students can apply at ncba.org. Applications are due by Aug. 28.

Biden invests in clean energy

On May 16, The Biden-Harris administration announced the availability of nearly $11 billion in grants and loan opportunities to help rural energy and utility providers bring affordable, reliable clean energy to their communities across the country.

Funding is available through two programs under President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act.

Specifically, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will be opening a letter of interest process for the Empowering Rural America (New ERA) program, which makes $9.7 billion available to eligible rural electric cooperatives to deploy renewable energy systems, zero-emission and carbon capture systems.

In addition to New ERA, USDA will also be opening a letter of interest process for the Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) program, which makes $1 billion available in partially forgivable loans to renewable-energy developers and electric service providers, including municipals, cooperatives and investor-owned and Tribal utilities to help finance largescale solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, hydropower projects and energy storage in support of renewable energy systems.

For more information on the New ERA and PACE programs, visit rd.usda.gov/programs-services/electric-programs/ empowering-rural-america-new-era-program and rd.usda. gov/programs-services/electric-programs/powering-affordable-clean-energy-pace-program, respectively.

NILE applications open

Applications are now open for the Northern International Livestock Exposition (NILE) Merit Heifer Program Class of 2024. This program was developed to help youth get a start in the cattle business, and selected recipients will be awarded a heifer based on merit, future foals and ability to care for the animal.

Applicants must be 12 to 16 years of age as of June 30 and be a 4-H or FFA and NILE youth member .

Interested individuals must submit an application, including an essay, three reference letters, a $25 junior membership fee and a link to a three-to-five-minute YouTube video by June 30.

Project participants will be selected by October, where they will be recognized at the NILE Stock Show. For more information or to apply, visit thenile.org/events/livestock/ nile-merit-heifer-program/ or contact Program Coordinator Shelby Shaw at 406-256-2499.

and colleagues, says Kelly Crane, director of UW Extension.

“Megan has proven to be especially adept at expanding the breadth of 4-H programming in Goshen County, especially in the integration of science, technology, engineering and mathematics topics in schools. She also provides really outstanding support for her colleagues at a state, regional and even national scale,” he says.

Barton Stam, an Extension educator based in Hot Springs County, was also recognized. According to Crane, Stam is approachable, objective and considerate of other peoples’ viewpoints.

“These character traits position him well to address complex, conflict-laden natural resource issues. He is one of our most effec-

tive and engaged Extension educators,” he says.

UW Extension Entomologist Scott Schell also provides exemplary service to stakeholders across the state.

“Scott is among our best Extension specialists in terms of his responsiveness to the public and his colleagues and in terms of his teaching capacity and ability to connect with Extension audiences,” Crane notes. “He’s truly a servant of the state.”

Means receives lifetime teaching honor

The Andrew Vanvig Lifetime Distinguished Faculty Achievement Award honors a senior faculty member’s accomplishments in the areas of teaching, research, scholarship or creative activities, outreach and service.

This year’s recipient is

Warrie Means, associate dean of academic and student programs in the CALSNR.

Originally from Montana, Means joined UW’s animal science faculty in 1992. For most of his career, he has taught classes in meat science, food science and animal science as well as contributing to research and Extension programming.

Means notes teaching was what brought him to UW and what kept him at UW.

He considers Extension programming a key part of his career as well, noting his Extension appointment has always kept him grounded in the practical aspects of meat science and livestock production.

For the past five years, Means has served as an associate dean.

CALSNR staff go above and beyond Accountant Tanya

Wheeler is one of two staff members to receive the UW CALSNR’s 2022 Outstanding Staff Award.

“Tanya has been incredibly helpful to me since I started as department head,” says Collier. “She is always helpful and cheerful. I’m happy to see her recognized.”

Elias Hutchinson, assistant farm manager at LREC, is also very deserving of the award, notes LREC Director Scott Lake.

“Elias juggles between 4-H, rodeo, classes and public events at the Hansen Arena. He is a great asset to LREC, and we are truly fortunate to have him,” Lake says.

Hutchinson is also the handler for Pistol and Pete, UW’s Haflinger draft horse team.

Brooke Ortel is a writer and editor for UW Extension. This article was originally published in UW Ag News on May 16.

James G. Wilson

March 23, 1932 – May 5, 2023

and Supply.

Thanks to the wonderful staff at Davis Hospice in Cheyenne, James G. Wilson, age 91, was able to peacefully pass from this world, surrounded by his children and their spouses, to his heavenly home his Lord and Savior Jesus has prepared for him.

Prior to his passing he stated how much he was looking forward to his reunion with Donna, his wife of 65 years, and walking through the gardens of Heaven with her. He hoped to make it one more summer on the tractor, helping his son with the haying.

Even though he didn’t make it through to the summer, the weather was nice enough in April that he was able to spend several days on the tractor harrowing the hayfields and pastures – they have never looked more beautiful.

Jim was born on March 23, 1932 in Wheatland, the son of Gordon C. and Margaret (Mitchell) Wilson.

Jim resided in Glendo his whole life. In his younger years, he was a deck hand on oil rigs, competed in local rodeos in bareback and bull riding events and was on the University of Wyoming (UW) Rodeo Team.

Jim and Donna met while attending UW.

In years to follow, Jim and Donna built and operated the Lakeview Motel and Campground in Glendo, and then Jim opened and operated the Glendo Stockmen’s Feed

However, his true calling was teaching vocational ag and FFA at the Glendo High School from 1964 to 1982. He did this while still managing the ranch. Many of his students have stated what an impact he had on their lives and the paths they chose to take in life.

In 1981, he was one of 15 nominees for the Wyoming Teacher of the Year. In 2020, he was inducted into the Cowboy Hall of Fame for Platte County.

He was very community minded, and his involvement with various boards and committees in his church, county and state over his many years are impressive and too numerous to list.

He will be missed. He was an extraordinary man. There were few men quite like him, setting a standard for all to live by.

As one of his many friends said, “Jim was one of the ‘good guys.’”

He was loved and respected by so many, especially by his family.

He is survived by his children Shelley (Mark) Cain, Kerry (Doug) Quinn and Britt (Elizabeth) Wilson; four grandchildren and three greatgrandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife Donna Jean (Hofferber) Wilson on Dec. 12, 2020; his daughter-in-law Marge Wilson on April 8, 2011; parents Gordon Wilson on April 7, 1977 and Margaret Wilson on March 29, 2008 and his sister Ruth Goodrich on July 13, 2018.

Jim’s funeral service will be held June 10 at 10 a.m. at the Glendo High School Gymnasium. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Marge Cares Foundation, PO Box 155, Glendo, WY 82213.

RIGHTS continued from page 2

While a state certainly has a right to regulate the industries within its borders, the problem is the effect of California’s law extends well beyond its borders. California hardly produces any pork, but the state holds a 13 percent share of the consumer pork market, making it “economically infeasi-

ble for many pig farmers and pork producers to exit the California market.”

So, if a pig farmer in Iowa wants to continue existing, they will have to either completely change their practices or lose a large share of the market.

According to the court, so long as a law does not spe-

USDA continued from page 1

above normal freight and even snow removal in some cases,” said Bill Bunce, Wyoming state executive director for FSA.

“This administration continues to demonstrate our understanding of and commitment to livestock production. Last year, we changed a policy in LIP to better reflect the investment producers have in newborn livestock. This year, cognizant of the fact many of our producers are managing open range operations, unprecedented amounts of snow and in some cases, just now realizing all their losses, we are extending the deadline to apply for these critical programs to allow producers the time they need to manage their recovery,” he continued.

LIP and ELAP reimburses producers for a portion of the value of livestock, poultry and other animals that died because of a qualifying natural disaster event or for loss of grazing acres, feed and forage.

LFP provides benefits for grazing losses due to a qualifying drought or wildfire. For fire, losses must occur on federally-managed

lands. ELAP provides benefits for grazing losses not covered under LFP.

New program applications for 2022 FSA is accepting 2022 LIP notices of loss and applications for payment through June 2 for all covered livestock that may have been eligible in 2022.

Producers who did not sign up for ELAP assistance for hauling livestock, forage and feedstuff hauling or other losses covered under ELAP in 2022 can also apply through June 2, and FSA will accept LFP applications for only newly eligible covered livestock through this same deadline.

All required supporting documentation must be received and on file in the county office by this date. Revising 2022 applications and filing for ELAP

Producers who have a 2022 ELAP, LIP or LFP application on file with FSA as of the program deadline or were placed on an approved register, may revise their application with the newly updated eligible livestock no later than June 2.

To support program access for counties which

LAND continued from page 1

Tracy Stone-Manning tells the Associated Press the plan comes as a response to rising pressure over climate change and development, and while BLM has issued limited conservation leases for specific cases in the past, they have never had a program dedicated to it.

She further notes the rule would make conservation an equal priority alongside grazing and drilling, and conservation leases would not usurp existing ones.

“If grazing is now permitted on a parcel, it could continue,” she says. “And, people could still hunt on leased property or still use it for recreation.”

“It makes conservation an equal among the multiple uses we manage for,” she continues. “There are rules around how we do solar development. There are rules around how we do oil and gas. There have not been rules around how we deliver on the portions of federal law that say, ‘Manage for fish and wildlife habitat. Manage for clean water.’”

cifically discriminate against a Californian compared to a Kansan, then the law does not violate the Constitution.

Ultimately, California’s law undermines our state boundaries and the sovereignty of those states by forcing individuals and businesses in one state to conduct their farming, manufacturing and production practices in a manner required by the laws of California.

do not currently have a 365day grazing season, FSA is waiving the 30-day timeframe for producers to submit a notice of loss for the 2023 ELAP program year, due to qualifying drought in calendar years 2022 or 2023.

Producers can now submit a notice of loss from the date the loss is apparent, as far back as Jan. 1 for 2022 eligible losses and 2023 eligible losses occurring before June 2.

For counties which have a 365-day grazing season, producers must have a qualifying drought in the 2023 calendar year to be eligible for 2023 livestock, water and feed hauling in 2023.

Additional information

Livestock producers must provide evidence livestock death was due to an eligible adverse weather event or loss condition.

In addition, livestock producers should bring supporting evidence, including documentation of the number and kind of livestock that died, photographs or video records to document the loss, purchase records, veterinarian records, production records and other similar documents.

Owners who sold injured livestock for a reduced price because the

So, the court’s ruling begs an avalanche of questions – do we really want to open this Pandora’s Box? When does your state’s rights violate my state’s right? Should a state be allowed to create laws imposing its moral values on its neighboring states? Should a state be allowed to deny market access to outof-state industries for controversial policies? Should

livestock were injured due to an adverse weather event must provide verifiable evi-

New York be able to create a state law banning the sale of goods produced by workers paid less than $20 per hour? Should Texas be allowed to prohibit the sale of goods produced by companies paying for employees’ birth control or abortions? If the answer is that a state’s right to create its own laws trumps the right of an out-of-state worker to lawfully make a living in their

dence of the reduced sale of the livestock. This article was pro-

own state, then perhaps we should do away with state borders because they will mean very little if we continue to go down this path.

Conner Nicklas is an attorney at Budd-Falen Law Offices, licensed in Wyoming, Colorado and Montana, who specializes in representing local governments and landowners regarding natural resource and property right issues.

vided by Wyoming State FSA and originally published on May 10.

According to Brown, the rule would also establish more areas of “critical environmental concern” based on their historic or cultural significance and/ or importance for wildlife conservation.

Stirring debate

Biden’s proposal has stirred debate, especially across the West, as how best to use public lands.

Several opponents, including Republican lawmakers and individuals involved in the agriculture industry, have expressed their belief Biden’s plan is a sneaky way to shut out agriculture, mining and energy development on public lands.

U.S. Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) believes the proposed rule is illegal and voiced concerns during an Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing that Interior Secretary Deb Haaland is “giving radicals a new tool to shut out the public.”

“The secretary wants to make non-use a use,” says Barrasso. “She is turning federal law on its head.”

Following a statement made from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association which says the plan would upend land management in the West, U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez (D-NV) urged the administration to work with ranchers and farmers before finalizing the proposal.

On the other hand, environmentalist groups have embraced the proposal, noting it is long overdue.

Joel Webster of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership says he believes the administration’s plan would ensure the landscape is considered for conservation without enforcing strict restrictions.

Public comment on the proposed rule is encouraged and can be voiced during public meetings scheduled May 25 in Denver, May 30 in Reno, Nev. and June 1 in Albuquerque, N.M. as well as during a virtual event on June 5.

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

SALES

May 27 Full House Horse Sale, Newcastle, 307-746-5690, 307-684-0789, fullhousehorsesale.com

June 7-8

May 22 South End Water Users Improvement and Service District Public Meeting, 7 p.m., South End Water Users Improvement and Service District Office, Cowley. For more information, visit deq.wyoming.gov

May 24 NRCS Community Advisory Meeting, 10 a.m., Converse County Library, Douglas. For more information call Kaitlin Hasler at 307-624-3146, Kenny Wolfley at 307-462-5598 or Clint Anderson at 307-334-2953.

May 24-26 U.S. Meat Export Federation’s 2023 Spring Conference, Minneapolis. For more information and to register, visit usmef.org

May 25 Casper Alcova Irrigation District Board Meeting, 2-5 p.m., Mills. For more information, call 307-234-8690.

May 25 Wyoming State Fair Volunteer Days, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Douglas. For more information, visit wystatefair.com

May 26 Bureau of Land Management Wheatland Off-Range Corral Wild Horse and Burro Adoption, 8 a.m., Wheatland. For more information, visit wildhorsesonline.blm.gov/

May 28 19th Annual Cowboy Carnival Fundraiser, Hyattville. For more information, visit hyattville.org/cowboy-carnival.html

May 28 Back When They Bucked Days of 76 Complex, Deadwood, S.D. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit backwhentheybucked.org

May 31 Pinedale Anticline Project Office Board of Director Public Meeting, 1:303:30 p.m., Lovatt Room, Sublette County Library, Pinedale. For more information, contact Tracy Hoover at thoover@blm.gov or 307-367-5342. To join the meeting, call 888-657-2934 and use the passcode 5294405.

June 2-3 Overland Stage Stampede Rodeo, Green River. For tickets, visit overlandstage.smashpass.com or for more information, call 307-872-0514.

June 4-7 Wyoming Department of Environmental/Abandoned Mine Land Division Seeding Specialist Certification and Training, Boise, Idaho. For more information to register, visit asra.us/2023-conference/

Superior Livestock Auction Corn Belt Classic, The Marriott South Sioux Riverfront, South Sioux City, Neb., 800-422-2117, superiorlivestock.com

June 22-23 Northern Livestock Video Auction Early Summer Special, 866-616-5035, northernlivestockvideo.com

July 6 Cattle Country Video High Plains Showcase Sale, Goshen County Rendezvous Center, Torrington, 888-322-8853, cattlecountryvideo.com

July 10-12 Western Video Market, Silver Legacy, Reno, Nev., 530-347-3793, wvmcattle.com

July 10-14 Superior Livestock Auction Week in the Rockies, Steamboat Springs, Colo., 800-422-2117, superiorlivestock.com

July 24-26

Northern Livestock Video Auction Summertime Classic, 866-616-5035, northernlivestockvideo.com

July 31-Aug. 4 Superior Livestock Auction Video Royale, Winnemucca, Nev., 800-4222117, superiorlivestock.com

Aug. 8-9 Cattle Country Video Oregon Trail Classic Sale, Gering Civic Center, Gering, Neb., 888-322-8853, cattlecountryvideo.com

Aug. 14-15 Western Video Market, Little America, Cheyenne, 530-347-3793, wvmcattle.com

Aug. 21-22 Northern Livestock Video Auction Early Fall Preview, 866-616-5035, northernlivestockvideo.com

Aug. 21-25 Superior Livestock Auction Big Horn Classic, Sheridan, 800-422-2117, superiorlivestock.com

POSTCARD from the Past

Compiled by Dick Perue rrichardperue@gmail.com

History of Sheep Raising

After recently re-reading the great book “A History of Sheep Raising in the Great Divide Basin of Wyoming” by notorious sheep man John Niland of Rawlins and Cheyenne, I had to pass along some of his remarks.

First, I’ll share his chapter titled “The Sheep Arrive” and later I’ll post additional Postcards from the book.

After opening with the first chapter entitled, “Cattle Country,” Niland writes in the second chapter:

Big horn Basin

Worland, WY

Raildog Ranch Inc. - Powell

$9600

1 Blk Cow, 1285# $10450

1 Blk Cow, 1425# $10200

1 BWF Cow, 1880# $10150

Sinn, George & Sons - Worland

1 Blk Cow, 1360# $10450

1 Blk Cow, 1615# $9500

E Spear LLC - Riverton

2 Blk Cows, avg. 1230# $10250 Greet Ranch Inc. - Ten Sleep

2 Blk Cows, avg. 1583# $10250

1 Blk Cow, 1340# $9750

Whitt, Star - Big Timber

1 XBred Cow, 1320# $9500

Gillett, Gary - Powell

1 Blk Cow, 1515# $9400

Diamond Tail Ranch LLC - Greybull

1 Blk Cow, 1435# $9300

HEIFERS

Martinez, Senorino - Worland

3 Blk Hfrs, avg. 840# $18600

HEIFER CALVES

Wooden Shoe Farm LLC - Powell

4 Blk Hfr Clvs, avg. 593# $23000

Skelton, Sheldon - Thermopolis

3 Blk Hfr Clvs, avg. 635# $22250

HEIFERETTES

Ward, Melissa - Thermopolis

2 Blk Hfrettes, avg. 933# $17000

Baird, John - Thermopolis

1 Blk Hfrette, 1020# $16100

Hamilton Ranch Inc. - Hyattville

3 Blk Hfrettes, avg. 1077# $15300

Nicholas, Jacob - Fort Washakie

4 BWF Hfrettes, avg. 858# $14500

STEERS

ZE Ranch Co. - Meeteetse

2 RWF Strs, avg. 353# $27000

Michaels, Calvin - Burlington

1 Blk Str, 720# $22100

Hamilton Ranch Inc. - Hyattville

1 Blk Str, 730# $22000

STEER CALVES

Skelton, Sheldon - Thermopolis

3 Blk Str Clvs, avg. 642# $23500

Martinez, Senorino - Worland

1 Blk Str Calf, 685# $23200

PAIRS

Crichton, Carolyn - Shoshoni

1 DairyX Pair, 4 YO $1875/Hd.

Flying River Ranch - Meeteetse

5 Blk Pairs, SM $1775/Hd.

The Sheep Arrive Cattle operations which survived the “winder” of 1886-87 were, of necessity, situated along the rivers and streams of Wyoming. Cattle require water yearround and rely on rivers and streams that do not freeze completely in the winter.

Water also made it possible to irrigate and raise hay and grain to supplement feed in the case of bad winter weather.

Cattle could still be turned out on open range in good weather, if the grass upon which they fed was plentiful. In the summer, cattle were turned loose to forage what they could find and were generally rounded up in the fall for artificial feeding near home.

The Great Divide Basin was never used much by cattle operations because it could not supply the water cattle need year-round or much of the grasses upon which they feed. A large part of the Great Divide Basin had no rivers running into or out of it, and it only a few creeks. A lot of land wasn’t and couldn’t be used by cattle because of lack of water.

The feed available in the desert was a shrublike browse more often

than grass. At best, cattle made a peripheral use of the desert.

Before the turn of the century, some sheep were brought in from Oregon, and they did very well in the desert. These first sheep operations were primarily concerned with the production of wool, since in those days it was impractical to ship lambs.

The browse available on the desert, including salt sage, sage brush, greasewood and whatever else grew, produced an excellent wool crop. And, because sheep, unlike cattle, can get by on snow alone in the wintertime, the arid terrain was not a problem.

The sheep would winter on the desert and could be moved to the mountains to summer in the high, rough areas where there was browse, brush, flowers and other types of plants cattle couldn’t use, as well as water.

Cattle and sheep ranching were compatible, contrary to what the television westerns would lead us to believe.

Because cattle and sheep have different demands for feed and water, many areas were noncompetitive, suitable primarily for one or the other. In areas suitable for

both sheep and cattle, the timing and use of the land was noncompetitive.

In the summer, while the sheep grazed in mountainous areas unsuitable for cattle, the cattle were turned loose to forage what they could.

In winter, when the cattle wintered near home, sheep were moved to areas cattle had grazed the previous summer. Difficulties sometimes arose, but they often were more political than practical, at least in this part of the world.

Shrinking cattle numbers created a void in the peripheral use of many arid areas of the state, like the Great Divide Basin.

The range sheep business began moving in to fill this void. The sheep business grew as the cattle business temporarily waned, first in the noncompetitive areas.

Chapter three is titled, “Early Sheep Men,” but then, that’s a tale for the next time we gather at the sheep wagon.

The book is a copyright of John Niland, 1994, with my copy being limited edition number 118 of 150. John passed away in 2015, but if he was still alive today, he would welcome the use of this story in the Wyoming Livestock Roundup

It would undoubtedly cost me a shot or two of good whiskey, but it would be well worth sharing a drink and a story with John again.

Those who haven’t read John’s book, have missed out on the real history of the sheep industry in Wyoming.

A sheepherder in his wagon, his dog and a band of sheep wait out a snow storm in the Great Divide Basin west of Rawlins about 1900. Drawing from the

Dick Perue/Bob Martin collection. Historical Reproductions by Perue

FOR THE

WEEK ENDING May 19, 2023

FOR THE WEEK ENDING May 24, 2019

Source: USDA AMS Livestock, Poultry & Grain Market News, Torrington

Source: USDA AMS Livestock, Poultry & Grain Market News, Greeley, CO

National Sheep Summary

As of May 12, 2023

Weekly Trends: Compared to last week traditional slaughter lambs

1.00-8.00 lower; other lambs 10.00-50.00 lower. Slaughter ewes steady to 20.00 lower. No comparison on feeder lambs. At San Angelo, TX 8,037 head sold. No sales in Equity Cooperative Auction. In direct trading slaughter ewes and feeder lambs not tested. 2,612 lamb carcasses traded with no trend due to confidentiality. All sheep sold per hundred weight (CWT) unless specified.

Slaughter Lambs: Choice and Prime 2-3

San Angelo: wooled and shorn 110-155 lbs 150.00-168.00.

Ft. Collins: wooled and shorn 100-135 lbs 165.00-190.00. South Dakota: wooled and shorn 100-145 lbs 166.00-187.50; 164 lbs 166.00.

Billings: wooled and shorn 100-120 lbs no test.

Equity Coop: no sales. Slaughter Lambs: Choice and Prime 1-2 San Angelo: hair 40-60 lbs 216.00-228.00; 60-70 lbs 201.00-

70-80 lbs 190.00-218.00, few 222.00; 80-90 lbs 180.00-206.00, few 220.00; 90-100 lbs 170.00-198.00. wooled and shorn 53 lbs 218.00; 60-70 lbs 202.00-204.00; 75 lbs

Ft. Collins: bred middle age 155 lbs 77.50/cwt. South Dakota: young 115.00-180.00/head; middle age 100.00-130.00/head; aged 120.00/head.

Sheep and lambs slaughter under federal inspection for the week to date totaled 35,000 compared with 35,000 last week and 32,000 last year..

Billings: no test.

Source: USDA AMS Market News, San Angelo, Texas

National Wool Review

As of May 12, 2023

Reported trades were very limited this week. Domestic wool trading did not have enough reported trades to meet confidentiality rules to publish prices for the week. Prices reflect trades FOB warehouse in original bag or square pack, bellies out, some graded, and 76 mm or longer. No allowance made for coring, freight, or handling fees at the warehouse level to reflect net grower prices. Wools shorter than 75 mm typically discounted .10-.20 clean. Classed and skirted wools usually trade at a .10-.20 premium to original bag prices.

5 AREA WEEKLY WEIGHTED CATTLE PRICE

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

As of May 18, 2023

Billings: no test. Slaughter Ewes San Angelo: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) no test; Good 2-3 (fleshy)

hair 70.00-108.00; Utility and Good 1-3 (medium

88.00-108.00, hair 88.00-114.00; Utility 1-2 (thin) 70.00-

100.00, hair 74.00-102.00; Cull and Utility 1-2 (very thin) hair

60.00-86.00; Cull 1 60.00.

Ft. Collins: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) 65.00-95.00; Good 2-3 (fleshy) 62.50-95.00; Utility 1-2 (thin) no test.

South Dakota: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) 44.00-75.00; Good 2-3 (fleshy) 40.00-65.00, hair 75.00; Utility 1-2 (thin) 40.00-70.00, hair 35.00-45.00; Cull 1 13.00-40.00.

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

Compared to last report all reported forages sold steady. Limited supply of hay still available for sale. Most loads have been spoke for and just waiting for trucks to come and haul. Some rain showers in the eastern side of the state have dropped most of that area from severe conditions to abnormally dry to moderate drought. Most of Goshen County remains in a severe drought. Per NASS: Alfalfa condition is at 61% good compared to 51% last year. Corn planted is right on schedule with previous years at 35%. Barley is 62% emerged a little behind last years that was 83% for the same week. Week 23 of the snotel report has the state average at 107% with the basin high of 178% and the low at 59%. Last year the ave was at 100% and at 79% in 2021.

monitor has drawn back most of the state to severe drought instead of extreme. Hopefully, more rain is on the horizon. Per NASS: Corn planted was 76%, ahead of 59% last year and 71% for the five-year average. Emerged was 32%, ahead of 17% last year and 26% average. Soybeans planted was 62%, well ahead of 42% last year, and ahead of 49% average. Emerged was 18%, ahead of 7% last year and 10% average. Pasture and range conditions rated 26% very poor, 31% poor, 32% fair, 11% good to excellent.

Source:

As of May 18, 2023

Compared to last week all forages sold steady. Demand was moderate to good. The rains last week brighten the moods of most in the agricultural sector. Many cattlemen were on the fence of whether they must sell cow herds or try to find some hay to feed and wait for the rain to come. Mother Nature came through with some rains across several areas of the state. The US drought

Notice

Notice Help Wanted

The Natrona County Predator Management District is holding its 2023 Budget/Board Meeting on Tuesday, June 6th, beginning at 6:00 p.m. This meeting will be held at the Wyoming Wool Growers, 811 N. Glenn Road, Casper. All producers, Wyoming Game and Fish representatives, Wildlife Service representatives and the public are invited to participate. The purpose of this meeting is to review the 20232024 proposed budget submitted to the Department of Audit and Animal Damage Management Board (ADMB). For additional information, please contact the NCPMD office at ncpmd1@charter.net.

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

Help Wanted

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 June 6 to: Hot Springs County Weed & Pest District, PO Box 543, Thermopolis, WY 82443. For additional information, call 307-864-2278 or e-mail hscwpcd@rtconnect.net. Hot Springs County Weed & Pest is an EOE 5/27

Help Wanted

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA ANR IS HIRING A SPECIALIST FOR DAIRY PRODUCTION & MANAGEMENT

See full position description via www.ucanr.edu/About/ Jobs/?jobnum=2503 The position will assist in all phases of applied dairy research and extension efforts in the northern San Joaquin Valley. A master’s degree in disciplines such as Dairy Science or a closely related field is required. The salary will be in the Assistant Specialist Rank, from Step 1 $56,600 to Step 3 $63,000 annually, or Associate Specialist Rank, Step 1 $67,400. The Assistant Specialist position is a non-career track position.

PERMIT RIDER NEEDED FOR JUNE-OCTOBER near Dubois, WY. Must have own horses and be a self-starter. Call 307-4503100 6/3

RANCH/FARM HAND WANT-

ED: Year-round, full-time position. Housing included with arrangement. Utilities paid by employee. Couple preferred and both would be employed. Pay $100-220/day. Call 775224-3283 or e-mail clairsjr@ yahoo.com 6/3

FARM HAND NEEDED with equipment and haying experience. Pivot system operation a plus. Year-round employment for the right person. Wage is hourly with benefits, DOE. Call Kim, 307-350-0350, Farson, WY 5/27

COWBOY/RANCH HAND

WANTED AT CROSS FOUR RANCH, MILES CITY, MT. Duties include: Moving and handling cattle, calving, branding, maintaining water sources, fencing, putting out salt/mineral as needed, riding pens, etc. We offer housing, groceries (beef), health insurance, life insurance, paid time off, profit sharing bonus, competitive wages dependent on experience. Contact Fred at 406-951-3953, Julie at 406-232-4527, e-mail resume to jnowicki@midrivers.com or mail to PO Box 70, Miles City, MT 59301 5/20

Services

Brands

WYOMING REGISTERED BRAND FOR SALE, LHC.

Renewed to Jan. 1, 2031.

$1,250. Includes electric cow iron and electric calf iron. 307-715-6184 6/3

Services

Solar Water Pumping Systems

Water Well Services • Well & Pipeline Design Submersible Pump Specialist

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

(307) 436-8513 • Cell: (307) 267-1022

Brands

REGISTERED WYOMING BRAND: LRC, LSH. Current through Jan. 1, 2031. $2,000 OBO. Contact Gene at 307-331-1049 5/20

WYOMING BRAND REGISTERED BY GOELET GALLATIN IN 1912: LRC, BS, LSH. Irons available, seller will pay transfer fees. Renewed until 2033, $2,500. Call 307-272-4215 5/20

Dogs

MOUNTAIN CUR PUPS FOR

SALE: First shots, one is 12 weeks old and three are 10 weeks old, males and females, $300/each. For more information, call 406-290-3047 5/27

AKC LAB PUPPIES: All colors available, whites, blacks, yellows, dark chocolates and dark reds. Excellent hunters, family companions. Full AKC registration. Shots, wormed, dewclaws removed. All puppies are cute, but it’s what they grow into that counts. Not all Labs are the same. Proud to own!! Been raising quality AKC Labradors for 25-plus years. Look at the rest but buy the best. Both parents on site for viewing. Will sell quickly!! $200 deposit, picking order is when the deposit is received. Doug Altman, Mitchell, S.D. Call/text 605-999-7149, click the our Labs tab on the website for pictures, www. southdakotayellowlabs.com WILL DISCOUNT!! 5/27

Services Services

Financial Services

AGRI-ONE FINANCIAL: Farm/ ranch and all commercial loans. RATES AS LOW AS 5%. We have been helping with all aspects of agricultural, commercial financing and management for years. LET US HELP YOU on a consulting level with management to increase profitability, deal with and fix credit problems and for all your financing needs. WE CARE AND HAVE WORKING PROGRAMS designed for the farmer/rancher and not the banker. Please call Steve, 303-773-3545 or check out our website, www.agrionefinancial.com. I will come to you and get the job done!! 5/20

ADORABLE MINIATURE BLUE QUEENSLAND HEELER MALE, playful, outgoing pup, born March 3. TOY QUEENSLAND TEXAS HEELER MALE born Sept. 27, 2022, outgoing/loves his ball. ALSO, MINIATURE AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD PUPS, merles, black tris, red tris. All pups are UTD pup vaccines/dewormings. Parents raised with kids/cats/ dogs/livestock. Bred for health/ disposition/smarts. For more information, pricing and delivery options call 406-581-7586. To view photos, go to www.wylr. net in the classifieds 5/20

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 feedyard 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

GOTTSCH LIVESTOCK FEEDERS LLC Red Cloud, NE www.gottschcattlecompany.com

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

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 June 6 to:

County Weed & Pest District, PO Box 543, Thermopolis, WY 82443. For additional information, call 307864-2278 or e-mail hscwpcd@ rtconnect.net. Hot Springs

Join Our Team! Gottsch Cattle Company, Red Cloud, NE is looking to hire motivated and dependable feed truck drivers. Our full-time benefit package includes: Health, dental, life insurance, health savings account and 401(k). Retention bonus offered to full-time employees. Incentives paid out at 6 months and 1 year of employment. If you are interested stop by and fill out an application or visit our website at www.gottschcattlecompany.com

Call Russ Weber 402-984-8485 or 402-746-2222 for more information.

EARN $60,000/YEAR, PARTTIME in the livestock or farm equipment appraisal business.

Auctions

Torrington Livestock Markets

307-532-3333

www.torringtonlivestock.com

Brands

WYOMING BRAND FOR SALE: LHC, RSS, LSH.

Renewed to Jan. 1, 2029. Irons available. Call 307-8563184 5/27

REGISTERED WYOMING BRAND: RRC. Current through Jan. 1, 2031. $2,000 OBO. Contact Gene at 307331-1049 5/20

REGISTERED WYOMING BRAND FOR SALE: 94. LHC, LSS, LTH. Renewed to Jan. 1, 2033. $3,500. Call 830-481-0845 5/20

WYOMING BRAND FOR SALE: LRC, LTH. Dues paid to Jan. 1, 2033. $2,500. For more information, call 307-2901059 or 307-283-1059 6/3

5/20

BROWN FAMILY FARMS LP/ TIMBERLINE STOCK RANCH HEELER PUPS FOR SALE: Reds and blues. Born March 27, will be ready May 15. Call 406855-2211 or 406-855-6237 5/27 WORKING BORDER COLLIE PUPPIES FOR SALE: Born March 30. Located in Powell, WY. Parents onsite. Asking $500 OBO. For pictures or more information, please call 307899-3533 5/20

AUSSIEDOODLE PUPPIES FOR SALE: Born Feb. 26, blue merles, red merles and sables, one round of shots, $500. ALSO, standard poodle puppies, born Feb. 19, all chocolates, one round of shots, $500. Call 307-271-1999. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 5/20

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 5/20

40 HEAD BLACK AND BLACK WHITE-FACED PAIRS: Solid mouth, one-iron, April/May calves, Call 308-870-0466 5/27

WANTED RECIP COWS:

Must be open!! Two to 6 years old, Red Angus or Angusbased cows. For more information, call Corie Mydland, 406-855-5598 (cell), Trans Ova Genetics 5/20

Red Angus

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, 435828-1320, barlazytlranch@ gmail.com 5/27

BULLS FOR SALE

Registered Yearling and Two-Year-Old Black Angus Range Bulls for sale Private Treaty. Good selection for heifers and cows. From popular sires & industry leaders including Spur, Rito 707, Encore and others. Semen tested & ready to go. www.claycreek.net

Clay Creek Angus • 307-762-3541

COMMERCIAL BLACK

ANGUS BULLS FOR SALE

Yearlings and twos. We select for fertility, milking ability, calving ease, gain and disposition.

Reasonably priced.

Call Shippen Angus 307-856-7531

Doug Booth Family Angus Torrington, WY Offering Yearling Bulls by Private Treaty

Herefords

FOUR REGISTERED SIMMENTAL OPEN YEARLING HEIFERS: All sired by LCDR Progressive 106G. Registration numbers: 4065171, 4065173, 3995030, 4083494. Top EPDs. For more information, call or e-mail Austin, 307-209-1560 or keene.austin@yahoo.com 5/27

Longhorn

REGISTERED TEXAS LONGHORN BULLS: Five yearling/ coming 2-year-olds. Three 2-year-olds. One 3-year-old. ONE EXCEPTIONAL herd sire. Call for catalog, Mayer Family Longhorns, 605-466-2238 or 605-786-5808 (cell) 5/27

Herefords

STICKS & STONES RANCH

Gene Stillahn: 307-421-1592

Hereford bulls for sale!!

15 horned/polled 2-year-olds & yearlings.

Champion Pen of Bulls 2021 Wyoming State Fair.

Big, stout, sound bulls with calving ease/high growth potential/lots of pigment/no extra white. Get 30-40 lbs. bigger weaning weights on your baldy calves through the heterosis factor. Come early to select your top bulls!!

CRR Herefords Good for your Business

Look to CRR Baldie Makers... ...Proven to Increase your Bottom Line.

Dudley - 307-532-6207

Doug - 307-532-5830

REGISTERED ANGUS YEAR-

LING BULLS, BRIDGER, MT

• Some suitable for heifers • Performance and carcass data available • Winding River Angus, Louis & Kathy Dubs, 406652-7515, 406-208-8643 or e-mail windingriverangus@ gmail.com 6/3

BLACK ANGUS AND BALANCER BULLS FOR SALE: Yearlings and 2-year-olds, September Farms. Call Tom Murphy, 308-470-0001 5/27

REGISTERED YEARLING

BLACK ANGUS BULLS FOR SALE BY PRIVATE TREATY, 449 Carroll Lake Rd., Laramie, WY. PAP, BVD and fertility tested. Sires include: Deer Valley Wall Street, Page All Profit 9604, Page Blackfoot 7760, WXW Timberline and Worthington All Profit 576. Call to preview anytime. Page Angus Ranch, Page Family Limited Partnership. Call Tom Page, 307-7608429. EPDs on Facebook @ Page Angus 5/27

REGISTERED BLACK

ANGUS YEARLING AND 2-YEAR-OLD BULLS: Private treaty, large sire groups, performance and fertility tested, delivery available. TRANGMOE ANGUS RANCH, Glendive, MT. Call 406-687-3315 or 406989-3315 6/24

Red Angus

REGISTERED RED ANGUS

YEARLING BULLS FOR SALE, tested and ready to go. Delivery available. For more information, call CLR Red Angus, Dan Robertson, 307-431-1013 5/27

30 HEAD OF FIRST- AND SECOND-CALF RED ANGUS

PAIRS FOR SALE: Calves were born in March. Located in southeast Wyoming. Call 307-2312883 6/3

YEARLING RED ANGUS

BULLS FOR SALE PRIVATE

TREATY: AI sons of 9 Mile Franchise and Collier’s Finished Product. Raised at elevation, grown out on roughage diet. Cow herd focus is on efficiency, maintenance and maternal traits. Call or text Aaron for EPDs, pictures and pricing, 307-388-2717. Volume discounts. Anderson Ranch Co. 5/20

Pasture Wanted

IN NEED OF IMMEDIATE SHEEP PASTURE FOR 1,0002,000 PAIRS: Herders, sheep camps, guard dogs, herd dogs come with the sheep. Looking for any pasture in Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico. Sheep can be split into 2 bands. Depending on pasture horses or 4-wheelers will also be provided for the herders. Please call Dave Brown, 719-588-8211 or e-mail at 5milefeeders@ gmail.com 6/10

Horses

PRQHBA IS NOW TAKING CONSIGNMENTS FOR WELL BROKE RANCH AND ARENA TYPE HORSES AS WELL AS YOUNG STARTED PROSPECTS!! If you are looking for a great place to meet new prospective buyers and have a funfilled weekend, please join us in Broadus, MT the first weekend in September. WE OFFER ONLINE INTERNET BIDDING FOR ALL SALE HORSES CONSIGNED. All accepted consignments are eligible for online internet bidding at no extra cost. All ride horses are eligible to compete for the PRQHBA futurity saddles. CONSIGNMENTS WILL CLOSE JULY 1 For more information, please call 406-4275420 or 406-853-3554 6/24

76TH ANNUAL HULETT RODEO JUNE 10-11, Hulett, WY, 1:30 performance each day. $50 entry free + $5 NRCA and office fee. Purse $1,500, $1,000, $500 or $250. See Facebook Hulett Rodeo or website www.hulettrodeowyo.com. NRCA/ WRA approved and youth events. For more information, call 307-467-5668 6/3

Saddles & Tack

Polled & Horned Hereford Bulls - Private Treaty Sale

See Bull Info & Videos on Website & Facebook

COYOTE RIDGE RANCH

Jane Evans Cornelius 970-371-0500

Hampton Cornelius 970-396-2935 18300 CO RD. 43 ~ La Salle, CO 80645

Katie Cornelius & Lee Mayo 970-396-8320 www.coyoteridgeherefords.com

Wagyu

2-Year-Old Registered Limousin Bulls

THREE YEARLING WAGYU BULLS FOR SALE: 100% Wagyu, not registered. Call 308249-0562, 308-249-2373 or 308-254-5780 6/24

Brown Swiss

TWO BROWN SWISS 2-YEAROLD BULLS FOR SALE, $1,000 each. Bulls located in Box Elder, S.D. Call in the evenings after 8 p.m. 605-381-4755 6/3

BOOT UP FOR SUMMER!! HONDO, BOULET, JUSTIN WORK BOOTS, TWISTED X (boots and shoes) and more!! SOMETHING for EVERYONE!! Great SELECTION of GIFTS for all OCCASIONS!! WE CAN ship!! Shop Moss Saddles, Boots and Tack, 4648 West Yellowstone Highway, Casper, WY; 307-472-1872. Our family serving yours for 50 years!! Check us out on Facebook or our website 5/27

Leatherwork

LS CUSTOM LEATHER: Belts, tack, cell phone cases and much more!! Contact Lester, 307-631-1053, leave a message. Located in Riverton, WY 6/3

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!

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

Cutter Bees

450 GALLONS OF CUTTER BEES FOR SALE: Reasonably priced. Shoshoni, WY. Contact Rich Pingetzer, 307850-6861 5/20

WE HAVE HAY FOR SALE!! Grass hay, alfalfa, mix, cornstalks, straw and triticale. Delivery available!! Call 307-6303046 5/27

VALLEY VIDEO HAY MARKETS, LLC: New crop of alfalfa available starting June 1. Go to www.valleyvideohay.com or call Barry McRea, 308-2355386 6/3

ALFALFA/GRASS MIX: First cutting, 3x3x8 bales, hay is tested, Bismarck, N.D. For more information, call 701-2262200 5/20

Equipment

WANTED BUCKET AND GRAPPLE for John Deere 265 loader. Call 307-290-3146 or 307-896-3146 5/27

8’ ROTARY SNOWBLOWER

LORENZ MFG: Like new, stored in barn, 3 point hookup, $3,000 OBO. Call 307-2727525. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 5/27

Joe Freund 303/341-9311

Joey Freund 303/475-6062 Pat Kelley 303/840-1848

BEARMOUNTAIN BEEF, INC. IN HAWK SPRINGS, WY NOW EXCEPTING USDA APPOINTMENTS FOR BOTH SHEEP AND GOATS IN ADDITION TO BEEF!! USDA and custom exempt processing slots available. All product is vacuum sealed for extended freezer life and quality appearance. Give us a call to book your slot at 307-338-2751 or check out our website www.bearmountainbeef.com 5/20

Simmental

ONE REGISTERED SIMMENTAL 2-YEAR-OLD BULL: Sired by LCDR Progressive 106G. Excellent EPDs and disposition. Has been at high elevation. Registration number 3973094. For more information, call or e-mail Austin, 307-209-1560 or keene. austin@yahoo.com 5/27

SUMMER PASTURE NEEDED FOR 60 TO 100 COW/CALF PAIRS. Good references. Call 605-347-3403 or 605-499-9088 5/20

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

Sheep Poultry

2022 LARGE ROUND BALES: Net wrapped, 1,550-1,650 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 605-280-3879 (cell), if no answer leave message 5/20

For sale sheepherders wagon. Queen sized bed, plenty of storage. Wheelwright services available. Also sheep wagon bows for sale. Call for price, 785-734-2663.

Crop

Cleanup

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Equipment

CONTACT PEEP PEEP POULTRY, LLC FOR A VARIETY OF POULTRY FOR SALE: Chicks, keets, ducklings, poults, hens and roos pending availability. Located in Gillette, WY. Find us on Facebook or call for appointment, 307-299-8110 5/20

Fertilizer

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EQUIPMENT FOR SALE: White 30’ disk; John Deere 960 26’ cultivator; Lawson 12x30 double drum land areator; 3 John Deere 9600 combines; New Holland 1075 balewagon; John Deere 657 baler; CIH 8570 3x3 baler; Massey Ferguson 2190 4x4 baler; Freeman pull type 3 string balers; Vermeer R23 rake; CIH 1015 pick-up header; New Holland 357 grinder mixer; Modern Mill (mix mill) feed mill; Freightliner grain truck; Freightliner sleeper truck; WS sleeper truck; WS 90 bbl vac truck, Pete 80 bbl vac truck; IHC 80 bbl vac truck; Wilson 53x102 tri axle cattle pot; Merritt 48’x102” cattle pot; Cat 262D skid steer; Mobile Tech 9 yd. volumetric concrete mixer; Degelman 570 rock picker. View equipment at www. bigskyeb com Call 406-2541254 5/27

FOR SALE: Rawhide large portable corral, WW hydraulic chute, both like new. ALSO, 2021 John Deere C500 MoCo, only cut 60 acres, brand new. R2800 Vermeer hydraulic rake. Kramer 14 bale retriever. Call 605-842-5515 6/17

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Subsequently, an economist for the cattlemen’s association at the time named Chuck Lambert wrote a white paper titled “Lost Opportunity,” which outlined his studies on losses associated with producing quality beef, Belk further explained.

This led to the establishment of the NBQA and the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program.

2022 audit

Over 30 years later, the overarching goal of the audit remains the same – to understand the quality of beef being produced in the U.S., listen to current concerns in the industry and provide benchmark strategies for ways to improve production.

“Our goal is accomplished in three phases,” explained Pfeiffer. “First, we interview people who purchase beef.

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Pipe

COUNTRY LIVING ON THE EDGE OF TOWN, STERLING, CO: Newer ranch style home, 5 bedroom, 3 bath, many upgrades with an open floor plan, 3,800 sq. ft., lots of storage.

Large barn with indoor riding arena, 6 heated stalls, wash bay, tack room, indoor hay storage, bathroom. Outdoor riding arena, 3 runs, 3 corrals, 3 loafing sheds, dog run/kennel, RV hookup. 42.25 acres, recently surveyed, 3 adjacent parcels available for sale. Call Steve Robinson, Real Estate Broker Associate, 970-6315023, A. Stephen and Company, Inc. 5/20

OREGON RANCH, 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, OR. The property is in good condition and has good perimeter fencing. The range is gently south facing slope with a variety of native grass. FIRST TIME OFFERING at just over $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 5/20

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 970-324-4580 8/26

PIPE FOR SALE!! 2 7/8, 3 1/2 tubing, 4” drill pipe, 4 1/2 casing, 5” casing, 7” casing. Rods 3/4, 7/8 and 1” located in Montana, can ship anywhere. Call Mike, 602-758-4447. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 6/17

Going, Going, Gone

We gather information on what they are seeing from our industry and the things they are most concerned about.

Then we go into packing plants to collect data.”

“We put all of this data together, present it to the stakeholders and develop a benchmark for the next five years,” she continued.

New NBQA results

According to the panel, results for the interview portion of the fed cattle audit showed food safety has become an integral part of beef production, there is continued growth in branded beef programs and the industry needs to continue addressing traceability.

Pfeiffer noted fed cattle data in processing plants also reported an all-time high of Prime and Choice grade cattle.

“This is a testament to

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everyone in the industry,” she stated.

For market cow and bull production, Belk explained the audit showed an increased concern regarding foreign object contamination, particularly buckshot, which has become more of a problem in sectors making ground products for fast-food type restaurants.

Savell also noted market cows and bulls have seen a little less condition and lighter muscling than in the past.

“Some of this may be due to the drought we have been seeing,” he said. “But, if cows and bulls were coming into the market in better condition from a fatness standpoint with more muscling, they would be more valuable to both the processor and the producer.”

A highlight of the audit regarding market cows and bulls though, according to Pfeiffer, is an improved public image of the sector, which comes from years of

improvement in animal handling and welfare.

“The seedstock and genetic selection part of the industry has also made some serious improvements in the quality of product,” added Belk.

Continued challenges

In addition to improvements seen in current beef production, the panel explained data from the audit also offered a glimpse into some of the challenges the beef industry will continue to face into the future.

“There is no question the ever-increasing size and weight of cattle over the years continues to be a struggle,” mentioned Savell. “We got a lot of feedback from end users about the challenges associated with this. Yet, somewhere in the marketplace there are incentives for larger carcasses, and this will only continue moving forward.”

Pfeiffer

and Savell

explained this increase in animal size has impacted the frequency of bruising, which they attribute to larger animals being worked and hauled in facilities and trucks that have stayed the same size.

Belk also noted, because producers have begun using more selection and production management techniques in search of higher marbling scores, yield grade has become less important. However, processing plants continue to apply strict yield grade standards.

“When we combine these two things, we see a few cattle that, in addition to being heavier, are also fatter, so this might be an opportunity for us to improve over the next five years,” he stated.

In the market cows and bulls sector, Savell pointed out it is also important for the industry to work on timely marketing to improve animal health and welfare.

“It is always a challenge to know how long to keep a market cow or bull. There is a fine line. I think this is a challenge we will always face, but the more timely we can market these animals and make sure they are in the best condition they can be will really help everyone involved,” he said.

“I think in both sectors, we should commend everyone – from producers, feeders and processors – for everything they do to meet consumer demand,” concluded Pfeiffer. “We will continue to put out data like this and set benchmarks for the next five years. We will also continue encouraging those involved in the industry to get BQA trained and follow our guidelines so they don’t have lost opportunities.”

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

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NBQA continued from page 1

HEARING continued from page 1

Mountain Ranch Owner

Fred Eshelman and the Missouri hunters have each requested he instead make a summary judgment in their favor.

Rather than immediately rule, Skavdahl promised a decision on the summary-judgment requests soon in the case, which is otherwise scheduled to go to trial in June.

Corner crossing

This civil case could establish whether corner crossing – the act of stepping from one piece of public land to another at the four-corner intersection with two pieces of private property, all without setting foot on private land – is permissible.

The case has implications for 8.3 million “corner-locked” acres in the West where federal railroad land grants in the 1800s left a checkerboard pattern of land ownership.

In a deposition, Eshelman says he believes private landowners should have control over who crosses their private land, including the air above.

On the other hand, the hunters believe passing through the airspace is not trespassing and federal law prevents Eshelman from blocking them from public property.

Skavdahl probed the conflicting reasoning behind claims made over the last year by the two sides.

“If corner crossing is illegal, does it mean the public can’t access public land blocked by the ranch? Does Eshelman believe the right to exclude others from some 6,000 acres of public land ‘corner-locked’ by his

22,045-acre Elk Mountain Ranch is worth $7.5 million?” he asked.

“Did two fence posts on Eshelman property –chained together across a common corner with public land – constitute an obstruction prohibited by federal law?” he continued. “If corner crossing is allowed, does it damage a property owner by diminishing the value of his or her land?”

“I believe the judge asked both parties some hard questions,” said Eshelman’s Attorney Greg Weisz after the hearing.

Airspace

The Carbon County prosecutor charged the hunters with criminal trespass in 2021, but a jury found them not guilty last year. In an ongoing civil suit filed in 2022, Eshelman alleges three of the hunters trespassed through his airspace in 2020 and all four in 2021.

“Eshelman doesn’t just own the ground,” Weisz told the judge, citing a common-law doctrine known as ad coelum. “You own to the heavens.”

Because the checkerboard corners come together in an infinitesimally small point, Weisz noted it is physically impossible to corner cross without physically invading the airspace.

Skavdahl asked, “Is the public land no longer public? Can the public access public land?”

Weisz replied that they can – by helicopter or plane.

The hunters’ attorneys Ryan Semerad and Lee Mickus maintain the airspace above common cor-

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ners is, according to Wyoming law, vested in several owners of the surface beneath, and therefore, passing through it is not trespassing.

“I don’t think this is an artificial reading,” Semerad said. “If one views the law otherwise, then the statute doesn’t mean what it says.”

Skavdahl asked whether a landowner has a right to exclude others from his or her property, likening ownership to a bunch of sticks, each conveying a different right.

“Is exclusion not part of the ‘bundle of sticks?’” the judge asked. “Are the hunters trying to take a stick?”

But, the hunters are not using the law to make a claim or take anything from Eshelman.

“Eshelman has no right to exclude others from public land,” Skavdahl continued. “It’s never been part of their bundle of sticks.”

Semerad referenced the federal Unlawful Inclosures Act (UIA) of 1885, which the hunters say bars Eshelman from blocking them from the public land at Elk Mountain Ranch.

“Without public access, Eshelman enjoys the ‘benefit of the whole landscape’ – including public property – even though he only owns part of it,” Semerad said.

He estimated at Elk Mountain Ranch, this amounts to a minimum of 6,000 acres

“They do not want to allow access because they want to preserve a perceived monopoly of this public land,” he said.

“The Wyoming Con-

stitution says no one shall have right and title to unappropriated lands,” Semerad added. “Wyoming law also says low-level flight is not a trespass unless it causes some kind of damage.”

“Stepping across a corner can’t be so far different from such low-level flight,” he further stated. Unlawful Inclosures Act

The hunters say UIA prohibits erecting physical barriers and using threats and intimidation to keep the public from accessing public land.

Two ranch fence posts chained together across one common corner, plus harassment by Ranch Manager Steve Grende, constitute obstructions, the hunters contend.

Semerad noted Eshelman’s lawsuit itself is “a $7.5 million monumental obstruction.”

“This is not a case about the right to corner cross,” he said. “Instead, it’s about freedom from unlawful interference with public access to public land.”

Weisz said he believes the hunters are attempting to use the UIA to create access. The federal law is instead intended to preserve access and is a tool for the U.S. attorney, not an instrument in civil litigation.

“The fence posts, each of which held a no trespassing sign, were erected to tell people to stay off of Elk Mountain Ranch property,” Weisz said. “This is dramatically different from erecting an obstructing fence. They’re not even close.”

“Those did not obstruct the defendants,” Weisz said, noting the hunters

swung themselves around the posts in 2020 and climbed over them using a homemade ladder in 2021.

“Furthermore, Grende was able to pass between the posts,” Weisz said. “But, a person with a pack full of gear could not.”

Skavdahl observed Elk Mountain Ranch removed the chain about a week before the filing of the lawsuit.

Skavdahl quizzed Weisz about how Grende accosted the hunters on public land.

“The reality is, if they are on public land – cornerlocked by ranch property –my client has the right to assume they crossed private land,” Weisz said.

Of the eight corners the hunters crossed, only the first one was flanked by posts and no trespassing signs. The hunters used the onX digital mapping program to find survey monuments marking the corners, then stepped across those monuments.

“At one corner, at least, the hunters went from federal to state or municipal property, places where the UIA does not apply,” Weisz said.

$7.75 million devaluation

Eshelman’s civil suit originally contended the Missouri hunters devalued his property by $7.75 million or more by corner crossing.

“This is assuming every single corner is taken by the government,” Weisz said.

Semerad agreed prohibiting corner crossing creates a premium value for the landowner, but he questioned whether it’s justified or legal.

“They want something

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they thought they had,” he said. “They’re losing a premium that never should have been there.”

Since he filed the suit, Eshelman, a North Carolina pharmaceutical millionaire, has said he would withdraw his damage claim if the judge finds the men trespassed and prohibits corner crossing at Elk Mountain.

Until recently the opposing sides agreed on the facts, meaning Skavdahl could make a summary judgment whether passing through airspace constituted trespass. But last month, Eshelman alleged he had proof at least one hunter actually stepped on his property and identified the spot with a digital marker now labeled Waypoint 6.

Resolving the factual dispute could require a trial and a jury verdict.

The Waypoint 6 allegation arises from data attributed to Smith’s cell phone.

The hunters dispute Waypoint 6 proves anything, saying it could have been set remotely, unlike other waypoints on public land they marked during their hunts.

The Wyoming chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers raised funds to ensure the hunters could have their day in court.

Angus M. Thuermer Jr. is the natural resources reporter for WyoFile He is a veteran Wyoming reporter and editor with more than 35 years experience in the state. He can be reached at angus@wyofile. com. This article was originally published in WyoFile on May 15.

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Market Report • May 17, 2023

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by Lee Pitts

Misgendered

What’s with all of these people wanting to be a member of the opposite sex? This old fogy’s world has been turned upsidedown, and I’m having a terrible time properly using the more than 55 genderneutral pronouns so I don’t offend anyone.

I’m just saying it’s a minefield out there, and politically-correct people are just waiting to pounce on those of us who say or write something wrong so they can “cancel” us –whatever that means.

Being curious, I wondered if other species went

through sex changes, and you’ll be amazed at what I discovered.

There is a species of fish called the California sheepshead which is capable of changing its sex mid-life, but it’s from California so one would probably expect this. However, there are some more widely dispersed ocean dwellers like oysters and Clown Fish which can also change their gender.

One would think male seahorses would want to change their sex because it’s the male seahorses that get impregnated – not the females – and they can give

SALE REPORTS

birth to as many as 1,500 babies at a time. Whoa nelly, talk about morning sickness! Who in their right mind would want to raise 1,500 kids?

This is why I have a hard time understanding why men want to be women. Don’t they know women have to work twice as hard for the same pay, have to raise the kids and manage the household, while the males just work their eight hours, come home, sit in their Lazy Boy and pop the top on a beer can. Just as Venezualian opossums can choose the sex of their baby ahead of time, there’s an old wive’s tale saying humans can select the sex of their baby by changing the orientation of their bed.

Also, according to statistics, a human can influence the sex of their baby by what occupation they choose.

For example, if a person wants to improve the chances of having a male baby, they might want to become President of the U.S. because they have a 60 percent chance at having a son, and if they want a daughter, they should become a male abalone diver, fighter pilot or anesthetist as they have more girls than boys.

Or, one could become a Native American like Elizabeth Warren did. A first or second-born Havasupai child is 1.3 times as likely to be a boy as a girl. But, a child born fifth or later is 1.3 times as likely to be a girl.

Scientists say the sex of Havasupai children is NOT random. And, consider after World War II in France and Britain there was a huge, bizarre increase in the proportion of boys to girls fathered by soldiers.

Bald eagles and some species of hawks know the

EPDs: BW: +2.9, WW: +87, YW: +148 and Milk: +32 Buyer: Vance Martin, Midland, S.D. Yearling Angus bulls

Lot 2 – Amdahl Profound 2162 – Price: $9,000 DOB:

02/03/22 Sire: SITZ Profound 680G Dam’s Sire: G A R Phoenix EPDs: BW: +1.5, WW: +67, YW: +134 and Milk: +32 Buyer: Smith’s Saddle Butte Ranch, Buffalo, S.D.

Lot 14 – Amdahl Rocketeer 2158 – Price: $8,000 DOB:

sex of their eggs ahead of time without the aid of a sonogram because they lay the eggs of their female offspring first so they can be bigger than the males.

And, crocodiles also have this female intuition because the sex of their babies is determined by how deep their eggs are buried.

So as one can see, this whole sex thing is WAY more complicated than previously thought.

If I was a male Praying Mantis, one can bet their daddy long legs I’d want to change my sex because the male can’t copulate while its head is still attached to its body, so the female initiates sex by ripping the male’s head off.

Likewise, if I was female black widow spider, there’d be no way I’d want to change my sex because the female eats the male after coupling, which

Sire: Amdahl Southern Cham 077

Dam’s Sire: Amdahl’s Rocketeer

636 EPDs: BW: +1.9, WW: +66,

YW: +111 and Milk: +33 Buyer:

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Fall Hereford bulls

Lot 54 – TA Uproar 150 –

Price: $9,750 DOB: 08/15/21

Sire: BCC Uproar 946G Dam’s

Sire: KB L1 Domino 623D 1ET

EPDs: BW: +3, WW: +56, YW:

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Hadacheck, Dysart, Iowa

Lot 55 – TA Uproar 151 –

doesn’t sound like anyone’s idea of fun.

But, I was shocked to discover for most living things sex is supposedly NOT a pleasurable act. In fact, humans and dolphins are the only species that have sex for pleasure – tell that to bulls, dogs and rams. Humans are also unique in that adult males and females live together, while most other species live with members of their own sex. Males only come around females for one reason and one reason only – a good, home-cooked meal.

At age 71 I’m thinking of having a sex change operation myself because male baby boomers have a life expectancy of 72 years while females live, on average, to be 76.

At my age and poor physical condition, I’d do anything to live four more years.

– Price: $6,500 DOB: 01/02/22

Sire: BCC Uproar 946G Dam’s

Sire: KB L1 Domino 623D 1ET

EPDs: BW: +2.7, WW: +56, YW: +91 and Milk: +23 Buyer: Mark Cooper, Ewing, Neb. Angus females

Lot 66 – Amdahl Erica 5449140 – Price: $15,000 DOB: 02/20/19 Sire: Spring Cover

Reno 4021 Dam’s Sire: Mill Bar

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Lot 1 – Amdahl Black River

093 – Price: $11,000 DOB: 01/21/20 Sire: BAR R Jet Black 5063 Dam’s Sire: G A R Prophet

02/02/22 Sire: Amdahl’s Rocketeer 636 Dam’s Sire: Musgrave Big Sky EPDs: BW: +3.4, WW: +71, YW: +127 and Milk: +29 Buyer: Brett Heath, Martin, S.D.

Lot 36 – Amdahl Charm 2173 – Price: $8,000 DOB: 02/07/22

Price: $7,500 DOB: 08/25/21

Sire: BCC Uproar 946G Dam’s

Sire: Churchill Sensation 028X

EPDs: BW: +1.1, WW: +49, YW:

+81 and Milk: +28 Buyer: Mark

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Yearling Hereford bull

Lot 58 – TW Uproar 205K

PAIRS Mike Depe – 37 Blk Ang 3 Yr old Pairs. 1200# cows, 200# calves. Tagged to match. Feb-March calves @ side. Calves have received Nasalgen, 7 way w/ Tetanus & Pink Eye vaccination & bulls are banded. One brand, home raised heifers, poured this spring. Age & Source verified! Fancy Heifers w/ nice calves @ side!

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Sire: Baldridge Flagstone F411

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Amdahl

and Hereford Spring Turn Out Bull Sale