May 9, 2020 by Wyoming Livestock Roundup

Volume 32 Number 2 • May 9, 2020

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

A Look Inside

American sheep industry faces busy start to May

Section 179 deductions can be useful for farmers and ranchers................................. Page 2

“It’s been another big week for the American sheep industry,” states Chase Adams, senior policy and information director for the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) during an episode of ASI’s podcast pub-

Dick Perue explains the origins of Saratoga’s “big white barn on the hill.”.......................... Page 6 Independent Cattlemen of Wyoming call for an investigation into the meatpacking industry................................. Page 10 Backyard camping has always been an adventure for Lee Pitts............................. Page 12

Quick Bits U.S. Drought For the contiguous 48 states, the U.S. Drought Monitor showed 16.09% of the area in moderate drought or worse, compared with 14.75% a week earlier. Drought now affects 31,962,490 people, compared with 34,468,329 a week earlier. For all 50 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, the U.S. Drought Monitor showed 13.44% of the area in moderate drought or worse.

lished May 1. During the podcast, Adams provides an update on recent happenings affecting the sheep sector of the ag industry, all of which occurred the week beginning April 27.

Paycheck Protection Program First, Adams points to the Paycheck Protection Program, replenished with an additional $310 billion on Monday, April 30. “This is an addi-

tional $310 billion in lending authority and provisions aimed at ensuring those funds go to America’s small businesses,” he states. H-2A guidance Adams also notes the

Please see SHEEP on page 4

NON-TRADITIONAL LIVESTOCK

UW researches progesterone management in reindeer bulls While most animal science related research conducted at the University of Wyoming (UW) is focused around the state’s traditional species of livestock, a small team of UW personnel is currently studying a less familiar animal in order to understand the feasibility of managing male reproductive behavior with progesterone. In collaboration with University of Alaska-Fair-

banks Director of Agriculture and Forestry Experiment Station Dr. Milan Shipka and University of NebraskaLincoln Reproductive Physiologist Dr. Andrea Cupp, UW Professor of Reproductive Biology Dr. Brenda Alexander, UW Professor Emeritus Dr. Gary Moss and UW Undergraduate Student Robert Ziegler have been hard at work studying the effects of utilizing progesterPlease see UW on page 5

Corn Markets The prospect of cool weather in the Midwest raised condition concerns as more than half of the corn crop is in the ground and subject to frost damage. Corn prices rose as buyers grew worried about crop ratings. A surprising rebound in Chinese oil exports last month also underpinned strength in the corn complex. July corn futures prices rose $0.0325 per bushel to $3.175 while September futures were up three cents per bushel to $3.2325.

USDA NRCS Applications are being accepted for the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Wetland Mitigation Banking Program, which helps conservation partners develop or establish mitigation banks to help agricultural producers maintain eligibility for USDA programs. Wetland mitigation banking is the restoration, creation or enhancement of wetlands to compensate for unavoidable impacts on wetlands at another location.

COVID-19 Coronavirus cases in the U.S. as of May 7 rose by 24,134 to 1,228,609 cases, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. U.S. cases now account for nearly a third of global cases. The death toll rose by 2,353 lives to 73,431 deaths.

University of Alaska-Fairbanks photo

Invasive species Asian giant hornet found in western U.S. After monitoring multiple independent hives on the Canadian border, the Asian giant hornet has been reported in Washington State. Dubbed the “murder hornet” by U.S. popular media, the insect is native to Japan and has been known to kill due to its extremely potent venom, according to Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA). While American press is sharing the insect alone kills up to 50 people per year, Japanese sources cite only 12 people per year die of insect stings, which includes all wasps and bees. WSDA believes the insects made their way to North America via cargo ships from China. At more than two inches long, the hornets are the largest in the world. The hornets are particularly hard on bee colonies as they are able to decimate entire colonies to support their own colonies. They are known to decapitate honey bees and consume the remaining portion of the body. However, the insect does not target honey Please see HORNET on page 4

WCHF announces inductees Wyoming springtime marks the annual selection of the Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame (WCHF) inductee class. Nominations were accepted from Dec. 1, 2019 through Feb 28, 2020. Regional committees in 10 different areas of Wyoming read, researched and scored over 70 nominations and sent the top 50 picks to the WCHF State Board of Directors. WCHF State Board of Directors voted on those selections the first weekend of May and voted 41 nominees into the 2020 WCHF class of inductees. The induction ceremony will be at the Little America of Cheyenne, Sept. 19-20, during the annual Wyoming Cowboy and Cowgirl Legacy Week. Formed for exclusively historical, cultural, literary and educational purposes, WCHF’s chief goal is to preserve, promote, perpetuate, publish and document Wyoming’s working cowboy and ranching history through researching, profiling and honoring individuals who broke the first trails and introduced that culture to this state. WCHF plans to collect, display and preserve the stories, photos and artifacts of such individuals and anything else that will honor and highlight their contributions to our history. The WCHF Class of 2020 includes the following individuals from the 10 established regions and a board decision winner. Region One winners are Campbell County’s Butch Please see WCHF on page 12

Feeding Wyoming a top priority For the very first time, Wyoming beef producers will be able to assist in feeding those in need through a collaboration between First Lady Jennie Gordon, Wyoming Stock Growers Association (WSGA), Wyoming Custom Meats, Wyoming Department of Agriculture (WDA) and the Wyoming Food Bank of the Rockies. “This collaboration exemplifies the partnership between related industries all committed to utilizing Wyoming products to care for Wyoming people,” Gordon noted in a press release. “To be affiliated with the First Lady of Wyoming’s Hunger Initiative is an honor,” says WDA Director Doug Miyamoto. “The

employees of the Wyoming Department of Agriculture wanted to help Wyoming families during the COVID-19 pandemic in a way that also illustrated the critical importance of agriculture in the food supply chain.” He continues, “Within a day, we surpassed our initial goal of raising sufficient funds to pay for the processing of a steer and were able to raise enough funds to process two steers. WDA and its employees are proud to be a partner in helping our First Lady tackle hunger in Wyoming.” Wyoming Custom Meats President Jared Hamilton notes the First Lady reached out to them to be a part and they were happy

periodical

Please see FOOD on page 11

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 32 No. 2 • May 9, 2020

Wyoming Heroes The COVID-19 virus has left many victims in its wake, and most likely there will be more. It is hitting on two fronts, human health and financial health. They will come up with a vaccine for the human health, but From the it will take longer for the financial Publisher health to recover. Dennis Sun In this day and age, it is easy to take things for granted, which has been such a positive for the state for a long time. That positive has been the energy business. Railroad and agriculture helped start the state and have been large players through the years. But since oil was first drilled in 1884 in the Dallas Field, energy has played a major part in building Wyoming. Now with coal, oil, natural gas, trona and uranium industries, Wyoming has been very fortunate. The taxes provided by these energy companies are enormous. While one can’t say enough good about the state revenues provided by these industries, there is another segment out there I feel deserves praise equal to or above those revenues of the state. That segment is the owners and managers of those energy and service companies and especially those who live in the state. These wonderful people have been so unselfish with their own personal dollars to help the state with funds for hospitals, the University of Wyoming and all of the junior colleges, YMCAs, Boys and Girls Clubs, and of course, the local fair’s 4-H and FFA livestock sales along with the Wyoming State Fair. The list goes on and on. One can’t drive very far in the communities of Wyoming and not recognize some good resulting because of these people. I’m not going to start naming these people because those names would take up the whole issue of the Roundup, but you know who they are. The tragedy of this virus is some of these energy companies may not be able to stay in business. Two outof-state companies that have been in the news lately for falling on hard times are Ultra Petroleum and Jonah Energy that both operate in Sublette County on the Pinedale Anticline and Jonah Field that produces mainly natural gas. Take the Jonah Field when Encana Oil and Gas owned it, for example. Encana gave millions back to the communities, especially to those in Sublette County, but the Wyoming businessmen who sold to Encana were especially generous to the people of Wyoming and are still active today. We can’t thank them enough for all the support they have given to the people of Wyoming. These Wyoming business people who have made their living in energy and related businesses are special people. It always seems whenever there is a need, they have stepped up to help. It is going to be hard times in the coming months, especially in the energy business where so many are employed. To those business people, our heroes, who have helped so much for so long, we say thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

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

Wyoming Livestock Roundup (USPS # 005-774) is published weekly by Maverick Press, Inc. P.O. Box 850 • Casper, WY 82602 Periodicals postage paid in Casper, WY Fax: 307-472-1781 • E-mail: roundup@wylr.net

Phone: 307-234-2700

GUEST OPINIONS Section 179 Deduction, Bonus Depreciation and Depreciation Recapture By Chris Nolt, Solid Rock Realty Advisors, LLC Using the Section 179 deduction with the purchase of machinery and equipment is an effective way for farm and ranch owners to reduce their taxable income. However, many people don’t fully understand the significant impact depreciation recapture can have on their taxes when they sell their machinery and equipment. What is Section 179? Section 179 of the IRS tax code allows businesses to deduct the full purchase price of qualifying equipment from their gross income in the current tax year. This deduction is an incentive created by the U.S. Government to encourage businesses to buy equipment and invest in themselves. What is bonus depreciation? Bonus depreciation is a tax incentive that allows a business to immediately deduct a large percentage of the purchase price of eligible assets, such as machinery, rather than write them off over the “useful life” of that asset. Bonus depreciation is also known as the additional first year depreciation deduction. How bonus depreciation works When a farm or ranch owner purchases machinery or equipment, the cost, for tax accounting purposes, has traditionally been spread out over the useful life of that asset. This process is known as

depreciation. What’s the difference between section 179 and bonus depreciation? Bonus depreciation is offered some years, and some years it isn’t. For 2019, it is being offered at 100 percent. The most important difference is now both new and used equipment qualify for the Section 179 deduction, as long as the used equipment is “new to you,” while bonus depreciation has only covered new equipment only until the most recent tax law passed. In a switch from recent years, the bonus depreciation now includes used equipment. The Section 179 deduction limit has been raised to $1 million with a total equipment purchase maximum of $2.5 million. This was a significant increase from the 2017 Section 179 tax deduction which was a $500,000 deduction limit with a threshold of $2 million in total purchases. The 100 percent bonus depreciation amount will remain in effect until the end of 2022 when the following phase-down will occur: 80 percent for property placed in service after Dec. 31, 2022, and before Jan. 1, 2024; 60 percent for property placed in service after Dec. 31, 2023 and before Jan. 1, 2025; 40 percent for property placed in service after Dec. 31, 2024

and before Jan. 1, 2026 and 20 percent for property placed in service after Dec. 31, 2025 and before Jan. 1, 2027. What is depreciation recapture? Depreciation recapture is a tax provision that allows the IRS to collect taxes on any profitable sale of an asset that a taxpayer had used to offset their taxable income. Since depreciation of an asset can be used to deduct ordinary income, any gain from the sale of the asset must be reported as ordinary income, rather than capital gain which is taxed at a lower rate. Calculating depreciation recapture The first step in calculating depreciation recapture is to determine the cost basis of the asset. The cost basis is the price that was originally paid for the asset. The adjusted cost basis is the original cost basis minus any allowed or allowable depreciation expense incurred. For example, if business equipment was purchased for $10,000 and had a depreciation cost of $2,000 per year, its adjusted cost basis after four years would be $10,000 - ($2,000 x 4) = $2,000. The depreciation would be recaptured if the equipment is sold for a gain. If the equipment is sold for $3,000, the business

would have a taxable gain of $3,000 - $2,000 = $1,000. It is easy to think a loss occurred from the sale since the asset was purchased for $10,000 and sold for only $3,000. However, gains and losses are realized from the adjusted cost basis, not the original cost basis. Charitable remainder trust for equipment sales Fortunately, a tool does exist for reducing taxes on the sale of equipment. By setting up a charitable remainder trust (CRT) and selling your machinery or equipment through the CRT, you may be able to totally defer the tax you may have otherwise paid. With a CRT, you are essentially trading your asset for a lifetime income stream. This tool is typically used by those who are downsizing their operation or transitioning into retirement. Chris Nolt is an independent, fee-only registered investment advisor and the owner of Solid Rock Wealth Management, Inc. and Solid Rock Realty Advisors, LLC, sister companies dedicated to working with families around the country who are selling a farm or ranch and transitioning into retirement. To order a copy of Chris’s new book: Financial Strategies for Selling a Farm or Ranch, visit Amazon.com or call Chris at 800-517-1031.

COMING SOON! WYOMING STATE FAIR Program & Rodeo Guide To advertise in the Wyoming State Fair Program and Rodeo Guide, contact Jody at 800-967-1647 or jodym@wylr.net.

Advertising Deadline: July 2, 2020

2020-21 WYOMING SEEDSTOCK DIRECTORY

800-967-1647 • www.wylr.net

To advertise in the Wyoming Seedstock Directory, contact Curt at 307-630-4604 or curt@wylr.net.

DENNIS SUN, Publisher • Cell: 307-262-6132 e-mail: dennis@wylr.net CALLIE HANSON, Managing Editor • callie@wylr.net HANNAH BUGAS, Assistant Editor • hannah@wylr.net BEAU PITT, Production Coordinator • beau@wylr.net JODY MICHELENA, Advertising Director • jodym@wylr.net CURT COX, Director of Livestock Field Services • 307-630-4604 • curt@wylr.net CODY NEGRI, Livestock Field Services Representative • 208-697-1093 • cody@wylr.net ANDREA ZINK, Circulation/Accounting Manager • andrea@wylr.net DENISE OLSON, Classified Sales Manager • 307-685-8213 • denise@wylr.net

Advertising Deadline: July 10, 2020

Subscription Rates: 1 year: $50; 2 years: $75; 3 years: $110 Postmaster: Send address changes to: andrea@wylr.net Wyoming Livestock Roundup • P.O. Box 850 • Casper, WY 82602 Member: Wyoming Stock Growers Association Wyoming Wool Growers Association Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation • Wyoming CattleWomen Livestock Publications Council • National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Fremont County Cattlemen's Association Green River Valley Cattlemen's Association Wyoming Angus Association Converse County Stock Growers Association Carbon County Stock Growers Association

wylr.net 800-967-1647 • 307-234-2700

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 32 No. 2 • May 9, 2020

NEWS BRIEFS USCA sends letter

The United States Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) sent a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue urging the prioritization of the U.S. beef and cattle industry over foreign product during the COVID-19 pandemic. USCA President Brooke Miller issued the following statement to accompany the letter. “If bold and immediate action is not taken in the coming weeks, we will witness a mass liquidation in the livestock sector that will take more than a decade of recovery. Or instead of the recovery of our industry, we will be forced to import our food like we do everything else,” he said. “As outlined in our letter, there is not a cattle shortage in this country, and we need to utilize our current domestic supply before turning to foreign beef or cattle.” “Further, we call on the president to establish an emergency work force to return to full operational capacity in U.S. meatpacking plants. With the high unemployment rates, we are seeing during this crisis, as well as shortages at the meat counter due to panic-buying, a wartime-like effort is needed to keep Americans fed and to ensure the longevity of U.S. livestock producers,” Miller said. “While this pandemic is affecting every American today, action is needed now to ensure the ramifications won’t be felt for years to come.” He concluded, “A safe and abundant food supply is something all Americans have come to depend on, and we must continue to look at all possible solutions to ensure this is the case for generations to come.”

Enzi questions FDA

U.S. Sen. Mike Enzi (R-WY) is asking the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) how it plans to implement the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) program for unapproved drugs, which Enzi said may play a crucial role in helping Americans return to some semblance of normal life during the COVID-19 pandemic. The EUA program could help make potential COVID19 therapies available to patients immediately while a possible vaccine moves through the full approval process. “FDA’s role as the gatekeeper to the United States’ prescription drug marketplace is rarely so visible as it is now,” Enzi wrote. “As such, it is imperative that the public have a clear understanding of how FDA will implement its Congressionally-delegated responsibilities and steer qualified therapies through regulatory hurdles on the basis of strong scientific evidence.” On May 1, the FDA issued an EUA for remdesivir – an antiviral medicine used to treat certain people in the hospital with COVID-19. There are more than 70 other clinical trials of potential COVID-19 therapies reportedly in progress. Enzi said the FDA can consider these for more EUAs, which would allow health providers to immediately administer the products while drug sponsors continue to pursue full FDA approval, which can take more than a decade.

ASI pens letter

The American Sheep Industry Association (ASI), its state affiliates and the National Lamb Feeders Association called for prompt solicitation of bids on an American lamb purchase in a letter delivered to U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary Greg Ibach. “In July 2019, the secretary issued an announcement for Trade Mitigation to purchase lamb products up to $17 million,” read the letter. “Since that time, as USDA is aware, the American sheep industry has been hit hard by the loss of foodservice sales and consumer demand.” ASI continued, “This crisis has resulted in losses at the farm level of at least $125 million and a total estimated economic impact to the American sheep industry of $353 million in 2020, at minimum.” “We believe at this critical time the issuance of a purchase solicitation for $17 million for lamb products would be valuable as market lambs are backing up weekly in the lots and prices are decreasing weekly. We hope solicitations can be made regularly for the proper mix of lamb products to accomplish the full $17 million authorized yet in 2020,” they concluded.

Cheney assigned to task force

Statement released

National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) President and North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring released the following statement in response to the start of negotiations for a U.S./UK free trade agreement. “With the UK’s exit from the European Union, American farmers and ranchers have new opportunities to expand trade,” said Goehring. “This first round of negotiations is a welcome signal of positivity as COVID-19 projects more uncertainty for the nation’s agricultural producers. We look forward to building a strong, science-based agreement for the benefit of producers on both sides of the Atlantic.” NASDA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit association which represents the elected and appointed commissioners, secretaries and directors of the departments of agriculture in all 50 states and four U.S. territories. NASDA grows and enhances agriculture by forging partnerships and creating consensus to achieve sound policy outcomes between state departments of agriculture, the federal government and stakeholders.

House Republican Conference Chair and Wyoming Congressman Liz Cheney (R-WY) released the following statement after being named to the House GOP Leader’s China Task Force which will develop policies, ideas and legislative strategy to combat the threat posed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). “The United States must lead the world in holding the Chinese Communist Party accountable for its coronavirus deception and its many years of pernicious activities around the globe,” said Cheney. “This is a battle between freedom and totalitarianism, and we will never let the Chinese Government determine the kind of future we are going to live in.” “I look forward to working with my colleagues on the task force to protect America’s national security. I hope Speaker Pelosi comes to recognize the threat the CCP poses to all Americans, regardless of political party, and that she chooses to work with Republicans to keep our country safe,” she concluded.

Shively Hardware Co. N. Highway 130 P.O. Box 605 Saratoga, WY 82331-0605

(307)-326-8880 • 800-300-8389 www.shivelyhardware.com

Director named

Jason Suckow has been selected as the next director of the Wildlife Services (WS) National Wildlife Research Center in Fort Collins, Colo. He began serving in his new role in early May after serving as acting director of the center since January. “His leadership skills and communication style suit him perfectly for the position,” Wildlife Services Deputy Administrator Janet Bucknall wrote in a recent letter announcing the appointment to WS employees. “I am confident Jason will continue to lead the center with the same commitment and effectiveness he has shown during the past four months and throughout his career.” Bucknall continued, “As director, he will also continue to serve as a member of the WS Management Team at this important time as we implement our Strategic Plan goals related to harmonization of the WS operations and research functions.” Suckow started his career as a seasonal trapper in his home state of Wisconsin in 1989 and worked his way through the ranks as a wildlife biologist and district supervisor. He served as a WS State Director in Pennsylvania, Minnesota and Wisconsin before taking on the role of Western Region Director and becoming a member of the WS management team in 2014.

Best Buys in Used Equipment Massey 6713, cab, ldr, MFD ................................................................ Demo Case 140 Plow, 4 bottom....................................................................$3,900 Case SR240 Skid-Steer, cab .............................................................. Demo Case 590 SN Backhoe .....................................................................$46,000 Hesston 2856 Round Baler .............................................................$10,500 Komatsu 95 Excavator ....................................................................$29,500 IH Hydro 100 Tractor, cab, ldr, grpl.................................................... $6,500 Massey 9860, 13’ razor bar, 0% - 24 months, 650 hrs ..................... $99,000 Massey 2170, 0% - 24 months, 30,000 bales................................... $59,000 2011 Artcticcat XTZ1000 Prowler, very clean, roof, windshield, 7,800 miles ................................................................................$5,500 Danuser SM 40 Post Driver............................................................... $7,495 Visit our Web Site at www.caseih.com Case IH is a registered trademark of Case Corporation.

Best Buys in Used Equipment TRACTORS/LOADERS Case IH MXM190, MFD, cab & air, front weights, low hrs,1 owner ................ ...........................................................................................................$95,000 Case IH 7140..................................................................................... $34,500 Case IH 2096, w/ cab, air .................................................................. $19,500 Case IH MX170, MFD, w/ ldr, grpl ..................................................... $69,500 JD 420 Dozer, antique ......................................................................... $7,500 Case 580K Backhoe .......................................................................... $24,900 Hesston 880-5, low hours .................................................................. $14,500 MX120, 2 WD, w/ ldr.......................................................................... $49,500 100 Hydro w/ DU-AL loader & blade ................................................... $5,900

HAYING & FORAGE

New Holland 855 Round Baler ............................................................ $4,900 New Holland 276 Baler ........................................................................ $2,900 2011 MF 2190 4x4 Baler w/ accumulator ........................$129,500; $119,500 Case 8465 Baler .................................................................................. $9,500

International 445 Baler ......................................................................... $3,500 Hesston 4910 Baler w/ accumulator ................................................... $39,500 Hesston 4910 Baler w/ accumulator ................................................... $24,500 Hesston 4900 4x4 Baler w/ accumulator ............................................ $24,500 Hesston 4655 Small Square Baler ..................................................... $12,500 Hesston 5580 Round Baler .................................................................. $1,900 Case RS 561 Round Baler ................................................................. $19,500 SR 220 New Holland Swather w/ disc head ......................................$115,000 Case IH 8870 Swather, 16’ head, 1 owner ......................................... $43,500 Case IH 8840 Swather, 16’ head ........................................................ $32,500 Hesston 6650 Swather, 16’ head........................................................ $10,000 1030 New Holland Bale Wagon ............................................................ $2,900 New Holland 1118 Windrower, 16’ head ............................................. $19,500 New Holland Side Delivery Rake.......................................................... $1,950 Kuhn GA4101 Tedder Rake.................................................................. $5,900 Case IH 8750 3-Row Corn Chopper w/ new knives, spout liner & gathering chains.. ................................................................... .........$15,000

MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT BJM 3914 Mixer Feeder, pull type ...................................................... $6,900 JD 700 Grinder/Mixer ......................................................................... $3,900 Leon 808 Loader, bucket & grpl.......................................................... $7,900 Case IH 710 Loader ........................................................................... $4,900 International 2001 Loader................................................................... $2,900 14’ Chisel Plow ................................................................................... $3,900 Meyers 7’ V-Ditcher w/ wing extenders, pull type ............................... $2,500 Aerway 15’ Aerator, pull type ............................................................ $19,900 International 510 Grain Drill, double disc with alfalfa seeder.............. $7,900 14’ International Disc .......................................................................... $2,900 6”x32’ Grain Auger, PTO driven ............................................................. $950 8”x50’ Grain Auger, PTO driven .......................................................... $1,950 Cube Elevator ..................................................................................... $1,000

NEW 2016 20’ Duralite Stock Trailer ...................................... Call for Pricing Arrow Portable Loading Chute ........................................................... $3,600 Portable Pearson Chute on trailer ...................................................... $1,900 9 Shank V Ripper ............................................................................... $4,900 Ford Dump Truck ................................................................................ $9,500 Ford 700 Truck w/ stack retriever ....................................................... $9,500 Dynamo DP-7100 Generator .............................................................. $4,950 3 PT Hydraulic Post Hole Digger ........................................................ $1,950 Set of IH Duals 18.4 x 38 w/ clamps...................................................... $750 1 1/4” 6 Rail 20’ Continuous Fence Panels ...................................$105/each 1 1/2” 6 Rail 20’ Continuous Fence Panels ...................................$130/each

CARLSON EQUIPMENT 77 Zuber Road • Riverton, WY 82501 • (307) 856-8123 carlsonequipment@gmail.com

Visit our Web Site at: www.carlsonequipment.com

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 32 No. 2 • May 9, 2020

HORNET continued from page 1 bees. West Virginia University Entomologist Brian Lovett notes the creature will attack a variety of insects including caterpillars and other social insects. According to Washington State University (WSU) Extension, samples of Asian giant hornet were positively identified after being found in Blaine, Wash. in December 2019. “This is the first confirmed U.S. sighting of this insect in the wild and only the third in North America, after specimens were found in Nanaimo and White Rock, British Columbia earlier in 2019,” WSU reports. “After the original detection, three more potential Asian giant hornet sightings were reported south of Blaine and in Bellingham in late April. Two of these reports were of Asian giant hornet attacking colonies of honey bees, with beekeepers observing potential hornet activity as far back as October.” Likelihood of spread Entomologists across the country have offered their expert opinions and

advice on the discovery of the dangerous hornet. However, there seems to be a mixed bag of opinions on whether the insect will spread across the U.S. University of Wyoming (UW) Extension Entomologist Scott Schell notes producers in Wyoming are unlikely to see this pest anytime soon. “We have a lot more insects that will likely cause more damage than that beast ever will,” Schell says. Fellow UW Entomologist Rhanda Jabbour notes it is unlikely this will be a problem in Wyoming anytime soon, but beekeepers should be aware of the issue and be vigilant with their hives. Colorado State University Entomologist Whitney Crenshaw believes the media coverage of the insect is “sensationalist” and is confident the creature will be eradicated in Washington State before it is able to travel further east. “This is a sensational story, but here are a couple of things to keep in mind,” Crenshaw says. “First of all, within the United

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

States the Asian giant hornet is presently found in only a small area of northeast Washington State and, perhaps an adjacent area of British Columbia.” He continues, “There are efforts to try and eradicate it, but it is still too early to know if that is possible. A variety of traps and controls have been developed for this in Asia and these can be adapted to try and use here.” Crenshaw notes this insect is adapted to lowelevation woodland areas, which are not present in Colorado. The wasp is also not a good “hitchhiker” like the European wasp, and therefore is less likely to spread. Some entomologists are less confident the wasp will be eradicated before spreading. University of Arizona Entomologist Katy Prudic notes there are a lot of factors that could influence the insects’ spread. “It depends on how many have been introduced, when they were introduced and where they were introduced. It also depends on how well we can detect them in the landscape and remove them,” Prudic explains. “All of those factors are quickly changing, which

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

www.torringtonlivestock.com

FRIDAY, MAY 15 - FEEDER SPECIAL/ALL CLASSES Helen Nicolls 50 Mx Strs & Hfrs, 500-650#, Weaned a long time, Hay Fed, Branding Shots, Poured, Home Raised, Wintered for grass MANY MORE CONSIGNMENTS BY SALE DAY

SALE RESULTS - FRIDAY, MAY 1 - 5415 HD

Pokorny Ranch Family Ross Newman Bartlett Ranch Pokorny Ranch Family Royce & Kathleen Heine Valorie & Michael Heatherly Mountain Valley Livestock James McGuire Miller Land Co LLC Brooks Shepard Diane Hall W W Livestock LLC Rocky & Nancy Foy Paul Adams Ben Seppanen Gary Alps William Garrelts George Peet Hester Farms Inc Hester Farms Inc James & Viola Goodrich Hourett Cattle Co Hourett Cattle Co Boyd & Cheryl Yeik Dale & Janelle Clark Dale & Janelle Clark Paul & Nancy Landeck Bruce & Debra Murray Harlan & Charlie Bradshaw Dennis Edwards Horseshoe Valley Ranch Co Vollman Ranches Inc Grant Ranch Robert Clausen Hester Farms Inc Boyd & Cheryl Yeik Hester Farms Jack Creek Land & Cattle Coxbill Farms Inc Gary & Kathy Mehling W W Livestock Boyd & Cheryl Yeik Oak Leaf Ranch Oak Leaf Ranch Dale & Janelle Clark Terry Regan Bruce & Debra Murray Marc & Deanna Clark Gary Alps Boyd & Cheryl Yeik Jack Berger David & Christy Fredrickson Dale & Janelle Clark Pokorny Ranch Family JFW Corporation

3 Black Cow 1013 1 Black Cow 1075 9 Black Cow 1336 5 Black Cow 1265 4 Black Cow 1497 1 Black Cow 1795 2 Black Cow 1482 2 Black Cow 1125 1 Black Bull 2140 1 Black Bull 2055 1 Black Bull 1935 3 Black/Red Bull 870 5 Black Heiferette 879 12 Black Steer 574 29 Black Steer 673 42 Black Steer 704 46 Black Steer 744 23 Black Steer 734 97 Black Steer 805 162 Black Steer 918 45 Black Steer 826 99 Black Steer 875 103 Black Steer 989 49 Black/Red Steer 696 23 Black/Red Steer 771 80 Mixed Steer 660 92 RWF Steer 756 61 Mixed Heifer 573 23 Black Heifer 663 41 Black Heifer 687 42 Black Heifer 659 42 Black Heifer 701 43 Black Heifer 691 40 Black Heifer 729 62 Black Heifer 739 61 Black Heifer 739 74 Black Heifer 820 29 Black Heifer 772 27 Black/Red Heifer 735 15 Black/Red Heifer 817 43 Mixed Heifer 892 18 Black Steer Calf 572 16 Black/Red Steer Calf 404 16 Black/Red Steer Calf 467 38 Black/Red Steer Calf 566 34 Black/Red Steer Calf 612 22 Mixed Heifer Calf 502 22 Black Heifer Calf 491 15 Black Heifer Calf 588 37 Black Heifer Calf 602 18 Black Heifer Calf 660 33 Black Heifer Calf 629 33 Black/Red Heifer Calf 620 4 Black Bred Cow-3yr/May-June 1121 5 Black Bred Heifer/Summer 1135

TORRINGTON

85.00C 82.00C LIVESTOCK AREA 76.50C REPS 65.00C 60.50C Cody Thompson - Lusk, WY 307-340-0150 58.50C 56.50C 52.00C Ty Thompson – Lusk, WY 307-340-0770 96.50C 87.00C Zach Johnson Lingle, WY –307-575-2171 84.00C 98.00C Jeff Ward – Laramie, WY 307-399-9863 97.00C 160.00C 146.50C Tam Staman – Crawford, NE 308-631-8513 146.00C 138.50C Artie Johnson - Lusk, WY 307-216-0117 137.50C 128.00C 120.00C Lander Nicodemus – Cheyenne, WY 307-421-8141 120.00C 116.50C Danny Nicodemus – Cheyenne, WY 307-632-4325 108.25C 140.00C Chris Williams - Greybull, WY 307-272-4567 126.00C 152.50C Justin Smith - Lusk, WY 307-340-0724 132.75C 139.50C 134.00C 131.00C 129.75C 128.50C 128.50C 127.00C 126.00C 122.00C 121.50C 114.00C 124.00C 107.50C 102.00C 155.00C 184.00C 170.00C 154.00C 145.50C 140.00C 151.00C 138.00C 136.00C 130.50C 127.00C 130.00C 1425.00H 1425.00H

VIEW SALES & BID ONLINE AT CATTLE USA

“Like Us” for Sale Updates, Results and News

SALE POLICY DURING COVID-19 TORRINGTON LIVESTOCK MARKETS INTENDS ON HAVING WEEKLY SALES. AT THIS TIME WE ASK ALL NON-ESSENTIAL PEOPLE TO NOT ATTEND THE SALES. CONSIGNORS WE ASK THAT YOU MINIMIZE TIME SPENT AT THE BARN. OUR STAFF IS THERE TO UNLOAD YOUR CATTLE AND FROM THERE YOU CAN RETURN HOME. ONLY BUYERS WILL BE ALLOWED IN THE SALE ARENA. WE ENCOURAGE BUYERS TO SPREAD OUT IN THE SALE ARENA. AS ALWAYS SALES ARE AVAILABLE FOR ONLINE VIEWING AND BIDDING THROUGH CATTLE USA. IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE WITH SETTING UP AN ACCOUNT ON CATTLE USA PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE AT 307-532-3333 OR CALL MICHAEL AT 307-532-1776.

www.torringtonlivestock.com

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

is why reporting observations to local officials is important.” “Because some people may not know the difference between an Asian giant hornet and a tarantula hawk, I recommend using a smartphone application like Seek to help identify the hornet,” Prudic says. “This will help local officials from becoming overwhelmed with false observations of an Asian giant hornet.” The Entomological Society of America notes the appearance of the Asian giant hornet should be a reminder of the ongoing challenge to prevent and respond to invasive insect and anthropoid species. About the hornet North Carolina State University Extension Entomologist Michael

Waldvogel notes the hornets somewhat resemble a common yellowjacket but much bigger. “Queens of the Asian giant hornet are more than two-inches long, while the workers are about an inch and a half long,” he says. “The Asian giant hornets have an almost entirely yellow-orange colored head. They have a dark thorax, the body section where the wings and legs attach, and the abdomen has dark brown and black bands.” Purdue University Extension reports the insect is five times the size of a honey bee and 20 times the weight, with a large adult being able to kill as many as 40 honey bees per minute using its large mandible. “Asian giant hornets create nests in the ground,

SHEEP continued from page 1 Treasury Department released guidance on primary residence, as eligibility of H-2A workers remains a concern for the industry. “Unfortunately, the guidance they provided still leaves the question in limbo,” he states. Economic injury disaster loan “There was a big win for agriculture as well this week, as Congress ensured agricultural enterprises are eligible for the economic injury disaster loan,” Adams says. “This program provides a grant of $10,000 to those who qualify and a low interest loan up to $2 million.” With this said, Adams notes he strongly encourages sheep producers to visit with their ag lending institution to evaluate which options might best fit their operation. “If producers are going to do this, they need to do so quickly, as funds are likely to run out again,” he says. ASI direct assistance Adams notes ASI is continuing to work with the Trump administration and Congress to ensure direct assistance for sheep and wool producers. “We are working and we are working quickly,” he states. “Details remain scant, but all expectations are that a rule for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, including lamb and wool, will be sent to

the White House soon for a review, and Secretary Sonny Perdue says he hopes to have payments out by late May.” Along those same lines, Adams notes ASI is voicing their concern regarding payment limits for direct assistance. “ASI echoed the concerns of the House and Senate members as well as many individuals in the livestock sector in urging the USDA and the White House to reconsider payment limits for direct assistance,” Adams states. “The reports indicate direct assistance will be capped out at $125,000 per commodity with a maximum of $250,000 per entity,” he says. “For the lamb feeding sector in particular, this limit is going to make it hard to recover when losses quickly surpass those amounts for the lambs that were on feed for the Easter and Passover holiday season.” Processing plant EO “Then, on Wednesday, April 29, President Trump issued an executive order (EO) under the Defense Production Act directing the USDA to ensure the continuation of meat and poultry processing nationwide,” says Adams. “President Trump’s actions come in response to concerns over processing facility closures and on the heels of new guidance

taking advantage of existing structures such as hollow trees or rodent tunnels,” WSU says. “They aggressively attack honey bees and a small group of them can destroy an entire colony, and as such are a serious concern for beehives and native pollinators. Asian giant hornets can be confused with other species in the same genus, so positive identification is needed to confirm their presence.” WSU notes the Asian giant hornet is also a potential human health concern as their venom is very toxic and they will attack humans if threatened. Callie Hanson is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net. on worker safety from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration for processing plant employees,” he adds. HOS update “Rounding out the end of April, there was some continued momentum on the livestock transportation front as Sens. John Hoeven (R-ND) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) led a bipartisan letter with 22 of their colleagues urging the Senate Transportation Committee to adopt legislation ensuring greater flexibility under the existing hours of service (HOS) rules for hauling livestock,” he explains. “Livestock transportation has remained exempt from the electronic logging mandate under Congressional direction as we continue to work to have provisions in place to ensure animal welfare and safely during transit,” he adds. “While we have made some progress, HOS has been a particular sticking point with the Department of Transportation and it can only be resolved with congressional action.” He continues, “ASI applauds the efforts of Sens. Hoeven and Bennet as we work to ensure a final HOS rule better suited to the needs of the livestock industry.” Hannah Bugas is the assistant editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

NCBA releases statement National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President-Elect Jerry Bohn, released the following statement in response to a letter from Dr. Stephen R. Koontz of Colorado State University providing additional context and clarity regarding his work on cattle markets and the use of that research in conjunction with the 30-14 proposal for mandated cash trade for live cattle. “NCBA has been working closely with Dr. Stephen R. Koontz to develop solutions that address our concerns with the decline in negotiated cash markets and lack of price discovery. Recently there have been calls for marketing mandates with Dr. Koontz’s research being

used to support those proposals,” said Bohn. In response to inquiries regarding his research on this topic, Dr. Koontz released a letter to correct the record and clarify his positions and findings on this topic. “NCBA is committed to finding an industry-led solution, backed by current research and data, to increase the amount of negotiated cash trade in the industry,” said Koontz. “NCBA’s Live Cattle Marketing Committee Working Group has been hard at work crafting industry-led solutions on the best methods to increase cash market activity without causing financial harm to the industry.”

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 32 No. 2 • May 9, 2020

OBITUARIES

Margaret “Peg” L. Peterson

We welcome obituaries. Obituaries are printed free of charge and can be sent to roundup@wylr.net.

Betty Jean Comes Jarvis May 23, 1927 – April 26, 2020 Betty Jean Comes Jarvis passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 26 at the age of 92, a month shy of her 93rd birthday. Burial has taken place and due to COVID-19, a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Betty was born in Greybull on May 23, 1927 to Nicholas Marcus and Frances Rosina (Moon) Comes. She was raised in Bonneville and graduated from Shoshoni Public School in 1945. She attended the University of Wyoming the following year but ultimately completed her education at Central Business College, Denver, Colo. in 1947. She married Myron C. Jarvis on October 23, 1949. Together, they shared 62 years of marriage. They enjoyed their first home, built by Myron himself, on his folk’s original farm in Missouri Valley, where Myron farmed. A devoted wife, mother and community member, she was actively involved in many local organizations. She was a member of the Shoshoni School

PTA for 38 years and served one year as president. She was twice the president of the Missouri Valley Women’s Club, a member of Fremont County Cowbelles and 12-year-member and former president of the Riverton Hospital Auxiliary. Since she was 19 years old, Betty was also a member of and former matron of the Shoshoni Chapter of the Order of Eastern Stars, where she played the piano for more than 20 years. In 1989, she was presented with the Woman of the Year in Agriculture Award from the Riverton Chamber of Commerce. Since the age of 16, Betty dedicated hundreds of hours of talent to playing the piano for weddings, church services and funerals. She also played the piano and organ for the Shoshoni Presbyterian Church for several years. More recently, she played the piano daily for the residents of Homestead Living Center. Aside from her family, her passions in life included cooking, she was known for her delicious cinnamon rolls, sewing, including making Christmas stockings for new-

born babies at Riverton Hospital Auxiliary, and knitting and crocheting thousands of articles of clothing and blankets for family and friends. Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Myron Jarvis, in 2012; son, Michael Jarvis, in 2018; baby granddaughter, Audrey Blaha in 1982; parents, Nicholas and Frances Comes; sister, Priscilla (Rudy) Herbst and brother, Marvin (Carol) Comes. She is survived by her brother, Richard of LaFayette, Ore.; children, Greg (Kathleen) Jarvis of Shoshoni, Jane (Eldon) Buell of Sheridan and Peggy (Jim) Blaha of Sheridan; 13 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. Two great-granddaughters were born on Betty’s birthday. Memorial donations in memory of Betty can be made to Shriners Hospital for Children in care of Davis Funeral Home, 2203 W. Main Street, Riverton, WY 82501. Online condolences may be made to the family at TheDavisFuneralHome. com. A r r a n g e m e n t s under the direction of Davis Funeral Home.

Fred Osborne Gibbs Aug. 25, 1944 – April 15, 2020 Fred Osborne Gibbs, 75, passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by family and loved ones, April 15, 2020, after fighting an uphill battle with cancer for eight years. He was born in Laramie and raised in Rock River by his loving parents Fred and Anna May (Cuin) Gibbs. He was raised to be a hard-working ranch kid and this echoed throughout his life. He graduated from Rock River High School in 1962 with a class of three students. He attended the University of Wyoming receiving a bachelor of science in microbiology in June of 1967 and then going on to earn his master of science in animal husbandry in June of 1968. He joined the Air National Guard and trained at Lackland Air Force Base for boot camp, but was released on a medical discharge after three months. He then moved to Fort Collins, and began attending Colorado State University, earning his doctorate of veterinary medicine in 1976. To pay for all this schooling he worked for Allied Mills, then he worked with his sister JoAnn and her husband John Pearson raising sheep, cattle and farming. To help offset the cost of vet school, he opened

B&G Irrigation erecting center pivots. For the last 30 years or so he owned and operated Affordable Storage in Greeley, Colo. and Prairie View Ranchettes in Wiggins, Colo. In 1972, he married Mary Brown and had twin boys whom he loved dearly. They divorced and he met and married Doryea Scruggs to whom he was married and together with for 28 years. They built a loving family combining two families together. Fred had a fervor for life. He loved being out and about visiting friends and business partners. With Doryea, they traveled to China, New Zealand, the Czech Republic, Austria, Germany, the Netherlands and many other European countries. Most recently, they traveled to Alaska and took a cruise on the Snake River. Often, they traveled in the U.S. going for enjoyment and to see his college friends. He was the life of the party, never meeting a stranger, he would talk with people for hours. He loved taking drives in the mountains of Colorado and Wyoming, taking pictures of everything he saw. Fred would spend many hours playing with his grandchildren and was the only grandpa to play Barbies with his grand-

daughter Skylah when she was going through cancer treatments. His grandsons spent time with him at his shop asking questions galore and he would gently answer them even though he was busy working. His death is leaving a large hole in the lives of family and friends, and he will be missed. Fred is survived by his loving wife Doryea Gibbs of Eaton, Colo., son James G. Gibbs of Greeley, Colo., sister JoAnn (John) Pearson of Buffalo, niece Tulsa (Mac) Dean of Red Lodge, Mont., stepdaughter Anissa (Matt) Bree of Cody, stepson Derek (Joan) Jackson of Eaton, Colo. and stepdaughter Amaris (Josh) Coots of Windsor, Colo., along with grandchildren Skylah and Gabe Bree, Lexa Jackson, Tucker Jackson, Tynlee Shortridge and Max Coots. He was preceded in death by his parents, son Fred G. Gibbs and niece Autumn Pearson. No funeral services will be held at this time, and the family will have a celebration of Fred’s life at a later date. In lieu of flowers please donate money in Fred’s name to the cancer research organization of your choice or Make a Wish of Wyoming or Colorado.

Jan. 28, 1948 - May 1, 2020 Margaret “Peg” Louise Peterson passed away peacefully at Central Wyoming Hospice May 1 at the age of 72. Peg was born Jan. 28, 1948 in Casper, the eldest daughter of Jim and Mary (Kasper) Price. Peg lived on the family ranch in the Wolfe Creek area and graduated from Natrona County High School in 1966. She was accepted into the Casper College Nursing School where she graduated in 1975 and began working at Natrona County Memorial Hospital (Wyoming Medical Center). She then transferred to Dr. Harlan Myers’ practice working with allergy

and chemotherapy children for 35 years before retiring due to her declining health status. Nursing and children were her passion. In 1971, she married Allen “Jim” Peterson on Aug. 28, in Casper. They would have shared their 49th wedding anniversary this year. Peg is survived by her husband, Jim, a daughter, Kari (Ben) Pollock, two granddaughters, Harper and Kadin Pollock of Casper; brothers Jim (Peggy) Price of Bates Hole and John (Deb) of Casper; sisters Pat Price of Casper and Mary McNeal of Riverton and many other family members. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Judith Elder.

UW continued from page 1 one as a management tool in farmed reindeer at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Research objectives “This research was initiated by Dr. Milan Shipka in Alaska where reindeer are farmed,” explains Alexander. “I am currently in a western regional research project with Dr. Shipka.” Alexander further explains the objective of this particular research project is to determine how the treatment of bucks with a progesterone agonist influenced sperm production and neural activity in areas of the brain known to be important for the expression of reproductive behavior in males. “The overall goal of our research is to find a way to safely manage reindeer bucks during the rut, because bucks become very dangerous to their handlers during the rutting period,” she says. “Many producers in Alaska have been using progesterone agonists to alter behavior for years, but how that influences fertility and changes behavior has not been determined.” She continues, “The importance of this research

for Wyoming and other western states is how it will have potential application to the management of beef and dairy bulls. Certainly handling bulls is challenging and there is interest in a way to decrease their aggressive behavior while conserving reproductive potential.” Data collection process As far as the data collection process, Alexander says she had a lot of fun. “Robert Ziegler, Gary Moss and I had the opportunity to go to Fairbanks, Alaska to collect tissue from the reindeer herd managed by the University of Alaska Fairbanks,” Alexander says. “Dr. Shipka had treated the reindeer bucks with medroxyprogesterone acetate, a progesterone agonist, two weeks prior to the onset of rut. Tissue was then collected early- to mid-breeding season.” Currently, the team is completing their analysis, according to Alexander. “We are interested in how this treatment influenced serum concentrations of testosterone and how it may influence sperm production and testes architecture,” she says. Research findings Alexander notes the most interesting results they

Peg was an amazing person. She was a tough lady suffering much pain in the last 20 years of her life. She loved gardening, dogs, chickens and spending time with her granddaughters. Even though she was wheelchair bound, she was always doing housework, cooking and making things better for all of her “kids.” She was and is one of the toughest people you’ve ever known and will be deeply missed. Due to current restrictions, services were private. Please make memorial contributions to Central Wyoming Hospice, 319 South Wilson Street, Casper, WY 82601. have found in their study so far has to do with fear. “I think the most interesting thing we found is treatment seems to allow the bucks to remain fearful, which weirdly protects handlers. When the bucks lose their fear of people, they are dangerous,” she says. “In treated bucks, reproductive signaling within the brain appears intact following medroxyprogesterone acetate treatment. Increased neural activity within the central amygdala, an area of the brain that integrates sensory signals and is known to be important for fear signaling, may partially account for an increased fear of herdsmen in treated bucks, therefore reducing aggressive behavior during the rut,” she adds. Alexander notes her and her colleagues will continue working to finish the testosterone data and study the influence of progesterone on fertility. “I would really like to apply this work to beef and/or dairy bulls to determine if it could be applied to different species,” she states. Hannah Bugas is the assistant editor for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 32 No. 2 • May 9, 2020

CALENDAR

SALES May 15

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

EVENTS May 12 May 12-13 May 15-17 CANCELED May 18-19 May 21 CANCELED May 25 CANCELED June 14-20 June 19-21 July 3-11 July 9-20 July 17-26 July 21-25 July 22-25

May 17

Wyoming Water Development Commission Water Forum, Cheyenne, Wyoming Water Development Office. For more information or an agenda, visit wwdc.state.wy.us/. Wyoming Animal Damage Management Board, Zoom Meeting. For a complete agenda or more information about this meeting, visit wyadmb. com or contact Jerry Johnson at 307- 777-6781. Rocky Mountain Leather Trade Show, Sheridan. For more information, visit leathercraftersjournal.com. University of Wyoming Energy Transition Symposium, Laramie. For more information visit uwyo.edu/ser/events/energy-transition-symposium. Sandhills Cattle Association Convention, Thedford, Neb., Thomas County Fairgrounds. Visit sandhillscattle,com for more information. Wyoming Livestock Roundup Office closed for Memorial Day. College National Finals Rodeo, Casper, Casper Events Center. Visit cnfr.com for more information. Permaculture Design Workshop, Lander, Central Wyoming CollegeLander. For more information or questions, please contact CWC Lander at 307-332-3394 or landercenter@cwc.edu. Central Wyoming Fair, Casper, Central Wyoming Fairgrounds. Visit centralwyomingfair.com for more information. Converse County Fair, Douglas, Wyoming State Fairgrounds. Visit conversecountyfair.com for more information. Teton County Fair, Jackson, Teton County Fairgrounds. Visit tetoncountyfair.com for more information. Park County Fair, Powell, Park County Fairgrounds. Visit parkcountyfair. com for more information. Sublette County Fair, Big Piney, Sublette County Fairgrounds. Visit sublettecountyfair.com for more information.

Big horn Basin

Worland, WY

Sale Barn: 307-347-9201 Danny Vigil: 307-388-0781

LIVESTOCK AUCTION LLC

Broadcasting and Online Bidding Available At lmaauctions.com. Please visit to fill out an application and view auctions.

We have all of your AI supplies! Genex AI supplies on hand, as well as semen straws.

May 7, 2020 – 626 Head

Cows $2 to $3 Higher • Bulls $2 to $3 Higher BULLS Zeller Ranch - Meeteetse 1 Blk Bull, 1850# ....................................$9100 1 Blk Bull, 1665# ....................................$8800 Gilbreath, Donald - Meeteetse 1 Blk Bull, 2100# ....................................$8750 Orchard Ranch - Ten Sleep 1 Red Bull, 1710# ..................................$8650 Riley, Michael - Burlington 1 RWF Bull, 2355#.................................$7850 Hamilton Ranch Inc. - Hyattville 1 Blk Bull, 1470# ....................................$7550 Collingwood, Jeff - Greybull 1 LnghrnX Bull, 1295# ...........................$7300 Shumway, Beverly - Thermopolis 1 Blk Bull, 1485# ....................................$6900 BRED COWS TD & Sons LLC - Worland 11 Blk Bred Cows ..........................$1135/Hd. COWS Hoyt, Mark - Basin 1 Blk Cow, 1355# ...................................$6700 1 Blk Cow, 1315# ...................................$6350 1 Blk Cow, 1315# ...................................$6250 1 Blk Cow, 1555# ...................................$6250 2 Blk Cows, avg. 1408# .........................$6200 1 Blk Cow, 1520# ...................................$6150 2 Blk Cows, avg. 1570# .........................$6000 2 Blk Cows, avg. 1528# .........................$6000 1 Blk Cow, 1465# ...................................$5950 1 Blk Cow, 1485# ...................................$5400 Thomas, Fred - Meeteetse 1 Blk Cow, 1220# ...................................$6500 1 Blk Cow, 1560# ...................................$6400 2 Blk Cows, avg. 1555# .........................$6100 1 Blk Cow, 1525# ...................................$6050 TD & Sons LLC - Worland 1 Blk Cow, 1135# ...................................$6400 1 Blk Cow, 1445# ...................................$6350 3 Blk Cows, avg. 1293# .........................$6250 1 Blk Cow, 1515# ...................................$6050 Brewster Ranch Limited Part - Ten Sleep 1 Blk Cow, 1320# ...................................$6350 1 Blk Cow, 1190# ...................................$5850 Davidson, Peter - Burlington 1 Blk Cow, 1955# ...................................$6250 1 Blk Cow, 1580# ...................................$6150 1 Blk Cow, 1935# ...................................$5550 1 Blk Cow, 2110# ...................................$5450 Winters, Scott Workman - Otto 1 Blk Cow, 1575# ...................................$6250 Rankine Livestock - Worland 1 Blk Cow, 1850# ...................................$6200 1 Blk Cow, 1185# ...................................$4200 Walker, Eric - Burlington 1 Blk Cow, 1510# ...................................$6200 WS Livestock Inc. - Lander 2 Blk Cows, avg. 1375# .........................$6200 Greet Ranch Inc. - Ten Sleep 1 Blk Cow, 1165# ...................................$6100 Renner, Paddy - Meeteetse 1 Blk Cow, 1605# ...................................$6000 1 Blk Cow, 1285# ...................................$5300 Bald Ridge Cattle Co. - Powell 1 Blk Cow, 1045# ...................................$5950 Red Canyon Ranch Partners - Shell 1 BWF Cow, 1235# ................................$5850 Preator, Norman - Burlington 1 Blk Cow, 1185# ...................................$5800

May 16

Cook, Ron - Burlington 1 Blk Cow, 1365# ...................................$5750 1 Red Cow, 1375# .................................$5650 Renner, Albert - Meeteetse 1 Blk Cow, 1150# ...................................$5700 Schneider, Mark - Powell 1 Blk Cow, 1150# ...................................$5550 Hoffman, Ron - Thermopolis 1 Red Cow, 1275# .................................$5450 Bassett, Joseph - Burlington 1 BWF Cow, 1115# ................................$4650 HEIFERETTES Bjornestad Land & Cattle - Manderson 4 Blk Hfrettes, avg. 998# .......................$9150 Preator, Norman - Burlington 1 Blk Hfrette, 920# .................................$8800 Larsen Ranch Co. - Meeteetse 5 Blk Hfrettes, avg. 1076# .....................$8700 Brewster Ranch Limited Part - Ten Sleep 1 Blk Hfrette, 960# .................................$8100 Greet Ranch Inc. - Ten Sleep 1 Blk Hfrette, 1030# ...............................$8100 WS Livestock Inc. - Lander 1 BWF Hfrette, 650# ..............................$7700 HEIFER CALVES Herman Livestock LLC - Hyattville 9 Blk Hfr Clvs, avg. 481# .....................$14100 77 Mxd Hfr Clvs, avg. 552# .................$13900 4 RWF Hfr Clvs, avg. 523# ..................$12250 Gifford Ranch LLC - Basin 9 BWF Hfr Clvs, avg. 469# ..................$13200 6 Blk Hfr Clvs, avg. 423# .....................$12700 Bald Ridge Cattle Co. - Powell 5 Blk Hfr Clvs, avg. 444# .....................$12900 9 BWF Hfr Clvs, avg. 601# ..................$11600 Schneider, Mark - Powell 3 Blk Hfr Clvs, avg. 553# .....................$12300 Geis, Jack - Greybull 6 Blk Hfr Clvs, avg. 603# .....................$12200 Cook, Ron - Burlington 7 Blk Hfr Clvs, avg. 658# .....................$12200 Gasvoda, Gretchen - Greybull 2 Blk Hfr Clvs, avg. 590# .....................$12100 STEER CALVES Herman Livestock LLC - Hyattville 17 BWF Str Clvs, avg. 531# ................$17800 77 BWF Str Clvs, avg. 597# ................$16100 Gifford Ranch LLC - Basin 12 Blk Str Clvs, avg. 508# ...................$16000 Geis, Jack - Greybull 6 Blk Str Clvs, avg. 512# .....................$15600 6 Blk Str Clvs, avg. 392# .....................$14500 Schneider, Mark - Powell 6 Blk Str Clvs, avg. 454# .....................$15100 Thompson Cattle Co. - Billings, MT 9 Mxd Str Clvs, avg. 596# ...................$14600 Bald Ridge Cattle Co. - Powell 2 Blk Str Clvs, avg. 485# .....................$14500 3 Blk Str Clvs, avg. 507# .....................$14300 Cook, Ron - Burlington 15 Blk Str Clvs, avg. 660# ...................$13400 23 Blk Str Clvs, avg. 795# ................... $11100

June 10-11 June 24-25 June 25-26 July 1 July 6-10 July 13-15 July 20-22 July 27-31 Aug. 4-5 Aug. 17-18 Aug. 17-21 Aug. 24-25 Sept. Sept. 5 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 18-19 Sept. 21

Diamond Peak Cattle Spring Special, Loma Livestock, Loma, Colo., 970-756-8600, 970-326-8620, 970-326-8621, diamondpeakcattle.com 37th Annual WYO Quarter Horse, Arena, Ranch Broke Gelding and Production Sale, Hot Springs County Fairgrounds, Thermopolis, 307864-5671, 307-272-0593, wyohorses.com Gordon Livestock Market Horse Sale, Gordon, Neb., 308-282-1171, 308-282-9998, 308-282-2655, gordonlivestock.dvauction.com Superior Livestock Auction Corn Belt Classic XXII, Council Bluffs, Iowa, 800-422-2117, superiorlivestock.com Superior Livestock Auction Big Sky Roundup IV, Billings, Mont., 800422-2117, superiorlivestock.com Northern Livestock Video Auction Early Summer Special, 866-6165035, northernlivestockvideo.com Cattle Country Video High Plains Showcase Sale, Goshen County Rendezvous Center, Torrington, 888-322-8853, cattlecountryvideo.com Superior Livestock Auction Week in the Rockies XXXII, Loveland, Colo., 800-422-2117, superiorlivestock.com Western Video Market, Nugget Casino Resort, Reno, Nev., 530-3473793, wvmcattle.com Northern Livestock Video Auction Summertime Classic, 866-6165035, northernlivestockvideo.com Superior Livestock Auction Video Royale XXVIII, Winnemucca, Nev., 800-422-2117, superiorlivestock.com Cattle Country Video Oregon Trail Classic Sale, Gering Civic Center, Gering, Neb., 888-322-8853, cattlecountryvideo.com Western Video Market, Little America, Cheyenne, 530-347-3793, wvmcattle.com Superior Livestock Auction Big Horn Classic, Sheridan, 800-4222117, superiorlivestock.com Northern Livestock Video Auction Early Fall Preview, 866-616-5035, northernlivestockvideo.com Cattle Country Video Sandhills Roundup Sale, Goshen County Rendezvous Center, Torrington, 888-322-8853, cattlecountryvideo.com 19th Annual Labor Day Horse Sale, Diamond X Ranch, Evanston, 307789-2474, proffitranch.com 92nd Annual Wyoming State Ram Sale, Wyoming State Fairgrounds, Douglas, 307-265-5250, 307-351-1422, wyowool.com Western Video Market, Haythorn Ranch, Ogallala, Neb., 530-347-3793, wvmcattle.com 24th Annual Van Norman and Friends Production Sale, Elko County Fairgrounds, Elko, Nev., 775-756-6508, 775-934-7404, vannormansale.com Northern Livestock Video Auction Fall Premier, 866-616-5035, northernlivestockvideo.com

POSTCARD from the Past

Compiled by Dick Perue rrichardperue@gmail.com

Big White Barn on Hill As one of the local historians, a frequently asked question about my hometown of Saratoga is,“What’s the skinny on that big white barn on the hill North of town?” On Oct. 9, 1914 the Carbon County Journal noted the following. “At the Canary Ranch near Saratoga a large two-story concrete barn is being erected, which will be the most modern of any barn in the county. It will be lighted with electricity and every convenience will be installed.” And here’s what “The Saratoga Sun” reported on Dec. 3, 1914.

Thoroughbred Cattle “J. D. Canary arrived here last Friday with three cars of breeding cattle for his Thoroughbred ranch north of town. The shipment was all young heifers and one big, grown herd bull. Mr. Canary will not ship the balance of his stuff until the spring. He has yet about 80 young bulls and two or three hundred head of she stock to place on this ranch next season. His stuff are all prize ring stock, and are all a great credit to this valley. Mr. Canary is an old time stockman, down in Oklahoma and the Kansas country, and for years has handled very little but thoroughbred stuff.

• Upcoming Sales • May 14 May 16 May 21 May 28 June 11 June 20 June 25

– – – – – – –

Pair Special with All Class Cattle Saturday Horse Sale at 1 PM All Class Cattle, Sheep and Goats All Class Cattle Pair Special with All Class Cattle Saturday Horse Sale at 1 PM Weigh up Special with All Class Cattle

May 14, 2020 Consignments Wayne Brost – 6 four-year-old pairs • William Arnold – 3 5-year-old pairs, 3 2-year-old May calvers • TD Partnership – 6 5- year-old black baldy pairs, calves 300# • D&N Livestock – 3 Hereford pairs • BHBLA – 1 Char pair, 1 black pair • Schatz Ranch – 17 black heifer pairs, 12 black running age pairs.

The famous “Big White Barn” stands on the North edge of Saratoga overlooking the town and the famous blue ribbon trout stream, the Upper North Platte River. The structure is also known as the “Canary” or “Powell” barn, after the builder and then a former owner. Photo courtesy of Dick and Peggy Hiser. Historical Reproductions by Perue

His handsome new barn, 50x100 feet, is almost complete. This barn will hold 90 bulls, in stalls, on the ground floor, which is concrete up to the second story. This can be scrubbed clean in fifteen minutes by a drainage system and water pressure. The second floor will hold 370 tons of loose hay, and 16 head of horses. A team and wagon can be driven into the second story and turned around several times. Later on, we will produce a picture of the finished barn and a complete description. Over the years the distinct structure has been the site of many dances, shindigs, parties and gatherings including one in September of 1994 hosted by Dick and Peggy Hiser, today’s caretakers of the famous barn. As in 1994, the present owners are Saratoga Land & Cattle Co. and leased by the CHK Cattle Co. managed by the Hisers. The invitation to the barn party read, in part, “We thought you might have some questions about the BIG BARN, and thanks to our local historian Elva Evans, Gay Alcorn, Dick Perue and former owner Merwyn Powell we have a little information for you.” In addition to the above stories, the invitation revealed, “Arthur G. Huntington of Saratoga was contracted to build it. It was to measure 50x100 feet and 49 feet to the ‘cone’ on top.”

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 32 No. 2 • May 9, 2020

LETTERS

became the goal to benefit the big packers. Packers used captive supplies of live cattle to Submit your letters to: Editor, Wyoming Livestock Roundup, P.O. Box 850, Casper, WY, 82602, manipulate the prices downor e-mail to roundup@wylr.net. We reserve the right to edit letters. ward and even go out of the It is the policy of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup that we do not print letters attacking individuals, cash market for weeks at a groups or organizations within the Wyoming agricultural community. time. To the Editor, bers of ICOW, other inde- dropped to four. Packers wanted Country With the advent of the pendent cattlemen organiza- We raised the issue of of Origin Labeling (COOL) COVID-19 virus, those unfa- tions and R-CALF USA along national security when the U.S. ended so U.S. producers with miliar with the workings of with other groups like West- Government allowed Bra- the safest beef in the world the beef industry were shocked ern Organization of Resource zil to purchase one of the four cannot label their product, but to learn the beef packers were Councils and consumer groups and again when they allowed the packers can label foreign charging large increases for have been battling the very China to purchase Smith- beef as American by importboxed beef and at the same issues which have led to this field. No one was listening. ing and repackaging, thereby time, had dropped the prices breakdown in the cattle indus- How did the U.S. beef using the good name of U.S. they were paying for the live try for more than 25 years. industry get to this point? producers for higher prices cattle ready for slaughter, We are not surprised at Enforcement of the Pack- and deceiving the buying pubthereby making huge prof- this blatant disregard for U.S. ers and Stockyards Act was lic. Shameful! its at a time when the produc- producers and consumers. We mostly ended and the big To quote Leo McDonnell, ers of cattle and consumers were warning the USDA, our packers were allowed to self- “This is not a fairness issue, were under stress dealing with Congressmen and other gov- enforce and self-regulate, this a corruption issue.” the virus and weather-related ernment departments back while small packers were What is the solution? losses. when there were only six enforced and regulated to death Obviously, the ideal would be How did this happen they major packers. Then again and any new startups were true capitalism without govask? when there were only five refused permission to operate. ernment favoring one sector Directors and mem- and again when the number Vertical integration over another. USDA inspec-

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 32 No. 2 • May 9, 2020

tors of meat for safety should return to the big packers as it already is for the small packers. Packers should buy cattle on the cash market where true price discovery is. The corrupt beef checkoff should be ended. COOL should be mandatory so consumers can choose USA born, fed and slaughtered beef that they know is safe. The USDA needs to put animal health first and stop all imported beef and live animals from foreign countries that have serious animal health issues such as Foot and Mouth Disease. But realistically, we can now help R-CALF USA to get Congress to pass bill S. 3221 with the amendments that will require the big packers to buy 50 percent of their cattle on the open cash market, and thus, end their ability to manipulate the market downwards to ben-

efit themselves. That prohibits unpriced contracts which the packers use to benefit themselves when they manipulate the market down before paying the feeder for the contract cattle; bans packers from ownership and control of livestock for more than a few days; makes it unlawful for packers to not provide carcass data used to compute price and eliminates the “business justification” packers have used to avoid prosecution; prohibits retaliation by packers; restores mandatory COOL and clarifies farmers need not show harm to competition to show a violation of Packers and Stockyards Act. This is a comprehensive bill to restore competition to our marketplace. Sincerely, Independent Cattlemen of Wyoming

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 32 No. 2 • May 9, 2020

FOOD continued from page 1 to make room in their schedule to process the donated animals. “I think this is just the beginning and we plan on working with the First Lady and the Food Bank of the Rockies in the future,” says Hamilton. Logistics According to a press release by Wyoming Hunger Initiative, “For the very first time, three beef cattle have been donated by Wyoming producers to be processed by Wyoming Custom Meats Inc. in Hudson, and will be donated to Wyoming Food Bank of the Rockies to be distributed throughout the state as a vital source of protein.” The release continues, “Employees of the Wyoming Department of Agriculture have donated the processing fees for the cattle donated by L-T Livestock and Hellyer Limited Partnership. The third was donated by Rich and Kay

Pingetzer and Jess and Tim Sullivan of Shoshoni, with processing donated by WSGA members Jeff and Susan Sussman and Reg and Aline Phillips of Dubois.” Additional processing dates have been scheduled for later this month to accommodate donations from local producers. Goals “Being a producer myself, my initial vision for Wyoming Hunger Initiative was to encompass a component of agriculture that would be part of the solution to food insecurity in our state. I am beyond excited about the immediate partnership between so many entities working together to ensure longevity of the program,” said Gordon. According to Wyoming Hunger Initiative, the ultimate goal of Food from the Farm + Ranch is to utilize Wyoming products to combat food insecurity.

SALE REPORTS J Spear Cattle Company Annual Production Sale Reported by: Cody Negri, WLR Field Service Rep April 30, 2020 Belle Fourche Livestock, Belle Fourche, S.D. Auctioneer: Seth Weishaar 69 Angus Bulls Avg. $4,152 Top Sellers Angus Bulls Lot 2 - JSA Acclaim 9114 - Price: $9,500 DOB: 3/30/19 Sire: Jindra Acclaim Dam’s Sire: Connealy Stingray 9618 EPDs: BW: -0.9, WW: 59 YW: 114 and Milk: 27 Buyer: Don Fish, Buffalo Gap, S.D. Lot 27 - JSA Acclaim 9117 - Price: $8,000 DOB: 3/30/19 Sire: Jindra Acclaim Dam’s Sire: River Hills Full Throttle EPDs: BW: 1.5, WW: 74, YW: 128 and Milk: 29 Buyer: Don Fish, Buffalo Gap, S.D. Lot 28 - JSA Acclaim 9197 - Price: $6,500 DOB: 4/7/19 Sire: Jindra Acclaim Dam’s Sire: SUA Missing Link EPDs: BW: 1.1, WW: 65, YW: 120 Milk: 29 Buyer: Scott Eisenbraun, Wall, S.D. Lot 14 - JSA Bronc 8348 - Price: $6,250 DOB: 4/5/18 Sire: Baldridge Bronc Dam’s Sire: M A R Playmaker 3001 EPDs: -1.2, WW: 55, YW: 120 and Milk: 26 Buyer: Neal Livermont, Interior, S.D. Lot 73 - JSA Traction 9186 - Price: $6,000 DOB: 4/7/19 Sire: JMB Traction Dam’s Sire: S A V Prosperity 9131 EPDs: BW: 1.2, WW: 69, YW: 117 and Milk: 31 Buyer: Miller Angus Farms, Estelline, S.D.

“There is no better time to recognize Wyoming producers while meeting the increase in needs across the state,” says Wyoming Hunger Initiative. “Ultimately, the end goal is to reach a point beyond COVID-19 where families and pantries can purchase meat from local producers instead of seeking an out-of-state supplier.” They continue, “Furthermore, while farmers and ranchers are supporting the food bank during this time through the donation of livestock and processing fees, the hope is residents will support Wyoming producers now and in the future.” “Wyoming Food Bank of the Rockies is honored to be a part of this program. Our entire team is proud to be able to distribute Wyoming’s food products to Wyoming households in need,” shared Tony Woodell, director of the Wyoming Food Bank of the Rockies. “Wyoming Stock Growers Association appreciates this opportunity to partner

with the First Lady to meet the food needs of our Wyoming neighbors,” commented Jim Magagna, executive vice president of the Association. “We urge cattle producers across the state to generously step up by contacting us to donate cattle for Food from the Farm + Ranch.” Wyoming Hunger Initiative Launched in October 2019, the Wyoming Hunger Initiative is the work of First Lady Jennie Gordon, whose mission was to end childhood hunger across the state. “We believe childhood hunger in Wyoming is a problem that can be solved,” the website notes. “We work to prevent food insecurity by increasing awareness and support for the work of local anti-hunger organizations statewide and by advocating for a future where no child faces the school day on an empty stomach.” Nourished kids, healthy families and thriving communities is the goal of Wyoming Hunger Initiative.

Grand Hills Cattle “Charolais With Altitude” Bull Sale Reported By: Curt Cox, WLR Field Editor May 2, 2020 Grand Hills Cattle Sale Facility, Eaton, Colo. Auctioneer: Jim Birdwell Sale Manager: Hubert Cattle Sales 32 Yearling Charolais Bulls Avg. $4,909 13 2/3 Fall Yearling Charolais Bulls Avg. $3,255 7 Two-Year-Old Hereford Bulls Avg. $1,814 Top Sellers Lot 1 - GHC Reagan 9012 - Price: $40,000 DOB: 3/1/19 Sire: LT Blue Value 7903 ET Dam’s Sire: LT Rio Bravo 3181 P EPDs: BW: -1.3, WW: +41, YW: +61 and Milk: +13 Buyer: Cannon Charolais Ranch, Newton, Iowa Lot 12 - GHC Patriot 9032 - Price: $12,000 DOB: 2/15/19 Sire: LT Patriot 4004 PLD Dam’s Sire: M6 New Standard 842 P ET EPDs: BW: +0.9, WW: +51, YW: +96 and Milk: +14 Buyer: Creekside Charolais, Holyoke, Colo. Lot 26 - GHC Monumental 9179 - Price: $12,000 DOB: 3/7/19 Sire: WC Monumental 5524 P Dam’s Sire: WC-WCCC Rocketfuel 7109 EPDs: BW: -0.1, WW: +48, YW: +77 and Milk: +12 Buyer: Thunderhead Charolais, Winterset, Iowa Lot 13 - GHC Resource 9110 - Price: $9,000 DOB: 3/24/19 Sire: CCC-WC Resource 417 P Dam’s Sire: M6 New Standard 842 P ET EPDs: BW: -0.5, WW: +39, YW: +63 and Milk: +20 Buyer: Hassebrook Charolais Farms, Genoa, Neb.

According to Wyoming Hunger Initiative, 71,000 residents annually face food insecurity. In response to COVID19, Wyoming Hunger Initiative has listed resources for each county and continues to support its mission of mitigating hunger across the state. Those interested in donating livestock to this

cause, please contact Wyoming Hunger Initiative or Wyoming Stock Growers Association at wysga.org. Information in this article was compiled from nohungerwyo.org. Callie Hanson is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

China drives soybean market An uptick in Chinese soybean purchases as announced by USDA, fueled gains in the soy complex. Concerns over U.S. and China relations capped gains. July soybean futures rose $0.045 per bushel to $8.37 on the news. July soy oil followed $0.31 per pound higher to $26.15 and July soymeal futures prices rose seven cents per ton on the sentiment to $288.8. After low prices spurred a round of purchases from China and Mexico, export reports could see the most bullish activity for soybean exports in months. Trade estimates peg old crop export sales at 22 million, 40.4 million bushels for the week ending April 30. 2020/21 export sales are estimated at 3.7 million and 11.0 million bushels, respectively. Export inspections data for soybeans released show an 8.9 million bushel weekly decline in soybean exports to 11.7 million bushels – a sign that recent export sales may not have left port just yet. Chinese export data released overnight showed soybean imports in April dropped 12 percent from a year ago to 246.7 million bushels after Brazilian cargoes were delayed by rain and the world’s second largest economy began recovering from the coronavirus epidemic. Amid flailing diplomatic relations, the data justifies recent purchases of U.S. soybeans. As China attempts to steel its supply chain against volatility, it will likely continue to purchase U.S. soy as long as exports remain readily available and at a low price point for Chinese buyers. Though whether or not China will live up to its Phase One purchase commitments remains unclear.

Morgan Road Land NEW LISTING! 111.44 acres located approximately 10 miles north of Riverton, WY. In the Midvale Irrigation District, with 100 acres irrigated by cement ditch and gated pipe. Live water year-round! Good shelter. Soil classification per Midvale Irrigation District is 35.3 acres Class 2, 5.6 acres Class 3, 57 acres Class 4. 2019 crops raised were corn, alfalfa and oats. Some permanent pasture. No building improvements. This property would be an excellent “add-on” unit or stand-alone small farm. $375,000 Reduced to $339,000

VERY MOTIVATED SELLER!

RANGE REALTY, LLC Fred Nelson, Broker/Owner Megan McNutt, Sales Associate 307.840.0593 255 Shetland Road • Riverton, WY 82501 email: kinnear@wyoming.com www.wyomingrangerealty.com

The Weekly News Source for Wyoming’s Ranchers, Farmers and AgriBusiness Community

Call 307.234.2700 to receive a 6-week complimentary subscription!* *For new subscribers only

1 year - $50 • 2 years - $75 ($25 savings) 3 years - $110 ($40 savings) Online Subscriptions: 1 year for $30

For your agriculture news on-the-go!

Wyoming Livestock Roundup • Volume 32 No. 2 • May 9, 2020

It’s the Pitts by Lee Pitts

Bearly Camping After sheltering in place and being cooped up with the family for 60 days I’ve got just the ticket for you. Why not load the entire family into one vehicle and go camping this summer? I can vividly remember my first camping experience. When I was about five years old my father brought home a doghouse, a shack where oil well drillers and rough-

necks ate and took breaks, he was given after a drilling company abandoned a site. My father brought the doghouse home on a low bed and by the time he got it off the truck using pry bars, pipes and winches it was ready to fall apart. My mom took one look at the dilapidated doghouse and put her foot down. “I will not live next door to that shack,” she

proclaimed. But she sure enough did. My brother and I were so excited about our new clubhouse that we begged our parents if we could “camp out” in it the very first night. I was dying to try out my new sleeping bag my grandparents gave me. So, we unrolled our bags, turned out the flashlight and tried to go to sleep, but little did my father know when he got it, that doghouse was haunted. It made all sorts of creepy noises and scary images kept flashing by its broken windows. I theorized, “I betcha some guy fell from the derrick and died and it’s his ghost that haunts our new clubhouse. That’s why it was free.” My brother scoffed at the idea but to make a long story short, I lasted until about nine o’ clock before I “had to go inside to use

the bathroom.” My brother only lasted another half hour before he followed me inside. He claimed he wasn’t scared and only came in, “To check on the health and welfare of his younger brother.” Ha! That would have been a first! We tried several more times but never did make it all night, and slowly we lost interest in the clubhouse so my mother turned it into a dollhouse for my sister with frilly curtains and old wallpaper. We eventually ended up burning that dirty old doghouse for firewood. Both my wife and I had been serious campers in our younger years but hadn’t been for awhile. So, while we were being held hostage by COVID-19, I said, “I feel the call of the wild beckoning. Why don’t we go camping? We can still maintain social distanc-

WCHF continued from page 1

wylr.net 800-967-1647 307-234-2700

Reynolds and Aldin Reynolds, Crook County’s Ed Cooper and Kenneth Canfield and Weston County’s Francis Sedgwick, Jean Harshberger. Region Two winners are Platte County’s James “Jim” Wilson, Niobrara County’s Fred and Clara Wilson, Donald Heckert and Pat Miller and Goshen County’s Edward Johnson.

The Region Three winners are Laramie County’s Marie Belle and Russ Stinnette. Region Four winners are Natrona County’s Jim and Peggy Price and James Baker and Converse County’s Fred Hageman and Teddy Pennington. Region Five winners are Sheridan County’s Archie Nash and Ralph Foster and Johnson County’s Sue Jar-

ing and the campgrounds won’t be crowded.” Initially we were devastated to learn all the state and federal campgrounds were closed. “Wait just a darn minute,” I said. “We have a 9,000 acre state park out our back door, why don’t we just camp in our backyard? We can roast some weenies and burn some marshmallows and camp out like the good old days.” It was hard to find a place to unroll our sleeping bags amidst all the rattlesnake holes and poison oak but I finally found a site that was only semi rocky. It was a cloudless night and a bright moon and I said, “We ought to do this more often. Just look at all those stars. Even if only a few of those stars have planets, it’s likely there is some kinda life out there. Just look at all of them.” “The fact that we can see so many, do you know what that means?” I asked

my wife. “Yeah, it means you forgot to put up the tent!” she replied. Now I must stop here and explain that for 40 years my wife and I have lived on the outskirts of a small town called Los Osos. If you know your Spanish you know that means “The Bears.” There used to be millions of them in these parts, and I started telling my wife how the California Missions had been saved from famine by all the bears they killed right in the mountains where we live. The thought of that, of slithering rattlesnakes and the howling coyotes made sleep difficult. I made it until about nine o’clock before, “I had to go inside to use the bathroom.” My wife came in about a half hour later. She said she wasn’t scared mind you, she just “wanted to check on me.” Ha!

rard and Raynard McKenzie Region Six winners are Big Horn County’s Robert Good and Park County’s Mel Stonehouse, Robert Earl Curtis and Dale M. Sims. Region Seven winners are Carbon County’s Ben Kern, Donald and Dorothy Kortes and Sweetwater County’s Thomas Francis Pearson, Lige Driskell and George Finch. Region Eight winners are Fremont County’s Tommy Jarrard, John Jack

Darnell and Ronald Crawford Region Nine winners are Uinta County’s Don and Claudia Proffitt and Bertha Hamilton. Region 10 winners are Sublette County’s Jep Richie and Buss Fear, Teton County’s Chancy Wheeldon and Kenneth Griggs and Lincoln County’s Stepp Family and Stan Murdock. The board decision winner is Russell Pinky Walter.

RIVERTON LIVESTOCK AUCTION Tuesday, May 5, 2020 Market Reports • 708 Head Sold RIVERTON LIVESTOCK WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE SALES WE REALIZE THIS IS A CRITICAL TIME FOR OUR CUSTOMERS THAT NEED THE CASH FLOW FOR SPRING EXPENSES, AND WE WANT TO CONTINUE OFFERING THE OPPORTUNITY TO SELL FOR THOSE THAT WANT OR NEED TO DO SO. WE DO ASK, FOR THE SAFETY OF YOU, OUR BUYERS AND STAFF, TO PLEASE MINIMIZE THE TIME YOU SPEND AT THE MARKET, ESPECIALLY IN THE SALE ARENA. WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO BRING YOUR STOCK TO TOWN AND LET US TAKE IT FROM THERE. PLEASE CALL THE OFFICE WITH YOUR CATTLE INFORMATION. WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR AUCTIONS THROUGH CATTLEUSA.COM. INTERNET BUYERS, PLEASE HAVE A BACK UP PLAN. DUE TO INTERNET VOLUME, PLEASE HAVE A PHONE NUMBER TO REACH A PERSON ON SITE TO ASSIST YOUR BIDDING NEEDS. WE WILL KEEP YOU INFORMED OF ANY CHANGES. PLEASE LIKE/CHECK OUR FACEBOOK PAGE FOR UPDATES AS WELL. OUR GOAL AS ALWAYS, IS TO PROVIDE SERVICE TO OUR CUSTOMERS. WE ARE COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING COMMERCE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR BUSINESS. PLEASE CALL US ANYTIME. THANK YOU & GOD BLESS JEFF BROWN & ALL THE CREW AT RLA

Representative Sales COWS POWELL 1 Cow, 1145# ......................... $75.00 LANDER 2 Cow, 1185# ......................... $74.00 THERMOPOLIS 2 Cow, 1157# ......................... $67.00 3 Cow, 1136# ......................... $64.50 CORA 3 Cow, 1080#......................... $60.00 KEMMERER 2 Cow, 1157# ......................... $58.00 RIVERTON 4 Cow, 1361#......................... $56.50 KEMMERER 3 Cow, 1535#......................... $55.00 CROWHEART 8 Cow, 1250#......................... $54.00 THERMOPOLIS 5 Cow, 1350#......................... $53.00 9 Cow, 1157# ......................... $51.00

5 Cow, 1308#......................... $50.00 BULLS RIVERTON 1 Bull, 1635#.......................... $86.00 SARATOGA 1 Bull, 1305#.......................... $85.00 FORT BRIDGER 3 Bull, 1745#.......................... $84.00 LANDER 1 Bull, 1475#.......................... $83.00 1 Bull, 1625#.......................... $81.00 BIG PINEY 1 Bull, 2205#.......................... $77.50 KEMMERER 1 Bull, 1990#.......................... $75.00 BRED COWS/BRED HEIFERS KEMMERER 3 Bred Cow, 1535# ........... $1,325.00 5 Bred Cow, 1476# ........... $1,100.00 FORT BRIDER 12 Bred Heifer, 991#........... $1,160.00

PAIRS RIVERTON 5 Pair, 1132# (2 Yr Olds) .. $1,800.00 LANDER 9 Pair, 1084# (2 & 3 Yr Olds) .............................................. $1,700.00 8 Pair, 1280# (4 & 5 Yr Olds) .............................................. $1,585.00 KEMMERER 13 Pair, 1630# (SM)............ $1,530.00 18 Pair, 1540# (SS) ............ $1,425.00 18 Pair, 1575# (SS) ............ $1,335.00 21 Pair, 1509# (ST) ............ $1,235.00 LANDER 6 Pair, 1260# (ST) ............ $1,050.00 STEERS COKEVILLE 4 Steer, 607# ....................... $157.00 2 Steer, 647# ....................... $142.00 RIVERTON 11 Steer, 613# ....................... $137.00 10 Steer, 819# ........................$117.00 HEIFERS COKEVILLE 39 Heifer, 589# ...................... $148.50 FORT BRIDER 10 Heifer, 481# ...................... $140.00 SARATOGA 24 Heifer, 593# ...................... $138.50 KEMMERER 11 Heifer, 623# ...................... $136.75 8 Heifer, 588# ...................... $132.50 RIVERTON 9 Heifer, 596# ...................... $128.25 COKEVILLE 4 Heifer, 712# ...................... $108.00 HEIFERETTES RIVERTON 2 Heiferette, 822# ................ $106.00 1 Heiferette, 825# ................ $100.00 THERMOPOLIS 3 Heiferette, 1046# ................ $97.00 RIVERTON 5 Heiferette, 990# .................. $92.00 LANDER 2 Heiferette, 1017# ................ $82.00 MANDERSON 4 Heiferette, 1080# ................ $81.00

Early Consignments TUESDAY, MAY 12 ALL CATTLE CLASSES START TIME 9:00 AM W/ WEIGH UPS Lazy BV Cattle & Allen Hogg - 14 Sim/Angus & Angus Yrling Bulls. 100% AI sired by ABS Bulls (Sim/Angus: United & Abilene; Angus: Emblazon 999). Semen tested, PAP tested. Selling @ 12 PM Noon. Devries Livestock - 60 Yrling Strs & Hfrs 500#. Long time weaned. Fancy, hay fed! Ryan Hedges - 2 - 4 Yr Old Blk Ang Pairs. Blk Bull calves @ side. Stout, powerful pairs! High elevation. Calves sired by Connealy Blk Ang bulls.

TUESDAY, MAY 19 ALL CATTLE CLASSES START TIME 9:00 AM W/ WEIGH UPS

TUESDAY, MAY 26 ALL CATTLE CLASSES W/ SHEEP & HORSES START TIME 9:00 AM W/ SHEEP & WEIGH UPS

TUESDAY, JUNE 2 NO SALE

TUESDAY, JUNE 9 ALL CATTLE CLASSES START TIME 9:00 AM W/ WEIGH UPS

TUESDAY, JUNE 16 NO SALE

TUESDAY, JUNE 23 ALL CATTLE CLASSES W/ SHEEP & HORSES START TIME 9:00 AM W/ SHEEP & WEIGH UPS

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

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