June 24, 2023

WWGA invites public to inaugural Wyoming Sheep and Wool Festival Page 2

Pork prices appear volatile following implementation of Prop 12 Page 4 Celebrate National Pollinator Week by learning five tips to support pollinators through summer months Page 8

Connecting Ag to Climate outlines recent and current weather conditions Page 16

Quick Bits

Public Lands

The Bureau of Land Management is extending the public comment period for their proposed public lands rule for another 15 days. This brings the time collecting public feedback on the proposed rule to a total of 90 days. The new deadline to provide input is July 5, and comments can be submitted online at regulations.gov

ARPA Grants

The Office of State Lands and Investments is now accepting applications through 5 p.m. on Aug. 4 for American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Grants. Submitted applications will be considered by the State Loan and Investment Board at a future meeting, the date for which is still to be determined. Applications for these programs are located at lands.wyo.gov For more information, e-mail SLF-Grantsandloans@wyo. gov or call 307-777-2980.

Meeting Set

The Carbon County Ranch and Farm Bureau Federation will hold its annual meeting June 28 at The Malt in Saratoga beginning at 5 p.m. There will be a dinner with guest speakers from 6-7 p.m. and live entertainment from Cowboy Musician Daron Little from 7-9 p.m. Discussion will focus on public access and criminal trespass. Preordered tickets are $15, tickets at the door are $20 and tickets for children 12 and under are $10. For more information, contact Kyle Berger at 307-760-8018.

DEQ Award

The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) recently awarded the 2023 Excellence in Mining Reclamation Award for non-coal to Little Missouri River Mine for their efforts in developing a bat box program to help improve foraging habitat for several bat species. The Little Missouri River Mine is a bentonite mine operated by American Colloid Company, encompassing 20,029 acres located in northern Crook County.

BLM addresses public lands rule, opposition remains strong

On June 8, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Wyoming State Director Andrew Archuleta gave an agency update during the Wyoming Stock Growers

Association (WSGA) Cattle Industry Convention and Trade Show in Riverton. His presentation included information on the BLM’s current activi-

ties regarding rangelands, energy, economics and resource management, as well as the hot button topics of sage grouse and wild horses.

However, the majority of the discussion was centered around the BLM’s incredibly controversial proposed public lands rule,

Rodeo season wraps up

WLSB update

Animal health among discussions at WLSB meeting

Pinedale – Wyoming Livestock Board (WLSB) President Shaun Sims called the board’s most recent public meeting to order on June 20, initiating various topics of discussion. After brief introductions and the approval of the April minutes, WLSB Director Steve True began with updates.

Director updates

First, True noted Wyoming brand inspectors will receive a pay increase.

Collegiate rodeo athletes conclude season with

impressive showing at CNFR

Casper – June 17 marked the official end of the 2022-23 collegiate rodeo season, as elite athletes from across the nation gathered in the Ford Wyoming Center to compete among the best of the best at the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR).

Eleven cowboys and cowgirls representing colleges from coast to coast were crowned as national champions in nine events including saddle bronc rid-

WSGA adopts new policies

Riverton – On the last day of their 2023 Summer Cattle Industry Convention and Trade Show, the Wyoming Stock Growers Association (WSGA) adopted a handful of new policies for the coming year.

The new policies are listed below.

Conservation and landscape health

Whereas the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) “Conservation BLM and Landscape Health” rule, threatening the multiple-use mandate, released a proposal for the management of federal lands;

Whereas this rule was admittedly developed without any input from state and local governments and the multiple use community including livestock grazing;

Whereas this rule directly violates the Federal Land Policy Management Act and was developed without compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act;

Therefore be it resolved WSGA calls on the BLM to withdraw this proposed rule;

And, be it further resolved WSGA supports strong Congressional efforts to prohibit implementation of the rule.

Traceability

Whereas WSGA recognizes the critical role an appropriate traceability system can contribute to assuring the health of our cattle herd and marketability of our high-quality beef;

Whereas a national electronic identification (EID) system, if properly developed with producer input, can best achieve these goals;

Therefore be it resolved WSGA will support development of a voluntary EID system which provides maximum

ing, bareback riding, bull riding, tie-down roping, team roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing, breakaway roping and goat tying.

Saddle bronc riding

Following a first-place finish in the first round with an 84-point ride and a second-place finish in the third round with an 80.5-point ride, Quintin

Please see CNFR on page 9

“We are happy to announce an 8.5 percent pay increase has been approved for our local brand inspectors, and I would like to thank the board and Gov. Mark Gordon for the brand inspectors’ compensation increase,” he stated.

True further informed the board, “Future legislative topics to be discussed this fall include changes in indemnity rates, reimbursement rates for quarantined livestock and the hide inspection statute. The next Joint Agriculture Committee meeting will be held in Pinedale in early September.”

True proposed two action items for board

County Fair Series

Weston County fair stirs excitement

Fair week is right around the corner for Weston County exhibitors. The anticipation to step out in the ring and show off months worth of hard work is building throughout the community, and many exhibitors are working harder than ever for the week they look forward to most every summer.

Whether it is livestock, horses or even dogs, participants in Weston County are beyond excited to kick off fair week.

First-time exhibitor Tyler Stith

states, “I am most excited for showing off my two heifers, which I have been working with all year, and I’m excited to show off what I have built on all year.”

Tyler has received countless hours of mentoring throughout the process of preparing his projects for fair week, including one-on-one instruction with family members and attending showing camps.

Tyler’s excitement motivates him to continue being a competitive force in coming years.

Aidan Butler, another Weston

Women’s All Around Cowgirl – Haiden Thompson, a Gillette College rodeo athlete and Yoder native, took home the prestigious 2023 Women’s All Around Cowgirl title following the College National Finals Rodeo June 11-17 in Casper. WYLR photo

Sage grouse are making big news again out in the hills of Wyoming, as the U.S. Department of Interior and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) are rewriting management rules for the species.

For those who are involved in the businesses of ranching, energy, mining or recreation, these new management rules may cause Wyoming and other Western states some new regulations.

I don’t want to sound negative, but the current administration has not done any favors for the West since they have been in power.

The government has been developing new rules for months, and now they are saying these new regulations are coming soon.

Wyoming was the first state to aggressively develop a management plan in hopes of keeping sage grouse from being listed on the Endangered Species Act, and other Western states used this plan as a template while adopting their own plans.

Most other states were not as aggressive as Wyoming, but don’t forget, Wyoming has more sage grouse than any other state. A listing could really hurt large portions of Wyoming.

Around 2007, a broad stakeholder group – the Sage Grouse Implementation Team (SGIT) – was established and tasked with developing a regulatory mechanism for the protection and management of sage grouse and its habitat in Wyoming.

SGIT established core areas with some restrictions, and the state of Wyoming and the BLM approved these core areas, all of which contained private, state and federal lands.

At the time, landowners across the state were really not aware of what was happening with their private lands.

I woke up one morning and realized my whole ranch was painted green on a map as a core area. I didn’t feel I had any part of the decisions being made on my private lands, but realizing the threat of a listing, I didn’t contest the action. I just wish someone would have contacted me and explained what was happening on my private lands.

Currently, the state is going through this same process to develop new core areas and to try to influence the government not to force more sage grouse restrictions on the state.

I applaud SGIT for their proactive approach in keeping sage grouse from being listed, but I wish landowners would have been kept more in the know of what was being planned with their private lands.

The first map that surfaced showed a large number of new core areas, which really concerned landowners of their possible loss of rights. Instead of focusing on sage grouse, private lands rights have taken over as the main topic for discussion.

The second map, which came out June 15, showed a lot less of the new core areas and does not affect as many landowners.

Public comments will be accepted through June 28 on the topic, and SGIT will meet in Lander July 6 to consider these comments.

The third and final map is supposed to be approved by SGIT on July 7 in Lander, following the comment session on July 6 and will be released following this meeting.

For some landowners, trust has eroded with SGIT and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. Now, instead of partnering up, it is an “us against them” situation.

Either way, if it is the U.S. or state government, private landowners aren’t going to win with sage grouse.

Wyoming Livestock Roundup

Reporting the News by the Code of the West

P.O. Box 850 • Casper, WY 82602

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All are Invited to the Wyoming Sheep and Wool Festival

By Alison Crane, Wyoming Wool Growers Association

The Wyoming Wool Growers Association (WWGA), Wyoming SHEEP Foundation and the Wyoming Wool Initiative would like to invite everyone to the First Annual Wyoming Sheep and Wool Festival in Kemmerer June 30-July 2.

This is gearing up to be an exciting event to celebrate the sheep and wool industries and give the public the chance to experience firsthand what it’s like to be a sheepherder. The event is free to everyone.

Festival commences on June 30

On June 30, the festival will commence with a self-guided driving tour of the local sheep trails from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. – a map will be provided in the festival program and on the website.

At 4 p.m., events will move to

the South Lincoln Training and Event Center, starting with a range talk from University of Wyoming (UW) Extension Educator Barton Stam, leading into the opening reception, which will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a juried Art and Woolcraft Show.

The opening reception will feature freshly roasted lamb and other sides, as well as a walk through of art for the public to decide on a People’s Choice Award and a Children’s Choice Award.

Also during the reception, beginning at 6:30 p.m., a historical, multigenerational sheepherder panel will discuss the industry – from changes over the generations to the daily challenges they face as Western range sheep ranchers.

Activities continue on July 1

The Vendor Fair will kick things off on July 1 at the Triangle Park in downtown Kemmerer from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. There will be educational and interactive demonstration booths, as well as product vendors. A list of vendors in attendance will be provided on the website.

The Art and Woolcraft Show will also open at 9 a.m. in the South Lincoln Training and Event Center for the public to view and vote, while also surveying for the silent auction later that evening.

The first educational program for the day, “Lamb. It’s What’s For Dinner,” a lamb cooking demonstration from UW Meat Scientists Warrie

Brucellosis confirmed

The Wyoming State Veterinarian received confirmation from the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, seven cattle originating in a herd from Sweetwater County were positive for brucellosis.

The brucellosis-positive cattle, also known as reactors, were initially identified at the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory (WSVL) in Laramie. The herd was identified on a routine slaughter sample submitted as part of Wyoming’s voluntary custom slaughter brucellosis surveillance program. The sample indicated a possible brucellosis reactor, prompting testing of the herd.

Although the herd is located in Sweetwater County, there are several links to Wyoming’s Designated Surveillance Area (DSA), where a brucellosis reservoir in elk persists.

The Wyoming Livestock Board (WLSB), in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is conducting an epidemiologic investigation into the source of the herd’s brucellosis exposure.

A quarantine was placed on the herd following the results from WSVL. The herd will remain under quarantine until required testing has been completed under a brucellosis-affected herd plan. The brucellosis reactor cattle will be necropsied at WSVL for further diagnostic testing.

An epidemiologic investigation is underway, with further testing in the herd of origin and contact herds planned. Preliminary investigation suggests the brucellosis exposure originally occurred within the Wyoming DSA.

The investigation is a cooperative effort between herd owners, WLSB and USDA-APHIS. Epidemiologic tracing will be conducted in coming weeks by both WLSB and USDA-APHIS personnel.

For further information, contact Dr. Hallie Hasel at 307840-1389, the WLSB office at 307-777-7515 or e-mail lsbbrucellosis-mitigation@wyo.gov.

USDA accepting applications

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) is accepting applications from U.S. exporters for a trade mission to Santiago, Chile.

During the week of Sept. 25-29, U.S. agribusinesses will participate in business-to-business meetings with potential importers from both Chile and Peru.

The trade mission will coincide with the USDAendorsed Espacio Food and Service Trade Show –Chile’s major food show and a significant gateway to the Latin American market, offering additional networking opportunities for U.S. participants.

In addition to conducting business-to-business meetings, trade mission participants will also have an opportunity to receive detailed market briefings from FAS staff and local and regional industry experts. The event will include receptions and other opportunities to network, engagements with USDA leadership and relevant site and retail visits in Santiago and the surrounding area.

Strong opportunities exist for exporters across many sectors, including but not limited to, alcoholic beverages, animal protein, cheese, consumer-oriented products, dog and cat food, ingredients for processing, tree nuts and wheat.

To apply, visit fas.usda.gov. The deadline to apply is July 5.

Annual sheep festival scheduled

Sheep have been trailing through the Wood River Valley of Idaho for well over a century and a half and are an integral part of Idaho’s Western heritage. The iconic Trailing of the Sheep Festival, to be held Oct 4-8, celebrates the sheep, herders, history and food of this unique cultural tradition and is recognized as one of the top 10 fall festivals in the world by msn.com

Each fall, the Trailing of the Sheep Festival honors the 150-plus year annual tradition of moving sheep from high mountain summer pastures down through the valley to traditional winter grazing and lambing areas in the South.

This annual migration is living history and the focus of a unique and authentic festival celebrating the people, arts, cultures and traditions of Idaho’s sheep ranching families, highlighting the principal contributors – the Basques, Scottish and Peruvians.

The five-day festival includes nonstop activities in multiple venues – history, folk arts, an authentic Sheep Folklife Fair, lamb culinary offerings, a wool fest with classes and workshops, music, storytelling, national qualifying sheepdog trials and the always entertaining, Big Sheep Parade with 1,500 sheep hoofing it down Main Street in Ketchum.

For the detailed schedule, tickets and lodging deals, visit trailingofthesheep.org

Hunting quota raised

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) has proposed to boost its mountain lion hunting quotas by approximately 50 percent in two Western Wyoming mountain ranges where mule deer populations were decimated by winter.

Draft regulations were released by the state agency on June 13 to increase the maximum numbers of cats which can be killed in four Wyoming and Salt River range hunt areas from 46 to 70 animals total.

The hike comes after numerous big game hunting outfitters and guides pressured WGFD officials to go after lions, bears and coyotes in the wake of an especially deadly winter for mule deer.

FSA accepting nominations

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is now accepting nominations for county committee members for elections occurring later this year. Additionally, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is unveiling a new geographic information systems (GIS) tool to make it easier for producers to participate in the nomination and election processes for county committee members, who make important decisions on how federal farm programs are administered locally.

All nomination forms for the 2023 election must be postmarked or received in the local FSA office by Aug. 1. Elections will occur in certain Local Administrative Areas (LAA) for members. LAAs are elective areas for FSA committees in a single county or multi-county jurisdiction, and they may include LAAs focused on an urban or suburban area.

Customers can locate their LAA through a new GIS locator tool available at fsa.usda.gov/elections

Agricultural producers may be nominated for candidacy for the county committee if they participate or cooperate in a USDA program and reside in the LAAs up for election this year.

A cooperating producer is someone who has provided information about their farming or ranching operation to FSA, even if they have not applied or received program benefits. Individuals may also nominate themselves or others, and qualifying organizations may also nominate candidates. USDA encourages minority producers, women and beginning farmers or ranchers to nominate, vote and hold office.

Producers should contact their local FSA office today to register and find out how to get involved in their county’s election, including if their LAA is up for election this year.

Other information about FSA county committee elections is available at fsa.usda.gov/elections. Election ballots will be mailed to eligible voters beginning Nov. 6.

UW runs festival programming

The University of Wyoming (UW) Extension and Wyoming Wool Initiative have partnered with the Wyoming Wool Growers Association to provide programming on the science, art and practice of Wyoming sheep and wool production.

UW Extension programs will be held in Kemmerer June 30-July 1 at the inaugural Wyoming Sheep and Wool Festival.

Programs will take place at the South Lincoln Training and Events Center and the Kemmerer Downtown Triangle.

On June 30 at 4 p.m., Extension Educator Barton Stam will discuss sheep grazing and its benefits in promoting ecological diversity and providing ecosystem services.

On July 1 at 10:30 a.m., UW Meat Scientists Warrie Means, PhD, and Cody Gifford, PhD, will present various lamb cuts and preparation options. Participants will also enjoy some savory samples.

In the afternoon, Whit Stewart, PhD, and John Kane, a third-generation livestock dealer from Madison, Wis., will provide insights on non-traditional market channels. The session will conclude with a question and answer panel discussion with Stewart, Kane and other regional experts.

Stewart and UW sheep program students will also host a wool learning kiosk and hand-spinning fleece auction at the Kemmerer Triangle. Interactive displays will allow festival attendees to learn more about the unique, eco-friendly qualities of wool fiber.

UW Extension programing will conclude with the Sheepherders Come Bye, an annual celebration of Wyomingʼs sheep industry sponsored by Wyoming Wool Initiative. A lamb dinner and awards ceremony for Wyoming wool growers and sheep producers begins at 6 p.m., followed by live music and dancing.

Tickets for the lamb dinner can be purchased at bit.ly/ come-by-2023. All other Extension programming is free and open to the public.

For more information about the festival, visit wyomingsheepandwoolfestival.com

USDA purchases grapes

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a $39 million purchase of table grapes for feeding programs and schools.

A 65-page document was published by the agency detailing produce businesses that won awards for the grape purchase.

The agency said the grapes will be used for distribution to child nutrition and other related domestic food assistance programs for Fiscal Year 2023, which extends through the end of September.

The grapes were purchased on FOB destination basis, according to the document, with deliveries to be made from July 31 through Dec. 13 this year.

USDA said the total volume purchased is 1.95 million 19-pound cartons, with a price range from $15.37 to $26.97 per carton. The entire grape purchase totals $39.26 million, according to the purchase summary.

California’s Proposition 12 (Prop 12) could have a negative impact on future pork prices.

On May 11, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of Prop 12, banning the sale of pork in California from farms anywhere in the U.S. where breeding pigs or their immediate offspring are confined.

The law further states female pigs kept for the purpose of breeding, who are at least six months old or pregnant, must have at least 24 square feet of usable floor space per pregnant pig, according to the U.S. Supreme Court website.

Prop 12

Prop 12 bans the instate production and sale from any source of meat not produced to the law’s specifications, which defines not only the type of animal production systems allowed, but also the technical details required for compliant systems.

Pork prices appear volatile following implementation of Prop 12

The California law is not new – it was enacted on Jan. 1, 2022. However, it will be enforced by Dec. 31, as the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) agreed this week, to postpone the change from July 1 to Dec. 31, to allow for a smoother transition for the entire pork industry.

Those who propose Prop 12 claim the law was pushed by animal rights groups, not because they wanted compliant pork sold in California, but because they don’t want any pork sold in California.

CDFA acknowledges some products procured before July 1 will still be in circulation and there will be a transition period throughout the rest of the year.

Darcy Fitzgerald, executive director of Alberta Pork, stated, “There’s a lot of uncertainty and confusion as the law comes into effect on July 1, and it is unclear what this means in

terms of what pork will be allowed into California and what will be banned.”

This raises the concern pork will become limited in California while supplies intended for California will pile up across the U.S. in need of a buyer.

Hours after the Supreme Court’s decision, U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) proclaimed the decision was “an attack on our breakfast” and declared the judgment was a “major blow to the pork and ag sector.”

Pork outlook

On June 7, at the World Pork Expo in Des Moines, Iowa, Partners for Production Agriculture Economist Steve Meyer, PhD, conveyed a bleak message, “Don’t expect 2023 to be a profitable year, and 2024 is likely to be difficult as well.”

“Production costs have entered a new era, and they aren’t likely to go back,” said Meyer.

He noted he believes the upcoming U.S. Department of Agriculture Hogs and Pigs Report, published at the end of June, will reflect reduced supplies.

Meyer added, “Half of the current pork products going to California can’t go there, so it’s going to have to go somewhere else.”

“Prices will soar in California, while the surplus in the rest of the U.S. will hammer values, creating prices to fall in order to clear the market,” he continued, further stating it is a fundamental market principle.

Meyer estimated pork cut-out values – the price of the meat leaving the packing plant – will fall in the U.S. $10 to $15 per hundredweight. This is an alarming position for hog farmers, who already took a loss on the hog market.

“While prices don’t look terrible compared to recent years, cost of feed, grain and labor have soared

in the past two years, causing an enormous squeeze on farmer profitability,” Meyer reiterated.

On a positive note, for producers, there is potential for growth in Central and South America.

“Exports are up eight percent already for 2023, this is encouraging for the industry, but it won’t be enough to get producers to strong profitability levels,” Meyer concluded.

Industry pushback

According to Scott Hays, National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) president and Missouri pork producer, “We are very disappointed with the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling, allowing state overreach. It will increase prices for consumers and drive small farms out of business, leading to more consolidation.”

However, he further noted NPPC will continue to fight for U.S. pork farmers against these mis-

guided regulations.

Other advocates, including Pro Farmer Policy Analyst Jim Wiesemeyer, stated, “The ruling could force pork producers to implement costly changes to keep selling in the country’s most populous state.”

Some out-of-state producers who choose to comply with Prop 12 may incur new costs, and the cost to comply with the new ruling could cost the pork industry $290 million to $350 million, according to Wiesemeyer.

The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to uphold Prop 12, regulating space given to breeding pigs and their offspring, could create hardships for both pork producers and consumers and possibly have a negative impact on animal health.

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

2023 YCC program wraps up

During the second week of June, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Young Cattlemen’s Conference (YCC) program concluded its successful relaunch after a three-year hiatus. This year’s class included 71 leaders from across the nation and every segment of the beef industry.

After nine days of intensive leadership training and a five-city tour, which showcased every facet of the beef industry, these leaders completed their trip with a full day of representation in Washington, D.C.

The event, which is sponsored by Corteva Agriscience, Elanco, Farm Credit, Five Rivers Cattle Feeding, John Deere, Tyson and NCBA, is designed to give participants exposure to the full supply chain. Completion of YCC prepares participants to serve as leaders within their state associations, in addition to being advocates for NCBA and the beef community.

“Over the past nine days, each member of the class has had the opportunity to better understand the cattle and beef industries and the complex relationships representing the industry today. In addition, each of us has made connections and had experiences which will benefit us now and in the future. The leadership skills and the knowledge we’ve gained will allow each of us to continue on our leadership journey and provide us with ways we can give back to the industry we love,” said 2023 YCC Chair Jake Feddes, a Montana cattle producer.

“Visiting the offices of our elected officials in Washington, D.C. to advocate for the issues affecting us was particularly meaningful for our class, and we’re proud of the impact we had on Capitol Hill,” he continued. “After spending time with each of these talented individuals, I’m absolutely confident the future of the beef industry is bright.”

protection against the disclosure of EID information to any outside parties and its use for any purpose other than disease traceability except as authorized by the owner of the livestock and is compatible with the use of the same radio frequency identification tags for cattle marketing purposes unrelated to animal health.

Water right transfers

Whereas Wyoming water law and Wyoming Court decisions are clear any transfer of a water right to a different beneficial use and any change in the point of diversion of a water right must not injuriously affect the rights of other appropriators;

Whereas transfers can result in a significant permanent loss of available water for agricultural production;

Therefore be it resolved WSGA opposes any such transfers or changes not preceded by open public meetings, consultation with potentially affected appropriators and careful analysis of potential impacts by the state engineer.

Elk populations

Whereas elk populations in many areas of Wyoming far exceed population objectives by more than the 20 percent recognized to accommodate statistical uncertainty;

Whereas excessive elk populations are occupying ranges critical for deer and other ungulate populations, thereby diminishing the health and productivity of these populations;

Whereas forage competition from elk is forcing ranchers to reduce livestock numbers and seasons of use in order to protect the health of the rangelands;

Whereas elk feedgrounds and other supplemental feeding, while critical to reducing brucellosis risk by maintaining separation between elk and cattle, are diminished in effectiveness while becoming far more costly due to the excess populations;

Whereas excess elk populations grazing on private lands constitute an unlawful “taking” of private property;

Therefore be it resolved WSGA calls upon the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission (WGFC) to aggressively employ all tools available to them to restore and maintain elk populations at or below population objectives;

And, be it further resolved the Wyoming Legislature take steps to provide WGFC with any additional tools and funding needed to achieve these reductions within a period not to exceed two years.

For a complete list of WSGA policies, visit wysga.org.

LETTERS

Submit your letters to: Editor, Wyoming Livestock Roundup

P.O. Box 850, Casper, WY, 82602, or e-mail to roundup@wylr.net. We reserve the right to edit letters.

It is the policy of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup that we do not print letters attacking individuals, groups or organizations within the Wyoming agricultural community.

Dear editor,

It is quite hypocritical for Speaker Albert Sommers to decry the Freedom Caucus’ voting in a bloc, while disciplining or allowing the bullying of freshmen representatives for failure to fall into line in blind obedience to the speaker and the “good old boys’” system.

Could it be these new conservatives actually agree on the issues and do not have to be told how to vote? Further, putting legislation in his desk to kill the will of the majority borders on dictatorship.

There is a reason there were so many new legislators in Cheyenne. The establishment is failing to meet the needs of the people. Let me name someproperty tax relief, prolife legislation and laws to protect our daughters from men who want to be in their bathrooms, locker rooms

FAIR continued from page 1

County fair exhibitor, will also make a showing at Weston County Fair, but he has taken a bit of a different route with his current project – his dogs.

Aidan has been showing dogs at the fair for five years now. He explains showing dogs is quite different than livestock, but nonetheless, is still exciting.

“I am most excited for our new puppy, Bandit. This is his first year showing, and he’s taken to training very well. With his mix of border collie, he is well versed in treats and is easily tantalized by them, and he is learning commands exceptionally quickly,” Aidan says.

Weston County Fair rundown

The Weston County Fair will kick off on July 17 and wrap up July 28. Jampacked with events, this year’s fair will be better than ever. With the theme of “Summer Days, Country

Ways,” the schedule will include the following.

July 17 will begin with fashion, quilting and knitting judging and continue on to the carcass contest. Many beautiful pieces can be seen at the fashion contest.

July 22 will kick off the official fair week with a community favorite – the parade, which will include floats from many local businesses, groups and chapters with all kinds of candy thrown out.

July 24 will showcase horse and cat show exhibitors, and the night will wrap up with the public fashion show.

July 25 will showcase exhibitors for the dog show, and round off the night with horse show awards from Monday.

On July 26, the Weston County Fairgrounds will start to get busy and crowded with people. The livestock check in and weigh ins will begin early

McOmie receives honors

Craig McOmie was named 2022 Public Servant of the Year on June 5 for the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

McOmie is the agency’s natural resources program supervisor for the Solid and Hazardous Waste Division (SHWD) and has been with DEQ for 17 years.

According to Suzanne Engels, SHWD administrator, McOmie wears many hats in his role. He

manages the Cease and Transfer Program, Landfill Remediation Program, beneficial use determinations, the state guarantee trust account and is also the state recycling coordinator.

DEQ Director Todd Parfitt said, “Craig’s service and dedication to the agency and to the regulated community has been exceptional. This award is a recognition of Craig’s tremendous commitment to the agency and the state of Wyoming.”

“ I am most excited for showing off my two heifers, which I have been working with all year, and I’m excited to show off what I have built on all year.” – Tyler Stith

in the morning. Rabbit exhibitors will showcase their projects, and swine exhibitors will take to the ring later that night.

July 27 is set for most of the livestock shows, including sheep, goats and poultry. The night will conclude with the robotics showcase.

July 28 is the biggest night of the fair and will host several shows and a community BBQ. Shows will include the beef show, pocket pet show and the round robin contest. Concluding the night will be the community junior livestock BBQ, with the junior livestock sale immediately following.

Fair support

With fair quickly approaching, emotions and competitive spirits are running higher than ever.

Exhibitors are working three times as hard to get their animals ready for the show ring.

The community continues to be a huge force for Weston County Fair and for many other county fairs across the state of Wyoming.

So, regardless of where a person lives, they should go out and support their local exhibitors and offer recognition of the hard work they have put in to something they are excited and passionate about.

Don’t forget to encourage young exhibitors to keep participating in the fair and to stay involved in the agriculture industry.

Preslee Fitzwater is an intern for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

and in their sports.

When I vote to send a Republican to Cheyenne, I expect them to vote for agreed upon Republican values and positions I support.

Was Speaker Sommers saying the Freedom Caucus is uncivil when they disagree with leadership?

There is a growing frustration with Republican elected officials who express support for the party platform and then go to Cheyenne and vote in opposition to it. The platform is NOT “any narrow dogma,” it is the voted upon positional statement of the Republican Party.

It would be nice if we could all “disagree in an agreeable manner,” but really who is trying to push who into conforming? I don’t think it is the terrible Freedom Caucus.

Sincerely,

Cindy Thompson

Lander

Public Servant of the Year – Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Director Todd Parfitt, right, and Solid and Hazardous Waste Division Administrator Suzanne Engels, left, present Craig McOmie, center, with DEQ’s 2022 Public Servant of the Year Award. Courtesy photo

What’s Cooking, Good Looking?

Ladies, I have done it. I have figured out the secret to success – or at least the secret to getting your honey-do list done. I heard straight from the cowboy’s mouth these cookies could be used as bribery to get ANYTHING done.

In good conscience, I couldn’t keep this rec-

EXTENSION EDUCATION

By Catherine Wissner, UW Extension Educator

Life Out in the Country –Rain, Grass and Now Weeds

ipe to myself. My childhood best friend gave me this recipe, and it really is a game changer in the world of chocolate chip cookies.

It might have something to do with the amount of butter used, because in the words of Paula Deen, “Butter makes it better.”

Callie’s Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients

3 1/2 c. flour

1 1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 ½ c. butter (soft)

1 c. packed brown sugar

1/2 c. sugar

1 pkg. instant vanilla pudding mix (6 serving size)

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

3 eggs

3 c. dark chocolate chips

1 c. chopped pecans

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees and line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Mix flour and baking soda, and set aside. Combine butter, sugars, pudding mix and vanilla. Add the eggs and mix. Gradually add the flour mixture.

Finally, add in the chocolate chips and pecans slowly so they mix in well.

I like to make these cookies big, so I scoop 2-3 tablespoons sized dough balls, but you can make them whatever size you want. For smaller cookies, bake 8-10 minutes. For larger cookies, start the timer at 9 minutes, and add on time from there, baking until they are golden brown.

Tressa Lawrence lives and works on her family’s cattle ranch, where she runs cattle, cooks a few meals, fixes a lot of darn fence and juggles freelance writing and photography. Comments can be sent to lawrenceranchbeefco@gmail.com.

HENDERSON SALES & RENTALS, INC

All of the spring rain has brought on a wonderful flush of prairie grass wildflowers and unfortunately, a lot of weeds.

Currently blooming, the tall yellow spike which looks like snapdragons is dalmatian toadflax. This plant is considered a noxious weed and must be controlled. It is a perennial weed with a vigorous root system and massive amounts of seeds.

Mature plants are very competitive, out-growing native grass and flowers. It’s not palatable by animals and contains iridoid glucoside compounds, which can be toxic to livestock.

Management approaches for weed control

There are several management approaches to control this or any weed.

Timing is very important. The best times to spray toadflax or thistle is in the blooming stage. If this window is missed, then individuals should spray after the first frost in the fall.

When it comes to understanding which herbicides are the best to use, individuals should contact their local county weed and pest office, not the local farm store.

Mowing and fire are not an effective control method and can cause this weed to spread faster.

Do not indiscriminately use pesticides or rodent poisons, they can get into well water or poison nontarget animals. Use pesticides wisely, and read the label.

There are some biological controls where individuals can use live, natural enemies of the weed to reduce its population. This requires time and patience to work.

One cannot mix chemical controls with biological controls – it has to be one or the other, but not both.

A good reference book for this is entitled “Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the United States.” This book is an anthology of research on the topic.

Benefits of letting the prairie grow wild

Native plants on the prairie form a vital habitat for many animals from bees and butterflies to mammals, but weeds prevent or alter this. Individuals should let their prairie go wild, control weeds and only mow around the house and out buildings.

They should also plant grasses well adapted to the

FESTIVAL continued from page 2

Means, PhD, and Cody Gifford, PhD, will take place on the Triangle at 10:30 a.m.

The second educational program will be held at 2 p.m. at the South Lincoln Training and Event Center, entitled “Non-Traditional Sheep Market insights,” presented by UW’s Whit Stewart, PhD and John Kane of Madison, Wis.

learning kiosk on the Triangle along with a Hand-spinning Fleece Auction on the Triangle. All of the events of the day will commence into the Sheepherders Come Bye Awards Dinner from 6-8 p.m. where we will honor WWGA’s annual award winners, the Wyoming Wool Initiative’s Lamb-AYear awards and the art and

area and easy to grow from seed, such as western wheatgrass, thickspike wheatgrass, intermediate wheatgrass and many others.

There is a very narrow window to plant grass – October to May 15. After that, one will need to wait, since it’s all about natural rain and snow. Once established, grasses take very little water, and they do not need to be mowed.

Prairie grass stops growing around the middle to the end of May. What one will see on June 1 is all they will get for the rest of the growing season. A healthy prairie will out compete weeds.

The prairie is home to numerous birds like the meadowlark, lark bunting, horned lark and killdeer, who nest and raise their young on the ground, hidden in the prairie grass.

The dinner will be held at the South Lincoln Training and Event Center and is the only ticketed event of the festival. Following the Sheepherders Come Bye, Colby Acuff will kick off the barn dance with a live show at 8 p.m. This is a free show for the community, general public and local sheep ranchers.

Celebration wraps up on July 2

The last day of the fes

Wyoming’s state bird, the western meadowlark, builds a domed nest of grass on the ground and has a diet of both insects and seeds. Nesting season is March to July. Be cautious with herbicides – 2, 4 D is toxic to birds.

Good management of prairie grass can help prevent soil erosion, reduce snow drifting, help recharge a well and reduce fire danger. Research shows unmowed tall prairie grass is cooler, the soil holds more moisture, has less weeds and ground squirrels and deters prairie dogs.

Mow less, play more and enjoy the views and wildlife.

Catherine Wissner is the University of Wyoming Laramie County Extension horticulturist. She can be reached at cwissner@ uwyo.edu or 307-633-4480.

9 a.m. with the final educational program from WWGA Executive Director Alison Crane, PhD, discussing the newly implemented Food and Drug Administration’s ruling on antibiotic usage in livestock and what it means for sheep producers.

WWGA’s summer business meeting will begin at 9:45 a.m. to conduct annual business and will conclude at 12 p.m.

We hope everyone will come celebrate the Wyoming sheep and wool industries with us, even if they have never seen a sheep before. This is the perfect weekend to not only see sheep but to learn so much about the amazing industry.

The festival would not be possible without so many of our sponsors throughout the state, especially the Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund, Wyoming Humanities Council and the Wyoming Arts Council. Thank you!

Please visit our website wyomingsheepandwoolfestival.com to see all of the available vendors and sponsors.

Alison Crane is the executive director of WWGA. She can be reached at alison@wyowool.com.

Adobe Stock photo

University of Wyoming (UW) Firearms Research Center (FRC) Co-Founder

Ashley Hlebinsky, former curator of the Cody Firearms Museum at the Buffalo Bill Center, was this year’s opening keynote speaker at the Wyoming Stock Growers Association (WSGA) Annual Summer Convention and Trade Show June 7-9.

During Hlebinsky’s presentation on June 8, she articulated the need to bring more voices to the firearms discussion, generate new scholars and remove silos, creating opportunities to exchange knowledge.

Building opportunities

Earlier this year, the FRC, which is housed in UW’s College of Law, was officially unveiled and operations began pioneering research for peer review and public use.

“After years of hard work, we are thrilled to launch the FRC and know its impact will be wide-

approval. He requested funding to update the operating system and funding to revise the livestock website.

“Updating the website and making it more interactive will allow for better communication between producers and the state,” True explained.

Both action items passed.

Brand inspection and recording updates

Lee Romsa, WLSB brand commissioner, reviewed information discussed on delinquent brands at the Wyoming Stock Growers Association (WSGA) Convention held June 7-9 in Riverton.

District brand inspectors are currently undergoing training to reduce the number of individuals on the delinquent list.

“We have developed district training events to facilitate ways to identify and contact individuals who are on the delinquent list. Many of the state’s brand inspec-

Creating more voices: UW’s Firearms Research Center launched

spread and meaningful,” stated Hlebinsky.

She explained the FRC hopes to unite scholars and experts, creating an open dialogue which will transform how firearms are discussed and understood.

Currently in the U.S., there is an ongoing debate over the Second Amendment, with little cross-disciplinary work forming an unbalanced narrative.

Hlebinsky noted she and her co-founder George Mocsary, a law professor at UW, want to establish a center to generate more voices in the firearms discussion and to encourage new scholars.

“Options for students in the U.S. who want to study firearms are limited, and many are centered around politics, legislative gun restrictions or public health,” she stated.

“There is no other place in the U.S. to study firearms, past and present, in a non-bipartisan setting. We need to have a

balanced dialogue on the topic,” Hlebinsky added.

She continued, “We are experiencing a lack of scholarship on the topic of firearms and we need to build a repository of knowledge, and the center is intended to facilitate a new stance on the study of firearms by incorporating nontraditional and traditional coursework, leading to certifications or degrees.”

“Most of the current scholarship around firearms contains technical inaccuracies despite being passed through the academic review system into publication,” she stated.

Hlebinsky expressed, “A limited number of experts understanding technical firearm information creates a flawed peer review system leading to inconsistent and inaccurate research. However, we are excited to see this change through the center’s work.”

“Another exciting

resource the center has to offer is its interactive website. It will host firearmsrelated data, research and related law to serve as a resource for academics, practitioners, lawmakers, media members and the public,” she added. The website’s functionality will continue to grow and provide live information on current court cases and other relevant topics around firearms. Furthermore, this information will offer a reliable center of excellence for journalists and others who seek to communicate about firearms topics with more than emotion and oversimplification.

Community outreach

FRC prides itself on being a center that also focuses on the community. The center will offer a variety of public events and educational resources.

Hlebinsky said, “The center will be home to firearm education and facilitate gun safety material to cre-

For more information about the FRC, visit frc.uwyo.edu.

ate a broader knowledge.”

“We want to do right by our community. And, to show our support and commitment, the FRC will host several events, including hunter education, firearm safety and hunter therapy classes. The center is also excited to announce we are partnering with the Wyoming Department of Health to create a suicide prevention program,” Hlebinsky expressed Wyoming has led the U.S. in suicides since 2018, and the state’s suicide rate continues to climb, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. To help support local communities, FRC will provide suicide awareness and prevention resources and host events to address gun safety.

Hlebinksy explained this will include resources

for individuals who may voluntarily surrender their firearm when they feel the need to set them aside, turning them over to the gun shops or the other secure facilities, while they get through a personal crisis.

Hlebinsky also shared exciting news about the center co-hosting the 2023 Firearms Law Works-InProgress Workshop with the Duke Center for Firearms Law this June in Fort Worth, Texas.

The center is in its early stages of development but is already seeing positive changes, allowing diverse voices to enter the firearms debate while impacting the future of firearms.

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

tors know the rightful owner personally and can contact them directly,” he said.

Romsa stated, “Over the summer, state brand inspectors visit many venues, but it is a slack time for inspections.”

However, state brand inspectors stay busy during the summer working events, such as the College National Finals Rodeo and the National High School Finals Rodeo, which will be held July 16-22.

Romsa concluded his updates with a brief review of the new brand inspector wages going into effect and thanked the inspectors for their dedication and hard work.

Animal health updates

Wyoming State Veterinarian Dr. Hallie Hasel and Assistant State Field Veterinarian Dr. Teckla Webb updated the board on brucellosis risk mitigation plans and addressed questions around the new report of a

confirmed brucellosis case in Sweetwater County. Board conversations developed around the brucellosis standard testing protocol.

Hasel stated, “Wyoming’s voluntary custom slaughter brucellosis surveillance program is vital to our state.”

She further informed the board the comment period ended for the chapter rules. The board discussed and approved Chapter Six, Brucellosis Risk Mitigation Activities and Compensation – Emergency Rule and Chapter 25, Brucellosis Quarantine Mitigation Expense.

Webb then walked the board through a brief presentation on brucellosis and how to create a brucellosis mitigation plan.

Webb continued to describe a mitigation plan, stating, “The plan is composed of two parts, the risk assessment and risk mitigation and can be created for any operation, but is especially important for produc-

PITCHFORK RANCH TOUR

Saturday, July 29, 2023

Tour participants must meet at Meeteetse Museums at 9 a.m. to leave for Pitchfork Ranch by 9:30

Pre-registration required ~ Tour open to 45 visitors

The annual Pitchfork Ranch Tour, led by Pitchfork Ranch owner, Dr. Lenox Baker, will explore the ranch portrayed in Charles Belden’s photographs. Participants may get a preview of the restored Timber Creek Dude Ranch Lodge (weather, time and construction permitting).

Pre-registration: Call 307-868-2423 or stop in at 1947 State Street, Meeteetse, WY

Email RSVPs are not accepted. Registration slots are open until filled or the week prior to the event unless otherwise noted.

ers in the designated surveillance area.”

“Documented brucellosis mitigation plans offer multiple benefits to the producer, and the plans are flexible, confidential, renewed yearly and not legally binding,” stated Webb.

Webb noted, “For the mitigation plan to be effective, they need to work, and by having an effective plan, producers are reducing brucellosis risk.”

Public comments were presented and discussed to conclude the board meeting.

The next board meeting will be held Aug. 22 in Rock Springs. Venue and time will be announced at a later date.

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

WLSB

University offers top five tips for supporting pollinators this summer

When the first bit of green finally breaks through the earth or a bud forms on a tree outside of the window, it is safe to say spring has indeed sprung. This is when many individuals start to think of pollinators and what can be done to help them as plants begin to grow and bloom.

But what about the dog days of summer?

Although some climates may have gardens looking less than lovely by August, pollinators will still need assistance. With a little advance planning now, many people can support pollinators through the sweltering months and into fall.

Some popular garden plants like roses are usually self-pollinated or pollinated by the wind, but most of the flowers bought at nurseries are going to attract and require pollinators.

Around 80 percent of flowering plants need pollinators to reproduce, and over three-quarters of staple crops feeding people and livestock do too.

Thinking locally is a great way to help pollinators. Using plants native to each region can add some

extra help to support both native and other pollinators, and native plants will be better suited for the soil and climate.

As with any plant, planting a cluster of several of the same type will make it easier for pollinators to find them. A bonus to attracting pollinators is local wildflower populations may also increase.

Top tips for supporting pollinators

Molly Keck, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension

A Brand Of Its Own

Service integrated pest management program specialist in the Texas A&M Department of Entomology, serving Bexar County, offers some science-based advice to keep pollinators around and thriving during the hottest months of the year.

First, she encourages individuals to overlap blooms. Pollinators need flowers that bloom at different times of the year. An array of flower varieties which peak after others fade are ideal.

Native and drought-tolerant species are also good additions to a garden or landscape. Planting from spring into fall can extend pollinators’ resources.

Second, it is important to be colorful. Individuals should plant flowers in a variety of colors since different pollinators are attracted to different colors.

Keck notes bumblebees are attracted to blues and purples, whereas other bees are more attracted to yellows or whites. She suggests adding really bright colors like oranges and pinks to a garden to draw in butterflies.

“Red isn’t seen well by bees, so red flowers with a contrasting center are usually a better bet,” she explains. “If you plant colors, they will come.”

Keck also suggests adding shapes and sizes.

Pollinators’ flower preferences come in all shapes and sizes, so variety is also key. Some pollinators like

deeper or more open bowls since they have preferences on the way they collect pollen or feed on nectar.

“Be aware, some of the more modern hybrid flowers with ‘doubled’ flowers –what looks like many petals or a flower within a flower –may lack the pollen, nectar or fragrance pollinators seek out,” she says. “In pursuit of the best-looking bloom, some plant breeders have left out what pollinators need. In other words, avoid those that are all show but may lack substance.”

Individuals should also go easy on the pesticide.

Keck explains many people mistakenly believe if they don’t use pesticide, their plant won’t flower. So, those who feel like they have to apply pesticide should do it in the evening when most of the pollinators have “gone to bed.” This will hopefully give the pesticide time to dry before morning.

Keck reminds individuals to never spray the inside of a flower. If a plant is flowering, it most likely doesn’t need help since it takes a tremendous amount of energy to bloom in the first place, which wouldn’t happen if it was stressed.

Also make sure to read and follow the label and be aware of toxic ingredients.

Lastly, Keck says it is important to give pollinators shelter.

“Providing pollinators with shelter is another way to support their num-

bers. Houses for bees and other pollinators can be purchased online, at home and garden stores or can even be handmade using tubes,” she shares.

Whereas honeybees group in hives, most insect pollinators are solitary dwellers, and most bees actually live underground.

Some pollinators, like mason bees, need mud to line their homes. Keeping a bit of mud near a garden is a helpful way to aid with their construction.

The bee’s knees

According to Keck, bees are the “bee’s knees” among pollinators.

“Bees are the best because they are actively going after pollen,” she says. “Their body is really fuzzy, so they pick up a bunch of pollen and then they accidentally drop it off as they bounce from flower to flower.”

When most people think of pollinators, and bees in general, they typically think

of honeybees and maybe bumblebees, Keck shares.

“But, there are actually a lot of different species of native bees that are great pollinators and are often overlooked because they’re small, or we just assume they are honeybees because of how they look,” she says.

Although bees may be the most efficient pollinators, plenty of other insects do their share of heavy lifting.

“Beyond bees, there are also butterflies and moths, flies, beetles and some wasps that are also good pollinators,” she notes. “The sheer number of beetles makes them a substantial, but often overlooked, pollinator.”

In addition to insects, birds and bats can also be pollinators. Individuals should consider adding night-blooming flowers for nocturnal pollinators.

Supporting pollinators year-round

The majority of pollinators are most active in the spring and summer, and then they start to slow down in the fall. In fact, most insect pollinators, aside from honeybees, will die over the winter.

However, bees and other pollinators often lay eggs in hollow stalks of plants. If one typically cuts these plants back or pulls them up, they should find a corner of their garden or yard where they can leave them until next year.

Keck explains the eggs pollinators lay and leave behind will hatch sometime between February and April, and the cycle will start all over again.

Susan Himes is a communication specialist for the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. This article was originally published in the Texas A&M AgriLife Newsletter on June 12.

It takes teamwork – A dark winged butterfly with orange spots sits on a purple flower. While bees might be the most popular pollinator, butterflies are an important contributor to the process as well. Michael Miller photo

Splashes of color – A bee’s backside sticks out of a purple flower, his head is buried in to reach the pollen. Pollinators have preferences when it comes to the plants they choose to pollinate, so splashing different colors is important to supporting them. Courtney Sacco photo

CNFR continued from page 1

McWhorter of Cal Poly State University-San Luis Obispo took home the national title with an 85-point ride to win the short go and tie for first in the average with 323.5 points.

Western Texas College’s Damien Brennan also had 323.5 points, finishing first in the average and second in the championship round with an 84-point ride.

Isaac Richard of McNeese State University (McNeese) ended up third in the average with 320.5 points, following an 83.5point ride in the final round.

Bareback riding

Donny Proffit, a Kemmerer native dressed in the brown and gold vest of the University of Wyoming (UW), finished in the top 15 in all four rounds of bareback riding at the CNFR.

Proffit had a 76-point ride and ninth-place finish in the first round, a 75.5point ride and 13th-place finish in the second round and a 79-point ride and third-place finish in the third round.

A 78.5-point ride in the short go earned the Wyoming cowboy sixth place in the round and sixth place in the average with 309 points.

Weston Timberman of Clarendon College scored 84.5 points in the final round, earning him a first-place finish in the round and the national champion title with 325 points in the average.

Kade Sonnier of McNeese also rode for 84.5 points, splitting the firstplace finish in the round with Timberman and earning him a second-place finish in the average with 314 points.

A 79-point ride in the final round and 313 points in the average earned Missouri Valley College’s (MVC) Ty Pope a third-place finish in the average.

Bull riding Sheridan College’s Wyatt Phelps of Pinedale entered the championship round with an 85.5-point ride from the second go. With only one qualified ride at the CNFR, Phelps finished the season fourth in the average.

In the short go, only two bull riders made the eightsecond mark.

Caden Bunch of Southeastern Oklahoma State University (SE) scored 84.5 points to win the round and finish the season third in the average with 166 points. Dawson Gleaves of Weatherford College (WC) scored 80.5 points for a second-place finish in the round and in the average with 233.5 points.

Following a 67-point ride and second-place finish in the first round, an 85-point ride and second-place finish in the second round and an 84-point ride and first-place finish in the third round, Tristen Hutchings of Sul Ross State University was crowned the national champion, finishing first in the average with 236 points.

Tie-down roping

UW Cowboy Bodie Mattson made an impressive showing at the CNFR, placing in the top 15 in all four rounds.

Mattson placed eighth in the first round with a 10.1-second run, third in the second round with an 8.4-second run and 14th in the third round with a 9.9-second run. In the short go, Mattson tied his calf in 11.1 seconds, earning him a fifth-place finish in the round and a fourthplace finish in the average with a total of 39.5 seconds.

Cutter Carpenter, a Texas A&M University-Commerce (TAMUC) cowboy, made a 9.8-second run in the short go for a first-place finish in the round and second-place finish in the average with 39 seconds.

Fellow TAMUC Lion Kincade Henry took second in the short go with a 10.4-second run, and with 35.8 points on four head, Henry won the tiedown roping average and the title of national champion.

Connor Atkinson of Texas A&M University (TAMU) finished third in the short go and third in the average with a 10.6-second run and 39.1 total seconds on four head.

Team roping

With 22.8 seconds on four head, Logan Moore of Wharton County Junior College was crowned the 2023 CNFR Champion Heeler and Slade Wood of Southwest Texas Junior College was named the 2023 CNFR Champion Header.

Jace Helton of WC and Quade Hiatt of West Texas A&M University were second in the team roping average with 29.1 seconds on the week, followed by Mason Appleton and Nicholas Lovins, both of Western Oklahoma State College, with a total 32.4 seconds.

Wyoming Team Ropers Cam Jensen of UW and Tanner McInerney of Gillette College roped a 4.2 to top the leaderboard in the short go, landing them 10th in the average with 24 seconds on the week.

Jayse Tettenhorst and Kaden Profili of Trinity ran a 5.3 for a second-place finish in the final round. Treasure Valley Community College (TVCC) brothers Zane and Ty Taylor and Central Arizona College team Clay Cherry and Logan Cullen tied for third in the round with a run of 5.5 seconds.

Steer wrestling

In the short go, Mason Couch of SE finished first in the steer wrestling with a 3.6-second run, Tyler Bauerle of Cisco College finished second with a 4.7-second run and Bradley Hesnor of McNeese finished third with a five-second run.

In the average, Joshua Ellison of University of West Alabama (UWA) earned the title of national champion with 26 total seconds on the week, Hesnor came in second with 27.3 seconds and Bauerle was third with 29.1 seconds.

Barrel Racing

In the barrel racing, Taycie Matthews also took a national champion title home to UWA. Matthews finished first in round one and round two with a 13.77-second run and a 13.74-second run, respectively.

Matthews finished second in round two and in the short go with a 14.08-second

run and a 13.94-second run, respectively. With only 55.53 total seconds to end the week, Matthews won the average.

Following close behind was Tayla Moeykens of Montana State University (MSU) with 55.85 seconds, earning her a second-place finish in the average. Moeykens took second in the first round with a 13.85-second run, first in the third round with a 13.91-second run and first in the short go with a 13.84-second run.

A run of 14.05 in the short go earned Southwestern Oklahoma State University’s Abby Hepper a third-place finish in the round and a third-place finish in the average with a total of 56.4 seconds.

Three Wyoming college athletes finished in the top 15 in the nation.

With a total of 56.97 seconds, UW’s Emme Norsworthy finished fifth in the average. Two Gillette College Cowgirls – Ellie Bard and Jaycie West – respectively finished 10th in the average with a total of 57.68 seconds and 14th in the average with a total of 43.44 seconds.

Breakaway roping

Fellow Gillette College Pronghorn Haiden Thompson made a competitive showing in the breakaway roping, finishing 16th in the first go with a run of 2.9 seconds, first in the second go with a run of 2.1 seconds and 17th in the third go with a run of three seconds.

Thompson ended the

Wyoming athletes competitive at CNFR

Collegiate rodeo athletes from across the state of Wyoming were highly competitive at this year’s College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR), especially those on the women’s teams.

Gillette College’s Haiden Thompson, a native of smalltown Yoder who finished the regular season as the Central Rocky Mountain Region’s All Around Cowgirl, was also named the 2023 CNFR Women’s All Around Cowgirl.

Thompson finished sixth in the average in goat tying and 10 th in the average in breakaway roping, with a total of 180 points on the week – a far cry from Bailey Stuva of Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, who finished the week in the second place position with 45 points.

The University of Wyoming (UW) Women’s Rodeo Team ended their season as the third place team in the nation with 382.5

week sitting 10th in the average with a total of eight seconds on the week.

Raegan Steed of the College of Southern Idaho ran a 2.6 to earn her first place honors in the championship round.

Kyleigh Winn of Kansas State University and Makayla Farkas of West Hills College tied for second place in the round with runs of 2.7 seconds.

This bumped Farkas to the first-place position on the average leaderboard with a total of 10.9 seconds, followed by Kennedy Buckner of Blue Mountain Community College with 11.3 seconds and Samantha Kerns of TVCC with a total of 12.2 seconds.

Goat tying

In what was arguably the

points, following Montana State University (MSU) in second place with 593.3 points and the University of West Alabama in first place with 698.3 points.

Gillette College’s Women’s Rodeo Team finished eighth in the nation with 210 points and Eastern Wyoming College’s Women’s Rodeo Team finished 17th in the nation with 103.3 points.

The UW Men’s Rodeo Team also finished the week in the top 12 in the nation with 345 points. Clarendon College took home the men’s team title with 855 points, followed by McNeese State University with 790 points and Texas A&M University-Commerce with 690 points.

Quade Hiatt of West Texas A&M University was the Men’s All Around Cowboy with 365 points, followed by Cole Walker of University of Tennessee-Martin with 113.3 points and Bode Spring of MSU with 100 points.

most heated contest at this year’s CNFR, MSU’s Paige Rasmussen took home the national title in goat tying with only 24.3 total seconds on the week.

Rasmussen ran a 6.2 in the first round for an eighth place finish, a six flat in the second round to tie for third and a 6.1 in the third round to tie for sixth.

In the short go, Rasmussen ran another six flat to take the lead in the round and the average. A 6.1-second run landed Kaylee Cormier of McNeese second in the round and third in the average with 24.8 total seconds on the week.

UW Cowgirl Kenna McNeil ran a 6.2, placing her third in the short go and in a

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two-way tie with Cormier for third in the average with 24.8 total seconds.

With a 6.8-second run in the short go, Thompson secured an eighth-place finish in the round and sixthplace finish in the average with a total of 25.5 seconds on the week.

Fellow Wyomingite Karissa Rayhill of Eastern Wyoming College ran an 8.1 in the short go, which landed her 11th in the final performance and in a two-way tie for ninth in the average with 26.3 total seconds on the week.

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

Weston Garrett • 605-210-1629

Casey Sellers • 307-217-2614

Jim Forbes • 307-351-5932

Tye Curuchet • 307-351-8666

Daniel Escoz • 307-217-1440 Kade Kinghorn • 307-620-0525

Auctioneer: Curt Westland • 605-210-3329

Market Report • June 21, 2023

www.buffalolivestockwyo.com

"From the ring, to the video, and in the country,

market

livestock the competitive way."

June 26 Wyoming State Fair Endowment Auction, 7 a.m.-6 p.m., online. For more information, visit wystatefair.com/event-complex/endowment/

June 26-30 2023 American Salers Junior Association National Show, Fergus County Fairgrounds, Lewistown, Mont. For more information, visit salersusa.org

June 26-July 1 Girls 2023 Inspire a Kid Camp, Little Jennie Ranch, Bondurant. For more information, e-mail chris@thewyldlifefund.org or call 307-316-3863.

June 28 Carbon County Ranch and Farm Bureau Federation Annual Meeting, 5 p.m., The Malt, Saratoga. For more information, contact Kyle Berger at 307760-8018.

June 27-28 Nebraska Soil Health School, West Central Research, Extension and Education Center, North Platte, Neb. For more information, e-mail nheldt@unl.edu or call 308-632-1233.

June 29 Nebraska Extension Beef Systems 2023 Stocker/Yearling Tour, 8:30 a.m., Harrison, Neb. For more information, contact Erin Laborie via e-mail at erin. laborie@unl.edu or call 308-268-3105. To register, call the Sheridan County Extension Office at 308-327-2312.

June 30-July 2 Wyoming Wool Growers Annual Membership Meeting and Wyoming Sheep and Wool Festival, Kemmerer. For more information, visit wyowool.com

July 1 First Annual Sheepherders Come Bye, 6 p.m., South Lincoln Training and Event Center, Kemmerer.

July 1-8 2023 National Junior Angus Show, Grand Island, Neb. For more information, visit njas.info

July 1-10 Laramie Jubilee Days, Laramie. For more information, visit laramiejubileedays.org

July 3-4 Happy Fourth of July! The Roundup office will be closed for the holiday. Advertising deadline for the July 8 edition is Wed., July 5 at noon. For more information, call 307-234-2700.

July 3-6 2023 Beef Improvement Federation Symposium, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. For more information or to register, visit beefimprovement.org/symposium

July 4 American Angus Auxiliary’s 40th Annual All-American Certified Angus Beef Cook-Off Contest, Grand Island, Neb. For more information, e-mail Anne Lampe at amlampe.al@gmail.com or call 670-874-4273. To enter, visit forms.gle/dXeiVmVJJ1gfoRxi6

July 6 Nebraska Ranch Practicum, Whitman, Neb. For more information or to register, visit nebraskaranchpracticum.unl.edu, e-mail Troy Walz at troy.walz@unl. edu or call 308-872-6831.

July 6 Sage Grouse Implementation Team Sage Grouse Core Area Map Review Meeting, 9 a.m., Lander Community and Convention Center, Lander. For more information, visit wgfd.wyo.gov

July 7-8 Platte River Rodeo, 7 p.m., Buck Springs Arena, Saratoga. For more information, call Randy Arnold at 307-329-5769 or Cathy Cox at 307-710-7208.

July 7-15 Central Wyoming Fair and Rodeo, Casper. For more information, visit centralwyomingfair.com

July 10-11 U.S. Cattlemen’s Association Inaugural Summer Business Meeting, Reno, Nev. For more information, visit uscattlemen.org/meeting_registration

July 11 High Plains Journal’s Cattle U, Manhattan, Kan. For more information, visit cattleu.net or contact Kylie Reiss at kreiss@hpj.com or Lacey Vilhauer at lvilhauer@hpj.com.

July 11 Wyoming Air Quality Advisory Board Public Meeting, 9 a.m., online via Zoom or in Cheyenne. For more information, contact Amber Potts at 307-777-2489.

July 11-15 Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo, Colorado Springs, Colo. For more information or to buy tickets, visit pikespeakorbust.org

Big horn Basin

Worland, WY

July 12 Wyoming Stock Growers Association Environmental Stewardship Day and Tour, Big Creek Ranch, Encampment. For more information, contact the Wyoming Stock Growers Association at 307-638-3942.

July 12-16 2023 Wyoming Quarter Horse Cowboy Summer Classic, Wyoming State Fairgrounds, Douglas. For more information, visit wqha.org

July 14 University of Wyoming Extension Sheep and Goats Artificial Insemination Class, 1-4 p.m., Campbell County and Fremont County Extension offices. For more information, contact the Campbell County Extension Office at 307682-7281 or the Fremont County Extension Office at 307-332-1018.

July 15 Class of 2023 ProRodeo Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Colorado Springs, Colo. For more information, call Ashley Johnson at 719-528-4732.

July 15 Albany County CattleWomen Ranch Tour, Laramie. For more information, visit wyaccw.com or call 307-760-5590.

July 15-22 Converse County Fair, Douglas. For more information, visit conversecountyfair.com

July 21-30 Weston County Fair, Newcastle. For more information, visit westoncountyfair.com

July 22-29 Crook County Fair, Sundance. For more information, visit crookcofair.com

SALES

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

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

July 22 South Dakota Sheep Growers Association Premium Yearling Ewe Sale Magness Livestock Auction, Huron, S.D., 406-581-7772, sdsheepgrowers.org

July 24-26 Northern Livestock Video Auction Summertime Classic, 866-616-5035, northernlivestockvideo.com

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

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

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

Aug. 26 Nebraska Quarter Horse Classic Performance Horse Sale, Ogallala Livestock Auction Market, Ogallala, Neb., 319-795-4649, 308-289-2508, 308-458-9685

Aug. 26-29 Lauing Mill Iron L Ranch 2023 QH Production Sale, online only, prohorseservices.com/internet-auctions/, 605-347-6193, 605-280-0698, 605-280-0398, lauingmillironlranch.com

Sept. 2 Proffit Ranch 22nd Annual Labor Day Horse Sale, Diamond X Ranch, Evanston, 307-723-5857, proffitranch.blogspot.com

POSTCARD from the Past

Compiled by Dick Perue rrichardperue@gmail.com

Power From Gasoline or Electricity

As the old saying goes, “What goes around, comes around” which is evident in an article published in the June 14, 1917, issue of The Saratoga Sun, which reads:

A vehicle, propelled by a gasoline motor, an electric motor or both at the same time, appeared recently. The new car is said to be the beginning of a new era in motor construction.

The power plant of the car consists of a small fourcylinder gasoline motor and an electric motor-generator combined into one unit.

The movement of a finger lever on the steering wheel connects the gaso-

line motor to the electric generator, which cranks the engine. Power is transmitted through the armature shaft of the electric motor and propeller shaft direct to the rear axle.

There are two levers on the steering wheel, corresponding to the spark and throttle on the ordinary car. One controls the speed of the gasoline motor and the other the electric motor.

At any advanced position of the electric lever, the first movement of the gasoline lever starts the gasoline motor. As the lever is moved forward, it causes the car to be operated more and more on gasoline.

At a certain point, it

will run as a straight gasoline car, neither charging nor discharging the battery. Further advance uses the excess power to charge the battery. Using both motors, the car will develop a speed of 40 miles an hour.

The points of the car are described this way: It may run as an electric, with any of the advantages possessed by an electric. It may travel as a straight gas car. It may travel on both gasoline and electric power at the same time, with the same simplicity of operation. The gas engine charges the battery.

The car has all the luxuriousness of the higher class cars, which have been produced for years and looks like a gasoline car. It has no transmission, there is no shifting of gears and the clutch is operated by electricity. The makers say it will travel through mud.

The article did not list the maker of the vehicle or when it would be on the market.

Pictured is an illustration of the gasoline and/or electric vehicle which appeared with the story of the car of the future in the June 14, 1917, issue of The Saratoga Sun. Historical Reproductions by Perue

FOR THE WEEK ENDING June 23, 2023

FOR THE WEEK ENDING May 24, 2019

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

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

As of June 16, 2023

Compared to last week traditional slaughter lambs 8.00-11.00 higher, others weak to 30.00 lower. Slaughter ewes mostly steady. No comparison on feeder lambs not well tested. At San Angelo, TX 14,065 head sold in a two day sale. Equity Cooperative Auction sold 475 feeder lambs in Utah and 400 slaughter lambs in Wyoming. In direct trading slaughter ewes and feeder lambs not tested; 1200 replacement hair ewe lambs old in Texas. 3,147 lamb carcasses traded with no trend due to confidentiality. All sheep sold per hundred weight (CWT) unless specified.

Slaughter Lambs: Choice and Prime 2-3

San Angelo: wooled and shorn 110-155 lbs 158.00-160.00.

Ft. Collins: wooled and shorn 100-120 lbs 195.00-230.00.

South Dakota: wooled and shorn 100-145 lbs 182.50-196.00.

Billings: wooled and shorn 100-115 lbs no test.

Equity Coop: wooled 120 lbs 202.00.

Slaughter Lambs: Choice and Prime 1-2

San Angelo: hair 40-60 lbs 210.00-230.00; 60-70 lbs 200.00-

220.00; 70-80 lbs 190.00-212.00, few 219.00-225.00; 80-90 lbs

180.00-219.00; 90-100 lbs 181.50-212.00. wooled and shorn

70-80 lbs 190.00-220.00; 80-90 lbs 190.00-200.00; 90-100 lbs

183.00-190.00.

Ft. Collins: wooled and shorn 90-100 lbs 215.00-230.00. hair 63 lbs 205.00; 80 lbs 215.00; 96 lbs 190.00.

South Dakota: wooled and shorn 50-60 lbs 155.00-177.50, few

190.00; 60-70 lbs 160.00-181.00; 70-80 lbs 170.00-190.00; 80100 lbs 180.00-193.00. hair 50-60 lbs 145.00-165.00; 60-70 lbs

150.00-155.00; 86 lbs 165.00; 96 lbs 125.00.

Billings: no test. Slaughter Ewes

San Angelo: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) hair 60.00; Good 2-3

(fleshy) 62.00-91.00, hair 72.00-96.00; Utility and Good 1-3

(medium flesh) 98.00-118.00, hair 102.00-116.00; Utility 1-2 (thin) 78.00-82.00, hair 74.00-110.00; Cull and Utility 1-2 (very thin) hair 65.00-82.00; Cull 1 45.00-60.00.

Ft. Collins: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) 75.00-95.00; Good 2-3 (fleshy) 52.50-97.50; Utility 1-2 (thin) no test.

South Dakota: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) 40.00-60.00; Good 2-3 (fleshy) 40.00-73.50; Utility 1-2 (thin) 35.00-65.00, hair 50.00-

Cull 1 17.00-35.00.

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

South Dakota: aged 130.00-150.00/head.

Billings: no test.

Sheep and lambs slaughter under federal inspection for the week to date totaled 34,000 compared with 35,000 last week and 32,000 last year.

Source: USDA AMS Market News, San Angelo, Texas

National Wool Review

As of June 9, 2023

Domestic wool trading had no confirmed trades reported this week. Prices reflect trades FOB warehouse in original bag or square pack, bellies out, some graded, and 76 mm or longer. No allowance made for coring, freight, or handling fees at the warehouse level to reflect net grower prices. Wools shorter than 75 mm typically discounted .10-.20 clean. Classed and skirted wools usually trade at a .10-.20 premium to original bag prices.

5 AREA WEEKLY WEIGHTED CATTLE PRICE

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

Wyoming Hay Summary

As of June 22, 2023

Compared to last week alfalfa cubes and sun-cured alfalfa pellets sold steady. No other cash hay on the market for a comparison. Most alfalfa producers are still waiting for the rains to stop across the state to put up first cutting of alfalfa. Some contacts have chopped their hay and sent it to either a dairy or feedlot. Others still fighting the process of mowing and crossing their fingers that the alfalfa will dry out before the next rain. It appears that there will be tons of discolored first cutting alfalfa for sale this year. More than likely it will go to a feedlot to be ground into a ration. Right now, most fields are around three weeks overdue on being baled. This drawn-out first cutting will make producers have less cutting overall this growing season..

Eastern Wyoming

Alfalfa - Good Chopped 140

Alfalfa - Good (Delivered) Large Square 3x4 250

Alfalfa Pellets 15% Suncured 390

Western Wyoming

Alfalfa Cubes 380

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

Nebraska Hay Summary

As of June 22, 2023

Compared to last week, hay sales mostly steady on a light test of new crop hay. Many producers would like steady money from last year sales for their first cutting, but most buyers have been reluctant to pay that. However, there has been some fully steady hay purchased at steady money to last year in the eastern third of the state where the drought is very persistent. Also, large and small square bales being shipped out of state is a sought-after market. Some hay producers in the central and eastern areas have started on second cutting of hay this week. Producers in the western side of the state continue to struggle to get first cutting mowed and baled from all the rains. Some are thinking of green chopping this cutting that is roughly three weeks behind schedule.

Notice

NOTICE: Publication in this newspaper does not guarantee the legitimacy of any offer or solicitation. Take reasonable steps to evaluate an offer before you send money or provide personal/financial information to an advertiser. If you have questions or believe you have been the victim of fraud, contact the Wyoming Attorney General’s Office, Consumer Protection Unit, 109 Capitol Building, Cheyenne, WY 82002, 307-777-6397 TFN

Events

Torrington Livestock Markets

307-532-3333

PLATTE rIVER RODEO

July 7-8, 2023 / 7:00 PM

Buck Springs Arena / Saratoga, WY WRA sanctioned rodeo events plus amateur, ranch saddle bronc and kid events

$6,000 ADDED MONEY

Adults: $7

Kids ages 12 and under: FREE

For more information call Randy Arnold: 307-329-5769 or Cathy Cox: 307-710-7208

Help Wanted

LOOKING TO HIRE ASE

CERTIFIED MECHANICS: Prefer 10-12 years of experience. Salary is $30-$50/hour flat rate. DOE. ALSO , looking for autobody technicians, pay DOE. Call 701-339-3037 or 406-655-3546 or e-mail resume to toptechbillings@ gmail.com 6/24

FARM MANAGER WANTED: Expertise in pivot sprinkler irrigation, operation and maintenance of farm equipment. Farm planning, planting, harvest, etc. Self-motivated. Full time. Must relocate to southeast Wyoming. Housing will be provided as well as other benefits. Send resume and references to faughtck58@ gmail.com or call Kirk, 307247-1190 7/15

SUMMER HELP WANTED: Haying and fencing. Call 605-3473403 or 605-499-9088 6/24

MADDUX CATTLE CO. FOREMAN NEEDED to develop stocker steers and replacement heifers in the backgrounding yard, on cornstalks, irrigated pasture and range. We offer a superior benefits package and competitive salary. Call 308-636-8175 or visit www. madduxcattle.com, e-mail resume to mdxranchjobs@ gmail.com 7/1

MTC LOGISTICS HAS

PART-TIME DRIVER POSITIONS AVAILABLE FOR DRIVER CLASS B & A CDL IN CASPER (downtown area) AND WORLAND, WY: Must have clean driving record, no felony record and able to pass extensive background check and drug test. Class B license also required, $28/hour. E-mail resumes to dingoboy6342@ yahoo.com or call Matt, 801641-4109 6/24

RANCH/FARM HAND WANT-

ED: Year-round, full-time position. Housing included with arrangement. Utilities paid by employee. Couple preferred and both would be employed. Pay $100-220/day. Call 775224-3283 or e-mail clairsjr@ yahoo.com 7/1

FARM HAND NEEDED with equipment and haying experience. Pivot system operation a plus. Year-round employment for the right person. Wage is hourly with benefits, DOE. Call Kim, 307-3500350, Farson, WY 6/24

Events

Services Services

Solar Water Pumping Systems

Water Well Services • Well & Pipeline Design Submersible Pump Specialist

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

(307) 436-8513 • Cell: (307) 267-1022

Dogs

LYNETTE’S STOCK DOG PUPPIES, NEW LITTER COMING AROUND JULY 20!! Working parents. Will wean around 6-7 weeks old, ready by end of August. Price range $200-$400. Ten Sleep, WY. Call 307-272-5509, www.lynettesstockdogs.com

To view photos, go to www.wylr. net in the classifieds 7/1

ASDR AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD PUPS: Born March 12, 2023. Red tris and red merles. Some have double blue eyes. Will make working or family dogs, all depends on you. Price negotiable depending on pup. Call Michelle, 307-240-1101. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 7/1

AKC LAB PUPPIES: All colors available, whites, blacks, yellows, dark chocolates and dark reds. Excellent hunters, family companions. Full AKC registration. Shots, wormed, dewclaws removed. All puppies are cute, but it’s what they grow into that counts. Not all Labs are the same. Proud to own!! Been raising quality AKC Labradors for 25-plus years. Look at the rest but buy the best. Both parents on site for viewing. Will sell quickly!! $200 deposit, picking order is when the deposit is received. Doug Altman, Mitchell, S.D. Call/text 605-999-7149, click the our Labs tab on the website for pictures, www. southdakotayellowlabs.com WILL DISCOUNT!! 6/24

FIVE PUREBRED WELSH

Financial Services

RED ANGUS HIGH-ELEVATION YEARLING BULLS FOR SALE IN NORTHEASTERN UTAH: Out of AI and bull-bred sires. Will be trich and semen tested, $2,000/head. Bar Lazy TL Ranch, David, 435-8281320, barlazytlranch@gmail. com 6/24

FOR SALE BY PRIVATE TREATY: Semen tested yearling SimAngus bulls. Moderate birthweights with added performance. Jordan Cattle Company, Hulett, WY. Call for more information, 307-660-1380 7/8

Help Wanted

HOT SPRINGS COUNTY WEED & PEST DISTRICT IS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE POSITION OF WEED AND PEST DISTRICT SUPERVISOR: The position is in Thermopolis, WY. Send letter of application, resume and 3 references by June 27 to Hot Springs County Weed & Pest District, PO Box 543, Thermopolis, WY 82443. For additional information, call 307-864-2278 or e-mail hscwpcd@rtconnect.net. Hot Springs County Weed & Pest is an EOE 6/24

AGRI-ONE FINANCIAL: Farm/ ranch and all commercial loans. RATES AS LOW AS 5%. We have been helping with all aspects of agricultural, commercial financing and management for years. LET US HELP YOU on a consulting level with management to increase profitability, deal with and fix credit problems and for all your financing needs. WE CARE AND HAVE WORKING PROGRAMS designed for the farmer/rancher and not the banker. Please call Steve, 303-773-3545 or check out our website, www.agrionefinancial.com. I will come to you and get the job done!! 7/15

Services

ALL TYPES OF EQUIPMENT AND VEHICLE FINANCING. Great service!! Great rates!! Call Chuck Brown at C.H. Brown Co., WY LLC, 307-3223232 (office), 307-331-0010 (cell) or e-mail chuckbrown@ wyoming.com 6/24

REGISTERED WYOMING BRAND FOR SALE: LRC, RHS, LHH. Dues paid to Jan. 1, 2033. $2,500. 307349-4667 6/24

WYOMING BRAND FOR SALE: LHC, dues paid to 2033, no irons, $2,500. Call 307-746-5557 6/24

Dogs

WORKING BORDER COLLIE

PUPPIES FOR SALE: Born March 30. Located in Powell, WY. Parents onsite. Asking $500 OBO. For pictures or more information, call 307-899-3533 7/1

AKC MINI AUSSIES PUPPIES: Well socialized, basic training started. Both parents are OFA certified. Three year genetic health guarantee. Will be ready for their furever homes July 14. To reserve your puppy or to schedule a visit to the farm, call or e-mail Dennis, 406-3665453 or oldwood@ibyfax.com.

To view photos, go to www.wylr. net in the classifieds 7/15

PUREBRED, PURE WHITE GREAT PYRENEES PUPPIES: Born Easter 2023. Great livestock protectors. Both parents are ranch, working dogs. Never aggressive toward humans or livestock they are acclimated to. These females have spent time with chickens, guineas, cats, turkeys, sheep, goats, cows and other dogs. They are looking for homes where they have space to do their job. Located in Wheatland, WY. $500 each. Call or text Anthony at 307-331-3427. To view photos, go to www.wylr. net in the classifieds 7/1

YOUR FAMILY AND PROPERTY PROTECTORS ARE WAITING!! We have beautiful guardians just wanting and waiting to make you their priority!! Please don’t postpone your next best friend, companion and protector. $1,000. Have been raising these fantastic LGD for 48 years. For more information, call 406-207-7674 7/15

CORGI PUPPIES: Tri-colored, 9 weeks old, 4 males and 1 female. Ready to go. $1,000 each. For more information, call 406-686-4058, 406-224-1806 or 636-699-5305 6/24

BROWN FAMILY FARMS LP/ TIMBERLINE STOCK RANCH HEELER PUPS FOR SALE: Reds and blues. Call 406-8552211 or 406-855-6237 6/24

WETSTEIN SHEEPADOODLES!! Eight weeks old on June 6. Standard size Old English sheepdog and poodle F1. Will have first shots, mother on site, raised in home, been around children since birth. Mom is registered, dad can be registered if need be. Two males and 3 females available. Black and white are $2,000, black are $1,800. Call 406-860-2284 or e-mail wetstyn@yahoo.com. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 7/1

Angus

150 ANGUS BRED HEIFERS: Home raised from 27 year closed herd, 2/3 of these heifers are AI sired out of top Angus genetics, bred to sons of Captalist-316, Sept.-Oct. calvers, total health program. 450 ANGUS COWS, 4-7 years old, home raised from 27 year closed herd, 2/3s AI sired, bred to registered Angus bulls, to calve Sept.-Oct., calves consistently grade to high 90% Choice, total health program. 40 ANGUS 2AND 3-YEAR-OLD BULLS, AI sired, bred for calving ease and carcass quality. Steer mates’ grades 98% Choice or better, total health program See our website, www.JBCattle.com Call 573-578-3086 7/15

FOR SALE: 70 head of 2-yearold Black Angus heifers with Black Angus calves. Call Ron Hoffman, 307-921-1544 7/8

REGISTERED YEARLING BLACK ANGUS BULLS FOR SALE BY PRIVATE TREATY, 449 Carroll Lake Rd., Laramie, WY. PAP, BVD and fertility tested. Sires include: Deer Valley Wall Street, Page All Profit 9604, Page Blackfoot 7760, GAR Ashland, WXW Timberline and Worthington All Profit 576. Call to preview anytime. Page Angus Ranch, Page Family Limited Partnership. Call Tom Page, 307-7608429. EPDs on Facebook @ Page Angus 6/24

REGISTERED BLACK ANGUS

YEARLING AND 2-YEAR-OLD BULLS: Private treaty, large sire groups, performance and fertility tested, delivery available. TRANGMOE ANGUS RANCH, Glendive, MT. Call 406-6873315 or 406-989-3315 6/24

BULLS FOR SALE

Herefords

Herefords

Hay & Feed

HAY FOR SALE: 2023 alfalfa, alfalfa/grass mix and intermediate grass. ALSO, 2 loads of 2022 CRP grass mix, cut early, good green. All in net-wrapped round bales. Semi load delivery available. Call for pricing, 701-6908116, please send a text if no answer or keep trying 7/8

Sheep

HEREFORD BULLS FOR SALE:

Home of the Champion Pen of Bulls at the 2021 Wyoming State Fair. Big, stout, sound Hereford bulls with calving ease and high growth potential. Lots of pigment and no extra white. Get 30-40 lbs. bigger weaning weights on your baldy calves through the heterosis factor from these bulls. BUY WYOMING FIRST!! Gene Stillahn, Sticks & Stones Ranch, 307421-1592 6/24

Longhorn

REGISTERED TEXAS LONGHORNS FOR SALE: Gentle pairs, trophy steers, heifers, solid and colorful bulls. Foraging, hardy, low-maintenance cattle. Horn Showcase championship lines for show, beef and pasture ornamentation with traffic stopping colors and excellent horns. Easy cattle accustomed to simple handling, great for youth. Westhaven Ranch in California, 209274-9917, e-mail swestmoore@ gmail.com or visit www.westhavenlonghorns.com To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 7/1

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

Horses

MINIATURE HORSES FOR SALE OR TRADE: Pretty lawn ornaments, sweet and gentle. One stallion, 2 mares and 1 two-year-old colt. Call or text Tuesdays, Thursdays or Fri days, 307-258-2175. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net the classifiedsa

46TH ANNUAL POWDER RIVER QUARTER HORSE BREEDERS ASSOCIA

TION HORSE SALE:

3, BROADUS, MT, POW DER RIVER COUNTY FAIR GROUNDS. Offering wean lings and yearlings from some of the top producers in the area. Ranch broke horses and young prospects. Lance Bate man Memorial Ranch Horse Classic, Fri. Sept. 1 year-old futurity, Sat. after noon, Sept. 2 Performance

Yearling Futurity and Youth Halter Futurity Sun., Sept. 3 8 a.m. Horse sale preview to follow. HORSE SALE 1 PM ON SUN., SEPT. 3. For more information, please call Dan Davis, 406-427-5420 or 406853-3554 7/29

Food & Gifts

BEAR CREEK RUBS, LLC:

Hand-blended spices and rubs are great for weddings, graduations and birthday gifts!! Elevate your taste buds with our unique blends, made with only the freshest and highest quality ingredients. Transform your meals with FLAVOR. Try them today and experience the difference at www.bearcreekrubs.com or call 307-421-6604 6/24

PASTURE WANTED for 2,000 yearlings and 500 pairs. Can split into smaller bunches. 701523-1235 7/29

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

FOR SALE: 2002 APHA black and white overo mare along with 2023 sorrel and white overo stud colt, born April 30, 2023. Registration application is up to date. Can send pictures of sire’s papers, Hotshot Hancock Three and the dam’s papers, E K Delaney, along with the pictures of dam’s 2021 black and white filly. The breeding on this mare goes back to Dry San Peppy, Peponita, Poco Bueno, Doc Bar and Tanner McCue. Mare stands 14.3 HH. Stallion stands 16 HH. The mare has been pasture exposed to the same stud. Asking $4,000 for the pair. For more information, call 701-641-9933. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 7/8

PRQHBA IS NOW TAKING CONSIGNMENTS FOR WELL BROKE RANCH AND ARENA TYPE HORSES AS WELL AS YOUNG STARTED PROSPECTS!! If you are looking for a great place to meet new prospective buyers and have a funfilled weekend, please join us in Broadus, MT the first weekend in September. WE OFFER ONLINE INTERNET BIDDING FOR ALL SALE HORSES CONSIGNED. All accepted consignments are eligible for online internet bidding at no extra cost. All ride horses are eligible to compete for the PRQHBA futurity saddles. CONSIGNMENTS WILL CLOSE JULY 1 For more information, call 406-427-5420 or 406-853-3554 6/24

ARE YOU IN NEED OF A NEW HERDER CAMP OR A PERSONAL RANGE CAMP FOR YOUR FAMILY? Contact us at Western Range Camps and see what we can build for you. We specialize in quality, handcrafted camps built to your specifications. Contact us today to design the camp just right for you. Western Range Camps, 435462-5300, heidi@wrcamps. com, 1145 S. Blackhawk Blvd, Mt. Pleasant, UT 84647 6/24

SDSGA PREMIUM YEARLING

EWE SALE, SAT. JULY 22 at 2 p.m., Huron, S.D., Magness Livestock Auction. Offering approximately 600-700 head of top quality registered and commercial replacement ewes born from Jan. 1, 2022-Dec. 31, 2022. The sale will include Dorset, Merino, Polypay, Rambouillet, SAMM, Suffolk and Targhee breeds. SDSU EXTENSION PROGRAM AT 11 AM, free noon lamb lunch and viewing of ewes offered prior to sale. INTERNET BIDDING available at www.cattleusa.com. For more information, please contact Lisa Surber, 406-581-7772, e-mail lisa@sdsheepgrowers.org or visit www.sdsheepgrowers. org. Check us out on Facebook @South Dakota Sheep Growers Association 7/1

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE: White 30’ disk; John Deere 960 26’ cultivator; Lawson 12x30 double drum land aerator; 3 John Deere 9600 combines; New Holland 1075 balewagon; John Deere 567 baler; CIH 8570 3x3 baler; Massey Ferguson 2190 4x4 baler; Freeman pull type 3 string balers; Vermeer R23 rake; CIH 1015 pick-up header; New Holland 357 grinder mixer; Modern Mill (mix mill) feed mill; Freightliner grain truck; Freightliner sleeper truck; WS sleeper truck; Kenworth crane truck, 18 ton, 82’; WS 90 bbl vac truck, Pete 80 bbl vac truck; IHC 80 bbl vac truck; Wilson 53x102 tri axle cattle pot; Cat 262D skid steer; Mobile Tech 9 yd. volumetric concrete mixer; Degelman 570 rock picker. View equipment at www.bigskyeb.com. Call 406254-1254 6/24

FOR SALE: Rowse 3 pt. 9’ sickle mower. Rowse double 9’ sickle mower. Hesston/AGCO Allis 5556 big round baler, wide pickup, net wrap/twine. Nine wheel pull type finger rake. 7’ 3 pt. rotary mower. John Deere 2155 diesel tractor, wide front, 3 pt., runs great. H&S 7+4 17’ chuckwagon with tandem 14 ton running gear. John Deere 714A and 716A chuckwagons with John Deere running gear and bunk feeding extensions, been shedded, nice condition. J&M 325 gravity box with 12 ton gear. Meyerink 12’ box scraper with tilt. John Deere 7000 4 row wide corn planter with corn meters and bean cups. All in very nice condition!! Call 605999-5482 7/15

FOR SALE: Rawhide large portable corral, WW hydraulic chute. ALSO, 2021 John Deere C500 MoCo, only cut 60 acres. R2800 Vermeer hydraulic rake. Kramer 14 bale retriever. Call 605-842-5515 8/26

QUICK SLEDGE HYDRAULIC POST POUNDER for skid loader, $5,000. Call 307-7156184 6/24

1971 KENWORTH W9, Cummins 400 with an Eaton 13 speed transmission, wet kit, no tank. In good condition, clean title, $8,500. Call or text 307-389-4070 7/8

FOR SALE: 1983 GMC GENERAL DUMP TRUCK, V6-92 Detroit with 10 speed, $10,000 OBO. Located in Rawlins, WY. Contact Steve Hays, 307-321-1713 7/1

2019 JOHN DEERE 560M ROUND BALER: In good working condition, has 9,000 bales on it. Large flotation tires. Net wrap and twine tie options included. $40,000 OBO. Near Pinedale, WY. Call 307-360-9386 7/1

HAY EQUIPMENT: New Holland 316 small square baler, nice condition, field ready, $6,800; Hesston 5580 round baler, good condition, bales hay, $1,800; New Holland 56 side delivery rake, $1,200. Keystone, S.D., delivery possible. Call 605-593-6637 7/15

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

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

WANTED: STANDING HAY, damaged wheat straw, alfalfa, CRP or cornstalks. ALSO LOOKING FOR pivot leases or meadow ground. Southeast Wyoming, western Nebraska or northern Colorado. Call for competitive rates, 307-214-5290 307-630-3046 6/24

THREE SEMI LOADS ALFALFA/GRASS MIX AND 8 LOADS ALFALFA: First cutting, netwrapped rounds. Hemingford, NE. $225/ton. Call 307-4219116 7/8

VALLEY VIDEO HAY MARKETS, LLC: New crop of alfalfa available soon. Go to www.valleyvideohay.com or call Barry McRea, 308-235-5386 7/1

OILFIELD PIPE: RPJ Enterprises, Inc. 2 3/8, 2 7/8, 3.5, 5.5, and 3/4” sucker rod is available. Used for fencing, corrals, cattle guards, etc. 2 3/8 and 2 7/8 are on average 31.5’ long per joint. 3.5” and 5.5” are 42+ lengths. Pierce, CO. Call for details, 970-324-4580 8/26

PIPE FOR SALE!! 2 7/8, 3 1/2 tubing, 4” drill pipe, 4 1/2 casing, 5” casing, 7” casing. Rods 3/4, 7/8 and 1” located in Montana, can ship anywhere. Call Mike, 602-758-4447. To view photos, go to www.wylr.net in the classifieds 11/8

Irrigation Systems

The choice is simple.

NEW GRUNDFOS SERIES LCS, SPLIT COUPLED END SUCTION PUMP. Run 20 minutes. 350 gpm, 20’ head, 5 HP, 3-phase. Asking $5,000 OBO. Call or text for more information, 307-840-0593 7/15

IRRIGATION EQUIPMENT FOR SALE: Used Wade Rain wheel line 5” 40 ft. pipe with attached 5 ft. wheel, well maintained. In yard, as is, you dismantle wheel and haul. Quantity 32 pipes, $210 each pipe. Two Nelson P200 Big Guns on carts for 6” ringlock pipe. Includes cart, $1,500 each. A&M 6” ringlock Series 55 aluminum pipe. 6”x30’ pipe. Selling as is, pipe stacked, $135/pipe. Call 406-600-4146, Bozeman, MT 7/15

TWO THUNDERBIRD WHEEL LINES, one is about 1,000’ and the other one is 940’. Complete with movers and 5” pipe, extra pipe and parts. Already disassembled. In good condition, $3,500 each. Call 307-250-7358 7/8

Cottonwood Equestrian Center Joliet, Montana

1-844-WYO-LAND

chasebrothersllc.com

Lic. in WY, MT, SD & NE

Property for Sale

COUNTRY LIVING ON THE EDGE OF TOWN, STERLING, CO: Newer ranch style home, 5 bedroom, 3 bath, many upgrades with an open floor plan, 3,800 sq. ft., lots of storage. Large barn with indoor riding arena, 6 heated stalls, wash bay, tack room, indoor hay storage, bathroom. Outdoor riding arena, 3 runs, 3 corrals, 3 loafing sheds, dog run/kennel, RV hookup. 42.25 acres, recently surveyed, 3 adjacent parcels available for sale. Call Steve Robinson, Real Estate Broker Associate, 970-6315023, A. Stephen and Company, Inc 7/15

3,316+ DEEDED ACRES IN THE TREED CANYONS OF 66 MOUNTAIN, LAGRANGE, WY: Lush meadows and mountain outcroppings. Deer, antelope, turkey and sage grouse. Run cows through 12 pastures, plus improvements. Excellent calving facilities. $5,100,000. Casey Essert, Land Broker; Empire Realty Torrington, WY, 307-5321750 TFN

www.wylr.net

The Livestock Marketing Information Center (LMIC) revised its 2023 broiler production forecasts to even with last year and increased next year’s production forecast, up nearly five percent.

Chicken profitability has been negative, according to LMIC returns for the last several months, but have recently

Property for Sale Modular Home

OREGON RANCH, Baker City, Baker County, OR. The Alder Creek pasture contains over 2,000 acres of native spring, summer and fall pasture. The rangeland is situated just east of Baker City, OR. The property is in good condition and has good perimeter fencing. The range is gently south facing slope with a variety of native grass. FIRST TIME OFFERING at just over $500 per acre for deeded and contiguous ownership, $1,095,000. Give us a call at 541-523-4434, Intermountain Realty, Inc., Greg Sackos, Principal Broker, James Dunlap, Broker, www.intermountainland.com 7/15

RANCH AT MELVILLE, MT, SWEET GRASS VALLEY: Beneath the majestic Crazy Mountains lies 1,410 acres that have been under the same ownership for over 90+ years. 840 acres irrigated. Sweet Grass Creek flows through the ranch providing cover for wildlife and fishing. A full complement of improvements plus 2 homes. Call for pricing. Sidwell Land & Cattle Co., Richard Sidwell, 406-861-4426, 406-322-4425 or e-mail sidwell@sidwellland.com 6/24

Roof Coating

1982 MAGNOLIA DW HOME: 1,344 sq. ft., 3 bedroom, 2 bath. Includes appliances, wood stove and central air. Vaulted ceilings, walk-in closets, laminate and carpet flooring. Very clean. 8'x16' deck included. MUST BE MOVED WITHIN 60 DAYS OF CLOSING. Located near Pavillion, WY. $125,000. Range Realty, LLC., 307-8400593 7/15

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Poultry production numbers revised in future outlook

improved, halving the losses seen about six months ago.

Losses have largely been derived from lower part prices, which are lower than last year across the board. The national composite broiler price was listed at 15 percent below last year.

Wings are seeing some of the largest losses tracking at about 85 cents per pound, compared

LETTERS

to the five-year average of $2.05 per pound. Leg quarters had been doing similar to last year through about April, but are failing to reach the high peak in price of last year. Chicken breast prices are similar to the five-year average and about 60 percent below last year.

Broiler production has been up moderately from last year so far this year. Hatchery output this

Submit your letters to: Editor, Wyoming Livestock Roundup, P.O. Box 850, Casper, WY, 82602, or e-mail to roundup@wylr.net. We reserve the right to edit letters. It is the policy of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup that we do not print letters attacking individuals, groups or organizations within the Wyoming agricultural community.

Dear editor, American Agri-Women (AAW) opposes the new rule language defining the

nonuse of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land as part of its multi-use mandate.

AAW believes agriculture is conservation.

BLM’s new rule could potentially bankrupt ranchers. Many ranches exist because they have grazing allotments. Ranchers can graze their livestock on BLM or Forest Service lands, which makes those ranches economical and improves the land by reducing the fuel loads for wildfires.

Animals are critical to the natural biological cycle. Grazing is an

quarter is running slightly below a year ago, consistent with profitability in late 2022 and in 2023 to date. Reduced hatchery output will lead to slightly less chicken production in the second half of this year.

The weakness in the chicken sector prices is a bit puzzling given its relative bargain to beef at the retail level. Chicken is

essential tool for managing land. If grazing is prohibited, ranchers will go bankrupt, invasive species will take over landscapes and we will have more catastrophic wildfires. Wildlife will suffer and multiple uses will become impossible.

BLM was formed in 1946. Thirty years later, the agency’s mission was set with the passage of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA). FLPMA gave the BLM its “multiple use mandate.”

Public land management means public lands have many resources, such as forage, timber, energy, habitat, etc., and public lands have many uses,

well positioned in the meat case domestically, and LMIC expects to see an uptick in part prices later this year.

However, some of the discrepancy is the difference between wholesale chicken prices and retail chicken prices. Processors are expected to take some of this margin back later in 2023, supported by less production.

such as grazing, recreation, mining, etc.

The multiple use mandate through FLPMA states the resources and uses on public land must be utilized in a balanced combination to best meet the needs of the people.

BLM published a proposed rule change in the Federal Register on April 3. This rule could effectively eliminate traditionally mandated multiple uses of BLM-managed lands.

Under this new rule, conservation would be a use like mining, grazing or timber. The new language defines nonuse as use and opens leases to be controlled by environmental groups or non-governmen-

tal organizations (NGOs). Ranchers could lose their leases because of competition from deep-pocketed environmental groups or NGOs, which can now claim priority and compete for leases.

Under the new proposed rule for conservation leasing, BLM lands could be leased by thirdparty NGOs, which would cut off any other uses for decades and will likely become the administration’s primary vehicle for their 30 x 30 initiative.

Prior administrations have used the 1906 Antiquities Act which was created for emergency use for administrations to preserve delicate cultural artifacts and relics with the “smallest area compatible” for protected objects.

Recent administrations, however, have abused the century-old law to lock up land and create quasinational parks with our congressional approval.

This new rule change makes one wonder if BLM intends to lock up land by prioritizing conservation leases. It appears their objective is to end all economic use of public lands and stop grazing as a source of conservation management on public lands.

It should be noted a recent Supreme Court ruling in Sackett vs. EPA states agencies cannot gift themselves unlimited power.

Sincerely, American Agri-Women

which is widely opposed by ag industry stakeholders across the West.

Public lands rule

Archuleta explained the idea behind the proposed public lands rule is multi-pronged.

“There are five areas the rule addresses. I won’t say they are good or bad, they simply just address them,” he stated.

“The rule emphasizes habitat restoration and provides some tools to make it a little easier and more efficient for BLM to undertake restoration,” Archuleta explained. “It also broadens the use of land health standards, which many permittees are familiar with through their grazing program, but will apply to all programs including oil and gas, coal and recreation as well.”

According to Archuleta, intact large landscapes are vast pieces of land across the West which haven’t been split apart or subdivided, and through their proposed rule, BLM hopes to keep them this way.

“We want them to remain intact and not split them up in any way, whether it be through energy development, housing, etc.,” he said.

BLM’s proposed rule also addresses the allocation of conservation leases – the idea a third-party entity could apply for a 10-year conservation lease – and facilitating compensatory mitigation – offsite habitat restoration to mitigate onsite impacts, such as those caused by a transmission line development.

“I know this topic has raised a lot of questions, and I’m sure BLM hasn’t thought of everything,” Archuleta said. “The devil is in the details, so I’m hoping public comment will illuminate a lot of areas we haven’t thought about.”

Producer concerns

Following his speech, Archuleta opened the floor to questions, concerns and comments from convention attendees.

An overarching concern shared between many producers is the affect conservation leases will have on livestock grazing.

“The intent of this rule is not to affect ongoing activity, but there is the potential, which is something we need to seriously consider when issuing a conservation lease,” Archuleta stated.

BLM Wyoming Range Program Lead Mark Gortel commented, “As it stands right now, a conservation lease would not impact preexisting uses. With this, if a producer has a grazing permit or lease, it would continue as it normally has, meaning they are issued for 10 years and once they expire, the preexisting preference holder has the first right to apply and renew, as long as they’re in good standing.”

Producers also voiced

their unease regarding how conservation leases would be issued. Since permit leasing for grazing is a difficult process, many wonder if the same will be true for those who apply for a conservation lease, and they question what information would determine if someone was granted such a lease.

Producers also expressed their desire to be involved in granting third-party conservation leases, since lessees will have to be intimately involved with grazing planning or sagebrush treatment, for example.

In response, Archuleta explained a conservation lease application would have to go through environmental analysis.

“I would want to see some type of monitoring activity and benchmark to show they are achieving what they intend, or we stop the lease. But, those details haven’t been worked out,” he shared. “Obviously we can’t be biased about who applies for a permit, but we do need to get all of the information on what they intend to use the lease for.”

As for existing lessee involvement, Archuleta commented, “I think it would be critical. Who knows better how an activity will impact the land than a producer who has been grazing it for years. From my perspective, the existing lessee would have a say.”

Convention attendees also expressed their wish to have proper grazing techniques recognized under the definition of conservation.

“It is interesting the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, which guides the basis of BLM, doesn’t actually define con-

servation,” Archuleta stated. “I come from the old-school Aldo Leopold way of management, who defined conservation as the wise use of resources, and two tools to accomplish this are the cow and the plow.”

He concluded, “I support public lands grazing, and I don’t want to see producers’ livelihoods impacted by another thing thrown on top of them. They lead busy lives and have a lot going on, and I don’t want to throw on another layer of burden.”

Ag industry opposition

In addition to the attendees at WSGA’s summer convention, opposition for the public lands rule has been felt from a plethora of ag industry stakeholders across the West.

In fact, on June 15, the House Committee on Natural Resources held a legislative hearing to require BLM to withdraw the proposed rule.

Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon was among those to testify.

“This proposed rule was rushed forward without material input from Wyoming or other states,” Gordon said. “It did not have the benefit of the views of impacted public land users. The proposed rule mischaracterizes conservation, seeks to preempt wildlife management from the states and oversteps the bureau’s statutory authority. The best solution is to rescind the rule.”

Gordon also joined a handful of Western governors in penning a letter to the U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, describing the rule as “a solution in search of a problem.”

“Tens of millions of acres of BLM lands across the Western U.S. are already

protected under strict federal designations such as national monuments, wilderness areas, wilderness study areas, areas of critical environmental concern, etc.,” the governors wrote.

“Of the remaining BLM lands still open to multiple use, there is still a very high bar set before any kind of surface disturbing activities can be authorized and many barriers to development in existing BLM resource management plans,” they added.

Additionally, on June 19, the Public Lands Council (PLC) announced the launch of a grassroots campaign against the proposed rule.

“The BLM must follow the law in managing our nation’s public lands for multiple use and sustained benefits for all,” said PLC Executive Director Kaitlynn Glover. “Public lands grazing is an important conservation tool which protects these landscapes and is integral to national food security.”

“We must remind BLM grazing is an essential use of our nation’s public lands, and I hope the public will join us in sending a letter to agency leadership underscoring their responsibility to be good partners – especially since they’ve fallen short in this rule,” she continued.

Those interested in sign-

ing PLCʼs letter can visit p2a.co/VB9vf0B. Questions can be directed to Hunter Ihrman by e-mailing hihrman@beef.org.

In response to this slew of opposition, BLM extended the comment period for the proposed rule for another 15 days,

bringing the total comment period to 90 days. The comment period will now close July 5.

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

BLM continued from page 1

by Lee Pitts

Still Kickin’

Academics, politicians and expert Easterners have been trying to bury the West for 200 years, but to paraphrase Mark Twain, reports of the West being dead are greatly exaggerated.

They say the sun is setting on the West because there is no more land to explore, no more gold or silver to discover and no more societies to conquer.

One may still find

pieces of the real West if they want to, but it won’t be in West Coast cities like Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle or in sanctuary cities like San Francisco.

No, instead, they’ll find the West in places like Pie Town, Post, Cedar City, Show Low, Emmett, Guymon, Burns, Lakeview, Sheridan and Elko when the cowboy poets show up and even in California in

places like Red Bluff when the bull sale takes over the town in January.

No, the spirit and traditions of the West never died. Our critics are just looking in all of the wrong places.

It’s not true there are no more frontiers to conquer or gold rushes to attract brave adventurers ever westward. It’s just now the courageous and hard working come to drill through shale for black gold or conquer bit and bytes in Silicone Valley.

No, the West isn’t dead yet, but it’s not for lack of trying. The bureaucrats, environmentalists and politicians have done their level best to kill it off and turn it into Nature’s Disneyland

RIVERTON LIVESTOCK AUCTION

PAIRS

Hellyer Ranch – 20 Blk Ang 2-8 yr old Pairs. Longtime Popo Agie genetics. Cows are age branded on the left shoulder. Lifetime vacc program. Cows have not been exposed to bulls this spring. All one iron, home raised, quality pairs!

Pete Thompson – 11 Blk Ang 2-5 yr old Pairs. April/May born calves, tagged to match, rec Multi Min & C&D @ birth. Out of registered program, fancy pairs!!

Shippen Angus – 8 Blk Ang 3-8 yr old Pairs. Calves have rec Vision 7 twice & Nasalgen 3 PMH once. Cows have not been exposed. Fancy, Angus pairs! BULLS

Shippen Angus – 6 Yrlng Blk Ang Virgin Bulls.

2 - 2 Yr old Blk Ang Virgin Bulls. Fertility tested, ready for cows, selling as commercial. GOATS

Rick Haworth – 2 young Spanish goat pairs. Both have twins.

2 young open Spanish goat nannies.

1 5 yr old Alpine Nanny

2 Young Spanish breeding bucks.

Katie Keith – 1 - 3 yr old Alpine Doe w/ a doeling & buckling @ her side. Super mom!

for Easterners to conquer the frontier via Delta, Hertz and Hilton.

Naturally, they come under the spell of America’s West, and after their 10-day vacation to the Grand Canyon, Universal Studios and the Redwoods, they know what’s best for the land and the heathens who live here.

They halted the clearcutting of forests acting as firebreaks, got rid of thousands of miles of forest roads providing access for firefighting equipment and wouldn’t allow the removal of dead and dying trees which provided kindling that lit huge fires which engulfed us.

And, they kicked the cows and sheep off public lands, which kept grass and weeds from becoming fodder for fires.

But, these so-called “experts” weren’t here to breathe the smoke nor did they have to rebuild their homes. Tell me, doesn’t all of this smoke qualify as greenhouse gas or is it just farting cows?

And what about all

those crispy critters, many of them endangered species, that idiotic policies have murdered? What do greenies and animal rightists have to say about them?

They used the spotted owl to put foresters out of work and kill off small towns, but they don’t seem to care those same spotted owls are now being killed by a close relative.

Now, they’re turning wolves loose to get rid of ranchers because they don’t like cows. They idiotically believe cows never spend a day outside a feedlot, not knowing range cows never spend a day in one.

And why is steer manure so good for their water-wasting lawns but bad for public lands? They ridicule farmers for “wasting” water, not knowing it’s the same stuff that grows the fruits and vegetables the vegans contend are so good for us to eat.

These over-educated idiots are so smart, they’re stupid.

First, they told us not to put groceries in paper bags,

CONNECTING AG to CLIMATE

By Windy Kelley, Northern Plains Regional Climate Hub

Recent and Current Conditions

Wyoming experienced its sixth warmest and 49th driest May out of 129 years, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Centers for Environmental Information database, retrieved June 16.

Scaling to the county level, the adjacent tables include temperature and precipitation rankings of select counties for the month of May.

not realizing they came from a renewable resource creating jobs and paying taxes. So we switched to plastic bags until they figured out they were made from petroleum derivatives.

Next, they said we should bring our own reusable bags until they found out these germ-laden bags could be spreading the China flu. So now we’re back to paper.

Those wanting to kill off the West say we must get rid of fossil fuels not realizing giant windmills are slicing up birds and solar arrays create vast wastelands. We don’t know what to do with the spent solar panels yet, just like we haven’t come up with a way to get rid of the spent nuclear rods, other than bury them in Nevada. Why not New York instead?

Yeah, they thought they knew it all and now we’re paying the price for their idiocy. I just wish they’d worry about all of the momentous problems in their own backyards and leave us the heck alone.

WEIGH UPS

TUESDAY, AUGUST 1 - No sale

TUESDAY, AUGUST 8

ALL CATTLE CLASSES & 4-H RESALE (NOON) START TIME 9:00 AM W/ WEIGH UPS

TUESDAY, AUGUST 15 - No sale

TUESDAY, AUGUST 22

ALL CATTLE CLASSES W/ SHEEP AND HORSES & 4-H RESALE (NOON) START TIME 9:00 AM W/ SHEEP & WEIGH UPS

TUESDAY, AUGUST 29 - No sale

The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) map for Wyoming, released June 15, classifies nearly 16 percent of the state as moderate to severe drought (D1-D2) and over 23 percent of Wyoming as abnormally dry (DO).

The remainder of the state, nearly 61 percent, is classified as none – in other words, these areas are not experiencing abnormally dry or drought conditions.

View the cur-

rent USDM map at bit. ly/2S28VTA. Consider submitting a Condition Monitoring Observer Report at bit.

ly/3c4WRLR

Eight- to 14-day, one-month and Grass-Cast forecasts

NOAA’s eight- to 14-day forecast for June 29 through July 5, issued June 21, shows a 33 to 40 percent probability for below normal temperatures for the greater northeast corner of Wyoming, a 33 to 40 percent probability of above normal temperatures for the southwest corner and near normal temperatures for the remainder of the state.

For the same timeframe, the forecast shows a 33 to 50 percent probability for above normal precipitation for nearly the entire state – the exception is the southwest corner where near normal precipitation is forecasted.

The July forecast, issued June 15, indicates equal chances for below, near or above normal temperatures for all of Wyoming. For the same timeframe, the forecast shows 33 to 50 percent probability for above normal precipitation for the northern two-thirds of the state and an equal chance for below, near or above normal precipitation for the southern third.

For additional information and NOAA forecasts, visit cpc.ncep. noaa.gov

The 2023 Grass-Cast maps are now available. Recall Grass-Cast forecasts grassland productivity for select areas in Wyoming and beyond.

To view the maps, which are updated biweekly, visit grasscast. unl.edu/ and ask oneself, “If rain through August is above, near or below normal, how much range vegetation might grow in a particular area?”

Windy K. Kelley is the regional Extension program coordinator and state specialist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Northern Plains Climate Hub, the University of Wyoming Extension and WAFERx. She can be reached at wkelley1@uwyo.edu or 307367-4380.