13 minute read
ates cowboy art
“Some of the finest leatherwork comes from Wyoming,” shared New Mexico native and Wyoming resident Eric Hannig. “I’m just trying to be a part of that.”
Hannig and his younger brother moved from the Albuquerque, N.M. area at a young age to live with their aunt and uncle in Cheyenne – the home of Wyoming’s Tandy Leather Company store. Both Hannig’s aunt and uncle worked, and they told the brothers to find a hobby to keep themselves out of trouble.
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Hannig found his calling at a young age – a boy in search of a hobby – at Tandy Leather.
“I walked into the store and was amazed at all of the different tools and the many kits all over the walls,” Hannig recalled. “I wanted to give it a try, and ended up taking home a kit.”
This kit was just the start of the story for Hannig’s passion for leather art.
Cowboy art
After completing the kit at home in the brothers’ bedroom, Hannig began taking classes at Tandy Leather. Soon after, Hannig had set the goal to turn his passion for leather making into a business.
A leather shop was set up in Hannig’s aunt’s house, and he started to make a living for himself, creating timeless western art along the way. Over the years, Hannig started creating larger and more intricate pieces, including saddles, purses and boots.
“I wanted to make beautiful leather, but I also wanted it to be usable, and the kind of work that cowboys admire and appreciate,” Hannig shared.
As the amount of projects Hannig created increased, including his own builds and many repairs, so did his tools, equipment and need for work space.
When Hannig moved out of his aunt’s home, he moved his shop to downtown Wheatland. Currently, Hannig is in the process of moving his shop back to Cheyenne.
Today, Hannig works diligently to continue to sharpen his skills, taking on many different kinds of pieces and repairs.
For more information, or for custom orders or repairs, visit Hannig’s Facebook page at face-
Range of products – Throughout the years, Eric Hannig has crafted beautiful belts, saddles, purses, portfolio covers and more. Courtesy photo
Wildlife taskforce meets
The Wyoming Wildlife Taskforce will gather for their first meeting June 16-17 in Casper. The meeting will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn at 1150 N. Poplar Street. There will also be a virtual attendance option. The public is invited to attend and participate in-person and online.
The Wyoming Wildlife Taskforce was convened by Gov. Mark Gordon, Wyoming Legislative leadership and the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission. Members were selected through an application process.
The taskforce’s charge is to study top-priority wildlife policy issues facing the state related to the allocation of hunting opportunity, sportsperson access and other issues. The topics will be identified by the taskforce members for study over an 18-month period with the goal of presenting conclusions and recommendations to the Wyoming Legislature, Game and Fish Commission and governor to support decision-making on Wyoming’s wildlife resources.
The meeting agenda is available on the Wyoming Wildlife Taskforce website at wyomingwildlifetaskforce.com, along with other supporting documents. The agenda includes registration details for members of the public participating virtually. Meetings will be recorded and available for viewing online within a week on the website. book.com/ericj.hannig.
Averi Hales is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
Hours of practice – In his shop, Eric Hannig spends countless hours perfecting his craft, from carving and tooling to sewing. Courtesy photo
Torrington Livestock Markets PO Box 1097 • Torrington, WY 82240 307.532.3333 Fax: 307.532.2040 www.torringtonlivestock.com Lex Madden 307-532-1580 Michael Schmitt 307-532-1776 Chuck Petersen 307-575-4015
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ter prepare future members to be successful in their production operations, while advocating for the beef industry has been invaluable.
“My main focus as YPA president was helping WSGA leadership to develop a marketing plan,” shared Hudson. “Our young producers would benefit the most from the marketing plan in the future, and this project set the foundation for more young producers to join our group.”
Hudson added there are many successes and highlights of the group through attendance at regional meetings, scheduling ranch tours to learn about each other’s operations in different parts of the state and gaining exposure for the group. He noted the group has strong and ambitious leadership, and encouraged any young producer to reach out to members of the YPA.
Industry issues
Alongside leadership development and industry advocacy, YPA President Sage Askin explained there are many changes occurring in the ranching industry.
“I’m a fifth generation rancher, but not on the same ranch. So, essentially, I’m a first generation rancher,” Askin said. “It’s different, and a lot of things are changing in the ranching industry, while principles and morals have remained the same.”
Askin noted the biggest difference he’s seen in today’s ranching industry for young producers is the discrepancy of land value.
“Land is no longer valued, bought or sold by it’s productive or intrinsic value – we hope to keep it taxed this way – but, it is no longer sold this way,” he explained. “This creates a strange dynamic many people are uncomfortable with.”
Askin continued, “I always wanted to own a ranch, but in starting from scratch, I’ve learned leasing is the only viable option.”
Today, land management and land ownership are often roles held by different people, Askin explained, and he only expects this to be more pronounced in the future.
“Because of this, I feel YPA especially, and us as producers, need to work together towards personal development and develop a diverse array of skills in finance and marketing,” he shared. “The new future must consider owning 1,000 cows and no land, or owning 100,000 acres and no cattle.”
McGinnis added the 30x30 Plan, as well as capital gains taxes and the Death Tax to the list of issues older and younger generations of producers are affected by.
In addition, Hudson shared climate change and sustainability are in ranchers’ laps, and producers need to work hard to change the general public’s perception of what happens on the ground.
“Consumers are so separated from agriculture, its hard for them to understand this is our living,” Hudson said. “Without our caring for the land, the land will degrade and we don’t make a living.”
Espy noted one of the greatest pieces of advice he’s received, especially in regards to issues in the cattle industry is sometimes not losing ground is just as good as gaining ground.
“Working together at a collaborative level will only increase in importance,” Askin shared in regards to how YPA can tackle issues. “The number of stakeholders is ever increasing, and WSGA and YPA must remain diligent in working through issues today and in the future.”
Leadership success
YPA Secretary Ty Espy said, “Whether by design or circumstance, I have experienced a lot of success personally and in the industry at 25 years old, thanks to industry involvement.”
He noted the older generation of ranchers has been very accepting and encouraging of younger producers to get involved. He also shared young producers need to serve the industry by keeping the option of serving on grazing association boards or committees open to help advance the industry, as well as their own production.
“In 2014, I was thrown into keeping books for the ranch, which prepared me well for college, but it also
For more information on YPA, visit wysga.org/programs/youngproducers-assembly.
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gave me a seat at the table and this is something other young producers in the state don’t feel they have yet,” he said. “I have been very grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given, and hope to share with other young producers.”
He continued, “In the last few months, we have set YPA up for success. We have done a lot of outreach and are building more momentum. I can’t wait to see where this brings us.”
Averi Hales is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr. net.
FOSS continued from page 1
“The record book has seven to eight questions every month,” he said. “Some are pretty simple and others are harder. The record book provides background knowledge on the donated heifer, which provides a lot for me to learn from. One of the harder questions dealt with understanding hormone development in my heifer.”
Foss shared, gaining knowledge and having a greater understanding of cattle production will be helpful to him, especially as he works towards growing his herd.
“This is a cow that is going to produce calves for a long time, not just a show heifer,” he said. “It’s valuable to have an animal like her; to make an income in the future.”
Production decisions
Foss noted he has enjoyed the program and has many favorite parts of his project.
“A couple of my favorite things about the program are getting to spend time with my heifer and looking at her pedigree,” he continued. “My dad usually picks what we do with my other heifers, but with her, it’s all my decision. This makes it a lot of fun.”
In the future, Foss plans on keeping his heifer’s future bull calves to breed to his producing cows, alongside keeping heifers as replacements.
Through this entire process, Foss owns Tilly jointly with the NILE. Before Foss gets to keep the heifer, he has to take her back to the NILE this fall and show her as a bred replacement heifer.
After a positive ultrasound, completing the final record books and showing Tilly as a bred heifer, the program is completed and the heifer will be signed off on as Foss’ to keep.
Heifer program
Foss strongly encourages youth to apply for the program. In fact, he believes everyone interested in raising cattle should fill out an application and get started on their own beef cattle herd.
He shared, “It’s a great learning experience and helps youth build their cowherds along with learn more about the beef industry. Plus, it is extremely fun.”
The deadline to apply for the NILE Merit Heifer Program is June 30, 2021 by 4 p.m. Any 4-H or FFA members between the ages of 12 and 16 years of age may apply.
Cameron Magee is an intern for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
For more information or to apply, visit thenile.org/p/events/livestock/ meritheifer.
Growing the herd – James Foss was awarded his heifer, Tilly, in the fall of 2020 through the NILE Merit Heifer Program. Through the program, Foss has the ability to introduce new genetics to his herd and grow his production. Courtesy photo
