Wyoming Livestock Roundup 8.19.23

The Weekly News Source for Ranchers, Farmers and the Agribusiness Community •

Wyoming State Fair Ranch Rodeo has a successful return

The Wyoming State Fair (WSF) Ranch Rodeo returned to Douglas, and the energy in the Ford Grandstand buzzed as spectators watched ranch cowboys and cowgirls compete in

Quick Bits

Correction

A news brief, titled “Northern Livestock Video Auction July sale posts records,” published in the Aug. 12 edition of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup did not credit the original author. The article was written by Western Ag Reporter Editor Terra Ochsner and originally published in Western Ag Reporter on Aug. 3.

SGIT Meeting

The Sage Grouse Implementation Team (SGIT) will hold its next meeting on Aug. 28 at 9 a.m. in the Converse County Library in Douglas. There will be no virtual option offered. For more information, contact SGIT Habitat Protection Program Supervisor Will Schultz at 307-777-4587.

WLSB Rules

Two Wyoming Livestock Board rules were recently approved by Gov. Mark Gordon, including Chapter Six – Brucellosis Risk Mitigation Activities and Compensation and Chapter 25 – Brucellosis Quarantine Mitigation Expense Reimbursement. To view these rules, visit rules. wyo.gov/

Grain Prices

Grain prices received some much-needed respite on Aug. 16, which finally featured some technical buying. Corn prices rebounded from their lowest levels since December 2020 after trending 1.25% higher. Soybeans grabbed double-digit gains and improved 1-1.5% by the close. And, wheat prices were variable but mostly ranged between 0.5% and 0.75%.

USDA Loans

On Aug. 11, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced approximately $530 million in additional, automatic financial assistance for qualifying guaranteed Farm Loan Programs borrowers who are facing financial risk. The announcement is part of the $3.1 billion to help certain distressed farm loan borrowers, which was provided through Section 22006 of the Inflation Reduction Act.

the 2023 ranch rodeo sanctioned event on opening night of WSF.

Eight teams competed in ranch bronc riding, wild cow milking, team doctoring, team branding and

team trailering. The Broken Arrow/Cross H team, consisting of Ben Hanson, JV Boldon, Travis Krein and Cade Herring was the top-placing team with a score of 34 points.

The second place team, scoring 30 points, was M Y Cattle Company. Team members were Jordan Skerkel, Tanner Willey, Denum Santero and Beau Lake.

Please see RODEO on page 14

Ag research

UW features current research at 2023 SAREC Field Day

The University of Wyoming (UW) Agriculture Experiment Station near Lingle hosted a field day on Aug. 9 at the James C. Hageman Sustainable Agriculture Research and Extension Center (SAREC).

SAREC was formed in 2002 as the result of combining the Archer Center and Torrington Center.

Honoring Ag Excellence

Annual Wyoming Agriculture HOF Awards Picnic recognizes leaders in ag

Douglas – Farm Credit Services of America; Clark and Associates Land Brokers, LLC; the University of Wyoming (UW) College of Agriculture, Life Science and Natural Resources (CALSNR) and the Wyoming Livestock Roundup hosted their annual Wyoming Agriculture Hall of Fame (HOF) Awards Picnic to recognize

leaders in Wyoming agriculture on Aug. 16 at Riverside Park.

Those recognized during the event included Wyoming Ag HOF inductees Jon and Dianne Kirkbride of Cheyenne and Ron Cunningham of Lander, as well as

Please see HOF on page 15

Ag honorees – The Annual Wyoming Agriculture Hall of Fame Awards Picnic recognized several essential individuals in the state’s agriculture industry. Pictured from left to right are Wyoming Agriculture in the Classroom (WAIC) Board Member JoAnn Skeim-True, Wyoming Livestock Roundup (WYLR) General Manager Andrea Sun-Zink; University of Wyoming College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources Dean Barbara Rasco; Congresswoman Harriet Hageman; WAIC Executive Director Andrew Joannides; Jamie Keisel; Ron Cunningham; Gov. Mark Gordon; Sen. Cynthia Lummis; Jon and Dianne Kirkbride; Sen. John. Barrasso and WYLR Publisher Dennis Sun. Trista Ostrum photo

WBC launches directory

On Aug. 15, the Wyoming Business Council (WBC) launched their newest project – Wyoming Table, an exclusive directory of Wyoming producers and businesses, allowing buyers to find local information in one easy-to-use place.

“WBC is proud to present this to Wyoming producers and businesses who use Wyoming products in their business or operation. People who sell honey, beef, bread made with Wyoming products or beer made with Wyoming grains are a perfect example of who should be on Wyoming Table,” said WBC Agribusiness Development Manager Jill Tregemba.

She continued, “We know Wyoming has some of the best products in the whole world, and people want to buy them. So, we have created this directory to connect those parties in one central place.”

In addition to allowing wholesale, retail or consumer buyers to look up Wyoming companies and products, the online directory will also feature a mapping function so users can narrow their search to a specific area.

With Wyoming Table in its beginning stages, Tregemba noted WBC’s current goal is to populate the directory.

“We are really trying to populate the directory, and once it is populated we will do a big launch on the consumer side,” she said. “It is all about getting Wyoming businesses and operations signed up right now.”

Sign-up for the directory is free and incredibly simple, requiring only a name and business information, as well as links to the company’s website, social media or an online marketplace. WBC will verify the business is truly based in Wyoming before it will be added to the directory. Interested individuals can visit joinwytable.com to sign up. For more information, visit wyomingbusiness.org

The campus consists of 1,522 acres of dryland cropland, 349 acres of irrigated cropland, 1,880 acres of rangeland, 19 acres of irrigated organic cropland, 40 acres of dryland organic cropland, a feedlot and a livestock research laboratory.

UW ag research center showcased Associate Professor and Wyoming State Beef Extension Specialist Steve Paisley began the field day with brief introductions followed by President of Eastern Wyoming College (EWC) Jeffry Hawes who discussed the recent partnership between SAREC and EWC. Hawes described how the two entities are collaborating on developing a joint precision program and reiterated how curriculum development would be tied to local businesses, providing the ability to identify

Please see UW on page 4

Champion of Champions crowned at WSF

Douglas – A large crowd gathered under the hot summer sun at the 111th Wyoming State Fair (WSF) on Aug. 15 as worldrenowned Livestock Judge Ryan Rash crowned the Champion of Champions across all species.

Every year, the WSF Champion of Champions Showcase features grand champions from each of Wyoming’s 23 counties vying for the prestigious title.

This year, WSF revamped the contest and made it a standout, stand-alone event, complete with fog machines, hype-up music and Rash’s highly sought after “glitter slap.”

Rash, a resident of Crockett, Texas, grew up showing every species of live-

stock and competed on the national champion intercollegiate livestock judging team. During his collegiate career, Rash placed in the top 10 individuals and top 10 oral reasons in every collegiate contest he entered.

Today, Rash runs a club calf operation in addition to purebred Charolais and Hereford operations, co-hosts the Beyond the Ring podcast with Dale Hummel and judges livestock shows around the nation, boasting appearances in 46 of the 50 states.

During the Champion of Champions show at WSF, Rash sorted through some of the best livestock Wyoming has

Please see WSF on page 6

For the last couple of years, corner crossing has been a hot topic causing a lot of concern with farmers and ranchers in Wyoming. The latest judge’s ruling has not helped this concern.

Corner crossing is where someone can cross from one public land section to another public land section without touching private land corners. We have always considered this action illegal, until recently a court case came before the District Court of Wyoming.

The case came about after some out-of-state hunters were corner crossing on checkerboard lands in the Elk Mountain area. The hunters were caught by the ranch manager, and legal action was initiated by the owner. It was appealed in the District Court of Wyoming and ruled on last May.

Now, this complicated case may be appealed again to the 10th Court of Appeals and move up to the Supreme Court, which may take some time.

After the Bureau of Land Management initially said they encourage corner crossing, they quickly redacted their statement and decided not to encourage it, since it is so controversial.

Some hunting organizations are suggesting hunters avoid corner crossing at this time so as not to tilt the ruling of the district court. So, what to do?

Since none of us have any control over the courts or appeals, hunters, sportsmen and landowners, including myself, feel this leaves an opening or an opportunity for all parties to engage in a conversation about issues of access, private land rights and trespass.

These all are big issues at the moment since more and more hunters are looking for places to hunt, so having public land access and a reference to show where they can or can’t hunt is crucial.

Landowners are concerned about the erosion of private land rights, overpopulation of elk herds and enforcement of the one to two percent of hunters who disregard the law and trespass or damage private lands.

Landowners have to either close all hunting or lease to an outfitter to protect their private property from the one to two percent of bad apples.

I feel what we have now is a conflict but it could be a partnership. Landowners provide wildlife habitat, and they want hunters to keep numbers of wildlife down to reasonable populations.

Landowners and local Wyoming Game and Fish Department personnel should visit about their wants and needs. Our relationship shouldn’t be competitive – it should be a working relationship.

If one side doesn’t understand the other’s needs, then mistrust rules. It seems these days, someone is always wanting something from landowners, but they have no chips on the table to trade.

For landowners and hunters, the worst thing that could happen now is to pass more laws or have more court cases. These potential conflicts shouldn’t pit us against each other, there is too much at stake here.

We need to start talking among reasonable people and disregard those who draw lines in the sand. These issues are far too important to let the courts and new laws dictate our rights.

Wyoming Livestock Roundup

Book Outlines Water Grabbing and Regulation in Wyoming

In arid, sparsely populated Wyoming, water law has evolved differently than in Colorado, California and Arizona.

In her recent book on water rights in the West, Anne MacKinnon comments, “Wyoming is therefore ideal territory for documenting how Western water law developed independent of the pressures of urban and industrial growth.”

Fortunately for both author and reader, “Almost every moment of Wyoming’s water management history has been meticulously documented.”

MacKinnon’s introduction guides readers through a historical summary of Wyoming’s settlement, population, geography, weather patterns, climate, economy, land distribution and water sources. Mead’s vision

In chapter one, readers meet visionary Elwood Mead, Wyoming’s first territorial engineer and later, the first state engineer.

Mead saw public ownership of water “through state supervision” of private water rights as the key to preventing the profiteering and speculation then swirling through Colorado and California.

After a detailed description of Mead’s plan for the administration of Wyoming’s water, MacKinnon adds, “Mead arrived in Wyoming with all of these

By Rebecca Hein

ideas, but first he had to deal with the mess at hand.”

The early White settlers had been accustomed to claiming whatever water rights they chose, based on being the first to use water along a stream, for example. To them, water was private property, not subject to regulation by government or any other entity.

The problem was, Mead noted, “The virtue of selfdenial had not been conspicuous on the part of claimants.”

Many years later, he observed, “If the amount of water claimed had existed, Wyoming would have been a lake.”

Mead helped to write his plan for public ownership of Wyoming’s water, administered by the state engineer, into the state constitution. In attempting to enforce the rules, Mead battled “resistance and resentment.”

Charles Potter, chief justice of the Wyoming Supreme Court at the time, upheld Mead’s vision at every opportunity. In addition, resistance to the chief engineer’s authority declined as users realized “if everyone’s exorbitant claims for water rights were not cut down to actual use, there would be water enough for only the first few claims on the stream.”

Local stories

One fascinating story, early in the book, describes how Joseph Carey, in the

Anne MacKinnon’s book “Public Waters: Lessons from Wyoming for the American West” is available online from Wind City Books in Casper, on Amazon and on other online outlets or from the publisher – University of New Mexico Press.

late 1880s, fought against small settlers’ claiming water rights on Box Elder Creek, southeast of Glenrock.

His method was “straightforward and nasty – Carey had his men go with wagons to the homestead cabins and dump everything people had into the creek. If possible, they did the job when the families were away.”

The history of water rights on Crazy Woman Creek is a “crazy” story if there ever was one. It illustrates the impact of frontier Wyoming on Mead’s system, rather than the other way around.

In certain disputes, people didn’t call in water officials, instead relying on self-help. Sometimes matters were settled peaceably and others, by intimidation.

In a recent case, the summer of 2022, a landowner sold his property, rather than assert his water right.

“Modern Wyoming water commissioners typically still don’t step in to divide up water on a creek

according to priority unless someone complains about not getting water,” MacKinnon notes. “And, some people are afraid to complain.”

Water disputes

Gripping stories of various water disputes and their resolutions bring the reader to further clarification of the practical reality of Wyoming’s water laws. Could the holder of a state water permit delay using water, but retain the water right, thus ending up with access to the water according to the date on the permit? If allowed, this would supersede other water rights with later permits. But, it wasn’t allowed. The law required deadlines for when the water had to be used. Otherwise, “to allow applicants to proclaim themselves ‘users’ by obtaining a state water permit but doing nothing more, was to allow speculators to obtain Wyoming water rights and potentially hamper the growth of self-supporting settlements.”

Attempts to use water –whether successful or not –

Buys in Used Equipment

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WAIC launches Wyo Wonders

Wyoming Agriculture in the Classroom (WAIC) is excited to announce the launch of its brand new Wyo Wonders curriculum this fall. Wyo Wonders is a free elementary curriculum focused on helping students understand Wyoming’s core heritage industries of agriculture, minerals and energy, outdoor recreation and tourism.

Wyo Wonders continues the legacy of stewardship-based education for Wyoming students that WAIC’s previous curriculum, the Wyoming Stewardship Project, has previously fulfilled. The curriculum was written by teachers for teachers, equipping them with Wyoming-specific tools and resources for their classrooms.

By completing the curriculum, students not only learn Wyoming’s history, but study Wyoming’s core industries, how they are connected and the importance of those industries today as they employ critical thinking skills and begin to envision their future careers in their home state.

WAIC Executive Director Andrew Joannides stated, “I am so excited to share this new curriculum with educators, students, our supporters and folks all around the great state of Wyoming. When I first saw it, it took me back to my childhood when my mom would take me to children’s museums. It feels exploratory. It is creative and inviting.”

“We want this freshly branded curriculum to be memorable for the children who have access to it. As we all know, Wyoming is full of wonderful things. It is inspiring to know our children can learn this starting in elementary school,” he added.

Wyo Wonders is supported by WAIC, and their team of education advocates provides workshops for educators, along with as-needed support throughout the school year.

Wyo Wonders lessons and resources will be available for the fall semester at wyowonders.org

To learn more about the program, contact Joannides at 307-369-1749.

Deadline approaches

The National Cattlemen’s Foundation (NCF) is accepting applications for the annual W.D. Farr Scholarship program. Established in 2007, the scholarship recognizes outstanding graduate students pursuing careers in meat science and animal agriculture.

Two $15,000 grants are awarded to graduate students who demonstrate superior achievement in academics and leadership and are committed to the advancement of the beef industry. Scholarship recipients recognize the program not only benefits their work but also the entire industry.

Graduate students must apply online by submitting a cover letter, curriculum vitae, description of the applicant’s goals and experience, a short essay, statement of belief in the industry, as well as a review of the applicant’s graduate research and three letters of recommendation by Sept. 22.

The 2023 scholarship recipients will be recognized at CattleCon 2024 in Orlando, Fla. Jan. 31-Feb. 2.

Brucellosis meeting set

The Wyoming Livestock Board (WLSB) staff veterinarians are hosting a meeting to provide education regarding brucellosis and updates on Sweetwater County brucellosis quarantines.

The meeting will be held Aug. 21 at 6:30-8:30 p.m. in Room 211 at the Western Wyoming Community College in Green River.

All livestock producers, veterinarians, Extension specialists, meat processors, hunters and others interested in the recent diagnosis of brucellosis in Sweetwater County are encouraged to attend.

WLSB veterinarians will provide basic education regarding brucellosis, review local and statewide brucellosis rules and offer steps for livestock producers to mitigate the risk of brucellosis in their herds.

The meeting will be offered both in person and via Zoom.

For more information, contact Wyoming State Veterinarian Dr. Hallie Hasel at 307-840-1389, the WLSB office at 307-777-7515 or e-mail lsbbrucellosis-mitigation@wyo.gov.

WDA offers free mediation

University of Wyoming Extension Educator Melissa Cook is reminding Wyoming citizens and agriculture producers the Wyoming Department of Agriculture (WDA) offers free mediation services through trained experts for those seeking mediation services in the agriculture sector.

Cook notes whether it is resolving ag credit issues, neighbor-to-neighbor conflicts, farm or ranch transition discussions, U.S. Department of Agriculture adverse decisions, lease issues, U.S. Forest Service grazing permit disputes, organic certification appeals, ag business disputes or pesticide-related concerns, the WDA mediation program is always there to help.

“Sometimes, a judge may order mediation before proceeding with a case in a courtroom,” Cook explains. “Mediation is a powerful tool for resolving even the most complex and challenging disputes, enabling parties to find common ground and reach satisfactory outcomes.”

Interested individuals can watch a brief and informative one-minute YouTube video at bit.ly/45ndjzw to better understand the mediation process and its benefits.

To learn more about WDA’s mediation process or to request a mediator, visit agriculture.wy.gov/mediationprogram or contact Lucy Pauley at 307-777-8788.

For those involved in disputes related to educational services for children with disabilities, the Wyoming Department of Education (WDE) offers free mediation services to parents and educators. For more information on this, visit edu.wyoming.gov/for-district-leadership/ special-programs/dispute-resolution/ or contact Reithel Mercer at 307-777-2961.

Krieger joins UW Extension

University of Wyoming (UW) Extension welcomed Samantha Krieger as Uinta County’s 4-H youth development educator.

Krieger recently moved from Utah, where she worked as the Summit County 4-H coordinator. In her previous role, she introduced non-traditional programs, including First Lego League Robotics and 4-H Entrepreneurs, which give kids new ways to be a part of 4-H.

She also partnered with other organizations, like the Summit County school districts, library system and conservation district to reach out to her community.

“I look forward to watching Uinta County’s 4-H program grow and reach audiences who may not know they need 4-H,” says Krieger.

Krieger has also supported more traditional 4-H audiences and activities, like the Utah 4-H horse judges training and a shooting sports club which qualified for nationals three times.

She’s organized Farm Field Days, livestock clinics and summer camps. Krieger is well-versed in using social media, newsletters and other communication approaches to connect more kids with educational opportunities.

“We are thrilled Sam will be joining us in Uinta County,” says Mandy Marney, senior associate director of UW Extension. “Her knowledge of 4-H and positive youth development will add dimension to the Uinta County 4-H program.”

Krieger herself is still furthering her own education and development. She earned her Bachelor of Science in animal dairy and veterinary sciences at Utah State University in 2020 and is set to graduate with her Master of Extension Education from Colorado State University online this year.

Krieger is passionate about the positive impact 4-H can have for whole communities, not just kids and their families.

She says, “I would not be in the position I am today without all of the caring adults who have guided me along the way, and I want to provide this for all of the youth and adults walking through our doors.”

Krieger began her new role on July 28. She can be contacted at skrieger@uwyo.edu or 307-783-0570.

Elite Bred Red Angus Females Sell!

App launched

Cleary Building Corp. recently announced the launch of My Cleary Building, the company’s official app, which will streamline building project tracking and payments for clients.

The app is the first of its kind in the industry and is a convenient addition to the full project service provided by Cleary Building Corp.

My Cleary Building allows clients to track the status of their building project on a mobile or desktop device with access to an organized dashboard to view signed construction documents, ability to update contact information to ensure accuracy and an option for secure electronic payment of invoices throughout the building process.

My Cleary Building is available for Apple and Android users to download through the iOS App and Google Play stores and on desktop at myclearybuilding.com

For more information about Cleary Building Corp., visit clearybuilding.com or call 800-373-5550.

EPA offers Wyoming $248k

On Aug. 10, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $248,000 in Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant Program funding to help Wyoming communities address stormwater and sewer infrastructure needs.

States may now apply for grant assistance to fund projects to help municipalities strengthen their wastewater and stormwater collection systems against increasingly intense rain events and prevent contaminants from polluting waterways.

Program updates made by the Biden-Harris administration’s Investing in America Agenda, will ensure the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant Program will help small and financially distressed communities receive grant assistance at no cost.

“Heavy rainfall can flood communities, overload facilities which collect and treat wastewater and contaminate waterways with sewage and pollution,” said KC Becker, EPA regional administrator. “With $248,000 in grant funding, EPA is helping Wyoming address the threat of stormwater inundation in communities that need it most.”

This funding for Wyoming is part of the $50 million in grants EPA made available nationally.

Samantha Krieger Courtesy photo

Wyoming Downs ends richest season

Evanston – The Wyoming Downs closed its 20-day, 2023 race season on Aug. 6 with the richest horse race in Wyoming history.

The $200,000 plus Wyoming Quarter Horse Futurity, won by Pappas Fame, captured the winnings for owners Andra and Eddie Jensen before a crowd of approximately 2,800 fans. Closing day’s handle was the highest since the mid-80s at $180,000.

Marking another Wyoming state record, the 2023 Wyoming Downs purses came in for a historic high of $1.7 million, with horsemen from approximately six states competing for the winnings.

“It’s hard to beat a quadruple threat like we had this year – the richest race, the highest seasonal purse, the largest crowd and then a closing day with Wyoming’s highest handle in nearly 40 years,” said Frank Lamb, Wyoming Downs director of government affairs.

Track Owner Eric Nelson predicts another record-breaking year next year with 2024 purses at over $2 million.

“Things keep getting better and better for horsemen and fans,” said Nelson. “Over these past years, we’ve increased both the purse size and upped our season’s length. We’ve also eliminated the need for lines by adding a ticket buying options online and by offering our FastBet Mobile phone app option for betting.”

Under Public Relations Director Judy Hor-

ton, Wyoming Downs hosted 20 special events throughout the season.

Among the many popular events were Native American Heritage Day, Ladies Day, Wyoming Downs Spirits and Brew Fest, Wyoming Downs Car Show, Special Olympics Wyoming and Wyoming Families of Hands and Voices Day, Kids Stick Horse Races, Wyoming Hunger Initiative and Pink Out Day, which celebrates cancer survivors with the annual “Raysha’s Race.”

This year marks the 11th consecutive race sea-

UW

continued from page

areas of interest supporting Goshen County.

UW College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources (CALSNR) Dean Barbara Rasco gave a brief overview of the merger of colleges, which took place last June. Rasco also honored Warrie Means, who retired Aug. 15 from CALSNR.

The ability to understand which tree is sustainable in the area grants individuals and producers the opportunity to increase production in specialty crops.

Various trees have been planted, including plums, peaches, cherries, currants and pears, and so far, the plum trees are doing best.

Courtesy photo

son since Nelson repurchased Wyoming Downs and began racing in 2013. With this purchase, a regional resurgence of live racing began, along with all industries related to racing.

After the races, Wyoming Downs invited those over the age of 18 to its off-track betting (OTB) facility in Evanston, one of 17 OTB locations throughout the state in Evanston, Casper, Cheyenne, Evansville, Gillette, Green River, Laramie, Mills, Sheridan, Rock Springs and Thermopolis.

Voting open for Idaho sheep festival

Voting has begun for the 2023 USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Award for Best Fall Festival. The Trailing of the Sheep Festival in Idaho was selected as one of 20 nominees by a panel of travel experts, alongside USA Today editors.

The public is invited to vote online

at 10best.com/awards/travel/best-fallfestival-2023/ for their favorite nominee. Voting ends Sept. 4, and winners will be announced on 10Best on Sept. 15. Individuals may vote online once per day for the run of the contest.

“We are thrilled the Trailing of the Sheep Festival, now in its 27th year,

was nominated for another prestigious award, and we ask all of our friends and fans to go online and vote for us,” said Laura Musbach Drake, Trailing of the Sheep Festival’s executive director. Details on this year’s Trailing of the Sheep Festival, to be held Oct. 4-8, can be found at trailingofthesheep.org

FEEDER/CALF SPECIALS

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30TH

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6

ANNUAL LABOR DAY FEEDER SPECIAL MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11TH

FEEDER/CALF SPECIAL FEATURING QUALIFYING EVENT FOR THE WORLD LIVESTOCK AUCTIONEER CHAMPSHIP

The field day tour followed as guests gathered to explore field plots, where researchers presented their work on grass and alfalfa forage, cattle and feedlot research and crop protection management.

“We have a lot of botany projects this year, which is something we haven’t had in the past,” Paisley stated. “It’s a new opportunity for us.”

After the guided tour, attendees had the opportunity to walk through demonstration orchards, visit the geodome greenhouse, view graduate students’ research poster presentations and visit various local vendors.

Tour topics

During the tour UW personnel noted a few new features at SAREC, which include a fruit orchard and a pollinator demonstration plot. The pollinator program is a joint research project between SAREC and the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Paisley instructed guests to take some time to go through a self-guided tour of the orchards and raised bed pollinator program.

“We have a demonstration orchard that’s looking really good this year,” he added.

According to SAREC research scientists, the orchard was planted in the spring of 2021 to provide citizens of Wyoming the opportunity to gain handson experience regarding what types of fruit do well in Goshen County.

Paisley introduced and guided guests through the SAREC GrowSafe testing facility and the SAREC feedlot, which is currently evaluating bulls on a 99-day feed efficiency study where individual feed intake is measured.

Additional field speakers included Anowar Islam, a UW professor of forage agroecology, who presented on forage production.

Islam and his students are working on research which will not only improve productivity and quality but improve the persistence of alfalfa and alfalfa-grass mix.

Donna Harris, assistant professor of plant breeding based out of Sheridan, presented on bean and pea variety research trials and assisted a UW graduate student with a demonstration on the use of drones, which are being utilized in a sugarbeet trial.

Also presenting on the tour was UW’s Clint Beiermann, assistant professor of forage crop production and weed management, who led the group out into the field to investigate corn production and discuss growth rates.

The tour captured SAREC’s vision to facilitate research and education on sustainable agricultural systems, discovering and generating new knowledge to meet Wyoming’s emerging needs.

TORRINGTON LIVESTOCK AREA REPS

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WY 307-399-9863***Tam Staman –

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Chris

- Greybull, WY 307-272-4567***Hunter

sometimes occurred more often than did meeting a deadline.

This happened more than once in the Big Horn Basin, the area between the west slope of the Big Horn Mountains and Yellowstone Park. Newcomers to the basin knew nothing about the land or climate, resulting in many failed irrigation projects.

The book describes many specific water battles. Two of the most significant include the Wind River Reservation and coalbed methane.

There are several helpful features at the

beginning of each chapter – a note about the places and time covered in the chapter, along with a photo; clear maps drawn by Rachel Savage of Casper, showing various waterways, mountain ranges and other features relevant to the chapter’s contents and a rectangle representing Wyoming, with a smaller rectangle within it, showing the region represented by each map.

Rebecca Hein is an assistant editor of WyoHistory.org. This article was originally published in the WyoHistory.org blog on July 26.

WATER continued from page 2

CROSSWORD

Wyoming Livestock Roundup Crosswords, created by Myles Mellor. Solution available in next week's Roundup. Mail your complete crossword to Wyoming Livesock Roundup, PO Box 850, Casper, WY 82602 for a special prize!

Sheep producers seek premium young ewes

To meet the needs of emerging demand within the sheep industry for superior young ewe genetics available in smaller lot sizes, the South Dakota Sheep Growers Association (SDSGA) has hosted a Premium Yearling Ewe Sale for the past

six years.

This year, the sale was held on July 22 at Magness Livestock Auction in Huron, S.D. This annual event is the signature yearling ewe sale in the region.

Sale summary

Nineteen consignors pro-

vided an excellent selection of high-quality, registerable and commercial ewes ranging from traditional white face wool breeds, their crosses and meat breed yearling ewes.

Prices remained strong throughout the sale with considerable interest on all offerings, and lots were purchased by buyers from three states.

A total of 47 sheep producers registered to bid on 22 lots of yearling ewes totaling 649 head.

Gross receipts from the sale totaled $240,840, and animals sold averaged $370 per head.

The high-selling registerable lot brought $450 per head for a pen of five, sold by Shady Lane Farms and purchased by Teri and Bill Brunskill of New Underwood, S.D.

In the commercial ewes, the high-selling lot was 20 head of fall born Suffolk ewes offered by Justin Elder of Westmoreland, Kan. and purchased by Thompson Land and Livestock of Livingston, Mont. for $585 per head.

The volume buyer of the sale was Cameron Goodrich from Wagner, S.D., purchasing 90 ewes.

Other highlights

Prior to the sale, South

Dakota State University

Extension hosted educational programming and lunch. A total of 80 sheep producers attended the programming, and 120 people attended the free lamb lunch.

It was also a very successful day for young producers Emma and Joni Spring of Union Center, S.D., who were able to purchase some sheep they liked. SDSGA gave buyer credit of $500 per youth toward their purchase.

Also, thanks to Joe and Tonya Coplan for donating a red and white border collie to this year’s auction to generate funds to support the Youth Buyer Credit Program. Generous donors raised nearly $1,800 towards future winners.

SDSGA is a member of the American Sheep Industry Association and the trade association for sheep producers of South Dakota, representing both farm flocks and range operations. The 2023 SDSGA Annual Convention will be held Sept. 22-23 in Rapid City, S.D. For more information or to register, visit sdsheepgrowers.org

Dog donation – Joe and Tonya Coplan donated a red and white border collie to the South Dakota Sheep Growers Association’s auction, which generates funds for the Youth Buyer Credit Program. This year, generous donors raised nearly $1,800. Courtesy photo

Young producers – Emma and Joni Spring are young sheep producers in Union Center, S.D. With the help of the South Dakota Sheep Growers Association’s Youth Buyer Credit Program, the two were able to purchase sheep for their own flock. Courtesy photo

Successful sale – The South Dakota Sheep Growers Association held their annual Premium Yearling Ewe Sale July 22 at Magness Livestock Auction in Huron, S.D., with gross receipts totaling $240,840 and averaging $370 per head. Courtesy photo

WSF continued from page 1

to offer, crowning four elite champions.

Sublette County’s Zoe Griffin took home esteemed honors with her champion goat, and Katherine Olson of Laramie County exhibited the reserve champion.

In the swine show, Bro-

hdon Flores of Sweetwater County exhibited the champion, and Johnson County’s Shelby Fennema exhibited the reserve champion.

The champion lamb was shown by Cassidy Bessler of Johnson County, and Jason Huelle of Fremont County exhibited the

reserve champion lamb.

Carbon County’s Shelby Knotwell received honors with the champion steer, and Stetson Rothlisberger of Sweetwater County had the reserve champion steer.

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

“Moo-rocco” to host annual Rendezvous City Beef Roundup

The Fourth Annual Rendezvous City Beef Roundup recently teamed up with County 10 for a community competition to rename its host town, Riverton, for a day. The roundup took its name from the city’s history as being none other than the “Rendezvous City,” a title bestowed upon it as the site of the famed 1838 rendezvous location.

This historical event happened when Native Americans, traders and mountain men of the time gathered to exchange goods. It was fitting, then, for Riverton to reciprocate the name exchange.

A community-wide competition ensued, with County 10 sending out the call for entries that would represent the beef roundup, the only steak competition of its kind in America. It took several rounds, each narrowing down the clever beefinspired names, before the top five were announced.

These five were Beeferton, Filet Frontier, Moorocco, RIB-er-TOWN and Cowtown. The winning name, Moo-rocco, will become Riverton’s new name for a day on Aug. 26, when the roundup will take place at Central Wyoming College’s new Rustler Ag and Equine Complex.

Rendezvous City Beef Roundup

The Rendezvous City Beef Roundup was designed by Founder Tyler McCann to bring beef producers and consumers together to cel-

ebrate beef, to educate the public on the benefits and sustainability of beef production and to showcase the exceptional flavor of beef.

This year marks the biggest competition list to date, with beef producers coming from every corner of the country to claim the Best Beef in the West, which is voted on by an exceptional celebrity judge panel.

The judges will be blind tasting each entry that is cooked to perfection using only salt, pepper and fire.

The chef for the nationwide competition this year is Mikey Chingman, the manager and executive chef at Deka Guy-Hee Shoshone Rose Casino and Hotel Restaurant and the owner of Chingy’s Smoke and Grub.

Celebrity judge panel

The celebrity judge panel will include Australia’s Dr. Anthony Chaffe, who is known around the world as “The Plant Free MD” and the creator of the Carnivore Diet. He also has a top 10 podcast, was an AllAmerican rugby player and a refugee camp medical doctor in Rohingya, Myanmar.

Also joining the panel as a return judge this year is Art of a Cowboy Painter Boaldin. Boaldin hails out of Guthrie, Okla. where his gallery is located. Based around his art, Boaldin has become a well-known PBS star.

His part documentary, part reality show follows him around the country where he showcases cowboys and

ranchers on film and on canvas. His goal is to help preserve the Western legacy. He recently spent time with Jim Jensen and Lucky 7 Angus in Pinedale.

The roundup is also bringing in Montana Filmmaker, Photographer and Cowboy Trinity Vandenacre to help judge their Best Beef in the West competition. Vandenacre is well known on Instagram for his videos discussing the benefits of ranching and land management. He also has a widely popular YouTube channel which showcases real ranching out West.

Wyoming representative Wyoming is well-represented with entrants for the coveted Best Beef in Wyoming title this year. This competition is voted on by fellow producers and everyone who wishes to attend the VIP dinner and auction.

Ashley Osterman, owner of the Rustic Plate in Burns, will be this year’s Wyoming chef.

This is a must-attend event that will appeal to both ranchers and consumers. There will be plenty of beef to sample, vendor booths, rancher booths, educational classes, beer and wine tastings, celebrities and live music. General admission is free.

For more information, visit rendezvouscitybeefroundup.com

Tasha Messenger is a member of the Rendezvous City Beef Roundup and can be reached at tashamessenger@yahoo.com.

ABOVE: The glitter slap –Shelby Knotwell of Carbon County received Ryan Rash’s famous “glitter slap” during the Champion of Champions Beef Show at Wyoming State Fair. WYLR photo

LEFT: Reserve champion – Ryan Rash handles the reserve champion lamb at the Wyoming State Fair Champion of Champions Lamb Show, which was exhibited by Katherine Olson of Laramie County. WYLR photo

Guest appearance – World-renowned Livestock Judge Ryan Rash made a guest appearance for the Wyoming State Fair Champion of Champions Showcase on Aug. 15. To kick off the show, Rash sorted through some of the best goats Wyoming youth have to offer. WYLR photo

Agriculture is one of the most impacted industries during a drought. However, as of July, states west of Kansas have seen improved drought conditions compared to 2021-22.

Drought conditions affect many aspects of the agricultural industry, reducing industry income and increasing food prices across the nation.

Along with economic impact, drought can contribute to insect outbreaks, increased wildfires, altered soil nutrients and water cycling, all of which can impact agriculture production and the livelihoods of many producers and communities.

However, with a cool and wet spring, producers started the growing season slow, but many were thankful for the moisture, as nearly half of the West was emerging from drought conditions this spring.

Western U.S. drought summary

The National Drought Mitigation Center (NDMC) reported in April approximately 12 percent of alfalfa hay acreage in the West-

Drought conditions improve across the Western United States

ern U.S. was experiencing extreme or exceptional drought conditions, and 20 percent was reported to be in severe condition.

Drought conditions peaked in August 2021 when the NDMC reported 52 percent of alfalfa hay acreage was affected by severe or worse drought conditions.

Severe drought during the summer of 2021 impacted the broader agricultural sector. It led to diminished crops, lower livestock outputs and reduced profitability, particularly if a drought management plan was not utilized.

The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) reports Western drought conditions intensified during the summer of 2021, then gradually subsided between October and December 2021. It intensified again during the first half of 2022, before starting to subside again.

According to July 11 NDMC data, only three percent of land in Western states was classified as experiencing extreme or exceptional drought, with an additional eight percent classified as severe, which

UW professor named fellow of WAEA

Christopher Bastian, PhD and professor in the University of Wyoming (UW) Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, was recently appointed a fellow in the Western Agricultural Economics Association (WAEA).

WAEA is an organization dedicated to promoting greater coordination, research and the impact of agricultural economics in the Western U.S. and Canada. Bastian’s induction as a fellow recognizes his decades-long contributions to WAEA and the discipline of agricultural economics.

Bastian served as an agricultural marketing specialist for UW Extension from 1993-2005.

Over the course of his career at UW, he has published 94 journal articles, one book, four book chapters and 93 peer-reviewed Extension publications. He and his co-authors received the WAEA Outstanding Published Research Award in 2014 and the Outstanding JARE Article Award in 2021.

He has also earned recognition at UW for his teaching and advising.

“Bastian has strived for professional excellence throughout his career across Extension, research, teaching and service to the WAEA,” said Head of UW’s Department of Agriculture and Applied Economics Ben Rashford. “His accomplishments and service to WAEA not only meet but exceed the criteria set forth in the call for this prestigious award.”

Throughout his career, Bastian has served agricultural producers through research, outreach and teaching.

In 1997, he co-created Extension materials about managing cattle when prices and profits are low. This multi-state collaboration won awards from both the WAEA and the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.

Bastian’s research has primarily focused on optimal livestock production, landowner and land trust motivations for using conservation easements and experimental economic analysis of how agricultural markets perform when buyers and sellers privately negotiate prices.

Most recently, he has authored Extension materials about fed cattle markets and negotiation skills in agriculture.

Bastian has been a member of WAEA since 1988 and has filled many roles in the organization, including serving as president from 2019-20.

For more information on drought conditions, visit droughtmonitor. unl.edu.

was down from June, when 18 percent of land in the Western states were classified as in extreme or exceptional drought.

Excessive rains impacted producers

Recent rains have caused local flooding and impacted U.S. agriculture. In Wyoming, it has challenged hay production. Hay has been ready most of June, but producers are having a hard time harvesting it because of wet fields.

Corn in the Western U.S. has been hit the hardest with recent moisture. It is well behind schedule and could yield a lower harvest due to the late start and what the rest of the season could bring.

Areas of excessive rain could also see an increase in

an infestation of insects and weeds, mainly from producers unable to get out and spray.

Local outlook

Wyoming is above a 30-year average rainfall as of June. The 30-year average for the region is 1.04 inches of rain, and according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), compared to last year, the region was at 0.69 inches of rain.

Excessive rainfall has resulted in minor flooding across Wyoming and local reservoirs are no longer collecting rainwater – anything that goes in comes out.

Wyoming is transitioning from a La Niña pattern to an El Niño pattern, and the month of August is predicted to be at or above

average levels of rainfall, which will linger into this fall, according in NOAA.

Drought conditions across much of the Western states have improved over the year, but have not been alleviated. However, as of

May, only 17.13 percent of the region is in drought, according to USDM.

article to roundup@wylr.net.

Melissa Anderson is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this

Christopher Bastian Courtesy photo

Adobe Stock photo

UW researchers find evolutionary adaptation in trout of Wind River Mountains

The lakes in Wyoming’s Wind River Mountains historically didn’t contain fish, but stocking of trout, beginning in the early 1900s, has created an environment in which hundreds of those lakes now have strong fish populations – some carried on by natural reproduction for decades.

This environment has also provided a laboratory for researchers to study the ecosystem changes in the once fishless alpine lakes, to which anglers today make long hikes to pursue cutthroat trout and relatively rare golden trout.

Rapid evolution

Previous research found the introduction of fish in the lakes of the Wind Rivers has driven a decrease in the size of zooplankton, the

small aquatic organisms on which the trout feed.

Now, University of Wyoming (UW) researchers have found the fish themselves have adapted to their environment through “rapid evolution,” which sheds further light on the introduction of invasive species.

“These findings have important implications for understanding the capacity of even small founding populations to respond to novel ecological and evolutionary pressures in the face of rapid environmental changes,” the UW researchers wrote in a paper published in the journal Evolution

The primary author is Lucia Combrink, who completed her master’s degree in UW’s Department of Botany and is now a PhD stu-

dent at the University of British Columbia.

Senior authors are Catherine Wagner, an associate professor in UW’s Department of Botany; Annika Walters, an associate professor and assistant unit leader of the U.S. Geological Survey’s Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at UW and Amy Krist, an associate professor in UW’s Department of Zoology and Physiology.

Other collaborating authors include Elizabeth Mandeville, a UW PhD graduate now on the faculty of the University of Guelph in Canada; Jessica Rick, a former UW Department of Botany and Program in Ecology graduate student now a postdoctoral researcher at Cornell

University; Lindsey Boyle, who completed her master’s degree in UW’s Department of Zoology and Physiology and William Rosenthal, a PhD student in the UW Department of Botany and the Program in Ecology and Evolution.

The work was primarily funded by a seed grant through UW’s Science Initiative and a grant from UW’s Biodiversity Institute.

Wind River research

During the summers of 2018-21, the researchers collected fish from 18 lakes in the Wind Rivers previously stocked with Yellowstone cutthroat trout, which come from northwest Wyoming and golden trout, which originally come from the Kern River drainage in California but were first

stocked in the Wind Rivers in the early 1900s.

The lakes included fish populations started decades ago, as well as more recently stocked populations.

The researchers then

compared the fish of the Wind Rivers with golden and cutthroat trout produced in Wyoming Game and Fish Department hatcheries.

The researchers found trout from lakes stocked decades ago in the Wind Rivers have higher numbers of gill rakers, which are bony or cartilage structures in the gullets of fish that act as sieves to retain zooplankton and nourish the trout.

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The scientists say the difference is likely a result of trout adapting to food sources of the high-mountain lakes – a change which has taken place in a relatively short period of time and at a rate generally consistent with the historic timing of stocking for each of the lakes.

“The findings are evidence eco-evolutionary interactions play a critical role in ecosystem ecology,” the researchers wrote.

“Our observations provide insight into the pattern and timing of adaptive change which follows from human interference and informs our understanding of the role evolution may play in facilitating adaptation to dynamic, resourcepoor environments,” they concluded.

Ongoing work

The team’s work in the Wind River Range’s alpine lakes is ongoing, with this first paper answering some questions – and raising many more – about the ecology and evolution of organisms in these environments.

Ongoing work focuses on examining details of the changes in zooplankton communities with fish introduction, as well as using genetics to identify the source populations from which cutthroat trout were stocked in the Wind Rivers.

With connections to UW’s Wyoming Anticipating Climate Transitions Project, the scientists’ work also looks at ways climatedriven changes may affect the ecology and evolution of alpine lake ecosystems.

“The alpine lakes of the Wind Rivers are a true treasure of Wyoming,” Wagner said. “It’s a privilege and a thrill to be able to work in these beautiful places and to gain a better understanding of the ecological and evolutionary processes that make them what they are today.”

This story was originally published by UW News on Aug.

Golden trout – Golden trout, which originally came from the Kern River drainage in California but were first stocked in Wyoming’s Wind River Mountains in the early 1900s, are among the fish be-ing studied by UW scientists. Patrick Clayton photo

Prairie wildflowers put on a show

Dense snowpack and rainy, wet spring conditions provided the perfect amount of moisture for a wildflower superbloom in the West this summer.

Daisies, bluebells, wild roses, lilies, sunflowers, buttercups, coneflowers, germaniums and Indian paintbrush – just to name a few – put on a show

for residents and visitors alike, painting hillsides and alpine meadows in brilliant splashes of color.

With the end of summer fast approaching, many wildflowers have already come and gone. However, in some places one might still be lucky enough to stumble upon a beautiful blossom.

Sand lilies – Averi Reynolds, Casper, photo

A bouquet of columbines and other purple wildflowers – Josey McDowell, Grand Junction, Colo., photo

Prickly pear cactus – Anne Marie Anderson, Lonetree, photo

A bouquet of columbines, sticky purple germaniums, Western chainpod and other wildflowers – Colette Bugas, Fort Bridger, photo

A bouquet of Indian paintbrush, badlands mules-ear and larkspur – Hannah Bugas, Fort Bridger, photo

A bouquet of sunflowers, dotted blazing star, hoary vervain and other wildflowers – Chadron Coffield, Cody, Neb., photo Sego lily – Cassie Lewis, Rock Springs, photo

SALES

Aug. 21 Wyoming Livestock Board Sweetwater County Brucellosis Meeting, 6:308:30 p.m., room 211, Western Wyoming Community College, Green River. For more information, contact Wyoming State Veterinarian Dr. Hallie Hasel at 307-840-1389, the WLSB office at 307-777-7515 or e-mail lsbbrucellosismitigation@wyo.gov.

Aug. 22 Wyoming Livestock Board Public Meeting, 10 a.m., Holiday Inn, Rock Springs. For more information, visit wlsb.state.wy.us or call 307-777-7515.

Aug. 24 National Pork Producers Delegate Body and Wyoming Pork Producers Association Meeting, 6 p.m. Grace Werner Ag Pavilion, Casper. For more information, contact Jeremy Burkett at 307-630-6267.

Aug. 25-27 2023 Sheepherders Rendezvous, 10 a.m. daily, Glenrock City Park, Glenrock. For more information, call Rita Redig at 307-262-0513.

Aug. 26 Fourth Annual Rendezvous City Beef Roundup, Central Wyoming College Ag and Equine Complex, Riverton. For more information, visit rendezvouscitybeefroundup.com

Aug. 28 Sage Grouse Implementation Team Meeting, 9 a.m., Converse County Library, Douglas. For more information, contact SGIT Habitat Protection Program Supervisor Will Schultz at 307-777-4587.

Sept. 3-4 35th Annual Don King Days, Big Horn.

Sept. 5-7 Public Lands Council Annual Meeting, Pendleton, Oregon. For more information, visit publiclandscouncil.org

Sept. 6-7 Applied Reproductive Strategies in Beef Cattle Symposium, Little America Hotel and Resort, Cheyenne. For more information or to register, visit beefrepro.org or contact Shelby Rosasco at srosasco@uwyo.edu or 307-766-2329.

Sept. 6-7 2023 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.

Sept. 8-10 Hells Canyon Mule Days, Wallowa County Fairgrounds, Enterprise, Ore. For more information, visit hellscanyonmuledays.com

Sept. 11-15 University of Wyoming Extension Geodesic Dome Greenhouse Construction School, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Laramie. For more information, contact Jeff Edwards at jedward4@uwyo.edu or call 307-837-2956.

Sept. 14-16 South Dakota Angus Tour, meet in Rapid City, S.D. For more information or to register, contact Tyrell Dieters at turtleccreekangus@hotmail.com or call 605-748-2404.

Sept. 15-16 Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Casper. For more information, visit wyomingcowboyhalloffame.org

Sept. 19-21 Montana Angus Tour, Billings, Mont. For more information and to register, visit mtangus.org

Sept. 30 Timber Dan Fall Toy Show and Sale, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., First National Bank Exhibition Building, Larimer County Fairgrounds, Loveland, Colo. For more information, visit lovelandlionsclubs.org/sites/ToyShow.htm

Oct. 4-8 Annual Trailing of the Sheep Festival, Ketchum, Idaho. For more information, visit trailingofthesheep.org

Oct. 13-14 32nd Annual Old West Days and Nebraska Cowboy Poetry Gathering, Valentine, Neb. For more information and tickets, visit oldwestdays.net or call 1-833-693-7638.

Oct. 16-19 International Dairy Federation 2023 World Dairy Summit, Chicago, Ill. For more information, visit idfa.org

Nov. 2 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.

Nov. 2-4 West Central States Wool Growers Convention, Boise, Idaho. For more information, visit sheepusa.org

Nov. 3-6 2023 Angus Convention, Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel, Orlando, Fla. For more information or to register, visit angusconvention.com

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

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

Aug. 25-26 11th Annual Montana Horse Progress Days Auction, Reuben Miller Farm, Moore, Mont., 406-366-4667, montanahorseprogressdays.com

Aug. 25-26 Meeker Mustang Makeover Live & Online Auction, Rio Blanco Fairgrounds, Meeker, Colo., 406-570-6818, longhornvideoauctions.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 25th Annual Come To The Source Production Sale, Laramie, 307-742-4669, 970-215-6137, 307-760-1452, cometothesource.com

Aug. 26-29

Lauing Mill Iron L Ranch 2023 QH Production Sale, online only, prohorseservices.com/internet-auctions/, 605-347-6193, 605-280-0698, 605-2800398, lauingmillironlranch.com

Aug. 27 RQHBA Horse Sale, Besler’s Cadillac Ranch, Belle Fourche, S.D., 605-3473294, 605-639-9482, rqhba.com

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

Worland, WY

Sept. 1-3

PRQHBA 46th Annual Futurity and Horse Sale, Powder River County Fairgrounds, Broadus, Mont., 406-853-3554, sales@prqhba.com

Sept. 8 Full House Horse Sale, Big Horn Edition, Buffalo Livestock Marketing, 307746-5690, 307-684-0789, fullhousehorsesale.com

Sept. 8-9 Superior Livestock Auction Labor Day Auction, Hudson Oaks, Texas, 800422-2117, superiorlivestock.com

Sept. 9-12 Reindl Quarter Horses and Comp Quarter Horses Second Annual Online Horse Sale, prohorseservices.com/internet-auctions/, 605-840-8286, 605496-4873

Sept. 12 95th Annual Wyoming State Ram Sale, Wyoming State Fairgrounds, Douglas, 307-265-5250, wyowool.com/ramsale

Sept. 12 Western Video Market, Haythorn Land & Cattle Co., Ogallala, Neb., 530-3473793, wvmcattle.com

Sept. 14 Cattle Country Video Cheyenne Roundup Sale, Cheyenne Frontier Days Event Center, Cheyenne, 888-322-8853, cattlecountryvideo.com

Sept. 15-16 27th Annual Van Norman Production Sale, Elko County Fairgrounds, Elko, Nev., 775-756-6508, 775-934-7404, vannormansale.com

Sept. 17 21st Annual Sugar Bars Legacy Sale, Sheridan County Fairgrounds, Sheridan, 406-812-0084, sugarbarslegacy.com

Sept. 18 Northern Livestock Video Auction Fall Premier, 866-616-5035, northernlivestockvideo.com

Oct. 13-15 26th Annual Fall Colt & Yearling Catalog Sale & Futurity, Farmers and Ranchers Livestock Commission Co., Salina, Kan., 785-826-7884, 785-4932901, 785-825-0211

Oct. 25 Micheli Ranch Bull Sale, at the ranch, Ft. Bridger, 307-252-0437, 307-7477786, 307-747-3897, 307-780-8232, micheliranch

Nov. 5 Triangle J Ranch Harvest Select Female Sale, at the ranch, Miller, Neb., 308-457-2505, 308-627-5085, trianglejranch.com

Nov. 6 Pharo Cattle Company Sale, Burlington, Colo., 800-311-0995, pharocattle.com

Nov. 13 Ludvigson Stock Farms Elite Bred Angus Females Sell, Billings, Mont., 406-601-9192, ludvigsonstockfarms.com

Nov. 18 Pharo Cattle Company Sale, Three Forks, Mont., 800-311-0995, pharocattle.com

POSTCARD from the Past

Compiled by Dick Perue rrichardperue@gmail.com

Feeding Starving Elk

Individuals who want to get a spirited argument started around the campfire or at the old geezers’ coffee klatch should simply mention feeding starving elk. Everyone will have a suggestion, and no one will come up with a lasting solution.

This argument has been raging since the early 1900s and continues today, as noted in recent headlines.

In the early 1900s, most Wyoming newspapers were printing news concerning a proposal to feed starving elk.

Here is the first of several stories, editorial, headlines and excerpts from various newspapers:

A headline in the Centennial Post on March 13, 1909 reads:

Saved 3,000 elk –game warden tells how the settlers cared for antlered tribe, followed wagons like cattle.



A headline in the Aug. 2, 1911 issue of Lander Eagle and Riverton News reads:

Wyoming elk for Colorado – 10,000 to be sent from Jackson Hole, spread over state, railroads have agreed to transport animals free of charge, will have immense feeding grounds.

According to a news item in The Cowley Weekly Progress, dated June 17, 1911, “A law passed by Congress means some time next summer government troops will attempt to herd 30,000 or more wild elk from the crowded ranges of Jack-

331-2222



And those are just a few of the many “feed the starving elk” articles in the early 1900s.

Those who proposed feeding the elk were also controversial, as noted in this item by John Clayton, which was published online at wyohistory.org

son Hole to better feeding grounds on the Big Horn Mountain Range.”

The following is from The Homestead Monthly Coyote, dated Nov. 8, 1911:

$20,000 available for the feeding of elk in Wyoming if necessary

Last winter, many elk died in Wyoming for lack of feed during the severe cold weather. Many of their feeding grounds have been taken up and fenced by homesteaders, and the animals are obliged to live on what land the homesteader does not want.

Through the influence of Gov. Carey and Sen. Warren, a bill was passed by Congress appropriating $20,000 to be used for feeding the elk in Wyoming this winter, and D.C. Nowlin, who has the matter in charge, has advertised for bids for the supplying of hay at various points.

Stephen Nelson Leek, a founder of Jackson Hole, was an early wildlife photographer. His nationally recognized images of starving elk helped establish the National Elk Refuge near Jackson.

As a hunting guide and dude rancher, his conservation advocacy came at a crucial time when the future of the species was in doubt. He was thus called “The Father of the Elk.”

In his times, Leek was intelligent, passionate and committed. Today, he’s an example of the difficulty of judging historical figures. The more scientists learn about ecology, the more concerned they become about Leek’s cause of artificially feeding elk in the winter.

Those interested can read the complete story at wyohistory.org

And, the debate continues, but then, that’s for another Postcard.

Stephen Nelson Leek films elk with a hand-crank movie camera in this undated photo. Photos attributed to Leek date back as far as 1891. By the early 20th century he was an accomplished wildlife photographer and showed slides of starving elk on a tour of the West in 1909-10.

Photo from American Heritage Center. Historical Reproductions by Perue

MARKETS

USDA Market News Service information and other sources

FOR THE WEEK

ENDING August 18, 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

Sheep Summary As of August 11, 2023

Compared to last week traditional slaughter lambs 1.00-5.00 higher, others mostly steady to 10.00 higher. Slaughter ewes mostly steady to 10.00 higher. Feeder lambs under 90 lbs 6.00-12.00 higher, heavier weights weaker. At San Angelo, TX 6,316 head sold. Equity Cooperative Auction sold 340 slaughter lambs in North Dakota and 460 feeder lambs in Utah. In direct trading slaughter ewes and feeder lambs not tested. 2,446 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 110-140 lbs no test.

Ft. Collins: wooled and shorn 100-130 lbs 185.00-202.50. South Dakota: wooled and shorn 100-145 lbs 183.00-213.00, few 221.00; 153 lbs 210.00.

Billings: wooled and shorn 133 lbs 161.00.

Equity Coop: shorn 140 lbs 221.50.

Slaughter Lambs: Choice and Prime 1-2 San Angelo: hair 40-60 lbs 200.00-233.00; 60-70 lbs 194.00-221.00, few 224.00-226.00; 70-80 lbs 180.00-209.00,

Ft. Collins: no test.

South Dakota: no test

Billings: ewe lambs 142 lbs 170.00/cwt; yearling 135-150 lbs 95.00-101.00/cwt.

Sheep and lambs slaughter under federal inspection for the week to date totaled 31,000 compared with 32,000 last week and 33,000 last year.

Source: USDA AMS Market News, San Angelo, Texas National Wool Review

As of August 11, 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.

Australian Wool Exchange Clean Del Price Change from 75-85 Percent

5 AREA WEEKLY WEIGHTED CATTLE PRICE

As of August 17, 2023

lbs 215.00; 76 lbs 185.00; 84 lbs 180.00; 94 lbs 198.00.

Billings: hair 89 lbs 151.00. Slaughter Ewes

San Angelo: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) no test; Good 2-3 (fleshy)

62.00-76.00, hair 62.00-82.00; Utility and Good 1-3 (medium flesh) 73.00-97.00, hair 80.00-95.00; Utility 1-2 (thin) 60.0073.00, hair 64.00-73.00; Cull and Utility 1-2 (very thin) 55.00-

57.00; hair 53.00-65.00; Cull 1 30.00-35.00.

Ft. Collins: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) 65.00-90.00; Good 2-3 (fleshy) 60.00-97.50; Utility 1-2 (thin) no test; Cull 1 no test

South Dakota: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) 45.00; Good 2-3 (fleshy) 45.00-65.00; Utility 1-2 (thin) 40.00-60.00; Cull 1 25.00.

Compared to last week hay sales sold steady. Demand was light to moderate. All calls this week found hay producers in a pretty good mood since hay being baled has not been rained on. Hot, sunny weather across the state has helped producers get hay baled in a timely fashion. Some combines continue to harvest wheat and barley. Some contacts are baling straw, triticale and Sudan grass.

of grass or brome hay. Quite a few acres of cane and millet hay getting cut around the state. Many old timer hay producers use the rule of thumb on secondary hay is 75 percent the value of good quality alfalfa hay. So, in order to price the cane, millet and so on you need to know the price of good quality alfalfa hay in your area sitting in the field, (not delivered) to compute the asking price. Hot, dry weather is in the forecast the next several days and forage producers are happy and hope to bale good, green, leafy alfalfa and top quality meadow hay.

Fair/Good Large Square 3x4 180

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

Nebraska Hay Summary

As of August 17, 2023

Compared to last week alfalfa sold unevenly steady. Meadow grass hay sold 20.00 lower. Ground and delivered hay and dehy pellets sold steady. Demand was light for most offerings of hay. Quite a lot of “tire kickers” just seeing what is available and the price of the hay. Some reports of meadow grass tonnage near a normal year. Silage chopping is kicked off in some areas in the eastern side of the state with a few choppers going in the central areas on dryland fields. Producers in the east are on 4th cutting with producers in other areas on 2nd or 3rd cutting of alfalfa. Many comments that we have had enough rain to get a second cutting

FOR SALE KELPIE/ENGLISH SHEPHERD CROSS PUPPIES: One male and 5 females born July 6. Both parents are working dogs and friendly with children. Asking $300. Call 605-866-4882 8/26

REGISTERED BORDER COL-

LIE PUPPIES AVAILABLE!!

Notice Events

NOTICE: Publication in this newspaper does not guarantee the legitimacy of any offer or solicitation. Take reasonable steps to evaluate an offer before you send money or provide personal/financial information to an advertiser. If you have questions or believe you have been the victim of fraud, contact the Wyoming Attorney General’s Office, Consumer Protection Unit, 109 Capitol Building, Cheyenne, WY 82002, 307-7776397 TFN

THE 32ND ANNUAL OLD WEST DAYS AND NEBRAKSA COWBOY POETRY GATHERING TAKES PLACE IN VALENTINE, NE ON OCT. 13 AND 14: Free Western trade show and many free performances at Valentine High School. Tickets available for the following shows ($15 each). Fri., 7:30 p.m.: Don

Schauda, Secret Entertainment, Caitlyn Taussig. Sat.

1:30 p.m.: Don Schauda, Ken Cook, Paul Larson. Sat., 7:30 p.m.: Caitlyn Taussig, Ken Cook and The Campfire Concerto. Reserve tickets online at www.oldwestdays.net or call 1-833-693-7638 8/19

UP IN ARMS, LLC FLEA

MARKET AND GUN SHOW

SEPT. 1-3 , Gillette, WY at the CAM-PLEX. Open to the public. Fri., Sept. 1, 3 p.m.-7 p.m. Sat., Sept. 2 , 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun., Sept. 3, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Giving away a .22 pistol Sunday at 2 p.m., must be present to win, 21 years of age and able to pass background check. Buy, sell, trade. Adults

$6, children 12 and under free (when accompanied by an adult). For more information, contact Lisa, 208-4202295 8/26

Help Wanted

Swift Creek Outfitters & Teton Horseback Adventures

Help wanted in the Tetons: Trail Ride Wranglers, Fall Pack in Camp Cook, Fall Mule Packer (307) 730- 8830 OR (307) 856-1226

Check Out Our Website www.horsebackadv.com

MTC LOGISTICS HAS PARTTIME DRIVER POSITIONS AVAILABLE FOR DRIVER CLASS B & A CDL WORLAND TO CASPER AND CODY TO CASPER. ALSO, for the downtown area in Casper, 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 8/19

HOT

COUNTY WEED & PEST DISTRICT IS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE POSITION OF RANGE

MANAGER: The position is in Thermopolis, WY. Send letter of application, resume and 3 references to: Hot Springs County Weed & Pest District, PO Box 543, Thermopolis, WY 82443. For additional information, call 307-921-0574. Hot Springs County Weed & Pest is an EOE 8/19

Bulk Transport Company West, Inc. Now Hiring In Our Lovell Terminal Seasonal Full-Time & Part-Time Class A CDL Drivers w/ Doubles Endorsement For The 2023-2024 Sugarbeet Campaign

Day Shift

Night Shift

Weekend Shift

WEAVE Got Your Back! LOCAL CDL TRUCK DRIVERS NEEDED

Warren Transport is looking for Truck Drivers! Family friendly with flexible scheduling, bonuses, benefits and competitive wages. We are an established company with multiple branches and a multitude of options to fit your individual needs!

FALL CATTLE AND HARVEST HELP WANTED: Blue Barn Land & Cattle is hiring. Rural location, south of Haviland, KS. Thirteen week job, Sept. 10-Dec. 10. Excellent pay. Housing provided. Job responsibilities include: Processing and doctoring cattle, building fence, assisting with harvest work and other related farm tasks. If you have your own horse and tack, we will provide a place to board your horse. Call Bill Roenbaugh at 620-546-3913 or send your information to bill@roenbaugh.com 8/26

SUNDANCE CUSTOM STEEL IS NOW HIRING TRIM SHOP OPERATORS. Clean, fast paced and friendly environment. Apply in person at 301 South 27th St., Sundance, WY 82729 or call the office at 307-283-1820

8/19

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!!

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 8/19

Mission Falls Ranch is a familyowned business that has been raising registered working border collies for over 30 years. We produce great family dogs with good temperament and drive for herding, agility, SAR or fun. Call 406-552-3354 or check out our available litters at www.missionfallsranch.net 9/9

AKC SHELTIE SABLE/WHITE

PUPPIES: All first shots, dewormings, dewclaws removed and microchipped. Call or text 605-6802571. To view photos, go to www. wylr.net in the classifieds 8/19

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 605999-7149, click the our Labs tab on the website for pictures, www.southdakotayellowlabs. com. WILL DISCOUNT!! 8/19

BORDER COLLIE PUPPIES:

Born May 23. Out of ranch raised, working parents. Only 1 male left. Good with kids. Need homes where they can work cattle and/ or sheep. Have had second shots and wormer. Ken & Cheri Graves, Kaycee, WY, phone 307-738-2247, e-mail gravesredfork@rtconnect.net 8/26

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. ALSO, new litter ready mid-August. Have been raising these fantastic LGD for 48 years. For more information, call 406207-7674 8/26

Cattle

SMALL HERD OF AMERICAN DEXTER CATTLE FOR

SALE. Registered: One bull and 3 cows. Full bloods: Seven cows, heifers, calves all bred back. Two cows no calves. Will sell together or individual. Steamboat, CO. Call 970-8795811 or e-mail czeller2014@ gmail.com 9/9

Brands

BULLS FOR SALE

Yak

HUMBLE RANCH IMMEDI-

ATE YAK HERD SALE!! 125 healthy yaks: Yearlings, cows, bulls, 2 sires and 10 newborns.

$60,000 for entire herd (70% discount). Owner must transport from Steamboat Springs, CO. E-mail Ed Trousil at ed@humbleranch.com or Jay Trousil at jaytrousil@gmail.com or visit www.humbleranch.com 9/2

Hemingford, NE. Call Ian, 307421-9116 9/2

CUSTOM FEEDING, BACKGROUNDING, HEIFER DEVELOPMENT AND COW WINTERING, bedded pens. Billings, MT. Call Ryan at 406-696-0104 11/11

Meat Processing

GET READY FOR THE RIDE!!

Large SELECTION of saddles, HEADSTALLS, reins and SADDLE pads. 20% off boots!! HONDO, BOULET, JUSTIN WORK BOOTS, TWISTED X (boots and shoes) and more!! Well stocked for arena, range and above the plains. WE CAN ship!! Shop Moss Saddles, Boots and Tack, 4648 West Yellowstone Highway, Casper, WY; 307-472-1872. Our family serving yours for 50 years!! Check us out on Facebook or our website 8/19

BLONDE 12-YEAR-OLD

HAFLINGER GELDING: Broke to drive single and double, 15 HH, broke to ride and packed on. Good traveler and sound, $3,600. Call David, 307-4675651, if no answer please leave a message 8/19

RANCHERS QUARTER HORSE

BREEDERS ASSOCIATION

SALE AUG. 27: Located at Besler’s Cadillac Ranch, Belle Fourche, S.D. Selling 67 head. Yearling Futurity $3,000 added.

*NEW* this year, yearling trail class!! All 2023 foals eligible to win in 2024. Ranch Horse Futurity, added money, open to 2- and 3-year-olds sold through the sale. Invitational saddle horse session, have 14 riders and 5 yearlings. Online bidding available day of sale with pre-approval through Tri-State Livestock at www.thestockshow.hibid.com/auction/ current For more information, call Gary Mailloux, 605-3471964 or Susan Riesland, 605639-9482, www.rqhba.com “The Sale Where You Can Buy With Confidence!” 8/19

Horses

Angus Sheep

LAMB SCAN SHEEP & GOAT ULTRASOUND TODD REINESCH

605-680-4719

25317 364th Avenue Kimball, SD 57355 rchoice@midstatesd.net

Sheep

GERDES HAMPSHIRES HAS 30 REGISTERED PUREBRED HAMPSHIRE RAMS: Born in the fall of 2022 and winter of 2023. Our rams are fast growing with plenty of depth, muscle and bone. These are wethertype Hampshires without excessive leg length but possess tremendous thickness of loin and leg. Rams are sired by stud rams that we purchased from leading Hampshire sheep breeders at national sales and are sired by sons of Unicorn and Jackalope. For more information, call 402-760-0104. To view photos, go to www.wylr. net in the classifieds 9/9

Hay & Feed

Loomix Services

Specializing in Vigartone mineral & QLF protein lick tubs for cattle and sheep. Call for fall pricing!

Seth

Brockman • 307-331-0390

HAY FOR SALE: Premium quality, high elevation grass hay, loaded with timothy red top, later orchard grass and meadow brome.

1,000 3x3x8 bales weighing over 800 lbs. each. No rain, $90/bale. Murray Ranch, Robertson, Wyoming. 307-780-6862 or 307780 6519 9/9

LOTS AND LOTS OF HAY FOR SALE!!! 1,350 lb. round bales, net wrapped. Grass/alfalfa mix, native grass, brome grass, straight alfalfa… Sheridan, WY area. Come and get it!! For pricing, call the ranch, 307-737-2680 or 702-501-4243 (cell) 9/2

2023 LARGE ROUND BALES: Grass hay, good quality, tight bales 1,500+ lbs. Will deliver. Call for pricing 605-224-6100 (home) or 605-280-3879 (cell), if no answer leave message 9/2

Sheep

FINE WOOL TARGHEE YEARLING BUCKS FOR SALE: 35 big, growthy, open faced, all natural, not pushed and range raised. Born May 2022. ALSO, 150 HEAD TARGHEE YEARLING EWES, approximately 135150 lbs., fine wool, open faced, range raised and growthy, born May 2022. For more information, call 605-866-4828 (home) or 605892-5872 (cell) if no answer leave message 9/2

SEVEN INTACT KATAHDIN RAM LAMBS, 50 lbs. Will sell separately. First come, first served, asking $250/each. Located in Sundance, WY. Call 970398-0017 to reserve 9/9

Seed

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

Hay & Feed

HAY FOR SALE: 2023 winter rye grass, 5’x6’ large rounds at an 1,100 lb. average, net wrapped, approximately 250 tons available, $125/ton. Near Nisland, S.D. Call Jake at 605-892-5218 for more information 9/9

HAY FOR SALE: Grass and grass/alfalfa mix. Cow and barn stored hay. Delivery available!! Call 307-630-3046 9/9

2023 FIRST CUTTING GRASS

HAY, meadow brome and orchard grass. Certified weedfree, small squares. $275/ton, Cody, South Fork, WY. Call 307272-4354 9/9

BARLEY STRAW: Certified weed-free small squares, $4/ bale. ALSO, 5x6 round bales, $125/ton. Greybull, WY area. Call 307-762-3878 or 307-8994714, leave message 9/9

Equipment

Cannonball

Cannonball Bale Beds

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, 435-4625300, heidi@wrcamps.com, 1145 S. Blackhawk Blvd, Mt. Pleasant, UT 84647 8/19

GRASS HAY, certified weed free, big squares 4x4x8. We are located in Worland, WY. Hay is in Cora, WY. Discount for semi loads. Delivery possible later in the season. Must take semi load for delivery. If you pick it up, any size or amount is fine. We will load you, $185/ton. Call or text 208-610-0425 or 208610-1855 8/26

VALLEY VIDEO HAY MARKETS, LLC: New crop alfalfa and oat hay available. Go to www.valleyvideohay.com or call Barry McRea, 308-235-5386 8/26

2023 ALFALFA AND ALFALFA/GRASS MIX HAY, 3x3 bales barn stored. Call 307-350-0350 Farson, WY 8/19

HAY BARLEY FOR SALE: Three-way beardless barley, oats and peas, round bales, about 1,200 lbs. each, $170/ton. ALSO, alfalfa hay, round bales, $190/ton. Hardin, MT. Call 406665-7521 8/19

The most POWERFUL FIRE EXTINGUISHING TECHNOLOGY is here!! FIRE PRO Extinguishers feature a concentrate used for over 30 years by fire departments, race tracks and the military. This formula is a non-toxic, powerful cooling liquid with foam and requires no maintenance!! Economical, do-it-yourself refill kits are also available. Choose the best for your equipment today!! For more information, call Arlen Coblentz at 307-8509663 8/26

Equipment

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

ALFALFA/GRASS: Quality round bales, approximately 1,500 lbs., put up dry, $150/ton. Sundance, WY. Call 307-2900406 9/2

HAY FOR SALE: 2023 alfalfa, alfalfa/grass mix, oat/pea mix and intermediate grass. ALSO, two loads of 2022 CRP grass mix, cut early, good green. All in net-wrapped round bales. Semi load delivery available. Call for pricing, 701-690-8116,

a text if no answer or

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE: Agco

7444 4x4 baler; New Holland 1075 balewagon; Massey Ferguson 2190 4x4 baler; Freeman pull type 3 string balers; Vermeer R23 rake; 3 John Deere 9600 combines; CIH 1010 25’ header; CIH 1015 pick-up header; Challenger MT655C tractor; Komatsu WA500 loader; CIH MX150 loader tractor; New Holland 145 bi directional tractor; White 30’ disk; John Deere 960 26’ cultivator; New Holland 357 grinder mixer; Modern Mill (mix mill) feed mill; IHC 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 8/19

Livestock Equipment

SIOUX CORNERLESS CAT-

TLE CROWDING TUB with catwalk, enclosed sides with crowding alleys and squeeze chute, inline gate, cleated floor and brisket bar. ALSO, 40-bushel hog feeder. Call 970630-9512 8/19

Offering both traditional and bale/dump beds.

Stocking and installing dealer.

One day turn around!

In stock now!

Stocking and installing dealer. One day turn around! Equipment

Ainsworth Motors

Ainsworth, NE

Ainsworth Motors

800-210-1681

www.ainsworthmotors.com

Ainsworth, NE

800-210-1681

www.ainsworthmotors.com

FOR SALE: Lorenz 16’x33’ stack mover; John Deere 608C corn head. Rowse 9’ pull type 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 and roll tarp. Meyerink 12’ box scraper with tilt. All in very nice condition!! Call 605-999-5482 9/9

24' Free Standing Panels

BOLINGER INC.

307-684-5515, Buffalo, WY • www.bolingerinc.net

307-684-5515, Buffalo, WY • www.bolingerinc.com

Hay Equipment

HAY EQUIPMENT: 38 John

Deere 9’ mower, $1,200; Hesston 5580 round baler, good condition, bales hay, $1,800; New Holland 56 side delivery rake, $1,200. Keystone, S.D., delivery possible. Call 605-5936637 9/9

VERMEER 605N SELECT

ROUND BALER: Excellent shape, $30,000. Call for more information, 701-690-8116, send a text if no answer or keep trying 9/2

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. $35,000 OBO. Near Pinedale, WY. Call 307-3609386 8/26

Solar Equipment

MORE ELECTRIC INCREAS-

ES? 5 KW SOLAR SYSTEM, ready to install yourself, expandable to 12 KW. Retail $27,000, selling for $15,000. All new!! Delivery options available, Lovell, WY. For more information, call 307-250-9663 8/26

Fencing

LODGEPOLE PRODUCTS, 307-742-6992, SERVING

AGRI-BUSINESSES SINCE

1975!! Treated posts, corral poles, buck-and-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

Pipe

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

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

Irrigation

Irrigation Systems

The choice is simple.

Property for Sale

SALES AUCTIONS | FINANCE MANAGEMENT

JA LAND & CATTLE | MEETEETSE, WY

Loc ated on Meeteetse Creek just northwest of Meeteetse, this 10,596± acre, 500 AU ranch has it all. Over 1,000 irrigated acres, productive rangeland, big game, upland birds, solid, attractive improvements.

REDUCED TO $16,250,000

Contact: Mike Fraley | mfraley@hallandhall.com

WWW.HALLANDHALL.COM

Roof

TANK COATINGS

ROOF COATINGS

Available for METAL, composition shingles or tar roofs. Long lasting and easy to apply. We also manufacture tank coatings for concrete, rock, steel, galvanized or mobile tanks.

Powder River Hay & Hunting Ranch

Kaycee, WY 1,780+ deeded acres • $9,500,000

Good time management is essential to farming success. That’s why more farmers are turning to T-L center pivot irrigation systems. Hydrostatically powered, T-L’s simple design gives you the low maintenance time, cost, safety and reliability to let you manage your farm instead of calling electricians or replacing gearboxes. Simplify your complex world and make irrigation easier on you.

1-844-WYO-LAND chasebrothersllc.com

Easier On You.

Big Horn Truck and Equipment

Manderson, WY rairdenjlw@tritel.net • 800-770-6280

66.856 ACRES, JUST NORTHWEST OF RED LODGE, MT BORDERING THE GOLF COURSE: This property is presently agriculturally zoned, current use is hay and pasture and it is fenced and cross fenced. Enjoy views of several mountain ranges and lots of water, including Spring Creek frontage, mature trees and lush grass. Could be zoned commercially, allowing for development of a number of homesites and/or other commercial ventures. This property is simply loaded with possibilities. Access is off Willow Creek Road. DNRC Right Nos. 43D 216331-00 and 43D 200020-00, Pryde Ditch and West Fork of Rock Creek. $2,300,000. Property to be shown by appointment only and listing agent shall accompany all showings. Sellers ask that prospective buyers respect their privacy. Call Bill at 406-698-9266 for a tour of this parcel 8/26

RODEO continued from page 1

The Graves Cattle/ Selle Rodeo team placed third and the fourth place team was Bootheel 7/ Hageman Ranch.

Lance Hageman took home honors of Top Hand. The Top Horse went to Bryce Sturman. Top Bronc was awarded to Beau Lake, and the Hard Luck Award went to Jace Beard.

Cowboys and cowgirls showcase their talent

Ranch rodeos are a favorite event for many communities across the country, and they are deeply rooted in the state’s history, creating a tradition over the years. The WSF Ranch Rodeo returned this year and thrilled spectators in a near-packed house.

Ranch rodeo is different from Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA)-style rodeos.

Ranch rodeo is considered a working cowboys and cowgirls event, connecting generations. Teams compete to showcase their talents in reallife situations.

Participating teams for the evening event were hardworking ranch hands from the Bootheel 7/Hageman Ranch, TNT Livestock, Benchmark Cattle, the Platte River Crew, Broken Arrow/Cross H, Graves Cattle/Selle Rodeo, M Y Cattle Company and the Z Ranch.

Bronc riding and wild cow milking

The evening event kicked off with the calcutta, followed by bronc riding, which was sponsored by Becky Constintino.

The wild cow milking event had the crowd cheering as they supported the teams roping a cow and hand milking it into an empty bottle.

To stop the timer, one member from each team had to run the bottle on foot across the finish line, while another brought up the rope. The teams and crowd watched anxiously as the judge poured milk out to prove they had accomplished their task, then celebrated the accomplishment.

3 TUBS RANCH: 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, 307532-1750 8/19

Lic. in WY, MT, SD & NE Call or scan for more information!

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 9/9

Place Your Hunting & Fishing Ad Here

LONG RANGE HUNTING

SCOPE: Brand Tangent Theta. Model TT315H. 3-15x50mm

MRAD, 800102-0304. Brand new, never mounted. $3,900. For more information, call 307-899-4128 8/19

Mineral Rights

2023 ranch rodeo winners – Pictured is the Broken Arrow/Cross H team, from left to right, team members are Travis Krein, JV Boldon, Cade Herring and Ben Hanson. WYLR photo

Not every team was successful at producing milk, but the crowd cheered and supported each team’s attempt.

This year’s wild cow milking was sponsored by Lusk State Bank.

Trailer loading, team branding and doctoring

The trailer loading event, sponsored by Rhonda Dilts, was a crowd favorite. Teams competed by sorting off a few specific cattle, each identified by a number from a larger herd and moving the sorted cattle into a trailer.

Team branding was next. Teams displayed their ability to rope a calf out of a larger herd of cat-

tle, bring the calves to the branding area and “brand” them by marking the calves with chalk.

As the cows and calves huddled and maneuvered side to side, each team worked hard to record a score. This event was sponsored by Frank and Elaine Moore.

The next event was steer doctoring, sponsored by Jeannie Moore.

This event is similar to calf branding, except teams have to simulate pulling a sick cow from the herd for care. The timer stops when the team can place a mark between the cow’s eyes.

“We are glad it is back,” stated Broken Arrow/Cross

H Team Captain Travis Krein. “We have been coming to the WSF Ranch Rodeo for many years, and we are happy to be back up in Douglas this year to compete.”

The return of the WSF Ranch Rodeo was a success, made possible

VIRDEN PERMA-BILT CO. 806-352-2761

www.virdenproducts.com

Call for our free catalog: Scan the QR Code with your mobile device to visit our website!

Hunting & Wanted

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through numerous donors, area cowboys and cowgirls and the support of the local communities who are committed to tradition.

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

Wild bronc ride – Bronc Rider Ben Hanson from the Broken Arrow/Cross H team had a successful ride at the Wyoming State Fair Ranch Rodeo. WYLR photo

For more information on WSF, visit wystatefair.com.

IT'S THE PITTS

by Lee Pitts

The Slip-Of-The-Tongue Incident

There are two facts readers need to know to fully appreciate this story.

Number one is my wife usually drinks a Diet Coke for lunch, and number two is she is as fit as a fiddle and has kept her perfect shape all 51 years I’ve known her.

She’d be the last person one would think would need Weight Watchers, intermittent fasting or Keto diet gummies.

So here’s the setup – I took my wife to lunch at one of our favorite haunts, and a familiar server waited on

us. The place was packed, the servers were busy and our server noticed my wife’s Diet Coke was almost empty. She practically yells across the room at my wife so everyone in the place could hear and says, “How’s that Diet coming.”

YOU COULD HAVE HEARD A PIN DROP!

Everyone in the joint looked at my wife to see how humiliated she must be because the server was talking about one thing –her Diet Coke – and all of the patrons thought she was

HOF continued from page 1

the Wyoming Agriculture in the Classroom (WAIC) 2023 Educator of the Year Jamie Keisel.

Also in attendance were U.S. Sens. Cynthia Lummis and John Barrassso (both R-WY), Gov. Mark Gordon, Congresswoman Harriet Hageman, University of Wyoming President Ed Seidel, UW CALSNR Dean Barbara Rasco and over 100 affiliates of the Wyoming ag industry.

“The Ag HOF picnic is one of my favorite events and is always the highlight of my year,” stated Rasco. “This year is especially gratifying to us at UW CALSNR because we have the opportunity to celebrate the induction of UW alums. These individuals clearly embody the exceptionalism, personal initiative and lifelong commitment to serving Wyoming agriculture.”

Unmatched passion

To kick off the ceremony, Lummis and Barrasso ascended the stage to honor the Wyoming Agriculture HOF inductees.

In recognition of the Kirkbrides, Barrasso read from the Congressional Record.

“Jon and Dianne have been devoted to each other and agriculture for over five decades,” he stated. “They have been married for 55 years while also running a multi-operational ranch – the Harding and Kirkbride Livestock Company, located 32 miles outside of Cheyenne.”

Barrasso noted Dianne has devoted decades of her time and effort to the beef industry, her community and Wyoming youth by serving as president of Wyoming CattleWomen, as a field representative of former Sen. Mike Enzi for 20 years, on the Cheyenne Regional Medical Board of Trustees, the Laramie County Community College Foundation Board and the Congressional Award Council, just to name a few.

Meanwhile, Jon runs the

talking about her diet, as in the Atkins or Mediterranean.

When our server realized what she’d said, she turned 15 shades of purple and apologized profusely. We just laughed a lot and advised her perhaps in the future she might want to alter her vocabulary because another customer might not be so forgiving.

The rest of the story, as Paul Harvey used to say, was we didn’t see our server for two weeks after what is now known all over town as “the Slip-of-the-Tongue Incident.” We were afraid she’d been fired or she figured she wasn’t cut out for waiting tables after all.

Can one imagine the field day a human resources officer would have had if the restaurant had been part of a large chain?

We finally asked another server who assured us the perpetrator of the

Slip-of-the-Tongue Incident figured it might be a good time to slip out of town so she took a long vacation.

I too have been victimized by a troublesome tongue.

Coincidentally, the setting just happened to also be in a restaurant, and my wife and I were having lunch with my wife’s mother and stepfather, who just happened to be a trouble-making jerk.

He considered himself quite the wordsmith, and we were just talking about how one innocent word could mean different things to different people, when all of a sudden he almost screams at me, “I’m gay, aren’t you?” as he points to me.

What I heard was, “I’m happy, aren’t you?”

But what the rest of the folks in the restaurant heard was, “I’m a homosexual, aren’t you?”

I’m sorry to say even I, who has made a living with words, have had vocabulary issues in the past. I’ve previously told the story about living in Australia and attending a cricket match.

I turned to our hosts that day and asked in a fairly loud voice, “Who are you rooting for?”

This is innocent enough, right? How was I supposed to know “rooting” in Australia is akin to our “F word.”

Open mouth, insert foot.

It turns out there are quite a few instances where one might want to clean up their vocabulary when in the presence of foreigners.

A visiting Britisher once came up to me and asked, “Do you really have people in this country whose job it is to wash gullies?”

It turned out he’d been listening to me tell a friend we really needed a “good

gully washer” – as in a three-inch rain.

There are other words one might want to eliminate from their vocabulary if they are visiting the United Kingdom (UK).

I cannot even bring myself to tell readers what the word “dork” means in the UK. I’m too embarrassed to say, but if one gets a good British slang dictionary, they’ll find out for themselves it’s a word not to be used in the presence of women.

Common phrases can get one into trouble too.

When I was younger, I told my grandpa about a mutual friend who experienced a bankrupting cattle trade and his banker practically, “Had a cow.”

Grandpa looked at me and said, “Well at least he knows a little something about the cattle business then.”

ranch while also contributing to the beef industry and Wyoming education on a local, state and national level.

Jon served as president of the Wyoming Stock Growers Association, state director of the U.S. Meat Export Federation and president of the Wyoming School Board Association, as well as on the Laramie County School District #2 Board of Trustees and Wyoming State Board of Education.

try in the U.S. Air Force.

Dianne have garnered an impressive list of accomplish ments,” stated Barrasso. “Jon and Dianne’s unmatched pas sion for family, Wyoming agriculture, wildlife, animal conservation and cultivat ing partnerships makes them an outstanding choice for the Wyoming Agriculture HOF.” knit together by agriculture, which is what Jon and Dianne have done their whole lives, and we are grateful to both of them for everything they have done for Wyoming and Wyoming agriculture,” com mented Lummis.

award, Dianne said, “What a blessing it is to be here today. We can’t thank you enough for this honor. It is a blessing to be a part of the ag indus try in Wyoming, and we are proud to be here today.”

past honorees, I feel very hum ble,” Jon added. “There are some wonderful people, and it is an honor to be recognized.”

Cunningham to the stage. for the industry while growing up on a farm near Pavillion. He then received an associate degree from Casper College and was recognized as the top ag student in 1967,” Lummis noted. “From here, he trans ferred to UW and competed on the meat judging team while degree in ag education.”

After graduation, Cunningham moved to Gordon, Neb. to teach ag at Gordon High School, then to Riverton to work for the local weed and pest district, before finally moving into a position at UW Extension, where he served for 38 years.

During his years of service, Cunningham provided agricultural education programs across the state including Fremont County Farm and Ranch Days; the Profitability Conference, now

he added. “It is a colorful, creative and energetic brand that we hope children are able to remember and teachers are able to spell out on their educational journeys.”

Joannides continued, “However, we are not here tonight because of the curriculum, we are here to honor our 2023 WAIC Educator of the Year, and this individual has played a pivotal role in implementing and teaching

our curriculum in Greybull.”

Hageman commented, “One of the things I am most proud of is that I am a product of Wyoming’s education system. I am where I am today because of my education in Wyoming and more specifically because of the teachers who instilled in me a sense of responsibility, which we see in our ag communities. I am incredibly honored to present the 2023 WAIC Educator

of the Year Award to Jamie Keisel.”

Following the acceptance of her award, Keisel said, “I enjoy this curriculum very much. It is easy to teach. I am always learning something new, and people are really supportive.”

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

Deadline: October 31, 2023

U.S. Cattle inventory and selling strategies discussed in BCI podcast

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Cat-

tle Report, released in July, shows there are 95.9 million head of cattle and calves on U.S. farms, which is three

percent below the headcount in 2022.

The cattle report provides a basic inventory of

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the nation’s cattle herd, as well as an estimate of breeding animals for beef and milk production and the number of heifers being held for breeding herd replacement. Cattle and calves being raised for meat production are included, and the number of calves born during the previous year is reported as well.

NASS reports U.S. beef cows are down three percent, the calf crop is down two percent and milk cows remain unchanged.

Future opportunities

During an episode of the Beef Cattle Industry (BCI) Cattle Chat podcast, dated Aug. 4, Kansas State University (KSU) BCI Director Dr. Brad White discusses cattle inventory and selling strategies with KSU Professor of Agricultural Economics Dr. Dustin Pendell and BCI Assistant Professor Dr. Phillip Lancaster.

To listen to the BSI podcast, visit ksubci.org/podcasts/.

ducer is in an area getting rain, they may be able to keep extra heifers and cows to add to the herd, but if they are experiencing drought, then there will be feed costs to account for in the decision to keep or sell.”

“Producers must know their resource availability,” White adds. “If I have resources available, I can be more selective about which females I keep, and I can sell the ones I don’t want at a reasonable price.”

Along with the production cycle, Pendell says consumer demand also can influence cattle prices.

He continues to explain creep feeding is another option for a cow/calf operation but does not reduce the nutrient demand on the cow.

“Producers need to formulate a feeding conversation and evaluate if utilizing creep feed is a cost-effective approach to early weening,” Pendell concludes.

Oregon State University research concludes creep feeding is not intended to help the cow with her condition, as calves will continue to suckle similar amounts of milk but decrease the amount of forage they consume.

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Pendell expresses, from an economist’s viewpoint, cow and heifer numbers are down compared to the January report, but cattle numbers have not stabilized. Herds are still being liquidated, meaning prices will remain high and may even go higher.

“Inventory numbers have not bottomed out yet. As herds continue to shrink, cattle prices are going to stay high a little longer and possibly go a little bit higher,” he notes.

However, White mentions cow/calf producers must face the decision to either sell heifers or hold them back to continue production. But in some areas across the country where herds have been decimated by drought, producers had to sell off their herds to survive and the rebuilding process remains difficult with high calf prices.

From a cow/calf producer standpoint, planning out the economics is key, Lancaster adds.

“In drier areas, the question is whether to buy feed for cows or sell cows,” he concludes. “Producers should expect higher calf prices a year from now and should hold onto the fourto eight-year-old cows that are going to produce the best calves, which can sell into a market with high calf prices.”

White agrees, adding retained heifers can contribute to financial success of the herd, but it will take a longer period of time compared to cows.

“Once we start saving heifers, it is a long-term investment because it takes months before they can contribute offspring to the herd,” White says.

“One factor influencing the liquidity of the cattle market is drought,” Lancaster responds. “If a pro-

“We are starting to see consumer beef demand softening as consumers were not willing to pay as much for their beef in June as they did in May,” Pendell says. “Eventually, this will translate down to cattle prices along with the influences of international trade.”

Lancaster reiterates producers need to be efficient in keeping cows within the herd and understand this is a long-term process – the situation will not change overnight.

Weaning dates

In areas where forage quality and quantity are inadequate due to drought or access to feed, early weaning could be a great management practice, especially for young cows raising their first calf.

White notes weaning calves early – removing a calf less than seven months – is a tool used by cow/calf producers to maximize profits.

Research at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln states weaning a calf early significantly reduces nutrient demands placed on the cow and helps improve the cow’s body condition, which has the potential to carry over through the winter.

Early weaning depends on the producer’s situation, and given the factors producers face, Lancaster states, “It is all about doing the math.”

He adds producers can encounter different scenarios, and doing the math will allow them to find the best possible solution for their operation.

“If a producer weans early and sells the calf, they can take advantage of selling at a higher price but for a lighter weight calf and can minimize the current forage supply,” he notes. “Early weaning does impact a calf’s long-term weight or performance.”

Pendell adds, by keeping a calf longer, producers can run the risk of market prices falling and or possible health issues occurring, which increases expenses.

This research has shown if the goal is to improve cow condition, increasing cow feed rather than creep feed for calves is more economical.

Supply and demand

According to the USDA Economic Research Service, the July Cattle Report gives an indication of producers’ intent to retain females in their herds. Beef production in 2023 is higher with expected cattle slaughter, offsetting a weight decline in the third quarter.

USDA research is projecting the beef production for 2024 to be lower than expected as the fed cattle market shifts in late 2023 rather than in early 2024, and cattle price forecasts are raised based on a firm demand and tighter supplies going into 2024.

Beef imports for 2023 are raised based on recent trade data, as exports for the year are reduced slightly, but no change is made to the export forecast for 2024, USDA reported.

Based on the Consumer Price Index, data from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average inflation rate for most animal products in the first half of 2023 was lower than the first half of 2022.

In fact, inflation was lower for pork, beef, veal and poultry and for dairy products. Inflation was slightly higher in the first half of 2023 compared to the first half of 2022 at 8.6 percent. The largest increased inflation rate for the first half of 2023 was for eggs, at 27 percent.

Having a strategy to deal with fluctuating cattle prices is much better than reacting, and producers should not buy in or buy out on a whim. Instead, they should think about their marketing opportunities for the long term.

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