reports top sellers

Wyoming State Ram Sale Results

Sept. 13, 2022 Wyoming State Fairgrounds, Douglas Auctioneers: McNamee Auction Services

204 head sold for a total gross sale of $208,450 and an average of $1,022. 94 Rambouillet Yearlings Avg. $1,064 One Rambouillet Lamb Avg. $400 41 Targee Yearlings Avg. $1,280 Four Columbia Yearlings Avg. $1,400 Five Columbia Yearlings Avg. $440 30 Suffolk Yearlings Avg. $872 Three Suffolk Lambs Avg. $767 Eight Suffolk/Hampshire Yearlings Avg. $694 11 Suffolk/Hampshire Lambs Avg. $641 Six Hampshire Yearlings Avg. $700

Smith Sheep and Stuff donated a ram and it sold for $2,500 to Brad Boner and Frank Moore.

Top Sellers Rambouillets

Lot 43 – Consigned by Forbes, Rabel and McGivney Rambouillets, sold for $3,100, bought by the Netz Ranch

Columbia

Lot 78 – Consigned by Russell and Kathy Bell, sold for $2,500 and purchased by Roger Ploeger

Hampshire Yearling

Lot 82AB – Consigned

Suffolk

Lot 103B – Cosigned by J & A Phillips Ranch, sold for $2,200, bought by Maneotis Ranch

Suffolk Lamb

Lot 108AB – Consigned by Maneotis Ranch, sold for $900 each to Gosney Ranch

Suffolk/Hampshire Yearling

Consigned by J & A Phillips Ranch, sold for $2,200 and purchased by Roger Ploeger

Suffolk/Hampshire Lamb

Lot 118A – Consigned by Foley Ranch, sold for $1,200 and was bought by M Diamond Livestock

Hampshire yearling – The top selling Hampshire yearling was consigned by Smith Sheep and Stuff and was purchased by TJ Livestock. Courtesy photo

Columbia yearling – The top selling Columbia yearling was consigned by Russell and Kathy Bell and purchased by Roger Ploeger. Courtesy photo Top Rambouillet – The top selling Rambouillet was consigned by Forbes, Rabel and McGivney Rambouillets and was purchased by Netz Ranch. Courtesy photo Suffolk yearling - The top selling Suffolk yearling was consigned by J & A Phillips Ranch and was purchased by Maneotis Ranch. Courtesy photo

Donated ram – Smith Sheep and Stuff donated a ram which was purchased by Frank Moore (left) and Brad Boner (middle). Courtesy photo Suffolk/Hampshire yearling – The top selling Suffolk/Hampshire yearling was consigned by J & A Phillips Ranch and was purchased Roger Ploeger. Courtesy photo

WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE FOLLOWING ICOW CONVENTION SPONSORS:

John Hanson, Randy and Anne Shipman, Keyhole Ranch, LaVern and Carolyn Johnson, Jim and Jamie Jenson, Menke Ranch, Bug Incorporated, The Meadows Veterinary Center, RNB State Bank, Marti Halverson, Shivley Hardware Box E Cattle Company

The family of Dixie Johnson would like to express our sincere thanks and appreciation to everyone who has supported us following her passing. Your many acts of kindness and sympathy continue to be a great comfort to us in our time of loss.

The Johnson Family Bert, Clyde, Donna, and families

industry. As the Center of the Nation Wool, Inc. CEO, receiving this award means a lot to him.

“One thing about this award is someone has to nominate you,” he says. “I was fortunate to be nominated and then selected – it’s very humbling.”

“I would say very simply, it means a lot,” he adds. “Also, it’s very humbling to stand before the College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources as an outstanding alumni. It’s certainly appreciated and it will be a grand day.”

“I’m the product of the system,” he concludes. “Education has made such a difference for me and for so many. Not only 4-H, FFA and UW Extension, but as I received my education from UW, it’s hard to imagine my life without the educational influence and the impact it has had on me.”

Craig Alford

As an Australia native growing up on a cattle operation, Alford developed a passion for the agriculture industry. In 1991, Alford came to the U.S. as an exchange student. After spending some time in Torrington in high school and returning home, he then returned back to Torrington to study at Eastern Wyoming Community College, and then transferred to UW where he received his bachelor’s degree in Agroecology.

“When I was finishing up with my bachelor’s, I had the opportunity to continue on with my master’s degree with Dr. Steve Miller in the Plant Sciences Department,” he says.

Alford finished his bachelor’s degree in 1996 and his master’s degree in 1998 and found himself starting his career in the industry.

After graduation, Alford began working with Pioneer at a research station in western Illinois. He then had the opportunity to go back to Laramie and work as an associate research scientist while working on his PhD, finishing in 2004.

“After finishing my PhD degree, I took a job with DuPont Crop Protection in Lincoln, Neb.,” he says. “I covered eastern Nebraska, eastern South Dakota as a field research scientist for about three years and then moved into some more marketing positions within DuPont in Denver, Colo.”

Throughout the years, Alford has worked on a variety of projects, including weed control and pasture, rangeland and vegetation management. Today, he resides in Ankeny, Iowa and is a global biology leader for Coverta Agriscience. Although he resides in the Midwest, his involvement with Corteva continues to make a difference in the West.

“I have a lot of interaction with different research projects in Wyoming and actually within this last year, I’ve had some projects working with sugarbeets, pasture and rangelands,” he says. “I still have a lot of connections back in Wyoming and I’m looking forward to making it back to Laramie for the upcoming event.”

Alford shares he always knew he wanted to be involved in agriculture, but was inspired by several UW personnel to become more involved in plant sciences.

“I’ve always had a strong interest to be connected with agriculture,” he says. “But, a lot of my interest blossomed from working on several of those early research station projects back in Torrington. To still be connected with some research projects going on in Wyoming is great.”

“When I got the call in regards to this award, it was pretty cool – to be able to get the recognition, it means a lot,” he concludes. “I appreciate the award and can’t say enough how much it means to me.”

Both participants will be returning to Laramie to receive their award during

Larry Prager Craig Alford

the Ag Appreciation Banquet Sept. 29, as well as at the Ag Day BBQ and football game Oct. 1. In addition to the Outstanding Alumni Award, a Legacy Award and Outreach Partner Award will be given during this year’s activities. These awards will be featured in a future edition of the Roundup.

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

Wyoming Weed and Pest Council introduces biological control project in Fremont County

What some people may think is a beautiful white flower is actually an aggressively invasive weed. Hoary cress, also known as whitetop, is a noxious weed causing many problems throughout Wyoming. To mitigate the spread of this noxious weed, the Wyoming Weed and Pest Council (WWPC) has begun biological control with a tiny mite.

Whitetop completely takes over and impacts recreation, irrigation, farming and the economy. It costs millions of dollars to control it and the costs increase due to inflation and economic downturn.

“Whitetop has affected every single county in Wyoming for a long time,” said WWPC President Larry Smith. “While we’re dedicated to managing and controlling the spread of this invasive weed, it is difficult to contain. We implement cultural practices, herbicides and grazing every year to slow the spread, but it still heavily impacts Wyoming. That’s why we need biological control to help over time.”

Because of the severe repercussions whitetop has had on Wyoming, WWPC has been contributing to biological control research about hoary cress since 2001. After years of research and development, the first whitetop biological control agent was approved for release in the U.S. This project was a joint effort between Montana State University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service - European Biological Control Laboratory.

Researchers found a tiny, plant-feeding gall mite, Aceria drabae, can feed and develop on whitetop without threatening native plants and wildlife. These mites, originally from northern Greece, are incredibly small – nearly invisible to the naked eye. They are dispersed on the invasive weed by the wind.

The mite harms whitetop plants by causing a “gall.” Galls are abnormal growths which can develop primarily on plants’ flowers, flower buds and sometimes the stems.

Usually, they grow in reaction to the mites feeding on the plant. Galls divert energy from the plant, preventing the formation of seeds and potentially stunting growth.

After over two decades, Wyoming can finally start releasing the mite in Fremont County. This project will take time and isn’t expected to eradicate whitetop in Wyoming. As the mites’ population grows, the weed’s seed production will be limited.

It won’t be able to spread as quickly. And since it’s just starting, the species will need to be tested more over time. Hopefully, this project will help save thousands of dollars and improve invasive species control.

“This biocontrol agent won’t be the cure of whitetop, but we are excited to have another tool in our toolbox,” said Wyoming Biological Control Steering Committee Chairman Aaron Foster. “We hope once the mites are established in Fremont County, we’ll be able to share with other counties and eventually have it everywhere in the state.”

To learn more about this biological control project and others throughout Wyoming, visit wyoweed.org/ noxious-species/management-programs/biologicalcontrol/. For more information, visit wyoweed.org or follow Wyoming Weed and Pest Council on Facebook and Twitter.

COMING SOON! 2022 CHRISTMAS CORRAL

Receive a special rate of $10 per column inch when you advertise in the Christmas Corral!

MONTGOMERY continued from page 1

“As scientific research and development continues to expand, it is critical there are services in place to effectively communicate these findings to the people and communities who need the realworld applications,” he says. “Without properly and effectively communicating data to solve problems and answer questions posed, agriculture research quickly loses value in the eyes of many producers.”

As an undergraduate, Montgomery earned a Bachelor’s of Science in animal science and a Bachelor’s of Science in equine science and management, both from the University of Kentucky.

In addition to assisting with research in the animal sciences nutrition lab and animal science beef unit, he completed a summer internship at the IX Ranch in Choteau County, Mont.

Now, Montgomery is excited to explore Wyoming. He’s especially looking forward to taking advantage of hunting and fishing opportunities in the state.

Montgomery can be contacted by e-mailing dmontgo8@uwyo.edu or by calling 307-367-4380.

This article is courtesy of Unviersity of Wyoming (UW) Communications and Technology Writer and Editor Brooke Stephan Ortel and UW Extension Interim Associate Director Bridger Feuz. Send comments on this article to bortel@ uwyo.edu or BMFeuz@ uwyo.edu.

To advertise in the Christmas Corral beginning in the Nov. 5 paper, contact Jody at 800-967-1647 or jodym@wylr.net.

800.967.1647 • 307.234.2700 www.wylr.net

Getting Started in Ag: Managing Risk with RI-PRF Insurance

The deciding factor in forage production for a farm or ranch is nearly always rainfall (or lack thereof). This has been especially true for a large part of the western U.S. over the last several years.

You may not be aware there is a program specifically designed to address risk of loss associated with drought in forage production if you are new or just starting out in production agriculture. Utilizing crop insurance programs is one way to mitigate revenue losses due to drought.

Pasture, Rangeland, Forage ‑ Rainfall Index insurance (RI‑PRF) is an area‑based insurance plan that protects against revenue losses due to reduced forage production stemming from a lack of precipitation. Pasture and hay are eligible for protection under the plan on a county‑by‑county basis. Producers can purchase coverage for both leased and owned acres and can select coverage based on their needs and forage production capacity of the land.

RI‑PRF policies are based on 17x17 mile grid areas for the rainfall index determined by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Coverage is divided into 11 index intervals, each of which cover two months. A county per‑acre base value is established for each grid area. Coverage is established using the county base value and the producer’s selection of coverage level, productivity factor and index intervals. The ending or actual rainfall index is used to determine if an indemnity payment is due and is expressed as a percentage of the expected index. An expected index of 100 would result from average rainfall in a given grid area. Therefore, an ending index value of less than 100 is necessary to trigger an indemnity payment. The rainfall index is calculated using actual precipitation from weather reporting stations and computer estimates. Actual precipitation received at specific locations within the grid area, like your property, does not influence coverage or indemnity payments. In other words, the rainfall index may or may not correspond with the rainfall received at your location. Index intervals selected for coverage must be non‑consecutive, with no more than 70 percent of the coverage in any one interval. For instance, if the April‑May interval is selected, the next closest interval available for coverage is June‑July. Coverage choices range from 70–90 percent of the county base value.

Producers can also select a productivity factor of up to 150 percent of the county base value. This feature allows producers to better tailor coverage to match their forage resources. For example, if you value forage production in a pasture higher than the per‑acre county base value, you can increase the productivity factor to reflect the estimated forage value. Indemnities are triggered if the actual index value falls below the expected index and are paid automatically.

RI‑PRF

SUPPORT

TOOL

AVAILABLE

Visit rma.usda.gov and select “PRF Rainfall” from the tools menu. This tool allows users to: • Locate their grid area using satellite maps • Compare various coverage levels and historical data as far back as 1948 in chart or form • View estimated indemnities and coverage

RI‑PRF DECISION SUPPORT TOOL

Great resources are available to help evaluate RI‑PRF coverage. Starting at rma.usda.gov and selecting RI‑PRF from the tools menu, users can walkthrough the process of establishing RI‑PRF coverage for their operation. The tool is divided into four sections: Grid Locator, Historical Indexes, Decision Support Tool and Estimated Indemnities.

The Grid Locator allows users to identify their location and the subsequent Grid ID number from a map. Once the Grid ID is determined, the user can select the Historical Index tab to display Grid Index values for each year back to 1948 and for each interval period. This weather data can reveal historical trends for precipitation, as well as allow the user to compare historical data for their location to the reported index from interval periods of interest.

The Decision Support Tool is the next section of the online toolbox. It calculates the coverage, premium, and possible indemnities based on the coverage levels and production intervals selected by the user.

As an example, we select grazing or haying for the Intended Use, Maximum Coverage of up to 90 percent and a Productivity Level of up to 150 percent. We enter 2,000 for Insured Acres, select the desired

production year for comparison and enter the coverage percentages in the desired intervals (50 percent May‑Jun; 50 percent Jul‑Aug).

Clicking the Calculate button at the bottom of the table generates the estimated overall coverage, premium costs and estimated indemnities based on the production year selected. The ability to compare coverages and potential indemnities can be useful to examine what indemnity payments would have been in past drought years, as well as evaluate how helpful RI‑PRF insurance might be in getting through those years.

IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS

There are several important factors to consider when analyzing potential RI‑PRF coverage. First, remember that the rainfall received on a specific site may not be indicative of the final rainfall index calculated; it is possible to receive an indemnity with rainfall or vice versa. Second, coverage must be purchased for periods where rainfall is most critical to forage production by selecting the appropriate index intervals. Third, total RI‑PRF coverage results from a combination of the levels selected for maximum coverage, productivity level and insured acres. The level of coverage provided should be balanced against the value you estimate the harvested forage is worth.

When evaluating coverage, it is also important to remember that the goal is not to maximize potential indemnities. We frequently see producers fall into this trap. RI‑PRF is insurance, not a guaranteed payout. Instead, the goal should be to purchase coverage that will provide some level of guaranteed revenue if drought conditions occur.

Finally, reduced premium rates are available to individuals who qualify as beginning or veteran farmers and ranchers. More information and details, including a premium cost estimator, are available at rma.usda.gov.

The Historical Index can be used to research precipitation trends.

The Protection Table displays coverage, premium and possible indemnities for the example situation.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Pasture, Rangeland, Forage - Rainfall Index insurance (RI-PRF) is the most subscribed federal crop insurance available in Wyoming. Covering forage losses due to drought, it can be an important part of managing risk on a farm or ranch. For more information on RI-PRF coverage, visit a local crop insurance agent or rma.usda.gov. Further risk management resources related to drought and other topics can be found at RightRisk.org

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

• RI-PRF sign-up for 2023 coverage deadline is December 1. • Planting deadline for fall-planted crops is approaching (check with a crop insurance agent for exact dates in your area).