COUNTRY NEIGHBORS Summer 2020
T IMES
COUNTRY NEIGHBORS | SUMMER 2020
PAGE 2
Local Oasis
Baker Lake draws crowds to both shore & water For more than 100 years, Baker Lake has drawn people not only as a source of water in a semi-arid location along the eastern Montana border, but as a place to have fun. It was created in 1908 as a water source for the nearby railroad. But, with Highway 12 cutting across the northern prairie, it also became a draw for travelers as well as the residents The lake even survived being hit by a tornado in 2016 and has since reopened and has more than comeback drawing crowds of people to the shore for picnics, fishing and swimming, along with boats and jet-skis in the center of the lake. As the temperatures climb during the summer months, the lake and the nearby splash park draw even more visitors. With the visitors during the summer, also comes the warnings for them – whether it is
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about swimming or boating – in or near the lake. For those in the water, on boats or being towed, a life preserver should be worn at all times. The Lakeview Golf Course is located a short distance to the south on Airport Road with the nine holes all having a view of the lake. Next to the lake is the splashpark, an amphitheater, baseball and softball fields. There is also a bike and walking path along the shoreline. The nearby indoor swimming pool complex at the high school has a number of swimming classes. For the current schedule, please contact 406-778-3210 or check out the website. The complex also has an indoor slide that sends people flying into the pool for when the weather is too hot or when it is raining, along with a fitness center and racquetball court.
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PAGE 3
Submitted Photo Bison on the range
Local rancher finds Bison perfect
By Brad Mosher
bmosher@countrymedia.net
For more than two decades, the Skull Creek Bison Ranch south of Rhame has specialized in raising buffalo. “We started in buffalo around 1996 or so,” Wayne Bucholz explained. “It was a decision that came about kind of off the cuff. We thought that if we had buffalo it would probably be a little simpler.” “Once you have an idea and think about it, sooner or later it snowballs into something you can’t stop,” he said with a chuckle. “That is how it happened.” Bucholz said he started first with few and ended up with quite a few. He said the bison are perfect for the area. “They are the perfect animal. They may not be the perfect animal for every management situation, but when it comes to the environment we live in, they are the perfect animal.” “They don’t need any man-made shelter. They don’t need a lot of interference
or assistance from humans to live or survive. When we had cattle and we were calving in March and April in blizzards. It was all we could do to just keep up with things…. With buffalo, we don’t have to do any of that,” Bucholz said. “They take care of themselves. “In 24 years, I have never seen a buffalo act cold – ever. Their fur is much much thicker and they have an under layer of really dense hair that really shields them from the elements. They lose almost no energy to the outside. When it snows, the snow on them doesn’t melt. They shake and it all flies off. They really do well at conserving energy.” “They evolved here. They are not an animal that’s manmade. There are no EPDs in the buffalo industry. There is no artificial insemination in the buffalo industry. These bison are what God created from the original animal. The animal raised today is no different than the animal in Yellowstone Park. It is the same animal.”
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“All the bison you see in the privately-owned commercial herds are just as wild as any bison anywhere else in the world. They are habituated to the way we treat them, but they are not domesticated,” Bucholz explained. “They know if a pickup shows up, they may get a lit-
tle hay or grain. They are habituated to what we do and how we handle them.” “If civilization stopped, these buffalo would thrive just like they have their entire history,” he added. According to Bucholz, when the fam-
See BISON Page 4
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BISON
FROM PAGE 3
Submitted Photo four generations of the Skull Creek Bison Ranch ily first got into bison in the mid-90s, it was primarily a breeder’s market. “Then that market ran up and then crashed. But out of the ashes came the meat market.” “Since about 2000 or so, the meat market has just been very steady. The prices are very good. There was a little bit of a price correction last fall, but it wasn’t extreme. Everything in this industry is priced off the meat market,” he explained. “The demand is always going up.
Every year, demand gets stronger. The bison has that western allure to it that everybody seems to like. It is healthier. It is lower in fat, calories and cholesterol than skinless chicken is.” Bucholz said that he started his bison herd with cows from a ranch in Montana. “Our breed bulls came from various well-known producers from around the region in South Dakota, North Dakota primarily. The cows came from a ranch up by Fort Peck.”
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North Dakota’s health department see bison as domestic livestock, not as wild game, he said. “Generally speaking, the bison are viewed the same as cattle.” When he started his herd, he admits the cows were nothing special. “They were just average cows and through the years and through a very strict culling program …. and buying the very best bulls we could find, we turned a herd that was average at best into a pretty good herd,” he said. “Over the years, we have collected a few trophies, mostly from the Dakota Territories Show and Sale. We were producer of the year two different years. We got a couple of trophies down there this year,” Bucholz said. “We have a pretty good herd and it has an improving reputation,” he added. “We sell a few bulls here and there. We are kind of known for having good stock.” The ranch has been in the family since 1939 when Bucholz’ grandfather bought the property about 15 miles south southwest of Rhame. “My grandpa started it, so my wife (LeAnn) and I are third generation and our son (Conner) and daughter (Jenna) … are fourth generation.” Local outlet The Skull Creek Bison Ranch is supplying the Grazers restaurant at the Bowman Lodge and Convention Center with bison for the restaurant’s new Bison Burger on the menu. “That was something my son got started. He started working with them and they bought a few pounds. It has just been growing out of that.” Currently, that is the only local outlet for the Skull Ranch bison, Bucholz explained. “I haven’t pushed it. We live in beef country, right? Everybody has a cousin or brother who raises beef.” “They (Grazers) asked for it and we provided it,” he said, noting he has tried the bison burger several times. “I think they are doing a very good job of preparing it.” “Anytime you can get it out to the people and make it available, that is
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PAGE 4
a good deal. I love to see the markets grow and see the industry grow.” “We are seeing new rancher-producers getting started. It is all good. It is a good industry to be involved in,” he explained. ‘Tender Bison’ brand “We deliver most of our fed animals that are ready to go to meat to the North American Bison in New Rockford (North Dakota). They process and do the marketing. The brand is ‘Tender Bison,’” he explained. North American Bison is the producer-owned processing facility for North Dakota. “We process animals from quite a few states (at New Rockford) and all of North America. We market all over the U.S., so you could find ‘Tender Bison’ almost anywhere.” Bucholz said his ranch runs around 400 cows. Recently, Bucholz said he had a yearling bull placed fourth and placed third overall in the producer of the year competition at the recent Black Hills Buffalo Classic held Feb. 8 in Rapid City, SD. The ranch has made a strong showing in the past. “One year, I was rookie of the year and one year was producer of the year. There was a year as producer of the year that we had the Grand Champion male, Reserve Champion male and Grand Champion female and Reserve Champion female,” he said. The format of the show has changed since then, Bucholz said. “The competition gets better all the time,” the graduate of Rhame High School said. “The hardware gets harder and harder to get. That is a good thing, it means everybody is getting better.” The Black Hills Buffalo Classic also has two unusual competitions where some bison are testing at one location under similar conditions. One is the “Young Guns”, a yearling breeding bull challenge, while “Girlz Going Wild” is a yearling heifer challenge. Under the rules, the animals are scored on average daily gain on both grass and grain in order to get at the true production value of each animal.
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PAGE 5
Place of Refuge
COUNTRY NEIGHBORS | SUMMER 2020
Slope County rich in wildlife refuges
Slope County may be the smallest county, population-wise, in the state of North Dakota. It does have its riches. Just a short distance from the county seat in Amidon, there are two National Wildlife Refuge sites. Both are near the Theodore Roosevelt Expressway (Highway 85). One, the White Lake National Wildlife Refuge, is locates just a few miles east of the community. The second, Stewart Lake National Wildlife Refuge, is west of the town. White Lake The White Lake National Wildlife Refuge is closed to the public. It is managed by the Audubon National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Like Stewart Lake, the White Lake refuge was created in February 1941 by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt when he signed an executive order. In 2021, both refuges will celebrate their 80th anniversary. White Lake was set aside as a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife. The refuge’s primary objective is the production and conservation of migratory birds and the habitat that supports these species, according to the agency. See REFUGE Page 6
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PAGE 6
REFUGE
FROM PAGE 5
According to the website, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking agricultural producers for Cooperative Agricultural Agreements at White Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Slope County, North Dakota. Grazing on the Refuge is allowed through the permit process. Areas for grazing change yearly and are dependent uponShop, the habitat barn or condition, permittee access, and water and fence availability. multi-purpose Producers who are interested in participating must apply by contacting the Shop, barn or Lake Ilo Nationalbuilding? Wildlife Refuge at 701-548-8110, via email (lakeilo@fws. multi-purpose gov), or in person at Refuge headquarters (489 102nd Avenue SW, Dunn Center, ND 58626). Residential • Commercial • Agricultural building? Stewart Lake Need something POLE BARN PACKAGESWildlife The Stewart Lake National Refuge is a 2,230-acre site about eight Residential • Commercial • Agricultural specific?85. Most of the acreage is what is miles southwest of the 40’ X 64’ • 12’town sidewallsnear Highway 40’ X 80’ • 14’Need sidewalls described an “easement refuge” and on privately owned land. Under the Bringisin your something POLE BARNasPACKAGES 60’ X landowners 120’ • 14’ sidewalls and measurements easement plan, the federal Government work cooperatively to & specific? 40’ X 64’ • 12’ sidewalls See Store for Details protect the resources. specs for a quote! 40’ X 80’ • 14’ sidewalls Bring in your Travelers on Highway 85 can travel to the refuge by turning west at 72nd 60’ X 120’ • 14’ sidewalls
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PAGE 7
Street SW. It is operated and administered by the Audubon National Wildlife Refuge Complex, which is located at Lake Audubon, near the community of Coleharbor and the Garrison Dam. The Stewart Lake refuge has native grasslands, tame grasses, and rock outcroppings surrounding the 197 acre lake. Stewart Lake is the largest wetland on the refuge, and is the major water bird oasis in the area, according to state officials. Here is a list of all the North Dakota listings of National Wildlife Refuges: Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge Arrowwood Wetland Management District Audubon National Wildlife Refuge Audubon Wetland Management District Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge Chase Lake Wetland Management District Crosby Wetland Management District Dakota Tallgrass Prairie Wildlife Management Area Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge Devils Lake Wetland Management District Florence Lake National Wildlife Refuge J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge J. Clark Salyer Wetland Management District Kellys Slough National Wildlife Refuge Kulm Wetland Management District Lake Alice National Wildlife Refuge Lake Ilo National Wildlife Refuge Lake Nettie National Wildlife Refuge Lake Zahl National Wildlife Refuge Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge Long Lake Wetland Management District Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge Lostwood Wetland Management District McLean National Wildlife Refuge Shell Lake National Wildlife Refuge Slade National Wildlife Refuge Stewart Lake National Wildlife Refuge Sullys Hill National Game Preserve Tewaukon National Wildlife Refuge Tewaukon Wetland Management District Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge Valley City Wetland Management District White Lake National Wildlife Refuge
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COUNTRY NEIGHBORS | SUMMER 2020
PAGE 8
Golf emerges as perfect pandemic activity in region
Sweetwater
Staff report
At a time when health professionals and politicians all are asking for social distancing, there is a simple solution for those wanting to be physically active. Golf. Even the National Golf Course Owners Association has publicly said so and promoted a new program to highlight how perfectly the sport can easily mesh with the need for social distancing. According to the group, their Park and Play program gives golfers confidence in being in as safe an environment as possible. “These measures align with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) “social distancing” and sanitation practices, and have been reviewed and approved by a physician at the Infectious Diseases Soci-
ety of America,” the group stated on the website. At Lakeview Country Club in Baker and Sweetwater Creek Golf Course in Bowman, the locals are saying that they have the perfect answer. Those are not the only courses in the area that golfers can try within an easy golfing day trip or as a stop on a longer trip. The borderlands around North Dakota and Montana have a number of courses to chose from within traveling distance. Playing in Montana On the Montana side, not only is there the local ninehole golf course on Airport Road in Baker, but also the Cottonwood Country Club in Glendive and Sidney Country Club in Sidney. Both are nine hole courses. For some golfers. The nine-hole courses in Miles City and Forsyth could also be a draw for those heading west. The Miles City Town and Country Club is semi-private and located at Fourth and Eagle Streets. The public course in Forsyth is located on Old Highway 10. Playing in North Dakota Among the places to play on the North Dakota side of the border, there are courses in Bowman, Hettinger, Mott, South Heart, Dickinson and Killdeer, among others. Many of them already draw visitors from other communities who add to the variety of the courses they can play locally.
Dickinson’s Heart River Municipal Golf Course and the Pheasant Country Golf Course just south of the town of South Heart are relative rarities, with both being 18hole courses. But one of the most talked about courses in the region is the Bully Pulpit Golf Course south of one of the state’s most famous attractions - the resort town of
Lakeview
COUNTRY NEIGHBORS | SUMMER 2020
PAGE 9
Sweetwater
Medora. Lakeview Country Club/Baker The Fallon County course opened in late April as the state started to open up slowly after the nation was hit by the COVID-19 virus. It had been closed by the county commissioners in mid-March, with no walking, driving or golfing on the course. There were a number of restrictions, all focused on trying to cut down on the social interactions at the course. In August, the course will be hosting the Ladies Open, the Baker Oilfield Open, the Fallon County Fair Scramble, while several tournaments are scheduled for September, including the Meschke Memorial tournament. For more information and a schedule of upcoming events, the clubhouse can be reached at 406-778-3166. Sweetwater Creek Golf Course/ Bowman In Bowman, the nine-hole course has been busy with league play, tournaments and special events. The course is located just south of Bowman, but also can be reached from the west by turning east on Highway 85. Mott Country Club/Mott The Mott Country Club is located just east of the county seat along Highway 21. One year ago, the course just missed being hit by a tornado as it cut through
the northwestern edge of city. It survived the storm and continues to draw visitors from throughout western North Dakota. Hettinger Golf Course/Hettinger The only golf course in Adams County is in Hettinger, at 202 Third Street SE. The nine-hole course at the Hettinger Country Club has a variety of events, such as the night golf scramble where the nine holes are all played after dark using balls that glow in the dark Medicine Hole Golf Course/Killdeer Just north of Killdeer, there is the Medicine Hole Golf Course which has a hilly layout and the club house on top of the hill with a view of most of the course. The 9-hole course features 3,290 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 36. The course has focused on meeting the COVID-19 guidelines. It has posted the following on Facebook. “With the current situation, everyone must be cautious about how we go about our daily lives. And, while a certain amount of isolation is important, we also believe that recreation, exercise and fresh air are just as critical. This is especially important to our mental well-being. Therefore, we are making the golf course available for daily practice and play by participating in the Park and Play Program. This a national set of guidelines set forth by the National Golf Course Owners Association designed to
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PAGE 10
DINO-MITE FINDS
Dinosaurs become large draw for local tourists
Pioneer Trails Regional Museum’s administrator, Jean Nudell, stands in front of one of the museum’s biggest draws - a triceratops.
They have been in the northern plains states for millions of years. The extinct dinosaurs that literally litter the region with their fossils have become a major draw for visitors to parts of Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska and Wyoming. The focus on dinosaurs has been a part of the local history in regional museums from Baker to Bowman. There have been recent finds in the area south of Marmarth just over the Montana-North Dakota border. Even more recent, the Public Broadcasting network aired a three-episode series called “Prehistoric Road Trip” which focused on the fossils to be found in the five state region, stopping at about three dozen historical locations. Marmarth Just west of the small town of Marmarth on Highway 12, there is a big reminder about dinosaurs with a large metal Tyrannosaurus Rex sculpture in a field just south of the road. Only a few years ago, an area to the south of the community came up with another major find. The Hell Creek Formation recently
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gave up an intact seven-foot triceratops skull, prompting it to be called the Valley of the Lost Dinosaurs by the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Visitors at the nearby O’Fallon Museum in Baker (406-778-3265) will also find an assortment of local dinosaur fossils on display. Regional display Dinosaurs have been a major part of the Pioneer Trails Regional Museum in Bowman for many years with a large display of local fossil finds as well as a full-size triceratops skeleton. The PBS series started with “Welcome to Fossil Country” with a look at the area encompassing the western edges of the Dakotas and Nebraska, as well as the eastern area of Montana and Wyoming. As the first episode described it, the series started by looking at billions of years of history while also looking at science and culture. In the three-part series, Emily Graslie covers three different periods and the remnants or fossils they left behind. The series was a production of WTTW in Chicago. Graslie was the writer and executive producer, as well as the host. She also is a South Dakota native and works at the Field Museum in Chicago. The second episode is titled “We Dig Dinosaurs,” while the third episode was called “Tiny Teeth, Fearsome Beasts.” Over the three episodes, Graslie visits dozens of archaeological digs. And eons of history …. from the PreCambrian and Paleozoic, through the Mesozic and Cenozoic to present day. “We’ll travel through billions of years of Earth’s geological timeline,” she explained as the first episode began, “Each stop telling us more about how we got to where we are now.” She also promised to reveal some of the amazing wonders beneath people’s feet that are still hidden from view.
The first episode takes the viewers through South Dakota, Wyoming and into Montana. One of the places the crew visited behind the scenes was the Pioneer Trails Regional Museum in Bowman, a regional repository for history from within 100 miles of the community. According to museum officials, it also studies, collects and curates vertebrates, invertebrates and plants from 73 million years old marine deposits up to the youngest deposits of the area, which are 28 million years old. Some of the animals that have been found are mosasaurs, plesiosaurs, dinosaurs and early mammals that include camels, rhinoceroses, horses, and giant pigs. The demise of the dinosaurs and the changes in local paleo-environments are just a couple of areas in which the Paleontology Department has been researching over the past decade. This research is conducted in the rugged landscapes along the Little Missouri Badlands drainage in southwestern North Dakota. In addition to a large fossil display, including a triceratops, the museum has a regional focus on the history of the area. It was a local group of hobbyists helped to create the museum in the early 1990s. Since then, a large group of volunteers and enthusiasts have created a large display of fossils found within a 100-mile radius of the museum. One of the founders, Dean Pearson, has told people that the museum’s success came from hard work. In a recent interview before the PBS series was broadcast, he explained that it took six field seasons and 4,500 man-hours, he and other volunteers washed roughly 2,500 small mammal, fish, and other invertebrate specimens.
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PAGE 11
USDA report on beef prices good first step toward fairer markets
Wade Sundell on Lunatic from Hell.
Champions Ride
The Champions Ride Saddle Bronc Match is on! This longest running bronc Match and first P.R.C.A. sanctioned Extreme Bronc Riding Rodeo takes place at the Home On The Range arena on Aug 1. It will look a little different, but committee members stated they are going back to basics: the best cowboys riding the best broncs for the best cause. With the cancellation of so many summer events, the rodeo committee and Home On The Range staff have been working hard to make sure the traditional event will take place. “We are really able to do this great event because of our sponsors,” said Mel Rose, Home On The Range Executive Director. “We are grateful for their contributions and sponsorships. Most of the sponsors were willing to give some kind of financial support, because they love this event, and they know it’s for a good cause – Home On The Range.” The rodeo committee has been working with the P.R.C.A., county and regional health officials, and medical personnel to make sure there are safety guidelines in place for the contestants, guests, and the employees and children at Home On The Range. “We ask that everyone respect social distancing practices. We have plenty of hillside seating and there should be enough space for everyone. Unfortunately, because of the safety guidelines this year, the guests won’t be able to interact with the cowboys to get their autographs,” said Mel. “We appreciate the support we receive and hope everyone has a fun, safe time. It’s the summer event of August.” The lineup of the cowboys is a Who’s Who of rodeo talent. Some of the cowboys entered this year include Wyatt Casper, Brody Cress, Shorty Garrett, and World Champion Saddle Bronc Riders Ryder Wright, Spencer Wright, Jacobs Crawley, Zeke Thurston, and Taos Muncy. It’s not just the talent of the cowboys, but also the famous horses. Re-
See CHAMPIONS RIDE Page 13
The Montana Farm Bureau, which along with state Farm Bureaus, had called for investigation into price disparities between prices paid to ranchers and beef prices at the grocery store, was pleased to see the USDA has released a report on the issue. However, the state’s largest agricultural organization is still awaiting the Department of Justice’s report concerning price manipulation by beef processors. “The Montana Farm Bureau asked USDA to expand an ongoing investigation to include possible market manipulation during the coronavirus pandemic, especially with regard to low prices being paid to cow/calf producers,” said MFBF President Hans McPherson. “It was obvious something was wrong when we saw consumers paying higher prices for meat
yet the farmers and ranchers were being paid less. The USDA report is a good first step in understanding what’s going on with beef pricing.” American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall noted, “We appreciate the USDA’s thorough examination of the beef markets and are pleased the USDA responded to our call for an investigation, but it’s important to note the scrutiny of the markets is not concluded. USDA indicates their examination continues and investigations by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, as well as the Department of Justice, are ongoing.” “We are reviewing the policy recommendations the USDA put forth in the report and look forward to working with them and Congress to ensure markets remain fair for everyone involved,” Duvall concluded.
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Local counties fighting drought, changing conditions By Brad Mosher
bmosher@countrymedia.net
Southwestern North Dakota is in the middle of a moderate drought. Those conditions, although not as drastic as in other parts of the state, still have a big impact on the agriculture and livestock in both Bowman and Slope counties, according to the NDSU extension agents. The shortfall in precipitation has included Bowman and Slope counties, according to Shelby Hewson, the NDSU extension specialist in Amidon. She also noted that recent thunderstorms have brought some precipitation to the area, but have yet to erase the impact to local crops. “We are still listed in the D1 which is moderate drought,” she said. “Crops and pastures are stressed. Water is stressed. Farmers are encouraged to have a drought plan. The fire danger increases and grasshopper infestation occurs. “The pond and creek waters are starting to decline,” she said. “That is why we are doing so much water sampling.” A problem some are facing is the possibility of blue-green algae blooms in local bodies of water, Hewson added. “The blooms could cause death to the livestock. We haven’t seen anything yet.” That also means that the local ranchers still have to be aware of the threat and on the lookout for the algae, she added. In addition, people are trying to get their haying done before it dries up any more, Hewson said. “The grazing has been impacted and the grasses are a lot drier. People are
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trying to get those bales wrapped up as quick as possible, while there is still some green left to it.” It has definitely been less spring rain than normal, she added. Bowman moderately dry According to Max Robison, the NDSU Extension Service agent for Bowman County, even the moderately dry conditions are causing problems. “On a local scale, we have been drying up. It has raised a lot of concerns with water quality for livestock as far as stock dams and streams go,” he explained. The possibility of algae outbreaks is something the agents are concerned about. “We are asked to come out and a producer asks us to test water for them. We tell them (producers) to keep an eye out for it. The producers are usually responsible for reporting that kind of thing or they will let us know. “This year, with everything that has gone on and the continued push for social distancing, it has changed. “In a typical year, we go out test water and visit with producers. This year, for everyone’s safety, we follow along with the precautions that are being taken (wearing masks and social distancing). More and more, the producers are just dropping off their water samples at our offices or telling us the location... meeting us at a spot and we’ll just follow them out there,” Robinson explained. “Then we can get out and take water samples, then evaluate what is going on.” There has been an increase in the Bowman County office handling water tests in 2020, the agent said. “There has been an extreme shift from last year’s wet weather. This year, it was really dry in May and June. A lot of those dams and other water sources that are not flowing went downhill quite rapidly,” Robison explained. “Producers are seeing some impact on livestock and they are wanting to take as many precautions as they can to make sure that they won’t have any negative impacts.” According to Robison, there is concern about the wheat crops in the county. “With the lack of moisture, there is some that have stunted off pretty bad. It doesn’t have the moisture to do really well. “There are quite a few variables. Planting date plays a role... and what crop was there the previous year,” he said. “That plays a role in how the current crop is doing.” Weather has had an impact locally for several years, he
See DROUGHT Page 14
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PAGE 12
COUNTRY NEIGHBORS | SUMMER 2020
PAGE 13
CHAMPIONS RIDE
FROM PAGE 11
turning to the Match are stock contractors J Bar J Rodeo (JB), Bailey Pro Rodeo (DB), Burch Rodeo Company (BH) and Dakota Rodeo (DK). Wellknown broncs such as In The Lu (JB), Big Valley (JB), Rip Cord (DB), James Bond (DB), Lunatic From Hell (BH), Maria Bartiromo (BH), Bartender (DK) and Richie’s High (DK) will be in the short-go round. This should be an exciting round. For those who enjoy participating in games of chance, there are two different Calcuttas. The first is Friday, July 31 at the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame in Medora, North Dakota. Dinner begins at 6:00 p.m. and the auction of the 32 cowboys follows immediately after the meal. The second Calcutta takes place Saturday during the rodeo intermission. The cowboys’ scores from the long go are tallied and the highest twelve advance to the short round. People can then bid on these twelve cowboys’ chances of winning the title. Bring your lawn chairs, and your own beverages and lunch. This year there won’t be any concessions or pop stands. Complimentary water will be available. The 64th Champions Ride Saddle Bronc Match is Aug. 1, at the Home On The Range arena, Exit #7 on Interstate 94 near Sentinel Butte, ND.
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COUNTRY NEIGHBORS | SUMMER 2020
PAGE 14
DROUGHT
FROM PAGE 12
Farmers in Slope and Bowman counties are going through a moderate drought, impacting many of their crops and the local wildlife. PHOTOS/Brad Mosher explained. “In wheat, they were not able to harvest last fall. There is disease issues and sprout, wheat that wasn’t harvested last fall that was still standing this spring. “Depending how that was handled and managed, that created issues for the crop this year. “It is hard to get a really good chemical kill on those sprouted grains or the grains that were left that set seed again,” he said. “There is so much crop debris out there. If
it was tilled under, you’ll have some wheat trying to grow back in there. “If you followed it with sunflowers or legumes, you could spray chemicals to try to kill any volunteer weed that was coming up that would disrupt the current crop,” the extension agent explained. “I’ve heard a lot of the fields that were wheat last year, that they have come back in with a different crop,” Robison said. Canadian Thistle is also proving to be a problem
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for local growers. “There was enough crop debris to protect those Canadian Thistle seed so they started growing. “It looks like almost all of the producers in our area have done a really good job of getting after that Canadian Thistle problem,” he said. Earlier this spring, standing wheat crops were burned off, Robison said. That was done to get rid of the crop and create a better environment for the new crops, he explained. “The guys who were able to get a good proper burn and get rid of the residue from last year … I think they were able to start the year off better with their crops. It would negatively impact the soil to some extent, but they were able to get that crop off and get the new one put in with fewer setbacks,” he said. Last year had a negative effect for local wheat producers, Robison explained. “Especially with the cool wet winter and the early spring that we saw... that opened the plants up to some disease and fungal issues. Coming into this year, being as dry as it is, it is leaning to kind of the opposite issues. There just is not enough moisture in the soil to get the crops growing,” he said. “That shot of rain that we had last week
did have a pretty positive effect on some crops. It did help things out quite a bit. “But the swings (in climate) are not beneficial. If we could have a nice year with really consistent rains early and the rains shut off when we needed it to, then kick back on when we wanted it to.... we’d be in great shape. “But, it is kind of the gamble we take year to year,” he added. The swings means local producers have to deal with one set of issues one year and a different set of issues the next, the agents said. That means more work for the county extension agent’s office, he added. “When things are going pretty well, the farmers and producers out there who have been doing it all their lives … and been through different swings, they have a lot of tools. They know what is going on. “Then, when stuff like this pops up, and they have a lo of questions and a lot of concerns, they’ll reach out to us,” he said. “We have a really good network of specialists that are trying to keep up with the changing environment and what is going on year-to-year.”
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PAGE 15
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COUNTRY NEIGHBORS | SUMMER 2020
PAGE 16
FALLON COUNTY FAIR & RODEO - BAKER, MT
• SCHEDULE OF EVENTS •
TUESDAY, AUGUST 11TH, 2020 8:00 a.m. 4-H Horse Show
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12TH, 2020 11:30 a.m. Llamas & Alpacas 2:15/3:15 p.m. Cat/Dog 3:00-8:00 p.m. Open Class Drop Off
THURSDAY, AUGUST 13TH, 2020
8:00 a.m. Dairy Cattle Show 8:00 a.m PRCA & WPRA Slack All Day - Starts at 9:00 a.m. Judging of Indoor Exhibits 9:00 a.m. Goat Show/Goat Trail 12:15 p.m. Bum Goats/Bum Lambs 1:00/2:00 p.m. Rabbit/Poultry 5:00 p.m. Breakaway Roping Slack
FRIDAY, AUGUST 14TH, 2020
8:00 a.m. Steer Roping 8:00 a.m. Swine 9:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. Exhibit Hall Open 12:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Vendor Booths Open 12:00 p.m. Free Entertainment All Day 1:00 p.m. Sheep 3:00 p.m. Beef Cattle/4-H Silent Auction 5:00 p.m. 4-H/FFA Market Beef Show 8:00 p.m. Extreme Night
SATURDAY, AUGUST 15TH, 2020 8:30 a.m. Round Robin Showmanship 9:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. Exhibit Hall Open 10:00 a.m. Fallon County Fair Parade 11:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. Vendor Booths Open 12:00 p.m. Free Entertainment All Day 1:00 p.m. PRCA Rodeo - Military Day 3:00-7:00 p.m. Strolling Acts 4:30 p.m. 4-H/FFA Livestock Sale 8:00 p.m. Breaking Eight Night Show
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16TH, 2020
9:00 a.m. 4-H Awards Ceremony 10:00 a.m. Cowboy Church 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. Exhibit Hall Open 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Vendor Booths Open 12:00 p.m. Free Entertainment All Day 1:00 p.m. PRCA Rodeo - Tough Enough to Wear Pink 3:00-7:00 p.m. Pick up Checks & Exhibits 6:00 p.m. Baker Wrestling Club Demolition Derby
FOOD VENDORS! BAKER ASSEMBLY OF GOD • KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS • TS TRAVELING TABLE • MILES CITY FOOD TRUCK • TEXAS TWISTER DRINKS • 4-H FOOD BOOTH • OTTO’S HIDEOUT • HOLY GROUNDZ • LUTHERAN CHURCH
FREE ENTERTAINERS
Timberworks Lumberjack Show, Street Beat, Steve’s Fun Balloons, ROBOCARS, Music City Quartet, Hot Glass Academy & Bubble Tower
EVENT PRICING
Breakaway Roping: Free Admission Steer Roping: Free Admission PRCA Slack: Free Admission Extreme Night: GA 18 & under $5; GA Adults $15; 6 and under free. Midway Entertainment: All Free
Breaking Eight: GA 18 & under $5; GA Adults $15; 6 and under free. PRCA Rodeo: GA 18 & under $5; GA Adults $15; 6 and under free. Derby: GA $10, 6 and under free