On Nov. 19, Gov. Mark Gordon rescinded the Public Welfare Emergency Executive Order (EO) 2025-08, ending the state-funded stopgap to address food insecurities caused by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program being suspended due to the Congressional shutdown. The Hunger Relief Program, administered by the Department of Family Services, provided two weeks of food subsidies to Wyoming food banks, church pantries and other entities.
WSF Mural
The Wyoming State Fair (WSF) is looking for an artist to design a high-resolution mural, which will be installed as part of the America 250 Great American Fair Initiative. To make sure mural lasts for years to come, the finished artwork will be enlarged, printed on long-lasting adhesive panels and installed on the exterior of a selected building. Interested individuals should apply by Dec. 1 at forms.gle/ PUmD99hT1Q7g2z8G9
Coal RMP
Gov. Mark Gordon praised the Wyoming Congressional Delegation for their tireless and unwavering efforts to secure passage of Congressional Review Act legislation on Nov. 19. This measure rescinds the misguided Bureau of Land Management’s Resource Management Plan Amendment for coal in the Buffalo Field Office. This amendment, authored and pushed by the Biden administration, ends coal leasing in much of the Powder River Basin.
Submissions
The Converse County Cow-Belles are calling on the public to help create a Cowbelles Coffee Table Book. The organization is seeking ag photos, ranch stories and tips, favorite recipes and more. Individuals can also leave their brand in the book for $50. Those interested can e-mail kbaile16@gmail.com, and the deadline for submissions is Dec. 1.
During a Nov. 14 press conference held at the Wyoming State Capitol Building in Cheyenne, Gov. Mark Gordon discussed details of his upcoming biennial budget request.
Titled “The Essentials,” Gordon
said the proposed budget prioritizes meeting the essential needs of government and Wyoming people.
“The major thematic efforts in this budget are to make sure we have quality jobs and a strong economy across
all sectors – from energy and agriculture to tourism and emerging technologies – and to make sure our workforce is well educated,” Gordon said.
He also highlighted a desire to
A Cattlemen’s Thanksgiving Prayer
BY HANNAH BUGAS
Lord, as we gather round this table, and silverware begins to clank, we’d like to take a minute to offer you some thanks.
Lord, thank you for the journey through another hard-fought year, months of work behind us, the grit and grace that got us here.
WyFB elects, honors leadership
The Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation (WyFB) recognized both new and retiring leadership during its 106th Annual Meeting, held Nov. 13-15 in Gillette.
During the meeting, members from across the state gathered to elect officers and board members who will help guide Wyoming’s largest general agriculture organization in the coming year.
Welcoming new leadership
Laramie County Farmer Todd Fornstrom was elected to his 10th term as WyFB president, continuing his longstanding leadership on behalf of Wyoming’s farm and ranch families, and Goshen County’s Cole Coxbill was elected to his 10th term as WyFB vice president.
“It’s an honor to continue serving this organization alongside such dedicated leaders,” Fornstrom said. “I’m grateful for the trust our members place in us, and I look forward to another year of working in good company to move this organization ahead.”
Delegates also selected a new member to the state board. Tucker Hamilton of Weston County was elected to his first term as director-at-large on the WyFB Board of Directors. Hamilton previously served on the board as the Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&R) state chair in 2024.
In addition to the statewide officer elections, the WyFB Board of Directors includes five district directors elected within their respective districts, as well as the YF&R Committee state chair, who is selected by the YF&R Committee.
This fall, the Central and Northeast districts elected new members to the WyFB Board of Directors.
For January’s frozen mornings when the feed truck groaned awake, hay that kept our stock warm and fed despite winter’s frigid ache.
When snow blanketed fields of sage and February winds cut through, thank you for the hope in our hearts
Please see THANKSGIVING on page A7
Holiday Prices
2025 Thanksgiving dinner predicted to be easier on shoppers’ wallets
The price for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner is expected to be slightly more affordable this year, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) 40th Annual Thanksgiving Cost Survey, which found the average price of a “classic” holiday feast for 10 people rings in at around $55.18.
This number pencils out to roughly $5.52 per person and a decrease of nearly five percent from last year, marking the third straight year of declining costs.
Despite this downward trend, however, AFBF notes prices still remain significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels and they reflect the struggle of farm and ranch families working to keep grocery store shelves stocked.
Savings and squeezes
The AFBF survey is conducted each year during the week leading up to Thanksgiving with the help of volunteer shoppers from all 50 states and Puerto Rico who record prices on staple items used in a “classic holiday feast” at their local grocery stores.
Although many families have put their own modern spin on the traditional Thanksgiving dinner, the survey works to capture the cost
During the second day of the West Central States Wool Growers Convention, held Nov. 7-8 in Cody, both sides of the Bighorn and domestic sheep debate came together to discuss one of the West’s most complex range management issues.
The panel was moderated by Wyoming Wool Growers Association (WWGA) Executive Vice President Alison Crane and featured Dr. Jared Beaver, wildlife biologist and Montana State University (MSU) Extension wildlife specialist; Dr. Maggie Highland, diagnostic pathologist and head of the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory’s Pathology and Professional Veterinary Services Section; Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) Ter-
ritorial Biologist Ryan Amundson; Wyoming Wild Sheep Foundation (WY-WSF) Executive Director Katie Cheesbrough and Shaun Sims, WWGA vice president and Wyoming sheep producer.
Panelists discussed policy, research, disease management and, arguably most importantly, how much progress has been made between opposing groups when it comes to sitting at the same table and talking openly about difficult issues.
The Wyoming Plan Amundson kicked off the discussion by outlining the history of the Wyoming Bighorn Domestic Sheep Interaction Working Group, which was formed in
Adobe Stock photo
It’s not often agriculture has a week where good news abounds, but this was the case last week.
On Nov. 17, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers came out with a new proposed rule to redefine Waters of the U.S. It all started when Congress passed the Clean Water Act (CWA) and the EPA recognized a chance to regulate America’s waters. They went overboard, especially with wetlands.
This action hurt agriculture, communities and municipalities with government overreach.
The fear instilled in everyone is if the EPA thought a person was disturbing a wetland or other body of water, they would impose a fine of thousands of dollars a day or give jailtime and then take them to court for noncompliance of the CWA.
A large attempt to fight this came in 2007 when Michael and Chantel Sackett bought 0.63 acres of land near Priest Lake, Idaho, where they wanted to build a home. The EPA intervened, asserting the property contained federally-protected wetlands under the CWA. The EPA ordered the Sacketts to cease their construction and restore the site to its original condition.
The Sacketts went to court against the EPA and ultimately ended up in the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled the EPA had severely overreached the CWA.
The court ruling restricts the EPA’s ability to regulate many wetlands which do not have a direct and continuous connection to larger bodies of water and also reduces federal oversight of groundwater.
We’ve all been waiting since the 2023 Sackett vs. EPA ruling, as every time we do something with water, we have to hire a lawyer or consultant to determine whether a water feature on private land is federally regulated. It’s been a confusing, fearful experience.
The new ruling really defines terms in the CWA and there is a new exclusion for groundwater.
They say the proposed ruling will soon be published in the Federal Register, starting a 45-day comment period, then there will be a number of comment periods. Once the rule is finalized, it should take effect around 60 days after publication in the Federal Register and everyone hopes to have a new final rule as early as late February 2026.
Another piece of good news appeared in Drovers magazine, in an article outlining how three experts in beef and cattle marketing said prices of cattle and beef products will continue to rise or stay as they are.
One of the panel members, Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Specialist Derrell Peel, said, “Recent comments from Washington, D.C. suggest cattle and beef prices are too high, but the current price levels make sense when viewed in context. There’s always a speculative element to these markets. This means there’s always an opportunity to push prices a little high, and we can certainly see temporary corrections because of it. But, fundamentally, I don’t think we were too high. This market has very strong underlying foundations for why we’re where we are right now.”
Based on supply and demand, the panel expects these prices to continue through the end of the decade. It’s been a good week – we’ll take it.
GUEST OPINIONS
Support Main Street this Holiday Season
These days, Halloween costumes aren’t even put away before big box stores start blanketing shoppers with Black Friday ads.
But the big box stores aren’t the only place to find a good bargain.
Small Business Saturday, the day after Black Friday, offers shoppers an opportunity to find great-quality items at a competitive price and invest in their community.
There’s no better way to kick off the holiday season than Small Business Saturday. What began 15 years ago as a way to promote small businesses recovering from the Great Recession has blossomed into one of the busiest shopping days of the year.
Last year, shoppers spent roughly $22 billion at their local businesses.
The holiday season is a time to celebrate and express gratitude. Here in Wyoming, small business owners are particularly grateful for how elected officials in Washington, D.C. and in Cheyenne have stood up for Main Street.
In February, the Wyoming Legisla-
By Michael Smith
ture delivered meaningful tax relief to Main Street with the passage of Senate File 0048. Gov. Mark Gordon signed the bill into law, raising the tax exemption on business personal property to $75,000, up from $2,400.
Then in July, Congress and President Donald Trump made the 20 percent Small Business Tax Deduction permanent, averting a major tax hike at the end of the year.
These federal and state tax victories will help our small business owners navigate an uncertain economic environment.
Between rising prices, a tight labor market and a decline in sales, small businesses across the country are heading into the holiday season with a little less cheer.
According to a recent National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) survey, optimism among small business owners declined in October as job creators reported reduced sales and profits, and while many small businesses want to hire, filling open positions is becoming nearly impossible.
On Small Business Saturday and
every day of the year, shopping small plays a big role in supporting our communities.
In Wyoming, small businesses are the beating heart of our economy, accounting for nearly 99 percent of businesses in the state and employing 65 percent of working Wyomingites, according to the Small Business Administration.
Shopping small for the gifts on your list and year-round makes a big difference in your community. When you stop at your favorite locally-owned coffee shop, boutique or family-run hardware store, your dollars go further.
Nearly 68 cents of every dollar spent at a small business stays within the community where it’s spent and creates another 50 cents in local business activity.
This holiday season, don’t forget to shop small. Our local businesses keep our communities strong and our economy growing. When Main Street prospers, we all prosper.
Michael Smith is the NFIB Wyoming state director. He can be reached by visiting nfib.com
From the Publisher Dennis Sun
Meeting scheduled
The Domestic and Bighorn Sheep Interaction Working Group will meet at 10 a.m. on Nov. 25 in the Warbonnet Room at the Inn at Lander. The event is hosted by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Wyoming Livestock Board and the Wyoming Department of Agriculture.
Virtual options for the public to attend the workshop will be available via Zoom. For login information and a link to the Zoom meeting, contact amanda.fry@wyo.gov.
The tentative agenda will include discussion on wildfire restoration in Wyoming; Seminoe and Ferris Bighorn Sheep seasonal range updates; Pedro Mountains management; the Wyoming Plan; federal legislation updates; an overview of the West Central States Wool Growers Convention and ongoing research by Montana State University on Bighorn and domestic sheep interactions.
For more information, visit wgfd.wyo.gov/wildlive/bighorn-sheep
Information hub launched
The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA), along with 15 members of an International Year of the Woman Farmer Working Group, launched an information hub dedicated to celebrating and advancing women in agriculture.
The site debuted on Oct. 15 – the International Day of Rural Women – to highlight and connect efforts supporting women in agriculture worldwide.
Members of the working group include the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), American Farmland Trust, American Soybean Association, Annie’s Project, Corus International, Dairy Farmers of America, Farm Credit Services of America, Dairy Girl Network, Equal Origins, International Fresh Produce Association, NASDA, National Corn Growers Association, National Farmers Union, National Young Farmers Coalition, Public Lands Council and U.S. Dairy Export Council.
The group is also preparing for the International Year of the Woman Farmer Advocate, Cultivate, Empower (ACE) Summit, taking place in Washington, D.C. June 1-3, 2026, an annual event hosted by AFBF to bring together women farmers, ranchers and agribusiness professionals to develop as leaders, enhance their women in agriculture network and grow as strong advocates for agriculture.
The ACE Summit will empower, equip and connect attendees through skill-building sessions, high-impact networking and advocacy-focused programming. Additionally, the results of the National Women in Agriculture Study will be featured during the event.
For more information, visit nasda.org/IYWF
Base rate decreased
Wyoming employers will see another significant break on workers’ compensation costs in 2026, thanks to Gov. Mark Gordon and the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services (DWS).
Gordon has approved a 15 percent rate decrease for the upcoming year, marking the third straight year of reductions designed to support and strengthen Wyoming’s business community.
Following a six percent reduction in 2024 and a 12 percent reduction in 2025, this new decrease brings the total industry base rate reduction over the three-year period to 33 percent. In total, this represents approximately $66 million less in premiums paid by employers.
In addition to base rate reductions, experience-rated employers – those with three or more years of claims experience – may see further reductions in their premiums for the upcoming 2026 rate year.
“Wyoming’s businesses are the backbone of our economy, and this rate reduction is one more way we can support their success,” Gordon said. “By lowering workers’ compensation costs, we are helping employers invest in their workforce, strengthen their operations and continue to build safe, resilient workplaces across our state.”
The new rates will take effect in January 2026.
Employers can view the full list of class rates at dws. wyo.gov/baserates
Pen shows announced
Two bonus SimGenetic pen shows have been added to the 2026 National Western Stock Show Simmental’s inaugural Phenotype and Genotype (P&G) Pen Show focused on purebred bulls.
A Percentage Simmental P&G Bull Show has been added to the Jan. 17 schedule, and the Rancher’s Best Show will feature a mixed-sex pen from SimGenetic animals breeders have already exhibited on Jan. 17-18, allowing exhibitors to further stretch their marketing dollars. For more information, visit coloradosimmental. com
Angus leaders recognized
The Angus advantage the breed enjoys in today’s cattle market was built by the dedication of the generations who came before.
For more than 40 years, the American Angus Association’s Angus Heritage Foundation has recognized the passion, dedication and perseverance of individuals whose life’s work has made a lasting impact on the Angus breed’s success and legacy. The storied list includes respected cattle breeders, influential leaders and forward-thinking innovators.
Each year, the association inducts new members to the foundation, honoring their impact during the Angus Convention Awards Dinner.
This year, Angus breeders, their families and industry partners gathered in Kansas City, Mo. on Nov. 1 to celebrate the 2025 inductees, including Dr. David Hawkins of Mason, Mich.; Mike McGuire of Waverly, Ala.; Tom and Carolyn Perrier of Eureka, Kan. and Dr. Robert Totusek of Oklahoma City, Okla.
For more information on the Angus Heritage Foundation and past inductees, visit angus.org/member-center/ awards-and-recognition/heritage-award-winners
Breeder to win big
The Colorado Simmental Association is pleased to announce the 21st Annual People’s Choice Power Simmental Event will award the winning breeder $20,000 for the selected bull or heifer.
Sponsors for 2026 include Halter HQ, Igenity, M3 Marketing, Nebraska Bull Service, Purina Animal Health, TransOva Genetics, Vogler Semen Centre, Zoetis and the Colorado Simmental Association.
National Western Stock Show SimGenetic yards exhibitors may nominate a bull and/or heifer they are exhibiting to compete in the event.
The public, either in person or remote, may purchase judging cards to participate in the People’s Choice selections on Jan. 17-18.
Finalist animals will be paraded through the ring at the start of The One and Only Sale on Jan. 18.
The drawn winner will select the Power Simmental, and he or she will get 100 percent possession, while the breeder receives $20,000. For more information, visit coloradosimmental.com
Crop aid announced
Three days after the government reopened, President Donald Trump and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins reopened over 2,000 county Farm Service Agency offices in the middle of the government shutdown so farmers could continue to access U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) services during harvest.
Today, the USDA will continue to support farmers and will release billions in disaster assistance for those recovering from natural disasters across the country.
The FSA is delivering more than $16 billion in total Congressionally-approved Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) assistance. This is on top of over $9.3 billion in Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) assistance to over 560,000 row crop farmers and over $705 million in Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) assistance to over 220,000 ranchers.
Stage Two of SDRP covers eligible crop, tree, bush and vine losses not covered under Stage One program provisions, including non-indemnified, uncovered and quality losses.
For Stage Two program details, visit fsa.usda. gov/sdrp
Correction
Names published within a photo caption accompanying an article titled “Women in Ag: Langley leads by example” from the Nov. 15 edition of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup were incorrect.
The caption read, “Wyoming CattleWomen – As president of Wyoming CattleWomen (WCW), Becky Langley is dedicated to promoting education about the beef industry. Pictured from left to right are American National CattleWomen President Nikki Weston, WCW Past President Tani Wohlbrandt, Langley, WCW Vice President Bobbi Geis, WCW Treasurer Kim DesEnfants and WCW Parliamentarian Leslie Lorenz.”
The correct names, pictured from left to right, are Gayle Dickau, Cheryl Jacobsen, Becky Langley, Kay Moore and Sabrina Smith. All members of the Converse County Cow-Belles.
HAYING & FORAGE
Cow clinics set
A successful calving season does not begin at calving. It begins much earlier, with the management of the cow herd months prior.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension will be hosting Cow Clinics during December to review some of the basic management factors leading to a successful calving and breeding season.
The clinics will cover the how, when and why of body condition scoring, teat and udder scoring and forage sampling. Understanding a forage analysis and developing diets for the last trimester will also be a part of the program.
A team of Extension educators and specialists will lead the discussion and hands-on demonstrations.
The registration fee is $20 per person, and the first 10 who pre-register will receive a free feed analysis.
The first Cow Clinic will be held on Dec. 1 at Burwell Livestock Market in Burwell, Neb. For more information, contact Bethany Johnston at 402-336-2760 or bjohnston3@ unl.edu. The registration deadline is Nov. 24.
The second clinic will be held on Dec. 2 at Gordon Livestock Market in Gordon, Neb. For more information, contact Brock Ortner at 308-327-2312 or bortner2@unl.edu. The registration deadline is Nov. 25.
The third clinic will be held on Dec. 9 at Beatrice 77 Livestock Sales in Beatrice, Neb. For more information, contact Barry Weber at 402-335-3669 or s-bweber12@unl.edu. The registration deadline is Dec. 3.
As a birder and lover of wildlife, we need to protect nature. I am one of millions of Americans who love our nation’s public lands. These are places where we go to breathe fresh air, to enjoy time with our families and communities and to learn about our history, culture and the natural world. For far too long, extractive industries like oil and gas, mining and logging were prioritized for most of the 245 million acres of public lands overseen by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
Then last year, the BLM finalized its Public Lands Rule to make clear this conservation – including access to nature, protecting cultural areas and safeguarding wildlife habitat – is an essential use too. Now the Trump administration is seeking to repeal the rule and eliminate conservation as a use of these lands altogether.
More industrial development will mean less places for people to use and enjoy. We must act now to ensure our public lands are accessible for future generations.
Sincerely,
Sandra Materi Casper
Lee Pitts IT'S THE PITTS
by
Bovine Bill of Rights
Just as Thomas Jefferson is remembered as the author of the Declaration of Independence and James Madison as the principal author of the Constitution, so too will I be remembered for the Bovine Bill of Rights.
Article X – Beef animals not retained for breeding shall have the right to be placed in feedlots where they will be served breakfast in bed every morning and fed supper after their afternoon nap.
They have the right to gobble down as much tasty feed as they desire of a delicious and expensive ration consisting of mouthwatering grains, appetizing roughage and sugary molasses for dessert, and all without having to worry about being bullied and made fun of by their fellow bovines for their obesity.
Article IX – Cattle shall have the right to clean water and tight fences to prevent having to intermingle with the neighbor’s inferior mongrels.
Article VIII – Bovines shall have the right to be transported in a well-ventilated trailer free of any offputting fragrance from leftover swine or sheep dung. They have the right to be transported to their new destination as quickly as possible without speed governors or being stopped by overzealous highway patrolmen or delayed by over-eager scale masters.
Article VII – At a branding – and periodically through the year – cattle have the right to be injected with pricey pharmaceuticals to keep them healthy and alive.
Bovines also have the right to be branded so after blizzards, floods or fires they can be sorted and returned home. They have the right to wear ear tags to ward off flies and to provide additional information such as their sire. Cattle shall have the option to wear electronic ear tags, but only if their caretaker deems them necessary.
Article VI – During a three-day snowstorm, cattle have the right to be kept alive by ranchers wearing five layers of clothing with
icicles hanging from their mustaches, bringing them life-giving hay in the blinding snow.
Article V – Cattle have the right to a painless death, free from worry about ignorant politicians and urban bureaucrats turning wolves and grizzly bears loose in cattle country to devour their calves and rip them apart limb by limb.
Unlike humans who may suffer through chronic pain or depression and end up in old geezer rest homes for dementia patients, market-ready cattle also have the right to a painless death, something their human caregivers will never get to experience.
Article IV – Cows shall have the right to be bred by the best bulls the rancher can afford. The rancher shall do everything in his or her power to provide bulls worthy of their cows. Cows and heifers shall also have the right to raise their offspring without any interference from deadbeat dads.
Article III – Cows shall also have the right to be aided in a difficult birth even if it means acquiring expensive services of a qualified veterinarian to perform a Caesarean section.
Article II – Orphan calves shall have the right to be warmed up in a bathtub full of hot water and then laid on the carpet in front of a fire in the fireplace. They shall also have the right to be bottle fed every four hours around the clock.
When older, they have the right to be joined by their fellow orphaned calves at a calf ranch, bottle fed twice a day and supplemented with grain and roughage without having to worry about wolves or where their next meal will come from.
Article I – Bovines have the right to be cooked and eaten by humans, providing people with the necessary ingredients required for life. This time-honored meat-eating custom by people goes back three million years and makes it possible for humans to continue the practice of raising cattle, thereby giving bovines a wonderful life they probably wouldn’t have had otherwise.
Merck Animal Health donation announced
On Nov. 6, Merck Animal Health announced a donation of $20,000 to the University of NebraskaLincoln (UNL) Foundation Klosterman Feedlot Innovation Center to support a sustainabilityfocused research initiative to better understand nutrient requirements for feedlot cattle.
The funds will support ongoing beef feedlot research initiatives at the Klosterman Feedlot Innovation Center, and the donation will offset essential research costs and enhance the center’s ability to deliver science-driven outcomes to inform a more efficient and sustainable beef industry.
“Merck Animal Health’s generous support helps offset essential research costs
and accelerates our ability to capture detailed, pen-level nutrient use,” said Dr. Jessica Sperber, assistant professor and beef feedlot specialist at UNL. “This partnership demonstrates Merck Animal Health’s leadership in supporting forward-thinking, sciencebased sustainability efforts
in the beef industry.”
“This donation better positions us to develop practical recommendations for producers to promote efficient nutrient use, animal wellbeing and a resilient food system,” she added.
The Klosterman Feedlot Innovation Center is a
$7.2 million facility which facilitates world-class research projects, teaching and Extension opportunities in a commercialscale, state-of-the-art feedlot. The facility serves as a one-of-a-kind testbed where industry partners can see how new and emerging technologies work.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2025 - BRED COW SPECIAL
BRED HEIFERS Rod Nelson 115 Blk few Bwf Hfrs, 1050#, Bred to Ochsner-Roth Bulls (proven calving ease,
CF: March 15 for 30 days, Spring Shots: Vista 5 VL5 SQ CFP, Fall Shots: ScourBos 9, Poured w/Ivermax, Home Raised, 1-iron Stellpflug Cattle Co. 109 Bwf Hfrs, AI’d Bred to Rise Above Low Birth Weight Blk Angus Bulls, Clean-up Bulls were Low Birth Weight Stellpflug Blk Angus Bulls, Ultra-sounded to CF: March 4th for 1st Cycle; March 25th for 2nd Cycle, Bull Bred to CF: April 1st, Shots on Sept. 12: Cattle Master Gold FP5, Staybred +VL5, Valcor Wormer, Poured w/Clean-up II Fox Ranch 60 Blk Hfrs, Bred to Registered Low Birth Weight Blk Angus Bulls, CF: Feb. 25 for 45 days, Shots: Scour Bos 9, 8-way, Collagen, Poured, Top End of 500 head sort Cade & Sophie Swanson 57 Blk Angus Hfrs, 2’s coming 3’s, Bred to McClun Hereford or Blk Angus Bulls, CF: March 1, All Raised a Calf, Nice easy handling set of cows, Cows running out supplemented with Hay due to dy conditions, Been on a Full Mineral Program, Hot Wire Broke 7X Cattle 45 Blk Hfrs, 1100-1150#, AI’d Bred to Sitz Polaris, CF: Feb. 26 All Received the following Shots: Nov. 7, 2024: Bovi-Shield Gold One Shot, Ultrabac 7/Somubac, Poured, April 15, 2025: Vira Shield 6+VL5, Ultrabac 8, Cattle Master Gold FP5, Poured, Sept. 24, 2025: Vision 8, Vira Shield 6+VL5, Poured, All off one ranch, Running at 6500’ Elevation Clarke Livestock 40 Blk/Bwf Hfrs, 1100#, Bred to Pharo Calving Ease Bulls, CF: March 1, Shots this Falll: Bovi-Shield Gold FP VL5, 8-way, Dectomax Pour On, High Altitude, Hme Raised, Selling due to drought
BRED COWS
7X Cattle 40 Blk Cows, 3-6 yr olds, bred to Split Diamond Blk Angus Bulls out of Dillon, MT, CF: March, Shots: April 15, 2025: Vira Shield 6+VL5, Ultrabac 8, Cattle Master Gold FP5, Poured, Oct. 16, 2025: Vision 8, Vira Shield 6+VL5, Poured, Ran at 5500’ Elevation Riley Morava 21 Mx Cows, 10 yr olds, Bred to Conneally Bulls, CF: April 1 REP RESULTS -BRED COW/HFR SPECIAL MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17 - 2203
7X Cattle Co 12 Brd Cow SM/Mar-Apr 1134 $4,050.00
7X Cattle Co 2 Brd Cow 3-4/Mar-Apr 915 $3,700.00
Frontier Land Co 4 Brd Cow 3-SM/Mar-Apr 1702 $3,650.00
Jason Zumbrunnen 1 Brd Cow 3YR/March 1520 $3,500.00
Gordon Black 5 Brd Cow ST/Mar-Apr 1478 $2,925.00
Frontier Land Co 45 Blk Brd Cow 3-4/Apr-May 1259 $4,900.00
Adam Warner 32 Blk Brd Cow 3-4/Mar-Apr 1215 $4,750.00
Frontier Land Co 12 Blk Brd Cow 3-SM/Mar-Apr 1140 $4,600.00
Supporting beef research – Merck Animal Health announced a $20,000 donation to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) Foundation Klosterman Feedlot Innovation Center to support ongoing beef feedlot research initiatives. Merck Animal Health members recently visited the newly expanded UNL research feedlot to highlight the donation. Courtesy photo
Top Angus sires honored
For over 150 years, the popularity of Angus cattle has grown, making over 80 percent of the U.S. cow herd influenced by Angus genetics.
Influential sires have made their mark, and during the 2025 American Angus Association Awards Dinner and Reception, held on Nov. 1 in Kansas City, Mo., the association recognized the sire registering the most progeny.
Connealy Craftsman, owned by Select Sires Inc. of Plain City, Ohio and Sexing Technologies of Navasota, Texas, sired 6,148
calves registered into the Angus herd book – the most in Fiscal Year 2025.
The rest of the top five sires, recorded from Oct. 1 through Sept. 30, include Connealy Commerce, owned by Sexing Technologies, with 2,638 calves; Ellingson Prolific, owned by Chad and Julie Ellingson of Saint Anthony, N.D and Sexing Technologies, with 2,558 calves Basin Jameson 1076, owned by Basin Angus Ranch of Laurel Mont., Express Angus Ranches of Yukon, Okla. and EZ Angus Ranch of Porterville, Calif.,
Lofink Farms Live Hay
with 2,444 calves and GB Fireball 672, owned by ABS Global, Inc. of De Forest, Wis., Goode Angus of Pampa, Texas and Grand Bayou Farms of Ruston, La., with 2,172 calves. Sires ranked sixth through 10th for the same timeframe include Deer Valley Growth Fund, owned by Deer Valley Farm of Fayetteville, Tenn. with 1,927 calves; FF Rito Ambitious, owned by Express Angus Ranches of Yukon, Okla., Riverbend Ranch of Idaho Falls, Idaho and Spruce Mountain Ranch LLC of Larkspur, Colo. with 1,905
calves; HPCA Veracious, owned by FB Genetics of Dumas, Texas, Jeff Gower of Springfield, Mo. and Hinkle’s Prime Cut Angus, of Nevada, Mo. with 1,866 calves; Sitz Resilient 10208,
owned by Bar J V Angus Ranch of Fairview, Mont., Dan E. Ingalls of Casper and Lunds B Bar Angus of Wibaux, Mont. with 1,861 calves and G A R Fireproof, owned by Gardiner
Angus Ranch, Inc. of Ashland, Kan., Goode AngusRichardson Cattle Company of Pampa, Texas and Mi-Hud Angus Ranch of Kuna, Idaho with 1,793 calves.
“From Saddles to Solutions” was the theme of the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation’s (WyFB) 106th Annual Meeting, held Nov.
Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024 • 1 p.m.
13-15 in Gillette. Every year, the annual meeting serves as a platform for WyFB members to come together and share in discus-
sions which aid the organization’s mission of representing Wyoming farmers and ranchers through grassroots policy development.
Lofink Farms Live Hay
Location: Lofink Farms stackyard on 929 Nakamura Lane, approximately 9 miles North of Thermopolis on Highway 20 North WATCH FOR SIGNS
All Hay is Conventional (Non-Roundup Ready)
In addition to policy discussion, the annual meeting features a host of guest speakers.
Saturday, December 6 • 1 p.m.
1st Cutting - 3'x3's - 1,894 Bales, Avg. Wt. 800
2nd Cutting - 3'x3's -
Location: Lofink Farms stackyard at 929 Nakamura Lane, approximately 9 miles North of Thermopolis on Highway 20 North WATCH FOR SIGNS
Nutritional analysis available day of sale.
TERMS & CONDITIONS: Cash or good check day of sale. Hay sold in lots of 10 bales or more based on average bale weight per cutting. All sales are final. Sale day statements take precedence over all advertising. Hay loaded by seller. No hay loaded day of sale.
190 Bales of Hay Barley, average weight 800 lbs. Nutritional analysis provided day of sale.
On Nov. 14 American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Economist Danny Munch spoke about the current farm economy and the role of AFBF in promoting agriculture during a speech titled “Farm Bureau Advantage and the Ag Economy – Delivering Value Through Turbulence.”
The ag economy Munch began his presentation with an overview of the current farm economy nationwide, detailing challenges and advantages facing both crop and livestock markets.
lic interest in pork, poultry and dairy as marginboosting influences. Still, unseen factors like labor costs and herd rebuilding continue to impact livestock producers.
“The big conversation in Washington, D.C. around supporting farmers has really been focused on the crop side,” Munch stated. “But there’s a lot of other issues our farmers and ranchers are thinking about, talking about and potentially facing.”
“In many cases, farmers and ranchers are finally making a little bit of money but still trying to fill the gaps from previous years,” he stated. “Part of the story we’re trying to tell the administration is just because prices are good doesn’t mean costs aren’t showing for ranchers as well.”
Munch then turned his attention to beef imports, noting the U.S. is already at record import numbers this year with Brazil and Argentina being main sources.
Clerks: Lofink Auction Auctioneer: Ed Keller Not responsible for accidents.
Any questions call: Verne at (307) 921-1864 or Brad at (307) 921-1825
Any questions call: Brad at (307) 921-1825 or Verne at (307) 921-1864
TERMS & CONDITIONS: Cash or good check day of sale at the Auction. Settlement must be made day of sale. Hay sold in lots of 10 bales or more based on average bale weight per cutting. All sales are final. Sale day statements take precedence over all advertising. Hay loaded by seller. No hay loaded day of sale.
REAL TIME AUCTION • PERSONAL ATTENDANCE PREFERRED
Clerks: Lofink Auction Auctioneer: Ed Keller Not responsible for accidents. May have variable cell phone service at sale site.
All Hay is Conventional (Non-Roundup Ready) Alfalfa 3'x3's stacked 5-high 4,100 Bales of 1st, 2nd and 3rd cutting, average weight 800 lbs. REAL TIME AUCTION • PERSONAL ATTENDANCE PREFERRED
“One of the main themes we’ve heard recently is this tale of two farm economies,” Munch began.
He explained crop markets have been experiencing consistent years of losses with very low commodity prices amongst row and specialty crops. In addition, high production expenses have outpaced prices, and lower access to foreign markets have posed threats to forward movement and new trade deals.
On the other side, Munch noted livestock markets have been stronger, highlighting record high beef prices, lower feed costs and increased pub-
Advertising Deadline: January 9, 2026
Insert Date: January 24, 2026
He emphasized recordhigh production and interest expenses are “biting into bottom lines” for producers, citing a Sept. 3 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) report which forecasts production expenses at $467 billion across the farm economy.
Munch also weighed in on the trade atmosphere affecting producer margins, specifically referencing China’s increasingly tumultuous trade relationship with the U.S.
“Export markets are extremely important across the farm economy,” he stated. “Whatever percentage of our goods that end up overseas help boost prices here and provides more stability for our ag economy.”
He explained U.S. ag exports to China have precipitously dropped and China has been slow to take action in purchasing goods, even in cases where agreements have been publicly reached, providing the example of a recentlyreached soybean trade deal between President Donald Trump and China.
On a positive note, Munch also highlighted a number of informal trade deals with the United Kingdom, Japan and South Korea which have the potential to lead to longterm market access in the future.
Navigating turbulence, delivering value
Continuing his presentation, Munch noted livestock producers have been facing challenges despite high cattle prices and emphasized AFBF is continuing to advocate for ranchers on the national stage.
“We’re already importing a record amount of beef, and we know to support our ranchers, importing more is not going to be the solution,” he stated.
He further noted a reopening of the U.S.Mexico border could have the potential to impact markets moving forward.
In light of the many challenges faced by farmers and ranchers, AFBF continues to advocate for policies which help keep value in agricultural economies.
“On the AFBF economics team, we provide analysis to show the true value of agriculture in different areas, such as the value of public lands grazing so we can push back on potentially harmful rules,” Munch said.
Data collected by AFBF economists helps inform policy to protect the interests of American agriculturists. Specifically in the West, Munch noted areas of interest include the value of public lands grazing and losses caused by wolf depredation and grasshoppers.
Munch closed his presentation by highlighting some successes AFBF has contributed to in areas of tax reform, disaster assistance and commodity program enhancements nationwide.
Keep an eye out for more highlights from the WyFB Annual Meeting in future editions of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup Grace Skavdahl is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
Economist offers agriculture outlook at WyFB Annual Meeting
Courtesy photo
THANKSGIVING
to keep us doing
During calving time in early March when storms roll in unplanned, thank you for each
When April called for branding calves and other work to do, thank you for the kind of help an old hand can call a crew.
For grass in May and greening hills and creeks that start to rise, thank you for pairs turned out to graze under big Wyoming skies.
For June’s warm, golden rays drying out the mud at last –remindin’ us the hard times end and they’re only driftin’ past.
Thank you for long days in the saddle,
continued from page A1
despite the July heat, for eager bulls that cover ground with heavy patient feet.
For August pastures ripening, nearing four foot high. Thank you for rains that finally came as dark clouds split the sky.
For the sweet song of machinery –September’s crop cut and dried, and for cattle slick and fat again with good calves at their side.
For crisp October shipping days with trucks lining the road, for heavy calves – healthy and fat, a fair price paid on every load.
Now as winter circles back around with its sharp, familiar sting, thank you, Lord, for another year and the blessings it will bring.
Sterile fly facility opens
On Nov. 13, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the next milestone in the fight against New World screwworm (NWS) – the opening of a sterile fly dispersal facility in Tampico, Mexico. The Tampico facility will allow USDA to disperse sterile flies aerially across northeastern Mexico, including in Nuevo Leon. There are two methods of dispersing sterile insects – aerial dispersal and ground release chambers. Aerial operations are preferred because they allow for dispersal at a steady rate through a large area and also because sterile insects may be dispersed in areas that are unreachable from the ground. Ground release chambers are used when there’s a need to quickly deploy sterile insects outside of the dispersal facility range.
USDA continues to disperse 100 million sterile flies
per week in Mexico, but until now, aerial operations have been limited to southern Mexico, necessitating the use of ground release chambers in more northern areas of the country. Mass production and targeted dispersal of sterile flies remain critical components of our effective response.
Although Mexico continues to confirm new cases of NWS, the overwhelming majority of these remain in the far southern part of th-e country, with no significant northward expansion over the past several months. Should that change, the Tampico facility will allow USDA to immediately tackle any cases that occur elsewhere in Mexico.
USDA produces sterile flies for dispersal at the COPEG facility in Panama.
USDA is also investing $21 million to support Mexico’s renovation of an existing fruit fly facility in Metapan – which
will double NWS production capacity once complete. With ongoing support from APHIS technical experts, Mexico anticipates this sterile fly production to begin as soon as summer 2026.
To expand the domestic response capacity, USDA has also begun construction on a sterile fly dispersal facility at Moore Air Base in Edinburg, Texas which is projected to begin operating in early 2026. APHIS is also expediting design and construction of a sterile fly production facility in southern Texas, with a targeted maximum capacity of 300 million sterile flies per week.
USDA continues to work with Mexico’s agriculture authority, SENASICA, to implement the collaborative NWS Action Plan and guide trapping, surveillance and movement protocols to help stop the northward spread of NWS.
®
OBITUARIES
Sept. 1, 1951 – Nov. 14, 2025
John Charles Eklund, Jr. peacefully joined his Lord and Savior on Nov. 14 in the arms of his sweet wife. He passed away at the Cheyenne Regional Medical Center at the age of 74 after a several-years-
Senate Western Caucus Chair Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and 11 Senate Western Caucus members sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum voicing the Senate Western Caucus’ support for the proposed rescission of the Conservation and Landscape Health Rule, commonly referred to as the Public Lands Rule.
The Senators wrote, “Our constituents live with and rely on the use of federal lands every day. These lands are not abstract reserves to
long battle with cancer.
John was born on Sept. 1, 1951 to John C. Eklund, Sr. and Mildred (Kuncheff) Eklund in Cheyenne. He grew up on the family farm and ranch located west of Albin. This began his love for the great outdoors and all of God’s creation.
He grew up with his siblings helping the family with wheat harvest, potato harvest, haying and their sheep and cow/calf operation.
He was involved with 4-H, FFA, band, choir, cross-country, basketball, track, student government and Boys’ State. John attended the Albin school and graduated in 1970. He then contin-
Letter penned
be locked away but working landscapes providing food, energy, recreation and cultural heritage. The Public Lands Rule attempted to upend this equilibrium by elevating ‘conservation’ to a standalone use of federal lands – placing it on par with, and in practice above, traditional productive uses such as grazing, mineral development, timber harvest and recreation. This is not just legally dubious – it is devastating for the West.
The letter continues,
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ued his academic pursuits at the University of Wyoming in Laramie where he earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science, distinguished as an Alpha Zeta agriculture honor student.
College was a defining time in his life where he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He established a pattern of life defined with kindness, hard work and a gentle spirit. He cared deeply for anyone who was blessed and honored to know him.
Following his graduation, John returned to Albin where he dedicated the rest of his career to farming and ranching. He met his wife Suzi at Camp WYOBA on Casper Mountain. They were married in 1982 and settled on his farm to raise their three girls.
As John says, “Suzi was God’s perfect gift,” and they created a nurtur-
“Since the 2023 Public Lands Rule took effect, we’ve heard from county commissioners, ranchers, energy developers, mining operators and local businesses who are faced with regulatory ambiguity, exclusionary leases and a chilling effect which discourages new investment.”
Sens. John Barrasso (R-WY), Steve Daines (R-MT), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), John Curtis (R-UT), Mike Crapo (R-ID), James Risch (R-ID), Mike Lee (R-UT), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), John Hoeven (R-ND), Tim Sheehy (R-MT) all signed the letter.
ing, loving and hardworking home. His greatest joy was the time he spent with his family.
Aside from his passion of working on the family farm and ranch, he was an avid fisherman, usually returning home with the biggest catch of the day. He enjoyed dark chocolate, arrowhead hunting, fossil hunting, attending his girls’ – and later his grandchildren’s – athletic and academic events.
He continued his involvement with 4-H and FFA by helping his girls and grandchildren with their animal projects.
John never chose the easy route in life and, later on, saw the need for investing and serving in the leadership of Wyoming. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2011 and represented Laramie County from then until his passing.
He served with great dedication as the chairman of the House Agriculture, Joint Transportation and Select Water committees. His contributions to local government showcased his unwavering commitment to both people of Wyoming and the land.
John is preceded in death by his parents John C. Eklund, Sr. and Mildred Eklund and his brother-inlaw John Veurink.
He is survived by his wife Suzi Eklund; his daughters Mandy (Matt) Teeters, Ginny (Greg) Hansen and Laurie Eklund; siblings Chris Veurink, Barry (Kim) Eklund and Val (Sherry) Eklund; brother-in-law Steve (Debbie) Beechler and grandchildren Addisen Teeters, Ethan Teeters, Everett Teeters, Lydia Teeters, Isaac Teeters, Rutley Hansen, Leander Hansen and Fletcher Hansen. He also
leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews and their children. As the Eklund family reflects upon John’s life, they celebrate a man whose legacy will continue to inspire love, kindness and community involvement for generations to come.
Services will be at 10 a.m. on Nov. 24 at the Albin Elementary Gymnasium. Immediately following the service will be a light lunch and reception at the Albin Community Center. The service will be officiated by pastor Jeff Giles and a burial at the Albin Cemetery will follow the reception.
Donations and gifts can be directed to the family who will be setting up a memorial fund to assist children in purchasing first-year animals for 4-H, continuing what John started years ago.
Equine disease confirmed
According to information from a Nov. 20 article by the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC), an outbreak of Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) is currently being monitored.
According to EDCC, Equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) is the virus causing this outbreak, and although EHV-1 most commonly causes respiratory disease, some strains cause outbreaks of neurologic disease known as EHM.
The outbreak originated at the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) World Finals and Elite Barrel Race event in Waco, Texas Nov 5-9.
Since then, EDCC notes EHM cases with neurologic signs have officially been reported in Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana, while EHV-1 cases without neurologic signs have been observed in Oklahoma and Colorado.
Classic clinical signs of EHM include fever,
Austin Snook • 307-290-2161
Taylor Snook • 307-290-2273
Craig
swelling/stocking up of the limbs, hindlimb weakness, and urine dribbling although some horses may display behavior changes, signs of cranial nerve dysfunction, seizures and inability to stand, according to EDCC.
Veterinary evaluation and isolation of exposed or affected horses is crucial.
For more information, visit equinediseasecc.org/ news/article/Equine-Herpesvirus-Myeloencephalopathy-(EHM)-Outbreak
"From the ring, to the video, and in the country, we market your livestock the competitive way."
Saturday, December 6, 2025
• Bighorn Mountain Heart of the Herd Bred Stock Special • No sale next week, enjoy your Thanksgiving! • Next sale: December 3 - Weaned Calf and Weigh Up Special.
Thank you and we appreciate your business!
John Charles Eklund, Jr.
Donna Wells Phipps, age 82, passed away peacefully in her sleep at the Goshen Healthcare Community following a long battle with kidney cancer.
Donna was born on May 16, 1943 in Scottsbluff, Neb. to Harold “Burt” Anderson and Thelma “Gail” (Peterson) Anderson. Raised in Henry, Neb. where her family had a mercantile store, she was surrounded by a loving community of family and friends. She was an active member in 4-H where she began her love for agriculture.
Donna went to primary
Quade Palm was elected to serve as the Central District director, and Matt Stroh will represent the Northeast District after completing a year of service as the board’s directorat-large.
Uinta County Rancher Hannah Guild will take the reins as YF&R state chair and is eager to get to work. Guild has served on the WyFB YF&R Committee since 2022.
The Board of Directors is rounded out by district directors Kevin Baars of the Southeast District, Thad
According to a Nov. 5 KRQE News article by Fallon Fischer, President Donald Trump nominated former New Mexico Congressman Steve Pearce to serve as the director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
BLM, which falls under the Department of the Interior (DOI), manages 245 million acres of public lands and 700 million acres of mineral estate across the U.S.
The president’s nomination is heading to the Senate for approval.
Pearce was born in Lamesa, Texas and later attended Hobbs High School in New Mexico before gradu-
school in Henry, Neb. then to Torrington for high school. She married her high school sweetheart Lloyd Wells on June 11, 1961, shortly after she graduated.
The two farmed in Torrington until they bought their farm in Lingle in 1968. They raised Brian and Brenda on the farm.
Donna believed work kept the family close and taught the kids good values. She drove tractors and trucks on the farm, but her true passion was gardening. She had large flower and vegetable gardens where one would find her planting and pulling weeds.
Donna enjoyed time with friends and family, canning, sewing, cooking, harvesting and working cattle.
Donna and Lloyd farmed together until his passing in 1983.
Donna then married Jim Phipps in January 1985.
Dockery of the Northwest District and Justin Ellis of the Southwest District. Honoring retiring members In addition to welcoming new leadership, WyFB expressed its deep appreciation to retiring board members Tim Pexton of Converse County and Raenell Taylor of Crook County for their years of dedicated service. Pexton retired after serving as the Central District director from 1995 to 2025, marking three decades of commitment to
ating from New Mexico State University with a bachelor’s degree in economics. He later went on to earn his Master of Business Administration from Eastern New Mexico University.
Pearce served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2003-09 and from 201119. In 2018, he ran for governor and lost to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who remains in the role today.
Pearce is also the former chair of the Republican Party of New Mexico, a position he held for six years.
Following his nomination, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and Public Lands Council (PLC) announced support for Pearce to serve as director of the BLM
“Having represented New Mexico in Congress and the State House for decades, Pearce understands the important role public lands play across the West. His experience makes him thoroughly qualified to lead BLM and tackle the issues federal lands ranchers are facing,” said NCBA Executive Direc-
They incorporated his ranch and her farm into one progressive operation. Donna spent much of her time looking for ways to improve their properties and support agriculture.
Donna and Jim enjoyed traveling together and spent many years in the company of good friends they fondly referred to as “The Old Gang.” Donna enjoyed people and helping where she was needed.
She was a member of the Lingle Presbyterian Church, Rawhide Extension Club, Grassroots Garden Club, Master Gardeners, Lions Club, Beta Sigma Phi, on several Republican com mittees, quilting groups, Women Involved in Farm Economics, the Lingle Fort Laramie Soil Conservation District Board and the Wyoming Livestock Board.
with her until he passed in January 2010.
After his passing, Donna traveled with friends or family. Some of the places she went to were the Panama Canal, Greece, Germany, Holland, London, Scotland, Ireland, Hawaii, New York and Georgia.
Donna loved spending time with her friends and family. Her special place was “The Cabin” on Lara-
mie Peak. Built by her father in the 1940s, it is safe to say her happiest memories were of time spent there.
Donna is survived by her children Brian (Connie) Wells and Brenda (Kent) Santillanes; stepson James Alex (Pam) Phipps; grandchildren Rob (Christine) Walker, Kyle (Melissa) Walker, Nate (Morgan) Santillanes, Lindsey Santillanes and Leah (Louis) Andonian;
step-grandchildren Ashley (Kyle) Westover and Austin (Caitlyn) Phipps and siblings Shirley (Skip) Lessert, Craig Anderson and Karen (Mike) Stricker, as well as numerous great-grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren and many extended family members. A celebration of life was held on Nov. 22 at the Lingle Presbyterian Church with Curtis Hill officiating.
She was an Avon Lady and worked at a greenhouse.
Donna spent countless hours writing letters to legislators and made numerous trips to Washington, D.C. to lobby for farm interests. Jim supported Donna and attended many meetings
the organization and Wyoming agriculture.
Taylor completed her service after two separate terms on the WyFB Board of Directors – first as YF&R state chair from 2013-14 and later as Northeast District director from 2019-25.
WyFB extends sincere thanks to all who serve and congratulates those elected to leadership positions for the coming year.
WyFB is the state’s largest organization of farmers and ranchers with over 11,000 members across all 23 Wyoming counties. For more information, visit wyfb.org
tor of Natural Resources and PLC Executive Director Kaitlynn Glover.
Steve Pearce Courtesy photo
The Wyoming Weed and Pest Council (WWPC) hosted its 81st Annual Conference in Jackson, bringing together members of all 23 weed and pest districts across Wyoming.
This year’s conference featured outdoor tours and classes for members to discuss noxious weeds and pests in the state, while also celebrating the accomplishments of some of their longest-serving employees and board members.
WWPC hosts the conference each year to promote unified support and leadership for the management of weed and pests to protect the economic and ecological resources in Wyoming.
81st annual conference
Various weed and pest districts converged in
The Throlson American Bison Foundation and Zahringer Memorial Scholarship are proud to announce $30,000 in scholarship awards are being given to eight college students.
The scholarship committee reviewed numerous applications before
Wyoming Weed and Pest Council hosts 81st Annual Conference
Jackson Hole Oct. 27-30.
Employees were welcomed by Teton County Commissioner Natalia Macker, with a keynote address highlighting Jackson’s rich history of wildlife conservation, delivered by Catherine Maguire of History Jackson Hole.
The topics of the conference included yearly strategic planning, agriculture and wildlife challenges, team building, education, outreach, prevention and safety. The meeting was also a chance to share effective programs and policies among the different weed and pest districts.
Additionally, members were treated to presentations from students from the University of Wyoming where cash prizes were given out thanks to a
narrowing it down to the final eight.
The Rich Zahringer Memorial Scholarship Fund will support $6,000 this year to students who focus on agricultural business and accounting. This is in recognition of the fund’s namesake, who was a longtime
donation from the WWPC Employee’s Association.
Special thanks to a grant from the Jackson Hole Travel and Tourism Board, board members were able to tour Grand Teton National Park with Jackson Hole Eco Tour Adventures, as well as tour the National Museum of Wildlife Art.
The yearly conference helps drive the mission of WWPC to keep Wyoming wild and beautiful. Managing the growth of invasive weeds is critical not just for local wildlife, but to the economic stability of Wyoming.
A report written and published by the University of Wyoming and the WWPC in 2024 studied the impact that just 10 of the 31 known invasive weeds have on the state. It
found, if left untreated, the plants could cost taxpayers more than $300 million a year in damage to native plants, livestock, rangeland and crops.
Awards banquet
During an awards banquet during the 81st Annual Conference, WWPC recognized Fremont County Weed and Pest Supervisor Aaron Foster with the prestigious Everett Johnson Award.
The award was initiated by the council in 1995 in honor of Everett Johnson, an Albany County rancher and longtime weed and pest district board member who made significant contributions to Wyoming’s Weed and Pest program, and it is given to recognize the service of a district employee who has demonstrated out-
Scholarship winners announced
bison industry accountant and is among the pioneers of the modern bison-business. The scholarship is made possible by Rocky Mountain Natural Meats in Henderson, Colo.
The Throlson American Bison Foundation is distributing $24,000 to recipients leading the
way in bison-focused academics. The primary mission of the foundation is to annually award scholarships in bison related studies.
Some previous winning students have pursued degrees in veterinary medicine, nutrition, animal science and behav-
standing weed and pest management practices.
Dr. Tim Collier received the Harold P. Alley Award for his contributions to biological control efforts with the University of Wyoming.
The Guy Haggard Award was received by Bob Budd, thanking him for his support and friendship to the council, and Garrett Valkenburg was awarded the Archie Lauer Award as an outstanding board member and the newly-elected president of WWPC.
Service awards were handed out to members who have given 25 years of service to the WWPC.
Recipients included Chuck Pellatz of Converse County, Dennis Hanson of Laramie County, Neil Holmes of Niobrara
ior science. One common theme they have all possessed is an interest in the advancement of the bison industry.
This year’s scholarship recipients include Maite de Almeida of the University of Saskatchewan; Alex Sleep of West Texas A&M University;
County, Josh Shorb of Park County and Erika Edmiston and Sharon Parrott of Teton County.
Mike Forman of the Park County Weed and Pest District was celebrated for 40 years of service.
WWPC is comprised of 23 weed and pest districts in the state of Wyoming. The council works closely with the Wyoming Department of Agriculture and UW to keep current with the latest technology and research available in the ongoing management of noxious weeds and pests. The overall mission is to provide unified support and leadership for the integrated management of noxious weeds and pests to protect economic and ecological resources in the state. For more information, visit wyoweed.org
Joseph Vinod Varre of Utah State University; Bree Eastman of Montana State University and Ekatrina Lopez-Bondarchuk, Angela Lemminger, Garrett Weldy and Kallen Kafka, all of South Dakota State University. For more information, visit nationalbison.org/
Now Enrolling for GrowinG
Beginning Farmers & Ranchers in Wyoming
We’re excited to announce that applications are now open for both hosts and interns. New this year: an early consideration deadline on December 5, 2025. Applications submitted by this date will be reviewed first. The final deadline for spring and summer internships is February 6, 2026. Don’t miss your cha nce to participate in this empowering program!
production year for comparison and enter the coverage percentages in the desired intervals (50 percent May‑Jun; 50 percent Jul‑Aug).
The program provides $5,000 stipends for a 10-week work experience. Eligible applicants are 18 years or older who identify as ready to begin farming/ranching or who have been involved in managing their own agricultural enterprise fewer than 10 years.
Interns
GrowinG Internship Program Highlights
• 38 awarded internships
Selected interns spend 10 weeks on a host farm or ranch assisting with daily activities and learning from the manager and others. Accepted candidates work with the site host to establish start and end dates once an award has been made. Interns also take part in at least one ag education event, such as a UW Extension field day or producer workshop, within the timeframe of their internship.
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
“On-site learning gives students practical insight you can’t get in a classroom—mentorship and hands-on work make all the difference,” said Ben Rashford one of the project co-directors (See GrowinG-WY.org/post/Intern_Tales ). GrowinG interns who are also degree-seeking students are encouraged to seek academic credit for participating in the GrowinG Internship Program. Academic credit must be arranged in advance between the student and an academic advisor with the granting educational institution. Learn about intern experiences with GrowinG in 2025 GrowinG-WY.org/spotlight
Hosts
• 12 Wyoming counties
• 15 states - home to interns
• 7 interns - veteran status
• 5 returning hosts awarded internships in 2025
• 23 unique host operations
The Historical Index can be used to research precipitation trends.
• 2025 UW Giving Day support over $27,000+
Selected hosts agree to provide room and board during the internship. Hosts work with the intern to provide safe, meaningful learning experiences, keeping in mind their educational objectives where possible.“Applications are open to both interns and host operations,” said John Hewlett, project co-director. “Apply early to improve your match with top placements—our state committee begins early consideration selection in December 2025.” Hear why hosts chose GrowinG in 2025 GrowinG-WY.org/spotligh t
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.
Online application forms for 2026 internships are available at GrowinG-WY.org. The site also offers background information on the overall project, as well as links to collections of helpful resources and materials for beginning farmers and ranchers. For more information, contact the GrowinG Internship Program at coordinator@GrowinG-W Y.org or GrowinG-WY.org
For more information
Contact the GrowinG Internship Program at information@GrowinG-WY.org or GrowinG-WY.org .
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 Protection Table displays coverage, premium and possible indemnities for the example situation.
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
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
RI-PRF sign-up for 2023 coverage deadline is Planting deadline for fall-planted crops is approaching (check with a crop insurance agent for exact dates in your area).
James Sedman is a consultant to the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics in the University of Wyoming College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources, and John Hewlett is a farm and ranch management specialist in the department. Hewlett may be reached at (307) 766‑2166 or hewlett@uwyo.edu
The GrowinG Internship Coordinator is located in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, University of Wyoming College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources, and may be reached at (307) 223-5594 or coordinator@ growing-wy.org. Ben Rashford is Department Head and Associate Professor in the department. Rashford may be reached at (307) 766-6474 or brashfor@uwyo.edu. John Hewlett is a farm and ranch management specialist in the department. Hewlett may be reached at (307) 766-2166 or hewlett@uwyo.
of key ingredients many Americans will be taking home in grocery bags this holiday season, including turkey, cubed stuffing,
and whole milk.
Overall, the survey found “a mixed bag of savings and
squeezes,” with some grocery items dropping in price and others seeing a noticeable increase.
Turkey – the centerpiece of the Thanksgiving meal – is one major reason for the overall decrease in cost.
According to AFBF, turkey has historically accounted for about 43 percent of the total
meal price, but this year, it will represent only 39 percent – the lowest share in 25 years.
The survey reports a 16-pound frozen turkey now averages $21.50 or about $1.34 per pound – more than 16 percent cheaper than in 2024 – driven by softening consumer demand and a more stable supply following earlier disruptions caused by the highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak.
Prices for dinner rolls, stuffing and fresh cranberries have also declined, with AFBF reporting reductions of 14.6 percent, nine percent and 2.8 percent, respectively.
The report also shows pumpkin pie mix and shells holding steady.
Although some centerpiece items are cheaper this year, AFBF notes sweet potatoes, frozen green peas, veggie trays, whole milk and
whipping cream will push the bill back up.
“Price increases for fresh produce and key baking ingredients reflect higher costs throughout the supply chain,” AFBF writes. “Farmers who grow fruits, vegetables and potatoes for many Thanksgiving staples continue to face elevated expenses for fertilizer, fuel, machinery, labor and land, which tightens already narrow margins and
limits production capacity.”
Because of this, fresh vegetables and sweet potatoes have posted some of the most notable increases, with veggie trays jumping 61 percent from 2024 and sweet potatoes climbing 37 percent.
AFBF notes this is likely due to weather and natural disasters, especially hurricanes that hit North Carolina – the nation’s largest sweet potato producer – cutting yields and tightening supplies. Additionally, in 2018, AFBF added the cost of ham, Russet potatoes and frozen green beans to the survey to reflect a wider variety of pallets.
When adding these items to the bill, the average cost of a classic Thanksgiving meal rises to $77.09 or $7.71 per person – virtually unchanged at a decrease of 28 cents from 2024.
Discounts and bundles
To help households stretch their holiday budgets, several major retailers have rolled out generous Thanksgiving deals.
According to an Oct. 21 press release, Walmart announced it will offer a ready-made, fully-bundled Thanksgiving meal basket for 10 people priced at $39.92, amounting to just under four dollars per person.
Kroger’s announced it will bring back its popular “Freshgiving” bundle, priced at less than $4.75 per person for a 16-ingredient spread to feed 10 people, and Aldi launched its own Thanksgiving assortment for a similarsized gathering with similar ingredients at roughly $40. Bigger menus and regional differences
Despite these discounts and bundles, AFBF analysts point out Thanksgiving dinners won’t cost the same across the board, as the survey menu represents a basic, no-frills package. Larger gatherings or those who prefer name-brand ingredients, a larger spread of sides and desserts and alcohol should expect to pay even more.
Experts estimate a more mid-range Thanksgiving meal with additional and/or higherquality items will cost closer to $80 to $95 for a party of 10.
AFBF also highlights regional differences.
According to the survey, individuals celebrating in the West are predicted to see the highest cost of a classic Thanksgiving dinner for a party of 10 at $61.75 –nearly 12 percent more than the national average. Those in the Northeast will also pay more than the national average, with grocery bills ringing in at $60.82.
Families celebrating down South will see the most affordable holiday meal at $50.01, followed by the Midwest at $54.38.
Overall, AFBF notes with smart planning, Thanksgiving 2025 is set to be easier on shoppers’ wallets, although the final price tag will ultimately depend on the size of the gathering and how traditional the menu is.
Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
A panel discussion on natural disaster preparedness and recovery took place during the 32nd Annual Wyoming Women in Ag Symposium, held Nov. 6-7 in Gillette
Panelists included Meg Scales, a seedstock producer from Johnson County; Holly Schaack, a rancher from South Dakota; Amy Pravecek, a Zoetis business manager and rancher and Jessica Schuler, an insurance officer with Farm Credit Services of America.
Natural disasters and ag
During the discussion, panelists shared their personal experiences with natural disasters in Wyoming and surrounding states.
The three most common natural disasters posing threats to agriculture in this region are fire, blizzards and drought, and as the conversation underscored, these events produce conditions which are disorienting and life-threatening to people and animals alike.
Although the exact timing and conditions of these events are beyond producers’ control, learning from past events and community experiences, as well as developing emergency preparedness plans, can help mitigate lasting effects and immediate impacts of natural disasters.
Community and communication
Panelists emphasized the importance of communication and community involvement in both mitigation and recovery efforts from natural disasters.
The conversation highlighted the resiliency of local ranchers who band together in the face of emergency to fight fire, search for livestock in blizzards and to pitch in wherever possible, as well as the role of communication in providing comfort and information in times of uncertainty.
Recalling her experi ences during the House Draw Fire in 2024, which affected nearly 175,000 acres across northern Wyoming, Scales noted a network of county radio signals served as the primary mode of commu nication for family mem bers of local ranchers fight ing flames in areas with low cellphone coverage.
It also provided an out let to stay involved and exchange crucial informa tion about the fire’s path, including which areas needed most immediate attention.
sized the role community played in healing from the fire’s impact.
She highlighted the often-unseen stressors of natural disasters, like holding families together and delivering groceries to neighbors unable to leave their homes, and acknowledged ways to contribute to recovery efforts from a nonfinancial perspective.
“One thing I think all of us can do as women in ag is look out for our neighbors,” Scales said. “At the end of the day, we’re all going to have disaster happen at a different point. Without community looking out for each other, we couldn’t do this.”
Proactive preparedness
In terms of emergency preparedness, Scales emphasized knowing neighbors’ phone numbers and understanding surrounding terrain are of utmost importance.
She highlighted software like OnX and Watch Duty as useful technological tools for understanding the surrounding terrain and monitoring the progression of fires and fire threat.
“Get proactive about understanding how fire will interact on your place and your neighbor’s place,” Scales recommended.
Additionally, Scales encouraged audience members to identify opportunities for organizing disaster relief even before it strikes and shared the example of the Johnson County Fire Relief Fund. She noted this fund was established through a pre-existing 501(c)(3) nonprofit, but emphasized a feeling of “being behind”
or identify eligible entities earlier, she noted producers can avoid this feeling and be more prepared to get the ball rolling when it comes to organizing relief.
“If you are an active community member, I would really encourage you to start investigating now,” Scales said. “Find out what in your community can be a vehicle to serve fundraising efforts if a disaster does hit.”
Understanding insurance options and specifications was another central topic of the discussion.
Navigating insurance
Insurance can play a crucial role in disaster recovery, and panelists emphasized many moving parts go into ensuring producers get the most out of their coverage plans.
Pravacek shared her frustration with some insurance companies refusing to provide aid during Blizzard Atlas in 2013, which brought high winds and heavy snow that caused immense livestock loss in South Dakota.
She explained high moisture content and huge drifts caused cattle to drown, which was not technically covered under many blizzard insurance policies. This resulted in some court cases and extra burdens for ranchers who were already hurting, according to Schaack and Pravacek.
Pravacek further acknowledged the situation was unprecedented by all accounts and had to be navigated by everyone affected.
“To the insurance companies’ defense, something pened before,” Pravecek commented. “Cattle deemed as drowning in a snowstorm
was a new thing for all of us.”
Overall, panelists emphasized insurance policies can be beneficial but must be outlined with specific details in mind and updated constantly. Annual conversations with insurance agents were encouraged all around, and the importance of maintaining accurate and easily accessible records was also emphasized. Schuler stressed the importance of having con-
versations based on experiences as well as hypotheticals with insurance agents to be prepared for a variety of outcomes.
“Sometimes we think of insurance as simply covering one thing, but there are a lot of different divisions we have to make sure would be covered from all angles in specific situations,” Schuler said. “This is where speaking with an agent and having in-depth conversations each year is
going to help producers be more in control.”
“We can’t take away the emotions and distress in the moment, but hopefully when the dust settles, we have a little peace of mind knowing what we have things set in place to protect us from a financial perspective,” Schuler concluded.
Grace Skavdahl is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
Scales recalled juggling multiple calls at once, balancing between dispatch and neighbors to help direct firefighting efforts in order to help save livestock, buildings and lives.
In the end, Scales credited “a very coordinated effort between emergency services, local ranchers and the local fire department” with the success of firefighting efforts in the face of unprecedented conditions. Finally, Scales empha-
panel
on natural disaster preparedness and recovery took place during the 32nd Annual Wyoming Women in Ag Symposium, held Nov. 6-7 in Gillette. Pictured from left to right are panelists Meg Scales, Holly Schaack, Amy Pravacek and Jessica Schuler. WYLR photo
CALENDAR
EVENTS SALES
Nov. 27 Wyoming Livestock Roundup office is closed for Thanksgiving. We wish everyone a wonderful holiday.
Dec. 3 Bureau of Land Management Rock Springs Resource Management Plan Public Meeting, 3-6 p.m., Sweetwater Events Complex, Rock Springs. For more information, visit eplanning.blm.gov, e-mail BLM_WY_RockSpringsRMP@blm.gov or call 307-775-6015.
Dec. 3-5 55th Annual American Gelbvieh Association National Convention, Margarita Hotel, Nashville, Tenn. For more information or to register, visit gelbvieh.org
Dec. 4-13 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, Las Vegas. For more information and tickets, visit nfrexperience.com
Dec. 5 Cornhusker Economics: Ag Outlook Meeting, 9-11 a.m., Panhandle Research, Extension and Education Center, Scottsbluff, Neb. For more information or to register, visit cap.unl.edu/outlook or call at 308-632-1230.
Dec. 5-7 Cody Gun Show, Cody Auditorium, Cody. For more information, contact Michael Salisbury at 307-250-2107.
Dec. 6-7 Rapid City Gun Show, Monument Civic Center, Rapid City, S.D. For more information, call 605-391-8843.
Dec. 8 Nebraska Extension Unit Cost of Production Workshop, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Community Center, Atkinson, Neb. For more information, contact Aaron Berger at 308-235-3122. To register, contact the Holt County Nebraska Extension Office at 402-336-2760 or e-mail Bethany Johnston at bjohnston3@unl.edu.
Dec. 8-10 Wyoming Stock Growers Winter Roundup and Convention, Ramkota Hotel and Convention Center, Casper. For more information or to register, visit wysga.org/events
Dec. 8-10 American Lamb Board Solar Grazing Workshop, Franklin, Ky. For more information or to register, visit lambboard.com
Dec. 9 Nebraska Extension Unit Cost of Production Workshop, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Community Center, Atkinson, Neb. For more information, contact Aaron Berger at 308-235-3122. To register, contact the Holt County Nebraska Extension Office at 402-336-2760 or e-mail Bethany Johnston at bjohnston3@unl.edu.
Dec. 9 Natrona County Predator Management District 2025 Annual Meeting, 3 p.m., Casper Room, Agricultural Resource and Learning Center, Casper. For more information, e-mail ncpmd1@charter.net.
Jan. 8, 2026 Wyoming Game and Fish Department Virtual Fencing Educational Symposium, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Central Pavilion Building, the CAM-PLEX, Gillette. For more information or to register, visit content.govdelivery.com/attachments/ WYWGFD/2025/10/31/file_attachments/3443525/Virtual%20fence%20symposium%20agenda.pdf
Jan. 10-25 National Western Stock Show, Denver, Colo. For more information, visit nationalwestern.com
Jan. 16-Feb. 7 Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, Fort Worth, Texas. For more information, visit fwssr.com
Jan. 21 Beef Cattle Research Council Hormone Implant Webinar, 7 p.m., online. For more information or to register, visit beefresearch.ca
SALES
Nov. 23 Colorado Horse Sale, Adams County Fairgrounds, Brighton, Colo., 970-7448989, coloradohorsesale.com
Nov. 24 The Berry’s Production Sale, at the ranch, Cheyenne, 307-634-5178, 307630-7944, wherecowmenbuybulls.com
Nov. 25 Paint Rock Angus Annual Fall Sale, at the ranch, Hyattville, 307-469-2206, 307-271-2000, 307-272-5332, 307-578-7392, paintrockangus.com
Nov. 28-29 Vermilion Ranch Fall Performance Sale, PAYS, Billings, Mont., 406-6700078, 406-672-5844, vermilionangus.com
Dec. 1 Stevenson’s Diamond Dot Angus 65th Annual Fall Production Sale, at the ranch, Hobson, Mont., 406-366-9023, 406-374-2250, stevensonsdiamonddot.com
Dec. 2 ZumBrunnen Angus Annual Bull and Female Production Sale, at the ranch, Lusk, 307-216-0198, 307-334-2265, zbangus.com
Dec. 2 Ward Livestock Sixth Annual Red, White and Blue Bull Sale, at the ranch, Laramie, 307-399-9863
Dec. 2 Western Video Market, Silver Legacy, Reno, Nev., 530-347-3793, wvmcattle.com
Dec. 2 Sundling and Lane Ranch 10th Annual Bred Female Sale, Billings Livestock, Billings, Mont., 406-580-1518, 406-220-7144
Dec. 3 McDonnell Angus Beef Country Genetics Sale, Midland Bull Test, Columbus, Mont., 406-780-0176, mcdonnellbeefcountry.com
Dec. 4 Sitz Angus 60th Annual Fall Bull and Female Sale, at the ranch, Harrison, Mont., 406-683-5277, 406-581-9153, 208-670-2364, sitzangus.com
Dec. 4 Hewitt Land Company Real Estate Live and Online Auction, Cable Ranch, Haakon County, Philip, S.D., 605-791-2300, hewittlandcompany.com
Dec. 5 KG Ranch Annual Production Sale, at the ranch, Three Forks, Mont., 406600-7514, kgranch.com
Dec. 6 Leachman Cattle High Altitude Bull Sale, Loma, Colo., 970-568-3983, leachman.com
Dec. 6 T-Heart Ranch High Altitude Female Sale, at the ranch, LaGarita, Colo., 719-850-3082, 719-850-3083, t-heartranch.com
Dec. 6 Frederickson Ranch Annual Bull Sale, at the ranch, Spearfish, S.D., 605254-4872, 605-645-4934, fredericksonranch.com
Dec. 6 Lofink Farms Live Hay Auction, Lofink Farms Stackyard, Thermopolis, 307921-1825, 307-921-1864
Dec. 7
Grygiel and Kemnitz Angus Bull Sale, River Hills Sale Facility, Platte, S.D., 605-520-9973, 605-680-2167
Dec. 8 Hollow Top Angus Fourth Annual Production Sale, at the ranch, Pony, Mont., 406-552-0491, 208-365-8862, hollowtopangus.com
Dec. 8 Cross Diamond Cattle Company Annual Production Sale, at the ranch, Bertrand, Neb., 308-991-2452, crossdiamondcattle.com
Dec. 9 Rock Lake Angus Annual Production Sale, at the ranch, Wheatland, 307331-1175, 307-630-1593, rocklakeangus.com
Dec. 10
Hewitt Land Company Real Estate Live and Online Auction, Box Butte Ranch, Meade County, Faith, S.D., 605-791-2300, hewittlandcompany.com
Dec. 8-14 Colorado Horse Sale Top 2025 Consignors Sale, online at coloradohorsesale.com, 970-744-8989
Dec. 13
Amdahl Angus Fall Bull and Female Production Sale, at the ranch, Piedmont, S.D., 605-999-6487, 605-929-3717, amdahlangus.com
POSTCARD from the Past
Compiled by Dick Perue rrichardperue@gmail.com
Although this was written more than 20 years ago to support a nominee for a pioneer award presented by the Grand Encampment Cowboy Gathering Committee, it relates today to promote the efforts of Women in Ag, as reported in the Wyoming Livestock Roundup
This pioneer woman has since passed away, but her legacy as a pioneer ranch woman lives on, and I am proud to pass along her life story. Enjoy.
Betty Ellen Bixler Merrill was born Sept. 13, 1925 in Parco – now known as Sinclair – to Charles and Pearl Bixler. Betty was five years old when her father died of gangrene as the result of an automobile accident. He left behind a young wife and three small children.
It was at this time Pearl moved the family to Encampment where her parents had lived since 1908. Betty’s grandfather John Ross Bowers owned the Encampment Barber Shop, and Betty’s mother managed the telephone office next door.
The barber chair, cash register and several other items from the barber shop are on display at the Grand Encampment Museum.
Betty’s mother, Pearl, married Harley Moore in 1934, and the family moved to his ranch south of Encampment. In 1935, tragedy struck again when Pearl died of an infection. Harley, with the help of his mother, kept and raised the three young Bixler children.
During her school years at Encampment, Betty and her brothers rode horses down the mountain to attend school. After crossing the river, they would leave their horses at a friend’s barn during the day and walk across town for classes.
In 1942, Betty married Dale Merrill. Betty
and Dale purchased the Charlie Hunter Place and started milking cows in 1947, as did many in the valley during the late 1940s-50s.
Hauling milk and cream to the train depot or to the highway to meet Priquet’s freight truck was a daily necessity, and during the winter it could be extremely challenging.
The winter of ’49 was a struggle to stay in business. Betty and Dale used a saddle horse to pull a sled loaded with 10-gallon cans of milk and cream to meet the truck. Betty recalls the sled turning over and spilling milk more than once – leaving the check a little short.
In 1950, Betty and Dale expanded their operation by purchasing the Lester Higby Place. They continued to milk cows until 1959 when the dairy herd was replaced by beef cattle.
Later, the Tappan Ranch – adjoining on the west side of the river – was purchased, along with the Cockerham Ranch near the Colorado border for summer pasture. After Dale’s death in 1984, Betty and her oldest son Bob continued running cattle on the Merrill Ranch until the late 1990s.
Since that time, the Merrill Ranch has been leased out.
Betty always made time to be involved in her children’s many 4-H and FFA projects, fairs and rodeos.
In addition to raising four children – Vonda, Bob, Ed and Kaye – the Merrills always had room for more. Norm Stark and Wade Herring spent their high school years as part of the Merrill household. Dale’s brother “Frosty” also called the Merrill Ranch home.
At the present time, Betty is the proud grandmother of 10 and greatgrandmother of nine.
As well as wearing all the hats that go along with being a rancher, Betty is an active resident of Carbon County. She is a longtime member of Snowy Range and Wyoming CattleWomen, being named “Snowy Range Cattle Woman of the Year.”
For many years, Betty was a timer at the Woodchoppers’ Jamboree and other various rodeos and ropings in the county.
Betty was a longtime board member and continues to volunteer at the Grand Encampment Museum. She is a charter member of the Dirt Diggers Garden Club, member of the Valley View Cemetery Board, member of the VFW Auxiliary and belonged to the Presbyterian Church Mariners, where she served on the election board for several years. She is also actively involved with the Senior Center.
Betty is the epitome of a strong, hard-working, dedicated survivor and is the picture of what this award embodies. She has been the tower of strength for her family and a helping neighbor to all.
She has spent her life living and preserving the ranching and cowboy ways of the Encampment Valley, and we tip our hat to this “Top Hand.”
Pioneer Woman in Ag
Hanging out the wash – Doing the laundry was often a major undertaking on most Wyoming ranches with having to wash the clothes by hand and then hanging them out to dry on the clothesline, as shown in this photo at the Sanger Ranch in southern Carbon County. Note wash tubs and water barrels on the ground between the cabin and first woman on left. Photo courtesy of the Sanger family. Historical Reproductions by Perue
Source: USDA AMS Livestock, Poultry & Grain Market News, Torrington Natonal Sheep Summary As of November 14, 2025 Compared to last week slaughter wooled and shorn lambs sold firm. Slaughter ewes sold firm. Slaughter Lambs: Choice and Prime 1-3: San Angelo: No test.
Ft. Collins: No test. Replacement Ewes: Medium and Large 1-2: San Angelo: No test.
Billings: No test.
Ft. Collins: No test.
South Dakota: No test.
Sioux Falls: No test. Sheep and lamb slaughter under federal inspection for the week to date totaled 40,000 compared to 41,000 last week and 36,780 last year.
Source: USDA AMS LPG Market News, San Angelo, Texas National Wool Review
As of November 14, 2025
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
Source: USDA- CO Dept of Ag Market News Service, Greeley, CO Wyoming Hay Summary
As of November 13, 2025
Special Note: Next release date will be Wednesday, Nov 26th. Compared to two weeks ago hay sales sold mostly steady. Demand has picked up a little in the last two weeks as some ranchers have sold cattle and now have a fairly good idea of what they may need for winter hay. Horse owners (“stable” on the report) are also buying top quality hay. Several loads of small squares have been going out of state to customers in the eastern area of the USA. Majority of the contacts have their 2025 hay baled with a few other neighbors still baling some alfalfa. The rest of the fall crops slowly getting combined and hauled to the bins or feedlots.
Source: USDA AMS Livestock,
South Dakota Hay Summary
As of November 14, 2025
Light demand for all types of hay currently. Autumn has been very mild, outside of an Alberta clipper that brought 2-5 inches of snow last week in areas and has now melted off. Temps at 60-70 degrees at the end of the week allowing for more baling of corn stalks. Corn harvest finishing up as some areas were a little slower waiting for corn to
Compared to last report(10-17-25): Hay sold generally steady to 10.00 lower. Very few new hay sales were seen again this session. Weather conditions have been ideal over the past few weeks. Record warm conditions have greatly curbed demand for hay, and some producers have lowered asking prices in order to move hay. Many ranchers still have cows turned out and plan on leaving them turned out as long as weather conditions allow. Most producers are completely wrapped up with haying for the season with some finishing up 4th cutting just this
2000 after then Gov. Jim Geringer and Sen. Craig Thomas urged stakeholders to find “Wyoming-made solutions” to conflicts between wildlife and agriculture.
“The goal was to ensure a healthy Bighorn population while maintaining a viable domestic sheep industry,” he noted.
Over the course of four years, these diverse interests – including WGFD, WWGA, WY-WSF, Wyoming Stock Growers Association, Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation, National Wild Sheep Foundation, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Wyoming Department of Agriculture (WDA), Wyoming Livestock Board (WLSB) and individual producers – hammered out what became known as the Wyoming Plan, which was later codified into state law in 2015.
The plan established core habitat designations, nonemphasis areas and non-man-
agement zones to help balance conservation and production. It also requires approval from three signatories – WDA, WLSB and the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission – for any changes to be implemented.
This year, the Bighorn Sheep Restoration Area designation was added, providing a framework for potential reintroduction or natural recolonization of Bighorn sheep while protecting livestock producers from liability.
Amundson said the group continues to meet annually in Lander to review updates, challenges and projects.
“Basically, management decisions are the teeth of the plan, but I think it’s really important we are required by statute to meet once a year,” he concluded.
Producer’s perspective
From a producer’s perspective, Sims underscored the real-world impacts of federal grazing decisions.
“When Bighorn sheep show up near domestic sheep allotments, it can trigger federal reassessments that put those grazing permits at risk,” he said. “Ranchers can lose their permits or have them temporarily revoked, which is probably the biggest issue.”
This is why he believes the Wyoming Plan and the state’s commitment to managing Bighorn and domestic sheep interactions responsibly is so important.
He also noted the importance of state and federal cooperation.
“The WGFD has given us plenty of assurance and worked really hard, but we have to have the federal government come to the table, recognize how good of a job individual states have been doing and let them manage Bighorn sheep,” Sims said.
He added, “The framework is there but, bottom line, the federal government is going to have to let states manage their own Bighorn populations.”
Commingling research
Next, Beaver shared findings from Montana’s Wild and Domestic Sheep Commingling Study, a collaborative effort between the Montana Wool Growers Association and Montana Wild Sheep Foundation.
More than a decade in the making, researchers hoped the project would shift from finger pointing toward a shared understanding.
“Stakeholders wanted a situation where wild and domestic sheep could both thrive on the landscape, and they knew the only way to do this was to push past their differences and start working together,” Beaver stated. “Out of this came a collaborative study that kicked off in 2022.”
Because the Montana Game and Fish Department conducts quite a bit of Bighorn sheep research though its new adaptive management plan, Beaver said there are a lot of collared animals in the area, which offered the perfect opportunity to carry out a baseline study.
MSU researchers used monitored Bighorn sheep movement to piece together when, where, how often and under what conditions wild and domestic sheep commingling events were occurring in an area spanning roughly 3,830 acres.
Beaver noted this particular area is dense in sheep operations, with nearly 200 ranches running anywhere from three to 3,000 sheep –amounting to a small average operation size of 16 sheep and five goats.
“We saw 300 close contact events, which is by far more than we were anticipating and most of those would have gone undetected if it wasn’t for this effort,” Beaver stated. “When I say close contact, it isn’t nose to nose. It means we have a GPS point within 200 meters of known domestic sheep and goats.”
He further noted these close contact events included only 32 individual Bighorn sheep including 15 collared rams and 17 collared ewes.
“By design, we’re not testing whether transmission occurs,” he said. “We want to understand the driving factors – the when, where and how.”
Beaver explained these factors include things like whether or not wild sheep are migratory, the density of domestic sheep and goats in the area and whether or not the operations were fenced and/or used livestock guardian dogs.
“The preliminary survey data was kind of surprising,” he admitted. “Among the 59 small producers surveyed, 36 percent had no prior knowledge of any wild and domestic sheep disease concerns and 56 percent had never even heard of Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae (M. ovi).”
Beaver also pointed out approximately 90 percent of these small producers admitted they are not actively
involved in the ag industry.
“So, what we see as part of the management strategy moving forward is implementing conservative outreach,” he said. “We discovered, when they learn and actually understand the issue, they’re far more willing to take preventative measures and be involved in open communication and information reporting.”
Finding common ground
During her time at the microphone, Highland spoke on the scientific and emotional complexities of the debate.
Through her research and travels across the country, she’s found the M. ovi pathogen in multiple other species like white-tailed deer and cattle.
“The issue isn’t one species against another – it’s the pathogen itself,” she stated. “There needs to be a reframing that domestic sheep are not the enemy. The pathogen is the enemy, and we should all be focusing on managing it together.”
“For years we’ve treated this as domestic sheep versus wild sheep, but really its all of us against a complex, shared disease challenge,” she reiterated.
Although the Bighorn and domestic sheep debate has historically been wrought with tension, the tone of this year’s panel was notably friendly and optimistic.
Cheesbrough and Amundson highlighted recent examples of cooperation between both groups, including the submission of joint comment letters on invasive species to shared habitat restoration efforts following wildfires.
“There’s a lot more we agree on than we disagree on,” Cheesbrough said. “We all love the landscape, and we depend on it. Working lands are wildlife lands, and keeping them healthy benefits us both.”
As the discussion wrapped up, the panelists offered cautious hope.
Though there are still challenges ahead, the ability for both parties to come to the table with shared determination and effective communication is a big milestone.
“Not long ago, this conversation couldn’t have happened. Now we are sitting on the same stage – that’s progress,” Crane concluded.
Hannah Bugas is the managing editor
of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
A common enemy – A panel discussion featuring both sides of the wild and domestic sheep debate underscored the importance of working together to fight a common enemy. The panel included Diagnostic Pathologist Dr. Maggie Highland of the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory, Wyoming Wool Growers Association (WWGA) Vice President Shaun Sims, WWGA Executive Vice President Alison Crane, Wildlife Biologist Dr. Jared Beaver of Montana State University Extension, Wyoming Wild Sheep Foundation Executive Director Katie Cheesbrough and Territorial Biologist Ryan Amundson of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, pictured from left to right. WYLR photo
The Field
in the organization.
Focus on Your Roots Farmer's
I’ve had enough of the political drama, divisiveness and schemes. For me, it has served as a reminder to focus on my roots.
I believe in the future of agriculture, with a faith born not of words but of deeds – achievements won by the present and past generations of agriculturists in the promise of better days through better ways, even as the better things we now enjoy have come to us from the struggles of former years.
I believe to live and work on a good farm, or to be engaged in other agricultural pursuits is pleasant as well as challenging, for I know the joys and discomforts of agricultural life and hold an inborn fondness for those associations which –even in hours of discouragement – I cannot deny.
I believe in leadership from ourselves and respect from others. I believe in my own ability to work efficiently and think clearly, with such knowledge and skill as I can secure, and in the ability of progressive
University of Wyoming (UW) Extension welcomes Amber Comer as the new 4-H livestock specialist for the state.
In this role, Comer will help coordinate state-
BY RON RABOU
agriculturists to serve our own and the public interest in producing and marketing the product of our toil.
I believe in less dependence on begging and more power in bargaining, in the life abundant and enough honest wealth to help make it so – for others as well as myself – in less need for charity and more of it when needed, in being happy myself and playing square with those whose happiness depends upon me.
I believe American agriculture can and will hold true to the best traditions of our national life and I can exert an influence in my home and community which will stand solid for my part in this inspiring task.
The FFA Creed, written by E.M. Tiffany and outlined above, was adopted by the National FFA Organization – then known as Future Farmers of America – in 1930.
Each year, thousands of FFA members give the creed as part of their first step in earning their first “degree”
level 4-H events, organize trainings and workshops, develop educational resources and provide leadership for 4-H educators and volunteers. She is happy to answer animal science questions, particularly about subjects like veterinary science, animal care, showmanship or leadership.
“I’ve always loved working with youth and animals. There is nothing more rewarding than watching kids grow in their skills, confidence and character through their 4-H projects,” says Comer. “I’m also looking forward to explor-
The National FFA Organization has over one million student members who have the opportunity to immerse themselves in all aspects of the agriculture industry, ranging from production to science, innovation, marketing, engineering and regulation.
But perhaps the most important opportunity students have through the organization is the handson training they receive in leadership, teamwork, communication and service.
As members, students are required to start and maintain a Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE), which is either a job or business where they are required to show growth, leadership tools and financial progress throughout their FFA career.
Each step up in the SAE program’s progress is rewarded by a degree, ending with the American FFA Degree, with less than one percent of students earning the award each year.
Students who earn the American FFA Degree must first hold the State FFA Degree and be an active member for at least the past three years. They must have completed at least three years or 540 hours of high school agricultural education, completed high school graduation with a minimum “C” average and be out of high school for at least 12
months prior to receiving the award.
They must also have earned a minimum of $10,000 through their SAE – or at least $2,000 and worked 2,250 hours beyond their scheduled school hours – through their SAE. In addition, they must have completed a minimum of 50 hours of community service and demonstrated outstanding leadership abilities and civic involvement.
As a result, over half of all new hires in the agriculture industry are past FFA members.
This past week, my family and I had the privilege of watching our middle son walk across the stage at the National FFA Convention to receive his American FFA Degree. With
over 79,000 attendees, this convention is truly a lifechanging experience.
As a past FFA member and American FFA Degree recipient, I attribute much of my success in life to this amazing organization. It has always served as a reminder of my roots and that my success is largely dependent on my choices, words and actions, not my circumstances.
FFA and other great organizations in our country always have and will continue to create leaders who live with integrity, grit, respect, and strength of character.
As we enter these last few weeks of 2025, let us be mindful of all the great organizations and people working diligently to help
UW welcomes livestock specialist
ing Wyoming’s strong agricultural traditions, working with local communities and helping youth find success both in and out of the show ring.”
Comer earned her bachelor’s degree in animal science from West Texas A&M University in 2017. In 2020, she went on to receive a teaching certification from East Central Board of Cooperative Educational Services in Limon, Colo. She earned a master’s degree in Extension education from Colorado State University (CSU) in the spring of 2025. Most recently, Comer
worked as a 4-H youth development agent in Prowers County, Colorado, for CSU Extension. She coordinated with 4-H members,
leaders and families; networked with local community partners and organized leadership camps, workshops, livestock shows and
make this world a better place.
Let us each be mindful of our roots and the things keeping us grounded to remain as healthy, positive, productive and respectful citizens in our communities.
And, may we all take a moment each day to pray the decisions of our leaders at all levels will be a reflection of the beliefs, ideals and values which have always served as the foundation of our great country.
Ron Rabou is president of Rabou Farms, Inc. in southeastern Wyoming, a nationally known author, speaker and co-host of the nationally-syndicated podcast AgInspo. For more information, visit raboufarms.com
other 4-H programming. Comer started her new role with UW Extension on Oct. 31. She can be reached at acomer4@uwyo.edu.
1 Blk Cow, 1275# $17100 Hoffman, Ronnie - Thermopolis
empower Wyoming communities through increased investment in infrastructure, healthcare and education and secure continued funding for water policy, as well as wildfire mitigation and recovery.
Workforce and infrastructure
Boosting workforce in Wyoming is a primary concern of Gordon’s budget proposal, particularly in the state’s core industries of energy, agriculture and tourism in addition to emerging industries.
“Wyoming has excelled in leadership on energy on all fronts,” Gordon said during the press conference, noting the state’s ability to be a leader has been recognized globally and internationally.
His proposed budget calls for continued investment in energy development, including $5 million in matching funds to continue growing the School of Energy Resources at UW and $2 million for a coal pyrolysis demonstration project.
Gordon also expressed plans to bring Wyoming state employees up to current pay tables and help them stay competitive in the market, noting inflation has affected the ability to retain quality individuals in roles throughout the state.
He also spoke of diversifying Wyoming’s economy through new infrastructure and noted a request for $18.4 million to maintain and develop rural air services.
Additionally, Gordon outlined requests for $27.2 million to be allocated for property tax relief, roughly $470 million for major maintenance projects on state and school facilities and $100 million for capital construction including renovations on the Veteran’s Home in Buffalo. Healthcare and education Investment in healthcare and education is core to Gordon’s proposed budget. During the press conference, Gordon noted he is recommending $5 million be set aside to meet the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) obligations.
In his budget message, Gordon emphasized the importance of assisting hard-working families and increasing education around nutrition.
“My budget recommends Wyoming step up to mitigate the reduction of the federal funds to administer SNAP so hard-pressed working families can continue to receive essential healthy nutrition,” Gordon said. “I also recommend continued funding for CentSible Nutrition, which provides education, budgeting and life-skills to assist families in making healthy food choices and stretching food dollars, including SNAP payments, to meet their nutritional needs.”
“In addition, I encourage the legislature to support getting locally-grown healthy
foods into our schools,” Gordon continued. “It is just the right thing to do – helping farmers and our kids, and teaching families to become more self-sufficient.”
Further, Gordon emphasized wise investment of funds from the Rural Health Transformation Program will be necessary to aid sustainable health infrastructure development in Wyoming.
Among the top priorities outlined during the press conference were improved access to maternity services and increased funding for developmentally disabled waivers.
Water and wildfires
Water and wildfire were additional key issues addressed in the budget proposal.
During the press conference, Gordon emphasized the importance of being able to address concerns posed by ongoing challenges on the Colorado River Basin.
Additionally, Gordon highlighted education as a crucial component of serving Wyoming families and increasing opportunities in the state.
“Our focus must be on ensuring our children have a first-class education to prepare them for jobs right here in Wyoming and ground them in the values that make Wyoming, Wyoming,” said Gordon.
During the press conference, Gordon emphasized a desire to continue investing in the Reimagining and Innovating the Delivery of Education (RIDE) initiative and the Wyoming Innovation Partnership (WIP) which have helped make education opportunities more relevant for communities across the state.
In addition, he noted a request of $5 million for the Wyoming Works programmatic grant funding, including $584,000 for the Wyoming Works student grant funding which allows students to participate in the program.
He also highlighted the success of Wyoming in matching funds for the University of Wyoming (UW) Foundation to ensure continued research investment in critical industries and revealed he is asking for $10 million in state matching funds to aid research at the university.
Gordon noted he is requesting roughly $5 million for water litigation and $740,000 for “two full-time positions to assist on the workload pertaining to the situation in the Colorado River” after citing legal and technical matters and a need for more workforce in the area to address issues which are becoming increasingly more severe.
“As we continue to experience drought, the prize of control of our water becomes ever more pronounced,” stressed Gordon. “This crisis in the making is no joke. Wyoming farmers and ranchers, refiners and residences –potentially our whole economy – are threatened if we do not get this one right.”
Additionally, Gordon expressed a goal of changing the way Wyoming addresses fire, increasing the state’s capacity to meet fire needs following several years of the worst fires in state history. His proposal asks for two fire suppression modules totaling $4,573,454 which would “allow for state forestry to send an engine to address fires when volunteer forces become unable to meet commitments due to workload or exhaustion.”
Gordon’s proposal also asks to replenish funds in the emergency fire suppression account, which is usually kept around $20 million, and to potentially increase its capacity.
In total, the budget proposal asks for $11.13 billion throughout the 2027-2028 fiscal year.
Grace Skavdahl is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
Four States Irrigation Council meeting set
Timely and critical water-infrastructure issues will be at the center of discussions at the Four States Irrigation Council’s 2026 Annual Meeting, to be held Jan. 14-15 at the Delta Hotel in Northglenn, Colo. The gathering will bring together irrigation company representatives, state and federal officials, farmers and others. The general public and media are also invited to attend the event.
Steer, 498#
5 Steer, 494#
7 Steer, 507# $489.00
7 Steer, 497# $474.00
UT
22 Steer, 522#
7 Steer, 518# $468.00
8 Steer, 520# $466.00
29 Steer, 555# $442.00
60 Steer, 577# $426.00
4 Steer, 570# $420.00
17 Steer, 592# $418.00
14 Steer, 587# $418.00 FORT WASHAKIE
9 Steer, 591# $405.00 RIVERTON
6 Steer, 605# $403.00
7 Steer, 620# $402.50
Steer, 610# $393.00
8 Steer, 630# $390.50
11 Steer, 630# $390.25 DANIEL
9 Steer, 648# $387.00
4 Steer, 648# $387.00
28 Steer, 674# $376.25
15 Steer, 703# $363.25
17 Steer, 725#
RIVER 6 Steer, 729#
2 Heifer, 322#
2 Heifer, 337#
2 Heifer, 347#
Heifer, 426#
Presentations during the annual meeting will cover some of the region’s critical water-infrastructure projects, as well as examine various challenges and issues facing irrigators today.
Updates will be provided by U.S. Bureau of Reclamation officials, the Family Farm Alliance, representatives of state water resources offices, university staff and other experts from across the four state region, which includes Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska and Wyoming.
once again be presented this year during the annual meeting banquet. These awards are given to individuals who have been active and supportive of irrigation and water resources developments in the Four States region.
To learn more about the event and get registered, visit 4-states-irrigation.org
CROWHEART
5 Cow, 1283# $163.50
ROBERTSON
4 Cow, 1172# $163.00
FORT WASHAKIE
COKEVILLE
2 Cow, 1192# $162.00
11 Cow, 1197#
ENCAMPMENT
8 Cow, 1153#
7 Cow, 1278# $160.00
BIG PINEY
BOULDER
5 Cow, 1286#
SHOSHONI
3 Cow, 1238#
BOULDER
$160.00
$159.00
6 Cow, 1277# $158.00
6 Cow, 1189# $158.00
PINEDALE
10 Cow, 1192# $157.50
GREEN RIVER
BONDURANT
9 Cow, 1184# $156.00
6 Cow, 1146# $156.00
COKEVILLE WY 17 Cow, 1319# $155.75 BULLS
PINEDALE 1 Bull, 1660# $188.50
OPAL 1 Bull, 1820#
RIVERTON
1 Bull, 1790#
ROBERTSON
1 Bull, 1935#
RIVERTON 1 Bull, 1810#
CROWHEART
1 Bull, 2190# $183.50
THERMOPOLIS
Bull, 2170#
Bull, 1845#
bulls! Greet
(7200’). Big, fancy bred heifers! Bred to
Blk
Bred to
are
Bred Heifers.
Sires Baldridge Movin On & Nel-
Ridgeline to start calving end of February. 70 are bull bred to Lazy Double A sons of Dear Valley Optimum 9246 for March/April calving. All heifers rec Virashield 6 VL5 & poured this fall. Bulls are LBW & Low PAP. Nice, reputation heifers! Cody & Pam Chrisman- 50 Blk Ang Bred Hfrs. Bred to LBW Black Angus bulls to start calving March 29th. BRED COWS V Ranch- 160 Bred Blk Cows (85 coming 4yr olds, 52 coming 5 yr olds, 26 coming 7 yr olds) Rec Dectomax Inj & Clean-Up this fall, Bovieshield 5 Gold FP this spring. Year around mineral program. Exposed 6/11-8/11 to GG&T & Doubet Black Sal/Ang composite bulls, pulled bulls after 60 days. Cows winter on range, with very little hay. One Iron. Cows are 6-7 generations of strategic crossbreeding for longevity, fertility & do-ability. Bred to run in high, arid environment! Tim & Anna Rodewald- 87 Bred Blk Ang coming 3 yr old cows. Bred to Hague Angus Ranch blk angus bulls to start calving March 20th for 60 days. Rec Virashield 6 VL5 HB, Vision 7 w/ Somnus, Safe-Guard dewormer & Prozap pour-on this fall. Every heifer raised a
