Volume 36 Number 41 • February 1, 2025
®
The Weekly News Source for Ranchers, Farmers and AgriBusiness Community • www.wylr.net
A Look Inside WWIA keynote speaker encourages women to live authentically............ Page A10 Egg prices continue to climb as HPAI outbreak grows.......... ..................................Page B1 Recent arctic blast impacts crops..........................Page B2
Property tax bills continue to move through the legislature A number of property tax measures are currently navigating the legislative process as Wyoming lawmakers thoughtfully consider options to address the high property tax rates affecting specific regions of the state. In 2024, several important prop-
erty tax relief bills were enacted in response to notable increases in residential taxes. Nevertheless, many legislators feel additional measures may still be necessary to adequately address the concerns of constituents.
Two significant property tax bills are currently advancing with noteworthy support, as they have successfully passed through each vote held. Homeowner tax exemption House Bill (HB) 169, sponsored by Please see PROPERTY TAX on page A9
American Angus Association names 2025 Angus Herdsman of the Year.............. ..................................Page B5 Model developed to predict invasive weed hotspots........... ................................ Page B11 Annual ASI convention focuses on targeted and solar grazing.....................Page B12
Quick Bits Snow Report
In the seventh snow report for Water Year 2025, the state’s snowpack telemetry data reads 85% of median, with a basin high of 108% and a basin low of 45%. Last year, the state was at 80% and at 116% in 2023. The report and a map displaying basin snow water equivalent percentages of median for the state may be found at wrds.uwyo.edu/ wrds/nrcs/nrcs.html.
U.S. Milk
Milk production in the U.S. from October through December 2024 totaled 55.5 billion pounds, down 0.1% from the same time last year. Wyoming dairy herds produced 62.9 million pounds of milk during the last quarter, up 1.5% from the previous year. Other highlights from the Mountain Region include Colorado dairies with 1.33 billion pounds, up 3.9%; Arizona dairies with 1.14 billion pounds, down 5.3%; New Mexico with 1.46 billion pounds, down 4.4%; Utah dairies with 520 million pounds, up 2% and Montana dairies with 48 million pounds, down 4%.
VAPG Open On Jan. 27, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced its Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) Program is now open. USDA Rural Development will award approximately $30 million in grant funding during this year’s round. Applications are due on April 17. Eligible applicants must produce more than 50% of the agricultural commodity to which value will be added. Processors who don’t own any of the livestock being processed are ineligible. USDA defines value-added as commodities which have “undergone a change in physical state or produced in a manner which enhances the value.” For more information, visit rd.usda.gov.
NWSS ENDS ON A HIGH NOTE WITH RECORD-BREAKING LIVESTOCK SALE After two whirlwind weeks of competitive livestock shows, thrilling entertainment and tough rodeo competition, the 119th National Western Stock Show (NWSS) wrapped up in Denver with a sold-out, record-breaking Auction of Junior Champions on the evening of Jan. 24.
With World Champion Auctioneer John Cory at the helm, the sale shattered multiple records, fetching a record-breaking total of $1,452,500 across 98 animals, which is the highest total in stock show history. Please see NWSS on page A6
Shattered records – The 2025 National Western Stock Show (NWSS) Grand Champion Steer, exhibited by 14-year-old Madilyn Norvell of Tuttle, Okla., brought a staggering $210,000 at the Auction of Junior Champions, shattering the previous record set in 2023 by Justin Pfannebecker of $200,000. NWSS photo
Rollins provides vision for USDA at confirmation hearing Surrounded by a large support system of family, friends and community members, Brooke Rollins, President Donald Trump’s U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) secretary nominee, outlined her day-one priorities, laid out her vison for the department and fielded questions about how she will tackle current issues during her confirmation hearing on Jan. 23 in Washington, D.C. During her opening remarks, Rollins thanks family and friends in attendance, including her former FFA advisor and the little league softball team she coaches, as well as the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry for her nomination. “Most importantly, I want to thank and honor the men and women I may potentially serve, who daily – without pause or complaint – provide our great nation and the world with the best food, fiber and fuel,” she adds. “It is clear we all agree farmers and ranchers are the cornerstone of our nation’s communities, and I commit to you today, if confirmed, I will do everything in my ability to make sure our farmers, ranchers and rural communities thrive,” she continues. Immediate priorities With hopes of “rethinking” and “modernizing” USDA in line with Trump’s plans to make sweeping changes across federal agencies, Rollins notes she would immediately get to work on four priorities if confirmed as USDA secretary. First, she says she will make a “fast and furious effort” to efficiently distribute the $10 billion of economic aid approved Please see ROLLINS on page A4
Hot sale Over half a million in bison sales generated at the 2025 GTSS The National Bison Association (NBA) hosted its 45th Gold Trophy Show and Sale (GTSS) on Jan. 25 at the National Western Stock Show Livestock Event Center in the Del Hensel Bison Pens in Denver. Nearly 120 head of top bison breeding stock from the U.S. and Canada gathered in the Mile High City for the annual event. Twenty-four consignors brought animals to the sale, ranging from calves to two-year-olds, which were judged by Dave Schroth of Ellsworth, Neb. and Trevor Gompf of Oak Lake, Manitoba, Canada. Quality Auction Services, Inc., of Rapid City, S.D. called the auction, which hosted 77 registered bidders from 24 states and two Canadian provinces. According to a Jan. 28 NBA press release, the 2025 sale saw a 6.3 percent increase from a year ago, reflecting the growing strength within the bison live animal market. “GTSS is known for offering the top breeding genetics in the bison business, and this year was no exception,” states NBA Executive Director Jim Matheson in the press release. “As the judges can Please see BISON on page A8
FEATURED YOUNG PRODUCER Sagner has a promising future in agriculture Growing up as the sixth-generation in her family’s cow/calf operation southwest of Chugwater, Megan Sagner is deeply rooted in agriculture. “This lifestyle has allowed me to develop a deep appreciation for all things agriculture and the people within the industry, and it truly is my greatest passion,” Megan expresses. Her parents work on the family ranch operated by her grandparents, who live two miles up the road from Megan’s childhood home.
“Going to the ranch was like daycare for my older sister and me,” she shares. “Whatever was going on at the ranch, from moving cows, fencing and checking salt and mineral for cows, we were there. We spent many hours coloring in the horse trailer while my family worked cows.” She also recalls spending countless hours in a baby carrier riding horses with her parents until she was old enough to ride on her own. “I cannot emphasize enough how
periodical
periodical
Please see SAGNER on page A16